cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cyclic AMP-Adenosine Pathway Induces Nitric Oxide Synthesis in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells

The main purpose of this investigation was to evaluate whether the cyclic AMP-adenosine pathway, ie, the conversion of cAMP to AMP and, hence, to adenosine, is involved in the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) synthesis by vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Treatment of confluent monolayers of SMCs with adenosine, 2-chloroadenosine (stable analog of adenosine), and agents that elevate endogenous (SMC-derived) adenosine (EHNA and iodotubericidin) increased nitrite/nitrate (stable metabolites of NO) levels in the medium and enhanced the conversion of 3H-L-arginine to 3H-L-citrulline by cytosolic extracts obtained from the pretreated SMCs. The stimulatory effects of adenosine were not mimicked by low (1 to 100 nmol/L) concentrations of CGS21680, an A2A receptor agonist, or CPA, a selective A1 receptor agonist. The stimulatory effects of 2-chloroadenosine and EHNA plus iodotubericidin were significantly inhibited by KF17837, a selective A2 receptor antagonist, and by DPSPX, an A1/A2 receptor antagonist, but not by DPCPX, a selective A1 receptor antagonist. DDA (adenylyl cyclase inhibitor) and Rp-cyclic AMP (protein kinase A inhibitor) did not block the effects of adenosine on NO synthesis. Incubation of SMCs with exogenous cyclic AMP, at concentrations previously shown to elevate levels ofadenosine in the medium, also increased nitrite/nitrate levels and 3H-L-citrulline formation, and the effects of cyclic AMP on NO synthesis were blocked by DPSPX and KF17837, but not by DPCPX. These findings provide evidence that exogenous and SMC-derived adenosine induce NO synthesis via A2B receptors linked to a pathway not involving adenylyl cyclase/protein kinase A. Moreover, extracellular cyclic AMP induces NO synthesis via conversion to adenosine and activation of A2B adenosine receptors. The cyclic AMP-adenosine pathway may be importantly involved in the vascular production of NO.
An evaluation of alternatives to the retrieval methods used in processing FGGE level II TIROS-N soundings

Abstract Alternatives to the retrieval techniques applied by NESDIS operations to derive the FGGF Level IIa soundings are examined. A physical iterative retrieval technique is compared to the operational statistical method, and the influence of using higher resolution subsets of the original infrared observations is examined. These alternatives are evaluated using TIROS-N observations from a January 1980 period over the conventional data-rich region of the United States. The evaluations involve colocation statistics and 700–300 mb thickness difference fields. The initial tests using operational (9 × 7 HIRS/2 fields of view) resolution show that the physical iterative retrieval makes substantial corrections to climatological first guesses, but only minor corrections to a first guess based on the operational soundings. Colocation statistics and 700–300 mb thickness difference fields indicate that the physical retrieval method does not offer significant improvements over the FGGE operational soundings. As in...
Epitaxial silicon solar cells on “ribbon” substrates

Abstract The ability to grow Si in ribbon form offers the potential for greatly reducing the cost of solar cells compared with the present technology that is based on cutting large-cross-section ingots with the accompanying material waste. In the recent past, the edge- defined-growth (EFG) process technology has received much attention, and progress was made in growing 1-in.-wide ribbons of significant length. However, this material is polycrystalline over most of its length. In addition, the possible inclusion of the die materials (carbon) and associated contaminants leads to difficulties in controlling the minority-carrier lifetine in the ribbon. Thus, because of lattice defects (e.g., dislocations, grain boundaries, andcontaminants), problems are anticipated in obtaining a high yield of efficient solar cells by direct diffusion into such ribbon material produced with the present technology. This paper reports on a study of means of generally improving the quality of solar cell devices obtained by using thin epitaxial layers deposited on such material. The program encompasses analytical studies aimed at relating the defects to device performance, and the fabrication of solar cells on a comparative basis (diffusio versus epitaxial growth on crystals of similar quality) to establish the improvement which is obtained. Indeed, the program described in this report demonstrated substantially improved performance with ≈50-μm-thick epitaxial layers compared with those made by direct diffusion. The difference in performance was analyzed in detail to yield significant new insight into the factors controlling the solar cell efficiency when such devices are fabricated in large- grained polycrystalline silicon ribbon.
Brain Response to the Luminal Nutrient Stimulation

Nutrient signals called postingestive effects are thought to be the sixth sensory signals (gut feeling). They modulate motivation to eat and subsequent food preference. Although the other five senses are well-characterized, there are still a lot of mysteries in the processing of luminal nutrient information in the brain. Development of functional MRI (fMRI) technique during the past 10 years enabled researchers to investigate brain function for the detection, perception, and processing of chemosensory information in human beings. We developed an awake rat fMRI technique to investigate whole brain function for the detection of ingested nutrients. Here we will review a recent study of luminal nutrient information in humans and in rodents.
Characterization of Moloney murine leukemia and sarcoma viruses separated by isokinetic gradient centrifugation.

Abstract Isokinetic sucrose gradients were used for the separation of different strains of murine sarcoma viruses (MuSV) from their associated helper leukemia virus (MuLV). Two viral-specific peaks as determined by reverse transcriptase assay were obtained after a mixture of MuSV produced by MuSV349 cells and Moloney MuLV were centrifuged in an isokinetic gradient. The slower sedimenting peak fraction was shown to contain MuSV by the presence of RNA species which are smaller in size (∼2.2 × 106 daltons) than the genomic size of MuLV RNA, a protein gel electrophoresis profile similar to that of MuSV, the ability of the virus to form foci in TB and NRK cells, and its inability to produce syncytia in XC assay. The faster sedimenting peak was shown to contain MuLV by the presence of mainly MuLV genomic size RNA (∼3.2 × 106 dalton), a protein gel electrophoresis profile similar to that of MuLV, and the ability of the virus to produce syncytia in the XC assay.
Certainty factors versus Parzen windows as reliability measures in RBF networks

Abstract A method is described for using Radial Basis Function (RBF) neural networks to generate a certainty factor reliability measure along with the network's normal output. The certainty factor approach is then compared with another technique for measuring RBF reliability, Parzen windows. Both methods are implemented into RBF networks, and the results of using each approach are compared. Advantages and disadvantages of each approach are discussed. Results indicate that certainty factors are easy to compute and good reliability measure.
Interactive Television and the Nontraditional Student

(1991). Interactive Television and the Nontraditional Student. Journal of Education for Business: Vol. 66, No. 3, pp. 181-185.
Long-term in-vivo Investigation of Parylene-C as Encapsulation Material for Neural Interfaces

Abstract In this paper, we present in-vitro soak testing results used to measure the long term encapsulation and insulation properties of parylene-C based on interdigitated electrodes (IDEs) (Fig. 1). The parylene-C layer has been deposited by chemical vapor deposition using the Gorman process [1] . Our primary investigations showed that parylene-C is a great encapsulation material based on its extremely low leakage current (20 pA for quartz substrate) and high insulation impedance (2 Masterisk at 1 kHz for quartz substrate) after 180-day of soaking test. Substrate materials with high resistivity were recommended in order to actually measure the insulation performance of encapsulation materials rather than that of the substrates.
A new look at the problem of innate ideas

THE mention of innate ideas evokes little responsive sympathy in modern philosophers. When, for example, I inquired of Nelson Goodman regarding publication of a recent symposium on the topic on which he had participated, he wrote in reply that: 'Personally, I am rather of two minds about seeing this published since I feel in some ways that the less attention given the matter of innate ideas the better' (Letter of 22 July I965). Nevertheless, I cannot help feeling that here as elsewhere there is truth in the maxim that Where there's
Focal heating of V‐2 tumors with a hybrid radiofrequency applicator

A hybrid radiofrequency heating system previously reported to produce highly focused heating patterns at less than or equal to 10 cm depth in phantom models was utilized to selectively heat hypervascular, heat resistant rabbit V-2 tumors implanted in the left hindlimb. Spheroidal heating patterns 3 to 4 cm in diameter with minimal temperatures of 43 degrees C to 46 degrees C in two non-field perturbing probes at opposing edges of the tumor were consistently produced; however, temperature maxima 0.5 +/- 0.4 to 8.6 +/- 5.9 degrees C above minimum target temperatures of 43 degrees C and 46 degrees C, respectively, were observed. This led to both tumor regressions and adjacent normal tissue damage in some animals. These findings suggest this system may have application to selective heating of deep seated tumors, but that problems related to accurate thermal mapping and to intratumor temperature distribution must first be resolved.
Heat shock protein-peptide complex-96 (Vitespen) for the treatment of cancer

Heat shock proteins (HSPs) are the most abundant and ubiquitous soluble intracellular proteins. Members of the HSP family bind peptides, they include antigenic peptides generated within cells. HSPs also interact with antigen-presenting cells (APCs) through CD91 and other receptors, eliciting a cascade of events that includes re-presentation of HSP-chaperoned peptides by major histocompatability complex (MHC), translocation of nuclear factor-kappaB (NFkB) into the nuclei, and maturation of dendritic cells (DCs). These consequences point to a key role of heat shock proteins in fundamental immunological phenomena such as activation of APCs, indirect presentation (or cross-priming) of antigenic peptides, and chaperoning of peptides during antigen presentation. The properties of HSPs also allow them to be used for immunotherapy of cancers and infections in novel ways. This paper reviews the development and clinical trial progress of vitespen, an HSP peptide complex vaccine based on tumor-derived glycoprotein 96.
Open tibial inlay versus arthroscopic transtibial posterior cruciate ligament reconstructions.

Purpose The optimal method of posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction is not known. The purpose was to evaluate the biomechanical and clinical literature comparing open tibial inlay and arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstructions and determine which method of reconstruction is superior. Methods A systematic review of the literature was performed on PubMed. Biomechanical and clinical studies comparing the outcomes of open tibial inlay and arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstructions were selected and reviewed. Results Biomechanical studies evaluating posterior stability found no difference or increased stability with open inlay reconstruction. Graft degradation at the killer turn after arthroscopic transtibial reconstruction was described in some of the biomechanical studies. Biomechanical studies found no significant difference in graft forces after cyclic loading between the 2 groups. Biomechanical studies were influenced by methodologic limitations of graft fixation, power analysis, graft tensioning protocol, and magnitude of load applied for cyclic loading. Clinical studies with some methodologic limitations found no significant difference in maintaining posterior stability between the 2 reconstruction groups at short-term follow-up. Conclusions The advantage of open inlay or arthroscopic transtibial PCL reconstruction techniques remains uncertain in the setting of conflicting biomechanical studies, with notable limitations in clinical studies. The arthroscopic tibial inlay technique may provide benefits of both open inlay and transtibial reconstruction techniques and comparable stability to the conventional PCL reconstruction methods according to several biomechanical studies. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review.
Suicide and older African‐American women

Suicide is rare among older African American women. This article describes a study in which reasons for this phenomenon were explored. A study of attitudes toward suicide was conducted with a sampl...
An Alternative Procedure for Assessing Convergent and Discriminant Validity

This paper presents a simple procedure for estab lishing convergent and discriminant validity. The method uses ordinary least-squares regression (OLS) with the correlations between measures as the depen dent variable. Illustrations indicate that the method provides reasonable answers. Index terms: conver gent validity, discriminant validity, multiple regres sion.
Transient experimental investigation of micro heat pipes

An experimental investigation was conducted on several small, tapered micro heat pipes specifically designed for use in the thermal control of ceramic chip carriers to verify the operation, measure the performance limits and transient behavior, and determine the accuracy of a previously developed numerical model. Several heat pipes were evaluated for transient conditions, i.e., startup or rapid changes in the thermal load. The experimental data are compared with the results of a previously developed analytical model to determine the accuracy of the model and verify the predicted trends. The experimental results indicated that the transient numerical model is capable of accurately predicting the maximum transport capacity prior to the onset of dry out, the temperature distribution throughout the longitudinal position, and the temperature difference between axial locations on the heat pipe to within 0.3°C. Although the numerical model was found to accurately predict the steady-state behavior, the numerical model substantially underestimated the transient response.
Pharmacological methods to overcome IFN-β antibody formation in the treatment of multiple sclerosis

Diminished efficacy in terms of clinical relapses and lesion load on magnetic resonance images for patients developing neutralising antibodies (NAbs) to recombinant IFN-β may be found in multiple sclerosis. NAbs become detectable over the first few years of therapy, disappearing during the treatment course in some patients and persisting longer in some others. Therefore, the administration of concomitant therapies to recombinant IFNβ to prevent the formation of NAbs could be indicated mainly in the latter group of patients at the early stage of the treatment. Among those therapies, steroids meet the best criteria in terms of either safety or impact on the development of NAbs, at the present time.
Noodles, rice, and other non locally produced foods in the weaning age child's diet, Pacobamba, Peru

Use of locally and non‐locally produced foods in the diet of 30 weaning‐age Peruvian children was studied to examine the potential effect of the introduction of non‐locally produced foods on their nutritional status. Noodles are being used in soup, often replacing more calorically‐dense products like whole wheat kernels and potatoes. The families purchasing rice had significant differences in caloric intake for their children. Those families purchasing more rice had children with lower caloric intakes. Bottled oil and iodized salt were used by 97 and 73 % of the participating households, respectively. These provided additional calories and an important source of iodine for the children's diet. The anthropometrie data did not significantly relate to dietary recall or food buying data.
Optimal Data-Driven Regression Discontinuity Plots

Exploratory data analysis plays a central role in applied statistics and econometrics. In the popular regression-discontinuity (RD) design, the use of graphical analysis has been strongly advocated because it provides both easy presentation and transparent validation of the design. RD plots are nowadays widely used in applications, despite its formal properties being unknown: these plots are typically presented employing ad hoc choices of tuning parameters, which makes these procedures less automatic and more subjective. In this article, we formally study the most common RD plot based on an evenly spaced binning of the data, and propose several (optimal) data-driven choices for the number of bins depending on the goal of the researcher. These RD plots are constructed either to approximate the underlying unknown regression functions without imposing smoothness in the estimator, or to approximate the underlying variability of the raw data while smoothing out the otherwise uninformative scatterplot of the da...
Probing the Structure of DNA-Carbon Nanotube Hybrids with Molecular Dynamics

DNA−carbon nanotube hybrids (DNA−CN) are novel nanoscale materials that consist of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCN) coated with a self-assembled monolayer of single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). Recent experiments on DNA−CN have shown that this material offers a remarkable set of technologically useful properties such as facilitation of SWCN sorting, chemical sensing, and detection of DNA hybridization. Despite the importance of DNA−CN, a detailed understanding of its microscopic structure and physical properties is lacking. To address this, we have performed classical all-atom molecular dynamics (MD) simulations exploring the self-assembly mechanisms, structure, and energetic properties of this nanomaterial. MD reveals that SWCN induces ssDNA to undergo a spontaneous conformational change that enables the hybrid to self-assemble via the π−π stacking interaction between ssDNA bases and SWCN sidewall. ssDNA is observed to spontaneously wrap about SWCN into compact right- or left-handed helices within a few nano...
Paclitaxel and concurrent radiation for lung, pancreatic, and gastric carcinomas: Significance of p53 gene mutations for treatment response

Paclitaxel (Taxol; Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, Princeton, NJ) and concurrent radiation (paclitaxel/RT) are being actively evaluated as treatment for locally advanced lung, pancreatic, and gastric cancers. Paclitaxel is a potent chemotherapeutic agent that interferes with mitotic spindle function to synchronize cells at G 2 M, the most radiosensitive phase of the cell cycle. Because G 2 M arrest is necessary but not sufficient for paclitaxel radiosensitization, other cellular factors must interact with paclitaxel to produce radiosensitization. We have investigated whether molecular genetic alterations that disturb cell cycle regulation in tumor cells affect the action of paclitaxel as a radiosensitizer. The p53 tumor suppressor gene serves a critical role at the G 1 S transi tion of the cell cycle by blocking entry into S phase under conditions that would result in genetic instability. Mutations in the tumor suppressor gene, p53, confer resistance to radiation therapy and most chemotherapeutic agents, including cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil. In striking contrast, we have now shown that p53 mutations in non-small cell lung cancer do not confer resistance to paclitaxel/RT. The effect of p53 mutations on response to paclitaxel/RT in pancreatic and gastric cancers is currently being investigated. Knowledge of specific genetic alterations in individual tumors may permit the selection of optimal therapeutic strategy for individual patients.
Surrogate end points in heart failure

Because of the increasing number of pharmacologic strategies available for treatment of heart failure (HF), the time has come to reassess the adequacy of end points used to evaluate therapeutic efficacy. Interest in the use of surrogate end points in clinical studies is increasing. A surrogate end point is defined as a measurement that can substitute for a true end point for the purpose of comparing specific interventions or treatments in a clinical trial. A true end point is one that is of clinical importance to the patient (e.g., mortality or quality of life), whereas a surrogate end point is one biologically closer to the disease process (e.g., ejection fraction or left ventricular volume in HF). The prime motivation for the use of a surrogate end point concerns the possible reduction in sample size or trial duration. Such reductions have important cost implications and in some cases may influence trial feasibility. Another, perhaps more important, aspect of measuring surrogate end points is that they increase our understanding of the mechanism of action of drugs and thus may help physicians to take a more enlightened approach in managing their patients. In this article we have analyzed the possible potentials of the surrogate end points in clinical studies of patients with chronic HF. Other uses of possible surrogates are discussed, and the limitations in finding true surrogates are mentioned. At this time we conclude there is no well established surrogate in HF.
Acute plasticity in the human somatosensory cortex following amputation

We studied a patient after amputation of an arm and found that in less than 24 h stimuli applied on the ipsilateral face were referred in a precise, topographically organized, modality-specific manner to distinct points on the phantom. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) performed one month later showed that brush-evoked activity in the brain demonstrates objective signal changes which correlate with perceptual changes in the phantom hand. This finding in humans corresponds to the observations of immediate plasticity in cortical pathways described in animals, including primates. The results suggest that reorganization of sensory pathways occurs very soon after amputation in humans, potentially due to the unmasking of ordinarily silent inputs rather than sprouting of new axon terminals.
A thin layer of phytoplankton observed in the Philippine Sea with a synthetic moored array of autonomous gliders

[1] A synthetic moored array composed of five buoyancy-propelled autonomous underwater gliders was used to characterize mesoscale variability and phytoplankton distribution in a 100 km × 100 km domain in the Philippine Sea east of Luzon Strait for 10 days in May 2004. The study area, located east of the Kuroshio near the subtropical front, is dominated by strong internal tides, by energetic westward-propagating mesoscale eddies with azimuthal velocities exceeding 50 cm/s, and by a deep (130 m) maximum in chlorophyll fluorescence. Each glider in the array was instructed to maintain geographic position while repeatedly profiling to 200-m depth. Good station-keeping performance enabled the resulting series of vertical profiles to be interpreted in the same manner as a physically moored chain of instruments. Although organized primarily as a demonstration of glider capabilities, this field exercise provides a unique data set for examining biological-physical interactions in the open ocean. Here we report on the evolution of a thin layer of phytoplankton observed near the deep chlorophyll maximum. Coincident observations of fine structure in temperature and salinity suggest that the thinning process of this layer was driven primarily by physical forcing, most probably vertical shear associated with energetic diurnal internal waves, as opposed to a biological mechanism, such as convergent swimming, grazing, or spatial variation in growth rate.
Mechanism of suppression of cardiac L-type Ca2+ currents by the phospholipase A2 inhibitor mepacrine

Abstract Phospholipase A 2 plays a crucial role in the release of arachidonic acid (AA) from membrane phospholipids and in myocardial injury during ischemia and reperfusion. Mepacrine, a phospholipase A 2 inhibitor, has been shown to protect the heart from ischemic injury. In order to examine the mechanism of this protection, we investigated the effects of mepacrine on the L-type Ca 2+ current ( I Ca,L ) in rat single ventricular myocytes. Extracellular application of mepacrine significantly inhibited I Ca,L in a tonic- and use-dependent manner. The inhibition was also concentration-dependent with an IC 50 of 5.2 μM. Neither the activation nor the steady-state inactivation of I Ca,L was altered by mepacrine. The mepacrine-induced inhibition of I Ca,L was reversible after washout of the inhibitor. Addition of 1 μM AA partially reversed the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I Ca,L . Intracellular dialysis, with 2 mM cAMP, significantly increased I Ca,L , but did not prevent the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I Ca,L . In addition, extracellular application of isoproterenol or membrane permeable db-cAMP did not reverse the mepacrine-induced inhibition of I Ca,L . Biochemical measurement revealed that incubation of ventricular myocytes with mepacrine significantly reduced intracellular cAMP levels. The mepacrine-induced reduction of cAMP production was abolished by addition of AA. Our results demonstrate that mepacrine strongly inhibits cardiac I Ca,L . While mepacrine is a phospholipase A 2 inhibitor and reduces cAMP production, its inhibitory effect on I Ca,L mainly results from a direct block of the channel. Therefore, we speculate that the protective effect of mepacrine during myocardial ischemia and reperfusion mostly relates to its blockade of Ca 2+ channels.
Fish and chips: functional genomics of social plasticity in an African cichlid fish

Behavior and physiology are regulated by both environment and social context. A central goal in the study of the social control of behavior is to determine the underlying physiological, cellular and molecular mechanisms in the brain. The African cichlid fish Astatotilapia burtoni has long been used as a model system to study how social interactions regulate neural and behavioral plasticity. In this species, males are either socially dominant and reproductively active or subordinate and reproductively suppressed. This phenotypic difference is reversible. Using an integrative approach that combines quantitative behavioral measurements, functional genomics and bioinformatic analyses, we examine neural gene expression in dominant and subordinate males as well as in brooding females. We confirm the role of numerous candidate genes that are part of neuroendocrine pathways and show that specific co-regulated gene sets (modules), as well as specific functional gene ontology categories, are significantly associated with either dominance or reproductive state. Finally, even though the dominant and subordinate phenotypes are robustly defined, we find a surprisingly high degree of individual variation in the transcript levels of the very genes that are differentially regulated between these phenotypes. The results of the present study demonstrate the molecular complexity in the brain underlying social behavior, identify novel targets for future studies, validate many candidate genes and exploit individual variation in order to gain biological insights.
Growth rate limitations in electrochemical crystallization

Abstract During growth by the Electrochemical Czochralski Technique (ECT), the relationship between the linear growth rate (d y /d t ) and the total current can be expressed by the equation dy / dt = K ∈ I / A = K ∈ i , where ∈ is the deposition efficiency and A the interfacial area. The growth rate constant K is defined by K = M / nFϱ , where M is the molecular weight of the depositing material, ϱ its density, n the number of electrons transferred and F Faraday's constant. ECT was quite successful in its application to the growth of sodium tungsten bronze single crystals. Metals, unlike sodium tungsten bronze, have isotropic growth kinetics and it was expected that crystal morphology and diameter control would differ significantly. The present studies show that metals are difficult to grow by ECT and clearly point out the significance of the growth rate constant K .
A reconfigurable hardware networking platform for Smart Grid

Embedded system cores for communications networks are becoming much important recently due to the demands placed by Smart Grid, sensor mobile networks, etc. However, embedded system designs have unique metrics such as cost, flexibility, and size. Tuning these metrics during embedded system designs will definitely impact the cost and performance of Smart Grid devices and systems. In this research, we are aiming to achieve secure and high performance network communication platform based on various implementation of the TCP/IP protocol stack. Firstly, we deployed NicheStack TCP/IP for an embedded Web server application. Then, we integrated the ECC (Elliptic Curve Cryptography) C code within the web server source code to achieve a secure communication. Consequently, we showed that the integrated system: the web server, and the ECC program hides information if the secret is not provided. We used an http client to access the web server through the Internet. The client sends an encrypted data securely through the network to the embedded web server application. Secondly, we are in a stage to design a complete open TCP/IP hard core on an FPGA. Preliminary simulation result via ModelSim confirms proper operation of decode instruction module at the hardware level. All Modules will be synchronized to the same clock and reset signals.
Optical Analysis Of HRR Field

This paper examines the experimental u1, u2, and u3 displacements obtained in the vicinity of a plastically deformed crack tip in different work hardening materials in the background of the Hutchinson-Rice-Rosengren (HRR) field equations. It is shown that the two-dimensional plane stress solution breaks down in the immediate vicinity of the crack tip because of the three-dimensional nature of the deformations due to finite plate thickness. This "inner limit" seems to vary from 0.75 to 1.5 times the thickness with directional dependence. Some light is also shed on the "outer limit" of HRR equations, beyond which the theory ceases to be valid under the influence of the surrounding elastic field or the physical boundary of the plate or a combination of both.
Upper respiratory irritation from controlled exposure to vapor from carbonless copy forms.

Exposure to carbonless copy forms has been associated with subjective reports of respiratory and skin irritation, but objective measurements of human reactions to exposure are lacking. Thirty workers with complaints of prior sensitivity to the forms were given brief, controlled exposure to vapors from carbonless forms and from bond paper in random, single-blind fashion. Nasal impedance increased 34% after exposure to carbonless forms (P less than .025) and rose 8% after exposure to plain paper (P greater than .10). However, frequency of symptoms did not differ between the two exposure modes, and was not correlated with the nasal measurements. Quantitation of nasal congestion by this technique may be a sensitive measure of short-term reaction to inhalation of irritants.
OPTICAL SPECTRAL VARIABILITY OF THE VERY HIGH ENERGY GAMMA-RAY BLAZAR 1ES 1011+496

We present results of five years of optical (UBVRI) observations of the very high energy gamma-ray blazar 1ES 1011+496 at the MDM Observatory. We calibrated UBVRI magnitudes of five comparison stars in the field of the object. Most of our observations were done during moderately faint states of 1ES 1011+496 with R 15.0. The light curves exhibit moderate, closely correlated variability in all optical wavebands on timescales of a few days. A cross-correlation analysis between optical bands does not show significant evidence for time lags. We find a positive correlation (Pearson's r = 0.57; probability of non-correlation P(>r) ≈ 4 × 10–8) between the R-band magnitude and the B-R color index, indicating a bluer-when-brighter trend. Snapshot optical spectral energy distributions exhibit a peak within the optical regime, typically between the V and B bands. We find a strong (r = 0.78; probability of non-correlation P(>r) ≈ 10–15) positive correlation between the νF ν peak flux and the peak frequency, best fit by a relation νF pk ν ∝ ν k pk with k = 2.05 ± 0.17. Such a correlation is consistent with the optical (synchrotron) variability of 1ES 1011+496 being primarily driven by changes in the magnetic field.
Mentoring new faculty

This is a report of the process and evaluation of 12 years of mentoring new faculty in a university nursing faculty of 48 members. Each new faculty member is paired with an experienced faculty member who serves as a mentor for a year. Evaluations completed by both new faculty and mentors at the end of the year are positive.
Projective Convexity in Computational Kinematic Geometry

In recent years, there is an increasing interest in developing geometric algorithms for kinematic computations. The aim of this paper is to present the notion of projective convexity as a key element for a new framework for kinematic geometry, that allows for the development of more elegant and efficient algorithms for geometric computations with kinematic applications. The resulting framework, called computational kinematic geometry, is developed by combining the oriented projective geometry with the kinematic geometry of rigid body motions.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Predicting minimum temperature (especially frost) by the evening wet-bulb at Blue Hill, Mass. in spring

The observations of ten Aprils (1941–50) at Blue Hill have been analyzed, and it has been found that frost (night minimum temperature ≦32° F) (T) can be predicted on the basis of the 19h wet-bulb temperature (ti) by the formula:T=ti−k, in whichk is found to be 1.8 F deg. in clear weather and 2.1 F deg. in cloudy. The results of a test on an independent set of Aprils (1936–40), are satisfactory especially with clear skies at 19h.
Pronuclear DNA synthesis in mouse eggs. An autoradiographic study.

Abstract A total of 4738 eggs, collected at 2 h intervals, were obtained from mated CF1 (Carworth) female mice between 15 and 31 h following human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) administration. Eggs pooled from several females were exposed to 3 H-thymidine in vitro for 1 h. Pronuclear DNA synthesis began in some eggs as early as 21 h after HCG, approx. 5 h after pronuclear formation, and was completed in all zygotes by 31 h. The maximum number of eggs with labeled pronuclei occurred at 25 h. Some cumulus cells and second polar bodies were also labeled. Pronuclear incorporation of 3 H-thymidine indicates DNA synthesis since no labeled pronuclei occurred following exposure to deoxyribonuclease, and labeled first cleavage metaphase chromosomes were obtained when pronuclear eggs were pulsed with 3 H-thymidine during the S period. In each zygote the S period is about 4 h with DNA synthesis beginning and terminating slightly earlier in the male pronucleus. Cytoplasmic factors and not pronuclear volume per se are implicated in controlling the onset of pronuclear DNA synthesis. Pronuclear labeling was not affected by removal of cumulus cells or zona pellucida. When 3 H-thymidine was injected into the Fallopian tube, the timing and frequency of labeled pronuclei corroborated the findings obtained in vitro.
Gene Expression: Dialing Up the Frequency

Cells often respond to external signals by altering their gene expression. The external signaling information is transduced and typically encoded in concentrations of relevant transcription factors. A recent study demonstrates that, by encoding this information in the frequency with which genes 'see' a transcription factor, the expression of hundreds of genes can be modulated in a linearly proportional manner.
Squamous cell carcinoma of the legs in African Americans

Abstract Background: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common skin cancer in African Americans, but its incidence is low. Although incompletely described in the literature, an increased incidence of SCC in sun-protected areas in black patients has been reported. Objective: This study was conducted to better define the incidence, characteristics, and cutaneous markers of SCC occurring on the legs in African Americans. Methods: We did a 5-year retrospective chart review of patients diagnosed with SCC in the dermatology clinic of an inner city hospital in the southern United States. Results: A total of 35 African Americans had biopsy-proven SCC during the study period. Sixteen patients had lesions on the legs; all of them were elderly African-American women, and most showed atypical lesional and perilesional features. Conclusion: SCC is not rare on the legs of elderly African-American women. It can present with atypical features, and physicians must be alert to this possibility. Accompanying cutaneous changes may assist in its diagnosis. (J Am Acad Dermatol 2002;47:524-9.)
DNA damage does not appear to be a trigger for thermotolerance in mammalian cells.

SummaryThe hypothesis that DNA damage is the trigger for thermotolerance in mammalian cells was tested in Chinese hamster ovary cells by looking for evidence of thermotolerance after ionizing radiation or ultraviolet light exposure. As previous studies have demonstrated that relatively non-toxic radiation exposures do not induce thermotolerance in mammalian cells (Li et al. 1976), higher doses, comparable to those used in yeast to induce thermotolerance (Mitchel and Morrison 1984), were tested in this study. Doses of this magnitude are lethal to mammalian cells, thereby precluding the use of clonogenic survival as an endpoint. We therefore used three alternative assay which are indicators of the subsequent development of thermotolerance. These were; (a) heat-induced inhibition of total protein synthesis, (b) heat-induced uptake of dansyl lysine, and (c) synthesis of heat shock proteins. Only total protein synthesis revealed evidence of a small degree of thermotolerance which occurred immediately after ion...
Biochemistry of molluscan learning and memory

Studies of learning in marine invertebrates have yielded new information, implicating protein kinase C and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase as critical components in pathways for learning and memory that are shared with higher vertebrates. Recent advances correlating in vitro biochemical and biophysical measurements with in vivo learning have begun to elaborate the roles in memory storage for these two kinases, their substrates, and signaling proteins such as calexcitin and calmodulin. Other studies have implicated transcription factors associated with kinases such as the cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB). These experiments have resulted in a greater understanding of the role of second messengers, principally calcium and cyclic AMP (cAMP), as vehicles for transforming memory-specific effects occurring at the membrane into permanent DNA-mediated cellular and structural changes.
Unique Considerations in the Patient With Rectal Cancer

In the past two decades, substantial progress has been made in the adjuvant management of colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy has improved overall survival in patients with node-positive (N+) disease. In contrast with colon cancer, which has a low incidence of local recurrence, patients with rectal cancer have a higher incidence requiring the addition of pelvic radiation therapy (chemoradiation). Patients with rectal cancer have a number of unique management considerations: for example, the role of short-course radiation, whether postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy is necessary for all patients, and if the type of surgery following chemoradiation should be based on the response rate. More accurate imaging techniques and/or molecular markers may help identify patients with positive pelvic nodes to reduce the chance of overtreatment with preoperative therapy. Will more effective systemic agents both improve the results of radiation as well as modify the need for pelvic radiation? This review will address these and other controversies specific to patients with rectal cancer.
Hemodialysis in the Diabetic Patient with End-Stage Renal Disease

Diabetes mellitus is now the most common cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD) in the U.S., and the percentage of ESRD patients with diabetes is increasing yearly. One-year survival in such patients is poorer than in those with other etiologies of ESRD but has improved from 64% to 74% over the past decade. However, overall 5-year survival on dialysis is still less than 20% in this population. It is controversial whether hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis (CAPD, CCPD) is the best choice. Advantages of hemodialysis include its ready-availability and convenience for patients, who are frequently incapacitated by blindness, cerebrovascular disease, and/or amputations. However, patients may tolerate dialytic ultrafiltration poorly due to autonomic neuropathy. Maintenance of vascular access is difficult, which may contribute to inadequate dialysis in some patients. Cardiovascular disease remains the most common cause of death. Management of coronary artery disease is difficult because of the high prevalence o...
Sequence analysis and transcriptional regulation of the Escherichia coil grpE gene, encoding a heat shock protein

We have sequenced the Escherichia coli grpE gene and shown that it encodes a 197-amino acid residue protein of 21,668-Mr. The predicted N-terminal amino acid sequence, as well as the overall amino acid composition agree well with that of the purified protein. From Northern analysis, we have shown that transcription of the grpE gene is under heat shock regulation, i.e., there is a rapid and transient increase in the rate of synthesis of grpE mRNA upon a shift-up in temperature. Forty-six bases upstream of the structural gene is a sequence closely related to the consensus heat shock promoter identified by Cowing et al. [Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A, 82, 2679-2683]. We have shown by S1 mapping and RNA sequencing that this is indeed the promoter for the grpE mRNA. It appears that all discernable transcription initiates only from this promoter, even under non-heat shock conditions.
Learning technology and the scientific method by doing guided research

The author argues for an alternative approach to technical education, which has been developed and used by him in a wide range of technology courses. This approach emphasizes depth rather than breadth; organizes instruction around the students' own activities and experiences, rather than around lectures and readings; and makes a conscious effort to teach the methods of science within the context of the body of scientific and engineering knowledge. A curriculum organized around mini-research assignments is presented. >
Wavelength Multicasting via Frequency Comb Generation in a Bandwidth-Enhanced Fiber Optical Parametric Mixer

We demonstrate a self-seeded multicasting device capable of delivering a large number of signal integrity preserving spectrally-distinct copies. The new multicasting device relies on efficient higher-order mixing in a two-pump parametric mixer. Precise dispersion engineering was deployed to generate a frequency-comb spanning over a 140-nm band, and resulted in the creation of more than 60 spectral copies of the signal with conversion efficiencies higher than -3 dB. The fidelity of the multicasting device with respect to signal intensity and phase was characterized experimentally. The spectral replication process was found to induce low penalty with both ON-OFF and differential phase-shift keying signals, thereby indicating compatibility with arbitrary amplitude/phase signaling formats.
Computer‐aided selection of prior distributions for generating monte carlo confidence bounds on system reliability

A description is given of results of preliminary investigations (by a group at North American Rockwell Corporation) related to the Monte Carlo generation of lower Confidence bounds on the reliability of a logically complex system. In calculating system confidence bounds by use of a Monte Carlo procedure, one must generate the distribution of each independent subsystem reliability, given the life‐test failure data for that subsystem. Therefore, an assumption of a specified a priori distribution for each subsystem reliability is implicit in the procedure. In order that clues may be obtained as to optimum prior assumptions to be used in calculating Monte Carlo bounds for a complex system, the model has been restricted to a series system wherein each independent subsystem has exponentially distributed failure time and prototypes of each subsystem are tested until a fixed (but not necessarily the same for each subsystem) number of failures occurs. For this model, optimum (uniformly most accurate unbiased) exact classical confidence bounds on the reliability R (tm) at a specified mission time, tm, are available, although not easily calculated (El Mawaziny [12] and Lenter and Buehler [27]). Computer programs for calculating the optimum classical bounds and the Bayesian Monte Carlo bounds were written, and a means of numerically comparing various forms of prior distributions against an optimum standard was thus provided. One prior distribution widely used in obtaining Monte Carlo and general Bayesian exact lower confidence bounds on system reliability is thereby shown numerically to yield bounds which are conservative in the classical sense for this series‐system model. Another suggested prior distribution is shown to give bounds which are usually conservative but under certain conditions are liberal, and hence not truly confidence bounds. Moreover, it is demonstrated by a combination of numerical and analytical results, that for a series system containing more than one independent subsystem there exists no prior distribution for subsystem reliability which is independent of the data and which yields the optimum lower bounds. Other numerical results related to the selection of optimum methods for generating the bounds and evaluation of certain approximate methods are described.
Decrease in Dose Requireement of d-Tubocurarine by Volatile Anesthetics

Volatile anesthetics are known to decrease the requirements for neuromuscular blocking agents. To obtain a quantitative measure of the extent of this drug interaction, studies were performed on isolated guinea pig nerve--lumbrical muscle preparations exposed to methoxyflurane, halothane, isoflurane, diethyl ether, fluroxene, and enflurane in concentrations equal to MAC. From the relationship between indirect twitch height and d-tubocurarine concentration, the concentration depressing the twitch height by 50 per cent was determined. In the presence of MAC levels of anesthetic, the ED50 was decreased by the following fractional amounts: methoxyflurane, 0.311; halothane, 0.334; isoflurane, 0.335; diethyl ether, 0.462; fluroxene, 0.580; enflurane, 0.697. Comparison of the fractional decrease of d-tubocurarine dose requirement by an anesthetic at MAC and previously obtained values for the fractional depression of end-plate depolarization by an anesthetic at MAC showed that the more the anesthetic depresses depolarization, the smaller the d-tubocurarine dose requirement. Thus, clinically observed decreases in dose requirements may be explained by the effects of the anesthetics on chemosensitivity of the end-plate region.