cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Herpes simplex virus encephalitis: toll-free access to the brain.

Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) is a devastating infection of the central nervous system (CNS). Lafaille et al. (2012) show that susceptibility to HSE is due to mutations in Toll-like receptor response pathways that directly reduce the intrinsic resistance of neurons and other cells in the CNS to HSV infection.
The Detection of Gaze Direction: A Stare-In-The-Crowd Effect:

A visual-search paradigm was used to explore the relative ease with which the direction of gaze can be detected. Straight-gaze stimuli were presented as targets within a variable number of distractors with left-averted or right-averted gaze. Reaction time in this case was compared with that when either the left-averted or right-averted gaze stimuli were the targets among distractors of the two remaining gaze directions. The data were examined for the existence of a search asymmetry favoring the straight-gaze targets. Such an asymmetry was found with stimuli that were realistically drawn renditions of pairs of human eyes, as well as with similar schematic stimuli representing pairs of human eyes. The asymmetry, however, was not found with geometric control stimuli, which also presented the critical feature in the central, the left-lateral, or the right-lateral position within the stimulus, but were not eyelike. It was also not found for schematic stimuli consisting of only one eye. It was concluded that the straight gaze direction is a special stimulus with eyelike stimuli, which the visual system is set up to process faster and with fewer errors than averted gaze directions. The results are discussed in terms of the evolutionary significance of the straight gaze direction.
Molecular determinants of polyreactive antibody binding: HCDR3 and cyclic peptides

Human monoclonal antibody 63 (mAb63) is an IgM/λ polyreactive antibody that binds to multiple self and non-self antigens. The molecular basis of polyreactivity is still unclear. The present study was initiated to prepare a recombinant Fab of mAb63 and use it to study the determinants involved in polyreactivity. The baculovirus system was employed to express large amounts of mAb63 Fab in Sf9 cells. Our experiments showed that infected Sf9 cells secreted a soluble 50-kD Fab heterodimer that bound to multiple self and non-self antigens. The antigen-binding activity of mAb63 Fab was inhibited by both homologous and heterologous antigens. To study in more detail the molecular determinants involved in polyreactivity, the heavy chain complementarity-determining region 3 (HCDR3), which is known to play a key role in the binding of monoreactive antibodies to antigens, was subjected to site-directed mutagenesis. A single substitution, alanine for arginine, at position 100A resulted in complete loss of antigen-binding activity. The 19 amino acids comprising the HCDR3 of mAb63 were then synthesized and a cyclic peptide prepared. The cyclic peptide showed the same antigen-binding pattern as the parental mAb63 and the recombinant mAb63 Fab. A five amino acid motif (RFLEW), present in the HCDR3 of mAb63, was found by searching the GenBank in three of 50 other human polyreactive antibodies, but in none of nearly 2500 human antibodies thought to be monoreactive. It is concluded that HCDR3 plays a major role in polyreactivity and that in some cases cyclic peptides comprising the HCDR3, by themselves, may be polyreactive.
THE MAXIMISATION OF REVENUE FROM NEW ZEALAND SALES OF BUTTER ON THE UNITED KINGDOM MARKET - A DYNAMIC PROGRAMMING PROBLEM

Reprinted from The Australian Journal of Agricultural Economics, Vol. 8, No.2, pp. 169-180
Greeting Message from the General Co-Chair

As a General Co-Chair of the 2012 International Conference in Information Science and Applications, it is my great honor to welcome you and wish you both, professional success at the conference, and a great time in the beautiful city of Seoul. In the new global economy, it is a challenge to discover innovative technologies and find new directions in applied research. I am confident that this conference will provide a great forum for researchers and practitioners in the field of information science to present their results, exchange new ideas, and find new directions in applied research. I would like to thank an international team of reviewers, who did a superb job in reviewing and selecting high-quality papers, which will be presented at the conference. Each reviewer has reviewed at least four papers, while each paper has been reviewed by at least three international reviewers. They would also like to encourage all attendees to submit and attend our next 2013 conference.
Effects of elevated calcium on learned helplessness and brain serotonin metabolism in rats

The effects of elevated calcium on learned helplessness in rats was tested by maintaining animals on either distilled water or water containing 2.5% calcium. Animals that were maintained on drinking water containing high calcium showed elevated levels of brain and serum calcium. Rats that were maintained on high calcium drinking water showed significantly longer escape latencies than their non-calcium counterparts after they were pretreated with inescapable electric shocks. Lower levels of 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5HIAA) were found in the forebrain and brainstem of animals maintained on high calcium drinking water. There was no significant correlation between blood or brain calcium or 5HIAA levels and latency of escape. We conclude that elevated levels of calcium enhance learned helplessness and decrease brain serotonin turnover. The relationship between depressive states and calcium homeostasis is worthy of further investigation.
Wing flap-type control effectiveness and effects of control hinge gap seals for a supercritical wing

Wind-tunnel tests were made to investigate the control effectiveness of wing trailing-edge flap-type aerodynamic controls for a supercritical wing. The tests determined the effects of spanwise flap control location, two different wing transition grit location patterns, magnitude of angular control deflection, control hinge moments and control hinge gap seals. Results show that the inboard flap position deflections caused interference rearward at the vertical tail, and that all flap positions for deflections in one direction only caused interference at the horizontal tail at a higher than design Mach number. Changes in wing transition grit pattern caused significant changes to static longitudinal characteristics and longitudinal control effectiveness.
Feed intake in hereford calves infused intraperitoneally with toxic fescue extract.

Abstract Thirteen Hereford calves weighing 137 to 228 kg were used to determine whether tall fescue contains an extractable substance that would limit voluntary intake of alfalfa pellets. Extracts were prepared via ion exchange chromatography from harvested tall fescue which had caused fescue foot when grazed by cattle during February, 1972. The extracts were administered intraperitoneally, two calves per extract plus two saline controls and an animal with no treatment. Dosage was approximately equivalent to an animal consuming 1.8 to 2.7 kg of toxic hay in 60 to 120 min. A crude ethanolic extract and an anion fraction depressed voluntary intake of alfalfa pellets. The four animals treated with these extracts also developed fescue foot. A physiologically active compound in tall fescue may be responsible for depressed voluntary intake of the forage. Whether the same compound is responsible for the fescue foot syndrome is not clear.
Medical Director’s Perceptions and Activities: A Nursing Home Survey of Medical Directors in the State of Rhode Island

existing tools, our interdisciplinary team set out to design a tool to assess patient satisfaction in six biopsychosocial domains and to identify care priorities. Lifetyles is a card-sorting activity, based on Q-methodology, that presents 58 common activities representing spiritual, social, medical, functional, recreational and mobility domains. Patients sort the cards into three stacks: satisfied, not satisfied, and not applicable. The not satisfied stack is further sorted to identify the patient’s top three priorities for improvement. Our objective is to determine reliability and validity of this new tool. Design/Methodology: Cross-sectional study of a convenience sample of 52 patients enrolled in the Program of All-inclusive Care in St. Louis, MO. We performed test-retest with the Lifetyles tool and a comparator, the Quality of Life Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (by J. Endicott). We recorded demographic and certain disease states. Results: 44 of the 52 test-retest pairs were suitable for analysis. The tested sample was similar to the overall PACE population in race and gender, but younger and more cognitively intact. The card sorting among the subjects between the test and retest showed high (.99) correlation. Reliability was good overall (r.67). Sub-sample analyses also showed reliabilities over 0.65 with better performance among younger subjects with intact cognition, more education and treated depression. Factor analysis showed strongest correlations in the Social and Recreational domains, with statistical significance. Conclusion/Discussion: This pilot study of card-sorting to assess satisfaction in multiple domains of life is reliable for frail elders with fair cognition. Face validity of patients’ claims about satisfaction is a reasonable proxy for quality of life and underscores the validity of an instrument that is more concrete, requires non-incremental judgments and involves multiple senses when considering items. Limitations include small numbers of subjects, who were younger and more functional than PACE enrollees overall, and the lack of a gold standard for assessing quality of life in frail elders. The utility of this instrument may be found in the priorities selected from the pile of unsatisfied activities; to incorporate as goals (when applicable) into care-planning. Secondly, the global measure of satisfaction may be regarded as a measure of well-being that can be monitored over time. Disclosures: All authors have stated there are no disclosures to be made that are pertinent to this abstract.
An efficient technique for integrating voice and data in wireless communications with a cellular structured environment

Abstract The need for efficient radio channel utilization in an environment of dispersed roaming terminals with adverse characterization, has encouraged new areas of research in mobile communication system. It is therefore in this vein that we propose a new multiple access technique that improves system throughput. In this paper, the performance analysis of a wireless communication system capable of integrating voice and data efficiently over radio frequency channels through the proposed scheme, multiple access with reservation after contention (MARC) is presented. Integrating packets of voice and data information onto a common channel is accomplished by placing the data within the silence gaps of the speed conversation, but after a successful contention and upon slot assignment. The scheme employs contention for uplink access to the radio channel via the base station, thus providing a means of control access.
Kinematic and aerodynamic aspects of ultrasound-induced negative phonotaxis in flying Australian field crickets (Teleogryllus oceanicus)

Negative phonotaxis is elicited in flying Australian field crickets,Teleogryllus oceanicus, by ultrasonic stimuli. Using upright tethered flying crickets, we quantitatively examined several kinematic and aerodynamic factors which accompany ultrasound-induced negative phonotactic behavior. These factors included three kinematic effects (hindwing wingbeat frequency, hindwing elevation and depression, and forewing tilt) and two aerodynamic effects (pitch and roll). 1. Within two cycles following a 20 dB suprathreshold ultrasonic stimulus, the hindwing wingbeat frequency increases by 3–4 Hz and outlasts the duration of the stimulus. Moreover, the relationship between the maximum increase in wingbeat frequency and stimulus intensity is a twostage response. At lower suprathreshold intensities the maximum wingbeat frequency increases by approximately 1 Hz; but, at higher intensities, the maximum increase is 3–4 Hz. 2. The maximum hindwing elevation angle increases on the side ipsilateral to the stimulus, while there was no change in upstroke elevation on the side contralateral to the stimulus. 3. An ultrasonic stimulus affects forewing tilt such that the forewings bank into the turn. The forewing ipsilateral to the stimulus tilts upward while the contralateral forewing tilts downward. Both the ipsilateral and contralateral forewing tilt change linearly with stimulus intensity. 4. Flying crickets pitch downward when presented with a laterally located ultrasonic stimulus. Amputation experiments indicate that both the fore and hindwings contribute to changes in pitch but the pitch response in an intact cricket exceeds the simple addition of fore and hindwing contributions. With the speaker placed above or below the flying cricket, the change is downward or upward, respectively. For all cases, the magnitude of the pitch change is linearly related to stimulus intensity. 5. Ultrasound induces flying crickets to roll away from the stimulus source location. The dynamics of the changes in roll are similar to the changes in pitch. That is, the change in roll is a function of both wing pairs and the magnitude is stimulus intensity dependent. 6. Thus ultrasound-induced negative phonotaxis in flying crickets is a complex behavior involving several kinematic and aerodynamic changes. This behavioral complexity lends further credence to the hypothesis that cricket negative phonotaxis provides a valuable function, perhaps as a bat avoidance response.
28 GHz Gyrotron ECRH on LDX

A 10 kW, CW, 28 GHz gyrotron has been implemented on LDX to increase the plasma density and to more fully explore the potential of high beta plasma stability in a dipole magnetic configuration. This added power represents about a 60% increase in ECRH to a new total of 26.9 kW with sources at 2.45, 6.4, and 10.5 GHz. The 1 Tesla resonances in LDX form small rings encompassing the entire plasma cross-section above and below the floating coil (F-coil) near the dipole axial region. A 32.5 mm diameter TE01 waveguide with a partial Vlasov step cut launches a diverging beam from above the F-coil that depends on internal wall reflections for plasma coupling. Initial gyrotron only plasmas exhibit steep natural profiles with fewer hot electrons than with the other sources. The background scattered radiation suggests that only about half the power is being absorbed with the present launcher.
Long-Term Complete Responses to Combination Therapies and Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplants in Patients With Sézary Syndrome.

Sezary syndrome is a rare leukemic variant of primary cutaneous non-Hodgkin lymphomas that is difficult to treat. We report on 18 patients who had achieved long-term complete remission or response (CR) of ‡ 1 year and 7 patients who had achieved durable responses (DR) with subsequent relapse. The choices of therapy, including combined immunomodulatory therapy, biologic agents, and allogeneic stem cell transplants, have been shown to achieve CR in our patients. Introduction: Sezary syndrome (SS) is a rare leukemic variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL). It presents with 80% erythroderma of the body, the presence of > 1000 Sezary cells in the peripheral blood, lymphadenopathy, and pruritus. Complete remission or response (CR) is rare in patients with SS. Patients and Methods: An analysis of a prospective database identified 217 patients with SS (14%), whose long-term CRs (> 1 years) are reported. Results: Of 217 patients with SS, 18 (8.3%) achieved a CR (14 Caucasians, 2 African Americans, and 2 Hispanics; 9 women and 9 men). The median age at diagnosis was 53.5 years (range, 21-80 years). The stage at the initial diagnosis was IB in 1, III in 2, IVA in 4, and IVB in 11. The median duration of CR was 6.25 years (range, 1-13 years). The average interval between the diagnosis and CR was 2 years (range, 1-11 years). Three CRs were achieved with immunomodulatory therapy (extracorporeal photopheresis, interferon-a, and/or retinoids), antibiotics, and topical steroids. One CR was achieved with alemtuzumab and another with mogamulizumab. The other 13 CRs were achieved after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). Seven patients achieved a durable response (DR) with a 5.1-year disease-free interval. Three patients with a DR after SCT died of sepsis after 2 years with relapse. Of the remaining 4 patients, 3 achieved a DR from medical therapy alone and were alive with stable disease at the last follow-up visit. The fourth patient died of sepsis 1 year after relapse. Conclusion: SS is a rare and aggressive type of CTCL that is refractory to current ther- apies. We report that CRs can be achieved in 3 methods: combined immunomodulatory therapy, targeted biologic agents, or total skin electron beams followed by nonablative allogeneic SCT.
Text-Based Content Search and Retrieval in Ad-hoc P2P Communities

We consider the problem of content search and retrieval in peer-to-peer (P2P) communities. P2P computing is a potentially powerful model for information sharing between ad hoc groups of users because of its low cost of entry and natural model for resource scaling. As P2P communities grow, however, locating information distributed across the large number of peers becomes problematic. We address this problem by adapting a state-of-the-art text-based document ranking algorithm, the vector-space model instantiated with the TFxIDF ranking rule, to the P2P environment. We make three contributions: (a) we show how to approximate TFxIDF using compact summaries of individual peers' inverted indexes rather than the inverted index of the entire communal store; (b) we develop a heuristic for adaptively determining the set of peers that should be contacted for a query; and (c) we show that our algorithm tracks TFxIDF's performance very closely, giving P2P communities a search and retrieval algorithm as good as that possible assuming a centralized server.
Membrane trafficking in podocyte health and disease

Podocytes are highly specialized epithelial cells localized in the kidney glomerulus. The distinct cell signaling events and unique cytoskeletal architecture tailor podocytes to withstand changes in hydrostatic pressure during glomerular filtration. Alteration of glomerular filtration leads to kidney disease and frequently manifests with proteinuria. It has been increasingly recognized that cell signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics are coupled more tightly to membrane trafficking than previously thought. Membrane trafficking coordinates the cross-talk between protein networks and signaling cascades in a spatially and temporally organized fashion and may be viewed as a communication highway between the cell exterior and interior. Membrane trafficking involves transport of cargo from the plasma membrane to the cell interior (i.e., endocytosis) followed by cargo trafficking to lysosomes for degradation or to the plasma membrane for recycling. Yet, recent studies indicate that the conventional classification does not fully reflect the complex and versatile nature of membrane trafficking. While the increasing complexity of elaborate protein scaffolds and signaling cascades is being recognized in podocytes, the role of membrane trafficking is less well understood. This review will focus on the role of membrane trafficking in podocyte health and disease.
Comparison of Fetal Losses from Diagnosis of Pregnancy Using Ultrasonography or Rectal Palpation in Beef Heifers by Novice or Experienced Technicians

ABSTRACT Pregnancy diagnosis is widely practiced in cattle production systems. Ultrasonography is an alternative technique to rectal palpation for pregnancy diagnosis. Fetal losses caused by rectal palpation are well documented; however, reported losses from ultrasonography for pregnancy diagnosis are often confounded by normal embryonic losses during early gestation. Losses caused by inexperienced technicians have been reported previously, but limited information is available on technicians that are in the learning process. Our objectives were to compare fetal losses from pregnancy diagnosis during early gestation for 1) stage of gestation at the time of diagnosis (
Power Integrated Circuits

The sections in this article are 1 Applications for Power ICs 2 Power IC Design Considerations 3 Layout Techniques 4 Packaging and Thermal Modeling
Synthetic PET : analyzing large-scale properties of neural networks

Synthetic PET is introduced as a new computational technique for connecting neural network studies based on animal data and image studies of human brain function. Synthetic PET comparisons are taken from a computational model of interacting neural networks in, for example, the monkey brain by integrating synaptic activity in each subnetwork as different simulated tasks are performed. Given a pair of tasks, comparative synaptic activity levels for each modeled neural region are then painted into the homologous regions of a three-dimensional model of the human brain corresponding to the Talairach atlas. The resulting comparison then offers predictions of relative changes of neuronal activity as obtained from PET comparisons of humans performing a similar pair of tasks. Where neurophysiological data and individual arrays of neural networks give us a very fine-grained view of the behavior of just a few neurons within nonhumans, PET measures provide a more global view of brain function. Synthetic PET allows us to integrate human and monkey studies in the construction of more complete models of the neural mechanisms used by both species in similar tasks. The technique is demonstrated in a saccade generation task. The method readily generalizes to other forms of brain imaging. © 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Compatibility of Laissez-faire With Distributive Justice

At least some of the more prominent proponents of laissezfaire advocate governmental intervention for the purpose of comprehensively and substantially redistributing income in order to achieve distributive justice. It is questionable, however, that a laissez-faire system would function in the way that is described by these same proponents if a leveling of income of the sort advocated were to be instituted. This is so because the postulates of human behavior on which the proper workings of the system are based would be rendered ineffectual as a consequence of such intervention. Indeed, if a system of laissez-faire is to work well, there is required a certain ethos which precludes significant intervention in the name of distributive justice.
Prevention of hepatitis C virus infection.

Current approaches to the prevention of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection are less than satisfactory. Despite considerable progress during the past several years, understanding of this heterogeneous virus and virus-host interactions leading to immunity from infection remains rudimentary. Currently, immunity to HCV infection is believed generally to be weak, and superinfection by another HCV genotype has been observed in patients chronically infected with one HCV genotype. 7 In fact, neutralizing protective antibodies can be detected in only a small proportion of infected individuals, and these seem to be isolate-specific and relatively ineffective in vivo, presumably as a consequence of frequent mutations in the genome encoding the envelope proteins. Observations indicating that primary infection with HCV may not induce protective immunity in the chimpanzee model of infection 2 were also disheartening, although it is now clear that the immune response of chimpanzees to HCV epitopes may be dissimilar to that seen in infected humans. 23 At this writing, neither passive immunization with immune globulin preparations nor active immunization with an HCV vaccine is available. Although experimental studies are promising, vaccine development remains in an early stage. As a consequence, prevention of infection is based on understanding risk factors and developing strategies for reducing exposure to these. In this chapter, risk factor-based strategies and a snapshot of progress in the development of immunoprophylaxis for HCV infection will be presented.
Mobility Impairment and Pharmacy Accessibility Conflict in a Commercial Built Environment

Architectural and environmental barriers have gained increasing attention in recent years as part of efforts to improve the accessibility of the environment for mobility-impaired people of all ages. The issue of equity is of significant concern in many of these situations because a choice must be made about the cost that people, businesses, and governments must bear to eliminate barriers and improve access. Equitable solutions can be achieved in some situations, but in others difficult long-term conflicts can arise naturally when intrinsically incompatible demands are placed on a single environment by two or more groups. This is shown to be true of the commercial pharmacy environment of Austin, Texas, where effective marketing techniques sometimes create barriers that limit access. This conflict cannot be readily resolved because although these commercial barriers can be eliminated, their removal could affect the long-term profitability of the pharmacies. In these situations, it may be important to accept...
LSCM: a non-destructive diagnostic tool for examining the microstructure of polymer dielectric films

Laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM) was used to examine the microstructure of polymer dielectric films for voids and imperfections. Sample films examined included polypropylene (PP), polyimide (PI), teflon perfluoroalkoxy (PFA), poly-p-xylene (PPX), and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) under a variety of conditions. LSCM is a powerful tool for the nondestructive evaluation of dielectric films because it can take two-dimensional, confocal image slices of a structure with resolution down to a few microns without any kind of physical damage to the sample. Its basic concept, capabilities, and usefulness in nondestructive dielectric characterization are demonstrated. >
Assessing the Impact of Cancer on Work Outcomes What Are the Research Needs

Cancer survivorship research seeks to improve the physical, psychosocial, and economic outcomes of individuals who have a history of cancer. For working-age adults with cancer, work impairment may be one of the most burdensome consequences of cancer. Inability to return to work after cancer treatment, frequent or prolonged work absenteeism, or problems with work performance may have substantial economic impact on the survivor and her or his family. Changes in work also may have substantial impact on self-esteem, quality of life, and social or family roles. –10 Finally, work performance after cancer treatment may be a measure of recovery in its own right. Despite its importance, the impact of cancer and its treatment on work has been studied infrequently. Spelten and colleagues reviewed the literature through 1999 and concluded that critical questions, such as the impact of different cancer sites on work and the extent of racial or socioeconomic disparities in work function after cancer, have rarely been addressed. Furthermore, the existing literature rarely has identified remediable targets for intervention and has lacked rigorously tested intervention strategies to increase return to work or work function. More and better research on the work impact of cancer is necessary to inform the decisions of cancer survivors and their treatment providers. In this commentary, we examine the characteristics of research studies that may advance our understanding of this important clinical and social issue. To achieve this objective, we identify six methodologic attributes that provide the solid scientific knowledge necessary to inform interventions, evaluate existing studies in the light of these criteria, and propose a conceptual model to guide future research. 1703
A Mechanical Force Accompanies Fluorescence Resonance Energy Transfer (FRET)

We show that the coupling responsible for fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) generates a mechanical force that is distinct from the van der Waals force between ground-state molecules and can be either attractive or repulsive. The underlying potential has the same 1/r6 distance dependence as the rate of FRET, and the two are connected by a Kramers−Kronig relation. Just as the rate of FRET can be derived either classically or quantum mechanically, so too can the interaction potential. Because of the FRET force, time-resolved FRET measurements contain information on the mechanical stiffness of the matrix containing donor and acceptor.
Self-Determination Skills and Opportunities of Transition-Age Youth with Emotional Disturbance and Learning Disabilities

This study examined the self-determination of adolescents with emotional disturbance (ED) and learning disabilities (LD) from the perspectives of special educators, parents, and the students themselves. Differences in self-determination ratings were associated with both disability group and respondent. Specifically, adolescents with ED were found to have lower ratings of self-determination than students with LD, with the most pronounced differences evident from the teacher perspective. Furthermore, students with ED identified infrequent opportunities at school and home for engaging in self-determined behavior, whereas educators and parents differed in their assessments of opportunities in each setting. Implications regarding increasing the self-determination skills and opportunities of adolescents with disabilities are discussed.
The effects of general anaesthetics on ligand‐gated ion channels

The experimental effort that has been expended in investigating the effects of general anaesthetics on LGICs has been enormous over the past decade. Members of all three LGIC superfamilies have been examined using electrophysiological techniques. Anaesthetics that have been examined include volatile anaesthetics, gaseous anaesthetics, alcohols, i.v. anaesthetics and non-immobilizers. Obsolete anaesthetics (ether, cyclopropane, butane) have been used in order to increase the variability of the structure and polarity of experimental compounds. The tools of molecular biology have been used to make chimeric receptors and to make single-site mutations. Interestingly, this work has been taking place in parallel with efforts to understand the structure of these proteins. Anaesthetic research often stimulates structural research as well as vice versa. There are some common themes in the interactions between anaesthetics and the three superfamilies of LGICs. In many cases, anaesthetics have both inhibitory and potentiating effects on the channels. It is likely that the number of examples of this will increase when experiments are designed to look specifically for one or the other type of effect. So we must conclude that there are multiple binding sites for anaesthetics on LGICs. The degree of inhibition or potentiation is not easily predictable. In retrospect, this is not surprising when we consider that the sensitivity of a channel to anaesthetics can be altered by a single amino-acid mutation. The large structural differences between the cys-loop, glutamate-activated and P2X superfamilies do not lead to large differences in anaesthetic sensitivity. It is the smaller, almost insignificant, changes that do this. This observation that small changes may lead to large effects reinforces the idea that at least some of the interactions between anaesthetics and LGICs are direct drug-protein interactions that are not mediated by the lipids. This review has not addressed the question of whether the effects of anaesthetics seen on LGICs are relevant to anaesthesia. This question cannot really be answered at present. Although potent effects can be observed on the channels themselves, we have only begun to try to understand whether these effects are important for a synapse, a neuronal circuit or the function of an animal's nervous system. We have studied the trees; now we must go on to study the forest and the ecosystem.
Stable Reduced Models for Nonlinear Descriptor Systems Through Piecewise-Linear Approximation and Projection

This paper presents theoretical and practical results concerning the stability of piecewise-linear (PWL) reduced models for the purposes of analog macromodeling. Results include proofs of input-output (I/O) stability for PWL approximations to certain classes of nonlinear descriptor systems, along with projection techniques that are guaranteed to preserve I/O stability in reduced-order PWL models. We also derive a new PWL formulation and introduce a new nonlinear projection, allowing us to extend our stability results to a broader class of nonlinear systems described by models containing nonlinear descriptor functions. Lastly, we present algorithms to compute efficiently the required stabilizing nonlinear left-projection matrix operators.
Cecal ligation and puncture-induced impairment of innate immune function does not occur in the absence of caspase-1.

Mice that have been subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) have an impaired ability to clear a subsequent Pseudomonas aeruginosa challenge compared with that of sham CLP controls. We hypothesized that this outcome is dependent upon a caspase-1 mechanism and tested this hypothesis by measuring caspase-1 after CLP and by measuring clearance of a bacterial challenge in caspase-1–deficient mice after CLP. Wild-type mice subjected to CLP had increased caspase-1 activity as well as increased IL-1β and increased IL-18 production in splenocytes stimulated with heat-killed Pseudomonas and had increased plasma concentrations of IL-1β and IL-18 and impaired clearance of a P. aeruginosa challenge compared with sham controls. Healthy, uninjured caspase-1 −\− mice did not differ from wild-type mice in their ability to clear a Pseudomonas challenge. However, unlike wild-type mice, caspase-1 −/− mice subjected to CLP had no impairment of bacterial clearance of the Pseudomonas challenge, suggesting that caspase-1 induction after CLP played a role in impairment of bacterial clearance. This was further substantiated by the use of a specific caspase-1 inhibitor, Ac-YVAD-CMK. Wild-type mice treated with Ac-YVAD-CMK (10 mg/kg s.c. twice daily, initiated at time of CLP) did not have impaired clearance of a Pseudomonas challenge compared with that of sham mice and had significantly improved bacterial clearance compared with that of untreated CLP mice. Increased caspase-1 expression and activity after CLP injury appears to contribute to diminished innate immune function.
Hemocompatible Polyethylene Glycol Films on Silicon

A simple hemocompatibility-enhancing technique for immobilizing a self-assembled polyethylene glycol multilayer onto silicon surfaces is introduced. It involves the functionalization of PEG by SiCl3 groups on its chain ends, and the reaction of the PEG organosilicon derivatives with hydroxylated groups on silicon surfaces. Surface properties of the treated surfaces were characterized by contact angle measurement, electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis, and ellipsometry. The coated PEG self-assembled molecular film showed effective suppression in both plasma protein adsorption and platelet adhesion to silicon surfaces.
The Destruction of Eros

In Part I we explored the dynamics of the way eros unfolds, the nature of the motivational values which call it into being, and some of the ways in which it relates to the structure of the transcendental ego, to the strength of the ego, and to self-deception through fragmentation of the stream of consciousness in a disunified ego. But there is a major enigma on which we have hardly even touched. Given the power of eros to transform a person’s being into a more intense and existentially alive pattern of consciousness, and thus to contribute to the sense of existential meaning in life and to facilitate the approximate actualization of people’s potential as conscious beings — given all these benefits, why is eros so frequently such a difficult problem for so many people, especially those who live in economically and technologically ‘advanced’ cultures?
Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles Loaded with Cisplatin and Phthalocyanine for Combination Chemotherapy and Photodynamic Therapy in vitro

Mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) have been synthesized and loaded with both aluminum chloride phthalocyanine (AlClPc) and cisplatin as combinatorial therapeutics for treating cancer. The structural and photophysical properties of the MSN materials were characterized by different spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Intracellular uptake and cytotoxicity were evaluated in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3-carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium (MTS) assays, respectively. The CLSM experiments showed that the MSN materials can be readily internalized in HeLa cells. The cytotoxic experiments demonstrated that, after light exposure, the combination of both AlClPc and cisplatin compounds in the same MSN platform potentiate the toxic effect against HeLa cells in comparison to the control AlClPc-MSN and cisplatin-MSN materials. These results show the potential of using MSN platforms as nanocarriers for combination photodynamic and chemotherapies to treat cancer.
A PRELIMINARY STUDY BEARING ON THE SPECIFIC CAUSATIVE FACTORS OF MULTIPLE INFECTIVE ARTHRITIS

Whether these blood culture strains produce symptoms because of ectotoxins, and if such be the case, the possibility of creating a satisfactory antitoxin to combat these manifestations, are questions which are still being investigated. Although the present series is not sufficiently large, and the present stage of the work not sufficiently far advanced to permit the deduction of definite conclusions, the submitted experimental data seem to further emphasize the following theories:—First, that the main primary cause of chronic rheumatoid arthritis seems to be a highly selective group of streptococci. Second, that in the symptom complex of chronic rheumatoid arthritis a secondary role may be played by diphtheroid bacilli, bacilli of the paracolon group, and staphylococcus aureus. Some of the diphtheroid baciffi isolated from the blood stream of arthritic patients exhibited such protean properties as to make us wonder if they are not a transition stage between cocci and bacilli.
Minimal Relevance of Non-Disabled Replacement Evidence in ADA Discrimination Cases

Employment discrimination claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) are at an all-time high. How our federal courts view circumstantial evidence of an employer’s intent in these ADA claims can be - and often is - critical to their success. A prime example of such circumstantial evidence is “non-disabled replacement” evidence - specifically, when an employer ultimately decides to hire, promote, or retain a person who is not disabled, rather than one that is. How relevant is this non-disabled replacement evidence in the ensuing ADA claim? Should this evidence be a legally necessary element of the claim? And, should this evidence (if present) be legally sufficient to create a genuine factual dispute or issue regarding the employer’s purported discriminatory intent at the Rule 56 summary judgment stage? At present, our federal courts lack a uniform, clear approach on these two issues. On the legal necessity issue, the federal circuit courts are split. Some view non-disabled replacement evidence as a legally necessary element of an ADA plaintiff’s claim, while others do not. On the legal sufficiency issue, not many federal courts have waded into those waters in the ADA context; and, those that have done so offer little guidance or explanation regarding their conclusions on this issue. This article proposes a unique, two-pronged “Minimal Relevance Approach” that brings uniformity and clarity to these legal necessity and legal sufficiency issues. This proposed approach has two concrete features. The first feature is the exclusion of non-disabled replacement evidence as a legally necessary element of an ADA plaintiff’s prima facie case. The second feature is the designation of this evidence (if present) as legally insufficient to create a genuine dispute or issue of material fact regarding the employer’s purported discriminatory intent at the Rule 56 summary judgment stage. This two-pronged approach is consistent with applicable Supreme Court precedent and philosophy, promotes the ADA’s anti-discrimination policy, and dovetails with probability theory and statistical evidence regarding disabled workers in the United States.
A Spectroscopic and Neutron Diffraction Investigation of Structure, Bonding, and Molecular Dynamics in Bis(methylcyclopentadienyl)hafnium Bis(tetrahydroborate), (η5-Ch3C5H4)2 Hf(BH4)2

The complex (CH/sub 3/C/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 2/Hf(BH/sub 4/)/sub 2/ can be prepared by the reaction of (CH/sub 3/C/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 2/CfCl/sub 2/ with LiBH/sub 4/ in benzene.The bonding, molecular dynamics, and structure of this compound have been studied by infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, dynamic nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and single-crystal neutron diffraction. Vibrational spectra reveal the perturbation of the B-containing ligand from a free BH/sub 4//sup -/ ion to be less in this complex than in most covalent tetrahydroborate transition metal complexes. The compound crystallizes from toluene/pentane in the monoclinic space group C2/c with four molecules in a unit cell of dimensions a = 14.566 (3), b = 6.839 (1), c = 13.959 (3) A, and ..beta.. = 102.31 (2)/sup 0/. Full-matrix least-squares refinement gave a final value of R(F/sub 0//sup 2/) = 0.107 for 1022 reflections. The molecular structure consists of monomeric (eta/sup 5/-CH/sub 3/C/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 2/Hf(BH/sub 4/)/sub 2/ units having C/sub 2/ symmetry and bidentate tetrahydroborate ligands. The ring centroid--Hf--ring centroid angle is 128.5 (3)/sup 0/. The average Hf--C(ring) bond distance is 2.491 (9) A. The coordination of each tetrahydroborate group is markedly unsymmetrical with crystallographically independent Hf--H(bridge) distances of 2.069 (7) and 2.120 (8) A.more » The lengths of the two B--H(bridge) bonds mirror, inversely, the Hf--H distances:. The B--H(terminal) distances are 1.186 (16) and 1.198 (15) A, and the Hf--B distance is 2.553 (6) A. Important bond angles are B--Hf--B = 101.4 (3)/sup 0/, H(bridge)--B--H(bridge) = 108.4 (6)/sup 0/, and H(terminal)--B--H(terminal) = 115.4 (10)/sup 0/. The anisotropy of the hydrogen atom thermal parameters within the tetrahydroborate groups may reflect motion along the bridge-terminal hydrogen interchange reaction coordinate. The nature of the (CH/sub 3/C/sub 5/H/sub 4/)/sub 2/Hf--tetrahydroborate interaction can be understood in terms of those bonding factors which govern ligand-to-metal charge donation.« less
Shock noise from single and twin supersonic jets of complex geometry

This paper represents a fundamental study of shock noise from nozzles of non-uniform exit geometry. An earlier paper (Raman (1997)) studied the basic features of screech tones from such nozzles. The present paper addresses numerous issues that have arisen since then such as details of unsteady aspects of shock noise, screech mode transitions, directivity, and finally the coupling of twin jets of complex geometry. The following important results emerged: (1) It was found that it is possible to have two independent feedback loops at non-harmonically related frequencies and different spanwise modes—a finding consistent with linear theory. (2) The spanwise antisymmetric mode could be produced by two entirely different source configurations. (3) Nozzle geometry changes could significantly alter the directivity of screech on the azimuthal plane. (4) The intensity of broadband shock noise depended significantly on the nozzle exit geometry at a constant nozzle pressure ratio. (5) Finally it is shown that screech tones from twin jets of complex geometry can couple. Unlike coupling of twin rectangular jets of uniform geometry, the coupling here is more intricate and occurs at a frequency that is lower than the screech frequency of either jet. The data presented provide grounds for believing that the shock noise problem can be controlled by tailoring nozzle geometry.
The work of Glenn F. Webb.

It is my distinct pleasure to introduce this volume honoring the 70th birthday of Professor Glenn F. Webb. The existence of this compiled volume is in itself a testimony of Glenn's dedication to, his pursuit of, and his achievement of scientific excellence. As we honor Glenn, we honor what is excellent in our profession. Aristotle clearly articulated his concept of excellence. ``We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit." As we look over the course of his career we observe ample evidence of Glenn Webb's habitual practice of excellence. Beginning with Glenn's first paper [1], one observes a constant stream of productivity and high impact work. Glenn has authored or co-authored over 160 papers, written one research monograph, and co-edited six volumes. He has delivered plenary lectures, colloquia, and seminars across the globe, and he serves on the editorial boards of 11 archival journals. He is a Fellow of the American Mathematical Society. Glenn's scientific career chronicles an evolution of scientific work that began with his interest in nonlinear semigroup theory and leads up to his current activity in biomedical mathematics. At each stage we see seminal contributions in the areas of nonlinear semigroups, functional differential equations, infinite dimensional dynamical systems, mathematical population dynamics, mathematical biology and biomedical mathematics. Glenn's work is distinguished by a clarity and accessibility of exposition, a precise identification and description of the problem or model under consideration, and thorough referencing. He uses elementary methods whenever possible but couples this with an ability to employ power abstract methods when necessitated by the problem. For more information please click the “Full Text” above.
Know your apps: an evidence-based approach to evaluation of mobile clinical applications

Medical smartphone applications (apps) are becoming common as point-of-care references for health professionals and students. There is currently no regulation of the information that is included in the apps or guidelines for recommended use. Judicious review of apps by the user is important before using the information to make treatment-related decisions or as a learning tool in didactic and clinical education.
Insectary Production of Phytoseiid Mites

Two basic methods have proven satisfactory for rearing many different species of phytoseiid mites. Species which reproduce readily on pollen are reared on Mesembryanthemum pollen without host mites. Those which require mite prey for extensive reproduction are cultured on the Pacific Spider Mite, Tetranychus pacificus Mc-Gregor. In both these methods, the predaceous mites are confined on an artificial substrate, which has reduced many of the inconsistencies encountered in methods using host-plant material.