cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Novel Diamino Derivatives of [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a][1,3,5]triazine as Potent and Selective Adenosine A2a Receptor Antagonists

The [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine derivative 3, more commonly known in the field of adenosine research as ZM-241385, has previously been demonstrated to be a potent and selective adenosine A2a receptor antagonist, although with limited oral bioavailability. This [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine core structure has now been improved by incorporating various piperazine derivatives. With some preliminary optimization, the A2a binding affinity of some of the best piperazine derivatives is almost as good as that of compound 3. The selectivity level over the adenosine A1 receptor subtype for some of the more active analogues is also fairly high, >400-fold in some cases. Many compounds within this piperazine series of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine have now been shown to have good oral bioavailability in the rat, with some as high as 89% (compound 35). More significantly, some piperazines derivatives of [1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]triazine also possessed good oral efficacy in rodent models of Parkinson's disease. For in...
On gestural mimicry

Despite various theories about the exact origin of gestures in speech production, researchers generally accept that gesture and speech constitute the product of a single unit of thought within the speaker. On the other hand, what I call gestural mimicry requires consideration of factors outside such speaker-internal coupling of gesture and speech. Through detailed analysis of a joint narration task and casual conversation in a dyad, I will show that, once perceived and decoded by a partner, the form–meaning relationship of a speaker’s gesture can become part of the common ground of understanding between the participants. In gestural mimicry, communicativity is observed in the way a speaker’s spontaneous gesture shapes the subsequent gestural move of the interlocutor. With a recurrence of gestural features across speakers, image construal through gesture becomes an interactional phenomenon. That is, gesture as well as speech provides an interactional resource for co-constructing talk.
Vertebrate blood cell volume increases with temperature: implications for aerobic activity

Aerobic activity levels increase with body temperature across vertebrates. Differences in these levels, from highly active to sedentary, are reflected in their ecology and behavior. Yet, the changes in the cardiovascular system that allow for greater oxygen supply at higher temperatures, and thus greater aerobic activity, remain unclear. Here we show that the total volume of red blood cells in the body increases exponentially with temperature across vertebrates, after controlling for effects of body size and taxonomy. These changes are accompanied by increases in relative heart mass, an indicator of aerobic activity. The results point to one way vertebrates may increase oxygen supply to meet the demands of greater activity at higher temperatures.
Generalized binary split trees

The definition of binary split trees is generalized by removing the condition of decreasing frequency. It is shown that the access time of generalized split trees is less than that of split trees in general. The optimal representation of generalized split trees is studied. A polynomial time algorithm to construct such optimal tree structures is given. The relationship among several classes of binary trees are also discussed.
Skin sensory innervation patterns in embryonic chick hindlimbs deprived of motoneurons

During normal development and following a variety of experimental manipulations (e.g., neural tube rotations, limb shifts), sensory neurons in the chick grow to their correct targets. L. Landmesser and M. G. Honig (1986, Dev. Biol. 118, 511-531) have suggested that sensory innervation may be precise, not because sensory neurons respond to limb-derived guidance cues, but because sensory neurons interact with motoneurons, which do respond to such cues. To test this hypothesis for skin sensory neurons, the ventral neural tube, including the motoneuron precursors, was removed from chick embryos prior to sensory axon outgrowth and the resulting patterns of dermatomes and axonal projections were mapped physiologically and anatomically. As reported previously, dorsal root ganglia (DRGs) and cutaneous nerves formed in their usual locations following the early removal of motoneurons, while most muscle nerves and the plexus region were reduced substantially (A. C. Taylor, 1944, J. Exp. Zool. 96, 159-185; L. Landmesser and M. G. Honig, 1986, Dev. Biol. 118, 511-531; G. J. Swanson and J. Lewis, 1986, J. Embryol. Exp. Morphol. 95, 37-52). The patterns of axonal projections and dermatomes were surprisingly, although not entirely, normal. In particular, cutaneous nerves in motoneuron-depleted embryos were derived from the same DRGs in approximately the same proportions as normal. Thus, while motoneurons may play a facilitative role in the development of the segmental pattern of skin sensory innervation, they do not appear to be essential.
Examination of the relationship between parental satisfaction and child maltreatment potential while considering social desirability

Parental dissatisfaction with children appears to be associated with child maltreatment. However, little is known regarding the specific domains of parental dissatisfaction that may increase child maltreatment potential, particularly in perpetrators of child maltreatment where substance abuse is present. In this study, responses to the Child Abuse Potential Inventory (CAPI) and a scale measuring parental satisfaction in 11 domains were examined in a sample of 82 mothers who were referred for treatment of substance abuse and child neglect by the local child protective service agency. Results indicated that mothers were relatively most satisfied with their children overall, and least satisfied in domains that were relevant to discipline (i.e., following house rules, compliance, reaction to redirection and punishment, completion of chores). Five of the 11 areas of parental satisfaction that were assessed evidenced negative correlations with child abuse potential, indicating that as satisfaction increased, abuse potential decreased. However, when correlation analyses excluded participants with elevated CAPI Lie scale scores (a measure of social desirability), only overall happiness demonstrated a significant negative correlation with child abuse potential. These results suggest that while associations are present among measures of parental satisfaction and child abuse potential, these associations are moderated to some extent by social desirability, which may help explain some of the inconsistencies reported in prior studies of parental satisfaction and child maltreatment potential.
Laparoscopic colectomy in diverticular and Crohn's disease.

Laparoscopy for colorectal surgery is controversial. 44 Laparoscopic colorectal surgery is different from all other laparoscopic surgeries for several reasons. First, all of the other surgeries are performed in a relatively fixed intra-abdominal location, so virtually no need exists for intraoperative repositioning of instruments, ports, and personnel. Second, the other surgeries include no vascular division (i.e., herniorrhaphy or fundoplication) or division of a single small vessel (i.e., cholecystectomy), so vascular division can be rapidly, safely, and inexpensively performed. Conversely, the colonic mesentery includes numerous large vessels, so vascular control requires considerably more time and often much more cost than do other procedures. Third, in none of these procedures is an anastomosis fashioned. The anastomosis is the most critical part of any colorectal surgery. Fourth, the other surgeries require the removal of a small organ or no specimen retrieval. Removal of a properly resected segment of colon with its attached mesentery requires a small incision or a large port. Potential advantages associated with laparoscopic colorectal surgery compared with laparotomy are less intraoperative trauma, less postoperative pain, shorter hospitalization, and reduced disability. 3,20,23,29,37 Additional attributes are improved cosmesis and a reduction in postoperative adhesions 18,26,30,40,44 ; however, further investigation with longer follow-up is necessary to definitively prove these findings. Despite the many benefits, some technical disadvantages to laparoscopy exist. Especially in the hands of novices, laparoscopic surgery usually is associated with a longer surgical time. It always involves special equipment, thus potentially increasing the cost of the procedure. 38,45 Loss of tactile sensation also occurs, theoretically limiting the evaluation of thickened areas or small strictures of the small bowel. Despite several publications that have shown potential advantages of laparoscopy, the absence of large, scientifically valid, externally monitored, peer-reviewed, prospective, randomized studies makes meaningful conclusions impossible. The debate regarding the advisability of laparoscopy for colorectal cancer continues, but fewer surgeons take issue with laparoscopic palliative resection of malignances or treatment of benign disorders because several benign conditions have been safely and effectively treated with laparoscopic and laparoscopic-assisted approaches.
Antennal Resolution of Pulsed Pheromone Plumes in Three Moth Species

Male antennae of Cadra cautella, Pectinophora gossypiella, and Spodoptera exigua were presented with 20-ms-duration pulses of their two-component pheromone at rates of 1 to 33 Hz. Fourier analyses of electroantennograms resolved the temporal structure of trains of pheromone filaments delivered at up to 33 Hz for C. cautella and S. exigua and 25 Hz for P. gossypiella. Pheromone components tested separately for each species were generally equivalent in filament resolution to complete blends. Ambient temperatures of 18, 23 and 28 degrees C affected filament resolution only slightly, with poorer ability to discriminate rapidly pulsed signals at 18 degrees C. The question of how, or indeed if, such frequencies are conserved beyond the peripheral nervous system, remains.
331 THE INTERPRETATION OF DIURETIC RESPONSE FROM THE ANA-LYSIS OF URINARY DRUG EXCRETION DATA

331 THE INTERPRETATION OF DIURETIC RESPONSE FROM THE ANA-LYSIS OF URINARY DRUG EXCRETION DATA
Distribution, abundance, and diversity patterns of the thermoacidophilic "deep-sea hydrothermal vent euryarchaeota 2".

Cultivation-independent studies have shown that taxa belonging to the “Deep-sea Hydrothermal Vent Euryarchaeota 2” (DHVE2) lineage are widespread at deep-sea hydrothermal vents. While this lineage appears to be a common and important member of the microbial community at vent environments, relatively little is known about their overall distribution and phylogenetic diversity. In this study, we examined the distribution, relative abundance, co-occurrence patterns, and genetic diversity of cultivable thermoacidophilic DHVE2 in deposits from globally distributed vent fields. Results of quantitative polymerase chain reaction assays with primers specific for the DHVE2 and Archaea demonstrate the ubiquity of the DHVE2 at deep-sea vents and suggest that they are significant members of the archaeal communities of established vent deposit communities. Local similarity analysis of pyrosequencing data revealed that the distribution of the DHVE2 was positively correlated with ten other Euryarchaeota phylotypes and negatively correlated with mostly Crenarchaeota phylotypes. Targeted cultivation efforts resulted in the isolation of 12 axenic strains from six different vent fields, expanding the cultivable diversity of this lineage to vents along the East Pacific Rise and Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Eleven of these isolates shared greater than 97% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with one another and the only described isolate of the DHVE2, Aciduliprofundum boonei T469T. Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of five protein-coding loci, atpA, EF-2, radA, rpoB, and secY, revealed clustering of isolates according to geographic region of isolation. Overall, this study increases our understanding of the distribution, abundance, and genetic diversity of the DHVE2.
A theory of lepton number violation and neutrino Majorana masses

It is emphasized that the successful relation MW = MZ cos θW does not mean that we have determined the SU(2) x U(1) transformation property of the Higgs sector. A simple modification of the Higgs sector leads to a wealth of exotic lepton number violating processes such as νμe− → νeμ− and to neutrino Majorana masses.
Erosion behavior of thermally treated pyrophyllite coated with titanium carbide

The rock mineral pyrophyllite (Al 2 O 3 .4SiO 2 .H 2 O) is an easily machined material. After heat treatment at 1200°C, the pyrophyllite was changed to a mullite based ceramic. Chemical vapor deposition (CVD) was used to apply titanium carbide coating to the thermally treated pyrophyllite substrate. The erosion behavior of the uncoated and coated ceramic was investigated experimentally by exposing it to a silica solid particle-laden flow at velocities from 150 to 250 m s −1 and temperatures from ambient to 650°C in a specially designed erosion wind tunnel. The results show the effects of velocity, temperature and impact angle on the erosion rate. The cumulative effects of the impacting particle mass on sample weight loss and erosion rate were also investigated. The results reveal that the erosion rate is proportional to the particle velocity to the power n, where for coated samples the exponent n is 4.94 and for the uncoated substrate 1.83. The erosion rate of the coated substrate with titanium carbide specimens decreases significantly with increasing temperature from ambient to 450°C, while this effect is weaker for the uncoated substrate. Both coated and uncoated ceramic materials exhibit maximum erosion rate at a 90° impingement angle which indicates their brittle nature. In addition, the eroded surface was then examined by scanning electron microscopy. This study demonstrates that the tested CVD titanium carbide coating provides excellent protection for the thermally treated pyrophyllite in the particulate flow environment when exposed to high temperature. Pyrophyllite is widely used as an anvil supporting material and as the pressure transmitting medium for applications at very high pressures and temperatures
Problems With Serum IgM as a Screening Test for Congenital Infection

The purpose of this study was to determine the usefulness of the total serum IgM level as a screening test for congenital infection in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic infants. A retrospective medical record review was performed on 168 infants in whom the serum IgM was measured as a screen for congenital infection. The indications for testing, the yield of testing, and the adequacy of follow-up of abnormal values were examined. Only one infant was diagnosed with a congenital infection which was not specifically suspected prior to screening; this was a case of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV). Inappropriate screening was frequently performed in infants in whom indications for specific evaluation were present. Appropriate follow-up testing was performed in only 30% (seven of 23) of the infants with elevated serum IgM who received their pediatric care at our institution. Because of the low yield (< 1%) and lack of follow-up shown in this study, as well as poor sensitivity, serum IgM was not a useful screening test for congenital infection in our institution.
Extrinsic Regulatory Mechanisms of Seizure Activity

SUMMARY A brief review of physiological mechanisms operating from another area of the nervous system which may have a limiting influence on epileptic phenomena has been presented. It was pointed out that afferent impulses from the periphery, connections from the hypothalamus, the caudate nucleus, the limbic system, and the reticular formation may under some circumstances produce such an effect on various kinds of cortical convulsive activity. However, from all these areas the most common effect of electrical stimulation, particularly if supramaximal and prolonged, is to produce a spreading epileptic disturbance, and the effect of ablation may often enhance the epileptic activity of the cerebral cortex. The cerebellum may occasionally activate a seizure if an epileptic focus or cortical discharge is already induced. However, its predominant effect appears to limit or terminate the convulsion. This is particularly well demonstrated in cobalt experimental epilepsy in the rat. Furthermore, unlike any other part of the central nervous system, supramaximal stimulation confined to the cerebellum no matter how long applied, never produces a tonic-clonic generalized seizure. Therefore, of all the extrinsic regulatory mechanisms of seizure activity, the cerebellum may occupy a somewhat unique position. REASUMEA Une breGve revue des meAcanismes physiologiques pouvant agir, au deApart d'autres reAgions du systeGme nerveux, et pouvant avoir une influence limitante sur les pheAnomeGnes eApileptiques est preAsenteAe. L'attention est attireAe sur le fait que des impulsions affeArentes de la peAripheAric, d'autres en provenance de l'hypothalamus, du noyau caudeA, du systeGme limbique et de la formation reAticuleAe peuvent, dans certaines circonstances, produire un effet semblable sur diffeArentes formes d'activiteA eAlectrique corticale convulsive. Cependant, l'effet le plus commun obtenu par la stimulation eAlectrique, particulieGrement si elle est supramaximale et prolongeAe, aG partir de toutes ces reAgions, est de produire la diffusion d'une activiteA eApileptique; l'effet de leur ablation peut souvent renforcer l'activiteA eApileptique du cortex ceAreAbral. Le cervelet peut occasionnellement activer une crise si un foyer eApileptique ou une deAcharge corticale existent deAjaG. Cependant, son effet preAdominant apparaiCt eCtre de limiter la convulsion en dureAe ou d'en amener la fin. Ceci est particulieGrement bien deAmontreA dans l'eApilepsie au cobalt du rat. De plus, aG la diffeArence de toute autre partie du systeGme nerveux central, une stimulation supramaximale limiteAe au cervelet, ne produit jamais, quelle que soit la dureAe de son application, de crise geAneAraliseAe tonique-clonique. Par conseAquent, de tous les meAcanismes reAgulateurs extrinseGques de l'activiteA critique, le cervelet peut occuper une position quelque peu unique.
A Canada–U.S. customs union: Potential economic impacts in NAFTA countries

Abstract Using a multi-sector and multi-region dynamic CGE model, the paper estimates the potential economic impacts of a possible Canada–U.S. customs union in the three NAFTA countries. Our scenario for the customs union assumes common Canadian and U.S. tariffs against the non-NAFTA countries as well as the elimination of the Rules of origin provisions of NAFTA. Our simulation results suggest that all three NAFTA countries would benefit from such an arrangement. However, the biggest beneficiary would be Mexico, followed by Canada and the U.S. Mexico's real GDP could increase by as much as 5%, compared to over 1% for Canada and 0.2% for the U.S. Canada's total trade could expand by almost 20%. American trade would also increase significantly, but the increase will be much smaller than that of Canada. Most of the increase in trade flows and real GDP are the result of the elimination of the Rules of origin provisions. On the other hand, economic benefits from common external tariffs (CET) are quite modest. All Canadian industries, except food and beverages, would gain from a Canada–U.S. customs union. Nevertheless, the big beneficiaries are going to be transportation equipment, electronics, and machinery and equipment industries. On the other hand, the gains in service and resource-base industries will be quite modest.
Circuit Tuning by Wave Resonance and Applications to Radio Reception

Theoretical consideration of the wave resonance system of tuning with distributed values of inductance and capacity are given, together with circuit arrangements embodying this method of tuning. It is shown that a high degree of selectivity is obtainable and that it offers an effective method for the elimination of interference. Multiplexing both in the transmission and reception of radio signals can be readily realized.
American Law Teachers in an Austrian University - Some Observations Gleaned from a Decade of the Kansas-Vienna Exchange Program

This article describes a faculty exchange program established in 1984 by the law schools at the University of Vienna, Austria, and the University of Kansas. The authors of the article are two KU law faculty members: a senior KU faculty member who had grown up in Vienna and studied law at the law school there before coming to the U.S. and obtaining his J.D. and Ph.D. from the University of Virginia; and a junior KU faculty member who had spent two undergraduate years at universities in Germany. The participating faculty in the exchange program, one from each law school each year, exchanged practically everything: housing, cars, and faculty offices. The Austrians taught at KU in English. Most of the Kansas faculty taught in Vienna in English as well, although four Kansas faculty members spoke some German. The course topic taught in Vienna was typically announced as “Introduction to American Law,” with the professor’s expertise determining the exact content of the course. The Austrians would sometimes team-teach a course with a KU professor, sometimes participate in seminars, and often audit courses. Each Austrian gave a public lecture. The Austrian participants also traveled, from coast to coast in the U.S.; the Americans in Vienna traveled widely, to Athens, Spain, England and other countries in Europe. This article describes the program in detail, and it provides information about the law school in Vienna: history, building, faculty, curriculum, classes, and examinations, including a detailed description of a public, oral examination given by an Austrian law professor of five Austrian law students, which the junior KU co-author witnessed in 1992.
Effect of serum albumin and bilirubin on the risk of myocardial infarction (the Framingham Offspring Study)

The goal of this study was to use data collected on participants in the Framingham Offspring Study to test the hypothesis that low levels of serum albumin (Alb) and low levels of serum bilirubin (Bil) have synergistic effects on the risk of myocardial infarction (MI). Further, we wished to evaluate whether the relation of low Alb and low Bil to MI was modifi ed by serum cholesterol levels.  In 1971, 5,124 offspring (and their spouses) of the original Framingham cohort were entered into a prospective study, the Framingham Offspring Study. Detailed descriptions of the study have been previously published. 1 Informed consent was obtained repeatedly from study participants, and the study protocol was approved by the institutional review board of the Boston Medical Center. During the fi rst and second examinations of the study (between 1971 and 1978), Alb and Bil were measured. Alb was measured by a thin fi lm adaptation of a bromcresol green colorimetric procedure using the Vitros analyzer (Johnson & Johnson Clinical Diagnostics, Inc., Rochester, New York). Bil was measured using the colorimetric method. Total cholesterol was measured using a manual Abell-Kendall procedure 2 and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol was measured using a heparinmanganese chloride procedure according to the protocol adopted by the Lipid Research Clinics Program 3 (examinations 1 and 2) and with the dextran-magnesium ion method 4 thereafter. The methods for diagnosing MI have been published previously.5 Briefl y, at each examination, an extensive medical history was obtained and physical examination performed; a 12-lead electrocardiogram and various blood chemistries were also obtained. Occurrence of MI was based on a history of chest pain, electrocardiographic changes (presence of Q waves), and cardiac enzymes from hospital and physicians’ records. A panel
Protection with Recombinant Clostridium botulinum C1 And D Binding Domain Subunit (Hc) Vaccines Against C and D Neurotoxins

Recombinant botulinum Hc (rBoNT Hc) vaccines for serotypes C1 and D were produced in the yeast Pichia pastoris and used to determine protection against four distinct BoNT C and D toxin subtypes. Mice were vaccinated with rBoNT/C1 Hc, rBoNT/D Hc, or with a combination of both vaccines and challenged with BoNT C1, D, C/D, or D/C toxin. Mice receiving monovalent vaccinations were partially or completely protected against homologous toxin and not protected against heterologous toxin. Bivalent vaccine candidates completely survived challenges from all toxins except D/C toxin. These results indicate the recombinant C1 and D Hc vaccines are not only effective in a monovalent formula but offer complete protection against both parental and C/D mosaic toxin and partial protection against D/C mosaic toxin when delivered as a bivalent vaccine.
Foot Clearance in Walking and Running in Individuals with Ankle Instability

BackgroundFoot positioning before heel strike has been attributed to chronic ankle instability injury mechanics, and may play a role in developing and perpetuating chronic ankle instability.PurposeThis study was undertaken to determine if a group of individuals with mechanical instability (MI) or a group with functional instability (FI) of the ankle joint demonstrate less foot-floor clearance and a more inverted and plantar flexed position of the foot during the terminal swing phase of the running and walking cycles when compared with a group of ankle sprain copers who had an injury but no residual instability.Study DesignControlled laboratory study.MethodsThree-dimensional motion analysis was performed on 3 groups (n = 11 male athletes each) differentiated based on ankle injury history and ligamentous laxity during walking and running on a raised platform.ResultsThe MI group (14.8° ± 12.0°) demonstrated greater maximum foot external rotation than the FI (3.2° ± 6.0°) and coper groups (2.9° ± 11.0°) (P = ...
A case for studying DRAM issues at the system level

The widening gap between today's processor and memory speeds makes DRAM subsystem design an increasingly important part of computer system design. If the DRAM research community would follow the microprocessor community's lead by leaning more heavily on architecture- and system-level solutions in addition to technology-level solutions to achieve higher performance, the gap might begin to close.
Selected applications of LPLE in speech processing

Linear prediction with low-frequency emphasis (LPLE), an all-pole modeling technique which emphasizes the lower frequency range of the input signal, was described by Alku and Backstrom (Alku, 2004). The method is based on first interpreting conventional linear predictive (LP) analyses of successive prediction orders with parallel structures using the concept of symmetric linear prediction. The experiments presented in this work are aimed to show that the LPLE method is well-suited for those speech processing and enhancement applications, where low-order all-pole models with improved modeling of the lowest formants are needed. This is done by replacing the LP block with a LPLE block. Distortion measures using Itakura distance and noise cancellation using a Wiener "type" filter were explored, utilizing the LPLE coefficients instead of LP coefficients.
Multistep reaction analysis. A numerical approach based on relaxation theory

A general numerical method and program for simulation of the kinetics of multistep reactions is described, with details for collation of data, construction of a mechanistic model, and simulation of reciprocal relaxation times and calculation of individual rate constants. The working scheme of the program includes an initial approximate simulation by adjustment of the rate constants followed by their optimization with a Powell minimization subroutine. The procedure is applied to aromatic nucleophilic addition.
The Equivalent Circuit of Single Crab Muscle Fibers As Determined by Impedance Measurements with Intracellular Electrodes

The input impedance of muscle fibers of the crab was determined with microelectrodes over the frequency range 1 cps to 10 kc/sec. Care was taken to analyze, reduce, and correct for capacitive artifact. One dimensional cable theory was used to determine the properties of the equivalent circuit of the membrane admittance, and the errors introduced by the neglect of the three dimensional spread of current are discussed. In seven fibers the equivalent circuit of an element of the membrane admittance must contain a DC path and two capacitances, each in series with a resistance. In two fibers, the element of membrane admittance could be described by one capacitance in parallel with a resistance. In several fibers there was evidence for a third very large capacitance. The values of the elements of the equivalent circuit depend on which of several equivalent circuits is chosen. The circuit (with a minimum number of elements) that was considered most reasonably consistent with the anatomy of the fiber has two branches in parallel: one branch having a resistance Re in series with a capacitance Ce; the other branch having a resistance Rb in series with a parallel combination of a resistance Rm and a capacitance Cm. The average circuit values (seven fibers) for this model, treating the fiber as a cylinder of sarcolemma without infoldings or tubular invaginations, are Re = 21 ohm cm2; Ce = 47 µf/cm2; Rb = 10.2 ohm cm2; Rm = 173 ohm cm2; Cm = 9.0 µf/cm2. The relation of this equivalent circuit and another with a nonminimum number of circuit elements to the fine structure of crab muscle is discussed. In the above equivalent circuit Rm and Cm are attributed to the sarcolemma; Re and Ce, to the sarcotubular system; and Rb, to the amorphous material found around crab fibers. Estimates of actual surface area of the sarcolemma and sarcotubular system permit the average circuit values to be expressed in terms of unit membrane area. The values so expressed are consistent with the dielectric properties of predominantly lipid membranes.
Rare Manifestation of a Rare Disease, Acute Liver Failure in Adult Onset Still’s Disease: Dramatic Response to Methylprednisolone Pulse Therapy—A Case Report and Review

Adult onset Still's disease (AOSD) is a rare systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. It is characterized by daily fevers, arthralgias or arthritis, typical skin rash, and leukocytosis. Hepatic involvement is frequently observed in the course of AOSD with mildly elevated transaminases and/or hepatomegaly. Fulminant hepatic failure, occasionally requiring urgent liver transplantation, is a rare manifestation of AOSD. Here, we present a case of 22-year-old woman with no significant medical history who initially came with fever, arthralgias, myalgias, generalized weakness, and sore throat. Laboratory data showed mildly elevated transaminases and markedly elevated ferritin levels. She was diagnosed with AOSD based on Yamaguchi diagnostic criteria and was started on prednisone. Three months later, while she was on tapering dose of steroid, she presented with fever, abdominal pain, jaundice, and markedly elevated transaminases. Extensive workup excluded all potential causes of liver failure. She was diagnosed with AOSD associated acute liver failure (ALF). Intravenous (IV) methylprednisolone pulse therapy was started, with dramatic improvement in liver function. Our case demonstrated that ALF can present as a complication of AOSD and IV mega dose pulse methylprednisolone therapy can be employed as a first-line treatment in AOSD associated ALF with favorable outcome.
Human epithelial-specific response to pathogenic Campylobacter jejuni

The gastrointestinal epithelia of mammals are tolerant of their resident gut microbiota but are usually highly responsive to entero-pathogens; the host-specific responses have not been well characterized. To this end, the transcriptional responses of cultured human (Caco-2) and murine (CT-26) colonic epithelial cells were compared after exposure with the microfloral bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri or the human gastrointestinal pathogen Campylobacter jejuni. When in bacterial broth, both species elicit a stronger differential gene expression response in human colonic cells compared with mouse colonic cells. However, when these data are adjusted to remove bacterial broth effects, only human colonic epithelia exposed to C. jejuni show altered gene expression, suggesting that the human pathogen C. jejuni induces a host-specific response. The genes with altered expression are involved in growth, transcription, and steroid biosynthesis. Interestingly, human genes involved in cell polarity and water transport were significantly changed in response to C. jejuni exposure, linking infection with gastrointestinal disease. This study demonstrates that mouse and human colonic epithelia remain relatively unresponsive to commensal bacterial challenge, while the human pathogen C. jejuni elicits a host-specific response.
Identifying Latent Clusters of Variability in Longitudinal Data

SUMMARY Means or other central tendency measures are by far the most common focus of statistical analyses. However, as Carroll (2003) noted, “systematic dependence of variability on known factors” may be “fundamental to the proper solution of scientific problems” in certain settings. We develop a latent cluster model that relates underlying “clusters” of variability to baseline or outcome measures of interest. Because estimation of variability is inextricably linked to estimation of trend, assumptions about underlying trends are minimized by using nonparametric regression estimates. The resulting residual errors are then clustered into unobserved clusters of variability that are in turn related to subject-level predictors of interest. An application is made to psychological affect data.
Findings From a Statewide Program of Respite Care: A Comparison of Service Users, Stoppers, and Nonusers

This study compared respite users with stoppers and nonusers in the Health Resources and Services Administration-funded Alzheimer's disease demonstration grant in the State of Maryland. Of those accepted into the program, only 54% participated for at least 6 months. The primary reasons for stopping were the death or institutionalization of the relative, while those not using respite services felt they didn't really need them. Determinants of program use included the poorer cognitive status of the relative and less anxiety and greater burden among the caregivers. After 6 months, users reported fewer hours of informal assistance, less burden, and that the relative had fewer behavioral problems although cognitive status and activities of daily living (ADLs) had deteriorated.
Confirmation of Three Quantitative Trait Loci Conferring Adult Plant Resistance to Powdery Mildew in Two Winter Wheat Populations

Hypersensitive, race specific genes primarily have been deployed to control powdery mildew (Blumeria graminis (DC) EO Speer f. sp. tritici) in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.); however, recent efforts have shifted to breeding for more durable resistance. Previously, three quantitative trait loci (QTL) for adult plant resistance (APR) to powdery mildew in the winter wheat cultivar Massey were identified in a Becker/Massey (BM) F2:3 population. Fourteen new simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers were added to the pre-existing BM F2:3 linkage maps near the QTL for APR on chromosomes 1BL (QPm.vt-1BL), 2AL (QPm.vt-2AL), and 2BL (QPm.vt-2BL). Genetic linkage maps comprised of 17 previously and newly mapped SSRs from the BM population on chromosomes 1BL, 2AL, and 2BL were constructed in a USG 3209/Jaypee (UJ) F6:7 recombinant inbred line (RIL) confirmation population, wherein the APR resistance of USG 3209 was derived from Massey. Interval mapping analysis of mildew severity data collected in 2002 (F5:6) and 2003 (F6:7) field experiments with marker genotypic data obtained in 2003 (F6:7) confirmed the presence of the three QTL governing APR to powdery mildew in the UJ RILs. The QTL QPm.vt-1BL, QPm.vt-2AL, and QPm.vt-2BL explained 12–13, 59–69, and 22–48% of the phenotypic variance for powdery mildew severity in the UJ confirmation populations, respectively, in two field experiments. The current study verified that the elite wheat cultivar USG 3209 possesses the same QTL for APR as its parent Massey.
Anti-influenza virus activities of 4-substituted 2,4-dioxobutanoic acid inhibitors.

We previously identified a series of compounds which specifically inhibited the transcription of influenza A and B viruses (J. Tomassini, H. Selnick, M.E. Davies, M.E. Armstrong, J. Baldwin, M. Bourgeois, J. Hastings, D. Hazuda, J. Lewis, W. McClements, G. Ponticello, E. Radzilowski, G. Smith, A. Tebben, and A. Wolfe, Antimicrob. Agents Chemother. 38:2827-2837, 1994). The compounds, 4-substituted 2,4-dioxobutanoic acids, selectively targeted the cap-dependent endonuclease activity of the transcriptase complex. Additionally, several of these compounds effectively inhibited the replication of influenza virus but not other viruses in cell culture assays. Here, we report on the anti-influenza virus activities of other potent derivatives of the series evaluated in both in vitro and in vivo infectivity assays. These compounds inhibited the replication of influenza virus in yield reduction assays, with 50% inhibitory concentrations ranging from 0.18 to 0.71 microM. These 50% inhibitory concentrations were similar to those observed for inhibition of in vitro transcription (0.32 to 0.54 microM). One selected compound also elicited a dose-dependent inhibition of influenza virus replication in mice following an upper respiratory tract challenge. These studies demonstrate the antiviral efficacy of this inhibitor class and thereby establish the utility of influenza virus endonuclease as a chemotherapeutic target.
Latent aspect rating analysis on review text data: a rating regression approach

In this paper, we define and study a new opinionated text data analysis problem called Latent Aspect Rating Analysis (LARA), which aims at analyzing opinions expressed about an entity in an online review at the level of topical aspects to discover each individual reviewer's latent opinion on each aspect as well as the relative emphasis on different aspects when forming the overall judgment of the entity. We propose a novel probabilistic rating regression model to solve this new text mining problem in a general way. Empirical experiments on a hotel review data set show that the proposed latent rating regression model can effectively solve the problem of LARA, and that the detailed analysis of opinions at the level of topical aspects enabled by the proposed model can support a wide range of application tasks, such as aspect opinion summarization, entity ranking based on aspect ratings, and analysis of reviewers rating behavior.
OCCUPATIONAL ROLES AS PORTRAYED ON TELEVISION

When Benjamin Franklin was a boy, his father took him on a walk to see various craftsmen at work, with the hope that this survey of occupations would enable him to choose the occupation he would enter. Today children can still see some kinds of workers on the street or in small shops, but they are much more likely to get acquainted with a wide variety of types of work from what they see on the television screen. Here is a study of what television presents to them. Melvin L. DeFleur is Professor of Sociology at the University of Kentucky.
Tryptophan probes reveal residue-specific phospholipid interactions of apolipoprotein C-III

Apolipoproteins are essential human proteins for lipid metabolism. Together with phospholipids, they constitute lipoproteins, nm to μm sized particles responsible for transporting cholesterol and triglycerides throughout the body. To investigate specific protein-lipid interactions, we produced and characterized three single-Trp containing apolipoprotein C-III (ApoCIII) variants (W42 (W54F/W65F), W54 (W42F/W65F), W65 (W42F/W54F)). Upon binding to phospholipid vesicles, wild-type ApoCIII adopts an α-helical conformation (50% helicity) as determined by circular dichroism spectroscopy with an approximate apparent partition constant of 3×10(4) M(-1). Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence measurements reveal distinct residue-specific behaviors with W54 experiencing the most hydrophobic environment followed by W42 and W65. Interestingly, time-resolved anisotropy measurements show a converse trend for relative Trp mobility with position 54 being the least immobile. To determine the relative insertion depths of W42, W54, and W65 in the bilayer, fluorescence quenching experiments were performed using three different brominated lipids. W65 had a clear preference for residing near the headgroup while W54 and W42 sample the range of depths ~8-11 A from the bilayer center. On average, W54 is slightly more embedded than W42. Based on Trp spectral differences between ApoCIII binding to phospholipid vesicles and sodium dodecyl sulfate micelles, we suggest that ApoCIII adopts an alternate helical conformation on the bilayer which could have functional implications.
Efficient and stable exponential time differencing Runge-Kutta methods for phase field elastic bending energy models

The Willmore flow formulated by phase field dynamics based on the elastic bending energy model has been widely used to describe the shape transformation of biological lipid vesicles. In this paper, we develop and investigate some efficient and stable numerical methods for simulating the unconstrained phase field Willmore dynamics and the phase field Willmore dynamics with fixed volume and surface area constraints. The proposed methods can be high-order accurate and are completely explicit in nature, by combining exponential time differencing Runge-Kutta approximations for time integration with spectral discretizations for spatial operators on regular meshes. We also incorporate novel linear operator splitting techniques into the numerical schemes to improve the discrete energy stability. In order to avoid extra numerical instability brought by use of large penalty parameters in solving the constrained phase field Willmore dynamics problem, a modified augmented Lagrange multiplier approach is proposed and adopted. Various numerical experiments are performed to demonstrate accuracy and stability of the proposed methods.
Primary myelodysplasia occurring in adults under 50 years old: a clinicopathologic study of 52 patients

Although myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are generally thought to be diseases of elderly patients, younger patients also have rarely been diagnosed with MDS. This is a report of the clinical, morphologic and cytogenetic features of 52 cases of primary MDS occurring in adults under the age of 50 years. Cases secondary to chemotherapy or radiotherapy were excluded. There were 31 males and 21 females. The median age at presentation was 39 years (range, 18 to 49 years). The interval between onset of symptoms and diagnosis was brief (median, 4 weeks; range, 1-32 weeks). Of the 49 patients for whom information about duration of symptoms was available, 13 (27%) were asymptomatic. Forty-two (81%) of the patients were classified using FAB criteria for blood and bone marrow morphology: refractory anemia (RA), 11; refractory anemia with ringed sideroblasts (RARS), four; refractory anemia with excess blasts (RAEB), 12; chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), three; refractory anemia with excess blasts in transformation (RAEB-T), 12 patients. Ten patients could not be categorized. Abnormalities involving chromosome 7 was the most frequent cytogenetic abnormality (31%). Partial chromosomal deletion and chromosome gain were also common abnormalities (22% and 9%, respectively). Translocations accounted for only 9% of the main cytogenetic abnormalities encountered in this patient population. For the 49 patients for whom information regarding AML transformation was available, 23 (47%) progressed to acute myeloid leukemia, with an overall median time to progression of 2 months (range 3 weeks to 3 years). In each category except for RARS, approximately half of the patients progressed, with a slightly less median time to progression in RAEB-T than for the other subtypes of MDS. Thirteen patients underwent bone marrow transplantation at the time of presentation of their disease.
The Persuasive Force of Political Humor

Political humor is ubiquitous in some contexts and forbidden in others, and yet scholars have described political humor as unreliable and attempts to control its meaning as futile. How do speakers design political humor to influence audiences, and why do they expect those designs to work? We argue that speakers design persuasive political humor by making visible their intent and undertaking obligations to act in accord with specific norms. We explain how designs constrain audiences from discounting the message as just a joke and create reasons to scrutinize arguments.
Progress in Studies on Red Emitting Phosphors for LED Device

The recent work on red emitting phosphors is summarized.The effects of the matrix materials,lumi- nous center,doping and flux on the red fluorescence properties of materials for LED device are introdued.The spectro- scopic studies are concentrated on the excitation spectra,emission spectra,luminescence intensity and concentration quenching,etc.,and the application and prospect of the material in the future are discussed.
A phase I trial of BKM120 combined with vemurafenib in BRAFV600E/k mutant advanced melanoma.

9101 Background: Vemurafenib induces transient objective responses in half of BRAFV600Emutant melanoma patients and a median PFS of 5.3 months. PTEN loss and PI3K activation are common in BRAF mutant metastatic melanoma, and PI3K activation has been implicated as a cause acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitors. This phase I study tested the safety of combining the BRAF inhibitor, vemurafenib, with the PI3K inhibitor, BKM120, in patients with metastatic BRAF mutant melanoma. Methods: Vemurafenib-naive patients receive a single dose of oral BKM120 (d -7) then vemurafenib twice daily with BKM120 daily (starting on c1d1). Patients with prior progression on vemurafenib received both vemurafenib and BKM120 starting on c1d1 after a vemurafenib washout of at least 14 days. Serial biopsies prior to treatment, on cycle 1 day 15, and at progression were obtained for pharmacodynamics analysis in patients with visible or palpable tumors. 3 + 3 dose escalation was planned starting at vemurafenib 720 mg PO twice daily wi...
All-terrain camouflage design on frequency analysis

Camouflage plays a key role in the success of the war. In this paper, we discuss how to give effective camouflage for disguise in the specific terrain, and present a method which different from the traditional k-means clustering. In general, camouflage consists of several blocks. Firstly, this paper combines the method of probability with statistics to analyze the colors from different pictures of one kind of terrain. After that through the self-assessment screening method, we find the basic color of camouflage. This method is based on fuzzy clustering, using frequency distribution and the additional weight to update parameters for several times. Finally, we select the optimal parameters to generate main color of camouflage. In the process of the formation of digital camouflage, we choose main color which has minimum Euclidean distance with the environmental pixel block to fill it, and form the whole camouflage in the end. The color blocks' shapes of camouflage can be transferred, we only use square to simulate in the paper. The overall camouflage effect is great, and the algorithm can also make appropriate promotion.
Proximity to ℓp and c0 in Banach spaces

Abstract We construct a class of minimal trees and use these trees to establish a number of coloring theorems on general trees. Among the applications of these trees and coloring theorems are quantification of the Bourgain l p and c 0 indices, dualization of the Bourgain c 0 index, establishing sharp positive and negative results for constant reduction, and estimating the Bourgain l p index of an arbitrary Banach space X in terms of a subspace Y and the quotient X / Y .