cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PSA-NCAM in the posterodorsal medial amygdala is necessary for the pubertal emergence of attraction to female odors in male hamsters

During puberty, attention turns away from same-sex socialization to focus on the opposite sex. How the brain mediates this change in perception and motivation is unknown. Polysialylated neural cell adhesion molecule (PSA-NCAM) virtually disappears from most of the central nervous system after embryogenesis, but it remains elevated in discrete regions of the adult brain. One such brain area is the posterodorsal subnucleus of the medial amygdala (MePD). The MePD has been implicated in male sexual attraction, measured here as the preference to investigate female odors. We hypothesize that PSA-NCAM gates hormone-dependent plasticity necessary for the emergence of males' attraction to females. To evaluate this idea, we first measured PSA-NCAM levels across puberty in several brain regions, and identified when female odor preference normally emerges in male Syrian hamsters. We found that MePD PSA-NCAM staining peaks shortly before the surge of pubertal androgen and the emergence of preference. To test the necessity of PSA-NCAM for female odor preference, we infused endo-neuraminidase-N into the MePD to deplete it of PSAs before female odor preference normally appears. This blocked female odor preference, which suggests that PSA-NCAM facilitates behaviorally relevant, hormone-driven plasticity.
Tandemly repeated DNA sequences from Xenopus laevis: I. Studies on sequence organization and variation in satellite 1 DNA (741 base-pair repeat)

A family of tandemly repeated sequences, having a basic repeating unit of 741 base-pairs, has been identified in Xenopus laevis DNA and designated satellite 1. Apart from its rather long repeat unit, the characteristics of this DNA appear to be quite similar to those of complex satellite DNAs from other organisms. The nucleotide sequence of a cloned repeat unit shows no evidence of simpler internal repeats, and there is no obvious suggestion of reasonable RNA- or protein-coding regions. Transcripts homologous to this DNA could not be demonstrated in liver, embryo or oocyte RNAs. By blot-hybridization, satellite 1 has been shown to exist in the genome chiefly as tandem repeats of the 741 base-pair sequence. However, there are a number of repeats that differ from the normal sequence (as judged by loss or gain of restriction sites) and some that differ in length. Similar variants are often, but not always, clustered. Characterization of genomic clones of this satellite has confirmed the tandem organization and clustering of variants. The nature of some variants has been elucidated in more detail. Some regions of the basic repeat seem to be more prone to variation than are others.
Combined Buoyancy and Flow Direction Effects on Saturated Boiling Critical Heat Flux in Liquid Nitrogen

It is well known that the maximum heat flux possible for a nucleate-boiling internal flow system may be markedly influenced by the various system parameters. A good analysis and literature review of this critical heat flux problem is presented by Tong [1], with emphasis on the importance of each individual parameter. In his discussion, he includes flow direction with respect to the gravity force as a possible significant parameter but then reports this to be insignificant by referring to Barnett [2]. The latter conducted tests at pressures of 37.9 and 136.0 atm with a water flow system and reported no effect of flow direction on the boiling crisis. However, Macbeth [3] and Papell et al. [4] have reported the existence of gravity-directed effects.
The effect of dexamethasone administration on rat intestinal permeability: the role of bacterial adherence

Background/Aims: Previous studies have shown that dexamethasone administration to rats results in diminution of biliary secretory immunoglobulin A concentration and alters intestinal barrier function to bacteria. The aims of this study were to examine and characterize the effect of dexamethasone on intestinal permeability and to determine the possible influence of bacterial adherence to the mucosa in this process. Methods: Groups of adult Fisher rats were studied, and the effects of dexamethasone administration and bowel decontamination on bacterial adherence and intestinal permeability were determined in various bowel segments. Results: Dexamethasone administration was associated with a significant increase in bacterial adherence to the mucosa, which was most pronounced in the cecum (4.33 ± 0.2 colony forming units (cfu) (log10) per gram of mucosa for control vs. 6.23 ± 0.2 for dexamethasone). This was accompanied by significant alterations in intestinal permeability as measured by a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance (49.5 ± 4.1 Ω · cm2 for control vs. 25.4 ± 2.5 Ω · cm2 for dexamethasone). Dual sodium-mannitol flux analysis showed this defect to be predominantly paracellular. Antibiotic decontamination of the intestine completely abrogated the intestinal permeability defect observed in this model. Conclusions: Bacterial-mucosal cell interactions may be responsible for alterations in intestinal permeability after dexamethasone administration.
Effects of within-season temperature variations on the early life history of two estuarine demersal fishes

Cultured naked goby (Gobiosoma bosc) and striped blenny (Chasmodes bosquianus) larvae were used to compare life history parameters for early and late periods within a long spawning season during which temperature increased by approximately 10 °C. Hatch lengths, growth rates, larval period duration, settlement length, survivorship, and other metrics of these serial spawners were determined for larvae hatched during early and late time periods with ambient average weekly water temperatures of 20.8 (standard deviation ±2.1 °C) and 29.0 (±1.0), respectively. Cultured fishes provided parameter estimates in the absence of predation mortality and with constant prey availability. Four hypotheses were tested for each species: 1) total length at hatch is not related to temperature, 2) pelagic larval period (PLD) is negatively related to temperature, 3) growth rates and survivorship are positively related to temperature, and 4) flexion and settlement lengths are negatively related to temperature. For both gobies and blennies, hatch length decreased with increasing temperature, but was not significantly related to survivorship. Larval blennies retained the yolk-sac longer than gobies. At higher temperatures, striped blenny flexion length, settlement length, PLD, and instantaneous mortality significantly decreased while instantaneous growth in length increased. Naked goby flexion lengths, settlement lengths, PLD, and mortality rates also declined with increasing water temperatures while instantaneous growth rates increased with increasing water temperatures. Average growth in length did not change significantly with temperature for either species. Survivorship in both fishes was lowest during 0 to 6 days post hatch (dph) coincident with the yolk-sac and first feeding stages. Survivorship significantly increased with larval fish total length and age (dph) for both species and time periods. Average estimated striped blenny percentage survival increased by an order of magnitude (~3 to ~32 %) with increasing temperature while average naked goby percentage survival increased from ~3 % (early) to ~11 % (late) over the 8.3 °C temperature range examined. The observed life history parameter variation with seasonal temperature changes likely function to ensure survival to settlement for at least some cohorts within a year class as part of a bet-hedging life history strategy. Data from cultured fishes provide a baseline for future evaluation of demographics and rates from field collections.
Release of inorganic phosphate from irradiated yeast: radiation biodosimetry and evaluation of radioprotective compounds.

Abstract When cells of bakers' yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, were irradiated with ionizing radiation, inorganic phosphate, ninhydrin-reactive material, and substances absorbing at 260 mμ were released into the suspending medium. The amount of inorganic phosphate released depended on the radiation dose and on the temperature and pH during irradiation. The concentration of yeast cells did not affect the phosphate yield per milligram of yeast. It is suggested that the release of phosphate may serve as an index of the total radiation environment (i.e., as a biodosimeter) where radiation inactivation of microrganisms is of primary importance, e.g., in radiation preservation of foods. The somewhat limited range of the yeast biodosimeter (ca. 0.5 to 1.75 Mrad) may be extended by use of other more resistant microorganisms, such as bacterial spores. Compounds which have been reported as protecting microorganisms and mammals against the lethal effect of ionizing radiation also inhibited the radiation-induced release of inorganic phosphate from yeast. This phosphate release system is proposed as the basis for an economical, rapid supplement to screening procedures in the evaluation of radioprotective compounds.
Binding of Anticell Adhesive Oxime‐Crosslinked PEG Hydrogels to Cardiac Tissues

Abstract Postsurgical cardiac adhesions increase the number of surgeries as well as patient mortality and morbidity. A fast gelling oxime-crosslinked PEG hydrogel with tunable gelation time, degradation, and mechanical properties is presented. This material is cytocompatible and prevents cellular adhesion. Material retention on different cardiac tissues is demonstrated ex vivo over time and that functional group ratio alters material retention on different cardiac tissues.
Sentries and sleepers in sensor networks

A sensor is a battery-operated small computer with an antenna and a sensing board that can sense magnetism, sound, heat, etc. Sensors in a network can use their antennas to communicate in a wireless fashion by broadcasting messages over radio frequency to neighboring sensors in the same network. In order to lengthen the relatively short lifetime of sensor batteries, each sensor in a network can be replaced by a group of n sensors, for some n ≥ 2. The group of n sensors act as one sensor, whose lifetime is about n times that of a regular sensor as follows. For a time period, only one sensor in the group, called sentry, stays awake and performs all the tasks assigned to the group, while the remaining sensors, called sleepers, go to sleep to save their batteries. At the beginning of the next time period, the sleepers wake up, then all the sensors in the group elect a new sentry for the next time period, and the cycle repeats. In this paper, we describe a practical protocol that can be used by a group of sensors to elect a new sentry at the beginning of each time period. Our protocol, unlike earlier protocols, is based on the assumption that the sensors in a group are perfectly identical (e.g. they do not have unique identifiers; rather each of them has the same group identifier). This feature makes our protocol resilient against any attack by an adversary sensor in the group that may lie about its own identity to be elected a sentry over and over, and keep the legitimate sensors in the group asleep for a long time.
Dynamic High-Cadence Cycling Improves Motor Symptoms in Parkinson's Disease.

Rationale: Individuals with Parkinson’s disease (PD) often have deficits in kinesthesia. There is a need for rehabilitation interventions that improve these kinesthetic deficits. Forced (tandem) cycling at a high cadence improves motor function. However, tandem cycling is difficult to implement in a rehabilitation setting. Objective: To construct an instrumented, motored cycle and to examine if high cadence dynamic cycling promotes improvements in motor function. Method: This motored cycle had two different modes: dynamic and static cycling. In dynamic mode, the motor maintained 75-85 rpm. In static mode, the rider determined the pedaling cadence. UPDRS Motor III and Timed Up and Go (TUG) were used to assess changes in motor function after three cycling sessions. Results: Individuals in the static group showed a lower cadence but a higher power, torque and heart rate than the dynamic group. UPDRS score showed a significant 13.9% improvement in the dynamic group and only a 0.9% improvement in the static group. There was also a 16.5% improvement in TUG time in the dynamic group but only an 8% improvement in the static group. Conclusion: These findings show that dynamic cycling can improve PD motor function and that activation of proprioceptors with a high cadence but variable pattern may be important for motor improvements in PD.
Immunity to Nerve Growth Factor Prevents Afferent Plasticity Following Urinary Bladder Hypertrophy

AbstractPurpose: The goal of this investigation was to examine the effect of immunity to nerve growth factor (NGF) on alterations in sensory nerves from the urinary bladder in the dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and their projections to the L6/S1 spinal cord following urethral obstruction in the rat.Materials and Methods: Female Wistar rats were immunized to murine 2.5S NGF, then obstructed by partial urethral ligation for 6 weeks. Retrograde axonal tracing with FluoroGold and WGA-HRP was used to measure areas of bladder DRG cells and afferent projections in the sacral spinal cord. Multiunit activity on bladder nerves allowed recording of micturition reflexes. Immunohistochemical staining for growth associated protein (GAP)-43 in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) was used to assess potential growth or activity of axons in the spinal cord. Voiding frequencies were then measured in awake obstructed and NGF immune-obstructed rats.Results: Immunity to NGF prevented obstruction-induced hypertrophy of DRG neur...
Testing A Noninferiority Hypothesis: What to Anticipate when the Adverse Event is Rare

While randomized controlled trials may not be considered efficient for investigating rare adverse events based on their size, biases associated with other epidemiological designs may justify the additional resources. In certain contexts it may be appropriate, for example, to inflate the noninferiority (NI) margin to decrease the sample size, provided the excess risk that will be ruled out remains clinically relevant. The implication of a reduced sample size on the number of events anticipated from the trial is often not considered at the study design phase but may have important ramifications. To assess the implications of modifying study design parameters, approximations are presented for (a) how likely it is that no events will be observed, (b) how many events should be anticipated, and (c) how likely it is that v or more events will be observed. The approximations presented are intended to serve as tangible a priori expectations from the study. This work is motivated from an FDA Advisory Committee meeting regarding a discussion at the association between long-acting beta-agonists and asthma-related deaths.
Agonistic responses by a grass anole, Anolis olssoni from the Dominican Republic, to male conspecifics

Agonistic behaviour of male Anolis olssoni was elicited in natural habitats near Baraona, Barahona Province, Dominican Republic, through the introduction of tethered males. Videotaped responses consisted of various sequences and combinations of behaviours and modifiers and appeared to vary according to levels of arousal. Male A. olssoni assume a posture involving full head elevation and dewlap extension, which apparently signals the highest state of arousal to conspecifc males. This display was invariably accompanied by gaping with a protruded tongue, distinct extension of nuchal and dorsal crests, bulging eyes, and changes in body and tail colouration. Analysis of behaviours failed to identify a stereotypical display for this species. Males apparently monitor and defend their immediate surroundings, a strategy which may be adaptative in a densely occupied and complex microhabitat in which vision is restricted.
Deep-Burn: making nuclear waste transmutation practical

Abstract In the Deep-Burn concept, destruction of the transuranic component of light water reactor (LWR) waste is carried out in one burn-up cycle, accomplishing the virtually complete destruction of weapons-usable materials (Plutonium-239), and up to 90% of all transuranic waste, including the near totality of Neptunium-237 (the most mobile actinide in the repository environment) and its precursor, Americium-241. Waste destruction would be performed rapidly, without multiple reprocessing of plutonium, thus eliminating the risks of repeated handling of weapons-usable material and limiting the generation of secondary waste. There appears to be no incentive in continuing the destruction of waste beyond this level. An essential feature of the Deep-Burn Transmuter is the use of ceramic-coated fuel particles that provide very strong containment and are highly resistant to irradiation, thereby allowing very extensive destruction levels (“Deep Burn”) in the one pass, using gas-cooled modular helium reactor (MHR) technology developed for high-efficiency energy production. The fixed moderator (graphite) and neutronically transparent coolant (helium) provide a unique neutron energy spectrum to cause Deep-Burn, and inherent safety features, specific to the destruction of nuclear waste, that are not found in any other design. Deep-Burn technology could be available for deployment in a relatively short time, thus contributing effectively to waste problem solutions. Extensive modeling effort has led to conceptual Deep-Burn designs that can achieve high waste destruction levels (70% in critical mode, 90% in with a supplemental subcritical step) within the operational envelope of commercial MHR operation, including long refueling intervals and the highly efficient production of energy (approximately 50%). To the plant operator, a Deep-Burn Transmuter will be identical to its commercial reactor counterpart.
Meprin A, the major matrix degrading enzyme in renal tubules, produces a novel nidogen fragment in vitro and in vivo

Meprin A, the major matrix degrading enzyme in renal tubules, produces a novel nidogen fragmentin vitro andin vivo. We examined the effect of meprin A, the major matrix degrading metalloproteinase in rat kidney, on the laminin-nidogen complex. N-terminal sequence information from the most abundant 55 kDa fragment revealed that it was a breakdown product of nidogen rather than laminin. In comparison with over 50 nidogen cleavage sites produced by other proteases, the meprin A-induced nidogen cleavage site at amino acid position 899-900, a glutamine-glycine site in the G3 domain, is unique. In addition, these data demonstrate that meprin A degrades the G3 domain of nidogen even in the presence of laminin binding, which usually accords protection from proteolytic degradation. Meprin A also degraded purified nidogen into similar breakdown products. Given that the tubular basement membrane is located on the basilar side of the cell, the location of meprin A on the apical brush border makes it difficult to envision a role for meprin A in injury-induced basement membrane component breakdown. Thus, we examined the possibility that following renal tubular epithelial cell injury, meprin A undergoes a translocation to reach the underlying basement membrane. After renal ischemia-reperfusion there was a marked alteration in meprin A staining with meprin A now distributed throughout the renal tubular cell cytoplasm and directly adherent to the tubular basement membrane. This was in contrast to the usual linear staining of the brush border of tubules in the corticomedullary junction. These data provide unequivocal evidence that following injury, meprin A undergoes redistribution and/or adherence to the tubular basement membrane. Since in our in vitro studies, we identified a distinct meprin-induced 55 kDa nidogen breakdown product, the urine was also examined for the presence of nidogen degradation products after rat renal ischemia-reperfusion injury. Western blots showed a marked increase in the urinary 55 kDa nidogen fragment as early as the first day following ischemia-reperfusion injury and continuing for six days. Taken together, these in vivo data strongly support the notion that the nidogen breakdown products are the result of partial degradation of tubular basement membrane by meprin A following renal tubular ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Computer network home care demonstration: a randomized trial in persons living with AIDS

Purpose: As Internet-based health care applications grow, it is important to determine their acceptability to ill persons and the likely outcomes resulting from their use. This randomized field investigation demonstrated the use and effects of a specialized computer network, the ComputerLink, among persons living with AIDS (PLWA). Hypothesis: This study was designed to determine whether a home-based computer network designed for people with AIDS (PLWA) would be used and whether it would reduce social isolation and improve confidence and skill in decision making without causing differential decline in health status among PLWA. Intervention: Wyse 30 terminals were placed in private homes, linked via a 1200 baud modem to a public access computer network. Services available to PLWA included an on-line electronic encyclopedia, public and private communication and a decision support system; all services were coordinated by a registered nurse. Design: A six-month randomized trial involved 57 community-dwelling PLWA; 31 were in the experimental group. Mean age was 33, 93% were male, 61% white, 34% working, 13.5 mean years education. Six participants were lost to follow-up. Results: 8449 accesses to the system were made during the study period. Mean number of access per participant was 192, the median, 129. Duration of access averaged 12 min. PLWA used two services during each session. First order hypotheses testing revealed no significant difference between experimental and control group participants. Post hoc exploration indicated that use of the system did reduce social isolation once participants levels of depression were controlled and that decision making confidence improved as a function of number of accesses. Conclusion: Computer networks provide feasible alternatives for the delivery of health services to home-bound individuals. Communication services were used more extensively than other services, suggesting that the primary mechanism of intervention is peer contact. Similar to other experiments, system use improves confidence, though not skill, in decision making. The Internet represents a promising pathway to reaching home-bound patients and providing them with information, communication and decision assistance.
Hydrogen and Methanol Oxidation Reaction in Hydroxide and Carbonate Alkaline Media

The oxidation of hydrogen and methanol by hydroxide and carbonate anions in low temperature alkaline electrolytes was investigated on a polycrystalline platinum rotating disk electrode. The electron equivalence was experimentally determined as 2.0 and 1.9 for oxidation of hydrogen with hydroxide and carbonate anions, respectively. The exchange current density for hydrogen oxidation was measured as 0.14 mA cm−2 by hydroxide (1 M KOH), while in carbonate electrolytes, the exchange current density was 0.24 mA cm−2 (0.3 M CO3 −2) and 0.32 mA cm−2 (0.5 M CO3 −2). The increased exchange current density through the carbonate pathway was attributed to the ease of bond reorganization between hydrogen and carbonate compared to hydrogen and hydroxide, which results in a more thermodynamically favored process. Also, a more complete methanol oxidation was observed in the presence of hydroxide, though the difference compared to carbonate was not significant.
Preliminary Evidence of Reduced Combined Output of Dopamine and Its Metabolites in Chronic Schizophrenia

• The mean combined total body excretion of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, measured by summing the molar excretion of DA and its metabolites in 24-hour urine samples (Sum DA), was reduced in 20 patients with schizophrenia who had not been receiving medication for at least two weeks. These patients were relatively resistant to treatment, as they were unable to live independently outside institutional settings despite conventional neuroleptic therapy. In contrast, sum norepinephrine (Sum NE), measured by summing the molar excretion of NE and its metabolites, was not reduced. These results are highlighted by expressing the data in terms of the ratio of Sum DA/Sum NE. Patients with schizophrenia had a significantly lower ratio. Treatment with haloperidol normalized the low ratio. Urinary excretion of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid was normal in the schizophrenic patients. These results suggest that chronic schizophrenia is more likely to be associated with a low rather than a high state of DA activity.
Localization of Multiple Functional Domains on Human PECAM-1 (CD31) by Monoclonal Antibody Epitope Mapping

PECAM-1, a cell adhesion molecule of the immunoglobulin gene (Ig) superfamily, has been implicated in white cell transmigration, integrin activation on lymphocytes, and cell-cell adhesion. The purpose of this investigation was to identify specific regions of the PECAM-1 extracellular domain mediating these functions by identifying the location of epitopes of bioactive anti-PECAM-1 monoclonal antibodies. The binding regions of mAbs important in PECAM-1-mediated leukocyte transmigration (Hec 7.2 and 3D2) were mapped to N-terminal Ig-like domains. The epitopes of monoclonal antibodies that activated integrin function on lymphocytes were dispersed over the entire extracellular region, but those that had the strongest activating effect were preferentially localized to the N-terminus of the molecule. The binding regions of mAbs that blocked PECAM-1-mediated heterophilic L-cell aggregation were located either in Ig-like domain 2 (NIH31.4) or Ig-like domain 6 (4G6 and 1.2). Site-directed mutagenesis further pinpo...
The Individual and Values in Human Ecology: An Examination of the Adaptive Processes*

POET variables are able to survive in a given environment. This paper evaluates some of the models of adaptation used by human ecologists, and contends that the ecological models are rather elementary, and that they ignore some of the differences between biological and social adaptation. For these reasons the models minimize the role of values and the individual. In evaluating the ecological models, I present a model of adaptation to criticize the ecological models and to specify what I believe is the proper role of values and the individual in human ecology. The model describes three stages in the adaptive process (variation, transmission, and selection), and attempts to specify the role of values and the individual at each stage. Throughout most of its history human ecology has been the subject of numerous criticisms, and perhaps the most persistent criticism has centered around its treatment of values and the individual. Critics have contended that both values and
Partial branch and bound algorithm for improved data association in multiframe processing

A central problem in multitarget, multisensor, and multiplatform tracking remains that of data association. Lagrangian relaxation methods have shown themselves to yield near optimal answers in real-time. The necessary improvement in the quality of these solutions warrants a continuing interest in these methods. These problems are NP-hard; the only known methods for solving them optimally are enumerative in nature with branch-and-bound being most efficient. Thus, the development of methods less than a full branch-and-bound are needed for improving the quality. Such methods as K-best, local search, and randomized search have been proposed to improve the quality of the relaxation solution. Here, a partial branch-and-bound technique along with adequate branching and ordering rules are developed. Lagrangian relaxation is used as a branching method and as a method to calculate the lower bound for subproblems. The result shows that the branch-and-bound framework greatly improves the resolution quality of the Lagrangian relaxation algorithm and yields better multiple solutions in less time than relaxation alone.
The asymmetric unit membrane (AUM) structure in the lumenal plasma membrane of urothelium: The effect of trypsin on the integrity of the plaques

The lumenal plasma membrane of most mammalian urothelia is distinguished morphologically both in situ and in vitro by regions (plaque) of thickened membrane structure. Within plaque regions are regular arrays of hexagonally shaped (11.4 nm) particles which project from the free surface into the lumen, imparting an asymmetry to the unit membrane structure. When the urothelial lumenal surface is exposed to the action of trypsin, a symmetric unit membrane structure is observed along the entire length of the lumenal plasma membrane. Thickened plaque regions can no longer be distinguished from interplaque regions. Negatively stained preparations reveal that after trypsin treatment many pieces of lumenal plasma membrane are stripped of particulate structures. Hexagonally shaped particles, freed from the membrane continuum by trypsin, can be recovered and visualized in the supernatant fraction. Freeze-fractured membranes after trypsin treatment suggest that only the portion of the plaque particle protruding from the surface is removed, and a hydrophobic core of the plaque particle remains within the membrane interior. In correlation with the action of trypsin on the asymmetric unit membrane (AUM), there is a loss of the scalloped profile normally characterizing the lumenal plasma membrane so that membrane pieces after trypsinization take on a more linear (in situ) or more rounded (in vitro) shape. In essence, the lumenal plasma membrane as a whole loses its distinctive morphology and reverts after exposure to trypsin to a membrane system indistinguishable in form from many cell types.
Cytolethal distending toxin B as a cell-killing component of tumor-targeted anthrax toxin fusion proteins

Cytolethal distending toxin (Cdt) is produced by Gram-negative bacteria of several species. It is composed of three subunits, CdtA, CdtB, and CdtC, with CdtB being the catalytic subunit. We fused CdtB from Haemophilus ducreyi to the N-terminal 255 amino acids of Bacillus anthracis toxin lethal factor (LFn) to design a novel, potentially potent antitumor drug. As a result of this fusion, CdtB was transported into the cytosol of targeted cells via the efficient delivery mechanism of anthrax toxin. The fusion protein efficiently killed various human tumor cell lines by first inducing a complete cell cycle arrest in the G2/M phase, followed by induction of apoptosis. The fusion protein showed very low toxicity in mouse experiments and impressive antitumor effects in a Lewis Lung carcinoma model, with a 90% cure rate. This study demonstrates that efficient drug delivery by a modified anthrax toxin system combined with the enzymatic activity of CdtB has great potential as anticancer treatment and should be considered for the development of novel anticancer drugs.
Tin atom formation in a graphite furnace atomizer

Abstract Absorbance measurements resolved in time and space are presented for tin vaporized under various conditions in a graphite furnace. Mass spectroscopie studies coupled with temporal and spatial absorbance measurements indicate that oxygen entrained in the inert sheath gas significantly attenuates the free atomic tin population through the rapid formation of SnO. Addition of 10% hydrogen to the sheath gas and enclosure of the atomizer, substantially reduce the effect of entrained oxygen. Similar release mechanisms are postulated with and without hydrogen, but it is suggested that the concentration of elemental tin on the surface at the time of vaporization is greater when hydrogen is included. The effects of added sulfate salts were also studied and it was concluded that the formation and prevolatilization of SnS is responsible for the extreme depressions reported in the literature.
Towards the “Green Tribology”: Biomimetic Surfaces, Biodegradable Lubrication, and Renewable Energy

The Green Tribology is a new concept that was suggested in 2009. We discuss the scope of the new discipline and the publications on Green Tribology which are to appear in 2010 and 2011. The three areas relevant to Green Tribology are: (i) biomimetic and self-lubricating materials / surfaces (ii) biodegradable and environment-friendly lubricants (iii) tribology of renewable and/or sustainable sources of energy. The hypothesis is that these three areas can benefit from each other and, therefore, it is justified to combine these three areas into the novel field of Green Tribology. We discuss recent theoretical, modeling, and experimental research in these areas of interest and present theoretical, modeling, and experimental results in the area of environment-friendly tribology.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Plasma B-Type Natriuretic Peptide Levels in Ambulatory Patients With Established Chronic Symptomatic Systolic Heart Failure

Background— The diagnostic and prognostic values of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) testing are established. However, the range of plasma BNP levels present in the setting of chronic, stable systolic heart failure (HF) is unclear. Methods and Results— We followed up 558 consecutive ambulatory patients with chronic, stable systolic HF (left ventricular ejection fraction <50%) treated at a specialized outpatient HF clinic between November 2001 and February 2003. Retrospective chart review was performed to determine clinical and functional data at the time of BNP testing (Biosite Triage). The clinical characteristics of patients with plasma BNP levels <100 pg/mL and those with ≥100 pg/mL were compared. In our cohort, 60 patients were considered asymptomatic, and their plasma BNP levels ranged from 5 to 572 pg/mL (median, 147 pg/mL). Of the remaining 498 symptomatic (NYHA functional class II–III) patients, 106 (21.3%) had plasma BNP levels in the “normal” diagnostic range (<100 pg/mL). Patients in thi...
Graphical stability analysis for control systems with model parameter uncertaint es

Abstract Regions on the complex plane are employed in a version of the Nyquist stability test for control systems when the system model contains parameter uncertainties. Generally, the uncertain parameters are real and bounded and appear as numerator and denominator coefficients in a rational function of frequency. Through the function, the parameters describe a set of model points at each frequency. The problem of locating such sets is defined for a model useful in describing the frequency response of physical processes. A new algorithm for locating region boundaries enclosing the set of models is presented. Boundary points connected by line segments are determined by the algorithm. The algorithm offers two principal advantages over previously available methods: (1) The region boundaries are guaranteed to enclose the set of models, and (2) the algorithm preserves concave sides on the region enclosing the set.
‘Pompeius Macer’ and Ovid

The Pompeius Macer whom prosopographers have discerned among the friends of Ovid boasts connections as stellar as anyone in Ovid's ambit. His induction into the Roman establishment was preceded by the achievements of his father (or possibly grandfather) Theophanes of Mytilene, who for two decades had been one of Pompey's closest confidants. Macer himself served Augustus first as equestrian procurator of Asia and then as director of state libraries in Rome, and when the phil-Hellene Tiberius replaced Augustus, his position at court grew firmer still. He lived to see his son gain a seat in the Roman senate, to become the first known senator of Greek origin. And while tending to his political career, he made a name for himself in Roman literary circles and maintained a long-lasting friendship with Ovid.
Organization of glycosaminoglycan sulfation in the biosynthesis of proteochondroitin sulfate and proteodermatan sulfate

Although the intermediates for sulfation of proteochondroitin and proteodermatan have been known for several decades, organizational aspects of this formation have not been clearly defined. Work in several laboratories, including our own, have indicated a pattern which strongly suggests that sulfation ordinarily takes place together with glycosaminoglycan polymerization in the same Golgi sites, and with close relationship to aspects of polymer elongation, polymer modification and polymer termination. The organization of sulfation together with polymerization may be a major factor controlling the location, type, and degree of sulfation, which in turn may direct specific functions of these proteoglycans.
Electroinsertion of full length recombinant CD4 into red blood cell membrane

Electroinsertion is a novel technique of protein implantation in cell membranes using electrical pulses, of field strength between 1.3 kV/cm and 2.1 kV/cm and up to 1 ms duration. The full length recombinant CD4 receptor could thus be inserted in human and murine red blood cell (RBC) membranes. 100% of the RBC subjected to this procedure were shown to expose different CD4 epitopes after electroinsertion. An average of 5000 epitopes per cell has been detected by immunofluorescence assay using flow cytometry and whole cell ELISA. CD4 electroinserted in red blood cell membranes showed upon reaction with monoclonal antibody significant patching similar to that observed in T4 cells expressing CD4. Furthermore, the fluorescent enhancement coming from accumulation of immune complex phycoerythrin-antiphycoerythrin was similar for both native CD4 on T4 cells or CD4 electroinserted into erythrocyte membrane. Attempts to electroinsert proteins without a membrane spanning sequence have consistently failed, suggesting that adsorption is not responsible for the observed phenomena.
The role of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the inhibition of bone formation induced by skeletal unloading

Skeletal unloading results in osteopenia. To examine the involvement of vitamin D in this process, the rear limbs of growing rats were unloaded and alterations in bone calcium and bone histology were related to changes in serum calcium (Ca), inorganic phosphorus (P sub i), 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D), 24,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (24,25(OH)2D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D. Acute skeletal unloading induced a transitory inhibition of Ca accumulation in unloaded bones. This was accompanied by a transitory rise in serum Ca, a 21% decrease in longitudinal bone growth (P 0.01), a 32% decrease in bone surface lined with osteoblasts (P .05), no change in bone surface lined with osteoclasts and a decrease in circulating (1,25(OH)2D. No significant changes in the serum concentrations of P sub i, 25-OH-D or 24,25(OH)2D were observed. After 2 weeks of unloading, bone Ca stabilized at approximately 70% of control and serum Ca and 1,25(OH)2D returned to control values. Maintenance of a constant serum 1,25(OH)2D concentration by chronic infusion of 1,25(OH)2D (Alza osmotic minipump) throughout the study period did not prevent the bone changes induced by acute unloading. These results suggest that acute skeletal unloading in the growing rat produces a transitory inhibition of bone formation which in turn produces a transitory hypercalcemia.
Effects of neutron-star superconductivity on magnetic monopoles and core field decay.

From the magnetic properties of old neutron stars we propose that an observation of a sufficiently old pulsar limits any ``grand unified theory'' heavy magnetic monopole flux in the pulsar neighborhood to below 5\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}24}$${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{10}$${}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$ $^{2}$${\mathrm{sr}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$sec$^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$, where ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{10}$ is the age (in ${10}^{10}$ yr) of the pulsar's present magnetic field and monopole speeds are \ensuremath{\sim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}3}$ c. For the millisecond pulsar PSR 1937+214 a major improvement over the Parker limit is obtained, which is also better than various limits from monopole catalysis of baryon decay, provided ${\ensuremath{\tau}}_{10}$\ensuremath{\gtrsim}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$. The consideration of monopole dynamics inside superconducting neutron-star cores leads to this conclusion.
Determination of short-lived fission product yields with gamma spectrometry

The majority of fission yield measurements to date have examined cumulative yields of long-lived nuclides. We present a method for determining independent as well as cumulative fission yields using gamma spectrometry and a Bayesian inverse analysis. This paper outlines the impetus for new fission product yield measurements, the methodology developed to measure these and other nuclear parameters, and initial experimental results for long-lived nuclides and sensitivity analyses. In initial scoping measurements, the cumulative yield of $$^{140}$$ Ba was estimated as $$4.9966\pm 0.3309$$ %, and the independent yield of $$^{140}$$ La was estimated to be $$0.0045\pm 0.0022$$ %. These estimated values are commensurate with existing literature values.
A Network Approach to Analyzing Highly Recombinant Malaria Parasite Genes

The var genes of the human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum present a challenge to population geneticists due to their extreme diversity, which is generated by high rates of recombination. These genes encode a primary antigen protein called PfEMP1, which is expressed on the surface of infected red blood cells and elicits protective immune responses. Var gene sequences are characterized by pronounced mosaicism, precluding the use of traditional phylogenetic tools that require bifurcating tree-like evolutionary relationships. We present a new method that identifies highly variable regions (HVRs), and then maps each HVR to a complex network in which each sequence is a node and two nodes are linked if they share an exact match of significant length. Here, networks of var genes that recombine freely are expected to have a uniformly random structure, but constraints on recombination will produce network communities that we identify using a stochastic block model. We validate this method on synthetic data, showing that it correctly recovers populations of constrained recombination, before applying it to the Duffy Binding Like-α (DBLα) domain of var genes. We find nine HVRs whose network communities map in distinctive ways to known DBLα classifications and clinical phenotypes. We show that the recombinational constraints of some HVRs are correlated, while others are independent. These findings suggest that this micromodular structuring facilitates independent evolutionary trajectories of neighboring mosaic regions, allowing the parasite to retain protein function while generating enormous sequence diversity. Our approach therefore offers a rigorous method for analyzing evolutionary constraints in var genes, and is also flexible enough to be easily applied more generally to any highly recombinant sequences.
Mice in the world of stem cell biology

The ability of embryos to diversify and of some adult tissues to regenerate throughout life is directly attributable to stem cells. These cells have the capacity to self-renew-that is, to divide and to create additional stem cells-and to differentiate along a specific lineage. The differentiation of pluripotent embryonic stem cells along specific cell lineages has been used to understand the molecular mechanisms involved in tissue development. The often endless capacity of embryonic stem cells to generate differentiated cell types positions the field of stem cells at the nexus between developmental biologists, who are fascinated by the properties of these cells, and clinicians, who are excited about the prospects of bringing stem cells from bench to bedside to treat degenerative disorders and injuries for which there are currently no cures. Here we highlight the importance of mice in stem cell biology and in bringing the world one step closer to seeing these cells brought to fruition in modern medicine.
How does the Brief CEOA match with self-generated expectancies in mandated students?

Abstract Alcohol expectancies, defined as a person's beliefs about the effects of drinking, can influence alcohol consumption and help predict problem drinking in college students. However, there are concerns that current expectancy measures do not adequately capture mandated student expectations about alcohol use. This study examined the correspondence of 412 self-generated expectancies from mandated students ( n = 64) to items on the Brief Comprehensive Effects of Alcohol (B-CEOA; Ham, Stewart, Norton, & Hope, 2005). Self-generated expectancies were reviewed by raters who attempted to match each expectancy with a single B-CEOA item based on the qualitative essence of each statement. Most mandated student expectancies were not represented by the B-CEOA. All expectancies were then classified into 6 categories based on themes and categories from the alcohol expectancy literature. Mandated student expectancies emphasized the physiological aspects of drinking, whereas the B-CEOA assesses expectancies about intrapersonal factors. The findings suggest the B-CEOA may exclude alcohol expectancies that are important and relevant to this population. Self-generated alcohol expectancies from the target population should be considered when developing or administering expectancy questionnaires.
Gombe chimpanzee sex differences in the pelvis and observations of pubic and preauricular areas

The skeletons of Gombe chimpanzees provide an opportunity for analysis of bony tissue with reference to known sex and parity in combination with observations on other life history variables and behavior. Measurements of the pelvic bones show a mosaic of sex differences. Well-defined resorption areas on the dorsomedial aspect of the pubis and the preauricular area of the ilium have been associated with sex and parity in humans and other species. However, these are not present in either females or males in this chimpanzee skeletal series.
Osteogenesis Imperfecta and Aortic Dissection

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a group of autosomal dominant disorders affecting Type I collagen synthesis with the predominant clinical manifestations in skeleton, skin, eyes, and teeth. Valvular cardiac manifestations and aortic root changes have long been reported. However, aortic dissection and repair were not described until 1993, with only 3 more proximal aortic dissections and repair noted. We report a fifth case and the first distal dissection. Surgeons performing vascular operations will in all probability never have encountered vascular repair in those with OI. The reports and this case are strong evidence that special efforts are required because of the fragility of tissues and propensity for bleeding. Reinforcement of any vascular suture line should be considered to reduce failure and bleeding.
Real-time DSP implementation of Pedestrian Detection algorithm using HOG features

Pedestrian Detection is the most critical safety application in automotive driver assistance systems. Histogram of Oriented Gradients (HOG) features is known to produce the state of the art results for this application. This feature is very compute-intensive and it is difficult to achieve real-time performance by direct porting of community software like OpenCV. In this paper, we discuss an efficient DSP implementation of this algorithm and also demonstrate how architecture aware design choices can lead to huge performance improvements. The algorithm was implemented and profiled on a Texas Instruments' C674x DSP, achieving a performance of 20 fps for a VGA resolution video sequence. Compared to OpenCV's HOG function, the proposed implementation is 130X faster without a significant loss of accuracy.
Semivaluationism: Putting Vagueness in Context in Context*

If you march toward the horizon to specify the n at which the induction step fails, your expedition will be self-defeating. The horizon shifts with your location. Stewart Shapiro's standard sorites argument features a 2000 man sequence of progressively hairier men, starting with the a paradigm case of a bald man at one extreme, say Yul Brynner, and on the other extreme, a paradigm case of non-bald man, say Jerry Garcia.