cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2536: VEGF as a potential survival factor for keratinocytes following UV exposurein vivo

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most prevalent type of cancer. These cancers, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), are primarily caused by chronic exposure to ultraviolet light (UV) from the sun. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is produced by the skin in response to UV and is known to promote NMSC indirectly through the induction of angiogenesis. Evidence is emerging that VEGF can also promote skin carcinogenesis by directly affecting epidermal keratinocytes and tumor cells. In addition, epidermal keratinocytes express VEGFR-1 and proliferate and migrate directly in response to VEGF. In endothelial cells, VEGF functions as a potent survival factor by inhibiting apoptosis; however, it is not known if VEGF promotes survival in keratinocytes. Keratinocytes undergo apoptosis in response to UV exposure, a process that can be disrupted during carcinogenesis. Here, the role of VEGF and VEGFR-1 in keratinocyte and SCC-13 tumor cell survival after UV exposure was explored. Neutralizing VEGF or VEGFR-1 activity or adding VEGF did not affect UV-induced apoptosis, suggesting that VEGF-VEGFR-1 signaling is not important for keratinocyte or SCC-13 survival in vitro. The role of VEGFR-1 in keratinocyte survival was also examined in vivo. Mice with VEGFR-1-deficient keratinocytes (K14-Cre/VEGFR-1fl/fl) were generated and exposed to a single acute dose of UV light. Keratinocytes in the epidermis of K14-Cre/VEGFR-1fl/fl mice showed a significant increase in apoptosis 24 hours following UV exposure compared to K14-Cre/VEGFR-1+/+ controls. Future studies will investigate skin carcinogenesis in K14-Cre/VEGFR-1fl/fl mice chronically exposed to UV light. Overall, these results suggest that VEGFR-1 mediates the survival of keratinocytes exposed to acute UV in vivo and points to a mechanism by which VEGF could directly promote skin carcinogenesis. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2536. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2536
Three-Dimensional Generalized Hough Transform For Object Identification

A generalized version of the Hough transform, called the 3-D Generalized Hough Transform (3-D GHT), provides an effective technique for the identification and location determination of objects in three dimensional Euclidean space. This technique is suitable for multiple object identification with occlusion; the surfaces of the objects of interest may have arbitrary complexity. The 3-D GHT is defined with respect to a 21/2-D image in which the surface normal has been determined for each pixel. As with the 2-D generalized Hough transform (2-D GHT), each active pixel is mapped into a set of locations in an accumulator array by means of a table defined for a given object. Peaks in this array correspond to possible locations for the transform defining object. A figure of merit is computed for each significant peak based on its local neighborhood in accumulator space in order to normalize with respect to noise and interference from other objects. Peak merit values from different object arrays for a given location are compared to determine the object type. The 3-D GHT has been tested with a number of synthetic range images to which various amounts of Gaussian noise had been added. The results indicate that the 3-D GHT generates less false peaks than the 2-D GHT. Furthermore, the 3-D GHT can distinguish between some objects that appear identical to the 2-D GHT due to the use of range information. The 3-D GHT has also been shown to be effective in multiple object images in which objects occluded each other.
Discussion of “Banking in a Matching Model of Money and Capital”

THE PAPER BY BENCIVENGA AND CAMERA (2011, this issue) studies how banks can improve the allocation of resources in an environment where trading frictions make money useful for certain types of exchange. Its starting point is the observation that the random nature of trading opportunities commonly used in modern monetary models is structurally similar to a type of liquidity-preference uncertainty that appears in the banking literature. It seems natural, therefore, to ask what insights can be gained by combining these separate strands of research. The paper presents a model of decentralized trade in which banks arise endogenously as an arrangement for efficiently distributing cash to agents when they have attractive buying opportunities. It then studies the relationship between inflation and the functioning of the banking system, as well as the effects of a central bank policy of paying interest on bank reserves. The paper is part of an important research agenda that aims to study financial institutions in general equilibrium models where money plays an explicit role. The model in the paper builds on that in Lagos and Wright (2005), where agents alternate between trading in centralized and decentralized markets and the information structure is such that decentralized trade requires the use of money. Agents can hold their wealth in either money or capital; capital typically offers a higher rate of return but cannot be used to purchase goods in decentralized trade. When making portfolio adjustments in the centralized market, an agent is unsure what trading opportunities will be available to her in the subsequent decentralized market and, hence, how much money she will want to hold. The banking literature that began with Bryant (1980) and Diamond and Dybvig (1983) showed how an institution that resembles a bank can be welfare enhancing when agents face a similar type of uncertainty. The models in this literature were written entirely in real terms, however, which limits their ability to address monetary issues such as the effects of inflation. Bencivenga
Polymeric black tea polyphenols modulate the localization and activity of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate-mediated kinases in mouse skin: mechanisms of their anti-tumor-promoting action.

Abstract Polymeric black tea polyphenols (PBPs) have been shown to possess anti-tumor-promoting effects in two-stage skin carcinogenesis. However, their mechanisms of action are not fully elucidated. In this study, mechanisms of PBP-mediated antipromoting effects were investigated in a mouse model employing the tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Compared to controls, a single topical application of TPA to mouse skin increased the translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) from cytosol to membrane. Pretreatment with PBPs 1–3 decreased TPA-induced translocation of PKC isozymes (α, β, η, γ, e) from cytosol to membrane, whereas PBPs 4 and 5 were less effective. The levels of PKCs δ and ζ in cytosol/membrane were similar in all the treatment groups. Complementary confocal microscopic evaluation showed a decrease in TPA-induced PKCα fluorescence in PBP-3-pretreated membranes, whereas pretreatment with PBP-5 did not show a similar decrease. Based on the experiments with specific enzyme inhibitors and phosphospecific antibodies, both PBP-3 and PBP-5 were observed to decrease TPA-induced level and/or activity of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) and AKT1 (pS473). An additional ability of PBP-3 to inhibit site-specific phosphorylation of PKCα at all three positions responsible for its activation [PKCα (pT497), PKC PAN (βII pS660), PKCα/βII (pT638/641)] and AKT1 at the Thr308 position, along with a decrease in TPA-induced PDK1 protein level, correlated with the inhibition of translocation of PKC, which may impart relatively stronger chemoprotective activity to PBP-3 than to PBP-5. Altogether, PBP-mediated decrease in TPA-induced PKC phosphorylation correlated well with decreased TPA-induced NF-κB phosphorylation and downstream target proteins associated with proliferation, apoptosis, and inflammation in mouse skin. Results suggest that the antipromoting effects of PBPs are due to modulation of TPA-induced PI3K-mediated signal transduction.
Chimeric alignment by dynamic programming: algorithm and biological uses

A new nearest-neighbor method for detecting chimeric 16S rRNA artifacts generated during PCR amplification from mixed populations has been developed. The method uses dynamic programming to generate an optimal chimeric alignment, defined as the highest scoring alignment between a query and a concatenation of a 5{prime} and a 3{prime} segment from two separate entries from a database of related sequences. Chimeras are detected by studying the scores and form of the chimeric and global sequence alignments. The chimeric alignment method was found to be marginally more effective than k-tuple based nearest-neighbor methods in simulation studies, but its most effective use is in concert with k-tuple methods. 15 refs., 3 figs., 1 tab.
Bladder cytopathic effects associated with Gram-negative bacterial genera

The interaction of bacteria belonging to several genera with the bladder epithelium was studied. An in vivo rat bladder model system was used to evaluate the cytopathic effects of members of eight representative genera of bacteria and six strains ofEscherichia coli on the bladder surface. Alterations were noted mainly with the Gram-negative bacteria (Escherichia, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas), although some strains were associated with more cytopathology than others. Foci of cytopathology consisted of swelling, exfoliated epithelial cells, strand formation, and ulceration. Aggregates of bacteria, epithelial cells, and debris were shed into the bladder lumen. In contrast, members of three genera of Gram-positive organisms (Lactobacillus, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus) caused little or no cytopathology. The study strongly suggests that the bladder responds in a relatively uniform manner to viable Gram-negative organisms, while the response to Gram-positive organisms is minimal.
Pediatric brain tumors

Pediatric brain tumors differ from adult brain tumors in several major ways. First, the types of tumors encountered in children are uncommon in adults, and vice versa. Second, tumors of the posterior fossa comprise a far greater percentage of tumors in children as compared to adults. Third, the value of extensive tumor resection, which is controversial for malignant brain tumors in adults, has been confirmed for a variety of childhood brain tumors. Fourth, chemotherapy has been shown to be effective in improving overall outcome in several childhood brain tumors, but has yet to be demonstrated to have a major benefit for adult tumors. In addition, to avoid the morbidity of irradiation on the developing nervous system, chemotherapy is increasingly used to delay or avoid using radiotherapy in children younger than 3 years of age with high-grade and incompletely resected low-grade tumors. Fifth, the prognosis for histologically similar tumors is often more favorable in children than adults. A review of general principles in the clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, and treatment of childhood brain tumors is followed by discussion of surgical management, adjuvant therapy, and outcome of the more common types of tumors.
Polymorphisms in inflammation-related genes are associated with susceptibility to major depression and antidepressant response

There are clinical parallels between the nature and course of depressive symptoms in major depressive disorder (MDD) and those of inflammatory disorders. However, the characterization of a possible immune system dysregulation in MDD has been challenging. Emerging data support the role of T-cell dysfunction. Here we report the association of MDD and antidepressant response to genes important in the modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and immune functions in Mexican Americans with major depression. Specifically, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in two genes critical for T-cell function are associated with susceptibility to MDD: PSMB4 (proteasome beta4 subunit), important for antigen processing, and TBX21 (T bet), critical for differentiation. Our analyses revealed a significant combined allele dose-effect: individuals who had one, two and three risk alleles were 2.3, 3.2 and 9.8 times more likely to have the diagnosis of MDD, respectively. We found associations of several SNPs and antidepressant response; those genes support the role of T cell (CD3E, PRKCH, PSMD9 and STAT3) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis (UCN3) functions in treatment response. We also describe in MDD increased levels of CXCL10/IP-10, which decreased in response to antidepressants. This further suggests predominance of type 1 T-cell activity in MDD. T-cell function variations that we describe here may account for 47.8% of the attributable risk in Mexican Americans with moderate MDD. Immune function genes are highly variable; therefore, different genes might be implicated in distinct population groups.
Effects of dietarytrans acids on the biosynthesis of arachidonic acid in rat liver microsomes

Effects of dietarytrans acids on the interconversion of linoleic acid was studied using the liver microsomal fraction of rats fed a semipurified diet containing fat supplements of safflower oil (SAFF), hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO) at 5 and 20% levels or a 5% level of a supplement containing 50.3% linolelaidic and 24.3% elaidic acids devoid ofcis,cis-linoleic acid (TRANS). Growth rate was suppressed to a greater extent with the animals fed the 20% than the 5% level of the HCO-supplemented diets and still further by the TRANS diet compared to the groups fed the SAFF diets. Food intake was greater in the groups fed the HCO than the SAFF-supplemented diets, demonstrating the marked effect of an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency on feed efficiency. In contrast to an EFA deficiency produced by the HCO supplement, which stimulated the in vitro liver microsomal biosynthesis of arachidonic acid, diets containing the TRANS supplement exacerabated the EFA deficiency and depressed 6-desaturase activity of the liver microsomal fraction. The liver microsomal fraction of the animals receiving this supplement also was more sensitive to fatty acid inhibition of the desaturation of linoleic acid than those obtained from animals fed either the SAFF or HCO diets. It is suggested that dietarytrans acids alter the physical properties of the 6-desaturase enzyme system, suppressing its activity, which increases the saturation of the tissue lipids and, in turn, the requirement for EFA or polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Cleft type and focus structure processing in French

Lambrecht posits the existence of language-specific constraints on focus marking, and the constraints specific to French are predicted to accord a privileged focus marking role to subject clefts. I hypothesised that a higher occurrence of subject clefts compared to object clefts, as well as a corresponding processing advantage for subject clefts, would support Lambrecht's account. Results are presented from a self-paced reading task indicating that French subject clefts are processed online more easily than object clefts, and that infelicitous clefts impede performance on an offline comprehension task, much as has been previously found for English. Moreover, corpus data are presented suggesting a correspondence between subject clefts' frequency in spoken French and their processing advantage compared to object clefts. This account is in line with Lambrecht's description of the constraints on focus structure, and it suggests that cleft type has more influence on processing than does felicity of focus struc...
Laser perforated fuel cell diffusion media. Part I: Related changes in performance and water content

Abstract In this study, cathode-side, bi-layered diffusion media (DM) samples with micro-porous layer were perforated with 300 μm laser-cut holes (covering 15% of the surface area in a homogenous pattern) using a ytterbium fiber laser to investigate the effect of structural changes on the gas and water transport. Under reduced humidity conditions (50% inlet relative humidity on the anode and cathode), the perforated DM were observed to increase the potential by an average of 6% for current densities ranging from 0.2 to 1.4 A cm−2. However, the perforated DM showed reduced performance for current densities greater than 1.4 A cm−2 and at all currents under high-humidity conditions. Neutron radiography experiments were also performed to understand the changes in liquid water retention characteristics of DM due to the laser perforations. Significant water accumulation and water redistribution were observed in the perforated DM, which helps explain the observed performance behavior. The results indicate that the perforations act as water pooling and possible channeling locations, which significantly alter the water condensation, storage, and transport scheme within the fuel cell. These observations suggest that proper tailoring of fuel cell DM possesses significant potential to enable fuel cell operations with reduce liquid overhead and high performance.
Seismic evaluation of an existing reinforced concrete framed tube building based on inelastic dynamic analysis

A seismic assessment of an existing 32-story reinforced concrete framed tube building is performed using inelastic dynamic time-history analysis to obtain force and deformation response of the structure subjected to three ground motion records. Details of the modeling based on the DRAIN-2D program, plastic rotation, rotation and curvature ductility demands and capacity evaluation of members are discussed. Recent recommendations for plastic hinge rotation and plastic hinge length modifications are discussed and the results of the application of some of these recommendations are evaluated. Some observations with regard to shear lag effect are presented and some of the difficulties in using the direct results of inelastic dynamic time history analysis in seismic assessment for practical applications are demonstrated.
The Frustrations, Gratifications, and Well-Being of Dementia Caregivers

Face-to-face interviews with 50 older women caring at home for a husband with dementia revealed that gratification was associated with greater well-being and frustration with more distress. Wives who perceived continuity in marital closeness since the illness had greater gratification than those who perceived change. Frustrations, in disrupting life plans, are apparently greatest at the onset of symptoms and as routines are developed, diminish despite the need to provide more care. Still, the meanings of caregiving are more important to caregiver well-being than the amount of care provided.
Rv2468c, a novel Mycobacterium tuberculosis protein that costimulates human CD4+ T cells through VLA-5

Mtb regulates many aspects of the host immune response, including CD4+ T lymphocyte responses that are essential for protective immunity to Mtb, and Mtb effects on the immune system are paradoxical, having the capacity to inhibit (immune evasion) and to activate (adjuvant effect) immune cells. Mtb regulates CD4+ T cells indirectly (e.g., by manipulation of APC function) and directly, via integrins and TLRs expressed on T cells. We now report that previously uncharacterized Mtb protein Rv2468c/MT2543 can directly regulate human CD4+ T cell activation by delivering costimulatory signals. When combined with TCR stimulation (e.g., anti-CD3), Rv2468c functioned as a direct costimulator for CD4+ T cells, inducing IFN-γ secretion and T cell proliferation. Studies with blocking antibodies and soluble RGD motifs demonstrated that Rv2468c engaged integrin VLA-5 (α5β1) on CD4+ T cells through its FN-like RGD motif. Costimulation by Rv2468c induced phosphorylation of FAKs and Pyk2. These results reveal that by expressing molecules that mimic host protein motifs, Mtb can directly engage receptors on CD4+ T cells and regulate their function. Rv2468c-induced costimulation of CD4+ T cells could have implications for TB immune pathogenesis and Mtb adjuvant effect.
Phenomenology and classification of the childhood psychoses.

Two hundred and twenty-eight cases of children with final clinical diagnoses of childhood psychosis were reviewed using a standard coding scheme; cases were grouped in three broad categories on the basis of clinical diagnosis (autistic, atypical and schizophreniform). These three groups differed significantly in many respects, although the ‘atypical’ group more closely resembled the autistic group. While it was possible meaningfully to differentiate diagnostic groups using DSM-III criteria, some cases were difficult to classify. Childhood schizophrenia, as strictly defined, was far less common than childhood autism. The development of diagnostic schemes for those children whose disorders are difficult to classify is an important topic for future research.
Product Variety, Supply Chain Structure, and Firm Performance: Analysis of the U.S. Bicycle Industry

Using data from the U.S. bicycle industry, we examine the relation among product variety, supply chain structure, and firm performance. Variety imposes two types of costs on a supply chain:production costs andmarket mediation costs. Production costs include, among other costs, the incremental fixed investments associated with providing additional product variants. Market mediation costs arise because of uncertainty in product demand created by variety. In the presence of demand uncertainty, precisely matching supply with demand is difficult. Market mediation costs include the variety-related inventory holding costs, product mark-down costs occurring when supply exceeds demand, and the costs of lost sales occurring when demand exceeds supply. We analyze product variety at the product attribute level, noting that the relative impact of variety on production and market mediation costs depends to a large extent on the attribute underlying the variety. That is, some types of variety incur high production costs and some types of variety incur high market mediation costs. We characterize supply chain structure by the degree to which production facilities are scale-efficient and by the distance of the production facility from the target market. We hypothesize that firms with scale-efficient production (i.e., high-volume firms) will offer types of variety associated with high production costs, and firms with local production will offer types of variety associated with high market mediation costs. This hypothesis implies that there is a coherent way to match product variety with supply chain structure. Empirical results suggest that firms which match supply chain structure to the type of product variety they offer outperform firms which fail to match such choices.
Loop Drainage of Cutaneous Abscesses Using a Modified Sterile Glove: A Promising Technique

Abstract Background Cutaneous abscesses are a common clinical condition treated effectively with incision and drainage. Objective Placement of subcutaneous loop drains to facilitate healing of these infections has been described, but has yet to gain widespread adoption in clinical practice. Discussion This article includes instructions for how to perform this technique using materials available in the emergency setting, as well as a discussion of the potential advantages and disadvantages of this method. Conclusions This technique of abscess management is effective and easy to perform. It offers potential benefits, such as decreased pain from packing material, no need for packing changes, and decreased need for follow-up visits.
TOPL: Tools for Operational Planning of Transportation Networks

TOPL is a suite of software tools for specifying freeway operational improvement strategies, such as ramp metering, demand and incident management, and for quickly estimating the benefits of such improvements. TOPL is based on the macroscopic cell transmission model. The paper summarizes the theory of the cell transmission model and describes the procedure to carry out a TOPL application. The procedure is illustrated for the 26-mile long I-210W freeway in California, whose model is calibrated using loop detector measurements of volume and speed. The measurements show that congestion originates in a bottleneck and moves upstream, as predicted by the theory. The simulations show that appropriate ramp metering can dramatically reduce total congestion delay and mainline travel time.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Evidence-Based Rating of Upper-Extremity Motor Function Tests Used for People Following a Stroke

Introduction. Tests of upper-extremity motor function used for people following a stroke have been described, but reliability and validity (psychometric properties) of measurements obtained with these tests have not been consistently established. This investigation was performed: (1) to review literature relative to upper-extremity motor function testing during rehabilitation following a stroke, (2) to develop selection criteria for identifying these tests in the literature, and (3) to rate the tests relative to their psychometric properties. Method. Literature searches were done using 2 databases. Reports of 4 psychometric properties were sought: interrater reliability, test-retest reliability, convergent validity or concurrent validity, and predictive validity. Results. Nine tests met the inclusion criteria of having psychometric properties reported in the literature. No test had evidence for all 4 psychometric properties. Only the Nine-Hole Peg Test was supported by 3 out of 4 properties. Most tests had 2 properties supported. Concurrent validity or convergent validity was most frequently described; test-retest reliability was least frequently described. Conclusions. More complete psychometric support is needed for upper-extremity motor function tests applied following a stroke. The absence of psychometric support, however, does not mean that a test has no value. Clinicians are cautioned not to generalize psychometric evidence.
A General Architecture for Decentralized Supervisory Control of Discrete-Event Systems

We consider a generalized form of the conventional decentralized control architecture for discrete-event systems where the control actions of a set of supervisors can be “fused” using both union and intersection of enabled events. Namely, the supervisors agree a priori on choosing “fusion by union” for certain controllable events and “fusion by intersection” for certain other controllable events. We show that under this architecture, a larger class of languages can be achieved than before since a relaxed version of the notion of co-observability appears in the necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of supervisors. The computational complexity of verifying these new conditions is studied. A method of partitioning the controllable events between “fusion by union” and “fusion by intersection” is presented. The algebraic properties of co-observability in the context of this architecture are presented. We show that appropriate combinations of fusion rules with corresponding decoupled local decision rules guarantee the safety of the closed-loop behavior with respect to a given specification that is not co-observable. We characterize an “optimal” combination of fusion rules among those combinations guaranteeing the safety of the closed-loop behavior. In addition, a simple supervisor synthesis technique generating the infimal prefix-closed controllable and co-observable superlanguage is presented.
Shear Strength in Preexisting Landslides

Drained residual shear strength is used for the analysis of slopes containing preexisting shear surfaces. Some recent research suggests that preexisting shear surfaces in prior landslides can gain strength with time. Torsional ring and direct shear tests performed during this study show that the recovered shear strength measured in the laboratory is only noticeably greater than the drained residual strength at effective normal stress of 100 kPa or less. The test results also show that the recovered strength even at effective normal stresses of 100 kPa or less is lost after a small shear displacement, i.e., slope movement. An effective normal stress of 100 kPa corresponds to a shallow depth so the observed strength gain has little, if any, impact on the analysis of deep landslides. This paper describes the laboratory strength recovery testing and the results for soils with different plasticities at various rest periods and effective normal stresses.
CD40 Ligand-Dependent Activation of Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes by Adeno-Associated Virus Vectors In Vivo: Role of Immature Dendritic Cells

Recombinant adeno-associated virus type 2 (rAAV) is being explored as a vector for gene therapy because of its broad host range, good safety profile, and persistent transgene expression in vivo. However, accumulating evidence indicates that administration of AAV vector may initiate a detectable cellular and humoral immune response to its transduced neo-antigen in vivo. To elucidate the cellular basis of the AAV-mediated immune response, C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow-derived immature and mature dendritic cells (DCs) were infected with AAV encoding beta-galactosidase (AAV-lacZ) and adoptively transferred into mice that had received an intramuscular injection of AAV-lacZ 10 days earlier. Unexpectedly, C57BL/6 mice but not CD40 ligand-deficient (CD40L(-/-)) mice adoptively transferred with AAV-lacZ-infected immature DCs developed a beta-galactosidase-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response that markedly diminished AAV-lacZ-transduced gene expression in muscle fibers. In contrast, adoptive transfer of AAV-lacZ-infected mature DCs failed to elicit a similar CTL response in vivo. Our findings indicate, for the first time, that immature DCs may be able to elicit a CD40L-dependent T-cell immunity to markedly diminish AAV-lacZ transduced gene expression in vivo when a sufficient number of DCs capturing rAAV vector and/or its transduced gene products is recruited.
The Notch Peak Contact Metamorphic Aureole, Utah: Petrology of the Big Horse Limestone Member of the Orr Formation

The Upper Cambrian Big Horse Limestone Member of the Orr Formation is contact metamorphosed by the Jurassic Notch Peak quartz monzonite in the central portion of the House Range, Utah. Two lithologic types were sampled from specific stratigraphic horizons within the member over a lateral distance of 6 km, at locations reflecting a range in metamorphic grades. The rocks were metamorphosed at ∼2 kbar, on the basis of estimates of stratigraphic overburden at the time of intrusion. The lithologies are relatively pure dolomitic limestones and impure argillaceous limestones (argillites). The progressive metamorphism has resulted in the successive appearance of talc, tremolite, scapolite, diopside, and forsterite in the meta-limestones and the appearance of biotite, tremolite, diopside, plagioclase, scapolite, vesuvianite, grossular, and wollastonite in the argillites. Mineral assemblages of the limestones compared with isobaric 2 kbar-phase equilibria in the CaO-MgO-SiO 2 -H 2 O-CO 2 system suggest that: (1) fluid buffering by metamorphic reactions has occurred; (2) domains of equilibrium are small; and (3) the limestones behaved as relatively closed systems during metamorphism. Maximum temperatures and X(CO 2 ) composition consistent with assemblages in the limestone are: (see pdf for table). Temperatures estimated by the calcite-dolomite geothermometer are consistent with these temperature estimates. Temperatures estimated from limestone mineral assemblages are used to establish the sequence of prograde reactions in the multi-component argillite system. Compositions of fluids in equilibrium with low-grade argillites are poorly constrained but may have reached a maximum X(CO 2 ) of ∼0.75. Fluid compositions in equilibrium with medium- to high-grade argillites were more H 2 O-rich than X(CO 2 ) = 0.20 indicated primarily by the presence of wollastonite at temperatures between 475 and 600 °C. Therefore, the argillites were either initially more water-rich than limestones at the same grade, or they were more open to H 2 O-rich fluids during metamorphism.
Models and algorithms for transient queueing congestion at airports

We develop a new model for studying the phenomenon of congestion in a transient environment, focusing on the problem of aircraft landings at a busy "hub" airport. Our model is based on a Markov/semi-Markov treatment of changes in the weather, the principal source of uncertainty governing service times, together with a treatment of the arrival stream as time-varying but deterministic. The model is employed to compute moments of queue length and waiting time via a recursive algorithm. To test the model, we conduct a case study using traffic and capacity data for Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. Our results show that the model's estimates are reasonable, though substantial data difficulties make validation difficult. We explore, as examples of the model's potential usefulness, two policy questions: schedule interference between the two principal carriers, and the likely effects of demand smoothing policies on queueing delays.
Program decision logic optimization using predication and control speculation

The mainstream arrival of predication, a means other than branching of selecting instructions for execution, has required compiler architects to reformulate fundamental analyses and transformations. Traditionally, the compiler has generated branches straightforwardly to implement control flow designed by the programmer and has then performed sophisticated "global" optimizations. to move and optimize code around them. In this model, the inherent tie between the control state of the program and the location of the single instruction pointer serialized run-time evaluation of control and limited the extent to which the compiler could optimize the control structure of the program (without extensive code replication). Predication provides a means of control independent of branches and instruction fetch location, freeing both compiler and architecture from these restrictions; effective compilation of predicated code, however requires sophisticated understanding of the program's control structure. This paper explores a representational technique which, through direct code analysis, maps the program's control component into a canonical database, a reduced ordered binary decision diagram (ROBDD), which fully enables the compiler to utilize and manipulate predication. This abstraction is then applied to optimize the program's control component, transforming it into a form more amenable to instruction level parallel (ILP) execution.
Indole plant-growth inhibitor from Abrus precatorius seeds

Abstract The structure of a new plant growth inhibitor isolated from the seeds of jequirity bean ( Abrus precatorius ) has been shown to be N,N -dimethyl- l -tryptophan.
Successful transesophageal echocardiography in an unsedated critically ill patient with superior laryngeal nerve blocks.

mediastinal mass and compression of the superior vena cava. Tissue density studies performed at the time of CAT scanning further characterized the mass. Supraclavicular node biopsy was diagnostic of poorly differentiated carcinoma. The patient failed to respond to medical therapy and died 7 days later. Postmortem examination was refused. To our knowledge, this is the first report demonstrating the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in delineating compression of the superior vena cava by a mediastinal mass. Although transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography has been useful in differentiating large vascular abnormalities such as aortic aneurysms from nonvascular mediastinal masses, this technique would appear limited in delineating small vascular structures such as the superior vena cava, particularly in patients requiring ventilatory support. In addition, the advent of color flow-guided, pulsed Doppler echocardiographic interrogation of potentially abnormal vascular flow greatly aids in the assessment of hemodynamically significant compression of the superior vena cava. The role of transesophageal echocardiography in tissue characterization of mediastinal masses has yet to be explored, but may prove to be beneficial.7 Recent advances that may broaden the utility of transesophageal echocardiography in the evaluation of mediastinal masses include the development of biplane and wide-field transesophageal echocardiographic probes.6p gAlthough preliminary, this case study suggests a role for two-dimensional and Doppler transesophageal echocardiography in the assessment of mediastinal masses that potentially compromise vascular flow.
Charles Manson and the Family The Application of Sociological Theories to Multiple Murder

In 1969, Charles Manson and his “Family” of followers killed innocent people in an attempt to start a counterrevolution in the United States. Despite the notoriety of this cult leader and his followers over the past 40 years, the sociological literature on crime has not addressed the dynamics behind these seemingly senseless killings. To our knowledge, no serious attempt to apply criminological theory to these murderers and their actions has been made. In this article, labeling theory, general strain theory, and social learning theory are used to explain these murders using a case study approach. The article begins with a description of the goal of Manson’s actions. The murders that took place and their victims are briefly summarized, and several criminological theories are introduced. Charles Manson’s life is then chronicled, and the theories’ connections to events in his life are illustrated. The article also highlights the lives of three followers and how the theories relate to particular events in the...
Hyperaldosteronism as a Common Cause of Resistant Hypertension

Resistant hypertension affects an estimated 10-15 million American adults and is increasing in prevalence. The etiology of resistant hypertension is almost always multifactorial, including obesity, older age, high dietary salt, chronic kidney disease, and aldosterone excess. Classical primary aldosteronism and lesser degrees of aldosterone excess, possibly originating from visceral adipocytes, contribute broadly to antihypertensive treatment resistance. Treatment of resistant hypertension is predicated on appropriate lifestyle changes and use of effective combinations of antihypertensive agents from different classes. Blockade of aldosterone with spironolactone has been shown to be particularly effective for treatment of resistant hypertension. The antihypertensive benefit of spironolactone is not limited to patients with demonstrable hyperaldosteronism but instead can be effective in resistant hypertensive patients regardless of aldosterone levels. Chlorthalidone is a potent, long-acting thiazide-like diuretic and should be used preferentially to treat resistant hypertension as it is superior to normally used doses of hydrochlorothiazide.
The Role of Amateur Radio in National and International Disasters

Appreciation of reliable commuications might seem universal; yet when natural disasters strike, few communities are equipped to handle these essential needs. In many instances their ability to notify the rest of the world about their disaster is seriously impaired. Why this is so and why Amateur Radio Operators, or “hams”, always seem to play such a vital part in community survival is the topic of this article. The best communication systems can fail from traffic overload. As an example, there may be little if any loss of telephone lines or commerical radio links; yet the local population can totally paralyze a system simply by picking up the phone and calling someone. An analogy to this stoppage of communications traffic is seen daily on our expressways as too many cars enter and exceed some critical density at which all traffic must stop.
Murine norovirus infection does not cause major disruptions in the murine intestinal microbiota

Murine norovirus (MNV) is the most common gastrointestinal pathogen of research mice and can alter research outcomes in biomedical mouse models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite indications that an altered microbiota is a risk factor for IBD, the response of the murine intestinal microbiota to MNV infection has not been examined. Microbiota disruption caused by MNV infection could introduce the confounding effects observed in research experiments. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of MNV infection on the intestinal microbiota of wild-type mice. The composition of the intestinal microbiota was assessed over time in both outbred Swiss Webster and inbred C57BL/6 mice following MNV infection. Mice were infected with both persistent and non-persistent MNV strains and tissue-associated or fecal-associated microbiota was analyzed by 16S rRNA-encoding gene pyrosequencing. Analysis of intestinal bacterial communities in infected mice at the phylum and family level showed no major differences to uninfected controls, both in tissue-associated samples and feces, and also over time following infection, demonstrating that the intestinal microbiota of wild-type mice is highly resistant to disruption following MNV infection. This is the first study to describe the intestinal microbiota following MNV infection and demonstrates that acute or persistent MNV infection is not associated with major disruptions of microbial communities in Swiss Webster and C57BL/6 mice.
Activation of the α1b-Adrenergic Receptor Is Initiated by Disruption of an Interhelical Salt Bridge Constraint

Rhodopsin receptor activation involves the disruption of a salt bridge constraint between glutamic acid 113 on transmembrane 3 and a lysine 296 in transmembrane 7, which forms a Schiff's base with retinal. Light-induced isomerization of cis-retinal to the all trans form breaks this rhodopsin salt bridge leading to receptor activation. The analogous residues in alpha1b-adrenergic receptors, aspartic acid 125 and lysine 331, also have the potential of forming a constraining salt bridge holding the receptor to an inactive protein configuration. This alpha1b-adrenergic receptor salt bridge constraint is then released upon binding by the receptor agonist. To test this hypothesis, site-directed mutagenesis was used to eliminate the positive charge at position 331 by substitution of an alanine. The expressed alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutant demonstrated a 6-fold increased epinephrine binding affinity with no alterations of affinity values for selective adrenergic receptor antagonists. Furthermore, an increased epinephrine potency for total soluble inositol phosphate production along with an elevated basal inositol triphosphate level was observed in COS-1 cells transfected with mutant versus wild-type alpha1b-adrenergic receptors. Similar results were obtained for a lysine to a glutamic acid alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutation. In addition, increased basal inositol triphosphate levels were also observed for two aspartic acid 125 alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutations, consistent with this residue's role as the counterion of the salt bridge. Taken together, these alpha1b-adrenergic receptor mutations suggest a molecular mechanism by which the positively charged lysine 331 stabilizes the negatively charged aspartic acid 125 via a salt bridge constraint until bound by the receptor agonist.
UWB low profile antennas using ferrite loaded GP

Wideband antennas that can operate over a frequency range from 10psilas of MHz up to several GHz is highly desirable, yet a challenge (Kramer et al., 2006). As expected, a major challenge is to keep the size small while maintaining bandwidth. Another and key challenge is the need for a ground plane that does not deteriorate the UWB performance for conformal installations (Kramer et al., 2006). This paper is based on the design of an UWB ground plane using commercially available ferrite layer coating.
Fatigue testing of electron beam-melted Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy for dental implants

Customized one-component dental implants have been fabricated using Electron Beam Melting(®) (EBM(®)), which is a rapid prototyping and manufacturing technique. The goal of our study was to determine the effect of electron beam orientation on the fatigue resistance of EBM Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy. EBM technique was used to fabricate Ti-6Al-4V ELI alloy blocks, which were cut into rectangular beam specimens with dimensions of 25 × 4 × 3 mm, such that electron beam orientation was either parallel (group A) or perpendicular (group B) to the long axis of the specimens. The specimens were subjected to cyclic fatigue (R = 0.1) in four-point flexure under ambient conditions using various stress amplitudes below the yield stress. The fatigue lifetime data were fit to an inverse power law-Weibull model to predict the peak stress corresponding to failure probabilities of 5 and 63% at 2M cycles (σ(max, 5%) and σ(max, 63%)). Groups A and B did not have significantly different Weibull modulus, m (p > 0.05). The specimens with parallel orientation showed significantly higher σ(max, 63%) (p ≤ 0.05), but there was no significant difference in the σ(max, 5%) (p > 0.05). Thus, it can be concluded that the fatigue resistance of the material was greatest when the electron beam orientation was perpendicular to the direction of crack propagation.
A New Species of Galactia (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae) from Central Texas, U.S.A

ABSTRACT Galactia watsoniana W. C. Holmes & Singhurst (Fabaceae, Papilionoideae), endemic to the southern part of the Balcones Escarpment of central Texas, is described as new. The new species is distinguished from G. volubilis (L.) Britton, its apparent nearest relative, by its solitary and larger flowers (17–22 mm vs. 6–12 mm), strigillose trichomes on plant surfaces, presence of a narrow white border on the leaflet margins, and ovate leaflets with reticulated abaxial surfaces.
Tetracycline toxicity. A clinicopathologic study with special reference to liver damage and its relationship to pregnancy.

Abstract Six patients, 4 of them pregnant women, had large doses of intravenous tetracycline for various suspected infections. The daily dose in the 50-year-old man was not excessive, but he was uremic prior to administration of the drug. Icterus was noted clinically in all the women and at necropsy in all 6 patients. Clinically the women manifested nausea and vomiting, icterus, lethargy and coma, mild to moderate hemorrhagic phenomena, mild abdominal pain, hypotension, azotemia, acidoses, elevated white blood cell counts, mild to moderate elevation of SGOT and PT, low serum calcium, and moderate to marked elevation of serum amylase levels. In one patient the blood volume was measured and was decreased, and one patient had an episode of marked hypoglycemia. All of them died. Major anatomic changes were a large fatty liver in which the fat droplets were finely dispersed in the cells and throughout the lobule, fatty degeneration of the renal tubular epithelial cells, serous effusions, hemorrhages and focal fat necrosis in the pancreas, and widespread petechiae and ecchymoses. Chelation of the tetracyclines with certain metallic ions may be the property responsible for the inhibition of various enzyme systems in which it has been studied. The enzyme inhibition, in turn, can explain many of the metabolic and structural alterations seen in such patients.