cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Arterial lesions and blood lipids in rhesus monkeys fed human diets

The results of three consecutive experiments are reported in which atherosclerotic lesions of adult male rhesus monkeys produced by a ration relatively rich in calories, cholesterol, and saturated fats and resembling the "average American" table-prepared fare were compared with the atherosclerotic lesions in similar monkeys fed a low-fat, low-cholesterol, and low-calorie, so-called "prudent" table-prepared ration. Each experiment lasted 2 years. The frequency and severity of gross and microscopic aortic atheromatous disease and microscopic coronary artery disease were compared. In addition, the qualitative features of the lesions, several types of analyses of blood lipids, and the reactions of aortic cells to in vivo deposited interstitial aortic deposits of lipoprotein fractions prepared from these animals are described. In general, the animals fed the average American ration had serum cholesterols that were consistently higher (383 +/- 35 mg%) than animals fed the prudent ration (199 +/- 13 mg%). The contrasts in lesion involvement varied from about 6:1 in severity for both aortic and coronary lesions to approximately 3:1 or 4:1 in frequency. The aortic gross surface area involvement at autopsy was 46% for monkeys fed the average American ration compared to 7% for the prudent diet group. In lesions of animals fed the average American ration much of the lipid was extracellular and both cell proliferation and fiber protein deposition were prominent. The small lesions in the animals fed the prudent ration were much more likely to be composed mostly of "foam cell" intimal thickenings. The lesions seen in the animals fed the average American ration resemble those seen in autopsies of many young Americans whose lesions have been studied recently and who demonstrate raised lesions in their coronary arteries and aortas in the third decade.
An asymptotic equality for the number of necklaces in a shuffle-exchange network

Abstract The search for efficient bounds for VLSI problems has spawned an increasingly important research area. In this paper, we derive an asymptotic equality for the number of necklaces in a shuffle-exchange network, and provide a formula for the number of necklaces of a given length. This symptotic equality for the number of necklaces is an extension to Ullman's result reported in [2].
Identification of a Circadian Clock-Controlled Neural Pathway in the Rabbit Retina

Background: Although the circadian clock in the mammalian retina regulates many physiological processes in the retina, it is not known whether and how the clock controls the neuronal pathways involved in visual processing. Methodology/Principal Findings: By recording the light responses of rabbit axonless (A-type) horizontal cells under darkadapted conditions in both the day and night, we found that rod input to these cells was substantially increased at night under control conditions and following selective blockade of dopamine D2, but not D1, receptors during the day, so that the horizontal cells responded to very dim light at night but not in the day. Using neurobiotin tracer labeling, we also found that the extent of tracer coupling between rabbit rods and cones was more extensive during the night, compared to the day, and more extensive in the day following D2 receptor blockade. Because A-type horizontal cells make synaptic contact exclusively with cones, these observations indicate that the circadian clock in the mammalian retina substantially increases rod input to A-type horizontal cells at night by enhancing rod-cone coupling. Moreover, the clock-induced increase in D2 receptor activation during the day decreases rod-cone coupling so that rod input to A-type horizontal cells is minimal. Conclusions/Significance: Considered together, these results identify the rod-cone gap junction as a key site in mammals through which the retinal clock, using dopamine activation of D2 receptors, controls signal flow in the day and night from rods into the cone system.
Electron-hole liquid in many-band systems. I. Ge and Si under large uniaxial strain

The ground-state energy of a quantum electron-hole liquid in the three cases (i) a single isotropic maximum for the hole band and a single minimum for the conduction band (called the model system), (ii) Ge under a large [111] strain, and (iii) Si under a large [100] strain, has been calculated in the random-phase (RPA), Hubbard (HA), and fully-self-consistent (FSC) approximations. The last approximation takes into account multiple scatterings to infinite order between all components of the plasma. Effects of anisotropy of bands have also been fully considered. Besides the ground-state energy, we have also calculated the partial-pair-correlation functions and enhancement factors. For the model system, calculations have also been made for different mass ratios. Two important results of this paper are (i) the electron-hole liquid in both Ge and Si under a large uniaxial strain should exhibit a metallic phase relative to a free excitonic phase. The calculated binding energies for Ge[111] and Si[100] are, respectively, 4.9 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K and 21.8 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, corresponding to equilibrium densities of 1.11 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{16}$ and 4.47 \ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{} ${10}^{17}$ ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$. (ii) The enhancement factors at the equilibrium density for Ge[111] and Si[100] are, respectively, 6.8 and 7.4. We suggest that experiments should be done to test these predictions of the FSC theory because of their bearing on the validity of different many-body approximations.
Barbiturates inhibit stress-induced analgesia.

The effect of pentobarbitone and thiopentone on stress-induced analgesia was studied in 40 male Sprague-Dawley rats. Antinociception was determined by measuring motor reaction threshold to the noxious pressure on the tail with the use of an “Analgesymeter.” Stress was induced by placement of a clamp on the hind paw. The stress procedure was found to cause an increase in reaction threshold, which was partially suppressed by naloxone 0.5 mg-kg~’. Pentobarbitone in a subanaesthetic dose of 25 mg-kg~’, SC, almost completely abolished the stress-induced increase in the reaction threshold (an increase in reaction threshold from 329 ± 33 g to 486 ±62 g in control group, and from 250 ± 26g to 273 ± 35 g in pentobarbitone group, p < 0.02 for the difference in the threshold changes). Thiopentone used in a dose of 25 mg·kg-1, IV, caused a loss of the righting reflex for 37 ± 10 minutes; stress procedure applied ten minutes after regaining the righting reflex did not cause any increase in the reaction threshold (with an increase in the reaction threshold in control group from 355 ± 50 g to 540 ±26 g, p < 0.001 for the difference between the groups). The results suggest that the barbiturates in subanaesthetic doses inhibit stress-induced analgesia. Thiopentone used in an anaesthetic dose has the potential for inhibition of stress-induced analgesia in the period of recovery from anaesthesia.
Comparison of the effects of lovastatin and gemfibrozil on lipids and glucose control in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

Patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus have an increased incidence of coronary artery disease which may, in part, be associated with abnormalities in plasma lipids. In a double-blind, parallel, randomized study, lovastatin and gemfibrozil were compared in 102 diabetic patients with primary hypercholesterolemia; two-thirds of the patients were treated with oral hypoglycemic agents and one-third received diet therapy alone for their diabetes. Mean pretreatment total and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol values were 273 and 193 mg/dl, respectively. Lovastatin significantly reduced total, LDL and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (20, 26 and 28%, respectively) and raised high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (14%). Gemfibrozil significantly reduced triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (36 and 41%, respectively) and, to a lesser extent, total cholesterol (9%); it also increased HDL cholesterol (21%). Lovastatin therapy was not associated with a significant change in triglycerides, and gemfibrozil did not significantly lower LDL cholesterol. The decrease in the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol tended to be greater with lovastatin than with gemfibrozil (26.5 and 20.4%, respectively; p = 0.053). Changes in lipid profiles with both agents were of a degree similar to those reported in nondiabetic patients. Neither agent had a clinically important effect on fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1c. Both drugs were well tolerated with the exception of 2 patients treated with gemfibrozil who developed symptoms of cholecystitis.
Effects of Chronic Digoxin Administration on Left Ventricular Performance in the Normal Conscious Dog

The effects of chronic digoxin administration on left ventricular (LV) function were studied in six healthy conscious dogs, instrumented with high-fidelity LV manometers and endocardial ultrasonic diameter gauges. Studies were performed at an average of eight days after a therapeutic serum level of digoxin had been achieved by daily intramuscular injections. In the resting state, at matched heart rates and at unchanged LV end-diastolic pressures, LV systolic pressure increased after digoxin by a mean of 9 mm Hg (P < 0.008), while peak LV dP/dt was augmented by 38% (P < 0.006). Mean and maximal velocity of circumferential fiber shortening (VCF) increased by 22% and 21%, respectively (both P < 0.02), and LV systolic diameter excursion (ΔLVD) increased by 10% (P < 0.05) above control values. Intravenous propranolol did not alter these responses significantly. Elevation of LV systolic pressure to an average of 206 mm Hg by phenylephrine infusion did not change the previous basal augmentation of LV dP/dt and V...
Solid state NMR spectroscopy of metal carbonyls. The influence of site symmetry on the solid state spectrum of cis-(η5-C5H5)2Fe2(CO)4☆

Abstract Solid state carbon-13 NMR spectra of metal carbonyls are readily obtained using commercial instrumentation. The observed isotropic chemical shifts are in good agreement with solution values. Furthermore there is a one-to-one correspondence between crystallographically unique carbonyls and magnetically distinguishable carbonyls in the absence of accidental degeneracies. For cis -(η 5 -C 5 H 5 ) 2 Fe 2 (CO) 4 the site symmetry is C 1 while the molecular symmetry is C 2ν . The lower solid state symmetry gives rise to more resonances in the solid spectrum than in solution. Magic angle tuning and chemical shifts were obtained using hexamethylbenzene as a standard.
Cardioversion and Digitalis IV. Effect of Beta Adrenergic Blockade

Experiments were performed in anesthetized dogs to study some effects of propranolol, dextro-propranolol and ICI50,172 on digitalis-induced arrhythmias and digitalis-induced sensitization to electrical shock. When given in beta-blocking doses, propranolol did not abbreviate ouabain-induced ventricular tachycardia (VT) or decrease ouabain-induced sensitization to electrical shock. In larger doses, propranolol first controlled the arrhythmia without affecting shock sensitivity and then abolished both arrhythmia and shock sensitivity. Dextro-propranolol, a compound with nonspecific antiarrhythmic action equal to that of propranolol but with virtually no beta-blocking effect, abolished shock sensitivity, whereas ICI50,172, a pure beta-blocking agent, did not. Beta-blocking doses of propranolol given to dogs bordering on digitalis toxicity but in normal sinus rhythm caused recurrence of sustained ventricular tachycardia. Reappearance of toxicity appeared to be related to a propranolol-induced decrease in heart rate, since it was averted during continuous electrical pacing of the atrium and reversed by isoproterenol administration.
Spatial correlation between emitting species and plasma bullet propagation in low temperature plasma jets

Low temperature plasma jets are being extensively used in plasma processing including biomedical applications1. This is due to their ability of launching controllable plasma plumes in atmospheric pressure air, not confined by electrodes. These plasma jets are in fact vehicles transporting reactive chemical species to a remote substrate in the form of the so-called “Plasma Bullets”2. Plasma bullets are ionization waves able to travel at very high speeds. Therefore, since plasma jets are in fact series of propagating plasma packets/bullets, the spatial distribution of the chemical species is a dynamic quantity that varies with the spatial location of the plasma bullet. This is due to substantial changes in size and content that the plasma bullet undergoes as it mixes with the surrounding air along its propagation path.
Separate blue and green cone networks in the mammalian retina

The distinct absorbance spectra of the cone photopigments form the basis of color vision, but ultrastructural and physiological evidence shows that mammalian cones are electrically coupled. Coupling between cones of the same spectral type should average voltage noise in adjacent photoreceptors and improve the ability to resolve low-contrast spatial patterns. However, indiscriminate coupling between spectral types could compromise color vision by smearing chromatic information across channels. Here we show, by measuring the junctional conductance between green-green and blue-green cone pairs in slices from the dichromatic ground-squirrel retina, that green-green cone pairs are routinely coupled with an average conductance of 220 pS, whereas coupling is undetectable in blue-green cone pairs. Together with a lack of tracer coupling and the selective localization of connexin proteins, our results show that signals in blue and green cones are processed separately in the photoreceptor layer.
A theoretical investigation of gas–solid flow exiting a fluidized bed into a standpipe

Abstract A theoretical solution for a two-dimensional steady flow of a gas–solid mixture exiting a fluidized bed into a vertical standpipe is presented. Initially, analytical expressions for the particle velocity and gas pressure are obtained inside the fluidized bed and standpipe, assuming that changes in the mixture density are negligible. For inertial dominated flow regimes it is shown that the gas pressure at the standpipe entry region is very sensitive to the magnitude of inertial and gravitational forces, which could explain the observed particle and gas flow instabilities in industrial fluidized bed/standpipe systems. When density changes in the gas–solid mixture are considered, it is shown that the granular `fluid' density varies considerably in the standpipe entry region with the solid fraction increasing near the top edge of the standpipe walls. The rapid density gradients at the standpipe entry are compensated by gas pressure gradients of similar order, yielding gas velocities comparable in magnitude with solid particle velocities. This first approximation solution suggests that the flow of a granular fluid from a fluidized bed into a standpipe may be governed primarily by the particle phase flow behavior, and rapid changes in particle velocity and density at the standpipe entry could potentially propagate downwards into the standpipe, rendering the flow of the granular fluid erratic and difficult to control.
Estradiol Modulation of Astrocytes and the Establishment of Sex Differences in the Brain

The role of steroid hormones as a conduit for reciprocal glial-neuronal communication is an emerging but relatively unexplored concept. Research in our laboratory has discovered that the relationship between astrocytic and neuronal morphology during development is distinct for different brain regions and provides a fundamental basis for region-specific sexual differentiation. The functional significance of estradiol-induced differentiation of astrocytes and the cross-talk of these cells with neurons includes permanent changes in synaptic patterning and control of adult reproductive behaviors. The cellular mechanisms as currently understood for each region are discussed and unanswered questions as well as other areas for future research are reviewed.
President Barack Obama's image repair on HealthCare.gov

Obama's health care initiative HealthCare.gov went live on October 1, 2013. It was plagued with problems. Furthermore, the President promised that if people liked their current health care plan, they could keep it. People were shocked when they started to receive cancelation notices from their insurance companies. Republicans seized on the opportunity to savage the president, his administration, and his health care program. Obama's approval rating was anemic and on November 7, he was interviewed by Chuck Todd and on November 14, 2013, Obama held a press conference to try to mend his image. His defense relied heavily on mortification, corrective action, and minimization but also contained instances of defeasibility, bolstering, and transcendence. This essay uses Image Repair theory to analyze and evaluate the President's image repair effort.
Field evaluations of insecticide treatment regimens for control of the common bed bug, Cimex lectularius (L.).

BACKGROUND: Because bedbugs, Cimex lectularius L., have not been a problem in the USA for over 40 years, few insecticide products are labeled for their control. Most products that are labeled for bedbugs are pyrethroids. However, recent studies indicate that field-collected bedbugs may be resistant to pyrethroids. There are also non-pyrethroid products labeled for bedbugs, but, like the pyrethroids, none of these products has been evaluated for field efficacy. This study evaluated the efficacy of two insecticide treatment regimens for bedbugs in multi-unit housing. Both of the treatments included multiple products currently being used by the pest management industry. RESULTS: The ‘traditional’ treatment consisted of applications of pyrethroid products and an insect growth regulator. The ‘novel’ treatment consisted of applications of non-pyrethroid products. The traditional treatment significantly reduced the number of bedbugs from 39.8 ± 10.1 per unit prior to treatment to 2.2 ± 1.0 at the end of the test period (P = 0.02; 95% reduction). The number of live bedbugs in the ‘novel’ treatment was also significantly reduced from 71.4 ± 25.3 bedbugs per unit to 10.2 ± 4.4 after 8 weeks (86% population reduction). CONCLUSIONS: Although both treatment regimens reduced bedbug numbers, the fact that bedbugs were not eliminated after multiple applications suggests that the insecticides, applied at the current label rates, were inadequate. These results suggest that a more integrated approach to bedbug control is necessary in multi-unit housing situations. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry
Alp, an Arthropod-Associated Outer Membrane Protein of Borrelia Species That Cause Relapsing Fever

ABSTRACT Borrelia hermsii and other relapsing fever (RF) species are noted for their highly polymorphic surface antigens, the variable major proteins (VMP). Less is known about other surface proteins of these pathogens in either their vertebrate reservoirs or arthropod vectors. To further characterize these proteins, we elicited antibodies against VMP-less cells, noted antibody reactions against whole cells and cell components, and then subjected selected antigens to mass spectroscopy for amino acid sequencing for comparison against a B. hermsii genome database. One of the derived monoclonal antibodies, H0120, agglutinated spirochetes, and in Western blot analyses, it bound to a 14-kDa protein of whole cells and their membrane fractions but not after protease treatment. A search of open reading frames of the B. hermsii genome with extracted peptides identified the 14-kDa protein with bha128, a 453-nucleotide gene of the 175-kb linear plasmid. The bha128 gene was synthesized and expressed in Escherichia coli. The protein product was bound by antibody H0120. Genes homologous to bha128 occur in the RF species Borrelia turicatae, B. duttonii, and B. recurrentis but not in Lyme disease Borrelia species or other organisms. The following findings indicated an association of BHA128, renamed Alp, with the tick environment: (i) Alp was produced at higher levels at 23°C than at 34°C; (ii) almost all spirochetes in tick salivary glands were bound by the H0120 antibody, but only ∼1% of spirochetes in the blood of infected mice were bound; and (iii) infected mice produced antibodies to several B. hermsii antigens but not detectably to native or recombinant Alp.
Letter by Bryan regarding article, "red and processed meat consumption and risk of incident coronary heart disease, stroke, and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis".

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Micha et al1 reporting a weak association between processed meats but not red meats and coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus. This type of systematic review of epidemiological data is very important, but in my opinion this particular report lacks the proper physiological perspective and context for accurate interpretation of the data. The authors suggests that the increased risk may be due to nitrites and nitrates used as preservatives, but their Table 2 indicates minimal difference in the nitrite and nitrate content of red versus processed meats, which reflects the fact that the amount of endogenous nitrogen oxides …
Combat-Related Headache and Traumatic Brain Injury

Post-traumatic headache is a commonly described complication of traumatic brain injury. Recent studies highlight differences between headache features of combat veterans who suffered traumatic brain injury compared to civilians. Not surprisingly, there is a higher rate of associated PTSD and sleep disturbances among veterans. Factors of lower socioeconomic status, rank, and multiple head injuries appear to have a similar effect on post-traumatic headache in combat-related traumatic brain injury. Areas of discordance in the literature include the effect of prolonged loss of consciousness and the prevalence of specific headache phenotypes following head trauma. To date, there have been no randomized trials of treatment for post-traumatic headache. This may be related to the variability of headache features and uncertainty of pathophysiologic mechanisms. Given this lack of data, many practitioners follow treatment guidelines for primary headaches. Additionally, because of mounting data linking PTSD to post-traumatic headache in combat veterans, it may be crucial to choose multimodal agents and take a multidisciplinary approach to combat-related headache.
Fractal Surface Models For Communication About Terrain

In this paper we use the Fractal surface model [Pentland 83] to describe complex. natural 3-D surfaces in a manner that mimics human perceptual judgments of surface structure (e.g., "peaks," "ridges," or "valleys"- ). We describe how real surfaces can be decomposed into such descriptions using a minimal-length encoding procedure. This allows us to structure the pixel data, in a manner that corresponds to the perceptual organization people impose upon the data, so that a user can point to a CRT image of digital terrain map (DTAI). say "that one." and have the machine understand the user's reference.
Effects of temporal heterogeniety in the Baumol-Wolff productivity growth model

In their utilization of R&D (information) output, different sectors of a heterogeneous industry display different reaction times. This paper analyzes the effects of this temporal heterogeniety on output and productivity for an extended version of the Baumol-Wolff model. Results include conditions implying persistent, non-decaying oscillations in the output and hence also in the productivity rate.
Death and deprivation; or, why Lucretius' symmetry argument fails

(1996). Death and deprivation; or, why Lucretius' symmetry argument fails. Australasian Journal of Philosophy: Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 305-312.
Developing selves are meaning-making selves: recouping the social in self-development.

In this chapter, we argue that deeper insight into the social nature of self-development can be gained by adopting a dual focus on social relationships and meaning making. A key challenge for future scholarship will be to investigate the role of semiotic mediation in self-construction during the early years of life.
Cognitive Science Speaks to the “Common-Sense” of Chronic Illness Management

We describe the parallels between findings from cognitive science and neuroscience and Common-Sense Models in four areas: (1) Activation of illness representations by the automatic linkage of symptoms and functional changes with concepts (an integration of declarative and perceptual and procedural knowledge); (2) Action plans for the management of symptoms and disease; (3) Cognitive and behavioral heuristics (executive functions parallel to recent findings in cognitive science) involved in monitoring and modifying automatic control processes; (4) Perceiving and communicating to “other minds” during medical visits to address the declarative and non-declarative (perceptual and procedural) knowledge that comprise a patient’s representations of illness and treatment (the transparency of other minds).
Characteristics of the spontaneous gastric endocrine tumor of mastomys

Mastomys is a rodent which has been reported to develop spontaneous antral endocrine tumors with acid hypersecretion and duodenal ulceration. This study documents the establishment of a breeding colony and the characterization of the tumors and their possible secretagogues. Parietal cell secretory characteristics were studied using isolated gastric glands (IGG) of both normal (n = 5) and tumor-bearing animals. Tumors (n = 6) and control gastric tissue samples were examined by light transmission microscopy and immunohistochemistry. Gastrin was measured by radioimmunoassay in both plasma and tissue. IGG were prepared by collagenase dispersion and acid sequestration assessed by [14C]AP accumulation. Secretory mechanisms of this species were identified by establishment of a histamine dose-response curve and use of 8-bromo-cAMP. Receptor and proton pump inhibitions were assessed using cimetidine (10(-5)M) and the H/K ATPase inhibitor omeprazole (10(-5]. Both reduced [14C]AP accumulation significantly (P less than 0.05). 8-Bromo-cAMP and histamine significantly stimulated [14C]AP accumulation (P less than 0.05). Although parietal cells were substantially increased in tumor animals as compared to controls, the physiological parameters of acid secretion appeared normal in both and were comparable to other species which have been studied. Tumors were Grimelius positive and contained diffuse electron-dense granules. Immunohistochemistry was negative for gastrin, bombesin, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase, calcitonin, and pancreatic polypeptide. Tumor histamine-like immunoreactivity was, however, positive. Normal stomach contained 1001 +/- 185 compared to less than 0.5 pmole/g gastrin in tumors. Plasma gastrin was normal in both groups (29 +/- 5) as compared to 26 +/- 8 pmole/liter. This study characterizes a spontaneous gastric endocrine tumor which is associated with apparent parietal cell hyperplasia and reports of increased acid secretion and duodenal ulceration. The observations are consistent with the elaboration by the tumor of a nongastrin acid-trophic secretagogue.
Calibration-surface-derived modeling of scanning probe microscope dynamics

Abstract In this paper, we present a novel scanning probe microscope (SPM) lateral dynamics modeling technique that exploits the SPM's topography measurement capabilities. SPMs are key tools in the advancement of nanotechnologies, but their speed is limited due to a number of key issues, including dynamic effects. In order to facilitate high-speed SPM operation, these dynamic effects should be accurately modeled, thus enabling the application of feedforward and feedback control methodologies. The main contribution of this study is the development of a modeling method that uses the SPM probe-sample interaction (topography) signal obtained by scanning a standard calibration sample to develop a transfer function model of the SPM dynamics. The novelty of this method is that it exploits the SPM probe-sample interaction signal to model the dynamics as opposed to external sensors. The method is presented in detail and experimentally verified using a commercial atomic force microscope (AFM).
Influence of oxygen transmission rate of packaging film on outgrowth of anaerobic bacterial spores.

ABSTRACT Modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) has been applied to many food products, particularly respiring horticultural products. For non-respiring products, such as meat and seafood, reduced oxygen environments have been shown to preserve product quality. Recent efforts by seafood manufacturers to employ reduced oxygen packaging (ROP) for fresh fish have been halted by the Food and Drug Administration's import alert # 16–125, which specifies a minimum film permeability of 10,000 cc/m2/day for hermetically sealed fresh seafood. The purpose of this work was to determine the impact of package area and factors related to oxygen transmission rate (OTR) on anaerobic spore outgrowth. Studies were conducted to determine effects of temperature and relative humidity on OTR of commercially available packaging films (Clysar 60 HGPF, Clysar 75 HGPF, AET PST2-060 and Cryovac BDF1000). Three films with wide OTR range were selected to study effects of package area on outgrowth of Clostridium sporogenes spores. Films w...
Corruption and microenterprises in Russia

Abstract In Russia, compliance with the rules and regulations that govern almost all aspects of economic life has created a hostile environment for microenterprises. More serious than the regulations per se, however, is the potential niche they create for opportunistic behavior by regulatory authorities. In Russia, the regulatory state has created a corrupt cadre of government bureaucrats who frequently engage in rent-seeking behavior while enforcing regulations. Firms are not uniformly affected by corruption, however. This paper shows empirical evidence of differential incidence of extortion, based on firm and entrepreneurial characteristics. Corruption in Russia is similar to a regressive tax, and acts as a disincentive to innovation and growth, it may induce technologically inefficient production decisions, and can dilute economies of scale and scope.
The anomalous capping behavior of chronic lymphocytic leukemia lymphocytes: studies with an antilymphocyte antiserum.

Abstract After exposure to antiimmunoglobulin antiserum or concanavalin A, lymphocytes from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) have shown fewer caps than those from normal subjects. Since this anomalous behavior might stem from a decrease in the amount of ligand bound to lymphocytes from patients with this disorder, experimental conditions were devised to provide a ligand which could be expected to react with these lymphocytes. An antiserum to CLL lymphocytes which cross-reacted with normal lymphocytes was raised in rabbits. Cap formation by this antiserum was significantly lower with CLL than with normal blood or tonsil lymphocytes. Following exposure to the immunoglobulin fraction of this antiserum, only 10.8% of CLL lymphocytes displayed caps as opposed to 51.3 and 46.6%, respectively, of normal blood or tonsil lymphocytes. Radioiodinated antibody was used to quantitate the antilymphocyte immunoglobulin bound. Despite the defective capping of CLL lymphocytes, equivalent amounts of antilymphocytic immunoglobulin (up to a maximum of 2.1 × 10 6 molecules/cell) were bound to normal, tonsil, or CLL lymphocytes. These findings were unaltered by the removal of T cells. These data indicate that the abnormal capping of CLL lymphocytes is not caused by a decreased amount of ligand bound to the membrane receptors.
Further distinguishing properties of mitochondrial and microsomal glycerophosphate acyltransferase and the transmembrane location of the mitochondrial enzyme

Abstract The acylation of sn -glycerol 3-phosphate with palmityl-CoA was compared in mitochondria and microsomes isolated from rat liver. Polymyxin B, an antibiotic known to alter bacterial membrane structure, stimulated the mitochondrial glycerophosphate acyltransferase but inhibited the microsomal enzyme. When mitochondrial and microsomal fractions were incubated at 4–6 °C for up to 4 h, the mitochondrial enzyme remained virtually unchanged while the microsomal enzyme lost about one-half of its activity. Incubations at higher temperatures also revealed that the mitochondrial enzyme was comparatively more stable under the conditions employed. The mitochondrial acyltransferase showed no sensitivity to bromelain, papain, Pronase, and trypsin, all of which strongly inhibited the microsomal enzyme. The differential sensitivity to trypsin was observed in mitochondria and microsomes isolated from other rat organs. However, the liver mitochondrial glycerophosphate acyltransferase was inhibited by trypsin in the presence of either 0.05% deoxycholate or 0.1% Triton X-100. The trypsin sensitivity of the mitochondrial glycerophosphate acyltransferase in the presence of detergent was not due to the presence, in the mitochondrial fraction, of a trypsin inhibitor which became inactivated by Triton X-100 or deoxycholate. The results suggest that the catalytic site of mitochondrial glycerophosphate acyltransferase is not exposed to the cytosolic side and it is located in the inner aspect of the outer membrane.
Particle-hole excitations in 88Sr

Abstract A finite range force calculation has been performed to calculate the recently observed spectrum of 88 Sr. Collective quadrupole and octupole transition rates are also calculated without introducing any effective charge, and they are in fine agreement with the experiment.
P(AAm-co-EG) Interpenetrating Polymer Networks Grafted to Oxide Surfaces: Surface Characterization, Protein Adsorption, and Cell Detachment Studies

We investigated the composition, properties, and utility of a novel copolymer of P(AAm-co-EG) designed to be an adaptable, durable, and biocompatible surface treatment of metallic, polymeric, and c...
The Evolving Knowledge and Skill Requirements of America’s Civil Infrastructure Managers

The need has never been greater for talented, creative, and effective managers of civil infrastructure agencies. The key responsibilities of the organizations that build and manage civil infrastructure have changed significantly during the past two decades. These changes in the strategic requirements of infrastructure agencies are reflected in changing role demands for these agencies’ managers. But although new roles require new skills, most civil infrastructure organizations are still getting by with a managerial and organizational knowledge base and skills that differ little from two decades ago. Few managers possess the knowledge and skill base to perform well under rapidly changing conditions. Improving this situation will require more than a few training courses. It requires reforming the ways in which most managers and infrastructure professionals think. It also requires changing the ways in which educational institutions design and deliver managerial education to civil infrastructure professionals ...
Hierarchical timestamping algorithm

Abstract The Hierarchical Timestamping Algorithm is proposed for handling database concurrency control. By analyzing transaction conflicts and partitioning the data base into hierarchical partitions to which transactions will access discriminantly using different synchronization protocols, the algorithm can offer significant performance gain. It also reduces the need for transactions to leave traces (e.g. locks, timestamps) when accessing a data element. It is shown that the algorithm is correct in terms of transaction serializability. This is done by showing that the algorithm enforces a topological order among transactions. This research advocates the potential benefit of application analysis in enhancing performance of concurrency control algorithms where the level of concurrency is vital to system performance.
Blumenberg and the Rationality of Rhetoric

am not celebrating rhetoric here as an innate creative gift that man possesses. To iUuminate it anthropologically is not to demonstrate that it gives man a spedal "metaphysical" distinction. As a behavioral characteristic of a creature that Uves "nevertheless," it is UteraUy a "certificate of poverty." I would hesitate to caU it a "cunning of reason;" not only because it would then be in even more questionable company but also because I would like to hold to the idea of seeing in it a form of rationaUty itself—a rational way of coming to terms with the provisionaUty of reason.i Drawing on the work of the German phUosopher Hans Blumenberg , Michael C a h n has called for a rhetorical reading of rhetoric that acknowledges that the critique of metaphors is as much
Distribution of the European Corn Borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), as Related to Oviposition Preference of the Spring-Colonizing Generation in Eastern North Carolina

Ovipositional preferences of the European born borer (ECB) were examined In field and greenhouse studies comparing corn, Irish potatoes, and curly dock. Irish potatoes at the prebloom and flowering stages were preferred to young whorl stage corn ( 20 leaves) were the most attractive oviposition site, but dock's influence on ECB oviposition is minimal because of its scarcity relative to the two crop hosts.
Oxidant injury of the extracellular matrix: potential role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema.

This paper reviews evidence supporting a role for oxidants in the pathogenesis of pulmonary emphysema. Recent studies have shown that connective tissue components are directly degraded by oxidantsin vitro. Exposure of animals to oxidant gases causes degradation of lung connective tissue and results in an emphysematous lesion in the lung several weeks after recovery. Oxidant injury is also associated with an influx of inflammatory cells which release proteolytic enzymes. It is proposed that the emphsematous lesion found after exposure to an oxidant gas is the result of two mechanisms causing degradation of lung connective tissue: direct cleavage by free radicals and enzymatic proteolysis. It is possible that oxidant injury to the extracellular matrix is involved in the pathogenesis of emphysema in humans since cigarette smoke contains an exceedingly high concentration of oxidants.
Central Nervous System Regulation of Intestinal Lipoprotein Metabolism by Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 via a Brain–Gut Axis

Objective—Intestinal overproduction of atherogenic chylomicron particles postprandially is an important component of diabetic dyslipidemia in insulin-resistant states. In addition to enhancing insulin secretion, peripheral glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor stimulation has the added benefit of reducing this chylomicron overproduction in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Given the presence of central GLP-1 receptors and GLP-1–producing neurons, we assessed whether central GLP-1 exerts an integral layer of neuronal control during the production of these potentially atherogenic particles. Approach and Results—Postprandial production of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins was assessed in Syrian hamsters administered a single intracerebroventricular injection of the GLP-1 receptor agonist exendin-4. Intracerebroventricular exendin-4 reduced triglyceride-rich lipoprotein-triglyceride and -apolipoprotein B48 accumulation relative to vehicle-treated controls. This was mirrored by intracerebroventricular MK...
Predictors of Change in Feminist Activism Through Women’s and Gender Studies

Predictors of change in feminist activism were studied in a group of 519 women and 143 men enrolled in 48 women’s and gender studies (WGS) classes on six college campuses in a large Midwestern urban area. Over the semester-long classes, students increased their feminist activist behaviors and intention to engage in future activism. Although women had greater activist behaviors and intentions than men, increases were similar for women and men across time. African American and Euro American students increased to a similar extent and more so than Asian American students. Predictors of change included student initial gender attitudes, changes in attitudes over time, and feelings of empowerment gained from the class. Feelings of distress and anger were unrelated to activism. Both awareness of sexism and gender egalitarianism were predictive of changes in activist intentions, whereas only awareness of sexism predicted changes in activist behaviors. Empowerment mediated the relation between attitudes and activism. Pedagogical and methodological implications are discussed.
On the Capacity of Hybrid FSO/RF Links

Hybrid Free Space Optics (FSO)/Radio Frequency (RF) communication systems have emerged as a way to improve network performance by providing enhanced availability and reliability. In an effort to mitigate individual drawbacks in the optical link during adverse weather conditions, network traffic flows simultaneously between channels. Based on the Shannon-Hartley theorem, channel capacity is dependent, among others, on both the signal to noise ratio (SNR) and channel bandwidth. As such, combined link throughput may be affected by channel state conditions. Because atmosphere turbulence can be modeled as a time-varying fading channel, capacity analysis can be investigated. In this paper, authors apply various availability scenarios of channel state information (CSI) on the optical link to derive closed-form expressions for combined link capacity. Numerical simulation provides a comparison to the results.
Up-Regulation of CC Chemokine Ligand 20 Expression in Human Airway Epithelium by IL-17 through a JAK-Independent but MEK/NF-κB-Dependent Signaling Pathway

CCL20, like human beta-defensin (hBD)-2, is a potent chemoattractant for CCR6-positive immature dendritic cells and T cells in addition to recently found antimicrobial activities. We previously demonstrated that IL-17 is the most potent cytokine to induce an apical secretion and expression of hBD-2 by human airway epithelial cells, and the induction is JAK/NF-kappaB-dependent. Similar to hBD-2, IL-17 also induced CCL20 expression, but the nature of the induction has not been elucidated. Compared with a panel of cytokines (IL-1alpha, 1beta, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, IFN-gamma, GM-CSF, and TNF-alpha), IL-17 was as potent as IL-1alpha, 1beta, and TNF-alpha, with a time- and dose-dependent phenomenon in stimulating CCL20 expression in both well-differentiated primary human and mouse airway epithelial cell culture systems. The stimulation was largely dependent on the treatment of polarized epithelial cultures from the basolateral side with IL-17, achieving an estimated 4- to 10-fold stimulation at both message and protein levels. More than 90% of induced CCL20 secretion was toward the basolateral compartment (23.02 +/- 1.11 ng/chamber/day/basolateral vs 1.82 +/- 0.82 ng/chamber/day/apical). Actinomycin D experiments revealed that enhanced expression did not occur at mRNA stability. Inhibitor studies showed that enhanced expression was insensitive to inhibitors of JAK/STAT, p38, JNK, and PI3K signaling pathways, but sensitive to inhibitors of MEK1/2 and NF-kappaB activation, suggesting a MEK/NF-kappaB-based mechanism. These results suggest that IL-17 can coordinately up-regulate both hBD-2 and CCL20 expressions in airways through differentially JAK-dependent and -independent activations of NF-kappaB-based transcriptional mechanisms, respectively.
Examining Cultural, Social, and Self-Related Aspects of Stigma in Relation to Sexual Assault and Trauma Symptoms:

The current study investigated a model explaining sexual assault victims' severity of trauma symptoms that incorporated multiple stigma constructs. Integrating the sexual assault literature with the stigma literature, this study sought to better understand trauma-related outcomes of sexual assault by examining three levels of stigma-cultural, social, and self. Results showed self-stigma was significantly and positively related to trauma symptom severity. Thus, results revealed that the internalized aspect of stigma served as a mechanism in the relation between sexual assault severity and increased levels of trauma symptom severity, highlighting the importance of assessing self-stigma in women reporting sexual assault experiences.
The Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Rifampin and Ethambutol in HIV-Infected Persons with Tuberculosis

BACKGROUND The pharmacokinetics of rifampin and ethambutol in HIV-infected patients with tuberculosis (TB) are incompletely characterized. We examined the pharmacokinetics of rifampin and ethambutol in a cohort of patients with HIV-related TB who were treated in the United States. METHODS Serum drug concentrations were determined 2, 6, and 10 h after dosing in 36 HIV-infected patients with TB who were taking rifampin and in 49 who were taking ethambutol. Observed serum concentrations were compared with published normal ranges and published data. RESULTS With daily dosing of rifampin (600 mg), 26 (77%) of 34 patients (95% confidence interval [CI], 59%-89%]) had a low maximum concentration of rifampin (<8 microg/mL), and 12 (35%; 95% CI, 20%-54%) had a very low maximum concentration (<4 microg/mL). With intermittent rifampin dosing (600 mg), 13 (68%) of 19 patients (95% CI, 44%-85%) had a low maximum concentration of rifampin, and 5 (26%; 95% CI, 11%-50%) had a very low maximum concentration. With daily ethambutol dosing (20 mg/kg), 33 (69%) of 48 patients (95% CI, 55%-81%) had a low maximum concentration of ethambutol (<2 microg/mL), and 18 (38%; 95% CI, 24%-53%) had a very low maximum concentration (<1 microg/mL). With intermittent ethambutol dosing (50 mg/kg twice weekly or 30 mg/kg thrice weekly), 13 (72%) of 18 patients (95% CI, 47%-88%) had a low maximum concentration of ethambutol (<4 microg/mL), and 5 (28%; 95% CI, 12%-54%]) had a very low maximum concentration (<2 microg/mL). CONCLUSIONS In HIV-infected patients with TB who are receiving rifampin and ethambutol, low maximum concentrations of rifampin and ethambutol were common. For patients with HIV-related TB, therapeutic monitoring of rifampin and ethambutol levels may help clinicians achieve target serum concentrations.
Monitoring of Patient-Ventilator Interaction at the Bedside

Monitoring of patient-ventilator interactions at the bedside involves evaluation of patient breathing pattern on ventilator settings. One goal of mechanical ventilation is to have ventilator-assisted breathing coincide with patient breathing. The objectives of this goal are to have patient breath initiation result in ventilator triggering without undue patient effort, to match assisted-breath delivery with patient inspiratory effort, and to have assisted breathing cease when the patient terminates inspiration, thus avoiding ventilator-assisted inspiration during patient exhalation. Asynchrony can occur throughout the respiratory cycle, and this paper describes common asynchronies. The types of asynchronies discussed are trigger asynchrony (ie, breath initiation that may manifest as ineffective triggering, double-triggering, or auto-triggering); flow asynchrony (ie, breath-delivery asynchrony, which may manifest as assisted-breath delivery being faster or slower than what patient desires); and cycling asynchronies (ie, termination of assisted inspiration does not coincide with patient breath termination, which may manifest as delayed cycling or premature cycling). Various waveforms are displayed and graphically demonstrate asynchronies; basic principles of waveform interpretation are discussed.