cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abdominal Pain Due to Renal Infarction: An Unexpected Presentation of COVID-19

Although respiratory symptoms dominate the clinical presentation of COVID-19, atypical, misleading non-pulmonary complaints can occur. Here we present a case of an otherwise healthy 28-year-old cisgender woman whose initial presentation of COVID-19 was unexplained acute abdominal pain, which was later found to be due to renal infarction. She was treated with anti-coagulation and was discharged after a short hospital stay. This case demonstrates the heterogeneous presentations that are associated with COVID-19. Medical providers must be aware that this virus may mimic a diverse array of disorders, even in the absence of respiratory symptoms.
Sleepiness in obstructive sleep apnea using hypopneas defined by a 3% oxygen desaturation or arousal but not by 4% or greater oxygen desaturation

STUDY OBJECTIVES This analysis determined the association between obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) with hypopneas defined by a 3% O2 desaturation or arousal (3%A), but not by a hypopnea criterion of ≥ 4% (4%), and subjective sleepiness. METHODS Data were analyzed from Sleep Heart Health Study participants who had polysomnography (N = 6307) regarding OSA and subjective sleepiness scores (Epworth Sleepiness Scale, ESS). The apnea hypopnea index (AHI) was classified based on 3% only, 3%A only, and 4% definitions of hypopneas. RESULTS Of the 3326 participants without 4% OSA, 67.6% (n = 2247) had 3%A only OSA. The ESS score was higher in 3%A only OSA than in those without OSA (7.44 ± 4.2 vs 7.07 ± 4.3, P = 0.02). Of those without 4% OSA, 40.2% (n = 1336) had 3% only OSA. The ESS score was higher in those with 3% only OSA than those with no OSA (7.72 ± 4.3 vs 7.05 ± 4.2, P < 0.001). A linear regression model demonstrated a trend towards significance for the 3%A only AHI as an independent predictor of ESS when controlled for age, BMI, and sex (P = 0.051). The association of 3% only AHI with the ESS was stronger (P = 0.003). However, 23.3% of the participants with hypersomnia would not qualify as having OSA if arousals were excluded from the definition of OSA. CONCLUSION The current study found that the presence and severity of OSA is associated with higher ESS scores in persons with 3%A only OSA. Hence, the use of the 4% hypopnea definition will result in the failure to identify and treat a significant number of individuals with OSA who have subjective sleepiness.
A longevity study to determine appropriate storage conditions for sexual lubricants using spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques

Abstract There has been an increase in the number of reported cases in which assailants have used a condom or sexual lubricant. Sexual predators understand that DNA from seminal fluid is one of the main forms of evidence used to connect a suspect to a victim or crime scene; therefore, the use of condoms in sexual assault cases has increased. This dilemma has led to research into other types of trace evidence (e.g., sexual lubricants). The study presented herein was performed to determine the optimal storage time length and conditions appropriate for storing trace lubricant residue. This research project used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), direct analysis in real time-high resolution mass spectrometry (DART-HRMS), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques to analyze the stored swabs containing sexual lubricants at 8 timepoints over 18 months. Blank, personal lubricant, and condom swabs were stored under several environmental conditions. Swab storage allowed for the determination of whether lubricants degraded, thus adversely affecting the ability to recognize the classification patterns. Resulting spectra from each instrument can be used to identify environmental degradation of lubricant samples and generate investigative leads. Pearson Correlation Coefficients and time plots of the chemical components were used to determine if chemical breakdown occurred for each lubricant and if the pattern changed significantly. Results showed that the strongest correlations occur between the initial timepoint (T 0) and one month (T1m), with correlations decreasing consistently up to eighteen months (T18m). The best storage conditions were determined to be 22 °C at both 16% and 50% humidity. The ability to understand the effects of environment and time to the analysis of sexual lubricants may offer helpful information when analyzing sexual assault kits.
Robust Constrained Eigensystem Assignment

A robust control algorithm based on eigensystem assignment in a large class of regions in the complex plane is presented. The algorithm allows pole placement as a function of the desired coefficients of the characteristic equation and reduces their sensitivity to perturbation by selecting robust eigenvectors as well. A quantitative robustness measure is developed to estimate the bound on parametric uncertainty possible while still remaining in the target region. The algorithm is tested on a numerical example and results are discussed.
Effects of cellular transformation on expression of plasminogen activator inhibitors 1 and 2. Evidence for independent regulation.

Abstract Expression of plasminogen activators (PA) has been reported to be associated with invasive tumor growth and increased metastatic ability. In order to delineate changes in PA and PA inhibitor (PAI) expression that accompany cellular transformation, we studied oncogene-containing variants of the Rat-1 cell line. We report here that transfection of the oncogenes v-src, erbB, c-myc, v-myc, N-myc, and EJras into these cells does not result in detectable PA activity in conditioned media or cell extracts. In addition, Northern blot analysis fails to demonstrate urokinase mRNA in Rat-1 cells or transfectants. Moreover, cells transformed by EJras and v-src but not other oncogenes secrete an active placental-type PAI, PAI-2. Using inducible EJras constructs, we find that increased PAI-2 gene expression is detectable within 6-12 h after treatment with the inducing agent. Peak expression of PAI-2 mRNA is increased 10-15-fold over base line, and high levels are maintained for at least 72 h. In contrast to the results with PAI-2, secretion of endothelial-type PAI-1 into conditioned media is sharply down-regulated by several oncogenes. Thus, we have found that PAI-1 and PAI-2 are independently regulated in transformed variants of Rat-1 cells. The specific induction of PAI-2 in cells transformed by oncogenic ras and src suggests that this protease inhibitor may have a previously unsuspected role in malignancy.
Dynamic virtual credit card numbers

Theft of stored credit card information is an increasing threat to e-commerce.We propose a dynamic virtual credit card number scheme that reduces the damage caused by stolen credit card numbers. A user can use an existing credit card account to generate multiple virtual credit card numbers that are either usable for a single transaction or are tied with a particular merchant. We call the scheme dynamic because the virtual credit card numbers can be generated without online contact with the credit card issuers. These numbers can be processed without changing any of the infrastructure currently in place; the only changes will be at the end points, namely, the card users and the card issuers. We analyze the security requirements for dynamic virtual credit card numbers, discuss the design space, propose a scheme using HMAC, and prove its security under the assumption the underlying function is a PRF.
Continental Drift: Contextualizing Citizens United by Comparing the Diverging British and American Approaches to Political Advertising

There is perhaps no more vital an issue to a healthy democracy than its attitude towards political speech. Because political speech—and particularly political advertising—has a profound influence on the outcomes of elections, most vibrant democracies recognize the need to avoid arbitrary distinctions among political advertisers that might sway elections for reasons other than the popularity of the candidates. The First Amendment avoids arbitrary distinctions by ensuring a free and open marketplace of ideas in the political speech realm, with almost no restrictions on political advertising. The United Kingdom, by contrast, addresses the problem by way of an outright ban on political advertising. This Note explores the recent, and controversial, Citizens United decision in the context of avoiding such groundless distinctions. In particular, this Note compares the American approach to the British approach, and argues that Citizens United is a correct reaction, within American constitutional law and case law, to the problem of arbitrary distinctions in the political
Insect pest and natural enemy populations in paired organic and conventional apple orchards in the Yakima Valley, Washington

Insect pest and natural enemy populations were evaluated during the 1990 growing season in five paired certified organic and conventional apple orchards in the Yakima Valley, Washington. Each orchard pair was managed by one grower and had similar conditions of location, extent, cultivars, and tree density. Organic orchards had not been treated with synthetic insecticides for 1-2 years before this study. Fruit injury from codling moth and population densities of phytophagous mites, sucking bugs, rosy apple and green aphids, leafminers, leafhoppers, and selected natural enemies were monitored throughout the season. Damage from codling moth was over 3% in three of the five organic orchards. Densities of phytophagous mites were high in one conventional orchard at the end of the season. Organic orchards had significantly higher populations of sucking bugs at bloom than did conventional orchards. There was no significant difference between orchard types in the densities of rosy apple aphid colonies per tree, but colonies in conventional orchards had significantly more aphids and significantly less parasitism than in organic orchards. The population density of green aphids was higher in conventional than organic orchards during the second half of the season. There was little difference in numbers of adult leafhoppers caught on sticky traps between orchard types, but captures of a leafhopper egg parasite were significantly higher in organic than in conventional orchards throughout the season. Immature leafminer populations were significantly higher and parasitism of leaf miner was significantly lower in conventional than organic orchards after July. Parasitism of codling moth was not found in any orchard. Key words: Codling moth; organic; apple; pest management; aphid; mite; leafhopper; leafminer; egg parasite
Simple neural models of classical conditioning

A systematic study of the necessary and sufficient ingredients of a successful model of classical conditioning is presented. Models are constructed along the lines proposed by Gelperin, Hopfield, and Tank, who showed that many conditioning phenomena could be reproduced in a model using non-trivial distributed representations of the sensory stimuli. The additional phenomena of extinction and blocking are found to be obtainable by generalizing the Hebbian learning algorithm, rather than by additional complications in the hardware. The most successful algorithms have a minimal number of adjustable parameters, and require only local-time information about the level of postsynaptic activity. The proper behavior of these algorithms is verified by both simple analytic arguments and by direct numerical simulation. Certain detailed assumptions concerning the distributed sensory representations are also found to have a surprising degree of importance.
Foundations of ComputerAssisted Decision Making

This chapter contains sections titled: Motivation for Computer-Assisted Decision Making Databases and Medical Records Mathematical Modeling and Simulation Pattern Recognition Bayesian Analysis Decision Theory Symbolic Reasoning Techniques Summary This chapter contains sections titled: Exercises References
The role of natural killer cells in protection of mice against death and corneal scarring following ocular HSV-1 infection.

Abstract C57BL/6 mice depleted of NK (natural killer) cells with anti-asialo-GM1 antibody were more susceptible to lethal HSV-1 ocular challenge (12% survival) than control C57BL/6 mice (100% survival), CD4+ depleted mice (100% survival), CD8+ depleted mice (80% survival), or macrophage depleted mice (85% survival). NK depletion also resulted in significantly higher levels of HSV-1 induced corneal scarring than was seen with any of the other groups. C57BL/6 mice depleted of NK cells with PK136 (anti-NK1.1 antibody which is more specific for NK cells than is anti-asialo-GM1 antibody) were also more susceptible to HSV-1 ocular challenge than T cell or macrophage depleted mice. Vaccination completely protected NK depleted mice against death and corneal scarring. In contrast to C57BL/6 mice, in BALB/c mice, NK depletion had no effect on survival or corneal scarring following ocular HSV-1 challenge. Experiments with IFN-γ knockout mice (IFN-γo/o mice) suggested that IFN-γ played a minor role in protection of naive mice against death following HSV-1 challenge. However, IFN-γ did not appear to be an important factor in protection against HSV-1 induced eye disease. Thus, protection against HSV-1 induced corneal scarring in naive mice appeared to be due to a non-INF-γ NK function. Our results therefore suggest that NK cells were very important in protecting naive C57BL/6 mice but not vaccinated C57BL/6 mice against corneal scarring and death following ocular HSV-1 challenge.
Bovine arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferease activity correlated with mRNA expression in pineal and retina

Arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AA-NAT, E. C. 2.3.1.87) is the enzyme that catalyzes the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to serotonin to form N-acetylserotonin (NAS) in the indoleamine biosynthetic pathway. Bovine pineal AA-NAT, partially purified on an anion exchange column, displayed an 8-fold higher enzymatic activity in pineals from animals killed in early morning (0800) compared to an afternoon group (1430). Poly A(+) mRNA was isolated from early morning bovine pineals, used to construct a mammalian expression cDNA library (lambdaZAP Express), and then screened with a rat AA-NAT cDNA to isolate a 924 basepair cDNA that encodes the bovine pineal AA-NAT. The amino acid sequence alignment reveals that bovine AA-NAT shares 94.20%, 78.54%, 76.33% and 56.3% identity to ovine, rat, human and chicken sequences, respectively. Northern blot analysis demonstrates a 0.7-fold higher mRNA level in pineal glands taken from animals from the 0800 time-point compared with mRNA from the 1430 time-point. AA-NAT mRNA was expressed at high levels in pineal and retina, but the message was undetectable in adrenal, cerebellum, cortex, small intestine, testis and thyroid. Based on the significant identity of amino acid sequence and the similar mRNA expression pattern, these data suggest that the bovine AA-NAT is more analogous to the ovine rather than either the rat, human or chicken AA-NAT.
Circular dichroism kinetics of acid denaturation of hemoglobin and of its β-subunits

Abstract Human hemoglobin and its isolated β-subunits were denatured by addition of HCl so as to reach final pH values ranging from 2.0 to 3.2. The β-subunits were alkylated in both the β93 and β112 cysteines; this treatment makes the β-subunits monomeric. The kinetics of acid denaturation of the two proteins was followed spectropolarimetrically in the millisecond time range, measuring the changes in circular dichroism at 225 nm. At all pH values, in both systems, the decay of ellipticity could be simulated by two exponentials. The initial ellipticity values of the solutions, obtained by extrapolation at zero time, were those expected for the native proteins. The rates of denaturation were lower in the hemoglobin system than in the isolated monomeric β-subunits. The data suggest that in the tertiary structure of hemoglobin and βIAA there are different domains which unfold at different rates upon exposure to acid.
Temporal encoding in trace conditioning

Conditioned lick suppression in rats was used to explore the role of timing in trace conditioning. In Experiment 1, two groups of rats were exposed to pairings of a CS (CS1) with a US, under conditions in which the interstimulus interval (ISI) that separated CS1 offset and US onset was either 0 or 5 sec. Two additional groups were also exposed to the same CS1→US pairings with either a 0 or a 5-sec ISI, and then received “backward” second-order conditioning in which CS1 was immediately followed by a novel CS2 (i.e., CS1→CS2). A trace conditioning deficit was observed in that the CS1 conditioned with the 5-sec gap supported less excitatory responding than the CS1 conditioned with the 0-sec gap. However, CS2 elicited more conditioned responding in the group trained with the 5-sec CS1-US gap than in the group trained with the 0-sec CS1-US gap. Thus, the CS1-US interval had inverse effects on first- and second-order conditioned responding. Experiment 2 was conducted as a sensory preconditioning analogue to Experiment 1. In Experiment 2, rats received the CS1?CS2 pairings prior to the CS1→US pairings (in which CS1 was again conditioned with either a 0 or a 5-sec ISI). Experiment 2 showed a dissociation between first- and second-order conditioned responding similar to that observed in Experiment 1. These outcomes are not compatible with the view that differences in responding to CSs conditioned with different ISIs are mediated exclusively by differences in associative value. The results are discussed in the framework of the temporal coding hypothesis, according to which temporal relationships between events are encoded in elementary associations.
Decay of muskmelons stored in controlled atmospheres

Abstract Musk melons, Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud., (commonly referred to as cantaloupes) stored for 14 days in 20% CO 2 21% O 2 at 5°C plus 3 days in air at 20°C, had less stem scar mold, surface mold, and flesh decay than those held in air or in 5 or 10% CO 2 21% O 2 . Forty percent CO 2 21% O 2 appeared to injure the melons and cause off-odors and off-flavors. Storage in 1, 2, 4 or 8% O2 for 14 days did not reduce mold growth, as compared with air storage.
Activation of the type 2 adrenal steroid receptor can rescue granule cells from death during development

To determine whether activation of the type 2 adrenal steroid receptor affects granule cell death in the developing dentate gyrus, we treated rat pups with the type 2 receptor agonist RU28362 and examined degenerating cells using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and Nissl staining. RU28362 administration decreased the numbers of degenerating granule cells suggesting that type 2 receptor activation can rescue granule cells from degeneration.
Observation of new tunable ultraviolet radiation by four-wave mixing involving forbidden transitions in sodium vapor

Abstract We have observed four-wave mixing processes in sodium vapor in which the fourth wave is resonantly enhanced by the 4 s −3 s forbidden transition. Intense, tunable, coherent ultraviolet radiation has been observed near 383 and 388 nm with a tuning range of 50 and 20 A, respectively. The sodium atoms are pumped by a single laser beam with wavelength in the 597 nm region. The third infrared wave involved in the mixing processes comes from either an OPSE or an output from another 4-WM process which is generated in the same sodium medium by the excitation of the same pump wave. The conversion efficiency is estimated to be 8 × 10 −4 .
The φX174-type primosome promotes replisome assembly at the site of recombination in bacteriophage Mu transposition

Initiation of Escherichia coli DNA synthesis primed by homologous recombination is believed to require the phiX174-type primosome, a mobile priming apparatus assembled without the initiator protein DnaA. We show that this primosome plays an essential role in bacteriophage Mu DNA replication by transposition. Upon promoting transfer of Mu ends to target DNA, the Mu transpososome undergoes transition to a pre-replisome that permits initiation of DNA synthesis only in the presence of primosome assembly proteins PriA, DnaT, DnaB and DnaC. These assembly proteins promote the engagement of primase and DNA polymerase III holoenzyme, initiating semi-discontinuous replication preferentially at the Mu left end. The results indicate that these proteins play a crucial role in promoting replisome assembly on a recombination intermediate.
On the first and second moments of the truncated multi-normal distribution and a simple estimator

Abstract The relations between the first two moments of multivariate normal random variables with some components truncated are found. Simple instrumental variable estimators are available. The analysis extends results of Amemiya, and Sickles and Schmidt.
Dynamin and β-Arrestin Reveal Distinct Mechanisms for G Protein-coupled Receptor Internalization

The process of agonist-promoted internalization (sequestration) of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) is intimately linked to the regulation of GPCR responsiveness. Following agonist-mediated desensitization, sequestration of GPCR is presumably associated with the dephosphorylation and recycling of functional receptors. However, the exact mechanisms responsible for GPCR sequestration, even for the prototypic beta2-adrenergic receptor (beta2AR), have remained controversial. We demonstrate here that dynamin, a GTPase that regulates the formation and internalization of clathrin-coated vesicles, is essential for the agonist-promoted sequestration of the beta2AR, suggesting that the beta2AR internalizes via the clathrin-coated vesicle-mediated endocytic pathway. In contrast, internalization of the angiotensin II type 1A receptor (AT1AR), another typical GPCR, does not require dynamin. In addition, the AT1AR internalizes independent of the function of beta-arrestin, a critical component for beta2AR cellular trafficking, but additional AT1ARs are mobilized to the dynamin-dependent pathway upon overexpression of beta-arrestin. These findings demonstrate that GPCRs can utilize distinct endocytic pathways, distinguishable by dynamin and beta-arrestin, and that beta-arrestins function as adaptor proteins specifically targeting GPCRs for dynamin-dependent endocytosis via clathrin-coated vesicles.
Genetics of iron regulation and the possible role of iron in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is acknowledged as the second most common neurodegenerative disorder after Alzheimer's Disease. Older age may be the only unequivocal risk factor for PD although the male to female ratio is consistently greater than 1 in populations of European ancestry. Characteristic features of PD include dopaminergic neuron death in the substantia nigra (SN) pars compacta, accumulation of α-synuclein inclusions known as Lewy bodies in the SN, and brain iron accumulation beyond that observed in non-PD brains of a similar age. In this review article, we will provide an overview of human and animal studies investigating the contributions of iron in PD, a summary of human studies of iron-related genes in PD, a review of the literature on the genetics of iron metabolism, and some hypotheses on possible roles for iron in the pathogenic processes of PD including potential interactions between iron and other factors associated with Parkinson's disease.
Effects of Interferon, Polyriboinosinic Acid‐Polyribocytidilic Acid and Steroids on the Cytochrome P450 System of Cultured Primary Mouse Hepatocytes *

: An earlier study from this laboratory showed that the hepatic murine cytochrome P450 (P450) system was depressed by interferon in vivo but induced in cultured primary hepatocytes. The current investigation attempted to resolve this contradiction. The P450 content of the cells used in the earlier study fell precipitously during the first 24 hr of culture and remained at the same low level throughout another 48 hr of incubation. This failure to maintain the P450 level suggested that the cells may not have been sufficiently viable to support the mechanisms involved in the depressant activity of interferon. Accordingly, a chemically defined medium containing hydrocortisone was devised which supported an acceptable level and function of the P450 system throughout a 72 hr incubation period. Functionality of the P450 system was evaluated by measuring aminopyrine N-demethylase and benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activities. When this steroid supplemented medium was used, interferon depressed both activities by about 25%; however, neither activity was affected significantly by poly IC. On the other hand, benzo[a]pyrene hydroxylase activity was depressed by both poly IC and interferon in hepatocytes induced with dexamethasone or with dexamethasone plus 3-methylcholanthrene. These studies emphasize the necessity of maintaining an acceptable level of homeostasis in cultured hepatocytes if one is to derive meaningful interpretations of certain biological events.
Early neoplastic commitment of hamster buccal pouch epithelium exposed biweekly to 7,12-dimethylbenz[ a ]anthracene

Experiments were performed to determine the rate at which hamster buccal pouch epithelium (HBPE) is committed to neoplastic development during a regimen of biweekly topical applications of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) in mineral oil, administered for 1, 2, 3, 5 or 10 weeks. Evaluated indices of neoplastic commitment were: (i) primary tumor formation, (ii) passageability of HBPE cells in surface culture, (iii) anchorage-independent growth in soft agar and (iv) induction of the transformed phenotype in NIH3T3 cells following transfection with HBPE DNA. Groups of 12-15 hamsters, exposed to DMBA for 1, 2 and 3 weeks, developed buccal pouch tumor incidences of 13%, 42% and 71% respectively within 44 weeks. Buccal pouches of ten control hamsters treated for three weeks with mineral oil did not develop buccal pouch neoplasms during an observation period of 44 weeks. Whereas cultured HBPE cells obtained following three weeks of in vivo DMBA exposure were negative in assays for anchorage-independent growth, passageability in surface culture and induction of NIH3T3 transformants following DNA transfection, similarly cultured cells obtained following five and ten weeks of in vivo exposure were positive, or marginally positive, in each of these assays. These results indicate that (i) the regimen of biweekly DMBA applications commits HBPE to neoplastic development within three weeks and that (ii) subsequent cellular or molecular changes occurring during greater than or equal to 2 succeeding weeks of DMBA treatment are necessary to manifest the transformation associated phenotypes of continuous passageability, anchorage-independent growth, and induction of NIH3T3 transformants following DNA transfection.
Online advertising on popular children's websites: Structural features and privacy issues

This study examined advertisements placed on popular children's websites. A total of 117 commercial children's websites, 933 unique ads and 813 advertising websites were included in the sample. Results show that a majority of children's websites carried advertisements, a third of which were Google ads. Less than half (47%) of the children's websites and about a quarter (24%) of the advertising websites complied with COPPA when they collected personal information from children. Implications for children's online safety are discussed.
Taipei, Taiwan: A transformational learning event: Reflecting on the 4th Asian Conference of Academy of Human Resource Development

Abstract The 4th Asian Conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development held in Taipei, Taiwan, nurtured new learning, networking and international integration. As we reflected upon the experience in Taiwan, the realization was evident that we now view the world from a global perspective. We no longer look at the world through our own country's lenses. Through participation in this transformational learning event, the way we see the world and ourselves has changed as well as enriched our HRD knowledge.
Viscoelastic analysis of multi-body systems using the finite element method

Abstract A study of the effect of viscoelastic material damping on the dynamic response of multibody systems, consisting of interconnected rigid, elastic and viscoelastic components, is presented. The motion of each elastic or viscoelastic body is identified by using three sets of modes: rigid body, reference and normal modes. Rigid body modes describe translation and large angular rotation of a body reference. Reference modes are the result of imposing the body-axis conditions. Normal modes define the deformation of the body relative to the body reference. Constraints between different components are formulated by using a set of non-linear algebraic equations that can be introduced to the dynamic formulation by using a Lagrange multiplier technique or can be utilized to eliminate dependent co-ordinates by partitioning the constraint Jacobian matrix. In developing the system equations of motion of the viscoelastic component, an assumption of a linear viscoelastic model is made. A Kelvin-Voigt model is employed, wherein the stress is assumed to be proportional to the strain and its time derivative. The formulation yields a constant damping matrix and the damping forces depend only on the local deformation; thus, no additional coupling between the reference and elastic co-ordinates appears in the formulation when considering the viscoelastic effects. It is demonstrated, by a numerical example, that the viscoelastic material damping can have a significant effect on the dynamic response of multibody systems.
Nonlinear Optical Imaging of Integral Membrane Protein Crystals in Lipidic Mesophases

Second-order nonlinear optical imaging of chiral crystals (SONICC) is explored for selective detection of integral membrane protein crystals grown in opaque and turbid environments. High turbidity is a hallmark of membrane protein crystallization due to the extensive use of detergent and/or lipids that often form various mesophases. Detection of crystals in such media by conventional optical methods (e.g., intrinsic UV fluorescence, birefringence, bright-field image analysis, etc.) is often complicated by optical scattering and by the small sizes of the crystals that routinely form. SONICC is shown to be well-suited for this application, by nature of its compatibility with imaging in scattering media and its high selectivity for protein crystals. Bright second harmonic generation (SHG) (up to 18 million counts/s) was observed from even relatively small crystals (5 μm) with a minimal background due to the surrounding lipid mesophase (∼1 thousand counts/s). The low background nature of the resulting protein...
FOXO transcription factors: key regulators of cellular quality control

FOXO transcription factors are conserved regulators of longevity downstream of insulin signaling. These transcription factors integrate signals emanating from nutrient deprivation and stress stimuli to coordinate programs of genes involved in cellular metabolism and resistance to oxidative stress. Here, we discuss emerging evidence for a pivotal role of FOXO factors in promoting the expression of genes involved in autophagy and the ubiquitin–proteasome system – two cell clearance processes that are essential for maintaining organelle and protein homeostasis (proteostasis). The ability of FOXO to maintain cellular quality control appears to be critical in processes and pathologies where damaged proteins and organelles accumulate, including aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Facing Fascism: A Feminine Politics of Jouissance

To resume, then, the need for a written Law specifically prohibiting Genocide. (1) It should by now be evident that “the pleasure principle” needs its ethical mandate, beyond the “reality principle” of a social field that can no longer be considered homeostatic and nonconflictual. The fantasmatic character of human pleasure must not only be accounted for in any ethic today, it must take primacy. Fantasy formations grow ever central in our lives; fantasy is the support of our “reality.”
Kinematic/kinetic performance analysis and synthesis measures of multi-DOF mechanisms

Abstract This paper discusseskinematic/kinetic performance characteristics of multi-DOF mechanisms and proposes analytical and graphical representations for them. These performance characteristics are kinematic cross-coupling, directional motion mobility, force manipulability and motion efficiency. Properties of the proposed analytical/graphical measures are elaborated on for the purpose of kinematic synthesis. Graphical performance distribution over the mechanism's reachable workspace enables the designer to view the performance as a whole. Critical performance points representing extreme conditions of these perfomance characteristics are identified and used for design. The proposed performance tools will be demonstrated for the performance analysis of various robotic mechanisms.
A pseudocompressibility method for the numerical simulation of incompressible multifluid flows

This paper presents an explicit characteristics-based, conservative, finite-difference method for the simulation of incompressible multiphase flows. The method is based on the artificial compressib ...
Primary CNS lymphoma.

Primary CNS lymphoma, an uncommon form of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has increased in incidence and occurs in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent hosts. Primary CNS lymphoma in immunocompetent patients is associated with unique diagnostic, prognostic and therapeutic issues and the management of this malignancy is different from other forms of extranodal non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Characteristic imaging features should lead to suspicion of the diagnosis, avoidance of corticosteroids (if possible) and early neurosurgical consultation for stereotactic biopsy. Since primary CNS lymphoma may involve the brain, cerebrospinal fluid and eyes, diagnostic evaluation should include assessment of all of these regions as well as screening for the possibility of occult systemic disease. Resection provides no therapeutic benefit and should be reserved for the rare patient with neurological deterioration due to brain herniation. Whole-brain radiation therapy alone is insufficient for durable tumor control and...
Ultra-active Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst for selective catalytic reduction of nitric oxide with ammonia

Abstract We report a Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst that has higher catalytic activities for the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO by ammonia as compared to other known catalysts. This Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst was prepared by a simple impregnation method using NH 4 -ZSM-5 and FeCl 2 . The preparation process is in fact a combination of the conventional impregnation and solid-state ion exchange but the gas atmosphere for calcination is not an inert gas. Another process in which the Fe/ZSM-5 sample was first calcined in an inert gas (He) instead of air and then calcined in air was also investigated, and the activities of the catalysts prepared by these two processes were not different by much, which indicated that even in air the exchange between NH 4 + and Fe 2+ took place as evidenced by the ESR results and that the exchange was incomplete. Such incomplete exchange led to the formation of Bronsted type acid in the catalysts after the decomposition of NH 4 -ZSM-5, which is considered as the active site for ammonia adsorption. XRD and TEM clearly showed that there existed fine iron oxide particles located on the external zeolite surfaces. XPS results show that, unlike the Fe-ZSM-5 catalyst prepared by aqueous ion exchange, large amount of Fe 2+ species were found in the Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst prepared by this method. Compared to the activities of different Fe/ZSM-5 catalysts, the existence of the Fe 2+ species and the highly dispersed FeO x species may have contributed to the high activity of this Fe/ZSM-5 catalyst, especially in the low temperature ranges. Characterization of the catalyst and the reaction mechanism were also investigated by FTIR.
Salt floors to geosynclines

I propose that if young rift oceans (proto-oceans) are commonly the site of large scale evaporite deposition and if the sedimentary prisms of rifted margins are correctly identified as eugeosynclines, then it follows that geosynclines should commonly be floored by evaporites.
Lidocaine in Prehospital Countershock Refractory Ventricular Fibrillation

Drug management of out-of-hospital countershock refractory ventricular fibrillation was evaluated by including 100 mg lidocaine bolus intravenously as the only anti-arrhythmic option in a protocol for use by paramedics. One hundred sixteen patients entered the study by failing to convert from ventricular fibrillation after the sequence of countershock, sodium bicarbonate, and repeat countershock. Sixty-two patients (53%) received lidocaine during the course of attempted resuscitation (Group I); 54 patients (47%) did not receive lidocaine (Group II). The two groups did not have significant differences in response times, patient profiles, or the use of other drugs or procedures. In Group I, 28 patients (45%) remained in ventricular fibrillation on arrival at the hospital, 15 (24%) were admitted to the CCU, and seven (11%) were ultimately discharged. In Group II, 25 patients (46%) remained in ventricular fibrillation on arrival at the hospital, eight (17%) survived to be admitted to the hospital, and one (2%) was ultimately discharged. The ability to convert ventricular fibrillation and the number of short- and long-term survivors did not differ significantly between the two groups. We conclude that a well-documented, controlled study of prehospital drug management of ventricular fibrillation is possible, and that further clinical evaluation of drug use in countershock refractory ventricular fibrillation is needed.
Nucleotide sequence analysis of a unique near-terminal region of the tumorigenic poxvirus, Shope fibroma virus

Shope fibroma virus (SFV), a tumorigenic poxvirus, has a DNA genome of approximately 160 kb. Previous DNA sequence analysis of SFV has been mainly limited to the terminal inverted repetitions (about 12 kb at each end of the genome) and immediately adjacent regions. We have sequenced a 4 kb fragment located approximately 20 kb from the right-terminal hairpin. Within this region three complete and two partial open reading frames (ORFs) have been identified. Each of the putative polypeptides has sequence similarity to one or more previously identified poxvirus or cellular proteins, with homology to protein kinases, erythrocyte ankyrin and a vaccinia virus virulence-related protein (ORF N1L). The potential significance of these gene products with regard to the phenotype of SFV is discussed.
Purification and Characterization of Salivary Kallikrein from an Insectivore (Scalopus aquaticus): Substrate Specificities, Immunoreactivity, and Kinetic Analyses

We report the successful one-step separation of tissue kallikrein from the salivary glands of an insectivore, the Eastern Atlantic mole (Scalopus aquaticus) by perfusion chromatography. Purified mole salivary kallikrein was characterized as a 30-kDa serine proteinase with a pI of 5.3 and a pH optimum of 9.0. It was readily recognized by human tissue kallikrein antibody in immunoblot analyses. It preferentially hydrolyzes fluorogenic peptidyl substrates with arginyl residues, rather than lysyl residues at the P1 substrate recognition site, indicating that it is like other mammalian kallikreins. Mole kallikrein efficiently releases kinin from low molecular weight human, dog, and bovine kininogen substrates with specific activities similar to that of human tissue kallikrein. Steady state kinetics performed with the synthetic tripeptidyl substrates, Phe-Phe-Arg-, Pro-Phe-Arg, and Val-Leu-Arg-7-amino-4-methylcoumarin, gave K(m) values for mole kallikrein of 3.3, 46.1, and 2.8 microM, respectively, and specificity constants, kcat/K(m), of 3818, 165, and 8714 s-1 pM-1, respectively. Mole kallikrein, when compared with human and rat tissue kallikreins, more closely resembles human kallikrein based on immunoreactivity and kininogenase activity. Mole kallikrein appears to be a member of a single gene or small multigene family. S. aquaticus is recommended for studying the evolution of mammalian proteins and may offer advantages over rodent models for biomedical research.
Harnessing Natural Diversity to Probe Metabolic Pathways

Analyses of cellular processes in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae rely primarily upon a small number of highly domesticated laboratory strains, leaving the extensive natural genetic diversity of the model organism largely unexplored and unexploited. We asked if this diversity could be used to enrich our understanding of basic biological processes. As a test case, we examined a simple trait: the utilization of di/tripeptides as nitrogen sources. The capacity to import small peptides is likely to be under opposing selective pressures (nutrient utilization versus toxin vulnerability) and may therefore be sculpted by diverse pathways and strategies. Hitherto, dipeptide utilization in S. cerevisiae was solely ascribed to the activity of a single protein, the Ptr2p transporter. Using high-throughput phenotyping and several genetically diverse strains, we identified previously unknown cellular activities that contribute to this trait. We find that the Dal5p allantoate/ureidosuccinate permease is also capable of facilitating di/tripeptide transport. Moreover, even in the absence of Dal5p and Ptr2p, an additional activity—almost certainly the periplasmic asparaginase II Asp3p—facilitates the utilization of dipeptides with C-terminal asparagine residues by a different strategy. Another, as-yet-unidentified activity enables the utilization of dipeptides with C-terminal arginine residues. The relative contributions of these activities to the utilization of di/tripeptides vary among the strains analyzed, as does the vulnerability of these strains to a toxic dipeptide. Only by sampling the genetic diversity of multiple strains were we able to uncover several previously unrecognized layers of complexity in this metabolic pathway. High-throughput phenotyping facilitates the rapid exploration of the molecular basis of biological complexity, allowing for future detailed investigation of the selective pressures that drive microbial evolution.
Tissue concentrations of sulfamethazine and tetracycline hydrochloride of swine (Sus scrofa domestica) as it relates to withdrawal methods for international export

Abstract The use of water medications is a common practice in the US swine industry to treat and prevent infections in swine herds with minimal labor and without risk of needle breakage. There are concerns that FDA-approved withdrawal times (WDT) may be inadequate for several water medications when exporting pork products to countries where MRLs (maximum residue limits) are lower than US tolerance levels. In this study, withdrawal intervals (WDI) were estimated for pigs when dosed with tetracycline and sulfamethazine in water. The WDI were calculated using the FDA tolerance method (TLM) and a population-based pharmacokinetic method (PopPK). The estimated WDIs (14–16 days using TLM) were similar to the approved WDT of 15 days for sulfamethazine. However, the PopPK method extended WDIs for both sulfamethazine (19–20 days) and tetracycline (12 days) compared to the currently approved WDTs in the U.S. This study also identified potential differences in WDI between weanling and finisher pigs. In conclusion, the TLM may not always provide adequate WDT for foreign export markets especially when MRLs differ from tolerance levels approved for US markets. However, PopPK methods can provide conservative WDIs in situations with considerable variability in medication exposure such as with administration in water.
Malignant non-Hodgkin's-type lymphoma of the cervix uteri occurring during pregnancy.

Abstract Histiocytic lymphoma, arising from the cervix uteri, especially during pregnancy, has rarely been found. The present case appears to be the second case reported in the English literature. The literature review and also the present case suggest that, if the histiocytic lymphoma arises primarily from the cervix uteri and is confined to the pelvis, it may be treated by irradiation and cure may be obtained.
How Does Public Assistance Affect Family Expenditures? The Case of Urban China

Summary Using recent national household survey data and a propensity score matching method, this study examines the effects of urban China’s primary public assistance program—Minimum Living Standard Assistance (MLSA)—on family expenditures, an important yet understudied indicator of family material well-being. We find that families receiving MLSA prioritized human capital investment (i.e., paying for education and health) rather than making the ends meet (e.g., paying for food, clothing, rent, and utilities). The policy implications of these findings are discussed.
Flame synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract Flames offer potential for synthesis of carbon nanotubes in large quantities at significantly lower cost than that of other methods currently available. This study aimed to examine conditions for carbon nanotube formation in premixed flames and to characterize the morphology of solid carbon deposits and their primary formation mechanisms in the combustion environment. Single-walled nanotubes were observed in the post-flame region of a premixed acetylene/oxygen/15 mol% argon flame operated at 6.7 kPa with Fe(CO)5 vapor used as a source of metallic catalyst necessary for nanotube growth. Thermophoretic sampling and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the solid material present in the flame at various heights above burner (HAB), providing a quantitative description of formation dynamics within the flame system. Catalyst particle formation and growth is observed to dominate the immediate post-flame region (10–40 mm HAB). Nanotubes were observed to be present after 40 mm HAB with nanotube inception occurring as early as 30 mm HAB. Between 40 and 70 mm HAB, nanotubes were observed to coalesce into clusters. A nanotube formation `window' was evident with formation limited to fuel equivalence ratios between 1.5 and 1.9. A continuum of morphologies ranging from relatively clean clusters of nanotubes to amorphous material was observed between these lower and upper limits. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed nanotube bundles with each nanotube being single-walled with diameters between 0.9 and 1.5 nm. Particles associated with nanotube bundles were identified as primarily Fe2O3. The estimated yield of nanotubes per unit of material fed to the flame was 0.1 wt% of carbon and 2.5 wt% of iron. A mechanistic interpretation of nanotube formation processes in the premixed flame clearly identifies the role of iron oxide particles and suggests ways for significantly improving the yield of nanotubes from the flame.