cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Simple Method for Determining the Response Time of Glaciers

The response time of temperate glaciers is estimated by the following continuity argument: The difference in the steady state ice volume of a glacier, before and after a mass balance perturbation must be accumulated (or ablated) before the glacier can reach a new steady state. This leads to a time scale which is termed the “volume time scale” of the glacier. It is argued that the response time of the glacier can be expected to be equal to the volume time scale. The volume time scale can be derived by a simple argument and is under fairly general conditions expressed by the formula Tv = H/(−bt) where H is a thickness scale of the glacier and bt is a scale of the ablation along the terminus of the glacier. This estimate of the response time of glaciers is of the order of decades for small maritime glaciers, which is in reasonable agreement with experience. This is much shorter than the theoretical long response time of the order of several hundred or a thousand years which has been derived in the past from kinematic wave theory.
Adaptive Selling to the Professional Services Market: Utilizing the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator to Direct Style Flexing

Style flexing is the adaptation of communication style by the seller to enhance communication and marketing effectiveness. Client style categorization is an important and complex process. This study introduces the utilization of the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator in communication style categorization when marketing to service professionals. Applications of the MBTI in adaptive selling are discussed in the context of contacting, observing, and interviewing the client.
Autonomic, Behavioral, and Subjective Pain Responses in Alzheimer's Disease

Objective To compare autonomic, behavioral, and subjective pain responses of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) to those of healthy seniors (HS). As few studies have examined patients with severe Alzheimer's disease (sAD), we emphasized inclusion of these patients together with mild/moderate Alzheimer's disease (mAD) patients to characterize pain responses potentially affected by disease severity. Design A controlled cross-sectional study involving repeated measures behavioral pain testing. Setting An outpatient clinical setting and local nursing facilities. Subjects Community dwelling HS controls (N = 33) and individuals with chart-confirmed diagnoses of AD (N = 38, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-IV criteria). Methods HS and AD groups were compared in their responses to repeated applications of five pressure intensities (1–5 kg) on the distal forearm. Autonomic responses (heart rate [HR]), pain behaviors (vocal, facial, and bodily as scored by the Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia [PAINAD] scale), and subjective pain ratings (Faces Pain Scale-Revised) were measured. Results HR responses to pressure stimuli were differentially affected based on AD severity: sAD patients had generally decreased HR reactivity compared with other groups (P < 0.01). In contrast, pain behaviors were increased in AD regardless of severity (P < 0.001), compared with HS, for all but the lowest pressure intensity. Increased behaviors occurred in all measured domains of the PAINAD (P < 0.005). While sAD were unreliable subjective reporters, mAD patients (N = 17) rated low level pressures as more painful than HS (P < 0.01). Conclusion These findings provide behavioral and subjective-report evidence of increased acute pain sensitivity in AD, which should be taken into consideration with respect to pain management across the spectrum of AD severity.
Fundamentals of wide-field sparse-aperture imaging

Wide-field sparse-aperture imaging systems are desirable for space-borne surveillance applications because they have the potential for improving resolution while minimizing the weight penalty implied by a bigger deployed aperture. Exploiting this potential requires image processing in Fourier space to correct the effects of the badly compromised point spread functions. Consideration of how the SNR in Fourier space depends on sparsity reveals an unexpected, fundamental, highly disadvantageous limit on exposure time, expressed by the Fienup theorem. The merits of different types of aperture configurations are discussed in terms of the resulting point spread and modulation transfer functions, and the effect of dividing a broad spectral range into sub-bands is introduced.
Patterned photoassisted organometallic deposition of iron, nickel and palladium on silicon

Description de la photodeposition des metaux a partir de metallocenes et especes similaires. Analyse par microscopie electronique a balayage et spectrometrie dispersive de la microstructure et de la morphologie des depots
Guidance on guides

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to review the LibGuides website that hosts library user guides.Design/methodology/approach – This paper outlines the features and benefits of the LibGuides site, describes how it can be used as a web portal and peruses its hosted content.Findings – LibGuides is a good place to see how different libraries are incorporating Web 2.0 approaches into their library guides.Originality/value – The familiar library guide still can have a strong impact in the Web 2.0 environment and enhance a library's online presence.
High data rate undersea broadband radio-frequency communications

Contemporary underwater communications relies heavily upon narrowband, low-rate acoustics. We present an alternative framework for high data rate undersea broadband using radio-frequency communications. Our approach adapts loop antennas matched to sea water in the 3 MHz to 30 MHz HF band for the shallow underwater ocean zone. We present analysis from empirical channel model characterization that indicates information rate bounds for EM radio frequency communications in undersea environments that are 1000× that of acoustics. This will enable significantly new classes of applications, including ocean based underwater networks.
Field Continuation and the Step Model in Aeromagnetic INTERPRETATION

Downward continuation of the field in the neighborhood of a singularity of a magnetic anomaly is used to render the anomaly more two-dimensional, to make the bottom of the causal body more remote, and to obtain an auxiliary function, φ (O, z), by means of which the anomaly may be interpreted in terms of an equivalent vertical contact or step model. The concept of “apparent depth” is introduced and used in studying depth extent and susceptibility. The methods are illustrated with theoretical and practical examples.
Whither Tocqueville in American Sociology

This essay addresses the declining influence of Alexis de Tocqueville on contemporary American sociology. While Tocqueville was must reading some decades ago, inspiring several classic sociological studies published in the 1950s and 1960s, and while he remains an authoritative source in other social science disciplines, he has virtually disappeared from present-day sociology. Sociologists, it would seem, have left behind works such as Democracy in America and The Old Regime and the French Revolution despite Raymond Aron’s (Main Currents in Sociological Thought, vol. I, Anchor Books, New York, 1968) insistence that Tocqueville be counted among the discipline’s founders. While Meyer (J. Cl. Socio., 3:197–220, 2003) presumed to have addressed this subject, his argument sheds no light on the matter as he ignores the driving concern of Tocqueville’s work, namely, the tensions between the principle of equality and human freedom. I argue that conceptually sociologists today are in no position to reflect critically on equality and its relation to freedom. Since the turbulent 1960s egalitarian commitments have become embedded in the discipline and are thereby shielded from critical inquiry. At the same time, a conceptual fixation on power effectively pushed to the periphery the kinds of questions Tocqueville raised about the problem of authority in democracy and how authority may be encouraging of human freedom. Committed to advancing the principle of equality, however understood, and seeing nothing in authority but power, sociologists espouse faith in egalitarian, mass democracy whereas Tocqueville sought a critical understanding of it. This is much to the detriment of present-day sociologists, so many of whom demonstrate in their own work and professional behavior the democratic dilemmas Tocqueville warned us about.
Meta-Analysis: Efficacy and Safety of Inhaled Insulin Therapy in Adults with Diabetes Mellitus

This systematic review of 16 randomized trials in adult patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes found that inhaled insulin reduced hemoglobin A1c levels slightly less than subcutaneous insulin and ...
Excitations in solid and liquid thallous chloride

Abstract The absorption edge of thallous chloride has been measured below and above melting point. In the crystal this edge represents the low energy tail of a strongly absorbing Wannier exciton. The similarity between the shape and temperature dependence of this absorption in the solid and in the liquid states suggests that Wannier-like excitons exist also in liquid thallous chloride.
DapE Can Function as an Aspartyl Peptidase in the Presence of Mn2

Extracts of a multiply peptidase-deficient (pepNABDPQTE iadA iaaA) Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium strain contain an aspartyl dipeptidase activity that is dependent on Mn(2+). Purification of this activity followed by N-terminal sequencing of the protein suggested that the Mn(2+)-dependent peptidase is DapE (N-succinyl-L,L-diaminopimelate desuccinylase). A dapE chromosomal disruption was constructed and transduced into a multiply peptidase-deficient (MPD) strain. Crude extracts of this strain showed no aspartyl peptidase activity, and the strain failed to utilize Asp-Leu as a leucine source. The dapE gene was cloned into expression vectors in order to overproduce either the native protein (DapE) or a hexahistidine fusion protein (DapE-His(6)). Extracts of a strain carrying the plasmid overexpresssing native DapE in the MPD dapE background showed a 3,200-fold elevation of Mn(2+)-dependent aspartyl peptidase activity relative to the MPD dapE(+) strain. In addition, purified DapE-His(6) exhibited Mn(2+)-dependent peptidase activity toward aspartyl dipeptides. Growth of the MPD strain carrying a single genomic copy of dapE on Asp-Leu as a Leu source was slow but detectable. Overproduction of DapE in the MPD dapE strain allowed growth on Asp-Leu at a much faster rate. DapE was found to be specific for N-terminal aspartyl dipeptides: no N-terminal Glu, Met, or Leu peptides were hydrolyzed, nor were any peptides containing more than two amino acids. DapE is known to bind two divalent cations: one with high affinity and the other with lower affinity. Our data indicate that the form of DapE active as a peptidase contains Zn(2+) in the high-affinity site and Mn(2+) in the low-affinity site.
A NOVEL EXPRESSION OF MACROPHAGE DERIVED CHEMOKINE IN HUMAN BLADDER CANCER

ABSTRACT Purpose: Successful bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) immunotherapy for bladder cancer is associated with proper induction of T helper (Th)1 immunity. Unfortunately, 30% to 40% of bladder tumors never respond to BCG. We sought evidence of antagonistic Th2 chemokine production by bladder tumors as a potential cause of BCG nonresponsiveness. Materials and Methods: Expression of interferon-γ inducible protein-10 (IP-10), a Th1 chemokine, and macrophage derived chemokine (MDC), a Th2 chemokine, was examined in 9 clinical bladder tumor specimens and 7 human bladder cancer lines by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Regulation of these chemokine expressions in the human RT4 bladder cancer line was also explored by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: Eight of 9 clinical specimens expressed IP-10 and 5 expressed MDC. However, of 7 cancer lines only 1 low grade line (RT4) expressed IP-10 and MDC, and 1 high grade line (T24) expressed IP-10. Histological staining demonstrated MDC and IP-10 expression in human bladder tumors. Interestingly interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α up-regulated and synergized the expression of these 2 chemokines in RT4 cells. Such positive effects appeared to be mediated by nuclear factor - κB but not by the AP-1 signaling pathway. Conclusions: These results indicate that certain bladder tumors produce the Th2 chemokine MDC, which may antagonize the local Th1 environment induced by BCG. MDC production by bladder tumors appears to be mediated by signals distinct from those identified in macrophages.
Effects of Intraspecific Hybridization in Tilapia nilotica on Survival Under Ambient Winter Temperature in Alabama

Viability under ambient winter temperatures in Alabama was assessed for Auburn University-Egypt and Auburn University-Ivory Coast strains of Tilapia nilotica and their F1, F2, and four backcross hybrids. Egypt strain was more viable (P= 0.05) than Ivory Coast strain. Observed mean viabilities of the F1 hybrids were intermediate between those of the parental strains. Viabilities of the reciprocal F1 hybrids were not significantly different. Viabilities of the reciprocal F2 hybrids were not significantly different. Backcross hybrids that were produced by crossing F1 hybrid females to Egypt strain had a greater observed mean viability than those that were produced by crossing F1 hybrid females to Ivory Coast strain. Average viabilities of the parental strains, F1, F2, and backcross hybrids were not significantly different. Heterosis in F1, F2, and backcross hybrids was −1.39%,−0.82%, and −2.08%, respectively. Viability under ambient winter temperatures in Alabama in T. nilotica appears to be controlled by additive rather than by dominance effects, which means that selection rather than crossbreeding is the breeding technique that should be evaluated to improve this trait in T. nilotica.
Thermal processing and native oxidation of silicon nanoparticles

In this study, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) were used to investigate in-air oxidation of silicon nanoparticles ca. 11 nm in diameter. Particle samples were prepared first by extracting them from an RF plasma synthesis reactor, and then heating them in an inert carrier gas stream. The resulting particles had varying surface hydrogen coverages and relative amounts of SiH x (x = 1, 2, and 3), depending on the temperature to which they had been heated. The particles were allowed to oxidize in-air for several weeks. FTIR, XPS, and EELS analyses that were performed during this period clearly establish that adsorbed hydrogen retards oxidation, although in complex ways. In particular, particles that have been heated to intermediate hydrogen coverages oxidize more slowly in air than do freshly generated particles that have a much higher hydrogen content. In addition, the loss of surface hydride species at high processing temperatures results in fast initial oxidation and the formation of a self-limiting oxide layer. Analogous measurements made on deuterium-covered particles show broadly similar behavior; i.e., that oxidation is the slowest at some intermediate coverage of adsorbed deuterium.
Regression Analysis and 2-Group Discriminant Analysis.

Some relationships and similarities between regression analysis and 2-group discriminant analysis are pointed out. In particular, it is shown that in the special case of just two criterion groups the predictor variables may be equivalently ordered (with respect to contribution to prediction or discrimination) by the univariate F-ratios and by estimates of the predictor versus the linear discriminant function correlations.
Water Interactions with Bovine Caseins by Hydrogen-2 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Relaxation Studies: Structural Implications

Abstract A method was developed for determining hydration from the protein concentration dependence of deuteron magnetic resonance relaxation rates. Measurements were made in D 2 O on both casein micelles and submicelles. From the protein concentration-dependent relaxation rates, the second virial coefficients of the proteins were obtained by nonlinear regression analysis. Using either an isotropic tumbling or an intermediate asymmetry model, hydration and correlation times were calculated for the proteins; from the latter parameter the Stokes radius was obtained. Molecular weights, calculated from the Stokes radius using the Stokes-Einstein relationship and the partial specific volume, were in the range of those published for caseins in the absence of Ca 2+ (submicelles). For casein submicelles variations of Stokes radius and hydration with temperature were in agreement with hydrophobically driven aggregations and in accord with known changes in molecular state. Similar temperature variations of Stokes radius and hydration were observed for casein micelles; however, their absolute values, although greater than those of submicelles, were less than expected. These data are interpreted with respect to a model in which trapped water in the micelles is associated with discrete submicellar structures.
Regulation of inorganic pigments used in plastics

Review of the government regulations of the major inorganic pigments used in plastics particularly of the metals involved in formation of color.
Respiratory responses to changes in air density

The use of a 4 to 1 mixture of helium and oxygen in maximal work does not increase the capacity for transporting oxygen nor greatly modify the heart rate. It does favor the elimination of carbon dioxide. It is associated with the same increase in lactic acid but at the same time it favors the elimination of carbon dioxide; accordingly the change in pH is smaller.
Cobordisms of semi-boundary links

Abstract A new invariant of link concordance is introduced, which takes values in the homotopy groups of the 2-sphere and which vanishes for links concordant to boundary links. When the category of links is broadened to allow manifold (i.e. non-spherical) links and the equivalence relation of concordance is weakened to β-equivalence, this invariant is shown to completely answer the question of which links are β-equivalent to boundary links.
Size-independent strength and deformation mode in compression of a Pd-based metallic glass

Abstract We present quasi-static, room temperature compression data for Pd40Ni40P20 metallic glasses, with specimen sizes ranging from the submicron to several millimeters in diameter. We observe no change in deformation mode over this range. At all sizes, plastic flow is localized in shear bands, which are accompanied by sudden strain bursts. This metallic glass shows only a modest increase in strength in going from bulk to micrometer-sized specimens. We show that stress gradients in tapered specimens can complicate measurement of the yield strength of metallic glasses in microcompression. Estimates of yield strength based on the minimum cross-sectional area implicitly assume that yielding is controlled by a maximum effective shear stress criterion. An alternative is the shear plane yield criterion, in which the minimum shear stress on the shear band trajectory determines yield. Application of this criterion in tapered microspecimens reinforces the notion that metallic glasses possess relatively size-independent mechanical properties.
WE‐D‐AUD‐01: Clincal Evaluation of An Independent Dose Check Algorithm for Helical TomoTherapy

Purpose: To determine the clinical acceptability of an algorithm developed to independently verify doses calculated by the TomoTherapy treatment planning system. Method and Materials: Point doses from treatment plans for 97 patients treated on a TomoTherapy system were compared to an independent dose calculation algorithm developed at our facility. All patient plans for which treatmentsinograms were available were included in the comparison, which represented a variety of treatment sites and plan parameters. For each treatment plan, the calculation point was selected to be in the geometric center of the primary PTV, where beam modulation and high dose‐gradients were expected to be minimal. If this process put the point into a high dose‐gradient region or very near a tissue interface region, the point was manually repositioned. Results: Comparisons of our calculation to the TomoTherapy‐predicted point doses for the patient treatment plans showed good agreement. For sites other than lung and superficial PTVs, agreement between the calculations was within 2% for 94% of the patient calculations (64 of 68). Our independent calculations within the lung or superficial PTVs overestimated the dose by an average of 3.1% (σ =2.4%) and 3.2% (σ=2.2%), respectively. Conclusion: Systematic errors at points within lung are probably the result of the known weakness of the radiological path length method for correcting for missing tissue and/or tissue density heterogeneities. Errors encountered at points within superficial PTVs are probably the result of our algorithm overestimating the scatterdose at points near the surface of the patient. For the majority of cases, the algorithm demonstrates sufficient accuracy for clinical use and may be used to independently verify patient treatment plans. Supported in part by a research agreement with TomoTherapy, Inc.
Life Cycle of the Greenhouse Whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and Population Trends of the Whitefly and Its Parasite, Encarsis formosa, on Two Tomato Varieties

Observations in the field indicated that tomato variety ‘Tiny Tim’ was more resistant to greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum (Westwood), than variety ‘Delicious.’ Experiments were carried out to obtain additional information on the performance of the whitefly on the 2 varieties and to determine how host plant resistance might affect the chalcid parasite Encarsia formosa Gahan and its whitefly host.
Exemplar networks: Extensions of the design exemplar

The design exemplar has been offered in the literature as a design automation representation structure for embodiment design. Experience with the design exemplar has shown the design exemplar to be tedious to develop. For this reason, an extension to the design exemplar is proposed that offers design automation developers the flexibility of combining atomic design exemplars through exemplar networks. This paper introduces the exemplar networks, providing justifications, algorithms, and demonstrations.Copyright © 2004 by ASME
The heart in malnutrition and in potassium deficiency.

Abstract Some patients with edema and other signs of congestive heart failure may have primary or secondary deficiency disorders. For purposes of discussion and description, it is common practice to describe low cardiac output failure, high output failure, left-sided failure, right-sided failure, and whole heart failure. The central problem remains: Why does the heart as an efficient pump fail to deliver an adequate amount of blood to the tissues so that edema and other signs of congestive heart failure appear? This is the problem that needs to be attacked at the fundamental level of myocardial metabolism. What are the needs of cardiac muscle in order that it may function properly? How are these needs interrelated? These needs include not only oxygen, but carbohydrate, protein, thiamine, and all of the constituents that move in and out of cells, including potassium, sodium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, sulfate, phosphate, vitamins A, C, and D, to say nothing of the liberation of chemicals at the neuromuscular junctions and the various enzyme systems necessary for the contraction and relaxation of heart muscle. The heart muscle cannot live by oxygen alone, although it cannot live long without it. The heart muscle needs other ingredients as well in order to function effectively and these need to be properly balanced. We have some knowledge that deficits in thiamine, protein, vitamin C, or potassium may cause or aggravate other basic disturbances in cardiac muscular function. When these deficits are corrected, improvements may occur. It is necessary, therefore, to recognize these deficiencies when they occur, so that they may be corrected for the benefit of the patient.
Structural heterogeneity of Caucasian N-acetyltransferase at the NAT1 gene locus

Abstract The human N-acetylation polymorphism is a genetic trait phenotypically reflected by differences in N -acetyltransferase (NAT) activity with therapeutic agents (rapid and slow acetylation), but a genetic invariability in N-acetylation of some arylamine drugs is also known. There are two highly similar human NAT genes: NAT1 is thought to encode a genetically invariant protein, whereas NAT2 has conclusively been shown to represent a polymorphic locus. This study demonstrates the presence of discrete NAT1 structural variants among Caucasians. These were detected by direct sequencing of 1.6-kilobase NAT1 fragments generated by the polymerase chain reaction with liver and leukocyte DNA from 13 subjects of established acetylator phenotype and NAT2 genotype. A prominent alteration in one of the variants was obliteration of the consensus polyadenylation signal (AATAAA→AAAAAA). Several mutations were discernible in all regions of the second variant allele, including silent (codon 153) and nonsilent (Ser-214→Ala) substitutions in the coding region and deletion of nine bases from an AT-rich segment in the 3′ untranslated region. One-half of the unrelated subjects were either homozygous or heterozygous for the mutant NAT1 alleles, both of which obeyed a Mendelian inheritance pattern. These novel results unambiguously show that human NAT1 , like NAT2 , is a polymorphic locus.
Persistence of a persistent ectopic pregnancy : laparoscopic recognition and treatment

ABSTRACT We present a case of a 32-year-old woman who underwent treatment with both linear salpingostomy and methotrexate for an ectopic pregnancy, finally resulting in undetectable β-hCG titers. Despite her clinical response to these combined interventions, she continued to harbor persistent trophoblastic tissue 9 months later. The histologic verification of chronic trophoblastic tissue persisting with negative β-hCG titers has not been reported. We suspect that retained trophoblastic tissue may explain some reports of persistent masses noted by ultrasound and may also explain some cases of tubal occlusion following conservative treatment of ectopic pregnancies. Given the increasing prevalence of conservatively managed tubal pregnancies, the gynecologic surgeon should be aware of this clinical entity, enabling the surgeon to look for, recognize, and treat the persistent tissue appropriately. (J GYNECOL SURG 11:181, 1995)
Synthesis and thermolysis of 3-substituted 3-trimethylsilylcyclopropenes

Abstract The synthesis of 3-substituted-3-(trimethylsilyl)cyclopropenes (X = CO2Et, CHO, CN) is described. Their acid sensitivity and thermal stability was probed and the reaction products were identified. In one case, a novel rearrangement to a Dewar furan maybe involved and this pathway was explored via kinetics and computations.
SPARnet: A data acquisition/analysis computer network☆☆☆

Abstract This paper details the design and operation of a computer hardware and software system that provides for the automatic acquisition of data from controlled environment plant growth chambers called soil-plant-atmosphere-research (SPAR) units, control of the SPAR environments, and the storage of collected data in an online database. The system also provides for automatic error checking of collected data and preliminary analysis of data. The computer hardware consists of a superminicomputer and a microcomputer networked together. The software system consists of data acquisition and analysis software written in ANSI 1977 FORTRAN.
Volumetric behavior of near-equimolar mixtures for CO2+CH4 and CO2+N2

Abstract Burnett-isochoric measurements are reported for gravimetrically prepared, nominally equimolar binary mixtures of CO2 with CH4 and with N2 at temperatures from 205 to 320 K and pressures from 0.1 to 48 MPa. Densities, real gas (compressibility) factors, second and third virial coefficients, and phase boundary conditions derived from the measured pressures and temperatures are presented. The phase boundary results indicate that vapor—liquid critical points do not exist and that gas—gas phase equilibrium occurs for certain compositions of CO2 +N2 mixtures.
Osteopontin upregulation in rotavirus-induced murine biliary atresia requires replicating virus but is not necessary for development of biliary atresia

Biliary atresia (BA) is a progressive fibro-inflammatory pediatric liver disease in which osteopontin (OPN), a glycoprotein with inflammatory and fibrogenic activity, may play a pathogenic role. The current studies were conducted in a mouse model of rotavirus-induced BA to test the hypotheses that live but not inactivated rotavirus causes antigenemia, upregulation of hepatic OPN expression, and induction of BA and fibrosis; and that OPN is necessary for development of BA. Prolonged or transient antigenemia developed in mice inoculated with live or inactivated virus, respectively, but only live virus upregulated hepatic OPN and caused BA and fibrosis. OPN was expressed in intra- and extrahepatic bile ducts in healthy mice and in mice with BA. OPN-deficient mice, similar to WT mice, developed BA. Together, these data show that live but not inactivated rotavirus causes upregulation of hepatic OPN expression and BA but that OPN is not necessary for development of BA.
Diffusions and Random Shadows in Negatively Curved Manifolds

Abstract Let M be a d -dimensional complete simply-connected negatively-curved manifold. There is a natural notion of Hausdorff dimension for its boundary at infinity. This is shown to provide a notion of global curvature or average rate of growth in two probabilistic senses: First, on surfaces ( d =2), it is twice the critical drift separating transience from recurrence for Brownian motion with constant-length radial drift. Equivalently, it is twice the critical β for the existence of a Green function for the operator Δ /2− β ∂ r . Second, for any d , it is the critical intensity for almost sure coverage of the boundary by random shadows cast by balls, appropriately scaled, produced from a constant-intensity Poisson point process.
Phase II study of combined belotecan and cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy in patients with extensive disease of small cell lung cancer

To determine the efficacy and safety of belotecan in combination with cisplatin as first-line chemotherapy for extensive disease of small cell lung cancer (ED SCLC). Patients with chemotherapy-naive ED SCLC were eligible if the following criteria were met: age ≥18 years; a measurable lesion; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (PS) 0–2; and adequate organ function. Each cycle consisted of belotecan (0.5 mg/m2/day) on days 1–4 and cisplatin (60 mg/m2) intravenously on day 1. The cycle was repeated every 3 weeks until the completion of the 6th cycle, disease progression, or intolerable toxicity. Thirty-five patients (median age, 68 years) were enrolled: 32 males (91.4%); and PS = 0 (n = 3), PS = 1 (n = 18), and PS = 2 (n = 14). The median number of cycles delivered was 5 (range, 1–6). The relative dose intensity was 70.1% for belotecan and 83.0% for cisplatin. Of 30 evaluable patients, objective response rate was 71.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 55.7–87.2) by the intent-to-treat principle. The median duration of follow-up was 14.3 months. The median progression-free survival was 5.7 months (95% CI, 3.9–7.5) and the median overall survival was 10.2 months (95% CI, 9.3–11.1). The frequently reported grade 3 or 4 toxicities included neutropenia in 24 patients (68.6%), thrombocytopenia in 10 (28.6%), and anemia in 7 (20.0%). There was no grade 3 or 4 non-hematologic toxicity except three patients (8.6%) with fatigue. Belotecan and cisplatin combination therapy showed significant efficacy in ED SCLC with improved non-hematologic toxicities.
Thyroxine to 3,5,3′-triiodothyronine conversion by rat anterior pituitary and liver

Abstract To evaluate the process of conversion of T 4 to T 3 in pituitary tissue in vitro, fragments of rat anterior pituitary were incubated for 3–4 hr in the presence of 125 I T 4 and 131 I T 3 . The nuclei were isolated and the specifically bound 131 I and 125 I-labelled T 3 quantitated. No specifically bound nuclear 125 I T 4 was found. The nuclear/medium ratio for 131 I T 3 was 0.16 ± 0.02 (mean ± SD), cpm [μg DNA] −1 /cpm [μl media] −1 after 3–4 hr. The 125 I T 4 present contained 0.43% ± 0.04% 125 I T 3 and this did not increase during the incubation. The estimated nuclear/media ratio for 125 I T 3 was 1.5 ± 0.2, approximately ninefold higher than that for 131 I T 3 . These results indicate that pituitary tissue deiodinates T 4 to T 3 . During incubation of pituitary homogenates with 1 μg T 4 /ml, increases in radioimmunoassayable T 3 were not consistently observed. In the presence of 5 m M dithiothreitol (DTT) however, there was an eight-tenfold stimulation of T 4 -T 3 conversion (18–37 ng T 3 /g wet weight/20 min). Similar studies of liver homogenates showed considerably higher basal T 4 to T 3 conversion (49–56 ng T 3 /g wet weight/15 min) but DTT-stimulated T 4 to T 3 conversion was only two-threefold higher than that in pituitary (62–63 ng T 3 /g wet weight/15 min). Taken together, the present results indicate that the rat anterior pituitary deiodinates T 4 to T 3 and that sulfhydryl-containing compounds markedly stimulate this process. These in vitro results support our previous in vivo studies suggesting that intrapituitary T 4 to T 3 conversion contributes substantially to the nuclear T 3 in this tissue.
Rangiferine brucellosis in Alaskan canids.

The first known case of rangiferine brucellosis caused by Brucella suis biotype 4 in a sled dog has been proven by isolation of the organism from the naturally infected animal. The infection was undoubtedly contracted from eating raw, infected barren-ground caribou, Rangifer tarandus granti, in which the disease is enzootic. Limited experience with infections in sled dogs suggests that the disease may run a comparatively mild course in them. Serological evidence indicating the natural occurrence of the disease in wolves, Canis lupus, also is reported for the first time.
The binding and regioselectivity of reaction of (R)- and (S)-nicotine with cytochrome P-450cam: parallel experimental and theoretical studies

(S)- and (R)-nicotine were used to test a theoretical model for the binding and regioselectivity of cytochrome P450. Theoretical studies predict that the binding of (R)-nicotine will be more favorable than the binding of (S)-nicotine by between 0.400 and 0.600 kcal. A parallel experimental study determined that the binding constants differed by 0.333 kcal. The overall metabolic rate of (R)-nicotine is 1,4-fold faster than (S)-nicotine which is consistent with the predicted difference in binding energy
Functional Boolean models for systems with continuous variables.

Abstract Logical models are used for the description and analysis of biological systems. The problem discussed in this paper is the representation by a functional Boolean (logical) model of a system which has continuously ranging variables. The system to be represented is a relation among input and output vectors. The Boolean model is a system constructed by (i) mapping of con tinuous system variables into model variables of discrete levels (i.e. quantization), and (ii) coding of discrete levels into Boolean two-level variables. As is discussed in the paper, the construction of a Boolean model for a functional continuous system by quantization may produce a Boolean model which is not functional. A method is described for overcoming this problem by an overlap of quantized regions. A variable in an over lap region can be mapped into either of two discrete levels. Coding of the overlap regions into Boolean variables is simplified by the use of Gray's code. Consistency (i.e. the existence of a functional Boolean model for a system constructed by quantization) is described for the case of overlap, and a theorem is presented to simplify the testing of a Boolean system for consistency.
Motion of an Electron in a Homogeneous Magnetic Field-Modified Propagation Function and Synchrotron Radiation

The method presented by Schwinger to obtain an exact solution (to order $\ensuremath{\alpha}$) of the inverse modified electron propagation function in a homogeneous magnetic field is reviewed. Applications of his general result to obtain the magnetic susceptibility, the anomalous magnetic moment, the decay rate, and the power spectrum of radiation are discussed.
Lesions of Mouse Striatum Induced by 6-Hydroxydopamine Differentially Alter the Density, Rate of Synthesis, and Level of Gene Expression of D1 and D2 Dopamine Receptors

: To study the effects of altering dopaminergic input on the levels and rate of synthesis of dopamine receptors, corpora striata of mice were lesioned unilaterally with 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA), and the densities and levels of the mRNAs for D1 and D2 dopamine receptors were determined. The results showed that 6-OHDA caused significant reductions in D1 dopamine receptors and in D1 dopamine receptor mRNA in dorsolateral and dorsomedial regions of the lesioned striatum. By contrast, 6-OHDA lesions caused significant increases in D2 dopamine receptors and in D2 dopamine receptor mRNA in dorsolateral and ventrolateral regions of the lesioned striatum. To assess the effects of 6-OHDA lesions on the rate of synthesis of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, the irreversibly acting dopamine receptor antagonist 2-ethoxy-1-ethoxycarbonyl-1,2-dihydroquinoline (EEDQ) was administered, and the rate of recovery of these receptors determined. The lesions decreased the rate of synthesis of D1 dopamine receptors in dorsolateral striatum but increased the rate of synthesis of D2 dopamine receptors in dorsolateral striatum. Correlation of these molecular events with dopaminergic behaviors showed that the rate of recovery from EEDQ-induced cataleptic activity and the recovery from inhibition of quinpirole-induced rotational behavior was more rapid than the recovery of either the D1 or D2 dopamine receptor. These results suggest that dopaminergic denervation differentially affects the rate of synthesis of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors in mouse striatum, and that these alterations in the rates of synthesis of the receptors may be explained by corresponding alterations in the levels of the respective transcripts for these receptors.
Cyclosporine withdrawal for nephrotoxicity in liver transplant recipients does not result in sustained improvement in kidney function and causes cellular and ductopenic rejection

Twelve consecutive liver transplant recipients with stable allograft function and cyclosporine nephrotoxicity were subjected to cyclosporine withdrawal in an attempt to halt and possibly reverse renal damage. Only patients who met the following criteria were included: (a) triple immunosuppression with cyclosporine, azathioprine and prednisone; (b) stable graft function for at least 1 yr without rejection; and (c) serum creatinine greater than 2.1 mg/dl or renal clearance less than 35 ml/min. Cyclosporine was reduced by 50 mg every 3 wk until discontinuation, prednisone was temporarily increased from 10 to 20 mg/day and azathioprine was maintained at 2 mg/kg/day. Sustained improvement in kidney function in the 12 patients was minimal, with the mean serum creatine level decreasing from 2.5 +/- 0.5 mg/dl (mean +/- S.D.) at study entry to 2.4 +/- 1.2 mg/dl after a mean follow-up of 18 +/- 6 mo. In six patients, histologically confirmed cellular rejection developed after a mean of 5 +/- 6 mo from the time that cyclosporine withdrawal was begun. Two of six patients with rejection responded to bolus steroid therapy and are in stable condition at this writing with low-dose cyclosporine (2.8 and 3.2 mg/kg/day). Two patients initially responded to bolus steroids but later exhibited ductopenic rejection; one responded to treatment with FK 506 and the other died of sepsis. The two remaining patients were steroid unresponsive. One responded to treatment with OKT3 and is now stable on low-dose cyclosporine (2.3 mg/kg/day), but in the other ductopenic rejection developed and the patient died of sepsis during rescue therapy with FK 506.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Macrophage Scavenger Receptor(s) and Oxidatively Modified Proteins in Endometriosis

Abstract Objective: To determine whether cultured human peritoneal macrophages have functional scavenger receptor(s) and whether activation of macrophages in endometriosis may involve an increase in scavenger receptor activity. Design: A controlled clinical study comparing peritoneal fluid (PF) macrophages of women with endometriosis and controls without endometriosis. Setting: Women undergoing laparoscopic evaluation and treatment in a tertiary medical center. Patient(s): Twenty-one women undergoing evaluation for pelvic pain or infertility and 10 women undergoing elective laparoscopic tubal ligation. Intervention(s): None. Main Outcome Measure(s): Evidence for functional macrophage scavenger receptor and evidence of ligands for the scavenger receptor in PF. Result(s): Peritoneal macrophages of women with endometriosis degrade significantly more endothelial cell-low density lipoprotein (EC-LDL) and copper-oxidized LDL (Cu-LDL) than native LDL. Macrophages of women with endometriosis also incorporate more labeled oleic acid into cholesteryl ester in the presence of oxidized LDL (Ox-LDL) than in the presence of native LDL. Western blot analysis demonstrates the presence of adducts between lipid peroxidation products and proteins in PF of patients with and without endometriosis. The PF of women with endometriosis competes with labeled Ox-LDL for uptake by mouse peritoneal macrophages in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion(s): We demonstrate for the first time that human macrophages have functional scavenger receptor(s) and that activation of macrophages in endometriosis involves an increase in scavenger receptor activity. Two lines of evidence indicate the presence of ligands for the scavenger receptor in PF.
Socrates and Hedonism: Protagoras 351b-358d

Socrate n'est pas lui-meme tenant de la these hedoniste qui fonde son argument contre l'akrasia.
A COMPARISON OF STIRRED CURD CHEESES MADE FROM NORMAL MILKS AND RECONSTITUTED NONFAT DRY MILK WITH VEGETABLE OILS1

Cheeses made from 30% total solids (TS) mixtures of reconstituted nonfat dry milk and vegetable oils were compared with cheeses made from 12.5% TS mixtures and with cheeses made from normal milk. The 30% TS filled milks produced cheeses having firmer curd, lower moisture content and better body and texture characteristics than those made from 12.5% TS filled milks. The rate of acid development during cheese making was slower in filled milks than in normal milks. Filled cheeses were always graded lower than normal milk cheeses. The 30% TS filled milk cheeses were significantly harder than 12.5% TS filled milk cheeses and normal milk cheeses. Cheeses containing coconut oil were harder than those containing soybean oil.
Revisiting "on meetings that matter".

Our May issue was dedicated to the subject of Fertility Preservation and highlighted recent advances in this field that were presented at the First World Congress of Fertility Preservation held in Brussels in December, 2009. With swift editorial prerogative, sensing both the timeliness and relevance of this topic, JARG obtained and ran with this opportunity and in the process overlooked the tiring efforts and inspiring dedication made by so many that were involved with the meeting in Brussels and the May issue of JARG. As my commentary intended to show, meetings that do matter are few and far between. Those meetings that leave a deep impression are usually those that have received support and encouragement from an organization that cares. In this sense, that the First World Congress on Fertility Preservation was a resounding success was most certainly due to the central role played by the Serono Symposia International Foundation(SSIF). The importance of the SSIF in making this meeting meet and exceed its expectations was articulated by the meeting organizers and conveners, Professors Jacques Donnez and S. Sam Kim. In summarizing the conclusions reached after two and one half days of intense discussion and debate, the organizers cited the confluence of venue, participation, and the climate staged by SSIF as the driving force behind this meeting, an event that will be viewed as stage setting for the field of fertility preservation for years to come. SSIF involvement did not stop at meeting’s end. Staff member Francesca Caputo, who oversaw the meeting from its inception to conclusion, was asked yet again by myself to assist in making the May issue of JARG one that would materially evidence the importance of this field and the issues that were raised at the meeting. My requests for abstracts and other media were pleasantly addressed by Francesca and with a timeliness that frequents the world of journal production and publication. To Francesca, I am deeply indebted. In summary, a sincere note of gratitude is extended to the SSIF for their support of the First World Congress of Fertility Preservation on behalf of the participants, members of the International Society for Fertility Preservation, and the organizers. The birthright of this important field has been imprinted by SSIF!
Cognitive deficits in schizophrenia: early course and treatment

Abstract Recent increases in interest in the importance of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia has increased awareness of these phenomena. Studies of the early course of schizophrenia have indicated that first episode patients clearly show these deficits, while some may even be present before the formal onset of symptoms. Furthermore, interest in treatment of these deficits has been increased by several reports indicating that newer antipsychotic medications enhance cognitive functioning in patients with schizophrenia, relative to treatment with older medications. This paper reviews data regarding the early course of cognitive deficits in schizophrenia, demonstrating that these deficits are clearly present at the time of the first episode. We also review the literature on cognitive enhancement with newer medications, considering the very latest publications in this area.
Nanocrystals for luminescent solar concentrators.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) harvest sunlight over large areas and concentrate this energy onto photovoltaics or for other uses by transporting photons through macroscopic waveguides. Although attractive for lowering solar energy costs, LSCs remain severely limited by luminophore reabsorption losses. Here, we report a quantitative comparison of four types of nanocrystal (NC) phosphors recently proposed to minimize reabsorption in large-scale LSCs: two nanocrystal heterostructures and two doped nanocrystals. Experimental and numerical analyses both show that even the small core absorption of the leading NC heterostructures causes major reabsorption losses at relatively short transport lengths. Doped NCs outperform the heterostructures substantially in this critical property. A new LSC phosphor is introduced, nanocrystalline Cd1–xCuxSe, that outperforms all other leading NCs by a significant margin in both small- and large-scale LSCs under full-spectrum conditions.