cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On the origin of solar metric type II bursts

The vast majority of solar flares are not associated with metric Type II radio bursts. For example, for the period February 1980–July 1982, corresponding to the first two and one-half years of the Solar Maximum Mission, 95% of the ∼2500 flares with peak >25 keV count rates >100 c s−1lacked associated Type II emission. Even the ∼360 largest flares, i.e., those having >25 keV peak count rates >1000 c s−1, had a Type II association rate of only 24%. The lack of a close correlation between flare size and Type II occurrence implies the need for a 'special condition' that distinguishes flares that are accompanied by metric Type II radio bursts from those of comparable size that are not. The leading candidates for this special condition are: (1) an unusually low Alfven speed in the flaring region; and (2) fast material motion. We present evidence based on SMM and GOES X-ray data and Solwind coronagraph data that argues against the first of these hypotheses and supports the second. Type II bursts linked to flares within 30° of the solar limb are well associated (64%; 49/76) with fast (>400 km s−1) coronal mass ejections (CMEs); for Type II flares within 15° of the limb, the association rate is 79% (30/38). An examination of the characteristics of 'non-CME' flares associated with Type IIs does not support the flare-initiated blast wave picture that has been proposed for these events and suggests instead that CMEs may have escaped detection. While the degree of Type II–CME association increases with flare size, there are notable cases of small Type II flares whose outstanding attribute is a fast CME. Thus we argue that metric Type II bursts (as well as the Moreton waves and kilometric Type II bursts that may accompany them) have their root cause in fast coronal mass ejections.
The Activity of a Highly Promiscuous AP-1 Element Can Be Confined to Neurons by a Tissue-Selective Repressive Element

Tissue-specific gene transcription can be determined by the use of either positive-acting or negative-acting DNA regulatory elements. We have analyzed a promoter from the growth-associated protein 43 (GAP-43) gene and found that it uses both of these mechanisms to achieve its high degree of neuron-specific activity. Two novel transcription factor binding sites, designated Cx1 and Cx2, drive promoter activity in neurons from developing cerebral cortex but not in several other cell types. The promoter also contains an activator protein 1 (AP-1) site that contributes to activity in neurons. The AP-1 site can drive promoter activity in a wide range of non-neuronal cells that express little or no endogenous GAP-43, but only in the absence of a tissue-specific repressive element located downstream of the GAP-43 TATA box. These findings suggest that the GAP-43 repressive element plays an important role in allowing AP-1 signaling pathways to modulate activity of the GAP-43 gene in neurons, without also causing inappropriate activation by AP-1 transcription factors in other cell types.
IL-10 Mediates Sigma 1 Receptor-Dependent Suppression of Antitumor Immunity

Sigma receptors are unique endoplasmic reticulum proteins that mediate signaling for a variety of drugs. We determined the effect of sigma(1) receptor agonists on immune responses in a syngeneic lung cancer model. Sigma(1) receptor agonists, including cocaine, up-regulated splenocyte IL-10 mRNA and protein production in vitro in a sigma receptor-dependent, pertussis toxin-sensitive manner. In vivo, sigma(1) receptor agonists promoted tumor growth and induced IL-10 at the tumor site. Increased tumor growth was prevented by administration of specific Abs to IL-10 or by administration of specific sigma(1) receptor antagonists. We report that sigma(1) receptor ligands, including cocaine, augment tumor growth through an IL-10 dependent mechanism.
Interference of rheumatoid factor activity by aspartame, a dipeptide methyl ester

Circulating autoimmune complexes of IgM rheumatoid factors (RF) bound to the Fc portions of normal, polyclonal IgG antibodies are frequently present in humans with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The sweet tasting methyl ester of L-Asp-L-Phe (aspartame or APM) was found to relieve pain and improve joint mobility in subjects with osteo- and mixed osteo/rheumatoid arthritis [Edmundson, A. B. and Manion, C. V. (1998). Clin. Pharmac. Ther. 63, 580-593]. These clinical observations prompted the testing of the inhibition by APM of the binding interactions of human IgM RFs with IgG Fc regions. The propensity of APM to inhibit IgM RF binding was assessed by competitive enzyme immunoassays with solid-phase human IgG. Ten RA serum samples and three purified monoclonal cryoglobulins, all of which had RF activity, were tested in this system. We found that the presence of APM significantly reduced the binding of IgM RFs. The inhibitory propensity of APM with monoclonal RF cryoglobulins was increased by the addition of CaCl(2) to the binding buffer. Similar inhibition of the binding of RA derived RFs to IgG was observed for Asp-Phe and its amidated derivative, indicating that the methyl ester is not required for APM's interaction with IgM antibodies. A human (Mez) IgM known to bind octameric peptides derived from the Fc portion of a human IgG(1) antibody was tested for binding of dipeptides by the Pepscan method of combinatorial chemistry. The relative binding constants of Asp-Phe and Phe-Asp were ranked among the highest values for 400 possible combinations of the 20 most common amino acids. Possible blocking interactions of APM were explored by computer-assisted docking studies with the model of a complex of an RF Fab with the Fc of a human IgG(4) antibody. Modeling of ternary immune complexes revealed a few key residues, which could act as molecular recognition sites for APM. A structural hypothesis is presented to explain the observed interference with RF reactivity by APM. Extrapolations of the current results suggest that APM may inhibit the binding of IgG in a substantial proportion of IgM RFs. Interference of RF reactivity, especially in RA patients, may alleviate the pain and immobility resulting from chronic inflammation of the joints.
Hybrid life cycle assessment comparison of colloidal silica and cement grouted soil barrier remediation technologies.

Abstract Site remediation involves balancing numerous costs and benefits but often neglects the environmental impacts over the entire project life cycle. Life cycle assessment (LCA) offers a framework for inclusion of global environmental “systems-level” decision metrics in combination with technological and cost analysis. We compare colloidal silica (CS) and cement grouted soil barrier remediation technologies for soils affected by low level radionuclides at a U.S. Superfund site using hybrid LCA methods. CS is a new, high performance grouting material installed using permeation grouting techniques. Cement, a more traditional grouting material, is typically installed using jet grouting techniques. Life cycle impacts were evaluated using the US EPA TRACI 2 model. Results show the highest life cycle environmental impacts for the CS barrier occur during materials production and transportation to the site. In general, the life cycle impacts for the cement barrier were dominated by materials production; however, in the extreme scenario the life cycle impacts were dominated by truck transportation of spoils to a distant, off-site radioactive waste facility. It is only in the extreme scenario tested in which soils are transported by truck (Option 2) that spoils waste transport dominates LCIA results. Life cycle environmental impacts for both grout barriers were most sensitive to resource input requirements for manufacturing volumes and transportation. Uncertainty associated with the efficacy of new technology such as CS over its required design life indicates that barrier replacement could increase its life cycle environmental impact above that of the cement barrier.
Consideration of a Spiritual Role in Sex and Sex Therapy

In spite of high levels of reported spirituality in the United States, spiritual issues are only beginning to be recognized as a therapeutic tool in sex therapy. This article provides background material for theological and clinical questions as they relate to individualized concepts of sex and sexual dysfunction. The complexity of human sexuality is compounded by the intricacy of human spirituality, yet they share common ground. An argument and corresponding guidelines are proposed for further exploration into incorporating spiritual belief systems into sex therapy.
Central effects of a specific angiotensin receptor antagonist, sarthran (Sar1, Thr8All) in normotensive and spontaneously hypertensive rat strains☆

Abstract The specific angiotensin receptor antagonist, Sar1,Thr8All (sarthran), was infused intracerebroventricularly in alert spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR), and Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and Sprague-Dawley (SD) normotensive rat strains. This resulted in a mean decrease of 35 mm Hg in the SHR group by 25 min post-infusion, and corresponding decreases in the WKY and SD rats of 13 and 15 mm Hg, respectively. A prominent transient sarthran-induced elevation in blood pressure was noted in the SHR group during the 5-min infusion. This agonistic effect was not observed in members of the WKY and SD strains. These data encourage the use of sarthran as a valuable pharmacological probe in the examination of the role of the brain renin-angiotensin system in hypertension.
Dynamic assessment and giftedness: The promise of assessing training responsiveness

Dynamic assessment is presented as an alternative method of measuring intellectual ability, and ways in which dynamic assessment addresses common criticisms of traditional intelligence tests are discussed. Dynamic assessment can be used to identify children's learning abilities, determine how and/or what to teach, assess giftedness in minority and poor children, control for individual differences, and explore different domains of giftedness in individual children.
Feline Infectious Disease Control in Shelters

No single factor determines whether a population remains healthy or disease rages out of control. All host and environmental factors taken together provide a number of tools to protect the vulnerable feline shelter population,however. A well-conceived infectious disease control program contributes to improved public perception, increased adoptions, and a healthier feline population within the shelter and in the community in general.
Measuring Actin Flow in Cell Protrusion in 3D

Cells generate forces through the cytoskeleton that are transmitted to the extracellular matrix via cell adhesion in order to adhere and migrate. Though cellular force generation has been studied in detail in 2D environment, less is known about cytoskeleton dynamics of cells embedded in natural 3D matrices.Fluorescent Speckle Microscopy (FSM) has been used to capture high-resolution images of actin turnover dynamics within living cells in 2D. However, this method is not applicable when cells are in 3D environment due to lower resolution and signal level.In this work we developed a new method to capture actin flow in 3D with high spatial-temporal resolution. Modulation tracking and correlation spectroscopy techniques were combined to show the directional flow of actin in 3D live cell. MDA-MB 231 cells with actin-GFP expression were cultured in type I collagen. The laser bin was oscillating back and forth at nearby two cross sections on cell protrusion, while scanning in orbit manner at each plane. The orbit radius was modulated in order to detect actin flow in the center of the protrusion. The intensity carpets from two positions were then cross-correlated.We found that actin in cell protrusion in 3D is relatively stable. Most of the measurement showed no correlation of two positions while some showed directional flow near protrusion surface. The actin flow rate of cell protrusion in 3D measured using this method is in the order of seconds, which is comparable to 2D results using FSM.With this method, we are able to visualize and quantify actin flow in 3D without the need of special speckle vectors and with high spatial-temporal resolution.Grant Acknowledgement:This work was supported by grants P41-RRO3155 and P50-GM076516.
Antihypertensive dose-response relationships: Studies with the selective α1-blocking agent terazosin

Terazosin is a selective alpha 1-adrenergic-blocking agent indicated for the treatment of hypertension. The aim of this multicenter study, performed in 256 patients with mild to moderate essential hypertension, was to define the dosing characteristics of terazosin (in the range of 1 to 80 mg) administered once daily. Patients were randomly assigned to placebo or active treatment groups; each group received 3 months of treatment, which comprised three ascending doses of terazosin, each administered for a 1-month period. As determined by conventional office measurements of supine diastolic blood pressure and by automated ambulatory blood pressure monitoring, there was a clear antihypertensive dose-response relationship for terazosin in the range of 1 to 5 mg daily. Except for the 80 mg dose, none of the doses above 5 mg (10 to 40 mg) appeared to provide additional efficacy. Both the office measurements and the monitoring data indicated that the ratio of trough (effect at the end of the dosing interval) to peak (maximum effect during the dosing interval) was at least 50% or greater during treatment with the 5 mg dose. Thus the 5 mg dose appeared to provide meaningful clinical antihypertensive efficacy and to sustain its effects throughout the full 24-hour period.
Characteristics of gelatins extracted from pigskins following different scalding treatments

Abstract Gelatins were extracted at 60, 70 and 80°C from pigskins subjected to different treatments such as fresh (control), scalded (S) and scalded with a scalding agent (SA). Gel strength, viscosity and pH were determined for comparison of gelatin quality. Gelatins extracted from fresh pigskins showed significantly higher (P
Integrating clinical pathways into CDSS using context and rules: a case study in heart disease

In this paper, we propose an ontology-based approach for integrating clinical pathways into Clinical Decision Support Systems (CDSS) recognizing that flexible pathways are critical for the success of CDSS. Our approach is based on a better understanding of clinical context through ontologies, and bringing them to bear in deciding the right rules for a certain activity. We also describe an approach for integrating and instantiating context specific subprocess fragment into a clinical pathway on the fly based on the needs of a specific case. To illustrate the feasibility of our approach, we present a system architecture and prototype implementation, along with a case study for handling patients with heart disease. The role of semantic web technologies in integrating clinical pathways into CDSS is highlighted.
Highly Localized Vernacular Regionalization in the Allentown-Bethlehem Area, PA-NJ∗

Yi-Fu Tuan's cognitive theory of the construction of place suggests the need for a higher level of resolution in research on American local vernacular regions. A survey-based case study of the Allentown-Bethlehem area demonstrates that municipal data can substantially refine an existing county-based delimitation by revealing previously undocumented regions and subregions, areas with mixed regional identity, and areas lacking regional identity. The resulting delimitations of subcounty vernacular regions are sufficiently precise to disclose a striking correspondence with area school districts.
ELECTROCARDIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS AMONG THE ADULT POPULATION OF A TOTAL NATURAL COMMUNITY, TECUMSEH, MICHIGAN.

Electrocardiograms were recorded from 2,449 men and 2,689 women past 16 years of age, 85 per cent of the adult population of Tecumseh, Michigan. The tracings were classified according to the system of Blackburn and associates and the various categories are tabulated and discussed. Abnormal Q waves and certain "nonspecific" changes such as left axis deviation, high-amplitude R waves, ST-segment depression, T-wave inversion, first-degree atrioventricular block, complete intraventricular block, and arrhythmias increased in frequency with age. Hypertension and hyperglycemia occurred with significant frequency among persons with some of these changes. It seems likely that such "nonspecific" electrocardiographic abnormalities are frequently signs of coronary or hypertensive heart disease. The mean amplitudes of QRS complexes of men less than 50 years of age were greater than those of women. Such sex differences should be taken into account in the interpretation of clinical electrocardiograms. Further examinatio...
Preterm premature rupture of membranes ≥32 weeks' gestation: impact of revised practice guidelines

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine the perinatal impact of the 2007 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists Practice Bulletin on preterm premature membrane rupture. Study Design Perinatal outcomes were compared in women who had experienced preterm membrane rupture in the 3 years before the 2007 Practice Bulletin to similar women who experienced preterm premature rupture of membranes in the 3 years after the issue and implementation of the guideline. Results After adjustment for gestational age at membrane rupture and steroids, composite severe morbidity (death, respiratory distress syndrome, assisted ventilation for ≥6 hours, sepsis, pneumonia, grade 3 or 4 intraventricular hemorrhage, or necrotizing enterocolitis) was similar by group. Infants in the "after" group experienced less pneumonia and sepsis, similar respiratory morbidity, but more labor inductions and postpartum hemorrhage. Conclusion The new guideline significantly decreases severe neonatal infections but is associated with more frequent labor induction and postpartum hemorrhage.
Vesicle-mediated solute transport between the vacuole and the plasma membrane.

The traditional view of the plant cell vacuole as a storage compartment has been replaced in recent years to that of a multipurpose organelle by the realization that the vacuole carries out numerous metabolic functions ([Wink, 1993][1]). For instance, under certain physiological conditions, in
Cerebellum as the Normal Reference for the Detection of Increased Cerebral Oxygen Extraction

Hemispheric ratios of oxygen extraction fraction (OEF), a proven methodology for the detection of severe hemodynamic impairment and stroke risk, are not sensitive for detecting bilateral hemispheric increases in OEF. The aim of this study was to investigate the use of cerebellum as the reference normal. We analyzed positron emission tomographic (PET) measurements of count-based OEF and clinical data from 57 patients with unilateral atherosclerotic carotid occlusion and 13 controls enrolled in a prospective study of stroke risk. The ipsilateral, contralateral, and total cerebellum were each evaluated as possible reference regions, and the ratios of the middle cerebral artery (MCA) hemispheric OEF counts against those in each reference region were determined. A statistically significant correlation (P<0.0001) was observed with all three MCA-to-cerebellar ratios when compared with the gold standard of ipsilateral-to-contralateral MCA hemispheric ratio. Kaplan–Meier analyses showed all MCA-to-cerebellar ratios to be predictive of stroke. By using the total cerebellum method, 7 strokes were found to have occurred in 20 patients with increased OEF (P=0.0007), compared with 7 strokes out of 16 patients with elevated OEF using the ipsilateral or contralateral cerebellum methods (P<0.0001). These methods may be useful for categorizing the hemodynamic status of patients with bilateral cerebral occlusive diseases, including atherosclerosis and moyamoya, to determine the association with the risk of subsequent stroke.
Biological activity of anti-thyrotropin anti-idiotypic antibody

Rabbit anti-rat anti-human thyrotropin anti-idiotypic antibodies have been raised. These antibodies were active at the thyrotropin (TSH) receptor, in that they inhibited 125I-labeled bovine TSH binding to thyroid plasma membranes, stimulated adenylate cyclase activity through a guanyl nucleotide-dependent mechanism, augmented radioiodide transport into isolated porcine thyroid follicular cells and induced such cultured cells to organize into follicles. Aside from substantiating the expectation that anti-hormone anti-idiotypic antibodies may possess properties of the original hormone, this work raised the possibility that thyroid-stimulating antibodies which cause the hyperthyroidism of Graves' disease may be anti-TSH anti-idiotypic antibodies.
ICP argon emission in the near infrared 1–2μm by high resolution Fourier transform spectrometry

Abstract The emission characteristics of the inductively coupled plasma in the near infrared spectral region from 0.9 to 2.0μm have been recorded by high resolution Fourier transform spectrometry. This region contains many strong atomic argon lines. The 109 lines with signal-to-noise ratio greater than four in the observed spectrum are identified and reported here with wavenumber accuracy on the order of 0.001 cm −1 . Also reported are relative intensities and line widths. This information is useful for determining spectral interferences to be expected in the development of analytical applications for the ICP in the near infrared.
Linear regulators and observers

The design of a regulator system using a constant gain observer in the feedback loop is discussed. By examining the poles of the closed-loop plant and observer, it is explicitly clear that the closed-loop response is jointly determined by the plant and observer poles and zeros.
Antibodies to Potato Virus Y Bind the Amyloid β Peptide IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL AND NMR STUDIES

Studies in transgenic mice bearing mutated human Alzheimer disease (AD) genes show that active vaccination with the amyloid β (Aβ) protein or passive immunization with anti-Aβ antibodies has beneficial effects on the development of disease. Although a trial of Aβ vaccination in humans was halted because of autoimmune meningoencephalitis, favorable effects on Aβ deposition in the brain and on behavior were seen. Conflicting results have been observed concerning the relationship of circulating anti-Aβ antibodies and AD. Although these autoantibodies are thought to arise from exposure to Aβ, it is also possible that homologous proteins may induce antibody synthesis. We propose that the long-standing presence of anti-Aβ antibodies or antibodies to immunogens homologous to the Aβ protein may produce protective effects. The amino acid sequence of the potato virus Y (PVY) nuclear inclusion b protein is highly homologous to the immunogenic N-terminal region of Aβ. PVY infects potatoes and related crops worldwide. Here, we show through immunocytochemistry, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and NMR studies that mice inoculated with PVY develop antibodies that bind to Aβ in both neuritic plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, whereas antibodies to material from uninfected potato leaf show only modest levels of background immunoreactivity. NMR data show that the anti-PVY antibody binds to Aβ within the Phe4–Ser8 and His13–Leu17 regions. Immune responses generated from dietary exposure to proteins homologous to Aβ may induce antibodies that could influence the normal physiological processing of the protein and the development or progression of AD.
Quantitative three-dimensional computed tomography measurement of radial head fractures

Background We developed a method to quantitatively analyze fracture fragment morphology on quantitative 3-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) images in terms of size, shape, and articular surface area. Materials and methods We analyzed 46 adult patients with a computed tomography scan of a fractured radial head with quantitative 3DCT. We defined an unstable fracture as complete loss of cortical contact of at least 1 fragment. Of the patients, 3 had a Mason type 1 fracture (all stable), 26 had a type 2 fractures (7 stable [27%] and 19 unstable [73%]), and 17 had a type 3 fracture (all unstable). The volume and articular surface area of each articular fracture fragment were measured. A small fragment was defined as having a volume of less than 100 mm 3 or an articular surface of less than 100 mm 2 . Results Partial head fractures (Mason type 2) (26 fractures) are usually multi-fragmented (19 of 26 [73%]) and often have small fragments by volume (32 fragments) and surface area (46 fragments) criteria, particularly when the fracture is displaced and unstable. Only 4 of the 17 patients (25%) with whole-head fractures (Mason type 3) had greater than 3 fragments, but 9 of 17 fractures (69%) with 3 or fewer fragments had small fragments. Conclusions According to this initial application of quantitative 3DCT analysis, partial-head fractures are often complex and difficult to repair (small fragments), and most whole-head fractures have 3 or fewer fragments, but many of those fragments are small and may be difficult to repair.
Optimum compaction filters for cyclostationary signals

This paper considers the energy compaction problem for wide-sense cyclostationary (WSCS) signals. Periodic Nyquist-N filters and optimum compaction filters are defined and their properties examined. A procedure for designing compaction filters is given, and application to subband coding of WSCS signals is explored.
Context of Religious Research Accompanying “Call for Papers”

By the time you are reading this, we will have successfully concluded our 2012 annual meeting and be looking forward to 2013. To that end, the 2013 RRA Program Call appears on the verso of this page. I hope many of you will consider submitting something for the Boston meeting. As we continue the process of transitioning from an academic-year calendar to one that runs from January through December, I particularly want to call your attention to our need that your 2013 dues arrive no later than 28 February, and that dues become delinquent at the start of the year. We need to have your dues in hand in order to render an accurate subscribers list to Springer as we begin the new subscription year. Dues remain at $20 for students and $35 for Constituents. If you do not know whether or not you have paid your 2013 dues as you are reading this, you will receive a final dues notice early in the new year if you have not. If you wish to avoid a delinquency charge, however, you may also send a check in the appropriate amount now to the Executive Office at 618 SW 2nd Ave., Galva, IL 61434-1912. The Executive Office would also appreciate hearing from you as you use the current issues of the Review in order for the Board to assess its on-going relationship with Springer across the coming years. If there are things you particularly like or particularly find objectionable, we certainly would like to know. Please note that this refers to the Review as printed and delivered, not to editorial decisions, which remain entirely the responsibility of the Editor based upon the reviewers she chooses.
Recall of three-item sequences by pigeons

Pigeons were trained to recall an arbitrary sequence on a delayed matching-to-successive-samples (DMTSS) task. Sample items were presented successively and then displayed simultaneously. Subjects were required to respond to them in the order in which they appeared. In Experiment 1, pigeons responded correctly on 75% of the trials on a two-item DMTSS task but at a chance level of accuracy on a three-item task. In Experiment 2, pigeons who learned to produce a three-item sequence prior to DMTSS training mastered a three-item DMTSS task at a 75% level of accuracy. Control groups, trained initially with the same items on nonserial tasks, performed as poorly on a three-item DMTSS task as the naive subjects of Experiment 1. It was hypothesized that pigeons that first learned to produce a three-item list were able to recall three-item samples in DMTSS because they had learned to represent three-item sequences.
Low-voltage-activated ("T-Type") calcium channels in review.

The past 5 years has witnessed an advance in our understanding of alpha1G (Cav3.1), alpha1H (Cav3.2), and alpha1l (Cav3.3), the pore-forming subunits of T-type or low-voltage-activated calcium channels (LVAs). LVAs differ in their localization and molecular, biophysical, and biochemical properties, but all conduct a transient calcium current in a variety of cells. T-type currents mediate a number of physiological functions in developing and mature cells, and are implicated in neural and cardiovascular diseases. Hampered by a lack of selective antagonists, characterization of T-type channels has come from recombinant channel studies and use of pharmacological and electrophysiological methods to isolate endogenous T-type currents. The surprising heterogeneity in T-type currents likely results from differences in LVA molecular composition, temporal and spatial localization, and association with modulatory molecules. A fundamental knowledge of LVA biochemical properties, including the molecular composition of endogenous LVAs and spatial and temporal characterization of protein expression, is necessary to elucidate mechanisms for regulation of expression and function in normal and diseased cells.
Characterization of human β2-microglobulin by isoelectric focusing

Abstract β 2 -Microglobulin (B 2 M) isolated from the urine of normal subjects and patients with cadaveric renal transplantation, showed 2 homologues by isoelectric focusing, one with a p I 5.3, the other with a p I 5.7. These proteins show identical molecular weights by dextran gel filtration and sodium dodecyl sulfate acrylamide gel electrophoresis. The immunogenic reactivity demonstrates partial identity using antiserum to human B 2 M from 2 different sources.
The fractal dimension of a test signal: implications for system identification procedures

The experimental identification of a nonlinear biologic transducer is often approached via consideration of its response to a stochastic test ensemble, such as Gaussian white noise (Marmarelis and Marmarelis 1978). In this approach, the input-output relationship a deterministic transducer is described by an orthogonal series of functionals. Laboratory implementation of such procedures requires the use of a particular test signal drawn from the idealized stochastic ensemble; the statistics of the particular test signal necessarily deviate from the statistics of the ensemble. The notion of a fractal dimension (specifically the capacity dimension) is a means to characterize a complex time series. It characterizes one aspect of the difference between a specific example of a test signal and the test ensemble from which it is drawn: the fractal dimension of ideal Gaussian white noise is infinite, while the fractal dimension of a particular test signal is finite. This paper shows that the fractal dimension of a test signal is a key descriptor of its departure from ideality: the fractal dimension of the test signal bounds the number of terms that can reliably be identified in the orthogonal functional series of an unknown transducer.
High Flux Filtration Medium Based on Nanofibrous Substrate with Hydrophilic Nanocomposite Coating

A novel high flux filtration medium, consisting of a three-tier composite structure, i.e., a nonporous hydrophilic nanocomposite coating top layer, an electrospun nanofibrous substrate midlayer, and a conventional nonwoven microfibrous support, was demonstrated for oil/water emulsion separations for the first time. The nanofibrous substrate was prepared by electrospinning of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) followed by chemical cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA) in acetone. The resulting cross-linked PVA substrates showed excellent water resistance and good mechanical properties. The top coating was based on a nanocomposite layer containing hydrophilic polyether-b-polyamide copolymer or a cross-linked PVA hydrogel incorporated with surface-oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) examinations indicated that the nanocomposite layer was nonporous within the instrumental resolution and MWNTs were well dispersed in the polymer matrix. Oil/ water emulsion tests showed that this unique type of filtration media exhibited a high flux rate (up to 330 L/m2-h at the feed pressure of 100 psi) and an excellent total organic solute rejection rate (99.8%) without appreciable fouling. The increase in the concentration of surface-oxidized MWNT in the coating layer generally improves the flux rate, which can be attributed to the generation of more effective hydrophilic nanochannels for water passage in the composite membranes.
Remineralization of Carious Dentin

Based on radiographic and microradiographic evidence, a 10% stannous fluoride solution produced remineralization of the carious dentin more rapidly than, and was superior to, other remineralizing solutions and calcifying solutions. Permeability to dye penetration was reduced. Electron photomicrographs showed an electron-dense material deposited in the dentinal matrix.
Objective analysis of retinal damage in HIV-positive patients in the HAART era using OCT.

Purpose To assess retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease without cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV). Design A case-control study. Methods The study included 113 eyes of 65 patients in one center. Thickness of RNFL along a 3.4-mm-diameter circle centered on the optic nerve head was evaluated using third-generation optical coherence tomography. Patients in group A (39 eyes of 22 patients) were human immunodeficiency virus-negative control subjects. Group B (36 eyes of 18 patients) was composed of HIV patients with no history of CMV retinitis and CD4 counts consistently above 100. Group C (38 eyes of 25 patients) comprised HIV patients with no history of CMV retinitis but a history of CD4 count less than 100 at some point lasting for at least 6 months. Results The average RNFL thicknesses in groups A, B, and C were 103.33 ± 8.50 μm, 103.30 ± 9.28 μm, and 90.10 ± 12.50 μm, respectively. Group C had significantly thinner overall RNFL than either of the groups A and B (Tukey-Kramer). This difference was most prominent in temporal, superior, and inferior retinal areas. No difference was in nasal retinal area, nor between groups A and B in any of the areas. Conclusions Significant RNFL thinning occurs in HIV patients without CMV retinitis and with low CD4 counts compared with the same subgroup of patients with CD4 count increased to above 100 and HIV-negative control subjects. Third-generation OCT may be useful in diagnosis of early subclinical HIV-associated visual functional loss.
Pharmacologically induced changes in wall thickening dynamics and mid-ventricular volumes in dogs assessed by prospectively gated computed tomography

Abstract Assessment of regional wall thickening dynamics is important for monitoring the response of normal and ischemic myocardium to pharmacologic interventions. Because regional wall thickness can be measured on computed tomographic (CT) scans of the heart, the ability of electrocardiogram-gated computed tomography to determine the effects of pharmacologic agents on global and segmental left ventricular (LV) function was assessed. Eight conditioned dogs were studied at a control state and during drug-induced changes in contractility and loading conditions brought about by the use of isoproterenol (0.15 μg/kg/min), phenylephrine (0.3 μg/kg/min), and verapamil (0.2 mg/kg infused over 10 minutes). Ten contrast-enhanced CT slices (1 cm thick) at the same mid-LV level were reconstructed for each 10% of the R-R interval throughout an average cardiac cycle using prospectively gated CT scans. End-diastolic and end-systolic frames were selected and analyzed for the following: septal, apical, and lateral wall thickness, percent wall thickening, end-diastolic and end-systolic mid-LV volume, and percent change in mid-LV volume. During control, end-diastolic and end-systolic LV wall thicknesses (in millimeters) were 12 ± 2 and 15 ± 2 for the septal wall, 8 ± 1 and 11 ± 2 for the apical wall, and 10 ± 1 and 12 ± 1 for the lateral wall, respectively. The percent thickening in these respective segments was 24 ± 8, 36 ± 10, and 28 ± 13. The control end-diastolic and end-systolic mid-LV volumes were 16 ± 3 and 12 ± 3 ml, resulting in a percent change of 27 ± 7%. Phenylephrine induced significant thinning of the walls and impairment of systolic thickening, whereas isoproterenol induced opposite effects. Verapamil produced a significant decrease in mean blood pressure (123 ± 9 versus 99 ± 23 mm Hg, p
Sources and Concentrations of Nitrate‐Nitrogen in Ground Water of the Central Platte Region, Nebraskaa

During 1976-1977 nitrate-nitrogen (NO3-N) concentrations exceeded 10 mg/1 in 183 of the 256 ground-water samples collected from parts of Buffalo, Hall, and Merrick counties in Nebraska. Comparison of the isotopic values with those of potential nitrate sources suggested that the primary source of contamination in most wells was fertilizer and that a small percentage of the wells contained significant concentrations of NO3-N derived from animal wastes. A combination of two or more sources of contamination was assumed for those samples for which the source could not be identified. Significant negative correlations between δ15N and NO3-N (-0.35 in Buffalo and Hall Counties) and between δ5N and depth to water (–0.55 in Merrick County) indicate that denitrification is the major factor in isotopic fractionation of nitrogen from the nitrate sour
Breed differences in the distribution of BoLA-A locus antigens in American cattle.

Summary. A total of 627 cattle representing seven breeds from south central Nebraska, USA were tested for 37 BoLA antigens which behave as products of 37 distinct alleles of the class 1 BoLA-A locus. Four antigens were absent from all breeds tested. The other antigens showed marked and statistically significant differences in breed distribution. There was no evidence for blank (null) alleles. The number of alleles in each breed ranged from 10 to 20. The Hereford and Simmental populations tested were less polymorphic than the Angus, Brown Swiss, Charolais, Gelbvieh and Limousin populations.
Hardware Scheduling for Dynamic Adaptability using External Profiling and Hardware Threading

While performance, area, and power constraints have been the driving force in designing current communication-enabled embedded systems, post-fabrication and run-time adaptability is now required. Two dominant configurable hardware platforms are processors and FPGAs. However, for compute-intensive applications, neither platform delivers the needed performance at the desired low power. The need thus arises for custom, application-specific configurable (ASC) hardware. This paper addresses the optimization of ASC hardware. Our target application areas are multimedia and communication where an incoming packet (task) is processed independently of other packets. We innovatively utilize two concepts: external profiling and hardware threading. We utilize an M/M/c queueing model to profile task arrival patterns and show how profiling guides design decisions. We introduce the novel concept of hardware threading which allows on-the-fly borrowing of unutilized hardware, thus maximizing task-level parallelism, to either boost performance or to lower power consumption. We present a scheduling algorithm that synthesizes a hardware-threaded architecture, and discuss experimental results that illustrate adaptability to different workloads, and performance/power trade-offs.
X-ray lines from R-parity violating decays of keV sparticles

If $R$ parity is only mildly violated, then the lightest supersymmetric particle (LSP) can be stable over cosmologically time scales and still account for the dark matter relic density. We examine the possibility of generating detectable x-ray lines from $R$-parity violating decays of keV-scale LSP dark matter to neutrino-photon pairs. Specifically, we consider scenarios in which the LSP is a light gravitino, bino, or hidden sector photino. Potential signals are discussed in the context of recent claims of an unidentified 3.5 keV x-ray line in studies of stacked galaxy clusters. We comment on the difficulties in obtaining the observed relic density for keV-scale bino or hidden photino dark matter and some possible resolutions.
A new kind of fuzzy regression modeling and its combination with fuzzy inference

In this paper, a new kind of fuzzy regression model suggested by the author in papers [1] and [2] will be restated more clearly. Then a consistency between the new fuzzy regression modeling and fuzzy inference modeling will be presented, showing its added advantage for application problems. Based on the consistency, a method for combining fuzzy regression and fuzzy inference will be introduced in this paper. This will serve as the starting point for applying the two kinds of information resources, quantitative and qualitative information resources, simultaneously in practical prediction problems.
Mouse STAT2 Restricts Early Dengue Virus Replication

Dengue virus encodes several interferon antagonists. Among these the NS5 protein binds STAT2, a necessary component of the type I interferon signaling pathway, and targets it for degradation. We now demonstrate that the ability of dengue NS5 to associate with and degrade STAT2 is species specific. Thus, NS5 is able to bind and degrade human STAT2, but not mouse STAT2. This difference was exploited to demonstrate, absent manipulation of the viral genome, that NS5-mediated IFN antagonism is essential for efficient virus replication. Moreover, we demonstrate that differences in NS5 mediated binding and degradation between human and mouse STAT2 maps to a region within the STAT2 coiled-coil domain. By using STAT2(-/-) mice, we also demonstrate that mouse STAT2 restricts early dengue virus replication in vivo. These results suggest that overcoming this restriction through transgenic mouse technology may help in the development of a long-sought immune-competent mouse model of dengue virus infection.
Systems and Software Architecting: A Unified Approach

Formulating a sound architecture has become one of the most important elements in systems engineering, software engineering and systems integration. Significant work has been done in the architecting of systems and, mostly as a separate matter, the architecting of software. This paper focuses upon the issue of a unified approach to both systems and software architecting. A specific procedure for a unified method is suggested and illustrated.
Stability of Two-Dimensional Foams in Langmuir Monolayers

Two-dimensional foams within a polymer Langmuir monolayer show markedly different stability on two different substrates. This contrast is used to explore foam stability in Langmuir layers. The relaxation of 2D isolated droplets allows both the measurement of the line tension and the assessment of hydrodynamics. Surface potential measurements assess long-range electrostatic repulsion due to alignment of molecular dipoles at the surface. The surface potential difference between gaseous and liquid polymer domains is larger, by more than a factor of 7, where foams are stable than where they are not.
Laser-induced Fluorescence Triple-integration Method Applied to Hydroxyl Concentration and Fluorescence Lifetime Measurements

We report quantitative hydroxyl concentrations obtained by using a new laser-induced fluorescence triple-integration method (LIFTIME), which is capable of rapid and continuous fluorescence lifetime measurements via a unique photon-counting technique. LIFTIME has been convolved with picosecond time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence to permit the rapid monitoring of instantaneous species concentrations in flames. Here, LIFTIME is used to measure hydroxyl concentrations and fluorescence lifetimes at a sampling rate of 1 Hz in eight premixed laminar flat flames and in one laminar opposed flow diffusion flame. Fluorescence lifetimes as a function of axial position are generally obtained with less than 5% uncertainty, while concentrations at the same locations are obtained with less than 10% uncertainty (95% confidence interval). The hydroxyl concentration measurements are shown to agree well with modeling predictions and with previous laser-saturated fluorescence measurements. The measurements are also compa...
Short-Term Sensitization of Colon Mechanoreceptors Is Associated With Long-Term Hypersensitivity to Colon Distention in the Mouse

Background & Aims: Using a mouse model that reproduces major features of irritable bowel syndrome (long-lasting colon hypersensitivity without inflammation), we examined the contributions of 2 proteins, transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) and acid-sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3), on development of behavioral hypersensitivity and assessed the function of colon mechanoreceptors of hypersensitive mice. Methods: Visceral nociceptive behavior was measured as the visceromotor response (VMR) to colorectal distention (CRD) before and after intracolonic treatment with zymosan or saline. Colon pathology was assessed in parallel experiments by quantifying myeloperoxidase activity, intralumenal pH, and tissue histology. Electrophysiologic experiments were performed on naive and zymosan-treated hypersensitive mice using an in vitro colon-pelvic nerve preparation. Results: Zymosan, but not saline, produced significant and persistent increases in the VMRs of control mice; zymosan produced nonsignificant increases in the VMRs in TRPV1 and ASIC3 knockout mice. Colon myeloperoxidase activity and pH were unaffected by either CRD or intracolonic treatments. Pelvic nerve mechanoreceptors recorded from zymosan-treated or naive mice had similar sensitivity to stretch of the colon. When applied acutely, zymosan sensitized muscular/mucosal mechanoreceptors in both naive and hypersensitive mice. Conclusions: Zymosan produced sensitization of colon mechanoreceptors acutely in vitro and chronic (≥7 weeks) behavioral hypersensitivity in the absence of inflammation. The behavioral hypersensitivity was partially dependent on both TRPV1 and ASIC3 because deletions of either of these genes blunted zymosan's effect, suggesting that these proteins may be important peripheral mediators for development of functional (ie, noninflammatory) visceral hypersensitivity.
Alternator Short-Circuit Currents Under Unsymmetrical Terminal Conditions

Discussion of a paper by A. R. Miller and W. S. Weil, Jr., published on pages 1268–76 of volume 56, 1937, AIEE TRANSACTIONS (October 1937 issue of ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING) and presented for oral discussion at the electrical machinery session of the winter convention, New York, N. Y., January 27, 1938.
Calcipotriol toxicity in a dog

A six-month-old Labrador retriever was presented for investigation of acute polyuria, polydipsia and haematemesis six hours following ingestion of a tube of the topical antipsoriatic vitamin D analogue, calcipotriol. Transient hypercalcaemia, azotaemia, proteinuria, thrombocytopenia and ventricular arrhythmias ensued. Abdominal ultrasonography and echocardiography revealed evidence of diffuse soft tissue mineralisation. Despite 13 days of intensive supportive care, the dog was euthanased due to continued haematemesis and anorexia. Necropsy confirmed mineralisation and necrosis of multiple organ systems consistent with vitamin D toxicity.