cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Kidney disease as a risk factor for recurrent cardiovascular disease and mortality.

Abstract Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in the United States and is an independent risk factor for adverse cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality outcomes in patients with acute coronary syndromes. Few studies have evaluated the effect of CKD on cardiovascular events in a diverse community-based population with underlying CVD. Methods: Data for subjects with preexisting CVD were pooled from 4 publicly available, community-based, longitudinal studies: Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities, Cardiovascular Health Study, Framingham Heart Study, and Framingham Offspring Study. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m 2 ( 2 ). The primary study outcome was a composite of myocardial infarction (MI), fatal coronary heart disease (CHD), stroke, and all-cause mortality. The secondary outcome included only MI and fatal CHD. Results: A total of 4,278 subjects satisfied inclusion criteria, and 759 subjects (17.7%) had CKD. Mean follow-up was 86 months. The primary and secondary outcomes were observed in 1,703 (39.8%) and 857 subjects (20.0%), respectively. Incidence rates for the primary and secondary outcomes were greater in persons with CKD compared with those without CKD (62.5% versus 34.9% and 30.6% versus 17.8%, respectively). Adjusted hazard ratios for the primary and secondary outcomes were 1.35 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.52) and 1.32 (95% CI, 1.12 to 1.55), respectively. Conclusion: The presence of CKD in a community-based population with preexisting CVD is associated with an increased risk for recurrent CVD outcomes. This increased risk persists after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors.
Slow light and EIT under realistic (imperfect) conditions

We report a preliminary experimental study of EIT and stored light in the high optical depth regime. In particular, we characterize two ways to mitigate radiation trapping, a decoherence mechanism at high atomic density: nitrogen as buffer gas, and a long, narrow cell geometry. Initial results show the promise of both approaches in minimizing radiation trapping, but also reveal problems such as optical pumping into trapped end-states. We also observe distortion in EIT lineshapes at high optical depth, a result of interference from four-wave mixing. Experimental results are in good qualitative agreement with theoretical predictions.
Catalytic combustion in a tube with electrical discharge: preliminary measurements of augmented reaction rates

Since Senftleben1 first indicated that in the presence of electric fields, heat transfer rates may be increased substantially beyond natural convection values, correlations have been proposed relating electric field and fluid flow parameters to film coefficients of transfer. The ‘corona wind’, which exists in a non-uniform electric field before spark breakdown, can be used to alter the hydrodynamics of convective diffusion processes such that an augmentation of transport rates in wall boundary layers can be achieved2–6. Corona wind augmentation of wall reactions, particularly catalytic combustion processes, has not previously been considered7,8, but as catalytic combustion is a convective diffusion process, the superposition of the corona wind on the flow field near the catalytic surface may augment overall reaction rates by increased mixing. For very rapid surface reactions, where molecular diffusion inhibits the overall rate and lowers overall rate constants, corona wind augmentation may limit the effects of diffusion and, thereby, increase catalyst effectiveness. Improvements in the overall rate constant, or mass transfer coefficient, would be useful in many areas, including air pollution control, energy conservation, and the design of compact, controlled heat flux catalytic combustors. We report here our test of the catalytic combustion of hydrogen at one atmosphere on platinised alumina in a flow reactor with a uniformly accessible catalyst surface. By this experimental design we may be able to obtain reaction rate data from the kinetically controlled to the diffusion limited regimes of combustion owing to the high activity of hydrogen on metallic platinum. A uniformly accessible catalyst surface also permits analysis of the reaction rate data using either one- or two-dimensional approaches.
Antimicrobial activity in the common seawhip, Leptogorgia virgulata (Cnidaria: Gorgonaceae)

Antimicrobial activity was examined in the gorgonian Leptogorgia virgulata (common seawhip) from South Carolina waters. Extraction and assay protocols were developed to identify antimicrobial activity in crude extracts of L. virgulata. Detection was determined by liquid growth inhibition assays using Escherichia coli BL21, Vibrio harveyii, Micrococcus luteus, and a Bacillus sp. isolate. This represents the first report of antimicrobial activity in L. virgulata, a temperate/sub-tropical coral of the western Atlantic Ocean. Results from growth inhibition assays guided a fractionation scheme to identify active compounds. Reverse-phase HPLC, HPLC-mass spectrometry, and 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy were used to isolate, purify, and characterize metabolites in antimicrobial fractions of L. virgulata. Corroborative HPLC-MS/NMR evidence validated the presence of homarine and a homarine analog, well-known emetic metabolites previously isolated from L. virgulata, in coral extracts. In subsequent assays, partially-purified L. virgulata fractions collected from HPLC-MS fractionation were shown to contain antimicrobial activity using M. luteus and V. harveyii. This study provides evidence that homarine is an active constituent of the innate immune system in L. virgulata. We speculate it may act synergistically with cofactors and/or congeners in this octocoral to mount a response to microbial invasion and disease.
Ignition and inertial confinement fusion at the National Ignition Facility

The National Ignition Facility (NIF), the world's largest and most powerful laser system for inertial confinement fusion (ICF) and for studying high-energy-density (HED) science, is now operational at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). The NIF is now conducting experiments to commission the laser drive, the hohlraum and the capsule and to develop the infrastructure needed to begin the first ignition experiments in FY 2010. Demonstration of ignition and thermonuclear burn in the laboratory is a major NIF goal. NIF will achieve this by concentrating the energy from the 192 beams into a mm3-sized target and igniting a deuterium-tritium mix, liberating more energy than is required to initiate the fusion reaction. NIF's ignition program is a national effort managed via the National Ignition Campaign (NIC). The NIC has two major goals: execution of DT ignition experiments starting in FY2010 with the goal of demonstrating ignition and a reliable, repeatable ignition platform by the conclusion of the NIC at the end of FY2012. The NIC will also develop the infrastructure and the processes required to operate NIF as a national user facility. The achievement of ignition at NIF will demonstrate the scientific feasibility of ICF and focus worldwide attention on laser fusion as a viable energy option. A laser fusion-based energy concept that builds on NIF, known as LIFE (Laser Inertial Fusion Energy), is currently under development. LIFE is inherently safe and can provide a global carbon-free energy generation solution in the 21st century. This paper describes recent progress on NIF, NIC, and the LIFE concept.
2012 Division of Medicinal Chemistry Award Address: Trekking the Cannabinoid Road: A Personal Perspective

My involvement with the field of cannabinoids spans close to 3 decades and covers a major part of my scientific career. It also reflects the robust progress in this initially largely unexplored area of biology. During this period of time, I have witnessed the growth of modern cannabinoid biology, starting from the discovery of its two receptors and followed by the characterization of its endogenous ligands and the identification of the enzyme systems involved in their biosynthesis and biotransformation. I was fortunate enough to start at the beginning of this new era and participate in a number of the new discoveries. It has been a very exciting journey. With coverage of some key aspects of my work during this period of “modern cannabinoid research,” this Award Address, in part historical, intends to give an account of how the field grew, the key discoveries, and the most promising directions for the future.
Urbanity, Rurality, and Adolescent Substance Use

An important but understudied aspect of substance use research is its relationship to characteristics of the community, including if there are differences in the association between peer and family factors with use between youth living in rural and urban areas. The results of this study are based on a statewide survey of approximately 4,400 youth in a southwestern state. It tested for the inequality of coefficients from regression equations on three measures of substance use: an overall scale, alcohol use, and marijuana use. The relationship of peer influence on substance use was stronger among urban-located youth; however, there were no rural-urban differences for family factors.
The Public's Attitudes, Beliefs, and Desires Regarding Physician Dispensing and Pharmacists

The purpose of this study was to further investigate the public's attitudes on several facets of physician dispensing. The issues of relative prescription cost, patient convenience, prescription filling by office workers, preferred source of drug information, patients' thoughts about the health and safety benefits of having a pharmacist fill prescriptions, ethics, and professionalism were explored with 503 respondents by means of a forced-choice questionnaire. Results for these facet-specific questions indicated a general support for pharmacist filling of prescriptions or indicated a displeasure with physician dispensing. None of the questions received a unanimous response, however, mdicating that some consumers fail to recognize or to support the medical and safety benefits of having a pharmacist fill their rescriptions or indicating that consumers support some aspects of physician dispensing.
Isolation and Characterization of TAF25, an Essential Yeast Gene That Encodes an RNA Polymerase II-specific TATA-binding Protein-associated Factor

We describe the cloning and analysis of TAF25, a previously uncharacterized yeast gene that encodes a yeast TATA-binding protein-associated factor or yTAF of Mr = 25,000. The gene encoding yTAF25 is a single copy essential gene, and the protein sequence deduced from TAF25 exhibits sequence similarity to a metazoan hTAFII. The results from immunological studies confirm that yTAF25 is a subunit of a large multiprotein TATA-binding protein-yeast TATA-binding protein-associated factor complex that contains a subset of the total number of the yTAFs present in yeast cell extracts. Both genetic and biochemical analyses demonstrate that yTAF25 can interact directly with itself. Transcriptional data show that the activity of the multiprotein complex containing yTAF25 is RNA polymerase II-specific, thus indicating that TAF25 encodes a bona fide yeast RNA polymerase II TAF. Hence the protein encoded by TAF25 has been termed yTAFII25.
DNA METHYLATION AND TISSUE CULTURE-INDUCED VARIATION IN PLANTS'

Plant cells growing in an artificial culture environment make numerous genetic mistakes. These alterations are manifested as increased frequencies of single-gene mutations, chromosome breakages, transposable element activations, quantitative trait variations, and modifications of normal DNA methylation patterns. Evidence is presented that indicates a high frequency of DNA hypomethylation as the result of the tissue culture process. Fifteen percent of the methylation changes appear to have been homozygous in the original regenerated plants. A hypothesis is advanced that relates DNA methylation to the variety of genetic alterations found among maize tissue culture regenerants and their progenies. The epigenetic nature of DNA methylation raises questions concerning the stability of tissue culture-induced changes in self-pollinations and crosses.
A Nietzschean theodicy

A Nietzschean theodicy would claimthat God has created the world exactly the wayit is in order to produce morally autonomousagents in Nietzsche's sense: self-consciousmoral subjectivists. Both atheism and a`Nietzschean theodicy' make the sameprediction: the world will appear to containgratuitous evil. Thus, observation ofapparently gratuitous evil is not evidence foror against either hypothesis. In the absenceof any other evidence for or against theism,the most reasonable position is agnosticism.
Effects of spinal cord transections on lordosis reflex in female rats

Abstract (1) Female rats with complete transections of spinal cord at low thoratic levels were not able to perform the lordosis reflex. (2) Females with bilateral transections of dorsal columns, dorsolateral columns or entire dorsal half of spinal cord performed lordosis in a normal way. (3) Bilateral transection of fibers in the ventromedial columns, added to transection of dorsal columns or entire dorsal half of the cord still allowed lordosis to be performed. (4) Large bilateral transections of the anterolateral columns caused severe loss in the strength and frequency of the lordosis reflex. Effective transections often included some ventromedial or dorsolateral column fibers, and were accompanied by abnormalities of locomotion. (5) We conclude that supraspinal control is required for the normal lordosis reflex, and that fibers necessary and sufficient for lordosis run in the anterolateral columns. These fibers are likely to be dispersed throughout the anterolateral columns, since large transections were required to eliminate lordosis, and also to be involved in (or interspersed with other fibers involved in) other aspects of motor control. Candidate ascending systems are the anterolateral fibers of Mehler14. Candidate descending systems are the lateral vestibulospinal and reticulospinal tracts.
Fostamatinib inhibits B-cell receptor signaling, cellular activation and tumor proliferation in patients with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Fostamatinib inhibits B-cell receptor signaling, cellular activation and tumor proliferation in patients with relapsed and refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Coupled mode analysis of wavefront properties of phased array diode lasers

A coupled mode analysis of phased array diode lasers is used to calculate the far-field wavefront properties of the array modes. It has been found that phase variation across a far-field lobe of the array is less than that of the single emitter.
Identification of a chloride-formate exchanger expressed on the brush border membrane of renal proximal tubule cells

A key function of the proximal tubule is retrieval of most of the vast quantities of NaCl and water filtered by the kidney. Physiological studies using brush border vesicles and perfused tubules have indicated that a major fraction of Cl− reabsorption across the apical membrane of proximal tubule cells occurs via Cl−-formate exchange. The molecular identity of the transporter responsible for renal brush border Cl−-formate exchange has yet to be elucidated. As a strategy to identify one or more anion exchangers responsible for mediating Cl− reabsorption in the proximal tubule, we screened the expressed sequence tag database for homologs of pendrin, a transporter previously shown to mediate Cl−-formate exchange. We now report the cDNA cloning of CFEX, a mouse pendrin homolog with expression in the kidney by Northern analysis. Sequence analysis indicated that CFEX very likely represents the mouse ortholog of human SLC26A6. Immunolocalization studies detected expression of CFEX, but not pendrin, on the brush border membrane of proximal tubule cells. Functional expression studies in Xenopus oocytes demonstrated that CFEX mediates Cl−-formate exchange. Taken together, these observations identify CFEX as a prime candidate to mediate Cl−-formate exchange in the proximal tubule and thereby to contribute importantly to renal NaCl reabsorption. Given its wide tissue distribution, CFEX also may contribute to transcellular Cl− transport in additional epithelia such as the pancreas and contribute to transmembrane Cl− transport in nonepithelial tissues such as the heart.
Overexpression of pp60c-src is associated with altered regulation of adenylyl cyclase.

The ability of activators of the beta-adrenergic receptor to elevate intracellular cAMP levels in murine fibroblasts is enhanced upon overexpression of avian c-src [Bushman et al. (1990) Proc. natn. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 87, 7462-7466]. To investigate the molecular basis for this effect, we prepared particulate fractions from control and pp60c-src overexpressing C3H10T1/2 fibroblasts and assessed the relative abilities of several activators of the beta-adrenergic receptor-Gs-adenylyl cyclase (AC) signal transduction pathway to stimulate the enzymatic response. Two- to three-fold increases in both the sensitivity and maximum responsiveness of AC to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol were consistently observed in fractions prepared from the c-src overexpressing cells. Interestingly, the AC response to two agents believed to act directly at the level of the G protein were either enhanced (NaF) or unaffected (GTP gamma S) by c-src overexpression. Finally, overexpression of c-src was associated with a reduced ability of both Mn2+ and forskolin to activate AC directly. These results suggest that overexpression of wild type c-src may affect two distinct steps in the regulation of AC exerting a positive effect at the level of Gs activation and a negative effect on AC itself. As no differences in the relative number or affinity of beta-adrenergic receptors, or in the level of AC, Gs alpha or G beta, were detected between control cells and those overexpressing c-src, we propose that pp60c-src overexpression results in a modification of one or more components in this signal transduction pathway.
Varenicline effects on drinking, craving and neural reward processing among non-treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals

Rationale The α4β2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonist varenicline has been reported to reduce drinking among both heavy-drinking smokers and primary alcoholics, and this effect may be related to varenicline-mediated reduction of alcohol craving. Among smokers, varenicline has been reported to modulate cigarette cue-elicited brain activation in several reward-related areas.
A novel membrane finite element with an enhanced displacement interpolation

Abstract A new quadrilateral membrane finite element is presented in this work. Besides translational, the element possesses rotational (drilling) degrees of freedom. When combined with a plate bending element, the element also provides a versatile tool for analysis of shells. Both displacement based and mixed approaches are investigated. The finite element interpolation field is enriched by a set of incompatible modes. The element exhibits superior accuracy to currently available membrane elements.
"The Way to Study Death: New Light on a Variant in F2 Macbeth"

“She should have died hereafter. / There would have been a time for such a word” (Mac. 5.5.16–17): Macbeth's shockingly terse response to the news of his wife's death has disconcerted commentators,...
Evaluation of elemental allelopathy in Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Russian Knapweed)

Although Acroptilon repens (L.) DC. (Russian knapweed) is known to concentrate zinc (Zn) in upper soil layers, the question of whether the elevated Zn has an allelopathic effect on restoration species has not been addressed. Experiments were conducted to investigate whether soils collected from within infestations of A. repens (high-Zn) inhibit the germination or growth and development of desirable restoration species, compared to soils collected adjacent to an A. repens infestation (low-Zn). Four bioassay species [Sporobolus airoides (Torrey) Torrey (alkali sacaton), Pseudoroegneria spicata (Pursh) A. Love (bluebunch wheatgrass), Psathyrostachys juncea (Fischer) Nevski (Russian wildrye) and A. repens] were germinated in a growth chamber and grown in a greenhouse in both soils and received treatments for the alleviation of Zn toxicity (P, Fe, Fe-oxide, and soil mixing) to isolate the effects of elevated soil Zn on plant performance. Percent germination, total plant biomass, tiller and stem number, inflorescence number, and tissue metal levels were compared among soil types and treatments for each species. There was no evidence from any of the indicators measured that high-Zn soils reduced plant performance, compared to low-Zn soils. Tissue Zn levels barely approached the lower range of phytotoxic levels established for native grasses. Older plants with longer exposure times may accumulate higher Zn concentrations. S. airoides and A. repens both had higher biomass in the high-Zn soil, most likely due to increased macronutrient (N and P) availability. As the Zn levels in the soils used in this study were much higher than any levels previously reported in soils associated with A. repens, it is unlikely that the elevation of soil Zn by A. repens will hinder germination or growth and development of desirable grasses during establishment.
Seed banks in a degraded desert shrubland: Influence of soil surface condition and harvester ant activity on seed abundance

Abstract We compared seed banks between two contrasting anthropogenic surface disturbances (compacted, trenched) and adjacent undisturbed controls to determine whether site condition influences viable seed densities of perennial and annual Mojave Desert species. Viable seeds of perennials were rare in undisturbed areas (3–4 seeds/m 2 ) and declined to 2 within disturbed sites. Annual seed densities were an order of magnitude greater than those of perennials, were one-third the undisturbed seed densities on compacted sites, but doubled on trenched sites relative to controls. On trenched sites, greater litter cover comprising the infructescences of the dominant spring annuals, and low gravel content, enhanced seed densities of both annuals and perennials. Litter cover and surface ruggedness were the best explanations for viable perennial seed densities on compacted sites, but litter cover and the presence of a common harvester ant explained annual seed densities better than any other surface characteristics that were examined. Surface disturbances can have a varied impact on the condition of the soil surface in arid lands. Nevertheless, the consistently positive relationship between ground cover of litter and viable seed density emphasizes the importance of litter as an indicator of site degradation and recovery potential in arid lands.
Recent Charm Physics Results from the Tevatron

Three recent results on charm physics are presented based on Run II data using the Fermilab Tevatron Collider. The DO collaboration reports preliminary results on the first observation of the rare decay D s ± → π ± ϕ , ϕ → μ + μ − , a measurement of the branching fraction for D ± to the same final state, and an upper limit for the non-resonant decay D ± → π ± μ + μ − . The CDF collaboration reports a preliminary measurement of the angular distribution for X ( 3872 ) → J / ψ π + π − and restricts the X ( 3872 ) quantum numbers to J P C = 1 + + or 2 − + . Also, CDF reports a measurement of the ratio of branching fractions of the rare (doubly Cabibbo-suppressed) decay D 0 → K + π − and the Cabibbo-favored decay D 0 → K − π + (and charge conjugate decays).
Slowly progressive autosomal dominant spastic paraplegia with late onset, variable expression and reduced penetrance: a basis for diagnosis and counseling.

We have examined a pedigree in which familial spastic paraplegia (FSP) is segregating in four generations. The data show a high rate of transmission of the trait, late onset, reduced penetrance, variable age and symptom expressivity, and an autosomal dominant mode of transmission. A summary of our data together with the FSP data of others shows a 1:1 transmission from males and from females, and an overall 1:1 transmission ratio. The risks for the children of symptomatic and non-symptomatic parents are illustrated.
Aspects of Anisotropic Wave Propagation

Hi frequency wave propagation in anisotropic elastic media is more complex than is often recognised. When transverse isotropy is preserved however, a simple enough parameterbation of anisotropic effects can be devised. This parameterisation allows a good understanding of the relationships existing between quantities such as phase and group velocities, displacement polarizations and anisotropy axis. In particular, explicit coordinate-independat expressions for these quantities are given.
Efficacy and potency comparisons among aporphine enantiomers: Effects on dopamine neurons in substantia nigra of rat

Abstract Extracellular single unit recording studies were carried out on male rats to determine the responses of dopamine neurons of the substantia nigra to intravenous administration of the enantiomers of the aporphine congeners, apomorphine (APO), N - n -propylnorapomorphine (NPA) and 11-hydroxy- N - n -propylnoraporphine (11-OH-NPa). The R-(−)- configuration was found to be the most critical determinant of the efficacy and potency of the agonists. All R-(−)-aporphines were full agonists, able to inhibit completely firing of dopamine cells. The order of potencies, defined by the ID 50 s, was: (−)NPA, 2.0±0.4 nmol/kg > (−)11-OH-NPa, 4.7±0.7 nmol / kg > (−)APO, 18.0±4.0 nmol/kg. Thus, potency was increased about 9-fold by replacing the 6N methyl of APO with an n -propyl (NPA). Conversely, the 10-hydroxy was not essential for agonist activity (11-OH-NPa) but could increase potency. In the S-(+)-series responses varied. (+) N - n -Propylnorapomorphine exhibited agonist properties and could fully inhibit dopamine cells, but its potency was low (ID 50 1550 nmol/kg); (+)APO produced only slight but significant decreases in firing at large (8434 nmol/kg) doses and (+)11-OH-NPa was devoid of efficacy in that it caused no significant changes in firing. Despite their loss of efficacy and potency, the (+)-enantiomers apparently did retain affinity for DA receptors, since they could act as antagonists if given before (−)APO or NPA. These findings suggest that stereochemical conformation and key structural elements of the aporphines are interactive in determining agonist efficacy and potency within this physiological test system.
The contribution of grain boundary sliding to axial strain during diffusion creep

Abstract Grain boundary sliding is necessary during diffusion creep to maintain continuity across the grain boundaries. In this paper it is shown, by use of a two-dimensional hexagonal array, that grain boundary sliding will contribute additional axial strain to the specimen as predicted by R. N. Stevens (1971). It is shown, however, that there is a difference between the macroscopic effect of this type of sliding and that of ‘ordinary’ grain boundary sliding, in that the former, named Lifshitz grain boundary sliding, does not increase the number of grains along the length of the specimen, whereas, the latter, named Rachinger grain boundary sliding, does. Considering only diffusion creep, it is concluded that where egb(L) is the strain due to Lifshitz grain boundary sliding, ed is the strain a polycrystalline aggregate would experience if only stress-directed diffusion were to occur without the necessary grain boundary sliding in which case grain boundary separation would occur, egb is the grain strain et...
Close coupling calculations of magnetic transitions for He + H2 in an uncoupled space frame

Abstract Full close coupling calculations of magnetic transitions in He + H 2 collisions are reported. The results are analyzed using the uncoupled space frame approach of Kouri and Shimoni. This enables one to study the magnetic transition T -matrices as a function of orbital angular momentum quantum number l . The results for transitions which are elastic in rotor state j are found to be dominated by j z -conserving transitions. Those which are inelastic in j are dominated by j z -conserving transitions for very low l but at higher l values, the non- j z -conserving transitions dominate. The results for He + H 2 are consistent with the recent studies of Shimoni and Kouri of the coupled states approximation.
Abdominal pain in lead workers.

Abstract Thirty-four lead smelter workers with excessive lead absorption were evaluated and followed. Abdominal pain was present in 27 patients. Fifteen patients who had left the site of lead exposure experienced persisting abdominal pain for as long as 29 months; some of these demonstrated acceptable levels of lead in blood. There is no correlation between lead levels and persisting pain. Twenty-three patients developed abdominal pain with blood lead lower than 80 μg/100 ml while working. Four out of 15 patients with persisting abdominal pain had blood lead between 40 and 60 μg/100 ml while working. Typical lead-induced abdominal pain is a sensitive symptom of intoxication and may be a criterion for removal from exposure regardless of blood lead levels.
Sequential events in bacterial colony morphogenesis

Abstract Bacterial colonies are organized, differentiated multicellular communities expressing genetically controlled patterns. These patterns can be seen in mature colonies by staining for differential gene expression, by visualization of surface textures, and by microscopic examination of cellular morphologies and multicellular arrays. Colony morphogenesis involves many sequential processes of cellular growth, differentiation and movement which are regulated, at least in part, by cell-cell interactions and communication between groups of cells. These morphogenetic processes can be followed by periodic microscopic examination of developing colonies and by time-lapse video recordings. Since the final colony structure is the integrated product of many steps, pattern formation cannot realistically be explained by assumptions about autonomous cell behaviors. Instead, colony growth is best viewed as a developmental process in which the cells interact and adjust their individual and collective behaviors as morphogenesis proceeds.
The invertebrate acid deoxyribonucleases and molecular taxonomy

Abstract 1. 1. The effects of three salts at one concentration on the kinetics of crude preparations of acid DNase from 38 invertebrates were measured. 2. 2. Taxonomically related animals have enzymes with a similar response to the salts but the taxonomic rank of animals with similar enzymes vary. 3. 3. These findings were interpreted as representing the divergent evolution of a single molecule. 4. 4. Possible mechanisms explaining the pattern found for acid DNase are discussed. 5. 5. An outline and discussion of molecular taxonomy are presented.
Geographically distinct HHV-8 DNA sequences in Saudi Arabian iatrogenic Kaposi's sarcoma lesions

A new member of the γ-herpesvirus family, HHV-8 (also known as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS)-associated herpesvirus), has been linked to KS and body cavity-based lymphoma. Other members of this family, eg, Epstein-Barr virus, were originally thought to have only one strain, but subsequent analysis revealed different strains correlating to cellular patterns of infectivity and geographical location. To determine whether multiple strains of HHV-8 exist, we compared DNA sequences among KS and body cavity-based lymphoma-derived HHV-8 and examined differences in HHV-8 subgroups between American and Saudi Arabian iatrogenic KS patients. Samples were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction using multiple primer sets to five different open reading frames from HHV-8, and DNA sequencing was performed. HHV-8 DNA was present in all of our KS and body cavity-based lymphoma samples by polymerase chain reaction. HHV-8 DNA was detected in each body cavity-based lymphoma sample using a majority of the primers, whereas only two primer sets consistently amplified HHV-8 DNA derived from KS lesions. DNA sequencing within open reading frames 26 and 27 indicate the existence of at least three variants of HHV-8, with the majority of iatrogenic KS patients in Saudi Arabia containing unique nucleotide changes that may define a distinct, previously unidentified subgroup we term SA, whereas those from America were of Group A or B. Thus, although the sequencing data within open reading frames 26 and 27 did not permit discrimination between patients with lymphoma versus KS disease processes, HHV-8 derived from Saudi Arabian KS lesions were shown to have a distinct nucleotide sequence not seen in any of the other clinical samples examined.
Towards a theory of voltage collapse in electric power systems

Abstract Several recent major power system blackouts are characterised by a progressive decline in voltage magnitude at the system buses. These events are termed ‘voltage collapses’. The mechanisms of voltage collapse are not well defined and the dynamics of the process are not well understood. In this paper, we described the loss of stability when a stable equilibrium point disappears in a saddle node bifurcation and present a simple model of the system dynamics after the bifurcation. The results apply generally to any generic one parameter dynamical system. Then we use these results to propose a model for voltage collapse in power systems. The model gives an explicit mechanism for the dynamics of voltage collapse. We illustrate the model by constructing a simple power system model and simulating a voltage collapse.
Past and future life expectancy increases at later ages: their implications for the linkage of chronic morbidity, disability, and mortality.

Recently life expectancy increases have been noted at advanced ages in the United States. This means a more rapid growth of the elderly U.S. population in general and of the oldest-old population in particular. Thus it is of considerable social and health policy interest to forecast (a) the direction and magnitude of future changes in life expectancy at later ages and (b) the changes in the prevalence of health and disability at later ages consequent to the increases in life expectancy. In the analysis several prior efforts to predict life expectancy changes using standard demographic techniques are reviewed and reasons for the limitations of such efforts suggested. The "results show that mortality changes at advanced ages have very different relations to risk factors than at earlier ages. The analysis also shows that linking morbidity disability and mortality in a complete projection of population health changes will require the extension of standard demographic methodologies to utilize information from multiple data sources." (EXCERPT)
The Role and Challenges of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (Smes) in Emerging Economies: An Analysis from Turkey

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) form a large part of economy. As SME sector has a crucial role in creating new jobs, economic growth and innovation, these economic units are worldwide acknowledged as the key actors of socioeconomic development. In Turkey, significance of SMEs is relatively higher, caused by not only from their huge share in the economy, amounting to 99.9% of all registered enterprises, but also their “backbone” function in the dynamic but turbulent Turkish economy. As Turkey experienced severe economic crises during the recent decades, SMEs became one of the major elements of the growth and development policies of regulatory authorities. This paper aims to address this critical role of small and medium sized companies by investigating factors behind the rising popularity of SME sector in Turkey, while at the same time pinpointing the major adventageous and problematic areas. Turkey is among major emerging economies, therefore the analysis this expected to make a significant contribution to literature about small business sector in developing economies by taking the factors constraining the growth of Turkish SME sector to the spotlight.
Virus-producing cells determine the host protein profiles of HIV-1 virion cores

Background Upon HIV entry into target cells, viral cores are released and rearranged into reverse transcription complexes (RTCs), which support reverse transcription and also protect and transport viral cDNA to the site of integration. RTCs are composed of viral and cellular proteins that originate from both target and producer cells, the latter entering the target cell within the viral core. However, the proteome of HIV-1 viral cores in the context of the type of producer cells has not yet been characterized.
Experience using a time-shared multi-programming system with dynamic address relocation hardware

The IBM Research M44 computer is an experimental machine which was installed in the Thomas J. Watson, Sr. Research Center, in Yorktown Heights, New York, in November of 1964. The machine is an extensively modified IBM 7044, a binary single-address fixed-word-length computer with a CPU cycle time of 2 micro-seconds.
Radar systems and technologies for Navy air and missile defense

New USA Navy missions and operating environments are driving radar requirements and technology needs for future surface combatants. Future Navy ships will likely have a suite of two (or possibly more) radars for providing defense against air targets and theater ballistic missile (TBM). Radar processors with open systems, COTS components, and portable software offer cost savings and the possibility of significant performance enhancements over the life cycle of the system.
New Takes on Nitrate Ester Chemistry: Salts with Oxygen-Rich Ammonium Cations

Nitrate (anion) salts with nitroxy-functionalized ammonium cations were synthesized. Several revealed surprising thermal and hydrolytic stability. Various physical properties were measured, and Gibbs free energy (ΔGr(298)) differences between the salts and postulated products of their thermal decomposition were computed. The computed differences indicate that salts with cations that have more than one nitroxy group are endothermic at 298 K. Nevertheless, the stability observed for some salts with this property indicates that kinetic barriers are sufficient to prevent facile decomposition at this temperature. This is in contrast to the case observed for nitrate salts of nitroxy-functionalized ammonium cations with acidic protons.
An Event-related Potential Study of Selective Auditory Attention in Children and Adults

In a dichotic listening paradigm, event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded to linguistic and nonlinguistic probe stimuli embedded in 2 different narrative contexts as they were either attended or unattended. In adults, the typical N1 attention effect was observed for both types of probes: Probes superimposed on the attended narrative elicited an enhanced negativity compared to the same probes when unattended. Overall, this sustained attention effect was greater over medial and left lateral sites, but was more posteriorly distributed and of longer duration for linguistic as compared to nonlinguistic probes. In contrast, in 6- to 8-year-old children the ERPs were morphologically dissimilar to those elicited in adults and children displayed a greater positivity to both types of probe stimuli when embedded in the attended as compared to the unattended narrative. Although both adults and children showed attention effects beginning at about 100 msec, only adults displayed left-lateralized attention effects and a distinct, posterior distribution for linguistic probes. These results suggest that the attentional networks indexed by this task continue to develop beyond the age of 8 years.
Circulating folic acid in plasma: relation to folic acid fortification.

Background: The implementation of folic acid fortification in the United States has resulted in unprecedented amounts of this synthetic form of folate in the American diet. Folic acid in circulation may be a useful measure of physiologic exposure to synthetic folic acid, and there is a potential for elevated concentrations after fortification and the possibility of adverse effects. Objective: We assessed the effect of folic acid fortification on circulating concentrations of folic acid and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate in the Framingham Offspring Cohort. Design: This is a cross-sectional study that used plasma samples from fasting subjects before and after fortification. Samples were measured for folate distribution with the use of an affinity-HPLC method with electrochemical detection. Results: Among nonsupplement users, the median concentration of folic acid in plasma increased from 0.25 to 0.50 nmol/L (P < 0.001) after fortification, and among supplement users the median increased from 0.54 to 0.68 nmol/L (P = 0.001). Among nonsupplement users, the prevalence of high circulating folic acid (≥85th percentile) increased from 9.4% to 19.1% (P = 0.002) after fortification. Among supplement users, the prevalence of high circulating folic acid increased from 15.9% to 24.3% (P = 0.02). Folic acid intake and total plasma folate were positively and significantly related to high circulating folic acid after adjustment for potential confounding factors (P for trend < 0.001). Conclusions: Folic acid fortification has resulted in increased exposure to circulating folic acid. The biochemical and physiologic consequences of this are unknown, but these findings highlight the need to understand the effects of chronic exposure to circulating folic acid.
A Novel Circular SAW (Surface Acoustic Wave) Device in CMOS

The design, modeling and fabrication of a novel circular SAW device in CMOS (complementary metal oxide semiconductor) are introduced. The results obtained by Tigli and Zaghloul (2007) demonstrate that it is possible to design and fabricate SAW based sensors in CMOS with comparable performance to conventional devices. It is of great interest to improve the transfer characteristics and to reduce the losses of conventional rectangular SAW architectures for obtaining highly selective sensor platforms. Performance deficiencies of regular SAW devices in CMOS were addressed with this new architecture for improved performance. A 3D model for the novel architecture was constructed. A detailed finite element analysis was carried out to examine the transient, harmonic and modal behavior of the new architecture under excitation. The devices were fabricated in 0.5 mum AMI technology and the post processing was carried out using the methods developed by Tigli and Zaghloul (2005). The results demonstrate that it is possible to obtain highly oriented surface acoustic waves by using the novel circular architecture. A 17.4 dB insertion loss and a 10.8 MHz of 3dB bandwidth improvement were achieved when compared to a conventional rectangular device.
Allosensitization in Children Supported with Ventricular Assist Devices

Purpose The presence of Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) antibodies (Ab) can be a risk for rejection/graft loss in heart transplant (HTx) patients (pts). Our aim was to study immunologic profiles and outcomes of long-term pediatric VAD pts compared to non-VAD pts. Methods and Materials Retrospective study of pts bridged to transplant (BTT) on long term VAD support (>30 days) between 1999-2012, compared to non-VAD pts requiring transplant. PRAs were performed on sera collected pre and post-VAD and serially until HTx for VAD pts, and prior to listing and serially until HTx for non-VAD pts. Mortality and rejection (ISHLT grade >2R) events were recorded. Results 34 pts were placed on a VAD compared to 50 age/gender matched non-VAD controls. 2 pts died, 1 pt recovered, 1 still supported. The average age was 7.5 years (0.2 – 21.7). 50% of pts pre-VAD had positive HLA class I Ab (19±12%) or HLA class II Ab (23±11 %) but post-VAD, were non-reactive with 0% HLA class I and class II Ab. This was comparable to the pre-Tx HLA Ab profile of 54% (27/50) of the non-VAD pts. In contrast, 50% of the VAD pts presented both pre-VAD with HLA class I (31±22 %) and class II Ab (44±34%) and post-VAD with class I (36±25%) and class II (41±31%) HLA Ab. Comparatively, 46% (23/50) of non-VAD pts were also HLA class I and class II Ab positive pre and post-HTx. There was no difference in VAD vs non-VAD post-HTx survival (log rank=0.494, figure 1 ). There were more rejection episodes in non-VAD pts compared to VAD pts (95% vs 50%, p Conclusions HLA profiles were comparable between VAD pts and non-VAD pts. VAD placement did not affect HLA sensitization after implant. There were more rejection episodes in non-VAD pts and long-term survival post-HTx was unaffected between groups.
Interactive Ada™ in the Arcturus environment

ARCTURUS offers an approach to the integrated use of compiled and interpreted Ada, template-driven Ada text editing, an Ada Program Design Language (PDL), Ada program performance measurement with color profiles, formatted printing of Ada programs with useful listing options, and automated stepwise refinement from Ada program designs written in Ada PDL into executable Ada. This paper has two objectives : (a) to provide a two page thumbnai l sketch of some interactive Ada capabilities in ARCTURUS, and (b) to provide a detailed scenario of interactive Ada programming at the very simplest level, using Ada-oriented variants of interactive programming techniques that have proven effective in practice --- th e hope being that the reader will be convinced that interactive Ada is an idea worth vigorous further pursuit.
Communicating the Victim: Nongovernmental Organizations Advocacy Discourses for Roma Rights

This article is a study of advocacy communication about the Roma (Gypsies) in contemporary Europe. A movement for Roma rights has emerged and solidified since the 1990s, marked by the fall of Communism in Eastern Europe, rising neo-fascist anti-Roma discrimination, European Union enlargement, immigration policies, and moral panics. Based on in-depth longitudinal and historical analyses, this study explains the discourse of victimization as constructed in nongovernmental organizations' (NGOs) communication materials. I suggest here that a vehement position against anti-Roma discrimination is rather self-explanatory in post-World War II and post-Communist Europe; but I also critique the role that NGO communication plays within structures that maintain an anti-Roma system in place—by overly victimizing the Roma peoples.
Redesigned Proficiency Testing Materials Improve Survey Outcomes for Prostate-Specific Antigen

Abstract Context.—Large disparities in prostate-specific antigen (PSA) results from different assays have been observed in the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Ligand Assay Survey, with interassay results varying severalfold. Survey specimens are predominately composed of free PSA and do not reflect the composition of typical patient specimens. Objectives.—To characterize a pilot material developed for CAP in which pooled sera samples were spiked with purified PSA and α1-antichymotrypsin–bound PSA at targeted concentrations and to compare it to CAP survey and reference materials. Design.—CAP survey, reference, and pilot materials were analyzed using 10 total PSA and 7 free PSA assays. These assays included Food and Drug Administration–approved assays and assays for research use only. Results.—Variability among the 10 total PSA methods was greatest for the 1997 ligand survey material (CV range, 56%–65%) followed by the pilot material (CV range, 10%–29%) and the reference material (CV range, 6%–13%). ...
Integrated multimedia object and application modelling based on events and scenarios

An important issue in multimedia information systems is the lack of an integrated model for complete representation of the multimedia objects and applications. We present an object oriented database model that aims at representation of multimedia objects and applications. The application representation is based on composition (spatial and temporal) modelling and scenario modelling. An important feature of the proposed model is that there is an integrated modelling of the multimedia objects as well as of the applications that utilise them in a uniform way. Moreover the mappings between the two categories of classes are defined.