cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Early Pregnancy Failure with Ultrasound

Ultrasound has developed into a powerful tool in the management of early pregnancy failure. However, there is no single finding or measurement that should be used in making a final diagnosis of early pregnancy failure. Instead a combination of clinical, hormonal and ultrasound findings should be used when deciding on the clinical management course.
Satellites Track Precipitation of Super Typhoon Haiyan

Typhoon Haiyan, which struck Southeast Asia in November 2013, might be the strongest storm on record, with a 10-minute sustained wind speed of 230 kilometers per hour. In the Philippines alone, the damage was immense—the storm killed more than 6000 and completely leveled cities and towns, particularly on the island of Leyte.
Reactions of (PCP)Ru(CO)(NHPh)(PMe3) (PCP = 2,6-(CH2PtBu2)2C6H3) with Substrates That Possess Polar Bonds

The Ru(II) amido complex (PCP)Ru(CO)(PMe3)(NHPh) (1) (PCP = 2,6-(CH2PtBu2)2C6H3) reacts with compounds that possess polar CN, C⋮N, or CO bonds (e.g., nitriles, carbodiimides, or isocyanates) to produce four-membered heterometallacycles that result from nucleophilic addition of the amido nitrogen to an unsaturated carbon of the organic substrate. Based on studies of the reaction of complex 1 with acetonitrile, the transformations are suggested to proceed by dissociation of trimethylphosphine, followed by coordination of the organic substrate and then intramolecular N−C bond formation. In the presence of ROH (R = H or Me), the fluorinated amidinate complex (PCP)Ru(CO)(N(Ph)C(C6F5)NH) (6) reacts with excess pentafluorobenzonitrile to produce (PCP)Ru(CO)(F)(N(H)C(C6F5)NHPh) (7). The reaction with MeOH also produces o-MeOC6F4CN (>90%) and p-MeOC6F4CN (<10%). Details of the solid-state structures of (PCP)Ru(CO)(F)(N(H)C(C6F5)NHPh) (7), (PCP)Ru(CO)[PhNC{NH(hx)}N(hx)] (8), (PCP)Ru(CO){N(Ph)C(NHPh)O} (9), and (PCP...
Detoxification of nitrosamides and nitrosocarbamates in blood plasma and tissue homogenates

Nitrosamides and nitrosocarbamates exhibit relatively high mutagenic activity in Salmonella when compared with nitrosoureas. In striking contrast to the in vitro mutagenicity tests, a number of studies have indicated that nitrosamides and nitrosocarbamates are less potent than nitrosoureas when tested in vivo in model systems such as the mouse. The authors extend here previous studies that demonstrate striking chemical decomposition and inactivation of mutagenic activity of nitrosamides and nitrosocarbamates during exposure to murine blood plasma. Plasma glutathione concentrations are inadequate to account for the rapid inactivations noted. Furthermore, the predominant inactivating species is heat-sensitive, nondialyzable, and is greater than 25,000 daltons in size as judged by ultrafiltration experiments. Mouse liver, large intestine, kidney, and stomach have more activity per milligram protein under the assay conditions used than plasma itself. Rat liver S9 is also active at enhancing the decomposition of nitrosamides and nitrosocarbamates; most of this inactivating capacity resides in the microsomal fraction. The relatively rapid detoxification of these N-nitroso compounds by plasma and other tissues of rodents has important implications regarding the utility of rodents in assessment of tumorigenicity and/or antitumor activity of these classes of drugs in other animal species.
Preparation, purification and properties of a crosslinked trimer of G-actin

Phenylenebismaleimide has been used to form crosslinks between actin monomers [Knight, P. and Offer, G. (1978) Biochem. J. 175, 1023-1032]. We have purified a trimer of actin monomers as well as a dimer and a mixture of higher molecular weight oligomers. The trimer is much more effective than the dimer in enhancing the rate of polymerization while higher oligomers do not appear to be any more effective than the trimer. A lag in the polymerization process, as measured fluorescence enhancement of trace pyrene-actin, still occurs in the presence of trimers serving as the nuclei, suggesting that the mechanism for polymerization is more complex than nucleation followed by elongation.
Femtosecond laser direct writing of nanoscale silicon lines

Direct writing using a femtosecond laser provides an accurate, repeatable and efficient means of creating nanoscale lines for electronic applications circumventing the standard fabrication methods that require expensive masks and numerous processing steps. Femtosecond laser writing makes these nanoscale lines by using a phase zone plate to focus the laser pulse onto a silicon substrate in a chemical vapor deposition chamber flowing silane. The silane is decomposed onto the narrow heated area of the substrate as the laser scans across leaving behind a thin line of silicon deposition. This manufacturing technique utilizes a high precision optical metrology system and a high precision motion control system to make this nanomanufacturing possible. It has been shown to successfully make as many as 100 silicon lines on the order of a few hundred nanometers in width. The size and crystal structure of these lines are characterized using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).
Granulocyte transfusions in fulminant invasive fungal sinusitis.

Abstract Purpose Fulminant invasive fungal sinusitis (IFS) is an aggressive disease seen in patients who are severely neutropenic. The use of granulocyte transfusions to address neutropenia-associated IFS has been described for almost 2 decades. The objectives are to provide our experience using granulocyte transfusions in patients with IFS and to provide a current review of the literature. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed at the Medical College of Wisconsin to identify patients who received granulocyte transfusions for IFS. Data collected included age, original diagnosis, IFS pathogen, dates, transfusion number, reason for discontinuation, additional therapies, last known follow-up, and status at last known follow-up. A Medline search and manual review of citations within bibliographies was also performed. Results A total of 20 patients received granulocyte transfusions at the Medical College of Wisconsin between October 2003 and June 2009; 3 of these patients received granulocyte transfusions for fulminant IFS. A total of 22 reported cases of IFS treated with granulocyte transfusions exist in the current literature. Conclusions Although limitations to the use of granulocyte transfusions exist, they still represent a viable treatment option in individuals who fail to respond to more conventional therapies.
The effect of soil applied macro- and micro-nutrients on results of diagnostic soil and tissue tests for «concord» grapes

Abstract Additional information is needed on ‘Concord’ grapes (Vitis labruscana Bailey) in evaluating the nutrient requirements for establishing and bringing a vineyard into production. The objective of this experiment with ‘Concord’ grapes was to study the effects of selected macro‐ and micro‐nutrients (N, P, K, B and Zn) on levels of nutrients in soil and vines while establishing a furrow irrigated vineyard on Warden silt loam (coarse‐silty, mixed mesic Xerollic Camborthids). Spring fertilizer treatments were applied broadcast and incorporated before planting in 1980 and again in 1983 with N treatments repeated in 1982 and 1984. The high yielding treatments were 90 and 180 kg N ha which produced 16 to 17 Mg ha‐1 of grapes, respectively in 1983 and 24 to 26 Mg ha in 1984. There was a significant yield response to N and Zn in 1984 but not to P, K, or B. Black leaf ("K deficiency") was most prominent at low K fertility in 1984. The build‐up of inorganic N was minimized by the grain cover crop and reached a...
Ligand-based identification of environmental estrogens

Comparative molecular field analysis (CoMFA), a three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR) paradigm, was used to examine the estrogen receptor (ER) binding affinities of a series of structurally diverse natural, synthetic, and environmental chemicals of interest. The CoMFA/3D-QSAR model is statistically robust and internally consistent, and successfully illustrates that the overall steric and electrostatic properties of structurally diverse ligands for the estrogen receptor are both necessary and sufficient to describe the binding affinity. The ability of the model to accurately predict the ER binding affinity of an external test set of molecules suggests that structure-based 3D-QSAR models may be used to supplement the process of endocrine disrupter identification through prioritization of novel compounds for bioassay. The general application of this 3D-QSAR model within a toxicological framework is, at present, limited only by the quantity and quality of biological data for relevant biomarkers of toxicity and hormonal responsiveness. 28 refs., 12 figs., 9 tabs.
Tensile and impact properties of directionally solidified Fe-40AI intermetallic

This paper reports the results of uniaxial tensile and Charpy V-notch impact tests for directionally solidified Fe-40Al intermetallic across the «transition» temperature (20-800 o C)
Characterization of PM10 and PM2.5 and Their Metals Content in Different Typologies of Sites in South-Eastern Italy

Samples of PM10 and PM2.5 were collected discontinuously between 2003 and 2010 at fifteen monitoring sites (urban, background, industrial) in the south-eastern part of Italy using a mobile laboratory. In total, 483 PM10 and 154 PM2.5 samples were collected and chemically analyzed for the determination of metal content. Data were used to investigate concentration differences among the typologies of sites, the seasonal patterns, and the influence of advection of Saharan dust (SD). PM10 and PM2.5 average concentrations increase from background to industrial and urban sites but the ratio PM2.5/PM10 is significantly lower (0.61 ± 0.10) in background sites. The average metals concentrations in PM10 and in PM2.5 do not show a clear dependence on site typology apart an increase in crustal elements in background sites and an increase in the enrichment factors of Ni and of Cr in PM10 in industrial sites. Urban sites show a statistically significant increase of PM10 average concentration during the cold seasons (autumn and winter), likely associated with the anthropogenic urban emissions, instead, the background sites show a decrease in concentrations during the cold seasons. This could be due to more frequent cases of SD observed in spring and summer periods that mainly influence background sites. The seasonal difference on the average concentration for industrial sites is not statistically significant. The SD cases influence both PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations but their effect is significantly larger on PM10. Over the studied area, the effect is relatively limited on long-term average PM10 (estimated increase of 3.2%) and PM2.5 (estimated increase of 1.5%) concentrations but it
Effects of insecticides applied to control cucumber beetles (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) on watermelon yields

Abstract Foliar insecticides applied to control the striped and spotted cucumber beetles, Acalymma vittatum (Fab.) and Diabrotica undecimpunctata howardi Barber, on watermelon, Citrullus lanatus, were of little or no value in three studies conducted in two locations over 2 years. However, an at-planting application of the systemic, soil insecticide carbofuran resulted in higher early yields, although the differences were not statistically significant in small plots. In 1991, large plots comparing carbofuran-treated watermelons with untreated watermelons in two commercial fields showed large and statistically significant increases in melon yield when carbofuran was applied, especially in early yield. Studies in 1992 and 1993 showed that the application of carbofuran at planting stimulated root and shoot growth after transplating and increased yields when compared with untreated plots, plots treated with methyl bromide, or another soil insecticide, terbufos. These studies suggest that carbofuran may be acting as a growth stimulant, as well as an insecticide.
Effect of semantic naming treatment on crosslinguistic generalization in bilingual aphasia.

Purpose The effect of semantic naming treatment on crosslinguistic generalization was investigated in 3 participants with English–Spanish bilingual aphasia. Method A single-subject experimental des...
Tungsten diselenide as a substrate for the imaging of liquid crystals by scanning tunneling microscopy

Most scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) work dealing with ordered organic films have primarily relied on highly ordered pyrolytic graphite as a substrate (HOPG). A second substrate, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), is appearing more often as a substrate. In this paper, we introduce a new substrate for the imaging of ordered systems. Tungsten diselenide (WSe2) is a layered material similar in structure to MoS2. The change in surface periodicity for HOPG to MoS2 caused significant changes in the ordering of liquid crystals. This is not completely unexpected given the two different types of surfaces. In this contribution two n-alkyl-cyanobiphenyls (mCBs; m equals 6,8) were imaged on WSe2. The differences between MoS2 and WSe2 are less drastic when compared to HOPG, yet the ordered structure that was found for 8CB was a new monolayer type structure while the 6CB structure is very similar to what has been found for this molecule on MoS2.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Capital accumulation, price stability, and base drift

Abstract When the central bank pursues price-smoothing objectives by contemporaneously adjusting the money supply to nominal interest rate shocks and to past monetary control errors, some degree of base drift is, in general, optimal. If the central bank wishes to render the price level trend-stationary, it must insulate the price level from non-stationarities in the demand for money that arise from the capital stock and labor force dynamics, implying that the money supply, the capital stock, and the labor force must form a cointegrated data set. This requirement cannot be met by a myopic policy rule that contemporaneously adjusts the money supply to nominal interest rate shocks, provided that current period investment decisions are negatively related to the real interest rate.
VNIR transfer radiometer for validation of calibration sources for hyperspectral sensors

We have designed, built, and calibrated a transfer radiometer for the VNIR region of the optical spectrum. The instrument is based on a "trap" detector configuration of large-area silicon detectors. The spectral bandpass of the nine bands between about 410 and 1050 nm is set by interference filters. This paper presents the design, characterization, and calibration of the radiometer.
Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma.

This paper summarizes the author’s thoughts about the use of cytoreductive surgery combined with intraperitoneal hyperthermic chemotherapy (CS-IPHC) for treatment of peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. Pleural malignant mesotheliomas are by far more common (about ten-to thirty-fold) than the peritoneal variants (2.2 cases per 1 million in the US) [1]. Other locations (pericardium, tunica vaginalis) are very rare. It is well known that chemotherapy for mesothelioma is largely unsatisfactory, and measurement of treatment responses can be difficult. Single agent responses are all less than 20% with currently available agents for systemically administered drugs. Multiple drug combinations are typically more toxic, and have yielded little consistent demonstrable benefit with major studies reporting median survivals consistently under a year. There is currently more attention being paid to the response category of “stable” or absence of disease progression in concert with quality of life measurements; all regimens show poor durability. With peritoneal malignant mesothelioma, malignant ascites is a common presentation and a major factor in disease-related morbidity and mortality. Interperitoneal administration of agents is attractive, but drug distribution is an issue, as are response rates and durability. Multiple treatments are required; further, all neoplasms with peritoneal dissemination are typically understaged by current radiologic tests (CT, MRI), and the variable uptake of sugar by the small bowel limits the use of positron-emission tomography (PET) imaging for peritoneal malignant mesothelioma. Also, symptoms of bowel obstruction are not uncommon, and any mechanical component of obstruction will not improve with any form of chemotherapy. The author’s approach relies on surgery to achieve the following: 1) accurate staging; 2) tumor debulking, as possible, and treatment of mechanical obstruction as well as prevention of impending obstruction by resection or bypass; and 3) preparation for the use of intra-operative hyperthermic chemotherapy perfusion. This approach has been associated with rapid clinical symptom improvement, as well as a reliable and durable resolution of ascites with a single therapy. Morbidity and mortality have been acceptable with about 27-month median survival. The inability to provide effective systemic therapy to maintain or consolidate these gains is problematic.
Conversion to Low-Dose Tacrolimus or Rapamycin 3 Months After Kidney Transplantation: A Prospective, Protocol Biopsy-Guided Study

Long-term survival of kidney allografts is primarily limited by a progressive decline in function characterized by the presence of interstitial fibrosis (IF) and tubular atrophy (TA) on biopsy. Since chronic calcineurin-inhibitor (CNI) drug toxicity has been implicated as a significant cause of IF/TA, a major effort in transplantation has been to decrease or eliminate CNI therapy. We now report the clinical and histological consequences of converting renal transplant recipients at 3 months to either very low levels of tacrolimus (TAC; 4-6 ng/mL) or sirolimus (SRL; 6-10 ng/mL) therapy. Fifty-eight enrollees in this prospective randomized trial received low-dose (2.9±0.6 mg/kg) rabbit antithymocyte globulin induction followed by standard doses of TAC (10-15 ng/mL), mycophenolic acid, and low-dose steroids for 3 months. Protocol biopsies were performed at implantation and 3 and 12 months. Six patients had evidence of either borderline changes (n=5) or grade 1A rejection (n=1) on the 3-month protocol biopsy and were not randomized. Only one patient had clinically evident rejection that occurred after randomization to SRL. One patient in each group had borderline changes at 12 months. Renal function (estimated glomerular filtration rate) was equivalent in both groups at 12 months (TAC 74±15 vs SRL 66±18 mL/min, P=.22). Chronic allograft damage index scores at 1 year were similar in both groups (TAC 2.8±2.4 vs SRL 2.0±2.7, P=.71). The percentage of patients with IF/TA scores greater than 2 at 1 year was low in both groups (TAC 12% vs SRL 9%, P=.78). Therefore, in a low-risk population defined as having a normal 3-month protocol biopsy, TAC levels can be successfully decreased to very low concentrations. One-year graft function and histology were equally well maintained with either low-dose TAC or SRL immunosuppression.
Radial artery access in women undergoing percutaneous coronary procedures.

Complications of vascular access are common after diagnostic coronary angiography and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and include bleeding from the arterial access site, hematoma and pseudoaneurysm formation, and retroperitoneal hemorrhage [(1)][1]. These complications are uncomfortable,
Floating-zone growth and characterization of single crystals of cobalt orthosilicate, Co2SiO4

Abstract Good quality single crystals of high purity cobalt silicate, Co 2 SiO 4 , were successfully grown by the floating-zone method in air at atmospheric pressure along the three principle orientations. The grown crystals were 30–60 mm in length and 6–10 mm in diameter. Well developed facets were found on all crystals grown. Impurity levels and the degree of a desired excess of silicon in grown crystals were determined by using the ICP-AES technique. In addition, the presence of a small amount of inclusions in the matrix of grown crystals due to a small excess of silica was confirmed by TEM. Dislocation densities were determined upon etching; the observed densities were on the order of 10 5 –10 6 cm −2 .
Designing Intelligent Agents to Judge Intrinsic Quality of Human Decisions

Research on judging decisions made by fallible (human) agents is not as much advanced as research on finding optimal decisions. Human decisions are often influenced by various factors, such as risk, uncertainty, time pressure, and depth of cognitive capability, whereas decisions by an intelligent agent (IA) can be effectively optimal without these limitations. The concept of `depth', a well-defined term in game theory (including chess), does not have a clear formulation in decision theory. To quantify `depth' in decision theory, we can configure an IA of supreme competence to `think' at depths beyond the capability of any human, and in the process collect evaluations of decisions at various depths. One research goal is to create an intrinsic measure of the depth of thinking required to answer certain test questions, toward a reliable means of assessing their difficulty apart from item-response statistics. We relate the depth of cognition by humans to depths of search, and use this information to infer the quality of decisions made, so as to judge the decision-maker from his decisions. We use large data from real chess tournaments and evaluations from chess programs (AI agents) of strength beyond all human players. We then seek to transfer the results to other decision-making fields in which effectively optimal judgments can be obtained from either hindsight, answer banks, powerful AI agents or from answers provided by judges of various competency.
Recent Advances in Neuroimaging Biomarkers in Geriatric Psychiatry

Neuroimaging, both structural and functional, serve as useful adjuncts to clinical assessment, and can provide objective, reliable means of assessing disease presence and process in the aging population. In the following review we briefly explain current imaging methodologies. Then, we analyze recent developments in developing neuroimaging biomarkers for two highly prevalent disorders in the elderly population- Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and late-life depression (LLD). In AD, efforts are focused on early diagnosis through in vivo visualization of disease pathophysiology. In LLD, recent imaging evidence supports the role of white matter ischemic changes in the pathogenesis of depression in the elderly, the “vascular hypothesis.” Finally, we discuss potential roles for neuroimaging biomarkers in geriatric psychiatry in the future.
Systematic approach to the development of plasma amino acid analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection with precolumn derivatization using phenyl isothiocyanate"

A reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method for the separation of 26 phenylthiocarbamyl derivatives of amino acids in human plasma in ca. 35 min. is described. The method used a C18 column (150 x 4.6 mm I.D., 3 micron) thermostatted at 41 degrees C, and a simple multistep linear gradient of two solvents. Solvent A was 0.05 M sodium acetate (pH 5.1)-acetonitrile (98:2, v/v), and solvent B was water-acetonitrile (40:60, v/v). A simple and successful approach to the optimization of the conditions for the separation of the 26 amino acid derivatives was realized. In the initial phase of development, the composition of the gradient, its timings, the column temperature, the flow-rate and the mobile phase compositions were optimized. At the end the influence of pH was studied, and this approach led to a clear resolution of the 26 amino acids. The method was validated by accuracy, precision, and recovery studies, by analyzing patient samples, and by comparing the quality control sample results with the classical ion-exchange method.
Extracellular polyamines regulate fluid secretion in rat colonic crypts via the extracellular calcium-sensing receptor

Abstract Background & aims: Polyamines are essential for the normal postnatal development, maintenance, and function of gastrointestinal epithelia. The extracellular Ca 2+ (Ca 2+ o /nutrient)-sensing receptor is expressed on both luminal and basolateral membranes of colonocytes, and, in other cell systems, this receptor has been shown to respond to polyamines. Thus, the Ca 2+ -sensing receptor could provide a mechanism for modulation of colonocyte function by dietary and systemic extracellular polyamines. In the present study, we investigated the interaction of polyamines, particularly spermine, and extracellular Ca 2+ on second messenger generation by, and on function of, rat distal colonic crypts. Methods: Calcium-sensing receptor activation was assessed in colonic epithelial cells and intact crypts freshly isolated from distal colon by monitoring intracellular IP 3 and Ca 2+ accumulation using radioimmunoassay and Fluo-3 fluorometry, respectively. Interactions of extracellular Ca 2+ and spermine on regulation of both basal and forskolin-stimulated fluid transport were measured in crypts microperfused in vitro. Results: Polyamine (spermine > spermidine > putrescine)-mediated enhancement of intracellular D-myo-inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP 3 ) and Ca 2+ accumulation required extracellular Ca 2+ , and the EC 50 for extracellular Ca 2+ -mediated activation of the calcium-sensing receptor was reduced by polyamines. Extracellular spermine modulated both basal and forskolin-stimulated fluid secretion in perfused colonic crypts, and the EC 50 for spermine-induced reduction in forskolin-stimulated fluid secretion was inversely dependent on extracellular Ca 2+ (Ca 2+ o ). Conclusions: The interactions of extracellular Ca 2+ and polyamines on second messenger accumulation and fluid secretion support a role for the luminal and basolateral calcium-sensing receptors in mediating some of the effects of polyamines on distal colonic epithelial cells.
Human Topoisomerase II Function, Tyrosine Phosphorylation and Cell Cycle Checkpoints

Three DNA damage-responsive cell cycle checkpoints can be shown to operate in diploid human fibroblasts. One checkpoint arrests growth in G1, another inhibits replicon initiation in S phase cells, and the third delays progression from G2 into mitosis. Progression from G2 into M is controlled in part by a cyclin-dependent kinase (cyclin B/Cdk1) that is regulated by tyrosine phosphorylation. Phosphorylation of Tyr15 on Cdk1 is inhibitory for kinase activity. Activation of cyclin B/Cdk1 at the onset of mitosis is accomplished by a phosphatase, Cdc25C, that interacts with cyclin B/Cdk1 in an autocatalytic feedback loop to remove the inhibitory phosphate at Tyr15 and activate kinase activity. DNA damage triggers G2 delay by inhibiting formation of the autocatalytic feedback loop so that dephosphorylation of Tyr15 does not occur. This suppression of activation of cyclin B/Cdk1 appears to account for the failure of damaged G2 cells to progress into mitosis. Once the damage to DNA is repaired, cells resume progression into mitosis as the cycle is re-engaged. The isoflavone genistein inhibits tyrosine kinases, including one that phosphorylates Cdk1 on Tyr15. This kinase, p56/p53lyn is rapidly induced by treatments that trigger cell cycle checkpoints (ionizing radiation, cytosine arabinoside), suggesting that this kinase may actively delay the onset of mitosis by phosphorylating Tyr15 on Cdk1. Genistein also inhibits type II DNA topoisomerase to produce a form of DNA damage that triggers all of the DNA damage-responsive cell cycle checkpoints. A brief 10 min incubation with the topoisomerase poison amsacrine was sufficient to trigger the S phase checkpoint response and inhibit replicon initiation. Inhibition of replicon initiation by 1 microM amsacrine was maximal 20-30 min after drug treatment and by 120 min, the checkpoint response had decayed to allow near control rates of replicon initiation. Topoisomerase II poisons also are powerful clastogens inducing lethal and carcinogenic chromosomal aberrations. Type II topoisomerase can break DNA in a region of chromosome 11q23 that contains the ataxia telangiectasia gene (ATM). The ATM gene controls all of the DNA damage-responsive cell cycle checkpoints. Chromosomal aberrations in 11q23 are frequently seen in acute myeloid leukemia that develops as a consequence of etoposide chemotherapy. Thus, topoisomerase poisons such as genistein may trigger chromatid breakage to inactivate AT gene function, disable cell cycle control, and induce genetic instability.
An Approach to Control Relapse of Inflammatory Lesions after Discontinuation of Primary Therapy

Long-term treatment with the fungal metabolite drug FTY720 (Fingolimod) was shown to be highly effective in controlling viral immunopathological lesions. However, in this report we show that the anti-inflammatory effect of FTY720 in herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) induced ocular inflammation is lost upon the discontinuation of treatment and lesions rapidly recurred. The lesions that developed after FTY720 treatment withdrawal involved mainly Th17 cells rather than Th1 cells explained in part by differential expression of surface CD103, an integrin that permits migration of effector cells to inflammatory sites. The expression of IL-6, a proinflammatory cytokine involved in the generation of Th17 cells, was found to be increased in FTY treated mice as compared to controls and this effect could be abrogated upon administration of neutralizing antibody to IL-6. Furthermore, IL-17RKO mice failed to show the recurrence of stromal keratitis (SK) lesions upon FTY720 withdrawal. These results indicate that approaches such as neutralization of proinflammatory cytokines might be considered along with FTY720 treatment if interruption of drug therapy becomes necessary.
A study of pneumatic nebulization with helium

Abstract A study is conducted in order to characterize pneumatic nebulization with helium for helium plasma systems. Comparisons are made of: argon and helium as nebulization gases, various spray chambers and nebulizers, sample solution introduction rates and sample gas flow rates. Correlations with signal intensities and these parameters are made.
Node collaboration techniques for wireless sensor networks

Wireless sensor networks provide an opportunity of innovations while also brings unique challenges. Collaborations between sensor nodes are generally required for complicated applications. As a key component for node collaboration, robust routing protocols that are able to effectively communicate among multiple nodes become necessary. In wireless sensor networks, these protocols are energy efficient and provide low latency. In this paper, we develop optimal distance geographic routing (ODGR), an application-independent protocol using power control in the transmission scheme and the available geographic information to dynamically explore the optimal routing path in order to reduce the total transmission energy and routing latency. ODGR is built on the optimal distance theory derived exclusively from the fundamental transmission energy model. Detail procedures of ODGR are presented for practical implementations. Case study of a two-dimensional mesh network shows that ODGR is able to reduce total transmission energy by 66.41% and 43.89%, and average latency by 76.45% and 26.27% respectively compared to traditional MTE and cluster algorithms, thus ODGR can improve the system-life and the performance of wireless sensor networks.
U.S.Adjustment In The 1990S: A Cge Analysis Of Alternative Trade Strategies

This paper investigates the implications for the structure of the U.S.economy of a reduction in the U.S. trade deficit. We explore two alternative adjustment scenarios. First, we assume an environment of successful world trade liberlization. An alternative view is that the world economy will lapse into a protectionist environment. We use a 30-sector computable general equilibrium (CGM) model of the United States to analyze the impact of these two scenarios. When analyzing the protectionist scenario, we do a variety of experiments designed to explore the impact of protectionist policies on the U.S. economy. [C68, F13]
Factors associated with CPR certification within an elderly community.

Abstract Objective: To determine the frequency of CPR certification amongst residents living within a predominantly elderly community and examine the perceived barriers to learning basic CPR and factors associated with intent to become certified. Methods: A household survey was sent with a community newsletter to each home of a non-gated elderly community that requires one member of each household to be at least 55 years of age. The community consists of 2488 homes (approximately 4000 residents). Thirteen Yes/No questions were asked in a skip-pattern based upon the question: "Are you CPR certified?" Data analysis included univariate, bivariate, and logistic regression. Results: 947 participants with a mean age of 69 completed and returned the survey. Forty-eight percent of the participants had received prior training in CPR. Eighty-four percent were not currently certified in CPR, and top reasons cited were: ‘don't know why' (36%), ‘lack of interest' (20%), ‘concerned about health risks' (17%). Forty-six percent of those not certified desired certification. Increasing age was inversely associated with CPR certification status and the desire to be certified. Conclusion: Almost half of the residents in this predominantly elderly community had received prior training in CPR, although most were not currently certified and cite significant specific and non-specific reasons and obstacles. Improved survival requires targeted interventions to achieve higher proportions of CPR-competent individuals in such high-risk communities.
Self-Regulation and Sexual Restraint: Dispositionally and Temporarily Poor Self-Regulatory Abilities Contribute to Failures at Restraining Sexual Behavior

Nonsexual deficiencies in self-control may contribute to inappropriate or objectionable sexual behaviors, as shown by survey questionnaires, autobiographical narratives, and experimental manipulations. People with low overall trait self-control and/or whose self-control strength had been depleted by recent, nonsexual acts were less likely than other people to stifle inappropriate sexual thoughts and to resist the temptation to engage in sexual activities with someone other than their primary relationship partner. They also engaged in more extensive sexual activity in the laboratory with their dating partner and they reported more undercontrolled or impulsive sexual behavior generally. Furthermore, there was some evidence that the effects of diminished self-control were strongest among those with the strongest sexual desires (men and sexually unrestricted individuals) and among couples with less sexual experience.
OBESITY AND MORAL HAZARD IN DEMAND FOR VISITS TO PHYSICIANS

In this article, we use count data regression with sample selection to analyze the effects and degree of moral hazard in demand for visits to physicians among groups of individuals with similar body mass index (BMI). Our results suggest that the effect of moral hazard on the demand for visits to doctors is increasing in BMI for men and for overweight and obese women. Moral hazard is highest among overweight men. (JEL I11, C25)
Will rapid advances in photonic integration have a disruptive impact on carriers' optical networks?

While many system vendors are concerned about losing a generation of well-developed product because of the prolonged slow market, many optical component and subsystem vendors continue to pursue various avenues towards dramatic reduction of total cost of ownership for next generation optical transmission equipment. This paper is intended to provide a carrier's perspective on the potential disruptive impact of the optical integration based new devices to next generation optical transmission equipment. The emphasis is put on emerging applications of these new devices and related technical requirements. By providing the carriers' perspective, this paper may help promote a new line of thinking about what new technologies vendors should focus on in order to make next-generation optical transmission systems much lower in cost, smaller in footprint, and lower in power consumption.
Evidence for Methane Segregation at the Surface of Pluto

In May 1995, a set of spectrophotometric curves of the system Pluto-Charon was recorded with the UKIRT telescope equipped with the spectrometer CGS4. As for the previous observations, the spectra cover a part of the near infrared range, between 1.4 and 2.55 micrometers, but with a higher resolution of approximately 700. In both the 1992 and 1995 data, the existence of solid methane is confirmed by numerous absorption bands, and the carbon monoxide and the nitrogen ices are identified by their respective signatures at 2.35 and 2.15 um. The solid nitrogen seems to be the principal icy component and forms a matrix in which the CH4 and CO molecules are diluted. However a spectroscopic analysis of the 1995 observations indicates that pure methane may coexist with its diluted phase in N2. In order to derive the horizontal and vertical distribution of these different species and to obtain some quantitative information about their characteristics, we have modeled the spectrum of May 15 that corresponds to the maximum of Pluto's visible light curve. This was achieved by means of a radiative transfer algorithm dealing with compact and stratified media. Among the various representations we have tested to describe the surface of Pluto, only a geographical mixture of three distinct units explains all the significant structures of the analyzed spectrum. The first unit is a thin granular layer of pure CH4 covering a compact polycrystalline substratum of N2-CH4-CO, which are in a molecular mixture (concentrations of and CO of the order of 0.45%, 0.1-0.2% respectively). It covers about 70% of the observed area and corresponds to volatile deposits that are sublimating under solar illumination. The second unit is either (a) a single thick layer of pure granular methane or (b) a unit similar to the first unit but with the two components inverted (i.e. with CH4 forming a substratum and the N2-CH4-CO mixture a superficial layer of fine grains). Covering 20% of the surface, it represents some old surfaces that have been sublimated for a long time, and eventually recovered later by very small amounts of fresh deposits of the molecular mixture N2-CH4-CO. Finally, the third unit may result from the condensation of very fine grains of nearly pure N2. It covers the remainder of the surface (about 10%). All these results allow a better understanding of the processes of deposition, metamorphism, sublimation and transport affecting the different ices detected on Pluto during its climatic cycles.
Optical MEMS and polymers: an overview (Invited Paper)

Polymer materials offer unique properties for fabrication of micro-optical systems. The ability to engineer the optical and mechanical properties of polymers, the low cost of polymers, and the wide choice of fabrication methods make polymers particularly attractive for low cost, and potential mass production of micro-optical elements and integrated micro-optical systems. An overview of the current state of the art in polymer micro-optic fabrication technology and applications to optical MEMS is presented.
Errors in the estimation of pre-excision plant water potential

Over the same water potential range, Pinus ponderosa (Laws.) seedling shoots lost less water when dried by sap expression than when air dried either before or after shoot excision (Fig. 1). It is hypothesized that this phenomenon was caused by air in the xylem elements of air-dried tissue and entrapment of the air during subsequent pressure chamber measurements. When shoots were dried by sap expression and pressure was released, the shoot water potential estimate became less negative unless pressure was reapplied immediately (Fig. 2). The pressure chamber reading of shoots dried intact, however, did not change after one hour of equilibration at atmospheric pressure (Fig. 2). It was concluded that there was air in the xylem of intact-dried shoots before excision but little or no air entry into xylem elements after excision. For the seedling shoots used in this study, therefore, it would be appropriate to calibrate the pressure chamber with thermocouple psychrometer measurements (Fig. 3).
BLACKNESS ACROSS BORDERS: JAMAICAN DIASPORAS AND NEW POLITICS OF CITIZENSHIP

“Blackness across borders” outlines the effects of the currently weakened hegemony of the creole multiracial nationalism that had been consolidated by political and intellectual elites at the time of independence. The essay examines how intensified transnational migration and the proliferation of media technologies have contributed to a situation in which urban popular expressions of blackness have become paramount within contemporary invocations of Jamaican particularity. Arguing that these factors have facilitated the amplification of a diasporic consciousness, this essay explores how working-class Jamaicans negotiate American (and in particular, African American) hegemony through this consciousness. It seeks to illuminate the ways newly powerful notions of national belonging and transnational racial mapping affect the development of nationalist discourses and strategies “at home,” arguing that Jamaicans use “America” in part to mitigate the effects of a global political economy that has reinstated the ...
Depression in Cultural Context: "Chinese Somatization," Revisited

We believe that the application of a culture–mind– brain perspective to Chinese somatization opens up new possibilities for the study of longstanding questions in cultural psychiatry. There is the potential here to break down the false dichotomy between personal experience and public expression of symptoms. For anthropologists and cultural psychiatrists, who have long argued that the social world does indeed deeply shape personal experience, we suggest specific mechanisms by which this shaping might take place. That said, much of the supportive evidence is indirect. Although the processes and mechanisms we describe are plausible, and grounded in research, we await studies that apply our proposed approach to specific questions. A move toward the multimethod and interdisciplinary work required to systematically pursue culture and mental health research in this way is the necessary next step.
Deuterium Dilution: The Time Course of 2H Enrichment in Saliva, Urine, and Serum

Total body water (TBW) volume can by measured in humans by administering an oral dose of an isotope tracer, such as 2H2O or H218O, and measuring the isotope enrichment in saliva, urine, or serum samples. Although serum has long been considered the medium of choice for measuring isotope enrichment because of rapid tracer equilibration (1), urine or saliva sampling is less burdensome to the patient. However, the measurement of isotope enrichment was found to be less reliable in urine than in serum, possibly because of a longer time period for isotopic equilibration of the bladder contents relative to serum (2). Schoeller et al. (1) suggested that saliva was an acceptable medium for measurement of TBW using 2H218O because isotopic equilibration occurred within 3 h and provided results similar to those obtained in serum. In another study, the enrichments of 2H in saliva and plasma were identical and reached a plateau 2 h after administration of an oral 10-g dose of 2H2O (3). To our knowledge, there have been no within-subject comparisons of the time to achieve a 2H enrichment plateau in saliva, urine, and serum samples obtained simultaneously. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine the time course for isotope equilibration of 2H in saliva, urine, and serum and the level of agreement in 2H enrichment among these media. This information can be applied to protocols for measurement of TBW in clinical and research settings (4)(5). Five healthy, weight-stable, nonobese women [mean (SD) body mass index, 22.1 (2.0) kg/m2], 20 to 43 years of age, provided written informed consent and completed the study. The study was approved by the Colorado Multiple Institutional Review Board. The …
The Status of Speech Communication in Secondary Schools in the United States: An Update.

Results of surveys of secondary school speech curricula and teacher preparation and experience in fifteen states are described and compared with similar data from previous studies.
A pox upon your house

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO) is a common viral infectious disorder affecting the ophthalmic division of the trigeminal nerve. A small subset of HZO patients present with the ophthalmic symptoms, but without an accompanied rash, a condition described as Herpes zoster sine herpete. Although HZO is well known to be associated with other central nervous system abnormalities, encephalitis and cerebral infarction are atypical and uncommon. We report an unusual case of presumed unilateral Herpes zoster ophthalmicus sine herpete that presented with trigeminal pain and uveitis and then progressed to encephalitis and bilateral cerebral infarctions despite treatment with acyclovir and corticosteroids. The diagnosis of HZV was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing on the cerebrospinal fluid.
Joint rewriting and error correction in write-once memories

Both rewriting and error correction are important technologies for non-volatile memories, especially flash memories. However, coding schemes that combine them have been limited. This paper presents a new coding scheme that combines rewriting and error correction for the write-once memory model. Its construction is based on polar codes, and it supports any number of rewrites and corrects a substantial number of errors. The code is analyzed for the binary symmetric channel, and experimental results verify its performance. The results can be extended to multi-level cells and more general noise models.
14-3-3ε couples protein kinase A to semaphorin signaling and silences plexin RasGAP-mediated axonal repulsion.

The biochemical means through which multiple signaling pathways are integrated in navigating axons is poorly understood. Semaphorins are among the largest families of axon guidance cues and utilize Plexin (Plex) receptors to exert repulsive effects on axon extension. However, Semaphorin repulsion can be silenced by other distinct cues and signaling cascades, raising questions of the logic underlying these events. We now uncover a simple biochemical switch that controls Semaphorin/Plexin repulsive guidance. Plexins are Ras/Rap family GTPase activating proteins (GAPs) and we find that the PlexA GAP domain is phosphorylated by the cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA). This PlexA phosphorylation generates a specific binding site for 14-3-3e, a phospho-binding protein that we find to be necessary for axon guidance. These PKA-mediated Plexin-14-3-3e interactions prevent PlexA from interacting with its Ras family GTPase substrate and antagonize Semaphorin repulsion. Our results indicate that these interactions switch repulsion to adhesion and identify a point of convergence for multiple guidance molecules.