cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The promoter-operator region of the Lac operon of Escherichia coli☆

Abstract Deletion mapping of the lac operon confirms the order i-p-o-z-y-a. The promoter and operator sites are substantially distinct from each other. The promoter region is shown to be essential for the expression of the lac operon; deletion of this region severely affects lac activity. The combined promoter-operator region between the i and z genes is much smaller than the average gene.
Ciliary neurotrophic factor stimulates astroglial hypertrophy in vivo and in vitro.

Abstract After insult or trauma, astrocytes become activated and endeavor to restore the brain's delicately balanced microenvironment. An index of their activated state is that they become enlarged or hypertrophic. Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), a member of the alpha helical family of cytokines, is synthesized by astrocytes and is generally regarded to be an autocrine and paracrine injury signal. To determine whether CNTF might be an endogenous signal that stimulates astrocyte hypertrophy in vivo, we intracerebrally injected 200 ng of recombinant human CNTF into the adult rat neocortex. To study the astrocytes their cytosol was stained with antibodies against S100β and their nuclei were stained with propidium iodide (PI). Fluorescent images of astrocytic nuclei and somas were acquired using a confocal laser-scanning microscope and their areas were measured using the NIH image software. Within 24 h of treatment, CNTF induced a volume increase of the somas and nuclei of protoplasmic and fibrous astrocytes in vivo, and this effect persisted for at least 48 h. To determine whether CNTF activates astrocytes directly, glial cultures were treated with CNTF (10 ng/ml) and were evaluated by measuring the area of PI stained nuclei. CNTF stimulation increased the size of both polygonal and process-bearing astroglia. Since our studies in vivo have shown that CNTF induces other key aspects of gliosis (S. W. Levison et al., 1996; Exp. Neurol. 141, 256), we conclude that CNTF is a powerful activator of astrocytes and that it is likely responsible for the persistent glial hypertrophy observed following injuries and diseases of the CNS.
Transport of water in small pores.

Experimental measurements of the thermal expansion coefficient (α), permeability (k), and diffusivity (D) of water and 1 M solutions of NaCl and CaCl2 are interpreted with the aid of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of water in a 3 nm gap between glass plates. MD shows that there is a layer ∼6 A thick near the glass surface that has α ∼2.3 times higher and D about an order of magnitude lower than bulk water. The measured D is ∼5 times lower than that for bulk water. However, when the MD results are averaged over the thickness of the 3 nm gap, D is only reduced by ∼30% relative to the bulk, so the measured reduction is attributed primarily to tortuosity of the pore space, not to the reduced mobility near the pore wall. The measured α can be quantitatively explained by a volume-weighted average of the properties of the high-expansion layer and the “normal” water in the middle of the pore. The permeability of the porous glass can be quantitatively predicted by the Carman−Kozeny equation, if 6 A of water n...
Growth delay induced in Escherichia coli by near-ultraviolet radiation: relationship to membrane transport functions.

Abstract— Rates of leucine transport, oxygen utilization, and glucose and succinate uptake were determined in cultures of Escherichia coli B/r before and after exposure to near-UV light. Within experimental errors, rates of uptake of glucose and of succinate were proportional to growth rate at all times during the recovery or growth delay period following near-UV exposure and the same proportionality was maintained in unexposed cultures. However, rates of leucine uptake and incorporation and of oxygen utilization were not related to growth rate in a simple fashion. The results suggest that inhibition of carbon source transport is a fundamental component, and may be a primary mechanism, in growth delay induced by near-UV radiation.
Characterization of antibodies to nerve growth factor: assay-dependent variability in the cross-reactivity with other neurotrophins

Abstract The neurotrophin family of growth factors consists of proteins sharing a sizable of amino acid sequence and structural homology. These similarities greatly increase the probability that antibodies directed against any single neurotrophin may cross-react with other family members. Various investigators have documented such cross-reactivity can occur under experimental conditions, although the extent of cross-reactivity reported in different studies has varied greatly. Although the use of different antibody preparations may have contributed to the differing degrees of cross-reactivity observed, it is important to note that different assay conditions were also used to evaluate cross-reactivity in the various studies. Little information is currently known about how antibody-antigen interactions vary as a function of the assay conditions used for the evaluation. The present study addressed this question by evaluating the cross-reactivity occurring between various neurotrophins and a single preparation of antibodies directed against purified mouse nerve growth factor-β (β-NGF) in a wide variety of immunological assay systems. Our results indicate that cross-reactivity between NGF antibodies and related neurotrophins can vary greatly depending upon the assay system chosen for the evaluation. These data strongly argue against transferring cross-reactivity data across various assay systems.
Forbidden-region virtual fixtures from streaming point clouds: Remotely touching and protecting a beating heart

Several established methods for remote touching using non-contact sensors exist. Applications for these methods are primarily within the field of robotic teleoperation. In surgical robotics it would be useful to not only touch, but also be able to maintain a distance from a certain organ. The latter can be done using non-contact sensors such as cameras. The novelty in this paper is the idea of combining forbidden-region virtual fixtures with haptic rendering from streaming point clouds. This is then used to protect as well as remotely touch a beating heart without any a priori knowledge of the heart geometry (such as from CT/MR scans).
Turbulence-free space-time quantum imaging

We experimentally demonstrate turbulence-free space-time quantum imaging. Quantum images of remote objects are produced with two sensors measuring at different space-time points under turbulent conditions. The quantum images generated move depending on the time delay between the two sensor measurements and the speed of a rotating ground glass that is part of a chaotic laser light source. For small delay times turbulence has virtually no adverse affect on the moving quantum images. The experimental setup and findings contribute to understanding the fundamentals of multi-photon quantum interference in complex media. Furthermore, the space-time memory demonstrated in our research provides important new pathways for investigating quantum imaging, quantum information storage and quantum computing. The turbulence-free space-time quantum imaging procedure greatly increases the information content of each photon measured. The moved quantum images are in fact new images that are stored in a space-time virtual memory process. The images are stored within the same quantum imaging data sets and thus quantum imaging can produce more information per photon measured than was previously realized.
Another possible post-eclipse brightening of Io.

Observation of an apparent posteclipse brightening of the Galilean satellite Io from two different observatories on June 25, 1971, employing the technique of area scanning in the ultraviolet. An apparent brightening was observed which amounted to about 0.2 mag at 3500 A and 0.15 mag at 4000 A. It is suggested that the brightening was a transient partial covering of high-albedo material where the contrast is by far greatest in the ultraviolet.
Can Epistemic Contextualism Avoid the Regress Problem

Soulevant la question de la superiorite du contextualisme sur le fondationnalisme en tant qu'il permet d'eviter le probleme de la regression et celui du scepticisme, l'A. defend la these selon laquelle la theorie classique developpee par D. Annis ne fournit pas une theorie adequate de la justification epistemique, en ce sens qu'elle ouvre la voie a un autre argument en faveur de la regression. Distinguant le fondationnalisme substantif du fondationnalisme formel, et mesurant l'admissibilite d'une objection a une croyance en fonction de sa probabilite, l'A. montre que le contextualisme defendu par Annis s'appuie sur un modele lineaire de la justification qui ne peut eviter la regression des objections
Spatial and temporal variations of blocking and cyclogenesis in the 1978 / 79 winter

Complex empirical orthogonal function (CEOF) and Fourier analyses are applied to 500 hPa geopotential height anomaly for two selected latitude belts in the Northern Hemisphere from Dec 1978 through Feb 1979 based on the ECMWF FGGE III-b data. The positive anomalies in the three leading CEOFs for the high-latitude belt mainly show the preferred locations for blocking activity in the North Atlantic, the North Pacific and to the west of the Ural Mountains. The negative anomalies in the three leading CEOFs for the mid-latitude belt mainly show the preferred locations for cyclogenesis in the east coasts of Asia and North America, and the Mediterranean; weak cyclogenesis is also seen in the western United States and off the coasts of Spain and Morocco. The travelling components of the positive anomalies in the high-latitude belt mainly propagate westward, weakening as approaching the east side of some mountain chains while intensifying to the west side. On the contrary, the travelling components of the negative anomalies in the mid-latitude belt mainly propagate eastward, intensifying over the lee side of mountain and / or approaching the east coasts of the two continents. These preferred locations for blocking and cyclogenesis are basically consistent with the climatological results, and related to some teleconnection patterns found earlier.
A Monte Carlo simulation method for assessing biotransformation effects on groundwater fuel hydrocarbon plume lengths

Abstract Biotransformation of dissolved groundwater hydrocarbon plumes emanating from leaking underground fuel tanks should, in principle, result in plume length stabilization over relatively short distances, thus diminishing the environmental risk. However, because the behavior of hydrocarbon plumes is usually poorly constrained at most leaking underground fuel tank sites in terms of release history, groundwater velocity, dispersion, as well as the biotransformation rate, demonstrating such a limitation in plume length is problematic. Biotransformation signatures in the aquifer geochemistry, most notably elevated bicarbonate, may offer a means of constraining the relationship between plume length and the mean biotransformation rate. In this study, modeled plume lengths and spatial bicarbonate differences among a population of synthetic hydrocarbon plumes, generated through Monte Carlo simulation of an analytical solute transport model, are compared to field observations from six underground storage tank (UST) sites at military bases in California. Simulation results indicate that the relationship between plume length and the distribution of bicarbonate is best explained by biotransformation rates that are consistent with ranges commonly reported in the literature. This finding suggests that bicarbonate can indeed provide an independent means for evaluating limitations in hydrocarbon plume length resulting from biotransformation.
A note on noninformative priors for Weibull distributions

Abstract In this note, noninformative priors for two-parameter Weibull distributions are investigated. For one of the Weibull models, Berger and Bernardo's ( J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 84 (1989), 200–207; In: Bayesian Statistics (1992), Oxford Univ. Press, Oxford, 35–60) forward and backward reference priors are shown to be the same, but differ from the Jeffreys prior. General forms of the second-order matching priors are derived, when one or both parameters are of interest. The Jeffreys prior is not a second-order matching prior, but the reference prior is a always a third-order matching prior. Furthermore, when both parameters are of interest, the reference prior is the unique second-order matching prior. Frequentist coverage probabilities of the small sample posterior confidence sets based on the Jeffreys and reference priors are compared. The reference prior is also superior to the Jeffreys prior for small sample sizes. It is also illustrated that the choice of a nuisance parameter is very important.
The effect of slightly weakened interfaces on the overall elastic properties of composite materials

Abstract The effect of imperfect interfaces on the overall elastic properties of composites is studied in this paper. The imperfect interface is modeled by a linear spring-layer of vanishing thickness. The Mori-Tanaka estimate and its modification are used to evaluate the effective moduli of composites having slightly weakened interfaces. An interface is said to be slightly weakened, if the compliance of the spring-layer is very small. As an example, a composite consisting of aligned ellipsoidal particles is considered in detail. Explicit expressions of the Mori-Tanaka estimates of the effective moduli are derived when the particles are spherical. Based on classical minimum energy principles, upper and lower bounds of the effective moduli of composites with imperfect interfaces are also derived.
The social construction of ethnicity and nationality: The case of Cyprus

This study analyzes the processes by which two ethnonationalisms ‐ Greek and Turkish ‐ were constructed in Cyprus. As such it is of vital relevance to the current rise of ethnicity and nationalism in Croatia, Serbia and Bosnia. The transformation is traced from a pre‐nationalist era during the Ottaman Empire in which social integration characterized the Muslims and Christians to the present situation of ethnic strife and division of the island. The role of British colonial policy, Greek irredentism, Greek and Turkish national interests and competing local political elites, contributed to the structuring of ethnic identities.
Using podcasts to promote Government documents collections

Purpose – This paper seeks to provide a model for creating podcasts to promote academic library resources and services, with an emphasis on government documents collections.Design/methodology/approach – This paper describes the Mississippi State University (MSU) Libraries' project to develop podcasts that promote the Libraries' numerous resources and programs to the University's students, faculty and staff. Specifically, the paper discusses the Government Documents and Microforms Department's involvement in this project.Findings – The Government Documents and Microforms Department's three podcast links received a total of 64 hits during the first three months the MSU Libraries' podcasts were available (September 2006‐November 2006). This is in comparison with the 4,318 hits the Department's six major online resources received during the same period.Practical implications – This paper will allow academic librarians to gain a basic knowledge of the podcast technology, identify possible resources from their ...
A Phase II trial of axitinib in patients with various histologic subtypes of advanced thyroid cancer: long-term outcomes and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses.

Axitinib, a potent and selective second-generation inhibitor of vascular endothelial growth factor receptors, has shown activity in advanced thyroid cancer in a Phase II study. We report updated overall survival and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) analyses from the study. Patients (N = 60) with advanced thyroid cancer of any histology for whom iodine-131 (131I) failed to control the disease or 131I was not appropriate therapy were administered axitinib 5 mg twice daily. Objective response rate (primary endpoint), duration of response, progression-free survival, overall survival, safety, and PK/PD relationships were assessed. Objective response rate was 38 % [23 partial responses; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 26–52], and 18 (30 %) patients had stable disease lasting ≥16 weeks. Responses occurred in all histologic subtypes. With median follow-up of 34 months (95 % CI 32–37), median overall survival was 35 months (95 % CI 19–not estimable), median progression-free survival was 15 months (95 % CI 10–20), and median duration of response was 21 months (95 % CI 13–46). Most common Grade 3/4 treatment-related adverse events included hypertension (13 %), proteinuria (8 %), diarrhea (7 %), weight decrease (7 %), and fatigue (5 %). PK/PD analyses revealed trends toward greater tumor size reduction and response probability with higher axitinib plasma exposures. Axitinib appears active and well tolerated in patients with various histologic subtypes of advanced thyroid cancer, demonstrating durable responses and long overall survival. Axitinib may be useful for the treatment of advanced thyroid cancer.
Origin of C3 in comets.

It is suggested that a potential source of C3 observed in comets is the photodissociation of propyne by solar radiation, most probably in the region of the strong 1216-A Lyman-alpha line. The possibility of a strong correlation between interstellar molecules and the stable parent cometary molecules is also considered.
cis‐trans isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids withp‐toluenesulfinic acid

Elaidination of unsaturated fatty acids usingp-toluenesulfinic acid yielded 77–80% totaltrans unsaturation in the products. Results from reactions with monoene, diene, and triene isomers indicated that only geometric isomerization takes place. Each double bond isomerized randomly and independently in the polyunsaturated fatty acids. Reactions proceeded quickly, and the method proved convenient and reliable.
B Cells and Antibody Play Critical Roles in the Immediate Defense of Disseminated Infection by West Nile Encephalitis Virus

West Nile virus (WNV) causes severe central nervous system (CNS) infection primarily in humans who are immunocompromised or elderly. In this study, we addressed the mechanism by which the immune system limits dissemination of WNV infection by infecting wild-type and immunodeficient inbred C57BL/6J mice with a low-passage WNV isolate from the recent epidemic in New York state. Wild-type mice replicated virus extraneuronally in the draining lymph nodes and spleen during the first 4 days of infection. Subsequently, virus spread to the spinal cord and the brain at virtually the same time. Congenic mice that were genetically deficient in B cells and antibody (μMT mice) developed increased CNS viral burdens and were vulnerable to lethal infection at low doses of virus. Notably, a ∼500-fold difference in serum viral load was detected in μMT mice as early as 4 days after infection, a point in the infection when low levels of neutralizing immunoglobulin M antibody were detected in wild-type mice. Passive transfer of heat-inactivated serum from infected and immune wild-type mice protected μMT mice against morbidity and mortality. We conclude that antibodies and B cells play a critical early role in the defense against disseminated infection by WNV.
Advancement 101: beginning a program at an American research library

Purpose – The purpose of this article is to share the experience the University of Texas Library gained in starting up its development program.Design/methodology/approach – Using the examples learned at the University of Texas Library, an outline is presented in how one academic library successfully began a development program.Findings – The academic enterprise of the University of Texas Libraries appeared strong based on its national rankings and the relationships built and stewarded between the heads of each branch library and the colleges they serve. Weaknesses and threats included a tiny portfolio of individual giving prospects and no primary management of corporate or foundation prospects. Beginning the advancement program meant establishing a prominent advisory council, launching a public affairs campaign, and crafting a comprehensive advancement plan for the benefit of all branches of the University of Texas Libraries.Originality/value – The key to realizing early success is careful planning, build...
Cyclopentenone and cyclohexenone annulations via acid-catalyzed 1,2- and 1,3-acyl migration of 2-vinylcyclobutanones. Rearrangement route to spiro- and angularly substituted fused-cyclopentenones.

Abstract In the presence of acid, 2-alkyl-2-vinylcyclobutanones rearrange mainly by a 1,2-acyl migration to give cyclopentenones while 2-vinylcyclobutanones lacking 2-alkyl substituents undergo a 1,3-acyl migration to produce cyclohexenones; the former rearrangement can be used to produce angularly substituted fused bicyclic systems.
Scheduling to Meet Mixed Quality of Service Requirements in Wireless Networks

We propose a framework and a scheduling algorithm to manage Quality of Service (QoS) in mixed traffic wireless networks. In addition to performing channel allocation for different types of delay sensitive calls (such as voice, video and multimedia), this algorithm, the Mixed Quality of Service Algorithm (MQSA), does data packet scheduling. Calls from delay sensitive traffic sources (DSTS) are assigned channels by the channel assignment algorithm (CAA), which initiates the minimum number of call rearrangements such that at any instant the maximum number of calls can be accommodated, given blocked calls are lost, and fixed channel partitioning among the DSTS types is used. The assumed QoS for the DSTS traffic, call blocking probability, is derived from a Markov chain model. This QoS can be adjusted by changing the bandwidth partitioning in an off-line manner. Data delay cost is minimized given that DSTS calls have preemptive priority. This is done by an algorithm adapted from our earlier work for data only networks [5]. A feedback mechanism for selectively blocking DSTS calls, when queues are large, is also suggested.
Offending Estimates in Covariance Structure Analysis: Comments on the Causes of and Solutions to Heywood Cases

In this article we discuss, illustrate, and compare the relative efficacy of three recommended approaches for handling negative error variance estimates (i.e., Heywood cases): (a) setting the offending estimate to zero, (b) adopting a model parameterization that ensures positive error variance estimates, and (c) using models with equality constraints that ensure nonnegative (but possibly zero) error variance estimates. The three approaches are evaluated in two distinct situations: Heywood cases caused by lack of fit and misspecification error, and Heywood cases induced from sampling fluctuations. The results indicate that in the case of sampling fluctuations the simple approach of setting the offending estimate to zero works reasonably well. In the case of lack of fit and misspecification error, the theoretical difficulties that give rise to negative error variance estimates have no ready-made methodological solutions.
Patterns of Business Growth and Survival in a Medium-Sized Community

Since 1951 the population, social structure, and economy of Norristown, Pennsylvania, have been the focus of study of an interdisciplinary research seminar at the University of Pennsylvania. Under the over-all theme of technological change and social adjustment, a variety of investigations have been conducted to discover the ways in which the processes of industrialization and urbanization in the twentieth century have operated dynamically to bring about changes in the social and economic structure of the Norristown community.
Duty Cycle Stabilization in Semi-mobile Wireless Networks

Coordinating the duty cycles of nodes in low power wireless networks raises challenging stabilization issues. In this paper, we show how to maintain duty-cycle coordination across the partitions of a static network of nodes. The idea is to synchronize the wakeup times of the nodes based on information carried by mobile "token" nodes between the otherwise disconnected partitions; the stabilization challenge is to deal with the corruption of state in both the static nodes and the mobile tokens. Our basic protocol assumes zero or more token nodes traversing disconnected static nodes in a circular order without overtaking each other. Refinements of our protocol accommodate richer patterns of token traversal and speeds.
Ferroelectricity and antiferroelectricity in BaTiO sub 3.

Energy densities of polar and antipolar arrays in barium titanate including nonlinear oxygen polarizability
Finding community through information and communication technology in disaster response

Disasters affect not only the welfare of individuals and family groups, but also the well-being of communities, and can serve as a catalyst for innovative uses of information and communication technology (ICT). In this paper, we present evidence of ICT use for re-orientation toward the community and for the production of public goods in the form of information dissemination during disasters. Results from this study of information seeking practices by members of the public during the October 2007 Southern California wildfires suggest that ICT use provides a means for communicating community-relevant information especially when members become geographically dispersed, leveraging and even building community resources in the process. In the presence of pervasive ICT, people are developing new practices for emergency response by using ICT to address problems that arise from information dearth and geographical dispersion. In doing so, they find community by reconnecting with others who share their concern for the locale threatened by the hazard.
The SEA99 Ground-Motion Predictive Relations for Extensional Tectonic Regimes: Revisions and a New Peak Ground Velocity Relation

The values of σ 3 listed in table 1 of Pankow and Pechmann (2004) are too large by a factor of √2 because they were …
Inhibition of palmitoyl CoA deacylase by chlorophenoxyisobutyrate and betabenzalbutyrate.

Palmitoyl CoA deacylase activity was measured in preparations of rat liver microsomes. Two hypolipidemic agents, chlorophenoxyisobutyrate and betabenzalbutyrate caused inhibition of palmitoyl CoA deacylase in vitro. The 160 values for chlorophenoxyisobutyrate and betabenzalbutyrate were 5.0 and 7.5 m~, respectively. The inhibition by both agents was reversible, and both drugs lowered the palmitoyl CoA-binding capacity of microsomes. The deacylase reaction rate was maximum when the bind- ing of palmitoyl CoA to soluble or microsomal protein was low. Addition of albumin to the reaction mixture resulted in greater binding of palmitoyl CoA to protein and a lower reac- tion rate. Inhibition of the deacylase by chlorophenoxyisobu- tyrate and betabenzalbutyrate also was greater when palmitoyl CoA was not protein bound. The inhibition of palmitoyl CoA deacylase by these hypolipidemic agents may contribute to their effects on lipid metabolism.
Ultrasonic wave propagation in two-phase media: Spherical inclusions

The scattering theory, recently developed via the extended method of equivalent inclusion, is used to study the propagation of time-harmonic waves in two-phase media of elastic matrix with randomly distributed elastic spherical inclusion materials. The elastic moduli and mass density of the composite medium are determined as functions of frequencies when given properties and concentration of the spheres and the matrix. Velocity and attenuation of ultrasonic waves in two-phase media are determined for cases of distributed spheres and localized damage. An averaging theorem that requires the equivalence of the strain energy and the kinetic energy between the effective medium and the original matrix with spherical inhomogeneities is employed to derive the effective moduli and mass density. The functional dependency of these quantities upon frequencies and concentration provides a method of data analysis in ultrasonic evaluation of material properties. Numerical results or moduli, velocity and/or attenuation as functions of concentration of inclusion material, or porosity, are graphically displayed.
Molecular Targets for Treating Cognitive Dysfunction in Schizophrenia

Cognitive impairment is a core feature of schizophrenia as deficits are present in the majority of patients, frequently precede the onset of other positive symptoms, persist even with successful treatment of positive symptoms, and account for a significant portion of functional impairment in schizophrenia. While the atypical antipsychotics have produced incremental improvements in the cognitive function of patients with schizophrenia, overall treatment remains inadequate. In recent years, there has been an increased interest in developing novel strategies for treating the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, focusing on ameliorating impairments in working memory, attention, and social cognition. Here we review various molecular targets that are actively being explored for potential drug discovery efforts in schizophrenia and cognition. These molecular targets include dopamine receptors in the prefrontal cortex, nicotinic and muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, the glutamatergic excitatory synapse, various serotonin receptors, and the γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) system.
Performance of Parkinson's Disease Patients on the Visual Search and Attention Test: Impairment in Single-Feature but not Dual-Feature Visual Search

Nondemented patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) and a group of age and education matched controls were administered a modified version of the Visual Search and Attention Test (VSAT). This task measures subjects' speed at localizing letter or symbol targets based on either a single-feature or a dual-feature search. Three indices were derived from the VSAT: (a) the amount of time taken to complete each of the trials (completion time), (b) the number of target items not crossed out (omissions), and (c) the number of nontarget items crossed out (commissions). The results indicated that, in terms of completion time, the PD patients were impaired on the single-feature search conditions but not on the dual-feature search conditions, suggesting that PD patients are impaired in selective attention processes. It was also found that the number of target items omitted by the normal controls on the VSAT varied as a function of the nature of the target (letter or form) and the search requirements (single-feature or dual-feature search), whereas the number of targets omitted by the PD patients was not affected by these factors. Correlational analyses suggested that the three measures derived from the VSAT assessed different components of attentional performance in these patients. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the VSAT can be used to detect subtle attentional impairments in nondemented PD patients, and that the pattern of their impairment on this clinical test is similar to that found on experimental attentional measures.
Postharvest Quality and Microbial Population of Head Lettuce as Affected by Moisture at Harvest

Iceberg lettuce was evaluated for yield, microbial population, and postharvest quality either following different irrigation termination (IT) schedules or before and after a rainfall event. Lettuce receiving late (4 d before harvest) IT showed increased weight and diameter, higher aerobic bacteria counts, and lower quality than plants subjected to early (16 d before harvest) IT. Middle (8 d before harvest) IT produced similar yields, and lower microbial population in lettuce than late IT. After rain, microbial population increased by 1.5 and 3.0 log colony-forming units (CFU)/g in outer and head leaves respectively. The results revealed the importance of managing moisture conditions at harvest to enhance overall quality of lettuce.
The evolution of multicast: from the MBone to interdomain multicast to Internet2 deployment

Multicast communication-the one-to-many or many-to-many delivery of data-is a hot topic. It is of interest in the research community, among standards groups, and to network service providers. For all the attention multicast has received, there are still issues that have not been completely resolved. One result is that protocols are still evolving, and some standards are not yet finished. From a deployment perspective, the lack of standards has slowed progress, but efforts to deploy multicast as an experimental service are in fact gaining momentum. The question now is how long it will be before multicast becomes a true Internet service. The goal of this article is to describe the past, present, and future of multicast. Starting with the Multicast Backbone (MBone), we describe how the emphasis has been on developing and refining intradomain multicast routing protocols. Starting in the middle to late 1990s, particular emphasis has been placed on developing interdomain multicast routing protocols. We provide a functional overview of the currently deployed solution. The future of multicast may hinge on several research efforts that are working to make the provision of multicast less complex by fundamentally changing the multicast model. We survey these efforts. Finally, attempts are being made to deploy native multicast routing in both Internet2 networks and the commodity Internet. We examine how multicast is being deployed in these networks.
Is radiotherapy needed for pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma

TO THE EDITOR: Dorffel et al recently reported results from the nonrandomized phase II German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology–Hodgkin’s Disease 95 (GPOH-HD95) trial involving the omission of radiotherapy for children and adolescents with Hodgkin lymphoma. They conclude that radiotherapy can be safely omitted in early-stage Hodgkin lymphoma in patients with a complete response. This statement does not seem justified. Compared with their historical standard, Deutschen Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Leukamieforschung–Hodgkin’s Disease 90 (DALHD90), radiotherapy significantly improved 10-year progression-free survival (PFS; 92% v 84%; P .004) for all 165 patients. In the patient subset with early-stage disease (n 66), radiotherapy did not improve PFS. Can the omission of radiotherapy be based on 66 patients compared with a historical control? More than 10 times as many patients are needed to show noninferiority. For example, Hodgkin’s Disease 11 (HD11) was a noninferiority trial that involved 1,395 adult patients, and found that 20 Gy of radiotherapy was inferior to 30 Gy. Dorffel et al claim that their results are consistent with those of previous randomized trials. The Children’s Cancer Group (CCG) conducted a phase III trial evaluating whether radiotherapy could be omitted with a complete response after chemotherapy. The trial met early stopping rules because the event-free survival (EFS) was inferior in children who did not receive radiotherapy. The EFS difference of 91.2% versus 82.9% (P .004) in favor of radiotherapy persisted at 10 years, although the 10-year overall survival difference did not reach statistical significance. Overall survival requires more power than EFS because the event rate is lower. Thus, because the CCG trial closed early as a result of inferior results without radiotherapy, it lacked power to show an overall survival benefit. In my opinion, both trials indicate that radiotherapy is required in Hodgkin lymphoma, whereas the authors conclude the opposite. The combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy should continue to be the standard of care for patients with pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma.
Evaluation of RU28318 and RU40555 as selective mineralocorticoid receptor and glucocorticoid receptor antagonists, respectively: receptor measures and functional studies

Corticosterone regulates a wide range of physiological parameters. Two receptors for corticosterone have been identified, the mineralocorticoid (type I) receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid (type II) receptor (GR). To determine the relative role of these two receptors in mediating the effects of endogenous corticosterone, many studies have relied on the use of putative selective corticosteroid receptor antagonists. This study further examined the in vivo receptor selectivity of two compounds, RU28318 and RU40555 that are believed to be selective antagonists for MR and GR, respectively. Acute treatment of adrenalectomized rats with RU28318 (10-50 mg/kg) selectively decreased ex-vivo available MR binding in the hippocampus, whereas acute treatment with RU40555 (10-30 mg/kg) selectively decreased available GR binding in the hippocampus and pituitary. These receptor binding measures suggest that RU28318 in vivo selectively occupied MR, and that RU40555 in vivo selectively occupied GR. In functional studies, RU28318 (50 mg/kg) blocked the normalizing effect of aldosterone (120 microg/kg) on saline intake of adrenalectomized rats. RU40555 (30 mg/kg) blocked the suppressive effect of dexamethasone (50 microg/kg) on acute stress-induced corticosterone secretion. These studies further support the in vivo corticosteroid receptor selectivity of these two compounds and confirms their effective corticosteroid antagonistic properties.
Fracture patterns of the nasal septum

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate fracture patterns of the nasal septum. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cadaveric study. SETTING: Synthes research laboratories, Philadelphia, PA. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Eighteen cadavers were divided into three groups. Group A was subjected to low-level force administered to the nasal tip. Group B underwent moderate-level force and group C high-level force. Cadavers subsequently underwent dissection of the nose and nasal septum. RESULTS: Fracture patterns were apparent and related to the force applied. Fracture patterns were classified into three types depending on the location and extent. Group A was the most variable. Three cadavers were classified as type 1, two as type 2, and one as type 3. The average amount of force required to produce a fracture in this group was 100 N. Group B cadavers all developed type 3 fractures. Group C cadavers primarily developed type 3 fractures except for one that developed a type 1. Fractures were further classified in regard to the septum being displaced off the nasal spine. CONCLUSION: Based on our observation, we conclude that fracture patterns of the nasal septum do exist and appear to be related to the amount of force sustained.
The ITCZ in the central and eastern pacific on synoptic time scales

The ITCZ in the central and eastern Pacific on synoptic time scales is highly dynamic. The active season extends roughly from May through October. During the active season, the ITCZ continuously breaks down and re-forms, and produces a series of tropical disturbances. The life span of the ITCZ varies from several days to 3 weeks. Sixty-five cases of ITCZ breakdown have been visually identified over five active seasons (1999–2003) in three independent datasets. ITCZ breakdown can be triggered by two mechanisms: 1) interaction with westward-propagating disturbances (WPDs) and 2) the vortex rollup (VR) mechanism. Results show that the frequency of occurrence of ITCZ breakdown from these two mechanisms is the same. The VR mechanism may have been neglected because the produced disturbances are rather weak and they may dissipate quickly. The ITCZ shows a strong tendency to re-form within 1–2 days in the same location. The ITCZ may break down via the VR mechanism without any other support, and thus it may continuously generate numerous tropical disturbances throughout the season. There are two main differences between the two mechanisms: 1) The WPDs-induced ITCZ breakdown tends to create one or two vortices that may be of tropical depression strength. The VR-induced ITCZ breakdown generates several nearly equal-sized weak disturbances. 2) The WPDs tend to disturb the ITCZ in the eastern Pacific only. Disturbances generally move along the Mexican coast after shedding off from the ITCZ and do not further disturb the ITCZ in the central Pacific. Therefore, the VR mechanism is observed more clearly and is the dominating mechanism for ITCZ breakdown in the central Pacific.
Soluble epoxide hydrolase contamination of specific catalase preparations inhibits epoxyeicosatrienoic acid vasodilation of rat renal arterioles

Cytochrome P-450 metabolites of arachidonic acid, the epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) and hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)), are important signaling molecules in the kidney. In renal arteries, EETs cause vasodilation whereas H(2)O(2) causes vasoconstriction. To determine the physiological contribution of H(2)O(2), catalase is used to inactivate H(2)O(2). However, the consequence of catalase action on EET vascular activity has not been determined. In rat renal afferent arterioles, 14,15-EET caused concentration-related dilations that were inhibited by Sigma bovine liver (SBL) catalase (1,000 U/ml) but not Calbiochem bovine liver (CBL) catalase (1,000 U/ml). SBL catalase inhibition was reversed by the soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor tAUCB (1 μM). In 14,15-EET incubations, SBL catalase caused a concentration-related increase in a polar metabolite. Using mass spectrometry, the metabolite was identified as 14,15-dihydroxyeicosatrienoic acid (14,15-DHET), the inactive sEH metabolite. 14,15-EET hydrolysis was not altered by the catalase inhibitor 3-amino-1,2,4-triazole (3-ATZ; 10-50 mM), but was abolished by the sEH inhibitor BIRD-0826 (1-10 μM). SBL catalase EET hydrolysis showed a regioisomer preference with greatest hydrolysis of 14,15-EET followed by 11,12-, 8,9- and 5,6-EET (V(max) = 0.54 ± 0.07, 0.23 ± 0.06, 0.18 ± 0.01 and 0.08 ± 0.02 ng DHET·U catalase(-1)·min(-1), respectively). Of five different catalase preparations assayed, EET hydrolysis was observed with two Sigma liver catalases. These preparations had low specific catalase activity and positive sEH expression. Mass spectrometric analysis of the SBL catalase identified peptide fragments matching bovine sEH. Collectively, these data indicate that catalase does not affect EET-mediated dilation of renal arterioles. However, some commercial catalase preparations are contaminated with sEH, and these contaminated preparations diminish the biological activity of H(2)O(2) and EETs.
A new method to extend linearity of a sinusoidal PWM in the overmodulation region

A new method to extend the linearity of a sinusoidal pulsewidth modulation (PWM) is presented. A square wave is added to each of the phase voltage commands in the pulse dropping region. Addition of the square wave maintains the fundamental component gain of the PWM in the pulse dropping region and extends the PWM linearity all the way to the six-step mode of operation. The method eliminates the need to overmodulate the phase voltage commands to extend linearity, resulting in increased dynamic range for the associated control. The magnitude of the square wave is governed by a function of the modulation index. Analytical expressions are derived for the required function. A simple approximation of this function is suggested and its effectiveness demonstrated for actual implementation. All analytical results are experimentally verified on a 100 kW three-phase AC-DC converter.
The temperature dependence of the borrmann effect in copper

The temperature dependence of the anomalous transmission of X-rays (Borrmann effect) in copper has been measured in the temperature range 77 to 377 °K. From the slopes of the curves obtained, the apparent Debye temperature θ has been determined to be (306 ± 4) °K. This value is 3 to 4% less than that previously reported from the temperature dependence of X-ray diffraction from powders and single crystals. Using this value of θ in the calculations of absolute Borrmann intensities, however, good agreement is obtained between calculated and experimental values. It is suggested that the difference in the θ-values may arise from thermal diffuse scattering and/or anharmonic contributions to the temperature dependence of the Borrmann intensities. Die Temperaturabhangigkeit der anomalen Transmission von Rontgenstrahlen (Borrmann-Effekt) in Kupfer wurde im Temperaturbereich 77 bis 377 °K gemessen. Aus dem Anstieg der gemessenen Kurven wurde die scheinbare Debyetemperatur θ zu (306 ± 4) °K bestimmt. Dieser Wert ist 3 bis 4% kleiner als die fruher mitgeteilten, aus der Temperaturabhangigkeit der Rontgenbeugung an Pulverproben und Einkristallen bestimmten Werte. Wenn dieser Wert von θ bei der Berechnung der absoluten Borrmann-Intensitaten benutzt wird ergibt sich jedoch gute Ubereinstimmung zwischen den berechneten und experimentellen Werten. Es wird angenommen, das die Differenz in den θ-Werten von diffuser thermischer Streuung und/oder anharmonischer Beitrage zur Temperaturabhangigkeit der Borrmann-Intensitaten herruhrt.
Koreans in Japan

Until recently, "ethnic minority" in Japan meant predominantly those Koreans and their descendants who had settled in Japan during the colonial period (1910-1945). From the post-World War II period onward, however, the Korean population has remained steady at around 680,000 due to increasing naturalization and decreasing childbirth rates.The history of Koreans in Japan distinguishes them from recent labor immigrants, including newcomers from South Korea. Koreans during the first half of the twentieth century were colonial migrants who moved from the periphery of the empire to the imperial metropolis. After colonial rule they found themselves stranded in Japan due to the partition of their homeland (1945), the rise of mutually antagonistic regimes in the peninsula (1948), the insecure politico-economic situation, and the eventual civil (and international) war (1950-1953) that made the partition appear more or less permanent. The subsequent Cold War polarization in Asia and in the world deeply affected the ...
A special case of recurrent gross hematuria: Questions

A 9-year-old girl was admitted to the hospital due to gross hematuria without any other complaints. Otherwise her perinatal history, past medical history, and family history were unremarkable. Her development was normal for her age. On examination, her temperature was normal and blood pressure 93/60 mmHg. The liver was palpable and 2 cm under the ribs. The remainder of the examination was normal. Urinary analysis showed tea-color urine with a specific gravity of 1.020, pH 6, occult blood 3+, protein 2+. Microscopic examination of urine revealed a red blood cell (RBC) count of more than 50 per high-power field (HPF) with 92 % dysmorphic RBC. Urinary protein excretion was 252.7 mg per 24 h. Urinary microglobulin β2 was 0.48 mg/l (normal: 0– 0.2 mg/l). A random sample of urine calcium–creatinine ratio was normal (uCa/Cr: 0.06). Blood tests revealed a hemoglobin level of 121 g/l, with normal white blood cell and platelet counts. The patient had mild hypo-albuminemia (albumin 32.0 g/l), while transaminase (alanine transaminase (AST): 24 U/l, aspartate aminotransferase (ALT): 32 U/l) and kidney function (serum creatinine 52.4 μmol/l, estimated glomerular filtration rate 106.6 ml/min) were normal. Blood immunoglobulin measurement revealed IgA 2.959 g/l (normal range, 0.29–2.7 g/l), while antinuclear antibody, anti-DNA, antistreptolysin O, anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody, antiglomerular basement membrane antibody, anti-HBs, and