cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transformative Pedagogy for Democracy and Social Justice

The authors propose a theoretical model of engaged learning for democracy and justice that draws from multicultural education and critical pedagogy, Freireian dialogic education, and Kolb's active, experiential learning. Engaged learning is defined as applying concepts and ideas from the classroom to out-of-class cognition and action. An empirical investigation (n=203) examines the impact of a course focusing on intergroup relations and social conflict. The course is shown to increase students' structural attributions for racial/ethnic inequality and socio-historical causation. The course also increases students' action orientation away from individual blaming to individual action toward institutional targets, and institutional and societal change. On pre- and post-test measures, engaged learning is shown to mediate the impact of course content and active pedagogy on students' active thinking and understanding of socio-historical causation as well as students' action strategies that promote more tolerance...
New Measure of Effects of Persuasive Communications: A Chemical Indicator of Toothbrushing Behavior

The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a behavioral measure of attitude change and examine its utility for large-scale field research efforts. Three groups were formed from 68 junior and senior high school students and each was presented with a different form (positive, fear, neutral) of a communication within the context of a public school system's ongoing dental hygiene program. Cleanliness of their teeth was measured by a chemical in tablet form called a “disclosing tablet” which, when chewed, stains red the areas of concentration of bacterial placque on the teeth. This study involved taking a 35-mm. color slide of each S's mouth before and 2 wk. after the experimental communication. Preliminary results lend support to the effectiveness and utility of this procedure in assessing behavioral change within a natural setting.
Growth factor regulation of the molecular chaperone calnexin.

Heregulin-β1 (HRG) is a regulatory polypeptide having several distinct biological effects in mammary epithelial cells. To address the hypothesis that HRG selectively regulates gene expression, we performed differential display screening using cells grown in the presence or absence of HRG. One cDNA clone upregulated by HRG was identical to human calnexin, a protein with molecular chaperone function. This is the first demonstration of the regulation of calnexin mRNA and protein expression by a physiologically relevant polypeptide factor in human breast cancer cells. HRG stimulation also caused a rapid redistribution of calnexin from vesicle-like structures in the cell cytoplasm to the perinuclear area and to the cell membrane. Furthermore, HRG induced colocalization and physical interaction of calnexin with the HER2 growth factor receptor. Finally, calnexin protein levels were increased in progressive stages of human breast cancer. These findings suggest that stimulation of calnexin expression by HRG may constitute a mechanism of protein redistribution and facilitate downstream signaling events in growth-factor-activated cells.
NC-Approximation Schemes for NP- and PSPACE-Hard Problems for Geometric Graphs

We present NC-approximation schemes for a number of graph problems when restricted to geometric graphs including unit disk graphs and graphs drawn in a civilized manner. Our approximation schemes exhibit the same time versus performance trade-off as the best known approximation schemes for planar graphs. We also define the concept of ?-precision unit disk graphs and show that for such graphs the approximation schemes have a better time versus performance trade-off than the approximation schemes for arbitrary unit disk graphs. Moreover, compared to unit disk graphs, we show that for ?-precision unit disk graphs many more graph problems have efficient approximation schemes.Our NC-approximation schemes can also be extended to obtain efficient NC-approximation schemes for several PSPACE-hard problems on unit disk graphs specified using a restricted version of the hierarchical specification language of Bentley, Ottmann, and Widmayer. The approximation schemes for hierarchically specified unit disk graphs presented in this paper are among the first approximation schemes in the literature for natural PSPACE-hard optimization problems.
Fine needle aspiration biopsy and immunostaining findings in an aggressive inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor of the lung: a case report.

Background Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumors (IMTs) can vary from benign pseudosarcomatous tumors to low grade sarcomas. To date, fine needle aspiration (FNA) findings of lung IMTs, especially in the aggressive form, have not been fully described. Here we present FNA biopsy findings in conjunction with immunohistochemical studies in a case of primary and recurrent pulmonary IMT. Case A 22-year-old man first presented with a left lung mass and 4.5 years later with a recurrent mass. Preoperative computed tomography-guided FNA was performed on both tumors. FNA cytologic smears of both specimens consisted of scant, distorted spindle cells suggestive of a spindle cell lesion but were insufficient for further classification. Needle core biopsies as well as touch imprints were performed during the FNA procedures. The imprints revealed abundant, well-preserved spindle cells with mild to moderate atypia and intermixed lymphocytes and plasma cells. The spindle cells in both specimens were immunoreactive for vimentin and smooth muscle actin and were negative for pancytokeratin, desmin, CD34 and c-kit. Thirty percent of the tumor cells were positive for p53. The findings were compatible with those of IMT. Histologic examination of the surgically resected initial and recurrent masses confirmed the diagnosis of lMT. Conclusion The cytologic findings of pulmonary IMT in FNA specimens are suggestive of, although not specific for, IMT. Immunohistochemical studies can assist in the diagnosis by excluding other spindle cell lesions. Cytologic atypia and p53 immunoreactivity may be indicators of aggressive IMTs.
Alfalfa Persistence and Yield with Irrigation

The average forage yield response to irrigation across the studies in the Clemson (Piedmont) experiments was 2.6 Mg ha −1 . The response varied from year to year and no irrigation × cultivar interaction was detected. Stands deteriorated more rapidly with irrigation and seasonal distribution of forage production was only slightly improved. The average response to irrigation in the Blackville experiment (Coastal Plains) was also 2.6 Mg ha −1 ; however, the response in the second year was negative and the study was terminated because irrigated stands were depleted. An interaction with cultivar was detected in the second year as a result of negative irrigation responses for seven cultivars and a positive response for one cultivar. The positive response reflected the fact that only one cultivar had more than a 70% stand in August of the second season. Diseases did not appear to be severe enough to explain the losses. We conclude that irrigation of alfalfa in the Southeast is a marginal practice
Benign Cystic Mesothelioma Associated with Ipsilateral Renal Agenesis: A Case Report and Review of Literature

Benign Cystic Mesothelioma (BCM) is an uncommon peritoneal lesion that usually occurs in reproductive age females with a history of abdominal surgery. Occasional expression of estrogen and progesterone receptor in these cells may explain female predilection. Reports of BCM in males are rare. We describe a case of BCM associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis in a young male without any surgical history. The cyst lining stained positive for cytokeratin, Wilms Tumor-1, epithelial membrane antigen, CD10, estrogen receptor, and progesterone receptor, and negative for PAX-8. Only three cases of BCM associated with congenital renal anomalies have been reported. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of BCM associated with ipsilateral renal agenesis in an adult male and the first male case of BCM displaying estrogen and progesterone receptor positivity. Such a case reveals the presence of congenital anomalies should be considered in patients with BCM.
Reinterpreting literature sorption data considering both absorption into organic carbon and adsorption onto black carbon.

We hypothesized that the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to natural sediments and soils should consider both absorption into a biogenic/diagenetic organic carbon (OC) fraction and adsorption onto a combustion-derived, black carbon (BC) fraction. Here, two sets of literature data were reevaluated to illustrate that an OC absorbent and a BC adsorbent together can (1) account for sediment−pore-water distribution coefficients observed in the field that are greater than predicted by a simple focKoc partitioning model and (2) explain a group of nonlinear phenanthrene isotherms observed in the laboratory with a single value for the BC-normalized distribution coefficient (log KBC = 6.1 ± 0.04) and a Freundlich exponent (n ≈ 0.6 if log Koc = 4.0) that is strongly dependent on the Koc value selected.
Permeability to oxygen (PmO2) of cuprophan haemodialysis membranes.

The permeability to oxygen (PmO2) of three dialysis membranes has been determined in a series ofin vitro experiments. The materials studied were Cuprophan Flat Membranes 210-PM, HDF-20 and PT-150. Rates of passive liquid-liquid exchange were evaluated for a modified saline solution in an experimental apparatus characterised by flow through a single rectangular macrochannel and compared with theoretical predictions. It was found that the 210-PM and HDF-20 have higher values for PmO2 than does the PT-150 membrane apparently due to an increased porosity. Both of these materials could be used in a combined membrane oxygenator/haemodialyser to assist the oxygen exchange of neonates and premature newborns with serious respiratory distress complicated by renal failure.
Estimation of generalized partially linear models with measurement error using sufficiency scores

We study the partially linear model in logistic and other types of canonical exponential family regression when the explanatory variable is measured with independent normal error. We develop a backfitting estimation procedure to this model based upon the parametric idea of sufficiency scores so that no assumptions are made about the latent variable measured with error. We derive the method's asymptotic properties and present a numerical example and a simulation study.
Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors in corneal endothelial transport.

PURPOSE Carbonic anhydrases play a central buffering role in current models of fluid transport in corneal endothelium, but in humans, clinical use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors (CAIs) for the management of glaucoma does not cause corneal swelling. This study compares species differences in response to CAIs in human versus bovine corneal endothelial transport. METHODS Short-circuit current (Isc) measurements were performed on bovine and human corneal endothelium under identical conditions. The effects of four CAIs (acetazolamide, brinzolamide, dorzolamide, and ethoxzolamide) were measured. Endothelial expression of carbonic anhydrase II and IV was evaluated by immunofluorescence microscopy. Functional presence of carbonic anhydrase activity was determined using the Hansson's cobalt sulfide histochemical method. RESULTS All four CAIs decreased bovine Isc (% change in Isc: acetazolamide, -21.0 ± 9.5, n = 8; brinzolamide, -35.5 ± 13.5, n = 9; dorzolamide, -33.6 ± 7.2, n = 8; ethoxzolamide, -35.3 ± 12.9, n = 8). That decrease was not present in humans (% change in Isc: acetazolamide, 16.2 ± 20.1, n = 3; brinzolamide, 6.7 ± 13.9, n = 3; dorzolamide, 8.0 ± 20.4, n = 3; ethoxzolamide, -4.8 ± 10.3, n = 2). Despite no functional effect of CAIs on Isc, both carbonic anhydrase II and IV were present in human corneal endothelium by immunofluorescence microscopy. Histochemical analysis of human corneal endothelium revealed functionally active carbonic anhydrase activity inhibited by brinzolamide. CONCLUSIONS Carbonic anhydrase facilitates ion transport impacting the corneal endothelial Isc in bovine but not human corneal endothelium, despite its presence and functional activity in human tissue. This finding supports the clinical observation of no corneal swelling in humans administered CAIs and suggests that alternative ion transport mechanisms may be operational in corneal endothelium of different species.
Identification of organ-specific glycosylation of a membrane protein in two tissues using lectins.

Since glycosylation of proteins is performed by the host cell, and variable sugar groupings can confer heterogeneity on the same polypeptide, we wished to see whether membrane proteins, in particular the ubiquitous transmembrane Na, K-ATPase, could be glycosylated differently in different organs. Using a highly sensitive enzyme-linked antibody detection system of bound digoxigenin-labelled lectins on nitrocellulose sheets containing electroblotted α and β subunits of kidney and brain Na,K-ATPase, isolated from various rat strains, in combination with isoform-specific immunoblots, we discovered that brain Na,K-ATPase was highly mannosylated in contrast to renal Na,K-ATPase. Thus, we describe the existence of organ-related glycoforms of an integral ubiquitous membrane protein, i.e. diversification of the same polypeptide by organ-typical sugars. At the same time, the presence of the same glycosylation pattern can make distinct protein isoforms occurring in a same organ more homogeneous. Such organ-related glycoforms may serve for tissue identification and as tissue-specific receptors.
Breeding value of the X-ray induced macro-mutan III. The nature of genetic variability within mutated backgrounds of a single macro-mutant locus in cultivated peanuts (Arachis hypogaea L.)

The quantitative genetic effects of nine independently mutated backgrounds of the macro-mutant Cup were differentiated and estimates of the additive and additive × additive components of genetic variance were made within three specific Cup backgrounds. Comparable hybrids among control families and common control testers within which the macro-mutants were induced were used to determine residual variance in non-mutated backgrounds. It would appear that the mutated backgrounds of the nine mutant families segregate independent of the macro-mutant locus. A wide range of hybrid means and variances were noted when macro-mutants were involved in the parentage. Differential responses of specific Cup hybrids to changes in location and season also were indicative of the diverse nature of the mutated backgrounds. While the estimates of the components of genetic variance were non-significant statistically, certain specific Cup backgrounds had additive components which were twice that of other Cup or Control backgrounds. Selection potential within backgrounds of independent mutations at the same locus is comparable to that within backgrounds of mutations at different loci.
Transient twenty-first century changes in daily-scale temperature extremes in the United States

A key question for climate mitigation and adaptation decisions is how quickly significant changes in temperature extremes will emerge as greenhouse gas concentrations increase, and whether that emergence will be uniform between hot and cold extremes and across different geographic areas. We use a high-resolution, multi-member ensemble climate model experiment over the United States (U.S.) to investigate the transient response of the annual frequency, duration and magnitude of 8 daily-scale extreme temperature indices during the twenty-first century of the A1B emissions scenario. We evaluate the time of emergence of a permanent exceedance (PE) above the colder part of the historical (1980–2009) extremes distribution, and the time of emergence of a new norm (NN) centered on the historical maxima (for hot extremes) or minima (for cold extremes). We find that during the twenty-first century, hot extremes permanently exceed the historical distribution’s colder half over large areas of the U.S., and that the hot extremes distribution also becomes centered on or above the historical distribution’s maxima. The changes are particularly robust for the exceedance of the annual 95th percentile of daily maximum temperature over the West and the Northeast (with the earliest emergence of a PE by 2030 and of a NN by 2040), for warm days over the Southwest (with the earliest emergence of a PE by 2020 and of a NN by 2030), and tropical nights over the eastern U.S. (with the earliest emergence of a PE by 2020 and of a NN by 2030). Conversely, no widespread emergence of a PE or a NN is found for most cold extremes. Exceptions include frost day frequency (with a widespread emergence of a PE below the historical median frequency by 2030 and of a NN by 2040 over the western U.S.), and cold night frequency (with an emergence of a PE below the historical median frequency by 2040 and of a NN by 2060 in virtually the entire U.S.). Our analysis implies a transition over the next half century to a climate of recently unprecedented heat stress in many parts of the U.S., along with cold extremes that, although less frequent, remain at times as long and as severe as are found in the current climate.
O2-07-07: A factor analysis of grief differences between spouse and adult child Alzheimer caregivers: The influence of familial roles

tinue their talk almost if the Alzheimer’s individual had not spoken. These utterances described imagined events, were not based on commonly held knowledge or displayed a lack of understanding or confusion.. In such sequences, the healthy speaker’s lack of response framed the Alzheimer’s individual as a non-participant. Conclusions: This study offers an initial examination of the effects of Alzheimer’s disease on family communication within the home. By investigating these detailed conversational sequences at a local level, individual bids to participate as well as strategies to maintain coherence and normalize conversation emerge in temporally unfolding interaction. Coherence in conversation appears to be contextually designed on a moment by moment basis by systematic and collaborative changes in participation frameworks as a multi-party interaction. By examining naturally occurring conversation as evidenced based data, this research will lead to an improved understanding of daily communication occurring between Alzheimer’s individuals and their families.
A microscopic traffic simulator for evaluation of dynamic traffic management systems

Abstract A MIcroscopic Traffic SIMulator (MITSIM) has been developed for modeling traffic networks with advanced traffic control, route guidance and surveillance systems. MITSIM represents networks in detail and simulates individual vehicle movements using car following, lane changing, and traffic signal responding logic. A probabilistic route choice model is used to capture drivers' route choice decisions in the presence of real time traffic information provided by route guidance systems. The simulator is a component of a larger system for evaluating traffic management systems and interacts with a surveillance module that can represent a wide variety of sensors (e.g. loop detectors, area sensors, probe vehicles, etc.) and a traffic management module which sets traffic signals and signs, routing recommendations, etc. MITSIM is coded in C+ + using object-oriented design and supports distributed implementation. It includes a graphical user interface for animating vehicle movements in the network and displaying aggregate traffic information such as speed and density.
Antiangiogenic variant of TSP-1 targets tumor cells in glioblastomas.

Three type-1 repeat (3TSR) domain of thrombospondin-1 is known to have anti-angiogenic effects by targeting tumor-associated endothelial cells, but its effect on tumor cells is unknown. This study explored the potential of 3TSR to target glioblastoma (GBM) cells in vitro and in vivo. We show that 3TSR upregulates death receptor (DR) 4/5 expression in a CD36-dependent manner and primes resistant GBMs to tumor necrosis factor–related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL)-induced caspase-8/3/7 mediated apoptosis. We engineered human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) for on-site delivery of 3TSR and a potent and secretable variant of TRAIL (S-TRAIL) in an effort to simultaneously target tumor cells and associated endothelial cells and circumvent issues of systemic delivery of drugs across the blood–brain barrier. We show that MSC-3TSR/S-TRAIL inhibits tumor growth in an expanded spectrum of GBMs. In vivo, a single administration of MSC-3TSR/S-TRAIL significantly targets both tumor cells and vascular component of GBMs, inhibits tumor progression, and extends survival of mice bearing highly vascularized GBM. The ability of 3TSR/S-TRAIL to simultaneously act on tumor cells and tumor-associated endothelial cells offers a great potential to target a broad spectrum of cancers and translate 3TSR/TRAIL therapies into clinics.
Insights into the Self-Assembly of Ferecrystalline Compounds from Designed Amorphous Precursors

Transition metal dichalcogenides, TSe2 with T = V, Ti, and Ta, were synthesized through self-assembly of designed amorphous precursors. All three compounds formed with the expected layered transiti...
Cell cycle analysis of foreign gene (β-galactosidase) expression in recombinant mouse cells under control of mouse mammary tumor virus promoter

The cell cycle dependency of foreign gene expression in recombinant mouse L cells was investigated. Two different recombinant mouse L cell lines having the glucocorticoid receptor-encoding gene and the lacZ reporter gene were used in this study. The lacZ gene expression was controlled by the glucocorticoid-inducible mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) promoter in both cell lines. In "M4" cells the gr gene was under the control of another MMTV promoter, but in "R2" cells it was under the control of the constitutive Rous sarcoma virus promoter. These normally attachment-grown cells were adapted to suspension culture, and a dual-laser flow cytometer was used to simultaneously determine the DNA and foreign protein (beta-galactosidase) content of single living cells. Expression of beta-galactosidase as a function of cell cycle phase was evaluated for cells in exponential growth without any addition of the glucocorticoid inducer, dexamethasone. Cell cycle positions in the S phase were estimated on the basis of DNA content per cell, and position in the G1 phase was estimated on the basis of cell size as measured by pulse-width time of flight. The results showed that beta-galactosidase synthesis occurred through all cell cycle phases, but the expression rate in the G1 phase was much lower than that in the S and G2/M phases in both cell lines. On the basis of cell size analysis, beta-galactosidase expression in M4 cells (with autoinducible promoter) was found to be higher than that in R2 cells (with inducible promoter) during the G1 phase.
Cryptococcus gattii in the United States: genotypic diversity of human and veterinary isolates.

Background: Cryptococcus gattii infections are being reported in the United States (US) with increasing frequency. Initially, US reports were primarily associated with an ongoing C. gattii outbreak in the Pacific Northwest (PNW) states of Washington and Oregon, starting in 2004. However, reports of C. gattii infections in patients from other US states have been increasing since 2009. Whether this is due to increasing frequency of disease, greater recognition within the clinical community, or both is currently unknown. Methodology/Principal Findings: During 2005–2013, a total of 273 C. gattii isolates from human and veterinary sources in 16 US states were collected. Of these, 214 (78%) were from the Pacific Northwest (PNW) and comprised primarily the clonal C. gattii genotypes VGIIa (64%), VGIIc (21%) and VGIIb (9%). The 59 isolates from outside the PNW were predominantly molecular types VGIII (44%) and VGI (41%). Genotyping using multilocus sequence typing revealed small clusters, including a cluster of VGI isolates from the southeastern US, and an unrelated cluster of VGI isolates and a large cluster of VGIII isolates from California. Most of the isolates were mating type MATα, including all of the VGII isolates, but one VGI and three VGIII isolates were mating type MATa. Conclusions/Significance: We provide the most comprehensive report to date of genotypic diversity of US C. gattii isolates both inside and outside of the PNW. C. gattii may have multiple endemic regions in the US, including a previously-unrecognized endemic region in the southeast. Regional clusters exist both in California and the Southeastern US. VGII strains associated with the PNW outbreak do not appear to have spread substantially beyond the PNW.
COMMUTING DISTANCE AND GENDER AMONG NONMETROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY EMPLOYEES

The applicability of metropolitan-derived explanations of gender differences in worktrip lengths is examined based on a sample of 435 university employees in the nonmetropolitan town of Blacksburg, VA. Women's worktrips are found to be longer than men's in contrast to metropolitan findings. This pattern results from the interaction of spatial structures of housing and employment with women's lower incomes, gender segregation of employment, and the tendency for married women to find jobs after their residence is established. Upward trends in female labor force participation rates and in nonmetropolitan growth require continued analysis of their joint impact on women's spatial behavior.
Genetic mapping of the gene for Ca2+calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (Camk-4) to mouse chromosome 18

Abstract Southern blot analysis of Chinese hamster × mouse somatic cell hybrids was used to map the gene for a serine/threonine protein kinase expressed in brain and testis. This locus, termed Camk-4, encodes Ca 2+ calmodulin -dependent protein kinase IV. Progeny of an interspecific backcross were analyzed to position Camk-4 in the centromeric region of chromosome 18 near two mutations known to affect neurological function and fertility. This raises the possibility that a defect in Camk-4 may be responsible for one of these mutant phenotypes.
A multilevel analysis of the self-presentation theory of social anxiety: Contextualized, dispositional, and interactive perspectives

Abstract According to self-presentation theory, social anxiety is determined by impression motivation and impression efficacy. However, researchers have not evaluated the theory’s applicability from contextual and dispositional perspectives in an integrated manner, nor have they examined a fundamental interactive facet of the theory. In three studies, we examined these issues using hypothetical situations and experience sampling methodology. Results demonstrated the theory’s applicability at the contextual and dispositional level, providing insight into people’s general tendencies to experience social anxiety and their momentary experiences of social anxiety. Results also revealed the predicted interaction between impression motivation and impression efficacy – high impression efficacy weakens the association between impression motivation and social anxiety. These studies expand understanding of the personological and situational factors that drive social anxiety.
Effect of Surface Roughness on the Point Contact EHL

Influence de la rugosite de surface sur la lubrification elastohydrodynamique d'un contact ponctuel
When Should We Suspect Hereditary Colorectal Cancer Syndrome

Clinical Scenario A 42-year-old previously healthy man presents with several months of abdominal pains and a 5-kg weight loss. He has no significant medical history and takes no medications. He never smoked, he only drinks 1–2 beers occasionally on weekends, and he exercises vigorously for 1.5 hours 4 –5 times a week. His family history is significant for a mother diagnosed with endometrial cancer at age 48. He is not aware of any other cancers in the family. On physical examination, he has generalized tenderness in the lower abdomen. No skin or mucosal lesions are found. The patient undergoes a colonoscopy, and a friable cecal mass is found. No other lesions or polyps are seen in the rest of the colon. Biopsies reveal a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with significant tumor lymphocytic infiltration and mucin production.
Bio-assays of humic-like model compounds: chelation versus acid-base effects

Abstract Solutions (5 × 10‐5 M) of humic‐like model compounds, chiefly, hydroxybenzoic and cinnamic acids, were tested for their ability to inhibit the growth of hydrilla (Hydrilla verticillata Royle). This is a perennial, adventitious plant that has the ability to occupy the top meter of water in sub‐tropical and temperate zones and eliminate benthic or rooted plants through shading. Humic acid and a naturally occurring soils extract have the ability to inhibit the growth of this plant (total organic carbon 0.4 mg/L), and the humic‐like models were tested for comparison. None appeared to be as effective as the natural product. Chelation does not appear to be the explanation for inhibition, though there was a good negative correlation between the degree of growth inhibition and the pKA of the model compound.
No detectable reaction of the anion radical metabolite of nitrofurans with reduced glutathione or macromolecules

The initial metabolite formed by most mammalian nitroreductases is the nitro anion free radical. We, as well as others, have proposed that nitroheterocyclic anion radicals covalently bind to protein, DNA, or thiol compounds such as reduced glutathione (GSH). Our results indicate that even at 100 mM GSH does not affect the steady-state concentration of the nitro anion free radical of N-[4-(5-nitro-2-furyl)-2-thiazolyl]acetamide (NFTA) in rat hepatic microsomal or xanthine oxidase incubations. The steady-state ESR amplitude of the anion radical is also unchanged by the addition of BSA or DNA. Similar results are obtained with nitrofurazone and nitrofurantoin. The reactive chemical species which binds to tissue macromolecules and GSH upon the reduction of nitrofurans remains unknown, but the anion free radical metabolite can be excluded from consideration.
The Proline-Rich Region of Pneumococcal Surface Proteins A and C Contains Surface-Accessible Epitopes Common to All Pneumococci and Elicits Antibody-Mediated Protection against Sepsis

Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) and PspC of Streptococcus pneumoniae are surface virulence proteins that interfere with complement deposition and elicit protective immune responses. The C-terminal halves of PspA and PspC have some structural similarity and contain highly cross-reactive proline-rich (PR) regions. In many PR regions of PspA and PspC, there exists an almost invariant nonproline block (NPB) of about 33 amino acids. Neither the PR regions nor their NPB exhibit the alpha-helical structure characteristic of much of the protection-eliciting N-terminal portions of PspA and PspC. Prior studies of PspA and PspC as immunogens focused primarily on the alpha-helical regions of these molecules that lack the PR and NPB regions. This report shows that immunization with recombinant PR (rPR) molecules and passive immunization with monoclonal antibodies reactive with either NPB or PR epitopes are protective against infection in mice. PR regions of both PspA and PspC were antibody accessible on the pneumococcal surface. Our results indicate that while PspA could serve as a target of these protective antibodies in invasive infections, PspC might not. When antibody responses to rPR immunogens were evaluated by using flow cytometry to measure antibody binding to live pneumococci, it was observed that the mice that survived subsequent challenge produced significantly higher levels of antibodies reactive with exposed PR epitopes than the mice that became moribund. Due to their conservation and cross-reactivity, the PR regions and NPB regions represent potential vaccine targets capable of eliciting cross-protection immunity against pneumococcal infection.
A Survey of Methods for Finding Outliers in Wireless Sensor Networks

Outlier detection is a well studied problem in various fields. The unique characteristics and constraints of wireless sensor networks (WSN) make this problem especially challenging. Sensors can detect outliers for a plethora of reasons and these reasons need to be inferred in real time. Here, we survey the current state of research in this area, compare them and present some future directions for smarter handling of outliers in WSN.
Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms in Elderly Patients

A retrospective review of the morbidity and mortality of repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms in elderly patients was performed. Between 1975 and 1984, 104 patients older than 70 years of age (average 76.3 years) were operated upon for abdominal aortic aneurysm. Of these, 65 had elective operations, 16 had expanding aneurysms, and 23 had ruptured aneurysms. Most of those undergo ing elective operations had an asymptomatic pulsatile mass. In contrast, all those with expanding or ruptured aneurysms had abdominal or back pain, and most of those with ruptured aneurysms were in shock. The mortality rates for the elective, expanding, and ruptured groups were 4.6%, 12.5%, and 60.8% respectively. The most common cause of death in those undergoing elective op eration was myocardial infarction, while the most common cause of death from a ruptured aneurysm was multisystem failure. Improved mortality rates for the second five-year period (1980-1984) were noted and may reflect improved pre operative preparation and po...
Simulium penobscotensis (Diptera: Simuliidae) Habitat Characteristics in the Penobscot River, Maine

Simulium penobscotensis Snoddy and Bauer preferentially colonized vegetation of the genera Potamogeton and Sparganum at water velocities ≥ 0.30 m/sec. The Potamogeton and Sparganum vegetation was primarily in water < 1.25 m in depth, and in beds with 50–100% vegetation cover. There was an 80% increase in potential habitat of this description when Penobscot River water levels increased by 40 cm.
Spectral response of fiber-coupled Fabry-Perot etalons.

In many remote sensing applications one or multiple Fabry–Perot etalons are used as high-spectral-resolution filter elements. These etalons are often coupled to a receiving telescope with a multimode fiber, leading to subtle effects of the fiber mode order on the overall spectral response of the system. A theoretical model is developed to treat the spectral response of the combined system: fiber, collimator, and etalon. The method is based on a closed-form expression of the diffracted mode in terms of a Hankel transform. In this representation, it is shown how the spectral effect of the fiber and collimator can be separated from the details of the etalon and can be viewed as a mode-dependent spectral broadening and shift.
Model potential calculations of sodium and potassium oscillator strengths

Na and K transition oscillator strengths, noting core polarization effects on mathematical model
Interfacing sound synthesis to movement for exploring high-dimensional systems in a virtual environment

An auditory feedback plays an important role in our cognitive process. We want to make use of this sensory feedback when exploring high-dimensional systems. We present a manifold interface as a generalizable tool featuring three human performance abilities, to see, to move, and to listen. We visualize control parameter space the domain of which corresponds to the domain of input gestures. The gesture input is extended to a 3D visual representation of the control space in which one can efficiently apply multiple parameter variation techniques by performing movements. The consequences of parameter variation are computed in real-time sound synthesis with respect to the systems under study so that one can listen to the changes in the systems as they vary their motions. The paper introduces the working vocabulary control path, window space, out-of-time displacements, and in-time displacements. Applications of the interface are briefly discussed.
Right Ventricular Dysfunction in HIV

a randomly selected Mediterranean population. Methods: We genotyped a well characterized random sample of the residents of Ventimiglia di Sicilia, a small town in Sicily. Results: Genotype frequencies of rs5068 were AA: 93.5%, AG: 6.4%, and GG: 0.1%. All subsequent analyses are AA vs AG+GG. After adjusting for age and gender, the minor G allele was associated with lower systolic (120624 vs 126621 mmHg, p50.003) and diastolic (72610 vs 76610 mmHg, p50.03) blood pressure and lower BMI (26.764.9 vs 28.265.7 kg/m, p50.04). Male subjects presenting HDL cholesterol plasma levels!40 mg/dL were less frequent in the AG+GG group (17% vs 27%,p50.05). Importantly, the G allele was significantly associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome (19% vs 32%, p50.02). Conclusions: The association between the minor allele of rs5068 and a favorable cardiometabolic phenotype, that we previously showed in a US population, is now replicated in a Mediterranean population in which the G allele of rs5068 is associated with lower blood pressure values, BMI, and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. These findings may lead to a diagnostic strategy to assess cardiometabolic risk and also lay the foundation for future development of an ANP or ANP-like therapy for metabolic syndrome.
Rheumatic Fever in the 21st Century

In the first half of the twentieth century, the group A streptococcus (GAS) was established as the sole etiologic agent of acute rheumatic fever (ARF). In the century's latter half, the clinical importance of variation in the virulence of strains of GAS has become clearer. Although still obscure, the pathogenesis of ARF requires primary infection of the throat by highly virulent GAS strains. These contain very large hyaluronate capsules and M protein molecules. The latter contain epitopes that are cross-reactive with host tissues and also contain superantigenic toxic moieties. In settings where ARF has become rare, GAS pharyngitis continues to be common, although it is caused by GAS strains of relatively lower virulence. These strains, however, colonize the throat avidly and stubbornly. Molecularly distinct pyoderma strains may cause acute glomerulonephritis, but they are not rheumatogenic, even though they may secondarily colonize and infect the throat. Guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of GAS pharyngitis and ARF are reviewed with particular reference to the prevalence of the latter in the community.
Molecular-level Analysis of Shock-wave Physics and Derivation of the Hugoniot Relations for Soda-lime Glass

Non-equilibrium and equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are employed to study the mechanical response of soda-lime glass (a material commonly used in transparent armor applications) when subjected to the loading conditions associated with the generation and propagation of planar shock waves. Particular attention is given to the identification and characterization of various (inelastic-deformation and energy-dissipation) molecular-level phenomena and processes taking place at the shock front. The results obtained revealed that the shock loading causes a 2–4% (shock strength-dependent) density increase. In addition, an increase in the average coordination number of the silicon atoms is observed along with the creation of smaller Si–O rings. These processes are associated with significant energy absorption and dissipation and are believed to control the blast/ballistic impact mitigation potential of soda-lime glass. This study was also aimed at the determination (via purely computational means) of the shock Hugoniot (i.e., a set of axial stress vs. density/specific-volume vs. internal energy vs. particle velocity vs. temperature) material states obtained in soda-lime glass after the passage of a shock wave of a given strength and on the comparison of the computed results with their experimental counterparts. The availability of a shock Hugoniot is critical for construction of a high deformation-rate, large-strain, high pressure material model which can be used within a continuum-level computational analysis to capture the response of a soda-lime glass-based laminated transparent armor structure (e.g., a military vehicle windshield, door window, etc.) to blast/ballistic impact loading.
Neutrophils Process Exogenous Bacteria Via an Alternate Class I MHC Processing Pathway for Presentation of Peptides to T Lymphocytes

Peptides that are presented by class I MHC (MHC-I) molecules derive from cytosolic Ags processed via the conventional MHC-I pathway or exogenous Ags processed via alternate MHC-I processing mechanisms. Alternate MHC-I processing by macrophages and dendritic cells allows presentation of peptides from particulate Ags, including bacteria. Despite the established phagocytic activity of neutrophils, MHC-I processing and presentation of phagocytosed Ags by neutrophils has not been investigated. Murine neutrophils from peritoneal exudates were shown to express MHC-I molecules and tested for the ability to process HB101.Crl-OVA, Escherichia coli transfected to express a fusion protein containing the 257-264 epitope of OVA. Neutrophils were found to process HB101.Crl-OVA and present OVA(257-264)-K(b) complexes to CD8OVA T hybridoma cells via a pathway that was resistant to brefeldin A, an inhibitor of anterograde endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi transport, and lactacystin, a proteasome inhibitor. These results suggest that neutrophils process phagocytosed bacteria via a vacuolar alternate MHC-I pathway that does not involve cytosolic processing. In addition, neutrophils were found to secrete or "regurgitate" processed peptide that was subsequently presented by neighboring prefixed macrophages or dendritic cells. Thus, neutrophils may influence T cell responses to bacteria, either by directly presenting peptide-MHC-I complexes or by delivering peptides to other APCs for presentation. Hypothetically, neutrophils may directly present peptide to effector T cells in vivo at sites of inflammation, inducing cytokine production, whereas dendritic cells in receipt of neutrophil-derived antigenic peptides may migrate to lymphoid organs to initiate T cell responses.
Rapid detection of pseudorabies virus by the shell vial technique

Conventional 24-well microtiter plates and shell vials were seeded with pig kidney (PK-15) and bovine turbinate (BT) cells. The monolayers were inoculated with 244 clinical specimens from pigs suspected of having pseudorabies virus (PRV) infection. The results of a shell vial assay (SVA) were compared with those obtained in a 24-well plate cell culture assay in terms of sensitivity and speed of virus isolation. All samples were passaged only once in cell cultures in both assays. Samples producing cytopathic effects (cpe) in 1 or both assay systems and showing positive fluorescence in a direct fluorescent antibody assay were considered to be positive for PRV. Of the 244 samples examined, 118 (48.4%) and 121 (49.2%) were positive by the 24-well plate assay and SVA, respectively. Of the 118 samples positive in 24-well plates, 113 (95.8%) were positive in BT cells and 117 (99.2%) were positive in PK-15 cells. The SVA detected 121 positive samples of which 121 (100%) were positive in PK-15 cells and 113 (93.4%...
Research relating to long-range supersonic cruising aircraft.

Long range supersonic cruising aircraft research and design techniques, methods and approaches for optimizing efficiency, drag and ATC
Chondrosarcoma of the nasal septum: Skull base imaging and clinicopathologic correlation ☆ ☆☆ ★

Chondrosarcoma arising in the head and neck and craniofacial region is an uncommon lesion. The nasal septum is a particularly rare site of origin, with approximately 30 cases previously reported in the English literature. We present six new cases of chondrosarcoma arising in the nasal septum. Each of these tumors required cranial base surgical approaches for removal. Current imaging techniques allow a very accurate diagnosis to be made before biopsy. The characteristic ring-forming calcifications seen on computed tomography scans can be correlated with the histologic pattern of calcification. Magnetic resonance imaging techniques allow precise definition of tumor extent, which is particularly important because the disease is best treated with primary surgery. Advances in imaging and surgical techniques allow a much more complete tumor removal. It is hoped that this will increase the likelihood of cure in these patients. Surgical management and indications for adjuvant therapy are discussed.
Rifabutin Therapy for Disseminated Mycobacterium avium Complex Infection

Although numerous antimicrobial agents have been used to treat disseminated Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) infection, the optimal therapy for this disease is unknown. One potentially effective agent is rifabutin, which has demonstrated activity against MAC both in vitro and in animal models of infection. In clinical trials, cultures of blood from 46% to 92% of patients become sterile after therapy with rifabutin combined with ethambutol, clofazimine, or amikacin. Moreover, the efficacy of ethambutol combined with clofazimine is markedly enhanced by rifabutin. In combination with clarithromycin, rifabutin at dosages of > or = 450 mg/d has been associated with a high incidence of uveitis, thus indicating that only 300 mg/d may be given with this macrolide. Although a definitive role for rifabutin in the treatment of MAC infection has not been established, this agent will likely be of value as an adjunct to macrolide-based therapy or in the treatment of macrolide-intolerant patients.
Efficient Inference for Distributions on Permutations

Permutations are ubiquitous in many real world problems, such as voting, rankings and data association. Representing uncertainty over permutations is challenging, since there are n! possibilities, and typical compact representations such as graphical models cannot efficiently capture the mutual exclusivity constraints associated with permutations. In this paper, we use the "low-frequency" terms of a Fourier decomposition to represent such distributions compactly. We present Kronecker conditioning, a general and efficient approach for maintaining these distributions directly in the Fourier domain. Low order Fourier-based approximations can lead to functions that do not correspond to valid distributions. To address this problem, we present an efficient quadratic program defined directly in the Fourier domain to project the approximation onto a relaxed form of the marginal polytope. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach on a real camera-based multi-people tracking setting.
Wavelet-based multiresolution stochastic image models

In this paper, we describe a wavelet-based approach to multiresolution stochastic image modeling. The basic idea here is that a complex random field, e.g., one with long range and nonlinear spatial correlations, can be decomposed into several less complex random fields. This is done by defining a random field in each resolution of a wavelet expansion. Experiments, performed for the multiresolution AR (autoregressive) and RBF (radial basis function) models, have produced promising results. Specifically, the wavelet-AR model captures long range correlation better than the single resolution AR model, and for both the wavelet AR and RBF models, random fields in the wavelet domain do appear to be simpler to model than those on the finest resolution.