cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Evolution of the Pharmaceutical Industry Over the Past 50 Years: A Personal Reflection

Abstract The pharmaceutical industry has an outstanding record of innovative performance over the past 50 years. The R&D process has become more knowledge-based and a market for innovation has emerged between research start-ups, development-stage firms, and the larger, multinational companies. At the same time, R&D costs have increased several fold over time and generic products now dominate many traditional therapeutic areas. The current challenge for the industry is to discover new therapies for chronic diseases with high unmet needs like Alzheimer’s disease and various auto-immune diseases and cancers that afflict an increasingly aging population. Recent advances in molecular biology and related fields provide a scientific foundation to undertake these R&D efforts, although the time path and outcomes remain subject to many risks and uncertainties.
The Structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center Morale Scale: A Reinterpretation.

This research examines the structure of the Philadelphia Geriatric Center (PGC) Morale Scale. A multiple indicator structural equation model including three first-order factors and one second-order factor is proposed to account for the dimensionality of the PGC Morale Scale. Based on data from the 1968 National Senior Citizens Survey, the proposed model is consistently supported and replicated across four randomly divided subsamples. Given these results, the claim that the PGC Morale Scale is multidimensional is only appropriate for the first-order factors. On the level of the second-order, a unidimensional interpretation is more accurate.
Theory of Coupled Electron−Proton Transfer with Potential-Dependent Transfer Coefficients for Redox Couples Attached to Electrodes†

A theoretical study of coupled electron−proton transfer is presented for heterogeneous electron transfer to redox centers attached to electrodes. Proton transfer steps are assumed to be at equilibrium and the transfer coefficients are assumed to exhibit the potential dependence predicted by Marcus Density-of-States theory. Five cases are considered: 1e1H, 1e2H, 2e, 2e1H, and 2e2H. Procedures are given for calculating the apparent standard rate constant, the apparent transfer coefficient, and the path of electron transfer as a function of overpotential and pH. The behavior of these parameters are compared with a previous theoretical treatment in which the transfer coefficient for each electron transfer step was assumed to be 0.5 independent of overpotential. The predictions of the two treatments are qualitatively similar but quantitatively different. In particular, when the transfer coefficient depends on the electrode potential, apparent standard rate constants are smaller, asymmetrical Tafel plots appea...
Differential accumulation of heavy metals by web spiders and ground spiders in an old‐field

Accumulation of the heavy metals Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn by web spiders (orb weavers: Araneidae) and ground spiders (wolf spiders: Lycosidae) was examined in an old-field that had been subjected to 11 years of nutrient enrichment. The study area consisted of six 0.1-ha plots treated from 1978 to 1988 with municipal sewage sludge (Milorganite®) containing heavy-metal contaminants, urea-phosphate fertilizer, or left as untreated controls. In 1991 and 1992, heavy-metal concentrations in the soil, ground spiders, and web spiders were measured with a flame AA spectrophotometer. Spiders accumulated Cd, Cu, and Zn to concentrations greater than those present in the soil but did not accumulate Pb. Ground spiders contained significantly higher levels of Cd and Cu than web spiders (p < 0.05), whereas web spiders contained slightly greater levels of Pb than ground spiders. No trend between spider guilds was apparent for Zn accumulation. To understand the impact of the application of metal-contaminated municipal sludge on ecosystems, the toxicological effects on the biology and behavior of major biotic components (such as spiders) in terrestrial food webs must be known.
Intra-amygdala infusions of scopolamine impair performance on a conditioned place preference task but not a spatial radial maze task.

Lesions of the amygdala impair performance on a conditioned place preference (CPP) but not a spatial radial maze task. The role of cholinergic receptors within the amygdala in performance of these tasks was evaluated using intra-amygdala injections of the muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine. Food deprived rats were trained on a CPP task, which consisted of four training trials on two arms of a radial eight-arm maze. One arm was consistently paired with a large amount of food (14 g) while the other arm was never baited. Prior to the fourth trial, rats received bilateral intra-amygdala infusions of the muscarinic receptor antagonist, scopolamine (SCOP; 5 μg/0.5 μl) or vehicle. On a retention test 24 h later, unoperated and vehicle-infused rats, but not SCOP-treated rats, spent significantly more time in the paired arm than chance (50%). Therefore, the scopolamine treatment appeared to block learning and/or memory on trial 4. The same rats were then trained on a radial maze task on the same apparatus, in which rats had access to all eight arms but only four were baited with food (1 pellet). Rats were trained until they reached criterion and then infusions were given prior to testing. SCOP treatment did not affect performance on the radial maze task. Thus, intact cholinergic mechanisms in the amygdala are necessary for learning or memory on a CPP task with a high reward component but not performance on a spatial radial maze task with a lower reward component.
ApoE deficiency: markedly decreased levels of cellular ApoE mRNA.

Summary Apolipoprotein(apo) E deficiency is a rare genetic disease characterized by palmar and tuberoeruptive xanthomas, type III hyperlipoproteinemia, and premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. The plasma level of apoE in apoE deficiency is less than 0.05 mg/dl by radioimmunoassay, and no structural variants of apoE were detected by immunoblot of plasma or VLDL separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The apoE gene is present in the apoE deficient patient, and there are no major insertions or deletions in the gene by Southern blot analysis. Blood monocyte-macrophages isolated from a patient with apoE deficiency contain 1–3% of the level of apoE mRNA present in monocyte-macrophages isolated from normal subjects. The apoE mRNA in the monocyte-macrophages of the apoE deficient patient is similar in size to normal apoE mRNA. The deficiency of plasma apoE in the patient with apoE deficiency is due to a markedly decreased level of apoE mRNA and decreased production of the E apolipoprotein. The decreased apoE mRNA may be due to a defect in transcription or processing of the primary transcript of the apoE gene or to instability of the apoE mRNA. The decreased plasma level of apoE results in delayed clearance of remnants of triglyceride rich lipoproteins, hyperlipidemia, and a type III phenotype.
Single fiber recording of the ventricular response to induced hypothermia in the anesthetized dog: correlation with multicellular parameters.

Ventricular membrane Potentials were recorded by the microelectrode technic in anesthetized, open-chest dogs. Concurrently, intraventricular pressure, electrocardiogram and esophageal temperature were recorded. Hypothermia was induced by an extracorporeal cooling method. Data on the parameters observed are presented for a temperature range from 38 to 22 C. The mean temperature for spontaneous ventricular fibrillation was approximately 22 C. Hypothermia increased single fiber action potential duration, primarily by prolonging the plateau phase. Depolarization and terminal repolarization were less affected. Action potential amplitude and resting potential were not changed. Change in action potential duration as a function of varying heart rate became more pronounced with cooling. A characteristic change in action potential shape during early repolarization became evident as hypothermia progressed. Hypothermic changes in the single fiber action potential are compared with changes in the electrocardiogram and the pressure curve. Recordings made from single fibers during hypothermic ventricular fibrillation showed a marked shortening in action potential duration.
Quantized magnetoresistance in multiply connected perimeters in two-dimensional systems

It is shown that multiply connected perimeter contacts of a two-dimenisonal system in the quantized-Hall-effect (QHE) regime have two-terminal resistance values equal to a well-defined rational fraction of $\frac{h}{{e}^{2}}$, depending on the interconnection configurations. A phenomenological model is presented to account for the results which is consistent with quantized dissipation in the vicinity of current-carrying contacts. It is further demonstrated that the interior of the system is dissipationless and the effect is not affected by the inclusion of macroscopic inhomogeneities.
Tubo-ovarian abscess: contemporary approach to management.

Two hundred and thirty-two patients with tubo-ovarian abscesses (TOAs) were evaluated. Ruptured TOAs were documented in seven (3%) of the patients. One hundred and seventy-five patients with TOAs were treated with antibiotics alone; for 15 of these patients, TOAs were confirmed by laparoscopy. The remaining 57 patients required surgical intervention: drainage (five patients), unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (19) and total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (33). A unilateral TOA was present in 163 patients (70%). Seventy-six patients with TOAs used intrauterine contraceptive devices, and in this group, 54 (71%) patients had unilateral TOAs. The most common microorganisms that were recovered from these TOAs were Escherichia coli, Bacteroides fragilis, Bacteroides species, Peptostreptococcus, Peptococcus, and aerobic streptococci. Sixty-eight percent of the patients treated with an antimicrobial regimen that included clindamycin had a decrease in the size of the TOA, while only 36.5% of those receiving antimicrobial regimens without clindamycin had a decrease in the size of the TOA (P less than .01). Long-term follow-up information (two to 10 years) was available for 58 of the patients treated with antibiotics alone. Eighteen (31%) required subsequent surgery; 12 had persistent TOAs; and six, chronic salpingo-oophoritis. Intrauterine pregnancy was documented in eight (13.8%) patients. Of the 19 patients treated with unilateral adnexectomy, two ultimately required hysterectomy and contralateral adnexectomy, while three patients in this group subsequently became pregnant (one ectopic and two intrauterine).
A Comparative Study of the Effect of Cumarin and Vanillin on Wheat Grown in Soil, Sand, and Water Cultures

The evidence offered in favor of the theory of soil toxicity is not sufficient to establish the fact that roots of higher plants excrete substances harmful to themselves or to other plants. Neither is the evidence sufficient to establish the presence in the soil of organic substances harmful to plants under normal field conditions. The concentrations of 600 parts per million of cumarin and of 3,000 parts per million of vanillin, figured on the basis of the total moisture content of the soil, depressed to some extent the yield of wheat grown to maturity in pots. There are indications, however, that the effect was rather on the soil than on the plant. The addition of small quantities of soil to water cultures entirely destroyed the toxic effects of cumarin, while it did not affect the action of vanillin. It is possible that vanillin is less readily decomposed by the microorganisms of the soil than cumarin, or that the decomposition products of vanillin are as toxic in water cultures as vanillin itself. In quartz cultures, cumarin has proved to be as toxic as in water cultures, while vanillin behaved approximately the same way as in the soil. Vanillin is evidently toxic only in a liquid medium when it is applied in mass, but not when it is distributed as films over quartz grains or soil particles. The ameliorating effect of phosphoric acid on the action of cumarin reported in Bulletin 77 of the Bureau of Soils would not seem to be due to its antagonistic behavior with reference to that toxin, since it did not behave in the same way in a balanced solution. The ameliorating effects reported might be due either to the residual effects of the base after the phosphate radical was used up, or to the fact that cumarin does not interfere with the absorption by the plant of phosphoric acid while it does interfere with the absorption of the other food elements. The behavior of toxic substances is so different in the soil than in water cultures, that one is hardly justified in drawing conclusions from results obtained with water cultures as to what might take place under actual field conditions.
Low probability of detection underwater acoustic communications for mobile platforms

Mobile underwater platforms, such as autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), use underwater acoustic communications to form a network for command and control. Direct sequence spread spectrum signaling can be used for multi-access communications. It also provides high processing gain for communications using a low source level. Probability of detection by an intruder is minimized due to the decreased signal-to-noise ratio outside the operation area. A simple receiver algorithm is presented for DSSS communications between mobile platforms in the presence of multipaths. This paper analyzes the required source level for a given operating area and the corresponding counter detection range by a intruder.
Evaluation of [3H]proline for radioautographic tracing of axonal projections in the teleost visual system

The efficacy of [3-H]proline radioautography for tracing retinal ganglion cell projections to the optic tectum of the jewel fish, Hemichromis bimaculatus, has been compared with that of degeneration techniques. There was good agreement between the various methods. Retinal projections to the optic tectum of two other teleosts, the oscar, Astronotus ocellatus, and the goldfish, Carrasius auratus, were examined radioautographically. In addition to conventional methods of analysis, radioautograms were scanned in a slit microdensitometer and by an automated isodensity scanning system. Results of studies with the protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, are compatible with the suggestion that axonally transported proteins labeled with [3-H]proline may release diffusible precursors that are reincorporated into protein in adjacent regions. The possible advantages and limitations of radioautography of [3-H]proline-labeled axonally transported protein in brief or extended studies are discussed in terms of the results obtained in the teleost visual system.
Interdiffusion and reaction between uranium and iron

Metallic uranium alloy fuels cladded in stainless steel are being examined for fast reactors that operate at high temperature. In this work, solid-to-solid diffusion couples were assembled between pure U and Fe, and annealed at 853K, 888K and 923K where U exists as orthorhombic {alpha}, and at 953K and 973K where U exists as tetragonal {beta}. The microstructures and concentration profiles developed during annealing were examined by scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis, respectively. U{sub 6}Fe and UFe{sub 2} intermetallics developed in all diffusion couples, and U{sub 6}Fe was observed to grow faster than UFe{sub 2}. The interdiffusion fluxes of U and Fe were calculated to determine the integrated interdiffusion coefficients in U{sub 6}Fe and UFe{sub 2}. The extrinsic (K{sub I}) and intrinsic growth constants (K{sub II}) of U{sub 6}Fe and UFe{sub 2} were also calculated according to Wagner's formalism. The difference between K{sub I} and K{sub II} of UFe{sub 2} indicate that its growth was impeded by the fast-growing U{sub 6}Fe phase. However, the thin UFe{sub 2} played only a small role on the growth of U{sub 6}Fe as its K{sub I} and K{sub II} values were determined to be similar. The allotropic transformation of uranium (orthorhombic {alpha}more » to tetragonal {beta} phase) was observed to influence the growth of U{sub 6}Fe directly, because the growth rate of U{sub 6}Fe changed based on variation of activation energy. The change in chemical potential and crystal structure of U due to the allotropic transformation affected the interdiffusion between U and U{sub 6}Fe. Faster growth of U{sub 6}Fe is also examined with respect to various factors including crystal structure, phase diagram, and diffusion.« less
Perturbing the Linker Regions of the α-Subunit of Transducin A NEW CLASS OF CONSTITUTIVELY ACTIVE GTP-BINDING PROTEINS

Abstract The GDP-GTP exchange activity of the retinal G protein, transducin, is markedly accelerated by the photoreceptor rhodopsin in the first step of visual transduction. The x-ray structures for the α subunits of transducin (αT) and other G proteins suggest that the nucleotide-binding (Ras-like) domain and a large helical domain form a “clam shell” that buries the GDP molecule. Thus, receptor-promoted G protein activation may involve “opening the clam shell” to facilitate GDP dissociation. In this study, we have examined whether perturbing the linker regions connecting the Ras-like and helical domains of Gα subunits gives rise to a more readily exchangeable state. The sole glycine residues in linkers 1 and 2 were individually changed to proline residues within an αT/αi1 chimera (designated ). Both linker mutants showed significant increases in their basal rates of GDP-GTP exchange when compared either to retinal αT or recombinant . The linker mutants were responsive to aluminum fluoride, which binds to α-GDP complexes and induces changes in Switch 2. Although both linker mutants were further activated by light-activated rhodopsin together with the βγ complex, their activation was not influenced by βγ alone, arguing against the idea that the βγ complex helps to pry apart the helical and Ras-like domains of Gα subunits. Once activated, the linker mutants were able to stimulate the cyclic GMP phosphodiesterase. Overall, these findings highlight a new class of activated Gα mutants that constitutively exchange GDP for GTP and should prove valuable in studying different G protein-signaling systems.
Modulation response in isolator-free MOPA and injection-locked laser configurations

Modulation response in injection-locked lasers is investigated with optical isolation between master and slave lasers removed. A strong-coupling theory shows that recently demonstrated modulation response enhancement can be maintained in a significantly more compact device.
Evaluation of the ASTM J Initiation Procedure Using the EURO Fracture Toughness Data Set

The multiple specimen procedure for the evaluation of a JIc value as presently measured using ASTM E 1820 is examined using the large fracture toughness dataset from the EURO round robin. Although a standard test procedure for JIc determination has been in use for more than 20 years, the multiple specimen option has not been regularly reassessed during that time. The EURO dataset was generated to evaluate the transition fracture toughness methods for steels. However, many of the test results produced ductile fracture information in terms of a final J versus ductile crack extension. This is the same information that is measured in a multiple specimen J initiation fracture toughness test. The dataset has more than 300 individual points of J versus crack extension and may be the largest dataset of that type produced for one material. Therefore, it is a useful dataset for evaluating the multiple specimen JIc procedure in ASTM E 1820. This evaluation showed that a value of JIc cannot be determined for a dataset containing more than 300 points, even though these points gave a consistent J-R curve. The criteria that are used for qualification of the data eliminate all of the points as being not qualified. This raises some serious concerns about the usefulness of the method as it is presently written, especially the restrictive nature of the qualification rules. Individual qualification criteria are examined and recommendations made for developing a more reasonable test method, one that can be used in the future to evaluate a multiple specimen fracture toughness for materials typically used in structural applications.
CAD reference flow for 3D via-last integrated circuits

Next-decade computing power and interconnect bottle-neck challenge conventional IC design due to the ever increasing demands for high frequency and great bandwidth. Three-dimensional large-scale integration (3D-LSI) provides an opportunity to realize such high performance cores while reducing long latency. In this paper, we present a reference flow for the implementation of 3D via-last ICs in scalable face-to-back bonding style which leverages a mature set of 2D IC physical design tools. The first enabling technology of 3D-LSI is through-silicon via (TSV). Two kinds of TSV diameters are exemplified in the flow, namely, 5µm and 50µm. We propose an easy-to-adopt method to address the TSV-aware mixed-sized placement by considering the obstructions generated from adjacent-tier's floorplan, subject to certain TSV alignment constraints. Furthermore, the technique of clock tree synthesis (CTS) for a homogeneous die stack is developed to dramatically reduce the clock latency and skew. The mixed-sized placement and CTS of each tier can be done without iteration. To the best of our knowledge, no work has ever been published in literature discussing CTS for 3D via-last integration in a face-to-back fashion. Finally, to complete the proposed flow 2D timing-driven routing and modified off-line design rule check (DRC) and layout versus schematic (LVS) verification are performed very well.
Effects of menadione on the metabolism of galactose in regenerating rat liver.

Abstract The effect of menadione sodium bisulfite (MSB) on the metabolism of (l- 14 C)galactose was studied in regenerating and newborn rat liver slices. Incubation of liver slices with (1- 14 C)galactose showed that the rate of 14 CO 2 formation was faster in newborn and regenerating liver slices than that in adult sham-operated controls. MSB increased the formation of 14 CO 2 from (1- 14 C)galactose by approximately 150 per cent in regenerating liver, perhaps by increasing the ratio of NADP/NADPH. Such an increase was not observed with (1- 14 C)glucose as substrate. Furthermore. MSB effectively reversed ethanol inhibition of galactose catabolism in regenerating and sham-operated rat liver slices. The results indicate that the reaction sequence involved in the conversion of galactose to glucose 6-phosphate operates at a faster rate than glucose to glucose 6-phosphate. Also, the accelerated metabolism of galactose in regenerating rat liver appears to occur via the hexosemonophosphate shunt (HMP) and thus the inhibitory effect of ethanol is attenuated. The effects of MSB are explicable on the basis of the hypothesis that the HMP is selectively stimulated in liver.
Histochemical demonstration of steroid hormone binding sites in the lung.

Abstract Steroid hormone binding sites were localized anatomically by histochemical techniques utilizing steroid covalently bound to bovine serum albumin labeled with fluorescein isothiocyanate. In a study of lungs from 64 rats, specific binding was limited to the lining epithelium of the respiratory tract. Similar findings were present in other species including man. These results suggest that steroids may modulate growth and differentiation of bronchial epithelium, bronchial secretion, and pulmonary cleansing.
Agricultural zoning in a metropolitan county: an evaluation of the Black Hawk County, Iowa, program

Abstract Over 400 counties in the United States currently have agricultural zoning regulations which seek to protect the local farmland base. Many of these counties either contain a large urban center or are adjacent to metropolitan counties. Yet, few studies have been conducted on the performance of county agricultural zoning programs. Such a study is of particular importance to sustaining agriculture near urban areas. If a certain agricultural zoning program is successful, we should learn why it is successful and whether it can be transferred to other counties or localities. On the other hand, if an agricultural zoning program is not achieving desired goals, we should learn why and how shortcomings might be corrected. Black Hawk County, Iowa, is a metropolitan county with over 100 000 people. The county is also a major corn, soya bean and livestock producer, accounting for $103 million in farm sales in 1982. In the mid-1970's the county instituted extensive agricultural zoning in response to urban growth pressures on farmland. The Black Hawk County program has attached national attention for its use of a Corn Suitability Rating to identify prime agricultural lands and to determine which lands in farm zones could be converted to non-farm development without significantly reducing farm output. As yet, no study has examined the performance of the Black Hawk County program. To evaluate the program, we analyzed re-zoning decisions in farm zones, changes in the number of farms and land in farms and the number of land transfers for each 256-ha section of the county between 1975 and 1985. Results indicate that the administration of the program has improved over time. Relatively little farmland has been re-zoned for non-farm uses, and several proposals for non-farm uses have been denied. The local farm economy appears stable, given the slight decline both in the number of farms and the amount of farmland. The large majority of non-farmland transfers have occurred near urban boundaries. About one-quarter of farmland transfers have also occurred near cities. These figures suggest that urban sprawl is being fairly well contained. Few farmland transfers involved land with a Corn Suitability Rating of 85 or more. This result implies that the best farmland is in quite stable ownership, and is not likely to be developed.
P-71: Spectrum Relaxation Applied to Film-Thickness Measurement

When we used spectrometer with array sensor to calculate thickness or control refractive index, spectrum resolution was the important factor if we measured the reflectance or transmittance as our first step. This situation would be emphasized while the testing sample was the super thick film (>20 μm) which caused the large dense reflectance or transmittance spectrum. In this paper, we developed a method to improve the measurable range of film thickness by use of the different incident angle spectrum. It means the spectrum obtained from thick film would become sparser even we used the same hardware. Some concrete examples would be described here and their results would be shown in this paper.
Influence of Sex and Obesity on Plasma Catecholamine Response to Isometric Exercise

The effects of obesity and gender on plasma catecholamine levels were studied in 10 lean men, 10 lean women, and 10 obese women. Measurements (mean ± SE) were obtained sequentially after 30 min of bedrest, 10 min of standing, and 5 min of sustained handgrip, and following 15 min of rest while standing. The supine plasma norepinephrine (NE) levels were comparable among the 3 groups, whereas plasma epinephrine (E) was lowest in obese women (14 ± 2 pg⁄ml), intermediate in lean women (19 ± 2 pg⁄ml), and highest in lean men (29 ± 5 pg⁄ ml). Peak plasma levels were reached during handgrip. E valuesin men (139 ± 27 pg⁄ml) exceeded those in lean women (71 ± 9 pg⁄ml; P< 0.05), and both were higher than the E response in obese women (38 ± 7 pg⁄ml; P< 0.01). While peak plasma NE levels in lean women (654 ± 62 pg⁄ml) and obese women (524 ± 46 pg⁄ml) were comparable, both were significantly lower than the NE response in lean men (1014 ± 114 pg⁄ml; P < 0.02). Increments in plasma FFA during handgrip were 21‰ and 28‰ ab...
Professional Development Standards as a New Context for Professional Development in the US

Abstract A new context for the professional development of teachers has emerged in the US. Because of an historical emphasis on local control of school, national, common expectations for teacher performance have been resisted until recently. Now performance expectations have been developed in the form of standards, which identify knowledge base and skill level across the teaching career continuum. For standards‐based professional development to achieve its potential, individuals and organizations needs to adopt a systems perspective. Such a perspective will allow for the structural changes necessary to improve the quality of education in the US.
Atrazine Sorption at the Field Scale in Relation to Soils and Landscape Position

Understanding the spatial variation of herbicide sorption in soils is important in determining the potential for leaching at the field scale. Our objectives were to determine the spatial variability of atrazine sorption (6-chloro-N-ethyl-N'-(1-methylethyl)-1,3,5-triazine-2,4-diamine) at the field scale and to relate sorption partition coefficients (K d ) to landscape position and soil survey map units. Atrazine sorption was measured on 241 surface samples from a 6.25-ha field using batch-equilibration methods. Field-scale variability in atrazine sorption coefficients was described using spherical semivariograms. Less than 20% of the total semivariance in atrazine K d values was found at lag distances <10 m, indicating there was relatively little variability at this scale. Multiple regression analyses using pooled data revealed that atrazine sorption was influenced by soil organic C, pH, and, to a lesser extent, soil clay. We also evaluated the relationship of atrazine sorption to landscape position and soil series. Less atrazine was sorbed by soils from upland shoulder slopes than by soil in level and depressional areas (potholes). Soils from foot slope and back slope landscape positions were intermediate in atrazine sorption. The magnitude of atrazine sorption by soils in different landscape positions was also related to variations in soil organic C content, pH, and clay content. The greater sorption of atrazine by soils in the pothole depressions may reduce transport of this herbicide to tile lines that commonly drain these soils. Field-scale maps of atrazine sorption based on landscape position more effectively predicted the actual distribution of the K d values determined by kriging, than did maps based on soil series.
Formation of association ions in the photoionization of alkyl halides

The methyl and ethyl chlorides and bromides, as well as methyl iodide, were photoionized in the vacuum ultraviolet at 300 K in a mass spectrometer over the pressure range 0.5 to approximately 100 millitorr. Under these conditions, stabilized parent ion dimers are found in CH3Br, CH3I, and C2H5Br, but not in the chlorides. Lower limits for the dissociative lifetimes of the ion–molecule collision complexes were estimated and are as follows: (CH3Br)2+, 1.6 μs; (CH3I)2+, 1.9 μs; and (C2H5Br)2+, 5.4 μs. An increase in photon energy (internal energy content of the reactant ion) decreases the dissociative lifetime of the collision complex in CH3I.
A corresponding states correlation for the infinite dilution binary diffusion coefficient of dense gases

The simple principle of corresponding states for the self-diffusion coefficient has been extended to binary diffusion coefficients at infinite dilution. A simple correlation based on this approach has then been developed and tested against available experimental data. For the 12 systems tested the average percentage error is less than 6% while the maximum and minimum errors are 30%, and 1%, respectively. An approximation is also suggested which permits this approach to be used for compositions other than infinite dilution.
Cross-linking of concanavalin A receptors on cortical neurons induces programmed cell death.

Abstract The loss of neurons by programmed cell death is a normal feature of the nervous system during development and has recently been implicated as a major mechanism of cell death in neurodegenerative diseases. In some cases, programmed cell death is induced by the activation of membrane receptors and is referred to as activation-induced programmed cell death. Activation-induced programmed cell death has been previously described in cells from the immune system, in which the activation of receptors by receptor clustering leads to programmed cell death. To determine whether activation-induced programmed cell death occurs in neurons, Concanavalin A was used to cross-link membrane receptors on cortical neurons. Concanavalin A-induced neuronal death was dose dependent and effective at concentrations previously shown to induce activation-induced programmed cell death in lymphocytes. Programmed cell death was attenuated when Concanavalin A-specific binding to neurons was blocked with methyl α- d -mannopyranoside. Succinyl Concanavalin A, which bound to Concanavalin A receptors but was ineffective at cross-linking them, did not induce programmed cell death. Concanavalin A-induced neuronal death exhibited many of the hallmarks associated with programmed cell death, such as membrane blebbing, nuclear condensation and margination, and internucleosomal DNA cleavage. In addition, neurons exposed to Concanavalin A displayed a rapid, robust, and persistent increase in the immediate early gene protein c-Jun. A similar increase in c-Jun precedes programmed cell death induced by β-amyloid in neurons, and under some conditions an increase in c-Jun has been shown to be required for programmed cell death to occur in neurons. Increased expression of c-jun and other immediate early genes has also been correlated with activation-induced programmed cell death in lymphocytes. These observations suggest that Concanavalin A induces activation-induced programmed cell death in neurons via signals produced from the cross-linking of receptors on neuronal membranes. These results also raise the possibility that β-amyloid induces programmed cell death in a similar manner, by causing the cross-linking of receptors on neuronal membranes. This mechanism may be relevant to neuronal programmed cell death that occurs during development and neurodegeneration.
Ocular and systemic findings in relapsing polychondritis

The ocular and systemic findings in 112 Mayo Clinic patients with relapsing polychondritis were reviewed. The incidence of males and females was equal, with median age at diagnosis of 51 years and the median follow-up of 6 years. Most patients had several organ systems involved at the time of the diagnosis. Twenty-one patients had ocular symptoms at the onset, and 57 developed ocular symptoms during their course. Major ocular complications included proptosis, lid edema, episcleritis/scleritis, corneal infiltrates/thinning, iridocyclitis, retinopathy, and optic neuritis. The major system involvement included otorhinolaryngeal, respiratory, arthritic, renal, cardiovascular, dermatologic, and neurologic diseases. Generally, laboratory studies were not helpful in making the diagnosis but were valuable in monitoring the disease. Based on the experience in these cases, the indications for the various therapeutic modalities are offered.
The accessibility of etheno‐nucleotides to collisional quenchers and the nucleotide cleft in G‐ and F‐actin

Recent publication of the atomic structure of G-actin (Kabsch, W., Mannherz, H. G., Suck, D., Pai, E. F., & Holmes, K. C., 1990, Nature 347, 37-44) raises questions about how the conformation of actin changes upon its polymerization. In this work, the effects of various quenchers of etheno-nucleotides bound to G- and F-actin were examined in order to assess polymerization-related changes in the nucleotide phosphate site. The Mg(2+)-induced polymerization of actin quenched the fluorescence of the etheno-nucleotides by approximately 20% simultaneously with the increase in light scattering by actin. A conformational change at the nucleotide binding site was also indicated by greater accessibility of F-actin than G-actin to positively, negatively, and neutrally charged collisional quenchers. The difference in accessibility between G- and F-actin was greatest for I-, indicating that the environment of the etheno group is more positively charged in the polymerized form of actin. Based on calculations of the change in electric potential of the environment of the etheno group, specific polymerization-related movements of charged residues in the atomic structure of G-actin are suggested. The binding of S-1 to epsilon-ATP-G-actin increased the accessibility of the etheno group to I- even over that in Mg(2+)-polymerized actin. The quenching of the etheno group by nitromethane was, however, unaffected by the binding of S-1 to actin. Thus, the binding of S-1 induces conformational changes in the cleft region of actin that are different from those caused by Mg2+ polymerization of actin.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Pediatric primary urolithiasis: 12-year experience at a Midwestern Children's Hospital.

Purpose: Due to environmental and social changes (and possibly obesity) as new risk factors for stone formation in adults and changes in imaging techniques, we assessed whether etiologies of primary pediatric urolithiasis have changed, and if relationships exist between the condition and obesity or imaging technique.Materials and Methods: All pediatric patients with documented primary urolithiasis who underwent serum and 24-hour urine analyses between 1999 and 2010 were evaluated. Age at diagnosis, gender, body mass index and imaging technique were recorded.Results: Of the 222 patients (48% male) all had normal serum creatinine, electrolytes and minerals. Primary pediatric urolithiasis was diagnosed by ultrasound in 73% of cases and computerized tomography in 27%. Mean ± SD annual incidence of urolithiasis per 1,000 clinic visits increased from 2.4 ± 1.5 in the first half of the study period to 6.2 ± 2.1 in the second half (p <0.005). Mean ± SD age at diagnosis was 11.8 ± 3.8 years and body mass index was...
Tumor Angiogenesis in Vulvar Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Objective. Angiogenesis has been shown to correlate positively with the presence of metastatic disease in some tumors, but has not been studied in invasive vulvar squamous cell carcinoma. Fifty cases of invasive vulvar squamous cell carcinoma were studied in an effort to correlate angiogenesis with stage, survival, and pattern of invasion. Methods. These patients were diagnosed between 1987 and 1993. Microvessels were identified immunohistochemically using antibody to Factor VIII, and areas of greatest microvessel density associated with tumor were counted. The pattern of invasion was categorized as "spray," "pushing," or "mixed." The mean microvessel count was correlated with surgical and clinical stage, pattern of invasion, and survival. Results. Mean microvessel counts in surgical stage I/II cases (31.1 ± 7.3) were not significantly different from stage III/IV cases (26.3 ± 8.6) ( P = 0.089). Similarly mean microvessel counts in clinical stage I/II cases (31.6 ± 11.9) were not significantly different from stage III/IV cases (27.0 ± 8.7) ( P = 0.198). Seventeen patients who died of disease had mean counts of 26.1 ± 6.4, while 21 patients alive with or without evidence of disease had counts of 31.1 ± 10.8 ( P = 0.087). Mean microvessel counts did not vary significantly with the spray pattern (30.1 ± 8.7), pushing pattern (31.4 ± 12.9), or mixed pattern of invasion (31.4 ± 12.9) ( P = 0.920). Conclusions. Tumor angiogenesis in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma does not correlate positively with stage, survival, or pattern of invasion and cannot be used as a prognostic indicator.
Analysis of sexual dimorphism in human face

Human beings can easily distinguish between a male and a female face without much difficulty. The science of recognizing and differentiating different faces by humans is not completely understood and is still under research. Sexual dimorphism is common in humans and indeed in other species of animals as well. Significant differences between males and females exist in many aspects like size, color, body shapes, and weight. In this research, we characterize and analyze the sexual dimorphism in human face as a function of age and of face features. Features are grouped into six categories: head, eyes, orbits, nose, lips, and mouth, and ears. We demonstrate that the face of adult males is significantly different from adult females. We also identify the features that significantly contribute to the dimorphism of the face. This provides a basis for gender-based classification of faces.
Impact of Race and Ethnicity on Outcomes for Estrogen Receptor-Negative Breast Cancers: Experience of an Academic Center with a Charity Hospital

Background African American women have a higher breast cancer mortality rate than Caucasian women. Estrogen receptor (ER)-negative tumors, which are more aggressive than ER-positive tumors, occur more frequently in African American women than in Caucasian women and may contribute to apparent disparities in outcomes. However, outcome results need to be controlled for socioeconomic status (SES). We evaluated the effect of race and ethnicity on outcomes of patients with ER-negative tumors by determining outcomes in African American and Caucasian women with low SES but similar access to care. Study Design From a prospective database of 786 patients with stage 0 to III breast cancer, all 375 patients with ER-negative tumors were evaluated. Patients received standard definitive operations and adjuvant treatment. Compliance with treatment was more than 90%. Primary endpoints were cancer recurrence and overall survival (OS). Statistical analysis performed included Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, log-rank test, Cox proportional hazard model, Student's t -test, and chi-squared test. A p value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Fifty-four percent of African American patients had ER-negative tumors versus 39% in Caucasian patients. In both groups, 69% of patients received free care or Medicaid, with a median income of $16,577 (range $15,367 to $36,788). Comparing the 2 racial and ethnic groups, mean tumor size (p = 0.19), tumor grade distribution (p = 0.32), nodal distribution (p = 0.50), stage distribution (p = 0.30), rate of mastectomy (p = 0.47), receipt of adjuvant chemotherapy (p = 0.07), and financial class distribution (p = 0.67) were not significantly different. The 5-year OS was 77% for both groups (p = 0.59). On multivariate analysis, race and ethnicity were not independent predictors of OS (p = 0.73). Conclusions In a predominantly indigent population, race and ethnicity had no impact on outcomes for ER-negative breast cancer.
Flat Bundles and Residues for Foliations

In this note we compute the residues for a vector field preserving a foliation. We assume the vector field disappears only to first order along its singular set and that its singular set consists of closed separated leaves. Under these conditions, the residue is completely determined by the characteristic classes of the flat bundle v o, which is the normal bundle v of the foliation restricted to the singular set, and the action of the vector field on v o. For a foliation of even codimension q whose normal bundle has Euler class zero, we interpret the Pontrjagin ring of the normal bundle in dimension 2q as an obstruction to the existence of such a vector field. We show that if the Euler class of the normal bundle of a foliation is zero and it admits such a vector field, then many of its secondary characteristic classes must be also be zero. This is one of the few results relating the geometry of a foliation to its characteristic classes. We will make extensive use of the material in [6]. It will be very helpful to the reader to be familiar with this paper.
A general stochastic fixed-point theorem for continuous random operators on stochastic domains

Abstract We prove that under certain conditions a continuous random operator with stochastic domain has a random fixed point provided that each realization has a (deterministic) fixed point. As a by-product we obtain a selection theorem for the interior of certain convex-valued measurable correspondences. We apply our results to obtain stochastic Krasnoselski- and Rothe-type theorems and existence results for random differential and integral equations.
Scavenger receptor A is expressed by macrophages in response to Porphyromonas gingivalis, and participates in TNF-alpha expression.

Introduction: Porphyromonas gingivalis is a periodontopathic bacterium closely associated with generalized aggressive periodontal disease. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) participate in host response to this organism. It is likely that PRRs not previously recognized as part of the host response to P. gingivalis also participate in host response to this organism. Methods and Results: Employing qRT-PCR, we observed increased msr1 gene expression at 2, 6, and 24 h of culture with P. gingivalis strain 381. Flow cytometry revealed increased surface expression of SR-A protein by the 24 h time point. Macrophages cultured with an attachment impaired P. gingivalis fimA- mutant (DPG3) expressed intermediate levels of SR-A expression. Heat-killed P. gingivalis stimulated SR-A expression similar to live bacteria, and purified P. gingivalis capsular polysaccharide stimulated macrophage SR-A expression, indicating that live whole organisms are not necessary for SR-A protein expression in macrophage response. As SR-A is known to play a role in lipid uptake by macrophages, we tested the ability of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) to influence the SR-A response of macrophages to P. gingivalis, and observed no effect of LDL on P. gingivalis-elicited SR-A expression. Lastly, we observed that SR-A knockout (SR-A−/−) mouse macrophages produced significantly more tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α than wild type mouse macrophages cultured with P. gingivalis. Conclusion: These data identify that SR-A is expressed by macrophages in response to P. gingivalis, and support that this molecule plays a role in TNF-α production by macrophages to this organism.
Relating logic programs via program maps

This paper presents a mathematical theory underlying a systematic method for constructingProlog programs calledstepwise enhancement. Stepwise enhancement dictates building a program starting with askeleton program which constitutes the basic control flow for the problem to be solved, and adding extra computations to the skeleton program by using well-understood programming techniques. Each extra computation can be developed independently, and the separate enhancements combined to produce the final program. While intuition and motivation have focused onProlog, the methods are applicable to logic programming languages more generally. The central concept in our mathematical theory for stepwise enhancement is that of a program map between two logic programs. Our definition of a program map from an enhancement to its skeleton guarantees the lifting of computations, the essence of the enhancement methodology. In this paper, we give definitions of program map and extensions, show that the definitions preserve the property of computations lifting, give examples of extensions and programming techniques which generate them, and point to directions for future work.