cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Injury Prevalence in Students Aged 5-19 Years: An Analysis Based on Community Health Service Centers' Reports in Pudong New Area of Shanghai

[Objective]To analyze the prevalence of injury based on the community health service centers'(CHSC) reports in Pudong new area of Shanghai in 2011 and to provide references for developing measures of injury control in students aged 5-19years.[Methods]The injured students reported by the CHSCs in 2011 were surveyed and descriptive analysis was applied to the data. The characteristics of age, gender, injury types as well as causes, places and activities at the time of injury occurrence were analyzed.[Results]Of the 1948 reported cases, the ratio of male to female was 2.57∶1, the age ranged from 5 to 19 years[mean age±sd,(11.86±4.38)years]. The leading three types of injury were contusion(42.35%), sharp injury(31.72%), and sprain or strain(14.94%). The leading three causes of injury were fall(55.39%), cut(22.38%), and blunt injury(11.45%). About 33.06% of injuries in selected students occurred at school, and 47.43% of injury activities were leisure activities.[Conclusion]The major type of injuries in students is fall at school. Intervention for fall-related injuries should be a top priority.
Intercellular adhesion molecule-1-induced post-traumatic brain injury neuropathology in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus leads to sensorimotor function deficits and psychological stress

Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) promotes adhesion and transmigration of circulating leukocytes across the blood-brain barrier. Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes transmigrated immunocompetent cells to release mediators (LFA-1 and Mac-1) that stimulate glial and endothelial cells to express ICAM-1 and release cytokines, sustaining neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration. Although a strong correlation exists between TBI-mediated inflammation and impairment in functional outcome following brain trauma, the role of ICAM-1 in impairing functional outcome by inducing neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration after TBI remains inconclusive. The experimental TBI was induced in vivo by fluid percussion injury (10 and 20 psi) in wild-type and ICAM-1-/- mice and in vitro by stretch-injury (3 psi) in brain endothelial cells. We manipulate ICAM-1 pharmacologically and genetically and conducted several biochemical analyses to gain insight into the mechanisms underlying ICAM-1-mediated neuroinflammation and performed rotarod, grid-walk, sucrose preference, and light-dark tests to assess functional outcome. TBI-induced ICAM-1-mediated neuroinflammation and cell death occur via LFA-1 or Mac-1 signaling pathways that rely on oxidative stress, matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs), and VEGF pathways. The deletion or blocking of ICAM-1 resulted in a better outcome in attenuating neuroinflammation and cell death as marked by the markers such as NF-kB, IL-1β, TNF-α, cleaved-caspase-3, annexin V, and by TUNEL, and Trypan blue staining. ICAM-1 deletion in TBI improves sensorimotor, depression, and anxiety-like behavior with significant upregulation of norepinephrine, dopamine D1R, 5-HT1AR, and neuropeptide-Y. This study could establish the significance of ICAM-1 as a novel therapeutic target against the pathophysiology to establish functional recovery after TBI. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) is known to initiate neuroinflammatory responses and causes neurodegeneration and cognitive and sensory-motor deficits in several pathophysiological conditions. However, the mechanisms of ICAM-1-mediated neuroinflammation and cell death, and its link with functional deficits following TBI are not clear. In this study, using an in vitro stretch-injury in human brain microvascular endothelial cells and an animal model of fluid percussion injury, we elucidated the mechanisms of activation of ICAM-1 signaling and subsequent neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration leading to sensorimotor deficits and psychological stress. We propose ICAM-1 signaling cascade as a target for developing new therapeutic strategies against TBI related neurological diseases.
Surgical Decision Making in Complex Facial Gunshot Wound Reconstruction

Introduction: With a rise in gun violence across the United States, facial gunshot wounds (GSWs) present a challenging reconstructive problem that was once seldom encountered in civilian population...
Carlin’s Pastoral Aesthetics: Bioethics, “Do We Want to Be Made Well?”

As proposed in his book (Carlin in Pastoral aesthetics, 2019), Nathan Carlin’s methodology provides an opportunity to expand the subject matter of bioethical inquiry and to make the field more demographically and intellectually diverse, equitable, and inclusive. In other words, to offer bioethics a methodological healing not unlike the one offered by the Christ at the pool of Bethesda. However, the proposed benefits can be gained only with a long-term commitment and with great attention to detail, including understanding how content knowledge challenges the effectiveness of the call for appreciation of the individual, the balance between autonomy and justice, and who is considered pastoral as well as what is ultimately considered the activity of pastoral aesthetics. This essay combines scholarly and reflective commentary.
Asian Pacific American Students in Special Education: A Comparative Analysis of Service Incidence Trends

(1998). Asian Pacific American Students in Special Education: A Comparative Analysis of Service Incidence Trends. Amerasia Journal: Vol. 24, No. 1, pp. 171-184.
Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin: a study of 79 affected persons in 15 Negro families in Baltimore.

Hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin is an anomaly of hemoglobin production apparently caused by a mutant gene that inhibits synthesis of hemoglobins A and A2. Alkali-resistant hemoglobin indistinguishable from hemoglobin F of umbilical cord blood is produced, presumably as a compensatory phenomenon, so that neither anemia nor hypochromia of the red cells occurs. The data summarized are compatible with the hypothesis that function of the loci of the β and δ chains of globin is wholly suppressed, quite possibly by a mutant "operator" gene affecting linked structural loci. Heterozygotes for the anomaly have high concentrations of hemoglobin F in the erythrocytes, with a remarkably uniform distribution of fetal hemoglobin throughout the red cell population. Erythrocytes of persons with the anomaly resemble adult red cells with respect to the non-hemoglobin proteins and the oxygen dissociation curve. Experience with 79 affected Negroes in Baltimore is compared with that reported by other investigators. The occasional difficulty in differentiating the anomaly from other conditions, particularly thalassemia, is emphasized.
Spawning, Larviculture, and Salinity Tolerance of Alewives and Blueback Herring in Captivity

AbstractPrecipitous declines in wild populations of river herring species (Alewives Alosa pseudoharengus and Blueback Herring A. aestivalis) have led to increased interest in stock enhancement efforts. Additionally, their popularity as a baitfish among recreational anglers has generated interest in commercial production of these species for marine baitfish markets. The objective of this investigation was to elucidate practical culture protocols for captive propagation of these species for commercial and restoration purposes. Wild Blueback Herring, captured during their annual spawning migration, spawned in tanks volitionally, while Alewives required exogenous hormone administration. Larvae of both species were successfully raised through metamorphosis using a feeding regime comprised of enriched rotifers followed by Artemia nauplii and a commercially available diet. Survival of early larvae acclimated to salinities ranging from 5‰ to 15‰ was high for both species (>94.0%) while that for older larvae accli...
Teleoncology for gynecologic cancers

Teleoncology describes cancer care provided remotely to improve access to care in rural or underserved areas. In the United States, 14.8 million women live more than 50 miles away from the closest gynecologic oncologist; 4.3 million women live more than 100 miles distant. Teleoncology may therefore partially relieve the geographic barriers to high-quality gynecologic cancer care these women experience. Little has been published on the feasibility of remote provision of high-quality care for gynecologic cancers, perhaps owing to the particular difficulties inherent in remote management of patients who may require both medical and surgical intervention. In this article, we review the data supporting the use of telemedicine in the treatment of cancer patients with a specific focus on applicability to management of gynecologic malignancies. We further add our group's experience with the treatment of rural, underserved gynecologic cancer patients. We believe that development of teleoncologic systems is critical to ensure that all women have access to high-quality gynecologic cancer care, regardless of where they reside.
La invención de un género: Heródoto, Tucídides y los retos de escribir prosa histórica a gran escala

Interest in the past (whether historical or mythical) is as old as Greek literature. Poetry (epic, elegy, and tragedy) dramatized past events. Among prose authors, Hecataeus set an early standard, but his works with historical content were shorter and simpler than those of his successors. Thus, it was Herodotus who wrote the first large-scale and complex history of an important historical event as “a multi-subjective, contingency-oriented account” (Christian Meier). Such work was soon to be followed by Thucydides. Although the latter eventually knew Herodotus’ work, he may have encountered it only after he had started to write his own.The challenges these authors faced in creating, establishing, and legitimizing a new genre were formidable. Although they found a distant predecessor in the Epics, they essentially entered uncharted territory. Therefore, they had to figure out how to organize their material, present their narrative, and create their own audiences. In a deeply fragmented world with conflicting traditions and memories, they chose to write from a panhellenic (or even larger) perspective. Although differing in age and background, they were contemporaries, participating in the competitive environment and vibrant intellectual culture of their time. One might expect, therefore, that despite their differences in approach, methodology, style, and world view, they might also share some of the solutions to the challenges they both faced.Thus, this paper will discuss some of the similar techniques the two authors developed to make their histories relevant, interesting, and meaningful to their readers. Some of these techniques (for instance, the combination of narrative and speeches) they borrowed from the Epics. Others were new and highly original devices to structure the narrative, insert pointers alerting the readers to important aspects, involve them in the narrated action, or draw out patterns that engaged the readers in a dynamic interaction between past and present.
The Role of PCR in the Diagnosis of Candida Vulvovaginitis—a New Gold Standard?

PCR is recognized as a reliable technique for detection of all types of microorganisms. Being highly objective and reproducible also sensitive and specific, PCR is now widely used for sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis. Potential, however, exists for detecting non-pathogens, and not identifying a pathogenic state decreases specificity or clinical significance. PCR Candida tests of vaginal specimens are now widely available and frequently used offering a modest to moderate increase in sensitivity and are likely to replace traditional culture and DNA homology testing. Nevertheless, there remain considerable gaps in our knowledge regarding the usefulness and applications of these expensive tests.
Genetic algorithm and fuzzy C-means based multi-voting classification scheme in data mining

This paper presents a practical scheme used in data mining for classifications based on fuzzy logic and multivoting decision algorithms. It combines the information gain heuristic and genetic algorithm (GA) to minimize the uncertainty level when estimating the weighting functions used in the multiple voting decision scheme. A preliminary test of this scheme using a well-know data set demonstrated its competency and performance improvement for classifications.
Red wine extract, resveratrol, on maintenance of organ function following trauma-hemorrhage

Resveratrol, is a polyphenol that can be extracted from grapes and red wine, possess potential anti-inflammatory effects, which would result in the reduction of cytokine production, the alteration of the expression of adhesion molecule molecules, and the inhibition of neutrophil function. Resveratrol might also act as an antioxidant, anti-aging, and control of cell cycle and apoptosis. Resveratrol has been shown to have protective effects for patients in shock-like states. Such protective phenomenon is reported to be implicated in a variety of intracellular signaling pathways including the regulation of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)/ hemeoxygenase-1 (HO-1) pathway, activates estrogen receptor (ER), and the mediation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation and reactive. Moreover, through anti-inflammatory effects and antioxidant properties, the resveratrol is believed to maintain organ function following trauma-hemorrhage. Key words : resveratrol, anti-inflammatory, trauma-hemorrhage.
Molecular Mechanism of Vitamin D in the Cardiovascular System

Vitamin D deficiency is a global health problem that has various adverse consequences. Vitamin D is mainly synthesized in the skin by sunlight (UV light) irradiation; therefore, vitamin D status is influenced by geographic locations, seasonal changes, and skin pigmentations. The kidney is involved in the biosynthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D and the reuptake of filtered 25-hydroxyvitamin D from the proximal tubules, thus, vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with kidney disease who have renal insufficiency. There is a growing body of epidemiological and clinical evidence in the literature that links vitamin D deficiency to cardiovascular disease. The discovery of the vitamin D hormone functioning as an endocrine inhibitor of the renin-angiotensin system provides an explanation for this association. This review will discuss the mechanism underlying the connection between vitamin D and cardiovascular disease and its physiological and therapeutic implications.
Single center comparison of pediatric living donor lobar and cadaveric lung transplant

Abstract Living donor lobar transplant (LDLT) has been used to address the ongoing shortage of cadaveric lungs and unpredictable course of end-stage lung disease. Because LDLT involves putting two healthy patients at risk, we compared outcomes between cadaveric lung transplant and LDLT. From July 1994 to May 2002, 38 LDLTs were performed at this center. A cohort of cadaveric recipients, also transplanted here during that era, matched by age at transplant, sex and underlying disease was selected to serve as a controls. LDLT recipients were less stable at the time of transplant: more patients (12/38) in the LDLT cohort were mechanically ventilated compared to 2/38 in the controls. The average ischemic times were significantly shorter in the LDLT patients (1:32) compared to controls (4:46). One and 3 year survival for the LDLT recipients was 60 % and 48% compared to 89% and 58% for the control cohort. The difference in Kaplan-Meier survival curves was statistically significant (P=0.03). There was no difference in the incidence of acute rejection between the LDLT and control cohorts. Post-transplant FEV 1 and FVC were not significantly different. However, freedom from bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS) at 1 and 3 years was 92% and 85% compared to 75% and 53% in the cadaveric cohort (P=0.03). Not surprisingly, the causes of death in the LDLT population reflected this difference. Only 2/24 (8%) of deaths in the LDLT cohort were due to BOS compared to 8/18 (45%) of deaths in the control cohort. In contrast, 11/24 (46%) of deaths in the LDLT cohort were related to infection compared to 2/18 (11%) in the control population. Based on this comparison, we conclude that LDLT can be performed successfully in pediatric patients. Although the decreased incidence of BOS makes us optimistic about the long-term survival of LDLT recipients, efforts focusing on minimizing infectious complications are necessary to improve overall survival.
Detection of Molecular Hydrogen by Stimulated Raman Emission

Molecular hydrogen is a very difficult molecule to detect in a noninvasive manner. The molecule has no dipole moment. Excitation of its first electronic excited state requires light in the vacuum ultraviolet region, ~110 nm. Hydrogen has been shown to produce spontaneous Raman emission at pressures as low as 550 Torr, but the process occurs with a low quantum efficiency, and efficient collection of the emissions is difficult. Lower partial pressures of hydrogen can be detected with coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS), but the experimental apparatus can be prohibitively expensive.
Relationship between visual appearance and browning as evaluated by image analysis and chemical traits in fresh-cut nectarines

Abstract Consumer acceptance of fresh-cut nectarines may be related to several characteristics (freshness, overall browning) that can be measured with suitable sensors. In this paper, digital image analysis was used to assess quality and marketability of fresh-cut nectarines, stored in air for 12 d at 5 °C. Visual appearance and colour were measured using a conventional colorimeter and a computer vision system. In addition, a number of fruit were analyzed for pH, titratable acidity, total soluble solids, total phenols and antioxidant content. During storage, nectarine slices showed a loss in appearance; after 12 d slices which were brown, having lost their freshness, showed a mean 30% decrease in total phenolics and a mean 10% increase in antioxidant activity with respect to fresh slices (13.7 ± 4.3 mg gallic acid 100 g −1 f.w. and 53.5 ± 5.2 μmol TE 100 g −1 f.w.). Visual appearance correlated significantly with the browning score ( R 2 = 0.78), titratable acidity ( R 2 = 0.45) and pH ( R 2 = 0.85). Correlation of the visual appearance score with the colour parameters b * and chroma measured by the computer vision system was higher ( R 2 = 0.76) than that obtained using a colorimeter ( R 2 = 0.57). The results showed that the computer vision system was more effective than the colorimetric method. Measurements by means of the computer vision system resulted in a reliable tool to determine quality and marketability of fresh-cut nectarines in an objective and quantitative way. Moreover, the proposed computer vision system is suitable for real-time application in the food processing industry.
Using Cyclodextrins to Encapsulate Oxygen-Centered and Carbon-Centered Radical Adducts: The Case of DMPO, PBN, and MNP Spin Traps

We present electron spin resonance (ESR) experiments that describe the interaction of β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) with spin adducts of three spin traps: 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide (DMPO), N-tert-butyl-α-phenylnitrone (PBN), and 2-methyl-2-nitrosopropane (MNP). The focus was on spin adducts of oxygen-centered radicals trapped by DMPO and PBN and on carbon-centered radical adducts trapped by MNP. The radicals were generated by reaction with hydroxyl radicals and the spin adducts studied were DMPO/OH and PBN/OH, MNP/CH2COOH generated in CH3COOH, and MNP/CF2COOH in CF2HCOOH. Di-tert-butyl nitroxide ((CH3)3C)2NO (DTBN) was also detected in experiments with MNP as the spin trap. A range of interactions of the spin adducts and DTBN with β-CD was identified. The presence of β-CD led to significant stabilization of DMPO/OH and PBN/OH but to a negligible effect on the 14N hyperfine splitting of the adducts, aN, indicating that the N−O group is outside the β-CD cavity. An increase of aN was detected for DTBN and MNP...
Modeling human activities as speech

Human activity recognition and speech recognition appear to be two loosely related research areas. However, on a careful thought, there are several analogies between activity and speech signals with regard to the way they are generated, propagated, and perceived. In this paper, we propose a novel action representation, the action spectrogram, which is inspired by a common spectrographic representation of speech. Different from sound spectrogram, an action spectrogram is a space-time-frequency representation which characterizes the short-time spectral properties of body parts' movements. While the essence of the speech signal is the variation of air pressure in time, our method models activities as the likelihood time series of action associated local interest patterns. This low-level process is realized by learning boosted window classifiers from spatially quantized spatio-temporal interest features. We have tested our algorithm on a variety of human activity datasets and achieved superior results.
Female college students' experiences with and perceptions of over-the-counter emergency contraception in the United States

Abstract Background Unintended pregnancy continues to be a major public health concern, particularly among women 19–24 years of age. Emergency contraception became available for purchase without a prescription in the United States in 2006; however, its use among women at risk for unintended pregnancy has not been adequately explored. Therefore, the purpose of this project was to gain insight into the perceptions and experiences of college women regarding over-the-counter emergency contraception, since its change in status. Methods This study used a descriptive, exploratory qualitative design. Small group interviews were conducted in early 2009 to obtain data from 24 women between the ages of 19 and 24 who were currently attending college and had purchased EC. Data were analyzed using content analysis. Findings Participants were aware of emergency contraception and its availability over the counter, although certain gaps in knowledge exist. Decision-making related to use of EC was driven by the recognition of pregnancy risk and a strong desire to prevent unintended pregnancy. Confidentiality was a major concern, as was lack of access to EC for women under the age of 17. Participants noted limitations in the health services both in provision of and education about EC. Conclusions Although women have an awareness of EC and its availability, more comprehensive knowledge is needed. Barriers to use exist, particularly confidentiality and age related restrictions. Increasing awareness of personal risk of unintended pregnancy, particularly among college women, is important.
Modeling Tropical Pacific Sea Surface Temperature: 1970–87

Abstract An attempt is made to model the sea surface temperature (SST) of the tropical Pacific Ocean between January 1970 and August 1987. The SST is computed using the model and heat flux parameterization discribed in the climatological study of Seager et al. The model is forced with the observed winds as given by the Florida State University analysis. The results indicate that while short period variability in the model and observations is largely uncorrelated, variability with periods greater than about one year is well represented in the model. Each El Nino that occurred in this time period is captured by the model. The main discrepancies in the evolution of the 1982/83 and 1986/87 model El Nino events are the inability of the model equatorial SST anomaly to cool in early 1983 and the disappearance of the 1986/87 anomaly during 1987. The results suggest a number of conclusions. In the east Pacific equatorial Kelvin waves, excited by variations in the trade wind strength in the central and west Pacific...
Wavelet signal processing of spatial instabilities in diode laser arrays

Diode laser arrays have become indispensable components as pumps for solid state lasers. Always of compelling interest is their spatial-temporal dynamics. Wavelet signal processing will be applied to elucidate the fine structure of spatial instabilities of a ten stripe phased array of a diode array laser. Noise reduction and multiscale feature detection are expected to be particularly useful in defining peaks of oscillation.
Molecular basis for the auxin-independent phenotype of crown gall tumor tissues

The transfer of specific Ti (tumor-inducing) plasmid sequences, the T-DNA, from Agrobacterium tumefaciens to a wide range of plants results in the formation of crown gall tumors. These tissues differ from most plant cells in that they can be grown in vitro in the absence of added phytohormones. Here, data are presented that offer an explanation for the auxin-independent phenotype of crown gall tissues. It is shown that crude cell-free extracts prepared from three bacterial species harboring pTiA6 gene 1 could convert L-tryptophan to indole-3-acetamide; control extracts lacking gene 1 could not carry out the reaction. Other reports indicate that the pTiA6 gene 2 product can convert indole-3-acetamide to indole-3-acetic acid, a naturally occurring auxin of plants. It is concluded that the auxin-independent phenotype of crown gall tissue involves the introduction of Ti plasmid sequences encoding a two-step pathway for auxin synthesis.
Acetaldehyde activates the promoter of the mouse α2(I) collagen gene

The mechanism whereby ethanol ingestion results in hepatic fibrosis remains unknown. Acetaldehyde has been shown to increase alpha 1(I) collagen gene transcription in human fibroblasts and in rat myofibroblastlike cells (Ito cells) in culture. In this study, the effect of acetaldehyde was determined on the activation of the alpha 2(I) collagen promoter. A plasmid containing the mouse alpha 2(I) collagen promoter region (-2000 to 54), fused to the coding sequence of the reporter gene chloramphenicol acetyl transferase and similar plasmid constructs containing deletions in the collagen promoter, were transfected into NIH 3T3 fibroblasts in culture. Acetaldehyde (200 mumol/L) and transforming growth factor-beta 1 (5 ng/ml) activated the wild type promoter. The combination of acetaldehyde and transforming growth factor-beta 1 did not result in a greater effect than either alone. Acetaldehyde inhibited, whereas transforming growth factor-beta 1 did not activate, the promoter, with a -352 to -104 deletion. By contrast, acetaldehyde had no effect, whereas transforming growth factor-beta 1 resulted in a small decrease in the activity of the promoter, with a -501 to -352 deletion. This study shows that acetaldehyde and transforming growth factor-beta 1 independently activate the mouse alpha 2(I) collagen promoter and that this activation is mediated by the same proximal region of the promoter.
Distributed discovery of semantic relationships

The availability of large volumes of Semantic Web data has created the potential of discovering vast amount of knowledge, among which semantic relation discovery fundamentally changes the way we acquire and use knowledge. Due to the decentralized and distributed nature of Semantic Web development, semantic data tend to be created and stored independently in different organizations; under such circumstances, the full exposition of the Semantic Web data faces numerous challenges such as usability, scalability, and heterogeneity. This paper proposes an effective strategy to discover semantic relationships over large-scale distributed systems such as peer-to-peer and grid network, which allows users to share their local knowledge to collectively make new discoveries.
A mouse model for immunization with ex vivo virus-infected dendritic cells.

Abstract Dendritic cells (DCs) have been demonstrated to be an important if not essential inducer of cellular immune responses. The ability to grow these cells in vitro may open up new avenues for protective immunizations. In this study we have analyzed the virus-specific memory response generated following immunization with ex vivo -infected bone marrow-derived dendritic cells. We demonstrate that mouse DCs are efficiently infected with influenza virus but do not release infectious progeny virus. Ex vivo -infected DCs secrete interleukin-12 (IL-12) and induce a potent T helper (Th)1-like immune response when injected into mice. This was demonstrated by the generation of cytotoxic T lymphocytes, the production of high levels of γ-interferon, and undetectable levels of IL-4 upon in vitro restimulation of splenocytes from immunized animals. In addition, the virus-specific antibody response is primarily of the IgG2a isotype, consistent with the expansion of Th1 cells. Animals immunized with DCs infected with X-31 influenza virus and challenged with PR8 influenza virus cleared the infection faster than animals not vaccinated. Thus, infected DCs efficiently activate the cellular immune response and induce heterosubtypic immunity in mice.
Localization of Sequences within the C-terminal Domain of the Cystic Fibrosis Transmembrane Conductance Regulator Which Impact Maturation and Stability

Some disease-associated truncations within the 100-residue domain C-terminal of the second nucleotide-binding domain destabilize the mature protein (Haardt, M., Benharouga, M., Lechardeur, D., Kartner, N., and Lukacs, G. L. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 21873–21877). We now have identified three short oligopeptide regions in the C-terminal domain which impact cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) maturation and stability in different ways. A highly conserved hydrophobic patch (region I) formed by residues 1413–1416 (FLVI) was found to be crucial for the stability of the mature protein. Nascent chain stability was severely decreased by shortening the protein by 81 amino acids (1400X). This accelerated degradation was sensitive to proteasome inhibitors but not influenced by brefeldin A, indicating that it occurred at the endoplasmic reticulum. The five residues at positions 1400 to 1404 (region II) normally maintain nascent CFTR stability in a positional rather than a sequence-specific manner. A third modulating region (III) constituted by residues 1390 to 1394 destabilizes the protein. Hence the nascent form regains stability on further truncation back to residues 1390 or 1380, permitting some degree of maturation and a low level of cyclic AMP-stimulated chloride channel activity at the cell surface. Thus while not absolutely essential, the C-terminal domain strongly modulates the biogenesis and maturation of CFTR.
Second order nonlinear optics with surface plasmon polaritons gap waveguides

Surface plasmon polariton gap waveguides are shown to provide both confinement and phasematching in the three wave nonlinear optical interactions opening exiting possibilities for efficient on chip frequency conversion and parametric generation.
On efficient global information extraction methods for parallel processors

Abstract The capability of a parallel processor for the fast implementation of image processing algorithms is demonstrated by the analysis of selected examples. An earlier study considered thresholding by the mode method as a challenge for the parallel processor. In this paper we identify the necessity for an efficient global feature extraction mechanism and show that a small increase in hardware (less than 5%) can result in more than two orders of magnitude speed improvement for this and some other algorithms. A hardware feature extraction (bit counting) mechanism is proposed and its performance is analyzed for several image processing algorithms. The main contention of this paper is that current parallel processors should incorporate this form of hardware if they are to be effectively utilized for many image processing applications.
The effect of concurrent Pseudomonas or Xanthomonas exposure on adherence of Acanthamoeba castellanii to soft contact lenses.

• Background: Approximately 85% of Acanthamoeba-contaminated contact lens systems in asymptomatic patients have concurrent bacterial contamination. Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Xanthomonas maltophilia are common contect lens contaminants; we investigated the effect of coincubation of Acanthamoeba adherence to contact lenses. • Methods: A. castellanii, 1 × 105 organisms/ml, was coincubated with P. aeruginosa or X. maltophilia, 1 × 108 CFU/ml in phosphate-buffered saline. Sterile, unworn polymacon, etafilcon A or lidofilcon contact lens were investigated. The experimental groups were: (I) lenses exposed to bacteria for 1 h, then Acanthamoeba for 2 h; (II) lenses exposed concurrently to bacteria and Acanthamoeba for 2 h; (III) Acanthamoeba coincubated with bacteria for 24 h, then lenses exposed for 2 h; (IV) lenses exposed to Acanthamoeba for 2 h (control). • Results: For all experimental groups, Acanthamoeba adherence was greater to lidofilcon than to polymacon and etafilcon. For both P. aeruginosa and X. maltophilia, neither group I nor group II displayed greater Acanthamoeba adherence than group IV. Group III exhibited significantly less adherence than group IV for lidofilcon and polymacon. The decrease in group III adherence reflected an overall decrease in Acanthamoeba trophozoite concentration.
Development of data-based model-free representation of non-conservative dissipative systems

Abstract A general procedure is presented for developing data-based, non-parametric models of non-linear multi-degree-of-freedom, non-conservative, dissipative systems. Two broad classes of methods are discussed: one relying on the representation of the system restoring forces in a polynomial-basis format, and the other using artificial neural networks to map the complex transformations relating the system state variables to the needed system outputs. A non-linear two-degree-of-freedom system is used to formulate the approach under discussion and to generate synthetic data for calibrating the efficiency of the two methods in capturing complex non-linear phenomena (such as dry friction, hysteresis, dead-space non-linearities, and polynomial-type non-linearities) that are widely encountered in the applied mechanics field. Subsequently, a reconfigurable test apparatus was used to generate experimental measurements from a physical non-linear “joint” involving two-dimensional motion (translation and rotation) and complicated interaction forces between the different motion axes, among its internal elements. Both the polynomial-basis approach and the neural network method were used to develop high-fidelity, non-parametric models of the physical test article. The ability of the identified models to accurately “generalize” the essential features of the non-linear system was verified by comparing the predictions of the models with experimental measurements from data sets corresponding to different excitations than those used for identification purposes. It is shown that the identification techniques under discussion can be useful tools for developing accurate simulation models of complex multi-dimensional non-linear systems under broadband excitation.
Calculation, display and comparison of electron microscope images modelled and observed

Abstract The calculation and comparison of electron micrographs from periodic structures has been enhanced by the development of an integral and dedicated computer system. The essential elements are a 32K minicomputer with an image display unit and 20 megabyte storage disk that is directly linked to a microdensitometer for the digitising of experimental images. The interactive nature of the programs allows the user to test a large number of models for calculating the best match for an experimental image. Complex defects may be modelled easily with an atom plotting program. The calculated images can be saved on disk for direct comparison with the experimental micrographs. The experimental images may be compared to the calculated maps on a unit cell basis. The lattice directions are determined from a Fourier transform of the digitised image. The image is then rotated to a standard orientation and averaged onto a single unit cell. The intensity histograms of the experimental and calculated maps are then matched to ensure similar contrast levels. Agreement factors and difference maps can then be calculated. Examples of three systems are presented. The defect modelling is demonstrated for a case of microtwinning in beta rhombohedral boron, and also a planar defect in the hexagonal bronze structure of K 0.25 VF 3 . The image comparison is illustrated quantitatively for a niobium block structure oxide, Nb 12 O 29 .
Uniqueness in a free boundary problem

We study overdetermined boundary conditions for positive solutions to the p Laplacian in a bounded domain D. We show these conditions imply uniqueness in certain free boundary problems.
A New Twist for Topoisomerase

The worlds of RNA and DNA are not entirely separate. They frequently come together when RNA/DNA hybrids form during replication and transcription, which often induces genome instability ( 1 – 3 ). An enzyme called topoisomerase (Top) plays an important role in preventing RNA/DNA annealing during transcription ( 1 ). Another enzyme, ribonuclease H (RNase H), helps maintain genome integrity by removing RNA from hybrids ( 2 , 3 ). On page 1561 of this issue, Kim et al. ( 4 ) report that Top1, one of the two types of topoisomerase, not only prevents the formation of often deleterious hybrid structures called R-loops, but also participates in the removal of single ribonucleotides (rNMPs), which are incorporated during DNA replication and have escaped the repair system. Using yeast, Kim et al. also show that, when there is a rNMP at the site of Top1 cleavage, the enzyme can create irreversible breaks in the DNA strand, assaulting genome stability and perhaps contributing to disease.
The Centrosome and Its Mode of Inheritance: The Reduction of the Centrosome during Gametogenesis and Its Restoration during Fertilization

Neither the restoration of the centrosome during fertilization nor its reduction during gametogenesis is fully understood, but both are pivotal events in development. During each somatic cell cycle, the chromosomes, cytoplasm, and centrosomes duplicate in interphase, and all three split in two during each cell division. While it has long been recognized that both the sperm and the egg contribute equal haploid genomes during fertilization and that the vast majority of the cytoplasm is contributed by the egg, the relative contributions of the centrosome by each gamete are still in question. This article explores centrosome inheritance patterns and considers nine integral and secondarily derived activities of the centrosome. Boveri once hypothesized that "The ripe egg possesses all of the elements necessary for development save an active division-center. The sperm, on the other hand, possesses such a center but lacks the protoplasmic substratum in which to operate. In this respect the egg and sperm are complementary structures; their union in syngamy thus restores to each the missing element necessary to further development." This article reviews the evidence gathered from 11 experimental strategies used to test this theory. While the majority of these approaches supports the hypothesis that the sperm introduces the centrosome at fertilization, the pattern did not reveal itself as universal, since parthenogenesis occurs in nature and can be induced artificially, since centrosome and centriole form de novo in extracts from unfertilized eggs and since the centrosome is derived from maternal sources during fertilization in some systems--notably, in mice. Models of the centrosome are proposed, along with speculative mechanisms which might lead to the cloaking of the reproducing element of the maternal centrosome during oogenesis and the retention of this structure by the paternal centrosome during spermatogenesis. Proteins essential for microtubule nucleation, like gamma-tubulin, are retained in the cytoplasm during oogenesis, but are largely lost during spermatogenesis. It is further postulated that the restoration of the zygotic centrosome at fertilization requires the attraction of maternal centrosomal components (in particular, gamma-tubulin and the 25S "gamma-some" particle) to the paternal reproducing element; this, along with post-translational modifications (including phosphorylation, disulfide reduction, and calcium ion binding), creates a functional zygote centrosome by blending both maternal and paternal constituents.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Inferences of the cycle ratio-time surged flow infiltration function

Researchers have found that changes in infiltration characteristics that result from surged flow, often inferred from advance trajectories, vary considerably with site and management practices. Previously developed methods for adjusting the infiltration function for the surged effect are examined to better understand these effects. The easily implemented cycle ratio-time (CRT) surged flow infiltration function indicates that soil and management factors can impact surged flow effectiveness. If changes in flow rate result in changes in the on/off pulse patterns, the CRT function will reflect this with changes in infiltration characteristics; otherwise the model is insensitive to changes in flow rate. The duration of the first surge has a more pronounced effect than later surges, and soils that reach steady state infiltration quickly are less likely to exhibit decreased infiltration rates as a result of surged flow. Surged flow simulation runs are used to show that the CRT function predicts differences in performance on opposite sides of tee-type surge valves; the result of uneven off-times associated with expanding cycle times.
Transmission of mitochondrial mutations and action of purifying selection in Drosophila melanogaster

Patrick H O'Farrell and colleagues show not only that deleterious variants are selected against but that complementing mutant mitochondria are selected at characteristic stable ratios.
Decision quality using ranked attribute weights

Three published approximation formulae for selecting the best multiattribute alternative based on rank-ordered weights are evaluated. All formulae are surprisingly efficacious in determining the best multiattribute alternative. Rank order centroid ROC weights are more accurate than the other rank-based formulae; furthermore, the ROC formula generalizes to incorporate both other forms of partial information about attribute weights and partial rank order information as well. Because a ROC-based analysis is so straightforward and efficacious, it provides an appropriate implementation tool.
Nuclear pp64 is phosphorylated in both serine/threonine and tyrosine through complex pathways regulated by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and platelet-derived growth factor.

Abstract Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) induces the time and dose dependent serine/threonine phosphorylation of pp64, a nuclear protein in normal rat kidney (NRK) cells (1). pp64 is phosphorylated additionally on tyrosine in SSV-transformed NRK cells. To further characterize the regulation of phosphorylation of pp64, other mitogens and inhibitors were studied. 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) but not epidermal growth factor (EGF) or insulin induced the phosphorylation of nuclear pp64. Addition of the inhibitor H7 to TPA-treated NRK cells resulted in a striking further increase in phosphorylation of pp64 and, to a lesser extent, in NRK cells treated with PDGF and H7. When cells were treated with PDGF and H7, pp64 was recognized by anti-phosphotyrosine antisera. The increased phosphorylation induced by H7 was inhibited when forskolin was included. This loss of phosphorylation in pp64 with forskolin treatment paralleled a loss of immunoreactivity of pp64 to anti-phosphosphotyrosine. Complex and independent pathways thus appear to signal the growth factor dependent nuclear phosphorylation of pp64, involving phosphorylations both on serine/threonine and on tyrosine.
An Exploration of a Possible Physiological Explanation for Stressor Aftereffects1

The present study examined the relationship between performance deficits that occur following exposure to uncontrollable stressors and activation of the endogenous opioid system. Subjects were given an injection of saline or naloxone, an opioid antagonist, prior to exposure to 23 min of unpredictable intermittent bursts of noise or silence. Changes in mood were assessed following the injection and the stressor. Performance was measured during and after stressor exposure. Measures of performance following the stressor included a proofreading, an encoding, and a puzzle task. Results replicated previous work on the effects of noise on performance; exposure to noise was associated with performance deficits during and after the stressor. Although naloxone had no effect on performance following the noise, it was associated with greater performance deficits during exposure to the stressor. Further, although all subjects became more hostile, anxious, and depressed following exposure to noise or silence, naloxone improved mood before the stressor began.
The biosynthesis of ubiquitin by parathyroid gland.

Abstract Data are presented on the isolation, biosynthesis, and identification of a small peptide (H) from parathyroid gland. Under our experimental conditions this peptide (H) represents, in addition to secretory protein-I and proparathyroid hormone, the other major protein which is rapidly synthesized during shorterm incubations of tissue slices. N-terminal sequence analysis was performed on samples of peptide H and the resulting data used to conduct a search of the sequence data bank. The search established the identity of peptide H as ubiquitin. These findings establish parathyroid gland as another system which rapidly produces ubiquitin in vitro , in addition to the systems employing hypothalamus and pituitary where ubiquitin biosynthesis was initially observed by Seidah et al and Scherrer et al .
Fine structure and cytochemical evidence for the presence of polysaccharide surface coat of Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae.

Abstract Cherian P. V. , Stromberg B. E. , Weiner D. J. and Soulsby E. J. L. 1980. Fine structure and cytochemical evidence for the presence of polysaccharide surface coat of Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae . International Journal for Parasitology 10 : 227–233. Cytochemical staining techniques were employed at the fine structural level using ruthenium red, ruthenium violet and Alcian blue-lanthanum nitrate to demonstrate the polysaccharide rich surface coat of Dirofilaria immitis microfilariae. The coat matrix present at the external surface of the cuticle of microfilariae stained densely with each of the polycationic dyes. The reaction products were restricted to the outer surface of the cuticle suggesting that the polycationic dyes did not penetrate the cuticle. The junctions of the cuticular annulations lacked surface coat matrix and reaction products which might be indicative of the absence of carbohydrate residues or the masking of reactive sugar molecules in these areas. The speciflcity of the reaction was indicated by the absence of reaction products in untreated organisms. These carbohydrate moieties probably represent glycoproteins as structural constituents of the parasite surface. Ultrastructural analysis of the surface of microfilariae is of signiflcance in elucidating both the molecular dynamics of the parasite surface and its immunological function in the host.