cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Distributed cross‐layer optimization for wireless regional area network‐based cognitive radio networks

This paper presents a study of a cross-layer design through joint optimization of spectrum allocation and power control for cognitive radio networks (CRNs). The spectrum of interest is divided into independent channels licensed to a set of primary users (PUs). The secondary users are activated only if the transmissions do not cause excessive interference to PUs. In particular, this paper studies the downlink channel assignment and power control in a CRN with the coexistence of PUs and secondary users. The objective was to maximize the total throughput of a CRN. A mathematical model is presented and subsequently formulated as a binary integer programming problem, which belongs to the class of non-deterministic polynomial-time hard problems. Subsequently, we develop a distributed algorithm to obtain sub-optimal results with lower computational complexity. The distributed algorithm iteratively improves the network throughput, which consists of several modules including maximum power calculation, excluded channel sets recording, base station throughput estimation, base station sorting, and channel usage implementation. Through investigating the impacts of the different parameters, simulation results demonstrates that the distributed algorithm can achieve a better performance than two other schemes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract 1780: Identification and characterization of L524-0366 as a small molecule inhibitor that disrupt TWEAK-Fn14 signaling in glioblastoma

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Deregulation of the TWEAK-Fn14 signaling pathway is observed in many diseases including inflammation, autoimmune diseases, and cancer, notably glioblastoma. Activation of Fn14 signaling by TWEAK binding triggers glioma cell invasion and survival and therefore represents an attractive pathway for therapeutic intervention. Based on structural studies of the TWEAK-binding cysteine rich domain of Fn14, several homology models of TWEAK were built to investigate plausible modes of TWEAK-Fn14 interaction. Two promising models, centered on different anchoring residues of TWEAK [Tyrosine 176 (Y176) and Tryptophan 231 (W231)], were prioritized using a data-driven strategy. Site-directed mutagenesis of TWEAK at Y176, but not W231, resulted in the loss of TWEAK binding to Fn14 substantiating Y176 as the anchoring residue. Importantly, mutation of TWEAK at Y176 did not disrupt TWEAK trimerization, but failed to induce Fn14 mediated nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB) signaling. The validated structural models were utilized in a virtual screen to design a targeted library of small molecules predicted to disrupt the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction. 129 small molecules were screened iteratively, with identification of molecules producing up to 37% inhibition of TWEAK-Fn14 binding. One specific compound, L524-0366 binds specifically to the Fn14 receptor and disrupt TWEAK-Fn14 interaction. Treatment of L524-0366 suppresses TWEAK-induced cell migration and survival in glioblastoma cells. In summary, we present a data-driven in silico study revealing key structural elements of the TWEAK-Fn14 interaction, followed by experimental validation, serving as a guide for the design of small molecule inhibitors of the TWEAK-Fn14 ligand-receptor interaction. Our results provide the foundation for further exploration utilizing L524-0366 as a small molecule inhibitor to the TWEAK-Fn14 signaling axis. Citation Format: Harshil D. Dhruv, Joseph C. Loftus, Pooja Narang, Joachim L. Petit, Donald Chow, Holly Yin, Michael Berens, Nathalie Meurice, Nhan L. Tran. Identification and characterization of L524-0366 as a small molecule inhibitor that disrupt TWEAK-Fn14 signaling in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1780. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1780
Estrogen levels regulate the subcellular distribution of phosphorylated Akt in hippocampal CA1 dendrites.

In addition to genomic pathways, estrogens may regulate gene expression by activating specific signal transduction pathways, such as that involving phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-K) and the subsequent phosphorylation of Akt (protein kinase B). The Akt pathway regulates various cellular events, including the initiation of protein synthesis. Our previous studies showed that synaptogenesis in hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cell dendritic spines is highest when brain estrogen levels are highest. To address the role of Akt in this process, the subcellular distribution of phosphorylated Akt immunoreactivity (pAkt-I) in the hippocampus of female rats across the estrous cycle and male rats was analyzed by light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). By LM, the density of pAkt-I in stratum radiatum of CA1 was significantly higher in proestrus rats (or in estrogen-supplemented ovariectomized females) compared with diestrus, estrus, or male rats. By EM, pAkt-I was found throughout the shafts and in select spines of stratum radiatum dendrites. Quantitative ultrastructural analysis identifying pAkt-I with immunogold particles revealed that proestrus rats compared with diestrus, estrus, and male rats contained significantly higher pAkt-I associated with (1) dendritic spines (both cytoplasm and plasmalemma), (2) spine apparati located within 0.1 μm of dendritic spine bases, (3) endoplasmic reticula and polyribosomes in the cytoplasm of dendritic shafts, and (4) the plasmalemma of dendritic shafts. These findings suggest that estrogens may regulate spine formation in CA1 pyramidal neurons via Akt-mediated signaling events.
Big (Gay) Love: Has the IRS Legalized Polygamy?

Within days, a federal judge in Utah made news by loosening that state’s criminal prohibition against polygamy and the Attorney General of North Dakota made news by opining that a party to a same-sex marriage could enter into a different-sex marriage in that state without first obtaining a divorce or annulment. Both of these opinions raised the specter of legalized plural marriage. What discussions of these opinions missed, however, is the possibility that the IRS might already have legalized plural marriage in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last June in United States v. Windsor, which struck down section three of the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA). In exploring that possibility, this essay continues my work analyzing the shortcomings of the IRS’s implementation of the Windsor decision. The Secretary of the Treasury promised that IRS guidance would provide same-sex couples with “certainty and clear, coherent tax-filing guidance.” To the contrary, I have explained that the IRS’s guidance provides no more than the same veneer of clarity that DOMA did, because it leaves important questions unanswered, lays traps for the unwary, creates inequities, and entails unfortunate (and, hopefully, unintended) consequences. In this essay, I extend that analysis by explaining how ambiguity in the IRS’s guidance may also have unintentionally opened the door to recognizing plural marriage for federal tax purposes.
A Model for Evaluation of the Cost-Effectiveness of Computer-Assisted Instruction in a University.

AbstractThis study applied a cost model to computers and related software in the university environment in an examination of the costs and cost-effectiveness of this approach. The specific computer application examined in this study is word processing—the computing application most widely used by students in the university. The methodology applied in this study should be helpful to administrators in their roles as planners and controllers of scarce institutional resources. Further, the computer laboratory environment examined herein should be of interest to those administrators and others responsible for the allocation of financial resources to the application of computing technology to teaching.
Hiccups associated with reflux esophagitis

A 67-yr-old man with protracted hiccups, as well as reflux esophagitis and a stricture, was found to have heartburn and water brash only during episodes of hiccups. Intraesophageal pH monitoring showed acid gastroesophageal reflux increased during these episodes and decreased with cessation of hiccups. After all attempts failed to relieve his hiccups, a Nissen fundoplication relieved heartburn, healed the esophagitis, and stopped excessive reflux of acid gastric juice, even though the hiccups persisted. These observations showed that reflux provoked by prolonged hiccups could either have adversely affected preexistent reflux esophagitis and stricture or conceivably could have caused these complications.
Handbook of microbiological media

Preface. Preparation of Media. Media Formulations, Preparation, and Uses. Appendices. Index.
The extended Krylov subspace method and orthogonal Laurent polynomials

Abstract The need to evaluate expressions of the form f ( A ) v , where A is a large sparse or structured symmetric matrix, v is a vector, and f is a nonlinear function, arises in many applications. The extended Krylov subspace method can be an attractive scheme for computing approximations of such expressions. This method projects the approximation problem onto an extended Krylov subspace K l , m ( A ) = span { A - l + 1 v , … , A - 1 v , v , A v , … , A m - 1 v } of fairly small dimension, and then solves the small approximation problem so obtained. We review available results for the extended Krylov subspace method and relate them to properties of Laurent polynomials. The structure of the projected problem receives particular attention. We are concerned with the situations when m = l and m = 2 l .
Some thermodynamic aspects of the use of soil‐moisture by plants

In studying the literature on the use of soil-moisture by plants, one realizes that the language of the soil scientist is not the language of the plant physiologist. Those interested in soils discuss soil-moisture in a language composed, on the one hand, of names given to the results of tests made on soils by some arbitrary measurement (for example, the moisture-equivalent, the hygroscopic coefficient, and the maximum capillary capacity) and, on the other hand, of terms perhaps more elemental or basic, such as capillary potential, pressure- potential, transmission-function, and vapor-pressure. Both types of terms describe the state of the moisture under given conditions and have been useful in developing our knowledge of soil-moisture.
Block truncation signature coding for hyperspectral analysis

This paper introduces a new signature coding which is designed based on the well-known Block Truncation Coding (BTC). It comprises of bit-maps of the signature blocks generated by different threshold criteria. Two new BTC-based algorithms are developed for signature coding, to be called Block Truncation Signature Coding (BTSC) and 2-level BTSC (2BTSC). In order to compare the developed BTC based algorithms with current binary signature coding schemes such as Spectral Program Analysis Manager (SPAM) developed by Mazer et al. and Spectral Feature-based Binary Coding (SFBC) by Qian et al., three different thresholding functions, local block mean, local block gradient, local block correlation are derived to improve the BTSC performance where the combined bit-maps generated by these thresholds can provide better spectral signature characterization. Experimental results reveal that the new BTC-based signature coding performs more effectively in characterizing spectral variations than currently available binary signature coding methods.
[3H]Taurine-accumulating neurons in the cat retina

Following intravitreal injection, [3H]taurine accumulates in specific cells in the inner nuclear layers of the cat retina. These cells include rod bipolar cells, Muller cells and certain amacrine cells. The highest concentration of [3H]taurine is found in a subpopulation of amacrine cells which comprises 15% of the total number of cells in the amacrine layer. These cells have cell bodies measuring 10–14 μm in diameter and are characterized by prominent perinuclear rough endoplasmic reticulum. Label is also concentrated in the inner half of the inner plexiform layer.
Surface analysis of an actively controlled telescope primary mirror under static loads.

The performance of an actively controlled mirror with an aspect ratio of 63:1 is modeled by a large scale software system. The model allows generalized static disturbances to be applied to the mirror, generates a corrective force field, and tests the result through a finite element simulation. For convenience in input, disturbances may be in the form of a force field or a displacement field. Use of a displacement field is easier, for example, if one wishes to distort the mirror with a particular aberration term for which the disturbing forces are unknown. The user must have established a particular actuator set to be used in counteracting the disturbance, whereupon the actuator forces for this set are determined by a modal truncation method. These computed actuator forces are then reapplied to the mirror model along with the disturbance to evaluate the corrected behavior of the model. Comparisons are made of the rms surface errors and energy concentrations as predicted by modal truncation and computed via the finite element method. Numerical examples, including some bordering on the pathological, are employed to show that the corrected mirror performance under the action of computed actuator forces and external disturbances agrees generally with the mirror surface as predicted by modal truncation.
Clinopyroxene dissolution in basaltic melt

Abstract The history of magmatic systems may be inferred from reactions between mantle xenoliths and host basalt if the thermodynamics and kinetics of the reactions are quantified. To study diffusive and convective clinopyroxene dissolution in silicate melts, diffusive clinopyroxene dissolution experiments were conducted at 0.47–1.90 GPa and 1509–1790 K in a piston-cylinder apparatus. Clinopyroxene saturation is found to be roughly determined by MgO and CaO content. The effective binary diffusivities, DMgO and DCaO, and the interface melt saturation condition, C 0 MgO × C 0 CaO , are extracted from the experiments. DMgO and DCaO show Arrhenian dependence on temperature. The pressure dependence is small and not resolved within 0.47–1.90 GPa. C 0 MgO × C 0 CaO in the interface melt increases with increasing temperature, but decreases with increasing pressure. Convective clinopyroxene dissolution, where the convection is driven by the density difference between the crystal and melt, is modeled using the diffusivities and interface melt saturation condition. Previous studies showed that the convective dissolution rate depends on the thermodynamics, kinetics and fluid dynamics of the system. Comparing our results for clinopyroxene dissolution to results from a previous study on convective olivine dissolution shows that the kinetic and fluid dynamic aspects of the two minerals are quite similar. However, the thermodynamics of clinopyroxene dissolution depends more strongly on the degree of superheating and composition of the host melt than that of olivine dissolution. The models for clinopyroxene and olivine dissolution are tested against literature experiments on mineral–melt interaction. They are then applied to previously proposed reactions between Hawaii basalts and mantle minerals, mid-ocean ridge basalts and mantle minerals, and xenoliths digestion in a basalt at Kuandian, Northeast China.
Five psychosocial variables related to the existence of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder symptoms

Sixty Vietnam veterans from a midwestern VA Medical Center were surveyed to determine the relationship between symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and five psychosocial variables: Intensity of combat experienced in Vietnam, current subjective impact of the previously experienced stress of Vietnam experiences, current level of life stress, extent and nature of social support available to the veteran during the first year of return from Vietnam, and pre-service psychosocial functioning. A stepwise discriminant function analysis revealed that combat intensity, current impact of the previously experienced events in Vietnam, and current level of life stress correctly classified 75% of the total cases. These findings were supported by other lines of analyses, including tests of correlation and stepwise regression analysis. Current levels of life stress, especially disruption in interpersonal relationships, also were associated significantly with PTSD symptoms. These findings are consistent with previous reports on the etiology and correlates of PTSD symptoms and suggest the existence of a quantifiable constellation of symptoms associated with psychological sequelae of severely stressful trauma.
Sources, characteristics, and dynamics of postpurchase price complaints

Abstract Research indicates that about one in five consumers experiences dissatisfaction with purchases made. A significant proportion of these dissatisfaction incidents is a direct result of postpurchase price-related disputes between the buyer and the seller. Existing research has not specifically studied the sources, characteristics, and dynamics of postpurchase price complaints, and their differences with nonprice complaints. Using a survey of consumer complaint reports, this paper examines the frequency and characteristics of various forms of postpurchase price complaints. It is found that nearly one-fifth of all postpurchase consumer complaints to businesses are price related. Price complaints were also found to be significantly different from nonprice complaints in their cross-category frequency and resolution determinants.
Modeling harvest and biomass removal effects on the forest carbon balance of the Midwest, USA

Abstract The objective of this study was to use an ecosystem process model, Biome-BGC, to explore the effects of different harvest scenarios on major components of the carbon budget of 205,000 km2 of temperate forest in the Upper Midwest region of the U.S. We simulated seven harvest scenarios varying the (i) amount of harvest residue retained, (ii) total harvest area, and (iii) harvest type (clear-cut and selective) to assess the potential impacts on net biome production (NBP), net primary production (NPP), and total vegetation carbon. NBP was positive (C sink) in year 1 (2004) and generally decreased over the 50-year simulation period. More intensive management scenarios, those with a high percentage of clear-cut or a doubling of harvest area, decreased average NBP by a maximum of 58% and vegetation C by a maximum of 29% compared to the current harvest regime (base scenario), while less intensive harvest scenarios (low clear-cut or low area harvested) increased NBP. Yearly mean NPP changed less than 3% under the different scenarios. Vegetation carbon increased in all scenarios by at least 12%, except the two most intensive harvest scenarios, where vegetation carbon decreased by more than 8%. Varying the amount of harvest residue retention had a more profound effect on NBP than on vegetation C. Removing additional residue resulted in greater NBP over the 50-year period compared to the base simulation. Results from the seven model simulations suggest that managing for carbon storage and carbon sequestration are not mutually exclusive in Midwest forests.
Action potentials of single motor units in normal muscle

Abstract 1. 1. By means of a simple, accurate technique of electromyography, using microelectrodes, the discrete action potentials of over 90 per cent of recorded motor units from selected channels were followed in all degrees of tension of normal muscle. 2. 2. The motor unit action potentials tended to increase in amplitude with excitation and tension during relatively isometric contractions. The increases are attributed to an increase in the number of active muscle fibers in the successive discharges of a single motor unit. 3. 3. Increase of tension by increase in frequency of discharge by the active motor units, and by recruitment of motor units previously inactive, was found to occur in weak and moderate contractions. At stronger tensions, the normal EMG was marked by the appearance of slowly discharging motor units, while the most excitable motor units tended to discharge in bursts alternating with periods of inactivity lasting up to 2 sec. 4. 4. The most excitable motor units were functionally different from the least excitable units, having smaller action potential amplitudes, and higher frequencies of discharge, with more “double discharges”. 5. 5. The least excitable motor units have not been described before. These motor units are thought to be supplied by high threshold neurones of large axone diameter. According to other authors, such neurones are selectively lost in pareses due to poliomyelitis, pressure, and ischemia. 6. 6. The slow mean rates of discharge in strong contractions may be due to conflicting states of central excitation and inhibition.
Tandem mass spectrometry: From infancy to maturity in twenty-five years

When this journal was initiated in 1968, there were only hints of the important applications of tandem mass spectrometry that are so well recognized today. It appears particularly appropriate to review briefly this develop ment when celebrating the silver anniversary of the first mass spectrometry journal
Laparoscopic cyst marsupialization in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease.

Purpose: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease is characterized by progressively enlarging renal cysts associated with hypertension, renal failure, pain, hematuria and infection. We explored the role of laparoscopic cyst marsupialization for managing cyst related problems.Materials and Methods: In 4 male and 11 female adults with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease who had preserved renal function laparoscopic cyst marsupialization was done for pain unilaterally and bilaterally in 9 and 6, respectively. An average of 204 cysts per kidney (range 11 to 635) were decorticated or drained.Results: Average operative time was 5.5 hours. Patients were discharged from the hospital after an average of 3.2 days. At a mean followup of 2.2 years (range 0.5 to 5) pain was decreased an average of 62% (range 30% to 90%) in 11 cases (73%). One patient had no improvement and 1 had subsequent worsening of pain postoperatively. Two patients with initial improvement had pain recurrence 4 and 36 months postoper...
Pulmonary agenesis: A predictor of ipsilateral malformations

Pulmonary agenesis is a rare malformation that can be isolated or associated with other anomalies. We became interested in pulmonary agenesis after evaluation of a child with right pulmonary agenesis, an unlobed left lung, bilateral cleft lip and palate, maxillary and mandibular hypoplasia, bilateral microtia, bilateral radial ray hypoplasia, horseshoe kidney, and complex congenital heart disease. A review of the occurrence of pulmonary agenesis with other congenital anomalies uncovered a striking association with ipsilateral radial ray defects and/or hemifacial microsomia. The presence of bilateral facial or radial ray anomalies was indicative of bilateral pulmonary involvement. A review of the cases of pulmonary agenesis and associated anomalies at the Children's Hospital and Medical Center confirmed the association of pulmonary agenesis and ipsilateral involvement of face and/or radial ray. The association of pulmonary agenesis and ipsilateral malformations may shed light on its pathogenesis. Although the cause of these associated anomalies remains unclear, abnormalities in the development of the aortic arches during embryogenesis is an attractive hypothesis.
Replication fork bypass of a pyrimidine dimer blocking leading strand DNA synthesis

We constructed a double-stranded plasmid containing a single cis,syn-cyclobutane thymine dimer (T[c,s]T) 385 base pairs from the center of the SV40 origin of replication. This circular DNA was replicated in vitro by extracts from several types of human cells. The dimer was placed on the leading strand template of the first replication fork to encounter the lesion. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis of replication intermediates documented the transient arrest of the replication fork by the dimer. Movement of the replication fork beyond the dimer was recognized by the appearance of a single fork arc in DNA sequences located between the T[c,s]T and the half-way point around the circular template (180° from the origin). Upon completion of plasmid replication, the T[c,s]T was detected by T4 endonuclease V in about one-half (46 ± 9%) of the closed circular daughter molecules. Our results demonstrate that extracts prepared from HeLa cells and SV40-transformed human fibroblasts (SV80, IDH4), including a cell line defective in nucleotide-excision repair (XPA), were competent for leading strand DNA synthesis opposite the pyrimidine dimer and replication fork bypass. In contrast, dimer bypass was severely impaired in otherwise replication-competent extracts from two different xeroderma pigmentosum variant cell lines.
A Limited Axillary Thoracotomy as Primary Treatment for Recurrent Spontaneous Pneumothorax

Recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax often requires surgical treatment following variable periods of chest tube therapy. A limited axillary thoracotomy provides sufficient exposure to isolate or excise pulmonary blebs and perform a pleurodesis. Prompt use of this surgical approach in lieu of the initial placement of a thoracostomy tube avoids prolonged hospitalization and a significant failure rate of thoracostomy tubes to resolve this problem. This operation can also prevent recurrence, a significant problem for this pathologic process. Fourteen patients with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax underwent an axillary thoracotomy as either primary treatment or within 72 h of thoracostomy tube placement. The average follow-up was 38 months for the initial 10 patients and 23 months for the entire group. The procedure averaged 66 min in duration. The average incision was 3.3 cm in length. There was an equal male/female ratio and right-left distribution. The patients were discharged an average of 4.2 days after surgery. There were no complications. The most recent six patients with a recurrent pneumothorax were surgically treated on the day of admission without a preoperative chest tube. The other eight patients had a thoracostomy tube for control of the pneumothorax, with surgery performed within 72 h of tube placement. A limited axillary thoracotomy corrected the underlying pathology, hastened hospital discharge, limited pain, prevented short-term recurrence, and was cosmetically acceptable. A limited axillary thoracotomy is the operation of choice when a spontaneous pneumothorax requires surgery. This surgical approach has become our primary treatment for recurrent pneumothorax, avoiding the use of a preoperative thoracostomy tube and unnecessary delay, with excellent results for the patient.
Accurate and precise aggregation counting

Aggregation counting is any procedure designed to solve the following problem: a number n of agents produces a fixed length binary message, and a central station produces an estimate of n from the bit-by-bit OR of the messages, which is therefore duplicate-insensitive. Such procedures are applicable to a situation where each of n independent sensors broadcasts the message to be used to estimate the count. A mathematically brilliant solution to this problem, due to Flajolet and Martin (1985) [1], is unfortunately affected by substantial bias and error. In this note we outline an alternative approach, which uses the Flajolet-Martin technique as a preparatory step and substantially reduces both error and bias. Specifically, the standard deviation of the count estimate drops from ~110% to ~20% of the estimated value.
The Pipeline: Preparing and Training Pulmonary Scientists for Research Careers

New technologies have made this an opportune time to prepare and embark on an academic career in respiratory disease research. The pulmonary physician-scientist has a special advantage to take basic research findings to the patient's illness and impact medical care. But is there a sufficient work force emerging to capitalize on current research opportunities? The aim of this study was to analyze the present workforce of potential clinical investigators available by reviewing the mechanisms of training support as provided by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) and by the professional pulmonary societies, including their patient advocacy groups and pharmaceutical partners, and by discussing how support for research training might be improved for advanced clinical fellows. Of the approximately 500 fellows/year in a final training year in Pulmonary/Critical Care Medicine and related programs, about one third are involved mainly in supervised research and of whom about two thirds plan to continue fellowship training for an additional year or more (approximately 100-120 trainees). It seems especially important to encourage his particular group who are planning to extend fellowship for research training. Both the NHLBI and the professional pulmonary societies and their partners provide support for advanced fellowship trainees, but resources are limited. To insure that enough well-trained new clinical investigators will be available to conduct future pulmonary research, funding support and other career inducements should be discussed collectively by the NHLBI and the professional pulmonary societies for the purpose of optimizing support for advanced fellowship trainees.
Intersystem crossing to higher triplet states in isolated molecules

Abstract The step-like variations of the fluorescence decay times of low pressure anthracene vapor with increasing excitation energy are interpreted as evidence for intersystem crossing to triplets other than the lowest.
Intestinal Microflora in Asiatic Cholera. I. "Rice-Water" Stool

patients provided early research workers with their initial clue to the etiology of this disease [1]. More recently, the heavy concentration of vibrios has made possible the use of darkfield [2] and fluorescent microscopy [3] as rapid diagnostic procedures. Previous quantitative studies of cholera stool have suggested that the reduction in vibrio counts during recovery may be due to reestablishment of the normal flora [4]. There are, however, no data on the numerical prevalence of normal microbial components in "rice-water" stool, and it is generally assumed that the fecal effluent is almost entirely composed of Vibrio cholerae. The purpose of this investigation was to measure the cultivable fecal flora during acute and convalescent cholera by quantitative and qualitative bacteriologic techniques. The results may furnish some information on ecologic factors and microbial interaction within the intestine of the
Reversal of quetiapine-induced altered mental status with physostigmine: a case series

Quetiapine overdose is a clinical entity commonly encountered in emergency departments. Quetiapine is a drug with many mechanisms, including antimuscarinic effects. Traditionally, treatment of quetiapine toxicity has been primarily supportive care. Case reports exist documenting improvement in mental status in these patients after administration of physostigmine, a carbamate capable of reversing antimuscarinic toxicity. In this descriptive case series, 3 patients with quetiapine toxicity treated with physostigmine are reported. In each case, the patient had significant altered mental status that was rapidly reversed with administration of physostigmine. In all 3 cases, patient disposition was changed to a lower level of care, requiring less invasive monitoring. In 1 case, intubation was prevented. Because quetiapine toxicity is commonly encountered and the use of physostigmine in this setting is a potentially practice-altering treatment, emergency physicians should be aware of this phenomenon.
Planetary Science: a new spin on Saturn.

Measuring the rotation of a gaseous planet is no easy task. For Saturn, do observations of its magnetic field — which indicate that it is spinning more slowly than thought — mark a revolution in our understanding? The absence of a visible solid surface and close alignment of the magnetic field and rotational axis mean that for Saturn, the two best ways of measuring planetary rotation are not available. So Saturn's exact rotation rate is a mystery. The Cassini orbiter provided a detailed map of Saturn's magnetic field, and this has been used to identify an oscillation in the magnetic field with a well-defined period of about 10 hours 47 minutes. The stability of this periodicity over 14 months of observation suggests that it is related to the rotation of Saturn's interior. The nature of the link is not clear, but this is the best estimate yet for Saturn's day length.
Numerical-analytical Interfacing in Two Dimensions with Applications to Modeling NTS Seismograms

A new method for interfacing numerical and integral techniques allows greater flexibility in seismic modeling. Specifically, numerical calculations in laterally varying structure are interfaced with analytic methods that enable propagation to great distances. Such modeling is important for studying situations containing localized complex regions not easily handled by analytic means. The calculations involved are entirely two-dimensional, but the use of an appropriate source in combination with a filter applied to the resulting seismograms produces synthetic seismograms which are point-source responses in three dimensions. The integral technique is called two-dimensional Kirchhoff because its form is similar to the classical three-dimensional Kirchhoff. Data from Yucca Flat at the Nevada Test Site are modeled as a demonstration of the usefulness of the new method. In this application, both local and teleseismic records are modeled simultaneously from the same model with the same finite-difference run. This application indicates the importance of locally scattered Rayleigh waves in the production of teleseismic body-wave complexity and coda.
The origin and evolution of tRNA inferred from phylogenetic analysis of structure.

The evolutionary history of the two structural and functional domains of tRNA is controversial but harbors the secrets of early translation and the genetic code. To explore the origin and evolution of tRNA, we reconstructed phylogenetic trees directly from molecular structure. Forty-two structural characters describing the geometry of 571 tRNAs and three statistical parameters describing thermodynamic and mechanical features of molecules quantitatively were used to derive phylogenetic trees of molecules and molecular substructures. Trees of molecules failed to group tRNA according to amino acid specificity and did not reveal the tripartite nature of life, probably due to loss of phylogenetic signal or because tRNA diversification predated organismal diversification. Trees of substructures derived from both structural and statistical characters support the origin of tRNA in the acceptor arm and the hypothesis that the top half domain composed of acceptor and pseudouridine (TΨC) arms is more ancient than the bottom half domain composed of dihydrouridine (DHU) and anticodon arms. This constitutes the cornerstone of the genomic tag hypothesis that postulates tRNAs were ancient telomeres in the RNA world. The trees of substructures suggest a model for the evolution of the major functional and structural components of tRNA. In this model, short RNA hairpins with stems homologous to the acceptor arm of present day tRNAs were extended with regions homologous to TΨC and anticodon arms. The DHU arm was then incorporated into the resulting three-stemmed structure to form a proto-cloverleaf structure. The variable region was the last structural addition to the molecular repertoire of evolving tRNA substructures.
A distinct HLA-DRw8 haplotype characterizes patients with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis

We studied the first domain of the HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, and HLA-DQB1 loci of 67 HLA-DRw8-positive Caucasians including 43 with early-onset pauciarticular juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (EOPA-JRA, alternatively known as early-onset pauciarticular juvenile chronic arthritis). Serology, restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) oligotyping revealed that 62, including all the EOPA-JRA patients, carried the HLA-DRB1*0801, DQA1*0401, DQB1*0402 genotype. Approximately onefifth of the controls carried atypical HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQA1, and/or HLA-DQB1 loci on their HLA-DRw8 haplotype confirmed by family studies. DNA sequences of HLA-DRB1, DQA1, and DQB1 alleles in patients and controls were identical to those previously reported. Disease association studies in 113 EOPA-JRA patients and 207 controls unselected for HLA-DRw8 revealed that the HLA-DRB1*0801, DQA1*0401, DQB1*0402 genotype was associated with a higher relative risk (RR) for disease (RR = 12.8, χ2 = 48.8, P < 10−4) than was the serologically defined presence of HLA-DRw8 (RR = 8, χ2 = 39, P < 10−4). Further analysis suggested that the DQ genes on HLA-DRw8 haplotypes are as likely as the DR genes to contribute to the pathogenesis of EOPA-JRA. This study increases to five the number of HLA-DR/DQ haplotypes identified in HLA-DRw8 Caucasians.
Total optical resolution of free alpha-amino- acids by the inoculation method.

SEVERAL investigations of the optical resolution of organic compounds by mechanical sorting1,2 and by preferential crystallization3–11 have been reported. This type of simple procedure of optical resolution would be the most advantageous method if we could obtain an optically pure isomer. However, in the reported resolution of DL-amino-acids, most of the methods were impractical or resulted in a partial resolution with the exception of the optical resolution of DL-glutamic acid9 and the copper salt of DL-aspartic acid11.
Randomised clinical trial: vancomycin or metronidazole in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis - a pilot study.

SummaryBackground Emerging data suggest that oral antibiotics may have therapeutic effects in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), but published studies are limited. Aims To investigate the safety and efficacy of oral vancomycin and metronidazole in patients with PSC. Methods Thirty-five patients with PSC were randomised in a double-blind manner into four groups: vancomycin 125 mg or 250 mg four times/day, or metronidazole 250 mg or 500 mg three times/day for 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was decrease in alkaline phosphatase (ALK) at 12 weeks. Secondary end points included serum bilirubin and Mayo PSC risk score; pruritus; and adverse effects (AEs). Nonparametric tests were used for analysis. Results The primary endpoint was reached in the low-dose (−43% change in ALK, P = 0.03) and high-dose (−40%, P = 0.02) vancomycin groups, with two patients in the former experiencing ALK normalisation. Bilirubin decreased significantly in the low-dose metronidazole group (−20%, P = 0.03) and trended towards significance in the low-dose vancomycin group (−33%, P = 0.06). Mayo PSC risk score decreased significantly in the low-dose vancomycin (−0.55, P = 0.02) and low-dose metronidazole group (−0.16, P = 0.03). Pruritus decreased significantly in the high-dose metronidazole group (−3.4, P = 0.03). AEs led to medication discontinuation in six patients, four of whom were receiving metronidazole. Conclusions Both vancomycin and metronidazole demonstrated efficacy; however, only patients in the vancomycin groups reached the primary endpoint, and with less adverse effects. Larger, longer-term studies are needed to further examine the safety and efficacy of antibiotics as a potential treatment for patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis (clinicaltrials.gov NCT01085760).
Characterization of interferon-regulated pathways using oligonucleotide microarrays

Type I (, ) and type II () interferons (IFN) possess pleiotropic functions, including antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory activities, which are likely mediated by the induction of unique subsets of IFN-stimulated genes (ISG) that are differentially regulated by IFN subtypes and in different cell types. Oligonucleotide arrays (Affymetrix) were used to investigate differential gene expression in the human fibrosarcoma cell line, HT1080, or primary mouse embryonic fibroblasts in response to IFNs or virus infection. In all samples, the detection of known IFN-regulated genes helped to validate the experimental design and conditions. Combined analysis of these data sets, each with several hundreds of differentially expressed genes, has led to the idenfication of groups of IFN-regulated genes with similar functions, previously unknown IFN-regulated pathways and potential to crosstalk with other signalling pathways. For example, ISGs with similar functions included apoptosis regulators, chemokines, genes involved with antigen processing and presentation, GTPases, heat shock proteins and members of the ubiquitin system. Signalling molecules identified as potentially novel ISGs included known kinases, phosphatases and signalling adapter molecules. The functional significance of each gene relating to IFN functions requires further study on an individual basis, but the continuous refinement of a global view for IFN-regulated pathways may identify additional yet unknown areas of IFN action and enable better design of therapeutic strategies based on IFN-regulated mechanisms.
Stakeholder communications by public leaders: Mutual gain or ethical challenge?

Using communications theory, the aim of this paper was to analyze a case study to describe the potential benefits and pitfalls of two-way Symmetrical and two-way Asymmetrical communication models [1]. Public sector leaders communicate with various internal and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals [2], [3], [4]. When a public sector leader adopts a two-way Symmetrical communications approach, the leader works with the various stakeholders to achieve their respective mutual goals [4], [5], [6]. When a leader adopts a two-way Asymmetrical communications approach, the leader seeks to achieve organizational goals at the expense of mutual goals with one or more stakeholders. This is accomplished by framing communications in ways that are more likely to be accepted by stakeholders, but in reality, only advances the organizational goals [7]. Two-way Asymmetrical communication can also be seen as raising ethical issues since the leader is, in essence, pretending to listen to stakeholders while the underlying intent is to achieve organizational goals [4] & [8]).
Androgens regulate MMPs and the cellular processes of intimal hyperplasia

Abstract Background Testosterone deficiency has been associated with an increased risk of vascular disease. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been implicated in vascular remodeling. Our group has demonstrated an association between female hormones and MMP-modulated intimal hyperplasia. In the present study, we investigated testosterone in the modulation of MMPs and the cellular processes of intimal hyperplasia. Materials and methods Male vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) were treated with a range of testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) concentrations (0.3–3000 nM). MMPs were assayed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and zymography. VSMC migration and proliferation were assayed using Boyden chamber and MTT assays. Results MT1-MMP gene expression was not affected by low DHT exposure but was downregulated at high levels (3000 nM = 85% ± 3%). TIMP-2 gene expression was downregulated at low DHT exposure (0.3 nM = 82% ± 4%, 3.0 nM = 82% ± 1%) but was not affected at high levels. MMP-2 enzymatic activity was increased at low DHT exposure (3.0 nM = 110% ± 4%) and decreased below basal levels at high doses (300 nM = 91% ± 7%, 3000 nM = 77% ± 8%). High concentrations of DHT decreased VSMC migration (3.0 nM = 72% ± 9%, 30 nM = 50% ± 6%, 300 nM = 47% ± 5%, 3000 nM = 53% ± 6%). Testosterone also decreased migration but had less effect. The highest tested concentration of DHT and testosterone decreased the basal VSMC proliferation (3000 nM = 87% ± 3% and 87% ± 4% respectively). Conclusions The DHT levels differentially affected the expression of regulatory isoforms responsible for the activation and inhibition of MMP-2, leading to an inverse relationship among the DHT levels, MMP-2 activity, and VSMC migration. In vivo studies will be used to examine testosterone deficiency and supplementation in MMP-modulated intimal hyperplasia in animal models of vascular disease. These studies are needed as a prerequisite to determining whether testosterone replacement in testosterone-deficient men should be evaluated for attenuation of atherosclerosis.
CAP37-derived antimicrobial peptides have in vitro antiviral activity against adenovirus and herpes simplex virus type 1.

Purpose: The antiviral activity of an established antibacterial CAP37 domain and its extracellular mechanism of action were investigated. Methods: CAP37-derived peptides modified to assess the importance of disulfide bonds were evaluated in cytotoxicity and antiviral assays (direct time kill, dose dependency, and TOTO-1) for adenovirus (Ad) and herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Results: Variable virus, adenovirus serotype-dependent, and dose-dependent inhibition were demonstrated without cytotoxicity. For peptide A (CAP3720–44), TOTO-1 dye uptake was demonstrated for Ad5 and HSV-1. Conclusions: Unlike the antibacterial activity of this CAP37 domain, its antiviral activity is not fully dependent upon disulfide bond formation. Viral inhibition appears to result, in part, from disruption of the envelope and/or capsid.
Analysis of the cDNA and encoded protein of the human testis‐specific PGK‐2 gene

Because of their unique function, germ cells require unique gene products. Thus, although the glycolytic enzyme phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) is required in all metabolically active cell types, there are two functional PGK genes in the mammalian genome, one, PGK-1, that is X-linked and ubiquitously expressed in all somatic tissues, and a second, PGK-2, that is autosomal and expressed only in spermatogenic cells. Expression of the PGK-2 gene may function solely to compensate for repressed expression of the PGK-1 gene due to X-chromosome inactivation in spermatocytes. Alternative y, the PGK-2 gene could encode an isozyme with unique characteristics that are beneficial to spermatozoa. We have isolated a cDNA of the human PGK-2 gene and used this as probe to demonstrate that transcription of this gene in spermatocytes and spermatids coincides with a period of repressed transcription of the X-linked PGK-1 gene during spermatogenesis in the human testis. We have also analyzed the amino acid sequence and protein characteristics of the PGK-2 isozyme deduced from this cDNA and compared them with that of the human PGK-1 isozyme to show that known structural and functional motifs are conserved in both proteins. Finally, we have examined the distribution of the PGK-1 and PGK-2 isozymes during spermatogenesis in the mouse to show that while the PGK-2 protein does not appear to possess any unique intracellular localization signal, it is more stable in vivo than the PGK-1 protein.
Computational study of stacking faults in sapphire using total energy methods

The structures and energetics of stacking faults on the prism planes in sapphire are studied computationally using total energy methods. Both first principles methods and empirical potentials are used to study four competing stacking fault structures on ${1\overline{1}00}$ and one structure on ${11\overline{2}0}$. Estimates for the vibrational contribution to the fault energy are obtained using empirical shell-model potentials. The calculated stacking fault energies are combined with anisotropic elasticity theory to predict the structure of low-angle symmetric tilt boundaries.