cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Impact of State Legislative Term Limits on the Competitiveness of Congressional Elections

This study examines the impact of state legislative term limits on the candidacy decisions of challengers in U.S. House elections. Using data from 1996 to 2006, the authors show that the impact of term limits is mitigated by local political factors, such as an incumbent’s election margin. The larger the incumbent’s previous electoral margin, the lower the likelihood of facing a quality challenger. The authors also identify an unanticipated consequence of term limits: In incumbent races, term limits can generate a substitution effect; as termed out state legislators enter elections, other quality challengers from the same party stay out of the race, as they are unwilling to face a primary in addition to a general election fight. As a result, the increased number of termed out state legislators who seek Congressional office are offset by the reduced number of other quality challengers from nonlegislative offices, resulting in minimally more competitive Congressional elections.
The physics of determining chip reliability

We have indicated the necessity for using statistical models to determine the reliability of deep-submicron MOSFETs. We have presented a methodology by which the reliability can be determined from short-time tests if the defect generation statistics are linked to variations in defect activation energies. We have shown that enhanced latent failures follow from our model for deep-submicron MOSFETs. Therefore, more stringent reliability standards are required, which can be validated by the use of short-time tests. Our model provides the means to calculate these novel reliability demands quantitatively.
In adult ALL, less is now more

Comment on Bruggemann et al, page [1116][1] Most adults with ALL achieve a CR but then relapse from clinically inapparent MRD. The ability to predict who will relapse while still in a minimal disease state has important clinical implications. In this issue of Blood, Bruggemann and colleagues
Radio frequency ablation of small renal tumors:: intermediate results.

ABSTRACTPurpose: With evolving radio frequency technology, the clinical application of radio frequency ablation (RFA) has been actively investigated in the treatment for small renal tumors. We present our intermediate patient outcomes after RFA.Materials and Methods: Since January 2001, 17 patients with a total of 24 hereditary renal tumors ranging from 1.2 to 2.85 cm were treated with RFA using the 200 W Cool-tip RF System (Radionics, Burlington, Massachusetts) under laparoscopic (9) or percutaneous (8) guidance and had a minimum 1-year followup. A percutaneous approach was considered unsuitable if kidney tumors were contiguous to bowel, ureter or large vessels. Treatment eligibility criteria included an average tumor diameter of less than 3.0 cm, tumor growth during 1 year and solid appearance with contrast enhancement (HU change greater than 20) on computerized tomography (CT). Postoperative followup consisted of CT with and without intravenous contrast, and renal function assessment at regular interva...
Circulating parathyroid hormone activity: familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia versus typical primary hyperparathyroidism.

Three indices of circulating parathyroid hormone (PTH) activity were compared between two groups: the first a group of 23 patients from three large kindreds with autosomal dominant hypercalcemia without hypercalciuria [familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH)] and the second a group of 64 patients with typical primary hyperparathyroidism (1HPT) manifesting comparable hypercalcemia. The group with 1HPT differed from normal with respect to plasma PTH concentration (normal, <0.2 ng/ml), urinary cAMP excretion per 100 ml glomerular filtrate (Ucamp/GF) (normal, 2.3 ×/+0.6 nmol/100 ml glomerular filtrate; mean, ×/+1 sd), and renal tubular maximum of phosphate transport corrected for glomerular filtration rate (TmP/GFR; normal, 3.4 ± 0.4 mg/dl; mean, ±1 sd). The group with 1HPT also diverged significantly from the group with FHH for all three indices: for PTH, 0.37 ×/÷.48 vs. 0.25 ×/÷.46 (P < 0.05); for Ucamp/GF, 4.3 ×/÷.53 vs. 2.6 ×/÷60 (P < 0.0005); and for TMP/GFR, 2.0 ± 0.6 vs. 2.6 ± 0.7 (P < 0.01). The be...
Mobile Security Using Separated Deep Packet Inspection

To improve mobile security and preserve the scarce resources of power and processor capabilities of these clients, this research presents a unique design and proof-of-concept implementation of a hardware-based intrusion protection system module that provides external deep packet inspection server-like security. As a result, the detection and prevention of application-layer-attacks as well as a wide variety of others do not reach the user's mobile device (or desktop) without an appreciable degradation in performance.
MO-A-T-6B-01: Proton Beam Radiotherapy — The State of the Art

The number of proton therapy centers has doubled every 10 years since the beginning of proton therapy in 1954. Today there are 22 proton centers in clinical operation worldwide. In the past 5 years proton and heavy charged particle therapy have received a particular boost in Japan and in Europe, but also in the USA, where there will soon be 5 clinical proton therapy centers. The increased interest in and application of proton therapy motivates this continuing education course. We assume that the audience has a basic understanding of the principles of protonradiotherapy but we will refresh memories by giving a brief review of the principles. The main purpose of the course is to give an update of relatively recent developments in proton beam radiotherapy. The first part of the presentation will deal with the rationale of proton therapy. We will give a brief summary of the physical characteristics of proton‐tissue interactions leading to the typical Bragg peak. We will review recent clinical studies describing the application of protons to new treatment sites, and compare protons with other treatment modalities. The radio‐biological effectiveness (RBE) of proton therapy will be addressed next. In‐vivo and in‐vitro experiments to determine the RBE will be summarized. The proton RBE will also be compared to the RBE of carbon ions. Next, we will discuss technological aspects proton therapy, starting with beam shaping devices in the “nozzle”. We will review passive double scattering approaches such as the ones integrated in the NPTC and Loma Linda facilities. We will also review active pencil beam scanning techniques. The use of rotating gantries will be contrasted with fixed beamlines. We will then talk about cyclotrons vs. synchrotrons for proton acceleration. The clinical workflow will be presented for the Northeast Proton Therapy Center (NPTC) in Boston as an example. In this context, we will specifically address important questions of patient setup and immobilization. Recent studies on economical aspects and cost per treatment will be discussed as well. That protons beams stop in matter is their unique advantage (compared to conventional radiotherapy), but this also poses a challenge for protontreatment planning because the stopping position is somewhat uncertain. If possible, beam angles are selected that avoid stopping protons proximal to critical structures. In other cases “patch fields” are used. How protons are affected by organ motion and how the effects can be reduced will also be discussed. Finally, the potential of intensity‐modulated proton therapy in making treatment plans more conformal and more robust will be presented. Educational objectives 1. To be able to put the physical and clinical potential of proton therapy and its cost into perspective, especially in comparison with photonIMRT. 2. To name the main technical components of a proton therapy system and the design alternatives. 3. To name the characteristics and at least 2 main advantages of intensity‐modulated proton therapy (IMPT)
Amphiregulin is an implantation-specific and progesterone-regulated gene in the mouse uterus.

A synchrony between the activated state of the blastocyst and differentiation of the uterus to the receptive state is essential to the process of implantation. This process is directed by progesterone (P4) and estrogen. The mechanism by which P4 differentiates the uterus, enabling estrogen to initiate implantation, is unknown but likely to involve localized induction of growth and differentiation factors. We have cloned the murine amphiregulin (AR) gene, a newly discovered member of the epidermal growth factor family, and demonstrate that its expression is implantation-specific and P4-regulated in the mouse uterus. A transient surge in AR mRNA levels occurred throughout the uterine epithelium on day 4 of pregnancy. With the onset of blastocyst attachment late on day 4, AR mRNA accumulated in the luminal epithelium exclusively at the sites of blastocysts. Thus, AR expression correlated first with rising P4 levels and then with the attachment reaction. The rapid induction of AR mRNA in the ovariectomized ut...
Reproductive Behaviour of the Rainbow Cichlid, Herotilapia Multispinosa (Pisces, Cichlidae)

Specific patterns and colour changes were associated with the non-reproductive, pre-spawning, spawning, and parental phases of the reproductive cycle of Herotilapia multispinosa. The motor patterns involved with reproductive behaviour were characteristic of those patterns previously described for cichlids. The duration of spawning, number of eggs/spawning, and time required for eggs to hatch also conformed to previous works on substrate spawning cichlids. Spawning was not randomly distributed throughout the day but showed a peak of activity during the sixth hour of light. Constant light disrupted and inhibited spawning activities. H. multispinosa exhibit a division of labour between the male and female, the female caring for the young more than the male. Finally, H. multispinosa produce four sounds during the reproductive cycle. Two sounds, the "volley" and "thump", were associated with agonistic behaviour while one sound, the "growl" was associated with the synchronization of the breeding pair with respect to spawning. The last sound, the "whoof", could not be linked to a particular behavioural state since it was produced too infrequently. All four sounds showed physical properties that would indicate that they were produced by a swimbladder mechanism. No periodicity of sound production was observed.
Predicting nitrogen and chlorophyll content and concentrations from reflectance spectra (400-2500 nm) at leaf and canopy scales.

Abstract An experiment was designed to determine whether chlorophyll and nitrogen concentrations could be predicted from reflectance ( R ) spectra of fresh bigleaf maple leaves in the laboratory, and, if so, whether the predictive spectral features could be correlated with chlorophyll and nitrogen concentration or content of simple canopies of maple seedlings. The best predictors for nitrogen and chlorophyll of fresh leaves appeared with first-difference transformations of log 1/ R , and the bands selected were similar to those found in other studies. Shortwave infrared bands were best predictors for nitrogen, visible bands best for chlorophyll. In the shortwave infrared region, however, the absolute differences in reflectance at critical bands was extremely small, and the bands of high correlation were narrow. High spectral and radiance resolution are required to resolve these differences accurately. The best shortwave infrared bands from the leaf scale were not good predictors of chemical content or concentration at the canopy scale; variability in canopy reflectance in the shortwave infrared region was at least an order of magnitude beyond that necessary to detect signals from chemicals. The variability in first-difference log 1/ R on the canopy scale was related to the arrangement of trees with respect to direct solar radiation, instrument noise, leaf fluttering, and small changes in atmospheric moisture.
Editorial Board Thoughts: Appreciation for History

The future looks exciting for ITAL, with our new open access and online only journal. As I look forward, I have been thinking about librarians and the changes I have witnessed in library technology. I would like to thank Judith Carter for her work on ITAL for over 13 years. She encouraged me to volunteer for the editorial board. I will miss her. I believe that lessons from the past can help us. ITAL's first issue appeared in 1982--the same year that ! graduated from high school I typed all my school papers with a typewriter except for my last couple of papers in college. My father bought an early Macintosh computer (called Lisa). He had a daisy wheel printer--if we wanted to change fonts, we changed out the daisy wheel. I am thankful for the editing capabilities and font choices I have now when I create documents. As an undergraduate student, I worked on dedicated OCLC terminals in the Interlibrary Loan (ILL) department at my college library. I was hired because I had the two hours open when ILL usually used mail. I thought our ILL. service was a big help for our students. I could not imagine then that electronic copies of articles could be delivered to ILL customers within one day. Today's ILL staff doesn't have to worry about paper cuts now, either. I graduated from library school in 1989. When I first started working as a cataloger, we were able to access OCLC on PC's (an improvement from the dumb terminals) in the libraries. Our subject heading lists were in the big red books from the Library of Congress. I tried to use the red books as an example for today's students and they had no idea what I was talking about. Even though "subject headings" are a foreign concept to many students today, ! will always value them and fight for their continuation. I worked on several retrospective conversion projects when I worked for a library contractor until 1991. The libraries still had card catalogs and we converted these physical catalogs to online catalogs. Nicholson Baker's article "Discards (1)," published in 1994, fondly remembered card catalogs. This article was discussed fervently in library school, but it seems quaint now. I grew up with card catalogs and I liked being able to browse through the subject listings. Browsing online does not provide the same satisfaction, but I would never give up the ability to keyword search an electronic document. I liked browsing the classification schemes, too. I did like easily seeing where your chosen number appeared within the scheme. It's harder to do the same thing online. In 1991 1 worked at an academic library where we were still converting catalog cards. …
A Meeting in Tokyo:Komatsu Kiyoshi, Wesley Fishel, and America’s Intervention in Vietnam*

In the summer of 1950, American political scientist Wesley Fishel met the Japanese writer and political activist Komatsu Kiyoshi who introduced the professor to the Vietnamese nationalist leaders Cuong De and Ngo Dinh Diem. This encounter had great importance for Fishel’s career as he became one of the early U.S. specialists on Vietnam as well as an academic who actively sought to influence U.S. policy in Vietnam. The talks also presented Diem with the opportunity to widen his contacts with Americans who could help him in his effort to become the leader of an independent Vietnam. This article describes Fishel’s meetings with the Vietnamese as well as Komatsu’s attempts to promote their political fortunes. It also discusses the consequences that these discussions had for the individuals involved, especially Diem and Fishel, as well as the shared conviction of Komatsu and Fishel that foreign powers could play a constructive role in guiding Vietnam toward independence.
Laser Measurements on Nonpremixed & Air Flames for Assessment of Turbulent Combustion Models

L Introduction M practical combustion devices are turbulent nonpremixed flames. The development of appropriate computer models" for practical combustors holds the potential for their computer-aided design with lower development costs, higher fuel efficiencies, lower emissions, and wider fuel specifications. However, to be reliable over a wide range of conditions, such models should be based upon a fundamental, quantitative understanding of fuel/air mixing and chemical reactions. Considerable progress has been made in modeling fuel/air mixing processes (particularly in larboratory-scale turbulent nonpremixed flames) using probability density functions (pdf) of a conserved scalar variable to account for turbulent fluctuations" and Favre averaging to account for density variations. However, the empirical correlations used in the model still rely on comparisons with experiments in nonreacting flows. A better understanding of the analogies between reacting and nonreacting flows and their deviations can result from detailed experiment/modeling comparisons in turbulent nonpremixed flames. Measurements of at least some of the key model variables (such as pdf's of conserved and reactive scalars, Favre and conventional averages and fluctuations, inter mitt ency, extent of reaction, scalar fluxes, gradients, and correlations) are useful to directly test the model assumptions. This level of understanding is required to model turbulent chemistry interactions realistically or to predict in a fundamental way the stability limits (blowoff and relight) or the formation and emission of pollutants such as carbon monoxide and nitric oxide. Because of the problems in making detailed measurements in practical combustors and the difficulties in modeling their complex geometries and flow patterns, the development and testing of quantitative combustion models is based upon detailed comparisons with quantitative experimental data in well-controlled, laboratory-scale, nonpremixed flames operated over a range of known initial conditions. However, few comprehensive measurements have been attempted even in laboratory-scale nonpremixed flames because of the difficulties in obtaining data having sufficient temporal and spatial resolution, without significantly perturbing the flame under study. Fortunately, recent advances in laser measurement techniques and, in particular, in pulsed Raman scattering, laser velocimetry, and fluorescence imaging have greatly expanded the experimental capabilities to make nonperturbing quantitative measurements in nonpremixed reacting flows. This paper summarizes detailed experiments reported previously'" and presents new experimental results characterizing four H2-air jet diffusion flames. Admittedly, H2 jet diffusion flames do not possess some elements of practical combustor systems (e.g., swirl, recirculation, corn-
A Review of Single Transient Oscillographic Recorders with Gigahertz Bandwidth

This paper has reviewed the status of gigahertz bandwidth single transient oscillographic recording instruments and their CRT's. I would like to emphasize again the ideal recording instrument from a fusion experiments, target diagnostics, point of view shown in figure 2. The French work appears to be addressing this concept most closely. We are waiting to see and evaluate the actual recording instruments that emerge during the next few years.
Post-Materialism from a Peasant Perspective Political Motivation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

Although the post-materialist study of political motivation focuses upon affluent political actors in more developed countries, it has important implications for political motivation among the poor...
The manufacture of steroidal contraceptives: technical versus political aspects.

Since it is exceedingly unlikely that any chemically new steroids will be introduced as contraceptives during the next decade, principal attention is paid to the manufacture of currently employed contraceptive steroids, notably those of the 19-nor class. The supply situation has changed dramatically during the past few years in that Mexican diosgenin is becoming progressively less important as a result of processes involving total synthesis or microbiological transformation of alternative raw materials. Political aspects associated with the nationalization of the Mexican diosgenin supply are discussed and it is predicted that in the near future Mexico - the country which at one time satisfied over half of the world's steroid demands - will play a greatly reduced role as a steroid producer. The rise and decline of the steroid industry in Mexico is a sad but instructive example of how lack of resolution in the conflicting priorities (economic versus political) of multinational pharmaceutical companies and a developing country can lead to the possible dismantlement of a flourishing high technology. There are important differences between petroleum and steroids, which make the O.P.E.C. strategy non-viable in the steroid field.
From Root to Tree: Wangari Maathai's Green Belt Movement—The Grassroots Approach to Addressing Human Rights Violations

The Green Belt Movement's success in fighting for environmental and social issues, often prior to these issues becoming mainstream, will hopefully serve as a model for the next generation in addressing human rights violations, including environmental wrongs. Organizations should be proactive in the fight against human rights violations and need not be concentrated on a singular social issue. Human rights violations result from a combination of multiple social issues. The Green Belt Movement gives people a strong support network, educating and empowering them to provide their own resources and be responsible for their own physical and environmental well-being. As a result, the movement has strengthened in both numbers and influence to demand good governance and care for the environment, with its power spreading beyond the borders of Kenya. At the grassroots level, protecting the environment is a basic step that all can benefit from, and which can prevent the need for future environmental claims.
Evaluation of subcortical pathology and clinical correlations in FTLD-U subtypes

Frontotemporal lobar degeneration (FTLD) can be classified as tau-positive (FTLD-tau) and tau-negative FTLD. The most common form of tau-negative FTLD is associated with neuronal inclusions that are composed of TAR DNA-binding protein 43 (TDP-43) (FTLD-TDP). Recent evidence suggests that FTLD-TDP can be further subdivided into at least three major histologic variants based on patterns of TDP-43 immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions (NCI) and dystrophic neurites (DN) in neocortex and hippocampus. The aim of this study was to extend the histologic analysis to other brain regions and to determine if there were distinct clinical and pathologic characteristics of the FTLD-TDP subtypes. Thirty-nine FTLD-TDP cases were analyzed (Mackenzie type 1 n = 24, Mackenzie type 2 n = 9, Mackenzie type 3 n = 6). There was a highly significant association between clinical syndrome and FTLD-TDP subtype, with progressive non-fluent aphasia associated with type 1, semantic dementia with type 2, and behavioral variant frontotemporal dementia with types 1, 2 and 3. Semi-quantitative analysis of NCI and DN demonstrated different patterns of involvement in cortical, subcortical and brainstem areas that were characteristic for each of the three types of FTLD-TDP. Type 1 had a mixture of NCI and DN, as well as intranuclear inclusions in most cases and TDP-43 pathology at all levels of the neuraxis, but less in brainstem than supratentorial structures. Type 2 cases were characterized by predominance of long, thick DN in the cortex, as well as numerous NCI in hippocampus, amygdala and basal ganglia, but virtually no NCI and only sparse DN in diencephalon and brainstem. Type 3 had a paucity of DN at all levels of the neuraxis and significantly more NCI in the hypoglossal nucleus than the other types. These findings extend previously described clinicopathological associations of FTLD-TDP subtypes and support the notion that FTLD-TDP subtypes may be distinct clinicopathologic disorders.
The National Bureau of Standards Rocky Flats Soil standard reference material

Abstract The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) in collaboration with a number of environmental laboratories of the ICRM has recently issued a soil standard certified for radionuclidic concentrations of activation and fission products and natural radionuclides. Initial disagreements between laboratories of measured concentrations have led to a careful examination of the characteristics of the sample and the radiochemical procedures employed by the participants. A number of assay problems were identified and are discussed. The sample was found to contain an average of approximately 1.8 “hot” (239+240Pu) particles per bottle of 90 g of soil. A statistical analysis of over seventy measurements was used to determine that the homogeneity of the material excluding hot particles is satisfactory. A sampling method for using this material for quality control of plutonium measurements which minimizes the effect of hot particles is described.
Retreat bounded picture languages

A well-known string-encoding of 2D pictures is to use the picture alphabet π = {u, d, r, l}, where u (d, r, and l) means "draw a unit-line by moving the pen up (down, right, and left) from the current point". A word over π is k-retreat-bounded (k?0) if it describes a picture in such a manner that the maximum distance of left-moves, ignoring up- and down-moves, from a rightmost point of any partially drawn picture is bounded by k. A set of such words forms a k-retreat-bounded language. A k-retreat-bounded picture language is a set of pictures described by a k-retreat-bounded language.There is a 1-retreat-bounded regular picture language (1-retreat-bounded vertical-stripe linear picture language) for which the membership problem is NP-complete. The membership problem can be solved in O(n4) time for each k-retreat-bounded nonvertical-stripe context-free picture language. The inclusion and intersection-emptiness problems are undecidable for a 1-retreat-bounded regular picture language and a 2-retreat-bounded regular picture language. The equivalence and ambiguity problems are undecidable for 2-retreat-bounded regular picture languages. The picture recognition algorithm presented is the first polynomial-time algorithm in the literature for a reasonably large subclass of context-free picture languages and the NP-completeness and undecidability results improve the previously known such results for regular picture languages with no structural restriction imposed.
Molecular dynamics saddle search adaptive kinetic Monte Carlo

A method for accelerating molecular dynamics simulations in rare event systems is described. From each new state visited, high temperature molecular dynamics trajectories are used to discover the set of escape mechanisms and rates. This event table is provided to the adaptive kinetic Monte Carlo algorithm to model the evolution of the system from state to state. Importantly, an estimator for the completeness of the calculated rate table in each state is derived. The method is applied to three model systems: adatom diffusion on Al(100); island diffusion on Pt(111); and vacancy cluster ripening in bulk Fe. Connections to the closely related temperature accelerated dynamics method of Voter and co-workers is discussed.
Parental teaching strategies with preschoolers: A comparison of mothers and fathers within different alphabet tasks

Twenty 3-year-olds and their parents (10 children with their mothers and 10 with their fathers) were videotaped in two 12-min sessions reading picture books and interacting with alphabet-learning software on a personal computer (order of sessions was counterbalanced). A variety of verbal and behavioral measures revealed how parents and preschoolers adopted their respective roles as teachers and students in these informal learning settings. Although there were few differences in the way fathers and mothers interacted with their preschoolers, differences were found in consistency across the two settings. The relevance of the findings for the design of computer and picture book prereading activities for children and their parents is discussed.
Multi‐scale compressional wave velocity structure of the San Gregorio Fault zone

[1] Understanding fault architecture at multiple scales is crucial to delineate in situ fault zone physical properties and rupture dynamics through modeling and geophysical imaging/monitoring. An exposure of the active large-offset, strike-slip San Gregorio Fault at Moss Beach, CA provides a unique field site to relate the well-mapped fault zone architecture with compressional wave velocity (Vp) structure measured at centimeter to meter scales. Laboratory ultrasonic velocities of fault zone samples, adjusted for fluid-related frequency and structural dispersion, indicate that (i) a seismic velocity reduction of ∼30% characterizes the central smectite-rich clay gouge relative to the rocks 100 m away in the relatively undeformed host rocks, and (ii) the across-fault velocity profile trends for the seismic to ultrasonic bandwidth correlate almost exactly to the previously mapped macroscale fault zone structure. These results highlight the value of conducting multiscaled investigations when measuring fault zone properties defined by physical elements at multiple scale lengths.
The Impact of Secondary Task Cognitive Processing Demand on Driving Performance

Crash causation research has identified inattention as a major source of driver error leading to crashes. The series of experiments presented herein investigate the characteristics of an in-vehicle information system (IVIS) task that could hinder driving performance due to uncertainty buildup and cognitive capture. Three on-road studies were performed that used instrumented passenger and tractor-trailer vehicles to obtain real-world driving performance data. Participants included young, middle-aged, and older passenger vehicle drivers and middle-aged and older commercial vehicle operators. While driving, they were presented with IVIS tasks with various information densities, decision-making elements, presentation formats, and presentation modalities (visual or auditory). The experiments showed that, for both presentation modalities, the presence of multiple decision-making elements in a task had a substantial negative impact on driving performance of both automobile drivers and truck drivers when compared to conventional tasks or tasks with only one decision-making element. The results from these experiments can be used to improve IVIS designs, allowing for potential IVIS task phenomena such as uncertainty buildup and cognitive capture to be avoided.
High-level secretion of biologically active aprotinin from the yeast Pichia pastoris.

A synthetic gene encoding aprotinin (bovine pancreatic trypsin, inhibitor) was fused to theSaccharomyces cerevisiae prepro alpha mating factor leader sequence at the dibasic amino acid processing site.Pichia pastoris strains were developed to'express one or multiple copies of a methanol-inducible expression cassette containing the gene fusion.P. pastoris containing a single copy of the vector secreed approximately 150 mg/l of immunoreactive protein. A construct bearing five copies of the expression cassette secreted 930 mg/l of aprotinin. The purified aprotinin molecule was equipoten with the native molecule in a trypsin inhibition assay. Protein sequence analysis showed that the alpha factor-aprotinin fusion was not processed at the basic amino acid residues Lys-Arg. Instead, recombinant aprotinin had additional N-terminal amino acids derived from prepro alpha factor. The N-terminal extension was variably 11 or 4 amino acids. Inclusion of the spacer DNA sequence encoding Glu and Ala between aprotinin and the Lys-Arg processing site led to the secretion of a biologically active aprotinin containing only a Glu-Ala N-terminal extension.
Temperature, pH, salinity, hardness, and particulates mediate nickel toxicity to eubacteria, an actinomycete, and yeasts in lake, simulated estuarine, and sea waters

Abstract The survival of some eubacteria, an actinomycete, and yeasts after acute and chronic exposures to nickel (Ni) in lake, simulated estuarine, and sea waters and the influence of environmental factors on Ni toxicity were determined. Nickel toxicity to microbes in marine systems was reduced by increasing the salinity, by decreasing the temperature, and by the incorporation of simulated sediment. The toxicity of Ni to microbes in fresh water was reduced by increasing the pH, by increasing the hardness, and by the incorporation of suspended particulates. Chronic toxicity studies indicated that fresh waters are more sensitive than marine waters to Ni pollution, as microbial survival was greater in marine than in fresh waters stressed with equivalent concentrations of Ni.
011 Inflammation-induced Angiogenesis: Potential Roles of IL-8. and VEGF

Inflammation is invariably accompanied by angiogenesis; both are important in wound healing. However, it is not known how angiogenic factors that are present during the inflammatory phase of wound healing are involved in inflammation-induced angiogenesis. In this study, we address the contribution of two such factors, interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) and VEGF, in inflammation-induced angiogenesis. We determined the relative levels of these molecules during the first two weeks of the wound healing process in partial-thickness skin wounds of rabbits. IL-8 levels increase rapidly after wounding, reaching maximal levels after 24 hr; in contrast, VEGF levels peak at 3 days. We also determined the time course of the infiltration of various inflammatory cells and production of new blood vessels after wounding. Neutrophils were markedly increased 4 hr after wounding, and their level peaked at 24 hr. Monocyte infiltration peaked 48 hr after wounding and decreased by day 3. The number of blood vessels was significantly increased by day 3 after wounding and continued to increase through days 5 and 7. In order to determine the contribution of IL-8 and VEGF to the angiogenic process, we performed the wounding experiments in the presence and absence of IL-8 and VEGF antibodies. Treatment with IL-8 antibodies blocked the early stage of blood vessel formation but did not alter the late stage; in contrast, VEGF antibodies blocked the late stage without altering the early stage. Currently, we are performing studies using inhibitors against IL-8 and VEGF receptors to determine whether we observe similar results; we are also beginning to decipher molecular mechanisms involved in this process. This study suggests that IL-8 and VEGF play complementary roles in stimulating angiogenesis during wound healing.
Role of linear tomography in evaluation of patients with nephrolithiasis.

Abstract One hundred twenty-four consecutive patients with suspected or known nephrolithiasis were referred for evaluation by linear tomography. Renal calculi were detected in 98 patients (79 %). Linear tomography revealed more renal calculi than did preliminary KUB films in 46 patients (37 %), although in only 10 cases (8 %) was the tomogram positive if the KUB was negative. Exact quantification of the numbers and locations of renal stones is important in patients to be managed metabolically, and in those being evaluated in advance of or following percutaneous or cxtracorporeal lithotripsy.
The Role of Lapatinib in the Preoperative Therapy of Breast Cancer

Preoperative or neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a well-established modality in the treatment of nonmetastatic breast cancer. Patients initially considered inoperable may be able to achieve operable status after preoperative chemotherapy and patients initially considered not to be candidates for breast conservation may convert to breast conservation status. Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (Her2)–positive tumors have been shown to have a more aggressive course including early local relapse and metastasis when compared to Her2-negative breast cancers, but the optimal use of Her2-targeted agents is constantly evolving as new agents become available. Preoperative studies allow us to quickly assess the activity of new agents and combinations for particular biological subsets of breast cancer.
Can ischemic preconditioning ameliorate renal ischemia-reperfusion injury in a single-kidney porcine model?

Purpose: Ischemic preconditioning (IP) refers to the phenomenon of a brief ischemia-reperfusion event providing resistance to injury from subsequent ischemic periods. We sought to determine the effect of a specific preconditioning regimen on ischemia-reperfusion renal injury in a single-kidney porcine model. Materials and Methods: Immediately following right laparoscopic nephrectomy, 12 female pigs had complete left hilar dissections and 1 of 2 interventions: (1) 60 minutes of complete WI (WI; n = 6) or (2) 10 minutes of IP followed by 60 minutes of complete WI (IP; n = 6). IP consisted of 5 minutes of clamping followed by 5 minutes of reperfusion. Serum creatinine (sCr) was obtained preoperatively and on postoperative day (POD) 1, 2, 6, 9, and 14. Mean sCr was compared by group. The left kidney was harvested on POD 14 for blinded histologic review. Results: Mean sCr values were significantly increased at all time points in the WI and IP groups compared with baseline. Peak postoperative sCr was noted on P...
Analytic Reviews : Hemolytic Transfusion Reactions: A Review of Mechanisms, Sequelae, and Management:

The transfusion of blood and blood products is an im portant therapeutic procedure, but it is associated with several potentially serious adverse effects. Among these complications are hemalytic reactions, which in most cases result from the interaction between donor red cell antigens and recipient plasma antibodies. Clinical mani festations and sequelae are largely determined by the physical and immunological characteristics of the anti gens and antibodies. Early recognition may be difficult in the anesthetized or intensively monitored patient. Acute hemolytic reactions are responsible for significant morbidity and mortality and may lead to life-threatening shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and renal failure. Fortunately, fatal hemolytic transfusion reactions are rare; they usually result from clerical errors. Proper diagnosis and management requires sound clinical judg ment, thorough laboratory investigation, and timely therapeutic intervention.
Inlet Noise Reduction by Shielding for the Blended-Wing-Body Airplane

Noise shielding benefits associated with an advanced unconventional subsonic transport concept, the Blended-Wing-Body, were studied using a 4- percent scale, 3-engine nacelle model. The study was conducted in the Anechoic Noise Research Facility at NASA Langley Research Center. A high- frequency, wideband point source was placed inside the nacelles of the center engine and one of the side engines in order to simulate broadband engine noise. The sound field of the model was measured with a rotating microphone array that was moved to various stations along the model axis and with a fixed array of microphones that was erected behind the model. Ten rotating microphones were traversed a total of 22 degrees in 2-degree increments. Seven fixed microphones covered an arc that extended from a point in the exhaust exit plane of the center engine (and directly below its centerline) to a point 30 degrees above the jet centerline. While no attempt was made to simulate the noise emission characteristics of an aircraft engine, the model source was intended to radiate sound in a frequency range encompassing 1, 2, and 3 times the blade passage of a typical full-scale engine. In this study, the Blended-Wing-Body model was found to provide significant shielding of inlet noise. In particular, noise radiated downward into the forward sector was reduced by 20 to 25 dB overall in the full-scale frequencies from 2000 to 4000 Hz, decreasing to 10 dB or less at the lower frequencies. Also, it was observed that noise associated with the exhaust radiates into the sector directly below the model downstream to reduce shielding efficiency.
The Logical Functions of Language as Literary Style Markers

This paper proposes a method of investigating the intentional structure of dialogue discourse as a means of literary style marking. to accomplish this, a classifactory system of five logical functions of language is postulated: the Logical function, the Practical function, the Poetic function, the Expressive function, and the Ceremonial function. Random sampling and tests of significance were used to investigate the proportional frequencies of occurrence of these sentence functions in selected texts: Camus's L'Etranger, La Chute, and La Peste. Results obtained by this inquiry show that the different language functions vary significantly in proportional use in the three novels in question. an analysis of such stylolinguistic data sheds light on the underlying semantic structure of literary discourse, and on the compositional and stylistic design of the author's message. Each author will be found to have his or her own characteristic range of varying proportional occurrences of the different language functions which, it is shown, corroborate or refute impressionistic notions of character.
Chronic rapamycin treatment or lack of S6K1 does not reduce ribosome activity in vivo

Reducing activity of the mTORC1/S6K1 pathway has been shown to extend lifespan in both vertebrate and invertebrate models. For instance, both pharmacological inhibition of mTORC1 with the drug rapamycin or S6K1 knockout extends lifespan in mice. Since studies with invertebrate models suggest that reducing translational activity can increase lifespan, we reasoned that the benefits of decreased mTORC1 or S6K1 activity might be due, at least in part, to a reduction of general translational activity. Here, we report that mice given a single dose of rapamycin have reduced translational activity, while mice receiving multiple injections of rapamycin over 4 weeks show no difference in translational activity compared with vehicle-injected controls. Furthermore, mice lacking S6K1 have no difference in global translational activity compared with wild-type littermates as measured by the percentage of ribosomes that are active in multiple tissues. Translational activity is reduced in S6K1-knockout mice following single injection of rapamycin, demonstrating that rapamycin’s effects on translation can occur independently of S6K1. Taken together, these data suggest that benefits of chronic rapamycin treatment or lack of S6K1 are dissociable from potential benefits of reduced translational activity, instead pointing to a model whereby changes in translation of specific subsets of mRNAs and/or translation-independent effects of reduced mTOR signaling underlie the longevity benefits.
Connecting out-of-school learning to home: Digital postcards from summer camp

Parents and children are rapidly adopting mobile technologies, yet designs for mobile devices that serve a communication function to connect parents to children’s out-of-school time activities are limited. As a result, our team designed the Digital Postcard Maker so that children attending summer camps can create digital photographs to send home to their parents. These digital postcards help to connect children’s home life with out-of-school learning experiences and also support 21st Century Skills’ media literacy practices. The research design included two iterations of a design-based research project with 58 children from 55 families. Design implications related to supporting informal science learning with mobile computing relying on digital photography are shared, including (i) the need for additional support to transform an out-of-school recreational activity into an out-of-school learning activity, and (ii) the utility of photographs as a means to connect parents and children to talk about environmental sciences topics.
Economic impact of digoxin toxicity.

The costs of digoxin toxicity to the US healthcare system have not been previously reported. Therefore, the 1994 database of the US University Health-System Consortium (UHC) was searched for cases of digoxin toxicity using the International Classification of Diseases (9th edition) [ICD-9] codes. In addition, the medical records of 17 patients admitted to the University of Illinois Hospital from September 1994 to July 1995 with a diagnosis of digoxin toxicity were also reviewed.
A DNA-binding form of the main structural protein of lambda heads

Abstract A DNA-binding form of E-protein, the major structural protein of bacteriophage λ heads, is present in extracts of UV-preirradiated λ infected E. coli . This E-protein form is slowly sedimenting, is included in Sephadex G-150 and is soluble in cold SDS-containing buffer. The DNA-binding, cold SDS-soluble form of E-protein becomes converted into an aggregated form, identified as petit λ, as a function of time after synthesis. Petit λ does not bind DNA and is soluble only in hot SDS-containing buffer. DNA-binding structures, resembling disrupted and completed phage are also found, particularly in less strongly UV-preirradiated hosts. These structures are soluble only in hot SDS-containing buffer. The DNA-binding property of E-protein suggests that it could have a catalytic role in condensing DNA to form completed λ head structures.
Immunogenicity of a Recombinant Human Cytomegalovirus (CMV) gB Vaccine in Toddlers • 745

Background: Effective immunization of young children against CMV may decrease transmission from children to adults and prevent severe sequelae including congenital birth defects. Objective: To evaluate the reactogenicity and immunogenicity of CHIRON CMV gB vaccine in toddlers. Methods: We conducted a Phase I trial in which 18 CMV-seronegative children, 12-35 months of age, received either 20μg of CMV gB/MF59 vaccine, a purified recombinant gB protein produced in Chinese hamster ovary cell culture combined with MF59, oil and water adjuvant, (n=15) or a control Hepatitis A vaccine from SmithKline Beecham (n=3) at 0,1, and 6 months. The study was open-label for the first 6 children, and then double-blinded and randomized. Children were monitored for local and systemic reactions for 7 days following each injection. Serologic tests for CMV anti-gB antibody by ELISA and CMV neutralizing antibodies were obtained pre-immunization, 1 month after dose 2 in 50% of subjects, and 1 month after.dose 3 in all subjects. Results: No pattern of reactogenicity was observed; 5 post-immunization reactions were seen in 4 subjects. The GMTs (95% CI) of antibody to gB by ELISA were: 0 pre-immunization (n=18), 27,457 (13,794-54,653) after dose 2 (n=6), and 98,264(39,896-242,025) after dose 3 (n=5). Neutralizing antibody reciprocal GMTs(95% CI) were: 0 pre-immunization (n=18), 90 (51-158) after dose 2 (n=6), and 638 (415-982) after dose 3 (n=13). After dose 3, all children had titers greater than those observed in naturally infected adults.Conclusion: Antibody responses of toddlers were notably higher than among 149 adults given 3 doses of the same vaccine in other trials(neutralization GMT=133). CHIRON CMV gB vaccine is well tolerated and highly immunogenic in toddlers.Supported by Chiron Vaccines, Emeryville, CA
Induction of hypozincemia and hepatic metallothionein synthesis in hypersensitivity reactions.

SummaryRecent evidence indicates that hypersensitivity reactions, produced in rats by the administration of a protein antigen, alters plasma zinc and iron homeostasis by depressing concentrations of these trace minerals. Studies were performed to determine if altered zinc homeostasis involves, in part, enhanced hepatic metallothionein (MT) synthesis. MT, a high cysteine-containing cytoplasmic protein, possesses a high affinity for zinc and other heavy metals and has been implicated in zinc homeostasis.Antigen challenge (0.5 mg BSA) in rats previously sensitized with either 5 or 10 mg BSA produced a significant decrease in plasma zinc and iron concentrations within 7 hr in an apparent dose-dependent manner. Plasma zinc depression was accompanied by an increase in hepatic MT content as well as MT-associated total Zn and 65Zn used to pulse-label the metalloprotein. The depression in plasma zinc, but not iron, and the enhanced synthesis of MT was significantly reduced by prior treatment of rats with actinomyc...