cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The lability of an intermediate of the ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase reaction

Interruption of the catalytic cycle of ribulose-bisphosphate carboxylase by acid denaturation liberated an intermediate with a labile phosphate ester. Addition of fresh, buffered carboxylase enzyme to the acidified carboxylase reaction after 5 s inhibited phosphate release from the intermediate. Therefore, the species with a labile phosphate ester was stable for 5 s in acid and was apparently a substrate for the enzymatic reaction, since the labile intermediate was converted to a stable form by the protein. After acid denaturation, the carboxylated intermediate could be stabilized by reduction after 5 s in acid, but after 1 h no carboxylated intermediate remained. The stoichiometries of phosphate released to enzyme active sites and the carboxylated intermediate trapped to enzyme active sites were approximately 0.04. It was concluded that the labile phosphate species is probably the carboxylated intermediate rather than the enediol(ate) intermediate. The carboxylase and oxygenase reactions were probed for intermediates by the ability of the enzymatic reaction to reduce hexacyanoferrate(III), dichlorophenolindophenol, or nitroblue tetrazolium. Reduction of these reagents and hexacyanoferrate(III)-dependent paracatalytic inactivation were not observed. The copper chelate of lysine, a superoxide dismutase active species, did not selectively inhibit ribulose-bisphosphate oxygenase.
The WICS approach to leadership: Stories of leadership and the structures and processes that support them

This article presents the WICS approach to leadership and relates it to other approaches. Effective leadership is viewed as a synthesis of wisdom, creativity, and intelligence (WICS). It is in large part a decision about how to marshal and deploy these resources. One needs creativity to generate ideas, academic intelligence to evaluate whether the idea are good, practical intelligence to implement the ideas and persuade others of their worth, and wisdom to balance the interests of all stakeholders and to ensure that the actions of the leader seek a common good. The structures and processes underlying WICS work in concert to produce and maintain stories of leadership. These stories in turn enable leaders to fulfill their mission in leading followers.
Friendship and Trinitarian Theology: Response to Karen Kilby

: In a recent article, Karen Kilby expresses the concern that some contemporary Thomistic theologians have, despite themselves, fallen into a form of theological rationalism. Kilby suggests that in fact some statements, while necessary for trinitarian grammar, are as unintelligible to theologians as to common believers. In dialogue with Kilby's critique, the present article suggests that the theology of friendship illumines how Augustine and Aquinas, like many other patristic and medieval theologians, offer their trinitarian theology as a ‘spiritual exercise’, and thereby indicates why their approaches do not constitute trinitarian theologians as a particular elite above all others.
PURIFICATION AND PROPERTIES OF A SALT-SOLUBLE PROTEIN FROM WHEAT FLOUR.

Abstract A salt-soluble protein has been isolated from wheat flour in sufficient yield and purity (approximately 96%) to carry out characterization studies. The progress of purification, achieved by precipitation in phosphate buffer and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, was studied by free boundary electrophoresis. The protein has an electrophoretic mobility of 4.7 × 10−5 cm2 per volt per second in Veronal buffer, pH 8.6, Γ/2 0.1, and an isoelectric point of approximately 6.2. Its amino acid composition differs from that of a total water extract of flour and from that of whole gluten. A partial specific volume of 0.722 was calculated from the amino acid data. The weight average molecular weight of this protein is approximately 75,000.
Regulation of DNA methylation by ethanol induces tissue plasminogen activator expression in astrocytes.

Alcohol exposure affects neuronal plasticity in the adult and developing brain. Astrocytes play a major role in modulating neuronal plasticity and are a target of ethanol. Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) plays a major role in modulating neuronal plasticity by degrading the extracellular matrix proteins including fibronectin and laminin and is upregulated by ethanol in vivo. In this study we explored the hypothesis that ethanol affects DNA methylation in astrocytes thereby increasing expression and release of tPA. It was found that ethanol increased tPA mRNA levels, an effect mimicked by an inhibitor of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT) activity. Ethanol also increased tPA protein expression and release, inhibited DNMT activity with a corresponding decrease in DNA methylation levels of the tPA promoter. Furthermore, it was observed that protein levels of DNMT3A, but not DNMT1, were reduced in astrocytes after ethanol exposure. These novel studies show that ethanol inhibits DNA methylation in astrocytes leading to increased tPA expression and release; this effect may be involved in astrocyte-mediated inhibition of neuronal plasticity by alcohol.
Optimum linear filtering of signals prior to sampling

A SOLUTION of the problem of determining a filter for the optimum recovery ? In a mean-square sense ? Of sampled data has been presented previously.1?6 Examples for the application of this solution include radar tracking systems and systems where measuring instruments provided values at discrete time-instants. These are cases in which the data are available only in sampled form. However, there are important situations involving sampled data which are not included in this category. The case which is considered here is the one in which a continuous signal, consisting of data and noise, is to be sampled. In such a case, it is shown that the signal should be filtered before sampling. An expression is derived for the optimum ?prefilter? as specified by a mean-square-error criterion, and examples are presented for illustration purposes.
On an operator-pencil approach to distributed control of heterogeneous systems

In this paper we consider spatially distributed heterogeneous discrete-time systems which are interconnected over an infinite lattice. An operator-pencil approach is employed to develop analysis conditions, which are less conservative than those previously available. Synthesis conditions are also obtained and are in the form of operator inequalities. In general these are infinite dimensional but in the case of eventually invariant systems these reduce to a semidefinite program.
Identification of quantitative trait loci controlling resistance to maize chlorotic dwarf virus

Ineffective screening methods and low levels of disease resistance have hampered genetic analysis of maize (Zea mays L.) resistance to disease caused by maize chlorotic dwarf virus (MCDV). Progeny from a cross between the highly resistant maize inbred line Oh1VI and the susceptible inbred line Va35 were evaluated for MCDV symptoms after multiple virus inoculations, using the viral vector Graminella nigrifrons. Symptom severity scores from three rating dates were used to calculate area under the disease progress curve (AUDPC) scores for vein banding, leaf twist and tear, and whorl chlorosis. AUDPC scores for the F2 population indicated that MCDV resistance was quantitatively inherited. Genotypic and phenotypic analyses of 314 F2 individuals were compared using composite interval mapping (CIM) and analysis of variance. CIM identified two major quantitative trait loci (QTL) on chromosomes 3 and 10 and two minor QTL on chromosomes 4 and 6. Resistance was additive, with alleles from Oh1VI at the loci on chromosomes 3 and 10 contributing equally to resistance.
Two-Stage Exchange for Infected TKA—Affirms

Infection after total knee arthroplasty remains a potentially devastating complication with substantial consequences. Despite the apparent insecurities relating to the care of an infected arthroplasty, a generalized algorithm has evolved over the last decade that optimizes the diagnosis and treatment of patients with this complication. Several large patient series have demonstrated approximately a 90% success rate when treating infections with a two-stage exchange, which is superior to most series evaluating the results of direct exchange. Two-stage exchange for infected total knee arthroplasty has become the treatment of choice for most joint arthroplasty surgeons in the United States.
Powder segregation during die filling

Abstract A study of powder segregation during die filling with two-component mixes of Pb particles has shown that: (1) Segregation occurs by fines filtering down through the moving powder mass. This effect builds up an inner mound of fines-rich material on the bottom of the die and an excess of coarse particles in the periphery of the die cavity. This is termed normal segregation. (2) For a particular size of large component, reducing the size of the small component increases segregation up to the point at which the average relative size difference between coarse and fine is 0.7. When the fines are smaller than this their flow is restricted and so segregation is reduced. (3) Particle shape and density in the mixtures studied have little effect upon segregation. (4) Increasing the rate of die filling decreases opportunity for segregation. (5) Increasing the height from which the powder falls into the die causes mixing and decreases segregation. (6) Inverse segregation, which is an excess of fines in the periphery of the die cavity, occurs in coarse particle systems containing a high percentage of fines. This is because the relatively few coarse particles are Lindered from flowing within the matrix of fines towards the rim of the die cavity.
Intent-Based User Segmentation with Query Enhancement

With the rapid advancement of the internet, accurate prediction of user's online intent underlying their search queries has received increasing attention from online advertising community. This paper aims to address the major challenges with user queries in the context of behavioral targeting advertising by proposing a query enhancement mechanism that augments user's queries by leveraging a user query log. The empirical evaluation demonstrates that the authors' methodology for query enhancement achieves greater improvement than the baseline models in both intent-based user classification and user segmentation. Different from traditional user segmentation methods, which take little semantics of user behaviors into consideration, the authors propose a novel user segmentation strategy by incorporating the query enhancement mechanism with a topic model to mine the relationships between users and their behaviors in order to segment users in a semantic manner. Comparing with a classical clustering algorithm, K-means, the experimental results indicate that the proposed user segmentation strategy helps improve behavioral targeting effectiveness significantly. This paper also proposes an alternative to define user's search intent for the evaluation purpose, in the case that the dataset is sanitized. This approach automatically labels users in a click graph, which are then used in training an intent-based user classifier.
Keratocan-deficient Mice Display Alterations in Corneal Structure

Keratocan (Kera) is a cornea-specific keratan sulfate proteoglycan (KSPG) in the adult vertebrate eye. It belongs to the small leucine-rich proteoglycan (SLRP) gene family and is one of the major components of extracellular KSPG in the vertebrate corneal stroma. The Kera gene is expressed in ocular surface tissues including cornea and eyelids during morphogenesis. Corneal KSPGs play a pivotal role in matrix assembly, which is accountable for corneal transparency. In humans, mutations of the KERA gene are associated with cornea plana (CNA2) that manifests decreases in vision acuity due to the flattened forward convex curvature of cornea. To investigate the biological role of the Kera gene and to establish an animal model for corneal plana, we generated Kera knockout mice via gene targeting. Northern and Western blotting and immunohistochemical analysis showed that no Kera mRNA or keratocan protein was detected in the Kera–/– cornea. The expression levels of other SLRP members including lumican, decorin, and fibromodulin were not altered in the Kera–/– cornea as compared with that of the wild-type littermates. Mice lacking keratocan have normal corneal transparency at the age of 12 months. However, they have a thinner corneal stroma and a narrower cornea-iris angle of the anterior segment in comparison to the wild-type littermates. As demonstrated by transmission electron microscopy, Kera–/– mice have larger stromal fibril diameters and less organized packing of collagen fibrils in stroma than those of wild type. Taken together, our results showed that ablation of the Kera gene resulted in subtle structural alterations of collagenous matrix and did not perturb the expression of other SLRPs in cornea. Keratocan thus plays a unique role in maintaining the appropriate corneal shape to ensure normal vision.
Paleoproxy data track how El Niño changes nutrient availability

The 1997–1998 El Nino was one of the strongest on record, and the installation of a widespread sensor network in the Pacific before its onset meant that it was also one of the best studied. The El Nino phase of the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) brings reduced upwelling of deeper water and leads to warmer sea surface temperatures in the tropical Pacific Ocean. During the 1997–1998 El Nino, shipboard measurements showed that this reduced upwelling caused nutrient availability in the region to drop by roughly half. However, putting in context the effect of this El Nino on nutrient variability and ocean productivity is difficult because high temporal resolution measurements for earlier El Nino events are in short supply.
Kinetics of the cervical spine in pediatric and adult volunteers during low speed frontal impacts

Previous research has quantified differences in head and spinal kinematics between children and adults restrained in an automotive-like configuration subjected to low speed dynamic loading. The forces and moments that the cervical spine imposes on the head contribute directly to these age-based kinematic variations. To provide further explanation of the kinematic results, this study compared the upper neck kinetics - including the relative contribution of shear and tension as well as flexion moment - between children (n=20, 6-14 yr) and adults (n=10, 18-30 yr) during low-speed (<4 g, 2.5 m/s) frontal sled tests. The subjects were restrained by a lap and shoulder belt and photo-reflective targets were attached to skeletal landmarks on the head, spine, shoulders, sternum, and legs. A 3D infrared tracking system quantified the position of the targets. Shear force (F(x)), axial force (F(z)), bending moment (M(y)), and head angular acceleration (θ(head)) were computed using inverse dynamics. The method was validated against ATD measured loads. Peak F(z) and θ(head) significantly decreased with increasing age while M(y) significantly increased with increasing age. F(x) significantly increased with age when age was considered as a univariate variable; however when variations in head-to-neck girth ratio and change in velocity were accounted for, this difference as a function of age was not significant. These results provide insight into the relationship between age-based differences in head kinematics and the kinetics of the cervical spine. Such information is valuable for pediatric cervical spine models and when scaling adult-based upper cervical spine tolerance and injury metrics to children.
Long-Term Follow-Up of Children Treated With the Modified Atkins Diet

The modified Atkins diet has been studied in mostly short-term clinical trials and case series. No studies have systematically examined the long-term benefits and side effects. The modified Atkins diet was started without prior ketogenic diet use in 87 children at the Johns Hopkins Hospital since 2002, of which 54 continued for more than 6 months. Children who had not been seen within the past 2 years were contacted by phone and email. At their most recent point during the modified Atkins diet (mean 19.9 months), 30 of 54 (55%) children with diet durations of more than 6 months achieved >50% improvement; 19 (35%) were seizure-free. Using an intent-to-treat analysis, at 12 months, 33 of 87 (38%) had >50% seizure reduction; 16 (18%) were seizure-free. These results are similar to published data for short-term modified Atkins diet and long-term ketogenic diet use. Side effects were predominantly elevations in lipid profile and gastrointestinal upset.
The Art of Walt Whitman's French in "Song of Myself"

Examines Whitman's use of selective French words in "Song of Myself" to argue that previous critics, including Gay Wilson Allen and Roger Asselineau, may not be giving Whitman "full credit for his use of French"; analyzes Whitman's use of two words in particular, eleves and accoucheur.
A tier system approach to mutagen testing.

Summary To expedite testing and to reduce unwitting exposures to genetically hazardous substances at the earliest possible time, a new approach is needed for the, rapid identification of mutagenic potential. This approach involves the employment of a hierarchical system of tests that is referred to as a tier system. The first tier or level of testing is a prescreen which serves to set priorities for more in-depth testing. This tier utilizes microbial organisms coupled to mammalian metabolic activation systems where the intent is to measure comprehensively: (1) all genetic events of concern to lean and (2) the consequences of mammalian metabolism acting upon non-mutagens to yield mutagenic metabolites. Substances found to be mutagenic in the first tier are presumed mutagens and are to be subjected to further testing in tier two to determine whether they are indeed mutagenic to mammalian cells and higher organisms. Substances positive in both tier one and two are assumed to be mutagens in the qualitative sense. Ascertainment of the risk portended by exposure to these “qualitative mutagens” will in many instances be needed, either because of attendant benefits or the difficulties involved in eliminating the substance. Tier three assesses risk under defined use conditions. This activity is assumed to require intact mammals in which induced gene and chromosome mutations are ascertainable in the range of their spontaneous mutation rates.
Glomerular development in the kidney as an index of fetal maturity

T HE stage of bodily development which is attained before birth varies greatly among different mammalian species, but before being born each fetus must attain a state of development commensurate with the demands which will be placed upon it ilmnediately after birth. Prior to birth all fetuses lead a protected, parasitic life, and little is required of them except that their constituent cells be able to multiply and differentiate. Anatomic and physiologic development are so integrated that progression of one is invariably associated with equivalent elaboration of the other. The human fetus must ordinarily cope with the exigencies of extrauterine life in approximately 265 days after conception, or, as generally calculated, 280 days after the first day of the menstrual period which immediately preceded pregnancy. There is some variation in this length of time, but over 75 per cent of all infants are delivered within two weeks of the expected date. The average birth weight of all infants exclusive of twins is in excess of 3,000 Gin. At the Chicago Lying-in Hospital the average weight of 4,000 unselected infants was between 3,300 and 3,400 Gin. Some variation has been found in different parts of the world, but in practically all studies where live infants were weighed the average is between 3,100 and 3,500 Gin. The average normal human fetus thus appears to attain a weight between 3,000 and 3,500 Gin. in approximately 280 days from the first day of the last menstrual period and to have, by this time, acquired the ability to control its own body processes in the extrauterine environment to which it is ordinarily exposed. The fetus is mature and capable of undertaking a new mode of life. The question arises as to how long the average fetus may be con~ sidered "ma tu re " before delivery actually takes place. We know that prior to the expiration of twenty-eight weeks, the infant almbst invariably dies soon after birth because of incomplete development. The body weight at the end of the twenty-eighth week averages about I,O00 Gin. Further growth gradually improves the ability of the various organs to function, and the fetus gradually becomes able to exist independently. Why premature infants of equal weights that are born of apparently healthy mothers and subjected to the same care after birth vary in their ability to survive is unknown. One may postulate that the intrauterine environment is not adequate in all, even if deviations from the normal
Contact-independent polarization of the cell surface and cortex of free sea urchin blastomeres

In a normal, intact sea urchin embryo blastomeres are structurally polarized so that all microvilli and cortical "pigment granules" are situated at the apical surfaces facing the hyaline layer and are absent from basolateral surfaces facing adjacent blastomeres and the internal embryonic cavity. To test the roles of intercellular contacts and the hyaline layer in the process of establishing this blastomere polarity, these two factors were experimentally eliminated; sea urchin eggs of four species were denuded of the nascent hyaline layer soon after fertilization and then cultured in calcium-free artificial seawater to prevent subsequent intercellular adhesion and contact. Such free blastomeres divided normally and still developed polarized distributions of microvilli and pigment granules resembling those of the corresponding blastomeres in intact embryos. These results indicate that the process of polarization is intrinsic to individual blastomeres (self-polarization) and that neither intercellular contacts nor adhesion of microvilli to the hyaline layer is necessary. The precise temporal and spatial coincidence of the patterns of polarization and the division cycles further suggests that a mechanistic link is maintained among cell division, blastomere polarization, and probably also a heritable component of the animal-vegetal axis.
Neurologic education in emergency medicine training programs.

Objectives: Neurologic complaints are a frequent cause of emergency department visits. The morbidity and mortality of neurologic complaints such as headache and stroke can be extensive. Thus, emergency medicine residency programs should ensure adequate training in such neurologic emergencies. The authors sought to determine what methods are being used to educate residents on neurologic emergencies. Methods: A two-page survey was mailed to directors of all 126 accredited emergency medicine residency programs in the United States. The number and types of lectures to residents, required rotations, and electives offered were assessed. Means, standard deviations (SDs), and proportions are used to describe the data. Ninety-five percent confidence intervals of proportions (95% CIs) were calculated. Results: The response rate was 78% (98 of 126). Programs had a mean (6SD) of 5.4 (61.0) hours of didactic lectures per week, with a mean of 12.0 (65.9) lecture hours devoted to neurologic emergencies annually. A neurology rotation was required for 16 of the 92 programs providing these data (17.4%; 95% CI = 10.6% to 27.0%), and a neurosurgery rotation was required for 14 of these 92 programs (15.2%; 95% CI = 8.9% to 24.6%). One program (1.1%; 95% CI = 0.1% to 6.8%) required both a neurology and a neurosurgery rotation, and one program (1.1%; 95% CI = 0.1% to 6.8%) required either a neurology or a neurosurgery rotation. On 15 of the 32 required neurologic rotations (46.9%; 95% CI = 29.5% to 65.0%), time was spent only in the intensive care unit. The remaining 17 rotations used outpatient clinic and general floor neurology settings. Electives in neurology, neurosurgery, or neuroradiology were available for 32 programs (32.7%; 95% CI = 24.2% to 42.4%) but were seldom used. Conclusions: Currently, the primary method of educating residents to treat neurologic emergencies is through didactic lectures, as opposed to clinical rotations in neurology or neurosurgery. Improving resident education in neurologic emergencies within the current educational format must focus on improving didactic lectures in neurologic topics. Expanding clinical rotations or electives to enhance education in neurologic emergencies also warrants future attention. Key words: neurology; education; emergency medicine training. ACADEMIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE 2005; 12:909‐911.
Conduction in failing aluminum connections

Conduction in failing aluminum contacts was studied using oscilloscope observation of the current-voltage characteristics. Crossed wire and twisted pair contacts are used in these studies. The dual crossed wire configuration permits evaluation of the distribution of the conducting channels. Measurement of contact resistance as normal force is increased shows that there is little metallic contact established through the aluminum oxide by application of normal force alone. Conduction in these aluminum connections is found to be predominantly metallic, however, established and sustained by the electrical breakdown mechanism known as A-fritting. The metallic conductive channels formed by this mechanism deteriorate and open, causing frequent repetition of the breakdown process. The results indicate that there is likely to be only one conducting channel active at a time. Observations made on aluminum-aluminum twisted pair and twist-on connector splices demonstrate that the same mechanism is operative for these connections. The relationship of the results to behavior of failing aluminum connections is discussed. >
Regulation of mammalian aspartate-4-decarboxylase: Its possible role in oxaloacetate and energy metabolism

A newly discovered enzyme in mammalian tissues, aspartate-4-decarboxylase (EC 4.1.1.12), catalyzes the exothermic conversion of aspartate to alanine and CO2. The occurrence of this enzyme poses at least two important questions. First, what is the purpose of such an enzyme in cell physiology? There are alternate ways to convert aspartate to alanine which are rapid and which conserve energy. Second, since the synthesis of aspartate is an energy-requiring process, how can the cell limit undue energy drain by this, seemingly pointless, beta-decarboxylation of aspartate? It is demonstrated that rat liver aspartate-4-decarboxylase is inhibited by acetyl-coenzyme A and stimulated by glutamate. These regulatory properties were predicted a priori. It was suggested that, in coordination with pyruvate carboxylase, aspartate-4-decarboxylase is important in regulating the metabolic fate of oxaloacetate and thus plays a role in determining the efficiency of carbohydrate metabolism. Furthermore, reciprocal regulation of rat liver pyruvate carboxylase and aspartate-4-decarboxylase would assure a limit on the extent of futile cycling that may occur between these enzymes.
The internal energy and susceptibility of metallic electrons under the De Haas-Van Alphen conditions

Abstract The internal energy and the magnetic susceptibility of an interacting electron gas are obtained under the De Haas-Van Alphen condition. A new treatment of the contribution from the ring diagrams results in simple expressions.
Religious Prerogatives and Policing the Poor in Two Ottoman Contexts

Policies of poor relief in nineteenth-century Cairo and Istanbul were grounded in religious imperatives while being articulated in secular practices. Nineteenthcentury practices constituted a shift from earlier times, most markedly in attitudes toward the public presence of the poor, the nature of institutions serving the poor, and the role of the police in controlling them. At the same time, rulers continued to initiate poor-relief projects, maintaining long-standing traditions of imperial beneficence.
Applications of type-2 fuzzy logic systems to forecasting of time-series

Abstract In this paper, we begin with a type-1 fuzzy logic system (FLS), trained with noisy data. We then demonstrate how information about the noise in the training data can be incorporated into a type-2 FLS, which can be used to obtain bounds within which the true (noisefree) output is likely to lie. We do this with the example of a one-step predictor for the Mackey–Glass chaotic time-series [M.C. Mackey, L. Glass, Oscillation and chaos in physiological control systems, Science 197 (1977) 287–280]. We also demonstrate how a type-2 FLS can be used to obtain better predictions than those obtained with a type-1 FLS.
NRF2 plays a protective role in diabetic retinopathy in mice

Aims/hypothesis Although much is known about the pathophysiological processes contributing to diabetic retinopathy (DR), the role of protective pathways has received less attention. The transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (also known as NFE2L2 or NRF2) is an important regulator of oxidative stress and also has anti-inflammatory effects. The objective of this study was to explore the potential role of NRF2 as a protective mechanism in DR.
The late effects of selected immunosuppressants on immunocompetence, disease incidence, and mean life-span I. Humoral immune activity

The late effects of various immunosuppressive insults on cell-mediated immunity in mice were studied in an attempt to assess the role of immune surveillance in the aging process. Results were obtained using susceptibility to allogeneic tumor cell challenge, graft-versus-host reaction (GVHR), blastogenic response to PHA, a thymus derived T cell-specific plant mitogen, and cytolytic activity against allogeneic tumor cells as measures of immunologic activity. In vivo studies late in life show that resistance to allogeneic tumor cells is significantly decreased in thymectomized mice, whereas those treated with cortisone, cyclophosphamide and sublethal X-ray remain unchanged. Spleen cells from only the thymectomized and the sublethally irradiated mice show reduced activity in the GVHR. No difference is seen in the activity of bone marrow cells. Results consistent with these findings were obtained in in vitro studies. Thus spleen cells from thymectomized or sublethally irradiated mice show decreased activity is response to PHA, whereas no change is seen in spleen cells from other treated groups. Hence, surgical and physical insults are more likely to induce long-lasting immunosuppression in those immunocompetent tissues whose activity normally diminishes with advancing age. Furthermore, the degree of immunosuppression seen in this study is not of the order of magnitude that one could reasonably predict a significant decrease in mean life-span.
On characterization of multivariate stable distributions via random linear statistics

LetX1,X2, ...,Xn be independent and identically distributed random vectors inRd, and letY=(Y1,Y2, ...,Yn)′ be a random coefficient vector inRn, independent ofXj/′. We characterize the multivariate stable distributions by considering the independence of the random linear statistic $$U = Y_1 X_1 + Y_2 X_2 + \cdot \cdot \cdot + Y_n X_n $$ and the random coefficient vectorY.
Analytical multicollimator camera calibration

Abstract Calibration with the U.S. Geological survey multicollimator determines the calibrated focal length, the point of symmetry, the radial distortion referred to the point of symmetry, and the asymmetric characteristiecs of the camera lens. For this project, two cameras were calibrated, a Zeiss RMK A 15/23 and a Wild RC 8. Four test exposures were made with each camera. Results are tabulated for each exposure and averaged for each set. Copies of the standard USGS calibration reports are included.
"Curbside" consultations in gynecologic oncology: a closer look at a common practice.

Abstract Objective. The aim of this article is to evaluate the nature and frequency of informal "curbside" consultations in a gynecologic oncology practice. Methods. A log of all curbside consultations requested from a gynecologic oncologist in a tertiary multispecialty group practice was kept for 2 years (July 1996 to June 1998). New referrals or calls concerning mutual patients were excluded. Results. Three hundred thirty-three requests for advice were received from 87 different physicians. Most (81%) of the calls were from 51 obstetrician/gynecologists (Ob/Gyns); 13% of the calls were from family practitioners or general internists. The four most common topics discussed were lower genital tract dysplasia (18%), endometrial hyperplasia (17%), adnexal masses (11%), and endometrial cancer (10%). Overall, 29% of questions pertained to the management of an invasive gynecologic malignancy. Twenty-four percent of the questions were answered in less than 5 min, 43% in 5–10 min, 29% in 11–20 min, and 4% in over 20 min. The issues discussed were considered simple in 26%, of moderate complexity in 49%, very complex in 22%, and ultracomplex in 3%. One hundred nine questions (33%) were of sufficient complexity to warrant referral to a specialist, which occurred in 52 cases (48%); physicians employed by a staff-model health maintenance organization were less likely to request a formal consultation (14%, χ 2 = 0.001). Conclusions. Curbside consultations are a frequent occurrence in the practice of a gynecologic oncologist, with most questions posed by general Ob/Gyns. Approximately one-third of the questions were of minimal complexity and involved topics covered in standard textbooks or residency training programs. In contrast, approximately one-third were of sufficient complexity that a casual discussion between colleagues may not yield optimal medical care.
Clinical Implications of Tamoxifen's Mechanism of Action

AbstractThere are a number of effects of tamoxifen on breast tissue, normal breast tissue for cancerous tissue. First, tamoxifen inhibits carcinogen-induced breast cancer in rodents. Second, there have been studies showing the effectiveness of tamoxifen in benign breast disease suggesting that the drug also has effects on normal breast epithelium. Third, tamoxifen can cause regression of human breast cancer in patients. Tamoxifen can also inhibit the activity of certain key enzymes involved in DNA replication. Finally, tamoxifen has been shown, at least in cultured breast cancer cells, to reduce the secretion of certain growth factors including TGFX and IGF-1.
Effects of prostaglandins and prostaglandin precursors on the arterial pressure of the bullfrog, Rana catesbiana

Abstract Effects of prostaglandin precursors, prostaglandins, and cyclooxygenase inhibitors upon arterial pressures of unanesthetized bullfrogs were determined. 1. The mean arterial pressure of the bullfrogs was 32 ± 2 mm Hg and was not affected by indomethacin. 2. Intravenous arachidonic acid decreased arterial pressure, producing a 40% decrease at 3 mg/kg per min for 3 min. Arachidonic acid responses were attenuated by indomethacin or ETYA. 3. Intravenous PGE2, PGI2, and PGF2α all decreased arterial pressure. PGE2 and PGI2 were similar in potency, with PGF2α being less potent. All three were more potent than arachidonic acid. 4. Endogenous arterial PG concentrations were less than 0.04, 0.28, and 13 ng/ml of PGE2, PGF2α, and PGI2, respectively.
Enhancing Utility and Privacy of Data for Software Testing

A fundamental problem in test outsourcing is how to allow a database-centric application (DCA) owner to release a smaller subset of its private data along with the application. In addition, the DCA owner needs tangible guarantees that the entities in this data are protected at a certain level of privacy, while retaining testing efficacy. We are trying to solve this problem by balancing four important dimensions: testing coverage, privacy, semantic correctness, and data minimization. We built a novel approach that enhances both utility and privacy of data for software testing using a novel combination of program analysis, clustering, and association rule mining approaches. To the best of our knowledge, there exists no prior approaches that synergistically address all of the aforementioned dimensions. We also proposed several avenues for future work based on our existing work.
Multigigabit solitary-wave propagation in both the normal and anomalous dispersion regions of optical fibers

We present exact solitary wave solutions for multigigabit systems operating in the femtosecond time domain. Our results show different behavior from the traditional nonlinear Schroedinger equation.
Physical effects of heroin and cocaine: Considerations for a wound care service

Abstract Use of illicit substances is a major health care problem in the United States. Two commonly used illicit substances are heroin and cocaine. Both drugs can have multiple effects on the body, including the development of wounds. This article explores the street terminology, methods of use, and physical effects of heroin and cocaine, psychophysical nursing diagnoses and problems associated with their use, and considerations for a wound care service for persons with a history of heroin or cocaine use.
A Student‐Directed Community Project to Support Sexually Abused Women Veterans Suffering from Post‐Traumatic Stress Disorder

While awareness of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and sexual abuse continues to grow, it has only been during the past few years that the military has realized the prevalence and impact of sexual abuse inflicted upon women while on active military duty. Though Veteran Administration (VA) agencies throughout the United States have given concerted attention to this problem, published resources specific to PTSD and military sexual abuse have been limited. In this article the authors present the results of a 2 ½-year endeavor to address the problem of PTSD and military sexual abuse at the Tulsa VA Outpatient Clinic. The project started with a research study and the subsequent initiation of a PTSD women veterans support group, and culminated in the development of resource manuals for both professional staff and women veterans.
Direct selective oxygen-assisted acylation of amines driven by metallic silver surfaces: dimethylamine with formaldehyde

Facile, direct acylation of dimethylamine with formaldehyde to N,N-dimethylformamide proceeds with a selectivity approaching 100% at low oxygen concentrations on metallic silver surfaces; the reaction proceeds via nucleophilic attack of adsorbed dimethylamide on formaldehyde with subsequent β-H elimination from the adsorbed hemiaminal.
Crustal thickness along the western Galápagos Spreading Center and the compensation of the Galápagos hotspot swell

Wide-angle refraction and multichannel reflection seismic data show that oceanic crust along the Galapagos Spreading Center (GSC) between 97‡W and 91‡25PW thickens by 2.3 km as the Galapagos plume is approached from the west. This crustal thickening can account for V52% of the 700 m amplitude of the Galapagos swell. After correcting for changes in crustal thickness, the residual mantle Bouguer gravity anomaly associated with the Galapagos swell shows a minimum of 325 mGal near 92‡15PW, the area where the GSC is intersected by the Wolf^ Darwin volcanic lineament (WDL). The remaining depth and gravity anomalies indicate an eastward reduction of mantle density, estimated to be most prominent above a compensation depth of 50^100 km. Melting calculations assuming adiabatic, passive mantle upwelling predict the observed crustal thickening to arise from a small increase in mantle potential temperature of V30‡C. The associated thermal expansion and increase in melt depletion reduce mantle densities, but to a degree that is insufficient to explain the geophysical observations. The largest density anomalies appear at the intersection of the GSC and the WDL. Our results therefore require the existence of compositionally buoyant mantle beneath the GSC near the Galapagos plume. Possible origins of this excess buoyancy include melt retained in the mantle as well as mantle depleted by melting in the upwelling plume beneath the Galapagos Islands that is later transported to the GSC. Our estimate for the buoyancy flux of the Galapagos plume (700 kg s 31 ) is lower than previous estimates, while the total crustal production rate of the Galapagos plume (5.5 m 3 s 31 ) is comparable to that of the Icelandic and Hawaiian plumes.
Surface Chemistry of Active Carbon: Specific Adsorption of Phenols

The characteristics of the uptake of phenol and nitrophenols by active carbon have been investigated. The measurements of solution equilibrium parameters as well as surface structural characteristics determined by infrared internal reflection spectroscopy are presented. A charge-transfer interaction is postulated which explains the observed adsorption and spectroscopic characteristics on the basis of the electron densities in the sorbate molecule, as well as the types and concentrations of surface functional groups present on the carbon.
Significance of statistical relations derived from geophysical data

Most geophysical phenomena have typical interrelations in time and space. But these restrictions are frequently forgotten by investigators processing data in order to verify, or to detect, the laws of nature. For example, the claimed relations between geophysical events and eosmical data are numerous, but rather few such relationships survive the next decade. One main reason for this is certainly the use of random sampling techniques when investigating geophysical data, in spite of the fact that statistics of related terms were studied by Markov half a century ago. If long series of records are available, the sampling complications due to serial correlation can be removed by selecting dates separated by a proper interval of time. But in most cases we have data only for relatively short intervals, and we are therefore forced to use all data to get optimum determination of the statistical parameters. The significance of these parameters then depend very much on the serial correlations involved. The purpose of this paper is to derive tests of significance, which may be applicable to a variety of such investigations when serial correlations are present in the data. DOI: 10.1111/j.2153-3490.1966.tb01442.x
Thermoelectric signatures of coherent transport in single-molecule heterojunctions.

An exact expression for the heat current in an interacting nanostructure is derived and used to calculate the thermoelectric response of three representative single-molecule junctions formed from isoprene, 1,3-benzenedithiol, and [18]-annulene. Dramatic enhancements of the thermopower S and Lorenz number L are predicted when the junction is tuned across a node in the transmission function, with universal maximum values Smax = (π/31/2)(kB/e) and Lmax = (7π2/5)(kB2/e2). The effect of a finite minimum transmission probability due, e.g., to incoherent processes or additional nonresonant channels, is also considered.
EGFR ligand switch in late stage prostate cancer contributes to changes in cell signaling and bone remodeling

BACKGROUND. Bone metastasis occurs frequently in advanced prostate cancer (PCa) patients; however, it is not known why this happens. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ligand EGF is available to early stage PCa; whereas, TGF-a is available when PCa metastasizes. Since the microenvironment of metastases has been shown to play a role in the survival of the tumor, we examined whether the ligands had effects on cell survival and proliferation in early and late PCa. METHODS. We used LNCaP cells as a model of early stage, non-metastatic PCa and the isogenic C4-2B cells as a model of late stage, metastatic PCa. RESULTS. We found that the proliferation factor MAPK and the survival factor AKT were differentially activated in the presence of different ligands. TGF-a induced growth of C4-2B cells and not of the parental LNCaP cells; however, LNCaP cells expressing a constitutively active AKT did proliferate with TGF-a. Therefore, AKT appeared to be the TGF-a-responsive factor for survival of the late stage PCa cells. LNCaP cells exposed to EGF produced more osteoprotegerin (OPG), an inhibitor of bone remodeling, than C4-2B cells with TGF-a, which had increased expression of RANKL, an activator of bone remodeling. In concordance, TGF-a-treated C4-2B conditioned medium was able to differentiate an osteoclast precursor line to a greater extent than EGF-treated C4-2B or TGF-a-treated LNCaP conditioned media. CONCLUSION. The switch in EGFR ligand availability as PCa progresses affects cell survival and contributes to bone remodeling. Prostate 69: 528–537, 2009. # 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Heteroepitaxial Growth of MgO Films on NiO(100) Single Crystal Surfaces

Epitaxial MgO layers were grown on cleaved NiO(100) single crystal surfaces. The less than 1% lattice mismatch between MgO and NiO allows almost ideal epitaxy of MgO at 100°C. The epitaxial films were created by dosing Mg onto stoichiometric NiO(100) both in ultra-high vacuum (UHV) and in an O2 atmosphere (5×10−7 Torr). Chemical interactions at the resulting interfaces were studied using XPS. When Mg is dosed onto NiO(100) in UHV, MgO forms by interacting with oxygen anions in the NiO substrate thereby reducing the nickel cations. Metallic Mg layers begin to form upon subsequent dosing. When Mg is deposited in O2, epitaxial MgO(100) layers grow to a thickness of at least 50A as confirmed by in situ RHEED and LEED observations. Negligible intermixing between the MgO and NiO is observed during growth at 100°C and on subsequent annealing in UHV up to 600°C.
Mitochondrial Hormesis and Diabetic Complications

The concept that excess superoxide production from mitochondria is the driving, initial cellular response underlying diabetes complications has been held for the past decade. However, results of antioxidant-based trials have been largely negative. In the present review, the data supporting mitochondrial superoxide as a driving force for diabetic kidney, nerve, heart, and retinal complications are reexamined, and a new concept for diabetes complications—mitochondrial hormesis—is presented. In this view, production of mitochondrial superoxide can be an indicator of healthy mitochondria and physiologic oxidative phosphorylation. Recent data suggest that in response to excess glucose exposure or nutrient stress, there is a reduction of mitochondrial superoxide, oxidative phosphorylation, and mitochondrial ATP generation in several target tissues of diabetes complications. Persistent reduction of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation complex activity is associated with the release of oxidants from nonmitochondrial sources and release of proinflammatory and profibrotic cytokines, and a manifestation of organ dysfunction. Restoration of mitochondrial function and superoxide production via activation of AMPK has now been associated with improvement in markers of renal, cardiovascular, and neuronal dysfunction with diabetes. With this Perspective, approaches that stimulate AMPK and PGC1α via exercise, caloric restriction, and medications result in stimulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation activity, restore physiologic mitochondrial superoxide production, and promote organ healing.