cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Modulating the cytokine response to treat Helicobacter gastritis.

Abstract The conventional view of gastric acid secretion is that a negative feedback mechanism arises in response to high acidity, such that somatostatin keeps G-cells and parietal cells from producing more gastrin and acid, respectively. When the stomach becomes infected, for example with Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), the feedback mechanism is impaired. In animal models, our laboratory has demonstrated that other types of bacteria besides H. pylori can cause gastritis. For example, under conditions of low acidity, gastritis is secondary to bacterial overgrowth, not production of excessive acid, thus suggesting a new paradigm for the regulation of gastric acid secretion under inflammatory conditions. Cytokines, released during the gastric inflammatory response, including IFNγ, TNFα and IL-1β stimulate the G-cell to produce gastrin. Gastrin in turn triggers the release of acid, and hypergastrinemia suppresses somatostatin, the inhibitor of acid. The overall response results in maximal gastric acid output that acts as the stomach's most important anti-microbial agent. The increased acid secretion by the stomach in the presence of H. pylori seems to be part of the innate immune response, in that gastrin and somatostatin are reciprocally regulated by Th1 or Th2 cytokines, respectively. In a mouse model, we showed that octreotide, a somatostatin, analog, is an efficacious treatment for Helicobacter gastritis. In humans, octreotide might accelerate recovery from H. pylori infection, reducing the duration of antibiotic therapy.
Tectonic Significance of the Kodiak-Bowie Seamount Chain, Northeastern Pacific

The hypothesis of a fixed melting spot reference frame (M) for relative plate motion is tested in the northeastern Pacific Ocean, where the Kodiak-Bowie seamount chain intersects the northern triple junction between the Pacific, American, and Juan de Fuca plates. Available age determinations on Kodiak and Giacomini Seamounts provide an estimated average rate of volcanic propagation along the chain of 6.5 cm per yr and allow estimates of plate movements relative to the melting spot. The inferred motion of the American plate relative to M is close to that observed along the Yellowstone-Snake River Plain volcanic trend and broadly supports the concept of a fixed melting spot reference frame. However, the convex northward curvature of the Kodiak-Bowie chain and of several chains to the south does not support the hypothesis. The lack of parallelism between these seamounts and the Hawaiian chain suggests slow relative movement between the Kodiak-Bowie and Hawaiian melting spots.
Effect of Screening Colonoscopy on Colorectal Cancer Incidence and Mortality

Background & Aims Colonoscopy is used widely for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening; however, its long-term impact on the incidence and mortality of CRC is not known. Methods We assessed CRC incidence and mortality in a group of asymptomatic average-risk patients who underwent screening colonoscopy between 1989 and 1993 at a university hospital. By using standardized incidence ratios and standardized mortality ratios, we compared our observed CRC rates with expected rates from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) data. Results The cohort comprised 715 patients (mean age, 61 ± 6.5 y; 59% male; 95% Caucasian) with 10,492 patient-years of follow-up. There were 12 cases of CRC: 5 found at baseline and 7 found after a median follow-up period of 8 years (range, 3–16 y). When the first 2 years of follow-up were excluded, there were 7 incident cases of CRC (95% confidence interval [CI], 2–13) over 9075 person-years of follow-up. The expected number based on SEER data was 21. The incidence rate was 0.77 cases per 1000 person-years, and the standardized incidence ratio was 0.33 (95% CI, 0.10–0.62), consistent with a relative risk reduction in CRC incidence of 67%. Three patients died from CRC (95% CI, 0–9). The expected number of deaths based on SEER data was 9. The mortality rate was 0.29 per 1000 person-years, and the standardized mortality ratio was 0.35 (95% CI, 0.0–1.06), consistent with a relative reduction in CRC death of 65%. Conclusions In this average-risk cohort, CRC incidence and mortality were reduced after screening colonoscopy. These results provide additional evidence for the effectiveness of colonoscopy as a primary CRC screening modality.
Projecting regional change

Techniques to downscale global climate model (GCM) output and produce high-resolution climate change projections have emerged over the past two decades. GCM projections of future climate change, with typical resolutions of about 100 km, are now routinely downscaled to resolutions as high as hundreds of meters. Pressure to use these techniques to produce policy-relevant information is enormous. To prevent bad decisions, the climate science community must identify downscaling's strengths and limitations and develop best practices. A starting point for this discussion is to acknowledge that downscaled climate signals arising from warming are more credible than those arising from circulation changes.
Ion contents of human lymphocytes: The effects of concanavalin A and ouabain☆

Abstract It has been suggested that mitogens may activate the Na,K-ATPase to cause an increased cell K + which may then trigger metabolic events initiating DNA synthesis. To test this hypothesis, human lymphocytes were treated with ouabain and concanavalin A (ConA) and their ion contents measured directly by atomic absorption. Ouabain decreased cell K + with a critical dose range, 10 −8 to 10 −7 M, similar to that which inhibits mitogenesis, and induced a mole-for-mole replacement of K + by Na + . ConA, in non-toxic, mitogenic doses, also caused a rapid and a sustained decrease in cell K + , but, unlike ouabain, did not induce replacement of the lost K + by Na + , and the total K + + Na + was reduced in spite of a normal water content. Thus, although normal Na,K-ATPase function may be required for mitogenesis, ConA does not affect cell K + and Na + simply by activating the Na,K-ATPase. Stable-state K + and Na + contents were then determined over a wide range of external K + levels, and analyzed by the equivalent of a Hill plot. The normal cooperative uptake of K + was inhibited in an allosteric manner by ouabain, while ConA failed to alter significantly the critical parameters of K + -Na + exchange and the cooperativity in K + uptake. We suggest that K + is not a specific trigger in the initiation of mitogenesis, but that changes in K + flux and content reflect a change within the physical state of an underlying macromolecular assembly that is poised to respond to the mitogenic stimulus in a critical cooperative fashion.
Interfacial Blister Evolution of Coated Surfaces Under Severe Thermal and Pressure Transients

The effects of severe thermal- and pressure-transients on coated substrates with indentation-induced, blister defects were analyzed using experimental and finite-element methods. An explicit FEA approach was first used to assess the transient thermal- and stress-states and the propensity for fracture related damage and evolution, under uniform convection and pressure transients across the surface; cohesive zone properties were evaluated in a previous study before being applied in an implicit indentation simulation. The indentation simulation results then served as the initial conditions for explicit modeling of interfacial flaw evolution due to thermal and pressure transients. Various conditions were analyzed including thermal and gun tube boundary conditions, and the effects of coating thermal capacitance. Given the need for robust coatings, the experimental and modeling procedures explored by this study will have important ramifications for coated tube design.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Efficient diode pumped cesium vapor amplifier

An efficient diode laser pumped Cs vapor amplifier has been demonstrated. Using a 2 cm long Cs vapor cell pumped by an 18 W laser diode array, an amplification factor of 145 for low power Cs laser radiation was achieved. Such an amplifier or chain of amplifiers can significantly simplify the use of multiple pump sources for scaling the output power of alkali lasers.
Modulation of thalamic auditory neurons by the primary auditory cortex

The central auditory system consists of the lemniscal and nonlemniscal pathways or systems, which are anatomically and physiologically different from each other. In the thalamus, the ventral division of the medial geniculate body (MGBv) belongs to the lemniscal system, whereas its medial (MGBm) and dorsal (MGBd) divisions belong to the nonlemniscal system. Lemniscal neurons are sharply frequency-tuned and provide highly frequency-specific information to the primary auditory cortex (AI), whereas nonlemniscal neurons are generally broadly frequency-tuned and project widely to cortical auditory areas including AI. These two systems are presumably different not only in auditory signal processing, but also in eliciting cortical plastic changes. Electric stimulation of narrowly frequency-tuned MGBv neurons evokes the shift of the frequency-tuning curves of AI neurons toward the tuning curves of the stimulated MGBv neurons (tone-specific plasticity). In contrast, electric stimulation of broadly frequency-tuned MGBm neurons augments the auditory responses of AI neurons and broadens their frequency-tuning curves (nonspecific plasticity). In our current studies, we found that electric stimulation of AI evoked tone-specific plastic changes of the MGBv neurons, whereas it degraded the frequency tuning of MGBm neurons by inhibiting their auditory responses. AI apparently modulates the lemniscal and nonlemniscal thalamic neurons in quite different ways. High MGBm activity presumably makes AI neurons less favorable for fine auditory signal processing, whereas high MGBv activity makes AI neurons more suitable for fine processing of specific auditory signals and reduces MGBm activity.
Natural-Laminar-Flow Airfoil and Wing Design by Adjoint Method and Automatic Transition Prediction

This paper describes the application of optimization technique based on control theory for natural-laminar-∞ow airfoil and wing design in viscous compressible ∞ow modeled by the Reynolds averaged Navier-Stokes equations. A laminar-turbulent transition prediction module which consists of a boundary layer method and two e N -database methods for Tollmien-Schlichting and cross∞ow instabilities is coupled with ∞ow solver to predict and prescribe transition locations automatically. Results of the optimization will demonstrate that an airfoil can be designed to have the desired favorable pressure gradient for laminar ∞ow and the new airfoil can be redesigned for higher Mach number for performance beneflts while still maintains reasonable amount of laminar ∞ow. For 3D wing, the redesigned wing conflguration will demonstrate an overall improvement not only at a single design point, but also at ofi-design conditions. The results prove the feasibility and necessary of incorporating laminar-turbulent transition prediction with ∞ow solver in natural laminar-∞ow wing design.
A case for contract grading

The author presents arguments favoring and opposing the contract grading approach and evaluates them on the basis of the literature of the subject and her teaching experience. She includes a sample grade contract.
6,7,9,10,17,18,20,21,28,29,31,32,39,40,42,43-Hexadeca­hydro-16,44:22,38-di(ethano­oxyethano)-5,8,11,19,27,30,33,41-octa­oxa-16,22,38,44-tetra­azatetra­benzo[h,q,z,i1]cyclo­hexa­triacontine: a benzoannelated tricyclic cryptand

The tricyclic title compound, C48H64N4O10, consists of two unsymmetric 18-membered diaza­tetra­oxamacrocycles (NONOOO donor atom set) connected through the N atoms by two lateral ethanoxyethano bridges. The bridging subunits, together with one bridge from each monocycle, define a 24-membered ring that forms a central cavity. The 18-membered rings are parallel to each other, are displaced out of overlap with each other, and are oriented in an opposite sense with respect to the plane defined by the donor atoms of the central cavity.
Rapid renovation of a sludge lagoon

The application of a soil-based microbial tratment process for renovation of natural leachate and forced extracts from an industrial sludge lagoon has been examined. Laboratory soil column experiments, with influent TOC concentrations up to 2270 mg/l, obtained reductions in dissolved organic carbon that ranged from 90% to 99%. Previous work indicates that these results can be extrapolated to field conditions.
Visualization based policy analysis: case study in SELinux

Determining whether a given policy meets a site's high-level security goals can be difficult, due to the low-level nature and complexity of the policy language, and the multiple policy violation patterns. In this paper, we propose a visualization-based policy analysis framework that enables system administrators to visually query and visualize SELinux security policies and to easily identify the policy violations. We propose and formalize both a semantic substrate and adjacency matrix visualization techniques for policy visualization. Furthermore, we propose a visual query language for expressing policy queries in a visual form. Our framework is targeted towards enabling the average administrator by providing an intuitive cognitive sense about the policy, policy queries and policy violations. We also describe our implementation of a visualization-based policy analysis tool that provides the functionalities discussed in our framework.
The Nested Event Tree Model with Application to Combating Terrorism

In this paper, we model and solve the strategic problem of minimizing the expected loss inflicted by a hostile terrorist organization. An appropriate allocation of certain capability-related, intent-related, vulnerability-related, and consequence-related resources is used to reduce the probabilities of success in the respective attack-related actions and to ameliorate losses in case of a successful attack. We adopt a nested event tree optimization framework and formulate the problem as a specially structured nonconvex factorable program. We develop two branch-and-bound schemes based, respectively, on utilizing a convex nonlinear relaxation and a linear outer approximation, both of which are proven to converge to a global optimal solution. We also design an alternative direct mixed-integer programming model representation for this case, and we investigate a fundamental special-case variant for this scheme that provides a relaxation and affords an optimality gap measure. Several range reduction, partitioning, and branching strategies are proposed, and extensive computational results are presented to study the efficacy of different compositions of these algorithmic ingredients, including comparisons with the commercial software BARON. A sensitivity analysis is also conducted to explore the effect of certain key model parameters.
Sieve Estimation for the Proportional-Odds Failure-Time Regression Model with Interval Censoring

Abstract Estimation of the proportional-odds failure-time regression model with interval censoring is considered. Conditions that allow for positive information for the regression parameter are discussed. The efficient score is characterized by a Fredholm equation of the second kind. The sieve maximum likelihood estimator for the finite-dimensional regression parameter is shown to be asymptotically normal with √n convergence rate and to achieve the information bound. Data analysis and simulations assist in clarifying our thoughts regarding the choice of sieve for finite-sample problems.
Global asymptotic linearisation of the pole placement map: a closed-form solution for the constant output feedback problem

Abstract The problem of pole assignment, by constant output feedback controllers, is studied for minimal systems described by a proper transfer function matrix G(s) ϵ R m × p(s) with McMillan degree n. A new method is presented based on asymptotic linearisation (around a degenerate point) of the pole placement map related to the problem. The essence of the present approach is to reduce the multilinear nature of the problem to one of solving a linear set of equations, and this is achieved without losing any of the degrees of freedom in the controller. The solution is given in closed form in terms of a one-parameter (ϵ) family of static feedback compensators, for which the closed-loop poles approach the required ones as ϵ → 0. Conditions for the generic, as well as exact, solvability of the arbitrary pole placement problem are given in terms of the numbers m, p, n and the rank of a new system invariant, the D -restricted Plucker matrix. It is shown that the method works generically when mp > n, which (along with the boundary case mp = n) is the best possible condition as far as the number of states of the open-loop system is concerned, for achieving arbitrary pole placement via constant output feedback.
Impaired nucleotide excision repair in UV-irradiated human oral keratinocytes immortalized with type 16 human papillomavirus genome.

We previously reported that `high risk' human papillomaviruses (HPV) induce genetic instability in human oral keratinocytes. To understand the mechanisms of HPV-induced genetic instability, we determined the nucleotide excision repair (NER) capacity of normal (NHOK) and human papillomavirus type-16 immortalized oral keratinocytes (HOK-16B) by strand-specific removal of UV-induced cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) from a 16 Kb fragment of the p53 gene. In NHOK the NER activity was initiated in both DNA strands immediately, although the process in the non-transcribed strand was notably slower than that of the transcribed strand. In HOK-16B cells the initiation of CPDs removal was delayed for at least 8 h in both DNA strands, and the process was significantly slower than that in NHOK. UV-irradiation enhanced the p53 protein level more than 30-fold in NHOK, but it did not significantly alter the protein level in the HOK-16B cells. UV-irradiation also increased the p21WAF1/CIP1 protein level only in NHOK. These data indicate that `high risk' HPV induces genetic instability by impairing NER capacity of cells. Impaired NER activity of HOK-16B cells may be implicated with their inability to enhance active p53 when challenged by genotoxic stress.
A time-saving method for performing a clinical remount procedure with complete dentures

Occlusal disharmony is one cause of uncomfortable dentures. Remounting completedentures to eliminate occlusal discrepancies at the time of delivery has several advantages. This time-saving method for clinically remounting complete dentures is easy and quick and helps preserve denture supporting tissues.
Melosh Receives 2008 Harry H. Hess Medal

H. Jay Melosh was awarded the 2008 Harry H. Hess Medal at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, held 17 December 2008 in San Francisco, Calif. The medal is for ”outstanding achievements in research in the constitution and evolution of Earth and sister planets.“
Third and Fourth Sound in Liquid Helium II

The possible existence of two hitherto undetected types of wave propagation in liquid helium II is discussed. Third sound is a surface wave of long wavelength on a liquid helium film during which the normal component remains stationary and the superfluid component oscillates parallel to the wall. To treat this properly, it is necessary to consider temperature changes and evaporation from the surface of the film. Fourth sound may exist in narrow two- sided channels. The normal component again remains stationary and the superfluid component oscillates parallel to the wall, but the width of the channel must remain fixed and so there are oscillations in both total density and temperature. (auth)
Learning to Interpret Utterances Using Dialogue History

We describe a methodology for learning a disambiguation model for deep pragmatic interpretations in the context of situated task-oriented dialogue. The system accumulates training examples for ambiguity resolution by tracking the fates of alternative interpretations across dialogue, including subsequent clarificatory episodes initiated by the system itself. We illustrate with a case study building maximum entropy models over abductive interpretations in a referential communication task. The resulting model correctly resolves 81% of ambiguities left unresolved by an initial handcrafted baseline. A key innovation is that our method draws exclusively on a system's own skills and experience and requires no human annotation.
It takes two to transport, or is it one?

The proteins that 'pump' neurotransmitters into neurons, clearing the synapse after a nerve impulse, are central players in coherent brain function and are targets of many psychotropic drugs. Two groups now endeavor to resolve a fundamental controversy about how these proteins work. The results shed new light on the controversy but do not end it.
Fast progressive reconstruction of images using the DCT

Fast progressive reconstruction (FPR) of images based on discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and Walsh-Hadamard transform (WHT) has been developed by Takikawa [3]. This technique is now extended to the discrete cosine transform (DCT). The quality of reconstructed images during the intermediate stages based on these transforms is analyzed. This comparison is both subjective and objective. The feasibility of the DCT in this FPR scheme is discussed.
Generalized stacking-fault energetics and dislocation properties: Compact versus spread unit-dislocation structures in TiAl and CuAu

We present a general scheme for analyzing the structure and mobility of dislocations based on solutions of the Peierls-Nabarro model with a two component displacement field and restoring forces determined from the ab initio generalized stacking fault energetics (i.e., the so-called \ensuremath{\gamma} surface). The approach is used to investigate dislocations in ${L1}_{0}$ TiAl and CuAu; predicted differences in the unit dislocation properties are explicitly related with features of the \ensuremath{\gamma}-surface geometry. A unified description of compact, spread and split dislocation cores is provided with an important characteristic ``dissociation path'' revealed by this highly tractable scheme.
Effects of inhibitors during eye indoleamine maturation.

1. 1. The eye of CFW albino strain mice were measured in vitro for 5-hydroxytryptophan decarboxylase (5-HTPD) and monoamine oxidase (MAO) following intraperitoneal acute exposure to enzymatic inhibitor drugs. 2. 2. The ability to inhibit 5-HTPD in the eye increases as the animal matures being greatest at 8 weeks postpartum. 3. 3. The ability to inhibit MAO in the eye increases as the animal matures being greatest at 2 weeks or 8 weeks depending upon the drug used.
Comparison of soap and antibiotic solutions for irrigation of lower-limb open fracture wounds : A prospective, randomized study

Background: Irrigation of open fracture wounds is a commonly performed procedure, and irrigation additives have been used in an attempt to reduce the risk of infection. In vitro and animal studies have suggested that irrigation with detergent solution is more effective than irrigation with a solution containing antibiotic additives. This study was performed to compare the efficacy of those two solutions in the treatment of open fractures in humans. Methods: Adult patients with an open fracture of the lower extremity were prospectively randomized to receive irrigation with either a bacitracin solution or a nonsterile castile soap solution. The patients were followed clinically to assess for the development of infection, healing of the soft-tissue wound, and union of the fracture. Results: Between 1995 and 2002, 400 patients with a total of 458 open fractures of the lower extremity were entered into the study. One hundred and ninety-two patients were assigned to the bacitracin group (B), and 208 were assigned to the castile soap group (C). Outcomes were available for 171 patients with a total of 199 fractures in group B and 180 patients with a total of 199 fractures in group C. The mean duration of follow-up was 500 days. There was no difference between groups B and C in terms of gender, the Gustilo-Anderson grade of the open fracture, the time between the injury and the irrigation, smoking, or alcohol use. There were significant differences in the mean age (thirty-eight compared with forty-two years, p = 0.01), duration of follow-up (560 compared with 444 days, p = 0.01), prevalence of hypotension (23% compared with 14%, p = 0.04), and duration of treatment with intravenous antibiotics (eleven compared with nine days, p = 0.02). An infection developed at thirty-five (18%) of the 199 fracture sites in group B and at twenty-six (13%) of the 199 fracture sites in group C. This difference was not significant (p = 0.2). Bone-healing was delayed for forty-nine (25%) of the 199 group-B fractures and forty-six (23%) of the 199 group-C fractures (p = 0.72). Wound-healing problems occurred in association with nineteen group-B fractures (9.5%) and eight group-C fractures (4%). This difference was significant (p = 0.03). Conclusions: Irrigation of open fracture wounds with antibiotic solution offers no advantages over the use of a nonsterile soap solution, and it may increase the risk of wound-healing problems. Level of Evidence: Therapeutic Level I. See Instructions to Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
Adenovirus E4-34kDa requires active proteasomes to promote late gene expression

Abstract A complex of the Adenovirus (Ad) early region 1b 55-kDa protein (E1b-55kDa) and the early region 4 ORF6 34-kDa protein (E4-34kDa) promotes viral late RNA accumulation in the cytoplasm while inhibiting the transport of most newly synthesized cellular mRNA. The E4 ORF3 11-kDa protein (E4-11kDa) functionally compensates for at least some of the activities of this complex. We find that the same large central region of E4-34kDa that is required for proteasome-mediated degradation of p53 (J. Virol. 75, (2001) 699–709) is also required to promote viral late gene expression in a complementation assay. E4-34kDa does not promote late gene expression in complementation assays performed in the presence of proteasome inhibitors. A proteasome inhibitor also dramatically reduced late gene expression by a virus that lacks the E4-11kDa gene and therefore relies on E4-34kDa for late gene expression. Our results suggest that E4-34kDa activity in promoting late gene expression depends on the proteasome.
A Wave Activated Electric Generator

A large number of devices have been proposed for extracting energy from ocean surface waves. This paper proposes yet another which operates on the same principles as alternating current generators. The device froms a two-degree of freedom mechanical system producing power by electro-magnetic induction. The equations governing the system's motion, as well as, the rate of power generation is presented. These are solved in a special case, which for a typical set of operating conditions, lead to energy extraction from the waves of 35 percent.
A comparative immunologic and electrophoretic analysis of rat and mouse caseins.

Abstract 1. 1. Caseins from rat and mouse milk were purified following rennin-Ca 2= precipitation. 2. 2. Acrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed four components in rat and five componenst in mouse casein. At least one component migrated similarly in both caseins. 3. 3. Immunodiffusion and immunoelectrophoretic analysis indicated that anti-bodies to mouse casein exhibit incomplete cross-reactivity to similar casein components in mouse and rat milk. Antibodies to rat casein recognized four components in rat milk, an donly one component in mouse milk. The mouse milk component was identical to one of rat components. 4. 4. Radioimmunoprecipitation analysis suggested that antibodies against rat and mouse casein recognize heterologous caseins, but precipitation in less efficient.
Pediatricians and Counseling About the Military: In Reply

I sincerely thank those who took the time to respond, both favorably and unfavorably (here and in Pediatrics Post-publication Peer Reviews [available at www.pediatrics.org/cgi/eletters/119/6/1199]), to my recent commentary in Pediatrics , “Counseling Youth About Military Service Options and Selective Service Registration: An Integral Part of Anticipatory Guidance of Adolescents.” As mentioned, the goals of the commentary were to inform pediatricians about current laws regarding Selective Service System registration, raise the prospect that a new draft may be forthcoming to fulfill the ever-increasing manpower needs of US military services, and suggest that young people should be provided with information about alternatives to military …
Severe congenital muscular dystrophy in a Mexican family with a new nonsense mutation (R2578X) in the laminin α-2 gene

The congenital muscular dystrophies (CMDs) are a heterogeneous group of autosomal recessive disorders. Approximately one half of cases diagnosed with classic CMD show primary deficiency of the laminin α2 chain of merosin. Complete absence of this protein is usually associated with a severe phenotype characterized by drastic muscle weakness and characteristic changes in white matter in cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Here we report an 8-month-old Mexican female infant, from a consanguineous family, with classical CMD. Serum creatine kinase was elevated, muscle biopsy showed dystrophic changes, and there were abnormalities in brain MRI. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated the complete absence of laminin α2. In contrast, expression of α-, β-, γ-, and δ-sarcoglycans and dystrophin, all components of the dystrophin–glycoprotein complex, appeared normal. A homozygous C  T substitution at position 7781 that generated a stop codon in the G domain of the protein was identified by mutation analysis of the laminin α2 gene (LAMA2). Sequence analysis on available DNA samples of the family showed that parents and other relatives were carriers of the mutation.
Monitoring of the self-assembled monolayer of 1-hexadecanethiol on a gold surface at nanomolar concentration using a piezo-excited millimeter-sized cantilever sensor.

In this paper, we describe a new method of measuring alkanethiol monolayer formation on a gold surface. A gold-coated millimeter-sized rectangular-shaped lead zirconate titanate (PZT) cantilever of dimensions 3.5 × 2 × 0.05 mm, previously shown to detect a picogram level of mass change, was used to measure the adsorption kinetics of 1-hexadecanethiol in ethanol over six orders of concentration range (1 nM to 10 mM) in real time. The flexural mode of cantilever vibration, 45.5 ± 0.01 kHz, was monitored during the self-assembly. The total resonant frequency change obtained for the 1 nM, 10 nM, 100 nM, 1 μM, 4 mM, 8 mM, and 10 mM thiol concentrations were 116 ± 2 (n = 2), 225 (n = 1), 270 ± 10 (n = 2), 440 ± 10 (n = 2), 900 ± 10 (n = 2), 900 ± 10 (n = 2), and 900 ± 10 (n = 2) Hz, respectively. These results compare favorably to literature results in that the rate of the monolayer formation is concentration-dependent and the exponential change during adsorption follows the reversible first-order Langmuir kine...
Dynamic behavior of collision of elastic spheres in viscous fluids

Abstract The dynamic behavior of the collision of two elastic spheres in a stagnant viscous fluid is investigated in this study for particle Reynolds numbers ranging from 5 to 300. The interactive behavior of these particles is examined both experimentally and theoretically. Specifically, the trajectory and velocity of a moving particle in collinear and oblique collisions with a fixed particle are measured using a high speed video system and an Infinity lens. The lattice-Boltzmann (LB) simulation is conducted to obtain the detailed three-dimensional flow field and the forces around the particles during the course of collision. Furthermore, a mechanistic model is developed which accounts for four stages of collision processes, including: (1) immediately before the collision, (2) compression during the collision, (3) rebound during the collision, and (4) immediately after the collision. The LB simulation and experimental results lead to an empirical expression for the drag force on the particle during the close-range particle–particle interaction. This close-range interaction between two approaching particles is taken into account in the equation of motion of the particle. The pressure force and added mass force are derived, based on collisions in inviscid fluids, as a function of separation distance. Results of the LB simulation and prediction by the mechanistic model are in good agreement with the experimental results. The viscous effects on the compression and rebound processes of colliding particles with regard to the elasticity properties of the particle are examined. The studies are also conducted for simulation based on a hard sphere model, which is commonly used in accounting for the particle collision behavior in gas. The study concludes that the key to proper quantification of the particle collision characteristics in liquid is the ability to accurately predict the particle velocity upon contact.
Histopathology of the decubitus ulcer

The histologic studies of the decubitus ulcer spectrum, which include blanchable erythema, nonblanchable erythema, decubitus dermatitis, decubitus ulcer, and the black eschar/gangrene reveal a dynamic process. The initial change occurs in the vessels of the papillary dermis. This is followed by necrosis of skin structures. The eschar/gangrene represents a full-thickness defect due either to prolonged ischemia and anoxemia or a sudden large vessel occlusion caused by shearing injury.
Development of an algorithm for the diagnosis of otitis media.

Abstract Background The relative importance of signs and symptoms in the diagnosis of otitis media has not been adequately evaluated. This has led to a large degree of variation in the criteria used to diagnose otitis media, which has resulted in inconsistencies in clinical care and discrepant research findings. Methods A group of experienced otoscopists examined children presenting for primary care. We investigated the signs and symptoms that these otoscopists used to distinguish acute otitis media (AOM), otitis media with effusion (OME), and no effusion. We used recursive partitioning to develop a diagnostic algorithm. To assess the algorithm, we validated it in an independent dataset. Results Bulging of the tympanic membrane (TM) was the main finding that otoscopists used to discriminate AOM from OME; information regarding the presence or absence of other signs and symptoms added little to the diagnostic process. Overall, 92% of children with AOM had a bulging TM compared with 0% of children with OME. Opacification and/or an air-fluid level was the main finding that the otoscopists used to discriminate OME from no effusion; 97% of children diagnosed with OME had an opaque TM compared with 5% of children diagnosed with no effusion. An algorithm that used bulging and opacification of the TM correctly classified 99% of ears in an independent dataset. Conclusions Bulging of the TM was the finding that best discriminated AOM from OME. The algorithm developed here may prove to be useful in clinical care, research, and education concerning otitis media.
Clathrin: An Amazing Multifunctional Dreamcoat?

Internalization of cargo by clathrin-mediated endocytosis has been studied extensively. In this issue of Cell Host & Microbe, Cossart and colleagues report that a variety of pathogens induce the recruitment of clathrin and other endocytic proteins to sites of pathogen interaction with the cell surface. This recruitment is followed by actin rearrangements in the host cell necessary for the uptake or stable attachment of the pathogen at the cell surface.
Growth of ODPA-APB polyimide films using molecular beam deposition, and their characterization

Abstract We report the first growth of polyimide ODPA—APB films by the molecular beam deposition (MBD) technique and characterize these films using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. MBD is a dry, ultra-high vacuum technique based on the co-deposition of monomers from two different sources, followed by a thermally induced polycondensation reaction to form polyimide. This technique is an alternative to standard wet processing techniques involving the use of solvents. Asdeposited films consist largely of low-molecular-weight species. Heat-treated films are chemically indistinguishable from thermally cured, spin-coated films. Different heat treatment conditions are compared.
Cytogenetic studies in malignant lymphoma: Possible role in staging studies

Abstract Cytogenetic studies were performed on splenic tissue from 43 patients coincident with a laporotomy for malignant lymphoma. Seven patients were demonstrated to have cytogenetic abnormalities in spleens that were interpreted histologically as normal or noninvolved. This finding suggests that cytogenetic studies might have the potential for upgrading the stage at which lymphoma can be diagnosed in cases where histologic examination is normal. A patient with lymphadenopathy in whom a diagnosis of lymphoma could not be readily established by histologic criteria was shown to have an aneuploid clone of cells, providing the neoplastic character of the disorder. A case of Burkitt's lymphoma with bone marrow and peripheral blood involvement was studied. The circulating lymphoma cells were demonstrated to have the typical t(8;14) associated with Burkitt's lymphoma.
Prediction of drug-target interactions using popular Collaborative Filtering methods

Computational approaches for predicting drug-protein interactions have gained more attention in recent years. The main reason is that a correct prediction based on screening a database of small molecules against a certain class of protein can potentially accelerate drug discovery. In this paper a popular prediction method, collaborative filtering in recommender systems, is evaluated for the prediction of drug-protein interaction. The interaction matrix for the drug-protein and the rating matrix of user-item are similar and in both cases only a small subset of the matrices are known. The CF (collaborative filtering) methods are evaluated on four classes of proteins and AUC (Area under receiver operating characteristic curve) and AUPR (Area under precision-recall curve) are reported. It is shown that collaborative filtering methods can be effective in the prediction of drug-target interaction based on the known interaction matrix. These results highlight the importance of using the known interaction matrix in order to achieve high accuracy and precision in prediction.
An efficient direct differentiation approach for sensitivity analysis of flexible multibody systems

This paper presents a recursive direct differentiation method for sensitivity analysis of flexible multibody systems. Large rotations and translations in the system are modeled as rigid body degrees of freedom while the deformation field within each body is approximated by superposition of modal shape functions. The equations of motion for the flexible members are differentiated at body level and the sensitivity information is generated via a recursive divide and conquer scheme. The number of differentiations required in this method is minimal. The method works concurrently with the forward dynamics simulation of the system and requires minimum data storage. The use of divide and conquer framework makes the method linear and logarithmic in complexity for serial and parallel implementation, respectively, and ideally suited for general topologies. The method is applied to a flexible two arm robotic manipulator to calculate sensitivity information and the results are compared with the finite difference approach.
The Three Dimensional Non-conforming Finite Element Solution of the Chapman-Ferraro Problem

We demonstrate the feasibility of using a non-conforming, piecewise harmonic finite element method on an unstructured grid in solving a magnetospheric physics problem. We use this approach to construct a global discrete model of the magnetic field of the magnetosphere that includes the effects of shielding currents at the outer boundary (the magnetopause). As in the approach of F. R. Toffolettoet al.(1994,Geophys. Res. Lett.21, 7) the internal magnetospheric field model is that of R. V. Hilmer and G.-H. Voigt (1995,J. Geophys. Res.) while the magnetopause shape is based on an empirically determined approximation (1997, J. Shueet al.,J. Geophys. Res.102, 9497). The results is a magnetic field model whose field lines are completely confined within the magnetosphere. The presented numerical results indicate that the discrete non-conforming finite element model is well-suited for magnetospheric field modeling.
Monica and Bill All the Time and Everywhere: The Collapse of Gatekeeping and Agenda Setting in the New Media Environment

This article argues that by providing virtually unlimited sources of political information, the new media environment undermines the idea that there are discrete gates through which political information passes: If there are no gates, there can be no gatekeepers. The difficulty of elites (political and media both) and academics in understanding the Lewinsky scandal stems from their failure to recognize the increasingly limited ability of journalists to act as gatekeepers. The disjuncture between elite attempts to both control and understand the scandal on one hand and the conclusions the public drew about this political spectacle on other hand speaks to some fundamental changes that have occurred in the role of the press in American society in the late 20th century.
Differential games of fixed duration.

Fixed duration differential game definitions and admissible strategies, noting justification by saddle point theorem existence proof
Physical ageing and toughness of diblock copolymers

Abstract The effects of physical ageing on craze growth behaviour and toughness in a series of polystyrene/polybutadiene (PS/PB) diblock copolymers and diblock/polystyrene blends were studied. Samples with spherical rubber morphology were subjected to one of three thermal histories: quenching, slow cooling or isothermal ageing. Dynamic mechanical spectroscopy revealed significant ageing in the slow cooled and isothermally aged samples. The growth rates of crazes were measured in samples containing volume fractions of polybutadiene ranging from 6% to 18%. No change in craze growth rates occurred following ageing. The rates were successfully modelled using the meniscus instability mechanism with no adjustable parameters for the case of 6% PB. A quantitative analysis was made of the small effect of physical ageing on the thermal stresses that facilitate rubber cavitation and craze growth in the materials with high rubber content. Craze growth measurements on materials with 18% PB supported the analysis in that no change in craze growth rates due to physical ageing was observed. The measured rates for this sample were well described by a cavitation model for craze growth assuming a cavitation stress of 47 MPa. Tensile testing of the aged samples revealed no effect of ageing on the macroscopic toughness of the materials studied here.
Novel androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer

Androgen deprivation therapy has been the mainstay of treatment for advanced and metastatic prostate cancer. The use of novel agents targeting the androgen receptor and its signaling pathways offers a promising approach that is both safe and effective. We describe the rationale behind the use of these compounds in clinical development and the existing challenges as to how best to incorporate these new and emerging therapies in the changing treatment paradigm of metastatic prostate cancer.
Analysis of two-dimensional scattering from multilayered periodic array using integral equation method with connection scheme

In this paper, the two-dimensional scattering from multilayered PEC arrays is calculated by using IE approach combined with connection scheme. This approach can handle the case of arbitrarily-shaped PEC objects and the different media in different layers. Numerical results are given to validate the formulation proposed. More details in the formulation and interesting numerical results will be presented at the conference.
The social context of carbon sequestration: considerations from a multi-scale environmental history of the Old Peanut Basin of Senegal

This paper presents the results of a multi-scale investigation of environmental change in the Old Peanut Basin of Senegal throughout the 20th century. Based on historical accounts, ethnographies, aerial photos, satellite images, field and household surveys as well as various participatory research activities with farmers in selected villages, the study attempts to make explicit layered scales of analysis, both temporally and spatially. It shows that, despite some general trends of resource degradation in the Old Peanut Basin, local farming systems have embarked on different pathways of change to adapt to their evolving environment. It also illustrates that high diversity with respect to soil fertility management exists at the farm and household level. Finally, the paper proposes a farmer-oriented approach to carbon sequestration in order to integrate recommended technical options more efficiently into the complex and dynamic livelihoods of smallholders in dryland environments. This approach includes pathway-specific land use and management options at the level of farming systems and, at the level of individual households, a basket of possible practices from which farmers can choose depending on their multiple needs, capacities, and adaptive strategies to cope with risk and uncertainty. r 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Intramolecular addition to an unactivated carbon-carbon triple bond via an apparent 6-endo digonal pathway

Abstract Investigation of an apparent 6-endo-dig cyclization reveals an unusual acid-catalyzed rearrangement of the initially formed benzofuran derivative.
Model Checking Guided Abstraction and Analysis

The combination of abstraction and state exploration techniques is the most promising recipe for a successful verification of properties of large or infinite state systems. In this work, we present a general, yet effective, algorithm for computing automatically boolean abstractions of infinite state systems, using decision procedures. The advantage of our approach is that it is not limited to particular concrete domains, but can handle different kinds of infinite state systems. Furthermore, our approach provides, through the use of model checking as a tool for the exploration of the state-space of the abstract system, an automatic way of refining the abstraction until the property of interest is verified or a counterexample is exhibited. We illustrate our approach on some examples and discuss its implementation.
Translating Bait Preference to Capture Success of Northern White-Tailed Deer

Abstract Wildlife management and research have depended upon trapping as an essential tool for decades. Although deer (Odocoileus spp.) capture by Clover traps remains a basic technique that has changed little over time, researchers use it as an integral part of field operations to support increasingly sophisticated and costly project objectives. Despite reports of deer preference for certain baits, no study has determined if bait preference can effectively increase capture success of free-ranging deer. By supplementing corn bait with salt, peanut butter, or molasses, we tested effects of these bait treatments on capture success of free-ranging white-tailed deer (O. virginianus), as well as levels of nontarget animal disturbance in Clover traps, during February−March 2005. With 1,446 adjusted trap-nights and a 6.5% capture success rate, the probability of capture increased over time and varied among 4 study sites (df = 3, P < 0.005); however, we did not detect a significant effect of bait supplementation ...