cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multi-sensor radiation detection, imaging, and fusion

Abstract Glenn Knoll was one of the leaders in the field of radiation detection and measurements and shaped this field through his outstanding scientific and technical contributions, as a teacher, his personality, and his textbook. His Radiation Detection and Measurement book guided me in my studies and is now the textbook in my classes in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at UC Berkeley. In the spirit of Glenn, I will provide an overview of our activities at the Berkeley Applied Nuclear Physics program reflecting some of the breadth of radiation detection technologies and their applications ranging from fundamental studies in physics to biomedical imaging and to nuclear security. I will conclude with a discussion of our Berkeley Radwatch and Resilient Communities activities as a result of the events at the Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan more than 4 years ago.
Biliary and Urinary Metabolites of Estrone-6,7-3H-sulfate-35S in a Woman

ABSTRACT Estrone-6,7-3H-sulfate-35S was injected into a woman with a bile fistula and parallel collections of bile and urine were made for 47 hr. The excretion of 3H amounted to 67% in the urine and 33% in the bile, whereas the corresponding values for 35S were 64 and 3%. Metabolites were separated according to conjugate types by chromatography on alumina and Celite. Estrone sulfate (E1-S) and estriol-3-sulfate (E3-3S) were analyzed as such by reverse isotope dilution with particular emphasis placed on the changing nature of the 35S/3H ratios with time. Other conjugates were assayed by hydrolyzing with appropriate enzymes followed by purification of the estrogens, usually by column chromatography and isotope dilution techniques. In the early stages the 35S/3H ratios of E1-S in the urine and bile were similar to that injected; then they decreased rapidly. The corresponding ratios for E3-3S in urine were lower. The sulfates comprised similar percentages of the respective fluids. However, there were qualitat...
Agath and the Ephemeral Text in Melville's Clarel

As Rolfe reminds us, the Ensign images a turbulent history: “The Ensign: palms, cross, diadems / And star—the Sign!—Jerusalem’s, / Coeval with King Baldwin’s sway” (4.2.68-70). If the “sway” of crusader “King Baldwin” seems a colossal European folly, Melville’s adoption of the Ensign may appear puzzling. One might expect his narrator to speak in the scathing terms Ungar uses for Anglo-Saxon “pirates of the sphere! Grave looters— / Grave, canting, Mammonite freebooters, / Who in the name of Christ and Trade . . . / Deflower the world’s last sylvan glade!” (4.9.121-26). Hilton Obenzinger uses these lines to identify Ungar with Melville’s “critique of American optimism—and American culture’s sense of special providential destiny” (“Wicked Books” 193)—an attitude that seems to find its precursors among European adventurers in the Holy Land. Melville’s narrator, however, takes a more tolerant view of European crusaders, noting that they combine piety with their pageantry: “for man is heir / To complex moods; and in that age / Belief devout and bandit rage / Frequent were joined” (NN Clarel 1.4.9-12). In “Of the Crusaders,” Melville’s speaker intimates that a certain “romance” (1.4.17) invests their deeds. While acknowledging the “disillusions” (1.4.20) the crusaders inspire, Melville notes their reverent humility and asks why, at the sight of Jerusalem, “they doff
Comment on Vandal et al. Insulin Reverses the High-Fat Diet–Induced Increase in Brain Aβ and Improves Memory in an Animal Model of Alzheimer Disease. Diabetes 2014;63:4291–4301

In a recent issue of Diabetes , Vandal et al. (1) showed that the administration of a high-fat diet induced the deposition of β-amyloid in the brains of mice. They also showed that the deposition of amyloid was prevented or reversed by the administration of insulin. These observations are consistent with our previous observation that morbid obesity in the human is …
Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in uremic rats: Growth hormone resistance and nutritional intake

Expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 in uremic rats: Growth hormone resistance and nutritional intake. This study was designed to test the hypothesis that induction of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) is reduced in the uremic rat liver, which would help to explain the purported growth hormone resistance noted in uremia. IGF-1 mRNA, in the steady state and after acute induction by two doses of 100 µg/100 g body wt recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH), was quanti-tated by solution hybridization in total liver RNA, extracted by the guanidine thiocyanate/cesium chloride gradient method. Eighteen Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 100 to 102 g were randomly divided into three groups: sham-operated control rats (control group); 5/6 nephrectomized rats (uremic group); and sham-operated controls with dietary intake matching that of the uremic rats (pair-fed group). The results showed that the steady state liver IGF-1 mRNA was 1.7 arbitrary densitometry units (ADU) in the uremic animals, and was lower than the value of 3.2 ADU in the control animals (P
An ultrastructural examination of polyspermy induced by soybean trypsin inhibitor in the sea urchin Arbacia punctulata.

Abstract Fine structural studies have been conducted to determine the role of the trypsinlike proteinase during fertilization which is localized within the cortical granules of sea urchin eggs. Eggs were treated with soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI), inseminated, and prepared for microscopic examination at various intervals during fertilization. In the presence of SBTI the breakdown of the cortical granules is delayed and the elevation of the vitelline layer is incomplete. Although all the cortical granules in SBTI-treated eggs are dehisced in a manner similar to controls, the rate at which their breakdown is propagated is reduced. Consequently, dehiscence of all the cortical granules in SBTI-treated specimens requires approximately 3 min to complete, vs. 1 min for controls. In addition the fertilization membrane has a blistered appearance owing to its attachment, at multiple loci, to the surface of the zygote. During the early stages of fertilization many of the treated eggs are monospermic, later all are polyspermic. Supernumerary sperm enter treated eggs (zygotes) up to 10 min after the initiation of the cortical granule reaction, apparently at those sites where the fertilization membrane has failed to separate from the zygote's surface.
Ontogeny of the behavioral effects of lysergic acid diethylamide in cats

The ontogeny of the behavioral effects of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) was examined in cats between the ages of 4 and 112 days postpartum. The kittens showed little LSD-induced behavioral change prior to 14 days of age. By the age of 21 days, however, the kittens exhibited many of the behavioral signs characteristic of LSD-induced behaviors in adult cats. These behaviors include limb-flicking, abortive grooming, head-shakes, grooming, and investigatory responses. In general, these behaviors began at a low frequency of occurrence, then increased rapidly with advancing age, reaching adult values by approximately 35-40 days of age, and remained relatively constant through 112 days postpartum. The time course for the behavioral effects following an acute injection of LSD showed the adult pattern, i.e., persisting for approximately 8 hr post-injection, from their earliest appearance during ontogeny. Young kittens (21-42 days of age) were resistant to the development of tolerance following repeated administration of the drug. LSD was capable of eliciting certain behaviors, such as head-shakes and grooming, well in advance of the age at which they normally appear spontaneously. This indicates that the neuronal and musculature substrata are developed for the performance of these behaviors long before the kitten naturally employs them.
The practical application of the infinite body effect in dynamic fracture mechanics

Abstract The paper suggests a practical procedure, based upon the infinite body effect, to be used as a preliminary assessment of numerical solutions and experimental findings in dynamic fracture mechanics. The application of the procedure is demonstrated by three cases of dynamic fracture in the DCB, SEN and Griffith specimens.
Court-ordered treatment in obstetrics: The ethical views and legal framework

Four main ethical views have been put forward concerning court-ordered treatment of mentally competent pregnant women for fetal indications: 1) Such treatment is never justifiable; 2) it is justifiable provided it poses no health risks for the woman, minimally invades her bodily integrity, and would clearly prevent substantial harm to the fetus; 3) it is justifiable provided the maternal risks are low, there is a substantial likelihood that the fetus will suffer irrevocable harm without the intervention, and the treatment will likely be effective; and 4) it is justifiable provided the risks to the woman are ones she should reasonably accept, the fetal risks of treatment are minimal, and the potential fetal benefit is substantial. However, the first two views are too rigid to adequately handle the variety of clinical situations in which maternal treatment refusal can occur, and recent legal decisions have ruled out the other views. The ethics of court-ordered treatment are often discussed as though the only interests involved are those of the pregnant woman and fetus, but other important interests may be relevant. An ethical view that avoids these difficulties and takes better account of the complexity of the issues is as follows: Such treatment is justifiable in rare, exceptional circumstances provided it poses insignificant or no health risks to the woman or would promote her interests in life or health and there are compelling reasons to override her autonomy.
Hardware and software integration to support real-time space-link emulation

Prior to operational use, communications hardware and software must be thoroughly tested and verified. In space-link communications, field testing equipment can be prohibitively expensive and cannot test to non-ideal situations. In this paper, we show how software and hardware emulation tools can be used to accurately model the characteristics of a satellite communication channel in a lab environment. We describe some of the challenges associated with developing an emulation lab and present results to demonstrate the channel modeling. We then show how network emulation software can be used to extend a hardware emulation model without requiring additional network and channel simulation hardware.
Plains-Promontory Relationships

A reconsideration of material collected from Promontory Point, north central Utah (Steward 1937) suggests that Promontory-Plains relationships may be closer than hitherto realized. Moreover, while several traits of the Promontory culture occur in more than one Plains archaeological complex, some are limited to the Dismal River aspect, suggesting the possibility of close ties between the Dismal River and Promontory peoples. Steward noted that a few traits (hoop and dart game, hand game boneS, side notched projectile points, end scrapers) represented in the Promontory culture were also found in the Plains. Hill and Metcalf (1941: 188, 197) pointed out that tubular steatite pipes and blunt bone “punches” or “flakers” occurred in both Promontory and Dismal River. This paper enumerates still other resemblances.
Observer-Based Nonlinear Feedback Controls for Heartbeat ECG Tracking Systems

The analysis and design of observed-based nonlinear control of a heartbeat tracking system is investigated in this paper. Two of Zeeman’s heartbeat models are investigated and modified by adding the control input as a pacemaker, thereby creating the control-affine nonlinear system models that capture the general heartbeat behavior of the human heart. The control objective is to force the output of the heartbeat models to track and generate a synthetic electrocardiogram (ECG) signal based on the actual patient reference data, obtained from the William Beaumont Hospitals, Michigan, and the PhysioNet database. The formulations of the proposed heartbeat tracking control systems consist of two phases: analysis and synthesis. In the analysis phase, nonlinear controls based on input-output feedback linearization are considered. This approach simplifies the difficult task of developing nonlinear controls. In the synthesis phase, observer-based controls are employed, where the unmeasured state variables are estimated for practical implementations. These observer-based nonlinear feedback control schemes may be used as a control strategy in electronic pacemakers. In addition, they could be used in a software-based approach to generate a synthetic ECG signal to assess the effectiveness of diagnostic ECG signal processing devices.
Dr. Constantin Cope Medical Student Research AwardNeuroprotective effects of dodecafluoropentane emulsion in an angiographic model of acute ischemic stroke in rabbits

Purpose Interventional treatments for acute ischemic stroke are critically limited by a time window that restricts safety and efficacy to a period before large areas of brain have died. The purpose of this study was to assess the potential for emergency use of the oxygen-transporting dodecafluoropentane emulsion (DDFPe) to protect the brain from acute ischemic damage and reduce infarct volume without lysis of arterial obstructions. Materials and Methods New Zealand white rabbits (N=55) received cerebral angiography from a femoral artery approach. Embolic microspheres (diameter=700-900μm) were injected into the internal carotid artery occluding the middle cerebral and/or anterior cerebral arteries. Rabbits were randomly assigned to treatment groups and sacrifice times as in theTable. In all treated groups, intravenous DDFPe dosing with a 2% w/v emulsion began at 60 min post-embolization and was repeated every 90 min until sacrifice at either 7 or 24 hrs post-embolization. Serum levels of S-100B protein, a marker for blood-brain barrier disruption, were measured in blood samples taken before sacrifice by ELISA. Following sacrifice, infarcts were measured as a percent of brain volume using vital stains on brain sections. Results Percent infarct volume means decreased for all DDFPe treated groups compared with controls, and S-100B concentrations were decreased at 24 hrs with DDFPe treatment compared to controls ( Table 1 ). Concentrations of S-100B at 24 hrs were positively correlated with percent infarct volume (r=0.70, P=0.0002). Conclusion Intravenous DDFPe protects brain from ischemic injury in the rabbit model of permanent embolic stroke. S-100B data at 7 hours indicate that higher DDFPe doses may provide earlier neuroprotection. Decreased infarct volumes and serum S-100B levels indicate improved brain status, which can persist for 24 hours with repeated doses
Treatment of acute inflammatory myocarditis assisted by endomyocardial biopsy

Abstract Right ventricular endomyocardial biopsy was performed to make a diagnosis of inflammatory myocarditis in 10 patients with congestive heart failure. All 10 patients were treated with immunosuppressive agents (either prednisone alone or prednisone in combination with azathioprine) and were followed up prospectively. Each patient had serial invasive and noninvasive assessments of cardiac performance, and 9 of 10 had one or more follow-up endomyocardial biopsies. The course of four patients who showed dramatic improvement in association with immunosuppressive therapy is described in detail. In addition to these four patients, one other had definite improvement and four subjects had stabilization of previously progressive heart failure; the condition of one patient worsened, and he died despite immunosuppression. In the seven patients who had cell inflammation, six underwent a second biopsy after a period of immunosuppressive therapy, and in each case, the inflammatory infiltrate had been eliminated. In two of these patients, signs and symptoms of myocarditis recurred after discontinuation of therapy, and myocardial biopsy confirmed the recrudescence of cell inflammation. Reinstitution of therapy improved symptoms and histologic findings. It is concluded that endomyocardial biopsy can be used to diagnose inflammatory myocarditis and to monitor the histologic results of therapy. Our findings constitute circumstantial evidence that immunosuppressive therapy is effective in eliminating myocardial cell inflammation and thereby improving myocardial performance.
Subpicosecond X-ray Pulses

Short pulses of x-rays with a time duration comparable to the dynamics of molecules would make a variety of new structural studies possible. In their Perspective, Eisenberger and Suckewer discuss results reported by Schoenlein et al . ([p. 236][1]) in the same issue on a new source of subpicosecond x-rays. A short-pulse infrared laser beam is scattered from a beam of high-energy electrons. The radiation scattered from the electrons is in the form of subpicosecond pulses at a wavelength of 0.4 angstrom. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.274.5285.236
Additional observations of the green area effect in the black hills of South Dakota

Abstract Two years of Aitken nuclei measurements in the Black Hills of South Dakota have been examined for the possible green area filtration effect. The particle shadow, equal elevation, single station wind sector, and elevation correction tests were performed on the data. The analyses have resulted in a strengthening of the first year's conclusions suggesting that the vegetation of the Black Hills is removing fine particulates from the atmosphere.
Dynamical resonances in strongly coupled Higgs models.

The scattering of Goldstone and longitudinal gauge bosons in weak-interaction theories with a strongly coupled Higgs sector is studied. By combining low-energy theorems with analyticity, unitarity, and crossing symmetry, it is argued that, quite generally in such theories, one would expect a prominent resonance in the I = J = 1 channel (where I = weak isospin) analogous to the rho resonance in ..pi..-..pi.. scattering. Implications for p-barp collider events are explored.
Pharmacological blockade of brain α1-adrenoceptors as measured by ex vivo [3H]prazosin binding is correlated with behavioral immobility

The present studies examined the relationship between the blockade of central alpha1-adrenoceptors, as measured by ex vivo binding of [3H]prazosin in the cerebral cortex and the inhibition of behavioral activation to a mildly novel environment (cage change). It was found that intraventricular (i.v.t.) terazosin, a saline-soluble alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, dose dependently inhibited both ex vivo cortical binding and behavioral activation and that there was a highly significant positive correlation between the two with a slope near unity. Prazosin, a nonsaline soluble antagonist which had to be given intraperitoneally (i.p.), was much less potent at blocking both behavioral activity and cortical ex vivo binding, although it blocked ex vivo binding in the lung, indicating that it was effective peripherally but did not readily enter the brain. Despite this, however, the inhibition of cortical binding and behavioral activation that i.p. prazosin did produce were highly correlated with each other and had a slope near unity as with terazosin, whereas the more potent inhibition of lung binding was less well correlated with behavioral inhibition and had a slope significantly less than one. These results confirm our earlier studies, which have shown that alpha1-adrenoceptor activity is essential for gross and fine motor behavior in the mouse and that prazosin, which is used extensively in behavioral research, has difficulty entering the mouse brain.
Twist Drill Craniostomy in the Treatment of Chronic and Subacute Subdural Hematomas in Severely Ill and Elderly Patients

The results of treatment of a group of severely ill and geriatric patients with chronic or subacute subdural hematoma using the twist drill craniostomy (TDC) with closed system drainage are presented. Of the 22 patients selected for this procedure because of the high risk of general anesthesia, 18 had a total removal of the hematoma with the first procecure, 1 required a second TDC, 1 required craniotomy, and the procedure failed in 2 patients. There was no mortality or significant morbidity associated with this procedure performed under local anesthesia, and there were no infections. The absence of mortality, the low incidences of incomplete removal or recurrence, and the rapidity of clinical results make this procedure superior to other surgical procedures or medical treatment in this specific group of patients.
Computer based (CAD/CAM) drill design system

Abstract A description of a CAD/CAM system for designing a twist drill is presented. The completed system will specify the appropriate drill design and operating conditions for a specific application and performance criteria. The system is needed because of limitations due to: data management, data inconsistency, data discontinuity, and drill optimization. The completed system must contain a database, statistical analysis package, simulation analysis package, and user friendly input and output modes.
Using multiversioning to improve performance without loss of consistency (Abstract Only)

Oracle first implemented multiversioning, which was called read consistency, in Version 4 (ea. 1983) of the kernel. It supported the old master/new master programming paradigm for both application builders and query-processor implementors while avoiding the reader/writer serialization that results from using automatic share locks. The resulting transaction consistency model was arcane, not exactly serializable, but pragmatic in actual use. In this session, Mr. Bamford will cover read consistency from a number of viewpoints. First, the model will be described and a little detail about Oracles current implementation will be given. Next, the consequences of having read consistency as part of the databases core architecture will be discussed. In particular, the effects on the designs for row locking, query processing, distributed query, distributed cache coherence, referential integrity, and set updates will be described. This will be followed by a comparison of Oracles read consistency model to other common concurrency models, looking at cost and throughput under a variety of workloads, Finally, Mr. Barnford will propose how Oracle intends to carry read consistency into the future as support is added for complex objects, distributed computations, and long transactions.
CHAPTER 13 – The Immunological Synapse

The immunological synapse (IS) is a specialized cell-cell junction between a thymus-derived lymphocyte (T cell) and an antigen presenting cell (APC). Activation of T cells is based on the interaction between T cell receptors (TCRs) and major histocompatibility complex proteins that have bound antigenic peptides (MHCp). Because the TCR and MHCp are attached to the surface of the T cell and antigen-presenting cell (APC), respectively, the initiation of an immune response requires a molecular grasp between the T cell and APC—a synapse. A current focus of research on the IS is to determine how this supramolecular structure contributes to T-cell sensitivity and the fidelity of the T-cell response. Four areas in which the IS concept is contributing to our understanding of T-cell activation are coordination of antigen recognition and T-cell migration, role of the cytoskeleton in T-cell activation, mechanism of sensitive antigen recognition by T cells, and integration of the adaptive and innate immune responses. The IS concept provides a number of insights into the T-cell activation process. First, it provides a stop signal that coordinates antigen recognition and T-cell migration. Second, the essential role of the actin cytoskeleton in T-cell activation is related to the role of actin in IS formation. Third, the sensitivity of T cells to agonist MHCp is related to the role of weakly interacting, but probably more abundant, self MHCp in promoting IS formation. Finally, the IS provides a framework for orderly integration of the TCR and innate immune signals, such as in the case of CD28/CD80 interaction.
Conversion of penicillin N to cephalosporin(s) by cell-free extracts of Cephalosporium acremonium

Abstract A procedure has been developed for preparing cell-free extracts of Cephalosporium acremonium that are capable of synthesizing cephalosporin(s). Protoplast pellets, obtained by treating 60-hr-old mycelia with Cytophaga lytic enzyme L1 plus Zymolyase from Arthrobacter, were gently homogenized in a Teflon homogenizer, and the product was centrifuged to provide cell-free extracts. The reaction mixture contained an energy-generating system, mannitol, MgSO4, KCl and Tris buffer (pH 7.2). The mixture was shaken at 25°C for 5 hr and then assayed directly with a mutant of Escherichia coli supersensitive to β-lactam antibiotics. The principle antibacterial product(s) was resistant to penicillinase but was destroyed by “cephalosporinase.” An energy-generating system, although not required, stimulated production; intensive shaking (250 rev/min), however, was necessary. The production of cephalosporin was inhibited by KCN, but unaffected by Millipore filtration, cycloheximide or a mixture of the constituent amino acids. Production was markedly stimulated by penicillin N but not by penicillin G or 6-aminopenicillanic acid. The addition of penicillinase to the cell-free extract eliminated cephalosporin production. The results indicate that the cell-free extract can convert endogenous and exogenous penicillin N to cephalosporin(s). Such ring expansion is known in synthetic chemistry but has never before been observed in a biological system.
Commentary on Frank Jackson's From Metaphysics to Ethics

Frank Jackson's new book From Metaphysics to Ethics is impressive for the grand and coherent vision it offers of the connection between metaphysics and conceptual analysis. The structure of the proposal is both clear and simple. Here is the outline: a) One of the main tasks of metaphysics is to propose a kind of fact (or vocabulary) as fundamental and then locate other facts with respect to the fundamental facts. Physicalism, for example, is the claim that
Molecular mechanisms of antiasthma therapy.

Recently there has been a much greater understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in the actions of antiasthma therapy, β2-agonists are the most effective bronchodilators and act predominantly on airway smooth muscle. Recent evidence suggests that β2-receptors in airway smooth muscle are coupled directly to maxi-K channels and may thereby bronchodilate without an increase in cyclic AMP. The issue of β-receptor tolerance has been reawakened by the recognition that the protective effects of β2-agonists against bronchoconstrictor stimuli may become tolerant.Inhaled glucocorticoids are the mainstay of treatment in patients with chronic asthma. They suppress asthmatic inflammation predominantly by reducing transcription of genes coding for inflammatory mediators (particularly cytokines) and enzymes (inducible NO synthase, inducible cyclo-oxygenase). The inhibition of gene transcription is mediated predominantly by inhibition of transcription factors, such as activator protein-1 (AP-1) and nuclear facto...
The Subxiphoid Approach to Pericardial Disease

During the 36-month period from July, 1978, through July, 1981, 25 patients underwent a subxiphoid pericardial window procedure for diagnosis and therapy. Twelve patients were operated on for uremic pericarditis, 6 for malignancy, and 7 for etiological diagnosis of the pericarditis. All 12 patients with renal failure had enlarging effusions, despite aggressive dialysis. Eleven of the 12 are alive, free from recurrence, 3 to 36 months postoperatively. Six patients were operated on for suspected pericardial malignancy with hemodynamic compromise. Histological diagnosis was made from the pericardial tissue in all patients; only 1 patient lived more than 43 days following the procedure. In the group of 7 patients operated on for diagnosis, 4 were thought preoperatively to have tuberculous pericarditis. All 4 were treated with anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy and are asymptomatic, without evidence of calcification, 12 to 31 months postoperatively. This diverse group of patients demonstrates that the subxiphoid pericardial window is an effective approach for relief of uremic effusions and may adequately treat effusive tuberculous pericarditis when combined with multidrug chemotherapy. Patients with suspected malignant pericardial disease and hemodynamic compromise need to be carefully studied before an operative procedure is considered as a means of diagnosis and therapy.
Crystal structures of the PPN salts of the anions trans-[SiCl3(PPh3) Fe(CO)3]− and trans-[SiCl3{P(OPH)3}Fe(CO)3]−

Abstract PPN salts of [SiCl3(PPh3)Fe(CO)3]− (I) and [SiCl3{P(OPh) 3}Fe(CO)3]− (II) have been prepared by literature procedures from the hydride precursors. Each crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with the following respective unit cell constants: I, a = 16.087(3), b = 15.334 (2), c = 22.804(2) A, β = 109.45(1)°, V = 5304.0(1) A3, Z = 4; II, a = 18.623(3), b = 13.449(6), c = 23.447(6) A, β = 109.91(2)°, V = 5528.8 (1) A3, Z = 4. Both anions are trigonal bipyramidal with the silicon and phosphorus ligands in the axial positions.
Effects of clofibrate on mitochondrial function.

Abstract The effects of ethyl and sodium clofibrate on mitochondrial function were studied. Both compounds exerted similar effects, the ethyl derivative being more potent. State 3 respiration was inhibited; the order of inhibitory effectiveness was NAD + -dependent substrates > succinate > ascorbate. State 4 NAD + -linked oxidation was not significantly affected, but state 4 oxidations of succinate and ascorbate were stimulated by ethyl clofibrate. Energy production was inhibited, as evidenced by the decrease in the respiratory control ratio, the P/O ratio and the ATP- 32 P exchange reaction. Energy utilization, assessed by substrate or ATP-supported energy-linked Ca 2+ uptake, was also inhibited. By contrast, energy-independent Ca 2+ uptake was not affected. Clofibrate interfered with the integrity of the mitochondrial membranes, since it stimulated ATPase activity and increased the normally low permeability of intact mitochondria toward NADH. The transfer of reducing equivalents into the mitochondria, catalyzed by the α-glycerophosphate, fatty acid or malate-aspartate shuttles, was inhibited by sodium clofibrate. These results may explain our previous finding that the reconstituted a-glycerophosphate shuttle was not stimulated in rats fed clofibrate, despite an increase in the activity of mitochondrial α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase.
CD8+ T‐cell effector function and transcriptional regulation during HIV pathogenesis

A detailed understanding of the immune response to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is needed to inform prevention and therapeutic strategies that aim to contain the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) pandemic. The cellular immune response plays a critical role in controlling viral replication during HIV infection and will likely need to be a part of any vaccine approach. The qualitative feature of the cellular response most closely associated with immunological control of HIV infection is CD8(+) T-cell cytotoxic potential, which is responsible for mediating the elimination of infected CD4(+) T cells. Understanding the underlying mechanisms involved in regulating the elicitation and maintenance of this kind of effector response can provide guidance for vaccine design. In this review, we discuss the evidence for CD8(+) T cells as correlates of protection, the means by which their antiviral capacity is evaluated, and transcription factors responsible for their function, or dysfunction, during HIV infection.
Benzyl-3-deoxy-3(phenethylamino) b-L-Xylopyranoside

A mixture of benzyl 2,3-anhydro-b-L-ribopyranoside (1) [1] (0.88 g, 4 mmol) and phenethylamine (5 mL) was gently refluxed.[...]
Do internal mammary artery side-branches have the potential for haemodynamically significant flow steal?

Objective: To evaluate the potential for flow steal of the internal mammary artery (IMA) side-branches at rest and in case of dilatation of their vascular bed (as probably occurs during physical exercise). Methods: Transthoracic echo-Doppler evaluation of IMA flow was performed preoperatively in 40 patients undergoing myocardial revascularization. IMA flow was measured at rest and in condition of peripheral vasodilatation (obtained using forced ventilation for 2 min, dypiridamole 0.84 mg/kg endovenous (e.v.), xantinole nicotinate 500 mg e.v., nifedipine 20 mg sublingual (s.l.)). Results: IMA mean peak systolic velocity increased 23% after forced ventilation (from 67 to 83 cm/s), 6% after dypiridamole (from 75 to 80 cm/s), 30% after xantinole infusion (from 62 to 81 cm/s) and 23% after nifedipine administration (from 60 to 74 cm/s). IMA flow increased 17.7% after forced ventilation (from 39.5 to 46.5 ml/min), 4.8% after dypiridamole (from 39.2 to 41.1 ml/min), 20.2% after xantinole infusion (from 41.4 to 49.8 ml/min) and 16.5% after nifedipine administration (from 41.6 to 48.5 ml/min). Conclusions: The limited functional flow reserve of the in situ IMA, even after pure muscular vasodilatation, seems to minimize the possibility of significant flow steal from patent IMA graft collaterals. © 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
RDF metadata for XML access control

In this paper we present an access control framework that provides flexible security granularity for XML documents. RDF statements are used to represent security objects and to express security policy. The concepts of simple security object and association security object are defined. Our model allows to express and enforce access control on XML trees and their associations. Access control rules, corresponding to (s, o, ±a) triples, are represented as RDF statements with properties access type, user, and object. A history file is maintained for each user that allows decision-making using temporal data.
Development and validation of a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction classifier for lung cancer prognosis.

Introduction This prospective study aimed to develop a robust and clinically applicable method to identify patients with high-risk early-stage lung cancer and then to validate this method for use in future translational studies. Methods Three published Affymetrix microarray data sets representing 680 primary tumors were used in the survival-related gene selection procedure using clustering, Cox model, and random survival forest analysis. A final set of 91 genes was selected and tested as a predictor of survival using a quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction-based assay using an independent cohort of 101 lung adenocarcinomas. Results The random survival forest model built from 91 genes in the training set predicted patient survival in an independent cohort of 101 lung adenocarcinomas, with a prediction error rate of 26.6%. The mortality risk index was significantly related to survival (Cox model p Conclusions The development and validation of this robust quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction platform allows prediction of patient survival with early-stage lung cancer. Utilization will now allow investigators to evaluate it prospectively by incorporation into new clinical trials with the goal of personalized treatment of patients with lung cancer and improving patient survival.
Deformation behavior of nanograined platinum films

Abstract Anomalously low elastic moduli have been routinely reported in nanoindentation studies, but it was not clear if the behavior was real or an artifact of the measurement technique. Here, we report on similarly low elastic moduli of textured, nanograined platinum films. In this work the presence of anomalous properties was verified by eliminating possible sources of experimental artifacts, namely the films' texture, piling-up of material around the indenter tip, substrate effects, microcracking, and delamination of the film from the substrate. Instead, the peculiar behavior of the nanograined, noble metal film was linked to time-dependent, elastic constitutive behavior (i.e., anelasticity).
Immunohistochemical study of 36 cases of pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma—sensitivity of TTF-1 is superior to napsin

Immunohistochemistry is often used to distinguish pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma from morphologic mimics. Napsin-A is a pulmonary adenocarcinoma marker, but literature on expression in sarcomatoid carcinoma is limited. Thirty-six cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma were stained for napsin, TTF-1, Oscar, CAM5.2, AE1/AE3, desmin, SMA, S-100, CK5/6, calretinin, D2-40, and WT1. Patients were 24 men and 12 women (mean, 70 years; range, 46-93). There were 27 pleomorphic carcinomas, 5 spindle cell carcinomas, 3 carcinosarcomas, and 1 giant cell carcinoma. Cases were positive for at least 1 keratin: AE1/3 was positive in all 36 cases; Oscar, in 34 cases (94%); and CAM5.2, in 32 cases (89%, weaker/more focal). Napsin was positive in 14 cases (39%): 8 diffuse, 3 focal, and 3 rare cells. TTF-1 was positive in 22 cases (61%): 15 diffuse, 3 focal, and 4 rare cells. No cases were napsin positive and negative for TTF-1. Variable staining for mesothelial markers was observed, including positivity for calretinin (12 cases, 33%), WT1 (6 cases, 17%), D2-40 (5 cases, 14%), and CK5/6 (9 cases, 25%). Mesenchymal markers were also sometimes positive (usually focal), including S-100 (4 cases, 11%), desmin (4 cases, 11%), and SMA (7 cases, 19%, 1 diffuse). In conclusion, TTF-1 is more sensitive than napsin for detection of sarcomatoid carcinoma, and no cases were positive for napsin but negative for TTF-1. CAM5.2 is less sensitive than AE1/AE3 and Oscar. Use of a thoughtful immunohistochemical panel is important in the evaluation of sarcomatoid carcinoma because mesothelial and mesenchymal markers can be expressed.
Isolation and partial characterization of plasma membrane fatty acid binding proteins from myocardium and adipose tissue and their relationship to analogous proteins in liver and gut.

Summary We describe a general method for isolating a class of 40 kDa plasma membrane fatty acid binding proteins which have been identified previously only in rat liver and jejunum. Proteins extracted with 2 M salt from rat adipocyte and cardiac myocyte plasma membranes were subjected to preparative isoelectric focusing. Fractions with pI's ≥ 9.0 were further purified by oleate-agarose affinity chromatography and HPLC. Each tissue yielded a single 40 kDa protein which co-chromatographed with [ 3 h]-oleate on gel permeation HPLC, and reacted on Western blots with an antibody to the corresponding hepatic membrane protein. Related plasma membrane fatty acid binding proteins have now been isolated from each of the major sites of fatty acid transport.
Trauma in pregnancy

The care of the pregnant trauma patient provides unique challenges and holds profound implications for both fetal and maternal outcomes. The management of these patients is influenced by unique anatomic and physiologic changes, increased concern for deleterious radiation and medication exposures, and the need for multidisciplinary care. This article reviews the critical features necessary in the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and disposition of pregnant trauma patients with a focus on recent developments reported in the literature as pertinent to emergency management.
Functional Effects of cMyBP-C Phospho-Mimics in Permeabilized Trabeculae

Myosin Binding Protein C (MyBP-C) is a sarcomeric protein that has both structural and regulatory roles in striated muscle contraction. Cardiac (c) isoforms of MyBP-C can be phosphorylated by protein kinase A (PKA) at three to five sites within a unique regulatory region referred to as the MyBP-C motif. We have previously shown, using permeabilized rat trabeculae, that the recombinant protein C1C2, which contains the motif, significantly increased Ca2+ sensitivity of force and increased rates of tension redevelopment (ktr) at submaximal [Ca2+]. To investigate whether these effects are modulated by phosphorylation of the motif, we used the catalytic subunit of PKA to phosphorylate C1C2. In addition, we used site directed mutagenesis to mutate three key serine residues (Ser273, 282, 302) to aspartic acids to mimic phosphorylation at these sites. Results demonstrated that either 10uM phosphorylated C1C2 (C1C2P) or 10uM phospho-mimic C1C2 (C1C23S/D) increased Ca2+ sensitivity of force and increased rates of tension redevelopment (ktr) at submaximal [Ca2+]. However, the phospho-mimic C1C23S/D was more effective than C1C2P in producing these effects. Together these results indicate that the 3 Ser to Asp phospho-mimic does not fully mimic effects of PKA phosphorylation of C1C2 and that the functional effects of C1C2 in permeabilized cardiac trabeculae are mediated at least in part through phosphorylation-independent mechanisms. Supported by NIH HL080367.
Social Equity in Urban Development the Leipzig Experience

The article examines a unique experience in applying social equity in urban development in the city of Leipzig in the former East Germany. During the socialist era, many had fled to the West leaving Leipzig with many empty homes and office buildings. Recently, city officials took advantage of the situation as an opportunity to initiate a period of social transformation. They developed a plan to reposition a city with a surfeit of buildings and space in such a way as to preserve the qualities of that city, seize the opportunities presented by the transformation, and ensure that the city remains exciting, safe, and attractive for its inhabitants. Key projects were initiated to allow people in need of low-cost housing to use legally vacant dwellings. The strategy adopted by Leipzig is not a universal model that can be applied to all cities since each city has its own socio-economic, political, and legal systems that provide a framework for workable solutions. But the way Leipzig faces its challenge could be ...
Evaluation of criteria for selecting temperature control trays in distillation columns

Abstract The use of tray temperatures to infer compositions is widespread in distillation control. A number of criteria have been proposed for selecting which trays to hold at constant temperature. The most commonly used are (1) choosing a tray where there are large changes in temperature from tray to tray (“slope” of the temperature profile), (2) finding the tray where there is the largest change in temperature for a change in the manipulated variable (“sensitivity”), (3) using singular value decomposition (SVD) analysis, (4) selecting the tray where the temperature does not change as feed composition changes while producing the desired distillate and bottoms purities and (5) choosing the tray that produces the smallest changes in product purities when it is held constant in the face of feed composition disturbances. This paper provides a quantitative comparison of the effectiveness of these five alternative criteria. Several systems are considered, ranging from ideal binary to azeotropic multi-component. Results show that SVD analysis provides a simple and effective method for selecting temperature control tray location.
Characterization of hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) from the pineal gland of chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha).

Hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) from the pineal gland of juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) had optimal activity in the presence of 0.2 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.6, 5.0 × 10−6 M N-acetylserotonin (NAS), and 1.1 × 10−4 M S-adenosylmethionine (SAM), at an incubation temperature of 37°. Half-maximal activities were obtained with 2.5 × 10−7 M NAS and 1.4 × 10−5 M SAM. Approximately 94% of the recovered activity was located in the 100,000g supernatant following differential centrifugation. Anatomically, HIOMT was found in measurable quantities in the pineal gland, retina, and dorsal portion of the diencephalon, with significantly higher activity in the pineal gland than in the other tissues.
Free-radical side-chain bromination of alkylaromatics in supercritical carbon dioxide.

Free-radical side-chain brominations of alkylaromatics in supercritical carbon dioxide (SC-CO2) are reported. Direct bromination of toluene and ethylbenzene form the corresponding benzyl bromides in high yield. The observed selectivity in SC-CO2 is similar to that observed in conventional organic solvents. Also, SC-CO2 is an effective alternative to carbon tetrachloride for use in the classical Ziegler bromination with N-bromosuccinimide. Reaction yields are high, side products are minimized, and bromine-atom selectivities are observed. Thus, SC-CO2 must be useful as a viable, environmentally benign substitute for many of the solvents typically used for free-radical reactions.
Climate change impacts on spatial patterns in drought risk in the Willamette River Basin, Oregon, USA

Climate change is likely to lead more frequent droughts in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) of America. Rising air temperature will reduce winter snowfall and increase earlier snowmelt, subsequently reducing summer flows. Longer crop-growing season caused by higher temperatures will lead to increases in evapotranspiration and irrigation water demand, which could exacerbate drought damage. However, the impacts of climate change on drought risk will vary over space and time. Thus, spatially explicit drought assessment can help water resource managers and planners to better cope with risk. This study seeks to identify possible drought-vulnerable regions in the Willamette River Basin of the PNW. In order to estimate drought risk in a spatially explicit way, relative Standardized Precipitation Index (rSPI) and relative Standardized Runoff Index (rSRI) were employed. Statistically downscaled climate simulations forcing two greenhouse gas emission scenarios, A1B and B1, were used to investigate the possible changes in drought frequency with 3-, 6-, 12-, and 24-month time scales. The results of rSPI and rSRI showed an increase in the short-term frequency of drought due to decreases in summer precipitation and snowmelt. However, long-term drought showed no change or a slight decreasing pattern due to increases in winter precipitation and runoff. According to the local index of spatial autocorrelation analysis, the Willamette Valley region was more vulnerable (hot spot) to drought risk than the mountainous regions of the Western Cascades and the High Cascades (cold spot). Although the hydrology of the Western Cascades and the High Cascades will be affected by climate change, these regions will remain relatively water-rich. This suggests that improving the water transfer system could be a reasonable climate adaptation option. Additionally, these results showed that the spatial patterns of drought risk change were affected by drought indices, such that appropriate drought index selection will be important in future studies of climate impacts on spatial drought risk.