cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ColE1 cloning of a ribosomal RNA promoter region from λrifd18 by selection for lambda integration and excision functions

Abstract The expression of the ribosomal RNA gene carried by the lambda transducing phage λrifd18 is shown to be subject to stringent amino acid control. λrifd18 DNA was digested with endonuclease EcoRI and ligated to similarly restricted ColE1 plasmid DNA. Selection for expression of lambda integration and excision gene activity carried by the same DNA fragment results in cloning of the promoter proximal portion of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene. The resulting chimera expresses λ integration and excision functions as well as encoding the promoter proximal half of a 16S ribosomal RNA gene.
Towards real time 2D to 3D registration for ultrasound-guided endoscopic and laparoscopic procedures.

Purpose A method to register endoscopic and laparoscopic ultrasound (US) images in real time with pre-operative computed tomography (CT) data sets has been developed with the goal of improving diagnosis, biopsy guidance, and surgical interventions in the abdomen.
From pericytes to perivascular tumours: correlation between pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering

Pericytes were once thought only to aid in angiogenesis and blood pressure control. Gradually, the known functions of pericytes and other perivascular stem cells (PSC) have broadly increased. The following review article will summarize the known functions and importance of pericytes across disciplines of pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering. A literature review was performed for studies examining the importance of pericytes in pathology, stem cell biology, and tissue engineering. The importance of pericytes most prominently includes the identification of the perivascular identity of mesenchymal stem cells (or MSC). Now, pericytes and other PSC are known to display surface markers and multilineage differentiation potential of MSC. Accordingly, interest in the purification and use of PSC for mesenchymal tissue formation and regeneration has increased. Significant demonstration of in vivo efficacy in bone and muscle regeneration has been made in laboratory animals. Contemporaneously with the uncovering of an MSC identity for pericytes, investigators in tumour biology have found biologically relevant roles for pericytes in tumor formation, lymphovascular invasion, and perivascular tumor spread. As well, the contribution of pericytes to perivascular tumors has been examined (and debated), including glomus tumour, myopericytoma and solitary fibrous tumour/hemangiopericytoma. In addition, an expanding recognition of pericyte mimicry and perivascular tumour invasion has occurred, encompassing common malignancies of the brain and skin. In summary, pericytes have a wide range of roles in health and disease. Pericytes are being increasingly studied for their role in tumour formation, growth and invasion. Likewise, the application of pericytes/PSC for mesenchymal tissue engineering is an expanding field of interest.
13C NMR study of 2‐iodoso‐ and 2‐iodoxy‐benzoic acids and their sodium salts

The 13C NMR spectra for selected 2-iodosobenzoic acids, their sodium salts and the sodium salts of the corresponding iodoxybenzoic acids were measured and carbon assignments made using 2D and NOE experiments and relaxation times. Iodoso and iodoxy groups deshielded the ipso-carbon in these compounds by approximately 25 and 55 ppm, respectively, relative to the corresponding iodo compounds. The 13C NMR spectra of the 2-iodosobenzoate anions were almost identical with those of the corresponding free acids, both possessing cyclic structures. The iodoxybenzoic acids are either insoluble in, or oxidize, suitable NMR solvents (i.e. DMSO-d6, DMF-d7). The cyclic structure postulated for iodoxybenzoate anions is supported by their 13C chemical shifts.
The Relationship Between Campaign Negativity, Gender and Campaign Context

Are female candidates disproportionately punished for relying on negative campaign ads? While scholars agree that sponsoring negativity works against traditional gender stereotypes, it is less clear how relying on negativity affects voter evaluations of female candidates. In this manuscript we reconsider the relationship between candidate gender and negativity. Relying on theories of conditional stereotype use, we argue that negative ads translate to significantly poorer evaluations for the female candidate when two conditions are met: (1) the female candidate is perceived as the instigator of negativity and (2) she is of a different party than the voter. We test our predictions using an experiment and show that female candidates only face a disproportionate punishment for relying on negativity under our two specific conditions. In contrast, voters are much more forgiving when they believe that a female candidate simply followed her opponent’s lead in using negative ads or when negativity is used to promote the voter’s party. While our research suggests that—compared to their male counterparts—female candidates do face some added constraints, our findings have broader implications. Not only are voters more or less likely to use gender stereotypes under certain conditions, but these conditions are highly dependent on the campaign context.
Projective model completeness

The concept of model completeness has been very useful in model theory. In this article we obtain a new model theoretic tool by “reversing the arrows.” Specifically, model completeness deals with the relations between a model of a theory and its extensions; in this paper we shall be concerned with the relation between a model of a theory and its homomorphic pre-images. This work is based on the intuitive principle that metamathematical theorems about universal sentences of the lower predicate calculus and substructures can be translated in a truth-preserving way to theorems about positive sentences and homomorphic images. From model completeness and the completeness theorems which depend on it, this translation gives new criteria for completeness. Special thanks are due to Professor A. Robinson whose encouragement and suggestions have contributed much to these results.
A mechanism for β‐amyloid overproduction in Alzheimer's disease: precursor‐independent generation of β‐amyloid via antisense RNA‐primed mRNA synthesis

The overproduction of beta-amyloid (A beta) appears to be a primary cause of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A beta can be generated by proteolytic cleavage of precursor protein (beta APP) at beta- and gamma-secretase sites in both disease and normal cells. There is, however, no evidence that proteolytic processing of beta APP in sporadic AD-affected tissues differs qualitatively or quantitatively from that occurring in normal cells, and additional pathways for the enhanced production of A beta in sporadic AD which constitutes the majority of all AD cases should be considered. The major factor limiting the production of A beta in normal cells is cleavage at the alpha-secretase site within the A beta sequence. But, whereas the intact beta APP is a substrate for cleavage at the alpha-secretase site, the immediate precursor of A beta, 12-kDa C-terminal beta APP fragment, is not susceptible to the alpha-secretase cleavage but it can be cleaved by gamma-secretase thus generating A beta. Moreover, the gamma-secretase cleavage is not the rate-limiting step in the production of A beta. Therefore, the increase in production of the 12-kDa C-terminal beta APP fragment may be an efficient way to overproduce A beta. A mechanism for the generation of the 12-kDa fragment independently of beta APP is proposed. It postulates an additional step of amplification of mRNA, namely the antisense RNA-mediated generation of a truncated mRNA encoding 12-kDa C-terminal fragment. Initiation of translation at the first AUG in the truncated mRNA results in a polypeptide that is cleaved by gamma-secretase generating A beta. The proposed model makes several verifiable predictions and suggests new directions of experimentation that may lead to a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in AD.
Approximations of Equilibrium Problems

In this paper we study the scalar equilibrium problem (EP). We employ variational convergences of bifunctions (lopsided convergence in the maxinf framework, hypo-convergence, and continuous convergence) to study this problem by means of an approximation method. This method allows us to obtain not only existence but also stability results. We introduce a new notion of approximate solution of EPs and study its properties. Then, by coupling this notion of approximate solution and the above-mentioned variational convergences, we introduce new notions of well-posedness for EPs and characterize them. We identify various classes of problems that are well-posed. Finally, by employing the obtained results we prove convergence results of two numerical methods for pseudomonotone bifunctions.
Safety and Tolerability of Tegaserod in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Management

ABSTRACT Objectives To discuss the need for safe and effective therapy for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and to provide up-to-date information on the safety and tolerability profile of tegaserod, a novel treatment for women with IBS whose primary bowel symptom is constipation. Data Sources PubMed and abstracts from gastroenterology conferences were searched through October 2003 using the following search terms: irritable bowel syndrome, IBS, tegaserod, cisapride, alosetron, systematic review, safety, tolerability, serotonin, 5-HT, 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist, and 5-HT 4 receptor agonist; all information on the safety and tolerability of tegaserod published up to October 2003 is included. Data Synthesis A comprehensive review of the medical literature (through 2001) finds no adequate therapies that address the multiple symptoms of IBS. Traditional agents, although occasionally effective, often cause adverse effects. Tegaserod, a selective serotonin type 4 receptor (5-HT 4 ) partial agonist, overcomes a number of obstacles associated with traditional therapies. Important information for pharmacists about the safety and tolerability of tegaserod is presented. Conclusion Tegaserod is effective in treating multiple IBS symptoms in women with IBS whose primary bowel symptom is constipation, and it is safe and well tolerated.
Revised Pediatric Reference Data for the Lateral Distal Femur Measured by Hologic Discovery/Delphi Dual-Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry

Lateral distal femur (LDF) scans by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) are often feasible in children for whom other sites are not measurable. Pediatric reference data for LDF are not available for more recent DXA technology. The objective of this study was to assess older pediatric LDF reference data, construct new reference curves for LDF bone mineral density (BMD), and demonstrate the comparability of LDF BMD to other measures of BMD and strength assessed by DXA and by peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT). LDF, spine and whole body scans of 821 healthy children, 5-18 yr of age, recruited at a single center were obtained using a Hologic Discovery/Delphi system (Hologic, Inc., Bedford, MA). Tibia trabecular and total BMD (3% site), cortical geometry (38% site) (cortical thickness, section modulus, and strain-strength index) were assessed by pQCT. Sex- and race-specific reference curves were generated using LMS Chartmaker (LMS Chartmaker Pro, version 2.3. Tim Cole and Huiqi Pan. Copyright 1997-2006, Medical Research Council, UK) and Z-scores calculated and compared by correlation analysis. Z-scores for LDF BMD based on published findings demonstrated overestimation or underestimation of the prevalence of low BMD-for-age depending on the region of interest considered. Revised LDF reference curves were generated. The new LDF Z-scores were strongly and significantly associated with weight, body mass index, spine and whole body BMD Z-scores, and all pQCT Z-scores. These findings demonstrate the comparability of LDF measurements to other clinical and research bone density assessment modes, and enable assessment of BMD in children with disabilities, who are particularly prone to low trauma fractures of long bones, and for whom traditional DXA measurement sites are not feasible.
A novel promoter motif for Caulobacter cell cycle-controlled DNA replication genes.

Abstract Caulobacter crescentus contains a single chromosome that is replicated once during a defined period in the cell cycle. The onset of replication coincides with the stimulation of transcription of several genes involved in the replication process. Analysis of the C. crescentus homolog of dnaX , which in Escherichia coli encodes both the γ and τ subunits of the DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, identified the dnaX transcription start site and showed that activity from the dnaX promoter is stimulated fourfold at the onset of DNA replication. We have identified a conserved sequence motif that is present in the promoter of dnaX and several other genes involved in the replication of DNA, all of which show an induction of transcription at the onset of chromosome replication. Independent mutations in the conserved sequence that lies between the −10 and −35 regions increased transcription, suggesting that a repressor may bind at this site. We propose that the coincident transcriptional activation of several dna genes at the swarmer to stalked cell transition occurs in response to cell cycle regulatory factors, in a manner analogous to the transient transcriptional regulation of flagellar and DNA methylation genes later in the cell cycle.
Favorable environments for explosive cyclogenesis in a modified two-layer Eady model

A modified two-layer Eady model is used to find favorable environments for explosive cyclogenesis by examining baroclinic instability of both short and long waves. The model includes Ekman dissipation and low-level sensible heating, and allows both static stabilities and vertical shears to be different but constant in each layer. It is found that an enhanced low-level shear, a reduced low-level static stability, a relatively large upper-level static stability, and an appropriate height of the interface are favorable for the short-wave development, and that an enhanced upper-level shear and a relatively small upper-level static stability are favorable for the long-wave development, while having opposite effects on the short wave. A small Ekman dissipation is favorable for the development of both waves. Newtonian sensible heating does not directly enhance the development of both waves. A favorable environment for explosive cyclogenesis may not be expressed by a single parameter, but rather by a combination of baroclinic instability with several parameters which contribute collectively to the development of both short and long waves. The relative phase of these waves also plays an important part: the development is enhanced when the surface cyclone is ahead of the upper level wave trough by 1/4π. DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0870.1987.tb00301.x
Cellular degeneration in the production of some mutant phenotypes in Drosophila melanogaster.

A number of mutants of Drosophila melanogaster are characterized by the absence of structures present in the wild type. Imaginal discs from the wing mutants vestigial, apterous-Xasta, Beadex and cut and from the eye mutants Bar, eyeless and lozenge were examined by light and electron microscopy. In all these mutants, with the exception of lozenge, clear evidence of degeneration was found. The onset and duration of degeneration and the number and distribution of dying cells were specific characteristics of each mutant. In most cases the degenerate areas of the disc could be correlated with the missing parts of the adult wing or eye. In contrast, in wild type wing and eye discs and in wing discs from the mutant miniature, which has a wing reduced in size but fully formed, extensive cell death was not observed. The ultrastructural features of the degenerating areas weresimilar in all the mutants studied. Conspicuous aspects of the cytolytic process included condensation and fragmentation of the dying cells followed by phagocytosis of the cell fragments by neighboring disc cells. The results indicate that localized cell death during development is a widespread occurrence among Drosophila mutants which exhibit structural deficiencies.
Transport of β-alanine in renal brush border membrane vesicles

Abstract The findings that the equilibrium uptake of β-alanine decreased with increasing medium osmolarity and preincubation with β-alanine increased uptake of the amino acid indicate that the uptake of β-alanine by rabbit renal brush border membranes represents transport into membrane vesicles. A Na + electrochemical gradient (extravesicular > intravesicular) stimulated the initial rate of β-alanine uptake about three times and effected a transient accumulation of the amino acid twice the equilibrium value. Stimulation of the uptake was specific for Na + . Gramicidin abolished the overshoot, presumably by dissipating the gradient by accelerating the electrogenic entrance of Na + into the vesicle via a pathway not coupled to uptake of β-alanine. In K + -loaded vesicle, valinomycin enhanced the Na + gradient-dependent uptake of β-alanine. These findings indicate that the Na + gradient-dependent transport of β-alanine is an electrogenic process and suggest that the membrane potential is a determinant of β-analine transport. Uptake of β-aniline, at a given concentration, reflected the sum of contributions from Na + gradient-dependent and -independent transport systems. The dependent system saturated at 100 μM. The independent system did not saturate. At physiological concentrations the rate of the Na + gradient-dependent uptake was four times that in the absence of the gradient. The Na + gradient-dependent rate of β-alanine uptake was strongly inhibited by taurine, suggesting that β-amino acids have a common transport system, α-Amino acids, i.e. l -arginine, l -glutamate, l -proline, and glycine, representing previously reported specific α-amino acid transport systems in the brush border membrane, did not inhibit the uptake of β-alanine. These findings indicate that the brush border membrane has a distinct transport system for β-amino acids.
A Flash in the Pan: Dissecting Dynamic Amyloid Intermediates Using Fluorescence

Several widespread and severe degenerative diseases are characterized by the deposition of amyloid protein aggregates in affected tissues. While there is great interest in the complete description of the aggregation pathway of the proteins involved, a molecular level understanding is hindered by the complexity of the self-assembly process. In particular, the early stages of aggregation, where dynamic, heterogeneous and often toxic intermediates are populated, are resistant to high-resolution structural characterization. Fluorescence spectroscopy is a powerful and versatile tool for such analysis. In this review, we survey its application to provide residue-specific information about amyloid intermediate states for three selected proteins: IAPP, α-synuclein, and tau.
Characterization of the extracellular matrix during somitogenesis in the long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis).

The composition of the extracellular matrix (ECM) associated with somitogenesis (stages 10–14) in the long-tailed monkey (Macaca fascicularis) was examined using peroxidase immunocytochemistry. A distinct temporal and spatial staining pattern was demonstrated for each component examined. Fibronectin (FN), laminin (LM) and hyaluronic acid (HA) were associated with the somite at each developmental stage, while no chondroitin sulfate (CS) staining was evident until stages 13/14. The basement membrane and matrix fibers linking the somites to the surrounding epithelia stained for FN, LM and HA. Localization of LM and HA between somite cells was observed at each stage, whereas FN and CS reactivity within the somitic tissue was only observed between sclerotome cells at stages 13/14. Whereas FN- and HA-positive fibers surrounded the unsegmented mesoderm, HA, and to a lesser extent LM, were located within the pre-somitic tissue. Comparisons are made with earlier studies conducted in rodent and avian embryos which indicate that these ECM components may play a regulatory role in primate somitogenesis.
Chromatographic separation of the plasma lipids.

SummaryBy chromatography on a silicic acid column, artificial lipid mixtures and plasma lipids have been separated into fractions composed mainly of the following groups: sterol esters, triglycerides, sterols, fatty acids and phospholipids. By this tech-nic eleostearic acid is found exclusively in the triglyceride fraction after having been fed as the methyl ester.
Conventional And Sparse 3D: What is In Between?

A chief consideration when exploring for deep subtle structural traps in areas characterized by long and medium wavelength statics is shallow chronostratigraphic markers used for flattening or isochroning in interpretation. Failure to image these markers is intrinsic in sparse 3D survey designs aimed for imaging deep targets. Furthermore, the relatively low fold of sparse 3D data, especially at shallower horizons, makes initial processing steps like velocity analysis and statics correction difficult. This paper describes a sparse 3D acquisition design developed to address these issues by introducing additional source points along the receiver lines. Data examples will be shown illustrating the advantages of the method.
Omissions as Possibilities

I present and develop the view that omissions are de re possibilities of actual events. Omissions do not literally fail to occur; rather, they possibly occur. An omission is a tripartite metaphysical entity composed of an actual event, a possible event, and a contextually specified counterpart relation between them. This view resolves ontological, causal, and semantic puzzles about omissions, and also accounts for important data about moral responsibility for outcomes resulting from omissions.
Receipt of the human papillomavirus vaccine among female college students in the United States, 2009.

Abstract Objective: To determine receipt of the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine among female college students by demographic/descriptive characteristics and sexual behaviors. Methods: A secondary analysis of the Spring 2009 National College Health Assessment-II was conducted with 40,610 female college students (aged 18 to 24 years) attending 4-year institutions in the United States. Results: Less than half (45.0%) the respondents had received the HPV vaccine. Students who were younger, white, noninternational, and sorority members, had health insurance, attended a college/university in the northeastern United States, did not have or did not live with a partner, participated in sports, ever had vaginal intercourse, had male sex partner(s) (past year), and had a gynecological examination (past year) were more likely to have received the vaccine. Conclusions: To allow for appropriate intervention, additional research should investigate why certain female college students have not obtained the HPV vaccine....
Toward a More Reliable Federal Survey for Tracking Health Insurance Coverage and Access

According to the most recent estimates from the Current Population Survey (CPS), approximately 45.5 million nonelderly Americans lack health insurance—long a major national issue that promises to remain so (Denavas-Walt, Proctor, and Lee 2005). The implications of lack of insurance for access to care and the population's health have been documented in numerous studies (Institute of Medicine 2002; Hadley 2003), and alternatives to address the problem have been proposed from across the political spectrum. But, unfortunately, the absence of reliable and consistent data on insurance coverage and uninsurance makes it very difficult to give policymakers valid and defensible estimates of the cost and coverage implications of policy proposals, at both the national and state level. Indeed, frustration over the flawed nature of the state-level data that are available from existing surveys has led a large number of states to develop their own surveys (Blewett and Davern 2006). These parallel efforts are problematic because they are costly and because they produce competing estimates that have their own methodological limitations. And this is in spite of the fact that five publicly funded national household surveys currently provide estimates of the uninsured: the CPS, the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS), the Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP), and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). In debates about the merits of improving our national data, cost is frequently cited as a major barrier. But in the context of our current health system, which costs $1.7 trillion a year and includes over $40 billion in uncompensated care for the uninsured (Hadley and Holahan 2003), even the cost of a new survey ($200 million or so) would be a minor investment. Moreover, modifications to existing federal surveys could plausibly achieve the essential improvements at lower additional cost. Each of the five surveys we have listed is designed to address different public policy questions, all of which are important. But each also has limits in its ability to collect the information we need for analyzing the problem of uninsurance and the implications of different approaches to addressing it. Considering them together, five weaknesses stand out.
Comparative study of some properties of bacteriophage T4D irradiated with monochromatic ultraviolet light.

Abstract The effects of different wavelengths (mainly 265 and 235 mμ) of monochromatic UV light on phage T4 have shown that (1) light of 265 mμ acts mainly on DNA; (2) light of 235 mμ acts so strongly on the proteins, that its effect on the DNA is often masked. The protein lesions produced by 235 mμ light have been investigated by electron microscopy and by their biological consequences. The main effects are (1) a rupture of the head membrane causing DNA release (= ghosting) and (2) tail lesions accompanied by tail sheath contraction. The adsorption ability of the phages with damaged heads is not destroyed despite profound morphological changes. From observations on nuclear breakdown and bacteria-killing ability we conclude that injection is made impossible because the tail is no longer able to penetrate into the cell. It appears that phage can kill by two independent mechanisms, one related to the action of an injected substance, probably DNA, the other related to the function of the tail, probably an enzymatic action responsible for the killing ability of phage ghosts. A model is presented which relates adsorption, tail penetration, and injection to the structures of the phage tail.
Wound Bioburden and Infection-Related Complications in Diabetic Foot Ulcers

The identification and diagnosis of diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) infections remains a complex problem. Because inflammatory responses to microbial invasion may be diminished in persons with diabetes, clinical signs of infection are often absent in persons with DFUs when infection is limited to localized tissue. In the absence of these clinical signs, microbial load is believed to be the best indicator of infection. Some researchers, however, believe microbial load to be insignificant and type of organism growing in the ulcer to be most important. Previous studies on the microbiology of DFUs have not provided enough evidence to determine the microbiological parameters of importance.Infection-related complications of DFUs include wound deterioration, osteomyelitis, and amputation. Risk factors for amputation include age, peripheral vascular disease, low transcutaneous oxygen, smoking, and poor glycemic control. These risk factors are best measured directly with physiological measures of arterial perfusion, glycemic control, sensory neuropathy, plantar pressures, and activity level and by controlling off-loading. DFU bioburden has not been examined as a risk factor for infection-related complications. To address the relationship between wound bioburden and the development of infection-related complications in DFUs, tightly controlled prospective studies based on clearly defined, valid measures of wound bioburden and wound outcomes are needed. This article reviews the literature and proposes a model of hypothesized relationships between wound bioburden-including microbial load, microbial diversity, and pathogenicity of organisms-and the development of infection-related complications.
Inflammatory Levels of Nitric Oxide Inhibit Airway Epithelial Cell Migration by Inhibition of the Kinase ERK1/2 and Activation of Hypoxia-inducible Factor-1α

Increased synthesis of NO during airway inflammation, caused by induction of nitric-oxide synthase 2 in several lung cell types, may contribute to epithelial injury and permeability. To investigate the consequence of elevated NO production on epithelial function, we exposed cultured monolayers of human bronchial epithelial cells to the NO donor diethylenetriaamine NONOate. At concentrations generating high nanomolar levels of NO, representative of inflammatory conditions, diethylenetriaamine NONOate markedly reduced wound closure in an in vitro scratch injury model, primarily by inhibiting epithelial cell migration. Analysis of signaling pathways and gene expression profiles indicated a rapid induction of the mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase (MPK)-1 and decrease in extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 activation, as well as marked stabilization of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and activation of hypoxia-responsive genes, under these conditions. Inhibition of ERK1/2 signaling using U0126 enhanced HIF-1α stabilization, implicating ERK1/2 dephosphorylation as a contributing mechanism in NO-mediated HIF-1α activation. Activation of HIF-1α by the hypoxia mimic cobalt chloride, or cell transfection with a degradation-resistant HIF-1α mutant construct inhibited epithelial wound repair, implicating HIF-1α in NO-mediated inhibition of cell migration. Conversely, NO-mediated inhibition of epithelial wound closure was largely prevented after small interfering RNA suppression of HIF-1α. Finally, NO-mediated inhibition of cell migration was associated with HIF-1α-dependent induction of PAI-1 and activation of p53, both negative regulators of epithelial cell migration. Collectively, our results demonstrate that inflammatory levels of NO inhibit epithelial cell migration, because of suppression of ERK1/2 signaling, and activation of HIF-1α and p53, with potential consequences for epithelial repair and remodeling during airway inflammation.
Observations on the actions of substance P and [d-Arg1, d-Pro2, d-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P on single neurons of the guinea pig submucous plexus

Intracellular recordings were made from neurons of the guinea pig submucosal plexus and the effects of substance P and the substance P analogue [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P were examined. Substance P (20-200 nM) depolarized all submucosal neurons; these depolarizations were shown to be due to a decrease in the resting (or "leak") potassium conductance of the membrane. In approximately 50% of the 46 neurons tested, superfusion with [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P (0.2-20 microM) produced a dose-dependent membrane hyperpolarization. This hyperpolarization was prevented by the alpha 2-adrenoceptor antagonist idazoxan (300 nM) or by concentrations of cobalt which abolished all spontaneous and evoked synaptic potentials, indicating that it resulted from release of noradrenaline from sympathetic nerve terminals. [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P depressed the amplitude of the three synaptic potentials recorded from submucosal neurons; the concentrations that caused 50% of the maximal inhibition of the fast excitatory postsynaptic potential, the inhibitory postsynaptic potential, and slow excitatory postsynaptic potential were 40 microM, 600 nM and 20 microM, respectively. When idazoxan was present, the substance P analogue was less effective in depressing the amplitudes of the fast and slow excitatory synaptic potentials suggesting that much of its presynaptic inhibition also resulted from release of noradrenaline. These results provide evidence that [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]substance P releases noradrenaline from sympathetic nerves in the submucosal plexus. One effect of this is a membrane hyperpolarization; another is a presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release. These actions much limit the usefulness of this "substance P antagonist" in efforts to show that synaptic potentials, such as the slow excitatory synaptic potential, are mediated by substance P.
What is important to me right now? Age differences in domain selectivity depend on the measure

Do older individuals have fewer important areas of life than their younger counterparts? While several recent theories of successful aging posit that selectivity in life domains and goal pursuits are important components of successful adult development and aging, it is not obvious how one would evaluate this claim empirically. The current study used four approaches to evaluate age differences in the number and content of life domains currently selected as important in an individual’s life. Two open-ended and two non-open-ended tools were used; the primary result was that age differences in number of selected domains emerged on the open-ended measures but not the others. Age differences in content of domains differed across assessment tools as well, but were consistent with an age-related shift in focus toward group involvement and leisure activities. Implications for practitioners attempting to discern optimal levels of life engagement for older individuals are discussed.
Effect of retransmission and retrodiction on estimation and fusion in long-haul sensor networks

In a long-haul sensor network, sensors are remotely deployed over a large geographical area to perform certain tasks, such as target tracking. In this paper, we study the scenario where sensors take measurements of one or more dynamic targets and send state estimates of the targets to a fusion center via satellite links. The severe loss and delay inherent over the satellite channels reduce the number of estimates successfully arriving at the fusion center, thereby limiting the potential fusion gain and resulting in suboptimal accuracy performance of the fused estimates. In addition, the errors in target-sensor data association can also degrade the estimation performance. To mitigate the effect of imperfect communications on state estimation and fusion, we consider retransmission and retrodiction. The system adopts certain retransmission-based transport protocols so that lost messages can be recovered over time. Moreover, retrodiction/smoothing techniques are applied so that the chances of incurring excess delay due to retransmission are greatly reduced. We analyze the extent to which retransmission and retrodiction can improve the performance of delay-sensitive target tracking tasks under variable communication loss and delay conditions. Simulation results of a ballistic target tracking application are shown in the end to demonstrate the validity of our analysis.
Responding to expanding accountability regimes by re-presenting organizational context

Abstract Accounting information systems (AIS) provide information needed to manage, control, and evaluate organizational activities. As the corporate accountability regimes expand into such areas as social and environmental responsibility, these information systems must also expand in order to meet the requisite information needs. Adequately addressing the emerging information needs requires that the focus move beyond the customary preoccupation with the technical aspects of AIS design, implementation, and use in order to incorporate a broader conceptualization of organizational context. An initial step in designing more salient AIS is to recognize the social forces and related conflicts present within work organizations that relate to issues within the purview of the expanded accountability regimes. I propose that organizations be viewed through the lens of social theory as a way to expand what has traditionally been a narrow, exclusive, and instrumental perspective. Re-presenting organizational context using alternative social theory-based perspectives opens the conventional, taken-for-granted scope and functions of AIS to examination and critique, providing space for change. I demonstrate how alternative perspectives can provide a basis for revealing the assumptions, conflicts, and ideologies that underlie conventional systems applications, facilitating more inclusive designs that incorporate a greater range of values, interests, and objectives. I use three disparate social theories to illustrate possibilities following from alternative organizational representations. From labor process theory, we gain an understanding of forces underlying representations of work by organizations operating within the context of market capitalism. Latour's accumulation cycle provides a description of the embedded processes whereby information is collected, processed, and applied to maintain organizational control. A variant of postmodern thinking reveals hegemonic contextual assumptions and constraints that underlie prevailing organizational representations. A more comprehensive understanding of organizational context increases the likelihood that AIS will provide the information necessary to support the more inclusive accountability regimes arising from an expanding notion of acting in the public interest.
Spatial partitioning algorithms for data visualization

Spatial partitions of an information space are frequently used for data visualization. Weighted Voronoi diagrams are among the most popular ways of dividing a space into partitions. However, the problem of computing such a partition efficiently can be challenging. For example, a natural objective is to select the weights so as to force each Voronoi region to take on a pre-defined area, which might represent the relevance or market share of an informational object. In this paper, we present an easy and fast algorithm to compute these weights of the Voronoi diagrams. Unlike previous approaches whose convergence properties are not well-understood, we give a formulation to the problem based on convex optimization with excellent performance guarantees in theory and practice. We also show how our technique can be used to control the shape of these partitions. More specifically we show how to convert undesirable skinny and long regions into fat regions while maintaining the areas of the partitions. As an application, we use these to visualize the amount of website traffic for the top 101 websites.
Consumer response to Web sites and their influence on advertising effectiveness

The purpose of the present study was to test four hypotheses regarding the effects of viewing Web sites on Internet advertising. We surveyed a convenience sample of 329 undergraduate students, asking them to recall brand names seen on the Internet, to describe perceived advantages and disadvantages of online advertising, and to recall ads encountered in all media and whether they liked these or not. Visiting Web sites appeared to increase aided recall of brands seen on the Internet and to improve consumers’ views of the brand. Consumers who felt that Web sites improved their perceptions of brands saw more advantages in Web advertising, but they perceived more disadvantages as well. Finally, the consumers appeared to like TV and magazine ads more than the ads they recalled seeing on the Internet. The findings present a complex picture of Internet advertising that should be useful to online advertisers.
Civil religion, social indicators, and public policy

What are the effects of civil religion on American society and culture? As a phenomena which presumably serves to integrate the political with the religious sectors of the national culture in the minds of citizens, it would seem that civil religion should have political consequences. Limited work has shown that civil religious beliefs help predict one's preference among presidential candidates. However, there have been no tests of civil religion as an indicator of public policy preferences. This investigation explores such relationships. While civil religion significantly related to stands on various public policies, these relationships are weak except in comparison to many other types of social indicators. Furthermore, civil religion's political impact on public policy orientations would appear less than its impact on the selection of presidential candidates.
Nonprescription sale of inhaled metaproterenol--déjà vu.

IN the October 25, 1982, issue of the Federal Register, the Food and Drug Administration announced its intention to change the status of metaproterenol in metered-dose inhalers from a prescription ...
Germ cell tumor clinical trials in North America.

The management of germ cell tumors (GCT) in men has been the focus of intense clinical investigation over the past 25 years. Following clinical trials which demonstrated that GCTs are curable, considerable effort has been directed at refinement of the multidisciplinary treatment plan. During the past decade, there has been a major emphasis on identifying those clinical prognostic features most closely associated with a high likelihood of a complete response (good risk) and a low likelihood of complete response (poor risk). Randomized good- and poor-risk clinical trials have been conducted which clarify the role of bleomycin and the number of cycles of therapy in good-risk patients and the role of high-dose cisplatin (200 mg/m(2)/cycle) and ifosfamide in poor-risk patients. The efficacy of high-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue has led to a randomized trial of its use following standard induction therapy as compared to standard induction therapy in previously untreated poor-risk patients. Salvage chemotherapy for patients in first or second relapse, or those who have not achieved an initial complete response, initially tested the role of ifosfamide; efforts are now focused on the role of paclitaxel and high-dose therapy in specific patient subgroups. High-dose chemotherapy with stem cell rescue is the treatment of choice for patients in second relapse with gonadal primary tumors who have responsive disease and factors which predict a reasonable likelihood of achieving a disease-free status. A general understanding of tumor biology and specific knowledge regarding GCTs will be very important in the next decade of discovery as the pathways of malignant transformation, progression, and drug resistance become better known and serve as targets for new therapy.
Virtual-reality-based educational laboratories in fiber optic engineering

Researchers and educators have observed great potential in virtual reality (VR) technology as an educational tool due to its ability to engage and spark interest in students, thus providing them with a deeper form of knowledge about a subject. The focus of this project is to develop an interactive VR educational module, Laser Diode Characteristics and Coupling to Fibers, to integrate into a fiber optics laboratory course. The developed module features a virtual laboratory populated with realistic models of optical devices in which students can set up and perform an optical experiment dealing with laser diode characteristics and fiber coupling. The module contains three increasingly complex levels for students to navigate through, with a short built-in quiz after each level to measure the student’s understanding of the subject. Seventeen undergraduate students learned fiber coupling concepts using the designed computer simulation in a non-immersive desktop virtual environment (VE) condition. The analysis of students' responses on the updated pre- and post tests show statistically significant improvement of the scores for the post-test as compared to the pre-test. In addition, the students’ survey responses suggest that they found the module very useful and engaging. The conducted study clearly demonstrated the feasibility of the proposed instructional technology for engineering education, where both the model of instruction and the enabling technology are equally important, in providing a better learning environment to improve students’ conceptual understanding as compared to other instructional approaches.
Asymptomatic enophthalmos: the silent sinus syndrome.

Although uncommon, enophthalmos may be a presenting symptom of chronic maxillary sinusitis with secondary attentuation of the orbital floor. As such, an awareness of this entity, known as the “sile...
Comparison of morning and evening dosing with a 24-hour sustained-release theophylline, Uniphyl, for nocturnal asthma.

Abstract Sixteen adults who had chronic asthma with nocturnal symptoms were selected to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of 7 A.M. versus 7 P.M. single daily dosing with the 24-hour sustained-release theophylline Uniphyl. The study was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in which the patients were given 800 mg of Uniphyl at either 7 A.M. or 7 P.M. for one week each. Serum theophylline levels showed significantly higher peak (18.1 ± 1.8 μg/ml versus 12.7 ± 1.2 μg/ml) and trough (12.4 ± 1.3 μg/ml versus 7.6 ± 1.0 μg/ml) concentrations during evening dosing. Furthermore, daily peak flow values were higher in the morning when Uniphyl was given at 7 P.M. Thus, nocturnal dosing with Uniphyl gives higher serum theophylline concentrations and, with this, better control of nocturnal asthma.
Optimization of image transfer from the central archive to workstations in a PACS

Despite the much-discussed advantages of the all-digital radiology department, the speed of electronic display continues to be a major obstacle to its acceptance; physicians generally agree that sophisticated workstation functionality cannot compensate for an interpretation environment that delays diagnosis. Two design schemes have been devised and discussed at length at the Bowman Gray School of Medicine (BGSM) that will improve the efficiency of image transmission significantly. The first of these is image routing and pre-loading. The central archive can use information associated with each exam and a set of rules to predict which workstations will be used to read the exam. The images can thus be sent automatically before the physician arrives at the workstation to interpret a series of exams. The second scheme, which is intimately associated with the first, allows a workstation to manage its own local disk to remove copies of exams so that new ones may be pre-loaded. This disk management algorithm assigns priorities to the exams based on their status in the acquisition/interpretation cycle and performs automatic deletion as the workstation's disk reaches its capacity. The effect is a virtually limitless disk that eliminates the time-consuming task of manual deletion and retrieval of images.© (1990) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.