cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of oesophageal atresia without fistula by three-dimensional computed tomography.

During the last decade, an increasing number of paediatric surgeons have chosen to perform a delayed oesophageal anastomosis for oesophageal atresia (OA) without tracheo-oesophageal fistula (TOF).The gap between the two oesophageal pouches is an important determinant in the surgical management of these patients. We describe a new method using spiral computed tomography (CT) to evaluate the gap between the proximal and distal oesophageal pouches. In our last four cases of OA without TOF, Stamm gastrostomy was performed soon after birth. At about 4 weeks of age, these patients underwent spiral CT with air inflation via the gastrostomy feeding tube with 3 mm slice thickness, pitch 1, and reconstruction interval every 1.5 mm. A three-dimensional reconstruction was done and measurements of the gap between the two segments were recorded. The procedure was repeated at monthly intervals until the optimal conditions for surgery were observed. All the babies thrived well on gastrostomy feeding. The gap distances were 2.4, 3.8, 4.2 and 5.9 cm respectively. Delayed primary oesophageal anastomosis was accomplished in three cases and gastric transposition was performed in another case at 12, 13, 14 and 16 weeks of age. The exact anatomical position the operation correlated well with the pre-operative three-dimensional CT results. Conclusion: this new technique is an easy and non-invasive method to assess the long gap in babies with oesophageal atresia without tracheo-oesophageal fistula. The radiological findings are also consistent with surgical anatomical situation during surgery suggesting that this investigation is useful in the pre-operative planning of oesophageal anastomosis or replacement.
The case of the curious ripples

(1999). The case of the curious ripples. Postgraduate Medicine: Vol. 106, No. 6, pp. 255-256.
Effects of salinity on growth, ionic relations and physiological traits of wheat, disomic addition lines from Thinopyrum bessarabicum, and two amphiploids.

The effects of NaCl on the growth, ion relations and physiological characteristics at early stages of growth of bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties ‘Chinese Spring’ and ‘Glennson 81’, ‘Chinese Spring’ lines tetrasomic for chromosomes 5A, 2B and 5B, ‘Chinese Spring’ disomic addition lines for chromosomes 2Eb and 5Eb from Thinopyrum bessarabicum (formerly Agropyron junceum), and amphiploids between ‘Chinese Spring’ and Thinopyrum bessarabicum and ‘Chinese Spring’ and Lophopyrum elongatum (formerly Agropyron elongatum) were examined. Plants were grown in a controlled environment cabinet, in nutrient solution with or without addition of 200 mol m−3 NaCl. Growth in terms of leaf area, shoot and root weights was reduced by salt treatment. Salinity conditions gradually reduced the osmotic potential, though there was little effect on water potential. Turgor pressure was not much affected by salt. There was variation between genotypes for all the characteristics studied, especially in the extent of Na accumulation by leaves and roots. The amphiploids and 5Eb addition line accumulated the least Na in comparison with other genotypes. Generally roots accumulated lower quantities of Na than leaves. Genotype K contents were not affected by salt treatment. Stomatal conductance also declined whilst the ABA content increased in the salt treated seedlings. With respect to growth, the amphiploids and 5Eb addition line were most tolerant to salt while ‘Glennson 81’, tetrasomic 2B and tetrasomic 5B lines were most susceptible. The addition of homoeologous group 2 and 5 chromosomes reduced the tolerance to salt relative to ‘Chinese Spring’ euploid. It is concluded that chromosome 5Eb of Thinopyrum bessarabicum carries gene(s) for tolerance to salt and this tolerance may be due to the ability to exclude Na ions from the leaves and roots.
Vascular effects of systemic hypertension

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, including coronary artery disease (CAD), stroke, left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH), congestive heart failure, peripheral vascular disease, renal failure, and aortic aneurysms. It is also a potent promoter of atherosclerosis. Observational studies have shown a linear relationship between a wide range of blood pressures and the risk for CAD and stroke. Clinical trials have indicated that hypertension reduction leads to the predicted reduction in stroke incidence, but that CAD incidence is affected to a lesser extent than predicted. The modest effect of traditional antihypertensive drugs on CAD may be due to several factors, including failure to reverse well-established coronary atherosclerosis, particularly if multiple risk factors are not reduced as well. Metabolic side effects of antihypertensive drugs or excessive lowering of blood pressure leading to inadequate myocardial perfusion, especially in patients with increased left ventricular (LV) mass, also may play important roles. Hypertension is a major cause of renal failure, particularly in black males, but control of the hypertension does not necessarily prevent deterioration of renal function. Increased glomerular pressure is thought to play a causative role in the development of renal failure in hypertensive and diabetic patients. Antihypertensive drugs may have a direct effect on the arterial wall, which may be independent of their antihypertensive action. Beta-adrenergic blockers, calcium antagonists, and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors inhibit the development of vascular lesions in response to hypercholesterolemia or to iatrogenic balloon injury, but the clinical importance of these observations remains to be determined.
Subunit Oligomerization, and Topology of the Inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate Receptor

Abstract The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (InsP3R) is a tetrameric assembly of highly conserved subunits that contain multiple membrane-spanning sequences in the C-terminal region of the protein. In studies aimed at investigating the oligomerization and transmembrane topology of the type-1 InsP3R, a series of membrane-spanning region truncation and deletion plasmids were constructed. These plasmids were transiently transfected in COS-1 cells, and the resulting expression products were analyzed for the ability to assemble into tetrameric structures. The topology of the membrane-spanning region truncations and the full-length receptor was determined by immunocytochemical analysis of transfected COS-1 cells using complete or selective permeabilization strategies. Our results are the first to experimentally define the presence of six membrane-spanning regions. These results are consistent with the current model for the organization of the InsP3R in the endoplasmic reticulum and show that the truncation mutants are properly targeted and oriented in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, thus making them amenable reagents to study receptor subunit oligomerization. Fractionation of soluble and membrane protein components revealed that the first two membrane-spanning regions were necessary for membrane targeting of the receptor. Sedimentation and immunoprecipitation experiments show that assembly of the receptor subunits was an additive process as the number of membrane-spanning regions increased. Immunoprecipitations from cells co-expressing the full-length receptor and carboxyl-terminal truncations reveal that constructs expressing the first two or more membrane-spanning domains were capable of co-assembling with the full-length receptor. Inclusion of the fifth membrane-spanning segment significantly enhanced the degree of oligomerization. Furthermore, a deletion construct containing only membrane-spanning regions 5 and 6 oligomerized to a similar extent as that of the wild type protein. Membrane-spanning region deletion constructions that terminate with the receptor’s 145 carboxyl-terminal amino acids were found to have enhanced assembly characteristics and implicate the carboxyl terminus as a determinant in oligomerization. Our results reveal a process of receptor assembly involving several distinct yet additive components and define the fifth and sixth membrane spanning regions as the key determinants in receptor oligomerization.
Influence of neuropeptides on airway smooth muscle.

The first bronchoactive (and vasoactive) peptide to be discovered in the lung was isolated and characterized in 1970 from an embryologically related organ, the small intestine. Since then, more than 20 additional peptides have been described in lung tissue and their biologic activities investigated. Many of these are neuropeptides acting as neurotransmitters or neuromodulators to influence airway, pulmonary vascular, and other functions. More neuropeptides are known to exist in the brain and peripheral nervous sytem; at least some of these are soon likely to be identified in the lung. With the accelerated pace of research, the coming few years should see an increasing definition of the role of neuropeptides in lung physiology and pathophysiology, as well as in improved management of certain respiratory disorders.
Stage Factors Relating Alienation and Self-Role Diffusion.

Abstract A study, controlling for age, sex, and vocational commitment of 290 adolescents (ages 17–19 and 20–22), was conducted to determine the relationship between self- and social alienation attitudes and the identity-role crisis of the adolescent stage. Specific subscale differences due to age and sex for social alienation were found. Younger adolescents expressed greater self-alienation than older males, who were significantly more self-satisfied than both younger and older females and younger males. The hypothesis suggesting that self-alienation reflects conflict and dissatisfaction emerging from identity-role discrepancies during the adolescent stage of psychosocial development, and would decrease with vocational commitment was supported for males but not females.
Author retrospective AEGIS: architecture for tamper-evident and tamper-resistant processing

AEGIS is a single-chip secure processor that can be used to protect the integrity and confidentiality of an application program from both physical and software attacks. We briefly describe the history behind this architecture and its key features, discuss main observations and lessons from the project, and list limitations of AEGIS and how recent research addresses them.
New nuclei near the proton drip line around Z=40.

A $^{92}\mathrm{Mo}$ beam with an energy of E/A=70 MeV has been used to produce new isotopes near the proton drip line. The Michigan State University National Superconducting Cyclotron Laboratory A1200 fragment separator was used to detect the new isotopes $^{78}\mathrm{Y}$, $^{82}\mathrm{Nb}$, $^{85}\mathrm{Mo}$, $^{86}\mathrm{Tc}$, and $^{89,90}\mathrm{Ru}$.
The Best Incentives in Combating Climate Change

Matthew Liao, Anders Sandberg, and Rebecca Roach (2012) argue that human engineering is a promising means to combat anthropogenic global climate change (AGCC). The kinds of technologies that Liao e...
Extending partial isometries

We show that a finite metric spaceA admits an extension to a finite metric spaceB so that each partial isometry ofA extends to an isometry ofB. We also prove a more precise result on extending a single partial isometry of a finite metric space. Both these results have consequences for the structure of the isometry groups of the rational Urysohn metric space and the Urysohn metric space.
Expression and regulation of Cyr61 in human breast cancer cell lines

We have shown that Cyr61, an angiogenic regulator, is overexpressed in invasive and metastatic human breast cancer cells and tumor biopsies. We have further demonstrated that Cyr61 promotes acquisition of estrogen-independence and anti-estrogen resistance in vivo in breast cancer cells. Moreover, we have demonstrated that Cyr61 induces tumor formation and tumor vascularization in vivo, events mediated through the activation of the MAPK and the Akt signaling pathways. Here we investigate how Cyr61 expression is regulated in both estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and ER-negative breast cancer cells. We demonstrate that Cyr61 mRNA and protein expression is inducible by estrogen and anti-estrogens in ER-positive breast cancer cells. We show that a labile protein as well as a negative regulator might be involved in Cyr61 expression in estrogen-dependent breast cancer cells. Other important regulators of Cyr61 expression in breast cancer cells that we found are the phorbol ester TPA, vitamin D, and retinoic acid. TPA causes positive regulation of Cyr61 expression in ER-positive MCF-7 cells. Vitamin D induces a transient stimulatory effect on Cyr61 gene expression. Lastly, retinoic acid has a negative effect on Cyr61 expression and downregulates its expression in MCF-7 cells. Interestingly, most of these effects are not seen in aggressive breast cancer cells that do not express ER and express high levels of Cyr61, such as the MDA-MB-231 cells. Our results are in agreement with our knowledge that Cyr61 promotes tumor growth, and that tumor-promoting agents have a positive impact on cells that express low levels of Cyr61, such as the ER-positive breast cancer cells; however, these agents have no significant effect on cells that express high levels of Cyr61. Our findings suggest an association between increased Cyr61 expression and an aggressive phenotype of breast cancer cells.
Proteolysis of oxidised proteins and cellular senescence.

Abstract Aerobe living is consequently connected with a permanent oxidation of cellular proteins. Free radicals and other oxidants damage the normal intracellular protein pool. Therefore, the prevention of accumulation of oxidised cellular proteins is one of the major functions of the proteolytic machinery of mammalian cells. It is known that the multicatalytic proteinase complex, the proteasome, is the major protease that is able to recognise and degrade oxidised proteins. Cellular models are most useful to investigate biochemical changes of protein catabolism during senescence. Unfortunately, little is known about the protein turnover and the regulation of the proteasomal system as well as under oxidative stress conditions as during senescence. The proteasomal regulation during oxidative stress, protein oxidation and the changes of these processes during the ageing process are highlighted in this review.
Nonlinear bi-integrable couplings with Hamiltonian structures

Bi-integrable couplings of soliton equations are presented through introducing non-semisimple matrix Lie algebras on which there exist non-degenerate, symmetric and ad-invariant bilinear forms. The corresponding variational identity yields Hamiltonian structures of the resulting bi-integrable couplings. An application to the AKNS spectral problem gives bi-integrable couplings with Hamiltonian structures for the AKNS equations.
Reflections in Quadrature

My dear signal processing colleagues, My column for this issue is not mathematical in nature. Rather it is truly reflection oriented. I thank Rao and Jim for letting me wax philosophical from time to time. I hope it doesn?t offend anyone but rather adds to your enjoyment. I have come to believe that mutual respect is extremely important not just for a well functioning scientific congress but for the vast assemblage of humankind. I have picked something from the Judeo-Christian heritage which I hope carries a lesson for all folks.
In-vitro antimicrobial activity of enoxacin in combination with eight other antibiotics against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae and Staphylococcus aureus

Susceptibilities of 28 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 32 strains of Enterobacteriaceae and 24 strains of Staphylococcus aureus were tested against combinations of enoxacin with either cefsulodin, piperacillin, or amikacin, enoxacin with either aztreonam, latamoxef or amikacin, and enoxacin with either oxacillin, clindamycin or vancomycin, respectively. Synergy was detected by the agar dilution technique and was defined as a four-fold decrease in the inhibitory concentration of both drugs (sigma FIC less than or equal to 0.5). Against Ps. aeruginosa, synergy occurred in 28.5% of the strains for enoxacin plus cefsulodin, 17.6% for enoxacin plus piperacillin, and 3.7% for enoxacin plus amikacin. Against the Enterobacteriaceae, synergy was detected with enoxacin plus aztreonam, latamoxef or amikacin in 9.3%, 3.1% and 0% of strains, respectively. Against Staph. aureus, no synergy was demonstrable with enoxacin plus oxacillin, clindamycin or vancomycin. No antagonism was detected for any combination tested. Selected strains demonstrating synergy by the agar dilution method for enoxacin plus cefsulodin or piperacillin failed to show synergy in kinetic studies.
Adaptive Regulation of Time Varying Disturbances in a Tape Storage System

Abstract Archival demands for digital tape storage systems require smaller spacing between data tracks on the magnetic tape to allow for more data storage on a single cartridge. Increasing track density while maintaining track following provides a challenge for the servo control of the tape drive. In particular, interchangeable tape cartridges and time-varying tape reel diameters during operation cause variable disturbances during servo control. In this paper we show how a tape servo control algorithm can be regulated to handle changes in disturbance dynamics during servo operation of the tape drive. The approach is based on adaptive regulation by exploiting a Youla-Kucera parameterization of the servo controller and an explicit minimization of the Position Error Signal (PES) during servo operation in real-time. Theoretical results on the stability of the feedback system and real-time application results on an Linear Tape-Open (LTO) drive are included in the paper. The result show a significant reduction of the variance of the PES over different tape cartridges and a constant PES variance during a complete reel-in operation of the tape drive.
Macroenvironmental forces, marketing strategy and business performance: A futures research approach

A method of futures research is used to empirically test a structure-conduct-performance (SCP) model in a marketing setting. It is proposed that within the macroenvironment there exist, varying levels of resource constraints and structural fluctuations which are positively correlated. Increased resource constraints and structural fluctuations, which are characteristics of a turbulent environment, are expected to increase the competitive intensity is an industry. This higher level of competitive intensity is hypothesized to result in increased use of nonprice marketing strategies. Nonprice marketing strategies are also expected to increase business performance because of the contingency relationship between conduct (strategy) and performance. The possible role of “blind” luck or stochastic processes in determining success is also discussed.
Labeling of Oligonucleotides with DTPA and DOTA on Solid Phase

Oligonucleotide conjugates labeled with metal chelates of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) and tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid (DOTA) were synthesized on solid phase using appropriate nucleosidic phosphoramidite building blocks ( 3 , 4 ) and a modified deprotection-metal chelation protocol. The major differences on the properties of the oligonucleotide conjugates also are discussed.
Maxwellian Circuits-Based Analysis of Loaded Wire Antennas and Scatterers

Based on the recently proposed Maxwellian circuit (MC) theory, a new method to analyze wire antennas and scatterers loaded with linear lumped elements is demonstrated in this letter. To effectively incorporate the load boundary condition into the numerical solution, the MC model is solved herein using finite element method (FEM).
A real time implementable All-Pair Dynamic Planning Algorithm for robot navigation based on the renormalized measure of probabilistic regular languages

The recently reported v planning algorithm is modified to handle on-the-fly dynamic updates to the obstacle map. The modified algorithm called All-Pair-Dynamic-Planning(APDP), models the problem of robot path planning in the framework of finite state probabilistic automata and solves the all-pair planning problem in one setting. We use the concept of renormalized measure of regular languages to plan paths with automated trade-off between path length and robustness under dynamic uncertainties, from any starting location to any goal in the given map. The dynamic updating feature of APDP efficiently updates path plans to incorporate newly learnt information about the working environment.
Architecting Microprocessor Components in 3D Design Space

Interconnect is one of the major concerns in current and future microprocessor designs from both performance and power consumption perspective. The emergence of three-dimensional (3D) chip architectures, with its intrinsic capability to reduce the wire length, is one of the promising solutions to mitigate the interconnect related issues. In this paper we implement a few components of a microprocessor using custom design to show the potential performance and power benefits achievable through 3D integration under thermal constraints. We also introduce a standard cell based 3D design flow which leverages the commercial 2D design tools. Using this design flow we provide performance results of wide range of arithmetic units in 3D, thus introducing a fast method to analyze the performance benefits of 3D designs. In contrast to prior work, which mostly investigates single components of a processor, our work takes multiple components into consideration and the experimental results are promising in terms of delay and power reductions. Complex designs in 3D that have equivalent performance compared to a simple 2D designs is taken for IPC improvement analysis. An IPC improvement of 11% shown for a microprocessor implemented in 2-strata 3D technology
NBS reference hazemeter: its development and testing.

A research hazemeter has been developed by the Radiometric Physics Division of the National Bureau of Standards for the quantitative analysis of light scattering by optical materials. The instrument is designed to measure percentage haze as set forth in the prescribed conditions recommended in ASTM Test Method D 1003. The hazemeter has several special features which make it possible to vary the geometrical conditions of the collimated light beam and the integrating sphere detector system for detailed studies of light scattering. Light scattering associated with the instrument source and collimating optics has been reduced to less than 0.1% of the total light beam by using a diffraction limited off-axis parabolic mirror to collimate the hazemeter light beam. The source optics provide a collimated light beam of approximately 6800 K. The detector is a silicon cell photodiode with a V(λ) window. This combination gives the system a response corresponding to the visual luminosity function. The detector nonlinearity and instrumental errors associated with the accuracy of the integrating sphere geometry have been analyzed. The over-all uncertainty in percentage haze has been reduced to ±0.2%, and light scattering of less than 0.5% can readily be measured.
Forest Change in the Driftless Area of the Midwest: From a Preferred to Undesirable Future

In the midwestern and eastern U.S., oaks (Quercus spp.) have been a dominant component of forests for at least the last 10,000 years, providing vital habitat for numerous wildlife and plant species that have adapted to oak forest conditions. However, the current state of these oak systems, in which there has been a general lack of successful oak regeneration and recruitment and an increase in the relative dominance of mesophytic species, may be nearing critical thresholds. If reached, restoring oak systems through natural regeneration and other methods, such as prescribed fire, may become especially challenging if not impossible. An understanding of spatial variation in oak dominance over time can inform and potentially improve the efficacy of intervention strategies. Using Public Land Survey and Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) inventories, we evaluated changes in the composition of timberland across ecoregional subsections in the Driftless Area of the Midwest at three time periods (pre-settlement 1800s, 1990s, and 2000s). We identified an overall decrease in oak dominance, and particularly dominance of the white oak (Quercus alba L., Q. macrocarpa Michx., and Q. bicolor Willd.) species group since the presettlement era, and an increase in other eastern soft hardwoods. Within the last 20 years, both the red oak (Q. rubra L., Q. ellipsoidalis E.J. Hill and Q. velutina Lam.) and white oak species groups decreased in dominance, with an increase in hard maple-basswood (A. saccharum Marsh., A. nigra L., and Tilia americana L.) species group dominance, indicating further mesophication of forests in the region. However, we found a notable decrease in hard maple-basswood relative dominance within the small diameter class across most of the regions within the last 10–20 years, with an increase in dominance of other, non-oak, species. Our findings complement qualitative evidence from interviews with natural resource professionals from the region and offer further information on the potential for forest conversion to ‘‘undesirable’’ forest conditions, as identified as a source of concern by some professionals. There was spatial variation in these trends, however, with some pronounced differences across adjacent state boundaries. The variation in forest change across state boundaries suggests the role of state-level socioeconomic and policy factors in affecting forest conditions, and thus the potential for a targeted and timely approach to promoting preferred pathways of change.
Performance of a spectrally efficient modem for land-mobile radio

The spectral efficiency in land mobile radio (LMR) systems is limited by stringent adjacent-channel interference protection ratio (ACIPR) specifications of at least 60 dB. High spectral efficiency can be achieved using digital modulation techniques. Linear modulation schemes exhibit high spectral efficiencies but require linear power amplifiers. Power amplifiers typically used in LMR are nonlinear which degrade the ACIPR for conventional linear modulation schemes. The paper presents simulated performance results of a trellis-coded linear modulation scheme that is designed to be less sensitive to the nonlinearity exhibited by the power amplifier. Simulation results indicate that an ACIPR of 60 dB can be achieved. An E/sub b//N/sub 0/ of 14 dB is required to achieve a bit error rate of 3% with 3 users per 25 kHz channel, with an average data rate of 9.6 kbits/second/user. >
CO2-Based Demand-Controlled Ventilation and Its Implications for Interior Design

CO2-based demand-controlled ventilation (DCV) is a ventilation method that resets outdoor air supply rates using CO2 as an operating parameter (ASHRAE, 2007a). Even though CO2 itself is not harmful, high levels of CO2 concentration in indoor environments displace oxygen in the air and can cause a deficiency of oxygen for breathing. The most important aspect of CO2 in DCV is that it is a good indicator of occupancy in indoor spaces. Therefore, CO2 is an effective parameter for controlling ventilation based on occupancy level. CO2-based DCV has been increasingly used in recent years to optimize the energy consumption in ventilation systems as technological advances make its implementation more feasible and interest in environmentally responsible building design grows. This study aims to provide information about CO2-based DCV and suggest implications for interior design practitioners and educators. To achieve this purpose, this study reviewed previous studies and examined the current practices in CO2-based DCV in order to suggest guidelines for CO2-based DCV implementation for interior designers. The guidelines focused on proper CO2 sensor location design, taking into consideration the activities and other equipment in the room. In addition, a study of CO2-based DCV in the lecture halls of a university campus was conducted. Physical measurements were done in the lecture halls, and trends data were collected from the university's facility management department to compare the measurements. A perceived indoor environmental quality survey was also done to explore the occupants' responses about CO2-based DCV.
CARDIAC OXIDATIVE STRESS AND REMODELING FOLLOWING INFARCTION: Role of NADPH Oxidase

Abstract Background There is growing recognition that oxidative stress plays a role in the pathogeneses of myocardial repair/remodeling following myocardial infarction (MI). Nicotinamide adenine denucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase is a major source for cardiac reactive oxygen species production. Herein, we studied the importance of NADPH oxidase in development of cardiac oxidative stress and its induced molecular and cellular changes related to myocardial repair/remodeling. Methods MI was created by coronary artery ligation in C57/BL (wild type) and NADPH oxidase (gp91 phox ) knockout mice. Cardiac oxidative stress, inflammatory/fibrogenic responses, apoptosis, and hypertrophy were detected by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase biotin-dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL), picrosirius red staining, and image analysis, respectively, at different stages post MI. Results In wild-type mice with MI, and compared to sham-operated animals, we observed significantly increased gp91 phox and 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of oxidative stress, in the infarcted myocardium; accumulated macrophages and myofibroblasts at the infarct site; abundant apoptotic myocytes primarily at border zones on Day 3; and numerous apoptotic inflammatory/myofibroblasts in the later stages. In addition, we detected significantly increased transforming growth factor β1, tissue inhibitor of metalloprotease 2, and type 1 collagen gene expression; continuously increasing collagen volume in the infarcted myocardium; and hypertrophy in noninfarcted myocardium. Compared to wild-type mice with MI, we did not observe significant difference in infarct size/thickness, cardiac hypertrophy, myocyte apoptosis, inflammatory/fibrogenic responses, as well as cardiac oxidative stress in gp91 phox knockout mice. Conclusion Our findings indicate that during NADPH oxidase deficiency, superoxide production can be compensated by other sources, which leads to cardiac oxidative stress and its related molecular/cellular events in the infarcted heart.
Many-particle translational symmetries of two-dimensional electrons at rational Landau-level filling.

In contrast to previous treatments, a new analysis of two-dimensional many-electron systems subject to periodic boundary conditions in a magnetic field leads to a fully two-dimensional structure of the quantum numbers at rational Landau-level filling. The structure of the new symmetry analysis has an intrinsically many-particle character. Full agreement between numerical studies of quantized-Hall-effect systems in periodic and spherical geometries is achieved, and the problem of ground-state degeneracy is clarified.
Measurement of eolian sand ripple cross-sectional shapes

Assuming that the profiles of eolian sand ripples remain constant over a short distance, it is possible to measure their shapes by casting a shadow perpendicular to the ripple crests. We describe a method whereby this can be done accurately and easily. Tests of the method demonstrate that accuracies on the order of one sand-grain diameter can be achieved.
Refined analysis of the Poisson channel in the high-photon-efficiency regime

We study the discrete-time Poisson channel under the constraint that its average input power (in photons per channel use) must not exceed some constant e. We consider the wideband, high-photon-efficiency extreme where e approaches zero, and where the channel's “dark current” approaches zero proportionally with e. Improving over a previously obtained first-order capacity approximation, we derive a refined approximation which also includes the second-order term. We also show that pulse-position modulation is optimal on this channel up to the second-order term in capacity.
Improvement in Vision and Cranial Neuropathies After Stereotactic Radiotherapy for the Treatment of Skull Base Meningiomas

Materials/Methods: Two hundred and thirty nine patients were treated with fractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for meningiomas at the Jefferson Hospital for Neurosciences between 1994 and 2002. Of these patients, 117 had tumors located in the anterior skull base. All patients were immobilized using a GTC relocatable frame and underwent CT-MRI fusion for treatment planning. The mean target volume was 11.7cc (range 0.7 45.1cc). Patients were treated with a dedicated 6 MV linear accelerator using circular collimators directed in noncoplanar arcs with an average of 2.6 isocenters (range 1 7). Dose was delivered in 1.8 Gy fractions to a median cumulative dose of 54.0 Gy (range, 9.0 56.0 Gy), during a 5-week period. The median follow-up time was 32 months (range 7 96 months). Patients were examined and imaged with MRI during the first 3 months after receiving SRT and every 6 months thereafter. Baseline cranial neuropathies were evaluated clinically and characterized as stable, improved, resolved or progressive in the follow-up period. Preand post-radiotherapy serial radiographic evaluations, including MRI scans were compared to establish objective tumor response and local control.
Honey Bee (Hymenoptera: Apidae) Foraging in Response to Preconditioning with Onion Flower Scent Compounds

Onion (Allium cepa L.) seed production has long been plagued with yield problems because of lack of pollination by the honey bee, Apis mellifera L. To attempt to attract more pollinators to the onion seed production field, honey bees were conditioned to associate onion floral odor components with a reward. Isolated nucleus hives of honey bees were fed 30% sucrose solutions scented with a 0.2% solution of onion floral odor compounds. After feeding on these solutions for 6 wk, bees were not found to prefer onion flowers to two competing food sources, carrot and alfalfa flowers, at the 5% significance level. However, there was an overall trend indicating a change in honey bee behavior, with fewer "trained" bees visiting alfalfa and carrot and more visiting onion. Thus, it may be possible to alter honey bee behavior with preconditioning but probably not to a degree that would be economically significant.
Power Dynamics in Organizations

We explore the evolution of power within organizations. To this end, we examine an in…nitely repeated game in which a principal can empower an agent by letting him choose a project. The principal, however, does not know what projects are available to the agent. We characterize the optimal relational contract and explore its implications. Our results speak to how power is earned, lost, and retained. They show that entrenched power structures are consistent with managers who are managing power optimally. And they provide a new perspective on two long-standing issues in organizational economics.
Davidson on Turing: Rationality Misunderstood?

Alan Turing advocated a kind of functionalism: A machine M is a thinker provided that it responds in certain ways to certain inputs. Davidson argues that Turing’s functionalism is inconsistent with a certain kind of epistemic externalism, and is therefore false. In Davidson’s view, concepts consist of causal liasons of a certain kind between subject and object. Turing’s machine doesn’t have the right kinds of causal liasonsto its environment. Therefore it doesn’t have concepts. Therefore it doesn’t think. I argue that this reasoning is entirely fallacious. It is true that, in some cases, a causal liason between subject and object is part of one’s concept of that object. Consequently, to grasp certain propositions, one must have certain kids of causal ties to one’s environment. But thismeans that we must rethink some old views on what rationality is. It does not mean, pace Davidson, that a precondition for being rational is being causally embedded in one’s environment in a certain way. If Turing’s machine isn’t capable of thinking (I leave it open whether it is or is not), that has nothing to do with its lacking certain kinds of causal connectionsto the environment. The larger significance of our discussion isthis: rationality consists either in one’s ability to see the bearing of purely existential propositions on one another or rationality is simply not to be understood as the ability see the bearing that propositions have on one another.
Measuring Cellular Structure at Submicron Scale with Scattering Angle Sensitive Light Scattering Spectroscopy

We present an innovative technique for simultaneous measurement of the angular and spectral distributions of light backscattered by biological cells and tissues. The intensities of light scattered to different angular regions are due to scatterers of different sizes. We exploit this fact to study scattering from particles smaller than the wavelength of light used, even when they are mixed with larger particles. We show that the scattering from sub-cellular structure in normal, precancerous, and cancerous human cells is best fitted to inverse power-law distributions for the sizes of the scattering objects, and propose that the distribution of scattering objects may be different in normal versus cancerous cells.
Nutrition education effective in increasing fruit and vegetable consumption among overweight and obese adults

Despite the benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption on weight and decreased risk for chronic disease, Americans' intake of fruits and vegetables is well below the recommended daily servings. While previous studies have assessed fruit and vegetable consumption and the influence of educational interventions on fruit and vegetable intake, no studies to date have examined the effects of nutrition education combined with provision of fruits and vegetables on changes in fruit and vegetable consumption among overweight and obese adults. The objectives of this study were to evaluate fruit and vegetable consumption patterns, including intake of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables, provide education about benefits of consuming fruits and vegetables, expose participants to different varieties of fruits and vegetables, and improve fruit and vegetable consumption. Fifty-four adults (19 men/35 women; 44.7 ± 12.1 y) were randomly assigned to one of three intervention groups. The control group received no intervention, the education group attended weekly nutrition lessons focused on benefits of fruit and vegetable consumption, and the fruit and vegetable group attended weekly nutrition lessons and received one serving of fruits and two servings of vegetables per day for 10 weeks. Intake of fruits and vegetables was assessed using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires and three-day food records. Findings suggested that while the majority of participants failed to consume the recommended number of servings of fruits and vegetables per day, nutrition education was helpful in improving the consumption frequency of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables among overweight and obese adults.
Uptake of choline by rat mammary-gland epithelial cells.

The neonatal mammal requires especially large amounts of choline to sustain growth. Much of this choline is derived from the newborn's only source of food, milk. The concentration of choline in rat milk [182 +/- 24 microM (S.E.M.)] was much higher than that in maternal serum (11.6 +/- 0.9 microM), suggesting that a mechanism capable of concentrating choline into milk must exist. We characterized choline uptake by mammary epithelial cells (the site of milk production) of the lactating rat. We observed two uptake processes, one saturable and obeying Michaelis-Menten kinetics, and the other non-saturable and linear. At physiological blood choline concentrations, the saturable component of choline uptake predominated. The saturable component had Kapp. = 35 +/- 16 microM, and Vmax. = 1.24 +/- 0.19 nmol/h per mg of protein. Saturable uptake of choline was inhibited by hemicholinium-3. Ca2+ was required for uptake, but Mg2+ was not. Replacement Na+ with K+, Li+ or sucrose inhibited transport. Ouabain did not inhibit choline uptake. Choline concentration in epithelial cells was 67.7 +/- 1.9 nmol/g wet wt. at the start of incubation at 37 degrees C and rose to 80.9 +/- 6.5 nmol/g wet wt. over 30 min. Much of the choline accumulated by the mammary gland (in the presence of endogenous concentrations of choline) remained in the form of choline (50 +/- 1.2%), phosphatidylcholine (12 +/- 2.3%), lysophosphatidylcholine (0.1 +/- 0.03%), betaine (7 +/- 0.3% and phosphocholine (6 +/- 0.5%). In addition, we isolated 25 +/- 1.2% of choline-derived radiolabel in an unidentified compound.
Ternary Liquid–Liquid Equilibrium of Biodiesel Compounds for Systems Consisting of a Methyl Ester + Glycerin + Water

Ternary LLE data have been experimentally measured for several systems consisting of biodiesel compounds. Systems measured include mixtures with the methyl esters of lauric, myristic, palmitic, and oleic acids, each with glycerin and water. Data were collected at atmospheric pressure and 60 °C. These ternary systems have been correlated using the NRTL equation. These data and correlation parameters can be used to improve separations efficiency in transesterified biodiesel fuels.
Relatives' emotional involvement moderates the effects of family therapy for bipolar disorder.

Objective: The “critical comments” dimension of the expressed emotion (EE) construct has been found to predict the illness course of patients with bipolar disorder, but less is known about the “emotional overinvolvement” component. The goal of this study was to evaluate whether relatives’ observed appropriate and inappropriate emotional involvement (intrusiveness, self-sacrifice, and distress about patients’ well-being) moderated the effectiveness of a family-based intervention for bipolar disorder. Method: 108 patients with bipolar disorder (mean age 35.61 years, SD 10.07; 57% female) and their relatives (62% spouses) from 2 clinical trials completed 10-min problem-solving interactions prior to being treated with pharmacotherapy plus family-based therapy (FBT) or brief psychoeducation (crisis management [CM]). Patients were interviewed every 3–6 months over 2 years to assess mood symptoms. Results: When relatives showed low levels of inappropriate self-sacrifice, CM and FBT were both associated with improvements in patients’ manic symptoms over 2 years. When relatives showed high levels, patients in CM became more manic over time, whereas patients in FBT became less manic. Group differences in mania trajectories were also observed at high levels of inappropriate emotional response but not at low. When relatives showed high levels of appropriate self-sacrifice, patients in both groups became less depressed. At low levels of appropriate self-sacrifice, patients in CM did not improve, whereas patients in FBT became less depressed. Conclusions: Future studies of bipolar disorder should consider the prognostic value of the amount and appropriateness of relatives’ emotional involvement with patients in addition to their critical behaviors.
Spatial epidemiology and regional occupational hazard report system

Migrant workers have greatly contributed to the urban and rural economic development.However,their health was being endangered by varied occupational hazards.The poor conditions could attribute to asymmetric information between migrant workers and employers,no incentives for local authority and employers to supervise and provide occupational hazard protection,and low costs for them to protect migrant workers.We designed a regional occupational hazard report system using spatial epidemiology method.The system aimed to ease asymmetric information,increase the costs of migrant workers'protection.
Carbachol activates protein kinase C in dispersed gastric chief cells

We used an 'in situ' kinase assay to examine agonist-induced protein kinase C. (PKC) activation in dispersed chief cells from guinea-pig stomach. Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a phorbol ester, and carbamoylcholine, a cholinergic agent, caused a 4- and 3-fold increase in pepsinogen secretion from dispersed chief cells respectively. Whereas PMA caused a rapid 3-fold increase in peptide kinase activity, carbachol caused a 15% increase in activity that was inhibited by the PKC inhibitor, CGP 41,251. Concentrations of carbamoylcholine and a Ca2+ ionophore that were sub-maximal for stimulation of pepsinogen secretion did not cause PKC activation. These results indicate that, in the absence of PKC activation, other mechanisms, most likely involving changes in cellular Ca2+, are sufficient to stimulate pepsinogen secretion. Nevertheless, carbamoylcholine stimulated maximal secretion of pepsinogen only at concentrations that also resulted in activation of PKC. Moreover, these data indicate that relatively small increases in PKC activity (5-10%) can stimulate pepsinogen secretion from dispersed chief cells.
An application portal for collaborative coastal modeling: Research Articles

We describe the background, architecture and implementation of a user portal for the SCOOP coastal ocean observing and modeling community. SCOOP is engaged in the real-time prediction of severe weather events, including tropical storms and hurricanes, and provides operational information including wind, storm surge and resulting inundation, which are important for emergency management. The SCOOP portal, built with the GridSphere Framework, currently integrates customized Grid portlet components for data access, job submission, resource management and notification. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Abstract 1213: Thymidine kinase 1 is on the cell surface of prostate cancer cells

Thymidine Kinase 1 (TK1) is a salvage pathway enzyme that assists in DNA repair and is characteristically expressed in the cytosol, but it also presents at an abnormally high level in the serum of cancer patients. We developed a unique mouse-anti-human TK1 antibody (A72), and used it in conjunction with Flow Cytometry, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Confocal Microscopy, to explore the presence of TK1 on the cell surface of two prostate cancer cell lines, namely PC3 and DU145. Flow Cytometry was performed using a standard protocol. Briefly, cells were stained with A72 conjugated to FITC. Anti-NF-κB-FITC and a non-specific IgG-FITC were used as negative controls. Anti-Na+/K+-ATPase-FITC was used as positive control. Cells were then analyzed using a Flow Cytometer. SEM was carried out by first incubating cells with anti-Na+/K+-ATPase and anti-TK1 conjugated to biotin. After probing with streptavidin-gold solution, cells were imaged to examine the presence of gold particles on cell surface. Our data demonstrated TK1-positive populations after flow cytometry analysis, and the presence of gold particles on the membrane of prostate cancer cells. The presence of TK1 on plasma membrane of PC3 and DU145 was further confirmed by Confocal Microscopy. Cells were first stained with A72-FITC and a red plasma membrane stain, then consecutively imaged with a Confocal Microscope. Results showed that A72-FITC associate with the cells in the same region that the membrane had been stained red, concluding that the A72 binds to the cell membrane. These data strongly suggest that TK1 is located on the surface of prostate cancer cells, and indicate that TK1 may be used as a new immunotherapy target for prostate cancer treatment. Citation Format: Evita G. Weagel, Roger P. Chu, Wei Meng, Rachel A. Brog, Michelle H. Townsend, Richard A. Robison, Kim L. O’Neill. Thymidine kinase 1 is on the cell surface of prostate cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1213.