cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress and Equilibrium

We now examine the force or stress distribution within the elastic solid. Our study will lead to the definition and use of the traction vector and stress tensor. Each of these provides a quantitative method to describe both boundary and internal force distributions within a continuum solid. Since it is commonly accepted that maximum stresses are a major contributing factor for material failure, primary application of elasticity theory is to determine the distribution of stress within a given structure. Related to these force distribution issues is the concept of equilibrium. Within a deformable solid, the force distribution at each point must be balanced, and thus the summation of forces on an infinitesimal element is required to be zero. In this chapter we establish the definitions and properties of the traction vector and stress tensor, and develop the equilibrium equations, which will become another set of field equations necessary in the overall formulation of elasticity theory. It should be noted that the developments in this chapter will not require that the material be elastic, and thus in principle these results would apply to a broader class of material behavior.
Chapter 27. The Structure of the Multidrug Resistance P-Glycoprotein and Its Similarity to Other Proteins

Publisher Summary Early studies of multidrug resistance showed that the plasma membrane of affected cells contained a protein of about 170 kDa that is absent in membranes of sensitive cells. This protein is now universally called p -glycoprotein and is known from genetic studies to provide a necessary and sufficient basis for cells to adopt the multidrug resistant phenotype. This chapter discusses the current state of understanding of the structure of the p -glycoprotein. Despite the fact that p -glycoprotein is purified from multidrug resistant cells over a decade ago, there is no direct spectroscopic or crystallographic information on its structure. This paucity of information stems both from the fact that p -glycoprotein is an integral membrane protein of fairly large size, and thus difficult to study by conventional solution methods, and from the occurrence of glycosylated forms of the protein that lead to the existence of a variety of heterogeneous isoforms, further complicating attempts at detailed physical characterization. Most of what is known about the structure of p -glycoprotein (and in fact most membrane proteins) is based on the analysis of amino acid sequences. It seems quite clear that a lot can be learned about protein structure from the analysis of predicted or actual amino acid sequences. Such structural information can in turn be used to make inferences about biologic function.
Rethinking Use of General Stream Adjudications

This article examines the basis for the use of general stream adjudications to establish title to water rights in western states. It concludes that court-based processes are not necessary and are unduly time consuming and expensive to warrant continued use.
Regulation of beta-galactoside transport and accumulation in heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria.

Galactose-grown cells of the heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria Lactobacillus brevis and Lactobacillus buchneri transported methyl-beta-D-thiogalactopyranoside (TMG) by an active transport mechanism and accumulated intracellular free TMG when provided with an exogenous source of energy, such as arginine. The intracellular concentration of TMG resultant under these conditions was approximately 20-fold higher than that in the medium. In contrast, the provision of energy by metabolism of glucose, gluconate, or glucosamine promoted a rapid but transient uptake of TMG followed by efflux that established a low cellular concentration of the galactoside, i.e., only two- to fourfold higher than that in the medium. Furthermore, the addition of glucose to cells preloaded with TMG in the presence of arginine elicited a rapid efflux of the intracellular galactoside. The extent of cellular TMG displacement and the duration of the transient effect of glucose on TMG transport were related to the initial concentration of glucose in the medium. Exhaustion of glucose from the medium restored uptake and accumulation of TMG, providing arginine was available for ATP generation. The nonmetabolizable sugar 2-deoxyglucose elicited efflux of TMG from preloaded cells of L. buchneri but not from those of L. brevis. Phosphorylation of this glucose analog was catalyzed by cell extracts of L. buchneri but not by those of L. brevis. Iodoacetate, at a concentration that inhibits growth and ATP production from glucose, did not prevent efflux of cellular TMG elicited by glucose. The results suggested that a phosphorylated metabolite(s) at or above the level of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate was required to evoke displacement of intracellular TMG from the cells. Counterflow experiments suggested that glucose converted the active uptake of TMG in L. brevis to a facilitated diffusion mechanism that allowed equilibrium of TMG between the extra- and intracellular milieux. The means by which glucose metabolites elicited this vectorial regulation is not known, but similarities to the inducer expulsion that has been described for homofermentative Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species suggested the involvement of HPr, a protein that functions as a phosphocarrier protein in the phosphotransferase system, as well as a presumptive regulator of sugar transport. Indeed, complementation assays wit extracts of Staphylococcus aureus ptsH mutant revealed the presence of HPr in L. brevis, although this lactobacillus lacked a functional phaosphoenolpyruvate-dependent phosphortransferase system for glucose, 2-deoxyglucose, or TMG.
Involvement of Stretch-Activated Cl− Channels in Ramification of Murine Microglia

A stretch-activated Cl− current ( I Cl) was investigated in cultured murine microglia using the whole-cell configuration of the patch-clamp technique. After application of membrane stretch, a Cl− current appeared within seconds, and its amplitude increased further within 3–8 min. I Cl underwent rundown, which was prevented by addition of 4 mm ATP to the intracellular perfusing solution. The stretch-activated Cl− current exhibited outward rectification and did not show any voltage-dependent gating. Lowering the concentration of extracellular Cl− from 142 to 12 mm by equimolar substitution of Cl− with gluconate shifted the reversal potential of I Cl by 41.6 ± 1.8 mV in the depolarizing direction. 4,4′-Diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DIDS) and 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS) blocked I Cl in a voltage- and time-dependent manner. At a test potential of +40 mV, a half-maximal blockade at 16.1 μm DIDS and at 71.0 μm SITS was determined for I Cl. At a concentration of 200 μm, 5-nitro-2-(3-phenylpropylamino)benzoic acid or flufenamic acid blocked I Cl by 88% and 75%, respectively. Each of these four Cl− channel blockers reversibly inhibited the ramification process of microglia, whereas blockers of voltage-gated Na+ and K+ channels did not affect the transformation of microglia from their ameboid into the ramified phenotype. It is suggested that in microglia functional stretch-activated Cl− channels are required for the induction of ramification but not for maintaining the ramified shape.
The recrystallization characteristics of moderately deformed aluminum

The early stage of isothermal recrystallization of moderately deformed, polycrystalline alloys of zone-refined aluminum containing 20 and 45 at. ppm of Au has been studied by quantitative metallography. The basic structural parametersXv, the volume fraction recrystallized, andSv, the grain boundary area per unit volume, were measured on specimens annealed for different times at specific temperatures in the range 80° to 187°C. Both the maximum, Gm, and the average,\(\bar G\), growth rates of the recrystallizing grains were also determined. All results could be interpreted in terms of a site-saturated, matrix grain edge nucleation at zero time with subsequent two-dimensional growth perpendicular to the nucleated edge controlling recrystallization kinetics. An equation relatingSv toXv was derived and found to describe the experimental data quite well. Experimentally, the ratio\(G_m /\bar G\) was 2.6 and the activation energy for growth was 25,700 cal per mole.
InP-based HEMTs for high speed, low power circuit applications

Processes for the monolithic integration of enhancement- and depletion-mode HEMTs (E/D-HEMTs) in the lattice matched InP material system are described. Using the buried Pt gate technology, 0.3 /spl mu/m gate-length E-HEMTs exhibiting a threshold voltage of +167 mV and a maximum extrinsic transconductance, g/sub mext/, of 700 mS/mm are demonstrated. D-HEMTs with corresponding device parameters of -443 mV and 462 mS/mm are presented. Unity current gain cut-off frequencies of-over 95 GHz were obtained for these devices. Implementation of a divide-by-four prescaler in the direct coupled FET logic technology based on E- and D-HEMTs is demonstrated.
A Pluralist Theory of Political Rights in Times of Stress

Political rights in a democracy can be narrowly defined as largely confined to the right to vote and to be eligible for elective office. Or they can be broadly conceived as encompassing a broad array of civil and even social and economical rights to insure effective participation in the political arena. The nature and scope of political rights also differs depending on whether one adheres to liberalism, which promotes individual self-realization; republicanism, which prioritizes self-government; or communitarianism, which is oriented towards communal solidarity. Furthermore, the optimal array of political rights is likely to vary according to whether a polity is experiencing ordinary times of crisis, of times of stress that fall somewhere between the two. The article explores the optimal allocation of political rights in times of stress from a pluralist perspective. According to this perspective, political issues within a polity are best understood as conflicts between self and other. In times of stress, though there is no rupture between self and other, their relationship becomes increasingly strained. By examining conflicts that are typically associated with conditions of stress, including hate speech, militant democracy, the war on terror and pacted secession, the article develops contextual approach to political rights best suited to such conditions consistent with a pluralist ethos.
OPTIMAL TIMING OF SALVAGE HARVEST IN RESPONSE TO A STOCHASTIC INFESTATION

Following a catastrophic disturbance, forest managers may choose to perform a salvage harvest to recoup timber losses. When the disturbance process evolves stochas- tically, a unique option value arises associated with the sal- vage harvest decision. This option value represents the value of postponing a salvage harvest to gain more information about the disturbance process. This paper uses a real options ap- proach to determine how much of a forested area must be in- fested to trigger a salvage harvest when the forest provides both timber and nontimber values. Analytical results indi- cate slower rates of forest recovery will optimally delay a sal- vage harvest while forested areas with large timber values and where nontimber values are more sensitive to the presence of dead and dying trees should be harvested more immediately. The model is applied to a mountain pine beetle outbreak in Idaho's Sawtooth National Forest using readily available aerial detection survey data.
PD-1:PD-L1 Interactions Contribute to the Functional Suppression of Virus-Specific CD8+ T Lymphocytes in the Liver

Mechanisms contributing to the development of chronic viral infections, including chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections, are not well understood. We have shown recently that production of IFN-gamma, an important antiviral cytokine, by HBV-specific CTLs is rapidly induced when they enter the liver of HBV transgenic mice, and then rapidly suppressed, despite the continued presence of Ag. Suppression of IFN-gamma production by the CTLs coincides with the up-regulation of programmed cell death (PD)-1, a cell surface signaling molecule known to inhibit T cell function. To determine whether PD-1 plays a role in the functional suppression of IFN-gamma secretion by CTLs, we treated HBV transgenic mice with blocking Abs specific for PD ligand (PD-L)1, the most widely expressed PD-1 ligand, and adoptively transferred HBV-specific CTLs. Treatment with anti-PD-L1 Abs resulted in a delay in the suppression of IFN-gamma-producing CTLs and a concomitant increase in the absolute number of IFN-gamma-producing CTLs in the liver. These results indicate that PD-1:PD-L1 interactions contribute to the suppression of IFN-gamma secretion observed following Ag recognition in the liver. Blockade of inhibitory pathways such as PD-1:PD-L1 may reverse viral persistence and chronic infection in cases in which the CTL response is suppressed by this mechanism.
Prior estrogen therapy as a predictor of response to subsequent estramustine-based chemotherapy in patients with androgen-independent prostate cancer.

Abstract Background Hormone-refractory prostate cancer (HRPC) has modest response rates to second-line estrogenic agents such as diethylstilbestrol and the herbal product PC SPES. Estramustine phosphate (EMP) is a microtubule inhibitory agent with estrogenic properties commonly used in patients with metastatic HRPC. To determine whether previous response to second-line estrogen therapy would predict subsequent response to EMP-based chemotherapy, a retrospective study was conducted. Patients and Methods Patients with HRPC previously treated with second-line estrogenic therapy who subsequently received EMPbased chemotherapy were enrolled in a retrospective analysis. The progression of disease or response to treatment was determined with use of standard prostate-specific antigen (PSA) criteria and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors. Results Seventy-eight patients were included in the analysis. Twenty-five patients with disease progression after receiving estrogen therapy received subsequent EMP-based chemotherapy. Overall, initial PSA response to any estrogen therapy was 54%. The overall PSA response to EMP-based chemotherapy was 60%, and the objective response was 36%. The PSA response to subsequent EMP-based chemotherapy was independent of patients having a previous response to estrogen therapy (70% vs. 53%; P = 0.68). The median overall survival for patients receiving estrogenic therapy and subsequent EMPbased chemotherapy was 12.7 months. Conclusion Previous response to second-line hormonal maneuvers with estrogen therapy does not predict subsequent response to EMP-based chemotherapy.
An enhanced method for the identification of Leishmania spp. using real-time polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis of the 7SL RNA gene region

The accurate identification of Leishmania spp. is important for the treatment of infected patients. Molecular methods offer an alternative to time-consuming traditional laboratory techniques for species determination. We redesigned a 7SL RNA gene-based polymerase chain reaction and sequence assay for increased species identification. DNA extracted from 17 reference strains and 10 cultured clinical isolates was examined. Sequence comparison was used successfully to identify organisms to the complex level with intercomplex similarity ranging from 77.5% to 98.4%. Many species within each complex were discriminated accurately by this method including Leishmania major, Leishmania tropica, Leishmania aethiopica, Leishmania guyanensis, and the previously indistinguishable Leishmania braziliensis and Leishmania panamensis. The Leishmania donovani complex members remain indistinguishable by this method, as are the representatives of Leishmania amazonensis/Leishmania garnhami and Leishmania mexicana/Leishmania pifanoi.
Cleavage fracture of steel in the upper ductile-brittle transition region

Abstract Stable-crack growth precedes cleavage fracture in the upper ductile-brittle transition region. It is suggested that the conversion from one fracture mode to the other occurs at random locations in the microstructure, denoted trigger points. It also is suggested that K Ic for cleavage should be calculated from the elastic energy in the specimen at the point of conversion. Experiments are described that showed that the amount of stable-crack growth increases with increasing temperature and with decreasing load-train compliance.
Diurnal variations of cloud from ISCCP data

Abstract Information on the diurnal cyle of low, mid and high level cloud amount, for the period December 1984 to November 1990, compiled by the International Cloud Climatology Project (ISCCP), is analyzed using complex empirical orthogonal functions applied to the complex envelope of seasonal variations in the diurnal cycle. It is found that previous results on the diurnal variation of cloud amount, obtained from satellite and station data for more restricted periods and regions than that used here, are verified by the ISCCP data. The early afternoon maximum in low level cloud amount over all the world's continental land masses implies that diurnal variability enhances this cloud type's albedo effect. Conversely the nightime and early morning maxima in mid and high level cloud amount, over much of the globe, enhance their greenhouse effect. Any secular change in the diurnal variability of these cloud types could therefore have a significant effect on the net radiation at the Earth's surface.
COST CONTAINMENT IN PERINATAL CARE

Although costs of perinatal care have been addressed extensively in recent years, little has been said about containing these costs. In cost containment, emphasis should be given to: 1) prevention; and 2) effective/successful therapy, as unsuccessful therapy compounds the cost. A cost-effective approach to the antenatal period would include: appropriate antenatal referral of high risk patients; an anticipatory approach to the prevention of prematurity; prevention and/or antenatal treatment of congenital anomalies; and prevention of antenatal asphyxia. A cost-effective intrapartum approach would include: selection of delivery site by record of outcome (Level I, II, III, or home); use of fetal monitoring; and, continuous availability of on-site personnel for emergency Cesarean section and/or neonatal resuscitation. Postnatal cost-effective management would include: optimizing cost/benefit ratio of the physical plant, patient tests and procedures; optimizing patient load in an outcome oriented manner; limiting eligibility for neonatal intensive care; and, patient discharge whenever home care is safe and less expensive.
Associations Between Obesity and Changes in Adult BMI Over Time and Colon Cancer Risk

Obesity has been associated with increased colon cancer risk in epidemiological studies; however, the specific time periods during which obesity may be most relevant as well as how changes in adult body size over time affect colon cancer risk have not been well explored. We evaluated potential associations between BMI in each age decade(20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and 2 years before study recruitment ("recruitment period")) and in BMI changes over timeand colon cancer risk in a population-based case-control study comprising 438 cases and 491 controls. We found that obese (BMI>or=30.0 kg/m2) compared to normal (BMI>or=18.5 to 10 kg/m2 (OR=2.40; 95% CI=1.23-4.66; P=0.01) (P trend=0.01). Stratification by gender revealed that BMI changes>10 kg/m2 increased risk in women but not men. Similar results were found for BMI changes between the 20s decade and the recruitment period but effect sizes were smaller. Our results provide additional support to obesity's role in colon cancer and suggest large body size increases exceeding 10 kg/m2 may potentially be more important after age 30, particularly among women; however, prospective studies with sex hormone, growth factor, and pro-inflammatory biomarkers are needed to provide insights to the underlying biological mechanism(s).
Assessing Intra, Inter and Total Agreement With Replicated Readings

In clinical studies, assessing agreement of multiple readings on the same subject plays an important role in the evaluation of continuous measurement scale. The multiple readings within a subject may be replicated readings by using the same method or/and readings by using several methods (e.g. different technologies or several raters). The traditional agreement data for a given subject often consist of either replicated readings from only one method or multiple readings from several methods where only one reading is taken from each of these methods. In the first case, only intra-method agreement can be evaluated. In the second case, traditional agreement indices such as intra-class correlation (ICC) or concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) is often reported as inter-method agreement. We argue that these indices are in fact measures of total agreement that contains both inter and intra agreement. Only if there are replicated readings from several methods for a given subject, then one can assess intra, inter and total agreement simultaneously. In this paper, we present new inter-method agreement index, inter-CCC, and total agreement index, total-CCC, for agreement data with replicated readings from several methods where the ICCs within methods are used to assess intra-method agreement for each of the several methods. The relationship of the total-CCC with the inter-CCC and the ICCs is investigated. We propose a generalized estimating equations approach for estimation and inference. Simulation studies are conducted to assess the performance of the proposed approach and data from a carotid stenosis screening study is used for illustration.
System issues of developing grayscale optical correlator for ATR applications

We have been developing Grayscale Optical Correlator (GOC) and exploring a variety of automatic target recognition (ATR) applications to take advantage of the inherent performance advantages of the GOC parallel processing, high-speed, vast parallelism and high-speed [1-4]. To date, we have built compact 512 x 512, 1000 fps GOC systems and tested/demonstrated for field ATR experiments. We have also worked with our industrial partners to develop a 1024 x 1024 Ferroelectric Spatial Light Modulator (FLCSLM) to meet the challenging applications demanding larger input scene Field-of-View (FOV) and higher resolution. In this paper, two major system issues that we have encountered during the development efforts for real-world applications will be discussed. These include: 1) SLM dynamic range limitations and 2) ATR performance for CAD/CAC, computer-aided detection & classification (CAD/CAC) applications. Our simulation study has shown that the current 8-bit dynamic range possessed by the FLCSLM is adequate for both the input image and the correlation filter encodings. We will also describe the addition of a neural network (NN) post-processor to greatly decrease the false positive detection rate while retaining the high positive detection rate obtained by the by the GOC. Experimental results demonstrating the high-performance of the fused GOC and NN processor will be provided.
Instruction of Jump-Landing Technique Using Videotape Feedback Altering Lower Extremity Motion Patterns

BackgroundAnterior cruciate ligament injury prevention programs have used videotapes of jump-landing technique as a key instructional component to improve landing performance.HypothesisAll videotape feedback model groups will increase knee flexion angles at initial contact and overall knee flexion motion and decrease peak vertical ground reaction forces and peak proximal anterior tibial shear forces to a greater extent than will a nonfeedback group. The secondary hypothesis is that the videotape feedback using the combination of the expert and self models will create the greatest change in each variable.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsKnee kinematics and kinetics of college-aged recreational athletes randomly placed in 3 different videotape feedback model groups (expert only, self only, combination of expert and self) and a nonfeedback group were collected while participants performed a basketball jump-landing task on 3 testing occasions.ResultsAll feedback groups significantly increased kn...
Reaction time for numerical coding and naming of numerals.

Compared RTs for 2 different identification tasks, numeral naming and quantity naming. Exp. I used single Arabic numerals for the numeral naming task and corresponding amounts of arbitrary figures for the quantity naming task. Exp. II used the same Arabic numerals in different corresponding amounts for both tasks. 18 male undergraduate Ss served in each experiment, 9 under each task condition. Exp. I showed an insignificant difference between the 2 tasks. Exp. II showed that RT was slower for naming the different quantities of numerals than for naming the numerals themselves, even when the stimuli and naming responses were identical. An interpretation in terms of identification task conflict, as distinct from response conflict, is presented. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2006 APA, all rights reserved)
Catecholamine and Ca 2+ activation of adenylate cyclase systems in synaptosomal fractions from rat cerebral cortex.

SEVERAL inconclusive attempts2–6 have been made to reproduce and extend the findings of Klainer et al.1 that certain catecholamines stimulate the formation of cyclic AMP in cell-free preparations from brain. In earlier investigations, we were able to demonstrate consistent stimulation of adenylate cyclase activity in homogenates and particulate fractions from rat cerebral cortex in the presence of norepinephrine and dopamine7. Although the percentage increases were relatively small, the absolute increments in cyclic AMP formation in these latter studies were comparable to those observed in other cell-free systems which were hormone dependent8–14. The data suggested that enhancement of basal adenylate cyclase activity during brain cell disruption was partly responsible for the low percentage activation by catecholamines and the difficulty in obtaining reproducible responses in earlier studies. We now find that an important factor may be exposure of the intracellular membrane-bound enzyme systems to relatively high levels of extracellular Ca2+ (ref. 15) during homogenization and fractionation, as well as to Ca2+ which is present as a contaminant in ATP and other constituents of the assay medium16. The data also reveal that, in the presence of the selective Ca2+ chelating agent, EGTA, adenylate cyclase activity in synaptosomal and synaptic membrane fractions from rat cerebrum is specifically activated by catecholamines in concentrations as low as 0.005 mM.
Electron transport in multiterminal molecular devices: A density functional theory study

The electron transport properties of a four-terminal molecular device are computed within the framework of density functional theory and nonequilibrium Keldysh theory. The additional two terminals lead to new properties, including a pronounced negative differential resistance not present in a two-terminal setup, and a pseudogating effect. In general, quantum interference between the four terminals and the central molecule leads to a complex nonlinear behavior of the current, which depends on the alignment of individual molecular states under bias and their coupling to the leads.
The many colors of multimedia security

Protection of artistic content from illegal distribution involves significant gray areas in terms of methods and laws.
Developmental-Behavioral Pediatric Teaching of Medical Students: A National COMSEP Survey

Background: The Council on Medical Student Education in Pediatrics (COMSEP) pediatric clerkship curriculum is widely followed. To date, there are no known studies on clerkship instruction related to developmental-behavioral pediatric (DBP) curricular elements. Purposes: The goals of this study are to examine pediatric clerkships’ current DBP teaching methods and to identify barriers and solutions to recommended curriculum implementation. Methods: Electronic survey was conducted with COMSEP-member pediatric clerkship directors. Descriptive statistics and qualitative data analysis was conducted. Results: Response rate was 66%. General Pediatricians (87.1%) were mostly responsible for clerkship DBP teaching. Around 18% of directors reported not assessing DBP competencies. Most clerkship directors report time constraints (61.8%) as a barrier to implementing the curriculum, along with faculty availability and resources. Suggested solutions included DBP faculty collaboration and resources. Conclusions: General ...
How faculty use information technology at a small liberal arts college: a case study

Colleges and universities have made large investments in Information Technology resources and support personnel for those resources. One goal of this technology initiative has been to supply faculty with computers to enhance productivity and integrate technology into the curriculum. However, there is little or no information on assessment of these resources including the frequency of use, how users are utilizing these resources, ability levels of different faculty, faculty preferences for different types of computers and whether college-owned computers are able to meet the computing needs of faculty. We studied the computing habits of faculty across all academic departments to answer some of these questions. We found that 100% of the faculty surveyed were using their computers on a regular basis in their teaching, scholarship and committee work. A majority of faculty were using their computers for word processing, web browsing and e-mail. Faculty vary in their preferences for desktop versus notebook computers or Apple versus Windows platforms. We feel this is useful information for IT personnel for planning support and training programs. It is useful for administrators involved in planning and budget decisions. It is our intent to make public issues we have experienced at our institution and share them with other small colleges that are going through similar growing pains with developing plans for IT on campus.
Monitoring of hypoxic metabolism in superfused plant tissues by in vivo1H NMR

Abstract We have used a coaxial superfusion system to obtain physiologically interpretable in vivo 1 H NMR spectra at 500 MHz of carrot roots, maize roots, and rice shoots in water (no 2 H 2 O). The superfusion system was constructed from common laboratory parts, required no modification of the probe and sample loading procedure, and was inherently leak resistant. The assignment and quantitation of the in vivo 1 H NMR resonances were achieved by performing two-dimensional NMR experiments in vivo , and by in vitro analysis including NMR and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The in vivo spectra were dominated by resonances arising from sugars, organic acids, amino acids, and ethanol. In vivo measurements of spin-lattice relaxation times and chemical shifts of β protons of malate in carrot roots suggested that malate was located in a relatively viscous and acidic compartment. In rice shoots, the hypoxic time courses of 9 metabolites were established in vivo , and 23 in vitro . In both cases, accumulation of lactate, ethanol, Ala, and γ-aminobutyrate as well as a decrease in Gln and Asn concentrations were observed. These findings are consistent with accelerated glycolysis and decreased tricarboxylic acid cycle activity.
A Carboxyl-terminal Hydrophobic Interface Is Critical to Sodium Channel Function: Relevance to Inherited Disorders

Perturbation of sodium channel inactivation, a finely tuned process that critically regulates the flow of sodium ions into excitable cells, is a common functional consequence of inherited mutations associated with epilepsy, skeletal muscle disease, autism, and cardiac arrhythmias. Understanding the structural basis of inactivation is key to understanding these disorders. Here we identify a novel role for a structural motif in the COOH terminus of the heart NaV1.5 sodium channel in determining channel inactivation. Structural modeling predicts an interhelical hydrophobic interface between paired EF hands in the proximal region of the NaV1.5 COOH terminus. The predicted interface is conserved among almost all EF hand-containing proteins and is the locus of a number of disease-associated mutations. Using the structural model as a guide, we provide biochemical and biophysical evidence that the structural integrity of this interface is necessary for proper Na+ channel inactivation gating. We thus demonstrate a novel role of the sodium channel COOH terminus structure in the control of channel inactivation and in pathologies caused by inherited mutations that disrupt it.
Reactions of Older Women to the Death of Their Close Friends.

In this study we examined the reactions of thirty-eight older women to the death of their close friends. The sense of loss that the women felt when their close friends died resulted in the developm...
EFFECTS OF NOREPINEPHRINE ON THE CORONARY CIRCULATION IN MAN.

The effect of norepinephrine infusion on the coronary circulation has been studied in 21 subjects. In doses ranging from 2 to 17 µg. base per minute norepinephrine caused a pari passu rise in perfusing pressure and coronary flow of 16 per cent above the control state. Despite an increase in cardiac oxygen consumption, coronary vascular resistance was unchanged, suggesting no vasodilatation in the coronary bed. On the contrary, oxygen extraction across the heart increased, implying that oxygen needs were inadequately met by rise in flow. An increase in vascular tone induced by norepinephrine is inferred from the unchanged coronary resistance at a higher perfusion pressure. Responses of the normal and failing left ventricle groups were qualitatively the same as for the group as a whole. The failure group showed greater tendency to meet oxygen needs by increased extraction than did the normal hearts. Although these observations are not strictly applicable to the role and effects of norepinephrine in states of clinical shock, nonetheless it seems likely that norepinephrine induces a suboptimal rise in coronary flow that may set the stage for ultimate myocardial ischemia, particularly when coronary perfusion pressure is inadequate.
Finding checkerboard patterns via fractional 0–1 programming

Biclustering is a data mining technique used to simultaneously partition the set of samples and the set of their attributes (features) into subsets (clusters). Samples and features clustered together are supposed to have a high relevance to each other. In this paper we provide a new mathematical programming formulation for unsupervised biclustering. The proposed model involves the solution of a fractional 0–1 programming problem. A linear-mixed 0–1 reformulation as well as two heuristic-based approaches are developed. Encouraging computational results on clustering real DNA microarray data sets are presented. In addition, we also discuss theoretical computational complexity issues related to biclustering.
Accessing Information on the Internet

This special issue of Electronic Networking: Research, Applications and Policy focuses on the issues of networked information retrieval and on specific tools for successfully retrieving networked information. These topics are discussed widely on electronic lists on a daily basis. Networked Information Retrieval (NIR) is widely seen in the literature of information and library science as well as computing journals. NIR issues and tools are crucial to the future of information technologies. These are all different venues with various voices. This special issue is designed to provide a coherent and comprehensive discussion of these topics, a moderated forum if you will. But even as this special issue is completed, the topics, policy issues, and research questions regarding NIR are growing and expanding rapidly.
Generation of blue noise arrays by genetic algorithm

Halftoning or quantizing by means of a threshold array is simple, fast, and easily parallelized: a matrix of threshold values is tiled across the image and each output pixel is colored white if the image value exceeds the threshold value and is colored black otherwise. The computational efficiency and locality of the compare operation makes this technique suitable for applications in printing and motion video quantization. In the past, threshold arrays have generally been used with regular-appearing patterns such as clustered- dot 'classical' halftoning or Bayer's dispersed-dot patterns. Ulichney has presented a heuristic method for generating blue- noise threshold arrays which do not appear regular, and offer the visual advantages of error-diffusion without its computational costs. Such heuristic methods are capable of generating high-quality threshold arrays, but they are not flexible or controllable enough to enable tuning for particular applications or output device characteristics. We present instead a genetic method for generating a blue-noise threshold array that optimizes a set of criteria encoded in a fitness function, which can be specified to reward any desired attributes. Although the genetic method is computationally intensive, the cost is incurred only once, and the resulting array can be used for millions of images. We compare images halftoned using our arrays with other blue-noise array and error-diffusion methods, and examine the spectral characteristics of the resulting patterns.
Baseline and stimulated serum inhibin levels as biomarkers of cisplatin-induced ovarian damage in female rats

Objective Chemotherapeutic agents, such as cisplatin, injure the ovary. It was hypothesized that serum inhibins can serve as biomarkers of ovarian damage from cisplatin. Study Design Adult female rats were administered cisplatin and afterward pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) was given to stimulate ovarian inhibin production. Results At baseline, the serum inhibin A levels in the cisplatin-treated groups were slightly lower than saline. However, after PMSG stimulation, the cisplatin groups had dose-related and significantly blunted serum inhibin A and B responses. Results of Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibin analysis of ovarian lysate were consistent with the serum levels. Investigation of the ovaries showed that cisplatin groups at baseline had higher percentages of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling–positive follicles in inhibin positive follicles, suggesting that cisplatin induced apoptosis in the inhibin follicles. Conclusion We conclude that serum inhibin A and B after PMSG ovarian challenge can be used as biomarkers to define rat ovarian damage after exposure to cisplatin.
Tbx6, a Mouse T-Box Gene Implicated in Paraxial Mesoderm Formation at Gastrulation

Abstract The T-box genes constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of putative transcription factors which are expressed in discrete domains during embryogenesis, suggesting that they may play roles in inductive interactions. Members have been identified by virtue of their homology to the prototypical T-box gene,TorBrachyury,which is required for mesoderm formation and axial elongation during embryogenesis. We have previously reported the discovery of six new mouse T-box genes,Tbx1–Tbx6,and described the expression patterns ofTbx1–Tbx5(Bollaget al.,1994; Agulniket al.,1996; Chapmanet al.,1996; Gibson-Brownet al.,1996). We have obtained cDNA clones encoding the full-length Tbx6 protein from screens of gastrulation-stage mouse cDNA libraries and determined the spatial and temporal distribution ofTbx6transcripts during embryogenesis. The gene codes for a 1.9-kb transcript with an open reading frame coding for a 540-amino acid protein, with a predicted molecular weight of 59 kDa.Tbx6maps to chromosome 7 and does not appear to be linked to any known mutation. Unlike other members of the mouse T-box gene family which are expressed in a wide variety of tissues derived from all germ layers,Tbx6expression is quite restricted.Tbx6transcripts are first detected in the gastrulation stage embryo in the primitive streak and newly recruited paraxial mesoderm. Later in development,Tbx6expression is restricted to presomitic, paraxial mesoderm and to the tail bud, which replaces the streak as the source of mesoderm. Expression in the tail bud persists until 12.5 days postcoitus.Tbx6expression thus overlaps that ofBrachyuryin the primitive streak and tail bud, althoughBrachyuryis expressed earlier in the primitive streak.Brachyuryis also expressed in a second domain, the node and notochord, that is not shared withTbx6.The onset ofTbx6expression is not affected in homozygous nullBrachyurymutant embryos at 7.5 days postcoitus. However,Tbx6expression is extinguished in mutant embryos as soon as theBrachyuryphenotype becomes evident at 8.5 days postcoitus, indicating that the continued expression ofTbx6is directly or indirectly dependent uponBrachyuryexpression.
Electromagnetic Energy Transport Along Yagi Arrays

Yagi arrays consisting of closely spaced metal rods (spacing=2mm, height=14mm) were investigated as guiding structures for electromagnetic energy in the microwave regime at 8 GHz (λ=37mm) both by experiment and simulation. Information transport is possible at a group velocity of 0.6c. Ninety percent of the electromagnetic energy is confined within a distance of 0.05λ from the guiding structures. The propagation loss in a straight array is 3 dB/8cm. Routing of energy around 90° corners is possible with a power loss of 3–4 dB. Signals can be split via a tee structure which can also serve as a three-terminal modulator. Analogies to plasmon wires consisting of arrays of nm-size metal clusters are discussed.
Oliguric renal failure in blackwater fever

Abstract Blackwater fever is recurring in Central Africa and African subjects are now being affected. One Caucasian and five African patients are described in whom massive haemolysis due to malaria was followed by acute renal failure with oliguria lasting between twelve and thirty-three days. Renal biopsy showed evidence of tubular damage, but no obstruction with blood pigment, in each case. Drug therapy and deficiency of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase were shown not to be essential in the production of haemolysis. The efficacy of treatment of the renal failure by early and repeated dialysis was confirmed, and five of the six patients recovered.
An investigation of the colorectal cancer experience and receptivity to family-based cancer prevention programs.

Purpose Cancer is a shared family experience and may provide a “teachable moment” to motivate at-risk family members to adopt cancer prevention and health promotion behaviors. This study explored how a diagnosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is experienced by family members and may be used to develop a family-based CRC prevention program. Preferences regarding content, timing, and modes of program delivery were examined. Social cognitive theory provided the conceptual framework for the study.
Optical Spectra and Crystal-Field Levels of [Cm(H2O)9]3+ Ions with C3h Symmetry in Isotypic Rare-Earth Triflate and Ethyl Sulfate Salts

crystal-field levels of the ground state as sharp and narrowly spaced lines. The total ground-state splittings in 1 (8.0 cm -1 ), 2 (6.0 cm -1 ), and 3 (7.5 cm -1 ) are about three to four times larger than those for Cm 3+ in LaCl3 (2.0 cm -1 ), but four to six times smaller than those for Cm 3+ in [Y(H2O)8]Cl3 ·15-crown-5 (35 cm -1 ). Inhomogeneous line broadening prevents resolving the ground multiplet levels in 4. Vibronic side bands associated with the 8 S′7/2- 6 D′7/2 transition are observed in the low temperature emission and excitation spectra. The intensities of these side bands are <1% of the parent electronic transition, the stronger ones being located below ∼400 cm -1 and correspond to various CmO9 skeletal modes. The luminescence lifetimes in 1-4 are between 63 and 74 µs.
Energy lost by an electron beam in interaction with a plasma

Abstract Measurements of the electron beam distribution function after the beam has interacted with a plasma, indicate that a large fraction of the energy lost by the beam has been absorbed by the plasma. Only a small fraction is in the wave field.
Epididymitis after transrectal ultrasound-guided needle biopsy of prostate gland.

Abstract Objectives To evaluate the incidence, predisposing factors, and time-course of epididymitis after transrectal ultrasound-guided (TRUS) needle biopsy of the prostate gland. Methods A total of 739 consecutive patients underwent TRUS-guided biopsy of the prostate gland from January 2000 through December 2002 using a systematic approach, 18-gauge needles, and antibiotic prophylaxis. A median of 9 biopsies was obtained per patient (range 4 to 16). All cases of epididymitis occurring within 6 months of biopsy were attributed to the TRUS procedure. The parameters evaluated for epididymitis included patient age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen density, number of biopsies obtained, and number of biopsies positive for malignancy. Results Five patients (0.7%) developed biopsy-related epididymitis with a median onset of 85 days (range 13 to 143) after biopsy. Patients developing epididymitis were statistically older, with a trend for a greater number of prostate biopsies ( P = 0.071 on linear regression analysis). Only 1 patient developed epididymitis within 3 weeks of biopsy. All cases of epididymitis responded to therapeutic antibiotics. Conclusions Epididymitis after TRUS-guided biopsy is a relatively uncommon event, with an incidence of approximately 1% and an onset of weeks to months after the procedure. Patients who developed epididymitis were statistically older, with a trend for a greater number of prostate biopsies taken.
β-Catenin, Cancer, and G Proteins: Not Just for Frizzleds Anymore

The lipid metabolite lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) mediates an impressive set of responses that includes morphogenesis, cell proliferation, cell survival, cell adhesion, and cell migration. LPA exerts its downstream signaling by binding to the LPA 1 , LPA 2 , and LPA 3 (formerly Edg-2, -4, and -7) family of seven-transmembrane, segmented, heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide–binding protein (G protein)–coupled receptors. LPA actions of therapeutic interest include effects on wound healing, atherogenesis, thrombogenesis, and, of course, cancer. LPA has been implicated in the progression of human breast, ovarian, prostate, head and neck, and colon malignancies. In view of these earlier observations, a recent report that LPA stimulates the proliferation of colon cancer–derived cell lines was greeted with great anticipation for its possible contribution to the unraveling of details of cancer signaling downstream of LPA. LPA was shown to stimulate nuclear accumulation of β-catenin in a manner that depended on activation of Gα q by LPA 2,3 , activation of phospholipase Cβ, activation of a conventional protein kinase C, and phosphorylation and inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase 3-β. The phosphorylation of β-catenin by this kinase marks the protein for intracellular degradation; LPA suppresses this degradation and stimulates β-catenin accumulation. β-catenin is a pivotal molecule in the control of cell cycle progression and gene expression, activating both processes in combination with lymphoid-enhancing factor/T cell–factor–sensitive transcription and inhibiting both processes in combination with FOXO transcription factors. The ability of LPA to increase the cytoplasmic and nuclear accumulation of β-catenin provides a new dimension of knowledge linking lipid mediators to the dysregulation of β-catenin signaling in cancer.