cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Macrolide/Azalide therapy for nodular/bronchiectatic mycobacterium avium complex lung disease.

BACKGROUND There is no large study validating the appropriateness of current treatment guidelines for Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) lung disease. This is a retrospective single-center review evaluating the efficacy of macrolide/azalide-containing regimens for nodular/bronchiectatic (NB) MAC lung disease. METHODS Patients were treated according to contemporary guidelines with evaluation of microbiologic responses. Macrolide susceptibility of MAC isolates was done at initiation of therapy, 6 to 12 months during therapy, and on the first microbiologic recurrence isolate. Microbiologic recurrence isolates also underwent genotyping for comparison with the original isolates. RESULTS One hundred eighty patients completed > 12 months of macrolide/azalide multidrug therapy. Sputum conversion to culture negative occurred in 154 of 180 patients (86%). There were no differences in response between clarithromycin or azithromycin regimens. Treatment regimen modification occurred more frequently with daily (24 of 30 [80%]) vs intermittent (2 of 180 [1%]) therapy (P = .0001). No patient developed macrolide resistance during treatment. Microbiologic recurrences during therapy occurred in 14% of patients: 73% with reinfection MAC isolates, 27% with true relapse isolates (P = .03). Overall, treatment success (ie, sputum conversion without true microbiologic relapse) was achieved in 84% of patients. Microbiologic recurrences occurred in 74 of 155 patients (48%) after completion of therapy: 75% reinfection isolates, 25% true relapse isolates. CONCLUSIONS Current guidelines for macrolide/azalide-based therapies for NB MAC lung disease result in favorable microbiologic outcomes for most patients without promotion of macrolide resistance. Intermittent therapy is effective and significantly better tolerated than daily therapy. Microbiologic recurrences during or after therapy are common and most often due to reinfection MAC genotypes.
Damage characterization by vibration test

For load-bearing structural materials, damage is a generic term for the deterioration process that weakens the strength and integrity of materials. It may refer to macrocracks or to the deterioration process that precedes the formation of a dominant macrocrack, such as void nucleation and growth during creep, and plastic deformation or microcrack formation during fatigue and straining of brittle solids. Compared to a macrocrack, the latter is usually a microscopic deterioration which is somewhat distributed in nature. In damage mechanics, quite often the term damage'' only refers to the latter deterioration process, probably due to the fact that once a dominant crack is formed, structures are usually imminent to fracture. Some studies on the damage assessment of structures based on vibration test have been done. Their objective was, in general, to use the vibration test as a nondestructive evaluation tool to locate and determine the size of a cross-sectional edge or center macrocrack. The objective of the current work is to study the feasibility of using the vibration test as a tool for evaluating the overall damaged state of a solid. Experiments were first performed to study the dynamic behavior of a damaged cantilever beam under the flexural vibration mode.more » The experimental data were then interpreted in terms of the concept of the effective stiffness. Finally, use of a vibration test to distinguish distributed damage from localized damage is also discussed.« less
Doubts about the role of the locus coeruleus in learning and the phosphorylation mechanism engaged in the cerebellum (reply)

Doubts about the role of the locus coeruleus in learning and the phosphorylation mechanism engaged in the cerebellum (reply)
Multidecade linearity measurements on Si photodiodes

It is often claimed that silicon photodiodes are linear over many decades, but very little evidence on the experimental verification can be found in the literature. Therefore, an effort was made to investigate the linearity of Si photodiodes over as many decades as possible. Optically, the experiments are based on a cascaded use of the linearity tester described by Sanders, which utilizes the double-aperture method. The electronics include an operational amplifier, a voltage-to-frequency converter, and a counter. Details of the optical and electronic instrumentation will be presented. The measurements are extended to cover a range of about 9 decades, from 10 mA to about 10 pA. Measurements were made on Si photodiodes from various manufacturers, and the results are given.
From the Editor’s Desk: Best of the Hotline

Each issue we will be reprinting a “Best of the Hotline” column from the Online Expert Hotline Archive (See Paul Nagy’s editorial in this issue). I chose the first two questions to reprint, and will ask others to pick their favorites in future issues. The first question is one that has been investigated repeatedly over the years and will probably continue to be investigated as monitors and diagnostic workstations improve and evolve. Which monitors/workstations should we use for a diagnostic workstation? This is a great question with an outstanding answer. The second question I selected because this is a problem for all of us who acquire studies containing multiple examinations and accession numbers. One update on the first answer given is that DeJarnette Research Systems has now released their product, an automated system for separating these studies.
A modified device for collecting milk from guinea pigs.

Abstract A modified device for milking small animals is discussed. The advantage of these modifications are 1) quiet operation, 2) ease of operation in animal room, and 3) quick change to allow the same device to be used on different animals. This device can be tailored to the teat size as well as milk volume expected. Construction is simple, and materials are inexpensive.
Effective potential for Polyakov loops in lattice QCD

Abstract Toward the derivation of an effective theory for Polyakov loops in lattice QCD, we examine Polyakov loop correlation functions using the multi-level algorithm which was recently developed by Luscher and Weisz.
Calculation of a Three-Dimensional Turbomachinery Rotor Flow With a Navier-Stokes Code

This paper deals with a numerical solution of the full Navier-Stokes equations governing the flowfield in a turbomachinery rotor. The incompressible equations are solved using a pseudocompressibility time marching code. A two-equation turbulence model (k-e) coupled with a vectorial eddy viscosity model based on an Algebraic Reynolds Stress Model is used to account for the anisotropic effects of rotation and three dimensionality. The predictions are compared with laser doppler velocimeter and hot wire data acquired in a compressor rotor passage at two different flow coefficients. The predicted blade to blade profiles of velocity at various radial locations as well as the streamwise velocity profiles in the blade boundary layer show good agreement with experimental data. The radial velocities are qualitatively predicted but good comparison with data was not achieved. Boundary layer growth is predicted reasonably well.Copyright © 1987 by ASME
Sex differences in renal and metabolic responses to a high-fructose diet in mice

High fructose intake has been associated with increased incidences of renal disease and hypertension, among other pathologies. Most fructose is cleared by the portal system and metabolized in the l...
Disclosure policy and international banking

Abstract We develop general principles to guide the compulsory public disclosure of information about the financial condition of banks and apply these principles to three issues of particular relevance in international banking: (1) the disclosure of the country risk exposure of individual banks, (2) the rationale for hidden reserves, and (3) the disclosure of information regarding the availability to individual banks of emergency liquidity assistance. Our analysis shows why disclosure standards vary from country to country and why disclosure standards in the U.S. go well beyond the requirements elsewhere.
Central projections of selected spinal dorsal roots in anuran amphibians.

The total central distribution of single brachial or lumbar dorsal roots has been assessed in toad (Bufo marinus) and in frog (Rana catesbeiana). Two methods were employed to examine the afferent fibers. The uranyl nitrate modification of the Nauta method (Nauta, '66) was used to study degenerating elements resulting from single root transection. A radioautographic tracing technique was also employed to examine the distribution of essentially normal afferent fibers. This latter method involved local injection of small amounts of L-leucine-H3 into a single ganglion of otherwise intact nerves and subsequent determination of location of the incorporated label in the CNS. The distribution was ascertained by counting silver grains microscopically in radioautographs of the CNS for standard sized areas. The results obtained by either method essentially were identical. All dorsal root projections are distributed unilaterally within the CNS. Fibers passed into a dorsolateral bundle and into the dorsal column. Collaterals from the dorsal column passed into the dorsal and intermediate gray matter, but no primary afferent fibers distributed within the ventral horn. Both brachial and lumbar roots distributed segmentally over approximately five spinal segments. Root fibers coursed rostrally in a somatotopically organized dorsal column. This pathway ultimately passed into the cerebellum. Some evidence was obtained in support of a dorsal column-medial lemniscal relay in anuran amphibians.
Extending Cooling Tower thermal Performance Prediction Using a Liquid-Side Film Resistance Model

Abstract Current models used to analyze the thermal performance of cooling towers assume that the air/water interfacial temperature is equivalent to the bulk temperature of the water, or, in other words, that the liquid-side film resistance is negligible. This assumption is a possible source of the dependence on inlet hot water temperatures found in cooling tower packing heat and mass transfer correlations derived from these models. For applications in which the water temperatures exceed the limits of experimental data used in developing such correlations, a resulting high level of uncertainty exists. This article describes a method by which one-dimensional cooling tower model equations can be corrected to account for liquid-side film resistance. The use of these corrected equations in the development of temperature-independent heat and mass transfer correlations for tower packings is also described.
Chronic social defeat, but not restraint stress, alters bladder function in mice.

Abstract Background Voiding disorders in humans, particularly in children are associated with increased incidence of behavioral issues as well as past history of childhood abuse. We hypothesized that creating stress in mice, utilizing either a chronic social defeat model (SD) or restraint stress in shallow water model (RSSW) would engender changes in bladder function, morphology, and behavior, thereby enabling us to study the resultant voiding dysfunction. Methods For SD stress (14 days), C57BL/6 male mice were exposed daily to a larger aggressive CD-1 male for 10 min, followed by sensory exposure in a barrier cage for 24 h. Control mice were similarly housed with no exposure. For RSSW (21 days), C57BL/6 mice were put in a perforated conical tube with feet immersed in water daily for 4 h, then returned to single housing cages. Control mice were also in single housing. After the stress period, voiding patterns were obtained on filter paper, followed by behavioral tests. At necropsy, blood was taken for corticosterone analysis, and bladder and body weights measured. Bladder cryosections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE RSSW mice were hyperactive. In SD mice, bladder wall thickness was increased (p ≤ 0.003) but no change was seen in Ki-67 proliferation index, consistent with hypertrophy. No difference with control mice was seen in vascularity as visualized by CD31 staining. Uniform uroplakin-II staining lined the urothelium of both SD and control mice. Conclusions Mice exposed to repeated SD (14 days) respond with altered voiding indicative of urine retention, and exhibit bladder wall changes consistent with hypertrophy while the urothelial barrier is maintained. These changes were not observed with repeated RSSW. SD, in contrast to RSSW, provides a model of psychological stress to further study the interplay of behavior and bladder dysfunction, enabling an improved understanding of voiding dysfunction, and the ability to create innovative and more effective management pathways for children who present with voiding dysfunction.
Surface proteome analysis and characterization of surface cell antigen (Sca) or autotransporter family of Rickettsia typhi

Surface proteins of the obligate intracellular bacterium Rickettsia typhi, the agent of murine or endemic typhus fever, comprise an important interface for host-pathogen interactions including adherence, invasion and survival in the host cytoplasm. In this report, we present analyses of the surface exposed proteins of R. typhi based on a suite of predictive algorithms complemented by experimental surface-labeling with thiol-cleavable sulfo-NHS-SS-biotin and identification of labeled peptides by LC MS/MS. Further, we focus on proteins belonging to the surface cell antigen (Sca) autotransporter (AT) family which are known to be involved in rickettsial infection of mammalian cells. Each species of Rickettsia has a different complement of sca genes in various states; R. typhi, has genes sca1 thru sca5. In silico analyses indicate divergence of the Sca paralogs across the four Rickettsia groups and concur with previous evidence of positive selection. Transcripts for each sca were detected during infection of L929 cells and four of the five Sca proteins were detected in the surface proteome analysis. We observed that each R. typhi Sca protein is expressed during in vitro infections and selected Sca proteins were expressed during in vivo infections. Using biotin-affinity pull down assays, negative staining electron microscopy, and flow cytometry, we demonstrate that the Sca proteins in R. typhi are localized to the surface of the bacteria. All Scas were detected during infection of L929 cells by immunogold electron microscopy. Immunofluorescence assays demonstrate that Scas 1–3 and 5 are expressed in the spleens of infected Sprague-Dawley rats and Scas 3, 4 and 5 are expressed in cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis). Sca proteins may be crucial in the recognition and invasion of different host cell types. In short, continuous expression of all Scas may ensure that rickettsiae are primed i) to infect mammalian cells should the flea bite a host, ii) to remain infectious when extracellular and iii) to infect the flea midgut when ingested with a blood meal. Each Sca protein may be important for survival of R. typhi and the lack of host restricted expression may indicate a strategy of preparedness for infection of a new host.
Methyl jasmonate extends shelf life and reduces microbial contamination of fresh-cut celery and peppers

During a study of the ameliorative effects of methyl jasmonate (MJ) on chilling injury to vegetables, a decrease in the rate of deterioration of treated fresh-cut segments was noticed, along with an apparent decrease in microbial growth. This study showed that MJ vapor from a 10-4 or 10-5 mol source in a 1 L container retarded deterioration of celery sticks for 2 weeks at 10 °C. The number of bacterial colonies was reduced to 1/1000 of control after 1 week of storage. A MJ emulsion applied as a dip at 10-4 or 10-5 mol/L retarded deterioration of green pepper strips for 2 weeks at 10 °C. The number of bacterial colonies was reduced to 1/1000 of control also after 1 week of storage and, in particular, the appearance of soft rot was retarded by the jasmonate treatment. Measurement of the amount of MJ vaporized during storage was done by use of a [3H]jasmonate internal standard. Less than 1 × 10-6 mol of MJ vapor was necessary to cause the biochemical changes in the stored vegetables resulting in prolonged st...
Lateral Ventricular Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure of Holstein Male Calves Measured in a Sternal Recumbent Position Under General Anesthesia

Abstract Lateral ventricular cerebrospinal fluid, CSF, pressure was measured in 58 calves ranging in age from 18 through 160 days. Average live weight was estimated to be 46kg at 18 days of age, 158kg at 160 days, with 7-day increases amounting to 6.2%. CSF pressure increased each 7 days by 2.5mm of synthetic CSF and was represented by the following linear regression equation: Y 2 = −1 + .364X, r=.44, in which Y 2 = CSF pressure in millimeters of synthetic CSF and X=days of age. At 18 days of age, the pressure was estimated to be 6mm and at 160 days, 5mm. Because of the unequal distribution of calves across all ages, no data between 76 and 138 days and beyond 160 days, the relationships between CSF pressure and age were considered tentative. This is especially so in light of previous observations that with advancing age cisternal CSF pressure of anesthetized calves in lateral recumbency plateaued at ages greater than 101 days. Possible cause(s) of the increasing CSF pressure with increasing age was discussed.
Charge Exchange Scattering of 128-Mev Negative Pions on Hydrogen

The charge exchange scattering of negative pions by liquid hydrogen has been measured at 128\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}2 Mev bombarding energy. A lead-glass \ifmmode \check{C}\else \v{C}\fi{}erenkov counter was used to measure the energy spectrum of the gamma rays emitted in the decay of the neutral pions. The gamma rays were detected at four angles relative to the incident beam: 45\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, 80\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, 116\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, and 135\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. If the charge exchange scattering cross section is expanded as a sum of Legendre polynomials which are functions of the ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}$ scattering angle in the center-of-mass system, we find that $\frac{d\ensuremath{\sigma}}{d\ensuremath{\Omega}}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}, {\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0})=(1.00\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.04)[(2.04\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.06)+(\ensuremath{-}1.61\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.13){P}_{1}+(1.43\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.24){P}_{2}],$ when only $s$ and $p$ waves are considered. The confidence level for the least-squares fit used to determine the coefficients inside the square brackets is 65%. The integrated cross section is ${\ensuremath{\sigma}}_{\mathrm{tot}}({\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}, {\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0})=25.6\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1.3$ mb, which is in good agreement with other work.
Yield-evapotranspiration relationships and seasonal crop coefficients for frequently irrigated potatoes

‘Russet Burbank’ potatoes (Solarium tuberosum L.) were subjected to various levels of water application during the growing season. Water applied, rainfall, and soil water changes were measured at weekly intervals. Tuber yield and quality increased as water consumption increased from 300 mm to 650 mm. Evapotranspiration (ET) increased rapidly from plant emergence until early tuber bulking and declined gradually as plants matured. Comparing ET with pan evaporation provided coefficients (K) which changed in response to crop growth stages. K increased from 0.3 at emergence to over 0.8 during maximum leaf area and declined with crop maturity. The relationship between K and crop growth stage can be used with confidence in scheduling irrigation of potatoes in north central Oregon.
Relaxation Dynamics in Mixtures of Long and Short Chains: Tube Dilation and Impeded Curvilinear Diffusion

A theoretical and experimental investigation of relaxation dynamics is carried out for binary mixtures of entangled short and long chains of the same species. In disagreement with the previous theories of Doi et al. [Macromolecules 1987, 20, 1900] and Viovy et al. [Macromolecules 1992, 24, 3587], the new experimental data indicate that the terminal relaxation time associated with the long chains decreases systematically with the short chain length and with the weight fraction φ of the long chains for all the mixtures. These experimental observations have inspired the proposal of a new reptation theory to account for (1) the tube dilation (TD) due to the constraint release by short chains, (2) impedance of the long chain's curvilinear diffusion, and (3) enhanced contour length fluctuation, all resulting from the incorporation of the short chains of length NS. The various increases of the long chain's relaxation rate with lowering φ for its mixtures with different short chain lengths are possible only if th...
betah-endorphin: antidiuretic effects in rats

Human beta-endorphin (betah-EP) inhibits urine flow in rats. This antidiuretic effect of the peptide occurs after intravenous and intraventricular injections. Intravenously, betah-EP is 24 times more potent than morphine. Intraventricularly, betah-EP is 24 times more potent than morphine. Intraventricularly, betah-EP is effective at doses (0.45 microgram) which have no antidiuretic activity when injected intravenously. This fact suggests that one site of the antidiuretic action of betah-endorphin may be in the central nervous system. Animals tolerant to morphine are also tolerant to the antidiuretic effects of betah-endorphin.
Relativistic properties for hybrid systems of particles containing photons and massive particles

The use of relativistic frame invariants is very well established, especially when it comes to the energy-momentum. Most traditional treatments use this particular invariant in order to calculate the "equivalent mass" of a system or, the "mass added to a system". In the following paper we will take a significant departure by avoiding the notion of mass altogether and by using frame-variant quantities like total energy E and momentum p in order to characterize relativistic systems of particles. The systems under evaluations are a most general hybrid made up of both massive particles and photons. We will show the effects of adding photons to a system of massive particles. The new approach is extremely important in applications like particle accelerators where we can only work with directly measurable quantities, the energy E and the momentum p. In paragraph 4 we will demonstrate also how the new approach allows us to calculate the effect of injecting electromagnetic energy in the form of photons in a particle condensate, a very important application for plasma physics.
Use of Amoxicillin in the Treatment of Urinary Tract Infections

in 27 of 32 infections (84%); eradication of the pathogen was demonstrated in 27 of 31 infections (87 % ). Other than two allergic reactions, no significant toxicity was noted. The range of serum levels was wider than expected, although the mean was consistent with prior experience. Proteus mirabilis, Escherichia coli, and occasionally Enterobacter were more sensitive than Klebsiella or Serratia. Lancefield group B streptococci were exquisitely sensitive. Thus, amoxicillin appears to be useful and comparable to ampicillin in the therapy of urinary tract infections.
Huneker's "A Visit to Walt Whitman"

Examines the three versions of Huneker's essay on his visit to Whitman, noting errors and significant changes, particularly those dealing with Whitman's homosexuality.
Optimal "image-based" weighting for energy-resolved CT.

This paper investigates a method of reconstructing images from energy-resolved CT data with negligible beam-hardening artifacts and improved contrast-to-nosie ratio (CNR) compared to conventional energy-weighting methods. Conceptually, the investigated method first reconstructs separate images from each energy bin. The final image is a linear combination of the energy-bin images, with the weights chosen to maximize the CNR in the final image. The optimal weight of a particular energy-bin image is derived to be proportional to the contrast-to-noise-variance ratio in that image. The investigated weighting method is referred to as ''image-based'' weighting, although, as will be described, the weights can be calculated and the energy-bin data combined prior to reconstruction. The performance of optimal image-based energy weighting with respect to CNR and beam-hardening artifacts was investigated through simulations and compared to that of energy integrating, photon counting, and previously studied optimal ''projection-based'' energy weighting. Two acquisitions were simulated: dedicated breast CT and a conventional thorax scan. The energy-resolving detector was simulated with five energy bins. Four methods of estimating the optimal weights were investigated, including task-specific and task-independent methods and methods that require a single reconstruction versus multiple reconstructions. Results demonstrated that optimal image-based weighting improved the CNR compared to energy-integratingmore » weighting by factors of 1.15-1.6 depending on the task. Compared to photon-counting weighting, the CNR improvement ranged from 1.0 to 1.3. The CNR improvement factors were comparable to those of projection-based optimal energy weighting. The beam-hardening cupping artifact increased from 5.2% for energy-integrating weighting to 12.8% for optimal projection-based weighting, while optimal image-based weighting reduced the cupping to 0.6%. Overall, optimal image-based energy weighting provides images with negligible beam-hardening artifacts and improved CNR compared to energy-integrating and photon-counting methods.« less
Development of real-time PCR array for simultaneous detection of eight human blood-borne viral pathogens.

Background Real-time PCR array for rapid detection of multiple viral pathogens should be highly useful in cases where the sample volume and the time of testing are limited, i.e. in the eligibility testing of tissue and organ donors. Findings We developed a real-time PCR array capable of simultaneously detecting eight human viral pathogens: human immunodeficiency virus types 1 and 2 (HIV-1 and -2), hepatitis B virus (HBV), hepatitis C virus (HCV), human T-cell leukemia virus-1 and -2 (HTLV-1 and -2), vaccinia virus (VACV) and West Nile virus (WNV). One hundred twenty (120) primers were designed using a combination of bioinformatics approaches, and, after experimental testing, 24 primer sets targeting eight viral pathogens were selected to set up the array with SYBR Green chemistry. The specificity and sensitivity of the virus-specific primer sets selected for the array were evaluated using analytical panels with known amounts of viruses spiked into human plasma. The array detected: 10 genome equivalents (geq)/ml of HIV-2 and HCV, 50 geq of HIV-1 (subtype B), HBV (genotype A) and WNV. It detected 100–1,000 geq/ml of plasma of HIV-1 subtypes (A – G), group N and CRF (AE and AG) isolates. Further evaluation with a panel consisting of 28 HIV-1 and HIV-2 clinical isolates revealed no cross-reactivity of HIV-1 or HIV-2 specific primers with another type of HIV. All 28 viral isolates were identified with specific primer sets targeting the most conserved genome areas. The PCR array correctly identified viral infections in a panel of 17 previously quantified clinical plasma samples positive for HIV-1, HCV or HBV at as low as several geq per PCR reaction. Conclusions The viral array described here demonstrated adequate performance in the testing of donors’ clinical samples. Further improvement in its sensitivity for the broad spectrum of HIV-1 subtypes is under development.
Using idle workstations in a shared computing environment

The Butler system is a set of programs running on Andrew workstations at CMU that give users access to idle workstations. Current Andrew users use the system over 300 times per day. This paper describes the implementation of the Butler system and tells of our experience in using it. In addition, it describes an application of the system known as gypsy servers, which allow network server programs to be run on idle workstations instead of using dedicated server machines.
Fusion of phospholipid vesicles induced by Zn2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+

The capacity of Zn2+, Cd2+, or Hg2+ to induce fusion of phospholipid vesicles composed of 50%50%, 60%40%, or 80%20% dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC)/bovine brain phosphatidylserine (PS) was investigated and compared to that of Ca2+ and Mg2+. In vesicles composed of 50%50% or 60%40%DPPCPS Zn2+ and Cd2+ induced fusion at concentrations considerably lower than were required for Ca2+-induced fusion. Only limited fusion of 80%20%DPPCPS vesicles occurred and Zn2+ was more effective than Ca2+ or Cd2+ in inducing fusion of these vesicles. Mg2+ and Hg2+ did not induce fusion in any of the vesicle systems.
The Richmond Boulder Trains: Verae Causae in 19th-Century American Geology

In the 1840's and 1850's some of the leading geologists of the day, including Edward Hitchcock, Henry D. and William B. Rogers, Charles Lyell, and Louis Agassiz, investigated long, distinct trains of erratic boulders discovered in 1842 in western Massachusetts. It was hoped that study of the boulder trains would help solve the vexing problem of the origin of the drift. The theories tested by application to the erratics were various in content but remarkably similar in justification. They all appealed to the Newtonian principle of vera causa. This methodological principle appears to have been more fundamental in treating the boulder trains than conceptions drawn from catastrophism and uniformitarianism. Use of the method did not, however, dispel the mystery of the boulders. A clarification of their origins came only with the general adoption of the glacier theory around 1870.
Modeling of computer and communication networks in flexible manufacturing

Abstract Computer and communication network is a key component of the flexible manufacturing system. In this paper analytical models based on integer programming methods have been developed for optimally allocating communication and control resources in a manufacturing shop. Subsequently, a procedure to measure the performance of such an optimal set of hardware is developed. First, a deterministic procedure is used to put an upper limit on the systems performance, based on the bottleneck resource. Next, closed queuing network models are used to obtain a better estimate of performance that also includes the randomness in the system. Finally, for more accurate results simulation models are developed. Average production rates and average time in the system are used as performance measures to check for acceptability of the design.
An Approach to the Use of Terrain- Preview Information in Rough-Terrain Locomotion by a Hexapod Walking Machine

Until the present time, experiments with computer-controlled walking machines have generally not made use of terrain- preview information. This paper presents the results of exper iments with a laboratory-scale hexapod walking machine furnished with a triangulation ranging system making use of two charge-injection-device (CID) television cameras and a hand-held laser. The operator uses the laser to designate candidate footholds, which are accepted or rejected automati cally by the machine. Accepted footholds guide the machine over rough terrain with very little disturbance to body atti tude. This semiautomatic system represents a step toward the eventual realization of a fully automatic system. The paper includes a description of both hardware and software, and presents experimental results verifying the practicality of the approach.
The Memorial Base for the Picture-Reversal Effect

Right-handed subjects preferred paintings containing cues that suggested left-to-right (LTR) motion over their mirror-reversed versions when the versions were presented successively back-to-back. The preference disappeared when other pairs requiring judgment were interpolated between the versions and also when intervals filled with patterned or nonpatterned stimuli were interpolated. The preference was restored when subjects considered definitions of abstract terms during a visually blank interval. These data suggest that the important information in the memory trace upon which the preference effect depends is geometric.
Parsing Occluded People

Occlusion poses a significant difficulty for object recognition due to the combinatorial diversity of possible occlusion patterns. We take a strongly supervised, non-parametric approach to modeling occlusion by learning deformable models with many local part mixture templates using large quantities of synthetically generated training data. This allows the model to learn the appearance of different occlusion patterns including figure-ground cues such as the shapes of occluding contours as well as the co-occurrence statistics of occlusion between neighboring parts. The underlying part mixture-structure also allows the model to capture coherence of object support masks between neighboring parts and make compelling predictions of figure-ground-occluder segmentations. We test the resulting model on human pose estimation under heavy occlusion and find it produces improved localization accuracy.
Programs for a statistical analysis of evoked potentials.

Abstract Three LINC programs are described which can be used to calculate and display several statistical indicators of a sampled cortical evoked potential waveform. These indicators are: the sample averages, the sample variances, means and variances of the peak value of the initial phase (between 10 and 20 msec following the stimulus) and its latency, and a running plot of both the average and the variance of the peak values of a moving set of 16 consecutive evoked potentials from a total run of a maximum of about 900.
Flipping duplex DNA inside out: a double base-flipping reaction mechanism by Escherichia coli MutY adenine glycosylase.

The Escherichia coli MutY adenine glycosylase plays a critical role in repairing mismatches in DNA between adenine and the oxidatively damaged guanine base 8-oxoguanine. Crystallographic studies of the catalytic core domain of MutY show that the scissile adenine is extruded from the DNA helix to be bound in the active site of the enzyme (Guan, Y., Manuel, R. C., Arvai, A. S., Parikh, S. S., Mol, C. D., Miller, J. H., Lloyd, S., and Tainer, J. A. (1998) Nat. Struct. Biol. 5, 1058–1064). However, the structural and mechanistic bases for the recognition of the 8-oxoguanine remain poorly understood. In experiments using a single-stranded 8-bromoguanine-containing synthetic oligodeoxyribonucleotide alone and in a duplex construct mismatched to an adenine, we observed UV cross-linking between MutY and the 8-bromoguanine probe. We further observed enhanced cross-linking in the single strand experiments, suggesting that neither the duplex context nor the mismatch with adenine is required for recognition of the 8-oxoguanine moiety. Stopped-flow fluorescence studies using 2-aminopurine-containing oligodeoxyribonucleotides further revealed the sequential extrusion of the 8-oxoguanine at 108 s−1followed by the adenine at 16 s−1. A protein isomerization step following base flipping at 1.9 s−1 was also observed and is postulated to provide additional stabilization of the extruded adenine thereby facilitating its capture by the active site for excision.
Ion-Coupling of Conformational Equilibrium and Transition in Secondary Active Transporters

In secondary active transporters, the electrochemical potential of ions across the membrane is used to fuel the “uphill” translocation of the substrate across membranes via the alternating access mechanism. The mechanism of this crucial coupling, however, is still ambiguous, despite significant recent experimental and computational progress along structural basis and ion-binding effects. Mhp1, Benzyl-hydantoin transporter, has become a key model for the secondary active transporters sharing a similar LeuT-fold topology. In the present study, we employed molecular dynamics simulations to study the impact of Na+-binding on dynamics and conformational stability of Mhp1 in multiple states and transition between them. We performed microsecond equilibrium MD simulations in outward-facing (OF) states, and biased simulations with constraint of the Na+-binding site in the inward-facing (IF) state. The simulations suggest that Na+ binding can stabilize the substrate-binding conformation in the OF state, but without a similar effect in its IF state, and reveal the underlying molecular mechanism in detail. Furthermore, the results of a special-protocol time-dependent biased simulation for state transition, suggest that Na+ binding can increase the free energy barrier along the OF-IF transition. All the results suggest that ion binding can reshape the free-energy landscape of the ion/protein complex, thereby shifting the conformational preference toward a specific OF structure, which is favorable for substrate-binding. The increased substrate affinity provided by Na+ binding will facilitate capturing the substrate from its low-concentration environment by the transporter. The rsults, therefore, provide a deeper and more comprehensive understanding for the ion-coupling mechanism of secondary active transporters.
Determination of the Nb–Cr–Si phase diagram using diffusion multiples

AbstractA high-efﬁciency diffusion-multiple approach was employed to determine the phase diagram of the Nb–Cr–Si ternarysystem which is critical for the design of niobium silicide-based in situ composites. These composites have highpotential as a replacement for Ni-base superalloys for jet engine applications. The formation of the Nb(Cr,Si) 2 Lavesphase is beneﬁcial to the high oxidation resistance of the composites and the Nb–Cr–Si system serves as the base forunderstanding the Laves phase formation. The results clearly demonstrate the applicability of the diffusion-multipleapproach in determining such complex phase diagrams as Nb–Cr–Si which contains 14 phases. Two isothermal sectionsat 1000 and 1150 °C were constructed from the results obtained from diffusion multiples using scanning electronmicroscopy (SEM), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). Three ternarycompounds, CrNbSi, (Cr,Nb) 6 Si 5 and (Cr,Nb) 11 Si 8 , were observed at both temperatures, and the C14 Laves phase ofthe Cr–Nb binary system was stabilized by Si to lower temperatures.2003 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of Acta Materialia Inc.
The G alpha subunit Gα8 inhibits proliferation, promotes adhesion and regulates cell differentiation

Heterotrimeric G protein-mediated signal transduction plays a pivotal role in both vegetative and developmental stages in the eukaryote Dictyostelium discoideum. Here we describe novel functions of the G protein alpha subunit Gα8 during vegetative and development stages. Gα8 is expressed at low levels during vegetative growth. Loss of Gα8 promotes cell proliferation, whereas excess Gα8 expression dramatically inhibits growth and induces aberrant cytokinesis on substrates in a Gβ-dependent manner. Overexpression of Gα8 also leads to increased cell-cell cohesion and cell-substrate adhesion. We demonstrate that the increased cell-cell cohesion is mainly caused by induced CadA expression, and the induced cell-substrate adhesion is responsible for the cytokinesis defects. However, the expression of several putative constitutively active mutants of Gα8 does not augment the phenotypes caused by intact Gα8. Gα8 is strongly induced after starvation, and loss of Gα8 results in decreased expression of certain adhesion molecules including CsA and tgrC1. Interestingly, Gα8 is preferentially distributed in the upper and lower cup of the fruiting body. Lack of Gα8 decreases the expression of the specific marker of the anterior-like cells, suggesting that Gα8 is required for anterior-like cell differentiation.
Prasugrel, clopidogrel, and combining Swedish apples with American oranges.

I read with interest the paper by Jernberg et al .1 that compared platelet characteristics after different loading and maintenance doses of prasugrel vs. conventional clopidogrel regimen in stable patients with coronary artery disease. The goal of this Phase 2a study was to explore and justify the future dosing of prasugrel used in the JUMBO (TIMI-26) trial.2 The team should be acknowledged for the effort, clean data, and some critical insights beyond the initial objective. In fact, this is the first study ever to provide the convincing evidence that therapy with clopidogrel resulted in a mild but rapid >30% inhibition of platelet aggregation (IPA), as early as 2 h after loading with 300 mg ( Table 2 ), but not after 3–4 h as we thought before. These data challenge the unjustified loading dose increases and the perceived shortcoming of the delayed clopidogrel action, indirectly supporting the early absolute mortality benefit …
Effects of experimental rainfall manipulations on Chihuahuan Desert grassland and shrubland plant communities

Aridland ecosystems are predicted to be responsive to both increases and decreases in precipitation. In addition, chronic droughts may contribute to encroach- ment of native C3 shrubs into C4-dominated grasslands. We conducted a long-term rainfall manipulation experiment in native grassland, shrubland and the grass-shrub ecotone in the northern Chihuahuan Desert, USA. We evaluated the effects of 5 years of experimental drought and 4 years of water addition on plant community structure and dynamics. We assessed the effects of altered rainfall regimes on the abundance of dominant species as well as on species richness and subdominant grasses, forbs and shrubs. Non- metric multidimensional scaling and MANOVA were used to quantify changes in species composition in response to chronic addition or reduction of rainfall. We found that drought consistently and strongly decreased cover of Bouteloua eriopoda, the dominant C4 grass in this system, whereas water addition slightly increased cover, with little variation between years. In contrast, neither chronic drought nor increased rainfall had consistent effects on the cover of Larrea tridentata, the dominant C3 shrub. Species richness declined in shrub-dominated vegetation in response to drought whereas richness increased or was unaffected by water addition or drought in mixed- and grass-dominated vegetation. Cover of subdominant shrubs, grasses and forbs changed significantly over time, primar- ily in response to interannual rainfall variability more so than to our experimental rainfall treatments. Nevertheless, drought and water addition shifted the species composition of plant communities in all three vegetation types. Overall, we found that B. eriopoda responded strongly to drought and less so to irrigation, whereas L. tridentata showed limited response to either treatment. The strong decline in grass cover and the resistance of shrub cover to rainfall reduction suggest that chronic drought may be a key factor promoting shrub dominance during encroachment into desert grassland.
Measurement of the differential thermal expansion and temperature dependence of refractive index in gradient-index glass.

The thermal expansion and temperature dependence of the refractive index in gradient-index glass have been investigated. In an earlier paper [ P. O. McLaughlin D. T. Moore , “ Models for the Thermal Expansion Coefficient and Temperature Coefficient of the Refractive Index in Gradient Index Glass,” Appl. Opt.24, this issue ( 15Dec.1985)] these two thermal properties were modeled as functions of the local glass composition within the gradient-index region. In this paper measurements of αL and dn/dT are described. A modified multiple Fabry-Perot interferometer was designed and built into an environmental temperature chamber to measure these thermal properties in gradient-index glass in the 0–100°C range. The interferometer operated under computer control to measure optically the differential thermal expansion and change in refractive-index profile in several samples of gradient-index glass.
Menstrual cycle modulation of the relationship between cortisol and long-term memory

Numerous cognitive effects of fluctuations in ovarian hormones across the menstrual cycle have been previously identified. However, the influence of ovarian hormones on learning under stressful conditions is not well understood. In this experiment, the relationship between salivary cortisol and recall performance was assessed in women at hormonally distinct phases of the menstrual cycle at encoding after cortisol levels were elevated using a cold-pressor stress (CPS) procedure. No memory difference was found between control and CPS groups in any of the three menstrual positions tested, nor was any interaction between stress condition and menstrual phase detected. However, significantly different correlations between cortisol and memory were found in the different phases. A positive correlation was found between salivary cortisol levels and recall 1 week post training when encoding occurred during the mid-luteal phase, whereas no significant relationship was found in either the early or the late follicular phase. In addition, cortisol levels were found to be elevated during the mid-luteal phase. These findings suggest that glucocorticoid effects on memory are modulated by sex hormone levels.
A screen for genes involved in the anaphase proteolytic pathway identifies tsm1(+), a novel Schizosaccharomyces pombe gene important for microtubule integrity.

The growth of several mitotic mutants of Schizosaccharomyces pombe , including nuc2-663 , is inhibited by the protease inhibitor N-Tosyl-L-Phenylalanine Chloromethyl Ketone (TPCK). Because nuc2 + encodes a presumptive component of the Anaphase Promoting Complex, which is required for the ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis of certain proteins during exit from mitosis, we have used sensitivity to TPCK as a criterion by which to search for novel S. pombe mutants defective in the anaphase-promoting pathway. In a genetic screen for temperature-sensitive mitotic mutants that were also sensitive to TPCK at a permissive temperature, we isolated three tsm (TPCK-sensitive mitotic) strains. Two of these are alleles of cut1 + , but tsm1-512 maps to a novel genetic location. The tsm1-512 mutation leads to delayed nuclear division at restrictive temperatures, apparently as a result of an impaired ability to form a metaphase spindle. After shift of early G 2 cells to 36°, tsm1-512 arrests transiently in the second mitotic division and then exits mitosis, as judged by spindle elongation and septation. The chromosomes, however, often fail to segregate properly. Genetic interactions between tsm1-512 and components of the anaphase proteolytic pathway suggest a functional involvement of the Tsm1 protein in this pathway.