cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Speciation of aqueous Ni(II)-carboxylate and Ni(II)-fulvic acid solutions: Combined ATR-FTIR and XAFS analysis

Abstract Aqueous solutions containing Ni(II) and a series of structurally related carboxylic acids were analyzed using attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and Ni K-edge X-ray absorption fine structure spectroscopy (XAFS). XAFS spectra were also collected for solutions containing Ni2+ and chelating ligands (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA)) as well as soil fulvic acid. Limited spectral changes are observed for aqueous Ni(II) complexes with monocarboxylates (formate, acetate) and long-chain polycarboxylates (succinate, tricarballylate), where individual donor groups are separated by multiple bridging methylene groups. These spectral changes indicate weak interactions between Ni(II) and carboxylates, and the trends are similar to some earlier reports for crystalline Ni(II)-acetate solids, for which X-ray crystallography studies have indicated monodentate Ni(II)-carboxylate coordination. Nonetheless, electrostatic or outer-sphere coordination cannot be ruled out for these complexes. However, spectral changes observed for short-chain dicarboxylates (oxalate, malonate) and carboxylates that contain an alcohol donor group adjacent to one of the carboxylate groups (lactate, malate, citrate) demonstrate inner-sphere metal coordination by multiple donor groups. XAFS spectral fits of Ni(II) solutions containing soil fulvic acid are consistent with inner-sphere Ni(II) coordination by one or more carboxylate groups, but spectra are noisy and outer-sphere modes of coordination cannot be ruled out. These molecular studies refine our understanding of the interactions between carboxylates and weakly complexing divalent transition metals, such as Ni(II).
1014-97 Increase in Ventricular Adrenomedullin in the Failing Human Heart

Adrenomedullin (ADM) is a newly discovered vasoactive peptide which may play an important role in cardiovascular regulation. Based upon the reports that ADM mRNA and ADM-like immunoreactivity are present in the heart, as well as the report that ADM stimulates cAMP generation, the present study was designed to investigate the immunohistochemical localization of ADM in the normal and failing human heart. Human cardiac tissues were obtained from five patients with end-stage heart failure undergoing cardiac transplantation. Five normal donor hearts Which were used for cardiac transplantation served as a source for normal atrial tissues. Normal ventricular myocardium was also obtained by endomyocardial biopsy from the right ventricles of these donor hearts immediately before cardiac transplantation. Immunohistochemical examination revealed positive immunostaining within the myocardia in both atria and ventricles of healthy and severely failing human hearts, and which was more intense in the atria than in the ventricles. Although there were no significant difference in the intensity of immunoreactivity between normal and failing atria, ADM immunoreactivity was significantly intense in the ventricular myocytes from failing hearts as compared to normals. No immunostaining was observed in endocardium, epicardium, endothelium or connective tissue. Control slides with nonimmune rabbit serum (NRS) and immunoabsorbed antibody were negative for ADM immunoreactivity. This study demonstrates that ADM is present in the human heart and that its immunoreactivity is markedly increased in the failing human ventricle.
Abundances of magnetic spherules in Silurian and Permian salt samples

Abstract Abundances of magnetic spherules in 26 Silurian and Permian salt samples are very similar to abundances in recent collections from the atmosphere. This suggests that meteoritic influx has been constant for the three periods of time sampled.
Policy transformation in software defined networks

A Software Defined Network (SDN) enforces network-wide policies by installing packet-handling rules across a distributed collection of switches. Today's SDN platforms force programmers to decide how to decompose a high-level policy into the low-level rules in each switch. We argue that future SDN platforms should support automatic transformation of policies by moving, merging, or splitting rules across multiple switches. This would simplify programming by allowing programs written on one abstract switch to run over a more complex network topology, and simplify analysis by consolidating a policy spread over multiple switches into a single list of rules. This poster presents our ongoing work on a sound and complete set of axioms for policy transformation, to enable rewriting of rules across multiple switches while preserving the forwarding policy. These axioms are invaluable for creating and analyzing algorithms for optimizing the rewriting of rules.
Synthesis, Structure, and Evaluation of the Effect of Multiple Stacking on the Electron-Donor Properties of π-Stacked Polyfluorenes

A versatile synthesis of π-stacked polyfluorenes is described. These polyfluorenes retain their cofacial conformations both in solution and in the solid state as was judged by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The experimental electron-detachment energies of F1−F4 showed linear correlations with the quantity 1/n, where n is the number of fluorene moieties. These correlations allowed the estimation of the vertical ionization potential (IP) of 7.10 eV and the oxidation potential (Eox) of 0.97 V versus SCE for the multiply stacked polyfluorene donor with an infinite number of fluorene moieties. These observations with π-stacked polyfluorenes may prove to be highly relevant to the electron-transport phenomenon observed in DNA through π-stacked bases.
Klebsiella pneumoniae multiresistance plasmid pMET1: similarity with the Yersinia pestis plasmid pCRY and integrative conjugative elements.

Background: Dissemination of antimicrobial resistance genes has become an important public health and biodefense threat. Plasmids are important contributors to the rapid acquisition of antibiotic resistance by pathogenic bacteria. Principal Findings: The nucleotide sequence of the Klebsiella pneumoniae multiresistance plasmid pMET1 comprises 41,723 bp and includes Tn1331.2, a transposon that carries the blaTEM-1 gene and a perfect duplication of a 3-kbp region including the aac(69)-Ib, aadA1, and blaOXA-9 genes. The replication region of pMET1 has been identified. Replication is independent of DNA polymerase I, and the replication region is highly related to that of the cryptic Yersinia pestis 91001 plasmid pCRY. The potential partition region has the general organization known as the parFG locus. The self-transmissible pMET1 plasmid includes a type IV secretion system consisting of proteins that make up the mating pair formation complex (Mpf) and the DNA transfer (Dtr) system. The Mpf is highly related to those in the plasmid pCRY, the mobilizable high-pathogenicity island from E. coli ECOR31 (HPIECOR31), which has been proposed to be an integrative conjugative element (ICE) progenitor of highpathogenicity islands in other Enterobacteriaceae including Yersinia species, and ICEKp1, an ICE found in a K. pneumoniae strain causing primary liver abscess. The Dtr MobB and MobC proteins are highly related to those of pCRY, but the endonuclease is related to that of plasmid pK245 and has no significant homology with the protein of similar function in pCRY. The region upstream of mobB includes the putative oriT and shares 90% identity with the same region in the HPIECOR31.
Potential new strategies to prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy

Recent studies have demonstrated that diabetic retinopathy has several characteristics of a chronic inflammatory disease, such as increased nitric oxide production, intracellular adhesion molecule-1 upregulation, leukostasis and increased vascular permeability. In addition, diabetes leads to the activation of caspase-1, the enzyme responsible for the production of the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-18 in the retinae of diabetic animals and diabetic patients. Minocycline, a second-generation tetracycline derivative, was able to prevent the activation of capase-1 in the retinae of diabetic mice. Therefore, this review is focused on discussing the role of caspase-1 as a mediator of chronic inflammation and/or apoptosis inducer in the development of diabetic retinopathy and the suitability of caspase-1 as a new potential therapeutic target.
Surge protection in a watt-hour meter

SINCE REDUCTION of maintenance was the primary objective for the development of a new watt-hour meter, detailed consideration was given during its design to the resistance-to-surge problem. By reducing the hazards of meter damage from surges, longer service periods without attention are possible. This provides savings which are particularly important to operating utilities under present conditions of increasing labor costs for maintenance and testing of meters.
Post-SL9 Sulfur Photochemistry on Jupiter

We have modeled the photochemical evolution of the sulfur containing species that were observed in Jupiter's stratosphere after the Shoemaker Levy 9 (SL9) impacts. We find that most of the sulfur is converted to S8 in the first few days. Other important sulfur reservoirs are CS, whose abundance increases markedly with time, and possibly H2CS, HNCS, and NS, whose abundances depend on kinetic reaction rates that are unknown at the present. We discuss the temporal variation of the major sulfur compounds, make abundance and compositional predictions useful for comparison with observations, and discuss the possible condensation of sulfur containing species.
Protein tyrosine kinase activity of eggs of the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus purpuratus: the regulation of its increase after fertilization.

Abstract Protein tyrosine kinase activity in eggs of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus, increased two- to fourfold as early as several min after fertilization at 8–10°C. Artificial activation of eggs with the divalent cation ionophore, A23187, or with butyric acid induced the increase in enzyme activity. The transfer of eggs to seawater containing either no Na+ or 50 mM Na+ and 10−4 M amiloride immediately after fertilization did not block the increases in enzyme activity. When eggs were activated with seawater containing NH4OH, enzyme activity did not increase at 1 hr after activation, although the increased activity was detected at 3 hr after activation. Increased enzyme activity also was observed in enucleated egg fragments activated with butyric acid. Puromycin and emetine, inhibitors of protein synthesis, also did not inhibit the initial increases of enzyme activity after fertilization. These results demonstrated that the increased protein tyrosine kinase activity observed after fertilization of S. purpuratus eggs can be initiated independent of various other known events such as fusion with sperm cells and protein and DNA synthesis.
RS-A-SISO algorithms for serially concatenated CPM over fading channels and density evolution analysis

The discovery of turbo codes in 1993 is one of the exciting recent developments in coding theory. The complexity of SISOs and adaptive SISOs (A-SISOs) increases exponentially with constraint length. It is shown that serially concatenated CPM with adaptive iterative detection has turbo-like performance over fading ISI channels and also reduced state A-SISO (RS-A-SISO) systems have large iteration gains. Recently developed density evolution technique is used to obtain thresholds of RS-A-SISO algorithms, which determine the asymptotic capacity.
Regulation of gene expression in melanoma: new approaches for treatment.

The molecular changes associated with the transition of melanoma cells from radial growth phase (RGP) to vertical growth phase (VGP, metastatic phenotype) are not yet well defined. We have demonstrated that the progression of human melanoma is associated with loss of expression of the transcription factor AP-2. In metastatic melanoma cells, this loss resulted in overexpression of MCAM/MUC18, MMP-2, the thrombin receptor (PAR-1), and lack of c-KIT expression. The transition from RGP to VGP is also associated with overexpression of the angiogenic factor IL-8. Additionally, the transition of melanoma cells from RGP to VGP is associated with overexpression of the transcription factors CREB and ATF-1, both of which may act as survival factors for human melanoma cells. Inactivation of CREB/ATF-1 activities in metastatic melanoma cells by dominant-negative CREB or by anti-ATF-1 single chain antibody fragment (ScFv), resulted in deregulation of MMP-2 and MCAM/MUC18, increased the sensitivity of melanoma cells to apoptosis, and inhibition of their tumorigenicity and metastatic potential in vivo. In this prospect article, we summarize our data on the role of AP-2 and CREB/ATF-1 in the progression of human melanoma and report on the development of new fully human antibodies anti-MCAM/MUC18 and anti-IL-8 which could serve as new modalities for the treatment of melanoma. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Technologies for Scientific Drilling and Borehole Research

Use of the drill bit to access the third dimension of the earth’s crust provides an exciting opportunity for geoscientists to evaluate hypotheses on the structure and processes occurring in the crust. The Continental Scientific Drilling Programs (CSDP) being initiated in many places can provide this opportunity but scientific enthusiasm is dampened by a perceived technology limitation to provide the needed research facility (drillhole) and instrumentation. This paper discusses the borehole as a research facility using currently active research drilling to illustrate technology cal solutions. Subsequent discussion summarizes the status of drilling technologies and borehole instrumentation capabilities.
ISOCAM 15 Micron Search for Distant Infrared Galaxies Lensed by Clusters

In a search for lensed infrared galaxies, ISOCAM images have been obtained toward the rich clusters Abell 2218 and Abell 2219 at 15 micro m.
Generation, language, body mass index, and activity patterns in Hispanic children.

Background The acculturation hypothesis proposes an overall disadvantage in health outcomes for Hispanic immigrants with more time spent living in the U.S., but little is known about how generational status and language may influence Hispanic children's relative weight and activity patterns. Purpose To investigate associations among generation and language with relative weight (BMI z-scores), physical activity, screen time, and participation in extracurricular activities (i.e., sports, clubs) in a U.S.-based, nationally representative sample of Hispanic children. Methods Participants included 2012 Hispanic children aged 6–11 years from the cross-sectional 2003 National Survey of Children's Health. Children were grouped according to generational status (first, second, or third), and the primary language spoken in the home (English versus non-English). Primary analyses included adjusted logistic and multinomial logistic regression to examine the relationships among variables; all analyses were conducted between 2008 and 2009. Results Compared to third-generation, English speakers, first- and second-generation, non-English speakers were more than two times more likely to be obese. Moreover, first-generation, non-English speakers were half as likely to engage in regular physical activity and sports. Both first- and second-generation, non-English speakers were less likely to participate in clubs compared to second- and third-generation, English speakers. Overall, non–English-speaking groups reported less screen time compared to third-generation, English speakers. Conclusions The hypothesis that Hispanics lose their health protection with more time spent in the U.S. was not supported in this sample of Hispanic children.
“Where is our Steve Jobs?” A case study of consumerism and neo-liberal media in China:

When covering foreign events, journalists bring resonant cultural meanings to an otherwise little-understood occurrence. From a cultural perspective, we analyzed “Steve Jobs fever” in five publicat...
A lung cancer masquerader.

A 58-year-old man presented with 3 months history of hemoptysis. He denied having fever, night sweats, chest pain, shortness of breath, orthopnea, loss of appetite or unintentional weight loss. He had 60 pack-year history of smoking, quit 5 years ago. He did not drink alcohol and never used illicit drugs. He worked as a welder for 30 years and reported no history of sick contacts or travel abroad. His past history was remarkable for hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. He had right upper lobectomy 5 years ago for suspicious pulmonary nodule in an outside facility. He was informed that his nodule was related to his occupational exposure. His medications which adequately controlled his pulmonary symptoms were inhaled tiotropium and albuterol. On physical examination, his vital signs revealed a temperature of 37.1°C, BP of 135/81 mmHg, heart rate of 85/min, respiratory rate of 16/min and O2 saturation of 97% on room air. He appeared comfortable and not in acute respiratory distress. Chest examination showed scar of previous right-sided thoracotomy, otherwise, no additional breath sounds. There was no clubbing or cyanosis. The remainder of the examination was unremarkable. Laboratory tests showed WBC 5.6 × 109/l, hemoglobin 13.0 g/dl and pletlets 180 × 109/l. INR 1.19 and PTT 25.6 s. His basic biochemical profile and urine analysis were normal. The chest radiograph (CXR) showed a 1.5 cm multiform density nodular shadow in the right upper zone (Figure 1). A computed tomographic scan (CT) showed a 1.5 cm solitary nodular shadow in the superior segment of right lower lobe with no hilar or mediastinal lymphadenopathy (Figure 2). The 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose and positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) scan showed a focal area of increased uptake (standard uptake values—SUV—of up to 3.8) at the site of the right …
SOCIAL SCRIPTS AND DEVELOPMENTAL PATTERNS IN COMPREHENSION OF TELEVISED NARRATIVES

Preschool and grade-school children's comprehension of typical commercial television dramatic programs has repeatedly been found to be poor, but few studies have assessed characteristics of children's representations of such shows. In the present research, second, fifth, and eighth graders' recognition errors and recall of an action-adventure drama were examined jointly to determine how children represented plots that they remembered inaccurately. Younger children's representations of the program were especially likely to reflect familiar actions and events sequences (“scripts”), cued by isolated, familiar occurrences in the televised portrayal. Their recognition errors were likely to be action stereotypes, while older viewers' errors were more often confusions about program-specific occurrences. Furthermore, common-knowledge scripts constituted significantly larger proportions of spontaneously cited plot events for younger than for older children. It was suggested that younger and older viewers may diffe...
Environmental factors influencing spatial patterns of shrub diversity in chaparral, Santa Ynez Mountains, California

We examined patterns of shrub species diversity relative to landscape-scale variability in environmental factors within two watersheds on the coastal flank of the Santa Ynez Mountains, California. Shrub species richness and dominance was sampled at a hierarchy of spatial units using a high- powered telescope from remote vantage points. Explanatory variables included field estimates of total canopy cover and percentage rock cover, and modeled distributions of slope, elevation, photosynthetically active radiation, topographic moisture index, and local topographic variability. Correla- tion, multiple regression, and regression tree analyses showed consistent relationships between field-based measurements of species richness and dominance, and topographically- mediated environmental variables. In general, higher rich- ness and lower dominance occurred where environmental conditions indicated greater levels of resource limitation with respect to soil moisture and substrate availability. Maxi- mum richness in shrub species occurred on high elevation sites with low topographic moisture index, rocky substrate, and steep slopes. Maximum dominance occurred at low elevation sites with low topographic variability, high potential solar insolation, and high total shrub canopy cover. The observed patterns are evaluated with respect to studies on species- environment relations, resource use, and regeneration of shrubs in chaparral and coastal sage scrub. The results are discussed in the context of existing species-diversity hypotheses that hinge on reduced competitive dominance and increased re- source heterogeneity under conditions of resource limitation.
Community-Based and College- Based Needs Assessment of Physically Disabled Persons

A descriptive survey was conducted to determine the self-perceived needs of physically disabled persons as a preliminary step toward establishing or designing a knowledge base for occupational therapy intervention at a community college. Demographic and needs data were statistically compared with those from a sample of nondisabled college students. Significant differences in the confidence to perform congnitive/problem-solving, social/recreational, school/vocational, home and community mobility skills were found, with the disabled reporting lowered or less confidence. Confidence in performing basic activities of daily living was the only area in which the difference was not significant. No significant differences were obtained in general interests except that a higher frequency of disabled reported not wanting to participate in sports. The greatest amounts of interest were in crafts/fine arts and in social/recreational activities. Implications were drawn for occupational therapy programming to improve confidence in independent living skills by using the subjects' predominant interests.
Identification of a membrane glycoprotein found primarily in the prelysosomal endosome compartment

Cells contain an intracellular compartment that serves as both the "prelysosomal" delivery site for newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes by the mannose 6-phosphate (Man6P) receptor and as a station along the endocytic pathway to lysosomes. We have obtained mAbs to a approximately 57-kD membrane glycoprotein, (called here plgp57), found predominantly in this prelysosomal endosome compartment. This conclusion is supported by the following results: (a) plgp57 was primarily found in a population of late endosomes that were located just distal to the 20 degrees C block site in the endocytic pathway to lysosomes (approximately 83% of the prelysosomes were positive for plgp57 but less than 5% of the early endosomes had detectable amounts of this marker); (b) plgp57 and the cation-independent (CI) Man6P receptor were located in many of the same intracellular vesicles; (c) plgp57 was found in the membranes of an acidic compartment; (d) immunoelectron microscopy showed that plgp57 was located in characteristic multilamellar- and multivesicular-type vacuoles believed to be prelysosomal endosomes; and (e) cell fractionation studies demonstrated that plgp57 was predominantly found in low density organelles which comigrated with late endosomes and CI Man6P receptors, and only approximately 10-15% of the antigen was found in high density fractions containing the majority of secondary lysosomes. These results indicate that plgp57 is a novel marker for a unique prelysosomal endosome compartment that is the site of confluence of the endocytic and biosynthetic pathways to lysosomes.
Dual role of α-Secretase Cleavage in the regulation of γ-secretase activity for amyloid production

Processing of the amyloid precursor protein (APP) by β- and γ-secretases generates pathogenic β-amyloid (Aβ) peptides associated with Alzheimer disease (AD), whereas cleavage of APP by α-secretases precludes Aβ formation. Little is known about the role of α-secretase cleavage in γ-secretase regulation. Here, we show that α-secretase-cleaved APP C-terminal product (αCTF) functions as an inhibitor of γ-secretase. We demonstrate that the substrate inhibitory domain (ASID) within αCTF, which is bisected by the α-secretase cleavage site, contributes to this negative regulation because deleting or masking this domain turns αCTF into a better substrate for γ-secretase. Moreover, α-secretase cleavage can potentiate the inhibitory effect of ASID. Inhibition of γ-secretase activity by αCTF is observed in both in vitro and cellular systems. This work reveals an unforeseen role for α-secretase in generating an endogenous γ-secretase inhibitor that down-regulates the production of Aβ. Deregulation of this feedback mechanism may contribute to the pathogenesis of AD.
Detection of single nucleotide polymorphisms of the human mu opioid receptor gene by hybridization or single nucleotide extension on custom oligonucleotide gelpad microchips: Potential in studies of addiction

The human mu opioid receptor (MOR) plays a central role in mediating the effects of opioids, both endogenous and exogenous. Epidemiological studies have shown that addiction in general, and especially opiate addiction, has a heritable component. Clinical and laboratory studies suggest that the MOR gene may contribute to the heritable component of vulnerability to develop opiate addiction. Naturally occurring single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) have been identified in the MOR gene by conventional methods. Two coding region SNPs, the A118G and C17T substitutions, occur at high allelic frequencies (10.5% and 6.6%, respectively, in our previous studies). These common SNPs cause amino acid changes in the receptor, and may have implications for differences in individual responses to opioids, as well as decreased or increased vulnerability to opiate addiction. The A118G substitution encodes a variant receptor with binding and signal transduction differences in response to b-endorphin in cellular
FVIII-VWF dos-à-dos

In this issue of Blood, back-to-back (dos-a-dos) papers by Chiu et al and Yee et al present complementary findings of structural investigations into the interaction between factor VIII (FVIII) and von Willebrand factor (VWF). The binding of FVIII to VWF contributes in a major way to the regulation of hemostasis.
Light weight, dual mode Ku-band reflector antenna design for attack radar applications

The author describes the design and performance of a lightweight, dual-mode Ku-band reflector antenna which can accommodate limited space requirements while providing both search and tracking capabilities. The antenna design is presented. The measured performance is summarized, and some representative measured patterns are shown. >
Ceritinib for the Treatment of Late-Stage (Metastatic) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Over the past decade, the non–small cell lung cancer therapeutics landscape has been dominated by the increasing focus on identification and validation of molecular targets, as well as the identification of the best candidate agents to address these targets. Among the notable successes have been the approval of erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib for the EGFR mutation, and more recently crizotinib for anaplastic lymphoma kinase ( ALK ) gene rearrangement. Despite the excellent efficacy of crizotinib, several mechanisms of resistance, including secondary mutation in the ALK gene, eventually result in disease progression, and several second-generation ALK inhibitors, notably ceritinib, have demonstrated evidence of clinical activity in this setting. This review discusses the data associated with the recent accelerated approval of ceritinib for treatment of patients with ALK-positive, metastatic lung adenocarcinoma with disease progression on or who are intolerant to crizotinib. Clin Cancer Res; 21(4); 670–4. ©2015 AACR .
Protection of mice against lethal effects of sodium arsenite--a quantitative comparison of a number of chelating agents.

Abstract The LD50 of NaAsO2 was found to be 0.129 mmol/kg, sc, using white mice. The ip administration of the sodium salt of 2,3-dimercapto-1-propanesulfonic acid (DMPS) or meso-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA) (0.80 mmol/kg) immediately after and 90 min after NaAsO2 increased the LD50 of NaAsO2 about 4.2- and 4.4-fold, respectively. Neither d -penicillamine nor N-acetyl- dl -penicillamine affected the LD50 of NaAsO2 under the same conditions. The LD50 of DMPS and DMSA in mice was found to be 5.22 and 13.58 mmol/kg, ip, respectively. The effective dose 50 for treating mice 10 min after receiving and LD100 of NaAsO2 (0.15 mmol/kg) was 0.066 mmol/kg for DMPS and 0.065 mmol/kg for DMSA. The therapeutic index of DMSA against 0.15 mmol/kg NaAsO2 was found to be 209. This was 2.6 times greater than that of DMPS. The explanation for this difference is that although DMSA was as effective as DMPS, it is less toxic. The LD50 of NaAsO2 was not increased by sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, α-mercaptopropionylglycine, dl -N-acetylhomocysteinethiolactone, or monomercaptosuccinic acid. A series of polymercapto compounds, some having as many as four mercapto groups per molecule, also did not protect against the lethality of NaAsO2. There is extensive experimental and clinical information about DMPS and DMSA available in the Soviet and Chinese literature where these agents are known as Unithiol or Unitiol and succimer, respectively. It would appear that DMPS and DMSA warrant further experimental studies and eventually clinical trials for the treatment of intoxication by arsenic as well as by certain other heavy metals.
Appropriateness of correlated first-order auto-regressive processes for modeling daily temperature records

Abstract The present study investigates linear and volatile (nonlinear) correlations of first-order auto-regressive process with uncorrelated AR (1) and long-range correlated CAR (1) Gaussian innovations as a function of the process parameter ( θ ) . In the light of recent findings [A. Kiraly, I.M. Janosi, Phys. Rev. E 65 (2002) 0511021], we discuss the choice of CAR (1) in modeling daily temperature records. We demonstrate that while CAR (1) is able to capture linear correlations it is unable to capture nonlinear (volatile) correlations in daily temperature records.
ILS as an independent landing monitor

Government press releases and known FAA activities are clearly heralding the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) as the landing system of the future. A need for redundancy is addressed, especially for low-visibility landings. The designation, landing system of the future, implies all-weather capability, i.e., landing capability when visibilities are less than 700 feet horizontally. This landing capability must be offered with minimal risk. This paper identifies a safeguard, which is, in effect, the coupling of the contemporary ILS with the GPS to provide a redundancy and an increase of reliability. The ILS is a trusted, reliable system with many Category II and III systems currently being deployed and operated. This equipment may very well be available for the next thirty years. Costs for the desired redundancy have therefore largely been accommodated. The combination of the two systems would provide aviators and the flying public with a redundant element that has been, in effect, tested for 59 years. This dual capability would allow for the creation of zero-visibility landing guidance that would surpass all presently designated standards world-wide. This paper suggests the implementation of such a dual-capability with consideration of the pilot factors, automation issues, and general practicality of such a scheme, designated here as an ILM, Independent Landing Monitor.
Emerging Liquid Crystal Displays Based on the Kerr Effect

The device physics and electro-optical properties of emerging liquid crystal displays (LCDs) based on the Kerr effect are investigated. With a voltage applied, both blue phase and polymer-stabilized blue phase exhibit a fascinating isotropic-to-anisotropic transition. We have developed a numerical model to understand the underlying device physics in order to optimize device performance. The operating voltage is found to be inversely proportional to the square-root of Kerr constant of the LC composite. To reduce operation voltage while keeping high transmittance and fast response time, device structures with strong and deep horizontal electric fields, and LC materials with a large Kerr constant play equally important roles.
Very high radix scalable Montgomery multipliers

This paper describes a very high radix scalable Montgomery multiplier. It extends the radix-2 Tenca-Kog scalable architecture using w /spl times/ v - bit integer multipliers in place of AND gates. The design can perform 1024-bit modular exponentiation in 6.6 ms using 2847 4-input lookup tables and 32 16 /spl times/ 16 multipliers, making it the fastest scalable design yet reported.
Effect of four intravenous infusion methods on tobramycin pharmacokinetics.

The influence of four intermittent intravenous infusion methods on the determination of tobramycin pharmacokinetic values and predicted doses was evaluated in 11 healthy adult volunteers. Each subject received tobramycin (as the sulfate salt) 1.5 mg/kg by each of four i.v. infusion methods: (1) minibag via gravity flow (MG), (2) minibag with the secondary infusion tubing inserted below a volumetric pump (MP), (3) metered chamber via volumetric pump (MC), and (4) syringe pump (SP). Infusion rates were initially set to administer each dose over a 30-minute period. Sixteen blood samples were obtained over an eight-hour period before and at various time intervals after each dose and were analyzed for tobramycin content by fluorescence polarization immunoassay. Area under the serum concentration-time curve from time zero to infinity (AUC0-infinity) was calculated by the trapezoidal rule. Serum tobramycin concentration data for each subject were fitted to a biexponential decay model with zero-order input. beta and V beta were calculated from fitted data. One-compartment pharmacokinetic values, elimination rate constant (kappa), apparent volume of distribution (V), and predicted doses to achieve steady-state peak concentrations of 6 micrograms/mL were calculated by the method of Sawchuk and Zaske. There were no significant differences in either beta or kappa among the infusion methods. V beta values (mean +/- S.D.) for the methods were 0.240 +/- 0.025 (MG), 0.257 +/- 0.025 (MP), 0.221 +/- 0.027 (MC), and 0.231 +/- 0.032 (SP) L/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
The Sales Manager As a Boundary Spanner: A Role Theory Analysis

AbstractBoundary spanning and role theory were used to examine the sales manager's role. Although it was determined that a sales manager's boundary spanning is not associated with role conflict and role ambiguity, it was shown that a sales manager's role conflict and ambiguity are associated with low job satisfaction, high job-related tension, low perceived performance, and greater propensity to leave. These research results have important implications for sales management.
Zinc Deficiency, Immune Function, and Morbidity and Mortality from Infectious Disease among Children in Developing Countries:

Zinc deficiency is prevalent in developing countries and has adverse effects on child health. Decreased or abnormal immune function in children can occur as a consequence of zinc deficiency either during gestation or after delivery and may impair host defenses against infectious diseases. Controlled trials of therapy of acute and persistent diarrhea have consistently demonstrated that zinc-supplemented children have diarrheal episodes of shorter duration and reduced severity. Controlled trials of zinc supplementation in the prevention of infectious diseases have demonstrated reductions in the incidences of diarrhea pneumonia and malaria the most common causes of death in children in developing countries. Preliminary evidence from one controlled trial in full-term small-for-gestational-age infants in India found a two-thirds reduction in mortality with zinc supplementation. In conclusion zinc deficiency reduces immune function and increases the risk of morbidity and mortality from infectious disease in children in developing countries. (authors)
Inversion of electromagnetic data processed by principal component analysis

Statistical de-noising and compressive inversion methods based on Principal Component Analysis can reduce random noise, separate desired signals from correlated noise, and improve the efficiency and results of airborne EM inversions. However, inversion of PCA-processed data with standard kernels produces inaccurate results due to the improper forward mapping operators used. These inversions must incorporate the PCA rotation in the inversion process for accurate results. In order to appropriately apply these operators to the inversion kernels, the statistical distribution of the noise before and after processing and its effect on the data misfit must be understood. We can then develop compressive inversion techniques utilising PCA. In this presentation, we demonstrate the need for incorporation of rotation into the inversion kernels through linear examples and show the utility of principal component analysis in compressive inversion. We then examine the statistical distribution of TEM data and noise and show that the noise follows a multivariate t-distribution both before and after processing with PCA. We conclude by introducing a compressive inversion technique formulated in the principal component domain.
Engaging Emotion in Theater: A Brechtian Model in Theater History

When Plato criticized theater, one of his complaints concerned the ef fect of theater on the emotions, that theater had the opposite effect of moral education on the emotional faculties of an audience. This complaint was revived by Rousseau, who was convinced that effective comedy must depend on, and foster, vicious dispositions of the human heart.1 Both of these thinkers held that there was just one way for a play to affect an au dience, and it was bad. Bertolt Brecht in our century thought there were two ways, and the bad one was the one for which he did not write. Actually, as we will see, there are many more than two modes by which theater can engage the emotions. The complaint that theater inhibits moral learning is partly justified against some of these modes, but against others it has no validity whatever. This result alone would make it worth while to distinguish these modes from each other; we shall see that this analysis is useful as well for explaining the history of theater. Different approaches to theater seek to engage the emotions of an au dience differently. The same emotion can be engaged in different ways. Suppose an audience is moved by fear for the hero's life; this fear may af fect them more or less directly, depending on their relationship to the hero. A primitive model for what I have in mind is the distinction Brecht made be tween what he called dramatic (or aristotelian) theater, which works through empathy and identification, and epic (or Brechtiani) theater, which does not. I propose to root out the basis of this distinction, expand it into an analysis of the whole range of possibilities, and apply it broadly in the history of theater. The range is wide, and the differences often striking; but the emotions that lie behind them are elusive and may in some cases be inextricably culture-bound. Categories of emotional response that are appropriate for a twentieth-century author like Brecht may be wholly inappropriate for earlier periods of theater. This difficulty raises the question of whether an analysis of the sort I propose can be applied across the history of the medium. I will argue that it can. For this analysis Brecht's distinction is only a model; the analysis itself depends on a more abstract theory of the emo tions, and will produce a set of categories that we could apply (if we knew enough) to any period in the history of theater. Modes of emotional engage ment in theater differ importantly from theatrical genres, which are tangled
Sintering of Tricalcium Phosphate by HIP

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) was HIP'ed in a glass capsule at 800°-1100°C and 100MPa for 30min. Soda-lime glass was more suitable than Pyrex glass as a capsule material because of less thermal expansion mismatch from HIP-sintered TCP. Alumina powder was suitable as a barrier layer between glass capsule and sample, but boron nitride powder seemed to be reacted with the sample. The dense and transparent TCP ceramics were obtained by HIPing above 1000°C. In the comparison with pressureless sintering, the HIP treatment lowered the densification temperature as much as 200°C and also improved mechanical properties, 120MPa for bending strength and 0.8MPa·m1/2 for fracture toughness.
EFFECT OF DIFFERENT NITROGEN LEVEL ON DRY MATTER ACCUMULATION AND NITROGEN UPTAKE AT REPRODUCTIVE STAGE OF INDICA RICE

Two early indica rice varieties of Teyou 63 and Meiyou 998 were employed to study characteristics of the dry matter accumulation and N uptake and utilization of Indica rice at reproductive stage under different N levels.Results showed that high N rate improved the total dry matter accumulation and N content of leaf,panicle,stem and sheath of Indica rice.Meanwhile,it accelerated the dry matter and N transportation from leaf stem and sheath to panicle.Seed setting rate,and 1000-grain weight were significantly reduced by high N rate,however,panicle number and even grain number were significantly improved as well as rice yield.Under the application of pure N 234.0kg/hm2 conditions,the yield of Early and late Indica rice increased by 45.2% and 36.8%,respectively.In addition,high N rate significanlly increased N use efficiency of early and late Indica rice.These findings suggested that moderate-higher N rate improved rice yield and N use efficiency.
Genetic aspects of asthma

Over the last few years, a significant progress has been made in understanding of the genetic basis of asthma. This has led to the identification of several chromosomal regions and loci showing linkage to and association with asthma and asthma-linked phenotypes. Recent positional cloning approaches have also been informative in identifying several strong candidate genes for asthma. The next challenge will involve validation of these findings and, importantly, identification of the functional basis in the pathophysiology of asthma. This review will describe the power of positional cloning for the identification of asthma genes, highlight the functional importance of the genetic variants, and address the gene-gene and gene-environment interactions that are pertinent to this challenging field.
Jugular foramen schwannoma: surgical experience in six cases.

Purpose; Schwannomas of the lower cranial nerves are rare tumours. We have surgical experience in six patients. Material and methods: We have retrospectively reviewed the files of the six patients with jugular foramen schwannomas that were treated in multidisciplinary collaboration in the departments of neurosurgery and ENT. Results: From a clinical point of view, the most important finding was that these tumours usually mimic a vestibular schwannoma. The imaging findings however always allowed the differentiation. The surgical technique included in all cases a suboccipital approach for the intracranial part. When large, the extracranial extension had to be removed through a lateral cervical or transfacial approach. There was no mortality and minor morbidity, with good functional outcome. In subtotally removed tumours, recurrence occurred. Conclusion: A combined neurosurgical and ENT approach allows for safe removal of these often large skull base tumours.
Abstract 720: Neuropilin 1 Identifies Endothelial Precursors in Murine and Human Embryonic Stem Cells Prior to CD34 Expression

Human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are a model to identify the mechanisms controlling human vasculogenesis. The identity of endothelial precursors from human ESCs is unknown. In murine ESCs, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) identifies endothelial precursors. In contrast, undifferentiated human ESC lines express the endothelial and progenitor markers VEGFR2 (70±4%, p
Association of Marijuana Use With Blunted Nucleus Accumbens Response to Reward Anticipation

Importance Marijuana use may alter ventral striatal response to reward, which might heighten susceptibility to substance use disorder. Longitudinal research is needed to determine the effects of marijuana use on neural function involved in reward response. Objective To determine whether marijuana use among young adults prospectively affects nucleus accumbens (NAcc) activation during reward anticipation. Design, Setting, and Participants One hundred eight young adults were recruited from the Michigan Longitudinal Study, an ongoing study of youth at high risk for substance use disorder and a contrast sample of control families. Participants underwent 3 consecutive functional magnetic resonance imaging scans at approximate ages of 20 (time 1), 22 (time 2), and 24 (time 3) years. Self-report data on marijuana and other drug use occasions were collected annually since age 11 years. Main Outcomes and Measures Cross-lagged models were used to test the association of marijuana use with neural response in the NAcc to reward anticipation during a monetary incentive delay task controlling for sex, age, other substance use, and family history of substance use disorder. Results Of 108 participants, 39 (36.1%) were female and mean (SD) age at baseline was 20.1 (1.4) years. Greater marijuana use was associated with later blunted activation in the NAcc during reward anticipation (time 1 to time 2: β = −0.26, P = .04; time 2 to time 3: β = −0.25, P = .01). When the cross-lagged model was tested with the inclusion of previous and concurrent cigarette use, the effect of marijuana use from time 2 to time 3 remained significant (β = −0.29; P = .005) and the effect of cigarette use was nonsignificant. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study indicate that marijuana use is associated with decreased neural response in the NAcc during the anticipation of nondrug rewards. Over time, marijuana use may alter anticipatory reward processing in the NAcc, which may increase the risk for continued drug use and later addiction.
Lipid Profiles and APOE4 Allele Impact Midlife Cognitive Decline in HIV-Infected Men on Antiretroviral Therapy.

Background. Dyslipidemia and apolipoprotein E4 (APOE ϵ4) allele are risk factors for age-related cognitive decline, but how these risks are modified by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is unclear. Methods. In a longitudinal nested study from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study, 273 HIV type 1–infected (HIV+) men aged 50–65 years with baseline HIV RNA <400 copies/mL and on continuous antiretroviral therapy (ART) in ≥95% of follow-up visits were matched by sociodemographic variables to 516 HIV-uninfected (HIV–) controls. The association between lipid markers (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol [LDL-C], high-density lipoprotein cholesterol [HDL-C], and triglycerides), APOE genotype, and cognitive decline in HIV infection was examined using mixed-effects models. Results. The median baseline age of participants was 51, 81% were white, and 89% had education >12 years. HIV+ men had similar baseline total cholesterol and LDL-C, but lower HDL-C and higher triglycerides than controls (P < .001). Higher total cholesterol and LDL-C were associated with faster rates of cognitive decline (P < .01), whereas higher HDL-C attenuated decline (P = .02) in HIV+ men. In HIV+ men with elevated cholesterol, statin use was associated with a slower estimated rate of decline (P = .02). APOE ϵ4 genotype accelerated cognitive decline in HIV+ but not HIV– men (P = .01), with trajectories diverging from HIV– e4 carriers after age 50. Total cholesterol levels did not modify the association of ϵ4 genotype with decline (P = .9). Conclusions. Elevated cholesterol and APOE ϵ4 genotype are independent risk factors for cognitive decline in ART-adherent HIV+ men aged >50 years. Treatment of dyslipidemia may be an effective strategy to reduce cognitive decline in older HIV+ individuals.