cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pre-pregnancy and pregnancy-related factors and the risk of excessive or inadequate gestational weight gain.

Objective: Gestational weight gain consistent with the Institute of Medicine's recommendations is associated with better maternal and infant outcomes. The objective was to quantify the effect of pre-pregnancy factors, pregnancy-related health conditions, and modifiable pregnancy factors on the risks of inadequate and excessive gestational weight gain. Method: A longitudinal cohort of pregnant women (N = 1100) who completed questions about diet and weight gain during pregnancy and delivered a singleton, full-term infant. Results: Gestational weight gain was inadequate for 14% and excessive for 53%. Pre-pregnancy factors contributed 74% to excessive gain, substantially more than pregnancy-related health conditions (15%) and modifiable pregnancy factors (11%). Pre-pregnancy factors, pregnancy-related health conditions, and modifiable pregnancy factors contributed fairly equally to the risk of inadequate gain. Conclusion: Interventions to prevent excessive gestational gain may need to start before pregnancy. Women at risk for inadequate gain would also benefit from interventions directed toward modifiable factors during pregnancy.
A method for predicting localised areas of cerebral ischemia from visual evoked responses

Abstract Responses to light flashes recorded from several scalp electrodes of a normal subject at rest and during alternate compression of the carotid arteries in the neck are analysed. The differences found in response characteristics between the subject at rest and during carotid compression may serve as indicatory of localised areas of cerebral ischemia. The results indicate a strong evidence that information about localised areas of cerebral ischemia is contained in the cepstra of the averaged visual evoked responses. The probability with which such areas can be localised using cepstral values as samples and linear multiple regression techniques for classification purposes has been estimated for our procedure and our sample size as being: Pa = 79 ± 17 per cent for left-right localisation, and Pb = 61 ± 16 per cent for left-none-right localisation.
Evaluating the validity and utility of scaling alcohol consumption indices alongside AUD symptoms in treatment-seeking adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Current initiatives to update diagnostic criteria for alcohol use disorders (AUDs) have stimulated dialogue about the usefulness of indicators of alcohol consumption in the diagnosis of AUDs. METHODS: This study used Rasch model analyses to examine the properties of alcohol consumption descriptors and AUD symptoms among 3382 treatment-seeking adolescents, aged 12-18 years, in the DATOS-A (United States Department of Health and Human Services, 1993-1995) baseline assessment, and evaluated the predictive validity of different scoring methods (with and without alcohol consumption) for 12-month alcohol involvement. RESULTS: Rasch model analyses supported the unidimensionality of indices of alcohol consumption and AUD symptoms. Test information functions showed that adding consumption items provides further information at all points of the alcohol involvement severity spectrum. Combining AUD symptoms with indices of alcohol consumption provided better prediction of alcohol involvement after treatment than either AUD symptom counts or DSM-IV dependence diagnosis alone. Differential item functioning (DIF), however, was observed for select items. Generally, indices of drinking "too much too fast" were more severe for females, African Americans and Hispanics, while the opposite was true for items measuring "too much too often". For age, "too much too often" items were more severe for the younger (12-14 years) age group, and AUD symptoms were more severe for the older (15-18 years) age group. CONCLUSIONS: Indices of alcohol consumption can be validly scaled along with AUD symptoms in this population, and their inclusion provides statistical measurement advantages. Nevertheless, caution is necessary in using consumption items in measuring alcohol involvement due to DIF observed across sex, race and age. Language: en
A Welcome to ICPC-2010

Today I want to reflect with you on the dramatic growth of the field of phosphorus chemistry that I have observed since my entry into it in 1950. At that time, phosphorus chemistry was scarcely kno...
Human soluble antigens and their use in sperm antibody testing.

ABSTRACT: Efforts were made to disrupt and solubilize human sperm cells and to evaluate the product for its content of infertility antibody-related antigens. In the procedure that was developed, a well-washed sperm sample is treated with 0.1 M dithiothreitol for 60 min, followed by trypsin at 0.1 mg/ml for 30 min, and then by soybean trypsin inhibitor. A mixture of DNAses I and II are added. After centrifuging, the resuspended pellet (RP) and the final supernatant (FS) show several degrees of cellular breakdown. Immunological evaluation was done with a strongly positive human serum containing sperm-head antibody. From the inhibition of sperm agglutination, we could conclude that the desired soluble antigen was obtained in the FS fraction.
Dynamics of Liquid-Protected Fusion Chambers

This paper presents an update of the work done at University of California, Berkeley (UCB) on thick-liquid protection of inertial fusion energy (IFE) chambers. UCB is focusing on microsecond, millisecond, and quasi-steady phenomena. Over microsecond time scales, numerical simulations, performed with the code TSUNAMI permit modeling of IFE chambers gas dynamics. For the millisecond range, the liquid jets response to the fusion reaction impulse loading is being studied for both Z-Pinch and HYLIFE-II-type chambers. A new mineral oil has been identified that allows scaled molten salt experiments with low distortion. Vortex tube flow, a key liquid structure of the 2002 Robust Point Design has been investigated in scaled experiments using the mineral oil, while a new design for thick liquid wall protection is under development. In quasi-steady phenomena, recent work has measured the Flibe vapor pressure and composition at near melting point temperature using mass spectrometry.
Conferring the Binding Properties of the Mouse MHC Class I-related Receptor, FcRn, onto the Human Ortholog by Sequential Rounds of Site-directed Mutagenesis

The MHC class I-related receptor, FcRn, is involved in binding and transporting immunoglobulin G (IgG) within and across cells. In contrast to mouse FcRn, which binds to IgGs from multiple different species, human FcRn is surprisingly stringent in binding specificity. For example, human FcRn does not bind to mouse IgG1 or IgG2a and interacts only weakly with mouse IgG2b. Here, we have used site-directed mutagenesis in combination with interaction (surface plasmon resonance) studies, with the goal of generating human FcRn variants that more closely resemble mouse FcRn in binding specificity. Our studies show that residues encompassing and extending away from the interaction site on the alpha2 helix of FcRn play a significant and most likely indirect role in FcRn-IgG interactions. Further, by combining mutations in the alpha2 helix with those in a non-conserved region of the alpha1 helix encompassing residues 79-89, we have generated a human FcRn variant that has properties very similar to those of mouse FcRn. These studies define the molecular basis for the marked difference in binding specificity between human and rodent FcRn, and give insight into how human FcRn recognizes IgGs.
Infectious DNA preparations from T2 and T4 bacteriophages.

Abstract Infectious DNA preparations have been obtained from T2 and T4 bacteriophages by a procedure employing phenol and also by means of sodium dodecyl sarcosinate. The following criteria for the demonstration of infectious DNA have been satisfied: resistance to heating, susceptibility to DNase, resistance to proteolytic enzymes such as trypsin, and susceptibility to shearing forces. Cells of Escherichia coli B 2,4 or B 2 when frozen-thawed could be used as a host system for the assay of DNA infectivity. Average burst size per infectious unit ranged from 5 to 20. Denatured and renatured T2 DNA were found to be noninfectious. Wild-type T4 phage were produced in frozenthawed cell preparations when infected with mixtures of T4am134 and T4am4309 DNA.
Corticosterone delivery to the amygdala increases corticotropin-releasing factor mRNA in the central amygdaloid nucleus and anxiety-like behavior

The present study examined the effects of stereotaxic delivery of corticosterone to the amygdala on anxiety-like behavior and corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) mRNA level in the central nucleus of the amygdala (CeA). Micropellets (30 μg) of crystalline corticosterone or cholesterol (control) were implanted bilaterally at the dorsal margin of the CeA in Wistar rats. Seven days post-implantation, anxiety-like behavior was accessed using an elevated plus-maze. CRF mRNA level in the CeA was determined by in situ hybridization 4 h after being tested on the elevated plus-maze. Corticosterone implants increased indices of anxiety on the elevated plus-maze and produced a concomitant increase in both basal level of CRF mRNA per neuron and the number of neurons with CRF hybridization signal in the CeA. The plus-maze increased CRF mRNA levels in the CeA of cholesterol implanted rats to the elevated basal levels observed in corticosterone treated animals. Exposure to the plus-maze did not increase CRF mRNA level in the CeA of corticosterone implanted rats beyond elevated basal levels. Taken together, these findings support the involvement of the amygdala in anxiety-like behaviors in response to chronically elevated corticosterone and suggests that elevated glucocorticoids may increase anxiety by inducing CRF expression in the CeA.
A Study of Language Teachers' Personal Practical Knowledge

Using data from class observations, interviews, and stimulus recall reports, this study examined how two in-service ESL teachers' personal practical knowledge informed their practice through a description of a tension each teacher faced in the classroom. Upon reflection and dialogue, these teachers articulated their personal practical knowledge in personalized language through the narrative reconstruction of their experiences as learners, teachers, and participants in a teacher education program. This knowledge informed their practice (a) by filtering experience so that the teachers reconstructed it and acted in response to the exigencies of a teaching situation and (b) by giving physical form to their practice; it is their knowledge in action. Furthermore, personal practical knowledge is an affective and moral way of knowing that is permeated with a concern for the consequences of practice for both teachers and students. Through their stories, teachers become aware of these consequences.
Biaxial mechanical properties of muscle-derived cell seeded small intestinal submucosa for bladder wall reconstitution.

Abstract Bladder wall replacement remains a challenging problem for urological surgery due to leakage, infection, stone formation, and extensive time needed for tissue regeneration. To explore the feasibility of producing a more functional biomaterial for bladder reconstitution, we incorporated muscle-derived cells (MDC) into small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffolds. MDC were harvested from mice hindleg muscle, transfected with a plasmid encoding for β -galactosidase, and placed into single-layer SIS cell culture inserts. Twenty-five MDC and/or SIS specimens were incubated at 37°C for either 10 or 20 days. After harvesting, mechanical properties were characterized using biaxial testing, and the areal strain under 1 MPa peak stress used to quantify tissue compliance. Histological results indicated that MDC migrated throughout the SIS after 20 days. The mean (±SE) areal strain of the 0 day control group was 0.182±0.027 ( n =5). After 10 days incubation, the mean (±SE) areal strain in MDC/SIS was 0.247±0.014 ( n =5) compared to 10 day control SIS 0.200±0.024 ( n =6). After 20 days incubation, the mean areal strain of MDC/SIS was 0.255±0.019 ( n =5) compared to control SIS 0.170±0.025 ( n =5). Both 10 and 20 days seeded groups were significantly different ( p =0.027) than that of incubated SIS alone, but were not different from each other. These results suggest that MDC growth was supported by SIS and that initial remodeling of the SIS ECM had occurred within the first 10 days of incubation, but may have slowed once the MDC had grown to confluence within the SIS.
Three-dimensional modeling and animation of two carpal bones: a technique.

The objectives of this study were to (a) create 3D reconstructions of two carpal bones from single CT data sets and animate these bones with experimental in vitro motion data collected during dynamic loading of the wrist joint, (b) develop a technique to calculate the minimum interbone distance between the two carpal bones, and (c) validate the interbone distance calculation process. This method utilized commercial software to create the animations and an in-house program to interface with three-dimensional CAD software to calculate the minimum distance between the irregular geometries of the bones. This interbone minimum distance provides quantitative information regarding the motion of the bones studied and may help to understand and quantify the effects of ligamentous injury.
A solenoidal transport device for transfer reactions in inverse kinematics

We propose a new scheme for the study of few-particle-transfer reactions in inverse kinematics built around a high-field magnetic solenoid. This device has significant advantages over more conventional approaches for studying such reactions. These techniques are likely to be important at RIA, for a wide class of reactions that must be carried out in inverse kinematics.
Image registration under poor illumination using calibrated cameras

Image registration is basic step in image fusion and in many 2D applications. Registering the 2D image with recent robust algorithms like SIFT (Scale invariant Feature Transform) works well in most situations. However, registering the 2D images under poor illumination is a challenging problem. In several situations, conventional registration algorithms like SIFT fail to register the images. Aside from poor illumination conditions, images involving too much symmetry can also pose registration difficulties for conventional methods. In our approach, we overcome these limitations by using the knowledge of the intrinsic camera parameters together with a new registration method to help in registering the features (lines) between the two overlapping images. Our approach is useful especially in registering the images taken by different sensors or the same sensor at different times under poor illumination conditions. Experiments are tested on real world environments.
Student collaboration on course improvement

(1996). Student collaboration on course improvement. Journal of Science Teacher Education: Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 295-301.
Cellular DNA content of the echinodermata.

Abstract 1. 1. The cellular DNA content is reported for thirty-nine species of echinoderms. 2. 2. Asteroids and Echinoids both average low amounts of DNA while Ophiuroids and Holothuroids have two to three times as much. 3. 3. DNA content decreases with specialization in the holothuroids.
Identification of a novel Parkinson's disease locus via stratified genome-wide association study

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is complex and heterogeneous. The numerous susceptibility loci that have been identified reaffirm the complexity of PD but do not fully explain it; e.g., it is not known if any given PD susceptibility gene is associated with all PD or a disease subtype. We also suspect that important disease genes may have escaped detection because of this heterogeneity. We used presence/absence of family history to subdivide the cases and performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in Sporadic-PD and Familial-PD separately. The aim was to uncover new genes and gain insight into the genetic architecture of PD. Employing GWAS on the NeuroGenetics Research Consortium (NGRC) dataset stratified by family history (1565 Sporadic-PD, 435 Familial-PD, 1986 controls), we identified a novel locus on chromosome 1p21 in Sporadic-PD (PNGRC = 4×10-8) and replicated the finding (PReplication = 6×10-3; PPooled = 4×10-10) in 1528 Sporadic-PD and 796 controls from the National Institutes of Neurologic Disease and Stroke (NINDS) Repository. This is the fifth PD locus to be mapped to the short arm of chromosome 1. It is flanked by S1PR1 and OLFM3 genes, and is 200 kb from a multiple sclerosis susceptibility gene. The second aim of the study was to extend the stratified GWAS to the well-established PD genes. SNCA_ rs356220 was associated with both Sporadic-PD (OR = 1.37, P = 1×10-9) and Familial-PD (OR = 1.40, P = 2×10-5). HLA _rs3129882 was more strongly associated with Sporadic-PD (OR = 1.38, P = 5×10-10) than Familial-PD (OR = 1.12, P = 0.15). In the MAPT region, virtually every single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) had a stronger effect-size and lower P-value in Familial-PD (peak P = 8×10-7) than in Sporadic-PD (peak P = 2×10-5). We discovered and replicated a new locus for Sporadic-PD which had escaped detection in un-stratified GWAS. This demonstrates that by stratifying on a key variable the power gained due to diminished heterogeneity can sometimes outweigh the power lost to reduced sample size. We also detected distinct patterns of disease associations for previously established PD susceptibility genes, which gives an insight to the genetic architecture of the disease and could aid in the selection of appropriate study population for future studies.
High-energy photoproduction of jets

We examine recent claims that, because of jet production, the cross section for the hadronic component of the photon-proton collisions at very high energies becomes much larger than the standard cross section based on vector-dominance models. If this were so, then the interpretation of cosmic-ray air showers associated with point sources might be very different because photon-induced showers would not be as muon poor as has previously been assumed. We show that although {ital inclusive} jet cross sections do become large, the {ital total} cross section does not increase much. It is possible that the photon-gluon-fusion contribution will increase the cross section by a factor of 2 or so. Parton-saturation effects come into play and prevent the cross section from rising more.
Processing of bone samples for the determination of ultra low-levels of uranium and plutonium

We have developed cleanroom compatible techniques for processing bone samples for characterization of their uranium and plutonium content. The bone samples are dried and ashed in quartz crucibles placed inside cleanroom compatible thermal ashing furnaces. The bone ash is dissolved in ultra-pure acids prepared by sub-boiling distillation. The uranium and plutonium in the samples are isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography and measured by thermal ionization mass spectrometry. The technique is capable of detecting 74 picograms of 238U and 8 femtograms of 239Pu in 100 mg bone ash samples. If the ash contains larger amounts of uranium and plutonium, the technique can be used to isotopically fingerprint the material to identify potential origins.
Theory and experiments concerning the heterochromatic threshold-reduction factor (HTRF).

Selective chromatic adaptation occurs when a change in spectral distribution and/or luminance of an adapting field alters the sensitivity of the eye (as measured by the reciprocal threshold of superposed test flashes) differentially with respect to wavelength of the test stimuli. A convenient test of selective chromatic adaptation is to measure homochromatic (e.g., red on red) and heterochromatic (e.g., red on green) thresholds for two different relative spectral distributions, each being used in a conditioning field as well as in a test flash. An index η¯ is defined by the sum of the two homochromatic thresholds minus the sum of the two heterochromatic thresholds, where all values are expressed in log units This index expresses the factor by which the heterochromatic thresholds are lower than the homochromatic ones (the heterochromatic threshold-reduction factor or HTRF). It is shown that η¯ must equal zero for an eye having only one class of spectrally selective mechanism; data obtained under scotopic conditions are presented to verify this conclusion. It is also shown that if η¯ is significantly different from zero, more than one class of mechanism must have contributed to the threshold response, and further that these two or more classes of mechanisms have been selectively adapted. Data are also presented to illustrate such selective adaptation where η¯ has been measured at photopic levels as a function of field luminance and spectral separation between stimuli being compared.
The entrepreneur's bootcamp: a new model for teaching web/mobile development and software entrepreneurship

This paper describes three years of experience with an intensive three course summer semester on web and mobile entrepreneurship for second year CS students and beyond. The program is similar in structure to a high school summer camp or to a summer accelerator/incubator program except that it has a much higher level of academic content and provides the credit equivalent to three Computer Science electives and a full semester of residency. The program has been effective at teaching students production programming and entrepreneurship and has stimulated entrepreneurial activity during the academic year. It is taken by about half of the CS majors in the department which is surprising since it requires them to spend their summer months in a very intense academic and entrepreneurial experience which is quite different from the usual summer experience of their peers.
Observations of Spiral Growth Steps in Ethylene Polymer

THE role of dislocations in crystal growth has been discussed by N. F. Mott1, and later, evidence was given by Griffin2 to support the mechanism suggested by Frank3. Since that time there has been striking examples of this type of growth, described by Dawson and Vand4, and Forty5 along with Verma6, to mention a few.
Conserved structural motifs in the central pair complex of eukaryotic flagella

Cilia and flagella are conserved hair-like appendages of eukaryotic cells that function as sensing and motility generating organelles. Motility is driven by thousands of axonemal dyneins that require precise regulation. One essential motility regulator is the central pair complex (CPC) and many CPC defects cause paralysis of cilia/flagella. Several human diseases, such as immotile cilia syndrome, show CPC abnormalities, but little is known about the detailed three-dimensional (3D) structure and function of the CPC. The CPC is located in the center of typical [9+2] cilia/flagella and is composed of two singlet microtubules (MTs), each with a set of associated projections that extend toward the surrounding nine doublet MTs. Using cryo-electron tomography coupled with subtomogram averaging, we visualized and compared the 3D structures of the CPC in both the green alga Chlamydomonas and the sea urchin Strongylocentrotus at the highest resolution published to date. Despite the evolutionary distance between these species, their CPCs exhibit remarkable structural conservation. We identified several new projections, including those that form the elusive sheath, and show that the bridge has a more complex architecture than previously thought. Organism-specific differences include the presence of MT inner proteins in Chlamydomonas, but not Strongylocentrotus, and different overall outlines of the highly connected projection network, which forms a round-shaped cylinder in algae, but is more oval in sea urchin. These differences could be adaptations to the mechanical requirements of the rotating CPC in Chlamydomonas, compared to the Strongylocentrotus CPC which has a fixed orientation.
A New Linear Algorithm for Intersecting Convex Polygons

An algorithm is presented that computes the intersection of two convex polygons in linear time. The algorithm is fundamentally different from the only known linear algorithms for this problem, due to Shamos and to Hoey. These algorithms depend on a division of the plane into either angular sectors (Shamos) or parallel slabs (Hoey), and are mildly complex. The authors' algorithm searches for the intersection points of the polygons by advancing a single pointer around each polygon, and is very easy to program
Genome‐wide in silico mapping of the secretome in pathogenic Yersinia pestis KIM

Uncovering the secretome of Yersinia pestis is a necessary measure to better understand the virulence of this plague-causing bacterium. Using bioinformatics methods, the components of all the secretion systems known to date in the Y. pestis KIM genome were mapped, including several systems identified by this study. It was found that this organism possesses Sec, twin-arginine translocation, signal recognition particle, Omp85/YaeT, type I, type II, type III, type VI, chaperone/usher, autotransporter, and two-partner secretion (TPS) systems, but lacks a type IV secretion system. The TPS systems caught the authors' attention, for they are used by several bacterial pathogens for the secretion of large virulence determinants. Reverse transcriptase-PCR analysis confirmed the gene expression of three TPS systems in Y. pestis KIM; bioinformatics studies indicated that the exoproteins of these TPS systems are putative hemolysins and adhesins. Results thus suggest that these are functional systems, capable of secreting virulence proteins that might contribute to plague infection. This is the first report on the complete secretome of pathogenic Y. pestis KIM.
Point group symmetries and Gaussian integration

Abstract A computationally efficient and exact method of symmetrizing a complete set of angular functions using Gaussian integration is presented. This technique will be useful in situations such as crystal field-type calculations, full potential electronic structure calculations, and wherever symmetrized functions of a given irreducible representation are needed. As an example, combinations of spherical harmonics transforming as the completely symmetric irreducible representation are given for all the 32 crystallographic point groups in three dimensions.
Concrescence of permanent maxillary second and third molars: case report of non-surgical root canal treatment

Concrescence is a rare developmental anomaly with an overall incidence of 0.8% in the permanent dentition. While many case reports describe the treatment of concrescence with extraction, there are few reports of non-surgical root canal treatment (NSRCT), due to the atypical root form, canal morphology, and technical difficulties involved in concrescence. This unique case report describes a technical modification of NSRCT that can retain joined posterior maxillary teeth to maintain natural posterior occlusion without surgical intervention or dental implants, thereby avoiding the risk of damage to a large portion of the alveolar bone near the maxillary sinus.
Chronic AMPA receptor potentiator (LY451646) treatment increases cell proliferation in adult rat hippocampus

Stress-induced neuronal atrophy and death in the hippocampus may play an important role in the etiology of clinical depression. Conventional antidepressants can stimulate hippocampal neurogenesis after chronic administration. AMPA receptor potentiators (ARPs) such as LY392098 and LY451616 are active in both the forced swim test and the tail suspension test, two behavioral despair procedures widely used to predict antidepressant efficacy. Unlike traditional antidepressants, this group of compounds does not affect extracellular concentrations of biogenic amines. In this study, we investigated the effect of LY451646 on progenitor cell proliferation in adult rat hippocampus. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 4-5 per group) received either single or chronic (21 days) doses of LY451646 (0.025-0.5 mg/kg). Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) injections and immunohistochemistry were performed 30 min and 24 h after the last drug injection, respectively. Results show that chronic LY451646 treatment increased progenitor cell proliferation (approximately 45%) in the dentate gyrus in a dose-dependent manner. This upregulation of BrdU labeling appeared as an increase in the number of cells arranged in clusters. Similarly, a significant increase in the number of cells in clusters was observed after a single injection of LY451646 (0.05 mg/kg), although the increase in total number of BrdU-positive cells (approximately 30%) did not reach statistical significance. This is the first in vivo study showing the modulation of progenitor cell proliferation by an ARP. These findings suggest that the antidepressant-like activity of ARPs in animals may be attributed, at least in part, to the regulation of progenitor cell proliferation in the hippocampus.
Developmental study of similarity judgments involving dimensions.

Summary.-In order to examine the nature of dimensional processing in children, kindergarten and third grade children were asked to make similarity judgments for unidimcnsional sets of stimuli differing in color (hue), size, and shape, respectively. Age differences were generally confined to the color set. The judgments of the older children were more internally consistent and more similar to those of other children in their age group than were the younger children's. The frequency of good-fitting scaling solutions was also higher for the older children. The processing of color in a relational manner thus seems to develop more slowly than relational processing of size or shape. Results from any task which depends on or is facilitated by relational processing could be altered by the dimensions used. The methods developed in the paper also provide an alternate method of studying seriation. The problem of identifying what aspects of stimuli are processed by children is an old one, but most studies have been conducted as learning and transfer of leatning. The objective of this paper is to provide an alternative perspective on how stimuli are evaluated by children. Specifically we examined (a) whether sets of stimuli constructed to vary along a single dimension are in fact seen as related to each other along a single dimensional scale; (b) whether this phenomenon is related to age; and (c) whether this ability to evaluate the relationship between stimuli, if active, is demonstrated for all dimensions equally or is ob
Reduction of tetrachloro(dl-trans)1,2-diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(IV) (tetraplatin) toxicity by the administration of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), S-2(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721), or sodium selenite in the Fischer 344 rat.

Abstract Diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC), S-2(3-aminopropylamino)ethylphosphorothioic acid (WR-2721), and sodium selentite have all been shown to effectively reduce cisplatin toxicity. As a result, we have investigated the efficacy of these compounds to reduce the toxicity associated with tetrachloro(dl-trans)1,2-diaminocyclohexaneplatinum(IV) (tetraplatin), a second-generation platinum compound recently approved for phase I II clinical trials. The dose-limiting toxicities associated with tetraplatin (16.5 mg/kg) in the Fischer 344 male rat were nephrotoxicity, myelosuppression, and gastrointestinal toxicity. The nephrotoxicity in Fischer 344 rats was effectively reduced by treatment with either DDTC (750 mg/kg ip) 0.5 hr after tetraplatin or WR-2721 (200 mg/kg ip) 0.5 hr before tetraplatin as determined by blood urea nitrogen and creatinine values. Diarrhea was evident in 95% of the rats treated with tetraplatin alone while it was not evident in any of the DDTC- or WR-2721-protected rats. Only DDTC was moderately effective in preventing tetraplatin-induced decreases in platelet and lymphocyte counts. Histopathology confirmed DDTC protection of renal, intestinal, and lymphoid tissues and WR-2721 protection of renal and intestinal tissues. Sodium selenite was ineffective in reducing tetraplatin-induced damage when administered 4 hr before tetraplatin at doses of 0.5, 1.0, or 2.0 mg/kg. The results suggest that DDTC may allow for increased dosages of tetraplatin by ameliorating the toxic side effects of the drug. WR-2721 may also have some usefulness in tetraplatin therapy, but it does not reduce as wide a variety of toxic side effects as DDTC.
Differential DNA binding and transcription modulation by three T-box proteins, T, TBX1 and TBX2.

Abstract T-box genes encode a family of phylogenetically conserved DNA-binding proteins that regulate gene expression during embryogenesis. While the developmental importance of many T-box genes has been well documented, little is known about how family members differ in their DNA binding properties and ability to modulate transcription. Here we show that although TBX1, TBX2 and the Xenopus T protein (Xbra) share only 50–60% identity within their DNA-binding domains they can bind the same DNA sequence in vitro. However, the proteins differ in three important respects. While TBX1 protein binds a palindromic T oligonucleotide as a dimer, as had been previously reported for Xbra, TBX2 appears to bind the same DNA sequence as a monomer. Also, T protein/DNA complexes are stabilized in vitro by the addition of specific antibodies, whereas TBX2/DNA complexes are not stabilized by antibodies. Most importantly, TBX2 represses while Xbra activates transcription of the same chimeric reporter plasmid. TBX1, although capable of binding to the chimeric promoter, has no effect on transcription. Thus, while the DNA binding domains of T-box proteins share substantial homology, these proteins differ in both their DNA binding and transcriptional modulation properties. These results suggest that the various T-box proteins, while highly conserved, likely use different mechanisms to modulate transcription and may have different targets in vivo.
Modeling of coplanar waveguide for buffered clock tree

Owing to inductive effect, coplanar waveguide (CPW) is widely used to achieve signal integrity in high performance clock designs. In this paper, we first propose a piece-wise linear (PWL) model for the far-end response of a CPW considering ramp input and capacitive loading. The PWL model has a high accuracy but uses at least 1000x less time compared to SPICE. We then apply the PWL model to synthesize the CPW geometry for clock trees considering constrains of rising time and oscillation at sinks. We obtain a spectrum of solutions with smooth tradeoff between area and power.
Multi-scale controls on and consequences of aeolian processes in landscape change in arid and semi-arid environments

Aeolian processes are tightly linked to soil and vegetation change in arid and semi-arid systems at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Wind influences patterns of vegetation and soil within the landscape, and these patterns control wind erosion at patch to landscape scales. Aggregated at larger scales, patterns in soil and vegetation distributions influence global distributions of dust and its biogeochemical impacts. Understanding the controls on aeolian processes is therefore important not only in understanding the biogeochemistry and land cover patterns in dryland environments, but also in understanding global land cover, climate, and biogeochemistry. Although the microscopic physics that control aeolian processes are well understood, the controls on these processes in real landscapes are poorly constrained, particularly for structurally complex plant communities such as shrub-invaded grasslands. This paper reviews the controls on aeolian processes and their consequences at plant-interspace, patch-landscape, and regional-global scales. Based on this review, we define the requirements for a cross-scale model of wind erosion in structurally complex arid and semi-arid ecosystems.
THE MECHANISM OF THE ENDOTHELIAL SUPPORTING FUNCTION OF INTACT PLATELETS.

Abstract A study was presented of the endothelial supporting function of platelets, along with electron micrographs of ultrathin sections of capillaries in the dermis from patients with thrombocytopenic complicating diseases following massive platelet transfusions. The data measuring changes in hemostatic mechanisms following the transfusions are included. Many probable platelets were seen in the process of incorporation into the endothelial cytoplasm.
Clinical factors associated with prescription drug use disorder in urban primary care patients with chronic pain.

This study examined characteristics associated with prescription drug use disorder (PDUD) in primary care patients with chronic pain from a cross-sectional survey conducted at an urban academically-affiliated safety-net hospital. Participants were 18–60 years old, had pain for ≥ 3 months, took prescription or non-prescription analgesics, and spoke English. Measurements included the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (PDUD, other substance use disorders (SUD), Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)); Graded Chronic Pain Scale, smoking status; family history of SUD; and time spent in jail. Of 597 patients (41% male, 61% black, mean age 46 years), 110 (18.4%) had PDUD of whom 99 (90%) had another SUD. In adjusted analyses, those with PDUD were more likely than those without any current or past SUD to report jail time (OR 5.1, 95% CI 2.8–9.3), family history of SUD (OR 3.4, 1.9–6.0), greater pain-related limitations (OR 3.8,1.2–11.7), cigarette smoking (OR 3.6, 2.0–6.2), or to be white (OR 3.2, 1.7–6.0), male (OR 1.9, 1.1–3.5) or have PTSD (OR 1.9, 1.1–3.4). PDUD appears increased among those with easily identifiable characteristics. The challenge is to determine who among those with risk factors can avoid, with proper management, developing the increasingly common diagnosis of PDUD.
A knowledge-based system for generation and control of finite-element meshes in forging simulation

This article presents a two- dimensional mesh generation system designed to generate all quadrilateral meshes for forging applications. The system splits the meshing geometry into a set of “primitives” using a knowledge-based system. It further splits these primitives into quadrilaterals using standard primitive splitting algorithms and meshes each quadrilateral using parametric mapping. Reasons for choosing this approach are explained, followed by a brief description of the implementation procedures. Three mapping techniques— namely, two- dimensional Lagrange interpolation, two-dimensional Hermite interpolation, and numerical solution of Poisson’s equation— were tested for their applicability to forging problems. This article provides a comparison of the three mapping techniques in terms of mesh quality and computational time. Finally, it presents results of three forging simulations that demonstrate the effects of element distortion on finite-element solutions of large plastic deformation problems and points out the correlation between distortion parameters such as skew and taper and the solution accuracy.
Constructing the set of efficient objective values in multiple objective linear programs

Abstract In earlier work the authors developed an algebraic description of the polyhedron Y = C[X], where C is a k × n matrix and X = {x ϵ R n : Ax ≦ b} . This algebraic description was then used to determine the Pareto-efficient objective values of the multiple objective linear program: maximize Cx, x ϵ X. In this paper, this approach is modified to obtain a more efficient procedure. In addition, a resulting single-objective nonparametric linear program in R k+1 is developed whose set of optimal basic solutions corresponds to the set of efficient extreme points of Y.
Constraint-based conflict and error management

The objective of this research is to develop a general methodology to manage conflicts and errors (CEs). Two constraint-based conflict and error prevention and detection (CEPD) algorithms, centralized and decentralized algorithms, have been designed. These two algorithms model and utilize the relationship between CEs for effective CEPD. They are compared with the traditional CEPD algorithm over undirected and directed constraint networks. Experiments results show that the two CEPD algorithms outperform the traditional CEPD algorithm in terms of four performance measures. The decentralized CEPD algorithm shall be used to manage CEs over a large constraint network. If information transmission between distributed agents is not feasible for the decentralized CEPD algorithm, the centralized CEPD algorithm shall be used for CEPD. The centralized CEPD algorithm, however, is sensitive to network topology and information transmission time.
The utility of pudendal nerve terminal motor latencies in idiopathic incontinence

Pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing has been used to test for pudendal neuropathy, but its value remains controversial. We sought to clarify the relationship of pudendal nerve terminal motor latency to sphincter pressure and level of continence in a cohort of patients with intact anal sphincters and normal pelvic floor anatomy. We reviewed 1,404 consecutive patients who were evaluated at our pelvic floor laboratory for fecal incontinence. From this group, 83 patients had intact anal sphincters on ultrasound and did not have internal or external rectal prolapse during defecography. These patients were evaluated by pudendal nerve terminal motor latency testing, a standardized questionnaire, and anorectal manometry, which measured resting and squeeze anal pressures. Incontinence scores were calculated by using the American Medical Systems Fecal Incontinence Score. Values were compared by using the Fisher’s exact test and Wilcoxon’s rank-sum test; and significance was assigned at the P < 0.05 level. 1) Using a 2.2-ms threshold, 28 percent of patients had prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency unilaterally and 12 percent bilaterally. 2) At a 2.4-ms threshold, 18 percent of patients had prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency unilaterally and 8 percent bilaterally. 3) Bilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was significantly associated with decreased maximum mean resting pressure and increased Fecal Incontinence Score, but not decreased maximum mean squeeze pressure, at both 2.2-ms and 2.4-ms thresholds. 4) Unilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency was not associated with maximum mean resting pressure, maximum mean squeeze pressure, or fecal incontinence score at either threshold. The majority of incontinent patients with intact sphincters have normal pudendal nerve terminal motor latency. Bilaterally but not unilaterally prolonged pudendal nerve terminal motor latency is associated with poorer function and physiology in the incontinent patient with an intact sphincter.
Transforming epitope-specific gp120 monomer-based probes into immunogens with N-linked glycan masking.

Background HIV-1 gp120 monomer-based probes have been used for the identification of broadly neutralizing antibodies. Such probes could represent starting points in the design of HIV-1 immunogens, though efforts must be made to silence immune responses directed toward non-neutralizing epitopes. One possible approach would be to mask these epitopes by introducing N-linked glycan. A potential complication to such an approach is glycan occupancy: although N-linked glycosylation generally occurs at N-X-T/S sequons, many such sequons are not occupied.
Geoarchaeology of the Boca Negra Wash Area, Albuquerque Basin, New Mexico, USA

Dozens of Paleoindian sites, including the Boca Negra Wash (BNW) Folsom site (LA 124474), are scattered across a basalt plateau (the West Mesa) on the western side of the Albuquerque Basin, and adjacent uplands. The BNW site, like many others in the area, is located near a small (˜60 × 90 m) playa basin that formed in a depression on the basalt surface and was subsequently covered by an eolian sand sheet (Unit 1) dated by OSL to ˜23,000 yr B.P. Most of the basin fill is ˜2 m of playa mud (Units 2 and 3) dating ˜13,970 14C yr B.P. (17,160–16,140 cal yr B.P.) at the sand–mud interface to ˜2810 14C yr B.P. (˜2960–2860 cal yr B.P.) at the top. C/N ratios suggest that the BNW playa basin probably held water more often during the Folsom occupation; stable carbon isotope values indicate C3 vegetation was more common as well, but C4 grasses became dominant in the Holocene. Cores extracted from four playa basins nearby revealed a similar stratigraphy and geochronology, documenting presence of wetlands on playa floors during the Paleoindian occupation of the area. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Reciprocal peer teaching: Students teaching students in the gross anatomy laboratory

Three common instructional strategies used to teach gross anatomy are lecture, discovery or inquiry-based learning, and cooperative learning. One form of cooperative learning, called reciprocal peer teaching (RPT), illustrates circumstances where students alternate roles as teacher and student. By assuming the responsibility of teaching their peers, students not only improve their understanding of course content, but also develop communication skills, teamwork, leadership, confidence and respect for peers that are vital to developing professionalism early in their medical careers. Traditionally in our Anatomy department, students dissect the entire body using a standard dissection manual. More non-traditionally, however, we have increased cooperative learning in the dissection laboratory by involving students in a series of supplementary RPT activities. During these exercises, 10% of the class practiced their demonstration with course instructors until the students felt prepared to demonstrate the exercise to their classmates. We designed one peer demonstration emphasizing three to six teaching objectives for most of the 40 dissection units. This resulted in a compendium of peer demonstrations for implementation throughout the course. The multitude of diverse exercises permitted each student many opportunities to teach their peers. A debriefing questionnaire was administered at the end of the course demonstrating that 100% of students agreed the RPT experience increased their understanding of the topics they taught and 97% agreed it increased their retention of information they taught to their peers. In addition, 92% agreed that RPT improved their communication skills, which can be applied beyond anatomy to their careers as future physicians.
Residue sum rules for inelastic (anti) neutrino nucleon scattering

A systematic discussion of the equal-time current-algebra sum rules for the structure functions in inelastic (anti) neutrino-nucleon scattening is presented. The emphasis is on spin-dependent results. All sum rules, both at fixed-q/sup 2/ and in the Bjorken scaling limit, are obtained by a single procedure which presumes Bjorken scaling. In particular, the procedure yields sensible results in the cases where the familiar infinite momentum method yields nonsense. The procedure requires a complete characterization of the nu - behaviour of the structure functions in the presumed scaling limit. For definiteness, this characterization is achieved by giving the complete quark light-cone scaling behavior together with the complete set of positivity restrictions on the structure functions. After having derived the sum rules, the spin generalization of the DELTA S = 0 Nachtmann relations is given following the approach of Callan, et al., as these relations, together with the sum rules, may eventually be of use in determining the precise light-cone formalism. (auth)
Chaos and irreversibility in a conservative nonlinear dynamical system with a few degrees of freedom

The motion of an elastic pendulum with two degrees of freedom has been investigated in the vicinity of a separatrix, using the Liouville equation. Even for this simple system, an irreversible kinetic equation of the Fokker-Plank type for the momentum-distribution function has been obtained in the limit of a stiff pendulum. This equation describes a monotonic approach to the "microcanonical equilibrium state" for a given energy surface. The diffusion coefficient for the energy of the unperturbed pendulum in this work is directly related to that obtained by Chirikov's heuristic argument.