cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physical setting and natural sources of exposure to carcinogenic trace elements and radionuclides in Lahontan Valley, Nevada

In Lahontan Valley, Nevada, arsenic, cobalt, tungsten, uranium, radon, and polonium-210 are carcinogens that occur naturally in sediments and groundwater. Arsenic and cobalt are principally derived from erosion of volcanic rocks in the local mountains and tungsten and uranium are derived from erosion of granitic rocks in headwater reaches of the Carson River. Radon and 210Po originate from radioactive decay of uranium in the sediments. Arsenic, aluminum, cobalt, iron, and manganese concentrations in household dust suggest it is derived from the local soils. Excess zinc and chromium in the dust are probably derived from the vacuum cleaner used to collect the dust, or household sources such as the furnace. Some samples have more than 5 times more cobalt in the dust than in the local soil, but whether the source of the excess cobalt is anthropogenic or natural cannot be determined with the available data. Cobalt concentrations are low in groundwater, but arsenic, uranium, radon, and 210Po concentrations often exceed human-health standards, and sometime greatly exceed them. Exposure to radon and its decay products in drinking water can vary significantly depending on when during the day that the water is consumed. Although the data suggests there have been no long term changes in groundwater chemistry that corresponds to the Lahontan Valley leukemia cluster, the occurrence of the very unusual leukemia cluster in an area with numerous 210Po and arsenic contaminated wells is striking, particularly in conjunction with the exceptionally high levels of urinary tungsten in Lahontan Valley residents. Additional research is needed on potential exposure pathways involving food or inhalation, and on synergistic effects of mixtures of these natural contaminants on susceptibility to development of leukemia.
Synthesis and properties of xylenyl ether-dimethylsiloxane triblock polymers

Poly(xylenyl ether-dimethylsiloxane) (PXE-PDMS) triblock polymers were successfully prepared by a hydroxyl-silylamine condensation route as potential modifiers for poly(styrene) (PS) and related materials. This synthesis route affords A-B-A triblock polymers where A represents PXE and B poly(dimethylsiloxane). These new copolymers are more versatile than poly(styrene-dimethylsiloxane) block polymers (as poly(styrene) modifiers) since the PXE is miscible with PS at all molecular weights and compositions. These triblock polymers formed unimodal molecular weight distributions, transparent and tough films, and microphase-separated morphologies as determined by a number of techniques.
Evaluation of a photon-counting x-ray imaging detector based on microchannel plates for mammography applications

Experimental prototype of a photon counting scanning slit X-ray imaging system is being evaluated for potential application in digital mammography. This system is based on a recently developed and tested “edge-on” illuminated Microchannel Plate (MCP) detector. The MCP detectors are well known for providing a combination of capabilities such as direct conversion, physical charge amplification, pulse counting, high spatial and temporal resolution, and very low noise. However, their application for medical imaging was hampered by their low detection efficiency. This limitation was addressed using an “edge-on” illumination mode for MCP. The current experimental prototype was developed to investigate the imaging performance of this detector concept for digital mammography. The current prototype provides a 60 mm field of view, 200 kHz count rate with 20% non-paralysable dead time and >7 lp/mm limiting resolution. A 0.3 mm focal spot W target X-ray tube was used for image acquisition. The detector noise is 0.3 count/pixel for 50x50 micron pixels. The count rate of the current prototype is limited by the delay line readout electronics, which causes long scanning times (minutes) and high tube loading. This problem will be addressed using multichannel ASIC electronics for clinical implementation. However, the current readout architecture is adequate for evaluation of the performance parameters of the new detector concept. It is very simple and provides a maximum intrinsic resolution of 28 micron FWHM. The prototype was evaluated using resolution, contrast detail and breast Phantoms. The MTF and DQE of the system are being evaluated at different tube voltages. The design parameters of a scanning multiple slit mammography system are being evaluated. It is concluded that a photon counting, quantum limited and virtually scatter free digital mammography system can be developed based on the proposed detector.
Politics of the library of the future

We sometimes view politics as a dirty business that is nevertheless necessary in order to accomplish major initiatives like implementing new technology in the library. We wish that, without lobbying or tooting our own horn, the high quality of our staff's work, ideas, and proposals would be recognized and rewarded with the resources and political support they deserve and that are needed to create the library of the future for our users.
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma—treatment approaches in the molecular era

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is an aggressive B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that affects patients of all ages with a wide range of clinical presentations. Although DLBCL is curable even in advanced stages, up to one-third of patients will not achieve cure with initial therapy. In the modern era of rituximab-based therapy as the first-line treatment, the prognoses of patients who require salvage therapy are poor and most will eventually succumb to their disease. Insight into the complex molecular circuitry of DLBCL reveals a diverse range of somatic mutations and aberrant intracellular signalling pathways that characterize distinct molecular subsets of the disease. The next major breakthrough in DLBCL therapy during this 'molecular era' of disease definition will be the identification of combinations of novel agents that target the oncogenic drivers of these subsets. Well-conducted clinical trials, with translational molecular investigations, will be essential to achieve the goal of precision medicine and expand the number of patients with DLBCL who achieve a cure.
Boundary conditions for equations of evolution

Abstract : The term evolutionary equation is used to mean one for which the Cauchy problem is correct, such as, for example, hyperbolic or parabolic equations. Mixed initial-boundary value problems for systems of differential equations with constant (real or complex) coefficients in a quarter space are considered. (Author)
Shoulder function and pain level after revision of failed reverse shoulder replacement to hemiarthroplasty

Background: The reverse total shoulder replacement has become a popular treatment option for cuff tear arthropathy and other shoulder conditions requiring arthroplasty in the setting of a deficient rotator cuff. Despite a revision rate of as much as 10%, to date, there are few reports of reverse replacement conversion to hemiarthroplasty, and none specifically examining shoulder function. Materials and Methods: Six patients with a reverse replacement that was dislocated, infected or loose were revised an average of 9.2 months after the reverse replacement. Two of the three patients that were dislocated also had a known deep infection. Patients with known infection were treated with explant of the reverse prosthesis and conversion to a preformed antibiotic spacer hemiarthroplasty. In three cases with gross loosening of the glenosphere without infection, treatment was performed with removal of glenosphere only, bone grafting of glenoid with allograft and conversion of humeral stem to hemiarthroplasty. Patients were evaluated with outcome scores and physical examination an average of 26.5 months after removal of the reverse prosthesis. Results: The average range of motion postoperatively was forward elevation 42.5 degrees and external rotation 1.7 degrees. The VAS pain score was 2.42 (range 0-6); simple shoulder test was 3.17 (range 1-5); and ASES score was 52.1 ± 8.5. There were no reoperations to date, and five patients had anterosuperior escape. Conclusions: Safe removal of a reverse replacement and conversion to hemicement spacer or hemiarthroplasty can provide pain relief in those patients with a dislocated or infected reverse replacement. However, the shoulder will likely have very poor function and anterosuperior escape postoperatively. Further studies are needed to determine the optimal treatment for the failed reverse shoulder replacement. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level IV.
FStitch: a fast and simple algorithm for detecting nascent RNA transcripts

We present a fast and simple algorithm to detect nascent RNA transcription in global nuclear run-on sequencing (GRO-seq). GRO-seq is a relatively new protocol that captures nascent transcripts from actively engaged polymerase, providing a direct read-out on bona fide transcription. Most traditional assays, such as RNA-seq, measure steady state RNA levels, which are affected by transcription, post-transcriptional processing, and RNA stability. A detailed study of GRO-seq data has the potential to inform on many aspects of the transcription process. GRO-seq data, however, presents unique analysis challenges that are only beginning to be addressed. Here we describe a new algorithm, Fast Read Stitcher (FStitch), that takes advantage of two popular machine-learning techniques, a hidden Markov model (HMM) and logistic regression to robustly classify which regions of the genome are transcribed. Our algorithm builds on the strengths of previous approaches but is accurate, dependent on very little training data, robust to varying read depth, annotation agnostic, and fast.
Some Impacts of Collective Bargaining On Local Government: A Diversity Thesis

The rapid growth of collective bargaining in the A merican public sector, especially local government, has sparked much concern with, but relatively little research of, union impacts on governmental management. Such impact analysis may most fruitfully be undertaken from a diversity perspective that envisions a multiplicity rather than a single pattern of bargaining outcomes. This diversity thesis is examined in relation to five dimensions of public management-compensation, personnel administration, service provision and delivery, government structure, and politics-and is tested in a preliminary way against relations in New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The paper concludes with some implications of the analysis for policy and research in public sector labor relations.
Phosphatase inhibition leads to activation of IκB kinase in murine macrophages

Abstract We have been interested in elucidating the role of intracellular phosphatase activity in the regulation of immune cell activation. To this end, we treated RAW 264.7 murine macrophages with the phosphatase inhibitor, calyculin-A. Treatment with calyculin-A led to activation of IκB kinase, degradation of IκBα, and induced nuclear translocation and DNA binding of NF-κB. Each of these effects occurred in both a time- and dose-dependent manner. In addition, each of these effects was negatively modulated by prior induction of the heat-shock response. Despite clear activation of the IκB kinase/IκBα/NF-κB pathway, however, phosphatase inhibition did not lead to increased expression of NF-κB-dependent genes. Thus, intracellular phosphatase activity is a central regulator of the NF-κB signal transduction pathway and is negatively modulated by heat shock. Inhibition of intracellular phosphatase activity with calyculin-A is not sufficient to induce NF-κB-dependent gene expression, demonstrating the complexity of NF-κB regulation in immune cells.
Immunity in Drosophila melanogaster — from microbial recognition to whole-organism physiology

Since the discovery of antimicrobial peptide responses 40 years ago, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster has proven to be a powerful model for the study of innate immunity. Early work focused on innate immune mechanisms of microbial recognition and subsequent nuclear factor-κB signal transduction. More recently, D. melanogaster has been used to understand how the immune response is regulated and coordinated at the level of the whole organism. For example, researchers have used this model in studies investigating interactions between the microbiota and the immune system at barrier epithelial surfaces that ensure proper nutritional and immune homeostasis both locally and systemically. In addition, studies in D. melanogaster have been pivotal in uncovering how the immune response is regulated by both endocrine and metabolic signalling systems, and how the immune response modifies these systems as part of a homeostatic circuit. In this Review, we briefly summarize microbial recognition and antiviral immunity in D. melanogaster, and we highlight recent studies that have explored the effects of organism-wide regulation of the immune response and, conversely, the effects of the immune response on organism physiology.
Dissociation of Antitumor Potency from Anthracycline Cardiotoxicity in a Doxorubicin Analog

The search for new congeners of the leading anticancer drug doxorubicin has led to an analog that is approximately 1000 times more potent, noncardiotoxic at therapeutic dose levels, and non-cross-resistant with doxorubicin. The new anthracycline, 3'-deamino-3'-(3-cyano-4-morpholinyl)doxorubicin (MRA-CN), is produced by incorporation of the 3' amino group of doxorubicin in a new cyanomorpholinyl ring. The marked increase in potency was observed against human ovarian and breast carcinomas in vitro; it was not accompanied by an increase in cardiotoxicity in fetal mouse heart cultures. Doxorubicin and MRA-CN both produced typical cardiac ultrastructural and biochemical changes, but at equimolar concentrations. In addition, MRA-CN was not cross-resistant with doxorubicin in a variant of the human sarcoma cell line MES-SA selected for resistance to doxorubicin. Thus antitumor efficacy was dissociated from both cardiotoxicity and cross-resistance by this modification of anthracycline structure.
Police Occasions: A Study of Interaction Contexts:

Drawing on the works of Erving Goffman (1963, 1971), police interaction was observed in terms of social occasions. In contrast to studies of police discretion that focus on the individual behaviors of the demeanor of the social actor, this study attempts to locate the interaction context through the dimensions of social occasions. Forms of interaction were hypothesized to be dependent on the social occasion in which the police and citizens found themselves and not solely on the basis of the actors' demeanor. The findings, based on 291 observations recorded on observations schedules in a small citY with a high crime/police-mobilization rate, bore out the relationship, even though not in the expected direction. Equally important was the fact that there was a significant relationship between the type of occasion and the likelihood of the police being called leading to speculation that crime and disorder are related to the forms of social occasions in specific dimensions.
School-based obesity screening in rural Appalachia.

Abstract Background Although identification of obesity during childhood is strongly recommended for the prevention of adult disease, access to obesity screening for children is almost exclusively through physicians' office visits. We examined the feasibility and utility of conducting a school-based obesity and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factor screening program in a rural Appalachian population. Methods Height, weight, blood pressure, total cholesterol (TC), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol were measured in 1338 fifth-grade children (631 boys and 707 girls) in 14 rural West Virginia counties in 2000–2001. Results We found a high prevalence of overweight (17.5%) and obesity (27.0%). Compared with non-overweight children, obese children had greater risk of high TC (OR 2.4), low HDL cholesterol (OR 5.3), high systolic blood pressure (OR 3.3), and high diastolic blood pressure (OR 2.4) (all OR >1.0, P Conclusions The high prevalence of obesity, the associated clustering of CVD risk factors, and the low obesity identification rate by physicians suggest that alternative approaches to obesity screening, such as universal school-based programs, may be warranted in high-risk communities.
Life history of Eretmocerus melanoscutus (Hymenoptera: Aphelinidae) parasitizing nymphs of Bemisia tabaci Biotype B (Homoptera: Aleyrodidae)

Abstract Eretmocerus melanoscutus Zolnerowich and Rose was originally imported from Thailand, and has been released in southern Texas, Arizona and California for biological control of Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) biotype ‘B.’ Studies were conducted to determine biological parameters of E. melanoscutus , and evaluate its potential as a biological control agent of B. tabaci under laboratory conditions [26.7 ± 2 °C, 50–75% RH and a photoperiod of 14:10 (L:D) h]. E. melanoscutus successfully oviposited under all nymphal instars of B. tabaci on cabbage with the exception of late fourth instars. The females oviposited least under first instars (25.6 ± 3.2 eggs) and most under third instars (122.7 ± 9.6 eggs), followed by similar numbers of eggs under the second (95.6 ± 8.5 eggs) and early fourth instars (85.6 ± 6.9 eggs). Regardless of host stage parasitized, 93.4% adults emerged. Parasitoid development averaged 16.8 d from oviposition to adult emergence. Each female laid an average of 122.4 (±13.1) eggs during her lifespan or 11.2 ± 0.6 eggs per day. Mean longevity of adult females and males on plants with whitefly nymphs was 9.8 ± 0.9 and 13.2 ± 1.4 d, respectively. Of the offspring, 53.9% were females. The intrinsic rate of natural population increase ( r m ), net reproductive rate ( R o ), generation time ( T ), doubling time (DT), and the finite rate of increase ( λ ) of E. melanoscutus were estimated by life table analysis at 0.2175/d, 61.42 offspring, 19.0 d, 3.2 d, and 1.2429/d, respectively. These values are higher than those reported for B. tabaci on any host plant, indicating that E. melanoscutus has a great potential as a biological control agent of B. tabaci .
A method for background light rejection in multiplexed rotational Raman spectroscopy with Fabry–Perot interferometers

The feasibility of using Fabry–Perot interferometers in the remote sensing of gaseous pollutants via their rotational Raman spectra depends upon the development of a method of rejecting back-scattered light arising from Mie scattering from dust, Rayleigh, and Raman scattering from the abundant gases in the region being observed. We present measurements of the rejection of Rayleigh and rotational Raman light using Fabry–Perot interferometers in reflection to demonstrate a method of reducing background interference by more than two orders-of-magnitude.
Free Trade Versus Protection in the Early Third Republic: Economic Interests, Tariff Policy, and the Making of Republican Synthesis

The founding of the Third Republic coincided with the creation of a particular political and economic arrangement which Stanley Hoffmann has variously called the "Republican synthesis" and the "Republican equilibrium." This arrangement stabilized French society in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, perhaps to the point of"stalemate," but in any case it enabled the Third Republic to survive longer than any other French regime since 1789. Because it ultimately rested on the support of the bourgeoisie and the peasantry, its formation depended on forging those elements of society into a "Republican consensus" (again Hoffmann's term) by the accommodation of their interests-that is to say, by the formulation of policies which preserved and enhanced their social and economic position.' The process of accommodating interests and building the Republican consensus unfolded at several levels between the late 1860s and the 1890s.2 From the beginning, the making of tariff policy was a crucial part of this process, especially for big businessmen and farmers. Yet it proved to be one of the hardest areas in which to reach an agreement. Contrary to conventional wisdom, there was no popularly mandated scuttling of Napoleon III's free trade policies and no return to protection after 1870. To be sure, there was a noisy reaction
Like Mike: Ability contagion through touched objects increases confidence and improves performance

Abstract Magical thinking refers to irrational peculiar beliefs, including those that conform to the laws of contagion. We propose that touching an object that was previously touched by a high performer increases confidence via magical thinking (ability contagion) and improves actual performance among individuals high in experiential processing. A series of studies provides support for this main proposition. Our results cast doubt on an alternative explanation based on priming, and are obtained controlling for participants’ level of rational processing, motivation, and affect.
Genetic Screening and Disability Insurance: What Can We Learn From The Health Insurance Experience?

Genetic information may be used by health and disability insurance companies to deny or restrict coverage. How health insurance companies use genetic information, and how public policy has limited that use, can be illustrative for genetics and disability insurance policy.
Some benevolent and antagonistic relationships between Ulva lactuca and its microflora

Abstract Productivity of the benthic macrophyte, Ulva lactuca L., declined sharply in heated Winter water. The loss was attributed to a decline in growth factors provided by the native bacteria. A similar decline was observed in antibiotic-treated Ulva. Productivity was partially restored by the addition of specific bacteria normally found on the macrophyte surface. There is an apparent close benevolent relationship between Ulva and its surface microflora. An antagonistic bacterial population was also isolated from Ulva surfaces. These bacteria were capable of degrading Ulva cell walls, and invading the plant cells. It is postulated that the antogonistic bacterial population is opportunistic and proliferates when the plant is placed under stress.
Active learning for vision-based robot grasping

Reliable vision-based grasping has proved elusive outside of controlled environments. One approach towards building more flexible and domain-independent robot grasping systems is to employ learning to adapt the robot's perceptual and motor system to the task. However, one pitfall in robot perceptual and motor learning is that the cost of gathering the learning set may be unacceptably high. Active learning algorithms address this shortcoming by intelligently selecting actions so as to decrease the number of examples necessary to achieve good performance and also avoid separate training and execution phases, leading to higher autonomy. We describe the IE-ID3 algorithm, which extends the Interval Estimation (IE) active learning approach from discrete to real-valued learning domains by combining IE with a classification tree learning algorithm (ID-3). We present a robot system which rapidly learns to select the grasp approach directions using IE-ID3 given simplified superquadric shape approximations of objects. Initial results on a small set of objects show that a robot with a laser scanner system can rapidly learn to pick up new objects, and simulation studies show the superiority of the active learning approach for a simulated grasping task using larger sets of objects. Extensions of the approach and future areas of research incorporating more sophisticated perceptual and action representation are discussed
Authenticity in tourism in small island destinations: a local perspective

This study explored the meaning of authenticity in the context of a small island destination from the residents' perspective, departing from the main stream literature which predominantly focuses on the demand side of the equation. Photo-elicitation was used to investigate the conception of authenticity. The finding from the focus group is that the notions of authenticity are unique, vast, and individualistic and that an encompassing definition of authenticity is difficult to concur. While the focus group provided clarity in terms of authenticity being embedded in the cultural lifestyle, an empirical study was conducted to further understand what cultural resources could be derived from the specific meaning of authenticity. Two themes emerged: (1) when residents interact with tourists, cultural attributes are more important than tradition; and (2) tourists are involved in creating an authentic process for residents. The younger generation appears to be frustrated with the impact of tourism on the cultural...
Drifters help forecast Gulf of Mexico surface circulation

During the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, scientists' understanding of the mesoscale surface circulation patterns of the Gulf of Mexico became a topic of great importance. With the oil slick growing, disaster response teams needed to know where to deploy. Many were concerned with the oil's ultimate destination—whether it would travel toward the Florida Keys and into the Atlantic Ocean or remain in the Gulf. The drivers of surface circulation patterns are varied, ranging from wind to internal waves to pressure and salinity gradients, and the task of forecasting the oil's motion was a challenge.
Acinic cell carcinoma of salivary origin. A clinicopathologic study of 67 cases

This study reviews a 30 year experience with acinic cell carcinoma. The tumor arose in the parotid gland in 64 patients, the submaxillary gland in one and minor salivary glands in two. In untreated patients with small tumors, clinical findings usually suggested a benign mixed tumor and a subtotal parotidectomy which spared the facial nerve was highly effective therapy. In contrast, local recurrence and death was the rule in those few who had locally extensive disease, regardless of how radical an operation was performed. Determine "cure" rates for the entire group were 76, 63 and 55% at 5, 10 and 15 years, respectively. Cervical lymph node metastasis occurred in 16% of the patients, and distant metastasis in 12%. Survival was most directly influenced by the clinical extent of the primary tumor, and also correlated with certain histologic features which are described.
Ventricular tachycardia after repair of congenital heart disease

Abstract This study examined patients with known ventricular tachycardia after repair of congenital heart disease to determine prognosis and identify possible risk factors for sudden death. The charts of 76 patients seen at Texas Children's Hospital between 1984 and 1989 with ventricular tachycardia after repair of congenital heart disease were reviewed. Clinical and hemodynamic status were assessed. Mean age of primary repair was 7.7 years (0.3–29.3) and average follow-up was 11.3 years (0.3–33.8). Of the ten patients who died, four died suddenly. Ten patients (13%) experienced cardiac arrest, which occurred in 36% of patients with ‘poor', 17% with ‘fair', and 3% with ‘good' clinical status. All seven evaluated cardiac arrest patients had ‘poor' hemodynamics, compared to 62% (2845) of others. Although syncope was a common event (1476), no patient who arrested had prior syncope. Of the 20 patients who underwent surgical revision, ventricular tachycardia persisted in 17. Conclusions: (1) 13% of patients with ventricular tachycardia after the repair of congenital heart disease experienced cardiac arrest. (2) No cardiac arrest patient in this series had prior syncope, making this a non-specific symptom. (3) Patients with clinical and catheterization findings suggestive of the worst hemodynamics were most likely to have cardiac arrest. (4) Surgical intervention did not prove successful in eliminating ventricular tachycardia or preventing cardiac arrest.
Optical design of zero-power Hubble Space Telescope wave-front correctors for null testing

The optical design of the second-generation wide-field/planetary-camera instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope has been modified to compensate for the spherical aberration of the optical telescope assembly (OTA) by introduction of undercorrected spherical aberration into the wave front. This instrument can be tested in a simple manner to ensure that its aberration contribution has the proper sign and magnitude. We present designs for a near-zero power doublet lens that can be used to generate a spherically aberrated wave front that is similar to the OTA wave front. When this lens is used in combination with the instrument, a near-perfect or nulled wave front should be produced, resulting in a high-quality point image on axis. We also present lens designs for a similar test that can be performed on the OTA simulators now being built to verify the other second-generation instruments.
Erythropoiesis in the Dog: The Periodic Nature of the Steady State

In at least six of 11 normal dogs serial measurement of reticulocyte counts showed oscillation with a period of approximately 14 days. The phase of oscillation could be altered by bleeding followed by retransfusion. The observations suggest that canine erythropoiesis is an example of a physiological rhythm which has its origin in homeostatic control.
OIL POLLUTION ACT OF 1990: CURE, CATALYST, OR CATASTROPHE1

ABSTRACT Congress departed from the international community to unilaterally enact comprehensive oil spill legislation, the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA). OPA legislates in several areas not covered by the international liability scheme for oil spills, including requirements for double-hull vessels, manning standards for foreign vessels, vessel response plans, and detailed and extensive provisions for liability for natural resource damages. Thus, it clearly provides better protection for the U.S. marine environment than would the international liability scheme. While OPA has encouraged the international community to take certain steps to provide greater protection, significant differences remain between OPA and the applicable international rules and standards. Protection of the marine environment on a global scale would be increased if the United States and the international community could bridge these differences.
Regulation of Tissue Oxygenation

This presentation describes various aspects of the regulation of tissue oxygenation, including the roles of the circulatory system, respiratory system, and blood, the carrier of oxygen within these components of the cardiorespiratory system. The respiratory system takes oxygen from the atmosphere and transports it by diffusion from the air in the alveoli to the blood flowing through the pulmonary capillaries. The cardiovascular system then moves the oxygenated blood from the heart to the microcirculation of the various organs by convection, where oxygen is released from hemoglobin in the red blood cells and moves to the parenchymal cells of each tissue by diffusion. Oxygen that has diffused into cells is then utilized in the mitochondria to produce adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the energy currency of all cells. The mitochondria are able to produce ATP until the oxygen tension or PO2 in their vicinity falls to a critical level of about 1 mm Hg. Thus, in order to meet the energetic needs of cells, it is important to maintain a continuous supply of oxygen to the mitochondria at or above the critical PO2. In order to accomplish this desired outcome, the cardiorespiratory system, including the blood, must be capable of regulation to ensure survival of all tissues under a wide range of circumstances. The purpose of this presentation is to provide basic information about the operation and regulation of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems, as well as the properties of the blood and parenchymal cells, so that a fundamental understanding of the regulation of tissue oxygenation is achieved.
Importance of including power supply noise in digital circuit simulations

Rapid fluctuations of power supply values, or switching noise, can have a significant effect on VLSI circuit speed. This is shown by comparing circuit simulations with measurements of the critical path delay of a self-resetting SRAM. It is shown that including the measured high frequency noise in the circuit simulation leads to very accurate prediction of circuit speed.
Renegotiating property rights in the Florida golden crab fishery

The golden crab ( Chaceon fenneri ) supports a small, economically healthy fishery in south Florida. Crabbers in the fishery have successfully protected themselves against larger outside fishing interests in the past, and management has been stable for over fifteen years. Why, then, did a portion of the fleet propose shifting to individual transferable quotas (ITQs)? Our findings suggest that proponents sought ITQ management because they believed it would further limit the ability of other crabbers to enter the fishery and act as a mechanism to legally preserve the informal and formal property rights that they have previously negotiated among themselves. Opponents believed that a shift to an ITQ regime would destroy those same property rights. We explore the implications of these findings to a broader understanding of property rights and natural resource management institutions, noting that the currently existing system closely resembles a territorial use rights fishery (TURF).
Cell‐to‐cell signalling in Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica

Summary Cell-to-cell signalling in prokaryotes that leads to co-ordinated behaviour has been termed quorum sensing. This type of signalling can have profound impacts on microbial community structure and host–microbe interactions. The Gram-negative quorum-sensing systems were first discovered and extensively characterized in the marine Vibrios. Some components of the Vibrio systems are present in the classical genetic model organisms Escherichia coli and Salmonella enterica. Both organisms encode a signal receptor of the LuxR family, SdiA, but not a corresponding signal-generating enzyme. Instead, SdiA of Salmonella detects and responds to signals generated only by other microbial species. Conversely, E. coli and Salmonella encode the signal-generating component of a second system (a LuxS homologue that generates AI-2), but the sensory apparatus for AI-2 differs substantially from the Vibrio system. The only genes currently known to be regulated by AI-2 in Salmonella encode an active uptake and modification system for AI-2. Therefore, it is not yet clear whether Salmonella uses AI-2 as a signal molecule or whether AI-2 has some other function. In E. coli, the functions of both SdiA and AI-2 are unclear due to pleiotropy. Genetic strategies to identify novel signalling systems have been performed with E. coli and Providencia stuartii. Several putative signalling systems have been identified, one that uses indole as a signal and another that releases what appears to be a peptide. The latter system has homologues in E. coli and Salmonella, as well as other bacteria, plants and animals. In fact, the protease components from Providencia and Drosophila are functionally interchangeable.
Engineering management practices in the United States, Europe, and China

The practice of engineering management has been around for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. However, the academic discipline of Engineering Management has existed for a little over forty years. Engineering Management was established as a M.S. program in 1965 at the University of Missouri- Rolla (now Missouri S&T). Today there are over 70 universities offering this important degree in the United States. In Europe, Engineering Management education is generally linked with Industrial Engineering. The largest Engineering Management organization in Europe is ESTIEM. In China, Engineering Management was introduced as an academic discipline in the mid-1980's according to Dr. Zhongtuo Wang of Dalian University of Technology. Today there are over 150 universities offering Engineering Management programs in China.
Synergistic Activation of Human LDL Receptor Expression by SCAP Ligand and Cytokine Oncostatin M

Objective— A recent study identified a new class of compounds designated as the sterol-regulatory element binding protein (SREBP) cleavage-activating protein (SCAP) ligands that putatively bind to SCAP, leading to increased LDL receptor (LDLR) expression. In this study, we examined the effects of SCAP ligand GW707 in comparison with lovastatin and cytokine oncostatin M (OM) on the regulation of LDLR expression in cultured HepG2 cells. Methods and Results— Our studies uncovered several new features that distinguish SCAP ligand from lovastatin, a classic 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor, and from OM, which utilize an SREBP-independent regulatory pathway. We show that the induction of LDLR mRNA expression by GW707 is not affected by intracellular cholesterol but is completely abolished by blocking de novo protein synthesis. Moreover, the effects of GW707 but not lovastatin on LDLR promoter activity, mRNA expression, and uptake of 1,1′-dioctadecyl-3,3,3′,3′-tetramethyl-indocarbocyanin perchlorate–LDL are markedly enhanced by OM. We further demonstrate that the amounts of the mature form of SREBP-2 translocated to the nucleus under GW707 treatment are increased by costimulating cells with OM. Conclusions— Our studies provide the first evidence that higher levels of LDLR expression and function can be achieved through simultaneous stimulation of the SREBP-dependent and SREBP-independent pathways, suggesting a strategy to develop an adjunct therapeutic intervention utilizing both pathways.
Cryopyrin-associated Periodic Syndromes and the Eye

Aim: To describe the ophthalmologic findings in two patients with Muckle-Wells Syndrome, a phenotype of the Cryopyrin Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) spectrum. There is currently sparse ophthalmic literature regarding the ocular manifestations of CAPS. We hope to increase awareness of this spectrum of diseases and the importance of proper treatment amongst eye care professionals.Methods: Interventional Case Series.Results: Patient 1 experienced resolution of aseptic meningitis, papilledema, and anterior uveitis following treatment with anikinra. Patient 2 experienced resolution of panuveitis following treatment with anikinra.Conclusions: The severe ocular manifestations of the most severe CAPS phenotype, Chronic Infantile Neurological Cutaneous and Articular Syndrome/Neonatal Onset Multisystem Inflammatory Disease Syndrome (CINCA/NOMID) have been previously described. There is increasing evidence that patients may experience similar ocular disease with the milder phenotype of Muckle-Wells Sydnrome. T...
Bimetallic Catalysts – Heterogeneous

Although early attempts to use metal alloys to probe the so-called electronic factor in catalysis by metals did not meet expectations, investigations of bimetallic catalysts with other objectives have led to major advances. Such investigations have shown that bimetallic catalysts can exhibit selectivities for hydrocarbon transformations that are very different from those observed on monometallic catalysts, favoring the formation of valuable products such as aromatic hydrocarbons at the expense of less valuable ones such as methane. The number of contiguous atoms of a given metal component required in an active catalytic site is an important issue here. Investigations with bimetallic catalysts have also shown that systems of interest are not limited to combinations of metallic elements that are highly miscible in the bulk. For industrial applications of bimetallic catalysts, a crucial advance was the demonstration that highly dispersed bimetallic entities as small as 1 nm in size could be prepared within the pores of materials commonly used as catalyst supports. The term “bimetallic clusters” is used in referring to these entities. A very important industrial application of bimetallic catalysts has occurred on a huge worldwide scale in petroleum reforming processes. This application has played a vital role in making lead-free gasoline a reality, an accomplishment of enormous environmental significance. Keywords: bimetallic catalysts; bimetallic clusters; metal alloys; electronic structures of alloys; nickel–copper alloys; catalytic specificity; multiplet sites, ensembles; bimetallic systems of immiscible components; surface segregation; Ru–Cu aggregates; Ru–Cu clusters; bimetallic reforming catalysts; Pt–Ir catalysts; Pt–Re catalysts; Pt–Sn catalysts; lead-free gasoline
Satellite potentials of motor unit action potentials in normal muscles: a new hypothesis for their origin.

Abstract Objective : A satellite potential is a late component of the motor unit action potential (MUAP) that occurs both in pathologic and normal muscle. We investigated the physiological mechanisms responsible for satellite potentials in normal muscle by relating the latencies of MUAP features to the timing of the underlying electrical events. Methods : We analyzed 21 MUAPs with satellite potentials that had been recorded using a monopolar needle electrode from brachial biceps and tibialis anterior muscles in 10 normal subjects. We estimated the endplate-to-electrode, endplate-to-tendon, and satellite propagation times from the latencies, with respect to the MUAP onset, of the MUAP spike, terminal wave, and satellite. Results : Satellite latencies ranged from 8.8 to 32 ms, too long to be explained by mechanisms involving regenerating axons or atrophic muscle fibers. The spike-to-satellite time intervals approximated either twice the spike-to-terminal-wave interval (17 MUAPs) or twice the terminal-wave latency (4 MUAPs). Conclusions : These results are consistent with the hypothesis that satellite potentials are due to retrograde propagation in a non-innervated muscle fiber that is connected with an innervated muscle fiber at one of the muscle/tendon junctions. Such a configuration could arise as a result of longitudinal muscle-fiber splitting.
Stress-responsive hydroxycinnamate glycosyltransferase modulates phenylpropanoid metabolism in Populus

The diversity of phenylpropanoids offers a rich inventory of bioactive chemicals that can be exploited for plant improvement and human health. Recent evidence suggests that glycosylation may play a role in the partitioning of phenylpropanoid precursors for a variety of downstream uses. This work reports the functional characterization of a stress-responsive glycosyltransferase, GT1-316 in Populus. GT1-316 belongs to the UGT84A subfamily of plant glycosyltransferase family 1 and is designated UGT84A17. Recombinant protein analysis showed that UGT84A17 is a hydroxycinnamate glycosyltransferase and able to accept a range of unsubstituted and substituted cinnamic and benzoic acids as substrates in vitro. Overexpression of GT1-316 in transgenic Populus led to plant-wide increases of hydroxycinnamoyl-glucose esters, which were further elevated under N-limiting conditions. Levels of the two most abundant flavonoid glycosides, rutin and kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, decreased, while levels of other less abundant flavonoid and phenylpropanoid conjugates increased in leaves of the GT1-316-overexpressing plants. Transcript levels of representative phenylpropanoid pathway genes were unchanged in transgenic plants, supporting a glycosylation-mediated redirection of phenylpropanoid carbon flow as opposed to enhanced phenylpropanoid pathway flux. The metabolic response of N-replete transgenic plants overlapped with that of N-stressed wild types, as the majority of phenylpropanoid derivatives significantly affected by GT1-316 overexpression were also significantly changed by N stress in the wild types. These results suggest that UGT84A17 plays an important role in phenylpropanoid metabolism by modulating biosynthesis of hydroxycinnamoyl-glucose esters and their derivatives in response to developmental and environmental cues.
Seeded VISA: A 1064nm laser-seeded FEL amplifier at the BNL ATF

An experimental study of a seeded Free Electron Laser (FEL) using the VISA undulator and a Nd:YAG seed laser will be performed at the Accelerator Test Facility (ATF) at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The study is motivated by the demand for a short Rayleigh length FEL amplifier at 1 micron to allow for high power transmission with minimal damage of transport optics. Planned measurements include transverse and longitudinal coherence, angular distribution, and wavelength spectrum of the FEL radiation. The effects of detuning the electron beam energy will be studied, with an emphasis on control of the radiation emission angles and increase of the amplifier efficiency. Results of start-to-end simulations are also presented.
Structure and expression of a plant U1 snRNP 70K gene: alternative splicing of U1 snRNP 70K pre-mRNAs produces two different transcripts.

The product of the U1 small nuclear ribonucleoprotein particle (U1 snRNP) 70K (U1-70K) gene, a U1 snRNP-specific protein, has been implicated in basic as well as alternative splicing of pre-mRNAs in animals. Here, we report the isolation of full-length cDNAs and the corresponding genomic clone encoding a U1-70K protein from a plant system. The Arabidopsis U1-70K protein is encoded by a single gene, which is located on chromosome 3. Several lines of evidence indicate that two distinct transcripts (short and long) are produced from the same gene by alternative splicing of the U1-70K pre-mRNA. The alternative splicing involves inclusion or exclusion of a region (910 bp) that we named "included intron." Two transcripts were clearly detectable in all tissues tested, and the level of the transcripts varied in different organs. The deduced amino acid (427 residues) sequence from the short transcript has strong homology to the animal U1-70K protein and contains an RNA recognition motif, a glycine hinge, and an arginine-rich region characteristic of the animal U1-70K protein. The long transcript has an in-frame translational termination codon within the 910-bp included intron, resulting in a truncated protein containing only 204 amino acids. The protein encoded by the short transcript is recognized by U1 RNP-specific monoclonal antibodies and binds specifically to the Arabidopsis U1 snRNA, whereas the protein from the long transcript does not. In addition, multiple polyadenylation sites were observed in the 39 untranslated region. These results suggest a complex post-transcriptional regulation of Arabidopsis U1-70K gene expression.
Use of the reference dose in risk characterization of drinking water contaminants

Abstract Regulatory decisions should be made in the most expert and informed way since they are precipitated by real and perceived threats to public health, under the glare of public scrutiny. The development of environmental regulations require a three‐step paradigm, collectively called risk analysis. This paper will address the risk assessment practices required under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) Amendments of 1986 to determine a Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG, nonenforceable health goal) which should result in no known or anticipated health effects, and allows adequate margin of safety. The end product of this risk assessment, risk characterization, and risk management encompassing control options and nonrisk analysis are combined to derive the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL, enforceable standard). Furthermore, this paper discusses the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's efforts in exploring new and improved noncancer risk assessment approaches providing the basis for MCLGs for the prote...