cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MED1: A central molecule for maintenance of genome integrity and response to DNA damage

Maintaining genome integrity is a dynamic process that involves many different cellular pathways, including methylation maintenance, homologous recombination, DNA replication, DNA repair, and cell cycle control. A defect in one or more of these pathways can compromise genome integrity and result in cancer. A number of DNA repair proteins have been identified that also impact the regulation of the cell cycle and/or apoptosis (1, 2). Individuals carrying germ-line mutations in such genes, like MLH1 or BRCA1, are predisposed to develop cancer (2). In this issue of PNAS, Cortellino et al. (3) provide evidence that MED1 belongs to this critical group of multifunction proteins. They show that MED1 impacts three processes necessary for the maintenance of genome integrity: base excision repair (BER), DNA mismatch repair (MMR), and the cell cycle response to DNA damage. Their work adds significant information to the growing body of research on the function of MED1 in maintenance of genome integrity (Fig. 1). Fig. 1. Summary of known MED1 functions and the cellular processes impacted by MED1 functions. The multifunctional nature of MED1, also known as MBD4, was apparent from the time of the molecule's discovery. The molecule was identified by using two different screening methods. The human and mouse MBD4 genes were isolated based on DNA sequence homology to the methyl-binding domain of MeCP2, a human 5-methylcytosine (5-meC) binding protein and transcriptional repressor (4). It was shown that the MBD4 gene product could bind 5-meC both in vitro and in vivo . Thus, the first functional description …
Optical transitions and k conservation in crystalline solids.

Optical transitions and k conservation in crystalline solids explained in terms of localization of hole produced by excitation
Detection of interferon-gamma mRNA in psoriatic epidermis by polymerase chain reaction.

Psoriatic skin lesions contain HLA-DR positive T lymphocytes, and other activation antigens, which suggest that the T cells may be producing lymphokines. Gamma interferon is produced by activated T cells, and its presence in psoriasis has been inferred by the lesional keratinocyte expression of 3 gamma interferon-inducible proteins i.e. HLA-DR, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and gamma-IP-10. To determine whether gamma interferon is being produced directly in psoriatic lesions, punch biopsies of normal and diseased skin were separated into epidermal sheets and dermal fragments. Total cellular RNA was isolated from each epidermal and dermal compartment, and reverse transcribed followed by amplification of the resultant DNA by polymerase chain reaction. The amplification process involved the use of 5' and 3' primers for gamma interferon, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, with beta-actin serving as a control. Gamma interferon mRNA, but not tumor necrosis factor alpha mRNA, was detectable in 4 of 5 psoriatic epidermal specimens. Neither mRNA was detectable in any normal skin dermal/epidermal specimens. Gamma interferon mRNA was also detectable in a single psoriatic dermal specimen. If reverse transcriptase was omitted, no polymerase chain reaction products were detected, indicating that the fragments detected were not derived from contaminating genomic DNA. These results indicate that gamma interferon mRNA can be extracted and successfully detected from human psoriatic lesional skin biopsies, using polymerase chain reaction technology. This molecular approach can easily be expanded to measure many other cytokines in both epidermal and dermal locations. The detection of gamma interferon in this clinical setting may be of particular pathophysiological significance because injection of gamma interferon has been reported to induce psoriatic lesions.
Quench Distribution During an Overcurrent Fault Condition in Highly Homogeneous REBCO Coated Conductor

One of the most important factor for resistive-type fault current limiters is uniform voltage distribution under fault condition. Homogeneous distribution of Ic and resistance of nonsuperconducting state in the longitudinal direction are essential for uniform quenching. Recently, we have succeeded in manufacturing the highly homogeneous superconducting RE BCO coated conductor. In this paper, we report the voltage distribution in our coated conductor under fault condition, at 50 Hz for a half cycle. The experimental results show that applied voltage, which is necessary to quench over the entire length of sample, depends on Ic and normal state resistance on Tc.
A molecular dynamics study of round and flattened carbon nanotube structures

Large diameter single wall carbon nanotubes exist with both round right cylinder and barbell-like flattened cross sections. Using an adaptive intermolecular reactive bond order potential, we examine the characteristics of both configurations by using molecular dynamics simulations. We then continue to examine the dynamical transition from the flattened to round state by charge injection. Predictions based on these simulations provide a basis for the design of active fluid transport devices, and nanoscale mechanical systems/motors.
Investigation of a sea breeze front in an urban environment

The dynamics of a sea breeze front interacting with the heavily urbanized New York City area are examined. In addition, we investigate the impact of the urban-influenced sea breeze front on transport and diffusion of simulated passive tracer plumes. We employ the U. S. Navy's Coupled Ocean/Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS®—a registered trademark of the Naval Research Laboratory) to perform a nested simulation with data assimilation for the sea breeze event of 9 August 2004. Available surface and upper-air observations are used to validate the simulation. We also perform a sensitivity study in which the urban influence is removed (no-urban). The sea breeze front has characteristics of a density current, including an elevated head at the leading edge. The density current moves slowly and unevenly across the city. Kelvin–Helmholtz billows form in the region of the density current head, and the results show evidence of the occurrence of Kelvin–Helmholtz instability (KHI). The density current head is greatly elevated owing to the enhanced surface drag of the urban area. This urban influence is further explored in the no-urban simulation, in which the head of the density current is not elevated to the same degree and KHI does not occur. The sea breeze/density current has a large impact on transport and diffusion of simulated tracer plumes, not only changing the direction of plume motion due to the wind shift but also redistributing tracer material in the vertical so as to produce dramatic, rapid changes in near-surface concentration as the front passes. In particular, large upward vertical velocity at the head of the density current advects tracer material to large elevations, greatly reducing near-surface concentration. After passage of the front, tracer is released into the shallow density current and confined near the surface, enhancing near-surface concentrations. KHI results in turbulent mixing at the upper surface of the plume, allowing for a small reduction in near-surface concentration. Published in 2007 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Anthracene-organosiloxane spin-on antireflective coating for KrF lithography

A sacrificial, spin-on 248nm UV absorbing organosiloxane film has been developed to enable via first trench last (VFTL) dual-damascene patterning. Amongst other design objectives one key material requirement was that the film be SiO based to facilitate trench etch. Because our starting organosiloxane polymer is transparent a chromophores that absorbs at 248 nm had to be included. Anthracene was selected as it offered the largest amount of absorption per mole. Unfortunately, commercially available anthracene moieties with different functional groups when added directly to the organosiloxane polymer solution resulted in films of very marginal quality. The primary issue was the poor solubility and thermal stability of the anthracene compound within the organosiloxane matrix. To address this fundamental problem the chromophore was stabilized by chemically attaching it to ethyl-orthosilicate. The resulting molecule, 9-anthracene carboxy-methyl triethoxysilane (TESAC) was developed. By combining the appropriate amounts of TESAC, TEOS and other organo-TEOS monomers with the appropriate solvents and a catalyst a stable, 248nm light absorbing anthracene-organosiloxane polymer was developed. This work has led to the development of Duo248 organosiloxane based bottom antireflective coatings. Topics such as the development of TESAC, lithography, plasma etch and selective removal will be discussed.
Technique of solving a verification measurement problem on the basis of truncated distribution functions

A technique for a posteriori calculation of the characteristics of the basic error of measuring instruments from the data of a verification protocol and based on the use of truncated probability distributions is described.
The severity of atherosclerosis at sites of plaque rupture with occlusive thrombosis in saphenous vein coronary artery bypass grafts.

Atherosclerotic plaque rupture with superimposed thrombosis is recognized as the lesion causing late, acute, thrombotic saphenous vein coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) occlusion. To determine the severity of atherosclerosis at the site of plaque rupture, 68 saphenous vein CABGs removed at the time of reoperation or at autopsy were studied. The study population consisted of 57 men, 64 +/- 9 years old, and nine women, 70 +/- 10 years old. The duration of graft implantation was 7.9 +/- 2.7 years (mean +/- S.D.). All CABGs were dissected from the hearts, fixed, decalcified, cut at 2 to 3 mm intervals, and processed routinely for histologic examination. A planimeter was used to measure total vessel, plaque, thrombus, and luminal cross-sectional areas at the site of plaque rupture with thrombosis in sections projected at 13.8 power magnification. At the site of atherosclerotic plaque rupture with superimposed thrombosis, the degree of stenosis due to plaque was: 90 +/- 11% for the right coronary artery grafts (n = 19); 94 +/- 7% for the left anterior descending artery grafts (n = 41), and 90 +/- 14% for the left circumflex artery (n = 8) grafts. Thus in saphenous vein CABGs, atherosclerotic plaque rupture with thrombosis usually occurs at sites of severe narrowing (mean = 93%) by preexisting atherosclerotic plaque.
A population perspective to mitigating risk for second primary breast cancer

SUMMARY There are more than 2 million breast cancer survivors in the USA. Approximately 5–10% of survivors will develop a second, metachronous breast cancer within 10 years’ time; a risk two- to six-times higher than that in the general population. Women who develop metachronous cancer are more likely to die from the disease compared with women with unilateral cancer. Risk factors for metachronous cancer include BRCA mutation status, young age, family history and tumor phenotype, while adjuvant chemotherapy and endocrine therapy may attenuate the risk. Surveillance guidelines recommend annual mammography, but MRI is not currently indicated for most women. An increasing number of women are choosing prophylactic contralateral mastectomy, although it is not likely to be beneficial for most women. Improved strategies are needed for identifying survivors at an increased risk in order to help guide clinical decisions regarding follow-up care. This review presents an overview of the burden and risk factors for m...
The mechanism of ovulation inhibition by triamcinolone acetonide.

A single dose of 25 mg triamcinolone acetonide, when given on day 1 or 2 of the menstrual cycle, inhibits ovulation. To examine the mechanism of this action, daily determinations of plasma FSH, LH, estrone plus estradiol (E1 + E2), and progestins were performed. Some subjects also received a single dose of LH-RH or hCG on cycle day 15 or clomiphene citrate on days 5–9. Triamcinolone acetonide itself caused variable suppression of plasma estrogens, loss of the midcycle gonadotropin surge, and a deficient or absent rise in plasma progestins. Impaired secretion of estrogen did not seem to be due to low gonadotropin levels. FSH and LH responses to LH-RH were adequate in relation to prevailing estrogen levels. Four of sixwomen treated with clomiphene responded with plasma progestin levels which exceed 8 ng/ml. Triamcinolone acetonide seems to affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis mainly by hypothalamic suppression and possibly by a direct effect on the ovary as well.
Design Tradeoffs for an Airborne Minefield Detection System

This paper presents the development of a simulation tool to facilitate the exploration and evaluation of design tradeoffs for an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) based minefield detection system. Mine and minefield performance estimates and design tradeoffs are obtained using explicit evaluation of detection statistics simulated under different sensors, minefield layout scenarios, and mission specific constraints. The simulated mine and minefield level performance results are compared with analytical results where available. Design tradeoffs are studied in terms of different sensor and mission profile parameters such as signal to clutter ratio, target size, field-of-regard, and detection algorithms. The analytical relationship and simulated results of mine and minefield detection performance based on these parameters are presented. Different metrics for evaluating minefield performance and their influences on design tradeoffs are discussed, and suggestions are made.
Salt Sensitivity of Blood Pressure in Humans

Abstract A variety of different techniques have been used for the assessment of the blood pressure response to changes in salt and water balance in humans. These have generally been found to be reproducible and to yield congruent results. This review surveys the characteristics of subjects identified as salt sensitive and salt resistant by different investigators from demographic and physiological perspectives.
Controversy: The essence of strategy

The essence of strategy is to make controversial choices in order to gain a competitive advantage, but difficult choices often engender opposing views. Aneel Karnani presents a process for strategy development that can help managers surface, manage and resolve conflict, thus resulting in more effective strategic choices.
ACTH RECEPTOR DEFECT IN ADRENOLEUKODYSTROPHY (ALD)

ACTH insensitivity is a cardinal feature of ALD, but the mechanism is unknown. We studied a 10 year old hyperpigmented boy with glucocorticoid insufficiency of 8 years duration and a history of two generalized tonic clonic seizures associated with febrile episodes with normal blood glucose. His neurological exam was normal, EEG showed non-specific slowing with normal auditory evoked responses, and Magnetic Resonance Imaging showed areas of increased signal intensity in the cerebral peduncles and the internal capsule. ALD was documented by increased plasma very long chain fatty acids, i.e., C26/C22 = 0.055 (control = 0.01 ± 0.01); C26= 1.572 μg/ml (control = 0.33 ± 0.18 pg/ml). Basal ACTH was elevated at 1840 pg/ml (normal = <100 pg/ml). Cortisol was 7.0 μg/dl with no response to exogenous ACTH. Basal and stimulated renin and aldosterone were normal. The child's leukocytes had no detectable ACTH binding sites in a radioligand binding study. In contrast, normal mononuclear leukocytes possess high and low affinity receptors for ACTH that appear identical to the prototype adrenal receptors. These studies suggest that the adrenal failure associated with ALD is secondary to an ACTH receptor defect. Whether the ACTH receptor defect is primary or secondary to the long chain lipid abnormality is under investigation.
^4He/^3He thermochronometry

Using classical diffusion theory, we present a mathematical technique for the determination of ^4He concentration profiles in minerals. This approach should prove useful for constraining the low-temperature cooling histories of individual samples and for correcting (U–Th)/He ages for partial diffusive loss. The calculation assumes that the mineral of interest contains an artificially produced and uniform distribution of ^3He obtained by proton irradiation [Shuster et al., Earth Planet. Sci. Lett. 217 (2004) 19–32]. In minerals devoid of natural helium, this isotope allows measurement of He diffusion coefficients; in minerals with measurable radiogenic He, it permits determination of ^4He profiles arising during ingrowth and diffusion in nature. The ^4He profile can be extracted from stepwise degassing experiments in which the ^4He/^3He ratio is measured. The evolution of the ^4He/^3He ratio as a function of cumulative ^3He released can be compared with forward models to constrain the shape of the profile. Alternatively, we present a linear inversion that can be used to directly solve for the unknown ^4He distribution. The inversion incorporates a standard regularization technique to filter the influence of random measurement errors on the solution. Using either approach we show that stepwise degassing data can yield robust and high-resolution information on the ^4He profile. Profiles of radiogenic He are a sensitive function of the time–Temperate (t–T) path that a cooling sample experienced. Thus, by step heating a proton-irradiated sample it is possible to restrict the sample’s acceptable t–T paths. The sensitivity of this approach was explored by forward-modeling ^4He profiles resulting from a range of realistic t–T paths, using apatite as an example. Results indicate that ^4He profiles provide rich information on t–T paths, especially when the profiles are coupled with (U–Th)/He cooling ages on the same sample. Samples that experienced only moderate diffusive loss have ^4He concentration profiles that are rounded at the edge but uniform in the core of the diffusion domain. Such profiles can be identified by nearly invariant ^4He/^3He ratios after the first few to few tens of percent of ^3He have been extracted by step heating. We show how such data can be used to correct (U–Th)/He ages for partial diffusive loss.
Accounting for public recreation expenditures.

. Understanding why local parks and recreation budgets are set at particular levels is an interesting but difficult area in which to conduct research. In order to help clarify some of the important ideas, 22 hypotheses are developed and tested, correlating for 103 United States cities, the relationships of dependent variables (city's total recreation budget, recreation as a percent of total expenditure and recreation expenditure per capita) to selected sets of urban variables identified as demographic, labor force structure, local income, and public service variables. Results of the analysis suggest that the size of park budgets is positively associated with pet cent of population Non-White, birth, death and marriage rates, crime rates, non-agricultural employment, white collar employment, and income growth. Variables inversely related to budgets include the percent of lower to middle income groups and expenditures for education.
Deformed autoregulatory element from Drosophila functions in a conserved manner in transgenic mice.

THE striking similarities in the structure, organization and anterior–posterior expression patterns between the marine Hox gene system and the Drosophila homeotic gene complexes1,2, called HOM-C (ref. 3), may point to highly conserved mechanisms for specifying positional identities (reviewed in ref. 4). Strong support for this concept lies in the observation of conserved colinearity between the genomic order of the Hox/HOM genes and their unique successive expression domains along the anterior-posterior axes of both mouse and fly embryos1,2. These unique and precise expression patterns appear to be facilitated by multiple cis-regulatory elements (reviewed in ref. 5). One of the few elements characterized in detail is the autoregulatory enhancer of the homeotic gene Deformed (Dfd)6–9, which supports expression in subregions of posterior head segments of Drosophila embryos7. Here we present evidence that this enhancer is capable of conferring reporter gene expression to a discrete subregion of the hindbrain in transgenic mouse embryos. Remarkably, this anterior-posterior subregion lies within the common anterior expression domain of the Dfd cognate Hox genes in the postotic hindbrain10,11. Our results indicate that the Dfd autoregulatory enhancer is part of a highly conserved mechanism for establishing region-specific gene expression along the anterior–posterior axis of the embryo.
Assuring payload security in flight and recovery: Design approaches and flight experience

Abstract Maintaining the functional integrity of a scientific balloon payload must consider not only the landing shock, but also a number of other risks associated with launch, flight, landing, and recovery. In this paper, the major risks are described along with the design factors and approaches to protection represented in five payload examples ranging in mass from 60 kg to 1900 kg. Structural design for shock protection, packaging design, external protection and active deployment/stow systems are considered, and effectiveness assessed in the light of over twenty flights and recoveries.
On methylamine assimilation in a bacterium.

Kinetic analyses of 14C-methylamine and 14C-bicarbonate assimilation in a gram-negative diplococcus suggests that methylamine assimilation occurs via a glycine-serine hydroxymethylation sequence rather than autotrophically by a Calvin cycle.
Tissue factor-expressing tumor cells can bind to immobilized recombinant tissue factor pathway inhibitor under static and shear conditions in vitro.

Mammary tumors and malignant breast cancer cell lines over-express the coagulation factor, tissue factor (TF). High expression of TF is associated with a poor prognosis in breast cancer. Tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), the endogenous inhibitor of TF, is constitutively expressed on the endothelium. We hypothesized that TF-expressing tumor cells can bind to immobilized recombinant TFPI, leading to arrest of the tumor cells under shear in vitro. We evaluated the adhesion of breast cancer cells to immobilized TFPI under static and shear conditions (0.35 – 1.3 dyn/cm2). We found that high-TF-expressing breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 (with a TF density of 460,000/cell), but not low TF-expressing MCF-7 (with a TF density of 1,400/cell), adhered to recombinant TFPI, under static and shear conditions. Adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells to TFPI required activated factor VII (FVIIa), but not FX, and was inhibited by a factor VIIa-blocking anti-TF antibody. Under shear, adhesion to TFPI was dependent on the TFPI-coating concentration, FVIIa concentration and shear stress, with no observed adhesion at shear stresses greater than 1.0 dyn/cm2. This is the first study showing that TF-expressing tumor cells can be captured by immobilized TFPI, a ligand constitutively expressed on the endothelium, under low shear in vitro. Based on our results, we hypothesize that TFPI could be a novel ligand mediating the arrest of TF-expressing tumor cells in high TFPI-expressing vessels under conditions of low shear during metastasis.
Impacts of mercury on benthic invertebrate populations and communities within the aquatic ecosystem of Clear Lake, California

Benthic invertebrates from Clear Lake, site of an inactive mercury (Hg) mine, were analyzed for population and community level parameters in response to a significant point source of sediment-associated Hg. Using multiple regression, at least one taxon (Placobdella leeches) showed a significant decline and another taxon (Procladius midges) showed a significant increase in response to increasing sediment Hg. Responses of invertebrates to sediment Hg levels are complex, likely due to partial confounding between sediment Hg (especially methyl Hg), grain size and depth. Stepwise multiple regression analyses indicate that individual taxa often responded significantly to several environmental factors. Chironomus populations declined with increasing grain size, depth and total Hg; Procladius declined with increasing depth, but increased with increasing sediment grain size and Hg levels; Chaoborus declined with increasing depth; oligochaetes increased with increasing TOC; and Placobdella leeches declined with both increasing depth and sediment Hg levels. Additional multi-variate routines were used to demonstrate more complex relationships than are typically elucidated by standard multiple regression statistics. The complex results presented here may indicate that there are significant population effects above some threshold of sediment Hg concentrations. Community level parameters (diversity and evenness) declined with increasing sediment Hg levels, but with considerable variation at low Hg levels. Simple regression yielded a negative relationship between diversity and evenness versus sediment total Hg that was nearly significant, and one with sediment methyl Hg that was not close to significance. Multiple regression indicated that depth was more important than sediment Hg in describing the variation in diversity.
Very high diastereofacial selectivities in convenient titanium—mediated aldol reactions

Very high (> 99%) diastereofacial selectivities in aldol reactions of a chiral titanium enolate with a variety of aldehydes can be conveniently achieved. The ease of preparation of -Ti(OCHMe2)3 enolates, low cost, low toxicity, and ease of work-up make this a very useful method for synthesis of chirally pure substances.
Surgically induced degeneration and regeneration of the choriocapillaris in rabbit.

· Background: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and choriocapillaris play an important role in maintaining the outer retina. Clinical and experimental studies have shown that there is a close relationship between them. To examine the relationship between RPE and choriocapillaris we developed an animal model in which degeneration and regeneration of the choriocapillaris can be created easily and reproducibly. · Methods: Using pigmented rabbits a retinal detachment (about 7 disk diameters) was created in the eye and the detached retina was surgically removed. A half area of the exposed RPE was mechanically debrided using a silicone brush. The other half area remained untouched. The eyes were morphologically examined at 3, 7, and 14 days and 4 and 8 weeks after the surgery using scanning or transmission electron microscopy. Changes in the choriocapillaris after the RPE debridement were also evaluated by corrosion vascular casts. · Results: The debrided area was resurfaced with elongated RPE in 7 days after surgery. The replaced RPE was dedifferentiated but it gradually recovered cell polarity by 4 weeks after surgery. The choriocapillaris beneath the debrided area underwent degeneration; however, it regenerated by 4 weeks after surgery, corresponding to the timing of the morphologic recovery of the replaced RPE. · Conclusion: This animal model of surgically induced degeneration and regeneration of the choriocapillaris may be useful to clarify the relationship between RPE and choriocapillaris and to study potential treatments for choroidal vascular diseases.
Calculated let distributions of heavy ion beams

Abstract The distribution of LET (energy losses) produced by heavy ion beams will to a great extent determine: (1) the relative probability of killing oxygenated and hypoxic tumor cells, (2) the relative effectiveness of charged particle beams over more conventional radiations in killing tumor and normal cells. It is known that, for cell-killing, highly ionizing heavy charged particles are more efficient per unit energy deposited than more sparsely ionizing radiation. Calculated distributions will be presented for various beams at different depths in a water phantom. Of particular interest are beams whose depth-dose distributions have been spread out by means of a variable depth absorber . Results for such beams will be presented and discussed. It can be concluded, for instance, that for a neon beam, median LET's in the 100–200 keV/μm region can be obtained throughout the "spread-out" peak region. Because of the broad distribution of LET found in the peak regions of the beams, however, the median LET may not be an adequate measure of beam quality. This problem will also be discussed.
Targeted mutagenesis in the progeny of maize transgenic plants

We have demonstrated that targeted mutagenesis can be accomplished in maize plants by excision, activation, and subsequent elimination of an endonuclease in the progeny of genetic crosses. The yeast FLP/FRT site-specific recombination system was used to excise and transiently activate the previously integrated yeast I-SceI homing endonuclease in maize zygotes and/or developing embryos. An artificial I-SceI recognition sequence integrated into genomic DNA was analyzed for mutations to indicate the I-SceI endonuclease activity. Targeted mutagenesis of the I-SceI site occurred in about 1% of analyzed F1 plants. Short deletions centered on the I-SceI-produced double-strand break were the predominant genetic lesions observed in the F1 plants. The I-SceI expression cassette was not detected in the mutant F1 plants and their progeny. However, the original mutations were faithfully transmitted to the next generation indicating that the mutations occurred early during the F1 plant development. The procedure offers simultaneous production of double-strand breaks and delivery of DNA template combined with a large number of progeny plants for future gene targeting experiments.
Mathematical modelling of dynamics and control in metabolic networks. III. Linear reaction sequences

Kinetics of linear sequences of enzymatic reactions converting a single substrate into a single product are examined with emphasis on obtaining the relationship between the individual kinetic parameters and overall dynamic behavior. Chains of reactions exhibiting irreversible Michaelis-Menten kinetics are examined via scaling, linearization and modal analysis. The modal analysis gives the conditions under which the quasi-steady state assumption is applicable for one reaction relative to another in such a reaction sequence. The linearized description permits characterization of the transient response in terms of temporal moments. The moments provide useful physical insight and also provide a basis for systematic model reduction.
Eccrine porocarcinoma arising in two African American patients: distinct presentations both treated with Mohs micrographic surgery

Background Eccrine porocarcinoma (EPC) is a rare, malignant adnexal tumor that has been reported only three times specifically in African American individuals. Diagnosis and treatment of EPC is important, given the 20% local recurrence and regional metastatic rates. However, no standard of care has been developed to guide effective treatment. Methods We report two distinct clinical presentations of EPC, both in African Americans, and discuss a review of the literature. Results The neoplasms were successfully removed from both patients by Mohs micrographic surgery. Conclusions These two cases illustrate that EPC can have a variety of presentations and can occur in African Americans. Although there is no standard of care for treating EPC, Mohs is becoming a common technique of removing these lesions.
Management of necrotizing pancreatitis by repeated operative necrosectomy using a zipper technique.

Abstract methods From 1983 to 1995, 72 patients with necrotizing pancreatitis were treated with a general approach involving planned reoperative necrosectomies and interval abdominal wound closure using a zipper. results Hospital mortality was 25%. Multiple organ failure without sepsis caused early mortality in 3 of 4 patients and sepsis caused late mortality in 11 of the remaining 14. The mean number of reoperative necrosectomies/debridements was 2 (0 to 7). Fistulae developed in 25 patients (35%); 64% were treated conservatively. Recurrent intraabdominal abscesses developed in 9 patients (13%) but were drained percutaneously in 5. Hemorrhage required intervention in 13 patients (18%). Prognostic factors included APACHE-II score on admission P = 0.005), absence of postoperative hemorrhage ( P = 0.01), and peripancreatic tissue necrosis alone ( P conclusions The zipper approach effectively maximizes the necrosectomy and decreases the incidence of recurrent intraabdominal infection requiring reoperation. APACHE-II score ≥13, extensive parenchymal necrosis, and postoperative hemorrhage signify worse outcome.
The treatment of an adult survivor of incest: a self psychological perspective.

That the victims of childhood incest suffer grave and lasting psychic wounds is understood to be true by all the major schools of psychoanalytic thought. But what is the nature of these psychic injuries, why are they so enduring and deep, and what are the aspects of psychoanalytic treatment that may ameliorate these wounds? Price's (1992) paper, "The Psychoanalysis of an Adult Survivor of Incest: A Case Study," describes the developmental history and the psychoanalytic treatment of an adult incest survivor from a Horneyan theoretical perspective. Price articulates the major Horneyan principles that inform her understanding of and treatment of this patient and of other victims of severe childhood trauma. In this paper, I will demonstrate how the application of certain crucial principles of self psychology can augment our understanding of the psychological development of this incest survivor and illuminate the factors that proved to be therapeutic in Price's psychoanalysis of this patient. From a self psychological point of view, events are traumatic when they severely damage an individual's sense of self in relation to the selfobject world. In the aftermath of trauma, an individual does his or her best to restore the sense of self, but inevitably must resort to methods of self-restoration for which a heavy price is paid--that, for instance, of ignoring and disavowing large sectors of one's own emotional reality, or of dissociating from the experience of traumatic events. According to Ulman and Brothers (1988), trauma results in the shattering of "central organizing fantasies of self in relation to selfobject (p. 2)," along with faulty and damaging efforts at the restoration of these fantasies. Thus, therapy will be ameliorative to the extent that it enables patients to work through these effects of trauma. This paper is based on an invited discussion of Michelle Price's paper, "The Psychoanalysis of an Adult Survivor of Incest: A Case Study," at the Continuing Education Series, Training and Research Institute for Self Psychology, 1/1 1/92.
General morphology and sediment patterns in tidal inlets

Abstract Tidal inlet sediments make up a significant portion of most barrier island complexes. Inlet-affiliated sedimentary units usually include an ebb-tidal delta (seaward shoal), a flood-tidal delta (landward shoal) and inlet-fill sequences created by inlet migration and recurved spit growth. The morphological components of ebb-tidal deltas include a main ebb channel flanked by linear bars on either side and a terminal sand lobe at the seaward end. This channel is bordered by a platform of sand dominated by swash bars which is separated from adjacent barrier beaches by marginal flood channels. The ebb-delta sand body is coarser-grained than other sedimentary units of the inlet and contains polymodal cross-bedding with a slight ebb dominance. Flood-tidal deltas consist of a flood ramp and bifurcating flood channels o the seaward side, which are dominated by flood currents and flood-oriented sand waves, and ebb shields, ebb spits and spillover lobes on the landward side, which contain an abundance of ebb-oriented bedforms. A proposed stratigraphic sequence for a typical flood-tidal delta contains bidirectional, large-scale crossbedded sand at the base, predominantly large-scale (flood-oriented) crossbedded sand in the middle, and finer-grained tidal flat and marsh sediment at the top. Inlets migrate at rates that vary from a few to several tens of meters per year, depending upon such variables as rate of longshore sediment transport and depth of the inlet. Inlet-fill sequences, which fine upward, contain coarse, bidirectional crossbedded sediments at the base, polydirectional crossbedded sands in the middle, and finer-grained aeolian sand at the top. Both tidal-delta morphology and relative size and abundance of ebb- and flood-tidal deltas are considerably different in different oceanographic settings. Microtidal (tidal range T.R. = 0–2 m) areas tend to have smaller ebb-tidal deltas and larger flood-tidal deltas; whereas, mesotidal (T.R. = 2–4 m) areas show just the opposite trend. Large waves tend to inhibit the development of ebb-tidal deltas and accentuate the growth of flood-tidal deltas.
Des souris et des hommes, chronique d'une épidémie non annoncée

Resume En mai 1993, un syndrome pulmonaire, caracterise par une symptomatologie et des circonstances epidemiologiques particulieres, fut identifie dans le sud-ouest des Etats-Unis d'Amerique. De jeunes adultes, sans antecedents particuliers, decedaient dans un tableau de detresse respiratoire aigue apres quelques jours d'un syndrome febrile non specifique. Bien que suspecte, aucun agent infectieux connu n'a pu etre identifie lors des examens preliminaires. Des leur reception dans les differents Centres de Reference, les techniques de biologie moleculaire modernes ont ete pratiquees en addition aux techniques classiques de serologie et d'isolement. Des anticorps temoins d'une infection recente par un hantavirus ont ete detectes en serologie par tests ELISA. Par extraction et amplification par la technique PCR a partir des tissus d'autopsies, il a ete possible de detecter la presence de materiel genetique viral que la sequence identifia comme un nouvel hantavirus. Par immunohistochimie, l'antigene viral a pu etre detecte au niveau de l'endothelium pulmonaire des patients. L'ensemble des trois methodes precedentes a permis d'identifier 18 patients entre janvier et juillet 1993. Toutes les autres serologies et tentatives d'isolement se sont averees negatives. Le rongeur reservoir a pu etre identifie, il s'agit du deer mice ou Peromyscus maniculatus . Le Centers for Disease Control, en collaboration avec les Services de Sante locaux, ont commence un programme de surveillance a l'echelon national pour determiner l'incidence de cette nouvelle maladie, et des enquetes longitudinales pour comprendre l'epidemiologie de ce virus et les relations virus-vecteurs dans les populations de rongeurs.
A reconfigurable parallel signature analyzer for concurrent error correction in DRAM

An efficient strategy for utilizing a parallel signature analyzer (PSA) for concurrent soft-error correction in DRAMs (dynamic random-access memories) is described. For a two-level w-bit, n-word memory system, the proposed technique needs only one additional chip as opposed to log/sub 2/w+2 in the conventional Hamming code. Such an error-correction circuit significantly improves the reliability of the memory system. >
Early and midterm patency of the proximal anastomoses of saphenous vein grafts made with a Symmetry Aortic Connector System

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate (1) the early and midterm patency rates in saphenous vein grafts that were anastomosed with the Symmetry Aortic Connector System (St Jude Medical, Inc, St Paul, Minn) and (2) risk factors for graft occlusion. Methods Thirty-one patients underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting for proximal saphenous vein graft anastomoses with the aortic connector system. Intraoperative graft flow was studied with transit time flowmetry, and angiography was performed before discharge in 29 cases. Midterm (at least 1 year after the operation) saphenous vein graft patency was assessed by coronary angiography or 3-dimensional coronary computed tomography in 27 cases. Results Postoperative angiography demonstrated a 100% patency rate and no significant stenosis at the connector-anastomosed sites. The 1-year patency rate of the saphenous vein grafts with the aortic connector system was 92.6%, with 2 cases of saphenous vein graft occlusion. Both of these cases had low graft flow and poor left ventricular function documented during the operation. Conclusion Once surgical errors had been ruled out, the 1-year patency rate of proximal saphenous vein grafts anastomosed with the aortic connector system was favorable. Poor left ventricular function and low graft flow during the operation were risk factors for midterm graft occlusion. Selection of the target vessel and its runoff may also be an important determinant of long-term patency.
Mechanism of Binding of Chunks of Meat: 2. Effect of Proteolytic Enzymes

Abstract The effect of several proteolytic enzymes on heat initiated binding of chunk meat was studied. All the proteolytic enzymes tested showed a decrease in binding scores in the following order: collagenase, ficin, elastase, protease, papain, trypsin and chymotrypsin. The involvement of stroma proteins in binding is suggested.
Liquid Supply and Heat Transfer Performance of Sintered Cu Monolayer Wicks for Phase Change Heat Transfer Applications

When combined with a bi-porous or a vertical liquid artery structure, thin porous layers of high thermal conductivity materials can provide high critical heat flux while maintaining low thermal resistance. They are therefore are very promising for applications in advanced heat pipes and vapor chambers. The present study characterizes the liquid supply and heat transfer performance of monolayers of sintered Cu powders. Three sets of monolayer samples are prepared by sintering Cu powders with different diameters (29, 59, 71 um). The measured heat transfer performance is relatively insensitive to the powder diameter in the low flux regime. At relatively high heat fluxes (> 20 W/cm2 ) monolayers with the two large diameter powders show similar liquid supply and heat transfer performance while the sample with the smallest powder size shows significantly degraded heat transfer performance due to local dryouts.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
cDNA profiling in Leukocytes exposed to Hypertonic resuscitation fluids

Abstract Background Resuscitative fluids induce distinctive changes in leukocyte functions: incubation with colloid Dextran increases production of reactive oxygen species and adhesion, whereas exposure to hypertonic saline (HTS) inhibits "oxidative burst" and phagocytosis. In hypertonic saline Dextran (HTD), the hypertonic component determines the leukocyte functional behavior and subsequently activation response. We investigated whether leukocyte gene expression is analogously affected. Methods Whole blood from eight volunteers was diluted and incubated for 30 min at 37 o C in 6.0% Dextran-70, 7.5% HTS, and 7.5% HTD. Total leukocyte RNA was extracted and used to synthesize biotinylated cDNA probes. Each probe was individually hybridized to a cDNA array to simultaneously measure the expression of 23 genes involved in inflammation, cell migration, and apoptosis. Results Leukocytes incubated with Dextran-70 demonstrated greater than a 6-fold (p Conclusions Hypertonic resuscitation fluids diminish the expression of immune activation-associated genes. Hypertonic component of HTD determines the leukocyte gene expression profile.
Energy Bands in Ferromagnetic Iron

Results of a self-consistent tight-binding calculation of the band structure of body-centered-cubic iron are reported. The basis set consisted of atomic wave functions for the $1s$, $2s$, $3s$, $4s$, $2p$, $3p$, and $4p$ states, expressed as linear combinations of Gaussian-type orbitals (GTO), and five individual GTO for each $3d$ state. The Coulomb part of the crystal potential in the first iteration was constructed from a superposition of overlapping neutral-atom charge densities; the atoms being in the $3{d}^{7}4{s}^{1}$ configuration. Exchange potentials for both spins were calculated utilizing the $X\ensuremath{\alpha}$ method. Self-consistent band structures were obtained for different values of the exchange parameter $\ensuremath{\alpha}$. Best results appear to be obtained for $\ensuremath{\alpha}=0.64$. In this case, 140 points in $\frac{1}{48}$ of the Brillouin zone (BZ) were used to determine the charge density. The resulting self-consistent potentials were then utilized to compute energy levels at 819 regularly spaced points in $\frac{1}{48}$ of the BZ. The results thus obtained are discussed and compared with other reported band-structure results for the same metal. The Fermi surface is analyzed in detail. The density of states has been computed. Magnetic and x-ray form factors are presented. The results are found to be in reasonably good agreement with experiment.
Automated Video Analysis of Animal Movements Using Gabor Orientation Filters

To quantify locomotory behavior, tools for determining the location and shape of an animal’s body are a first requirement. Video recording is a convenient technology to store raw movement data, but extracting body coordinates from video recordings is a nontrivial task. The algorithm described in this paper solves this task for videos of leeches or other quasi-linear animals in a manner inspired by the mammalian visual processing system: the video frames are fed through a bank of Gabor filters, which locally detect segments of the animal at a particular orientation. The algorithm assumes that the image location with maximal filter output lies on the animal’s body and traces its shape out in both directions from there. The algorithm successfully extracted location and shape information from video clips of swimming leeches, as well as from still photographs of swimming and crawling snakes. A Matlab implementation with a graphical user interface is available online, and should make this algorithm conveniently usable in many other contexts.
127 Template-switching during DNA replication

Short repetitive DNA sequences are frequent sites of genomic rearrangements. Using the bacterium Escherichia coli, we have studied the mechanisms of these frequent events and have proposed that they arise by a template-switch mechanism during DNA replication. We hypothesize that the template-switch mechanism is a replication-gap filling repair mechanism, which, like translesion DNA synthesis, can overcome replication-blocking lesions on the DNA template strand. Both translesion synthesis (TLS) and template-switching are components of what has been termed “post-replication repair.” Tranlesion synthesis has been considered “error-prone” because of its propensity to induce point mutations because of the low fidelity of the TLS polymerases. Template-switching, we propose, comprises what has been considered the “error-free” pathway of post-replication repair. We note that the pathway is not truly error-free, as it is “rearrangement-prone.” Using genetic assays for deletions or expansions at short repeats, we h...
Elemental compositions of major silicic phases in chondrules of unequilibrated chondritic meteorites

Published data on the compositions of the olivine, low-Ca-pyroxene, and mesostasis phases of chondrules from different classes of chondrites are analyzed statistically. Significant compositional differences distinguishing ordinary-chondrite, CV, CM-CO, and EH chondrules are identified and described in detail.
Shell exchanges in the hermit crab Calcinus tibicen

Shell exchange interactions of individuals of the hermit crab Calcinus tibicen were examined to see if these crabs behaved in a pattern which was similar to that observed in other species. Multiple regression analyses indicated that crab weight and shell internal volume were the best and sufficient estimators of crab and shell sizes. The model of exchange which best predicted the outcomes of naturally occurring interactions with the fewest parameters was the negotiations model (exchange should occur only if both participants gain in shell fit) using shell volume as the shell size parameter. Models which incorporated shell species considerations or both negotiations and aggressive elements increased the predictive powers, and overall the outcomes of 87% of the 202 shell exchange interactions of C. tibicen were predicted correctly.