cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localization of the A3 adenosine receptor gene (ADORA3) to human chromosome 1p

Adenosine modulates important physiologic functions involving the cardiovascular system, brain, kidneys, lungs, GI tract, and immune system. To date four adenosine receptors have been identified: A{sub 1}, A{sub 2a}, A{sub 2b}, and A{sub 3}. Activation of these receptors results in inhibition (A{sub 1} and A{sub 3}) or stimulation (A{sub 2a} and A{sub 2b}) of intracellular adenyl cyclase activity, stimulation of K{sup +} flux, inhibition of Ca{sup 2+} flux, and modulation of inositol phospholipid turnover. A{sub 3} receptors have been identified and sequenced in the testes, brain, lung, liver, kidney, and heart of various species, including the rat, mouse, and human. A{sub 3} receptor activation is responsible for release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells, which can cause allergic bronchoconstriction. In addition, they can produce systemic vasodilation and locomotor depression via activation of A{sub 3} receptors in the brain. Given the potential importance of A{sub 3} receptor activity in the pathogenesis of pulmonary, cardiovascular, and central nervous system disease states, we set out to localize the human A{sub 3} adenosine receptor gene (ADORA3). 9 refs., 1 fig.
A safe technique for thyroidectomy with complete nerve dissection and parathyroid preservation

A series of 1,000 consecutive thyroid operations is presented, without a case of permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Emphasis is placed on the identification of variations and complete dissection of the recurrent laryngeal nerve, including peripheral branches and technical aspects of the dissection. Sixty-five percent of the cases had multiple terminal branches of the recurrent laryngeal nerve and five cases on the right side had a nonrecurrent course. A low incidence of hypoparathyroidism is presented, due in part to the avoidance of ligating the inferior thyroid artery in continuity and the technique of extracapsular dissection of the thyroid gland. The external branch of the superior laryngeal nerve was protected by the early mobilization of the superior thyroid vessels and ligatures placed flush on the capsule of the superior pole.
Ero1p: A Novel and Ubiquitous Protein with an Essential Role in Oxidative Protein Folding in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

The structure of many proteins entering the secretory pathway is dependent on stabilization by disulfide bonds. To support disulfide-linked folding, the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) must maintain a strongly oxidizing environment compared to the highly reduced environment of the cytosol. We report here the identification and characterization of Ero1p, a novel and essential ER-resident protein. Mutations in Ero1p cause extreme sensitivity to the reducing agent DTT, whereas overexpression confers DTT resistance. Strikingly, compromised Ero1p function results in ER retention of disulfide-stabilized proteins in a reduced, nonnative form, while not affecting structural maturation of a disulfide-free protein. We conclude that there exists a specific cellular redox machinery required for disulfide-linked protein folding in the ER and that Ero1p is an essential component of this machinery.
Phenomenological research methods for counseling psychology

This article familiarizes counseling psychologists with qualitative research methods in psychology developed in the tradition of European phenomenology. A brief history includes some of Edmund Husserl’s basic methods and concepts, the adoption of existential-phenomenology among psychologists, and the development and formalization of qualitative research procedures in North America. The choice points and alternatives in phenomenological research in psychology are delineated. The approach is illustrated by a study of a recovery program for persons repeatedly hospitalized for chronic mental illness. Phenomenological research is compared with other qualitative methods, and some of its benefits for counseling psychology are identified. Phenomenology is a qualitative research method originally developed by the philosopher Edmund Husserl. In the tradition of Giambattista Vico, Franz Brentano, and William Dilthey, Husserl broadened the concepts and methods of modern science to include the study of consciousness, profoundly influencing philosophy, other humanities, and the social sciences throughout the 20th century. Husserl formulated scientific methods that are uniquely fashioned to assist psychological researchers in the investigation of human experience and behavior.
Pediatric anesthesia in dermatologic surgery: when hand-holding is not enough

Background. Dermatologic procedures in children may require the use of topical and local anesthetics, sedatives, and general anesthesia. Objective. To review developments in topical and local anesthetics, sedatives, and general anesthesia relevant to dermatologic procedures in children. Methods. Review of the medical literature. Results. Topical anesthetics, including EMLA and liposome-encapsulated lidocaine cream, amethocaine, cetacaine, and benzocaine products may be useful for decreasing the pain of cutaneous procedures including intra-lesional lidocaine infiltration. A variety of sedative and hypnotic agents may be utilized for pediatric dermatology procedures, and guidelines for their appropriate use have been published. General anesthesia for dermatologic procedures in the pediatric population is appropriate for a variety of procedures including laser treatment of capillary malformations. Conclusion. A variety of anesthetic, analgesic, and sedatives may be useful for pediatric cutaneous surgery.
Castleman's disease

We present a case of retroperitoneal Castleman's disease of the hyaline vascular type, with unusual MR imaging findings, differing form reports to date, along with a review of the imaging findings in Castleman's disease.
Are lower airway or throat cultures predictive of sinus bacteriology in cystic fibrosis

The choice of antibiotics for sinusitis in children with cystic fibrosis (CF) is empirical or based on lower airway cultures, because sinus cultures are difficult to obtain. The aim of this study was to identify the main organisms cultured from CF children with chronic sinusitis, and to evaluate the concordance of concomitant sinus, oropharyngeal swab (OP), and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) cultures. OP and BALF cultures were done preoperatively, and sinus cultures were obtained during clinically indicated sinus surgery. The genetic identity of the bacteria was compared if the same organisms were present in upper and lower airway cultures. In total, 45 paired sinus-BALF cultures from 31 patients were included. Twenty-four of these had matched OP cultures. The mean age of patients was 9.5 ± 4.3 years, and 19 patients were ΔF508 homozygous. Bacterial sinus infection was present in 96%, caused by S. aureus (49%), P. aeruginosa (42%), and H. influenzae (22%). The diagnostic accuracy of BALF or OP cultures was low in predicting sinus infection, particularly at younger ages. Positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of BALF for P. aeruginosa infection were 65% and 67%, and for S. aureus, 76% and 63%, respectively. Predictive values for OP cultures were similar. Bacterial species were the same in sinus and OP or BALF samples of 12 patients of these bacteria 83% showed genetic identity. We conclude that S. aureus is an important pathogen in pediatric CF sinusitis, and that BALF or oropharyngeal cultures are poor predictors for organisms present in the sinuses. Pediatr Pulmonol. 2006; 41:445–451. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
China's Cadre Transfer Policy toward Tibet in the 1980s:

This article focuses on the personnel transfer policy of the Chinese government in the 1980s and on the politically and strategically sensitive personnel (i.e. cadres) transferred to Tibet....This article portrays various aspects of the governments transfer policy...by discussing the procedures and methods of transferring Chinese to Tibet as well as its explicit and implicit purposes. It also looks at transfers out of Tibet....Chinas cadre transfer policy with respect to Tibet in the 1980s seems to have been targeted and selective: it focused on educated and technical personnel and purposely restricted the transfer of political functionaries and ordinary workers. Also in the 1980s the Chinese government pursued an equally conscious and systematic policy of withdrawing a large number of Chinese cadres from Tibet especially those who performed political functions. (EXCERPT)
Controlled‐Potential Coulometry of Lead, Cadmium, and Zinc in Glasses

A controlled-potential coulometric determination of lead, cadmium, and zinc in glasses is reported. The method consists of reducing or oxidizing the various ions at appropriate potentials. The integrated current resulting from the electrolysis is used to calculate the amount of substance present. The lower limit of detection, without background corrections, is approximately 0.2 millifaradays for each ion. The method is accurate and more rapid than the usual classical methods of analysis.
Global Transmission of Oseltamivir-Resistant Influenza

This winter, the circulating strain of seasonal influenza A virus (H1N1) is resistant to the neuraminidase inhibitor oseltamivir. Dr. Anne Moscona writes that the surprise element of the circulating resistant virus is its apparently spontaneous emergence since 2007.
Cell cycle regulation by oncogenic tyrosine kinases in myeloid neoplasias: from molecular redox mechanisms to health implications.

Neoplastic expansion of myeloid cells is associated with specific genetic changes that lead to chronic activation of signaling pathways, as well as altered metabolism. It has become increasingly evident that transformation relies on the interdependency of both events. Among the various genetic changes, the oncogenic BCR–ABL tyrosine kinase in patients with Philadelphia chromosome positive chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) has been a focus of extensive research. Transformation by this oncogene is associated with elevated levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS have been implicated in processes that promote viability, cell growth, and regulation of other biological functions such as migration of cells or gene expression. Currently, the BCR–ABL inhibitor imatinib mesylate (Gleevec) is being used as a first-line therapy for the treatment of CML. However, BCR–ABL transformation is associated with genomic instability, and disease progression or resistance to imatinib can occur. Imatinib resistan...
Developmental acoustic study of American English diphthongsa)

Developmental trends of durational and spectral parameters of five American English diphthongs are investigated by age and gender. Specifically, diphthong durations, the fundamental frequency (F0), and the first three formant (F1, F2, F3) trajectories as well as formant transition rates are analyzed as a function of age, gender and diphthong type. In addition, the distance between diphthong onset and offset positions and those of nearby monophthongs in the formant space is computed and age-dependent trends are presented. Furthermore, a spectral transition mid-point is estimated for a given diphthong trajectory and normalized time durations from onsets to mid-points are analyzed as a function of age and diphthong type. Finally, diphthong classification results using formant-related parameters are reported. Results show the expected age-dependent reductions of diphthong duration, fundamental frequency, onset and offset formant values, and formant transition rate. More interestingly, it is evident that speakers adjust onset and offset positions of diphthongs with respect to monophthongs as a function of age. Normalized duration of the first demisyllable segment is found to be different among diphthongs and that younger children spend more time in the first segment. The implications for diphthong development and the onset-offset definition of diphthongs are discussed in detail.
Task-Centered Practice, Edited by William J. Reid and Laura Epstein. Columbia University Press, New York, 1977. $12.50. 304 Pp.

(1978). Task-Centered Practice, Edited by William J. Reid and Laura Epstein. Columbia University Press, New York, 1977. $12.50. 304 Pp. Journal of Education for Social Work: Vol. 14, No. 1, pp. 127-128.
The Effects of Fire on Rock Art: Microscopic Evidence Reveals the Importance of Weathering Rinds

This paper presents results of the first study of pre-fire and post-fire samples collected from rock engravings and adjacent sandstone joint faces. A 2001 wildfire at Whoopup Canyon, Wyoming, stimulated a comparison of 1991 and 2003 samples. Optical microscopy of ultra-thin sections, backscattered electron microscopy, x-ray (energy dispersive and wavelength dispersive) analysis of cross sections, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy reveal that fires create some thermal fractures that enhance panel erosion, but most of the fire-induced erosion occurs along weathering rinds that form long before petroglyph manufacturing. In addition, rock varnish on top of petroglyphs experiences spalling, and fire ash with a clear potassium spike strongly adheres to rock varnish on petroglyphs and spalled sandstone. In the past, site managers assumed minimal damage away from massive spalls and other macrodamage on fire affected petroglyphs, an assumption no longer tenable. Since it is difficult to protect ...
graphOnt: An ontology based library for conversion from semantic graphs to JUNG

In this work, we present the software library graphOnt. The purpose of this library is to automate the process of dynamically extracting “interesting” graphs from semantic networks. Instructions on the extraction are fed into the library via an ontological language specification custom built for this application. A set of SPARQL queries are used to define vertices and edges in the constructed graph. Extracted graphs are returned using the JUNG framework, which offers many algorithmic and visualization options. This work allows a set of individuals analyzing the same semantic network to extract and analyze dynamically created graphs using sophisticated, specific algorithmic tools without needing to manually construct classical graphs from the data.
Structure and dynamics of a helical hairpin that mediates calcium-dependent membrane binding of annexin B12.

Abstract A wealth of high-resolution structural data has accumulated for soluble annexins, but only limited information is available for the biologically important membrane-bound proteins. To investigate the structural and dynamic changes that occur upon membrane binding, we analyzed the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) mobility and accessibility parameters of a continuous 30-residue nitroxide scan encompassing helices D and E in repeat 2 of annexin B12 (residues 134–163) while the protein was bound to phospholipid vesicles in the presence of Ca2+. A comparison of these data to those from a previously published study of the protein in solution (Isas, J. M., Langen, R., Haigler, H. T., and Hubbell, W. L. (2002) Biochemistry 41, 1464–1473) showed that the overall backbone fold for the scanned region did not change upon membrane binding. However, side-chains in the loop between the D and E helices were highly dynamic in solution but became essentially frozen in the EPR time scale upon binding to membranes. Accessibility measurements clearly established that side-chains in this loop were exposed to the hydrophobic core of the bilayer and provide the first evidence that a D–E loop directly participates in the Ca2+-dependent binding of annexins to membranes. Other localized changes showed that the D-helix became much less dynamic after membrane binding and identified quaternary contact sites in the membrane-bound homo-trimer. Finally, immobilization of the D–E loop upon contact with phospholipid suggests that the bilayer, which is normally very mobile on the EPR time scale, is immobilized in the head-group region by the annexin B12. This suggests that annexin B12 alters membrane structure in a manner that may be biologically significant.
What role do surfaces play in GB models? A new‐generation of surface‐generalized born model based on a novel gaussian surface for biomolecules

We have developed a version of our surface generalized Born (SGB) model that employs a Gaussian surface, as opposed to the van der Waals surface used previously. The Gaussian surface is smooth and its properties are analytically differentiable with respect to the positions of atoms. A significant advantage of a solvent model based on this analytically differentiable surface is the availability of analytical gradients of the surface and solvation forces. An efficient and robust algorithm is designed to construct and triangulate the Gaussian surface for large biomolecules with arbitrary shapes, and to compute the various terms required for energy gradients. The Gaussian surface is shown to better mimic the boundary between the solute and solvent by properly addressing solvent accessibility, as is demonstrated by comparisons with standard Poisson–Boltzmann calculations for proteins of different sizes. These results also demonstrate that surface definition is a dominant contribution to differences between GB and PB calculations, especially if the system is large. Application of the new surface to prediction of long loop regions is presented, and significant improvement in the energetics is seen compared with results obtained using the van der Waals surface, even in the absence of optimized empirical correction terms that were used in the latter calculations.
Altering physiological networks using drugs: steps towards personalized physiology

The rise of personalized medicine has reminded us that each patient must be treated as an individual. One factor in making treatment decisions is the physiological state of each patient, but definitions of relevant states and methods to visualize state-related physiologic changes are scarce. We constructed correlation networks from physiologic data to demonstrate changes associated with pressor use in the intensive care unit. We collected 29 physiological variables at one-minute intervals from nineteen trauma patients in the intensive care unit of an academic hospital and grouped each minute of data as receiving or not receiving pressors. For each group we constructed Spearman correlation networks of pairs of physiologic variables. To visualize drug-associated changes we split the networks into three components: an unchanging network, a network of connections with changing correlation sign, and a network of connections only present in one group. Out of a possible 406 connections between the 29 physiological measures, 64, 39, and 48 were present in each of the three component networks. The static network confirms expected physiological relationships while the network of associations with changed correlation sign suggests putative changes due to the drugs. The network of associations present only with pressors suggests new relationships that could be worthy of study. We demonstrated that visualizing physiological relationships using correlation networks provides insight into underlying physiologic states while also showing that many of these relationships change when the state is defined by the presence of drugs. This method applied to targeted experiments could change the way critical care patients are monitored and treated.
Self-Tuning Virtual Machines for Predictable eScience

Unpredictable access to batch-mode HPC resources is a significant problem for emerging dynamic data-driven applications. Although efforts such as reservation or queue-time prediction have attempted to partially address this problem, the approaches strictly based on space-sharing impose fundamental limits on real-time predictability. In contrast, our earlier work investigated the use of feedback-controlled virtual machines (VMs), a time-sharing approach, to deliver predictable execution. However, our earlier work did not fully address usability and implementation efficiency. This paper presents an online, software-only version of feedback controlled VM, called self-tuning VM, which we argue is a practical approach for predictable HPC infrastructure. Our evaluation using five widely-used applications show our approach is both predictable and practical: by simply running time-dependent jobs with our tool, we meet a job’s deadline typically within 3% errors, and within 8% errors for the more challenging applications.
A Differential Geometric Approach to Automated Segmentation of Human Airway Tree

Airway diseases are frequently associated with morphological changes that may affect the physiology of the lungs. Accurate characterization of airways may be useful for quantitatively assessing prognosis and for monitoring therapeutic efficacy. The information gained may also provide insight into the underlying mechanisms of various lung diseases. We developed a computerized scheme to automatically segment the 3-D human airway tree depicted on computed tomography (CT) images. The method takes advantage of both principal curvatures and principal directions in differentiating airways from other tissues in geometric space. A “puzzle game” procedure is used to identify false negative regions and reduce false positive regions that do not meet the shape analysis criteria. The negative impact of partial volume effects on small airway detection is partially alleviated by repeating the developed differential geometric analysis on lung anatomical structures modeled at multiple iso-values (thresholds). In addition to having advantages, such as full automation, easy implementation and relative insensitivity to image noise and/or artifacts, this scheme has virtually no leakage issues and can be easily extended to the extraction or the segmentation of other tubular type structures (e.g., vascular tree). The performance of this scheme was assessed quantitatively using 75 chest CT examinations acquired on 45 subjects with different slice thicknesses and using 20 publicly available test cases that were originally designed for evaluating the performance of different airway tree segmentation algorithms.
Neurotransmitter and neuropeptide modulation of high affinity choline uptake in Limulus brain

The role of neurotransmitters in the modulation of the sodium-dependent high affinity choline uptake system (HAChUS) of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus has been investigated utilizing a tissue slice preparation. Choline uptake was significantly decreased by carbachol but unaffected by atropine and d-tubocurarine. The muscarinic agonist oxotremorine decreased choline uptake by 30.4% while the muscarinic antagonist, pirenzepine, increased uptake by 29.6%. Applied in combination, pirenzepine and oxotremorine abolished their individual effects resulting in control values for choline uptake. The non-cholinergic transmitters octopamine and serotonin significantly enhanced choline uptake. The neuropeptide proctolin elicited a 20% increase in choline transport whereas Phe-Met-Arg-Phe (FMRF) amide was without effect. This study demonstrates that neurotransmitters and neuropeptides modulate the HAChUS, possibly through specific receptor-mediated second messenger systems.
Application of open-source MEEP software to Terahertz radiation waveguide problems

MEEP is a freely available, open-source software package for finite-difference time-domain simulation of electromagnetic problems. Its main advantage is that it can be installed on any computer running a UNIX based operating system without licensing restrictions. It is also a very capable simulation engine that can be tailored to user's needs. We will demonstrate its uses in our investigation of THz propagation in parallel-plate waveguides, resonators, and in coupling of THz radiation into waveguides. Some of these results will also be compared with measurements, where we generally observe very good agreement. Additionally, some practical advice on using MEEP will be provided.
Minimum-Flip Supertrees: Complexity and Algorithms

The input to a supertree problem is a collection of phylogenetic trees that intersect pairwise in their leaf sets; the goal is to construct a single tree that retains as much as possible of the information in the input. This task is complicated by inconsistencies due to errors. We consider the case where the input trees are rooted and are represented by the clusters they exhibit. The problem is to find the minimum number of flips needed to resolve all inconsistencies, where each flip moves a taxon into or out of a cluster. We prove that the minimum-flip problem is {\cal NP}{\hbox{-}}{\rm complete}, but show that it is fixed-parameter tractable and give approximation algorithms for special cases.
Small group communication research of the 1970's: A synthesis and critique

Small group communication studies of the 1980s were classified and critiqued as representing seven lines of research. Four research trends were identified and evaluated. Three new theories and several important group communication models were developed during the decade. In addition, new methodologies and contextual settings for the study of small group communication were advanced.
Reactive Sputter Deposition of Superhard Polycrystalline Nanolayered Coatings

Nanometer-scale multilayer nitride coatings, also known as polycrystalline nitride superlattice coatings, such as TiN/NbN or TiN/VN with hardnesses exceeding 50 GPa, are deposited by highrate reactive sputtering. The high hardness is achieved by carefully controlling several deposition parameters in an opposed cathode, unbalanced magnetron sputtering system: the target power, the reactive gas partial pressure, the substrate bias voltage and current density, and the substrate rotation speed. Target power controls the deposition rate and the thickness for each layer in conjunction with the reactive gas partial pressure at each target, which also affects the composition of each layer, and the substrate rotation speed. Split partial pressure control is necessary when each layer requires a different partial pressure to be stoichiometric. Fully dense, well-adhered coatings with the highest hardness are deposited when the negative substrate bias exceeds -130 V and the substrate ion current density is 4–5 mA cm −2 . The work on polycrystalline superlattice coatings is being extended into oxide systems. Oxide coatings can now be sputter deposited using pulsed dc power, which prevents arcing on both the target and the substrate. Pulsed dc power along with partial pressure control of the reactive gas leads to significantly higher deposition rates for the oxide films compared to sputtering with conventional rf power.
Regenerative organization of the trigeminal ganglion following mental nerve section and repair in the adult rat

Sequential double-fluorescence labeling techniques were employed to determine the regenerative somatotopic organization of first-order mandibular neurons following mental nerve transection and surgical repair in the adult rat. Twenty-four ganglia from 12 adult rats were examined microscopically in the following double-labeling paradigm: i) Fast Blue was injected directly into the mental nerves bilaterally; ii) 7 days later the nerves were transected and immediately rejoined by microscopic suture techniques; iii) Diamidino Yellow was then injected directly into the regenerated nerve, distal to the point of repair, 30, 60, and 90 days postrepair; and iv) the animals were sacrificed 3 days later and the ganglia removed for fluorescent microscopic examination. Results were compared with 12 ganglia each of unrepaired/resected controls and sham surgery controls made in parallel. The organization of fluorescence-labeled mandibular cells followed an orderly somatotopic distribution along the lateral dorsoventral axis of the trigeminal ganglion in all groups. The difference in mean total number of fluorescence-labeled cells within and between groups was insignificant or minimal. There was no evidence of heteronymous (nonmandibular) or homonymous (mandibular) sprouting following neuronal regeneration. Regeneration, as determined by the presence of double-labeled cells, was negligible if the transection injury was not repaired but significant 30 days following repair. Additionally, mandibular regeneration gradually improved, as shown by the significant increase of double-labeling at 60 and 90 days postrepair. However, 90 days later, the percentage of regenerated cells had not reached sham control conditions. The results of these studies suggest that following nerve transection and immediate repair in the adult rat: i) mental sensory neuronal perikarya regenerate from and maintain an organized somatotopic area within the mandibular division of the trigeminal ganglion; ii) reorganization by collateral sprouts from nonmental sensory mandibular and/or nonmandibular trigeminal ganglion cells is not evident or is negligible in the adult rat; and iii) regeneration of resected trigeminal sensory neurons is a gradual process which is enhanced by immediate surgical intervention.
Murine macrophages differentially produce proinflammatory cytokines after infection with virulent vs. avirulent Legionella pneumophila.

Virulent Legionella pneumophila repli- cate readily in thioglycollate-elicited peritoneal macrophages from genetically permissive A/J mice, but avirulent L. pneumophila do not. The pro- duction of cytokines by macrophages infected with L. pneumophila has been studied, but the correla- tion of bacterial virulence with immune responses of macrophages, such as proinflammatory cytokine production, is not well understood. In this regard, production of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-a), interleukin (IL)-1a, IL-1b, and IL-6 were examined in macrophage cultures infected in vitro with virulent vs. avirulent L. pneumophila. Infection of macrophages from A/J mice with the virulent L. pneumophila up-regulated mRNA ex- pression for these cytokines, whereas avirulent bacteria resulted in only a slight or no detectable increase in cytokine mRNA. Similarly, virulent L. pneumophila induced the macrophages to pro- duce relatively high levels of TNF-a, IL-1a, IL-1b, and IL-6 proteins as measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, whereas avirulent bacteria induced only low or often undetectable amounts of these cytokines. Thus, these results show the mu- rine macrophages from susceptible A/J mice are readily infected with virulent L. pneumophila in vitro and stimulated to produce the proinflamma- tory acute-phase cytokines TNF-a, IL-1a, IL-1b, and IL-6, but avirulent L. pneumophila did not. Such differences in induction of these proinflamma- tory cytokines by macrophages in response to virulent vs. avirulent L. pneumophila infections may be an important factor in the pathogenesis induced by these intracellular bacteria. J. Leukoc. Biol. 67: 863-868; 2000.
Kinematic and deformation analysis of 4-D coronary arterial trees reconstructed from cine angiograms

In the cardiovascular arena, percutaneous catheter-based interventional (i.e., therapeutic) procedures include a variety of coronary and other vascular system interventions. These procedures use two-dimensional (2-D) X-ray-based imaging as the sole or the major imaging modality for procedure guidance and quantification of key parameters. Coronary vascular curvilinearity is one key parameter that requires a four-dimensional (4-D) format, i.e., three-dimensional (3-D) anatomical representation that changes during the cardiac cycle. A new method has been developed for reconstruction and analysis of these patient-specific 4-D datasets utilizing routine cine angiograms. The proposed method consists of three major processes: 1) reconstruction of moving coronary arterial tree throughout the cardiac cycle; 2) establishment of temporal correspondence with smoothness constraints; and 3) kinematic and deformation analysis of the reconstructed 3-D moving coronary arterial trees throughout the cardiac cycle.
On Infinite Series of Infinite Isols

We are interested in regressive isols, recursive functions, and the extensions of recursive functions to the isols. One of the nicest concepts that has been applied to the study of these notions is of an infinite series of isols. J. C. E. Dekker introduced infinite series of isols in [3]. With this concept one may associate with each number theoretic function u and regressive isol B a value in the isols to correspond to the seriesWhen u is chosen as a recursive function, or as a recursive combinatorial function, many of the sums that one associates with familiar finite series may be generalized to infinite series. For example, if B is any regressive isol, thenThe results presented in our paper were motivated by an interest in extending infinite series to a setting where the terms being summed may be infinite isols. In our paper, we do this in a special way, as will be described below. We would first like to briefly comment on some facts about the concept of defining an infinite series in the isols.
The Role of Apoptosis in the Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Overexpression of BCL -2 Increases Both Their Number and Repopulation Potential

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) give rise to cells of all hematopoietic lineages, many of which are short lived. HSC face developmental choices: self-renewal (remain an HSC with long-term multilineage repopulating potential) or differentiation (become an HSC with short-term multilineage repopulating potential and, eventually, a mature cell). There is a large overcapacity of differentiating hematopoietic cells and apoptosis plays a role in regulating their numbers. It is not clear whether apoptosis plays a direct role in regulating HSC numbers. To address this, we have employed a transgenic mouse model that overexpresses BCL-2 in all hematopoietic cells, including HSC: H2K-BCL-2. Cells from H2K-BCL-2 mice have been shown to be protected against a wide variety of apoptosis-inducing challenges. This block in apoptosis affects their HSC compartment. H2K-BCL-2-transgenic mice have increased numbers of HSC in bone marrow (2.4x wild type), but fewer of these cells are in the S/G(2)/M phases of the cell cycle (0.6x wild type). Their HSC have an increased plating efficiency in vitro, engraft at least as well as wild-type HSC in vivo, and have an advantage following competitive reconstitution with wild-type HSC.
IMPROVING PERFORMANCE IN HIGH SCHOOL ALGEBRA: WHAT STUDENTS WITH LEARNING DISABILITIES ARE SAYING

Success in high school algebra is gaining increased importance for all students, including those identified as having learning disabilities (LD). Despite its importance, we know little about what students with and without LD say about their algebra classes. This study examined findings from a survey of 410 general education students and 46 peers with LD. The survey established data relative to the participants' favorite and least favorite classes, most difficult (and best) parts of algebra class, and ideas for help- ing more students to succeed. In addition, student participants reported whether selected interventions and accommodations were helpful.
Canagliflozin Treatment in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Current guidelines for treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) indicate a patient-centered approach that should go beyond glycemic control. Of the many antihyperglycemic agents available for treatment of T2DM, sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors offer the advantages of reduced glycated hemoglobin (A1C), body weight (BW), and systolic blood pressure (SBP) and are associated with a low risk of hypoglycemia when used either as monotherapy or with other agents not typically associated with increased risk of hypoglycemia. Collaborative, multidisciplinary teams are best suited to provide care to patients with diabetes, and clinical pharmacists can enhance the care provided by these teams. This review aims to provide insight into the mode of action, pharmacology, potential drug–drug interactions, clinical benefits, and safety considerations associated with use of the SGLT2 inhibitor canagliflozin in patients with T2DM and to provide information to enhance clinical pharmacists’ understanding of canagliflozin.
Getting around when you’re round: quantitative analysis of the locomotion of the blunt-spined brittle star, Ophiocoma echinata

SUMMARY Brittle stars (Ophiuroidea, Echinodermata) are pentaradially symmetrical echinoderms that use five multi-jointed limbs to locomote along the seafloor. Prior qualitative descriptions have claimed coordinated movements of the limbs in a manner similar to tetrapod vertebrates, but this has not been evaluated quantitatively. It is uncertain whether the ring-shaped nervous system, which lacks an anatomically defined anterior, is capable of generating rhythmic coordinated movements of multiple limbs. This study tested whether brittle stars possess distinct locomotor modes with strong inter-limb coordination as seen in limbed animals in other phyla (e.g. tetrapods and arthropods), or instead move each limb independently according to local sensory feedback. Limb tips and the body disk were digitized for 56 cycles from 13 individuals moving across sand. Despite their pentaradial anatomy, all individuals were functionally bilateral, moving along the axis of a central limb via synchronous motions of contralateral limbs (±∼13% phase lag). Two locomotor modes were observed, distinguishable mainly by whether the central limb was directed forwards or backwards. Turning was accomplished without rotation of the body disk by defining a different limb as the center limb and shifting other limb identities correspondingly, and then continuing locomotion in the direction of the newly defined anterior. These observations support the hypothesis that, in spite of their radial body plan, brittle stars employ coordinated, bilaterally symmetrical locomotion.
Optimizing XML processing for grid applications using an emulation framework

Chip multi-processors (CMPs), commonly referred to as multi-core processors, are being widely adopted for deployment as part of the grid infrastructure. This change in computer architecture requires corresponding design modifications in programming paradigms, including grid middleware tools, to harness the opportunities presented by multi-core processors. Simple and naive implementations of grid middleware on multi-core systems can severely impact performance. This is because programming for CMPs requires special consideration for issues such as limitations of shared bus bandwidth, cache size and coherency, and communication between threads. The goal of developing an optimized multi-threaded grid middleware for emerging multi-core processors will be realized only if researchers and developers have access to an in-depth analysis of the impact of several low level microarchitectural parameters on performance. None of the current grid simulators and emulators provide feedback at the microarchitectural level, which is essential for such an analysis. In earlier work we presented our initial results on the design and implementation of such an emulation framework, Multi- core Grid (McGrid). In this paper we extend that work and present a performance study on the effect of cache coherency, scheduling of processing threads to take advantage of data available in the cache of each core, and read and write access patterns for shared data structures. We present the performance results, analysis, and recommendations based on experiments conducted using the McGrid framework for processing XML-based grid data and documents.
Multi-Robot Localization and Mapping Strategy: Utilizing Behavior Based Dynamic Tree Structure and Observer-explorer Routine

In this paper, we propose a simultaneous localization and map-building (SLAM) strategy to explore unknown environment. Multiple robots are deployed in unknown area and required to localize each other accurately while exploring. Instead of relying on active obstacle detector, we propose a method of exploration which uses only tactile sensors and inter-robot distance measurements. To avoid dead-reckoning and odometry errors, an observer-explorer based routine is adopted. A dynamic spanning tree structure is implemented for multi-robot coordination. Parent (observer) nodes monitor the distances of their children (explorer) nodes. In order to promote completeness of the map, the reconfigurable spanning tree structure favors unexplored area implicitly. An online behavior-based finite state machine drives the configuration of the structure. Our exploration scheme allows the differentiation between robots and obstacles or boundaries. When an obstacle or boundary is detected, it is recorded on a map that is shared with all other robots. The proposed strategy is simulated and results are presented.
The Role of Logistics in New Product Development

A successful new product development (NPD) projects program is critical for many firms' overall company strategy. What has been rarely researched, however, is logistics' role in NPD. The authors examine empirical testing of the relationship between NPD logistics performance and NPD project performance improvements and NPD logistical involvement. These relationships were tested by surveying senior logistics managers in United States' manufacturing firms. The authors argue that logistical involvement in NPD resulted in improved NPD logistics performance and NPD project performance.
Molecular Cloning and Sequencing of the Cytostatic G Protein-activated Protein Kinase PAK I

Abstract The serine/threonine protein kinase PAK I (p21-activated protein kinase), a ubiquitous multipotential protein kinase of 58-60 kDa, has been shown to have cytostatic properties. Data from our laboratory show that PAK I is highly active in oocytes and quiescent and serum-starved cells, and injection of active PAK I into one blastomere of two-cell frog embryos inhibits cleavage of the injected blastomere. To clone the cDNA encoding PAK I, purified peptides from rabbit PAK I were sequenced, degenerate oligonucleotides were used to isolate PAK I clones from a rabbit spleen library, and the 5′-terminus was obtained by polymerase chain reaction. The entire cDNA sequence extends over 4471 nucleotides, with an open reading frame for a protein of 524 residues and a 3′-noncoding region of 2826 nucleotides. Clones with the same open reading frame but with 3′-noncoding regions of 1055 and 2478 nucleotides were isolated, suggesting the generation of different transcripts by alternative termination of transcription. The amino acid sequence of PAK I shows high homology to the p21-activated protein kinases from human placenta and rat brain and to yeast STE20. PAK I is activated by Cdc42(GTP). The PAK enzymes have been proposed to regulate the stress-activated protein kinase (also known as the Jun kinase) signaling pathway (Coso, O. A., Chiariello, M., Yu, J.-C., Teramoto, H., Crespo, P., Xu, N., Miki, T., and Gutkind, J. S.(1995) Cell 81, 1137-1146; Minden, A., Lin, A., Claret, F.-X., Abo, A., and Karin, M.(1995) Cell 81, 1147-1157).
The Uneasy Case for Comparative Negligence

This paper questions, and in some contexts disproves, the validity of the efficiency justification for the comparative negligence rule - the liability regime that divides the loss between the injurer and the victim. First, it has been argued that in the presence of evidentiary uncertainty, comparative negligence is generally superior. The analysis shows that this argument is theoretically questionable. It traces the analytical flaw in this claim, and conducts numerical simulations - a form of synthetic "empirical" tests - which prove the potential superiority of other rules. The second argument in favor of the comparative negligence rule is based on its alleged superior ability to deal with asymmetric information. This paper develops a general approach to liability rules as mechanisms that harness the parties' private information - by inducing self-selection. It then shows that the argument in the literature in favor of comparative negligence, that it induces self-selection, should be interpreted as a specific example of the general approach. Moreover, using this approach, we develop two new models of liability under asymmetric information, which demonstrate how negligence-type liability rules, other than comparative negligence, can induce self-selection. These conclusions weaken the efficiency basis for current proposals to expand the reach of the "division-of-liability" principle within tort law and beyond.
Property Rights and Property Law

This chapter examines the economics of property rights and property law. It shows how the economics of property rights can be used to understand fundamental features of property law and related extra-legal institutions. The chapter examines both the rationale for legal doctrine, and the effects of legal doctrine regarding the exercise, enforcement, and transfer of rights. It also examines various property rights regimes including open access, private ownership, common property, and state property. The guiding questions are: How are property rights established? What explains the variation in the types of property rights? What governs the use and transfer of rights? And, how are property rights enforced? In answering these questions we argue that property rights and property law can be best understood as a system of societal rules designed to maximize social wealth. They do this by creating incentives for people to maintain and invest in assets, which leads to specialization and trade.
Activity-induced manganese-dependent MRI (AIM-MRI) and functional MRI in awake rabbits during somatosensory stimulation.

Abstract Activity-induced manganese-dependent MRI (AIM-MRI) is a powerful tool to track system-wide neural activity using high resolution, quantitative T1-weighted MRI in animal models and has significant advantages for investigating neural activity over other modalities including BOLD fMRI. With AIM-MRI, Mn2+ ions enter neurons via voltage-gated calcium channels preferentially active during the time of experimental exposure. A broad range of AIM-MRI studies using different species studying different phenomena have been performed, but few of these studies provide a systematic evaluation of the factors influencing the detection of Mn2+ such as dosage and the temporal characteristics of Mn2 + uptake. We identified an optimal dose of Mn2+ (25 mg/kg, s.c.) in order to characterize the time-course of Mn2+ accumulation in active neural regions in the rabbit. T1-weighted MRI and functional MRI were collected 0–3, 6–9, and 24–27 h post-Mn2+ injection while the vibrissae on the right side were vibrated. Significant BOLD activation in the left somatosensory (SS) cortex and left ventral posteromedial (VPM) thalamic nucleus was detected during whisker vibration. T1-weighted signal intensities were extracted from these regions, their corresponding contralateral regions and the visual cortex (to serve as controls). A significant elevation in T1-weighted signal intensity in the left SS cortex (relative to right) was evident 6–9 and 24–27 h post-Mn2+ injection while the left VPM thalamus showed a significant enhancement (relative to the right) only during the 24–27 h session. Visual cortex showed no hemispheric difference at any timepoint. Our results suggest that studies employing AIM-MRI would benefit by conducting experimental manipulations 6–24 h after subcutaneous MnCl2 injections to optimize the concentration of contrast agent in the regions active during the exposure.