cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A phase II study of thalidomide and irinotecan for treatment of glioblastoma multiforme

Purpose Irinotecan is a cytotoxic agent with activity against gliomas. Thalidomide, an antiangiogenic agent, may play a role in the treatment of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). To evaluate the combination of thalidomide and irinotecan, we conducted a phase II trial in adults with newly-diagnosed or recurrent GBM. Patients and methods Thalidomide was given at a dose of 100 mg/day, followed by dose escalation every 2 weeks by 100 mg/day to a target of 400 mg/day. Irinotecan was administered on day 1 of each 3 week cycle. Irinotecan dose was 700 mg/m2 for patients taking enzyme-inducing anticonvulsants and 350 mg/m2 for all others. The primary endpoint was tumor response, assessed by MRI. Secondary endpoints were toxicity, progression-free survival, and overall survival. Results Twenty-six patients with a median age of 55 years were enrolled, with fourteen evaluable for the primary outcome, although all patients were included for secondary endpoints. One patient (7%) exhibited a partial response after twelve cycles, and eleven patients (79%) had stable disease. The intention to treat group with recurrent disease included 16 patients who had a 6-month PFS of 19% (95% CI: 4–46%) and with newly-diagnosed disease included 10 patients who had a 6-month PFS of 40% (95% CI: 12–74%). Gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity was mild, but six patients (23%) experienced a venous thromboembolic complication. Two patients had Grade 4 treatment-related serious adverse events that required hospitalization. There were no treatment-related deaths. Conclusion The combination of irinotecan and thalidomide has limited activity against GBM. Mild GI toxicity was observed, but venous thromboembolic complications were common.
“GAMBIT: GAte Modulated BIpolar Transistor”

Abstract A planar, interdigitated, integrated device structure is described whose characteristics show a voltage controlled negative resistance between two of its terminals. This negative resistance can be controlled by the applied bias to a third terminal. Devices have been fabricated with this structure to achieve negative resistance values ranging from a few hundred thousand ohms down to less than a hundred ohms. The physical mechanisms that give rise to this negative resistance are described and a dc analysis of its behavior is presented. The analysis shows excellent agreement with the observed device characteristics.
Electron Tomography of Frozen-Hydrated Isolated Triad Junctions

Cryoelectron microscopy and tomography have been applied for the first time to isolated, frozen-hydrated skeletal muscle triad junctions (triads) and terminal cisternae (TC) vesicles derived from sarcoplasmic reticulum. Isolated triads were selected on the basis of their appearance as two spherical TC vesicles attached to opposite sides of a flattened vesicle derived from a transverse tubule (TT). Foot structures (ryanodine receptors) were resolved within the gap between the TC vesicles and TT vesicles, and some residual ordering of the receptors into arrays was apparent. Organized dense layers, apparently containing the calcium-binding protein calsequestrin, were found in the lumen of TC vesicles underlying the foot structures. The lamellar regions did not directly contact the sarcoplasmic reticulum membrane, thereby creating an approximately 5-nm-thick zone that potentially constitutes a subcompartment for achieving locally elevated [Ca(2+) ] in the immediate vicinity of the Ca(2+)-conducting ryanodine receptors. The lumen of the TT vesicles contained globular mass densities of unknown origin, some of which form cross-bridges that may be responsible for the flattened appearance of the transverse tubules when viewed in cross-section. The spatial relationships among the TT membrane, ryanodine receptors, and calsequestrin-containing assemblage are revealed under conditions that do not use dehydration, heavy-metal staining, or chemical fixation, thus exemplifying the potential of cryoelectron microscopy and tomography to reveal structural detail of complex subcellular structures.
MECHANICAL METHOD FOR THE MEASUREMENT OF THE PLASTICITY OF CLAYS AND MIXTURES OF CLAYS

A method of measuring the plasticity of clays and mixtures of clays is presented. An apparatus is described by which the penetration of a constantly loaded hemisphere into a plastic clay mass during a definite time period is measured. The data indicate that the formula, d= atP, expresses the relationship between t, the amount of penetration, during t, the time periods studied for any clay. Undoubtedly α is related to the load used, the diameter of the hemisphere, and some of the properties of the clay; P, in the formula, is a measure of the plastic properties of the clay. The data also show, through the variations in the value of P, the marked change in plasticity of a clay caused by changes in grinding, aging, and de-airing of a clay.
Thallium Induced Changes in Behavioral Patterns: Correlation With Altered Lipid Peroxidation and Lysosomal Enzyme Activity in Brain Regions of Male Rats

The effects of exposures to low levels of heavy metals is a complex and serious problem. Thallium is a metal which produces behavioral sequelae in human poisoning and is potentially hazardous with low level exposures. A test battery is presented which utilizes biochemical and behavioral testing to assess the effects of low levels of thallium on central nervous system chemistry and function in rats. The doses of thallium used (4 and 8 mg/kg) produced no overt signs of behavioral toxicity but did produce dose-related increases in lipid peroxidation and activation of the lysosomal enzyme beta-galactosidase in selected brain regions. At these dose levels, thallium also selectively altered the patterns of behavior. The study suggests that the target regions of thallium in the brain include the cortex, the cerebellum and the brainstem. The dose-response relationships, found for certain pairs of behavioral acts, were correlated with biochemical changes in one or more brain regions.
Identification of target genes for a prolactin family paralog in mouse decidua

Prolactin family 8, subfamily a, member 2 (PRL8A2; also called decidual prolactin-related protein; dPRP) is a member of the expanded prolactin family. PRL8A2 is expressed in the uterine decidua and contributes to pregnancy-dependent adaptations to hypoxia. The purpose of this study was to identify gene targets for PRL8A2 action within the uteroplacental compartment. Affymetrix DNA microarray analysis was performed for RNA samples from WT and Prl8a2 null tissues. Validation of the DNA microarray was performed using quantitative RT-PCR. Nine genes were confirmed with decreased expression in Prl8a2 null tissues (e.g., Klk7, Rimklb, Arhgef6, Calm4, Sprr2h, Prl4a1, Ccl27, Lipg, and Htra3). These include potential decidual, endothelial and trophoblast cell targets positively regulated by PRL8A2. A significant upregulation of Derl3, Herpud1, Creld2, Hsp90b1, Ddit3 and Hspa5 was identified in Prl8a2 null tissues, reflecting an increased endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response. ER stress genes were prominently expressed in the uterine decidua. We propose that PRL8A2 is a mediator of progesterone-dependent modulation of intrauterine responses to physiological stressors.
Eureka Quartzite in Mexico? - tectonic implications.

At Cerro Cobachi, 90 km east of Hermosillo, Sonora, an Ordovician to Permian miogeoclinal assemblage and an Ordovician to Permian siliceous deep-water assemblage were juxtaposed by thrust faulting between mid-Permian and latest Cretaceous time. Both assemblages resemble counterparts in the Great Basin. One formation, an ultramature quartzite unit in the miogeoclinal assemblage, closely resembles the Middle Ordovician Eureka Quartzite. In the southern Great Basin, isopach lines of the Eureka trend south-southwestward. From a maximum thickness of 134 m near Owens Lake, California, the Eureka thins and splays northward in the southern Inyo Mountains and thins southeastward in the Nopah Range. But south-southwestward, parallel with the isopach lines, it apparently ends abruptly as if faulted. Because the Paleozoic stratigraphy of the western Great Basin and that of west Texas have elements in common, it is quite possible that the southwest-trending facies belts of the Great Basin originally wrapped around the southern border of the continent through northern Mexico and joined corresponding belts in Texas. Two hypotheses are suggested: (1) the Cerro Cobachi terrane, of which the quartzite is a part, is indigenous to northern Mexico, and (2) the Cerro Cobachi terrane is indigenous to California and was displaced tectonically to northern Mexico. The second hypothesis is favored by the apparently abrupt termination of the Eureka Quartzite near Owens Lake, the nearly identical thickness of the two quartzites, and their nearly identical lithic composition and texture.
Thioredoxin-Interacting Protein Is Stimulated by Glucose through a Carbohydrate Response Element and Induces β-Cell Apoptosis

Recently, we identified thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) as the most dramatically glucose-induced gene in our human islet microarray study. TXNIP is a regulator of the cellular redox state, but its role in pancreatic β-cells and the mechanism of its regulation by glucose remain unknown. We therefore generated a stable transfected β-cell line (INS-1) overexpressing human TXNIP and found that TXNIP overexpression induced apoptosis as assessed by Bax, Bcl2, caspase-3, and cleaved caspase-9 as well as Hoechst staining. Interestingly, islets of insulin-resistant/diabetic mice (AZIP-F1, BTBRob/ob) demonstrated elevated TXNIP expression, suggesting that TXNIP may play a role in glucotoxicity and the β-cell loss observed under these conditions. Furthermore, we found that glucose-induced TXNIP transcription is not dependent on glucose metabolism and is mediated by a distinct carbohydrate response element (ChoRE) in the human TXNIP promoter consisting of a perfect nonpalindromic repeat of two E-boxes. Transf...
Correlations and topology of triangular benzenoid hydrocarbons: a comparative study of two series representing the least and most stable benzenoid hydrocarbons

While reviewing aspects of our topological paradigm and the benchmark role played by the benzenoid polyradicals shaped like equilateral triangles, the topological properties of the reactive polyradicals and their stable associated leapfrog total-resonant-sextet benzenoids are studied. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aliasing properties of circular MISRs

In built-in self-test for logic circuits, test data reduction can be achieved using a linear feedback shift register. The probability of this data reduction allowing a faulty circuit to be declared good is the probability of aliasing. This article examines aliasing in circular multiple-input shift-registers (MISRs), under the independent bit error model. We present an exact closed form expression for aliasing probability without assuming equiprobable bit error probabilities. We show that the aliasing probability can be much larger than its asymptotic value. Irrespective of the register length we prove that for a circular MISR, when two inputs are used for testing out ofm possible inputs, high minimum spatial separations between inputs result in low aliasing probabilities. We also show that for equiprobable errors an m-bit circular MISR can be replaced with a set ofm single-bit MISRs without affecting aliasing probability or adding any additional logic, to reduce the propagation delay due to feedback path. The above features can be used as criteria for the MISR design.
The effect of set size on hemifield asymmetries in letter recognition

Abstract Single letters were presented tachistoscopically in the left or right hemifield to right-handed observers. Superior recognition of letters on the right was found for letters chosen from subsets containing four items, but no differences were found when any letter, or any symmetrical letter, could appear. In a second experiment, the right hemifield advantage was found under conditions requiring the subject to determine the subset only when the subset chosen was appropriate. Results were discussed in terms of the adequacy of language-based explanations of hemifield asymmetries in letter recognition.
Diverse clinical outcomes of eosinophilic patients with T‐cell receptor gene rearrangements: The emerging diagnostic importance of molecular genetics testing

Abnormal clones of clusters of differentiation (CD)3−CD4+ or CD3+CD4−CD8− phenotypically abnormal lymphocytes have been identified in some patients who have the idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome. This report illustrates the disparate clinical courses of six eosinophilic patients with evidence of abnormal T-cell clones based on the finding of a T-cell receptor gene rearrangement. The data suggest that molecular genetics testing for T-cell receptor gene rearrangements should be included in the routine work-up of patients with idiopathic eosinophilia. Am. J. Hematol. 68:81–86, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The social phobia and anxiety inventory for children (SPAI-C): External and discriminative validity

Psychometric properties of the Social Phobia and Anxiety Inventory for Children (SPAI-C) were determined using a sample of 254 children. External validity was examined by comparing children's SPAI-C scores with (a) independent observers' ratings of skill and anxiety in social interaction and social performance tasks and (b) parental report of social anxiety. Discriminative validity was determined by examining the ability of the SPAI-C to differentiate children with social phobia from those with other anxiety disorders. Finally, race and gender differences were examined. The results indicated that SPAI-C scores for the entire sample differed by gender but not by race. However, African American children with social phobia had significantly lower scores than Caucasian children with this disorder. Regarding external validity, SPAI-C scores correlated significantly with parental reports of children's social fears and with independent observer ratings of behavioral skill. Finally, SPAI-C scores successfully differentiated children with social phobia from children with other anxiety disorders. The results are discussed in terms of the SPAI-C's external and discriminative validity and children's performance based on race and gender.
Water adsorption on SrTiO3(001): II. Water, water, everywhere

article i nfo Strontium titanate Density functional theory Water adsorption Surface reconstruction X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy Oxide surfaces The role of water adsorption on Ti-rich SrTiO3(001) surface reconstructions is studied. Density functional cal- culations with hybrid functionals of numerous adsorption configurations indicate that the relative stability of the different reconstructions is strongly altered by the addition of water, with all the reconstructions having comparable energy for half-monolayer coverage, most with a fair degree of hydrogen bonding. This strongly suggests that which reconstruction is observed depends upon a competition between the kinetics of ordering and dehydration. X-ray photoelectron spectra are consistent with the theoretical predictions for the dehydra- tion of the 2×1 and c(4×2) reconstructions.
How far ahead can we forecast? Evidence from cross-country surveys

Abstract Using monthly GDP forecasts from Consensus Economics, Inc. for 18 developed countries, reported over 24 different forecast horizons during the period 1989–2004, we find that the survey forecasts do not have much value when the horizon goes beyond 18 months. Using two alternative approaches to measure the flow of new information in fixed-target survey forecasts, we find that the biggest improvement in forecasting performance comes when the forecast horizon is around 14 months. The dynamics of information accumulation over forecast horizons can provide both the forecasters and their clients with an important clue in their selection of the timing and frequency in the use of forecasting services. The limits to forecasting that these private market forecasters exhibit are indicative of the current state of macroeconomic foresight.
Deaths Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults with Down Syndrome

Background Although life expectancies in Down syndrome (DS) have doubled over the past 3–4 decades, there continue to be many early deaths. Yet, most research focuses on infant mortality or later adult deaths. Materials and Methods In this US study, hospital discharge and death records from the state of Tennessee were linked to examine 2046 hospitalized individuals with DS (85 died) in three age groups: children (1–9), adolescents (10–19) and young adults (20–29). Results Most deaths occurred to young adults, while children had the most hospitalizations. Leading causes of death were cardiovascular and pulmonary conditions, and patients who died had longer hospital stays. Proportions of female deaths rose in young adulthood, and disproportionately more African Americans died at each age period. Conclusion Mortality is high among young adults with DS. Special vigilance is needed for individuals with DS who are female, African American and in their 20s.
A Psychological Measure of Islamic Religiousness: Development and Evidence for Reliability and Validity

A 60-item Psychological Measure of Islamic Religiousness (PMIR) was developed in three stages: (a) Domains of Islam relevant to physical and mental health were identified via theory and semistructured interviews with 25 Muslims; (b) an initial version of PMIR was pilot tested with 64 Muslims from the United States and Israel; and (c) desirable psychometric qualities of the final measure were established based on an international, Internet-solicited sample of 340 Muslims, as follows. The PMIR yielded seven distinct, highly reliable factors: Islamic Beliefs; Islamic Ethical Principles & Universality; Islamic Religious Struggle; Islamic Religious Duty, Obligation & Exclusivism; Islamic Positive Religious Coping & Identification; Punishing Allah Reappraisal; and Islamic Religious Conversion. All scales demonstrated desirable variability and strong discriminant, convergent, predictive, and incremental validity using multiple mental and physical criterion variables. The findings indicate that Islam is central t...
Herpes-Type Virus and Chromosome Marker in Normal Leukocytes after Growth with Irradiated Burkitt Cells

Cultured cells derived from male patients with Burkitt's lymphoma and harboring herpes-type virus particles were lethally irradiated. These irradiated cells induced normal peripheral leukocytes of female infants to grow within 2 to 4 weeks after mixed cultivation. Cells of a line free of this agent failed to stimulate growth. If either type of cell was cultured separately, it did not survive under the experimental conditions. Herpes-type viral antigen and C-group chromosomal marker previously described in cultured Burkitt cells were found in all of the female cell cultures that were obtained.
A controlled evaluation of tuned-aperture computed tomography applied to digital spot mammography.

The purpose of this work was to compare the detection accuracy of 3-dimensional (3D) modalities of tuned-aperture computed tomography (TACT) with that of conventional 2-dimensional (2D) digital spot mammograms. A standardized mammographic phantom was placed beneath cadaveric breast tissues of varying densities. Five radiologists were asked to detect as many objects (specks, fibers, and lowcontrast masses) as possible from 90 displays in a controlled and factorially balanced multivariate experiment. Radiographic exposure was varied systematically, and projections were averaged to ensure stochastic comparability. Scores were weighted to eliminate task-specific bias and were analyzed by multivariate analyses of variance. All display modalities based on the linear application of the 3D TACT reconstruction method yielded significantly higher detection scores for all tasks than did conventional 2D digital spot mammography, which served as the scientific control modality. This effect was found to be statistically significant (P<.001) in spite of significant variations between tissues (P<.001), observers (P<.001), and exposures (P<.01). TACT may be a promising alternative or enhancement to conventional 2D digital mammography for tasks well simulated by this experimental design.
Mechanical properties of bone-shaped-short-fiber reinforced composites

Abstract Short-fiber composites usually have low strength and toughness relative to continuous fiber composites, an intrinsic problem caused by discontinuities at fiber ends and interfacial debonding. In this work a model polyethylene bone-shaped-short (BSS) fiber-reinforced polyester–matrix composite was fabricated to prove that fiber morphology, instead of interfacial strength, solves this problem. Experimental tensile and fracture toughness test results show that BSS fibers can bridge matrix cracks more effectively, and consume many times more energy when pulled out, than conventional straight short (CSS) fibers. This leads to both higher strength and fracture toughness for the BSS-fiber composites. A computational model was developed to simulate crack propagation in both BSS- and CSS-fiber composites, accounting for stress concentrations, interface debonding, and fiber pull-out. Model predictions were validated by experimental results and will be useful in optimizing BSS-fiber morphology and other material system parameters.
Genomic Threats From Physiological Signals in Lung Vascular Cells

2005;128;611S-612S Chest Campbell and Glenn L. Wilson Mark N. Gillespie, Kathryn A. Ziel, Valentina Grishko, Clayton C. * in Lung Vascular Cells Genomic Threats From Physiological Signals http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/content/128/6_suppl/611S.full.html services can be found online on the World Wide Web at: The online version of this article, along with updated information and ISSN:0012-3692 ) http://chestjournal.chestpubs.org/site/misc/reprints.xhtml ( written permission of the copyright holder. this article or PDF may be reproduced or distributed without the prior Dundee Road, Northbrook, IL 60062. All rights reserved. No part of Copyright2005by the American College of Chest Physicians, 3300 Physicians. It has been published monthly since 1935. is the official journal of the American College of Chest Chest
Er:YAG laser-induced changes in skin in vivo and transdermal drug delivery

It has been shown that laser ablation of stratum corneum, in vitro, can result in an increased uptake of topically applied pharmaceuticals. We have performed measurements of drug permeation, using an in vitro model of human skin, that involves a portable Er:YAG laser used to ablate the stratum corneum. For the first time, this method of drug administration was tested in vivo in human volunteers, whereby a hydrocortisone blanching assay was used to assess the efficiency of the procedure. The results show that this is a safe and efficient way to ablate stratum corneum for the purpose of enhanced transcutaneous drug administration.
Real-time procedural volumetric fire

We present a method for generating procedural volumetric fire in real time. By combining curve-based volumetric free-form deformation, hardware-accelerated volumetric rendering and Improved Perlin Noise or M-Noise we are able to render a vibrant and uniquely animated volumetric fire that supports bi-directional environmental macro-level interactivity. Our system is easily customizable by content artists. The fire is animated both on the macro and micro levels. Macro changes are controlled either by a prescripted sequence of movements, or by a realistic particle simulation that takes into account movement, wind, high-energy particle dispersion and thermal buoyancy. Micro fire effects such as individual flame shape, location, and flicker are generated in a pixel shader using three- to four-dimensional Improved Perlin Noise or M-Noise (depending on hardware limitations and performance requirements). Our method supports efficient collision detection, which, when combined with a sufficiently intelligent particle simulation, enables real-time bi-directional interaction between the fire and its environment. The result is a three-dimensional procedural fire that is easily designed and animated by content artists, supports dynamic interaction, and can be rendered in real time.
Twofold triple systems and graph imbeddings

Abstract A natural bijection between (v, 3, 2)-BIBD's and certain topological and combinatorial structures related to graph imbeddings is used to obtain new classes of designs of this type. The topological viewpoint often makes it quite simple to differentiate between nonisomorphic designs.
Photoemission linewidths narrower than the quasiparticle inverse lifetime

Abstract Linewidths of direct transitions as observed by angle resolved photoemission are determined by the initial and final state lifetime widths as well as the experimental geometry. The geometry plays a role because conservation of momentum within the surface plane places a constraint on the allowed transition. This effect can lead to either a compression or expansion of the measured linewidth. This paper addresses ways to suppress the final state lifetime contribution, which is usually much larger and dominant, and simultaneously to compress the initial state lifetime contribution. The result is a linewidth significantly narrower than the quasiparticle inverse lifetime, as demonstrated by an experiment involving the sp band of Ag(100).
Motoneurons innervating the external anal and urethral sphincters of the female cat have different patterns of dendritic arborization

The locations and dendritic arbors of sacral motoneurons (MNs) innervating the striated external anal and urethral sphincters (EAS and EUS, respectively) of the cat were investigated using muscle injections of cholera toxin-conjugated HRP (CT-HRP). Serial reconstructions showed that all cells labelled after EAS injections were located in the dorsomedial (DM) subdivision of Onuf's nucleus, whereas all cells labelled from the EUS were located in the ventrolateral (VL) subdivision. The dendritic arbors of EAS and EUS MNs were very different, suggesting differences in afferent control. In addition, prominent bundles of dendrites extended preferentially into the regions occupied by functionally appropriate preganglionic neurons (PGNs) in the sacral parasympathetic nucleus (SPN) which innervate the colon and bladder.
ENDOCYTOSIS AND INTRACELLULAR PROCESSING ACCOMPANYING TRANSFECTION MEDIATED BY CATIONIC LIPOSOMES

Cationic liposomes mediate efficient transfection of mammalian cells, but the manner in which cells internalize and process cationic liposome-DNA complexes has not been well characterized. We exposed several cell types, including human and murine erythroleukemia cells. African green monkey kidney cells (CV-1), isolated rat alveolar type II cells and alveolar macrophages to DNA-cationic liposome complexes containing N-(1-2,3-dioleyloxypropyl)-N,N,N-triethylammonium (DOTMA) and Dioleylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE). The morphology of liposome-cell interactions was assessed by electron microscopy. Liposome preparations were complexed to colloidal gold particles or to both plasmid DNA and gold particles. Cells treated with DOTMA liposome-DNA complexes demonstrated endocytosis of the liposome-DNA complexes in coated pits, which were seen in early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes. In isolated alveolar type II cells, the gold-labelled DOTMA lipid apparently mixed with the contents of lamellar bodies. In most cells, gold particles were dispersed throughout the cytoplasmic matrix. In a small proportion of CV-1 and U937 cells, a membrane system resembling the endoplasmic reticulum developed within the nucleus. This novel structure was also present in nuclei after they were isolated from CV-1 cells and then mixed with DOTMA-containing liposomes. Membranes which form after exposure to DOTMA-containing liposomes were 10 nm in thickness as compared to the approx. 8 nm thickness of endogenous cellular membranes. Based on these morphologic observations, we propose that the main route of entry of cationic liposomes into cells is by endocytosis. In some instances, the endosomal compartment releases its cationic liposome-DNA contents into the cytoplasmic matrix. Occasionally, liposomes may enter the nucleus by fusion with the nuclear envelope, creating vesicular and reticular intranuclear membranes. It is not clear at present which, if any of these morphological observations correlates with transfection mediated by cationic liposomes.
Zinc in innate and adaptive tumor immunity

Zinc is important. It is the second most abundant trace metal with 2-4 grams in humans. It is an essential trace element, critical for cell growth, development and differentiation, DNA synthesis, RNA transcription, cell division, and cell activation. Zinc deficiency has adverse consequences during embryogenesis and early childhood development, particularly on immune functioning. It is essential in members of all enzyme classes, including over 300 signaling molecules and transcription factors. Free zinc in immune and tumor cells is regulated by 14 distinct zinc importers (ZIP) and transporters (ZNT1-8). Zinc depletion induces cell death via apoptosis (or necrosis if apoptotic pathways are blocked) while sufficient zinc levels allows maintenance of autophagy. Cancer cells have upregulated zinc importers, and frequently increased zinc levels, which allow them to survive. Based on this novel synthesis, approaches which locally regulate zinc levels to promote survival of immune cells and/or induce tumor apoptosis are in order.
A neural architecture for illusory contour detection

Summary form only given. A local luminance based approach to the problem of detecting illusory and real contours in a scene was developed using the properties of the Hough transform. A connectionist architecture implementing an enhanced Hough transform model was simulated using the UCLA-SFINX environment and tested on gray-level images. Results indicate that the proposed algorithm has the ability to detect illusory contours but needs additional information to monitor the filling-in process. The type of additional information needed by an illusory contour detection mechanism was considered. >
MUTATION-SELECTION BALANCE IN MULTI-LOCUS SYSTEMS. I. DUPLICATE GENE ACTION

A theoretical model is presented that extends the case of selection against homozygous recessives counterbalanced by mutation to a system of n loci. This extension allows analysis of the role of gene duplication in the evolution of new function. The aspect of retention of function for sufficiently long periods of time to allow for divergence vs. silencing of nonfunctional loci is discussed in relation to examples in salmonid and catastomid fishes and in the globin-like clusters.
High-Temperature Fluorescence Measurements and Instrumentation for Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH): A Review

Abstract This paper provides an overview of high-temperature measurements of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and an assessment of the state-of the art methods and instrumentation that are used for those measurements. This review deals specifically with the fluorescence technique and related measurement methods. The primary emphasis of this review will be placed on the effect of high temperatures on the structural, and photophysical characteristics of PAHs and their resulting effects on the fluorescence spectra of these compounds. Specific examples of these effects and the analytical instrumentation developed and used for these measurements will be discussed and illustrated, as well as the various environments in which these measurements are performed.
Comparative Effect of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibition and Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Antagonism on Plasma Fibrinolytic Balance in Humans

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibition significantly decreases plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) without altering tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) during activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system in humans. Because ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor antagonists differ in their effects on angiotensin II formation and bradykinin degradation, the present study compared the effect of equivalent hypotensive doses of an ACE inhibitor and AT(1) antagonist on fibrinolytic balance. Plasma PAI-1 antigen, tPA antigen, plasma renin activity, and aldosterone were measured in 25 normotensive subjects (19 white, 6 black; 14 men, 11 women; mean age 38.5+/-1.8 years; mean body mass index 25.3+/-0.7 kg/m(2)) during low salt intake alone (10 mmol Na/d), low salt intake + quinapril (40 mg PO bid), and low salt intake + losartan (50 mg PO bid). Compared with low salt alone (systolic blood pressure [BP] 118.8+/-2.2 mm Hg), both quinapril (106.3+/-2.5 mm Hg, P<0.001) and losartan (105.4+/-2. 8 mm Hg, P<0.001) reduced BP. No statistical difference was found between quinapril and losartan in their BP lowering effect. Losartan (P=0.009), but not quinapril, lowered heart rate. Both drugs significantly lowered aldosterone (P<0.001 versus low salt alone for each); however, this effect was significantly greater for quinapril than for losartan (P<0.001 for quinapril versus losartan). Treatment with quinapril, but not with losartan, was associated with a decrease in both PAI-1 antigen (P=0.03) and activity (P=0.018). PAI-1 activity was lower during treatment with quinapril than with losartan (P=0.015). The average PAI-1 antigen concentration was 13. 0+/-2.0 ng/mL during low salt alone, 10.5+/-1.6 ng/mL during quinapril treatment, and 12.3+/-2.1 ng/mL during losartan treatment. In contrast, plasma tPA antigen concentrations were reduced during treatment with losartan (P=0.03) but not with quinapril. This study provides the first evidence that ACE inhibitors and AT(1) antagonists differ in their effects on fibrinolytic balance under conditions of activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system. Further studies are needed to address the mechanism for the contrasting effects of these 2 classes of drugs on fibrinolysis and to define the clinical significance of these differences.
A note on exact control limits

This paper presents a review of the exact formulae for control limits for P charts and C charts. Also presented are appropriate graphical methods so that these limits may ho easily evaluated. The use of the exact methods, given appropriate tables and/or curves, is no more difficult than the approximate methods which are prevalent in the literature. This note is not intended to criticize the approximate techniques which have been used ; rather it is intended to illustrate the use of existing theory whereby the errors of approximation may be eliminated.
Stimulation of growth hormone secretion by vasopressin in the rhesus monkey.

The influence of Pitressin and synthetic lysine-vasopressin administration on pituitary growth hormone secretion was investigated in unanesthetized rhesus monkeys restrained in primate chairs. Plasma growth hormone concentration was measured by radioimmunoassay in blood samples obtained from indwelling catheters at 5- to 15-min intervals. It was found that Pitressin and lysine-vasopressin in single intravenous doses of 0.1-0.3 U/kg produced prompt increases in plasma growth hormone concentration which returned to control levels 1-2 hr after injection. It is concluded that vasopressin can stimulate growth hormone secretion but that this action may not be a specific one. (Endocrinology 79:1016,1966)
Neuropsychological assessment of mild cognitive impairment/prodromal Alzheimer's disease

There is an increasing move towards attempting to detect Alzheimer’s disease at the very earliest stages, not just in the mild dementia phase or the mild cognitive impairment phase, but even in the preclinical phase. This raises a number of challenges for neuropsychological assessment, in trying to detect subtle but clinically significant cognitive impairment, differentiate neuropathological from normal aging, and aid prognosis by accurately identifying those who will progress and transition to dementia from those who will not. A variety of demographic and psychometric factors contribute to variability in test performance and raise important questions not just about how we define normality and abnormality but also about the limitations of our current assessment methods. Accelerated long-term forgetting is identified as a particular challenge as its prevalence is unknown and virtually all of our current standardized assessment methods would fail to detect it.
Stimulation by toll-like receptors inhibits osteoclast differentiation.

Osteoclasts, the cells capable of resorbing bone, are derived from hemopoietic precursor cells of monocyte-macrophage lineage. The same precursor cells can also give rise to macrophages and dendritic cells, which are essential for proper immune responses to various pathogens. Immune responses to microbial pathogens are often triggered because various microbial components induce the maturation and activation of immunoregulatory cells such as macrophages or dendritic cells by stimulating Toll-like receptors (TLRs). Since osteoclasts arise from the same precursors as macrophages, we tested whether TLRs play any role during osteoclast differentiation. We showed here that osteoclast precursors prepared from mouse bone marrow cells expressed all known murine TLRs (TLR1-TLR9). Moreover, various TLR ligands (e.g., peptidoglycan, poly(I:C) dsRNA, LPS, and CpG motif of unmethylated DNA, which act as ligands for TLR2, 3, 4, and 9, respectively) induced NF-kappa B activation and up-regulated TNF-alpha production in osteoclast precursor cells. Unexpectedly, however, TLR stimulation of osteoclast precursors by these microbial products strongly inhibited their differentiation into multinucleated, mature osteoclasts induced by TNF-related activation-induced cytokine. Rather, TLR stimulation maintained the phagocytic activity of osteoclast precursors in the presence of osteoclastogenic stimuli M-CSF and TNF-related activation-induced cytokine. Taken together, these results suggest that TLR stimulation of osteoclast precursors inhibits their differentiation into noninflammatory mature osteoclasts during microbial infection. This process favors immune responses and may be critical to prevent pathogenic effects of microbial invasion on bone.
Fever, Pulmonary Infiltrates, and Pleural Effusion following Acyclovir Therapy for Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus

A 71-year-old man presented with herpes zoster ophthalmicus and ocular involvement. Following the institution of intravenous therapy with acyclovir, the patient developed fever, hemoptysis, and a pleural friction rub. A ventilation-perfusion lung scan showed no defects; roentgenograms showed bilateral infiltrates and a left-sided pleural effusion. The fever abated promptly following discontinuation of acyclovir, and radiographic abnormalities resolved over ten days. No other anti-infective therapy was given. To our knowledge, the syndrome of fever, pulmonary infiltrates, and pleural effusion following use of acyclovir has not been previously reported.
Crystal structures of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase with picomolar inhibitors reveal key interactions for drug design.

X-ray crystal structures at 2.9 A resolution are reported for two complexes of catechol diethers with HIV-1 reverse transcriptase. The results help elucidate the structural origins of the extreme antiviral activity of the compounds. The possibility of halogen bonding between the inhibitors and Pro95 is addressed. Structural analysis reveals key interactions with conserved residues P95 and W229 of importance for design of inhibitors with high potency and favorable resistance profiles.
A degree of vision

I am 57-years old and have been retired for more than 4 years because of increasing vision disability due to retinitis pigmentosa. For more than 20 years I was in academic paediatric medicine at the University of Queensland. In trying to understand the personal nature of the effects of retinitis pigmentosa, I have divided my life into the four stages of blissful ignorance, confused ignorance, diagnosis—at first with no major impact on my life, and now with a major impact. I made regular visits to an ophthalmologist from an early age. I had amblyopia by age 4 years, and was wearing prescription spectacles from the age of 12. Such vision disability was ascribed to ambylopia. These were the years of blissful ignorance. Confused ignorance began when, in my late teens, I noted a slight reduction in night vision. I was still able to attend football training at night under lights and lead a full social life. I am unsure whether the diagnosis of retinitis pigmentosa was simply uncertain or whether I was being protected from that knowledge. The only impact that, with hindsight, retinitis pigmentosa may have had on my junior residency was when I assisted in cataract surgery but was banned when the side of my mask accidentally touched an instrument tray. Probably the tray lay outside my impaired field of vision. Also my ability to cut fine sutures in the brightness of operating-theatre lights was clumsy, and the theatre sister took over. Despite having a great-aunt who was blind (now strongly suspected of having retinitis pigmentosa), my personal knowledge of vision impairment was based on limited clinical reading and conformed to common myths held by the general public. The panel highlights some of these myths. After postgraduate training in paediatrics in Melbourne I went to the USA to do research. It was only when I returned to Brisbane and consulted an ophthalmologist there that I was informed that I had retinitis pigmentosa. Up to that point, I had made career decisions without knowing of this condition. However my symptoms did not affect my work. At the age of 34 years, my new job, a new house in a new city, and bringing up young children were of much more importance. Nor did I experience any psychological symptoms which I could specifically relate to retinitis pigmentosa. I did not read in depth on the subject and was much more focused on issues related to my own practice, specialising in children with disabilities and research into sudden infant death syndrome. It was not until my 40s that I started to experience major difficulties. Although I did not completely give up
An Electromagnetic MEMS Actuator for Micropumps

In this paper, design, fabrication and evaluation of an electromagnetic MEMS micropump actuator are reported. Based on MEMS technology, the proposed micropump actuator is designed and fabricated using integrated surface and bulk micromachining at the Microfabrication Facility at the Rochester Institute of Technology. A thin silicon diaphragm with a planar spiral coil ensures the desired degree of robustness and guarantees the specified volumetric changes. The magnetic force is generated due to the interaction between the magnetic field of a permanent magnet and current in the coil. The experimental results are reported.
Distance video-teleconferencing in early intervention: Pilot study of a naturalistic parent-implemented language intervention.

Maternal verbal responsiveness in naturally occurring interactions is known to facilitate language development for children with neurodevelopmental disorders. The present study used a series of A-B...
Gender Bias in the Classroom: Current Controversies and Implications for Teachers

(2005). Gender Bias in the Classroom: Current Controversies and Implications for Teachers. Childhood Education: Vol. 81, No. 4, pp. 221-227.
RINK-RKP: a scheme for key predistribution and shared-key discovery in sensor networks

Efficient schemes for key predistribution and shared-key discovery play a vital role in security and efficiency of pairwise key establishment in sensor networks. In this paper, we propose a scheme for key predistribution using hash-chain and subsequent shared-key discovery. We show potential active attacks on sensor networks due to key predistribution which can have severer consequences as compared to attacks described in existing proposals. We also show that as compared to the existing schemes, our scheme is more resilient to these active attacks.
Cytokine responses to resistance training in people with multiple sclerosis

Exercise for individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) has been shown to improve cardiovascular function, increase strength and endurance, and reduce fatigue. The impact of exercise on immune function in the disease, however, remains mostly unexplored. Ten female MS patients participated in an 8 week programme of twice-weekly progressive resistance training, with pre- and post-training assessment of serum concentrations of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, CRP, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. After training, IL-4, IL-10, CRP and IFN-gamma showed statistically reduced resting concentrations in blood, while TNF-alpha showed non-significant reductions and IL-2 and IL-6 remained unchanged. These results suggest that progressive resistance training may have an impact on cytokine concentrations in individuals with MS and should be confirmed in studies with stronger statistical power. The impact of these changes on overall immune function in MS and on disease status and prognosis remains to be determined.
Consistency checking for automatic software generation

This paper presents a new formal approach to checking consistency of a set of axioms that define a function. Our approach is an alternative to the original knuth-bendix (KB) completion procedure which can only process equational axioms. Additional steps are required to be implemented in KB in order to use it with conditional equations which are heavily used as function specifications. Since the size of the code to be trusted is important in systems like Code-carrying theory and Proof-carrying code, it is also important to have a short implementation. We show that our alternative idea is simpler and easy to implement with a small amount of code. In addition, our approach does not require one to define a well-founded ordering relation as in knuth-bendix procedure making it more practical to use it with less effort.
Nucleotide modification at the γ-phosphate leads to the improved fidelity of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

The mechanism by which HIV-1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-RT) discriminates between the correct and incorrect nucleotide is not clearly understood. Chemically modified nucleotides containing 1-aminonaphthalene-5-sulfonate (ANS) attached to their g-phosphate were synthesized and used to probe nucleotide selection by this error prone polymerase. Primer extension reactions provide direct evidence that the polymerase is able to incorporate the gamma-modified nucleotides. Forward mutation assays reveal a 6-fold reduction in the mutational frequency with the modified nucleotides, and specific base substitutions are dramatically reduced or eliminated. Molecular modeling illustrates potential interactions between critical residues within the polymerase active site and the modified nucleotides. Our data demonstrate that the fidelity of reverse transcriptase is improved using modified nucleotides, and we suggest that specific modifications to the g-phosphate may be useful in designing new antiviral therapeutics or, more generally, as a tool for defining the structural role that the polymerase active site has on nucleotide selectivity.
Application of psychosocial interventions for treating behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.

We performed a selective review of the research literature on psychosocial interventions for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD). The review is limited to: (a) only papers published since 1996; (b) studies that target behavioral excess; and (c) studies with some measure of experimental control.
Implementing voting systems: the Georgia method

Sharing the experiences of the first statewide adoption of a computerized election process.