cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A potent gelatinase inhibitor with anti-tumor-invasive activity and its metabolic disposition.

Metastatic tumors lead to more than 90% fatality. Despite the importance of invasiveness of tumors to poor disease outcome, no anti-invasive compounds have been commercialized. We describe herein the synthesis and evaluation of 4-(4-(thiiranylmethylsulfonyl)phenoxy)-phenyl methane-sulfonate (compound 2) as a potent and selective inhibitor of gelatinases (matrix metalloproteinases-2 and -9), two enzymes implicated in invasiveness of tumors. It was demonstrated that compound 2 significantly attenuated the invasiveness of human fibrosarcoma cells (HT1080). The metabolism of compound 2 involved hydroxylation at the a-methylene, which generates sulfinic acid, thiirane ring-opening, followed by methylation and oxidation, and cysteine conjugation of both the thiirane and phenyl rings.
Peptide photodissociation at 157 nm in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer.

The photodissociation by 157 nm light of singly- and doubly-charged peptide ions containing C- or N-terminal arginine residues was studied in a linear ion trap mass spectrometer. Singly-charged peptides yielded primarily x- and a-type ions, depending on the location of the arginine residue, along with some related side-chain fragments. These results are consistent with our previous work using a tandem time-of-flight (TOF) instrument with a vacuum matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) source. Thus, the different internal energies of precursor ions in the two experiments seem to have little effect on their photofragmentation. For doubly-charged peptides, the dominant fragments observed in both photodissociation and collisionally induced dissociation (CID) experiments are b- and y-type ions. Preliminary experiments demonstrating fragmentation of multiply-charged ubiquitin ions by 157 nm photodissociation are also presented. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Constitutively active Gq-α stimulates prolactin promoter activity via a pathway involving Raf activity

We have investigated the ability of a constitutively active Gq-alpha mutant, Q209L-alpha q, to regulate target gene expression. Transient expression in GH3 pituitary cells of a rat proximal prolactin promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase construct (-187)PRL-CAT, was stimulated by co-expression of Q209L alpha q, but not by wild-type alpha q. Q209L-alpha q stimulated expression of constructs driven by promoters for either rat prolactin or growth hormone, but not of a control construct driven by the thymidine kinase promoter. Thus, transcriptional effects of alpha q are specific both for the activated state of this G-alpha subunit and the promoter examined. Since both the prolactin and growth hormone promoters are activated by the pituitary cell-specific transcription factor Pit-1, we examined whether a Pit-1 binding site could direct a response to Q209L-alpha q. Two copies of prolactin promoter Pit-1 binding site 1P conferred upon a heterologous metallothionein promoter a response to Q209L-alpha q, implying an involvement of this site in the transcriptional action of Q209L-alpha q on the prolactin promoter. The phorbol ester activator of protein kinase C, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, stimulated (-187)PRL-CAT activity, but opposed the action of Q209L-alpha q on activity of this PRL-CAT construct. Q209L-alpha q stimulation of (-187)PRL-CAT activity was inhibited by co-expression of a dominant negative Raf mutant, Raf-C4, but not by a point mutant of Raf-C4 with reduced inhibitory properties. These results imply that activated alpha q subunits can stimulate prolactin promoter activity via a pathway that involves a Pit-1 DNA binding site(s), is opposed by protein kinase C, and is mediated by a pathway in which Raf-1 kinase plays a role.
A cost-effective reliable multipath interconnection network

A new class of multistage interconnection networks is proposed. A network in this class consists of a standard multistage network, such as an omega network, augmented by multiplexers at the source nodes and demultiplexers at the destination. In addition, the first several stages are capable of adapting their routing decisions to avoid faults elsewhere in the network. The terminal reliability of this network is derived, and it is shown to have superior reliability, at a much lower cost than previous networks of similar fault tolerance. It is demonstrated that the proposed network's probability of acceptance, a common measure of performance for circuit-switched networks, is comparable to other networks of similar cost, but the greater number of paths it provides between source and destination should give it better performance under non-uniform traffic conditions.
SHADOW DARK MATTER AS A MANIFESTATION OF i ↔ -i SYMMETRY IN PRE-QUANTUM TRACE DYNAMICS

We propose an alternate version of the "shadow world" hypothesis for the origin of dark matter. Instead of postulating that the shadow world is a "mirror" world under parity or charge-parity reflection, we suggest that the existence of a shadow world arises from the fact that i or –i can be the imaginary unit in complex quantum mechanics. This mechanism is a natural consequence of "trace dynamics" pre-quantum theory, from which quantum mechanics over the complex number field emerges as a statistical mechanical approximation. Because the pre-quantum dynamics does not pick out a preferred imaginary unit, the emergent quantum dynamics contains two sectors, one based on i and the other on –i, with both sectors coupled to gravity.
Efficient Methods for Time-Dependent Fatigue Reliability Analysis

Two efficient methods for time-dependent fatigue reliability analysis are proposed in this paper based on a random process representation of material fatigue properties and a nonlinear damage accumulation rule. The first method is developed by matching the first two central moments of the accumulated damage to a well-known probability distribution, thus facilitating a direct analytical solution of the time-dependent fatigue reliability. The second method uses the first-order reliability method to calculate the reliability index based on a time-dependent limit state function. These two methods represent different tradeoffs between accuracy and computational efficiency. The proposed methods include the covariance structure of the stochastic damage accumulation process under variable amplitude loading. A wide range of fatigue data available in the literature is used to validate the proposed methods, covering several different types of metallic and composite materials under different variable amplitude loading.
MRI of the pediatric shoulder: nontraumatic lesions

Magnetic resonance imaging is an established technique for imaging the shoulder because it demonstrates clearly the articular surfaces, medullary canal and the extra-articular soft tissues which can be affected in shoulder disorders. The value of MR imaging in the evaluation of the traumatized shoulder has been described [1]; however, few cases of MR imaging in nontraumatic disorders in children have been reported. We reviewed the findings in 55 children undergoing MRI of the shoulder for nontraumatic conditions and included selected cases showing a broad range of imaging findings.
The evolution of theories of intelligence

A three-stage model for the evolution of theories of intelligence is proposed. I claim that the model applies to theory development within a given approach (world-view) to studying intelligence; and I illustrate how the model can be applied to understanding the evolution of correlationally-based and experimentally-based theories of intelligence. In the first of the three stages, two alternative conceptions of intelligence—a monistic one and a pluralistic one—compete with each other. The competition between them is eventually resolved in the second stage, not in favor of one or the other of these initial two conceptions but rather in favor of two other possible conceptions, each of which combines elements of the first-stage conceptions in a different way. These two new conceptions—a hierarchical one and a non-hierarchical (overlapping) one—also compete with each other. The competition between them is eventually resolved in the third stage of theory evolution. Again, it is not resolved in favor of one conception or the other, but rather in favor of a hybrid conception that combines elements of both second-stage conceptions. At the third stage of theory evolution, tension does not result from competition between two conceptions, but rather from the realization that the current conception of intelligence does not fully answer the questions it was supposed to answer, and that there doesn't seem to be anywhere to go with the existing approach. At this point, theorizing either stagnates, proceeds to a new subapproach, or else proceeds to a new approach altogether.
Dielectric relaxation in dipole glasses, and thermal relaxation and the glass transition in systems with a maximum relaxation time

Abstract The dielectric relaxation of dipole glasses, represented through a complex conductivity, is describable by a sublinear frequency dependence of the real part of the conductivity, σ(ω) at high frequencies (above the relaxation peak frequency, ωc) and a supralinear, possibly quadratic, frequency dependence at low frequencies, ω σ(ω) σ(ω c ) = g ( ω ω c ) . This simple scaling formulation for σ(ω) translates into a rather complex scaling relationship for the dielectric constant. A plausible explanation of these results is given. The question of whether the glass transition in dipole glasses can be repsesented as a process of dynamic percolation at a percolation time, tp, related to ωc−1 is also considered in an indirect fashion. Evidence for such an interpretation is given.
Effect of ovariectomy on concentration of progesterone in blood plasma and urinary estrogen excretion rate in the pregnant bovine.

Abstract Blood from the jugular vein and urine were collected from cows before and after ovariectomy during pregnancy, to evaluate the effect of ovariectomy on the concentration of progesterone in plasma, the urinary estrogen excretion rate, and their relationship to pregnancy maintenance. Plasma progesterone concentration in 115 samples of blood from intact cows averaged 36±1.1ng/ml and did not change significantly from 181 days of pregnancy through 12 hours post-partum. However, the peak level was 44±2.7ng/ml at 261 days, compared with 33±3.6ng/ml at parturition. Plasma progesterone at seven days post-ovariectomy was unchanged compared with the presurgical concentration, but declined significantly thereafter and remained low through one day post-partum. The average for 109 samples taken nine or more days after surgery was 17±0.9ng/ml. Levels as low as 10ng/ml in some cows were associated with maintenance of pregnancy, though all cows which maintained pregnancy 264 days or longer following ovariectomy from 200 to 237 days had abnormal parturition and retained fetal membranes. Plasma progesterone levels were as low following removal of the CL-bearing ovary as after bilateral ovariectomy. Urinary estrogen excretion rate was generally maintained after ovariectomy, with some evidence (not significant) that a decrease below presurgical levels occurred 30 or more days after ovariectomy.
Sexual Maturity, Fecundity, and Sex Ratios of the Skipjack Tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus), in North Carolina Waters

Abstract Sexual maturity, gonad index relationships, size at maturity, histology of gonadal changes, ova diameter frequencies, fecundity, and sex ratios were determined for skipjack tuna, Katsuwonus pelamis (Linnaeus), from Hatteras and Oregon Inlet, North Carolina. Minimum lengths of sexually mature fish were 435 mm and 454 mm for males and females, respectively. Fifty percent of the females were sexually mature at 500 mm long. Gross and microscopic examination of gonads along with gonad indices demonstrated that late June and early July were peak spawning times. Histological sections of gonads validated the stages of sexual maturity as determined from field examination. The ova diameter frequency of a nearly ripe fish showed three distinct modes: 0.15 mm, 0.50–0.60 mm, and 0.95 mm. Multiplicity of ova diameter modes and the presence of residual ova in fish with a new ripening group of ova demonstrated that skipjack tuna are multiple spawners. Fecundity estimates indicated that a fish 498 mm long spawns ...
Enzymic degradation of gangliosides.

As in the case for the enzymic degradation of sugar chains in other glycoconjugates, the following considerations should be made in investigating the enzymic degradation of saccharide chains in gangliosides. One should be aware of the fact that the same glycosidase isolated from different sources may vary considerably in its substrate specificity. In some instances, the reactions are greatly affected by the amount and the nature of the detergent or the activator to be included in the reaction mixture. In addition, one should consider the substrate concentration and the ionic strength of the buffer, as they may severely affect enzyme activity. It is also very important to realize that O-acetylated or O-methylated glycons are often resistant to glycosidases. Finally, one should bear in mind that the glycosidases used may be contaminated with one or several unexpected enzyme activities.
A Confluence of Interests in Immigration Enforcement: How Politicians, the Media, and Corporations Profit from Immigration Policies Destined to Fail

The concept of an immigration industrial complex draws from previous work on the prison industrial complex and the military industrial complex. All three of these complexes point to the ways that the interests of government bureaucracies, corporate elites, and politicians shape laws and policies. This article explains how the undocumented status of migrants provides advantages to at least three groups: (a) media pundits who make their careers railing against ‘illegal aliens’; (b) politicians who use undocumented migrants as scapegoats; and (c) contractors who profit from massive immigration enforcement expenditures. The disenfranchised status of undocumented migrants enhances the ability of each of these groups to benefit from their presence. This confluence of interests explains why Congress has not enacted viable immigration policies that effectively deal with the ‘problem’ of illegal immigration. This is the second in a two-part series on the immigration industrial complex.
Alterations in physiological parameters of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) with exposure to copper and copper/zinc mixtures.

Rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) were exposed to sublethal concentrations of copper (Cu, 14 μg/liter) and zinc (Zn, 57 and 81 μg/liter) for a 21-day period. The four treatments included a control, a Cu control, a Cu and low-Zn treatment and a Cu and high-Zn treatment. Selected parameters [e.g., hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), plasma glucose, lactate and cortisol, differential leukocyte count, respiratory burst, tissue metal concentrations, hepatic metallothionein (MT), brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE)] were evaluated at 2, 7, 14, and 21 days of exposure. Whole blood and plasma parameters were not altered by exposure to metals. The percentage of lymphocytes was consistently decreased in the three metal treatments, while percentages of neutrophils and monocytes were increased. Respiratory burst activity was elevated in all metal treatments. Gill Zn concentration was highly variable, with no significant alterations occurring. Gill Cu concentration was elevated above control levels in all metal treatments. Gill Cu concentration in the two Cu/Zn treatments was also elevated above levels in the Cu control. Hepatic metal concentrations and MT levels were not altered from control values. Measurements of brain AChE indicated an elevation in this parameter across metal treatments. In general, alterations in physiological parameters appeared to be due to Cu, with Zn having no interactive effect.
Placebo cigarettes in a spaced smoking paradigm

Existing evidence supports the notion that nicotine delivery and recentness of smoking mediate the effects of smoking, including decreases in tobacco craving. However, smoking placebo (denicotinized) cigarettes decreases tobacco craving after overnight abstinence. The present study tested whether the recentness of smoking was an important determinant in the ability of a placebo cigarette to reduce tobacco craving. Placebo (0.07 mg nicotine) and conventional (1.1 mg nicotine) cigarettes were used in a spaced smoking paradigm. In six experimental sessions lasting 240 min, subjects smoked either a placebo or conventional nicotine cigarette in intervals of either 30, 60, or 240 min. Heart rate (HR), exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) levels, and subjective (Schuh-Stitzer, QSU) measures of tobacco craving were obtained throughout the spaced smoking paradigm. HR and CO levels increased after smoking both types of cigarettes. Increasing the interval since the last cigarette significantly (p<0.001) increased the baseline values of tobacco craving. Smoking either the placebo or the conventional cigarette caused a significant (p<0.01) reduction in the craving score after smoking. However, the nicotine yield of the cigarette did not influence these patterns. It is concluded that acute tobacco cravings can be repeatedly diminished with cigarettes that do not deliver nicotine.
Equivalence of NC k and AC k–1 closures of NP and other classes

Gottlob (1993, in "Proceedings, 34th IEEE Symposium on Foundations of Computer Science," pp. 42-51) showed that any set recognized by polynomial-size, log-depth trees with queries to SAT is ≤ptt-reducible to NP. Based on his technique, it is shown for any set A and any k ≥ 1 that NCk (A) ⊆ ACk − 1(RNPctt(A)) where RNPctt(A) is the ≤NPctt-closure of A. As a consequence, it is shown for any class C that is closed under ≤NPctt-reductions, such as NP and C=P, and for any k ≥ 1 that NCk(C) = ACk − 1 (C), which resolves a question that has remained open for a long time.
Forecasting with Mixed Economic Signals: A Cautionary Tale

In every respect, the 2000 election defied what had become the conventional wisdom about American presidential elections—that the electorate rewards the incumbent administration for good economic times and punishes it for bad economic times. Occurring at a time when the incumbent president enjoyed fairly high levels of approval and the nation enjoyed relative economic prosperity, it seemed the 2000 election had all the markings of an election in which voters would support the status quo and vote to return a Democrat to the White House. Indeed, a group of election forecasters gathered at the 2000 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association and offered predictions that Gore would win a plurality of the two-party popular vote that ranged from 52.8% to 60.3%. The forecasts were as follows: Alan Abramowitz, 53.2%; James Campbell, 52.8%; Thomas Holbrook, 60.3%; Michael Lewis-Beck and Charles Tien, 55.4%; Brad Lockerbie, 60.3% (revised after the APSA roundtable); Helmut Norpoth, 55.0%; Christopher Wlezien and Robert Erikson, 55.2%. All forecasts are for the incumbent party candidate's percent of the two-party vote. Of course, we now know that although Gore did manage to win the popular vote by the slimmest of margins, he lost the electoral vote by an equally slim margin, and George W. Bush was elected president.
A novel α5GABA(A)R-positive allosteric modulator reverses hyperactivation of the dopamine system in the MAM model of schizophrenia.

We have shown previously that aberrant hippocampal (HPC) output underlies the dopamine (DA) dysfunction observed in the methylazoxymethanol acetate (MAM) developmental model of schizophrenia in the rodent. This alteration of HPC activity was proposed to result from a reduction in parvalbumin (PV)-expressing GABAergic interneurons and consequent destabilization of the output of pyramidal neurons, as well as disrupted activation across a broad neural network. In vivo extracellular recordings were performed in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and ventral HPC of saline- (SAL) and MAM-treated animals. A novel benzodiazepine-positive allosteric modulator (PAM), selective for the α5 subunit of the GABAA receptor, SH-053-2′F-R-CH3, was tested for its effects on the output of the HPC, leading to dopamine system hyperactivity in MAM-treated animals. In addition, the effect of SH-053-2′F-R-CH3 on the hyperactive locomotor response to amphetamine in MAM animals was examined. We demonstrate that treatment with the α5GABAAR PAM reduced the number of spontaneously active DA neurons in the VTA of MAM animals to levels observed in SAL rats, both when administered systemically and when directly infused into the ventral HPC. Moreover, HPC neurons in both SAL and MAM animals showed diminished cortical-evoked responses following α5GABAAR PAM treatment. In addition, the increased locomotor response to amphetamine observed in MAM rats was reduced following α5GABAAR treatment. This study supports a novel treatment of schizophrenia that targets abnormal HPC output, which in turn normalizes dopaminergic neuronal activity.
A Phase I Trial of Bortezomib and Sorafenib in Advanced Malignant Melanoma

Lessons learned This study is a rare example of effective doses of both targeted agents being both administered and tolerated.This combination should not be used in melanoma. Background Sorafenib and bortezomib affect BCL family member expression. We previously demonstrated that bortezomib augmented sorafenib-mediated cytotoxicity in melanoma cell lines in vitro. We aimed to combine sorafenib 400 mg b.i.d. with increasing doses of weekly bortezomib. Methods Patients with metastatic melanoma were enrolled in dose-escalation cohorts to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of sorafenib (twice daily) in combination with bortezomib (weekly for 3 of 4 weeks). The MTD was defined as the highest dose level at which less than 33% of patients exhibited a dose-limiting toxicity (DLT). Efficacy, as measured by 6-month progression-free survival and response rate per RECIST, was documented. Results Eleven patients were enrolled at three dose levels. DLTs (fatigue and rash) were seen in two of three patients at the highest dose level. Five patients were enrolled for sorafenib 400 mg b.i.d. and bortezomib 1.0 mg/m(2) weekly for 3 of every 4 weeks; none had DLTs, and this dose level was defined as the MTD. Of 10 evaluable patients, no responses were seen. Two of 11 patients (18%) remained progression free for longer than 6 months. Conclusion The combination of sorafenib and bortezomib is safe but not active in patients with melanoma.
Heat shock protein 70, erythropoietin, and cancer.

Erythropoietin, and Cancer TO THE EDITOR: Henke et al recently reported that erythropoietin receptor (EpoR) tumor status correlated with progression-free survival outcomes for patients with head and neck cancer scheduled for radiotherapy, who were randomly assigned to receive erythropoietin or placebo. A primary criticism of this study has been the controversy regarding the specificity of the EpoR antibody (C-20; Santa Cruz Biotechnologies, Santa Cruz, CA) used for immunohistochemical staining. Interestingly, C-20 has been reported to recognize heat shock protein 70 (HSP-70) almost exclusively, due to cross-reactivity of the EpoR immunizing peptide. The significance of HSP-70 staining in the study by Henke et al should be re-examined, in light of recent data. Although overexpression of HSPs, and HSP-70 in particular, in a wide variety of human tumors and their potential associations with clinical outcomes have been reported, a direct link between HSP-70 and erythropoietin exposure had not been previously established. However, Ribeil et al, recently reported that in the presence of erythropoietin, HSP-70 protects nuclear transcription factor GATA-1 from caspase-mediated proteolysis, resulting in erythroid differentiation. In contrast, in the absence of erythropoietin, HSP-70 is exported out of the nucleus, GATA-1 is cleaved, and erythroid precursors undergo apoptosis. These results evoke several relevant questions, including: what is the relationship between HSP-70 and erythropoietin in tumor cells? In particular, does erythropoietin differentially promote tumor cell survival based on HSP-70 expression? With regard to tumor biopsy study by Henke et al, was the C-20 antibody used in this study actually distinguishing HSP-70–positive and –negative tumors (rather than, or in addition to EpoR)? Was it HSP-70 expression that correlated with progression-free survival outcomes for patients exposed to erythropoietin or placebo? Re-examining these tumors with an HSP-70– specific antibody would address this issue directly. Future prospective and retrospective studies designed to further examine the relationship between erythropoietin exposure and tumor progression and survival, should consider HSP-70 tumor expression status in those trials that include tumor biopsies. Such studies, coupled with emerging biologic data, such as the study by Ribeil et al, will guide rational treatment recommendations for the use of erythroid stimulating agents in patients with cancer.
Impact of base doping profile on stability characteristics of SiGe HBTs

The influence of doping profile on stability characteristics of SiGe HBTs in both common-emitter and common-base configurations is studied for the first time. It is found that the base doping concentration has a strong influence on the stability characteristics of the common-base configuration. An unconditional stability operation condition for the common-base SiGe HBTs can be potentially realized over the entire amplification frequency range by employing sufficiently high base-doping concentrations
Genetic properties of chromosomally integrated 2μ plasmid DNA in yeast

We obtained strains of yeast with large segments of 2 mu plasmid DNA integrated at several chromosomal locations by selecting genetically for recombination between a chromosomal sequence carried on a 2 mu-circle-containing hybrid plasmid and a homologous sequence on the chromosome. In all diploids examined, the presence of 2 mu circle sequences causes a marked instability of the chromosome into which the 2 mu DNA is inserted. Although in some cases the loss of genetic markers is due to physical loss of the entire chromosome, in most cases the loss of markers appears to be due to a mitotic homozygotization of markers: the allelic information from the homologous chromosome replaces the information distal to the integrated 2 mu DNA. The instability caused by integrated 2 mu DNA sequences requires the activity of the specialized site-specific recombination system encoded by the 2 mu plasmid. We propose that the presence of integrated 2 mu DNA allows efficient integration of additional copies of the intact 2 mu plasmid by the action of the plasmid-coded special recombination system. Unequal sister-strand exchanges within the inverted repetition would result in the formation of dicentric chromosomes whose breakage during mitosis might begin a cycle analogous to the breakage-fusion-bridge cycle described many years ago in maize.
Ratings and rankings: reconsidering the structure of values and their measurement

Despite extensive discussion and analysis over the past three decades, researchers are still divided over the preferability of rating or ranking systems for measuring values. However, the debate originates from the false premise that one method must be used to the exclusion of the other. A conceptualization of the value structure that uses characteristics of both rating and ranking systems opens up theory and research to a more complex understanding of values. Data from the 1995–1997 World Values Survey demonstrate how using both rating and ranking systems can lead to distinct and equally valid conclusions about the differences in value importance among the nations of the world. This suggests that either method by itself provides an incomplete understanding of the value structure. While the potential methodological complications of using both ratings and rankings must be explored, the additional cost would be a productive investment for moving beyond the rating–ranking impasse.
Thermoregulatory effects of chlorpyrifos in the rat: Long-term changes in cholinergic and noradrenergic sensitivity

Abstract Subcutaneous injection of a sublethal dose of chlorpyrifos (CHLP), an organophosphate (OP) pesticide, causes long-term inhibition in cholinesterase activity (ChE) of brain, blood, and other tissues. Such prolonged inhibition in ChE should lead to marked behavioral and autonomic thermoregulatory patterns, especially in terms of altered noradrenergic and cholinergic sensitivity. To evaluate the behavioral and autonomic effects of long-term ChE inhibition, Long-Evans rats were implanted with radiotelemetry transmitters that continuously monitored core temperature (Tc), heart rate (HR), and motor activity (MA). These parameters were monitored for 7 days following a single injection of peanut oil (vehicle control) or 280 mg/kg CHLP. CHLP led to a significant reduction in Tc during the first night after treatment but had no other effects on Tc. CHLP also resulted in a significant elevation in HR which lasted for ∼72 h. Motor activity was unaffected by CHLP. Cholinergic and noradrenergic drug sensitivity was assessed between 7 and 25 days after CHLP. CHLP-treated rats were more sensitive to norepinephrine as based on a greater hyperthermic response. MA of CHLP-treated rats was more sensitive to scopolamine. On the other hand, the hypothermic effects of oxotremorine (0.4 mg/kg) were nearly abolished by CHLP treatment, indicating tolerance to cholinergic stimulation. The tachycardic effects of methylscopolamine were also greater in the CHLP group. Overall, the acute effects of CHLP are unusual compared to other OP's in that there is no hypothermic response, an attenuated nocturnal elevation in Tc and a prolonged elevation in HR. The CHLP treated rat exhibits a prolonged elevation in HR, hypersensitivity to noradrenergic stimulation and cholinergic antagonism but hyposensitivity to central cholinergic stimulation.
Distributed fault detection of wireless sensor networks

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have become a new information collection and monitoring solution for a variety of applications. Faults occurring to sensor nodes are common due to the sensor device itself and the harsh environment where the sensor nodes are deployed. In order to ensure the network quality of service it is necessary for the WSN to be able to detect the faults and take actions to avoid further degradation of the service. The goal of this paper is to locate the faulty sensors in the wireless sensor networks. We propose and evaluate a localized fault detection algorithm to identify the faulty sensors. The implementation complexity of the algorithm is low and the probability of correct diagnosis is very high even in the existence of large fault sets. Simulation results show the algorithm can clearly identify the faulty sensors with high accuracy.
Early postnatal exposure to methylphenidate alters stress reactivity and increases hippocampal ectopic granule cells in adult rats.

To mimic clinical treatment with methylphenidate (MPH; Ritalin) for attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), rat pups were injected with MPH (5 mg/kg, I.P.) or placebo twice daily during their nocturnal active phase from postnatal day (PND) 7–35. Thirty-nine days after the last MPH administration (PND 76), four litters of rats experienced stressful conditions during the 2003 New York City blackout. MPH-treated rats that endured the blackout lost more weight and regained it at a slower pace than controls (p < 0.05; N = 7–11 per group). Furthermore, MPH-treated rats had elevated systolic arterial blood pressure (from 115.6 ± 1.2 to 126 ± 1.8 mmHg; p < 0.05), assessed on PND 130 by tail cuff plethysmography. Immunocytochemical studies of transmitter systems in the brain demonstrated rearrangements of catecholamine and neuropeptide Y fibers in select brain regions at PND 135, which did not differ between blackout and control groups. However, MPH-treated rats that endured the blackout had more ectopic granule cells in the hilus of the dorsal hippocampal dentate gyrus compared to controls at PND 135 (p < 0.05; N = 6 per group). These findings indicate that early postnatal exposure to high therapeutic doses of MPH can have long lasting effects on the plasticity of select brain regions and can induce changes in the reactivity to stress that persist into adulthood.
Electromyography: do the diagnostic ends justify the means?

Abstract Background: Physicians are sometimes reluctant to refer patients for electrodiagnostic studies (electromyography with nerve conduction studies [EMG/NCS]) believing the test is too painful and of little benefit. Methods: We performed two separate surveys on 126 and 100 consecutive patients referred to our laboratory to determine if EMG/NCS was beneficial to the referring physician and to compare the level of anxiety experienced by patients before the study with the pain actually experienced during the study. Results: The electrodiagnosis was discordant from the referring diagnosis in 39% of the patients with an abnormal EMG/NCS. Pretest anxiety levels were low in 59% of the patients, medium in 27%, and high in 14%. After the tests, 82% of the patients said that the test was not as bad as expected, and was generally only mildly painful. Ninety-three responded that they would have the test performed again. Conclusions: EMG/NCS often suggest alternative diagnoses, and the actual pain experienced during an EMG/NCS study is significantly less than expected.
The Lesser of Two Inefficiencies: An Anticommons Alternative to Perpetual Conservation Easements

This paper argues that a spatial anticommons is a relatively more efficient land-preservation mechanism than a perpetual conservation easement.Conservation easements represent a new kind of right in the bundle of sticks that is property ownership — a perpetual negative restriction on land, enforceable by the holder, that prohibits the land owner from using the land in any way that is contrary to the terms of the easement. The requirement of perpetuity raises efficiency concerns. Even if it is socially optimal to conserve the land at the time the easement is created, changes in technology, climate, and preferences may render conservation suboptimal in the future. Yet future landowners have no ability to reallocate the land to a more efficient use. Conservation easements are nearly impossible to modify or terminate. As a result, conservation easements may impose long-term costs on society as land is tied up in socially suboptimal conservation. This paper argues that an anticommons may provide a way to both protect conservation interests and allow for the reallocation of land when reallocation is efficient. Creating an anticommons preserve involves fragmenting the land into small parcels and distributing them to individuals. The parcels are too small to develop, and so, any potential developer must acquire many parcels before the land can be converted from conservation. Facing high transaction and strategic costs, the developer will choose to acquire and develop the land only when the land’s value as a development is significantly higher than its value as a preserve. Thus, although the anticommons is not absolutely efficient, it is relatively more efficient than a perpetual conservation easement because it does not include a legal bar to reallocation.Part I of the paper defines the anticommons and the perpetual conservation easement. Part II explores the problems with perpetual conservation. Part III explains why perpetual conservation easements succumb to these problems and why conservation easements cannot simply be modified to be more efficient. Part IV describes the structure of the anticommons preserve and explains when, and why, the anticommons is preferable to perpetual conservation easements. Finally, Part V considers legal hurdles to creating an anticommons land preserve.
Epidemiology of inflammatory bowel disease

The incidence of IBD has either continued to increase or has stabilized at a high rate in most developed countries, whereas the incidence continues to rise in regions where IBD had been less common. The prevalence has continued to increase as a result of a combination of previously rising incidence and improved survival. Regardless of the exact prevalence, the burden of disease in North America and Europe is significant. Studying the patterns of geographic variation and age and gender distribution may yield important clues to the cause of IBD.
An application of the three-parameter IRT model to vertical equating

This study examined the effectiveness of the three- parameter IRT model in vertically equating five over lapping levels of a mathematics computation test. One to four test levels were administered within intact classrooms to randomly equivalent groups of third through eighth grade students. Test characteristic curves were derived for each grade/test level combina tion. It was generally found that an examinee would receive a higher ability estimate if the test level ad ministered had been calibrated on less able examinees. Practical implications for "out-of-level" and adaptive testing are discussed.
Mastocytosis with osseous lesions resembling metastatic malignant lesions in bone.

Seven cases in which osseous lesions of mastocytosis resemble metastatic malignant lesions in bone have been reported. Mast cells, a normal connective-tissue element with complex physiopharmacological aspects, may proliferate abnormally and produce an unusual clinical syndrome: mastocytosis. The skin is usually the first and often the only organ involved. The resultant rash (urticaria pigmentosa) has a somewhat varied appearance but characteristically urticates or flushes with trauma. In a small percentage of patients, the disease affects other organs, particularly the liver, spleen, and skeleton. The skeletal manifestations are often confused roentgenographically with those of metastatic carcinoma, as is manifested by the sequence of events in four of the seven cases reported here. Extensive osseous mastocytosis most closely resembles the myelosclerosis of agnogenic myeloid metaplasia. Typically, the differential roentgenographic features of osseous mastocytosis are the following: 1. The predominantly epiphyseal location in the long bones if scattered discrete lesions are present; 2. The sclerotic halo enveloping discrete lytic foci; 3. The uniform but non-homogeneous medullary distribution if extensive osteosclerosis is present; 4. The slight to moderate hepatosplenomegaly. In most instances, the suspicion of the presence of osseous mastocytosis can be quickly substantiated by checking the patient's skin. Additional confirmation by bone biopsy is desirable although the number of mast cells in a given specimen may not be increased. Final diagnosis depends on correlation of the cutaneous, clinical, roentgenographic, and pathological findings. Treatment is directed primarily at controlling symptoms produced by the elaboration of histamine by the abundant mast cells and at the secondary complications of systemic mastocytosis. Prognosis depends on the organs involved and the extent of the disease.
A thermodynamic model for mutual solubility of water and CO2 in brines

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the partitioning of CO2 and H2O components in different fluid phases. It reviews the numerically efficient thermodynamic model for phase partitioning in the CO2-H2O system without salinity. Modeling of CO2 disposal into saline formations requires accurate formulation for the Pressure-Volume-Temperature (PVT) properties, and mutual solubility of CO2 and water as a function of temperature, pressure, and salinity. The formulation includes the provisions to deal with the nonideality of CO2 at near-critical conditions that are shown to provide an excellent match to experimental data in the range 12–100°C and up to 600 bars. The chapter also reports on some results obtained by extending this formulation to account for dissolved salts in the aqueous phase. The basic solubility model for the pure components is based on equating chemical potentials in the gas and aqueous phases, and using a modified Redlich-Kwong (RK) equation of state to calculate fugacity coefficients of CO2 and H2O in the compressed gas phase. The mixing rules implemented in this model have a standard form, but assume infinite H2O dilution in the CO2-rich phase, allowing the use of a non-iterative algorithm for computing mutual solubilities at given pressures and temperatures.
Plague Immunization. VI. Vaccination with the Fraction I Antigen of Yersinia pestis

The vaccination of man against plague with Fraction I (FI), the specific capsular antigen of Yersinia pestis, stimulates significant mouse-protective indices (MPI) in approximately two-thirds of those inoculated subcutaneously, and the immunity persists for three months. Revaccination with FI raises the antibody levels of nearly 95% of previously immunized individuals to an extent rarely encountered in studies of plague vaccine. The MPI recorded are roughly equivalent to those observed in the sera of patients convalescing from plague. Although FI may cause delayed allergic reactions, the evidence is conclusive that it is an antigen of major importance among the "dead" Y. pestis vaccines currently in use.
Characterization and Representation of Near‐Fault Ground Motions Using Cumulative Pulse Extraction with Wavelet Analysis

Abstract This paper investigates the presence and characteristics of multiple pulses (with dominant period T P between 0.5 and 12 s) in historical near‐fault ground‐motion records. An iterative method for extracting multiple strong pulses embedded in a ground motion is presented. The method results in a representation of the pulse‐like part of the ground‐motion record composed of the sum of the extracted pulses. Each of the pulses is identified via wavelet analysis using the MP (b) the type of time domain (velocity or acceleration time history of the motion) at which the analysis is conducted; and (c) the three weighting functions used in the wavelet analysis. Finally, relationships between the dominant period of the extracted pulses, associated amplitudes, and earthquake magnitude are presented, indicating that the amplitude of the strongest pulses (with 1.5 s≤ T P ≤5 s) does not depend significantly on the earthquake magnitude. Online Material: Tables of parameters and pulse characterization, and figures of time histories and spectral response of extracted pulses.
Comparison of One- and Three-Mode Phase-Sensitive Wavelength Multicasting

Dual-pump driven, dispersion-synthesized parametric mixers have been identified as an efficient means for wavelength multicasting. In particular, four-mode phase-sensitive (PS) architecture, seeded by frequency-locked and phase-correlated four input optical signals, allows the parametric multicasting operated with ultralow noise and regenerative properties. To further corroborate the superiorities of the multimode PS operation, degenerate one- and three-mode PS parametric multicasting were numerically and experimentally compared, in terms of stability, phase manipulation, gain, and conversion efficiency, as well as noise performance.
First Trimester Hemoglobin A1c Prediction of Gestational Diabetes.

Objective The objective of this study is to examine whether a first trimester hemoglobin A1c (A1C) of 5.7 to 6.4% predicts an abnormal second trimester oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Methods We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all women screened with A1C through 13 (6/7) weeks' gestation between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. Prediabetic women (A1C of 5.7-6.4%) were compared with women with a normal first trimester A1C (< 5.7%). The primary outcome was an abnormal 2-hour, 75-g OGTT as defined by the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. Results There were 2,812 women who met inclusion criteria of whom 6.7% (n = 189) were prediabetic. Women with prediabetes were more likely to have gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) even after adjusting for potential confounders (29.1 vs. 13.7%; adjusted relative risk, 1.48; 95% confidence interval, 1.15-1.89). There were no statistically significant differences in secondary outcomes except that women with prediabetes had less excessive gestational weight gain. A prediabetic-range A1C in the first trimester was associated with a 13% sensitivity and a 94% specificity for predicting GDM Conclusion Although women with prediabetes by first trimester A1C are significantly more likely to have GDM, the low sensitivity of an A1C in this range renders it a poor test to identify women who will develop GDM.
An Activity Surveillance System for Building Based on Combining ZigBee and WiFi

ZigBee and WiFi have more obvious characteristics and these features are complementary each other.Combing ZigBee with WiFi has good prospect.This paper proposes an architecture of activity surveillance for building based on ZigBee tehnology and WiFi technology,finds out some ways to resolve some key technologies such as sensor data acquisition,the establishment of coordinate systems and robot control.It also proposes and implements a simple,easy to implement and efficient algorithm(the sub-cluster multi-hop routing algorithm based on energy balance).This algorithm can improve the existing sensor network.This activity surveillance system has been implemented and applied into practical application.
Screening for skin cancer.

Case study: S.B., a healthy 47-year-old woman, comes to your office for a routine check-up. S.B. has fair skin and a history of frequent sun exposure and sunburns when she was in college more than 25 years ago. She has no personal or family history of skin cancer.
The relationship between alterations in spermatozoal deoxyribonucleic acid, heparin binding sites, and semen quality.

Objective To assess the relationship between spermatozoal deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) and fertilizing potential. Design Semen samples were examined from nine fertile donors and six donors without a confirmed pregnancy. All samples were in the normal range for count, morphology, and motility. Spermatozoa from these specimens were stained with acridine orange or Feulgen's reagent. The presence of heparin binding sites was determined by counting the number of spermatozoa that bound to heparincoated agarose beads. Results Acridine orange staining demonstrated that in the fertile group 42%±2% of the spermatozoa fluoresced green indicating that the DNA was intact, whereas only 25%±3% of the spermatozoa fluoresced green in the nonfertile group ( P P P Conclusions These data demonstrate that in donor specimens with normal counts, morphology, and motility, a higher percentage of spermatozoa possess less and/or denatured DNA in the infertile group compared with the fertile donors. In contrast, the surface membranes of spermatozoa with altered DNA have heparin binding sites as do spermatozoa with intact DNA.