cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Divisibility of class numbers of imaginary quadratic function fields

We consider applications to function fields of methods previously used to study divisibility of class numbers of quadratic number fields. Let K be a quadratic extension of Fq(x), where q is an odd prime power. We first present a function field analog to a Diophantine method of Soundararajan for finding quadratic imaginary function fields whose class groups have elements of a given order. We also show that this method does not miss many suchfields. We then use a method similar to Hartung to show that there are infinitely many imaginary K whose class numbers are indivisible by any odd prime distinct from the characteristic.
Latent carcinogenic action of beta-irradiation on mouse epidermis.

A SINGLE application of a carcinogenic hydrocarbon, in itself insufficient to cause tumours, can bring about a change in mouse skin enabling subsequent applications of the non-carcinogenic substance croton oil to result in the formation of papillomas and carcinomas1. It seemed of interest to inquire whether a ‘latent’ tumour change similar to that produced by the hydrocarbon could be induced in mouse skin by the local application of beta-rays in a single, subcarcinogenic dose.
The Library and the Web: Graduate Students’ Selection of Open Access Journals for Empirical Literature Searches

This study provides a unique, longitudinal perspective on the selection and use of open access journals by graduate students enrolled in a regularly offered educational trends and issues course. Faculty expectations for this course are that students will conduct literature searches and use articles that are empirical studies from peer-reviewed journals, published within the previous ten years. Reference lists of 382 students were collected between 2005 and 2013, and reviewed for inclusion of articles from open access journals. Of 594 unique journal titles, 68 (11.45 percent) were available under various open access conditions. Findings suggest that graduate students are using both library collections and Web crawlers to satisfy literature search assignments when not directed to specific portals. Consequently, librarian knowledge of open access empirical literature may be of much value when providing resource instruction within the current information environment.
Graphical user interface for intraoperative neuroimage updating

Image-guided neurosurgery typically relies on preoperative imaging information that is subject to errors resulting from brain shift and deformation in the OR. A graphical user interface (GUI) has been developed to facilitate the flow of data from OR to image volume in order to provide the neurosurgeon with updated views concurrent with surgery. Upon acquisition of registration data for patient position in the OR (using fiducial markers), the Matlab GUI displays ultrasound image overlays on patient specific, preoperative MR images. Registration matrices are also applied to patient-specific anatomical models used for image updating. After displaying the re-oriented brain model in OR coordinates and digitizing the edge of the craniotomy, gravitational sagging of the brain is simulated using the finite element method. Based on this model, interpolation to the resolution of the preoperative images is performed and re-displayed to the surgeon during the procedure. These steps were completed within reasonable time limits and the interface was relatively easy to use after a brief training period. The techniques described have been developed and used retrospectively prior to this study. Based on the work described here, these steps can now be accomplished in the operating room and provide near real-time feedback to the surgeon.
Comparative effects of captopril and MK 421 on sympathetic function in spontaneously hypertensive rats.

Abstract The effects of captopril and MK 421, both orally active angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, on sympathetic function in the pithed spontaneously hypertensive rat were examined. Captopril (100 mg/kg orally) signif icantly inhibited pressor responses to sympathetic nerve stimulation and norepinephrine whereas MK 421 (10 and 100 mg/kg orally) was without effect. Both drugs abolished the angiotensin l response without affecting that to angiotensin II. Because these doses of MK 421 are antihypertensive in the Spontaneously hypertensive rat, it is concluded that inhibition of sympathetic function plays no role in its effect. The role of the sympatholytic action of captopril in its antihypertensive action remains unclear.
Evaluation of influence coefficient matrices for an adaptive-wall wind tunnel and applications to one-step convergence scheme

Within the framework of ventilated adaptive-wall wind tunnel testing, experiments were conducted to evaluate the influence coefficients from the side-wall pressure distribution, the streamwise velocity distribution, and the vertical velocity distribution on two control surfaces. Consideration is given to the effects of Mach number, superposition, suction, blowing, and the presence of a nonlifting model. It is shown that a single-step convergence scheme reduces the testing time by eliminating the intermediate experimental iterations; however, its success depends on the accuracy of the influence coefficients.
Exploring Earth's composition and energetics with geoneutrinos

The production of heat by radioactive decay plays a major role in the evolution of the Earth. Present constraints of the amount of heat production come from conflicting assessments of global surface heat flow, which can be directly measured. A high value of 44 ± 1 terawatts accounts for significant heat flow through the ocean floor by both conduction and hydrothermal convection [Stein, 1995].A low value of 31 ± 1 terawatts assumes only a minor hydrothermal effect [Hofmeister and Criss, 2005].This heat flux is thought to result from heat production and cooling of the planet.
Diffusion and Equilibrium Measurements in Ternary Polymer−Solvent−Solvent Systems Using Inverse Gas Chromatography

Diffusion and equilibrium coefficients in ternary polymer−solvent−solvent systems were measured using inverse gas chromatography (IGC). The technique provides a new approach to probe diffusion in t...
Simulation of Synoptic- and Subsynoptic-Scale Phenomena Associated with the East Asian Summer Monsoon Using a High-Resolution GCM

Abstract A 20-yr simulation using a global atmospheric general circulation model with a resolution of 0.5° latitude × 0.625° longitude is compared with observational findings. The primary goal of this survey is to assess the model performance in reproducing various summertime phenomena related to the continental-scale Asian monsoon in general, and the regional-scale East Asian monsoon in particular. In both model and observed atmospheres, the seasonal march of the precipitation centers associated with the Asian summer monsoon is characterized by onsets occurring earliest over the southeastern Bay of Bengal, followed by rapid northeastward advances over Indochina, the South China Sea–Philippine Sea and the western Pacific, northward evolution in the East Asian sector, as well as northwestward development over the Bay of Bengal, the Indian subcontinent, and the Arabian Sea. This onset sequence is accompanied by southwesterly low-level flows over the rainy regions, as well as northwestward migration of the 2...
Tunable Encapsulation of Proteins within Charged Microgels.

The binding of cytochrome c to pH and thermoresponsive colloidal hydrogels was investigated using multiangle light scattering, measuring loading through changes in particle molar mass and root mean square radius. Loosely cross-linked microgels [composed of a random copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAm) and acrylic acid (AAc)] demonstrated a high loading capacity for protein. Encapsulation was dependent on both the charge characteristics of the network and the salinity of the medium. Under favorable binding conditions (neutral pH, low ionic strength), microgels containing the highest studied charge density (30 mol% AAc) were capable of encapsulating greater than 9.7 × 105 cytochrome c molecules per particle. Binding resulted in the formation of a polymer-protein complex and condensation of the polymer. Anionic microgels demonstrated a change in density ~20-fold in the presence of oppositely charged proteins. These studies of cytochrome c encapsulation represent a significant step towards direct measurement of encapsulation efficiency in complex media as we pursue responsive nanogels and microgels for the delivery of macromolecular therapeutic agents.
Are VA primary care providers aware of HIV testing recommendations for veterans? Findings at an Urban VA primary care clinic

ABSTRACTGiven the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in veterans and that nearly 90% of veterans have not been HIV tested, the Veterans Affairs (VA) has recommended routine HIV testing of all veterans. The objective of this study carried out at an urban VA primary care clinic was to assess provider knowledge of recent U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and VA HIV testing recommendations and policies. Fifty-six primary care providers completed a survey. Nearly 40% of providers were unaware of the CDC recommendation to test all persons ages 13 to 64 in health care settings or the VA policy to test veterans of all ages. Over 75% of providers were unaware of the latest requirements for pre- and posttest counseling, and many were unaware of the latest consent process requirements. Educating VA providers about recent HIV testing recommendations and policies may improve the low HIV testing prevalence in the VA.
Convex-polygon estimation from support-line measurements and applications to target reconstruction from laser-radar data

We address techniques for the estimation of convexpolygons from support-line measurements and introduce the application of these methods to laser-radar data. The algorithms developed use varying degrees of prior information. Quantitative assessments of their performance with respect to various parameters are provided. As expected, prior information concerning object shape and orientation greatly improves performance. It is interesting that nearly the same performance is obtained with and without prior information about object orientation, and this enables us to extract an estimate of orientation. These convex-polygonestimation techniques are applied to the problem of target reconstruction from range-resolved and Doppler-resolvedlaser-radar data. The resulting reconstructions provide size and shape estimates of the targets under observation. Although such information can be obtained by other means (e.g., from reconstructed images using tomography), the present methods yield this information more directly. Furthermore, estimates obtained by using these methods are more robust to noisy or sparse measurement data and are much more robust to data suffering from registration errors. Finally, the present methods are used to improve tomographic images in the presence of registration errors.
Calcium gradients underlying polarization and chemotaxis of eosinophils

The concentration of intracellular free calcium ([Ca2+]i) in polarized eosinophils was imaged during chemotaxis by monitoring fluorescence of the calcium-sensitive dye Fura-2 with a modified digital imaging microscope. Chemotactic stimuli caused [Ca2+]i to increase in a nonuniform manner that was related to cell activity. In cells moving persistently in one direction, [Ca2+]i was highest at the rear and lowest at the front of the cell. Before cells turned, [Ca2+]i transiently increased. The region of the cell that became the new leading edge had the lowest [Ca2+]i. These changes in [Ca2+]i provide a basis for understanding the organization and local activity of cytoskeletal proteins thought to underlie the directed migration of many cells.
Gastrin-releasing peptide gene expression in developing, hyperplastic, and neoplastic human thyroid C-cells.

Gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP), the mammalian homolog of bombesin, is often studied as a prototypic neuroregulatory hormone and growth factor, but its own regulation and physiological roles remain to be fully defined. We now demonstrate that the GRP gene is expressed in human thyroidal calcitonin (CT)-containing neuroendocrine cells (Ccells) in an ontogenic pattern similar to its expression in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells and is also expressed at high levels in C-cell hyperplasias and neoplasias (medullary carcinomas of the thyroid). Mean GRP-like immunoreactivity is 20 times higher in 3-week-old to 5-month-old infants than in normal adults, with six of seven infants having GRP levels 6- to 67-fold higher than those in normal adults, the highest levels occurring at 2–2.5 months. CT levels are about 100 times greater than GRP levels at all time intervals, with levels of GRP and CT being linearly correlated (r = 0.98). By RNA blot analysis, GRP mRNAs are increased in neonatal thyroids compared to adult t...
Design of Crude Fractionation Units with Preflashing or Prefractionation: Energy Targeting

This paper uses a previously developed systematic procedure to obtain design targets for heat integration in conventional crude fractionation units that use prefractionation columns or preflash drums. It is shown that, under the same high product yield conditions, prefractionation or preflashing followed by a conventional unit are not as energy efficient as straight conventional crude units. This is in great part due to the loss of the carrier effect that light components have in separating heavy gas-oil fractions in the flash zone. Such a carrier effect is discussed. In addition, if one accepts the yield of atmospheric gas oil to be smaller, then these prefractionation/ preflash options consume less energy.
Disease-modifying therapy in multiple sclerosis Update and clinical implications

As new therapies become available for the treatment of multiple sclerosis, the relative value of established and newer disease-modifying therapies must be considered. However, comparing the apparent efficacy of different agents across clinical trials is not easy and can be misleading when different therapies have been studied during different time periods. There has been a shift in current clinical trials toward enrolling patients with less advanced or less active disease compared with trials undertaken when no effective therapies were available. If early treatment is more effective than late treatment, this practice will produce a bias in favor of newer agents. Head-to-head trials offer the most reliable means of comparing therapies, but these trials are expensive and time consuming. Consequently, cross-trial comparisons are necessary, but a reliable means to make such comparisons is needed. One useful (but imperfect) approach is to compute the relative risk of therapy and the number-needed-to-treat, applying both measures to any cross-trial comparison. These measures capture different aspects of the trials (relative and absolute differences) and, if they agree, this suggests that the cross-trial comparison may be valid. If the two methods disagree, no reliable conclusion about relative efficacy can be made. There are only two valid conclusions from the available head-to-head and cross-trial data. First, high-dose interferon-β (IFNβ)-1a or IFNβ-1b subcutaneous has a greater impact than weekly IFNβ-1a IM on several clinical and MRI outcomes. Second, high-dose IFNβ-1a or IFNβ-1b subcutaneous has a similar clinical impact to glatiramer acetate, although IFNβ subcutaneous is superior on some MRI outcome measures.
Clonal propagation of Camptotheca acuminata through shoot bud culture

The chinese tree Camptotheca acuminata produces the anti-cancer and anti-retroviral drug camptothecin. Methods were developed for the clonal propagation of this important medicinal plant through shoot bud culture. Shoot buds were excised from 25 to 30 day old seedlings, presoaked for 48 h in three different liquid media containing either BA (2.22–17.4 μM), kinetin (2.32–18.58 μM), or thidiazuron (0.1–10 μM) and were subsequently cultured on semi-solid medium of the same composition. Multiple shoots only developed from the 6-benzyladenine presoaked explants with the maximum number of shoots initiated from buds presoaked in and grown on B5 medium containing 17.4 μM 6-benzyladenine. Individual shoots were removed from clusters and rooted on B5 supplemented with indole-3-butyric acid (4.9–19.6 μM). The lowest concentration of indole-3-butyric acid (4.9 μM) gave the highest percentage of rooting (82%) and the shortest root initiation period (18 d). Over 90% of the in vitro rooted plantlets survived transfer to soil.
Optically-Activated Integrated Optic Directional-Coupler Modulator Using GaAs Ridge Waveguide

Optically-generated free carriers can cause significant changes in the refractive index and the absorption coefficient of semiconductors. Optical switching and modulation that utilize injection of such free carriers were demonstrated previously in Si [1][2] and GaAs[3]. Most recently, an integrated optic Mach-Zehnder interferometer modulator that utilizes such optical activation in GaAs was reported by us[4] In this paper, we report successful extension of this work toward the construction of an optically-activated integrated optic directional-coupler modulator using GaAs ridge waveguides.
FRACTIONATION OF MAMMALIAN LIVER CELLS BY DIFFERENTIAL CENTRIFUGATION : II. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES AND RESULTS

1. A method is described whereby the major components of liver suspensions are segregated according to size into three main fractions: (a) a large granule fraction composed of elements approximately 0.5 to 2 µ in diameter; (b) a microsome fraction composed of submicroscopic elements approximately 80 to 150 mµ in diameter; and, (c) a supernate fraction containing the soluble components of the extract. 2. The nature and origin of the constituents of liver extract is discussed. The large granule fraction is deemed to consist mostly of mitochondria and liver secretory granules, whereas the microsome fraction corresponds to the chromophilic ground substance of the hepatic cell. Phosphorus distribution in the supernate fraction, and ultraviolet absorption of the solution suggests that practically all the ribose nucleoproteins of liver extract are sedimentable, and occur in association with the large granules and microsomes. 3. The method of fractionation of liver suspension by differential centrifugation is being used as a means to investigate the chemical constitution of the morphological constituents of cytoplasm, and the distribution of biochemical activities in the cytoplasm of the hepatic cell. 4. The method of differential centrifugation is found to be applicable not only to the fractionation of cells but also, with the aid of auxiliary techniques, to the fractionation of much smaller elements, such as mitochondria.
RAPPEP: A framework for deploying router-assisted congestion control protocols at TCP performance enhancement proxy

Router Assisted congestion control Protocols (RAPs) appear to be the most efficient solutions to the TCP performance degradation issue in high Bandwidth Delay Product (BDP) networks. Global deployment of RAPs such as XCP, VCP, and MPCP however, has been challenging due to their need for router support. In this paper, we propose RAPPEP a framework for deploying RAPs on potential congestion zones such as satellite links that are locally utilizing the architecture of TCP Performance Enhancement Proxy (PEP). Such a marriage allows for an immediate deployment of RAPs without the need for global router support, while still being able to take advantage of sophisticated RAPs. Beyond the deployed congestion zone, RAPPEP is completely transparent to the rest of the network including end nodes and other routers. Adapting from two implementations of RAPs and an implementation of TCP PEP (PEPSal), we implement and integrate RAPPEP in the Linux kernel and demonstrate its performance improvement compared to PEPSal through emulation studies.
Screening Kit of Language Development: a preschool language screening instrument.

The Screening Kit of Language Development ( SKOLD ) was designed to meet the following criteria: Validity for 2.5-4 year old children, standardization for speakers of standard and Black English, and appropriateness for paraprofessional screeners . This paper describes the development, content, administration, scoring, reliability, and validity of SKOLD .
Effect of protein deprivation of male weanling rats on the kinetics of hepatic microsomal enzyme activity.

The effect of protein deficiency in male weanling rats on the activity of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system was studied. Animals were divided into three groups and were fed for 15 days either a semipurified diet con taining 5% casein (group 1), 20% casein pair-fed to the 5% casein group (group 2) or 20% casein fed ad libitum (group 3). The liver weight, as a per centage of body weight, was higher in group 1. For group 1 animals, microsomal protein and DNA, when expressed per gram of liver, were approximately one-half the contents of groups 2 and 3. Maximal velocities for ethylmorphine (EM) and aniline (AN) were lower in group 1, whether these rates are expressed per milli gram microsomal protein, per gram liver or per 100 g body weight. A comparison of these methods of expression suggested that the diminution of enzyme velocities for the low protein group is related both to a lower DNA content per gram tissue and to a loss of specific enzymic activity per milligram microsomal protein. The Kmfor ethylmorphine was lower and that for aniline was higher in group 1 ani mals. Restriction of food intake affected enzyme kinetic parameters similar to protein deficiency but to a significantly lesser degree. Alternative explanations for this effect of protein deficiency are discussed and an involvement of phospho- lipid is suggested. J. Nutr. 102: 53-60, 1972.
Modeling and visualizing uncertainty in continuous variables predicted using remotely sensed data

The use of remotely sensed images to map continuous biophysical variables, such as those related to terrestrial vegetation amount, sea surface temperature, and many other targets of NASA's Earth Observing System (EOS), includes variable, parametric, positional, spatial support and structural sources of uncertainty. A complete description of uncertainty will lead to a probability distribution at each location, allowing the exploration of the spatial dimension of uncertainty, that is, where the field is not well quantified. To achieve this purpose, convenient visualization tools are required. We have produced such a tool, called PDFVis, that facilitates the display of probability density functions (pdfs) on a per-grid-cell basis. The density estimate from Monte-Carlo generated realizations is interactively displayed as well as parametric and non-parametric summaries of the pdf field (such as mean, median, quartiles, standard deviation, number of modes, and locations of modes.) Shaded surface renderings of pdfs along a transect can also be projected onto a plane. This tool will become more useful as richer descriptions of spatial uncertainty become available.
Dynamic Electrochemistry: A Step in the Right Direction

Variation in hematocrit is a serious but underappreciated interference to accurate point-of-care glucose measurement. Using a meter employing new technology of dynamic electrochemistry, Musholt and colleagues present in vitro data in this issue of Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology demonstrating improved glucose accuracy over a wide range of hematocrits. Although this may have some importance for patients testing in the home environment, the essential application of this new technology will be in the critical care and perioperative environment, where wide swings in hematocrit are common. Because these meters are in use with great frequency in the hospital where accurate glucose measurement is vital, mitigating this interference is a welcome addition to our diagnostic armamentarium.
Amyloidosis: A study of its pathogenesis and the role of humoral immunity

The relationship of humoral antibody production and amyloid formation induced in the experimental animal was investigated. Amyloidosis was induced in hamsters by infection with Leishmania donovani and the antibody response to typhoid-paratyphoid vaccine was analyzed on serum samples obtained before and during the stage of amyloid formation and deposition. The results indicate that the humoral antibody response to an antigenic challenge is not altered during any stage of the development of secondary amyloidosis. The data are compatible with the hypothesis that secondary amyloidosis results from chronic stimulation of the reticuloendothelial system by various factors, of which some may be immunogenic.
Abnormal Ca2+ Release, but Normal Ryanodine Receptors, in Canine and Human Heart Failure

Sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca2+ transport proteins, especially ryanodine receptors (RyR) and their accessory protein FKBP12.6, have been implicated as major players in the pathogenesis of heart failure (HF), but their role remain controversial. We used the tachycardia-induced canine model of HF and human failing hearts to investigate the density and major functional properties of RyRs, SERCA2a, and phospholamban (PLB), the main proteins regulating SR Ca2+ transport. Intracellular Ca2+ is likely to play a role in the contractile dysfunction of HF because the amplitude and kinetics of the [Ca2+]i transient were reduced in HF. Ca2+ uptake assays showed 44+/-8% reduction of Vmax in canine HF, and Western blots demonstrated that this reduction was due to decreased SERCA2a and PLB levels. Human HF showed a 30+/-5% reduction in SERCA2a, but PLB was unchanged. RyRs from canine and human HF displayed no major structural or functional differences compared with control. The P(o) of RyRs was the same for control and HF over the range of pCa 7 to 4. Subconductance states, which predominate in FKBP12.6-stripped RyRs, were equally frequent in control and HF channels. An antibody that recognizes phosphorylated RyRs yields equal intensity for control and HF channels. Further, phosphorylation of RyRs by PKA did not appear to change the RyR/FKBP12.6 association, suggesting minor beta-adrenergic stimulation of Ca2+ release through this mechanism. These results support a role for SR in the pathogenesis of HF, with abnormal Ca2+ uptake, more than Ca2+ release, contributing to the depressed and slow Ca2+ transient characteristic of HF.
Predisposing factors of systemic fungal infections of the genitourinary tract.

AbstractWe reviewed 50 patients with genitourinary fungal infections between 1982 and 1992. Infections were classified as simple--localized to the bladder and complex--demonstrated evidence of upper tract and/or systemic infection. Predisposing factors of fungal infections, including diabetes mellitus, prolonged Foley catheter drainage and corticosteroid use, were not significantly different. The incidences of obstructive uropathy (88 percent and 20 percent), malnutrition (88 percent versus 48 percent), neoplasia (56 percent versus 16 percent), renal failure (24 percent versus 8 percent) and prolonged antibiotic use (60 percent versus 32 percent) were significantly greater in patients with complex infections. The incidence of fungemia in patients with complex infections was 81 percent with an associated mortality rate of 36 percent. Of the patients with complex infections 56 percent required urological intervention. Given the high incidence of obstructive uropathy with complex fungal infections, upper tra...
Face recognition using hybrid classifier systems

This paper considers hybrid classification architectures and shows their feasibility on large databases consisting of facial images. Our architecture, consists of an ensemble of connectionist networks-radial basis functions (RBF)-and decision trees (DT). This architecture enjoys robustness via (i) consensus provided by ensembles of RBF networks, and (ii) categorical classification using decision trees. The results reported in this paper on automatic face recognition using the FERET database are encouraging when one considers that the size of our test bed is in excess of 350 subjects and the great variability of the database. In addition we have also demonstrated the feasibility of our approach on queries aimed at the retrieval of frames ('images') using contextual cues.
Preparation and functionalization of hydride terminated porous germanium

Porous germanium (PG) is prepared by a novel bipolar electrochemical etching (BEE) technique; scanning electron microscopy (SEM) clearly reveals formation of a porous layer up to a few microns thick that is Ge–Hx terminated as indicated by FTIR spectroscopy; the hydride terminated PG material is quite resistant to oxidation, even under thermal conditions, but can be induced to undergo hydrogermylation reactions with alkenes and alkynes.
Virulence of a spaP Mutant of Streptococcus mutans in a Gnotobiotic Rat Model

Streptococcus mutans, the principal etiologic agent of dental caries in humans, possesses a variety of virulence traits that enable it to establish itself in the oral cavity and initiate disease. A 185-kDa cell surface-localized protein known variously as antigen I/II, antigen B, PAc, and P1 has been postulated to be a virulence factor in S. mutans. We showed previously that P1 expression is necessary for in vitro adherence of S. mutans to salivary agglutinin-coated hydroxyapatite as well as for fluid-phase aggregation. Since adherence of the organism is a necessary first step toward colonization of the tooth surface, we sought to determine what effect deletion of the gene for P1, spaP, has on the colonization and subsequent cariogenicity of this organism in vivo. Germ-free Fischer rats fed a diet containing 5% sucrose were infected with either S. mutans NG8 or an NG8-derived spaP mutant strain, PC3370, which had been constructed by allelic exchange mutagenesis. At 1-week intervals for 6 weeks after infection, total organisms recovered from mandibles were enumerated. At week 6, caries lesions also were scored. A significantly lower number of enamel and dentinal carious lesions was observed for the mutant-infected rats, although there was no difference between parent and mutant in the number of organisms recovered from teeth through 6 weeks postinfection. Coinfection of animals with both parent and mutant strains resulted in an increasing predominance of the mutant strain being recovered over time, suggesting that P1 is not a necessary prerequisite for colonization. These data do, however, suggest a role for P1 in the virulence of S. mutans, as reflected by a decrease in the cariogenicity of bacteria lacking this surface protein.
Subepidermal bullous diseases

An approach to the light microscopic diagnosis of subepidermal bullous diseases is presented. The recent literature is reviewed for current research in these disoreders.
Developmentally-regulated packaging of mitochondrial DNA by the HMG-box protein mtTFA during Xenopus oogenesis

Mature Xenopus oocytes are highly enriched for mitochondria. The organelles are stored and partitioned to newly-arising cells during embryogenesis, when there is little mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) replication or transcription. A previously described member of the high mobility group (HMG) family of proteins, mtTFA, has been suggested to play a role in control of mtDNA copy number. mtTFA serves as a mitochondrial transcription factor in humans and Xenopus and as an abundant mtDNA packaging protein in yeast, like its prokaryotic histone-like counterpart, HU protein. Northern blot analysis demonstrated that expression of the gene was regulated during Xenopus oogenesis and specifically peaked at stage II. Western and Southern blotting were used to quantify amounts of the protein and mtDNA, respectively, in each stage of oogenesis. mtTFA:mtDNA ratios were found to be relatively low in previtellogenic oocytes while the ratios increased markedly in mature oocytes.
Probing order parameter structure in iron-based superconductors using vortices

Impurities, inevitably present in all samples, induce elastic transitions between quasiparticle states on the contours of constant energy. These transitions may be seen in Fourier-transformed scanning tunneling spectroscopy experiments, sorted by their momentum transfer. In a superconductor, anomalous scattering in the pairing channel may be introduced by magnetic field. When a magnetic field is applied, vortices act as additional sources of scattering. These additional transitions may enhance or suppress the impurity-induced scattering. We find that the vortex contribution to the transitions is sensitive to the momentum-space structure of the pairing function. In the iron-based superconductors, there are both electron and hole pockets at different regions of the Brillouin zone. Scattering processes therefore represent intrapocket or interpocket transitions, depending on the momentum transfer in the process. In this work we show that while in a simple s-wave superconductor all transitions are enhanced by vortex scattering, in an s_± superconductor only intrapocket transitions are affected. We suggest this effect as a probe for the existence of the sign change in the order parameter.
Design and Development of a Visual Navigation Testbed for Spacecraft Proximity Operations

This paper presents the design and development of an upgrade to the Synchronized Position Hold Engage Reorient Experimental Satellites (SPHERES) that enables the research and development of computer vision based navigation algorithms for spacecraft proximity operations. This upgrade is referred to as the SPHERES Goggles and is shown in Figure 1. It includes two cameras, illuminating LED lights, a 1.0 Gigahertz (GHz) processor running a Linux operating system, an 802.11g wireless modem and a battery that can supply power for at least 90 minutes. These components were integrated in mechanical package that weighs 865 grams (including the battery). This paper will present the concept, design and implementation of the SPHERES Goggle, which occurred over a period of one year. The design is intended to be "ight-traceable" and further iterations are being considered for operations inside the International Space Station (ISS).
Are you safe from son of spam

Companies are spending more time and money protecting corporate e-mail. But just when we think we're winning the battle against spam, a new enemy pops up—Son of Spam! How can your company protect itself from the next generation of security threats? © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Ghrelin maintains the cardiovascular stability in severe sepsis.

Background Cardiovascular dysfunction, characterized by reduced cardiac contractility and depressed endothelium-dependent vascular relaxation, is common in severe sepsis. Although it is known that ghrelin produces beneficial effects following various adverse circulatory conditions, it remains unknown whether ghrelin increases cardiac contractility and improves vascular responsiveness to vasoactive agents in severe sepsis.
Pollutant transport among California regions

[1] Several regions within California have significant air quality issues. Transport of pollutants emitted in one region to another region may add to the impact of local emissions. In this work, Lagrangian particle dispersion model simulations show the amounts of tracers that are transported within and among four regions, Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, the Central Valley, and the rest of the state. The simulations cover May and June of 2010, the California Research at the Nexus of Air Quality and Climate Change experiment period. Tracers of automobile emissions and one type of agricultural emission are used. Tracer mixing ratios are compared to airborne and ground-based measurements. The age of tracers in each location is also presented. Vertical profiles and diurnal cycles help to clarify the transport process. As is well known, Southern California emissions are transported to the east and affect the desert areas, and Bay Area automobile emissions are an important source of pollutants in the San Joaquin Valley. A novel result is that the Southern California Bight is filled with a mixture of well-aged carbon monoxide tracer from Southern California and the Bay Area. Air over the Bight is also affected by the agricultural emissions represented by the agricultural tracer, dominantly from the Central Valley where its sources are largest. There is no indication of transport from Southern California to the Central Valley. Emissions from the Central Valley do make their way to Southern California, as shown by the agricultural tracer, but automobile emissions from the Valley are insignificant in Southern California.
Alterations in gastric physiology caused by selective embolization and vasopressin infusion of the left gastric artery.

Alterations in gastric physiology caused by selective embolization and vasopressin infusion of the left gastric artery were evaluated in 29 dogs. Gastric acidity was not significantly altered following Gelfoam embolization but decreased sharply with vasopressin infusion. These results suggest that the segmental occlusion caused by Gelfoam embolization permits significant collateral blood flow to the gastric mucosa, while the arteriolar and capillary constriction caused by vasopressin effectively decreases mucosal blood flow. These findings are consistent with the clinical observation that embolization is more effective in controlling bleeding ulcers, while vasopressin infusion is more effective for controlling hemorrhagic gastritis.
Adaptive transmitting antenna arrays with feedback

We address the problem of transmitting multiple cochannel signals from an antenna array to several receivers so that each receiver gets its intended signal with minimum crosstalk from the remaining signals. In addition to the usual "information" mode, we propose a "probing" mode during which probing signals received at the mobiles are fed back to the transmitter. These probing signals are used to identify an unknown propagation environment, enabling the transmitter to form the necessary transmission beampatterns. >
Long-term functionality of cryopreserved parathyroid autografts: A 13-year prospective analysis

Background The functional results of cryopreserved heterotopic parathyroid autotransplantation (CHPA) are not well defined. The authors evaluated the outcomes of delayed CHPA for the treatment of surgically induced hypoparathyroidism. Methods Since November 1991, 448 parathyroid samples from 436 patients were cryopreserved at our institution. Of these, 29 patients underwent 34 CHPA procedures, with placement of 20 to 25 pieces of parathyroid tissue (approximately 50 to 75 mg) into the forearm. Outcomes were determined based on peripheral parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and, where available, PTH gradients between grafted and nongrafted arms. Graft function results were defined as completely functional (patients with normal PTH and calcium levels off all calcium/vitamin D supplementation), partially functional (normal PTH levels and mild hypocalcemia on calcium supplementation), or nonfunctional (low PTH levels and dependent on calcium/vitamin D supplementation). Results Of the 29 patients with CHPA, prospective data were available for 26 patients undergoing 30 CHPA procedures (9 patients with MEN 1, 4 with MEN 2A, 1 with MEN 2B, and 12 with sporadic hyperparathyroidism). The mean follow-up interval was 2 years. Twelve of 26 patients (46%) had completely functional grafts, 6 patients (23%) had partially functional grafts, and the remaining 8 patients (31%) had nonfunctional grafts. No patient with CHPA had graft-dependent recurrent hyperparathyroidism. Of the 14 patients (15 autografts) with MEN, 7 patients (50%) had fully functional grafts, and 2 patients (14%) had partially functional grafts. The mean cryopreservation period was 7.9 months (range, 1 week to 22 months) for functional autografts and 15.3 months (range, 2 weeks to 106 months) for nonfunctional autografts ( P Conclusions Based on these data and those in previous studies, approximately 60% of delayed, cryopreserved parathyroid autografts are functional. In this study 40% autografts (46% of patients) achieved full competency off supplements. Some patients have evidence of graft function with normal PTH levels but are not normocalcemic. Results were similar for patients with MEN and nonhereditary hyperparathyroidism. The duration of cryopreservation was a significant indicator of graft failure, and no functional autograft was observed beyond 22 months of preservation. CHPA is a useful treatment modality for patients with postoperative hypocalcemia after thyroid or parathyroid surgery, who do not respond to immediate parathyroid autotransplantation.
Approximate dynamical symmetry of hydrogen atoms in circularly polarized microwave fields

We report the discovery of an integrable three-dimensional Hamiltonian system with a velocity-dependent potential. A two-dimensional restriction of that system is (for low frequencies) a good approximation of the motion (in the polarization plane) of the hydrogen atom in circularly polarized microwave fields. An additional integral of motion of the integrable two-dimensional system (being approximate invariant for the hydrogen atom in a circular field) is used in the calculation of the classical ionization field threshold. The result is consistent with all available experimental observations.
Helminth Infection Alters IgE Responses to Allergens Structurally Related to Parasite Proteins

Immunological cross-reactivity between environmental allergens and helminth proteins has been demonstrated, although the clinically related implications of this cross-reactivity have not been addressed. To investigate the impact of molecular similarity among allergens and cross-reactive homologous helminth proteins in IgE-based serologic assessment of allergic disorders in a helminth-infected population, we performed ImmunoCAP tests in filarial-infected and noninfected individuals for IgE measurements to allergen extracts that contained proteins with high levels of homology with helminth proteins as well as IgE against representative recombinant allergens with and without helminth homologs. The impact of helminth infection on the levels and function of the IgE to these specific homologous and nonhomologous allergens was corroborated in an animal model. We found that having a tissue-invasive filarial infection increased the serological prevalence of ImmunoCAP-identified IgE directed against house dust mite and cockroach, but not against timothy grass, the latter with few allergens with homologs in helminth infection. IgE ELISA confirmed that filaria-infected individuals had higher IgE prevalences to those recombinant allergens that had homologs in helminths. Mice infected with the helminth Heligmosomoides polygyrus displayed increased levels of IgE and positive skin tests to allergens with homologs in the parasite. These results show that cross-reactivity among allergens and helminth proteins can have practical implications, altering serologic approaches to allergen testing and bringing a new perspective to the "hygiene hypothesis."
Penetrating Neck Trauma

The workup and management of penetrating neck injuries has changed dramatically. As early as the 1500s, ligation of bleeding vessels was practiced for penetrating neck injuries. This resulted in increased survival, but increased morbidity due to neurovascular deficits. From the Civil War through WWII, most penetrating injuries were managed nonoperatively. This changed after WWII when concern for missed vascular injuries prompted many surgeons to perform immediate surgical exploration for all Zone II injuries. Since the 1990s, improvements in diagnostic imaging have allowed selective neck exploration based on physical exam and the results of imaging studies. Mortality from penetrating neck injuries ranges from 2 to 10 %. Up to 15–20 % of patients have an arterial injury, and tracheolaryngeal injuries occur in 1–7 % of patients. Esophageal injuries are found in 0.9–6.6 % with a mortality rate up to 20 %. The mechanism of injury is important when considering the management of penetrating injuries. Gunshot wounds have a higher incidence of significant injury and therefore require surgery more frequently. A stab wound tract can be difficult to delineate, and the extent of the injury may, therefore, be underestimated.
Detection and Characterization of Amitraz Resistance in the Southern Cattle Tick, Boophilus microplus (Acari: Ixodidae)

Amitraz, a formamidine acaricide, plays an important role in the control of the southern cattle tick, Boophilus microplus (Canestrini), and other tick species that infest cattle, dogs, and wild animals. Although resistance to amitraz in B. microplus was previously reported in several countries, the actual measurement of the level of amitraz resistance in ticks has been difficult to determine due to the lack of a proper bioassay technique. We conducted a survey, by using a newly reported technique that was a modification of the standard Food and Agriculture Organization larval packet test, to measure the levels of resistance to amitraz in 15 strains of B. microplus from four major cattle-producing states in Mexico. Low-order resistance (1.68- to 4.58-fold) was detected in 11 of those strains. Our laboratory selection using amitraz on larvae of the Santa Luiza strain, which originated from Brazil, achieved a resistance ratio of 153.93 at F6, indicating the potential for high resistance to this acaricide in B. microplus. Both triphenylphosphate and piperonyl butoxide significantly synergized amitraz toxicity in both resistant and susceptible tick strains. Diethyl maleate synergized amitraz toxicity in one resistant strain but had no effect on the susceptible strain and had minor antagonistic effects on two other resistant strains. Target site insensitivity, instead of metabolic detoxification mechanisms, might be responsible for amitraz resistance observed in the Santa Luiza strain and possibly in other amitraz resistant B. microplus ticks from Mexico. The Santa Luiza strain also demonstrated high resistance to pyrethroids and moderate resistance to organophosphates. Multiple resistance shown in this strain and other B. microplus strains from Mexico poses a significant challenge to the management of B. microplus resistance to acaricides in Mexico.