cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Verschüttung und Exhumierung eines Reliefs in einer varistischen Innensenke

Aus dem Thuringer Wald wird ein intrarotliegendes Relief, das im Grenzzeitraum Oberhofer Stufe/Tambacher Stufe gebildet wurde, beschrieben. Das verschuttete Relief wird durch die kanozoische Abtragung in Anlehnung an alte Formen ausgegraben. Ursachen der Reliefexhumierung sind die Uberlieferung eines Sedimentationsdefizits uber das Rotliegende hinaus, weiterhin Gefugeund Festigkeitsunterschiede der Gesteine und die zufallig gunstigen Verwerfungsbetrage bei der Hebung des Thuringer Waldes.
The role of OX40-mediated co-stimulation in T-cell activation and survival.

The extent of T cell activation, proliferation, and survival that follows T cell receptor ligation is controlled by several factors including the strength of TCR stimulation, the availability of pro-survival cytokines, and the presence or absence of co-stimulatory signals. In addition to engagement of the CD28 co-stimulatory receptor by its natural ligands, B7.1 (CD80) and B7.2 (CD86), recent work has begun to elucidate the mechanisms by which signaling through the OX40 (CD134) co-stimulatory receptor, a member of the TNFR super-family, affects T cell responses. Importantly, OX40 ligation has been shown to augment CD4 and CD8 T cell clonal expansion, effector differentiation, survival, and in some cases, abrogate the suppressive activity of regulatory FoxP3+CD25+CD4+ T cells. In this review, we will focus on the mechanisms regulating OX40 expression on activated T cells as well as the role of OX40-mediated co-stimulation in boosting T cell clonal expansion, effector differentiation, and survival.
Mutational clusters generated by non-processive polymerases: A case study using DNA polymerase β in vitro

Available DNA mutational spectra reveal that the number of mutants with multiple mutations ("multiples") is usually greater than expected from a random distribution of mutations among mutants. These overloads imply the occurrence of non-random clusters of mutations, probably generated during episodes of low-fidelity DNA synthesis. Excess multiples have been reported not only for viruses, bacteria, and eukaryotic cells but also for the DNA polymerases of phages T4 and RB69 in vitro. In the simplest case of a purified polymerase, non-random clusters may be generated by a subfraction of phenotypic variants able to introduce more errors per cycle of DNA synthesis than the normal enzyme. According to this hypothesis, excess multiples are not expected with non-processive polymerases even if they harbor rare mutator variants. DNA polymerase beta (Pol beta) is a mammalian DNA-repair polymerase with very low processivity. Although several Pol beta mutational spectra have been described, there is conflicting evidence on whether or not excess multiples occur, with spectra based on the HSV-tk system tending to show excess multiples. Excess multiples generated by Pol beta or any of its mutants might imply that the excesses of multiples observed in numerous other systems, especially those with processive polymerases, could be artifactual. Here, the distributions of mutations generated by native and recombinant rat Pol beta and by the Pol beta(Y265C) mutator were analyzed in the M13mp2 lacZalpha system. Our results present no evidence for a significant excess of multiples over the expected numbers with any of the Pol beta enzymes tested in this system. The reported excess of Pol beta-generated multiples in the HSV-tk system may reflect a reduced efficiency of detection of base substitutions that cause weak phenotypes, which in turn may artifactually increase the frequency of multiples.
Ultrasound-detected carotid plaque as a screening tool for advanced subclinical atherosclerosis.

Background There is great need for a simple, noninvasive tool that can be used in an office setting to screen for subclinical atherosclerosis. In patients referred for cardiovascular (CV) risk assessment, we evaluated the ability of ultrasound screening for carotid plaque to identify patients with advanced subclinical atherosclerosis. Methods Consecutive asymptomatic patients without vascular disease referred by their physician for measurement of the ankle-brachial pressure index and carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) were included. Carotid intima-media thickness was measured using the standardized ultrasound protocol from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study. Advanced atherosclerosis was defined as CIMT ≥75th percentile for age, sex, and race in ARIC. Results The mean age of the 327 subjects was 55.4 years (SD 7.7 years). The 10-year Framingham CV risk was 5.1% (4.8%). In a multiple logistic regression model that included Framingham CV risk, ankle-brachial pressure index, and use of lipid-lowering medications, plaque presence significantly predicted advanced atherosclerosis (odds ratio 3.08, 95% CI 1.91-4.96, P Conclusion Ultrasound detection of carotid plaque helped identify asymptomatic patients with advanced subclinical atherosclerosis. Screening for carotid plaque is easier than determination of CIMT and may help detect asymptomatic patients at increased CV risk.
Photooxidation of Amplex Red to resorufin: implications of exposing the Amplex Red assay to light.

The Amplex Red assay, a fluorescent assay for the detection of H2O2, relies on the reaction of H2O2 and colorless, nonfluorescent Amplex Red with a 1:1 stoichiometry to form colored, fluorescent resorufin, catalyzed by horseradish peroxidase (HRP). We have found that resorufin is artifactually formed when Amplex Red is exposed to light. In the absence of H2O2 and HRP, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Amplex Red changed during exposure to ambient room light or instrumental excitation light, clearly indicating that the fluorescent product resorufin had formed. This photochemistry was initiated by trace amounts of resorufin that are present in Amplex Red stock solutions. ESR spin-trapping studies demonstrated that superoxide radical was an intermediate in this process. Oxygen consumption measurements further confirmed that superoxide and H2O2 were artifactually produced by the photooxidation of Amplex Red. The artifactual formation of resorufin was also significantly increased by the presence of superoxide dismutase or HRP. This photooxidation process will result in a less sensitive assay for H2O2 under ambient light exposure and potentially invalid measurements under high energy exposure such as UVA irradiation. In general, precautions should be taken to minimize exposure to light during measurement of oxidative stress with Amplex Red.
Endogenous amyloidogenesis in long-term rat hippocampal cell cultures

Background Long-term primary neuronal cultures are a useful tool for the investigation of biochemical processes associated with neuronal senescence. Improvements in available technology make it possible to observe maturation of neural cells isolated from different regions of the rodent brain over a prolonged period in vitro. Existing experimental evidence suggests that cellular aging occurs in mature, long-term, primary neuronal cell cultures. However, detailed studies of neuronal development in vitro are needed to demonstrate the validity of long-term cell culture-based models for investigation of the biochemical mechanisms of in vitro neuronal development and senescence.
NON VALVULAR PAPILLARY FIBROELASTOMA IN A PATIENT WITH RHEUMATIC MITRAL STENOSIS: INSIGHTS INTO ETIOPATHOGNESIS

Cardiac papillary fibroelastoma (CPF) is the second most common cardiac neoplasm after myxomas accounting for 5% of primary cardiac tumors. Only 15% of these arise from non valvular endocardium. We present a case of CPF in the left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) in a patient with rheumatic mitral
Medical Care for Nursing Home Residents: Differences by Dementia Status

OBJECTIVE: To understand the use of medical services by nursing home residents. DESIGN: Descriptive, longitudinal study comparing medical service use of residents by dementia status and describing the use of medical services following detection of fever or infection. SETTING: Fifty-nine randomly selected nursing homes in Maryland from 1992 to 1995. PARTICIPANTS: 2153 residents admitted to one of 59 randomly selected nursing homes. MEASUREMENT: A panel of psychiatrists and neurologists ascertained dementia based on review of medical records, interview data with significant others and nursing staff, and results of a cognitive exam. Medical service use was abstracted from medical records. BACKGROUND: Understanding the use of medical services by nursing home residents as distinct from services provided by the nursing home is important, particularly as new medical care models are tested. This study compares the medical service use of residents by dementia status and describes the use of medical services following detection of fever or infection. RESULTS: Residents with dementia compared with those without dementia had lower annual rates of physician visits (10.2 vs 12.7, P < .001) and hospitalizations (0.9 vs 1.2, P < .001), virtually the same rate of emergency department visits, and similar lengths of stay in the hospital. Subsequent to infection, a lower proportion of residents with dementia had either a physician visit, an emergency department visit, or a hospital admission compared with residents without dementia (27.2% vs 32.2%, P < .001). In 87% of infections, an antibiotic was used, implying meaningful contact with a physician. Residents with dementia compared with those without dementia had fewer physician visits subsequent to fevers (20.6% vs 29.9%, P < .001) and infections (21.8% vs 27.5%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The association of less medical service use by individuals with dementia compared with those without dementia may reflect differences in health status or implicit end-of-life decision-making and a proclivity toward less-aggressive treatment for these individuals.
Posterior Cruciate-Retaining Versus Posterior-Stabilized Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Meta-Analysis

The objective of this meta-analysis was to compare outcomes of posterior cruciate-retaining and posterior stabilized prostheses. A computerized literature search was conducted to identify randomized controlled trials comparing the clinical outcomes of cruciate-retaining and posterior-stabilized designs. The table of contents of four major Orthopaedic journals and the references section of two arthroplasty text books were reviewed to identify other relevant studies. Ultimately, 1114 patients (1265 knees) were compared. Statistical analysis revealed a significant difference in flexion and range of motion in favor of posterior-stabilized knees, but no difference in complication rates. The clinical importance of this remains unknown. The decision to use one design versus the other should rest with the surgeon's preference and comfort with a particular design.
Consciousness: An Outside Story

causes me three worries. First, and most important, I just do not believe it. In the great consciousness debates now raging, I side with Searle (1997), who accepts consciousness as a high-level brain feature but denies property dualism; in the end, I inch toward Churchland (1997), Dennett (1997), and other materialists who have spoken out against extra properties because they require special intuitions of thatje ne sais quoi of experience that, in the end, only the true believers seem to have (see the papers in Shear, 1997, for the technical critiques of Chalmers and his responses). Second, it reminds me of a cartoon I once saw in the New York Times over a review of the autobiography of A. J. Ayer, that unapologetic and unrelenting logical empiricist who, by his early twenties, had dismissed all the great metaphysical questions of philosophy as gibberish because they lacked data. He was portrayed as a hunching old man, looking down at his feet for his entire life while the sky exploded with comets, angels, spaceships, and other phenomena bracketed out, in principle, as non-sense. I worry that Chalmers is telling a similarly exclusionary tale--"experience is information from the inside" (p. 305). Where are all those other people and things? Where are the bugs, churches, and baseballs? His inside
Diode properties of nanotube networks

Abstract Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT) were prepared using iron catalysts deposited by indirect evaporation on silicon substrate covered with 500 nm-thick thermal oxide. Diode SWCNT devices have been fabricated using Au and Al, as the asymmetric metal contacts, and a random network of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes as the device channel. No effort was made to align the SWCNTs or to eliminate metallic nanotubes in our devices. Asymmetric voltage–current behavior was seen. Current rectification was observed in the source–drain bias range of − 3 V to + 3 V. Rectification was somewhat surprising since, although metallic tubes are in the minority (∼ 1/3), they could potentially act as shunts and mask the electric properties of the semiconducting majority. No correlation between electrode spacing and current rectification was observed. The lowest leakage current measured was 1% of the maximum current carrying capacity. Maximum forward-biased current capacities range between 8 μA and 841 μA.
Rituximab in the treatment of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma, focus on outcomes and comparative effectiveness

Rituximab is an important and well established component in the treatment of many patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma. In this paper we review recent clinical trials investigating the addition of rituximab to standard chemotherapy regimens for treatment of patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma and follicular lymphoma. This report focuses upon treatment efficacy, quality of life, and safety of rituximab or rituximab-containing regimens. More uniquely, we review economic aspects of lymphoma treatments, including the cost of standard chemotherapy regimens with or without rituximab, cost effectiveness of rituximab in both induction and maintenance treatment, and lymphoma’s impacts on patient’s productivity and their caregivers. We conclude that adding rituximab to standard chemotherapy treatment for patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma is safe and cost-effective in numerous settings during both induction and maintenance therapies. Despite extensive review of the literature, many important questions have yet to be answered in the rituximab era and these represent important directions for future study.
Are stress-induced immunological changes mediated by mood? A closer look at how both desirable and undesirable daily events influence sIgA antibody.

This investigation tested a three-path model of mood as a mediator of the relation between stress and immunity. Seventy-two married men completed end-of-day diaries in which they rated their mood for that day and the desirability of the day’ events for 12 weeks. Events were coded as either desirable (nonstressful) or undesirable (stressful) in nature. Immunological functioning was assessed by secretory immunoglobulin-A (sIgA) antibody response to an oral antigen. Regression analyses indicated that negative mood partially mediated the immunological response to both undesirable and desirable events. Undesirable events lowered antibody levels primarily by increasing negative mood; desirable events increased antibody levels by decreasing negative mood. Evidence for mediation by positive mood beyond that found for negative mood was weak.
The role of magnetic clusters in mictomagnetic alloys

Abstract The average moment and the concentration of magnetic clusters in Cu -Mn alloys were determined from magnetization data. Both are increased by aging. Magnetic clusters are responsible for most of both the extremely large steady field susceptibility at 4.2°K after zero-field cooling and the alternating low-field susceptability at its peak.
Effect of Pancreozymin Preparations on Gastric Secretion

Magee and Nakamura have reported1 that a pancreozymin and cholecystokinin (PZ/CCK) preparation increased gastric secretion in dogs with a simple gastric fistula. The authors, I am sure, have overlooked previous reports of this finding2,3. Using a commmercial and highly purified preparation of PZ/CCK, ‘Cecekin’ (Vitrum), it was found that doses ranging from 18.75 to 600 U/h increased gastric acid output in dogs with a simple gastric fistula2. These investigations were confirmed in later experiments in which bethanechol (‘Urecholine’) was combined with ‘Cecekin’. In those experiments3, bethanechol plus ‘Cecekin’ produced a greater acid response than bethanechol alone.
New insights into particle image velocimetry data using fuzzy-logic-based correlation/particle tracking processing

Digital particle image velocimetry (DPIV) data processing has been developed to the point where DPIV image data are processed via auto- or cross-correlation techniques in near real time and the results are displayed on screen as they are processed. Correlation techniques are highly desirable, since they provide velocity measurements on a regular grid, which are readily comparable to CFD predictions of the flow field. In high-speed flows, particle lag effects are always of concern; however, the correlation operation does not provide any means for minimization or elimination of systematic errors in the recorded particle image data. In this paper, we present a combined correlation processing/particle tracking technique providing “super-resolution” velocity measurements. Fuzzy-logic principles are employed to maximize the information recovery in the correlation operation and to determine the correct particle pairings in the tracking operation. The combined correlation/particle tracking technique is applied to DPIV data obtained in the diffuser region of a high-speed centrifugal compressor producing velocity vector maps with an average density of 6 vectors/mm2. Inspection of the particle tracking results revealed large particles that were not following the flow. Using preknowledge of the flow field, the biased velocity estimates arising from large particles in the flow were removed, thereby improving the accuracy of the measurements.
A procedure for iodolactamization

Abstract Treatment of an unsaturated amide with TMS-OTf, then iodine in THF gives the iodolactam.
Mapping, Genetic Isolation, and Characterization of Genetic Loci That Determine Resistance to Atherosclerosis in C3H Mice

Objective— C3H/HeJ (C3H) mice are extremely resistant to atherosclerosis. To identify the genetic factors involved in lesion initiation, we studied a cross between C3H and the susceptible strain C57BL/6J (B6) on a hyperlipidemic (apolipoprotein E–null) background. Methods and Results— Whereas a previous cross in mice fed a Western diet for 16 weeks revealed a very complex inheritance pattern with many significant lesion QTLs, the present cross, on a chow diet, revealed a single major locus on chromosome 9 (lod=5.0, Ath29 *), and a suggestive locus on chromosome 4 (lod=2.6, Ath8 ). QTLs for plasma HDL, total cholesterol, and triglyceride levels were found on chromosome 1 over the ApoA2 gene. Neither of the lesion QTLs were associated with differences in plasma lipid levels or other systemic risk factors, consistent with the concept that genetic factors affecting cellular functions of the vessel wall are important determinants of atherosclerosis susceptibility. We generated a congenic strain for Ath29 and confirmed its contribution to lesion development. Toll-like receptor 4 ( Tlr4 ), the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) receptor, is located in the Ath8 region and is known to be defective in C3H/HeJ mice. We constructed a congenic strain carrying a normal Tlr4 gene on the C3H Apoe -null background and found that the defective Tlr4 does not contribute significantly to lesion resistance during early lesion development. Conclusions— We identified one major QTL on chromosome 9, Ath29 , for early lesion development in the BXH ApoE −/− cross fed on a chow diet and confirmed its contribution in congenic mice. We have also determined that Tlr4 on the C3H ApoE −/− background does not contribute to early lesion development. * Ath29 is referred to as Ath22 in Su et al 2006.
Connecting Discovery and Delivery: The Need For More Evidence on Effective Smoking Cessation Strategies for People Living With HIV/AIDS

Smoking prevalence among the 1.1 million Americans living with HIV/AIDS is 2 to 3 times higher than the 19.8% rate among the general population. Since 1990, scientists have worked toward the discovery of health risks related to smoking in people living with HIV/AIDS; however, few studies have evaluated the delivery of smoking cessation interventions for this population. Increasing linkages between discovery science and delivery science may facilitate a faster transition to delivery of smoking cessation interventions for people living with HIV/AIDS.
Baby shampoo nasal irrigations for the symptomatic post-functional endoscopic sinus surgery patient.

Background: Symptoms of postnasal drainage and thickened mucus are commonly seen in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) recalcitrant to sinus surgery and conventional medical therapies. Chemical surfactants can act as a mucolytic by reducing water surface tension and have the potential to serve as an antimicrobial agent. Baby shampoo is an inexpensive, commercially available solution containing multiple chemical surfactants. This is an in vitro study of its antimicrobial effects on Pseudomonas biofilms with translation to a clinical study for use as an adjuvant nasal wash in patients with CRS who remain symptomatic despite adequate sinus surgery and conventional medical therapies. Methods: In vitro testing was performed to determine the optimal concentration of baby shampoo that disrupted preformed bacterial biofilms and inhibited biofilm formation. This concentration was then used in a prospective study of symptomatic post–functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) patients who irrigated twice a day for 4 weeks. Validated outcome forms and objective smell testing was performed before and after therapy. Results: One percent baby shampoo in normal saline was the optimal concentration for inhibition of Pseudomonas biofilm formation. Baby shampoo had no effect on the eradication of preformed Pseudomonas biofilms. Eighteen patients with CRS with an average of 2.8 surgeries were studied after irrigating with 1% baby shampoo solution. Two patients discontinued use because of minor nasal and skin irritations; 46.6% of patients experienced an overall improvement in their subjective symptoms, and 60% of patients noted improvement in specific symptoms of thickened mucus and postnasal drainage. Conclusion: Baby shampoo nasal irrigation has promise as an inexpensive, tolerable adjuvant to conventional medical therapies for symptomatic patients after FESS. Its greatest benefit may be in improving symptoms of thickened nasal discharge and postnasal drainage. (Am J Rhinol 22, 34–37, 2008; doi: 10.2500/ajr.2008.22.3122)
Associative memories based on message-bearing optical modes in phase-conjugate resonators

We describe in generic terms a class of associative memory that is based on (1) an oscillating message-bearing optical mode in a resonator containing a multimessage hologram, (2) image-selective (discriminatory) amplification of the desired picture in a photorefractive crystal, and (3) phase-conjugate reflection.
A deep-submicrometer analog-to-digital converter using focused-ion-beam implants

The use of focused-ion-beam (FIB) technology to realize multiple MOSFET threshold voltages in the comparators of an experimental 4-b flash analog-digital converter (ADC) is discussed. The result is a simpler design in that each comparator is a CMOS inverter and the resistor ladder is eliminated. The ADC was fabricated in CMOS/SOS with comparator channel lengths of 0.5 mu m and digital device channel lengths of 0.25 mu m. Measurements of signal-to-noise ratio and analog bandwidth indicate that the ADC can function as a Nyquist converter at sampling frequencies up to 400 MHz. Better than 3-b resolution was observed for a wide range of conditions, including sampling rates above 1 GHz. The power dissipation apart from the output buffers (driving 50- Omega loads) was less than 100 mW, even at sampling rates >or=1 GHz. This 370 MOSFET circuit is one of the most complex ICs yet built with 0.25- mu m CMOS. A promising application is in oversampled ADC architectures, where this circuit would function effectively as an internal high-speed quantizer. >
Rotating Speed Identification and Simulation Research of Synchronous Motor based on MRAS

Rotational speed difference is an important factor that effects synchronism and stability of vibratory machines. This paper establishes the motor dynamical differential equation based on MRAS (model reference adaptive system). Speed regulator is designed based on PID regulator and adaptive controller. Then using MRAS to control, identify and simulate the speed of two rotors. Simulation results show that adopting MRAS is better than common PID system.
Does 20-Hydroxyeicosatetraenoic Acid Contribute to Sex Differences in Cardiovascular Risk by Increasing Oxidative Stress?

Previous studies have indicated that there are large sex differences in the incidence of hypertension, and the role of androgens in enhancing the risk of cardiovascular disease is well recognized.1,2 However, the mechanisms by which androgens increase blood pressure are poorly understood. Recent studies have demonstrated that androgen-sensitive forms of hypertension are associated with increased production of 20-hydroxyeicosatetranoic acid (20-HETE) in the kidney and the vasculature.3 However, the role of 20-HETE in this form of hypertension has not been established, because this pathway has both prohypertensive and antihypertensive actions.4 At the level of the renal tubule, upregulation of the formation of 20-HETE inhibits sodium transport and opposes the development of hypertension, whereas in the vasculature, 20-HETE is a potent vasoconstrictor that promotes hypertension. The study of Singh et al5 in the current issue explores the role of 20-HETE in the development of endothelial dysfunction and hypertension in rats chronically treated with dihydrotestosterone. The results indicate that that the expression cytochrome P450 4A protein and the production of 20 HETE increase in renal arteries of rats treated with dihydrotestosterone. The increase in vascular 20-HETE production is because of upregulation of the expression of the cytochrome P450 4A8 isoform. The development of hypertension in these studies was associated with the development of endothelial dysfunction, as reflected by an impaired vasodilator response to acetylcholine, increased expression of the gp-91 …
A microsurgical suction mat

We describe a suction mat used to maintain a bloodless field during microsurgery. The mat is inexpensive, can be quickly fashioned from readily available operating room items, and functions with exceptional reliability.
Gas phase equilibrium limitations on the vapor–liquid–solid growth of epitaxial silicon nanowires using SiCl4

Epitaxially oriented silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were grown on (111) Si substrates by the vapor–liquid–solid technique in an atmospheric-pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) system using Au as the catalyst and SiCl4 as the source gas. The dependencies of SiNW growth rate on the growth temperature and SiCl4 partial pressure (PSiCl4) were investigated, and the experimental results were compared with calculated supersaturation curves for Si obtained from a gas phase equilibrium model of the SiCl4–H2 system. The SiNW growth rate was found to be weakly dependent on temperature but strongly dependent on the PSiCl4, exhibiting a maximum value qualitatively similar to that predicted from the equilibrium model. The results indicate that SiNW growth from SiCl4 is limited by gas phase chemistry and transport of reactant species to the growth surface under APCVD conditions. The experimental results are discussed within the context of a gas phase mass transport model that takes into account changes in equilibrium partial pressure due to curvature-related Gibbs–Thomson effects.
Applying After-Tax Asset Allocation

The notion of after-tax asset allocation is gaining acceptance among private wealth managers. This article presents practical methods of calculating an investor9s after-tax asset allocation, particularly as it relates to taxable accounts. The after-tax value of a taxable account can be substantially less than its stated pretax value, especially for long time horizons. Interestingly, after-tax values of taxable accounts are relatively insensitive to the investment9s systematic risk but inversely related to the investment9s tax burden and the risk-free rate. These results highlight the importance of converting balances in taxable accounts to after-tax values—a practice which heretofore has been dismissed by scholars and practitioners.
45.3: Thin LCD Substrates Reduce Edge-Light Mura

Reducing LCD substrate thickness from 0.7 mm to 0.5 mm improves edge-light mura from glass thermal-stress birefringence by 26%. Sub nanometer (nm) resolution retardation measurements were performed on 1.1, 0.7, 0.5, 0.4, 0.3, and 0.1 mm thick substrates of width 482 mm and a height of 305 mm with an LCD edge-light and are in good agreement with the stress optic law.
Vaccines, antibiotics, and atopy

Purpose Early exposure to vaccines and antibiotics may increase the risk of developing atopy by protecting against infectious agents and reducing duration and severity of infections (the hygiene hypothesis). It may also shift the developing immune system towards a more allergic response. We assess possible associations in young allergy clinic patients. Methods We conducted a case-control study of 6- to 16-year-old new allergy clinic patients who were skin tested for inhalant allergens during 1987–2001 and enrolled in KPNW since birth (n = 1074). Atopic cases had positive tests for at least one inhalant allergen. Non-atopic controls had negative tests for all inhalant allergens. Using logistic regression analysis, we estimated atopy odds ratios for vaccine and antibiotic exposure variables and associations between vaccine and antibiotic exposures during the first 2 years of life and subsequent new allergy diagnoses. Results Atopy was not significantly associated with numbers of vaccine and antigen doses, or number of different antigens during the first 2 years of life. Number of antibiotic prescriptions was negatively associated with atopy risk. Neither exposure was significantly associated with risk of new allergy diagnoses in atopic children. Conclusions Atopy development appears to be unrelated to early vaccine exposure. Frequency of antibiotic prescriptions during early life, a proxy for infection frequency, appears to protect against allergic sensitization. Neither vaccines nor antibiotics appear to induce subsequent allergic reactions in atopic children. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Changes in N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and incidence of diabetes: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Aims This study looked at whether the inverse association of circulating N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) with incident diabetes is modified by changes in NT-proBNP (ΔNT-proBNP) levels.
Nature of Cation Vacancies Formed to Compensate Donors during Oxidation of Barium Titanate

Oxidative cooling is a critical step in the processing of barrier layer electroceramics based on BaTiO3. While it has been proposed that barium vacancies are formed at the grain boundaries to compensate donors,1, 2 no direct evidence for this mechanism exists. On the other hand, literature data can be found to support the compensation of donors in the bulk by either barium or titanium vacancies. As a result the defect(s) formed at electrically active titanate grain boundaries during oxidation has remained uncertain. We explore this phenomenon by observing changes in the surface composition of donor-doped BaTiO3 when cation vacancies are introduced during oxidation, using SAES (scanning Auger electron spectroscopy). Direct experimental support for the formation and in-diffusion of barium vacancies during oxidative cooling is obtained in a composition containing 0.7% Nb. It is suggested that barium vacancy compensation constitutes a metastable defect equilibrium in BaTiO3. In a sample of lower concentration (0.3% Nb), results are inconclusive, perhaps because of slower oxidation limited by surface reaction kinetics.
Excess centrosomes disrupt endothelial cell migration via centrosome scattering.

Supernumerary centrosomes contribute to spindle defects and aneuploidy at mitosis, but the effects of excess centrosomes during interphase are poorly understood. In this paper, we show that interphase endothelial cells with even one extra centrosome exhibit a cascade of defects, resulting in disrupted cell migration and abnormal blood vessel sprouting. Endothelial cells with supernumerary centrosomes had increased centrosome scattering and reduced microtubule (MT) nucleation capacity that correlated with decreased Golgi integrity and randomized vesicle trafficking, and ablation of excess centrosomes partially rescued these parameters. Mechanistically, tumor endothelial cells with supernumerary centrosomes had less centrosome-localized γ-tubulin, and Plk1 blockade prevented MT growth, whereas overexpression rescued centrosome γ-tubulin levels and centrosome dynamics. These data support a model whereby centrosome–MT interactions during interphase are important for centrosome clustering and cell polarity and further suggest that disruption of interphase cell behavior by supernumerary centrosomes contributes to pathology independent of mitotic effects.
An Efficient Parallel Algorithm for Term Matching

Term matching is a compute-intensive problem that often arises in symbolic manipulation systems like term rewriting, and in functional and equational programming. A parallel algorithm for term matching on the CREW PRAM model was recently described by Dwork, Kanellakis and Stockmeyer. This algorithm requires O(n2) processors and takes either O(logn) or O(log2n) time. In this paper we describe a new parallel algorithm that performs term matching in O(log2n) time using O(n) processors. In our algorithm, we represent the two terms as labeled directed trees. We then construct equivalence classes of nodes in these two trees such that two nodes are in the same class iff they have the same sequence of edge-labels on the path to their respective roots. This is the basis of our parallel algorithm for term matching.
PixelTone: a multimodal interface for image editing

Photo editing can be a challenging task, and it becomes even more difficult on the small, portable screens of mobile devices that are now frequently used to capture and edit images. To address this problem we present PixelTone, a multimodal photo editing interface that combines speech and direct manipulation. We observe existing image editing practices and derive a set of principles that guide our design. In particular, we use natural language for expressing desired changes to an image, and sketching to localize these changes to specific regions. To support the language commonly used in photo-editing we develop a customized natural language interpreter that maps user phrases to specific image processing operations. Finally, we perform a user study that evaluates and demonstrates the effectiveness of our interface.
Approximating the product spectrum and product concentrations in continuous photochemical reactions

Several approximations to a common photochemical rate law, in which the rate is proportional to the fraction of light absorbed by the reactant chromophore, have been developed to permit the product spectrum to be determined from a sequence of spectra during irradiation that exhibit isosbestic points. The methods were tested on the photolysis of [Cr(NH3)6]3+ and [Cr(en)3]3+ (en = ethylenediamine) in water, and [Fe(Et2dtc)3], tris(diethyldithiocarbamato)iron(III), in CHCl3.
Age-related changes in hypocretin (orexin) immunoreactivity in the cat brainstem.

Abstract Terminals of hypothalamic hypocretin-containing neurons are observed within brainstem nuclei involved in the control of sleep and wakefulness. Because aged humans, cats and other species exhibit changes in sleep and wakefulness in old age, we were interested in examining age-related changes in hypocretin/orexin projections to the following brainstem regions which are associated with the regulation of sleep and wakefulness: the dorsal raphe nucleus, the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus, the pedunculo-pontine tegmental nucleus and the locus coeruleus. Based upon the results of immunohistochemical determinations, in all the regions examined, round or oval ‘spot-like’ structures were observed in aged cats. Many of these ‘spot-like’ structures resembled enlarged varicosities of a nature that would be expected to disrupt hypocretin neurotransmission. In addition, a site-specific decrease in immunostaining was observed in the locus coeruleus in old cats compared with adult controls; this result likely reflects a decrease in the number of labeled fibers, which indicates that there occurs a degeneration of hypocretinergic function in conjunction with old age. The proceeding changes may account for some of sleep–wake disturbance which are observed in aged animals as well as elderly humans.
Patterns of Nucleotide Substitution Among Simultaneously Duplicated Gene Pairs in Arabidopsis thaliana

We characterized rates and patterns of synonymous and nonsynonymous substitution in 242 duplicated gene pairs on chromosomes 2 and 4 of Arabidopsis thaliana. Based on their collinear order along the two chromosomes, the gene pairs were likely duplicated contemporaneously, and therefore comparison of genetic distances among gene pairs provides insights into the distribution of nucleotide substitution rates among plant nuclear genes. Rates of synonymous substitution varied 13.8-fold among the duplicated gene pairs, but 90% of gene pairs differed by less than 2.6-fold. Average nonsynonymous rates were approximately fivefold lower than average synonymous rates; this rate difference is lower than that of previously studied nonplant lineages. The coefficient of variation of rates among genes was 0.65 for nonsynonymous rates and 0.44 for synonymous rates, indicating that synonymous and nonsynonymous rates vary among genes to roughly the same extent. The causes underlying rate variation were explored. Our analyses tentatively suggest an effect of physical location on synonymous substitution rates but no similar effect on nonsynonymous rates. Nonsynonymous substitution rates were negatively correlated with GC content at synonymous third codon positions, and synonymous substitution rates were negatively correlated with codon bias, as observed in other systems. Finally, the 242 gene pairs permitted investigation of the processes underlying divergence between paralogs. We found no evidence of positive selection, little evidence that paralogs evolve at different rates, and no evidence of differential codon usage or third position GC content.
Frequency dependence of magnetic losses in Ho in the neighborhood of the curie temperature

The frequency dependence of the imaginary and real susceptibilities of polycrystalline Ho has been measured in the neighborhood of the ferromagnetic ordering temperature. The nature of the χ'−ω−T and χ″−ω−T surfaces has been defied in the range 10 ⩽ T ⩽ 25°K, 22 ⩽ ω ⩽ 110 Hz at 10°. For the sample measured, the magnetic losses are non negligible above 22 Hz, indicating that a.c. susceptibilities of Ho measured above this frequency will not agree with d.c. measurements. The results were fitted to a driven oscillator model for domain motion and were found to correlate more closely with a model in which effective mass is ignored than with one in which it is not. The agreement is not satisfactory, however, and the reasons for the lack in the model are discussed.
Social Control and Schooling: Power and Process in Two Kindergarten Settings

plicit. Of focal interest are effects of both teacher social-control techniques and classroom environmental features upon the socialization of urban American kindergarten children in open and traditional classroom settings. The major independent variable assessed is the set of verbal social-control strategies and appeals employed by kindergarten teachers in establishing and maintaining social structure. The intervening variable is seen as the context in which socialization occurs, the "milieu-with-program." The primary dependent variable examined is the set of control strategies and appeals employed by kindergarten children in each of the two settings. Measures of variables of interest were taken at the beginning and middle of the 1975-76 school year. The bulk of the data was gathered in the classroom during the natural course of the school day and includes the following measures: (1) teacher strategies and appeals taken from audiotaped and transcribed protocols and analyzed using sociolinguistic markers, (2) classroom environment measured by analyses of the milieu-with-program, (3) children's strategies and appeals taken from protocols and analyzed using sociolinguistic markers. The research provides a sociolinguistic analysis of the impact of educational settings upon the development of children's social control skills, an important subset of communicative skills and one little analyzed in natural settings. The power of the kindergarten classroom teacher to determine amount and type of interaction has been documented; however, very little is known about the sociolinguistic character of such interactions or about the possible effect these interactions might have upon children's interactions with their teacher and peers in the classroom. CLASSROOM COMMUNICATION, SOCIALIZATION, KINDERGARTEN CHILDREN, SOCIAL ORGANIZATION, SOCIOLINGUISTICS.
Comparison of Glycoprotein Expression Between Ovarian and Colon Adenocarcinomas

Abstract Objective.—Tumor-associated antigens may be expressed as surface glycoproteins. These molecules undergo qualitative and quantitative modifications during cell differentiation and malignant transformation. During malignant transformation, incomplete glycosylation is common, and certain glycosylation pathways are preferred. These antigens might help distinguish between ovarian and colonic adenocarcinomas in the primary and metastatic lesions. Different cytokeratins have been proposed as relatively organ-specific antigens. Design.—We used monoclonal antibodies against T1, Tn, sialosyl-Tn, B72.3, CA125, carcinoembryonic antigen, and cytokeratins 7 and 20 to detect tumor-associated glycoproteins and keratin proteins in ovarian and colonic carcinomas. Results.—CA125, carcinoembryonic antigen, and cytokeratins 7 and 20 can distinguish between colonic and serous or endometrioid adenocarcinomas of the ovary in both primary and metastatic lesions. Mucinous ovarian adenocarcinomas differed in that they expr...
Rate of coronary vascularization during embryonic chicken development is influenced by the rate of myocardial growth.

Objective: We tested the hypothesis that the degree of coronary microvessel formation in the embryonic heart is regulated by the magnitude of myocardial growth. Methods: The outflow tract of Hamburger–Hamilton stage 21 chicken hearts (prior to the onset of coronary vasculogenesis) was constricted in ovo with a loop of 10-0-nylon suture, and the hearts were studied at stages 29 and 36. Results: At stage 29 ventricular mass was 64% greater in the pressure-overloaded than in the hearts of sham-operated controls, but vascular volume density and numerical density, determined by electron microscopic morphometry, were identical. As demonstrated by histological morphometric evaluation, the compact region of the left ventricle at stage 29 was 43% thicker than the shams. However, by stage 36 heart mass, thickness of the compact region, and overall wall thickness (demonstrated by scanning electron microscopy) were significantly less than in the sham group of this stage, but vascular volume density was virtually identical in the two groups. Formation of the two main coronary arteries was clearly impeded in the banded hearts, i.e., the coronaries were stunted in their development or failed to completely form coronary ostia. Conclusions: Vascular growth is proportional to myocardial growth in the embryonic, overloaded heart, but the persistence of the pressure overload results in a failure of or severe limitations in coronary artery development. These data support the hypothesis that vascular growth during this period of development is regulated, at least in part, by the rate and magnitude of myocardial growth.
A principled evaluation for a principled idea garden

Many systems are designed to help novices who want to learn programming, but few support those who are not interested in learning (more) programming. This paper targets the subset of end-user programmers (EUPs) in this category. We present a set of principles on how to help EUPs like this learn just a little when they need to overcome a barrier. We then instantiate the principles in a prototype and empirically investigate the principles in two studies: a formative think-aloud study and a pair of summer camps attended by 42 teens. Among the surprising results were the complementary roles of implicitly actionable hints versus explicitly actionable hints, and the importance of both context-free and context-sensitive availability. Under these principles, the camp participants required significantly less in-person help than in a previous camp to learn the same amount of material in the same amount of time.
Defining techniques for developing an energy analysis services on a middleware for technical optimism of green buildings

This papers content is about evaluating how to utilise hybridisation of digital communications in order to secure sustainable approaches based on green buildings and infrastructure. The challenges associated with environmental and social impacts of building designs have created socio-economic impacts on our communities. There is an extensive push for “technical optimism” while engaging the communities that work and live in these environments. Smart grids and intelligent buildings require networked infrastructures. However, due to technical complexity relating to the lack of integration architecture (software) and the indication of social exclusion (referring to ‘exclusion-environment-architecture’), there is a real need for virtual multidisciplinary information systems. This paper studies the associated problems while investigating the issues relating to; i) BIM collaboration, and ii) BIM analytical modeling for energy analysis. The research strategy is based on inductive reasoning (bottom-up approach) were patterns and ideas are formed through a general review of new and existing technologies. The methodology focuses on presenting techniques used for developing an analytical energy web-based BIM model. The results of these theories contain measurable impacts relating to end user requirements and produce a mash-up diagram of process flow content for potential implementation within a virtual model.
Dysregulation of microRNA biogenesis machinery in cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are integral to the gene regulatory network. A single miRNA is capable of controlling the expression of hundreds of protein coding genes and modulate a wide spectrum of biological functions, such as proliferation, differentiation, stress responses, DNA repair, cell adhesion, motility, inflammation, cell survival, senescence and apoptosis, all of which are fundamental to tumorigenesis. Overexpression, genetic amplification, and gain-of-function mutation of oncogenic miRNAs ("onco-miRs") as well as genetic deletion and loss-of-function mutation of tumor suppressor miRNAs ("suppressor-miRs") are linked to human cancer. In addition to the dysregulation of a specific onco-miR or suppressor-miRs, changes in global miRNA levels resulting from a defective miRNA biogenesis pathway play a role in tumorigenesis. The function of individual onco-miRs and suppressor-miRs and their target genes in cancer has been described in many different articles elsewhere. In this review, we primarily focus on the recent development regarding the dysregulation of the miRNA biogenesis pathway and its contribution to cancer.