cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Classical origins of the Aharonov-Bohm effect

It is shown, in a large variety of manifestations, that the Aharonov—Bohm effect has classical counterparts in aspects concerning energy and momentum balance. No counterexamples are found in the cases considered, although whenever image charges shield the magnetic field region from the electric field of the passing electron the classical momentum effects, while present, would not be observable. Similarly, if the magnetic flux is maintained by superconductors, magnetic shielding will also render the classical energy effect unobservable. Partial shieldings of either type will reduce but not totally eliminate the corresponding observable classical manifestations of these effects.
THE EPISTEMOLOGY OF THE GENERAL SYSTEMS PROBLEM SOLVER

Abstract In this paper, I draw a connection between the so-called classical definition of knowledge and the epistemological framework underlying George J. Klir's General Systems Problem Solver methodology. More specifically, I suggest that it is very close to the Representational Realism articulated by such early empiricists as John Locke. However, I also point out that the GSPS epistemology has an affinity to the so-called constructivist view of knowledge, one that t argue is not compatible with Representational Realism
Performance Assessment of the Optical Transient Detector and Lightning Imaging Sensor. Part I: Predicted Diurnal Variability

Abstract Laboratory calibration and observed background radiance data are used to determine the effective sensitivities of the Optical Transient Detector (OTD) and Lightning Imaging Sensor (LIS), as functions of local hour and pixel location within the instrument arrays. The effective LIS thresholds, expressed as radiances emitted normal to cloud top, are 4.0 ± 0.7 and 7.6 ± 3.3 μJ sr−1 m−2 for night and local noon; the OTD thresholds are 11.7 ± 2.2 and 16.8 ± 4.6 μJ sr−1 m−2. LIS and OTD minimum signal-to-noise ratios occur from 0800 to 1600 local time, and attain values of 10 ± 2 and 20 ± 3, respectively. False alarm rate due to instrument noise yields ∼5 false triggers per month for LIS, and is negligible for OTD. Flash detection efficiency, based on prior optical pulse sensor measurements, is predicted to be 93 ± 4% and 73 ± 11% for LIS night and noon; 56 ± 7% and 44 ± 9% for OTD night and noon, corresponding to a 12%–20% diurnal variability and LIS:OTD ratio of 1.7. Use of the weighted daily mean det...
Surgical management of lacrimal gland tumors

A variety of inflammatory lesions and tumors can present within the lacrimal gland. Given the inconsistency in the preoperative differentiation of malignant from benign tumors, complete surgical resection and histological identification remain the only means for a correct diagnosis. Lacrimal tumors such as pleomorphic adenoma have a high rate of recurrence and can undergo malignant transformation if they are not completely removed. Lacrimal gland tumors should undergo complete excision (with preservation of its capsule) without a primary incisional biopsy. These excisions can be facilitated through a lateral orbitotomy, which can offer the surgeon an exceptional approach with optimal exposure with or without the use of bone window.
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Gene Regulation by HEXIM1 in Heart

See related article, pages 415–422 Hexamethylene bis-acetamide (HMBA)-inducible protein 1 (HEXIM1) was cloned as an upregulated gene in vascular smooth muscle cells after treatment with the differentiating agent HMBA.1 A recent report has shown that HEXIM1 is an inhibitor of positive transcription elongation factor (P-TEF)b, which plays an important role in regulation of RNA polymerase II elongation.2–4 HEXIM1 was previously cloned as a potential cardiac transcriptional regulatory factor suppressing the cardiac myosin light chain-2v promoter and termed cardiac lineage protein (CLP)-1.5 HEXIM1 was also cloned as the novel inhibitor of breast cell growth estrogen-downregulated gene (EDG)1.6 HEXIM1 protein level is downregulated by estrogens. HEXIM1 also suppresses estrogen receptor-α transcriptional activity.6,7 Gene and protein expression indicate the broad expression of HEXIM1 during postnatal development, with highest levels in heart, skeletal muscle, and brain. Protein localization of endogenous HEXIM1 in vascular smooth muscle cells and primary cardiomyocytes suggests that HEXIM1 is a nuclear protein. Furthermore, HEXIM1 has been shown to be involved in many biological processes, including cancers, AIDS, cardiac hypertrophy, and inflammation, through transcriptional repression.4 In vitro experiments demonstrate that HEXIM1 functions as a transcriptional repressor by inhibiting P-TEFb, a protein complex composed of cyclin-dependent kinase 9 and a cyclin partner that regulates RNA polymerase II elongation.2–4 HEXIM1 interacts with 7SK small nuclear RNA (snRNA), a component of P-TEFb complex containing cyclin-dependent kinase 9 and cyclin T1. This interaction occurs through the KHRR 7SK snRNA binding motif of …
Noninteracting Fermi gas in a square-well potential.

The problem of a noninteracting Fermi gas in a finite square-well potential is solved analytically in the limit that the well becomes infinitely wide. The errors of previous authors using this model as a first approximation to the problem of a simple metal with surfaces are pointed out.
Bayesian inference of the lung alveolar spatial model for the identification of alveolar mechanics associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is acute lung failure secondary to severe systemic inflammation, resulting in a derangement of alveolar mechanics (i.e. the dynamic change in alveolar size and shape during tidal ventilation), leading to alveolar instability that can cause further damage to the pulmonary parenchyma. Mechanical ventilation is a mainstay in the treatment of ARDS, but may induce mechano-physical stresses on unstable alveoli, which can paradoxically propagate the cellular and molecular processes exacerbating ARDS pathology. This phenomenon is called ventilator induced lung injury (VILI), and plays a significant role in morbidity and mortality associated with ARDS. In order to identify optimal ventilation strategies to limit VILI and treat ARDS, it is necessary to understand the complex interplay between biological and physical mechanisms of VILI, first at the alveolar level, and then in aggregate at the whole-lung level. Since there is no current consensus about the underlying dynamics of alveolar mechanics, as an initial step we investigate the ventilatory dynamics of an alveolar sac (AS) with the lung alveolar spatial model (LASM), a 3D spatial biomechanical representation of the AS and its interaction with airflow pressure and the surface tension effects of pulmonary surfactant. We use the LASM to identify the mechanical ramifications of alveolar dynamics associated with ARDS. Using graphical processing unit parallel algorithms, we perform Bayesian inference on the model parameters using experimental data from rat lung under control and Tween-induced ARDS conditions. Our results provide two plausible models that recapitulate two fundamental hypotheses about volume change at the alveolar level: (1) increase in alveolar size through isotropic volume change, or (2) minimal change in AS radius with primary expansion of the mouth of the AS, with the implication that the majority of change in lung volume during the respiratory cycle occurs in the alveolar ducts. These two model solutions correspond to significantly different mechanical properties of the tissue, and we discuss the implications of these different properties and the requirements for new experimental data to discriminate between the hypotheses.
Different methods of single-session disclosure: what works for whom?

Objective. Examine distress, emotional approach coping, and attachment as moderators of effects of written (WED) versus interpersonal (IED) emotional disclosure and written time management (WTM). Design/Methods. Fifty-seven undergraduates with stressful experiences randomized to a single session of WED, IED, or WTM. Assessment of immediate reaction (NA) and 6-week follow-up (intrusions/avoidance). Results. Those with higher baseline distress had increased NA, avoidance and intrusions when engaged in WED or IED (vs. WTM). For emotional processors, WED (vs. IED) produced less NA, avoidance, and intrusions. Attachment predicted increased NA in WTM. Conclusions. Baseline distress and personality characteristics form boundary conditions for written disclosure.
Perceived coercion, resistance to persuasion, and the Type A behavior pattern

Abstract Three studies are reported, which tested the notion that persons possessing the Type A “coronary-prone” behavior pattern would be more susceptible to the experience of psychological reactance than would Type Bs, i.e., persons without that pattern. In Experiment 1, subjects exposed to a persuasive communication that was either low or high in coerciveness rated the degree of coercive intent behind the communication. Type As perceived greater coerciveness overall than Type Bs, a finding that was most reliable in the low coercion condition. In Experiment 2, subjects' postcommunication opinions were assessed, so that resistance to persuasion could be measured. A gender difference within Pattern A emerged from this study. Male Type As resisted the persuasion attempt to an equivalent degree whether it was low or high in coerciveness; female Type As displayed comparable resistance in the low coercion condition, but tended to be even more resistant in the high coercion condition. In contrast, both male and female Type Bs displayed persuasion in the low coercion condition, and resisted (to a degree comparable to Type As) in the high coercion condition. Experiment 3 further investigated resistance to persuasion among females, using a different issue for the persuasion attempt. Type A women again resisted more in the high coercion than the low coercion condition. Type B women displayed no evidence of resistance in either condition. Discussion centers on the observed gender difference and the possible theoretical importance of the notion that Type As perceive threat at lower objective levels than do Type Bs.
Synthesis of novel biodegradable methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)-zein micelles for effective delivery of curcumin.

Novel biodegradable micelles were synthesized by conjugating methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) to zein, a biodegradable hydrophobic plant protein. The mPEG–zein micelles were in the size range of 95–125 nm with a low CMC (5.5 × 10–2 g/L). The micelles were nonimmunogenic and were stable upon dilution with buffer as well as 10% serum. Curcumin, an anticancer agent with multiple delivery challenges, was encapsulated in mPEG–zein micelles. The micelles significantly enhanced the aqueous solubility (by 1000–2000-fold) and stability (by 6-fold) of curcumin. PEG–zein micelles sustained the release of curcumin up to 24 h in vitro. Curcumin-loaded mPEG–zein micelles showed significantly higher cell uptake than free curcumin in drug-resistant NCI/ADR-RES cancer cells in vitro. Micellar curcumin formulation was more potent than free curcumin in NCI/ADR-RES cancer cells, as evidenced from the 3-fold reduction in IC50 value of curcumin. Overall, this study for the first time reports a natural protein core based po...
Mechanical Behavior of Samhire

The present state of the knowledge of the mechanical behavior of sapphire is reviewed. Sapphire deforms plastically at temperatures above 900°C, the most common mode of deformation being slip on the basal plane in the 〈110〉 direction. Under certain conditions, however, slip may occur on prism planes or twinning may occur. A yield point is often observed, which appears to be related to the multiplication of dislocations by a mechanism controlled by the motion of dislocations through the lattice, rather than by the tearing of dislocations from an impurity (or defect) atmosphere. The dynamics of yielding and flow is similar and can be expressed by either of two thermally activated equations. In one, the effect of stress is principally on the pre-exponential factor; in the other, its effect is principally on the activation energy. There are insufficient data to permit a positive decision between the two, or to positively identify the rate-controlling dislocation mechanism. For 60°-oriented crystals fracture generally occurs on a plane approximately normal to the tensile stress and the fracture surface is conchoidal. In the range 1100° to 1500°C, the tensile fracture stress decreases with increase in plastic strain, independent of temperature and strain rate. The mechanism of failure in this case seems to be the interaction of edge dislocations with pre-existing cracks.
Understanding the Role of the European Court of Justice in European Integration

In 2008 we published an article finding evidence for political constraints on European Court of Justice (ECJ) decision making. Stone Sweet and Brunell (this issue) argue that our theoretical foundations are fundamentally flawed and that our empirical evidence supports neofunctionalism over intergovernmentalism “in a landslide.” We respectfully disagree with Stone Sweet and Brunell regarding both their conclusions about our theoretical arguments and what the empirical evidence demonstrates. We use this response to clarify our argument and to draw a clearer contrast between our and their perspective on the role the ECJ plays in European integration. Finally, we reevaluate their neofunctionalist hypotheses. Ultimately, we do not find support in the data for Stone Sweet and Brunell's empirical claims.
Effects of symmetric and asymmetric contact angles and division of menisci during separation

Meniscus and viscous forces are sources of adhesive force when two surfaces are separated with a micro-meniscus present at the interface. The adhesive force can be one of the main reliability issues when the contacting surfaces are ultra-smooth and the normal load is small, as is common for micro/nano devices. In this paper, both meniscus and viscous forces of menisci with symmetric and asymmetric contact angles are modelled. Equations for both meniscus and viscous forces in division of menisci are analytically formulated. The role of these two forces is evaluated during the separation process. The effects of the contact angles, division of menisci, as well as liquid thicknesses, surface tension and viscosity of the liquid, and separation distance and time during separation are presented. It is found that contact angles significantly affect the break point and meniscus force, and the magnitude of meniscus force can be largely reduced by choosing proper asymmetric contact angles. ‘Force scaling’ effects ar...
SeqHelp: a program to analyze molecular sequences utilizing common computational resources.

Computational tools are important components in generating and understanding novel genetic sequences. A gene identification project typically includes the following components: (1) generation and assembly of DNA sequences from a genetic region of interest; (2) database searches to find similar or homologous sequences; (3) construction of the genomic structure of the putative gene; (4) if searching for disease susceptibility genes, screening for mutations in candidate genes; (5) multiple sequence comparison and other analyses. Computer programs have dramatically improved the efficiency of these analyses. Some well-known examples of these computational tools include PHRED (Ewing et al. 1998; Ewing and Green 1998) and PHRAP [http://bozeman.mbt.washington.edu/phrap.docs/phrap.html (P. Green, unpubl.)] for sequence generation and assembly, the BLAST family of programs (Altschul et al. 1990), FASTA and FASTP (Pearson 1990) for database searches, and GRAIL (Xu et al. 1994) and Genefinder (C. Wilson and P. Green, unpubl.) for gene structure prediction. Although these and many other computer programs are excellent tools in specific areas of analysis, they often do not provide an easy interface for experimental biologists to analyze information simultaneously from multiple resources. A tool to integrate a variety of information to provide the ability to visually analyze the overall structure as well as details of information for the underlying sequence is highly desirable for the experimental biologist. Display of a data sequence multiply aligned with related sequences, along with immediate access to relevant information during sequence analysis, would greatly expedite gene identification studies. Programs such as Genotator (Harris 1997) and DrawMap (T. Smith, unpubl.) provide graphical display of genomic structure including predicted exons, selected database search results, and other information. These programs generally provide a high-level display of genetic information, but detailed display of sequence information is limited and access to data via the internet is not provided. In part, inspired by these programs, the present work is designed to exploit some commonly available computational resources to provide a simple, yet efficient, tool for visually studying DNA sequences in gene hunting and other molecular research projects.
Preventing Suicide: A Neglected Social Work Research Agenda

Social workers encounter suicidal clients; however, little is known about social work's empirical knowledge base for suicide assessment and treatment. In the first comprehensive study of social work's contribution to the suicide literature, the authors conducted systematic electronic and manual searches for suicide research published in peer-reviewed journals by social work investigators for the period 1980-2006, with the purpose of ascertaining the state of clinical knowledge related to suicide risk factors and effective treatments. These findings reveal that despite recent increases to the study of suicide by social work researchers, they have contributed limited evidenced-based knowledge in the last twenty-six years on the treatment or prevention of suicide or suicide-related behaviours. The article outlines the risk factors for suicide and discusses the implications for clinical social work practice and research.
Using Web Analytics to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Online Maps for Community Outreach

This study uses Web analytics to evaluate the effectiveness of online maps to support community outreach efforts. The Wisconsin State Cartographer's Office has long used Web technology, including online map applications, to deliver geospatial information to citizens of Wisconsin. This study focuses on one of these applications, the Wisconsin Historic Aerial Image Finder (WHAIFinder), which provides online access to a rare collection of aerial photographs from the 1930s. The goal of this study is to assess whether WHAIFinder has succeeded in providing broad statewide access to the digital collection. As such, the study asks whether usage rates for the application are essentially uniform across the state or if there are regions where usage is lower or higher than expected. The study's approach is inherently geographic due to its concern with patterns of use reflecting local variations in demand, access, and knowledge. Regression techniques and geographic analysis methods were used to model relationships in ...
Discussion of “Annual floods and the partial duration flood series”

The writer is interested in finding from this paper a similar idea which he had in mind when engaging in a statistical study of hydrologic data, a part of the Highway Drainage Research Project being carried out in the Department of Civil Engineering, the University of Illinois. However, a complete presentation of the study will be reserved for future publications, and only fragments of thought are discussed here. In treating hydrologic data for the study of their frequency of recurrence, two phases of study are generally met. One is the frequency of recurrence for the observed distributions, and the other is the corresponding frequency of recurrence for the theoretical distributions of best-fit. The former is usually required for the purpose of plotting observed data, and hence is called the “plotting positions,” a term used by Foster [1934, p. 1217]. The latter is treated by the mathematical theory of probability, and generally serves as a theoretical interpretation of the observed phenomena.
Effective assignment of engineers

This paper discloses some `rules of thumb' developed by the author in order to better assign engineering talent to small R&D programs. The philosophy to support the empirically derived equations is covered in the paper. A case history to demonstrate the efficacy of the rules of thumb is discussed.
Baccatin III Induces Assembly of Purified Tubulin into Long Microtubules

Baccatin III is widely considered to be an inactive derivative of Taxol. We have reexamined its effect on in vitro assembly of tubulin under a variety of conditions. We found baccatin III to be active in all circumstances in which Taxol is active: it assembled GTP-tubulin, GDP-tubulin, and microtubule protein into normal microtubules and stabilized these polymers against cold-induced disassembly. The effect of baccatin III on in vitro microtubule assembly was quantitatively assessed through determination of critical concentrations, which can be used to obtain the apparent equilibrium constants for the addition of tubulin subunits to growing microtubules. The apparent equilibrium constants for the growth reaction for baccatin III-induced GTP-tubulin and GDP-tubulin assembly measured at 37 degrees C were 4.2-4.6-fold less than those measured for Taxol-induced GTP-tubulin and GDP-tubulin assembly. These data indicate that the entire Taxol side chain contributes only about -1 kcal/mol to the apparent standard free energy of microtubule growth at 37 degrees C regardless of the nature of the E site nucleotide. These data also support the idea that the majority of the interactions between Taxol and tubulin that affect this equilibrium occur between the baccatin portion of the molecule and the binding site. We have also observed a structural difference in microtubules formed using baccatin III and Taxol. Baccatin III-induced microtubules were routinely much longer than those assembled by Taxol, even when very high concentrations of baccatin III were employed. One interpretation of these data is that baccatin III and Taxol differ in their abilities to nucleate GTP-tubulin. This difference in activity may have bearing on the large disparity in cytotoxicity of the two molecules.
Allylic amines via iridium-catalyzed C-C bond forming hydrogenation: imine vinylation in the absence of stoichiometric byproducts or metallic reagents.

Exposure of aromatic, heteroaromatic, and aliphatic N-arylsulfonyl aldimines 1a−12a in toluene solution at 60 °C to 2-butyne and hydrogen at ambient pressure in the presence of a cationic iridium(I) catalyst modified by BIPHEP enables formation of reductive coupling products, allylic amines 1b−12b, in good isolated yields as single geometrical isomers (>95:5, E:Z). The nonsymmetric alkynes 4-methyl-2-pentyne couple to imines 6a, 12a, and 13a under standard conditions with complete levels of regioselection. Hydrogenative coupling of 2-hexyne to imines 6a, 12a, and 13a delivers allylic amines 15b, 16b, and 18b in 10:1 regioisomeric ratios in each case. As revealed by 2H NMR analysis, reductive coupling of 2-butyne to imine 2a under an atmosphere of elemental deuterium provides deuterio-2b, which incorporates deuterium at the vinylic position (83% 2H) and at the allylic methyl groups (5% 2H). An equal distribution of deuterium at the allylic methyl groups suggests H−D exchange at the propargylic positions of...
Management of splenic trauma in the pediatric hemophiliac patient: Case series and review of the literature.

In July and August 1998, 3 patients who attend the Hemophilia Treatment Center required emergency admission to the authors' hospital for management of hemorrhagic shock caused by splenic injury. Computed tomography was used to diagnose and grade the splenic injuries, which ranged from II to IV on the organ injury scale. Two patients had Christmas disease (Factor IX deficiency) and were treated with splenorrhaphy and factor IX replacement. One patient who has severe von Willebrand disease (Type 3) had grade II splenic injury that required splenectomy to secure hemostasis. The coagulopathic deficiency was aggressively treated in each patient. All patients required operative intervention with attempted splenorrhaphy. All patients survived their operative experience, and none suffered a rebleeding episode. With correction of the coagulopathy throughout the perioperative period and local hemostatic control by operative techniques, salvage procedures for splenic injury were successful for 2 of these 3 patients.
Information Processing in the Visual Periphery: Influence of Mental Workload

Two experiments examined the effects of the mental workload of various foveal task requirements on the identification of briefly presented symbols to the visual periphery. Results are discussed in light of two models (tunnel vision and constant decrement) that describe the relationship between mental workload and information processing in the visual periphery. Language: en
Hepatic dysfunction in the adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Multiple organ system failure is a major cause of mortality in the adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). We serially evaluated parameters of multiple organ function in 24 patients during the first week after the diagnosis of ARDS and related them to outcome. The adult respiratory distress syndrome was associated with sepsis (n = 16), post-operation (n = 7), and trauma (n = 1). Fourteen of the 24 patients (58 percent) died. Although there were no significant differences in the indices of pulmonary or renal dysfunction between survivors and nonsurvivors, evidence of hepatic dysfunction was different in the two groups. On the day we identified ARDS, serum bilirubin was 1.2 mg/dl±0.9 mg/dl in patients who survived, and was 2.3 mg/dl ±2.8 mg/dl (x±SD) in those who died. Initial serum glutamic oxalacetic transaminase (SCOT) and alkaline phosphatase levels were lower in survivors than in those who died (71 ± 44 IU/L vs 399 ± 807 IU/L, and 121 ± 53 IU/L vs 269 ±243 IU/L, respectively). These abnormalities persisted during the first week of respiratory failure, with significant differences in serum bilirubin and alkaline phosphatase between survivors and nonsurvivors (p
Preparation of gallosilicate faujasite in the presence of phosphate

Abstract The active complex in the preparation of gallosilicates from a reaction mixture containing phosphate has been identified as diphosphatogallate, in analogy to diphosphatoaluminate described previously. Gallosilicate faujasite of SiO 2 /Ga 2 O 3 molar ratios up to 6 have been obtained by decreasing the Na 2 O/P 2 O 5 molar ratio of the reaction mixture to 2·5. When reaction mixtures with SiO 2 /Ga 2 O 3 = 5·13 were used, crystal structures competing with faujasite (e.g. sodalite) have never been observed. Therefore, the phosphate-complexing technique provides a very convenient and clean path to the preparation of high-silica gallosilicate faujasite. The plot of the lattice parameter against the number of gallium atoms per unit cell shows a distinct break at a SiO 2 /Ga 2 O 3 ratio near 4. A second break at SiO 2 /Ga 2 O 3 = 2·8 is likely.
Phagocytic and humoral immunity of the adult cotton boll weevil, Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae), to Serratia marcescens.

Abstract This investigation determined phagocytic, lysozymal, and bactericidal defensive responses of adult laboratory-reared cotton boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis. Phagocytosis was first demonstrated in boll weevils at 3 hr following injection of live Serratia marcescens. Maximum phagocytosis was found in 16.4% of plasmatocytes at the end of 16 hr postinjection. Lysozyme activity was demonstrated in both inoculated and uninoculated boll weevils. Peak lysozyme activity of 6.9 μg/ml was found at 48 hr following inoculation of heat-killed Serratia marcescens. Bactericidal activity was demonstrated in inoculated boll weevils but not in uninoculated boll weevils. Peak bactericidal activity occurred at 24 hr following inoculation of heat-killed Serratia marcescens. Lysozymal and bactericidal activities were shown to be separate functions.
Survival Pathway Signal Transduction is Reduced in Alveolar Macrophages during Pneumocystis Pneumonia

PNEUMOCYSTIS pneumonia (PcP) causes increased alveolar macrophage apoptosis in humans, rats, and mice (Lasbury et al. 2006). The apoptosis of these cells proceeds via caspase-9 activation, as inhibition of caspase-9 activation increases alveolar macrophage numbers and prolongs survival of rats and mice with PcP (Lasbury et al. 2006). While a pro-apoptotic signal may be present in the lung during Pneumocystis infection, reduced alveolar macrophage resistance to apoptosis may also result in the reduction of alveolar macrophage numbers. Akt-1 is a kinase that acts to promote survival of cells. Akt-1, after it is activated by phosphorylation, is anti-apoptotic. Akt-1 can phosphorylate caspase-9 to prevent its activation (Cardone et al. 1998), inhibit forkhead transcription factor activity (Brunet et al. 1999), phosphorylate glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3b) to inhibit its pro-apoptotic activities (Pap and Cooper 1998), and inhibit mitochondrial damage by promoting the release of the anti-apoptotic molecules Bcl-xl and Bcl-2 from Bad (del Peso et al. 1997). To begin to determine the role of Akt-1 in the apoptosis of alveolar macrophages during PcP, we assessed the expression and activation of Akt-1.
Mechanism of interaction of myelin basic protein and S-100 protein: metal binding and fluorescence studies.

— It has been reported that myelin basic protein (MBP) forms a specific complex with S-100 protein in the presence of either Ca2+ or Mn2+, as detected by Immunoelectrophoresis. We have now studied the binding of Ca2+ and Mn2+ to these two proteins. We find that MBP binds 1 mol of Mn2+/mol of protein, and this binding produces an increment in its fluorescence, indicating a conformational change. Ca2+ does not bind to MBP nor does it affect the fluorescence of MBP. S-100 protein, as has been reported, binds about 10 mol of Ca2+/mol and this binding produces a conformational change. S-100 protein also has 25 binding sites for Mn2+, but this binding does not alter fluorescence and does not appear to affect conformation. Competitive binding experiments demonstrate that the binding sites of S-100 protein for Ca2+ and Mn2+ are independent. The alteration of electrophoretic migration in gels of S-100 protein produced by Ca2+ and of MBP produced by Mn2+ are in accord with the observations based on fluorescence. Mn2+ does not affect the electrophoretic mobility of S-100. These results indicate that the formation of the complex between MBP and S-100 protein in the presence of either Ca2+ or Mn2+ is due to the conformational change induced by these ions in S-100 protein, MBP, or both.
Exchange bias and blocking temperature distribution of Fe-film/CoO-nanoparticle hybrid bilayers

We fabricated and characterized Fe-film/CoO-nanoparticle hybrid bilayers and studied their temperature-dependent magnetic properties. The magnetic nanoparticles are uncoupled or weakly coupled in the particle films, which essentially resemble the antiferromagnetic grains in the deposited thin films. The size and size distribution of the nanoparticles can be well-controlled by chemical synthesis prior to assembling, providing additional route for engineering the antiferromagnetic layer in exchange-bias systems. Using cycled annealing-cooling measurements, we observed a unimodal blocking-temperature distribution in our samples that is a reflection of the intrinsic antiferromagnetic monodisperse “grain” size distribution. The absence of the low-temperature contribution is likely attributed to both the fabrication process and the nanoparticle morphology.
Diminishing diversity of signed languages.

Many of the world's 6000 to 7000 spoken languages are threatened with extinction, as Bernice Wuethrich discusses in her News Focus article “Learning the world's languages—before they vanish” (19 May, p. [1156][1]), and their disappearance will cripple attempts to probe the limits of linguistic diversity. But one crucial source of linguistic diversity is not mentioned in the article. Within the last 40 years, linguists have recognized that there are two major types of human languages: signed and spoken ([1][2], [2][3]). There are perhaps 200 to 300 signed languages, but there has been no thorough survey done. Linguists now understand that signed languages exhibit the basic properties that make a communication system a language. Research suggests that signed and spoken languages exhibit distinct patterns of variation ([3][4]). Although signed languages differ in their vocabularies, in word order, in the presence of auxiliary-like elements, and in other ways, they seem to be much less diverse typologically than are spoken languages. The relative uniformity of signed languages, in contrast to the typological diversity of spoken languages, may be due to the differing resources available to sign and speech, as well as to the differing perceptual and articulatory constraints imposed by the visual-gestural and oral-aural channels. This is a fundamental hypothesis about the factors that determine the available structures for individual human languages, yet it has hardly been tested. Doing so demands that we examine a large sample of signed languages. But like many spoken languages, the very existence of some signed languages is threatened. The pressures of educational policy, of more prestigious spoken and signed languages, and of the ease of communication across once-formidable barriers mean that many signed languages may disappear before we have the faintest understanding of how much signed languages can vary. For example, the indigenous signed languages of Southeast Asia are being replaced by signed languages substantially influenced by American Sign Language or French Sign Language ([4][5]). Understanding and preserving linguistic diversity will require that we investigate both major types of human languages, signed and spoken. 1. [↵][6]1. W. Stokoe, 2. D. Casterline, 3. C. Croneberg , A Dictionary of American Sign Language on Linguistic Principles (Gallaudet, Washington, DC, 1965). 2. [↵][7]1. U. Bellugi, 2. E. S. Klima , The Signs of Language (Harvard Univ. Press, Cambridge, MA, 1979). 3. [↵][8]1. K. Emmorey, 2. H. Lane 1. E. L. Newport, 2. T. Supalla , K. Emmorey, H. Lane, The Signs of Language Revisited (Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, Mahwah, NJ, 2000), p. 103. 4. [↵][9]J. Woodward, in ([3][4]), p. 23. [1]: /lookup/doi/10.1126/science.288.5469.1156 [2]: #ref-1 [3]: #ref-2 [4]: #ref-3 [5]: #ref-4 [6]: #xref-ref-1-1 "View reference 1 in text" [7]: #xref-ref-2-1 "View reference 2 in text" [8]: #xref-ref-3-1 "View reference 3 in text" [9]: #xref-ref-4-1 "View reference 4 in text"
Care of Patients with Ascites

Ascites is the pathologic accumulation of fluid in the peritoneal cavity. The condition develops most frequently as part of the decompensation of previously asymptomatic chronic liver disease (Table 1). Ascites is the most common complication of such disease, occurring in 50 percent of patients within 10 years of a diagnosis of compensated cirrhosis; in comparison, variceal bleeding develops in only 25 percent2. The development of fluid retention in a person with chronic liver disease is a poor prognostic sign; only 50 percent of such people survive two years3. The prognosis of patients with noncirrhotic ascites is quite variable . . .
Iron metabolism in Trypanosoma lewisi infection: Serum iron and serum iron-binding capacity

Progressive changes in iron levels, total iron binding capacity and hematocrit values in sera of rats infected with Trypanosoma lewisi are described. The host dietary group were: (1) complete or full complement; (2) iron-deficient, and (3) pair-fed or calorically restricted.
Iron loading into ferritin can be stimulated or inhibited by the presence of cations and anions: A specific role for phosphate

Phosphate and other oxo-anions have been shown to stimulate the rate of iron loading into ferritin (J. Polanams, A.D. Ray, R.K. Watt, Inorg. Chem. 44 (2005) 3203-3209). This study was undertaken to determine if accelerated iron loading was a specific effect for phosphate and closely associated oxo-anions or if it was a general anion effect. Controls were also performed with mono-valent cations to determine the effect of these cations on iron loading into ferritin. Cations were shown to slow the rate of iron loading into ferritin. Fluoride and iodide were shown to slow the iron loading process of ferritin. Sulfate was also shown to slow iron loading into ferritin to a more significant extent than the cations or halides tested. The trigonal planar oxo-anions, carbonate and nitrate, did not inhibit or stimulate iron loading. We conclude that the increased rate of iron loading into ferritin is specific to phosphate and other closely associated tetrahedral oxo-anion analogs, that the effect is driven by the insolubility of the iron and anion complex, and that in general, cations and anions slow the rate of iron loading into ferritin.
Pathogenic Mechanisms in Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy

Landmarks in the development of treatment of retinal detachment include the recognition of the significance of retinal breaks that resulted in the distinction between rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) and exudative retinal detachment, the development of indirect ophthalmoscopy and scleral depression that allow better visualization of the peripheral area of the retina and better identification of retinal breaks, the recognition of the need to seal all retinal breaks, and the realization that vitreous traction is the major underlying cause of retinal tears and RRD. Scleral buckling procedures combine retinopexy to provide a scar around retinal breaks to seal them and scleral indentation to neutralize vitreous traction; they provided the first effective treatment of RRD. As surgeons gained experience with scleral buckling, they became aware that some RRDs, particularly those with fixed folds and/or a funnel configuration, often could not be repaired using this approach. It was thought that excessive vitreous traction was at fault, and the condition was called "massive vitreous retraction." 1
Boron Nitride Nanotubes

The successful synthesis of pure boron nitride (BN) nanotubes is reported here. Multi-walled tubes with inner diameters on the order of 1 to 3 nanometers and with lengths up to 200 nanometers were produced in a carbon-free plasma discharge between a BN-packed tungsten rod and a cooled copper electrode. Electron energy-loss spectroscopy on individual tubes yielded B:N ratios of approximately 1, which is consistent with theoretical predictions of stable BN tube structures.
Increased Intrinsic Excitability of Lateral Wing Serotonin Neurons of the Dorsal Raphe: A Mechanism for Selective Activation in Stress Circuits

The primary center of serotonin (5-HT) projections to the forebrain is the dorsal raphe nucleus (DR), a region known for its role in the limbic stress response. The ventromedial subregion of the DR (vmDR) has the highest density of 5-HT neurons and is the major target in experiments that involve the DR. However, studies have demonstrated that a variety of stressors induce activation of neurons that is highest in the lateral wing subregion (lwDR) and includes activation of lwDR 5-HT neurons. Despite the functional role that the lwDR is known to play in stress circuits, little is known about lwDR 5-HT neuron physiology. Whole cell patch clamp electrophysiology in mice revealed that lwDR 5-HT cells have active and passive intrinsic membrane properties that make them more excitable than vmDR 5-HT neurons. In addition, lwDR 5-HT neurons demonstrated faster in vitro firing rates. Finally, within the vmDR there was a positive correlation between rostral position and increased excitability, among several other membrane parameters. These results are consistent with stressor induced patterns of activation of 5-HT neurons that includes, in addition to lwDR neurons, a small subset of rostral vmDR neurons. Thus increased intrinsic excitability likely forms a major part of the mechanism underlying the propensity to be activated by a stressor. The membrane properties identified in lwDR recordings may thereby contribute to a unique role of lwDR 5-HT neurons in adaptive responses to stress and in the pathobiology of stress-related mood disorders.
Cutaneous Vasculitis Following Cocaine Use in a 50-Year-Old Woman

Patient: 50-year-old white woman Chief Complaint: Painful splotchy rash on extremities and face History of Present Illness: The patient had had 2 previous hospitalizations with mention of purple skin lesions. During the second incidence, a skin biopsy was performed of a developing splotchy rash involving her extremities. This rash progressed from dusky to erythematous to a purplish discoloration with development of ulcers and blisters. The biopsy results showed leukocytoclastic vasculitis from both legs and neutrophilic dermatosis in other areas. On all occasions, the patient has left the hospital against medical advice before any further testing could be performed. Medical History: The patient admits to abuse of multiple substances: she uses cocaine and also drinks beer daily and smokes cigarettes (frequency not consistently reported by patient). She has hepatitis C and some renal dysfunction. The patient reports having binged on cocaine 3days before admission to the emergency department. Approximately 24 hours before admission, she had noted that her skin had begun to turn purple; she decided to go to the hospital after worsening of this purplish discoloration throughout her extremities and face. Family History: No history of cancers or skin diseases. History of alcohol abuse. Physical Examination Findings: Severe large …
Quick fmllr for speaker adaptation in speech recognition

Feature space maximum likelihood linear regression (fMLLR) is a widely used technique for speaker adaptation in HMM-based speech recognition. However, in extremely resource constrained systems the time required to perform the sufficient statistics accumulation for fMLLR adaptation can be considerable. In this paper we describe a novel method that can lead to significant reduction in the time taken for statistics accumulation while preserving the adaptation gains. The proposed quick fMLLR (Q-fMLLR) algorithm is implemented in a state-of-the-art large-vocabulary continuous speech recognition system, and evaluated on a broadcast transcription task. We present results both in terms of the average likelihood after adaptation and the character error rate. It is shown that Q-fMLLR attains the performance of regular fMLLR with a fraction of the computation.
Genetic diversity of Trichomonas vaginalis reinfection in HIV-positive women

Objectives Recently developed genotyping tools allow better understanding of Trichomonas vaginalis population genetics and epidemiology. These tools have yet to be applied to T vaginalis collected from HIV + populations, where understanding the interaction between the pathogens is of great importance due to the correlation between T vaginalis infection and HIV transmission. The objectives of the study were twofold: first, to compare the genetic diversity and population structure of T vaginalis collected from HIV + women with parasites from reference populations; second, to use the genetic markers to perform a case study demonstrating the usefulness of these techniques in investigating the mechanisms of repeat infections. Methods Repository T vaginalis samples from a previously described treatment trial were genotyped at 11 microsatellite loci. Estimates of genetic diversity and population structure were determined using standard techniques and compared with previously reported estimates of global populations. Genotyping data were used in conjunction with behavioural data to evaluate mechanisms of repeat infections. Results T vaginalis from HIV + women maintain many of the population genetic characteristics of parasites from global reference populations. Although there is evidence of reduced diversity and bias towards type 1 parasites in the HIV + population, the populations share a two-type population structure and parasite haplotypes. Genotyping/behavioural data suggest that 36% (12/33) of repeat infections in HIV + women can be attributed to treatment failure. Conclusions T vaginalis infecting HIV + women is not genetically distinct from T vaginalis infecting reference populations. Information from genotyping can be valuable for understanding mechanisms of repeat infections.
Hegemony Strikes Out: The U.S. Global Role in Antitrust, Tax Evasion, and Illegal Immigration

Both popular writing and serious scholarship suggest that “American hegemony” is very much in vogue.[1][1] This article argues against the use of the term, especially as it applies to economic matters. “American hegemony” does more than oversimplify: it distorts and seriously misleads. [1]: #fn-2
VIBFtATION SUPPRESSION IN HELICOPTERS USING THE ACSR* APPROACH WITH IMPROVED AERODYNAMIC MODELING

A coupled rotor/fuselage aeroelastic response model with refined aerodynamics is described. The flexible fuselage is modeled by a three-dimensional structural dynamic finite element model combined wit,h a flexible, four-bladed lungeless rotor. The unsteady aerodynamic loads are obtained from a free wake model combined with rotor/fuselage interactional aerodynamic effects.mThe effects of the various aerodynamic refinements on vibratory loads and fuselage accelerations are studied. Active control of structural response (ACSR) is employed to reduce vibrations. Results indicate a significant increase in vibratory loads and fuselage vibrations when using the refined aerodynamic model. The ACSR system has remarkable potential for reduction of fuselage accelerations without influencing the rotor loads.
A scalable neuristor built with Mott memristors

The Hodgkin-Huxley model for action potential generation in biological axons is central for understanding the computational capability of the nervous system and emulating its functionality. Owing to the historical success of silicon complementary metal-oxide-semiconductors, spike-based computing is primarily confined to software simulations and specialized analogue metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor circuits. However, there is interest in constructing physical systems that emulate biological functionality more directly, with the goal of improving efficiency and scale. The neuristor was proposed as an electronic device with properties similar to the Hodgkin-Huxley axon, but previous implementations were not scalable. Here we demonstrate a neuristor built using two nanoscale Mott memristors, dynamical devices that exhibit transient memory and negative differential resistance arising from an insulating-to-conducting phase transition driven by Joule heating. This neuristor exhibits the important neural functions of all-or-nothing spiking with signal gain and diverse periodic spiking, using materials and structures that are amenable to extremely high-density integration with or without silicon transistors.