cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs in myeloproliferative neoplasms

The chronic myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN), including polycythaemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and primary myelofibrosis (PMF), are clonal stem cell disorders characterized by dysregulated haematopoietic stem cell expansion and production of red cells, white cells and platelets alone or in combination. An acquired mutation JAK2(V617F) can be found in all three disorders and shows many of the phenotypic abnormalities of the diseases in murine models. The disease phenotype is also influenced by other unknown genetic or epigenetic factors. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are 18-24 nucleotide single-stranded non-protein-coding RNAs that function primarily as gene repressors by binding to their target messenger RNAs. There is growing evidence that miRNAs regulate haematopoiesis in both haematopoietic stem cells and committed progenitor cells. Here, we review the field of miRNA biology and its regulatory roles in normal haematopoiesis with an emphasis on miRNA deregulations in MPNs. Continued research into how miRNAs impact JAK2(V617F) clonal expansion, differential haematopoiesis among different MPNs, disease progression and leukaemia transformation will lead to a better understanding of the development of these disorders, their clinical manifestations, and their treatment.
A TGFβ-Smad4-Fgf6 signaling cascade controls myogenic differentiation and myoblast fusion during tongue development

The tongue is a muscular organ and plays a crucial role in speech, deglutition and taste. Despite the important physiological functions of the tongue, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of tongue muscle development. TGFβ family members play important roles in regulating myogenesis, but the functional significance of Smad-dependent TGFβ signaling in regulating tongue skeletal muscle development remains unclear. In this study, we have investigated Smad4-mediated TGFβ signaling in the development of occipital somite-derived myogenic progenitors during tongue morphogenesis through tissue-specific inactivation of Smad4 (using Myf5-Cre;Smad4(flox/flox) mice). During the initiation of tongue development, cranial neural crest (CNC) cells occupy the tongue buds before myogenic progenitors migrate into the tongue primordium, suggesting that CNC cells play an instructive role in guiding tongue muscle development. Moreover, ablation of Smad4 results in defects in myogenic terminal differentiation and myoblast fusion. Despite compromised muscle differentiation, tendon formation appears unaffected in the tongue of Myf5-Cre;Smad4(flox/flox) mice, suggesting that the differentiation and maintenance of CNC-derived tendon cells are independent of Smad4-mediated signaling in myogenic cells in the tongue. Furthermore, loss of Smad4 results in a significant reduction in expression of several members of the FGF family, including Fgf6 and Fgfr4. Exogenous Fgf6 partially rescues the tongue myoblast fusion defect of Myf5-Cre;Smad4(flox/flox) mice. Taken together, our study demonstrates that a TGFβ-Smad4-Fgf6 signaling cascade plays a crucial role in myogenic cell fate determination and lineage progression during tongue myogenesis.
Acriflavine modification of nucleic acid formation, mutation induction and survival in ultraviolet light exposed bacteria

Abstract Witkin (1958, 1961) described an effect of acriflavine, caffeine and certain DNA combining basic dyes in increasing the magnitude of mutation frequency response to ultraviolet light in Escherichia coli . In the study described here, we compared the effect of these agents on RNA, DNA and protein synthesis, survival and mutation induction with UV-exposed bacteria. The results establish that the agents exert some action on UV-exposed cells which results in increased mutation frequency response and lethality, as well as blockage of RNA, DNA and protein synthesis. The effects of acriflavine on macromolecular synthesis, mutation induction and lethality is described in this report. A subsequent report will describe identical effects of caffeine and the DNA combining dyes on UV-exposed bacteria.
Shaping weak aspheres with MRF

MRF is a deterministic finishing process, with the ability to remove material on the nanometer-micrometer scales. The “tool” is a re-circulated fluid whose effective viscosity increases by 2 orders of magnitude in a magnetic field of ~8 kilogauss. The fluid delivery and magnetic field are designed to apply the fluid over a small area, thereby creating a sub-aperture polishing zone (a “spot”). The MRF process integrates the fluid delivery with a CNC machine and controlling software, allowing precise control of material removal [1-2].
A synthesis approach for time-delay systems

A systematic approach to the synthesis of a stabilizing controller for two classes of SISO time-delay type systems is given. Both state feedback and dynamic output feedback synthesis techniques are described. The class of time-delay systems considered can be realized using finite-dimensional state-space techniques with perturbations in the matrices of the system state model such that some known techniques from robust control theory can be applied. The obtained stabilizing controllers are finite-dimensional and of H/sub infinity /-type. >
A comparative study of the fixation of 75Se and 35S onto protein-polysaccharides of bovine costal cartilage

Abstract 1. 1. 75 Se- and 35 S-labeled protein-polysaccharides were isolated from slices of bovine costal cartilage which had been incubated in media containing 75 SeO 4 2− or 35 SO 4 2− . Analysis of the protein-polysaccharides revealed that the 75 Se was attached to the protein moiety. The chondroitin sulfate was labeled with 35 S but not with 75 Se. 2. 2. Only very small amounts of 75 Se were fixed to the protein-polysaccharides of preboiled slices of cartilage or onto protein-polysaccharide itself if these were incubated in the media containing 75 SeO 4 2− . These results suggest that the binding to protein of 75 Se derived from 75 SeO 4 2− is dependent upon cellular activity.
Time-domain study of microtrack structure and artifacts

To study the microtrack signal, noise and track “skirts” a time-domain technique [A. Taratorin, M. Xiao, and K. Klaassen, IEEE Trans. Mag. 40, 129 (2004)] was used. It shows that the standard microtrack preparation (two-sided dc erasure) suffers from demagnetization caused by the write head fringe fields. Low density micro-track tail signals were studied by analyzing read-back wave forms at different offset locations from the microtrack center. It was established that the tail-related signal is generated by cross-track medium magnetization. The dependence of this tail signal on the medium orientation ratio (OR) is studied; the tail signal amplitude decreases for higher OR media. An improved microtrack preparation procedure is presented, using two-sided multiple-pass repetitive dc erasure. It is demonstrated that the procedure reduces the tail artifacts due to the smaller cross-track component of the far-away write head field
Molecular Determinants of Radiation Response in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer

Non–small cell lung cancers are now recognized to contain considerable heterogeneity and molecular diversity. Substantial progress has been made regarding molecular determinants of response to targeted agents in advanced lung cancer, and recent findings have revealed subsets of patients with driver mutations that respond rapidly to selective inhibitors. In addition, new approaches to disrupting DNA repair and inflammation and activation of the immune system are being explored. A key question in the field is whether therapeutic multimodality options incorporating radiation therapy can capitalize on the gains made in systemic therapy.
Local drug delivery systems and prevention of restenosis

Time for primary review 38 days. It is somewhat incongruous that the successful performance of percutaneous transluminal coronary revascularization, a technically challenging and somewhat delicate endeavour, is predicated on the delivery of a traumatic insult to the vascular wall. This injury incites a cascade of compensatory responses, involving thrombosis and inflammation, vascular smooth muscle proliferation and migration, and matrix production and deposition. Although this reparative process usually stabilizes the site of injury and ensures a successful long term result, in 30 to 50% of cases it is excessive [1], resulting in compromise of the lumen with the potential for recurrent ischemia. Our understanding of the process of restenosis, although not yet complete, has evolved considerably in recent years. There is a complex interplay of vessel wall remodeling and neointimal proliferation. Remodeling refers to a contracture or ‘shrinkage’ of the vessel, primarily related to the inflammatory process in the vessel wall which involves the media and adventitia. The neointimal proliferative process appears to be linked to vascular smooth muscle cell activation, proliferation and migration [2, 3]. The deployment of an intracoronary stent at the site of injury, by providing a scaffold within the vessel wall, can reduce the impact of vascular remodeling, but may be accompanied by an exhuberant intimal hyperplastic response [4]with consequent restenosis in a persistent 20–30% of cases [5, 6]. Thus, over recent years there has been a widespread intensive research effort directed towards identifying pharmacotherepeutic regimens targeting primarily (but not exclusively) the smooth muscle cell, to prevent the neointimal restenotic process. These have involved conventional pharmacological agents, as well as novel gene therapies, and many of these have been found to be effective in preventing restenosis in animal models of vascular injury following systemic administration. However, when these agents have progressed to clinical … * Corresponding author. Tel.: +1 216 4459490; Fax: +1 216 4459595; E-mail: topole@cesmtp.ccf.org
Magnetic Resonance Dynamic Susceptibility-Weighted Contrast-Enhanced Perfusion Imaging in the Diagnosis of Posterior Fossa Hemangioblastomas and Pilocytic Astrocytomas: Initial Results

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the dynamic susceptibility-weighted contrast-enhanced (DSC) magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion and MR imaging findings between hemangioblastomas and pilocytic astrocytoma (PA). Methods: We retrospectively identified 6 patients with hemangioblastomas and 8 patients with PAs who underwent MR imaging before resection. Using fluid-attenuated inversion-recovery imaging, we graded peritumoral edema as absent, minimal, mild, moderate, or severe. In addition, 3 patients with hemangioblastomas and 4 patients with PAs underwent DSC-MR imaging before resection. Results: We observed moderate to severe peritumoral edema in 6 patients with hemangioblastomas and none or minimal peritumoral edema in 8 patients with PAs. The mean relative cerebral blood volume was 7.7 (SD, 1.0) in patients with hemangioblastomas and 1.8 (SD, 1.8) in patients with PAs. Conclusions: Our preliminary findings demonstrate significantly higher DSC-MR imaging relative cerebral blood volumes in patients with hemangioblastomas when compared with patients with PAs. In addition, moderate to severe peritumoral edema was associated with hemangioblastomas.
Homing of human autoreactive T cells into pancreatic tissue of NOD-scid mice

Aims/hypothesis An important prerequisite for the initiation of pancreatic islet inflammation is the recruitment of pathogenic T cells. We investigated the in vivo migration patterns of human islet-reactive T cell clones after transfer into compromised hosts.
1774 FETAL LUNG EPITHELIAL CELLS CULTURED ON FIBROBLAST FEEDER LAYER

Mouse embryo fibroblasts (line 3T3) elaborate an extracellular matrix comprising macromolecules essential for attachment and growth of various types of differentiated cells. We investigated whether a feeder layer of these fibroblasts would promote growth of lung epithelial cells. Epithelial cells were isolated from lungs of mature fetal rabbits (28-29 d gestation) by either ex-plant culture or exposure to 0.25% trypsin followed by differential adherence. The cells were cultured in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle's medium + 10% fetal bovine serum on either plastic or a feeder layer of 3T3 fibroblasts rendered mitotically inactive by treatment with mitomycin C. Epithelial cells cultured on plastic degenerated and died within 7 d. In contrast, cells cultured on a feeder layer could be passaged weekly for 10 wk and underwent 6 population doublings. Light microscopy showed that spindle-shaped 3T3 fibroblasts surrounded colonies of cuboidal lung cells. The latter were Judged to be type 2 epithelial cells on the basis of the following ultrastructural criteria: cuboidal shape, presence of microvilli, tonafilaments, and characteristic lamellar bodies (during first wk). The cells contained organelles indicative of a high level of biosynthesis (rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus) and numerous mitochondria, and they formed junctions. Multivesicular lamellar bodies were present in late cultures (4–8 wk). These results demonstrate that a feeder layer of 3T3 fibroblasts can support extended culture of fetal lung epithelial cells.
Insulin sensitivity is associated with thigh adipose tissue distribution in healthy postmenopausal women.

Objective Evidence suggests intermuscular adipose tissue (IMAT) may be linked to insulin resistance, whereas thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) may be related favorably with indices of metabolic health. However, whether adipose tissue depots of the thigh are differentially related to insulin sensitivity independent of total adiposity and other adipose tissue depots has not been determined. The objective of this study was to identify independent associations of the subcompartments of adipose tissue of the thigh with insulin sensitivity among 97 healthy early postmenopausal women.
Efficiency of Fibrous Filters with Rectangular Fibers

A theoretical study of filtration characteristics of rectangular electret fibers arranged in a staggered array perpendicular to the flow direction was conducted assuming the Brownian diffusion and interception as the dominant particle capture mechanisms. The single-electret fiber efficiency due to pure diffusion was found to be proportional to -2/3, 0.278, and 1/2 powers of the Peclet number (based on the fiber hydraulic diameter), filter solid-volume fraction, and fiber aspect ratio, respectively. For pure interception, the single fiber efficiency was determined to be proportional to 1.55 and 0.54 powers of the interception parameter and filter solid-volume fraction, respectively. This is Particle Technology Laboratory Publication No. 741.
Shapes of Deep Density-Depth Curves

Abstract Deep density-depth curves often show faint curvature reversals, stability maxima etc. Relationships between these features and the field of motion are explored here, in reference to the South Pacific, for interior regions and western boundary current. For the former, an assumed balance between vertical advection and vertical diffusion of density implies downward movement where there is positive curvature in the density-depth curve, in association with equatorward flow of the bottom water; it is argued that such flow is a likely feature of the interaction between a stratified deep western boundary current and a stratified interior. Illustrative (though somewhat unrealistic) analytical examples are given. In the western boundary region it is the difference between local and interior densities which seems to be related to details of the velocity distribution, but only in special (and unlikely) circumstances is there a Correspondence across the boundary region between the shape of the perturbation de...
Variations in normal coronary vasodilatory reserve stratified by artery, gender, heart transplantation and coronary artery disease.

Objectives. The purpose of the study was to assess the spectrum of coronary vasodilatory reserve values in patients with angiographically normal arteries who had atypical chest pain syndromes or remote coronary artery disease or were heart transplant recipients. Background. The measurement of post-stenotic coronary vasodilatory reserve, now possible in a large number of patients in the cardiac catheterization laboratory, is increasingly used for decision making. Controversy exists regarding the range of normal values obtained in angiographically normal coronary arteries in patients with different clinical presentations. Methods. Quantitative coronary arteriography was performed in 214 patients classified into three groups: 85 patients with chest pain syndromes and angiographically normal arteries (group 1); 21 patients with one normal vessel and at least one vessel with >50% diameter lumen narrowing (group 2); and 108 heart transplant recipients (group 3). Coronary vasodilatory reserve (the ratio of maximal to basal average coronary flow velocity) was measured in 416 arteries using a 0.018-in. (0.04 cm) Dopplertipped angioplasty guide wire. Intracoronary adenosine (8 to 18 μg) was used to produce maximal hyperemia. Results. Coronary vasodilatory reserve was higher in angio-graphically normal arteries in patients with chest pain syndromes (group 1: 2.80 ± 0.6 [group mean ± SD]) than in normal vessels in patients with remote coronary artery disease (group 2: 2.5 ± 0.95, p = 0.04); both values were significantly higher than those in the post-stenotic segment of the diseased artery (1.8 ± 0.6, p Conclusions. These findings identify a normal reference range for studies assessing the coronary circulation and post-stenotic coronary vasodilatory reserve in patients with and without coronary artery disease encountered in the cardiac catheterization laboratory.
The influence of cage size on the reactivity of trimetallic nitride metallofullerenes: a mono- and bis-methanoadduct of Gd3N@C80 and a monoadduct of Gd3N@C84

A reactivity study of the higher TNT EMFs of gadolinium is reported here showing that the reactivity substantially decreases when the fullerene cage gets larger.
A comparison of mixed-layer dynamics between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal: One-dimensional model results

[1] Using a one-dimensional turbulent closure model, we investigate the physical mechanisms governing the seasonal evolution of mixed-layer depth (MLD) and sea surface temperature (SST) along two meridional sections; 64.5°E and 88.5°E, which are representative of the open-ocean conditions of the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Several perturbation experiments have been performed to isolate and judge exactly the relative importance of wind stress and buoyancy forcing to the evolution of MLD and SST. The wind stress forcing is found to be significant during the summer monsoon, while buoyancy flux plays a significant role during the winter monsoon. During the summer monsoon (June–September), the MLD in the Arabian Sea deepens to 80 m owing to strong wind-driven vertical mixing, but the weaker winds over the Bay of Bengal restrict the turbulent mixing to a shallow depth of ∼30 m. As a result, SST in the Arabian Sea (Bay of Bengal) decreases to ∼27°C (remains high ∼29°C). It is thus the asymmetry in the wind field that is responsible for the difference in MLD and SST between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. During the winter monsoon (November–February), the MLD in the Arabian Sea penetrates to deeper than 80 m by convective vertical mixing because of strong negative buoyancy flux (net heat loss), but it is restricted to 40–50 m in the Bay of Bengal owing to reduced net heat loss from the ocean. It is the asymmetry in the buoyancy forcing caused by the difference in latent heat flux that is responsible for the difference in MLD and SST between the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The atmospheric parameter that controls this buoyancy difference is the difference in humidity between the two basins. Thus it is the differences in surface forcing, rather than differences in the vertical salinity stratification, that are key in explaining the observed and modeled differences between the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal.
Isolated mitral regurgitation complicating relapsing polychondritis

The reported incidence of mitral regurgitation in relapsing polychondritis ranges from 2 to 3% and is associated with aortic regurgitation. There are no reports that mitral regurgitation can be an isolated cardiac complication of relapsing polychondritis. This case report demonstrates that partial chordal rupture and consequent severe mitral regurgitation can be the only features of cardiac involvement in relapsing polychondritis.
Calculation of turbulent convection between corotating disks in axisymmetric enclosures

Abstract A numerical investigation is conducted for the case of turbulent flow in the unobstructed space between a pair of centrally clamped coaxial disks corotating in a fixed axisymmetric enclosure. The finite difference procedure of Chang et al. ( J. Heat Transfer 111 , 625–632 (1989)) is extended to include a standard two-equation ( κ - e ) model of turbulence in the core of the flow. A van Driest relation, that accounts for the effects of streamline curvature and wall shear on the energy-containing length scales, is used in conjunction with Prandtl's mixing length hypothesis to model the near wall flow. The set of equations is solved assuming a constant property, circumferentially symmetric, statistically stationary flow. This approach predicts mean velocity and heat transfer results that are in good agreement with timeaveraged experimental data. The predictions reveal a flow that, in non-dimensional variables, tends to a limiting asymptotic state at high Reynolds numbers. In the absence of blowing a symmetrical pair of crossstream eddies appear near the enclosure wall the rotation of which increases with increasing disk rotational speed. High rotational speeds, in excess of 2400 rpm in the configuration studied, and small disk separations induce large values of shear and temperature (due to viscous dissipation) in the vicinity of the enclosure wall. The flow and its heat transfer characteristics can be drastically altered by the combined effects of radial and axial blowing. Specifically, it is shown that axial blowing significantly reduces the shear and heat transfer at the curved enclosure wall.
A cross-layer design for joint lifetime and data rate optimization in wireless networks

In this paper, we study the problem of jointly maximizing network lifetime and data rate in wireless networks. For this problem, we introduce a cross-layer formulation with general NUM (network utility maximization) that accommodates routing, scheduling and stream control from different layers of network with relevant constraints. In particular, based on a lagrangian approach, we extend our programming model to a distributed algorithm that can dynamically approximate the optimal solution to this problem. Finally, we present computational results to confirm the benefits that can be gained from the cross-layer optimization and the distributed algorithm.
Diversity and commonality in music performance: An analysis of timing microstructure in Schumann’s ‘‘Träumerei’’

This study attempts to characterize the temporal commonalities and differences among distinguished pianists’ interpretations of a well‐known piece, Robert Schumann’s ‘‘Traumerei.’’ Intertone onset intervals (IOIs) were measured in 28 recorded performances. These data were subjected to a variety of statistical analyses, including principal components analysis of longer stretches of music and curve fitting to series of IOIs within brief melodic gestures. Global timing patterns reflected the hierarchical grouping structure of the composition, with pronounced ritardandi at the ends of major sections and frequent expressive lengthening of accented tones within melodic gestures. Analysis of local timing patterns, particularly of within‐gesture ritardandi, revealed that they often followed a parabolic timing function. The major variation in these patterns can be modeled by families of parabolas with a single degree of freedom. The grouping structure, which prescribes the location of major tempo changes, and the ...
Psychosocial Oncology: Gains and Losses

ABSTRACT The current article offers an overview of the development of a psychosocial counseling component in a complex outpatient and inpatient oncology treatment setting. Central to the article are the descriptions of the relationships that exist before, during, and after the transitioning of the psychosocial team into the larger treatment team. Also significant are gains and losses in our learning to handle touch, confidentiality, and related issues in a medical rather than a psychotherapy setting. Members of the psychosocial team speak in their own words about the experience of becoming part of this overall effort to treat holistically the oncology patient and her or his family.
Textual Translation/Textual Transformation of a Greek Pastoral Romance: The First Appearance of Longus’s Daphnis and Chloe in Golden-Age Spain

The Hellenistic Greek Romance Daphnis and Chloe was supposed to be unknown in sixteenth-century Spain. However, the Spanish romance of chivalry Lidamarte de Armenia (1568), by the minor Spanish humanist Damasio de Frias, contains a partial translation and adaptation of the first two books of that romance. Through a textual comparison with the Greek, French, Italian and neo-Latin texts (that last recently determined by the German Classicist Heinz Hofmann to be too late for a possible influence), I determined that Frias had used both the Greek and the French texts for his translation. Since Frias had probably studied Greek at the University of Salamanca, and was in the employ of the Admiral of Castile, one of the tutors of Prince don Carlos, at the time of Queen Isabel de Valois, wife of Philip II, the 2 texts would have been a natural choice for him.
Adrenergic drugs and intraocular pressure: Suppression of ocular hypertension induced by water loading

Abstract Changes in intraocular pressure (IOP) and pupil diameter (PD) were studied in rabbits following water loading (60 ml/kg) and unilateral, topical administration of relatively selective and non-selective adrenergic agents (2 mg, base). The relatively non-selective agonist epinephrine showed hypotensive action, but a similar agent, ephedrine, did not. The relatively β-selective agonist isoproterenol produced initial and long-lasting hypotension. Water loading induced a modest mydriasis and augmented the pupillary effects of these mydriatic agents. β2-selective terbutaline and reproterol and α, β1-selective dobutamine effected a significant diminution of the hypertension, however tazolol, a relatively selective β1 agonist, was only minimally effective. The non-selective β antagonists propranolol and timolol had very little hypotensive effect and the β1 antagonist metoprolol and β2 antagonist butoxamine were ineffective in lowering the artificially elevated IOP. Decreases in IOP were more pronounced with those drugs having β-adrenoceptor stimulating activities, than those with β-adrenoceptor blocking actions. Furthermore, these data indicate that β2 agonists, which are very effective in lowering normal IOP in rabbits, are also very effective, relative to other adrenergic agents, in preventing an artificially induced rise in IOP.
Heating Concentrations of Microwaves in Spherical and Cylindrical Foods: Part Two: in a Cavity

A comprehensive quantification for microwave heating of dielectric spherical and cylindrical materials is presented in this paper based on extensive numerical simulations of cavity heating. The distributions of power density along the radius are studied for various foods for a radius range from 0.5 to 5.5 cm and wavelength from 1.38 to 5.4 cm. The results from numerical modeling agree with the theoretical analysis and are also verified by the thermographs and published experimental data. Moreover, both experiments and numerical predictions verify the rules that relate radii and dielectric properties to focusing, as developed in the previous paper. A heating concentration ( HC ) index is proposed to quantify the focusing effect of microwaves.At 2.45 GHz frequency, some foods, such aswater rich vegetables, are inherently found to be much more likely to focus energy with high HC index, while some other foods, such as salty hams, are not likely to have significant focusing at any radius.
A Modified Hai–Murphy Model of Uterine Smooth Muscle Contraction

We extend and analyze the Wang and Politi modified Hai-Murphy model of smooth muscle cell contractions to capture uterine muscle cell response to variations in intracellular calcium concentrations. This model is used to estimate values of unknown parameters in uterine smooth muscle cell cross-bridging. Uterine motility is responsible for carrying out important processes throughout all phases of the nonpregnant female reproductive cycle, including sperm transport, menstruation, and embryo implantation. The modified Hai-Murphy partial differential equation model accounts for the displacement of myosin cross-bridge heads relative to their binding sites. This model was originally developed for the study of airway contractions; we now extended it for use in modeling nonisometric uterine contractions. Our extended model incorporates cross-bridge position and contractile velocity into the original model, resulting in more accurate modeling of the initial stages of contraction and modeling nonisometric contractions. Numerical simulations show that the contraction rate in our extended model is faster than the original Hai-Murphy model. These simulations provide quantitative estimates for the increased level of responsiveness of our extended model to intracellular calcium concentrations. The extended model and new parameter estimates for the cross-bridging can be coupled with uterine flow models to advance our understanding of embryonic motility and intrauterine flow.
The Rule of Law and the Pattern of Environmental Protection

We develop and test a theory of the rule of law and environmental policy formation. In our model an increase in the degree of rule of law has two opposing partial effects on environmental policy: first, a greater share of policy decisions are implemented according to law; second, industry bribery efforts increase because more is at stake. Moreover, we find that an increase in corruptibility of policymakers lowers the stringency of environmental policy. The empirical findings suggest that a greater degree of rule of law raises environmental policy stringency, but the effect is lower where corruptibility is high.
Site-specific ribosomal DNA insertion elements in Anopheles gambiae and A. arabiensis: nucleotide sequence of gene-element boundaries.

Abstract The nucleotide sequence of the junctions between the 28S ribosomal gene and site-specific insertion elements from two sibling mosquito species, Anopheles gambiae and A. arabiensis, is reported. In both species, elements insert at the same point within the 28S gene, but this site is 634 basepairs (bp) 3' of the R1 (Type I) insertion site in Drosophila melanogaster. The two mosquito elements each have poly A tails and a polyadenylation signal, but the extreme 3' and 5' ends show no other similarity to each other or to any other insertion element. In both mosquito species, identical target site duplications of 17 bp are generated. The sequence TNTCCCTNT found in this duplication is also found in the 14 bp target site duplications that flank R1 elements in D. melanogaster. Another sequence in this duplication, GGGATAACT, is very similar to the sequence GGGAGTAACT found in the 24 base sequence required by the Bombyx mori R2 endonuclease.
"I am a trained nurse": the nursing identity of anarchist and radical Emma Goldman

For more than a century, scholars have analyzed the many dimensions of Emma Goldman. Remembered as an agent of revolution, feminism, sexual freedom, anarchy, and atheism, Goldman's motives, personality, and actions have generated an entire subgenre of historical scholarship. But although Goldman practiced nursing in New York City for ten years, one facet of her life that has been neglected is her nursing identity. Goldman's autobiography, Living My Life, reveals the way her nursing experiences informed her evolving anarchist political philosophy and international activism. She valued nursing for many reasons--for the economic independence it offered, identity it provided, and sense of community and connectivity she believed it encouraged. Finally, for Goldman, nursing represented was a vehicle to understand people's struggles and as a way of translating political philosophy into meaningful, practical solutions.
Horace and medicine.

The Roman poet Horace, who died 2,000 years ago, achieved fame in his own lifetime as a gentle satirist and writer of odes of inimitable lyrical beauty. Posterity honors him for his solid common sense and the aptness and elegance of his language. This article briefly reviews his life and quotes a number of passages from his works that refer to contemporary medicine and hygiene.
Investigation of the Kramers–Kronig analysis: revised optical constants of AgCl

White and Straley (1968) have reported room-temperature optical constants for AgCl that exhibit negative, unphysical dips at the band edge. Because Morrison (1961) also obtained such behavior for InAs, InSb, and GaAs, a study is made of the possible sources of this anomaly. An artifact of the experimental reflectance data near this energy is found to be responsible. No defect in the Kramers-Kronig transform or its use is implied, contrary to some suggestions. The corrected optical constants of AgCl were modified by about 10% up to 5 eV, whereas at higher energies they were barely affected. Thus Kramers-Kronig-deduced optical constants that exhibit unusual structure are not affected by this structure at other energies. The new AgCl results are presented, and assignments are briefly discussed.
Labor room and laboratory: Clinical validation of the cold pressor as a means of testing preparation for childbirth strategies

Annually, numerous couples prepare for childbirth through Lamaze childbirth education classes. Research on various portions of the Lamaze method has used the cold pressor as an analogue for labor. In this experiment, pregnant women who had attended either (a) Lamaze classes which taught pain control methods (n = 22), or (b) Red Cross parenting classes which did not teach pain control methods (n = 7), and students who received either (c) brief Lamaze training (n = 10), or (d) no training (n = 10), were tested on the cold pressor. Pregnant women were also interviewed after the delivery of their children. On the cold pressor, clinically trained Lamaze women were superior (longer tolerance, less pain and/or distress) to clinical control (Red Cross) women, which were equal to student Lamaze trained women. All groups performed better than student controls. Post hoc analyses showed that women who managed labor pain well performed better on the cold pressor task than women who did not manage labor pain well. This experiment established some limits for applying analogue results to childbirth. Moreover, it showed that women who attended Lamaze classes received less medication during labor than women who attended Red Cross classes; however, it was not clear whether this difference was due to the Lamaze classes per se, or to other uncontrolled variables.
The Metabolism of Azidomorphine in a Human Subject

1. The metabolism of azidomorphine, a potent narcotic analgesic, was studied in a human subject who had received a single 1·8 mg dose subcutaneously.2. Azidomorphine was excreted in the urine in small amounts as the intact drug and as a metabolite, 6-deoxy-6 β-aminodihydromorphine. Larger amounts of conjugated azidomorphine also were detected.3. The azido group of azidomorphine was relatively stable towards enzymic and chemical change.
Sleep patterns of the newborn

Summary The mothers of 75 full-term newborninfants recorded the sleeping and waking intervals of their infants during the first 3 days of life. The average total duration of sleep on the first day was 17 hours, second day 16.5 hours, and third day 16.2 hours. The average longest sleep period on the first day was 4.8 hours, second day 4.2 hours, and third day 4.5 hours. The average number of feedings was 4.9 on the first day, 5.9 on the second, and 6.2 on the third. The sex of the baby or type of feeding received did not seem to influence the total duration of sleep per day, duration of longest sleep period, or number of feedings. The babies with the shortest duration of total sleep on the first day tended to persist in their original pattern on the second day as did the babies with the longest total sleep on the first day. However, by the third there was a shift to a common sleeping pattern for both groups. The periodicity of the newborn baby'ssleep may indicate the predominance of an unimpeded primitive sleep center, and the inability of higher cerebral activity to sustain prolonged periods of sleep and wakefulness.
Task-based optimization of image reconstruction in breast CT

We demonstrate a task-based assessment of image quality in dedicated breast CT in order to optimize the number of projection views acquired. The methodology we employ is based on the Hotelling Observer (HO) and its associated metrics. We consider two tasks: the Rayleigh task of discerning between two resolvable objects and a single larger object, and the signal detection task of classifying an image as belonging to either a signalpresent or signal-absent hypothesis. HO SNR values are computed for 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1000 projection view images, with the total imaging radiation dose held constant. We use the conventional fan-beam FBP algorithm and investigate the effect of varying the width of a Hanning window used in the reconstruction, since this affects both the noise properties of the image and the under-sampling artifacts which can arise in the case of sparse-view acquisitions. Our results demonstrate that fewer projection views should be used in order to increase HO performance, which in this case constitutes an upper-bound on human observer performance. However, the impact on HO SNR of using fewer projection views, each with a higher dose, is not as significant as the impact of employing regularization in the FBP reconstruction through a Hanning filter.
Proton NMR of the interaction of benzo(a)pyrene with rat liver microsomal cytochrome P-450

1H nuclear magnetic resonance longitudinal relaxation time (T1) measurements were used to study the interaction of 1,3,6-H-benzo(a)pyrene (1,3,6-H-BaP) with microsomal cytochrome P-450 from livers of phenobarbital- and beta-naphthoflavone-treated rats. Upon addition of various amounts of cytochrome P-450 to solutions of BaP, the T1 values for the three BaP protons decreased. When the hemeprotein was converted to its carbon monoxyferrous derivative in the presence of BaP, the T1 values of the BaP protons increased. The paramagnetic contributions to the observed T1 values were calculated and resulted in distance estimates of greater than 6 A for the three BaP protons in both cases.
The Effects of Message Framing on Mammography Utilization

This experiment compared the effectiveness of gain-versus loss-framed messages to persuade women to obtain mammography screening. One hundred and thirty-three women 40 years and older and not adhering to current guidelines for obtaining mammography screening were assigned randomly to view either gain-framed (emphasizing the benefits of obtaining mammography) or loss-framed (emphasizing the risks of not obtaining mammography) persuasive videos that were factually equivalent. Attitudes and beliefs were measured before and immediately following the intervention. Mammography utilization was assessed 6 and 12 months later. Consistent with predictions based on prospect theory, women who viewed the loss-framed message were more likely to have obtained a mammogram within 12 months of the intervention. These findings suggest that loss-framed messages may have an advantage in the promotion of detection behaviors such as mammography.
Species specificity of the low molecular weight nuclear RNA's.

Abstract 1. 1. The low molecular weight monodisperse nuclear RNA species previously characterized in HeLa cells are found in a number of vertebrate tissue culture lines. They are compared by co-electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gels of labeled RNA from isolated nuclei or subnuclear fractions. 2. 2. Seven low molecular weight RNA species were found in nuclei of the 3T3 line of mouse fibroblasts; each of them corresponds in intranuclear localization and approximate electrophoretic mobility to one of the seven species in HeLa cells. However, the precise mobilities of three of the species are different in 3T3 and HeLa cells. 3. 3. The electrophoretic patterns of RNA from L cells (another line of mouse fibroblasts) and 3T3 cells are identical, while those from WI38 cells (a line of diploid, non-malignant human fibroblasts) are indistinguishable from those of HeLa cells. Thus the mobility of the respective RNA species is determined by the animal of origin, and not by the cell type, karyotype, or tumororigenicity of the cells. 4. 4. There is a slight difference between mouse and hamster cells with respect to the mobility of one RNA species. 5. 5. The low molecular weight nuclear RNA species are present in cells of amphibians, as well as birds and mammals.
Ancillary risk information and pharmacogenetic tests: social and policy implications

Some pharmacogenetic tests may provide ancillary disease risk information. To evaluate evidence and assess the social and policy implications of ancillary disease risk information associated with candidate pharmacogenetic variants, We conducted a literature search and abstract review of disease susceptibility studies for each of 42 gene variants potentially associated with drug response. Twenty-two variants (53%) had suggested association with disease risk in at least two studies, and sixteen (38%) were for diseases other than the pharmacogenetic indication. Seven variants (16%) were associated with risk for at least two different diseases. Pharmacogenetic tests have the potential to provide ancillary disease risk information, and this potential should be considered as pharmacogenetic tests are brought into clinical use. Implications will vary with each test but tests should be evaluated individually within a framework that outlines the potential implications of ancillary information.
APICAL DOMINANCE ASSERTED OVER LATERAL BUDS BY THE GALL OF RHABDOPHAGA STROBILOIDES (DIPTERA: CECIDOMYIIDAE)

Plant galls are growth deformities developed under the influence of parasitic insects. The process of differentiation of normal plant tissue into gall tissue has been examined by many authors (Kostoff and Kendall 1929; Rohfristch 1977; see also Mani 1964) but less effort has been made to study the effects of the gallmaker on plant tissues outside the vicinity of active gall formation. Negative effects on the overall growth of the host plant can be expected because the gall acts as an energy and nutrient sink (Palct 1972; Hartnett and Abrahamson 1979), which can cause abnormal patterns of resource allocation among plant organs.
Block data decomposition for partial-homogeneous parallel networks

This paper describes a block data partitioning algorithm suited to parallel processing in a heterogeneous network environment where some of the processors have the same performance capacity. Grid problems are particularly suited to block data partitioning schemes where communication cost is reduced by locating a grid point and its neighbors on the same physical processor whenever possible. Our algorithm for partial homogeneous decomposition minimizes the cost of communication in a heterogeneous block decomposition by preserving rectangularity and taking advantage of any available processor homogeneity when partitioning the problem space. >
Individualism and collectivism: cultural orientation in locus of control and moral attribution under conditions of social change.

This study examined the validity of the view that the constructs of individualism and collectivism are coherent cultural manifestations necessarily reflected in an individual's attribution patterns...
Inverse relation between postural variability and difficulty of a concurrent short-term memory task

We measured postural stability while participants simply stood or stood while performing a digit rehearsal task of varying levels of difficulty in order to examine the effects on postural control of concurrent short-term memory demands. The rehearsal task manipulation avoided factors that contaminate postural sway measurements, such as vocal articulation or visual fixation during posture data collection. When participants performed the more difficult digit tasks (longer digit strings), postural sway was reduced relative to when performing an easy version of the task (few digits). The results identified a complex relation between postural control and cognitive or attentional demands.
Childhood ataxia with diffuse central nervous system hypomyelination

A significant number of patients with progressive leukodystrophy do not have a definitive diagnosis. This report describes the clinical, morphological, and biochemical characteristics of 4 unrelated girls with progressive ataxic diplegia of unknown etiology. These patients had normal development until the ages of 1.5 to 5 years. A diffuse confluent abnormality of the white matter of the central nervous system was present on computed tomography and magnetic resonance scans obtained early in the course of the illness. Dementia was not present and peripheral nerves were normal. All patients were evaluated for known metabolic and degenerative diseases and no abnormalities were observed. Light and electron microscopy of open-brain biopsy specimens from 2 girls showed selective white matter abnormalities including hypomyelination, demyelination, and gliosis. Myelin-specific proteins in the subcortical white matter were examined immunocytochemically and by Western blot analysis. They were of normal molecular size but were markedly reduced in quantity in both patients compared to control subjects. Lipid analysis revealed decreased levels of characteristic myelin lipids. When examined by magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging, all patients showed a marked decrease of N-acetylaspartic acid, choline, and creatine in white matter only. The magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging profile is a unique diagnostic feature of this clinicopathological syndrome.
Comparison of hyperfractionated conformal photon with conformal mixed neutron/photon irradiation in locally advanced prostate cancer

Summary In an attempt to improve the probability of complication-free local control for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer, a series of dose-finding studies have been conducted at Wayne State University using conformal neutron and hyperfractionated photon irradiation. In total, 96 patients with locally advanced prostate cancer (T3/T4 N0/N1 M0, and/or Gleason score ≥ 8) were treated in two prospective studies. Forty-seven patients received conformal neutron/photon (15 NGy + 18 PhGy) and 49 patients were treated in a dose-escalation study using conformal photons (25 patients/78 Gy and 24 patients/83 Gy minimum dose). The median follow-up for both studies was 20 months (range 6–36 months). There was no significant difference in the rate of chronic gastrointestinal (GI) or gastrourinary (GU) morbidity between the two groups. However, the neutron treated patients had a significantly higher rate of moderate (14%) and severe (12%) hip stiffness. The rates of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) decline and 12-month negative biopsy were comparable. In conclusion, the therapeutic gain of neo-adjuvant hormonal therapy in combination with photon hyperfractionation to 83 Gy appears identical to that seen with the mixed neutron-photon dose of 15 NGy + 18 PhGy. Further efforts at improving the therapeutic ratio of radiotherapy for patients with locally advanced prostate cancer should be undertaken.