cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A MODEL FOR THE ORIGIN OF HIGH DENSITY IN LOOPTOP X-RAY SOURCES

Super-hot (SH) looptop sources, detected in some large solar flares, are compact sources of HXR emission with spectra matching thermal electron populations exceeding 30 MK. High observed emission measure (EM) and inference of electron thermalization within the small source region both provide evidence of high densities at the looptop, typically more than an order of magnitude above ambient. Where some investigators have suggested such density enhancement results from a rapid enhancement in the magnetic field strength, we propose an alternative model, based on Petschek reconnection, whereby looptop plasma is heated and compressed by slow magnetosonic shocks generated self-consistently through flux retraction following reconnection. Under steady conditions such shocks can enhance density by no more than a factor of four. These steady shock relations (Rankine-Hugoniot relations) turn out to be inapplicable to Petschek's model owing to transient effects of thermal conduction. The actual density enhancement can in fact exceed a factor of 10 over the entire reconnection outflow. An ensemble of flux tubes retracting following reconnection at an ensemble of distinct sites will have a collective EM proportional to the rate of flux tube production. This rate, distinct from the local reconnection rate within a single tube, can be measured separatelymore » through flare ribbon motion. Typical flux transfer rates and loop parameters yield EMs comparable to those observed in SH sources.« less
SU-E-I-52: Use of Radiochromic Film for the Estimation of CTDI100 and In- Phantom Dose Profiling

Purpose: To establish a methodology for the use of radiochromic film in the estimation of CTDI100 and provide an in‐phantom spatial description of the radiation dose profile. Methods: Standard CTDI 32cm body and 16cm head phantoms were used with a modified Acrylic pin to allow for the insertion of radiochromic. Two CTscanners were evaluated at various beam collimations in both center and 12 o'clock pin locations. For comparison purpose, CTDI 100 measurements were obtained using a 100mm pencil ionization chamber. A 48‐bit optical scanner was used to scan the radiochromic film. Software code was written to analyze the film images. A set of calibration films was acquired on a fluoroscope with similar beam quality (kVp and HVL) as the CTscanner. Results: For reproducibility three films from each of 21 different collimation and pin location combinations were analyzed. Three films were excluded because of prominent moire patterns observed likely caused by moisture on the film or scanner platform. Three images that were included slightly exceeded the calibration range of the film. The percent differences between the CTDI 100 values obtained with the 100mm pencil chamber and the film ranged from 0– 17.2% with an average difference of 8.6%. The relative standard deviation of the CTDI100 film values ranged between 0.3–3.6% with an average of 1.9%. Though not novel, visual indication of the z axis in phantom beam profile provided very clear evidence that at large collimations radiation dose extends well beyond a 100mm region. Conclusions: Radiochromic film has the potential to estimate CTDI 100 with reasonable accuracy; future calibration methods may bring better accuracy. This method provides additional value by yielding a visual indication of the CT dose profile and potential for easily incorporating dose beyond 100mm.
Liquidity without money: A General equilibrium model of market microstructure

Abstract We consider a model in which the market period is divided into T rounds of trading, with the arrival of consumers determined exogenously. A monopolistic market maker sets the bid-price and the ask-price in each round, accepting all trades at the stated prices. Optimal prices remain constant when the aggregate supply and demand are known to the market maker, even if supplies and demands within individual rounds are not known. Examples illustrate the endogenous determination of inventory holding costs. The viability of a market-maker system is compared to an auction market with and without a “sophisticated” trader.
A modified Richards equation, its adjoint, and a new perspective on land data assimilation

Richards equation, which is the key relationship for addressing basic soil hydrological processes within the rhizosphere and constitutes the basis for multiple-layer soil hydrology models for meteorological studies, is modified to include two vegetation processes: the transpiration (daytime) and hydraulic lift (nighttime). The analytical form of the adjoint system is derived and can serve as the guideline for discrete forms, as implemented in a variety of multiple layer land surface models. The modified equation and its adjoint model may be used to address at least two types of inverse problems: estimation of the initial soil moisture contents from sparse observations of related quantities; and retrieval of critical soil/vegetation parameters with observations of soil moisture contents (or other related quantities) distributed over a certain period of time. The former may be of more interest for numerical weather prediction studies, whereas the latter may be more valuable for longer time integration of climate models.
Logistic regression and probability of default of developing countries debt

This paper presents a logistic regression model for determining the default probability of developing countries debt. The study incorporates 79 countries over a period of 19 years. The model predicted the default of Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina two years in advance. Results indicate that the model has high predictive power.
Apical ballooning syndrome: an important differential diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.

Case presentation: A 60-year-old woman presented to the emergency department 2 hours after the onset of severe retrosternal chest pain that started soon after she was told that her son had died in a car accident. A 12-lead ECG demonstrated ST-elevation in the precordial leads (Figure 1), and the plasma troponin T level was elevated at 0.07 ng/mL. A diagnosis of acute ST-elevation myocardial infarction was made, and the patient was admitted for emergency coronary angiography, which revealed normal coronary arteries. The left ventriculogram showed severe systolic dysfunction involving the mid and apical segments (Data Supplement Movie I). Figure 1. Twelve-lead ECG demonstrating ST-segment elevation in precordial leads. Physicians have long been aware of the possible association between stress and cardiovascular events. Awareness has increased of a distinct cardiac syndrome that was originally described in the Japanese population and was called Takotsubo cardiomyopathy, named after the octopus-trapping pot with a round bottom and narrow neck that resembles the left ventriculogram during systole in these patients.1,2 Other names used to describe the condition include apical ballooning syndrome (ABS), broken heart syndrome, and stress or ampulla cardiomyopathy. The precise incidence of ABS is unknown, but it may account for 1% to 2% of patients who present with an acute myocardial infarction.3 The majority of patients have a clinical presentation that is indistinguishable from an acute coronary syndrome. Most present with chest pain at rest, although some patients have dyspnea alone as their initial presenting symptom. Rarely, patients present with syncope or an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest.4 ABS appears to occur almost exclusively in postmenopausal women; however, a few cases have been reported in younger women and males.4 The patients are usually hemodynamically stable, but clinical findings of mild-to-moderate congestive heart failure …
Inertial deposition of particles in a bend

Abstract An analytical solution to the equation of motion for a particle moving in an idealized flow in a 90° bend is presented. Expressions are derived for the local deposition velocity and the efficiency of impaction in a bend. Possible applications of these results in the calculation of particle deposition in the respiratory tract are discussed.
PlantGDB: a resource for comparative plant genomics

PlantGDB (http://www.plantgdb.org/) is a genomics database encompassing sequence data for green plants (Viridiplantae). PlantGDB provides annotated transcript assemblies for >100 plant species, with transcripts mapped to their cognate genomic context where available, integrated with a variety of sequence analysis tools and web services. For 14 plant species with emerging or complete genome sequence, PlantGDB's genome browsers (xGDB) serve as a graphical interface for viewing, evaluating and annotating transcript and protein alignments to chromosome or bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC)-based genome assemblies. Annotation is facilitated by the integrated yrGATE module for community curation of gene models. Novel web services at PlantGDB include Tracembler, an iterative alignment tool that generates contigs from GenBank trace file data and BioExtract Server, a web-based server for executing custom sequence analysis workflows. PlantGDB also hosts a plant genomics research outreach portal (PGROP) that facilitates access to a large number of resources for research and training.
Immunohistochemical study of p53-associated proteins in rat brain following lithium-pilocarpine status epilepticus.

Abstract Activation of the p53-stress response pathway has been implicated in excitotoxic neuronal cell death. Recent studies have demonstrated an age-dependent induction of both p53 mRNA and protein in the rat brain following lithium–pilocarpine-mediated status epilepticus (LPSE). We investigated whether other proteins that have been shown to participate in the p53 cascade are induced by LPSE. We used immunohistochemistry to examine the expression of Mdm2, Bax, CD95/Fas/APO-1, ATM, Ref-1 and ubiquitin. A significant increase in nuclear Mdm2 immunoreactivity, which colocalized with p53, was observed in cells within hippocampal pyramidal cell layers, dentate gyrus, piriform cortex, amygdala and thalamus. Dual immunofluorescence microscopy revealed a reduction in free ubiquitin expression in cells with p53 and Mdm2 accumulation. Increased immunoreactivity for CD95/Fas/APO-1 and Bax was also detected in the same p53-positive cells. Moreover, expression of Ref-1 and ATM, which are involved in the response to oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and regulation of p53 function, were increased. Colocalization of Ref-1 and p53 suggests that Ref-1 might activate p53 function in LPSE-induced neurodegeneration. In contrast, ATM immunoreactivity was predominantly cytoplasmic suggesting that ATM may not directly modulate p53 activity in injured neurons. These results extend our previous observations with regard to activation and stabilization of p53 in injured central nervous system neurons. The data indicate that p53 induction following LPSE may activate downstream pro-apoptotic genes leading to neurodegeneration.
Germacrone, a sesquiterpene repellent to obscure root weevil from Rhododendron edgeworthii.

Abstract A steam volatile fraction from Rhododendron edgeworthii leaves inhibited obscure root weevil ( Sciopithes obscurus ) feeding on sucrose-treated membrane filters. The most prominent component in this fraction was the sesquiterpene germacrone. Germacrone was found to be an obscure root weevil repellent.
Amorphized cellulose as filler in biocomposites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone)

Amorphous cellulose particles, obtained through a solvent-free mechano-chemical process, have been tested for the first time as a potential filler for biodegradable composites based on poly(ɛ-caprolactone) (PCL). Commercial cellulose fibers have been also tested for comparison. An effective interfacial strategy based on a compatibilizing agent, a modified PCL, has been used to improve the polymer/filler interfacial adhesion. Composites have been tested through physico-mechanical characterizations and soil burial degradation tests, in order to evaluate the influence of cellulose structure and morphology and polymer/filler interfacial adhesion on the final properties of the realized materials. The use of the amorphous cellulose particles combined with the presence of a suitable interfacial agent has allowed to modulate relevant technological properties of the realized composites, such as tensile and thermal properties, water absorption, water vapor transmission rate and biodegradation kinetic.
Clinical management of deep carious lesions

Abstract We have presented a method for the clinical management of deep carious lesions in which the advancing carious front has approached or even reached an otherwise vital pulp exhibiting no significant untoward reactions. When a favorable history is obtained and the carious dentine is tough and leathery, nontraumatic operative procedures should be applied in the careful removal of all carious decalcified dentine except for a small amount which is left to protect the pulp from exposure. A thick mix of zine oxide and eugenol is used to insulate the prepared cavity. If the prognosis is favorable, restoration is completed immediately; if not, the temporary filling may be allowed to remain for as long as 6 months before final restoration. Several representative successfully treated cases in which the removal of all carious dentine would have resulted in pulpal exposure are presented.
Electron microprobe analysis of micro amount powder samples: A case study on high purity coal

For the major, minor and trace element analysis of the inorganic compounds of a Ruhr-Saar coal different preparation techniques are investigated with X-ray fluorescence analysis, electron microprobe and classical wet chemical methods minimizing sample weight at standard preparation times and analytical accuracies. Considering accuracy as well as preparation efforts, determinations by electron microprobe on small sample amounts (<50 mg) proved to be superior to the other methods.
Effects of sucrose feeding and denervation on lipogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

Abstract Rats were fed standard laboratory chow or sucrose + chow for 2–3 weeks. Sucrose feeding significantly increased the size and norepinephrine content of interscapular brown adipose tissue (BAT). Sucrose feeding stimulated in vivo lipogenesis in BAT, white adipose tissue, and liver. Unilateral denervation reduced BAT norepinephrine content by 90%, and significantly reduced BAT protein and DNA content. Prior surgical denervation of BAT had no effect on lipogenesis in chow-fed rats, but reduced the sucrose-induced lipogenesis in BAT by 75% and increased lipogenesis in retroperitoneal white adipose tissue of sucrose-fed rats. These data demonstrate that the optimal stimulation of lipogenesis in BAT by sucrose feeding requires innervation of this tissue.
The architect and the bee: some reflections on postmortem pregnancy.

Do physicians have a duty to sustain the pregnancies of women who die during the first or second trimester? Physicians cannot simply assume that the woman would have wished the pregnancy to continue, nor (in the U.S., at any rate) is it clear that the state has any interest in fetal life before viability. The conditions for beneficence-based duties of fetal rescue will often be unmet, both because sustaining the pregnancy is not always a clear gain to the born child and because it may impose a substantial burden on the benefactor. And duties of special relationship cannot readily be applied in these cases, as it is difficult to see how the relationship between someone who no longer exists and someone who does not yet exist can breed special duties. Further, to draw on Marx's distinction between the architect, who builds purposefully, and the bee, who cannot help what she is doing, I argue that human pregnancy is in a number of respects purposeful, creative, and deliberate, and that postmortem pregnancy, which follows the model of the bee, is a destructive icon that undercuts women's agency.
Characterization of a flow-by RVC electrode reactor for the removal of heavy metals from dilute solutions

Mass-transfer studies were carried out to characterize a porous, RVC, flow-by mode, single-pass reactor for the application of removing heavy metals from waste waters. Measurements of the limiting current and concentration for the reduction of the ferricyanide ion and copper ion respectively, show that the average mass-transfer coefficients were proportional to Re0.7. The current was also monitored over extended periods of copper ion deposition to describe the plugging of the porous electrode.
How to improve business writing skills

Though a good deal has been written concerning the subject of how to improve business writing skills, most authors will agree on at least a few theories. Business writing skills cannot be improved by merely attending a few seminars, nor can they be improved by purchasing the most complete word‐processing software on the market. These authors do agree on one very common and often overlooked theme business writing skills are best improved through practice. Expands on this theory while offering some guidelines for producing effective written correspondence.
Prediction of the particle-laden jet with a two-equation turbulence model

Abstract A two-equation turbulence model for two-phase flows has recently been proposed by Elghobashi & Abou-Arab (1983). They derived the exact equations of the kinetic energy of turbulence and the rate of dissipation of that energy, and modeled the turbulent correlations, resulting from time-averaging, up to third order. In order to validate the proposed model, a turbulent axisymmetric gaseous jet laden with spherical uniform-size solid particles is studied here. The predictions of the mean flow properties of the two-phases and the turbulence kinetic energy and shear stress of the carrier phase show good agreement with the experimental data.
Nuclear mass formula with a Yukawa-plus-exponential macroscopic model and a folded-Yukawa single-particle potential

Abstract We use a Yukawa-plus-exponential macroscopic model and a folded-Yukawa single-particle potential to systematically calculate the ground-state masses of 4023 nuclei ranging from 16 O to {279}112. The method is also used to calculate the fission-barrier heights of 28 nuclei ranging from 109 Cd to 252 Cf. We introduce several previously neglected physical effects, including a smaller nuclear radius constant, a proton form factor, an exact diffuseness correction, an A 0 term, a chargeasymmetry term, and microscopic zero-point energies. The nuclear radius constant is determined from elastic electron scattering and microscopic calculations of nuclear density distributions, the range of the Yukawa-plus-exponential folding function is determined from heavy-ion elastic scattering, the surface-energy constant and surface-asymmetry constant are determined from the fission-barrier heights of the 28 nuclei that are considered, and the remaining constants are determined from the ground-state masses of 1323 nuclei ranging from 16 O to 259 No for which experimental values are known with experimental errors less than 1 MeV. For the final formula, the root-mean-square error in the ground-state masses is 0.835 MeV and the root-mean-square error in the fission-barrier heights is 1.331 MeV. Some of the remaining discrepancies in the groundstate masses can be understood in terms of instabilities with respect to e 3 and e 6 deformations.
IMPLEMENTATION OF AN EXPERT SYSTEM FOR THE DESIGN OF SINGLE-POINT, SUBSURFACE OCEANOGRAPHIC MOORINGS

Abstract The design of single-point, subsurface moorings is carried out a present by a design engineer with the help of some computer programs. These computer programs are used for analyzing the mooring, but the setting-up of the initial mooring configuration and the subsequent modifications on the basis of the results of the analysis are carried out by the design engineer. An expert system for mooring design is developed to eliminate the human expert from the design process and thus to enable a novice to design a mooring by himself. Using the expert system, an optimum least-weight in air design can be developed in much less time than is usually required in conventional procedures. Perhaps the most significant advantage is that the system can serve as a vehicle for effective transfer of present day expertise for future applications. The system is developed and implemented on an IBM PC/AT. It has a user-friendly, interactive, menu-driven input procedure and a sophisticated output facility. The design process is totally automated and the requirement to consult a human expert is easily eliminated. The system has tremendous flexibility and a knowledge engineer can easily adapt it to the specific requirements of a particular user. The concept of machine learning is introduced by recording the failure data and using this information in the later decision-making processes. A CAD package, AUTOCAD, is used to generate the drawings and an interface is developed between the CAD package and the expert system so that the former is transparent to the user.
Internet image archaeology: automatically tracing the manipulation history of photographs on the web

We propose a system for automatically detecting the ways in which images have been copied and edited or manipulated. We draw upon these manipulation cues to construct probable parent-child relationships between pairs of images, where the child image was derived through a series of visual manipulations on the parent image. Through the detection of these relationships across a plurality of images, we can construct a history of the image, called the visual migration map (VMM), which traces the manipulations applied to the image through past generations. We propose to apply VMMs as part of a larger internet image archaeology system (IIAS), which can process a given set of related images and surface many interesting instances of images from within the set. In particular, the image closest to the "original" photograph might be among the images with the most descendants in the VMM. Or, the images that are most deeply descended from the original may exhibit unique differences and changes in the perspective being conveyed by the author. We evaluate the system across a set of photographs crawled from the web and find that many types of image manipulations can be automatically detected and used to construct plausible VMMs. These maps can then be successfully mined to find interesting instances of images and to suppress uninteresting or redundant ones, leading to a better understanding of how images are used over different times, sources, and contexts.
Agonist/Inosital Trisphosphate-Induced Release of Calcium from Murine Keratinocytes: A Possible Link with Keratinocyte Differentiation

Extracellular calcium concentrations markedly affect the pattern of proliferation and differentiation in cultured keratinocytes. When medium contains 0.1 mM calcium or above, the cells lose their proliferative ability, rapidly stratify, and terminally differentiate. Because 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (a modulator of Ca ++ homeostasis) enhances the differentiation of keratinocytes, we investigated whether a link exists between 1 ,25(OH) 2 D 3 -induced release of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (Ins(1,4,5)P 3 ) from Ptdlns 4,5-P 2 and intracellular calcium [Ca ++ ] i release from keratinocytes. Specifically, primary culture of keratinocytes were loaded with fluorescence dye Fura-2AM (10 μM) and changes in fluorescence intensity were monitored at the excitation wavelengths of 340 and 380 nm and emission wavelength of 505 nm. Additions of two agonists, 1,25(OH) 2 D 3 (1.2 × 10 -9 M) and 13-Cis retinoic acid (0.2 × 10 -9 M), to dye-loaded keratinocytes induced rapid release of [Ca ++ ] i , respectively, followed by gradual return to the prestimulated state. Addition of Ins(1,4,5)P 3 (10) to saponin-treated (leaky) keratinocytes also resulted in a rapid release of [Ca]. In contrast, the addition of inositrol-1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate. Ins(1,3,4,5)P at similar concentration exerted negligible effect. Taken together, these results support the view that 1,25(OH)2D3-induced [Ca++]i release in keratinocytes may be via the Ins(1,4,5)P3 induced early release of intracellular [Ca++]. This may explain, at least in part, 1,25(Oh)2D3-enhanced keratinocyte differentiatin.
Decoupling in supersymmetric gauge theories.

The supersymmetric decoupling theorem is used to determine the low-energy effects of heavy-particle mass operators. This is achieved by exploiting the superconformal anomaly, as given by the trace of the supercurrent, in conjunction with renormalization-group techniques. The results are applied to the calculation of Higgs-boson and Higgsino decay amplitudes.
Performance evaluation of heuristic algorithms for routing and wavelength assignment in WDM optical networks

We evaluate the average-case performance of eight offline heuristic algorithms to solve the routing and wavelength assignment (RWA) problem and the related throughput maximisation (TM) problem in wavelength division multiplexing optical networks. These algorithms are first-fit-decreasing (FFD), first-fit-increasing (FFI), best-fit-decreasing (BFD), best-fit-increasing (BFI), densest-fit-decreasing (DFD), densest-fit-increasing (DFI), random-fit-decreasing (RFD) and random-fit-increasing (RFI). Our experimental performance evaluation is conducted by extensive simulations on a wide range of WDM optical networks, including a mesh network, four real networks and three types of random networks. We find offline RWA algorithms and TM algorithms which perform better than previously studied online algorithms, namely, first-fit (FF), best-fit (BF), densest-fit (DF) and random-fit (RF). In particular, algorithm FFD (BFD, DFD and RFD, respectively) has better performance than algorithm FF (BF, DF and RF, respectively) for RWA, and algorithm FFI (BFI, DFI and RFI, respectively) has better performance than algorithm FF (BF, DF and RF, respectively) for TM.
Metabolic Clearance of Immunoreactive Vasopressin and Immunoreactive [131I]iodo Vasopressin in the Hypophysectomized Dog

Fourteen acutely hypophysectomized, anesthetized dogs were given a constant infusion of arginine vasopressin (AVP) and 131I-labeled arginine vasopressin ([131I]AVP). After 90 min, 3 blood samples were collected at 15 min intervals for determination of total body clearances of immunoreactive AVP and immunoreactive [131I]AVP. Seven dogs were then nephrectomized. Ninety minutes later, a second set of 3 blood samples was collected at 15 min intervals for clearance measurements in these and the 7 time-control dogs. Prenephrectomy AVP clearance averaged 5.1+/-1.0 ml/min-kg (mean +/- SE, n=7), and the 210-240 min postnephrectomy AVP clearance average 4.9+/-0.8. The 90-120 min average clearance in the time-control dogs was 6.1+/-0.9 ml/min-kg (n=7) and AVP clearance in these dogs increased (P less than 0.01) with time to 7.3+/-0.9 ml/min-kg during the 210-240 min period of constant infusion. Although the postnephrectomy AVP clearance was not significantly changed from prenephrectomy levels, it was significantly lower (P less than 0.05) than the 210-240 min average clearance in the time-controls. Clearance of [131I]AVP was 3.3+/-0.2 ml/min-kg (n=7) before nephrectomy and 2.9+/-0.2 ml/min-kg after nephrectomy. This was a significant 12% reduction (P less than 0.01). [131I]AVP clearance in the time control dogs was 3.9+/-0.3 during 90-120 min of infusion and 3.9+/-0.4 during 210-240 min of infusion. [131I]AVP clearance before nephrectomy was 79+/-12% of AVP clearance (P less than 0.005) and afther nephrectomy was 74+/-16% of AVP clearance (P less than 0.05). Although these results might suggest that [131I]AVP clearance is at least a qualitative indicator of AVP clearance, there was no significant correlation (P less than 0.20) between AVP clearance and [131I]AVP clearance.
Analytical model of well leakage pressure perturbations in a closed aquifer system

Deep saline aquifers are commonly used for disposal and storage of various surface fluids. The target injection zone must be hydraulically isolated from overlying zones in order to ensure containment of the injected fluids. Improperly plugged nonoperational abandoned wells that penetrate the injection zone are the main potential leakage pathways. Leakage through such wells may cause an observable pressure signal in a zone overlying the injection zone; such a signal can be used to detect the leakage. In this paper we develop an analytical model to evaluate the pressure change induced by leakage through a well in a multilayer system. Unlike previous analytical models on the topic, our model uses a closed system, which may significantly affect the strength and behavior of the pressure signal induced by leakage. The analytical model is first presented for a two-layer system centered at the leaky well location. We evaluate the leakage-induced pressure change using the Laplace transform of Duhamel’s superposition integral, yielding the solution in the Laplace domain. We then derive a late-time asymptotic solution using the final value theorem, which suggests that the leakage rate becomes constant after sufficient time. We then obtain the multilayer solution by extending the two-layer solution and presenting it in matrix form in the Laplace domain. We apply the solution to three examples. In the first example, we apply the analytical model to a two-layer system, investigating its behavior and comparing the results with a numerical solution. In order to demonstrate behavior and potential applications of the multilayer analytical model, we present two multilayer examples: one with identical layers and another, replicating a CO2 storage site, with dissimilar layers. The leakage-induced pressure change does not necessarily decrease as the distance increases from the injection zone toward the surface.
Oxidation of isoeugenol by Nocardia iowensis

Abstract Isoeugenol is a starting material for both the synthetic and biotechnological production of vanillin and vanillic acid. Nocardia iowensis DSM 45197 (formerly Nocardia species NRRL 5646) resting cells catalyze the conversion of isoeugenol to vanillic acid, vanillin, vanillyl alcohol and guaiacol. The present study used a variety of chemical, microbial and enzymatic approaches to probe the pathways used by N. iowensis in the oxidation of isoeugenol to these products. Of three possible pathways considered, initial side-chain olefin epoxidation, epoxide hydrolysis to a vicinal diol, and diol cleavage to vanillin and subsequently further oxidation to vanillic acid appears as the most likely route. Isoeugenol was not oxidized to ferulic acid, a well-known microbial transformation precursor for vanillin and vanillic acid. 18 O-Labeled oxygen (one atom) and water (two oxygen atoms) were incorporated into vanillic acid during the whole-cell biotransformation reaction with isoeugenol indicating the likely involvement of oxygenase and hydrolase systems in the bioconversion reaction. Vanillin was converted to singly labeled vanillic acid in the presence of H 2 18 O suggesting the presence of an aldehyde oxidase. Cell extracts achieved the conversion of isoeugenol to vanillic acid and vanillin without cofactors. Partial fractionation of two enzyme activities supported the presence of isoeugenol monooxygenase and vanillin oxidase activities in N. iowensis .
NEW METHOD OF EVALUATING SUBLETHAL DAMAGE TO ERYTHROCYTES BY BLOOD PUMPS

We recently proposed a new concept, the total destruction time of erythrocytes, to indicate sublethal damage to erythrocytes by blood pumps. In this article, results of additional experiments concerning this new concept are reported. Five paired in vitro hemolysis tests with bovine blood were conducted using a cone-type centrifugal pump (Group A) and an impeller-type pump (Group B). A total pressure head of 100 mm Hg was applied. The factors evaluated were the normalized index of hemolysis and the total destruction time, or the pumping duration, required to raise the level of the plasma-free hemoglobin to 50% of the total hemoglobin. The morphologic change of the erythrocytes also was analyzed. The percentage of crenated cells was calculated from blood smear specimens 1 min after starting the pumps and 2 h before the total destruction time of Group A in each experiment. Although there was no statistical difference in the normalized index of hemolysis between the two groups, the total destruction time of Group A erythrocytes was significantly shorter than that of Group B (18.9 ± 4.5 h and 33.7 ± 9.9 h in Group A and group B, respectively; p < 2). The rate of crenated erythrocytes was higher in Group A than in Group B at a point 2 h before the total destruction time of Group A. The total destruction time values seem to define a good method for establishing sublethal traumatic damage to erythrocytes in blood pumps.
Ce-valence instability in the antiferromagnetic and ferromagnetic host series CeMn2(Si1-xGex)2.

Lattice, magnetic, transport, and Ce ${L}_{3}$-edge spectroscopic measurements on the ${\mathrm{CeMn}}_{2}$(${\mathrm{Si}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{x}}$${\mathrm{Ge}}_{\mathrm{x}}$${)}_{2}$ system are presented. Mixed-valent and low-energy-scale Kondo effects are shown to thrive within the Mn-moment antiferromagnetically ordered phase in this series. The Mn-moment ferromagnetically ordered phase in this series, on the other hand, exhibits nearly to pure ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$ hard-moment-type behavior. Ce crystalline-electric-field, Kondo, and coherent Kondo effects occurring in this series are discussed.
Soluble CD14 Truncated at Amino Acid 152 Binds Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and Enables Cellular Response to LPS

CD14 is a 55-kDa glycoprotein which binds lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and enables LPS-dependent responses in a variety of cells. In order to identify the domains in CD14 required for function, we deleted increasing amounts of CD14 from the C terminus. Truncated CD14 cDNA sequences were transfected into COS-7 cells and serum-free conditioned medium was analyzed for mutant CD14 expression and bioactivity. Mutant CD14s containing as few as 152 amino acids were found to have activity equivalent to full-length sCD14. To further characterize the mutant CD14, we constructed a stable Chinese hamster ovary cell line expressing sCD141-152 and purified the protein to homogeneity. sCD141-152 bound radioactive LPS, enabled U373 cells to synthesize interleukin 6 in response to LPS, and enabled human neutrophils to respond to smooth LPS. In all of these assays, the behavior of sCD141-152 was quantitatively similar to full-length sCD14. We also found that two neutralizing anti-CD14 antibodies (3C10 and MEM-18) bound and neutralized sCD141-152. We conclude from these experiments that the N-terminal 152 amino acids of CD14 are sufficient to bind LPS and confer essentially wild-type bioactivity in vitro.
Characteristics and frequency of reversals in mean sea level pressure in the north Atlantic sector and their relationship to long-term temperature trends

Reversals in the usual monthly mean sea level pressure (SLP) gradient over the North Atlantic during winter—an extreme mode of the North Atlantic Oscillation—are documented back to 1867. Such events are typically associated with well-below-normal temperatures in north-west Europe and above-normal precipitation amounts in the western Mediterranean area. Also noted during these events is the tendency for above-normal temperatures in western Greenland and below-normal temperatures in the eastern United States. Temporal changes in the frequency of SLP reversals relate well to trends in the strength of the zonal wind and the frequency of blocking in the north-east Atlantic area. Part of the fluctuations in temperature in western Europe during the last century can be explained by these changes in circulation. Nevertheless, major trends in winter temperature over this period, particularly the early 20th century rise in temperature, remain when adjustments are made to account for the effects of circulation changes during reversal winters. This suggests that mechanisms other than changes in the frequency of circulation regimes also play an important role in determining hemispheric temperature trends on these time scales.
The crystal and molecular structure of trans-dichloro-, trans-dimethyl-, trans-bis-(hexamethylphosphoramide)tin(IV): (CH3)2SnCl2·2OP[N(CH3)2]3

Abstract (CH 3 ) 2 SnCl 2 ·2OP[N(CH 3 ) 2 ] 3 , f.w. = 578.08 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group, P2 1 /n: a = 8.417(3), b = 12.880(3), c = 12.139(4) A, β = 94.20(3)°, V = 1312.4(7) A 3 , Z = 2, ϱ(calcd.) = 1.462 g cm −3 , Mo(K α ) λ = 0.71073 A, μ = 13.22 cm −1 . Anisotropic refinement of all nonhydrogen atoms converged at R F = 4.36% using 1897 unique reflections, I ⩾ 3 σ(I). Hexamethylphosphoramide (HMPA) forms a stereochemically crowded, all-trans-octahedral complex with dimethyltin(IV) dichloride.
A Perspective on the Maillard Reaction and the Analysis of Protein Glycation by Mass Spectrometry: Probing the Pathogenesis of Chronic Disease

The Maillard reaction, starting from the glycation of protein and progressing to the formation of advanced glycation end-products (AGEs), is implicated in the development of complications of diabetes mellitus, as well as in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular, renal, and neurodegenerative diseases. In this perspective review, we provide an overview on the relevance of the Maillard reaction in the pathogenesis of chronic disease and discuss traditional approaches and recent developments in the analysis of glycated proteins by mass spectrometry. We propose that proteomics approaches, particularly bottom-up proteomics, will play a significant role in analyses of clinical samples leading to the identification of new markers of disease development and progression.
Protein synthesis in cells infected by murine hepatitis viruses JHM and A59: Tryptic peptide analysis

The structural and intracellular proteins of the murine hepatitis viruses MHV-JHM and MHV-A59 were studied by tryptic peptide mapping. The results demonstrated that the virions contained three distinct proteins: the two related chains of the E2 complex, the nucleocapsid protein and the heterogeneous E1 complex. Five distinct virus-specific proteins were synthesized by infected cells. Three of the five intracellular proteins contained tryptic-peptides with properties similar to the three structural proteins. Models describing the evolution of the proteins are proposed. Although the pathogenic properties of MHV-JHM and MHV-A59 differ greatly, the tryptic peptide maps of the corresponding proteins of these MHV strains were remarkably similar.
Photo-induction of electrical current with the cyanobacterium Agmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6

We investigated the possibility of eliciting a measurable photoinduced electrical current from the cyanobacteriumAgmenellum quadruplicatum PR-6 (Synechococcus PCC 7002). This proved virtually impossible for intact cells. However, treated PR-6 cells fixed in an alginate matrix on tin oxide as the active electrode in a three electrode electrochemical cell gave rise to a significant light response. Cell treatments involving toluene, chloroform or detergents were effective and gave current responses up to 250 nA. Drying the cyanobacterial matrix increased the current yield at least fifty-fold. These effects were observed for light wavelengths > 650 nm and were not influenced by inhibitors or enhancers of photosynthesis nor by sustained argon bubbling of the electrolyte. French pressure cell lysates facilitated distinction between two light induced current components. Lysates prepared without CaCl2 gave current induction kinetics that were indistinguishable from those on chemically treated cells i.e. slowly rising to a stable maximum in 10–15 min. When CaCl2 was present during lysis, a rapidly induced (<1 s) unstable component was observed. Toluenization of PR-6 either prior to or post lysing abolished the CaCl2 related effect. CaCl2 had no effect on current induction in strain PR-6008, which lacked the α and β subunits of phycocyanin and exhibited slow current induction kinetics. The observed effects are interpreted as responses of components of the photosystems of PR-6 rather than in terms of an integrated photosynthetic process.
Balancing Family Health and Illness

Literature on health and illness in families is reviewed. Ramifications for counseling and therapy are addressed.
Protein catabolism in rat liver nuclei.

Abstract A rat liver nuclear fraction has been purified by differential sedimentation. With increasing purification this fraction exhibited a relatively constant protein catabolic activity at neutral pH and a diminished ability to degrade protein at acid pH. Certain metabolic inhibitors previously observed to inhibit protein breakdown in liver homogenates inhibited protein degradation in isolated nuclei as well. However, when the nuclear fraction was vigorously disrupted these inhibitions were lost, although catabolic activity was maintained. Certain other inhibitions were not affected by this treatment. These results imply that nuclear protein catabolism involves both structural and proteolytic components. Native and denatured rat serum proteins and liver cytoplasmic proteins were not substrates for the liver nuclei, while denatured bovine hemoglobin, active bovine spleen ribonuclease and calf thymus deoxyribonuclease were degraded to some extent, and rat liver nucleoproteins were hydrolyzed approx. 0.5–1% per h. There appears to be both a cytoplasmic inhibitor and a stimulator for nuclear protein catabolism. The inhibition is not due to a competition for substrate since the cytoplasmic proteins are not degraded by the nuclei. The pH 5 fraction stimulated protein catabolism, and this stimulation was lost by pre-treating the pH 5 fraction with ribonuclease or by adding the ribonuclease to the nuclei with the pH 5 fraction. Ribonuclease added to the nuclei inhibited protein degradation. These data suggest an RNA involvement in protein catabolism, but our initial attempts to demonstrate a stimulation of protein catabolism by adding various RNA preparations were not successful.
The Electric Strength of Air Under Continuous Potentials and as Influenced by Temperature ..

The paper describes a series of experiments on the influence of temperature on corona-forming continuous potentials. The observations have been made on three sizes of wire of diameters 0.0251 cm., 0.0803 cm., and 0.0933 cm., and in each case at several values of temperature within the range 5 deg. cent and 70 deg. cent. At each temperature the pressure has been varied from a value in the neighborhood of that of the atmosphere downwards, reaching in the extreme cases the value 6.03 cm. of mercury. Within the range of values reached, as indicated above, the general form of the law of corona, as developed experimentally by a number of other observers, is found to be fulfilled. There are separate families of curves for positive and negative potentials as obtained by varying the pressure for each constant value of temperature. The observations show that under constant conditions as to pressure and temperature a higher value of negative potential than positive potential is required to form corona. As plotted graphically, the results seem to indicate that when larger wires are used corona appears at the same values of both positive and negative potential. The observations, however, have not been extended sufficiently to show this identity of value. This conclusion is at variance with the observations, of a number of other experimenters, in particular those of W. S. Brown, who concludes that with larger values of diameter of wire negative corona may appear at lower values than positive corona.
The Clinical Application of Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a delivery system that, when coupled with a treatment-planning optimization system, presents the opportunity to conform the dose to the target better than 3-dimensional conformal therapy, particularly in the case of concave targets. Appropriate clinical applications of this technology to challenging patient treatment scenarios requires careful consideration of issues related to target volume-dose heterogeneity and the influence of patient setup uncertainties. These issues are reviewed and illustrated. To date, clinical reports of these treatments for prostate and head and neck cancers have the most mature data. Those results are summarized here. Future applications of this technology can be expected to take careful, considered advantage of this technology to further rearrange dose distributions across target volumes to produce an integrated overall gain in treatment objectives. However, these innovative applications need to be approached with caution, preferably in prospective clinical trials that would help determine if the hypothetical clinical benefits are in fact realizable.
On being a pathologist: Maria Dąbska--the woman behind the eponym, a pioneer in pathology.

There is only one cancer to our knowledge named in honor of its female describer, the Dąbska tumor. Maria Dąbska was a brave hero of the Warsaw Resurrection of 1944 who survived deportation to Germany to graduate from medical school in Gdansk and pursue a career in pathology, for which her research on the Dąbska tumor, breast cancer, sweat gland tumors, keratoacanthoma, soft tissue sarcomas, bone pathology, parachordoma, melanoma, and other entities remains salient. Working behind the Iron Curtain, she nevertheless achieved international recognition, yet few today are cognizant of her and her accomplishments. This vibrant distinguished professor is celebrating her 90th birthday.
Self-report INH adherence measures were reliable and valid in Latino adolescents with latent tuberculosis infection

Abstract Background and Objective To test the reliability and validity of 8-day and 30-day self-report measures of adherence to daily isoniazid (INH) for treatment of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI). Methods Participants were 286 Latino adolescents (ages 13–18, 55.6% male) with LTBI recruited from 10 public middle and high schools in San Diego County. INH adherence was measured monthly for up to 9 months by interview and urine specimens at unannounced visits. Reliability and validity analyses were performed within 5 consecutive months. Reliability was assessed by correlating: (1) 8- and 30-day INH adherence measures within each month; and (2) each of the two adherence measures across months. Validity was assessed by correlating reported measures with biological assays within each month. Results Reliability tests yielded significant correlation coefficients (p Conclusion Results suggest that impromptu recall measures of INH adherence, combined with urine collection, are reliable and valid in Latino adolescents.
Propagators and renormalization transformations for lattice gauge theories. I

Lattice gauge theories may be looked at as perturbations of the theory of a vector field with a Gaussian action. We study this theory here and in following papers obtaining crucial results for understanding the renormalization group method in more complicated non-Abelian gauge field theories.
Single Strip Diffraction: Comparison Between Kirchhoff Theory and Keller's Geometrical Theory in the Limit of Small Glancing Angle and Width.

A comparison is made between the approximate theories of Kirchhoff and Keller, and the exact solution of Maxwell’s equations for the case of Fraunhofer diffraction of electromagnetic radiation incident upon a long, thin conducting strip with the electric field vector polarized parallel to the strip axis. Strip widths from approximately 0.3 λ to 3 λ are considered with angles of incidence ranging from 4° to 84°. The predicted intensities are compared as a function of angle in the region on the same side of the strip as the incident radiation. It is found that in the limits of small glancing angle or small strip width, where both approximate theories are of questionable validity, Keller’s geometrical theory more closely agrees with the exact solution.