cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms for vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 activation of ERK1/2 during leukocyte transendothelial migration.

Background During inflammation, adhesion molecules regulate recruitment of leukocytes to inflamed tissues. It is reported that vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) activates extracellular regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), but the mechanism for this activation is not known. Pharmacological inhibitors of ERK1/2 partially inhibit leukocyte transendothelial migration in a multi-receptor system but it is not known whether VCAM-1 activation of ERK1/2 is required for leukocyte transendothelial migration (TEM) on VCAM-1. Methodology/Principal Findings In this study, we identified a mechanism for VCAM-1 activation of ERK1/2 in human and mouse endothelial cells. VCAM-1 signaling, which occurs through endothelial cell NADPH oxidase, protein kinase Cα (PKCα), and protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B), activates endothelial cell ERK1/2. Inhibition of these signals blocked VCAM-1 activation of ERK1/2, indicating that ERK1/2 is activated downstream of PTP1B during VCAM-1 signaling. Furthermore, VCAM-1-specific leukocyte migration under physiological laminar flow of 2 dynes/cm2 was blocked by pretreatment of endothelial cells with dominant-negative ERK2 K52R or the MEK/ERK inhibitors, PD98059 and U0126, indicating for the first time that ERK regulates VCAM-1-dependent leukocyte transendothelial migration. Conclusions/Significance VCAM-1 activation of endothelial cell NADPH oxidase/PKCα/PTP1B induces transient ERK1/2 activation that is necessary for VCAM-1-dependent leukocyte TEM.
A miniature bioreactor for sensing toxicity using recombinant bioluminescent Escherichia coli cells.

A miniature bioreactor was fabricated as a contactor between biosensing cells and toxic materials. This miniature bioreactor (58 mL working volume) showed performance similar to that of a conventional bioreactor, as well as the advantages of easy installation, facile operation, and small medium requirements during long-term continuous operation. A performance evaluation measured the response to ethanol in continuous operation by using a recombinant bioluminescent Escherichia coli strain. Continuous cultures were repeatedly induced by the ethanol challenge. Steady-state cell concentrations (OD) were found to be decreased, the induced specific bioluminescence (SBL) peak value was found to be increased, and the peak response time, which is the time constant of this continuous monitoring system, was found to be decreased with increasing dilution rate. Finally, on- and off-line bioluminescence monitoring was shown to be reliable, suggesting that this system is suitable for applications such as monitoring the influent and effluent streams of waste water biotreatment plants.
Geometric determinants of directional cell motility revealed using microcontact printing

Mammalian cells redirect their movement in response to changes in the physical properties of their extracellular matrix (ECM) adhesive scaffolds, including changes in available substrate area, shap...
Factors associated with the diversification of the gut microbial communities within chimpanzees from Gombe National Park

The gastrointestinal tract harbors large and diverse populations of bacteria that vary among individuals and within individuals over time. Numerous internal and external factors can influence the contents of these microbial communities, including diet, geography, physiology, and the extent of contact among hosts. To investigate the contributions of such factors to the variation and changes in gut microbial communities, we analyzed the distal gut microbiota of individual chimpanzees from two communities in Gombe National Park, Tanzania. These samples, which were derived from 35 chimpanzees, many of whom have been monitored for multiple years, provide an unusually comprehensive longitudinal depth for individuals of known genetic relationships. Although the composition of the great-ape microbiota has been shown to codiversify with host species, indicating that host genetics and phylogeny have played a major role in its differentiation over evolutionary timescales, the geneaological relationships of individual chimpanzees did not coincide with the similarity in their gut microbial communities. However, the inhabitants from adjacent chimpanzee communities could be distinguished based on the contents of their gut microbiota. Despite the broad similarity of community members, as would be expected from shared diet or interactions, long-term immigrants to a community often harbored the most distinctive gut microbiota, suggesting that individuals retain hallmarks of their previous gut microbial communities for extended periods. This pattern was reinforced in several chimpanzees sampled over long temporal scales, in which the major constituents of the gut microbiota were maintained for nearly a decade.
SU-E-T-412: What Is the Benefit of Fiducial Marker Implantation for Pancreatic SBRT?

Purpose: Localization of pancreatic tumors during Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) is difficult due to the poor soft‐tissue contrast of abdominal cone‐beam CT (CBCT). The purpose of this study was to measure the increased accuracy of pancreas localization when radiopaque fiducial markers (RFM) are implanted into the tumor and peri‐pancreatic tissue to facilitate a reduction of margins and escalation of dose. Methods: 15 CBCT scans were acquired of patients implanted with RFM enrolled in a prospective study involving SBRT for pancreatic cancer, receiving 30 Gy in five fractions with PTV margins of 3–5 mm. In order to quantify the effect of RFM, matching sets of markerless CBCT images were created. An automated tracking algorithm was developed to identify the location of markers in each CBCT projection, and 2D Gaussian fitting was used to filter these markers from the images. The 3D dataset was re‐reconstructed using these filtered projections, yielding a CBCT image of the same patient geometry with no RFM. These markerless images were aligned to the reference CT images using the anterior vertebral surface/aorta and the pancreatic stent as a guide. Using the RFM images as a gold standard, the differences in position represent the error in localization due to the lack of RFM information. Results: The automated algorithm successfully yielded CBCT images without RFM, star artifacts due to markers, or artifacts due to the filtration process. When the vertebral bodies and aorta were used for localization, the average error (compared to RFM images) was 15.0±7.4 mm. When a pancreatic stent was used for localization, the average error was 3.9±2.1 mm. Conclusion: Implantation of RFM increases localization accuracy by 4–15 mm compared to conventional techniques. Marker implantation is necessary when using tight margins and/or increasing tumor dose, and can be used to increase the therapeutic ratio.
Containment counterexamples for ideals of various configurations of points in PN

Abstract When I is the radical homogeneous ideal of a finite set of points in projective N-space, P N , over a field K, it has been conjectured that I ( r N − N + 1 ) should be contained in I r for all r ≥ 1 . Recent counterexamples show that this can fail when N = r = 2 . We study properties of the resulting ideals. We also show that failures occur for infinitely many r in every characteristic p > 2 when N = 2 , and we find additional positive characteristic failures when N > 2 .
An electrostatic ion guide for efficient transmission of low energy externally formed ions into a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer

Abstract A new method for transmitting externally formed ions into an ICR ion trap is demonstrated. In an electrostatic ion guide, a potential difference is applied between a conductive cylinder and a rigid wire suspended along the central axis of the cylinder. The cylinder is then positioned between an ion source located outside the bore of superconducting solenoidal magnet and an ion trap located at or near the center of the solenoid. simion simulations predict that low-energy ions entering the ion guide will spiral around the central wire and pass through the fringe of the magnet to reach the ICR ion trap. The theoretical predictions are borne out by experiments in which Na+ and K+ ions from a thermionic emitter are transmitted with high efficiency through the fringe field of the magnet to the ICR ion trap. Mass resolving power of 285 000 for K+ is shown. The electrostatic ion guide offers the advantages that: (a) a wide range of low-energy external sources (e.g., fast-atom on fast-ion bombardment, electrospray, glow discharge, etc.) may be used; (b) prior acceleration of the ions along the magnetic field direction (and subsequent deceleration to slow the ions on entry into the ICR ion trap) is not required; (c) ions are focused along magnetic field lines once the ions have passed through the magnetic fringe field; and (d) ions formed initially off axis are efficiently captured and transmitted by the ion guide without additional focusing.
Cross-sectional performance and investor sentiment in a multiple risk factor model

Abstract Economists have long recognized the importance of information veracity in valuing risky securities. Market participants concerned about the credibility of information measures may require additional compensation to entice them to hold stocks with less transparent information. These same securities are expected to display greater sensitivities to measures of market sentiment. We find that investor sentiment sensitivities increase directly with multiple measures of opacity in the cross-section. Next we examine the extent to which sentiment sensitivities are priced in an asset pricing context. Using the Jha et al. (2009) model of conditional performance evaluation, we find an inverse relation between ex ante known investor sentiment and the marginal performance of opaque stocks. In contrast, translucent stocks exhibit relatively little variability in performance across levels of sentiment.
Determining Decision-Making Capacity in Individuals with Severe Communication Impairments After Stroke: The Role of Augmentative-Alternative Communication (AAC)

A speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist specializing in assistive technology were requested to assess an individual 2 years post hemorrhagic lesion in his brainstem, with significant medial issues, limited expressive communication skills, and motor function. The family wanted to determine if he had an adequate quality of life and whether he could provide informed consent if asked about the continuation or withdrawal of medical treatment to maintain his life. Issues discussed include determining competency for decision making regarding quality of life with individuals who cannot speak, write, or type, and what role the speech-language pathologist and occupational therapist can play in attempting to find these answers. A means of communication for this individual was identified that allowed him to provide information related to his preferences including physical state. Use of appropriate augmentative-alternative communication equipment and techniques became the means to further explore more complex medical decisions for this individual.
JEJUNAL IMMUNOPATHOLOGY IN AMYOTROPHIC LATERAL SCLEROSIS AND MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS IDENTIFICATION OF VIRAL ANTIGENS BY IMMUNOFLUORESCENCE

Abstract Jejunal mucosa from 7 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (A.L.S.), 20 newly reported patients with multiple sclerosis (M.S.), and 35 control patients without either disease was studied by immunofluorescence. An immune reaction was present in all A.L.S. specimens and consisted of altered ratios of immunoglobulin-labelled cells in the lamina propria, complement-labelled cells in the same location, and, in some, immunoglobulin and complement deposits in the epithelial basement membrane. Poliovirus antigen was detected in 4 cases, and in 1 of these cases measles antigen was also present. A fifth specimen showed large amounts of herpesvirus antigen. In 2 cases studied at necropsy, both viral infection and immunological change was confined to the proximal jejunum. Measles antigen was identified in every case of M.S., and in biopsy specimens from 16 of the 20 M.S. patients immunological reactions similar to those seen in A.L.S. were present. With 2 exceptions, the controls did not show these changes in the jejunal mucosa. The exceptions were a patient with Friedreich's ataxia, who had an increase of IgG-labelled cells and some complement-bearing cells in the lamina propria, and a patient diagnosed as having non-tropical sprue, in whom large quantities of herpes antigen were seen.
Virtual Case Studies in the Classroom Improve Student Knowledge

Abstract Background Multiple studies have validated that student satisfaction and student learning are enhanced with the use of high fidelity simulation. Virtual case scenarios may offer another way for simulation to be brought into the classroom to facilitate development of student clinical reasoning skills. Method A pre–post test design was used to assess content knowledge of senior nursing students after participating in MicroSim ® patient scenarios in the classroom setting. MicroSim ® provides simulation learning activities that can be used asynchronously or in group settings. Results Significant differences in content knowledge, measured by multilogical multiple choice questions, were found in both virtual simulation activities. Students indicated satisfaction with this active learning experience and desired increased use in class. Conclusion Content knowledge increased after use of MicroSim ® in this study. Further research is needed to examine the use of classroom simulation as an active learning strategy.
207Pb(p, p') measurements at 135 and 61 MeV, the effective interaction and core polarization

Abstract Data at Einp = 61 and 135 MeV for neutron-hole transitions are used to study the proton-neutron part of the assumed NN force. Collective core-polarization strengths (AL) from the present fits at 135 MeV are consistent with those extracted from the (e, e') reaction for two L = 2 transitions and one L = 4 transition. This is not the case at 61 MeV where the AL values needed to fit the (p, p') data are much smaller for transitions to the f 5 2 and f 7 2 hole states. A fully microscopic DWBA fit is successful for the L = 3 transition to the doublet at 2.64 MeV of excitation at Ep = 61 MeV, but fails at 135 MeV; a fully microscopic DWIA calculation provides a reasonable fit to the data at 135 MeV.
Current and Previous Residents of Self-Governed Recovery Homes: Characteristics of Long-Term Recovery

Environmental and social factors are increasingly recognized as critical aspects of recovery from alcohol/other drug abuse over the long-term. This study surveyed with quantitative and qualitative methodology current (n = 79) and previous (alumni) adult residents (n = 29) of self-governed, mutually supportive recovery homes for alcohol/other drug abuse. Both groups perceived their recovery environment positively, maintained stable employment, and experienced improvements in their family relationships since being in the recovery homes. Alumni and current residents tended to stay very involved in recovery activities. Alumni also were highly involved in their previous recovery communities, and were in more beneficial circumstances than current residents based on survey results. Implications for future research were discussed.
A three-dimensional computer model for simulation of light-trapping effects in porous silicon

It has been demonstrated experimentally that porous silicon can be used to enhance the sensitivity, spectral bandwidth, and light acceptance angle of photodiodes. A three-dimensional model was used to approximate the surface geometry of porous silicon. It was found that the main contributing factor to the observed high efficiencies is the shape of the pores in the micron range. Comparison between the computer simulation and actual experimental results shows that the simulation gives a good approximation of the behavior of porous silicon. The study also provides the insight that the surface geometry of porous silicon is the main contributing factor to its efficiency in trapping light.
High-velocity teleoperated rover

The High Velocity Tele-operated Rover, HVTR, is motivated by a goal to exceed human physical speed with small ground vehicles for operations in urban environment. A typical small (man-packable) ground vehicles' speed tops out at 1 - 2 m/sec (2 - 4 mph). Limited speed is attributed to real-time sensing and processing of the external environment. Low speed makes traversing multiple city blocks taxing on the patience of a human operator. Traversing around a block may take 10 - 20 minutes. Even with operator assistance using video does not significantly increase the speed. This is due to the low perspective of the camera view and camera vibration in outdoor setting. To increase the speed capability of a small rover, a paradigm shift is proposed. Before a mission in an urban environment, the rover system is equipped with available pre- mission data. This includes overhead images and roadmaps of the mission area. The features of this system include: high speed rover operation; intuitive operator interface for tele- operation; night time operation; operation through obscurants (such as smoke screens); GPS useful but not necessary; low bandwidth communication; long range reconnaissance in urban environments.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Pathologic features of prognostic significance in adrenocortical carcinoma

There are currently no well-established pathologic prognostic factors helpful in distinguishing low versus high grade adrenocortical carcinomas. The effect of 11 pathologic parameters on survival was investigated in 42 cases of adrenocortical carcinoma. Only one variable, mitotic rate, had a strong statistical association with patient outcome. The 21 patients with carcinomas with greater than 20 mitoses per 50 high power fields (hpf) had a median survival of 14 months, whereas the 21 patients with carcinomas with less than or equal to 20 mitoses had a median survival of 58 months (p less than 0.02). The presence of atypical mitoses, capsular invasion, tumor weight greater than 250 g, and size greater than 10 cm each showed a marginal statistical association with poor survival (p less than 0.06), whereas other features assessed, such as nuclear grade, presence of necrosis or of venous or sinusoidal invasion, character of the tumor cell cytoplasm, or architectural pattern, showed no statistical significance in predicting survival. It is proposed that adrenal cortical carcinomas with greater than 20 mitoses be designated high grade, whereas tumors with less than or equal to 20 mitoses be designated low grade.
The Impact of Culture and Individualism–Collectivism on the Creative Potential and Achievement of American and Chinese Adults

ABSTRACT: This research explored the relation between culture and creative potential in highly educated adults. It was hypothesized that culture would influence creative potential and achievement, largely through how individualistic (citizens serving themselves) or collectivistic (citizens serving society) the society of origin was. To this end, 55 American and 56 Chinese doctoral students were surveyed concerning their creative potential, their sense of individualism or collectivism, and their Graduate Record Examination quantitative subtest scores. Americans displayed significantly higher scores on a measure of creative potential than the Chinese. As expected, Americans showed greater individualism. Chinese were more collectivistic. Chinese had significantly higher skill mastery in the domain of mathematics. Theoretical and practical implications of these findings for understanding cultural differences in creativity are considered.
Solution Phase Production of Graphene with Controlled Thickness via Density Differentiation

Graphene flakes with controlled thicknesses are isolated in solution using density gradient ultracentrifugation. These stable graphene dispersions are produced using the bile salt sodium cholate, which promotes graphite exfoliation and results in graphene−surfactant complexes having buoyant densities that vary with graphene thickness. The sorted graphene flakes are characterized using atomic force microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Graphene dispersions produced using density differentiation offer superior performance in transparent conductors than those produced using conventional sedimentation-based centrifugation techniques.
Joint registration and segmentation of neuroanatomic structures from brain MRI.

Rationale and Objectives Segmentation of anatomic structures from magnetic resonance brain scans can be a daunting task because of large inhomogeneities in image intensities across an image and possible lack of precisely defined shape boundaries for certain anatomical structures. One approach that has been quite popular in the recent past for these situations is the atlas-based segmentation. The atlas, once constructed, can be used as a template and can be registered nonrigidly to the image being segmented thereby achieving the desired segmentation. The goal of our study is to segment these structures with a registration assisted image segmentation technique. Materials and Methods We present a novel variational formulation of the registration assisted image segmentation problem which leads to solving a coupled set of nonlinear Partial Differential Equations (PDEs) that are solved using efficient numeric schemes. Our work is a departure from earlier methods in that we can simultaneously register and segment in three dimensions and easily cope with situations where the source (atlas) and target images have very distinct intensity distributions. Results We present several examples (20) on synthetic and (3) real data sets along with quantitative accuracy estimates of the registration in the synthetic data case. Conclusion The proposed atlas-based segmentation technique is capable of simultaneously achieve the nonrigid registration and the segmentation; unlike previous methods of solution for this problem, our algorithm can accommodate for image pairs having very distinct intensity distributions.
Art Deco Aesthetics in Grigorii Aleksandrov's The Circus

A Ii November 1933 article in Sovetskoe iskusstvo commented disapprovingly on the anomalous position of the circus among the Soviet arts: Atypical program still consists of a series of independent acts by individual artists, instead of a unified performance; the performers themselves?not the director?determine content, music, and presentation; performances emphasize skill and technique over content.1 Of all the popular arts, the circus thus remained the most independent at a time when cultural uniformity?socialist "unified performance"?was in the ascendant, thereby allowing film director Grigorii Aleksandrov a certain artistic license in creating his world under the big top. Nevertheless, Aleksandrov employed the circus setting not merely to exploit its aesthetic freedom but also to further a specific political agenda. By locating his 1936 film The Circus (Tsirk) in the world of the big top, which he knew and liked, Aleksandrov infused Soviet reality with the Western pageantry, glamor, and showmanship he admired, while simultaneously pressing its spectacle into the service of ideology.2 The Circus differed radically from Aleksandrov's preceding film Happy Guys (Veselye rehiata) in its overdetermined topicality. Shortly after its release, Aleksandrov and cinematographer Vladimir Nil'sen explained their conscious design: "From our point of view the film The Circus is above all a Soviet film in which today's environment, saturated
DNA Replication of Chimeric JC Virus-Simian Virus 40 Genomes

The ubiquitous virus JCV is the etiologic agent of the human brain disease progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Although infection usually occurs early in life and the virus can remain latent in human tissues, including brain, little information is available regarding its replication. It is known that DNA replication of primate polyomaviruses is dependent upon the synthesis of T antigen and the subsequent interactions of this protein with cellular factors and the viral origin of replication. We constructed chimeric genomes between JCV and SV40, two genetically similar viruses with distinct biologies, in which segments of the T antigen coding region and the replication origin were exchanged. Because the engineering of these genomes created a defect in the structural protein VP1, their DNA replicating activities could be compared without the complication of secondary infection of adjacent cells and amplification of the replication signal. The ability of the JCV-SV40 hybrid T antigens to initiate replication from the two viral origins in primate cells was investigated. A region of the JCV T antigen that includes the DNA binding and zinc finger domains was found to be responsible for the failure of JCV T antigen to interact productively with the SV40 origin. In addition, the ability to replicate in monkey cells was limited to constructs expressing T antigens which contained the carboxy-terminal host range domain of SV40.
Physical characteristics of the axial interosseous ligament of the human sacroiliac joint.

Abstract Background context: Although the sacroiliac joint has occupied a place in medical literature since at least the eighteenth century, its role in normal function and dysfunction of the back and hip remains controversial. The controversy persists, because there is still no suitable method to study the role of stability and mobility at the sacroiliac joints in vivo. One cost-effective approach to understanding such complex, deeply placed structures is biomechanical modeling. Unfortunately, very few data on the mechanical properties of tissues in this region are currently available to modelers. Purpose: The objective of this preliminary project was to determine some mechanical properties of the axial interosseous ligament (AIL), and to investigate the histology of the ligament. Study design/setting: A modified split plot design was used in conjunction with descriptive statistics to identify AIL characteristics. Patient sample: This was a cadaveric study. Outcome measures: The study used descriptive statistics to categorize the ultimate failure strength of the AIL, and to describe the macro-constituents of the ligament. Methods: Eighteen sacroiliac joints were harvested from nine fresh female cadavers (age range, 54 to 92). Data from 10 joints submitted to mechanical testing are reported. The eight remaining joints were used for histologic analysis of the AIL by light microscopy. Results: The AIL proved to be relatively weak, with a mean failure load of 381 N (SD 43.7N) and a peak stress of 1.73 MPa (SD 0.99 MPa). Histologically, the AIL contained significantly less collagen than most other “typical” ligaments. Conclusions: The AIL failure loads are just slightly higher than those for the ligamentum flavum in the spine, a tissue composed mainly of elastic fibers. In contrast, the AIL has negligible elastin content. Because the AIL represents about 14% of the total area of interosseous sacroiliac ligaments, its mechanical properties should be useful to modelers of the joint. In addition, it appears that injury to the AIL would do little to compromise the mechanical integrity of the sacroiliac joint. Further study of this ligament seems warranted.
Design of the Advanced Light Source elliptical wiggler

Abstract The elliptical wiggler is a circularly polarized light source capable of providing very broad spectral coverage and a high degree of circular polarization. The main features of an elliptical wiggler can be understood through analogy to bending magnet radiation. However, some aspects, such as the end structure's influence on the degree of circular polarization, require more elaborate methods to characterize. We present an algorithm based on the stationary-phase method, which allows calculation of radiation properties from an arbitrary electron trajectory, so a non-sinusoidal magnetic field's influence on the radiation performance can be taken into account. We show general radiation properties of an elliptical wiggler and discuss factors affecting the radiation produced. Practical issues encountered during the conceptual design of an elliptical wiggler at the Advanced Light Source are addressed.
A unified algorithm for computing the stationary queue length distributions inM(k)/G/1/N and GI/M(k)/1/N queues

An iterative algorithm is developed for computing numerically the stationary queue length distributions in M/G/1/N queues with arbitrary state-dependent arrivals, or simply M(k)/G/1/N queues. The only input requirement is the Laplace-Stieltjes transform of the service time distribution.
Cities as Risk Managers: The Impact of Chicago's Parking Meter P3 on Municipal Governance and Transportation Planning

Although the benefits of infrastructure public–private partnerships are widely promoted, the public has little understanding of the new forms of risk and risk management obligations that city governments often absorb in infrastructure leasing concession agreements. This paper examines the City of Chicago's parking meter lease agreement with Morgan Stanley Infrastructure Partners. Risk reduction mechanisms embedded in the contract resulted in the city absorbing new costs and risks that negatively impacted city finances and remade the local state as a risk manager tasked with responsibilities that protect the rate of return of the global infrastructure investment fund. New planning and fiscal risks work as obstacles for transportation planners altering current street-level transportation configurations. Interviews with transportation planners revealed the new barriers put in place to safeguard financial investment that planners must navigate in order to realize environmentally sustainable and innovative str...
Saturated double-resonance emission spectroscopy of lead for sensitive atomic analysis.

Double-resonance laser emission at 283.3 and 600.2 nm was used to excite gas-phase atomic lead present in an electrothermal atomizer. Buffer-gas-induced collisional energy transfer occurs to states as much as 6000 cm−1 below the highest optically pumped level. Single photons emitted from these states, whose wavelengths are as short as 202.2 nm, were detected. This study illustrates the utility and versatility of the saturated double-resonance technique for ultrasensitive and specific atomic detection (detection limits in the 10−15-g range) as well as its potential in atomic-spectroscopy and excited-state-dynamics studies.
Establishing a regional medical campus in southeast Florida: Successes and challenges

In August 2007, the first class of University of Miami Miller School of Medicine (UM) medical students will begin the four-year undergraduate medical education program at the regional medical campus at Florida Atlantic University (FAU) The authors describe how UM and FAU were able to make a successful case to state policymakers for a regional medical campus as a cost-effective approach to expanding undergraduate and graduate medical education opportunities in southeast Florida The authors discuss what motivated UM and FAU to partner to create a regional medical campus, and they describe the challenges that have been encountered since 2004, particularly those relating to delivering a comparable two-year program on two campuses using distance-learning technologies. The opportunities that have resulted from expansion of the regional campus from two to four years are also described, including the development of a new and innovative four-year curriculum emphasizing comprehensive chronic disease management and case-based and patient-centered education using collaborative, small-group student learning communities. UM medical students thus have a choice between two educational tracks. The authors conclude that no significant impediments have resulted from the Florida collaboration between a public and a private university and that the regional medical campus model can serve as a viable option for other states and institutions attempting to expand medical school enrollment and meet physician workforce needs in an efficient and cost-effective manner.
Eutrophication and gastrotrich diversity in the northern Adriatic Sea

Abstract Marine Gastrotricha of littoral and sublittoral sands at nine locations along the northern Adriatic coast were sampled during July, 1991. Three locations on barrier islands near the Laguna Veneta (Alberoni, San Nicolo, and Punta Sabbioni) supported a higher number of species in the littoral and shallow sublittoral zones (six each) than were reported by Hummon et al. (1990), who found no species at the same sites in 1989. The increased number of species may be related to colder temperatures during the winter previous to our study, which delayed formation of algal mats in the littoral zone, preventing the depletion of oxygen in the littoral sediments that can lead to gastrotrich mortality. Locations in the northeastern Adriatic, Bibione (13 species) and Foce Isonzo (15 species), evidenced a more diverse gastrotrich fauna than the more northwestern locations, and may serve as a source for colonizing species, moved with longshore currents, to westward populations subject to extinction due to local anoxic events.
An analysis of vibration experiments that approximate simple shear conditions

Abstract A three-dimensional Isotropic elasticity analysis is used to study vibration experiments that approximate simple shear conditions. A circular disk is analyzed with the conditions that the two parallel faces of the disk are harmonically displaced in opposite directions, and that the cylindrical surface is free of traction. The effect of specimen size on computing shear modulus is quantitatively determined. A simple shear analysis underestimates the true shear modulus, but the error is significant only when the diameter of the specimen is of the order of its thickness. The results for an infinite strip are also given and indicate that a change in specimen shape does not substantially affect the results.
Impact of the electrocardiogram on the delivery of thrombolytic therapy for acute myocardial infarction

The initial electrocardiogram is crucial in accurately selecting patients with chest pain for thrombolytic therapy. An electrocardiogram with a large amount of ST-segment elevation and depression is "visually alarming," and therefore, may influence the efficiency of patient treatment with thrombolytic therapy. It was hypothesized that the amount of ST-segment deviation present on the initial electrocardiogram was an important variable in determining the time to initiation of thrombolysis in the emergency department. The time from arrival at the emergency department to thrombolysis was measured in 93 consecutive patients with suspected acute myocardial infarction (AMI) who were treated with intravenous thrombolytic therapy by emergency department physicians. This was correlated with the sum of ST-segment elevation and depression present on the initial electrocardiogram. AMI was proved in 83 patients (89%). In patients with proved AMI, the average time to thrombolysis was 50.8 +/- 25.6 minutes. Treatment began within the goal of or = 60 minutes in 24 (29%). Regression analysis of multiple clinical variables revealed that ST-segment sum was the only variable that significantly influenced the time to thrombolysis (r = -0.42; p or = 60 minutes (p = 0.01). In 10 patients mistakenly treated with thrombolytic therapy, the electrocardiographic processes responsible for ST-segment elevation included the early repolarization variant, left ventricular hypertrophy, old anterior AMI with persistent ST-segment elevation, and conduction delay.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
File processing—a correctness approach

This paper describes an upper-division course in file processing which is intended to satisfy the requirements of both theoretical and applications-oriented curricula. It emphasizes file processing concepts from a software engineering perspective. Attention is paid to the system life cycle and a correctness approach to design and coding.
A reinvestigation of parabanic acid–formaldehyde polymerization

An earlier paper reported the synthesis of derivatives of parabanic acid, mono- and dimethylol parabanic acid, and their polymerizations with themselves and with aqueous formaldehyde. The study is reported herein to clarify that work. The reported synthesis of monomethylol parabanic acid was not reproducible. Identical low-molecular-weight polymers were obtained from the condensation of parabanic acid with formalin and from the self-condensation of dimethylol parabanic acid. The final polymer contains a little of the original parabanic acid and a large amount of the condensation product from a ring opening byproduct. Commonly, two products are possible, a soluble one at lower reaction times and temperatures and an insoluble one at longer times and temperatures. Films cannot be formed by solvent casting or heat pressing. Elemental analyses and infrared spectra show that the actual products are not of the structure originally proposed.
Redundant proteolytic activation of a viral superantigen

Abstract Proteolytic activation of viral superantigens (vSAgs) 4 expressed in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells is required for T cell stimulation, and is mediated primarily by the protein convertase (PC) furin. Three PC recognition sites are highly conserved in vSAgs, but it was not known which sites are required for PC dependent vSAg activation. Moreover, because the PC recognition sites are not conserved in all functional vSAgs it was possible that activation could occur by processing at any of several sites. To identify the location(s) where processing of vSAg7 generates an active superantigen, each of two PC recognition sites, and a third related site were altered by in vitro mutagenesis, and the mutant proteins were tested for their abilities to activate T cells. Mutation of the PC recognition site at position 68–71 in vSAg7 had no effect on its ability to activate T cells. Mutation of the processing site at position 169–172 completely abolished T cell activation, and indicated that cleavage at this position was obligatory for proteolytic activation of vSAg7. However, introduction of a PC recognition site at position 192–195, a position that in many other vSAgs encodes a PC recognition site, restored activity to a vSAg7 protein that lacked a recognition site at position 169–172. The data revealed that processing of vSAgs at either position 169–172 or 192–195 was sufficient for vSAg7 activation, and explain how vSAgs that lack some PC recognition sites can be activated by proteolytic processing.
Using an RSP3 reporter gene system to investigate molecular regulation of hydrogenase expression in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii

The green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii evolves H2 gas under anaerobic conditions in reactions catalyzed by hydrogenase enzymes. Expression of the HYDA genes and related genes is regulated by environmental conditions including anoxia. To study the pathways of gene regulation, we utilized the reporter gene RSP3, encoding a radial spoke protein required for flagellar motility. Promoter/5′UTR sequences of HYDA1 and HYDA2 genes were fused to the RSP3 coding sequence and the constructs were transformed into immotile cells lacking a functional RSP3 gene. The resulting transformants express the RSP3 reporter under the transcriptional control of the HYDA1 or HYDA2 promoter/5′UTR sequences. They are paralyzed in the presence of O2, but motile in anoxic conditions. To identify cis-elements or trans-acting factors that regulate gene expression in response to hypoxia, the conditionally swimming transformant strains were mutagenized and constitutively swimming strains were selected under aerobic conditions. Molecular and genetic analyses showed that mutations in both cis-elements and trans-acting factors lead to constitutive motility. Some mutant strains contain transposable elements inserted into the HYDA promoter/5′UTR sequences. These interrupted regions might indicate regulatory sequences involved in the response to hypoxia or perhaps the presence of sequences within transposable elements that stimulate transcription of the reporter gene.
Mobility-Capacity-delay Trade-off in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Abstract We show that there is a trade-off among mobility, capacity, and delay in ad hoc networks. More specifically, we consider two schemes for node mobility in ad hoc networks. We divide the entire network by cells whose sizes can vary with the total number of nodes n , or whose size is independent of the number of nodes. We restrict the movement of nodes within these cells, calculate throughput and delay for randomly chosen pairs of source–destination nodes, and show that mobility is an entity that can be exchanged with capacity and delay. We also investigate the effect of directional antennas in a static network in which packet relaying is done through the closest neighbor and verify that this approach attains better throughput than static networks employing omnidirectional antennas.
Ultraviolet Fluorescence by Optical Pumping with Extreme Ultraviolet Line Radiation

Extreme ultraviolet Al III line radiation at 56.0433 nm from a laser-produced plasma is used to optically pump a nearly coincident transition at 56.0437 nm in C II produced in a vacuum arc. Time-resolved measurements of the resultant C II ultraviolet fluorescence at 213.8 nm revealed up to a factor-of-8 increase in fluorescence, coincident with the Al laser-produced plasma.
Performance of Photoconductors

All semi-conductors and insulators are photoconductors. The characteristic parameter of a photoconductor is the life time of a free carrier. The photo-electron current is equal to the product of absorbed photon current and the ratio of life time to transit time of a free carrier. This relation holds as well for the commonly known types of barriers as for uniform photoconductors. The photo-electron current may range from a small fraction of the photon current to many powers of ten greater than the photon current depending on the ratio of life time to transit time. There is good evidence for life times in different photoconductors extending from 10-12 seconds to values approaching a second. The life times of free electrons and free holes are in general independent of each other and markedly different. Only at sufficiently high excitation rates for which the free carrier densities exceed the densities of bound states do the electron and hole life times necessarily become equal. The usual termination of the life time of a free carrier is by recombination with a deep lying bound state in the forbidden zone. These recombination processes are structure sensitive, complex, and generally not amenable to exact solution. A useful insight can be gained by dividing the bound states into deep-lying states, called ground states, that govern the rates of recombination and thereby the free carrier densities; and shallow lying bound states, called traps, that are responsible for observed response times exceeding the carrier life times.
Gallium nitrate optic neuropathy.

Purpose To report a patient with visual loss after systemic administration of gallium nitrate. Method Case report. Results After receiving intravenous gallium nitrate, a 77-year-old man developed bilateral visual loss and optic neuropathy with central scotomas on visual field testing and diminished P 2 -wave amplitude on visual evoked potential examination. The condition worsened after oral corticosteroid therapy. Partial recovery of optic nerve function in both eyes was present after 12 months of oral ferrous sulfate administration. Conclusions Partially reversible bilateral optic neuropathy may occur after administration of gallium nitrate in the absence of other chemotherapeutic agents. Ophthalmic examinations are indicated in patients who receive gallium nitrate.
Identification of a Ryanodine Receptor in Rat Heart Mitochondria

Recent studies have shown that, in a wide variety of cells, mitochondria respond dynamically to physiological changes in cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]c). Mitochondrial Ca2+uptake occurs via a ruthenium red-sensitive calcium uniporter and a rapid mode of Ca2+ uptake. Surprisingly, the molecular identity of these Ca2+ transport proteins is still unknown. Using electron microscopy and Western blotting, we identified a ryanodine receptor in the inner mitochondrial membrane with a molecular mass of approximately 600 kDa in mitochondria isolated from the rat heart. [3H]Ryanodine binds to this mitochondrial ryanodine receptor with high affinity. This binding is modulated by Ca2+ but not caffeine and is inhibited by Mg2+and ruthenium red in the assay medium. In the presence of ryanodine, Ca2+ uptake into isolated heart mitochondria is suppressed. In addition, ryanodine inhibited mitochondrial swelling induced by Ca2+ overload. This swelling effect was not observed when Ca2+ was applied to the cytosolic fraction containing sarcoplasmic reticulum. These results are the first to identify a mitochondrial Ca2+ transport protein that has characteristics similar to the ryanodine receptor. This mitochondrial ryanodine receptor is likely to play an essential role in the dynamic uptake of Ca2+ into mitochondria during Ca2+oscillations.
Dielectric Properties of Lead Zirconate and Barium‐Lead Zirconate

Methods are described for preparing lead zirconate and mixtures of lead and barium zirconate in ceramic form. These compositions are shown to constitute a new class of ferroelectric materials having dielectric constants as high as 11,000. Dielectric constants are measured at 1 mc. per second in a temperature range 25° to 350° C. Nonlinear dielectric properties and piezoelectric effects are demonstrated.
Elevation of [Ca2+]i and the Activation of Ion Channels and Fluxes by Extracellular ATP and Phospholipase C‐Linked Agonists in Rat Parotid Acinar Cells

Extracellular ATP initiates a variety of changes in the parotid acinar cell. The initial effect appears to be the entry of Ca2+ (and perhaps Na+), and a series of ion transport events result from the subsequent elevation of [Ca2+]i. Agonists of phospholipase C-linked receptors elevate [Ca2+]i by a different pathway, involving the generation of inositol polyphosphate compounds, but share in the subsequent initiation of the ion transport events. Although the maintenance of the physiological changes may depend on specific inositol polyphosphate intermediates, the critical initiating factor is the elevation of [Ca2+]i. Fluid secretion by the parotid gland is triggered by the action of neurotransmitters, which alter the membrane permeability of the acinar cell. The similarities between the two receptor-mediated activation pathways suggests that ATP may act as a neurotransmitter and play a role in the control of fluid secretion. Basing our analysis on the purinoceptor characteristics outlined by Gordon, we suggest that the parotid receptor belongs to the P2Z class, which is highly sensitive to ATP4-. Basing his analysis on the earlier report by Gallacher of the effects of ATP on mouse parotid cells, Gordon placed the parotid purinoceptor in a different P2 subclass (P2Y). However, our findings of an increased potency of ATP in the absence of Mg2+, as well as the potency order of different nucleotides, indicate that the P2Z class is a more appropriate category.
Effective rotational Hamiltonian for molecules with internal rotors: Principles, theory, applications and experiences

Abstract The effective rotational Hamiltonian for molecules with one or two periodic large-amplitude motions has had considerable success in modeling rotational spectra over the past 15 years. This article spells out the basic premises and summarizes the theory of this Hamiltonian which is implemented in the program code called ERHAM. The essential features of the code are described. The modular approach to define tunneling parameters (and implicitly the Hamiltonian) makes the code very flexible. Published applications of ERHAM (including comparisons of results between ERHAM and other program codes) are reviewed and the limitations of ERHAM are discussed.