cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Fractal Mining - Self Similarity-based Clustering and its Applications

Self-similarity is the property of being invariant with respect to the scale used to look at the data set. Self-similarity can be measured using the fractal dimension. Fractal dimension is an important charactaristics for many complex systems and can serve as a powerful representation technique. In this chapter, we present a new clustering algorithm, based on self-similarity properties of the data sets, and also its applications to other fields in Data Mining, such as projected clustering and trend analysis. Clustering is a widely used knowledge discovery technique. The new algorithm which we call Fractal Clustering (FC) places points incrementally in the cluster for which the change in the fractal dimension after adding the point is the least. This is a very natural way of clustering points, since points in the same clusterhave a great degree of self-similarity among them (and much less self-similarity with respect to points in other clusters). FC requires one scan of the data, is suspendable at will, providing the best answer possible at that point, and is incremental. We show via experiments that FC effectively deals with large data sets, high-dimensionality and noise and is capable of recognizing clusters of arbitrary shape.
Cosmic Magnetism and the Basic Physics of the Early Stages of Star Formation

Multifluid magnetohydrodynamics (nonideal MHD) is an indispensable tool for studying the physics of star formation. The physical origin of processes crucial to the formation of stars becomes clear, and the essence of their quantitative theoretical description becomes straightforward when a first-principles approach is taken. Progressively simpler forms of the equations are obtained and used to introduce concepts and describe processes such as ambipolar diffusion and the self-initiated formation and gravitational collapse of fragments (or cores); ohmic dissipation of magnetic flux; flux freezing in the electrons, ions, and neutral particles (through collisional coupling with ions and, possibly, charged grains); quasistatic and dynamical contraction of cloud cores; magnetic braking and the resolution of the thorny angular momentum problem; the magnetic Rayleigh-Taylor (or Parker) instability and formation of cloud complexes; equilibria of isothermal, magnetic clouds; the physical origin of the relation B c ∝ (ρc T c)1/2 between the magnetic field strength and the gas density and temperature in cores of contracting, not necessarily isothermal, self-gravitating clouds; and critical masses for the collapse of interstellar clouds. Improvements to the Virial Theorem are also presented. Close contact with observations is emphasized and maintained throughout the paper.
Accountability, Participation and Foreign Aid Effectiveness

Foreign aid involves a chain of accountability relationships stretching from international donors through national governments and implementing agencies to a set of ultimate end users of the goods and services financed by the aid. In this paper, I review five different accountability relationships that exist in foreign aid projects among donors, governments, implementing agencies and end users. Then I summarize existing empirical evidence demonstrating that foreign aid functions better—both at the macro-level of aid flows and at the micro-level of individual aid projects—when there is more government and implementing agency accountability. Specifying several mechanisms that facilitate accountability, I emphasize that participation is a tool often used to produce accountability within aid projects. However, in terms of donor accountability to aid-receiving countries and the end users in them, recent pushes for increased participation have not resulted in more accountability in the design of aid programs. Ultimately, although enthusiasm for participatory models of aid design and delivery is warranted, participation is not a panacea for all the accountability problems in foreign aid programs.
Improving the reliability of student scores from speeded assessments: an illustration of conditional item response theory using a computer-administered measure of vocabulary

A growing body of literature suggests that response latency, the amount of time it takes an individual to respond to an item, may be an important factor to consider when using assessment data to estimate the ability of an individual. Considering that tests of passage and list fluency are being adapted to a computer administration format, it is possible that accounting for individual differences in response times may be an increasingly feasible option to strengthen the precision of individual scores. The present research evaluated the differential reliability of scores when using classical test theory and item response theory as compared to a conditional item response model which includes response time as an item parameter. Results indicated that the precision of student ability scores increased by an average of 5 % when using the conditional item response model, with greater improvements for those who were average or high ability. Implications for measurement models of speeded assessments are discussed.
Tryptic digestion of scallop S1: evidence for a complex between the two light-chains and a heavy-chain peptide

When scallop S1(+LC) (formerly called CaMg S1) is digested by trypsin, the heavy chain degrades while the two light chains remain complexed to each other and a peptide fragment of the heavy chain. The three components of the complex comigrate during electrophoresis under nondissociating conditions and can be purified by chromatography and concentrated by precipitation with ammonium sulphate in the presence of millimolar calcium ions. The truncated regulatory light chain remains associated with the binary complex consisting of the peptide and essential light chain as long as divalent cations are present; in the presence of EDTA it dissociates. This behaviour of the light chains-peptide complex mimics that of the intact molecule.
Effects of non-metabolizable analogs on the distribution of amino acids in the rat

Abstract The injection into the normal or adrenalectomized rat of α-aminoisobutyric acid caused the loss from the liver within 2 h of 1 3 to 2 3 of its normal content of the various neutral amino acids. At the same time a profound aminoaciduria was produced, including the cationic as well as the neutral amino acids. Indeed, the early effect on lysine excretion was exceptionally strong, although that on cystine later became even stronger. The N-methyl derivative of α-aminoisobutyric acid produced an aminoaciduria limited to proline and hydroxyproline, but the action on the retention of neutral amino acids by the liver was still general. Two other analogs, α,α diethylglycine and α,α-dicyclopropylglycine, structurally designed to minimize their reactivity with known transport systems, showed weak and negligible effects, respectively, on both the hepatic retention and the renal excretion of amino acids. These associations, together with the metabolic inertness of the test substances, indicate that the above effects arise from competition for transport. Inclusion of α-aminoisobutyric acid in the diets of young rats inhibited their growth in approximate correspondence to the decrease in food intake.
Borides and boranes

Abstract Structural comparisons between the higher borides and the boranes, carboranes and metallo derivatives suggest that there may be new borane structures. Also, if lower temperature, very high pressure synthetic conditions are tried, we may find three-dimensional boride-like structures containing other polyhedra and their fragments, particularly those based on the more compact polyhedra smaller than the icosahedron.
Serial order in wood thrush song

Abstract In a study of two captive male wood thrushes ( Hylocichla mustelina ), I found that each bird had a preferred serial order of songs when it sang in isolation. This order could be disrupted by playback. When the stimulus was one of the subject's own songs, the bird often answered with the song that followed the stimulus song in the preferred order. This result supports the following hypothesis: the preferred serial order of songs delivered by a wood thrush is based, in part, on a mechanism by which one song facilitates, via a loop involving audition, the production of the next song in the sequence. I gained further insight into this mechanism by analysing the response of the birds to each other's songs and to experimentally altered songs.
Conformational analysis of the cis- and trans-adducts of the Pictet - Spengler reaction. Evidence for the structural basis for the C(1) - N(2) scission process in the cis- to trans-isomerization.

The stable conformations of both the trans- and cis-1,3-disubstituted Nb-benzyl stereoisomers of the Pictet−Spengler reaction have been determined by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography in order to better understand the C(1)−N(2) cis- to trans-isomerization process. In the Na-H series, the chair conformation was preferred for the trans-isomer 3a, while the cis-isomer 3b existed predominantly in the boat form. However, in the Na-methyl series (1a, 1b, 2a, 2b), both the cis (1b, 2b) and trans (1a, 2a) diastereomers existed in the chair conformation to relieve the A(1,2)-strain between the Na-methyl function and the substituent at C(1). The difference in the preferred conformations of the cis-isomers in the Na-H and Na-methyl series (as compared to the preferred conformations in the trans-isomers) can be employed to understand the reduced rate of epimerization of cis-2b into trans-2a as compared to 3b into 3a. This provides the structural basis for the carbocation-mediated intermediate in the C(1)−N(2...
Blockade of γ-secretase activity within the hippocampus enhances long-term memory

The γ-secretase complex, a membrane-bound aspartyl protease, hydrolyzes the transmembrane domains of several integral membrane proteins including the key signaling molecules amyloid precursor protein (APP), Notch, deleted in colorectal cancer (DCC), and N- and E-cadherins. The proteolysis processing of these proteins is critical for generation of signaling molecules that may participate in neuronal communication and plasticity. Using a potent γ-secretase inhibitor, L-685,458, we examined if blockade of its activity in the hippocampus can influence contextual and spatial memory in rats. Surprisingly, we observed that post-training blockade of γ-secretase activity leads to enhanced long-term memory in two hippocampus-dependent tasks. This suggests that a signaling molecule(s) generated by γ-secretase activity may have a negative influence on long-term memory formation.
An investigation of hormesis of trichloroethylene in L-02 liver cells by differential proteomic analysis

Hormesis is the dose-response pattern of the biological responses to toxic chemicals, characterized by low-dose stimulation and high-dose inhibition. Although it is known that some cell types exhibit an adaptive response to low levels of cytotoxic agents, its molecular mechanism is still unclear and it has yet to be established whether this is a universal phenomenon that occurs in all cell types in response to exposure to every chemical. Trichloroethylene (TCE) is an organic solvent widely used and is released into the atmosphere from industrial degreasing operations. Acute (short-term) and chronic (long-term) inhalation exposure to trichloroethylene can affect the human health. In order to elucidate a cell-survival adaptive response of L-02 liver cells exposed to low dose of TCE, CCK-8 assay was used to assess cytotoxicity, and examined the possible mechanisms of hormesis by proteomics technology. We found that exposure of L-02 liver cells to low level of TCE resulted in adaptation to further exposure to higher level, about 1,000 protein-spots were obtained by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) and five protein spots were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry sequencing of tryptic peptides. Our results suggest that a relationship may exist between identified proteins and TCE-induced hormesis, which are very useful for further study of the mechanism and risk assessment of TCE.
Ethylene hydrogenation by the hydride alkoxide species Ir(H)2(OCH2CF3)(PtBu2Ph)2. Ethylene-induced reductive elimination of alcohol from IrIII

Ir(H)2(ORf)P2 (P  PtBu2Ph, Rf  CH2CF3) reacts with ethylene at 25°C to give RfOH, ethane and Ir(P ∼ C)P(C2H4) (2) then Ir(P ∼ C)(C2H4)2 (1) and Ir(P ∼ C)H(ORf)P (3) (P ∼ C  η2-C6H4PtBu2). It is shown that 2 and 1 are in equilibrium by P and C2H4 addition/dissociation. Compound 3 is a product “late” in the reaction sequence, and results from HORf oxidative addition to 2. Since 3 reacts with ethylene to give 2, 2 and 3 are in thermal equilibrium. Compound 3 reacts readily with H2 to give IrH5P2 and RfOH. The reason why ORf and ethylene ligands seem to be mutually incompatible is discussed.
Metal nanorods array embedded silicon waveguide polarization beam splitter

We present a polarization beam splitter with a metal nanorods array embedded between two silicon waveguides. Localized surface plasmon resonance of the metal array introduces the birefringence with short coupling length and broad bandwidth.
2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin inhibits DNA synthesis in rat primary hepatocytes

Abstract Treatment of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats with a dosing regimen of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo- p -dioxin (TCDD) maintaining a steady-state liver concentration of 150 ng/g results in enhanced hepatocyte proliferation in the periportal region, but reduced proliferation in the remainder of the hepatic lobule (Fox et al. (1993) Cancer Res., 53, 2265–2271). Here, we report an initial characterization of the actions of TCDD on hepatocyte proliferation by monitoring DNA synthesis in primary hepatocytes isolated from SD rats. TCDD caused a dose-dependent inhibition (EC 50 = 10 pM) of DNA synthesis in primary hepatocytes isolated from either male or female SD rats in the presence or absence of known hepatocyte mitogens (epidermal growth factor, hepatocyte growth factor, and transforming growth factor α). No change in DNA synthesis was observed at TCDD concentrations less than 1 pM. Initial characterization of the EGF response system in these cells revealed that TCDD did not alter the specific binding of EGF, or the levels of EGF receptor protein measured in intact cells or cell lysates. TCDD-dependent inhibition of DNA synthesis occurred independently of the suppression observed with transforming growth factor-β1. Estradiol did not alter DNA synthesis in the presence or absence of TCDD. Taken together, these findings indicate that TCDD suppresses DNA synthesis via a novel pathway that is non-responsive to estradiol, independent of TGF-β, and does not involve a decreased ability of hepatocytes to recognize (bind) EGF, a prototype mitogen.
Pain, suffering, and anxiety in animals and humans.

We attempt to bring the concepts of pain, suffering, and anxiety into sufficient focus to make them serviceable for empirical investigation. The common-sense view that many animals experience these phenomena is supported by empirical and philosophical arguments. We conclude, first, that pain, suffering, and anxiety are different conceptually and as phenomena, and should not be conflated. Second, suffering can be the result — or perhaps take the form — of a variety of states including pain, anxiety, fear, and boredom. Third, pain and nociception are not equivalent and should be carefully distinguished. Fourth, nociception can explain the behavior of insects and perhaps other invertebrates (except possibly the cephalopods). Fifth, a behavioral inhibition system associated with anxiety in humans seems to be present in mammals and most or all other vertebrates. Based on neurochemical and behavioral evidence, it seems parsimonious to claim that these animals are capable of experiencing anxious states.
Simulation of Icing on a Cascade of Stator Blades

Investigations were conducted to examine ice accretion on a cascade of stator blades and its influence on the resulting aerodynamics. In particular, ice shapes and aerodynamic penalties were investigated on a stage 67A stator blade, which represents a part of a turbomachinery compressor stage. A steady Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes solver for the airflow was used with a Lagrangian continuous random walk for the droplet trajectory released upstream of the stator blade to predict impingement efficiencies. These results were coupled after finite icing intervals (ca. every 3 min) to update the ice shape around the stator blade using LEWICE. The overall methodology allowed the prediction of the impingement efficiency, the amount of ice accretion, and the adverse effects on the aerodynamic performance. Ice accretion is found to be significantly sensitive to droplet size, integration time, and temperature. However, relatively weak sensitivity was found with respect to the turbulence and angle of attack. Changes in the flowfield due to ice accretion can lead to boundary-layer separation, which causes a reduction in the flow turning angle and mass flow rate as well as an increase in the total pressure loss.
Range distribution of low-energy nitrogen ions in metals

The range distributions of ${\mathrm{N}}_{2}^{+}$ in copper and silver have been determined for energies up to 5 keV. The distributions show a sharp peak at the surface along with a deeper shoulder or secondary peak and a long tail into the sample, contrary to theory which predicts only a near-Gaussian distribution in the sample. Careful examination indicates that neither the possible physical or chemical properties alteration by ion bombardment nor experimental error is the cause of the enrichment of nitrogen near the surface and therefore confirms the presence of this peak as part of the distributions. The energy dependence and the depth of the secondary peak, however, are in reasonable agreement with those predicted by available theories for the projected range distribution of implanted species.
Metabolism of polychlorinated biphenyls by marine bacteria.

There have been no reports of laboratory studies of PCB metabolism by marine organisms. A few workers have analyzed marine animals for products of PCB metabolism. A search for hydroxylated PCBs in marine fish proved inconclusive. Phenolic metabolites of PCBs have been identified in seals and guillemot. PCBs that had been hydroxylated and excreted by marine organisms would most likely be found in the sediments, so in our laboratory we conducted a search for these compounds in marine sediments. Two kilograms of organic-rich surface sediment from Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, were extracted. The phenolic fraction was isolated and analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Neither wide mass scans nor selected mass searches produced any evidence of hydroxylated PCB derivatives. It was felt that if any marine organisms were capable of metabolism of PCBs, some marine bacteria should have that capability. Thus a series of laboratory experiments was conducted to test this possibility. Reported here is the finding of PCB metabolism by marine bacteria in batch culture.
Proton and sodium MRI assessment of emerging tumor chemotherapeutic resistance.

The ultimate goal of any cancer therapy is to target the elimination of neoplastic cells. Although newer therapeutic strategies are in constant development, therapeutic assessment has been hampered by the inability to assess, rapidly and quantitatively, efficacy in vivo. Diffusion imaging and, more recently, sodium MRI have demonstrated their distinct abilities to detect therapy-induced alterations in tumor cellularity, which has been demonstrated to be indicative of therapeutic efficacy. More importantly, both imaging modalities detect tumor response much earlier than traditional methodologies that rely on macroscopic volumetric changes. In this study, the correlation between tumor sodium and diffusion was further tested to demonstrate the sensitivity of sodium imaging to gauge tumor response to therapy by using a 9L rat gliosarcoma treated with varying doses of BCNU (1,3-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea). This orthotopic model has been demonstrated to display variability in response to BCNU therapy where initial insult has been shown to lead to drug- resistance. In brief, a single 26.6mg/kg BCNU dose yielded dramatic responses in both diffusion and sodium MRI. However, a second equivalent BCNU dose yielded a much smaller change in diffusion and sodium, suggesting a drop in tumor sensitivity to BCNU. The MRI responses of animals treated with 13.3mg/kg BCNU were much lower and similar responses were observed after the initial and secondary applications of BCNU. Furthermore, these results were further validated using volumetric measurements of the tumor and also ex vivo determination of tumor sensitivity to BCNU. Overall, these experiments demonstrate the sensitivity and applicability of sodium and diffusion MRI as tools for dynamic assessment of tumor response to therapy. Copyright # 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Immunohistochemical detection of thrombospondin-1 in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue.

Thrombospondin-1 (TSP) is a 450-KD glycoprotein that was initially discovered in the platelet alpha-granule. It now appears that TSP is intimately involved in the regulation of a variety of cellular functions and cell-to-cell interactions. Recently, it has been demonstrated that TSP functions as a p53-dependent inhibitor of angiogenesis in cultured fibroblasts from Li-Fraumeni patients and therefore may be an important factor involved with tumor invasion and metastasis. It has previously been demonstrated that TSP can be detected in frozen tissue sections by immunohistochemical methods. Our objective in this study was to determine the optimal antigen retrieval (AR) protocol for detection of TSP in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue by using tissue sections from patients with invasive transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. The optimal AR protocol was determined utilizing a variety of heating conditions and antigen retrieval buffers. Our results demonstrate that TSP can be reliably detected in pa...
Analysis of the roles of microporosity and BMP-2 on multiple measures of bone regeneration and healing in calcium phosphate scaffolds.

Osteoinductive agents, such as BMP-2, are known to improve bone formation when combined with scaffolds. Microporosity ( 100 samples, with 900 images each, that were implanted in porcine mandibular defects for 3, 6, 12 and 24 weeks. The assessment of healing presented in this work demonstrates the level of detail possible in evaluating scaffold-guided bone regeneration. The analysis shows that BMP-2 and microporosity accelerate healing up to 4-fold. BMP-2 and microporosity were shown to have different and complementary roles in bone formation that effect the time needed for a defect to heal.
Influence of correlated visual cues on auditory signal detection

Two experiments investigated the effects on auditory signal detection of introducing visual cues that were partially correlated with the signal events. The results were analyzed in terms of a detection model that assumes that such cue-signal correlations will not affect sensitivity, but will instead cause the subject to develop separate response biases for each cue. The model specifies a functional relationship between the asymptotic values of these cuecontingent biases. The overall results of the experiments supported the detection assumptions of the model and the general bias learning assumption, but indicated a more complex learning process than that specified by the model.
Dimensional stability of injection and conventional processing of denture base acrylic resin

C omplete denture fabrication is fraught with both extrinsic and intrinsic potential error. The greater part of this error can be controlled with careful clinical and laboratory technique. ’ Woelfel and Paffenbarge9 outlined the inaccuracies inherent to the use of poly(methy1 methacrylate) as a denture base material. Dimensional change during processing is one such source of error. The processing shrinkage of poly(methy1 methacrylate) resin is well documented.*” Injection processing of poly(methy1 methacrylate) denture bases was introduced by Pryor in an attempt to reduce processing shrinkage. More recently a continuous-pressure injection technique has been developed (SR-Ivocap, Ivoclar AG, Schaan, Liechtenstein). As discussed by Schmidt9 the process claims to deliver reduced processing error and increased resin density through layered curing of the resin and no processing flash. Trituration of the liquidpowder system is mechanically performed in prepackaged capsules in an attempt to produce a more even mix resulting in a homogeneous denture base. The mixed resin is injected into the flask under continuous pressure during the processing.” This study determined the dimensional changes of heat-cured poly(methy1 methacrylate) resin processed by the injection processing system compared with that processed by a conventional compression packing technique.
X-Ray Photoemission Spectra of Crystalline and Amorphous Si and Ge Valence Bands

High-resolution x-ray photoelectron spectra of the total valence bands of crystalline and amorphous silicon and germanium are reported. For the crystals, the spectra yield results that are strikingly similar to current theoretical calculations of the electron density of states, $\ensuremath{\rho}(E)$. Amorphous Si and Ge exhibit definite band structures that are similar to one another but markedly different from the crystalline results. They agree very well with the theoretical model of Joannopoulos and Cohen.
Nd, Sr, and O isotopic variations in metaluminous ash-flow tuffs and related volcanic rocks at the Timber Mountain/Oasis Valley Caldera, Complex, SW Nevada: implications for the origin and evolution of large-volume silicic magma bodies

Nd, Sr and O isotopic data were obtained from silicic ash-flow tuffs and lavas at the Tertiary age (16–9 Ma) Timber (Mountain/Oasis Valley volcanic center (TMOV) in southern Nevada, to assess models for the origin and evolution of the large-volume silicic magma bodies generated in this region. The large-volume (>900 km3), chemically-zoned, Topopah Spring (TS) and Tiva Canyon (TC) members of the Paintbrush Tuff, and the Rainier Mesa (RM) and Ammonia Tanks (AT) members of the younger Timber Mountain Tuff all have internal Nd and Sr isotopic zonations. In each tuff, high-silica rhyolites have lower initialɛNd values (∼1ɛNd unit), higher87Sr/86Sr, and lower Nd and Sr contents, than cocrupted trachytes. The TS, TC, and RM members have similarɛNd values for high-silica rhyolites (-11.7 to -11.2) and trachytes (-10.5 to -10.7), but the younger AT member has a higherɛNd for both compositional types (-10.3 and -9.4). Oxygen isotope data confirm that the TC and AT members were derived from lowɛNd magmas. The internal Sr and Nd isotopic variations in each tuff are interpreted to be the result of the incorporation of 20–40% (by mass) wall-rock into magmas that were injected into the upper crust. The lowɛNd magmas most likely formed via the incorporation of lowδ18O, hydrothermally-altered, wall-rock. Small-volume rhyolite lavas and ash-flow tuffs have similar isotopic characteristics to the large-volume ash-flow tuffs, but lavas erupted from extracaldera vents may have interacted with higherδ18O crustal rocks peripheral to the main magma chamber(s). Andesitic lavas from the 13–14 Ma Wahmonie/Salyer volcanic center southeast of the TMOV have lowɛNd (-13.2 to -13.8) and are considered on the basis of textural evidence to be mixtures of basaltic composition magmas and large proportions (70–80%) of anatectic crustal melts. A similar process may have occurred early in the magmatic history of the TMOV. The large-volume rhyolites may represent a mature stage of magmatism after repeated injection of basaltic magmas, crustal melting, and volcanism cleared sufficient space in the upper crust for large magma bodies to accumulate and differentiate. The TMOV rhyolites and 0–10 Ma old basalts that erupted in southern Nevada all have similar Nd and Sr isotopic compositions, which suggests that silicic and mafic magmatism at the TMOV were genetically related. The distinctive isotopic compositions of the AT member may reflect temporal changes in the isotopic compositions of basaltic magmas entering the upper crust, possibly as a result of increasing “basification” of a lower crustal magma source by repeated injection of mantle-derived mafic magmas.
Effects of Dietary Sodium Chloride on Red Drum Juveniles in Waters of Various Salinities

Abstract Three 8-week feeding trials were conducted to determine the effects of supplemental dietary salts on growth and osmoregulation of juvenile red drums (Sciaenops ocellatus) at various water salinities. In each experiment, sodium chloride was added to a basal diet composed of semipurified and practical ingredients; the basal diet provided intrinsic levels of 0.80% Cl, 0.84% K, and 0.92% Na on a dry-matter basis. In fresh water, red drums fed the basal diet supplemented with NaCI at 2% had significantly (P < 0.05) greater weight gain and feed efficiency than fish given the basal diet alone. In brackish water (6‰ salinity), fish given the diet supplemented with NaCI at 2% had weight gains that were numerically but not significantly (P = 0.076) greater than gains offish fed the basal diet. In full-strength artificial seawater (35‰), fish fed diets supplemented with NaCI at 2 and 10% had weight gains not significantly (P = 0.23) different from those of fish fed the basal diet, and those fed the diet sup...
Staining nerve fibers with methylene blue; an evaluation of variables used in an immersion technic.

A study of the effects of osmotic pressure, pH, the presence of dextrose, acetate, pyruvate or lactate, and agents affecting cell permeability during supravital staining by methylene blue was made by means of an immersion technic. Mesentery and intestine of dogs and cats were used. Penetration of the dye was limited to the mesentery and more superficial layers of intestine. Conditions which facilitated the characteristic differentiation of of nerve fibers were: continuous oxygenation of the staining solution, pH about 5.6 stabilized by phosphate buffer, and the presence of small amounts of acetate and lactate. Young animals' tissue stained better than old. Methylene blue was a much more effective staining agent than less completely methylated thionins.
Inferior colliculus neuronal membrane and synaptic properties in genetically epilepsy-prone rats.

Abstract Previous studies using single-unit recording techniques have shown that the inferior colliculus is critical for audiogenic seizure initiation in genetically epilepsy-prone rats (GEPR). In order to investigate cellular abnormalities that may be important in causing audiogenic seizure susceptibility, intracellular recording were made from neurons of inferior colliculus dorsal cortex (ICd) in a GEPR variety that exhibits severe audiogenic seizures (GEPR-9). GEPR neuronal membrane and synaptic properties were compared to those of normal Sprague-Dawley rats (SD), the strain from which GEPR were derived. We found six electrophysiological differences between GEPR and normal SD ICd neurons, all of which could promote seizures in GEPR. (1) Input resistances was higher in GEPR than in normal ICd neurons. (2) Threshold for repetitive action potential firing was closer to resting membrane potential in GEPR ICd neurons. (3) GEPR neurons showed faster repetitive spike firing than normal SD neurons. (4) Anode break spikes occured at the offset of a hyperpolarizing pulse more often in GEPR than in normal SD neurons. (5) Stimulation of the commissure of the inferior colliculus caused synaptic paired pulse inhibition in normal ICd neurons, but paired pulse facilitation was always observed in GEPR neurons. (6) In GEPR, a large epileptiform depolarizing event could be elicited by strong electrical stimulation of the commissure of the inferior colliculus. In normal SD rats, similar epileptiform activity was seen only after application of bicuculline or NMDA. Our results suggest that both abnormal neuronal membrane properties and altered synaptic transmission are likely to contribute to seizure predisposition and audiogenic seizure initiation in GEPR.
Proteomic and Functional Analyses of Protein–DNA Complexes During Gene Transfer

One of the barriers to successful nonviral gene delivery is the crowded cytoplasm, which plasmids need to actively traverse for gene expression. Relatively little is known about how this process occurs, but our lab and others have shown that the microtubule network and motors are required for plasmid movement to the nucleus. To further investigate how plasmids exploit normal physiological processes to transfect cells, we have taken a proteomics approach to identify the proteins that comprise the plasmid-trafficking complex. We have developed a live cell DNA-protein pull-down assay to isolate complexes at certain time points post-transfection (15 minutes to 4 hours) for analysis by mass spectrometry (MS). Plasmids containing promoter sequences bound hundreds of unique proteins as early as 15 minutes post-electroporation, while a plasmid lacking any eukaryotic sequences failed to bind many of the proteins. Specific proteins included microtubule-based motor proteins (e.g., kinesin and dynein), proteins involved in protein nuclear import (e.g., importin 1, 2, 4, and 7, Crm1, RAN, and several RAN-binding proteins), a number of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein (hnRNP)- and mRNA-binding proteins, and transcription factors. The significance of several of the proteins involved in protein nuclear localization and plasmid trafficking was determined by monitoring movement of microinjected fluorescently labeled plasmids via live cell particle tracking in cells following protein knockdown by small-interfering RNA (siRNA) or through the use of specific inhibitors. While importin β1 was required for plasmid trafficking and subsequent nuclear import, importin α1 played no role in microtubule trafficking but was required for optimal plasmid nuclear import. Surprisingly, the nuclear export protein Crm1 also was found to complex with the transfected plasmids and was necessary for plasmid trafficking along microtubules and nuclear import. Our results show that various proteins involved in nuclear import and export influence intracellular trafficking of plasmids and subsequent nuclear accumulation.
Perioperative Allogeneic Blood Transfusions: Survival in Patients With Resected Carcinomas of the Colon and Rectum

• Blood transfusion (BT) is reported to cause immunosuppression. We postulated that BT might therefore adversely affect the prognosis of carcinomas of the colon and rectum. We analyzed the overall and recurrence-free survival of 366 patients whose colorectal carcinomas were resected. The 199 patients who received perioperative BTs appeared to survive less well than the 167 patients who received no blood products. However, Cox analysis, which adjusts for other prognostic variables, shows that the difference was not statistically significant. Although 43% of transfused patients survived, as compared with 56.5% of nontransfused patients, this difference was due to variables other than transfusion. This study did not support the hypothesis that BT has an adverse effect on survival of patients with colorectal cancer. ( Arch Surg 1985;120:734-738)
Finite Energy Solutions of Maxwell's Equations and Constructive Hodge Decompositions on Nonsmooth Riemannian Manifolds

Abstract We consider two basic potential theoretic problems in Riemannian manifolds: Hodge decompositions and Maxwell's equations. Here we are concerned with smoothness and integrability assumptions. In the context of L p forms in Lipschitz domains, we show that both are well posed provided that 2− e p e , for some e >0, depending on the domain. Our approach is constructive (in the sense that we produce integral representation formulas for the solutions) and emphasizes the intimate connections between the two problems at hand. Applications to other related PDEs, such as boundary problems for the Hodge Dirac operator, are also presented.
Should Ultrasound be a Standard Preoperative Tool in Surgical Planning

Ultrasonography has been used traditionally as an imaging technique for diagnosis and characterization of breast lesions. It has also been increasingly used in the initial staging of breast cancer. Review of the literature suggests that use of ultrasonography, in combination with fine needle aspiration, is an accurate means of staging the axilla, and advances in ultrasound technology have also improved the reliability of results obtained by use of this imaging modality. This review provides an overview of the utility of ultrasonography for assessing patients with breast diseases, with special emphasis on breast cancer and its evolving use in axillary assessment and staging. We also discuss the features of abnormal axillary ultrasound, the accuracy, reliability, and limitations of axillary ultrasound, and finally, the role of axillary ultrasound in the post-ACOSOG Z0011 era.
Effect of cytokine hemoadsorption on brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction in a porcine model

Objective In an effort to expand the cardiac donor pool, we tested the hypothesis that hemoadsorption of cytokines attenuates brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction. Methods Eighteen Yorkshire pigs (50-60 kg) were instrumented with a left ventricular conductance catheter. Cytokine expression, preload recruitable stroke work, and the diastolic relaxation constant tau were measured at baseline and at hourly intervals for 6 hours after induction of brain death by intracranial balloon inflation (brain death, n = 6) or sham operation (control, n = 6). In a third group (brain death + hemoadsorption, n = 6), 3 hours after induction of brain death, animals were placed on an extracorporeal circuit containing a cytokine-hemoadsorption device for the remaining 3 hours of the experiment. Myocardial water content was measured after the animals were killed. Results Six hours after induction of brain death, tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6 were highest in the brain death group (106 ± 13.1 pg/mL and 301 ± 181 pg/mL, respectively), lowest in controls (68.3 ± 8.55 pg/mL and 37.8 ± 11 pg/mL, respectively), and intermediate in the brain death + hemoadsorption group (81.2 ± 35.2 pg/mL and 94.6 ± 20 pg/mL, respectively). Compared with controls, preload recruitable stroke work was significantly reduced in the brain death group 4 hours after the induction of brain death and was 50% of baseline by 5 hours. In the brain death + hemoadsorption group, preload recruitable stroke work was relatively preserved at 80% of baseline at similar time points. Tau remained unchanged in the control and brain death + hemoadsorption groups, whereas in the brain death group it was significantly elevated versus baseline 5 (139.3% ± 21.5%) and 6 (172% ± 16.1%) hours after induction of brain death. Myocardial water content was significantly greater in the brain death group than in the other 2 groups. Conclusions Hemoadsorption of cytokines using an extracorporeal circuit attenuates brain death–induced ventricular dysfunction in a porcine model. Improvement in function generally correlates with trends in cytokine expression, but this relationship requires further investigation.
HPV testing for triage of HIV-infected women with papanicolaou smears read as atypical squamous cells of uncertain significance.

Purpose: To assess the utility of testing for high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA as a triage strategy for detecting cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2/3 in women with human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) infection and cytology read as atypical cells of uncertain significance (ASCUS). Methods: Conventional cervical cytology and cervicovaginal lavage were obtained at 6-month intervals between October 1, 1994, and September 30, 2002, from women enrolled in the Women's Interagency HIV Study, a multicenter cohort studying the natural history of HIV in women. HPV typing was performed by PCR. HPV types 16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56, 58, 59, and 68 were classified as carrying high oncogenic risk. Women with ASCUS smears were referred for colposcopy. Analyses of the sensitivity of HPV testing were cross-sectional, using colposcopy results within 90 days of first ASCUS result. Results: Of the 270 women evaluated, 7 (3%) had CIN 2, and 3 (1%) had CIN3 or adenocarcinoma in situ. High-ri...
Altered reactivity of superoxide dismutase in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

A subset of individuals with familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS) possesses dominantly inherited mutations in the gene that encodes copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD). A4V and G93A, two of the mutant enzymes associated with FALS, were shown to catalyze the oxidation of a model substrate (spin trap 5,5'-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N-oxide) by hydrogen peroxide at a higher rate than that seen with the wild-type enzyme. Catalysis of this reaction by A4V and G93A was more sensitive to inhibition by the copper chelators diethyldithiocarbamate and penicillamine than was catalysis by wild-type CuZnSOD. The same two chelators reversed the apoptosis-inducing effect of mutant enzymes expressed in a neural cell line. These results suggest that oxidative reactions catalyzed by mutant CuZnSOD enzymes initiate the neuropathologic changes in FALS.
Effect of letrozole on urinary bladder function in the female rabbit

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of letrozole (a potent aromatase inhibitor that effectively inhibit the synthesis of oestrogen) on bladder contraction with changes in morphology and biochemistry. MATERIALS AND METHODS Sixteen female New Zealand white rabbits were separated into four equal groups; groups 1–3 were given oral letrozole for 1, 2 and 3 weeks, and group 4 was given saline and served as the control group. At the end of the medication period each rabbit was anaesthetized and the bladder muscle strips were used for contractile, histological and biochemical studies. RESULTS The concentration of serum oestrogen was significantly lower and testosterone was significantly higher in letrozole-treated rabbits than in the control group. The rabbits treated for 1 week with letrozole showed significant decreases in the contractile responses to electrical field stimulation, ATP and carbachol, but not to KCl. Contractility returned to normal in the rabbits treated for 2 and 3 weeks. Letrozole resulted in an increased volume percentage of collagens and decreased bladder compliance. The volume percentage of the smooth muscle component also changed, with a significant decrease at 1 week and then a gradual increase at 2 and 3 weeks. Contractile dysfunction was absent at 2 and 3 weeks, which was consistent with no change in sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase content or mitochondrial function. CONCLUSIONS The bladder contractility decline in the first week and was restored at 2 and 3 weeks. The present study unexpectedly showed the possibility that testosterone might be as important as oestrogen in the contractile function of the female bladder.
Mineral and Vitamin Contents of Seeds and Sprouts of Newly Available Small‐Seeded Soybeans and Market Samples of Mungbeans

Seeds and sprouts of two strains of small-seeded soybeans (Jaeraejong 320-7 and SP 75051) were either comparable, or higher, in contents of several minerals and thiamin than locally available mungbeans. Germination reduced iron and increased phosphorus and sodium contents in both soybeans and mungbeans, but potassium content was not changed significantly. Germination increased amounts of thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and ascorbic acid in both soybeans and mungbeans.
Laser Surface Texturing: Applications and Research Opportunities

Laser surface texturing refers to techniques for altering surface topography either by laser-induced material removal and/or displacement of material from the melt pool. A review of thermal transport issues involved in laser surface texturing is discussed, with an emphasis on texturing at low laser fluences. The paper will discuss new applications of laser surface texturing, particularly reduction of stiction in MEMS devices. Experiments with laser surface texturing of thin metal films and silicon wafers at low fluence are presented. The results show that texturing of a metal film is possible without opening a hole in the film. At higher laser fluences, a hole opens in the film and droplets are ejected from the molten pool. Texturing of silicon wafers also suffers from droplet ejection, with debris-free texturing possible at fluences only slightly above the melting threshold. Directions for future research are discussed, including understanding the effect of density variation during melting and solidification on the final surface topography.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Second order collision for the 42-step reduced DHA-256 hash function

At the Cryptographic Hash Workshop hosted by NIST in 2005, Lee et al. proposed the DHA-256 (Double Hash Algorithm-256) hash function. The design of DHA-256 builds upon the design of SHA-256, but introduces additional strengthening features such as optimizing the message expansion and step function against local collision attacks. Previously, DHA-256 was analyzed by J. Zhong and X. Lai, who presented a preimage attack on 35 steps of the compression function with complexity 2^2^3^9^.^6. In addition, the IAIK Krypto Group provided evidence that there exists a 9-step local collision for the DHA-256 compression function with probability higher than previously predicted. In this paper, we analyze DHA-256 in the context of higher order differential attacks. In particular, we provide a practical distinguisher for 42 out of 64 steps and give an example of a colliding quartet to validate our results.
Shared traits on the reaction coordinates of ribonuclease and an RNA enzyme

Reaction-intermediate analogs have been used to understand how phosphoryl transfer enzymes promote catalysis. Herein we report the first structure of a small ribozyme crystallized with a 3'-OH, 2',5'-linkage in lieu of the normal phosphodiester substrate. The new structure shares features of the reaction coordinate exhibited in prior ribozyme structures including a vanadate complex that mimicked the oxyphosphorane transition state. As such, the structure exhibits reaction-intermediate traits that allow direct comparison of stabilizing interactions to the 3'-OH, 2',5'-linkage contributed by the RNA enzyme and its protein counterpart, ribonuclease. Clear similarities are observed between the respective structures including hydrogen bonds to the non-bridging oxygens of the scissile phosphate. Other commonalities include carefully poised water molecules that may alleviate charge build-up in the transition state and placement of a positive charge near the leaving group. The advantages of 2',5'-linkages to investigate phosphoryl-transfer reactions are discussed, and argue for their expanded use in structural studies.