cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Margery Kempe and Medieval Anti-Judaic Ideology

Although Margery Kempe (1373-1440) probably never had regular contact with a Jewish person, she depicts the Jews as symbols of evil in her autobiographical Book. Despite the rebellious nature Kempe displays to patriarchal authorities in the church by refusing to behave as a nun, to wear black, or to remain in a cloister, she is entirely orthodox in portraying the Jews as Christkillers in her vision of the Crucifixion. This anti-Judaic ideology appears in the Gospels and in official doctrine, beginning with Augustine, continuing with Pope Gregory I the Great, and worsening with Aquinas and the Franciscan and Dominican friars in the lourteenth century. Medieval drama, especially the N-Town Passion Play (which Kempe may have seen) provides a striking analogue tor Kempe's vision at Calvary. Kempe, extraordinary in some ways, is entirely conventional in her dratnatiration of the Jewish soldiers as dcicides.
Successful canine adrenal autotransplantation.

Abstract Successful canine adrenal autotransplantation has been accomplished by means of an ovarian pedicle graft. Long-term survival, normal circulating cortisol, and a positive response of circulating cortisol to ACTH stimulation was observed in four of six dogs following three operative procedures staged at 4-week intervals: (1) construction of a pedicle between the left adrenal and the left ovary, (2) excision of the contralateral adrenal (right), and (3) division of all attachments of the left adrenal gland except for the ovarian pedicle.
PHOTO-DIMERIZATION AND PHTO-REDUCTION OF ALPHA-NAPTHOQUINONE IN DIFFERENT SOVENT MEDIA

-Violet and ultravioet radiation are equally efficient in phot-dimerizing aplhanathoquinone in benzene. The reactants yielding the dimeric photo-product are moelcules in the ground state and excited ones. The photo-reduction in 2-propanol occurs with the same effciency for excitation in the n* and π* absorption bands. It is concluded that either reaction occurs via an n,π* excited state molecule, by direct excitation or after 100 per cent effucient internal conversion from the π,π* to the n,π* state.
Biodiversity and Status of Butterflies in the Vicinity of Mountain View College, Mt. Nebo, Valencia City

To establish a local data base on butterfly composition and richness, biodiversity of species were determined at the Agriculture Garden, Balambangan Area, Hydro II Mini-forest and Malingon Mini-forest sites of Mountain View College using 40 m line transect sampling. BIOPRO software version 2 was used in the analyses. Survey showed 49 species, 33 genera, and 5 families of butterflies. One species (2.0%) was very common, 22 species (44.9%) were common, 10 species (20.4%) were rare, and 16 species (32.7%) were undetermined. From highest to lowest, diversity indices were Malingon Mini-forest (H=1.519), Hydro 2 Mini-forest (H=1.415), Agriculture Garden (H=1.176), and Balambangan Area (H=1.146). Bray-Curtis analysis revealed 2 clusters of habitats. Cluster 1 (81% similarity) at Malingon and Hydro II Mini-forests had dense trees, river systems, and nectar sources which probably favoured the presence of rare and endemic species. Cluster II (73% similarity) at Agriculture Garden and Balambangan Area had human settlements, sparse tree distribution and inhabited by the common species. These results suggest that the highest diversity which includes rare and endemic species could be found in dense forest habitat with presence of water sources and minimal human disturbance. Continued monitoring will establish population and species richness trends and inform ecological measures to preserve endemic and rare species.
High power mid-infrared optically pumped PbSe/PbSrSe multiple-quantum-well vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser operation at 325K

A high power, mid-infrared (/spl lambda/=3.8 /spl mu/m) lead-salt vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) operating at 325 K is demonstrated. The laser emission is generated in a half-wavelength microcavity consisting of seven pairs of PbSe/PbSrSe multiple-quantum-wells embedded in two mirrors and optically pumped with 5 ns laser pulses.
Mitosis through the microscope: advances in seeing inside live dividing cells

The most visually spectacular events in the life of a cell occur when it divides. This is especially true in higher eukaryotes, where the size and geometry of cells allow the division process to be followed through a microscope with considerable clarity. In these organisms, the membrane surrounding the nucleus breaks down after the replicated DNA has condensed to form discrete chromosomes. Several new structures are then assembled to separate the chromosomes and partition the cytoplasm into two separate cells.
Development of a battery-powered hand-held real-time PCR instrument

Over the last year, a team of scientists and engineers has built the first battery-powered, hand-held multichamber PCR instrument. It is the culmination of nearly a decade of R&D into PCR instrumentation. Each of the instruments over this time was based on bulk micromachining of single-crystal silicon to produce the heart of the instrument, a thermal- cycling chamber. When fluorescent reagents were developed to perform real-time PCR, we added this capability to our instruments.
Theory and Experiment for the Effect of Vascular Microstructure on Surface Tissue Heat Transfer—Part II: Model Formulation and Solution

In this paper the conceptual three-layer representation of surface tissue heat transfer proposed in Weinbaum, Jiji and Lemons [1], is developed into a detailed quantitative model. This model takes into consideration the variation of the number density, size and flow velocity of the countercurrent arterio-venous vessels as a function of depth from the skin surface, the directionality of blood perfusion in the transverse vessel layer and the superficial shunting of blood to the cutaneous layer. A closed form analytic solution for the boundary value problem coupling the three layers is obtained. This solution is in terms of numerically evaluated integrals describing the detailed vascular geometry, a capillary bleed-off distribution function and parameters describing the shunting of blood to the cutaneous layer. Representative heat transfer results for typical physiological conditions are presented.
Successful percutaneous transvenous catheter balloon mitral commissurotomy after warfarin therapy and resolution of left atrial thrombus

Abstract Since the introduction of percutaneous transvenous mitral commissurotomy (PTMC) for the treatment of mitral stenosis by Inoue et al in 1984, 1 the balloon catheter intervention procedure has become an effective and safe alternative to surgical treatment in well-selected patients with symptomatic mitral stenosis. 2,3 In addition to severe mitral regurgitation, left atrial thrombus is considered to be a contraindication to the procedure. Left atrial thrombus is a frequent complication of mitral valve disease 4,5 To the best of our knowledge spontaneous resolution of left atrial thrombus has not been reported. We recently observed incidental resolution of thrombus in the left atrial cavity in 2 patients with severe rheumatic mitral stenosis after warfarin treatment for 7 months in 1 and 1 year in the other. PTMC, using the Inoue catheter balloon technique, 1 was performed successfully in both patients without thromboembolic complications. Our experience suggests that it may be worthwhile to manage patients with mitral stenosis and left atrial thrombus with warfarin treatment if their clinical and hemodynamic status does not warrant immediate surgery. If the thrombus resolves, PTMC can then be performed safely. However, a mobile thrombus in the left atrium is at high risk for systemic embolization, 5 and deserves urgent surgical intervention.
Conjunctival hyperemia and the use of topical prostaglandins in glaucoma and ocular hypertension.

The prostaglandin derivatives are thought to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) primarily by increasing uveoscleral outflow. The ocular side effect, hyperemia, appears to occur via a secondary, unrelated mechanism. Variations in the IOP-lowering effect and incidence of hyperemia associated with these drugs are a function of their different chemical structures. Among the currently approved prostaglandin derivatives, hyperemia occurs in as many as 50% of patients treated with travoprost and as few as 5% of patients treated with latanoprost. The side effect of hyperemia may be of concern to the ophthalmologist for at least 2 reasons: hyperemia may compromise the outcome of filtration surgery, and it may represent a cosmetic problem to the patient thereby leading to non-compliance. The extent to which hyperemia may contribute to patient noncompliance and the effect of administration of the prostaglandin derivatives on outcome of filtration surgery remain to be determined. Until more definitive data are availabl...
The fire pulse: wildfire stimulates flux of aquatic prey to terrestrial habitats driving increases in riparian consumers

We investigated the midterm effects of wildfire (in this case, five years after the fire) of varying severity on periphyton, benthic invertebrates, emerging adult aquatic insects, spiders, and bats by comparing unburned sites with those exposed to low severity (riparian vegetation burned but canopy intact) and high severity (canopy completely removed) wildfire. We observed no difference in periphyton chlorophyll a or ash-free dry mass among different burn categories but did observe significantly greater biomass of benthic invertebrates in both high severity burned and unburned reaches versus low severity burned reaches. Moreover, a significantly greater flux of adult aquatic insect emergence occurred at sites that experienced high severity fire versus low severity burned and unburned sites. The greatest number of spiders and bat echolocation calls were also observed at sites of high severity fire. Our results suggest that fires of different severity may have very different affects on stream-riparian food ...
Chemically modified polymeric resins for high-performance liquid chromatography

Abstract Chemical reactions were used to attach various hydrophilic functional groups and one hydrophobic group to cross-linked polystyrene resins. Those with hydrophilic groups had much better wettability by water. The capacity factors of a number of test compounds were compared on columns packed with derivatized and underivatized polymeric resins. The capacity factor of most test compounds were distinctly different on columns packed with the derivatized resins. In some cases the elution order of test compounds was different on the derivatized resin columns. The modified resins offer an additional selectivity parameter for liquid chromatographic separations.
Solventless Surface Photoinitiated Polymerization: Grafting Chemical Vapor Deposition (gCVD)

Vapor-phase deposition and characterization of covalently bound polymer coatings using type II surface photoinitiation of the monomers (dimethylamino)methyl styrene (DMAMS) and (diethylamino)ethyl ...
Octreotide is effective in acromegaly but often results in cholelithiasis

Excerpt In this issue, Ho and colleagues (1) summarize their considerable experience in treating acromegaly with the long-acting somatostatin analog, octreotide. This agent has a much longer biolog...
Coarctation of the Aorta in Infancy

Material from 78 infants with coarctation and congestive heart failure during the first 6 months of life was reviewed. Three fourths of these infants had combined aortic lesions, that is, coarctation, a narrow constrictive zone of stenosis, and tubular hypoplasia of the transverse arch, a proximal, long, uniformly narrow segment. It was the purpose of this study (1) to distinguish coarctation of the aorta from tubular hypoplasia by using pathologic and angiographic measurements, (2) to assess the relationship of these two entities and additional shunting cardiac defects with the occurrence of congestive heart failure in infancy, and (3) to evaluate the optimal therapeutic approach for symptomatic infants with coarctation. It was found that (1) coarctation of the aorta as an isolated anomaly is a relatively uncommon cause of congestive heart failure in infancy. In contrast, coarctation associated with tubular hypoplasia of the transverse arch or with additional cardiac defects is frequently associated with...
Stereotypes as a measure of success.

Chinese and Japanese stereotypes have undergone dramatic changes. Early stereotypes were uniformly negative, reflecting the social, economic, and political climate in America. Labor union members and gold miners were particularly vehement in their denunciation of Asian Americans because of the perceived threat of job competition. With the passage of numerous discriminatory laws and the entrance of other ethnic minorities, the Chinese and Japanese were considered less dangerous and the favorability of stereotypes increased. World War II revived negative stereotypes against the Japanese. Currently, these Asian American groups are viewed as highly successful, model minorities. To what extent are these positive stereotypes and views accurate? Methodological and conceptual problems in the study of stereotypes have hindered a clear analysis of this question. It is suggested that some stereotypes have kernels of truth. The potential negative consequences of favorable stereotypes are also discussed.
Effect of quadratic radial variation of phase on single slit diffraction of Laguerre–Gauss vortex beams

Effect of quadratic radial phase variation in the plane of the aperture on Fraunhofer diffraction of Laguerre–Gauss vortex beams by a slit is studied experimentally. For slit positions near the incident beam waist, its effect is to shear the diffraction pattern relative to that at the waist. The magnitude and sense of shear depend on the topological charge and slit location relative to the incident beam waist. For slit positions far from the waist, the diffraction pattern evolves to be significantly different and is dominated by two strong peaks. A closed form analytical expression for the diffraction pattern is presented, which reproduces experimental results quite well for all slit positions.
Local drug delivery for inner ear therapy

This review of local drug delivery for inner ear therapy covers the topics of: noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL); vibration-induced hearing loss (VHL); cisplatin ototoxicity; aminoglycoside ototoxicity; and mechanical trauma-induced hearing loss that can occur during the process of cochlear implantation. The cellular, biochemical and molecular mechanisms involved in the causation of the hearing losses that result from exposure to these diverse traumas to the cochlea and its auditory sensory epithelium are explored as well as the efficacy of different drug therapies in their ability to either prevent or lessen the damage to the cochlear sensory epithelium and ameliorate the level of hearing loss. This review concludes with a section that explores future strategies for unique methods of drug delivery to the cochlea (e.g. biorelease from hydrogels via the round window membrane) and the development of novel inner ear therapies (e.g. short interfering ribonucleic acids, siRNAs) to conserve hearing against trau...
Can CT Features Differentiate Between Inferior Vena Cava Leiomyosarcomas and Primary Retroperitoneal Masses

OBJECTIVE. The objective of our study was to evaluate and describe CT features that may differentiate inferior vena cava (IVC) leiomyosarcomas from primary retroperitoneal masses. MATERIALS AND METHODS. A records search revealed 18 CT examinations with a soft-tissue mass contacting the IVC. Three readers evaluated the scans for four signs: an imperceptible IVC at the interface with the mass; a “positive embedded organ” sign (IVC embedded in the periphery of the mass); a “negative embedded organ” sign (IVC compressed at the perimeter of the mass); and tumor in the IVC lumen. CT findings were compared with pathology and operative reports. Performance and significance of CT features and interobserver agreement were calculated. RESULTS. Four of 18 (22%) retroperitoneal masses were IVC leiomyosarcomas. The IVC was imperceptible at the interface with the mass in three of the four (75%) IVC leiomyosarcomas (κ = 0.88) and in no alternate diagnosis (p < 0.02). No IVC leiomyosarcoma showed a positive embedded organ...
Atlantic thermohaline circulation and its response to increasing CO2 in a coupled atmosphere-ocean model

We discuss aspects of the Atlantic thermohaline circulation (THC) and its response to increased greenhouse gas concentration, using a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model (AOGCM) whose oceanic component is a new hybrid-isopycnal model. Two 200-year model integrations are carried out—a control run assuming fixed atmospheric composition and a perturbation run assuming gradual doubling of CO2. We employ no flux corrections at the air-sea interface, nor do we spin up the ocean prior to coupling. The surface conditions in the control run stabilize after several decades. When doubling CO2 at the rate of 1% per year, the model responds with a 2°C increase in global mean surface air temperature (SAT) after 200 years and a virtually unchanged Atlantic meridional overturning circulation. The latter is maintained by a salinity increase that counteracts the effect of global warming on the surface buoyancy.
Suppression of statin effectiveness by copper and zinc in yeast and human cells

Lovastatin and other statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, which carries out an early step in the sterol biosynthesis pathway. Statins lower cholesterol and are widely prescribed to prevent heart disease, but like many drugs, they can interact with nutritionally acquired metabolites. To probe these interactions, we explored the effect of a diverse library of metabolites on statin effectiveness using a Saccharomyces cerevisiae model. In yeast, treatment with lovastatin results in reduced growth. We combined lovastatin with the library of metabolites, and found that copper and zinc ions impaired the ability of the statin to inhibit yeast growth. Using an integrated genomic and metabolomic approach, we found that lovastatin plus metal synergistically upregulated some sterol biosynthesis genes. This altered pattern of gene expression resulted in greater flux through the sterol biosynthesis pathway and an increase in ergosterol levels. Each sterol intermediate level was correlated with expression of the upstream gene. Thus, the ergosterol biosynthetic response induced by statin is enhanced by copper and zinc. In cultured mammalian cells, these metals also rescued statin growth inhibition. Because copper and zinc impair the ability of statin to reduce sterol biosynthesis, dietary intake of these metals could have clinical relevance for statin treatment in humans.
Effects of mechanical uncouplers, diacetyl monoxime, and cytochalasin-D on the electrophysiology of perfused mouse hearts.

Chemical uncouplers diacetyl monoxime (DAM) and cytochalasin D (cyto-D) are used to abolish cardiac contractions in optical studies, yet alter intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) handling an...
Youth Perspectives on Their Relationships With Staff in Juvenile Correction Settings and Perceived Likelihood of Success on Release

This study explored youth perspectives on their relationships with staff in juvenile correction settings and perceived likelihood of success on release. Surveys were administered to 543 youth committed to select facilities in Alaska, Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon. Youth were asked to nominate a staff they turn to most for help and advice, then report on the qualities of their relationship with that staff. Results indicate that youth have different types of key helping relationships with staff, and that youth forecasts about their future vary across these relationship types.
Kalirin, a GDP/GTP exchange factor of the Dbl family, is localized to nerve, muscle, and endocrine tissue during embryonic rat development

Kalirin, a homologue of trio and UNC-73, has been previously demonstrated to cause cytoskeletal rearrangements, enhanced outgrowth of neuritic processes, and altered secretion. In the adult rat, kalirin is specifically localized to the central nervous system, with the main adult isoform, kalirin-7, concentrated in neuronal postsynaptic densities. In this study we examined the expression of kalirin in rat tissue from embryonic Day 10 (E10) through E18, using an antibody that detects all known kalirin isoforms. Kalirin expression in the embryo was more widespread than in the adult, with localization of kalirin protein to both neuronal and non-neuronal tissue, such as muscle, lung, intestinal epithelium, and pancreas. In neurons, kalirin was localized both in cell bodies and axon processes; in muscle tissue, kalirin was highly localized to migrating myogenic cells and at muscle attachment sites. Western blotting analysis indicated that kalirin-7, the major adult isoform, was a minor component of embryonic kalirin; the main isoform expressed in the embryo was kalirin-9. This is the first identification of kalirin expression in embryonic tissue and the first demonstration of non-neuronal expression of kalirin. (J Histochem Cytochem 49:833-844, 2001)
Effects of DDT and its Metabolites on Thyroid of the Japanese Quail, Coturnix coturnix japonica

Abstract Histological and 125 I uptake studies of the thyroid gland of Japanese quail were conducted on birds that had been fed food treated with chlorinated pesticides for 120 days, and then returned to normal chow for 85 days. The pesticides and dosages used were as follows: control, 200 p.p.m. DDA, 100 p.p.m. DDT, and 150 p.p.m. DDE. The histological picture of some of the experimental birds was similar to that displayed in colloid goiter, with a decrease in follicular resorption vacuoles and an increase in follicular size. For the 150 p.p.m. DDE fed group, the absolute weight of the thyroid glands increased significantly, and the 125 I uptake decreased significantly. Apparently, even 85 days after chlorinated pesticide treatment was discontinued, the 150 p.p.m. DDE fed Japanese quail exhibited a hypothyroid condition.
Interplay of Negative Emotion and Health Self-Efficacy on the Use of Health Information and Its Outcomes

During the course of illness, people diagnosed with cancer need information to cope with cancer. Despite the crucial role of information, little is known about why some people with cancer choose to seek further information about their illness and why others do not. This study investigates the interplay of two psychological factors, negative emotion and health self-efficacy, on patients' health information use. Using the data collected from 122 women diagnosed with breast cancer, the authors found that negative emotions and health self-efficacy jointly affect the use of health information. Among patients with high health self-efficacy, negative emotions were positively related to the amount of information sought, whereas among those with low health self-efficacy, negative emotions were negatively related to the amount of information sought. The results also show that there are significant increases in patients' health self-efficacy after the use of health information for 2 months.
Diagnosis and Management of Superior Labral Anterior Posterior Tears in Throwing Athletes

Injury to the superior glenoid labrum is increasingly recognized as a significant source of shoulder pain and dysfunction in the throwing athlete. Several theories have been proposed to explain the pathogenesis of superior labral anterior posterior (SLAP) tears. The clinical examination of the superior labrum-biceps tendon complex remains challenging because of a high association of other shoulder injuries in overhead athletes. Many physical examination findings have high sensitivity and low specificity. Advances in soft tissue imaging such as magnetic resonance arthrography allow for improved detection of labrum and biceps tendon lesions, although correlation with history and physical examination is critical to identify symptomatic lesions. Proper treatment of throwers with SLAP tears requires a thorough understanding of the altered biomechanics and the indications for nonoperative management and arthroscopic treatment of these lesions.
Broad connections in the Arabidopsis seed metabolic network revealed by metabolite profiling of an amino acid catabolism mutant.

Summary An Arabidopsis thaliana mutant was identified as having increases in 12 of 20 free proteogenic amino acids in seeds. Because these metabolites are produced from multiple, seemingly unrelated biosynthetic networks, it was not possible to use a candidate gene approach to discover the enzyme defect responsible for this complex syndrome. Complementary metabolite profiling analyses revealed increased seed homomethionine and isovaleroyloxypropyl-glucosinolate, along with reduced 3-benzoyloxypropyl-glucosinolate. These data led to the discovery of impaired branched chain amino acid catabolic enzyme isovaleryl-CoA dehydrogenase (encoded by gene At3g45300 or atIVD) as the cause of this metabolic syndrome. These results indicate that catabolism plays an important role in regulating levels of branched chain amino acids in seeds. The diverse set of metabolites affected in the ivd1 mutants suggests the existence of a more complex network regulating seed amino acid accumulation than previously observed. This combined targeted and non-targeted metabolite profiling approach is broadly applicable to the characterization of metabolic mutants, human disease studies and crop germplasm.
Latin@s and the decolonization of the US empire in the 21st century:

The present article discusses the political and cultural implications of the demographic shifts in the United States in the 21st century. White Americans are going to be a demographic minority in several decades. The article argues that the US empire is divided between two political options: neo-apartheid or decolonization. A new form of apartheid — different from the past — is emerging as an option for white elites to keep their privileges and power in a context where they no longer represent the demographic majority.
Maternal behavior in mice selected for large litter size

Abstract A total of 96 lactating mice and their pups from each of three replications of lines selected 21 generations for increased litter size (LS) followed by 23–25 generations of random selection and contemporary unselected control lines (LC) were characterized for maternal behavior. Sixteen dams and their pups from each replication of LS and LC lines were sampled. Litter sizes at birth for LS versus LC in the first, second, and third replicates were 17.3 versus 13.2, 15.9 versus 13.1, and 12.3 versus 10.6 pups, respectively, with LS dams averaging 2.87±.70 pups more. One-half of the litters were standardized to either 12 pups (Replications 1 and 2) or 8 pups (Replication 3) on day 1 of lactation; the others were not standardized. Behavioral categories included time dams spent: (1) nursing pups, (2) licking pups, (3) retrieving pups, (4) nest building, (5) resting with pups, (6) resting alone, (7) eating and drinking, (8) grooming, and (9) in other activities. Categories one through five were summed as an index of maternal behavior. Activities during 30min observation periods from days 2 to 22 of lactation were recorded. Interactions of line by stage of lactation (days 2–4, 5–8, 9–12, 13–17, and 18–22) and line by litter standardization were not significant for any trait except time spent resting with pups (line × stage, P =0.03). The maternal behavior index was 7.0±2.2% greater ( P =0.08) for LS than LC dams. The difference was due mostly to increased time LS dams spent nursing pups (LS−LC=9.7±2.1%, P =0.04). Averaged across lactation stages, LS dams tended to spend less time resting with their pups (−2.32±1.04%, P =0.15) than LC dams, but the difference was greatest and significant only in the last stage (−10.45±2.20, P P =0.03). Survival of pups in standardized litters raised by LS dams was 10.4±4.9% greater ( P =0.04) than in standardized LC litters whereas line difference in non-standardized litters was not significant ( P >0.30). Because interactions of line by litter size standardization for maternal behavior traits were not significant, correlated responses in maternal behavior were considered to be independent of size of litter being nursed.
What is conditioned fear

Psychologists studying animal learning and motivation have recently been confronted with the importance of considering evolutionary function as part of the analysis of behavioral systems 1 . This approach has fostered a better understanding of emotional or motivational states such as fear. Presently, when psychologists speak of fear they are referring to a motivational system that organizes an animal's responding at many different levels (e.g. overt behavior, autonomic functioning, etc.) so that it is co-ordinated toward the function of protecting the animal from environmental threats, more particularly, predation. Thus, fear can be considered as activation of a defensive motivational system 2–4 .
An axiomatic basis of trust in distributed systems

He introduces basic notions about developing a logic or a theory, and shows that modal logics of belief, with their Kripe-style possible-worlds semantics, are appropriate for basing a theory of trust on. He reviews a modal logic of belief, and constructs a model of the distributed system so that the logic is sound and complete with respect to the model. Any sentences in the logic may then be added to the logic as axioms, and these axiomatic sentences are considered as trust specifications. He presents methods to map a formal trust specification on to mechanisms for its implementation in the distributed system. Trust and security are closely related in distributed systems. It is shown how security specification and verification methods can be integrated into the presented theory of trust. The author analyzes the trusts required in public-key-based secure communication. >
"Microcanals" for modulation of the microfluidic environment of cultured cells

Cell culture perfusion systems are widely used for studying the response of cells to changes in cell culture medium composition or the response of cells to flow. Present perfusion systems consume large volumes of reagents, require manual mixing of reagents prior to introduction into the system inlet, and cannot perfuse different areas of the substrate with dissimilar mixtures. Some of these limitations have been overcome already with perfusion systems based on confining the cells to addressable microchannels. However, cells confined to microchannels suffer from either 1) exposure to shear stress exerted by the flow, or 2) oxygen/nutrient depletion and pH rises in the microenvironment. We have devised a novel, high-throughput perfusion system that will allows us to modulate the fluidic microenvironment of cells based on confining the fluids to microcanals, i.e. microchannels without a roof. Here we demonstrate that fluid flow can indeed be confined by three walls and by a "virtual roof" held by the surface tension of the fluid at the air-fluid interface.
Collagen density promotes mammary tumor initiation and progression

Mammographically dense breast tissue is one of the greatest risk factors for developing breast carcinoma. Despite the strong clinical correlation, breast density has not been causally linked to tumorigenesis, largely because no animal model has existed for studying breast tissue density. Importantly, regions of high breast density are associated with increased stromal collagen. Thus, the influence of the extracellular matrix on breast carcinoma development and the underlying molecular mechanisms are not understood. To study the effects of collagen density on mammary tumor formation and progression, we utilized a bi-transgenic tumor model with increased stromal collagen in mouse mammary tissue. Imaging of the tumors and tumor-stromal interface in live tumor tissue was performed with multiphoton laser-scanning microscopy to generate multiphoton excitation and spectrally resolved fluorescent lifetimes of endogenous fluorophores. Second harmonic generation was utilized to image stromal collagen. Herein we demonstrate that increased stromal collagen in mouse mammary tissue significantly increases tumor formation approximately three-fold (p < 0.00001) and results in a significantly more invasive phenotype with approximately three times more lung metastasis (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the increased invasive phenotype of tumor cells that arose within collagen-dense mammary tissues remains after tumor explants are cultured within reconstituted three-dimensional collagen gels. To better understand this behavior we imaged live tumors using nonlinear optical imaging approaches to demonstrate that local invasion is facilitated by stromal collagen re-organization and that this behavior is significantly increased in collagen-dense tissues. In addition, using multiphoton fluorescence and spectral lifetime imaging we identify a metabolic signature for flavin adenine dinucleotide, with increased fluorescent intensity and lifetime, in invading metastatic cells. This study provides the first data causally linking increased stromal collagen to mammary tumor formation and metastasis, and demonstrates that fundamental differences arise and persist in epithelial tumor cells that progressed within collagen-dense microenvironments. Furthermore, the imaging techniques and signature identified in this work may provide useful diagnostic tools to rapidly assess fresh tissue biopsies.
Low-complexity scheduling algorithm for sum-queue minimization in wireless convergecast

We consider the problem of link scheduling for efficient convergecast in a wireless system. While there have been many results on scheduling algorithms that attain the maximum possible throughput in such a system, there have been few results that provide scheduling algorithms that are optimal in terms of some quality-of-service metric such as the probability that the end-to-end buffer usage exceeds a large threshold. Using a large deviations framework, we design a novel and low complexity algorithm that attains the optimal asymptotic decay rate for the overflow probability of the sum-queue (i.e. the total queue backlog in the entire system) as the overflow threshold becomes large. Simulations show that this algorithm has better performance than well known algorithms such as the standard back-pressure algorithm and the multihop version of greedy maximal matching (combined with back-pressure). Our proposed algorithm performs better not only in terms of the asymptotic decay rate at large overflow thresholds, but also in terms of the actual probability of overflow for practical range of overflow thresholds.
Human Rad51C Deficiency Destabilizes XRCC3, Impairs Recombination, and Radiosensitizes S/G2-phase Cells

The highly conserved Rad51 protein plays an essential role in repairing DNA damage through homologous recombination. In vertebrates, five Rad51 paralogs (Rad51B, Rad51C, Rad51D, XRCC2, and XRCC3) are expressed in mitotically growing cells and are thought to play mediating roles in homologous recombination, although their precise functions remain unclear. Among the five paralogs, Rad51C was found to be a central component present in two complexes, Rad51C-XRCC3 and Rad51B-Rad51C-Rad51D-XRCC2. We have shown previously that the human Rad51C protein exhibits three biochemical activities, including DNA binding, ATPase, and DNA duplex separation. Here we report the use of RNA interference to deplete expression of Rad51C protein in human HT1080 and HeLa cells. In HT1080 cells, depletion of Rad51C by small interfering RNA caused a significant reduction of frequency in homologous recombination. The level of XRCC3 protein was also sharply reduced in Rad51C-depleted HeLa cells, suggesting that XRCC3 is dependent for its stability upon heterodimerization with Rad51C. In addition, Rad51C-depleted HeLa cells showed hypersensitivity to the DNA-cross-linking agent mitomycin C and moderately increased sensitivity to ionizing radiation. Importantly, the radiosensitivity of Rad51C-deficient HeLa cells was evident in S and G2/M phases of the cell cycle but not in G1 phase. Together, these results provide direct cellular evidence for the function of human Rad51C in homologous recombinational repair.
HIGH-ENERGY INTERFERENCE EFFECT OF BREMSSTRAHLUNG AND PAIR PRODUCTION IN CRYSTALS

With the use of monocrystalline targets for bremsstrahlung and pair production experiments, interference phenomena are expected to occur which will markedly change the $\ensuremath{\gamma}$-ray spectrum as well as the pair energy distribution, for certain angles giving enhancement of radiation and pairs. The effect increases with energy; it sets in at $\ensuremath{\delta}\ensuremath{\lesssim}{n}_{0}(\frac{2\ensuremath{\pi}}{a})$, where $\ensuremath{\delta}$ is the minimum momentum transfer to the target atoms, $a$ the lattice constant, and ${n}_{0}$ a number of the order 2 or 3. This corresponds to \ensuremath{\sim}200-Mev primary energy for bremsstrahlung, \ensuremath{\sim}1 Bev for pair production. The effect is confined to angles between the primary beam and a line of atoms, of order $\ensuremath{\theta}\ensuremath{\lesssim}(\frac{{a}_{\mathrm{screen}}}{{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{C}})(\frac{m{c}^{2}}{E})$. The temperature motion of the lattice reduces the interference effect to some extent. The Born approximation was used for the quantitative analysis of the problem.
Fast Automatic Tuning of Channel Selection Filters Based on Phase Delay Calibration

An automatic tuning method for active-RC base-band filters used in direct conversion receivers is proposed. Filter calibration is realized by setting the phase delay for a reference frequency of 4.5 MHz to -360deg. The proposed method is accurate and area efficient, since it does not require a replica filter but uses the filter itself. In addition, monotonic control of the capacitor arrays makes fast tuning possible. A pair of base band filters for DVB-H receivers including this automatic tuning method was fabricated using a 0.5mum SiGe Bi-CMOS process. The accuracy of the tuning is limited by the resolution of the binary capacitor-array and is 12deg. This corresponds to a worst case cutoff frequency deviation of 300 kHz. The tuning takes 113.8musec
Applying kinematic GPS techniques at our nation's airports

The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) began surveying US airports using a mixture of static, kinematic, antenna swap, and pseudokinematic techniques. The methodologies and the associated theoretical rationale are described. The NGS performed an online operational test of GPS (Global Positioning System) kinematic surveying at several Florida airports, and it was found to be a complete success. All successful processing variations in the Apalachicola example agreed at the 1-cm level. >
Functional Models of Selective Attention and Context Dependency

This workshop reviewed and classified the various models which have emerged from the general concept of selective attention and context dependency, and sought to identify their commonalities. It was concluded that the motivation and mechanism of these functional models are "efficiency" and "factoring", respectively. The workshop focused on computational models of selective attention and context dependency within the realm of neural networks. We treated only "functional" models; computational models of biological neural systems, and symbolic or rule-based systems were omitted from the discussion.
Airline fleet maintenance: Trade-off analysis of alternate aircraft maintenance approaches

Airline maintenance is a significant contributor to the overall operating costs of airlines, making up 11% of the total operating costs. In fact, the cost of airline maintenance has steadily increased in recent years. An improvement in the approach airlines take to maintain aircraft is needed to reverse this trend. Currently, aircraft operators use a preventative maintenance approach, where parts are replaced on a schedule. The purpose of this project is to examine the effectiveness of utilizing a condition-based approach, which considers the actual physical condition of the parts onboard the aircraft to dictate the time at which they are replaced. This additional information would allow parts to be replaced when they near the end of their actual usable life, thus reducing unnecessary replacements. These two approaches of maintenance were decomposed into three alternatives. The first alternative uses a preventative approach whereas the other two alternatives are condition-based. The preventative alternative involves the transmission of maintenance data to maintenance personnel when the aircraft is out of service. The second alternative, Condition-Based with Flight Line Transfer, involves the transmission of part condition information in between flights. The third alternative, Condition-Based with Airborne Transfer, provides a near realtime condition monitoring system during flight operations. The three design alternatives were compared in a discrete event simulation, using ARENA®, to determine the overall benefits of each maintenance approach. They were then evaluated using a utility function to determine their overall value to the system's stakeholders. Based on the results from the simulation, the Flight Line alternative ranked first out of the three considered alternatives. However, the aircraft operators could realize the most benefit by applying the condition-based process to parts with a high infant mortality failure pattern with low mean times between failure given that the other costs (shipping, storage, ordering, etc.) remain the same. The preventative alternative, though it had a very low implementation cost, resulted in more total replaced parts and a lower percentage of parts replaced with notification. While the Airborne alternative provided nearly perfect notification for part replacements, the high implementation and operating costs greatly offset its overall value to the stakeholders.
Degradation, Foraging, and Depletion of Mucus Sialoglycans by the Vagina-adapted Actinobacterium Gardnerella vaginalis

Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is a polymicrobial imbalance of the vaginal microbiota associated with reproductive infections, preterm birth, and other adverse health outcomes. Sialidase activity in vaginal fluids is diagnostic of BV and sialic acid-rich components of mucus have protective and immunological roles. However, whereas mucus degradation is believed to be important in the etiology and complications associated with BV, the role(s) of sialidases and the participation of individual bacterial species in the degradation of mucus barriers in BV have not been investigated. Here we demonstrate that the BV-associated bacterium Gardnerella vaginalis uses sialidase to break down and deplete sialic acid-containing mucus components in the vagina. Biochemical evidence using purified sialoglycan substrates supports a model in which 1) G. vaginalis extracellular sialidase hydrolyzes mucosal sialoglycans, 2) liberated sialic acid (N-acetylneuraminic acid) is transported into the bacterium, a process inhibited by excess N-glycolylneuraminic acid, and 3) sialic acid catabolism is initiated by an intracellular aldolase/lyase mechanism. G. vaginalis engaged in sialoglycan foraging in vitro, in the presence of human vaginal mucus, and in vivo, in a murine vaginal model, in each case leading to depletion of sialic acids. Comparison of sialic acid levels in human vaginal specimens also demonstrated significant depletion of mucus sialic acids in women with BV compared with women with a "normal" lactobacilli-dominated microbiota. Taken together, these studies show that G. vaginalis utilizes sialidase to support the degradation, foraging, and depletion of protective host mucus barriers, and that this process of mucus barrier degradation and depletion also occurs in the clinical setting of BV.
Web site evolution: Usability evaluation using Time Series Analysis of Selected Episode Graphs

Evaluations of website effectiveness have evolved from metrics based on page hits and visits to assessments of the impact of site changes on the behavior of particular user groups. Typically, this involves the use of clustering algorithms to generate behavior-based groupings, followed by profile-based analyses. One weakness of this approach is that resulting groups are often based on aspects of user behavior not relevant for the revision under study. A second weakness is that profiles may be difficult to interpret. To address these weaknesses we employ 1) a semi-supervised clustering algorithm seeded with evaluator-selected, representative sessions; 2) Time Series Analysis - Selected Episode Graphs (TSA-SEGs), annotated graphical representations of “interesting” aspects of behavior, based on episodes (sequences of requests) and time windows selected by the evaluator. Our approach compared favorably with a leading approach, H-UNC and analysis of profiles created from the resultant clusters, on a case study of an important revision to a biological database site (www.cryptodb.org).
Chapter 32. The Use of Stable Isotopes in Medicinal Chemistry

Publisher Summary Stable isotopes are used in a variety of chemical and biomedical applications. This chapter discusses the uses of stable isotopes in structure elucidation, studies of drug metabolism, pharmacokinetic analysis, and drugs used in therapy. Mass spectrometry is used in medicinal chemistry to determine the structure of therapeutic agents and their metabolites. The use of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR) in conjunction with labeling using stable isotopes is important in solving many structural problems that cannot be solved by other methods. Dynamic interactions of the medicinal agents with biological macromolecules, such as plasma proteins, receptors, or metabolizing enzymes indicate another area that can be studied by NMR and IR using drugs specifically labeled with stable isotopes. Stable isotope dilution is a technique that the unlabeled drug is dosed and the labeled substance serves as carrier and internal standard for the measurement of the drug and its metabolites in biological fluids is the most widely used application of stable isotopes. Two general methods utilizing the stable isotope dilution technique used for the quantification of drugs and their metabolites by mass spectrometry (MS) are: (1) twin-ion technique is used to follow the metabolism of chloropromazine and (2) deuterium is used in determining the enzymatic mechanisms of stable isotopes because of the large mass difference between it and hydrogen. The major disadvantages of the use of stable isotopes are the lack of simple and inexpensive instrumentation for detecting the isotopes, and the cost of synthesizing the labeled compounds.
Inguinal Hernia/Hydrocele

Inguinal hernia and hydrocele are the most common problem in children requiring operative correction. Hernia and hydrocele are abnormalities along the same spectrum of incomplete closure of the processus vaginalis after testicular descent.