cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ring melanoma of the anterior chamber angle: a report of fourteen cases.

Abstract PURPOSE: Ring melanoma of the anterior chamber angle is a rare variant of uveal melanoma that manifests as circumferential, flat tumor growth predominantly confined to the trabecular meshwork and other anterior chamber angle structures. We report the clinical and histopathological features, management, and prognosis of ring melanoma of anterior chamber angle. METHODS: A retrospective review of clinical features, management, histopathologic features, and prognosis was performed. Of 8800 patients with uveal melanoma examined on the Oncology Service at Wills Eye Hospital over a 25-year period, only 14 patients (0.2%; 14 eyes) were classified clinically as ring melanoma of the anterior chamber angle. In no case was there appreciable involvement of the iris or ciliary body on clinical examination. RESULTS: The patients were followed elsewhere for a mean of 8 months before intraocular malignancy was suspected. Upon referral to the Oncology Service, the intraocular pressure was greater than 22 mm Hg in the affected eye in all patients (mean, 36 mm Hg; median, 35 mm Hg; range, 24 to 48 mm Hg), and all patients were using at least two glaucoma medications. The melanoma infiltrated the anterior chamber angle for a mean of 10 clock hours (range, 8 to 12 clock hours). Tumor management consisted of enucleation in 13 cases and plaque radiotherapy in one case. Histopathologic examination revealed epithelioid cell type melanoma in one case, mixed cell type in nine, and spindle cell type in four. Of the 13 patients who underwent enucleation, tumor cells were found within the Schlemm canal in all cases. Five cases displayed invasion of the intrascleral canals, and three showed episcleral invasion. With the exception of two recent cases, 12 patients were followed for a mean of 64 months (median, 47 months; range, 23 to 225 months). Distant metastasis to the liver was detected in three of 12 patients (25%) after a mean follow-up of 78 months (median, 70; range, 37 to 128 months). CONCLUSIONS: Ring melanoma of the trabecular meshwork and angle structures is a rare variant of diffuse uveal melanoma. It often masquerades as unilateral glaucoma and can be difficult to recognize clinically unless careful comparative gonioscopy is performed. Despite the relatively small tumor volume, life prognosis is guarded with distant metastasis in 25% at mean 6 years follow-up.
Grain level analysis of crack initiation and propagation in brittle materials

A study on the accuracy of cohesive models for capturing dynamic fragmentation of ceramic microstructures is presented. The investigation consists of a combined experimental/numerical approach in which microcracking and damage kinetics are examined by means of plate impact recovery experiments. The numerical analysis is based on a 2-D micromechanical stochastic finite element analysis. The model incorporates a cohesive law to capture microcrack initiation, propagation and coalescence, as well as crack interaction and branching, as a natural outcome of the calculated material response. The stochasticity of the microfracture process is modeled by introducing a Weibull distribution of interfacial strength at grain boundaries. This model accounts for randomness in grain orientation, and the existence of chemical impurities and glassy phase at grain boundaries. Representative volume elements (RVE) of ceramic microstructure with different grain size and shape distributions are considered to account for features observed in real microstructures. Normal plate impact velocity histories are used not only to identify model parameters, but also to determine under what conditions the model captures failure mechanisms experimentally observed. The analyses show that in order to capture damage kinetics a particular distribution of grain boundary strength and detailed modeling of grain morphology are required. Simulated microcrack patterns and velocity histories have been found to be in a good agreement with the experimental observations only when the right grain morphology and model parameters are chosen. It has been found that the addition of rate effects to the cohesive model results in microcrack diffusion not observed experimentally.
Characterizing the mechanochemically active domains in gem-dihalocyclopropanated polybutadiene under compression and tension

The incorporation of mechanically active functional groups, or mechanophores, along polymer backbones offers opportunities for new stress-responsive material properties and also provides a method by which to probe fundamental questions related to molecular stress distributions in polymeric materials under load. The activation of covalent chemistry in polymers has primarily been demonstrated in solution, but to date little is known regarding activation in the solid state. In the latter regard, recent effort has focused on the use of spectroscopically active mechanophores that directly probe the presence of stress within materials. The distribution of forces within individual polymer chains, however, has yet to be characterized. Herein we report that gem-dihalocyclopropane (gDHC) functionalized polybutadiene is mechanochemically active in the solid state, and that the strain-triggered ring opening of the gDHCs provides quantitative information regarding the number of mechanically active monomers and the size of the mechanically activated domains along individual polymer backbones within bulk materials subjected to compressive and tensile loads. The results show that high mechanical forces are concentrated over lengths of only a few monomers.
Comparison of Light and Electron Microscopy for Defining Occupational Asbestos Exposure in Transbronchial Lung Biopsies

Since asbestos burden in the lung can vary among areas, the usefulness of small tissue samples for identifying past occupational exposure is examined. Simulated transbronchial biopsy samples and open lung biopsy samples were collected from autopsy material from 12 former amosite asbestos workers and ten persons from the general population. Tissue evaluation included (1) paraffin embedment and light microscopy screening for fibrosis and ferruginous bodies, and (2) tissue digestion, which was analyzed by the combination of (A) light microscopy screening for ferruginous bodies and (B) electron microscopy (EM) screening for uncoated fibers. Using standard pathology techniques to classify the small samples was generally unsuccessful, the samples being too small or their size compounding other random sampling problems. The most reliable method of establishing which transbronchial biopsy tissue samples were from the occupationally exposed group occurred when light and EM analyses were used to evaluate digested tissue. The combined data from the EM analysis of two samples per subject indicated controls had two or fewer observed asbestos fibers, while the amosite asbestos workers had six or more fibers. This distinction was valid even in those who, 21 years before sampling, had worked for only a few weeks in the asbestos plant.
Views of patients and physicians regarding the importance of various aspects of arthritis treatment. Correlations with health status and patient satisfaction

Abstract This study examines whether the health status of patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and their satisfaction with their treatment, were more strongly associated with patient-physician agreement about the importance of various aspects of the treatment program, or with the extent to which patients' concerns about their care were reduced during a clinic visit. Questionnaire responses from 82 rheumatologist-patient dyads showed that patients whose concerns were reduced tended to be satisfied with the visit, and to exhibit good overall health status and low levels of psychological distress. In contrast, patient-physician agreement was not associated with general or psychological health status, and was negatively associated with patient satisfaction. Although this cross-sectional analysis does not prove causality, the results are consistent with the premise that reducing the concerns of patients has a beneficial impact on clinical outcomes. Mere concordance between the patient and physician regarding the importance of various aspects of the treatment program, however, may not produce these beneficial effects.
Stability bounds for local Lagrangian interpolation

Analyse des bornes de stabilite pour l'interpolation de Lagrange(polynomale) comme une fonction des rapports des mailles
Comparison and assessment of semi-automatic image segmentation in computed tomography scans for image-guided kidney surgery

Purpose: Image segmentation is integral to implementing intraoperative guidance for kidneytumor resection. Results seen in computed tomography(CT) data are affected by target organphysiology as well as by the segmentation algorithm used. This work studies variables involved in using level set methods found in the Insight Toolkit to segment kidneys from CT scans and applies the results to an image guidance setting. Methods: A composite algorithm drawing on the strengths of multiple level set approaches was built using the Insight Toolkit. This algorithm requires imagecontrast state and seed points to be identified as input, and functions independently thereafter, selecting and altering method and variable choice as needed. Results: Semi-automatic results were compared to expert hand segmentation results directly and by the use of the resultant surfaces for registration of intraoperative data. Direct comparison using the Dice metric showed average agreement of 0.93 between semi-automatic and hand segmentation results. Use of the segmented surfaces in closest point registration of intraoperative laser range scan data yielded average closest point distances of approximately 1 mm. Application of both inverse registration transforms from the previous step to all hand segmented image space points revealed that the distance variability introduced by registering to the semi-automatically segmented surface versus the hand segmented surface was typically less than 3 mm both near the tumor target and at distal points, including subsurface points. Conclusions: Use of the algorithm shortened user interaction time and provided results which were comparable to the gold standard of hand segmentation. Further, the use of the algorithm’s resultant surfaces in image registration provided comparable transformations to surfaces produced by hand segmentation. These data support the applicability and utility of such an algorithm as part of an image guidance workflow.
Probabilistic participation in public goods games.

Voluntary participation in public goods games (PGGs) has turned out to be a simple but effective mechanism for promoting cooperation under full anonymity. Voluntary participation allows individuals to adopt a risk-aversion strategy, termed loner. A loner refuses to participate in unpromising public enterprises and instead relies on a small but fixed pay-off. This system leads to a cyclic dominance of three pure strategies, cooperators, defectors and loners, but at the same time, there remain two considerable restrictions: the addition of loners cannot stabilize the dynamics and the time average pay-off for each strategy remains equal to the pay-off of loners. Here, we introduce probabilistic participation in PGGs from the standpoint of diversification of risk, namely simple mixed strategies with loners, and prove the existence of a dynamical regime in which the restrictions no longer hold. Considering two kinds of mixed strategies associated with participants (cooperators or defectors) and non-participants (loners), we can recover all basic evolutionary dynamics of the two strategies: dominance; coexistence; bistability; and neutrality, as special cases depending on pairs of probabilities. Of special interest is that the expected pay-off of each mixed strategy exceeds the pay-off of loners at some interior equilibrium in the coexistence region.
Functional groups in carbon black by FTIR spectroscopy

Abstract Results of the application of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the type and amount of surface functional groups in carbon black are reported. Surface functional groups in carbon black have been identified and analyzed using carbon black dispersions in KBr. At low dilutions less than 0.10% (wt/wt), Beer's law is followed. Absorbance at 1720 cm −1 can be assigned to carboxylic acid, while the assignment of the strong band at 1600 cm −1 is uncertain. Semi-quantitative analysis of band shapes indicates that there is a distribution of electronic environments in the carbon blacks. The magnitude of the absorbances (0.02–0.10) correspond to carboxylic or quinone groups in the amount of ~0.1–1.8 meq/g. Further developments of the technique could lead to a quantitative method for the determination of functional groups in carbon black.
Further experimental evidence concerning the Fermi-Teller «Z-law »

The time distribution of electrons from mu /sup -/ decaying in AgZn and Li/sup 6/I was investigated to gather evidence concerning the Fermi-Teller "Z- law." The Fermi-Teller prediction is supported by experimental evidence for the binary compound AgZn. A final corrected value for the atomic capture ratio I/Li = 15.8 plus or minus 2.0 was found which compared with the F-T prediction I/Li = 17.6. This high ratio could be a consequence of transfer processes such as have been suggested to explain the anomalous x-ray yields observed by the Stearnses. (B.O.G.)
Oxo Transfer Reactions Mediated by Bis(dithiolene)tungsten Analogues of the Active Sites of Molybdoenzymes in the DMSO Reductase Family: Comparative Reactivity of Tungsten and Molybdenum

The discovery of tungsten enzymes and molybdenum/tungsten isoenzymes, in which the mononuclear catalytic sites contain a metal chelated by one or two pterin−dithiolene cofactor ligands, has lent new significance to tungsten−dithiolene chemistry. Reaction of [W(CO)2(S2C2Me2)2] with RO- affords a series of square pyramidal desoxo complexes [WIV(OR‘)(S2C2Me2)2]1-, including R‘ = Ph (1) and Pri (3). Reaction of 1 and 3 with Me3NO gives the cis-octahedral complexes [WVIO(OR‘)(S2C2Me2)2]1-, including R‘ = Ph (6) and Pri (8). These W(IV,VI) complexes are considered unconstrained versions of protein-bound sites of DMSOR and TMAOR (DMSOR = dimethylsulfoxide reductase, TMAOR = trimethylamine N-oxide reductase) members of the title enzyme family. The structure of 6 and the catalytic center of one DMSO reductase isoenzyme have similar overall stereochemistry and comparable bond lengths. The minimal oxo transfer reaction paradigm thought to apply to enzymes, WIV + XO → WVIO + X, has been investigated. Direct oxo trans...
DNA Substrate Length and Surrounding Sequence Affect the Activation-induced Deaminase Activity at Cytidine

Activation-induced deaminase (AID) is required for both immunoglobulin class switch recombination and somatic hypermutation. AID is known to deaminate cytidines in single-stranded DNA, but the relationship of this step to the class switch or somatic hypermutation processes is not entirely clear. We have studied the activity of a recombinant form of the mouse AID protein that was purified from a baculovirus expression system. We find that the length of the single-stranded DNA target is critical to the action of AID at the Cs positioned anywhere along the length of the DNA. The DNA sequence surrounding a given C influences AID deamination efficiency. AID preferentially deaminates Cs in the WRC motif, and additionally has a small but consistent preference for purine at the position after the WRC, thereby favoring WRCr (the lowercase r corresponds to the smaller impact on activity).
Global Education Diplomacy and Inclusion in Developing Countries: Lessons From West Africa

Improving education equity and quality is a major focus of global developmental movements. Within that overarching goal, educators and advocates around the world are working to ensure children with special needs receive a quality education. For many, this means pursuing programs of inclusion. The author of this article uses the tools of education diplomacy being shaped by the Association for Childhood Education International to discuss the influence of local religious and cultural practices on the education of children with disabilities, the dominant models of disability, and the differences in conceptualizing inclusive education across the world. The article highlights the need to take an approach informed by education diplomacy when advocates of inclusive education seek to collaborate with various stakeholders in the fields of early education and special needs education.
A review of sulfur crosslinking fundamentals for accelerated and unaccelerated vulcanization

Abstract This work has reviewed and summarized the present understanding of the fundamental science and chemistry of rubber vulcanization. The future of this area holds much potential. Recent studies have begun to fully elucidate the accelerator and accelerator complex chemistry, and definitively answer questions that have been open for debate for many years. Additionally, the understanding of the network structure is rapidly progressing through advances in analytical techniques. The largest area of future research will be the use of multiple experimental techniques to fully elucidate and understand the relationship between accelerator chemistry and the formation of specific network structures. With this knowledge, it will then be possible to molecularly engineer vulcanizates with specific properties.
Pharmacologic effects of ospemifene in rhesus macaques: a pilot study.

Abstract: Ospemifene (Ophena™) is a new selective oestrogen receptor modulator currently in phase III clinical development for treatment of post-menopausal vulvar and vaginal atrophy. In the present study, we examined the pharmacokinetics, toxicity, and DNA adduct forming potential of ospemifene in the liver and endometrium of rhesus macaques following single and subchronic dosing schedules to better understand the potential toxicologic effects of ospemifene. During single weekly dosing, six macaques were administered 35 mg/kg/week ospemifene orally for 3 weeks. Pharmacokinetics, haematologic toxicity, uterotrophic effects and serum cholesterol levels were monitored. Additionally, two animals were subchronically dosed with 60 mg ospemifene for 9 weeks, followed by 12 mg/day for 3 weeks. Serum cholesterol and pharmacokinetics were monitored, and serial liver and endometrial biopsies were collected during and after treatment to evaluate DNA adduct formation. Following single weekly dosing, no significant haematologic toxicities or uterotrophic effects associated with ospemifene were observed. Peak absorption was 4–5 hr, and the elimination half-life was approximately 22 hr. Serum low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels trended lower while no other effects on serum lipids were observed. Subchronic dosing resulted in no haematologic toxicity, a lowering of low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride levels, and an increase in high-density lipoprotein levels that were reversed following cessation of dosing. No clinically relevant uterine or endometrial effects were observed, and no DNA adducts were detected in the liver or endometrial biopsies. The results of our pilot study show that ospemifene may lack genotoxic and toxic effects while having a favourable pharmacokinetic profile.
Shrinkage correction and length conversion equations for Theragra chalcogramma, Mallotus villosus and Thaleichthys pacificus

Preservation of walleye pollock Theragra cliulcogramma, capelin Mallotus villosus and eulachon Thaleichthys pacificus by freezing decreased fork length (L F ) up to 1.8, 5.6 and 2.7% and reduced mass by up to 8.4, 3.5 and 1.1%, respectively. Shrinkage of walleye pollock standard length (L S ) was greater for fish in 95% ethanol v. 5% formalin and for fish in 10% formalin v. frozen. Equations describing the shrinkage and loss in mass for these species are presented as well as conversions between different length measurements (L S , L F and total length. L T ) for fishes that were frozen.
Learning through observing peers in practice

Learning through peer observation in higher education is most frequently investigated from the perspective of the teacher who is observed. What is under-examined is how learning arises for the observer by watching a peer in practice. This paper provides insight into this question through an interpretive-phenomenological analysis of a case study of an observer, elicited from a semi-structured interview following a peer observation. A three-part model of change resulting from observation is hypothesized, and two important social conditions unique to this peer observation are identified that appear to have causal import for learning. This paper adds to the increasing evidence about the value of peer observation for learning and development for the observer.
The Ethics of Rationing of Critical Care Services: Should Technology Assessment Play a Role?

The costs of health care continue to increase rapidly and steeply in the United States. One area of great expense is that of intensive care units (ICUs). The causes of inflation have not been addressed effectively. ICU resources could become stretched such that they may no longer be available. This paper discusses some of the ethics and concerns behind decision making when providing ICU services in the United States. In particular, the use of electronic records with decision making tools, risk-analysis methods, and documentation of patient wishes for extraordinary care may help with better utilization of resources in the future.
Misalignment-Mediated DNA Polymerase β Mutations: Comparison of Microsatellite and Frame-Shift Error Rates Using a Forward Mutation Assay†

Mutations arising in microsatellite DNA are associated with neurological diseases and cancer. To elucidate the molecular basis of microsatellite mutation, we have determined the in vitro polymerase...
Effect of anode emission of electrons on space-charge theory of the plasma thermionic converter

The space-charge potential theory in low-pressure thermionic converters is extended to cover emission of electrons at the anode as well as both ion and electron production at the cathode. The contribution of each of these three sources to the charge density is expressed as a function of potential for the ten most important cases. The first integrations of Poisson's equation are given for each of the cases. Previous analytical work by P. L. Auer and by the author reporting first integrations of Polsson's equation without anode emission appears as a special case in this paper. In addition, in each of the ten first-order differential equations there appears a term giving the contribution of anode emission. As before, analytical solution of the first-order differential equations is impossible. For illustrative purposes numerical solutions have been obtained on the IBM 704 computer. Comparison with previous numerical solutions reported by the-author show the effect of anode emission on the space-charge potential in the diode. Also shown in figures is the effect of the variation of parameters for certain selected cases.
Into the wild blue yonder: On the emergence of the ethnoneurologies—the social science-based neurologies and the philosophy-based neurologies

Abstract The development of cognitive science and neuroscience has stimulated the emergence of social science-based and philosophy-based neurosciences. A classification of the neurosciences is presented. The new neurosciences are viewed as ethnoneurologies, having as their common object the study of brain—in neurophysiological, neuroelectrical, neurochemical, and other functioning as related to mental level of experience and to structures, arrangements, and processes in the social world. This approach focuses not on how people perceive the brain, but rather on the uses they make of brain. Thus, the ethnoneurologies refer to a closely related family of interdisciplinary, neurocognitive fields of inquiry. The behavioral science based neurosciences—neurocommunications, neuroethology, neurolinguistics, and neuropsychology—contain within themselves topics, problems, and levels of analysis that are ethnoneurological, although not defined as ethnoneurologies. The social science based ethnoneurologies are neurosociology, neuroanthropology, neuropolitics, and neuroeconomics. The philosophy/humanities based ethnoneurologies include neurophilosophy, neuroaesthetics, neuroepistemology, neurophenomenology, and neuro-ontology. An ethnoneurological perspective provides a strategy for resolving the culture-and-cognition paradox, according to which (i) cultural differences are viewed as variations in the expression of universal human mentation, and (ii) such cultural differences reflect qualitatively different cognitive structures.
Preserved cerebellar tyrosine hydroxylase-immunoreactive neuronal fibers in a behaviorally aggressive subgroup of Alzheimer's disease patients.

Abstract Aggression is a very problematic behavioral symptom affecting a significant proportion of Alzheimer's disease patients. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that a subgroup of Alzheimer's patients displaying aggressive behaviors had a markedly higher level of α 2 -adrenergic receptors in the cerebellar cortex (approaching or exceeding those of controls), compared to Alzheimer's patients with similar cognitive impairments, but no history of aggressive behaviors. This study has sought to assess whether noradrenergic neuronal inputs to the cerebellum reflect similar changes in this Alzheimer's subgroup. Cerebellar cortex from non-aggressive Alzheimer's subjects showed a markedly lower level of tyrosine hydroxylase-positive neuronal fibers than normal controls (approximately 75% decreased), visualized by immunohistochemistry. Cerebellar cortex from the aggressive Alzheimer's subgroup, on the other hand, had a tyrosine hydroxylase fiber concentration not significantly different than controls. These results suggest that there is a relative preservation of inhibitory noradrenergic neuronal input to the cerebellar cortex in this aggressive subgroup of Alzheimer's disease patients. Much evidence exists that the cerebellum assists in behavioral control. The possibility that this lack of noradrenergic decline in the cerebellum could lead to a system imbalance and result in a selective behavioral disturbance is discussed.
Isolation and characterization of a photoprotein, “phialidin”, and a spectrally unique green-fluorescent protein from the bioluminescent jellyfish Phialidium gregarium

1. 1. A calcium-activated photoprotein, “phialidin” and a green-fluorescent protein (P-GFP) have been isolated from the bioluminescent hydrozoan jellyfish, Phialidium gregarium and purified 170-fold and 500-fold, respectively. 2. 2. Phialidin has a mol wt of 23,000 ± 4% by gel filtration and a pH profile for calcium-stimulated bioluminescence between 6 and 9.5. It is less sensitive than aequorin, however, to low levels of calcium. 3. 3. With regard to mol wt (57,000 ± 4%) and thermal stability (TM = 69°C), Phialidium GFP more closely resembles Renilla GFP than Aequorea GFP. 4. 4. The corrected fluorescence emission spectrum of P-GFP resembles those of Renilla and Aequorea GFP in shape; but, having a peak emission at 497 nm, it is unique among all known GFP's.
Positive surgical margins in robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy: impact of learning curve on oncologic outcomes.

Abstract Objective The presence of positive surgical margins following radical prostatectomy is a known risk factor for disease recurrence and may lead to adjuvant treatment. Our goal was to assess the incidence of positive surgical margins in our series of robotic-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and its relationship to our learning curve. Methods Between February 2003 and August 2005, 140 patients underwent RARP by the same surgical team at our institution. The records of our first 100 consecutive RARPs were retrospectively reviewed. The patients were divided into three groups based on the time of surgery: group I included the first 33 cases; group II included the second 33 cases; and group III comprised the last 34 cases. We compared the incidence and location of positive surgical margins among the groups. Additional variables evaluated included the patient's prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level, preoperative/postoperative Gleason score, clinical/pathologic stage, and pathologic tumour volume. Results The positive margin rates were 45.4%, 21.2%, and 11.7% for groups I, II, and III, respectively. The difference in positive margin rates in the three groups was statistically significant ( p =0.0053). Positive margin rates declined specifically at the apex and bladder neck when comparing the first 33 patients to the last 34 patients. Patient demographics and preoperative staging variables were comparable among all three groups, with no statistically significant differences among them. Conclusions This study illustrates that experience gained with time led to a decrease in the incidence of positive surgical margins. We do not feel that a selection bias affected our results because clinical and pathologic staging was evenly distributed within the three study groups. A steady reduction in positive surgical margin rates demonstrates a learning curve, of approximately 30 patients, associated with RARP, and suggests that oncologic outcome is affected by the experience of the robotic surgeon.
Numerical computation of root loci using the Newton-Raphson technique

An algorithm is described which employs the method of Newton-Raphson iteration in order to compute the root loci of a linear system. The technique differs widely in several aspects from those previously reported, and thereby significant gains in speed, accuracy, and versatility have been achieved. A FORTRAN program which utilizes the algorithm has been written, and some of its features are pointed out. An example of the use of this program is given.
Effects of cations and anions on the rate of the acidic coagulation of casein micelles: the possible roles of different forces

Raw skim milk was diluted 1000-fold using distilled water or various salt solutions as specified. Smooth, hyperbolic profiles of coagulation rate v. pH for casein were calculated from recordings of turbidity (400 nm) with time. The effects of pH, cation type, anion type and cleavage of k−casein by chymosin (EC 3.4.23.4) were determined. The maximum of pH-coagulation rate profiles decreased by 63, 85 and 94% when the skim milk diluent was changed from water to salt solutions of NaCl (100 mM), CaCl2 (50 mM) or MgCl2 (50 mM). The maximum of the pH–coagulation rate profile was 15 times greater when the Ca salt was changed from CaCl2 to Ca(SCN)2 (50 mM). The highest pH at which casein coagulation occurred increased from 4·45 to > 6·0 when Cu2+ (1 mM) was included with casein micelles dispersed in CaCl2 solution (50 mM). The addition of chymosin to casein micelles suspended in CaCl2 solution (70 mM) eliminated the inhibition of casein coagulation by Ca2+ at pH 4·5. It is proposed that ions such as Mg2+, Ca2+, and Na+, which generally associate with casein phosphate and carboxylate groups, increased the H+ concentration required to initiate the coagulation of casein, because H+ must displace bound Ca2+, Mg2+ or Na+ to reduce repulsive hydration forces between casein micelles, allowing attractive hydration forces (e.g. hydrophobic phenomena) to cause casein coagulation. Furthermore, it is proposed that ions such as Cl−, Br−, and SCN− bind to lysine, arginine and histidine groups and thereby decrease repulsive hydration forces between cationic casein micelles.
Soluble receptor (DcR3) and cellular inhibitor of apoptosis-2 (cIAP-2) protect human cytotrophoblast cells against LIGHT-mediated apoptosis.

LIGHT (tumor necrosis factor superfamily 14) is among the powerful apoptosis-inducing cytokines synthesized in human placentas. Here, we investigated mechanisms protecting cytotrophoblast (CTB) cells from LIGHT-mediated apoptosis. Viability assays and caspase-3 immunoblots using recombinant LIGHT were done to establish that CTB cells purified from term placentas resist LIGHT-induced apoptosis. Although the cells were also resistant to killing by another placental cytokine, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), a combination of the two induced apoptosis. Killing was prevented by DcR3-Fc fragment but not control human-Fc fragment, showing that apoptosis occurs via the LIGHT pathway and that soluble receptors provide protection. Next, two cellular inhibitors of apoptosis expressed in CTB cells, cellular inhibitor of apoptosis (cIAP)-1 and cIAP-2, were investigated for protection. Cellular IAP-1 was unchanged after stimulation with LIGHT whereas cIAP-2 mRNA and protein were elevated. The increase was abrogated by treating CTB cells with LIGHT + IFN-γ, implying a central role for cIAP-2 in preventing LIGHT-mediated apoptosis and an ability of IFN-γ to overcome cIAP-2 protection. Definitive evidence was provided in experiments that showed that cIAP-2 anti-sense morpholinos permit LIGHT to induce apoptosis in HT-29 cells. In summary, the data are consistent with the postulate that placental CTB cells are protected from LIGHT-mediated apoptosis by both soluble receptor, DcR3, and cIAP-2.
Effect of tensile stress amplitude and temporal characteristics on threshold of cavitation-driven ablation

Understanding of laser tissue ablation mechanisms may help to optimize laser ablation parameters in order to achieve minimal thermal and mechanical damage to surrounding tissues. One of the possibility to avoid unwanted thermal and mechanical effects is the use of cavitation-driven ablation. This regime provides ablation of aqueous media at temperatures substantially below 100 degree(s)C. Cavitation-induced ablation can be achieved at stress- confined irradiation of absorbing media with free surface. Under these irradiation conditions relatively powerful thermoelastic tensile pressure waves can be generated. The tensile waves can produce cavitation inside irradiated medium and cavitation-induced ablation. Temporal profile of the tensile wave depends on absorption coefficient of the medium while amplitude depends on both absorption coefficient and fluence of laser pulses. In our study effect of the amplitude and duration of the tensile waves on threshold of cavitation-induced ablation is investigated. Absorbing aqueous solutions of potassium chromate with various concentrations were irradiated by third harmonic of Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. On the basis of the experimental results, one can conclude that ablation threshold under this irradiation conditions is effected by both amplitude and temporal characteristics of the tensile pressure waves. Effect of duration of tensile pulse is caused by resonance and cooperative phenomena upon cavitation and coalescence of cavitation bubbles in the irradiated volume. Other effects (initial distribution of cavitation bubbles, etc.) are also discussed.
Case Study: Applying a Regional Cge Model for Estimation of Indirect Economic Losses Due to Damaged Highway Bridges

Destruction from natural and man-made disasters can result in extensive damage to the affected area's infrastructure. While the destruction results in costs that are necessary to restore the physical destruction and repair of existing infrastructure, a wider economic impact is often indirectly measured and felt. Policy-makers generally focus only on losses that are directly caused by the destruction, such as the replacement of roads and bridges, yet tend to overlook the consequences from indirect economic losses. This study proposes a framework to estimate the indirect economic loss due to damaged bridges within the highway system of a major metropolitan area. For the research, a simulated earthquake within the St. Louis metropolitan region is selected as a case study. The computable general equilibrium (CGE) model is applied as the loss estimation tool for modeling the indirect cost. The study results show that the indirect loss is significant when compared to the direct loss and should therefore be cons...
The morphology of the bipolar cells, amacrine cells and ganglion cells in the retina of the turtle Pseudemys Scripta Elegans

The morphology of the neurons that contribute to the inner plexiform layer of the retina of the turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans has been studied by light microscopy of whole-mount material stained by the method of Golgi. Cells have been distinguished on the basis of criteria that include dendritic branching patterns, dendritic morphology, dendritic tree sizes and stratification of processes in the inner plexiform layer. Many of the neurons have dendritic trees oriented parallel to and a few exhibit an orthogonal orientation with the linear visual streak present in the retina of this species. The neurons of the turtle retina have been compared, where possible, with the neurons of the lizard retina as described by Cajal. The findings are discussed in relation to other vertebrate retinas, and correlations are made with recent electrophysiological recordings of the turtle retina. Comments are made with regard to the significance of orientation of neurons relative to the linear visual streak.
A Role for cAMP in Long-Term Depression at Hippocampal Mossy Fiber Synapses

Abstract Mossy fiber synapses on hippocampal CA3 pyramidal cells, in addition to expressing an NMDA receptor–independent form of long-term potentiation (LTP), have recently been shown to express a novel presynaptic form of long-term depression (LTD). We have studied the mechanisms underlying mossy fiber LTD and present evidence that it is triggered, at least in part, by a metabotropic glutamate receptor–mediated decrease in adenylyl cyclase activity, which leads to a decrease in the activity of the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and a reversal of the presynaptic processes responsible for mossy fiber LTP. The bidirectional control of synaptic strength at mossy fiber synapses by activity therefore appears to be due to modulation of the cAMP-PKA signaling pathway in mossy fiber boutons.
Extinctions of montane mammals reconsidered: putting a global-warming scenario on ice

McDonald and Brown developed a model based on island biogeographic principles to predict the magnitude and composition of small mammal extinctions from isolated boreal habitats atop mountains of the Great Basin following global warming. The model predicts that three of 14 boreal mammals will go extinct regionally and that four of 19 mountain ranges will lose upwards of 50% of their present faunas. Here, we re-examine the model on the basis of its underlying assumptions, on the statistical and biogeographic protocols used, and on its predictive power. A key assumption, that populations of these small mammals are isolated by absolute barriers to dispersal, is challenged by published field observations and by extensive trapping records. Statistical procedures used to construct the model are questionable and the model itself yields imprecise estimates. The biogeographic principle used to identify extinction-prone species, nested subsets of species, makes predictions that are at odds with available autecological information. The demonstration of a nested pattern of species occurrences does not provide definitive evidence in resolving SLOSS- or whether a single large island or several small islands of equivalent total area will contain more species. We conclude that the model is not a reliable method for forecasting species extinctions following global warming. The final resolution of the biogeography of montane mammals (and predictive models of extinction) in the Great Basin must await a full and accurate accounting of past and present species distributions.
Group‐contribution lattice‐fluid EOS: Prediction of LLE in polymer solutions

The modified group-contribution lattice-fluid equation of state (GCLF - EOS) was applied to predict liquid - liquid equilibria (LLE) in polymer solutions. The modified GCLF - EOS is a group-contribution form of the equation of state by Panayiotou and Vera based on the lattice-hole theory. Group contributions for the interaction energy and reference volume were developed based only on the saturated vapor pressures and liquid densities of low-molecular-weight compounds. For a mixture, group contributions for the binary interaction parameter were developed from the binary vapor - liquid equilibria of low-molecular-weight compounds. This modified GCLF- EOS model can be applied to predict LLE behavior in polymer solutions with the same group-contribution parameters as used for predicting the vapor-liquid equilibria. The only input required for the model is the structure of the molecules in terms of their functional groups.
Two Models of the Urban Crisis: An Analytical Essay on Banfield and Forrester

This essay examines the arguments and evidence used in two recent models of the urban crisis—Edward C. Banfield'sThe Unheavenly City and Jay W. Forrester'sUrban Dynamics. Although Banfield's model is sociological and Forrester's is economic and physical, both imply that not much can be done to alleviate urban problems and that positive programs may make them worse. The authors of this critique contend that the articulation of argument and evidence is inadequate to support the implication. They advocate that promising current programs be refined on the basis of evidence and experience and that policymakers continue to search for efficient new programs through social experiments.
Induction of rat interstitial collagenase (MMP-13) mRNA in a development-dependent manner by parathyroid hormone in osteoblastic cells.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether the production of interstitial collagenase mRNA in response to parathyroid hormone (PTH) changes with osteoblast phenotypic development. To accomplish this, cells derived from fetal rat calvaria were examined. The calvarial osteoblasts, which proliferate when placed in culture, can be made to differentiate after confluence. Studies were performed on cells while they were proliferating, at confluence, and during the differentiation process. The cells were treated with PTH for various times, and interstitial collagenase mRNA was quantified by RNase protection assay. We concluded that the ability of PTH to induce interstitial collagenase mRNA in these cells increased with osteoblast phenotypic development. We also determined that the response could be mimicked by combining the effect of 8-bromo-cAMP and 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate, stimulators of the protein kinase A and protein kinase C pathways, respectively, both known to be activated by PTH. The binding of nuclear factors to two regions previously reported to be important for PTH induction of the gene in UMR 106-01 cells was also examined. These data indicated that the binding of nuclear factors to oligonucleotides encompassing the TRE (−51) or the PEA3 (−80) elements changed with development of the osteoblast phenotype. The latter was also shown to be PTH responsive.
Stochastic search in a convex region

A stochastic search strategy is proposed for locating a possibility mobile target in a bounded, convex region of the plane. The strategy is asymptotically minimax as e→0 with respect to the time required to get within e of the target. The proof involves the study of first passages to time-dependent boundaries by a certain semi-Markov process.
Construction and characterization of plasmid vectors for cloning in the entomocidal organism Bacillus sphaericus 1593

A plasmid vector for cloning in Bacillus sphaericus 1593 was constructed in B. subtilis from two parent plasmids, pBC16 and pBD64. When characterized, the 3.9-MDa chimeric plasmid pNN101 was found to consist of the MspI fragment containing the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene from pBD64 inserted into an MspI site in pBC16. pNN101 was shown to replicate, express, and be stably maintained in B. sphaericus 1593 without affecting the mosquito larvicidal activity of this organism. A derivative of this plasmid, pNN302, was constructed in which a unique HindIII site was introduced into the CAT gene without loss of chloramphenicol resistance.
CRANIO-OROPHARYNGEAL MOTOR PATTERNS IN DYSARTHRIA ASSOCIATED WITH CEREBRAL PALSY.

Fifty-one cerebral palsied individuals were tested for a complex of primitive cranio-oropharyngeal motor patterns. This study explored the incidence of these patterns and their relationship to age,...
Identifying mobility barriers

This paper uses a new (PIMS) research data base to identify the mobility barriers–the factors associated with sustained intraindustry profit differentials–in a cross-section of industries. The exercise suggests that differentiation-related factors play more of a role in generating intraindustry profit differentials than do cost-related ones. It also indicates that differentiation-related advantages tend to be absorbed into fatter margins and (in some instances) larger maket shares, while cost-related advantages are taken primarily in the form of increases in market share.
A Raman Study of the Isomers and Dimer of Hydrogen Sulfite Ion

Raman spectra of aqueous solutions of hydrogen sulfite ion (SHO3-) were collected over temperatures of 275 to 340 K. The change in peak intensities with temperature was used to assign peaks to the hydrogen sulfite isomers. The HOSO2- isomer has a peak at 1023 cm−1 and the HSO3- isomer has a peak at 1052 cm−1. The relative strengths of the peaks were determined and used to measure the equilibrium quotients for hydrogen sulfite ion. Q1 = [HOSO2-]/[HSO3-] Q2 = [S2O52-]/SHO3-]2 No evidence was found for a hydrogen sulfite dimer other than disulfite ion, S2O52-.
Identifying patterns of appraising tests in first-year college students: Implications for anxiety and emotion regulation during test taking.

The authors explored patterns of appraising tests in a large sample of 1st-year college students. Cluster analysis was used to identify homogeneous groups of 1st-year students who shared similar patterns of cognitive appraisals about testing. The authors internally validated findings with an independent sample from the same population of students and examined the extent to which cluster membership differentiated undergraduates on the basis of external indicators (e.g., anxiety, emotion-regulation strategies, and achievement). The authors used 2 randomly drawn samples to conduct an initial cluster analysis (n = 1,107) and to replicate the solution on a 2nd, independent cluster and cross-classification analysis (n = 1,108). There may be 5 subtypes of test takers who differ in how they approach tests, their experience of anxiety, and how they manage problems that occur during test taking. Theoretical implications for emotion and emotion regulation, as well as practical implications for working with undergraduates who experience test anxiety, are discussed.
Enzyme-linked immunoassay of pre-S gene-coded sequences in hepatitis B vaccines.

Abstract Pre-S gene coded domains of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) envelope protein are highly immunogenic in experimental animals and humans. Their presence in HBV and hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) particles leads to production of anti-pre-S-specific antibodies during the course of HBV infection. Since antibodies specific for pre-S domains are capable of preventing the attachment of HBV to hepatocytes and are virus neutralizing, it would seem desirable to produce HBV vaccines with a standardized level of pre-S determinants to ensure their potential for eliciting the same repertoire of protective antibodies as found after recovery from natural infection. However, a test with appropriate sensitivity for detecting pre-S determinants to ensure their potential for eliciting the same repertoire of protective antibodies as found after (ELISA) for detecting pre-S determinants in vaccines containing ⩽ 20 μ g of HBsAg. The components of this assay are (1) antibodies to a synthetic peptide pre-S (120–145) adsorbed to polystyrene beads, and (2) β-lactamase-labelled antibodies purified from anti-HBV serum on the basis of their affinity for a pre-S (120–174) β-galactosidase fusion protein produced in Escherichia coli . Results of an evaluation of the pre-S content of HBV vaccines from two different commercial sources are discussed.