cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron spin resonance in glasses

Abstract The present paper reviews a quarter of a century of electron spin resonance (ESR) studies in glasses. Specific subtopics addressed include transition-group ions, radiation-induced defect centers, ferromagnetic precipitates, and photo-induced centers. For brevity, most of the examples in the first three categories are confirmed to the familiar oxide glass systems and only the most concrete conclusions are elaborated. The section treating radiation-induced defects is further abridged in light of several reviews of this topic in the current literature. Even within these limitations of scope, a great diversity of material is summarized. Most of the studies cited provide information concerning the atomic scale structure of the host glasses and several have immediate impact on practical problems ranging from glass technology to geochemistry.
Identification of the major site of in vitro PKA phosphorylation in the polycystin-1 C-terminal cytosolic domain.

Sequence analysis of the C-terminal cytosolic domain of human and mouse polycystin-1 has identified three RxS consensus protein kinase A (PKA) phosphorylation motifs. GST-fusion proteins containing the full-length and truncated C-terminal cytosolic domain of murine polycystin-1 were phosphorylated in vitro by the purified catalytic subunit of PKA. This identified a sequence of 25 amino acids, immediately downstream of a previously identified heterotrimeric G-protein activation sequence, as the major site of PKA phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of wild-type and alanine substituted synthetic peptides containing this motif demonstrated that alanine substitution of serine 4159 largely eliminated phosphorylation. Mutation of this residue in the fusion protein reduced phosphorylation by about 70%, whereas mutation of the other two conserved phosphorylation motifs had little effect. We conclude that serine 4159 is the major site of PKA phosphorylation in the C-terminal cytosolic domain of murine polycystin-1.
Nanomedicine: Veni , vidi , vici and then... vanished

Non-toxicity in multifunctional inorganic nanoparticles is rare. However, with careful engineering of silicon-based nanoparticles they can be used in vivo as imaging and drug-delivery agents and later degraded and cleared without toxic effects.
Securitization, liquidity, and the Brady plan

Abstract Securitization of bank loans is proposed as a solution to the ongoing debt difficulties for emerging market nations. This paper analyzes the effects of the Brady plan for four participating countries. In addition to resolving repayment problems, the plan had a statistically significant effect on prices due to its positive impact on liquidity. Previously, the market for traded bank debt was illiquid and dominated by a few large traders who depressed the price by exerting oligopsony power. By using Perron’s method of discerning breaks, it is found that the introduction of bonds led to structural change in the LDC secondary debt market. These effects are in addition to those of debt resolution and domestic reform.
A simple map-based localization strategy using range measurements

In this paper we present a map-based approach to localization. We consider indoor navigation in known environments based on the idea of a "vector cloud" by observing that any point in a building has an associated vector defining its distance to the key structural components (e.g., walls, ceilings, etc.) of the building in any direction. Given a building blueprint we can derive the "ideal" vector cloud at any point in space. Then, given measurements from sensors on the robot we can compare the measured vector cloud to the possible vector clouds cataloged from the blueprint, thus determining location. We present algorithms for implementing this approach to localization, using the Hamming norm, the 1-norm, and the 2-norm. The effectiveness of the approach is verified by experiments on a 2-D testbed using a mobile robot with a 360° laser range-finder and through simulation analysis of robustness.
Issues in emissivity of silicon

The first qualitative results of the effects of backside surface roughness on the radiative properties of silicon as a function of temperature in the wavelength range of 1-20μm are presented in this study. These measurements have been made utilizing a spectral emissometer operating at near- and mid-IR spectral range. Surface roughness of the silicon wafer has been observed to lead to increased emissivities.
Accuracy in staging of renal cell carcinoma involving vena cava

Accurate preoperative staging of renal cell carcinoma is necessary to determine patient prognosis and surgical approach, particularly when tumor thrombus invades the vena cava. The pathologically-confirmed tumor stage was compared with the radiographic preoperative stage in 44 patients undergoing surgery for renal cell carcinoma invading the vena cava (T3cNxMx). Nine patients (20%) were upstaged as the result of extracapsular tumor extension. Twelve patients (27%) were upstaged due to unrecognized regional lymphadenopathy, and 1 patient was downstaged. Only 1 patient was upstaged as the result of unrecognized metastases. The level of tumor thrombus extension for surgical approach was accurately determined in all but 2 patients. Overall, 15 patients (34%) were upstaged as a result of pathologic studies, 28 patients (64%) were correctly staged, and 1 patient was downstaged. Radiographic staging of extracapsular tumor extension and regional lymphadenopathy is unreliable, but current radiographic techniques delineate the level of thrombus extension for surgical approach with high accuracy.
Analysing the changing cell cycle

Abstract The duration of the phases of the cell cycle, for a population of cells, is generally studied with techniques which presuppose that the durations are either constant or change slowly relative to the duration of the whole cycle. We address the problems of measurement where cycle parameters change rapidly with increasing population age. This condition applies to a cohort of cells in a root tip and possibly to any culture that “ages”. We model the behaviour of a small population by using functions that give varying rates of progression through cycle phases as time passes. The status in the cycle of each cell at all times is determined by integration. Highly complex population behaviour is portrayed as a plot of trajectories, one for each cell. The ordinate gives the cycle status of the cell, the abscissa, time. The question is, can present methods, applied to such model population data, yield the original rate functions that prescribed the behaviour? Rigorous solution is not possible when the rates vary at will. The difficulty is that rate variation continually modifies asynchrony, or any other cell age distribution. This deprives most measurements, e.g. rate of accumulation of mitoses, of ready interpretation. As the number of detectable cycle phases increases beyond the present four, however, the ability to solve for the functions increases accordingly.
Bicortical vs monocortical orthodontic skeletal anchorage

Introduction Case reports have documented the use of titanium miniscrews in providing skeletal anchorage for orthodontic tooth movement. Success rates as low as 50% have been reported for screw retention in either the facial or the lingual cortical plates (monocortical placement). The purpose of this in-vitro study was to test the hypothesis that bicortical miniscrew placement (across the entire width of the alveolus) gives the orthodontist superior force resistance and stability (anchorage) compared with monocortical placement. Methods Forty-four titanium alloy screws, 1.5 x 15.0 mm, were placed in 22 hemi-sected maxillae and mandibular specimens between the first and second premolars. Half were placed monocortically, half were placed bicortically, and all were subjected to tangential force loading perpendicular to the miniscrew through a lateral displacement of 1.5 mm. Bone samples were sectioned and bone thickness at the screw sites measured. Statistical analyses, consisting of paired samples t tests, 2-samples t tests, Spearman rank correlation tests, and Fisher exact tests, were used to compare monocortical with bicortical screw force-deflection characteristics and stability. Additionally, 2-dimensional plane-stress finite-element models of bicortical and monocortical screw placement subjected to similar loading were analyzed. Results As hypothesized, deflection force values were significantly greater for bicortical screws than for monocortical screws placed in both the maxilla and the mandible (P Conclusions Bicortical miniscrews provide the orthodontist superior anchorage resistance, reduced cortical bone stress, and superior stability compared with monocortical screws.
Pick bodies in the locus ceruleus

In classical Pick's disease with typical Pick bodies, inclusions resembling those present in the cerebral cortex are frequently found in the locus ceruleus. In three such cases Pick bodies were studied by light and electron microscopy and compared with Lewy bodies, inclusions more commonly found in this location. In contrast to the situation in the cerebral cortex, nerve cells with multiple Pick bodies were often found in the locus ceruleus, but in other respects definite light and electron microscopic differences between Pick bodies and Lewy bodies were present. Pick bodies were slightly basophilic and never had a central core or a peripheral halo. They were intensely argyrophilic. Differences in immunocytochemical reactions were especially marked with antibodies to tau and to paired helical filaments. Pick bodies displayed an intense reaction with these two antibodies, contrasting with that of Lewy bodies, which either lacked reactivity or reacted in a peripheral band. By electron microscopy the Pick bodies were composed of random filaments with smooth contour, whereas typical Lewy bodies had fuzzy deposits on filaments that radiated from a central core. Pick bodies in the locus ceruleus therefore maintained their immunocytochemical and electron microscopic characteristics and did not take on the character of Lewy bodies. Such differences point to a different pathogenesis and perhaps etiology of these two types of inclusions and attest to the marked difference clinically and pathologically between Pick's and Parkinson's diseases.
Mouse embryonic fibroblast cells from transgenic mice overexpressing tNOX exhibit an altered growth and drug response phenotype.

Mouse embryonic fibroblast (MEF) cells prepared from transgenic mice overexpressing a cancer-specific and growth-related cell surface NADH oxidase with protein disulfide-thiol interchange activity grew at rates approximately twice those of wild-type embryonic fibroblast cells. Growth of transgenic MEF cells overexpressing tNOX was inhibited by low concentrations of the green tea catechin (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCg) or the synthetic isoflavene phenoxodiol. Both are putative tNOX-targeted inhibitors with anti-cancer activity. With both EGCg and phenoxodiol, growth inhibition was followed after about 48 h by apoptosis. Growth of wild-type mouse fibroblast cells from the same strain was unaffected by EGCg and phenoxodiol and neither compound induced apoptosis even at concentrations 100-1,000-fold higher than those that resulted in apoptotic death in the transgenic MEF cells. The findings validate earlier reports of evidence for tNOX presence as contributing to unregulated growth of cancer cells as well as the previous identification of the tNOX protein as the molecular target for the anti-cancer activities attributed to both EGCg and phenoxodiol. The expression of tNOX emerges as both necessary and sufficient to account for the cancer cell-specific growth inhibitions by both EGCg and phenoxodiol. J. Cell. Biochem. 101: 295-306, 2007. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Restructured Turkey Products from Texturized Mechanically-Deboned Turkey

Abstract Mechanically-deboned turkey (MDT) was formed into fibrous chunks and incorporated at levels of 0 to 50% into a carrier of either MDT or cubed turkey thighs (CTT). Visually, at higher levels of fibrous chunks, the turkey roasts exhibited good binding and textural properties. Warner-Bratzler testing demonstrated no significantly increased shear resistance at any level. Puncture compression testing did indicate increased firmness among treatments involving the CTT. This study indicates that restructured turkey meat products using texturized MDT may have excellent potential.
Abdominal insufflation does not cause hematogenous spread of colon cancer.

ABSTRACT Background and Purpose: Previous investigators have suggested that port-site recurrences are possibly a result of abdominal insufflation, forcing viable cancer cells into the circulation to metastasize and thrive in areas of trauma. Using a syngeneic animal cancer model, we tested the hypothesis that pneumoperitoneum increases the incidence of wound metastasis by a blood-borne mechanism. Methods: Male BD IX rats (N = 150) were injected intraperitoneally with 2 × 105 viable syngeneic 1,2-dimethylhydralazine-induced colon cancer cells (DHD-K12). Animals were divided into three groups: A (abdominal insufflation with 3-cm incision on the back into muscle remote from the peritoneum); B (3-cm back incision alone); and C (control group with 3-cm midline abdominal incision). Three weeks after surgery, the animals were euthanized and autopsied. Results: In the two groups with back wounds, the incidence of cancer growth at the incision was zero, as demonstrated grossly and by histologic sample (A: 0/47, B:...
The MAA undergraduate poster session 1991-2013

We provide a historical report of the undergraduate poster session at the annual joint meetings of the American Mathematical Society and the Mathematical Association of America from its inception in 1991 until 2013. We also provide data on the number of undergraduates attending the joint meetings and the number giving talks. From a humble beginning in 1991 with 12 posters involving fewer than 20 students, no judges, and no prizes, the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) undergraduate poster session at the Joint Mathematics Meetings (JMM) has grown to 304 posters representing the work of 487 students, 234 judges, and 50 prizes in 2013. The idea for the poster session came from the newly formed MAA subcommittee of the Committee on the Undergraduate Program in Mathematics (CUPM) on research by undergraduates chaired by Lester Senechal. Because of the small number of participants in 1991, there were no follow-up poster sessions in 1992 or 1993. John Greever organized the 1994 and 1995 sessions, followed by Judy Palagallo in 1996, Mario Martelli in 1997, and Palagallo again in 1998. Participation doubled in 1999 when Martelli and Aparna Higgins were organizers and doubled again in 2000 with Martelli as organizer. From 1999 until 2005 Higgins was host of the award ceremony.
7GHz L1 cache SRAMs for the 32nm zEnterprise™ EC12 processor

The L1 cache for the 5.5 GHz 32nm zEnterprise™ EC12 processor requires SRAM designs that make aggressive use of dynamic circuitry. As technology has scaled and transistor counts have grown, random device variability [1] and power limitations have become significant challenges. In particular, random device-variability-induced pulse shrinkage and misalignment in dynamic signals must be carefully addressed. Described here are a series of new design approaches enabling L1 cache SRAM operation at 7GHz, including a 3-level bitline hierarchy, decreased dynamic path lengths, localized read enables, and a power-savings mechanism in which selective columns can be partially powered down.
Superconducting Magnets in High-Energy Physics: Large-scale magnets that dissipate no electrical power are under construction for high-energy physics research

The promise of superconductivity making possible large magnets that dissipate no power is now being realized. Most of the early difficulties have been overcome; hence it is now a straight-forward engineering problem to design and build a large stable supermagnet. The application of such magnets to research in high-energy physics can be expected to grow rapidly in the next few years.
Normal values for human umbilical venous and amniotic fluid pressures and their alteration by fetal disease.

Abstract Umbilical venous and amniotic fluid pressures were measured in 68 human pregnancies at the time that cordocentesis was performed. Normal umbilical venous pressure was unrelated to gestational age and remained within a tight range (5.3 ± 2.3 mm Hg, mean ± SD). Fetuses with an elevated umbilical venous pressure had disorders consistent with either hepatomegaly or congestive heart failure. Umbilical venous pressure was significantly increased before treatment in two fetuses with immune hydrops; it rapidly declined with treatment. Neither gestational age nor umbilical venous pressure was significantly different in the groups that received and did not receive pancuronium. There was a strong relationship between amniotic fluid pressure and gestational age in normal pregnancy (r = 0.54, p
Biomimetic total synthesis of (−)-codeine

Abstract The opium alkaloid (−)-codeine was synthesized in eight steps from (±)-N-norreticuline R-(−)-norreticuline, obtained by resolution, was converted to (R)-N-trifluoroacetyl-6'-bromonorreticuline and the latter was subjected to phenolic oxidative coupling with a variety of aryliodoso complexes in dichloromethane. N-Trifluoroacetyl-1-bromonorsalutaridine prepared by this means was transformed to 1-bromosalutaridinol (as a mixture of epimers), and the latter were dehydrated separately to 1-bromothebaine with dimethylformamide dineopentyl acetal. Hydrolysis to 1-bromocodeinone, followed by reductive removal of Br with LAH, afforded (−)-codeine.
The Justification of the Basic Laws of Logic

[Extract] Take a correct sequent of formal logic, perhaps a simple logical truth, like the law of excluded middle, or something with premises, like disjunctive syllogism, but basically a claim of the form Γ⊨ϕ.Footnote1 Such a sequent attributes the properties of logical truth or logical consequence to a schematic sentence or argument. This paper aims to answer the question of how beliefs in such attributions are justified, on both its descriptive and normative interpretations; I aim to say when we generally take ourselves to be justified in forming such beliefs, and to make it plausible that beliefs formed this way really are justified. We can ask such questions about many domains (e.g. unobserved matters of fact Hume [9]) but there are special difficulties for answering them in logic. Some of the difficulties stem from the fact that logic is thought to be necessary and a priori; it is difficult to account for both a priori justification, and justification for thinking that something couldn’t have been otherwise. Moreover, it is often thought that logic is epistemically basic; we normally think that it is permissible to presuppose logic in the justification of our beliefs in other domains—engineering and arithmetic, for example, and even in justifying everyday common sense beliefs—yet we are not supposed to presuppose claims from these other domains when justifying our beliefs about logic. Logical beliefs come first, epistemologically speaking. Probably that is a little fast. No doubt some parts of logic can be used to justify other parts, so that in the end it is only the basic logical laws for which these problems are really acute. So how are the basic laws of logic justified? What follows are three answers, two traditional (with a list of their familiar vices and virtues) and one new one, which I think is more promising.
Infrastructure, restricted factor substitution and economic growth

Abstract We show how infrastructural capital and labor requirements lead to restricted factor substitution and to fluctuating growth trajectories that are inefficient but which allow for jumps to ‘more advanced’ regimes. The theory is used to mimic evident phase transitions in the Swedish economy.
Correlated diffusion in quasi-low-dimensional systems

The space- and time-dependent tracer occupancy correlation is solved for a general quasi-low-dimensional system with arbitrary concentration of hopping ions. Our theory is exact at both small and large ionic concentrations and gives reasonable results for all intermediate concentrations. Detailed numerical results for the diffusion correlation factor ${f}^{0}$, and the incoherent neutron scattering function $S(K,\ensuremath{\omega})$, are provided for a variety of cases as the system changes gradually from three dimensional to one dimensional (1D), and vice versa. Similarly, the corresponding results associated with travel from two dimensions to 1D, and vice versa, are also recorded. Analytical expressions for ${f}^{0}$ as a function of the direction cosines of the wave vector are worked out for all limiting cases as the system approaches one, two, or three dimensionality. In particular, it is found that as one dimensionality is approached, the diffusion correlation factor approaches zero in proportion to the quantity ${c}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{(\frac{{J}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}}{{J}_{\ensuremath{\parallel}}})}^{\frac{1}{2}}$.
XPS valence band studies of the bonding chemistry of germanium oxides and related systems

Abstract XPS generated valence band spectra have been employed to analyze the surface characteristics of several germanium oxide systems. A sputter deposited material with [O/Ge]≈2.0 is shown to be primarily GeO2. The covalency/ionicity of the latter is compared to other Group IVA oxides. Shoulder peaks detected deep in the band gap, in a region where such states as E′ and F centers have been proposed, are attributed to discrete oxygen defects. The latter were dramatically enhanced by select Ar+ ion beam alteration. During the production of these defects, a suboxide, primarily classified as Ge(II)O, was also created. Reinvestment of oxygen established that the latter is not part of the aforementioned oxygen defect. Shifts in the occupied density of states of GeO2 suggest that the GeO system may be characterized by the presence of π bonding. Analysis of a Ge° sample does not suggest its significant production during the previously described processes.
Multimedia DBMS — Reality or Hype?

A Database Management System (DBMS) is “… the software that allows one or many persons to use and/or modify … data [stored in a database]…”[1]. A major role of the DBMS is to allow the user to deal with the data in abstract terms, rather than as the computer stores the data. This book is devoted to the discussion of issues relevant to multimedia database management. In succeeding chapters, attempts are made to question and provide answers to important issues. What really is the role of a DBMS in multimedia data presentation? How feasible is it? Assuming that a multimedia DBMS is feasible, is it necessary, or do we need to build presentation routines for multimedia applications and use them together with existing DBMSs?
A Subdivision Scheme for Discrete Motion Generation and Swept Volume Analysis

In this paper, the four-point interpolatory subdivision scheme for curve generation is adapted to the interpolation of a set of positions of a cylindrical tool represented by dual quaternions. The resulting discrete model of the tool path lends itself naturally to an algorithm for computing the characteristic curve belonging to the boundary surface of the swept volume of a cylinder at each of the discrete positions. This approach to compute the discrete model of the swept surface of a motion is numerically robust and computationally efficient since it is based only on linear combinations. The results have applications in NC simulation and verification, robot path planning, and computer graphics.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Radiographic density profiles link frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses behavior in chronic rhinosinusitis

Background: Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) may occur through heterogeneous disease processes. It is possible that more than 1 inflammatory process underlies CRS in any given patient. If so, heterogeneity in processes may be a function of the spatial organization of the paranasal sinuses. Density characteristics of sinus opacities on computed tomography (CT) scans offer insight into the nature of sinus opacities and disease, in general, and may thus be used to detect spatial heterogeneity of sinus disease within a given patient. Methods: The study was a retrospective chart review of CRS patients with available sinus CT scans. Radiographic density profiles of sinus opacities were assessed by raw measures of densities (in Hounsfield units [HU]). Radiographic density profiles of the different affected sinuses were compared to each other, checked for correlation, and finally, checked for evidence of clustering using a principal component analysis. Results: Frontal sinus opacities appear to be more heterogeneous, with both higher and lower density components than other sinuses. There was strong correlation between the radiographic density profiles of opacities in the frontal, anterior ethmoid, and sphenoid sinuses (p < 0.001). However, on principal component analysis the radiographic density characteristics of the opacities of the frontal and anterior ethmoid sinuses appeared to cluster together more than the other sinuses. Conclusion: Radiographic properties of sinus opacities suggest the nature of sinus opacities are related not only to some common underlying pathology but also to factors related to the specific sinus as well as other spatially close affected sinuses. This suggests an anatomic orientation for sinus pathophysiology in CRS.
Serum Antibody Responses to Periodontal Microbiota in Chronic and Aggressive Periodontitis: A Postulate Revisited

Background: The authors revisited the 1999 International Workshop postulate of robust serum antibody responses to infecting agents in localized aggressive periodontitis (LAgP) and weak responses in generalized aggressive periodontitis (GAgP). Antibody responses were further examined in localized and generalized chronic periodontitis (LCP and GCP).Methods: The study includes 119 patients (60 males and 59 females, aged 11 to 76 years), 18 with LAgP, 37 with GAgP, 37 with LCP, and 27 with GCP. Multiple subgingival plaque samples/patient (1,057 in total) were analyzed with respect to 11 bacterial species using checkerboard DNA-DNA hybridizations, and serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G levels were measured against the same bacteria using checkerboard immunoblotting. Further, infection ratios (antibody level over the average bacterial colonization by the homologous species) were computed for each patient. Comparisons of bacterial colonization, serum IgG levels, and infection ratios were made across the diagnostic categ...
Measuring summer patterns of ascospore release by saltmarsh fungi

One potentially important type of flux from standing-decaying marshgrass is the production and release of ascospores. The most extensive measurements of ascospore release from the principal marshgrass (Spartina alterniflora, smooth cordgrass) of saltmarshes of the eastern coastal United States involved an arbitrary, weeklong period of wet incubation of leaf-blade samples. We examined the possibility that shorter incubations would yield higher estimates of hourly rates of ascospore release, testing wet incubations of 3 to 71 h, using standing-decaying leaf blades of smooth cordgrass from low on living shoots and high on dead shoots. Incubations of 31 h appeared to be optimal. Species compositions of ascospores expelled from the two leaf types were distinctly different: high leaves yielded primarily aMycosphaerella species orPhaeosphaeria halima; low leaves yielded primarilyPhaeosphaeria spartinicola or theMycosphaerella species. All of these species consistently exhibited high coefficients of variation (>100%) for their mean rates of release of ascospores. Only theMycosphaerella species on high leaves gave evidence of a delayed onset of ascospore expulsion during incubation, and this evidence was equivocal. Grand mean rates of ascospore release forP. spartinicola and theMycosphaerella species were, respectively, 106 and 238 spores cm−2 abaxial leaf area h−1.
Recognition Sequence 2 (Residues 60−71) Plays a Role in Oligomerization and Exchange Dynamics of αB-Crystallin†

Previously, using the peptide scan method, we have determined that residues 42-57 and 60-71 in alphaB-crystallin (TSLSPFYLRPPSFLRA, named recognition sequence 1 or RS-1, and WFDTGLSEMRLE, named recognition sequence 2 or RS-2) are involved in interaction with alphaA-crystallin. To understand the significance of the RS-2 region in interactions between alphaA- and alphaB-crystallins, W60R, F61N, and S66G mutants of alphaB-crystallin were made and tested for their ability to interact with alphaA-crystallin. W60R and S66G mutations increased the oligomeric size of alphaB-crystallin by 1.6- and 2.7-fold respectively, whereas the F61N mutation had no effect. The tryptophan fluorescence intensity of alphaBS66G was 1.5-fold higher than that for the wild type. The intrinsic fluorescence of alphaBF61N was marginally lower than that of alphaB, whereas the fluorescence intensity of alphaBW60R decreased by 40% compared with that of alphaB. The relative availability of hydrophobic sites in the mutants was in the following order: alphaBS66G >> alphaB = alphaBF61N = alphaBW60R. The far-UV CD profiles for the wild type and alphaB-crystallin mutants indicated no significant changes in their secondary structures, except for alphaBS66G, which showed an increase in alpha-helical content. The near-UV CD profiles of alphaBW60R and alphaBF61N were nearly similar to that of wild type alphaB. On the other hand, alphaBS66G beyond 270 nm exhibited a signature completely different from that of wild type alphaB. Mutations did not alter the chaperone-like activity of these proteins. The W60R mutation did not affect the rate of subunit exchange between alphaB- and alphaA-crystallins. On the other hand, the S66G mutation increased the subunit exchange rate by 100%, whereas the F61N mutation decreased the rate of subunit exchange between alphaB- and alphaA-crystallins by 36%. Our results establish the importance of residues 60-71 in oligomerization of alphaB-crystallin and subunit interaction between alphaB- and alphaA-crystallins.
Do fentanyl and morphine influence body temperature after severe burn injury

Fentanyl lacks the antiinflammatory properties of morphine. Morphine attenuates the inflammatory response through differential stimulation of μ-receptor subtypes. Patients who receive morphine during coronary artery bypass graft have been shown to experience less postoperative fever than those who receive fentanyl. Patients who receive continuous fentanyl infusions in increased room temperatures after thermal injury may be at increased risk to experience higher body temperature than those who receive morphine. The records of 28 patients with >20%TBSA burn in 30 intensive care unit rooms (13 received fentanyl and 15 received morphine or hydromorphone) and 12 trauma patients who received fentanyl in 22°C intensive care unit rooms were reviewed. Mean maximum core temperature and percentage of temperature recordings > 39°C in the first 48 hours of admission were compared between burn patients who received fentanyl, those who did not, and with trauma patients. Burn patients exposed to fentanyl experienced significantly higher temperatures (40.1 ± 0.9°C) compared with those given morphine (38.7 ± 0.8°C) and compared with trauma patients (37.5 ± 2.4°C), P 39°C for a higher percentage of time (33 ± 27%) than those without fentanyl (7.2 ± 13%) and trauma patients (1 ± 2.8%), P < .01 and P < .001, respectively. No differences in other medications administered, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation II scores, or the number of infections that could account for temperature disparities between groups existed. Burn patients who receive fentanyl in 30°C rooms experience higher body temperatures and are febrile for a higher percentage of time than those receiving morphine only. Morphine has well-established antiinflammatory properties and likely attenuates the postburn inflammatory response more than fentanyl, resulting in lower body temperatures. This phenomenon needs to be further investigated in additional studies.
Why shorter half-times of repair lead to greater damage in pulsed brachytherapy

Abstract Purpose : Pulsed Brachytherapy consists of replacing continuous irradiation at low dose-rate with a series of medium dose-rate fractions in the same overall time and to the same total dose. For example, pulses of 1 Gy given every 2 hr or 2 Gy given every 4 hr would deliver the same 70 Gy in 140 hr as continuous irradiation at 0.5 Gy/hr. If higher dose-rates are used, even with gaps between the pulses, the biological effects are always greater. Provided that dose rates in the pulse do not exceed 3 Gy/hr, and provided that pulses are given as often as every 2 hr, the inevitable increases of biological effect are no larger than a few percent (of biologically effective dose or extrapolated response dose). However, these increases are more likely to exceed 10% (and thus become clinically significant) if the half-time of repair of sublethal damage is short (less than 1 hr) rather than long. This somewhat unexpected finding is explained in detail here. Methods and Materials : The rise and fall of Biologically Effective Dose (and hence of Relative Effectiveness, for a constant dose in each pulse) is calculated during and after single pulses, assuming a range of values of T 1 2 , the half-time of sublethal damage repair. The area under each curve is proportional to Biologically Effective Dose and therefore to log cell kill. Results : Pulses at 3 Gy/hr do yield greater biological effect (dose × integrated Relative Effectiveness) than lower dose-rate pulses or continuous irradiation at 0.5 Gy/hr. The contrast is greater for the short T 1 2 of 0.5 hr than for the longer T 1 2 of 1.5 hr. Conclusion : More biological damage will be done (compared with traditional low dose rate brachytherapy) in tissues with short T 1 2 (0.1–1 hr) than in tissues with longer T 1 2 values.
Reactive Oxygen Species Facilitate Translocation of Hormone Sensitive Lipase to the Lipid Droplet During Lipolysis in Human Differentiated Adipocytes

In obesity, there is an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) within adipose tissue caused by increases in inflammation and overnutrition. Hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) is part of the canonical lipolytic pathway and critical for complete lipolysis. This study hypothesizes that ROS is a signal that integrates regulation of lipolysis by targeting HSL. Experiments were performed with human differentiated adipocytes from the subcutaneous depot. Antioxidants were employed as a tool to decrease ROS, and it was found that scavenging ROS with diphenyliodonium, N-acetyl cysteine, or resveratrol decreased lipolysis in adipocytes. HSL phosphorylation of a key serine residue, Ser552, as well as translocation of this enzyme from the cytosol to the lipid droplet upon lipolytic stimulation were both abrogated by scavenging ROS. The phosphorylation status of other serine residues on HSL were not affected. These findings are significant because they document that ROS contributes to the physiological regulation of lipolysis via an effect on translocation. Such regulation could be useful in developing new obesity therapies.
HOW THE MACH PHENOMENON AND SHAPE AFFECT THE RADIOGRAPHIC APPEARANCE OF SKELETAL STRUCTURES

The shape of skeletal structures and their position relative to the x-ray beam have a considerable effect on their radiographic appearance. Depending on the thickness of the cortical or subchondral bone, skeletal structures display the characteristics of either homogeneous or compound lamellar structures. Convex homogeneous structures are associated with a negative Mach line, and concave homogeneous structures are associated with a positive Mach line. Convex compound lamellar structures are associated with a negative Mach band and visualization of the lamina (subchondral or cortical bone) is reduced. Concave compound lamellar structures are associated with a positive Mach band and visualization of the lamina is enhanced. The combined effect of Mach phenomenon, shape, and thickness enhances visualization of some skeletal surfaces and make others imperceptible. These principles are very useful to correctly identify complex skeletal structures and avoid misinterpretations.
Repair of oxidatively damaged guanine in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by an alternative pathway

Abstract Background: Transversion mutations are caused by 8-oxoguanine ( O G), a DNA lesion produced by the spontaneous oxidation of guanine nucleotides, which mis-pairs with adenine during replication. Resistance to this mutagenic threat is mediated by the GO system, the components of which are functionally conserved in bacteria and mammals. To date, only one of three GO system components has been identified in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , namely the O G:C-specific glycosylase/lyase yOgg1. Furthermore, S. cerevisiae has been reported to contain a unique glycosylase/lyase activity, yOgg2, which excises O G residues opposite adenines. Paradoxically, according to the currently accepted model, yOgg2 activity should increase the mutagenicity of O G lesions. Here we report the isolation of yOgg2 and the elucidation of its role in oxidative mutagenesis. Results: Borohydride-dependent cross-linking using an O G-containing oligonucleotide substrate led to the isolation of yOgg1 and a second protein, Ntg1, which had previously been shown to process oxidized pyrimidines in DNA. We demonstrate that Ntg1 has O G-specific glycosylase/lyase activity indistinguishable from that of yOgg2. Targeted disruption of the NTG1 gene resulted in complete loss of yOgg2 activity and yeast lacking NTG1 had an elevated rate of A:T to C:G transversions. Conclusions: The Ntg1 and yOgg2 activities are encoded by a single gene. We propose that yOgg2 has evolved to process O G:A mis-pairs that have arisen through mis-incorporation of 8-oxo-dGTP during replication. Thus, the GO system in S. cerevisiae is fundamentally distinct from that in bacteria and mammals.
Cadmium and vascular reactivity in the rat.

Abstract Cadmium has been reported to induce hypertension accompanied by decreased vascular responsiveness to autonomic drugs in the rat and rabbit. Cadmium acetate administration to female Sprague-Dawley rats failed to elevate blood pressure, although cadmium-treated animals exhibited decreased blood pressure,responses to intravenously administered norepinephrine, acetylcholine, isoproterenol, and atropine. Aortic strips from cadmium acetate-treated animals demonstrated diminished reactivity to angiotensin, epinephrine, barium, and tyramine. It is concluded that cadmium treatment of the rat produces desensitization of the vasculature to vasoconstrictor and vasodilator substances independently of its ability to produce hypertension and, thus, that these facets of its biological activity are unrelated.
Prevalence of abnormalities in vestibular function and balance among HIV-seropositive and HIV-seronegative women and men.

Background: Most HIV-seropositive subjects in western countries receive highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although many aspects of their health have been studied, little is known about their vestibular and balance function. The goals of this study were to determine the prevalences of vestibular and balance impairments among HIV-seropositive and comparable seronegative men and women and to determine if those groups differed. Methods: Standard screening tests of vestibular and balance function, including head thrusts, Dix-Hallpike maneuvers, and Romberg balance tests on compliant foam were performed during semiannual study visits of participants who were enrolled in the Baltimore and Washington, D. C. sites of the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and the Women’s Interagency HIV Study. Results: No significant differences by HIV status were found on most tests, but HIV-seropositive subjects who were using HAART had a lower frequency of abnormal Dix-Hallpike nystagmus than HIV-seronegative subjects. A significant number of nonclassical Dix-Hallpike responses were found. Age was associated with Romberg scores on foam with eyes closed. Sex was not associated with any of the test scores. Conclusion: These findings suggest that HAART-treated HIV infection has no harmful association with vestibular function in community-dwelling, ambulatory men and women. The association with age was expected, but the lack of association with sex was unexpected. The presence of nonclassical Dix-Hallpike responses might be consistent with central nervous system lesions.
Effect of micronutrients on yield, tuber-set and specific gravity of potatoes grown in North Dakota

A three-year micronutrient study was conducted at Park River and Grand Forks, North Dakota. Nutrients used were iron, manganese copper, zinc, boron, molybdenum and sulfur. All nutrients were applied in organic form, and most were also applied in formulations of glass frits and chelates. None of the materials measureably increased or decreased tuber-set, yields of A or B-size tubers or specific gravity.
Ozone and Survival in Four Cohorts with Potentially Predisposing Diseases

Rationale: Time series studies have reported associations between ozone and daily deaths. Only one cohort study has reported the effect of long-term exposures on deaths, and little is known about effects of chronic ozone exposure on survival in susceptible populations. Objectives: We investigated whether ozone was associated with survival in four cohorts of persons with specific diseases in 105 United States cities, treating ozone as a time varying exposure. Methods: We used Medicare data (1985–2006), and constructed cohorts of persons hospitalized with chronic conditions that might predispose to ozone effects: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction. Yearly warm-season average ozone was merged to the individual follow-up in each city. We applied Cox proportional hazard model for each cohort within each city, adjusting for individual risk factors, temperature, and city-specific long-term trends. Measurements and Main Results: We found significant associations with a hazard ratio for mortality of 1.06 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03–1.08) per 5-ppb increase in summer average ozone for persons with congestive heart failure; of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.06–1.12) with myocardial infarction; of 1.07 (95% CI, 1.04–1.09) with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; and of 1.07 (95% CI, 1.05–1.10) for diabetics. We also found that the effect varied by region, but that this was mostly explained by mean temperature, which is likely a surrogate of air conditioning use, and hence exposure. Conclusions: This is the first study that follows persons with specific chronic conditions, and shows that long-term ozone exposure is associated with increased risk of death in these groups.
Epstein-Barr Virus Latent Membrane Protein 1 Regulates the Function of Interferon Regulatory Factor 7 by Inducing Its Sumoylation

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) induces multiple signal transduction pathways during latent EBV infection via its C-terminal activating region 1 (CTAR1), CTAR2, and the less-studied CTAR3. One mechanism by which LMP1 regulates cellular activation is through the induction of protein posttranslational modifications, including phosphorylation and ubiquitination. We recently documented that LMP1 induces a third major protein modification by physically interacting with the SUMO-conjugating enzyme Ubc9 through CTAR3 and inducing the sumoylation of cellular proteins in latently infected cells. We have now identified a specific target of LMP1-induced sumoylation, interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7). We hypothesize that during EBV latency, LMP1 induces the sumoylation of IRF7, limiting its transcriptional activity and modulating the activation of innate immune responses. Our data show that endogenously sumoylated IRF7 is detected in latently infected EBV lymphoblastoid cell lines. LMP1 expression coincided with increased sumoylation of IRF7 in a CTAR3-dependent manner. Additional experiments show that LMP1 CTAR3-induced sumoylation regulates the expression and function of IRF7 by decreasing its turnover, increasing its nuclear retention, decreasing its DNA binding, and limiting its transcriptional activation. Finally, we identified that IRF7 is sumoylated at lysine 452. These data demonstrate that LMP1 CTAR3 does in fact function in intracellular signaling, leading to biologic effects. We propose that CTAR3 is an important signaling region of LMP1 that regulates protein function by sumoylation. We have shown specifically that LMP1 CTAR3, in cooperation with CTAR2, can limit the ability of IRF7 to induce innate immune responses by inducing the sumoylation of IRF7.
Variants of a (3+1)-dimensional generalized BKP equation: Multiple-front waves solutions

Abstract The simplified form of the Hirota’s method is used to investigate three variants of a (3+1)-dimensional generalized BKP equation. Multiple-front wave solutions are formally derived. The dispersion relation and the phase shift of each equation are established. The constraints, that arise between the coefficients of the spatial variables, that will guarantee the existence of multiple solutions, are analyzed.
FASTBUS Diagnostic and Test Modules at Fermilab

The implementation of FASTBUS has required the parallel development of test modules peculiar to this bus system for debugging and testing. The complexity and speed of FASTBUS requires a new level of sophistication in these test modules. A good example of this is the Active Extender Card. The Crate Backplane of a FASTBUS system, which uses ECL 10K logic, has edge speeds high enough to require transmission lines. This means that a conventional extender card, such as is used in CAMAC, would act as an unterminated stub and cause significant reflections on the bus. Thus an extender has to be ''active'' and contain drivers and receivers for the bus. Some of the complexity is caused by the FASTBUS protocols. Although these protocols support an extremely flexible system architecture, a price must be paid with higher chip counts and wiring densities. I have attempted to give a brief description of the principle test modules that are used at Fermilab. More detailed information may be obtained in the references.
Simultaneous dynamic and functional MRI scanning (SimulScan) of natural swallows

In studies of swallowing, dynamic and functional MRI are increasingly used to observe motor oropharyngeal behaviors and identify associated brain regions. However, monitoring of motor performance during a functional examination requires disruptive monitoring sensors, visual or auditory cued tasks, and strict subject compliance to stimuli. In this work, a simultaneous acquisition (SimulScan) was developed to provide dynamic images to monitor oropharyngeal motions during swallowing (1 mid-sagittal slice at 14.5 frames per second) simultaneous with functional MRI (24 oblique-axial slices with a TR of 1.6512 s). Data were acquired while three healthy adult subjects passively viewed a movie during three 15-min scans with the purpose of covertly studying uncued natural swallows. Dynamic MR images were used to determine timing of swallow onsets for subsequent functional analysis. Resulting functional maps show significant areas of activation that agree with previous functional magnetic resonance imaging studies of cued water swallows, except for regions associated with processing the task stimulus. SimulScan may prove a useful tool in developing new techniques for studying swallowing and associated neuromuscular disorders.