cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cloning and expression of an SH3 domain-containing protein (Xchef-1), a novel downstream target of activin/nodal signaling

The activity of the activin/nodal signaling cascade is essential for the proper specification of germ layers during gastrulation. Many of the components of this signaling pathway have been identified, but relatively few downstream targets have been discovered. Using cDNA microarrays, we have identified a novel SH3-domain-containing gene we have named Xchef-1 that is upregulated in response to activin/nodal signaling. Xchef-1 is a direct downstream target of activin and is expressed in the marginal zones of gastrulating Xenopus embryos in a dynamic pattern reminiscent of nodal expression. At neurula stages, Xchef-1 is expressed in neural crest of the head and trunk as well as in the anterior neural plate. These domains of expression are then restricted at tailbud stages to the branchial arches, and the region of the future gall bladder.
A novel eye-tracking method to assess attention allocation in individuals with and without aphasia using a dual-task paradigm.

Abstract Numerous authors report that people with aphasia have greater difficulty allocating attention than people without neurological disorders. Studying how attention deficits contribute to language deficits is important. However, existing methods for indexing attention allocation in people with aphasia pose serious methodological challenges. Eye-tracking methods have great potential to address such challenges. We developed and assessed the validity of a new dual-task method incorporating eye tracking to assess attention allocation. Twenty-six adults with aphasia and 33 control participants completed auditory sentence comprehension and visual search tasks. To test whether the new method validly indexes well-documented patterns in attention allocation, demands were manipulated by varying task complexity in single- and dual-task conditions. Differences in attention allocation were indexed via eye-tracking measures. For all participants significant increases in attention allocation demands were observed from single- to dual-task conditions and from simple to complex stimuli. Individuals with aphasia had greater difficulty allocating attention with greater task demands. Relationships between eye-tracking indices of comprehension during single and dual tasks and standardized testing were examined. Results support the validity of the novel eye-tracking method for assessing attention allocation in people with and without aphasia. Clinical and research implications are discussed. Learning outcomes: Readers will be able to: (1) summarize the nature of dual-task paradigms, (2) identify shortcomings of existing dual-task measures of attention allocation for application to people with aphasia, (3) describe how eye-tracking measures may be recorded and analyzed to reflect differences in attention allocation across conditions, and (4) summarize potential clinical applications for eye-tracking measures of attention allocation.
Basal cell tumor or cutaneous basilar epithelial neoplasm? Rethinking the cytologic diagnosis of basal cell tumors

A 1-cm-diameter, red, raised, cutaneous mass over the dorsal surface of the left third metacarpal of a 6-year-old neutered male yellow Labrador Retriever was aspirated. The aspirate contained cohesive clusters of cells, some containing cells with increased pleomorphism. Cellular debris (some keratinized), melanin, large numbers of macrophages, a few neutrophils, and fibroblasts were also observed. The cytologic interpretation was malignant neoplasia with histiocytic inflammation. Differentials included a carcinoma or, given the melanin pigment and variable morphology of the cells, possibly malignant melanoma. Histologically, the tumor was diagnosed as a basal cell epithelioma. Neoplasms that once were lumped into the broad histologic diagnosis of basal cell tumors have since been split into distinct entities, dependent on evidence of differentiation into epidermis, trichofollicular epithelium, or sweat or sebaceous glands. Although histologic reclassification has resulted in removal of most of these entities from the original basal cell tumor category, a cytologic diagnosis of basal cell tumor continues to be used to represent the large, heterogeneous group of epidermal, trichofollicular, and adnexal skin tumors with basal cell characteristics. The case in this report demonstrates the heterogeneity of neoplasms that may be diagnosed cytologically as basal cell tumors and supports the need for cytologic criteria and nomenclature that better reflect potential variation in tissue differentiation.
Teaching, Rather Than Teachers, As a Path Toward Improving Classroom Instruction

For several historical and cultural reasons, the United States has long pursued a strategy of improving teaching by improving teachers. The rarely questioned logic underlying this choice says that by improving the right characteristics of teachers, they will teach more effectively. The authors expose the assumptions on which this logic is built, propose an alternative approach to improving teaching that engages teachers (and researchers) directly in the work of improving teaching, present some indirect evidence to support this approach, and examine the cultural traditions and beliefs that have kept the conventional approach in place for so long.
Near-Horn Prolog and the Ancestry Family of Procedures

The Near-Horn Prolog procedures have been proposed as effective procedures in the area of disjunctive logic programming, an extension of logic programming to the (first-order) non-Horn clause domain. In this paper, we show that these case-analysis based procedures may be viewed as members of a class of procedures called the ``ancestry family,'''' which also includes Model Elimination (and its variants), the Positive Refinement of Model Elimination, and SLWV. The common feature which binds these procedures is the extension of SLD-resolution to full first-order logic with the addition of an ancestor cancellation rule. Procedures in the ancestry family are all sound and complete first-order procedures that can be seen to vary along three parameters: (1) the number of clause contrapositives required, (2) the amount of ancestor checking that must occur, and (3) the use (if any) of a Restart rule. Using a sequent-style presentation format for all procedures, we highlight the close relationships between these procedures and compare their relative advantages.
Novel Recombinant Adenoviral Vector That Targets The Interleukin-13 Receptor α2 Chain Permits Effective Gene Transfer to Malignant Glioma

Transduction of malignant glioma with adenovirus serotype 5 (Ad5) vectors is limited by the low levels of coxsackievirus and adenovirus receptor (CAR) on tumor cells. However, malignant brain tumors have been found to overexpress a glioma-associated receptor, interleukin-13 receptor alpha2 chain (IL-13Ralpha2), a marker of both glial transformation and tumor grade. To selectively target Ad5 to IL-13Ralpha2, we constructed a replication-deficient adenoviral vector that possesses an IL-13 ligand presented by a T4 phage fibritin shaft, and designated the new virus LU-13. Western blot and sequence analyses confirmed proper trimerization and ligand presentation by the T4 fibritin shaft. Confocal microscopy analysis of primary glioma suspensions incubated with viral recombinants showed that LU-13 colocalized with IL-13Ralpha2. Luciferase transduction assays conducted in both primary and passaged glioma cell cultures exhibited at least 10-fold enhanced gene transduction. Moreover, the virus preferentially bound to glioma cells, as documented by increased adenoviral E4 DNA copy number. In vitro competition assays performed with anti-human IL-13 monoclonal antibody confirmed significant attenuation of LU-13 transduction. These results were further confirmed in vivo, where LU-13 showed a 300-fold increase in transgene expression. In summary, we describe here the development of a novel and targeted adenoviral vector that binds IL-13Ralpha2. Our findings confirm the ability of LU-13 to bind IL-13Ralpha2 and increase transgene expression, making it an attractive gene therapy vector for the treatment of malignant glioma in a clinical setting.
Surface properties of turbulent premixed propane/air flames at various Lewis numbers☆

Abstract Surface properties of turbulent premixed flames including the wrinkled flame perimeter, fraction of the flame pocket perimeter, flame curvature, and orientation distributions have been measured for propane-air flames at Lewis numbers ranging from 0.98 to 1.86 and u′ S L = 1.42–5.71 . The wrinkled flame perimeter is found to be greater for the thermodiffusively unstable Lewis number (Le u′ S L tested, and show a much stronger dependence on the turbulence condition than on the Lewis number. Similarly, the flame orientation distributions show a trend from anisotropy toward a more uniform distribution with increasing u′ S L at a similar rate for all Lewis numbers. Thus, for turbulent premixed propane/air flames for a practical range of Lewis number from 0.98 to 1.86, the effect of Lewis number is primarily to affect the flame structures and thereby flame surface areas and flame pocket areas, while the flame curvature and orientation statistics are essentially determined by the turbulence properties.
Application of small-angle neutron scattering to the study of porosity in energetic materials

Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) and the method of contrast variation were used to measure porosity and crystallite surface area in the energetic system octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) and to gauge the effects of mechanical deformation on the pore-size distribution and crystallite surface area. The crystallite surface area and the presence of voids (pores) in a high explosive system are known to affect its behavior and overall performance. Measures of these two quantities after an insult, resulting from various process and accident scenarios, can be used to predict the performance of an explosive system after process- and accident-related mechanical deformation. The contrast variation technique allows us to discriminate between internal pores and features that are on or contiguous with the crystallite surface. Measurements were conducted on loose powders of HMX (261 and 10 mm, volume averaged mean particle diameters) and pellets made by uniaxial consolidation to 7 and 10 vol% porosity, respectively. Analysis of the SANS data indicates significant alteration of the intragranular pore structure and systematic shifts in the surface area that are dependent upon mechanical deformation.
Prophylaxis for Thromboembolism in Hospitalized Medical Patients

A 62-year-old man is admitted with fever, cough, and dyspnea. He is weak, appears to be dehydrated, and has purulent sputum. His temperature is 39.2°C, respirations 22, and blood pressure 128/69 mm Hg. There are crackles over the left lower lung field, and chest radiography shows a density in the left lower lobe that is consistent with pneumonia. Should thromboprophylaxis be provided? If so, in what form?
RELICT AND RE-SET OXYGEN ISOTOPE RATIOS FROM THE RUSSELL LAKE ALLOCHTHON, SOUTHERN APPALACHIANS

The Russell Lake Allochthon crops out as small, numerous, metamorphosed mafic/ultramafic bodies in the southern Appalachians Piedmont in Georgia, USA. Oxygen isotope compositions obtained by laser-fluorination mass spectrometry of samples from one of these bodies, at Bakers Ferry, show average plagioclase and olivine δ 18 O values of 6.6‰ and 5.5‰, respectively, with an average Δ 18 O plagioclase-olivine value of 1.1‰, and a closure temperature of 962 °C using the fractionations of Chiba et al. (1989). Samples from two other bodies, the River Road and the Nancy Hart complex, show average plagioclase δ 18 O values of 7.2‰ and 7.5‰, olivine δ 18 O values of 3.4‰ and 4.0‰, and Δ 18 O plagioclase-olivine values of 3.8‰ and 4.5‰, respectively. Similarly, the River Road body and the Nancy Hart complex yield much lower oxygen isotope thermometry temperatures of 409 °C and 419 °C, respectively, consistent with subsolidus 18 O exchange. These three bodies are all within 6 km of each other. Such a wide range in both mineral δ 18 O values and isotope thermometry temperatures in spatially closely located bodies is consistent with values encountered in ophiolite complexes, rather than layered intrusions. The occurrence of numerous bodies with different oxygen isotope signatures within relatively short distances from one another may suggest their origin as an ophiolite, where fracturing associated with their formation in extensional environments provided numerous pathways for fluids to interact with these bodies and reset their δ 18 O values.
Pre-Hospital Oxygen Therapy

Oxygen use in prehospital care is aimed at treating or preventing hypoxemia. However, excess oxygen delivery has important consequences in select patients, and hyperoxia can adversely impact outcome. The unique environment of prehospital care poses logistical and educational challenges. Oxygen therapy in prehospital care should be provided to patients with hypoxemia and titrated to achieve normoxemia. Changes to the current practice of oxygen delivery in prehospital care are needed.
Structure and function of the N‐terminal 40 kDa fragment of human PMS2: a monomeric GHL ATPase

Human MutLα, a heterodimer of hMLH1 and hPMS2, is essential for DNA mismatch repair. Inactivation of the hmlh1 or hpms2 genes by mutation or epigenesis causes genomic instability and a predisposition to hereditary non‐polyposis cancer. We report here the X‐ray crystal structures of the conserved N‐terminal 40 kDa fragment of hPMS2, NhPMS2, and its complexes with ATPγS and ADP at 1.95, 2.7 and 2.7 A resolution, respectively. The NhPMS2 structures closely resemble the ATPase fragment of Escherichia coli MutL, which coordinates protein–protein interactions in mismatch repair by undergoing structural transformation upon binding of ATP. Unlike the E.coli MutL, whose ATPase activity requires protein dimerization, the monomeric form of NhPMS2 is active both in ATP hydrolysis and DNA binding. NhPMS2 is the first example of a GHL ATPase active as a monomer, suggesting that its activity may be modulated by hMLH1 in MutLα, and vice versa. The potential heterodimer interface revealed by crystallography provides a mutagenesis target for functional studies of MutLα.
Prevalences of Some Virulence Genes among Escherichia Coli Isolates from Swine Presented to a Diagnostic Laboratory in Iowa

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UNDERSTANDING "SUPPLY" IN TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Abstract Transportation systems are complex assemblages of men and machines. To analyse such systems requires a careful analytical approach. It is especially important to distinguish between the transportation performance function and the conventional supply function of economic theory. Classical economic theory is inadequate for an understanding of transportation “supply”, because of several important features of transportation. Most importantly, consumer demand responds to both price and non-price attributes of a transportation service, and the levels of some of the non-price attributes (e.g. travel time) are functions of both operator decisions and consumer demand. The approach taken here recognizes such features explicitly.
Design of efficiently encodable moderate-length high-rate irregular LDPC codes

This paper presents a new class of irregular low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes of moderate length (10/sup 3//spl les/n/spl les/10/sup 4/) and high rate (R/spl ges/3/4). Codes in this class admit low-complexity encoding and have lower error-rate floors than other irregular LDPC code-design approaches. It is also shown that this class of LDPC codes is equivalent to a class of systematic serial turbo codes and is an extension of irregular repeat-accumulate codes. A code design algorithm based on the combination of density evolution and differential evolution optimization with a modified cost function is presented. Moderate-length, high-rate codes with no error-rate floors down to a bit-error rate of 10/sup -9/ are presented. Although our focus is on moderate-length, high-rate codes, the proposed coding scheme is applicable to irregular LDPC codes with other lengths and rates.
Perioperative CA19-9 Levels Can Predict Stage and Survival in Patients With Resectable Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma

Purpose Different prognostic factors stratify patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The purpose of this study was to determine whether preoperative CA19-9 levels can predict stage of disease or survival and whether a change in preoperative to postoperative CA19-9 or the postoperative CA19-9 predicts overall survival. Patients and Methods Four hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma underwent resection between January 1, 1985 and January 1, 2004. Of the patients with a bilirubin less than 2 mg/dL, 176 had preoperative CA19-9 values, and 111 had pre- and postoperative CA19-9 values. Survival was measured from the first postoperative CA19-9 level measured (median, 39 days) until death or last follow-up. A multivariate failure time model was fit using clinical, operative, pathologic, and adjuvant treatment characteristics, and a categorization was defined by the values and changes in CA19-9 before and after surgery. Results Of the 176 patients, 128 (73%) had T3 lesions, and 99 (56%) had N1 disease; 138 patients (78%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy. Median preoperative CA19-9 levels were lower in N0 patients compared with patients with positive nodes (nine v 164 U/mL, respectively; nonparametric P .06) and in T1/T2 patients versus T3 patients (41 v 162 U/mL, respectively; P .03). Median follow-up time (n 111) was 1.8 years (range, 1 to 12.9 years), with overall actuarial 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates of 70%, 36%, and 30%, respectively. Significant predictors of survival on multivariate analysis included a decrease in CA19-9 (P .0005), negative lymph nodes (P .001), lower T stage (P .0008), and postoperative CA19-9 less than 200 U/mL (P .0007). Conclusion In patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma, preoperative CA19-9 correlates with stage of disease. Both a postoperative decrease in CA19-9 and a postoperative CA19-9 value of less than 200 U/mL are strong independent predictors of survival, even after adjusting for stage. CA19-9 levels should be included in a patient’s perioperative care and should be considered for prognostic nomograms. J Clin Oncol 24:2897-2902. © 2006 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Optimization and comparison of simultaneous and separate acquisition protocols for dual isotope myocardial perfusion SPECT.

Dual-isotope simultaneous-acquisition (DISA) rest-stress myocardial perfusion SPECT (MPS) protocols offer a number of advantages over separate acquisition. However, crosstalk contamination due to scatter in the patient and interactions in the collimator degrade image quality. Compensation can reduce the effects of crosstalk, but does not entirely eliminate image degradations. Optimizing acquisition parameters could further reduce the impact of crosstalk. In this paper we investigate the optimization of the rest Tl-201 energy window width and relative injected activities using the ideal observer (IO), a realistic digital phantom population and Monte Carlo (MC) simulated Tc-99m and Tl-201 projections as a means to improve image quality. We compared performance on a perfusion defect detection task for Tl-201 acquisition energy window widths varying from 4 to 40 keV centered at 72 keV for a camera with a 9% energy resolution. We also investigated 7 different relative injected activities, defined as the ratio of Tc-99m and Tl-201 activities, while keeping the total effective dose constant at 13.5 mSv. For each energy window and relative injected activity, we computed the IO test statistics using a Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method for an ensemble of 1,620 triplets of fixed and reversible defect-present, and defect-absent noisy images modeling realistic background variations. The volume under the 3-class receiver operating characteristic (ROC) surface (VUS) was estimated and served as the figure of merit. For simultaneous acquisition, the IO suggested that relative Tc-to-Tl injected activity ratios of 2.6–5 and acquisition energy window widths of 16–22% were optimal. For separate acquisition, we observed a broad range of optimal relative injected activities from 2.6 to 12.1 and acquisition energy window of widths 16–22%. A negative correlation between Tl-201 injected activity and the width of the Tl-201 energy window was observed in these ranges. The results also suggested that DISA methods could potentially provide image quality as good as that obtained with separate acquisition protocols. We compared observer performance for the optimized protocols and the current clinical protocol using separate acquisition. The current clinical protocols provided better performance at a cost of injecting the patient with approximately double the injected activity of Tc-99m and Tl-201, resulting in substantially increased radiation dose.
Biopsies of Human Olfactory Epithelium

It has been shown that olfactory epithelium can be safely biopsied from the living, intact human being. Observations of the ultrastructure of this epithelium shows changes that can then be correlated with the etiology and degree of olfactory loss, allowing a greater understanding of both normal transduction and of the pathology of dysfunction. Examples of the common forms of olfactory dysfunction are presented and discussed. Additionally, the technique will allow additional immunohistochemical and molecular study of the tissue, will increase the understanding of both normal and pathological function and should translate to new therapeutic regimens.
Vertebrate Renal System

The sections in this article are: 1 External and Internal Gross Morphology of Vertebrate Kidneys 1.1 Fishes 1.2 Amphibians 1.3 Reptiles 1.4 Birds 1.5 Mammals 2 Glomerular Ultrafiltration 2.1 Glomerular Filtration Rate: Stability and Variability 2.2 Changes in the Number of Filtering Nephrons 2.3 Regulation of SNGFRs and the Number of Filtering Nephrons 3 Tubular Transport 3.1 Fine Structure of Tubule Cells 3.2 Transport of Inorganic Ions 3.3 Transport of Fluid 3.4 Transport of Organic Substances 4 Concentration and Dilution of the Urine 5 Integrative Summary of Some Renal Functions 5.1 Fishes 5.2 Amphibians 5.3 Reptiles 5.4 Birds 5.5 Mammals
The Utilitarian Factor in Folk Biological Classification

This paper argues that ethnoscientists interested in folk biological classification have paid insufficient attention to the practical significance of such systems of cultural knowledge in their pursuit of general logical and/or perceptual principles governing the form and content of folk biological taxonomies. It is suggested that ethnoscientists adopt an adaptationist stance in recognition of the fact that cultural knowledge is used to guide behavior. The implications of such a shift in emphasis on folk biological classification theory are assessed. Present theory is rent by a fundamental contradiction between a formal taxonomic hierarchy model and one based on the contrast between a general purpose, biologically natural taxonomic core and special purpose, biologically artificial peripheral taxa. The natural core model is advocated as both superior in explanatory power and explicit in recognizing the purposes of classification. C. Brown's life-form universals are criticized for confounding the fundamental contrast between general purpose and special purpose life-form taxa. In conclusion, there is a discussion of the difficulty of developing a valid measure of the practical significance of a taxon, suggesting as a first step toward that goal the systematic description of each taxon's unique “activity signature.” Such activity signatures are then to be evaluated in the context of a culture's system of “routine action plans” which link cultural knowledge and adaptive behavior. The desired result is a new ethnoecology integrating ethnoscientific and ecological theory. [ethnoscience, taxonomy, folk biology]
Dynamically binding image to text for information communication

The purpose of This work is to demonstrate that a tight dynamical connection may be made between text and interactive visualization imagery. It shows that a bi-directional linkage may be created between the image space of a visualization program and hypertext space so that dynamical image and text representations of a data object are synchronized, thus maintaining the consistency of the visual information and information context. The paper begins with an analysis of the relationship between text and image, drawing upon examples from the history of art. It then discusses how text and imagery may be bound to improve the communication of information. Finally, a simple mapping application is created employing XML, HTML, and scalable vector graphics (SVG) demonstrating these principles.
Family Problem Solving: Measuring the Elusive Concept:

Reliable and valid approaches for measuring family-level problem solving are necessary if nurse clinicians and researchers are to identify and describe problem solving in both healthy and ill families and monitor the effects of nursing interventions on changes in family functioning. Whereas family problem solving is frequently mentioned in the literature, there is little consensus on how to operationalize this family-level variable. The focus of this review is to explore measurement of family problem solving from a practice and research perspective. Thirteen published measures of family problem solving are critiqued, and 8 criteria for choosing and using measures of family problem solving are identified. The intent of this overview is to provide clinicians with a synopsis of the state of the science on measuring this frequently neglected family functioning variable.
Final validation of the Pediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument (PTHSI).

OBJECTIVE: We sought to describe the development and final testing of an instrument designed to evaluate the impact of tracheotomy on the health-related quality of life of affected families in whom a child has had a tracheotomy (the Pediatric Tracheotomy Health Status Instrument [PTHSI]).STUDY DESIGN: This cross-sectional study designed to analyze a disease-specific health status instrument to establish validity and reliability.RESULTS: The PTHSI was initially pilot tested in 130 families during a 3-month period from September through November 2000. After initial analysis and revision, from January 2001 through July 2001, 154 different families completed the revised instrument. The overall Cronbach's α coefficient for the instrument was 0.91, with domain-specific coefficients ranging from 0.66 for physical symptoms to 0.87 for caregiver stress and coping. Specific criterion validity analysis produced a Pearson correlation coefficient of 0.8 (P < 0.0001). Construct validity testing via Wilcoxon matched sum...
Direct evidence for a prefrontal contribution to the control of proactive interference in verbal working memory

Controlling the effects of proactive interference (PI), the deleterious effect of prior mental activity on current memory representations, is believed to be a key function of the prefrontal cortex. This view is supported by neuroimaging evidence for a correlation between the longer reaction times caused by high PI conditions of a working memory task and increased activity in left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) of the prefrontal cortex. An alternative that has never been ruled out, however, is that this left IFG effect may merely reflect sensitivity to such nonspecific factors as difficulty and/or time on task. To resolve this confound, we applied the interference methodology of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) to the left IFG and two control regions while subjects performed delayed letter recognition. rTMS was guided with high-resolution magnetic resonance images and was time-locked to the onset of the memory probe. The effect of rTMS, a disruption of accuracy restricted to high-PI probes, was specific to the left IFG. These results demonstrate that unpredictable, phasic disruption of the left IFG selectively disrupts control of responses to high-conflict verbal working memory probes, and they conclusively reject nonspecific alternative accounts.
Error control for Ka-band land mobile satellite communications systems

Error control for Ka-band land mobile satellite communications systems is examined. The dominant propagation effect at Ka-band is signal shadowing caused by obstructions in the propagation path. Depending on the mobile speed, shadow events may last for many seconds and will typically result in attenuations at the receiver too severe to be addressed by raw link margin. The performance of forward error correction coding, automatic repeat request protocols, and various combinations of these two strategies are investigated. Both analytical and simulation results are presented.
Optimized cell programming for flash memories

Flash memory cells use the charge they store to represent data. The amount of charge injected into a cell is called the cell's level. Programming a cell is the process of increasing a cell's level to the target value via charge injection, and the storage capacity of flash memories is limited by the precision of cell programming. To optimize the precision of the final cell level, a cell is programmed adaptively with multiple rounds of charge injection. Due to the high cost of block erasure, when cells are programmed, their levels are only allowed to increase. Such a storage medium can be modelled by a Write Asymmetric Memory model. It is interesting to study how well such storage media can be programmed. In this paper, we focus on the programming strategy that optimizes the expected precision. The performance criteria considered here include two metrics that are suitable for the multi-level cell technology and the rank modulation technology, respectively. Assuming that the charge-injection noise has a uniform random distribution, we present an effective algorithm for finding the optimal programming strategy. The optimal strategy can be used to program cells efficiently.
Effect of torso flexion on the lumbar torso extensor muscle sagittal plane moment arms

Abstract BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Accurate anatomical inputs for biomechanical models are necessary for valid estimates of internal loading. The magnitude of the moment arm of the lumbar erector muscle group is known to vary as a function of such variables as gender. Anatomical evidence indicates that the moment arms decrease during torso flexion. However, moment arm estimates in biomechanical models that account for individual variability have been derived from imaging studies from supine postures. PURPOSE: Quantify the sagittal plane moment arms of the lumbar erector muscle group as a function of torso flexion, and identify individual characteristics that are associated with the magnitude of the moment arms as a function of torso flexion. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Utilization of a 0.3 Tesla Open magnetic resonance image (MRI) to image and quantify the moment arm of the right erector muscle group as a function of gender and torso flexion. METHODS: Axial MRI images through and parallel to each of the lumbar intervertebral discs at four torso flexion angles were obtained from 12 male and 12 female subjects in a lateral recumbent posture. Multivariate analysis of variance was used to investigate the differences in the moment arms at different torso flexion angles, whereas hierarchical linear regression was used to investigate associations with individual anthropometric characteristics and spinal posture. RESULTS: The largest decrease in the lumbar erector muscle group moment arm from neutral to 45-degree flexion occurred at the L5–S1 level (9.7% and 8.9% for men and women, respectively). Measures of spinal curvature (L1–S1 lordosis), body mass and trunk characteristics (depth or circumference) were associated with the varying moment arm at most lumbar levels. CONCLUSIONS: The sagittal plane moment arms of the lumbar erector muscle mass decrease as the torso flexes forward. The change in moment arms as a function of torso flexion may have an impact on prediction of spinal loading in biomechanical models.
Use of a novel allele of the Escherichia coli aacC4 aminoglycoside resistance gene as a genetic marker in mycobacteria

The aacC4 gene from Escherichia coli can be expressed in mycobacteria and confers resistance to apramycin. However, the major limitation of the aacC4 gene as a genetic tool is that the gene also confers resistance to kanamycin and gentamicin, two antibiotics commonly used for selection in mycobacterial genetics, thus reducing the utility of the aacC4 gene in the mycobacterial field. To overcome this problem we constructed, by chemical mutagenesis, a mutant allele of the E. coli aacC4 gene that still confers resistance to apramycin but has a reduced ability to confer resistance to kanamycin and gentamicin. We then constructed a variety of E. coli– mycobacteria shuttle plasmids containing this mutant allele. 2004 Federation of European Microbiological Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Momentum flux, flow symmetry, and the nonlinear barotropic governor

Abstract A number of idealized life-cycle simulations of baroclinically unstable waves are systematically analyzed to study the effects of eddy momentum flux and of zonal mean horizontal shear on the finite-amplitude evolution of the waves. Twenty-level quasigeostrophic and primitive equation models with channel geometry are numerically integrated with the most unstable linear normal mode as an initial condition. The flows are inviscid except for weak second-order horizontal diffusion. It is found that the finite-amplitude baroclinic waves are sensitively influenced by the vertically integrated eddy momentum flux of the normal mode via the large barotropic shear it spins up in the mean flow. This “barotropic governor” mechanism prevents the eddy from attaining all the available potential energy stored in the domain, leading to irreversible barotropic decay. Only in the purely baroclinic, f-plane, quasigeostrophic problem, where the vertically integrated eddy momentum flux identically vanishes due to symme...
Discoveries and Frontiers in Prostate Cancer Translational Sciences

With the application of molecular biology and biotechnologies to human prostate cancer research, new targets in the lethal phenotypes of prostate cancer have been rapidly ascertained. How many are pharmacologically amenable and can be blocked with clinical relevance remains to be discovered. For all the emergent genetic and protein target insights, perhaps the greatest challenges will be the participation of more men with prostate cancer in translational research clinical trials that evaluate the new science of therapeutics designed specifically for prostate cancer. Key Words: Androgen receptor; benign prostatic hyperplasia; glutathione S-transferase; hereditary prostate cancer; polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; proliferative inflammatory atrophy; prostate cancer; prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.
Correlates of bite force in the Atlantic sharpnose shark, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae

Bite force is a whole-animal performance measurement that can potentially provide valuable information regarding the biology of an organism. However, there have been few studies that directly measured bite force in sharks. We examined involuntary (obtained using jaw musculature stimulation) and voluntary bite force in Atlantic sharpnose sharks, Rhizoprionodon terraenovae, and considered the effects of size, sex, season, gape, and capture method on bite force in that species. Additionally, we considered the relationship between bite force and general head measurements and the position along the jaws used to apply the bite (anterior vs. posterior). We found that there were no significant differences in voluntary or involuntary bite force and no significant differences in bite force between sexes. Atlantic sharpnose sharks, ranging between 55.1 and 105.5 cm total length, had an anterior bite force between 4.4 and 60.2 Newtons (N) and a posterior force between 20.9 and 102.8 N. Anterior bite force was found to be lowest in the summer months and highest in the spring and fall and paralleled seasonal changes in shark condition as evidenced by hepato-somatic index. As gape increased, the anterior bite force increased, with the greatest force found between 60 and 80 % of maximum gape. A best-fit multiple regression using jaw length, mouth width, head length and head width explained 80.9 % of the variation in anterior bite force. Longline-captured Atlantic sharpnose sharks produced significantly lower bite force when compared to hook-and-line-captured animals. Using published data and data from this study, we examined the body size-to-bite force relationship for nine shark species which provided a bite-force estimate of 123,876–179,219 N for the extinct megatooth shark, Carcharodon megalodon.
Sinoaortic denervation in the nonhuman primate

There is considerable controversy as to whether removal of baroreceptor input by sinoaortic deafferentation leads to a sustained hypertension in quadripeds. Because of the importance of the baroreflex during postural changes, the effects of baroreceptor denervation may be even more profound in the primate. In this study, six adult male baboons (Papio anubis) were maintained on a tether system to examine the acute and sustained effects of aortic and combined carotid sinus and aortic baroreceptor deafferentation. Mean arterial pressure (MAP) averaged over 24 h increased from 86 +/- 4.0 to 105 +/- 5.5 mmHg after aortic denervation. One week after sinoaortic deafferentation, arterial pressure rose to 129 +/- 12.9 mmHg and then receded to 97 +/- 4.4 mmHg at 4 wk postdenervation. The lability of arterial pressure (measured as the mean of the standard deviations over 24 h) did not change with aortic denervation but increased at 1 and 4 wk after complete baroreceptor denervation. These studies indicate that baroreceptor deafferentation in the primate results in an acute increase in arterial pressure, the lability of arterial pressure, and heart rate. However, by 4 wk postdenervation, the level and lability of arterial pressure are decreased but remain significantly elevated.
A Perspective View of Discrete Automata and Their Design

Some relationships between the theory of Turing machines and the theory of finite automata are discussed. An attempt is made to indicate some relationships between these mathematical theories and the physical devices called "digital computers."
A multiple schedule model of limited access drinking in the cynomolgus macaque.

The present study reports on the development of a multiple schedule procedure of oral ethanol self-administration in cynomolgus macaques. Six adult cynomolgus macaques (four female, two male) were trained to self-administer ethanol and water under a 60 min, four-component multiple schedule of ethanol and water access with 1 g food pellets presented every 900 s (fixed-time 900 s). Water was available for the first and third 15 min components, ethanol in the second and fourth components. Total ethanol dose was stable at between 1-1.25 g/kg at ethanol concentration of 4%, 6% and 8%. Subsequently water was replaced with a sweetened drink (sugar-free Tang powder, General Foods). Ethanol and Tang were self-administered in similar volumes and both served as reinforcers compared with water. Acute pretreatment with 0.25 to 1.5 g/kg of intragastrically gavaged (i.g.) ethanol failed to alter ethanol or Tang self-administration significantly despite producing mean blood ethanol levels of up to 199 mg/dl when combined with self-administered ethanol. However, 1.0 g/kg i.g. ethanol administered for 15 consecutive days significantly decreased ethanol self-administration by 23%. The results suggest that ethanol self-administration under a multiple schedule is insensitive to alteration by acute ethanol pretreatment, but can be decreased by more prolonged chronic ethanol pretreatment.
Landing Hazard Detection with Stereo Vision and Shadow Analysis

Under a Phase A Concept Study for the NASA New Millennium Program (NMP) ST9 mission, the Terrain Relative Guidance System (TRGS) project developed an approach to landing hazard detection with descent imagery for missions to most solid-surfaced bodies of the solar system. Unmanned planetary landers to date have landed “blind”; that is, without the benefit of onboard landing hazard detection and avoidance systems. This constrains landing site selection to very benign terrain, which in turn constrains the scientific agenda of missions. In this paper we review sensor options for landing hazard detection and identify an approach based on stereo vision and shadow analysis that addresses the broadest set of missions. We then develop performance models for slope estimation and rock detection with this approach and validate those models experimentally. Instantiating our model of rock detection reliability for Mars predicts that this approach will reduce the probability of failed landing by at least a factor of 4 in any given terrain. Conversely, for the safety level desired for the 2009 Mars lander, this approach would roughly triple the fraction of the planet that is accessible for landing. The key contributions of this work are identifying the most appropriate sensor approach, developing and validating the performance models, and quantifying the impact this could have on missions.
Void space containing crystalline Cu(I) phenanthroline complexes as molecular oxygen sensors

We have shown that crystals of a number of emissive copper compounds of the form [Cu(NN)2]X (X = BF4−, tfpb−) (where NN = 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), 2,9-dimethyl-4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline (bdmp), 2,9-diisopropyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dipp), 2,9-ditert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dbp); tfpb− = tetrakis(bis-3,5-trifluoromethylphenylborate) are oxygen sensors, if they contain void space. All of the tfpb− salts were found to be oxygen sensors reinforcing the idea that bulky counterions can produce void space and obviate the need for a support material in solid-state photoluminescent oxygen sensors. The reponse time for the X = tfpb− and NN = dipp complex was measured to be fast (280 ms (95% of final value)). The first solid-state quantum yields and lifetimes are reported for the [Cu(NN)2]X systems and are found to be approximately 10 times larger than those observed in solution-state measurements. The linear Stern−Volmer plots with highly reproducible Ksv constant...
Number of Genera as a Potential Screening Tool for Assessing Quality of Bryophyte Communities in Ohio Wetlands

Bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) have numerous advantages as indicators of environmental quality. A quality assessment index for bryophyte species assemblages (BQAI) was developed for the State of Ohio, USA. Reliable identification of bryophytes to species often requires considerable training, practice, and time. In contrast, reliable identification to genera for most bryophytes in Ohio requires much less training. We identified 110 bryophyte species (14 liverworts and 96 mosses) belonging to 69 genera (13 liverwort and 56 moss) in 45 wetlands (27 emergent, 13 forested, and 5 shrub) in Ohio. As expected, there were more genera and higher BQAI scores in forested than in emergent wetlands. Number of genera was highly correlated (r ≥ 0.9) with BQAI in emergent and forested wetlands and for the combined set of wetlands. Number of genera and BQAI responded almost identically to an index of wetland disturbance. The results suggest that number of genera has potential as a screening tool for assessing bryophyte community quality in wetlands in some regions.
Simulation Calculation of Electromagnetic Induction between Parallel AC and DC Lines

Electromagnetic couple will be generated when DC and AC transmission lines are set along the same right of way.According to the coupling problem that AC and DC line set along the same right of way,the influence of various factors on different inductive component is studied from perspectives of operating state of AC line and relative position between AC and DC lines based on the PSCAD/EMTDC software.The results show that the electrostatic induction voltage is primarily determined by the voltage of AC lines,and the electromagnetic induced current is determined by the current of AC lines;the induced voltage and current does not vary with the parallel length and parallel position markedly;the electromagnetic coupling effect can be effectively reduced by conductor transposition.
Nucleoside analog labeling of neural stem cells and their progeny

Nucleoside analog pulse labeling is an important technique which can assess the birthdate, cell cycle maintenance, or cycling rates of cells during development. This method has evolved over several decades of use and is now applied to a multitude of tissue subtypes and systems. The methodology in this chapter covers the classic uses for analog pulse labeling as well as their use in conjunction with the newly characterized technique of in utero electroporation (IUE).
Plasmacytoma of the urethra.

Abstract Extramedullary plasmacytomas are rare tumors occurring most commonly in the upper respiratory tract. These tumors rarely have been reported in the genitourinary system. We report the first known case of a plasmacytoma of the urethra, in this instance a probable late metastasis.