cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multiple Drug Targets in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is being diagnosed at an alarming rate around the world. More than 90% of the estimated 200 million affected persons with diabetes worldwide have type 2 DM, an often clinically silent disorder. In the United States, nearly half of the estimated 16 million persons with diabetes remain undiagnosed. Type 2 diabetes is preceded by a long period of impaired glucose tolerance (IGT), a potentially reversible metabolic state associated with increased risk for macrovascular complications. At the time of diagnosis more than one-third of patients have already developed long-term complications of diabetes. Genetic and acquired factors contribute to the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. The pathophysiological hallmarks consist of progressive insulin resistance, pancreatic beta-cell dysfunction, and excessive hepatic glucose production. The ideal treatment for type 2 diabetes should correct insulin resistance, beta-cell dysfunction, and normalize hepatic glucose output, as well as prevent, delay, or reverse diabetic complications. Emerging targets for therapy of type 2 diabetes include inhibition of gluconeogenesis, lipolysis, and fatty acid oxidation, as well as stimulation of beta3-adrenergic receptors. Drug intervention for obesity is a legitimate adjunct to diabetes management. Additional drug targets include interventions to prevent or delay the progression of specific complications. Finally, primary prevention of type 2 diabetes is an important emerging strategy. The specific pharmacological agents acting at the various targets are discussed in this review. A targeted approach to the multiple underlying pathophysiologic processes offers the best chance of controlling diabetes and complications.
Primary familial polycythemia: A frameshift mutation in the erythropoietin receptor gene and increased sensitivity of erythroid progenitors to erythropoietin

Primary familial and congenital polycythemia (PFCP) is characterized by erythrocytosis with normal arterial PO2, blood P50, and serum erythropoietin (EPO) levels. In two PFCP families EPO receptor (EPOR) polymorphisms cosegregated with PFCP. A heterozygous insertion of G at EPOR nucleotide 5975 was identified in genomic DNA from polycythemic members of family no. 2. 5974insG shifts the reading frame at codon 430, predicting amino acid substitutions and truncation of the last 64 amino acids. Wild-type and mutant EPOR transcripts were detected in erythroid progenitors from affected individuals. Burst-forming units-erythroid from patients exhibited increased colony size and sensitivity to EPO. Transfected Ba/F3 cells expressing EPOR 5974insG exhibited increased EPO sensitivity compared with cells expressing wild-type EPOR. The functional effect of this EPOR mutation was directly compared with the other C-terminal mutations reported in unrelated PFCP families by expression in Ba/F3 cells. The transfected cells with another primary polycythemia associated EPOR mutant construct (G6002A) also exhibited increased sensitivity to EPO.
Religion Matters: Quantifying the Impact of Religious Legacies on Post-Communist Transitional Justice

While scholars have suggested several explanations to how and why societies deal with an authoritarian past, to date there has been little discussion about religious legacies in postcommunist transitional justice. Building upon emerging qualitative research, this study breaks ground by showing that lustration, a transitional-justice mechanism which limits the political participation of former authoritarian actors, is statistically robustly affected by societies’ mainstream religious legacy. Analyzing thirty-four postcommunist states from 1990 to 2012, tobit regression models demonstrate that Catholic and Protestant traditions affect lustration positively, Muslim traditions negatively, while the impact of Orthodox traditions remains statistically insignificant. The findings problematize but support an understanding of religious traditions as potentially corresponding to complicity with the former regime, which in turn affects lustration during postcommunist upheavals.
Content routing in a network of WAIS servers

Locating and accessing information in a large distributed system is a difficult problem of growing importance. This paper reports on our experience building and using a prototype system for transparent, user-guided associative access to the contents of a large, distributed set of WAIS servers. Our system is based on content routing, an architecture that makes use of content labels for locating and accessing information in large distributed systems. Our content router for WAIS servers is implemented as a Semantic File System that constructs content labels from WAIS source and catalog files. The content router guides locating documents by suggesting terms that frequently appear with a given query term in document headlines. Sufficiently narrowed queries are routed to WAIS servers and processed in parallel. We have successfully used our content router to locate documents on a large number of WAIS servers. Along with demonstrating the feasibility of distributed finding in a large network of information servers, the prototype shows interactive performance limited primarily by the processing time at WAIS servers. >
What's Fair? Justice Issues in the Affirmative Action Debate

Justice has the illusion of solidity and immutability, but standards for fairness change with context. This article presents a conceptual analysis that describes the justice arguments used in the affirmative action debate as the how, what, and who of affirmative action. The article illustrates these procedural, distributive, and exclusionary arguments with examples, compares support with opposition, and examines conditions that change perceptions of justice over time.
Chemotherapy for muscle-invasive bladder cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy: persisting uncertainties

Radical cystectomy for invasive bladder cancer remains the standard of care in many parts of the world, including North America and many parts of Europe; however, a large body of international experience from single institutions and cooperative groups indicates satisfactory results with bladder-sparing approaches in appropriately selected patients. Overall, selective bladder preservation with trimodality therapy, consisting of transurethral resection of the bladder tumor, radiation, and chemotherapy, can achieve complete response rates of 70%, long-term survival rates of 40-50%, and survival rates with an intact bladder of 30-45%. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy might provide up to 5% additional long-term absolute survival benefit compared with radiotherapy alone, although the studies to support this are not appropriately powered. Concomitant chemoradiation provides high response rates and disease control, although the level of evidence for this approach and the follow-up data are even less robust than those for neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Although direct comparison of surgically based and radiotherapy-based approaches would be very useful, it is highly unlikely that such a trial could ever be completed among the patients treated by the clinicians who routinely deal with invasive bladder cancer.
17α-HYDROXYPROGESTERONE—A SALT-LOSING STEROID: RELATION TO CONGENITAL ADRENAL HYPERPLASIA

Sodium, chloride and potassium metabolic balance studies were performed on 3 “normal” subjects with intact adrenal function and 2 patients with adrenocortical insufficiency treated with desoxycorticosterone acetate (DCA) and cortisone acetate. During the period of daily oral administration of 500 mg. of noncsterified 17α-hydroxyprogesterone, there resulted an excessive loss of salt, significantly above control values in all “normal” subjects as well as in both patients with adrenal insufficiency receiving DCA concurrently. Changes in potassium excretion were variable. These changes in electrolytes promptly disappeared upon withdrawal of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone. No salt loss was produced during a four-day course of 17α-hydroxyprogesterone in 2 patients with adrenal insufficiency receiving no salt-retainer. The saluretic activity of 7α-hydroxyprogesterone appears to be dependent upon the presence of an adrenal salt-retaining steroid. Its mechanism of action is probably based on inhibition of the renal tubul...
PRODUCTION OF BCG VACCINE IN A LIQUID MEDIUM CONTAINING TWEEN 80 AND A SOLUBLE FRACTION OF HEATED HUMAN SERUM : II. ANTIGENICITY OF THE CULTURE AFTER VARIOUS PERIODS OF STORAGE.

Groups of guinea pigs were vaccinated by the intracutaneous route with cultures of BCG grown in a liquid medium containing Tween 80 and the soluble fraction of heated human serum. After the cultures had been stored at 4 degrees C. for various periods of time, the antigenic response was compared with that of another group of guinea pigs receiving standard BCG vaccine prepared by the conventional technique. The local lesions occurring at the site of injection of cultures in Tween-serum filtrate medium were more severe than those produced by the standard vaccine. It was shown that this difference was probably due to the much larger number of viable bacilli in the former preparations. A marked degree of sensitization could be produced with culture dilutions containing as few as 10 viable units (single bacilli or small clumps). Slightly larger doses of BCG led to the highest degree of tuberculin allergy detectable by the technique employed. Further increases in the dose of vaccine failed to alter the level of sensibility when the animals were tested with tuberculin 5 weeks after vaccination. The same degree of sensitization was achieved by vaccination with 0.1 cc. of either the standard vaccine or any of the fresh or stored cultures in Tween-serum filtrate medium. It was shown that these doses contained numbers of living bacilli far greater than the minimal number required to induce maximal sensitization. Under the conditions used, the guinea pigs vaccinated with cultures of BCG (fresh or stored) grown in the Tween-serum filtrate medium exhibited a marked degree of resistance to subcutaneous infection with virulent tubercle bacilli.
Impact of cardiac catheterization-percutaneous coronary intervention timing on inhospital mortality

Abstract Background It is more convenient and less costly to perform percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs) in the catheterization laboratory after catheterization, but there is some doubt as to whether it is harmful to patients. Other studies on this topic have been hampered by small sample sizes and an inability to separate patients who underwent PCI after catheterization in the same admission from patients who underwent PCI in a subsequent admission. Methods Data from New York's PCI registry were used to develop a statistical model that predicted inhospital mortality based on preprocedural patient characteristics and the timing of the PCI (at same time as catheterization [combined procedure] or in the same admission as catheterization, but not at the same time [staged procedure]). The difference in mortality for the timing options was compared after adjusting for patient risk factors. Results Patients undergoing combined catheterization and PCI were more likely to have undergone a previous PCI and less likely to have had chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, renal failure, a history of congestive heart failure, carotid disease, or diabetes than patients who underwent a staged procedure. After adjustment for patient risk, there were no significant differences in mortality for the 2 timing options (OR 1.14, P =.38 for combined vs staged procedures). However, patients who underwent combined procedures who had congestive heart failure in the same admission or who had Canadian Cardiovascular Society class IV had odds ratios significantly higher than congestive heart failure patients who underwent staged procedures (OR = 1.59, P =.04 and OR=1.64, P =.04, respectively). Conclusions Combined procedures appear to have mortality as low as staged procedures on average, but are less effective for some groups of high-risk patients. (Am Heart J 2002;144:561-7.)
1.8 A refined structure of the lipase from Geotrichum candidum.

A lipase from the fungus Geotrichum candidum is one of only three interfacially activated lipase whose structures have been reported to date. We have previously reported the partially refined 2·2 A structure of this enzyme. We have subsequently extended the resolution and here report the fully refined 1·8 A structure of this lipase. The structure observed in the crystal is apparently not the lipolytic conformation, as the active site is not accessible from the surface of the molecule. A single large cavity is found in the interior of the molecule and extends from the catalytic Ser to two surface helices, suggesting that this face may be the region that interacts with the lipid interface. The mobility of local segments on this face is indicated by temperature factors larger than elsewhere in the molecule and by the observation of several residues whose side-chains are discretely disordered. These observations strongly suggest that this portion of the molecule is involved in interfacial and substrate binding, but the exact nature of the conformational changes induced by binding to the lipid interface can not be determined.
Palmar Crease Variants and Their Clinical Significance: A Study of Newborns at Risk

An analysis of palmar crease variants was carried out in a group of "at risk" newborns, without any evident congenital anomalies. This group consisted of 108 prematures, 74 infants who were small for gestational age, 62 newborns with history of gestational complications, and 46 newborns with a history of intrauterine methadone exposure. A system of classification was developed based on observations of 500 normal newborns as control subjects, 466 normal mothers, and 200 normal children. The palmar crease variants can be divided into four main groups, schematically presented as normal variants, simian crease and its variants, Sydney line and its variants, and another group of unusual variants which do not fit into the other groups. A study of these groups revealed that familial components, race, sex, and age are factors that can influence the expression of palmar crease patterns. There is an increased frequency of abnormal creases in each of the groups of "at risk" newborns. Moreover, there is an apparent association of interrupted transrerse creases and intrauterine methadone exposure.
Microtubule Assembly: Lattice GTP to the Rescue

Recent work describes the surprising finding that cellular microtubules have islands of GTP-bound tubulin within their lattices, in contrast to the long-standing view that all but the very tips of growing microtubules are made up entirely of GDP-tubulin. These GTP-tubulin islands may act as stop signs or speed bumps, switching a shortening microtubule back into a growing state.
Experimental Study of Major Species and Temperature Profiles of Liquid Oxygen/Gaseous Hydrogen Rocket Combustion

Understanding thefundamentalsofhigh-pressure, high-temperaturecombustion of practical rocketpropellants is key to improving rocket engine performance and efe ciency. The application of Raman spectroscopy for making detailed species concentration measurements of oxygen, hydrogen, and water vapor in the elevated-pressure, combusting e owe eld downstream of a liquid-oxygen/gaseous-hydrogen swirl-coaxial injector element at fuel-rich conditionsispresented.Detailsregardingmeasurementerroranalysisandrecommendationsforfurtherree nement ofthediagnostictechniquearealsopresented.To theauthors’ knowledge,theseexperimentsrepresentthee rsttime that instantaneous temperature and major species proe les have been successfully made in such an environment. Theseresults,whichincludebothinstantaneousand time-averagedtemperatureand speciesconcentrationproe les, impact both rocket fuel preburner design and computational e uid dynamic code validation activities. Nomenclature f .T/ = temperature dependent function that relates the spectral bandwidth strength to the signal strength = focal length =# = focal length divided by the diameter of the lens K = constant that accounts for the laser pulse energy, species Raman cross section, optical collection efe ciency, and optical solid angle N = measurement uncertainty n = number density S = Raman signal intensity aeB = background shot noise due to e ame luminosity aeD = dark current noise of the intensie er aeR = Readout noise aeS = signal shot noise due to Raman signal
A Tale of Two Systems: A Case Study on the Implementation of Two Discovery Systems at Davidson College

In the course of two years, Davidson College evaluated and implemented two different discovery systems. The first implementation was ultimately deemed ineffective, resulting in the selection of a second product. This study will compare our needs analyses, evaluative processes, and implementation experiences for the projects, analyzing what worked, failed, and why. Additionally, we will offer suggestions on potential enhancements and improvements for these products, as well as potential bumps in the road for their vendors and the libraries that implement them.
Silver Halides and Iodine Monobromide Systems as Freezing Nuclei

Abstract Silver chloride, bromide and iodide hydrosol particles were studied as freezing nuclei. Ice nucleation was enhanced through the exchange of iodine ions on the surface of solid silver iodide, using iodine monobromide. Drops containing AgI in concentrations larger than 10−4 gm cm−3 froze between −3 and −3.4C in the presence of iodine monobromide, supplied from the reaction between potassium iodide and N-bromosuccinimide. These results give support to Fukuta-Paik calculations showing that Ag+ sites in AgI are responsible for the enhancement of ice nucleability.
Leveraging university research to serve economic development: an analysis of policy dynamics in and across three US states

As economic competition becomes more global and knowledge-based, US states have independently pursued initiatives in research and development (RD (2) the three states feature similar policies but have evolved ‘new economy’ approaches idiosyncratically; and (3) universities in these states have driven endeavours, evincing specific industry/corporate perspectives. Themes suggest competition – not collaboration...
Precision and estimated accuracy of two short-term food frequency questionnaires compared with recalls and records

Two widely used food frequency questionnaires (Block FFQ, Willett FFQ) were modified to reflect intake over the past 7 days and compared to intake information gathered from diet records and 24-hr recalls covering the same 7-day period. The Block FFQ and the Willett FFQ were also gathered at the beginning of the assessment period to reflect the 7-day period of time before records and recalls were gathered. Fifty-six subjects were assigned to either recording diet for 3 days, recording diet for 6 days, or providing three 24-hr recalls. Results indicate similar levels of within-method test-retest reliabilities for 3-day RECORDS and 6-day RECORDS, and within the two Block FFQs and within the two Willett FFQs from each subject, while lower reliabilities were seen in 24-hr RECALLS. When the FFQs were compared to the 6-day RECORDS with between-method agreement coefficients, there was a moderate level of agreement, with most values between 0.5 and 0.8 for both FFQs. Significant differences between mean levels of nutrients estimated by the three methods indicated differences only in the estimates of carbohydrate and vitamin A. The use of FFQs to gather short-term intake information is discussed.
Precise and efficient in situ ortho — para-hydrogen converter

Abstract Chromic oxide (CrO3) supported by silica gel has been found to provide a highly efficient catalytic surface for ortho-para conversion at low temperatures. The material is also less susceptible to poisoning than the commonly used ferric hydroxide gels.
Computer models for estimating the breakdown voltage of air in uniform and non‐uniform fields at 30 kHz

SUMMARY This paper reports on the development of models to estimate the breakdown voltage of air in uniform and non-uniform gap configurations for the very low frequency (VLF) and low-frequency (LF) bands. The breakdown voltage of air at VLF/LF is considerably lower and has a larger dependency on ambient humidity than at 60 Hz. Both characteristics have been explained by increased space charge formation at the higher frequencies. The models are shown to be useful for predicting breakdown voltages at VLF/LF for uniform field gap spacings up to 125 mm and non-uniform field gap spacings up to 4 m. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Bogolubov and Kinetic Theory: The Bogolubov Equations

A short survey is given of Bogolubov's fundamental contributions to the kinetic theory of classical neutral gases and plasmas. This work is then placed in the context of later developments, showing its influence till the present day.
Clinical Assessment of Hypovolemia

This is a rational clinical examination abstract, a regularsegment of the Annals’ Evidence-Based Emergency Medicine(EBEM) series. Each segment features an abstract of a rationalclinical examination review from the Journal of the AmericanMedical Association and a commentary by an emergencyphysician knowledgeable in the subject area.The source for this rational clinical examination reviewabstract is: McGee S, Abernethy WB 3rd, Simel DL. Therational clinical examination. Is this patient hypovolemic?JAMA. 1999;281:1022-1029. The Annals’ Evidence-BasedEmergency Medicine editors assisted in the preparation ofthe abstract of this rational clinical examination review aswell as selection of the Evidence-Based Medicine TeachingPoints.
Light-stimulated development and phosphorus metabolism in the mold Blastocladiella emersonii

Abstract On completely synthetic media, the stimulatory effect of white light upon the growth and differentiation of the thin-walled, colorless plants of the water fungus, Blastocladiella emersonii , depends upon the glucose concentration of the medium. At certain critical concentrations of glucose, light-stimulated growth is associated with a pronounced shift in the organic and inorganic phosphorus pools within the organism.
FRACTAL DIMENSION OF GALAXY ISOPHOTES

In this paper we investigate the use of the fractal dimension of galaxy isophotes in galaxy classification. We have applied two different methods for determining fractal dimensions to the isophotes of elliptical and spiral galaxies derived from CCD images. We conclude that fractal dimension alone is not a reliable tool but that combined with other parameters in a neural net algorithm the fractal dimension could be of use. In particular, we have used three parameters to segregate the ellipticals and lenticulars from the spiral galaxies in our sample. These three parameters are the correlation fractal dimension D corr, the difference between the correlation fractal dimension and the capacity fractal dimension D corr – D cap, and, thirdly, the B – V color of the galaxy.
Human Lung Cancer Chemoprevention Strategies: Parker B. Francis Lecture

Pharmacologic or nutritional prevention of lung cancers is needed, especially for 60 million Americans who are former smokers. A portfolio of large-scale trials of beta-carotene, beta-carotene with and without vitamin E, and beta-carotene plus vitamin A demonstrated no benefit whatsoever from beta-carotene. The α-Tocopherol/β-Carotene Trial and the β-Carotene and Retinol Efficacy Trial found significant increases in lung cancer risk and total mortality. Laboratory research soon identified multiple adverse molecular effects. Nevertheless, chemoprevention remains an active, promising strategy, with new hypotheses and new candidate agents, including many already approved as therapies. The most active area currently is focused on selective inhibition of arachidonic metabolism, both Cox-2 and Lox pathways.
A Circulant Preconditioner for the Systems of LMF-Based ODE Codes

In this paper, a recently introduced block circulant preconditioner for the linear systems of the codes for ordinary differential equations (ODEs) is investigated. Most ODE codes based on implicit formulas, at each integration step, need the solution of one or more unsymmetric linear systems that are often large and sparse. Here, the boundary value methods, a class of implicit methods for the numerical integration of ODEs based on linear multistep formulas, are considered more in detail for initial value problems. Theoretical and practical arguments are given to show that the block circulant preconditioner can give fast preconditioned iterations for various classes of differential problems. Moreover, the P-circulants, a recently introduced circulant approximation for unsymmetric Toeplitz matrices, are shown to be more suitable sometimes than other circulant matrices for the underlying block preconditioner.
New approximate solution of the spin-free Schrödinger equation, advantageous on a not—one-particle product basis set

Assuming the necessity of basis sets more general than one-particle function products, a new procedure is proposed for approximating the solution of the Schr\"odinger equation in order to eliminate the factorial-rate increase in the number of terms that generally arise when a trial function not constructed from one-particle function products is used. The handling of the spin is discussed under the assumption that the Hamiltonian is spin-free and the explicit spin dependence in the wave function is not needed.
Thermoelectric Properties of SiO2/SiO2+CoSb3Multi Nanolayered Films Modified by Me v Si ions Bombardment

The performance of the thermoelectric devices and materials is shown by a dimensionless figure of merit, ZT = S2σT/K, where S is the Seebeck coefficient, σ is the electrical conductivity, T is the absolute temperature and K is the thermal conductivity. ZT can be increased by increasing S, increasing σ or decreasing K. We have prepared 100 alternating nanolayered films of SiO2/SiO2+CoSb3 using the ion beam assisted deposition (IBAD). The 5 MeV Si ions bombardments have been performed using the AAMU Pelletron ion beam accelerator to make quantum clusters in the nanolayered superlattice films at the three different fluences to decrease the cross plane thermal conductivity, increase the cross plane Seebeck coefficient and cross plane electrical conductivity. We have characterized 100 alternating nanolayered films of SiO2/SiO2+CoSb3 before and after Si ion bombardments as we measured the cross-plane Seebeck coefficient, the cross-plane electrical conductivity, and the cross-plane thermal conductivity for three different fluences.
Carbon utilization profiles of Fusarium virguliforme isolates

Fusarium virguliforme is the cause of sudden death syndrome in soybean. Physiological variability among isolates of the fungus is unknown. One way to measure physiologic variability is to analyze growth on different carbon sources. The carbon source utilization profiles of 18 F. virguliforme isolates were examined using the Biolog FF 96-well microplate, which contains 95 different carbon sources. The utilization of dextrin,D-mannitol, maltotriose,D-lactic acid methyl ester, N-acetyl-D-galactosamine, salicin, D-trehalose, and L-alanine differed significantly among isolates (P = 0.05). Carbon sources were grouped into 3 clusters based on their ability to promote growth of F. virguliforme, after calculating Euclidean distances among them. About 12% of the carbon sources promoted a high amount of mycelial growth, 39% promoted a medium amount of growth, and 49% promoted a low amount of mycelial growth; the latter was not significantly different from the water blank control. A hierarchical tree diagram was produced for the 18 isolates based on their carbon source utilization profiles using Ward's hierarchical analysis method. Two main clusters of isolates were formed. One cluster represented greater average mycelial growth on all of the carbon sources than the other cluster. In this study, variability in carbon source utilization among F. virguliforme isolates was evident, but the results were not associated with geographic origin of the isolates, year collected, or published data on aggressiveness. Additional research is needed to determine if these carbon utilization profiles are associated with other biological characteristics, like spore germination, propagule formation, and saprophytic competitiveness.
Effects of Space Radiation on Human Space Travel and Colonization

Recent research on the effects of space radiation o n humans prompted more in-depth speculation on whether prolonged human space travel is even possible. Space radiation from the Sun and from sources outside the solar system, such as galactic cosmic rays, has adverse effects on biological organisms, and some informati on suggests that this radiation can cause cancer and even shorten the lifespan of the astrona uts that spend considerable time in orbit. The high energy particles of solar and cosmic radia tion have the ability to strip away sections of DNA, either killing the cells or damagi ng them and allowing them to reproduce in a mutated form, creating cancerous cells. In additi on, ionizing radiation has the ability to change the biochemical processes inside the organis m at the cellular level, causing serious illnesses or death. Effects on astronauts in extend ed travel, such as the transit to Mars, are even more dramatic, and at this point in research, it is not evident if space travel to Mars and beyond is a viable option without further devel opment in space radiation shielding. Humans on Earth are protected from the effects of radiation by the atmosphere and the magnetosphere, but in space, such natural protectio n does not exist. Several methods of protection against the damages of radiation have be en created and some have tested to be effective. From using hydrogen in frozen water and metals as a shield around the human habitation modules to duplicating the Earth’s magnetic field around the spacecraft, research of human space travel is taking more interest in pr otection against space radiation than ever before.
Thermal cyclodehydrogenations to form 6-membered rings: cyclizations of [5]helicenes.

Flash vacuum pyrolysis (FVP) of [5]helicene induces a thermal cyclodehydrogenation to form benzo[ghi]perylene. Evidence is presented that supports an electrocyclization−rearomatization mechanism and is inconsistent with mechanistic alternatives involving the intermediacy of aryl radicals or carbenes in the helicene fjord region.
Structural and Optical Characterization of Germanium-Rich Islands on Silicon Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We report on the structural and photo-emissive properties of Germanium-rich islands grown on Silicon by Molecular Beam Epitaxy and the improvement in their light-emission at optical-communication frequencies due to the effects of strain and doping.
Technology demonstrations and flight experiments validating an optical energy infrastructure for Earth–Moon space

Abstract We identify four technical advances that appear necessary to producing an optical power infrastructure in Earth–Moon space as well as specific experiments and demonstrations designed to validate those technical advances. The four advances are: (1) the ability to concentrate sunlight to an integrated power density per unit area that approximates the saturation intensity for a useful laser transition (e.g., 4 kW / cm 2 for Nd:YAG) in a volume that matches the lowest order Gaussian mode of free space in a near confocal resonator of practical dimensions (e.g. a resonator a few meters in length) having a cross sectional area adequate to produce substantial coherent output power (e.g., 100 kW or more); (2) provide a means of removing waste heat from the laser gain medium in a manner that reduces thermally induced distortion and stress to acceptable levels; (3) identify a specific realizable near confocal resonator of practical dimensions that will selectively and efficiently couple the solar pump power into a lowest order Gaussian mode having the needed cross sectional area; and (4) provide detailed design requirements for a photovoltaic receiver that will transform monochromatic optical power in space into electrical power at efficiencies that approach the theoretical maximum allowed for such devices (e.g. > 90 % ).
Derivation of a Rigorous Equation for the Calculation of the F‐Value in Isothermal Sterilization Processes

Abstract The use of simplified equations utilizing the Z ‐and F ‐values to calculate the level of sterilization achieved in isothermal processes is very common in industry. This method assumes that the Z ‐value is independent of temperature. This is a simplifying assumption that is not based on a physically realistic microbial inactivation model. In the present work the appropriate equations for the Z ‐ and F ‐values were derived with kinetic theory and utilized to predict the level of sterility obtained during isothermal sterilization. The F ‐value obtained with the proposed equation was always higher than the F ‐value obtained when the simplifying assumption was made. Therefore, the use of the equation proposed here for the F ‐value results in more realistic and generous estimates of the lethal effect on microorganisms produced by isothermal sterilization processes. Tables of the F ‐values so obtained are provided.
Functional expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor κB in Hodgkin disease cell lines

The malignant Hodgkin and Reed-Sternberg (H/RS) cells of Hodgkin disease (HD) express several members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor family, including CD30 and CD40, and secrete several cytokines and chemokines. However, little is known about what regulates cytokine and chemokine secretion in H/RS cells. Although H/RS cells are predominantly of B-cell origin, they frequently share phenotypic and functional features with dendritic cells (DCs). Previous studies reported that receptor activator of nuclear factor kappaB (NF-kappaB) (RANK), a member of the TNF receptor family, is expressed on DCs, and that RANK ligand (RANKL) enhances DC survival and induces them to secrete cytokines. This study reports that, similar to DCs, cultured H/RS cells expressed RANK. However, unlike DCs, H/RS cells also expressed RANKL. Soluble RANKL activated NF-kappaB and induced messenger RNA expression of interferon-gamma, interleukin-8 (IL-8), IL-13, IL-9, IL-15, and RANTES, in addition to the receptors for IL-9, IL-13, IL-15, and CCR4. RANKL increased IL-8 and IL-13 levels in the supernatants of H/RS cell lines, an effect that was blocked by soluble RANK. Furthermore, soluble RANK decreased the basal level of IL-8 in one cell line, suggesting that IL-8 was induced by an autocrine RANKL/RANK loop. RANKL had no effect on H/RS cell survival in culture, and it did not modulate the expression of bcl-2, bcl-xL, bax, or inhibitors of apoptosis proteins. These data provide evidence of further functional similarities between DCs and H/RS cells. The coexpression of RANK and RANKL in H/RS cells suggests that they may regulate cytokine and chemokine secretion in H/RS cells by an autocrine mechanism.
Intestinal transplantation and the European implication: impact of experience and study design

Pironi et al recently published an article challenging current indications for intestinal transplantation (IT).1 The European home parenteral nutrition (HPN) database of 41 centres in nine countries was utilised and a 5-year prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted focusing on transplant candidacy with survival and causes of death as end points. With appreciation of the authors' scientific contribution, we felt obligated to highlight major flaws in the study design. Identification of HPN patients who are candidates for transplant was the Achilles' heel of the study. Unfortunately, such determination, without formal listing, was based upon broad definitions and questionnaire data short of documented objective testing that is crucial to transplant candidacy.2 Another major concern is the small number of candidates who were actually transplanted (14.5%). In addition, limited centre experience in transplant versus HPN questioned the accuracy of data interpretation. Equally important is …
Bibliotherapy: Does It Work?

Bibliotherapy continues to be used by counselors as an adjunctive technique in their professional work. This article updates the research literature and reports conflicting responses to the question, “Does bibliotherapy work?”
MET, HGF, EGFR, and PXN Gene Copy Number in Lung Cancer Using DNA Extracts from FFPE Archival Samples and Prognostic Significance

Gene copy number analysis for some of the important molecules in lung tumorogenesis such as MET, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF, ligand for MET), epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and paxillin (PXN) is likely to determine both the type of treatment and prognosis. Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) archival tumor tissue samples are an excellent source for determining key molecular changes in the OncoGenome, however existing extraction procedures yield relatively poor quality genomic DNA fragments. Although FISH is the method of choice for determining amplification of a gene, a more rapid qPCR technique to determine gene copy number can be used when reasonably good quality genomic DNA is available. We report here a relatively rapid method based on microwave/chelex-100 treatment that gives rise to genomic DNA fragments ranging from 1 to 12 Kb and beyond, thereby attesting to its superior quality. Genomic PCR for β-globin gene gave reliable and reproducible results. The number of steps for extracting the DNA was kept to a minimum, and instead of precipitating the DNA, we preserved the genomic DNA extracts so as to prevent a loss in DNA yield. We found the extracts to be stable and amenable to qPCR and mutational analysis. Using lung adenocarcinoma FFPE samples and cell lines derived from lung adenocarcinomas, we demonstrated that the gene copy number for MET in lung adenocarcinoma tissue samples was preferentially increased over EGFR, HGF and PXN and that it positively correlated with better prognosis. In contrast, the genomic DNA extracted from twenty five NSCLC cell lines gave relatively higher gene copy number for all the four genes evaluated. Our results indicate that the microwave/chelex-100 based method yields good quality genomic DNA extracts that can be used for complex DNA analysis such as determination of gene copy number. In addition, our data demonstrated that the adenocarcinoma cell lines potentially evolved under ex vivo conditions, and therefore in genetic studies it is imperative to use primary tumors for generalized conclusions about lung tumors.
794-1 Outcome of Pregnancy in Women with Complex Pulmonary Atresia

To define the outcome of pregnancy in patients (pts)with complex pulmonary atresia (PA); i.e. PA with VSD and congenital systemic to pulmonary collaterals, we reviewed data on 76 such pts ≥16 yrs old, seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1980–92. There were 62 pts who were advised against or had not attempted pregnancy, no pts reported infertility. Fourteen pts had 24 pregnancies resulting in 10 live births, (including one twin pregnancy). There was one neonatal death due to abruptio placenta at 27 wks. Seven deliveries (including the twins; i.e. 8 births), were vaginal and 2 were by cesarean section. Six pregnancies were terminated due to unoperated maternal PA. Miscarriage occurred in 9/18 (50%) of uninterrupted pregnancies in 7 pts (3 in pts without prior cardiac surgery, 4 in pts after palliation, and 2 after complete repair). Six pts had successful pregnancies; 2 unoperated pts had 3 deliveries (including twins; i.e. 4 births), 2 palliated pts had 3 deliveries, and 2 pts had 2 successful and 2 unsuccessful pregnancies after complete repair. Two pts had preterm labor, 1 due to toxemia (twin pregnancy). One pregnancy was complicated by high RV pressure (from conduit obstruction), and 1 by CHF requiring hospitalization for the last month of pregnancy (no prior surgery). The mean maternal Hb in pts with successful pregnancy was 14.9 ± 1.3 gms vs 18.3 ± 2.1 gms in pts who terminated pregnancy (p = 0.01) and 16.4 ± 2.2 gms in pts with unsuccessful pregnancies (p = NS). No pregnancy related maternal deaths occurred. The overall mean birth weight was 2.2 kg; 2.0 ± 0.7 kg for 7 offspring of cyanotic pts vs 3.1 ± 0.3 kg for 2 offspring of pts post complete repair (p = 0.08). None of the offspring had congenital heart disease. Conclusion Pregnancy in pts with complex PA can be successfully carried out but there is an increased risk of fetal loss even without maternal hypoxia (miscarriage rate 50%). Pre-pregnancy assessment of functional class, pulmonary pressures, ventricular and conduit function and degree of cyanosis should be established.
Tagging Portuguese with a Spanish tagger using cognates

We describe a knowledge and resource light system for an automatic morphological analysis and tagging of Brazilian Portuguese. We avoid the use of labor intensive resources; particularly, large annotated corpora and lexicons. Instead, we use (i) an annotated corpus of Peninsular Spanish, a language related to Portuguese, (ii) an unannotated corpus of Portuguese, (iii) a description of Portuguese morphology on the level of a basic grammar book. We extend the similar work that we have done (Hana et al., 2004; Feldman et al., 2006) by proposing an alternative algorithm for cognate transfer that effectively projects the Spanish emission probabilities into Portuguese. Our experiments use minimal new human effort and show 21% error reduction over even emissions on a fine-grained tagset.
Semilocal Convergence Theorems for Newton’s Method Using Outer Inverses and Hypotheses on the Second Fréchet-Derivative

We provide semilocal convergence theorems for Newton’s method in Banach space using outer or generalized inverses. In contrast to earlier results we use hypotheses on the second instead of the first Frechet-derivative. This way our Newton-Kantorovich hypotheses differ from earlier ones. Our results can be used to solve undetermined systems, nonlinear least squares problems and ill-posed nonlinear operator equations. We complete our study with some very simple examples to show that our results apply, where others fail.
A Model for the Double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-dependent Dimerization and Activation of the dsRNA-activated Protein Kinase PKR *

Binding of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) to PKR induces autophosphorylation and activation. However, the requirement for dsRNA in promoting dimerization and the requirement for dimerization in PKR activation are controversial. We have studied the dsRNA binding and dimerization requirements for the activation of PKR in vivo. Co-expression and immunoprecipitation experiments detected an interaction between the K296P mutant and a bacteriophage T7-epitope-tagged K64E mutant of dsRNA binding domain. In contrast, the K64E/K296P double mutant did not form a detectable dimer with the wild-type dsRNA binding domain. These results support that dimerization of intact PKR with the isolated dsRNA binding domain requires dsRNA binding activity. Expression of the isolated PKR kinase domain (residues 228-551) reduced translation of the reporter mRNA even in the presence of PKR inhibitors. Furthermore, the isolated kinase domain (residues 228-551) undergoes autophosphorylation and sequentially trans-phosphorylates both mutant K296P PKR and wild-type eIF-2α in vitro. In contrast, the isolated kinase domain (residues 264-551) lacking the third basic region was not active. These observations lead us to propose that the dsRNA binding domains on intact PKR inhibit kinase activity and that dsRNA binding to intact PKR induces a conformational change to expose dimerization sites within the dsRNA binding domain thereby promoting dimerization and facilitating trans-phosphorylation and activation.
THE RESPONSE OF ANOLIS EQUESTRIS AND OPLURUS CYCLURUS (REPTILIA: IGUANIDAE) TO BACTERIAL ENDOTOXIN

Abstract 1. 1. This study explores the prosence or absence of pyrexia in two species of lizards (family Iguanidae) that differ from previously reported febrile iguanid lizards in T b regulation pattern or geographic distribution. 2. 2. Anolis equestris , a low T b regulator, were given an injection of sterile saline and one of four dosages (1 × 10 10 , 1 × 10 9 , 1 × 10 8 , 1 × 10 7 ) of Aeromonas sobria while Oplurus cyclurus , a high T b regulator from Madagascar, were given an injection of sterile saline and 1 × 10 10 A. sobria . 3. 3. Anolis equestris did not exhibit a febrile response at any of the four bacterial dosages but O. cyclurus did exhibit a febrile response at the single dosage of bacteria utilized. 4. 4. These data support the hypothesis that lower T b regulating lizard species may not exhibit pyrexia in response to endotoxin.
Effect of Temperature and Solution Composition on the Permeability of St. Peters Sandstone: Role of Iron (III)

The purpose of this study was to systematically investigate effects of temperature and fluid composition on the permeability of quartz sandstones. We have concentrated our initial efforts on the time and flow dependence at 2 elevated temperatures (100°C, 200°C).
Sustainable landscapes in a world of change: tropical forests, land use and implementation of REDD+: Part I

This is the second of two Mini Focus issues of Carbon Management to address current concerns about sustaining tropical forests. In the Foreword to the first part of this two-part Mini Focus issue o...
Attitudes and Use of Complementary Medicine in Men with Prostate Cancer

ABSTRACTPurpose: Patients with cancer are increasingly incorporating complementary therapies into the overall treatment. We determine the prevalence and patterns of use of complementary therapies among patients with prostate cancer.Materials and Methods: Patients attending 6 urology institutions for prostate cancer management completed a self-administered questionnaire on complementary therapy. All men diagnosed with prostate cancer were eligible, regardless of age, stage of disease or treatment.Results: A total of 1,099 patients returned the questionnaire. The overall response rate was 78.5%. Complementary therapies had previously been or were currently being used by 23.5% (258) and 18.2% (200) of patients, respectively. Higher levels of education and income were associated with greater use of complementary therapy (p <0.002 by logistic regression). Patients with progressive disease or those primarily treated with hormones were most likely to use complementary therapy. Among the patients using complement...
Finitely generated permutative varieties

We show that there exists an algorithm which decides whether a finite set of identities containing a permutation identity defines a variety generated by a finite semigroup or not.
Titan ocean: Ethane, methane, nitrogen

Detection of the atmosphere of Saturn's satellite Titan by the Voyager I spacecraft indicated an abundance of only 3 mol % methane (CH4). Recently J.I. Lunine, D.J. Stevenson, and Y.L. Yung calculated that 3 mol % methane is sufficiently low to preclude the stable coexistence of liquid methane on Titan's surface, which has a temperature of 94 K (Science, 222, 1229, 1983). Instead, Lunine et al. suggest that Titan's atmospheric methane may have broken down by a catalyzed photochemical reaction to ethane (C2H6). The resulting ocean would consist of a mixture of C2H6 and CH4 in the proportion of 3 to 1.