cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Studies of Human Granulocyte Phagocytosis Stimulation by Tuftsin

Abstract Tuftsin (Thr-Lys-Pro-Arg), a natural immunomodulating peptide originally found to stimulate phagocytosis by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs), is now known to bind to both PMNs and monocyte-macrophages, affecting their phagocytosis and other functions. The potential roles of tuftsin in surgery-related infections have been documented using animal models. However, there have been some difficulties in demonstrating the phagocytosis-stimulating activity of tuftsin. In view of this, we have developed a suitable human PMN phagocytosis assay for tuftsin and performed preliminary kinetic studies. The assay was performed on 24-well plates between PMNs and fluorescent microspheres. The greatest effect of tuftsin over the control was observed under the following conditions: 15 min incubation at 37°C with 5 μg/ml tuftsin and a 50:1 ratio of particle to PMN. Particles bound on the surface of PMNs were removed by washing and trypsin treatment, followed by centrifugation through fetal bovine serum. This allowed us to utilize flow cytometry in this study. A flow cytometric procedure was then successfully adapted to human PMN phagocytosis that established a high correlation between microscopic evaluation and flow cytometry of phagocytosis. In addition to the above determinations of the percentage of phagocytic cells, we evaluated the effect of tuftsin on the number of particles engulfed by PMNs. Under the above optimum conditions, tuftsin has greater impact on the number of particles engulfed than on the percentage of phagocytic cells.
Study of radiation damage in an ion implanted rare-earth iron garnet crystal

Abstract The potential of a combination of Rutherford backscattering and channeling with the 16 O(α, α) 16 O nuclear resonance at 3.045 MeV to study radiation damage in all sublattices of oxide crystals is demonstrated. As a model, (Y, Sm, Lu, Ca) 3 ,(Ge, Fe) 5 O 12 epitaxial layers on 〈111〉 gadolinium-gallium garnets were subjected to 80 keV Ne + ion bombardment. It is shown that the lattice damage is different for different constituents. Heavy ions were found more off-site than oxygen. A 350°C anneal, showing optimum magnetic characteristics in bubble memory applications, leads to complete recrystallization of all sublattices down to a depth of 100 nm, but leaves a disordered layer between 100 and 300 nm depth. Supposedly, this layered structure causes enough strain to suppress hard bubbles, but it is still low enough not to influence other bubble properties.
Monte Carlo simulation of spectroscopic imaging data.

Presented is a quantitative analysis of fat and water spectroscopicimaging.Nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) signal decay curves obtained from conventional and spectroscopicimaging of a variety of fat and water samples in a phantom and of bone marrow, adipose tissue, and muscle from a clinical scan are analyzed to determine the transverse relaxation times and percent contribution to total signal of the fat and water fractions. The variance–covariance structure of parameter estimations obtained by the spectroscopicimaging technique is compared with those obtained by the conventional in‐phase imaging technique by means of a Monte Carlo simulation.
Anti-endotoxin agents. 2. Pilot high-throughput screening for novel lipopolysaccharide-recognizing motifs in small molecules.

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS), otherwise termed endotoxins, are an integral part of the outer leaflet of the outer-membrane of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipopolysaccharides play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of Septic Shock, a major cause of mortality in the critically ill patient, worldwide. The sequestration of circulatory endotoxin may be a viable therapeutic strategy for the prophylaxis and treatment of Gram-negative sepsis. We have earlier shown that the pharmacophore necessary for small molecules to bind LPS is simple, comprising of two protonatable cationic functions separated by about 15 A, permitting the simultaneous interaction with the negatively charged phosphates on lipid A, the toxically active center of endotoxin. In this report, we employ high-throughput screening methods, using a novel fluorescent probe displacement method. Searches in three-dimensional structure databases yielded about ∼ 4000 commercially available small molecules, each possessing two cationic functions spaced approximately 15 A apart. Approximately 400 such compounds have been screened in an effort to validate the method by which high-affinity endotoxin binders can be identified. We show that the IC50 values that are obtained from the fluorescence-based primary screen are correlated both to the enthalpy of binding, as measured by isothermal titration calorimetry, as well as to biological potency in vitro assays. By performing rapid toxicity screens in tandem with the bioassays, lead compounds of interest can be easily identified for further systematic structural modifications and SAR studies.
The Preleukemic Syndrome (Hematopoietic Dysplasia)

The morphology of the bone marrow precursors of erythrocytes, phagocytes, and platelets has been well characterized for decades. Although the molecular mechanisms driving hematopoietic cellular differentiation remain obscure, the phenotypic expression of hematopoietic cellular development is rather clear cut. In differentiation, morphologically identifiable precursor cells undergo predictable and stepwise developmental events. The linkage of these steps of differentiation with cellular replication has been recognized for many decades. That is, the process involves the production of many mature daughter cells from fewer precursor cells.
"Non-Concept" of "No-Threshold": Chemicals in the Environment

Present confusion that equates the presence of a biological effect with a deleterious implication ignores several concepts. To believe that a single molecule's presence in a cell implies a definite potential for deleterious effect disregards stochastic considerations. To believe that such molecules cause an undesirable effect disregards the presence of multiplicity of interferring substances. Such thinking also does not take into account the fact that the dose of a foreign atom may be related to the probability of its interacting with an available active site, or that similar probability governs the answers to the question of whether interactions will occur at discrete topographical loci upon a structural or functional molecule (or on a possible precursor). While the construction of stochastically sound model is remote, the reasonableness of the hierachy of cellular element concentrations as these relate to metabolic function suggests that a threshold for biological activity exists within a cell at 10(4) atoms. The cellular organism operates within a quantitative rate limit that transcends any statements having only qualitative bases. Thus concepts concerning encroachments on response capabilities over a lifespan are inadequate descriptors of biological activity in the absence of quantitative qualifiers.
Sunshine Bass Performance in Ponds, Cages, and Indoor Tanks

Abstract Performances of sunshine bass, the hybrid of female white bass Morone chrysops × male striped bass M. saxatilis, were compared between fish reared in round and rectangular cages in ponds, between fish reared in round and rectangular indoor tanks equipped with biofilters, and between fish reared in ponds without confinement and in rectangular cages in the same ponds. Fish weights at start were 100 ± 5 g, and trials lasted 108 d. Measurements were in terms of density equivalence for cage–cage and tank–tank comparisons and numerical equivalence for cage–pond comparisons. Survival was 100% in all culture units. Mean growth rates in round and rectangular units were similar (2.5 and 2.6 g/d in cages; 2.3 and 2.4 g/d in tanks). Fish grew better in open ponds (2.9 g/d) than in cages in the same ponds (1.4 g!d). Growth and survival of fish in all systems were comparable to reports for palmetto bass (striped bass female × white bass male) and for striped bass.
RIP kinase is involved in arsenic-induced apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells.

These studies explore the molecular effect of arsenicals on MM cells. Freshly isolated cells derived from patients with advanced, chemo-refractory myeloma as well as human myeloma cell lines, ARP-1, RPMI-8226 and H929 were exposed to the organic arsenical melarsoprol and to the inorganic compound AT. Both agents potently induced apoptosis in myeloma cells. Exposure to 1–5 μM AT or melarsoprol for 6 hours suppressed NF-κB DNA binding and enhanced of c-Jun kinase (JNK) activity. Arsenic also activated caspase-3 resulting in the cleavage of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and Fas/TNFα related receptor interacting protein (RIP). In contrast to reported observations in acute promyelocytic leukemia, myeloma cell apoptosis was not associated with either the downregulation of Bcl-2 protein or with alterations in the expression of other Bcl-2 family members, Bax, Bak, Bag, and Bcl-xl. This study first shows that arsenic induces apoptotic signaling in MM through the cleavage of TNFα related receptor interacting protein (RIP). RIP is a key downstream protein in FasL/ TNFα /TRAIL induced apoptosis and a major antiapoptotic adaptor of pathways through NF-κB and JNK. RIP has not been previously characterized in myeloma. This study supports the hypothesis that arsenicals share common mediators (RIP, NF-κB, PARP, caspase-3) with death receptor induced apoptosis. These studies provide an important insight into the molecular mechanism of AT induced apoptosis and can be used in the development of adjuvant therapy for MM, presently an incurable disease.
Millimeter-accuracy GPS landslide monitoring using Precise Point Positioning with Single Receiver Phase Ambiguity (PPP-SRPA) resolution: a case study in Puerto Rico

ContinuousGlobal Positioning System (GPS)monitoring is essential for establishing the rate andpattern of super cialmovements of landslides. This study demonstrates a technique which uses a stand-alone GPS station to conduct millimeter-accuracy landslide monitoring. ThePrecisePoint Positioningwith SingleReceiver PhaseAmbiguity (PPP-SRPA) resolutionemployedby theGIPSY/OASIS softwarepackage (V6.1.2) was applied in this study. Two-years of continuous GPS data collected at a creeping landslide were used to evaluate the accuracy of the PPP-SRPA solutions. The criterion for accuracy was the root-mean-square (RMS) of residuals of the PPP-SRPA solutions with respect to “true” landslide displacements over the two-year period. RMS is often regarded as repeatability or precision in GPS literature. However, when contrasted with a known ”true” position or displacement it could be termed RMS accuracy or simply accuracy. This study indicated that the PPP-SRPA resolution can provide an accuracy of 2 to 3mmhorizontally and 8mm vertically for 24-hour sessions with few outliers (< 1%) in the Puerto Rico region. Horizontal accuracy below 5 mm can be stably achieved with 4-hour or longer sessions if avoiding the collection of data during extremeweather conditions. Vertical accuracy below10mmcanbe achievedwith 8-hour or longer sessions. This study indicates that the PPP-SRPA resolution is competitive with the conventional carrier-phase double-difference network resolution for static (longer than 4 hours) landslide monitoring while maintaining many advantages. It is evident that the PPP-SRPA method would become an attractive alternative to the conventional carrier-phase double-difference method for landslide monitoring, notably in remote areas or developing countries.
Competing with quality service in good times and bad

The economic storm experienced globally is the perfect time for companies to recommit to improving service quality. Quality service creates value for customers, and superior value – the best way to compete at any time – is the only way to compete during a recession. This article discusses and dissects the pillars of competing with service excellence: great employees, reliable service, respect and pleasant surprises, and convenience.
Introduction to the Invasive Plant Species and the New Bioeconomy Symposium

The rapid expansion of the plant bioeconomy is creating strong economic incentives to distribute novel plant material, including transgenic cultivars, exotic species, and species that were formerly constrained to small geographical areas, at large geographical scales. Such introductions carry with them the risk of invasive spread of the introduced species (Simberloff and Alexander 1998). Deployment of plant species for biofuel production offers a clear example of the benefits and risks associated with the new bioeconomy (Raghu et al. 2006). In a measure aimed at reducing U.S. dependence upon foreign petroleum reserves for energy production, President Bush announced the Advanced Energy Initiative (AEI) in his 2006 State of the Union address. This initiative provides federal funding and guidelines for the development of renewable energy sources, including plant biofuels. The objectives of the AEI, though admirable, have the potential to create a conflict with Executive Order 13112, which states that ‘‘[Federal agencies shall] not authorize, fund, or carry out actions that it believes are likely to cause or promote the introduction or spread of invasive species in the United States or elsewhere unless, pursuant to guidelines that it has prescribed, the agency has determined and made public its determination that the benefits of such actions clearly outweigh the potential harm caused by invasive species; and that all feasible and prudent measures to minimize risk of harm will be taken in conjunction with the actions.’’ When two potential public goods, such as renewable energy and protection of ecosystems from invasive species, are in conflict, risk-benefit analysis is an important guide to action. Ecological risk analysis attempts to calculate the total risk to an ecosystem by taking into account the risk of exposure (in the case of potential invaders, this includes their survival, multiplication, and dispersal) and hazard (negative ecological effects) (Simberloff and Alexander 1998). Approaches to ecological risk analysis range from expert opinion-based qualitative methods (Raghu et al. 2006; Simberloff and Alexander 1998) to highly quantitative approaches (Caley and Kuhnert 2006).
Projected Lifetime Risks and Hospital Care Expenditure for Traumatic Injury

BACKGROUND: The lifetime risk and expected cost of trauma care would be valuable for health policy planners, but this information is currently unavailable. The cumulative incidence rates methodology, based on a cross-sectional population analysis, offers an alternative approach to prohibitively costly prospective cohort studies. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) database was performed for 2008. Trauma admissions were identified by ICD-9 primary diagnosis codes 800-959, with certain exclusions. Cumulative incidence rates were calculated as the cumulative summation of incidence risks sequentially across age groups. RESULTS: A total of 2.2 million admissions were identified, with mean age of 63.8 y, 49.6% men, 82.8% Whites, 5.7% Blacks, 11.3% Hispanics, and 3.1% Asians. The cumulative incidence rate for patients older than age 85 y was 1119 per 10,000 people, with the majority of risk in the elderly, compared with 24,325 per 10,000 people for all-cause hospitalizations. The rates were 946 for men, 1079 for women, 999 for non-Hispanic Whites, 568 for Blacks, 577 for Hispanics, and 395 for Asians, per 10,000 population. The cumulative expected hospital charge was $6538, compared with $81,257 for all-cause hospitalizations. CONCLUSION: The cumulative lifetime risk of trauma/injury requiring hospitalization for a person living to age 85 y in California is 11.2%, accounting for 4.6% of expected lifetime hospitalizations, but accounting for 8.0% of expected lifetime hospital expenditures. Risk of trauma is significant in the elderly. The total expenditure for all trauma hospitalizations in California was $7.62 billion in 2008. Language: en
Producing on orientation videotape

Many of the “getting started” types of instruction are fairly standard and yet consume instructor's time that could be better spent teaching more advanced courses. In the case at The Ohio State University we had a situation where tours of the computer room were no longer possible because the computer was moved to a remote site. Since people still wanted a visual “encounter” with the hardware we produced a video tape which combined both a tour of the computer room and a general introduction to our facilties. While fairly short, 16 minutes, the tape covers a fair amount of material.
The impact of cooperative learning in teaching mathematics

ABSTRACT This report presents an analysis of the results of an experimental study conducted by the author at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in two mathematics courses: one section of Finite Mathematics, and two sections of Business Calculus. Both courses are designed for students majoring in business and social sciences. The experiment involved a nontraditional style of teaching, a combination of lecture and group discovery methods. The approach involved considerable student interaction, both in and out of the classroom; it used a team format and had less formal instruction. The dependent variables in the study were student performance, interest, motivation, conceptual understanding, and attitudes toward mathematics. To determine the effectiveness of the method of instruction on the dependent variables, comparisons were made with data from other sections of the same courses I taught using more traditional methods. The results of the study demonstrated that students in the study performed better th...
XML Encoding of Features Describing Rule-Based Modeling of Reaction Networks with Multi-Component Molecular Complexes

Multi-state molecules and multi-component complexes are commonly involved in cellular signaling. Accounting for molecules that have multiple potential states, such as a protein that may be phosphorylated on multiple residues, and molecules that combine to form heterogeneous complexes located among multiple compartments, generates an effect of combinatorial complexity. Models involving relatively few signaling molecules can include thousands of distinct chemical species. Several software tools (StochSim, BioNetGen) are already available to deal with combinatorial complexity. Such tools need information standards if models are to be shared, jointly evaluated and developed. Here we discuss XML conventions that can be adopted for modeling biochemical reaction networks described by user-specified reaction rules. These could form a basis for possible future extensions of the Systems Biology Markup Language (SBML).
The importance of ion size and electrode curvature on electrical double layers in ionic liquids

Room-temperature ionic liquids (ILs) are an emerging class of electrolytes for supercapacitors. We investigate the effects of ion size and electrode curvature on the electrical double layers (EDLs) in two ILs 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM][Cl] and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [BMIM][PF6], using a combination of molecular dynamics (MD) and quantum density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The sizes of the counter-ion and co-ion affect the ion distribution and orientational structure of EDLs. The EDL capacitances near both planar and cylindrical electrodes were found to follow the order: [BMIM][Cl] (near the positive electrode) > [BMIM][PF6] (near the positive electrode) ≈ [BMIM][Cl] (near the negative electrode) ≈ [BMIM][PF6] (near the negative electrode). The EDL capacitance was also found to increase as the electrode curvature increases. These capacitance data can be fit to the Helmholtz model and the recently proposed exohedral electrical double-cylinder capacitor (xEDCC) model when the EDL thickness is properly parameterized, even though key features of the EDLs in ILs are not accounted for in these models. To remedy the shortcomings of existing models, we propose a “Multiple Ion Layers with Overscreening” (MILO) model for the EDLs in ILs that takes into account two critical features of such EDLs, i.e., alternating layering of counter-ions and co-ions and charge overscreening. The capacitance computed from the MILO model agrees well with the MD prediction. Although some input parameters of the MILO model must be obtained from MD simulations, the MILO model may provide a new framework for understanding many important aspects of EDLs in ILs (e.g., the variation of EDL capacitance with the electrode potential) that are difficult to interpret using classical EDL models and experiments.
Nodular fasciitis: a novel model of transient neoplasia induced by MYH9-USP6 gene fusion

Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a relatively common mass-forming and self-limited subcutaneous pseudosarcomatous myofibroblastic proliferation of unknown pathogenesis. Due to its rapid growth and high mitotic activity, NF is often misdiagnosed as a sarcoma. While studying the USP6 biology in aneurysmal bone cyst and other mesenchymal tumors, we identified high expression levels of USP6 mRNA in two examples of NF. This finding led us to further examine the mechanisms underlying USP6 overexpression in these lesions. Upon subsequent investigation, genomic rearrangements of the USP6 locus were found in 92% (44 of 48) of NF. Rapid amplification of 5'-cDNA ends identified MYH9 as the translocation partner. RT-PCR and direct sequencing revealed the fusion of the MYH9 promoter region to the entire coding region of USP6. Control tumors and tissues were negative for this fusion. Xenografts of cells overexpressing USP6 in nude mice exhibited clinical and histological features similar to human NF. The identification of a sensitive and specific abnormality in NF holds the potential to be used diagnostically. Considering the self-limited nature of the lesion, NF may represent a model of 'transient neoplasia', as it is, to our knowledge, the first example of a self-limited human disease characterized by a recurrent somatic gene fusion event.
Catalytic activity of sub-units of glutamic dehydrogenase.

L-GLUTAMIC dehydrogenase (GDH) has been shown to dissociate into sub-units under a variety of experimental conditions, such as dilution1, high or low pH2,3, and presence of DPNH4, urea5, diethylstilbœstrol6, or bicarbonate ions7. The relationship between the state of aggregation of the enzyme and its catalytic activity has been the subject of some controversy. Several investigators have attempted to relate the state of aggregation of the enzyme, as studied at high protein concentrations, to catalytic activity measured at protein concentrations several orders lower in magnitude6,8,9. Recent light scatter studies in this laboratory have shown that if the degree of splitting of the enzyme is plotted against pH and enzyme concentration, a quite irregular mathematical surface results2. Consideration of such surfaces plotted from experimental results obtained in the presence of various substrates, coenzymes, and other compounds suggested to us that it is, in general, quite invalid to relate catalytic activity measured under one set of conditions to degree of aggregation of the protein measured under different conditions. We therefore sought to measure both catalytic activity and the degree of aggregation of the protein in identical solutions so that these two properties might be related to each other in a valid manner.
On the formation of elliptical galaxies

Elliptic galaxy formation by expansion from steady state according to Einstein-de Sitter law
A biochemical and functional protein complex involving dopamine synthesis and transport into synaptic vesicles.

Synaptic transmission depends on neurotransmitter pools stored within vesicles that undergo regulated exocytosis. In the brain, the vesicular monoamine transporter-2 (VMAT2) is responsible for the loading of dopamine (DA) and other monoamines into synaptic vesicles. Prior to storage within vesicles, DA synthesis occurs at the synaptic terminal in a two-step enzymatic process. First, the rate-limiting enzyme tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) converts tyrosine to di-OH-phenylalanine. Aromatic amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) then converts di-OH-phenylalanine into DA. Here, we provide evidence that VMAT2 physically and functionally interacts with the enzymes responsible for DA synthesis. In rat striata, TH and AADC co-immunoprecipitate with VMAT2, whereas in PC 12 cells, TH co-immunoprecipitates with the closely related VMAT1 and with overexpressed VMAT2. GST pull-down assays further identified three cytosolic domains of VMAT2 involved in the interaction with TH and AADC. Furthermore, in vitro binding assays demonstrated that TH directly interacts with VMAT2. Additionally, using fractionation and immunoisolation approaches, we demonstrate that TH and AADC associate with VMAT2-containing synaptic vesicles from rat brain. These vesicles exhibited specific TH activity. Finally, the coupling between synthesis and transport of DA into vesicles was impaired in the presence of fragments involved in the VMAT2/TH/AADC interaction. Taken together, our results indicate that DA synthesis can occur at the synaptic vesicle membrane, where it is physically and functionally coupled to VMAT2-mediated transport into vesicles.
Nociception and opioid-induced analgesia in lean (Fa/-) and obese (fa/fa) Zucker rats.

Previous research indicates a possible interrelationship between the endogenous opioids (EO), nociception and food-intake. We therefore considered the hyperphagic obese Zucker rat a good candidate for abnormal responses to nociceptive stimuli. Pairs of lean and obese sisters were tested for latency of response to nociceptive stimuli by tail-flick and tail-pinch methods. Obese rats exhibited shorter latencies in each test, (tail-flick, p<0.05 and tail-pinch, p<0.001). Dose/response curves for morphine analgesia indicate that morphine is less potent in obese than in lean rats (ED50's=4.87±0.62 mg/kg and 3.12±0.41 mg/kg respectively, p<0.05). These data suggest a defect in the EO systems of obese Zucker rats.
Morphometric Analysis of Chloroplasts of Cotton Leaf and Fruiting Organs

We examined morphological and ultrastructural differences in chloroplasts of cotton leaves and the fruiting organs, bract, and capsule wall to advance our understanding of their commonly observed differences in photosynthetic efficiency. Chloroplasts from leaves were large (7.1 μm long in cross section), lens shaped with a well developed membrane system differentiated into grana and stroma lamellae that occupied the large cross-sectional area (12.3 μm2) of the organelle. A few small plastoglobuli and starch grains were scattered in the stroma region. The bract chloroplasts were correlative of leaf chloroplasts in size (6.8 μm in length) and shape with the exception that the bract chloroplasts exhibited greater thylakoid number per granum (15.8) than the leaf chloroplasts (10.5). In contrast to leaf and bract, the capsule wall chloroplasts were smaller in size (4.3 μm) and cross sectional area (6.8 μm2) than either the leaf or bract. The most intriguing feature of the capsule wall chloroplasts was its domination by large starch granules (5.3 μm2) in the stroma which filled the whole chloroplast coercing the membrane system to move towards the periphery of the organelle. Grana number and thylakoids per granum were lowest in the capsule wall chloroplasts.
New route to macrocyclic-based phosphonate acetoxymethyl (AM)-esters: synthesis, cell loading, and 31P NMR

The ligand, 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10- tetrakis(methylenephosphonic acid, ethyl ester) (DOTPME) was made membrane permeable by preparing its acetoxymethyl (AM) derivative (DOTPME-AM). The synthetic approach was to prepare the AM ester of the phosphonate side-chain prior to attachment to the macrocyclic ring. P NMR was used to demonstrate that DOTPME-AM can penetrate cell membranes, get hydrolyzed by cellular esterases to regenerate charged DOTPME, and hence become trapped inside cells. This technology offers the potential of designing Ca2+ and Mg2+ specific ligands for analytical, noninvasive measurement of these ions by 31P NMR.© (1999) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Scale invariance in brittle fracture and the dynamics of crack fusion

The brittle fracture of solids subject to extreme differential stress is assumed to be a consequence of the sequential fusion of smaller cracks into larger ones. Renormalization methods quantitatively describe the dynamics of the cascade of fusion events that culminates in failure, including the observed time-to-failure versus stress scaling law.
Negative-Impedance Converters

This paper is devoted to the device properties of the negative-impedance converter (NIC), the derivation of potential NIC circuits and their compensation in order to achieve an exact NIC. The behavior of the NIC as a function of frequency and means of extending its useful frequency range are presented. Attention is also devoted to the sensitivity of the NIC to variations in active and passive parameter values and to means of reducing the sensi- tivity.
Organizational research with impact: working backwards.

Background or Rationale: To improve health care, we need to improve the organization of care, along with the payment systems that shape organizational priorities and behavior. The opportunity and challenge for research are to find a way to work with health care leadership so that future management decisions can make use of strong evidence. Aims and Methods: This article uses findings from research on nursing to illustrate the potential for organizational research and management research to improve health care. It then distills recommendations from six focused stakeholder meetings to identify five ways in which we might improve organizational, management, and policy research to maximize its use. Results and Discussion: Hospital, health plan, and other system leaders have five recommendations for research: (1) Design studies that answer user questions, with a focus on the “why” and “what if” rather than just the “what.” (2) Present findings in leaders' time and space, defining evidence as they do and identifying generalizability of findings. (3) Change the incentive system for researchers so that they are rewarded for the activities that maximize impact on decision making. (4) Build user-researcher collaborations and dialogue. (5) Change the way we disseminate evidence, with dissemination through “early adopters,” trade association meetings, consultants, etc. Implications for Research, Practice, and Policy: System and policy leaders control important levers for improving health care, since they shape organizational structure, processes and culture, payment strategies, program design, and regulation. Just as evidence-based medicine can improve clinical practice, evidence-based management and policymaking can change how these powerful levers are used. But for evidence to inform the decisions of system and policy leaders, we will need to rethink and restructure the research enterprise itself, bringing the potential users of evidence into the production process.
Distinct and specific GAP activities in rat pancreas on the yeast GTP-binding proteins Ypt1 and Sec4

Previous studies have demonstrated that Sec4, a 23.5 kDa guanine nucleotide-binding protein of the ras superfamily is required for exocytosis in the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Ypt1, another ras-like 23 kDa guanine nucleotide-binding protein in yeast has been found to be involved in ER-Golgi transport. A mammalian homologue of Ypt1 called rab1 has also been identified. Recent studies using purified Sec4 protein have identified a component of yeast lystate that specifically stimulates the hydrolysis of GTP bound to Sec4. In the present study, purified recombinant Sec4 and Ypt1 proteins expressed in E. coli have been used as substrates to determine if GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) directed toward these proteins are present in rat pancreas. Our studies showed that 65% of Sec4-GAP activity was associated with the 150,000 x g pancreatic particulate fraction with approximately 35% being found in the cytosol. On the other hand, more than 95% of Ypt1-GAP activity was found to associate with the particulate fraction. Sec4 and Ypt1 competition assays further demonstrated the specificity of the Sec4 and Ypt1 GAPs. The results from the present study suggest the presence of a distinct GAP in the pancreas that interacts with Sec4, and another that interacts with Ypt1.
Investigation of the meniscus stability in horizontal crystal ribbon growth

Abstract In horizontal ribbon growth, a space is maintained between the ribbon and the crucible lip to prevent freezing of the ribbon to the crucible. In this study, the meniscus is investigated to determine the conditions required to maintain the meniscus in the space. Results show that the height of the space and the level of the melt in the crucible must be maintained within specific ranges. Properties that determine the static stability range are the surface tension, density of the melt, and the wetting angle of the melt on the crucible.
Infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the vulva.

Summary The eleventh case of primary infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the vulva is reported with a review of the literatureThe infiltrating tumor is associated with an intraductal component as well as noninvolved mammary-like glandular tissue (ectopic breast tissue) and metastases to inguinal lymph nodesEstrogen receptor and progesterone receptor immunohistochemical staining is negative utilizing the HSCORE methodThe treatment regimen is patterned after approach to node-positive breast carcinoma.
Effects of Imitation and Nonimitation on Children's Differential Recall Ability

Summary This study examined the reinforcing effects of contingent imitation on children's retentional processes. Sixty 9- and 10-year-old boys and girls participated in a spelling game in which their responses were imitated at various levels by one female adult and not imitated by another. Subjects then observed while the adults made choices among commodity triads and displayed particular words. Children were then asked to recall the adults' respective stimuli. Analyses of the children's recall scores revealed a greater recall of the imitating confederate's stimuli than of the nonimitating confederate's. These findings were obtained regardless of the percentage level of contingent imitation. While these results provide limited support for conceptualizing the “being imitated” phenomenon as reinforcing, they do seem congenial to theories explicating the effect of incentives on memory processes.
Mice lacking Pctp /StarD2 exhibit increased adaptive thermogenesis and enlarged mitochondria in brown adipose tissue

Pctp−/− mice that lack phosphatidylcholine transfer protein (Pctp) exhibit a marked shift toward utilization of fatty acids for oxidative phosphorylation, suggesting that Pctp may regulate the entry of fatty acyl-CoAs into mitochondria. Here, we examined the influence of Pctp expression on the function and structure of brown adipose tissue (BAT), a mitochondrial-rich, oxidative tissue that mediates nonshivering thermogenesis. Consistent with increased thermogenesis, Pctp−/− mice exhibited higher core body temperatures than wild-type controls at room temperature. During a 24 h cold challenge, Pctp−/− mice defended core body temperature efficiently enough that acute, full activation of BAT thermogenic genes did not occur. Brown adipocytes lacking Pctp harbored enlarged and elongated mitochondria. Consistent with increased fatty acid utilization, brown adipocytes cultured from Pctp−/− mice exhibited higher oxygen consumption rates in response to norepinephrine. The absence of Pctp expression during brown adipogenesis in vitro altered the expression of key transcription factors, which could be corrected by adenovirus-mediated overexpression of Pctp early but not late during the differentiation. Collectively, these findings support a key role for Pctp in limiting mitochondrial oxidation of fatty acids and thus regulating adaptive thermogenesis in BAT.
Inviscid spatial stability of a three-dimensional compressible mixing layer

We present the results of a study of the inviscid spatial stability of a parallel three-dimensional compressible mixing layer. The parameters of this study are the Mach number of the fast stream, the ratio of the speed of the slow stream to that of the fast stream, the ratio of the temperature of the slow stream to that of the fast stream, the direction of the crossflow in the fast stream, the frequency, and the direction of propagation of the disturbance wave. Stability characteristics of the flow as a function of these parameters are given. Certain theoretical results are presented which show the interrelations between these parameters and their effects on the stability characteristics. In particular, the three-dimensional stability problem for a three-dimensional mixing layer at Mach zero can be transformed to a two-dimensional stability problem for an equivalent two-dimensional mean flow. There exists a one-parameter family of curves such that for any given direction of mean flow and of wave propagation one can apply this transformation and obtain the growth rate from the universal curves. For supersonic couvective Mach numbers, certain combinations of crossflow angle and propagation angle of the disturbance can increase the growth rates by a factor of about two. and thus enhance mixing.
Stress hysteresis as the cause of persistent holes in particulate suspensions

Concentrated particulate suspensions under vibrations can support stable, localized, vertically oriented free surfaces. The most robust of these structures are persistent holes: deep and stable depressions of the interface. Using a reduced model of the hydrodynamics we show that a rheology with hysteresis can lead to motion opposite to the time-averaged applied force. Moreover, we show experimentally that particulate suspensions of cornstarch in water exhibits hysteresis in the shear-rate response to an applied sinusoidal stress. The results of our model and our experiments suggest that hysteresis accounts for the outward force needed to support persistent holes.
Novel methylxanthine derivative-mediated anti-inflammatory effects in inflammatory bowel disease

Family 18 chitinases have a binding capacity with chitin, a polymer of N-acetylglucosamine. Recent studies strongly suggested that chitinase 3-like 1 (CHI3L1, also known as YKL-40) and acidic mammalian chitinase, the two major members of family 18 chitinases, play a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), bronchial asthma and several other inflammatory disorders. Based on the data from high-throughput screening, it has been found that three methylxanthine derivatives, caffeine, theophylline, and pentoxifylline, have competitive inhibitory effects against a fungal family 18 chitinase by specifically interacting with conserved tryptophans in the active site of this protein. Methylxanthine derivatives are also known as adenosine receptor antagonists, phosphodiesterase inhibitors and histone deacetylase inducers. Anti-inflammatory effects of methylxanthine derivatives have been well-documented in the literature. For example, a beneficial link between coffee or caffeine consumption and type 2 diabetes as well as liver cirrhosis has been reported. Furthermore, theophylline has a long history of being used as a bronchodilator in asthma therapy, and pentoxifylline has an immuno-modulating effect for peripheral vascular disease. However, it is still largely unknown whether these methylxanthine derivative-mediated anti-inflammatory effects are associated with the inhibition of CHI3L1-induced cytoplasmic signaling cascades in epithelial cells. In this review article we will examine the above possibility and summarize the biological significance of methylxanthine derivatives in intestinal epithelial cells. We hope that this study will provide a rationale for the development of methylxanthine derivatives, in particular caffeine, -based anti-inflammatory therapeutics in the field of IBD and IBD-associated carcinogenesis.
mTOR tells the brain that the body is hungry.

The multitasking signaling protein mTOR integrates nutritional and hormonal cues in the brain, modulating feeding and body weight.
Combined chemoimmunotherapy for advanced breast cancer. A comparison of BCG and levamisole

One hundred and fourteen evaluable patients with metastatic breast cancer were treated with a program consisting of 5-FU, Adriamycin, cyclophosphamide (FAC) and nonspecific immunotherapy with Levamisole. The results of this treatment program were compared to those observed with FAC and Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) and FAC chemotherapy alone, both groups treated prior to the study reported in this paper. The overall response rates and complete response rates for all three treatment regimens were identical. The duration of remission, survival of all patients and survival of responders was similar for both chemoimmunotherapy regimens, being superior to the FAC chemotherapy alone group. Immunotherapy with Levamisole was well tolerated and side-effects were experienced by less than one-fourth of the patients. Overall, Levamisole was better tolerated than BCG and was easier to administer than the latter drug. These results suggest that nonspecific immunotherapy with Levamisole might prolong remission and survival of patients with metastatic breast cancer. Since the results achieved with BCG and Levamisole appear similar, the therapeutic ratio favors the use of Levamisole. Cancer 43:1112–1122, 1979.
Computation, visualization, and animation of infrared Mueller matrix elements by scattering from surfaces that are absorbing and randomly rough.

Computation of Mueller matrix elements by infrared scattering from randomly rough two-dimensional surfaces and results of a method for graphic display of the data are presented. A full wave electromagnetic scattering model first generates raw data elements of the 4 × 4 Mueller matrix F(θ, nλ, kλ, σs(2), ?h(2)?) in beam backscattering angle (θ) ranging from normal to oblique incidence, in refractive index of the beam scatterer (nλ - ikλ) spanning the 9 ≤ λ ≤ 12.5 µm midinfrared band, and in mean-squared slope ((σS(2)) and mean-squared height (?h(2)?) of the scattering surface. These data are next compressed into a graphics format file occupying considerably less computer storage space and mapped into color images of the Mueller elements as viewed on a high-resolution graphics terminal. The diagonal and two off-diagonal elements are animated in the λ-θ plane according to varitions in σs(2) and ?h(2)?. Predicted elements for polarized IR beam energies on vibrational resonance of the surface molecules, and particularly the off-diagonal elements, show subtle properties of the scatterer as viewed in the animation sequences.
Providing Temporal and Spiritual Assistance: Responses to the 1687 Earthquake in Lima

The study of natural disasters and their effects on the societies afflicted has increased during the last decades. The analysis of such instances of crisis created by these natural events has served to understand unusual patterns of political, economic, social, and cultural performance that traditional historiography has been unable to explain. Richard Olson (2000) emphasizes the relationship between disaster and politics. He states that a disaster can easily become a political crisis because of the increase of demands on the political system, and the complexity of such demands. The 1687 earthquake of Lima provides a case study to evaluate these ideas because the chaos and destruction of the city required the immediate attention of both the civil and religious authorities, who were supposed to respond to the material and spiritual needs of the population. In this particular case, it is possible to observe a quick, organized and positive response from the royal officials which contrasts with the segregated and even elusive response of the ecclesiastical institutions. This post-disaster situation clearly differs with the traditional images of a strong Church and a weak colonial regime that is usually associated with the late seventeenth – century Spanish Empire.
The effect of noise in the data on the Cauchy method

In this article the effect of noise in the data on the Cauchy method is discussed. The noise is assumed to be zero mean and Gaussian. The resulting random variable is a ratio of two Gaussians. The theoretical probability density function is verified by numerical simulation. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Efficacy of biocontrol agents in planting mixes to colonize plant roots and control root diseases of vegetables and citrus.

Abstract Tomato, bell pepper, celery and citrus were propagated in planting mixes amended with formulations of commercial biocontrol agents. Root colonization by selected biocontrol agents was evaluated for pepper, tomato and citrus, and found to be generally between 76 to 100% in both greenhouse ebb and flow, and bench-produced plants. Only colonization by Glomus intraradices was low, about 8%. All biological control agents, Trichoderma harzianum, Bacillus subtilis, G. intraradices, Gliocladium virens , and Streptomyces griseovirdis reduced crown rot of tomato in the field, with T. harzianum and B. subtilis being the most effective uniformly among four tests. Four biocontrols reduced Phytophthora root rot on citrus in the field, two applied as a drench to soil in pots reduced Thielaviopsis root rot on citrus, and two biocontrol agents in combination reduced celery root rot caused by Pythium and Fusarium spp., however, none improved above-ground plant growth or health of citrus and celery. Pepper crown and root rot caused by P. capsici was reduced by B. subtilis in one of two tests.
H-2 haplotype and the embryotoxicity of serum from nonpregnant congenic mice.

Previous studies revealed a significant association between genes at or near the H-2 complex and fetal loss. Reasoning that the maternal serum might contain one or more unknown factors that are harmful to early embryonic or fetal development, or both, we performed an embryotoxicity screen using chick embryos and serum from nonpregnant C57BL/10Sn(H-2b) and B10.A/SnSg (H-2a) congenic mice. Serum from the strain with the higher frequency of fetal loss (C57BL/10 Sn) yielded a significantly greater frequency of chick abnormality, specifically neural tube malformation and death, than the serum from the strain with the lower frequency of fetal loss (B10.A/SnSg). Further, the C57BL/10 Sn serum demonstrated a highly significant dose-response. These results suggest that analogous studies may be profitable with women who have a history of chronic fetal wastage and/or offspring with neural tube defects.
The duffing oscillator: Analog solutions and a comparison with harmonic linearization

Abstract Analog solutions to Duffing's equation are presented. Parametric dependencies are discussed in detail. Quantitative comparisons are made with predictions of harmonic linearization.