cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of nicotine on intercellular adhesion molecule expression in endothelial cells and integrin expression in neutrophils in vitro

Abstract OBJECTIVE: We previously reported that nicotine decreases leukocyte adhesion to uterine vascular endothelial cells in vivo under ischemic conditions in pregnant rabbits. To further investigate the mechanism of decreased leukocyte-endothelial adhesion by nicotine exposure, the effect of nicotine on endothelial cell intercellular adhesion molecule expression and neutrophil integrin expression of CD62L, CD11a, and CD11b were examined. STUDY DESIGN: Endothelial cells were isolated from human umbilical cord veins from normal pregnancies in nonsmoking women immediately after delivery. Neutrophils were isolated from healthy nonpregnant and nonsmoking female volunteers. First passage of endothelial cells and fresh isolated neutrophils were exposed to nicotine at different concentrations. Surface adhesion molecule expression of intercellular adhesion molecule on endothelial cells was determined by colorimetric assay. Neutrophil integrin expressions for CD62L, CD11a, and CD11b were determined by flow cytometry. Messenger RNA expression for intercellular adhesion molecule in endothelial cells was examined by reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Nicotine at a lower concentration of 0.01 μmol/L had no effect on endothelial cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule expression compared with controls ( P =.614). Nicotine at a higher concentration of 10 μmol/L completely inhibited endothelial cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression( P CONCLUSION: Nicotine exerts inhibitory effects on both endothelial cell surface intercellular adhesion molecule expression and neutrophil integrin expressions of CD62L, CD11a, and CD11b in vitro. These in vitro effects of nicotine may relate to the clinical observation of reduced incidence of preeclampsia in women that smoke. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2002;186:551-6.)
Ultrastructure of the auditory regions in the inner ear of the lake whitefish

Hair cell polarization patterns were investigated on the sensory macule of the sacculus and lagena of the lake whitefish. The saccular hair cells are divided into four groups, with all of the cells within a group having the same orientation. Saccular orientations are anterior, posterior, dorsal, and ventral with respect to the axis of the animal. Two groups, one dorsal and one ventral, are found on the lagena. The saccular orientations are significantly different from those in tetrapods. Since this organ appears to have different functions in fish and tetrapods it is likely that the orientation patterns in fish are adapted to some aspect of audition--perhaps directional localization of sound.
The biology of tetraploid hydatidiform moles: Histopathology, cytogenetics, and flow cytometry

Abstract We identified three cases of tetraploid hydatidiform moles (HM). A complete hydatidiform mole (CM) had a 92,XXXX karyotype. The two partial hydatidiform moles (PM) had karyotypes of 69,XXY/90,XXXY,−11,−13 and 92,XXYY, respectively. Study of chromosomal heteromorphisms in the 92,XXYY PM revealed two maternal and two paternal haploid sets. Flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA content from fresh placental tissue from the 69,XXY/90,XXXY,−11,−13 PM demonstrated distinct peaks in the triploid and tetraploid regions and an octaploid G2M peak. Flow cytometric analysis of paraffin-embedded, fixed tissue was diagnostic of tetraploidy in the 92,XXXX CM and consistent with tetraploidy in the 92,XXYY PM. All three patients achieved spontaneous remission of elevated gonadotropin levels. These three cases of tetraploid HM do not fit into the usual patterns of diploid CM and triploid PM. We conclude that flow cytometric analysis of nuclear DNA may be used to identify polyploidy in fresh and paraffin-embedded, fixed placental tissues. Categorization of all molar placentas on the basis of ploid presents are opportunities to study the biology and natural history of gestational trophoblastic disease in tetraploid HM.
A Direct Proof that Every Infinite Compact Group G Contains {0, 1}w(G)

: We present a new elementary proof of the result stated in the title based on an application of Michael's selection theorem. As an immediate corollary this yields that every infinite compact group G can be continuously mapped onto the Tychonoff cube Iw(G).
Electroshocking as a survey technique for stream-dwelling amphibians†

Electroshocking has long been employed as a survey technique for fish, but has not been directly tested against rock rolling as a survey methodology for stream-dwelling amphibians. Electroshocking has the potential to reduce habitat disturbances that result from surveys, improve abundance estimates, and reduce injuries and effort in collecting data. Furthermore, accurately quantifying species and survey technique-specific estimates of detection probabilities is critical for appropriately interpreting survey results and employing occupancy analyses. We tested the efficiency and sensitivity of rock rolling and electroshocking in detecting Idaho giant salamanders (Dicamptodon aterrimus) in a small stream in northern Idaho, USA, by sampling short (25 m) segments of a stream using both survey techniques. We also conducted multi-pass surveys of 400-m stream segments to estimate detection probabilities for D. aterrimus and Rocky Mountain tailed frog (Ascaphus montanus). Using electroshocking, we detected D. aterrimus 40% more often than by rock rolling and detected 3.5 times as many individuals, with substantially reduced effort. Using electroshocking, detection probabilities were 1.0 for D. aterrimus and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.63–0.88) for A. montanus. Our results show electroshocking to be a much more sensitive and efficient method of detecting stream-dwelling amphibians than the traditional technique of rock rolling. Electroshocking can serve as an important survey technique for secretive stream-dwelling amphibians, allowing managers to quickly and safely acquire valuable data of better quality. © 2012 The Wildlife Society.
Process capability analysis of DUV alternating PSM and DUV attenuated PSM lithography for 100-nm gate fabrication

Two lithography strategies - of alternating PSM using double expose method (DEM) and high transmission attenuated PSM - were investigated to assess their capability for printing 0.1 micrometers gate. In order to do that, the optimization of each process has been carried out for maximizing the process window; of depth of focus (DOF) and expose latitude (EL), to make them satisfy process requirement generated by focus and expose budget study. The key components of optimization are finding the best NA and sigma, the optimum bias for isolated lines and dense lines and the optimum transmission of att PSM. Then, the impacts of some critical lithographic parameters such as phase error effects in APSM, proximity effects and mask error factor (MEF) were determined with experimental data. As final answer to the question of process capability of two lithography techniques for 0.1 micrometers gate patterning, CD control analysis was made to see if they satisfy our gate CD control requirements.
CLONING, OVEREXPRESSION, REFOLDING, AND PURIFICATION OF THE NONSPECIFIC PHOSPHOLIPASE C FROM BACILLUS CEREUS

Abstract Bacillus cereussecretes a nonspecific phospholipase C (PLC) that catalyzes the hydrolysis of phospholipids to yield diacylglycerol and a phosphate monoester.B. cereusPLC has been overexpressed with its signal sequence inEscherichia coliusing a T7 expression system. The expressed enzyme formed intracellular inclusion bodies which were solubilized in the presence of 8 m urea. Renaturation was initiated by gradual removal of urea and addition of zinc ions. The signal peptide was specifically cleaved by a protease, clostripain, added when the urea concentration was 1.5 m . Factors that led to protein reaggregation included rapid removal of urea, use of Tris instead of barbital buffer, and presence of the signal peptide when the urea concentration was below 1.5 m . The folded protein was purified by Q-Sepharose Fast Flow chromatography to yield a preparation >99% pure. The final yield of active enzyme was 30–40 mg per liter of culture. The recombinant PLC exhibited biochemical and kinetic properties identical to those of extracellularly produced PLC fromB. cereus.Site-specific mutagenesis of Asn-134 was carried out as a test of the general effectiveness of the refolding procedure.
Evidence for two P2‐purinoceptor subtypes in human small pulmonary arteries

1. P2-purinoceptors have not been characterized in human pulmonary vessels and we therefore examined the effects of adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) and its analogues on human isolated small pulmonary arteries (SPA) in vitro. 2. Contractile responses were induced by all of the analogues, with the rank order of potency alpha,beta-methylene-ATP (alpha,beta-meATP) = beta,gamma-methylene-ATP (beta,gamma-meATP) greater than ATP greater than 2-methylthio-ATP, indicating the presence of vasoconstrictor P2x receptors. 3. In precontracted SPA, vasodilator responses were produced by all of the analogues. The rank order of potency for the analogues causing vasodilator responses was: 2-methylthio-ATP much greater than ATP much greater than beta,gamma-meATP = alpha,beta-meATP, indicating a vasodilator P2y receptor. 4. Removal of endothelial cells had no significant effect on either the contractile or relaxant responses to any of the analogues. 5. After pretreatment of the endothelium-denuded vessels with alpha,beta-meATP (to desensitize P2x receptors), the contractile response to beta,gamma-meATP (a potent P2x receptor agonist) was abolished. 6. We conclude that both P2x- and P2y-purinoceptors are present in human SPA and that both receptors reside on the vascular smooth muscle.
Quantification of fatty acid oxidation products using online high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry

Oxidized fatty acids formed via lipid peroxidation are implicated in pathological processes such as inflammation and atherosclerosis. A number of methods may be used to detect specific oxidized fatty acids containing a single or multiple combinations of epoxide, hydroxyl, ketone, and hydroperoxide moieties on varying carbon chain lengths from C8 up to C30. Some of these methods are nonspecific and their use in biological systems is fraught with difficulty. Measures of specific oxidized fatty acid derivatives help in identifying oxidation pathways in pathological processes. We used liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry as an efficient, selective, and sensitive method for identifying and analyzing multiple specific fatty acid peroxidation products in human plasma and other biological matrices. We then distilled the essential components of a number of these analyses to provide an efficient protocol by which fatty acid oxidation products and their parent compounds can be determined. In this protocol, addition of a synthetic internal standard to the sample, followed by base hydrolysis at elevated temperature and liquid-liquid phase sample extraction with lighter-than-water solvents, facilitates isolation of the oxidized fatty acid species. These species can be identified and accurately quantified using stable-isotope dilution and multiple-reaction monitoring. Use of a coupled multiplexed gradient HPLC system on the front end enables high-throughput chromatography and more efficient use of mass spectrometer time.
Frequency domain limitations of non-negative impulse response non-lowpass filters

This paper analyzes the inherent limitations of the magnitude response in non-negative impulse response (NNIR) systems that are not of the lowpass type. In particular, this work shows the importance of the frequency response around the point of zero frequency and its effect on the achievable gain increases at higher frequencies. The findings are shown to serve as a guiding principle for the design of NNIR filters that are not of the low pass type.
Under Another Sun: Japanese in Singapore

Under Another Sun: Japanese in Singapore. Directed by Chet Kincaid. 2001. 56 minutes, color. Distributed by Asian Educational Media Service, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, 910 South 5th Street, 230ISB, Champaign, IL 68120. http://www.aems.uiuc.edu.
A daily diary analysis of vaginal bleeding and coitus among adolescent women.

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effect of vaginal bleeding on the likelihood of coitus among adolescent women. Methods Participants were 191 sexually active women aged 14 to 21 years enrolled from a sexually transmitted disease clinic and three primary care adolescent clinics. Data were collected from diaries maintained for up to 7 months. Subjects recorded each occurrence of coitus, partner initials, condom use, and vaginal bleeding. Multivariable logistic regression was used for the analyses. Generalized estimating equations approach was used to adjust the estimated parameters for within-subject correlation. Results Subjects reported a total 21,334 diary days, with 2684 days with coitus (12.6% of diary days) and 1433 days with bleeding (6.7% of diary days). Only 65/2684 (2.4%) coital events were associated with vaginal bleeding. Multivariable analysis showed that absence of bleeding was associated with increased likelihood (odds ratio=4.2) of coitus, independent of age, race, and usual coital frequency. Younger age and higher coital frequency were associated with increased likelihood of any coitus during vaginal bleeding. Conclusions For most sexually active adolescent women, bleeding is associated with avoidance of coitus.
Girls rock! The movie

directed by Shane King and Arne Johnson Liberation Entertainment Inc., 2008, 89 minutes http://www.girlsrockmovie.com Reviewed by Karen Gregory, City University of New York In her most recent work,...
Cell type specific, receptor-mediated modulation of growth kinetics in human lung cancer cell lines by nicotine and tobacco-related nitrosamines

The objective of this study was to investigate a potential involvement of nicotinic cholinergic receptors in the mediation of cell type specific biological effects of nicotine and the two tobacco-related nitrosamines N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) and 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK) on human lung cells. Three well differentiated human lung cancer cell lines that have been reported previously to possess ultrastructural and biochemical features of normal pulmonary neuroendocrine cells, Clara cells and alveolar type II cells, respectively, were used for these experiments. The effects of nicotine, DEN, and NNK on cell proliferation and its modulation by established antagonists of nicotinic and muscarinic cholinergic receptors were studied. In the neuroendocrine cell line, nicotine and the two nitrosamines caused a strong stimulation of cell proliferation that was inhibited by antagonists of nicotinic cholinergic receptors. In the cell lines with features of Clara cells and alveolar type II cells, nicotine did not stimulate cell proliferation. Both nitrosamines stimulated cell proliferation in the cell line with Clara cell features. This effect was not changed by pre-exposure to cholinergic antagonists. The data suggest a selective uptake of nicotine and the two nitrosamines via nicotinic cholinergic receptors in pulmonary neuroendocrine cells.
Grouping Students for Elementary School Mathematics: A Survey of Principals in 12 States

ABSTRACT In this study I explored how elementary school students are initially assigned to homeroom classrooms (criteria used and heterogeneous vs. homogeneous grouping), subsequently assigned to mathematics classes (e.g., self‐contained, regrouped, departmentalized), and grouped for mathematics instruction within classes (e.g., whole‐class, two groups, individualized). This three‐dimensional typology of school and classroom organization was used to survey 571 elementary school principals from 12 states. Results showed that students were generally assigned to heterogeneous self‐contained homeroom classes, that they remained in these same classes for mathematics, and that mathematics was usually taught to entire classes (whole class). Within‐class ability grouping, within‐grade regrouping, and departmentalized plans were used increasingly for mathematics at the intermediate grades, but across‐grade or Joplin Plan programs were infrequent.
Late Quaternary glacial chronology on Nevado Illimani, Bolivia, and the implications for paleoclimatic reconstructions across the Andes

10Be terrestrial cosmogenic nuclide surface exposure ages from moraines on Nevado Illimani, Cordillera Real, Bolivia suggest that glaciers retreated from moraines during the periods 15.5–13.0 ka, 10.0–8.5 ka, and 3.5–2.0 ka. Late glacial moraines at Illimani are associated with an ELA depression of 400–600 m, which is consistent with other local reconstructions of late glacial ELAs in the Eastern Cordillera of the central Andes. A comparison of late glacial ELAs between the Eastern Cordillera and Western Cordillera indicates a marked change toward flattening of the east-to-west regional ELA gradient. This flattening is consistent with increased precipitation from the Pacific during the late glacial period.
Inhibition of zinc finger protein–DNA interactions by sodium selenite

Abstract Sodium selenite and sodium selenate were analyzed for their ability to alter the DNA binding mechanisms of the Cys 2 His 2 zinc finger proteins, transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) and Sp1. TFIIIA is a positive regulator of 5S ribosomal RNA synthesis, and Sp1 is involved in cell proliferation and invasiveness. As assayed by DNase I protection, the interaction of the DNA binding domain of TFIIIA with the 5S ribosomal gene was inhibited by 25 μM selenite ions but not by 250 μM selenate ions. Selenite inhibition kinetics of TFIIIA progressed to completion in about 5 min. Preincubation of free TFIIIA with selenite resulted in DNA binding inhibition, whereas preincubation of a TFIIIA/5S RNA complex with selenite did not. Since 5S RNA binds to the TFIIIA DNA binding domain, this result is consistent with an inhibition mechanism via selenite binding to that region of this protein. Inhibition was not readily reversible and occurred in the presence of an excess of β-mercaptoethanol; elevated amounts of dithiothreitol mitigated the inhibitory effect. Significantly less selenite (2.5–5 μM) inhibited the specific DNA binding of transcription factor Sp1 to the simian virus 40 (SV40) early promoter/enhancer. The selenite inhibition kinetics of Sp1 were fast, going to completion in about 1 min. SV40 DNA binding by the non-zinc finger transcription factor AP-2 was not inhibited by selenite. Inhibition of Cys 2 His 2 zinc finger proteins by micromolar amounts of selenite points to additional mechanisms for selenite-induced diminution of cell growth and anticancer activity.
Crack-cocaine use accelerates HIV disease progression in a cohort of HIV-positive drug users

BACKGROUND HIV infection is prevalent among substance abusers. The effects of specific illicit drugs on HIV disease progression have not been established. We evaluated the relationship between substances of abuse and HIV disease progression in a cohort of HIV-1-positive active drug users. METHODS A prospective, 30-month, longitudinal study was conducted on 222 HIV-1 seropositive drug users in Miami, FL. History of illicit drug, alcohol, and medication use, CD4+ cell count, and viral load were performed every 6 months. RESULTS Crack-cocaine users were 2.14 times [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.08 to 4.25, P = 0.029] more likely to present a decline of CD4 to <or=200 cells/mL, independent of antiretroviral use. Viral load over 30 months was significantly higher in crack users (beta = 0.315, P = 0.037) independent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) over time. The only multidrug combination that significantly increased the risk of disease progression was crack cocaine with marijuana (hazard ratio = 2.42; 95% CI: 1.042 to 5.617, P = 0.04). Of those on HAART, a significantly lower proportion of crack-cocaine users versus nonusers had controlled viral load (P < 0.001), suggesting lower medication adherence, whereas crack-cocaine users not on HAART showed a greater risk for HIV disease progression than nonusers (hazard ratio = 3.946; 95% CI: 1.049 to 14.85, P = 0.042). CONCLUSIONS Crack-cocaine use facilitates HIV disease progression by reducing adherence in those on HAART and by accelerating disease progression independently of HAART.
The role of simple carbohydrates in the suppression of hydroxyl free radicals in γ-irradiated papaya juice

Abstract Hydroxyl free radical (HO·), reactions with a series of trapping agents, such as 2-deoxyribose, 2-hydroxybenzoic acid or dimethylpyrroline N-oxide, are effectively blocked when dilute solutions of papaya jice are added to irradiation mixtures prior to exposure to 60Co γ-rays. Our studies to determine the agents present in papaya juice responsible for the HO· quenching activity suggest that glucose, fructose and sucrose, present in papaya juice in total concentrations of ∼0·5–0·7 molar, block HO· reactions and produce malonaldehyde and other sugar derivatives when the juice is exposed to γ-rays. Papaya contains a sequestered invertase which is released when the fruit is crushed during juice extraction. Heat treatment of the fruit before juice preparation inactivates this enzyme, and the juice of this fruit contains lower total amounts of the simple sugars and is a proportionally poorer quenching agent than the unheated juice. Synthetic mixtures of the simple sugars at concentrations equal to those in papaya juice mimic the inhibition of HO· reactions and the production of malonaldehyde by papaya juice.
Effluent fire product — A crude approach to fire gas hazard assessment

The author proposes a method for classifying the various factors influencing the life safety hazard posed during fires. Five fire hazard components are identified as oxygen deficiency, toxic combustion products, smoke particulates, hot gases, and flame exposure.
Quantization of the Yang-Mills Field.

Recent efforts in quantum field theory have given rise to increased interest in nonlinear, gauge-type field theories. In this paper, we examine the Yang-Mills field, which is a theory of this type, which lies between electrodynamics and general relativity in complexity. The quantum Yang-Mills field is introduced to satisfy the requirement of invariance under isotopic phase transformations of the second kind. The theory is then put into its first-order form, so as to make it amenable to quantization by the methods of the Schwinger action principle. Quantization is then carried out for the two different gauge conditions; the first (which is the analog of the radiation gauge in electrodynamics) leads to a perturbation treatment of the constraints of the theory and the second to a rigorous solution of them. Two conditions for a consistent quantization are investigated. These are (1) the requirement that the Lagrange equations be identical to the Heisenberg equations of motion (the latter being evaluated using the field commutation relations) and (2) the requirement that the constraint equations be conserved in time (which leads to a condition on double commutators in the $q$-number theory). In the radiation gauge, these conditions are shown to be satisfied in lowest-order perturbation theory. In the second gauge used, they are rigorously satisfied. It is also shown for that gauge that the field Hamiltonian is positive definite when coupling to Fermion isotopic currents is ignored. No investigation of consistency conditions arising from Lorentz covariance requirements are made.
Characterization of neuroendocrine differentiation in human benign prostate and prostatic adenocarcinoma

Background. This report describes an immunohistopathologic analysis characterizing the incidence, pattern of distribution, and hormonal content of neuroendocrine (NE) cells in human benign prostate and prostatic adenocarcinoma. Methods. Formaldehyde-fixed, paraffin-embedded material from 15 benign prostates, 31 primary prostatic adenocarcinomas, 16 metastatic lesions, 21 primary tumors treated with short-course diethylstilbestrol (DES), and 10 specimens from hormone-refractory patients were examined. NE cells were identified using silver histochemistry and a panel of immunohistochemical NE markers (chromogranin-A, serotonin, neuron-specific enolase), and specific peptide hormone antibodies. Results. NE cells were identified in all benign prostates. NE cells were identified in 77% of primary untreated adenocarcinomas with no significant differences with respect to pathologic stage. NE cells were found isolated and dispersed in the tumor, composing the minority of malignant cells. Double-labeling and serial section immunohistochemistry demonstrated the coexpression of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in NE cells. In addition to serotonin, some tumors expressed multiple hormone immunoreactivities. NE cells were identified in 56% of metastatic deposits, with a similar pattern of distribution. In DES-treated cases, NE cells were found consistently in the adjacent benign epithelium, whereas 52% of tumors contained NE cells. Hormone-refractory tumors contained NE cells in 60% of cases. Conclusions. This analysis demonstrates that a significant proportion of primary and metastatic prostatic adenocarcinomas contain a subpopulation of NE cells, the expression of which does not appear to be suppressed with androgen ablation and does not correlate with pathologic stage. Furthermore, NE cells coexpress PSA, suggesting a common precursor cell of origin. The elaboration of biogenic amines and neuropeptides suggests that NE cells dispersed in prostatic carcinoma may play a paracrine growth-regulatory role.
Purification, crystallization, and preliminary X‐ray diffraction analysis of even‐skipped homeodomain complexed to DNA

Embryonic development in metazoa, to a significant extent, is directed by genes which contain a conserved sequence motif named the homeobox. This sequence encodes a polypeptide called the homeodomain which has sequence specific DNA-binding activity. We report the purification, crystallization, and preliminary diffraction analysis of the Drosophila Even-skipped homeodomain (Eve HD) bound to two different oligonucleotides. Crystals of Eve HD complexed with an AT-rich sequence belong to space group P2(1), a = 34.06, b = 61.61, c = 39.99 Angstrom, beta = 90.0 degrees. These crystals diffract to at least 2.0 Angstrom and both native and derivative data sets have been collected. Crystals of Eve HD complexed with a GC-rich sequence belong to space group P6(3), a = b = 124.52, c = 66.78 Angstrom and diffract to 3.5 Angstrom resolution. A native data set has been collected.
The mechanisms of lesion genesis in multiple sclerosis

Dr M. A. Lee and colleagues at the Centre for Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Brain and the Department of Clinical Neurology of the Radcliffe Hospital and Infirmary in Oxford, the Montreal Neurologic Institute, the Institute of Neurology in London, and the Neuroimaging Research Unit of the University of Milan have collaborated to provide us with interesting and provocative new data that challenges evolving dogma on the evolution if not the pathogenesis of individual plaques in multiple sclerosis. Their data are presented, in rather convincing fashion, in this issue in their paper `Spatial mapping of T2 and gadolinium-enhancing T1 lesion volumes in multiple sclerosis: evidence for distinct mechanisms of lesion genesis? (Lee et al., 1999). The introduction of MRI to the study of multiple sclerosis has substantially altered our understanding of the dynamics of MRI-defined lesion formation in this disease. Increasingly the natural history of lesion formation as monitored by MRI is reshaping our concepts of therapeutic management. Management is now focused especially on approaches to prevent future lesion development, with the, as yet, only partially supported hope of retarding the generally relentless progression of neurologic impairment and disability that clinically characterize multiple sclerosis (Ebers et al ., …
Low-constant parallel algorithms for finite element simulations using linear octrees

In this article we propose parallel algorithms for the construction of conforming finite-element discretization on linear octrees. Existing octree-based discretizations scale to billions of elements, but the complexity constants can be high. In our approach we use several techniques to minimize overhead: a novel bottom-up tree-construction and 2:1 balance constraint enforcement; a Golomb-Rice encoding for compression by representing the octree and element connectivity as an Uniquely Decodable Code (UDC); overlapping communication and computation; and byte alignment for cache efficiency. The cost of applying the Laplacian is comparable to that of applying it using a direct indexing regular grid discretization with the same number of elements. Our algorithm has scaled up to four billion octants on 4096 processors on a Cray XT3 at the Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center. The overall tree construction time is under a minute in contrast to previous implementations that required several minutes; the evaluation of the discretization of a variable-coefficient Laplacian takes only a few seconds.
Superoxide and endothelium-dependent constriction to flow in porcine small pulmonary arteries.

The aim of this study was to determine the response of porcine small pulmonary arteries to intralumenal flow and to identify the cellular mechanisms and potential mediators involved in the response. Porcine small pulmonary arteries were isolated from a branch of the main intrapulmonary artery of the lower lung lobe and studied in a perfusion myograph system that allowed independent control of transmural pressure and intralumenal flow. At a transmural pressure of 20 mmHg, the baseline internal diameter (BID) of the arteries was 251.2±16.1 μm (n=16). Under quiescent conditions or during constriction with U46619 to ∼60% of BID, intralumenal flow caused reversible constriction in arteries with endothelium (in the presence of U46619, flow decreased diameter from 60.0±2.5% to 49.5±3.0% BID at 10 μl min−1, n=16, P<0.05) but no change in diameter of arteries without endothelium. In the presence of superoxide dismutase (SOD, 150 u ml−1), the response to flow was converted from constriction to vasodilatation (in presence of U46619 and SOD, flow increased diameter from 54.2±3.4% to 76.7±4.5% BID at 10 μl min−1, n=10, P<0.05). Inhibition of NO synthase with L-NAME (3×10−5M) abolished the flow-induced vasodilatation occurring in the presence of SOD and the flow-induced constriction occurring in the absence of SOD. In arteries with endothelium, L-NAME (3×10−5M) caused significant vasoconstriction, whereas SOD did not alter vasomotor tone. Acetylcholine (10−8 to 10−6M) caused endothelium-dependent relaxation of small pulmonary arteries that was not significantly affected by SOD (150 u ml−1) but was inhibited by L-NAME (3×10−5M). These results suggest that in small, porcine, isolated pulmonary arteries, intralumenal flow increases the production of NO but this is obscured by the generation of superoxide which causes vasoconstriction.
Some statistical methods in machine intelligence research

Abstract About a dozen examples are given of the use of statistical methods in research on machine intelligence, most, though not all, previously known, but not previously brought together. The topics include the application of rationality to the research as a whole; the trading of immediate gain for information; adaptive control without the identification of a model, by using smoothing techniques; phoneme recognition using distinctive features and their derivatives; the compiling of dictionaries; “botryology” or concept formation by clump finding; information retrieval; medical diagnosis; game playing and its relationship to theorem proving; design of an alphabet or of a vocabulary; and artificial neural networks. Among the statistical themes that are emphasized are the estimation of probabilities; the use of amounts of information and of evidence as substitutes for utility when utility is difficult to estimate; decision trees; “evolving” probabilities; and maximum, minimum, and minimax entropy in diagnosis. In this survey of methods it has been necessary at several points to make do with references to the literature.
MRI for clinically suspected pediatric appendicitis: case interpretation

As utilization of MRI for clinically suspected pediatric appendicitis becomes more common, there will be increased focus on case interpretation. The purpose of this pictorial essay is to share our institution’s case interpretation experience. MRI findings of appendicitis include appendicoliths, tip appendicitis, intraluminal fluid–debris level, pitfalls of size measurements, and complications including abscesses. The normal appendix and inguinal appendix are also discussed.
Korringa behavior for Cu(2) in YBa2Cu3O6.98

The 63 Cu NMR spin-lattice relaxation rate of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.98 (T C =93.3K) at the plane site shows classic Korringa temperature dependence in the normal state with T 1 T=230±20 Kms. This resuit is consistent with Fermi quasi-particle character of the low lying electronic excitations near the Fermi energy. Precursory behavior is observed just above T c in the relaxation data. This may be consistent with order parameter fluctuations.
Rats’ location during conditioned suppression training

Freezing is often cited as the interfering behavior responsible for barpress conditioned suppression. However, auditory cues that precede shock can evoke more freezing than can visual cues despite producing similar suppression. In two experiments, we sought to resolve this paradox by measuring rats’ location in the box in addition to recording freezing during conditioned-suppression training to tones and lights. Tone evoked more freezing than light but similar suppression. During both cues, rats left the bar and dipper areas and moved to the lower middle and rear of the box. When the bar was then removed and the dipper entry sealed, the preference for the middle and rear of the box disappeared. Apparently, frightened rats do not simply prefer the middle and rear of our box. The fact that rats leave the bar and dipper areas equally during both auditory and visual cues explains how the two cues can foster similar suppression despite evoking different levels of freezing. But the fact that rats leave the bar and dipper areas at all remains to be explained.
Analyses of atmospheric extinction data obtained by astronomers. II - Seasonal variations in astronomical extinction

Archival astronomical atmospheric extinction records obtained from fifteen observatory sites were analyzed by not strictly rigorous statistical averaging procedures in order to obtain sufficiently reliable pictures of the trends and variations in atmospheric transparency for the period 1956-1972. While the northern hemisphere sites reveal definite seasonal variations with maxima occurring during local summer, the southern hemisphere displays little such effect. The only southern hemisphere sites with any variation were in South Africa, where a late winter maximum was observed.
N-terminal acetylation of histone-like nascent peptides on rat liver polyribosomes in vitro.

SEVERAL proteins are known to have the amino terminus blocked by acetyl radicals1. At least six of these proteins, including the f2a histones, have an N-acetylserine terminus2. The mechanism by which the acetyl group becomes attached to these molecules is not well understood. Proposals suggesting the initiation of protein synthesis by acetylated amino acids as a general mechanism in eukaryotes3 have been refuted4. However, a role of N-acetyl amino acids in the initiation of the synthesis of certain specific proteins cannot be ruled out5. An explanation for the presence of N-acetyl amino acids at the amino terminus of proteins is the existence of an acetylating enzyme specific for certain N-terminal sequences in proteins or growing polypeptides chains. The finding of an acetyltransferase activity bound to rat liver ribosomes and specific for the N-terminal amino acid of some proteins associated with the ribosomes6 offers an appropriate system for the study of the alternative mechanism. We report here the analysis of histone-like nascent peptides acetylated in vitro in liver polyribosomes prepared from rats hepatectomised 22 h before being killed. The results indicate that acetyl groups can be attached directly to N-terminal serine residues of nascent peptides in the absence of the initiation of protein synthesis.
Effect of metformin on survival outcomes in diabetic patients with triple receptor-negative breast cancer.

Background Recent observational studies have shown that metformin use in diabetics decreases both cancer incidence and mortality. Metformin use is also independently predictive of pathologic complete response. We explored the association between metformin use and survival outcomes in patients with triple receptor-negative breast cancer (TNBC) receiving adjuvant chemotherapy.
Using Tracon™ as a Teaching Tool

TRACON is an air traffic control simulator for the personal computer. The purpose of this demonstration is to illustrate its potential usefulness in illustrating human factors issues in a real-world task.
Control of electroosmotic flow in laser-ablated and chemically modified hot imprinted poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) microchannels.

The fabrication of microchannels in poly(ethylene terephthalate glycol) (PETG) by laser ablation and the hot imprinting method is described. In addition, hot imprinted microchannels were hydrolyzed to yield additional charged organic functional groups on the imprinted surface. The charged groups are carboxylate moieties that were also used as a means for the further reaction of different chemical species on the surface of the PETG microchannels. The microchannels were characterized by fluorescence mapping and electroosmotic flow (EOF) measurements. Experimental results demonstrated that different fabrication and channel treatment protocols resulted in different EOF rates. Laser-ablated channels had similar EOF rates (5.3 ′ 0.3 x 10 - 4 cm 2 /Vs and 5.6 ′ 0.4 × 10 - 4 cm 2 /Vs) to hydrolyzed imprinted channels (5.1 ′ 0.4 × 10 - 4 cm 2 /Vs), which in turn demonstrated a somewhat higher flow rate than imprinted PETG channels that were not hydrolyzed (3.5 ′ 0.3 × 10 - 4 cm 2 /Vs). Laser-ablated channels that had been chemically modified to yield amines displayed an EOF rate of 3.38 ′ 0.1 x 10 - 4 cm 2 /Vs and hydrolyzed imprinted channels that had been chemically derivatized to yield amines showed an EOF rate of 2.67 ′ 0.6 cm 2 /Vs. These data demonstrate that surface-bound carboxylate species can be used as a template for further chemical reactions in addition to changing the EOF mobility within microchannels.
Retropective Evaluation of Survival Time of Dogs with Stage III Osteosarcoma that Undergo Treatment

Introduction: Stage III osteosarcoma generally carries a grave prognosis. Despite this, some owners elect to treat using palliative or curative intent protocols. The purpose of this study was to determine the survival times for dogs with stage III osteosarcoma that undergo treatment and to evaluate the variables that affect survival time. Methods: Retrospective study using the CSU Animal Cancer Center osteosarcoma data base. Search criteria included dogs diagnosed with osteosarcoma 1985–2004 with metastasis at the time of presentation. Dogs were excluded if they were euthanized at the time of diagnosis (13 dogs) or lost to follow-up (10 dogs). There were 90 cases for analysis. The survival times were compared based on the primary tumor site, site of metastasis, treatment given, age, sex and breed. Results: Survival times in days ranged from 0 to 1583 days. The overall median survival time was 76 days. The one-year, two-year and three-year percent survival were 7%, 4.7% and 3.5%, respectively. Treatment included various combinations of chemotherapy, surgery, radiation therapy, bisphosphonates and NSAIDs. Findings included an increased survival time with surgery and adjuvant therapy compared with surgery alone and a decreased survival time with metastasis to the lung or lymph node. Conclusions: Treatment of dogs with stage III osteosarcoma can result in variable survival times. Multimodality therapy appears to result in longer survival times. Metastasis to the lung or lymph node correlated with a decreased survival time.
Cellular and Molecular Barriers to Gene Transfer by a Cationic Lipid

Cationic lipids are widely used for gene transfer in vitro and show promise as a vector for in vivo gene therapy applications. However, there is limited understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved. We investigated the individual steps in cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer to cultured cell lines. We used DMRIE/DOPE (a 1:1 mixture of N-[1-(2,3-dimyristyloxy) propyl]-N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)ammonium bromide (DMRIE) and dioleoyl phosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) as a model lipid because of its efficacy and because it is being used for clinical trials in humans. The data show that cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer is an inefficient process. Part of the inefficiency may result from the fact that the population of lipid-DNA complexes was very heterogeneous, even under conditions that have been optimized to produce the best transfection. Inefficiency was not due to inability of the complex to enter the cells because most cells took up the DNA. However, in contrast to previous speculation, the results indicate that endocytosis was the major mechanism of entry. After endocytosis, the lipid-DNA aggregated into large perinuclear complexes, which often showed a highly ordered tubular structure. Although much of the DNA remained aggregated in a vesicular compartment, there was at least a small amount of DNA in the cytoplasm of most cells. That observation plus results from direct injection of DNA and lipid-DNA into the nucleus and cytoplasm indicate that movement of DNA from the cytoplasm to the nucleus may be one of the most important limitations to successful gene transfer. Finally, before transcription can occur, the data show that lipid and DNA must dissociate. These results provide new insights into the physical limitations to cationic lipid-mediated gene transfer and suggest that attention to specific steps in the cellular process may further improve the efficiency of transfection and increase its use in a number of applications.
Electron localization in a hard sphere fluid

Presented in this paper is a derivation of the resummed density expansion of the Green function for the motion of a single electron in a hard sphere bath. The Green function is constructed by averaging the electron quantum dynamics obtained for a fixed configuration of the hard spheres over all possible configurations of the hard spheres and initial positions of the electron. The electron bath interactions are treated perturbatively through three‐body events. It is shown that the bath dissipates the electron energy much the way a bath impedes tunneling in a two‐level harmonic quantum system. Furthermore, it is demonstrated from the long time limit of the electron return amplitude that at T=0, the electron is localized above the fluid density ρσ3= (4)/(3) π−1, σ the hard sphere diameter. Dissipation of the electron energy by the bath produces localization.
The Effect of Semantic Representation on Toddlers' Word Retrieval

Purpose: This study tested the hypothesis that depth of semantic representation influences toddlers' word retrieval. Method: Nineteen toddlers participated under 3 word learning conditions in this ...
Adolescent Hope as a Mediator Between Parent-Child Connectedness and Adolescent Outcomes:

This study examines adolescent hope as a mediator between connectedness to mother and father, and positive and negative child outcomes. Participants included 489 adolescents aged 9 to 14 years (M =...
KONDO IMPURITY IN A DISORDERED METAL: ANDERSON'S THEOREM REVISITED

We consider a local moment which is coupled by a non-random Kondo J to a band of conduction electrons in a random potential. We prove an analog of Anderson's theorem in a large-N limit of this model. The theorem states that when the disorder is weak, the disorder-averaged low-temperature thermodynamics is independent of the strength of the disorder; remarkably, it further states that fluctuation effects in the long-time limit are independent even of the realization of the disorder. We discuss the relationship of this theorem to theoretical and experimental studies of similar problems.
Reactor loop for continuous production of gaseous fission product radioisotopes— I. 235U-loaded molecular sieve target

Abstract The development of high surface area fissile targets by the deposition of 235U on molecular sieves and silica gel provides a matrix from which the gaseous fission products readily diffuse. Collection of the fission product gases by helium sweep gas circulated through such a target installed in a reactor neutron flux constitutes a loop system for the continuous production of fission product gases, e.g. 135Xe. This system has provided 135Xe for medical diagnostic clinical evaluations and mixed fission product gases for study of reactor stack monitor systems performance.
Geometric orientation of the aortic neoroot in patients with raphed bicuspid aortic valve disease undergoing primary cusp repair and a root reimplantation procedure

OBJECTIVES: Primary cusp repair + aortic root reimplantation in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) disease presenting with root aneurysm with aortic insufficiency (AI) is an effective surgical treatment. We assessed whether the geometric orientation of the repaired BAV into its reimplanted neoroot affects outcomes—180°/180° orientation was compared with the 150°/210° orientation. METHODS: From 2005 to 2012, 66 BAV repairs were performed. This is a retrospective review of all types of Ib/II BAVAI patients undergoing root reimplantation (n= 26) at two different geometric orientations: 180°/180° (n= 11) vs 150°/210° (n= 15). In the 180°/180° group, reimplantation into the neoroot was such that both conjoint and non-conjoint cusps occupied 180° of the annular circumference. In the 150°/210° group, the repaired valve was configured to the more typical native orientation of a type I BAV: the non-conjoint cusp occupied 150°, and the conjoint cusp occupied 210° of the annular circumference. RESULTS: Preoperative characteristics were similar in both groups. In-hospital mortality, stroke, reoperation, renal failure and pacemaker rates were zero in both groups. No patient left the operating room with >1+ AI and one had a peak gradient >20 mmHg. Transvalvular gradients were higher in the 180°/180° group, but not significant (P> 0.05). M.ean follow-ups for the 180°/180° and 150°/210° group were 48 and 33 months, respectively. Actuarial freedom from AI >2+ at 5 years was 100% in both groups. Freedom from AI >1+ at 5 years was 90 ± 10% in the 150°/210° group and 86 ± 13% in the 180°/180° group (P= 0.71). Freedom from peak gradient >20 mmHg was 80% (n =8 ) in the 180°/180° group and 100% in the 150°/210° group at 1-year follow-up. Transvalvular gradients were higher in the 180°/180° group (16 ± 8 vs 10 ± 4 mmHg, P= 0.02; 9 ± 3 vs 5 ± 3 mmHg, P= 0.01). Five-year actuarial survival and freedom from aortic reoperation have remained at 100% in the entire cohort. CONCLUSION: Cusp repair + root reimplantation for BAV type Ib/II AI can be safely performed at either geometric orientation. Conceptually, 150°/210° orientation respects the natural type I BAV anatomy with regard to cusp surface area and leaflet insertion perimeter. The 180°/180° group may have higher transvalvular gradients and smaller coaptation zones than the 150°/210° group. Further followup may reveal the superiority of one geometric orientation over the other.