cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Program to Calculate Ground‐Water Mound Heights

Mounding of the ground-water table beneath recharge sources may be of concern where the raised water table approaches too closely to near-surface facilities or features. Because of its high accuracy and wide range of applicability, the method of Hantush is probably the most widely used to calculate the time-varying heights of ground-water mounds on extensive and near-horizontal saturated zones. Use of that method entails a number of inconveniences, however, including function evaluations and two-dimensional interpolations between tabulated values, which must be performed iteratively. A FORTRAN computer program was developed to rapidly perform the necessary iterations and to evaluate some rather long and complex equations. These equations avoid the need for interpolation or other approximation procedures, and they provide accurate calculations for all conditions. Comparison of results from the computer program with results from approximation procedures indicates the areas and extents of the unreliability of the approximation procedures.
Oxidation and sublimation of graphite in simulated re-entry environments.

Graphite thermochemical response tested in simulated environment for use as thermal shield for hypersonic reentry vehicles
Racemic crystallography—Easy crystals and easy structures: What's not to like?

As protein synthetic techniques become more precise and more routine, racemic crystallography will become a powerful and more attractive alternative to conventional protein structure determination. Theory suggests and experimental evidence is beginning to accumulate that crystallization of a racemic mixture is easier than crystallization of the single enantiomer. In centrosymmetric space groups, structure determination is simpler and more powerful than in chiral ones. The conventional MAD method cannot be used but structure determination is feasible by several different approaches including the use of a single heavy-atom derivative, by collecting data at different wavelengths, or by direct methods.
Intensity of case managers' participation in organizational decision making.

Prior research has indicated that registered nurse (RN) participation in decision making (PDM) is related to better outcomes in nursing homes and hospitals. Little is known, however, about the roles of community-based case managers (CMs), most of whom are RNs. Data from 68 prenatal case management programs were used to test hypotheses about the intensity of CM PDM and to describe their patterns of involvement in decision activities and mechanisms. CMs were most involved in the activity of “raising the issue” and least involved in “choosing the alternative.” However, “choosing the alternative” was the strongest predictor of perceived CM influence over the final choice. When CMs were involved in informal meetings and chance encounters with administrators, they were more likely to be perceived as having influence over the final choices made. Intensity of CM PDM varied by decision level and content, supporting two of the three hypotheses. The findings are discussed in light of prior research and complexity theory. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Res Nurs Health 24:361–372, 2001
Secondary coronary artery vasospasm promotes cardiomyopathy progression.

Genetic defects in the plasma membrane-associated sarcoglycan complex produce cardiomyopathy characterized by focal degeneration. The infarct-like pattern of cardiac degeneration has led to the hypothesis that coronary artery vasospasm underlies cardiomyopathy in this disorder. We evaluated the coronary vasculature of γ-sarcoglycan mutant mice and found microvascular filling defects consistent with arterial vasospasm. However, the vascular smooth muscle sarcoglycan complex was intact in the coronary arteries of γ-sarcoglycan hearts with perturbation of the sarcoglycan complex only within the adjacent myocytes. Thus, in this model, coronary artery vasospasm derives from a vascular smooth muscle-cell extrinsic process. To reduce this secondary vasospasm, we treated γ-sarcoglycan-deficient mice with the calcium channel antagonist verapamil. Verapamil treatment eliminated evidence of vasospasm and ameliorated histological and functional evidence of cardiomyopathic progression. Echocardiography of verapamil-treated, γ-sarcoglycan-null mice showed an improvement in left ventricular fractional shortening (44.3 ± 13.3% treated versus 37.4 ± 15.3% untreated), maximal velocity at the aortic outflow tract (114.9 ± 27.9 cm/second versus 92.8 ± 22.7 cm/second), and cardiac index (1.06 ± 0.30 ml/minute/g versus 0.67 ± 0.16 ml/minute/g, P < 0.05). These data indicate that secondary vasospasm contributes to the development of cardiomyopathy and is an important therapeutic target to limit cardiomyopathy progression.
Pathogenesis of aortic dilatation in mucopolysaccharidosis VII mice may involve complement activation

Mucopolysaccharidosis VII (MPS VII) is due to mutations within the gene encoding the lysosomal enzyme β-glucuronidase, and results in the accumulation of glycosaminoglycans. MPS VII causes aortic dilatation and elastin fragmentation, which is associated with upregulation of the elastases cathepsin S (CtsS) and matrix metalloproteinase 12 (MMP12). To test the role of these enzymes, MPS VII mice were crossed with mice deficient in CtsS or MMP12, and the effect upon aortic dilatation was determined. CtsS deficiency did not protect against aortic dilatation in MPS VII mice, but also failed to prevent an upregulation of cathepsin enzyme activity. Further analysis with substrates and inhibitors specific for particular cathepsins suggests that this enzyme activity was due to CtsB, which could contribute to elastin fragmentation. Similarly, MMP12 deficiency and deficiency of both MMP12 and CtsS could not prevent aortic dilatation in MPS VII mice. Microarray and reverse-transcriptase real-time PCR were performed to look for upregulation of other elastases. This demonstrated that mRNA for complement component D was elevated in MPS VII mice, while immunostaining demonstrated high levels of complement component C3 on surfaces within the aortic media. Finally, we demonstrate that neonatal intravenous injection of a retroviral vector encoding β-glucuronidase reduced aortic dilatation. We conclude that neither CtsS nor MMP12 are necessary for elastin fragmentation in MPS VII mouse aorta, and propose that CtsB and/or complement component D may be involved. Complement may be activated by the GAGs that accumulate, and may play a role in signal transduction pathways that upregulate elastases.
Cytokeratin subsets for distinguishing barrett's esophagus from intestinal metaplasia in the cardia using endoscopic biopsy specimens

Abstract OBJECTIVES: It has been suggested that Barrett’s epithelium and intestinal metaplasia in the gastric cardia have different cyotokeratin (CK) staining patterns and that Barrett’s epithelium can be distinguished by CK staining pattern. The aim of this study was to test the utility of CK staining for distinguishing Barrett’s esophagus from gastric intestinal metaplasia. METHODS: Topographically mapped gastric biopsy specimens were obtained from patients without Barrett’s esophagus, and esophageal biopsies were obtained from patients with long-segment Barrett’s esophagus (>3 cm). Serial sections were stained with Genta or El-Zimaity triple stain, and biopsies with intestinal metaplasia were stained with antibodies against CK 4, 13, 7, and 20. RESULTS: Sections from 33 biopsies with Barrett’s esophagus, 23 with intestinal metaplasia of the gastric cardia, 27 with intestinal metaplasia of the gastric body, and 33 with intestinal metaplasia of the antrum were examined. CK 4 and CK 13 stained squamous epithelium only. The proposed “diagnostic” CK Barrett’s 7/20 pattern was found in only 39% of long-segment Barrett’s compared to 35%, 4%, and 24% in intestinal metaplasia from the gastric cardia, body, and antrum, respectively. The criteria proposed had a sensitivity of 45% and a specificity of 65%. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support keratin phenotyping as a tool for differentiating intestinal metaplasia originating in the cardia from intestinal metaplasia of Barrett’s.
Brief announcement: collaborative measurement of upload speeds in P2P systems

We define and study the bandwidth determination problem in ad-hoc P2P environments. Using point-to-point bandwidth probes, the goal is to quickly determine each host's upload and download bandwidth. We present matching upper and lower bounds on the number of probing rounds required by any algorithm. We also devise algorithms which, for realistic bandwidth distributions, beat the lower bounds.
Cultural aspects in the treatment of patients with skin disease

As the cultural distance between patient and physician widens, so does miscommunication. Negotiation between the belief systems of the physician and the patient may create a therapeutic environment of mutual trust and respect that increases the possibility of successful clinical outcomes.
Characterization of lung geometry from the single-breath nitrogen washout test.

Abstract A previously developed transport analysis was used to simulate two sets of single-breath nitrogen washout data from each of four normal subjects. The analysis treats simultaneous gas flow and longitudinal diffusion and incorporates a modified form of Weibel's anatomical model “A” to describe the airway geometry. For each data set, four geometric parameters of the analysis were varied in a computer simulation until it matched the instantaneous expiratory concentration curve; particular emphasis was placed on matching the data in the concentration transition. Monitored values of functional residual capacity and instantaneous respiratory flow were supplied as inputs to each simulation. For each subject, a reasonable computer simulation could be obtained using a single set of lower airway geometric parameters, even though the average respiratory flow rate varied by as much as 53% from test to test; this result is due to the ability of the transport analysis to directly account for gas mixing during normal respiration. Under the same conditions the anatomic dead space varied by as much as 24%.
The role of trust in the 2008 financial crisis

Financial transactions require trust. This paper analyzes the role of trust in the context of the 2008 financial crisis. In order to find a role for trust, we need to find a role for trust in a standard economic model which differs from the rational expectation of the equilibrium outcome. It is argued that trust dropped dramatically in the Fall of 2008. The consequences and effects of this drop in trust are discussed.
Fusion of mammalian cells by unilamellar lipid vesicles: Influence of lipid surface charge, fluidity and cholesterol

Abstract The fusion of mammalian cells cultured in vitro by unilamellar vesicles prepared from individual or mixed phospholipid species is described. Maximum cell fusion in both monolayer and suspension cell cultures occurred at a dose of approx. 10 4 vesicles per cell. No significant cell damage was observed in the treated cells. Variation of the chemical composition of the vesicles has permitted an evaluation of the importance of such membrane parameters as surface charge, fluidity and the presence of cholesterol. The results were as follows. 1. 1. Extensive cell fusion occurred in cell cultures treated with vesicles prepared from negatively charged phosphatidylserine molecules or a mixture of 10% phosphatidylserine and 90% phosphatidylcholine. Neutral phosphatidylcholine vesicles did not induce cell fusion. Incorporation of lysophosphatidylcholine into phosphatidylserine or mixed phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine vesicles produced a small increase in their cell fusion capacity but was accompanied by marked cytotoxicity and cytolysis. 2. 2. The treatment of cells at 37°C with vesicles containing lipids that were in the liquid-crystalline state at 37°C (10% phosphatidylglycerol-90% phosphatidylcholine) or were in an intermediate fluid condition at this temperature (10% dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol-90% dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine) induced significantly greater cell fusion than vesicles composed of lipids that were in the solid phase at 37°C (10% distearylphosphatidylglycerol-90% distearoylphosphatidylcholine). 3. 3. The incorporation of equimolar amounts of cholesterol into dipalmitoyl-phosphatidylglycerol-dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine vesicles reduced significantly their ability to fuse cells but similar amounts of cholesterol had no significant effect on the cell fusion potential of phosphatidylserine-phosphatidylcholine vesicles. 4. 4. The influence of surface charge, “fluidity” and the presence of cholesterol on the cell fusion capacity of vesicles is discussed with reference to possible events occurring in the fusion of natural membranes.
Which Imaging Modality Is Superior for Prediction of Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy in Patients with Triple Negative Breast Cancer

Background and Objectives. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been shown to be generally chemosensitive. We sought to investigate the utility of mammography (MMG), ultrasonography (US), and breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in predicting residual disease following neoadjuvant chemotherapy for TNBC. Methods. We identified 148 patients with 151 Stage I–III TNBC treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Residual tumor size was estimated by MMG, US, and/or MRI prior to surgical intervention and compared to the subsequent pathologic residual tumor size. Data were compared using chi-squared test. Results. Of 151 tumors, 44 (29%) did not have imaging performed prior to surgical treatment. Thirty-eight (25%) tumors underwent a pathologic complete response (pCR), while 113 (75%) had residual invasive disease. The imaging modality was accurate to within 1 cm of the final pathologic residual disease in 74 (69%) cases and within 2 cm in 94 (88%) cases. Groups were similar with regards to patient age, race, tumor size and grade, and clinical stage (). Accuracy to within 1 cm was the highest for US (83%) and the lowest for MMG (56%) (). Conclusions. Breast US and MRI were more accurate than MMG in predicting residual tumor size following neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with TNBC. None of the imaging modalities were predictive of a pCR.
Stress effects of personal control over hospital noise.

Hospital critical care unit (CCU) sounds, instruction in personal control over noise, and stress were studied in 105 female volunteers attempting to sleep overnight in a simulated hospital environment. Subjects were randomly assigned to three groups--instruction in personal control over noise, no instruction in personal control over noise, or a quiet condition. The two noise conditions heard audiotaped recorded playback of CCU nighttime sounds. The subjects with instruction in personal control received directions for using a sound conditioner to block out unwanted sounds. This intervention failed to result in less stress. The results of group comparisons provided strong support for a causal relationship between CCU sounds and greater subjective stress (p less than .000) but not for physiological stress measured by urinary epinephrine. As predicted, scores for sensitivity of the person to noise were positively correlated with scores for noise-induced subjective stress (r = .226, p less than .05). Hierarchical multiple regression revealed that CCU sound levels independently accounted for 54% (p less than .001) and sensitivity to noise for 5% (p less than .01) of the variance in subjective stress.
Response to overdose among injection drug users.

Background Drug overdose is a leading cause of mortality among illicit drug users. This study characterizes responses to overdose among injection drug users (IDUs) in Baltimore, Maryland, and identifies factors associated with medically inappropriate response. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered to 924 IDUs in an ongoing cohort study between August 2003 and September 2004. Self-reported experiences of witnessing overdose were obtained by structured interview. Multiple logistic regression identified associations between overdose information sources and medically inappropriate responses. Results Most IDUs (69.7%) reported ever witnessing an overdose. The most common responses were walking the victim around (70.8%), shaking them (64.9%), and inflicting pain (62.6%). One in four (25.8%) injected the victim with salt water. Two thirds (63.4%) called 911, but more than half delayed the call by 5 or more minutes. The most common reason cited for delaying or foregoing the 911 call was the belief that they could revive the victim themselves, followed by fear of police involvement. Most IDUs had received information on how to prevent or respond to an overdose, but most (73.2%) received this information from friends or other drug users. IDUs who got overdose information solely from lay sources were less likely to call 911 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=0.66, 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.46–0.94) and more likely to inject the victim with salt water (AOR=2.06, 95% CI=1.36–3.13) than IDUs who received no information at all. Injection drug users who received information from medical and social services providers only were less likely to delay the 911 call (AOR=0.35, 95% CI=0.22–0.72). Conclusions Inappropriate overdose responses are widespread among IDUs in Baltimore. Interventions that provide overdose education and reduce police response to overdose events may improve witness response and reduce mortality associated with drug overdose.
Non-tariff measure use in Japan and the United States

Abstract Trade coverage ratios are calculated to assess the 1989 incidence of non-tariff measures (NTMs) on imports of agricultural and manufactured products by Japan and the United States. Overall, about 24 percent of all products are covered by one or more NTM in Japan versus 29 percent in the United States. The sectoral pattern of NTM incidence and choice of NTMs vary considerably between countries. However, intercountry comparisons of NTM incidence suggest overall NTM trade coverage in Japan is not so different from that of the United States.
Changes in lipoprotein(a) concentration after orthotopic heart transplantation.

Background Elevated concentrations of lipoprotein(a) have been considered an important risk factor in the development of premature cardiovascular disease and have been proposed as a risk factor in the development of accelerated cardiac allograft vasculopathy after orthotopic heart transplantation. Methods We prospectively measured lipoprotein(a), fasting cholesterol, and triglyceride concentrations before (n = 38), 6 months (n = 38), and 1 year (n = 21) after orthotopic heart transplantation. The mean age of the patients was 52 ± 2 years. Eighty-seven percent of the patients were men, 82% were white, and 61% had ischemic cardiomyopathy. Results Mean lipoprotein(a) concentration was lower 6 months after transplantation than it was before the operation (23 ± 3 mg/dL vs 17 ± 3 mg/dL; P = .014) and remained low 1 year after transplantation (23 ± 3 mg/dL vs 18 ± 4 mg/dL; P = not significant). In contrast, mean cholesterol concentration was higher 6 months after transplantation (171 ± 8 mg/dL vs 221 ± 8 mg/dL; P < .001) and 1 year (171 ± 8 mg/dL vs 205 ± 10 mg/dL; P < .01) than it was before transplantation. Triglyceride concentration was higher 1 year after transplantation than it was before the operation (146 ± 13 mg/dL vs 184 ± 20 mg/dL; P = .017). Conclusions Lipoprotein(a) concentrations decrease during the 6 months after transplantation and stay low for at least 1 year after the operation. Additional studies are needed to ascertain the effect these changes in lipoprotein(a) concentration on the development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy.
Anopheles stephensi (Diptera: Culicidae): changes in male mating competence and reproductive system morphology associated with aging and mating.

Laboratory observations on the mating behavior of the Khano-Harni ( KH ) strain of Anopheles stephensi indicated that females and males become sexually mature by their 2nd night of life. Some females (10%, n = 67) mated on their night of emergence when crossed with 3-day-old males. At 28–30 °C maximum male mating activity occurred between 3 and 7 days of age. Comparisons between the percentage of laboratoryadapted KH females inseminated by KH males and wild-caught ( WC ) males indicated that little change in group mating occurs during colonization, while the ability of males to mate singly improves with laboratory selection. Dissections of KH males of known age and mating history indicated that the number of spermatocysts decrease and the proportion of the testes occupied by the sperm reservoir increases with age, while the quantity of spermatozoa present in the sperm reservoir and postgonadal system and the degree of repleteness of the male accessory glands with secretory material decreases with successive matings. The male reproductive system was found to rejuvenate after mating, with the replenishment of male accessory gland substance in the accessory glands and spermatozoa in the sperm reservoir and postgonadal system. Males that multiplymated during an abbreviated interval took longer to rejuvenate their reproductive systems than did males mating once. Morphological changes associated with age and mating were used to develop a method to determine age and the reproductive history of male An. stephensi
The effect of multiple encounters on short-period comet orbits.

The observed orbital elements of short period comets are found to be consistent with the hypothesis of derivation from long period comets as long as two assumptions are made. First, the distribution of short period comets has been randomized by multiple encounters with Jupiter and second, the short period comets have lower velocities of encounter with Jupiter than is generally expected. Some 16% of the observed short period comets have lower encounter velocities than is allowed mathematically using Laplace's method. This may be due to double encounter processes with Jupiter and Saturn, or as a result of prolonged encounters. The distribution of unobservable short period comets can be inferred in part from the observed comets. Many have orbits between Jupiter and Saturn with somewhat higher inclinations than those with perihelions near the earth. Debris from those comets may form the major component of the zodiacal dust.
Bone sialoprotein and osteopontin in bone metastasis of osteotropic cancers

The mechanisms underlying malignant cell metastasis to secondary sites such as bone are complex and no doubt multifactorial. Members of the small integrin-binding ligand N-linked glycoproteins (SIBLINGs) family, particularly bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteopontin (OPN), exhibit multiple activities known to promote malignant cell proliferation, detachment, invasion, and metastasis of several osteotropic cancers. The expression level of BSP and OPN is elevated in a variety of human cancers, particularly those that metastasize preferentially to the skeleton. Recent studies suggest that the "osteomimicry" of malignant cells is not only conferred by transmembrane receptors bound by BSP and OPN, but includes the "switch" in gene expression repertoire typically expressed in cells of skeletal lineage. Understanding the role of BSP and OPN in tumor progression, altered pathophysiology of bone microenvironment, and tumor metastasis to bone will likely result in development of better diagnostic approaches and therapeutic regimens for osteotropic malignant diseases.
Mississippi higher education desegregation and the interest convergence principle: a CRT analysis of the ‘Ayers settlement’

The goal of the present paper is to recount a legal history of the Ayers case from its inception through the Fifth Circuit’s 2004 approval and the Supreme Court’s decline to review the 2001 settlement agreement, ending 30 years of litigation. Then from the critical race theoretical frame of interest convergence, I argue that while the ‘Ayers settlement’ ostensibly remedies the historic discrimination in the allocation of higher education funding in Mississippi, the primary beneficiaries of the settlement are white students. This final outcome of Ayers violates both the law of remedies and equal protection doctrine and stems from weariness in pursuit of the law suit, the costs of further delay of any remedy, and the lack of public attention to higher education desegregation. From a policy perspective, there is a concern for black students in Mississippi, the original persons represented in the Ayers suit. If it is the case that Mississippi’s HBCUs fail to meet and maintain white enrollment targets, then ul...
Sequencing, Genomic Organization, and Preliminary Promoter Analysis of a Black Cherry (R)-(+)-Mandelonitrile Lyase Gene

The flavoprotein (R)-(+)-mandelonitrile lyase (MDL; EC 4.1.2.10) plays a key role in cyanogenesis in rosaceous stone fruits. An MDL gene (mdl3) and its corresponding cDNA (MDL3) were isolated from black cherry (Prunus serotina) and characterized. The mdl3 gene contains 2292 bp of the 5[prime] flanking region, the entire coding region, and 300 bp of the 3[prime] flanking region. The coding region is interrupted by three short introns, of which one possesses the unusual GC-AG splice junction dinucleotides. This gene encodes a polypeptide of 573 amino acids that includes a putative signal sequence, 13 potential N-glycosylation sites, and a presumptive flavin adenine dinucleotide-binding site. To determine whether the 5[prime] flanking region of the mdl3 gene is capable of driving MDL expression, it was fused to the [beta]-glucuronidase reporter gene for Agrobacterium-mediated transformation into tobacco. Matching endogenous MDL expression patterns, [beta]-glucuronidase staining was observed in maturing embryos and seeds; it also occurred in postembryonic tissues, especially in association with vascular tissues. After developing a homologous transient transformation system to facilitate identification of putative regulatory sequences, we demonstrated that 125 bp (-107 to +18) of the 5[prime] flanking sequence of the mdl3 gene is sufficient for MDL expression in protoplasts derived from immature black cherry embryos.
Stresses in a surface obstacle undercut due to rapid indentation

Surface obstacle undercuts such as tunnels act as guides for waves produced by rapid indentation of the surface. The diffraction of the waves can produce severe dynamic stresses near the undercut termnini. Utilizing the semi-infinite crack as a short-time model, this article examines these stresses for the case of indentation by a rigid smooth wedge. Although the distance between the terminus and wedge apex gives the problem a characteristic length, the solution can be obtained by summing a dynamically similar solution with respect to a speed parameter. The results show that if fracture occurs at the terminus prior to the arrival of wave reflections, it may proceed at a noticeable angle to the undercut plane.
The L1-consistency of Dirichlet mixtures in multivariate Bayesian density estimation

Density estimation, especially multivariate density estimation, is a fundamental problem in nonparametric inference. In the Bayesian approach, Dirichlet mixture priors are often used in practice for such problems. However, the asymptotic properties of such priors have only been studied in the univariate case. We extend the L"1-consistency of Dirichlet mixutures in the multivariate density estimation setting. We obtain such a result by showing that the Kullback-Leibler property of the prior holds and that the size of the sieve in the parameter space in terms of L"1-metric entropy is not larger than the order of n. However, it seems that the usual technique of choosing a sieve by controlling prior probabilities is unable to lead to a useful bound on the metric entropy required for the application of a general posterior consistency theorem for the multivariate case. We overcome this difficulty by using a structural property of Dirichlet mixtures. Our results apply to a multivariate normal kernel even when the multivariate normal kernel has a general variance-covariance matrix.
Mathematics on the Playground

Non-traditional forms of instruction provide exciting and engaging opportunities for mathematics education. This article proposes the use of mathematicalfigures painted on the school playground as an environment to support mathematical teaching, learning, and understanding. Teachers plan mathematics lessons to take advantage of the playground figures and present new topics, reinforce current topics, and review previous topics. Figures were chosen to support mathematical concepts required by the curriculum and state and national standards. The intentional blank portions of the playground figures allowed for adjustment of lesson activities to meet different grade level and individual student needs, as well as making the figures interactive with the use of sidewalk chalk. A teacher handbook suggests activities for each figure by grade level, and teachers often create their own ideas for using the figures. Students like the change of perspective and teachers feel that such lessons help to raise standardized test scores because the information is better retained. The lessons addressed multiple learning styles, help with vocabulary for English Language Learners, and infuse higher thinking levels into lessons.
Pediatric abdominal pain.

E m b d p e e w T i u a d t o s l r. Emily Brown: Today’s case is that of a 10-year-old remenarchal girl, accompanied by her parents, who resented to the Emergency Department (ED) with a hief complaint of intermittent abdominal pain for the ast 7 days. The pain was primarily located in the lower bdomen. There was no increase in the pain after ingesion of food. The patient also complained of nausea and on-bilious and non-bloody vomiting, approximately wice per day. The patient’s parents reported that the ymptoms developed suddenly 7 days ago, persisted for days, then spontaneously remitted. She was asymptomtic for the following 2 days and was able to resume ormal summertime activities. However, 2 days before resentation, the abdominal pain recurred and has peristed since that time. Although the patient denied dysria, she reported difficulty urinating over the past week. he stated “I feel like I really have to push to get it out.” he patient described bloating and said that her pants had ot been fitting well over the past week. The patient enied fevers, chills, sick contacts, or recent travel. She enied melena, diarrhea, or constipation. The last bowel ovement was the day before presentation and was ormal. The past medical history was unremarkable and imunizations were up to date. The patient was not taking ny medications and had no known drug allergies. She ives with her parents and younger brother in the suburbs f Boston and is active in summer sports. Dr. David Peak: The differential diagnosis of abominal pain in a female can be broad. How did you use he initial history to narrow your differential? Dr. E. Brown: The most important factor in narrowng the differential was the intermittent nature of her ymptoms. Several life-threatening disease processes, w
Analysis of the defectiveness of rous sarcoma virus III. Determining influence of a new helper virus on the host range and susceptibility to interference of RSV

Abstract A new helper virus designated RAV-2 has been isolated from a stock of the Bryan high titer strain of Rous sarcoma virus (RSV). RAV-2 is antigenically unrelated to RAV-1, which also occurs in the same RSV stock. RAV-2 fails to grow in cells of phenotype K/2 but does grow in cells of phenotype K; RAV-1 grows equally well in both cell types. Each of the helper viruses confers its host range properties on RSV activated by that helper virus. RSV activated by RAV-2 is insusceptible to interference induced by RAV-1. It is concluded that the host range of RSV and its susceptibility to interference are determined by the helper virus and therefore, in all probability, by the virus coat.
The point-defect structure in stage II of ion or electron-irradiated tungsten as studied by field-ion microscopy

Abstract A search had been performed for the thermally converted self-interstitial atom (SIA), which is required in a two-interstitial model, in both ion- or electron-irradiated tungsten employing the field-ion microscope (FIM) technique. FIM specimens were prepared from four-pass zone-refined tungsten [resistivity ratio R(R = ρ 273 K/ρ 4.2 K) of 4 × 104 to 5 × 104 where ρ represents the resistivity un corrected for the specimen size effect] were irradiated in-situ at ∼10−9 Torr with 20 or 30 keV W+ ions to doses varying from 1.2 × 1012 to 1.1 × 1013 ion cm−2 at temperatures in the range 273 to 558 K (Stage II to bottom of Stage III). A total of ∼ 105 atomic sites, in high index planes, were examined for SIAs at 20 K by the pulsed field-evaporation technique and no definite contrast patterns for isolated SIAs were detected. In addition, four-pass zone-refined single-crystals [R = (4 to 5) × 104] and Materials Research Corporation VP-grade (R = 15) polycrystalline specimens were irradiated simultaneously, ...
Effect of negatively charged activating compounds on inactivation of factor XIIa by Cl̄ inhibitor

Human factor XII, upon exposure to negatively charged surfaces such as kaolin, sulfatides, and heparin, is converted to enzymatic forms, factor XIIa and factor XIIf. Cl inhibitor has been quantitatively demonstrated to be the primary plasma inhibitor of both factor XIIa and factor XIIf. Studies were performed to determine whether the presence of artificial, negatively charged surfaces influenced the ability of Cl inhibitor to inhibit factors XIIa and XIIf. Kaolin and sulfatides slowed the rate of inhibition of factor XIIa by Cl inhibitor 4.8- and 2-fold, respectively, whereas they had no effect on the inhibition of factor XIIf by Cl inhibitor. Heparin in a concentration of 65 U/ml decreased the inhibition rate of factor XIIa by Cl inhibitor, but, at the same concentration, had less of an effect on the ability of Cl inhibitor to inhibit factor XIIf. These studies indicate that negatively charged surfaces protect factor XIIa but not factor XIIf from inhibition from Cl inhibitor. Since the difference between factors XIIa and XIIf consists of the presence of a surface binding region in factor XIIa, the basis of this protection must reside in the surface binding residues of factor XII. These in vitro events suggest that surface-bound factor XIIa may hydrolyze its physiologic substrates, factor XI and prekallikrein, in an environment partially protected from inhibition by Cl inhibitor.
Humanized models for assessing cellular targets for infection in the adult CNS

The adult CNS contains a wide variety of neural cell types, comprising not only neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, and ependymal cells, but also neural stem cells and their phenotypically-restricted transit amplifying derivatives, that include glial progenitor cells of both the gray and white matter, and hippocampal progenitors. Just as the biology, antigenicity and patterns of receptor expression differ among these phenotypes, each may differ from its corresponding phenotype in experimental animals. Thus, agents that exhibit a given phenotypic specificity in one species, such as viruses that target oligodendrocytes or their progenitors in mice, may not recognize these cells in humans. Many studies of viral pathogenesis in the myelin diseases, for example, have thus been confounded by differences between experimental animals and humans in the infectivity and susceptibility of their respective glial populations. To address this issue, we have established a chimeric mouse brain in which their human counterparts have largely replaced the host astrocytic and oligodendrocytic populations. These mice are established by neonatal injection of either normal or myelin-deficient mice with isolates of human glial progenitor cells, which can be biased ex vivo to either oligodendrocytic or astrocytic fate before implantation. Depending upon the donor cell isolates and the murine hosts chosen, these mice may be constructed to develop a largely humanized white matter, including human glial progenitors, oligodendrocytes and myelin, or rather may be established to achieve a gray matter comprised largely of human astrocytes. By allowing the effects of given pathogens on human brain cell populations to be assessed in the live adult brain, these models may prove uniquely valuable in evaluating the in vivo biology and treatment of human neurotrophic and gliotrophic viruses. from Infectious diseases of the nervous system: pathogenesis and worldwide impact Paris, France. 10–13 September 2008
Effects of fluprazine hydrochloride on conspecific odor preferences in rats.

Abstract The effect of Fluprazine Hydrochloride (DU 27716) on preference for conspecific male, estrous female and food odors was examined in male rats utilizing a two-compartment choice apparatus. Treatment with 8.0 mg/kg Fluprazine enhanced the preference of males for male odors but had no effect on preference for either estrous female or food odors. The drug-induced enhancement of male odor preference is consistant with the suggestion that Fluprazine interferes in some way with the processing of olfactory stimuli which normally precede offensive attack. The failure of the drug to alter the preference of males for estrous female odors suggests that the increased sniffing of estrous females noted during social testing may be secondary to other sources of conspecific stimulation or may reflect a highly transitory effect on olfactory processes. These results suggest that the suppressive effects of Fluprazine on intermale aggression and copulation are mediated by somewhat distinct mechanisms.
RLC(M) circuit models of protein structure: analysis, visualization, shape synthesis, and pattern matching

Protein structure at the secondary and tertiary levels is modeled using RLCM circuits via the mapping turnrarrR, helixrarrL, sheet or salt/disulphide bridgerarrC, and helix pairrarrM. Standard network analysis methods may be applied to the resulting RLC(M) circuit, whose circuit topology is restricted because of the linear nature of the protein's primary sequence (for example, a secondary circuit can be a Foster I but not Foster II ladder). The impedance function Z(s), a rational positive real function of the complex frequency s, can be used to study differences in structure at both levels within and across proteins. This is illustrated with a set of sample proteins. In particular, the phase plot appears to have signature-like properties. Conversely, network synthesis methods at the secondary (and sometimes tertiary) level augmented by modifications at the tertiary level lead to artificial protein structures which may or may not exist, but when a circuit can represent a protein it may be used to construct an approximate tertiary shape. The circuit may also be used as a schematic diagram, for tracking changes during folding, and in searching for patterns among proteins.
The local effect of glyceryl trinitrate, nitrite, papaverine, and atropine upon coronary vascular resistance.

Abstract : The effect of isotonic solutions of glyceryl trinitrate, sodium nitrite, papaverine hydrochloride, and atropine sulfate on coronary vascular resistance in the beating, non-working heart was studied in dogs during cardiopulmonary bypass. Evidence is presented which indicates that glyceryl trinitrate, nitrite, papaverine, and possibly atropine, produce active coronary vasodilation. A comparison of the active bases by weight allowed an estimation of their relative potencies. (Author)
Octonionic structures in particle physics

Octonionic extensions of Quantum Mechanics associated with finite exceptional Hilbert spaces are summarized. An interpretation of such spaces as the finite space of internal symmetries allows the introduction of color and flavor degrees of free dom for fundamental particles, color arising from the automorphism group of octonions. As an example the space admitting E symmetry is discussed. The projection operators for various fermion states are constructed and shown to belong to a larger ternary algebra of hermitian operators. A possible application is to the grand unified gauge theory of leptons and quarks based on E6. Another possibility involves the construction of an exceptional superspace by means of octonionic Grassman numbers.
Evidence for a two membrane–spanning autonomous mitochondrial DNA replisome

The unit of inheritance for mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is a complex nucleoprotein structure termed the nucleoid. The organization of the nucleoid as well as its role in mtDNA replication remain largely unknown. Here, we show in Saccharomyces cerevisiae that at least two populations of nucleoids exist within the same mitochondrion and can be distinguished by their association with a discrete proteinaceous structure that spans the outer and inner mitochondrial membranes. Surprisingly, this two membrane-spanning structure (TMS) persists and self-replicates in the absence of mtDNA. We tested whether TMS functions to direct the replication of mtDNA. By monitoring BrdU incorporation, we observed that actively replicating nucleoids are associated exclusively with TMS. Consistent with TMS's role in mtDNA replication, we found that Mip1, the mtDNA polymerase, is also a stable component of TMS. Taken together, our observations reveal the existence of an autonomous two membrane-spanning mitochondrial replisome as well as provide a mechanism for how mtDNA replication and inheritance may be physically linked.
The Water Penetration and Repellency of Feathers Revisited

Abstract. We revisit the water penetration and repellency of feathers and these factors' relation to bird behavior and habitat in the light of information that has become available since 1985. We present the physical principles of water penetration and repellency of porous surfaces and their relevance to feathers. We show that the requirements for water repellency of feathers in air and those for resistance to water penetration under water are partly in conflict with each other. Both aspects can be presented and evaluated by the same parameter, expressed in terms of the width 2r and spacing 2d of the barbs, (r + d)/r. This parameter is small for water birds, particularly for those that dive frequently and are concerned with water penetration. It is larger for terrestrial birds, which are concerned primarily with water repellency. In each family of water birds, with some exceptions, a balance between water repellency and resistance to penetration exists as an adaptation to their particular habitat and beha...
Mice heterozygous for adrenomedullin exhibit a more extreme inflammatory response to endotoxin-induced septic shock

Abstract Adrenomedullin (AM) is a highly conserved peptide that can act as a potent vasodilator, anti-microbial factor and anti-inflammatory factor. Several studies have implicated diverse roles for AM in regulating the inflammatory and hemodynamic responses to septic shock. Moreover, during sepsis the receptors that mediate AM signaling [calcitonin receptor-like receptor ( calcrl ) and receptor activity modifying proteins ( RAMP ) 2 and 3 ] undergo dynamic and robust changes in their expression. Although numerous studies have used animal models to study the role of administered or increased AM in septic animals, genetic studies to determine the consequences of reduced AM during septic shock have not yet been performed. Here, we used a murine model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic shock to assess the inflammatory response in mice heterozygous for the AM gene. Following LPS challenge, AM +/− mice had higher expression of TNF-α and IL-1β than LPS-treated wild-type (WT) controls. Consequently, serum TNF-α was also significantly elevated in LPS-treated AM +/− mice compared to WT LPS-treated mice. We also observed higher serum levels of liver enzymes, suggesting more advanced end-organ damage in mice with genetically reduced AM. Finally, we found that RAMP2 and calcrl expression levels were markedly reduced in LPS-treated mice, whereas RAMP3 expression was significantly elevated. Importantly, these changes in receptor gene expression were conserved in AM +/− mice, demonstrating that AM peptide itself does not impact directly on the expression of the genes encoding its receptors. We, therefore, conclude that during septic shock the dynamic modulation of AM and its receptors primarily functions to dampen the inflammatory response.
Mutations in Smooth Muscle Alpha-Actin (ACTA2) Cause Coronary Artery Disease, Stroke, and Moyamoya Disease, Along with Thoracic Aortic Disease

The vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC)-specific isoform of α-actin (ACTA2) is a major component of the contractile apparatus in SMCs located throughout the arterial system. Heterozygous ACTA2 mutations cause familial thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD), but only half of mutation carriers have aortic disease. Linkage analysis and association studies of individuals in 20 families with ACTA2 mutations indicate that mutation carriers can have a diversity of vascular diseases, including premature onset of coronary artery disease (CAD) and premature ischemic strokes (including Moyamoya disease [MMD]), as well as previously defined TAAD. Sequencing of DNA from patients with nonfamilial TAAD and from premature-onset CAD patients independently identified ACTA2 mutations in these patients and premature onset strokes in family members with ACTA2 mutations. Vascular pathology and analysis of explanted SMCs and myofibroblasts from patients harboring ACTA2 suggested that increased proliferation of SMCs contributed to occlusive diseases. These results indicate that heterozygous ACTA2 mutations predispose patients to a variety of diffuse and diverse vascular diseases, including TAAD, premature CAD, ischemic strokes, and MMD. These data demonstrate that diffuse vascular diseases resulting from either occluded or enlarged arteries can be caused by mutations in a single gene and have direct implications for clinical management and research on familial vascular diseases.
Inhibition of Cardiac Delayed Rectifier K+ Current by Overexpression of the Long-QT Syndrome HERG G628S Mutation in Transgenic Mice

Abstract —Mutations in the HERG gene are linked to the LQT2 form of the inherited long-QT syndrome. Transgenic mice were generated expressing high myocardial levels of a particularly severe form of LQT2-associated HERG mutation (G628S). Hearts from G628S mice appeared normal except for a modest enlargement seen only in females. Ventricular myocytes isolated from adult wild-type hearts consistently exhibited an inwardly rectifying E-4031–sensitive K + current resembling the rapidly activating cardiac delayed rectifier K + current ( I kr ) in its time and voltage dependence; this current was not found in cells isolated from G628S mice. Action potential duration was significantly prolonged in single myocytes from G628S ventricle (cycle length=1 second, 26°C) but not in recordings from intact ventricular strips studied at more physiological rates and temperature (200 to 400 bpm, 37°C). ECG intervals, including QT duration, were unchanged, although minor aberrancies were noted in 20% (16/80) of the G628S mice studied, primarily involving the QRS complex and, more rarely, T-wave morphology. The aberrations were more commonly observed in females than males but could not be correlated with sex-based differences in action potential duration. These results establish the presence of I Kr in the adult mouse ventricle and demonstrate the ability of the G628S mutation to exert a dominant negative effect on endogenous I Kr in vivo, leading to the expected LQT2 phenotype of prolonged repolarization at the single cell level but not QT prolongation in the intact animal. The model may be useful in dissecting repolarization currents in the mouse heart and as a means of examining the mechanism(s) by which the G628S mutation exerts its dominant negative effect on native cardiac cells in vivo.