cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Voltage-sensor movements describe slow inactivation of voltage-gated sodium channels II: A periodic paralysis mutation in NaV1.4 (L689I)

In skeletal muscle, slow inactivation (SI) of Na(V)1.4 voltage-gated sodium channels prevents spontaneous depolarization and fatigue. Inherited mutations in Na(V)1.4 that impair SI disrupt activity-induced regulation of channel availability and predispose patients to hyperkalemic periodic paralysis. In our companion paper in this issue (Silva and Goldstein. 2013. J. Gen. Physiol. http://dx.doi.org/10.1085/jgp.201210909), the four voltage sensors in Na(V)1.4 responsible for activation of channels over microseconds are shown to slowly immobilize over 1-160 s as SI develops and to regain mobility on recovery from SI. Individual sensor movements assessed via attached fluorescent probes are nonidentical in their voltage dependence, time course, and magnitude: DI and DII track SI onset, and DIII appears to reflect SI recovery. A causal link was inferred by tetrodotoxin (TTX) suppression of both SI onset and immobilization of DI and DII sensors. Here, the association of slow sensor immobilization and SI is verified by study of Na(V)1.4 channels with a hyperkalemic periodic paralysis mutation; L689I produces complex changes in SI, and these are found to manifest directly in altered sensor movements. L689I removes a component of SI with an intermediate time constant (~10 s); the mutation also impedes immobilization of the DI and DII sensors over the same time domain in support of direct mechanistic linkage. A model that recapitulates SI attributes responsibility for intermediate SI to DI and DII (10 s) and a slow component to DIII (100 s), which accounts for residual SI, not impeded by L689I or TTX.
Retrograde labeling reveals extensive distribution of genioglossal motoneurons possessing 5-HT2A receptors throughout the hypoglossal nucleus of adult dogs.

Abstract Inspiratory hypoglossal motoneurons (IHMNs) innervate the muscles of the tongue and play an important role in maintaining upper airway patency. However, this may be reduced during sleep and by sedatives, potent analgesics, and volatile anesthetics. The genioglossal (GG) muscle is the main protruder and depressor muscle of the tongue and contributes to upper airway patency during inspiration. In vitro data suggest that serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), via the 5-HT 2A receptor (5-HT 2A R) subtype, plays a key role in controlling the excitability of IHMNs. The distribution of GG motoneurons (GGMNs) within the hypoglossal (XII) nucleus has not been studied in the adult dog. Further, it is uncertain whether the 5-HT 2A R is located on GGMNs in the adult dog. We therefore used the cholera toxin B (CTB) subunit as a retrograde tracer to map the location of GGMNs in combination with immunofluorescent labeling to determine the presence and colocalization of 5-HT 2A R within the XII nucleus in adult mongrel dogs. Injection of CTB into the GG muscle resulted in retrogradely labeled cells in a compact column throughout the XII nucleus, extending from 0.75 mm caudal to 3.45 mm rostral to the obex. Fluorescence immunohistochemistry revealed extensive 5-HT 2A R labeling on CTB-labeled GGMNs. Identification of the 5-HT 2A R on GGMNs in the XII nucleus of the adult dog supports in vitro data and suggests a physiological role for this receptor subtype in controlling the excitability of GGMNs, which contribute to the maintenance of upper airway patency.
Generalized and generative thinking in US and Chinese students’ mathematical problem solving and problem posing

Abstract This study examined US and Chinese 6th grade students’ generalization skills in solving pattern-based problems, their generative thinking in problem posing, and the relationships between students’ performance on problem solving and problem posing tasks. Across the problem solving tasks, Chinese students had higher success rates than US students. The disparities appear to be related to students’ use of differing strategies. Chinese students tend to choose abstract strategies and symbolic representations while US students favor concrete strategies and drawing representations. If the analysis is limited to those students who used concrete strategies, the success rates between the two samples become almost identical. With regard to problem posing, the US and Chinese samples both produce problems of various types, though the types occur in differing sequences. Finally, this study revealed differential relationships between problem posing and problem solving for US and Chinese students. There was a much stronger link between problem solving and problem posing for the Chinese sample than there was for the US sample.
Total event structure in relativistic nuclear collisions

We report the first charged particle exclusive data for 425 MeV/nucleon. Ne on NaF in a triggered streamer chamber. Ratios of deuteron to proton and triton to proton production as functions of angle and multiplicity in the projectile rapidity region have been obtained. A total event analysis based on "rigidity flow" is also presented.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{20}\mathrm{Ne}$ (NaF), ${E}_{\mathrm{lab}}=425$ MeV/nucleon. Multiplicity dependence of $\frac{\ensuremath{\sigma}(d)}{\ensuremath{\sigma}(p)}$, $\frac{\ensuremath{\sigma}(t)}{\ensuremath{\sigma}(p)}$ measured. Full event analysis.
A longitudinal study of students' perceptions of using deep breathing meditation to reduce testing stresses.

Background: Stress can impact student performance. Yet few medical schools provide students with a consistent opportunity to develop and regularly practice stress-reduction techniques to aid them academically. Description: A curriculum component designed to assist 64 postbaccalaureate minority students in developing and practicing a stress-management technique was implemented on a regular basis from June 2004 to April 2006. Students participated in Deep Breathing Meditation exercises in two classes and completed pre-, post-, and follow-up surveys each academic year. Evaluation: Students reported having perceptions of decreased test anxiety, nervousness, self-doubt, and concentration loss, using the technique outside of the two classes, and believing it helped them academically and would help them as a physician. Conclusions: The Deep Breathing Meditation technique was successfully implemented each academic year, and it provided students with a promising solution for meeting challenging academic and profes...
Insoluble starch composite foams produced through microwave expansion.

An insoluble biocomposite composed of potato starch and chitosan was prepared by microwave treatment. The effect of pH on swelling (liquid absorption) behavior of the composites was investigated at pH 2, pH 6.8 and pH 12. Analysis revealed that the solution uptake ratio of composites depends both on the aqueous pH value and the content of the chitosan. Composites exhibited a relatively high swelling ratio at pH environments lower than the pKa of amine groups on chitosan (about 6.3). Glucose analysis by ion exchange chromatography showed that there was little hydrolysis of such composites at low pH. When immersed in the same pH solution, composites with higher chitosan content exhibited higher swelling ratios. The microstructure of composites produced was also investigated by FE-SEM.
Analytical model and molecular dynamics simulations of the size dependence of flow stress in amorphous intermetallic nanowires at temperatures near the glass transition

Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to compute the flow stress of amorphous metallic nanowires that are deformed at temperatures near the glass transition. The simulations predict a strong size dependence of flow stress and predict the existence of a critical wire radius that minimizes the flow stress. Examination of the cross sections of the wires shows evidence of significant free-volume nucleation and diffusion during straining. The MD results are interpreted using a simple analytical model that assumes that the wire deforms by a combination of viscous flow, together with a diffusional deformation process in which free volume is continuously nucleated in the interior of the wire, and subsequently diffuses to the surface. The predictions of the model are in good qualitative agreement with simulation results. The analytical model is used to estimate the critical wire dimensions where this diffusional mechanism is likely to replace viscous creep at time scales that are inaccessible using MD simulations.
Comparison of the Rate Capacities of LiFePO4 Cathode Materials

In this paper, the specific capacities as a function of discharge rate of over 40 different LiFePO 4 materials reported were reviewed and analyzed. The influence of synthesis route, particle size, doping, carbon coating, and conductive carbon loading on the rate performance was discussed. The capacity distribution of the existing LiFePO 4 materials over a wide discharge rate (0.1 - 60C) was constructed. Analysis of the experimental data indicates that carbon coating has a more significant effect in improving the rate performance as compared to doping and particle size reduction. With highly conductive carbon coating, some of the LiFePO 4 materials with a large particle size (150-300 nm) exhibited better performance than the materials of nanosize (30-100 nm). In terms of synthesis method, excellent high rate performance was achieved in the LiFePO 4 materials prepared by direct precipitation, sol-gel, polyol, and ballmilling techniques.
High-energy auger and medium-energy backscattered electron diffraction as a probe of ultra-thin epitaxial overlayers, sandwiches and superlattices

Abstract High-energy Auger and medium-energy backscattered electron diffraction are shown to be useful structural probes for ultra-thin epitaxial films. Coherent scattering of such electrons in the energy regime of 500 to 1000 eV leads to intensity modulations of the order of 50% in an angle-resolved measurement. These modulations are well accounted for by a straightforward kinematical scattering formalism in which trial geometries are employed and varied. Optimal agreement with experiment consistently results from a single geometry, leading to a unique solution to the structural problem. Atomic coordinates and elastic strain associated with lattice mismatch at the interface can be routinely determined with sub-Angstrom precision. Moreover, first layer morphology and structural rearrangement associated with intermixing can be monitored. We present results from the Cu Ni (001) , Co Ni (001) , Fe Cu (001) , Cu/Fe/Cu(001) and Fe GaAs (001) systems which illustrate these conclusions.
Abstract 571: Overactive Cdk2 permits polyploidy by overwhelming the tetraploidy checkpoint.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC The p53-dependent tetraploidy checkpoint serves to block the proliferation of cells that double their genome without dividing. Oftentimes, cancers will contain a tetraploid sub-population, indicating either an ability to bypass this checkpoint or that the checkpoint is no longer functional. In studying the chromosomal instability of tumor cell lines from mice with mammary expression of a constitutively active Cyclin D1-Cdk2 fusion protein (D1K2), we noticed an increased rate of polyploidization in the presence of the spindle-poison paclitaxel. This was recapitulated in an MCF10A cell line model, and it was discovered that this is due to the inability of the tetraploidy checkpoint to completely stop DNA replication in tetraploid cells with constitutively active Cdk2. Biochemical analysis shows that tetraploid cells expressing D1K2 maintain Rb phosphorylation longer than tetraploid control cells, matching the phenotype seen in cells that have p53 stably knocked down. Further DNA replication, yielding octaploid cells, appears to further intensify the tetraploidy checkpoint, arresting the cells. Due to the fact that approximately 50% of all breast cancers overexpress Cyclin D, these observations raise intriguing questions about the treatment of tumors with overactive Cdk2. While it appears these tetraploid MCF10A cells are unviable, we can not account for other mutations that may exist in vivo and allow the proliferation of a chromosomally unstable tetraploid tumor population. Citation Format: Stephan Jahn, Patrick Corsino, Mary Law, Brad Davis, Brian Law. Overactive Cdk2 permits polyploidy by overwhelming the tetraploidy checkpoint. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 571. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-571
Making the Most of Job Assignments: An Exercise in Planning for Learning

This article contains an exercise in planning to learn from job assignments derived from a recent study and the literature on self-directed learning. It proposes a frame-work and a process intended to help students who are managers and professionals view, plan, and analyze their job assignments using the lens of learning. As such, it enables them to become architects of their own development in a conscious, proac-tive way.
Extrusion Roller Imprinting with a Variotherm Belt Mold

Although many precision fabrication techniques have demonstrated the ability to produce microstructures and micro-devices with sub 100 nm accuracy, we are yet to see a scalable manufacturing process for large-area production. One promising solution to scalable micro- and nanofabrication is thermal roller imprinting. However, existing investigations on thermal roller imprinting revealed poor pattern transfer fidelity, especially for high aspect ratio features. The standard roller imprinting process suffers from the lack of an effective holding and cooling stage so that the adverse effects from the viscoelastic nature of polymers are not managed. To rectify this problem and further improve the production rate, a new extrusion roller imprinting process with a variotherm belt mold is designed, and its prototype was established at a laboratory scale. The process testing results demonstrate that a 30 μm sawtooth pattern can be faithfully transferred to extruded polyethylene film at take-up speeds higher than 10 m/min. The results are promising in that microfeatures or even nanofeatures may be successfully replicated by a robust and scalable industrial process suitable for large-area, continuous production.
Reported family history of cancer in 1,271 prostate cancer cases and 1,909 controls

Abstract Prostate cancer risk has been associated with a family history of the disease. A two- to three-fold increase in risk has been observed in several studies. Details concerning modification of this risk by age, type of familial history of prostate cancer, and possible involvement of history of cancer at other sites have been less well documented. This case-control study of 1,271 prostate cancer patients and 1,909 control subjects admitted to Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY, found age-adjusted increased risk associated with reporting a history of prostate cancer in a father (RR = 2.3, 95% Cl 1.4−3.3) or brother (RR = 2.5, 95% Cl 1.6−3.9). Subjects with both a father and brother affected had a 6.5-fold (95% Cl 1.4–30.5) increased risk of prostate cancer. Greater risk were observed at younger ages of diagnosis. Risks associated with reporting a father or a brother affected were not significantly elevated for patients over age 70 at diagnosis. No significant differences in patients reporting histories of cancer other than prostate cancer were observed regardless of relationship, age at diagnosis, or type of cancer examined. These observations from a large cancer patient population may be useful when making recommendations for cost-effective prostate cancer screening and for directing investigators to the potentially most informative subjects.
NMR studies and rotational isomerism in fluorinated esters

Abstract The 1 H and 19 F NMR spectra of methyl mono-, di-, and trifluoroacetates have been studied in various solvents. From the solvent-dependence of the spectra, it has been established that the magnitude of the geminal H-F coupling depends on the orientation of the CHF grouping relative to the adjacent carbonyl group. The long-range H-F couplings are largest when fluorine eclipses the carbonyl group, similar to the situation observed for H-H couplings, and are probably positive. Both protons and fluorines in a-fluoroesters absorb at lower field when they are oriented gauche to the carbonyl group than when they eclipse it.
On statistical inference on the mean-variance efficient set

A proof of the asymptotic distribution of the estimated mean-variance frontier is given. A Bayesian prediction interval is derived for the capital asset pricing model. Numerical illustrations show that the prediction intervals for the CAPM are smaller than those for the constant mean model, if the fit of the CAPM is better than that of the constant mean model.
Feasibility Study of Film Source Coupling Transpiration and a Row of Cylindrical Film Holes

The present study assesses the performance of a film cooling source, composed of a segment of permeable wallinstalled near a row of cylindrical film holes. Coolant is introduced through both the permeable wall and the film holes resulting in a downstream film composed of both transpired and discretely injected coolant. The aerodynamic performance and cooling downstream of this coupled sourceare studied analytically, experimentally andnumerically. The sensitivity of transpiration blowing ratio, discrete hole blowing ratio, discrete hole pitch, transpiration slot width, and the relative positioning of the two sources on these global parameters of interest is the end result. The analytical results are used to get a basic understanding of the issue and design the test matrix for the numerical study. A range of design parameters are studied numerically in a Box-Behnken test matrix to yield global results which are then combined into one parameter, β. A second order response surface of the parameter βallows for a more complete understanding of the coupled source. This numerical analysis is compared with experimental results from two different coupled sources in order to assess the predictions. The results indicate that coupling of the two sources allows a more efficient use of coolant by generating a more uniform initial film. One coupled case in particular shows a 170% increase in cooling over the baseline cylindrical row, a 22% reduction in aerodynamic losses over the baseline transpiration source, all with a 51% reduction in mass flow as compared with the same cylindrical row baseline. Further study and optimization will allow this technique to provide more effective thermal protection at a lower cost of aerodynamic losses and spent coolant.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
A null model of morphospace occupation.

Abstract: Progress in understanding the relationship between lineage diversity, morphological diversity, and morphospace dynamics has been hampered by the lack of an appropriate null model of morphospace occupation. In this article, we introduce a simple class of models based on branching random walks (BRWs) for continuous traits. We show that many of the observed patterns of morphospace occupation might be simply a consequence of the dynamics of BRWs and therefore might not require special explanations. We also provide expected patterns of morphospace occupation according to a number of different conditions. In particular, we model BRWs on neutral landscapes and demonstrate that clumping in morphospace is possible even in the absence of adaptive landscapes with well‐defined peaks and valleys. The quantitative definition of the BRW provides a means to analyze, both computationally and analytically, patterns of morphospace occupation according to different hypotheses.
A measure of the economic benefits of tobacco production to the state of South Carolina

Social cost of smoking has created much controversy regarding tobacco consumption. Information on distributional implications of legislations that restrict cigarette consumption are important for assessing new policies. Estimates of the benefits of tobacco to alternative sectors of the South Carolina economy are highly dependent upon assumptions made concerning the opportunity costs of resources used for tobacco production. Results show that the contribution of tobacco to farm income, hired-labor employment, and gross output of the economy are large. Benefits of tobacco production are reduced, however, if a new product can be produced on resources used for tobacco.
CD40 interacts directly with RAG1 and RAG2 in autoaggressive T cells and Fas prevents CD40-induced RAG expression.

CD4+ T cells expressing CD40 (Th40 cells) constitute a pathogenic T-cell subset that is necessary and sufficient to transfer autoimmune disease. We have previously demonstrated that CD40 signals peripheral Th40 cells to induce RAG1 and RAG2 expression, proteins necessary for the expression of T-cell receptor (TCR), leading to TCR revision. The dependency of TCR expression in the thymus on RAG proteins has long been known. However, despite numerous publications, there is controversy as to whether TCR expression can be altered in the periphery, post-thymic selective pressures. Therefore, a better understanding of TCR expression in primary peripheral cells is needed. We now show that the CD40 protein itself interacts with RAG1 and RAG2 as well as with Ku70 and translocates to the nucleus in Th40 cells. This indicates that the CD40 molecule is closely involved in the mechanism of TCR expression in the periphery. In addition, Fas signals act as a silencing mechanism for CD40-induced RAGs and prevent CD40 translocation to the nucleus. It will be important to further understand the involvement of CD40 in peripheral TCR expression and how TCR revision impacts auto-antigen recognition in order to effectively target and tolerize autoaggressive T cells in autoimmune disease.
Effect of Age on the Expression of Pex ( Phex ) in the Mouse

Pex is a newly discovered gene (also called Phex) whose mutation is the cause of X-linked hypophosphatemia. Other members of this gene family encode endopeptidases that activate or inactivate endocrine and paracrine factors. Though embryonic bone expresses mRNA for the Pex gene at relatively high levels, we have found Pex expression to be widespread in adult organs and to be poorly expressed in adult bone. This led to the hypothesis that Pex mRNA expression changes with age. To test this, genetically normal mice of the B6C3H hybrid strain were studied at 0 (newborn), 2, 3, 10, and 72 weeks of age. Organs known to express Pex were collected, and RNA was extracted from them. Following reverse transcription, cDNA was amplified by the polymerase chain reaction with primers for Pex and G3PDH, a housekeeping gene. The amplimers were separated by electrophoresis, blotted onto nylon membranes, and hybridized with radioactively labeled internal oligonucleotide probes. The radioactivity was quantified, and the data were analyzed as the Pex/G3PDH ratio. The brain samples had high levels of Pex mRNA expression that rose slightly with age. Calvaria, kidney, and lung samples had the highest Pex mRNA expression at birth. In these organs Pex mRNA expression fell with age to undetectable or barely detectable levels. Thymus, heart, and skeletal muscle samples had low Pex mRNA expression at birth that did not change with age. Some organs showed a decline in G3PDH levels with age, but Pex expression decreased more, leading to a reduced Pex/G3PDH ratio. The widespread expression of mRNA for Pex suggests a role beyond that of phosphate homeostasis. The high level of expression in newborn animals suggests a role in growth and development. This seems to occur in addition to its role for the endocrine regulation of phosphate homeostasis by as yet unknown humoral agents that must occur throughout life. In summary, Pex mRNA expression is high in brain and bone at birth. Expression remains high in brain with age but falls with age in bone, kidney, and lung.
Renal artery stenting using gadodiamide arteriography in patients with baseline renal insufficiency.

PURPOSE To investigate whether a contrast agent containing gadodiamide can reduce the incidence of contrast-induced nephropathy associated with renal artery stenting in patients with preexisting renal insufficiency. METHODS Between 1999 and 2002, gadodiamide-based arteriography was used in 20 patients (12 men; mean age 69 years) with significant baseline renal insufficiency (creatinine > or =1.7 mg/dL) undergoing renal artery stenting for > or =70% stenoses in 25 renal arteries. Baseline creatinine levels were compared to postprocedure and midterm follow-up levels. RESULTS Procedural success was 100%. An average of 74 mL of gadodiamide contrast was used per case. Four patients received an additional 30 mL (mean) of iodinated contrast due to poor image quality with gadodiamide alone. There was no significant change in mean creatinine levels at discharge (2.9 mg/dL) compared to baseline (3.0 mg/dL, p=0.72). At midterm follow-up, mean creatinine levels (2.4 mg/dL) were significantly lower compared to baseline (p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS Gadodiamide-based arteriography can be effectively used during RAS in patients with baseline renal insufficiency. This technique may enhance the renal-protective effect of renal artery stenting in this high-risk population with renal artery stenosis.
Reply to ‘Comment on “Four-body charge transfer processes in proton helium collisions”’

Houamer and Popov have performed a first Born approximation calculation (FBA) for TTE (charge transfer with target excitation) for 300 keV proton–helium collisions. Their results are in reasonable agreement with the absolute measurements of Schoffler (2006 PhD thesis, University of Frankfurt am Main) whereas our FBA results yielded the shape of the experimental data reasonably well (except for small scattering angles) but with a magnitude that was a factor of 144 larger than experiment. Consequently, Houamer and Popov conclude that our results must have huge numerical errors. We have extensively tested our codes and we do not find any evidence to support this claim.
Broadband and narrow band light coupling for QWIPs

Abstract In this work, we will present a detailed study on the corrugated coupling scheme, which uses optical reflection at the angled sidewalls. In particular, we have investigated, both theoretically and experimentally, corrugated quantum well infrared photodetectors (QWIPs) with different cover materials over a wide range of spectral regime. We found that the coupling is insensitive to the wavelength but depends strongly on the optical properties of the cover material. We will also present the results of C-QWIP focal plane arrays (FPA) characterized so far. An important advantage of the corrugated coupling is its scalability to small pixel size. Based on one corrugation per pixel geometry, we have fabricated a 1024 × 1024 C-QWIP FPA with 99.5% connectivity. With the corrugated coupling geometry, many application restrictions on QWIPs can be eliminated. We will further show that the lack of normal incident absorption in QWIPs can actually be an advantage. It allows one to manipulate the absorption characteristics of QWIPs through different optical coupling structures and creates new detector functionality. The present example is an infrared spectrometer. It consists of a linear array of quantum grid infrared photodetector (QGIP) elements. Each QGIP element shares the same QWIP material but has different grid geometry. The QWIP is made of broadband materials such as the binary superlattices to give an extremely broadband (∼10 μm) absorption. The structure of the grid, on the other hand, determines the specific wavelength to detect at each detector element in the array. In the QGIP spectrometer, detectors with different line widths will detect different wavelengths simultaneously, thus yielding the emission spectrum of an object. A collection of QGIP spectrometers can form an adaptive FPA.
Granulomatous moniliasis resembling blastomycosis (Cilchrist's disease)

A granulomatous lesion of the wrist caused byMonilia (Candida) albicans is presented. The case is unusual because of the following: 1. It resembled blastomycosis (Gilchrist's disease) sufficiently to be so diagnosed by many dermatologists. 2. In spite of the fact that the organism was isolated on three occasions, the fungus was observed with difficulty in smears. 3. Microscopically, sections of tissue had many of the characteristics of blastomycosis. The typical blastomycetes were not seen. 4. Repeated examination of sections of tissue finally revealed a characteristic, budding organism in a histiocyte in a section stained with methylene blue and eosin. Faintly stained budding cells were found in hematoxylin and eosin stained sections, also in histiocytes. 5. The lesion responded with some scar formation but with peripheral extension in spite of the varied and continued treatment.
Some aspects of Riesz multimorphisms

Abstract We study the behavior of Riesz multimorphisms on Archimedean f -algebras with unit element and focus on their different multiplicative aspects.
Unlearning as a function of second-list error instructions

The purpose of this study was to determine whether second-list error rate is related to the magnitude of the unlearning effect in the A-C paradigm. Two types of instructions were designed to change the error rate, instructions for maximizing or minimizing guessing and instructions requesting List-1 recall when S was unable to give the correct List-2 response. Although these instructions were highly successful in modifying second-list error rate, List-2 learning and List-1 recall were virtually unchanged. These results suggest that the critical variable is the total number of error tendencies (overt and covert) and that changes in the overt error rate merely reflect changes in the overt/covert ratio and not changes in the number of these tendencies.
Instrument for sampling and measuring bile flow.

The electronic circuitry and mechanics of an apparatus capable of collecting any given percentage of bile while simultaneously returning the remainder to the experimental animal is described in detail. The importance of this apparatus in studying the enterohepatic circulation of bile in the intact animal is discussed.
A repartitioning hypergraph model for dynamic load balancing

In parallel adaptive applications, the computational structure of the applications changes over time, leading to load imbalances even though the initial load distributions were balanced. To restore balance and to keep communication volume low in further iterations of the applications, dynamic load balancing (repartitioning) of the changed computational structure is required. Repartitioning differs from static load balancing (partitioning) due to the additional requirement of minimizing migration cost to move data from an existing partition to a new partition. In this paper, we present a novel repartitioning hypergraph model for dynamic load balancing that accounts for both communication volume in the application and migration cost to move data, in order to minimize the overall cost. The use of a hypergraph-based model allows us to accurately model communication costs rather than approximate them with graph-based models. We show that the new model can be realized using hypergraph partitioning with fixed vertices and describe our parallel multilevel implementation within the Zoltan load balancing toolkit. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first implementation for dynamic load balancing based on hypergraph partitioning. To demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach, we conducted experiments on a Linux cluster with 1024 processors. The results show that, in terms of reducing total cost, our new model compares favorably to the graph-based dynamic load balancing approaches, and multilevel approaches improve the repartitioning quality significantly.
Endoscopic decompression for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction

Abstract Background: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction is often treated by colonoscopic decompression. Efficacy, safety, and outcome of endoscopic decompression was assessed. Methods: Colonoscopic decompressions from 1988 to 1994 were reviewed. Resolution without further endoscopic intervention was defined as clinical success. Results: Acute colonic pseudo-obstruction was diagnosed in 50 patients. Thirty-three cases followed surgery or trauma and 17 developed during severe medical illness. Orthopedic joint surgery was most common. Nineteen of 50 patients (38%) had severe underlying medical disease. Forty-one patients (82%) had one colonoscopic decompression with clinical success in 39 (95%). Nine patients (18%) required multiple (2 to 4) colonoscopic decompressions with clinical success in 5 (56%). A decompression tube positioned in the right colon (57%) and in the transverse colon (33%) had similar clinical success. In 8 procedures a decompression tube was not placed, with poor clinical success (25%). The overall clinical success of colonoscopic decompression was 88% (44 of 50). An endoscopic perforation occurred in 1 patient (2%). Overall hospital mortality was 30%. Conclusions: Colonoscopic decompression is effective and safe for acute colonic pseudo-obstruction that does not respond to conservative therapy. Most patients will respond to one colonoscopic decompression with decompression tube placement. Complete colonoscopy and cecal tube placement is unnecessary. (Gastrointest Endosc 1996;44:144-50.)
Isolation of Flower-inducing and Flower-inhibitory Factors from Aphid Honeydew

The aphid Dactynotus ambrosiae Thomas has been allowed to feed on vegetative or flowering plants of the short-day plant Xanthium strumarium L., and the honeydew which they produce is extracted and tested for an effect on flowering using the long-day plant Lemna gibba L., strain G3 for the bioassay. One zone of flower-inducing activity and at least two zones of flower-inhibitory activity are consistently obtained from the honeydew extracts. The levels of flower-inducing and flower-inhibitory activity are not demonstrably different in vegetative and flowering honeydew. The honeydew extracts are inactive on Xanthium but do give some flower induction with the short-day plant Lemna perpusilla Torr., strain 6746. The flower-inducing activity is clearly of plant origin and is present in the phloem since the same active material can be obtained from vegetative or flowering Xanthium by methanol extraction, and honeydew produced by aphids feeding on a chemically defined synthetic diet is completely without flower-inducing activity. This is the first report of successful flower induction in the long-day plant L. gibba G3 by some means other than long-day treatment.
Open Plans of a Multi-Functional, Low Cost Fluorescence Microscope for Teaching and Research

The specialized functionality and high cost of commercial quality optical microscopes can be a significant barrier to teaching/research laboratories with constrained resources. In order to address these broader needs, as well as to meet specific biophysics imaging needs in our lab, we have designed an economical, multifunctional microscope. This microscope, called the SwingScope, combines functions traditionally fulfilled by two separate fluorescence microscopes, one upright and one inverted. It utilizes commercially available optical components and requires less than one day for an undergraduate student to assemble. The cost of the microscope components/software is less than $10k, which is an order of magnitude cheaper than an upright and an inverted commercial fluorescence microscope. The detailed plans and component lists will be made available as free documents, and the system is open-source whenever possible (ImageJ, µManager, Arduino). Additionally the Swingscope can rotate 180 degrees around the sample, enabling contact-angle measurements as well as 3D reconstruction techniques. We have used the SwingScope to measure dynamics of single supported phospholipid bilayers (1% fluorescence), and preliminary point-spread functions indicate a 2µm resolution at 10x magnification. In addition to its research applications, we are exploring its assembly and use as a teaching laboratory experiment for undergraduates.
Towards evaluating recovery strategies for situated grounding problems in human-robot dialogue

Robots can use information from their surroundings to improve spoken language communication with people. Even when speech recognition is correct, robots face challenges when interpreting human instructions. These situated grounding problems include referential ambiguities and impossible-to-execute instructions. We present an approach to resolving situated grounding problems through spoken dialogue recovery strategies that robots can invoke to repair these problems. We describe a method for evaluating these strategies in human-robot navigation scenarios.
Molecular dynamics studies of displacement cascades

Molecular-dynamics simulations of cascades in Cu and Ni with primary-knock-on energies up to 5 keV and lattice temperatures in the range 0 K--700 K are described. Interatomic forces were represented by either the Gibson II (Cu) or Johnson-Erginsoy (Ni) potentials in most of this work, although some simulations using Embedded Atom Method'' potentials, e.g., for threshold events in Ni{sub 3}Al, are also presented. The results indicate that the primary state of damage produced by displacement cascades is controlled by two phenomena, replacement collision sequences during the collisional phase of the cascade and local melting during the thermal spike. As expected, the collisional phase is rather similar in Cu and Ni, however, the thermal spike is of longer duration and has a more pronounced influence in Cu than Ni. When the ambient temperature of the lattice is increased, the melt zones are observed to both increase in size and cool more slowly. This has the effect of reducing defect production and enhancing atomic mixing and disordering. The implications of these results for defect production, cascade collapse, atomic disordering will be discussed. 34 refs., 7 figs., 2 tabs.
The hominoid-specific oncogene TBC1D3 activates Ras and modulates epidermal growth factor receptor signaling and trafficking.

Hominoid- and human-specific genes may have evolved to modulate signaling pathways of a higher order of complexity. TBC1D3 is a hominoid-specific oncogene encoded by a cluster of eight paralogs on chromosome 17. Initial work indicates that TBC1D3 is widely expressed in human tissues (Hodzic, D., Kong, C., Wainszelbaum, M. J., Charron, A. J., Su, X., and Stahl, P. D. (2006 Genomics 88, 731-736). In this study, we show that TBC1D3 expression has a powerful effect on cell proliferation that is further enhanced by epidermal growth factor (EGF) in both human and mouse cell lines. EGF activation of the Erk and protein kinase B/Akt pathways is enhanced, both in amplitude and duration, by TBC1D3 expression, whereas RNA interference silencing of TBC1D3 suppresses the activation. Light microscopy and Western blot experiments demonstrate that increased signaling in response to EGF is coupled with a significant delay in EGF receptor (EGFR) trafficking and degradation, which significantly extends the life span of EGFR. Moreover, TBC1D3 suppresses polyubiquitination of the EGFR and the recruitment of c-Cbl. Using the Ras binding domain of Raf1 to monitor GTP-Ras we show that TBC1D3 expression enhances Ras activation in quiescent cells, which is further increased by EGF treatment. We speculate that TBC1D3 may alter Ras GTP loading. We conclude that the expression of TBC1D3 generates a delay in EGFR degradation, a decrease in ubiquitination, and a failure to recruit adapter proteins that ultimately dysregulate EGFR signal transduction and enhance cell proliferation. Altered growth factor receptor trafficking and GTP-Ras turnover may be sites where recently evolved genes such as TBC1D3 selectively modulate signaling in hominoids and humans.
Potholes on the Path to Purity: Gideon Yaffe’s Overly Ambitious Attempt to Account for Criminal Attempts

Gideon Yaffe’s “subjectivism about attempts” rest on the Transfer Principle: “If a particular form of conduct is legitimately criminalized, then the attempt to engage in that form of conduct is also legitimately criminalized.” From the perspective of a moral concern with culpability, this principle seems to get to the heart of the matter: the true essence of what is wrong with attempting to commit a crime. Unfortunately, Yaffe’s argument for the Transfer Principle is based on an equivocation and therefore logically unsound. The moral core of the Principle is still sound, but we can’t tell from Yaffe’s book how far that principle would take us in the criminal law.
Oligonucleotides designed to inhibit TLR9 block Herpes simplex virus type 1 infection at multiple steps.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is an important human pathogen which requires activation of nuclear factor–kappa B (NFκB) during its replication cycle. The persistent nature of HSV-1 infection, and the emergence of drug-resistant strains, highlights the importance of research to develop new antiviral agents. Toll-like receptors (TLR) play a prominent role during the early antiviral response by recognizing viral nucleic acid and gene products, activating NFκB, and stimulating the production of inflammatory cytokines. We demonstrate a significant effect on HSV-1 replication in ARPE-19 and Vero cells when oligonucleotides designed to inhibit TLR9 are added 2 hours prior to infection. A greater than 90% reduction in the yield of infectious virus was achieved at oligonucleotide concentrations of 10 to 20 micromolar. TLR9 inhibitory oligonucleotides prevented expression of essential immediate early herpes gene products as determined by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western blotting. TLR9 oligonucleotides also interfered with viral attachment and entry. A TLR9 inhibitory oligonucleotide containing five adjacent guanosine residues (G-ODN) exhibited virucidal activity and inhibited HSV-1 replication when added post-infection. The antiviral effect of the TLR9 inhibitory oligonucleotides did not depend on the presence of TLR9 protein, suggesting a mechanism of inhibition that is not TLR9 specific. TLR9 inhibitory oligonucleotides also reduced NFκB activity in nuclear extracts. Studies using these TLR inhibitors in the context of viral infection should be interpreted with caution.
Selective versus comprehensive neck dissection after chemoradiation for advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether a comprehensive neck dissection (CND) or a selective neck dissection (SND) is indicated as planned post–primary chemoradiation treatment (CRT) for patients with advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).STUDY DESIGN: Case series with chart review.SETTING: A community teaching hospital.SUBJECTS: Patients with advanced OPSCC who received a uniform CRT protocol at Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC).METHODS: Medical records of patients treated with primary CRT for locoregionally advanced OPSCC at GBMC between 2001 and 2007 were reviewed. All patients received 7000 to 7500, 6000, and 5000 cGy to primary disease sites, involved cervical lymphatics, and uninvolved cervical and supraclavicular lymphatics, respectively, with concomitant cisplatin (12 mg/m2/1 h) and 5-fluorouracil (600 mg/m2/20 h) given on days one through five and 29 through 33.RESULTS: Seventy-six patients received CRT, and 41 met the criteria for neck dissection. Forty-eight neck dissections were...
Heart-beat frequency curves. A mathematical model

Abstract A mathematical model of the exercise and recovery phases of heart-beat frequency curves is described. The model is checked against data obtained from eight subjects who were submitted to nine tests each. The work load varied from 60 to 180 Watts and the duration of exercise from 3 to 10 2 3 minutes. The results show that the model fits the data well. Results during the recovery phase show that the model developed in this study fits the data better than an exponential model. These results also indicate that the parameters of the model for the exercise phase may be useful as criteria for a functional classification of cardiovascular performance. The recovery rate of the heart-beat frequency curse at submaximal work loads seems to be affected by the rate of work and to a lesser extent by the duration of exercise. The data suggest that under exhaustive conditions the time to recover the heart-beat frequency prior to exercise converges to the same value for all individuals.
Copper dissociation from estuarine humic materials

Dissolved humic material from three locations on the Ogeechee River Estuary near Savannah, GA, was ultrafiltered into three size fractions and used for kinetic experiments with Cu(II). A Cu(II)-humic mixture was reacted with a colorimetric reagent for Cu(II) and absorbance observed from 50 msec to at least 1835 sec corresponding to rate constants from 0.001–40 sec−1. The apparent dissociation rate constants were distributed over a wide range, with most bound Cu(II) having k > 1 sec−1 (t12 < 0.7 sec). Nearly all the variation seen in the kinetic distribution was among size fractions; as size fraction decreased, the distribution of bound Cu(II) shifted to larger rate constants. Location of sampling stations on the estuary had little effect on results.
Influence of Amino-Acids on Actinomycin Biosynthesis

A NUMBER of nutritional and cultural factors have been shown to influence the qualitative and quantitative nature of the actinomycin mixture produced by a given Streptomyces 1–5. In particular, the nitrogen source supplied may affect the composition of the complex formed5. Generally, it has been possible to change the proportion of any particular component in a natural mixture to a limited degree; in a few instances, however, a component normally produced in small amounts may increase to the extent that it represents the major constituent of an actinomycin complex. For example, we have observed6 that actinomycin-V was the major component in the actinomycin mixture produced by Streptomyces antibioticus when L-threonine was sole nitrogen source, whereas actinomycin-IV represented the main constituent when L-glutamic acid was employed3. Schmidt-Kastner has shown that actinomycin-IV (C1) increased from 10 to 83 per cent of the actinomycin mixture formed by S. chrysomallus when 0.5 per cent DL-valine was added to a glycerol–nitrate medium5.
Activation of phospholipase D following perturbation of the human T lymphocyte antigen receptor/CD3 complex is dependent upon protein kinase C

Abstract Perturbation of the T lymphocyte antigen receptor/CD3 complex or phorbol ester stimulation leads to activation of phospholipase D in the Jurkat T lymphocyte cell line. These observations suggested that phospholipase D activation might result from activation of protein kinase C. In other systems, phospholipase D activity has been shown to be under G-protein or protein kinase C control. Studies detailed here demonstrate that commonly used inhibitors of protein kinase C had unrelated, diverse effecfs on phospholipase D activity in T lymphocytes. However, protein kinase C down-regulation resulting from prolonged cellular exposure to phorbol esters led to abrogation of anti-CD3-stimulated phospholipase D activation. The results presented underline the complexity of studies employing inhibitors of protein kinase C, suggest interesting approaches to isolation of phospholipase D dependent signalling pathways, confirm that T cell antigen receptor-linked activation of phospholipase D is dependent upon protein kinase C activity and suggest that distant events of T lymphocyte activation are dependent upon the establishment of a positive feedback loop involving protein kinase C and phospholipase D which would result in the prolonged activation of protein kinase C required for certain lymphokine production.
`Maniatis' for cell biologists

Abstract Cells, A Laboratory Manual edited by David L. Spector, Robert D. Goldman and Leslie Leinwand, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, 1998. $250.00 (2136 pages, three-book set) ISBN 0 87969 521 8