cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Formation of estrone and estradiol from estrone sulfate by normal breast parenchymal tissue

The study was designed to determine the process and limitations by which estrone sulfate may be a precursor of estradiol in the parenchymal cells of the normal breast. The concentration of estrone sulfate in breast nipple aspirate fluid was 1000-fold greater than that of estradiol. Concentrations of 3H-estrone sulfate in parenchymal cells were only 0.20-0.33 times that of the 1.0 nM concentration in the medium, while 3H-estrone achieved concentrations up to 24 times that in the medium at 37 degrees C. Nevertheless, estrone sulfate added to the medium was linearly converted within a 1000-fold concentration range to estrone in intact cells with a mean half-time of conversion of 628 min per 10(6) cells. Homogenized cells had a half-time of 246 min per 10(6) cells. Thus, the time for entry of estrone sulfate into cells reduced the rate by approximately 55%. In split samples, the Vmax values (+/- S.D.) for intact and homogenized cells were 12.6 +/- 1.4 and 18.3 nmol/h mg DNA, respectively (P<0.03). The corresponding Km values for intact and homogenized cells were 6.0 +/- 1.1 and 4.7 +/- 1.0 microM. Conversion of estrone sulfate to estradiol was more efficient in intact cells than in homogenates with mean half-times of 2173 and 7485 min per 10(6) cells, respectively. Conversion of estrone to estrone sulfate did not occur in these cells despite sulfonation of estrone by MCF-7 breast cancer cells under identical conditions. It is concluded that estrone sulfate can serve as a precursor for estradiol in normal breast tissue. Conversion of estrone to estradiol is a limiting step in the process.
The pulmonary effects of benzyl viologen in swiss mice

Abstract The histopathological findings observed in hyalin membrane disease and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis may be evoked in the Swiss mouse by the administration of benzyl viologen.
Room-temperature dislocation climb in metallic interfaces

Using atomistic simulations, we show that dislocations efficiently climb in metallic interfaces, such as Cu–Nb, through absorption and emission of vacancies and a counter diffusion of Cu atoms in the interfacial plane. The efficiency of dislocation climb is ascribed to the high vacancy concentration of 0.05 in the interfacial plane, the low formation energy of 0.12 eV with respect to removal or insertion of Cu atoms, and the low kinetic barrier of 0.10 eV for vacancy migration. Dislocation climb facilitates reactions of interfacial dislocations and enables interfaces to be in the equilibrium state with respect to concentrations of point defects.
Extension of O-theory to problems of logical inferencing

This article extends Operator-Uncertainty Theory (OT) to the problem of uncertainty propagation in logical inferencing systems. the OT algebra and propositional interpretations presented in previous articles are applied here to derive operators for logical inferencing in the presence of conflict and undecidability. Operators for propagating uncertainties through the logical operations of disjunction and conjunction are defined. In addition, new OT operators for implication, modus ponens and modus tollens, are also proposed. the operators derived using the OT methodology are found to give rise to a four-valued logic similar to that used in computer circuit design. This framework allows uncertainty in inferencing to be represented in the form of rules convenient for use in expert systems as well as logical networks. the theory is general enough to deal with questions of conflict and undecidability, and to propagate their effects through the most widely used inference operations. (Operated by Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc. for the U.S. Department of Energy. © 1989 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
Out of Mind, Out of Voice: Slave-Girls and Prophetic Daughters in Luke-Acts

The promise in Acts 2 (disclosed in Peter's programmatic citation of Joel at Pentecost) that women in general and female slaves in particular will become Spirit-inspired prophets is never fully realized and is even resisted to some degree within the wider Lukan narrative. An examination of three cases involving direct speech by slave-girls (paidiskai) in Luke-Acts, set within diverse literary and social contexts (Lk. 22.54-62; Acts 12.12-17; 16.16-18), uncovers a consistent pattern of truthful proclamation on the part of each slave-girl followed, however, by some form of repudiation-even stigmatization-of her and her message. Despite its more inclusive and receptive ideals, ultimately Luke-Acts more mirrors than challenges conventional first-century Mediterranean society in its suppression of lower-class female voices.
Interfacial dynamics in transport-limited dissolution.

Various model problems of ``transport-limited dissolution'' in two dimensions are analyzed using time-dependent conformal maps. For diffusion-limited dissolution (reverse Laplacian growth), several exact solutions are discussed for the smoothing of corrugated surfaces, including the continuous analogs of ``internal diffusion-limited aggregation'' and ``diffusion-limited erosion.'' A class of non-Laplacian, transport-limited dissolution processes is also considered, which raises the general question of when and where a finite solid will disappear. In a case of dissolution by advection-diffusion, a tilted ellipse maintains its shape during collapse, as its center of mass drifts obliquely away from the background fluid flow, but other initial shapes have more complicated dynamics.
A structure for affective education for young gifted children

Providing affective education for young gifted children is an issue that has been much debated in the literature. Controversy centers around the nature of affective education, the effectiveness of the approach used and characteristics and needs of the gifted child that may make affective education uniquely beneficial to this group. The purpose of this article is to provide a selected review of the literature related to these issues and to suggest an organizational structure for designing affective education programs in the schools.
Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on the Earth Observing System

AIRS, the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder on the EOS-Aqua, produces global high precision spectra from 3.7 - 15.4 micron with spectral resolving power mu/delta mu = 1200 twice each day from 708 km orbital altitude. AIRS is the first hyperspectral infrared spectrometer designed to support NOAA/NCEP's operational requirements for medium range weather forecasting during its nominal 7 year lifetime. AIRS, together with the AMSU and HSB microwave radiometers, will achieve global retrieval accuracy of better then 1K rms in the lower troposphere under clear and partly cloudy condition. Based on the excellent radiometric and spectral performance demonstrated during the pre-launch testing, the assimilation of AIRS data into the forecast model is expected to result in major forecast improvements. Launch of AIRS on the EOS AQUA is scheduled for May 2001.
Amyloid P-component(C1t) and complement: lack of physical or functional relationship.

Abstract Studies were carried out to determine if Clt, which is identical to the P-component of amyloid (AP), plays a role in Cl structure or function, or modulates the activity of Cl or its sub-units. Analyses of Cl in serum by a direct immunodiffusion method showed conclusively that AP was not a constituent of Cl. Further, AP did not interact physically with Cl or with Clq, Clr or Cls individually or in any combination, nor did it activate precursor Cl. Although some preparations contained Cl r-like hemolytic activity, this was due to the variable presence of a contaminating serine esterase, with properties suggesting that the contaminant was Clr. AP was also completely devoid of ability to provide Clr-like activity to sera genetically deficient in Clr. Immunodepletion studies showed that AP was not essential for hemolytic activity. As reported by others, Ap formed a calcium-dependent bond with agarose. In addition, AP interacted with IgG and aggregated in the presence of calcium. These studies cumulatively demonstrate that AP is not a sub-component of Cl and further show that AP does not interact with, or modulate the activity of Cl or any of its sub-units. The present experiments also furnish alternative explanations for earlier studies which led to the conclusion that AP was a fourth Cl subcomponent.
Optimal strategies in immunology III. The IgM-IgG switch

During a primary immune response generally two classes of antibody are produced, immunoglobulin M (IgM) and immunoglobulin G (IgG). It is currently thought that some lymphocytes which initially produce IgM switch to the production of IgG with the same specificity for antigen. During a secondary immune response IgG is the predominant antibody made throughout the response. In this paper we address the question of why such apparently complicated modes of response should have been adapted by evolution. We construct mathematical models of the immune response to growing antigens which incorporate complement dependent cell lysis. By comparing the times required to eliminate antigen we show that under certain conditions it is advantageous for an animal to switch some of its lymphocytes from IgM to IgG production during a primary response, but yet to secrete only IgG during a secondary response. The sensitivity of such a conclusion to parameter variations is studied and the biological basis and implications of our models are fully discussed.
Dimensions of knowledge attitudes and behavior of diet and cardiovascular disease based on principles of diet and disease and behavior change model criteria

Abstract The purpose of the study was to determine the feasibility of dimensional analysis using behavior change model criteria along with scientific diet and disease information, as an alternative method of analyzing knowledge, attitudes and behavior (KAB). We analyzed baseline KAB of diet, risk factors and cardiovascular disease (CHD) of 47 college undergraduates as a model. We identified 2 knowledge dimensions, 2 behavior dimensions, and 4 attitude dimensions. We found a pattern of knowledge, attitudes and situations which theoretically suggested reasons why problem behaviors might be present or heart healthy actions absent. The strengths identified were a significantly high knowledge of theory and; subject's belief in their vulnerability to CHD, and positive results of changes. Weaknesses included low knowledge of food composition, relatively low belief in their ability to control intake given many outside influences (low self-efficacy), moderately low motivation, and low heart healthy food choices and actions. The information obtained should increase our ability to target strengths and weaknesses and improve planning for nutrition education-behavior change programs.
Role of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 in transcriptional activation of ceruloplasmin by iron deficiency.

A role of the copper protein ceruloplasmin (Cp) in iron metabolism is suggested by its ferroxidase activity and by the tissue iron overload in hereditary Cp deficiency patients. In addition, plasma Cp increases markedly in several conditions of anemia, e.g. iron deficiency, hemorrhage, renal failure, sickle cell disease, pregnancy, and inflammation. However, little is known about the cellular and molecular mechanism(s) involved. We have reported that iron chelators increase Cp mRNA expression and protein synthesis in human hepatocarcinoma HepG2 cells. Furthermore, we have shown that the increase in Cp mRNA is due to increased rate of transcription. We here report the results of new studies designed to elucidate the molecular mechanism underlying transcriptional activation of Cp by iron deficiency. The 5'-flanking region of the Cp gene was cloned from a human genomic library. A 4774-base pair segment of the Cp promoter/enhancer driving a luciferase reporter was transfected into HepG2 or Hep3B cells. Iron deficiency or hypoxia increased luciferase activity by 5-10-fold compared with untreated cells. Examination of the sequence showed three pairs of consensus hypoxia-responsive elements (HREs). Deletion and mutation analysis showed that a single HRE was necessary and sufficient for gene activation. The involvement of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) was shown by gel-shift and supershift experiments that showed HIF-1alpha and HIF-1beta binding to a radiolabeled oligonucleotide containing the Cp promoter HRE. Furthermore, iron deficiency (and hypoxia) did not activate Cp gene expression in Hepa c4 hepatoma cells deficient in HIF-1beta, as shown functionally by the inactivity of a transfected Cp promoter-luciferase construct and by the failure of HIF-1 to bind the Cp HRE in nuclear extracts from these cells. These results are consistent with in vivo findings that iron deficiency increases plasma Cp and provides a molecular mechanism that may help to understand these observations.
A novel mouse kinesin of the UNC-104/KIF1 subfamily encoded by the Kif1b gene.

Abstract Kinesin and kinesin-related proteins are microtubule-dependent motor proteins that transport organelles. We have cloned and sequenced a full-length 9924 bp mouse cDNA for a new kinesin of the UNC-104/KIF1 subfamily. Northern blot analysis of mouse RNAs detected high levels of a 10 kb mRNA in brain and eye, but lower levels in other tissues. Human RNA dot-blot analysis detected this mRNA in all tissues examined, although at different levels. The overall structure of the new kinesin (predicted size 204 kDa) was most similar to mouse KIF1A; however, 2.1 kb of the 5′ portion of the cDNA were identical to the published sequence for KIF1B (Nangaku, M., Sato-Yoshitake, R., Okada, Y., Noda, Y., Takemura, R., Yamazaki, H., Hirokawa, N., 1994. KIF1B, a novel microtubule plus end-directed monomeric motor protein for transport of mitochondria. Cell 79, 1209–1220). We localized the Kif1b gene to the distal end of mouse Chromosome 4 by haplotype analysis of an interspecific backcross from The Jackson Laboratory. We had previously mapped the gene for the novel kinesin to the same location (Gong, T.-W.L., Burmeister, M., Lomax, M.I., 1996b. The novel gene D4Mil1e maps to mouse Chromosome 4 and human Chromosome 1p36. Mamm. Genome 7, 790–791). We conclude, therefore, that the Kif1b gene generates two major kinesin isoforms by alternative splicing. The shorter 7.8 kb mRNA encodes a 130 kDa kinesin, KIF1Bp130, whereas the 10 kb mRNA encodes a 204 kDa kinesin, KIF1Bp204. In addition, alternative splicing of two exons in the conserved region adjacent to the motor domain generates four different isoforms of each kinesin, leading to eight kinesin isoforms derived from the Kif1b gene.
Visualizing the Histone Code on LSD1

In this issue, Garcia-Bassets et al. (2007) show that spurious transcriptional activation by unliganded nuclear receptors is inhibited by histone lysine methylation. This inhibitory histone modification code is efficiently countered by the ligand-dependent recruitment of histone lysine demethylases, including lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1), which appear to be used for this purpose by a number of signal-regulated transcriptional activators.
Psychosexual material in the stories told by children: The fucker

We should make it clear at the outset that the findings in this paper on sexuality were incidental to a larger study on narrative, which we have conducted over the past three years (Sutton-Smith et al. 1975; Sutton-Smith, Botvin and Mahony, 1976; Abrams and Sutton-Smith, 1976; Botvin and Sutton-Smith, in press). In our collection of the fantasy narratives of children between the ages of five and eleven years, we did not seek to elicit any particular kind of story, psychosexual or otherwise. We know from several of our studies, however, that there can be both experimenter and stimulus instruction effects in the elicitation of stories. For example, our male story takers tended to receive stories of higher fantasy content than our female story takers (Peterson, 1976). Furthermore, stories told freely, as compared with stories told to a TAT stimulus or a Rorchach stimulus, were of a more development-ally complex level (Peterson, 1976). This finding, incidentally, is consistent with recent anthropological studies of narrative in which it has been shown that children tell stories of greater complexity in natural settings than in laboratory settings, and that children tell stories of higher complexity when reporting fantasy rather than personal or vicarious experience (Watson, 1972).
Parallel adaptive fluid–structure interaction simulation of explosions impacting on building structures

We pursue a level set approach to couple an Eulerian shock-capturing fluid solver with space–time refinement to an explicit solid dynamics solver for large deformations and fracture. The coupling algorithms considering recursively finer fluid time steps as well as overlapping solver updates are discussed. Our ideas are implemented in the AMROC adaptive fluid solver framework and are used for effective fluid–structure coupling to the general purpose solid dynamics code DYNA3D. Beside simulations verifying the coupled fluid–structure solver and assessing its parallel scalability, the detailed structural analysis of a reinforced concrete column under blast loading and the simulation of a prototypical blast explosion in a realistic multistory building are presented.
Pion condensation in neutron star matter: Equilibrium conditions and model calculations

Abstract The equilibrium thermodynamic conditions obeyed by a pion condensed state of dense neutron or neutron star matter are derived. Then simple model calculations of negative pion condensation in neutron star matter are carried out. In the simplest of these models, consisting of a p-wave pion-nucleon interaction alone, we find a local minimum in the free energy corresponding to a pion condensed phase, but we also find at larger density that matter is unstable to the formation of an ever increasing pion condensate. This model is made more realistic by including other forces: s-wave pion-nucleon interactions, pi-pi interactions, and phenomenological form factors in these interactions. These modifications have little influence on the stability of the system. Finally, effects of repulsive nuclear forces on pion condensation are considered in a simple model, in which we retain only a simplified repulsive zero range nucleon-nucleon interaction proportional to σ · σ′ τ · τ′ . The density for the pion threshold is very sensitive to the strength of this force. This model of the nuclear force greatly reduces the instability of the system, although it is too crude to restore stability completely. It also indicates the important role nuclear forces play in a correct description of the pion condensed phase.
Bioorthogonal Chemical Reporters for Analyzing Protein Lipidation and Lipid Trafficking

Protein lipidation and lipid trafficking control many key biological functions in all kingdoms of life. The discovery of diverse lipid species and their covalent attachment to many proteins has revealed a complex and regulated network of membranes and lipidated proteins that are central to fundamental aspects of physiology and human disease. Given the complexity of lipid trafficking and the protein targeting mechanisms involved with membrane lipids, precise and sensitive methods are needed to monitor and identify these hydrophobic molecules in bacteria, yeast, and higher eukaryotes. Although many analytical methods have been developed for characterizing membrane lipids and covalently modified proteins, traditional reagents and approaches have limited sensitivity, do not faithfully report on the lipids of interest, or are not readily accessible. The invention of bioorthogonal ligation reactions, such as the Staudinger ligation and azide-alkyne cycloadditions, has provided new tools to address these limitations, and their use has begun to yield fresh insight into the biology of protein lipidation and lipid trafficking. In this Account, we discuss how these new bioorthogonal ligation reactions and lipid chemical reporters afford new opportunities for exploring the biology of lipid-modified proteins and lipid trafficking. Lipid chemical reporters from our laboratory and several other research groups have enabled improved detection and large-scale proteomic analysis of fatty-acylated and prenylated proteins. For example, fatty acid and isoprenoid chemical reporters in conjunction with bioorthogonal ligation methods have circumvented the limited sensitivity and hazards of radioactive analogues, allowing rapid and robust fluorescent detection of lipidated proteins in all organisms tested. These chemical tools have revealed alterations in protein lipidation in different cellular states and are beginning to provide unique insights in mechanisms of regulation. Notably, the purification of proteins labeled with lipid chemical reporters has allowed both the large-scale analysis of lipidated proteins as well as the discovery of new lipidated proteins involved in metabolism, gene expression, and innate immunity. Specific lipid reporters have also been developed to monitor the trafficking of soluble lipids; these species are enabling bioorthogonal imaging of membranes in cells and tissues. Future advances in bioorthogonal chemistry, specific lipid reporters, and spectroscopy should provide important new insight into the functional roles of lipidated proteins and membranes in biology.
Germinal center B (GCB) and non‐GCB cell‐like diffuse large B cell lymphomas have similar outcomes following autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation

Patients with germinal center B cell-like (GCB) and non-GCB diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCL) receiving first line therapy have distinct prognosis. We explored the differences in outcome following salvage autologous hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplantation between patients with GCB and non-GCB DLBCL. Forty-four patients with relapsed and 15 patients with primary refractory chemosensitive disease undergoing BEAM (BCNU [carmustine], etoposide, cytarabine, melphalan) conditioning and autologous HSC were included. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for CD10, BCL-6, MUM1 (allowing classification into GCB and non-GCB-like DLBCL) and BCL-2. Median follow-up of survivors was 25 months; median age at the time of transplantation was 60 years (range 17-77). Thirty-two patients (54%) were classified as having GCB and 27 (46%) as having non-GCB-like DLBCL. Patients with GCB and non-GCB DLBCL did not differ in the risk of progression after HSC transplant (P = 0.78) or overall survival (P = 0.48). In multivariate analysis, only time to progression after initial treatment impacted overall survival. We conclude that patients with relapsed or primary refractory chemosensitive GCB and non-GCB-like DLBCL derive similar benefit from autologous HSC transplant.
Single-crystal magic-angle spinning 17O NMR and theoretical studies of the antiferroelectric phase transition in squaric acid

We report resolution-enhanced magic-angle sample spinning (MAS) 17O NMR studies of the paraelectric−antiferroelectric phase transition (at TC = 373 K) of the model hydrogen-bonded compound squaric ...
Simple and efficient finite element modeling of reinforced concrete columns confined with fiber-reinforced polymers

Abstract This paper presents a frame finite element (FE) that is able to accurately estimate the load-carrying capacity and ductility of reinforced concrete (RC) circular columns confined with externally-bonded fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). This frame FE can model collapse mechanisms due to concrete crushing, reinforcement steel yielding, and FRP rupture. The adopted FE considers distributed plasticity with fiber discretization of the cross-sections in the context of a force-based formulation, and uses advanced nonlinear material constitutive models for reinforcing steel and unconfined, steel-confined, and FRP-confined concrete. The adopted frame FE is validated through a comparison between numerical simulations and experimental results available in the literature of the load-carrying capacity of FRP-confined RC columns subjected to axial load only, and both axial and lateral load. The adopted FE is suitable for efficient and accurate modeling and analysis of FRP-confined RC columns, and thus it represents a step toward enabling analysis of real-world large-scale structures containing FRP-confined RC columns, for which more accurate three-dimensional models could be computationally prohibitive.
Relationship between glucose tolerance and glucose-stimulated insulin response in 65-year-olds.

BACKGROUND Decreased insulin secretion may contribute to the deterioration of glucose tolerance associated with aging. METHODS We studied the insulin response to a 3-hour hyperglycemic clamp (10 mM) of 19 young (24 +/- 1 y) subjects with normal glucose tolerance and 60 older (65 +/- 1 y) subjects with various levels of glucose tolerance. RESULTS The noninsulin dependent diabetic (NIDDM) group had a diminished first phase immunoreactive (IR)-insulin response compared to young and nondiabetic older groups (p < .05). The older groups had a lower rate of change in IR insulin concentration during the third hour of hyperglycemia compared to the young group (p < .05). This was not, however, a universal finding, because a decreased third hour response was not seen in a subgroup of older subjects whose glucose tolerance was similar to that of the young group. Another subgroup of older subjects with a decrease in glucose tolerance mild enough to be considered normal by the National Diabetes Group Criteria tended to have both an increase in the early insulin response and a decrease in the third hour response. More severe decreases in glucose tolerance were associated with blunting of the early response. CONCLUSION Aberrations in early and late phase glucose-stimulated insulin responses appear to be present in older subjects with even mildly decreased glucose tolerance. Some individuals, however, show no evidence of deterioration of glucose tolerance or insulin response to glucose with aging, at least up to age 70 years.
The effect of ethanol chronically administered to preweanling rats on cerebellar development: A morphological study

Abstract The effects of ethanol on body, brain and cerebellar growth of the postnatal rat have been studied. Vapor inhalation, the procedure used to administer ethanol directly to preweanling (3–20-day-old) rats, produced maximal blood ethanol levels that averaged 239 mg/100 ml. Weight determinations indicated that brain but not body growth was significantly stunted by exposure to ethanol. Moreover, cerebellar growth, which occurred largely but not wholly during the period of ethanol treatment, was inhibited twice as much as the rest of the brain. Arrested brain and cerebellar growth appeared shortly after ethanol treatment was begun and persisted into adulthood following a postweaning rehabilitation period. Ethanol treatment diminished the growth of both the anterior and posterior lobes and of all layers of the cerebellar vermis. However, the effect of ethanol was larger in the anterior lobe than the posterior lobe, and the medullary layer was more retarded than the others. Some compensatory growth occurred in the molecular and granular layers of the experimental rats during a postweaning rehabilitation period. The effects of ethanol on 2 major neuronal populations of the cerebellar cortex — the large, prenatally-formed Purkinje cells and the small, postnatally-formed granule cells — were assessed via light microscopy. After 2 days of ethanol treatment the number of Purjinje cells in all 10 vermal lobules was reduced; neither additional exposure to ethanol nor a postweaning rehabilitation period subsequently altered cell number. The possibility that the regional magnitude od the Purkinje cells loss was related to the chronology of lobular development was discussed; Purkinje cells in the latest maturing lobules being least affected. The morphological development of surviving Purkinje cells proceeded normally.
Time-resolved spectroscopy of attosecond quantum dynamics

The advent of attosecond pulsed radiation leads to a large unexplored scientific area in chemical physics: the direct time-resolved measurement of electronic quantum dynamics. Major scientific goals include spectroscopy of single- and multi-electron motion and dynamical electron correlations, relating to orbital interactions in valence and core electronic levels of atoms and molecules. The results of such studies address a wide array of scientific and technological applications. Here, the current state-of-the-art of attosecond-dynamics measurements is reviewed and several novel spectroscopic methods are discussed that are particularly important for applications in chemical physics: attosecond transient absorption/dispersion spectroscopy, laser-induced-dipole spectroscopy, and absolute-phase spectroscopy.
A Method of Assembling Cross-Sectional Indicators into a Community Quality of Life.

This study develops a new method of measuring quality of life at the local and state level. Further, it presents a methodology that combines heterogeneous indicators from different fields, such as economics, social, and health, into one total measurement. The technique shown can be used to compare one region with another, or compare one metro area with its own performance through time. The analysis shows which categories and indicators are ranked as the highest and serves as a measurement of economic development and potential targets for marketing plans. Every analyst interested in an aggregate, community measurement tool should be interested in the procedure and results.
Pericardial adaptation in severe chronic pulmonary hypertension. An intraoperative transesophageal echocardiographic study.

BACKGROUND The pericardium both limits cardiac distension and accentuates ventricular interdependence. Although this effect appears minimal under normal circumstances, the pericardium markedly restricts acute cardiac enlargement. Animal studies have demonstrated gradual pericardial adaptation and expansion in chronic volume overload and cardiomegaly, but the pericardial response in humans with cardiac hypertrophy and enlargement has not been examined fully. To investigate this further, 14 patients with right ventricular hypertrophy and cardiomegaly secondary to chronic pulmonary thromboembolic disease and severe pulmonary hypertension were studied during pulmonary thromboendarterectomy. METHODS AND RESULTS Simultaneous intraoperative transesophageal Doppler echocardiography and direct biventricular hemodynamic measurements were performed at steady state immediately before and after pericardiotomy. All hemodynamic variables showed no significant change before and after pericardiotomy, including heart rate (76 +/- 16 versus 75 +/- 15 beats per minute), mean pulmonary arterial pressure (46.3 +/- 11.1 versus 45.5 +/- 11.7 mm Hg), cardiac index (1.8 +/- 0.5 versus 2.0 +/- 0.6 l/min/m2), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (5.9 +/- 5.7 versus 7.1 +/- 5.0 mm Hg), and right ventricular end-diastolic pressure (7.9 +/- 6.6 versus 8.0 +/- 6.7 mm Hg). Similarly, there were no significant changes in all Doppler echocardiographic parameters, including right ventricular end-diastolic area (23.2 +/- 5.7 versus 22.6 +/- 5.4 cm2), left ventricular end-diastolic area (15.3 +/- 5.9 versus 15.5 +/- 4.4 cm2), the position of the interventricular septum, and the Doppler-derived mitral inflow measures of diastolic function. CONCLUSIONS The pericardium appears to have little influence on the marked cardiac and septal deformations seen in patients with chronic, severe right ventricular pressure overload and cardiomegaly. This study confirms that the human pericardium is capable of adapting over time to changes in cardiac size and geometry.
Microbial mineralization of atrazine and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid in riparian pasture and forest soils.

Microbial biomass and mineralization of atrazine [2-chloro-4(ethylamino)-6(isopropylamino)s-triazine] and 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorphenoxyacetic acid) were examined in the top 10 cm of riparian pasture soils and in the litter layer and top 10 cm of mineral soils of riparian forest ecosystems. The riparian forest litter had higher levels of active and total fungal biomass than forest or pasture mineral soils in winter, spring, and fall. Active bacterial biomass was higher in forest litter than in forest and pasture mineral soils in spring and autumn, and higher in forest mineral soils than in pasture soils in summer. Total bacterial biomass was higher in forest mineral soils than in pasture soils during all seasons. In spring, it was also higher in forest litter than in pasture soils. Atrazie and 2,4-D mineralization in pasture soils was exceeded by that in forest litter in spring and autumn and by that in forest mineral soils in summer and autumn. There was no correlation between either active or total fungal and bacterial biomass with pesticide degradation.
Phase-variable model of PM synchronous machines for integrated motor drives

In a phase-variable model of PM synchronous motors and its implementation in integrated motor drive simulations the stator winding inductances and the three-phase flux linkages contributed by permanent magnets are considered as rotor-position dependent. The first-mentioned is calculated by an energy perturbation method using FE solutions, the second is obtained through FE analysis without applying excitation currents. The cogging torque due to slotting is taken into account and is evaluated through FE analysis as well. The proposed phase-variable model is implemented in Simulink in two ways. One is component based, another is equation based. The rotor-position dependence of inductance, the flux linkage due to permanent magnets, and the cogging torque are utilised using a look-up table function. A 2-HP PM synchronous motor is used as an example to examine the model as well as the developed Simulink block. For comparison and verification, the d–q model and the full FE model of the same machine were built to verify the proposed model. The behaviour of these three models is investigated with a vector-control speed regulation system. Simulation results show that the phase-variable model provides the same performance as the full utilisation of FE models but with much faster simulation speed.
Top-Seeded Solution Crystal Growth and Functional Properties of a Polar Material;Na2TeW2O9

Centimeter-size single crystals of the noncentrosymmetric and polar material Na2TeW2O9 were successfully grown through a top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) method. Differently oriented seeds, along the [100], [010], and [001] directions, were used to grow large single crystals. The morphologies of the grown crystals with different oriented seeds are described. Na2TeW2O9 crystallizes in the noncentrosymmetric and polar monoclinic space group Ia (No. 9). Functional properties including piezoelectricity and polarization were also measured. The d11 and d33 piezoelectric coefficients are 4.0 pC/N and 13.9 pC/N, respectively. Polarization measurements indicate that although Na2TeW2O9 is polar, the material is not ferroelectric; that is, the polarization is not switchable. In addition, optical measurements indicate a UV absorption edge near 360 nm, with a transmission window up to 5 μm.
Psychological dimensions of cerebrovascular insufficiency.

Summary.-129 patients with cerebrovascular insufficiency (CVI) were studied on 43 scores from psychological tests of intellectual functioning and 42 scores from physiological measures. BC TRY cluster analysis of 35 psychological variables yielded 3 strong dimensions labeled verbal, visual-motor, and numerical, as well as a weaker dimension labeled attention. These 4 dimensions accounted for 91% of the communality among the 35 psychological variables. The dimensions were fairly highly intercorrelated, and correlared significantly with 10 of the 42 physiological variables, primarily EEG findings. It was concluded that adequate assessment of CVI patienrs should include, in addition to physiological measures, testing in the identified psychological dimensions of intellectual functioning. Further research planned along these lines was discussed. The National Stitdy of Extracranial Occlusive Disease (Fields, North, Hass, Galbraith, Wylie, Ratinov, Burns, Macdonald, & Meyer, 1968) was begun in 1961 because a decade of scientific and technical developments in surgery ad radiography indicated the feasibility of reconstructive arterial surgery for the diagnosis and treatment of a large group of patients with transient or persistent strokes due to cerebral ischemia. Stroke is the third most frequent cause of death in the United States, and for that reason the President's Commission on Heart Disease, Cancer, and Stroke ( 1964) was formed and reported the results of its investigation. The etiology of stroke due to cerebrovascular insufficiency (CVI) is incompletely understood. Ischemic stroke is considered to result from multiple factors relating to personal, social, and disease factors. The manner in which the disorder is manifested consists of a spectrum of symptoms and signs not yet fully sorted out, which can vary from person to person. It is accepted, however, that thromboembolic events are common mechanisms underlying stroke; Drake and Drake ( 1968) went a step further and described the relation between the disease in a given vascular system and clinical symptomatology. From the point of view of the clinical symptomatology, a stroke us~~ally occurs if a thrombus or embolus interferes with blood flow; brain tissue changes occur as a result of the reduction of blood flow. The following clinical description of stroke suggested by Drake, Moore, and Blaisdellg indicates that its status is co be considered more that of a disorder rather than a disease:
Photochemical internalization of bleomycin for glioma treatment

We study the use of photochemical internalization (PCI) for enhancing chemotherapeutic response to malignant glioma cells in vitro. Two models are studied: monolayers consisting of F98 rat glioma cells and human glioma spheroids established from biopsy-derived glioma cells. In both cases, the cytotoxicity of aluminum phthalocyanine disulfonate (AlPcS2a)-based PCI of bleomycin was compared to AlPcS(2a)-photodynamic therapy (PDT) and chemotherapy alone. Monolayers and spheroids were incubated with AlPcS(2a) (PDT effect), bleomycin (chemotherapy effect), or AlPcS(2a)+bleomycin (PCI effect) and were illuminated (670 nm). Toxicity was evaluated using colony formation assays or spheroid growth kinetics. F98 cells in monolayer/spheroids were not particularly sensitive to the effects of low radiant exposure (1.5 J/cm(2) @ 5 mW/cm(2)) AlPcS(2a)-PDT. Bleomycin was moderately toxic to F98 cells in monolayer at relatively low concentrations-incubation of F98 cells in 0.1 μg/ml for 4 h resulted in 80% survival, but less toxic in human glioma spheroids respectively. In both in vitro systems investigated, a significant PCI effect is seen. PCI using 1.5 J/cm(2) together with 0.25 μg/ml bleomycin resulted in approximately 20% and 18% survival of F98 rat glioma cells and human glioma spheroids, respectively. These results show that AlPcS(2a)-mediated PCI can be used to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapeutic agents such as bleomycin in malignant gliomas.
Automated problem encoding system for ambulatory care

Abstract The partially automated medical record system in the Harris County Community Clinics was improved by the development of a problem statement encoder of the modified table look-up variety. The new system codes a statement in less than 0.1 sec of CPU time, codes correctly more than 80% of statements and can work with many classification schemes. The system starts with a very short and simple computer program, takes as input some set of coded problem statements, builds its own reference table and then codes new statements. Remarkably, the programs plus the table fit in only 5000 words of computer memory. Since any particular medical clinic will tend to emphasize a subset of medical language, statements taken from that subset are ideally suited for constructing a concise but accurate coder for that clinic.
Testing prediction methods: Earthquake clustering versus the Poisson model

Testing earthquake prediction methods requires statistical techniques that compare observed success to random chance. One technique is to produce simulated earthquake catalogs and measure the relative success of predicting real and simulated earthquakes. The accuracy of these tests depends on the validity of the statistical model used to simulate the earthquakes. This study tests the effect of clustering in the statistical earthquake model on the results. Three simulation models were used to produce significance levels for a VLF earthquake prediction method. As the degree of simulated clustering increases, the statistical significance drops. Hence, the use of a seismicity model with insufficient clustering can lead to overly optimistic results. A successful method must pass the statistical tests with a model that fully replicates the observed clustering. However, a method can be rejected based on tests with a model that contains insufficient clustering.
It is getting late here early: youth substance abuse theory and practice.

Adolescent substance use, encompassing alcohol, nicotine, cannabis, diverted prescription medications, and/or other illicit substances, presents a challenging and costly public health problem world...
Water and solute active transport through human epidermis: Contribution of electromigration

Abstract A triphasic, coarse-grained model of mass transport through the human epidermis is developed, consisting of free extracellular water, live cells (keratinocytes), and inert extracellular matrix. The model accounts for the superposition of active transport of Na + , K + and Cl − ions across the membrane of keratinocytes, and electromigration driven by an externally imposed electrostatic potential difference. Local cell volume is regulated by the transmembrane fluxes of water and ions according to a time-delay scheme which aims to keep the volume between certain thresholds. Numerical simulations reveal that either weak hyposmotic shocks or negative potential gradients smaller than one millivolt/micrometer across the epidermis can generate travelling waves in extracellular ion concentration. By monitoring the transmembrane (Na + −K + −ATPase) pump flux, we have found that maintaining a higher transepidermal potential gradient requires faster active transport through the cells.
The Speed of Light

IN a discussion in NATURE last year (March 10, vol. 107, p. 42) Majorana's experiment was cited as direct proof that the velocity of light is independent of the motion of the source. In reality, however, there is a disadvantage in his method which seems to the writer very greatly to lessen the value of his results.
Review: Gut-Derived Proteolysis During Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia: The Pain That Breaks Down the Gut

The metabolic events associated with early response to injury have received little attention because of the confounding effects of the hemodynamic alterations that normally occur during this early phase. We have used a well established and reproducible model of insulin-induced hypoglycemia in the conscious dog to define the glucose and amino acid kinetic alterations as well as the hormonal and interorgan amino acid and gluconeogenic precursor flux characteristics of the "ebb" phase of postinjury metabolism. The results from our whole-body response have demonstrated on enhanced rate of whole body proteolysis and amino acid oxidation. The site of the majority of the proteolytic response has been demonstrated to be the extra-hepatic splanchnic tissues or gut. These findings have been supported by studies focusing on the specific organ changes, which have demonstrated alterations compatible with impaired proliferation at the level of the gut mucosa. Furthermore, the regulation of this gut-derived proteolysis has been demonstrated to be mediated by the glucopenia at the level of the central nervous system. The specific site of this response is still elusive; however, the mediators seem to involve not only the traditional hormonal and neurotransmitter pathways but also the release of endogenous opioids and opiates. Although a cause-effect relationship has not yet been demonstrated for the control of gut-derived proteolysis by opioids and opiates, we present evidence that leads us to hypothesize that relationship as a possible regulatory mechanism.
Activation and function of natural killer cell responses during viral infections

Although the role of natural killer (NK) cells in defense against certain viral infections has been appreciated for a number of years, characterization of the virus-induced endogenous mechanisms regulating NK cell responses and functions has been limited to interferon (IFN)-alpha/beta-mediated activation of NK cell cytotoxicity. Studies of experimental infections have demonstrated that virus-induced NK cells undergo blastogenesis and can be activated to produce IFN-gamma. Recent work has shown that some, but not all, viral infections induce IL-12, the expression of which results in NK cell IFN-gamma production, and that NK cell IFN-gamma production contributes to an antiviral state. IL-12 expression can be regulated by IFN-alpha/beta, and endogenous IFN-alpha/beta is responsible for the lack of IL-12 during viral infections that fail to elicit detectable production of this factor. Once T cell responses are activated, additional mechanisms are in place to turn off NK cell functions. These studies demonstrate that viral infections elicit unique mechanisms for regulating NK cell responses, and suggest that the host requires tight control of NK cells under these conditions.
e + e - annihilation into hadrons and bridging Higgs particles

Some of the Higgs particles in unified gauge models should have rather low masses and point couplings to the photon. We estimate their contribution to ${e}^{+}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ into hadrons to be of the right order of magnitude and energy dependence.
Knowledge and the Prediction of Behavior: The Role of Information Accuracy in the Theory of Planned Behavior

The results of the present research question the common assumption that being well informed is a prerequisite for effective action to produce desired outcomes. In Study 1 (N = 79), environmental knowledge had no effect on energy conservation, and in Study 2 (N = 79), alcohol knowledge was unrelated to drinking behavior. Such disappointing correlations may result from an inappropriate focus on accuracy of information at the expense of its relevance to and support for the behavior. Study 3 (N = 85) obtained a positive correlation between knowledge and pro-Muslim behavior, but Study 4 (N = 89) confirmed the proposition that this correlation arose because responses on the knowledge test reflected underlying attitudes. Study 4 also showed that the correlation could become positive or negative by appropriate selection of questions for the knowledge test. The theory of planned behavior (Ajzen, 1991), with its focus on specific actions, predicted intentions and behavior in all four studies.
Design of large embedded CMOS PLAs for built-in self-test

A novel scheme to design built-in self-test programmable logic arrays (PLAs) implemented with CMOS technology is described, which is attractive for large arrays. These PLAs can perform function-independent self-test at normal operating speed, can detect CMOS switch-level faults, and have a lower area overhead than any other BIST scheme. A sequential parity checking technique is used to test for the AND and OR arrays of the PLA. This technique does not require any XOR cascade to evaluate parity data as in the parallel checking technique used by other schemes, thus achieving an order of magnitude reduction in total testing time. The method accounts for switch-level stuck-open and stuck-on faults in addition to conventional stuck-at, crosspoint, and bridging faults. A novel circuit design technique was used to implement the test pattern generator for product lines. It makes use of a Johnson counter and a two-level decoding network to obtain a very low area overhead and to match the pitch between the PLA and the test circuitry. >