cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Localization of azithromycin in Toxoplasma gondii-infected cells

Agents effective against intracellular pathogens must enter infected cells, crossing vacuolar membranes surrounding the organisms and then penetrating into the microbe and localizing to the microbial target site. We have characterized these parameters for azithromycin entry into Toxoplasma gondii-infected Chinese hamster ovary cells and murine macrophage-like J774 cells. Azithromycin uptake into infected host cells was concentrative and was dependent upon proton gradients. Subcellular fractionation of azithromycin-loaded infected CHO cells demonstrated > 95% intracellular drug in host cell lysosomes and cytosol, with < 5% associated with the parasite. Uptake of azithromycin into the T. gondii vacuole increased if parasites were coated with antibody prior to internalization by murine J774 cells, conditions which result in the formation of acidified phagolysosomes. No redistribution or retention of azithromycin in the parasite was observed when drug efflux from antibiotic-loaded infected CHO cells was monitored. Azithromycin entry into extracellular T. gondii was concentrative, was temperature and pH dependent, and was not different when azithromycin-sensitive and -resistant parasites were compared. These results demonstrate that azithromycin concentrates primarily in acidified compartments in parasites and host cells. The high concentration of azithromycin within these compartments may not be biologically relevant to inhibition of intracellular parasite growth by this agent.
EFFECTS OF NITROGEN AND PHOSPHORUS ON THE ENDOSYMBIONT LOAD OF RHOPALODIA GIBBA AND EPITHEMIA TURGIDA (BACILLARIOPHYCEAE)1

Diatoms of the family Epithemiaceae possess a unicellular nitrogen-fixing cyanobacterial endosymbiont. We investigated the potential of extracellular nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations to affect the endosymbiont load of Rhopalodia gibba O. Mull, and Epithemia turgida Ehr. in field and culture populations. In a growth chamber experiment, monoclonal cultures of R. gibba were exposed to three levels of nitrate-nitrogen. Nutrient-diffusing substrates were used in a lake environment to create nine microhabitats of varying nitrogen and phosphorus ratios for natural populations of R. gibba and E. turgida. The number of endosymbionts per diatom increased as ambient nitrogen became limiting; mean endosymbiont volume increased as nitrogen increased. The mean endosymbiont surface area: volume ratio decreased with increasing nitrogen. Total endosymbiont volume per diatom (the product of the number of endosymbionts per diatom and their individual biovolumes) did not have a simple response to increasing nitrogen. Phosphorus limitation uncoupled the relationship between endosymbiont load and nitrogen. We suspect that flexibility of the endosymbiont load can reduce the metabolic cost to the diatom if the endosymbionts are dependent on the diatom for a resource.
Analysis of Superplastic Deformation of AZ31 Magnesium Alloy

AZ31 is a magnesium alloy possessing good mechanical properties, which makes it particularly attractive for automotive applications. Yet, in order to advance the utilization of this alloy, a broad database of its superplastic behavior is needed. This work presents the results of a comprehensive study on the elevated temperature superplastic behavior of the AZ31 magnesium alloy. Flow stress, fracture strain and strain sensitivity index maps were constructed over a wide range of strain rates, covering temperatures between 325 and 450 °C.
A Meniscus Model for Optimization of Texturing and Liquid Lubrication of Magnetic Thin-Film Rigid Disks

A meniscus model to predict the effect of disk texture and liquid films on stiction at a head-disk interface is developed using a newly derived equation for meniscus force in the presence of a liquid film. Meniscus contribution to the stiction in the presence of liquid films is calculated for multiple asperity contacts. The meniscus force and the resulting stiction force are calculated as a function of mean peak radius (RP), standard deviation of peak heights (σP), total number of peaks (NO), and liquid film thickness (h). In addition, critical ranges for σP, RP, NO and h, outside which severe stiction and/or plastic deformation may result, are obtained. A limiting case of N identical asperities with a constant spherical radius R and a constant height is also considered. Based on the analysis, the design curves are presented which can be used in selecting the optimum parameters, such as σP,RP, and NO as a function of h, to prevent severe stiction and plastic deformation. Presented at the 49th Annual Meeti...
Indices of renal structure and function in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus

The evaluation of renal biopsies from diabetic patients rests upon measurements of many structures in glomeruli, the tubules and the interstitium. These individual values can also be expressed as an index of renal structure. To assess the validity of the individual values versus a published index of renal structure, we evaluated glomerular basement membrane width, mesangial volume fraction, other measures of glomerular structure, and percentage glomerulosclerosis in type 1 diabetic subjects with renal function ranging from normal to marked albuminuria, hypertension, and a falling glomerular filtration rate. For all measured structural parameters and for the index, all groups of diabetic patients, even those who had completely normal renal function, had values different from non-diabetic subjects (P<0.001). Furthermore, there was an excellent correlation between the structural index and a similar functional index (r=0.77).
Crystal Structures of β-1,4-Galactosyltransferase 7 Enzyme Reveal Conformational Changes and Substrate Binding

The β-1,4-galactosyltransferase 7 (β4GalT7) enzyme is involved in proteoglycan synthesis. In the presence of a manganese ion, it transfers galactose from UDP-galactose to xylose on a proteoglycan acceptor substrate. We present here the crystal structures of human β4GalT7 in open and closed conformations. A comparison of these crystal structures shows that, upon manganese and UDP or UDP-Gal binding, the enzyme undergoes conformational changes involving a small and a long loop. We also present the crystal structures of Drosophila wild-type β4GalT7 and D211N β4GalT7 mutant enzymes in the closed conformation in the presence of the acceptor substrate xylobiose and the donor substrate UDP-Gal, respectively. To understand the catalytic mechanism, we have crystallized the ternary complex of D211N β4GalT7 mutant enzyme in the presence of manganese with the donor and the acceptor substrates together in the same crystal structure. The galactose moiety of the bound UDP-Gal molecule forms seven hydrogen bonds with the protein molecule. The nonreducing end of the xylose moiety of xylobiose binds to the hydrophobic acceptor sugar binding pocket created by the conformational changes, whereas its extended xylose moiety forms hydrophobic interactions with a Tyr residue. In the ternary complex crystal structure, the nucleophile O4 oxygen atom of the xylose molecule is found in close proximity to the C1 and O5 atoms of the galactose moiety. This is the first time that a Michaelis complex of a glycosyltransferase has been described, and it clearly suggests an SN2 type catalytic mechanism for the β4GalT7 enzyme.
Possible role of phospholipase A2 in triggering histamine secretion from human basophils in vitro.

Abstract We have investigated the possibility that phospholipase A2 (PLA2) activation plays a role in immediate hypersensitivity reactions. Two agents, p-bromophenacyl bromide (BPB) and mepacrine, which inhibit PLA2 activity in several tissues, cause a dose-dependent inhibition of histamine release from human basophils induced by several immunologic (i.e., antigen and anti-IgE) and nonimmunologic (i.e., formyl-methionine-containing peptide [(f-met peptide)] and the Ca2+ ionophore, A23187) stimuli. The inhibitory effect of BPB on histamine release is irreversible and extremely rapid. BPB is inhibitory in the whole reaction as well as in the first and second stage of antigen- and anti-IgE-induced histamine release. Increasing the Ca2+ concentrations in the extracellular medium partially blocks the inhibitory effect of BPB. BPB, however, is not a competitive antagonist of the effect of Ca2+ suggesting that the two agents act on distinct enzymatic sites. The inhibitory effect of BPB in the presence of exogenous arachidonic acid (AA) was less marked than in the absence of AA. These data suggest that the activation of cell surface receptors and/or the intracellular translocation of Ca2+ by the ionophore A23187 activates a basophil PLA2 which plays an essential role in the control of the release of preformed mediators.
Perils and prospects of using aggregate area level socioeconomic information as a proxy for individual level socioeconomic confounders in instrumental variables regression

A frequent concern in making statistical inference for causal effects of a policy or treatment based on observational studies is that there are unmeasured confounding variables. The instrumental variable method is an approach to estimating a causal relationship in the presence of unmeasured confounding variables. A valid instrumental variable needs to be independent of the unmeasured confounding variables. It is important to control for the confounding variable if it is correlated with the instrument. In health services research, socioeconomic status variables are often considered as confounding variables. In recent studies, distance to a specialty care center has been used as an instrument for the effect of specialty care vs. general care. Because the instrument may be correlated with socioeconomic status variables, it is important that socioeconomic status variables are controlled for in the instrumental variables regression. However, health data sets often lack individual socioeconomic information but contain area average socioeconomic information from the US Census, e.g., average income or education level in a county. We study the effects on the bias of the two stage least squares estimates in instrumental variables regression when using an area-level variable as a controlled confounding variable that may be correlated with the instrument. We propose the aggregated instrumental variables regression using the concept of Wald’s method of grouping, provided the assumption that the grouping is independent of the errors. We present simulation results and an application to a study of perinatal care for premature infants.
Magnetic Monopoles in Grand Unified Theories

It is suggested that the magnetic monopoles predicted by grand unified theories would not be produced in significant numbers if electromagnetic gauge invariance is spontaneously broken when the temperature $T$ is greater than ${T}_{c}\ensuremath{\gtrsim}1$ TeV. A model possessing this behavior is displayed and the cosmological implications are discussed.
Effects of Salt and Pyrophosphate on the Physical and Chemical Properties of Beef Muscle

The effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) and pyrophosphate (PP) were examined by treating beef sternomandibularis muscle tissue and isolated beef myofibrils with various concentrations of NaCl, with and without 10 mM PP. Gel electrophoresis showed that higher NaCl concentrations (1.0M > 0.7M > 0.4M) increased the extraction of titin, myosin, and other myofibrillar proteins from beef tissue and that the inclusion of 10 mM PP to NaCl solutions enhanced the extraction of those proteins. Beef tissue water-holding capacity (WHC) was increased by higher NaCl concentrations and the presence of 10 mM PP. Increased myofibrillar/cytoskeletal protein extraction, especially titin, was associated with increased beef myofibril swelling and increased beef muscle WHC.
Radiation Effects on the Reactivity of Solid Surfaces: Defects produced in solids by radiation fields can enter into chemical reactions on the surface

The possible effects of radiation on the chemical reactivity of solids are described briefly. Three topics are reviewed in detail as examples of the problems involved in such effects: (1) radioinduced adsorption and desorption of O2 on zinc oxide, (2) radiation effects on silica gel's catalytic activity for H/ .sub 2/-D/sub 2/ isotope exchange reaction and adsorption capacity for H/sub 2/ and O/sub 2/, and (3) effects of S35 and external radiation on S and O isotope exchange between solid sulfate and SO/sub 2/ or O/sub 2/ gas. A bibliography of 53 references is given. (D.L.C.)
Psychometric properties and correlates of three computer aversion scales

Investigators have employed a variety of constructs and measures to examine individuals’ discomfort with computer use. Models and instruments for measuring constructs such as computer anxiety, computer phobia, and computer aversion have been employed to investigate negative reactions that slow individuals’ acceptance and useful application of computers. Using a large college student sample, we sought to compare the psychometric properties of three computer aversion scales and to investigate their relationships to gender, age, cognitive abilities, and experience with computer use. The results indicated good reliability, good validity coefficients, and similar factor structures for the scales. Younger students, female students, and students with lower mathematical skills and less computer experience were more likely to experience discomfort with computers. Implications include the possibility that if software and hardware alter subjects’ expectations about the difficulty of completing tasks, individual differences in computer aversion are likely to become a source of additional unexplained variance. Such differences must be heeded in software design and in the design of experimental research involving computers as stimulus controllers and response recorders.
Can QCD be tested in high-energy low-p⊥ hadronic physics?

Summary. - It is suggested that the broadening of the pdistribution which is predicted by QCD and which has been seen in e+e - at highest PETRA energies should be reached in low-pproton-proton collisions (using the technique of removal of the leading-particle effect) at c.m. energies ~/s~400 GeV. The preliminary data from the pp Cern collider support this estimate which agrees with cosmic-ray analysis.
High-resolution glyph-inspection based security system

This paper describes the use of a 1∶1 magnification 3.5 micron true resolution Dyson Relay lens-based 3 MPixel USB CMOS imaging device (DR CID) and software forensic image analysis system. The device enables the simultaneous capture of both intentional printing shapes and unintentional printing artifacts caused by the printing process and the interaction of the ink with the substrate on which printing occurs. The custom image analysis system written for the DR CID device allows even a single printed character to simultaneously provide fiducial marking, inspection information, authentication and forensics. We report herein on the sensitivity of the system and initial results for the reliable authentication of a printed character using DR CID hardware devices.
The Supreme Court and Opinion Content: The Use of the Federalist Papers

Many scholars of the Supreme Court and many justices assert the importance of the Federalist Papers. They provide important evidence of original meaning and interpretation of the Constitution, and there is evidence that there is an increase in citations to the Federalist Papers in Supreme Court opinions. While some may view this increased citation use as a positive development because it demonstrates reliance on legal authority in judicial decisions, we provide evidence that in a period marked by dissensus and controversy, the use of the Federalist Papers represents externally and internally oriented strategic attempts by the justices to add legitimacy to constitutional interpretation, and to sway colleagues. We use a combination of descriptive and multivariate techniques to examine Federalist citations from 1953 to 1995 to demonstrate our interpretation.
Site-directed Mutagenesis of Cys-15 and Cys-20 of Pulmonary Surfactant Protein D EXPRESSION OF A TRIMERIC PROTEIN WITH ALTERED ANTI-VIRAL PROPERTIES

Surfactant protein D (SP-D) molecules are preferentially assembled as dodecamers consisting of trimeric subunits associated at their amino termini. The NH2-terminal sequence of each monomer contains two conserved cysteine residues, which participate in interchain disulfide bonds. In order to study the roles of these residues in SP-D assembly and function, we employed site-directed mutagenesis to substitute serine for cysteine 15 and 20 in recombinant rat SP-D (RrSP-D), and have expressed the mutant (RrSP-Dser15/20) in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO-K1) cells. The mutant, which was efficiently secreted, bound to maltosyl-agarose, but unlike RrSP-D, was assembled exclusively as trimers. The constituent monomers showed a decreased mobility on SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis resulting from an increase in the size and sialylation of the N-linked oligosaccharide at Asn-70. Although RrSP-Dser15/20 contained a pepsin-resistant triple helical domain, it showed a decreased Tm, and acquired susceptibility to proteolytic degradation. Like RrSP-D, RrSP-Dser15/20 bound to the hemagglutinin of influenza A. However, it showed no viral aggregation and did not enhance the binding of influenza A to neutrophils (PMN), augment PMN respiratory burst, or protect PMNs from deactivation. These studies indicate that amino-terminal disulfides are required to stabilize dodecamers, and support our hypothesis that the oligomerization of trimeric subunits contributes to the anti-microbial properties of SP-D.
Urbanism and the king in ancient China

Abstract A thorough understanding of the Shang political system is the key to any productive discussion of the beginning of urbanization and civilization in China. The earliest cities were loci of the royal lineages, which were the apex of the newly created class structure. The basic exploitative technology underwent little change from the Neolithic to the Shang, and the emergence of the great Shang civilization was based on a reorganized distribution of wealth, which enabled the concentration of society's resources in the hands of the ruling class. Ironically, while much of the greatest material achievement in Shang civilization — or perhaps any civilization ‐ is wasteful in terms of human needs, in posterity such achievements honour all the people they represent, the ruler and the ruled. Is greatness possible only in such terms, or are the archaeologist's criteria for greatness cockeyed in the first place?
Elliptic equations, rearrangements, and functions of bounded lower oscillation

Soit Ω un domaine borne de R n et H(x), w 1 (x), w 2 (x) des fonctions mesurables non negatives sur Ω; H, 1/H∈L ∞ (Ω) et w 1 , w 2 ∈L 2 (Ω). Soient J # , w 1 # et w 2 # les rearrangements decroissants radiaux de H, w 1 et w 2 sur une boule Ω # de R n . Soient u∈H 0 1 (Ω) et v∈H 0 1 (Ω # ) les solutions faibles des equations −div(H(x)⊇u)=w 1 dans Ω, u=0 sur ∂Ω; −div (H # (x)⊇v)=w 1 # dans Ω # , v=0 sur ∂Ω # . On verifie l'estimation ∫ Ω uw 2 dx≤∫ Ω# vw 2 # dx
IBM systems application architecture: common user access from first principles

This article discusses the principles behind the design of the user interface defined by IBM in its common user access. Examples are given for each of the three principles, and variations described for different levels of user skill.
Relationship of Heat Treatment And Microstructure to Corrosion Resistance In Wrought Ni-Cr-Mo Alloys

Abstract In an investigation of the effect of heat treatment on microstructure and corrosion resistance, seven heats of wrought Ni-Cr-Mo alloy were heated in the range of 800 F to 2375 F. Corrosron...
Molecular Interactions between MUC1 Epithelial Mucin, β-Catenin, and CagA Proteins.

Interleukin (IL)-8-driven neutrophil infiltration of the gastric mucosa is pathognomonic of persistent Helicobacter pylori infection. Our prior study showed that ectopic over-expression of MUC1 in human AGS gastric epithelial cells reduced H. pylori-stimulated IL-8 production compared with cells expressing MUC1 endogenously. Conversely, Muc1 knockout (Muc1-/-) mice displayed an increased level of transcripts encoding the keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), the murine equivalent of human IL-8, in gastric mucosa compared with Muc1(+/+) mice during experimental H. pylori infection. The current study tested the hypothesis that a decreased IL-8 level observed following MUC1 over-expression is mediated through the ability of MUC1 to associate with β-catenin, thereby inhibiting H. pylori-induced β-catenin nuclear translocation. Increased neutrophil infiltration of the gastric mucosa of H. pylori-infected Muc1(-/-) mice was observed compared with Muc1(+/+) wild type littermates, thus defining the functional consequences of increased KC expression in the Muc1-null animals. Protein co-immunoprecipitation (coIP) studies using lysates of untreated or H. pylori-treated AGS cells demonstrated that (a) MUC1 formed a coIP complex with β-catenin and CagA, (b) MUC1 over-expression reduced CagA/β-catenin coIP, and (c) in the absence of MUC1 over-expression, H. pylori infection increased the nuclear level of β-catenin, (d) whereas MUC1 over-expression decreased bacteria-driven β-catenin nuclear localization. These results suggest that manipulation of MUC1 expression in gastric epithelia may be an effective therapeutic strategy to inhibit H. pylori-dependent IL-8 production, neutrophil infiltration, and stomach inflammation.
Psychology of Promoting Environmentalism: Promoting Environmentalism

This issue of the Journal of Social Issues focuses on the psychology, sociology, and public policy of global environmental issues. The goals of the issue are (1) to describe the current state of the environment and environmentalism, (2) to present new theories and research on environmentalattitudes and behaviors, and (3) to explore obstacles and ethical considerations in promoting proenvironmental action. The following brief introduction places this issue within a context of preceding JSI issues, provides a framework for the articles, and highlights several recurring themes that occur throughout the issue.
Ximelagatran compared with warfarin for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: Rationale, objectives, and design of a pair of clinical studies and baseline patient characteristics (SPORTIF III and V).

Abstract Background Ximelagatran is a novel, oral direct thrombin inhibitor under investigation as an alternative to warfarin for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (AF). Two long-term studies in patients with AF and at least one additional risk factor for stroke are underway to compare the safety and efficacy of fixed-dose ximelagatran (36 mg bid) without coagulation monitoring with dose-adjusted warfarin (international normalized ratio 2.0–3.0). Methods SPORTIF III is a randomized, open-label, parallel-group study with blinded event assessment involving 3407 patients at 259 sites in 23 countries. SPORTIF V is similar, but with double-blind treatment allocation involving 3922 patients at 409 North American sites. The primary end point in each study is the incidence of all strokes and systemic embolic events, and the objective is to establish the noninferiority of ximelagatran relative to warfarin. Secondary end point constellations include (1) death, stroke, systemic embolism, and myocardial infarction; (2) ischemic stroke, transient ischemic attack, and systemic embolism; and (3) bleeding and treatment discontinuation. Blinded central committees adjudicate all end points and monitor patient safety. The studies commenced July 2000; enrollment ended in December 2001. Each study will accrue ≥4000 patient-years and ≥80 primary end points with a minimum per-patient exposure of 12 months. Combined analysis of both studies is also planned. Results The demographics of the 2 patient populations are similar and should allow the studies to meet the objective. Conclusions The program, the largest conducted in this indication, will determine the safety and antithrombotic efficacy of ximelagatran as an alternative to warfarin for prevention of thromboembolism in patients with AF.
2,2,2-Trifluoroethanol Toxicity in Hamsters (Mesocricetus auratus)

As part of an effort to further elucidate the mechanism whereby fluorinated ether anesthetics express their various toxic effects, Golden Syrian hamsters were utilized to determine acute and subchronic toxicities of the anesthetic metabolite 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE). The major lesion observed with the TFE (0.25 g/kg ip) was coagulation necrosis characterized by nuclear pyknosis in epithelial cells of intestinal villi, the deeper portion of gastric mucosae, lymphoid organs such as thymus, spleen and mesenteric lymph nodules and brain. Hepatocyte hypertrophy with diffuse vacuolar degeneration was also found. Lungs had a characteristic focal terminal bronchiolar epithelial hyperplasia with discrete mucous metaplasia in the terminal bronchioles. In subchronic studies, hamsters were injected with sublethal doses of TFE (0.20 g/kg once per week for 5 weeks). The major lesions observed were severe hepatocyte hyperplasia and hypertrophy with fatty degeneration, necrosis of hair germinal matrix, urinary bladder transitional epithelial cellular hypertrophy, and hyperplasia with vacuolar degeneration and submucosal edema. Ultrastructural studies of acutely treated animals indicate that fat vacuoles formed within the hepatic endoplasmic reticulum characterized by lamellar bodies forming multiple myelin figures within the fat vacuoles. Hepatic cytochrome P-450 concentrations measured as a possible index of endoplasmic reticulum damage, failed to reveal any significant differences between the treated and non-treated hamsters.
Plasma Dihydroxyphenylalanine and Total Body and Regional Noradrenergic Activity in Humans

Dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA) is the immediate product of the rate-limiting step in catecholamine biosynthesis, hydroxylation of tyrosine. This study examined whether plasma concentrations of DOPA are related to tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Plasma concentrations of DOPA, norepinephrine, and the norepinephrine metabolites 3,4-dihydroxyphenylglycol (DHPG) and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) were measured in arterial blood and blood draining the heart, brain, and forearm of 21 patients undergoing cardiac catheterization. Rates of entry of norepinephrine into arterial plasma and plasma draining the heart were estimated using infusions of radioactive norepinephrine. Arterial plasma DOPA correlated positively with arterial plasma DHPG (r = 0.63), MHPG (r = 0.47), norepinephrine (r = 0.67), and the rate of entry of norepinephrine into arterial plasma (r = 0.62). There were significant arteriovenous increments in plasma DOPA: 28% across the heart, 18% across the brain, and 32% across the forearm. Arterio...
Library unit development fundamentals

The teaching of the development of library units seems to lack the attention it deserves in undergraduate education. References to such topic can be found mainly for the professional programer. CS2 provides a great opportunity to teach an initial set of best practices and patterns for the design library units which provide students with a strong foundation for later use in the development of APIs. We present a carefully selected set of patterns and best practices culled through several years teaching data structures. These patterns and practices are aimed to guide the student in the specification, implementation and testing of library units.
Apprenticeships in Prostitution

While theoretical conceptions of deviant behavior range from role strain to psychoanalytic theory, orientations to the study of the prostitute have shown considerable homogeneity. Twentieth century theorizing concerning this occupational group has employed, almost exclusively, a Freudian psychiatric model. The prostitute has thus been variously described as masochistic, of infantile mentality, unable to form mature interpersonal relationships, regressed, emotionally dangerous to males and as normal as the average women.' The call girl, the specific focus of this paper, has been accused of being anxious, possessing a confused self-image, excessively dependent, demonstrating gender-role confusion, agressive, lacking internal controls and asochistic.2
Improving detection of small lung nodules in PET imaging using Fourier-wavelet deconvolution

The restoration approach has been successfully used in nuclear medicine imaging for various applications. However, the restoration process is an ill-conditioned process, which has a tendency to significantly increase the amount of noise in the restored images. New hybrid Fourier-wavelet deconvolution restoration techniques have been developed. Here, the Fourier-wavelet deconvolution restoration technique using Butterworth filter in Fourier domain and Daubechies wavelet function, order 2 was implemented. Wavelet noise suppression was applied by hard threshold. The results show an average 25% increase in contrast in lung lesions, with a 2% increase in noise in the restored images. Image restoration based on a hybrid Fourier-wavelet deconvolution approach can improve the whole-body PET imaging.
ODR: output-deterministic replay for multicore debugging

Reproducing bugs is hard. Deterministic replay systems address this problem by providing a high-fidelity replica of an original program run that can be repeatedly executed to zero-in on bugs. Unfortunately, existing replay systems for multiprocessor programs fall short. These systems either incur high overheads, rely on non-standard multiprocessor hardware, or fail to reliably reproduce executions. Their primary stumbling block is data races -- a source of nondeterminism that must be captured if executions are to be faithfully reproduced.In this paper, we present ODR--a software-only replay system that reproduces bugs and provides low-overhead multiprocessor recording. The key observation behind ODR is that, for debugging purposes, a replay system does not need to generate a high-fidelity replica of the original execution. Instead, it suffices to produce any execution that exhibits the same outputs as the original. Guided by this observation, ODR relaxes its fidelity guarantees to avoid the problem of reproducing data-races altogether. The result is a system that replays real multiprocessor applications, such as Apache, MySQL, and the Java Virtual Machine, and provides low record-mode overhead.
Effects of Connection Fractures on Global Behavior of Steel Moment Frames Subjected to Earthquakes

Brittle fractures have been observed in beam-to-column connections of welded steel moment frames following several recent earthquakes. To help understand the effects of connection fractures on seismic safety and response, a series of shaking table experiments and numerical simulations were carried out on a one-third scale, two-story, one-bay moment-resisting steel frame. Simplified mechanical connections were utilized in the experiments to create different types and distributions of fracture behavior. These investigations demonstrate that connection fracture may not always have deleterious consequences, especially when few fractures occur. On the other hand, the experimental and numerical investigations clearly demonstrate that severe strength loss due to the combination of numerous fractures, undesirable postfracture hysteretic behavior, and large excitation can have adverse consequences including collapse.
AN INFINITE FAMILY OF KNOTS WHOSE MOSAIC NUMBER IS REALIZED IN NON-REDUCED PROJECTIONS

Lomonaco and Kauffman [Quantum knots and mosaics, Quantum Inf. Process. 7(2–3) (2008) 85–115] introduced the notion of knot mosaics in their work on quantum knots. It is conjectured that knot mosaic type is a complete invariant of tame knots. In this paper, we answer a question of C. Adams by constructing an infinite family of knots whose mosaic number can be realized only when the crossing number is not. That is, there is an infinite family of non-minimal knots whose mosaic numbers are known.
A replicable Web-based negotiation server for e-commerce

This paper describes our ongoing R&D effort in developing a replicable, Web-based negotiation server to conduct bargaining-type negotiations between clients (i.e., buyers and sellers) in e-commerce. Multiple copies of this server can be paired with existing Web-servers to provide negotiation capabilities. Each client can select a trusted negotiation server to represent his/her interests. Web-based GUI tools are used by clients in a build-time registration process to specify the requirements, constraints, negotiation strategic rules, and preference scoring methods related to the buying or selling of a product. The registration information in used by the negotiation servers to conduct negotiations automatically on behalf of the clients. In this paper, we present the architecture of the negotiation server and the framework for automated negotiations, and describe a number of communication primitives, which make up the negotiation protocol. We have developed a constraint satisfaction processor (CSP) to evaluate a negotiation proposal against the registered constraints. An event-trigger-rule (ETR) server manages events and triggers the execution of strategic rules, which may relax constraints, notify clients, or perform other operations. Strategic rules can be added and modified at run-time to deal with the dynamic nature of negotiations. A cost-benefit analysis performs quantitative analysis of alternative negotiation conditions. We have implemented a prototype system to demonstrate automated negotiations among buyers and suppliers in a supply chain management system.
Cannabinoid Receptor Activation Shifts Temporally Engendered Patterns of Dopamine Release

The ability to discern temporally pertinent environmental events is essential for the generation of adaptive behavior in conventional tasks, and our overall survival. Cannabinoids are thought to disrupt temporally controlled behaviors by interfering with dedicated brain timing networks. Cannabinoids also increase dopamine release within the mesolimbic system, a neural pathway generally implicated in timing behavior. Timing can be assessed using fixed-interval (FI) schedules, which reinforce behavior on the basis of time. To date, it remains unknown how cannabinoids modulate dopamine release when responding under FI conditions, and for that matter, how subsecond dopamine release is related to time in these tasks. In the present study, we hypothesized that cannabinoids would accelerate timing behavior in an FI task while concurrently augmenting a temporally relevant pattern of dopamine release. To assess this possibility, we measured subsecond dopamine concentrations in the nucleus accumbens while mice responded for food under the influence of the cannabinoid agonist WIN 55 212-2 in an FI task. Our data reveal that accumbal dopamine concentrations decrease proportionally to interval duration—suggesting that dopamine encodes time in FI tasks. We further demonstrate that WIN 55 212-2 dose-dependently increases dopamine release and accelerates a temporal behavioral response pattern in a CB1 receptor-dependent manner—suggesting that cannabinoid receptor activation modifies timing behavior, in part, by augmenting time-engendered patterns of dopamine release. Additional investigation uncovered a specific role for endogenous cannabinoid tone in timing behavior, as elevations in 2-arachidonoylglycerol, but not anandamide, significantly accelerated the temporal response pattern in a manner akin to WIN 55 212-2.
Assessing Religion and Spirituality in Counseling: Some Reflections and Recommendations

In this article, the importance of conducting a religious and spiritual assessment in counseling is considered. Some essential dimensions of religion and spirituality to assess are described. The authors recommend assessment questions that can be asked during clinical interviews or included on written intake questionnaires. They also briefly describe a few standardized religious and spiritual assessment instruments. Finally, they offer suggestions for conducting spiritual assessments in school settings.
On estimating canopy photosynthesis and stomatal conductance in a deciduous forest with clumped foliage.

Summary The foliage in a fully-leafed deciduous forest canopy is clumped. Consequently, theory indicates that the probability of beam penetration will be estimated more accurately with a model based on the negative binomial distribution than with a model based on the Poisson distribution. incorporating an assumption of a spherical leaf inclination angle distribution. Flux densities of photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) were measured in and above a deciduous forest canopy and were computed with the canopy radiative transfer models based on the negative binomial and Poisson distributions. These radiation values were used to compute canopy photosynthesis and stomata1 conductance. Canopy photosynthesis and stomata1 conductance, based on the negative binomial model, overestimated values computed from measured PAR profiles by 8 and 9%. respectively. The canopy photosynthesis and stomata1 conductance values computed with the spherical Poisson model underestimated measured values by 17 and IO’%, respectively. Thus, the negative binomial radiative transfer model improves estimates of canopy photosynthesis and. to a lesser extent, stomata1 conductance, inside a deciduous forest.
A Benefit-risk Model to Facilitate DMC-sponsor Communication and Decision Making

In drug development, independent data monitoring committees (DMCs) are routinely engaged by clinical trial sponsors to monitor patient safety. Transferring the obligation of interim data monitoring to an independent party helps ensure trial integrity by allowing the sponsor to remain blinded to emerging treatment results. But it also poses a dilemma: after each interim analysis, the DMC makes a recommendation to the sponsor regarding the continuation or modification of the ongoing trial, on the basis of which the sponsor must make a decision. Yet the unblinded results, which alone are the ideal basis for decision making, are only seen by the DMC and by design are withheld from the sponsor. We propose application of a multiattribute benefit-risk model to enable more informed decision making. The model provides an assessment of the emerging benefits and risks of active therapy versus control, based on an evaluation of attributes prespecified by the sponsor. While revealing no specific study outcomes, it allows an appreciation of the direction and magnitude of differentiation between treatment groups in terms of benefit and risk, enabling conversations around scenarios that would lead to this kind of assessment. The model also reflects uncertainty in the evaluation of benefits and risks, an essential feature in the analysis of interim data. This type of assessment may be leveraged to provide meaningful context accompanying the textual recommendation of a DMC to enable more informed decision making, while upholding the sponsor’s commitment to remain blinded to particular study results.
Human menopausal gonadotrophin increases pregnancy rate in comparison with clomiphene citrate during replacement cycles of frozen/thawed pronucleate ova

In a prospective randomized study, the effect of two ovulation induction regimens on implantation rate of frozen/thawed pronucleate ova was investigated. Patients received either human menopausal gonadotrophin (HMG) or clomiphene/HMG. Ovulation induction was done on an individual basis using ultrasound and plasma 17 beta-oestradiol concentrations. Ovulation was induced with human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) when the leading follicle reached a diameter of 18 mm. Pronucleate ova had been frozen using the slow-freezing method of Lassalle et al. (1985) (Fertil. Steril., 44, 645-651) and were thawed in synchrony with the age of the endometrium. Both groups of patients were comparable for age, indication for in-vitro fertilization, pre-ovulatory 17 beta-oestradiol concentration, number of large follicles and number and quality of embryos transferred. The only difference found was that HCG was administered 1 day earlier in the HMG group compared to the clomiphene/HMG group (P < 0.01). Using univariate analysis, the pregnancy rate was higher in patients stimulated with HMG alone compared to those stimulated with clomiphene/HMG (27 versus 15% respectively; P < 0.03), when HCG was administered later in the menstrual cycle (P < 0.01) and when more and better quality embryos were transferred (P < 0.01). Using multivariate regression analysis, the influence of the stimulation on pregnancy rate was even more pronounced (P < 0.01) when the day of HCG administration and the number and quality embryos transferred were taken into account. Therefore, we conclude that HMG alone increases pregnancy rate compared to clomiphene/HMG during replacement cycles of frozen/thawed pronucleate ova. These data suggest that HMG results in a better endometrium receptivity for embryos.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Impulsivity predicts the onset of DSM-IV-TR or RDC hypomanic and manic episodes in adolescents and young adults with high or moderate reward sensitivity.

Abstract Background A growing body of research suggests that bipolar disorders (BD) are associated with high impulsivity. Using a multi-method approach, the current study provided the first examination of the hypothesis that impulsivity would prospectively predict shorter time to onset of DSM-IV-TR or RDC hypomanic or manic episodes in a sample selected based on reward sensitivity, a biobehavioral trait shown to predict onset and course of BD. Methods 163 participants with high reward sensitivity and 114 participants with moderate reward sensitivity were followed every six months for an average of 2.68 years. Participants completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale – Version 11 (BIS-11), Balloon Analog Risk Task (BART), Beck Depression Inventory, Altman Self-Rating Mania Scale, and an expanded Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia (exp-SADS) – Lifetime Version at baseline and were followed prospectively with the exp-SADS – Change Version to assess onset of hypomanic or manic episodes and treatment seeking for mood problems. Results Cox proportional hazard regression analyses indicated that impulsivity as measured by a behavioral task (BART; OR=1.04, p=.03) and a self-report measure (BIS-11 Attentional Impulsiveness subscale; OR=1.16, p=.01) predicted shorter time to hypomania/mania onset, after controlling for baseline depressive and manic symptoms, family history of mood disorder, treatment seeking for mood problems, and reward sensitivity. Limitations The study was limited by non-comprehensive assessment of impulsivity and unknown generalizability to clinical samples. Conclusions Impulsivity confers vulnerability to hypomania or mania. Future studies would benefit from considering how impulsivity can be integrated into existing biopsychosocial models of BD.
Controlled Impurity Introduction in CVD: Chemical, Electrical, and Morphological Influences

We present here an overview of recent studies of the influence of oxygen doping on the electrical and structural properties of semiconductors grown through the metal organic vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) technique. In particular, we have measured the impact of oxygen introduction on several of the principal aspects of the growth process: incorporation, activation, and influence on the growing surface structure. The gas phase chemistry and dopant incorporation was investigated for two different precursors: dimethyl aluminum methoxide and diethyl aluminum ethoxide. The simple change in the structure of the oxygen source leads to significant changes in the oxygen incorporation behavior. Complementary studies of the gas phase decomposition of these oxygen sources have indicated that the decomposition mechanism is substantially different for these two sources leading to the change in incorporation behavior. The impact of the selective incorporation of oxygen at heterointerfaces has been studied here through the growth of superlattice structures. Glancing angle X-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy measurements have shown that the incorporation of oxygen at the GaAs-to-AlxGa1−x As interface leads to modest increases in the average roughness of the heterointerface with more significant changes in the interfacial structure. The structure of this interfacial roughness was also studied through measurements of the diffuse X-ray scattering about a Bragg peak. Measurements of the component of the roughness which is correlated between the superlattice layers show significant changes with oxygen addition.
Rough Endoplasmic Reticulum in Midgut Cells of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae): Aggregation Stimulated by Juvenile Hormone

We determined whether juvenile hormone induces architectural change in rough endoplasmic reticulum in midgut cells of female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. Removal of corpora allata or decapitation prevented normal postecdysial as well as post-blood-meal aggregation of the reticulum. Ectopic treatment with an analog of juvenile hormone restored this capacity to aggregate. This demonstrates that juvenile hormone regulates maturation of the midgut in adult mosquitoes.
The Behavioral Approach to Lithics and the Use of Ethnographic Analogy: A Comment on Odell

George Odell's article calls attention to the need for more creative uses of the results of lithic use-wear studies. However, the structure of his argument is precarious because it is based on a hierarchy of assumptions about the stone tools themselves, as well as about the behavioral contexts of their use. A major failing of the argument is the lack of a rigorous methodology for construction and application of ethnographic analogies. The present comment argues for the use of general analogy, based on consideration of a range of pertinent ethnographic examples.
493 WHAT DOES THE “PRE-TEST” TEST?

The American Board of Pediatrics In-Training Examination or “Pre-Test” is now in widespread use as a means of evaluating the cognitive knowledge of house officers. The examination is modeled after the certifying examination of the American Board of Pediatrics. The 1977 Pre-Test was analyzed in an attempt to determine the currency of the knowledge required to pass this examination. The 7th through 10th editions of the Textbook of Pediatrics (Nelson) was used as a reference source. These editions represent information that is from 5 to at least 20 years of age. Analysis of the 190 items revealed that the correct answer was known for 148 or 78% of the questions at least 20 years ago. A total of 129 questions (68%) could have been written 20 years ago. The difference between the conclusion that 78% of the correct answers were known 20 years ago and that only 68% of the questions could have been written 20 years ago lies in the fact that portions of the question or distractors in the answer contained new facts (31), new drugs (14), new tests (12), or new attitudes (4). In only 10 instances (5.3%) was the answer not present in any edition of the textbook. These results suggest that the Pre-Test, and presumably the American Board of Pediatrics certifying exam, measure the candidates' knowledge of long-standing core information and are not suitable instruments for gauging if the candidate is keeping abreast of more recent medical advances.