cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Human T-Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) and HTLV-2 Tax Oncoproteins Modulate Cell Cycle Progression and Apoptosis

Human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) is the etiologic agent of adult T-cell leukemia and lymphoma, an aggressive clonal malignancy of human CD4-bearing T lymphocytes. HTLV-2, although highly related to HTLV-1 at the molecular level, has not been conclusively linked to development of lymphoproliferative disorders. Differences between the biological activities of the respective tax gene products (Tax1 and Tax2) may be one factor which accounts for the differential pathogenicities associated with infection. To develop an in vitro model to investigate and compare the effects of constitutive expression of Tax1 and Tax2, Jurkat T-cell lines were infected with lentivirus vectors encoding Tax1 and Tax2 in conjunction with green fluorescent protein, and stably transduced clonal cell lines were generated by serial dilution in the absence of drug selection. Jurkat cells that constitutively express Tax1 and Tax2 (Tax1/Jurkat and Tax2/Jurkat, respectively) showed notably reduced kinetics of cellular replication, and Tax1 inhibited cellular replication to a higher degree in comparison to Tax2. Tax1 markedly activated transcription from the cdk inhibitor p21cip1/waf1 promoter in comparison to Tax2, suggesting that upregulation of p21cip1/waf1 may account for the differential inhibition of cellular replication kinetics displayed by Tax1/Jurkat and Tax2/Jurkat cells. The presence of binucleated and multinucleated cells, reminiscent of large lymphocytes with cleaved or cerebriform nuclei often seen in HTLV-1- and -2-seropositive patients, was noted in cultures expressing Tax1 and Tax2. Although Tax1 and Tax2 expression mediated elevated resistance to apoptosis in Jurkat cells after serum deprivation, Tax1 was unique in protection from apoptosis after exposure to camptothecin and etoposide, inhibitors of topoisomerase I and II, respectively. Characterization of the unique phenotypes displayed by Tax1 and Tax2 in vitro will provide information as to the relative roles of these oncoproteins and their contribution to HTLV-1 and -2 pathogenesis in vivo.
Density functional theory derived intermediates from the OH initiated atmospheric oxidation of toluene

Abstract A series of density functional based quantum mechanical calculations were carried out to identify potential intermediates produced by the OH addtion initiated atmospheric photo-oxidation of toluene. The potential for formation was assessed based on the relative stabilities of the assumed products. The calculations are consistent with OH addition occurring mainly at the ortho position, followed by addition of O2 at the meta position and formation of a bridged structure across the 1–3 position. In addition, the calculations suggest that carbonyl compounds containing epoxide structures may form during the oxidation.
Abstract C129: Darinaparsin sensitizes solid tumors but not normal tissues to radiation.

Background: Darinaparsin (DPS; provided by ZIOPHARM Oncology, Inc.) is a novel organic arsenical (dimethylated arsenic linked to glutathione) with promising anticancer activity and a favorable systemic toxicity profile. We have found that DPS sensitizes solid tumor cells to radiation under hypoxia with much higher potency than arsenic trioxide (ATO). This in vitro radiosensitizing effect occurs at a concentration well below the peak blood concentrations achieved in humans and dogs at relative safe doses of DPS. Therefore, we performed experiments to assess the in vivo radiosensitizing effect of DPS in mouse models of subcutaneous xenograft tumors with different radiation dosing regimens. In addition, we studied the potential radiosensitizing effect of DPS on normal radiosensitive intestine and bone marrow. Materials and Methods: Human prostatic [hormone-independent (HI) LAPC-4] and pancreatic [PANC-1] cancer cells were implanted subcutaneously in nude mice. When the tumors reached ∼200 mm∘3, the mice were treated with DPS (100 mg/kg, IP) or saline as a control, followed 4 hrs later by local tumor x-ray irradiation. Intestinal crypt microcolony assay and blood cell counts were used to assess the effect of DPS on intestinal and bone marrow cell radiosensitivity, respectively. Results: In both HI-LAPC-4 and PANC-1 tumor models, a single dose of DPS 4 hrs before radiation (5 Gy) significantly enhanced radiation-induced tumor growth inhibition, with an increase in the tumor doubling time from 9.7 days (95% CI: 9.5 − 10) to 15 days (95% CI: 14.5 − 15.5) in HI-LAPC-4 tumors (P Conclusions: DPS has significant in vivo radiosensitizing effects against prostatic and pancreatic cancer tumors in vivo in xenograft tumor models. DPS-mediated radiosensitization was observed in prostate tumors with both single and fractionated irradiation dosing regimens. Importantly, we did not observe any systemic toxicity with the DPS treatment alone, or any DPS-induced radiosensitization in normal radiosensitive tissues. These results suggest that DPS has the potential to radiosensitize relatively radioresistant tumors without sensitizing normal tissues, and thereby increase the therapeutic index of radiation therapy. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2011 Nov 12-16; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2011;10(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C129.
A Hypothesis Incorporating the Histologic Characteristics of Dysplastic Nevi Into the Normal Biological Development of Melanocytic Nevi

• A lentiginous pattern of intraepidermal melanocytic hyperplasia, with mild to moderate, random cytologic atypia, forms the conventional basis for the histologic definition of a dysplastic nevus. It is proposed here that these changes actually represent the histologic pattern of a nevus in an active phase of radial growth. The lesser degrees of atypia considered by others to be required for the diagnosis are suggested to overlap changes commonly seen in banal nevi and lentigines. This hypothesis allows the parsimonious concept that a nevus, originating as a lentigo, can at the later sequential junctional, compound, or intradermal stages expand peripherally by a resumption or persistence of the lentiginous pattern of proliferation. The random atypia that is seen in such lesions is suggested to be incidental to the proliferative process rather than indicative of dysplasia as conventionally defined. A familial melanoma-associated phenotype could be accommodated in this model by postulating a heritable defect in mechanisms that control the number or sizes of these hyperplastic lesions. ( Arch Dermatol . 1990;126:514-518)
Recent Advances in Low K Polymeric Materials

As microelectronic device dimensions decrease and functionality density increases, a change in interconnect materials, both conductors and insulators must change from currently used materials. To this end, we are actively in search of low dielectric constant materials that can be integrated into integrated circuit production. The greatest limiting factor in materials qualification are the stringent IC processing conditions (thermal stability, resistance to chemical/mechanical treatments). Current specifications for back-end-of-the-line (BEOL) thin film insulators call for materials with dielectric constants of 3.0-3.5 and turn of the century CMOS devices may require materials with dielectric constants approaching 2.0. While there are a number of possible candidates for current uses, the list of usable materials with dielectric constants <3.0 is very limited. Future low K candidates being examined include fluorinated polyimides and porous materials.
Paleomagnetic study of thrust-sheet motion along the Rocky Mountain front in Montana

Near Wolf Creek, Montana, the fold and thrust belt intersects the central Montana trough at the northern edge of the Helena salient. Remanent magnetizations from 18 of 31 paleomagnetic sites in the Late Cretaceous Two Medicine Formation (∼79 Ma) document counterclockwise rotations of thrust-bound rocks along the margin of the salient. Results from 12 reliable sites in the upper of two thrust sheets gives a mean direction of Dec = 328.4°, Inc = 67.9°, α 95 = 5.63°. Results from 6 reliable sites in the underlying thrust sheet yield Dec = 321.9°, Inc = 69.3°, α 95 = 11.87°. The difference in these directions is not significant at the 95% confidence level. The thrust sheets show no relative rotation. Combining all 18 sites gives an average direction of Dec = 326.3°, Inc = 68.4°, α 95 = 4.94°. This average direction is 25.2° ± 14.0° counterclockwise from a Late Cretaceous reference direction (Dec = 351.5°, Inc = 69.3°) established from the adjacent Adel Mountain volcanic rocks (sim;76 Ma). Comparison to an older (∼88 Ma) pole established from the Niobrara Formation indicates 11.7° ± 11.4° of counterclockwise rotation. The paleomagnetic results, with other geologic evidence, show that both thrust sheets interacted with an oblique, lateral foreland ramp.
Coupled mode theory of field enhancement in complex metal nanoparticles

We present an analytical model that takes into account the coupling between the surface Plasmon modes in complex metal nanostructures. We apply this model to evaluate the field enhancement in the gap of two coupled metal spheres. This approach offers a clear physical insight for the enhancement and a straightforward method for optimization.
Regulation of L-type voltage-gated calcium channels by epidermal growth factor

GH3 rat pituitary cells have L-type voltage-gated calcium channels, and both the rate of uptake of 45Ca2+ and the concentration of intracellular free calcium ion ([Ca2+]i) are increased by depolarization with high potassium. Cells incubated for several days with 10 nM epidermal growth factor (EGF) responded to depolarization with a 30-65% smaller increase in 45Ca2+ uptake than untreated cells. The inhibitory response to EGF developed slowly, with a maximal effect requiring 24-48 h. EGF exerted a half-maximal reduction in depolarization-stimulated 45Ca2+ uptake at 0.1 nM and a maximal effect at 1-10 nM. 45Ca2+ uptake was reduced by EGF at strongly depolarized potentials (added K+, > 25 mM) with or without the calcium channel agonist BAY K8644. [Ca2+]i was measured using fura-2 before and after depolarization in control cells and cells incubated for 48 h with 10 nM EGF. EGF-treated cells responded to the addition of 30-50 mM KCl with a smaller increase in [Ca2+]i than control cells. Digital fluorescence ima...
Quenching of a solid sphere in oil

Transient heat conduction in a solid sphere quenched in oil is studied. Specifically, the influence of radius and thermal conductivity of the sphere (Biot number) on the surface temperature is investigated. The problem is extremely nonlinear because the heat transfer coefficient is a strong function of the surface temperature. In the analysis, the transient heat conduction equation and boundary conditions are transformed into a singular nonlinear Volterra Integral equation of the second kind for the surface temperature. This equation is solved numerically by a modified successive approximation method and a separable kernel approximation. Results for a sphere initially at 1144 K and cooled to 317 K are obtained over a wide range of Biot numbers and are compared with the infinite thermal conductivity approximation. The maximum difference between the infinite thermal conductivity approximation and the exact results is 24 K, 64 K, and 144 K for Biot numbers 0.1, 1.0, 10.0, respectively.
Behavior therapy for families of adolescents with diabetes: Effects on directly observed family interactions

This paper reports the effects of Behavioral Family Systems Therapy (BFST) on directly observed interactions between parents and 119 adolescents with diabetes. Families received 3 months' treatment with BFST, an Education and Support Group (ES) or Current Therapy (CT). Multimodal assessments at baseline, posttreatment, and 6- and 12-month follow-ups included tape-recorded family problem-solving discussions scored with the Interaction Behavior Code. Compared with CT and ES, BFST yielded more improvement in family communication and problem-solving skills. Improvements in individual family members' communication were correlated with other improvements in family relationships and adaptation to diabetes, but not with changes in diabetic control. Increased positive and decreased negative reciprocity in family communication and improved family problem solving were associated with improved treatment adherence and adolescent adjustment to IDDM, but not with improved diabetic control.
Oxygen on iron oxide: Effect on the selective oxidation of butane

Abstract The effect of preadsorbed and gas phase oxygen on the selective oxidation of butene to butadiene on α-iron oxide was investigated using adsorption-desorption and pulse reaction technique. It was found that irreversibly adsorbed oxygen did not affect the butene oxidation reaction. However, the presence of gas phase oxygen significantly reduced the production of butadiene and increased the production of carbon dioxide. This decrease in butadiene production was due to the high reactivity of adsorbed butadiene precursors toward weakly adsorbed oxygen. However, these butadiene precursors were not reactive toward nitrous oxide. Therefore, under steady-state conditions, the rate of production of butadiene is determined by the competition between the desorption of butadiene and the degradation of the precursors by oxygen.
Mandibular changes in persons with untreated and treated Class II Division 1 malocclusion

The growth potential of individuals with Class II malocclusions is of interest to the practicing orthodontist because such malocclusions constitute a significant percentage of cases. The purpose of this study was to evaluate on cross-sectional and longitudinal bases the changes in mandibular length and relationship and maxillary-mandibular relationships in untreated Class II subjects from deciduous to permanent dentition and also to evaluate the effects of orthodontic treatment, with and without the extraction of first premolars, on these relationships. Class II samples were compared with matched normal, untreated individuals. The Class II division 1 (Class II/1) untreated sample comprised 30 subjects, 15 males and 15 females. Each subject had a complete set of data at three stages of dental development-namely, Stage I, after the completion of eruption of the deciduous dentition; Stage II, at the time when the permanent first molars and most of the incisors have erupted (i.e., in mixed dentition); and Stage III, at the completion of eruption of the permanent dentition, excluding third molars. The Class II treated sample comprised 44 subjects (21 males, 23 females) treated with four first-premolar extractions and 47 subjects (20 males, 27 females) treated without extraction. Treatment was accomplished with the use of an edgewise appliance, appropriate extraoral traction, and Class II elastics. The extraction decision was based mainly on the presence of crowding and profile consideration. Records on 35 normal subjects (20 males, 15 females) were available from the Iowa Longitudinal Facial Growth Study. Cephalograms for the normal individuals were matched to the corresponding ages of the Class II cases. With regard to these findings, few consistent differences were noted between the untreated Class II/1 and normal subjects on cross-sectional comparisons. The differences in mandibular length and position were more evident in the early stages of development than at later stages. Longitudinal comparisons of growth profiles indicated that the growth trends were essentially similar between the untreated Class II/1 and normal subjects in the various parameters compared. The comparisons of growth magnitude indicated the presence of greater skeletal facial convexity in the untreated Class II/1 subjects, accompanied by a tendency for a more retruded mandible. Initial comparisons between the Class II/1 treated groups and normal subjects indicated that the Class II/1 malocclusions were associated with a larger overjet, deeper overbite, and greater ANB angle. After a 5-year treatment and observation period, an overall "normalization" in the mandibular and maxillary-mandibular skeletal relationships was noted in the treated Class II/1 subjects in both the extraction and the nonextraction groups compared with normal subjects. The changes were more pronounced in the extraction group.
Ground state Pi-electron triplet molecules of potential use in the synthesis of organic ferromagnets

Abstract 2,3,6,7,10,11-Tris(N,N′-diethylethylenediamino)triphenylene (HET) has been synthesized by a route involving hexabromination of triphenylene, reaction with ethylenediamine, hexa-acetylation, and reduction with diborane. Cyclic voltammetry shows that HET can be reversibly oxidized to a mono-cation HET+, a dication HET2+, a trication HET3+, and a tetraction HET4+. Beyond that the oxidation is irreversible. The dication HET2+ is a ground-state triplet species. This fact, and the low oxidation potential required to produce it, make it of interest in testing proposed mechanism for preparing organic ferromagnetic materials.
Determination of the chemical shift of the 1′ proton of cytidine 2′-phosphate in the presence and absence of RNase via phosphorus-31 detection of proton-proton decoupling

Abstract The investigation of the conformations of cellular phosphates in solution typically relies on the interpretation of the chemical shifts and scalar couplings of protons. In many cases of potential interest, such as the binding of cellular phosphates to enzymes, the proton signals are obscured by those of the enzyme. A partial solution to this problem is given by heteronuclear two-dimensional magnetic resonance which allows the determination of proton spectral information via phosphorus-31 detection. The two-dimensional approach bypasses the inability to determine proton spectral information that is obscured in a conventional experiment but is typically limited to reporting only on those protons which are scalar coupled to the phosphorus-31 nucleus. Chemical shift information about an additional group of protons, those coupled to the protons coupled to the phosphorus-31 nucleus, can be determined by phosphorus-31 detection of proton-proton decoupling. This indirect approach observes the effect of proton-proton decoupling on heteronuclear population transfer. The method is used to determine the chemical shift of the 1′ proton of cytidine 2′-phosphate in the presence and absence of RNase.
Dietary Intervention and DEHP Reduction: Rudel et al. Respond.

Steven Risotto, representing phthalate manufacturers for the American Chemistry Council (ACC), commented on our study that found a 3-day diet with limited food packaging reduced participants’ average bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) exposure by > 50% (Rudel et al. 2011).
HIV Risk Behaviors in Youth, Adolescents and Young Adults

This paper identifies HIV risk behaviors that are prevalent among young men and women in general, as well as African-American and Latino youth, young men who have sex with men, runaway and homeless youth, and adolescents who use drugs. These risk behaviors can be reduced by applying HIV prevention interventions based on empirically tested theoretical constructs and principles.
Analysing radio-frequency coil arrays in high-field magnetic resonance imaging by the combined field integral equation method

We present the combined field integral equation (CFIE) method for analysing radio-frequency coil arrays in high-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three-dimensional models of coils and the human body were used to take into account the electromagnetic coupling. In the method of moments formulation, we applied triangular patches and the Rao-Wilton-Glisson basis functions to model arbitrarily shaped geometries. We first examined a rectangular loop coil to verify the CFIE method and also demonstrate its efficiency and accuracy. We then studied several eight-channel receive-only head coil arrays for 7.0 T SENSE functional MRI. Numerical results show that the signal dropout and the average SNR are two major concerns in SENSE coil array design. A good design should be a balance of these two factors.
Prospects of export routes for Kashagan oil

This article examines the promising oil and gas developments in Kazakhstan, and more specifically, it seeks to answer the question of how the Kashagan oil field will be developed. What might be the geopolitical consequences of this project for the Caspian Basin? The pipeline issue has arisen regarding the giant Kashagan field in Kazakhstan with the same issues that emerged in the previous BTC project in the region. By discussing possible alternative routes available to the Kazakh government other than the Russian oil pipeline network, I will put forward the most likely scenario in terms of which pipeline to be used in bringing that oil to market. In doing so, this article will contribute to the discussion of which export routes will be chosen for the energy development of the Caspian Basin?
An experimental study of the partitioning of a rare earth element (Gd) in the system diopside—aqueous vapour

Abstract The partitioning of Gd in the experimental system diopside-aqueous vapor as a function of temperature, pressure, composition of the phases, time, grain size, solid-liquid ratio and Gd concentration has been investigated. A radioactive tracer measurement was used to determine Gd concentration in the separated phases. Diposides were reacted with aqueous vapor containing tracer Gd and reversibility was tested by reacting Gd-doped diopsides with pure aqueous vapor. Equilibration of Gd between the bulk of the diopside and the liquid was found to be limited by the slow rate of Gd diffusion in diopside, maximum value of D = 2 × 10 −15 cm 2 sec −1 at 800°C and 1 kb. Depending on whether the diopside was previously synthesized or synthesized from an oxide mix during the experiment, Gd concentrations were zoned in the crystal such that higher concentrations existed at the edges or center, respectively. Equilibrium is difficult to achieve in these experiments, but at the optimum experimental conditions for equilibration, the Gd diopside-aqueous vapor distribution coefficient is 20 ± 6 (800°C, 1 kb) in approximate agreement with previous results of 55 ± 23. Changing the composition of the aqueous vapor indicated that possible mechanisms for Gd substitution included coupling of Gd 3+ with H + or Na + replacing 2Ca 2+ , or substitution of 2Gd 3+ for 3Ca 2+ with formation of a cation vacancy.
The oldest old.

Many people regard advancing age as an inevitable descent into worsening health. A survey of persons who are more than 95 years old however finds that their physical condition is often better than that of others 20 years their junior. The longevity secrets locked inside these centenarians genes and behavior may point the way to a more pleasurable and active old age for the rest of us. (EXCERPT)
The role of a conserved proline residue in mediating conformational changes associated with voltage gating of Cx32 gap junctions.

Abstract We have explored the role of a proline residue located at position 87 in the second transmembrane segment (TM2) of gap junctions in the mechanism of voltage-dependent gating of connexin32 (Cx32). Substitution of this proline (denoted Cx32P87) with residues G, A, or V affects channel function in a progressive manner consistent with the expectation that a proline kink (PK) motif exists in the second transmembrane segment (TM2) of this connexin. Mutations of the preceding threonine residue T86 to S, A, C, V, N, or L shift the conductance-voltage relation of wild-type Cx32, such that the mutated channels close at smaller transjunctional voltages. The observed shift in voltage dependence is consistent with a reduction in the open probability of the mutant hemichannels at a transjunctional voltage ( V j ) of 0mV. In both cases in which kinetics were examined, the time constants for reaching steady state were faster for T86N and T86A than for wild type at comparable voltages, suggesting that the T86 mutations cause the energetic destabilization of the open state relative to the other states of the channel protein. The structural underpinnings of the observed effects were explored with Monte Carlo simulations. The conformational space of TM2 helices was found to differ for the T86A, V, N, and L mutants, which produce a less bent helix (∼20° bend angle) compared to the wild type, which has a ∼37° bend angle. The greater bend angle of the wild-type helix reflects the propensity of the T86 residue to hydrogen bond with the backbone carbonyl of amino acid residue I82. The relative differences in propensity for hydrogen bonding of the mutants relative to the wild-type threonine residue in the constructs we studied (T86A, V, N, L, S, and C) correlate with the shift in the conductance-voltage relation observed for T86 mutations. The data are consistent with a structural model in which the open conformation of the Cx32 channel corresponds to a more bent TM2 helix, and the closed conformation corresponds to a less bent helix. We propose that the modulation of the hydrogen-bonding potential of the T86 residue alters the bend angle of the PK motif and mediates conformational changes between open and closed channel states.
Verification of three-dimensional laser Doppler velocimeter measurements

An experimental comparison method is proposed for the verification of mean flow and turbulence measurements obtained with a three-dimensional laser Doppler velocimeter system. Such measurements can include large errors caused by problems unique to three-dimensional systems. Direct comparisons of laser and hot cross-wire measurements obtained in two-dimensional flows, as is the common practice, will not bear out all the errors associated with three-dimensional laser systems. It is proposed here that the errors may be adequately quantified by making the direct comparisons in a weakly three-dimensional turbulent shear flow. The weak three-dimensional flow ensures high accuracy of the cross-wire data while still generating sufficiently strong secondary mean flow and Reynolds shear stress so that all the laser measurements may be fully verified. This type of shear flow is easily generated by introducing a weak streamwise vortex into a nominally two-dimensional turbulent shear layer.
Theory of the Magnetic Susceptibility of Tetrahedral Semiconductors

The magnetic susceptibility of an intrinsic tetrahedrally coordinated semiconductor is calculated using a tight-binding basis and approximations appropriate to the bond-orbital model. The susceptibility associated with the valence electrons is found to separate into a diamagnetic Langevin component and a paramagnetic Van Vleck component, both of which are found to be proportional to the square of the bond length, and nearly cancel in the homopolar semiconductors. The Langevin term is found to be approximately independent of polarity while the paramagnetic component varies with polarity, ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{p}$, as ${(1\ensuremath{-}{{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{p}}^{2})}^{\frac{3}{2}}$.
Bio-thermal convection induced by two different species of microorganisms

This paper develops a theory of bio-thermal convection in a suspension that contains two species of microorganisms exhibiting different taxes, gyrotactic and oxytactic microorganisms. The developed theory is applied to investigating the onset of bio-thermal convection in such a suspension occupying a horizontal layer of finite depth. A linear stability analysis is utilized to derive the equations for the amplitudes of disturbances. The obtained eigenvalue problem is solved by the Galerkin method. The case of non-oscillatory instability in a layer with a rigid lower boundary and a stress-free upper boundary is investigated. The resulting eigenvalue equation relates three Rayleigh numbers, the traditional Rayleigh number (Ra) and two bioconvection Rayleigh numbers, one for gyrotactic (Rbg) and one for oxytactic (Rbo) microorganisms. The neutral stability boundary is presented in the form of a diagram showing that boundary in the (Ra, Rag) plane for different values of Rao.
Supporting visual exploration of object movement

The focus of the presented work is visualization of routes of objects that change their spatial location in time. The challenge is to facilitate investigation of important characteristics of the movement: positions of the objects at any selected moment, directions, speeds and their changes with the time, overall trajectories and those for any specified interval etc. We propose a dynamic map display controlled through a set of interactive devices called time controls to be used as a support to visual exploration of spatial movement.
Source-channel diversity for parallel channels

We consider transmitting a source across a pair of independent, nonergodic channels with random states (e.g., slow-fading channels) so as to minimize the average distortion. The general problem is unsolved. Hence, we focus on comparing two commonly used source and channel encoding systems which correspond to exploiting diversity either at the physical layer through parallel channel coding or at the application layer through multiple description (MD) source coding. For on-off channel models, source coding diversity offers better performance. For channels with a continuous range of reception quality, we show the reverse is true. Specifically, we introduce a new figure of merit called the distortion exponent which measures how fast the average distortion decays with signal-to-noise ratio. For continuous-state models such as additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN) channels with multiplicative Rayleigh fading, optimal channel coding diversity at the physical layer is more efficient than source coding diversity at the application layer in that the former achieves a better distortion exponent. Finally, we consider a third decoding architecture: MD encoding with joint source-channel decoding. We show that this architecture achieves the same distortion exponent as systems with optimal channel coding diversity for continuous-state channels, and maintains the advantages of MD systems for on-off channels. Thus, the MD system with joint decoding achieves the best performance from among the three architectures considered, on both continuous-state and on-off channels.
BeepBeep: A high-accuracy acoustic-based system for ranging and localization using COTS devices

We present the design and implementation of BeepBeep, a high-accuracy acoustic-based system for ranging and localization. It is a pure software-based solution and uses the most basic set of commodity hardware -- a speaker, a microphone, and some form of interdevice communication. The ranging scheme works without any infrastructure and is applicable to sensor platforms and commercial-off-the-shelf mobile devices. It achieves high accuracy through three techniques: two-way sensing, self-recording, and sample counting. We further devise a scalable and fast localization scheme. Our experiments show that up to one-centimeter ranging accuracy and three-centimeter localization accuracy can be achieved.
Optimal methods for estimating kinetic isotope effects from different forms of the Rayleigh distillation equation

Abstract The interpretation of stable isotope values hinges on precise, accurate estimates of kinetic isotope effects (α), which are equal to 1k/2k, where 1k and 2k are the reaction rate constants for the two isotopes. Kinetic isotope effects are commonly determined by monitoring the reactant concentration (C) and isotope ratio (R) relative to their initial values (C1 and R1, respectively). Values of α are estimated from the C and R values by using the Rayleigh distillation equation (RDE). (A) (R/R 1 )=(C/C 1 ) 1/α−1 We conducted simulation experiments to evaluate the precision of the many different published approaches of estimating α from linearized versions of the RDE and reached the following conclusions: (a) kinetic isotope effects estimated from the slope of the line ln(R) vs. ln(C) were accurate and precise; (b) regressing ln(Ri/Rj) on ln(Ci/Cj), where all i datapoints were compared to all preceding datapoints j resulted in inflated 95% confidence intervals; (c) forcing the regression of ln(R/R1) on ln(C/C1) through the origin resulted in 95% confidence intervals for α that covered the true value less than 90% of the time; and (d) regression methods that compensate for errors in both x and y values need to be used with caution. When combining multiple datasets, values of α were sensitive to the form of the equation and the level of error. If all datasets had the same level of error, the optimal estimate of α was achieved by a linear regression with dummy variables. However, when the three datasets had different levels of error, the optimal estimate of α and much narrower 95% confidence intervals were obtained by using the Pitman estimator. Our study demonstrates that some of the other methods jeopardize the accuracy and precision of empirically determined kinetic isotope effects, thus confounding the interpretation of stable isotope values in the environment.
USE OF HABITATS AND MICROENVIRONMENTS BY JUVENILE FLORIDA BOX TURTLES, TERRAPENE CAROLINA BAURI, ON EGMONT KEY

To understand habitat use of juvenile Florida box turtles, Terrapene carolina bauri, I combined data gathered from periodic direct observation as well as from continually monitored individuals on Egmont Key, Florida. Habitat use of juveniles differed from that of adults, but this population did not demonstrate total habitat partitioning among size classes. Juveniles were found most commonly within a single habitat type, Palm Pepper Forest, and did not display the flexibility in habitat use seen in conspecific adults. Microhabitats with dense cover, particularly Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), were used preferentially by juveniles in this population. Juvenile turtles were found most frequently in areas with leaf litter and moist soil substrates. Florida box turtles are of conservation concern, and habitat requirements of juveniles should be considered in management decisions.
Action of Microorganisms on the Peroxides and Carbonyls of Fresh Lard

SUMMARY— The effect of 28 microorganisms on the accumulation of hydroperoxides and monocarbonyls in fresh fat has been determined. Pseudomonas ovalis, Micrococcus freudenreichii and two strains of Streptomyces increased the concentration of peroxides; M. freudenreichii also produced an increase in 2-enals, 2, 4-dienals, and alkanals. Pseudomonas fragi, Geotrichum candidum, and Candida lipolytica produced an increase in alkanals and methyl ketones. All other cultures either removed the small amount of peroxides and monocarbonyls in fresh fat and prevented any build-up or had no effect. The ability of microorganisms to oxidatively attack fats was not related to their oxidase reactions or their ability to produce lipase. Differences in oxidative activity on fresh and rancid lard are discussed.
Diseases of the Adrenal Glands: Radiologic Diagnosis

The author presents a succinct view of diseases of the adrenal glands in which radiologic diagnosis, especially with presacral retroperitoneal air injections is an important consideration There are 15 brief chapters well illustrated and effectively documented (324 items are listed in the bibliography) of which 10 are devoted to individual adrenal mass lesions. The first 5 chapters include a classification of adrenal tumors and survey of clinical syndromes comments on conventional radiographic techniques and the technique of presacral retroperitoneal pneumography, and a consideration of adrenal calcifications and normal radiographic anatomy.
Mental development for robots

It is desirable for humans to control robots through high-level commands, and it is tedious for humans to issue detailed commands to direct actions for every fraction of a second. However, it is extremely challenging for humans to program a robot to execute such high-level commands in unknown human environments. How can we address this fundamental challenge in robotics? Can, a robot develop its skills autonomously as a human infant or a higher animal does? What is the fundamental difference between the paradigm of mental development and that of traditional engineering? The paper consists mainly of short notes for a tutorial.
Inhibition of neutral endopeptidase potentiates neutrophil activation during Mg-deficiency in the rat

Neutral endopeptidase (NEP), which degrades substance P (SP), may regulate neutrophil activation during Mg-deficiency (MgD). Male Sprague-Dawley rats (180g) were fed MgD (approximately 50 mg Mg/kg) or Mg-sufficient (MgS, 608 mg Mg/kg) diets for 7 days +/- NEP inhibitor phosphoramidon (PR, 5 mg/kg/day, s.c.). MgD alone induced a 9-fold (vs. MgS, p <0.01) elevation in plasma SP; MgD+PR enhanced it further to 18-fold (p <0.001). Neutrophils from MgD+PR rats displayed a 3.9-fold higher (p <0.01) basal .O(2-) generation, but those from MgD or PR alone were not activated. Plasma PGE2-metabolite levels rose 2.67- (p <0.01) and 1.56- (p <0.05) fold, respectively, in MgD+PR and MgD groups; the corresponding red blood cell glutathione levels were decreased 21% (p <0.025) and 7% (NS). MgD+PR significantly reduced neutrophil NEP activity by 48% (p <0.02); PR or MgD alone only reduced this activity 26% and 15%, respectively. We conclude that NEP inhibition potentiates SP-mediated neutrophil .O(2-) production and may promote other inflammatory activities during MgD.
Model-based MR parameter mapping with sparsity constraint

MR parameter mapping (e.g., T1 mapping, T2 mapping, or T*2 mapping) is a valuable tool for tissue characterization. However, its practical utility has been limited due to long data acquisition time. This paper addresses this problem with a new model-based parameter mapping method, which utilizes an explicit signal model and imposes a sparsity constraint on the parameter values. The proposed method enables direct estimation of the parameters of interest from highly undersampled, noisy k-space data. An algorithm is presented to solve the underlying parameter estimation problem. Its performance is analyzed using estimation-theoretic bounds. Some representative results from T2 brain mapping are also presented to illustrate the performance of the proposed method for accelerating parameter mapping.
A dynamic scheduling algorithm for time- and resource-constrained task networks

The resource-constrained project scheduling problem (RCPSP) is an extensively explored area. The existing RCPSP approaches tend to focus on single project scheduling problems without practical support to address the multiple project schedule coordination which involves constraints defined across projects. This paper extends RCPSP by involving time and resource constraints and proposes a practical dynamic task network scheduling algorithm. This algorithm takes time constraints, resource constraints, and particularly the dynamic task execution status into consideration. Dynamic scheduling through a partial task network is considered a unique feature of this algorithm. The proposed algorithm is fully implemented and tested in a web-based aircraft inspection maintenance management system.
Synthesis, integration, and electrical properties of individual single-walled carbon nanotubes

High-quality single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of methane on silicon-dioxide substrates at controlled locations using patterned catalytic islands. With the synthesized nanotube chips, microfabrication techniques are used to reliably contact individual SWNTs and obtain low contact resistance. The combined chemical synthesis and microfabrication approaches enable systematic characterization of electron transport properties of a large number of individual SWNTs. Results of electrical properties of representative semiconducting and metallic SWNTs are presented. The lowest two-terminal resistance for individual metallic SWNTs (≈5 μm long) is ≈16.5 kΩ measured at 4.2 K.
Drug-Using Women Need Comprehensive Sexual Risk Reduction Interventions

In the United States, drug users have dramatically reduced drug-related risk behaviors but continue sexual behaviors that place them at risk for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Successful interventions are likely to be those that intervene at multiple levels, yet, historically, sexual interventions for drug users have primarily addressed only personal factors, such as condom use. Sexual risk arises from personal factors (e.g., perceived vulnerability and protective behaviors); interpersonal factors (e.g., relationship type and a partner’s risk profile); social factors (e.g., gender roles and sexual mixing patterns among and between networks); and, finally, community-level factors (e.g., access to preventive methods and the prevalence of a sexually transmitted pathogen within a network). For female drug users, multiple sources of risk plus concurrent drug use during sex pose additional prevention challenges that disproportionately elevate their risk of sexually acquired HIV infection. New, multimodal interventions need to be developed and tested to more effectively address the many sources of sexual risk facing female drug users.
TNF-α type 2 receptor mediates renal inflammatory response to chronic angiotensin II administration with high salt intake in mice

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) has been implicated in salt-sensitive hypertension and renal injury (RI) induced by angiotensin II (ANG II). To determine the receptor type of TNF-α involved in ...
Clinical Impact of Reporting Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rates

When clinicians speak of kidney function, they almost always are talking about the glomerular filtration rate (GFR).3 The kidney has many other functions, however. Most excretory functions are related in some way to glomerular filtration, at least as it is modified by the variable reabsorption of water and some solutes and the addition of yet other solutes via secretion. The kidney also has important endocrine functions (such as the production of erythropoietin and active vitamin D) and metabolic functions (such as the metabolism of insulin and other low molecular weight proteins) that are not related to excretory function; however, as the GFR declines because of chronic kidney disease (CKD), all of these functions also tend to decline, roughly in parallel. Thus, taking the overall kidney function as equivalent to the GFR is a generally useful approximation. Clinicians' equating of the GFR with kidney function has an additional practical utility. Estimating GFR relies on simple tests, which are based mainly on serum creatinine, whereas many other kidney functions are more difficult to measure. For example, the extensive machinery for secreting organic solutes has become increasingly well described in molecular detail, but the major natural or xenobiotic solutes that are secreted are still largely unidentified. Hence, estimating the residual secretory function by measuring the serum concentrations of such solutes is not feasible, regardless of how important to health this excretory mode might be. Creatinine was found to be a good marker of the GFR more than 70 years ago. Measurements of the urinary clearance of endogenous creatinine are a reasonable approximation of the GFR, as measured by the infusion of such exogenous markers as inulin or iothalamate. Measuring creatinine clearance, however, requires the timed collection of urine, which is cumbersome and notoriously inaccurate. To address this problem, researchers have developed several …
Accuracy of Ultrasound-Guided and Palpation-Guided Knee Injections By an Experienced and Less-Experienced Injector Using a Superolateral Approach: A Cadaveric Study

Objectives To evaluate the accuracy of ultrasound (US)-guided and palpation-guided knee injections by an experienced and a less-experienced clinician with use of a superolateral approach. Design Single-blinded, prospective study. Setting Academic institution procedural skills laboratory. Participants Twenty cadaveric knee specimens without trauma, surgery, or major deformity. Intervention US-guided and palpation-guided knee injections of colored liquid latex were performed in each specimen by an experienced and a less-experienced clinician with use of a superolateral approach. The order of injections was randomized. The specimens were subsequently dissected by a blinded investigator and assessed for accuracy. Main Outcomes Accuracy was divided into 3 categories: (1) accurate (all of the injectate was within the joint), (2) partially accurate (some of the injectate was within the joint and some was within the periarticular tissues), and (3) inaccurate (none of the injectate was within the joint). The accuracy rates were calculated for each clinician and guidance method. Results US-guided knee injections that used a superolateral approach were 100% accurate for both clinicians. Palpation-guided knee injections that used a superolateral approach were significantly influenced by experience, with the less-experienced investigator demonstrating an accuracy rate of 55% (95% confidence interval=34%-74%) and the more experienced investigator demonstrating an accuracy rate of 100% (95% confidence interval=81%-100%). Conclusions US-guided knee injections that use a superolateral approach are very accurate in a cadaveric model, whereas the accuracy of palpation-guided knee injections that use the same approach is variable and appears to be significantly influenced by clinician experience. These findings suggest that US guidance should be considered when one performs knee injections with a superolateral approach that require a high degree of accuracy.
Elevated CO2 concentration has independent effects on expansion rates and thickness of soybean leaves across light and nitrogen gradients

The rate and extent of leaf thickness and area development are important determinants of whole plant photosynthetic capacity. The interactive effects of photon flux density (PFD), nitrogen supply and CO 2 concentration on leaf expansion rate were measured as well as final leaf size and thickness of soybean. Leaf thickness and final area were not correlated with leaf relative expansion rate (RER) suggesting that these parameters are controlled by different mechanisms and that final leaf dimensions are determined by the duration rather than the rate of leaf expansion. Carbohydrate supply did not explain the variation in leaf RER since RER increased with increasing CO 2 concentration, but decreased with increasing PFD. Leaf thickness and final area were related to resource supply but not in a simple fashion. Both positive and negative correlations between leaf thickness and carbohydrate and nitrogen concentrations were obtained depending on the environmental variable responsible for the variation. In contrast, there was a simple proportional relationship between whole plant relative growth rate and a correlate of leaf thickness (leaf water content per unit area), suggesting that leaf thickness responds to the balanced supply of all resources, in the same fashion as RGR, rather than to any individual resource.
Convergence in State Nominal and Real Per Capita Income: Empirical Evidence

This article examines convergence in per capita personal income among the 50 states from 1960 to 1991. Evidence presented in previous studies is mixed concerning whether convergence took place during the period in question. By allowing for differences in cost of living across states, however, the authors find that convergence took place throughout the entire period studied.