cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
RF sputter etch as a surface cleaning process for CdTe solar cells

Thin film CdTe/CdS solar cells benefit from the use of a wet chemistry step prior to the application of the back contact electrode. A nitric-phosphoric acid mixture and a bromine solution are the most commonly used etchants. Following the CdCI/sub 2/ heat treatment the CdTe/CdS structures are briefly etched in one of the above solutions in order to remove native oxides and leave the CdTe surface Te-rich. A higher carrier concentration at the surface of CdTe is believed to be a key factor in facilitating the formation of an effective back contact. The primary objective of this work is to investigate the potential of an alternative dry, vacuum-based process, as a surface modification step for CdTe prior to the application of the back contact electrode. RF-sputter etch has been used as an alternative surface cleaning process. The process was optimized for the type of etchant gas, pressure, time, and sputter power. Solar cells exhibited V/sub OC/'s greater than 830 mV and FF's in the high 60's. This performance demonstrates the potential of this process for the development of an all-dry vacuum based CdTe technology.
Mean values of multiplicative functions

Let f(n) be a totally multiplicative function such that | ƒ (n)|p 1 for all n, and let F(s) = ∑ ∞ n=1 ƒ(n)n —∞ be the associated Dirichlet series. A variant of Halasz"s method is developed, by means of which estimates for ∑ N n=1 ƒ(n)/n are obtained in terms of the size of | F(s) | for s near 1 with ℜs >1. The result obtained has a number of consequences, particularly concerning the zeros of the partial sum U N (s) =∑ N n=1 n-s s of the series for the Riemann zeta function.
Buyer's Efficient E-Sourcing Structure: Centralize or Decentralize?

Strategic sourcing, defined as a firm's key business process to identify, evaluate, configure, and negotiate purchases in important spend categories while managing long-term supplier relationships, is playing a significant role in sourcing strategies. The adoption of e-sourcing, defined as the use of business software (for example, using application service providers to conduct online procurement auctions) to automate or augment the aforementioned key business process, has been growing rapidly in recent years. One often-cited benefit of e-sourcing is the predicted savings, which is appealing, given the increasing pressure on cost competitiveness faced by firms. Using queuing techniques, this paper develops an economic model that captures fundamental trade-offs in a firm's e-sourcing business process as characterized by communication complexity, frequency of use, and cost of delay. This allows comparisons of two widely adopted structures for e-sourcing: the centralized structure versus the decentralized structure. Conditions under which the centralized structure is favored over the decentralized structure and vice versa are identified and illustrated with numerical examples and case evidence. These findings are robust in other settings. The paper concludes with a discussion of managerial implications.
Detection of hot spots in thin metal films using an ultra sensitive dual channel noise measurement system

A dual-channel noise measurement system capable of detecting the thermal noise of a 1- Omega resistor at room temperature was designed and constructed. The system was based on amplifying the noise signal under detection through two separated channels and taking the cospectrum estimate of the output of two channels. The system was used to measure the thermal noise and compare effective noise temperatures in electromigration-damaged and undamaged thin aluminium films. >
Large capacity contents handling over optical networks: motion pictures on optical networks

Content handling has been dramatically advanced by content digitalization and network usage. Several features of content handling are described and some examples of postproduction of film contents and their distribution over optical networks are introduced.
Prediction of Status Patterns of Wind Turbines: A Data-Mining Approach

This paper presents the application of data-mining techniques for identification and prediction of status patterns in wind turbines. Early prediction of status patterns benefits turbine maintenance by indicating the deterioration of components. An association rule mining algorithm is used to identify frequent status patterns of turbine components and systems that are in turn predicted using historical wind turbine data. The status patterns are predicted at six time periods spaced at 10 min intervals. The prediction models are generated by five data-mining algorithms. The random forest algorithm has produced the best prediction results. The prediction results are used to develop a component performance monitoring scheme.
Analysis of Base Oil Fractions by ClMn(H2O)+ Chemical Ionization Combined with Laser-Induced Acoustic Desorption/Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometry

Laser-induced acoustic desorption (LIAD), combined with chemical ionization with the ClMn(H2O)+ ion, is demonstrated to facilitate the analysis of base oils by Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry. The LIAD/ClMn(H2O)+ method produces only one product ion, [ClMn + M]+, for each component (M) in base oils, thus providing molecular weight (MW) information for the analytes. With the exception of one sample, no fragmentation was observed. The mass spectra indicate the presence of homologous series of ions differing in mass by multiples of 14 Da (i.e., CH2). All peaks in the spectra correspond to ions with even m/z values and hence are formed from hydrocarbons with no nitrogen atoms, in agreement with the compositional nature of base oils. The MW distributions measured for two groups of base oil samples cover the range 350−600 Da, which is in excellent agreement with the values determined by gas chromatography. Moreover, the hydrocarbon types (i.e., paraffin and cycloparaffins with differ...
Neo-isolationism, balanced-budget conservatism, and the fiscal impacts of immigrants.

A rise in neo-isolationism in the United States has given encouragement to a new fiscal politics of immigration. Growing anti-immigrant sentiment has coalesced with forces of fiscal conservatism to make immigrants an easy target of budget cuts. Limits on legal alien access to social welfare programs that are contained in the 1996 welfare and immigration reform acts seem motivated not so much by a guiding philosophy of what it means to be a member of American society as by a desire to shrink the size of the federal government and to produce a balanced budget. Even more than in the past the consequence of a shrinking welfare state is to metamorphose legal immigrants from public charges to windfall gains for the federal treasury. (EXCERPT)
SU‐FF‐T‐192: DVS MOSFET Dosimeter Response to Kilovoltage Radiation

Purpose: To determine the dose response of implantable DVS MOSFET dosimeters to kilovoltage x‐ray radiation compared to the response to irradiation from a 60 Co source. Method and Materials: Sicel Technologies, Inc. has developed a Dose Verification System (DVS®), using implantable MOSFET dosimeters that are read telemetrically by an inductively coupled antenna. Three Virtual Water™ phantom cassettes, each containing four DVS dosimeters, were irradiated in a Virtual Water phantom with a 60 Co source for five doses of 200 cGy. These were used as controls to compare to a fourth cassette that was similarly irradiated by the 60 Co source before it was exposed to kV energy at NIST‐equivalent beam qualities of M80, L100, M100, M120, and M150. The dose delivered was determined following TG‐61 protocol (in‐phantom method at 2 cm depth), substituting Virtual Water for liquid water. Following the x‐ray exposures, the cassette was exposed again to 60 Co to confirm device stability. Results: Before correcting for temperature, energy, and isotropy, the 60 Co cassettes demonstrated a slight and consistent under‐response. After appropriate scaling, the overall ratio of corrected dose measured to dose delivered was 1.002 ± 0.004. The dosimeters irradiated with the kV beams, however, exhibited an over‐response. The overall ratio of corrected dose measured to dose delivered for the kV beams was 2.428 ± 0.043, whereas the same cassette demonstrated nearly the same response to the 60 Co source as the other three cassettes, with a ratio of corrected dose measured to dose delivered of 0.9755 ± 0.0113. Conclusion: This data shows the DVS dose response for the examined kV beams at 2 cm depth is ∼2–3 times greater than the response at MeV energies from the 60 Co source due to the shift in dominance from Compton to photoelectric events. Conflict of Interest: Funding for this research was provided by Sicel Technologies, Inc.
A page on Eisenstein series in Ramanujan's lost notebook

Page 188 in Ramanujan's lost notebook is devoted to a certain class of infinite series connected with Euler's pentagonal number theorem. These series are represented in terms of Ramanujan's famous Eisenstein series .
Surgical Resection of Malignant Melanoma Metastatic to the Pancreas: Case Series and Review of Literature

Background Malignant melanoma only rarely metastasizes to the pancreas. As such, there is limited medical literature on the clinical course and outcomes for patients who have undergone surgical management of these tumors. The aim of our study was to review our experience with the surgical resection of melanoma metastatic to the pancreas.
Comment on "Equilibrium Orientations of Gravity-Gradient Satellites"

Consequently, the author's assertion that there exists "an entire one-parameter family of points in a, ft, 7 space" which represents an orientation of dynamic equilibrium is incorrect. Apparently, this conclusion was reached by mistakenly interpreting Eq. (5) as a condition that guarantees equilibrium, whereas the correct interpretation is the converse, namely, that equilibrium guarantees the validity of Eq. (5).
Use of chemically purified and cross-linked bovine pericardium as a ligament substitute

This study tested the reaction of a periarticular tissue to implanted pericardial membrane, substituting a segment of patellar ligament. Bovine pericardium was chemically purified and cross-linked with monomeric glutaraldehyde under pH, temperature and time conditions minimizing the polymerization of the cross-linking agent. Eight rats had both knee joint patellar ligaments excised. One side served as a control (simple suture), the other dissected ligament was replaced with a strip of pericardium. After 18 days and 12 weeks the dissected ligaments were analyzed by morphological methods. An unexpected fast ingrowth of cells and vessels was observed at 18 days. At 12 weeks new collagen deposits within pericardial patch were seen with striking biodegradation of the implant. Thus, using a new method of cross-linking the collagenous matrix with glutaraldehyde we see no evidence of glutaraldehyde cytotoxicity, as documented by our previous work.
Nonabelian special K-flows

Abstract The Kolmogorov-Sinai theory of special K-flows is enlarged to a class of nonabelian dynamical systems whose stochastic behavior is analyzed. The main result of this paper is that these dynamical systems retain the fundamental property of having homogeneous Lebesgue spectrum with countably infinite multiplicity.
The J-sum of Banach spaces

Abstract The J-sum of certain sequences of Banach spaces is defined and studied. This seems to be the first conditional sum studied in any detail. As applications for any weakly compactly generated Z, a concrete space X is constructed with X ∗∗ X isometric to Z. Examples are constructed to show boundedly complete (even symmetric) decompositions (even with all the factors isometric to J) do not have the properties that boundedly complete bases have. A space X is constructed that is isomorphic to both X ∗ and X ∗∗ X . Of course, the J comes from James' quasi-reflexive space which this construction generalizes.
Characteristics of the Terahertz sources suitable for biomedical applications

In the electromagnetic spectrum, Terahertz (THz) radiation is located between the infrared and microwave regions. As a result of recent advances in THz technology, numerous opportunities have opened up in this part of the spectrum. The THz frequency range stimulates substantial amplitude vibrational modes of molecules. Water has strong absorptions at THz frequencies and water being a major constituent of different biological specimens, THz radiation is likely to demonstrate significant characteristic distinction between them. Terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) and terahertz pulsed spectroscopy (TPS) are non-ionizing and non-invasive analyzing technique that have recently been used to study a wide range of biological materials, and have been shown to have potential in medical and biological applications. Despite this enormous potential, little research has been conducted made on appropriate THz sources for biomedical applications. The power levels and frequencies suitable are still not well-defined. In this paper, we summarize some of the available THz sources, applied power levels of irradiation, and suitable frequency ranges that have been utilized in particular studies and discuss the findings regarding tissue identification, disease detection, and cancer diagnosis.
Feature extraction using voxel aggregation of focused discrete lidar data

The ability of multiple-return airborne lidar systems to resolve fine details has grown significantly since their introduction, and many modern instruments are capable of footprint sizes under a half meter. Because most systems scan at near-nadir angles, the pulse origin is often ignored and not recorded with the return point cloud data. By recording this additional position information over multiple focused collects we show how properties such as occlusion can be derived using voxel aggregation of the return data. The voxel map allows us to exploit this new information in scenes with significant spatial structure, such as under tree canopies. Results are presented which show the accuracy of our approach under canopies of varying occlusion levels. Our findings are validated using simulated data provided by the Rochester Institute of Technology through the DIRSIG software.
Tissue factor activation: is disulfide bond switching a regulatory mechanism?

A majority of tissue factor (TF) on cell surfaces exists in a cryptic form (ie, coagulation function inactive) but retains its functionality in cell signaling. Recent studies have suggested that cryptic TF contains unpaired cysteine thiols and that activation involves the formation of the disulfide bond Cys186-Cys 209 and that protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) regulates TF coagulant and signaling activities by targeting this disulfide bond. This study was carried out to investigate the validity of this novel concept. Although treatment of MDA 231 tumor cells, fibroblasts, and stimulated endothelial cells with the oxidizing agent HgCl2 markedly increased the cell-surface TF coagulant activity, the increase is associated with increased anionic phospholipids at the cell surface. Annexin V, which binds to anionic phospholipids, attenuated the increased TF coagulant activity. It is noteworthy that treatment of cells with reducing agents also increased the cell surface TF activity. No evidence was found for either detectable expression of PDI at the cell surface or association of TF with PDI. Furthermore, reduction of PDI with the gene silencing had no effect on either TF coagulant or cell signaling functions. Overall, the present data undermine the recently proposed hypothesis that PDI-mediated disulfide exchange plays a role in regulating TF procoagulant and cell signaling functions.
The determination of lithium in lithium-magnesium alloys

Abstract An ion exchange method has been developed for the determination of lithium in lithium-magnesium alloys. Lithium is separated from magnesium by eluting lithium from a strongly acidic cation exchange resin with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid. Attention is drawn to the fact that considerable quantities of unusual mixtures of lithium isotopes are in existence, and may cause significant errors if their composition is unknown to the analyst.
Monopole excitations in 16O

Abstract The monopole matrix elements and electron scattering form factors of the excited 0 + states in 16 O are calculated using the Brown and Green valence wave functions in a triaxial potential. Although the use of triaxial intrinsic states increases the monopole matrix elements and form factors over the axially symmetric case, the overall agreement with experiment is still not good. The shape of the electron scattering form factors is found to be insensitive to the degree or type of deformation and to the details of the mixing of the intrinsic states.
Attrition Rupture of Flexor Tendons at the Wrist Following Epiphyseal Fracture of the Distal Radius

Post-traumatic rupture of flexor tendons is a very rare event. We report such an event following an epiphyseal fracture of the distal radius. This has not previously been reported in the English literature.
Binding of Tau to Heat Shock Protein 27 Leads to Decreased Concentration of Hyperphosphorylated Tau and Enhanced Cell Survival

Pathological hyperphosphorylated tau is the principal component of paired helical filaments, a pathological hallmark of Alzheimer disease (AD) and a strong candidate for a neurotoxic role in AD and other neurodegenerative disorders. Here we show that heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) preferentially binds pathological hyperphosphorylated tau and paired helical filaments tau directly but not non-phosphorylated tau. The formation of this complex altered the conformation of pathological hyperphosphorylated tau and reduced its concentration by facilitating its degradation and dephosphorylation. Moreover, Hsp27 rescues pathological hyperphosphorylated tau-mediated cell death. Therefore, Hsp27 is likely to provide a neuroprotective effect in AD and other tauopathies.
The uptake of methylmercury and methylmercury cysteine by the rainbow trout (Salmo gairdneri) kidney.

Abstract 1. 1. In the rainbow trout ( Salmo gairdneri ), methylmercury (MeHg) cysteine (Cys) is preferentially taken-up by the kidney while unliganded MeHg is preferentially taken-up by the RBC. 2. 2. It appears that MeHg must be dissociated from Cys before it can cross the RBC membrane and that a portion of the total renal mercury uptake is mediated via amino acid transport mechanisms. 3. 3. Gel permeation chromatographic studies indicated that little Hg, administered as MeHgCys or MeHgCl in a single dose, is bound to soluble low mol. wt kidney proteins and the kidney of unexposed fish does not contain proteins corresponding in mol. wt to metallothionein.
A refinement of the Riesz decomposition for amarts and semiamarts

Abstract A real-valued adapted sequence of random variables is an amart if and only if it can be written as a sum of a martingale and a sequence dominated in absolute value by a Doob potential, i.e., a positive supermartingale that converges to 0 in L1. The same holds for vector-valued uniform amarts with the norm replacing the absolute value.
Power System State Estimation with Measurement Deficiency: An Algorithm that Determines the Maximal Observable Subnetwork

Measurement system failures may make it impossible for the power system state estimator to estimate bus voltage angles and magnitudes at all buses in the power system. When confronted with such a measurement deficiency, the state estimator can estimate bus voltages over only a portion of the entire network. This paper presents an algorithm that determines the largest region where bus voltages may be estimated-the maximum observable subnetwork. The theoretical basis of the algorithm is developed, and the underlying concepts are illustrated on an example network.
Musicians from a Different Shore: Asians and Asian Americans in Classical Music

Mari Yoshihara Philadelphia, PA: Temple University Press, 2007 ISBN 978‐1‐59213‐332‐1 288 pp., $29.50 (cloth) In an article for Asian Music published six months prior to the release of this book, I...
Kinetic studies of the reactions catalyzed by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides: pH variation of kinetic parameters.

Abstract The specificity and kinetic parameters of the reactions catalyzed by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase from Leuconostoc mesenteroides has been examined under a range of conditions in order to elucidate details about the mechanism of action of this enzyme. The rate of oxidation of glucose 6-phosphate is inhibited by the addition of various organic solvents. However, the low, inherent glucose dehydrogenase activity of this enzyme was stimulated under these conditions, and was further activated by divalent anions that were observed to be inhibitors of the glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenation. From an examination of the pH variation of the enzyme kinetic parameters two groups on the enzyme that appear to be involved in the binding of the phosphate group of the sugar substrate have been detected. An enzyme catalytic group, probably a carboxylic acid, has been identified that accepts the proton from the hydroxyl group at carbon-1 of the sugar substrate during its oxidation to a lactone. The ionization of a group on the enzyme with a pK of 8.7 resulted in an increase in the maximum velocity of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity of the enzyme as a consequence of a pHdependent product release step that is no longer rate limiting at high pH. Stabilization of gluconic acid-δ-lactone against nonenzymatic hydrolysis by organic solvents has allowed the kinetic parameters of the reverse reaction to be reliably measured for the first time in a narrow pH range.
Distributed rate allocation in MISO cognitive networks

We consider multiple-input-single-output (MISO) cognitive radio networks that have been conferred concurrent spectrum access with the primary (licensed) users. We treat the problem of distributed rate allocation in the cognitive network such that some notions of optimality and fairness are sustained and the interference imposed on the primary users is tightly controlled. Allowing multi-user decoding at each cognitive (secondary) receiver, we provide an explicit formulation for the rate allocation problem which seeks to maximize the minimum assigned secondary user rate. Unfortunately, the resulting optimization problem is non-convex and hence cannot be solved efficiently even with centralized processing. As a remedy, we propose a distributed two-stage suboptimal approach. In the first stage, assuming that each secondary user employs singleuser decoding, we design optimal secondary beamformers in a distributed manner, such the primary interference margin constraints and a secondary power budget constraint are satisfied and the minimum secondary user rate is maximized. In the second step, we let the secondary users employ multi-user decoding, which allows them to support higher rates beyond those achieved via single-user decoding. We then offer optimal distributed and low-complexity algorithms for fairly allocating these potential excess rates among the secondary users.
MODEST EFFECTS OF REPEATED FLUOXETINE ON ESTROUS CYCLICITY AND SEXUAL BEHAVIOR IN SPRAGUE DAWLEY FEMALE RATS

In an earlier study, we reported that daily fluoxetine treatment (10 mg/kg/day) rapidly disrupted estrous cyclicity and sexual receptivity in adult, regularly cycling Fischer rats. The current study was designed to investigate if comparable fluoxetine treatment would similarly affect intact, regularly cycling Sprague Dawley rats. In the first experiment, fluoxetine was injected for 24 days. After 11-14 days of daily fluoxetine treatment, 40% of the rats showed a transient disturbance of the estrous cycle with elimination of sexual receptivity. In these affected rats, reduced sexual receptivity generally preceded disruption of vaginal cyclicity. In a second experiment, a shorter exposure was used to attempt to dissociate effects of fluoxetine on behavior and estrous cyclicity. Nine days of fluoxetine treatment eliminated sexual receptivity and proceptivity (hops/darts) in 40% and 46%, respectively, of rats without altering the estrous cycle. Female rats then received a 10th fluoxetine injection 30 min prior to assessment of sexual motivation (measured with the male preference paradigm). There was no effect of fluoxetine on male preference, but fluoxetine significantly reduced the number of crossings and seconds of grooming during preference testing. Therefore, effects of fluoxetine on estrous cyclicity and behavior of Sprague Dawley female rats were smaller and required longer to develop than previously reported in Fischer female rats. These findings reinforce a probable relationship between fluoxetine's effect on sexual activity and neuroendocrine disturbances and illustrate the importance of strain selection in attempting to model human disease.
Craniofacial abnormalities in mice with X-linked hypophosphatemic genes (Hyp or Gy).

X-Linked hypophosphatemia is the most common cause of metabolic rickets in humans and is characterized by a reduced renal TmP/GFR and hypophosphatemia. Clinically, these changes are associated with growth retardation including attenuated craniofacial growth, femoral and tibial bowing, and radiologic and histomorphometric evidence of rickets and osteomalacia. Similar mutations occur in mice at the Hyp and Gy gene loci. Direct craniometric measurements were made on mouse skulls to investigate the pattern of craniofacial growth differences in the Hyp/ +, Hyp/Hyp and Gy/ + genotypes and to compare these to littermate normals in the C57BL/6J mouse strain. There was generalized attenuation in craniofacial growth in all mutants. The heterozygous Hyp and Gy mutants showed similar patterns of craniofacial growth with diminished neurocranial length, viscerocranial length, and mandibular height. The Gy/ + was significantly smaller than the Hyp/ + in neurocranial width. The homozygous Hyp mouse was not affected more severely than the heterozygous Hyp except in overall cranial length, nasal bone length, and mandibular length from mandibular foramen to third molar. In summary, the heterozygous Hyp and Gy mutant mice showed similar patterns of craniofacial growth. The homozygous Hyp mouse was not affected more severely than the heterozygous Hyp except in three of the 15 measured variables. Thus, these data demonstrate the almost complete dominance of the Hyp gene. In contrast, the Gy gene is incompletely dominant. The heterozygous Gy females survive, but the hemizygous Gy males do not, on a C57BL/6J background. This suggests that there is a family of closely linked genes on the X chromosome which, while similar in their effects on phosphate homeostasis, have differing mechanisms of action.
A Method for Integrating Form Errors Into Geometric Tolerance Analysis

In this research, we describe a computer-aided approach to geometric tolerance analysis for assemblies and mechanisms. A series of as-manufactured component models are generated within a NURBS-based solid modeling environment. These models reflect errors in component geometry that are characteristic of the manufacturing processes used to produce the components. The effects of different manufacturing process errors on product function are tested by simulating the assembly of imperfect-form component models and by measuring geometric attributes of the assembly that correspond to product functionality. A tolerance analysis model is constructed by generating and testing component variants that represent different manufacturing precision levels. The application of this approach to tolerance analysis is demonstrated using a case study that is based on a high-speed stapling mechanism.
Marriage and divorce’s impact on wealth:

What impact do marriage and divorce have on wealth? US data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), which tracks individuals in their 20s, 30s and early 40s, show that over time si...
Anti-aging diet and supplements: fact or fiction?

Aging is a multifactorial process that is associated with a progressive decline of multiple organ systems, leading to chronic disease, disability, and eventually death. The universal dream of humans is to live as long and healthy as possible. However, aging mechanism(s) are not clearly understood, making it difficult to develop anti-aging interventions. Several theories have been proposed to explain the inevitability of aging such as DNA damage, protein aggregation and misfolding, alteration in Ca++ signaling, accumulation of oxidative stress, apoptosis, and alteration in mitochondrial permeability.1 All these mechanisms have been targeted for designing anti-aging interventions. This CAM Corner will briefly review some proposed anti-aging interventions including calorie restriction, drugs, antioxidant supplements, specific foods, and vitamins. Language: en
Neuronal activity and adenosine triphosphatase in immature cerebral cortex

Abstract The relationship between the appearance of neuronal activity and activity of adenosine triphosphatase was studied during the development of the cerebral cortex in the kitten. A twelve-fold rise in sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase activity was found between ages 7 days and 6 weeks, which is the period of rapid increase in spontaneous activity in cortical neurons. During the same time magnesium adenosine triphosphatase in the same cortical areas increased only four-fold. As early as age 10 days, sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase could be increased beyond resting levels by electrical stimulation of cortex. The results suggest that there is a close correlation between sodium-potassium adenosine triphosphatase and neuronal activity, and that the advent of electrical activity in immature cortex results in induction of the enzyme.
Characterization of a naloxone-insensitive β-endorphin receptor on murine peritoneal macrophages

Abstract Previous studies from our laboratory have characterized a naloxone-insensitive β-Endorphin (β-End) receptor on the human pro-monocytic cell line U937. Since monocytes are macrophage precursors, we sought to identify and characterize this site on fully differentiated effector macrophages. Mice (ICR females, 6–8 wk old) were injected (i.p.) with 1 mL of thioglycollate to induce an inflammatory response. Elicited cells were harvested 3 d later by lavage. Macrophages were enriched by adherence and analyzed via radioreceptor assay (with [ 125 I]β-End, 2,000 Ci'mmol −1 ) as either intact cells or membrane preparations. Scatchard analysis revealed a single saturable binding site for β-End ( K d = 9.75 ± 2.6 × 10 −9 M; 8218 ± 2360 sites/cell). Competition studies showed that other opiate receptor ligands including naloxone, DAMGO, U69593, or 2,5 DPDP-enkephalin were ineffective at displacing [ 125 I]β-End when compared to unlabeled β-End. Analysis of competition studies utilizing fragments and analogs of β-End revealed that β-End (6–31) and β-End (1–5,16–31) were equipotent, and N-acetylated β-End was less potent, than β-end (1–31) in displacing [ 125 I]β-End binding. In contrast, β-End (1–27) and β-End (28–31) were ineffective. In summary, we have identified a naloxone-resistant β-End binding site on murine peritoneal macrophages that is similar to one we have previously characterized on U937 cells and cultured murine splenocytes.
P53 (codon 72) and P21 (codon 31) polymorphisms alter in vivo mRNA expression of p21

p21 (Waf1/Cip1) is a downstream target of p53. We evaluated the association between p21 polymorphism (codon 31), p53 polymorphism (codon 72) and their corresponding in vivo mRNA expression. In this study, p21 and p53 genetic polymorphisms (using standard PCR-RFLP techniques) and p21 and p53 gene expressions (using a radiolabelled ribonuclease protection assay (RPA) technique) were evaluated in the peripheral leukocytes of 84 individuals (63 with lung cancer). Log-transformed values of mRNA expression by RPA, which approximated a normal distribution, were analyzed. p53 genotypes did not correlate with p53 mRNA log-expression (P>0.05 for all comparisons), but the Pro allele variants of p53 were associated with a significant decrease in mRNA log-expression of its downstream target, p21. The variant Arg allele of p21 was also associated with a significant decrease in p21 mRNA log-expression. When individuals with at least one variant allele of both p53 and p21 (double-variants) were compared with all other genotype groups, these double-variants had significantly lower log-expression of p21 (P<0.005 by both t-tests (crude) and linear regression analyses (adjusted)). This is translated into an approximate 48% reduction in the geometric mean of the mRNA expression of the double-variants, when compared with all other groups. Results were consistent in both patients with lung cancer (n=63) and in normal controls (n=21). In conclusion, the presence of a p53 Pro allele and/or p21 Arg allele is associated with lower downstream target gene expression of p21.
Higher serum uric acid associated with decreased Parkinson's disease prevalence in a large community‐based survey

A large community-based cross-sectional survey provided an opportunity to evaluate a previously reported association between Parkinson's disease (PD) and low serum uric acid (UA) levels in this population. The association between a self-reported PD diagnosis with treatment (n = 59) and serum UA level was examined using logistic and linear regression models, controlling for key covariates. In adjusted models, participants with UA levels at or above the median had a significantly lower odds of reporting PD with treatment compared with those with lower UA levels (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.19-0.60, P = 0.0002). This association was observed for both men and women. The mean UA level among participants reporting PD with treatment was 0.78 mg/dl lower than the mean UA level among those not reporting PD (P <or= 0.0001). These findings concur with several previous longitudinal studies that found an association between higher UA levels and decreased PD risk.
The pancreatic cancer problem.

Pancreatic cancer has become a major diagnostic and therapeutic problem. The increasing incidence over the past decade seems to be real, but by the time the patient has symptoms and the physician begins to think about the possibility of pancreatic cancer, the disease has spread beyond hope of cure by resection, radiation, or chemotherapy. At present, no therapeutic program does more than extend life, and then only for short periods of time. It, therefore, makes more sense to use 2-year survival rates rather than 5-year survival rates to assess the impact of new treatments since no therapies to date reproducibly produce 5-year survivors. We hope that the newer radiologic imaging techniques will lead to the earlier recognition of pancreatic cancer and an improved outlook.
Structure and derivatization of the product from carbonylation of lithium triethylborohydride

Treatment of the reactive product from carbonylation of lithium triethylborohydride with the electrophilic reagent chlorotrimethylsilane does not produce the expected α-hydroxyborane derivative. Instead, a borinate arising through migration of a second ethyl group from boron to carbon is obtained. This result is rationalized in terms of the initial product being a borate having two possible constitutions. The borate nature of this initial product is confirmed by 11B NMR.
Ultrastructural and biochemical comparisons of nuclear matrices prepared by high salt or LIS extraction.

We have directly compared two independently published methods for isolating operationally defined nuclear matrices by studying EM ultrastructure, protein composition and distribution of replicating DNA. Nuclear matrices prepared by extraction with 2 M NaCI consisted of fibrous pore complex lamina, residual fibrillar and granular components of nucleoli and interchromatin granules, and an extensive anastomosing internal fibrous network. These matrices were enriched in high molecular weight nonhistone proteins but were virtually devoid of histones. Consistent with previously published data, newly-replicated DNA was resistant to this high salt extraction. Nuclear matrices prepared by extraction of nuclei with 25 mM lithium 3,5-diiodosalicylate, LIS, also contained fibrous pore complex lamina, but lacked morphologically distinct residual nucleoli and were markedly depleted in internal structure. The reduced amounts and complexity of proteins associated with the LIS matrix were consistent with the ultrastructural data. Moreover, much less newly-replicated DNA was recovered in LIS matrices. The data show that LIS dissociates nuclear ultrastructure and extracts both protein and DNA in proportion to the concentration used, regardless of whether nuclei or high salt nuclear matrices are used as starting material. While the data suggest that LIS may not necessarily be an optimal reagent for preparing nuclear matrices containing internal structural elements from all tissue sources, it may be useful for selectively solubilizing and analyzing components of the nuclear matrix.
Infrared properties of nearby radio galaxies

The IRAS data for a sample of nearby radio galaxies (z less than 0.13) are analyzed. Comparison of the infrared, radio, and optical data suggests that most of the long-wavelength infrared emission comes from cool interstellar dust for almost all of the galaxies; these galaxies may contain large amounts (10 to the 8th - 10 to the 10th solar masses of interstelar matter. About 15 percent of the galaxies show evidence for a hotter thermal component emitting at the shorter IRAS wavelengths; this could be due to dust in the inner regions of the galaxy heated by the active galactic nucleus.
User response to two algorithms as a test of collaborative filtering

The purpose of this experiment was to determine whether recommendations based on collaborative filtering (CF) are perceived as superior to recommendations based on user population averages. The test vehicle was a movie recommender. 29 subjects were divided into 2 groups, each group using one of these systems. The recommneder systems suggested movies which subjects later viewed. Each subject filled out pre and post-questionnaires about their experience. Subjects using the CF algorithm rated more movies. Subjects placed slightly more confidence in the recommendations of the population averages algorithm. Both algorithms were over-confident compared to subjects ratings. Subjects found both recommender systems to be an effective source of finding entertainment. User responses did not reveal a noticeable difference between the two algorithms.
Some effects of photosensitizing dyes on three plant viruses

Abstract In light the number of lesions of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), cucumber mosaic virus (CMV), and alfalfa mosaic virus (AMV) developing in the presence of 1:10,000 neutral red was reduced to 43–65% of the control without dye, depending on the virus involved. No reduction occurred with the dye in the dark. At a higher dye concentration, the number of TMV lesions was reduced in the dark. Photosensitized inhibition of TMV became maximal 4 hours after infection and persisted at that level for at least 16 hours. Infectivity and total virus content curves of TMV grown in Havana 38 tobacco in the presence of neutral red and light had about the same slope. A differential response of the three viruses to photosensitization in vitro was noted. Infectivity of TMV and CMV incubated for 30 minutes with 1:50 neutral red was not changed significantly, whereas infectivity of AMV was greatly reduced. Inhibition of TMV in vitro , however, was achieved by fixing virus preparations in methanol prior to staining. Infectious ribonucleic acid (RNA) of TMV, CMV, and AMV was readily inactivated in the presence of 1:50 neutral red. These results, and those obtained with acridine orange staining of TMV in vivo and in vitro , point to viral RNA as the site of the inhibitory action of dyes.
Self or help? A comparison of a personalized system of instruction biochemistry class to a standard lecture‐based biochemistry class

For the past eight years the University of Michigan has offered two different styles of biochemistry courses each semester, one a standard lecture-based and discussion-section (SLB) course and one a self-paced, non-lecture Personalized System of Instruction (PSI) course. We tracked student responses to selected exam questions that were used in both courses for three semesters. Data on student grade point average, student satisfaction, and perceived effort in the courses were also gathered. In two of the three semesters that we monitored students there were no significant differences in performance on test questions between the two courses. In one of the three semesters there was a small but nevertheless significant difference between the two courses with junior and senior PSI students outperforming their SLB counterparts by 10 points. Student grade point average, overall satisfaction, and perceived effort were similar for both courses. Our study indicated that the PSI format works as well as the SLB model does for students in biochemistry and may be especially beneficial for more experienced students.
Body mass index and the risk of obesity in coeliac disease treated with the gluten-free diet.

Summary Background Coeliac disease is increasingly diagnosed and weight changes are common after adoption of a gluten-free diet (GFD), however data on body mass index (BMI) changes are limited. Aim To assess changes in BMI after diagnosis in a large coeliac population. Methods A total of 1018 patients with biopsy confirmed coeliac disease seen at our centre were studied retrospectively. Initial and follow-up BMIs were recorded, as was GFD adherence as assessed by an expert dietitian. Results A total of 679 patients with at least two recorded BMIs and GFD adherence data were included in the study. Mean follow-up was 39.5 months. Compared to regional population data, the coeliac cohort was significantly less likely to be overweight or obese (32% vs. 59%, P < 0.0001). Mean BMI increased significantly after GFD initiation (24.0 to 24.6; P < 0.001). 21.8% of patients with normal or high BMI at study entry increased their BMI by more than two points. Conclusions Individuals with coeliac disease have lower BMI than the regional population at diagnosis. BMI increases on the GFD, especially in those that adhere closely to the GFD. On the GFD, 15.8% of patients move from a normal or low BMI class into an overweight BMI class, and 22% of patients overweight at diagnosis gain weight. These results indicate that weight maintenance counselling should be an integral part of coeliac dietary education.
Treating cancer symptoms improves quality of life. Part II : treatment of pain

Pain is one of the most devastating symptoms of cancer and can have a significant impact on patients’ quality of life (QOL). However, despite the availability of numerous guidelines for management of cancer pain, pain control in cancer patients is often inadequate. Undermanagement of cancer pain is due to several patient- and physician-related factors such as inadequate clinician training for pain management and the under-reporting of pain by patients. Barriers to appropriate management of pain can be overcome by adequate pain assessment, through the use of pain management guidelines, effective patient-clinician communication, appropriate use of analgesics including opioids, and patient education regarding pain and the various treatment options available to control it.
Altered endothelin-3 and endothelin-B receptor mRNA expression in Hirschsprung's disease.

Abstract Background: Recently, the endothelin-3 (EDN3) and endothelin-B receptor (ENDRB) gene have been recognized as susceptibility genes for Hirschsprung's disease (HD). However, gene mutations have been observed only in limited cases, and the role of EDN3 in the pathogenesis and motility dysfunction in HD is not understood fully. To evaluate the possible implication of EDN3 and EDNRB for the development of HD, we examined the EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA level in bowel specimens of HD patients. Methods: Entire resected specimens of colon were obtained from 14 patients with HD. Eight age-matched control patients without gastroenteric disorders also were examined. mRNA was extracted from ganglionic and aganglionic segments of the HD specimens and normal colons. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate the relative amount of EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA. Results: In normal colon, constant EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA expression was observed. In HD, EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA expression was observed. In HD, EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA levels were decreased both in ganglionic and aganglionic segment in 2 cases. In 6 cases, EDN3 mRNA expression was decreased in aganglionic segment and in another 2 cases, EDNRB mRNA expression was decreased in aganglionic segment. In the remaining 4 cases, EDN3 and EDNRB mRNA levels were similar to controls. Conclusion: The authors' findings indicate that loss of EDN3 and EDNRB function may be involved in the maldevelopment of neural crest-derived cells causing HD in many patients.
An Internet-Based Approach to Legal Issues in Industrial-Organizational Psychology

This article describes the framework for an Internet-based graduate course titled Legal Issues in Industrial-Organizational Psychology offered at the University of West Florida. The course is cente...
Interpreting September 11

Whether to interpret September 11 as an act of war or a criminal act is embedded within a larger dispute about the preferred nature of global security rules in the post-cold war world. Interpreting September 11 as war is consistent with a preference for Westphalian global security rules; interpreting September 11 as a crime is consistent with a preference for global society rules. We present evidence of a dramatic interpretive gulf between US and other leaders around the world in their understanding and portrayal of September 11 and the ensuing ‘war on terrorism’. Using a rule-oriented constructivist approach, we argue that this interpretive dispute perpetuates two dominant post-cold war trends: attempts by many in the international community to construct global collective security rules, and resistance to that project from a hegemonic United States.
Host and Penetration Site Location by Entomopathogenic Nematodes against Japanese Beetle Larvae

Entomopathogenic nematodes are soil-inhabiting parasites of insects. Behavioral responses to host and host environmental cues are critical steps in the infection process for some nematode species, such as Steinernema glaseri and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora, of finding, recognizing, and penetrating insects. We investigated the impact of host and host environmental cues on the infectivity of these two nematodes by testing their response to whole and wounded grass roots and gut fluid and hemolymph of Popillia japanica larvae. We also compared the influence of root presence on infectivity. Infective juveniles of both nematode species migrated to whole and wounded grass roots, suggesting that these nematodes may use cues from grass roots and root wounds for host habitat finding. Root presence enhanced the infectivity of S. glaseri, presumably because feeding larvae ingest more nematodes than nonfeeding ones. However, the infectivity of H. bacteriophora was not enhanced by grub feeding. This may due to the weak gut penetration ability of this species. We conclude that the two species respond similarly to host and host environmental cues but achieve infection differently via penetration: S. glaseri possesses superior gut penetration ability, whereas intersegmental areas such as leg and maxilla joints serve as cuticle penetration sites for H. bacteriophora. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.