cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Region based route planning - Multi-abstraction route planning based on intermediate level vision processing

Intermediate and high level processing operations are performed on vision data for the organization of images into more meaningful, higher-level topological representations by means of a region-based route planner (RBRP). The RBRP operates in terrain scenarios where some or most of the terrain is occluded, proceeding without a priori maps on the basis of two-dimensional representations and gradient-and-roughness information. Route planning is accomplished by three successive abstractions and yields a detailed point-by-point path by searching only within the boundaries of relatively small regions.
Discriminant Analysis of Bermuda Carbonate Strand-Line Sediment

Discriminant function analysis is an effective tool for differentiation of strand-line environments, represented by calcareous sediment from the Bermuda Islands. Sediment samples from the beaches of Bermuda were separated on the basis of wave energy regime and tidal position: subtidal, intertidal, and supratidal (dune and eolian flat). Sediment from the beaches that face the lagoon is composed of fragments of (1) the green alga, Halimeda , (2) bivalves, and (3) Pleistocene, skeletal eolianite. Sediment from beaches that face the open ocean is composed of fragments of (1) the Foraminifera, Homotrema , (2) coral, (3) coralline algae, and (4) Pleistocene, skeletal eolianite. Differences in sediment texture and ability to discriminate depositional environments are related to skeletal composition of the sediment and to wave-energy regime. The combination of phi mean, phi standard deviation, skewness, and kurtosis is most efficient for separating all categories of strand sediment by discriminant analysis. Phi mean and standard deviation combined are also efficient variables for discrimination. Skewness and kurtosis are significantly lower in overall discriminant efficiency, and neither can be utilized successfully when paired with only one other textural variable. Different discriminant functions must be used on the samples from each shore to obtain optimum discrimination, which suggests that specific textural discrimination criteria may be locally, but not generally, valid.
Screening of Repellents and Rearing Methods for Water Leeches

Forty-eight candidate repellents were screened in the laboratory against the American medicinal leech, Macrobdella dacora (Say), and a Korean species of Hirudo . Fifteen compounds, alone and/or in mixtures, provided protection for 200 or more rinses against M. decora; 12 provided protection against Hirudo . A mixture of 25% deet and 75% lanolin was selected for field tests in south-east Asia. Techniques for rearing the American medicinal leech were developed.
Entrepreneurship and Extraregional Trade in the Producer Services

Traditional explanations of interaction (trade) in city systems fail to capture the breadth and complexity of extraregional markets in the producer services. Building on market-process theory, which argues that markets are adaptive and rarely in equilibrium, the development of extraregional trade in the producer services was investigated as a form of firm-level entrepreneurship. While firms' entrepreneurial behaviors are influenced by a variety of internal characteristics, such as entrepreneurial spirit, size, age, and ownership, it is argued that a firm's location is an important conditioning factor on the degree of success it achieves with market expansion. The hypothesis is evaluated using spatial market extent data developed from a survey of 615 producer service firms located in 16 Midwest cities. A firm's degree of entrepreneurship is indexed by a qualitative assessment of its marketing activities, ranging from “aggressive” to “none.” Cox proportional hazards models, in a spatial-analog of survival analysis, were used to examine the influence of entrepreneurship on the spatial extents of firms' markets. The results confirm that location, more so than firm size or age, has a significant influence on the spatial extent of a firm's extraregional trade. The influence of location is generally complex: surfacing directly as a market scale effect, and indirectly as a conditioning factor on the success of a firm's entrepreneurial behavior. The results suggest that extraregional trade in producers services is predicated on more than just production cost (i.e., internal or external scale economies) or distribution cost (i.e., distance) factors, and that behavioral theories of the market can provide meaningful insight into the geography of market interaction.
Evaluation of multiple protein docking structures using correctly predicted pairwise subunits

Many functionally important proteins in a cell form complexes with multiple chains. Therefore, computational prediction of multiple protein complexes is an important task in bioinformatics. In the development of multiple protein docking methods, it is important to establish a metric for evaluating prediction results in a reasonable and practical fashion. However, since there are only few works done in developing methods for multiple protein docking, there is no study that investigates how accurate structural models of multiple protein complexes should be to allow scientists to gain biological insights. We generated a series of predicted models (decoys) of various accuracies by our multiple protein docking pipeline, Multi-LZerD, for three multi-chain complexes with 3, 4, and 6 chains. We analyzed the decoys in terms of the number of correctly predicted pair conformations in the decoys. We found that pairs of chains with the correct mutual orientation exist even in the decoys with a large overall root mean square deviation (RMSD) to the native. Therefore, in addition to a global structure similarity measure, such as the global RMSD, the quality of models for multiple chain complexes can be better evaluated by using the local measurement, the number of chain pairs with correct mutual orientation. We termed the fraction of correctly predicted pairs (RMSD at the interface of less than 4.0A) as fpair and propose to use it for evaluation of the accuracy of multiple protein docking.
Magnetic fields from cosmological phase transitions

Abstract Cosmological phase transitions in the early universe lead to gradients in the vacuum expectation value of the Higgs field. The variation of the Higgs field results in the presence of electromagnetic fields after the completion of the phase transition. This mechanism would also produce magnetic fields of other unbroken gauge symmetries such as SU(3)c. We estimate the strength of the electromagnetic fields produced due to the electroweak phase transition.
Controlled nitrogen incorporation at Si-SiO 2 interfaces and in thin gate dielectrics by remote-plasma-assisted oxidation and deposition processes

Abstract Low-temperature, 300°C, plasma processes are described for controlled incorporation of N at SiSiO 2 interfaces, and in thin gate dielectrics. N incorporation at mono- and sub-monolayer levels have been achieved at SiSiO 2 interfaces by plasma-assisted oxidation in N 2 O and N 2 O O 2 mixtures. N incorporation in stacked dielectrics with Si oxynitride or nitride layers has been demonstrated by remote plasma enhanced chemical-vapor deposition (PECVD).
A Node Selection Algorithm for Many-to-Many Mappings in Peer-to-Peer Networks

To achieve high performance and resilience to failures, many peer-to-peer (P2P) systems have begun to use striping and collaborative downloading, where each peer can download the file or pieces of the file from a number of peers in parallel, and at the same time, serve them to some other peers. These P2P systems intrinsically involve many-to-many mappings from the servers to the clients (or peers to peers) as well as many-to-one mappings from the clients to the server. In this paper, we present a node selection algorithm that generates an optimal server set with respect to the worst link stress (WLS) criterion for a single client and evaluates its network performance metrics for many- to-many mappings and many-to-one mappings. Simulation results show that our system is simple yet effective in achieving the design goals. In particular, it minimizes the level of congestion at the bottleneck link, and it consumes less network resources in terms of total bandwidth usage. The objectives of this in-depth examination are to raise awareness and concern for these issues and to provide alternatives or improved designs that can be incorporated into many P2P systems.
Ethanol suppresses LPS-induced mRNA for nitric oxide synthase II in alveolar macrophages in vivo and in vitro

Abstract Alcohol abuse increases the incidence and severity of opportunistic lung infections and pneumonias. Inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS II) and NO may be a pivotal system in the intracellular bactericidal activity of macrophages. We tested the hypothesis that acute administration of ethanol (ETOH) suppressed Escherichia coli endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) mediated upregulation of the iNOS II system in the lung of the rat, in vivo. We also tested the effect of ETOH on alveolar macrophage (AM) production of free NO using microelectrodes. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were given ETOH (5.5 g/kg, IP) 30 min. before giving intratracheal sterile phosphate buffered saline solution (PBS, 0.5 ml) or LPS (1 mg/kg in a total volume of 0.5 ml PBS). The isolated lungs were subjected to bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) 3.5 hr. later. Aliquots of the BAL fluid were assayed for tumor necrosis factor αTNFα and reactive nitrogen intermediates (nitrate and nitrite) (RNI) with chemiluminescence. Aliquots of AM were incubated 1 hr ex vivo for spontaneous production of RNI or frozen and assayed for iNOS II mRNA with competitor exchange reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (cERT-PCR). The lung was homogenized and assayed for RNI. LPS increased BAL fluid TNFα and RNI, lung RNI, and the spontaneous production of RNI by AM, ex vivo. These effects were inhibited by in vivo administration of inhibitors of iNOS II. LPS increased iNOS mRNA in AM. This was unaffected by iNOS inhibitors. ETOH suppressed LPS-induced BAL fluid TNF, iNOS mRNA and RNI production by AM and the lung. In vitro ethanol inhibited LPS + interferon-gamma induced stimulation of free NO in primed AM from 320 nM to 35 nM. Thus, ETOH impairs transcription and posttranscriptional upregulation of iNOS II in AM and the lung. ETOH may increase opportunistic lung infections by suppression of the iNOS II system.
Relation between hardness and compressive strength of polymer concrete

Abstract Experimental studies were made of the influence of mixing and casting techniques and of curing time upon the compressive strength and hardness of methyl methacrylate based polymer concrete. The Rockwell K and F scales were found to be suitable for the hardness determinations. Over a wide range of hardness and strength values, the average compressive strength (fc) varied linearly with the average hardness (RK) according to the relation fc (psi) = 560 RK - 12000, irrespective of casting and curing variables. The weaker materials exhibited greater variations in hardness. Hardness testing is found to provide a meaningful and convenient method for evaluating the quality of polymer concrete.
Central and peripheral anatomy of slowly adapting type I low‐threshold mechanoreceptors innervating trunk skin of neonatal mice

Despite intensive study, our understanding of the neuronal structures responsible for transducing the broad spectrum of environmental energies that impinge upon the skin has rested on inference and conjecture. This major shortcoming motivated the development of ex vivo somatosensory system preparations in neonatal mice in the hope that their small size might allow the peripheral terminals of physiologically identified sensory neurons to be labeled intracellularly for direct study. The present report describes the first such study of the peripheral terminals of four slowly adapting type I low-threshold mechanoreceptors (SAIs) that innervated the back skin of neonatal mice. In addition, this report includes information on the central anatomy of the same SAI afferents that were identified peripherally with both physiological and anatomical means, providing an essentially complete view of the central and peripheral morphology of individual SAI afferents in situ. Our findings reveal that SAIs in neonates are strikingly adult-like in all major respects. Afferents were exquisitely sensitive to mechanical stimuli and exhibited a distinctly irregular, slowly adapting discharge to stimulation of 1-4 punctate receptive fields in the skin. Their central collaterals formed transversely oriented and largely nonoverlapping arborizations limited to regions of the dorsal horn corresponding to laminae III-V. Their peripheral arborizations were restricted entirely within miniaturized touch domes, where they gave rise to expanded disc-like endings in close apposition to putative Merkel cells in basal epidermis. These findings therefore provide the first direct confirmation of the functional morphology of this physiologically unique afferent class.
Mice Lacking p35, a Neuronal Specific Activator of Cdk5, Display Cortical Lamination Defects, Seizures, and Adult Lethality

Abstract The adult mammalian cortex is characterized by a distinct laminar structure generated through a well- defined pattern of neuronal migration. Successively generated neurons are layered in an "inside-out" manner to produce six cortical laminae. We demonstrate here that p35, the neuronal-specific activator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5, plays a key role in proper neuronal migration. Mice lacking p35, and thus p35/cdk5 kinase activity, display severe cortical lamination defects and suffer from sporadic adult lethality and seizures. Histological examination reveals that the mutant mice lack the characteristic laminated structure of the cortex. Neuronal birth-dating experiments indicate a reversed packing order of cortical neurons such that earlier born neurons reside in superficial layers and later generated neurons occupy deep layers. The phenotype of p35 mutant mice thus demonstrates that the formation of cortical laminar structure depends on the action of the p35/cdk5 kinase.
Generic tripartite Bell nonlocality sudden death under local phase noise

We definitively show, using an explicit and broadly applicable model, that local phase noise that is capable of eliminating state coherence only in the infinite-time limit is capable of eliminating nonlocality in finite time in three two-level systems prepared in the Bell-nonlocal tripartite states of the generic entanglement class.
Novel low-cost fiber optic colorimetric instrument to rapidly screen premalignant esophageal tissue

A cost-efficient screening device is needed to detect patients who have Barrett's esophagus, a precursor to esophageal adenocarcinoma -- the most rapidly increasing cancer in the US. We have developed a prototype instrument based on colorimetric assessment of esophageal lumen. The system consists of a small diameter fiber-optic probe, interfacing electronics, a probe-head position sensor and a computer for display and analysis. The probe has a central plastic optical fiber through which white light is incident on the collapsed esophageal lumen via c conical mirror in the probe-head. A parabolic mirror in the probe-head focuses the reflected light is applied to a linear 520 X 3 RGB photo-diode array to generate proportional electrical signals. A position sensor tracks probe-head location as it is retracted, allowing generation of a 2D colormap of esophageal lumen. A color change from white to red indicates Barrett's esophagus. The system performed accurately in tests using models of esophageal lumen which simulate patterns observed in Barrett's esophagus.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The practical computation of areas associated with binary quartic forms

We derive formulas for practically computing the area of the region |F(z,y)| ≤ 1 defined by a binary quartic form F(X,Y) ∈ R|X,Y]. These formulas, which involve a particular hypergeometric function, are useful when estimating the number of lattice points in certain regions of the type |F(x, y)| ≤ h and will likely find application in many contexts. We also show that for forms F of arbitrary degree, the maximal size of the area of the region |F(x, y)| ≤ 1, normalized with respect to the discriminant of F and taken with respect to the number of conjugate pairs of F(x, 1), increases as the number of conjugate pairs decreases; and we give explicit numerical values for these normalized maxima when F is a quartic form.
Methods for determining the spin and parity of the B particle

Experimental tests for the spin and parity of the B particle are derived from angular correlations of particles associated with production and decay of the B.
A Meditation on Hell: Lessons from Dante

This essay borrows Dante's inspiration in the Inferno to explore a theology of hell. The usual apologies for hell either bank on a retributive paradigm of justice or are content to have hell introduce a note of tragedy into the history of redemption. The theology that is culled from Dante, and especially from his handling of Virgil's place and authority in hell, is neither retributive in its justice nor tragic in its vision. Dante shows us how to make some sense of the idea that hell is originally a part of the created order and as such expresses divine wisdom, justice, and love.
INTERSECTIONS OF GENDER AND AGING

(1988). Intersections of Gender and Aging. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 29, No. 4, pp. 479-486.
Modern Latin American Revolutions

Social revolution, consolidation and the role of the individual consolidation and institutionalization in Bolivia, Cuba, Grenada and Nicaragua social revolutionary leadership: ideology and strategy the institutionalization and consolidation of the Nicaraguan revolution modern Latin American Revolutions: institutionalization and consolidation.
Losses in small-radius bends in single-mode fibres

Refractive index profiles and mode field radii determine small-radius bending losses in single-mode fibres. Losses in six different types of fibres were measured in bends with radii ranging from 1.25 to 8 mm. The results show that a refractive index depression in the core centre reduces the bending-loss sensitivity.
Beriberi heart disease in a schizophrenic with an unusual diet

A 37-year-old male presented with peripheral edema of sudden onset. Other signs of heart failure were absent. Subsequent evaluation revealed that the patient was a schizophrenic whose diet consisted almost entirely of carbohydrates. A clinical diagnosis of beriberi heart disease was made and the patient improved dramatically within several days of thiamine supplementation. The presentation of beriberi heart disease in developed countries is discussed. Emphasis is placed on food faddists and psychiatric patients in whom clinical findings may be subtle or absent.
Novel strategies and therapeutics for the treatment of prostate carcinoma.

BACKGROUND An increased understanding of the biology of prostate carcinoma has led to the clinical evaluation of mechanism-based and targeted therapies. Modulating the immune system has been pursued through the use of both active and passive immunity as well as the ex vivo genetic manipulation of effector cells. A variety of gene therapies has been proposed not only to replace defective genes but to localize activation of prodrugs. Angiogenesis and tumor invasion also have been targeted, as have cell cycling and signal transduction. Strategies promoting apoptosis and augmenting differentiation are also under study. METHODS This study is a review of current clinical strategies using biologic, immunologic, and genetic approaches for the treatment of prostate carcinoma. RESULTS The clinical development of therapy targeting differentiation, apoptosis, cell signaling, angiogenesis, metastasis, immune surveillance, and others are in various stages of clinical development. A disease states model is used to discuss treatment groups, outcome measures, and other trial design elements in relation to specific therapeutic strategies. CONCLUSIONS Development of novel agents requires consideration of where in the natural history of the disease they should be applied. In addition, understanding the genetic and molecular alterations that occur as the disease progresses from a localized to a metastatic state, and from androgen dependence to independence, is necessary. Clinical trial design will require consideration of cytostatic and cytotoxic effects, the status of pathways not directly targeted, and potentially unexpected influences on prostate specific antigen expression by these agents. Cancer 2000;89:1329–48. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy of Azide Ion in Reverse Micelles

The antisymmetric stretching band of the ν3 vibration of azide ion was studied in nanosize water droplets confined in reverse micelles by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. In reverse micelle...
Synthesis and Characterization of MoFe3S4 and Mo2Fe2S4 Single Cubanes

The synthesis of multimetallic M/S clusters by the reductive coupling of dimeric building blocks appears to be of general utility. In this paper we describe the synthesis and characterization of new single cubanes with cores such as [Mo2Fe2S4]2+ and [MoFe3S4]3+,2+.
SELF-CONSISTENT MODEL OF THE INTERSTELLAR PICKUP PROTONS, ALFVÉNIC TURBULENCE, AND CORE SOLAR WIND IN THE OUTER HELIOSPHERE

A self-consistent model of the interstellar pickup protons, the slab component of the Alfvenic turbulence, and core solar wind (SW) protons is presented for r ≥ 1 along with the initial results of and comparison with the Voyager 2 (V2) observations. Two kinetic equations are used for the pickup proton distribution and Alfvenic power spectral density, and a third equation governs SW temperature including source due to the Alfven wave energy dissipation. A fraction of the pickup proton free energy, fD , which is actually released in the waveform during isotropization, is taken from the quasi-linear consideration without preexisting turbulence, whereas we use observations to specify the strength of the large-scale driving, C sh, for turbulence. The main conclusions of our study can be summarized as follows. (1) For C sh 1-1.5 and fD 0.7-1, the model slab component agrees well with the V2 observations of the total transverse magnetic fluctuations starting from ~8 AU. This indicates that the slab component at low-latitudes makes up a majority of the transverse magnetic fluctuations beyond 8-10 AU. (2) The model core SW temperature agrees well with the V2 observations for r 20 AU if fD 0.7-1. (3) A combined effect of the Wentzel-Kramers-Brillouin attenuation, large-scale driving, and pickup proton generated waves results in the energy sink in the region r 10 AU, while wave energy is pumped in the turbulence beyond 10 AU. Without energy pumping, the nonlinear energy cascade is suppressed for r 10 AU, supplying only a small energy fraction into the k-region of dissipation by the core SW protons. A similar situation takes place for the two-dimensional turbulence. (4) The energy source due to the resonant Alfven wave damping by the core SW protons is small at heliocentric distances r 10 AU for both the slab and the two-dimensional turbulent components. As a result, adiabatic cooling mostly controls the model SW temperature in this region, and the model temperature disagrees with the V2 observations in the region r 20 AU.
Meningitis in Man Caused by a Filterable Virus. I. Two Cases and the Method of Obtaining a Virus from their Spinal Fluids.

The clinical pictures presented by two men suffering from an acute bacteria-free lymphocytic meningitis, and the method of obtaining a virus from their spinal fluids were described. Evidence was then adduced to show that the virus was really in the spinal fluids, that the strains of virus obtained from the two patients were identical or closely related, and that the active agent in the spinal fluids was etiologically significant.
Global solutions of the Cauchy problem for the (classical) coupled Maxwell-Dirac equations in one space dimension

Abstract The existence of global solutions of the Cauchy problem is proved for the Maxwell-Dirac equations coupled through the standard electromagnetic interaction. The proof depends on the conservation of charge and an a priori estimate on the electromagnetic potential. The technique also applies to the Dirac-Klein-Gordon equations with Yukawa coupling.
Optimal packet scheduling in output-buffered optical switches with limited-range wavelength conversion

All-optical packet switching is a promising candidate for future high-speed switching. However, due to the absence of optical Ran-dom Access Memory, the traditional Virtual Output Queue (VOQ) based input-queued switches are difficult to implement in optical domain. In this paper we consider output-buffered optical packet switches. We focus on packet scheduling in an output-buffered optical packet switch with limited-range wavelength conversion, aiming at maximizing throughput and minimizing average queuing delay simultaneously. We show that it can be converted to a minimum cost maximum network flow problem. To cope with the high complexity of general network flow algorithms, we further present a new algorithm that can determine an optimal scheduling in O (min {W2,BW}) time, where W is the number of wave-length channels in each fiber and B is the length of the output buffer. We also conduct simulations to test the performance of the proposed scheduling algorithm under different traffic models.
Indecomposable division algebras with a baer ordering

In this paper we construct Baer ordered indecomposable division algebras of index p n and exponent p m for all primes p and for all n m, with n>m≥1 (n≥3 if p=2).
Strength of figure for trilateration

An investigation of five figures commonly used in shoran trilateration resulted in numerical values expressing the relative accuracies obtainable using these figures. Triangles and quadrilaterals are examined for various shapes, while the semi-hexagon, hexagon,-and square are examined fixed in shape but with different locations for the fixed lines.
Fetal intraperitoneal transfusion for iatrogenic twin anemia-polycythemia sequence after laser therapy.

Twin anemia–polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a rare variant of twin–twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) without the characteristic twin oligohydramnios–polyhydramnios sequence and cardiovascular milieu attributed to renin–angiotensin system mediators. It can occur spontaneously or iatrogenically after fetoscopic laser surgery. We report the case of a woman, gravida 2 para 1, with a monochorionic diamniotic pregnancy who developed Quintero Stage III TTTS. She underwent laser photocoagulation of identifiable anastomotic vessels and subsequently developed suspected TAPS 2 weeks later. The pregnancy was successfully treated with serial intrauterine intraperitoneal transfusions (IUT-PTs) of red blood cells. Although TAPS is a rare condition, serial middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity measurements are warranted as follow-up in patients who have undergone fetoscopic laser surgery for TTTS. IUT-PTs may be superior to intravascular intrauterine transfusions in the treatment of this condition. Copyright © 2009 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating object grasp sliding via pressure array sensing

Advances in design and fabrication technologies are enabling the production and commercialization of sensor-rich robotic hands with skin-like sensor arrays. Robotic skin is poised to become a crucial interface between the robot embodied intelligence and the external world. The need to fuse and make sense out of data extracted from skin-like sensors is readily apparent. This paper presents a real-time sensor fusion algorithm that can be used to accurately estimate object position, translation and rotation during grasping. When an object being grasped moves across the sensor array, it creates a sliding sensation; the spatial-temporal sensations are estimated by computing localized slid vectors using an optical flow approach. These results were benchmarked against an L ∞ Norm approach using a nominal known object trajectory generated by sliding and rotating an object over the sensor array using a second, high accuracy, industrial robot. Rotation and slid estimation can later be used to improve grasping quality and dexterity.
Review: Stress-Induced Diffusion and Cation Defect Chemistry Studies of Perovskites

In this paper we review a number of studies of stress-induced diffusional matter transport in perovskites, with an emphasis on creep studies used as a means of studying defect chemistry on the cation sublattices. Studies of diffusional creep in air or fixed atmospheres are reviewed first, and the common characteristics among these perovskites are identified. Creep studies of several perovskiterelated or perovskite-like structures are reviewed next, and the similarities/dissimilarities to perovskites are outlined. The diffusional creep studies in controlled atmosphere are reviewed next, with the emphasis on defect chemistry modeling from creep data. The paper presents a detailed review of two creep studies in oxygen controlled atmosphere that show particularly interesting and remarkedly different behavior from that predicted by standard defect chemistry models. Defect chemistry modeling from creep data is presented for these two cases. The potential and limitations of using creep experiments for studying diffusional matter transport and cation defect chemistry are discussed.
Abstract IA10: Targeting K-Ras for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.

K-Ras is a highly validated cancer target that is mutated in 90% of pancreatic cancers. Thus, K-Ras inhibition represents an attractive therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pancreatic cancer and many other tumor types. However, Ras activation and signaling is accomplished primarily through protein-protein interactions. Such protein interfaces typically lack well-defined binding pockets suggesting that K-Ras may be difficult or impossible to target directly with small molecules. In this presentation, the discovery of novel small molecules that bind directly to K-Ras will be reported that inhibit Sos-catalyzed K-Ras activation. These compounds were identified from fragment-based screens by NMR using 15N-labeled GDP- and GTP-bound K-Ras (G12D). To determine how the fragment hits and analogs bind to K-Ras, we have obtained more than 20 co-crystal structures and using these x-ray structures have designed and synthesized improved K-Ras inhibitors. To further improve the binding affinity, we have conducted additional fragment-based screens using 3 different approaches to identify compounds that bind to a second nearby site which could be linked to our fragments that bind to the first site. In addition to this strategy for obtaining potent K-Ras inhibitors, we are exploring other ways to directly target K-Ras. Citation Format: Stephen W. Fesik. Targeting K-Ras for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Progress and Challenges; Jun 18-21, 2012; Lake Tahoe, NV. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(12 Suppl):Abstract nr IA10.
Aerosol-induced thermal effects increase modelled terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration

Previous studies suggest that the radiative effects of atmospheric aerosols (reducing total radiation while increasing the diffuse fraction) can enhance terrestrial productivity. Here, simulations using a regional climate/terrestrial biosphere model suggest that atmospheric aerosols could also enhance terrestrial photosynthesis and transpiration through an interaction between solar radiation, leaf temperature and stomatal conductance. During midday, clear-sky conditions, sunlit-leaf temperatures can exceed the optimum for photosynthesis, depressing both photosynthesis and transpiration. Aerosols decrease surface solar radiation, thereby reducing leaf temperatures and enhancing sunlit-leaf photosynthesis and transpiration. This modelling study finds that, under certain conditions, this thermal response of aerosols can have a greater impact on photosynthesis and transpiration than the radiative response. This implies that a full understanding of the impact of aerosols on climate and the global carbon cycle requires consideration of the biophysical responses of terrestrial vegetation as well as atmospheric radiative and thermodynamic effects.
The adjustment of goldfish to reduction in magnitude of reward in massed trials

For a group of goldfish trained in a runway under conditions of highly massed practice, reduction in magnitude of reward produced a gradual decline in performance to the level of a small-reward control group but no suggestion of negative successive contrast. These results are consistent with the suggestion that reward plays a somewhat different role in the learning of fish and rats. They also serve to extend the range of conditions under which the stimulus aftereffects of reward come to control the instrumental behavior of fish.
The Role of PET with [18-F] Fluorodeoxyglucose in the Diagnosis and Management of Thoracic Vascular Disease

Investigating the functional activity of cellular inflammatory mediators is fundamental to understanding the pathophysiology and improving the treatment of numerous vascular conditions. PET with FDG allows noninvasive in vivo assessment of inflammatory vascular processes and may be coupled to CT or MRI to provide simultaneous anatomic information. These unique properties have provided additional insight into the pathophysiology, diagnosis, and management of thoracic vascular diseases. In this article, the role of FDG-PET in the assessment of thoracic vascular disease and the influence of this technique on the diagnostic and management approaches are discussed.
Occurrence of triclosan, triclocarban, and its lesser chlorinated congeners in Minnesota freshwater sediments collected near wastewater treatment plants.

The antimicrobial agents triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and their associated transformation products are of increasing concern as environmental pollutants due to their potential adverse effects on humans and wildlife, including bioaccumulation and endocrine-disrupting activity. Analysis by tandem mass spectrometry of 24 paired freshwater bed sediment samples (top 10 cm) collected by the U.S. Geological Survey near 12 wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in Minnesota revealed TCS and TCC concentrations of up to 85 and 822 ng/g dry weight (dw), respectively. Concentrations of TCS and TCC in bed sediments collected downstream of WWTPs were significantly greater than upstream concentrations in 58% and 42% of the sites, respectively. Dichloro- and non-chlorinated carbanilides (DCC and NCC) were detected in sediments collected at all sites at concentrations of up to 160 and 1.1 ng/g dw, respectively. Overall, antimicrobial concentrations were significantly higher in lakes than in rivers and creeks, with relative abundances decreasing from TCC > TCS > DCC > NCC. This is the first statewide report on the occurrence of TCS, TCC and TCC transformation products in freshwater sediments. Moreover, the results suggest biological or chemical TCC dechlorination products to be ubiquitous in freshwater environments of Minnesota, but whether this transformation occurs in the WWTP or bed sediment remains to be determined.
OKT3, OKT4, and all that

It's starting again. I had gone for 14 months without seeing an article reporting on T and B levels in one disease or another. The T- and B-cell measures—having run through the sick, the elderly, the young, the pregnant, the bereaved—had finally run out of diseases. Each condition was the subject of many reports; so that now, to give but one example, we can conclude with some assurance that T-cell numbers are up, 1 down, 2-4 or unchanged 5-8 in old folks. And now it's starting all over again, this time with T-cell subsets. Think, dear reader, and grieve, dear editor, about how many investigators are at this very moment measuring T-cell subsets in systemic lupus erythematosus, in rheumatoid arthritis, in solid tumors (all different sorts—one article for each), in lymphomas, in pneumonia, after surgery, after burns, after trauma, in asthma, in cirrhosis, in Crohn's disease, in glomerulonephritis, in myositis,
Pharmacist Critique Was Ill-Informed

Pharmacists' ability to exercise "professional right of conscience" in dispensing emergency contraception, as well as the professionalism of pharmacists, has fallen under attack recently by the media, by state governments, and even by other healthcare professionals in published commentaries. This editorial discusses the controversy surrounding emergency contraceptives, the right of pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions that they consider morally objectionable, and the responsibility of pharmacists to provide medications in a timely and professional manner. The professionalism of pharmacy is also examined in light of the expanded scope of practice in which pharmacists increasingly find themselves practicing.
A quadrature formula for evaluating Zernike polynomial expansion coefficients (antenna analysis)

Zernike polynomials form a complete orthogonal set that provides a convenient way of expanding an arbitrary function, defined over a circular area, into an infinite series. They provide a numerically efficient way to evaluate the diffraction characteristics of circular aperture antennas and can also be used for surface interpolation. In these applications, a basic step is to expand an appropriate function in a series of Zernike polynomials. Each expansion coefficient is normally determined by evaluating a two-dimensional integral derived using the polynomials' orthogonal properties. In the present work, an algorithm for numerically performing the integration is presented. This algorithm factors out the oscillatory behavior of the polynomials to provide a fast and accurate procedure. The use of the algorithm to evaluate radiation patterns of reflector antennas is discussed. >
THE JICARILLA APACHE CEREMONIAL RELAY RACE

FEW major ceremonials of any North American Indian tribe still remain as poorly documented as the Ceremonial Relay Race of the Jicarilla Apache. Curtis dismisses it in a sentence, simply stating, "Features of an annual fiesta have been borrowed directly from the Pueblos."' Outline accounts of a paragraph or two have been given by Goddard2 and Opler.3 More recently a few notes have been contributed by Gifford.4 In this paper I propose to offer a detailed description of Jicarilla ceremonial racing, using source material wherever possible.5 I propose further, by comparing the Jicarilla ritual with the closest Pueblo parallels, to demonstrate that Curtis' dictum is much too simplistic, and that a study of relay racing in the Southwest will greatly aid the understanding of Jicarilla-Pueblo and inter-Pueblo cultural relations. Each Jicarilla boy, after he has reached the age of puberty but before he has entered upon marriage, must serve his own interests and those of his tribe by participating at least once in a ceremonial relay race held in the autumn:
Global Change Research: Strategic Planning, Knowledge Production and Barriers to Use

Concerns about global change resulting from global warming, ozone depletion and population pressures provided the motivation for the development of the United States Global Change Research Act (USGCRA) of 1990. The legislation was enacted to develop and coordinate a comprehensive, integrated research program with two primary goals: to advance scientific understanding of global change and provide usable information upon which to develop effective policies to abate, mitigate, and cope with global change. An analysis of the USGCRA and United States Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) was conducted based on an examination of planning and reporting documents and proxy measures. Results of the analysis indicate three areas in which improvements in the policy can be made. The three improvements are: 1) Better metrics for quantifying reduction in uncertainties and knowledge production must be developed and employed to better measure progress, 2) Strengthening interagency working relationships should improve Program continuity particularly during periods of transition. Reducing the frequency of strategic plan revisions from every three years to every five years would help conserve personnel resources and focus energies to enable the 10-year strategic planning timeline for deliverables to be met, and 3) Congress should consider creating an independent governing structure for the USGCRP comprised of a combination of outside experts, lay public, agency scientists/officials and administration scientists/officials. There is limited evidence that water resource managers are using climate change science. This paper lays the foundation for additional work examining research priority setting of the USGCRP as well as an investigation of user information needs and barriers to use.
Finite-Length Extrinsic Information Transfer (EXIT) Analysis for Coded and Precoded ISI Channels

In this paper, we consider the classic problem of accessing coded and precoded intersymbol interference (ISI) channels, and particularly partial response (PR) channels, which are widely used in modeling magnetic recording systems. Previous work has either treated the binary precoder as an exclusive function of the channel characteristics, disregarding possible impact from the channel code, or, in performing the iterative analysis of this concatenated system, assumed an unbounded length. Our approach here is to extend the conventional infinite-length extrinsic information transfer (EXIT) charts to ISI systems of limited lengths, and to explicitly account for the effect of the channel nonergodicity. We found that short-length channel codes may exhibit distinctively different EXIT behaviors in different rate regions, and it is important to couple the precoder and the channel code. We show that infinite- and finite-length EXIT behaviors do not always agree, and hence the results obtained from the infinite-length analysis may not hold for practical short-length systems.
Acylation of Biomolecules in Prokaryotes: a Widespread Strategy for the Control of Biological Function and Metabolic Stress

Acylation of biomolecules (e.g., proteins and small molecules) is a process that occurs in cells of all domains of life and has emerged as a critical mechanism for the control of many aspects of cellular physiology, including chromatin maintenance, transcriptional regulation, primary metabolism, cell structure, and likely other cellular processes. Although this review focuses on the use of acetyl moieties to modify a protein or small molecule, it is clear that cells can use many weak organic acids (e.g., short-, medium-, and long-chain mono- and dicarboxylic aliphatics and aromatics) to modify a large suite of targets. Acetylation of biomolecules has been studied for decades within the context of histone-dependent regulation of gene expression and antibiotic resistance. It was not until the early 2000s that the connection between metabolism, physiology, and protein acetylation was reported. This was the first instance of a metabolic enzyme (acetyl coenzyme A [acetyl-CoA] synthetase) whose activity was controlled by acetylation via a regulatory system responsive to physiological cues. The above-mentioned system was comprised of an acyltransferase and a partner deacylase. Given the reversibility of the acylation process, this system is also referred to as reversible lysine acylation (RLA). A wealth of information has been obtained since the discovery of RLA in prokaryotes, and we are just beginning to visualize the extent of the impact that this regulatory system has on cell function.
Balloon angioplasty for congenital mitral stenosis

We attempted balloon angioplasty in 9 children (ages 0.1 to 10 years) with congenital mitral stenosis. All were symptomatic with severe congestive heart failure and failure to thrive. Effective reduction in mitral gradient was initially achieved in 7 patients. For the entire group, mean valve gradient decreased from 14.8 +/- 5.0 to 8.1 +/- 6.7 mm (p = 0.0007) and mean valve area increased from 1.1 +/- 0.5 to 1.8 +/- 0.9 cm2/m2 (p = 0.003). More than mild mitral regurgitation developed in 2 patients but none required surgery for mitral regurgitation. Poor gradient relief followed dilation of valves with unbalanced chordal attachments, with restriction to the valve apparatus as in mitral arcade, and where the obstruction was not purely valvar as it is with a supramitral ring. No strokes, infection or deaths were due to the procedure. Based on these data, balloon angioplasty of congenital mitral stenosis should be considered before mitral valve replacement in younger patients and in those in whom mitral valve replacement would be problematic.
Facial and neck hematoma after carotid artery stenting: an uncommon misadventure in endovascular carotid revascularization

The complication rates of carotid artery stenting (CAS) vary from 3.0% to 4.4%, and most commonly include ischemic stroke, intracranial hemorrhage, or groin complications. We present the rare complication of a patient who underwent CAS for a symptomatic 90% left internal carotid artery stenosis and developed an expanding cervical hematoma after the procedure with imminent respiratory compromise. After intubation, an arteriogram revealed perforation of the external carotid artery trunk, proximal to the origin of the internal maxillary artery. The artery was subsequently embolized and the hematoma resolved without further intervention. We present a potential catastrophic complication and suggest potential causes and treatment options available.
Can a systems biology approach unlock the mysteries of Kawasaki disease

Kawasaki disease (KD) is a systemic inflammatory illness of childhood that particularly affects the coronary arteries. It can lead to coronary artery aneurysms, myocardial infarction, and sudden death. Clinical and epidemiologic data support an infectious cause, and the etiology remains unknown, but recent data support infection with a 'new' virus. Genetic factors influence KD susceptibility; the incidence is 10-fold higher in children of Asian when compared with Caucasian ethnicity. Recent research has identified genes affecting immune response that are associated with KD susceptibility and outcome. A re-examination of the pathologic features of KD has yielded a three process model of KD vasculopathy, providing a framework for understanding the KD arterial immune response and the damage it inflicts and for identifying new therapeutic targets for KD patients with coronary artery abnormalities. The researcher is faced with many challenges in determining the pathogenesis of KD. A systems biology approach incorporating genomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and microbial bioinformatics analysis of high-throughput sequence data from KD tissues could provide the keys to unlocking the mysteries of this potentially fatal illness of childhood.
MicroRNAs in placental health and disease

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) constitute a large family of small noncoding RNAs that are encoded by the genomes of most organisms. They regulate gene expression through posttranscriptional mechanisms to attenuate protein output in various genetic networks. The discovery of miRNAs has transformed our understanding of gene regulation and sparked intense efforts intended to harness their potential as diagnostic markers and therapeutic tools. Over the last decade, a flurry of studies has shed light on placental miRNAs but has also raised many questions regarding the scope of their biologic action. Moreover, the recognition that miRNAs of placental origin are released continually in the maternal circulation throughout pregnancy suggested that circulating miRNAs might serve as biomarkers for placental function during pregnancy. Although this generated much enthusiasm, recently recognized challenges have delayed the application of miRNA-based biomarkers and therapeutics in clinical practice. In this review, we summarize key findings in the field and discuss current knowledge related to miRNAs in the context of placental biology.