cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for the consensus detection of human pathogenic Campylobacter species

Abstract Most rapid identification methods for Campylobacter are designed to detect thermotolerant Campylobacter jejuni (C. jejuni) and Campylobacter coli (C. coli). A growing number of thermosensitive Campylobacter species are now gaining recognition as emerging human pathogens. Methods are lacking for the rapid screening of these emerging species. Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) is a nucleic acid amplification method that allows for the rapid and cost-effective detection of bacteria. Degenerate primers against the 16S rRNA sequences for C. jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, C. upsaliensis, C. ureolyticus, C. fetus, C. gracilis, C. rectus, and C. concisus were designed. Isothermal amplification was conducted using ATCC reference strains at 68 °C for 30 min using WarmStart® Colorimetric LAMP reagents. Positive reactions were indicated by a color change from pink to yellow; specificity to Campylobacter was confirmed using a restriction enzyme digest (RsaI). The developed LAMP reaction was specific for the reference strains, which was confirmed against an exclusivity panel that consisted of other enteric pathogens, including E. coli, Salmonella, Shigella, Helicobacter, and Arcobacter. This method was also evaluated for the detection of C. jejuni, C. coli, and C. lari in primary enrichment media from artificially contaminated fresh spinach samples. The LAMP method provides an option to rapidly screen for the presence of pathogenic Campylobacter spp. in field surveillance and trace-back analysis.
An Optimization-Based Algorithm for Trajectory Planning of an Under-Actuated Robotic Arm to Perform Autonomous Suturing

In single-port access surgeries, robot size is crucial due to the limited workspace. Thus, a robot may be designed under-actuated. Suturing, in contrast, is a complicated task and requires full actuation. This study aims to overcome this shortcoming by implementing an optimization-based algorithm for autonomous suturing for an under-actuated robot. The proposed algorithm approximates the ideal suturing trajectory by slightly reorienting the needle while deviating as little as possible from the ideal, full degree-of-freedom suturing case. The deviation of the path taken by a custom robot with respect to the ideal trajectory varies depending on the suturing starting location within the workspace as well as the needle size. A quantitative analysis reveals that in 13% of the investigated workspace, the accumulative deviation was less than 10 mm. In the remaining workspace, the accumulative deviation was less than 30 mm. Likewise, the accumulative deviation of a needle with a radius of 10 mm was 2.2 mm as opposed to 8 mm when the radius was 20 mm. The optimization-based algorithm maximized the accuracy of a four-DOF robot to perform a path-constrained trajectory and illustrates the accuracy-workspace correlation.
Experimental increases in temperature mean and variance alter reproductive behaviors in the dung beetle Phanaeus vindex

Temperature profoundly impacts insect development, but plasticity of reproductive behaviors may mediate the impacts of temperature change on earlier life stages. Few studies have examined the potential for behavioral plasticity of adults to buffer developing offspring from warmer, more variable temperatures associated with climate change. We used a field manipulation to examine whether the dung beetle Phanaeus vindex alters breeding behaviors in response to climate change and whether adult behavioral shifts protect offspring from temperature increases. Dung beetles lay eggs inside brood balls made of dung that are buried underground for the entirety of offspring development. Depth of the brood ball impacts the temperatures offspring experience with consequences for beetle development. We placed females in either control or greenhouse treatments that simultaneously increased temperature mean and variance. We found that females produced smaller brood balls but buried them deeper in the greenhouse treatment, suggesting burial depth may come at a cost to brood ball size, which can impact offspring nutrition. Despite being buried deeper, brood balls from the greenhouse treatment experienced warmer mean temperatures but similar amplitudes of temperature fluctuation relative to the controls. Our findings suggest adult behaviors may buffer offspring from increased temperature variation due to climate change.
Electroretinogram and Visual Field Correlation in Birdshot Chorioretinopathy

Purpose The aim of this study was to assess possible correlation between the visual field and electroretinogram (ERG) parameters in birdshot chorioretinopathy (BCR). Design Retrospective cross-sectional study. Methods This single-center study included 21 eyes of 11 patients with BCR with prior ERG and Goldmann kinetic perimetry. Generalized estimating equation was used for statistical analysis, and isopters V4e and I4e were modeled as separate outcomes with each parameter of ERG as the main independent variable. The main outcome measure was presence or absence of correlation between the Goldmann isopters and ERG parameters including the amplitudes and implicit times of dark adapted (DA) and light adapted (LA) a-waves and b-waves (DA 0.01, DA 3.0, DA 10.0, and LA 3.0) and LA 30 Hz. Results There was a strong positive correlation between the size of isopter V4e and all the scotopic and photopic standard ERG amplitudes [P Conclusions In this study, the largest isopter of Glodmann visual field showed a strong positive correlation with all standard ERG amplitudes in BCR. This novel finding underscores the role of ERG as an objective visual function test in monitoring the disease activity.
Reactions of Sodium Diisopropylamide: Liquid-Phase and Solid-Liquid Phase-Transfer Catalysis by N, N, N', N″, N″-Pentamethyldiethylenetriamine

Sodium diisopropylamide (NaDA) in N,N-dimethylethylamine (DMEA) and DMEA-hydrocarbon mixtures with added N,N,N',N″,N″-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDTA) reacts with alkyl halides, epoxides, hydrazones, arenes, alkenes, and allyl ethers. Comparisons of PMDTA with N,N,N',N'-tetramethylethylenediamine (TMEDA) accompanied by detailed rate and computational studies reveal the importance of the trifunctionality and κ2-κ3 hemilability. Rate studies show exclusively monomer-based reactions of 2-bromooctane, cyclooctene oxide, and dimethylresorcinol. Catalysis with 10 mol % PMDTA shows up to >30-fold accelerations (kcat > 300) with no evidence of inhibition over 10 turnovers. Solid-liquid phase-transfer catalysis (SLPTC) is explored as a means to optimize the catalysis as well as explore the merits of heterogeneous reaction conditions.
The Tea Party: Three Principles

1. Genesis 2. Limited government 3. US sovereignty 4. Constitutional originalism 5. Looking forward.
Alcohol Dehydrogenase in Cultured Human Skin Fibroblasts Human Fibroblast Alcohol Dehydrogenase

Studies of ethanol oxidation and other metabolic pathways in humans are often limited by the availability of a reproducible test material. Because of this we have tested human fibroblasts for ethanol metabolism and alcohol dehydrogenase content. Seven different cell lines have been studied and found to contain an enzymatic activity identified as alcohol dehydrogenase by the following criteria: it is NAD+-dependent, the Km for ethanol is like human liver, it is completely inhibited by 25 microM 4-pentylpyrazole. The fibroblast activity was analyzed by isoelectric focusing and found to contain several isozymes also present in the human liver sample. In addition, fibroblasts contain 2 major isozymes which migrate anodally to any isozymes previously reported in human liver. Thus, fibroblasts appear to be useful material for comparing enzymatic aspects of ethanol metabolism in alcoholics and nonalcoholics.
Recursive Dynamics and Adaptive Control for Animating Articulated Figures

Although physics-based simulation is guaranteed to generate natural looking motion, it provides the user with very little control over the results produced. In kinematically controlled animation, the user is responsible for every aspect of the generated motion; however, no guarantees can be made about the result’s physical correctness. In the method we present we provide the direct control of kinematic animation to dynamically generated motion, hence taking advantage of the strengths of both techniques.
Unfair Priority for HCC: A Problem Whose Ideal Solution Remains Unsolved

Since the inception of the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) liver transplant allocation system in 2002, it has been recognized that some diseases exist for which mortality risk is not adequately measured by MELD score. For this reason patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been assigned an exception MELD score. In this issue of AJT (1), Washburn and colleagues attempted to determine whether the current exception score results in an unfair advantage for HCC patients. They used competing risk methods to compare rates of dropout from the waiting list between adults who received an exception for HCC, versus those without HCC who were listed with their laboratory MELD score. They found that HCC patients have substantially lower dropout rates than nonHCC patients: 12% versus 18% at 1 year after listing. The authors also analyzed factors independently associated with dropout among HCC patients, which included tumor size, laboratory MELD score and level of alphafetoprotein.
Wheel/rail adhesion wear investigation using a quarter scale laboratory testing facility

A systematic large experimental test program of wheel/rail adhesion and wear was undertaken using the IIT wheel rail simulation facility of approximately 1/4 scale. This study was inspired due to the need of higher adhesion locomotives which are being designed and built at present. It was resolved, therefore, to determine the effects of axle load, adhesion coefficient, angle of attack (degree of curve), class of wheels (B and C), and mode of operation (braking and traction). All experiments were conducted using Hertzian simulation and DC traction. The experiments were conducted for clean/dry wheel and rail condition, ideal stiff track, constant rail speed, simulation of new 132 RE rail, and wheel creep corresponding to stable adhesion values. A total of twenty six tests were conducted. The range of loads corresponded from empty car to a locomotive. Adhesion coefficients from 0% to 50% were tested and angles of attack corresponding from tangent track to a 10 degree curve were used. Wear was measured by overlaying profiles of the wheel/rail surface at different stages of wear and measuring the change in the area of cross section. It was found that the hierarchy of influencing parameters for wheel/rail wear in order of priority are: (1) rail curves or angle of attack; (2) adhesion coefficient; and (3) axle loads. The curves increase the wear dramatically. The wear under traction and braking modes were comparable to each other. The wear of class B and class C wheels is also reasonably comparable, however, the rail wear produced by class C wheel was higher than that produced by class B wheels.
Quantitative Analysis of Qualitative Images

Recently, renowned artist David Hockney observed that certain drawings and paintings from as early as the Renaissance seemed almost "photographic" in detail.[1] Following an extensive visual investigation of western art of the past 1000 years, he made the revolutionary claim that artists even of the prominence of van Eyck and Bellini must have used optical aids. However, many art historians insisted there was no supporting evidence for such a remarkable assertion. In this talk I will show a range of optical evidence for his claim that Hockney and I subsequently discovered during an unusual, and remarkably-productive, collaboration between an artist and a scientist.[2,3] These discoveries convincingly demonstrate optical instruments were in use—by artists, not scientists—nearly 200 years earlier than previously even thought possible, and account for the remarkable transformation in the reality of portraits that occurred early in the 15th century. As the examples in my talk will show, paintings are much more complex than if projected images simply had been traced. The new image analysis insights Hockney and I developed in our collaboration enabled us to overcome this complexity, allowing us to extract information that had eluded generations of scholars.[4] Because of this, these discoveries have significant implications for the fields of machine vision and computerized image analysis as well as for the histories of art and science. Acknowledgments: My work was done in collaboration with David Hockney.
Factors associated with sleep disturbance in women of Mexican descent.

Aims. The aims were to identify the most useful parameters of acculturation in relation to self-reported sleep disturbance and describe risk factors for sleep disturbance in women of Mexican descent. Background. Little is known about acculturation as a factor for poor sleep in the context of other personal factors such as income or sense of resilience or mastery for Latinas in the United States. Design. This study was a secondary analysis of cross sectional survey data. Methods. Personal factors were incorporated into a modification of the Conceptual Framework of Impaired Sleep to guide our secondary analysis of self-reported sleep disturbance. Data were collected from a convenience sample of 312 women of Mexican descent of childbearing age (21-40 years) located in an urban California community were collected and previously analyzed in relation to depressive symptoms and post-traumatic stress disorder. The General Sleep Disturbance Scale (in English and Spanish) was used to assess sleep disturbance. Data was collected in 1998 from September through December. Results. Early socialization to the United States during childhood was the most useful acculturation parameter for understanding self-reported sleep disturbance in this sample. In a multivariate regression analysis, three factors (higher acculturation, lower income and higher depressive symptoms) were statistically significant in accounting for 40% of the variance in sleep disturbance. Conclusion. When low income Latinas of Mexican descent report sleep problems, clinicians should probe for environmental sleep factors associated with low income, such as noise, over-crowding and exposure to trauma and violence, and refer the woman to psychotherapy and counseling rather than merely prescribing a sleep medication. Language: en
Protein metabolism in cultured plant tissue. II. Rapid method for determining the specific radioactivity of leucine in tobacco callus cells.

Abstract Leucine from both protein hydrolyzates and soluble amino acid pool fractions of tobacco cells was resolved from other amino acids in 70 min by a modification of the long-column method using a Beckman 120B amino acid analyzer. Radioactivity in leucine was also well separated by this method from other radioactive components in cells labeled with 3H-leucine in tissue culture. The specific radioactivity of leucine in both the soluble amino acid pool and the protein hydrolyzate was calculated and equaled that reported earlier (1) by us for tobacco callus cells.
Evaluating GAC Adsorbers for the Removal of PCBs and Toxaphene

The research described here investigated the effectiveness of activated carbon adsorption for the removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBS) and toxaphene from organic-free water (OFW) and humic acid background solution, using bench-scale equilibrium and rate tests
Acoustic Switching Ratios of Piezoelectric and Electrostrictive Oats

The conventional piezoelectric Opto-Acoustic Transducer (PEOAT) has been studied theoretically and experimentally. The results indicate that due to the characteristics of the present photoconductive layer the Acoustic Switching Ratio (ACSWR) in the megahertz range of frequencies is in general inadequate for beam focusing or beam shaping applications. The physical properties of the present photoconductive layer must be successfully altered to bring about an improvement in the acoustic switching ratio.
Ethnography: Step-by-Step

The First Step An Overview Walking in Rhythm Anthropological Concepts A Wilderness Guide Methods and Techniques Geering Up Ethnographic Equipment Finding Your Way Through the Forest Analysis Recording the Miracle Writing Walking Softly Through the Wilderness Ethics
Modeling fault diagnosis as the activation and use of a frame system

Twenty pilots with instrument flight ratings were asked to perform a fault-diagnosis task for which they had relevant domain knowledge. The pilots were asked to think out loud as they requested and interpreted information. Performances were then modeled as the activation and use of a frame system. Cognitive biases, memory distortions and losses, and failures to correctly diagnose the problem were studied in the context of this frame system model.
Automatic Computation of Dielectric Films

A method is presented whereby the transmission and reflection from multiple-layer dielectrics may be calculated. The equations are put into a form readily adapted to large computing machinery. A seven-layer film combination is computed for various wavelengths.
Sham feeding in the rhesus monkey

Abstract Adult male rhesus monkeys with chronic gastric fistulas were adapted to eating a liquid food during a 90 min test period after an overnight food deprivation. When the fistulas were opened for the first time, monkeys sham fed more than three times as much as they had eaten the previous day when the gastric fistulas were closed. The observed incidences of resting and non-ingestive activity were reduced during the sham feeding test. When monkeys sham fed for 5 successive test days, intake increased progressively with a concomitant decrease in the incidence of non-ingestive activity. The results demonstrate that under, these experimental conditions pregastric food stimuli (and their conditioned and/or unconditioned responses) are not sufficient to limit meal size at control levels, and they are not sufficient to elicit the behavioral sequence of normal satiety.
High-resolution x-ray analysis of strain in low-temperature GaAs.

X-ray-diffraction measurements have been used to characterize GaAs layers grown at low temperature on GaAs substrates by molecular-beam epitaxy. Three ranges of low-temperature growth are defined, labeled as ``low range,'' (less than 260 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C), ``midrange,'' (between 260 and 450 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C), and ``high range,'' (above 450 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C), as measured by a growth-chamber thermocouple. Films grown in the low range are amorphous, those in the midrange are fully strained and lattice matched to the substrate, and those grown above 450 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C are similar to ordinary GaAs. A notable property of the midrange layers is the expansion and contraction of the lattice parameter with thermal anneals up to 900 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C. From x-ray rocking-curve measurements on more than 200 anneal conditions in this group, a growth model based on arsenic antisite defects is proposed.
The banking industry under uncertain monetary policy

Abstract The optimal loan decisions of banks are shown to be dependent on the banks' rational forecast of the future federal funds rate which in turn is related to the policy rule used by the Fed. Consequently, a change in the policy of the Fed will alter the reduced form model of the banking industry. This result brings into question the Fed's ability to predict and control the money stock under the procedure adopted by the Fed between October 1979 and September 1982.
Preparation and properties of immobilized flavokinase.

Flavokinase (ATP: riboflavin 5'-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.26) purified from rat liver by affinity chromatography, has been immobilized by amide linkage to aminoalkyl-agarose beads. The immobilized enzyme differs from the soluble enzyme in having greater stability slightly higher Km for the substrates, riboflavin and ATP, a broader pH optimum, and a lower energy of activation. These results suggest that the immobilized enzyme is influenced by the microenvironment of the bead and is subject to some degree of internal diffusional limitation. A Small (3ml), continuous, plug-flow reactor prepared with immobilized flavokinase effects 5% conversion of riboflavin to riboflavin 5′-phosphate (FMN) with a flow rate of 0.16 ml/min, which corresponds to an output of 5 nmol FMN/min. Immobilized flavokinase is effective for phosphorylating riboflavin and numerous riboflavin analogs and provides a facile methods for preparing exclusively, unlike other synthetic methods, the 5′-phosphates.
Interpersonal and intrapersonal evaluations of creative ideas

Abstract In addition to divergent ideation, creative cognition requires specific evaluative strategies. Two evaluative skills were compared in this investigation, and the correlations of each with divergent thinking, critical thinking, and a measure of ‘preference for ideation’ were examined. One evaluative skill involved interpersonal judgments, and the other intrapersonal judgments. Correlational analyses indicated that there was a significant canonical correlation between inter- and intrapersonal evaluative scores ( Rc = 0.63). There was also a significant correlation between intrapersonal evaluative accuracy and divergent thinking ( Rc = 0.45), and a significant correlation between interpersonal evaluative accuracy and the preference for ideation ( R = 0.31). Importantly, examinees were significantly more accurate when evaluating the uniqueness rather than the popularity of their own ideas, but significantly more accurate when evaluating the popularity rather than the uniqueness of ideas given by others. The highest percentage of correct identifications was for interpersonal evaluations, where 42% of the popular ideas were correctly identified. The lowest category was intrapersonal evaluations, where only 21% of the popular ideas were correctly identified. Finally, both inter- and intrapersonal evaluative scores had discriminant validity, being unrelated to standardized measures of critical thinking. These results are discussed in the context of current theories of creative thinking.
Temperature effects on locomotion and activity bioenergetics of amphibians, reptiles, and birds

1) Large temperature differences have a measurable effect on ectothermic power consumption both at rest and during locomotion, yet this question remains to be satisfactorily addressed in ecological studies looking at optimal foraging strategy and performance. 2) Acclimation may influence the enzyme complement present in ectotherms and this could influence the energetic cost and efficiency of locomotion for ectotherms. 3) There may be an optimal temperature for ectothermic locomotion and this may vary from species to species, yet we measure power consumption during locomotion uniformly at 30°C. 4) Endothermic locomotion as demonstrated by birds is temperature sensitive, as was shown by Paladino and King (1984). Although the locomotory cost may not change, thermoregulatory adaptations allow the bird to use the heat produced during locomotion in the cold to reduce thermoregulatory power requirements. 5) Avian hypothermia and inactivity is not a last ditch effort to save energy, but a strategy that allows endotherms to conserve energy reserves during inactivity or stressful environmental conditions.
A Mitochondria-Initiated Apoptotic Pathway

Emerging evidences indicate that in mammalian cells, mitochondria are not only metabolic centers that provide energy and other essential molecules to sustain life, but also key regulatory centers for cell death. When cells are insulted by apoptotic stimuli, mitochondrial homeostasis is interrupted resulting in releasing of proteins that normally reside in the intermembrane space of mitochondria. The roles of two such proteins in apoptosis have been defined in molecular details. One protein is cytochrome c that normally functions in electron transfer chain in mitochondria. The release of cytochrome c into the cytosol triggers a chain of molecular events mediated by Apaf-1 protein that causes the activation of intracellular protease, caspases. Another novel protein, Smac, is also released from mitochondria to cytosol similar to cytochrome c and functions in apoptosis by removing the inhibitory activities of IAPs, a family of proteins that attenuate apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of caspases. In this meeting, I will discuss the detailed biochemical mechanism how these proteins interact with each other to determine the life and death of cells.
DATA‐DEPENDENT ESTIMATION OF PREDICTION FUNCTIONS

. The technique of cross-validation for model selection where the observations have martingale-like structure is developed. It is argued that cross-validation works, unaltered, in this more general setting. The specific example of the stationary Markov process is considered in detail. An estimate of the one-step prediction function of this process is selected from a collection of splines by minimizing the cross-validatory version of the prediction error. Asymptotic optimality of the estimate is established.
An enthalpy method for modeling dendritic growth in a binary alloy

An enthalpy fixed grid method is developed for modeling dendritic growth in an under-cooled binary alloy. The proposed numerical method couples explicit finite difference solutions of equations expressing the conservation of enthalpy and solute to an iterative procedure that enforces node by node consistency between enthalpy, solute, liquid fraction, and interface under-cooling. Calculations made with the scheme, are consistent with previously reported work, agree well with limit analytical solutions, approach the correct steady-state tip operating conditions, show grid size independence, are relatively free of grid anisotropy, and can be obtained with a low CPU cost.
Sleep promotes consolidation and generalization of extinction learning in simulated exposure therapy for spider fear

Simulated exposure therapy for spider phobia served as a clinically naturalistic model to study effects of sleep on extinction. Spider-fearing, young adult women (N = 66), instrumented for skin conductance response (SCR), heart rate acceleration (HRA) and corrugator electromyography (EMG), viewed 14 identical 1-min videos of a behaving spider before a 12-hr delay containing a normal night's Sleep (N = 20) or continuous daytime Wake (N = 23), or a 2-hr delay of continuous wake in the Morning (N = 11) or Evening (N = 12). Following the delay, all groups viewed this same video 6 times followed by six 1-min videos of a novel spider. After each video, participants rated disgust, fearfulness and unpleasantness. In all 4 groups, all measures except corrugator EMG diminished across Session 1 (extinction learning) and, excepting SCR to a sudden noise, increased from the old to novel spider in Session 2. In Wake only, summed subjective ratings and SCR to the old spider significantly increased across the delay (extinction loss) and were greater for the novel vs. the old spider when it was equally novel at the beginning of Session 1 (sensitization). In Sleep only, SCR to a sudden noise decreased across the inter-session delay (extinction augmentation) and, along with HRA, was lower to the novel spider than initially to the old spider in Session 1 (extinction generalization). None of the above differentiated Morning and Evening groups suggesting that intervening sleep, rather than time-of-testing, produced differences between Sleep and Wake. Thus, sleep following exposure therapy may promote retention and generalization of extinction learning.
Misrepresentation of Publications by Radiology Residency Applicants: Is It Really a Problem?

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine whether the previous relatively high rate of misrepresentation of publications is still a problem with current applicants for radiology residency. Methods The publications submitted by a sample of 300 applicants for a radiology residency in 2011 were assessed using PubMed and an extensive Internet search to verify whether the articles were in print and had the applicants listed as authors and in the same positions of authorship. Whether the applicants graduated from US or international medical schools was recorded. Results Of the 138 applicants (46.0%) who cited 1 or more publications, there were 5 misrepresentations (3.6%). These included 1 article not found in the cited journal, 1 journal that could not be found, 1 article in which the applicant was not listed as an author, and 2 instances in which the applicants were not in the same positions of authorship (listed as lead authors but actually second authors). The misrepresentation rate was 1.9% among US graduates and 8.8% among graduates of international medical schools. Conclusions The low rate of misrepresentation of publications, especially among graduates of US medical schools, does not seem to warrant spending the time to check the citations of journal articles of all applicants for radiology residency positions. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to request that applicants bring to their interviews a copy of each cited article and to assess their knowledge of all other listed research activities.
Stereochemistry and evidence for an arene oxide-NIH shift pathway in the fungal metabolism of naphthalene

Abstract The mechanism of naphthalene oxidation by the filamentous fungus, Cunninghamella elegans is described. C. elegans oxidized naphthalene predominately to trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene. A trans configuration was assigned for the dihydrodiol by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy at 500 MHz which showed a large coupling constant (J1,2) of 11.0 Hz. Comparison of the circular dichroism spectrum of the fungal trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene to that formed by mammalian enzyme systems indicated that the fungal dihydrodiol contained 76% (+)-(1S,2S)-dihydrodiol as the predominant enantiomer. Other naphthalene metabolites formed by C. elegans were identified as 1-naphthol, 2-naphthol and 4-hydroxy-1-tetralone. Incubation of C. elegans with naphthalene and 18O2 indicated that the trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene contained one atom of molecular oxygen which indicated a monooxygenase catalyzed reaction while similar incubations with naphthalene and H218O indicated that the oxygen atom in trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene was derived from water. Mass spectral analysis of the acid-catalyzed dehydration products of the dihydrodiol indicated that the naphthalene dihydrodiol forms via the addition of water at the C-2 position of naphthalene-1,2-oxide. Fungal metabolism of [1-2H] naphthalene yielded 1-naphthol which retained 78% of the deuterium. NMR analysis of the deuterated 1-naphthol indicated an NIH shift mechanism in which deuterium migrated from the C-1 position to the C-2 position. The above results indicate that naphthalene-1,2-oxide is an intermediate in the fungal metabolism of naphthalene and that the fungal enzymes are highly stereo-selective in the formation of trans-1,2-dihydroxy-1,2-dihydronaphthalene.
Alendronate-induced auditory hallucinations and visual disturbances

A 79-year-old Caucasian woman who had been taking alendronate 10 mg/day for over 2 years to prevent osteoporosis reported hearing "voices in her head" along with red-colored visual disturbances. These auditory hallucinations and visual disturbances began shortly after her regimen was changed from alendronate 10 mg/day to 70 mg once/week. Assessment of causality using the Naranjo and Jones algorithms revealed a "probable" and "highly probable" relationship, respectively, between this adverse drug event and the switch from daily to weekly alendronate therapy. Other bisphosphonates, such as etidronate and pamidronate, have caused both reversible and irreversible auditory, visual, and olfactory hallucinations beginning 2 hours--1 week after drug administration. The mechanism behind these adverse effects is unknown but is thought to be independent of calcium homeostasis. Clinicians should be aware of central nervous system toxicity as a rare but potential adverse effect associated with bisphosphonates.
Chemical modification of gene silencing oligonucleotides for drug discovery and development.

Gene silencing, the specific inhibition of unwanted gene expression by blocking mRNA activity, has long appeared to be an ideal strategy to leverage new genomic knowledge for drug discovery and development. But effective delivery has continuously been a limiting factor. In the past two decades, valuable progress has been made through the development of various chemically modified single-stranded antisense oligonucleotides, with improved properties such as enhanced stability, higher affinity and lower toxicity. Although short interfering RNA (siRNA) can provide better specificity and stronger efficacy by means of RNA interference (RNAi), in vivo delivery of siRNA often relies on plasmids or vectors, both of which present therapeutic safety risks. This review presents a brief history of gene silencing from PS-ODN through siRNA, introduces DNP-RNA - a more potent and easily delivered gene silencing platform - and compares its performance with that of siRNA and other AS-oligonucleotides.
Structure and stability of the (H2O)21 and (H2O)20 · (H2S) clusters: Relevance of cluster systems to gas hydrate formation

Abstract In order to gain insight into the factors responsible for the different behavior of H 2 O and H 2 S with respect to hydrate formation, we have studied theoretically the (H 2 O) 21 and (H 2 O) 20 · H 2 S cluster systems. For each cluster, two isomers resulting from insertion of an H 2 O or H 2 S molecule into a dodecahedral (H 2 O) 20 cage were examined. The calculations were performed using the density functional and RIMP2 methods.
A Bounded and Discretized Nelder-Mead Algorithm Suitable for RFIC Calibration

This paper describes a calibration technique for noisy and nonconvex circuit responses based on the Nelder-Mead direct search algorithm. As Nelder-Mead is intended for unconstrained optimization problems, we present an implementation of the algorithm which is suitable for bounded and discretized RFIC calibration problems. We apply the proposed algorithm to the problem of spurious tone reduction via VCO control line ripple minimization for a PLL operating at a frequency of 12 GHz. For this nonconvex calibration test case, we show that a gradient descent-based algorithm has difficulty in reducing the VCO control line ripple, while the proposed algorithm reduces the relative power of the first harmonic reference spurs by at least 10 dBc and effectively enables design complexity reduction in the supporting analog calibration circuitry.
A novel Fcγ receptor ligand augments humoral responses by targeting antigen to Fcγ receptors

Generating efficient antibody (Ab) responses against weak antigens remains challenging. Ab responses require antigen (Ag) uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APC), followed by presentation of processed Ag to T cells. Limited uptake of antigenic peptides by APC constrains Ab responses. Here we improve vaccine efficacy by targeting Ag to Fcγ receptors (FcγR) using R4, a recombinant FcγR ligand. R4 has four repeats per chain of the hinge region and CH2 domain (HCH2) of human IgG1. HCH2 encompasses the FcγR binding site. The repeats are linked to the human IgG1 framework. To test R4 in augmenting Ag uptake, we expressed human serum albumin domain 1 (HSA1) at the N terminus of R4 to produce HSA1R4. HSA1R4 (50 μg) administered to mice in Ribi adjuvant induces up to 1100-fold higher HSA1-specific IgG titers than HSA1 (p<0.001). HSA1R4 (250 ng) induces up to 130 times more anti-HSA1 Ab than HSA1Fc, a protein with HSA1 linked to the IgG1 framework (p<0.001). HSA-reactive T cells proliferate more briskly to HSA1R4 than to HSA1Fc (p<0.008). Immunization with HSA1R4 yields greater T cell reactivity to HSA1 ex vivo than immunization with HSA1Fc (p<0.004). Linking antigenic peptides to linear HCH2 polymers may facilitate vaccine development.
Stenting after thrombectomy with the AngioJet catheter for acute myocardial infarction.

The presence of massive intracoronary thrombi may contraindicate stenting. The AngioJet™ catheter rheolytic thrombectomy prepared the road for an easy and uneventful stenting in 2 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and thrombi. This combination provides a promising strategy for patients with AMI and angiographic evidence of massive thrombi. Cathet. Cardiovasc. Diagn. 43:327–330, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
HIV-1 sexual transmission: early events of HIV-1 infection of human cervico-vaginal tissue in an optimized ex vivo model

Infection and dissemination of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 through the female body after vaginal intercourse depends on the activation/differentiation status of mucosal CD4 T cells. In this study, we investigated this status and the susceptibility to HIV-1 infection of human cervico-vaginal tissue ex vivo. We found that virtually all T cells are of the effector memory phenotype with broad CC chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) expression. As it does in vivo, human cervico-vaginal tissue ex vivo preferentially supports the productive infection of R5 HIV-1 rather than that of X4 HIV-1 in spite of the broad expression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). X4 HIV-1 replicated only in the few tissues that were enriched in CD27(+)CD28(+) effector memory CD4 T cells. Productive infection of R5 HIV-1 occurred preferentially in activated CD38(+)CD4 T cells and was followed by a similar activation of HIV-1-uninfected (bystander) CD4 T cells that may amplify viral infection. These results provide new insights into the dependence of HIV-1 infection and dissemination on the activation/differentiation of cervico-vaginal lymphocytes.
A genetic algorithm for sequential part assignment for PCB assembly

We present a genetic algorithm for printed circuit board (PCB) assembly, which simultaneously solves the feeder assignment and component sequencing problems. The algorithm uses a unique gene selection procedure that increases the convergence rate without degrading the solution quality. We have compared the performance of our algorithm with existing approaches and have demonstrated improved performance. We have also implemented the algorithm on a Quad IIIc insertion machine for surface mount components. The resulting suboptimal assembly times estimated by the algorithm have been found to be close to the actual optimal values.
Partial characterization of the molecular nature of collagen-linked fluorescence: role of diabetes and end-stage renal disease.

Collagen-linked fluorescence at excitation/emission 370/440 nm has widely been used as a marker for advanced glycation in studies of aging, diabetic complications, and end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Diagnostic devices measuring skin autofluorescence at this wavelength revealed an association between fluorescence and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We now report the presence of a major fluorophore (LW-1) in human skin collagen which increases with age, diabetes, and ESRD. It has a molecular weight of 623.2 Da, a UV maximum at 348 nm, and involves a lysine residue in an aromatic ring. LW-1 could not be synthesized using traditional glycation chemistry suggesting a complex mechanism of formation, perhaps related to hypoxia since elevated levels were also found in nondiabetic individuals with chronic lung disease.
The abuse potential of propofol.

Context. Propofol is a sedative-hypnotic prescription medication that is widely used in anesthesia, long-term sedation, and conscious sedation. It is short acting, effective, and, when used appropriately, safe. It is not a controlled substance by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, suggesting that it has little potential for abuse. The objective of this review was to evaluate the evidence for the abuse potential of propofol. Methods. A systematic review of the medical literature was performed using the search terms: propofol, Diprivan, abuse, addiction, tolerance, misuse, and withdrawal. Six online literature citation databases and relevant bibliographies were searched for articles. Results. Seventy-two articles were identified for review and 45 were relevant to the topic. These articles described propofol's biochemical and pharmacokinetic mechanisms of action that lend themselves to its abuse, propofol's physical and psychological effects that make it alluring as a recreational drug, the current ev...
A transputer-based accelerator for a Mossbauer fitting program

The Newton-Raphson method is widely used in Mossbauer spectroscopy to fit a spectrum to a number of Lorentzian-shaped lines. Although most Mossbauer spectrometers are now built around a personal computer, such computers are generally too slow for the fitting of spectra. The author discusses a concurrent version of the Newton-Raphson algorithm and its implementation on an accelerator based on a network of INMOS transputers, interfaced to a personal computer. A very significant speed-up factor is obtained with a small number of transputers; for example, the fitting time for a six-line 512-channel spectrum is 2.6 s per iteration with a four-transputer accelerator, compared with about 72 s on a Victor AT computer. Although the work has been applied to the fitting of Mossbauer spectra, the results are equally applicable to other least-squares fitting problems.
The Philosophical Computer: Exploratory Essays in Philosophical Computer Modeling

Philosophical modeling is as old as philosophy itself; examples range from Plato's Cave and the Divided Line to Rawls's original position. What is new are the astounding computational resources now available for philosophical modeling. Although the computer cannot offer a substitute for philosophical research, it can offer an important new environment for philosophical research. – The authors present a series of exploratory examples of computer modeling, using a range of computational techniques to illuminate a variety of questions in philosophy and philosophical logic. Topics include self-reference and paradox in fuzzy logics, varieties of epistemic chaos, fractal images of formal systems, and cellular automata models in game theory. Examples in the last category include models for the evolution of generosity, possible causes and cures for discrimination, and the formal undecidability of patterns of social and biological interaction. The cross-platform CD-ROM provided with the book contains a variety of working examples, in color and often operating dynamically, embedded in a text that parallels that of the book. Source code of all major programs is included to facilitate further research. – Contents : Preface. Introduction. – 1. Chaos, Fractals, and the Semantics of Paradox; – 2. Notes on Epistemic Dynamics; – 3. Fractal Images of Formal Systems; – 4. The This Evolution of Generosity n a Hobbesian Model; – 5. Real-Valued Game Theory: Real Life, Cooperative Chaos, and Discrimination; – 6. Computation and Undecidability in the Spatialized Prisoners Dilemma. – Appendix A: Competitive Strategies Adequate for a Minsky Register Machine; – Appendix B: An Algebraic Treatment for Competitive Strategies. Afterword. Notes; Index.
Error-correcting microarray design

Abstract We describe a microarray design based on the concept of error-correcting codes from digital communication theory. Currently, microarrays are unable to efficiently deal with “drop-outs,” when one or more spots on the array are corrupted. The resulting information loss may lead to decoding errors in which no quantitation of expression can be extracted for the corresponding genes. This issue is expected to become increasingly problematic as the number of spots on microarrays expands to accommodate the entire genome. The error-correcting approach employs multiplexing (encoding) of more than one gene onto each spot to efficiently provide robustness to drop-outs in the array. Decoding then allows fault-tolerant recovery of the expression information from individual genes. The error-correcting method is general and may have important implications for future array designs in research and diagnostics.
Phylogenomic Analysis of the α Proteasome Gene Family from Early-Diverging Eukaryotes

We employed a phylogenomic approach to study the evolution of α subunits of the proteasome gene family from early diverging eukaryotes. BLAST similarity searches of the Giardia lamblia genome identified all seven α proteasome genes characteristic of eukaryotes from the crown group. In addition, a PCR strategy for the amplification of multiple α subunit sequences generated single α proteasome products for representatives of the Kinetoplastida (Leishmania major), the Parabasalia (Trichomonas vaginalis), and the Microsporidia (Vairimorpha sp., Nosema sp., Endoreticulata sp., and Spraguea lophii). The kinetoplastid Trypanosoma cruzi and the eukaryote crown group Acanthamoeba castellanii yielded two distinct α proteasome genes each. The presence of seven distinct α proteasome genes in G. lamblia, one of the earliest-diverging eukaryotes, indicates that the α proteasome gene family evolved rapidly from a minimum of one gene in Archaea to seven or more in Eukarya. Results from the phylogenomic analysis are consistent with the idea that the Diplomonida (as represented by G. lamblia), the Kinetoplastida, the Parabasalia, and the Microsporidia diverged after the duplication events that originated the α proteasome gene family. A model for the early origin and evolution of the proteasome gene family is presented.
Differences in the behavioral time course of effects of rate-increasing and rate-decreasing doses of cocaine in pigeons

Although past research has examined the time course of plasma levels of cocaine in a variety of species, the time course of behavioral effects of cocaine on operant behavior has not been carefully described. The purpose of the present study was to examine the time course of effects of cocaine on operant behavior of pigeons, using a method that allowed comparison of dose-response functions, in individual subjects, within a session. Five pigeons responded under a multiple Fixed Interval 10 min Fixed Ratio 30 (FI 10’ FR 30) schedule of food presentation, with each component presented 10 times per session. Following acute administration, dose-response functions remained stable for about 45 min. Effects of acute cocaine administration also revealed that behavioral effects of large doses of cocaine diminished later in sessions, but effects were evident for at least 2 hrs. Exposure to chronic (i.e., daily) cocaine administration of a rate-decreasing dose led to tolerance that was characterized by diminished potency. Effects of formerly rate-decreasing doses diminishing earlier in the session compared to acute administration, and formerly rate-increasing doses resulted in rates similar to those under the saline-vehicle control from the session outset.