cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Blockade of smoking satisfaction using the peripheral nicotinic antagonist trimethaphan.

Abstract The present study was conducted to investigate the role of peripheral nicotinic receptors in mediating the rewarding effects of cigarette smoking. Twelve cigarette smokers rated cigarettes after intravenous infusion of the short-acting peripheral nicotinic receptor antagonist trimethaphan and after placebo (saline) infusions. Subjects were blinded to the infusion and cigarette conditions. Cigarette conditions included subjects’ usual brand of cigarette, denicotinized tobacco cigarettes, and nicotine-injected cigarettes that had a tar delivery equal to that of the denicotinized cigarettes but with an enhanced nicotine delivery equal to that of subjects’ usual brands. The latter cigarettes were rated as extremely harsh due to the high nicotine/tar ratio. Trimethaphan significantly attenuated the airway sensations associated with nicotine, and eliminated the difference in smoking satisfaction between the usual brand of cigarette and the other two cigarettes. These findings suggest that nicotinic receptors on peripheral nerve endings in the respiratory tract modulate smoking satisfaction and may be important in the maintenance of cigarette addiction.
Benzothiophene inhibitors of MK2. Part 2: Improvements in kinase selectivity and cell potency

Optimization of kinase selectivity for a set of benzothiophene MK2 inhibitors provided analogs with potencies of less than 500 nM in a cell based assay. The selectivity of the inhibitors can be rationalized by examination of X-ray crystal structures of inhibitors bound to MK2.
Nicotinamide and 3-aminobenzamide interfere with receptor-mediated transmembrane signaling in murine cytotoxic T cells: independence of Golgi reorientation from calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate generation.

Abstract The two competitive inhibitors of ADP-ribosylation, nicotinamide and 3-aminobenzamide. have been reported to interfere with TNF-induced cell apoptosis, and there is evidence that they inhibit killer-induced target cell lysis as well. There are very few drugs known to specifically interfere with target apoptosis induced by killer cells. We therefore sought to explore the effects these inhibitors have on CTL-mediated cell lysis. Here we show that TcR-mediated transmembrane signaling in CTL, measured by Ca 2+ mobilization and generation of inositol phosphates, is inhibited by nicotinamide. The possibility that all cell functions are suppressed by the drug is excluded by the finding that constitutive secretion of BLT serine esterase is not inhibited, whereas stimulated secretion of this enzyme is suppressed. We also show that nicotinamide does not interfere with CTL target cell binding or reorientation of the Golgi apparatus toward the target binding site. It is concluded that nicotinamide inhibits transmembrane signaling in CTL and thereby interferes with delivery of the lethal hit to targets.
Guanylhydrazones in therapy of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia in immunosuppressed rats.

Abstract Guanylhydrazones are cationic heteroaromatic drugs similar to the diamidines which are effective in the treatment of African trypanosomiasis and pneumocystosis. On the basis of their antitrypanosomal activity, different guanylhydrazones were selected for evaluation in a rat model of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The most active compounds were the 2-(4'-formylphenyl)-1-methylimidazo-[1,2-a] pyridinium guanylhydrazones which, at a dose of 2 mg/kg/day, were about as effective as trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole at a dose of 50 mg of trimethoprim per kg/day plus 250 mg of sulfamethoxazole per kg/day. The anti-P. carinii activity of these guanylhydrazone derivatives was found with parenteral but not with oral administration. The 1,3-arylene diketone bis(guanylhydrazones) were generally ineffective, although a triacetyl derivative showed some anti-P. carinii activity. Nitroimidazole guanylhydrazone derivatives were also ineffective. Attempts to improve the therapeutic efficacy of the different guanylhydrazones were limited by problems of toxicity. We conclude that some guanylhydrazone derivatives are potent anti-P. carinii drugs and that further studies should be pursued to develop safer compounds and investigate structure-activity relationships.
The search for quantum chaos: From celestial mechanics to the helium atom

Abstract The classical problem of three bodies interacting under their mutual gravitational force has long been known to exhibit a mixture of regular and chaotic dynamics. Three bodies interacting under the influence of their mutual electric force should exhibit the same dynamical behavior, because the gravitational force and the electric force both obey the same inverse-square power law. However, an atomic-scale three-body electrical system—the helium atom—is also governed by quantum mechanics. The question is how the underlying chaotic classical behavior of the three-body electrical problem manifests in a quantum system. Or, how large does an atom have to be to show classical behavior? This question is addressed by experiments performed using an ultrabright beam of photons from the Advanced Light Source to study doubly excited autoionizing states of the helium atom.
Bipolar polymer electrolyte interfaces for hydrogen–oxygen and direct borohydride fuel cells

Abstract Direct borohydride fuel cells (DBFCs) using liquid hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant are safe and attractive low temperature power sources for unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) as they have excellent energy and power density and do not feature compressed gases or a flammable fuel stream. One challenge to this system is the disparate pH environment between the anolyte fuel and catholyte oxidant streams. Herein, a bipolar interface membrane electrode assembly (BIMEA) is demonstrated for maintaining pH control of the anolyte and catholyte compartments of the fuel cell. The prepared DBFC with the BIMEA yielded a promising peak power density of 110 mW cm −2 . This study also investigated the same BIMEA for a hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell (H 2 –O 2 FC). The type of gas diffusion layer used and the gas feed relative humidity were found to impact fuel cell performance. Finally, a BIMEA featuring a silver electrocatalyst at the cathode in a H 2 –O 2 FC was successfully demonstrated.
Meningococcal meningoencephalitis after certolizumab pegol treatment in a patient with Crohn's disease

Dear Sir, We report the case of a 51-year-old female who presented with fever, altered sensorium and agitated behavior. She was diagnosed with Crohn's disease two years back and had been in clinical remission on certolizumab pegol (CZP) for the last six months. At admission she had a temperature of 103 °F, heart rate of 110 per minute and her blood pressure was 125/76 mm Hg. Physical exam revealed nuchal rigidity without any pupillary abnormalities, skin rash, or focal neurological deficits. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed a white cell count …
Highway 3D model from image and lidar data

We present a new method of highway 3-D model construction developed based on feature extraction in highway images and LIDAR data. We describe the processing road coordinate data that connect the image frames to the coordinates of the elevation data. Image processing methods are used to extract sky, road, and ground regions as well as significant objects (such as signs and building fronts) in the roadside for the 3D model. LIDAR data are interpolated and processed to extract the road lanes as well as other features such as trees, ditches, and elevated objects to form the 3D model. 3D geometry reasoning is used to match the image features to the 3D model. Results from successive frames are integrated to improve the final model.
International Capital on “Silicon Plateau”: Work and Control in India's Computer Industry

If workers in industrialized countries lose out when jobs go overseas, do workers in developing countries benefit when jobs come from overseas ? This article uses the recent influx of foreign capital into India's computer industry to show how newforms of control of labor can prevent workers in developing countries from capturing all the benefits that workers in industrialized countries lose as a result offoreign investment. In the Indian case the economic integration of markets - a feature of late capitalism - has recreated the Taylorist production dynamics associated with an earlier era, and a new kind of invisible deskilling has limited the potential of job growth in the industry
Organische Phosphorverbindungen, I. Darstellung asymmetrischer Tetraalkyl‐ und Dialkyl‐diaryl‐diphosphindisulfide

Die Umsetzung von Thiophosphonsaurehalogeniden mit Grignard-Verbindungen liefert in guten Ausbeuten asymmetrische, organisch substituierte Diphosphindisulfide, die durch fraktionierte Kristallisation in Racemat und Mesoform aufgetrennt werden konnen. Eine Auftrennung des Racemats in die optisch aktiven Antipoden gelang nicht.
Completion lobectomy after bilateral lung volume reduction for emphysema: salvage option or fancy?☆

left venous valve remnant as the incomplete partition may explain the morphogenesis of the midline chamber. Because of marked asymmetry in the timing and sequence of events for pulmonary venous development, a process of differential pulmonary venous segregation, which supports the primary theory, may explain right pulmonary vein malincorporation into the midline chamber. Although appreciation of the developmental basis would not have altered the surgical approach, recognition of precise anatomic disposition of this unusual anomaly is essential for effective planning of the appropriate corrective surgical strategy. Awareness of the exact nature of the pulmonary venous drainage is pivotal to the prevention of pulmonary venous obstruction and its ensuing adverse hemodynamic effects. References
HD structural isotope effect in hydrogen-bonded 2-aminoethanol

The microwave spectra of the d3 species of intramolecularly hydrogen-bonded 2-aminoethanol (ODCH2CH2ND2) as well as the d3-O18, d3-N15 and three d2 isotopic forms have been studied. The rs O-(D)⋯N distance of 2.8027(5) A in the d3 species is 0.0058(7) A shorter than the O-(H)⋯N distance found earlier for the d0 species (R. E. Penn and R. F. Curl, Jr., J. Chem. Phys.55, 651–658 (1971)). The anomalous rs structural parameters rOH = 1.14 A and ∠COH = 103.7°, when corrected for the systematic error caused by the O⋯N “shrinkage” upon deuteration, become 1.00 A and 108°, respectively.
Analyzing Book-Related Features to Recommend Books for Emergent Readers

We recognize that emergent literacy forms a foundation upon which children will gage their future reading. It is imperative to motivate young readers to read by offering them appealing books to read so that they can enjoy reading and gradually establish a reading habit during their formative years that can aid in promoting their good reading habits. However, with the huge volume of existing and newly-published books, it is a challenge for parents/educators (young readers, respectively) to find the right ones that match children's interests and their read-ability levels. In response to the needs, we have developed K3Rec, a recommender which applies a multi-dimensional approach to suggest books that simultaneously match the interests/preferences and reading abilities of emergent (i.e., K-3) readers. K3Rec considers the grade levels, contents, illustrations, and topics, besides using special properties, such as length and writing style, to distinguish K-3 books from other books targeting more mature readers. K3Rec is novel, since it adopts an unsupervised strategy to suggest books for K-3 readers which does not rely on the existence of personal social media data, such as personal tags and ratings, that are seldom, if ever, created by emergent readers. Further-more, unlike existing book recommenders, K3Rec explicitly analyzes book illustrations, which is of special significance for emergent readers, since illustrations assist these readers in understanding the contents of books. K3Rec focuses on a niche group of readers that has not been explicitly targeted by existing book recommenders. Empirical studies conducted using data from BiblioNasium.com and Amazon's Mechanical Turk have verified the effectiveness of K3Rec in making book recommendations for emergent readers.
Anticardiolipin antibodies in first- and second-trimester pregnancy loss

Abstract Objective: To determine whether a difference exists in the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies in patients with a history of recurrent first- versus second-trimester pregnancy loss. Methods: Patients presenting to the Pregnancy Loss Evaluation Service (PLES) from June 1994 to December 1999 were tested for the presence of anticardiolipin IgG, IgM, and IgA antibodies. Levels were measured by a single reference laboratory test. Patients were eligible for the service if they had experienced recurrent first-trimester losses (RFTLs) or at least one second-trimester loss (STL). Comparisons based on the presence of the anticardiolipin antibody were made between patients with RFTL versus STL. Significance was set at P less than 0.05. Results: Anticardiolipin antibody levels were obtained in 93% (243/261) of patients during PLES evaluations. There were 132 patients with RFTL and 129 patients with a STL. 1st-trimester loss 2nd-trimester loss P value Anticardiolipin IgG 6.1% (8/130) 4.4% (5/113) 0.49 Anticardiolipin IgM 7.1% (9/126) 1.7% (2/115) 0.08 Anticardiolipin IgA 2.2% (2/88) 0% (0/78) 0.18 Conclusion: Although the prevalence of anticardiolipin antibodies is greater in patients with first-trimester losses, testing is justified in both first-trimester and second-trimester loss evaluations.
Synthesis and characterization of antagonists of cyclic-ADP-ribose-induced Ca2+ release

Cyclic ADP-ribose (cADPR) is a naturally-occurring metabolite of NAD+ that is as effective as inositol trisphosphate in mobilizing intracellular Ca2+. A series of analogs modified at the 8-position of the adenine group were synthesized for the investigation of the relationship between the structure of the metabolite and its Ca(2+)-mobilizing activity. Substitution with an amino group at the 8-position of the adenine ring produced an antagonist. The 1H-NMR spectrum of 8-amino-cADPR showed characteristics of that of cADPR and confirmed the replacement of the 8-proton. By itself, 8-amino-cADPR (150 nM) did not induce Ca2+ release from sea-urchin-egg homogenates but totally blocked cADPR (135 nM) from doing so. The effect was reversible, since high concentrations of cADPR could overcome the inhibition. Addition of 8-amino-cADPR to egg homogenates during the cADPR-induced Ca2+ release blocked the release immediately, demonstrating the effectiveness of the antagonist. Measurements of [32P]cADPR binding to its microsomal binding site showed that 8-amino-cADPR was as effective as cADPR itself in competing for the binding site. In addition to blocking cADPR from releasing Ca2+, 8-amino-cADPR also inhibited cADPR from potentiating Ca(2+)-release induced by either divalent cations or by caffeine. Two other 8-substituted analogs were also synthesized. Both 8-Br- and 8-azido-cADPR were also antagonists, although with less potency than 8-amino-cADPR. These results show that alterations at the 8-position of the adenine group do not inhibit cADPR from binding to its receptor but do eliminate the ability of the metabolite to activate the Ca(2+)-release mechanism.
DNA Sequence Dependent Affinities for Nucleosome Formation Calculated by Thermodynamic Integration

The positioning of nucleosomes within the genome is important in regulating the expression of genes. We calculate the differences in free energy of nucleosome formation between different DNA sequences by performing thermodynamic integration on a coarse-grained model of a nucleosome. We find small differences in free energies of nucleosome formation between different DNA sequences, consistent with the fact that the effects of intrinsic DNA sequence preferences for nucleosome formation are present but not dominant in vivo. We also determine how the presence of molecular crowders affects these free energy differences.
Ménière's Disease: A Challenging and Relentless Disorder

Meniere's disease (MD) is characterized by episodic vertigo, fluctuating hearing loss and tinnitus, and by the presence of endolymphatic hydrops on postmortem examination. This disease continues to be a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Patients with MD range from minimally symptomatic, highly functional individuals to severely affected, disabled patients. Current management strategies are designed to control the acute and recurrent vestibulopathy but offer minimal remedy for the progressive cochlear dysfunction. Recent research highlights the role of neurotoxicity in the pathogenesis of the cochleovestibular deterioration. This article discusses a patient with MD, and provides an algorithm for the management of this disease.
OBSERVATIONS ON PURINE METABOLISM IN RAT BRAIN

— Both de novo and preformed base or salvage pathways are simultaneously operative in the biosynthesis of purine nucleotides in rat brain per se. A preferential utilization of de novo precursors is demonstrated.
X-ray studies of the interface between two polar liquids: neat and with electrolytes.

We demonstrate the use of X-ray reflectivity to probe the electron density profile normal to the interface between two polar liquids. Measurements of the interfacial width at the neat nitrobenzene/water and the neat water/2-heptanone interfaces are presented. These widths are consistent with predictions from capillary wave theory that describe thermal interfacial fluctuations determined by the tension and bending rigidity of the interface. Variation of the temperature of the water/nitrobenzene interface from 25°C to 55°C indicates that the role of the bending rigidity decreases with increasing temperature. X-ray reflectivity measurements of the electrified interface between an aqueous solution of BaCl2 and a nitrobenzene solution of TBATPB demonstrate the sensitivity of these measurements to the electrolyte distribution at the interface. A preliminary analysis of these data illustrates the inadequacy of the simplest, classical Gouy–Chapman theory of the electrolyte distribution.
Applications of VAS and TOVS to tropical cyclones

The results of the attempts to use VAS (visible IR spin scan radiometer atmospheric sounder) data for predicting tropical cyclones are reported. VAS, mounted on a GEO platform, has 14 detectors for upwelling radiance. The McIDAS software was, by the 1983 hurricane season, upgraded to providing imagery and mass, motion and moisture patterns using the satellite data, which also permitted determinations of accurate temperature and moisture profiles. Comparisons made between VAS and radiosonde data revealed fairly close agreement of satellite and in-situ conditions during the 1983 season. When combined with data from the Tiros operational vertical sounder (TOVS) to define wind streamlines and predict the path of a hurricane from data fed into numerical models, sufficiently good agreement was obtained to initiate plans to forecast a hurricane trajectory during the 1984 season.
TO VAD OR NOT TO VAD: That is the question. Improving the experience of receiving a Ventricular Assist Device (VAD)

As part of its Healthy Aging & Independent Living (HAIL) initiative, Mayo Clinic Center for Innovation (CFI) examined the patient experience regarding the decision to receive a ventricular assistive device (VAD) implant, and patients’ quality of life after the surgery. As health care technology continues to develop, more people will be living longer, fuller lives with the assistance of wearable/implantable medical devices such as the VAD. This case study examined and made recommendations on ways for the Mayo Clinic VAD Committee to improve the program.
Mass Casualty Potential of Qassam Rockets

In spite of the bombardment of southern Israel by thousands of Qassam rockets fired from the Gaza Strip, comparatively few people have been injured or killed. This has led some observers to dismiss Qassams as more of a symbolic than lethal threat. However, southern Israeli towns feature robust civil defense systems that include safe rooms, bomb shelters, early detection alarms, and missile defense. How many casualties would occur were such systems not in place? This article applies shrapnel-casualty and spatial allocation models to the population of the southern Israeli town of Sderot to estimate casualties per randomly aimed rocket fired into the unprepared town; that is, in the absence of civil defense (technical details appear in the Appendix). Assuming an injury radius of only 5 meters from impact, the modeled expected casualties per rocket are between three (best-case) and nine (worst-case) times higher than Sderot's observed casualties-to-rocket ratio, suggesting that Qassam-like terror attacks on u...
The Structuration of Crisis Management: Guiding a Process of Repair

Crisis management, specifically the communicative response to a threatening event, is intended to both inform and persuade. However, the approaches to crisis management may be contradictory at times, constraining the intended purpose of repairing a corporation’s image. Structuration theory provides a perspective for the enabling and constraining features of action as well as the unintended consequences that occur. Through a rhetorical criticism of press releases issued by BP in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the enabling and constraining features of crisis management are presented and a call to revisit best practices in crisis management is made. ©Journal of Professional Communication, all rights reserved.
Short-term vegetation response to wildfire in the eastern Sierra Nevada: Implications for recovering an endangered ungulate

Abstract We studied short-term changes in vegetation for two years following a summer wildfire on the winter ranges of Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis sierrae). Forbs dominated burned areas and shrubs dominated unburned areas. Green forage (new-growth of all forage classes) biomass rebounded quickly; within two years green forage biomass was equal in burned and unburned areas, although total forage biomass remained greater in unburned areas. Plants in the burn had slightly higher crude protein but equivalent digestibility and phenology as plants in unburned areas. This, in combination with the shift toward more forb biomass, likely increased forage quality in burned areas. Forage models developed from ground-based measures of biomass performed better than the NDVI and were able to capture changes in forage composition, emphasizing the importance of field sampling to model vegetation. Based on microhistological analyses of fecal pellets, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep whose winter ranges were extensively burned consumed more forbs than those with less burned habitat. Visibility was greater in burned areas compared with unburned areas, suggesting that burns may decrease predation risk from stalking predators. In conclusion, wildfire may have beneficial effects for Sierra bighorn by increasing forb availability, forage quality and visibility.
Microvillous anomalies induced by various conditions of stress in the small intestine of the rat.

Abstract The ultrastructural effects of acute and chronic stress in vivo on jejunal microvilli were studied in rats, in order to investigate factors which control microvillous organization. Rats were subjected to one of the following six conditions of stress: ischemia (15 min), hypothermia (20 min), lactose-induced diarrhea (3 days), mecamylamine-induced malabsorption (3 days), protein malnutrition (3 wk), or protein-calorie malnutrition (3 wk). At the end of each period of stress, the jejunum was fixed and prepared for electron microscopy. All six agents caused the appearance of abnormal microvilli, defined as “twinned”, involving up to 9.1% of the mucosal surface. The twinned microvillus consists of two cytoplasmic projections stemming from a base which is continuous with the cortical cytoplasm of the absorptive epithelial cell. Longitudinal filaments run from the apex of each branch, through the base, to the terminal web. In addition, another type of microvillous anomaly was observed, which was defined as “composite.” In the composite microvillus, three or more filamentous axes from the terminal web come to lie within a single enlarged microvillus. Contact of filaments with the apical membrane did not correlate with the presence of subapical dense material in either type of anomaly. Both abnormalities probably represent a stage of suppression of the microvillous border, rather than its regeneration, since they were observed during the period of stress.
Therapeutic Cancer Vaccines: Current Status and Moving Forward

This article reviews the current state of the design, development, and clinical applications of therapeutic cancer vaccines. The numerous previous failures of cancer vaccines may be attributed to the fact that not all vaccines are created equal (there has been a clear evolution in vaccine design) and/or to issues in clinical trial design and patient population. This article covers the diversity of therapeutic cancer vaccine platforms and the wide range of tumorassociated antigens being targeted; the current state of clinical trials that test therapeutic cancer vaccines, including the results of recent randomized multicenter phase II and phase III studies; issues to be considered in future clinical trials; the profound influence of the tumor microenvironment and immunosuppressive factors in inhibiting optimal vaccine efficacy and potential strategies to combat these phenomena; combinatorial therapies, including the use of cancer vaccines with immune stimulants, inhibitors of immune suppression, certain chemotherapeutic agents, smallmolecule targeted therapies, hormones, and radiation; the potential use of biomarkers to select those patients who are most likely to benefit from vaccine therapy; and other future directions in this field. This article is not designed to comprehensively review all preclinical and clinical studies of therapeutic cancer vaccine, but instead, to delineate the factors and concepts that are currently being evaluated to develop vaccines as therapeutics for a wide range of human cancers and cancer stages, either as monotherapies or as combination therapies.
Counterintuitive Effects of Double-Heterozygous Null Melanocortin-4 Receptor and Leptin Genes on Diet-Induced Obesity and Insulin Resistance in C57BL/6J Mice

Circulating levels of leptin correlate with food intake and adiposity. A decline in serum leptin associated with calorie restriction instigates behavioral and metabolic adaptation, increasing appetite and conserving energy. Brain melanocortin-4 receptors (Mc4rs) are important mediators of leptin’s effects on appetite and energy expenditure. Because subtle changes in function associated with heterozygous null mutations for either the Leptin (Lep-HET) or Mc4r genes (Mc4r-HET) increase adiposity, we tested the hypothesis that combined heterozygous mutations (Dbl-HET) would severely exacerbate diet-induced obesity (DIO) and insulin resistance in C57BL/6J mice. Serum leptin levels were lower as a function of adiposity in heterozygous Leptin mutants (Lep-HET, Dbl-HET) matched with mice homozygous for the wild-type (WT) Lep gene (Mc4r-HET). Evidence for an additive interaction on adiposity in Dbl-HET mice maintained on a low-fat diet was observed at 10 wk of age. Male but not female mice developed DIO and insulin resistance on a high-fat diet. Compared with WT mice, DIO was more severe in Mc4r-HET but not Lep-HET mice, regardless of sex. However, the response of male and female Dbl-HET mice was different, with males being less and females being more responsive relative to Mc4r-HET. Glucose tolerance of Dbl-HET mice was not significantly different from WT mice in either sex. These results show a complex interaction between the Leptin and Mc4r genes that is influenced by age, gender, and diet. Remarkably, while heterozygous Lep mutations initially exacerbate obesity, in situations of severe obesity, reduced leptin levels may act oppositely and have beneficial effects on energy homeostasis.
Molecular structure-function relationship in the slit diaphragm

The past 5 years have witnessed an exponential increase in our understanding of the structure and function of the glomerular slit diaphragm. The identification of nephrin as the first transmembrane slit diaphragm protein was a watershed event in slit diaphragm biology. This article correlates some of the observations of the prenephrin era with more recent studies, and elaborates on the individual characteristics of each slit diaphragm protein. Recent studies on protein-protein interactions related to slit diaphragm permeability and cell signaling are elaborated, along with observations on their expression in human disease and experimental models of proteinuria. Developmental expression of components of the slit diaphragm in normal and knockout mice also is discussed. Finally, some areas of future investigation are proposed.
Real-time imaging of two-dimensional cardiac strain using a harmonic phase magnetic resonance imaging (HARP-MRI) pulse sequence.

The harmonic phase (HARP) method provides automatic and rapid analysis of tagged magnetic resonance (MR) images for quantification and visualization of myocardial strain. In this article, the development and implementation of a pulse sequence that acquires HARP images in real time are described. In this pulse sequence, a CINE sequence of images with 1-1 spatial modulation of magnetization (SPAMM) tags are acquired during each cardiac cycle, alternating between vertical and horizontal tags in successive heartbeats. An incrementing train of imaging RF flip angles is used to compensate for the decay of the harmonic peaks due to both T1 relaxation and the applied imaging pulses. The magnitude images displaying coarse anatomy are automatically reconstructed and displayed in real time after each heartbeat. HARP strain images are generated offline at a rate of four images per second; real-time processing should be possible with faster algorithms or computers. A comparison of myocardial contractility in non-breath-hold and breath-hold experiments in normal humans is presented. Magn Reson Med 50:154 ‐163, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
DisCo: middleware for securely deploying decomposable services in partly trusted environments

The DisCo middleware infrastructure facilitates the construction and deployment of decomposable applications for environments with dynamic network connectivity properties and unstable trust relationships spanning multiple administrative domains. Consumers of these services, who are mutually anonymous, must be able to discover, securely acquire the code for, and install service components over the network with only minimal a priori knowledge of their locations. Once installed, these components must be able to intemperate securely and reliably across the network. Solutions exist that address individual challenges posed by such an environment, but they rely upon mutually incompatible authorization models that are frequently insufficiently expressive. The primary contributions of DisCo are (1) a middleware toolkit for constructing such applications, (2) a unifying authorization abstraction, and (3) a realization of this authorization well suited for expressing partial trust relationships typical of such environments. We focus on the first two of these contributions, [E. Freudenthal et al., (2002)] presents the third.
Cytosine-specific chemical probing of DNA using bromide and monoperoxysulfate

Bromination of cytosine and formation of a piperidine-labile site are observed when two simple salts, KBr and KHSO5, are allowed to react with single-stranded oligodeoxynucleotides. Selectivity for C compared with T, G or A is typically a factor of 4 or more; selectivity for Cs in a single-stranded region such as a C-bulge is nearly a factor of 10 compared with duplex Cs. Low reactivity and little base selectivity are observed using duplex DNA, although increased concentrations of reagents lead to complete degradation of the DNA. The results suggest that these conditions for in situ generation of Br2 constitute a useful tool for examination of the exposure of a non-duplex cytosine base in folded DNA structures.
Delimitation of phylogenetic species with DNA sequences: a critique of Davis and Nixon's population aggregation analysis.

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Moving Beyond North–South Theatre

Abstract The North–South divide is counterproductive to the generation of norms and policies geared toward ensuring human security in a globalising world. Moreover, developing countries productively abandon Southern solidarity when it is in their perceived interests to do so. This article provides an historical overview of the origins of the geographical labels attached to the two main groups of countries and examines how the various constructed roles on the international stage in the global theatre are played by actors from the two major troupes, North and South. It concludes with some encouraging examples of changed stances within the supposedly ironclad categories.
Reading Friedan: Toward a Feminist Articulation of Heart Disease

This article uses Betty Friedan’s idiosyncratic invocations of heart disease in her work from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as her autobiographical comments about it and her theory of the fe...
Frequent Toxicity from IV Aminophylline Infusions in Critically Ill Patients

Use of recommended IV aminophylline dosage regimens in 48 older, acutely ill, hospitalized patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) resulted in excessive plasma theophylline concentrations in 29 percent of these patients.A mean dose of 0.89 mg/kg/hr produced a plasma concentration which ranged from 7 to 52 mcg/ml with a mean of 21.9 mcg/ml. Plasma theophylline concentration was determined spectrophotometrically from plasma samples drawn at least 12 hours after a loading dose and initiation of a constant infusion. Severity of toxicity strongly correlated with the plasma theophylline concentration in 18 patients. Nausea and/or vomiting preceded life-threatening drug-induced arrhythmias and seizures less than half the time. Tachycardia was found to be the most consistent symptom associated with toxicity. These patients had lower plasma clearances than otherwise healthy younger adult asthmatics and healthy volunteers. Toxicity and identifiable risk factors for excessive plasma levels strongl...
Endothelium-Dependent Effects of Statins

The vascular endothelium is a dynamic endocrine organ that regulates contractile, secretory, and mitogenic activities in the vessel wall and hemostatic processes within the vascular lumen. Risk factors for cardiovascular disease, such as cigarette smoking, hypertension, and elevated serum lipid levels, impair endothelial function and lead to the development of atherosclerotic vessels. Recent studies suggest that statins reduce cardiovascular events in part by improving endothelial function. Statins reduce plasma cholesterol levels, thereby decreasing the uptake of modified lipoproteins by vascular wall cells. There is increasing evidence, however, that statins may also exert effects beyond cholesterol lowering. Indeed, many of these cholesterol-independent or "pleiotropic" vascular effects of statins appear to involve restoring or improving endothelial function through increasing the bioavailability of nitric oxide, promoting re-endothelialization, reducing oxidative stress, and inhibiting inflammatory responses. Thus, the endothelium-dependent effects of statins are thought to contribute to many of the beneficial effects of statin therapy in cardiovascular disease.
EXAFS studies of lanthanide coordination in crystalline phosphates and amorphous phytates

As part of the DOE Efficient Separations and Processing Integrated Program, techniques are being developed to stabilize radioactive and hazardous contaminants to prevent their migration from buried wastes. This report is part of a study to immobilize actinide ions in the near-surface environment by reacting them with organophosphorus complexants that decompose to phosphates. Nd and Gd ions were used as models for Pu, Am, and Cm ions; phytic acid was used as the complexant. Solid Nd and Gd phytates were prepared and the coordination characterized by EXAFS.
Maximal subalgebras of Heyting algebras

A Heyting algebra is an algebra H ;∨,∧ →, 0,1) of type (2,2,2,0,0) for which H ;∨,∧,0,1) is a bounded distributive lattice and → is the binary operation of relative pseudocomplementation (i.e., for a,b,c ∈ H , a c ∧≦ b irr c ≦ a → b ). Associated with every subalgebra of a Heyting algebra is a separating set. Those corresponding to maximal subalgebras are characterized in Proposition 8 and, subsequently, are used in an investigation of Heyting algebras.
Closed-Form Expression for the Net Ground Plane Inductance of Coplanar Stripline PCBs

The net ground plane inductance of printed circuit boards is the source of common-mode radiated emissions. Correct determination of the net ground plane inductance provides a quick estimation of the radiated emissions from printed circuit boards. Employing conformal mapping technique, this paper gives a closed-form expression for the per unit length net ground plane inductance of coplanar stripline printed circuit boards with finite ground plane width. Current density distribution on the ground plane is also obtained.
Stability analysis of an SVLI epidemic model

Immunization with the Bacillus Calmette-Guerin $\left(BCG \right)$ vaccine is currently used in many parts of the world as a means of preventing tuberculosis even though it remains a highly controversial method of preventing tuberculosis disease. We develop a deterministic mathematical model for the transmission dynamics of tuberculosis to monitor the effect of BCG vaccine, which may wane over time and which is not 100 % effective, on tuberculosis epidemiology. The analysis of the presented model has provided conditions to guarantee the eradication of the disease in terms of three major parameters incorporated into the model; the vaccination coverage level, the waning rate and the efficacy of the vaccine.
An RF Time-Domain Reflectometer Not in Real Time (Short Papers)

A nanosecond RADAR system was developed, in which each line of the pulse spectrum was radiated in turn, their reflections measured and stored in a computer, and finally added up to compute the echo.
Spatial distributions of hole traps and image latency in InSb focal plane arrays

Spatial distributions of hole trap sites on a quasipixel level in InSb arrays for SIRTF are examined. The dependence of flux, fluence, and applied bias on image latency is investigated, and experimental results are presented and discussed. Models of linearity and capacitance are compared with experimental results. We find increasing the depletion width in a light exposed pixel by larger reverse biasing decreases the trapped charge (or latency) in that pixel by factors of approximately 3. Assumed pixel geometries lead to an apparent spatial density of active trap sites that falls quickly with distance from the implants.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Size estimation, morphometrics, sex ratio, sexual size dimorphism, and biomass of Morelet's crocodile in northern Belize

Abstract. We used morphometric data from 1276 Crocodylus moreletii captured in northern Belize (1992–2001) to develop predictive models for determining body size (total length [TL], snout-vent length [SVL]) from measurements of single attributes (dorsal cranial length [DCL], cranial width [CW], snout length [SL] and width [SW], body mass [BM], rear-foot length [RFL]), quantify sexual size dimorphism, examine ontogenetic changes in cranial morphology, re-evaluate maximum body size attained by this species, and estimate standing crop biomass of crocodiles at our principal study site. Strong positive allometric relationships were found between measures of body length and other morphometric attributes, and provide a reliable means to estimate body length from tracks, skulls, and body parts. The maximum DCL:CW ratio is attained at a relatively small body size and preceded a dietary shift from insects and arachnids to vertebrates and ampullarid snails. The SL:SW ratio of C. moreletii is highly variable and beca...
Have the Nuclear Power Risk Assessors Failed

Over the past several years, a number of investigators have attempted estimates of the risks to health from the operation of nuclear power plants1. Quite consistently these studies have concluded that the generation of electricity from nuclear fuels is no more hazardous, and may well be considerably less hazardous, than generation of an equal quantity of electrical energy from, conventional sources, and in one study from solar generation2. Other studies demonstrate that nuclear generation is more economic than generation from fossil fuels, and the growing worldwide commitment to nuclear by private utilities suggests that their experience is consistent with that conclusion.
The “Nightmare of History” in James Joyce’s Ulysses

The majority of readers of James Joyce’s Ulysses tend to associate its most famous line, “History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake,” with Stephen Dedalus’s intention in The Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man to overcome his past of rigid national and religious tradition. While this meaning is immediately present in the quote, a closer reading of the text suggests a far more ambitious–and perhaps even vain–impetus behind the identification of history as a nightmare. Additionally, just as the most popular reading has an autobiographical dimension–in which Joyce himself seeks to transcend his own tutelage–so does the alternate reading I present in this essay have implications for both Dedalus and Joyce.
Period estimation and tracking: Filter bank design using truth tables of logic

Recently, a new filter-bank known as the Ramanujan Filter Bank (RFB) was proposed to detect, estimate and track periodic behavior in data, with several advantages over the traditional methods. Apart from period estimation, the RFB can determine if a given periodic signal is actually a sum of multiple periodic signals with smaller periods. But if one is only interested in period estimation, it is shown in this paper that filter- banks with far fewer filters than the RFB can be designed. These new designs use ideas from digital logic analysis to substantially reduce the number of filters in the RFB.1
NGL Overview

ArF water-immersion lithography supports 1.35 NA or slightly higher but cannot reach the theoretical limit of 1.44 NA. It is increasing difficult to resolve half pitches below k1=(HP/λ)*NA=0.28, i.e. 40-nm half pitch.
Development of a Scalable Synthesis of a GPR40 Receptor Agonist

Early process development and salt selection for AMG 837, a novel GPR40 receptor agonist, is described. The synthetic route to AMG 837 involved the convergent synthesis and coupling of two key fragments, (S)-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)hex-4-ynoic acid (1) and 3-(bromomethyl)-4′-(trifluoromethyl)biphenyl (2). The chiral β-alkynyl acid 1 was prepared in 35% overall yield via classical resolution of the corresponding racemic acid (±)-1. An efficient and scalable synthesis of (±)-1 was achieved via a telescoped sequence of reactions including the conjugate alkynylation of an in situ protected Meldrum’s acid derived acceptor prepared from 3. The biaryl bromide 2 was prepared in 86% yield via a 2-step Suzuki−Miyaura coupling−bromination sequence. Chemoselective phenol alkylation mediated by tetrabutylphosphonium hydroxide allowed direct coupling of 1 and 2 to afford AMG 837. Due to the poor physiochemical stability of the free acid form of the drug substance, a sodium salt form was selected for early development, and a...
Resistance to Acaricides in the European Red Mite

Populations of the European red mite, Panonychus ulmi (Koch), resistant to tetradifon in 1960 and 1961, were resistant to it in 1962. Tetradifon-resistant populations not resistant to Kelthane® (1,1-bis ( p -chlorophenyl)-2,2,2 trichloroethanol) or to a Kelthane-tetradifon mixture in 1961 were resistant to these respective treatments in 1962. Kelthane-resistant populations resistant also to tetradifon in 1961, continued to be resistant to these treatments in 1962. Another Kelthane-resistant population not resistant to a Kelthane-tetradifon mixture in 1961 became resistant to it in 1962. Populations of the European red mite that showed varying degrees of resistance to a Kelthane-tetradifon mixture and to alternate applications of Kelthane and tetradifon in the fourth year of exposure to these respective treatments exhibited strong resistance to them in 1962, the fifth year of exposure. Populations of the European red mite in the fourth year of exposure to dimethoate, a dimethoate-tetradifon mixture, alternate applications of dimethoate and tetradifon, a dimethoate-Kelthane mixture, and alternate applications of dimethoate and Kelthane showed strong resistance to these respective treatments.
Social dominance and energy reserves in wintering Woodland birds

To understand animals' tactics for surviving the winter season, we need to know how they manage their energy reserves. Fat reserves in small birds in winter generally increase with starvation risk. Studies have documented higher fat reserves in response to various sources of variability in energy intake or expenditure. Using three woodland species, Carolina Chickadee (Poecile carolinensis), Tufted Titmouse (Baeolophus bicolor), and White-breasted Nuthatch (Sitta carolinensis), we tested the prediction that the more predictable food supply of socially dominant animals enables them to maintain lower energetic reserves than subordinate conspecifics. We inferred dominance from age and sex categories. The hypothesis was fully supported. In all three species, dominants carried relatively lower fat reserves than subordinates.