cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
130 Membrane permeability properties of human granulocytes

Granulocytes are a type of circulating white blood cell with high medical relevance because of their potential use in the treatment of infections and possibly even for treatment of cancer. However, granulocytes rapidly deteriorate after being removed from the body. As a result, granulocytes are typically collected from the donor on site and used in a transfusion shortly afterwards. Cryopreservation has the potential to significantly increase shelf life, which would facilitate granulocyte collection, banking and safety testing. However, cryopreservation of granulocytes has proven to be difficult. In this study, we investigate the membrane permeability properties of human granulocytes, with the ultimate goal of using membrane transport modeling to facilitate development of improved cryopreservation methods. We first measured the equilibrium volume of human granulocytes in a range of hypo- and hypertonic solutions and fit the resulting data using a Boyle-van’t Hoff model. This yielded an isotonic cell volume of 378 μ m 3 and an osmotically inactive volume of 165 μ m 3 . To determine the permeability of the granulocyte membrane to water and cryoprotectant (CPA), cells were injected into well-mixed CPA solution while collecting volume measurements using a Coulter counter. These experiments were performed at temperatures ranging from 4 to 37 °C for exposure to dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol. The best-fit water permeability was similar in the presence of all of the CPAs, with an average value at 20 °C of 0.17 μ m atm −1 min −1 . The activation energy for water transport ranged from 41 to 61 kJ/mol. The CPA permeability at 20 °C was 5.9, 0.95, 7.7 and 3.6 μ m/min for dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, respectively, and the activation energy for CPA transport ranged between 59 and 68 kJ/mol. Source of funding: National Science Foundation Grant #1150861. Conflict of interest: None declared. adam.higgins@oregonstate.edu
First-in-human study of pbi-05204, an oleander-derived inhibitor of akt, fgf-2, nf-κΒ and p70s6k, in patients with advanced solid tumors

Background PBI-05204, a Nerium oleander extract (NOE) containing the cardiac glycoside oleandrin, inhibits the α-3 subunit of Na-K ATPase, as well as FGF-2 export, Akt and p70S6K, hence attenuating mTOR activity. This first-in-human study determined the safety, pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD) of PBI-05204 in patients with advanced cancer. Methods Forty-six patients received PBI-05204 by mouth for 21 of 28 days (3 + 3 trial design). Dose was escalated 100 % using an accelerated titration design until grade 2 toxicity was observed. Plasma PK and mTOR effector (p70S6K and pS6) protein expressions were evaluated. Results Dose-limiting toxicities (grade 3 proteinuria, fatigue) were observed at dose level 8 (0.3383 mg/kg/day). Common possible drug-related adverse were fatigue (26 patients, 56.5 %), nausea (19 patients, 41.3 %) and diarrhea (15 patients, 32.6 %). Electrocardiogram monitoring revealed grade 1 atrioventricular block (N = 10 patients) and grade 2 supraventricular tachycardia (N = 1). The MTD was DL7 (0.2255 mg/kg) where no toxicity of grade ≥ 3 was observed in seven patients treated. Seven patients (15 %) had stable disease > 4 months. Mean peak oleandrin concentrations up to 2 ng/mL were achieved, with area under the curves 6.6 to 25.5 μg/L*hr and a half-life range of 5–13 h. There was an average 10 % and 35 % reduction in the phosphorylation of Akt and pS6 in PBMC samples in 36 and 32 patients, respectively, tested between predose and 21 days of treatment. Conclusions PBI-05204 was well tolerated in heavily pretreated patients with advanced solid tumors. The recommended Phase II dose is 0.2255 mg/kg/day.
Regulation of Intracellular Polymorphonuclear Leukocyte Fc Receptors by Lipopolysaccharide

Abstract Endotoxemia, in man, has been associated with an autooxidative reduction in the bioavailability of polymorphonuclear leukocyte receptors. The location and mechanisms of this phenomena have remained unclear; we investigated the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on intracellular Fcγ receptor expression. Polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) were incubated with LPS (10 ng/ml), permeabilized with saponin, followed by measurement of CD64, CD32w, and CD16 (FcγRI, II, III) using 125 I-monoclonal antibodies directed against these receptors. Exposure of permeabilized PMN to LPS significantly reduced intracellular Fc*gamma; receptor expression. PMN isolated from patients with chronic granulomatous disease or myeloperoxidase-specific deficiency did not exhibit this effect. Furthermore, specific inhibitors of components of the PMN oxidative burst (N a N 3 , 10 m M ; L-alanine 30 m M ) prevented the LPS-induced oxidative reduction in receptor expression. NADPH oxidase inhibition with diphenyleneiodonium also blocked the effect of LPS on intracellular Fcγ receptor expression. The effects of LPS on intracellular PMN Fcγ receptors were reproduced with monophosphoryl lipid A but required a 10 times greater concentration than LPS. Preadherence of PMN on fibronectin or arginine-glycine-aspartate-serine (RGDS), but not laminin, prevented the LPS-induced reduction in oxidative receptor expression. The effects of fibronectin/RGDS were blocked by actinomycin D and cycloheximide. Cross-linkage of intracellular Fcγ receptors prior to exposure to LPS also prevented the LPS-induced oxidative reduction in receptor expression. These results demonstrate that an important pathophysiologic property of LPS is to induce an intracellular oxidative-derived reduction in Fcγ receptor expression and that the biologically relevant proteins fibronectin and RGDS ameliorate this effect.
Confidence interval estimation of overlap: equal means case

The estimators of the commonly used measures of overlap are known to be biased by an amount which depends on the unknown overlap. In general it is dicult to calculate the precision or bias of most ecological measures because there is no exact formula for the variance of the statistic and the sampling distribution is unknown (Dixon, 1993. In: Scheiner, S.M., Gurevitch, J. (Eds.), Design and Analysis of Ecological Experiments. Chapman & Hall, New York, pp. 290{318.) Two resampling techniques, namely, Jackknife and Bootstrap along with the Taylor series approximation and transformation method are considered for the construction of condence intervals. Three measures of overlap frequently used in quantitative ecology and considered in this study are Matusita’s measure , Morisita’s measure, , and Weitzman’s measure, . c 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Accurately measuring overhead, communication time and progression of blocking and nonblocking collective operations at massive scale

Accurate, reproducible and comparable measurement of the overheads, communication times and progression behaviour of blocking and nonblocking collective operations is a complicated task. Although different measurement schemes for blocking collective operations are implemented in well-known benchmarks, many of these schemes introduce different systematic errors in their measurements. We characterise these errors and select a window-based approach as the most accurate method. However, this approach complicates measurements significantly and introduces clock synchronisation as a new source of errors. We analyse approaches to avoid or correct those errors and develop a scalable synchronisation scheme to conduct benchmarks on massively parallel systems. Our results are compared to the window-based scheme implemented in the SKaMPI benchmarks and show a reduction of the synchronisation overhead by a factor of 16 on 128 processes. We also describe two different measurement schemes for the overhead and asynchronous progress of nonblocking collective communications. An implementation and results of both measurement schemes are presented.
Effects of tantalum on the partitioning of tungsten between the γ- and γ′-phases in nickel-based superalloys: Linking experimental and computational approaches

Abstract Atom probe tomography (APT) and first-principles calculations are implemented to study the partitioning of W to the γ (face-centered cubic)- and γ′ (L12)-phases in Ni-based alloys. APT observations indicate that whereas W partitions preferentially to the γ′-phase in a ternary Ni–Al–W alloy, its partitioning behavior is reversed in favor of the γ-phase in multi-component alloys. Furthermore, the degree of W-partitioning to the γ′-phase decreases with the addition of Ta to a Ni–Al–Cr–W alloy, a trend which is consistent with Thermo-Calc simulations. First-principles calculations of the substitutional formation energies of W and Ta at 0 K predict that both elements prefer energetically sharing the Al-sublattice sites of the γ′-phase, whereas Ta has a larger tendency to partition to the γ′-phase than does W. This implies that Ta displaces W from the γ′-phase into the γ-phase in multi-component Ni-based alloys.
Rapid Sliding on a Thermoelastic Half-Space: Rigid Die with Two Contact Surfaces

A rigid die with two spherical contact surfaces translates, at constant speed, into a thermoelastic half-space. The spherical surfaces are frictionless and have identical radii, and translation is parallel to the line connecting their centers. Sliding speed is subcritical but may be rapid, and a 3D (dynamic) steady state is assumed. An asymptotic approximation gives integral transform inversions in analytic form. The process of imposing the auxiliary conditions for sliding contact is then presented in some detail. Formulas, calculations and plots illustrate the sensitivity of contact zone geometry and temperature change to sliding speed and proximity of the two spheres.
Kronecker Products of sn-Characters in Hooks

There are two products of symmetric group characters which have been studied extensively. One is the outer product, denoted ⊗. The outer product of an Sn-character and an Sm-character is an Sn+m-character. This product is relatively well-understood and can be calculated using the Littlewood– Richardson rule. The other character is the inner, or Kronecker product, denoted ⊗. The inner product can only be taken for two characters of the same symmetric group, Sn, and yields another Sn character. It is less wellunderstood and the algorithms that are used to compute the inner product are all more difficult to use than the Littlewood–Richardson rule. Two useful theorems on the inner product give upper bounds. Irreducible Sn-characters are naturally indexed by partitions of n. We write χ for the Sn-character indexed by the partition λ. Say λ, μ ∈ Par n and
Discrimination Learning, Social Class, and Type of Reward

A visual discrimination task was used to determine the effectiveness of verbal reward alone (Verbal group) vs a combination of candy and verbal reward (Combined group) with 16 middle-class 5-yr.-olds and 16 5-yr.-olds from a Head Start class. Social class proved to be the only significant variable, the performance of the higher status group being superior to that of the lower status group. Only a tendency for the verbally rewarded Ss to be superior to combined reward Ss was noted.
Time dependent decrease in the effectiveness of antiepileptic drugs during the course of self-sustaining status epilepticus

An animal model of self-sustaining status epilepticus (SSSE) induced in rats by brief intermittent perforant path stimulation (PPS) was examined with regard to the effects of two conventional antiepileptic drugs, diazepam and phenytoin. Thirty or sixty minutes PPS induced SSSE characterized by continuous behavioral and electrographic seizures lasting for hours. Both diazepam (10 mg/kg i. v.) and phenytoin (50 mg/kg i.v.) prevented the establishment of SSSE when administered 10 min prior to PPS. The injection of diazepam to seizing animals, 10 min after the end of 30 min PPS, was significantly less effective than pretreatment in attenuating SSSE. Administration of diazepam after 60 min PPS was characterized by a further decrease of its efficacy. Phenytoin was effective in aborting SSSE when injected 10 min after 30 min PPS. However, its efficacy was vastly decreased if injected 40 min after 30 min PPS, or 10 min after 60 min PPS. It is concluded that antiepileptic drugs, while highly effective in blocking the induction of SSSE, failed to affect its maintenance. SSSE induced by PPS is an advantageous animal model of refractory status epilepticus, which may be used in preclinical studies of novel antiepileptic drugs.
The commercialization of health and human services: neutral phenomenon or cause for concern?

SLOWLY AT FIRST, and more rapidly in recent years, for-profit organizations have been entering the health and human services market, particularly in such industries as nursing homes, home health, residential treatment, group homes, adult and child day care, adoption, habilitation, mental health, and substance abuse. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of the last decade has been the proliferation of for-profit companies offering services previously provided primarily by nonprofit and government agencies.
Synthesis of molybdenum silicides by the self-propagating combustion method

The synthesis of the silicides of molybdenum (Mo3Si, Mo5Si3, and MoSi2) by the self-propagating combustion method is investigated. Only the reactants corresponding to the last phase can be reacted in a self-sustaining mode without preheating. The product of such a reaction is single-phase MoSi2. Although reactant mixtures corresponding to the other two silicides can react in a self-sustaining mode with prior heating, the products of combustion were multi-phase. The dependence of the combustion temperature and velocity on the stoichiometry of the silicide was determined. The activation energy for the combustion synthesis of MoSi2 determined in this investigation, 139.4 kJ mol−1, is considerably lower than activation energies reported for the diffusion of silicon in molybdenum or in MoSi2.
“A complicated distress”: Narrativizing the plague in Defoe's a journal of the plague year

(1989). “A complicated distress”: Narrativizing the plague in Defoe's a journal of the plague year. Prose Studies: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 115-131.
Brief hearing loss disrupts binaural integration during two early critical periods of auditory cortex development

Early binaural experience can recalibrate central auditory circuits that support spatial hearing. However, it is not known how binaural integration matures shortly after hearing onset or whether various developmental stages are differentially impacted by disruptions of normal binaural experience. Here we induce a brief, reversible unilateral conductive hearing loss (CHL) at several experimentally determined milestones in mouse primary auditory cortex (A1) development and characterize its effects approximately one week after normal hearing is restored. We find that experience shapes A1 binaural selectivity during two early critical periods. CHL before P16 disrupts the normal co-registration of interaural frequency tuning, whereas CHL on P16, but not before or after, disrupts interaural level difference (ILD) sensitivity contained in long-latency spikes. These data highlight an evolving plasticity in the developing auditory cortex that may relate to the etiology of amblyaudia, a binaural hearing impairment associated with bouts of otitis media during human infancy.
A versatile transition metal salt reaction for a wide range of common biochemical reagents: an instantaneous and quantifiable color test.

Abstract A rapid and sensitive spot test amenable to visual or spectrophotometric quantitation has been developed for a wide variety of biochemical reagents by utilizing the transition metal salt cupric chloride and its large number of related colored compounds. This assay is potentially a widely applicable multipurpose test for rapidly detecting the presence of unknown substances. Combination of the test sample with the working reagent results in the immediate formation of a distinctive colored product that may be precipitable. Some compounds require the further addition of sodium hydroxide in order to generate the distinctively colored product. Distinctive reactions occur with the following reagents, and their limit of visual detection is indicated in parentheses: ammonium bicarbonate (12.5 m m ), ammonium acetate (25 m m ), ammonium hydroxide (0.1%), ammonium sulfate (2%), ammonium persulfate (0.02 m m ), l -(+)-cysteine (0.07 mM), dithiothreitol (DTT) (1.25 mM), EDTA (0.6 mM), ethylene glycol bis(β-aminoethyl ether) N,N′-tetraacetic acid (5 m m ), d -glucose (6 m m ), glycerol (0.3%), imidazol (12.5 m m ), dl -methionine (100 m m ), mercaptoethanol (0.05%), sodium azide (19 m m , 0.1%), sodium dithionite (0.25%), sodium metabisulfite (25 m m ), sodium nitrite (6.2 m m ), sodium periodate (3.1 m m ), sodium sulfite (12.5 m m ), sodium thiosulfite (12.5 m m ), sucrose (6 m m ), and N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine (0.05%). A distinctive exothermic reaction occurs with hydrogen peroxide, but without color change. Compounds reacting insignificantly include 50 m m Tris buffer, urea, N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide, sodium dodecyl sulfate, isopropyl alcohol, sodium fluoride, trichloroacetic acid, phenol, mannose, K2HPO4, guanidine HCl, chloramine-T, magnesium chloride, and boric acid, where the solids were tested at approximately 10 mg/ml. Spectrophotometric standard curves were developed for DTT and sodium azide utilizing the clear supernatants resulting from these reactions. Combinations of at least four reagents could be discriminated, as demonstrated with mixtures of glucose, sodium azide, EDTA, and DTT. In addition ammonium sulfate could be detected to a limit of 4% in the presence of protein, DTT, and EDTA in a 50 m m Tris buffer. Spot tests were developed which utilized reagent-impregnated filter paper and gave distinetive colored products on addition of 5 μl of test sample.
Serum immunoglobulin E and incidence of allergy in group of enuretic children

Serum immunoglobulin E levels were determined in 34 enuretic children and 20 age-matched controls. No differences were detected. Additionally, the incidence of allergic disorders in these enuretic children was no different from the general population.
K562 cell strains differ in their response to poliovirus infection.

Abstract Poliovirus readily establishes a persistent infection in the K562-Mu erythroleukemia cell strain. In this study, three additional K562 cell strains were analyzed for their responses to poliovirus infection and found to be quite variable, K562 cells obtained from the ATCC established a persistent infection, similar to the K562-Mu cell strain, while the majority of cells from two other strains, K562-KI and K562-We, were killed by 4 or 11 days postinfection (p.i.), respectively. Several characteristics of the uninfected and infected cell strains were examined to determine if differences existed which could explain the dramatically different responses to infection. Since K562 cell strains can differentiate toward several cell lineages, the four strains were analyzed for physical and functional likeness to the original K562 cell line using well-established functional criteria to determine whether gross changes in differentiation state had occurred. Based on the lack of MHC class I antigen expression and a dose-dependent increase in globin synthesis in response to hemin, all three laboratory K562 cell strains were indistinguishable from the ATCC reference strain. Surface poliovirus receptor levels were also similar in all K562 cell strains, although four-to fivefold lower than those in HeLa cells. Most biochemical events in virus replication either were very similar among K562 cells or were slightly variable and did not correlate with the degree of cell killing. These included levels of virus production, levels of viral protein produced, and processing and turnover of viral polypeptides. The key difference between the cell strains which consistently correlated with cell killing was the degree of virus-induced host translation shutoff, which was always greatest in the most virus-sensitive K562-KI cells. In addition, levels of 2A pro produced in K562 cell strains did not appear to correlate with the levels of host protein shutoff. A related and novel finding in these studies which also strongly correlated with the outcome of infection was the ability of levels of intact p220 to recover by 24 hr p.i. in virus-resistant K562-Mu and -ATCC cells. These data suggest that the key determinants of outcome of infection in this cell model are cytoplasmic host factors related to cytopathology and not factors which may modulate levels of viral protein synthesis or RNA synthesis.
Deriving the four-string and open-closed string interactions from geometric string field theory

One of the baffling questions concerning the covariant open string field theory is why there are two distinct BRST theories and why the four-string interaction appears in one version but not the other. We solve this mystery by showing that both theories are gauge-fixed versions of a higher gauge theory, called the geometric string field theory, with a new field, a string vierbein , which allows us to gauge the string length and σ-parametrization. By fixing the gauge, we can derive the “endpoint gauge” (the covariantized light cone gauge), the “midpoint gauge” of Witten, or the “interpolating gauge” with arbitrary string lengths. We show explicitly that the four-string interaction is a gauge artifact of the geometric theory (the counterpart of the four-fermion instantaneous Coulomb term of QED). By choosing the interpolating gauge, we produce a new class of four-string interactions which smoothly interpolate between the endpoint gauge and the midpoint gauge (where it vanishes). Similarly, we can extract the closed string as a bound state of the open string, which appears in the endpoint gauge but vanishes in the midpoint gauge. Thus, the four-string and open-closed string interactions do not have to be added to the action as long as the string vierbein is included.
Yes, hyperglycaemia is indeed a modifiable cardiac risk factor: so says Mendel

This editorial refers to ‘Mendelian randomization analysis supports the causal role of dysglycaemia and diabetes in the risk of coronary artery disease’[†][1], by S. Ross et al., on page 1454. The presence of diabetes is clearly associated with excess cardiovascular risk.1 However, much controversy exists over whether current glucose-lowering strategies in type 2 diabetes mellitus in fact reduce cardiovascular event rates. Older data had suggested that lowering blood glucose reduced ischaemic events, but contemporary trials of relatively short duration have challenged the long-held concept that more intense glycaemic control reduces macrovascular events in type 2 diabetes mellitus, with some studies even suggesting a potential hazard of excessive lowering of haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).2–5 Meta-analyses had previously supported that long-term glucose lowering was associated with a modest reduction in adverse cardiovascular outcomes.6,7 Perhaps, then, the key is safe lowering of glucose over a period of time that exceeds typical clinical trial durations. Ross et al . have now published what will become a classic paper in the field of diabetes and cardiovascular risk.8 Using the powerful technique of Mendelian randomization, these authors show that a lifetime of lower glucose levels is indeed associated with a lower risk of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Particular genetic variants—known as single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)—which have been associated with diabetes, HbA1c levels, and fasting glucose were examined. The causal effect of diabetes on the risk of coronary artery disease (CAD) was estimated at an odds ratio (OR) of … [1]: #fn-2
FLEXIBLE POWER-ASSOCIATIVE ALGEBRAS OF DEGREE 1

Abstract It is shown here that there are essentially two different types of simple flexible, strictly power-associative finite dimensional algebras of degree 1; namely, the fields and the algebras of Kokoris. This follows readily from the perhaps more basic result that characterizes the simple commutative power-associative finite dimensional algebras of degree 1 as fields.
The Relationship of Left Atrial Volume and Left Atrial Pressure in Patients With Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy: An Echocardiographic and Cardiac Catheterization Study

Background Left atrial enlargement is a marker of diastolic dysfunction, which is present in most patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM). It is unclear as to whether left atrial volume is a reliable measure of ventricular filling pressures in these patients. Methods Left atrial volume index (LAVI) was measured in 100 symptomatic patients with HCM using transthoracic echocardiography, followed by cardiac catheterization with transseptal measurement of left atrial pressure (LAP) and end-diastolic pressure within 48 hours. Results LAVI was only modestly related to mean LAP ( r = 0.24, P = .02), and there was no significant relation to end-diastolic pressure ( r = 0.11, P = .28). The specificity of increased LAVI (>28 cm 3 /m 2 ) for elevated LAP (>15 mm Hg) was poor (16%). However, all patients with normal LAVI had normal LAP. Conclusions Although left atrial size may reflect chronic changes due to diastolic dysfunction in HCM, the relation of increased LAVI to ventricular filling pressures is modest. Nonetheless, a normal LAVI suggests normal ventricular filling pressures in patients with HCM.
A Spatial Scan Statistic for Stochastic Scan Partitions

Abstract This article develops a spatial scan statistic for homogeneity analysis of point processes that utilizes stochastic scan partitions. The derivation of the sampling distribution for the statistic yields an exact test. This test has the potential for improved power over conventional alternatives when the point process is embedded in an underlying continuous random field and is recommended in situations for which the location of subregions of nonhomogeneity in the point process correspond to regions in the underlying field that can be segmented as distinct from their surroundings. The application to the detection of clustered microcalcifications in digital mammography is investigated as a motivating example.
Heuristic approaches for the flow-based set covering problem with deviation paths

A multipath refueling location model is developed to take into account the effects of vehicle range and multiple deviation paths. It is formulated as a mixed integer linear program, which is intrinsically difficult to solve with increase in the number of deviation paths and network size. This study is focused on developing heuristic approximation solutions, specifically the greedy-adding and greedy-adding with extension algorithms. These algorithms are shown to be efficient and effective to solve the model for the Sioux Falls network. The heuristics are also applied to locate electric vehicle charging stations in the state of South Carolina.
Infants Born Late Preterm: Definition, Physiologic and Metabolic Immaturity, and Outcomes

Infants born late preterm are immature and have significant risks for short-term and long-term morbidities. During the birth hospitalization and first weeks after birth, hypothermia, respiratory distress, apnea, temperature instability, hypoglycemia, hyperbilirubinemia, and feeding problems may result in prolonged hospital stays or readmission for additional care. Mortality risk is also greater during the first postnatal year. A higher risk for long-term complications, including developmental delays, school failure, behavior disorders, and social disabilities, has been identified in children and young adults. Priorities in management of infants born late preterm include early identification of acute medical complications and long-term disabilities. Efforts to avoid late preterm birth, if medically safe for fetus and mother, also are warranted.
Modeling methodology: new approaches for simulation of wafer fabrication: the use of control variates and calibration metrics

Simulation-based wafer fabrication optimization models require extensive computational time to obtain accurate estimates of output parameters. This research seeks to develop goal-driven optimization methodologies for a variety of semiconductor manufacturing problems using appropriate combinations of "resource-driven" (R-D), "job-driven" (J-D), and Mixed (combination of R-D and J-D) models to reduce simulation run times. The initial phase of this research investigates two issues: a) the use of the R-D simulation control variates for the J-D simulation and b) development of metrics that calibrate the output from the R-D and J-D modeling paradigms. The use of the R-D model as a control variate is proposed to reduce the variance of J-D model output. Second, in order to use the R-D model output to predict the J-D model output, calibration metrics for the R-D and J-D modeling approaches were developed. Initial developments were tested using an M/M/1 queuing system and an M/D/1 queuing system.
High Resolution Digital Duty Cycle Modulation Schemes for Voltage Regulators

High switching frequency, high resolution digital pulse-width modulator (DPWM) is one of major challenges in the implementation of digital-controlled power converters, especially in the voltage regulator (VR) application. This paper proposes three different digital duty cycle modulation schemes to improve the resolution. Almost 10 times improvement on resolution can be achieved in the voltage regulator (VR) apparition. Design difficulty of the DPWM can be greatly reduced by proposed modulation schemes. Experimental results verify those modulation concepts.
Federalism and U.S. Water Policy: Lessons for the Twenty-First Century

This article traces five historical streams of water policy in the United States, revealing the strain and stresses of intergovernmental relations pertaining to water resource management. It finds that water policy is increasingly characterized by pragmatic federalism emphasizing collaborative partnerships, adaptable management strategies, and problem and process orientation. The evolving nature of federal-state relations, characterized by expanding federal authorities and increased state capacity, coupled with a rise of local watershed groups and greater ecological concern, calls for improved coordination. Yet challenges resulting from policy fragmentation and ecosystem complexity remain. Continued calls for greater integration will likely be heard as federal-state relations continue to evolve. Copyright 2006, Oxford University Press.
Influence of dietary vitamin a on autofluorescence of leupeptin-induced inclusions in the retinal pigment epithelium

Substantial evidence indicates that the major precursors for retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) lipofuscin are molecular components of the photoreceptor outer segments. Previous experiments have demonstrated that the retinoids required for transduction by the photoreceptors promote RPE lipofuscin fluorophore formation. Animals deficient in these retinoids accumulate lipofuscin in the RPE at greatly reduced rates. The protein components of the photoreceptor outer segments also appear to be involved in the formation of RPE lipofuscin fluorophores. When degradation of phagocytosed photoreceptor outer segment proteins by the RPE is blocked, this tissue rapidly becomes engorged with phagosome-derived inclusions that have fluorescence properties similar to lipofuscin. Experiments were conducted to determine whether the development of lipofuscin-like fluorescence in these inclusions was dependent on the availability of retinoids. Rats were fed diets containing vitamin A either in the form of retinyl palmitate (+ A), which can be metabolically converted into the retinoids involved in vision, or retinoic acid (− A), whichdoes not support visual function. After the retinas of the − A animals had been depleted of retinoids involved in vision, animals from both groups were given intraocular injections of the protease inhibitor leupeptin. Two days later, the amounts of lipofuscin-like autofluorescence from the RPEs of rats in each group were determined. Leupeptin treatment produced an increase in this fluorescence in RPEs of the + A animals, but not in the RPEs of the rats fed the − A diet, despite the fact that phagosome-like inclusions accumulated in the RPE in both dietary groups. This finding suggests that retinoids involved in the visual process are probably directly involved in RPE lipofuscin fluorophore formation.
Patterns of Genetic Polymorphism Maintained by Fluctuating Selection with Overlapping Generations

Abstract We study the form of polymorphisms that can be maintained by the joint effects of generation overlap and randomly fluctuating selection, acting on a quantitative trait affecting offspring viability. The genetic system can be single locus or multilocus, haploid or diploid. Selection is assumed to be stabilizing with a randomly fluctuating optimum, and we assume additive allelic effects without epistasis. For fluctuations above a certain threshold, nonzero genetic variance is maintained in an evolutionarily stable population. Our model allows a continuum of alleles with arbitrary effects at each locus. Nonetheless, the genotype distribution in an evolutionarily stable population is discrete—a polymorphism of a few alleles with distinctly different effects—and often involves only a pair of alleles at each locus. The form of the genotype distribution depends on the number of loci affecting the trait, and on the kurtosis of the distribution of the phenotypic optimumθ. If the trait is affected by several loci, the number of polymorphic loci increases with increased variance of fluctuations in selection. For distributions ofθwith negative kurtosis (i.e., lower kurtosis than a Gaussian) the number of polymorphic loci increases gradually (0→1→2→…M), and the genetic variability is in the form of a few diallelic or triallelic loci with alleles of large effect. For distributions with positive kurtosis, the increase is abrupt (0→many) and involves many diallelic loci. These results do not fit the conventional multivariate Gaussian or near-Gaussian models for quantitative traits, but may partially explain recent findings that heritable variation in natural populations is often due to genes of large effect.
Perceptions and Strategies in the Negotiation Process: A Cross Cultural Examination of U.S. and Malaysia

This article examines empirical findings of American (n=457) and Malaysian (n=347) college students regarding their perceptions and strategies utilized in the negotiation process. Several hypotheses comparing differences in cross-cultural negotiation styles, perceptions and strategies in negotiation are analyzed. The findings indicate that Malaysian students (from a collectivist culture) tend to have different negotiation perceptions, strategies and styles from those of their American counterparts (from an individualist culture). Specific differences are found in negotiation perceptions, risk taking, individual vs. group orientation, support of family culture, skill comfort level and gender differences. The importance of maintaining relationships with the other party during the negotiation was important in both groups, and both groups felt that they were effective negotiators. The findings extend previous research on cross-cultural negotiation styles with a discussion of specific process and strategy differences. Managerial implications of these findings and future research directions are also discussed.
Viral isolates derived from simian varicella epizootics are genetically related but are distinct from other primate herpesviruses.

Abstract Epizootics of a natural varicella-like disease occur in populations of nonhuman primates. Several primate herpesviruses have been isolated from these epizootics, but the relatedness of these isolates to each other is not well-defined. In this study, we demonstrated that the restriction endonuclease (REn) profiles of four epidemiologically distinct isolates were similar, although not identical, indicating that simian varicella epizootics are caused by various strains of simian varicella virus (SVV). The genetic variation among the isolates did not map to a specific region of the SVV genome and REn differences were detected within the SVV DNA long component and the inverted repeat region. Southern blot hybridization demonstrated that SVV is more closely related to varicella-zoster virus than to other primate herpesviruses. The study indicates that the current herpesvirus classification scheme should be changed to include SVV as a single taxonomic group within theVaricellovirusgenus of alphaherpesviruses. In addition, REn profiles of SVV isolates, derived from primary and secondary episodes of simian varicella in the same monkey, were identical, providing evidence for SVV reactivation in a latently infected monkey.
Cyclic Computation, A Computationally Efficient Minimalist Syntax

We construct a completely cyclic Minimalist theory of syntactic derivations. A derivation consists of a sequence of cycles. Each cycle starts with the introduction of a new head and merger of the head's selected arguments, followed by satisfaction (via checking) of the head's removable features. The theory includes no acyclic devices such as lexical arrays or comparison of derivations. Satisfaction of features is accompanied by full category movement whenever it is not blocked by morphology or constraints barring multiple specifiers. The Minimal Link Condition is viewed computationally and is naturally incorporated into Satisfy. Our precise notion of checking involves sets of features interacting in the same checking relation, and yields an account of successive cyclic movement, the distribution of expletives, EPP, and quirky case phenomena. The paper can be read as empirical evidence that the core syntactic algorithm is computationally efficient.
EFFECTS OF SAMPLE SIZE AND PRIOR MASTICATION ON TEXTURE JUDGMENTS

. Two experiments were conducted. In the first, 25 untrained subjects judged the hardness and chewiness of three different food samples following either 0, 60, 120, or 180 s of adaptive chewing on an experimental gum compound. No effect of the adaptive chewing was found, in spite of observable and self-reported masticatory fatigue induced by the experimental procedures. These data fail to support the prevalent use of procedural limits on the number and temporal spacing of samples in sensory texture studies. In the second experiment, six groups of subjects (n = 107) judged the hardness and chewiness of two series of food samples that varied in physical size (volume). The groups differed in the degree to which cues about the true size differences were made available. Results showed both hardness and chewiness judgments to increase as a function of sample size, independently of subject awareness of the size differences. These data support the use of procedural controls on sample size, but fail to provide evidence of a size constancy phenomenon. A rheological explanation is proposed to account for the observed sensory effect.
Clotrimazole treatment of recurrent and chronic candida vulvovaginitis.

The management of women with recurrent and chronic vulvovaginal candidiasis continues to present a therapeutic challenge. In a prospective double-blind randomized study of 42 women with recurrent candidal vaginitis, clotrimazole 500-mg vaginal suppositories, administered once weekly for 2 weeks, induced clinical remission in 38 patients (90.4%) and achieved mycologic negative status in 83% of subjects. Thereafter, asymptomatic patients were randomized to receive monthly prophylactic vaginal tablets of clotrimazole 500 mg or placebo once a month. During the prophylactic phase, patients receiving placebo developed recurrences of symptomatic candida vaginitis at an extremely high rate, such that only one-third remained asymptomatic at the end of 6 months. In comparison, patients receiving clotrimazole demonstrated moderate protection from recurrence; which was maximal and statistically significant during the first 3 months of prophylaxis only (P less than .05). During the prophylactic period overall, attack rates were reduced by one-third with clotrimazole. No adverse reactions were observed with the administration of clotrimazole. In summary, clotrimazole therapy was successful in inducing an initial therapeutic response, but achieved only a modest long-term protective effect. Additional clinical benefit may be possible with more frequent clotrimazole prophylactic administration.
Can .OH scavengers protect against direct UV-C damage in vivo?

SummaryIt has previously been shown that ethanol and tert-butanol protect poly(U) against strand breaks from pulsed laser ultraviolet (UV) photons (λ = 248 nm). This protection is believed to be based on a modification of direct DNA damage, not on scavenging hydroxyl radicals. In this paper, several ·OH scavengers were tested in vivo with Escherichia coli DNA repair-deficient mutants to see if protection could also be demonstrated with non-laser UV photons (λ ≈ 254 nm). No protection was observed.
Building an effective school-based mentoring program

Many youth are at risk for failure in school due to various school, family, and community characteristics. To provide more support for youth at risk, school-based mentoring programs have become increasingly popular. However, this seemingly simple intervention is actually quite complex and must be implemented with integrity and fidelity. Although still in emergent stages, key foundational components have been suggested by research to increase the chances of positive outcomes for students. This article discusses the process of building an effective, sustainable mentoring program. Information on specific tools available for program developers and administrators is provided.
Evolving pathway-driven biomarkers in breast cancer.

Detection and initiation of the most appropriate therapy at an early stage of breast cancer are two major determinants of a successful anticancer therapy. In this context, it is important to continue to identify novel biologic endpoints (commonly known as biomarkers) which also facilitate therapeutic decisions. Here we briefly review the following pathways from the perspective of biomarkers through works from Dr Kumar's lab: i) estrogen receptor α (ER) signaling; ii) nuclear receptor coregulators in ER-directed therapies; iii) p21-activated kinase-1 in ER action; iv) cytoskeleton components in breast cancer cell progression; v) emerging molecules as biomarkers. We believe that the potential usefulness of the cytoplasmic kinases, coregulators, and cytoskeleton molecules is likely to accelerate the development of the next generation of biomarkers for the surveillance, prognosis and therapeutic decisions for cancer.
Introduction to the Special Section: Prevention and Remediation of Emotional and Academic Problems in Youth

Accessibility to prevention and remediation programs is critical for today's children who face a broad range of adversities placing them at risk for emotional and academic problems. This introduction briefly summarizes the articles in the Special Section, which provide an overview of different interventions aimed at preventing or ameliorating various youths' emotional and behavioral problems. The Special Section concludes with an article and related commentary pertaining to school-related functioning.
Reticular lamina vibrations in the apical turn of a living guinea pig cochlea

Abstract The reticular lamina of the apical turn of a living guinea pig cochlea was viewed through the intact Reissner’s membrane using a slit confocal microscope. Vibrations were measured at selected identified locations with a confocal heterodyne interferometer, in response to tones applied with an acoustic transducer coupled to the ear canal. The position coordinates of each location were recorded. Mechanical tuning curves were measured along a radial track at Hensen’s cells, outer hair cells, inner hair cells and at the osseous spiral lamina, over a frequency range of 3 kHz, using five sound pressure levels (100, 90, 80, 70 and 60 dB SPL). The carrier to noise ratio obtained throughout the experiments was high. The response shape at any measuring location was not found to change appreciably with signal level. The response shape also did not change significantly with the radial position on the reticular lamina. However, the response magnitude increased progressively from the inner hair cell to the Hensen’s cell. The observed linearity of response at the fundamental frequency is explained by the presence of negative feed back in the apical turn of the cochlea.
A Survey of Online Reading Habits of Internet Users

This study evaluated the reading habits of Internet users across five document types. Internet users completed an online survey indicating whether they were likely to read a document online or on paper using five possible choices. Document types evaluated included journal articles, news, newsletters, literature, and product information. Results revealed differences in the reading habits based on document type. Journal articles were reported to be primarily printed while documents such as online news, newsletters, and product reviews were reported to be read mainly online. Users tended not to use online sources for reading literature. Primary factors determining whether a document was printed or read online were size, importance, and intended purpose of document.
Superoxo, peroxo, and hydroperoxo complexes formed from reactions of rhodium porphyrins with dioxygen: thermodynamics and kinetics.

Rhodium(II) porphyrin complexes react with dioxygen to form terminal superoxo and bridged μ-peroxo complexes. Equilibrium constants for dioxygen complex formation with rhodium(II) tetramesitylporphyrin ((TMP)Rh•) and a m-xylyl-tethered dirhodium(II) diporphyrin complex (•Rh(m-xylyl)Rh•) are reported. (TMP)Rh−H reacts with oxygen to form a transient hydroperoxy complex ((TMP)Rh−OOH), which reacts on to form the rhodium(II) complex ((TMP)Rh•) and water. Kinetic studies for reactions of (TMP)Rh−H with O2 suggest a near concerted addition of dioxygen to the (TMP)Rh−H unit. Reactivity studies for mixtures of H2/O2 and CH4/O2 with the dirhodium(II) complex (•Rh(m-xylyl)Rh•) are reported.
PALLIATIVE CARE SECTION

A strange divide has developed in the treatment of pain and discomfort in cancer patients. There is the camp of Palliative Medicine, and it stands separate from the camp of Pain Medicine. The pain medicine specialists, with some exception, have abandoned the treatment of these patients to the palliative medicine specialists. Perhaps this is because the pain specialist is not comfortable with the treatment of symptoms other than pain. On the other hand, the palliative …