cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The introduction of GDSS in Bulgaria

In the Fall of 1991 the University of Arizona installed GroupSystems, a group decision support system (GDSS), in a new facility in Sofia, Bulgaria. Fall 1991 marked two years since Bulgaria separated from the (then) USSR and was synchronous with the installation of a democratic government. The GDSS facility in Sophia is located at the University of National and World Economics. The facility contains eight user stations, a facilitator station, and a network server. A large monitor is available at the front of the room to allow individual screens to be publicly projected. The facility's GroupSystems software features modules for: brainstorming, stakeholder identification, voting. questionnaire design and administration, group editing. and topic discussion. The software can be run using either the Latin or Cyrillic alphabets. Anonymity is available in all modules and subgroups of participants can be created. Initial group experiences in the facility indicate that Bulgarians are receptive to GDSS technology, particularly modules allowing anonymous discussion. The current research proposes to compare the implementation of a GDSS technology for Bulgarian business people government officials with the implementation of the same technology for American foreign service officers serving in Bulgaria.
A study of the characteristics of radiation contaminants within a clinically useful photon beam.

Contaminant radiation within a therapeutic beam has been studied for accelerator-produced 24-MV x rays by a direct measurement utilizing independent jaws. A carefully positioned diode was exposed to secondary radiation for various collimator settings that project field sizes between (10 x (0+5)) and (26 x (0+13)) cm at a source-to-axis distance of 1 m. (The notation (L x (W/sub 1/+W/sub 2/)) means the projected field area due to lower (L) and upper (W/sub 1/, W/sub 2/) jaws.) Measurements were taken by placing polystyrene sheets with density thicknesses ranging from 0.21 to 4.53 g cm/sup -2/ in front of the detector. The data strongly demonstrate that with increasing field size, the ratio of the dose due to electrons to that due to photons increases rapidly. The characteristic feature of the electron depth dose curves may be linked to the observed shift in the depth of dose maximum (d/sub max/) with field size. Data taken with a magnetic field of 0.15 T permit analysis of photons and electrons with regard to their intensity, energy, and behavior in a phantom. From an analysis of 12.5 x 12.5 cm data, various radiation components have been studied and are correlated with the observed contaminants.
Characterization of the spatial variability of channel morphology

The spatial variability of two fundamental morphological variables is investigated for rivers having a wide range of discharge (five orders of magnitude). The variables, water-surface width and average depth, were measured at 58 to 888 equally spaced cross-sections in channel links (river reaches between major tributaries). These measurements provide data to characterize the two-dimensional structure of a channel link which is the fundamental unit of a channel network. The morphological variables have nearly log-normal probability distributions. A general relation was determined which relates the means of the log-transformed variables to the logarithm of discharge similar to previously published downstream hydraulic geometry relations. The spatial variability of the variables is described by two properties: (1) the coefficient of variation which was nearly constant (0·13–0·42) over a wide range of discharge; and (2) the integral length scale in the downstream direction which was approximately equal to one to two mean channel widths. The joint probability distribution of the morphological variables in the downstream direction was modelled as a first-order, bivariate autoregressive process. This model accounted for up to 76 per cent of the total variance. The two-dimensional morphological variables can be scaled such that the channel width–depth process is independent of discharge. The scaling properties will be valuable to modellers of both basin and channel dynamics. Published in 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Glycine Protects Hepatocytes through a Chloride Independent Mechanism

Cytoprotection by the amino acid glycine was first described more than two decades ago. Accumulated evidence shows that glycine protects against hypoxia, ischemia-reperfusion and several toxins in hepatocytes, renal tubular cells and other cell types. The exact mechanism of the protection is still under investigation and multiple models have been proposed. One working model is that the protection exerted by glycine is mediated by inhibition of ligand-gated chloride channels. In our study, we used a genetically encoded chloride biosensor to test this working model. Isolated rat hepatocytes infected with adenovirus for expression of the chloride biosensor were treated with the mitochondrial uncoupler, carbonyl cyanide m-chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), in the presence and absence of 3 mM glycine. With and without glycine, intracellular chloride concentration increased upon addition of CCCP. Without glycine, CCCP led to swelling, membrane bursting and death of hepatocytes in Krebs-Ringer-Hepes buffer. By contrast in the presence of glycine, cell death was markedly delayed. Moreover instead of swelling, hepatocytes underwent cell shrinkage after CCCP. These findings suggest that glycine alters cell volume regulation after CCCP and prevents cellular swelling leading to plasma membrane rupture and consequent loss of cell viability. DK073336, DK037034 and 14.Z50.31.0028.
Epidemiology and pathogenesis of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever

The etiologic agent of Bolivian hemorrhagic fever (BHF), Machupo virus (MACV) is reported to have a mortality rate of 25-35%. First identified in 1959, BHF was the cause of a localized outbreak in San Joaquin until rodent population controls were implemented in 1964. The rodent Calomys collosus was identified as the primary vector and reservoir for the virus. Multiple animal models were considered during the 1970s with the most human-like disease identified in Rhesus macaques but minimal characterization of the pathogenesis has been published since. A reemergence of reported BHF cases has been reported in recent years, which necessitates the further study and development of a vaccine to prevent future outbreaks.
Identification of putative biomarkers for toluene-degrading burkholderia and pseudomonads by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry and peptide mass fingerprinting

The use of peptide mass fingerprinting with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) was demonstrated to identify and phenotypically characterize toluene-degrading bacteria via biomarkers of degradation and taxonomical classification. Pseudomonas putida F1, P. mendocina KR1, and Burkholderia sp. JS150 were grown on toluene, extracted, electrophoretically separated, and analyzed by MALDI-TOF MS. Catabolic enzymes were identified and results substantiated using tandem MS.
Integrating Environmental Restoration and Ecological Restoration: Long-Term Stewardship at the Department of Energy

With the ending of the Cold War, several federal agencies are reclaiming land through remediation and restoration and are considering potential future land uses that are compatible with current uses and local needs. Some sites are sufficiently contaminated that it is likely that the responsible federal agency will retain control over the land for the foreseeable future, providing them with a stewardship mission. This is particularly true of some of the larger Department of Energy (DOE) facilities contaminated during the production of nuclear weapons. The use of the term “restoration” is explored in this paper because the word means different things to the public, ecologists, and environmental managers responsible for contaminated sites, such as Superfund sites and the DOE facilities. While environmental restoration usually refers to remediation and removal of hazardous wastes, ecological restoration refers to the broader process of repairing damaged ecosystems and enhancing their productivity and/or biodiversity. The goals of the two types of restoration can be melded by considering environmental restoration as a special case of ecological restoration, one that involves risk reduction from hazardous wastes, and by broadening environmental restoration to include a more extensive problem-formulation phase (both temporal and spatial), which includes the goal of reestablishing a functioning ecosystem after remediation. Further, evaluating options for the desired post remediation result will inform managers and policy-makers concerning the feasibility and efficacy of environmental restoration itself.
Theory Of Non-Linear Index Of Refraction Of Compound Semiconductors

Theory of non -linear index of refraction of compound semiconductorsB. Jensen and A. TorabiDepartment of Physics, Boston UniversityBoston, Mass. 02215AbstractThe non -linear index of refraction of a compound semiconductor is calculated below thefundamental absorption edge as a function of incident laser field intensity, frequency andbasic material parameters such as band gap energy, effective electron mass, heavy hole mass,spin orbit splitting energy and lattice constant. No adjustable parameters are involved.Theoretical results are obtained from a quantum mechanical calculation of the dielectricconstant of a compound semiconductor. Comparison of theory with experimental results forthe ternary compound Hgl_xCdxTe and binary compound InSb is discussed.IntroductionAn intensity dependent refractive index has recently been observed experimentally inseveral direct gap semiconductors at photon energies near the fundamental absorption edge.1
Comparison of the CCNU and BCNU modification of the in vitro radiation response in 9L brain tumor cells of rats.

Abstract Rat brain tumor cells (9L) were exposed for 1 hr to combinations of 1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-l-nitrosourea (BCNU, 3 μg/ml) or 1-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-l-nitrosourea (CCNU, 3 μg/ml) and graded doses of radiation (0–20 Gy). BCNU significantly modified the shoulder of the X-ray survival curve, especially when given 15 hr before irradiation. CCNU modified the shoulder of the X-ray curve to a lesser extent than an equivalent concentration of BCNU. Dose enhancement ratios (DER's) in the shoulder region for time intervals from 5–23 hr were larger for the BCNU-radiation combination than for the CCNU-radiation combination. At all other time intervals studied, DER's in the shoulder region for the BCNU-radiation combination were at least as large as those obtained for the CCNU-radiation combination. These results suggest that BCNU-radiation protocols may elicit a better clinical response than CCNU-radiation protocols.
The role of cryotherapy in the management of retinoblastoma

Between February 1974 and August 1987, we treated 67 retinoblastomas in 47 eyes of 45 patients with cryotherapy (triple freeze-thaw technique). Overall, cryotherapy eradicated 53 (79%) of the tumors, whereas additional treatment with episcleral plaque radiotherapy, external beam radiotherapy, or enucleation was necessary in 14 (21%) of the tumors. Tumor destruction was achieved with one or more cryotherapy treatments in all cases in which the tumor was no greater than 2.5 mm in diameter and 1.0 mm in thickness, and in which the tumor was confined to the sensory retina without seeding into the adjacent vitreous humor. We therefore recommend cryotherapy in such cases. Cryotherapy alone failed in 14 larger tumors, ten of which had clinical evidence of vitreous seeding by tumor cells. Cryotherapy is therefore contraindicated in cases of vitreous seeding or if the tumor exceeds 3.5 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm in thickness. Cryotherapy can be successful for tumors up to 3.5 mm in diameter and 2.0 mm in thickness, but more than one treatment may be necessary.
Genetic variance contributes to ingestive processes: A survey of eleven inbred mouse strains for fat (Intralipid) intake

Genetic variation across inbred and outbred mouse strains have been observed for intake of sweet solutions, salts, bitter tastants and a high-fat diet. Our laboratory recently reported marked strain differences in the amounts and/or percentages of kilocalories of sucrose consumed among 11 inbred and one outbred mouse strains exposed to a wide range of nine sucrose concentrations (0.0001-5%) in two-bottle 24-h preference tests. To assess whether differences in fat intake were similarly associated with genetic variation, the present study examined intake of chow, water and an emulsified fat source (Intralipid) across nine different concentrations (0.00001-5%) in the same 11 inbred and 1 outbred mouse strains using two-bottle 24-h preference tests, which controlled for Intralipid concentration presentation effects, Intralipid and water bottle positions, and measurement of kilocalorie intake consumed as Intralipid or chow. Strains displayed differential increases in Intralipid intake relative to corresponding water with significant effects observed at the seven (BALB/cJ: 0.001% threshold sensitivity), four (AKR/J, C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, SWR/J: 0.5% threshold sensitivity), three (CD-1, C57BL/10J, SJL/J: 1% threshold sensitivity) and two (A/J, CBA/J, C3H/HeJ, 129P3/J: 2% threshold sensitivity) highest concentrations. In assessing the percentage of kilocalories consumed as Intralipid, SWR/J mice consumed significantly more at the three highest concentrations to a greater degree than BALB/cJ, C57BL/6J, CD-1, C3H/HeJ, DBA/J and 129P3/J strains which in turn consumed more than A/J, AKR/J, CBA/J, C57BL/10J and SJL/J mice. Relatively strong (h2 = 0.73-0.79) heritability estimates were obtained for weight-adjusted Intralipid intake at those concentrations (0.001-1%) that displayed the largest strain-specific effects in sensitivity to Intralipid. The identification of strains with diverging abilities to regulate kilocalorie intake when presented with high Intralipid concentrations may lead to the successful mapping of genes related to hedonics and obesity.
A congenital iliac anomaly often associated with sacral lipoma and ipsilateral lower extremity weakness

Eight patients with an anomaly of the iliac bone consisting of a protuberance projecting into the greater sciatic notch are discussed. The anomaly may be associated with sciatic nerve compression and atrophy; sacral, buttock, or intradural lipomata; tethered spinal cord; and ipsilateral lower extremity weakness. Surgical treatment can result in improvement of neurologic symptoms and signs.
Neurotensin and substance P receptors expressed in Xenopus oocytes by messenger RNA from rat brain.

Xenopus oocytes were induced to acquire sensitivity to neurotensin and substance P, by injecting them with a fraction of poly(A) + mRNA from rat brain. Non-injected oocytes, and oocytes injected with other brain mRNAs, failed to show responses, suggesting that receptors to these peptides were expressed by specific brain mRNAs. Responses to substance P and neurotensin comprised an oscillatory chloride current, and a smooth current having different ionic basis. These currents resembled those seen during activation of muscarinic and serotonergic receptors, but were not blocked by the corresponding antagonists atropine and methysergide. The responses to substance P, and to a lesser extent to neurotensin, showed a long-lasting desensitization. Similarities between the oscillatory currents evoked by the peptides acetylcholine and serotonin suggest that all these receptors may ‘link in’ to a common intracellular messenger pathway.
Applying an EDP methodology to the California state lottery

Abstract The world's largest online lottery is being run in California, USA. Within the next four years a total of 12000 terminals will be running the lottery. Two sites are being used to process the work simultaneously, linked by high-speed telecommunications lines.
An empirical examination of AMBER Alert ‘successes’

Abstract The AMBER Alert system was designed to recover endangered missing children through the solicitation of citizen assistance via swift public announcements. Rigorous empirical support for AMBER Alert's effectiveness has been lacking, but since its inception program advocates and public safety officials have lauded the system's ability to “save lives”, often basing their optimism on AMBER Alert “success” stories. However, in this paper quantitative and qualitative analyses of 333 publicized and celebrated AMBER Alert “successes” suggest AMBER Alerts rarely result in the retrieval of abducted children from clearly “life-threatening” situations, and that most of the publicized successes involved relatively benign abductors and unthreatening circumstances. The routine conflation of such apparently mundane cases with rare dramatic successes by AMBER Alert advocates suggests popular portrayals of AMBER Alert are overly sanguine. The potentially negative effects of this and policy implications are discussed.
A Selected Bibliography Of Secondary Sources

This bibliography section of this book Male Friendship in Ming China contains secondary sources, list of reference articles and books. Friendship was an ambiguous concept in late imperial Chinese culture. In orthodox Confucianism, friendship was a relationship unsanctioned by the core Confucian values prioritizing state and family, and as such it was viewed with suspicion and often considered a potential threat. This is probably why among the so-called “five cardinal human relationships”, friendship was traditionally deemed the least essential. To better understand the ambivalence and ambiguities associated with friendship in traditional Chinese culture, a brief look at its early history is in order. Keywords: Chinese culture; male friendship; Ming China
Beziehungen zwischen Basizität und Reaktionsfähigkeit. über d-Mannosamin, I

Die sauren Dissoziationskonstanten von D-Mannosamin-hydrochlorid (I), zwischen 15 und 50° bestimmt, gehorchen der Beziehung: pKa0 = 13.46 – 0.02065 T. Die unerwartet geringe Basizitat des D-Mannosamins erklart die Schwierigkeit seiner selektiven N-Acylierung im Vergleich zu D-Glucosamin. Fur den stark sauren Charakter von I wird eine Erklarung auf Grund der Konstellationsverhaltnisse vorgeschlagen, die auch zur Interpretation anderer Anomalien (Verhalten gegen HgO, Fehlen von Mutarotation) beitragt. Es werden Befunde diskutiert, die fur eine intramolekulare Chelatbildung sprechen.
Existence and uniqueness of semimartingale reflecting Brownian motions in an orthant

This work is concerned with the existence and uniqueness of a class of semimartingale reflecting Brownian motions which live in the non-negative orthant of ℝ d . Loosely speaking, such a process has a semimartingale decomposition such that in the interior of the orthant the process behaves like a Brownian motion with a constant drift and covariance matrix, and at each of the (d-1)-dimensional faces that form the boundary of the orthant, the bounded variation part of the process increases in a given direction (constant for any particular face) so as to confine the process to the orthant. For historical reasons, this “pushing” at the boundary is called instantaneous reflection. In 1988, Reiman and Williams proved that a necessary condition for the existence of such a semimartingale reflecting Brownian motion (SRBM) is that the reflection matrix formed by the directions of reflection be completely-L. In this work we prove that condition is sufficient for the existence of an SRBM and that the SRBM is unique in law. It follows from the uniqueness that an SRBM defines a strong Markov process. Our results have potential application to the study of diffusions arising as approximations tomulti-class queueing networks.
Scabies in the Extended Care Facility

: Scabies occurred in three nursing homes (two in Missouri and one in Pennsylvania) where the diagnosis was obscured by a lack of the usual clinical signs. Topical steroids can aggravate scabies and help to confirm the diagnosis; treatment with lindane lotion is successful, provided all patients and health personnel are treated.
Cardiac aspects of renal disease.

Abstract The heart and the kidney are interdependent in the maintenance of circulatory homeostasis. It is not surprising, therefore, that cardiac manifestations are frequently seen in the course of renal disease. Cardiac abnormalities may occur concomitant with renal disease if both share the same basic pathologic process. Cardiac manifestations may also appear as a result of abnormalities in renal function leading to altered fluid and electrolyte balance. In advanced stages of the uremic syndrome anatomic changes in the heart often result. The pathogenesis of many cardiac manifestations in uremia, however, remains obscure. Management of the renal disease is similar in all these processes. The principles as outlined may be applied with minimum laboratory facilities. In maintenance of fluid balance, total daily intake should match total daily loss. Daily measurement of intake and output supplemented by determinations of body weight are readily available, valuable clinical guides. Electrolyte management also involves replacement of specific losses. In complex situations, determination of urinary as well as plasma electrolyte concentrations may prove helpful in calculation of daily needs. Electrolyte abnormalities are most serious in their cardiac effects. The resultant electrocardiographic changes represent the sum total of a complex ion relationship. With changing electrolyte patterns, therefore, frequent electrocardiographic observations are necessary. Specific abnormalities are discussed and illustrated with case examples. The dangers of electrolyte abnormalities and overhydration in the oliguric patient and the basic principles of their management are well recognized. The same principles applied in all phases of renal disease can result in gratifying improvement in useful life expectancy.
Interaction of stress and growth in a fibrous tissue

The influence of stress on the growth and remodeling of a soft biological tissue is considered. For this purpose, the soft tissue is idealized as a fiber network. The stress-free lengths of the fibers composing the network are not fixed as in an inert elastic solid, but are assumed to evolve as a result of growth and stress adaptation. Similarly, the topology of the fiber network may also evolve under the application of stress. A set of constitutive equations are proposed which relate the tissue stress to the deformation of the tissue as well as to its growth and microstructure. It is shown that distinctly different growth patterns which may arise during initial growth or wound healing can be modeled by the proposed mathematical analysis.
Differential oscillator strengths and dipole polarizabilities for transitions of the helium sequence.

The dipole radial integral for an initial discrete 1s state and a final continuum state has been calculated under the screened hydrogenic model. In this model, single-electron hydrogenic wave functions are employed, and the initial and the final states are treated by two different effective-charge parameters. Numerical values of differential oscillator strengths for transitions from 1s2 1S to the continuum for the helium sequence ions are obtained. Also calculated are the dipole polarizabilities, which are found to be in excellent agreement with the results of other authors.
Mining sensor data in cyber-physical systems

A Cyber-Physical System (CPS) integrates physical devices (i.e., sensors) with cyber (i.e., informational) components to form a context sensitive system that responds intelligently to dynamic changes in real-world situations. Such a system has wide applications in the scenarios of traffic control, battlefield surveillance, environmental monitoring, and so on. A core element of CPS is the collection and assessment of information from noisy, dynamic, and uncertain physical environments integrated with many types of cyber-space resources. The potential of this integration is unbounded. To achieve this potential the raw data acquired from the physical world must be transformed into useable knowledge in real-time. Therefore, CPS brings a new dimension to knowledge discovery because of the emerging synergism of the physical and the cyber. The various properties of the physical world must be addressed in information management and knowledge discovery. This paper discusses the problems of mining sensor data in CPS: With a large number of wireless sensors deployed in a designated area, the task is real time detection of intruders that enter the area based on noisy sensor data. The framework of IntruMine is introduced to discover intruders from untrustworthy sensor data. IntruMine first analyzes the trustworthiness of sensor data, then detects the intruders' locations, and verifies the detections based on a graph model of the relationships between sensors and intruders.
Acute Effects of Passive Smoking on Lung Function and Airway Reactivity in Asthmatic Subjects

We studied the acute effects of one hour of passive cigarette smoking on the lung function and airway reactivity of nine young adult asthmatic volunteers. At the time of this study, the subjects were asymptomatic and had normal or nearly normal lung function. Passive smoking produced no change in expiratory flow rates. However, there was a small decrease in nonspecific bronchial reactivity, as assessed by methacholine inhalation challenge testing (p=0.022). Pharmacologically active substances present in cigarette smoke, such as nicotine, may explain the observed change in airway reactivity. Although the finding of decreased airway reactivity might suggest that passive smoking produces a "protective" effect on the underlying asthma, the observed change in reactivity was slight and of uncertain clinical significance. We conclude that passive smoking presents no acute respiratory risk to young asymptomatic asthmatic patients.
Steroidogenesis by Recombined Follicular Cells from the Human Ovary in Vitro

The aim of the present study was to examine the production of progesterone (P), androstenedione (Δ4, and estradiol (E2) by recombined ovarian cell types from human ovaries under short term (4 h) and long term culture conditions (48, 96, and 144 h) in the presence or absence of added LH and FSH. The ovarian compartments that were cocultured were granulosa cells (G) and thecal tissue (T) from the same follicles, and G and stromal tissue (S) from the same ovary. It was found that G and T or G and S interacted with one another to increase the number of granulosa cells and, under certain conditions, to enhance (synergistically) the output of E2,Δ4, or PThe synergisms in steroid output from the G and T or G and S cocultures were found to be related to the size of the follicle from which the T and/or G were recovered, the length of time the tissues had been in culture, and the level of LH and FSH in the culture medium. A synergistic output of E2 was only observed for G and T from large follicles (≥8 mm in diamet...
Viscoelasticity and self-diffusion in melts of entangled linear polymers

Dynamic properties in the melt state for two saturated hydrocarbon polymers, poly(ethylene-alt-propylene) (PEP) and head-to-head polypropylene (HHPP), were investigated by viscoelastic and diffusion measurements. Several nearly monodisperse linear samples of each species were used. Zero-shear viscosity η0 and self-diffusion coefficient D varied with temperature in accord with the WLF equation, and they also varied with molecular weight M in a manner that was consistent with the behavior of other species. The product η0D was of particular interest because extensive previous results for two other species, polystyrene and polyethylene, had led Pearson et al. to suggest that η0D/(η0D)Rouse is a universal function of the number of entanglements per molecule M/Me. With values for the Rouse model product for each species calculated from chain dimensions, and entanglement molecular weight from the plateau modulus, we show that the data for PEP and HHPP also support the Pearson universal form. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci B: Polym Phys 35: 1933–1942, 1997
Nodule-enhanced expression of a sucrose phosphate synthase gene member (MsSPSA) has a role in carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the nodules of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Sucrose phosphate synthase (SPS) catalyzes the first step in the synthesis of sucrose in photosynthetic tissues. We characterized the expression of three different isoforms of SPS belonging to two different SPS gene families in alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), a previously identified SPS (MsSPSA) and two novel isoforms belonging to class B (MsSPSB and MsSPSB3). While MsSPSA showed nodule-enhanced expression, both MsSPSB genes exhibited leaf-enhanced expression. Alfalfa leaf and nodule SPS enzymes showed differences in chromatographic and electrophoretic migration and differences in V (max) and allosteric regulation. The root nodules in legume plants are a strong sink for photosynthates with its need for ATP, reducing power and carbon skeletons for dinitrogen fixation and ammonia assimilation. The expression of genes encoding SPS and other key enzymes in sucrose metabolism, sucrose phosphate phosphatase and sucrose synthase, was analyzed in the leaves and nodules of plants inoculated with Sinorhizobium meliloti. Based on the expression pattern of these genes, the properties of the SPS isoforms and the concentration of starch and soluble sugars in nodules induced by a wild type and a nitrogen fixation deficient strain, we propose that SPS has an important role in the control of carbon flux into different metabolic pathways in the symbiotic nodules.
Temperature-dependent lateral and transverse distribution of the epidermal growth factor receptor in A431 plasma membranes

To elucidate further the structure and molecular dynamics of the epidermal growth factor receptor, temperature-dependent aggregation and extracellular protrusion of the epidermal growth factor receptor in isolated plasma membranes from A431 cells were examined by fluorescence energy-transfer techniques. Epidermal growth factor was labeled at the amino terminus with either fluorescein isothiocyanate or tetramethylrhodamine isothiocyanate. A radionuclide receptor displacement assay demonstrated the bioactivity of these derivatives. Aggregation of the epidermal growth factor receptor was measured by determining the increase in fluorescence energy transfer between receptor-bound fluorescein and tetramethylrhodamine-labeled epidermal growth factor. Energy transfer between receptor-bound fluorescent derivatives was reversibly greater at 37 than 4 degrees C, indicating temperature-dependent aggregation of the receptor. The extracellular protrusion of the epidermal growth factor receptor was calculated from the magnitude of energy transfer between receptor-bound fluorescein labeled epidermal growth factor and 5-(N-dodecanoylamino)-eosin partitioned into the lipid membrane at 4 and 37 degrees C. No significant change in the distance of closest approach between the N-terminus of epidermal growth factor and the plasma membrane was observed at 4 degrees C (69 +/- 2 A) and 37 degrees C (67 +/- 2 A). Thus, the extracellular protrusion of the occupied epidermal growth factor receptor did not change detectably upon receptor aggregation.
Simulation of spinal nerve blocks for training anesthesiology residents

Deep nerve regional anesthesiology procedures, such as the celiac plexus block, are challenging to learn. The current training process primarily involves studying anatomy and practicing needle insertion in cadavers. Unfortunately, the training often continues on the first few patients subjected to the care of the new resident. To augment the training, we have developed a virtual reality surgical simulation designed to provide an immersive environment in which an understanding of the complex 3D relationships among the anatomic structures involved can be obtained and the mechanics of the celiac block procedure practiced under realistic conditions. Study of the relevant anatomy is provided by interactive 3D visualization of patient specific data and the practice simulated using a head mounted display, a 6 degree of freedom tracker, and a haptic feedback device simulating the needle insertion. By training in a controlled environment, the resident may practice procedures repeatedly without the risks associated with actual patient procedures, and may become more adept and confident in the ability to perform nerve blocks. The resident may select a variety of different nerve block procedures to practice, and may place the virtual patient in any desired position and orientation. The preliminary anatomic models used in the simulation have been computed from the Visible Human Male; however, patient specific models may be generated from patient image data, allowing the physician to evaluate, plan, and practice difficult blocks and/or understand variations in anatomy before attempting the procedure on any specific patient.
Control of New World cutaneous leishmaniasis is IL-12 independent but STAT4 dependent

Leishmania mexicana, a New World protozoan parasite, induces small, chronic, but non-progressive lesions in C57BL/6 (B6) mice. In this study we investigated the role of IL-12, and subsequent Th1 factors, in controlling cutaneous L. mexicana infection. IL-12 treatment failed to promote disease resolution, suggesting that the inability of mice to heal is not related to a deficiency of endogenous IL-12 production. Surprisingly, L. mexicana-induced cutaneous lesions in wild-type and IL-12p40-deficient mice were indistinguishable, with similar parasite burdens, immune responses, and lesion histopathology. In contrast, iNOS, IFN-gamma, and STAT4-deficient mice developed progressive disease and uncontrolled parasite growth. These results differ dramatically from L. major infection, in which IL-12p40-deficient mice are highly susceptible, with very rapid lesion growth, very large parasite burdens, and the development of a strong Th2 response. These data uncover the existence of an alternate IFN-gamma and iNOS pathway for control of Leishmania lesions, which is IL-12 independent, but which unexpectedly requires STAT4.
Hydrogen suppression of “ductile” processes

Experimental results are reported for torsional fatigue specimens of high-strength steel 4370 and tensile bars of mild steel A-106 which present evidence of a hydrogen-induced strain-aided hardening effect. These results are consistent with the postulate that hydrogen suppresses ductile processes required for crack initiation at large plastic strains.
Perfusion and Permeability MR Imaging of Gliomas

Conventional contrast-enhanced MR imaging is the current standard technique for the diagnosis and treatment evaluation of gliomas and other brain neoplasms. However, this method is quite limited in its ability to characterize the complex biology of gliomas and so there is a need to develop more quantitative imaging methods. Perfusion and permeability MR imaging are two such techniques that have shown promise in this regard. This review will highlight the underlying principles, applications, and pitfalls of these evolving advanced MRI methods.
DISCOVERY OF FUNCTIONAL GENES FOR SYSTEMIC ACQUIRED RESISTANCE IN ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA THROUGH INTEGRATED DATA MINING

Various data mining techniques combined with sequence motif information in the promoter region of genes were applied to discover functional genes that are involved in the defense mechanism of systemic acquired resistance (SAR) in Arabidopsis thaliana. A series of K-Means clustering with difference-in-shape as distance measure was initially applied. A stability measure was used to validate this clustering process. A decision tree algorithm with the discover-and-mask technique was used to identify a group of most informative genes. Appearance and abundance of various transcription factor binding sites in the promoter region of the genes were studied. Through the combination of these techniques, we were able to identify 24 candidate genes involved in the SAR defense mechanism. The candidate genes fell into 2 highly resolved categories, each category showing significantly unique profiles of regulatory elements in their promoter regions. This study demonstrates the strength of such integration methods and suggests a broader application of this approach.
Spectrophotometric assay of 2,4-dienoyl coenzyme A reductase with 5-phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyl-coenzyme A as substrate.

The spectrophotometric assay of 2,4-dienoyl coenzyme A (CoA) reductase (EC 1.1.1.34) was modified to improve the linearity and sensitivity of this method. 5-Phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyl-CoA, which has an absorbance maximum at 340 nm with an extinction coefficient of 44,300 M−1 cm−1, was synthesized and used as substrate. This compound is reduced by nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH)-dependent 2,4-dienoyl-CoA reductase to 5-phenyl-3-pentenoyl-CoA. When a tissue homogenate serves as an enzyme source, the product is further metabolized by Δ3Δ2-enoyl-CoA isomerase (EC 5.3.3.8) to 5-phenyl-2-pentenoyl-CoA, which is hydrated to 5-phenyl-3-hydroxypentanoyl-CoA by enoyl-CoA hydratase (EC 4.2.1.17). The modified assay method, which measures the decrease in absorbance at 340 nm due to the reduction of 5-phenyl-2,4-pentadienoyl-CoA and the oxidation of NADPH, is linear for a longer period of time and is twice as sensitive as the conventional assay with 2,4-decadienoyl-CoA as substrate.
In-situ minority carrier recombination lifetime measurements at radiation sources for rad-hard IR detector materials

Minority carrier recombination lifetime (MCRL) is a key material parameter for space-based infrared (IR) detector performance affecting both dark current and responsivity. Displacement damage due to energetic massive particles in space environments, such as protons, can significantly degrade the recombination lifetime, thereby reducing detector performance. Therefore, characterizing the change in MCRL with proton dose is of general interest from a radiation-hardness perspective. So-called “bag tests,” or measurements taken prior to and following room temperature proton irradiation of the device, are often of limited value to MCRL characterization since thermal annealing effects may be present. Here, progress toward a portable MCRL measurement system employing time resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) is presented. This system can be taken to remote radiation sources where irradiation can be performed on samples followed by TRPL measurements while maintaining temperature throughout. Ideally, this system permits measurement of a lifetime radiation damage factor constant, or the change in lifetime with step-wise changes in proton dose, which is a measure of the defect introduction rate. The pulsed-laser driven TRPL measurement system is able to interrogate IR materials of interest mounted in an optical cryostat held indefinitely at a desired temperature. A system description is given and results of verification measurements are discussed for several IR detector materials.
Detecting Source Regions of Wave Activities in the Tropical Atmosphere by Applying Beamforming to Interpolated Data Grids

Wave activities are primary sources of weather disturbances and cyclones in the tropical atmosphere. One such activity is the intraseasonal variations in wind, convection, and precipitation in the tropical Indian and western tropical Pacific region. These variations affect the intensity, break and reset, and rainfall in the Indian and the East Asian monsoons. Detecting the source regions of these wave activities is essential for understanding and for prediction of wave development. In this study, a fixed beamforming method is proposed to deduce source regions of some wave activities in the tropical atmosphere. This method is tested with simulations of single and distributed complex sources of waves and, then, fixed beamformers are applied to the ECMWF interpolated data grids to detect and identify source regions of the intraseasonal oscillations‐ waves in the tropical Indian and tropical Pacific Ocean region. Results show that the fixed beamforming technique can uniquely identify the source regions of the intraseasonal oscillations. Applications of this method have revealed various source regions of all major intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) events in the tropical Indian and western equatorial Pacific region during the 29 yr from 1974 to 2002. Knowing these source regions will make it possible to extract the relevant information and, thus, to better understand the development of the intraseasonal oscillations as well as their effects on the tropical weather and climate.
Aquatic insects of New York salt marsh associated with mosquito larval habitat and their potential utility as bioindicators.

The aquatic insect fauna of salt marshes is poorly characterized, with the possible exception of biting Diptera. Aquatic insects play a vital role in salt marsh ecology, and have great potential importance as biological indicators for assessing marsh health. In addition, they may be impacted by measures to control mosquitoes such as changes to the marsh habitat, altered hydrology, or the application of pesticides. Given these concerns, the goals of this study were to conduct the first taxonomic survey of salt marsh aquatic insects on Long Island, New York, USA and to evaluate their utility for non-target pesticide impacts and environmental biomonitoring. A total of 18 species from 11 families and five orders were collected repeatedly during the five month study period. Diptera was the most diverse order with nine species from four families, followed by Coleoptera with four species from two families, Heteroptera with three species from three families, then Odonata and the hexapod Collembola with one species each. Water boatmen, Trichocorixa verticalis Fieber (Heteroptera: Corixidae) and a shore fly, Ephydra subopaca Loew (Diptera: Ephydridae), were the two most commonly encountered species. An additional six species; Anurida maritima Guerin-Meneville (Collembola: Neanuridae), Mesovelia mulsanti White (Heteroptera: Mesovelidae), Enochrus hamiltoni Horn (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Tropisternus quadristriatus Horn (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae), Dasyhelea pseudocincta Waugh and Wirth (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae), and Brachydeutera argentata Walker (Diptera: Ephydridae), were found regularly. Together with the less common Erythrodiplax berenice Drury (Odonata: Libellulidae), these nine species were identified as the most suitable candidates for pesticide and environmental impact monitoring due to abundance, position in the food chain, and extended seasonal occurrence. This study represents a first step towards developing an insect-based index of biological integrity for salt marsh health assessment.
Relationship between endogenous progesterone and follicular dynamics in lactating dairy cows with ovarian follicular cysts.

Two experiments were conducted to examine circulating concentrations of progesterone (P4) in cows with ovarian follicular cysts (OFCs) and to relate differing levels of P4 to subsequent follicular events. In experiment 1, peripheral concentrations of P4 were determined in cows diagnosed with OFCs. Nonpregnant, lactating Holstein and Jersey cows (n 5 32) were diagnosed as having OFCs by rectal palpation. Ovarian follicular cysts were then examined by transrectal ultrasonography to confirm the presence of OFCs (follicle diameter, $17 mm; absence of luteal tissue). At confirmation, a blood sample was collected for quantification of P4. The concentration of P4 at confirmation was classified as low (,0.1 ng/ml), intermediate (0.1‐1.0 ng/ ml), or high (1.0‐2.0 ng/ml). More OFCs were associated with intermediate (66%) than with either low (28%) or high (6%) concentrations of P4. In experiment 2, the fate of follicles (diameter, $10 mm) that formed in the presence of an OFC was determined and related to circulating concentrations of P4 during follicular development. Follicles (n 5 59) that formed in the presence of an OFC ovulated (n 5 19), formed a cyst (n 5 30), or underwent normal growth and regression (NGR; n 5 10). Endogenous P4 in the 7-day period during follicular development was classified as low (if P4 dropped to ,0.1 ng/ml for 1 day or longer), intermediate (if P4 averaged between 0.1 and 1.0 ng/ml and never dropped to ,0.1 ng/ml), or high (if P4 averaged .1.0 ng/ml and never dropped to ,0.1 ng/ml). In the presence of intermediate P4, 75% of observed follicles formed cysts, compared with 10% that ovulated and 15% that experienced NGR. In the presence of low P4, 53%, 41%, and 6% of follicles ovulated, formed a follicular cyst, or experienced NGR, respectively. Thus, an association between intermediate P4 and the formation of OFCs was established. follicle, lactation, ovary, ovulation, progesterone
Hybrid Memory-Based Control of Dynamic Systems with Uncertain Nonlinearities and Unpredictable Faults

This work is focused on controlling nonlinear systems with uncertain dynamics arisen from external disturbances, unmodeled nonlinearities, and/or unpredictable faults. A simple yet effective "hybrid memory-based control" method is proposed to cope with such uncertainties. The method does not involve direct nonlinearity cancellation, or on-line estimation of upper bounds on uncertainties, making it easier and more feasible for design and implementation as compared with most existing methods. The method is verified via simulation on friction compensation in motion control systems
Functional modulation of the metastatic suppressor Nm23-H1 by oncogenic viruses

Evidence over the last two decades from a number of disciplines has solidified some fundamental concepts in metastasis, a major contributor to cancer associated deaths. However, significant advances have been made in controlling this critical cellular process by focusing on targeted therapy. A key set of factors associated with this invasive phenotype is the nm23 family of over twenty metastasis-associated genes. Among the eight known isoforms, Nm23-H1 is the most studied potential anti-metastatic factor associated with human cancers. Importantly, a growing body of work has clearly suggested a critical role for Nm23-H1 in limiting tumor cell motility and progression induced by several tumor viruses, including Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), Kaposi’s sarcoma associated herpes virus (KSHV) and human papilloma virus (HPV). A more in depth understanding of the interactions between tumor viruses encoded antigens and Nm23-H1 will facilitate the elucidation of underlying mechanism(s) which contribute to virus-associated cancers. Here, we review recent studies to explore the molecular links between human oncogenic viruses and progression of metastasis, in particular the deregulation of Nm23-H1 mediated suppression.
Culturally Competent Qualitative Research with Latino Immigrants.

This article provides recommendations for conducting culturally competent qualitative research with Latino immigrants, a historically exploited group that represents more than half of all U.S. immigrants and is continuously growing. Limited research exists on Latino immigrants despite their large presence in the United States. The authors draw upon their qualitative research experiences to help researchers develop culturally competent awareness, knowledge, and skills in studying Latino immigrants. Recommendations are grounded by integrating Latino cultural values in the research process. Issues related to developing a research team, recruiting participants, using incentives, informed consent procedures, and language issues are addressed. Suggestions for developing interview protocols and conducting culturally competent in-person interviews are provided.
Reserve capacity for ATP consumption during isometric contraction in human skeletal muscle fibers

Maximum velocity of the actomyosin ATPase reaction (V max ATPase) and ATP consumption rate during maximum isometric activation (ATPiso) were determined in human vastus lateralis (VL) muscle fibers ...