cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regression of rat Dunning R-3327-H prostate carcinoma by treatment with targeted cytotoxic analog of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone AN-207 containing 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin

The effects of AN-207, a new targeted cytotoxic analog of LH-RH, were evalued in rats bearing hormone-dependent Dunning R-3327-H prostate carcinomas. AN-207 consists of the agonist [D-Lys(6)]LH-RH linked to 2-pyrrolino-doxorubicin, an intensely potent derivative of doxorubicin. In the first experiment, 2-pyrrolinodoxorubicin was administered at a concentration of 50 nmol/kg, as a single drug (AN-201) and as an unconjugated mixture with [D-Lys(6)]LH-RH or conjugated to the carrier [D-Lys(6)]LH-RH (AN-207). Following the second administration of radical AN-201 alone or mixed with the carrier, all rats died with signs of general toxicity, but all animals treated with the conjugate AN-207, survived. After 5 weeks of treatment with a total dose of 150 nmol/kg AN-207, the tumors regressed from an initial volume of 8.35 +/- 1.7 cm(3) to 4.47 +/- 0.8 cm(3), while tumors in the control group measured 17.84 +/- 2.2 cm(3). The therapy with AN-207 also significantly reduced tumor weight and tumor burden. In the second experiment, we compared the efficacy and toxicity of 3 injections of 25 nmol/kg AN-201 or 25 nmol/kg and 50 nmol/kg AN-207. The initial tumor volume in all groups was between 3.9 and 4.5 cm(3). After 5 weeks of therapy, the tumors of rats treated with 50 nmol/kg AN-207 regressed to 2.3 +/- 0.51 cm(3), whereas 25 nmol/kg AN-201 was still toxic in contrast to 25 nmol/kg AN-207, while the reduction in final tumor volume was similar (6.76 +/- 1.4 cm(3) and 6.74 +/- 1 cm(3), respectively), as compared to 15.6 +/- 2.2 cm(3) for untreated animals. High capacity LH-RH receptors were found in the membranes of untreated Dunning tumor specimens, but after treatment with AN-207, they could no longer be detected. This is the first demonstration that the new targeted cytotoxic LH-RH analog AN-207 is an effective antitumor agent. Our work indicates that the cytotoxic analog AN-207 is much less toxic than the antineoplastic radical (AN-201) incorporated, and significantly more active in inhibiting tumor growth. Further development of approaches based on targeted cytotoxic analog AN-207 may lead to major improvements in current palliative therapy of prostate cancer.
Doing Business Differently And Succeeding: Lessons From Japan

American management traditionally has not paid much attention to the way competitors do business despite the success of many foreign companies in U.S. markets. The Japanese have been especially successful competing in world markets, and much can be learned from both their industrial development experience and their Just‐In‐Time and Total Quality Control approach to competition. The objective of this paper is to emphasize what American management can learn from its competition with particular attention to the Japanese experience.
Han Feizi’s Thought and Republicanism

Han Feizi’s philosophy is usually represented as an amoral autocracy where the ruler is the sole political power and runs the state by controlling the people through rewards and punishments. While his system is formally autocratic, this article argues that the purpose behind this system bears some similarity to the republican political ideal of non-domination. In this interpretation, Han Feizi makes the ruler the sole power to mitigate the danger of the state being dominated by ministers. He does not employ republican institutions, but attempts to discourage the ruler from using his power capriciously in order to increase order and security in the state, which are his ultimate political values. Han Feizi is not a republican, but this similarity suggests that when revised for today’s very different circumstances, Han Feizian philosophy’s focus on impartial law can make a contribution to contemporary Chinese political thought.
Effects of Prenatal Exposure to Alcohol Plus Caffeine in Rats: Pregnancy Outcome and Early Offspring Development

The factors determining susceptibility to fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) are not fully understood. We used an animal model of alcohol-related birth defects to assess the coteratogenic potential of caffeine as a risk factor in FAS. Rats were exposed prenatally to alcohol (˜15 g/kg/day) with or without caffeine (˜84 mg/kg/day) from gestation days 6 through 20 via liquid diet. All control groups were pair-fed to the alcohol-exposed groups. In addition, some controls had free access to lab chow and water. Prenatal exposure to alcohol or caffeine reduced both maternal weight gain during pregnancy and birth-weight of offspring. The combination of alcohol plus caffeine produced an additive effect in reducing birthweight and synergistic effects in increasing postnatal offspring mortality. Prenatal alcohol exposure had a significant negative impact on several developmental indices, including grip strength and negative geotaxis. Prenatal caffeine exposure did not affect maturational measures and did reduce offspring serum levels of the zinc-dependent enzyme alkaline phosphatase. This study in rats demonstrated that caffeine can exacerbate some of the effects of alcohol on prenatal development, specifically reduced birthweight, litter size, and postnatal survival, but that caffeine does not appear to alter prenatal alcohol-induced delays in early postnatal maturation of survivors. The relative impact of intralitter birthweight rank on developmental outcome was also assessed. Birthweight influenced development, but did not interact significantly with either prenatal alcohol or caffeine. The results imply that high levels of maternal caffeine intake in humans could increase the likelihood that a child exposed prenatally to alcohol would be born with significantly lowered birthweight, one of the cardinal diagnostic criteria for FAS.
Bengali Harlem and the lost histories of South Asian America

Vivek Bald writes a rich history of a forgotten immigrant community in the USA – the Bengali American, in the book Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America. Bald uncovers an arc...
Decreased content of docosahexaenoate and arachidonate in plasma phospholipids in usher's syndrome

Summary Docosahexaenoate and arachidonate were found to be significantly decreased in plasma phospholipids from Usher's syndrome patients. The fatty acid content of plasma triacylglycerols was not changed in these patients. Usher's syndrome, an autosomal recessive disorder, involves an inherited visual cell degeneration. Photoreceptor membranes are richly endowed with docosahexaenoate and arachidonate, and a metabolic defect affecting these polyunsaturated fatty acids may occur. Moreover, blindness may be due, at least partially, to an alteration in the unsaturated phospholipids of photoreceptor membranes.
Preferential Decrease in Thymus Dependent Lymphocytes during Storage at 4 C in Anticoagulant

Human lymphocytes stored at 4 C either as leukocyte concentrates (LCs) in citrate-phosphate-dextrose (CPD) or as whole blood anticoagulated with CPD show a rapid and marked decrease in the relative and absolute numbers of thymus derived (T) lymphocytes. Determinations were made on cells recoverable on a Ficoll-Hypaque (F-H) gradient. In evacuated LCs, the relative percentage of T cells dropped to less than 10 per cent within 72 hours with a concomitant increase in the relative percentage of bone marrow derived (B) cells to 80 per cent or more. LCs opened to the air and subsequently stored at 4 C displayed an even more precipitous decline in the relative percentage of T cells, reaching a 10 per cent level within 72 hours. The relative percentage of T cells in CPD-anticoagulated whole blood samples stored at 4 C displayed similar decreases, reaching 20 per cent levels within 24 hours. The change in the relative percentage of T cells at the Ficoll-Hypaque interface was shown to reflect a decrease in the total numbers of T cells placed on the F-H gradient with time, since determinations of T and B cell numbers in NH4Cl-treated whole blood showed a 65 to 80 per cent decrease in the numbers of T cells within 24 hours in anticoagulated whole blood held at 4 C. Thus, it may be inferred that the T cell decrease is mediated via some interaction of anticoagulant, storage time, and some component(s) present in both LCs and whole blood.
Investigation of Transport Phenomena in Three-Dimensional Gas Metal Arc Welding of Thick Metals

Arc welding is generally used to join thick metals in many engineering applications. However, poor penetration often occurs due to arc heat diffusion into the base metal. Hence, arc welding of thick metals normally requires grooving and/or preheating of the base metal and sometimes requires multiple passes for very thick metals or metals with high conductivity, such as aluminum alloys. In gas metal arc welding of thick metals with grooves and preheating, complicated melt flow and heat transfer are caused by the combined effect of droplet impingement, gravity, electromagnetic force, surface tension, and plasma arc pressure. Understanding these complicated transport phenomena involved in the welding process is critical in improving the penetration depth and weld quality. In this study, mathematical models and associated numerical techniques have been developed to study the effects of grooves and preheating on melt flow, diffusion of species, and weld penetration in gas metal arc welding of thick metals. Complex melt flow, transient weld pool shape and distributions of temperature and species in the weld pool are calculated. The continuum formation is adopted to handle liquid region, mushy zone and solid region. VOF technique is used to handle transient deformed shape of weld pool surface. The preliminary results show both grooves and preheating have important effects on the melt flow in weld pool and the weld penetration. Computer animations showing the evolutions of temperature; melt flow; and the interaction between droplets and weld pool will be presented.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Nothing out of sequence?: Think deletion!

The seemingly magical abilities of gene sequencing most often close the loop between the clinical features of genetic disease and the molecular defect in the relevant gene. But, now and then, a conundrum emerges. In my own recent experiences with Rett syndrome (RS), a neurodevelopmental disorder predominantly affecting girls and women, mutations in MECP2 represent the molecular etiology in the vast majority, exceeding 95%.1 Nevertheless, prior to 2004, the inability to identify a mutation in 15% of affected individuals meeting consensus criteria was bedeviling. Then, using alternative methodologies not based on standard sequencing techniques, large deletions in MECP2 were identified, accounting for an additional 10 to 12% and closing the gap in those lacking mutations to 5% …
Interleukin-6 and Leukemia Inhibitory Factor Induction of JunB Is Regulated by Distinct Cell Type-specific Cis-acting Elements

Abstract Interleukin (IL)-6 plays an important role in a wide range of biological activities, including differentiation of murine M1 myeloid leukemic cells into mature macrophages. At the onset of M1 differentiation, a set of myeloid differentiation primary response (MyD) genes are induced, including the proto-oncogene for JunB. In order to examine the molecular nature of the mechanisms by which IL-6 activates the immediate early expression of MyD genes, JunB was used as a paradigm. A novel IL-6 response element, −65/−52 IL-6RE, to which a 100-kDa protein complex is bound, has been identified on the JunB promoter. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF)-induced activation of JunB in M1 cells was also mediated via the −65/−52 IL-6RE. The STAT3 and CRE-like binding sites of the JunB promoter, identified as IL-6-responsive elements in HepG2 liver cells were found, however, to play no role in JunB inducibility by IL-6 in M1 myeloid cells. Conversely, the −65/−52 IL-6RE is shown not to be necessary for JunB inducibility by IL-6 or LIF in liver cells. It appears, therefore, that immediate early activation of JunB is regulated differently in M1 myeloid cells than in HepG2 liver cells. This indicates that distinct cis-acting control elements participate in cell type-specific induction of JunB by members of the IL-6 cytokine superfamily.
Judgments of Exocentric Direction in Large-Scale Space

Judgments of exocentric direction are quite common, especially when judging where others are looking or pointing. To investigate these judgments in large-scale space, observers were shown two targets in a large open field and were asked to judge the exocentric direction specified by the targets. The targets ranged in egocentric distance from 5 to 20 m with target-to-target angular separations of 45°, 90°, and 135°. Observers judged exocentric direction using two methods: (i) by judging which point on a distant fence appeared collinear with the two targets, and (ii) by orienting their body in a direction parallel with the perceived line segment. In the collinearity task, observers had to imagine the line connecting the targets and then extrapolate this imagined line out to the fence. Observers indicated the perceived point of collinearity on a handheld 360° panoramic cylinder representing their vista. The two judgment methods gave similar results except for a constant bias associated with the body-pointing...
Ex-offenders on the Stand: Steps toward Eliminating Jury Bias

The status of “ex-offender” has many negative consequences and proves especially damaging when an ex-offender is accused of a new crime. Previous research provides evidence that jurors are more prone to convict defendants when the defendent has a prior criminal record. The purpose of this article is to provide attorneys with a list of resources identified to correlate with attitudes toward ex-offenders. With this list, attorneys will be better able to identify potential jurors that hold stigmatizing attitudes toward ex-offenders. Grounded in the theories of normalization and legitimation, key juror attitudes to address during jury selection are highlighted, including authoritarianism, victimization history, and exposure to ex-offenders. We specifically articulate sample resources from the public domain for use by attorneys.
High-activity Re—Pt/MO catalysts for C—C bond cleavage reactions: preparation by solvated metal atom dispersion (SMAD)

Abstract Metal vapor was employed to prepare solvated metal atom solutions, and these solutions were used to prepare mono- and bimetallic Re and Pt metal catalysts on different metal oxide (MO) supports such as Al 2 O 3 , Z13X zeolite and MgO. Compared with conventionally prepared Pt/Al 2 O 3 and monometallic SMAD Re- and Pt/MO systems, the bimetallic SMAD Re—Pt/ MO systems showed much greater activities for C—C bond cleavage at relatively low temperatures. All hydrocarbons were affected similarly, including n-hexane, n-heptane, cyclopentane, methylcyclopentane, cyclohexane and toluene.
THE CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE MONOMERIC REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE FROM MOLONEY MURINE LEUKEMIA VIRUS

Reverse transcriptases (RTs) are multidomain enzymes of variable architecture that couple both RNA- and DNA-directed DNA polymerase activities with an RNase H activity specific for an RNA:DNA hybrid in order to replicate the single-stranded RNA genome of the retrovirus. Previous structural work has been reported for the heterodimeric HIV-1 and HIV-2 RTs. We now report the first crystal structure of the full-length Moloney murine leukemia virus (MMLV) RT at 3.0 A resolution. The structure reveals a clamp-shaped molecule resulting from the relative positions of the thumb, connection, and RNase H domains that is strikingly different from the HIV-1 RT and provides the first example of a monomeric reverse transcriptase. A comparative analysis with related DNA polymerases suggests a unique trajectory for the template-primer exiting the polymerase active site and provides insights regarding processive DNA synthesis by MMLV RT.
Incidence of visual improvement in uveitis cases with visual impairment caused by macular edema.

Purpose Among cases of visually significant uveitic macular edema (ME), to estimate the incidence of visual improvement and identify predictive factors. Design Retrospective cohort study. Participants Eyes with uveitis, seen at 5 academic ocular inflammation centers in the United States, for which ME was documented to be currently present and the principal cause of reduced visual acuity ( Methods Data were obtained by standardized chart review. Main Outcome Measures Decrease of ≥0.2 base 10 logarithm of visual acuity decimal fraction-equivalent; risk factors for such visual improvement. Results We identified 1510 eyes (of 1077 patients) with visual impairment to a level P = 0.02). During follow-up, reductions in anterior chamber or vitreous cellular activity or in vitreous haze each led to significant improvements in visual outcome ( P 0.001 for each). Conversely, snowbanking (HR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.4–0.99), posterior synechiae (HR, 0.8; 95% CI, 0.6–0.9), and hypotony (HR, 0.2; 95% CI, 0.06–0.5) each were associated with lower incidence of visual improvement with respect to eyes lacking each of these attributes at a given visit. Conclusions These results suggest that many, but not all, patients with ME causing low vision in a tertiary care setting will enjoy meaningful visual recovery in response to treatment. Evidence of significant ocular damage from inflammation (posterior synechiae and hypotony) portends a lower incidence of visual recovery. Better control of anterior chamber or vitreous activity is associated with a greater incidence of visual improvement, supporting an aggressive anti-inflammatory treatment approach for ME cases with active inflammation.
Structure zone model for extreme shadowing conditions

Abstract Previously reported data on the microstructure of glancing angle deposited (GLAD) metal layers is used to extend the qualitative arguments of the structure zone model for physical vapor deposition to growth conditions with exacerbated atomic shadowing. At low growth temperatures T s relative to the melting point T m , the microstructural development is governed by atomic shadowing for both normal deposition and GLAD, resulting in fibrous grains with voided boundaries (Zone I). As the homologous growth temperature θ = T s / T m is raised above approximately 0.3, GLAD layers continue to exhibit well separated columns while conventional thin films show dense columnar microstructures (Zone II). θ > 0.5 leads to equiaxed grains independent of deposition angle (Zone III). Therefore, strong shadowing during GLAD suppresses Zone II microstructures, causing a direct transition from Zone I to Zone III. GLAD microstructures can be divided into four distinct zones: rods , columns , protrusions , and equiaxed grains : separated self-affine rods form for θ θ c = 0.24 ± 0.2, while considerably broader columns develop at θ > θ c , due to exacerbated self-shadowing associated with an increased growth front roughness, causing larger growth exponents. Above θ ≈ 0.35, protrusions develop on top of some columns as they capture an overproportionate amount of deposition flux and grow much higher than the surrounding layer. At θ > 0.5, diffusion processes dominate over atomic shadowing, leading to faceted rough layers with equiaxed grains. In addition, the large mass transport facilitates the formation of whiskers that form for many metal GLAD layers at θ > 0.4.
Melting of lead and zinc to 60 kbar

Abstract The melting curves for lead and zinc were determined to 60 kbar. Our melting data for lead is in good agreement with that of Millet up to 22 kbar, beyond which Millet's values are significantly higher than ours. The melting curve for zinc is almost linear to 60 kbar and our values are lower than the values reported by other workers. The melting relationship proposed by Kennedy as well as the Lindemann law have been examined in the light of the new melting data for these two metals. A straight line can be fitted through the T m vs Δ V/V 0 plots for zinc within the limits of experimental precision, but the data for lead shows a departure from the straight line fit. The lead melting curve is concave toward the T m axis, as predicted by the Lindermann law and, in this respect, resembles previously studied Van der Waals solids.
Temperature-dependent study of the Raman A mode of Cu2ZnSnS4 thin films

This temperature-dependent Raman study of kesterite phase Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) thin film was performed over the temperature range 98-378 K. A detailed qualitative analysis showed that the Raman data for the "A" mode of vibration, the strongest peak for kesterite CZTS films, fit very well to a damped harmonic oscillator (DHO) model. This investigation of temperature-dependent Raman data shows that the observed frequency shift is due to the cumulative effect of thermal expansion and anharmonicity resulting from a 4-phonon damping process. The temperature dependence of linewidth is also consistent with the above analysis.
Plus ça change, … : The Allocation of French ODA to Africa During and After the Cold War

France is frequently identified as the country whose official development assistance (ODA) aid program is most oriented toward the promotion of its foreign policy goals. We examine whether France reoriented the allocation of its aid in Africa to reflect changing priorities in the 1990s. Using panel data, we compare the patterns in French aid allocation to African recipients during the period 1980–1989 with that during the period 1990–2000. We find that nearly all the same political, economic, diplomatic, and cultural variables that explain French ODA allocation during the Cold War apply in the second period as well, though to a slightly lesser degree. The predictive strength of the prior years’ ODA commitments did increase in magnitude, suggesting that bureaucratic inertia increasingly exerts a formidable force in such decisions.
Endoproteolysis of non-CAAX-containing isoprenylated peptides

A microsomal endoprotease specifically cleaves isoprenylated peptides of the CAAX motif, such as N-acetyl-S-all-trans-farnesyl-L-cysteine (AFC-VIM), at the isoprenylated cysteine residue. It is shown here that endoproteolysis will also occur with peptides which are not of the CAAX type. Peptide substrates modeled after the Delta virus large antigen carboxyl-terminus (CRPQ) are endoproteolytically hydrolyzed by liver microsomes. AFC-RPQ is hydrolyzed with a KM = 12.4 microM and a Vmax = 0.27 nmol/min/mg, and AGGC-RPQ is hydrolyzed with a KM = 7.9 microM and a Vmax = 0.042 nmol/min/mg. Moreover, a series of potent inhibitors of the endoproteolysis of AFC-AAX-containing peptides are ineffective at inhibiting the hydrolysis of AFC-RPQ and AGGC-RPQ, suggesting the existence of isoforms of the endoprotease.
Homocystinuria with methylmalonic aciduria: two cases in a sibship.

Abstract The clinical and biochemical findings in two brothers each of whom has homocystinuria and methylmalonic aciduria are described. Studies of fibroblasts grown from skin biopsies of these patients demonstrated that their homocystinuria is due to decreased activity of N5-methyltetra-hydrofolate methyltransferase, rather than due to decreased activity of cystathionine synthase. These siblings are the second and third reported cases of homocystinuria due to a defect in homocysteine methylation. Both the means and importance of differentiating homocystinuria due to cystathionine synthase deficiency from that due to defects in methylation of homocysteine are discussed. The cause of the methylmalonic aciduria has not been finally established, although the data are compatible with a partial decrease in activity of methylmalonyl-CoA isomerase. Together, the abnormalities in these brothers may tentatively be ascribed to a defect in the uptake or early metabolism of B12, the condition most likely being inherited as an autosomal recessive trait.
3D-Wiz: A novel high bandwidth, optically interfaced 3D DRAM architecture with reduced random access time

This paper introduces 3D-Wiz, which is a high bandwidth, low latency, optically interfaced 3D DRAM architecture with fine grained data organization and activation. 3D-Wiz integrates sub-bank level 3D partitioning of the data array to enable fine-grained activation and greater memory parallelism. A novel method of routing the internal memory bus using TSVs and fan-out buffers enables 3D-Wiz to use smaller dimension subarrays without significant area overhead. This in turn reduces the random access latency and activation-precharge energy. 3D-Wiz demonstrates access latency of 19.5ns and row cycle time of 25ns. It yields per access activation energy and precharge energy of 0.78nJ and 0.62nJ respectively with 42.5% area efficiency. 3D-Wiz yields the best latency and energy consumption values per access among other well-known 3D DRAM architectures. Experimental results with PARSEC benchmarks indicate that 3D-Wiz achieves 38.8% improvement in performance, 81.1% reduction in power consumption, and 77.1% reduction in energy-delay product (EDP) on average over 3D DRAM architectures from prior work.
Light Intensity of Curved Laryngoscope Blades in Philadelphia Emergency Departments

Study objective Laryngoscopy and tracheal intubation requires laryngeal exposure and illumination. The objective of this study is to assess variation in laryngoscope lights across different emergency departments (EDs). Methods A convenience sample of 3 Mac #4 blade and handle pairs in each of 17 Philadelphia area EDs was tested with a digital light meter to derive the median lux at the distal tip. For each blade tested, we characterized blade design (American, English, or German) and light type (fiber-illuminated versus conventional bulb-on-blade) and measured light-to-tip distance. Results A total of 50 blades and handle pairs were tested (one ED had only 2 Mac #4 blades). American designs were the most common (38/50), followed by English (6/50) and German (3/50) designs. Three blades had hybrid design features and acrylic light-conducting fibers. Median luminance varied from 11 lux to 5,627 lux. The glass fiber–illuminated blades (n=13) produced greater luminance (median 1,205 lux; interquartile range [IQR] 726 to 2,176 lux) than bulb-on-blade designs (median 689 lux; IQR 290 to 906 lux). German fiber-illuminated blades produced the highest luminance (median 1,937 lux; IQR 1,453 to 3,782 lux). English bulb-on-blade designs produced more luminance (median 915 lux; IQR 745 to 1270 lux) than American (median 689 lux; IQR 269 to 807 lux). German and English blades had shorter light-to-tip distances (median 51 mm and 47 mm, respectively) than American blades (65 mm). Conclusion Curved laryngoscope blades in different EDs have marked variation in light intensity. The contribution of luminance to laryngoscopy performance warrants investigation.
Reproducibility of electrophysiological testing during antiarrhythmic therapy for ventricular arrhythmias unrelated to coronary artery disease

Although electrophysiological studies are commonly used in the management of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT), the reproducibility of these studies during therapy has not been established in patients in whom VT is associated with conditions other than coronary artery disease. Therefore, we performed confirmation studies during drug therapy in 60 patients (mean age 48 +/- 18 years; 41 male) with sustained ventricular arrhythmias induced during initial study to assess the reproducibility of drug effect. The stimulation protocol used included the serial introduction of up to three premature ventricular stimuli during sinus rhythm and with ventricular pacing at two pacing rates. Rapid ventricular pacing techniques were also used. Antiarrhythmic drug efficacy was confirmed in 78% of patients. Sustained VT was induced at repeat electrophysiological study in 18% of patients during antiarrhythmic therapy that had been felt to be effective on the basis of a single drug study. We conclude that electrophysiological study results during antiarrhythmic therapy exhibit significant day-to-day variability. Sustained VT can be induced during antiarrhythmic therapy previously determined to be effective by electrophysiological techniques in many patients.
Plasma sources & sensors of near terahertz radiation

Terahertz radiation from optically-induced plasmas on metal, semiconductor, and dielectric surfaces is compared to electron-hole plasma radiation from GaAs and Ge. Electro-optic sampling and electric-field probes measure radiated field waveforms and distributions to 0.350 THz.
PIWI homologs mediate Histone H4 mRNA localization to planarian chromatoid bodies

The well-known regenerative abilities of planarian flatworms are attributed to a population of adult stem cells called neoblasts that proliferate and differentiate to produce all cell types. A characteristic feature of neoblasts is the presence of large cytoplasmic ribonucleoprotein granules named chromatoid bodies, the function of which has remained largely elusive. This study shows that histone mRNAs are a common component of chromatoid bodies. Our experiments also demonstrate that accumulation of histone mRNAs, which is typically restricted to the S phase of eukaryotic cells, is extended during the cell cycle of neoblasts. The planarian PIWI homologs SMEDWI-1 and SMEDWI-3 are required for proper localization of germinal histone H4 (gH4) mRNA to chromatoid bodies. The association between histone mRNA and chromatoid body components extends beyond gH4 mRNA, since transcripts of other core histone genes were also found in these structures. Additionally, piRNAs corresponding to loci of every core histone type have been identified. Altogether, this work provides evidence that links PIWI proteins and chromatoid bodies to histone mRNA regulation in planarian stem cells. The molecular similarities between neoblasts and undifferentiated cells of other organisms raise the possibility that PIWI proteins might also regulate histone mRNAs in stem cells and germ cells of other metazoans.
Total and regional coronary blood flow measured by radioactive microspheres in conscious and anesthetized dogs.

Total and regional coronary blood flow were measured in dogs by left atrial injection of carbonized microspheres labeled with different radioactive isotopes (mean diameter 14 to 6lfi). Simultaneously blood was collected at 20 ml/min from a catheter tied into a peripheral artery. The ratios of flow to radioactivity in myocardium and arterial blood should be equal if microspheres are well mixed in the aortic root and are distributed regionally in proportion to flow. This was proved in seven right heart by-pass experiments where coronary venous drainage was measured directly. Also, less than 0.1% of total myocardial radioactivity appeared in coronary venous blood, even with hypoxemia and small microspheres. Total coronary flow in seven conscious dogs averaged 95 to 150 ml/min/100 g heart; and flow to the left ventricle was 111 to 169 ml/100 g. Although not validated independently, there was evidence that values for flow to each ventricle, the atria and the septum were correct. The radioactivity per gram of left ventricular subendocardial muscle was 2.5 times that of subepicardial muscle using microspheres 51 to 61yx in diameter, but the ratios were 1.4 and 1.3 using microspheres of mean diameters 20 to 23/i, and 14/i, respectively. It is unlikely that any of these microspheres measure blood flow to small portions of the ventricle.
Intentionality of college students regarding North Carolina's 21-year drinking age law

The purpose of this study was to examine the intentions of underage students at a southeastern university as to a new 21-year drinking law. Students (N = 440) in introductory health classes were given a questionnaire prior to the law's enactment. Major findings included: 90% were alcohol users, with 85% beginning regular alcohol use by age 18. Only 6% intended to stop drinking, 70% planned to change their location of use, and 22% intended to use other drugs more. Seventy percent intended to obtain alcohol from their friends, and 21% intended to use a false or borrowed identification. Serious questions about potential negative impacts of the law are raised.
Cathodoluminescence petrography and isotope geochemistry of KT impact ejecta deposited 360 km from the Chicxulub crater, at Albion Island, Belize

The depositional and diagenetic history of Cretaceous‐Tertiary (KT) impact ejecta deposited 360 km from the Chicxulub crater, at Albion Island, Belize, has been investigated using integrated cathodoluminescence and isotopic analyses. A quarry exposes 26 m of Upper Cretaceous Barton Creek Formation dolomitized marine limestone overlain by 16 m of dolomitized Albion Formation impact ejecta. The Albion Formation consists of a lower finegrained »1-m-thick spheroid bed and an upper 15-m-thick coarse conglomeratic diamictite bed. A 14-event paragenetic sequence has been documented and used as a temporal framework to interpret chemostratigraphic trends in bulk rock d 18 O, d 13 C and 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. The uppermost surface of the Barton Creek Formation was subaerially exposed before the KT impact, as indicated by a brecciated palaeosol that caps upsection decreases in d 13 Ca nd d 18 O. Small 1-cm-diameter spheroids in the spheroid bed exhibit vermicular crystalline textures but lack the concentric zonations common to accretionary lapilli. These spheroids are hypothesized originally to have been impact glass or reactive Ca and Mg oxide dusts that adhered to water vapour particles condensing from the cooling impact vapour cloud. The spheroids were dolomitized soon after deposition. The earliest dolomitization in the matrix sediments of the Albion Formation was also post-depositional, replacing clays formed by devitrification of impact glass. Dolomite and clay 87 Sr/ 86 Sr exhibit a distinct symmetrical distribution in the spheroid bed ranging from 0AE707745 to 0AE707872. Although unproven, this may represent primary changes in the chemical composition of the impact glass. The limestone clasts in the diamictite bed were dolomitized before the KT impact and exhibit upsection decreases in bulk rock 87 Sr/ 86 Sr. This suggests that the clasts were excavated from strata equivalent in age or older than the Barton Creek Formation at locations closer to, or in, the Chicxulub crater.
THE CONFINED DISPOSAL PROGRAM FOR POLLUTED DREDGED SPOIL IN THE GREAT LAKES

Abstract Delay in the construction of containment sites is allowing time for significant adjustments in the confined disposal program of the Great Lakes. Through modification of the pollution criteria and improvements in harbor sampling, fewer containment sites, some with smaller capacities, are now required. Perhaps most important, the delays are providing additional time for upgrading waste treatment facilities which may be reducing future dredging volumes. Unless pollution abatement measures are implemented and technological improvements made regarding containment of the excess spoil water, cleanup of the harbors and connecting channels may not be fully accomplished during the 10‐year period in which containment sites are authorized.
Fidelity evaluation framework

While the modeling and simulation community commonly uses the word fidelity, there exists no clearly accepted definition or method of measuring fidelity. We make the following contributions. We present a new approach for measuring fidelity: the fidelity evaluation framework (FEF), that uses a referent, or a formal representation of reality that is intermediate between reality and the simulation. This foundation is advantageous because isolates subjectivity from the fidelity evaluation to well-defined framework components: development of the referent and assignment of weights to different referent components. We then provide the first example of the composition of a detailed referent and two models based on a real-world system with the FEF. We propose and illustrate three new methods of computing fidelity objectively within the FEF: category-based, model-based, and weight-based. This experiment proved that the FEF can provide meaningful and useful measurements of fidelity.
THE EFFECT OF THE HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION ON THE RATE OF HYDROLYSIS OF GLYCYL GLYCINE, GLYCYL LEUCINE, GLYCYL ALANINE, GLYCYL ASPARAGINE, GLYCYL ASPARTIC ACID, AND BIURET BASE BY EREPSIN.

1. The rate of hydrolysis at different pH values of glycyl glycine, glycyl leucine, glycyl alanine, glycyl asparagine, glycyl aspartic acid and biuret base has been determined. 2. The pH-activity curves obtained in this way differ for the different substrates. 3. The curves can be satisfactorily predicted by the assumption that erepsin is a weak acid or base with a dissociation constant of 10–7.6 and that the reaction takes place between a particular ionic species of the enzyme and of the substrate. There are several possible arrangements which will predict the experimental results. 4. The rate of inactivation of erepsin at various pH values has been determined and found to agree with the assumption used above, that the enzyme is a weak acid or base with a dissociation constant of about 10–7.6. 5. It is pointed out that if the mechanism assumed is correct, the determination of a significant value for the relative rate of hydrolysis of various peptides is a very uncertain procedure.
Symptom Distress Associated with Biopsy in Women with Suspect Breast Lesions

Purpose. To investigate symptom distress, quality of life, affective states, and inflammatory biomarkers before and after breast biopsy in women undergoing breast biopsy. Methods. A convenience sample of 47 women undergoing breast biopsy was assessed at the pre- and post-biopsy visits. The assessments included evaluation of fatigue, anxiety, depression, sleep disturbances, positive and negative affect, quality of life using validated self report measures, and a blood draw to determine markers of inflammation. Results. At the postbiopsy visit, a total of 15 participants were diagnosed with breast cancer, and 32 participants received negative biopsy result. The mean anxiety and sleep disturbances scores were in the clinically significant range for the total sample and for the biopsy positive (BC
A distributed approach to measure IP traffic matrices

The traffic matrix of a telecommunications network is an essential input for any kind of network design and capacity planning decision. In this paper we address a debate surrounding traffic matrix estimation, namely whether or not the costs of direct measurement are too prohibitive to be practical. We examine the feasibility of direct measurement by outlining the computation, communication and storage overheads, for traffic matrices defined at different granularity levels. We illustrate that today's technology, that necessitates a centralized solution, does indeed incur prohibitive costs. We explain what steps are necessary to move towards fully distributed solutions, that would drastically reduce many overheads. However, we illustrate that the basic distributed solution, in which flow monitors are on all the time, is excessive and unnecessary. By discovering and taking advantage of a key stability property underlying traffic matrices, we are able to propose a new scheme that is distributed and relies only on a limited use of flow measurement data. Our approach is simple, accurate and scalable. Furthermore, it significantly reduces the overheads above and beyond the basic distributed solution. Our results imply that direct measurement of traffic matrices should become feasible in the near future.
Radiosynthesis and PET studies of [11C]RJR-2403, a nicotinic agonist

(E)-N-methyl-4-(3-pyridinyl)-3-butene-1-amine (RJR-2403, or metanicotine), a nicotinic agonist developed as a cognitive-enhancing drug for Alzheimer's disease, was labeled with carbon-11 using [11C]methyl iodide via a simple and efficient one-step procedure. Regioselectivity of [11C]methylation on the aliphatic nitrogen versus pyridine nitrogen is strongly dependent on the reaction solvent. The reaction in acetonitrile exclusively yields aliphatic N-[11C-methyl]alkylation ([11C]RJR-2403), while only a byproduct is formed when DMF is used as a solvent. Positron emission tomographic (PET) studies in baboon showed a homogeneous distribution of radioactivity within baboon brain with a slow clearance. [11C]RJR-2403 was metabolized very rapidly as evidenced by the fact that at 2 min after intravenous injection only 50% of the total carbon-11 in plasma is parent compound. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barriers to Anti-inflammatory Medication Use in Childhood Asthma

Objectives.— To identify parental barriers to anti-inflammatory medication use and to develop an instrument for use in research and health care settings to identify at-risk populations. Methods.— Instrument development consisted of 4 phases: 1) gaining the professional perspective (N = 8 experts in asthma management), 2) gaining the perspective of parents of children with asthma (qualitative interviews with 21 parents), 3) instrument pretesting and refinement (N = 133 parents), and 4) determining the instrument's psychometric properties. Study participants were diverse in race, socioeconomic status, and the child's illness severity. The final instrument consisted of 51 questions in 5 domains (nature of disease, cause, ideas about medications, treatment expectations, and health care provider relationship). Results.— The final instrument exhibited strong reliability (Cronbach α = .87) and validity. Significant barriers to appropriate anti-inflammatory medication use were parents' diminished treatment expectations and fears about anti-inflammatory medications. Minority families were more likely than white families to view asthma as unpredictable and uncontrollable ( P = .01) and to have negative attitudes toward anti-inflammatory medications ( P = .004). Eight questions were significantly correlated with a suboptimal medication regimen and may serve as a "quick screen" for potential nonadherence in clinical settings. Conclusions.— Diminished treatment expectations and negative attitudes toward anti-inflammatories may be powerful predictors of nonadherence to medications.
Synovial fluid metabolites in osteonecrosis.

Objectives. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head results from interruption of the vascular supply and eventual death of the cellular portion of bone. Effective methods of monitoring response to treatment are needed. Our aim was to evaluate synovial fluid metabolites, glucose and lactate, as biomarkers in a canine model of osteonecrosis.Methods. Osteonecrosis was cryosurgically induced in the right femoral head while the left hip served as control (n = 31). Animals either underwent no further intervention (n = 10), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections (n = 4), placement of a vascularized bone graft (n = 6), a combination of VEGF microinjection and vascularized graft placement (n = 5), or treatment with daily oral alendronate (n = 6). After 12 weeks, synovial fluid from each hip joint was obtained for glucose and lactate concentrations.Results. Joints with surgically induced osteonecrosis demonstrated decreased synovial fluid concentrations of glucose (P < 0.05) and elevated concentrations of lactate (P < 0.05) relative to contralateral control hips. When animals were treated with VEGF, the vascularized graft placement, or vascularized graft and VEGF, there were no differences in the synovial fluid concentrations of these metabolites between cryoablated and control hips. In contrast, alendronate did not normalize the concentration of these synovial fluid metabolites in the cryoablated hips.Conclusions. Osteonecrosis of the femoral head is associated with alterations in synovial fluid glucose and lactate, reflecting anaerobic metabolism. These metabolites may serve as useful tools for monitoring response to revascularization therapies.
AREA EFFICIENT LAYOUT OF BALANCED HYPERCUBES

As a multicomputer structure, the balanced hypercube is a variant of the standard hypercube for multicomputers, with desirable properties of strong connectivity, regularity, and symmetry. This structure is a special type of load balanced graph designed to tolerate processor failure. In balanced hypercubes, each processor has a backup (matching) processor that shares the same set of neighboring nodes. Therefore, tasks that run on a faulty processor can be reactivated in the backup processor to provide efficient system reconfiguration. In this paper, we study the implementation of balanced hypercubes in VLSI using the Wafer Scale Integration (VLSI/WSI) technology. Emphasis is on VLSI/WSI layout and area estimates. Our results show that the balanced hypercube can be implemented at least as efficient as the standard hypercube in an area layout and more efficient in a linear layout.
Derivation of respiration from electrocardiogram during heart rate variability studies

A method was developed to derive the respiration signal from the ECG signal based on the observation that the body-surface ECG is influenced by electrode motion relative to the heart and that fluctuations in the mean cardiac electrical axis accompany respiration. ECG signals were taken from 9 healthy subjects during rest, paced breathing and exercise. The respiration was derived from the recorded ECG signals. The ECG-derived respiration was compared with the original respiration recorded through an impedance pneumography device. The derived respiration shows an excellent correspondence with the original respiration. Statistical analysis indicates that the ECG-derived respiration has a high correlation with the original respiration in the frequency domain. >
Demonstration of the MEMS Digital Micromirror Device-Based Broadband Reconfigurable Optical Add–Drop Filter for Dense Wavelength-Division-Multiplexing Systems

For the first time, an optimized optical add-drop filter (OADF) for dense wavelength-division-multiplexing systems is demonstrated using the Texas Instruments microelectro-mechanical-system Digital Micromirror Device (DMDtrade). This OADF features a polarization-insensitive fault-tolerant broadband operation, low loss, and the ability to selectively add/drop with high-wavelength-resolution multiple channels in the C telecommunications band. The proof-of-concept OADF designed for the C-band demonstrates low insertion loss, 0.15-dB polarization dependent loss, 3-dB wavelength resolution of 0.4 nm, and an average crosstalk of better than 30 dB. With the use of a reference mirror, the OADF becomes a multiwavelength 2 times 2 routing switch
Host RNAs, including transposons, are encapsidated by a eukaryotic single-stranded RNA virus

Next-generation sequencing is a valuable tool in our growing understanding of the genetic diversity of viral populations. Using this technology, we have investigated the RNA content of a purified nonenveloped single-stranded RNA virus, flock house virus (FHV). We have also investigated the RNA content of virus-like particles (VLPs) of FHV and the related Nudaurelia capensis omega virus. VLPs predominantly package ribosomal RNA and transcripts of their baculoviral expression vectors. In addition, we find that 5.3% of the packaged RNAs are transposable elements derived from the Sf21 genome. This observation may be important when considering the therapeutic use of VLPs. We find that authentic FHV virions also package a variety of host RNAs, accounting for 1% of the packaged nucleic acid. Significant quantities of host messenger RNAs, ribosomal RNA, noncoding RNAs, and transposable elements are readily detected. The packaging of these host RNAs elicits the possibility of horizontal gene transfer between eukaryotic hosts that share a viral pathogen. We conclude that the genetic content of nonenveloped RNA viruses is variable, not just by genome mutation, but also in the diversity of RNA transcripts that are packaged.