cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of nonlinear optical microscopy for imaging skin.

Recent advances in the use of nonlinear optical microscopy (NLOM) in skin microscopy are presented. Nonresonant spectroscopies including second harmonic generation, coherent anti-Stokes Raman and two-photon absorption are described and applications to problems in skin biology are detailed. These nonlinear techniques have several advantages over traditional microscopy methods that rely on one-photon excitation: intrinsic 3D imaging with <1 μm spatial resolution, decreased photodamage to tissue samples and penetration depths up to 1000 μm with the use of near-infrared lasers. Thanks to these advantages, nonlinear optical spectroscopy has become a powerful tool to study the physical and biochemical properties of the skin. Structural information can be obtained using the response of endogenous chemical species in the skin, such as collagen or lipids, indicating that optical biopsy may replace current invasive, time-consuming traditional histology methods. Insertion of specific probe molecules into the skin provides the opportunity to monitor specific biochemical processes such as skin transport, molecular penetration, barrier homeostasis and ultraviolet radiation-induced reactive oxygen species generation. While the field is quite new, it seems likely that the use of NLOM to probe structure and biochemistry of live skin samples will only continue to grow.
New prospects for deducing the evolutionary history of metabolic pathways in prokaryotes: Aromatic biosynthesis as a case-in-point

Metabolic pathways of prokaryotes are more biochemically diverse than is generally recognized. Distinctive biochemical features are shared by phylogenetic clusters. The hierarchical levels of character-state clustering depends upon evolutionary events which fortuitously became fixed in the genome of a common ancestor. Prokaryotes can now be ordered on a phylogenetic tree. This allows the evolutionary steps that underlie the construction and regulation of appropriately complex biochemical pathways to be traced in an evolutionary progression of prokaryote types that house these pathways. Essentially the approach is to deduce ancestral character states at ever deeper phylogenetic levels, utilizing logical principles of maximum parsimony. The current perspective on the evolution of the biochemical pathway for biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids is developed as a case-in-point model for analyses that should be feasible with many major metabolic systems. Phenylalanine biosynthesis probably arose prior to the addition of branches leading to tyrosine and tryptophan. An evolutionary scenario is developed that begins with non-enzymatic reactions which may have operated in primitive systems, followed by the evolution of an enzymatic system that pre-dated the divergence of major lineages of modern eubacteria (Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative purple bacteria, and cyanobacteria).
Anomalous alpha particle transport in thermonuclear tokamak plasma

Because of the strong localization of the fusion-born alpha particles in velocity and configuration space and their coupling to Alfven waves in the background plasma, the relaxation of alphas is anomalous. In a finite system, the enhanced electromagnetic fluctuations can produce rapid spatial losses of alpha population and energy. These losses prevent the alpha velocity distribution from attaining a stable collisional equilibrium, thus maintaining a steady-state turbulence level. A self-consistent numerical quasilinear calculation is performed for one of the most dominant low-frequency modes, showing the evolution of the alpha distribution and yielding the anomalous loss rates.
AN IMPROVED METHOD FOR QUANTITATION OF SULFHYDRYL CONCENTRATION IN TURBID SAMPLES

A method for determination of sulthydryl concentrations in turbid samples using the reaction with 5,5′dithiobis (2-nitrobenzoic acid) was developed. The major modification of previously reported procedures involved a filtration step to reduce the turbidity and a correction for the sample turbidity based on direct measurements on the sample. Turbidity corrections were based on known light scattering theory and experimental measurements were shown to follow the expected relationships. This method is adaptable to routine analyses since measurements at only two wavelengths are required. Determination of sulfhydryl concentrations in milk samples indicated excellent reproducibility for multiple sample analyses. Also, the correlation between added sulfhydryl concentrations and that measured was very good. Autoxidation of the thionitrobenzoate ion was detectable so that extrapolation of the data to zero time would be desirable for determination of absolute sulfhydryl concentrations.
Inheritance of plumage color in poultry

The experiments of Dr. C. C. Guthrie who transplanted hens'ovaries to foster mothers of different plumage color from their own and was led to the conclusion that the engrafted ovaries became functional and their eggs gained certain characteristics from the foster mothers'are not at all convincing to the student of normal heredity of plumage color in poultry; indeed, they justify the opposite conclusions. To test these experiments, I transplanted ovaries from a cinnamon-colored, heavy-boot, pea-combed, four-toed, low-nostriled hen which breeds true to a white, non-boot, V-combed, five-toed, high-nostriled hen, and mated her with a cock whose characters resembled those of the hen from which the eggs had been borrowed. Had the engrafted ovary been functional, the chicks must all have been like the cock. Actually, they were exactly what expectation calls for when such a cock is mated to a hen like the so-called foster-mother. The engrafted eggs are not functional; the ovary had regenerated.Six experiments of ...
Effects of total surface area and fabric density on the acoustical behavior of traditional thermal‐bonded highloft nonwoven fabrics

Nonwoven fabrics are ideal materials for use in acoustical insulation products because they have a high total surface area, which is directly related to the denier and cross‐sectional shape of the fiber. The smaller the denier, the more fibers for the same material density, the higher the total fiber surface area is. This results in a greater opportunity for interaction between the sound wave and the fibers in the structure. Another important parameter is the density of the nonwoven material, which affects the geometry and the volume of the voids in the structure. The acoustical properties of fabric materials are measured using one of two methods: the impedance tube method and the reverberation room test method. The impedance tube method uses very small test samples (5–15 cm), whereas the reverberation room test method requires large test samples and is expensive to set up. For making comparative analysis of the test samples and overcoming the disadvantages of the current test methods, a direct comparativ...
A meta-theory for ethical theories

I have attempted to present a meta-theory for ethical theories which naturally fits in with a general pragmatic philosophical orientation. There are standard problems for such philosophical views to which I have tried to offer solutions. In addition to the meta-theory one would like to see an actual ethical theory which would exemplify that meta-theory, but that is a topic more appropriate for another time.
132 Different ACTH response to i.v. metyrapon and hCRF in hypothalamic-pituitary hypofunction

Previously we have demonstrated subnormal ACTH response with low basal ACTH level and normal basal cortisol level to i.v. metyrapon in hypothalamicpituitary hypofunction (21st Ann.Meet.of ESPE, Helsinki, 1982). The purpose of our present study was to asses the ACTH-cortisol responsiveness to CRF in the same patients. Human CRF (1-41) - hCRF (Bissendorf) - was given i.v. in the dose of 1 μg/kgbw at 8.00 a.m. after an overnight fast. Basal levels of ACTH (pg/ml) and cortisol (μg/100 ml) were measured before and 30, 60 and 90 minutes after hCRF application. In 5 patients with “ACTH-deficiency” (according to the i.v. metyrapon test) hCRF induced a detectable rise of ACTH, followed by an increase of cortisol secretion (Tabl.I). In 2 patients there were no significant changes of ACTH and cortisol levels.
Effect of Hyperthermia on the Radiation Response of two Mammalian Cell Lines

Abstract The interaction of 43° C hyperthermia and X-irradiation was compared in vitro in two cell lines: Chinese hamster ovary (HA- 1 ) and mouse mammary sarcoma (EMT- 6 ). In HA- 1 cells the sequence of heating followed by X-irradiation resulted in appreciably more sensitization than the opposite sequence; in EMT- 6 cells the opposite occurred. When time at 37° C was introduced between the two treatments, the degree of interaction was reduced, depending upon sequence and the duration of the 37° C time interval. In both cell lines, maximum toxicity was seen if the two treatments followed each other immediately.
Factors Associated with Frequent Vaginal Douching Among Alternative School Youth

The aim of this study was to examine factors related to frequent douching among a predominantly black and Hispanic alternative school population. It was observed that although Hispanic females were more likely to douche weekly compared with black females (30% vs. 13%), monthly douching was associated with black ethnicity, beliefs related to the therapeutic value of douching, perceived partner expectations, having female relatives who douched, and pregnancy history.
What is the relationship between ideas in the human mind and ideas in the mind of God for Spinoza

The relation between ideas in the human mind and ideas in the mind of God in Spinoza is problematic because it is often expressed in obscure language and because Spinoza seems to be making puzzling and contradictory statements about it. I try to eliminate the problem by going from the idea that God has of himself to his idea of the essence and existence of the human mind and the human body. I then go from the idea of the essence of the human mind to the idea of the essence of other things, including God.
The role of computation in modeling evolution

Artificial life uses computers and formal systems to model and explore the dynamics of evolution. A fundamental question for A-Life concerns the role of computation in these models, and how we are to interpret computer implementations that do not have actual contact with physical systems. In this paper I will discuss how models are seen to explain and predict in philosophy of science and how these ideas apply to A-Life. I will also explore how the notion of an epistemic cut, as defined by H. Pattee, can be realized in a computational model with an artificial physical world.
Races of the emperor tamarin, Saguinus imperator Goeldi (Callitrichidae, Primates)

The two described subspecies of the emperor tamarin,Saguinus imperator imperator Goeldi andSaguinus imperator subgrisescens Lonnberg are defined and compared, the geographic range of each plotted.
Connection provisioning in QoT-guaranteed distributed all-optical networks

As an optical signal propagates along a lightpath to its destination in wavelength-routed optical networks (WRONs), the quality of transmission (QoT) is degraded by transmission impairments such as crosstalk and amplified spontaneous emission noise. Consequently, the signal’s bit error rate at the destination’s receiver can become unacceptably high. Recently, many BER-aware connection provisioning algorithms have been proposed that incorporate physical layer impairments in terms of increased blocking rate from the BER constraint. However, they have a high computational complexity compared to traditional connection provisioning schemes because of the complexity of BER estimation. The delay involved in the computation greatly affects the performance in distributed networks because the latency worsens the contention and makes instantaneous network status impossible to obtain. In this paper, distributed connection provisioning schemes are compared using two BER estimation procedures and several wavelength assignment algorithms. Simulation results show the effects of delay in connection provisioning and measure the performance in terms of blocking probability.
Conductivity, DSC, FTIR, and NMR studies of poly(vinyl acetate) complexed with Alkali metal salts

Abstract Electrical conductivity, differential scanning calorimetry, and nuclear magnetic resonance studies have been carried out on poly(vinyl acetate) after the addition of various lithium salts. In the case of lithium triflate, the resultant polymer is poly(vinyl alcohol). Relatively large conductivites are observed after initial preparation, but these decrease with time when the material is in vacuum. The conductivities exhibit approximately Arrhenius behavior and increases with salt concentration. In addition to the conductivity, NMR, FTIR, and DSC results are presented. All results are interpreted in terms of the model of Wissbrun and Hannon where water is the solvating species.
Protective Systems for Gas Turbines in Industry

Modern heavy-duty gas turbine installations employ a comprehensive system of protective circuits to provide needed equipment protection without jeopardizing plant reliability. The design of these circuits and the overall protective system philosophy are discussed to illustrate how protection and reliability are maximized. Experience gained to date on the application of these protective circuits also is reviewed.Copyright © 1974 by ASME
Circulating IL-6 as a predictor of radiation pneumonitis.

Abstract Purpose: We report results from a clinical research protocol investigating circulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-6 [IL-6] and tumor necrosis factor α [TNFα]) in relation to radiation pulmonary injury. Methods and Materials: In a protocol for cytokine measurement, 25 patients had clinical follow-up longer than 12 months, and 24 had serial cytokine data. Serial plasma specimens before, during, and after thoracic radiotherapy were analyzed for IL-6 and TNFα using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Radiation pulmonary injury was defined using National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria. Results: Of the 24 patients, 6 had Grade 1 pneumonitis, and 13 had Grade 2 pneumonitis. There was no Grade 3/4 pneumonitis. Median time of radiation pneumonitis was between 8 and 12 weeks post-therapy. IL-6 levels before, during, and after thoracic radiation therapy were significantly higher in those who developed pneumonitis. In contrast, we did not detect a significant correlation between plasma TNFα and radiation pneumonitis. Conclusions: High pretreatment plasma levels of IL-6 predisposed patients to the risk of radiation pneumonitis. Pretreatment IL-6 level may serve as a predictor for radiation pneumonitis. Serial plasma IL-6 was consistently higher for the pneumonitis group. The role of IL-6 in the cytokine cascades that promote radiation pulmonary injury deserves further investigation.
Recovery of enzymes from the insoluble residue of hydrolyzed wood

During the enzymatic hydrolysis of steam-exploded wood, enzymes are adsorbed on both the cellulosic and noncellulosic components. Significant amounts of enzymes are recovered from the spent hydrolysis residue, which consists mostly of lignin, by neutralizing the pH from 4.5, the optimum for hydrolysis.
A cost-effectiveness comparison of supported employment and rehabilitative day treatment

Recent research suggests that, for some people with severe mental illness, supported employment could improve vocational outcomes for little additional expense. This study describes the costs and client outcomes in one mental health center that converted two rehabilitative day treatment programs to supported employment. Converting from day treatment to supported employment improved vocational outcomes significantly without increasing costs. Although total costs for community treatment were lower in both sites after implementing supported employment, differences appeared to be due to decreasing unit costs over the study period. Results illustrate the importance of testing the effects of cost estimation methods on findings.
RELATIONSHIP OF LIVER CONTENT OF GLUCOSE AND GLUCURONE TO ETHANOL PREFERENCE OF INBRED MICE.

Iida reports that the glucose and glucurone content of the liver of Swiss albino mice is related to alcohol appetite (1). Specifically, mice with either no appetite for alcohol or free access to it showed a significant glucose content in the liver as indicated by paper-chromatographic analysis. In contrast, mice with an appetite for alcohol but without access to it showed both an absence of glucose in the liver and the presence of a material tentatively identified as glucurone. This material was either present in only trace amounts or absent in the “non-craving” and the “satisfied” mice. Iida posits that the glucose deficiency is a characteristic of mice with an inborn craving for alcohol. McClearn and Rodgers have identified inbred strains of mice that show marked, genetically determined, highly reliable differences in alcohol preference (2-4). Iida's finding might provide an explanation for the phenotypic differences observed in these inbred strains. This possibility was examined in the present study, utilizing the C57BL/Crgl strain, that has been shown to consume 10% alcohol as its primary source of liquid when it is offered as an alternative to water, the C3H/Crgl/2 strain, that has been shown to consume either small or intermediate amounts of 10% alcohol in the choice situation, and the DBA/2Crgl strain, that almost totally avoids the 10% alcohol solution if water is also available (2-4).
Children'S Attitudes About the Humane Treatment of Animals and Empathy: One-Year Follow up of a School-Based Intervention

ABSTRACTThis study assessed the maintenance of the effect of a year-long school-based humane education program on fourth grade children's attitudes toward animals. Generalization to human-directed empathy was also measured. Using a pretest-posttest (Year 1) follow-up (Year 2) design and ANCOVA, we found that the experimental group (children who experienced the program) humane attitudes mean was greater than the control group mean at initial posttesting and at the Year 2 follow up. At both Year 1 and Year 2 posttesting, the enhancement of attitudes toward animals generalized to human-directed empathy, especially when the quality of the children's relations with their pets was considered as a covariate. The results contribute to the growing literature on the significance of the relations between children and animals, and serve to encourage humane education efforts.
Secondary Science Teachers' Use of Microcomputers during Instruction.

One hundred seventy-nine secondary science department chairs answered a 20-item questionnaire concerning the nature and extent of microcomputer use in science instruction in their respective schools. The national sample represented schools in rural, urban, and suburban settings, as well as all geographic regions of the country. Analyses of data revealed that 47% of the secondary science teachers did not use microcomputers during instruction, 40% used them occasionally, and 13% used them in one or more lessons each week. The most frequent applications were simulations (70%), graphing packages (63%), and probes for collecting laboratory data (56%). In addition, 76% of the respondents indicated that microcomputers have had an impact on science laboratory activities in their schools. The department chairs also listed their perceived reasons as to why teachers in their departments did or did not integrate microcomputer use into their science instruction.
Successful treatment of disseminated BCG in a patient with severe combined immunodeficiency.

438 This case highlights the importance of screening infants for primary immunodeficiency before immunization with live vaccines. It also suggests aggressive and novel management strategies for patients with severe combined immunodeficiency who develop disseminated bacille Calmette-Guerin, including nonablative unfractionated human leukocyte antigen identical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; multidrug antimycobacterial treatment; high-dose interferon gamma; and donor lymphocyte infusions.
Configurational quasidegeneracy and the liquid drop model.

Zamick {ital et} {ital al}. recently reported on a series of Hartree-Fock calculations of light nuclei with Skyrme interaction in which they observed a near degeneracy of states corresponding to different fillings of the single-particle levels. We will present here a possible explanation for these facts using very simple arguments based on the liquid drop model.
Asymmetric Functional Divergence of Young, Dispersed Gene Duplicates in Arabidopsis thaliana

One prediction of the classic Ohno model of gene duplication predicts that new genes form from the asymmetric functional divergence of a newly arisen, redundant duplicate locus. In order to understand the mechanisms which give rise to functional divergence of newly formed dispersed duplicates, we assessed the expression and molecular evolutionary divergence of a suite of 19 highly similar dispersed duplicates in Arabidopsis thaliana. These duplicates have a K sil equal to or less than 5 % and are specific to the A. thaliana lineage; thus, they predictably represent some of the youngest duplicates in the A. thaliana genome. We found that the majority of young duplicate loci exhibit asymmetric expression patterns, with the daughter locus exhibiting reduced expression across all tissues analyzed relative to the progenitor locus or simply not expressed. Furthermore, daughter loci, on the whole, have significantly more nonsynonymous substitutions than the progenitor loci. We also identified four pairs of loci which exhibit significant (P < 0.05) evolutionary rate asymmetry, three of which exhibit elevated dN/dS in the duplicate copy. We suggest, based on these data, that functional diversification initially takes the form of asymmetric regulatory divergence that can be a direct consequence of the mode of duplication. The reduced and/or absence of expression in the daughter copy relaxes functional constraint on its protein coding sequence leading to the asymmetric accumulation of nonsynonymous mutations. Thus, our data both affirm Ohno’s prediction while explaining the mechanism by which functional divergence initially occurs following duplication for dispersed gene duplicates.
Age-related alterations of Apolipoprotein E and interleukin-1beta in the aging brain.

With normal aging, the brain undergoes several alterations including reduced neuronal functioning and alterations in glia homeostasis. An increase in inflammatory signaling has also been reported in some studies of the aging brain, with inflammation potentially mediating age-related changes in the brain. Apolipoprotein E (ApoE) is produced in the brain and has been shown to possess anti-inflammatory properties in a variety of paradigms. In the present study, we correlated age-related alterations in ApoE expression with age-related changes in the cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), in the brain of rats of increasing age. No significant alteration in ApoE mRNA was found in any region examined. A significant increase in IL-1β mRNA with age was observed only in the cortex. Neither ApoE nor IL-1β protein expression was significantly altered with age in the brain. A significant linear correlation between ApoE and IL-1β mRNA was found in the cortex but not in the striatum or hippocampus. No correlation was found between ApoE and IL-1β protein in any region examined. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that ApoE expression is not altered during normal brain aging, but suggest that there may be a relationship between ApoE and IL-1β transcription in the cerebral cortex.
HIPS: A unix-based image processing system

A software system for image processing, HIPS, was developed for use in a UNIX environment. It includes a small set of subroutines which primarily deals with a standardized descriptive image sequence header, and an ever-growing library of image transformation tools in the form of UNIX “filters.” Programs have been developed for simple image transformations, filtering, convolution, Fourier and other transform processing, edge detection and line drawing manipulation, simulation of digital compression and transmission, noise generation, and image statistics computation. The system has the useful feature that images are self-documenting to the extent that each image as stored in the system includes a history of the transformations that have been applied to that image. Although it has been used primarily with a Grinnell image processor, the bulk of the system is machine-independent. The system has proven itself a highly flexible system, both as an interactive research tool, and for more production-oriented tasks. It is both easy to use, and quickly adapted and extended to new uses.
Media Multiplication and Social Segmentation

Apres avoir rappele, en introduction, l'apport de J. Habermas dans la definition de la sphere publique comme sphere d'influence pour les groupes d'interets, l'A. marque sa preference pour l'approche de Gabriel Tarde. Du fonctionnalisme au determinisme technologique, cette approche etudie les relations des medias avec la conversation politique, l'opinion et l'action, mais egalement avec les institutions. En conclusion, l'A. analyse les tensions revelees par l'approche de Tarde, a savoir en quoi les medias contribuent a developper la sphere publique a travers l'opinion, et en quoi au contraire ils la limitent en minant certains supports institutionnels de la democratie
Lessons from allergic rhinitis versus asthma pathogenesis and treatment

At least 20 years have passed since the pathogenesis of asthma and allergic rhinitis formally was attributed to immunoglobulin E (IgE)-dependent mechanisms. Since then, the concept that upper and lower airway inflammation leads to chronic airway disease widened the search for the types of cellular and molecular interactions that are responsible for linking the initial stimulus to the final abnormality in airway function. It has not been possible to integrate this information into a single model for the development of airway inflammation and remodeling, but a useful framework has been based on the behavior of the adaptive immune system. In that paradigm, an exaggeration of T helper type 2 (TH2) over TH1 responses to allergic and nonallergic stimuli leads to airway inflammatory disease, especially asthma. This article examines the role of antigen-presenting cells in the TH2 bias in allergic rhinitis (an upper airway disease) and how this process differs in asthma (a lower airway disease). Alternative evidence is summarized that implicates a principal component of the innate immune response (ie, airway epithelial cells) in the pathogenesis of asthma. This new model highlights specific interactions between epithelial, viral, and allergic (Epi-Vir-All) components and better explains the basis for airway immunity, inflammation, and remodeling in response to viral infection. The development of long-term disease phenotypes that are typical of asthma and other hypersecretory airway diseases, which include allergic rhinitis, can be understood more clearly using this model.
Inefficient ex-post equilibria in efficient auctions*

I consider a single-object English auction with two asymmetric bidders and show that it has a continuum of inefficient undominated ex-post equilibria. The result extends for the generalized VCG mechanism, Dasgupta-Maskin auction and, generally, for every auction that has an efficient ex-post equilibrium.
Occult malignancy presenting as metastatic disease to the hand and wrist

Osseous metastases to the hand and wrist are uncommon. Most cases represent the manifestation of known malignancy with disseminated disease. Less commonly, acrometastases are the initial presentation of malignancy. In both instances, diagnosis of malignancy is frequently not considered either clinically or radiographically. This results in a delay in diagnosis and in inappropriate therapy. Three cases of occult malignancy presenting as acrometastases are reported. The author stresses the importance of considering this diagnosis when faced with any aggressive lytic or blastic lesion of the hand and wrist in a patient in the fifth decade of life or older.
Dynamic simulation and validation of a satellite docking system

ABSTRACT In recent years, Michigan Aerospace has approached the problem of gentle autonomous spacecraft rendezvous and docking using a flexible soft-dock cable that is extended from the docking spacecraft to the target spacecraft. Because of the nature of a soft-dock cable, testing and validation of the technology is difficult in normal gravity. To properly emulate the behavior of this soft-dock cable, Michigan Aerospace chose to perform dynamic computer simulations using the ADAMS software package, so that the effects of micro-gravity could be simulated. The Autonomous Satellite Docking System (ASDS) mechanism was initially prototyped and tested at Marshall Space Flight Centers air-bearing floor facility. The data was compared to the ADAMS simulation data and used to validate the model. Once a good correlation between the simulations predicted results and the actual data was shown, the model was used to predict future performance of the ASDS mechanism on several potential spacecraft for the Orbital Express program. A new dynamic simulation model was created and compared to test data from a recent KC- 135 flight test to further validate the modeling approach used. This paper will describe the methodology used in modeling and simulating the ASDS mechanism. Correlation between the models used and the test data will be shown. Keywords: docking mechanism, dynamic simulation, modeling, autonomous, satellite servicing, rendezvous and docking, validation
Periodicity and diversity in ant mating flights.

Abstract 1. 1. Flight hours and seasons are alike within species, but differ among species and among genera. 2. 2. Laboratory studies indicate internal circadian control of the phase relation to the light-dark cycle, with field evidence for modification by temperature (or other environmental variables). 3. 3. In at least two species there is abrupt loss of obvious rhythm after mating, suggesting some special function before loss,e.g.to facilitate cross-breeding within species or reproductive isolation between species.
Maintenance of the Intertropical Convergence Zones and the Large-Scale Tropical Circulation on a Water-covered Earth

Abstract How the surface boundary heating (sea surface temperature) and cumulus adjustment process affect the location, structure, energetics, and dynamics of the intertropical convergence zones (ITCZs) is investigated. A series of experiments is performed with a general circulation model where the lower boundary is specified to be water at a fixed sea surface temperature (SST), an aqua planet. All experiments are run using equinoctal insolation with no longitudinal variation in SST. Two different convective parameterization schemes (Kuo and moist convective adjustment) and several different zonally symmetric SST distributions are used in these experiments. The location of the ITCZ is found to be sensitive to the convective parameterization scheme and the SST distribution. The model with the moist convective adjustment scheme produces an ITCZ over the tropical SST maximum, even under conditions where the SST gradient is weak. By contrast, the model with the Kuo convective parameterization is not as sensit...
ELECTROMAGNETIC WAVE PROPAGATION IN PERIODIC DIELECTRIC MEDIA: THE PHOTONIC BAND STRUCTURE

The formation of photonic band structure by electromagnetic waves propagating in a periodic dielectric medium is discussed. The existence of a photonic gap at the Brillouin zone boundary is illustrated in the nearly-free-photon approximation. Numerical results obtained by solving the Maxwell's equations with the planewave method are presented for selected cases. For appropriate dielectric structures, a true photonic band-gap extending throughout the Brillouin zone can exist leading to the possibility of novel physical effects.
On the independence ratio of a graph

This paper presents some recent results on lower bounds for independence ratios of graphs of positive genus and shows that in a limiting sense these graphs have the same independence ratios as do planar graphs. This last result is obtained by an application of Menger's Theorem to show that every triangulation of a surface of positive genus has a short cycle which does not separate the graph and is non-contractible on that surface.
Overcoming Obstacles for Gene Therapy for Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB, OMIM ID #226600) is a severe blistering disease that affects quality of life and is associated with increased mortality, often from squamous cell carcinoma (Fine et al., 1999). Mutations in COL7A1, the gene that encodes type VII collagen, lead to blistering with resultant wounds and scarring. Treatment approaches have included tissue-, cell-, and gene-based therapies, including recent efforts at bone marrow ablation and allogeneic stem cell transplantation (Wagner et al., 2010). Because a single gene defect is responsible for the disease manifestations, researchers have focused on the development of gene therapy approaches. Unfortunately, several problems have hampered clinical development of vector-based gene therapy for this disease, including low transfer efficacy and the large size of the COL7A1 cDNA (Goto et al., 2006). In a previous study, a COL7A1 “minigene” that encoded a truncated type VII collagen was developed. This minigene was compatible size-wise with retroviral vectors and reversed the DEB phenotype to normal in transduced keratinocytes (Chen et al., 2000). An alternative to retroviral gene therapy is trans-splicing, an approach that employs the cell spliceosome to recombine an endogenous target pre-mRNA and an exogenously delivered RNA molecule called the pre-transsplicing molecule (PTM). A partial, wild-type coding sequence from the PTM is inserted to replace disease-causing sequences in order to generate a new, reprogrammed wild-type mRNA to correct the disease phenotype (Wally et al., 2008). In this issue, Murauer et al. report on their efforts with trans-splicing techniques to create a potential therapy for RDEB. These investigators introduced a partial, wild-type COL7A1 PTM via retroviral transduction of RDEB keratinocytes and achieved full-length type VII collagen expression. Transduced cells displayed functional correction of the RDEB phenotype, including normal morphology, reduced invasive capacity, normal localization of type VII collagen at the basement membrane, and assembly of collagen into anchoring fibril-like structures. Through the following questions, we examine this paper in greater detail. For brief answers, please refer to the supplementary information online
Model-based analysis and design of nerve cuff electrodes for restoring bladder function by selective stimulation of the pudendal nerve

Objective. Electrical stimulation of the pudendal nerve (PN) is being developed as a means to restore bladder function in persons with spinal cord injury. A single nerve cuff electrode placed on the proximal PN trunk may enable selective stimulation of distinct fascicles to maintain continence or evoke micturition. The objective of this study was to design a nerve cuff that enabled selective stimulation of the PN. Approach. We evaluated the performance of both flat interface nerve electrode (FINE) cuff and round cuff designs, with a range of FINE cuff heights and number of contacts, as well as multiple contact orientations. This analysis was performed using a computational model, in which the nerve and fascicle cross-sectional positions from five human PN trunks were systematically reshaped within the nerve cuff. These cross-sections were used to create finite element models, with electric potentials calculated and applied to a cable model of a myelinated axon to evaluate stimulation selectivity for different PN targets. Subsequently, the model was coupled to a genetic algorithm (GA) to identify solutions that used multiple contact activation to maximize selectivity and minimize total stimulation voltage. Main results. Simulations did not identify any significant differences in selectivity between FINE and round cuffs, although the latter required smaller stimulation voltages for target activation due to preserved localization of targeted fascicle groups. Further, it was found that a ten contact nerve cuff generated sufficient selectivity for all PN targets, with the degree of selectivity dependent on the relative position of the target within the nerve. The GA identified solutions that increased fitness by 0.7–45.5% over single contact activation by decreasing stimulation of non-targeted fascicles. Significance. This study suggests that using an optimal nerve cuff design and multiple contact activation could enable selective stimulation of the human PN trunk for restoration of bladder function.
A Note from the New Editor-in-Chief

I want to take this opportunity to introduce myself and offer a few ideas regarding the next phase in the venerable history of the Journal of Religion and Health. First, I am honored at the prospect of continuing the Journal’s leadership in publishing articles of the highest quality in the area of psychodynamic theory and practice in dialogue with religion, psychology, psychiatry, mental and physical health, and the humanities. Second, we will continue to focus on the publication of research studies in the expanding field of spirituality in health. We have at the Journal a well-deserved reputation for providing articles of international background and multicultural character. All these traditions will be maintained and enhanced. I hope to continue our practice of encouraging new authors with ideas involving explorations of an interdisciplinary character to submit their work to us. I bring to this office 31 years of experience as a pastoral care department head in both a psychiatric hospital and a major academic medical center. In both these settings, care of the critically ill and supervision of students were major parts of my role. I have been involved in medical education, particularly in the area of bioethics, and continue as a member of an Institutional Review Board, Committee on Human Rights in Research, where I was for a time Vice Chair. My writing interests lie in the historical essay and critical studies regarding the relationship among literature, religion, and psychoanalysis. My history with the Journal extends back to the early 1990s when I became a regular reader, contributor, and later member of the Editorial Board. The last 3 years have been marked by extraordinary growth due in no small part to the efforts of Donald Ferrell. He and I have carried on a dialogue during this period that has only added to my understanding of the joys and challenges of editorship. This largely e-mail conversation has made me feel that at points we have occupied adjoining cubicles in cyberspace, an experience that I never could have otherwise imagined. I am pleased that Don will continue on as part of the Editorial Board, thus lending to the Journal his wisdom and expertise. I would like to share a few thoughts about my understanding about what an editor does and is. As I considered the meaning of my entry into this new role, I found myself returning to things I had read and thought about years ago. I explored once more remarks made by
Sulfur 1s core-level photoionization of SF6

Photoelectron spectra have been taken between 2460 and 2600 eV photon energy across the discrete and continuum resonances in the vicinity of the sulfur K edge in gaseous ${\mathrm{SF}}_{6}$. Results at the below-threshold S 1s\ensuremath{\rightarrow}6${t}_{1u}$ resonance indicate that ``highly excited'' S 2p and S 2s satellites (with two core holes) are the primary autoionization final states of ${\mathrm{SF}}_{6}$${\mathrm{}}^{+}$. An observed asymmetric profile in the S(LVV) Auger angular distribution suggests interference effects in the alignment of these resonantly produced ${\mathrm{SF}}_{6}$${\mathrm{}}^{+}$ ions. Decay of the low-energy S 1s continuum resonances near 2507 eV photon energy into S 2p, S 2s, and/or valence photoemission channels indicates autoionizing character. These features are assigned as doubly excited states, leading to S 1s satellite thresholds observed here for the first time. At higher photon energies, between 2520 and 2570 eV, large oscillations in the S 1s cross section are reproduced well by multiple-scattering X\ensuremath{\alpha} calculations, but are not explained adequately by single-scattering plane-wave extended x-ray absorption fine structure effects. We speculate that improvements in the description of both the electron scattering process and the molecular potential are necessary to model the diffractive and nondiffractive (barrier interaction) effects in this energy region.
The LCPDI: A Compact and Robust Phase-Shifting Point-Diffraction Interferometer Based on Dye-Doped LC Technology

Point-diffraction interferometers, by design, are much less sensitive to environmental disturbances than dual-path interferometers, but, until very recently, have not been capable of phase shifting. The liquid crystal point diffraction interferometer (LCPDI) utilizes a dye-doped, liquid crystal (LC), electro-optical device that functions as both the point-diffraction source and the phase-shifting element, yielding a phase-shifting diagnostic device that is significantly more compact and robust while also using fewer optical elements than conventional dual-path interferometers. These attributes make the LCPDI of special interest for diagnostic applications in the scientific, commercial, military, and industrial sectors, where vibration insensitivity, power requirements, size, weight, and cost are critical issues. Until very recently, LCPDI devices have used a plastic microsphere embedded in the LC fluid layer as the point-diffraction source. The process for fabricating microsphere-based LCPDI devices is lo...
Relationship between filial cannibalism, egg energetic content and parental condition in the flagfish

Filial cannibalism (the consumption of one's own offspring) is prevalent in a range of animals and is thought to represent an adaptive strategy in which parents consume some offspring to increase their current and/or future reproductive success. Relatively little is known about the relationship between parental condition, general offspring quality and filial cannibalism. I examined the relationship between filial cannibalism, paternal and maternal size and condition, and egg energetic content in the flagfish, a species in which males provide parental care and practise filial cannibalism of eggs. Males were more likely to consume their entire clutch when egg energetic content was relatively high and when the clutch was spawned by relatively large females. In contrast, there was a negative relationship between per-egg energetic content and the number of eggs consumed for cases of partial-clutch cannibalism. Similarly, maternal size was negatively correlated with the proportion and number of eggs consumed for cases of partial-clutch cannibalism. Both maternal size and egg energetic content have been previously correlated with posthatching survival in a range of fishes. Thus, for cases of whole-clutch cannibalism, male flagfish appear to consume their high-quality offspring, whereas for cases of partial-clutch cannibalism, males preferentially consume lower-quality offspring. In addition, smaller males netted a greater amount of energy through partial-clutch cannibalism than did larger males, suggesting that male size potentially influences cannibalism in the flagfish.
Mitochondrial abnormalities in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.

Abstract Background/Aims: We assessed mitochondrial morphology by electron microscopy and the prevalence of a mitochondrial gene deletion in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), alcohol-related liver disease and non-fatty liver diseases. Respiratory chain function using a cytoplasmic hybrid (cybrid) assay was further studied in NASH patients and healthy controls. Methods: Electron microscopy was performed in 26 specimens. Fifteen patients were studied by polymerase chain reaction to detect a 520-bp deletion product of the mitochondrial genome (dmtDNA). Cybrids were created by fusion of platelets with anaerobic neuroblastoma cells in six NASH patients and 12 controls. Results: Eight of ten NASH, one of seven alcoholics and two of nine other patients had linear crystalline inclusions in megamitochondria ( p Conclusions: Respiratory chain dysfunction, if present in NASH, is not expressed in platelet-derived mitochondria. In contrast to alcohol-related liver disease with active drinking, NASH patients do not commonly express the 5-kb mitochondrial DNA gene deletion in liver tissue. As previously described in early alcohol-related liver disease, crystalline inclusions of unknown composition are seen in hepatic mitochondria in NASH. Their presence suggests either an adaptive process or mitochondrial injury.
DNA damage induced by cigarette smoke condensate in vitro as assayed by 32P-postlabeling. Comparison with cigarette smoke-associated DNA adduct profiles in vivo.

Abstract Cigarette smoke induces a multitude of bulky/aromatic DNA adducts in vivo as revealed by 32P-postlabeling assay. The formation of such adducts is thought to involve metabolic activation of aromatic chemicals especially polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) present in tumor-initiating cigarette tar fractions, via cytochrome P450-associated monooxygenases. Because radicals are present in both the gas and particulate (tar) phase of cigarette smoke and in aqueous extracts of cigarette smoke condensate (CSC), we addressed the question as to whether cytochrome P450-independent, possibly free radical-mediated reactions may contribute, also, to formation of cigarette smoke-associated bulky DNA adducts. Rat-lung DNA was incubated with aqueous extracts of CSC in the absence of microsomes under various conditions and analyzed by 32P-postlabeling. Radioactively labeled bulky reaction products were found to accumulate in a time- and CSC concentration-dependent manner. The resulting chromatographic profiles resembled cigarette smoke-associated DNA-adduct patterns observed in vivo. Pretreatment of aqueous CSC extract with radical scavengers/reducing agents ascorbic acid, glutathione) diminished adduct formation in a concentration-dependent manner. Adduct formation in vitro may involve oxygen-free radicals, which are known to be present in aqueous CSC extracts and could (i) attack DNA directly to produce bulky adducts, (ii) induce radical sites on DNA covalently binding CSC components, or (iii) convert CSC components to DNA-reactive electrophiles. In addition, DNA may react with direct-acting mutagens in CSC. Adduct fractions derived from in vitro and in vivo experiments showed similar chromatographic behavior, suggesting that metabolic activation as well as processes not involving metabolism lead to formation of smoking-induced bulky DNA adducts in vivo.
The Medical Clerkship

In the past 40 years, the teaching of clinical medicine has changed greatly, but so gradually that only a dwindling number of medical educators can recall from their own experience the character of...