cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is calcium ionophore a universal activator for unfertilised eggs

WE have previously exposed sea urchin eggs to micromolar amounts of the divalent transporting ionophore A23187, and observed every parameter of normal fertilisation. The cortical reaction with elevation of the fertilisation membrane, the plasma membrane conductance changes, the respiratory burst, and increases in protein and DNA synthesis were all initiated in the usual fashion1. These activations of Lytechinus pictus and Strongylocentrotus purpuratus eggs were independent of the ionic composition of the external solutions1. A23187 seemed to act by releasing intracellular Ca2+, for eggs preloaded with 45Ca showed a twentyfold increase in 45Ca-efflux when activated by ionophore or fertilisation1. Measurements of free and bound calcium and magnesium in homogenates of unfertilised eggs showed that most of the Mg2+ was already available in soluble form, whereas the Ca2+ was sequestered but available for release1. After we found that 50 µM A23187 could activate eggs of the mollusc Acmaea insessa and the protochordate Ciona intestinalis to undergo several abnormal cleavages, we wondered whether ionophore activation might be a general phenomenon. To our knowledge artificial parthenogenesis has not been obtained with Acmaea and Ciona eggs by other methods. We have now found that calcium ionophore activation is common to several species widely separated phylogenetically.
Mismatch Negativity in Children with Autism and Typical Development

Children with autism are often characterized as having abnormalities in auditory processing. This study examined automatic and active processing of simple auditory stimuli in children using a component of event related potentials, the mismatch negativity (MMN). Amplitude of MMN in children with autism was significantly smaller than in children with typical development in unattended conditions. However, children with autism exhibited a typical amplitude MMN when attending to the stimuli. Receptive language and MMN were not related in children with autism. Findings support the idea of abnormal automatic auditory processing by children with autism. Auditory discrimination of infrequent changes in streams of sounds appears to be accomplished through a different mechanism than in typical children, specifically through the investment of attention.
Mistranslation during phenylalanine starvation

Starvation for phenylalanine led to leucine misincorporation frequencies of 0.1 and 0.6 at UUC codons in the argI transcript of Escherichia coli, but no detectable misincorporation at a UUU codon. Under similar starvation conditions the relative synthesis of full sized MS2 coat protein, encoded by the RNA virus or a DNA copy, is greatly reduced, preventing analysis of the protein. This reduction in amount is unaffected by a rpsL mutation.
Employing symmetry reductions in model checking

This paper presents a survey of research work that has been done over the last decade on exploiting symmetry in model checking of concurrent systems. It describes the techniques based on Quotient Structures, Annotated Quotient Structures and Guarded Quotient Structures. It also briefly describes some of the implemented systems.
Tsetse flies: genetics, evolution, and role as vectors.

Tsetse flies (Diptera: Glossinidae) are an ancient taxon of one genus, Glossina, and limited species diversity. All are exclusively haematophagous and confined to sub-Saharan Africa. The Glossina are the principal vectors of African trypanosomes Trypanosoma sp. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) and as such, are of great medical and economic importance. Clearly tsetse flies and trypanosomes are coadapted and evolutionary interactions between them are manifest. Numerous clonally reproducing strains of Trypanosoma sp. exist and their genetic diversities and spatial distributions are inadequately known. Here I review the breeding structures of the principle trypanosome vectors, G. morsitans s.l., G. pallidipes, G. palpalis s.l. and G. fuscipes fuscipes. All show highly structured populations among which there is surprisingly little detectable gene flow. Rather less is known of the breeding structure of T. brucei sensu lato vis a vis their vector tsetse flies but many genetically differentiated strains exist in nature. Genetic recombination in Trypanosoma via meiosis has recently been demonstrated in the laboratory thereby furnishing a mechanism of strain differentiation in addition to that of simple mutation. Spatially and genetically representative sampling of both trypanosome species and strains and their Glossina vectors is a major barrier to a comprehensive understanding of their mutual relationships.
Evaluation of Granulated Lactose as a Carrier for DPI Formulations 1: Effect of Granule Size

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of large granulated lactose carrier particle systems on aerosol performance of dry powder inhaler formulations. Granulated lactose carriers with average sizes ranging from 200 to 1,000 μm were prepared and subsequently fractionated into separate narrow size powders. The fractionated granulated lactose (GL) samples were characterized in terms of size, specific surface area, surface roughness, morphology, density, flowability, and solid-state. The in vitro aerosolization performance was performed on the different size fractions of GL samples from a commercial inhaler device (Aerolizer®) with a model formulation (2% w/w salbutamol sulfate). The cascade impaction parameters employed were 60 or 90 L/min with standard (aperture size, 0.6 mm) or modified piercing holes (aperture size, 1.2 mm) of the inhaler loaded capsules. It was shown that the largest size fraction formulation (850–1000 μm) had a slight improvement in the fine particle fraction (FPF) compared to immediately preceding size fractions, explained by a smaller adhesive force between drug and carrier. Compared to commercial piercing holes, enlarged piercing holes generated a slight decreasing trend of FPF as the lactose powder sizes increased from 200–250 μm to 600–850 μm, perhaps due to the reduced detachment force by flow forces. The size, surface roughness, density, and flowability of lactose carrier as well as device design all contributed to the aerosol dispersion performance of granulated lactose-based adhesive mixtures. It was concluded that poorer or enhanced redispersion performance is not an inherent property to the significantly large size of granulated lactose carriers as previously contended.
Latency-information theory and applications: Part II. On real-world knowledge aided radar

In this second of a multi-paper series latency-information theory (LIT), the integration of information theory with its time dual, i.e., latency theory, is successfully applied to DARPA's knowledge aided sensor signal processing expert reasoning (KASSPER) program. LIT encapsulates the concept of the time dual of a lossy source coder, i.e., a lossy processor coder. A lossy processor coder is a replacement for a signal-processor. This lossy processor coder is faster, simpler to implement, and yields a better performance than the original signal-processor when the processor input appears in a highly compressed-decompressed lossy fashion. In particular, a lossy clutter covariance processor (CCP) architecture is investigated that has successfully replaced KASSPER's originally advanced lossless CCP and enabled its SAR imagery prior knowledge to be highly compressed-decompressed. This result is illustrated with a typical SAR image which is compresseddecompressed by a factor 8,172. Using this image and under severely taxing environmental disturbances outstanding detections are achieved with the lossy CCP. Furthermore, this result is derived with a lossy CCP that is at least five orders of magnitude faster and significantly simpler to implement than the corresponding lossless CCP whose SINR detection performance is nevertheless unsatisfactory. As a final comment it is also observed that LIT illuminates biological system studies since it provides a lossy mechanism that explains how outstanding detections may be arrived at by biological systems that use highly lossy compressed prior knowledge, e.g., when a human expertly detects a face seen only once before even though that face cannot be accurately described prior to such new viewing.
Characterization of culture-derived spiral bacteria by 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequence analysis

Broad range amplification and sequence analysis of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene was used to identify three spiral-form organisms. The agents were identified as Campylobacter fetus, "Flexispira rappini", and Borrelia burgdorferi, respectively, using either proprietary or public sequence databases. In each case, the rDNA sequence showed 99-100% homology with known sequence data. Sequence-based analysis for each isolate required only 2-3 days, whereas traditional means of identification took 8-12 days to complete. The identification of spirochetes and vibrio-like agents from human clinical samples is often time consuming and results may be difficult to interpret, sometimes due to atypical phenotypic characteristics. Analysis of 16S rDNA or other molecular targets may provide a way to accurately and rapidly characterize isolates that are recalcitrant to speciation.
Metastatic ovarian papillary serous carcinoma to the breast: Diagnosis and pitfalls

► The breast as a site of metastasis from primary ovarian carcinoma is uncommon. ► Distinguishing these metastases from primary breast tumors is important because the prognosis and therapeutic approach differ significantly. ► Immunohistochemical markers (e.g., PAX8) can be utilized when morphology and clinical history are insufficient to render the correct diagnosis.
Geomorphological controls on coastal vegetation at the Virginia Coast Reserve

Abstract The establishment and succession of vegetation on migrating, low-profile barrier islands is greatly affected by the physical hydrogeomorphological processes that regulate island topography, saline and fresh groundwater table surfaces. Apart from the physical destruction of plants by overwash processes, fluctuations in water table elevations and variations in groundwater salinity, both spatially and temporally, also appear to have significant impact on the nature and distribution of vegetation on these islands. Species composition, community structure and biodiversity on the Virginia barrier islands are controlled by the same processes that give rise to landforms and maintain their form. These processes include marine water inundations, groundwater salinity variations and changes in depth to the fresh-water table. Land surface elevation, landform morphology and position on the barrier island determine exposure to high tides, storm surges, sand burial, and the extent of the fresh-water reserves. In this article, the underpinnings of a Long-term Ecological Research Program in which 25 geologists, geomorphologists, climatologists, and ecologists have a common research plan is presented and several examples of the product of this research partnership dealing with geomorphological and hydrologic controls on vegetation dynamics are detailed. Among the aspects of ecological dynamics examined in terms of geomorphological processes are vegetation zonation, succession, disturbance, and ecosystem state change.
Coral reef fish assemblages: intra- and interspecific competition for shelter sites

Observations were made on intra- and interspecific aggressive interactions among the fishes living in the rubble/sand coral reef habitat in St. Croix, U. S. Virgin Islands. Four species (beaugregory — Stegastes leucostictus; ocean surgeonfish — Acanthurus bahianus; doctor fish — A. chirurgus; common squirrelfish — Holocentrus rufus) which sheltered in holes on the reef all actively defended one to several shelter sites at dusk. Short-term shelter side fidelity was observed in three of these four species. Agonistic interactions over both food and shelter occurred during the daytime but much less frequently than agonistic interactions over shelter at dusk. Dominance in intraspecific aggression was determined almost completely by the relative sizes of the individuals involved, with the larger individuals dominating in 95–98% of all encounters. A similar, but less strong, relationship between size and dominance existed for interactions between closely related species. For aggressive encounters between unrelated species, however, both relative sizes and species identity determined the outcome. Species, both diurnal and nocturnal, which strongly defend several shelter sites may have a strong and disproportionate impact on the sheltering behavior of other fishes. Intraspecific and interspecific defense of shelter sites may determine the patterns of mortality that result from predation, thereby influencing population abundances and assemblage composition.
Cardiovascular response to acute thermal stress (hot dry environment) in unacclimatized normal subjects

Abstract The effects of acute heat stress (a hot dry environment) on cardiac hemodynamics were studied in 16 normal unacclimatized male subjects. The results indicate that the cardiac output obtained at a comfortable environment (78° F.) remains essentially unchanged until an ambient temperature of 115° F. is exceeded. At 125° F. the cardiac output both at rest and during exercise is significantly increased over that obtained at 78° F. These increases in cardiac output are associated with inverse changes in A-V oxygen differences. A decrease in the mean pulmonary and brachial artery pressures occurred over the full range of temperatures studied.
Adsorption/Desorption characteristics of lead on various types of soil

Laboratory studies were conducted to address the phenomena of adsorption/desorption of lead onto various types of soils, both in the absence and presence of the chelating agent, ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA). The linear and Freundlich isotherm models provided adequate description of the adsorption/desorption behavior. Over the range of EDTA concentrations employed in the study (0.1 to 0.10M), no significant difference in the isotherm parameters was observed as a result of the applied EDTA concentration. The presence of EDTA significantly altered the adsorption/desorption behavior of lead on the soil, resulting in less of the metal being adsorbed. The soil with the higher silt/clay content had a greater amount of lead adsorbed onto it (as compared with the sandy soil). 17 refs., 8 figs., 11 tabs.
Nucleotide sequence of the phage λgt11 SacI-KpnI lacZ region

The nucleotide sequence of the lambda gt11 SacI-KpnI region, surrounding the unique EcoRI cloning site, was directly determined. This sequence previously had to be compiled from several diverse sources. The direct sequence confirms the sequence predicted from the compilation and pinpoints other unique restriction enzyme targets in the region for use in subcloning.
Formation of melatonin and 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid from 14C-tryptophan by rat pineal glands in organ culture.

Formation of melatonin and 5-hydroxy-indole acetic acid from C14 tryptophan by rat pineal glands in organ culture
Oxidation of sintered cobalt oxide

The kinetics and mechanism of the oxidation of sintered pellets of CoO and Co/sub 0/ /sub 5/Mg/sub 0/ /sub 5/O in air at high temperatures were investigated to find stable heat sources containing /sup 60/Co. The initial stages of oxidation of both materials were nuclei-growth-controlled, i.e. In (1/(1-x))=kt/sup m/. The reaction rate constant for CoO decreased at 800/sup 0/ to 960/sup 0/C, the temperature where the cobalt oxide spinel decomposed. The reaction-rate constant for decomposition of the mixed oxide was maximum at 700/sup 0/C and decreased at higher temperatures. This decrease confirmed the validity of the nuclei-growth solid-state reaction-rate equations.
The Future Is Now Reducing Impulsivity and Energy Intake Using Episodic Future Thinking

Humans have the ability to engage in prospective imagery to anticipate the future consequences of present behaviors (Suddendorf & Busby, 2005), but we often let our desire for immediate gratification lead us to devalue larger future consequences in favor of smaller immediate rewards. Discounting large future rewards in favor of smaller immediate rewards is known as delay discounting and increases with greater temporal distance between the rewards (Bickel & Marsch, 2001). One approach to reducing delay discounting is episodic future thinking (Atance & O'Neill, 2001). Episodic future thinking engages the episodic memory in prospectively experiencing future events (Atance & O'Neill, 2001; Schacter, Addis, & Buckner, 2007) and activates brain regions involved in prospective thinking (Benoit, Gilbert, & Burgess, 2011; Schacter et al., 2007). Episodic future thinking during intertemporal decision making reduces delay discounting, with the vividness of prospective imagery predicting the degree of the reduction (Peters & Buchel, 2010). The inability to delay gratification is related to obesity (Davis, Patte, Curtis, & Reid, 2010; Francis & Susman, 2009; Weller, Cook, Avsar, & Cox, 2008). Delay discounting predicts intake of energy-dense convenience foods in obese women (Appelhans et al., 2012), and poor impulse control predicts a lack of success in weight loss (Best et al., 2012). To determine episodic future thinking's effect on impulsive behavior, we assessed whether episodic future thinking, compared with engagement in a control imagery task, reduced impulsivity and energy intake in overweight and obese individuals.
Challenges of Nurses’ Deployment to Other New York City Hospitals in the Aftermath of Hurricane Sandy

On October 29, 2012, a 12-ft storm surge generated by Hurricane Sandy necessitated evacuation and temporary closure of three New York City hospitals including NYU Langone Medical Center (NYULMC). NYULMC nurses participated in the evacuation, and 71 % were subsequently deployed to area hospitals to address patient surge for periods from a few days up to 2 months when NYULMC reopened. This mixed methods study explored nurses’ experience in the immediate disaster and the subsequent deployment. More than 50 % of deployed nurse participants reported the experience to be extremely or very stressful. Deployed nurses encountered practice challenges related to working in an unfamiliar environment, limited orientation, legal concerns about clinical assignments. They experienced psychosocial challenges associated with the intense experience of the evacuation, uncertainty about future employment, and the increased demands of managing the deployment. Findings provide data to inform national and regional policies to support nurses in future deployments.
PHOSPHOLIPASE D IN PLATELETS AND MEGAKARYOCYTIC CELLS

Phospholipase D (PLD) is stimulated in platelets by various agents. Phosphatidylcholine is the major substrate for PLD. This enzymatic pathway generates phosphatidic acid selectively. Guanine nucleotides also stimulate PLD in platelet membranes. Furthermore, tyrosine kinase may also be involved in platelet PLD regulation. It appears that multiple signals acting sequentially or in parallel converge on PLD. Among others, PLD has been proposed to play a role in platelet secretion and PLA2 regulation. PLD is also present in platelet percursor megakaryocytric cells and can be activated by platelet agonists. In these cells both PKC and G-proteins (e.g. Rho) may regulate PLD activity. The significance of PLD in megakaryocytes awaits investigation. These recent developments offer new avenues of research to further elucidate the biochemistry of platelet and megakaryocyte function.
Photoperiodic responses ofXanthium strumarium L. (Compositae) introduced and indigenous in eastern asia

Photoperiodic responses among populations ofXanthium strumarium L. in eastern Asia from Vladivostok, USSR, to Hong Kong and Taiwan include a wide range of adaptation. Among indigenous populations of thestrumarium morphological complex, responses range from near day neutrality (Vladivostok) to approximately a night length requirement of 9.5 hr (Hong Kong). Introduced populations in Japan include a night length requirement of 9.75 hr in theitalicum morphological complex and of 10.25–10.5 hr in thechinense morphological complex. The range of photoperiodic adaptation is nearly as wide as among populations of North America.
Sleep and Immunity: Cytokine Pathways Linking Sleep and Health Outcomes

The functions of sleep are enigmatic but are beginning to be delineated. Sleep has been long thought to be important for health, and poor sleep is prospectively associated with worsened health outcomes. Yet the mechanisms accounting for this are only partially understood. In this review, we suggest that the immune system plays a role in the relationship between sleep and health and that sleep processes and immunity show bidirectional interactions, as evidenced in both animal and human studies. Immunological signaling molecules, termed cytokines, are important in coordinating brain–immune system communication, and particular cytokines such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1, and interleukin-6 play a crucial role in sleep regulation. Elevated levels of these cytokines are also associated with a number of chronic diseases and may provide a pathway linking poor sleep with health outcomes.
Identification of Hemodynamically Unstable Arrhythmias Using Subcutaneous Photoplethysmography

Hemodynamic Assessment Using Photoplethysmography. Introduction: Determination of hemodynamic status is central to arrhythmia management in the inpatient setting. In contrast, therapy decisions in implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs) are based exclusively on the arrhythmia's electrical signature. Hemodynamic sensing in ICDs would allow tailoring of therapy according to perfusion status. Subcutaneous photoplethysmography (PPG) is an attractive technology for this application because it responds to changes in arterial pressure and can be readily incorporated into the housing of implanted devices. This study evaluated the accuracy of PPG in identifying hemodynamically unstable simulated arrhythmias in an animal model. Methods and Results: Rapid atrial and ventricular pacing was used to simulate arrhythmias in an acute preparation of 7 healthy dogs. Aortic pressure and subcutaneous PPG were simultaneously recorded. Simulated arrhythmias were defined as hemodynamically unstable if aortic pressure decreased by ≥15 mmHg, marginally unstable if pressure decreased by 5–15 mmHg, and hemodynamically stable if pressure either increased or decreased by no more than 5 mmHg. An average of 56 arrhythmias were simulated in each animal. Changes in pressure and PPG output were highly correlated, with correlation coefficient of 0.7–0.9. Subcutaneous PPG identified hemodynamically unstable episodes with a sensitivity of 100% for 6 subjects and 80% for 1 subject. Specificity was more than 90% for 6 subjects and was 50% for 1 subject. Conclusions: Subcutaneous PPG detects hemodynamically unstable simulated arrhythmias in an acute canine preparation. If successfully validated in humans, this technology may allow ICD therapy to be specifically tailored according to the hemodynamic status of the arrhythmia. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 21, pp. 448–454, April 2010)
A Passive Shared Element Analog Electrical Cochlea

We present a simplified model of the micromechanics of the human cochlea, realized with electrical elements. Simulation of the model shows that it retains four signal processing features whose importance we argue on the basis of engineering logic and evolutionary evidence. Furthermore, just as the cochlea does, the model achieves massively parallel signal processing in a structurally economic way, by means of shared elements. By extracting what we believe are the five essential features of the cochlea, we hope to design a useful front-end filter to process acoustic images and to obtain a better understanding of the auditory system.
Effects of life-style modification on serum lipids.

Life-style modification has been recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program as the first approach to reduce serum lipid values and the risk for coronary heart disease. Presented are data from 4587 adults who attended a 3-week residential, life-style modification program consisting of a high-complex-carbohydrate, high-fiber, low-fat, and low-cholesterol diet combined with daily aerobic exercise, primarily walking. Total cholesterol values were reduced by 23%, from 6.06 to 4.66 mmol/L (234 to 180 mg/dL). Low-density cholesterol (LDL-C) values were also reduced by 23%, from 3.9 to 3.0 mmol/L (151 to 116 mg/dL), with most of the change occurring during the first 2 weeks. Male subjects showed a greater reduction in total cholesterol (24.4% vs 20.8%) and LDL-C (25% vs 19.4%) values compared with female subjects. Follow-up studies for 18 months on a small group showed that, in most cases, continued compliance with the program maintained total cholesterol values well below 5.18 mmol/L (200 mg/dL), the level recommended by the National Cholesterol Education Program. High-density cholesterol (HDL-C) was reduced by 16%, but the ratio of total cholesterol to HDL-C was reduced by 11%. Female subjects showed a greater drop in HDL-C values than did male subjects (19.4% vs 11.6%). Serum triglyceride values were reduced by 33%, from 2.29 to 1.54 mmol/L (200 to 135 mg/dL); again, male subjects showed a greater reduction than the did female subjects (37.9% vs 22.5%). Body weight was also significantly reduced, 5.5% for male subjects and 4.4% for female subjects. These results show that most adults can significantly reduce serum lipid values and the risk for atherosclerosis and its clinical sequelae through life-style modification consisting of diet and exercise. ( Arch Intern Med . 1991;151:1389-1394)
Cannabinoid inhibition of macrophage migration to the trans-activating (Tat) protein of HIV-1 is linked to the CB(2) cannabinoid receptor.

Macrophages and macrophage-like cells are important targets of HIV-1 infection at peripheral sites and in the central nervous system. After infection, these cells secrete a plethora of toxic factors, including the viral regulatory trans-activating protein (Tat). This protein is highly immunogenic and also serves as a potent chemoattractant for monocytes. In the present study, the exogenous cannabinoids δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and (−)-cis-3-[2-hydroxy-4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)phenyl]-trans-4-(3-hydroxypropyl) cyclohexanol (CP55940) were shown to significantly inhibit migration of human U937 macrophage-like cells to the Tat protein in a concentration-related manner. The CB1 receptor-selective agonist N-(2-chloroethyl)-5Z,8Z,11Z,14Z-eicosatetraenamide (ACEA) had no effect on Tat-mediated migration. In contrast, the CB2 receptor-selective agonist (1R,3R)-1-[4-(1,1-dimethylheptyl)-2,6-dimethoxyphenyl]-3-methylcyclohexanol (O-2137) exerted a concentration-related inhibition of U937 cell migration in response to Tat. Pharmacological blockage of CB1 receptor signaling using the antagonist 5-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-(2,4-dichlorophenyl)-4-methyl-N-(1-piperidyl)pyrazole-3-carboxamide hydrochloride (SR141716A) had no effect on CP55940-mediated inhibition of macrophage migration to Tat, whereas treatment with the CB2 receptor antagonist (1S-endo)-5-(4-chloro-3-methylphenyl)-1-((4-methylphenyl)methyl)-N-(1,3,3-trimethylbicyclo(2.2.1)hept-2-yl)-1H-pyrazole-3-carboxamide (SR144528) reversed the CP55940-mediated inhibition of migration. In addition, THC had no inhibitory effect on U937 migration to Tat after small interfering RNA knockdown of the CB2 receptor. Collectively, the pharmacological and biochemical knockdown data indicate that cannabinoid-mediated modulation of macrophage migration to the HIV-1 Tat protein is linked to the CB2 cannabinoid receptor. Furthermore, these results suggest that the CB2 cannabinoid receptor has potential to serve as a therapeutic target for ablation of HIV-1-associated untoward inflammatory response.
Public health policy and the AIDS epidemic. An end to HIV exceptionalism

In the early and mid-1980s, when democratic nations were forced to confront the public health challenge posed by the epidemic of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), it was necessary to face a set of fundamental questions: Did the history of responses to lethal infectious diseases provide lessons about how best to contain the spread of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection? Should the policies developed to control sexually transmitted diseases or other communicable conditions be applied to AIDS? If AIDS were not to be so treated, what would justify such differential policies? To understand the importance of these questions, it is . . .
Estrogen stimulation of ovarian surface epithelial cell proliferation

Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of gynecological cancer mortality, and 85-90% of this malignancy originates from the ovarian surface epithelium (OSE). The etiology of ovarian epithelial cancer is unknown, but a role for estrogens has been suspected. However, the effect of estrogens on OSE cell proliferation remains to be determined. Using the rabbit model, our studies have demonstrated that 17beta-estradiol stimulates OSE cell proliferation and the formation of a papillary ovarian surface morphology similar to that seen in human ovarian serous neoplasms of low malignant potential. Immunohistochemical staining of ovarian tissue sections with an antibody to the estrogen receptor alpha demonstrates its expression in both OSE cells and stromal interstitial cells. In primary ovarian cell cultures, the proliferative response of the epithelial cells to 17beta-estradiol depends on the expression of the estrogen receptor alpha in the epithelial cells. However, when the epithelial cells are grown together with ovarian stromal cells, their proliferative response to this hormone is greatly enhanced, suggesting the involvement of stromal-epithelial interactions. These studies suggest a role for estrogens and the estrogen receptor alpha in OSE growth.
IGH amplification in patients with B cell lymphoma unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B cell lymphoma and Burkitt's lymphoma.

B cell lymphoma, unclassifiable, with features intermediate between diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) (B-UNC/BL/DLBCL) is a new category of tumors that have features resembling both DLBCL and BL. These tumors have large and medium sized cells with greater irregularity of nuclei and more prominent nucleoli than BL. Approximately 35% to 50% have C-MYC rearrangements, although half are non-immunoglobulin variants. We identified six cases of B-UNC/BL/DLBCL with low-level IGH amplification. Four patients died with a median survival of 7 months (range, 6–20). In conclusion, to our knowledge low-level IGH amplification has not been previously described and should be evaluated for in this patient population.
Models for Managing Secrets

Some elementary probability models are given that help articulate the trade-offs involved in managing secrets. One of these models captures the notion that the likelihood of disclosing a secret increases as the square of the number of people who are aware of it. Also, several classes of countermeasures are examined to determine their ability to increase the time window during which a secret can be held. One model suggests that disinformation countermeasures offer a promising technique for conserving secrets.
On robust maximum lifetime routing in wireless sensor networks

We consider the maximum lifetime routing problem in wireless sensor networks, which has been formulated as a linear programming problem in the literature (Chang and Tassiulas [1]). The optimal value and optimal solution of this problem provide optimal flows for the network and the corresponding predicted lifetime, respectively. We study the situation when there is uncertainty in various network parameters (available energy and energy depletion rates). We show that for specific, yet typical, network topologies the actual lifetime will reach the predicted value with a probability that converges to zero as the number of nodes grows large. We develop a series of alternative robust problem formulations, ranging from worst-case to optimistic. A set of parameters enable the tuning of the conservatism of the formulation to obtain network flows with a desirably high probability that the corresponding lifetime prediction will be achieved. We establish a number of properties for the robust network flows and provide an illustrative set of numerical results to highlight the trade-off between predicted lifetime and the probability it is achieved.
SENSATION AND PERCEPTION OF MICROWAVE ENERGY

Sensing or perception of microwave/radiofrequency energy is accomplished through various mechanisms. In mammals, the main phenomena of sensation or perception are those of thermal sensation and, in selected cases, audition. Thermal sensation is accomplished by stimulation of thermosensitive nerve endings in the skin. Although some investigators believe that “hearing” or audition is evidence of direct nerve stimulation, the most recent data show this phenomenon to be due to electromechanically induced vibrations in tissue and normal reception in the cochlea of the ear.
Occurrence Records from the Southern Scarp Limestone of Papua New Guinea: Acronychia cartilaginea, Glochidion beehleri, Macaranga tessellata var. Glabrescens and Psychotria matambuaii

Abstract. Macaranga tessellata var. glabrescens is described from calcareous habitats in Papua New Guinea's southern region. The new variety is distinguished from the nominate form by its narrowly elliptic leaves, solitary female flowers, and glabrous calyces. Distributional records are also reported for Acronychia cartilaginea, Glochidion beehleri, and Psychotria matambuaii, formerly known only from their type localities.
Histidine determination in wheat germ agglutinin isolectin by X-ray diffraction analysis.

Electron density maps based on 2·4 A and 2·2 A X-ray diffraction data for crystals of two isolectins of wheat germ agglutinin (designated isolectins 1 and 2) were compared in terms of side-chain identities. While the primary structure of wheat germ agglutinin is not available, a partial amino acid sequence for isolectin 2 has been deduced by inspection of the electron density map and through model building. The positions of the two histidines predicted from amino acid composition studies to be present in isolectin 2 but not in isolectin 1, were located by difference Fourier techniques and analysis of the heavy-atom binding properties of these two isolectins. Both histidines were found to reside in the B-domain of the multi-domain wheat germ agglutinin protomer (A, B, C, D). Histidine 57 lies in the contact region between the two subunits near the molecular dimer axis. The side-chain of histidine 64 forms part of the primary saccharide binding site at the interface where B and C-domains of opposite protomers make contact. In addition, this histidine serves as a major target for heavy-atom binding by platinum and mercury compounds.
Rate/Pitch modification of speech using the constant-Q transform

Modification of the rate of occurrence of acoustic events without altering frequency content, and modification of pitch without changing time scale are presented as equivalent problems. While the short-time Fourier transform has been used to solve the rate modification problem, it is not a natural tool. It lacks the scaling property of the Fourier transform. The constant-Q transform, on the other hand, exhibits this property. A more natural rate/pitch modification system using the constant-Q transform is presented which performs well with rate/pitch changes by factors of between one-third and three.
THE PHOTOSYNTHETIC APPARATUS OF RHODOSPIRILLUM MOLISCHIANUM

By varying the light intensity and temperature during growth it is possible to obtain cultures of Rhodospirillum molischianum in which the specific bacteriochlorophyll contents differ by as much as fivefold. We used such cultures to compare the changes in the electron microscopic appearance of the cells with the changes in the amount and bacteriochlorophyll content of chromatophore material isolated from cell extracts. The cells contained a variable number of internal membranes which are invaginations of the cell membrane. The shape, size, number, and arrangement of the infoldings varied as the specific bacteriochlorophyll content of the cells changed. In cells with little bacteriochlorophyll, the invaginations were mostly tubular. In cells with larger amounts of bacteriochlorophyll, the invaginations were disc-shaped and the discs were appressed together in stacks of 2 to 10 discs each. Variations in the number of discs per stack could be accounted for by a simple statistical model. The average area per disc increased with increasing bacteriochlorophyll content. Quantitative estimations of the relative volumes occupied by membranes in cells with four different bacteriochlorophyll contents showed that the amount of internal membrane alone had no direct relationship with the bacteriochlorophyll content of the cells; however, the total amount of membrane (cell membrane plus internal membrane) was directly proportional to the bacteriochlorophyll content. The specific bacteriochlorophyll content of isolated chromatophore material was proportional to the bacteriochlorophyll content of whole cells; the total amount of chromatophore material was independent of the bacteriochlorophyll content of whole cells. Several possible explanations of this paradoxical discrepancy between the electron microscope observations and the analytical results are discussed.
A high performance parallel algorithm for 1-D FFT

Proposes a parallel high-performance fast Fourier transform (FFT) algorithm based on a multi-dimensional formulation. We use this to solve a commonly encountered FFT based kernel on a distributed memory parallel machine, the IBM scalable parallel system, SP1. The kernel requires a forward FFT computation of an input sequence, multiplication of the transformed data by a coefficient array, and finally an inverse FFT computation of the resultant data. We show that the multi-dimensional formulation helps in reducing the communication costs and also improves the single node performance by effectively utilizing the memory system of the node. We implemented this kernel on the IBM SP1 and observed a performance of 1.25 GFLOPS on a 64-node machine. >
Dynamic logic synthesis

A self-timed dynamic logic family, clock-delayed (CD) domino, was developed to provide non-dual-rail gates with inverting or non-inverting outputs. CD domino circuits are as easy to synthesize as static circuits and synthesis tools developed for static CMOS are used as part of a methodology for automating the design and synthesis of dynamic circuits. The methodology and CD domino's characteristics are demonstrated in the synthesis of five MCNC combinational logic benchmark circuits. Simulations of extracted chip layouts for the circuits show speed improvement factors of 2.17 to 6.28 compared to their static CMOS counterparts.
Shape-based tracking of naturally occurring annuli in image sequences

The problem of tracking and quantifying the nonrigid nonuniform motion of naturally occurring annuli from image sequences is addressed. Motion computation is performed in two different manners, i.e., shape adherence with second order difference smoothing, and shape adherence with smoothing based on strain energy minimization. Results are shown for two typical applications, i.e., motion of the left ventricular wall of the heart over an entire cardiac cycle as derived from magnetic resonance images, and extension of neuronal growth cone membranes (lamel-lipodia) from light microscopy images. >
Changing the Culture of a School: The Effect of Larger Class Size on Instructor and Student Performance.

Over time, each school builds its own culture and approach to education. Students, faculty, and alumni become accustomed to the style and pace of their university setting and expect it to continue. Thus, deliberate changes to this culture are not undertaken lightly and the effects of such changes are watched closely. This paper discusses the process and results of a change initiated by the School of Business Administration (SBA) at Loyola University Chicago. The change involved the increase of the maximum class size on the undergraduate level. In the fall of 2006, it was increased by 50 percent. The effect of this change was tracked in two ways: both student results, as measured by the grade point average, and faculty results, as measured by instructor evaluations, were collected and are reported here for a period of three years. This study uses data collected over the three years and includes results from 833 sections representing 23,247 student evaluations. For all terms in this period, data from the traditional and larger sized classes were compared and no significant difference was found either in instructor or student performance.
Determination of Kinetic Parameters using Linearly Increasing Temperature

For a linearly increasing temperature, a differential kinetic model is presented for the determination of kinetic parameters, i.e. activation energy, frequency factor, and reaction order. The performance of this method is illustrated by using two well known chemical reactions: acid-catalyzed sucrose hydrolysis and hydrolysis of N-acetyl-p-aminophenol in aqueous solution. Both computer generated and experimentally determined data sets were used for sucrose hydrolysis and published data were employed in the N-acetyl-p-aminophenol hydrolysis. The results obtained by this method agree well with isothermal kinetic data, for the first reaction, and nonisothermal data, for the second reaction. This method is faster, and more accurate than previously reported methods.
Ethics and Risk in the Global Environment

Ethical leadership is the basis for guiding an organization through difficulty without sacrificing integrity: domestic or international. Ethical leaders know that if they want to lead people to do the best that they can do; doing the right thing is critical. I think leaders use critical thinking with every ethical decision they make. Although ethics is a combination of the experiences that we have we can certainly learn to know what is right. Regulations in the U.S. such as Sarbane-Oxley also require that leaders must take the responsibility of ensuring the right policies are in effect and implemented: doing the wrong thing could land the leader in jail.
Bioavailability of acetaminophen suppositories

Urinary excretion of acetaminophen after rectal administration of three suppository formatulations obtained from hospital and commercial sources was compared to that after oral administration of a tablet dosage form. The absorption of acetaminophen from the suppositories was extremely variable and showed relative bioavailabilities of 68.4 to 87.5% when compared to the oral absorption of the drug from the tablet. The rate of bioavailability differed markedly between products and, in one case, the suppository dose of acetaminophen was so slowly absorbed that the clinical effectiveness of the product is doubtful. The study points out the need for in vivo evaluation of hospital pharmacy manufactured products.
Facile calculation of Hückel molecular orbital eigenvalues of short (n,0) nanotubes

Abstract A method for quickly calculating the Huckel molecular orbital eigenvalues and other properties of two series of open-ended single-walled nanotubes is given. Circumscribing generates series of related nanotubes and mirror-plane fragmentation and embedding of larger molecular graphs gives smaller subgraphs resulting in substantial simplification of eigenvalue calculations. Molecular graphs with greater than two-fold symmetry are at least doubly degenerate in about two-thirds of their Huckel molecular orbital eigenvalues and that the right-hand mirror-plane subgraphs only contains one set of these doubly degenerate eigenvalues. Recursion equations derived for the (5,0) nanotube series allow one to obtain eigensolutions for indefinitely large members.
Frequency of Abnormally Shaped Eggs in White Leghorn Hens

Abstract Abnormally shaped eggs are described which result from the presence of two eggs in the shell gland of a hen following delayed oviposition. The development of these eggs is shown by a series of radiographs. Incidence of abnormal eggs in three strains of chickens ranged from 1 to 1.7% of eggs laid. Individual hens could be identified that regularly laid abnormal eggs.
Kinetic Lattice Monte Carlo Simulations of Cascade Aging in Iron and Dilute Iron-Copper Alloys

Neutron hardening and embrittlement of pressure vessel steels is due to a high density of nm scale features, including copper-manganese-nickel rich precipitates and what are generally believed to be defect cluster-solute complexes. It has been postulated that the sub nanometer defect cluster-solute complexes form directly in displacement cascades. Cluster-complexes that are thermally unstable mediate the effect of flux on embrittlement kinetics. Larger cluster-complexes, that are relatively thermally stable for irradiation times up to 1 Gs, cause embrittlement in low copper steels. Robust characterization of these two types of so-called matrix defects has been an elusive goal. In this work, Kinetic Lattice Monte Carlo (KLMC) simulations of the long term evolution of the vacancy-rich cascade core regions were carried out for both pure iron and dilute iron-copper alloys at the nominal irradiation temperature of 563°K up to times when the vacancy clusters completely dissolve. Energetics were based on lattice embedded atom method potentials. Special time scaling and pulse annealing techniques were used to deal with the enormous range of inherent time scales involved, viz., rapid free vacancy jumps to slow emission from large complexes. Three-dimensional clusters rapidly form, containing a wide range of vacancies, as well as copper atoms in alloys. Small complexes are very mobile and growth takes place primarily by coalescence. The vacancy clusters ultimately dissolve at times from less than 0.1 to more than 100 MS. These simulations support the hypotheses that cascade cluster-complexes constitute both thermally stable and unstable matrix defect features.
Time dependence of fast electron beam divergence in ultraintense laser-plasma interactions

We report on the measurement and computer simulation of the divergence of fast electrons generated in an ultraintense laser-plasma interaction (LPI) and the subsequent propagation in a nonrefluxing target. We show that, at Iλ(2) of 10(20) Wcm(-2)μm(2), the time-integrated electron beam full divergence angle is (60±5)°. However, our time-resolved 2D particle-in-cell simulations show the initial beam divergence to be much smaller (≤30°). Our simulations show the divergence to monotonically increase with time, reaching a final value of (68±7)° after the passage of the laser pulse, consistent with the experimental time-integrated measurements. By revealing the time-dependent nature of the LPI, we find that a substantial fraction of the laser energy (~7%) is transported up to 100 μm with a divergence of 32°.
Twkyr: a Multitouch Waveform Looper

Twkyr is a new interface for musical expression that emphasizes realtime manipulation, audification, and visualization of waveforms with a multitouch display, offering different interactivity at different time scales, within the same waveform. The interactive audiovisual design of Twkyr is motivated by the need for increased parsimony and transparency in electronic musical instruments and draws from the the work of Curtis Roads on time scales as qualitative musical parameters and Edward Tufte’s“data-ink”principles for the improvement of data graphics.
Neutron Angular Distribution Analysis Using Cylindrical Bessel Functions

The principles of diffraction analysis as applied to neutron scattering are summarized. Angular distribution data from the elastic scattering of 14 MeV neutrons incident on targets over a mass rang...