cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagonal implicit multigrid calculation of inlet flowfields

Extension au calcul de l'ecoulement supersonique sur et dans une entree plane bidimensionnelle
Glycogen synthase kinase-3 promotes the synergistic action of interferon-γ on lipopolysaccharide-induced IL-6 production in RAW264.7 cells

Macrophages are the major effector cells of the innate immune system. Their function requires the integration of signals from pathogens, such as those induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS), and from the host, such as those induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). The priming by IFN-gamma of Toll-like receptor-induced macrophage activation has long been recognized, but the mechanisms underlying this priming action remain unclear. We report in this study that the priming of macrophage-derived RAW264.7 cells by IFN-gamma is highly dependent on glycogen synthase kinase-3 (GSK3). Cooperative interactions of GSK3 and signal transducer and activator of transcription-3 (STAT3) were revealed by the findings that GSK3 inhibitors, or knockdown of the GSK3 beta isoform, strongly reduced the activation of STAT3, but not STAT1, induced by IFN-gamma without affecting upstream signaling events, and GSK3 was associated with STAT3. Direct inhibition of STAT3 activation abolished the synergistic action of IL-6 production by IFN-gamma administered with LPS. Similarly, inhibition of GSK3 abolished the synergistic stimulation of IFN-gamma on IL-6 production, and GSK3 was recruited to the IFN-gamma receptor by co-treatment with IFN-gamma and LPS. These results demonstrate the dependency of macrophage priming by IFN-gamma on STAT3 and GSK3, providing novel targets for intervention.
Biomedical imaging using optical technologies

Recently developed fiber-optic technologies have provided new capabilities for high-resolution, minimally invasive diagnosis in clinical medicine. A variety of diagnostic techniques that leverage from components developed for the telecommunications industry enable sensitive optical detection of tissue characteristics such as scattering, absorption, perfusion, birefringence and flow. This presentation will review these technologies with emphasis on in vivo imaging and clinical applications.
Aluminum-Induced Anemia

Although many questions still remain unanswered, it is clear that aluminum causes a microcytic hypoproliferative anemia and is one factor responsible for worsening anemia in patients with end-stage renal disease. Time course studies in a rat model have shown that the anemia is preceded by microcytosis; this has not yet been examined in man. The exact mechanism of aluminum-induced anemia is unknown, however it appears to involve inhibition of heme synthesis, either by inhibition of enzyme activity or interference with iron incorporation or utilization. The interrelationship between aluminum and iron, zinc, lead, or other metals in this anemia is also unknown, as are the effects of aluminum on erythroid colony forming units. The role of parathyroid hormone on aluminum-induced anemia has not been examined. Presently treatment of aluminum-induced anemia involves removal of the source of the aluminum, although recent studies with desferrioxamine show promise. It is unclear, however, exactly how desferrioxamine improves this anemia. It is clear, however, that aluminum in the dialysate can cause clinical problems including anemia, and that these problems can be substantially reduced if not eliminated by water treatment.
The influence of mirror reversals on male and female performance in spatial tasks: A componential look

Abstract O'Boyle and Hoff (Neuropsychologia, 25, 977–982, 1987) reported that females were faster and more accurate than males at mirror-tracing the outline of random shapes. To account for this differential performance, the authors advanced two alternative explanations. The first was a ‘Spatial Stroop’ effect which suggested that, because of their enhanced spatial ability, males are especially disadvantaged in escaping the misleading visual feedback provided by the mirror, resulting in slower and less accurate tracings. The second was a ‘manipulospatial’ hypothesis which suggested that the tracing advantage was related to female superiority in fine-detailed motor control, and perhaps, differential practice at performing skilled motor tasks in mirror-reversed contexts. In the present study, two experiments were conducted to assess the relative viability of these explanations. In Experiment 1, the WAIS-R Block Design task was performed within and outside the context of a mirror. This was done to determine if the observed female advantage was restricted to mirror-tracing per se, or generalizable to other manipulospatial tasks. In Experiment 2, a mental rotation task was performed within and outside the context of a mirror. The latter was designed to reveal if the removal of the motor component would affect the obtained sex difference. The present findings suggest that as long as some form of precision motor manipulation is required, females are superior to males at mirror-reversed spatial tasks. However, when the motor component is eliminated, a male performance advantage emerges in both normal and mirror-reversed contexts, suggesting that the manipulospatial hypothesis is the more viable explanation.
TU‐EE‐A2‐03: Simultaneous Integrated Boost for Canine Nasal Tumors Using Helical Tomotherapy: A Radiobiological and Treatment Planning Study

Purpose: Canine nasal tumors exhibit a marginal 1‐year local control rate of approximately 29%. To improve local control, we evaluated the feasibility of delivering a simultaneous integrated subvolume boost to the gross disease using helical tomotherapy to improve tumor control probability (TCP)via an increase in biological equivalent uniform dose (EUD). Methods and Materials: Eight dogs with varying size nasal tumors (5.82–110.88cc) were planned to 42 Gy to 98% of the entire nasal cavity (PTV) and gross disease (GTV) boosts of 45.2, 48.3, and 51.3 Gy in 10 fractions. Simultaneous integrated boosts were selected such that tumor effect, NTD10, received a relative dose boost of 10, 20, and 30%. Pitch of 0.215 and field width of 2.5cm were used for the planning. EUD values were calculated for tumors and mean normalized total doses (NTDmean) for organs at risk (OAR). Normal Tissue Complication Probability (NTCP) values were obtained for OARs. Estimated TCP values were computed using the logistic expression and based on EUD boosts and previously published response rates. Results: Significant increases in estimated TCP of 54, 74, and 86% were achieved with a 10, 23, and 37% mean EUD boost, respectively. NTCP values for blindness of either eye and for brain necrosis were < 0.01%, and for cataract formation were 31, 42, and 46% for studied boost schema. Average NTDmean to eyes and brain for mean EUD boosts were 10.2, 11.3 and 12.1 Gy3, and 7.5, 7.2 and 7.9 Gy2, respectively. Conclusions: Using helical tomotherapy, simultaneous integrated boosts to gross disease can be delivered to increase estimated 1‐year tumor control probability without significantly increasing the NTDmean to either eye or brain.Conflict of Interest: TRM has a financial interest in TomoTherapyInc.
Key issues concerning biolog use for aerobic and anaerobic freshwater bacterial community-level physiological profiling

Bacterial heterotrophy in aquatic ecosystems is important in the overall carbon cycle. Biolog MicroPlates provide information into the metabolic potential of bacteria involved in carbon cycling. Specifically, Biolog EcoPlates™ were developed with ecologically relevant carbon substrates to allow investigators to measure carbon substrate utilization patterns and develop community-level physiological profiles from natural bacterial assemblages. However, understanding of the functionality of these plates in freshwater research is limited. We explored several issues of EcoPlate use for freshwater bacterial assemblages including inoculum density, incubation temperature, non-bacterial color development, and substrate selectivity. Each of these has various effects on plate interpretation. We offer suggestions and techniques to resolve these interpretation issues. Lastly we propose a technique to allow EcoPlate use in anaerobic freshwater bacterial studies. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Prostaglandin E2 and 4-aminopyridine prevent the lipopolysaccharide-induced outwardly rectifying potassium current and interleukin-1β production in cultured rat microglia

Brain inflammation includes microglial activation and enhanced production of diffusible chemical mediators, including prostaglandin E2. Prostaglandin E2 is generally considered a proinflammatory molecule, but it also promotes neuronal survival and down-regulates some aspects of microglial activation. It remains unknown, however, if and how prostaglandin E2 prevents microglial activation. In primary culture, microglial activation is predicted by a characteristic pattern of whole-cell potassium currents and interleukin-1beta production. We investigated if prostaglandin E2 could alter these currents and, if so, whether these currents are necessary for microglial activation. Microglia were isolated from mixed cell cultures prepared from neonatal rat brains and exposed to 0-10 microM prostaglandin E2 and lipopolysaccharide for 24 h. Currents were elicited by using standard patch-clamp technique, and interleukin-1beta production was measured by ELISA. Peak outward current densities in microglia treated with lipopolysaccharide plus prostaglandin E2 (10 nM) were reduced significantly from those of cells treated with lipopolysaccharide alone. Prostaglandin E2 and 4-aminopyridine (a blocker of outward potassium currents) also significantly reduced interleukin-1beta production. Thus, although prostaglandin E2 is classified generally as a proinflammatory chemical, it has complex roles in brain inflammation that include preventing microglial activation, perhaps by reducing the outward potassium current.
A computably enumerable vector space with the strong antibasis property

Downey and Remmel have completely characterized the degrees of c.e. bases for c.e. vector spaces (and c.e. fields) in terms of weak truth table degrees. In this paper we obtain a structural result concerning the interaction between the c.e. Turing degrees and the c.e. weak truth table degrees, which by Downey and Remmel's classification, establishes the existence of c.e. vector spaces (and fields) with the strong antibasis property (a question which they raised). Namely, we construct c.e. sets \(B<_{\rm T}A\) such that the c.e. W-degrees below that of A are disjoint from the nonzero c.e. T-degrees below that of A and comparable to that of B.
Aircraft Passenger Cabin ECS-Generated Ventilation Velocity and Mass Transport CFD Simulation: Velocity Field Validation

A collaborative research project, established between the University of Tennessee (UT) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) Lab and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Civil Aerospace Medical Institute (CAMI), sought to validate CFD prediction of the environmental control system (ECS)-generated ventilation velocity vector flow field of a wide-body aircraft passenger cabin. Measurements generating the experimental database of the time-dependent, three-dimensional velocity vector field were conducted in the CAMI Aircraft Environmental Research Facility (AERF) and in an identical wide-body aircraft in cruise flight at altitude. The CFD simulations were conducted on the CFD Lab resident PC cluster using both commercial and proprietary CFD computer codes. The results of this velocity field validation study reported herein quantitatively assess CFD algorithm/code strengths and weaknesses, and fully confirm the dominance of unsteadiness in the aircraft ventilation velocity field. To be reported in a separate...
Forage quality of potato leafhopper resistant and susceptible alfalfa cultivars

Glandular-haired alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivars resistant to potato leafhopper [Empaasca fabae Harris] (PLH) have not been evaluated for forage quality across a wide region. Our objective was to compare forage quality of PLH resistant and susceptible alfalfa cultivars with and without insecticide control of PLH across the Midwest USA. Six commercially released PLH resistant and five susceptible cultivars were evaluated from 1996 to 1997 in field experiments in Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. The resistant cultivar group was more mature at harvest but equal to or higher (P ≤ 0.05) in crude protein (CP) concentration than the susceptible group regardless of insecticide treatment. Averaged over all harvests, the CP advantage for the resistant group was 11 to 13 g kg -1 for insecticide treated and untreated controls, respectively. Without insecticide, the resistant group was equal to or lower (P s 0.05) in neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and equal to or higher (P ≤ 0.05) in in vitro digestible dry matter (IVDDM) than the susceptible group, except at harvests when PLH severely stunted the susceptible cultivars, which likely increased leaf/ stem ratio. With insecticide, the resistant group was lower in NDF by 15 to 25 g kg -1 and higher in IVDDM by 19 g kg -1 than the susceptible group. Potato leafhopper feeding had less effect on forage quality and maturity of PLH resistant cultivars than susceptible cultivars. The PLH resistant cultivars we evaluated generally had higher forage quality than susceptible cultivars when grown with or without insecticide application despite being more mature at harvest.
Topographic studies of glycoproteins of intact synaptosomes from rat brain cortex

Abstract Glycoproteins in the external surface of intact synaptosomes from rat brain cortex have been studied by oxidation of exposed galactose and galactosamine groups by galactose oxidase followed by reduction with labeled sodium borohydride. Purified synaptosomes were labeled, disrupted by osmotic shock, and the particulate components were fractionated on diatrizoate to give four synaptosomal membrane fractions (A to D) and a mitochondrial pellet (E). Fractions A and B represent highly purified synaptosomal plasma membranes. After separation of their polypeptides by electrophoresis, 4 5 of the label was present in two bands: one about 72 000 and the other between 7800 and 3200 daltons. Seven other bands were labeled to various degrees: 160 000, 96 000, 53 000, 39 000, 34 000, 23 000 and 16 000 daltons. With isolated membranes (which incorporate 5–6 times more label) 4 5 of label was present in polypeptides in three ranges: 160 000–96 000, 70 000–40 000 and 7800-3200. The number of polypeptides that can be labeled by treatment of isolated membranes is very large. In comparison, glycoproteins whose topographical distribution permits interaction with large molecules at the synaptic surface are very limited. It is further suggested that the external synaptosome membrane involves a relatively tight network of interacting molecules that cannot be readily penetrated by large molecules.
New Species of Mexican Asteraceae

Four new species of Asteraceae from Mexico are described:Iostephane papposa,Verbesina costata,Verbesina sousae, andSabazia trifida. Illustrations of the new species are provided.
Length-scale-dependent deformation mechanisms in incoherent metallic multilayered composites

Abstract Nano-indentation hardness as a function of bilayer period has been measured for sputter-deposited Cu–Nb multilayers. For this face-centered cubic/body-centered cubic system with incoherent interfaces, we develop dislocation models for the multilayer flow strength as a function of length scale from greater than a micrometer to less than a nanometer. A dislocation pile-up-based Hall–Petch model is found applicable at the sub-micrometer length scales and the Hall–Petch slope is used to estimate the peak strength of the multilayers. At the few to a few tens of nanometers length scales, confined layer slip of single dislocations is treated as the operative mechanism. The effects of dislocation core spreading along the interface, interface stress and interface dislocation arrays on the confined layer slip stress are incorporated in the model to correctly predict the strength increase with decreasing layer thickness. At layer thicknesses of a few nanometers or less, the strength reaches a peak. We postulate that this peak strength is set by the interface resistance to single dislocation transmission, and calculate the transition from confined layer slip to an interface cutting mechanism.
Role of deformation bands in fatigue crack nucleation and propagation in copper crystals

Abstract The deformation behaviour of copper crystals of [ 1 22] orientation under low strain amplitude cyclic loading is reported. Specimens with square cross section have been cycled to failure and changes in surface topography have been studied using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray Laue techniques. Two sets of deformation bands are shown to form on all four sides of the specimens prior to crack propagation and to lead to the development of surface waviness. The bands form on 45° planes of maximum shear and their structure is discussed. The exact location of the crack nucleation site within a deformation band is shown to be influenced by the slip system with the greatest Schmid factor. The selection of the [ 1 22] crystal orientation, which provides two equally stressed slip systems on the primary plane, is believed to be one of the major factors influencing the deformation characteristics observed, the other being the macroscopic state of stress.
ATP-binding cassette transporter A7 (ABCA7) binds apolipoprotein A-I and mediates cellular phospholipid but not cholesterol efflux

ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 (ABCA1), the defective transporter in Tangier disease, binds and promotes cellular cholesterol and phospholipid efflux to apolipoprotein I (apoA-I). Based on a high degree of sequence homology between ABCA1 and ABCA7, a transporter of unknown function, we investigated the possibility that ABCA7 might be involved in apolipoprotein binding and lipid efflux. Similarly to cells expressing ABCA1, HEK293 cells overexpressing ABCA7 showed specific binding and cross-linking of lipid-poor apoA-I. ABCA7 expression increased cellular phosphatidylcholine and sphingomyelin efflux to apoA-I in a manner similar to ABCA1 but had no effect on cholesterol efflux. Western analysis showed a high protein level of ABCA7 in mouse spleen, lung, adrenal, and brain but low expression in liver. In contrast to ABCA1, ABCA7 showed moderate basal mRNA and protein levels in macrophages and lymphocytes but no induction by liver X receptor activation. These studies show that ABCA7 has the ability to bind apolipoproteins and promote efflux of cellular phospholipids without cholesterol, and they suggest a possible role of ABCA7 in cellular phospholipid metabolism in peripheral tissues.
Longitudinal study of the in vivo hprt mutant frequency in human T-lymphocytes as determined by a cell cloning assay.

The in vivo frequency of mutants resulting from mutation at the hprt locus in human T-lymphocytes can be determined by a cloning assay. This assay quantifies the frequency of 6-thioguanine-resistant (TG{sup r}) T-cells through growth of colonies in 96-well microtiter dishes. The reproducibility of the TG{sup r} mutant frequency values has now been assessed in a longitudinal study of six individuals employing 4-5 blood samples over a 26-37 week time period. Cloning assays were performed with both fresh and cryopreserved cell samples. No significant differences were found among the mutant frequency values for multiple samples from each individual with both fresh and cryopreserved cell samples. These results demonstrate the reproducibility of this cloning assay for in vivo mutant frequency determinations in human T-lymphocytes.
Contamination of surfaces prior to optical coating by in-situ total internal reflection microscopy

Scatter in thin film optical coatings may arise from a variety of sources. Our previous investigations have used total internal reflection microscopy (TIRM) to monitor scatter site generation during film growth. These studies have reported the effects of substrate cleaning techniques and certain deposition parameters on scatter site generation. The present investigation using TIRM to monitor the coating process has yielded new insight into defect generating mechanisms for films of HfO2 and ZrO2. Of particular interest is surface contamination apparently caused by electrostatic effects. Introduction of high electric potentials in the vacuum chamber has been observed to cause surface contamination prior to deposition, resulting in a significant increase in the number of scatter sites.
Ozonation of chrysene: evaluation of byproduct mixtures and identification of toxic constituent.

The effects of chrysene and the ozonated byproducts on in vitro gap junctional intercellular communication (GJIC) were evaluated using the scrape loading/ dye transfer (SL/DT) technique. A 1 mM solution of chrysene was ozonated at dosages of 1.75, 3, 4.25, and 5 mol O3/mol chrysene (Chr). The early ozonation mixture, 1.75 mol O3/mol Chr, exhibited greater inhibition to GJIC than chrysene and irreversible damage to cells leading to cell death. To determine the compounds potentially responsible for the increase in toxicity, the byproducts formed upon treatment with 1.44 mol O3/mol Chr were separated into 14 fractions using RP-HPLC. The major compounds identified in the fractions were 2-(2‘-formyl) phenyl-1-naphthaldehyde, 2-(2‘formyl) phenyl-1-naphthoic acid, and 2-2-carboxyphenyl-1-naphthoic acid. 2-(2‘-Formyl) phenyl-1-naphthaldehyde was determined to be the compound causing GJIC inhibition in sample fractions and byproduct mixtures.
Effects of Sodium Hydroxide and Selected Inorganic Phosphates on the Characteristics of Reduced Sodium Meat Emulsions

The effects of adding sodium hydroxide (NaOH), separately or in combinastion with various inorganic phosphates, on meat emulsion characteristics were studied. In comparing the addition of either NaPP or NaOH, 0.075% NaOH resulted in a higher raw emulsion pH and greater solubilized protein than 0.30% NaPP, but NaPP resulted in a more stable emulsion. The combination of 0.075% NaOH and 0.30% NaPP resulted in a soluble protein level less than when the ingredients were added individually and only slightly higher than if neither were present. The addition of NaOH (at 1 part NaOH to 4 parts phosphate) decreased cooked yields. With NaAPP and NaPP, NaOH reduced yields below that of the control.
Prognostication of pancreatic adenocarcinoma by expression of thymidine phosphorylase/dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase ratio and its correlation with survival

Background: Dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) is the first rate limiting enzyme that catabolizes 5-fluorouracil. Thymidine phosphorylase (TP) catalyzes the last step that converts capecitabine into 5-fluorouracil. The TP/DPD ratio has suggested a positive correlation with the efficacy of capecitabine in human xenograft models. This is the first human study that analyzes the association of TP/DPD ratio with overall survival and disease-free survival in cases of locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Methods: A total of 35 patients with newly diagnosed LAPC received 50.4 Gy radiotherapy with capecitabine 1,600 mg/m2 followed by capecitabine 2,000 mg/m2 × 14 days every 3 weeks till progression. Tumor specimens were procured with endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration before and after week 2 of starting capecitabine radiotherapy to evaluate TP and DPD mRNA levels by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results: The paired t-tests showed no relationship between mRNA TP...
Effects of olfactory bulb ablation upon heart rate

Abstract The intent of this study was to investigate the influence of the olfactory system upon heart rate changes in the rat. Heart rate was measured before and during the presentation of a tone and difference scores were computed. Normal animals and sham operated animals both showed an initial decrease in heart rate to the tone but they quickly adapted to this stimulus. No difference was noted between these two groups. Animals which had had their olfactory bulbs ablated also showed a decrease in heart rate to the initial tone presentations. While the size of this response decreased over trials, the lesioned animals were still responding at a level significantly different from the controls after 20 trials.
Characterization of a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from rabbit skeletal muscle and reconstitution in planar phospholipid bilayers

Abstract The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from rabbit skeletal muscle was isolated by affinity chromatography and characterized by 125 I- α -Bungarotoxin binding and gel filtration chromatography. Quantal conductance events were observed when this material was added to planar phospholipid bilayers. These changes were stimulated by carbamylcholine and antagonized by curare, Butx, dithiothreitol and concanavalin A. The receptor preparation was found to bind 0.2 nMoles 125 I- α-Bungarotoxin per mg protein and the molecular weight was estimated to be 390,000.
Prolonged use of a proton pump inhibitor reduces microbial diversity: implications for Clostridium difficile susceptibility

Background: The role of the gut microbiome in arresting pathogen colonization and growth is important for protection against Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Observational studies associate proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use and CDI incidence. We hypothesized that PPI use affected the distal gut microbiome over time, an effect that would be best explored by time-longitudinal study of healthy subjects on PPI in comparison to treatment-naive CDI subjects. This study enrolled nine healthy human subjects and five subjects with treatment-naive CDI. After random assignment to a low (20 mg/day) or high (2× 20 mg/day) dose group, fecal samples were collected from the nine healthy subjects before, during, and after 28 days of PPI use. This was done in conjunction with pre-treatment fecal collection from CDI subjects. High-throughput sequencing (16S rRNA) was performed on time-longitudinal samples to assess changes to the healthy gut microbiome associated with prolonged PPI usage. The healthy samples were then compared to the CDI subjects to explore changes over time to the gut microbiome associated with PPI use and potentially related to CDI. Results: We report that PPI usage at low and high dosages, administered for 28 days, resulted in decreases to observed operational taxonomic unit (OTU) counts after both 1 week and 1 month. This decrease resulted in observed OTU levels that were similar to those found in treatment-naive CDI patients, which was partly reversible after a 1 month recovery period. We did not detect a dose-dependent difference in OTU levels nor did we detect significant changes in taxa previously reported to be affected by PPI treatment. Conclusion: While our observation of diminishing observed OTU counts during PPI therapy is a preliminary finding in a small cohort, our hypothesis that PPIs disrupt the healthy human gut microbiome is supported in this group. We conclude that decreases in observed species counts were reversible after cessation of PPI usage within 1 month. This finding may be a potential explanation for the association between prolonged PPI usage and CDI incidence.
Traditional bullying as a potential warning sign of cyberbullying

Although traditional bullying and cyberbullying share features in common, they differ in important ways. For example, cyberbullying is often characterized by perceived anonymity and can occur any t...
A MODEL SYSTEM FOR STUDYING CHICKEN LACTATE DEHYDROGENASE‐5 IN THE PARTICULATE PHASE

The effect of the interaction of chicken lactate dehydrogenase isoenzyme 5 with carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) on some kinetic properties was studied. The effect of pH and the concentration of salt, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase on binding of chicken LDH-5 to CMC was determined and found to be qualitatively similar to that observed earlier for the interaction of LDH with the particulate fraction of muscle but showed quantitative differences. Modifications of the catalytic properties of LDH on binding to CMC and muscle particles may be due to interactions between the enzyme and the insoluble support or to a change in the microenvironment of the enzyme.
Evidence for a role of the stomach in serum calcium regulation

Abstract Gastrin, histamine, cholecystokinin, and the cholecystokinin-octapeptide all result in hypocalcemia in the rat. A gastric factor, and not the release of calcitonin from the thyroid gland, seems most important in mediating these changes in serum calcium concentration. Neither the administration of secretin, V.I.P., G.I.P., nor highly purified insulins resulted in any significant change in serum calcium concentrations in this animal. We conclude that under certain circumstances the stomach may play a role in serum calcium regulation.
Heart block and Lyme carditis

A 19-year-old male with no past medical history presented to our emergency department with an episode of syncope while walking. The patient denied any history of chest pain, shortness of breath or previous similar episodes. The physical examination was significant for a heart rate of 33 and an erythema migrans rash on the abdomen (Figure 1 …
Beyond What Are Given as Givens: Ethnography and Critical Policy Studies

This commentary argues for the importance of a move from ethnography to theory to a critical stance on public policy and welfare reform. Two examples illustrate the vital role of ethnography in creating social policies that respect the variety of human experiences. One is a study of block grants in the rural south, the other offast-food service workers in Oakland. These examples show the importance of using similar methods but with differences in ethnographicfocus in order to address spe- cific empirical problems and policy questions. iM j y purpose as an anthropologist, working alongside many others in the field, is to propose that we configure our public polices around the social practices and everyday lives of people most deeply affected by these policies. By bringing ethnographic data into the resources of public reasoning, I hope to shift the character of the policy debate. I have written within three policy arenas over the past 25 years: disputes over who owns the child (best interests of the child, psychological parenting, child custody and foster care, permanency planning); entitlements (AFDC and household formation, 4D-parent locator bill, block grants and devolution); and housing and community impact. Working across these wide-ranging issues in family policy, I have used ethnography (arguing from the particular to the construction of theory) to attempt to convince policy makers about the need to consider extended kin as an essential ingredient in public reasoning. This is but one example of how to use ethnography to create social policies that respect the variety of human experiences.
Biomedical and Surgical Systems

In this new open surgical instrument design, the surgiclip delivery mechanism is improved if compared with conventional surgical instruments. The surgiclips are moving to the front jaw pair through distal move of surgiclip pusher which can be manipulated by instrument handles. When doctors and surgeons move instrument handles together, the surgiclip will be driven forward and completely formed after surgiclip pusher distally drives surgiclip into the guiding groove in the front jaw pair. When doctors and surgeons free the instrument handles, the surgiclip pusher automatically moves back to original location or starting position to catch next surgiclip for next firing cycle. Since the advancing process of this surgiclip can be easily and reliably manipulated in the new design, the highly required dimensional tolerance control will be not necessary in making the instrumental components during production process. This improvement can prevent the surgiclips from drop-off, simplify the machining process, raise the production rate, and reduce the manufacturing cost (Figs. 10.1 and 10.2).
PU.1 supports proliferation of immature erythroid progenitors.

Abstract Despite normal levels of erythropoiesis in PU.1−/− embryos, PU.1−/− fetal hematopoietic progenitors are unable to establish sustained erythropoiesis in the adult bone marrow. This study demonstrates that PU.1−/− fetal erythroid progenitors are synergistically expanded by TPO plus SCF, but not combinations of EPO plus SCF, IL-3 or GM-CSF. The EPO defect is not corrected by a constitutively active variant of EPOR. Microarray analysis identified several candidate PU.1 target genes known to affect cytokine signaling and gene regulation in the erythroid lineage. These data suggest that PU.1 plays an important role in regulating the proliferation of immature erythroid progenitors.
Effects of polymer/metal interaction in thin-film multichip module applications

An investigation was conducted to examine the effects of different polyimide/metal combinations on structures similar to those used in thin-film multichip module applications. Three different metal structures and three commercially available spin-on polyimide materials which possess different molecular structures were examined. Transmission electron microscopy was used to study the polyimide/metal interfaces. Measurements of the transmission characteristics of line structures fabricated using the different metal/polyimide combinations were compared. It was found that the extent of interaction of polyimide with copper is dependent upon the type of polyimide used. Dupont 2611D polyimide showed the least amount of interaction with only a small band of precipitates present approximately 5 kAA from the copper/polyimide interface, which do not affect the electrical transmission characteristics of lines spaced 22 mu m a part. The use of an electrodes nickel layer on copper to retard copper/polyimide interaction from occurring during the curing cycle of the polyimide was found to be effective. However, increased loss of transmission at high frequencies and narrow spacing was seen for nickel-clad lines embedded in Dupont 2611D polyimide. Since nickel is a magnetic material, this increase in loss may be due to natural inductance from the nickel present in neighboring lines. >
From Coercion to Persuasion: Another Look at the Rise of Religious Liberty and the Emergence of Denominationalism

So far as religious affairs are concerned, the colonial period of our history begins with the planting of the first permanent English colony in 1607, guided by the intention to perpetuate in the new land the religious patterns to which the mother country had grown accustomed. Chief of these for our purposes was uniformity enforced by the civil power. The period culminates just 180 years later with the complete rejection of this central intention in the provisions for national religious freedom in the Constitution (1787) and First Amendment (1791).
PRAM algorithms for static dictionary compression

Parallel algorithms for lossless data compression via dictionary compression using the longest fragment first (LFF) and greedy parsing strategies are described. Dictionary compression removes redundancy by replacing substrings of the input by references to strings stored in a dictionary. Given a static dictionary stored as a suffix tree, we present PRAM CREW algorithms for LFF compression which run in O(log/sup 2/ n) time with O(n/log n) processors where it is assumed that the maximum dictionary entry is of length O(log n). We also describe a logarithmic time and linear processor algorithm for greedy parsing. >
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

Although obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is the least prevalent of the anxiety disorders, it is often one of the more severe, extracting a heavy toll in personal and social debilitation. As a diagnostic entity it is easily recognizable, and Esquirol, as early as 1838, described the disorder. More systematic defi nitions were offered by Janet (1908), Schneider (1925), and Lewis (1966). In this chapter, we will review and summarize the clinical syndrome, theories, relationships to other conditions, and contemporary treatments. An exhaustive review, however, is beyond the scope of this chapter, and the reader may refer to Rachman and Hodgson (1980), Beech (1974), and Mavissakalian, Turner, and Michelson (in preparation) for comprehensive critiques.
A visual electromagnetics laboratory for engineering education based on TLM

A new educational tool in the form of an electromagnetic wave simulator is described. It is based on the transmission-line matrix (TLM) method of numerical analysis (a method using Huygens's principle in discretized form), employs a sophisticated graphics user interface, and runs on MS DOS computers, as well as RISC (reduced instruction set computer) workstations. Since most students now have access to such machines, it becomes feasible to employ this field simulator as a visual electromagnetics laboratory, complementing the traditional teaching of microwave courses. The main features of the TLM wave simulator are presented. >
Simulation of conservative congruence transformation. Conservative properties in the joint and Cartesian spaces

The stiffness characteristics of robot systems via the conservative congruence transformation (CCT) and the conventional congruence transformation (CT) between the joint and Cartesian spaces are investigated. A stiffness matrix is conservative if: 1) the force resulting from the stiffness matrix is conservative, and 2) the work done by such force along a closed path is zero. The criteria result in the derivation of the CCT between the joint and Cartesian spaces. Numerical simulation of a two-link planar manipulator, manipulating along various closed paths with no self-intersection, is implemented. The results verify that a stiffness matrix in R/sup 3/spl times/3/ Cartesian space or joint space can be conservative if it is symmetric and satisfies the exact differential criterion. Furthermore, we also illustrate the importance of the effect of changes in geometry in grasping and manipulation using stiffness control via CCT. The results show that the CCT is the correct mapping for stiffness matrices between the joint and Cartesian spaces.
Trading in Green IT

Using green IT techniques can significantly reduce an organization's-and ultimately a country's-carbon footprint.
Time to change how we describe biodiversity

Taxonomists are arguably the most active annotators of the natural world, collecting and publishing millions of phenotype data annually through descriptions of new taxa. By formalizing these data, preferably as they are collected, taxonomists stand to contribute a data set with research potential that rivals or even surpasses genomics. Over a decade of electronic innovation and debate has initiated a revolution in the way that the biodiversity is described. Here, we opine that a new generation of semantically based digital scaffolding, presently in various stages of completeness, and a commitment by taxonomists and their colleagues to undertake this transformation, are required to complete the taxonomic revolution and critically broaden the relevance of its products.
Efficient downloading and updating applications on portable devices using authentication trees

Consider the problem of securely downloading n application blocks B 1, B 2, ..., B n from an application provider to a smart card (SC) with the possibility of updating a block B i , at a later time. In this paper we describe a scheme, which solves the problem of downloading and updating application blocks with the following properties: (1) a single signature based on an authentication tree is computed for the blocks, (2) only O(log n) additional memory is required by SC beyond the memory for the blocks themselves, (3) block B i can be verified as correct upon receipt at the SC, and (4) blocks can be updated in O(log n) time. All previously known solutions require O(n) memory and/or delay requirements for the download/update of n code blocks. This scheme also generalizes to other portable devices that share common characteristics with smart cards.
Dynamic networking refinement in distributed systems

Networking forms an essential part of distributed systems and reliable point-to-point communication is one of the main utilization of distributed networking systems. We discuss new techniques for improving networking in distributed systems under a sequence of operations, such as inserting and deleting a link between two nodes. As a result, by simply alternating the insertion and deletion of a link, we can generate a sequence of operations that at each step changes the number of components. It is shown how to rest at any time whether two nodes belong to the same sub-network, and how to insert and delete a link in O(m/sup 2/3/) time in the worst case, where m is the current number of links in the network.
The dependent patient in a psychiatric inpatient setting: relationship of interpersonal dependency to consultation and medication frequencies.

To examine the relationship between interpersonal dependency and medical service use in a hospital setting, the number of medical consultations and psychotropic medication prescriptions were compared in matched, mixed-sex samples of 40 dependent and 40 nondependent psychiatric inpatients. Results indicated that dependent patients received more medical consultations and a greater number of medications than did nondependent patients with similar demographic and diagnostic profiles. Implications of these results for theoretical models of interpersonal dependency and for previous research on the dependency–help-seeking relationship are discussed. Practical implications of these findings for work with dependent patients are summarized. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Psychol 57: 289–298, 2001.
Hot Economics, Cold Politics? Reexamining Economic Linkages and Political Tensions in Sino-Japanese Relations

Scholars often claim that East Asia is characterized by “hot economics and cold politics.” While economic linkages between East Asian countries proliferate rapidly, mutual distrust and unresolved historical tensions seem to present a continual obstacle to the development of closer interregional political ties. This dynamic is particularly evident in the bilateral relationship between Japan and China. Though it has much to gain from trading with Japan, China continues to experience strong domestic anti-Japanese sentiment and periodic protests over issues such as history textbooks, territorial disputes, controversial Japanese statements about the Nanjing Massacre, and visits by politicians to the infamous Yasukuni Shrine. Despite the frequency with which the “hot economics, cold politics” thesis is invoked, however, there have been few attempts to test its accuracy or to specify the conditions under which it holds true. To what extent do firms react to these political debacles, and to what extent are the latter simply demonstrations of nationalist rhetoric?We attempt to tackle these questions by using a combination of event analysis and nonparametric matching techniques to examine the effects of three negative shocks in Sino-Japanese relations — the August 2003 poisoning of Chinese citizens by mustard gas left behind by the Japanese during World War II; the intrusion of a Chinese submarine into Japanese waters in September 2004; and the April 2005 anti-Japanese protests in China — on specific types of companies listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. We also include two types of placebo tests to ensure that our research design is not indiscriminately affected by any type of political shock. Our findings indicate that when shocks are unexpected and have potentially large-scale consequences, companies dependent on the Asian sales marked are more negatively effected than otherwise similar companies. This suggests that a firm’s value is partially tied to Sino-Japanese bilateral relations and that political tensions are indeed important for the future of economic linkages in Asia. Our findings help to clarify the relationship between economic integration and political tensions between these two key countries, making a contribution to the growing literature on Asian regionalism. Moreover, these findings have significant implications for the broader literature on conflict and economic interdependence. As globalization pushes countries all over the world to become more economically interconnected to partners with whom they have longstanding political disagreements, it is increasingly important for analysts to develop a nuanced understanding of the complex nexus between economics and politics.
Abandonment and Post-Abandonment Behavior at a Rural Central American House-Site

Examination of a recently abandoned modern rural house-site in northern Costa Rica was undertaken in an attempt to gain insights into the absence of comparable sites from the Precolumbian archaeological record. The site was thoroughly described, a number of hypotheses based on artifactual evidence were advanced, and the former occupants were then interviewed. Abandonment and post-abandonment behavior by the occupants and others stongly influenced the material culture remains and potential archaeological data. The site had been subjected to a number of alterations and artifacts found were of the lowest retentive priority. A number of problems relevant to archaeological investigation at such sites were elucidated.
Bionomics of the Sheep Bot Fly, Oestrus Ovis

Larvae of Oestrus Ovis L. harbored by lambs maintained at a higher temperature had a greater survival rate and matured more rapidly than larvae harbored by lambs maintained at a lower temperature. However, the smaller population of surviving larvae harbored by lambs maintained at a lower temperature produced more mature larvae. Larvae matured more rapidly and in greater quantities in lambs than in yearlings. Although relative humidity had no influence upon the number of adults emerging from pupae, temperature did; 27°C was optimum. Pupae subjected to a temperature below 0°C for brief periods survived, while constant temperatures below 16°C and above 32°C were fatal. A constant temperature of 16°C permitted development of pupae but inhibited emergence of adults. Estimated mortality during the immature stages of O. ovis in wild populations ranged from 90.2–93.8% for the 1st generation and 98.5–99.1% for the 2nd generation. The incidence of infested sheep during November through February exceeded 90%. The annual mean infestation was 21.9 larvae per sheep. During October and November the sheep harbored a mean of 45 larvae per head. Oestrus Ovis was found to complete 2 generations per year in Kentucky.
How mandated college students talk about alcohol: peer communication factors associated with drinking

ABSTRACTRelatively little research has examined how peer communication influences alcohol consumption. In a sample of mandated college students, we differentiate conversations about drinking from conversations about harm prevention and provide evidence for the validity of these communication constructs. Students who violated campus alcohol policies and were referred for alcohol sanctions (N = 345) reported on drinking patterns, use of protective behavioral strategies, perceived descriptive norms for close friends, and serving as social leader among their friends; they also reported on the frequency of conversations about drinking, about drinking safety, and about risk reduction efforts. Predicted correlations were found among types of communication and conceptually related variables. General communication was related to consumption but not protective behavioral strategies, whereas safety/risk reduction conversations correlated positively with all protective behavioral strategies. Both types of communicati...
A Problem-Solving Approach to Teaching Electrochemical Driving Force to Undergraduates.

The diversity of students in the typical undergraduate general physiology course demands consideration of several important education objectives: the instructor seeks to provide students with a sound understanding of basic physiological concepts, sharpen their analytical skills, and demonstrate how universal physicochemical laws determine function within living systems. These objectives converge in a problem-solving approach to electrochemical driving force and ion flux across biological membranes.