cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PGDB: A Debugger for MPI Applications

As MPI applications scale to larger machines, errors that had been hidden from testing at smaller scales begin to manifest themselves. It is therefore necessary to extend debuggers to work at these scales, in order for efficient development of correct applications to proceed. PGDB is the Parallel GDB, an open-source debugger for MPI applications that provides such a capability. It is designed from the ground up to be a robust debugging environment at scale, while presenting an interface similar to that of the typical command-line GDB debugger. Its usage on representative debugging problems is demonstrated and its scalability on the Stampede supercomputer is evaluated.
Early fetal acquisition of the chromaffin and neuronal immunophenotype by human adrenal medullary cells. An immunohistological study using monoclonal antibodies to chromogranin A, synaptophysin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and neuronal cytoskeletal proteins.

The development of chromaffin and neuronal features in the adrenal medulla was studied in normal human fetuses with gestational ages (GAs) of 6-34 weeks. Monoclonal antibodies specific for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, and tyrosine hydroxylase; for different subunits and phosphoisoforms of neurofilament (NF) proteins; and for microtubule-associated proteins were applied. Morphologically, two major cell types could be distinguished, i.e., "large" cells with pale nuclei and ill-defined cytoplasm, which were present from 9 weeks GA on, and clusters of "small," primitive appearing cells, present from 14 weeks GA on. The large cells were immunoreactive for chromogranin A, synaptophysin, tyrosine hydroxylase, and NF proteins, similar to adult chromaffin cells. In contrast, small cells expressed NF proteins and tyrosine hydroxylase, but not chromogranin A or synaptophysin, more resembling ganglion cells in the adult adrenal medulla. At the latest developmental stages large cells were observed in the center of the clusters of "small" cells, which morphologically resembled immature ganglion cells and expressed NF proteins in their perikarya. These observations indicate that chromaffin and ganglion cells establish their immunophenotype early in embryogenesis. They suggest that "large" and "small" cells are progenitors of the chromaffin and the ganglion cells, respectively, of the mature adrenal medulla.
Cell-free translation of early and late mRNAs selected by hybridization to cloned DNA fragments derived from the left 14 million to 72 million daltons of the vaccinia virus genome

Abstract A preliminary translational map of the left 14 million to 72 million daltons of the vaccinia virus genome was constructed. To facilitate this study, the Eco RI D fragment of Hin dIII C and the successive Hin dIII N, M, K, F, E, O, I, G, L, J, H, and D fragments were cloned in the plasmid pBR322. The recombinant DNAs were immobilized on nitrocellulose filters and used to select immediate early viral RNA made in the presence of cycloheximide, early viral RNA made in the presence of cytosine arabinoside, and late viral RNA made in the absence of inhibitors. The selected mRNAs were translated in the reticulocyte cell-free system and the [ 35 S]methionine-labeled products were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Approximately 75 polypeptides were detected among the translation products of early mRNAs selected to this portion of the genome. Most of these polypeptides were also made with immediate early mRNAs. Specific early mRNAs were selected by hybridization to each Hin dIII fragment; however, no immediate early mRNA hybridized to Hin dIII L. When selected late mRNAs were translated, more than 40 distinct new polypeptides were detected and synthesis of early polypeptides was greatly diminished. Late mRNAs were clustered near the center of the genome, particularly in Hin dIII fragments G, L, J, H, and D. No late polypeptides were detected by translation of mRNA hybridizing to fragments C′, N, M, and K and few were detected using mRNA that hybridized to fragments F, E, and O.
Black hole mass dynamics and renormalization group evolution

We examine the real-time dynamics of a system of one or more black holes interacting with long wavelength gravitational fields. We find that the (classical) renormalizability of the effective field theory that describes this system necessitates the introduction of a time dependent mass counterterm, and consequently the mass parameter must be promoted to a dynamical degree of freedom. To track the time evolution of this dynamical mass, we compute the expectation value of the energy-momentum tensor within the in-in formalism, and fix the time dependence by imposing energy-momentum conservation. Mass renormalization induces logarithmic ultraviolet divergences at quadratic order in the gravitational coupling, leading to a new time-dependent renormalization group (RG) equation for the mass parameter. We solve this RG equation and use the result to predict heretofore unknown high order logarithms in the energy distribution of gravitational radiation emitted from the system.
Post-communist political studies: ten years later, twenty years behind?

Abstract The collapse of communism has led to a number of different research agendas in post-communist political studies. These include political culture, “transitology,” nationalism, institutionalism, and political economy. This article critically reviews these approaches, comparing them to the more general lines of research in comparative politics. It asks what contribution each is making, and argues that a political economy perspective may be the most interesting and revealing for post-communist societies.
Preparation of the glucosylamines of procainamide and evaluation of the pharmacokinetics of the β-glucosylamine of procainamide in the conscious rabbit

Abstract An aqueous solution of the glucosylamines formed when procainamide reacts with glucose has been prepared and the kinetics of the elimination of the β-anomer has been investigated in the conscious rabbit. Analytical methods were developed for the β-glucosylamine and for both procainamide and N-acetylprocainamide. The β-glucosylamine was not converted to procainamide in vivo and showed monoexponential elimination kinetics with a mean (± 1 S.D.) t 1 2 of 0.92 ± 0.11 h and a Vzof 0.16 ± 0.03 l/kg as opposed to 0.93 ± 0.10 h and 6.09 ± 1.17 l/kg, respectively for procainamide. Simulations using this data indicated that administration of an infusion of procainamide hydrochloride in 5% glucose to human subjects could result in steady-state plasma concentrations of the β-glucosylamine which are fifteen times greater than for procainamide. The biological activity of the glucosylamines of procainamide remains to be studied.
Specialized predictive SVPWM current control of back-to-back converters for wind power generation systems

This paper presents the specialized predictive SVPWM current control of back-to-back converters for large-scale wind turbine generator systems. The predictive SVPWM current control strategy in the inner loop is adopted to minimize the system delay and improve the current response so that the grid-side current harmonics can be sharply reduced. Besides, load current feed-forward compensation was added to reduce the dc-voltage ripples when the load was unexpectedly changed, so that dc bus voltage can be kept at a demand level during the regenerative feedback condition of the motor. Active and reactive current are controlled respectively in d-q rotating coordinate system and unity power factor rectifier can be achieved. The proposed switching algorithm can control the converter with wide input voltage and load current variations. For validation, the converter showed better and fast performance in both steady state and transient state than conventional SVPWM control methods. Simulation demonstrates the effectiveness of the proposed current control algorithm.
Blister-like aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery: a retrospective review of diagnosis and treatment in five patients.

Objective Blood blister-like aneurysms are small hemispherical bulges from the dorsomedial wall of the internal carotid artery that resemble berry aneurysms but differ in their clinical and surgical features. On the basis of our literature review, blister-like aneurysms have been reported to occur only at nonbranching sites of the dorsomedial internal carotid artery. In this report on our series of five patients, we describe blister-like aneurysms of the anterior communicating artery (AComA) and discuss important diagnostic and therapeutic aspects unique to them. Methods In our retrospective review of 719 patients with nontraumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage admitted to our service from 1998 to 2003, 181 (25.17%) patients harbored AComA aneurysms. Five (2.76%) patients (four women, one man) had blister-like aneurysms that were recognized at the time of surgery. Results Initial digital subtraction angiography was diagnostic in only one patient. A second digital subtraction angiogram was diagnostic in one patient but failed to reveal an aneurysm in the remaining three patients; these were eventually diagnosed by computed tomographic angiography. All aneurysms were clipped. At the time of surgery, the aneurysms arose from the horizontal portion of the AComA without any involvement of the branches of the anterior cerebral artery. All presented as blister-like aneurysms that were thin-walled and lacking a surgical neck. On dissection, two of the lesions ruptured. All lesions were treated with straight fenestrated clips through the A1-AComA junction, thus remodeling the AComA. No delayed rupture was noted at the time of the last follow-up evaluation. At the time of discharge, outcomes were good in two patients, fair in two, and poor in the remaining patient. Conclusion Blister-like aneurysms constitute technically challenging lesions that may occur at the AComA. Computed tomographic angiography is valuable in diagnosis. Blister-like aneurysms should be suspected when digital subtraction angiography findings are negative for subarachnoid hemorrhage.
Development of a Simple and Low-Cost Olfactory Display for Immersive Media Experiences

Olfaction is an important perceptual function that is often neglected in immersive media (IM) and virtual reality (VR) applications. Because the effects of olfaction have not been researched as much as those of visual, auditory, or haptic senses, the effects of olfactory stimuli on IM experiences are mainly unexplored, largely unknown, and debatable in many examples. A major factor limiting olfaction research is the lack of olfactory display options. Commercial solutions are often inadequate and expensive. Prior research on olfactory displays is helpful, but pertinent details are normally missing, and the devices are often too complex to replicate. To address this issue, we have developed a simple, low-cost olfactory display by using inexpensive components and leveraging airflow for vaporization and scent delivery. In this paper, we detail the development of our display and describe an informal study evaluating its effectiveness.
Feasibility of atmospheric methane removal using methanotrophic biotrickling filters.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential ~23 times that of carbon dioxide. Here, we describe the modeling of a biotrickling filtration system composed of methane-consuming bacteria, i.e., methanotrophs, to assess the utility of these systems in removing methane from the atmosphere. Model results indicate that assuming the global average atmospheric concentration of methane, 1.7 ppmv, methane removal is ineffective using these methanotrophic biofilters as the methane concentration is too low to enable cell survival. If the concentration is increased to 500–6,000 ppmv, however, similar to that found above landfills and in concentrated animal feeding operations (factory farms), 4.98–35.7 tons of methane can be removed per biofilter per year assuming biotrickling filters of typical size (3.66 m in diameter and 11.5 m in height). Using reported ranges of capital, operational, and maintenance costs, the cost of the equivalent ton of CO2 removal using these systems is $90–$910 ($2,070–$20,900 per ton of methane), depending on the influent concentration of methane and if heating is required. The use of methanotrophic biofilters for controlling methane emissions is technically feasible and, provided that either the costs of biofilter construction and operation are reduced or the value of CO2 credits is increased, can also be economically attractive.
Relative reducibilities of complexes of Fe(III), Co(III), Mn(III) and Cu(II) with apotransferrin using eaq− and CO2−

Abstract Metal complexes of transferrin with iron (III), cobalt (III), manganese (III) and copper (II) were exposed to the short-lived, extremely powerful reductants e aq − and CO 2 − . The amount of reduction of the metal ions was measured by the bleaching of the visible charge-transfer absorbance. All of the complexes show less than 7% metal reduction. A kinetic model was formulated and reductive rate constants derived for each complex. The rate constants were of the order 10 8 M −1 ·s −1 for e aq − and 10 6 M −1 · s −1 for CO 2 − . Although these rate constants are almost f10 orders of magnitude faster than those determined for transferrin with conventional chemical reductants, they are 2–4 orders of magnitude slower than those for aquo and other protein complexes of the same metal ions. Iron transferrin, the biologically important species, is 2–3-times less reducible than any of the other complexes, which is explained by a small structural difference. Direct reduction as a mechanism for iron release in the reficulocyte seems unlikely in view of the results mentioned above.
Interaction of oxygen with transient biradicals photogenerated from γ-methyl valerophenone

Abstract The 1,4-biradicals generated during the photolysis of γ-methyl valerophenone interact with oxygen at nearly diffusion controlled rates. The comparison of quantum yield studies in benzene with laser photolysis experiments in methanol allow the estimation of the biradical lifetime in benzene as 42 ns at room temperature.
Phase transitions in polypyrrole and polythiophene conducting polymers demonstrated by magnetic susceptibility measurements

Magnetic susceptibility measurements conducted by the superconducting quantum-interference device (SQUID) technique in the temperature range 6--300 K on electrochemically synthesized polypyrrole and polythiophene doped with tetrafluoroborate (${\mathrm{BF}}_{4}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$) are reported. The temperature-dependent susceptibility results indicate the possibility of phase transitions occurring at about 75 K in polypyrrole and at about 130 K in polythiophene. These possible phase transitions are analyzed in terms of electronic and morphological structures of polyheterocyclics. The spin susceptibility clearly changes from a Curie to a Pauli-like behavior in polypyrrole as the temperature rises, while polythiophene only exhibits a Curie behavior. In addition, the ESR measurements performed on polypyrrole, polythiophene, and polyfuran at room temperature are also discussed. The exceptionally narrow ESR linewidth of 0.14 G in polypyrrole indicates the presence of highly mobile unpaired spins in the doped state. A significant effect of environmental conditions on magnetic behavior was also observed. The present susceptibility results are similar to those on arsenic-pentafluoride-doped cis-polyacetylenes. The SQUID measurements also indicate the possibility of the coexistence of unpaired spins, i.e., paramagnetic species and paired spins in conducting state. The temperature-dependent susceptibility demonstrates to some extent a dominant spin-coupling type of phenomenon, particularly in polypyrrole. The existence of spinless bipolarons and their contribution to the conduction mechanism are discussed in light of the present results.
Human cholinergic basal forebrain: chemoanatomy and neurologic dysfunction

The human cholinergic basal forebrain (CBF) is comprised of magnocellular hyperchromic neurons within the septal/diagonal band complex and nucleus basalis (NB) of Meynert. CBF neurons provide the major cholinergic innervation to the hippocampus, amygdala and neocortex. They play a role in cognition and attentional behaviors, and are dysfunctional in Alzheimer's disease (AD). The human CBF displays a continuum of large cells that contain various cholinergic markers, nerve growth factor (NGF) and its cognate receptors, calbindin, glutamate receptors, and the estrogen receptors, ERalpha and ERbeta. Admixed with these cholinergic neuronal phenotypes are smaller interneurons containing the m2 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChRs), NADPH-diaphorase, GABA, calcium binding proteins and several inhibitory neuropeptides including galanin (GAL), which is over expressed in AD. Studies using human autopsy material indicate an age-related dissociation of calbindin and the glutamate receptor GluR2 within CBF neurons, suggesting that these molecules act synergistically to induce excitotoxic cell death during aging, and possibly during AD. Choline acetyltrasnferease (ChAT) activity and CBF neuron number is preserved in the cholinergic basocortical system and up regulated in the septohippocampal system during prodromal as compared with end stage AD. In contrast, the number of CBF neurons containing NGF receptors is reduced early in the disease process suggesting a phenotypic silence and not a frank loss of neurons. In end stage AD, there is a selective reduction in trkA mRNA but not p75(NTR) in single CBF cells suggesting a neurotrophic defect throughout the progression of AD. These observations indicate the complexity of the chemoanatomy of the human CBF and suggest that multiple factors play different roles in its dysfunction in aging and AD.
Truth and disquotation

Hartry Field has suggested that we should adopt at least a methodological deflationism: “[W]e should assume full-fledged deflationism as a working hypothesis. That way, if full-fledged deflationism should turn out to be inadequate, we will at least have a clearer sense than we now have of just where it is that inflationist assumptions ... are needed”. I argue here that we do not need to be methodological deflationists. More pre-cisely, I argue that we have no need for a disquotational truth-predicate; that the word ‘true’, in ordinary language, is not a disquotational truth-predicate; and that it is not at all clear that it is even possible to introduce a disquotational truth-predicate into ordinary language. If so, then we have no clear sense how it is even possible to be a methodological deflationist. My goal here is not to convince a committed deflationist to abandon his or her position. My goal, rather, is to argue, contrary to what many seem to think, that reflection on the apparently trivial character of T-sentences should not incline us to deflationism.
`Understanding media': theories of the press in Britain, 1850-1914:

This article examines the theories of the press that circulated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, relating them to their economic, political and intellectual contexts. It argues that elite discussions of the press often stood in for discussions of the changing relationship between the elite and popular classes. In the mid-19th century, and ideal of the press as an `educational' agency predominated; the press should involve readers in a public discussion that contributed to self-government. As the electorate and reading public expanded, this ideal began to decline and give way to an ideal of the press as `representing' the people. In this formulation, the ordinary reader was not credited with rational thinking, and instead of involving readers in a public discussion, this theory proposed that newspapers should speak for the readers.
Philip Ernest Converse (1928-2014): A Pioneer in Survey Research and Quality of Life Studies

Phillip Converse, Warren Miller, and Angus Campbell (left to right) discussing the National Election Study in 1956. (Photo credit: University of Michigan Institute of Social Research). Philip Converse was one of the most esteemed early scholars in the field of survey research and quality of life studies. He was a seminal figure in the field of public opinion research. His article BThe Nature of Belief Systems in Mass Publics^ held that public opinion tended to be not very consistent across issues, not very stable over time, and not very understanding of ideology (Apter 1964). He provided additional empirical evidence in support of this assertion in a volume on The American Voter edited with Angus Campbell, Warren Miller and Donald Stokes—another foundational volume in the early years of survey research and quality of life studies (Campbell et al. 1960; 1966). The latter study was carried out using data from the time-series National Applied Research Quality Life (2015) 10:201–202 DOI 10.1007/s11482-015-9388-9
Subtypes of HLA-DQ and -DR defined by DQB1 and DRB1 RFLPs: allele frequencies in the general population and in insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) and multiple sclerosis patients.

SUMMARY We have used the HLA-DQB1 gene as a Southern hybridization probe with TaqI-digested genomic DNA in a study of 600 haplotypes from unrelated individuals and have characterized HLA-DQB1 RFLP patterns associated with the DR specificities DR1-DRw10 and DN1. For six of the specificities (DR2, 4, w6, 7, w8 and 9), we have also identified subtypes (multiple DQB1 band patterns), In a previous study (Cox Pt al. 1988), we identified RPLPs and subtypes with a DRB1 probe. Using the present results from DQB1 RFLPs to supplement those from DRB1 RFLPs, it was possible to discriminate among all the DR specificities with the exception of a minority of DR7 and DR9 subtypes. A comparison of DQB1 and DRB1 subtypes in the same subjects showed strong linkage disequilibrium for subtypes of some but not all DR specificities. We have also determined the allele frequencies of the DQBl subtypes in controls and in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or multiple sclerosis (MS). A consideration of subtypes in patients and controls indicated that for most DR specificities, neither IDDM nor MS was more strongly associated with any of the DQBl subtypes than with the serologically defined DR antigens. The exveptions were the DQBl patterns corresponding to the DQw3.2 subtype of DR4 and the rarer subtype of DR2, which were found in higher frequency in IDDM patients, as has been previously reported.
The immune system and cardiac repair

Myocardial infarction is the most common cause of cardiac injury and results in acute loss of a large number of myocardial cells. Because the heart has negligible regenerative capacity, cardiomyocyte death triggers a reparative response that ultimately results in formation of a scar and is associated with dilative remodeling of the ventricle. Cardiac injury activates innate immune mechanisms initiating an inflammatory reaction. Toll-like receptor-mediated pathways, the complement cascade and reactive oxygen generation induce nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB activation and upregulate chemokine and cytokine synthesis in the infarcted heart. Chemokines stimulate the chemotactic recruitment of inflammatory leukocytes into the infarct, while cytokines promote adhesive interactions between leukocytes and endothelial cells, resulting in transmigration of inflammatory cells into the site of injury. Monocyte subsets play distinct roles in phagocytosis of dead cardiomyocytes and in granulation tissue formation through the release of growth factors. Clearance of dead cells and matrix debris may be essential for resolution of inflammation and transition into the reparative phase. Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta plays a crucial role in cardiac repair by suppressing inflammation while promoting myofibroblast phenotypic modulation and extracellular matrix deposition. Myofibroblast proliferation and angiogenesis result in formation of highly vascularized granulation tissue. As the healing infarct matures, fibroblasts become apoptotic and a collagen-based matrix is formed, while many infarct neovessels acquire a muscular coat and uncoated vessels regress. Timely resolution of the inflammatory infiltrate and spatial containment of the inflammatory and reparative response into the infarcted area are essential for optimal infarct healing. Targeting inflammatory pathways following infarction may reduce cardiomyocyte injury and attenuate adverse remodeling. In addition, understanding the role of the immune system in cardiac repair is necessary in order to design optimal strategies for cardiac regeneration.
Mass‐spectra of the phenyl‐cyclohexadiene‐isomers

Three basically different paths of fragmentation are evident from the mass spectra of the phenyl-cyclohexadiene isomers.
Isolated biotin-resistant 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase deficiency: long-term outcome in a case with neonatal onset.

A patient with early-onset 3-methylcrotonyl coenzyme A carboxylase (MCC) deficiency showing a severe clinical course is described. Abnormal eye and head movements suggestive of seizures were noticed soon after birth. Tonic convulsions at the age of 10 weeks led to admission. Urinary organic acid analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry at 3 months of age revealed elevated concentrations of 3-hydroxyisovaleric acid (3HIVA) and 3-methylcrotonylglycine but normal levels of lactate, 3-hydroxypropionate and methylcitrate suggesting isolated MCC deficiency. This was confirmed by enzyme assays in lymphocytes and cultured skin fibroblasts: MCC activity was virtually undetectable whereas activities of propionyl-CoA and pyruvate carboxylases were within the normal range. A low protein (0.8–1.5 g/kg/day) diet supplemented with a leucine-free amino acid mixture resulted in a marked decrease of 3HIVA excretion.l-Carnitine and biotin administration had no effect on the clinical condition or metabolite exretion. Supplementation with glycine resulted in only a temporary fall of 3HIVA excretion and was therefore discontinued.l-Carnitine therapy was reintroduced later because of secondary carnitine deficiency. Compliance with treatment was poor until the age of 27 months resulting in a severe episode with seizures and coma. The general clinical condition of the patient was always good but his psychomotor development was delayed and seizures were not continuously under good control due to poor therapy compliance. The boy is now 10.5 years old and attending a school for children with learning handicaps.
Functional impairment as a risk factor for urinary incontinence among older Americans

Aims: Using a large nationally representative sample of older Americans we investigate four domains of functional impairment as possible risk factors for the subsequent development of urinary incontinence (UI) symptoms. Methods: Data from three waves (1993, 1995, 1998) of the Asset and Health Dynamics among the Oldest Old (AHEAD) survey were used to model the eiects of functional impairment on the onset of UI symptoms. Results: A greater number of serious chronic conditions and functional impairment in the lower body mobility domain increased the odds of the onset of mild UI (vs. remaining continent). Factors that contributed to greater odds of the onset of severe UI (vs. remaining continent) were older age, being represented by a proxy respondent, and functional impairment in the strength domain. Conclusions: Understanding the possible relationship between functional impairment and UI is an important step toward developing appropriate interventions for the prevention, treatment, or management of urine loss. Neurourol. Urodynam. 24:51^55, 2005. 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Development of protective immunity to Salmonella , a mucosal pathogen with a systemic agenda

Salmonella infections can cause a range of intestinal and systemic diseases in human and animal hosts. Although some Salmonella serovars initiate a localized intestinal inflammatory response, others use the intestine as a portal of entry to initiate a systemic infection. Considerable progress has been made in understanding bacterial invasion and dissemination strategies, as well as the nature of the Salmonella-specific immune response to oral infection. Innate and adaptive immunity are rapidly initiated after oral infection, but these effector responses can also be hindered by bacterial evasion strategies. Furthermore, although Salmonella resides within intramacrophage phagosomes, recent studies have highlighted a surprising collaboration of CD4 Th1, Th17, and B-cell responses in mediating resistance to Salmonella infection.
Real-time automated 3D visualization and recognition of biological microorganisms

We address the optical system for three-dimensional (3D) sensing, visualization and recognition of biological microorganisms. A digital holographic microscopy records Fresnel digital hologram of the biological microorganism. 3D image of the biological microorganism is computationally reconstructed by inverse Fresnel transformation of the digital hologram. For 3D recognition, two methods are presented. One is 3D morphology-based recognition and the other is based on statistical estimation and inference algorithms.
The relative toxicities of methotrexate and aminopterin

Abstract Hepatic aldehyde oxidases from rabbit, mouse, rat, and guinea pig have been purified 10-fold to 15-fold and shown to catalyze the oxidation of methotrexate to 7-hydroxymethotrexate. The mouse and rat liver enzymes, however, were unable to catalyze the oxidation of the related compound aminopterin, and the aminopterinoxidizing ability of the rabbit liver enzyme was much inferior to its methoxtrexateoxidizing ability. The oxidase from all four species was stimulated by ammonium ion and inhibited by menadione; species differences were noted, however, in pH optima and susceptibility to inhibition by Triton X-100. The results support the hypothesis that, in some species, the greater toxicity of aminopterin (as compared with that of methotrexate) is attributable to the lesser ability of aminopterin to serve as a substrate for hepatic aldehyde oxidase.
Introduction: the impact of immigrants on American institutions

Looks at how immigration in the USA has changed so that by the late 1980s almost three‐quarters of a million legal immigrants were entering the country ever year, and how by the 1980s this had increased to 9 million! Investigates the changing birthrate by which foreign born residents now account for one in five births in the USA. Posits that Islam is the fastest growing religion and that the USA has metamorphosed from being a “Christian” country to be the most religiously diverse nation in the world.
Effect of cholinergic ligands on the lipids of acetylcholine receptor-rich membrane preparations from torpedo californica

Ion permeation, triggered by ligand-receptor interaction, is associated with the primary events of membrane depolarization at the neuromuscular junction and synaptic connections. To explore the possible sites of ion permeation, the long-lived fluorescent probe pyrene (fluorescence lifetime approximately 400 nsec) has been inserted into the lipid phase of acetylcholine receptor-rich membrane (AcChR-M) preparations from Torpedo californica. The pyrene probe is susceptible to both fluidity and permeability changes in the lipid bilayer. These changes are detected by variations in the rate of decay of the excited singlet state of pyrene after pulsation with a 10-nsec ruby laser flash. Variations of these lifetimes in the membrane preparations alone or in the presence of quenchers show that binding of cholinergic agonists and antagonists, neurotoxins, and local anesthetics to AcChR-M produces varying effects on the properties of the pyrene probe in the lipid phase. It is concluded that binding of cholinergic ligands to the receptor does not significantly alter the fluidity of permeability of the lipids in the bilayer contact with pyrene. On the other hand, local anesthetics do affect these properties.
Using insurance claims and demographic data for surveillance of children's oral health.

Objectives This paper examines the utility of using private insurance and Medicaid dental claims as well as demographic data for assessing the oral health of children aged 5-12 years in Genesee County, Michigan, communities. Methods Dental insurance claims data from Delta Plan of Michigan and Michigan Medicaid, plus demographic data from the 1990 US Census (percent poverty) and from the 1995 National Center for Educational Statistics (percent free or reduced lunch eligibility), were compared to findings from two school-based oral health surveys. These surveys were the 1995 Genesee County Oral Health Survey and the 1998-2001 Mott Children's Health Center oral health screenings. Data were analyzed using zip codes, representing communities, as the comparison unit. Statistical comparisons using correlation coefficients were used to compare the findings from the six data sets. Results Using the insurance claims and school-based data, some communities consistently demonstrated high levels of dental caries or treatment for the primary dentition. The demographic measures were significantly associated with many of the primary dentition survey measures. The demographic data were more useful in identifying communities with high levels of dental disease, particularly in the primary teeth, than the insurance claims data. Conclusions When screening is not practical, readily available demographic data may provide valuable oral health surveillance information for identification of high-risk communities, but these data do not identify high-risk individuals. In these analyses, demographic data were more useful than dental insurance claims data for oral health surveillance purposes.
132. The role of astrocytes in IL-10 mediated regulation of inflammation within the CNS

Activated microglia from aged mice produce exaggerated levels of both pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-10. Despite higher levels of IL-10, microglial activation is prolonged in the aged brain. Astrocytes express the IL-10 receptor and produce cytokines, including TGFβ, that attenuate microglial activation. Therefore, to examine the failure of IL-10 to resolve inflammation within the aged brain, we evaluated the sensitivity of microglia and astrocytes to IL-10. We found that in vivo, astrocytes have higher surface expression of IL-10 receptor compared to microglia. In vitro, IL-10 lowered IL-1β expression in activated astrocytes, and not microglia. Furthermore, IL-10 increased TGFβ production in activated astrocytes. TGFβ, in turn increased expression of the regulatory receptors CX3CR1 and IL-4R on microglia. In astrocyte and microglia co-cultures, IL-10 decreased IL-1β expression in microglia and increased IL-4R expression. Blockade of TGFβ signaling decreased IL-4R induction and also decreased CX3CR1 expression in microglia co-cultured with astrocytes. Thus, astrocyte production of TGFβ plays an important role in regulating immune activated microglia. Next, we examined the inflammatory status of astrocytes in adult and aged mice and found that astrocytes in aged mice had increased GFAP and vimentin expression, and decreased IL-10 receptor surface expression compared to adults. Overall, astrocytes from aged mice are more inflammatory and less sensitive to IL-10, which may negatively affect TGFβ production and regulation of microglia in the aged brain.
Dielectric stability of oxides formed on NiCrAlY-coated substrates

Abstract A high quality dielectric layer is essential to the performance of high temperature thin film sensors fabricated on superalloy engine components. The microstructure, deposition method and heat treatment procedures for a number of dielectric films were investigated in terms of their performance. Dielectric layers consisting of a thermally grown Al2O3 layer and a sputtered Al2O3 or SiO2 layer exhibited the highest dielectric strengths of all composites formed on NiCrAlY-coated superalloy substrates. The dielectric properties of these native and non-native oxides are reported from room temperature to 1000 °C.
155 THE ROLE OF LACTATE IN MEETING THE ENERGY REQUIREMENTS OF THE LATE FETAL HEART

An isolated perfused working heart preparation was used to investigate the role of lactate in the energy metabolism of the fetal heart. Hearts were perfused under working conditions with Krebs-Henseleit buffer containing either glucose 5mM or glucose 5mM and lactate 5mM combined. Insulin 100 μU/ml was present in all perfusions. Pressure development in both great vessels was maintained at 55 mmHg and mean atrial pressure was adjusted to 6 mmHg. Glucose uptake was measured by production of 3H2O from 23H glucose and lactate uptake by measuring changes in buffer concentration. With glucose as the sole exogenous substrate its utilization(3.48 ± .29 μmol/min/g dry), corrected for lactate production by the heart(3.06 ± μmol/min/g dry)could account for only 56 ± 9% of the total oxygen consumption of the heart(20.7 ± μmol/min/g dry). When both glucose and lactate were present in the buffer, glucose uptake was inhibited(0.71 μmol/min/g dry)and lactate- uptake(6.55 μmol/min/g dry)accounted for approximately 91 ± 12% of the total oxygen consumption(22.3 ± 1.8 μmol/min/g dry). These findings suggest that lactate oxidation is the primary source of metabolic energy for the fetal heart in late gestation, since glucose alone does not satisfy the oxidative needs of the fetal heart and since the presence of lactate profoundly suppresses glucose uptake. Lactate is the primary metabolic substrate for the fetal heart when present in concentrations similar to those observed in vivo, much as lipids are the primary metabolic substrate in more mature hearts.
Combinational Sensitization of Leishmania with Uroporphyrin and Aluminum Phthalocyanine Synergistically Enhances their Photodynamic Inactivation in vitro and in vivo

Leishmania were previously shown to undergo photolysis when their transgenic mutants were induced endogenously to accumulate cytoplasmic uroporphyrin or when loaded exogenously with aluminum phthalocyanine chloride. A combinational use of both is reported here, which renders Leishmania far more susceptible to photolysis. Fluorescence microscopy of cells loaded with the two photosensitizers localized them to different subcellular sites. Pre-exposure of Leishmania to both synergistically sensitized them for photolysis as extracellular promastigotes and intracellular amastigotes in infected macrophages in vitro when illuminated at specific wavelengths to excite the respective photosensitizers for production of reactive oxygen species. Both Leishmania stages lost their viability completely when doubly photosensitized optimally and illuminated at low intensity, the host cells being left unscathed. Inoculation of mice with photoinactivated Leishmania produced no lesions, which invariably developed in the control groups during a period of observations for 8 weeks. Pretreatment of Leishmania with both photosensitizers rendered these cells susceptible to clearance from the ear dermis by white light illumination. The results suggest that double photosensitization for synergistic activity enhances the efficacy and safety of photodynamic therapy in general and for Leishmania in particular.
A simple procedure for the preparation of L-hexoses

Abstract A brief route for preparation of the L-hexenulose 4 from D-glucal 1 via furan intermediates 2 and 3 is described.
Effects of seed layer on the coercivity and exchange bias in Co/Ag/CoO heterostructures

Magnetic multilayers of the form Co/Ag/CoO, grown on Si 3 N 4 substrates, with seed layers of Ag or Ta of various thicknesses were studied. There is a dramatic difference between the exchange fields and between the coercive fields for the differing seed layers such that, for a Ag seed layer, the loop can be fully shifted to one side of zero field whereas, with a Ta seed layer, this behavior is not observed. One important difference in the seed layers is the layer roughness; the Ag seed layer is as much as six times rougher than the Ta layer, as determined by atomic force microscopy.
Determination of estrogenic steroids and microbial and photochemical degradation of 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) in lake surface water, a case study

In this study, a GC-MS technique was applied to determine 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), an active ingredient of oral contraceptives, and its fate in Lake Quinsigamond, Massachusetts, USA. To the knowledge of the authors, this is the first study of EE2 and its microbial and photochemical degradation in a lake ecosystem. EE2 was detected at a concentration up to 11.1 ng L−1. At this concentration EE2 may affect the reproduction of fish and other aquatic organisms in the lake due to its high estrogenic activity. EE2 was persistent to the biodegradation by the microorganisms in the lake. Under aerobic conditions a long lag phase (42 days) was observed before the biodegradation of EE2 and a half-life of 108 days was estimated. Under anaerobic conditions, EE2 experienced even a longer acclimation stage (63 days) and a slower microbial degradation in the lake water. The photodegradation of EE2 was rapid in the lake surface water under natural sunlight, with a half-life of less than 2 days in summer sunny days. Compared to biodegradation, photodegradation may represent a predominant removal mechanism for EE2 in natural surface waters.
Interference with memory for lifted weight

An adaptation-level model for memory was tested by interpolating different weights between the standard and comparison weights. The results suggest that the model should be modified to account for the general tendency to use alternative categories of judgment with equal frequency. In terms of the modified model, memory for the standard shifts toward the value of the interfering stimulus, the magnitude of shift being proportional to the difference between the interfering stimulus and the value the memory would otherwise have had.
Bifluorophoric molecules as fluorescent beacons for antibody-antigen binding

The quenching of fluorescence (up to 98%) by anti-fluorescein antibodies is well documented in the literature. Here we report a system where, instead of quenching, bifluorophoric molecules are designed to increase in fluorescence upon binding by an anti-fluorescein antibody. Bifluorophoric molecules are made of fluorescein (F) linked to tetramethylrhodamine (T) via varying numbers of methylene units, denoted as F-(CH2)n-T. These F-(CH2)n-T conjugates are almost nonfluorescent when free in solution due to intramolecular dimerization and stacking. Upon binding to an anti-fluorescein antibody, however, up to 110-fold increase in fluorescence was observed from the rhodamine moiety. This increase is believed to result from intramolecular dimer dissociation that dequenches the rhodamine fluorescence. Fluorescein fluorescence, on the other hand, remains quenched due to binding and intramolecular resonance energy transfer. Moreover, the excitation wavelength was at the absorption maxima of fluorescein, giving a Stoke's shift of about 90 nm. This system couples directly molecular recognition with a concurrent increase in fluorescence emission, obviating wash and incubation steps required by most assays. It is an important molecular reporter system for developing homogeneous assays. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Mean field equilibria of single coherent vortices

We present the calculation of single-vortex statistical equilibria in a disk using the mean field theory respecting all the conservation laws of the two-dimensional Euler equations. The equilibrium may help in understanding the formation of coherent structures in experiments, numerical simulations, and planetary atmospheres. We calculate two-dimensional single-vortex solutions in the disk and confirm the bifurcation from symmetric to off-center vortices predicted by a linear perturbation analysis. With a second-order perturbation analysis and a calculation of the thermodynamic stability we find that both supercritical and subcritical bifurcations can occur, depending on the parameters. The shapes of the off-center vortices also are in good agreement with measurements on an electron plasma.
A “Medical Student Practice Profile” as the Foundation for a Case-Based Curriculum Revision

Background: In 2001, the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California initiated a major curriculum reform with fully integrated teaching of the basic sciences. Description: The new curriculum integrated a set of selected clinical cases called the student practice profile (SPP). The SPP cases were designed to (a) define the core target knowledge base and essential clinical experience of all graduating students, (b) to improve the relevance of basic science teaching, and (c) to serve as the overarching organizational structure for the 4-year curriculum. Evaluation: Evaluation data demonstrated that implementation of the SPP project has been moderately successful and students have reported high exposure to the SPP cases and confidence in their ability to diagnose and manage problems. Improvement in teaching the basic sciences in a clinically relevant manner is suggested by a small continued improvement in USMLE scores since the SPP project was fully implemented. Conclusions: The SPP desig...
Arousal Threshold in Obstructive Sleep Apnea

To the Editor: I read with interest the article by Eckert and colleagues regarding phenotypic causes of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) (1). One of their findings was an elevated respiratory arousal threshold in adults with OSA, and it was noted that direct comparisons of the respiratory arousal threshold between patients with OSA and control subjects have not been previously performed. In fact, studies have shown that children with OSA have higher arousal thresholds to a number of respiratory stimuli (such as hypercapnia [2] and inspiratory resistance loading [3]), but not to nonrespiratory stimuli (4), compared with age-matched control subjects. The arousal threshold changes over the course of normal development, with children having a higher arousal threshold compared with adults (5). However, the study by Eckert and coworkers showing blunted respiratory arousal thresholds in adults with OSA suggests that deficits in arousal are a common pathogenic mechanism for OSA across the age spectrum.
Image registration with use of the epipolar constraint for parallel projections

In this paper the registration mapping function is derived for images that are produced by parallel projections. This function has the form F(x, y) = A(x, y) + h(x, y)e, where A(x, y) is an affine transformation, h(x, y) is a scalar-valued function, and e is a vector that defines the epipolar lines. The main result of the paper is the formulation of a normalization constraint that guarantees the uniqueness of the parameters of this function and makes possible their least-squares estimation from a collection of matching points. This approach reduces the search for match points from a two-dimensional to a one-dimensional search along the epipolar lines, thereby increasing the accuracy and robustness of image registration. Simulation results are presented that demonstrate the validity of this approach for nonparallel as well as for parallel imaging geometries. Subpixel registration accuracy is possible for perspective projections as long as either the field of view or the separation angle between the two images is small.