cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antigen-specific therapy of multiple sclerosis: the long-sought magic bullet.

The adaptive immune response in multiple sclerosis (MS) targets various myelin proteins and even some inducible heat shock proteins. A few attempts have been made to tolerize relapsing-remitting patients with MS to either full-length myelin basic protein or to a key peptide epitope between residues 83–99. These trials have demonstrated that this approach may potentially provide benefit to patients with relapsing-remitting MS. However, manipulation of responses to myelin proteins can have deleterious effects. The immune response to myelin components is positioned at a key tipping point in the pathophysiology of the disease. Clarification of the key target antigens in MS, and better understanding of practical methods to attain tolerance to a wide variety of myelin and neuronal molecules will provide the basis for the ultimately successful antigen specific therapy.
A fuzzy approach to digital image warping

Digital image warping addresses the problem of how to smoothly transform one digital image into another. The warping process has wide applications in computer animation and can be divided into two classes depending on the type of images being transformed. Gray image warping considers the transformation of one gray-scale image into another-a process also known as image metamorphosis. Binary image warping, on the other hand, addresses the transformation of binary images such as polygonal shapes. The focus in this article is on warping polygons. We can approach the warping of polygonal shapes in two steps. The first establishes a correspondence between the vertices of two given polygons. The second step interpolates the corresponding vertices to generate vertices of an intermediate polygon. This article presents new approaches to both steps. This new algorithm uses fuzzy techniques to warp polygons that have different locations, orientations, sizes and numbers of vertices. The algorithm is robust and extensible to curved shapes.
ANALYSIS OF ICE-INDUCED VIBRATIONS ON A FLEXIBLE STRUCTURE

In this paper we apply modelling techniques to interpret some significant experimental observations on the ice-induced vibration of a flexible structure. The analysis is intended to promote physical understanding of the phenomena underlying ice-structure interaction. In the first part, harmonic components involved in the structural response are identified, and a procedure to simulate the transient response is proposed with a graphic illustration. In the second part, damping effects on the predominant frequency of structural response are investigated with a set of analytic solutions. It was found that the predominant frequency increases with the ice velocity up to a certain value below the natural frequency of the structure, while the average crushing force decreases with the ice velocity.
Recent results in the search for fractional charge at Stanford

In the Stanford fractional charge search experiment, we have discovered a new magnetic background effect which can be as large as 13eEA. To eliminate the new effect, we can spin the ball around a vertical axis using either electric or magnetic fields, verifying the spin optically. We are proceeding with new measurements with the ball spinning so that the background effect is verifiably eliminated. At present, we do not know of a mechanism by which the distribution of residual charges observed earlier, which was sharply peaked at 0e and ±13e, could be due entirely to the magnetic effect. The effect could however have been absent if the charge-measuring electric field spun the ball during the earlier measurements. Whether it did depends on the ball's asymmetry and its damping time for spin. For the definitive answer to whether or not there are fractional charges on these niobium samples, we await our new experiments.
Developmental effects of exposure to environmental tobacco smoke and material hardship among inner-city children

Because of the growing concern that exposures to airborne pollutants have adverse effects on fetal growth and early childhood neurodevelopment, and the knowledge that such exposures are more prevalent in disadvantaged populations, we assessed the joint impact of prenatal exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and material hardship on the 2-year cognitive development of inner-city children, adjusted for other sociodemographic risks and chemical exposures. The purpose was to evaluate the neurotoxicant effects of ETS among children experiencing different degrees of socioeconomic disadvantage, within a minority population. The sample did not include children exposed to active maternal smoking in the prenatal period. Results showed significant adverse effects of prenatal residential ETS exposure and the level of material hardship on 2-year cognitive development, as well as a significant interaction between material hardship and ETS, such that children with both ETS exposure and material hardship exhibited the greatest cognitive deficit. In addition, children with prenatal ETS exposure were twice as likely to be classified as significantly delayed, as compared with nonexposed children. Postnatal ETS exposure in the first 2 years of life did not contribute independently to the risk of developmental delay, over and above the risk posed by prenatal ETS exposure. The study concluded that prenatal exposure to ETS in the home has a negative impact on 2-year cognitive development, and this effect is exacerbated under conditions of material hardship in this urban minority sample.
The reliability of a second biopsy for determining residual tumor

Background: Often after biopsy a skin cancer appears to resolve clinically and a repeat biopsy may be done on the area in question before proceeding with further treatment. Objective: Our purpose was to assess the value of a subsequent biopsy in the treatment of skin cancers previously diagnosed by biopsy results. Methods: The results of a subsequent biopsy were compared with the results of Mohs micrographic surgery in 291 patients with biopsy-established basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Pre-Mohs surgery curettings were examined in 60 of these patients to evaluate whether these could have caused false-negative Mohs results. Results: One hundred nineteen patients had a negative second biopsy, of which 75 (63%) had residual tumor at surgery. Eight of 60 patients in whom the curettings were examined had negative results from both biopsy and Mohs surgery; tumor in the curettings was shown in six of these eight patients (75%). Conclusion: This study suggests that 63% or more of subsequent biopsy specimens for skin cancer may yield false-negative results and casts doubt on the usefulness of a subsequent biopsy before surgery.
Sinefungin, a potent inhibitor of S-adenosylmethionine: Protein O-methyltransferase

Abstract Sinefungin and a related metabolite, A9145C, which are antifungal antibiotics isolated from Streptomyces griseolus , were found to be potent inhibitors of both calf thymus and bovine adrenal S-adenosylmethionine-dependent protein O-methyl-transferase (EC 2.1.1.24). Sinefungin and A9145C exhibit inhibitory activity which are equal to or greater than S-adenosylhomocysteine, the endogenous inhibitor of this methyltransferase.
Cesarean delivery: A reconsideration of terminology

The terminology we employ influences our perceptions. Thus, we believe in reviewing terminology regularly. The term "cesarean section" should be abandoned. A medical procedure is rarely named after a historic figure, and almost never after an ancient Roman law. Cesarean section has recently been amended to cesarean birth; however, the term is still inadequate. The word "hysterotomy" more appropriately describes the procedure we regularly perform. The adjectives used to describe cesarean birth should also be reevaluated. If we are to keep the term "classical" for the original fundal vertical uterine incision, then the other designations of hysterotomy should retain the same architectural context. Contemporary hysterotomy should be used in reference to a low transverse cesarean. Neoclassical hysterotomy might be used to describe the low vertical procedure. Transitional hysterotomy may be an appropriate term for the "hockey stick" or "J" incision. Cesarean delivery best describes a postmortem cesarean. Vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) is inappropriate because a vaginal birth after a cesarean section would not occur if cesarean section refers to a perimortem procedure. Vaginal birth after hysterotomy should be substituted for VBAC. Such revision of our terminology will keep obstetrics at the forefront of medical science and bring us most efficiently into the 21st century.
Transjugular insertion of biliary stents (TIBS) in two patients with malignant obstruction, ascites, and coagulopathy

Two patients with pancreatic malignancies presented with biliary obstruction which could not be treated from an endoscopic approach. Standard transhepatic biliary drainage was relatively contraindicated because of moderate ascites and coagulopathy related to underlying liver disease. In one patient, a transjugular, transvenous approach was used to deliver a Wallstent endoprosthesis across the distal common bile duct obstruction in a single step procedure. In the second case, a previously placed biliary Wallstent was revised with an additional stent from a similar approach. Transjugular biliary catheterization offers a valuable alternative approach for primary stent placement or revision in patients with contraindication to standard transhepatic drainage.
Computational and experimental bioelectromagnetics for a retinal prosthesis

Computational and experimental bioelectromagnetics play an important role in the development of an epi-retinal prosthesis to restore partial vision to the blind. Specifically, the design of telemetry systems for power and data transfer, SAR analysis to ensure safety, and improvement of the effectiveness of the neursotimulator in general are areas of great interest. We will present an overview of the efforts in these areas and highlight the progress made toward the development of an artificial retina. The methods developed or improved over the past decade find also application to the development of implantable neurostimulators in general, thus providing a larger platform for significant impact of computational and experimental bioelectromagnetics methods to implantable devices.
Determining the Core Literature of Water: A Citation Analysis of Faculty From New Mexico State University

Facilitating access to journals for a multidisciplinary field of study requires an understanding of the literature used by those researchers. This study examines the journals used for publication and those cited by 85 faculty affiliates of the New Mexico State University (NMSU) Water Science and Education Center (WSEC), a multidisciplinary faculty group with a water research focus. The authors have used information gained from this study to enhance collections and outreach at NMSU. This study also adds to the literature on citation analysis as a tool for informing collection development and management.
On a Map from a Function Space to a Hyperspace

Let X be a metric space with metric d, and let K (X) be the space of non-empty, compact subsets of X, metrized by the Hausdorff metric $$\varrho (A,B) = \max ({\sup _{x \in A}}d(x,B),{\sup _{x \in B}}d(x,A)).$$
Subsidence due to pumping from a soil stratum with a soft aquitard

We examine theoretically the mechanics of intensive pumping of groundwater from a layered soil The soil system is assumed to consist of three horizontal layers where a very soft and highly impervious aquitard is sandwiched by two hard and highly porous aquifers. Water is pumped from the bottom aquifer through a vertical well. Attention is focused on the case where the pumping rate is so strong that the ground subsidence, contributed mainly by the soft aquitard, is comparable with the typical layer thickness. By a perturbation theory and the use of Iagrangian coordinates, we deduce an approximation which incorporates the quasi-three-dimensional scheme of Hantush & Jacob for the pore pressure, and the one-dimensional finite strain theory of Gibson et al for the soil consolidation. Unlike the approximations prevailing in hydrological literature, it is shown in particular that the pore pressure is nonlinearly coupled to the soil deformation and that the total stress is not necessarily uniform in depth. Hysteretic subsidence and the associated variations of soil parameters due to various forms of cyclic pumping or recharging are discussed.
Decentralization of the Nation's Main Street: New Coastal-Proximity-Based Portrayals of Population Distribution in the United States, 1950–2000

Abstract Almost half a century has passed since Jean Gottmann coined the term “Megalopolis” in reference to the almost continuously urbanized stretch of land spanning the East Coast of the United States from southern New Hampshire to northern Virginia. Because a disproportionate concentration of population resided in this Megalopolis, the northeastern core enjoyed an economic and cultural supremacy, and he termed the Megalopolis “The Main Street of the Nation.” By the later 1960s and 1970s, however, population migration patterns began to reflect the influence exerted by the emergence of a second national core centered on the large metropolitan areas along the Pacific Coast, especially those of the Los Angeles and Bay Area conurbations in California. Although of different character, this burgeoning concentration of population, economic activity, and cultural influence may reflect the development of a West Coast Megalopolis that could soon rival the original Megalopolis of the Northeastern Corridor. Today, ...
Effects of number of pre‐exposures on sucrose taste aversion in weanling rats

Weanling rats, 20 days old, received 0, 1, 2, 4, or 8 pre-exposures to 12% sucrose prior to a single pairing of sucrose with an intraperitoneal injection of lithium chloride (LiCl; 3.0 mEq of a .15Msolution) or distilled water (20 mg/kg). Testing for sucrose taste aversion with a 2-bottle-choice procedure on 9 test trials reliably showed that increasing numbers of pre-exposures to sucrose directly attenuated taste aversion effects in the LiCl-injected groups but did not appreciably affect intake performance in the distilled water-injected groups. Comparisons between the injection conditions yielded reliable evidence for sucrose taste aversion at each pre-exposure level. These results show that flavor stimulus pre-exposures reliably attenuate subsequent taste aversion in weanling rats as had previously been reported for adult rats.
Order detection for dependent samples using entropy rate

Detecting the number of signals in a given number of observations, or order detection, is one of the key issues in many signal processing problems. Information theoretic criteria are widely used to estimate the order. In many applications, data does not follow the independently and identically distributed (i.i.d.) sampling assumption. Previous approaches address dependent samples by downsampling the dataset so that existing order detection methods can be used. By downsampling the data, the sample size is decreased so that the accuracy of the order estimation is degraded. In this paper, we introduce two linear mixture models with dependent samples. The likelihood for each model is developed based on the entire data set and used in an information theoretic framework to improve the order estimation performance for dependent samples. Experimental results show performance improvement using this new method.
Exploring the Budgetary Base in Georgia

This article is an exploratory study of the budgetary base in Georgia. Using agency, gubernatorial, and legislative estimates for all state agencies during the fiscal years 1980 to 1987, it examines the place of budgetary base decisions in the politics of state budgeting, and seeks to improve the theoretical understanding of that concept.
Mining the Potential in Your State Standards

Abstract State and national standards, taken as is, can limit the potential of the curriculum and skilled teachers. The ideas presented here suggest ways in which we might better scrutinize standards for their potential richness and limitations in order to enrich our instruction.
The Effect of Linker Histone's Nucleosome Binding Affinity on Chromatin Unfolding Mechanisms

Eukaryotic gene activation requires selective unfolding of the chromatin fiber to access the DNA for processes such as DNA transcription, replication, and repair. Mutation/modification experiments of linker histone (LH) H1 suggest the importance of dynamic mechanisms for LH binding/dissociation, but the effects on chromatin's unfolding pathway remain unclear. Here we investigate the stretching response of chromatin fibers by mesoscale modeling to complement single-molecule experiments, and present various unfolding mechanisms for fibers with different nucleosome repeat lengths (NRLs) with/without LH that are fixed to their cores or bind/unbind dynamically with different affinities. Fiber softening occurs for long compared to short NRL (due to facile stacking rearrangements), dynamic compared to static LH/core binding as well as slow rather than fast dynamic LH rebinding (due to DNA stem destabilization), and low compared to high LH concentration (due to DNA stem inhibition). Heterogeneous superbead constructs—nucleosome clusters interspersed with extended fiber regions—emerge during unfolding of medium-NRL fibers and may be related to those observed experimentally. Our work suggests that fast and slow LH binding pools, present simultaneously in vivo, might act cooperatively to yield controlled fiber unfolding at low forces. Medium-NRL fibers with multiple dynamic LH pools offer both flexibility and selective DNA exposure, and may be evolutionarily suitable to regulate chromatin architecture and gene expression.
Intraarticular epithelioid sarcoma

A case of an intraarticular epithelioid sarcoma is presented. The patient was a 35 year old man who presented with a 10 months history of a chronic monoarthritis. The MRI showed a diffuse lesion involving the synovial membrane of the knee. There was a marked increased signal on T2 weighted images. Most epithelioid sarcomas involve the subcutaneous tissues of the hands or feet. This presentation is unusual and this entity should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intraarticular proliferative process.
When Do Generics Challenge Drug Patents

The Hatch-Waxman Act regulates competition between brand-name and generic drugs in the United States. We examine a feature of the Act that has attracted great controversy but little systematic attention. “Paragraph IV” challenges are a mechanism for generic drug makers to challenge the patents of brand-name drug makers as a means to secure early market entry. We first present descriptive results that chart the rise of brand-name patent portfolios and Paragraph IV challenges. Over time, patenting has increased, measured by the number of patents per drug and the length of the nominal patent term. Meanwhile, the fraction of drugs subjected to patent challenges has increased. Drugs are also challenged sooner, relative to brand-name approval. Our econometric analyses of challenges over the past decade show that brand-name sales have a positive effect on the likelihood of generic challenge. The likelihood of challenge also varies with the nature of the patent portfolio. A drug with weaker patents faces a significantly higher likelihood of challenge, conditional on sales and other drug characteristics. That is not because the drug's patent protection is weaker overall; additional patents, even weak ones, generally strengthen a brand-name firm's ability to exclude. Rather, a weak patent, particularly if it expires later than the basic patents, disproportionately attracts a challenge to the pertinent drug. Overall, our results suggest these challenges serve a useful purpose by promoting scrutiny of weaker and late-expiring patents.
Identification, Characterization, and Functional Analysis of Sp1 Transcript Variants Expressed in Germ Cells During Mouse Spermatogenesis

The SP family of zinc-finger transcription factors are important mediators of selective gene activation during embryonic development and cellular differentiation. SP-binding GC-box domains are common cis-regulatory elements present in the promoters of several genes expressed in a developmentally specific manner in differentiating mouse germ cells. Four Sp1 cDNAs were isolated from a mouse pachytene spermatocyte cDNA library and characterized by DNA sequence analysis. Northern blot studies revealed that these cDNAs corresponded to 3 full-length Sp1 transcripts (4.1, 3.7, and 3.2 kilobases [kb]) and an additional 1.4-kb 5'-truncated Sp1 transcript that are temporally expressed during spermatogenesis. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction studies verified that the highest levels of Sp1 transcript expression of 4.1, 3.7, and 3.2 kb occur in the primary spermatocytes. The spatial and temporal expression patterns of these Sp1 transcripts and their encoded 60-kDa and 90-kDa SP1 proteins were demonstrated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemical analyses. To assess the transcriptional properties of these SP1 transcription factors, SP-deficient Drosophila SL2 cells were stably transfected with the respective Sp1 cDNA expression vectors and cotransfected with either Ldh2, Ldh3, or Creb promoter/luciferase reporter constructs. The levels of SP-mediated luciferase expression observed depended on the structure of the glutamine-rich transactivation domains and the number of GC-box elements present in the respective promoters. The alterations observed in germ cells in the patterns of expression of the Sp1 transcripts encoding the 60-kDa and 90-kDa SP1 isoforms suggest that these SP1 factors may be involved in mediating stage-specific and cell type-specific gene expression during mouse spermatogenesis.
Self-esteem and intelligence affect influenceability: The mediating role of message reception.

Although there is general agreement that people differ in how easily they can be influenced, little evidence is available concerning the source of these individual differences. A meta-analytic review was conducted to determine whether message recipients' self-esteem or intelligence predicts influenceability. Recipients of moderate self-esteem proved to be more influenceable than those of low or high esteem. According to the Yale-McGuire model, this curvilinear pattern stems from individual differences in reception of as well as yielding to the influence appeal. Recipients low in self-esteem have difficulty receiving the message; those high in self-esteem tend not to yield. Adequate data were not available to examine curvilinear effects of intelligence. Instead, low intelligence recipients were more influenceable than highly intelligent ones. In general, the findings highlight the importance of message reception in understanding the processes of opinion change.
Molecular dynamics studies on structure and dynamics of phospholamban monomer and pentamer in membranes

Phospholamban (PLB) is an integral membrane protein of 52 residues that regulates the activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium pump in cardiac muscle cells through reversible phosphorylation of Ser16. To explore its possible conformations and dynamics in a monomeric state, we have performed comparative molecular dynamics simulations of unphosphorylated and phosphorylated PLB (pPLB) with various orientations in POPC membranes. The simulations indicate that dynamics of the cytoplasmic domain is highly dependent on its interactions with membranes, that is, large conformational changes in the absence of membrane interactions, but very restricted dynamics in their presence. pPLB shows more structural flexibility in its cytoplasmic domain, which is consistent with experimental observations. We have also performed a simulation of a PLB pentameric structure (the so-called bellflower model), recently determined in micelles, to investigate its behaviors in a POPC membrane. The cytoplasmic domain in each monomer shows uncorrelated dynamics and undergoes large conformational changes toward the membrane surface during the simulation, which supports the so-called pinwheel model of the PLB pentamer structure. The hydrophobic nature of the pentameric pore excludes water molecules in the pore region, which illustrates that the pore appears to be an energetic barrier for ion and water translocation.
Residual Stresses and Their Effects on the Durability of Environmental Barrier Coatings for SiC Ceramics

Qualitative residual stresses in current environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) were inferred from the curvature of EBC-coated SiC wafers, and the effects of EBC stresses on the durability of EBC-coated SiC were evaluated.The magnitude of substrate curvature correlated fairly well with the EBC-SiC coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) mismatch, EBC modulus, and thermally induced physical changes in EBC. BSAS (1-xBaO. xSrO.Al 2 O 3 .2SiO 2 , 0≤x≤<1) components in the current EBCs, i.e., Si/mullite or mullite+BSAS/BSAS or yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ: ZrO 2 -8 wt% Y 2 O 3 ), were the most beneficial for reducing the EBC stress in as-sprayed as well as in post-exposure EBCs. The reduced stress was attributed to the low modulus of BSAS. The addition of a YSZ top coat significantly increased the substrate curvature because of its high CTE and sintering in thermal exposures. There were clear correlations between the wafer curvature and the EBC durability. The Si/mullite+20 wt% BSAS/BSAS EBC maintained excellent adherence, protecting the SiC substrate from oxidation, while the Si/mullite+20 wt% BSAS/YSZ EBC suffered delamination, leading to severe oxidation of the SiC substrate, after a 100 h -1300°C exposure in a high-pressure burner rig.
A Failure Story: Politics and Financial Liberalization in Turkey, Revisiting the Revolving Door Hypothesis

Summary. — The risks and benefits of financial liberalization is a highly contentious issue in the current economic debate. This article focuses on Turkey’s ‘‘lost decades’’ and tries to reveal the underlying factors behind the economic collapse in the country. Two elements will be analyzed: (a) the role of public sector together with the domestic banking sector in setting the stage for alternating financial crisis, and (b) the effect of close correlation between external debt and capital flight on the economy. This paper argues that there exists a contemporaneous bi-directional causality between external debt and capital flight in the Turkish economy. Exploration of this fact may have some important implications for economic policy modeling in Turkey’s crisis-ridden economy. 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Glass‐Ceramics by Photosensitive Processes

Glass-ceramics constitute a unique set of materials as they hold the promise of producing interesting crystal-like properties utilizing glass-making capability. One property that would make them more interesting and useful would be whether they could be produced by a photosensitive process similar to that in special glasses. One such material already exists, namely Corning's photomachinable Fotoform™. In this study, we will describe two new photosensitive glass-ceramic materials: (1) Fotoform as a tunable CTE material and (2) a new photosensitively produced nepheline phase glass-ceramic.
Hypothyroidism: Etiology, Diagnosis, and Management

Hypothyroidism is the result of inadequate production of thyroid hormone or inadequate action of thyroid hormone in target tissues. Primary hypothyroidism is the principal manifestation of hypothyroidism, but other causes include central deficiency of thyrotropin-releasing hormone or thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), or consumptive hypothyroidism from excessive inactivation of thyroid hormone. Subclinical hypothyroidism is present when there is elevated TSH but a normal free thyroxine level. Treatment involves oral administration of exogenous synthetic thyroid hormone. This review presents an update on the etiology and types of hypothyroidism, including subclinical disease; drugs and thyroid function; and diagnosis and treatment of hypothyroidism.
Quorum sensing: the many languages of bacteria

In the conventional view of prokaryotic existence, bacteria live unicellularly, with responses to external stimuli limited to the detection of chemical and physical signals of environmental origin. This view of bacteriology is now recognized to be overly simplistic, because bacteria communicate with each other through small 'hormone-like' organic compounds referred to as autoinducers. These bacterial cell-to-cell signaling systems were initially described as mechanisms through which bacteria regulate gene expression via cell density and, therefore, they have been collectively termed quorum sensing. The functions controlled by quorum sensing are varied and reflect the needs of a particular species of bacteria to inhabit a given niche. Three major quorum-sensing circuits have been described: one used primarily by Gram-negative bacteria, one used primarily by Gram-positive bacteria, and one that has been proposed to be universal.
Dynamical Influences of Anvil Shading on Simulated Supercell Thunderstorms

AbstractNumerical simulations of supercell thunderstorms including parameterized radiative transfer and surface fluxes are performed using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model to investigate how low-level air temperature deficits within anvil shadows affect the simulated storms. The maximum temperature deficits within the modeled cloud shadows are 1.5–2.0 K, which is only about half that previously observed. Within the shadows, the loss of strong solar heating cools and stabilizes the near-surface layer, which suppresses vertical mixing and modifies the near-surface vertical wind shear. In a case of a stationary storm, the enhanced easterly shear present beneath the anvil leads to a thinning of the outflow layer and corresponding acceleration of the rear-flank gust front far ahead of the overlying updraft, weakening the low-level mesocyclone. It is further shown that the direct absorption and emission of radiation by clouds does not significantly affect the simulated supercells. Varying th...
Is there a relationship between MHPG and anxiety in depressed patients

Previous studies of the relationship between anxiety and 3-methoxy-4-hydroxyphenylglycol (MHPG) in depression have produced conflicting results. The possibility that different definitions of anxiety may have created these discrepant findings was explored. There was no convincing evidence that MHPG was associated with any of a wide range of different anxiety measurements that encompassed the anxiety concepts of somatic anxiety, psychic anxiety, agitation, or situational stress. The relationships of anxiety ratings to each other were also examined.
Oligodendrocyte-specific expression and autoantigenicity of transaldolase in multiple sclerosis.

Although the etiology of multiple sclerosis (MS) is unknown, there is compelling evidence that its pathogenesis is mediated through the immune system. Molecular mimicry, i.e., crossreactivity between self-antigens and viral proteins, has been implicated in the initiation of autoimmunity and MS. Based on homology to human T cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) a novel human retrotransposon was cloned and found to constitute an integral part of the coding sequence of the human transaldolase gene (TAL-H). TAL-H is a key enzyme of the nonoxidative pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) providing ribose-5-phosphate for nucleic acid synthesis and NADPH for lipid biosynthesis. Another fundamental function of the PPP is to maintain glutathione at a reduced state and, consequently, to protect sulfhydryl groups and cellular integrity from oxygen radicals. Immunohistochemical analyses of human brain sections and primary murine brain cell cultures demonstrated that TAL is expressed selectively in oligodendrocytes at high levels, possibly linked to production of large amounts of lipids as a major component of myelin, and to the protection of the vast network of myelin sheaths from oxygen radicals. High-affinity autoantibodies to recombinant TAL-H were detected in serum (25/87) and cerebrospinal fluid (15/20) of patients with MS. By contrast, TAL-H antibodies were absent in 145 normal individuals and patients with other autoimmune and neurological diseases. In addition, recombinant TAL-H stimulated proliferation and caused aggregate formation of peripheral blood lymphocytes from patients with MS. Remarkable amino acid sequence homologies were noted between TAL-H and core proteins of human retroviruses. Presence of crossreactive antigenic epitopes between recombinant TAL-H and HTLV-I/human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) gas proteins was demonstrated by Western blot analysis. The results suggest that molecular mimicry between viral core proteins and TAL-H may play a role in breaking immunological tolerance and leading to a selective destruction of oligodendrocytes in MS.
Functional adaptation and remodeling of pulmonary artery in flow-induced pulmonary hypertension.

Patients with left-to-right shunt congenital heart disease may develop pulmonary hypertension. Perioperative mortality of these patients is high due to abnormal vasoreactivity of the pulmonary arte...
Toward a Transnational Classification of Crime and Deviance

A Norm Resistance Scale was constructed to measure four main aspects of deviance perception: the respondent's definition of the act as criminal or deviant; the intensity of the respondent's reaction; his preferences for official societal sanctions; and his general opinion concerning decriminalization. The scale was administered to urban and rural samples from five countries selected to represent a diverse array of political, social, economic, and cultural factors. Evidence was found for general agreement concerning the extent to which the control of a wide variety of deviant acts might be resisted. However, when cross-cultural comparisons were made for specific acts, wide differences were found both across countries and within countries, and the cross-country differences were the greater. Factor analysis was used to investigate similarity in underlying structure of deviance perception across countries. Although the data were not conclusive, they did suggest that two important factors-deviance protest and ...
On the electromagnetic field of one- and two-demensional gratings of large cylinder--Part I: Alternating potential

The field of gratings of large cylinders in a unit cell of square, rectangular, or infinite-strip pattern is studied. Solutions are provided for alternating potential use being made of suitable arrangements of line charges. The complex potential corresponding to a given cylinder is found by correlation of the spacing of the line charges and the size of the cylinder. This method is also suitable for solution of fields of one-dimensional gratings of elliptical cylinders at alternating potential. Detailed results are presented in tables as well as in plots of typical field configurations.
Does a Culture of Appalachia Truly Exist

Some disagreement exists about whether an Appalachian culture exists. Common notions about Appalachia's people are tied to myths that disguise truths about those that claim a heritage tied to place. Living in the region is different from having multiple generations of ancestors and a family legacy associated with place. Conclusions suggest that cultural traits of some residents are recognizable as unique from others in the nation's mainstream, but they are not generalizable to all people living in the Appalachian region.
Reforming China's Institutional Environment for Urban Infrastructure Provision

Summary. Rapid urbanisation in the reform period has resulted in a very high demand for basic urban infrastructure in China. Improving its provision by the public sector is a challenge as problems persist in the form of unmet demand, de® ciencies in cost recovery and inadequate maintenance. Institutional hurdles, particularly the lack of organisational and ® nancial autonomy for the providers of urban infrastructure, are in part to blame. Urban construction authorities have yet to rid themselves of political interference and overlapping responsibilities. But measures have been taken to reform the institutional environment. Speci® cally, increasingly decentralised central± local ® scal relations are allowing municipalities an unprecedented degree of freedom for resource mobilisation through a wide range of mechanisms that greatly expand extra-budgetary revenue. A case study of Shanghai’s reform efforts shows that results can be immediate and promising.
A Profile of Sexual Health Behaviors among College Women

This study examined the risk taking and preventive behaviors related to sexually transmitted diseases among sexually active college women. Self-report questionnaires were distributed at two mid-Atlantic universities yielding a final sample of 556 students. Data were collected regarding frequencies of pelvic examinations, numbers of vaginal, oral, and anal sex partners, and number of partners who had forced sex against their will. Also, frequencies of tests for sexually transmitted disease and HIV before having sex with new partners, methods of protection and birth control, and types of relationships were assessed. Finally, subjects reported the types of questions asked before having sex with a new partner and diagnoses of sexually transmitted diseases. Because most college-aged women are sexually active and vulnerable to a host of short- and long-term complications from sexually transmitted infections, educational interventions, in addition to promoting condom use, must focus on the need for regular pelvi...
Microbial Ecology of Fe (hydr)oxide Mats and Basaltic Rock from Vailulu'u Seamount, American Samoa

Microbial community analysis of a deep-sea volcanic and hydrothermal system at Vailulu'u Seamount yielded 89 new organisms and three detailed 16S-rRNA gene clone libraries (one rock and two microbial mats). Proteobacterial communities dominate in most environments, but important differences are found between microbial mats from distinctly different geochemical environments and for the rock surface. Many cultured organisms are metabolically and functionally diverse, displaying at least two of the tested functions: heterotrophy, Fe(II) and Mn(II) oxidation, and siderophore-production. Metabolic versatility of microorganisms is suggested as an important trait allowing diverse populations of bacteria to adapt to these environments.
Unknown unknowns: modeling unanticipated events

In simulations involving uncertainty, two types of unknowns must be taken into account: known unknowns and unknown unknowns. For known unknowns, the nature of the task is known, adequate historical data is available, and although the value of the model variable is unknown, either a theoretical or an empirical probability density function can be established to describe the variable. For unknown unknowns, the value of the variable can be zero, if the task or event does not actually occur, or may go to any amount (either negative or positive) if the event does occur. For example, there may be no definable upper limit if an in-house activity fails catastrophically or a subcontractor fails to deliver the work. These unknowns invariably result in disruptions to operations and significant cost overruns. In industry today, we are particularly concerned with designing proactive control systems. These "unknown unknowns" therefore cannot be ignored. The paper discusses a methodology to incorporate this second type of unknown into a simulation model. Examples include modeling a forklift-pedestrian collision, a labor strike at a critical supplier, and a natural disaster at a factory.
Effect of target surface orientation on the range precision of laser detection and ranging systems

Airborne laser detection and ranging (LADAR) systems are used for applications such as three-dimensional imaging, topographic mapping, and target recognition. Typical systems transmit laser beams through apertures that are a few inches wide and use pulses that are roughly a nanosecond in duration. If the pulse reflects off a target that is tilted with respect to the LADAR's line-of-sight, then the reflection process will elongate the received signal as compared to the transmitted pulse. If the range is more than a few kilometers and the target is tilted more than about forty-five degrees, the increase in the width of the received pulse produces a signifcant drop in range precision as compared to when the target is perpendicular to the line-of-sight.
Three Faces of Death: Epicurus, Heidegger, and James

Epicurus taught that death was a non-issue: it was something to be completely ignored because it had no bearing on life whatsoever. Martin Heidegger, by contrast, saw that acute consciousness of death was a life-defining anxiety; it reveals our own unique selfness, and affirmation of this allows us to be authentic individuals. William James, in opposition to both of these ideas, argued for the possibility of eternal life and transcendental meaning by way of a spiritual resolution. Although Epicurus and Heidegger are polar opposites in their attitudes toward death, they both view death as the end—the end of all consciousness, self, and existence. James, finding this notion overly tragic and perhaps unbearable, says that through a “will to believe” we can fashion an alternate attitude concerning death. Perhaps death does not have to be the end, he argues; perhaps we can passionately affirm that our souls go on where our bodies perish. The ideas of all three philosophers bring death to the foreground; Epicurus proposes an attitude of ignorance, Heidegger suggests affirmation, and James embraces resistance. In each philosopher’s conception, one’s attitude toward death has major implications for one’s attitude toward life. I would like to talk through all three positions, and in doing so show how the attitudes of Epicurus and Heidegger, different as they may be, reveal the importance and momentousness of life, whereas James’ philosophy trivializes life in reference to something beyond it. Although James would consider his view more optimistic than the gloomy Epicureans’ or Heideggerians’, he is actually relegating life to a status beneath that which the other philosophers would give to it. In other words, Epicurus and Heidegger are content with life alone, whereas mortal life by itself does not ultimately satisfy James. In order not to slip into pessimism, James thinks, there must be the possibility of life after death. Epicurus and Heidegger do not see such a need, yet they are certainly not defeatist about life’s potential meaning. James’ attitude toward death is actually the most pessimistic of the three; it suggests that the notion of a meaningful life is hindered without the possibility of eternal life (life after death). Even with their remarkably different ideas, Epicurus and Heidegger affirm life’s meaningfulness despite the fact that it ends with death.
Epiregulin increases the severity of cancer-predisposing colitis in the IL10 mouse model

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 1976 Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn′s disease, affects nearly 1 million Americans and is a major predisposing factor for colorectal cancer. Although there are no highly efficacious cures for this disease, significant insight has been gained into the molecular causes of IBD initiation and progression. Mouse models have played a significant role in understanding IBD and how this disease contributes to cancer susceptibility. A widely used model for IBD-related colorectal cancer is the interleukin-10 (Il10) knockout mouse; Il10-deficient mice spontaneously develop colitis and have a heightened susceptibility to colorectal cancer. Il10-deficient mice do not manifest disease under germ-free conditions, showing that the inflammatory response causing IBD is initiated by enteric bacterial flora. Using the dextran sulfate sodium chemical model of colitis we show that epiregulin (Ereg), an epidermal growth factor receptor ligand, is required for normal intestinal homeostasis and protection from chemically-induced colitis. Furthermore, Ereg-deficient mice do not show altered susceptibility to polyp formation in the Min model. To further investigate the role of Ereg in intestinal homeostasis and its potential role in colitis-associated colorectal cancer, double mutant mice were generated that are deficient for both Ereg and Il10. Contrary to expectations from the DSS, the severity of inflammation-related intestinal damage in the Ereg, Il10 double mutant mice was greatly reduced. Despite the reduced colitis, there was no change in IL10-mediated colorectal cancer suggesting that growth factors that can dramatically alter inflammation severity have different effects on cancer susceptibility.
Non-Cooperative and Semi-Cooperative Differential Games

In this paper we review some recent results on non-cooperative and semicooperative differential games. For the n-person non-cooperative games in one-space dimension, we consider the Nash equilibrium solutions. When the system of Hamilton-Jacobi equations for the value functions is strictly hyperbolic, we show that the weak solution of a corresponding system of hyperbolic conservation laws determines an n-tuple of feedback strategies. These yield a Nash equilibrium solution to the non-cooperative differential game.
Dependence of physicochemical properties of n-alkanes on their molecular structure

Several properties such as the density, viscosity, dielectric constant and electric strength of n-alkanes have been discussed with respect to the number of C-atoms (N) in the molecule. The linear dependence of these properties on N shows some kind of deviation around N=9 which has been qualitatively discussed. The dependence of electric strength on liquid viscosity is also discussed.
Design Problems of a Regenerative Turboprop Aircraft Engine

The military and industry have long recognized the potential of the regenerative-cycle gas turbine. Only recently has the “state-of-the-art” in regenerators and other lightweight turbine-engine components made it feasible to apply regeneration to aircraft engines. In applying regeneration to the aircraft gas turbine certain unique engine-design problems are encountered, such as: (a) Configuration and arrangement of lightweight, high effectiveness regenerator; (b) combustion system with side entry air; (c) turbine cooling at high inlet temperatures; (d) compressor operating flexibility; (e) control system for optimum engine response and operational flexibility; (f) configuration and arrangement of propeller and reduction gear.Copyright © 1964 by ASME
An Attitude-Behavior Framework for Distribution Channel Management:

The consistency or inconsistency of boundary personnel attitudes and behavior forms the basis for a model that predicts the influence processes that need to be implemented and the influence objecti...