cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A murine model for the study of edema induced intestinal contractile dysfunction

Background We have published extensively regarding the effects of edema on intestinal contractile function. However, we have found the need to expand our model to mice to take advantage of the much larger arsenal of research support, especially in terms of transgenic mouse availability and development. To that end, we have developed and validated a hydrostatic intestinal edema model in mice. Methods Male C57 Black 6 mice were subjected to a combination of high volume crystalloid resuscitation and mesenteric venous hypertension in an effort to induce hydrostatic intestinal edema. Wet to dry ratios, myeloperoxidase activity, mucosal injury scoring, STAT-3 nuclear activation, phosphorylated STAT-3 levels, NF-κB nuclear activation, myosin light chain phosphorylation, intestinal contractile activity, and intestinal transit were measured to evaluate the effects of the model. Key Results High volume crystalloid resuscitation and mesenteric venous hypertension resulted in the development of significant intestinal edema without an increase in myeloperoxidase activity or mucosal injury. Edema development was associated with increases in STAT-3 and NF-κB nuclear activation as well as phosphorylated STAT-3. There was a decrease in myosin light chain phosphorylation, basal and maximally stimulated intestinal contractile activity, and intestinal transit. Conclusion & Inferences Hydrostatic edema in mice results in activation of a signal transduction profile that culminates in intestinal contractile dysfunction. This novel model allows for advanced studies into the pathogenesis of hydrostatic edema induced intestinal contractile dysfunction.
Enzymic and immunochemical properties of lysozyme: VII. Location of all the antigenic reactive regions. A new approach to study immunochemistry of tight proteins

Abstract Lysozyme from hen egg white, which is a “tight” ( i.e. proteolytically inaccessible, disulfide-containing) protein, was rendered accessible to tryptic hydrolysis at all arginine peptide bonds by reversible blocking of the amino groups with citraconic anhydride. After deblocking it was possible to effect complete cleavage at all the lysine peptide bonds, thus yielding all the tryptic peptides of lysozyme (termed (Arg, Lys)-peptides) without rupturing the disulfide bonds. It was highly significant that (Arg, Lys)-peptides inhibited strongly (85–89%) the reaction of lysozyme with its antibodies. The reactive fragments in the (Arg, Lys)-peptides were identified mainly as the three disulfide-containing tryptic peptides. These comprised sequences 22–33 (Cys 30–Cys 115) 115–116; 62–68 (Cys 64–Cys 80) 74–96 (Cys 76–Cys 94); and 6–13 (Cys 6–Cys 127) 126–128. The approach employed here provides a procedure by which the antigenic structure of tight proteins with disulfide bonds can now be studied without rupturing the disulfide bonds. Also, it affords another technique by which correct disulfide pairing may be determined.
Neurologic disease requiring long-term ventilation.

Study objective To evaluate the efficacy of the technique of selective decontamination of the digestive tract (SDD) in preventing secondary infections in patients with neurologic diseases requiring intensive care. Design Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial using amphotericin B, polymyxin E, and tobramycin applied to the oropharynx and enterally; all patients received intravenous cefotaxime for 72 h. Setting Respiratory ICU. Patients Forty patients with neurologic diseases requiring ventilation for >48 h and ICU stay >5 days. Neurologic diagnoses included acute inflammatory demyelinating neuropathy (15), meningoencephalitis (10), status epilepticus (6), tetanus (6), and myasthenia gravis (3). Interventions Microbiologic surveillance samples of oropharyngeal and tracheal secretions, gastric aspirates, stool, urine, and any other potentially infected sites were taken at the time of ICU admission and twice weekly thereafter until 3 days after discharge from the unit. The SDD was applied every 6 h to the oropharynx and enterally. Measurements and results Effective decontamination of the gastrointestinal tract was achieved in the patients receiving the active regimen; however, there was no reduction in the incidence of infections (11 in the active group vs 10 in placebo), and duration of ICU stay (30.1 ±22.5 vs 20.6 ± 17.7 days) and hospital stay (49.3 ±31.9 vs 40 ±33.4 days) were unaffected as was the mortality (15 percent vs 15 percent). Conclusions SDD did not reduce the incidence of secondary infection in patients with neurologic disease, nor did it affect morbidity or mortality; however, it adds considerably to the cost of patient care.
Tunable RF and microwave filters

Tunable filters at RF and microwave frequencies can potentially place an important role in the implementation of future reconfigurable wireless systems.This paper provides a general review of several competing technologies in realizing high performance tunable filters with a slight focus on recent progress in the design and implementation of evanescent-mode cavity based filters with both frequency and bandwidth tuning capabilities.
Conditional Dihydrostreptomycin Resistance in Bacillus subtilis

Mutants resistant to dihydrostreptomycin were isolated and genetically analyzed in Bacillus subtilis. Two new classes of mutants distinct from the ribosomal strA locus were found. One class, strB, was located between metC3 and ura-1 on the chromosome. The second class, strC, mapped in the spore gene region close to the spoA locus. Both mutant classes were resistant to dihydrostreptomycin during growth but sensitive to the antibiotic during sporulation. Resuspension sporulation experiments with a strB mutant showed that sensitivity to the antibiotic was acquired early in the sporulation process. The germination and outgrowth of strB spores was sensitive to the antibiotic until growth commenced, whereupon the culture was resistant. Thus the mutants are sensitive to dihydrostreptomycin during both sporulation and germination but resistant during the growth phase.
Temporal and spatial transitions in collagen types during embryonic chick limb development: II. Comparison of the embryonic cartilage collagen molecule with that from adult cartilage☆

Analyses were performed to compare the (α1)3 collagen molecule synthesized by the cartilaginous long bone anlage of 8-day chick embryos with that produced by adult cartilage, [α1(II)]3. The embryonic molecule produced segment-long-spacing crystallites which had a banding pattern indistinguishable from that of authentic [α1(II)]3. After carboxymethyl cellulose chromatography, the material in the α1 chain peak of the embryonic collagen was found to have the same amino acid composition as that of the α1(II) chain.
Abstract 15843: PPARalpha/Sirt1 Heterodimer Suppresses Fatty Acid Oxidation Genes in the Heart Under Pressure Overload

The healthy heart utilizes fatty acids as a primary source of energy, yet fatty acid oxidation (FAO) declines in the failing heart. The PPARα/RXR dimer transcribes genes involved in FAO through PPAR response element (PPRE). However, how PPARα targets are downregulated in the failing heart remains unknown. Here we report that the PPARα dimerization partner switches from RXR to Sirt1, a histone deacetylase that interacts with PPAR, thereby suppressing FAO gene expression during pressure overload (PO). The expression of Sirt1 was increased, whereas that of RXR was decreased in response to PO in mice. A consistent observation was made that demonstrated Sirt1 binding to PPARα increased, while RXR binding to PPARα decreased during PO (relative proteins bound to PPARα under PO conditions vs sham, Sirt1 3.7*, RXR 0.37*, p<0.05). Thus, the PPARα/RXR dimer switches to PPARα/Sirt1 in the failing heart. We observed similar expression changes of Sirt1 and RXR in the failing human heart, suggesting dimer conversion occ...
Ventricular apical access and closure, and re-access devices to facilitate mitral valve interventions.

TA access will play a vital role in the expansion of transcatheter valve therapy in the treatment of mitral valve pathology. The short distance from the apex to the mitral valve annulus and the ability to accommodate large caliber sheaths make the apex the optimal access point. The continued development of apical access and closure devices will eventually produce a percutaneous device with a small “footprint” which provides a reliable hemostatic seal and does not impact ventricular function.
Error-correction on the U.S. Supreme Court: A view from the clerks' memos

Abstract We inspected the certiorari memos written by the law clerks and used by Justice Burton during the 1946, 1951, and 1952 terms of the Vinson Court. We discovered that the most frequent reasons for granting cert were: (1) the decision of the lower court was in error, (2) the issue in the case is important, and (3) there is a conflict in the decisions of two or more courts. We also found that in two of three terms Burton was no more likely to vote to grant cert when the memo stated that the issue was important than when the memo argued that the decision of the lower court was in error. Finally, we discovered that in two of the three terms Burton was more likely to vote to grant cert and later vote to reverse when a cert memo stated that the decision of the lower court was in error than when no cert memo made this argument.
The Common Concern: Controlling the Professionalization of Adult Education:

Using the findings from a study of the adult education handbooks, the purpose of this paper is to present an argument that university researchers in the field of adult education have relied upon a ...
Studies directed toward taxanes. Preparation of α-ketols by oxidative ring-opening of epoxides

Abstract Protonic acid promoted ring-opening of epoxides by dimethyl sulphoxide at room temperature followed by treatment with diisopropylethylamine at −78°, affords α-ketols in modest to good yields.
An optimal mesh generator for Lagrangian hydrodynamic calculations in two space dimensions

Abstract A linear numerical method is described which generates a curvilinear mesh that is as nearly orthogonal as possible, in a least-squares sense, subject to the constraint that mesh lines are matched to arbitrarily specified points around the perimeter of the region. An option permits trading off more orthogonality for improved line spacing. The use of the method in a practical zoner/rezoner is discussed. The method also has application for Eulerian hydrodynamic calculations.
Monitoring and Understanding Trends in Extreme Storms: State of Knowledge

The state of knowledge regarding trends and an understanding of their causes is presented for a specific subset of extreme weather and climate types. For severe convective storms (tornadoes, hailstorms, and severe thunderstorms), differences in time and space of practices of collecting reports of events make using the reporting database to detect trends extremely difficult. Overall, changes in the frequency of environments favorable for severe thunderstorms have not been statistically significant. For extreme precipitation, there is strong evidence for a nationally averaged upward trend in the frequency and intensity of events. The causes of the observed trends have not been determined with certainty, although there is evidence that increasing atmospheric water vapor may be one factor. For hurricanes and typhoons, robust detection of trends in Atlantic and western North Pacific tropical cyclone (TC) activity is significantly constrained by data heterogeneity and deficient quantification of internal variab...
Polypeptides of the Three Major Medicinal Aloes

Major polypeptide species of proteins have been identified and analysed by sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) in fresh extracts of the gel portion of mature leaves of Aloe saponaria Haw, Aloe barbadensis Miller, and Aloe arborescens Miller var. natalensis Berger. Extracts of gel from freshly cut Aloe leaves were prepared by dissection, tissue disruption, ethanol extraction, differential centrifugation, and gel filtration methods. Comparisons of SDS-PAGE profiles of Aloe leaf gels showed that all three medicinal Aloes share five major common polypetides. Other results indicated that Aloe saponaria and Aloe barbadensis share the most major polypeptides, i.e. 11, and Aloe barbadensis and Aloe arborescens the least, i.e. 5, while Aloe arborescens had three individual polypeptides not found in the other two species. This is the first report to describe the nature and types of polypeptides detected in extracts of leaf gel portions of mature Aloe plants of these three medicinal species. Accordingly, this report may be of considerable value in helping to identify and characterize those Aloe substances of medicinal importance which are associated with each or all of these medicinal Aloes.
Epigenetics in High‐Grade Astrocytomas

Abstract: Human high-grade astrocytomas (HGA) are the most prevalent incurable brain tumors. We found that the vast majority of HGA patients overexpress a restricted receptor for an immune regulatory cytokine, interleukin 13 (IL-13). Interestingly, the HGA-associated restricted receptor protein IL-13Rα2 is expressed in the testes, and its gene is localized to chromosome X. These mirror the expression pattern and genomic localization of cancer/testes tumor antigens (CTA). Hypothetical considerations and now experimental evidence are beginning to point towards epigenetics, and DNA methylation alterations in particular, as being responsible for the appearance in cancer of CTA, including IL-13Rα2. In line with our interest in the X chromosome and oncogenesis, we have identified a new ubiquitous angiogenic factor in HGA, a vascular endothelial growth factor-D (VEGF-D). We have also demonstrated that the activating protein-1 (AP-1) family of transcription factors play a potentially critical role in the progression of gliomas by eliciting uncontrolled upregulation of VEGF-D and other compounds essential for cancer cell proliferation, tumorigenesis, and infiltration. The possibility exists that an unopposed constitutive increase in AP-1 activity in HGA is related to epigenetic silencing of the inhibitors of AP-1 activity. These phenomena offer potential targets for exploitation in either prevention or early detection of brain tumors. For example, anticancer vaccines against shared CTA could help in prevention of HGA development. Furthermore, drugs with anti-AP-1 activity could be effective in preventing formation/progression of HGA, or progression from less malignant lower grade gliomas to HGA. Also, circulating antibodies against CTA and factors that are AP-1 regulated may provide a useful tool in early detection of brain tumors or for monitoring their progression following initial treatment.
MISCONCEPTIONS OF DEPRESSION IN AFRICAN AMERICANS

Major depression is a very common disabling disorder. Although the relationship between race and depression is complex, depression affects all races, all ethnic and geographic locations as well as all age groups. The prevalence of depression in African Americans is controversial, due to the paucity of research. The deficit in the knowledge and skills in treating depression in African Americans have not been adequately addressed so far. Inadequate and insufficient data on African Americans contributes to the problems of under diagnoses, misdiagnosis and under treatment of depression. This article will highlight the existing problem of depression in Afro American with a focus on diagnostic and treatment issues.
Multilevel Models for Examining Individual Differences in Within-Person Variation and Covariation Over Time

Heterogeneity of variance may be more than a statistical nuisance—it may be of direct interest as a result of individual differences. In studies of short-term fluctuation, individual differences may relate to the magnitude of within-person variation as well as to level of an outcome or its covariation with other processes. Although models for heterogeneous variances have been utilized in group contexts (i.e., dispersion models), they are not usually applied in examinations of intraindividual variation. This work illustrates how an extension of the multilevel model for heterogeneous variances can be used to examine individual differences in level, between- and within-person covariation, and magnitude of within-person variation of daily positive and negative mood in persons with dementia.
DIETARY RESTRICTION REVERSES OBESITY-INDUCED ANHEDONIA

Obesity-induced changes in the metabolic and endocrine milieu elicit deficits in neuroplasticity, including increased risk for development of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depressive illness. We previously demonstrated that downregulation of hypothalamic insulin receptors (hypo-IRAS) elicits a phenotype that is consistent with features of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) and that rats with this phenotype exhibit deficits in neuronal plasticity, including depressive-like behaviors such as anhedonia. Since food restriction paradigms effectively inhibit obesity-induced neuroplasticity deficits, the aim of the current study was to determine whether food restriction could reverse obesity-induced anhedonia in hypo-IRAS rats. Compared to hypo-IRAS rats provided ad lib food access, food restriction paradigms that were initiated either prior to increases in body weight or following development of the MetS/obesity phenotype effectively restored sucrose intake in hypo-IRAS rats. Moreover, food restriction paradigms were able to prevent and reverse the changes in the endocrine/metabolic/inflammatory milieu observed in hypo-IRAS, such as increases in plasma leptin and triglyceride levels and increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1α, IL-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). Collectively, these results demonstrate that obesity-induced anhedonia is a reversible process and identify some potential mechanistic mediators that may be responsible for co-morbid depression in obesity.
Proficiency testing in acid-base analyses: An interlaboratory evaluation

Estimation of pH, PCO2 and total CO2 in serum-based samples by laboratories in New York State was evaluated. Participant laboratories (122) showed average coefficients of variation of 8.8% for pH, 13.3% for PCO2 and 15.0% for total CO2 measurements. Coefficient of variation for measurement of pH in aqueous buffers was < 4%. A slightly improved performance in the estimation of PCO2 was noted for laboratories using quality control sera. Participant data, grouped by manufacturer of equipment used, revealed neither mean values nor standard deviations substantially different from overall performance. A direct correlation is shown between weekly workload and laboratory performance in this area of chemical testing.
Seismographs, sensors, and satellites: better technology for safer communities

Abstract In the past 25 years, our ability to measure, monitor, and model the processes that lead to natural disasters has increased dramatically. Equally important has been the improvement in our technological capability to communicate information about hazards to those whose lives may be affected. These innovations in tracking and communicating the changes—floods, earthquakes, wildfires, volcanic eruptions—in our dynamic planet, supported by a deeper understanding of earth processes, enable us to expand our predictive capabilities and point the way to a safer future.
Microvascular angina and the sensitive heart: Historical perspective

As our understanding of the etiology of chest pain of undetermined origin has evolved, the focus for studying this problem has switched from individual subspecialties to a multidisciplinary approach. In the subspecialties of gastroenterology and cardiology, the focus has shifted from organ-specific diagnoses to concepts of altered pain thresholds. Cardiologists began to look for functional causes of ischemia following the recognition that many patients with chest pain had normal coronary arteries. Abnormal responses of the coronary microcirculation to stress were identified in this population, and the concept of "microvascular angina" originated. Further evaluation, however, demonstrated that many of these patients did not have evidence of ischemia. In addition, a significant overlap with esophageal motility disorders was shown, and multiple sensitivities to otherwise nonirritating stimuli, whether in the heart or the esophagus, could be elicited in these patients. This finding led to the concept of abnormal visceral nociception, that is, the "sensitive heart" and the "tender esophagus," both the focus of ongoing clinical research.
Dynamics and stability of lean-premixed swirl-stabilized combustion

Combustion instability remains a critical issue limiting the development of low-emission, lean-premixed (LPM) gas turbine combustion systems. The present work provides a comprehensive review of the advances made over the past two decades in this area. Recent developments in industrial dry-low-emission (DLE) swirl-stabilized combustors are first summarized. Various swirl injector configurations and related flow characteristics, including vortex breakdown, precessing vortex core, large-scale coherent structures, and liquid fuel atomization and spray formation, are discussed. Nonlinear behaviors of combustion processes observed in combustors are described. The influence of fuel preparation, combustor geometry, and operating conditions on combustion characteristics in swirl-stabilized combustors is examined. The mechanisms driving combustion instabilities, including hydrodynamic instabilities, equivalence ratio fluctuations, flame surface variations, and oscillatory liquid fuel atomization and evaporation are investigated. Instability stabilization methods, including both passive and active control techniques, are also reviewed. Finally, recent progress in both analytical modeling and numerical simulation of swirl-stabilized combustion are surveyed.
Molecular cloning of a functional murine arginine-specific mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase and its expression in lymphoid cells.

A protein mono-ADP-ribosyltransferase (ADPRT), anchored in the cell membrane as a glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored cell-surface enzyme, was recently described on murine cytotoxic T cells (CTL). Expression of this enzyme was shown to exert regulatory functions on CTL proliferation and cytotoxic activity, presumably by modulating activity of the protein tyrosine kinase p56lck, which is associated with the CTL co-receptor CD8. Here we report on the molecular cloning and expression of this important regulatory enzyme. The ADPRT coding sequence was derived by making use of ADPRT sequence homologies from different vertebrate species. A cDNA fragment of the enzyme coding sequence was generated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) from murine T-cell lymphoma SL12, which expresses the cell-surface ADPRT. The cDNA fragment was found to share extensive homology with the corresponding sequences of human and rabbit muscle ADPRT. In Northern blot hybridization, this cDNA fragment gener...
Characterization of the cytopathic BVDV strains isolated from 13 mucosal disease cases arising in a cattle herd

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is a positive single stranded RNA virus belonging to the Pestivirus genus of the Flaviviridae family. BVDV has a wide host range that includes most ruminants. Noncytopathic (ncp) BVDV may establish lifelong persistent infections in calves following infection of the fetus between 40 and 120 days of gestation. Cytopathic (cp) BVDV strains arise from ncp strains via mutations. The most common cp mutations are insertions of RNA derived from either host or a duplication of viral sequences into the region of the genome coding for the NS2/3 protein. Superinfection of a persistently infected animal with a cp virus can give rise to mucosal disease, a condition that is invariably fatal. A herd of 136 bred 3-year old cows was studied. These cows gave birth to 41 PI animals of which 23 succumbed to mucosal disease. In this study, we characterized the ncp and cp viruses isolated from 13 of these animals. All viruses belonged to the BVDV type 2a genotype and were highly similar. All the cp viruses contained an insertion in the NS2/3 coding region consisting of the sequences derived from the transcript encoding a DnaJ protein named Jiv90. Comparison of the inserted DnaJ regions along with the flanking viral sequences in the insertion 3' end of the 13 cp isolates revealed sequence identities ranging from 96% to 99% with common borders. This suggested that one animal likely developed a cp virus that then progressively spread to the other 12 animals. Interestingly, when the inserted mammalian gene replicated within viral genome, it showed conservation of the same conserved motifs between the different species, which may indicate a role for these motifs in the insertion function within the virus genome. This is the first characterization of multiple cp bovine viral diarrhea virus isolates that spread in a herd under natural conditions.
Role of the Sex Hormones in Peptic Ulcer.

SummaryHistamine induced ulceration in the dog is enhanced by daily administration of 5 mg of diethyl stilbestrol or 100 mg of testosterone cyclopentylpropionate. Secretion from Heidenhain pouches ...
QoS in ontology-based service classification and discovery

Nowadays, many different organizations which operate in the Web distributed environment become more and more dependent on sendees to automate their activities and to improve their interoperability. Services are provided and published on the Web by independent organizations and their number is growing. Therefore suitable approaches to classify and organize them to support their discovery and delivery are required. We extend our ontology-based service classification and discovery approach to consider also the important and topical aspects related to QoS. In particular, in our approach services are firstly looked for on the basis of their functional conformance to the user request and then filtered on the basis of their quality features.
Spatial distribution of road-kills and factors influencing road mortality for mammals in Northern New York State

One of the most obvious impacts of roads on wildlife is vehicle-induced mortality. The aims of this study were to examine the spatial pattern of mammal-vehicle collisions (MVCs), identify and examine factors that contribute to MVCs, and determine whether the factors that increase the odds of MVCs are similar between species. On 103 road surveys that covered 7,094 total km I recorded the location of each MVC along the survey route. I measured landscape and roadway features associated with each MVC and used kernel density and network analysis tools to identify road mortality hotspots and measure spatial clustering of MVCs. I used logistic regression to model the likelihood of MVCs for all mammal data and separately for Porcupine (Erethizon dorsatum), Raccoon (Procyon lotor), Skunk (Mephitis mephitis), Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) and Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus) data sets. I identified 51 MVC hotspots and found spatial clustering of MVCs for Porcupines, Raccoons and Skunks. Two landscape variables, distance to cover and the presence of an ecotone, as well as one road variable, road width, appeared as broadly important predictors of mammalian road mortality, though there was also species- specific variation in factors that increased the risk of MVCs. Field-measured variables were more important than remotely-measured variables in predicting the odds of MVCs. Con- servation implications are that mitigation of landscape features associated with higher risk of vehicle-collisions may reduce the number of MVCs in general, but species-specific research is required to more carefully tailor mitigation efforts for particular species.
Benefit–cost analysis of a modified therapeutic community for mentally ill chemical abusers

Abstract This paper estimates and compares the economic benefits and costs of modified therapeutic community (modified TC) treatment for homeless mentally ill chemical abusers (MICAs) relative to a ‘treatment-as-usual’ (TAU) comparison group. Data from the period 12 months pre-admission to the modified TC were compared to data from 12 months post-admission across three outcome categories: employment, criminal activity, and utilization of health care services. The economic cost of the average modified TC treatment episode was $20,361. The economic benefit generated by the average modified TC client was $305,273. The incremental economic benefit per modified TC client (relative to TAU) was $273,698, resulting in a net benefit per modified TC client of $253,337 and a benefit–cost ratio of 13:1. Adjusting for extreme outlier observations, the incremental economic benefit estimate was $105,618, net benefit was $85,257, and the benefit–cost ratio was 5.2. These results quantify the potential economic and social advantages of the modified TC approach and highlight the policy implications of modified TC programs for homeless MICAs. This study is the first comprehensive economic evaluation of TC treatment for homeless MICAs; future research can draw from the economic analysis methods outlined here to apply to larger samples, longer follow-up periods, and other treatment settings.
Effects of morphine withdrawal on food competition hierarchies and fighting behavior in rats.

The effects of chronic morphine administration and morphine withdrawal on competitive and fighting behaviors in rats were studied in a novel paradigm. Fixed-ratio 20 (FR-20) lever-pressing for food presentation was stabilized before placing pairs of rats, matched by response rate and body weight, in the behavioral testing chambers. Initially, overt fighting occurred, but in 60% of the pairs it dissipated within several sessions, accompanied by the development of stable dominant-submissive responding hierarchies. Invariably, the dominant rat in the initial fighting bouts became the dominant responding rat. Chronic morphine administration and subsequent withdrawal in one or both members of the pairs led to disruptions or reversals in the distribution of responding and to small increases in fighting. These effects were seen as early as 12 h after the second dose of morphine and, in some pairs, lasted at least 28 days after morphine was withdrawn. The results from experiments in which only one rat was made dependent show that both the withdrawn dominant rats and the withdrawn submissive rats contributed to the behavioral changes observed in the pairs during withdrawal. Differential food deprivation in pairs not exposed to morphine did not change the dominant-submissive hierarchies. Significant changes in the distribution of FR-20 responding in the paired condition were evident after FR-20 responding in the unpaired condition returned to control rates. It is therefore concluded that change in so-called appetite for food is not an important determinant of the hierarchical changes observed during protracted withdrawal.
The pros and cons of spot pricing — electric utility perspective

Abstract Until recently, spot pricing of electrical energy has been an academic curiosity. Electric utilities, by and large, do not vary the price of their product by time-of-day or cost of generation even though such costs vary considerably from peak to off-peak periods. The primary reason for not using spot (or real-time) pricing has been communication and administrative costs. Recent advancements in technology have reduced the costs to a level where spot pricing is being considered a viable option for many utilities. The remaining obstacles to be resolved are development of hardware and software to administer real-time prices, customer education to understand and participate in spot pricing programmes, and reaching agreements with regulators on appropriate rates.
Recipes for writing algorithms to retrieve columnar water vapor for three-band multispectral data

Many papers have considered the theory of retrieving columnar water vapor using the continuum interpolated band ratio (CIBR) and a few the atmospherically pre-corrected differential absorption (APDA) methods. In this paper we aim at giving recipes to actually implement CIBR and APDA for the Multi-spectral Thermal Imager (MTI) with the hope that they can be easily adapted to other sensors such as MODIS, AVIRIS and HYDICE. The algorithms have the four following steps in common: (1) running a radiative transfer (RT) algorithm for a range of water vapor values and a particular observation geometry, (2) computation of sensor band-averaged radiances, (3) computation of a non-linear fit of channel ratios (CIBR or APDA) as a function of water vapor, (4) application of the inverse fit to retrieve columnar water vapor as a function of channel ratio.
Autonomous loop switching: Interpreting and modifying the internal state of feedback tracking loops

Receiver tracking loops are implemented in software in modern space-borne radios. Software implementation allows loop designs to be modified in flight. Not only filter coefficients and gain, but also loop order and type can be modified. This flexibility enables new cognitive and autonomous capabilities. Loop designs can be optimized for each mission phase, and separate loops can be used for acquisition and tracking. Furthermore, the loops can be automatically adapted based on changing signal dynamics or SNR. However, if the loop has tracked away from its quiescent state, the loop will lose lock when the switch occurs unless the internal state of the loop is translated appropriately. This paper considers the internal state of feedback tracking loops. In particular, a physical interpretation of loop state is derived that enables translating the loop state from one design to another. Limitations to autonomous switching, including high-order signal states and noise, are described, and several examples are simulated. Practical applications for both near-earth and deep-space missions are discussed.
Optimization of a Solid Phase Dynamic Extraction (SPDE) Method for Beer Volatile Profiling

A headspace solid phase dynamic extraction coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HS-SPDE-GC/MS) method for the analysis of the volatile fraction of beer was optimized using response surface methodology. A preliminary two-level full factorial design was performed, with extraction temperature, extraction strokes, and fill/eject speed as the main factors. The results showed that number of extraction strokes and temperature significantly affected the peak area response of the volatile compounds (p ≤ 0.05). To determine the ideal conditions for extraction, a second optimization of the significant factors was carried out using a Doehlert matrix design. The optimal conditions were identified as an extraction temperature of 60 °C and 55 extraction strokes. The optimized method was applied for the analysis of five commercial beers. A variety of compounds from different chemical classes were extracted from each sample, reflecting the effective application of the SPDE method for volatile compound extraction across different beers.
The European armaments industry at the crossroads

In the coming decade, one of the most significant decisions facing European defence planners, as well as their US counterparts, will concern the extent to which their defence industries will be internationalized. The '1992 Plan' of the European Community (EC), the proposals of the Independent European Programme Group (IEPG) for integrating defence markets, and a series of new NATO armaments projects highlight the heightened interest in internationalizing the West European defence industrial base. This article examines the causes and consequences of the recent trend towards opening European defence industries to international competition, and explores the dilemmas facing policy-makers charged with crafting European defence industrial policy. These policymakers face three fundamental questions: What is the appropriate mix between free-market competition and state-to-state collaboration in Europe? Should European armaments procurement be based on a notion of 'European preference' that discriminates against foreign products? What institutional form should European armaments co-operation take?
Stochastic Networked Computation

In this paper, the stochastic networked computation (SNC) paradigm for designing robust and energy-efficient systems-on-a-chip in nanoscale process technologies, where robust computation is treated as a statistical estimation problem is presented. The benefits of SNC are demonstrated by employing it to design an energy-efficient and robust pseudonoise-code acquisition system for the wireless CDMA2000 standard (http://www.3gpp2.org). Simulations in IBM's 130-nm CMOS process show that the SNC-based architecture enhances the average probability of detection (PDet) in the presence of process variations by two to three orders of magnitude, reduces power by 31%-39%, and reduces the variation in PDet by one to two orders of magnitude at a typical false-alarm rate of 5% over a conventional architecture. SNC performance in the presence of voltage overscaling and across technology nodes (90, 65, 45, and 32 nm) is also studied.
Angiotensin II Subtype AT1 and AT2 Receptors Regulate Microvascular Hydraulic Permeability via cAMP and cGMP

Introduction Angiotensin II receptor subtypes (AT1 and AT2) have been shown to modulate microvascular fluid leak. However, their intracellular signal transduction pathways have not been elucidated. We hypothesized that AT1 activation exerts its permeability-increasing effect by provoking cGMP synthesis and inducing cAMP degradation and that AT2 activation decreases fluid leak by stimulating cAMP synthesis and enhancing cGMP degradation. Methods Using a microcannulation technique, hydraulic permeability (L p ) was measured in rat mesenteric venules. The messenger signal transduction of ATI was studied during continuous perfusion with the AT1 agonist, Sar1 plus either 1) a cGMP synthesis inhibitor, LY83583, or 2) an inhibitor of cAMP degradation, Rolipram. Likewise, AT2 signal transduction was studied with the AT2 agonist, CGP42112A, plus either 1) a cAMP synthesis inhibitor, dideoxyadenosine, or 2) an inhibitor of cGMP degradation, Zaprinast. L p values are represented as mean ± SEM ×10 −7 cm/s/cm H 2 O. For each group n = 6. Results Inhibition of cGMP synthesis blunted the permeability-increasing effect of AT1 agonism and decreased the peak L p from 4.91 ± 0.25 to 2.30 ± 0.10 ( P p from 2.25 ± 0.22 to 1.30 ± 0.13 ( P p increased from a baseline of 0.92 ± 0.08 to a peak of 4.38 ± 0.20 ( P p from 2.26 ± 0.15 to 1.46 ± 0.05 ( P Conclusions When cGMP synthesis and cAMP degradation were inhibited, the effect on fluid leak by AT1 activation was blunted. Inhibition of cAMP synthesis completely blocked the effect of AT2 activation on fluid leak, while AT2 activation continued to decrease fluid leak despite inhibition of cGMP degradation. The AT1 receptor appears to increase fluid leak by stimulating both cGMP synthesis and cAMP degradation, while the AT2 receptor decreases fluid leak by stimulating cAMP synthesis, but not cGMP degradation.
Patent basics: History, background, and searching fundamentals

Abstract The U.S. patent system and the body of issued patents are key elements in meeting information needs related to technology and innovation. Most librarians, however, have little understanding of the value of patents as sources of technological information—and less knowledge about how to help users tap what has been called, “the largest and most comprehensive body of technological literature in the world.” This article attempts to provide a sufficient background on patent fundamentals to allow librarians to assist or refer users who would benefit by the use of patents. Detailed patent searching instructions are provided for staff in Government Printing Office depository libraries to use materials available through the depository program. The value of utilizing one of the 58 Patent depository libraries to enhance and expedite the search process is highlighted, and online searching options are introduced.
Microsecond carrier lifetimes in strained silicon-germanium alloys grown by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition

We report generation lifetimes of over 1 μs in Si0.82Ge0.18 epitaxial strained layers grown by rapid thermal chemical vapor deposition on silicon substrates. By using a pulsed metal‐oxide‐semiconductor capacitor technique, we were able to probe the minority‐carrier properties of a layer of Si0.82Ge0.18 sandwiched between two epitaxial layers of silicon. We also show that the band gap and the intrinsic carrier concentration are important when relating experimental results to the generation lifetime τg.
Effect of sensitizer spatial distribution on dissolution inhibition in novolak/diazonaphthoquinone resists

The inhibition mechanism is novolak/diazonaphthoquinone resists is widely studied. We are interested in evaluating the effect of sensitizer distribution in the resist on the dissolution properties. Langmuir- Blodgett film deposition allows us to control the spatial distribution of sensitizer and thus evaluate its 'sphere of influence' on the dissolution inhibition of the novolak resin. We have performed both dissolution studies and lithographic studies on films with sensitizer deposition only on the surface as well as films with an embedded layer of sensitizer between two layers of novolak polymer. The surface layer films with one monolayer of sensitizer do not demonstrate any inhibitive properties unless the films are thermally treated. However, for the analogous embedded layer films, inhibition does occur without any baking of the samples. Also, in the lithographic studies, pattern contrast is improved considerably upon baking the samples; indicating that intimate interactions between resist components which may be induced by the thermal treatment is necessary for dissolution inhibition to take place.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Tip potentials in microelectrodes filled by boiling under reduced pressure.

Glasmikroelektroden, mit 3M KCl-Losung gefullt durch Kochen in Wasserstrahlvakuum, zeigen einen Zentralwert fur das Potential an der Elektrodenspitze (tip-potential) von −2,5 mV; 75% geben entsprechende Werte niedriger als −5 mV. Lagerung der Elektroden bei 6°C lasst das «tip-potential» mindestens 2 Wochen unverandert, wahrend bei 22 °C sein Zentralwert nach 3–4 Tagen grosser als −5 mV wird.
Direct Molecular Dynamics Simulation of Branch Point Motion in Asymmetric Star Polymer Melts

The conjecture that branched polymers relax hierarchically in entangled melts is herein verified using microscopic molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of symmetric and asymmetric star polymers made possible by an efficient equilibration method. At time scales less than the short-arm relaxation time, the branch point remains anchored within a length scale of a tube diameter. Once the short arm relaxes, the branch point takes a random hop along the confining tube where the distinct “hop” can be visualized directly by simulation. At time scales much larger than the short-arm relaxation time, the branch point becomes mobile enough to allow the backbone to reptate. Coarse-grained simulations of a one-dimensional Rouse chain diffusing along a three-dimensional random walk with the short arm replaced by a large friction bead at the branch point capture the dynamics of the asymmetric star polymer at time scales larger than the short-arm relaxation time. Our simulations also suggest that branches that are only one...
Reconstruction of the Most Probable Folding Transition Path from All-Atom Replica Exchange Simulations, using the Dynamic String Method

In this work we demonstrate how the most probable transition path between metastable states can be recovered from replica exchange molecular dynamic simulation data by using the dynamic string method. The local drift vector in collective variables is determined via the short continuous trajectories between replica exchanges at a given temperature. A string is updated based on this drift vector to produce reaction pathways between the folded and unfolded state. The method is applied to a beta hairpin-forming peptide to obtain information on the folding mechanism and transition state using different sets of collective variables. Two main folding pathways differing in the order of events are found and discussed, and the relative free energy differences for each path estimated. The string that shows turn formation before native arrangement of the hydrophobic core has lower free energy difference from the unfolded state and thus is expected to be more probable. Finally, in both cases, the conformations on the peak of the free energy barrier have the tryptophans on the same side of the beta structure suggesting this arrangement to be the rate-limiting step.This work was supported by the NSF MCB-1050966 and CCNI.
Prevalence of coronary heart disease associated with HFE mutations in adults attending a health appraisal center.

Abstract Purpose Mutations of the HFE gene that cause hereditary hemochromatosis may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. We examined the relation between two HFE mutations (C282Y and H63D), indicators of iron homeostasis, and the prevalence of coronary heart disease in a large population of white adults. Subjects and methods We conducted a cross-sectional study of 30,916 white adults aged 25 to 98 years who attended a health appraisal center and underwent screening for HFE mutations. Coronary heart disease and cardiovascular risk factors were ascertained by questionnaire and medical records. Results Overall, 12% (1798/15,362) of men and 7% (1074/15,554) of women had a history of coronary heart disease. Of 10 HFE genotypes tested (five genotypes by sex), only men with the C282Y/H63D genotype (compound heterozygotes) had a significantly higher prevalence of coronary heart disease compared with men with no HFE mutations (odds ratio=1.6; 95% confidence interval: 1.1 to 2.4; P = 0.01) after adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors. Elevated serum ferritin levels (>250 ng/mL) were associated with a lower prevalence of coronary heart disease in men (10% [255/2209] vs. 12% [1515/12,461] in controls, P = 0.008), which was not significant after adjusting for use of aspirin and anticoagulants. There were no significant associations between elevated transferrin saturation in either men or women, or between elevated serum ferritin levels or HFE mutations in women, and the prevalence of coronary heart disease. Conclusion The results do not support a consistent association between HFE mutations or serum iron indicators and the prevalence of coronary heart disease.
SUMMARIZATION: (1) USING MMR FOR DIVERSITY- BASED RERANKING AND (2) EVALUATING SUMMARIES

This paper develops a method for combining query-relevance with information-novelty in the context of text retrieval and summarization. The Maximal Marginal Relevance (MMR) criterion strives to reduce redundancy while maintaining query relevance in reranking retrieved documents and in selecting appropriate passages for text summarization. Preliminary results indicate some benefits for MMR diversity ranking in ad-hoc query and in single document summarization. The latter are borne out by the trial-run (unofficial) TREC-style evaluation of summarization systems. However, the clearest advantage is demonstrated in the automated construction of large document and non-redundant multi-document summaries, where MMR results are clearly superior to non-MMR passage selection. This paper also discusses our preliminary evaluation of summarization methods for single documents.