cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Planetary Wave Propagation off California and Its Effect on Zooplankton

Abstract Lagged correlation of dynamic height from the gappy California Cooperative Oceanic Fisheries Investigation (CalCOFI) with monthly San Diego sea level for the period 1949–2001 shows that the dynamic height propagates westward at 4.10 cm s−1, about double the speed of the large-scale low-frequency Rossby wave (2.2 cm s−1). Ocean Topography Experiment (TOPEX)/Poseidon/Jason-1’s along-track sea level height estimates since January 1993, filtered interannually, propagate westward at 4.3 cm s−1, verifying that observed westward propagation is about double that expected. Including the effect of the mean California Current on the Rossby wave propagation does not explain the discrepancy but rather slightly increases it. If variations in the ocean depth in the CalCOFI region are also taken into account, the westward propagation is still only about one-half that observed. Standard theory therefore does not explain the observations. Because of the westward propagation, interannual variations in alongshore ge...
The effect of starvation on tissue adenosine 3′–5′ monophosphate levels

Abstract The effect of starvation on intracellular levels of 3′–5′, cAMP in liver, kidney, muscle, fat and isolated islets of Langerhans was studied. It was found that the concentration of cAMP increased in liver, kidney, muscle and fat, but decreased in the islets after 48–72 hours of starvation. Similar studies were conducted on liver, kidney, muscle and fat of hypophysectomized rats and identical results were obtained.
An optimal time multiplication free algorithm for edge detection on a mesh

This paper demonstrates an optimal time, fully systolic algorithm for edge detection on a mesh connected processor array. It uses only inexpensive addition and comparison operations which makes it ideal for fine grained parallelism in VLSI. Given anN xN image in the form of a two-dimensional array of pixels, our algorithm computes the Sobel and Laplacian operators for skimming lines in the image and then generates the Hough array using thresholding. The Hough transforms forM different angles of projection are obtained in a fully systolic manner inO(M+N) time, which is asymptotically optimal. In comparison, a previously published multiplication free algorithm has a time complexity ofO(NM). An implementation of our algorithm on a mesh connected finegrained processor array is discussed, which computes at the rate of approximately 170,000 Hough transforms per second using a 50 MHz clock.
Coupling Accelerated Molecular Dynamics Methods with Thermodynamic Integration Simulations

In this work we propose a straightforward and efficient approach to improve accuracy and convergence of free energy simulations in condensed-phase systems. We also introduce a new accelerated Molecular Dynamics (MD) approach in which molecular conformational transitions are accelerated by lowering the energy barriers while the potential surfaces near the minima are left unchanged. All free energy calculations were performed on the propane-to-propane model system. The accuracy of free energy simulations was significantly improved when sampling of internal degrees of freedom of solute was enhanced. However, accurate and converged results were only achieved when the solvent interactions were taken into account in the accelerated MD approaches. The analysis of the distribution of boost potential along the free energy simulations showed that the new accelerated MD approach samples efficiently both low- and high-energy regions of the potential surface. Since this approach also maintains substantial populations in regions near the minima, the statistics are not compromised in the thermodynamic integration calculations, and, as a result, the ensemble average can be recovered.
Assembly and Disassembly of DNA Polymerase Holoenzyme

The complex task of genomic replication requires a large collection of proteins properly assembled within the close confines of the replication fork. The mechanism and dynamics of holoenzyme assembly and disassembly have been investigated using steady state and pre-steady state methods as opposed to structural studies, primarily due to the intrinsic transient nature of these protein complexes during DNA replication. The key step in bacteriophage T4 holoenzyme assembly involves ATP hydrolysis, whereas disassembly is mediated by subunit dissociation of the clamp protein in an ATP-independent manner.
Etiology of Borderline Personality Disorder: Disentangling the Contributions of Intercorrelated Antecedents

A substantial body of research points to several variables relevant to the etiology of borderline personality disorder (BPD), notably childhood physical and sexual abuse, childhood family environment, and familial aggregation of both internalizing and externalizing disorders. However, these variables tend to be correlated, and few studies have examined them simultaneously. A national sample of randomly selected psychologists and psychiatrists described 524 adult patients with personality disorders. Family environment, parental psychopathology, and history of abuse all independently predicted BPD symptoms in multiple regression analyses. Sexual abuse contributed to the prediction of BPD symptoms over and above family environment, although family environmental factors such as instability partially mediated the effect. The results converge with recent studies using very different samples and methodologies.
Social science as an ethical practice

The fact–value distinction and the conception of science as a practice put a premium on the ethics of the scholarly community. The principles of ethics, not those of logic, govern this process of knowledge production. Values not only enable facts, but sustain our identities as scholars and enable the practice of science. In the absence of ethical commitments, we would become indistinct from polemicists and spin doctors. Ethics are instantiated and sustained through practices. As graduate students, we learn professional ethics the same way we learn other values and habits: by emulating those we respect. It is imperative that we practice and communicate tolerance and pluralism to our graduate students and younger colleagues, not merely the professional skills we associate with the production and evaluation of research.
Derivation of the point spread function

The derivation of the point spread function in general uses the mathematical theory of diffraction in detail. This derivation uses geometric relations of the incoming and diffracted wave front to establish the diffraction integral, which is equal to the Hankel integral for the Bessel function of the first kind of order one.
Defining the cellular and molecular mechanisms of toxicant action in the testis.

Abstract A symposium was held at the 41st annual meeting of the Society of Toxicology with presentations that emphasized novel molecular and cellular pathways that modulate the response to testicular toxicants. The first two presentations described cellular alterations after exposure to the Sertoli cell toxicant, mono-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (MEHP). The expression of flamingo1, a G protei coupled receptor family member that may couple cell–cell adhesion to G protein-dependent signaling in Sertoli cells, was rapidly altered after MEHP exposure. Sertoli cell associated flamingo1 immunostaining was redistributed early (within 2 h) after MEHP exposure and disappeared by 12 h, suggesting that flamingo1 is a proximal phthalate target. MEHP was also described to alter the expression and activity of the newly identified death receptors DR4, 5 and 6 in the testis. The differential cellular changes in the levels of DR4, 5 and 6 after phthalate exposure suggested that they may act as surrogates or in concert with the widely described Fas-signaling pathway in the initiation of germ cell apoptosis after MEHP exposure. The next two presentations focused on revealing mechanisms that may explain the persistent post-exposure testicular atrophy that is observed in rodents after a variety of chemical or physical insults (radiation, chemotherapeutics, toxicants) and possible strategies to re-initiate spermatogenesis in the atrophic testis. Hormonal manipulations that lower testosterone and serum FSH levels allow for re-initiation of spermatogonial development. Recent investigation of additional models of persistent atrophy such as mutant mice, the aged Brown Norway rat, EDS-induced Leydig cell deficient rat, and primates, have broadened insight into the mechanisms responsible for persistent atrophy. The last presentation described the use of cDNA arrays in the investigation of cellular elements and mechanisms responsible for disruption of spermatogenesis by the drinking water disinfectant bromochloroacetic acid (BCA). A custom mouse testis cDNA array interrogating 950 genes was used for analysis of testis mRNA. BCA altered the expression of 53 of the 950 genes, including two encoding sperm proteins known to be significant for male fertility, and other genes involved in spermatogenesis, stress response, and cell communication/adhesion. These observations strengthen the hypothesis that BCA disrupts spermatogenesis by altering the process of spermiogenesis.
Efficient Algorithms for Optimal Stream Merging for Media-on-Demand

We address the problem of designing optimal off-line algorithms that minimize the required bandwidth for media-on-demand systems that use stream merging. We concentrate on the case where clients can receive two media streams simultaneously and can buffer up to half of a full stream. We construct an O(nm) optimal algorithm for n arbitrary time arrivals of clients, where m is the average number of arrivals in an interval of a stream length. We then show how to adopt our algorithm to be optimal even if clients have a limited size buffer. The complexity remains the same. We also prove that using stream merging may reduce the required bandwidth by a factor of order $\rho L/\log(\rho L)$ compared to the simple batching solution where L is the length of a stream and $\rho\le 1$ is the density in time of all the n arrivals. On the other hand, we show that the bandwidth required when clients can receive an unbounded number of streams simultaneously is always at least 1/2 the bandwidth required when clients are limited to receiving at most two streams.
Haptic display for human interaction with virtual dynamic environments

Haptics is an emerging technology that permits direct “hands-on” interaction with a virtual environment. A haptic device uses mechanical actuators to physically push a user's finger or hand to give the sensation that he or she would have when interacting with a real physical environment. These force feedback systems have many applications, from training a surgeon to perform an operation, to assisting a child in understanding the behavior of a lever or pulley. In this paper we discuss methods and techniques to allow realistic and robust haptic interactions between a human and a complex dynamic virtual environment. Beyond modeling object penetration constraints, this work demonstrates how shading, friction, texture, and dynamics can be generated to create compelling and realistic virtual worlds. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Scaling theory of melting with natural convection in an enclosure

This study identifies the most basic scales and regimes of the phenomenon of melting with natural convection in an enclosure heated from the side. In the first part of the study the method of scale analysis is used to show that the phenomenon consists of a sequence of four regimes: (a) the pure conduction regime, (b) the mixed regime in which the upper portion of the liquid gap is ruled by convection and the lower portion by conduction, (c) the convection regime and, finally, (d) the last or ‘shrinking solid’ regime. For the first three regimes the scaling theory predicts a Nusselt number vs time curve that has features similar to a van der Waals isotherm, in particular, a clear Nu minimum of order Ra14 at a time SteFo of order Ra−12, where Ste is the liquid superheat Stefan number and Fo the Fourier number based on H. The corresponding average melting front position has an inflexion point at a time of order Ra−12. The theory shows further that during the fourth regime the solid disappears during a SteFo time interval of order Ra−14. The second part of the study consists of numerical experiments the purpose of which is to verify the correctness of the theory constructed in the first part. The numerical simulations are based on the quasi-stationary front approximation and the quasi-steady natural convection assumption. The parametric domain covered by these simulations is 0 ⩽ Ra ⩽ 108, 0 < SteFo < 0.2, Pr = 50 and H/L = 1, where L is the horizontal dimension of the enclosure and Ra the Rayleigh number based on H. Closed form correlations for both Nu and the melting front location time functions are developed by combining the theoretical and numerical conclusions of the study.
Perturbation theory of the Stark effect in hydrogen to arbitrarily high order

The solution of the Stark effect in hydrogen to arbitrarily high orders of perturbation theory is made feasible by the explicit formula for the Nth-order energy in terms of the separation constants through Nth order, derived here. The Nth-order separation constant ..beta../sup( N/)/sub i/ is shown to be a polynomial of total degree N + 1 in the parabolic quantum number n/sub i/ and the magnetic quantum number m. The polynomial coefficients have been tabulated through seventeenth order and are listed here through tenth order. Similarly, the Nth-order energy is a polynomial in the quantum numbers n/sub 1/, n/sub 2/, and m. The polynomial coefficients (which are more numerous than for ..beta../sup( N/)/sub i/) have been tabulated through seventeenth order and are listed here through seventh order. Seventeenth order is high enough to permit a clear numerical demonstration of the asymptotic character of the perturbation series, and a ''maximum useful field strength'' is defined and illustrated. Energies calculated by perturbation theory for specific states are shown to be in excellent agreement with energies calculated nonperturbatively.
Genetics of a-agglutunin function in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae cell adhesion protein a-agglutinin is composed of an anchorage subunit (Aga1p) and an adhesion subunit (Aga2p). Although functional a-agglutinin is expressed only by a cells, previous results indicated that AGA1 RNA is expressed in both a and α cells after pheromone induction. Expression of the Aga2p adhesion subunit in a cells allowed a-agglutinability, indicating that a cells express the a-agglutinin anchorage subunit, although no role for Aga1p in α cells has been identified. Most of the a-specific agglutination-defective mutants isolated previously were defective in AGA1; a single mutant (La199) was a candidate for an aga2 mutant. Expression of AGA2 under PGK control allowed secretion of active Aga2p from control strains but did not complement the La199 agglutination defect or allow secretion of Aga2p from La 199, suggesting that the La199 mutation might identify a new gene required for a-agglutinin function. However, the La199 agglutination defect showed tight linkage to aga2::URA3 and did not complement aga2::URA3 in a/a diploids. The aga2 gene cloned from La199 was nonfunctional and contained an ochre mutation. The inability of pPGK-AGA2 to express functional Aga2p in La199 was shown to result from an additional mutation(s) that reduces expression of plasmid-borne genes. AGA2 was mapped to the left arm of chromosome VII approximately 28 cM from the centromere.
The Development of an Online Library Instruction Tutorial at Pellissippi State Technical Community College

Abstract The reference librarians at Pellissippi State Technical Community College developed an online library instruction tutorial to help them teach information literacy skills to students, faculty, and staff. The tutorial, a requirement for all English 1010 students, teaches library patrons to use the college's OPAC and its online periodical indexes. The tutorial includes an online quiz/evaluation. View the tutorial at the following: URL:http://www.pstcc.cc.tn.us/library/tutorial2.
Evaluation of experimental canine pancreatitis

Abstract The usefulness of serum amylase determinations in evaluating and quantitating experimental canine pancreatitis is controversial. Serum amylase in the dog is normally 20 to 30 times higher than in man. On the other hand, some authors have stated that amylase is not normally excreted in dog urine. To evaluate the use of amylase determinations in experimentally produced canine pancreatitis, the pancreatic duct was ligated in five dogs, and serum and urine amylase measured daily for 9 days. The amylase methods used in this study had bypassed maltase activity, the cause of canine hyperamylasemia, but elevated serum levels were still found preoperatively. The techniques compared consisted of an automated Somogyi saccharogenic process expressed in maltose units percent, and an amyloclastic (Amylochrome) method; neither measured maltase. These methods correlated well; both serum and urine values had a P value at the 0.001 level. Postoperatively, serum amylase rose 30 to 40 times preoperative levels, and amylase appeared within 3 days after serum elevations in these animals. Possibilities for canine hyperamylasemia include a multienzyme complex producing erroneously high amylase values, increased amylase production, and lack of excretion or degradation of amylase. A fourth possibility, that of a macroamylase molecule in dog serum, was disproved by a rapid detection column method which revealed no abnormal amylase. The measurement of amylase clearance corrected by creatinine clearance was valueless because of decreased urine excretion. Whereas CAm/CCr percent in man is normally from 1 to 4%, it was found in this study that the canine preoperative average was 0.066%. These results emphasize again the marked differences in the behavior of the canine and human amylase systems, and for this reason, experimental studies of pancreatitis in the dog should be interpreted with caution.
Upper GI malignancy, uncomplicated dyspepsia, and the age threshold for early endoscopy

Abstract OBJECTIVES: We sought to determine the frequency with which patients with upper GI malignancies present with uncomplicated dyspepsia and to determine the impact of changing the threshold for early endoscopy from 45 to 55 yr, as has recently been recommended in European studies. METHODS: Three hundred forty-one patients with upper GI malignancies at two Milwaukee teaching hospitals were identified from electronic databases. Trained physician-investigators reviewed the charts using a specifically designed questionnaire. Staging of GI cancers was performed using the TNM classification to determine operability. Uncomplicated dyspepsia was defined as dyspepsia without alarm symptoms/signs (dysphagia, vomiting, weight loss, early satiety, GI bleeding, or anemia). RESULTS: There were 341 patients with upper GI malignancies with a mean age of 68 yr (range = 22–94). Twenty-one patients were younger than 45 and 65 were under 55. Uncomplicated dyspepsia was the presenting symptom in five of 65 (7.7%) patients younger than 55 and one of 21 (4.8%) patients under 45 (p = 0.99). Five patients 55 or younger presented with uncomplicated dyspepsia. All had advanced, inoperable disease (stage III or higher). CONCLUSIONS: 1) In a racially diverse United States population, upper GI malignancy presenting without alarm symptoms is uncommon. 2) Raising the threshold for immediate endoscopy in uncomplicated dyspepsia from age 45 to 55 increases the risk of missing an underlying malignancy but may not affect outcome, as incurable disease was present at diagnosis within a few weeks of the onset of symptoms.
Estimation of gyroscope polhode motion using trapped magnetic flux

A freely spinning body undergoes the well-known polhode motion of its spin axis. Applied to the cryogenic, electrostatically suspended spherical gyroscopes of the Gravity Probe B program, an unusual analysis technique is presented that allows reconstruction of the polhode motion, relying on the trapped magnetic flux in the superconducting rotor. Cooled to a temperature below 9 K, the niobium rotor coating becomes a superconductor, trapping the ambient magnetic field. Fixed with respect to the rotor body frame, this trapped magnetic flux is used as a reference against which to track the path of the rotor spin axis. The field is modeled as a series expansion in spherical harmonics. Consideration of any higher-order moment of the magnetic field along with the dipole moment is sufficient to completely define the spin axis coordinates in the body frame.
Shell Treatments as Affecting Microbial Egg Spoilage

Abstract INTRODUCTION WHEN considering factors affecting microbial egg spoilage, it is perhaps intuitive for one to regard the shell as a major barrier to bacterial penetration into the egg. Work in our laboratory has indicated that once egg spoilage bacteria have passed through the shell, even in low numbers, eggs become susceptible to spoilage. Attempts to correlate various measurements of shell porosities with susceptibility to spoilage have led to conflicting results (Lorenz et al., 1952; Walden et al., 1956; Hartung and Stadelman, 1963; Kraft et al., 1958; Haines and Moran, 1940), although good agreement has been reported between shell permeability to methylene blue and susceptibility to bacterial egg spoilage (Fromm and Monroe, 1960; Almquist and Holst, 1931). The present paper presents data on the influence of chemical and physical treatments, designed to change shell characteristics, on subsequent spoilage of eggs exposed to Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The effect of these treatments on the …
Evidence for ultrafast superfluorescent recombination from high-density magneto-plasmas

Ultrafast cooperative recombination from dense electron-hole plasmas is observed in quantum wells pumped by femtosecond pulse in strong magnetic fields. At a critical fluence and field strength, superfluorescent bursts with randomly fluctuating direction are observed.
Diuretic use in critical care

Diuretics have found wide application in critical care medicine. The use of mannitol and loop diuretics in a variety of life-threatening disorders is reviewed. The combined venodilatory and natriuretic effects of bumetanide, furosemide and ethacrynic acid relieve congestive symptoms in pulmonary edema. Although commonly administered to prevent development of acute tubular necrosis or in varying stages of evolving disease, few data are available to demonstrate the efficacy of mannitol or loop diuretics. An approach to the oliguric patient with acute tubular necrosis is described. The dangers of hyponatremia are reviewed, and the rational use of loop diuretics and hypertonic saline is outlined. The 3 loop-active agents inhibit calcium reabsorption in the thick ascending limb of Henle's loop and therefore have proved useful in treating hypercalcemia. A practical approach to the diuretic-saline treatment of severe hypercalcemia is outlined. The kaliuretic effect of loop diuretics can be used to advantage in patients with acute or chronic hyperkalemia. A guide to such therapy is described.
Analysis of Visual Motion by Biological and Computer Systems

Computer processes in the analysis of visual motion are similar to those of biological systems. An alliance of psychology and computer science is necessary to understand them.
Semiconstrained total shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthritis and massive rotator cuff tearing.

Abstract Each of 6 patients (7 shoulders) underwent semiconstrained total shoulder arthroplasty for glenohumeral arthritis, subluxation, and extensive rotator cuff tearing to obtain a more balanced joint and achieve consistent pain relief. A hooded glenoid component (Neer 600%) was used to contain the humeral head within the joint. Patients were followed for an average of 69 months (range, 26-125 months) or to revision surgery and were assessed clinically and radiographically. All patients experienced improvement with respect to pain; on average, active elevation and external rotation decreased to 44° and 43°. On radiographic evaluation, 3 of the glenoid components were seen to have complete radiolucent lines and 1 case showed a shift in component position. Five shoulders had anterior-superior joint subluxation. According to the shoulder score rating system of Neer, all but 1 of the shoulders were rated as unsatisfactory or unsuccessful at final follow-up. Two patients have undergone revision surgery for subluxation or glenoid loosening. We cannot recommend this method of treatment. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2000;9:302-7.)
The Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone Glycoprotein GRP94 with Ca2+-binding and Antiapoptotic Properties Is a Novel Proteolytic Target of Calpain during Etoposide-induced Apoptosis

GRP94 is a 94-kDa chaperone glycoprotein with Ca(2+)-binding properties. We report here that during apoptosis induced by the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide, a fraction of GRP94 associated with the endoplasmic reticulum membrane undergoes specific proteolytic cleavage, coinciding with the activation of the caspase CPP32 and initiation of DNA fragmentation. In vivo, inhibitors of caspases able to block etoposide-induced apoptosis can only partially protect GRP94 from proteolytic cleavage, whereas complete inhibition is observed with calpain inhibitor I but not with the proteasome inhibitor. In vitro, GRP94 is not a substrate for CPP32; rather, it can be completely cleaved by calpain, a Ca(2+)-regulated protease. The cleavage of GRP94 by calpain is Ca(2+)-dependent and generates a discrete polypeptide of 80 kDa. In contrast, calpain has no effect on other stress proteins such as GRP78 or HSP70. Further, immunohistochemical staining reveals specific co-localization of GRP94 with calpain in the perinuclear region following etoposide treatment. We further showed that reduction of GRP94 by antisense decreased cell viability in etoposide-treated Jurkat cells. Our studies provide new evidence that the cytoprotective GRP94, as in the case of the antiapoptotic protein Bcl-2, can be targets of proteolytic cleavage themselves during the apoptotic process.
Interval-Valued Probability in the Analysis of Problems Containing a Mixture of Fuzzy, Possibilisitic and Interval Uncertainty

A simple definition of interval-valued probability measure is given and its implications examined. Properties are derived which allow for the analysis of mixtures of fuzzy, possibilistic, probabilistic and interval uncertainty within on problem utilizing interval-valued probability theory. In particular, it is shown that clouds fit within the context of interval-valued probability as derived herein. Examples and applications are given that illustrate the usefulness and power of the concepts.
Relative kinetic energy correction to self-consistent fission barriers

The effect of spurious relative kinetic energy removal on the fission barriers is discussed within the Skyrme Hartree-Fock method. Calculations for medium-heavy nuclei show that this correction is large and in the right direction.
Influence of the shock-induced α-ε transition in Fe on its post-shock substructure evolution and mechanical behavior

The effect of shock-prestraining high-purity Fe, above and below the 13 GPa phase transition, on post-shock compressive stress-strain behavior and substructure evolution is presented. The degree of shock hardening in Fe is higher for shock strength above the transition than below it. The substructure also displayed more deformation twinning for shocks above the phase transition than below. The shock hardening in Fe varied with propagation distance. Modeling shock propagation in Fe revealed that for the geometry used, the transition wave was overtaken and quenched by the rarefaction release explaining the gradient in shock hardening.
Fuzziness in semantic memory: Choosing exemplars of subjective categories

Class membership is a fundamental relationship between concepts in semantic memory. Recent research indicates that, class membership may subjectively be a continuous type of relationship. The processing of information about the degree to which items belong to a particular class was investigated in an experiment in which subjects compared two statements describing class membership relationships. The results strongly supported a simple model which describes the judgment process as directly involving subjective degree-of-truthfulness values. The success of the model indicates that the subjects were able to process this kind of fuzzy information in a consistent and systematic manner. Some of the implications of the human competancy for processing fuzzy information are discussed.
Inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase attenuates established acute cardiac allograft rejection

Background. We previously demonstrated that continuous treatment with aminoguanidine, a selective inhibitor of nitric oxide production by inducible nitric oxide synthase, attenuated acute cardiac allograft rejection. Methods. A rat transplant model was used to determine (1) when inducible nitric oxide synthase was expressed in the allograft heart during unmodified acute rejection and (2) whether pulse therapy with aminoguanidine attenuated the histologic changes of established acute rejection, in comparison with the effects of pulse therapy with corticosteroids. Results. Inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA and protein were expressed during early and late acute rejection. Pulse therapy with aminoguanidine inhibited nitric oxide production and attenuated the histologic changes of acute rejection, but not as effectively as corticosteroid therapy (rejection scores of 4.1 ± 0.4, 2.5 ± 0.9, and 1.4 ± 0.6 on postoperative day 8, for untreated, aminoguanidine-, and dexamethasone-treated allografts, respectively (scale, 0 to 5; p Conclusions. (1) Inducible nitric oxide synthase expression first occurs during early acute allograft rejection and persists throughout rejection and (2) nitric oxide is an important effector molecule in acute rejection. Inducible nitric oxide synthase inhibition may offer a therapeutic adjunct in the management of acute rejection.
Staphylococcus aureus Growth and Enterotoxin Production in Mushrooms

An enterotoxin A (SEA) producing strain of Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated onto mushrooms and incubated under simulated pre-and post-canning conditions. S. aureus grew and produced SEA in mushrooms incubated at 25°C in 10% to 20% NaCl. Growth and SEA production occurred when mushrooms were stored in plastic bags at 37°C, but not at 25°C. Mushrooms heat-processed at 121.1°C supported S. aureus growth and SEA production. No SEA was recovered from mushrooms inoculated with 1 or 10 ng SEA/g and heated at 121.1°C for 4.5 min. At higher inoculated SEA levels (100 and 1,000 ng/g), SEA was detectable after 10 min of heating. Staphylococcal enterotoxin could be present in canned mushrooms as a result of pre-, but more likely post-processing contamination.
The Impact of Cathode Diameter on Radial Foil Explosions

Radial foil configurations prove to be a very simple experimental setup to study high-energy-density plasmas. A thin metallic foil lies flat over a stretcher which is connected to the anode of a pulsed-power generator. The cathode contacts the foil at its geometrical center using a hollow stainless steel pin. Force densities should increase dramatically as the pin diameter diminishes, and we expect plasma properties to change accordingly. Based only on pin diameter considerations, radial foil explosions at 1 MA could produce magnetic pressures ranging from 160 kbar (for 2-mm pins) to 2.5 Mbar (for 0.5-mm pins). However, magnetohydrodynamic instabilities limit plasma performances. For large-diameter pins (2 mm), the force density is low, but the plasma is stable until the discharge current reaches 1.1 MA. For a smaller diameter (0.5 mm), instabilities appear when the discharge is 600 kA before the current peaks. While an increase in the local plasma electron density and temperature is noticeable as the cathode size diminishes, instabilities do limit overall plasma properties and require stabilization to obtain higher pressures.
Role of thromboxane in producing portal hypertension following trauma-hemorrhage

Thromboxane A2 (TXA2) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) have been proposed as the important vasoconstrictors that increase portal venous resistance in paracrine or autocrine fashion. We hypothesized that the...
Optimality modeling and explanatory generality

The optimality approach to modeling natural selection has been criticized by many biologists and philosophers of biology. For instance, Lewontin (1979) argues that the optimality approach is a shortcut that will be replaced by models incorporating genetic information, if and when such models become available. In contrast, I think that optimality models have a permanent role in evolutionary study. I base my argument for this claim on what I think it takes to best explain an event. In certain contexts, optimality and game-theoretic models best explain some central types of evolutionary phenomena.
Collective Brain as Dynamical System

The concept of the collective brain has appeared recently as a subject of intensive scientific discussions from theological. biological. ecological, social, and mathematical viewpoints. It can be introduced as a set of simple units of intelligence (say, neurons) which can communicate by exchange of information without explicit global control. The objectives of each unit may be partly compatible and partly contradictory, i.e., the units can cooperate or compete. The exchanging information may be at times inconsistent, often imperfect, non-deterministic. and delayed. Nevertheless. observations of working insect colonies, social systems, and scientific communities suggest that such collectives of single units appear to be very successful in achieving global objectives. as well as in learning, memorizing, generalizing and predicting, due to their flexibility, adaptability to environmental changes, and creativity.
Folding Mechanism of FIS, the Intertwined, Dimeric Factor for Inversion Stimulation

FIS, the factor for inversion stimulation, from Escherichia coli and other enteric bacteria, is an interwined alpha-helical homodimer. Size exclusion chromatography and static light scattering measurements demonstrated that FIS is predominately a stable dimer at the concentrations (1-10 microM monomer) and buffer conditions employed in this study. The folding and unfolding of FIS were studied with both equilibrium and kinetic methods by circular dichroism using urea and guanidinium chloride (GdmCl) as the perturbants. The equilibrium folding is reversible and well-described by a two-state folding model, with stabilities at 10 degrees C of 15.2 kcal mol(-1) in urea and 13.5 kcal mol(-1) in GdmCl. The kinetic data are consistent with a two-step folding reaction where the two unfolded monomers associate to a dimeric intermediate within the mixing time for the stopped-flow instrument (<5 ms), and a slower, subsequent folding of the dimeric intermediate to the native dimer. Fits of the burst phase amplitudes as a function of denaturant showed that the free energy for the formation of the dimeric intermediate constitutes the majority of the stability of the folding (9.6 kcal mol(-1) in urea and 10.5 kcal mol(-1) in GdmCl). Folding-to-unfolding double jump kinetic experiments were also performed to monitor the formation of native dimer as a function of folding delay times. The data here demonstrate that the dimeric intermediate is obligatory and on-pathway. The folding mechanism of FIS, when compared to other intertwined, alpha-helical, homodimers, suggests that a transient kinetic dimeric intermediate may be a common feature of the folding of intertwined, segment-swapped, alpha-helical dimers.
Cornea epithelial damage thresholds in rabbits exposed to Tm:YAG laser radiation at 2.02 μm

We have determined exposure conditions for minimal damage to the corneal epithelium in rabbit using a continuous wave Tm: YAG laser operating in the TEM00 mode at incident powers between 80 and 450 mW. The 1/e beam diameter was 0.94 mm and exposure durations for threshold damage ranged from 4.3 to 0.08 sec. Calculated temperature increases on the beam axis 10 microns beneath the surface at the measured thresholds were essentially constant and averaged 44 degrees C. This is basically the same temperature increase found for threshold CO2 laser damage and suggests that the critical temperature damage model, which correlates CO2 laser damage, can predict damage thresholds for mid-infrared laser radiation. We also showed that reliable thresholds can be determined in freshly enucleated eyes, thus opening up the possibility of using available laser sources in laboratories not equipped and approved for animal experiments to determine damage thresholds.
Towards a better understanding of supply chain quality management practices

This paper reports the results of a comparative study of quality tools and methods adoption by operations and supply chain managers. A survey was administered to both types of managers in the Western United States. Performing a Kruskal Wallis analysis, we found support for the hypothesis that operations and supply chain managers approach quality management differently. We found that operations managers tend to manage supply chains through procedural methods such as ISO 9000 and supplier evaluation. Supply chain managers tend to be more collaborative, emphasising supplier development and complaint resolution. We found that both types of managers adopted on the job training, data analysis, supply chain management, customer relationship management, project management and surveys. This paper represents another step in defining the field of supply chain quality management.
Comparison of outcomes and utilization of extracranial-intracranial bypass versus intracranial stenting for intracranial stenosis.

BACKGROUND Extracranial-intracranial (EC-IC) bypass and intracranial stenting (ICS) are both revascularization procedures that have emerged as treatment options for intracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD). This study describes and compares recent trends in utilization and outcomes of intracranial revascularization procedures in the United States using a population-based cohort. It also investigates the association of ICS and EC-IC bypass with periprocedural morbidity and mortality, unfavorable discharge status, length of stay (LOS), and total hospital charges. METHODS The National Inpatient Sample (NIS) was queried for patients with ICAD who underwent EC-IC bypass or ICS during the years 2004-2010. Patient characteristics, demographics, perioperative complications, outcomes, and discharge data were collected. RESULTS There were 627 patients who underwent ICS and 249 patients who underwent EC-IC bypass. Patients who underwent ICS were significantly older (P < 0.001) with more comorbidities (P = 0.027) than those who underwent EC-IC bypass. Patients who underwent EC-IC bypass experienced higher rates of postprocedure stroke (P = 0.014), but those who underwent ICS experienced higher rates of death (P = 0.006). Among asymptomatic patients, the rates of postprocedure stroke (P = 0.341) and death (P = 0.887) were similar between patients who underwent ICS and those who underwent EC-IC bypass. Among symptomatic patients, however, there was a higher rate of postprocedure stroke in patients who underwent EC-IC bypass (P < 0.001) and a higher rate of death among patients who underwent ICS (P = 0.015). CONCLUSION The ideal management of patients with ICAD cannot yet be defined. Although much data from randomized and prospective trials on revascularization have been collected, many questions remain unanswered. There still remain cohorts of patients, specifically patients who have failed aggressive medical management, where not enough evidence is available to dictate decision-making. In order to further elucidate the safety and efficacy of these intracranial revascularization procedures, further clinical trials are needed.
Suppression of nNOS expression in rat enteric neurones by the receptor for advanced glycation end-products

Abstract Diabetes mellitus results in a loss of neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) expression in the myenteric plexus but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. We hypothesized that this may be mediated by advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), a class of modified protein adducts formed by non-enzymatic glycation that interact with the receptor for AGE (RAGE) and which are important in the pathogenesis of other diabetic complications. Whole mount preparations of longitudinal muscles with adherent myenteric plexus (LM-MPs) from the duodenum of adult male rats were exposed to glycated bovines serum albumin (AGE-BSA) or BSA for 24 h. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for mRNA showed a significant reduction in nNOS expression in LM-MPs after exposure to AGE-BSA. NO release, as measured by the Griess reaction, was also significantly reduced by AGE-BSA. A neutralizing antibody against RAGE attenuated the reduction of nNOS protein caused by AGE-BSA. Immunohistochemistry revealed co-localization of RAGE expression with Hu, a marker for neuronal cells but not for S-100, a glial marker. Advanced glycation end-products reduce nNOS expression in the rat myenteric neurones acting via the receptor RAGE. Our results suggest novel pathways for disruption of the nitrergic phenotype in diabetes.
Testing the Hill model of transpolar potential with Super Dual Auroral Radar Network observations

We use a data set consisting of periods for which the transpolar ionospheric potential ( pc) is well-determined by Super Dual Auroral Radar Network (SuperDARN) data to test the Hill model. The Hill model, as formulated by Siscoe et al. [2002], specifies pc as a function of solar wind speed and ram pressure, the interplanetary magnetic field, the reconnection electric field (Er), and the ionospheric conductance ( ). The periods used in our study were identified as times when the interplanetary electric field was quasistable and SuperDARN coverage was sufficient to determine pc. SuperDARN-determined pc ( SDc ) is compared to pc determined using the Hill model ( Hillc ) for 1317 10-min periods. A minimum in the root-mean-square difference between SDc (Er) and Hillc (Er) is achieved when = 23 S and a constant potential, 0 = 17 kV, are used. Some aspects of the data agree very well for these values of and 0, including the mean value of pc(Er) and that both data sets clearly indicate saturation at higher values of Er. The ram pressure dependence of Hillc , however, is inconsistent with that of SD pc and suggests that should be lower than 23 S. There is also significantly more variability in SDc for all values of Er than the
An adjustable-threshold algorithm for the identification of objects in three-dimensional images.

Motivation: To develop a highly accurate, practical and fast automated segmentation algorithm for threedimensional images containing biological objects. To test the algorithm on images of the Drosophila brain, and identify, count and determine the locations of neurons in the images. Results: An ew adjustable-threshold algorithm was developed to efficiently segment fluorescently labeled objects contained within three-dimensional images obtained from laser scanning confocal microscopy, or two-photon microscopy. The result of the test segmentation with Drosophila brain images showed that the algorithm is extremely accurate and provided detailed information about the locations of neurons in the Drosophila brain. Centroids of each object (nucleus of each neuron) were also recorded into an algebraic matrix that describes the locations of the neurons. Availability: Interested parties should send their request for the NeuronMapper TM program with the segmentation
Certifiable optical character recognition

A general-purpose approach for enhancing the accuracy of optical character recognition is described. By taking the view that the printed page is a data transmission channel, the authors raise the possibility of error detecting/correcting codes designed specifically for the OCR process. They present experimental results that demonstrate the feasibility of fully automated, 100% accurate OCR for computer typeset documents. >
Characterization of the two size forms of the alpha 1 subunit of skeletal muscle L-type calcium channels.

Abstract The molecular properties of two size forms of the alpha 1 subunit of purified skeletal muscle calcium channels were analyzed. The minor, full-length, form, alpha 1(212), was found to have an apparent molecular mass of 214 kDa by Ferguson plot analysis, while the major, truncated, form, now designated alpha 1(190), had an apparent molecular mass of 193 kDa. Antibody mapping of the C-terminal region of alpha 1(190) with 10 anti-peptide antibodies placed the C terminus between residues 1685 and 1699. Three consensus sites for cAMP-dependent protein phosphorylation are present in the C-terminal region of alpha 1(212) but not in alpha 1(190), and they may be important for the regulation of the ion conductance activity of the calcium channel.
Dose-volume response analyses of late rectal bleeding after radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Abstract Purpose To compare the fits of various normal tissue complication probability (NTCP) models to a common set of late rectal toxicity data, with the aim of identifying the best model for predicting late rectal injury after irradiation. Methods and materials Late toxicity data from 128 prostate cancer patients treated on protocol with three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center (UTMDACC) were analyzed. The dose–volume histogram for total rectal volume, including contents, was obtained for each patient, and the presence or absence of Grade 2 or worse rectal bleeding within 2 years of treatment was scored. Five different NTCP models were fitted to the data using maximum likelihood analysis: the Lyman model, the mean dose model, a parallel architecture model, and models based on either a cutoff dose or a cutoff volume. Results All five of the NTCP models considered provided very similar fits to the UTMDACC rectal bleeding data. In particular, none of the more highly parameterized models (the four-parameter parallel model, three-parameter Lyman model, or three-parameter cutoff dose and volume models) provided a better fit than the simplest of the models, the two-parameter NTCP model describing rectal bleeding as a probit function of mean dose to rectum. Conclusion No dose–volume response model has yet been identified that provides a better description of the UTMDACC rectal toxicity data than the mean dose model. Because this model has relatively low predictive accuracy, the need to identify a better model remains.
U-Net: a user-level network interface for parallel and distributed computing

The U-Net communication architecture provides processes with a virtual view of a network interface to enable userlevel access to high-speed communication devices. The architecture, implemented on standard workstations using offthe-shelf ATM communication hardware, removes the kernel from the communication path, while still providing full protection. The model presented by U-Net allows for the construction of protocols at user level whose performance is only limited by the capabilities of network. The architecture is extremely flexible in the sense that traditional protocols like TCP and UDP, as well as novel abstractions like Active Messages can be implemented efficiently. A U-Net prototype on an 8node ATM cluster of standard workstations offers 65 microseconds round-trip latency and 15 Mbytes/sec bandwidth. It achieves TCP performance at maximum network bandwidth and demonstrates performance equivalent to Meiko CS-2 and TMC CM-5 supercomputers on a set of Split-C benchmarks.