cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Two new Mallophaga from two closely related shorebirds

There are described herein two new species of Mallophaga colledcd from two species of shorebirds: Lesser yellowlegs, Totanus flavipes (Gmelin) and greater yellowlegs, Totanus melanoleucus (Gmelin), both common during migrations in the United States. These two sandpipers (Order Charadriiformes, Family Scolopacidae) are almost indistinguishable in coloration but the greater yellowlegs is about one-third larger in size than the lesser yellowlegs. The two new species of Mallophaga are easily separated by the different male genitalia; in other characters they closely resemble each other; the larger louse is found on the larger bird.
Liebeskind–Srogl cross coupling mediated synthesis of verbenachalcone☆

A flexible and scalable total synthesis of verbenachalcone is achieved in eight linear steps from cheap commercially available starting material, 3-(4-hydroxyphenyl)propanoic acid.
A study of product ratios in the direct (313 nm) and Hg-sensitized (254 nm) photodecomposition of 2-methylcyclohexanone in the gas phase

The photolysis of 2-methylcyclohexanone has been studied in the gas phase at 313 nm, mainly at 100°C, over a range of pressures. The Hg(63P1) photosensitized decomposition has also been investigated at 100°C. Under conditions of high excitation and/or little collisional quenching the major products are carbon monoxide and the hydrocarbons: 1-hexene, trans-and cis-2-hexene and methylcyclopentane, with minor aldehyde formation. The various product ratios are presented in tabular form. At lower excitation energies, and with increased collisional deactivation, trans- and cis-5-heptenal become important products, and the trans/cis aldehyde ratio is seen to be slightly pressure dependent when all the systems are compared. Similarly, there is a small pressure dependence for the Σ hexenes/methylcyclopentane ratio. From experiments at 250°C the temperature dependence of this ratio was established, and for thermalized hexane-1,5-diyl an activation energy difference (Ed − Ec) = −1.3 kcal mol−1 has been determined for the disproportionation and combination of the biradical. The mechanism for the photolysis is discussed in terms of triplet state photochemistry and biradical intermediates as developed, in particular, by Frey and coworkers, this Journal, 16, 1337 (1984).
Evaluation of patients with back pain of suspected inflammatory nature

Purpose: Detection of early inflammatory back disease is often difficult. Certain clinical characteristics have been reported to increase the likelihood of its detection in referral patients, but the usefulness of these clinical characteristics has not been evaluated in an open population. In our study, we undertook to evaluate the value of the clinical history as a screening test for inflammatory back disease in a general population. Patients and methods: Twenty-three male patients with back pain of moderate duration and with clinical characteristics suggestive of inflammatory back disease were recruited by advertising and were studied by various means, including computed tomography (CT), scintigraphy, and radiography. Results: One patient had radiographic sacroiliitis. Two had positive results for the B27 antigen, and another had positive results for the cross-reacting HLA antigen B7. Eight patients had abnormal scintiscans of the sacroiliac joints. Twenty-one of 23 patients and 20 of 23 control subjects had abnormalities that were detected by CT. Repeat plain radiographs of the pelvis done 36 months after enrollment into the study did not uncover further evidence of sacroiliitis. Conclusion: These results indicate plain radiographic evidence of sacroiliitis will often not develop in patients with historical features suggestive of inflammatory back disease even with long-term evaluation, thus vitiating the specificity of these historical findings in men with back pain of relatively brief duration.
Diagnostic Methods for Parasitic Infections in Livestock

Parasitic infections are a primary cause of lost productivity in livestock world-wide. Accurate detection of parasites depends on many factors, including collection, storage, and transport of the sample, as well as the method of laboratory evaluation. However, the presence of a particular parasite does not always indicate the presence of parasitic disease. For many parasites, there exists a level at which the effect on production characteristics is balanced by the effect on the development of immunity. Interpretation of test results, therefore, should also consider such factors as the age of the animal or animals, clinical history, nutrition, local epidemiology of the parasites prevalent in the area, and any treatments that have been implemented.
Near-microscopic magnetic resonance imaging of the brains of phenylalanine hydroxylase-deficient mice, normal littermates, and of normal BALB/c mice at 9.4 Tesla.

Abstract The near-microscopic resolution of the mouse brain, by magnetic resonance imaging (MRD at 9.4 T, permits in situ examination of the entire brain and longitudinal studies of neural development. MRI can be utilized to reveal brain structure at a resolution of 100 μm in the X, Y , and Z planes of brain, to differentiate the gray from white (myelin-rich) matter, and to reveal the ventricular compartments. The present report describes the structure of normal BALB/c mouse brain as revealed by imaging at 9.4 T and by histological stains; the structure of normal brain is compared with that from a phenylalanine hydroxylase-deficient mouse mutant line (Pah enu2 ) and those from normal littermates. The brains of patients with phenylketonuria (PKU) were reported to have demyelination and other structural abnormalities revealed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Therefore, high-resolution MRI was used to examine the brain of this mutant, an animal model for the study of human phenylketonuria. Our study revealed no evidence of demyelination or other abnormalities in the brains of Pah enu2 mice. Histologically, the mutant and normal mouse brains appear similar. This is consistent with a recent study from our laboratory which demonstrated that the histology of the brain of an untreated male patient, who died with PKU at the age of 29, was similar to control brain with the exception of changes directly related to visual blindness and seizures experienced by the patient.
Creativity and chronic disease Niccolo Paganini (1782-1840)

Paganini's creativity may have been influenced by his biochemical makeup. Referred to as the “demon violinist,” Paganini could play his first violin concerto with a swiftness that amazed even his fellow violinists. His numerous compositions are to be played with extraordinary rapidity. Undoubtedly, the musician's virtuosity was possible in part because of his remarkably flexible joints, which may have resulted from a hereditary disease of connective tissue—either Ehlers-Danlos or Marfan's syndrome. Judging from Paganini's physical appearance, the most likely cause of his flexible joints was Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Although each of the 10 types of this syndrome has characteristics symptoms, experts cannot determine from the composers' physical features alone which type Paganini inherited. Had they been available, modern genetic tests would have aided in making this identification.
Ice flow and applied mathematics

Theoretical Glaciology. By Kolumban Hutter. Reidel/MTP Press: 1983. Pp.510. Dfl. 240, 104, 60.95.
Automatic contouring of brachial plexus using a multi-atlas approach for lung cancer radiation therapy

Abstract Purpose To demonstrate a multi-atlas segmentation approach to facilitating accurate and consistent delineation of low-contrast brachial plexuses on computed tomographic images for lung cancer radiation therapy. Methods and Materials We retrospectively identified 90 lung cancer patients with treatment volumes near the brachial plexus. Ten representative patients were selected to form an atlas group, and their brachial plexuses were delineated manually. We used deformable image registration to map each atlas brachial plexus to the remaining 80 patients. In each patient, a composite contour was created from 10 individual segmentations using the simultaneous truth and performance level estimation algorithm. This auto-delineated contour was reviewed and modified appropriately for each patient. We also performed 10 leave-one-out tests using the 10 atlases to validate the segmentation accuracy and demonstrate the contouring consistency using multi-atlas segmentation. Results The multi-atlas segmentation took less than 2 minutes to complete. Contour modification took 5 minutes compared with 20 minutes for manual contouring from scratch. The multi-atlas segmentation from the 10 leave-one-out tests had a mean 3-dimensional (3D) volume overlap of 59.2% ± 8.2% and a mean 3D surface distance of 2.4 mm ± 0.5 mm. The distances between the individual and average contours in the 10 leave-one-out tests demonstrated much better contouring consistency for modified contours than for manual contours. The auto-segmented contours did not require substantial modification, demonstrated by the good agreement between the modified and auto-segmented contours in the 80 patients. Dose volume histograms of auto-segmented and modified contours were also in good agreement, showing that editing auto-segmented contours is clinically acceptable in view of the dosimetric impact. Conclusions Multi-atlas segmentation greatly reduced contouring time and improved contouring consistency. Editing auto-segmented contours to delineate the brachial plexus proved to be a better clinical practice than manually contouring from scratch.
Permutation symmetry in chemical and physical problems

Molecular Symmetry and Spectroscopy. By P.R. Bunker. Pp. 424. (Academic: New York, 1979.) $33.
Potassium channel activators abolish excitotoxicity in cultured hippocampal pyramidal neurons

When hippocampal pyramidal neurons are grown in culture they develop excitatory synaptic contacts. If these cultures are perfused with Mg2+-free, glycine supplemented medium the neurons exhibit fluctuations in [Ca2+]i and associated cell death (‘excitotoxicity’). These phenomena involve the activation of NMDA receptors. When cultures are treated with the K+-channel activators cromakalim and diazoxide both the [Ca2+]i fluctuations and the neuronal death are abolished. These effects are reversed by the sulfonylurea glyburide. It thus appears that K+-channel activators may be a novel therapeutic intervention in epilepsy and associated disorders.
Stakeholder engagement in dredged material management decisions

Dredging and disposal issues often become controversial with local stakeholders because of their competing interests. These interests tend to manifest themselves in stakeholders holding onto entrenched positions, and deadlock can result without a methodology to move the stakeholder group past the status quo. However, these situations can be represented as multi-stakeholder, multi-criteria decision problems. In this paper, we describe a case study in which multi-criteria decision analysis was implemented in a multi-stakeholder setting in order to generate recommendations on dredged material placement for Long Island Sound's Dredged Material Management Plan. A working-group of representatives from various stakeholder organizations was formed and consulted to help prioritize sediment placement sites for each dredging center in the region by collaboratively building a multi-criteria decision model. The resulting model framed the problem as several alternatives, criteria, sub-criteria, and metrics relevant to stakeholder interests in the Long Island Sound region. An elicitation of values, represented as criteria weights, was then conducted. Results show that in general, stakeholders tended to agree that all criteria were at least somewhat important, and on average there was strong agreement on the order of preferences among the diverse groups of stakeholders. By developing the decision model iteratively with stakeholders as a group and soliciting their preferences, the process sought to increase stakeholder involvement at the front-end of the prioritization process and lead to increased knowledge and consensus regarding the importance of site-specific criteria.
THE RELATION OF LEUKOSIS TO SARCOMA OF CHICKENS : II. MIXED OSTEOCHONDROSARCOMA AND LYMPHOMATOSIS (STRAIN 12).

Osteochondrosarcoma developed in a chicken inoculated with leukosis of Strain 2. In successive passages made by intramuscular implantation of tumor tissue deriving from this chicken there occurred (a) osteochondrosarcoma free from leukosis, or (b) leukosis free from osteochondrosarcoma, or (c) osteochondrosarcoma in association with leukosis. The malignant sarcoma cells of this strain have the morphological characteristics of osteoblasts. Implantation of tumor tissue from chickens with lesions (a) and (c) yielded both osteochondrosarcoma and leukosis. Successive passages made by intravenous and intramuscular injections with blood from chickens with leukosis yielded leukosis only. Hence it is very probable that Strain 12 consists of a mixture of an osteochondrosarcoma-producing agent and the agent of leukosis of Strain 2. Strain 12 is readily transmitted by material containing the living malignant osteoblasts but transmission is seldom successful with virus freed from living cells. This virus produces neoplasms only when brought in contact with bone or cartilage.
Weighing in on Leber hereditary optic neuropathy: effects of mitochondrial mass.

Among mitochondrial diseases, Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON) stands out as a prototype in several respects. It was the first mitochondrial disease to be clinically recognized by Dr Albrecht von Graefe (1858) but was named after Dr Theodore Leber who, 13 years after the original report, described 15 patients with the disease, from four different families (Leber, 1871). LHON also has the distinction of being the initial human disorder noted to be maternally inherited (Wallace, 1970) and the first to be linked to a pathogenic point mutation of mitochondrial DNA (Wallace et al. , 1988). This common mitochondrial disease typically presents in males during adolescence or young adulthood with painless loss of central vision in one eye, followed by loss of vision in the second eye within weeks or months (Newman, 2005; Barboni et al. , 2010). The loss of vision is because of selective vulnerability of retinal ganglion cells in the papillomacular bundle. In the majority of cases, LHON is a result of one of three mitochondrial DNA point mutations within genes encoding polypeptide subunits of complex I of the mitochondrial …
Ca2+ occlusion and gating function of Glu309 in the ADP-fluoroaluminate analog of the Ca2+-ATPase phosphoenzyme intermediate.

In the absence of ATP the sarcoplasmic reticulum ATPase (SERCA) binds two Ca2+ with high affinity. The two bound Ca2+ rapidly undergo reverse dissociation upon addition of EGTA, but can be distinguished by isotopic exchange indicating fast exchange at a superficial site (site II), and retardation of exchange at a deeper site (site I) by occupancy of site II. Site II mutations that allow high affinity binding to site I, but only low affinity binding to site II, show that retardation of isotopic exchange requires higher Ca2+ concentrations with the N796A mutant, and is not observed with the E309Q mutant even at millimolar Ca2+. Fluoroaluminate forms a complex at the catalytic site yielding stable analogs of the phosphoenzyme intermediate, with properties similar to E2-P or E1-P·Ca2. Mutational analysis indicates that Asp351, Lys352, Thr353, Asp703, Asn706, Asp707, Thr625, and Lys684 participate in stabilization of fluoroaluminate and Mg2+ at the phosphorylation site. In the presence of fluoroaluminate and Ca2+, ADP (or AMP-PCP) favors formation of a stable ADP·E1-P·Ca2 analog. This produces strong occlusion of Ca2+ bound to both sites (I and II), whereby dissociation occurs very slowly even following addition of EGTA. Occlusion by fluoraluminate and ADP is not observed with the E309Q mutant, suggesting a gating function of Glu309 at the mouth of a binding cavity with a single path of entry. This phenomenon corresponds to the earliest step of the catalytic cycle following utilization of ATP. Experiments on limited proteolysis reveal that a long range conformational change, involving displacement of headpiece domains and transmembrane helices, plays a mechanistic role.
Conductor economics for EHV transmission

THE USE of bundle conductors for power transmission was first proposed by P. H. Thomas in 1909. The electrical characteristics of bundle conductors were then recognized to be superior in many respects to the characteristics of comparable single conductors. However, it was also known at that time that bundle conductors had higher initial costs and a more complex mechanical structure than single conductors. Therefore, no significant applications of this new concept were made in the next 40 years, although in 1931 C. A. Boddie proposed a 500-kv line with four conductors in a bundle. As a result of extensive investigations made in the last 10 years of the electrical and mechanical characteristics of bundle conductors, many transmission lines have been and are being built all over the world utilizing this type of construction.
Empty states near the Fermi level in Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8.

Unoccupied states are seen at the Fermi level in ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{8}$ by use of inverse photoemission. They have partial oxygen 2p character, as evidenced by a resonance at the O 2s core-level threshold and by the similarity between the inverse photoemission spectrum and the O 1s absorption edge. These states are likely to be related to the hole states introduced by doping of oxide superconductors. A peak at ${E}_{F}$+2.9 eV can be assigned to the unoccupied Cu 3d states (if they are localized) or to the Bi 6p states (for delocalized Cu 3d states).
Spatial differences in maturity schedules of female Dover sole off Oregon (1989–1991)

Abstract An assessment of sexual maturity of Dover sole ( Microstomus pacificus ) landed in Oregon from 1989 to 1991 indicated that females of the species had a 50% probability of being mature at ages 7.3–9.5, depending on when and where the sampling was conducted. Logistic regression models were used to document statistical differences ( P ≤0.05) between maturity schedules of fish harvested in the northern and southern regions of the state. There was evidence that fish from southern Oregon waters reached sexual maturity at an earlier age and exhibited higher overall rates of maturation than fish inhabiting northern waters of the state. It does not appear that the statistical findings are of magnitudes that reflect dramatic implications for management, primarily because the majority of the fish (at least 90%) did not enter the fishery until mature. It is recommended that additional information be collected regarding other vital parameters of the species, such as estimates of growth rates and mortality coefficients, to ensure exploitation strategies appropriately address the stock structure of Dover sole inhabiting US Pacific coast waters.
Laser double-resonance study of OH (X2Πi, v = 12)

Abstract The spectroscopy of OH (X2Πi, v = 12) is examined using a two-laser double-resonance method. OH molecules generated in v = 8 by the reaction of hydrogen atoms with ozone are excited by pulsed tunable infrared laser light via direct overtone excitation to v = 12. The absorption is monitored either by a depletion in B2Σ+-X2Πi laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) signals on the (0, 8) band or by an observation of LIF signals on the B-X (0, 12) band. Line positions for X-X (12, 8) and B-X (0, 12) are reported. The relevance of these measurements to spacecraft glow and ab initio theoretical calculations is discussed.
The nature and expression of int-5, a novel MMTV integration locus gene in carcinogen-induced mammary tumors.

Abstract Our previous studies have resulted in the identification and cloning of int-5 , a novel site of mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) integration, from BALB/c D2 precancerous hyperplastic alveolar nodules (HAN). This paper presents a detailed characterization of the int-5 locus from both D2 HAN and normal genome and expression of the unique gene from the MMTV integration site. Our results show that the cellular gene at the MMTV integration site in the int-5 locus is identical to the gene encoding aromatase (CYP19), a member of the cytochrome P -450 gene superfamily. MMTV is integrated within exon 10 in the 3′ untranslated region of the aromatase gene. This gene ( int-5/aromatase ) is expressed in normal mammary gland and overexpressed in mammary tumors. These results suggest that the overexpression of this gene may be responsible for mammary tumorigenesis. This is the first demonstration of integration of MMTV in a cellular gene that plays a role in hormone-dependent breast cancers.
Effect of NADPH oxidase inhibition on endothelial cell ELAM-1 mRNA expression.

Summary Neutrophil adherence to endothelium is partially mediated by the expression of endothelial leukocyte adhesion molecule-1 (ELAM-1) on endothelial cells activated by agents such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol myristate acetate (PMA). To elucidate molecular mechanisms involved in the induction of ELAM-1 on endothelial cells, we investigated the effect of the NADPH oxidase inhibitor, apocynin (4-hydroxy-3-methoxyacetophenone), on ELAM-1 mRNA expression in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) by Northern blot analysis. Apocynin downregulated both LPS- and PMA-induced ELAM-1 mRNA expression in a dosedependent manner. Our results suggest NADPH oxidase might play a key role in ELAM-1 mRNA expression in HUVEC.
Types of structural assurance and their relationships with trusting intentions in business-to-consumer e-commerce

This study examines the effects of different types of structural assurance mechanisms on trusting intention in business-to-consumer electronic commerce. Inconsistent results from prior research on structural assurance motivated the current study to further explore the nature of structural assurance. Based on the Institution-based Trust Theory, this paper proposes that different types of structural assurance mechanisms, specifically: seals of approval, vendor-specific guarantees, protections from credit card companies and transaction protections, may have their unique effects on trusting intentions. The results indicate that customer perceptions about seals of approval and vendor-specific guarantees can significantly influence trusting intentions while perceptions about protections from credit card companies, legal systems and technology infrastructures do not.
A Homologous Series of Cobalt, Rhodium, and Iridium Metalloradicals

We herein present a series of d7 trimethylphosphine complexes of group 9 metals that are chelated by the tripodal tetradentate tris(phosphino)silyl ligand [SiPiPr3]H ([SiPiPr3] = (2-iPr2PC6H4)3Si–). Both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate largely metalloradical character. These complexes provide a rare opportunity to compare the properties between the low-valent metalloradicals of the second- and third-row transition metals with the corresponding first-row analogues.
Changing Nonmainstream American English Use and Early Reading Achievement From Kindergarten to First Grade

Purpose This study had 2 principal aims: (a) to examine whether children who spoke Nonmainstream American English (NMAE) frequently in school at the end of kindergarten increased their production o...
Photodarkening profiles and kinetics in chalcogenide glasses

The spatial and temporal evolution of photodarkening in chalcogenide glasses is simulated by a simple kinetic model and tested against experiments. In the model, photodarkening, a gradual decrease of the energy of the absorption edge caused by above-band-gap illumination, is the additional absorption at defects created by the absorbed light. The defect-creation rate is proportional to the rate at which photons are absorbed either directly at the defect site or, alternatively, at a neighboring site. The depletion of the incident light within the sample is included and the resulting equations cast into a universal form that is applicable to realistic situations. The equations contain as adjustable parameters only the time and length scales. Measurements of the spatial and temporal evolution of photodarkening in bulk glasses of arsenic sulfide (${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$) illuminated with green (5145-\AA{}) light at intensities from 0.1 to 7 W/${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ for up to four days are reported. Melt-quenched samples as thin as 2.4 \ensuremath{\mu}m have been employed. These results quantitatively fit one form of the kinetic model. The experiments also determine the approximate low-temperature values of the saturated absorption coefficient (\ensuremath{\sim}4000 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}1}$), the characteristic profile depth (\ensuremath{\sim}2 \ensuremath{\mu}m), and the initial photodarkening efficiency (44 cm/J) in ${\mathrm{As}}_{2}$${\mathrm{S}}_{3}$ glass.
The effect of lithium on strophanthidin toxicity in cardiac Purkinje fibers.

SummaryThe effect of lithium (5 mM) on strophanthidin-induced spontaneous activity was studied in canine Purkinje fibers perfused in vitro. Lithium did not alter the configuration of the action potential and had little effect on contractile force. Strophanthidin induced the usual increase and then a decrease in contractile force and eventually spontaneous activity. Lithium modified little the effect of strophanthidin on force but spontaneous activity occurred sooner. Catecholamines are stored in Purkinje fibers but these stores are unimportant in the facilitatory action of lithium on digitalis toxicity, since lithium did not increase the effects of exogenous norepinephrine, either in the absence or in the presence of strophanthidin. It is concluded that lithium favors (and does not antagonize) the onset of digitalis-induced spontaneous activity and this action does not involve a change in cardiac catecholamine metabolism.
Hormone replacement therapy and longitudinal cognitive performance in postmenopausal women.

Objective The authors examined the impact of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) on longitudinal cognitive performance (controlling for mood state) in 69 community-dwelling, postmenopausal women. Methods The authors conducted a 5-year follow-up of cognitive performance in 37 postmenopausal HRT users and 32 non-users. The groups did not differ with respect to age, years of education, or inter-test interval. Results No main effect of HRT was observed on any of the cognitive measures, and depressive symptomatology did not affect the relationship between HRT and cognition. Conclusion Overall, our findings do not suggest that HRT affects longitudinal cognitive performance in postmenopausal, community-dwelling older women.
Structural basis for novel delta-regioselective heme oxygenation in the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa contains a heme oxygenase (pa-HO) that primarily oxygenates the delta-meso heme carbon [Caignan, G. A., Deshmukh, R., Wilks, A., Zeng, Y., Huang, H. W., Moenne-Loccoz, P., Bunce, R. A., Eastman, M. A., and Rivera, M. (2002) J. Am. Chem. Soc. 124, 14879-14892]. This differs from other previously characterized heme oxygenases, which display regioselectivity for the alpha-meso heme carbon. Here we report the crystal structure of pa-HO at 1.60 A resolution and compare it to the 1.50 A structure of nm-HO from Neisseria meningitidis [Schuller, D. J., Zhu, W., Stojiljkovic, I., Wilks, A., and Poulos, T. L. (2001) Biochemistry 40, 11552-11558]. The crystal structure of pa-HO maintains the same overall fold as other bacterial and mammalian heme oxygenases, including a conserved network of hydrogen-bonded solvent molecules important for dioxygen activation. The novel delta-regioselectivity of heme oxygenation observed by pa-HO is due to the heme being rotated by approximately 100 degrees, which places the delta-meso heme carbon in the same position as the alpha-meso heme carbon in other heme oxygenases. The main interaction in pa-HO that stabilizes the unique heme orientation is a salt bridge between Lys132 and the heme 7-propionate, as well as hydrophobic contacts involving Leu29, Val33, and Phe189 with the heme methyl and vinyl groups.
Does clopidogrel increase the degree of platelet inhibition when a platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitor has been given? Insights from an optical platelet aggregometry study.

Introduction: While the CURE trial demonstrated the benefits of clopidogrel in acute coronary syndromes, patients receiving glycoprotein IIb/IIIa antagonists were excluded. Given the frequent coadministration of these two medications, we sought to examine their interaction and their combined effect on platelet inhibition. Methods: Ten patients admitted to the hospital with stable or unstable angina underwent phlebotomy prior to, three hours and six hours after administration of a standard oral loading dose of clopidogrel. The samples were then treated in vitro with incremental concentrations of tirofiban (0, 10, 20, 40, 60, and 80 ng/mL), and optical platelet aggregometry was performed utilizing ADP and TRAP as agonists. We analyzed the combined effects of these agents using a mixed effects model with time and tirofiban concentration as fixed effects, and subject and timing of phlebotomy as random effects. Results: There was no evidence of additional inhibition of platelet aggregation due to clopidogrel regardless of the concentration of tirofiban or the study agonist (ADP 20 μM or iso-TRAP). Specifically, there was no difference in the tirofiban dose-response curves with either platelet agonist for any of the three time points (before, and three and six hours after, clopidogrel administration). Discussion: There is no evidence that the combination of clopidogrel and tirofiban achieves greater inhibition of platelet aggregation than tirofiban alone.
A &#60;12mW, 0.7–3.2GHz receiver with resonant multi-phase LO and current reuse harmonic rejection baseband

We present a wide tuning range passive mixer-first receiver with resonant non-overlapping LO drive and noise-power optimized multi-path baseband amplifier. The receiver consumes 10–12mW (including VCOs, pulse generation and baseband) over a frequency range of 0.7–3.2GHz with a 1.3V supply. An LO generation architecture generates a 12.5% duty cycle resonant clock from standard complementary LC-tank VCOs. A capacitor sharing technique on the baseband side of the mixer doubles the RX frequency range of the 8-phase clock, achieving a NF as low as 7dB. The 1.8mW low noise baseband amplifier reuses the bias current of its four input channels while rejecting the 3rd/5th harmonics by >34dB.
Functional Suppression by FoxP3+CD4+CD25high Regulatory T Cells during Acute Hepatitis C Virus Infection

Background. Infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is characterized by impairment of viral effector T cell responses and a high propensity for viral persistence. Previous studies have demonstrated that chronic HCV infection is associated with an increased frequency of regulatory T (T reg ) cells, compared with that in persons whose infection resolved and in healthy persons. However, all patients in prior analyses had exposures in the distant past, precluding the ability to determine whether T reg cells play a causal role in establishing persistence during the earliest stages of infection or whether they are expanded because of viral persistence. Methods. For the first time, we longitudinally analyzed T reg cells in patients with acute HCV infection (n = 27). We used a multiparameter approach, including fluorescence-activated cell sorting analysis of cell-surface and intracellular antigens, coculture experiments with highly purified CD4 + CD25 high regulatory and CD4 + CD25 - responder cell populations, and multiplex analysis of secreted cytokines. Results. Forkhead transcription factor 3 (FoxP3) expression and T reg cell suppression were greater in patients with acute HCV infection than in healthy control subjects but were not different at the first time point among patients who subsequently developed persistence or resolved HCV infection spontaneously; however, 6 months later, the resolution of disease was associated with a relative loss of functional suppression. Conclusions. Collectively, these data indicate that patients with acute HCV infection who develop chronicity versus spontaneous resolution exhibit temporal changes in T reg cell function. It is possible that repetitive viral antigenic stimulation alters the function of T reg cells over time.
Some behavioral aspects of budgeting for control: An empirical study

Abstract The research reported in this article empirically evaluated the relationships between perceived participation in the budget process, perceived reward dependency of budget performance, and perceived attainability of the budgeted goals, and the dependent variable of motivation to achieve the budget. The results indicated that there were two dimensions to a manager's effort expended (motivation) to achieve the budgeted goals for which he is responsible; they are a goal-directing effort and an evaluative effort. It was found that perceived participation had the most significant relationship with the goal-directing effort, whereas perceived reward dependency had the most significant relationship with the evaluative effort. The relationships between perceived attainability and both dimensions of effort expended (motivation) were either not significant or only moderately significant.
CYTOPATHIC EFFECT OF THE ATYPICAL PNEUMONIA ORGANISM IN CULTURES OF HUMAN TISSUE

Eaton, Monroe D. (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.), Ann E. Farnham, Jeana D. Levinthal, and Anthony R. Scala. Cytopathic effect of the atypical pneumonia organism in cultures of human tissue. J. Bacteriol. 84: 1330–1337. 1962.—Three strains of the atypical pneumonia agent were adapted to grow in continuous cell cultures of human amnion or human embryonic lung, with production of initial increased acidity followed by destruction of the cells. Evidence is presented that cytopathic effects of the organism were associated with intracellular growth and formation of microcolonies. Clumps of organisms stained specifically with fluorescein-labeled antibody, and showed distinctive tinctorial reactions with the May Grunwald-Giemsa stain. The cytopathic effect was prevented by fresh serum from a rabbit immunized with an egg-passage strain of the atypical pneumonia agent. Heating the immune serum to 56 C for 30 min abolished the neutralizing effect. The significance of heat-labile serum constituents in killing or inhibition of mycoplasma is discussed. Images
Particle distribution modification by low amplitude modes

Modification of a high energy particle distribution by a spectrum of low amplitude modes is investigated using a guiding center code. Only through resonance are modes effective in modifying the distribution. Diagnostics are used to illustrate the mode–particle interaction and to find which effects are relevant in producing significant resonance, including kinetic Poincare plots and plots showing those orbits with time averaged mode–particle energy transfer. Effects of pitch angle scattering and drag are studied, as well as plasma rotation and time dependence of the equilibrium and mode frequencies. A specific example of changes observed in a DIII-D deuterium beam distribution in the presence of low amplitude experimentally validated Toroidal Alfven eigenmodes and reversed shear Alfven eigenmodes is examined in detail. Comparison with experimental data shows that multiple low amplitude modes can account for significant modification of high energy beam particle distributions. It is found that there is a stochastic threshold for beam profile modification, and that the experimental amplitudes are only slightly above this threshold.
Targeted gene inactivation in Clostridium phytofermentans shows that cellulose degradation requires the family 9 hydrolase Cphy3367

Microbial cellulose degradation is a central part of the global carbon cycle and has great potential for the development of inexpensive, carbon-neutral biofuels from non-food crops. Clostridium phytofermentans has a repertoire of 108 putative glycoside hydrolases to break down cellulose and hemicellulose into sugars, which this organism then ferments primarily to ethanol. An understanding of cellulose degradation at the molecular level requires learning the different roles of these hydrolases. In this study, we show that interspecific conjugation with Escherichia coli can be used to transfer a plasmid into C. phytofermentans that has a resistance marker, an origin of replication that can be selectively lost, and a designed group II intron for efficient, targeted chromosomal insertions without selection. We applied these methods to disrupt the cphy3367 gene, which encodes the sole family 9 glycoside hydrolase (GH9) in the C. phytofermentans genome. The GH9-deficient strain grew normally on some carbon sources such as glucose, but had lost the ability to degrade cellulose. Although C. phytofermentans upregulates the expression of numerous enzymes to break down cellulose, this process thus relies upon a single, key hydrolase, Cphy3367.
Coordinating Supply Chains with Simple Pricing Schemes: The Role of Vendor-Managed Inventories

We characterize supply chain settings in which perfect coordination can be achieved with simple wholesale pricing schemes: either retailer-specific constant unit wholesale prices or retailer-specific volume discount schemes. We confine ourselves to two-echelon supply chains with a single supplier servicing a network of retailers who compete with each other by selecting sales quantities. We identify a key sufficient condition, in terms of interdependencies between chain members' operational decisions, under which perfect coordination via simple schemes is feasible, under general cost and demand functions. This condition, which we refer to as echelon operational autonomy (EOA), states that the costs incurred by the supplier for a given vector of sales volumes depends only on operational decisions she controls herself. At the same time, the costs incurred by the retailers may depend on operational decisions controlled by the supplier, in which case, the supplier's operational decisions are made to minimize chainwide costs. We show how vendor-managed inventory (VMI) partnerships create EOA and compare the resulting coordinating pricing schemes with those required in a traditional decentralized setting (without EOA). We also discuss compliance issues with the coordinating schemes in view of the Robinson-Patman act and provide remedies to overcome these issues.
In-class demonstrations with a portable laboratory for teaching DSP to Computer Engineering majors

Given its pervasive use, and being a clear example of a computing system integrating hardware and software, Digital Signal Processing (DSP) is an important discipline in Computer Engineering undergraduate curricula. This paper presents a DSP course that, in addition to traditional lectures and exercises, uses Matlab to provide a limited level of laboratory-type practice. Also, the use of demonstrations during lectures is presented. The presentations help the students relate the theoretical concepts presented in class with the technical area of expertise they are most comfortable with, that of hardware, software and their integration. The demonstrations are implemented using a portable laboratory with a DSP board and a small oscilloscope. Presented results show how the use of demonstrations has increased the overall rating for the course and how stimulating it is found.
A decision-optimization module for SLAM

This paper describes a decision-optimization module for use with SLAM simulation models. When appended to the SLAM software package, the optimization module provides capability for the automatic optimization of decisions with respect to an arbitrary user-defined objective function. The purpose of this paper is to describe the optimization technique and the proce dures required to invoke the module from within a SLAM simulation model. An example illustrating the use of the module to determine the optimum timing of traffic lights is presented.
Towards smooth bipedal walking

In this paper we examine exchange-of-support for a simple planar bipedal robot. We derive a set of conditions which will ensure that the robot's body does not experience an instantaneous change in velocity at exchange-of-support. These conditions specify leg lengths and velocities which the robot must achieve for impactless walking. We propose to smooth the single-support phase through the use of appropriate leg length programs and examine one such program. Finally, we describe an experimental robot we constructed to facilitate the testing of these ideas, and present brief experimental results. >
Management of Anthrax

From 3 October 2001 through 16 November 2001, in the United States, there were 18 confirmed cases of inhalational and cutaneous anthrax, an additional 4 suspected cases of cutaneous anthrax, and 5 deaths due to inhalational anthrax. Although the number of cases was relatively small, this experience brought bioterrorism and its potential to sharp focus as thousands of people began receiving prophylactic antibiotics after possible exposure to anthrax spores. These events have resulted in a substantial impact on the health care system, including the rewriting of pneumonia guidelines, new emphasis on identification of microbial etiology, substantial infusion of funds for bioterrorism-related research, and a sudden mandate for regional disaster and public health planning. This article provides clinicians with clinically relevant information about the diagnosis and management of anthrax.
Emerging Modalities in Breast Cancer Imaging

Breast cancer continues to be the most frequently diagnosed malignancy and the second leading cause of death caused by cancer in women in the United States. Although each of the emerging imaging techniques discussed in this article has advantages compared with standard mammography, they are not perfect, and each has inherent limitations. To date, none have been studied by large randomized clinical trials to match the proven benefits of screening mammography; namely the reduction of mortality caused by breast cancer by nearly 30%.
Clinical Profile of an Atypical Antipsychotic: Risperidone

Stimulated by Dawkins and colleagues' (1999) and Remington and Kapur's (2000) calls to develop clinical profiles of the new atypical antipsychotic drugs and by Mattes's critiques (1997, 1998), we performed two sets of analyses for risperidone. First, we reanalyzed data from the North American risperidone trial: risperidone was superior to haloperidol to an equal degree in patients with and without the deficit syndrome, in patients with paranoid and nonparanoid schizophrenia, in treatment-resistant and treatment-responsive patients (patients hospitalized for longer and shorter periods), and in patients with or without weight gain. Moreover, risperidone was more effective than haloperidol on symptoms nonresponsive and responsive to haloperidol; its effects on negative symptoms were independent of its effects on extrapyramidal symptoms; and it was effective in treating depression in schizophrenia. Second, we performed a meta-analysis of 18 controlled risperidone trials: risperidone was consistently more effective than conventional antipsychotics in treating positive and negative symptoms.
Efficient nucleotide excision repair of cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and bis-aceto-ammine-dichloro-cyclohexylamine-platinum(IV) (JM216) platinum intrastrand DNA diadducts

Tumors exhibit a spectrum of cellular responses to chemotherapy ranging from extreme sensitivity to resistance, either intrinsic or acquired. These variable responses are both patient and tumor specific. For platinum DNA-damaging agents, drug resistance depends on the carrier ligand of the platinum complex and is due to a combination of mechanisms including DNA repair. Nucleotide excision repair is the only known mechanism by which bulky adducts, including those generated by platinum chemotherapeutic agents, are removed from DNA in human cells. In this report, we show that the types of DNA lesions generated by three platinum drugs, cisplatin, oxaliplatin, and (Bis-aceto-ammine-dichloro-cyclohexylamine-platinum(IV) (JM216), are repaired in vitro with similar kinetics by the mammalian nucleotide excision repair pathway.
FPGA based single cycle, reconfigurable router for NoC applications

An FPGA based, single cycle, low latency router design that can be reconfigured to 1-D and 2-D network on chip architectures is proposed. The design is highly scalable and exploits the features provided by any standard FPGA platform and can be easily ported to an ASIC or any other FPGA platform. Due to the highly interconnect-centric nature of NoCs, the built-in resources of an FPGA in terms of routing channels and on chip logic are ideal and provide a well-utilized platform for the router design. Experimental results prove the proposed design is robust and cost effective. Each router consumes a mere 2.08 μW per bit per hop of power in the worst case while achieving high clock rates of 325 MHz easily on the target FPGA device post design synthesis and emulation.
Tumor necrosis factor inhibitor therapy and risk of serious postoperative orthopedic infection in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction Postoperative infections, such as periprosthetic septic arthritis, postoperative osteomyelitis, and deep-wound infection, are a particularly devastating complication of orthopedic surgery. They incur significant morbidity in terms of patient suffering and disability, prolonged hospitalization, frequent need for additional surgical procedures, and delay in rehabilitation. Moreover, there is a 3-fold increase in mortality in orthopedic procedures complicated by joint sepsis or osteomyelitis (1). The use of aggressive aseptic operating conditions, including laminar flow and perioperative antibiotic administration, has decreased the overall incidence of postoperative orthopedic infections to 1–2% (2). Despite these advances, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) remains an independent risk factor for postoperative orthopedic infection, with infection rates 2–4 times higher than those reported in patients without RA (3,4). The recent development of tumor necrosis factor (TNF ) inhibitors has revolutionized the care of patients with RA. TNF , a highly inflammatory macrophage-derived cytokine, plays a critical role in the joint destruction of patients with RA (5). Treatment of patients with RA using TNF inhibitors provides symptomatic and functional improvement and slows radiographic progression of disease (6). However, TNF inhibitors also enhance the risk of infection with mycobacteria and other opportunistic microorganisms in humans (7). Less is known about the effect of TNF inhibitors on susceptibility to common bacterial infections, in particular those associated with postoperative infections. To address this clinically important issue, we investigated the association of TNF-inhibitor therapy with serious postoperative infection in patients with RA who underwent orthopedic surgery.