cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plasma testosterone and sexual behavior following intracerebral implantation of testosterone propionate in the castrated male rat

Abstract Interpretation of behavioral and other effects of intracranial steroid implants depends on knowledge of the rate of release of the implanted hormones into the general circulation. Testosterone propionate implants (200 μg, pellets) in the median eminence and pituitary were found to result in circulating levels of testosterone (T) twice as high as those in the anterior hypothalamus-preoptic area (AHPOA), posterior hypothalamus (PH), and cortex (Ctx). Implants in all cranial areas examined resulted in plasma T levels in the lower range of circulating T found in normal rats for the first 24 hr postoperatively, decreasing thereafter and reaching very low levels by the end of 2 weeks. There were no significant differences in the plasma T levels in rats with implants in the AHPOA, PH, and Ctx, but AHPOA implants were slightly more effective in restoration of sexual behavior than PH implants, and both of these implants were considerably more effective than those in the cortex. There was no apparent correlation between behavioral responses and peripheral levels of T. The major conclusion of this study was that the effects of hypothalamic implants of T on male sexual behavior cannot be explained by the presence of T in the peripheral circulation.
Endoscopic therapies for Barrett's-associated dysplasia: A new paradigm for a new decade

The emergence of endoscopic therapies for Barrett’s esophagus (BE)-associated dysplasia has significantly altered the management of this complex disease. Over the past decade, there has been a paradigm shift from that of pure surveillance to a more therapeutic approach in eradicating dysplastic BE. This strategy includes less invasive options than esophagectomy for high-grade dysplasia and early eradication of confirmed low-grade dysplasia. Although multiple modalities exist for endoscopic therapy, endoscopic mucosal resection coupled with radiofrequency ablation appears to be the most effective therapy, with minimal complications. Recent advances in endoscopic eradication therapies for dysplastic BE have fueled excitement for a significant weapon against the rising incidence of esophageal cancer.
In vivo apparent affinity and efficacy estimates for μ opiates in a rat tail-withdrawal assay

Experiments in a rat tail-withdrawal assay tested the hypothesis that the magnitude and pattern of antagonism of μ opiate agonists by the insurmountable μ opioid antagonist clocinnamox are inversely related to agonist efficacy. In addition, these experiments examined whether this antagonism could be quantified to yield apparent affinity and efficacy estimates for the pharmacological characterization of five opiate agonists. Etonitazene, etorphine, morphine, buprenorphine, and GPA 1657 produced dose-dependent increases in tail-withdrawal latency until 100% maximum possible effect (%MPE) was obtained. Morphine required a higher dose of clocinnamox for a 50% reduction in maximal antinociceptive effect than did buprenorphine or GPA 1657. In contrast, no dose of clocinnamox tested decreased the%MPE for etonitazene or etorphine. These data suggest a rank order of relative efficacy of etonitazene ≥ etorphine > morphine ≥ GPA 1657 ≥ buprenorphine. Similarly, numerical analysis of these data yielded the following apparent affinity and efficacy estimates: etonitazene (0.38 mg/kg, 128); etorphine (0.68 mg/kg, 125); morphine (50 mg/kg, 38), GPA 1657 (6.6, 39); and buprenorphine (0.042 mg/kg, 2.2). These data illustrate that in vivo affinity and efficacy estimates for a number of agonists are remarkably similar across different methods of analysis and are useful for drug classification.
Direct gas chromatographic determination of carbamate pesticides using Carbowax 20M-modified supports and the electrolytic conductivity detector.

Abstract The gas chromatographic behavior of 32 carbamate pesticides was investigated using the Hall electrolytic conductivity detector. Relative retention indices were successfully determined for 24 carbamates on six different columns. Columns investigated included Ultra-Bond, 3% OV-101 on Ultra-Bond, 1% OV-17 on Ultra-Bond, 1 % OV-210 an Ultra Bond, 1 % Carbowax 20M on Ultra-Bond and 0.5 % OV-210 + 0.65% OV-17 on Ultra-Bond. Chemical-ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to verify that the carbamates were chromatographed intact. Chemical-ionization mass spectra are reported. Analytical procedures are demonstrated for the determination of carbamate residue in soil.
Multidimensional investigation of source port 0 probing

During November 2013, the operational cyber/network security community reported an unprecedented increase of traffic originating from source port 0. This event was deemed as malicious although its core aim and mechanism were obscured. This paper investigates that event using a multifaceted approach that leverages three real network security feeds that we receive on a daily basis, namely, darknet, passive DNS and malware data. The goal is to analyze such event from the perspectives of those feeds in order to generate significant insights and inferences that could contribute to disclosing the inner details of that incident. The approach extracts and subsequently fingerprints such malicious traffic from the received darknet data. By executing unsupervised machine learning techniques on the extracted traffic, we disclose clusters of activities that share similar machinery. Further, by employing a set of statistical-based behavioral analytics, we capture the mechanisms of those clusters, including their strategies, techniques and nature. We consequently correlate the sources with passive DNS in order to investigate their maliciousness. Moreover, to examine if the sources are malware contaminated, we execute a correlation mechanism between the darknet data and the malware feeds. The outcome reveals that such traffic indeed is reconnaissance/probing activities originating from three different horizontal scans utilizing packets with a TCP header length of 0 or packets with odd flag combinations. The results as well demonstrate that 28% of the scanning sources host malicious/blacklisted domains as they are often used for spamming, phishing and other fraud activities. Additionally, the outcome portrays that the bot probing sources are infected by 'Virus.Win32.Sality'. By correlating various evidence, we confirm that such malware specimen is in fact responsible for part of the source port 0 probing event. We concur that this work is a first attempt ever to comprehend the machinery of such unique event and we hope that the community could consider it as a building block for auxiliary analysis and investigation.
Structural basis of integrin-mediated signal transduction

Abstract Integrins are a family of α/β heterodimers of cell adhesion receptors that mediate cell-extracellular matrix and cell-cell interactions. Both α and β subunits have a large extracellular domain and a short cytoplasmic domain. The α subunit has seven sequence repeats of 60–70 residues in its N-terminal region. The β-propeller model, in which seven four-stranded β-sheets are arranged in a torus around a pseudosymmetry axis, has been proposed as a structural model of these seven repeats. Several predicted loops critical for ligand binding have been identified in the upper face of the proposed β-propeller model. Several α subunits (e.g., α2, αL and αM) have I-domains of about 200 residues inserted between their second and third repeats. These I-domains adopt a Rossman-fold structure and have major ligand and cation binding sites (the MIDAS site) on their surfaces. The β subunit has an I-domain-like structure in its N-terminal region. This structure includes multiple sequences/conserved oxygenated residues critical for ligand binding (e.g., Asp-119 in β3), and non-conserved residues critical for ligand specificities. Several “activation-dependent” epitopes have been identified in the Cys-rich (stalk) region of β1. It has yet to be determined how these multiple ligand binding sites in the α and β subunits are involved in ligand binding, and how conformational changes on activation/ligand occupancy relate to signal transduction.
Biological effects of naturally occurring and man-made fibres: in vitro cytotoxicity and mutagenesis in mammalian cells.

Cytotoxicity and mutagenicity of tremolite, erionite and the man-made ceramic (RCF-1) fibre were studied using the human–hamster hybrid AL cells. Results from these fibres were compared with those of UICC Rhodesian chrysotile fibres. The AL cell mutation assay, based on the S1 gene marker located on human chromosome 11, the only human chromosome contained in the hybrid cell, has been shown to be more sensitive than conventional assays in detecting deletion mutations. Tremolite, erionite and RCF-1 fibres were significantly less cytotoxic to AL cells than chrysotile. Mutagenesis studies at the HPRT locus revealed no significant mutant yield with any of these fibres. In contrast, both erionite and tremolite induced dose-dependent S1– mutations in fibre-exposed cells, with the former inducing a significantly higher mutant yield than the latter fibre type. On the other hand, RCF-1 fibres were largely non-mutagenic. At equitoxic doses (cell survival at ~ 0.7), erionite was found to be the most potent mutagen among the three fibres tested and at a level comparable to that of chrysotile fibres. These results indicate that RCF-1 fibres are non-genotoxic under the conditions used in the studies and suggest that the high mesothelioma incidence previously observed in hamster may either be a result of selective sensitivity of hamster pleura to fibre-induced chronic irritation or as a result of prolonged fibre treatment. Furthermore, the relatively high mutagenic potential for erionite is consistent with its documented carcinogenicity.
Efficient channel-aware rate adaptation in dynamic environments

Increasingly, 802.11 devices are being used by mobile users. This results in very dynamic wireless channels that are difficult to use efficiently. Current rate selection algorithms are dominated by probe-based approaches that search for the best transmission rate using trial-and-error. In mobile environments, probe-based techniques often perform poorly because they inefficiently search for the moving target presented by the constantly changing channel. We have developed a channel-aware rate adaptation algorithm CHARM - that uses signal strength measurements collected by the wireless cards to help select the transmission rate. Moreover, unlike previous approaches CHARM leverages channel reciprocity to obtain channel information, so the information is available to the transmitter without incurring RTS/CTS overhead. This combination of techniques allows CHARM to respond quickly to dynamic channel changes. We implemented CHARM in the Madwifi driver for wireless cards using the Atheros chipset. Our evaluation both in the real world and on a controlled testbed shows that channel-aware rate selection can significantly outperform probe-based rate adaptation, especially over dynamic channels.
Retention of Adult Students in a Competence-Based Individualized Degree Program: Lessons Learned

(1999). Retention of Adult Students in a Competence-Based Individualized Degree Program: Lessons Learned. The Journal of Continuing Higher Education: Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 24-30.
STUDIES ON THE COMMON COLD VI. CULTIVATION OF THE VIRUS IN TISSUE MEDIUM

1. Studies of the cultivation of the virus of common cold in tissue medium, and the capacity of the culture virus to induce infection in human volunteers are reported. 2. Detailed descriptions are given of the methods employed to isolate the virus, preserve and cultivate it, and to test its activity in human volunteers. 3. The virus of common cold can easily be isolated from properly selected patients and cultivated in tissue medium. 4. When kept in the original nasopharyngeal washings, the virus will survive at ice box temperature under anaerobic conditions for at least 13 days. 5. If the nasopharyngeal washings are frozen and dried in vacuo, the virus retains its activity for at least 4 months. 6. The virus of common cold has been proven to multiply in medium containing chick embryo tissue. Such cultures retain their capacity to produce typical infections in human beings for many transfers involving a period of several months. Attempts to cultivate the virus have been successful in seven out of eight instances. 7. Prolonged cultivation of the virus in tissue medium eventually leads to a loss of activity. 8. Strains of virus under cultivation maintain their potency best when transfers are made at 2 and 3 day intervals. 9. After removal from the incubator a culture of virus rapidly becomes inactive whether it be kept under seal in the ice box or frozen and dried in vacuo. 10. The destructive action of the medium can be prevented if the culture is mixed with gum acacia before freezing and drying in vacuo.
Highlighting programming language issues using mixed language programming nn Maple and C

Three examples using mixed language programming in Maple and C are provided for the express purpose of highlighting, in a practical way, various issues normally discussed in a traditional programming languages class only as theoretical concepts. The three examples highlight concepts in parameter passing techniques, storage order choices, native machine types and sizes, and the handling of single and multi-dimensional arrays when dealing with legacy code.
The Effect of the Lipogenic Inhibitor Cerulenin, on Macrostomal Cell Formation in Tetrahymena vorax

. Macrostomal cell formation is blocked by the antibiotic cerulenin at levels of 15 μg/ml or higher. Inhibition can be reversed up to 4 h following cerulenin addition by washing and resuspending cells in new, noncerulenin-treated transforming principle. In these latter cases, additional time equal to the time spent in the inhibitor, is needed for cells to reach control values of transformation. Neither the addition of saturated or unsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol added alone or in combination with stearic acid, nor a mixture of lipids extracted from Tetrahymena vorax reversed the cerulenin effect. Radioisotope incorporation data showed while protein synthesis was reduced by the end of 1 h and tetrahymanol synthesis by the end of 2 h, little or no effect of this inhibitor occurred on RNA or fatty acid synthesis during these times. One interpretation of these results is that cerulenin, by preventing first protein synthesis and later tetrahymanol synthesis, interferes with synthesis and formation of membranes required for the microstome to macrostome transition.
The application of luminescence dating in American archaeology

Luminescence dating is underutilized in American archaeology given the theoretical advantages of direct dating that it confers. Recent advances in understanding the physical processes underlying the method have also made it more reliable as a dating tool. This research as well as potential applications is reviewed.
Second responses in paired-associate learning☆

Abstract Mathematical models of memory can be evaluated using a continuous paired-associate learning paradigm in which a second response is requested immediately following an error. This procedure provides discriminability among the models on the basis of the relationship between the first- and second-response error probabilities. Theoretical predictions are derived for a variety of models, including finite-state and noncontingent operator models, formulations based on the theory of signal detectability, the multicomponent memory model of Bower (1967b) , and the long- and short-term model of Atkinson and Shiffrin (1968) . None of these is unequivocally acceptable, and many are decisively rejected by the data of a single-trial experiment. The most satisfactory models are the multicomponent model and the Atkinson and Shiffrin model, both of which assume a greater degree of internal structure than the rejected models. It appears that internal structure of this sort will be a necessary part of any satisfactory model of second responses.
A comparative study of outcomes for endoscopic diverticulotomy versus external diverticulectomy.

ObjectivesCurrent literature on the treatment of Zenker’s diverticulum (ZD) favors the use of various endoscopic procedures over external surgical techniques for patients, arguing that endoscopic approaches reduce intraoperative time and anesthesia, length of hospital stay, and days until oral diet is restarted. However, such techniques often have higher symptomatic recurrence rates and require further interventions. Because of our experience with both endoscopic diverticulotomy (ENDO) and external diverticulectomy (EXT) using the GIA-stapler, we sought to compare these 2 procedures in terms of in-hospital parameters, complications, return to normal diet, and rates of symptom recurrence.Study DesignCase series with chart review.SettingAcademic tertiary care hospital.SubjectsPatients with Zenker’s diverticulum who underwent surgical repair.MethodsRetrospective analysis of 67 patients seen at Brigham and Women’s Hospital between 1990 and 2012 with Zenker’s diverticulum who underwent either an endoscopic Zen...
Prognostic criteria of renal cell carcinoma.

The survival data of 186 patients with renal cell carcinoma are discussed in respect to the different forms of treatment and other prognostic criteria, such as clinicopathological staging of the disease, histological grading, and cell type of the tumor. Patients with localized renal tumors (stage I) have a better prognosis than those with lesions extending into the perinephric fat, perinephric lymph nodes, or renal vein. Simple nephrectomy in isolated renal tumors (stage I) has provided a 55.1% 5 year survival and a 35.1% 10 year survival. In the more extensive stage (II and III), the therapeutic effect of nephrectomy is less apparent. The prognosis in stages II and III is almost similar. In the disseminated form of the disease, the prognosis has been poor and of all the past forms of treatment which have been previously employed, nephrectomy offered the best survival rate. For different forms of the disease, nephrectomy in combination with radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or immunotherapy, may enhance the rejection effect of the host toward the tumor. However, this combination of therapy remains to be further clinically evaluated.
Listeria monocytogenes and Listeria spp. contamination patterns in retail delicatessen establishments in three U.S. states.

Postprocessing contamination in processing plants has historically been a significant source of Listeria monocytogenes in ready-to-eat delicatessen meats, and therefore a major cause of human listeriosis cases and outbreaks. Recent risk assessments suggest that a majority of human listeriosis cases linked to consumption of contaminated deli meats may be due to L. monocytogenes contamination that occurs at the retail level. To better understand the ecology and transmission of Listeria spp. in retail delicatessens, food and nonfood contact surfaces were tested for L. monocytogenes and other Listeria spp. in a longitudinal study conducted in 30 retail delis in three U.S. states. In phase I of the study, seven sponge samples were collected monthly for 3 months in 15 delis (5 delis per state) prior to start of daily operation; in phase II, 28 food contact and nonfood contact sites were sampled in each of 30 delis during daily operation for 6 months. Among the 314 samples collected during phase I, 6.8% were pos...
Image-guided surgery: preliminary feasibility studies of frameless stereotactic liver surgery.

Background Liver surgery can be difficult because there are few external landmarks defining hepatic anatomy and because the liver has significant vascularity. Although preoperative tomographic imaging (computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging) provides essential anatomical information for operative planning, at present it cannot be used actively for precise localization during surgery. Interactive image-guided surgery involves the simultaneous real-time display of intraoperative instrument location on preoperative images (computed or positron-emission tomography or magnetic resonance imaging). Interactive image-guided surgery has been described for tumor localization in the brain (frameless stereotactic surgery) and allows for interactive use of preoperative images during resections or biopsies. Hypothesis The application of interactive image-guided surgery (IIGS) is feasible for hepatic procedures from a biomedical engineering standpoint. Methods We developed an interactive image-guided surgery system for liver surgery and tested a porcine liver model for tracking liver motion during insufflation; liver motion during respiration in open procedures in patients undergoing hepatic resection; and tracking accuracy of general surgical instruments, including a laparoscope and an ultrasound probe. Results Liver motion due to insufflation can be quantified; average motion was 2.5 ± 1.4 mm. Average total liver motion secondary to respiration in patients was 10.8 ± 2.5 mm. Instruments of varying lengths, including a laparoscope, can be tracked to accuracies ranging from 1.4 to 2.1 mm within a 27-m 3 (3 × 3 × 3-m) space. Conclusion Interactive image-guided surgery appears to be feasible for open and laparoscopic hepatic procedures and may enhance future operative localization.
A new positive novalac-based resist for sub-micron e-beam lithography

Abstract A new positive tone novalac-based resist, SYSTEM-9, has been characterized on a Cambridge Instruments EBMF-10.5 ebeam lithography tool. The performance of this resist with a variety of commercially available developers has been investigated and it yields an optimum contrast of 6.3, sensitivity of 19 (μC/cm 2 ) and a good resolution of 0.2 μm. SYSTEM-9 has excellent dry etch resistance and outstanding applications in sub-micron device fabrication are demonstrated.
Fatigue crack growth behavior of friction stir processed aluminum alloy

The effect of friction stir processing (FSP) on fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior of a cast aluminum alloy was examined. FSP leads to changes in silicon particle morphology and distribution. The fatigue properties of this alloy are influenced by silicon particle size and dendrite arm spacing. FCG experiments were performed in the Paris region to study crack growth rates during casting and FSP. Crack path and interaction of the crack-tip with the microstructure was characterized.
Highly Sensitive and Selective Label-Free Optical Detection of DNA Hybridization Based on Photon Upconverting Nanoparticles

We report a label-free optical detection scheme for DNA hybridization using photon upconverting nanoparticles. On the basis of luminescence resonance energy transfer between a donor and an acceptor, the method is highly sensitive and can differentiate targets with single base variation. Photon upconverting nanoparticles were used as the donor and an intercalating dye as the acceptor. The sensor could differentiate the perfectly matched target from the single-base mismatched target. The detection limit of this sensor toward perfectly matched target was calculated to be 20 fmol, with no photobleaching. Oligonucleotide sensors of such design demonstrate high sensitivity and specificity without fluorophore labeling.
Coaxial and bifilar modes on a transmission line in a circular tunnel

We consider the axial propagation characteristics of a two-wire transmission line in a circular tunnel bounded by lossy dielectric media. The two modes of greatest interest correspond to conditions when the currents are either in-phase or anti-phase. The effect of the proximity of the tunnel wall is also accounted for in the boundary value treatment of the problem. The attenuation of the coaxial (unbalanced) mode is found to be greatly increased when the conductor is moved toward the tunnel wall but the bifilar (balanced) mode is much less affected.
Curcumin analog UBS109 prevents bone marrow osteoblastogenesis and osteoclastogenesis disordered by coculture with breast cancer MDA-MB-231 bone metastatic cells in vitro

UBS109 is a curcumin analog that possesses antitumor properties has been shown to stimulate osteoblastogenesis and suppress osteoclastogenesis in vitro. This study was undertaken to determine whether UBS109 might alleviate the inhibitory activity of breast cancer cells on osteoblastic mineralization and stimulatory effects on osteoclastogenesis. Mouse bone marrow cells were cocultured with breast cancer MDA-MB-231 bone metastatic cells in vitro. UBS109 stimulated osteoblastic mineralization and suppressed adipogenesis and osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow culture. Coculture with MDA-MB-231 cells suppressed osteoblastic mineralization and enhanced osteoclastogenesis in bone marrow culture. Effects that were reserved by UBS109 (50–200 nM). Mineralization in preosteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells was suppressed by coculture with MDA-MB-231 cells, while MDA-MB-231 cells did not have effects on osteoclastogenesis of RAW267.4 cells in vitro. UBS109 (500 nM) revealed toxic effects on MDA-MB-231 bone metastatic cells. This study demonstrates that UBS109, which is an antitumor agent, reveals restorative effects on bone marrow cell differentiation disordered by coculture with breast cancer MDA-MB-231 bone metastatic cells in vitro. This in vitro model may be a useful tool to evaluate the mechanism of breast cancer cell bone metastasis.
The reforms in general education at American University

How do evolving academic priorities influence the review and reform of a pioneering general education program?
Central actions of corticotropin releasing factor on sensori-autonomic processing in normotensive and hypertensive rats.

Abstract The airpuff startle paradigm, a stress paradigm, elicits greater pressor and tachycardia responses in SHR LJ than WKY LJ which, unlike SHR LJ , also show bradycardia. CRF has been implicated in coordinating autonomic responses to stressors. The present studies explored the role of CRF, CRF antagonist d -PheCRF 12–41 , and chronic hydralazine in stress-induced cardiovascular responses. In SHR LJ CRF unmasked a bradycardia response, equal to WKY LJ receiving either aCSF or CRF, which was blocked by d -PheCRF 12–41 . CRF given to hydralazine-treated SHR LJ did not unmask a bradycardia. In WKY LJ , CRF specifically lowered the pressor response on trial I compared to control, an effect abolished by the antagonist. WKY LJ receiving d -PheCRF 12–41 prior to testing showed greater pressor and bradycardia responses when compared to control. In the WKY LJ CRF appears to exert an inhibitory role on the pressor and bradycardia responses while in the SHR LF CRF exerts a permissive role on the bradycardia response which is lost when blood pressure is normalized with chronic hydralazine. CRF and d -PherCRF 12–41 a1 modify stress-induced cardiovascular responses in a strain-dependent dissimilar fashion. We conclude CRF has cardiovascular importance in the genetic hypertensive rat.
H-coupled electron transfer in alkane C-h activations with halogen electrophiles.

The mechanisms for the reactions of isobutane and adamantane with polyhalogen electrophiles (HHal2+, Hal3+, Hal5+, and Hal7+, Hal = Cl, Br, or I) were studied computationally at the MP2 and B3LYP levels of theory with the 6-31G** (C, H, Cl, Br) and 3-21G* (I) basis sets, as well as experimentally for adamantane halogenations in Br2, Br2/HBr, and I+Cl-/CCl4. The transition structures for the activation step display almost linear C···H···Hal interactions and are characterized by significant charge transfer to the electrophile; the hydrocarbon moieties resemble the respective radical cation structures. The regiospecificities for polar halogenations of the 3° C−H bonds of adamantane, the high experimental kinetic isotope effects (kH/kD = 3−4), the rate accelerations in the presence of Lewis and proton (HBr) acids, and the high kinetic orders for halogen (7.5 for Br2) can only be understood in terms of an H-coupled electron-transfer mechanism. The three centered-two electron (3c-2e) electrophilic mechanistic c...
Perjury and information weighting

Abstract Situations where a defendant is tried for perjury for lying in a civil trial are considered. The perjury court uses two types of evidence in determining whether perjury took place: information that was available when the defendant testified in the first trial and information that only became available after the first trial ended. This paper concludes that perjury rules governing testimony given in civil trials should give greater weight to information that surfaced after the defendant testified. This decreases a defendant’s incentive to lie and to a lesser extent increases the accuracy of perjury adjudication.
Fcγ receptor effects on induction of c-myc mRNA expression in mouse B lymphocytes by anti-immunoglobulin☆

Levels of c-myc mRNA have been assayed in mouse B cells cultured for 8 hr with Fab'2 anti-Ig or IgG anti-Ig. Fab'2 anti-Ig induces DNA synthesis in B cells, whereas the whole molecule inhibits anti-Ig-induced DNA synthesis by crosslinking the B cell Fcγ R to mIg. Both the Fab'2 fragment and the IgG anti-Ig induce an increase in c-myc mRNA by 1 hr. Thereafter, levels in cells stimulated with submitogenic doses of Fab'2 anti-Ig or any dose of IgG anti-Ig returned to background, while levels in cultures containing a mitogenic dose of Fab'2 anti-Ig remained elevated.
Polynomial collocation using a domain decomposition solution to parabolic PDE's via the penalty method and explicit/implicit time marching

A domain decomposition method is examined to solve a time-dependent parabolic equation. The method employs an orthogonal polynomial collocation technique on multiple subdomains. The subdomain interfaces are approximated with the aid of a penalty method. The time discretization is implemented in an explicit/implicit finite difference method. The subdomain interface is approximated using an explicit Dufort-Frankel method, while the interior of each subdomain is approximated using an implicit backwards Euler's method. The principal advantage to the method is the direct implementation on a distributed computing system with a minimum of interprocessor communication. Theoretical results are given for Legendre polynomials, while computational results are given for Chebyshev polynomials. Results are given for both a single processor computer and a distributed computing system.
The αvβ3 Integrin Regulates α5β1-mediated Cell Migration toward Fibronectin

This study examines the interactions of alphavbeta3 and alpha5beta1 in the regulation of cell migration. Human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells that express alpha5beta1 endogenously were transfected with alphavbeta3 and beta3 mutants, and their attachment and migration to fibronectin (Fn) and vitronectin (Vn) were measured. An alphavbeta3 blocking antibody and the alphavbeta3 ligand cyclic G-Pen-GRGDSPC-A inhibited alpha5beta1-mediated migration toward Fn, but not attachment to Fn. This function was alphavbeta3-specific since alphavbeta5 transfection and alphavbeta5 blocking antibody did not produce this effect. Mutations introduced into the beta3 integrin subunit to dissect this phenomenon revealed the following. Disruption of the ligand binding domain by the Glanzmann thrombasthenia mutation beta3-D119Y constitutively abolished migration toward both Vn and Fn, and attachment to Vn but not to Fn. Insertion of the Glanzmann mutation beta3-S752P into the cytoplasmic domain or its truncation (beta3-Delta717) abolished binding to Vn but not to Fn. Inhibition of migration toward Fn was inhibited in these cells by alphavbeta3 blocking antibody. alphavbeta3-mediated inhibition was, however, abolished by truncation of the transmembrane domain (beta3-Delta693). These findings demonstrate alphavbeta3 regulation of alpha5beta1-mediated cell migration and suggest that the beta3 transmembrane domain is essential for this function.
A Novel Role for the IgG Fc Glycan: The Anti-inflammatory Activity of Sialylated IgG Fcs

IgG antibodies have long been recognized as proinflammatory mediators of the humoral immune response. Antibodies bind and neutralize antigens to promote antibody-dependent cytotoxicity, opsonization of antigens, and the initiation of phagocytosis. Whereas the antigen specificity of antibodies is determined by the antigen-binding Fab portion, the effector functions initiated by antibodies are triggered by the Fc (crystallizable) domain. These effector functions are heavily dependent on the single N-linked, biantennary glycan of the heavy chain, which resides just below the hinge region. This glycan is believed to maintain the two heavy chains of the Fc in an open confirmation required for interactions with activating Fcgamma receptors (FcgammaRs). However, the presence of specific sugar moieties on the glycan has profound implications on Fc effector functions. The addition of terminal sialic acid to the glycan reduces FcgammaR binding and converts IgG antibodies to anti-inflammatory mediators through the acquisition of novel binding activities. Studies from our laboratory demonstrated that these sialylated IgG Fcs are important for the in vivo activity of intravenous immunoglobulin. Instead of binding with FcgammaRs, sialylated Fcs initiate an anti-inflammatory cascade through the lectin receptor SIGN-R1 or DC-SIGN. This leads to upregulated surface expression of the inhibitory FcR, FcgammaRIIb, on inflammatory cells, thereby attenuating autoantibody-initiated inflammation.
The Effect of Dual-Language and Transitional-Bilingual Education Instructional Models on Spanish Proficiency for English Language Learners

The effects of “transitional-bilingual” and “dual-language” educational models on proficiency in students’ home language (Spanish) were examined in a study of English language learners in the first and second grades in a large urban elementary school. In each grade, students were taught with either a transitional-bilingual model or a dual-language one, with a Spanish proficiency assessment administered on a pre/post basis. ANOVA results showed that both models produced significant increases in multiple dimensions of Spanish proficiency (alphabet/sight words, reading, writing, listening, and verbal expression). However, second-grade students in dual-language classrooms (who had longer exposure to the instructional model relative to first graders) scored significantly higher in verbal expression skills. In light of research linking proficiency in the home language with achievement in English language skills and content learning, dual-language instruction appears to be more effective than transitional-biling...
Joint data streaming and sampling techniques for detection of super sources and destinations

Detecting the sources or destinations that have communicated with a large number of distinct destinations or sources during a small time interval is an important problem in network measurement and security. Previous detection approaches are not able to deliver the desired accuracy at high link speeds (10 to 40 Gbps). In this work, we propose two novel algorithms that provide accurate and efficient solutions to this problem. Their designs are based on the insight that sampling and data streaming are often suitable for capturing different and complementary regions of the information spectrum, and a close collaboration between them is an excellent way to recover the complete information. Our first solution builds on the standard hash-based flow sampling algorithm. Its main innovation is that the sampled traffic is further filtered by a data streaming module which allows for much higher sampling rate and hence much higher accuracy. Our second solution is more sophisticated but offers higher accuracy. It combines the power of data streaming in efficiently estimating quantities associated with a given identity, and the power of sampling in collecting a list of candidate identities. The performance of both solutions are evaluated using both mathematical analysis and trace-driven experiments on real-world Internet traffic.
Arthroscopic meniscectomy in patients over the age of 40

One hundred eighteen patients, aged 40 or older, underwent partial meniscectomy and limited debridement of coexisting grade III or grade IV degenerative articular cartilage lesions. No curettage, abrasion arthroplasty, or subchondral drilling was performed. The average age of the patients was 57 years (range, 40 to 78). The mean followup was 3.3 years (range, 1 to 7). Sixty-three similar patients who also underwent partial meniscectomy but did not have the finding of significant coexisting articular surface erosion were studied for comparison. Of the 118 patients in the group with articular lesions (78 men and 40 women), 71 (60%) rated their improvement as significant, 22 (19%) as moderate, and 15 (13%) as mild; 10 (8%) noted no improvement. Although 98 (83%) were generally satisfied with their result, only 57 (48%) reported satisfaction for sports. However, 89 (75%) had resumed and continued recreational athletic activities. Results tended to be worse in women, in patients older than 60, in those with moderate or severe tibiofemoral radiographic changes, those who had a grade IV articular lesion, and those with longer followup time. Although results were poorer in patients with coexisting grade III or grade IV degenerative arthritis, arthroscopic partial meniscectomy and limited debridement was an acceptably effective procedure in patients over the age of 40.
Novelty seeking and drug use: contribution of an animal model

Although sensation seeking or novelty seeking is a reliable predictor of drug use in humans, individual differences in free-choice novelty seeking in animal models have generally failed to predict drug use. In the current article, hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used on data collected from a large sample of rats. Rats were screened on measures of inescapable and free-choice novelty tests and then were trained to lever press for sucrose or intravenous amphetamine. Although scores from the inescapable novelty test weakly predicted responding for amphetamine, the addition of free-choice novelty preference scores into the regression analyses significantly improved the predictive models. These results indicate that, similar to evidence in humans, individual differences in novelty seeking may be able to predict drug use in rats.
Interpolation of multidimensional random processes with application to fluid flow

Vector-valued multidimensional random process interpolation is investigated with application to interpolating the velocity fields of turbulent fluid flow. The authors first model and define the problem of interpolating velocity fields from PTV (particle tracking velocimetry) data as a random process problem, and then derive the minimum mean squares error filters, which are the optimum interpolants, for the case of homogeneous turbulence. A windowed interpolation algorithm was applied to synthesized flow fields. The velocity field is modeled as a random field and the particle positions are approximated by a Poisson point process. The interpolation of this random field from these Poisson points can be solved as a minimum mean squares error problem. The minimum mean squares errors of the interpolation algorithm are analyzed as a function of data density. >
Therapy of maladaptive fear-motivated behavior in the rat by the systematic gradual withdrawal of a fear-reducing drug☆

Abstract The treatment of maladaptive fear-motivated behavior, the execution of which precludes the organism's learning about its maladaptiveness, represents a therapeutic challenge. Several studies had shown that the relearning of adaptive behavior during the temporary drug-induced reduction of unrealistic fears did not readily transfer to the non-drug state when the drug was abruptly withdrawn. The present study was designed to determine whether the systematic, gradual withdrawal of a fear-reducing drug in a previously threatening situation would promote the generalization of such adaptive relearning. An approach-avoidance conflict was induced in rats by the shock punishment of lever-pressing for food, and during reconditioning amobarbital sodium was either gradually withdrawn, abruptly withdrawn, or absent. The extinction of residual fear and relearning of adaptive behavior were found to be facilitated by the gradual withdrawal treatment, as measured by the occurrence of the first lever-press and by the overall lever-pressing performance during reconditioning. At the completion of the gradual drug withdrawal the lever-pressing behavior transferred to the non-drug state without decrement. It was suggested that such a treatment which tends to increase the efficiency and decrease the discomfort of therapy warrants further investigation.
Baseline Prevalence of Heart Diseases, Hypertension, Diabetes, and Obesity in Persons with Acute Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury: Potential Threats in the Recovery Trajectory

Background: Chronic diseases impede the recovery trajectory of acutely injured persons with traumatic spinal cord injury (TSCI). This study compares the odds of prevalent heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and obesity between persons with TSCI and persons with lower extremity fractures (LEF) who were discharged from acute care facilities. Methods: 1,776 patients with acute TSCI (cases) and 1,780 randomly selected patients with LEF (controls) discharged from January 1, 1998, through December 31, 2009, from all nonfederal hospitals were identified. Data extracted from uniform billing files were compared between cases and controls in a multivariable logistic regression model controlling for sociodemographic and clinical covariables. Results: Thirty percent of patients with acute TSCI had at least 1 of 4 conditions compared with 18% of patients with LEF (P < .0001). Persons with acute TSCI were 4 times more likely (odds ratio [OR], 4.05; 95% CI, 1.65–9.97) to have obesity, 2.7 times more likely t...
The crisis in our libraries

GE 203 Since 1987, there has been a drop of about 40% in the purchasing power of research libraries in the amount of material they can buy today compared with what could be purchased in 1987. This drop varies from one area to another; it is estimated to be 60% for the physical sciences and engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles. During this time, the materials' acquisition budgets of most libraries have been held at roughly the same dollar level. Hence, there has been a decrease in the amount of material purchased, which has resulted in a shift of emphasis—mainly less for books related to serials.
Approximate spectral absorption coefficient calculations for electronic band systems belonging to diatomic molecules

The spectral absorption coefficients in electronic band systems of diatomic emitters have been computed in the past by models that may be described as 'the just overlapping line model' and a model 'utilizing a smeared out rotational structure'. Although the basic relations are obtained by utilizing somewhat different physical arguments, the resulting equations are, in fact, identical. Spectral absorption coefficients have been calculated for the NO γ-bands at 2000oK by using the approximate theoretical relations. The calculated results are in good agreement with estimates derived by numerical calculations in which, however, the absorption coefficient data were averaged over intervals of 2000 cm^(-1).
THE EFFECT OF VASCULAR ENDOTHELIAL GROWTH FACTOR ON A RAT MODEL OF TRAUMATIC ARTERIOGENIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

Purpose: We tested the hypothesis that intracavernous injection of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) can restore erectile function in a rat model of traumatic arteriogenic erectile dysfunction.Materials and Methods: Exploration of bilateral internal iliac arteries was performed in 50, 3-month-old male rats. A total of 44 rats underwent bilateral ligation of the internal iliac arteries and 6 that underwent exploration only served as the sham operated group. Minutes later intracavernous injection of phosphate buffered saline (PBS) plus bovine serum albumin in 16 rats, 2 μg. VEGF plus PBS plus BSA in 12 and 4 μg. VEGF plus PBS plus BSA in 16 was performed. At weeks 1, 2 and 6 about a third of the rats in each group underwent electrostimulation of the cavernous nerves to assess erectile function and were then sacrificed. Penile tissues were collected for histochemical and electron microscopy examinations.Results: No impairment of erectile function was noted in sham operated rats. Immediately after art...
Synthesis of ribonucleic acid and histone change during spermatogenesis in the grasshopper Chortophaga viridifasciata.

Synthesis of Ribonucleic Acid and Histone Change during Spermatogenesis in the Grasshopper Chortophaga viridifasciata
Physically-consistent sensor fusion in contact-rich behaviors

We describe a computationally-expensive but very accurate approach to state estimation, which fuses any available sensor data with physical consistency priors. This is done by combining the advantages of recursive estimation and fixedlag smoothing: at each step we re-estimate the trajectory over a time window into the past, but also use a recursive prior obtained from the previous time step via internal simulation. We also incorporate a physics engine into the estimator, which makes it possible to adjust the state estimates so that the inferred contact interactions are consistent with the observed accelerations. The estimator can utilize contact sensors to improve accuracy, but even in the absence of such sensors it reasons correctly about contact forces. Estimation speed and accuracy are demonstrated on a 28-DOF humanoid robot (Darwin) in a walking task. Timing tests and leave-one-out cross-validation show that the proposed approach can be used in real-time and is substantially more accurate than the EKF, without any over-fitting.
Nobody likes a rat: On the willingness to report lies and the consequences thereof

We investigate the intrinsic motivation of individuals to report, and thereby sanction, fellow group members who lie for personal gain. We further explore the changes in lying and reporting behavior that result from giving individuals a say in who joins their group. We find that enough individuals are willing to report lies such that in fixed groups lying is unprofitable. However, we also find that when groups can select their members, individuals who report lies are generally shunned, even by groups where lying is absent. This facilitates the formation of dishonest groups where lying is prevalent and reporting is nonexistent.
The subnuclear organization of acetylcholinesterase-containing neurons in the interpeduncular nucleus of rats

Abstract The interpeduncular nucleus (IPN) is a heterogeneous structure comprised of seven subnuclei which differ with regard to their cytoarchitecture, synaptology, connectivity, and content of neuropeptides and biogenic amines. In the present study, we used Butcher's pharmacohistochemical regimen to assess the subnuclear distribution and staining intensity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE)-containing neurons in the IPN. Although AChE-positive somata were present in every subnucleus, their staining intensity differed within and between the subnuclei. The most intensely stained somata were found in the apical and central subnuclei; however, they comprised only 10–25% of the total population of AChE-positive somata in these subnuclei. Heavily stained somata were observed in the apical, central, and lateral subnuclei; moderately stained somata in the central, lateral, intermediate, and rostral subnuclei; and lightly stained somata in the lateral, intermediate, rostral, dorsal lateral, and rostral lateral subnuclei. The present findings indicate that AChE-containing neurons are differentially distributed between subnuclei of the IPN.