cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The epidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Iowa swine farms with an emphasis on the roles of free-living mammals

Multiparous sows from 19 central Iowa swine farms were tested for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii by the modified direct agglutination test. Antibody titers of 1:32 or greater were considered positive. Rodents, domestic cats, opossums (Didelphis virginiana), raccoons (Procyon lotor) and striped skunks (Mephitis mephitis) were live-trapped on each farm and similarly tested for antibodies. The overall prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in the species tested was 39273 (14.3%) swine, 3174 (41.9%) cats, 2588 (0.3%) house mice (Mus musculus), 021 mice of the genus Peromyscus, 09 Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), 134 (2.9%) opossums, 414 (28.6%) raccoons and 27 (28.6%) striped skunds. The overall prevalence was significantly greater in adult cats versus juvenile cats, adult male ccats versus adult female cats, and adult raccoons versus juvenile raccoons. The prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in sows was compared with the prevalence in each non-swine species on a farm basis in order to identify existing associations. The prevalence in sows (and each of the non-swine species.) was also analyzed on a farm basis for association with farm characteristics or swine management practices, including the degree of confinement of swine, population size and average parity of breeding female swine, estimated cat population size, and estimated mouse and rat abundance. Average titers of seropositive animals were compared on a species basis. The prevalence in sows which were totally and continuously confined was lower than that in sows which were not totally and continuously confined. The prevalence in sows from farms with an average parity of less than 2.0 was significantly lower than that in sows from farms with an average parity of 2.0 or greater. These results suggested that the prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in swine increased with age and that prevalence in swine could be reduced through total confinement. No associations could be established between prevalence is sows and prevalence in non-swine species or other farm characteristics/swine managment practices. However, the high prevalence of T. gondii antibodies in cats suggested thet fetal contamination of the environment by cats may be the most significant source of toxoplasmosis for swine. The extremely low prevalence of T. gondii anti-bodies in house suggested that this species was not an important source of T. gondii for swine in Iowa.
Hardware-enforced fine-grained isolation of untrusted code

We present a novel combination of hardware (architecture) and software (compiler) techniques to support the safe execution of untrusted code. While other efforts focus on isolating processes, our approach isolates code and data at a function (as in, C function) level, to enable fine-grained protection within a process as needed for downloaded plugins, libraries, andmodifications of open-source projects. Our solution also enforces timing restrictions to detect denial of service from untrusted code, and supports protection of dynamically allocated memory. Because bookkeeping data can become substantial (permission tables that at their finest granularity describe which memory words may be accessed by which functions), our solution employs a stack-structured bookkeeping mechanism that tracks the flow of execution and automatically dispenses with bookkeeping data when no longer needed. This approach also enables an architectural optimization to handle permissions for dynamically allocated memory, allowing heap blocks to be appropriately shared across the trust boundary. Tested across a suite of benchmarks, our solution had a worst case 12% overhead and 3.5% average overhead at the finest level of code granularity (every single function in its own unit of isolation). The overhead is easily reduced by using trace-driven analysis to combine functions into coarser-grained groups that share permissions.
The role of G-protein signaling in hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell mobilization

The directed migration of mature leukocytes to inflammatory sites and the lymphocyte trafficking in vivo are dependent on G protein-coupled receptors and delivered through pertussis toxin (Ptx)-sensitive Gi-protein signaling. In the present study, we explored the in vivo role of G-protein signaling on the redistribution or mobilization of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HPCs). A single injection of Ptx in mice elicits a long-lasting leukocytosis and a progressive increase in circulating colony-forming unit-culture (CFU-C) and colony-forming unit spleen (CFU-S). We found that the prolonged effect is sustained by a continuous slow release of Ptx bound to red blood cells or other cells and is potentially enhanced by an indirect influence on cell proliferation. Plasma levels of certain cytokines (interleukin 6 [IL-6], granulocyte colony-stimulating factor [G-CSF]) increase days after Ptx treatment, but these are unlikely initiators of mobilization. In addition to normal mice, mice genetically deficient in monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1), matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9), G-CSF receptor, beta2 integrins, or selectins responded to Ptx treatment, suggesting independence of Ptx-response from the expression of these molecules. Combined treatments of Ptx with anti-very late activation antigen (anti-VLA-4), uncovered potentially important insight in the interplay of chemokines/integrins, and the synergy of Ptx with G-CSF appeared to be dependent on MMP-9. As Ptx-mobilized kit+ cells display virtually no response to stromal-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) in vitro, our data suggest that disruption of CXCR4/SDF-1 signaling may be the underlying mechanism of Ptx-induced mobilization and indirectly reinforce the notion that active signaling through this pathway is required for continuous retention of cells within the bone marrow. Collectively, our data unveil a novel example of mobilization through pharmacologic modulation of signaling.
Millimeter wave band TWTA compatible with nano-CNC fabrication

Summary form only given. Airborne advanced communication systems seek high power amplifiers (~ 50 W) in the atmospheric window around ~ 233 GHz with a reasonably wide bandwidth (~ 10 GHz) in a compact, light weight package. Millimeter wave - THz Traveling Wave Tube Amplifier Technology [1] is an appropriate choice for their inherent low dispersion characteristics (for wide bandwidth), high RF power handling capability, and thermal management in a reasonably compact package.
Comparative profile of commercially available urinary biomarkers in preclinical drug-induced kidney injury and recovery in rats

We designed a study to provide reversibility and comparative injury data for several candidate urinary biomarkers of kidney injury in the United States Food and Drug Administration biomarker qualification process. The nephrotoxin gentamicin was given to rats once on each of three days and the animals were killed during dosing or over the following 42 days. Between days one and three, all biomarkers except albumin were elevated, peaked at day 7, and returned to control levels by day 10 (μ- and α-glutathione S-transferases, and renal papillary antigen-1) or day 15 (kidney injury molecule-1, lipocalin-2, osteopontin, and clusterin). All biomarkers performed better during injury than during recovery except osteopontin, which performed equally well in both time periods. During the evolution of injury, kidney injury molecule-1, renal papillary antigen-1, and clusterin best mirrored the histopathologic lesions. During injury resolution, kidney injury molecule-1, osteopontin, and blood urea nitrogen best reflected recovery. Based on histopathology, necrosis, or apoptosis scoring, kidney injury molecule-1 was the best biomarker of overall renal injury. Evaluation by regeneration score showed that renal papillary antigen-1 best reflected tubular and/or collecting duct regeneration, especially during recovery. Thus, these biomarkers performed with different effectiveness when evaluated by individual pathological processes such as necrosis, apoptosis, and regeneration.
Hemodynamic directed CPR improves cerebral perfusion pressure and brain tissue oxygenation.

Abstract Aim Advances in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) have focused on the generation and maintenance of adequate myocardial blood flow to optimize the return of spontaneous circulation and survival. Much of the morbidity associated with cardiac arrest survivors can be attributed to global brain hypoxic ischemic injury. The objective of this study was to compare cerebral physiological variables using a hemodynamic directed resuscitation strategy versus an absolute depth-guided approach in a porcine model of ventricular fibrillation (VF) cardiac arrest. Methods Intracranial pressure and brain tissue oxygen tension probes were placed in the frontal cortex prior to induction of VF in 21 female 3-month-old swine. After 7min of VF, animals were randomized to receive one of three resuscitation strategies: (1) hemodynamic directed care (CPP-20): chest compressions (CCs) with depth titrated to a target systolic blood pressure of 100mmHg and titration of vasopressors to maintain coronary perfusion pressure (CPP) >20mmHg; (2) depth 33mm (D33): target CC depth of 33mm with standard American Heart Association (AHA) epinephrine dosing; or (3) depth 51mm (D51): target CC depth of 51mm with standard AHA epinephrine dosing. Results Cerebral perfusion pressures (CerePP) were significantly higher in the CPP-20 group compared to both D33 ( p p =0.046), and higher in survivors compared to non-survivors irrespective of treatment group ( p p p =0.013), and higher in survivors compared to non-survivors irrespective of treatment group ( p 20mmHg were 2.7 times more likely to have a CerePP >30mmHg ( p Conclusions Hemodynamic directed resuscitation strategy targeting coronary perfusion pressure >20mmHg following VF arrest was associated with higher cerebral perfusion pressures and brain tissue oxygen tensions during CPR.
Derivation and measurement of the M/# in spectral hole burning media

We demonstrate 10 plane wave holograms angularly multiplexed at one frequency channel in spectral hole burning medium. We show that the M/# is still a valid system metric and the measured M/# in one frequency channel is about 0.01.
Hyperon non-leptonic decays in chiral perturbation theory

Abstract Leading non-analytic corrections to hyperon non-leptonic decay amplitudes are calculated in chiral perturbation theory. The success of the Lee-Sugawara relation for S-wave amplitudes is understood in the context of chiral perturbation theory since the chiral logarithmic correction to this relation is small. Although corrections to individual S-wave amplitudes are more sizeable, good agreement with experiment is achieved. P-wave amplitudes are not well-described by the one-loop chiral perturbation theory calculation because the tree-level SU(3) symmetric contribution to these amplitudes is significantly suppressed. This suppression causes SU(3)-violating chiral corrections to dominate the P-wave amplitudes, making an accurate computation of these amplitudes impossible in chiral perturbation theory. The large chiral correction to the P-wave amplitudes does not imply a breakdown of chiral perturbation theory.
Phylogenetics and host associations of Fahrenholzia sucking lice (Phthiraptera: Anoplura)

Mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequence data were used to recon- struct phylogenetic relationships for eleven of the twelve currently recognized species of Fahrenholzia, lice found only on rodents of the family Heteromyidae. Field collections included twenty of the thirty-three known host associations and resulted in the discovery of four new associations. Phylogenetic analyses of the mitochondrial and nuclear datasets were in general agreement, resulting in a well- resolved Fahrenholzia phylogeny. Analyses supported the monophyly of lice parasitizing the host subfamily Heteromyinae (spiny pocket mice). Lice parasit- izing the genera Chaetodipus (pocket mice) and Perognathus (silky pocket mice) each represent monophyletic lineages. Phylogenetic patterns and levels of genetic differentiation suggest that the widespread Fahrenholzia pinnata may contain several cryptic species. Cryptic species may exist also within the less widely distributed species, Fahrenholzia microcephala and Fahrenholzia reducta.
TR-10AUTOPHAGY INHIBITION REVERSES RESISTANCE TO TARGETED BRAF THERAPY IN PEDIATRIC CNS TUMORS

Autophagy inhibition is a potential therapeutic strategy in cancer. We have previously shown that autophagy-dependent tumors, such as those with BRAFV600E, there may be broad potential application of autophagy inhibition. Targeted inhibition against the BRAFV600E mutation (BRAFi) has been identified as important in pediatric CNS tumors and is being more broadly provided to these patients. Patients treated with BRAFi will develop resistance mechanisms and new approaches to reversing this resistance are needed. Our findings suggest that pediatric CNS tumors with BRAFV600E are autophagy-dependent in parental tumors and those with inherent or acquired BRAFi resistance. Autophagy was evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blot. Autophagy was inhibited by clinically available chloroquine and BRAFi was provided by vemurafenib. Cell survival was evaluated using a variety of techniques. Ex vivo organotypic culture of resistant tumor was used to verify in vitro findings. We found that mutant (but not WT) cells display high rates of induced autophagy, and these levels remain similar in BRAFi resistant cells. Both parental and resistant cells are sensitive to autophagy inhibition and display synergy when chloroquine was combined with BRAFi. We also demonstrate chloroquine can improve vemurafenib sensitivity in a resistant ex vivo primary culture. Autophagy inhibition decreases the ratio of pERK:ERK levels when used in combination with BRAFi in resistant tumor cells, suggesting a potential mechanism for improved response in combination treatment. Importantly, chloroquine improved vemurafenib sensitivity in a patient with acquired BRAFi resistance and improved clinical outcomes. These data highlight an exciting possibility for identifying genetic markers, such as BRAFV600E, which sensitize tumors to autophagy inhibition combination therapy. Synergy was identified in both parental and resistant cells suggesting that autophagy-dependence is driven by its underlying mutations. Therefore, in autophagy-dependent BRAFV600E tumors there may be broad potential application of autophagy inhibition in both BRAFi naive and resistant patients.
An Evaluation of Some Methods of Estimating the Vertical Atmospheric Ozone Distribution from the Inversion of Spectral Ultraviolet Radiation.

Abstract Three methods for estimating the vertical distribution of ozone below 10 mb, by inverting the equation of radiative transfer, are presented. The methods are discussed in terms of spectral measurements of back-scattered ultraviolet radiation and allow for all orders of scattering, as well as polarization of the diffusely reflected sunlight. These methods are compared with a statistical method for both 0% and 5% random measurement errors. There were no significant improvements using methods based on the inversion of the radiative transfer equation compared with the statistical method.
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Patent ductus arteriosus in adults is usually an isolated lesion with a small to moderate degree of shunt, as a larger shunt becomes symptomatic earlier in childhood. The classic murmur of patent ductus arteriosus may be the first clue to its presence, or it may be detected accidently by transthoracic echocardiography, computed tomography, or magnetic resonance angiography for an unrelated condition. The percutaneous approach is safe and effective in more than 98% of patients. Subacute bacterial endocarditis prophylaxis is not indicated routinely except for 6 months following the closure percutaneously or surgically.
Semi-Moist Fruit Puree as a Fat Replacement in Gingersnap Cookies

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To examine the acceptability of semi-moist fruit puree as a fat replacement in gingersnap cookies. This study investigated the effect of commercial semi-moist fruit puree as a fat replacement in gingersnap cookies. The semi-moist fruit puree (SMFP) is all natural and comprised of dried plums, apples, and water (Just Like Shortenin' produced by PlumLife Company Inc, Salem, MA). Three fat variations were tested: a control (C) product with shortening, a reduced-fat (RF) variation with half shortening and half SMFP, and a low-fat (LF) variation with SMFP. The percentage of calories from fat in the control, reduced-fat, and low-fat were 36%, 22%, and 3%, respectively. Twenty university students served as sensory panelists. Chewiness, moistness, ginger scent intensity, and overall preference were evaluated through sensory testing. A universal texture analyzer (TA.XT2) (Texture Technologies Corp., Scarsdale, NY/Stable Micro Systems, Haslemere, Surrey, UK) was used to measure compression force (2mm diameter punch probe) and sheer force (3mm blade). Results from sensory tests revealed that replacement of fat with SMFP resulted in increased chewiness and moistness. Further, fat may be required to achieve a ginger scented cookie as the LF variation had a significantly lower amount of ginger scent when compared to the RF variation. Height significantly increased, while compression force significantly decreased as given amounts of SMFP were added to the cookie variations. However, no significant difference was found in regards to preference between the three cookie variations. All three variations were considered acceptable with the RF variation being the most highly preferred. The semi-moist fruit puree was found to be an acceptable fat replacement in gingersnap cookies and may be used as a healthy alternative to fat in other baked goods.
A Novel Motif in Geminivirus Replication Proteins Interacts with the Plant Retinoblastoma-Related Protein

The geminivirus replication factor AL1 interacts with the plant retinoblastoma-related protein (pRBR) to modulate host gene expression. The AL1 protein of tomato golden mosaic virus (TGMV) binds to pRBR through an 80-amino-acid region that contains two highly predicted alpha-helices designated 3 and 4. Earlier studies suggested that the helix 4 motif, whose amino acid sequence is strongly conserved across geminivirus replication proteins, plays a role in pRBR binding. We generated a series of alanine substitutions across helix 4 of TGMV AL1 and examined their impact on pRBR binding using yeast two-hybrid assays. These experiments showed that several helix 4 residues are essential for efficient pRBR binding, with a critical residue being a leucine at position 148 in the middle of the motif. Various amino acid substitutions at leucine-148 indicated that both structural and side chain components contribute to pRBR binding. The replication proteins of the geminiviruses tomato yellow leaf curl virus and cabbage leaf curl virus (CaLCuV) also bound to pRBR in yeast dihybrid assays. Mutation of the leucine residue in helix 4 of CaLCuV AL1 reduced binding. Together, these results suggest that helix 4 and the conserved leucine residue are part of a pRBR-binding interface in begomovirus replication proteins.
Zygomycosis Associated with HIV Infection and Liver Transplantation.

Zygomycosis is an increasing threat to patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Zygomycosis (formerly called mucormycosis) is the fungal infection with Mucor, Rhizopus, or other species that share a common morphology of large empty pauciseptate hyphae with rare random-angle branching and a collapsed “twisted ribbon” appearance. Morphology allows a specific diagnosis on frozen section or smear prior to growth and identification of the fungi in culture which makes it improtant because treatment is different than that for more common mycoses such as candidiasis and aspergillosis. We present an informative and illustrative case of zygomycosis in a patient with HIV infection and liver transplantation.
Cash Transfers and Economic Growth: A Mixed Methods Analysis of Transfer Recipients and Business Owners in Malawi

Social protection policies that simultaneously reduce poverty and stimulate economic growth and development will be transformational for direct recipients and disadvantaged communities. This study assessed whether the Malawi Cash Transfer stimulates economic growth in the communities where it is operational. Data collection was conducted in Mchinji Malawi from 2007-2009. This study is based on data from two sources including 1) a randomized community control trial designed to measure the impact of the cash transfer and 2) qualitative interviews with business owners. Over the course of one year, the cash transfer intervention group had increased demand for and increased expenditures on foods, basic necessities, livestock, healthcare, and schooling supplies versus the comparison group whose expenditures remained low throughout the study. Additionally, cash transfer households invested in productive assets and farming equipment, which led to greater agricultural production, consumption and sales. The majority of business-owner respondents confirmed that transfer recipients are frequent customers and reported that sales to transfer recipients were an important part of their business. Respondents reported that the transfer strengthened local markets by providing a steady source of customers and cash, with reliable sales even during the rainy season. Business owners grew their businesses, earned additional profits and some made investments in infrastructure and capital. This study yields insights into the mechanisms by which cash transfers impact economic growth and contributes to the discourse on social protection strategies. Once the cash transfer scheme is operational throughout Malawi, it appears as though there will be important impacts for recipients, non-recipients and local businesses. Findings from this study may be applicable throughout resource-poor countries in Africa. Still, continued follow up and larger studies are needed to determine the consistency and scale of impacts on economic growth and development.
Explaining diagnostic complexity in an intake setting.

A one patient-one illness paradigm is implicit in the history and theory of psychiatry, and in basic research. Yet, in clinical practice and treatment populations in general, more than one diagnosis per patient is frequently encountered. How clinicians formulate comorbidity by means of DSM-III has rarely been investigated. In this study, the ideas of clinical condition and that of its diagnostic complexity are used to analyze descriptive features of a large number of patients seen in an intake setting. Axis I of DSM-III is used to measure diagnostic complexity. Complexity is analyzed in relation to demographic variables, to ratings entered in the remaining axes of DSM-III formulations, to symptom levels of patients, and to decisions involving disposition. Results indicate that analysis of diagnostic complexity by means of DSM-III yields a definable structure and that it can be related meaningfully to clinical factors. The idea of information uncertainty in diagnosis, i.e., the opacity versus transparency of a clinical condition, is also used to explain results. The ideas introduced and studied are shown to have value for social psychiatric research.
Efficiency of Producing White Leghorn Hatching Eggs Via Artificial Insemination and Natural Mating

Abstract White Leghorn pullets housed in stairstep cages were artificially inseminated with (a) 0.05 ml. semen every seven days, (b) 0.05 ml. semen every six days, or (c) with 0.05 ml., 0.07 ml. or 0.09 ml. semen every seven days. The resulting fertility and hatchability were compared with that obtained from natural mating in colony cages or on slat-litter floors with a male to female ratio of 1:10. Data were also obtained on production efficiency factors and labor required for artificial insemination. Fertility from the pullets artificially inseminated every seven days with 0.05 ml. semen (94%) was not as high as that obtained with natural mating on slat-litter floors (98%) but was equal to that obtained in the colony cages (94%) with natural mating. Increasing the insemination frequency to once every six days or increasing the volume of semen inseminated to 0.07 ml. or 0.09 ml. did not significantly improve fertility in the artificially inseminated pullets. Pullets in the stairstep cages performed significantly better than those in the colony cages in egg production and percentage cracked and dirty eggs. They also performed significantly better than both those in the colony cages and slat-litter floor pens in percentage large eggs and feed conversion. Insemination rates in the bottom rows of the stairstep cages were higher than those in the upper rows. The highest rates obtained in the bottom rows were 267 hens per man hr. for insemination alone and 145 hens per man hr. for semen collection and insemination.
Blood citric acid cycle and individual response to morphine analgesia in rats

Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass bei Ratten eine Beziehung besteht zwischen der analgetischen Wirkung von Morphin und den Blut-Konzentrationen einiger Metaboliten des Krebs-Zyklus.
Enhanced I/O subsystem recovery and availability on the IBM System z9

Although part of the IBM System zTM strategy is to improve design and development processes to prevent errors from escaping to the field, improving recovery is another element in the strategy to keep a machine up and running should an error occur. The z9TM continues on an evolutionary path of enhancing I/O subsystem (IOSS) recovery to further advance the reliability, availability, and serviceability (RAS) of System z platforms. This paper presents an overview of recovery and how it interacts with other RAS functions--such as error-detection mechanisms in hardware, including automatic identification and recovery of failing elements--up to the point in time prior to the advent of the z9. It then presents the innovations to IOSS recovery and error detection in the z9 that further improve machine availability. The recovery infrastructure, which significantly reduces recovery time and makes recovery much less dependent on machine scaling for this and future generations of System z servers, is described. Also described are such innovative uses of this new infrastructure as improvements in error detection related to elusive firmware problems seen in prior machines, the ability to detect and recover from firmware hangs or lockups related to inadvertently leaving control blocks locked, and the capability to perform recovery in parallel by multiple system-assist processors.
The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission

The Extreme Ultraviolet Explorer mission is described. The satellite is now scheduled to be launched in September, 1991. For the first six months, an all sky survey will be carried out covering 90 to 820 A, or essentially the entire EUV bandpass. This EUV survey will be made in four bands, or colors, λλ90–150 A; 170–250 A, 400–600 A and 550–750 λ. A portion of the sky which is free from the normally intense 304 A geocoronal helium background will be surveyed at greater sensitivity; the wavelength coverage of this band is from 90 to 400 A. Following the sky survey portion of the mission, spectroscopy of individual sources will be carried out. Three spectrometers employing novel variable line spaced gratings will provide spectra with ~1 A resolution over the band from 90 to 800 A. This spectroscopy will be carried out by guest observers chosen by NASA in a manner roughly analogous to the IUE guest observer program.
Computerised assessment of alcohol use and readiness to change in Spanish-speaking emergency department patients

Background The rapid growth of the Latino population in the US requires increased attention for prevention, screening, and treatment for alcohol-related problems. We offer English and Spanish-speaking emergency department (ED) patients a computerised alcohol screening and brief intervention (CASI) programme. CASI utilises the Alcohol Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) for screening, compares daily and weekly drinking to National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) thresholds for safe drinking and provides a brief intervention as necessary. Objectives To assess drinking patterns of Spanish-speaking patients using a bilingual CASI tablet. Methods This retrospective study was conducted in a tertiary university hospital ED between 2006 and 2010. Data from 1816 Spanish-speaking ED patients was analysed using descriptive statistics, the χ 2 test for independence, and the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test for comparisons using quantitative variables. Results Overall, 15% of Spanish-speaking patients were at-risk drinkers, and 5% had an AUDIT score consistent with alcohol dependency (≥20). A higher percentage of Spanish-speaking males than females were at-risk drinkers or dependent. Spanish speaking males exhibited higher frequency of drinking days per week and higher number of drinks per day compared to females. Non-drinking behaviour increased in older patients and at-risk drinkers decreased. Males and females were ready to change their behaviour after intervention, 61% and 67% respectively. Significance CASI found significant at-risk and dependent drinking behaviour in Spanish-speaking ED patients. The majority of patients were ready to change their drinking behaviour. More alcohol screening and brief intervention should be tested and become readily accessible for Spanish-speaking patients.
A Game Theoretic Approach to Dynamic Energy Minimization in Wireless Transceivers

Adaptive transceivers can significantly reduce the energy consumption of a mobile, battery-powered node by capturing real-time changes in the communication channel. This paper proposes a game-theoretic solution to the optimization of the energy consumption in wireless transceivers. This is accomplished by dynamically adapting the modulation level of the transmitter modulator and the error correction aptitude of the receiver decoder with respect to channel conditions subject to specified average bit-error-rate and throughput constraints. Experimental results demonstrate energy savings of up to 15%.
Effect of immobilization on stability and kinetic properties of α-L-fucosidase from Turbo cornutus

An amount of α-L-fucosidase from T. cornutus liver was copolymerized with glutaraldehyde using bovine serum albumin as the carrier protein. The properties of the native, the soluble enzyme polymer complex, and the insoluble enzyme polymer complex were studied and compared under various conditions of pH, temperature, substrate, and inhibitor concentration. Native α-L-fucosidase was heat labile and lost more than 85% of its activity when incubated at 55°C for 5 min. In contrast, under equivalent incubation conditions, both the soluble and the insoluble enzyme polymer complexes exhibited enhanced resistance to thermal inactivation and after 5 min lost only 65 and 40% of their original activity, respectively. Polymerzation also resulted in the shift of pH optima towards the acidic range, a decrease in activation energy and a change in the apparent Km values towards the p-nitrophenyl-α-L-fucopyranoside substrate.
Therapies using anti-angiogenic peptide mimetics of thrombospondin-1.

Introduction: The role of hrombospondin-1 (TSP1) as a major endogenous angiogenesis inhibitor has been confirmed by numerous studies and subsequent mechanistic discoveries. It has yielded a new class of potential drugs against cancer and other angiogenesis-driven diseases. Areas covered: An overview of TSP1 functions and molecular mechanisms, including regulation and signaling. Functions in endothelial and non-endothelial cells, with emphasis on the role of TSP1 in the regulation of angiogenesis and inflammation. The utility of duplicating these activities for drug discovery. Past and current literature on endogenous TSP1 and its role in the progression of cancer and non-cancerous pathological conditions is summarized, as well as the research undertaken to identify and optimize short bioactive peptides derived from the two TSP1 anti-angiogenic domains, which bind CD47 and CD36 cell surface receptors. Lastly, there is an overview of the efficacy of some of these peptides in pre-clinical and clinical models...
Could α5-GABA-A receptor activation be used as a target for managing medulloblastomas?

‘Medulloblastoma cerebelli’ was initially described by Cushing and Bailey in 1925 [1]. Medulloblastomas are the most common malignant brain tumors in children and are a significant cause of cancer-related deaths in children [2]. Since their initial description, enormous headway has been made in the molecular characterization of this highly malignant predominantly pediatric brain tumor [3–6]. Recent genomic studies have delineated the molecular heterogeneity of these tumors. They are now classified into subtypes, each with a unique molecular signature and clinical outcome: SHH, WNT, group 3 and group 4 [3–6]. Interestingly, patients with group 3 medulloblastomas have a worse prognosis compared with the other medulloblastoma subtypes [7]. Indeed, 5-year progression-free survival is less than 20% for group 3 medulloblastomas after maximal therapy with externalbeam radiation and multidrug chemotherapy, as compared with 70% 5-year progression-free survival for all other medulloblastoma subtypes. Ten years after disease onset, almost all group 3 medulloblastoma patients will have succumbed to the disease. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to develop effective targeted therapy to manage this subtype of patients. Group 3 medulloblastomas are characterized by oncogenic MYC signaling, often through a high level of MYC amplification. In terms of the current arsenal of chemotherapeutic regimens and radiotherapy, this makes this subtype of medulloblastoma particularly resistant to standard chemotherapy. Unfortunately, attempts at developing drugs that target the MYC protein in group 3 medulloblastomas have so far been unsuccessful. Gene-expression profiling revealed an enrichment of genes associated with GABA pathway signaling in MYC-driven/group 3 medulloblastomas, largely from increased GABRA5 expression [3]. GABRA5 encodes the α5 subunit of the GABA-A receptor complex. This appears to be unique to the group 3 medulloblastomas. This receptor
Whole cell-enzyme hybrid amperometric biosensor for direct determination of organophosphorous nerve agents with p-nitrophenyl substituent

In this paper, we reported the construction of a hybrid biosensor for direct, highly selective, sensitive, and rapid quantitative determination of organophosphate pesticides with p-nitrophenyl substituent using purified organophosphorus hydrolase (OPH) for the initial hydrolysis and Arthrobacter sp. JS443 for subsequent p-nitrophenol oxidation. The biocatalytic layer was prepared by co-immobilizing Arthrobacter sp. JS443 and OPH on a carbon paste electrode. OPH catalyzed the hydrolysis of organophosphorus pesticides with p-nitrophenyl substituent such as paraoxon and methyl parathion to release p-nitrophenol that was oxidized by the enzymatic machinery of Arthrobacter sp. JS443 to carbon dioxide through electroactive intermediates 4-nitrocatechol and 1,2,4-benzenetriol. The oxidization current of the intermediates was measured and correlated to the concentration of organophosphates. The best sensitivity and response time were obtained using a sensor constructed with 0.06 mg dry weight of cell and 965 IU of OPH operating at 400 mV applied potential (vs. Ag/AgCl reference) in 50 mM citrate-phosphate pH 7.5 buffer at room temperature. Using these conditions, the biosensor measured as low as 2.8 ppb (10 nM) of paraoxon and 5.3 ppb (20 nM) of methyl parathion without interference from phenolic compounds, carbamate pesticides, triazine herbicides, and organophosphate pesticides that do not have the p-nitrophenyl substituent. The biosensor had excellent operational life-time stability with no decrease in response for more than 40 repeated uses over a 12-h period when stored at room temperature, while its storage life was approximately 2 days when stored in the operating buffer at 4°C. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Evolutionary effects of translocations in bacterial genomes

It has become clear that different genome regions need not evolve uniformly. This variation is particularly evident in bacterial genomes with multiple chromosomes, in which smaller, secondary chromosomes evolve more rapidly. We previously demonstrated that substitution rates and gene dispensability were greater on secondary chromosomes in many bacterial genomes. In Vibrio, the secondary chromosome is replicated later during the cell cycle, which reduces the effective dosage of these genes and hence their expression. More rapid evolution of secondary chromosomes may therefore reflect weaker purifying selection on less expressed genes. Here, we test this hypothesis by relating substitution rates of orthologs shared by multiple Burkholderia genomes, each with three chromosomes, to a study of gene expression in genomes differing by a major reciprocal translocation. This model predicts that expression should be greatest on chromosome 1 (the largest) and least on chromosome 3 (the smallest) and that expression should tend to decline within chromosomes from replication origin to terminus. Moreover, gene movement to the primary chromosome should associate with increased expression, and movement to secondary chromosomes should result in reduced expression. Our analysis supports each of these predictions, as translocated genes tended to shift expression toward their new chromosome neighbors despite inevitable cis-acting regulation of expression. This study sheds light on the early dynamics of genomes following rearrangement and illustrates how secondary chromosomes in bacteria may become evolutionary test beds.
Evaluation of Ingroup Disloyalty Within a MultiGroup Context

The present research sought to determine if group vulnerability to ingroup norm violations moderated evaluations of these disloyal acts. Specifically, it tested the notion that smaller groups, groups organized around a moral cause, and groups demanding relatively high sacrifice from members would most harshly evaluate instances of ingroup disloyalty because such actions may be more likely to dissolve the group, undermine its message, or tempt other members to deviate. A first experiment found that the most distinct and vulnerable group – vegans – devalued disloyal ingroup behavior more than others, particularly when the mainstream was salient. A second experiment also found that vegans rated ingroup disloyalty more negatively than vegetarians when the disloyal act was unconcealed, that is, committed in front of outgroup members who knew the violator’s group membership. In addition, this effect was found to be primarily mediated by concerns that disloyalty would undermine intergroup distinctiveness and the...
Yield Optimization and Scaling of Fluidized Beds for Tar Production from Biomass

A numerical study is performed in order to evaluate the performance and optimal operating conditions of fluidized bed pyrolysis reactors used for condensable tar production from biomass. For this purpose, a previously validated biomass particle pyrolysis model is coupled with a detailed hydrodynamic model for the binary gas particle mixture. The kinetics scheme is based on superimposed cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin reactions. Any biomass feedstock can be simulated through knowledge of its initial mass composition with respect to these three primary components. The separately validated hydrodynamic model is based on a three-fluid model (gas, sand, and biomass) derived from the kinetic theory of granular flows. Separate transport equations are constructed for each particle class, allowing for the description of such phenomena as particle segregation and for separate temperatures for each particle class. The model is employed to investigate the effect of various operating conditions on the efficiency of tar collection in fluidized bed reactors. Results indicate that, at fixed particle size, the operating temperature is the foremost parameter influencing tar yield. The biomass feed temperature, the feedstock, and fluidization velocity magnitude, all have minor impact on the yield. The particle diameter has a considerable influence on the short-time tar yield, but it is inferred that it may have a more moderate influence on the steady-state tar yield. For the range of fluidizing gas temperatures investigated, optimum steady-state tar collection is obtained for 750 K under the assumption that the pyrolysis rate is faster than the feed rate; the predicted optimum temperature is only slightly higher if this assumption is not satisfied. Finally, scale-up of the reactor is addressed and is found to have a small negative effect on tar collection at the optimal operating temperature. It is also found that slightly better scaling is obtained by using shallow fluidized beds with higher fluidization velocity.
Long-acting diltiazem HCl for the chronotherapeutic treatment of hypertension and chronic stable angina pectoris.

Hypertension is associated with increased cardio- and cerebrovascular morbidity and mortality; antihypertensive drugs have been shown to reduce the risk of adverse cardio- and cerebrovascular events. These events tend to be more common during the morning hours, a time when both normo- and hypertensives show a circadian peak in blood pressure (BP). Although clinicians have a number of safe and well-tolerated antihypertensive agents in various classes and formulations at their disposal, few are designed to specifically attenuate the morning BP surge while maintaining 24-h efficacy. A novel, once-daily, long-acting formulation of diltiazem HCl (DTZ-LA) has been developed with chronodynamics in harmony with diurnal BP variation. DTZ-LA effectively reduces BP in a dose-dependent fashion over a 24-h dosing interval in patients with moderate-to-severe essential hypertension. When compared with a morning dose, the evening dose is associated with significant and clinically meaningful greater reductions in BP durin...
Atherosclerosis within the non-neoplastic margin of partial nephrectomy specimens: implications for medical management

To describe the frequency and severity of atherosclerosis contained within the non-neoplastic tissue of partial nephrectomy (PN) specimens. Archived open PN specimens were evaluated for histological evidence of atherosclerosis. Clinically significant atherosclerosis was defined as arterial luminal narrowing of >25 % due to fibrointimal thickening. Histological findings were correlated with clinical data including history of major medical comorbidities and preoperative statin use. The study cohort was comprised of 114 patients (71 men and 43 women). The mean age at the time of surgery was 59.3 years, and 69 (60.5 %) patients had a history of at least one major medical comorbidity including hypertension (54.5 %), diabetes (16.7 %) and coronary artery disease (12.3 %). Clinically significant atherosclerosis was observed in 29 (25.4 %) patients. These individuals were older (p = 0.001), and three times more likely to have greater than one major medical comorbidity (p = 0.002). In addition, only 17 (58.6 %) were prescribed a statin at the time of surgery. Atherosclerosis is frequently observed in the non-neoplastic tissue of PN specimens. Patients found to have atherosclerosis can potentially benefit from intensive lifestyle modification and medical therapy with lipid-lowering medications. These measures would likely have the greatest clinical impact on those patients without an existing history of major medical comorbidities.
Latitudinal Differentiation in the Effects of the Toxic Dinoflagellate Alexandrium spp. on the Feeding and Reproduction of Populations of the Copepod Acartia Hudsonica

Blooms of the dinoflagellate Alexandriumspp. increase in their frequency, toxicity and historical presence with increasing latitude from New Jersey (USA) to the Gaspe peninsula (Canada). Biogeographic variation in these blooms results in differential exposure of geographically separate copepod populations to toxic Alexandrium. We hypothesize that the ability of copepods to feed and reproduce on toxic Alexandriumshould be higher in copepods from regions that are frequently exposed to toxic Alexandriumblooms. We tested this hypothesis with factorial common environment experiments in which female adults of the copepod Acartia hudsonicafrom five separate populations ranging from New Jersey to New Brunswick were fed toxic and non-toxic strains of Alexandrium, and the non-toxic flagellate Tetraselmis sp. Consistent with the hypothesis, when fed toxic Alexandriumwe observed significantly higher ingestion and egg production rates in the copepods historically exposed to toxic Alexandriumblooms relative to copepods from regions in which Alexandriumis rare or absent. Such differences among copepod populations were not observed when copepods were fed non-toxic Alexandrium or Tetraselmis sp. These results were also supported by assays in which copepods from populations both historically exposed and na¨ ove to toxic Alexandrium blooms were fed mixtures of toxic Alexandrium and Tetraselmis sp. Two-week long experiments demonstrated that when
Vitamin Supplementation of Chick Rations as Affected by Grain Products

Abstract MIXED grain rations including wheat, oat and corn products have been popular in the Mid-West for some time. However when certain of these feeds are included in large quantity in chick rations a reduced growth rate has often resulted. Heuser et al. (1945) have shown a reduced growth rate and decreased efficiency from the feeding of high fiber rations. Some of these rations contained bran and middlings. Mishler et al. (1946) found that when 10 percent each of wheat bran and standard wheat middlings replaced corn in a simplified corn and soybean oil meal ration, growth was retarded and more feed was required per unit of gain. Carrick and Roberts (1947) noted that when 10 percent each of wheat bran and wheat middlings replaced 20 percent ground yellow corn in a ration known to give rapid growth, feed efficiency and rate of growth decreased. Roberts and Carrick (1934) compared chick . . .
High frequency performance of SiC heterojunction bipolar transistors

A compact heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) model was employed to simulate the high frequency and high power performances of SiC-based bipolar transistors. Potential 6H-SiC/3C-SiC heterojunction bipolar transistors (6H/3C-HBT's) at case temperatures of 27/spl deg/C (300 K) through 600/spl deg/C (873 K) were investigated. The high frequency and high power performance was compared to AlGaAs/GaAs HBT's. As expected, the ohmic contact resistance limits the high frequency performance of the SiC HBT. At the present time, it is only possible to reliably produce 1/spl times/10/sup -4/ /spl Omega/-cm/sup 2/ contact resistances on SiC, so an f/sub T/ of 4.4 GHz and an f/sub max/ of 3.2 GHz are the highest realistic values. However, assuming an incredibly low 1/spl times/10/sup -6/ /spl Omega/-cm/sup 2/ contact resistance for the emitter, base, and collector terminals, an f/sub T/ of 31.1 GHz and an f/sub max/ of 12.7 GHz can be obtained for a 6H/3C-SiC HBT. >
On the conundrum of the pentaquark

The pentaquark is proposed to be made from four quarks and one antiquark, which is an allowed combination by the theory of quantum chromodynamics. However, there was no convincing experimental evidence before 2002, despite many searches in particle physics experiments. In 2002, an experimental group in Japan presented results showing tentative evidence for the a pentaquark called the Θ +, consisting of four light quarks and a strange antiquark. In the next few years, up to a dozen experimental groups published supporting evidence for the Θ +, followed by a number of experiments with no evidence (and where the Θ + was expected to be seen). In later years, most of the experiments supporting the Θ + were repeated, but could not reproduce the evidence with better statistics. Today, there is little belief that the Θ + is real, and it remains a mystery how so many experiments could have claimed statistically-significant evidence for the pentaquark.