cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tetrahydroisoquinolines derived from catecholamines or DOPA: effects on brain tyrosine hydroxylase activity.

Abstract Four different catecholic tetrahydroisoquinolines, cyclic condensation derivatives of l -DOPA, dopamine or noradrenaline and selected aldehydes, were examined for inhibition of rat brain tyrosine hydroxylase activity. Salsolinol, a condensate of dopamine and acetaldehyde which is implicated in the biological effects of alcohol, inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase in vitro with a K i of ~ 1.4 × 10 −5 M; inhibition was competitive with pteridine cofactor. The (−)isomer of salsolinol was significantly more effective than (−)noradrenaline. Tetrahydroisoquinolines with in vitro inhibiting potency equivalent to (−)noradrena-line were (cis)-3-carboxy-salsolinol, an l -DOPA/acetaldehyde derivative, and 4,6,7-trihydroxy-tetrahydro-isoquinoline, a product of noradrenaline and formaldehyde. At 10 −4 M, however, neither salsolinol nor 3-carboxy-salsolinol had any in vitro effect on rat liver DOPA decarboxylasaactivity. Tetrahydropapavero-line, a 1-benzyl derivative of dopamine also theorized to be involved in alcoholism, was markedly and significantly less effective than the other condensation products, since it inhibited tyrosine hydroxylase at relatively high (~ 10 −3 M) concentrations only. Labeling of catecholamines in brain and heart by [ 3 H]-tyrosine was not changed 5 hr after peripherally administered salsolinol, indicating that this tetrahydro-isoquinoline did not alter tyrosine hydroxylase in vivo under these conditions. However, it is possible that tyrosine hydroxylase is affected at other doses or times, and that the blood-brain barrier is responsible for the lack of central effects. Inhibition of catecholamine biosynthesis remains a viable possibility if catechol tetrahydroisoquinolines are administered centrally or formed in neurons from condensations of catechol-amines and aldehydes.
Two-dimensional infrared spectroscopy of the alanine dipeptide in aqueous solution.

The linear-infrared and two-dimensional infrared (2D IR) spectra in the amide-I‘ region of the alanine dipeptide and its 13C isotopomers in aqueous solution (D2O) are reported. The two amide-I‘ IR transitions have been assigned unambiguously by using 13C isotopic substitution of the carbonyl group; the amide unit at the acetyl end shows a lower transition frequency in the unlabeled species. The ratio of their transition dipole strengths remains almost unchanged upon 13C substitution, indicating the absence of intensity transfer between two vibrators. The 2D IR cross peaks directly associated with intramode coupling in this case show a small off-diagonal anharmonicity (0.2 ± 0.2 cm-1), leading to a small coupling constant (1.5 ± 0.5 cm-1). The coupling and the 2D IR spectra in two different polarizations (〈zzzz〉 and 〈zxxz〉) are as expected for a polyproline-II (PPII)-like conformation for dialanine, with the backbone dihedral angles (φ, ψ) determined to be in the range of (−70° ± 25°, +120° ± 25°). Ab init...
Compensation for the intrinsic dynamics of the InMotion2 robot

The InMotion2 and other similarly designed robots, are commonly used for rehabilitation of neurological injuries and motor adaptation studies. These robots are used to simulate haptic environments; however, anisotropy in end-point impedance due to the intrinsic robot dynamics can compromise these experiments. The goal was to decrease the magnitude and anisotropy of the robot impedance using a dynamic compensation algorithm that reduces the forces normally felt by the user during rapid movements. We tested this algorithm with two different methods for real-time calculation of derivatives, a novel quadratic fit method (CQF) and the commonly used backward derivative method (CBD). Six subjects performed a series of point-to-point movements under three conditions (no compensation, CQF, CBD), in different directions at peak speeds of 50, 100 and 150 cm/s. Without compensation, tangential peak-to-peak forces were as large as 69 N in certain directions at the 150 cm/s speed. Both CQF and CBD significantly reduced tangential forces in all directions and speeds. CQF outperformed CBD in the directions with highest intrinsic impedance, reducing tangential forces by 64% in these directions. Compensation also significantly reduced forces normal to the movement direction, with CQF again outperforming CBD in several cases. Anisotropy was assessed by the range of tangential peak-to-peak forces across movement directions. In the no compensation condition, anisotropy was as high as 52.7 N at the 150 cm/s speed, but an average anisotropy reduction of 74% was achieved with CQF. The CQF method can significantly reduce impedance and anisotropy in this class of robot.
Analytic modeling to predict the outcome of chronic hepatitis C infection: a useful clinical tool or an unfair representation of natural history?

Abstract Objective: Chronic infection with hepatitis C may lead to 0842 the development of cirrhosis, liver failure, and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, not all patients progress to these endpoints. Ideally, clinicians could improve their capability of stratifying the risk and the time frame within which their patients will progress to these endpoints. The purpose of the present study was to construct statistical models predicting disease-progression for individual patients. Methods: Study endpoints were the development 0842 of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, or death due to liver disease. The study cohort was 256 patients with hepatitis C acquired from either blood transfusion or use of intravenous drugs. During follow-up, 17 patients developed hepatocellular carcinoma, seven received liver transplantation, and 12 died from liver disease. Results: On multivariate analysis a history of0842 decompensation (relative risk [RR] 4.321, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.777–10.511) and the serum albumin (RR 0.253, 95% CI 0.136–0.474) were independently associated with the study endpoints. Patients without a history of decompensation and with a serum albumin ≥4.1 mg/dl had a 3.2% chance of developing a study endpoint within 5 yr. Baseline genotype and quantitative RNA were not associated with development of the clinical endpoints, with the exception of patients coinfected with two or more genotypes. Conclusion: Thus, the serum 0842 albumin and a history of decompensation are useful for predicting the development of hepatocellular carcinoma, liver transplantation, and death due to liver disease among patients with hepatitis C.
Interfacing electrification and system reliability

Integration is the term given to ensuring that the different elements of an electrified railway operate together to achieve the desired result. This is particularly problematic where interfaces exist between the high power electrification distribution or traction systems, and the low power signalling and communications control systems. The challenge of integrating the electrical systems will not be made any easier as client and public expectations of new rail transit systems require the railway designers to incorporate more versatile and sophisticated electrification systems. Railway authorities in the past have found difficulty in implementing a management strategy that will ensure electrified railway systems are integrated. This is made more complex where the privatisation of railways and the procurement process divides the contracts into separate engineering disciplines. This paper seeks to explain the challenge of integrating the Electrification System with the sensitive Signalling, Communication Control and low voltage systems. Additionally the paper will review the technical necessities of integrating the Electrification System with large civil structures. The paper will demonstrate how railway authorities are being challenged by the difficult task of integrating these System Wide Disciplines. (6 pages)
Vitamin B12 levels during prolonged treatment with proton pump inhibitors

Reduced serum vitamin B12 (cobalamin) levels have been documented occasionally during long-term treatment with a proton pump inhibitor (PPI) in selected groups of patients. This has largely been confined to patients being treated for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome who have sustained drug-induced achlorhydria, which does not ordinarily occur during treatment with a PPI. An appreciation of normal cobalamin metabolism and the pharmacological action of the PPIs adequately explain the mechanism for this reduction. PPIs do not promote the development of pernicious anemia.
Mass spectrometric studies of positive ions in r.f. glow discharges

Abstract Mass spectrometric analysis of positive ions extracted from glow discharges is a common experimental procedure most often motivated by basic research considerations. An exception is the fairly recent application of this technique to the elemental analysis of solids. The experimental aspects of mass spectrometric analysis of plasma ions are discussed, and it is concluded that the insertion of an electrostatic deflection energy analyzer between the sampling orifice and the quadrupole mass filter is worthy of serious consideration in many research projects of this type. Several examples of the value of energy analysis are given. A brief discussion of the use of this technique in plasma process development is presented, and it is concluded that mass spectrometric ion sampling is not an obvious first choice in an applied environment but holds considerable promise in a basic research program.
APPLICATIONS OF t-MATRIX PERTURBATION THEORY.

Abstract We calculate the energy correction to the trinucleon (with a central spin-dependent potential) due to high partial waves in the two-body interaction, by using Fuda's first-order t -matrix perturbation theory. We find that waves beyond the 1 S 0 and 3 S 1 + 3 D 1 contribute less than 0.01 MeV.
Subcellular distribution of protein kinase C isozymes during cardioplegic arrest

Abstract Background On the basis of the hypothesis that cardioplegia-associated myocardial depression was due to activation of protein kinase C, we examined whether specific protein kinase C isozymes would translocate to a cellular fraction containing myofilaments. Methods Isolated rat hearts were perfused with Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate buffer for 30 minutes and arrested with 4°C St Thomas No. 2 cardioplegic solution for 0 to 120 minutes (n = 5 per group). The 3 fractions of the left ventricle tissue represented the myofibrillar/nuclear fraction (P1), membranes (P2), and cytosol (supernatant). The distributions of protein kinase C isozymes α, δ, ϵ, and η were examined after separation by electrophoresis, immunoblotting/chemiluminescence, and densitometry. Results A significant increase in protein kinase C-δ in the P1 fraction was detected after 5 minutes of cardioplegic arrest and remained increased for 60 minutes. Increases in P1 protein kinase C-α and -ϵ were seen transiently at 5 minutes, and protein kinase C-ϵ demonstrated a secondary increase in P1 at 30 to 60 minutes. There was also a significant relative increase in protein kinase C-α and protein kinase C-δ in the P2 fraction after 60 minutes of cardioplegia. Conclusions These data are consistent with our hypothesis that activation of protein kinase C isozymes is associated with altered myofilament function after cardioplegic arrest.
Rate-based ship-mounted crane payload pendulation control system

Two active ship motion compensation strategies are discussed to stabilize the payload during operator-controlled at sea cargo transfer scenarios using ship-based cranes. A new ship motion sensing strategy is developed using only inertial measurement unit (IMU) information. The goal is to reduce the cost and complexity of the ship motion sensors, while improving the overall crane performance. A new rate-based control strategy is developed which directly computes required crane joint rates to isolate the payload from the ship motion. A high-fidelity ship-mounted crane simulation is used to numerically compare the control performance to an existing ship motion sensing strategy.
SEPARABLE SOULS: A DEFENSE OF “MINIMAL DUALISM”*

L'A. defend la these suivante: l'âme est separee fonctionnellement du corps, mais en tant que substance elle en est seulement separable| elle en est distincte sans en etre separee. L'A. appuie sa these par une analyse critique du materialisme.
Solvable limit for the SU(N) Kondo model

We study a single-channel one-dimensional Kondo model where the impurity spin is replaced by an SU($N$) spin. Using Abelian bosonization and canonical transformation we explicitly show that this system has an exactly solvable point. The calculation also shows that there are $n$ collective excitation modes in the system, one charged and $n\ensuremath{-}1$ neutral spin excitation modes.
New strategies for biosample collection in population-based social research.

This paper aims to increase understanding of the methodological issues involved in adding biomeasures to social research by investigating the potential of an event-triggered, self-collection technique for monitoring biological response to social events. We use data from the Relationship Dynamics and Social Life (RDSL) study, which collected saliva samples triggered by a life event important to the aims of the study—the end of a romantic relationship. Our investigation found little evidence that those who complied in the biosample collection were different from those who did not comply in terms of key study measures and sociodemographic characteristics. We also found no evidence that the biosample collection had adverse consequences for subsequent panel participation. We did find that prior cooperation in the study was an important predictor of biosample cooperation, which is important information in developing biosample collection strategies. As demand for biological samples directly linked to social data continues to grow, effective low-cost collection methods will become increasingly valuable. The evidence here indicates that self-collected biosamples may offer tremendous potential to meet this demand.
Lactobacillus johnsonii N6.2 mitigates the development of type 1 diabetes in BB-DP rats.

Background The intestinal epithelium is a barrier that composes one of the most immunologically active surfaces of the body due to constant exposure to microorganisms as well as an infinite diversity of food antigens. Disruption of intestinal barrier function and aberrant mucosal immune activation have been implicated in a variety of diseases within and outside of the gastrointestinal tract. With this model in mind, recent studies have shown a link between diet, composition of intestinal microbiota, and type 1 diabetes pathogenesis. In the BioBreeding rat model of type 1 diabetes, comparison of the intestinal microbial composition of diabetes prone and diabetes resistant animals found Lactobacillus species were negatively correlated with type 1 diabetes development. Two species, Lactobacillus johnsonii and L. reuteri, were isolated from diabetes resistant rats. In this study diabetes prone rats were administered pure cultures of L. johnsonii or L. reuteri isolated from diabetes resistant rats to determine the effect on type 1 diabetes development. Methodology/Principal Findings Results Rats administered L. johnsonii, but not L. reuteri, post-weaning developed type 1 diabetes at a protracted rate. Analysis of the intestinal ileum showed administration of L. johnsonii induced changes in the native microbiota, host mucosal proteins, and host oxidative stress response. A decreased oxidative intestinal environment was evidenced by decreased expression of several oxidative response proteins in the intestinal mucosa (Gpx1, GR, Cat). In L. johnsonii fed animals low levels of the pro-inflammatory cytokine IFNγ were correlated with low levels of iNOS and high levels of Cox2. The administration of L. johnsonii also resulted in higher levels of the tight junction protein claudin. Conclusions It was determined that the administration of L. johnsonii isolated from BioBreeding diabetes resistant rats delays or inhibits the onset of type 1 diabetes in BioBreeding diabetes prone rats. Taken collectively, these data suggest that the gut and the gut microbiota are potential agents of influence in type 1 diabetes development. These data also support therapeutic efforts that seek to modify gut microbiota as a means to modulate development of this disorder.
Sperm precedence in a hermaphroditic nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) is due to competitive superiority of male sperm.

When male and hermaphroditeCaenorhabditis elegans mate, the male's sperm outcompete the hermaphrodite's own sperm and fertilize a majority of the offspring. Here, we investigate the mechanism of male sperm precedence. We rule out the possibility that male sperm are stronger and more competitive because they are activated later than hermaphrodite sperm. We also find that a previously known gender difference in sperm activation does not influence sperm competition. Male sperm, rinsed free of seminal fluid, retained the capacity to take precedence after artificial insemination. Therefore, we conclude that male sperm themselves are competitively superior to hermaphrodite sperm. This trait maximizes outcrossing after mating and may increase both genetic diversity and heterozygosity of offspring whose parents, due to self-fertilization, may be highly homozygous.
The organization and composition of the ribosomal RNA gene non-transcribed spacer of D. busckii is unique among the drosophilids.

Several ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes from D. busckii were cloned and characterized. The prominent repeat classes have lengths of 12·8 and 13·6 kb and lack 28S introns. rRNA genes were cloned containing 28S insertions which exhibit heterogeneity in size and sequence. The non-transcribed spacer (NTS) contains two regions composed of different repeated sequences that exhibit pronounced instability in HB 101. NTS region II, centrally located within the NTS, contains predominately 11 or 16 Hin cII generated 160 bp repeats. NTS region III, next to the 18S gene, contains repeats that are variable in number, and are either heterogeneous in length or are dispersed within unique sequences. The organization and composition of the rRNA gene NTS of D. busckii is different in comparison to the NTSs of other drosophilids. In addition, the pronounced instability of two different NTS regions is unique in comparison to all other cloned rRNA genes.
MICROBIOLOGY OF BEEF SHELL FROZEN WITH LIQUID NITROGEN

SUMMARY— The effect of freezing primal cuts of beef with liquid nitrogen on the subsequent microbiological quality of their retail cuts was studied. Cryovac-packaged loins were shell frozen by spraying with liquid nitrogen and held for 2 or 3 days at room temperature (25–27°C) in insulated styrofoam boxes. Frozen packaged loins were also aged at 2°C for 21 days and at 22°C for 3 days before being cut into steaks. Steaks from each treated loin and steaks from fresh loins (controls) were packaged and stored in a display case at about 5°C. Examination was made of the loins and packaged steaks during storage to determine total anaerobes, fluorescent Pseudomonas, coliforms, enterococci, Clostridium perfringens, and incidence of Salmonellae and coagulase-positive staphylococci. Initial contamination on steaks increased with loins aged for a long time at low temperatures. Aging of loins at 22°C for 3 days promoted multiplication of C. perfringens and resulted in the steaks having the highest occurrence of coagulase positive Staphylococcus. Recovery of Salmonella from the steaks was more closely related to the source and level of contamination of the fresh meat than to time and temperature of holding of the wholesale cuts. These findings have application to shell freezing of beef with liquid nitrogen for air transport and to possible commercial aging practices.
Efficient asymmetric synthesis of long chain methyl-branched hydrocarbons, components of the contact sex pheromone of females of the cerambycid beetle, Neoclytus acuminatus acuminatus

Abstract Both enantiomers of 7-methylheptacosane and 7-methylpentacosane, the major components of the female-produced contact sex pheromone of the red-headed ash borer beetle ( Neoclytus acuminatus accuminatus ) were synthesized in 62–68% overall yield (six steps) via alkynylation of the triflate of a shared chiral alcohol intermediate ( R )- or ( S )-2-methyloctanol. The enantiomers of the shared intermediate were prepared via acylation and subsequent asymmetic methylation of ( R )- and ( S )-4-isopropyloxazolidin-2-one chiral auxiliaries, respectively. The methodology can be readily adapted for the preparation of analogues with any desired chain length and methyl branch positions.
H-RMC: A Hybrid Reliable Multicast Protocol for the Linux Kernel

This paper describes H-RMC, a reliable multicast protocol designed for implementation in the Linux kernel. H-RMC takes advantage of IP multicast and is primarily a NAK-based protocol. To accommodate low-loss environments, where feedback in the form of NAKs is scarce, H-RMC receivers return periodic update messages in the absence of other reverse traffic. H-RMC uses a combination of rate-based and window-based flow control. The sender maintains minimal information about each receiver so that buffered data is not released prematurely, and polls receivers in case it has not heard from them at the time of buffer release. Combined, these techniques produce a reliable multicast data stream with a relatively low rate of feedback. Performance results show that adequate kernel buffer space, combined with a two-stage rate control method and polling, are effective in minimizing feedback from receivers and thereby in maintaining reasonable throughputs.
Vision-based algorithms for near-host object detection and multilane sensing

Vision-based sensing can be used for lane sensing, adaptive cruise control, collision warning, and driver performance monitoring functions of intelligent vehicles. Current computer vision algorithms are not robust for handling multiple vehicles in highway scenarios. Several new algorithms are proposed for multi-lane sensing, near-host object detection, vehicle cut-in situations, and specifying regions of interest for object tracking. These algorithms were tested successfully on more than 6000 images taken from real-highway scenes under different daytime lighting conditions.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Physiology of a changing vertical dimension

Abstract The most significant facts with respect to the physiology of a changing vertical dimension follow: 1.There is a position of maximal closing force at an optimal vertical dimension for every patient. This position may be a characteristic of the muscle tissue itself. Finding the optimal vertical dimension or positon of maximal power is crucial when a denture patient functions using maximal closing forces. 2.Submaximal closing forces may remain the same or even increase as the optimal vertical dimension is exceeded. Although the closing force remains the same, the electrical activity falls, indicating that less of the muscle is contracting. The mechanism which sustains the force is unknown. 3.The vertical dimension is not as critical for maintenance of the closing force for a denture patient functioning at less than maximal closing forces. However, the vertical dimension may be critical with respect to freedom from muscle pain and temporomandibular joint problems. 4.The electrical activity of the mandibular closing muscles drops suddenly through a range of 1 to 2 mm. (the suppressed region) near the clinical rest position. The fall in electrical activity is attributed to inhibition of motor neurons by secondary spindle and Golgi tendon organs. The suppressed region might serve as a useful clinical landmark.
Novel methods to treat and prevent human papillomavirus infection

The human papillomavirus (HPV), a ubiquitous sexually transmitted virus, is the causative agent for cervical dysplasia and carcinoma worldwide. Current treatment methods primarily utilize ablative and excisional procedures to remove dysplastic, HPV-infected cervical tissue. However, these procedures require intensive cytopathological surveillance and carry inherent risks of bleeding, infection and possible future pregnancy complications. Development of an effective vaccine against HPV would dramatically reduce the need for costly cytological and histological surveillance. HPV represents an ideal candidate for vaccine development, and current research efforts in the realm of prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine design show great promise. A host of various vaccine techniques are currently being developed and tested and, if effective, will have a significant impact on the incidence of cervical dysplasia and carcinoma.
Determining fluid saturations during multiphase flow experiments by NMR imaging techniques

The quantitative determination of porosity and saturation distributions in porous media using unclear magnetic resonance imaging techniques is addressed. A method based on multiple image acquisitions with extrapolation within a model of transverse relaxation was investigated for new experimental situations. The determination of saturation was validated with limestone and sandstone samples. Experimental evidence for dependencies of transverse relaxation and linewidth on saturation is discussed, as well as their impact on image resolution and quantitation. An automatic production measurement device for independent verification of average saturations during dynamic experiments is investigated.
Rapid Conversion of Electromagnetic Waves to Electrostatic Waves in the Ionosphere

Thomson radar returns from the ionosphere subjected to a step-function excitation of electromagnetic waves show the immediate rise of electrostatic waves near the resonant height ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{p}\ensuremath{\simeq}{\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$. The observed secular temporal variation $E\ensuremath{\propto}t$ agrees with a theory based on direct conversion of electromagnetic waves to electrostatic waves by preexisting density inhomogeneities. The rise time is at least an order of magnitude smaller than previously reported. The frequency spectrum shows this conversion is characterized by frequencies at the pump frequency ${\ensuremath{\omega}}_{0}$.
NASA: decline and fall

Challenger: A Major Malfunction. By Malcolm McConnell. Doubleday, New York/ Simon & Schuster, London: 1987. Pp.269. $17.95, £12.95. Prescription for Disaster: From the Glory of Apollo to the Betrayal of the Shuttle. By Joseph Trento and Susan Trento. Crown, New York:1987. Pp.320. $18.95
A robust system for production of minicircle DNA vectors

Minicircle DNA vectors allow sustained transgene expression in quiescent cells and tissues. To improve minicircle production, we genetically modified Escherichia coli to construct a producer strain that stably expresses a set of inducible minicircle-assembly enzymes, ΦC31 integrase and I-SceI homing endonuclease. This bacterial strain produces purified minicircles in a time frame and quantity similar to those of routine plasmid DNA preparation, making it feasible to use minicircles in place of plasmids in mammalian transgene expression studies.
Abstract SY24-01: Pluripotency genes as targets for cancer prevention

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL Recent studies have suggested an overlap between the core pathways that maintain pluripotency in embryonal stem (ES) or induced pluripotency stem (iPS) cells and those implicated in oncogenesis. The presence of ES/iPS signature genes can be demonstrated in diverse cancers and correlates with a poorer outcome. The ES pathways have been shown to be particularly expressed in the putative cancer stem cell (CSC) population within the tumor bulk. Therefore pathways that regulate stemness are being actively targeted in human cancer. Here, I will discuss evidence for immune-mediated targeting of the core ES genes, such as OCT4 and SOX2 in humans. Initial studies suggested that humoral and cellular responses against SOX2 can be detected in patients with preneoplastic monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Presence of anti-SOX2 T cell responses correlated with reduced risk of progression to clinical myeloma. Surprisingly, T cell responses against OCT4, a common marker of ES cells, can be readily detected in healthy human donors. OCT4-specific T cell response resides predominantly in the CD4+ T cell compartment and comprises of CD45RO+ memory T cells. These T cells can be readily expanded in culture using autologous dendritic cells loaded with OCT4-expressing germ cell tumors. In contrast to the finding with healthy donors, T cell immunity to OCT4 is deficient in freshly isolated circulating T cells from patients with germ cell tumors (GCTs). However, these T cells can be observed after chemotherapy-induced cell death of tumor cells in vivo. The capacity of the human immune system to target both of the core pluripotency genes (SOX2 and OCT4) may facilitate harnessing the immune system against GCTs and putative CSCs in diverse tumor types. ES-associated genes such as OCT4 seem to be dispensable for the function of adult stem cells in mice, suggesting that targeting these genes in the setting of cancer might not carry adverse effects against normal adult stem cells. As these immune responses seem to be engaged during early stages of carcinogenesis, including in preneoplastic states, we suggest that they may also be particularly attractive targets for immune-mediated cancer prevention in diverse high-risk settings. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr SY24-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-SY24-01
Routine Testing for Anaerobic Bacteria in Cerebrospinal Fluid Cultures Improves Recovery of Clinically Significant Pathogens

In North America, the widespread use of vaccines targeting Haemophilus influenzae type b and Streptococcus pneumoniae have dramatically altered the epidemiology of bacterial meningitis, while the methodology for culturing cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) specimens has remained largely unchanged. The aims of this study were 2-fold: to document the current epidemiology of bacterial meningitis at a tertiary care medical center and to assess the clinical utility of routinely querying for anaerobes in CSF cultures. To that end, we assessed CSF cultures submitted over a 2-year period. A brucella blood agar (BBA) plate, incubated anaerobically for 5 days, was included in the culture procedure for all CSF specimens during the second year of evaluation. In the pre- and postimplementation years, 2,353 and 2,302 CSF specimens were cultured, with 49 and 99 patients having positive culture results, respectively. The clinical and laboratory data for patients with positive cultures were reviewed. Anaerobic bacteria were isolated in the CSF samples from 33 patients post-BBA compared to two patients pre-BBA (P = 0.01). The anaerobic isolates included Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron (n = 1), Propionibacterium species (n = 15), and Propionibacterium acnes (n = 19) isolates; all of these isolates were recovered on the BBA. Eight of the 35 patients from whom anaerobic organisms were isolated received antimicrobial therapy. Although six of these patients had central nervous system hardware, two patients did not have a history of a neurosurgical procedure and had community-acquired anaerobic bacterial meningitis. This study demonstrates that the simple addition of an anaerobically incubated BBA to the culture of CSF specimens enhances the recovery of clinically significant anaerobic pathogens.
Power of multifactor dimensionality reduction and penalized logistic regression for detecting gene-gene interaction in a case-control study.

Background There is a growing awareness that interaction between multiple genes play an important role in the risk of common, complex multi-factorial diseases. Many common diseases are affected by certain genotype combinations (associated with some genes and their interactions). The identification and characterization of these susceptibility genes and gene-gene interaction have been limited by small sample size and large number of potential interactions between genes. Several methods have been proposed to detect gene-gene interaction in a case control study. The penalized logistic regression (PLR), a variant of logistic regression with L2 regularization, is a parametric approach to detect gene-gene interaction. On the other hand, the Multifactor Dimensionality Reduction (MDR) is a nonparametric and genetic model-free approach to detect genotype combinations associated with disease risk.
Urogastrone Reduces Gut Atroprhy during Parenteral Alimentation

Urogastrone (UG) exerts trophic effects on the intestine and may play a role in maintaining normal intestinal structure and function. Since administration of nutrients parenterally results in intestinal hypoplasia and hypofunction, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of UG on intestinal structure and function in parenterally fed rats. Central venous catheters were placed into 28 Sprague-Dawley rats. Group I (n = 10) received TPN alone. Group II (n = 8) received TPN and 15 micrograms/day of UG and group III (n = 10) received rat chow ad libitum. The animals that received urogastrone had significantly greater (p less than 0.05) intestinal weight (25.6 +/- 2.5 mg/cm vs 22.6 +/- 3.0 mg/cm), mucosal weight (8.4 +/- 1.4 mg/cm vs 6.2 +/- 0.9 mg/cm), mucosal protein content (6.2 +/- 1.7 mg/cm vs 2.7 +/- 0.6 mg/cm), villous height (427 +/- 27 microns vs 293 +/- 75 microns), crypt cell production rate (14.5 +/- 1.4 metaphases/hr vs 12.3 +/- 0.7 metaphases/hr) and sucrase specific activity (6.5 +/- 2.6 vs 3.7 +/- 2.0) than animals receiving only TPN. However, these parameters remained less than in chow-fed animals. Thus, simultaneous infusion of UG prevents, in part, intestinal hypofunction and hypoplasia which occurs during TPN. This may be due to maintenance of mucosal proliferative activity and brush border enzyme activity.
Viable algae released by the seastar Dermasterias imbricata feeding on the symbiotic sea anemone Anthopleura elegantissima

Echinoderms are major predators of anemones in temperate ecosystems. The fate of two algae, zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae, after their host anemone (Anthopleura elegantissima Brandt) was consumed by the leather star Dermasterias imbricata Grube was determined in experiments conducted in July and August 2004. Productivity, photosynthetic pigments, and mitotic index (percent of cells dividing) were used as indicators of algal health; algae released after leather stars consumed their host were compared with algae freshly isolated from anemones. Two types of waste products contained algae: pellets resulting from extraoral digestion, and feces. Zooxanthellae and zoochlorellae isolated from these waste products were photosynthetic, although to different extents. For algae from feces and pellets, light-saturated photosynthetic rates (Pmax) were 85 and 13%, respectively, of Pmax of freshly isolated zooxanthellae; and were 20 and 46%, respectively, for zoochlorellae. The photosynthetic pigments and mitotic index (percent of dividing cells) were not altered by the feeding activities of the leather star. These results show that algae released by seastar predation on their hosts remain viable, and are hence available for establishing symbioses in A. elegantissima and other potential hosts.
Refractive index of snow at microwave frequencies.

A systematic procedure for calculating the refractive index of snow at microwave frequencies is presented. The refractive index of snow at 0°C was calculated for different snow types (classified in terms of snow wetness as dry, most, wet, and watery) and microwave frequencies. For the sake of completeness, the refractive indices of water and ice were also calculated for the same frequencies.
Methane Activation and Conversion to Higher Hydrocarbons on Supported Ruthenium

The interaction of methane with silica-supported Ru has been investigated. Methane is found to undergo dissociative adsorption above 373 K. The prexponential factor for dissociative adsorption is 2.0 x 10{sup -7} and the activation energy is 5.9-7.0 kcal/mol. Three types of carbon are formed, designated as C{sub {alpha}}, C{sub {beta}}, and C{sub {gamma}}. The distribution among these species is dependent on the total carbon coverage and the length of time that the carbon has been aged at given temperature after deposition. Aging results in the conversion of C{sub {beta}} to C{sub {alpha}}. The apparent activation energy for this process is 22 kcal/mol. Hydrogenation of the carbonaceous deposit produces methane and smaller quantities of ethane and propane. The distribution among these products depends on the surface coverage of carbon and the temperature of hydrogenation. Both the distribution of carbonaceous species present on the catalysts surface after dissociative adsorption of CH{sub 4} and the distribution of alkanes formed upon isothermal hydrogenation of the carbonaceous deposit depend on whether or not the catalyst has been carburized. 14 refs., 11 figs.
The Capital Theory Approach to Sustainability: A Critical Appraisal

(1997). The Capital Theory Approach to Sustainability: A Critical Appraisal. Journal of Economic Issues: Vol. 31, No. 1, pp. 145-174.
PUMA: programmable UI-automation for large-scale dynamic analysis of mobile apps

Mobile app ecosystems have experienced tremendous growth in the last six years. This has triggered research on dynamic analysis of performance, security, and correctness properties of the mobile apps in the ecosystem. Exploration of app execution using automated UI actions has emerged as an important tool for this research. However, existing research has largely developed analysis-specific UI automation techniques, wherein the logic for exploring app execution is intertwined with the logic for analyzing app properties. PUMA is a programmable framework that separates these two concerns. It contains a generic UI automation capability (often called a Monkey) that exposes high-level events for which users can define handlers. These handlers can flexibly direct the Monkey's exploration, and also specify app instrumentation for collecting dynamic state information or for triggering changes in the environment during app execution. Targeted towards operators of app marketplaces, PUMA incorporates mechanisms for scaling dynamic analysis to thousands of apps. We demonstrate the capabilities of PUMA by analyzing seven distinct performance, security, and correctness properties for 3,600 apps downloaded from the Google Play store.
MR Imaging of the Pericardium

Imaging of the pericardium requires understanding of anatomy and the normal and abnormal physiology of the pericardium. MR imaging is well-suited for answering clinical questions regarding suspected pericardial disease. Pericardial diseases that may be effectively imaged with MR imaging include pericarditis, pericardial effusion, cardiac-pericardial tamponade, constrictive pericarditis, pericardial cysts, absence of the pericardium, and pericardial masses. Although benign and malignant primary tumors of the pericardium may be occasionally encountered, the most common etiology of a pericardial mass is metastatic disease.
On the equalization of asynchronous multiuser OFDM signals in fading channels

We study asynchronous multiuser orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems over fading channels. Multiuser multiplexing is essential to the design of a spectrally efficient communication system. On the other hand, a synchronous mode of communication may not be a practically realizable solution considering the demand for high-speed services with portability. Therefore, we develop the model of asynchronous multiuser OFDM signals, and propose several minimum mean squared error (MMSE) based equalization methods to suppress the asynchronous interference effectively. The proposed space-time domain MMSE filter mitigates the inter-carrier interference (ICI) and the inter-block interference (IBI) induced by the interfering user's relative delay. Furthermore, additional performance gains can be achieved via a two-step procedure, which applies the space-time MMSE filter twice, first to estimate the interference and secondly to equalize the signal after interference cancellation.
Effect of photochemistry on molecular detection by cavity ringdown spectroscopy: case study of an explosive-related compound

Explosives and explosive-related compounds usually have dissociative excited electronic states. We consider the effect of excited-state dissociation upon an absorption event on the UV cavity ringdown spectroscopy (CRDS) detection of these molecules. A change in the photon decay lifetime with increasing laser energy is demonstrated with vapors of 2,6-dinitrotoluene in the open atmosphere. The magnitude of the effect is modeled with coupled equations describing the time-dependent light intensity and molecular concentration within the cavity. The light intensities required within this model to explain the observed changes in the photon decay lifetimes are consistent with the light intensities expected within the cavity under our experimental conditions. It was also found that the slow diffusion of the molecules in static air can magnify the effect of photochemistry on UV CRDS trace detection of molecules with dissociative excited states.
Ethics in orthopaedic surgery and which research is to be believed

Sir, I read with interest the editorials by Benson et al[1][1] and Carr[2][2] in the November 2005 issue entitled ‘Ethics in orthopaedic surgery’ and ‘Which research is to be believed’? I would like to comment, since both deal with the subject of ethics in our profession. The presidents of
The time domain dyadic integral equation for the electromagnetic field

The purpose of this paper is to present a derivation of the free space time domain dyadic integral equation that includes both electric and magnetic current as well as the surface and volume electromagnetic fields. The lack of spatial symmetry in the dyadic Green's functions and the irreversibility of the Maxwell vector differential equation prove to be major hurdles.
Energy Efficient Transmission over Space Shift Keying Modulated MIMO Channels

Energy-efficient communication using a class of spatial modulation (SM) that encodes the source information entirely in the antenna indices is considered in this paper. The energy-efficient modulation design is formulated as a convex optimization problem, where minimum achievable average symbol power consumption is derived with rate, performance, and hardware constraints. The theoretical result bounds any modulation scheme of this class, and encompasses the existing space shift keying (SSK), generalized SSK (GSSK), and Hamming code-aided SSK (HSSK) schemes as special cases. The theoretical optimum is achieved by the proposed practical energy-efficient HSSK (EE-HSSK) scheme that incorporates a novel use of the Hamming code and Huffman code techniques in the alphabet and bit-mapping designs. Experimental studies demonstrate that EE-HSSK significantly outperforms existing schemes in achieving near-optimal energy efficiency. An analytical exposition of key properties of the existing GSSK (including SSK) modulation that motivates a fundamental consideration for the proposed energy-efficient modulation design is also provided.
Do treatment manuals undermine youth–therapist alliance in community clinical practice?

Objective: Some critics of treatment manuals have argued that their use may undermine the quality of the client–therapist alliance. This notion was tested in the context of youth psychotherapy delivered by therapists in community clinics. Method: Seventy-six clinically referred youths (57% female, age 8–15 years, 34% Caucasian) were randomly assigned to receive nonmanualized usual care or manual-guided treatment to address anxiety or depressive disorders. Treatment was provided in community clinics by clinic therapists randomly assigned to treatment condition. Youth–therapist alliance was measured with the Therapy Process Observational Coding System—Alliance (TPOCS–A) scale at 4 points throughout treatment and with the youth report Therapeutic Alliance Scale for Children (TASC) at the end of treatment. Results: Youths who received manual-guided treatment had significantly higher observerrated alliance than usual care youths early in treatment; the 2 groups converged over time, and mean observer-rated alliance did not differ by condition. Similarly, the manual-guided and usual care groups did not differ on youth report of alliance. Conclusions: Our findings did not support the contention that using manuals to guide treatment harms the youth–therapist alliance. In fact, use of manuals was related to a stronger alliance in the early phase of treatment.
Heat shock factor 1 over-expression protects against exposure of hydrophobic residues on mutant SOD1 and early mortality in a mouse model of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Mutations in the Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase gene (SOD1) are responsible for 20% of familial forms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and mutant SOD1 has been shown to have increased surface hydrophobicity in vitro. Mutant SOD1 may adopt a complex array of conformations with varying toxicity in vivo. We have used a novel florescence-based proteomic assay using 4,4’-bis-1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonate (bisANS) to assess the surface hydrophobicity, and thereby distinguish between different conformations, of SOD1and other proteins in situ. Covalent bisANS labeling of spinal cord extracts revealed that alterations in surface hydrophobicity of H46R/H48Q mutations in SOD1 provoke formation of high molecular weight SOD1 species with lowered solubility, likely due to increased exposure of hydrophobic surfaces. BisANS was docked on the H46R/H48Q SOD1 structure at the disordered copper binding and electrostatic loops of mutant SOD1, but not non-mutant WT SOD1. 16 non-SOD1 proteins were also identified that exhibited altered surface hydrophobicity in the H46R/H48Q mutant mouse model of ALS, including proteins involved in energy metabolism, cytoskeleton, signaling, and protein quality control. Heat shock proteins (HSPs) were also enriched in the detergent-insoluble fractions with SOD1. Given that chaperones recognize proteins with exposed hydrophobic surfaces as substrates and the importance of protein homeostasis in ALS, we crossed SOD1 H46R/H48Q mutant mice with mice over-expressing the heat shock factor 1 (HSF1) transcription factor. Here we showed that HSF1 over-expression in H46R/H48Q ALS mice enhanced proteostasis as evidenced by increased expression of HSPs in motor neurons and astrocytes and increased solubility of mutant SOD1. HSF1 over-expression significantly reduced body weight loss, delayed ALS disease onset, decreases cases of early disease, and increased survival for the 25th percentile in an H46R/H48Q SOD1 background. HSF1 overexpression did not affect macroautophagy in the ALS background, but was associated with maintenance of carboxyl terminus of Hsp70 interacting protein (CHIP) expression which declined in H46R/H48Q mice. Our results uncover the potential importance of changes in protein surface hydrophobicity of SOD1 and other non-SOD1 proteins in ALS, and how strategies that activate HSF1 are valid therapies for ALS and other age-associated proteinopathies.