cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Structural studies of detergent-solubilized and vesicle-reconstituted low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor.

The low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor plays a key role in maintaining circulating and cellular cholesterol homeostasis. The LDL receptor is a transmembrane glycoprotein whose biochemical and genetic properties have been extensively studied notably by Brown, Goldstein and colleagues [Brown, M. S., & Goldstein, J. L., (1986) Science 232, 34−47]. However, few if any structural studies of the LDL receptor have been reported, and details of its secondary and tertiary structure are lacking. In an attempt to determine the low-resolution structure of the LDL receptor, we have purified the receptor from bovine adrenal cortices using modifications of the method of Schneider et al. [Schneider, W. J., Goldstein, J. L., & Brown, M. S. (1985) Methods in Enzymol. 109, 405−417]. Using circular dichroism, the secondary structure of the detergent-solubilized bovine LDL receptor at 25 °C was shown to be 19% α-helix, 42% β-sheet, and 39% random coil. Interestingly, the detergent-solubilized receptor appeared to be quite...
Women, Fire, and Dangerous Things: Metatextuality and the Politics of Reading in Jean Rhys's Wide Sargasso Sea

And the sigh of that child Is white as an orchid … As the white hush between two se ntences. —from “Jean Rhys” by Derek Wolcott This essay borrows its title from George Lakoff’s pathbreaking book, presenting his theory on categorization and cognitive models (Chicago: U of Chicago P, 1987).
PKCα and ERβ Are Associated with Triple-Negative Breast Cancers in African American and Caucasian Patients

Although the incidence of breast cancer in the United States is higher in Caucasian women compared with African American women, African-American patients have more aggressive disease as characterized by a higher percentage of triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs), high-grade tumors, and a higher mortality rate. PKCα is a biomarker associated with endocrine resistance and poor prognosis and ERβ is emerging as a protective biomarker. Immunohistochemical analysis of ERβ and PKCα expression was performed on 198 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded primary infiltrating ductal carcinomas from 105 African-American and 93 Caucasian patients. PKCα is positively correlated with TNBC in patients of both races and with high tumor grade in African-American patients. Patients with TNBC express less nuclear ERβ compared with all other subtypes. We find no difference in frequency or intensity of PKCα or ERβ expression between African-American and Caucasian patients. PKCα and ERβ are discussed as potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of patients with TNBC.
An improved video multiplexer for behavioral research

Wellens and Revert (1979) described a solid-state circuit that allowed two sources of video information to be multiplexed and recorded using one videotape machine. On playback, the demultiplexed video signal allowed the original video channels to be viewed independently on separate television monitors. Recent changes in videocassette recorder technology have improved the playback quality of recorded images but disrupt the demultiplexing process when freeze frame or search options are selected. Improved multiplexing techniques that overcome these limitations are described.
Cryptanalysis of a GL ( r , Z n )-Based Public Key System

Keith Salvin presented a key exchange protocol using matrices in the general linear group, GL(r,Zn), where n is the product of two distinct large primes. The system is fully specified in the US patent number 7346162 issued in 2008. In the patent claims, it is argued that the best way to break this system is to factor n. Furthermore, for efficiency reasons, it is suggested to use r=2. In this letter, we show that this cryptosystem can be easily broken by solving a set of consistent homogeneous r2 linear equations in 2r unknowns over n.
CONSTRUCTIVE EFFECT OF PANCURONIUM ON CAPACITANCE VESSELS

The effects of pancuronium 0.08 mg kg−1, metocurine 0.4 mg kg−1 and tubocurarine 0.4 mg kg−1 on vascular tone were studied in 26 patients undergoing open heart surgery during total cardiopulmonary bypass. With a fixed rate of perfusion, arterial pressure is related directly to total peripheral resistance, while the volume of blood remaining in the extracorporeal reservoir is related inversely to vascular capacity, which depends primarily on venous tone. Pancuronium increased the reservoir volume (average of 780±SEM250ml (P
Two new templates for epidemiology applications: linked micromap plots and conditioned choropleth maps.

This paper describes two interactive templates for representing spatially indexed estimates. Both templates use a matrix layout of small panels. The first template, called linked micromap plots, can represent multivariate estimates associated with each spatially indexed study unit. The second template, called conditioned choropleth maps, shows the connection between a dependent variable, as represented in a classed choropleth map, and two explanatory variables. The paper describes the cognitive considerations that motivate the layouts and representation details. The discussion also addresses topics of data quality and access, hypothesis generation, and interactive features such as pan and zoom and dynamic conditioning via sliders. The examples show epidemiological (mortality rates) and environmental (toxic concentrations) applications.
Challenges for Internal Medicine as the American College of Physicians Celebrates Its 100th Anniversary

The American College of Physicians celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2015. This commentary highlights 3 leading issues for internal medicine and for the College as it enters its second century an...
Fatty Acids of the Virginia Pine Sawfly, Neodiprion pratti Dyar

Lipids account for approximately eight per cent of the wet weight of Neodiprion pratti larvae. Fatty acids comprise eighty per cent of the total lipids. Approximately seventy-five per cent of the fatty acids are unsaturated and over seventy per cent have eighteen carbons. Four unknowns were characterized as being polyunsaturates of sixteen and eighteen carbons.
G0.18-0.04: Interaction of Thermal and Nonthermal Radio Structures in the Arc Near the Galactic Center

Using a high-resolution radio-continuum image made at a frequency of 4.8 GHz, the radio source G0.18-0.04 located at the intersection of the galactic center Arc with the galactic plane is discussed. In this direction, the radio Arc is composed of a set of linear, nonthermal filamentary structures superimposed on a narrow, sickle-shaped, thermal feature which crosses them. The radio image suggests a physical interaction between the thermal and nonthermal structures. It is argued that the magnetic field is dynamically important and that its strength is estimated to be very large (0.001 G). Furthermore, it is suggested that the ionization of G0.18-0.04 is caused by collisional ionization rather than ultraviolet photons from massive stars. The discussion presents possible ways in which some of the energy of the relativistc particles or the magnetic field in the nonthermal filaments might be extracted to ionize ambient gas in the galactic plane.
An inhibitor of host sigma-stimulated core enzyme activity that purifies with DNA-dependent RNA polymerase of E. coli following T4 phage infection.

Abstract The content of the sigma subunit (as detected by gel electrophoresis) and activity with T4 DNA were examined with RNA polymerase fractions from both normal and T4 phage-infected E. coli . Sigma-containing fractions and core enzymes were obtained by phosphocellulose column chromatography. The sigma-containing fraction of the enzyme from infected cells, although somewhat stimulatory to both core enzymes alone, inhibits the normal sigma-stimulated activity of the core enzyme from infected cells at both low and high KCl concentration. Normal core enzyme activity is inhibited only at high KCl concentration.
Effects of firocoxib and tepoxalin on healing in a canine gastric mucosal injury model

Background: Little is known about the effect of dual cyclooxygenase (COX) and lipoxygenase inhibition on canine gastric mucosal healing. Objective: This study compares the effects of putative dual COX and 5-lipoxygenase inhibition with that of COX-2 selective inhibition on gastric mucosal lesion healing in dogs. Animals: Six normal adult mixed-breed research dogs. Methods: Gastric body and pyloric lesions were induced by endoscopic biopsy. Dogs were treated with tepoxalin, firocoxib, or placebo for 7 days in a randomized 3-way crossover study design. Healing was evaluated on days 2, 4, and 7 of treatment by endoscopic lesion scoring. Eicosanoid concentrations in plasma and at the lesion margins were determined on days 2, 4, and 7. Repeated measures analyses were performed. All hypothesis tests were 2-sided with P < .05. Multiple comparisons were adjusted using Tukey's test. Results: Significant treatment differences were noted in the pyloric lesion area measurements. Overall, the firocoxib group had larger lesions than the placebo (P= .0469) or tepoxalin (P= .0089) groups. Despite larger pyloric lesions in the firocoxib group, mucosal prostaglandin production did not differ significantly from placebo. In contrast, the tepoxalin group had significantly lower pyloric mucosal prostaglandin production compared with the firocoxib (P < .0001) or the placebo (P < .0001) groups but pyloric lesions were not significantly larger than those of the placebo group (P= .7829). Conclusion: COX-2 inhibition by firocoxib slowed wound healing by a mechanism independent of prostaglandin synthesis. Suppression of mucosal prostaglandin production by tepoxalin did not alter mucosal lesion healing compared with placebo.
Quality Assurance and Standards for Red Cells and Platelets

Blood donations vary in composition because of considerable variation in donor cell counts and volume collected. In order to minimize the variation in end products produced, and reduce the likelihood of low quality products, a program called Quality Assurance (QA) is required. Agreement on minimal standards is useful, and a program of quality control (QC) is an important component of QA. However, while QC to ensure compliance with standards is desirable, the objective of manufacturing products of consistently high quality can only be achieved when attention is focused on total process control, self-auditing and the energetic management of errors.
Combinations not tolerated by normal topological groups

Abstract We show that if X is not paracompact then one can find a compact space K such that X ⊕ K does not embed closedly into any normal topological group.
Electrochemical materials and processes in Si integrated circuit technology

Various technical issues related to feature scaling and recent electrochemical technologies advances for on-chip copper interconnects at Intel are reviewed. Effects of additives on electroplating, as well as performance of novel Cu direct plating on ruthenium liner are discussed. An electroless cobalt capping layer of Cu lines, which led to increased electromigration resistance, has been characterized. The potential application of carbon nanotubes as future interconnects materials, their properties and controlled placement by using dielectrophoresis are also reviewed.
Blockade of estrogen-stimulated proliferation by a constitutively-active prolactin receptor having lower expression in invasive ductal carcinoma

A comprehensive understanding of prolactin's (PRL's) role in breast cancer is complicated by disparate roles for alternatively-spliced PRL receptors (PRLR) and crosstalk between PRL and estrogen signaling. Among PRLRs, the short form 1b (SF1b) inhibits PRL-stimulated cell proliferation. In addition to ligand-dependent PRLRs, constitutively-active varieties, missing the S2 region of the extracellular domain (ΔS2), naturally occur. Expression analysis of the ΔS2 version of SF1b (ΔS2SF1b) showed higher expression in histologically-normal contiguous tissue versus invasive ductal carcinoma. To determine the function of ΔS2SF1b, a T47D breast cancer line with inducible expression was produced. Induction of ΔS2SF1b blocked estrogen-stimulated cell proliferation. Unlike intact SF1b, induction of ΔS2SF1b had no effect on PRL-mediated activation of Stat5a. However induction inhibited estrogen's stimulatory effects on serine-118 phosphorylation of estrogen receptor α, serine-473 phosphorylation of Akt, serine-9 phosphorylation of GSK3β, and c-myc expression. In addition, induction of ΔS2SF1b increased expression of the cell cycle-inhibiting protein, p21. Thus, increased expression of ΔS2SF1b, such as we demonstrate occurs with the selective PRLR modulator, S179D PRL, would create a physiological state in which estrogen-stimulated proliferation was inhibited, but differentiative responses to PRL were maintained.
A Correlation Study of Large Potassium Cationic Clusters

Fourth-order many body perturbation theory is used to investigate the properties of large potassium cationic K (8 ≦ n ≦ 13) clusters. Detailed electronic structures of these clusters are studied. Stabilities from the points of view of binding and fragmentation energies are discussed and, wherever possible, results are compared with published data in the literature. Vielkorperstorungstheorie vierter Ordnung wird benutzt, um die Eigenschaften groser Kaliumkationen-K (8 ≦ n ≦ 13)-Cluster zu untersuchen. Ausfuhrliche elektronische Strukturen dieser Cluster werden untersucht. Stabilitaten vom Standpunkt der Bindung und der Bruchenergien werden diskutiert, und wo immer moglich, mit publizierten Daten in der Literatur verglichen.
Health profiles in quality of life: Evaluation of diagnostic technologies

Summary The use of instruments to measure health-related quality of life has become commonplace in medical research, although their use is still unusual in the evaluation of diagnostic technologies. Dr Greenfield has pointed out the potential to abuse as well as use these methods. The cautions that Dr Greenfield has outlined apply to any such research, whether one is evaluating a new drug or a new imaging device. Even though the chain of events from diagnostic technology to patient outcome is longer than for therapeutic interventions, we maintain that quality-of-life instruments are potentially valuable tools for evaluating any of the links in this chain.
Treatment of Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Adjuvant or Definitive Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

Purpose The optimal management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) typically involves surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in the setting of adverse pathologic features. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is frequently used to treat oral cavity cancers, but published IMRT outcomes specific to this disease site are sparse. We report the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute experience with IMRT-based treatment for OCSCC. Methods and Materials Retrospective study of all patients treated at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for OCSCC with adjuvant or definitive IMRT between August 2004 and December 2009. The American Joint Committee on Cancer disease stage criteria distribution of this cohort included 5 patients (12%) with stage I; 10 patients (24%) with stage II ( n = 10, 24%),; 14 patients (33%) with stage III ( n = 14, 33%),; and 13 patients (31%) with stage IV. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS); secondary endpoints were locoregional control (LRC) and acute and chronic toxicity. Results Forty-two patients with OCSCC were included, 30 of whom were initially treated with surgical resection. Twenty-three (77%) of 30 surgical patients treated with adjuvant IMRT also received concurrent chemotherapy, and 9 of 12 (75%) patients treated definitively without surgery were treated with CRT or induction chemotherapy and CRT. With a median follow-up of 2.1 years (interquartile range, 1.1–3.1 years) for all patients, the 2-year actuarial rates of OS and LRC following adjuvant IMRT were 85% and 91%, respectively, and the comparable results for definitive IMRT were 63% and 64% for OS and LRC, respectively. Only 1 patient developed symptomatic osteoradionecrosis, and among patients without evidence of disease, 35% experienced grade 2 to 3 late dysphagia, with only 1 patient who was continuously gastrostomy-dependent. Conclusions In this single-institution series, postoperative IMRT was associated with promising LRC, OS, and lower late toxicity rates, and chemoradiotherapy was a successful treatment for patients with high-risk disease. In contrast, outcomes of radiation-based treatment for patients with inoperable locally advanced disease were markedly less successful.
Recombinant bacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) expressing human interferon-alpha 2B demonstrates enhanced immunogenicity

To increase its immunostimulatory properties, BCG was genetically engineered to secrete recombinant human interferon-alpha 2B (rhIFN-α) under control of the mycobacterial heat shock protein (hsp)60 promoter and the α antigen signal sequence. Expression of rhIFN-α was readily detectable by ELISA and on Western blotting. When compared with control BCG, rhIFN-α BCG was substantially more active in inducing the production of IFN-γ and IFN-inducible protein 10 (IP-10) from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while IL-10 production was correspondingly decreased. These effects were reversible upon antibody neutralization of rhIFN-α. Among 10 patients tested, rhIFN-α BCG enhanced IFN-γ production in all patients ranging from 1·4- to 23·7-fold with a general trend toward greatest enhancement among those with weakest baseline responses to control BCG. Correspondingly, rhIFN-α BCG decreased IL-10 production in all patients by 1·2–4·8-fold. The onset of IFN-γ production induced by rhIFN-α BCG was also more rapid, occurring within 4 h after stimulation versus > 24 h with wild-type BCG. The observation that the maximum IFN-γ induction depends on the simultaneous presence of both IFN-α and BCG highlights the advantages of rhIFN-α BCG. Taken together, these immunostimulatory properties of rhIFN-α BCG suggest that it may be a superior agent for immunotherapeutic protocols involving live BCG in humans.
Rock Compressibility and Failure as Reservoir Mechanisms in Geopressured Gas Reservoirs

Rock compressibility has long been recognized as an important factor in material-balance calculations of oil in place for closed reservoirs producing above bubble-point pressure. For example, if the pore volume compressibility of the reservoir rock is half of the compressibility of the undersaturated oil, neglect of the rock-compressibility term results in about a 50% overestimation of oil in place. In general, it may be stated that in material-balance calculations on closed reservoirs, consideration of rock compressibility becomes increasingly important as the fluid compressibility decreases. A study of the N. Ossun field, Louisiana, reveals that as reservoir pressure is depleted, the increase in net overburden pressure initially causes rock failure, and as the failure continues with decreasing pore pressure, rock compressibility decreases until eventually it reaches a normal value. The N. Ossun field is a geopressured gas reservoir with an initial pore pressure of 8,921 psia at 12,500 ft subsea depth, or a gradient of 0.725 psi/ft. Tabular data give pertinent information on this reservoir. Good geologic control is indicated by a structure map.
(1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)iron (III)-mediated cleavage of DNA: detection of selected protein-DNA interactions

A new reagent for the oxidative cleavage of DNA, (1,4,7-trimethyl-1, 4,7-triazacyclononane)iron(III) chloride was recently introduced. We have determined the utility of this reagent for detecting protein-DNA interactions within two types of complexes. Interestingly, we find that the rates of DNA cleavage by this reagent are differentially affected by the two classes of protein-DNA interactons studied. We find that the rate of DNA cleavage by this reagent is relatively unaffected by the non-sequence-specific histone-DNA interactions within a nucleosome complex. Conversely, a clear footprint pattern is obtained with two different DNA sequence-specific protein-DNA complexes. The results suggest that (1,4,7-trimethyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononane)iron(III) chloride will be a useful reagent to probe trans -acting-factor-DNA interactions within a chromatin environment. Differences between these two types of protein-DNA interactions, which might account for this observation, are discussed.
A study of the relationship between placenta growth factor and gestational age, parturition, rupture of membranes, and intrauterine infection.

Abstract Objective: Placenta growth factor is a potent angiogenic factor produced by the human placenta that has been implicated in the pathogenesis of preeclampsia and intrauterine growth restriction. Placenta growth factor belongs to the vascular endothelial growth factor family and is capable of inducing proliferation, migration, and activation of endothelial cells. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between amniotic fluid concentration of placenta growth factor and gestational age, parturition (term and preterm), spontaneous rupture of the membranes, and intra-amniotic infection. Study Design: Amniotic fluid samples obtained from 273 pregnant patients were assayed in the following clinical groups: midtrimester pregnancy, preterm labor who delivered at term, preterm labor without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity who delivered preterm, preterm labor with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, term not in labor, term in labor, term with microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, preterm premature rupture of membranes with and without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity, and term with premature rupture of membranes without microbial invasion of the amniotic cavity. The placenta growth factor concentrations were determined by an immunoassay that is both sensitive and specific. Results: Placenta growth factor was detectable in 96.3% (263/273) of samples. Amniotic fluid placenta growth factor concentration decreased with advancing gestational age ( r = –0.42; P P P Conclusion: Placenta growth factor is a physiologic constituent of amniotic fluid. Amniotic fluid concentrations of placenta growth factor decrease with advancing gestational age. Neither parturition nor infection affects amniotic fluid placenta growth factor concentrations. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1633-7.)
The phenomenon of low-frequency heroin injection among street-based urban poor: Drug user strategies and contexts of use

Abstract Background Dominant public health and medical discourse has relied on a pharmacocentric conception of heroin use—that is, the notion that heroin users inject compulsively to stave off physical and psychological withdrawal. Previous research disputes this claim suggesting that other patterns of heroin use, such as occasional, recreational, or controlled use are possible. In our previous cross-sectional epidemiological research, we identified the phenomenon of low frequency heroin injection (low-FHI), among street-based drug users. The goal of the current study was to qualitatively assess and contextualise this phenomenon over time among a sample of street-based low-FHI. Methods 29 low-FHI and 25 high frequency heroin injectors (high-FHI) were followed for 2 years, during which they participated in a series of in-depth interviews. Qualitative data were coded using an inductive analysis approach. As similarities and differences between participants were discovered, transcripts were queried for supportive quotations as well as negative cases. Results We found the social context among low-FHI and high-FHI to be similar with the exception of their patterns of heroin use. Thus, we focused this analysis on understanding motivations for and management of low-FHI. Two major categories of low-FHI emerged from the data: maintenance and transitioning low-FHI. Maintenance low-FHI sustained low-FHI over time. Some of these heroin users were circumstantial low-FHI, who maintained low-FHI as a result of their social networks or life events, and others maintained low-FHI purposefully. Transitioning low-FHI did not sustain low use throughout the study. We found that heroin use patterns frequently shift over time and these categories help identify factors impacting drug use within particular moments in an individual's life. Conclusions Given the various patterns of heroin use that were identified in this study, when working with IDUs, one must assess the specifics of heroin use patterns including drug preferences, desire for substance abuse treatment, as well as basic physical and mental health care needs.
Political Orientations and Behavior of Public Employees: A Cross-National Comparison

Using data from 18 countries, we study the attitudes, behavior, and characteristics of government employees. Researchers have found mixed support when attempting to determine whether public employees differ from the general population, and they have speculated about the ramifications of any differences, including growth in the size of government and budget maximization. We assess whether government employees are comparatively more left leaning in their political ideology, vote at a higher rate, and vote for candidates on the left. In many countries, we find support for the prediction that public employees are more left leaning but we find much less support for the two behavioral predictions related to voting.
The effects of alcohol and cetylpyridinium chloride on the buccal mucosa of the hamster

The effects of alcohol and cetylpyridinium chloride on normal and abraded hamster buccal pouches were studied in 23 study and 23 control animals over 21 consecutive days. No significant differences were found between the control and study animals, both groups having normal cheek pouch mucosa at the end of the study period.
Finite Element Analysis of Ox-Tail Segments With Intervertebral Pressure and Torque Applied

Dr. Stokes [1] has proposed a vicious cycle hypothesis which relates the asymmetrical loaded spine of scoliotic adolescents to a progressive discal and vertebral wedging deformity. This hypothesis is mainly significant to the study of lateral spinal deformity (scoliosis), but can be related to the curvature experienced as a result of kyphosis (spinal curvature in the sagittal plane, which is the plane separating the body in left and right portions). The asymmetrical tissue remodeling causes a wedging effect that can gradually increase spinal curvature can, in some cases, be non-progressive. The effect of torsional loading to this specific spinal curvature could indicate that strategically applied muscular approaches to spinal activation could help prevent further curvature in less severe cases of spinal abnormalities.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Morphisms from non-periodic Z^2 subshifts II: constructing homomorphisms to square-filling mixing shifts of finite type

Krieger's embedding theorem for subshifts into square-filling mixing SFTs which will be carried out in a subsequent paper.
Diversity, Globalization, and Education: What Do They Mean for Teachers and Teacher Educators?

Diversity always has been an important characteristic of the United States, and this is truer today than ever before. From the many indigenous groups already here before the arrival of Columbus, to...
AVERAGE BALANCE EQUATIONS FOR GRANULAR MATERIALS

Abstract A general weighted space-time averaging procedure is developed and utilized to obtain the average balance equations for granular materials. The method is applicable to both solid-like (quasi-static) and fluid-like (granular flow) modes of granular material behavior. The average balance equations take the same mathematical form while all average quantities involved in these equations retain the same clear physical meaning whether or not the continuum hypothesis is satisfied. If it is, the average variables are continuous and smooth functions of space and time and are independent of the averaging length and time scales. Otherwise, the average variables may be discontinuous and scale-dependent, but the same average balance equations hold within the framework of calculus of generalized functions. The results include explicit expressions which can be used for calculation of the average quantities involved in the theory in terms of the microscopic ‘observables’ that may be available from the discrete element simulations.
Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B2 and coagulation activation markers measured within 24 h of human acute ischemic stroke

The aim of this study was to determine the extent of change in platelet and coagulation markers in the acute phase of ischemic stroke and to assess the utility of marker measurement in stroke subtype classification. Urinary 11-dehydro-thromboxane B(2) (11-dTXB2), a marker of in vivo platelet activation, and markers of coagulation activation, including prothrombin fragment 1+2 (F1+2), thrombin-antithrombin complex (TAT), and fibrinogen, were measured in 25 patients with ischemic stroke within 24 h of onset of symptoms. Marker levels in patients with ischemic stroke were compared with those in 19 age-matched controls who had not taken aspirin for at least 2 weeks before sampling and 25 healthy controls. Median marker levels were significantly increased in stroke over those in age-matched controls for fibrinogen (344 vs. 289 mg/dl; P=0.030), F1+2 (1.40 vs. 0.80 nmol/l; P=0.003), and TAT (6.65 vs. 2.20 microg/l; P<0.0001). Median marker levels for seven patients with cardioembolic stroke and 18 with non-cardioembolic stroke were not significantly different for any marker test. Eight patients taking aspirin at the time of the stroke had significantly lower 11-dTXB2 values than patients not taking aspirin (964 vs. 4,314 pg/mg of creatinine; P=0.007). Stroke patients not taking aspirin had significantly higher 11-dTXB2 concentration than age-matched controls (4,314 vs. 1,788 pg/mg of creatinine; P=0.006). Coagulation and platelet activation markers are increased in the acute phase of stroke regardless of the clinical mechanism. This finding suggests that the markers may not be useful for predicting clinical subtype of ischemic stroke in the acute phase.
Antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B virus infection. I. Changes in viral markers with interferon combined with adenine arabinoside.

Twenty patients with chronic active hepatitis and 12 patients with chronic persistent hepatitis associated with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection were treated with human leukocyte interferon or adenine arabinoside alone or in combination. With interferon alone, four of 16 patients showed a permanent disappearance of HBV-associated DNA polymerase (DNAP) activity from serum. Of six patients treated with adenine arabinoside alone, only one patient became permanently DNAP-negative. With a regimen of multiple cycles of combined interferon and adenine arabinoside, seven of 16 male patients became permanently DNAP-negative. Of 69 patients who met the criteria for admission to the program, spontaneous decreases in DNAP activity without treatment were observed in only 9% during a mean observation period of 10 months. In general, patients with chronic active hepatitis, those who are female, and those with a history of recent steroid therapy responded to the antiviral agents significantly better than did the other patients. Since 1975 we have been evaluating the effect of interferon [1] and adenine arabinoside [2] in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection. Our first publications on this research suggested that either antiviral agent could produce
Hermitian structure for the linearized Vlasov-Poisson and Vlasov-Maxwell equations.

The linearized Vlasov-Poisson and Vlasov-Maxwell equations are shown to have a structure closely related to the evolution equation of quantum mechanics, in terms of a nonstandard Hilbert space. This Hermitian structure yields information about spectral properties, as well as a theory for dynamical invariants. We find accordingly how certain well-known features of the spectrum generalize to the nonuniform case, and we also rederive a recently found exact dynamical invariant in a very natural and simple way.
Survival advantage and PaO2 threshold in severe traumatic brain injury.

BACKGROUND Hypoxemia can adversely affect outcome after traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the effect of high PaO2 on TBI outcomes is controversial. The primary aim of this study was to identify the optimal PaO2 range early after severe TBI. METHODS In this single-center retrospective study conducted at a level-1 trauma center, patients with severe TBI (head Abbreviated Injury Scale score >3, admission Glasgow Coma Scale score ≤8) were included. The crude and adjusted (including chest injuries and acute respiratory distress syndrome) effects of 50 mm Hg incremental PaO2 thresholds during the first 72 hours on discharge survival were examined. RESULTS Data from 193 patients (44±18 y; 77% male; admission Glasgow Coma Scale score 4±2) were reviewed. Overall survival was 57%. PaO2 thresholds in increments of 50 mm Hg between 250 and 486 mm Hg (68%) were associated with discharge survival in patients with severe TBI compared with PaO2 60 mm Hg<PaO2<threshold. This association between PaO2 thresholds and survival was sustained until a PaO2 of 486 mm Hg (adjusted odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-7.7). Although most patients had at least 1 PaO2≥250 mm Hg during the first 72 hours, in-hospital hypoxemia was common (24%) and was associated with mortality (survival adjusted odds ratio 0.46; 95% confidence interval, 0.22-0.95). CONCLUSIONS In this series, a PaO2 threshold between 250 and 486 mm Hg during the first 72 hours after injury was associated with improved all-cause survival in patients with severe TBI, independent of hypocarbia or hypercarbia.
Ground-penetrating radar investigation of active faults along the Dead Sea Transform and implications for seismic hazards within the city of Aqaba, Jordan

Abstract Ground-penetrating radar (GPR) was used in an effort to locate a major active fault that traverses Aqaba City, Jordan. Measurements over an exposed (trenched) cross fault outside of the city identify a radar signature consisting of linear events and horizontal offset/flexured reflectors both showing a geometric correlation with two known faults at a control site. The asymmetric linear events are consistent with dipping planar reflectors matching the known direction of dip of the faults. However, other observations regarding this radar signature render the mechanism generating these events more complex and uncertain. GPR measurements in Aqaba City were limited to vacant lots. Seven GPR profiles were conducted approximately perpendicular to the assumed strike of the fault zone, based on regional geological evidence. A radar response very similar to that obtained over the cross fault was observed on five of the profiles in Aqaba City, although the response is weaker than that obtained at the control site. The positions of the identified responses form a near straight line with a strike of 45°. Although subsurface verification of the fault by trenching within the city is needed, the geophysical evidence for fault zone location is strong. The location of the interpreted fault zone relative to emergency services, military bases, commercial properties, and residential areas is defined to within a few meters. This study has significant implications for seismic hazard analysis in this tectonically active and heavily populated region.
Modulation of 5' splice site choice in pre-messenger RNA by two distinct steps.

Abstract Ser/Arg-rich proteins (SR proteins) are essential splicing factors that commit pre-messenger RNAs to splicing and also modulate 5' splice site choice in the presence or absence of functional U1 small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs). Here, we perturbed the U1 snRNP in HeLa cell nuclear extract by detaching the U1-specific A protein using a 2'-O-methyl oligonucleotide (L2) complementary to its binding site in U1 RNA. In this extract, the standard adenovirus substrate is spliced normally, but excess amounts of SR proteins do not exclusively switch splicing from the normal 5' splice site to a proximal site (site 125 within the adenovirus intron), suggesting that modulation of 5' splice site choice exerted by SR proteins requires integrity of the U1 snRNP. The observation that splicing does not necessarily follow U1 binding indicates that interactions between the U1 snRNP and components assembled on the 3' splice site via SR proteins may also be critical for 5' splice site selection. Accordingly, we found that SR proteins promote the binding of the U2 snRNP to the branch site and stabilize the complex formed on a 3'-half substrate in the presence or absence of functional U1 snRNPs. A novel U2/U6/3'-half substrate crosslink was also detected and promoted by SR proteins. Our results suggest that SR proteins in collaboration with the U1 snRNP function in two distinct steps to modulate 5' splice site selection.
Caveats regarding the use of the laboratory rat as a model for acute toxicological studies: modulation of the toxic response via physiological and behavioral mechanisms

The rodent, specifically the laboratory rat, is the primary experimental animal used in toxicology testing. Despite its popularity, recent studies from our laboratory and others raise a number of questions concerning the rat's appropriateness as an animal model for toxicological studies. While there may be additional areas in which the rat and other small rodents fail to adequately mimic the human response to xenobiotic agents, this article will focus on the area of temperature regulation. Thus, this article will review the thermoregulatory response of the laboratory rat following acute exposure to toxic agents and examine the impact of this response on the extrapolation of toxicological data from experimental animals to humans. In general, the rat responds to acute intoxication by lowering its core temperature via both physiological and behavioral mechanisms, thereby attenuating the induced toxicity. Similar responses have not been reported in humans.
Radial flow electroosmotic pump

a b s t r a c t This paper presents a radial frit geometry electroosmotic pump with a soft, semi-permeable gas venting membrane top. Radial pumps exhibit more than three times the average open flow rate per applied voltage and four times the average flow rate per sourced power than linear pumps for a given pump package volume. The radial pump can operate over a 16 h period with varying load.
The phylogeny of the social wasp subfamily Polistinae: evidence from microsatellite flanking sequences, mitochondrial COI sequence, and morphological characters

Social wasps in the subfamily Polistinae (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) have been important in studies of the evolution of sociality, kin selection, and within colony conflicts of interest. These studies have generally been conducted within species, because a resolved phylogeny among species is lacking. We used nuclear DNA microsatellite flanking sequences, mitochondrial COI sequence, and morphological characters to generate a phylogeny for the Polistinae (Hymenoptera) using 69 species. Our phylogeny is largely concordant with previous phylogenies at higher levels, and is more resolved at the species level. Our results support the monophyly of the New World subgenera of Polistini, while the Old World subgenera are a paraphyletic group. All genera for which we had more than one exemplar were supported as monophyletic except Polybia which is not resolved, and may be paraphyletic. The combination of DNA sequences from flanks of microsatellite repeats with mtCOI sequences and morphological characters proved to be useful characters establishing relationships among the different subgenera and species of the Polistini. This is the first detailed hypothesis for the species of this important group.
A paradigm for teaching graduate level VLSI engineering

To provide graduate students in electrical engineering a solid view of VLSI engineering, a paradigm for teaching graduate level VLSI engineering courses has been established. In contrast to the conventional curriculum which emphasizes the use of CAD (computer-aided design) tools for layout generation, a quite different approach has been taken. Observing that most graduate students taking the VLSI courses have reasonably well-developed skills in many computer engineering topics related to VLSI, it is possible to concentrate on providing the students with a complete knowledge of the VLSI technology, including the development of CAD tools, testable designs, and special architectures. The objective of this paradigm is not only to provide the students with a solid background in VLSI design, but also to prepare them for further advanced study and research. >
The First Sale Doctrine in the Era of Digital Networks

Copyright law's first-sale doctrine allows the owner of any particular lawful copy of a copyrighted work to resell, rent, lend, or give away that copy without the copyright owner's permission. The article first considers the effects the first-sale doctrine has had as part of a copyright system in which many types of works are disseminated by the distribution to the public of tangible copies that can be retransferred by the copy owner to others who can just as easily use the copy to access the work. These effects have largely been to increase the affordability of copies of works (primarily by providing secondary sale, rental, and lending markets that can offer access at a lower price than that charged by the copyright owner for the purchase of a new copy) and the availability of works (by making it possible to obtain access to a work when it goes out of print or when a copyright owner withdraws or suppresses it and by increasing the likelihood that a copy or copies of the work will be preserved over time). Next, the article considers how a shift to digital dissemination - both via transmissions over digital networks and in the form of technologically protected digital copies - may well result in the existence of fewer freely transferable copies of copyrighted works that can be distributed without the copyright owner's consent under the first-sale doctrine. The article then considers how this shift might affect the affordability and availability of copyrighted works. As to affordability, the article concludes that the shift's effect may be positive in some respects but may pose particular problems for library lending, perhaps the most affordable form of access. As to availability, the article concludes that the shift to digital dissemination may give copyright owners more complete control over access to copyrighted works and in particular may eliminate the preservation benefits of widespread distribution of copies that are legally and practically transferable under the first-sale doctrine. The article ends by suggesting some steps that might be taken, particularly with respect to fostering availability of copyrighted works, should the predicted effects of a shift to digital dissemination begin to materialize.
Emboldened Patriarchy in Higher Education: Feminist Readings of Capitalism, Violence, and Power

The authors of this article provide multiple stories of capitalist violence within and outside of higher education as facilitated by patriarchy and evidenced by the recent stories of abuse and powe...
Interphase mass and heat transfer in pulsatile flow

A study on the effects of flow pulsations on interphase mass or heat transfer has been made. The situation corresponds to fully developed flow in a long conduit with a periodic pressure gradient at amplitudes which cause flow pulsations without flow reversal. It is shown that the basic three-parameter formulation can be reduced to a one-parameter problem in the boundary layer formulation. Solutions are developed over wide ranges of the parameters in both the basic and the boundary layer formulations. The boundary approach gives accurate results over wide ranges of the parameters. Pulsations cause increases in the time-averaged interphase flux at intermediate values of a composite frequency-space variable. However, at small values of this variable the pulsations cause a decrease in the flux such that the overall space-averaged flux is always decreased.
Natural products: Emulation illuminates biosynthesis.

A concise synthesis of the fungal natural product epicolactone suggests that this highly stereochemically complex yet racemic natural product may come from a cascade reaction between two polyhydroxylated arenes.
Effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator in at-risk black and white cardiac patients.

Background There are limited data regarding racial differences in response to cardiac resynchronization therapy with defibrillator (CRT-D). Methods We assessed the effectiveness of CRT-D, as compared to implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) therapy alone, in reducing the risk of heart failure (HF) or death and changes in cardiac volumes among 1638 (90%) white patients and 143 (8%) black patients enrolled in the Multicenter Automatic Defibrillator Implantation Trial with Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy (MADIT-CRT). Results Enrolled black patients displayed a higher frequency of diabetes mellitus, treated hypertension, higher creatinine levels, and a lower distance walked in the baseline 6-minute walk test. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that at 3 years of follow-up the cumulative probability of HF or death was higher among blacks (29%) as compared with whites (22%; P = 0.05). Both black and white patients experienced similar and pronounced reductions in cardiac volumes with CRT-D therapy (all P values for comparison between the two groups >0.10). Risk reduction conferred by CRT-D therapy as not significantly different between blacks and whites (hazard ratio = 0.78 and 0.60, respectively; P for the difference = 0.44). However, possibly due to sample size limitations the CRT-D versus ICD only adjusted risk for HF/death in blacks was not statistically significant. Conclusions Black patients in MADIT-CRT experienced increased risk of HF or death as compared with whites, but displayed a similar magnitude echocardiographic response to CRT-D. These findings suggest that cardiac resynchronization therapy may be an effective therapeutic modality in black patients. However, further studies are needed to assess the clinical response to CRT-D in this high-risk population.
Is malaria illness among young children a cause or a consequence of low socioeconomic status? evidence from the united Republic of Tanzania

Background: Malaria is commonly considered a disease of the poor, but there is very little evidence of a possible two-way causality in the association between malaria and poverty. Until now, limitations to examine that dual relationship were the availability of representative data on confirmed malaria cases, the use of a good proxy for poverty, and accounting for endogeneity in regression models. Methods: A simultaneous equation model was estimated with nationally representative data for Tanzania that included malaria parasite testing with RDTs for young children (six-59 months), and accounted for environmental variables assembled with the aid of GIS. A wealth index based on assets, access to utilities/infrastructure, and housing characteristics was used as a proxy for socioeconomic status. Model estimation was done with instrumental variables regression. Results: Results show that households with a child who tested positive for malaria at the time of the survey had a wealth index that was, on average, 1.9 units lower (p-value<0.001), and that an increase in the wealth index did not reveal significant effects on malaria. Conclusion: If malaria is indeed a cause of poverty, as the findings of this study suggest, then malaria control activities, and particularly the current efforts to eliminate/eradicate malaria, are much more than just a public health policy, but also a poverty alleviation strategy. However, if poverty has no causal effect on malaria, then poverty alleviation policies should not be advertised as having the potential additional effect of reducing the prevalence of malaria.