cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cholinergic properties of desipramine and amoxapine: assessment using a thermoregulation paradigm.

Abstract 1. 1. The withdrawal of tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) produces symptoms suggesting cholinergic rebound. 2. 2. Amitriptyline (AMI), the most potent antimuscarinic agent among this class of drugs, produces supersensitivity to the muscarlnic agonist, oxotremorine. 3. 3. Enhancement of the sensitivity of cholinoceptive neurons to acetylcholine as a consequence of treatment with TCAs would account for many of the symptoms following the withdrawal of these drugs. 4. 4. Desipramine (DMI) is the least potent antimuscarinic compound among the TCAs, yet its withdrawal produces withdrawal symptoms. 5. 5. Recently, it was reported that amoxapine (AMX) weakly binds to muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAchR) in vitro . This may indicate that this drug lacks the effects antimuscarinic effects in vivo . and that it will not supersensitize cholinergic networks. 6. 6. A thermoregulation paradigm was used to assess the sensitivity of a central muscarinic mechanism to oxotremorine before and after treatment with DMI and AMX. Treatment with either drug increased the hypothermic response to this agonist. 7. 7. Mechanisms whereby drugs can produce cholinergic system supersensitivity, and the use of thermoregulation paradigms in assessing the properties of therapeutic agents is discussed.
Moraxella catarrhalis: a review of an important human mucosal pathogen

Moraxella catarrhalis has again been recognized as a significant pathogen. The past decade has witnessed an increased amount of research and understanding of the pathogenesis of the organism. This review will summarize the research pertaining to the epidemiology and components of pathogenesis in M. catarrhalis.
Is periprocedural sedation during acute stroke therapy associated with poorer functional outcomes

Background To safely perform acute intra-arterial revascularization procedures, use of sedative medications and paralytics is often necessary. During the conduct of the Interventional Management of Stroke trials (I and II), the level of sedation used periprocedurally varied. At some institutions, patients were paralyzed and intubated as part of the procedural standard of care while at other institutions no routine sedation protocol was followed. The aim of this study was to identify patient characteristics that would correlate with the need for deeper sedation and to explore whether levels of sedation relate to patient outcome. Methods 75 of 81 patients in the Interventional Management of Stroke II Study were studied. Patients had anterior circulation strokes and underwent angiography and/or intervention. Four sedation categories were defined and tested for factors potentially associated with the level of sedation. Clinical outcomes were also analyzed, including successful angiographic reperfusion and the occurrence of clinical complications. Results Only baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale varied significantly by sedation category (p=0.01). Patients that were in the lower sedation category fared better, having a higher rate of good outcomes (p Conclusion In this small sample, patients not receiving sedation fared better, had higher rates of successful angiographic reperfusion and had fewer complications. Further examination of the indications for procedural sedation or paralysis and their effect on outcome is warranted.
Measuring coexisting densities from a two-phase molecular dynamics simulation by voronoi tessellations.

A new algorithm is presented that allows for the determination of bulk liquid and vapor densities from a two-phase Molecular Dynamics (2φMD) simulation. This new method does not use any arbitrary cutoffs for phase definitions; rather it uses single-phase simulations as a self-consistency check. The method does not use any spatial bins for generating histograms of local properties, thereby avoiding the statistical issues associated with bins. Finally, it allows one to approach very close to the critical point. The new method utilizes Voronoi tessellations to determine the molecular volume of every point at every instance in a molecular dynamics simulation. Since the molecular volume is calculated throughout the simulation, statistical parameters such as the average molecular volume and average molecular variance are easy to obtain. To define the phases, the normalized variance of the molecular volume from 1φMD and 2φMD is used as a self-consistency check. The new method gives new insight into the nature of...
Coccidioidomycosis: Case report and update on diagnosis and management

Coccidioidomycosis is a disease known for its endemicity to the Southwest United States. However, given the current trends of more frequent tourist and business travel, an increasing number of coccidioidomycosis infections are being seen in patients in other areas of the United States. Because the majority of patients with disseminated disease experience cutaneous manifestations, dermatologists can be of primary importance in the diagnosis of this disease. We report a case of coccidioidomycosis manifesting as granulomatous cutaneous nodules on the face of an otherwise healthy white man. We attempt to provide an update on the diagnosis, management, and treatment of patients who present with cutaneous lesions caused by coccidioidomycosis infection.
Cultural and Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Parent-Youth Relations

Abstract The primary topic addressed in this paper is 'how cultures and parent-youth relationships are interdependent.' An initial objective is to describe what is meant by a cultural and cross-cultural perspective on parent-youth relationships. Subsequently, the nature and connections between the concepts 'socialization' and 'culture' are explored as they apply to parent-youth relations. Finally, the benefits of a cultural and cross-cultural perspective are examined, with particular attention devoted to diminishing ethnocentric viewpoints and building more comprehensive theories of parent-youth socialization.
Credentials versus Performance: Review of the Teacher Performance Pay Research.

In this article we examine the economic case for merit or performance-based pay for K–12 teachers. We review several areas of germane research. The direct evaluation literature on these incentive plans is slender; highly diverse in terms of methodology, targeted populations, and programs evaluated; and primarily focused on short-run motivational effects. It is nonetheless fairly consistent in finding positive program effects. The general personnel literature highlights potentially significant selection effects of employee compensation systems. This is particularly relevant for teaching, because a growing body of production function research points to large, persistent, but idiosyncratic differences in teacher productivity. Thus, along with motivation effects, there is potential for substantial positive long run selection effects from teacher performance pay systems. The evaluation literature is not sufficiently robust to prescribe how systems should be designed (e.g., optimal size of bonuses, mix of indiv...
Multi-Objective Evolutionary Seismic Design with Passive Energy Dissipation Systems

The problem of multi-objective seismic design optimization is examined within the context of passive energy dissipation systems. In particular, a genetic algorithm approach is developed to enable the evaluation of the Pareto front, where maximum inter-story drifts and maximum total accelerations, both important measures for damage, serve as objectives. Here the cost of the passive system is considered as a constraint, although it could be included instead as a third objective. Hysteretic, viscoelastic and viscous dampers are all considered as possible design strategies, as well as the weakening plus damping concept. Since different types of passive systems are included, diversity of the Pareto front becomes a key issue, which is addressed successfully through an innovative definition of fitness. The multi-objective framework enables the evaluation of trade-offs between the two objectives and, consequently, provides vital information for the decision maker. Furthermore, the results presented offer valuable...
An imaging toolbox for smart phone applications

The paper presents a Digital Image Processing toolbox for cellular phones. It is intended for users dealing with imaging algorithms and allows the processing of real images taken by the camera phones. For example, users are able to analyze the images and selected regions of interest using different transforms including Discrete Fourier, Hartley, and Cosine Transforms. One can apply different filters such as median and moving average. Simple image enhancement techniques are also included in the toolbox. A handy user interface allows a suitable browsing through the images and operators. The toolbox is designed to be expandable and more operations will be included in the future targeting military and security applications. The toolbox is implemented using Series 60 Platform SDK for Symbian tm OS, for C++. It allows developers to quickly and efficiently run and test applications for devices that are compatible with the Series 60 Platform. The algorithms are first implemented on Series 60 Platform device emulator on the PC and then installed on the cell phone.
Grafting of chain-end-functionalized perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether ionomers onto mesoporous carbon supports

Water-soluble perfluorocyclobutyl (PFCB) aryl ether ionomers bearing sulfonic acid groups in the main chain and phosphonic acid end groups were prepared and used to modify the surfaces of mesoporous carbon materials containing dispersed zirconia nanoparticles. Ionomer surface grafting occurred via phosphonate bonding onto the zirconia particle surfaces.
Ex ante research evaluation: Can it be improved?☆

Abstract Several disciplines, including economics, operations research and management science, have made important contributions relevant to the allocation of scarce resources. This paper examines the potential of these ‘rational’ allocation methods, incentives to implement them and their current use by agricultural research organisations. Of particular importance are the large degree of uncertainty associated with new knowledge production and the interrelationships between allocation procedure and scientist motivation and creativity.
External push and internal pull forces recruit curvature sensing N-BAR domain proteins to the plasma membrane

Many of the more than 20 mammalian proteins with N-BAR domains control cell architecture and endocytosis by associating with curved sections of the plasma membrane. It is not well understood whether N-BAR proteins are recruited directly by processes that mechanically curve the plasma membrane or indirectly by plasma-membrane-associated adaptor proteins that recruit proteins with N-BAR domains that then induce membrane curvature. Here, we show that externally induced inward deformation of the plasma membrane by cone-shaped nanostructures (nanocones) and internally induced inward deformation by contracting actin cables both trigger recruitment of isolated N-BAR domains to the curved plasma membrane. Markedly, live-cell imaging in adherent cells showed selective recruitment of full-length N-BAR proteins and isolated N-BAR domains to plasma membrane sub-regions above nanocone stripes. Electron microscopy confirmed that N-BAR domains are recruited to local membrane sites curved by nanocones. We further showed that N-BAR domains are periodically recruited to curved plasma membrane sites during local lamellipodia retraction in the front of migrating cells. Recruitment required myosin-II-generated force applied to plasma-membrane-connected actin cables. Together, our results show that N-BAR domains can be directly recruited to the plasma membrane by external push or internal pull forces that locally curve the plasma membrane.
Direct electrical stimulation for epilepsy: The laboratory evidence

Studies of deep brain stimulation in laboratory models of seizures and epilepsy are invaluable for understanding of mechanisms of stimulation and for identifying best targets and parameters of stimulation. Recent successes of clinical trials may give more impetus to laboratory studies, which in turn will further our clinical practice. For an expanded treatment of this topic see Jasper's basic mechanisms of the epilepsies. 4th ed. (Noebels JL, Avoli M, Rogawski MA, Olsen RW, Delgado-Escueta AV, eds) published by Oxford University Press (available on the National Library of Medicine Bookshelf [NCBI] at www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ books).
Metastatic synovial cell sarcoma in two cats

Synovial cell sarcoma (SCS) with metastasis to the regional lymph node was diagnosed in two cats. Synovial cell sarcomas are rare in cats and metastatic SCS has not previously been reported. In both cases, treatment consisted of limb amputation and adjuvant doxorubicin. Local tumour recurrence and pulmonary metastases were diagnosed in one cat 316 days postoperatively. This cat died of chronic renal failure 444 days after limb amputation. The second cat died of an acute pulmonary thromboembolism 41 days postoperatively without evidence of local tumour recurrence or metastatic disease.
High resolution imaging for MIMO forward looking ground penetrating radar

Forward-Looking Ground Penetrating Radar (FLGPR) can be used for detecting landmines. The detection process involves generating synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images using the standard backprojection (BP). The BP approach suffers from poor resolution and high sidelobe problems. This paper focuses on enhancing imaging resolution and reducing sidelobes using the Sparse Iterative Covariance-based Estimation (SPICE). A MIMO FLGPR developed by the Army Research Laboratory (ARL) is used for analysis.
Expression of FACIT Collagens XII and XIV During Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice

Collagens XII and XIV are members of a subfamily of fibril-associated collagens with interrupted triple-helices (FACITs) that facilitate the interactions of adjacent collagen fibrils. Using immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization, we analyzed the spatial and temporal expression pattern of collagens XII and XIV during bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. C57Bl mice were treated with bleomycin (1 U, i.p., every other day for 8 days) or saline (control), and lung tissue samples were analyzed 2–12 weeks later. Collagen I protein expression was increased in the lung 2 weeks post bleomycin treatment and persisted for at least 12 weeks. In contrast, collagen XII and XIV expression was low until 4 weeks after bleomycin treatment. Whereas collagen XII expression was greatest between 4 weeks and 8 weeks, expression of collagen XIV persisted from 4 to 12 weeks, which suggests that these two proteins may play distinct roles in the fibrotic process. The mRNA for lysyl oxidase (LOX), an enzyme for cross-linking of collagens, had a delayed increase in the lung after bleomycin administration. It reached a maximum after 8 weeks, and persisted throughout the 12 weeks of the study. These data support the hypothesis that fibrosis is a multistep process that involves both collagen accumulation and changes in the molecules that modulate the biomechanical properties of fibrils. Anat Rec Part A 275A:1073–1080, 2003. © 2003 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A novel cycling assay for nicotinic acid–adenine dinucleotide phosphate with nanomolar sensitivity

Nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NAADP) is a novel nucleotide derived from NADP that has now been shown to be active in releasing Ca(2+) from intracellular stores in a wide variety of cells ranging from plant to human. Despite the obvious importance of monitoring its cellular levels under various physiological conditions, no assay has been reported for NAADP to date. In the present study, a widely applicable assay for NAADP with high sensitivity is described. NAADP was first dephosphorylated to nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide by treatment with alkaline phosphatase. The conversion was shown to be stoichiometric. NMN-adenylyltransferase was then used to convert nicotinic acid-adenine dinucleotide into NAD in the presence of high concentrations of NMN. The resultant NAD was amplified by a cycling assay involving alcohol dehydrogenase and diaphorase. Each time NAD cycled through these coupled reactions, a molecule of highly fluorescent resorufin was generated. The reaction could be performed for hours, resulting in more than a 1000-fold amplification. Concentrations of NAADP over the 10-20 nM range could be routinely measured. This novel cycling assay was combined with an enzymic treatment to provide the necessary specificity for the assay. NAADP was found to be resistant to NADase and apyrase. Pretreatment of samples with a combination of the hydrolytic enzymes completely eliminated the interference from common nucleotides. The versatility of the cycling assay can also be extended to measure nicotinic acid, which is a substrate in the synthesis of NAADP catalysed by ADP-ribosyl cyclase, over the micromolar range. All the necessary reagents for the cycling assay are widely available and it can be performed using a multi-well fluorescence plate reader, providing a high-throughput method. This is the first assay reported for NAADP and nicotinic acid, which should be valuable in elucidating the messenger functions of NAADP.
Predicting tissue specific transcription factor binding sites

Studies of gene regulation often utilize genome-wide predictions of transcription factor (TF) binding sites. Most existing prediction methods are based on sequence information alone, ignoring biological contexts such as developmental stages and tissue types. Experimental methods to study in vivo binding, including ChIP-chip and ChIP-seq, can only study one transcription factor in a single cell type and under a specific condition in each experiment, and therefore cannot scale to determine the full set of regulatory interactions in mammalian transcriptional regulatory networks. We developed a new computational approach, PIPES, for predicting tissue-specific TF binding. PIPES integrates in vitro protein binding microarrays (PBMs), sequence conservation and tissue-specific epigenetic (DNase I hypersensitivity) information. We demonstrate that PIPES improves over existing methods on distinguishing between in vivo bound and unbound sequences using ChIP-seq data for 11 mouse TFs. In addition, our predictions are in good agreement with current knowledge of tissue-specific TF regulation. We provide a systematic map of computationally predicted tissue-specific binding targets for 284 mouse TFs across 55 tissue/cell types. Such comprehensive resource is useful for researchers studying gene regulation.
A Prophetic Seer Potentiating Us in the Present

In his book Radical Evolution Joel Garreau functions as a prophet and a seer. In presenting a narrative of the future that includes an optimistic view of human nature, he warns that because of the GRIN technologies (genetics, robotics, information technology, and nanotechnology) the quickening evolution of “The Curve” is upon us and could well soon culminate in the mind-boggling social change of “The Singularity.” Garreau considers three scenarios of the technological future: the Heaven Scenario, the Hell Scenario, and the Prevail Scenario. The third wins favor because the heavenly envisionment with its evolution of a superintelligent human who could engineer a species with a greatly extended lifespan is too blissful and the hellish prognostication with its destruction of the human species within the next quarter century is too pernicious. Just right is the middle-of-the-road perspective of the Prevail-Transcend depiction of the future. This third view is indeed more appropriate than the first two scenarios, but a more nuanced form of the third perspective—emphasizing similarly the role of human freedom and responsibility in continuing to reshape human nature but drinking less deeply of the transhumanist elixir and more deeply of a pantransentheistic potion—would constitute a more suitable vision of the future.
A role for TNFα in intervertebral disc degeneration: A non-recoverable catabolic shift

This study examines the effect of TNFα on whole bovine intervertebral discs in organ culture and its association with changes characteristic of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) in order to inform future treatments to mitigate the chronic inflammatory state commonly found with painful IDD. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNFα contribute to disc pathology and are implicated in the catabolic phenotype associated with painful IDD. Whole bovine discs were cultured to examine cellular (anabolic/catabolic gene expression, cell viability and senescence using β-galactosidase) and structural (histology and aggrecan degradation) changes in response to TNFα treatment. Control or TNFα cultures were assessed at 7 and 21 days; the 21 day group also included a recovery group with 7 days TNFα followed by 14 days in basal media. TNFα induced catabolic and anti-anabolic shifts in the nucleus pulposus (NP) and annulus fibrosus (AF) at 7 days and this persisted until 21 days however cell viability was not affected. Data indicates that TNFα increased aggrecan degradation products and suggests increased β-galactosidase staining at 21 days without any recovery. TNFα treatment of whole bovine discs for 7 days induced changes similar to the degeneration processes that occur in human IDD: aggrecan degradation, increased catabolism, pro-inflammatory cytokines and nerve growth factor expression. TNFα significantly reduced anabolism in cultured IVDs and a possible mechanism may be associated with cell senescence. Results therefore suggest that successful treatments must promote anabolism and cell proliferation in addition to limiting inflammation.
DISCRIMINANT ANALYSIS OF HYDROCOLLAPSE IN LAS VEGAS SOILS

Abstract In their natural condition, hydrocollapsible soils exhibit considerable strength. As they become wet, they exhibit considerable collapse, even in the absence of an applied load. The severity of this collapse depends on a variety of factors. One would like to be able to predict the severity of collapse from easily measurable properties of the soil - if not with absolute precision, at least in an approximate, probabilistic way. Using a hydrocollapse measurements database compiled from geotechnical reports on various clays, silts and sands found in the Las Vegas area, we apply linear discriminant analysis to determine the dependence of collapse percentage on four properties: moisture content, load, dry density, and depth. Using this analysis, we give a formula which estimates into which of three predetermined collapse ranges a given sample is most likely to fall, either based on all four properties or based on moisture content and dry density alone. We then derive a novel probabilistic classificatio...
Synergistic Activation of Inflammatory Cytokine Genes by Interferon-γ-Induced Chromatin Remodeling and Toll-like Receptor Signaling

Synergistic activation of inflammatory cytokine genes by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) and Toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling is important for innate immunity and inflammatory disease pathogenesis. Enhancement of TLR signaling, a previously proposed mechanism, is insufficient to explain strong synergistic activation of cytokine production in human macrophages. Rather, we found that IFN-γ induced sustained occupancy of transcription factors STAT1, IRF-1, and associated histone acetylation at promoters and enhancers at the TNF, IL6, and IL12B loci. This priming of chromatin did not activate transcription but greatly increased and prolonged recruitment of TLR4-induced transcription factors and RNA polymerase II to gene promoters and enhancers. Priming sensitized cytokine transcription to suppression by Jak inhibitors. Genome-wide analysis revealed pervasive priming of regulatory elements by IFN-γ and linked coordinate priming of promoters and enhancers with synergistic induction of transcription. Our results provide a synergy mechanism whereby IFN-γ creates a primed chromatin environment to augment TLR-induced gene transcription.
Evaluation of macromonomer-based gel polymer electrolyte for high-power applications

Abstract The electrochemical performance of 20 mA h lithium-ion gel polymer cells, containing a macromonomer-based gel polymer electrolyte, was investigated in terms of cell capacity, high-rate capability, and accelerated aging characteristics at 50 °C. A 2-M LiBF 4 in EC/GBL (3/7 by vol.) electrolyte was used in the fabrication of the pouch cells. The higher concentration of lithium salt increases the carrier ions in the gel polymer electrolyte and contributes to an increased discharge capacity at high currents. The area specific impedance (ASI) of the cell, measured by the FreedomCAR hybrid pulse power characterization (HPPC) test method, was ca. 50 Ω cm 2 on an 18-s discharge pulse at 60% state-of-charge (SOC). This value is somewhat higher than that required for some high-power applications.
Cytotoxin production by a merineLyngbya strain (cyanobacterium) in a large-scale laboratory bioreactor

A cytotoxic compound was produced by the marine cyanobacteriumLyngbya sp. Pearl strain in large laboratory-scale batch cultures. Adsorption and fractionation of methanol extracts with reverse phase (C-18) cartridges provided a rapid method for removal of bioassay interference from salts, biopolymers and pigments and concentration of the cytotoxic principles. Cytotoxicity to the murine leukemia cell line P-388 was produced in two cycles coinciding with the initiation of exponential growth and again during the late exponential growth phase. Antiviral activity against influenza virus PR8 was found in extracts prepared from early exponential growth phase cells but antiviral activity was not detected in extracts of mid-log or late-log growth phase cells. These differences in bioactivity suggests that the cytotoxic principles produced during early and late exponential growth may be different compounds. Cytotoxicity assays using murine P-388 leukemia indicates that the semi-pure compound has an IC50 of < 0.25 μg ml−1 to this cell line. P-388 cytotoxicity in cell extracts increased during the late exponential growth phase and the specific yield was estimated at approximately 0.14 mg g−1 (dry cells).
Life history and production of filter-feeding insects on stone dikes in the lower Mississippi River

Population and production dynamics of two filter-feeding macroinvertebrates, the caddisfly Hydropsyche orris and the midge Rheotanytarsus sp., were examined in the lower Mississippi River Miles 510–515. Samples were collected from September to November 1987, May to December 1988, and March to May 1989 from stone dikes that protrude into the river. Developmental synchrony was high among individuals in both populations, and seasonal changes in the relative abundance of instars indicated bivoltine and trivoltine life cycles for H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp., respectively. The size frequency method was used to estimate production (P) and biomass (B) of each cohort in each population. P/B ratios for spring and fall cohorts of H. orris equaled 4.5 and 3.7. Spring, summer, and fall cohorts of Rheotanytarsus sp. had P/B ratios of 4.0, 4.7, and 4.1, respectively. Annual production, estimated as the sum of cohort production values, of the H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp. population equaled 10.1 and 0.359 g m−2 (dry weight). Annual P/B ratios equaled 10.8 and 16.1 for the H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp. populations, closely matching values expected for bivoltine and trivoltine populations, respectively. Annual production of H. orris is in the low end of the range of published estimates for other lotic hydropsychid populations inhabiting coarse substratum in warm, lowland rivers of medium size or small, trophically enriched streams. Annual production of Rheotanytarsus sp. is the first such estimate based on a simultaneous assessment of life cycle and production. Given the lack of naturally occurring gravel and cobble substrate in the lower Mississippi River, stone dikes are an especially important habitat for H. orris and Rheotanytarsus sp.
Further results on global stabilization of discrete nonlinear systems

In this paper we show how recent advances [11,12] in global stabilization of continuous-time nonaffine nonlinear systems with stable free dynamics, can be nontrivially generalized to their discrete-time counterparts, by means of passivity and bounded state feedback. As a consequence, global stabilization results of discrete-time nonlinear systems with triangular structure are established.
Learned enemy specification in the defense recruitment system of an ant

Les resultats de l'etude effectuee sur Pheidole dentata montrent que l'apprentissage contribue aux reactions de defense contre un ennemi specifique
Rotational Structure of the Red Bands of Sodium

Three bands of the red band system of sodium photographed at high dispersion have been measured. Two strong series of lines run through the bands and from the combination relations it is quite certain that these series are bona fide $P$ and $R$ branches. From the combination relations we find ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=0.15435$, ${{D}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}\ensuremath{'}}=\ensuremath{-}5.89\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}7}$ and ${{B}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=0.10846$. The final state values are in close agreement with those of the final state of the blue green system and the constant for the upper state yields ${{I}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=255.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}40}$ gm ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$ and ${{r}_{0}}^{\ensuremath{'}}=3.52\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ cm. Search is made for other branches but none are found. From a discussion of the possible electronic transitions it is concluded that the electronic transition is the $^{1}S\ensuremath{-}^{1}S$ type.
Deciding Linear Inequalities by Computing Loop Residues

V R Pratt has shown that the real and integer feastbdlty of sets of linear mequallUes of the form x _< y + c can be decided quickly by examining the loops m certain graphs Pratt's method is generahzed, first to real feaslbdlty of mequahues m two variables and arbitrary coefficients, and ultimately to real feaslbdlty of arbitrary sets of hnear mequahtles The method is well suited to apphcatlons m program verification
The vertical distribution of green peach aphids and its effect on a model quantifying the relationship between green peach aphids and a predator

The vertical distribution of green peach aphids (GPA) on potato plants was studied to estimate its impact on a model simulating the effects of a predator on GPA populations. This model is based on laboratory studies of a ladybird beetle feeding on GPA that was placed exclusively on the bottom leaf of a three leaf stem section. The model predicts the impact ofColeomegilla maculata (DeGeer) adults and third instar larvae on GPA populations over a range of temperatures and GPA densities.
Occupational Health Hazards to First Responders from Clandestine Methamphetamine Labs

Methamphetamine is synthesized in clandestine drug labs from common household products and over-the-counter medications. Production methods involve numerous chemical reactions that can cause fire, ...
Ionic naphthalene thermotropic copolyesters with para-linked ion-containing units

Abstract Novel ionic naphthalene thermotropic polymers (NTPs) based on wholly aromatic copolyesters were synthesized, in which ionic monomer was introduced in the form of para -linked metal hydroquinone disulfonate (HQDS). These ionic NTPs contained ionic groups of up to 4 mol%, with counterions of either monovalent K or divalent Ca, and exhibited thermotropic liquid crystallinity. The K-salts exhibited the crystalline and liquid crystalline behaviors, typically observed for a non-ionic NTP; and they developed excellent thermal and mechanical properties. Testing was made as a function of ionic content under similar processing and testing conditions. The value of glass transition temperature rose as the average molecular weight increased. Both the melting temperature, T m , and the crystallization temperature, T c , remained nearly constant over the composition range studied. All the K-salt ionic NTPs showed enhanced tensile properties over a non-ionic NTP. The strength increased significantly as the ionic content increased despite the decrease in the molecular weight, reflecting the dominant effect of ionic interactions over the effect of molecular weight. Enhanced tensile properties arise from enhanced interchain interactions via ionic bonds (cross-links) between highly aligned NTP chains. The incorporation of HQDS-type ‘straight’ ionic units into a NTP copolyester can provide useful information about the effect of ionic interactions on the thermal/mechanical properties of NTPs.
Biochemical studies of the excitable membrane of Paramecium aurelia. I. 45Ca2+ fluxes across resting and excited membrane

Abstract The characteristics of Ca2+ transport across the excitable membrane of Paramecium aurelia were studied by measuring 45Ca2+ influx and efflux. The intracellular concentration of free Ca2+ in resting P. aurelia was at least ten times less than the extracellular concentration. Ca2+ influx was easily measurable at 0°C, but not at 23°C. The influx of 45Ca2+ was stimulated by the same conditions which cause membrane depolarization and ciliary reversal. Addition of Na+ and K+ (which stimulate ciliary reversal) resulted in a 10-fold increase in the rate of Ca2+ influx. An externally applied, pulsed, electric field (1–2 mA/cm2 of electrode surface), caused the rate of Ca2+ influx to increase 3–5 times, with the extent of stimulation dependent on the current density and the pulse width Ca2+ influx had the characteristics of a passive transport system and was associated with the chemically or electrically triggered Ca2+ “gating” mechanism, which has been studied electrophysiologically. In contrast, Ca2+ efflux appeared to be catalyzed by an active transport system. With cells previously loaded at 0°C with 45Ca2+, Ca2+ efflux was rapid at 23°C, but did not occur at 0°C. This active Ca2+ efflux mechanism is probably responsible for maintaining the low internal Ca2+ levels in unstimulated cells.
1,3-Bis (2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea: effects on advanced ovarian carcinoma.

13-bis(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) was given at 1 hour iv infusions to 11 consecutive patients with advanced ovarian cystadenocarcinoma resistant to alkylating agents. 10 received 300 mg over 3 days and 4 received 100 mg biweekly for 2-10 weeks average total dose 252 mg per square meter. There were no responses to treatment but no drug related deaths. With 95% confidence limits 0-28% of such patients would respond to BCNU at the doses used.
A Commonwealth of Freedom: Response to Beltrán:

This response to Cristina Beltran’s essay “Going Public” endorses Beltran’s effort to sustain a concept of politics as free action by unique agents against the grain of a technicized, marketized world. Beltran illuminates the “festive anger” of undocumented workers coming out of the shadows of invisibility to assert their humanity in the demonstrations of 2006. Yet, building on aspects of Hannah Arendt (but neglecting others), Beltran mistakenly sunders public actions from the organizing work which led up to them. Her argument about labor is confounded by theory and practice of civic agency in broad-based organizations and elsewhere, which teaches the power, freedom, and civic authority to be gained from affirming that people co-create the common world, the commonwealth, through their work, even if not under conditions of their choosing.
Enterococcal surface protein Esp does not facilitate intestinal colonization or translocation of Enterococcus faecalis in clindamycin-treated mice

Enterococcal surface protein (Esp) is a cell wall-associated protein of Enterococcus faecalis that has been identified as a potential virulence factor. We used a mouse model to examine whether Esp facilitates intestinal colonization or translocation of E. faecalis to mesenteric lymph nodes. After clindamycin treatment, similar levels of high-density colonization were established after orogastric inoculation of an E. faecalis isolate containing the esp gene within a large pathogenicity island and an isogenic mutant created by allelic replacement of the esp gene with a chloramphenicol resistance cassette (P=0.7); translocation to mesenteric lymph nodes was detected in 3 of 12 (25%) mice in both groups. Isogenic mutants of FA2-2 (a plasmid-free derivative of E. faecalis strain JH2) with or without the esp gene failed to establish colonization of clindamycin-treated mice. These results suggest that Esp does not facilitate intestinal colonization or translocation of E. faecalis.
An iterative time windowed signature algorith for time-dependent transcription module discovery

An algorithm for the discovery of time varying modules using genome-wide expression data is presented here. When applied to large-scale time serious data, our method is designed to discover not only the transcription modules but also their timing information, which is rarely annotated by the existing approaches. Rather than assuming commonly defined time constant transcription modules, a module is depicted as a set of genes that are co-regulated during a specific period of time, i.e., a time-dependent transcription module (TDTM). A rigorous mathematical definition of TDTM is provided, which serve as an objective function for the retrieving modules. Based on the definition, an effective signature algorithm is proposed that iteratively searches the transcription modules from the time series data. The proposed method was tested on the simulated systems and applied to the human time series microarray data derived from Kaposipsilas sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) infection of human endothelial cells. The result has been verified by expression analysis systematic explorer.
Prolidase Directly Binds and Activates Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor and Stimulates Downstream Signaling

Prolidase, also known as Xaa-Pro dipeptidase or peptidase D (PEPD), is a ubiquitously expressed cytosolic enzyme that hydrolyzes dipeptides with proline or hydroxyproline at the carboxyl terminus. In this article, however, we demonstrate that PEPD directly binds to and activates epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), leading to stimulation of signaling proteins downstream of EGFR, and that such activity is neither cell-specific nor dependent on the enzymatic activity of PEPD. In line with the pro-survival and pro-proliferation activities of EGFR, PEPD stimulates DNA synthesis. We further show that PEPD activates EGFR only when it is present in the extracellular space, but that PEPD is released from injured cells and tissues and that such release appears to result in EGFR activation. PEPD differs from all known EGFR ligands in that it does not possess an epidermal growth factor (EGF) motif and is not synthesized as a transmembrane precursor, but PEPD binding to EGFR can be blocked by EGF. In conclusion, PEPD is a ligand of EGFR and presents a novel mechanism of EGFR activation.
Sequence signatures and mRNA concentration can explain two-thirds of protein abundance variation in a human cell line

Transcription, mRNA decay, translation and protein degradation are essential processes during eukaryotic gene expression, but their relative global contributions to steady-state protein concentrations in multi-cellular eukaryotes are largely unknown. Using measurements of absolute protein and mRNA abundances in cellular lysate from the human Daoy medulloblastoma cell line, we quantitatively evaluate the impact of mRNA concentration and sequence features implicated in translation and protein degradation on protein expression. Sequence features related to translation and protein degradation have an impact similar to that of mRNA abundance, and their combined contribution explains two-thirds of protein abundance variation. mRNA sequence lengths, amino-acid properties, upstream open reading frames and secondary structures in the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) were the strongest individual correlates of protein concentrations. In a combined model, characteristics of the coding region and the 3′UTR explained a larger proportion of protein abundance variation than characteristics of the 5′UTR. The absolute protein and mRNA concentration measurements for >1000 human genes described here represent one of the largest datasets currently available, and reveal both general trends and specific examples of post-transcriptional regulation.
A new genetic approach for the traveling salesman problem

A new genetic algorithm (GA) for the traveling salesman problem (TSP) is given. Two novel features of this algorithm are: (i) a new locus-based encoding/crossover pair, and (ii) a static preprocessing step which changes the encoding order of the vertices. It is believed that this algorithm is also applicable to other ordering problems, not just TSP. Experimental results on the standard benchmarks for TSP are favorable. >
Recent results on neural network architectures for vision and pattern recognition

Summary form only given. The author describes the development of a general-purpose automatic vision architecture. He clarifies how, with this architecture, scenic data about boundaries, textures, shading, depth, multiple spatial scales, and motion can be cooperatively synthesized in real time into a coherent representation of three-dimensional form. In order to computationally understand the labile relationships known to occur between recognized emergent segmentations and the seen brightness and colors that result from filling-in, it has been necessary to develop a qualitatively different type of vision theory. This theory provides a fresh analysis of how the human visual system is designed to detect relatively invariant surface colors under variable illumination conditions, to detect relatively invariant object boundary structures amid noise caused by the eye's own optics or occluding objects, and to recognize familiar objects or events in the environment. These three functions are performed by the three main subsystems of the system, the feature contour system, the boundary contour system and the object recognition system. >
Outcomes of Patients With Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Treated With Bexxar With or Without External-Beam Radiotherapy

Purpose To compare the efficacy and toxicity of external-beam radiotherapy (EBRT) to sites of bulky lymphadenopathy in patients with chemotherapy-refractory low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) immediately before receiving Bexxar (tositumomab and 131 I) vs. in patients receiving Bexxar alone for nonbulky disease. Methods and Materials Nineteen patients with chemotherapy-refractory NHL were treated with Bexxar at our institution (University of Florida, Gainesville, FL) from 2005 to 2008. Seventeen patients had Grade 1–2 follicular lymphoma. Ten patients received a median of 20 Gy in 10 fractions to the areas of clinical involvement, immediately followed by Bexxar (EBRT + Bexxar); 9 patients received Bexxar alone. The median tumor sizes before EBRT + Bexxar and Bexxar alone were 4.8 cm and 3.3 cm, respectively. All 5 patients with a tumor diameter >5 cm were treated with EBRT + Bexxar. A univariate analysis of prognostic factors for progression-free survival (PFS) was performed. Results The median follow-up was 2.3 years for all patients and 3.1 years for 12 patients alive at last follow-up. Of all patients, 79% had a partial or complete response; 4 of the 8 responders in the EBRT + Bexxar group achieved a durable response of over 2 years, including 3 of the 5 with tumors >5 cm. Three of 9 patients treated with Bexxar alone achieved a durable response over 2 years. Actuarial estimates of 3-year overall survival and PFS for EBRT + Bexxar and Bexxar alone were 69% and 38% and 62% and 33%, respectively. The median time to recurrence after EBRT + Bexxar and Bexxar alone was 9 months. Having fewer than 4 involved lymph-node regions was associated with superior PFS at 3 years (63% vs. 18%). There was no Grade 4 or 5 complications. Conclusions Adding EBRT immediately before Bexxar produced PFS equivalent to that with Bexxar alone, despite bulkier disease. Hematologic toxicity was not worsened. EBRT combined with Bexxar adds a safe and effective therapeutic treatment for managing recurrent low-grade follicular NHL.
Peripheral atherectomy in TransAtlantic InterSociety Consensus type C femoropopliteal lesions for limb salvage

Background The optimal therapy for TransAtlantic Societal Consensus (TASC) type C femoropopliteal lesions remains a critical issue in the treatment of infrainguinal occlusive disease. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of limbs with TASC C femoropopliteal lesions and critical limb ischemia treated with the FoxHollow SilverHawk atherectomy catheter. Methods From September 2004 to September 2005, 18 consecutive femoropopliteal procedures performed in 17 limbs in 16 patients were reviewed. Demographic data, baseline angiographic findings, and indications for the procedures were recorded. Clinical outcomes including symptom resolution and limb salvage were determined for the 17 primary procedures. Hemodynamic improvement was compared by using the paired Student t test. Stenosis-free patency was determined by the Kaplan-Meier method. Results The mean age was 72.5 years (range, 47-88 years). Fifty percent of the patients had four or more of the following risk factors: hypertension, diabetes, tobacco use, hyperlipidemia, renal insufficiency, and coronary artery disease. The indication was tissue loss in 13 limbs and rest pain in 4. All patients had a second level of disease, either inflow or tibial/pedal, which was treated concurrently when appropriate. Initial resolution of symptoms was achieved in 12 limbs, and partial healing was achieved in 2 others. Early amputation was necessary in the remaining three patients, but this was likely due to severe inframalleolar disease and advanced forefoot ischemia at the time of presentation. Five patients have remained symptom-free without restenosis at a mean follow-up of 6 months. Two patients have required late amputation for hemodynamic failure. The ankle-brachial index improved from 0.39 ± 0.08 (mean ± SEM) before surgery to 0.75 ± 0.08 in the immediate postoperative period ( P = .02). However, it returned toward baseline at 6 months after surgery, with a mean of 0.48 ± 0.07. Stenosis-free patency of the femoropopliteal segment was 22% at 12 months. Conclusions Peripheral atherectomy can achieve good early clinical and hemodynamic success in patients with TASC C lesions and critical limb ischemia. However, mid-term restenosis rates are high in this challenging cohort of patients.