cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Initiation of Behavioral Responding for Heat in a Cold Environment

Abstract Clipped and unclipped rats were exposed to a cold (0°C) environment, and given the opportunity to learn a lever-pressing response to obtain radiant heat. Unclipped rats failed to learn the response, while clipped rats learned after several hours of exposure. Hypothalamic temperature rose initially in both the clipped and unclipped animals in response to a decreasing ambient temperature, while subcutaneous temperature fell. Hypothalamic temperature was maintained for many hours in unclipped rats, but began to fall rapidly after approximately 30 minutes of cold exposure in clipped subjects. Hypothalamic temperature typically fell below 37°C prior to initiation of responding, but this result was not invariant. A decrease in peripheral temperature is considered a sufficient condition for learning in this situation.
Electromechanical coupling factor of epitaxial gallium nitride doped with magnesium

In a recent paper, Lee et al. (IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 48, 524 (2001)) reported that the piezoelectric constant k 2 of an Mg-doped GaN epilayer was (4.3 ± 0.3)%, which is much higher than for other III-V materials. In this work, k 2 for a Mg-doped GaN epilayer was independently determined using SAW delay-lines fabricated using aluminum interdigital transducers. The insertion loss of these filters was higher than 80 dB. The upper bound of the electromechanical coupling coefficient (k 2) of the Mg-doped GaN epilayer was calculated to be 1×10−4% which is not in agreement with the previously reported value (Lee et al., IEEE Trans. Electron Devices 48, 524 (2001)).
High-precision calculations of van der Waals coefficients for heteronuclear alkali-metal dimers

van der Waals coefficients for the heteronuclear alkali-metal dimers of Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr are calculated using relativistic ab initio methods augmented by high-precision experimental data. We argue that the uncertainties in the coefficients are unlikely to exceed about 1%.
Abstract 2113: A wild-type-blocking reference sequence enhances COLD-PCR and enables fast amplification and high enrichment of all types of low-prevalence unknown mutations

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Background: Molecular profiling of somatic mutations in cancer often requires the identification of low-prevalence DNA mutations in an excess of wild-type (WT) DNA; however, the method selectivity and sensitivity are often limiting factors. COLD-PCR (CO-amplification at Lower Denaturation Temperature) resolves several limitations in low-level mutation detection by using critical denaturation temperatures to enrich mutant-containing amplicons during PCR. However, certain mutation types are not enriched by some COLD-PCR formats. We report a novel enhancement in COLD-PCR that enables an Improved and Complete Enrichment (ice-COLD-PCR) for all mutation types. Methods: A Reference Sequence (RS) that preferably forms double-stranded structures with WT sequences, but not with mutant sequences, was added to COLD-PCR. A RS was designed to bind to one WT-sequence strand, avoid primer binding and prevent polymerase extension. To validate the use of a RS in COLD-PCR, we evaluated segments of TP53 exon 8. Serial dilutions of mutant cell-line DNA, or human lung tumor DNA, in WT DNA were analyzed. Mutations that increase, decrease, or retain the amplicon melting temperature were tested. Following conventional-PCR, COLD-PCR (full or fast COLD-PCR formats), and ice-COLD-PCR methods amplicons were sequenced and the degree of mutation enrichment was compared. Several clinical lung adenocarcinoma samples with known low-level mutations were also tested with ice-COLD-PCR. Results: ice-COLD-PCR yielded ∼13-fold enrichment for Tm-increasing and Tm-equivalent mutations, and ∼15-fold enrichment for Tm-reducing mutations. In contrast, Full-COLD-PCR demonstrated ∼5-fold enrichment for all mutations. Further, fast-COLD-PCR, which can only enrich Tm-reducing mutations, exhibited ∼17-fold enrichment for these types of mutations, while the Tm-increasing and Tm-equivalent mutations remained undetectable. Regardless of mutant type and position, after ice-COLD-PCR amplification, all mutation types are strongly enriched and can be reliably sequenced down to a level of 1-3%. Ice-COLD-PCR duration is ∼1hour, compared to several hours for full-COLD-PCR. Conclusions: The inclusion of appropriately designed RS within COLD-PCR selectively inhibits WT amplification throughout PCR, while preferentially enriching mutants and reducing time-intensive hybridization times. Ice-COLD-PCR combines high sensitivity, speed, and low-cost, and facilitates direct sequencing for all types of unknown low-prevalence mutations in clinical cancer samples. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2113.
Detection and retrieval of multi-layered cloud properties using satellite data

Four techniques for detecting multilayered clouds and retrieving the cloud properties using satellite data are explored to help address the need for better quantification of cloud vertical structure. A new technique was developed using multispectral imager data with secondary imager products (infrared brightness temperature differences, BTD). The other methods examined here use atmospheric sounding data (CO2-slicing, CO2), BTD, or microwave data. The CO2 and BTD methods are limited to optically thin cirrus over low clouds, while the MWR methods are limited to ocean areas only. This paper explores the use of the BTD and CO2 methods as applied to Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer EOS (AMSR-E) data taken from the Aqua satellite over ocean surfaces. Cloud properties derived from MODIS data for the Clouds and the Earth's Radiant Energy System (CERES) Project are used to classify cloud phase and optical properties. The preliminary results focus on a MODIS image taken off the Uruguayan coast. The combined MW visible infrared (MVI) method is assumed to be the reference for detecting multilayered ice-over-water clouds. The BTD and CO2 techniques accurately match the MVI classifications in only 51 and 41% of the cases, respectively. Much additional study is need to determine the uncertainties in the MVI method and to analyze many more overlapped cloud scenes.
Observations on the Flexed-Arm Hang Test for Women:

The AAHPER and an experimental flexed-arm hang test were both significantly related to dynamic arm and shoulder girdle endurance for 43 college women, while little relationship existed between either flexed-arm hang test and grip strength.
Comparison of four purified extracellular 1,4-β-d-Glucan cellobiohydrolase enzymes from Trichoderma Viride

Abstract Four electrophoretically distinct 1,4-β- d -glucan cellobiohydrolase enzymes (exo-cellobiohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.91) from Trichoderma viride have been purified to homogeneity. Three enzymes (A, B, and C) were from a commercial T. viride preparation whereas the other (D) was from T. viride QM 9123 grown on cellulose in submerged culture. The enzymes were similar with respect to ultraviolet light absorption, amino acid and amino sugar composition, heat stability, molecular weight, specific activity, and carboxyterminal residues, indicating very nearly identical polypeptide portions. The enzymes also exhibited immunological cross-reactivity. The enzymes differed most in the content and composition of covalently bound neutral carbohydrate.
Nucleotides in frozen glycerolized erythrocytes.

The nucleotide content (ATP,* ADP, AMP) of deglycerolized and resuspended erythrocytes, previously frozen with glycerol and the slow freeze technic and processed by the centrifugation and agglomeration methods, was measured for a three-week post-thaw interval. Two series of studies were undertaken. In the first six units of blood (500 ml) rendered incoagulable with ACD (NIH-A) were studied, three by each process, and the erythrocytes resuspended after deglycerolization in two media, autologous (ACD) plasma, and a 5% albumin resuspension medium. The erythrocyte suspensions were then stored at 4 C for three weeks and nucleotides assayed at three-to-four-day intervals. In this group the nucleotide content of erythrocytes treated by the centrifugation technic was unchanged after processing, while the total nucleotides in erythrocytes processed by agglomeration were greatly reduced. The greatest loss was in ATP while the ADP and AMP were essentially unchanged. Agglomerated erythrocytes resuspended in autologous plasma resynthesized a small portion of their ATP when stored at 4 C for eight days. From eight to 21 days, both the ATP and total nucleotides were the same in erythrocytes from both processes. Small increases in ADP and AMP could not account for the decay of total nucleotides, which paralleled closely the loss of ATP. In a second series the influence of agglomeration conditions was studied. The nucleotide content was found to be markedly affected by the time erythrocytes were allowed to remain in concentrated glucose solutions. The nucleotides of cells processed optimally, that is agglomerated within 20 minutes and disaggregated with 250 ml of 0.15 M NaCl centrifuged and resuspended in plasma or albumin, were substantially the same as those in unprocessed ACD blood stored for 21 days at 4 C.
The 'three Ps' of cancer survivorship care

With the growing numbers of individuals surviving long term and disease free after a cancer diagnosis, a group of individuals in the US came together in 1986 to establish the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS; http://www.canceradvocacy.org), and defined cancer survivors as individuals with cancer from the time of diagnosis and for the balance of life, and included in its definition family, friends and caregivers. This broad and all-inclusive definition reminds us that potentially anyone with a diagnosis of cancer can be a long-term survivor and that we must design therapies at the outset to maximize cure as well as minimize long-term side effects and other more serious effects of cancer treatments. In practical terms, however, we tend to focus on the post-treatment phase of the cancer experience, and that is where survivorship care really gets started (Figure 1). Open image in new window Figure 1 Cancer care trajectory and survivorship care. Figure adapted from the Institute of Medicine. Reprinted with permission from From Cancer Patient to Cancer Survivor: Lost in Transition, 2005, by the National Academy of Sciences, Courtesy of the National Academies Press, Washington, DC, USA.
Endothelial progenitor cell release into circulation is triggered by hyperoxia-induced increases in bone marrow nitric oxide

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) are known to contribute to wound healing, but the physiologic triggers for their mobilization are often insufficient to induce complete wound healing in the presence of severe ischemia. EPC trafficking is known to be regulated by hypoxic gradients and induced by vascular endothelial growth factor-mediated increases in bone marrow nitric oxide (NO). Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) enhances wound healing, although the mechanisms for its therapeutic effects are incompletely understood. It is known that HBO increases nitric oxide levels in perivascular tissues via stimulation of nitric oxide synthase (NOS). Here we show that HBO increases bone marrow NO in vivo thereby increasing release of EPC into circulation. These effects are inhibited by pretreatment with the NOS inhibitor l-nitroarginine methyl ester (l-NAME). HBO-mediated mobilization of EPC is associated with increased lower limb spontaneous circulatory recovery after femoral ligation and enhanced closure of ischemic wounds, and these effects on limb perfusion and wound healing are also inhibited by l-NAME pretreatment. These data show that EPC mobilization into circulation is triggered by hyperoxia through induction of bone marrow NO with resulting enhancement in ischemic limb perfusion and wound healing.
A COMPARISON BETWEEN HETEROGENEOUS NUCLEAR RNA AND POLYSOMAL MESSENGER RNA IN HELA CELLS BY RNA-DNA HYBRIDIZATION

Heterogeneous nuclear RNA (HnRNA) and mRNA from cytoplasmic polyribosomes of HeLa cells have been compared by RNA-DNA hybridization tests. 1 µg of HeLa cell DNA binds 0.05–0.10 µg of either HnRNA or mRNA. In addition, HeLa DNA that is preexposed to unlabeled HnRNA was found to have a reduced capacity to bind either HnRNA or mRNA. The results are compatible with considerable sequence similarity in the two types of RNA but, as is discussed, firm conclusions are precluded by imperfections of the hybridization reaction as presently employed.
Bilateral tension pneumothorax due to a defective anesthesia breathing circuit filter

A 25-year-old healthy patient developed bilateral tension pneumothorax during general endotracheal anesthesia due to a defective anesthesia breathing circuit filter. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of the pneumothorax was facilitated by the use of capnography and pulse oximetry. The manufacturing process of the breathing circuit and filter that made this accident possible has since been corrected by the manufacturer. Anesthesiologists must be alert to the possibility of such accidents with any breathing system using bacterial filters.
Donor Lymphocyte Infusion: Beauty Is in the Eye of the Beholder

In this issue of Biology Of Blood and Marrow Transplantation, Bar et al. report on a retrospective analysis of the effect of CD3þ cell dose in initial donor lymphocyte infusion (DLI) on graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and overall survival in 225 patients who received DLI for relapsed hematologic malignancy, primarily at the Fred Hutchison Cancer Research Center [1]. This article is important from several perspectives, on which I will expound. However, the statement that I enjoyed the most, and the primary focus of my commentary, is in the first sentence of the discussion: “DLI is an attractive salvage treatment option for patients with persistent or relapsed hematologic malignancies.” Attractive? Now, this may be the first time I have heard of DLI being described as attractive. I am sure that I will hear from someone with far too much time on his or her hands of other examples of this adjective to describe DLI, but it did makeme take pause. Based on our overall clinical experience with DLI, "attractive" is probably one of the last words I personally would use to describe it. I look at DLI more like having to take your best friend to the prom because neither of you has a date, and neither wants to go to the dance alone. Out of all the other options, what do you do? Beauty is a very relative and subjective term, and maybe it really is in the eye of the beholder. The report by Bar et al. provides wonderful background for placing the “beauty” of DLI into perspective, reading like a review of the history of DLI over the past 23 years. I would actually argue that that this report should be required reading for fellows during their transplantation rotation and an excellent journal club article. It starts out with the obligatory statement that “Allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation has the potential to provide long-term survival and even cure in patients with hematologic malignancies,” which is tough to argue considering that I have started approximately one-half of my own publications with the same statement. This is followed by a statement of who reported the first DLI, which is where it really starts to get interesting, given that even this little 3-patient report has been a repeated point of contention over the years [2,3]. The article then moves on with the “Patients and Methods” section to describe the 225 patients with a broad variety of hematologic malignancies who were treated over an 18-year
Beauty is as Beauty Does?: Makeup and Posture Effects on Physical Attractiveness Judgments1

Recent studies have examined human beauty as a biological, structural trait. This view of beauty is incomplete because it does not consider the amount of variability in beauty judgments attributable to self-presentation strategies. This study was designed to estimate the importance of self-presentation practices on beauty judgments. For women within plus or minus one standard deviation of average facial attractiveness, makeup effect size estimates were comparable to previously published estimates of the importance of structural factors in attractiveness judgments. Similarly, for average weight stimuli, posture was comparable to body build in influencing attractiveness judgments. Implications for personal appearance businesses, health psychology, and counseling practice are discussed.
InvB is a type III secretion-associated chaperone for the Salmonella enterica effector protein SopE.

SopE is a bacteriophage-encoded effector protein of Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium that is translocated into the cytosol of eukaryotic cells by a type III secretion system (TTSS) (W.-D. Hardt, H. Urlaub, and J. E. Galan, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 95:2574-2579, 1998; M. W. Wood, R. Rosqvist, P. B. Mullan, M. H. Edwards, and E. E. Galyov, Mol. Microbiol. 22:327-338, 1996). In this study, we provide evidence that an unlinked gene carried within the Salmonella pathogenicity island 1 (SPI-1), invB (K. Eichelberg, C. Ginocchio, and J. E. Galan, J. Bacteriol. 176:4501-4510, 1994), is required for the secretion of SopE through the SPI-1 TTSS. Furthermore, far-Western blotting analysis shows that SopE directly interacts with InvB through a domain located at its amino terminus. We conclude that InvB is the TTSS-associated chaperone for SopE.
Oropharyngeal Secretion Volume in Intubated Patients: The Importance of Oral Suctioning

Background Aspiration of secretions that accumulate above the cuff of the endotracheal tube is a risk factor for ventilator-associated pneumonia. Routine suctioning of oropharyngeal secretions may reduce this risk; the recommended frequency for suctioning is unknown. Objectives To quantify the volume of secretions suctioned from the oropharynx of critically ill patients at 2 different intervals to assist in identifying a recommended frequency for oropharyngeal suctioning. Methods A prospective, repeated measure, single-group design was used. Twenty-eight patients who were orally intubated and treated with mechanical ventilation were enrolled; 2 were extubated during data collection, yielding a sample of 26 patients. The patients were suctioned at baseline with a deep suction catheter, and the volume and weight of secretions were recorded. The procedure was repeated at 2-hour and 4-hour intervals. Results Most of the patients were male (mean age, 49 years). Three suctioning passes were needed to clear secretions, with a mean time of 48.1 seconds. The mean volume of secretions at the 2-hour interval was 7.5 mL. Five patients required suctioning before the 4-hour interval. For the remaining 21 patients, the volume retrieved was 6.5 mL at the 2-hour interval and 7.5 mL at the 4-hour interval (P = .27). The 5 patients who required extra suctioning had significantly more secretions at the 2-hour interval (11.6 mL vs 6.5 mL; P = .05). Conclusions A minimum frequency of oropharyngeal suctioning every 4 hours is recommended. However, more frequent suctioning may be needed in a subset of patients.
Ang-II-induced Ca2+ influx is mediated by the 1/4/5 subgroup of the transient receptor potential proteins in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells from diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats

Angiotensin-II (Ang-II) exerts many of its vascular effects, including the pathophysiological changes associated with type 2 diabetes, through changes in intracellular calcium concentration [Ca(2+)](i). We sought to clarify the mechanism responsible for Ang-II-induced Ca(2+) influx in cultured aortic VSMC using the Goto-Kakizaki (GK) rat model of type 2 diabetes. Ang-II-induced Ca(2+) influx was blocked by neither VDCC nor c-src inhibition but was sensitive to inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor inhibition, lanthanide and the diacylglycerol analogue, oleoyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycerol. Since transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC)-3 gene expression was undetectable in both WKY and GK VSMCs and TRPC6 gene and protein expression were significantly down-regulated in GK, we believe the 1/4/5 subgroup of TRPC proteins plays a significant role. Furthermore, in GK VSMC the elevated calcium influx observed was not attributable to increased TRPC expression, but rather an alteration of TRPC activity.
Characterization of flip-chip CMOS ASIC simultaneous switching noise on multilayer organic and ceramic BGA/CGA packages

This paper presents the characterization of flip-chip CMOS ASIC core logic and I/O simultaneous switching noise on several types of high density multilayer organic and ceramic ball grid array (BGA) and column grid array (CGA) packages. The results of time domain simultaneous switching output noise measurements with a CMOS test chip are presented. Core logic switching noise modeling and simulation results are also discussed.
TUMOR-INDUCED IMMUNE DYSFUNCTION : THE MACROPHAGE CONNECTION

Although macrophages (Mphis) mediate tumor cytotoxicity, display tumor-associated antigens, and stimulate antitumor lymphocytes, cancer cells routinely circumvent these host-mediated immune activities, rendering the host incapable of mounting a successful antitumor immune response. Evidence supporting a direct causal relationship between cancer and immune dysfunction suggests that the presence of neoplastic tissue leads to immunologic degeneration. Furthermore, substantial data demonstrate that tumor growth adversely alters Mphi function and phenotype. Thus, although Mphis can serve as both positive and negative mediators of the immune system, the importance of Mphis in tumor-induced immune suppression remains controversial. This review focuses on the evidence that tumor-derived molecules redirect Mphi activities to promote tumor development. Tumors produce cytokines, growth factors, chemotactic molecules, and proteases that influence Mphi functions. Many tumor-derived molecules, such as IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, MDF, TGF-beta1, PGE2, and M-CSF, deactivate or suppress the cytotoxic activity of activated Mphis. Evidence that tumor-derived molecules modulate Mphi cytotoxicity and induce Mphi suppressor activity is presented. This information further suggests that Mphis in different in vivo compartments may be differentially regulated by tumor-derived molecules, which may deactivate tumor-proximal (in situ) Mphi populations while concurrently activating tumor-distal Mphis, imparting a twofold insult to the host's antitumor immune response.
Drugs and the pleura.

Purpose To identify the drugs associated with pleural disease and to review the clinical, radiographic, and pleural fluid findings that occur, the natural history of the pleural reaction, and the response to therapy. Data sources English-language articles published from January 1966 through April 1998 were identified through searches of the MEDLINE database, selective bibliographies, and personal files. Data extraction Case reports, letters, and review articles were assessed for relevancy. Reports of drug-associated pleural effusion, pleuritis, and/or pleural thickening were analyzed. Drug effect was believed to be causal when exposure induced pleural disease, when the pleural response remitted on discontinuation of the drug, and when the pleural disease recurred with reexposure. Drug association was inferred when the pleural disease occurred following drug exposure and remitted after drug discontinuation. The incidence, clinical presentation, dose and duration of drug therapy, chest radiographic findings, pleural fluid analysis, and response to therapy were recorded. Conclusions A relatively small number of drugs were found to induce pleural disease when compared to the number of drugs implicated in causing disease of the lung parenchyma. Treatment of drug-induced pleural disease consists of drug therapy withdrawal and corticosteroids for refractory cases. Knowledge of the potential of drug-induced pleural disease will provide a clinical advantage to the physician and should lead to decreased morbidity and economic burden for the patient by avoidance of further diagnostic testing.
Enzyme replacement is associated with better cognitive outcomes after transplant in Hurler syndrome

Objective To investigate whether intravenous enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) benefits cognitive function in patients with mucopolysaccharidosis type IH (Hurler syndrome) undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Study design Data were obtained for 9 children treated with HCT + ERT (ERT group) and 10 children treated with HCT only (no-ERT group) from neuropsychologic evaluations before HCT and at 1-year and 2-year post-HCT follow-up. Results At 2 years after HCT, children in the ERT group lost 9.19 fewer IQ points per year compared with children in the no-ERT group ( P = .031). Furthermore, the ERT group improved in nonverbal problem solving and processing, whereas the no-ERT group declined, resulting in a difference of 9.44 points per year between the 2 groups ( P Conclusion ERT in association with HCT enhances cognitive outcomes, providing new evidence that ERT is a valuable addition to the standard transplantation protocol. Although the mechanism responsible for this improved outcome is unknown, both direct benefits and indirect effects must be considered.
Drugs of Abuse and NeuroAIDS: Opiates

Opiate abuse is a major global health problem, due in part to the fact that the HIV infection often occurs with intravenous drug abuse. There is strong clinical and preclinical evidence that opiate abuse promotes the neurodegeneration that can occur in association with HIV infection. Morphine or heroin can exert direct neurotoxic effects on neuronal cells and alter neuronal function. In addition, opiate administration after the virus infection has been established can exacerbate the neurotoxic properties of some of the HIV products. This can include the induction of pro-inflammatory mediators including both cytokines and chemokines and a loss of blood–brain barrier integrity. It is also clear that the activation of opioid receptors by agonists like morphine can initiate cross-talk interactions with other receptors, most notably the chemokine receptors CCR5 and CXCR4. Opiates clearly exert both pro- and anti-inflammatory activity, and our understanding of how these opposing influences are balanced in both the brain and periphery is rapidly advancing.
Orphan receptor COUP-TF I antagonizes retinoic acid-induced neuronal differentiation

Chicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factors (COUP-TF) are expressed in the developing nervous system and interact with nuclear hormone receptors to regulate expression of different genes. The role of COUP-TF orphan receptors in neurogenesis is virtually unknown. To study the possible function of COUP-TF I during neuronal differentiation, we generated COUP-TF I overexpressing teratocarcinoma PCC7 cell lines and analyzed retinoic acid (RA)-induced neuronal differentiation of these cells. COUP-TF I overexpression results in the blockade of morphological differentiation after induction to differentiate. COUP-TF I represses expression of microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) gene and delays induction of growth-associated protein 43 (GAP43) gene expression. In contrast, expression of the neurofilament light subunit (NF-L) gene is not affected by COUP-TF I overexpression during neuronal differentiation. Also, cells overexpressing COUP-TF I do not stop proliferating after RA and dBcAMP treatment and possess suppressed transcriptional activation from different RA response elements. These results suggest that COUP-TF I plays an important role in regulating RA-induced neuronal differentiation.
Visibility-based deployment of robot formations for communication maintenance

We consider the problem of deploying robots in formations that ensure network connectivity between a fixed base station and a set of independent agents wandering in the environment. We adopt a communications model that requires line-of-sight and then solve for robot placements by finding mutually-visible configurations in a polygonal decomposition of the environment map. Both the static deployment case and the case of finding deployments that minimize total robot movement are considered. We provide algorithms for the moving agent case, consider their performance on various discretizations for a range of problem sizes, and discuss our experimental implementation of the presented ideas.
Multi-resolution optical flow tracking algorithm based on multi-scale Harris corner points feature

Multi-resolution optical flow tracking algorithm decomposes the object displacement in the wavelet pyramid, then sparse optical flow based on LK (Lucas-Kanade) algorithm matches the object feature in all the level of the wavelet pyramid step by step. Steadily tracking rapid motion objects is achieved. As to the feature of motion vehicles, multi-scale Harris corner detection based on wavelet is proposed. Traditional Harris corner detection about omitting corner point and asymmetrical array is improved. It is suitable to extract motion vehicle feature in complicated traffic scene. With the experiment, it can be verified that the corner point is always steady and reliable when the vehicle is turning and moving, and the camera is zooming in and out. The tracking algorithm also can accurately match the feature points with the high real-time performance.
An analysis of nonlinear direct-sequence correlators

An analysis of the performance of nonlinear correlation reception of direct-sequence signals in single- and multiuser channels is presented. The communications channel is modeled as containing non-Gaussian background noise and, in some cases, multiple-access interference as well. The error-probability behavior is studied asymptotically as the lengths of the spreading codes increase without bound, and conditions on the spreading sequences are obtained that assure asymptotic achievement of single-user performance in a multiuser system. A long-spreading sequence approximation to the average error probability is also derived, and this result is applied to the analysis of smooth-limiting correlation receivers in impulsive channels. Simulation results are also provided to verify the analysis. Average bit-error probabilities are computed by Monte Carlo simulations for linear, hard-limiting, and smooth-limiting correlation receivers in both single- and two-user impulsive channels. The simulation results are compared to the error rates by asymptotic approximations for the smooth limiter and also to those from previous studies on linear and hard-limiting correlators. >
Multiple functions for the N-terminal region of Msh6

The eukaryotic mismatch repair protein Msh6 shares five domains in common with other MutS members. However, it also contains several hundred additional residues at its N-terminus. A few of these residues bind to PCNA, but the functions of the other amino acids in the N-terminal region (NTR) are unknown. Here we demonstrate that the Msh6 NTR binds to duplex DNA in a salt-sensitive, mismatch-independent manner. Partial proteolysis, DNA affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry identified a fragment comprised of residues 228–299 of yeast Msh6 that binds to DNA and is rich in positively charged residues. Deleting these residues, or replacing lysines and arginines with glutamate, reduces DNA binding in vitro and elevates spontaneous mutation rates and resistance to MNNG treatment in vivo. Similar in vivo defects are conferred by alanine substitutions in a highly conserved motif in the NTR that immediately precedes domain I of MutS proteins, the domain that interacts with mismatched DNA. These data suggest that, in addition to PCNA binding, DNA binding and possibly other functions in the amino terminal region of Msh6 are important for eukaryotic DNA mismatch repair and cellular response to alkylation damage.
Response Of Coastal Bermudagrass And Pensacola Bahiagrass To Applied Nitrogen And Seasonal Rainfall

Applied nutrients and seasonal rainfall are both important inputs for forage production. A mathematical model is needed to link these factors. Since the logistic model provides a quantitative description of seasonal dry matter response to applied nutrients, the role of water availability should be identified. Previous analysis showed that the linear parameter A of the logistic model can incorporate this factor. In this article the relationship of A to seasonal rainfall, W, is shown to follow an exponential equation for Coastal bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.) and Pensacola bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum Flugge). This agrees with previous results for corn (Zea mays L.). #Florida Agricultural Experiment Station Journal Series No. R-08720.
Rheological Properties of Plant Cell Suspensions

Packed cell and concentrated cell suspension cultures of Datura stramonium were exposed to oscillatory and steady shear on a Weissenberg rheogoniometer with a modified parallel plate geometry and to steady shear using other rotational viscometers. The viscoelastic properties of the cell suspensions were measured over a frequency range from 0.01 to 4 rad/s at low and high amplitudes. The applied strains were in the range of 1%-36%. Increasing the strain caused cell damage (e.g., approximately 20% at a strain of 36% during 3 h of shearing). Cell cultures exhibited both viscoelastic and shear thinning behavior. The concentrated cell suspension cultures showed much lower dynamic viscosities and elastic moduli than the packed cell cultures. From the measured viscoelastic properties, yield stresses were calculated. The maximum calculated average yield stress was 4 × 104 dyn/cm2 for the packed cells and 325 dyn/cm2 for the concentrated cell suspension having a cell volume fraction (PCV, packed cell volume) of 0.9 mL/mL. From the steady shear experiments, yield stresses were also determined. The maximum calculated yield stress was 360 dyn/cm2 for a concentrated cell suspension (PCV = 0.9 mL/mL) and 95 dyn/cm2 for the less concentrated cell suspension (PCV = 0.6 mL/mL). It was confirmed that D. stramonium cell suspension cultures at high cell concentrations exhibit yield behavior which can be determined by either oscillatory or steady shear. The yield stress values determined in this study will be of some value to the bioprocess engineering of plant cells for high density cell cultivation and product recovery. In particular, these values will be important to determine bioreactor operating conditions such as agitation and aeration rates.
WETLAND SURFACE ELEVATION, VERTICAL ACCRETION, AND SUBSIDENCE AT THREE LOUISIANA ESTUARIES RECEIVING DIVERTED MISSISSIPPI RIVER WATER

Wetland surface elevation and vertical accretion were measured from 1996 to 1999-2000 using a sediment elevation table (SET) and feldspar marker horizons in nine paired wetlands receiving Mississippi River water from the Caernarvon, West Pointe a la Hache (WPH), and Violet river diversions. The Caernarvon study sites had wetland surface elevation change rates ranging from 0.1660.31 to 0.4260.21 cm y 21 . Vertical accretion ranged from 0.7560.04 to 1.5760.05 cm y 21 ,a nd shallow subsidence ranged from 0.59 to 1.21 cm y 21 . Wetland surface elevation at the WPH study sites initially increased 2.3 to 3.3 cm during the first seven months of the study and then steadily decreased over the following year. The overall rate of elevation change ranged from 0.2760.09 to 0.7060.11 cm y 21 . Vertical accretion and shallow subsidence ranged from 1.2460.08 to 1.8460.07 cm y 21 and 0.54 to 1.27 cm y 21 , respectively. The Violet sites lost elevation and had the highest subsidence rates in this study, most likely due to a combination of hydrologic alteration and low diversion discharge. Wetland elevation decreased throughout the study, with rates ranging from 21.1060.24 to 22.3460.41 cm y 21 . Vertical accretion and shallow subsidence rates at the Violet-Near and Far sites were 0.4460.10 and 0.4460.11 cm y 21 and 2.78 to 1.54 cm y 21 , respectively. The Violet-Mid site wetland was burned in Winter 1999, leading to more than 4.0 cm decrease in material measured over the marker horizon and contributing to the lowest accretion rate measured in this study of 0.3460.05 cm y 21 . Analysis of regional relative sea-level rise (RSLR) indicates that all Caernarvon sites and the WPH-Near and Mid sites are keeping pace with RSLR. This study indicates that the use of river diversions can be an effective coastal restoration tool, with efficiency related to the proximity to riverine source and degree of hydrologic alteration, quantity of river water released, and land uses of the receiving wetland basin. Landscape modifications such as spoil banks associated with oil and gas access canals negate the benefits of river water introduction by limiting wetland-water interaction and should be removed in conjunction with river diversion implementation for effective wetland restoration.
Gravitational lensing by ring-like structures

We study a class of gravitational lensing systems consisting of an inclined ring/belt, with and without an added point mass at the centre. We show that a common feature of such systems are so-called "pseudo-caustics", across which the magnification of a point source changes discontinuously and yet remains finite. Such a magnification change can be associated with either a change in image multiplicity or a sudden change in the size of a lensed image. The existence of pseudo-caustics and the complex interplay between them and the formal caustics (which correspond to points of infinite magnification) can lead to interesting consequences, such as truncated or open caustics and a non-conservation of total image parity. The origin of the pseudo-caustics is found to be the non-differentiability of the solutions to the lens equation across the ring/belt boundaries, with the pseudo-caustics corresponding to ring/belt boundaries mapped into the source plane. We provide a few illustrative examples to understand the pseudo-caustic features, and in a separate paper consider a specific astronomical application of our results to study microlensing by extrasolar asteroid belts.
Five Disharmonizing Trends in the International Intellectual Property Regime

Since the creation of the Paris and Berne Conventions, the European Communities and the United States have been pushing for greater harmonization of intellectual property protection throughout the world. In 1994, for example, the World Trade Organization was established, bringing with it the oft-criticized TRIPs Agreement. Less than a decade later, the WIPO Internet Treaties entered into force, updating the international intellectual property regime to reflect changes in the digital environment. At the turn of this century, WIPO also initiated discussions on several harmonization treaties. Two of the more controversial ones concern the Substantive Patent Law Treaty and the Treaty on the Protection of Broadcasting Organizations. Notwithstanding these harmonization efforts, countries - both developed and less developed - have become increasingly dissatisfied with the international intellectual property regime. To protect themselves and to reclaim autonomy over their intellectual property policies, they have recently pushed for measures that frustrate the harmonization project. While less developed countries push for the establishment of the development agenda, in the hope of rolling back some of the protection required by the TRIPs Agreement and other international treaties, developed countries use bilateral and plurilateral free trade agreements to pressure their less powerful counterparts to ratchet up intellectual property protection and enforcement. In addition, exporting industries in developed countries have introduced mass-market contracts and technological self-help measures to protect themselves against large-scale piracy and counterfeiting in less developed countries and in the digital environment. This book chapter focuses on five disharmonizing trends that offer resistance to the recent push for greater harmonization in the international intellectual property arena: (1) the inclusion of reciprocity provisions in national laws, (2) the demands for diversification, (3) the use of bilateral and plurilateral agreements, (4) the creation of non-national systems as a response to Internet disputes, and (5) the reliance on alternative measures by rights holders. The Chapter examines each of these trends and explores the challenges they have created for the future development of the international intellectual property regime.
Effect of coconut oil on serum lipids of normal and of thyroidectomized dogs.

SummaryThyroidectomized dogs respond to the addition of coconut oil to the diet with greater elevations of serum cholesterol concentration than do normal dogs. This greater elevation is not explained by the higher serum cholesterol level of the thyroidectomized dogs on the low-fat diet. Serum phospholipids are elevated by administration of coconut oil but there is no difference between the responses of normal and thyroidectomized dogs. Serum triglycerides are elevated in both groups of animals by coconut oil. The elevation tends to be greater in the thyroidectomized animals but the difference between normal and thyroidectomized dogs was not statistically significant.
An Algorithm to Estimate the Two-Way Fixed Effects Model

We present an algorithm to estimate the two-way fixed effect linear model. The algorithm relies on the Frisch-Waugh-Lovell theorem and applies to ordinary least squares (OLS), two-stage least squares (TSLS) and generalized method of moments (GMM) estimators. The coefficients of interest are computed using the residuals from the projection of all variables on the two sets of fixed effects. Our algorithm has three desirable features. First, it manages memory and computational resources efficiently which speeds up the computa- tion of the estimates. Second, it allows the researcher to estimate multiple specifications using the same set of fixed effects at a very low computational cost. Third, the asymptotic variance of the parameters of interest can be consistently estimated using standard routines on the residualized data.
Bridging Anticoagulation After Mechanical Aortic Heart Valve Replacement: A Questionable Routine

Background This retrospective single-center study evaluates differences in bleeding and thrombotic events between a homogenous group of patients undergoing mechanical aortic valve replacement who either received or did not receive intravenous unfractionated heparin or subcutaneous low-molecular weight heparin as bridging strategy to warfarin therapy. Methods Clinical data on a total of 158 patients undergoing mechanical aortic valve replacement at our center between 2001 and 2014 were collected. Patients were grouped according to postoperative anticoagulation strategy: warfarin only (n = 53) and warfarin plus heparin bridge (n = 105). The outcomes of interest were bleeding event and thromboembolic event recorded during hospital stay. Results Patients' baseline characteristics were comparable between the two groups except for preoperative atrial fibrillation, which was more common in the warfarin plus heparin group than the warfarin group ( p = 0.04). There were significantly more bleeding complications in the warfarin plus heparin group versus warfarin group as evidenced by higher rates of pericardial effusions (24% versus 8%, p = 0.02) and reoperation for bleeding (8% versus 0%, p = 0.05). All observed thromboembolic events (n = 4) occurred in the warfarin plus heparin group ( p = 0.55). Logistic regression analysis identified group assignment (warfarin plus heparin versus warfarin only) to be significantly associated with the odds of bleeding (odds ratio 4.46, 95% confidence interval:1.42 to 14.02, p = 0.01). Conclusions Bridging anticoagulation therapy increases the chances of bleeding in the postoperative phase for mechanical aortic valve replacement patients. Owing to low incidence, no statistically significant difference was detected for thromboembolic event rates.
Improving outcome for mental disorders by enhancing memory for treatment

Patients exhibit poor memory for treatment. A novel Memory Support Intervention, derived from basic science in cognitive psychology and education, is tested with the goal of improving patient memory for treatment and treatment outcome. Adults with major depressive disorder (MDD) were randomized to 14 sessions of cognitive therapy (CT)+Memory Support (n = 25) or CT-as-usual (n = 23). Outcomes were assessed at baseline, post-treatment and 6 months later. Memory support was greater in CT+Memory Support compared to the CT-as-usual. Compared to CT-as-usual, small to medium effect sizes were observed for recall of treatment points at post-treatment. There was no difference between the treatment arms on depression severity (primary outcome). However, the odds of meeting criteria for 'response' and 'remission' were higher in CT+Memory Support compared with CT-as-usual. CT+Memory Support also showed an advantage on functional impairment. While some decline was observed, the advantage of CT+Memory Support was evident through 6-month follow-up. Patients with less than 16 years of education experience greater benefits from memory support than those with 16 or more years of education. Memory support can be manipulated, may improve patient memory for treatment and may be associated with an improved outcome.
TIME OF ORIGIN AND BIOGEOGRAPHICAL HISTORY OF SPECIALIZED RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN NORTHERN MARINE PLANTS AND HERBIVOROUS MOLLUSCS.

A survey of cool-temperate North Pacific and North Atlantic marine plants and herbivorous molluscs and their descendants was undertaken to determine the time of origin and the biogeographical history of specialized host-guest relationships between plants and herbivores. Of 12 such associations, 6 (50%) were established no earlier than the Pliocene. These six associations resulted from the invasion of either the plant (three cases) or the herbivore (three cases) from geographical regions other than the one in which the association was forged. These results are contrary to the widely held view that specialized ("coevolved") relationships tend to be ancient, and highlight the importance of biotic interchange as a biogeographical process influencing the opportunity for trophic specialization.
Coordinate mobilization and burning of lipid stores. Focus on “Protein kinase A induces UCP1 expression in specific adipose depots to increase energy expenditure and improve metabolic health”

the storage of energy as lipid droplets is an essential physiology process from yeast, worms, and flies to mammals ([4][1]). In lean humans, up to 90% of carbohydrate and lipid energy stores are found in white adipose tissue (WAT), providing an essential buffer for prolonged stressors, such as