cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional and Binding Properties of σ Receptors in Rat Cerebellum

Autoradiographic studies have shown that sigma receptors are enriched in the locus coeruleus, the origin of noradrenergic projections to the cerebellum, as well as in the Purkinje, molecular, and granular layers and the interpositus cerebellar nucleus of the cerebellum itself. In contrast, the cerebellum is relatively poor in phencyclidine (PCP) binding sites, which have been historically confused with sigma sites. The high ratio of sigma to PCP receptors in cerebellum is advantageous for discriminating sigma-mediated physiological effects. sigma agonists and antagonists have been shown to regulate N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)-stimulated norepinephrine release in hippocampus, which is innervated by locus coeruleus projections. We now report that sigma drugs also regulate norepinephrine release from cerebellum. In contrast to findings in the hippocampus, where regulation is via sigma 1 and sigma 2 receptors, sigma-mediated regulation in cerebellum seems to be primarily via sigma 1 receptors. In radioligand binding studies, we find that sigma receptors primarily of the sigma 1 type are present in the cerebellum. We further report that binding to sigma receptors in cerebellum is not affected by the addition of NMDA or glycine or by the presence of NMDA antagonists, suggesting that sigma receptors are not located within the NMDA-operated cation channel in this brain region.
Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome in Runners

Tarsal tunnel syndrome has only recently been noted to be a cause of foot and ankle pain in runners. The tarsal tunnel is located just posterior to the medial malleolus and may compress the posterior tibial nerve as it passes through it, producing numbness and paraesthesia in the foot. While the aetiology of this condition is frequently multifactorial, abnormal foot and ankle mechanics and excessive training tend to be the most commonly cited aetiological factors. Successful treatment of tarsal tunnel syndrome requires an accurate diagnosis by differentiating it from plantar fasciitis and Achilles tendinitis and then making proper biomechanical and training changes in the runner. Conservative treatment is generally successful, but occasionally surgical treatment is required to decompress the nerve.
Aspen Defense Chemicals Influence Midgut Bacterial Community Composition of Gypsy Moth

Microbial symbionts are becoming increasingly recognized as mediators of many aspects of plant - herbivore interactions. However, the influence of plant chemical defenses on gut associates of insect herbivores is less well understood. We used gypsy moth (Lymantria dispar L.), and differing trembling aspen (Populus tremuloides Michx.) genotypes that vary in chemical defenses, to assess the influence of foliar chemistry on bacterial communities of larval midguts. We evaluated the bacterial community composition of foliage, and of midguts of larvae feeding on those leaves, using next-generation high-throughput sequencing. Plant defense chemicals did not influence the composition of foliar communities. In contrast, both phenolic glycosides and condensed tannins affected the bacterial consortia of gypsy moth midguts. The two most abundant operational taxonomic units were classified as Ralstonia and Acinetobacter. The relative abundance of Ralstonia was higher in midguts than in foliage when phenolic glycoside concentrations were low, but lower in midguts when phenolic glycosides were high. In contrast, the relative abundance of Ralstonia was lower in midguts than in foliage when condensed tannin concentrations were low, but higher in midguts when condensed tannins were high. Acinetobacter showed a different relationship with host chemistry, being relatively more abundant in midguts than with foliage when condensed tannin concentrations were low, but lower in midguts when condensed tannins were high. Acinetobacter tended to have a greater relative abundance in midguts of insects feeding on genotypes with high phenolic glycoside concentrations. These results show that plant defense chemicals influence herbivore midgut communities, which may in turn influence host utilization.
Necessary use of Σ¹₁ induction in a reversal

Jullien's indecomposability theorem (INDEC) states that if a scattered countable linear order is indecomposable, then it is either indecomposable to the left, or indecomposable to the right. The theorem was shown by Montalban to be a theorem of hyperarithmetic analysis, and then, in the base system RCA0 plus induction, it was shown by Neeman to have strength strictly between weak choice and comprehension. We prove in this paper that induction is needed for the reversal of INDEC. that is for the proof that INDEC implies weak choice. This is in contrast with the typical situation in reverse mathematics, where reversals can usually be refined to use only induction.
Synthesis and Thermolysis of Heterocyclic 3-Aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes1

Simple, acyclic 3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes undergo an aza-Bergman rearrangement to a fleeting 2,5-didehydropyridine (2,5-ddp) intermediate that rapidly ring-opens to β-alkynylacrylonitrile products. In an effort to access longer-lived 2,5-ddp intermediates, we have prepared heterocyclic 3-aza-3-ene-1,5-diynes. The thermolysis of one such heterocyclic aza-enediyne does not afford products derived from trapping a 2,5-ddp intermediate but rather cyclopropanes that appear to arise from a carbene intermediate and a product that appears to be a trapping product from a 2,3-ddp intermediate.
Architectural support for variable addressing in Ada— A design approach

In designing a language-directed machine architecture, the choice of the technique used in interpreting machine instructions has considerable influence on machine performance. Yet, there does not appear to exist any well established design method for choosing an interpretive mechanism; or for determining the hardware/firmware support for an efficient implementation of such a mechanism. The purpose of this paper is to propose such a design method, based on the use of an architecture description language. The specific architectural focus of the paper is the variable-addressing mechanism in Ada and the implications that such mechanisms have on the implementation of procedure CALL/RETURN and block ENTRY/EXIT functions. The analysis presented in this paper clearly establishes that either Dijkstra's mechanism or “local display method” is not suitable for adoption in designing architectural support for variable-addressing in Ada.
Transient behavior of “high-swelling” EBR-11 Mark-1A driver fuel in treat

Abstract Transient studies on “high-swelling” Mark-1A driver fuel indicated that temperatures at clad failure, even with irradiated elements, were not significantly lower than clad failure temperatures for normal low-swelling fuel. These temperatures represent thresholds far in excess of the temperatures conceivable for postulated overpower or loss of coolant conditions in EBR-11. In addition to high-speed color photography and cladding temperature measurements, the test capsule was outfitted with electromagnetic motion transducers to follow pre-failure fuel movements. This instrumentation proved to be a powerful tool, both in the determination of the prompt negative feedback reactivity available from fuel expansion, and the description of clad failure phenomena. The nature of cladding failure was similar to observations on normal fuel. Two possible mechanisms for the release of stress from the restricted expansion of sodium trapped between the fuel andcladding appear to be either (1) motion of fuel axially to break the weak interaction forces between the fuel and cladding, or (2) compression of the highly swollen fuel.
Bacteriuria in a Population-Based Cohort of Women

A survey for bacteriuria was conducted in a community-wide, unselected population of women 16--69 years old. The overall prevalence of bacteriuria was 3.5%. The prevalence of bacteriuria increased with age with a linear trend, but with a significant nonlinear component as well. Bacteriuria was associated with parity after correction for the effects of age. Current symptoms of dysuria and a history of previous urinary tract infection were slightly but significantly more common in women with bacteriuria. The population described should serve as an adequate base for continuing studies of the possible consequences of bacteriuria.
Changes in Surface Free Energy of Chromatographic Paper after Surfactant Treatment

Chromatographic paper has long been used for electrophoresis and chromatographic separation of compounds from solution. In this study, the surface thermodynamic properties of selected chromatographic papers were determined with and without surfactant treatment. After the surface of the papers was coated with surfactant, the surface became more hydrophobic as revealed by a decrease in surface free energy components and parameters. The anionic surfactant had the largest effect on decreasing the apolar surface free energy component and the polar Lewis base parameter. The results show that the surface features of the chromatographic papers can be tailored for different needs using different surfactant treatments.
Greenfield filter in renal transplant patients.

† Renal transplant patients in whom deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism (PE) develop usually respond to heparin sodium treatment. A small percentage of transplant patients will require vena caval filter placement to prevent recurrent PE, and this report details our experience with two patients. In one patient there was a contraindication to heparin, and in the other, a massive recurrent PE. Greenfield filters were inserted transvenously in these patients and found to be well tolerated. There was no evidence of renal compromise, recurrent PE, or other complications. Follow-up venograms confirmed the presence of patent vena cavas with properly positioned filters. Autopsy studies subsequently performed confirmed the clinical assessment of each patient's course, and neither patient died of recurrent embolism. ( Arch Surg 1981;116:930-932)
Effects of prazosin, atenolol, and thiazide diuretic on plasma lipids in patients with essential hypertension

Abstract The effects of prazosin and atenolol monotherapy on plasma lipid concentrations were compared in 51 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension. Prazosin monotherapy (mean dose 5.4 ± 5.3 mg per day) resulted in a significant decrease in total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations; these changes were evident at three months and at six to 12 months. Atenolol monotherapy (mean dose 66 ± 23 mg per day) resulted in a significant increase in plasma triglyceride concentration that persisted during one year of treatment. The deletion of thiazide from the regimen of prazosin plus thiazide resulted in a small stepwise decrease in plasma triglyceride concentration over 12 months of observation. The addition of polythiazide (0.5 mg two to three times weekly) to the regimen of patients in whom acceptable blood pressure was not attained with prazosin or atenolol monotherapy resulted in a decrease in blood pressure, averaging 18.8 mm Hg for systolic and 10.3 mm Hg for diastolic, and a small, though significant, increase in the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. It is suggested that the effects of prazosin on plasma lipid composition may be mediated, at least in part, by blocking an action of either the sympathetic nervous system or circulating catecholamines that normally modulate lipoprotein metabolism and might mediate the lipid alterations induced by thiazide diuretics.
Age-related changes in dorsal root ganglia, circulating and vascular calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) concentrations in female rats: Effect of female sex steroid hormones

The aim of the present study is to investigate whether immunoreactive (I) calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) content is decreased in plasma and mesenteric arteries (resistance arteries) in middle-aged rats and if so, whether sex steroid hormones enhance I-CGRP in middle-aged female rats. We also examined whether vascular CGRP receptor components, calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR) and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP1) are elevated by sex steroid hormones treatment in middle-aged female rats. Young adult (3 months old) and middle-aged (10-12 months old) ovariectomized rats were treated subcutaneously with estradiol-17beta (E2; 2 mg), progesterone (P4; 5 mg), E2+P4 (2 mg+20 mg) or placebo (control). Radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis were performed to measure I-CGRP content and CGRP receptor components in dorsal root ganglia (DRG), in resistance arteries and in plasma. Immunofluorescent staining methods were employed to determine cellular localization of CRLR, RAMP1 in resistance arteries. Our data demonstrated that I-CGRP content was significantly (p<0.05) lower in the plasma and resistance arteries of middle-aged female rats compared to young controls. Both RAMP1 and CRLR were concentrated in vascular endothelium and the underlying smooth muscle cells. RAMP1 but not CRLR appeared to be decreased in middle-aged rat vasculature. Chronic perfusion of sex steroid hormones to ovariectomized rats: 1 significantly (p<0.05) elevated I-CGRP in the DRG and in the plasma, and (2) significantly elevated RAMP1 (p<0.05) but did not alter CRLR in resistance arteries. These data suggest that female sex steroid treatment enhances I-CGRP and its receptors, and thus regulate the blood pressure in aged female rats.
Generating field profiles with arbitrary phase and amplitude distributions using metamaterials

A method for arbitrarily controlling the phase progression and power flow of electromagnetic fields within a region of space is introduced. Specifically, the method describes how to design a 2D inhomogeneous, anisotropic medium that supports prescribed spatial distributions of the wave vector and Poynting vector direction. Plane-wave relations in anisotropic media are used in conjunction with an impedance matching process to find the required material parameters.
Changes in the perceived classroom goal structure and pattern of adaptive learning during early adolescence

Despite a recent increase in research on the associations between classroom goal structures, motivation, affect, and achievement, little is known about the effects of changes in the perceived classroom goal structure as students move from one grade level to another. Comparisons of students who perceived an increase, decrease, or no change in the mastery and performance goal structures of their classrooms during the transition to middle school and across two grades within middle school revealed that changes in the mastery goal structure were more strongly related to changes in cognition, affect, and performance than were changes in the performance goal structure. The most negative pattern of change was associated with a perceived decrease in the mastery goal structure.
Simple fall-off pattern of correlated neural activity in the developing lateral geniculate nucleus

Activity-dependent models for cortical simple-cell receptive field development predict specific patterns of correlated neural activity within the visual pathway, such as a Mexican hat-shaped pattern of correlated activity in the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). However, such activity patterns have yet to be experimentally demonstrated. We performed multielectrode recordings in the LGN of immature awake ferrets and found simple fall-off-shaped, rather than Mexican hat-shaped, patterns of correlated activity. A weak surround in the LGN neuron's receptive field and the statistics of the input contributed to this pattern of correlated activity. Computer simulation of cortical receptive field development incorporating the experimentally observed activity patterns demonstrated that a simple-cell receptive field emerges when a newly devised 'split' constraint on synaptic growth is combined with Hebbian synaptic modification rules. Thus, given certain developmental constraints on synaptic plasticity, patterns of correlated activity within the LGN are compatible with Hebbian models of simple-cell receptive field development.
Fatigue, Impairment, and Psycho-Motor Learning:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of impairment from physical activity on the subjective feelings of fatigue and on psycho-motor learning. Ss, 80 college men students, were divided into five groups equated on the basis of an initial trial on the Snoddy Stabilimeter. Four of the groups participated in physical activities requiring varying degrees of energy output completed in a 5-min. period. Two levels of bicycle ergometer pedalling and treadmill running comprised the activities. The control group sat quietly. Pulse rates were taken before and after the activity and recovery periods. Following the physical work (rest for the control group) Ss completed one practice on the Snoddy Stabilimeter. A score was recorded on each of six practices held on alternate days. Similar comparative data were obtained from a second psycho-motor skill, the Rotary Pursuit meter, on which Ss completed one 30-sec. practice following a 10-min. rest. It was found that the over-all rate of learning of the con...
Studies of mitochondria in oxidative embryotoxicity

While the limb bud and brain of the rat develop abnormally in response to transient uteroplacental hypoperfusion during late gestation, the heart appears to be protected. These malformations have been associated with the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Studies were designed to examine superoxide generation by mitochondrial electron transport particles (ETP) from adult and conceptal tissues and to investigate characteristics that could be responsible for heightened concentrations of ROS in sensitive tissues. Parameters investigated included NADH oxidase and cytochrome c oxidase activities, cytochrome content, and superoxide dismutase activity. NADH oxidase activities were significantly lower in sensitive tissues that also developed the highest concentrations of superoxide. Because ETP from adult CNS also had low NADH oxidase activity but did not show increased concentrations of superoxide, inhibition of electron transport did not adequately account for increased ROS concentrations. The reduced NADH oxidase activity of sensitive tissues could not be caused by inhibition at the cytochrome c oxidase region since this latter activity equaled or exceeded the former in all instances. No significant differences were found in the cytochrome contents of different tissues. There was significantly less superoxide dismutase activity in homogenates prepared from either of the two sensitive conceptal tissues compared with those from insensitive conceptal or adult tissues. These studies confirm the presence of heightened concentrations of superoxide anion radical in ETP from teratogenically sensitive tissues and suggest that these concentrations may result primarily from decreased activity of superoxide dismutase(s) in those tissues. Superoxide anion radical could therefore be available to participate in the generation of the more toxic oxidant species such as the hydroxyl radical.
Ultrasonic through-transmission characterization of thick fibre-reinforced composites

Abstract Thick composites pose a significant challenge to the ultrasonic nondestructive evaluation process due to the increased attenuation as well as the influence of material anisotropy. The physics of ultrasonic wave propagation in anisotropic material involves understanding such phenomena as beam skewing, material focusing/defocusing, unsymmetrical beam profiles, etc. This ultrasonic behaviour can be considered to be relatively insignificant in the nondestructive evaluation of thin anisotropic composite structures, but cannot be neglected in thick composites. In this paper, the ultrasonic characterization of thick glass-epoxy composites using an immersion through-transmission method employing a standard ultrasonic robot scanner system is discussed in detail. An inverse technique for computing material elastic constants from the acquired data is discussed. The experiment measures group velocity is a function of energy propagation angle (group angle), from which phase velocity is numerically computed as a function of phase angle. Then, the material constants are determined from phase velocity profiles using commercially available parameter identification software. Both uni-directional (five independent elastic constants) as well as cross-ply (nine independent elastic constants) were considered. Through-transmitted ultrasonic beam characteristics in thick composites are then analysed using feature extraction procedures and compared with the isotropic plexiglass structure.
Cellulose Nanofibril/Reduced Graphene Oxide/Carbon Nanotube Hybrid Aerogels for Highly Flexible and All-Solid-State Supercapacitors

A novel type of highly flexible and all-solid-state supercapacitor that uses cellulose nanofibril (CNF)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/carbon nanotube (CNT) hybrid aerogels as electrodes and H2SO4/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) gel as the electrolyte was developed and is reported here. These flexible solid-state supercapacitors were fabricated without any binders, current collectors, or electroactive additives. Because of the porous structure of the CNF/RGO/CNT aerogel electrodes and the excellent electrolyte absorption properties of the CNFs present in the aerogel electrodes, the resulting flexible supercapacitors exhibited a high specific capacitance (i.e., 252 F g–1 at a discharge current density of 0.5 A g–1) and a remarkable cycle stability (i.e., more than 99.5% of the capacitance was retained after 1000 charge–discharge cycles at a current density of 1 A g–1). Furthermore, the supercapacitors also showed extremely high areal capacitance, areal power density, and energy density (i.e., 216 mF cm–2, 9.5 mW c...
Large neutral amino acid changes and delirium in febrile elderly medical patients.

A hypothesized but unexplored mechanism for delirium in older persons is that changes in plasma large neutral amino acid (LNAA) concentrations alter brain serotonin levels, result in neurotoxicity, or both. Therefore we performed a prospective study of 21 acutely febrile long-term-care residents to study the relationship between LNAA changes and delirium. Plasma LNAA concentrations were evaluated during illness and 1 month later. Delirium was diagnosed by using the Confusion Assessment Method. Other data included age, body mass index, cognitive impairment, comorbidity, gender, maximum temperature, and medication use. Seven subjects (33%) were delirious during febrile illness. Although the phenylalanine (PHE)/LNAA ratio was higher during illness in both delirious and nondelirious groups, a two-sample t test demonstrated that delirium was associated with a higher illness PHE/LNAA ratio ( p 5 .03). The amount of change in PHE/LNAA from illness to recovery was not different between the delirious and nondelirious groups. Tryptophan/LNAA was not associated with delirium during illness or at recovery. These findings identify another potentially fruitful area of investigation for the prevention and treatment of delirium in older persons. ELIRIUM may be the most common, and perhaps the most important, complication of illness in older persons. Although epidemiologic studies have identified important risk factors associated with the occurrence of delirium, such as advanced age, cognitive impairment, and illness severity, knowledge regarding the pathophysiology of this difficult problem is lacking (1). One hypothesis is that changes in large neutral amino acids (LNAAs), which are precursors of several neurotransmitters that are involved in arousal, attention, and cognition, may play a role in delirium (2). All LNAAs (isoleucine, leucine, methionine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, tyrosine, and valine) enter the brain by using the same saturable carrier, in competition with each other. As the concentration of one LNAA increases, central nervous system entry of other LNAAs decline (3). For example, brain concentrations of serotonin may increase if the relative blood concentration of tryptophan (TRP) increases. Alternatively, serotonin concentrations may decrease if other LNAA concentrations are increased relative to TRP. Phenylalanine (PHE) has the additional interesting property of possible conversion to neurotoxic metabolites (4) and competes with TRP for entry into the brain and subsequent metabolism. This study tests the hypothesis that alterations in plasma LNAA concentrations, particularly the PHE/LNAA and TRP/LNAA ratios, are associated with delirium in febrile elderly patients.
Inhibition of purified p21ras farnesyl:protein transferase by Cys-AAX tetrapeptides.

Abstract We report the identification, purification, and characterization of a farnesyl:protein transferase that transfers the farnesyl moiety from farnesyl pyrophosphate to a cysteine in p21 ras proteins. The enzyme was purified ∼60,000-fold from rat brain cytosol through use of a chromatography step based on the enzyme's ability to bind to a hexapeptide containing the consensus sequence (Cys-AAX) for farnesylation. The purified enzyme migrated on gel filtration chromatography with an apparent molecular weight of 70,000–100,000. High resolution SDS-polyacrylamide gels showed two closely spaced ∼50 kd protein bands in the final preparation. The enzyme was inhibited competitively by peptides as short as 4 residues that contained the Cys-AAX motif. These peptides acted as alternative substrates that competed with p21 H-ras for farnesylation. Effective peptides included the COOH-terminal sequences of all known p21 ras proteins as well as those of lamin A and B.
Spatial analysis of graffiti in San Francisco

Graffiti, as a social phenomenon, has been with us since people first began painting on cave walls. Our responses to graffiti range from recognition of artistry, to interpreting it as a sign of urban decay and disorder. Major cities respond to tax-payers with this latter response by providing graffiti abatement programs, often at substantial cost; thus, understanding and mitigating the causes of graffiti has tangible value. Using spatial analysis, we explore the combined causes of graffiti creation and the subsequent reporting of graffiti for removal in San Francisco, CA, USA. Using a combination of census data and city data, we identify five factors that have significant correlation to graffiti reports, and use them to build a regression model. We show that graffiti is created in areas with high densities of young males, and that commercial zones have the highest rate of graffiti reports. We show that a Geographically Weighted Regression model of these five factors explains over two-thirds of the variation in graffiti reports in San Francisco. Further, our findings are consistent with the dual hypotheses of graffiti as a form of communication or advertising aimed at a target market of other young males, along with the broken window thesis of graffiti interpreted as a sign of social disorder.
Ring Structure of Avian Egg Yolk

Abstract Differences in the staining properties of yolk deposited during night and day were used to estimate the time required to deposit yolk within the ovarian follicle. Whole eggs were frozen to −10° C. to alter the lipoproteins, the shell was removed, and contents fixed in 4% formalin for 18 hours at 60–70° C. The yolk was cut in half, and one half was put into 6% potassium dichromate for 18 hours at 60–70° C. Slices revealed alternating light and dark grey-green or brown rings. The center (latebra) was always light. From timed dye-feeding experiments it was found that lighter staining rings were deposited at night. Chicken eggs had 7–11 light rings; coturnix quail 4–6; turkeys 10–12; and cackling geese 12. All eggs from a variety of bird species showed ring structures. Staining formalin-fixed slices with acidified ferrocyanide yielded rings of Prussian blue, a test for forms of iron. Variation in the nutrition of the reproducing female, or the effects of acute contacts with environmental contaminants can be localized in discrete rings of yolks without experimental intervention during yolk deposition.
The winged helix transcription factor MFH1 is required for proliferation and patterning of paraxial mesoderm in the mouse embryo.

The gene mfh1, encoding a winged helix/forkhead domain transcription factor, is expressed in a dynamic pattern in paraxial and presomitic mesoderm and developing somites during mouse embryogenesis. Expression later becomes restricted to condensing mesenchyme of the vertebrae, head, limbs, and kidney. A targeted disruption of the gene was generated by homologous recombination in embryonic stem cells. Most homozygous mfh1 null embryos die prenatally but some survive to birth, with multiple craniofacial and vertebral column defects. Using molecular markers, we show that the initial formation and patterning of somites occurs normally in mutants. Differentiation of sclerotome-derived cells also appears unaffected, although a reduction of the level of some markers [e.g., mtwist, mf1, scleraxis, and alpha1(II) collagen] is seen in the anterior of homozygous mutants. The most significant difference, however, is a marked reduction in the proliferation of sclerotome-derived cells, as judged by BrdU incorporation. This proliferation defect was also seen in micromass cultures of somite-derived cells treated with transforming growth factor beta1 and fibroblast growth factors. Our findings establish a requirement for a winged helix/forkhead domain transcription factor in the development of the paraxial mesoderm. A model is proposed for the role of mfh1 in regulating the proliferation and differentiation of cell lineages giving rise to the axial skeleton and skull.
Fas ligand gene transfer to the vessel wall inhibits neointima formation and overrides the adenovirus-mediated T cell response

Proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in response to injury plays a key role in the pathogenesis of vascular disorders. Fas ligand (FasL) induces apoptosis in Fas-bearing cells, and its expression on activated T cells contributes to the regulation of the immune response and physiological cell turnover. Here, we show that a replication-defective adenovirus encoding FasL (Ad-FasL) induced apoptosis in Fas-bearing VSMCs. When introduced locally to balloon-injured rat carotid arteries, a well characterized model of a VSMC-derived lesion, Ad-FasL functioned as a potent inhibitor of neointima formation. In rats immunized with an empty adenoviral vector, robust T cell infiltration of the vessel wall was detected after local delivery of a β-galactosidase-expressing virus (Ad-βgal), whereas T cell infiltrates were not detected after local delivery of Ad-FasL. Prior immunization prevented β-galactosidase expression from Ad-βgal, whereas the expression of the FasL transgene was unaffected. When Ad-βgal and Ad-FasL were delivered together to preimmunized animals, T cell infiltration was reduced and β-galactosidase expression was restored. These data demonstrate that Fas ligand gene transfer can effectively inhibit injury-induced vessel lesion formation and can allow adenovirus-harboring cells to evade immune destruction.
Measuring MT Adequacy Using Latent Semantic Analysis

Translation adequacy is defined as the amount of semantic content from the source language document that is conveyed in the target language document. As such, it is more difficult to measure than intelligibility since semantic content must be measured in two documents and then compared. Latent Semantic Analysis is a content measurement technique used in language learner evaluation that exhibits characteristics attractive for re-use in machine translation evaluation (MTE). This experiment, which is a series of applications of the LSA algorithm in various configurations, demonstrates its usefulness as an MTE metric for adequacy. In addition, this experiment lays the groundwork for using LSA as a method to measure the accuracy of a translation without reliance on reference translations.
A multi unsymmetrical beam tapered slot-yagi antenna for PMMW imaging

A compact multi-unsymmetrical beam and high isolation antipodal linearly tapered slot-yagi antenna (TSYA) array with quarter-wave fan-rejections (QWFR) is proposed for feed antenna of lens in the near-field PMMW imaging applications. With changing QWFR structure, the different traveling current path provides the non-uniform phase field distribution for radiation aperture, which creates the function of multi unsymmetrical beamwidth to cover lens for each feed ALTSA at the focal plane, and these side lobe levels (SLL) of radiation patterns of ALTSA transformed by lens can be restrained to enhance the spatial resolution of the near-field imaging lens. Due to quarter-wave shorted circuit fan-rejections, they provide high isolation −30dB between ALTSA array for reducing pattern interference. The proposed ALTSA with QWFR covers 75∼95GHz and 3 dB beamwidth is 70 degree for our lens of diameter of 20cm and focal length of 14cm.
Microvascular flap reconstruction of major pharyngeal resections with the intent of laryngeal preservation.

Objective To determine the functional outcome in patients undergoing pharyngeal reconstruction with free tissue transfer with the intent of functional laryngeal preservation. Design Retrospective medical record review. Setting Academic tertiary care hospital. Patients The study population comprised 45 patients who underwent a major pharyngeal resection with or without a partial laryngeal resection (2 patients died perioperatively, leaving 43 to evaluate). The majority (n = 35 [81%]) had advanced (T3 or T4) primary tumors at presentation and underwent subsequent reconstruction using free tissue transfer at a tertiary care hospital. Main Outcome Measures The rate of functional larynx preservation, best swallow score based on the Functional Outcome Swallowing Scale, and need for tracheostomy. Thirteen independent variables relevant to function and 6 postoperative outcome variables were studied following treatment, and their correlation with laryngeal function was determined. Results Of the 43 patients, 35 (81%) had T3 (n = 9) or T4 (n = 26) squamous cell carcinoma at presentation. There was 100% flap survival. Thirty-one patients (72%) tolerated an oral diet, with 24 (56%) achieving an exclusively oral diet. Only a history of gastroesophageal reflux disease had a statistically significant correlation with poor swallowing; having had a cranial nerve removed did not achieve statistical significance (P = .06). The majority of patients had their best swallow by 10 months. Of the 43 patients, 42 (97%) achieved native laryngeal speech and 36 (84%) were decannulated. The need for a tracheostomy did not correlate with any of the preoperative independent variables. Conclusions Free tissue transfer allows for successful reconstruction of complex pharyngeal defects that functionally threaten the remaining larynx. In properly selected patients, functional laryngeal preservation, decannulation, and use of laryngeal speech can be reliably achieved. Excellent swallowing function can less reliably be predicted.
Developmental Changes in Synaptic Distribution in Arcuate Nucleus Neurons

Neurons coexpressing neuropeptide Y, agouti-related peptide, and GABA (NAG) play an important role in ingestive behavior and are located in the arcuate nucleus of the hypothalamus. NAG neurons receive both GABAergic and glutamatergic synaptic inputs, however, the developmental time course of synaptic input organization of NAG neurons in mice is unknown. In this study, we show that these neurons have low numbers of GABAergic synapses and that GABA is inhibitory to NAG neurons during early postnatal period. In contrast, glutamatergic inputs onto NAG neurons are relatively abundant by P13 and are comparatively similar to the levels observed in the adult. As mice reach adulthood (9–10 weeks), GABAergic tone onto NAG neurons increases. At this age, NAG neurons received similar numbers of inhibitory and EPSCs. To further differentiate age-associated changes in synaptic distribution, 17- to 18-week-old lean and diet-induced obesity (DIO) mice were studied. Surprisingly, NAG neurons from lean adult mice exhibit a reduction in the GABAergic synapses compared with younger adults. Conversely, DIO mice display reductions in the number of GABAergic and glutamatergic inputs onto NAG neurons. Based on these experiments, we propose that synaptic distribution in NAG neurons is continuously restructuring throughout development to accommodate the animals' energy requirements.
A conditional sequential sampling procedure for drug safety surveillance

We propose a practical group sequential method, a conditional sequential sampling procedure, to test if a drug of interest (D) leads to an elevated risk for an adverse event E compared with a comparison drug C. The method is designed for prospective drug safety surveillance studies, in which, for each considered drug, a summary table with the exposed person-times and the associated numbers of adverse events summed by strata defined by several potential confounders, is collected and updated periodically using the health plans' administrative claims data. This new approach can be applied to test for elevated relative risk whenever the data are updated. Our approach adjusts for multiple testing to preserve the overall type I error with any specified alpha-spending function. Furthermore, it automatically adjusts for temporal trend and population heterogeneity across strata by conditioning on the numbers of adverse events within each stratum during each time period. Therefore, this approach is very flexible and applies to a wide class of settings. We conduct a simulation study to evaluate its performance under various scenarios. The approach is also applied to an example to examine if Rofecoxib leads to an increased relative risk for acute myocardial infraction (AMI) compared with its two counterparts Diclofenac and Naproxen, respectively. We end with discussions.
Justice by Other Means: Venue Sorting in Parole Revocation

We consider the factors that shape venue sorting, the process by which a legal case can be handled through different organizational arrangements with distinct procedures, institutional cultures, and sanctioning constraints. The empirical area for our investigation of venue sorting is California’s parole revocation system, in which parolees accused of new crimes can be returned to prison by either criminal courts or the parole board. We find that seriousness of the alleged offense partially predicts the venue through which parolees are sanctioned. However, venue sorting is further explained by decision makers’ perceptions of parolee threat, as well as concerns about organizational efficiency and legitimacy. We conclude by discussing how these findings may relate to the general phenomenon of venue sorting across a range of legal situations.
Differentiation between sediment and hypolimnion methanogen communities in humic lakes.

Summary The traditional view of carbon cycling within the pelagic zone of freshwater lakes has consisted of methane production within the anoxic sediment, followed by diffusive flux and ebullition through the water column. Methanogenic archaea have been shown to be present within the water columns of freshwater lakes; however, little is known about whether these methanogenic communities are distinct from those in the sediment or how these communities change over space and time. We used the methanogen-specific phylogenetic marker mcrA to perform a 3-year study focusing on the community structure of methanogens within the sediment and anoxic hypolimnion water layer of five humic lakes in WI, USA. The hypolimnion and sediment communities were distinct in composition, richness and phylogenetic diversity. Hypolimnion communities displayed a temporally stable biogeographical pattern among lakes, which was driven by both lake-specific environmental variables and barriers to dispersal. We conclude that the hypolimnion comprised communities of methanogens that are distinct from those in the sediment, differentiated among lakes, and likely have unique ecological roles and evolutionary trajectories in these anaerobic environments.
Regulation and Modulation of pH in the Brain

Chesler, Mitchell. Regulation and Modulation of pH in the Brain. Physiol Rev 83: 1183-1221, 2003; 10.1152/physrev.00010.2003.—The regulation of pH is a vital homeostatic function shared by all tiss...
Semantic Annotation for Java

This paper describes how to use annotation to provide semantic information. The applications include the automatic construction of a GUI so that the user input is constrained to a correct range (guarding the input). Elementary GUI examples include elements for a variety of data types. Given sufficient effort, we envision the annotation technique as a replacement for XML and BeanInfo-based systems. We show that semantic annotation has several intrinsic benefits, geographically colocating constraints with their parameters eases maintenance, enables compile-time checking, and establishes consistent constraint declarations. Semantic annotation is shown to be GUI agnostic (devoid of Swing, SWT, AWT or HTML considerations). We also show how GUI annotation can be considered dangerous. The automatically constructed GUI’s are simple, and of no intellectual merit, other than their construction technique.
"Organizational agility: What it is, what it is not, and why it matters"

Organizational agility—defined loosely as a combination of flexibility, nimbleness, and speed—is increasingly regarded as a source of competitive advantage in today’s fiercely competitive and fast ...
Measurements of the Conductivity of Individual 10 Nm Carbon Nanotubes

Catalytically grown carbon fibers approximately 10 nm in diameter and several microns long were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and determined to be multiple- walled nanotubes, and a technique was developed to measure the conductivity of an individual nanotube. Nanotubes were dispersed in solvents and precipitated onto lithographically defined gold contacts to make a 'nano-wire' circuit. Non-contact AFM was used to image the nano- wires, and a resistance o_f LI.4 (+ 1.0 ) MC) was measured through a single nanotube at23o C. A resistivity of 9.5x10-) Q m was estimated for carbon conducting along the axis of a fiber. Local heating of nanotubes appeared to occur at high current densities. The nanotubes could sustain currents on the order of 10 pA per fiber, but application ofcurrents on the order of 100 pA per fiber resulted in rapid decomposition in air and breaking of the circuit.
Optimal address register allocation for arrays in DSP applications

Optimizing the code size of a digital signal processing application is a crucial step in generating high quality and efficient code for embedded systems. Most modern digital signal processors (DSPs) provide multiple address registers and a dedicated address generation unit (AGU) that provides address generation in parallel to instruction execution. There is no address computation overhead if the next address is within the auto-modify range. Many DSP algorithms have an iterative pattern of references to array elements within loops. Thus, a careful assignment of array references to address registers reduces the number of explicit address register instructions as well as the execution cycles. In this paper, we present an optimal integer linear programming (ILP) formulation for the address register allocation problem (ARA) with code reconstructing techniques. Genetic algorithm is also used to solve the ARA problem to get a near-optimal solution in a reasonable amount of time for big embedded applications. Results on several benchmarks show the effectiveness of our techniques compared to other techniques in the literature.
Morphological changes in the cervical intervertebral foramen dimensions with unilateral facet joint dislocation.

Abstract Background Many investigators have conducted studies to determine the biomechanics, causes, complications and treatment of unilateral facet joint dislocation in the cervical spine. However, there is no quantitative data available on morphological changes in the intervertebral foramen of the cervical spine following unilateral facet joint dislocation. These data are important to understand the cause of neurological compromise following unilateral facet joint dislocation. Methods Eight embalmed human cadaver cervical spine specimens ranging from level C1-T1 were used. The nerve roots of these specimens at C5-C6 level were marked by wrapping a 0.12 mm diameter wire around them. Unilateral facet dislocation at C5-C6 level was simulated by serially sectioning the corresponding ligamentous structures. A CT scan of the specimens was obtained before and after the dislocation was simulated. A sagittal plane through the centre of the pedicle and facet joint was constructed and used for measurement. The height and area of the intervertebral foramen, the facet joint space, nerve root diameter and area, and vertebral alignment both before and after dislocation were evaluated. Results The intervertebral foramen area changed from 50.72 ± 0.88 mm2 to 67.82 ± 4.77 mm2 on the non-dislocated side and from 41.39 ± 1.11 mm2 to 113.77 ± 5.65 mm2 on the dislocated side. The foraminal heights changed from 9.02 ± 0.30 mm to 10.52 ± 0.50 mm on the non-dislocated side and 10.43 ± 0.50 mm to 17.04 ± 0.96 mm on the dislocated side. The facet space area in the sagittal plane changed from 6.80 ± 0.80 mm2 to 40.02 ± 1.40 mm2 on the non-dislocated side. The C-5 anterior displacement showed a great change from 0 mm to 5.40 ± 0.24 mm on the non-dislocated side and from 0 mm to 3.42 ± 0.20 mm on the dislocated side. Neither of the nerve roots on either side showed a significant change in size. Conclusions The lack of change in nerve root area indicates that the associated nerve injury with unilateral facet joint dislocation is probably due to distraction rather than due to direct nerve root compression.
The Nature of Shamanism: Substance and Function of a Religious Metaphor

The Nature of Shamanism: Substance and Function of. Religious Metaphor. Michael Ripinsky-Naxon. Albany: State University of New York Press, 1993. xi. 289 pp. $19.95 (paper). $59.50 (cloth).
What is the ionization potential of silicon dimer

Abstract Resonant two-photon ionization and laser-induced fluorescence spectra of the Si 2 H 3 Σ u − ← X 3 Σ g − transition are presented. The ionization behavior of several H 3 Σ u − vibrational levels is investigated using KrF excimer and Nd: YAG laser fourth harmonic radiation. The results of these studies are employed to tightly bracket the silicon dimer ionization potential (7.9–8.1 eV). This evaluation is discussed in relation to previous estimates of the Si 2 ionization potential reported in the literature.
McGinn’s materialism and epiphenomenalism

Locke's appraisal of the mind-body problem in Book IV, Chapter III, Section 6 of his Essay (1690/1997: 481) might be formulated as: While (a) we don't see how the mind can exist without a body, (b) we don't see how the brain or any feature of the body can disclose what it's like to be conscious. Our materialist intuitions suggest (a) while (b) is part of our intuitions inclining us towards dualism. Steadfastly abiding by his materialist intuitions (a) and yet acknowledging (b), Colin McGinn urges a materialist option having two parts: (I) There is
Global Account Management for Sales Organization in Multinational Companies

A Global Company is not just a Multinational Company, but on top it has developed an organizational structure, an overall governance and a set of operational decision making processes which allow running a significant percentage of business processes as a unique body across borders. Successful Global Companies have a clear setup and governance of local versus centralized decision making processes, as well as budget ownership Corporations focused on global opportunities need to re-think their customer approach, namely in terms of set up of their sales force, and more specifically planning, a transformation from national based to international managed sales organization for those specific customers.