cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Prague C & M criteria for the endoscopic grading of Barrett's esophagus by gastroenterology trainees: a multicenter study

Background The Prague C & M criteria, developed for the endoscopic grading of Barrett's esophagus (BE), (C = circumferential length, M=maximal length) were previously validated among a panel of 29 expert endoscopists with a special interest in BE. Its performance among gastroenterology trainees is unknown. Objective To test interobserver agreement among gastroenterology trainees for the Prague C & M criteria, identification of the gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) and the diaphragmatic hiatus. Design A prospective study. Setting Two tertiary referral centers. Patients and Interventions Standardized endoscopic videos were used. Main Outcome Measurements Interobserver agreement. Results Eighteen high-quality videos (normal esophagus, short and long lengths of BE, equally distributed) were independently evaluated by 18 gastroenterology trainees (year 1, n=5; year 2, n=6; year 3, n=7) after administration of a formal teaching module by an expert endoscopist. Overall intraclass correlation coefficients for assessment of the C and M extent of the endoscopic BE segment above the GEJ were 0.94 (95% CI, 0.89-0.98) and 0.96 (95% CI, 0.94-0.98), respectively. The overall intraclass correlation coefficients for GEJ and diaphragmatic hiatus location recognition were 0.92 (0.86-0.96) and 0.90 (0.82-0.95), respectively. The year of training did not affect interobserver agreement. Limitations The use of videos for endoscopic evaluation. Conclusion After standardized teaching, the Prague C & M criteria have high overall validity among gastroenterology trainees irrespective of the level of training for endoscopic evaluation of visualized BE lengths as well as key endoscopic landmarks.
Activation of Medullary Neurons by Noxious Stimuli Applied to the Teeth

Nerve impulse activity was recorded from the descending tract of the trigeminal nerve before and after application of certain noxious stimuli to the exposed dentin of teeth. Heat, electric shocks, concentrated potassium chloride solutions, and negative pressure increased the firing frequency of a majority of the neurons monitored.
Colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in a new reservoir

The purpose of this study was to examine the colonization and succession of benthic macroinvertebrates in shallow areas (<7 m) of Lake Anna, a new mainstream impoundment in the southeastern U.S.A. Benthic macroinvertebrates were sampled for the first three years after filling by means of artificial substrates placed on the bottom and retrieved with SCUBA. Lake Anna was well colonized by benthic macroinvertebrates during the summer season immediately after impoundment. The total density of organisms increased in each of the first three years. Major changes in the fauna occurred between the first and second years, but the changes between the second and third years were more subtle. The fauna could be divided into two distinct groups based upon the time when the organisms were most consistently abundant. The first colonizers appeared to be dependent upon the components of the former terrestrial ecosystem for food and habitat. As autochthonous factors began to regulate succession, diversity increased and the dominant species shifted to an assemblage of second colonizers. These factors included: (1) decomposition of terrestrial vegetation and detritus leaving bare substrate, (2) sedimentation, (3) improved food quality of the organic matter in the sediment because of ingestion and egestion by the organisms themselves, (4) increased plankton populations, and (5) appearance of macrophytes. As the second colonizers became firmly established in the third year, distinct patterns of spatial distribution began to appear among species with similar niches.
CIP2A regulates cancer metabolism and CREB phosphorylation in non-small cell lung cancer

The cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) is a recently characterized endogenous inhibitor of the phosphatase activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A), which extends the half-life of oncogenic protein c-myc and promotes in vivo tumor growth. The function of CIP2A in cancer progression is still poorly understood. To uncover the underlying mechanism of CIP2A-mediated cell proliferation, we implemented a two-dimensional electrophoresis (2DE)-based proteomic approach to examine lung cancer cell H1299 with and without CIP2A. We found 47 proteins differentially expressed where 19 proteins were upregulated and 28 proteins were downregulated. These were categorized into functional groups such as metabolism (25%), transcriptional and translational control (23%), and the signaling pathway and protein degradation (20%). On one hand, we validate our proteomic work by measuring the metabolic change. The knockdown of CIP2A decreased the expression of LDH-A as well as the enzymatic activity, accompanying with a decreased lactate production, an increased NADH/NAD+ ratio and ROS production. On the other hand, we found that CIP2A may regulate CREB activity through bioinformatics analysis. Our following experiments showed that, CIP2A positively regulated the phosphorylation of CREB in response to the serum treatment. Therefore, our proteomic study suggested that CIP2A mediates cancer progression through the metabolic pathway and intracellular signaling cascade.
The rapid preparation of frozen tissue sections.

The essential feature of this procedure involves the rapid freezing of the tissue following excision and keeping it frozen until the desired chemical or fixative has been applied. For freezing, either carbon dioxide or liquid air is used, as desired. The microtome knife is thoroughly cooled by taping blocks of dry ice to its surface. The cut sections, still frozen, are manipulated by a camel's hair brush so that they lie flat upon the knife. They are then transferred to a slide by a special section lifter. This has the form of a double-bottomed scoop packed with dry ice. Thus the section remains frozen while it is transferred to a clean microscope slide held at an angle above a Coplin jar of the desired reagent. The sections must be immersed just prior to melting. They curl and do not adhere to the slide if still rigidly frozen, and are distorted if immersed after melting.With this technic sections showing a minimum of cellular distortion may be obtained. Consequently, it facilitates the use of many cytol...
Feather carotenoids of an interspecific hybrid flamingo

Abstract 1. 1. Earlier studies had shown that the American or Caribbean flamingo, Phoenicopterus ruber, stores in its flight feathers only three carotenoids, all red, ketonic derivatives of β-carotene: canthaxanthin (4,4′-diketo-β-carotene) in major proportions, with phoenicoxanthin (3-monohydroxycanthaxanthin) and astaxanthin (3,3′-dihydroxycanthaxanthin) in secondary amounts; whereas the Greater or European flamingo, P. antiquorum, similarly stores, in addition to those three keto-carotenoids, a fourth one, phoenicopterone (4-keto-α- carotene). 2. 2. An interspecific hybrid bird, derived from an adventitious mating between a European male and an American hen, inherited, when adult, its mother's capacity to achieve conspicuously rich carotenoid pigmentation of feathers over its whole body (in contrast to the sire's general whiteness of body plumage, save for red lower body and wing-flight feathers); but it retained its sire's ability, lacking in the American species, to mobilize phoenicopterone from blood into feathers.
Finite Elastic Behavior of Flexible Fabric Composite Under Biaxial Loading

A new modeling technique has been introduced to predict the large deformation of flexible composites reinforced by plain-weave fabrics under biaxial loading. The only input required for calculations are the mechanical properties of the constituents and the fabric geometry. The constitutive equations are derived based on a strain energy approach, where fiber and matrix are accounted separately and the curved yarns are assumed to be in sinusoidal shape. Both material and geometrical nonlinearities are considered in the formulation. Good agreement has been found between predictions and experiments under various biaxial loading.
Prognostic Significance of Leukopenia at the Time of Diagnosis in Acute Myeloid Leukemia

We investigated the clinical significance of leukopenia at the time of diagnosis in a cohort of 225 patients with newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) at a single institution. Leukocyte count was treated as a continuous variable and, using a receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), a cutoff of 3,600/μL had the best sensitivity and specificity for remission (complete remission [CR]), relapse-free survival [RFS], and overall survival [OS]). In a multivariable model, leukopenia at diagnosis had no effects on CR (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.02; confidence interval [CI], 0.9-4.3; P = .07), RFS (HR = 0.93; CI, 0.5-1.5; P = .8), or OS (HR = 1.05; CI, 0.7-1.5; P = .7). No differential expression of cell surface molecules (CD34, c-Kit, CXCR4, PECAM, VLA2, VLA-, VLA4, VLA5, and FLT3) was observed on simultaneously obtained marrow and blood blasts in the high- vs. low-leukocyte groups. We conclude that leukopenia at diagnosis carries no prognostic significance in AML.
Non-random distribution among a guild of parasitoids: implications for community structure and host survival

1. Immature stages of the gall midge, Asphondylia borrichiae, are attacked by four species of parasitoids, which vary in size and relative abundance within patches of the gall midge's primary host plant, sea oxeye daisy (Borrichia frutescens). 2. In the current study, a bagging experiment found that the smallest wasp, Galeopsomyia haemon, was most abundant in galls exposed to natural enemies early in the experiment, when gall diameter is smallest, while the wasp with the longest ovipositor, Torymus umbilicatus, dominated the parasitoid community in galls that were not exposed until the 5th and 6th weeks when gall diameter is maximal. 3. Moreover, the mean number of parasitoids captured using large artificial galls were 70% and 150% higher compared with medium and small galls respectively, while stem height of artificial galls significantly affected parasitoid distribution. Galls that were level with the top of the sea oxeye canopy captured 60% more parasitoids compared with those below the canopy and 50% more than galls higher than the plant canopy. 4. These non-random patterns were driven primarily by the differential distribution of the largest parasitoid, T. umbilicatus, which was found significantly more often than expected on large galls and the smallest parasitoid of the guild, G. haemon, which tended to be more common on stems level with the top of the plant canopy. 5. Large Asphondylia galls, especially those located near the top of the Borrichia canopy, were more likely to be discovered by searching parasitoids. Results using artificial galls were consistent with rates of parasitism of Asphondylia galls in native patches of sea oxeye daisy. Gall diameter was 19% greater and the rate of parasitism was reduced by almost 50% on short stems; as a result, gall abundance was 24% higher on short stems compared with ones located near the top of the plant canopy. 6. These results suggest that parasitoid community composition within galls is regulated by both interspecific differences in ovipositor length and preferences for specific gall size and/or stem length classes.
Thrust and Strike-Slip Faulting in the Plomosa Mountains, Southwestern Arizona

Thrust and strike-slip faulting are recognized in the Plomosa Mountains, southwestern Arizona. The distribution of rock types and the geometry of the thrust faults necessitate that the upper plate moved from east to west. The amount of displacement is not known, but is considered to be large. Apparent separations along the strike-slip faults are in a right-lateral sense and are greater than 19,000 ft. Rhyodacite flows, dated by K-Ar methods at 19 to 20 m.y., unconformably overlie the thrust faults and are cut by the strike-slip faults.
Effect of umbilical artery catheters on blood flow and oxygen supply to extremities

Extract: The effect of catheter placement in the abdominal aorta on the blood flow and oxygenation of lower extremities was evaluated in 30 New Zealand rabbits, weighing 0.55–3.5 kg, by inserting 3.5 and 5.0 French polyvinyl chloride catheters, of the type commonly used for umbilical artery catheterization, through the femoral artery, advancing 15–20 cm, and leaving in place for 10–30 min. Arterial blood pressure (BP), common iliac artery blood flow (BF), gracilis muscle tissue oxygen availability (O2a), and subcutaneous temperature (T) in the foot were continuously monitored before and during catheter placement and after withdrawal. There were no changes in the physiologic variables measured in the contralateral leg when the catheter remained below the aortic bifurcation; however, when the catheter was advanced 15–20 cm into the abdominal aorta, a decrease in lower extremity BF, O2a, and T occurred. Because the length of catheter insertion was maintained constant in each animal, the decreases in BF, O2a, and T are related to the relative dimensions of the vessel and the catheter. The ratio of catheter to vessel diameter, in addition to the site of catheter placement, should be considered during the clinical application of arterial catheters. Reduction in blood flow could be detected by continuous differential monitoring of core and extremity temperature or extremity muscle oxygen availability. Speculation: Placement of catheters in the aortas of animals of physical sizes comparable to those of newborn infants may produce an appreciable obstruction to aortic flow. Until a suitable noninvasive method of assessing oxygenation in newborns is available, umbilical artery catheters should be of the smallest possible outside diameter and placed below the bifurcation of the abdominal aorta.
Variance reduction for Monte Carlo methods to evaluate option prices under multi-factor stochastic volatility models

We present variance reduction methods for Monte Carlo simulations to evaluate European and Asian options in the context of multiscale stochastic volatility models. European option price approximations, obtained from singular and regular perturbation analysis [Fouque J P, Papanicolaou G, Sircar R and Solna K 2003 Multiscale stochastic volatility asymptotics, SIAM J. Multiscale Modeling and Simulation 2], are used in importance sampling techniques, and their efficiencies are compared. Then we investigate the problem of pricing arithmetic average Asian options (AAOs) by Monte Carlo simulations. A two-step strategy is proposed to reduce the variance where geometric average Asian options (GAOs) are used as control variates. Due to the lack of analytical formulas for GAOs under stochastic volatility models, it is then necessary to consider efficient Monte Carlo methods to estimate the unbiased means of GAOs. The second step consists in deriving formulas for approximate prices based on perturbation techniques, a...
Training and job mobility among young workers in the United States

Using data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth from 1987 to 1992, the determinants of training and the impact of training on job turnover are examined for young private sector workers in the United States. It is found that the receipt of company training is positively correlated with education, ability, and prior tenure at the job. The results provide only limited evidence that company training reduces turnover. There is substantial evidence, however, that training which is not financed by employers increases job mobility. The results imply that training plays an important role in the job search and job matching process among young workers.
Show and tell: cell biology of pathogen invasion

Because the initial stages of pathogen invasion are often confined to a limited number of host cells, measures of host responses that are averaged over attacked and non-attacked cells provide an unsatisfactory view of these events. To identify the earliest and often transient responses to pathogen attack, there is considerable interest in monitoring the subcellular events that occur specifically in living host cells. Recent improvements in live-cell imaging using fluorescent-tagged markers have expanded the scope of the experiments that can be performed. Changes in the subcellular distribution of organelles and of fluorescently tagged proteins can be monitored in real time in living tissues during pathogen attack, and the dynamic nature of such changes across space and over time can be determined. The application of these sensitive imaging methods has extended earlier observations, made with Nomarski microscopy or inferred from static transmission electron micrographs, about the focal accumulation of subcellular organelles at sites of pathogen attack. In addition, recent experiments have demonstrated the focused accumulation and interaction of specific plant proteins at penetration sites, opening a new window on early host responses and raising questions about the underlying plant processes that sense and direct this marshalling of host resources to block pathogen entry.
Shot Interference Detection and Mitigation for Heterogeneous Networks

Heterogeneous networking is a promising solution for improving wireless coverage, relieving overcrowded bandwidth, and enhancing system throughput for next-generation wireless networks. However, one of the main concerns to put through heterogeneous networks is the interference among overlaid cells. In this paper, we consider femtocell uplink transmissions with dynamic and short-period interference (also called shot interference) from macrocell users. It is shown that, without the information on interferer channels between femtocells and macrocells at any base station, femtocell networks suffer from severe performance degradation when they adopt orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) or single-carrier FDMA (SC-FDMA) techniques. To mitigate the stringent shot interference, we propose a precoded FDMA (P-FDMA) transmission with novel detectors. Our results show that the proposed designs collect multipath diversity in the presence of interference without the knowledge of interferer channels, and our designs are robust to the power levels of shot interference. Simulation results validate our theoretical findings.
The effect of semantic set size on word learning by preschool children.

Purpose The purpose was to determine whether semantic set size, a measure of the number of semantic neighbors, influenced word learning, and whether the influence of semantic set size was broad, showing effects on multiple measures both during and after learning. Method Thirty-six preschool children were exposed to 10 nonobjects, varying in semantic set size, paired with 10 nonwords, controlling phonotactic probability and neighborhood density. Nonobject–nonword pairs were presented in a game format. Learning was measured in naming and referent identification tasks administered before, during, and 1 week after training. Results Results showed no differences in naming or identifying the referents of the nonobject–nonword pairs with small versus large semantic set sizes before and during training. However, 1 week after training, children named and identified the referents of nonobject–nonword pairs with small set sizes more accurately than those with large set sizes. Conclusions Similarity to known represen...
Analysis of prosthetic knee wear debris extracted from synovial fluid

We report on the use of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy to investigate the metallic content of wear debris from prosthetic knees. Synovial fluid aspirated from patients with prosthetic knees was centrifuged, rinsed and dried, resulting in small deposits of wear debris. We identify the presence and composition of metal wear debris from the femoral, tibial, and in some cases the patellar prosthetic components. We also demonstrate the inhomogeneous size, shape, and distribution of the wear particles, and both lateral and vertical elemental inhomogeneity. This points to the necessity of using a combination of techniques for studying such wear debris. The ability to detect the presence of certain metals within the synovial fluid of patients, even when surgical inspection did not identify wear of specific components, may have far reaching implications in the biomedical and prosthetics communities.
Temporary Components of Stock Prices: A Skeptic's View

Recent empirical work has uncovered U-shaped patterns of large magnitude in the serial-correlation estimates of multiyear stock returns. The current literature in finance has taken this evidence to mean that there exists a temporary component of stock prices. This article provides an alternative explanation regarding these findings. Specifically, we show that the patterns in serial-correlation estimates and their magnitude observed in previous studies should be expected under the null hypothesis of serial independence.
Multiple-reflection Raman gas cell design.

A unique design for a multiple-reflection Raman cell which is compatible in a transverse alignment with the composite excitation beam generated in a multiple-pass laser cell is proposed. (AIP)
Integration of elementary functions

We extend a recent algorithm of Trager to a decision procedure for the indefinite integration of elementary functions. We can express the integral as an elementary function or prove that it is not elementary. We show that if the problem of integration in finite terms is solvable on a given elementary function field k, then it is solvable in any algebraic extension of k(@d), where @d is a logarithm or exponential of an element of k. Our proof considers an element of such an extension field to be an algebraic function of one variable over k. In his algorithm for the integration of algebraic functions, Trager describes a Hermitetypereduction to reduce the problem to an integrand with only simple finite poles on the associated Riemann surface. We generalize that technique to curves over liouvillian ground fields, and use it to simplify our integrands. Once the multiple finite poles have been removed, we use the Puiseux expansions of the integrand at infinity and n generalization of the residues to compute the integral. We also generalize a result of Rothstein that gives us a necessary condition for elementary integrability, and provide examples of its use.
Transoral robotic surgery for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract Purpose We present our experience with the use of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) for treatment of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods We studied all patients who underwent TORS for supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma, with or without adjuvant therapy, from March 2007 through June 2009, who had a minimum of 2 years of follow-up. Primary functional outcomes included dysphonia, tracheostomy dependence, and gastrostomy tube dependence. Disease control and survival were estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. Results Of 9 patients in the study group, 7 (78%) had advanced-stage disease. All 9 patients had negative margins after TORS, with no perioperative complications. Regional recurrence and local recurrence developed in 1 patient each. One patient died of disease. At last follow-up, 7 patients (78%) were tracheostomy free, and 7 (78%) were gastrostomy tube free. Conclusions Transoral robotic surgery is a promising modality for resection of supraglottic squamous cell carcinoma. Transoral robotic surgery achieved functional laryngeal preservation in most patients with no complications.
Preprolactin Represents the Initial Product of Prolactin mRNA Translation

mRNA isolated from a line of functional rat pituitary tumor cells (GH3) added to a cell-free protein synthesizing system derived from wheat embryo directed the biosynthesis of only one protein which is immunoprecipitated by prolactin antiserum. This protein, 2,000–3,000 daltons heavier than prolactin and referred to as preprolactin, appeared to represent the initial, authentic product of translation since [35S]methionine donated by initiator Met-tRNA1 was documented to be incorporated into the N-terminal portion; the molar ratio of leucine: initiator methionine was estimated to be 25–28:1, while prolactin contains 22 leucine residues. The mRNA coding for preprolactin was demonstrated to migrate at approximately 12–13S using rate zonal centrifugation. These data are compatible with the postulate that preprolactin represents the intact, initial product of prolactin mRNA translation.
Potential energy surfaces and reaction pathways for light-mediated self-organization of metal nanoparticle clusters

Understanding the interactions between nanoparticles is vital for controlling their assembly. Here, the authors show how photonic control and binding of nanoparticles can be understood with the concept of potential energy surfaces, giving path-dependent formation of clusters.
Pollen From the Exoskeletons of Stable Flies, Stomoxys calcitrans (Linnaeus 1758), in Gainesville, Florida, U.S.A

Stable flies are an important pest of humans and livestock. Despite being blood feeders, they also visit flowers to eat nectar. Stable flies with pollen adhering to their exoskeletons were collected at the University of Florida Horse Teaching Unit and taken to the Paleobotany and Palynology Laboratory at the Florida Museum of Natural History for processing and identification. The pollen on all the specimens was identified as Carolina willow, Salix caroliniana Michaux 1803. This small shrub or tree is found throughout Florida in wetland areas. This study demonstrates the utility of pollen analysis in interdisciplinary studies.
Establishment of highly tumorigenic human colorectal cancer cell line (CR4) with properties of putative cancer stem cells.

Background Colorectal cancer (CRC) has the third highest mortality rates among the US population. According to the most recent concept of carcinogenesis, human tumors are organized hierarchically, and the top of it is occupied by malignant stem cells (cancer stem cells, CSCs, or cancer-initiating cells, CICs), which possess unlimited self-renewal and tumor-initiating capacities and high resistance to conventional therapies. To reflect the complexity and diversity of human tumors and to provide clinically and physiologically relevant cancer models, large banks of characterized patient-derived low-passage cell lines, and especially CIC-enriched cell lines, are urgently needed. Principal Findings Here we report the establishment of a novel CIC-enriched, highly tumorigenic and clonogenic colon cancer cell line, CR4, derived from liver metastasis. This stable cell line was established by combining 3D culturing and 2D culturing in stem cell media, subcloning of cells with particular morphology, co-culture with carcinoma associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and serial transplantation to NOD/SCID mice. Using RNA-Seq complete transcriptome profiling of the tumorigenic fraction of the CR4 cells in comparison to the bulk tumor cells, we have identified about 360 differentially expressed transcripts, many of which represent stemness, pluripotency and resistance to treatment. Majority of the established CR4 cells express common markers of stemness, including CD133, CD44, CD166, EpCAM, CD24 and Lgr5. Using immunocytochemical, FACS and western blot analyses, we have shown that a significant ratio of the CR4 cells express key markers of pluripotency markers, including Sox-2, Oct3/4 and c-Myc. Constitutive overactivation of ABC transporters and NF-kB and absence of tumor suppressors p53 and p21 may partially explain exceptional drug resistance of the CR4 cells. Conclusions The highly tumorigenic and clonogenic CIC-enriched CR4 cell line may provide an important new tool to support the discovery of novel diagnostic and/or prognostic biomarkers as well as the development of more effective therapeutic strategies.
The mandibular subperiosteal implant denture: a fourteen-year study.

A n analysis of 74 of the 80 patients undergoing or having experienced mandibular subperiosteal implant denture (MSID) therapy at the University of Southern California, School of Dentistry was conducted to evaluate the 1Cyear follow-up results. The design and prosthodontic procedures used have been reported by Bodine et al’s2 and the initial report on the MSID was given at 5 years by Bodine et al3 The fabrication of the mandibular subperiosteal implant framework and superstructure attachment was performed by Buttress and Associates Laboratory of Los Angeles, California. All implant frameworks were cast by using Vitallium (Austenal Dental, Inc., Chicago, Ill.) alloy. The MSID therapy was administered by dentists receiving instruction in the Advanced Prosthodontic Education Program and the Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Program at the University of Southern California. Recalls are performed at the sixth month after insertion of the MSID and annually thereafter for evaluation with treatment as needed for problems that are noted. As the study continues these problems deal with normal denture wear and various difficulties with the implant itself. This study evaluated the clinical manifestations of paresthesia, incision line separation, implant framework exposure, inflammation, and reaction to vertical force along the abutments. The responses were subjected to analysis by number of occurrences and frequency on an IBM 3081 computer system for each category, recall, and specific post.
Differential extraction of axonally transported proteoglycans.

Axonally transported proteoglycans were differentially solubilized by a sequence of extractions designed to infer their relationship to nerve terminal membranes. Groups of goldfish were injected unilaterally with35SO4 and contralateral optic tecta containing axonally transported molecules were removed 16 h later. Tecta were homogenized in isotonic buffer and centrifuged at 100,000g for 60 min to create a “total supernatant” fraction. Subsequent homogenizations followed by recentrifugation were with hypotonic buffer (lysis extract), 1 M NaCl, Triton X-100 or alternatively Triton-1 M NaCl. Populations of proteoglycans in each extract were isolated on DEAE ion exchange columns and evaluated for content of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs). Results show the distribution of transported proteoglycans to be 26.3% total soluble, 13.7% lysis extract, 13.8% NaCl extract, 12.2% Triton extract, and 46.2% Triton-NaCl extract. Proteoglycans from all fractions contained heparan sulfate as the predominant GAG, with lesser amounts of chondroitin (4 or 6) sulfate. The possible localizations of transported proteoglycans suggested by the extraction results are discussed.
Structures of the potassium-saturated, 2:1, and intermediate, 1:1, forms of a quadruplex DNA

Potassium can stabilize the formation of chair- or edge-type quadruplex DNA structures and appears to be the only naturally occurring cation that can do so. As quadruplex DNAs may be important in the structure of telomere, centromere, triplet repeat and other DNAs, information about the details of the potassium-quadruplex DNA interactions are of interest. The structures of the 1:1 and the fully saturated, 2:1, potassium-DNA complexes of d(GGTTGGTGTGGTTGG) have been determined using the combination of experimental NMR results and restrained molecular dynamics simulations. The refined structures have been used to model the interactions at the potassium binding sites. Comparison of the 1:1 and 2:1 potassium:DNA structures indicates how potassium binding can determine the folding pattern of the DNA. In each binding site potassium interacts with the carbonyl oxygens of both the loop thymine residues and the guanine residues of the adjacent quartet.
Variable cutoff linear phase digital filters

This paper discusses an approach to the Implementation of a linear phase finite impulse response filter for which the cutoff frequency is controlled through a small number of parameters. The approach is based on a transformation implemented by replacing a subnetwork in a prototype network.
Verifying properties of process definitions

It seems important that the complex processes that synergize humans and computers to solve widening classes of societal problems be subjected to rigorous analysis. One approach is to use a process definition language to specify these processes and to then use analysis techniques to evaluate these definitions for important correctness properties. Because humans demand flexibility in their participation in complex processes, process definition languages must incorporate complicated control structures, such as various concurrency, choice, reactive control, and exception mechanisms. The underlying complexity of these control abstractions, however, often confounds the users' intuitions as well as complicates any analysis.Thus, the control abstraction complexity in process definition languages presents analysis challenges beyond those posed by traditional programming languages. This paper explores some of the difficulties of analyzing process definitions. We explore issues arising when applying the FLAVERS finite state verification system to processes written in the Little-JIL process definition language and illustrate these issues using a realistic auction example. Although we employ a particular process definition language and analysis technique, our results seem more generally applicable.
An electrocardiographic study of cardiovascular problems in mirex‐fed rat fetuses

Sperm-positive female rats were intubated with pesticide, Mirex, in oil (5 to 10 mg/kg) on days 8 1/2 to 15 1/2. Controls were untreated or oil-fed. Testing was done on day 18 1/2. Fetuses were sequentially exposed and ECGs obtained with the fetus attached to the placenta and uterus. Counterparts of standard leads, I, II and III were used. Fetuses were weighed and examined afterwards. Swollen fetuses were rated on a scale of 1 (slight edema under chin) to 5 (3 mm edema across back). ECGs from 81 controls and 205 Mirex fetuses were obtained. They were evaluated for rate of heart beat, regularity of beat, PR intervals, and other features. One control exhibited an abnormality, a transitory period of premature atrial contractions. Mirex-fed fetuses frequently exhibited tachycardia, closely correlated with degree of edema. The heart rate increased from 150/minute in controls to 180 in slightly swollen to 224 in swollen fetuses. Mean PR intervals increased with degree of swelling and with dose. The frequency of first degree heart-block was also dose-related, ranging from 20% in the 5 mg/kg group to 77% in the 10 mg/kg group. Second-degree heart-blocks were found in 8%, 3% showed arrhythmias, and one had atrial flutter/fibrillation. These cardiovascular problems seem primarily related to the Mirex-induced edema and demonstrate that fetal edema is not innocuous. These data demonstrate the usefulness of fetal electrocardiography to detect functional teratology.
Novel polymorphic microsatellite markers for population genetics of the endangered Caribbean star coral, Montastraea faveolata

Montastraea faveolatais a reef-building Caribbean coral that is currently listed as endangered across its range. A better understanding of the population genetic structure, ge- netic diversity and connectivity is needed to make sound conservation plans for this species. Here, we describe nine novel polymorphic microsatellite loci mined from currently available sequence data. Loci were screened in two widely separated populations (n021 individuals per population) from the Flower Garden Banks (northern Gulf of Mexico) and Curacao (Netherland Antilles, southern Caribbean). Allelic diversity ranged from 3 to 16 and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.095 to 0.905. For all loci but one, the Hardy- Weinberg equilibrium hypothesis wasnot rejectedwithineach population. These loci failed to amplify symbiont DNA iso- lated from pure Symbiodinium cultures, confirming their coral-specificorigin. We also describea multiplexing protocol for these markers reducing the costs and time required for future genetic studies. Finally, all markers were tested in the two sister species, M.franksiandM.annularis,and successful amplification and polymorphism were confirmed. The marker panel reportedhere, incombination with previously published markers for the samespecies complex,willfacilitate coral reef connectivity research for this ecologically important genus, Montastraea, across the Caribbean.
Using Subfiling to Improve Programming Flexibility and Performance of Parallel Shared-file I/O

There are two popular parallel I/O programming styles used by modern scientific computational applications: unique-file and shared-file. Unique-file I/O usually gives satisfactory performance, but its major drawback is that managing a large number of files can overwhelm the task of post-simulation data processing. Shared-file I/O produces fewer files and allows arrays partitioned among processes to be saved in the canonical order. As the number of processors on modern parallel machines increases into thousands and more, the problem size and in turn the global array size also increase proportionally. It is not practical to manage files of size each larger than a few hundreds of GB. Hence, to seek a middle ground between these two I/O styles, we propose a subfiling scheme that divides a large multi-dimensional global array into smaller subarrays, each saved in a smaller file, named subfile. Subfiling is implemented on top of MPI-IO. We also incorporate it into the parallel netCDF library in order to preserve the partitioning information in the netCDF file header, so that the global array can later be reconstructed. In addition, since the subfiling scheme decreases the number of processes sharing a file, it can reduce the overhead of file system's data consistency control. Our experimental results with several I/O benchmarks show that subfiling can provide improved I/O performance.
Chronic angiotensin II infusion attenuates the renal sympathoinhibitory response to acute volume expansion.

In this study the hypothesis was tested that chronic infusion of ANG II attenuates acute volume expansion (VE)-induced inhibition of renal sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). Rats received intravenou...
The direction of the conditioned natural killer cell response can be re-directed with indomethacin and/or handling.

We have used the pairing of camphor odor conditioned stimulus (CS) and injection of poly I:C unconditioned stimulus (US) in a short 3 day single trial conditioning paradigm. Conditioning was done by exposing mice to the CS/US combination on day 0 and reexposing the conditioned animals to the CS on day 2. This results in a conditioned augmentation of the natural killer (NK) cell response. Indo-methacin treatment and/or handling stress induced by simply measuring rectal temperature was found to dramatically alter the direction of the conditioned NK cell response. Conditioning of indomethacin treated mice produced a conditioned suppression of the NK cell response mimicking a conditioned tolerance response. If handling stress was superimposed on day 2 the conditioned suppression response was replaced by a conditioned augmentation of the NK cell response. Even with one trial conditioning, drugs and handling stress can serve as additional cues to alter the direction of the conditioned response. The studies also...
An international comparison of income statement and balance sheet information: Germany, Japan and the US

As accounting regulators develop international standards, it is helpful for them to understand the use of financial statements by investors in different countries. In this study we compare the value relevance of earnings relative to book value of equity in Germany, Japan and the US owing to the size of their capital markets and differences in accounting systems and institutional structures. Accounting in Germany and Japan is conservative, creditor-oriented and tax-based, with institutional structures that rely on bank financing and close relationships between capital providers and investee firms, while the US is used as a basis for comparison. This study hypothesizes that book values are more value relevant than earnings in Germany and Japan while earnings are more value relevant in the US, because capital providers in Germany and Japan are more concerned with balance sheet measures such as liquidity. Also, accounting characteristics such as conservatism and tax conformity may lead to greater value releva...
SideTrack: generalizing dynamic atomicity analysis

Atomicity is a key correctness specification for multithreaded programs. Prior dynamic atomicity analyses include precise tools, which report an error if and only if the observed trace is not serializable; and imprecise tools, which generalize from the observed trace to report errors that might occur on other traces, but which may also report false alarms.This paper presents SideTrack, a lightweight online dynamic analysis that generalizes from the observed trace without introducing the potential for false alarms. If SideTrack reports an error, then some feasible trace of the source program is not serializable. Experimental results show that this generalization ability increases the number of atomicity violations detected by SideTrack by 40%.
SMARTNet: an all-optical wavelength-division meshed-ring packet-switching network

We study an all-optical wavelength-division packet-switching meshed-ring local/metropolitan area network. This network architecture, known as SMARTNet (Scalable Multi-channel Adaptable Ring Terabit Network), offers a significant increase in the throughput capacity realized by any local/metropolitan area shared-medium network. It is ATM capable and takes best advantage of the kinds of high speed optoelectronic and optical components that can actually be constructed: very few ports, very simple routing decisions, and very little buffering. For symmetrical meshed-ring physical topologies, the number of required wavelengths and achievable network's throughput efficiency are investigated. A network configuration which employs 5 wavelength channels and exhibits a throughput efficiency level which is 80% higher than that realized by traditional (non-meshed) ring networks is demonstrated.
Sieges, Shipwrecks, andSensible Knaves: Justice and Utility in Butler and Hume

By examining the theories of justice developed by Joseph Butler and David Hume, the author discloses the conceptual limits of their moral naturalism. Butler was unable to accommodate the possibility that justice is, at least to some extent, a social convention. Hume, who more presciently tried to spell out the conventional character of justice, was unable to carry through that project within the framework of his moral naturalism. These limits have gone unnoticed,largely because Butler and Hume have been misinterpreted, their relation misconstrued. Exegetes have persistently misunderstood the differences that divide them, have misconceived the notion of “public utility” in Hume's account of justice, have wrongly interpreted Butler as a forerunner of Immanuel Kant, and have altogether missed the degree to which Hume stands in the tradition of Thomas Aquinas.
Using a Buddhist Sangha as a Model of Communitarianism in Nursing

In spite of a continuing long and rich history of caring for patients, many nurses have not been satisfied with their work. One cause among others for this dissatisfaction is that nurses often do not care for one another. The philosophy of a Buddhist Sangha, or community, is similar to the philosophy of western communitarian ethics. Both philosophies emphasize the importance of people working together harmoniously towards a common good. In this article, unsatisfactory nurse-nurse relationships have been considered and a model for communitarian nursing practice has been suggested based on a Buddhist Sangha.
Interferon γ Is Required for Activation-induced Death of T Lymphocytes

The effector cytokine interferon γ (IFN-γ) may play a role in T cell homeostasis. We have examined the requirement for IFN-γ in one mechanism that regulates T cell expansion and survival, activation-induced cell death (AICD). CD4+ T cells lacking IFN-γ or the Stat1 transcription factor are resistant to AICD. IFN-γ is required for the production of caspases, and retrovirus-mediated expression of caspase-8 restores the sensitivity of Stat1-deficient T cells to AICD. In vitro, IFN-γ limits the expansion of T cells that are stimulated through their antigen receptors. Thus, IFN-γ may function to control the expansion and persistence of T cells by promoting caspase-8–dependent apoptosis.
Evaluating vehicular ad hoc networks for group applications

This paper identifies a class of potential vehicular network applications that are geographically localized and restricted to groups of vehicles. Applications such as group voice or text chat, periodic location updates and rear-seat gaming require content to be published and consumed by group members. In this framework, content delivery performance is the key metric. In this paper, we study the performance of such applications using the network simulation tool, ns-2 with realistic vehicle mobility traces. In order to mirror real-life vehicle mobility, we use vehicle location traces generated by a micro-traffic simulator that implements sophisticated vehicle mobility models like car-following, lane changing and passing. The goal of the simulations is to understand the impact of using two different MAC technologies, the amount of multi-hop forwarding, the size of the vehicle groups, and network density on the content delivery within the groups. The results are promising and indicate that group applications are feasible and can achieve high content delivery when network parameters are tuned appropriately.
Lessons from studies of antigen-specific T cell responses in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis (MS) is considered a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease of central nervous system myelin. Based on elegant experiments in an animal model of MS, experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE), a number of myelin proteins and peptides derived from these can induce inflammatory demyelinating lesions. Recent studies with transgenic mice expressing human HLA-DR molecules and a myelin basic protein (MBP)specific T cell receptor as well as data from a phase II clinical trial with an altered peptide ligand based on MBP peptide (83-99) provide convincing evidence that the pathogenetic concepts which largely stem from the above EAE studies are valid in MS, too.
Effects of Corporate Form and Financials on Executive Backdating of Stock Options at the Turn of the Century: An Analysis of Pair-Matched Corporations

An executive stock option (ESO) is an option to buy common stock of a company, generally issued as a form of non-cash compensation. In the 1980s, the main purpose for corporations to issue stock options to its executives was to align executives’ interests with those of the company’s shareholders. Financial economists held that agents or managers are effort-adverse (Jensen and Meckling 1976; Jensen and Murphy 1990), and rewards, such as stock options tied to performance, are required to provide executives the incentive to supply effort, but more specifically, to supply effort which is consistent with the interest of stockholders.