cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduction of De Novo Postsurgical Adhesions by Intraoperative Precoating with Sepracoat (HAL-C) Solution: A Prospective, Randomized, Blinded, Placebo-Controlled Multicenter Study ∗

Abstract Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Sepracoat (HAL-C; Genzyme Corporation, Cambridge, MA) solution in reducing the incidence, severity, and extent of de novo adhesion formation at sites without direct surgical trauma or adhesiolysis at the time of gynecologic laparotomy. Design: Prospective, randomized, blinded, placebo-controlled multicenter study. Patients underwent gynecologic procedures via laparotomy; approximately 40 days later, surgeons assessed their adhesions during second-look laparoscopy. Setting: Twenty-three North American institutions. Patient(s): Two hundred seventy-seven women for safety evaluations; 245 women for efficacy studies. Intervention(s): Intraoperative serosal coating with Sepracoat (treatment) or phosphate-buffered saline (placebo) after opening of the abdominal cavity, after irrigation or every 30 minutes during surgery, and at the completion of surgery. Main Outcome Measure(s): Incidence, severity, and extent of de novo adhesions to 23 intraabdominal sites. Result(s): The Sepracoat group had a significantly lower incidence of de novo adhesions than the placebo group as assessed by the proportion of sites involved (0.23 ± 0.02 versus 0.30 ± 0.02, respectively) and the percentage of patients without de novo adhesions (13.1% versus 4.6%, respectively), as well as significantly reduced adhesion extent and severity. Sepracoat was well tolerated, with a safety profile nearly identical to that of the placebo. Conclusion(s): Sepracoat was significantly more effective than placebo and was safe in reducing the incidence, extent, and severity of de novo adhesions to multiple sites indirectly traumatized by gynecologic surgery via laparotomy.
Transposing Results from an Artificial Minicell to a Real Cell

The present work sets in parallel data obtained with the Na,K-ATPase in artificial vesicular membranes (artificial minicells) and in peripheral human lymphocytes ex vivo. The Na,K-ATPase was purified and reconstituted into single-walled, tight liposomes filled with a reservoir of ATP and Na in which the Na,K-ATPase functions as in cells, that is, the receptor is accessible on the liposome surface (artificial minicells). In this system, an E2-ouabain state impermeable to Rb ions and an Na,K-ATPase-palytoxin state leaky for Rb ions were characterized. The tight E2-ouabain form preserves the viability of isolated lymphocytes, whereas the leaky Na,K-ATPase-palytoxin induces rapid cell bursting and death by a ouabain-sensitive mechanism. Thus, the effect of Na,K-ATPase inhibitors on lymphocyte survival can be predicted from permeability measurements in artificial minicells as verified also with the leak-inducing metals mercury and silver.
Out in the Open The Consequences of Intimate Partner Violence for Victims in Same-Sex and Opposite-Sex Relationships

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major public health problem in the United States. While our understanding of this form of violence has grown substantially over the past several decades, the majority of research involving victims of IPV has focused almost exclusively on female heterosexual victims. Unfortunately, little attention has been paid to how this form of violence affects specific populations, such as gay and lesbian victims. It is possible that gay and lesbian victims may experience more maladaptive outcomes as a result of unique components of same-sex IPV, their sexual minority status in American society, and the lack of appropriate services tailored to victims of this violence. Using data from the second wave of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health, this study contributes to the research on gay and lesbian victims of IPV by investigating same-sex and opposite-sex adolescent victims' experiences with depression, alcohol-related problems, marijuana use, violent delinquency, and property delinquency. Results indicate that opposite-sex victims experienced more depressive symptoms, alcohol problems, and marijuana use than non-victims and engaged in higher levels of violent and property delinquency than non-victims. IPV within the context of same-sex relationships led to more depressive symptoms and greater involvement in violent delinquency, with the impact of IPV on violent delinquency being greater for victims of same-sex IPV compared with opposite-sex IPV. The implications of this study could inform interventions for victims of same-sex IPV and lead to more comprehensive services to address the needs of gay and lesbian victims of this violence.
Energy transfer by intranuclear cascade of pi-zeros produced in antiproton annihilation at rest in nuclear targets

The energy transfer by pi-zeros in the intranuclear cascade initiated by antiproton annihilation at rest in carbon and uranium has been measured to be 28 ± 43 and 232 ± 33 MeV respectively. We estimate the total energy transfer due to all pions to be 75 ± 53 and 447 ± 42 MeV respectively. The uranium value is ∼ 17% larger than a recent theoretical prediction. No predictions for carbon are available. Given the expected increase in efficiency of energy transfer from antiproton beams at ∼ 3 GeV/c momentum, the prospects for initiating multifragmentation and disintegration of heavy nuclei at these energies appear good.
Microcalorimetric characterization of the anion-exchange adsorption of recombinant cytochrome b5 and its surface-charge mutants

Abstract The adsorption of recombinant soluble tryptic fragment of rat cytochrome b 5 on the strong anion exchanger Mono Q was studied using isothermal titration calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Titration calorimetry results obtained at low levels of adsorbed protein show increasingly endothermic (unfavorable) enthalpies of binding with increasing surface coverage, confirming the heterogeneous nature of binding. The enthalpy of adsorption declines toward zero at higher loadings. At low surface coverage, enthalpies increase linearly with temperature, giving rise to a positive value of ΔC p . Enthalpies of adsorption depend strongly on the history of the adsorbent. DSC is used to show that cytochrome b 5 is stable in both free and adsorbed states at all temperatures used in the titration calorimetric experiments. Site-directed mutants of recombinant cytochrome b 5 carrying single charge-neutralaizing substitutions are used to test the contributions of particular residues to the thermodynamics of adsorption. Like those derived from van 't Hoff analysis of equilibrium adsorption isotherms and HPLC retention data, calorimetric enthalpies of adsorption are positive, confirming the dominant role of entropic effects in ion-exchange adsorption in this system.
The Mississippi Stroke Education Consortium: a state-based template to promote stroke awareness, prevention and emergency treatment.

The Mississippi Stroke Education Consortium (MSEC) is a state-based volunteer advocacy group founded in 1994 consisting of specific policy-setting organizations dedicated to decreasing the impact of s
Human immunodeficiency virus long terminal repeat responds to T-cell activation signals.

Abstract Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the causative agent of AIDS, infects and kills lymphoid cells bearing the CD4 antigen. In an infected cell, a number of cellular as well as HIV-encoded gene products determine the levels of viral gene expression and HIV replication. Efficient HIV-replication occurs in activated T cells. Utilizing transient expression assays, we show that gene expression directed by the HIV long terminal repeat (LTR) increases in response to T-cell activation signals. The effects of T-cell activation and of the HIV-encoded trans-activator (TAT) are multiplicative. Analysis of mutations and deletions in the HIV LTR reveals that the region responding to T-cell activation signals is located at positions -105 to -80. These sequences are composed of two direct repeats, which are homologous to the core transcriptional enhancer elements in the simian virus 40 genome. Our studies reveal that these elements function as the HIV enhancer. By acting directly on the HIV LTR, T-cell activation may play an important role in HIV gene expression and in the activation of latent HIV.
Low-energy nuclear fission and our understanding of the nucleus

The interactions between experimental discoveries in low-energy nuclear fission and our theoretical understanding of the structure of the nucleus are reviewed. The history of this synergistic relationship begins with the discovery of fission, the development of the liquid-drop model and the experimental evidence for magic numbers, continues through the development of the shell model, the experimental discovery of shape isomerism, the double-humped fission barrier resulting from theoretical calculations of shell corrections to the liquid-drop model, the spontaneous fission half-life disaster, the discovery of symmetric mass division in spontaneous fission and theoretical treatments based on different paths to scission. It concludes with a brief review of our current experimental and theoretical understanding of low-energy fission and the prospects for future developments.
Creep Modeling for Injection-Molded Long-Fiber Thermoplastics

This paper proposes a model to predict the creep response of injection-molded long-fiber thermoplastics (LFTs). The model accounts for elastic fibers embedded in a thermoplastic resin that exhibits the nonlinear viscoelastic behavior described by the Schapery’s model. It also accounts for fiber length and orientation distributions in the composite formed by the injection-molding process. Fiber length and orientation distributions were measured and used in the analysis that applies the Eshelby’s equivalent inclusion method, the Mori-Tanaka assumption (termed the Eshelby-Mori-Tanaka approach) and the fiber orientation averaging technique to compute the overall strain increment resulting from an overall constant applied stress during a given time increment. The creep model for LFTs has been implemented in the ABAQUS finite element code via user-subroutines and has been validated against the experimental creep data obtained for long-glass-fiber/polypropylene specimens. The effects of fiber orientation and length distributions on the composite creep response are determined and discussed.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
SEED PRODUCTION AND DISPERSAL IN DALECHAMPIA (EUPHORBIACEAE): DIVERGENT PATTERNS AND ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES'

Patterns of capsule development and methods of seed dispersal are described and compared for 16 neotropical species of Dalechampia. In 15 species all the capsules in a single inflorescence develop simultaneously. In one species, D. spathulata, the capsules develop sequentially. I suggest that the difference between D. spathulata and the other species is the result of the fact that D. spathulata occurs in a low-light, rainforest environment, whereas the other species grow in high-light environments. Sequential development of capsules appears to reduce the loss of seeds to seed predators in species that occur in light-limited environments. The seeds of all 16 species of Dalechampia are dispersed by explosive dehiscence of the capsules. Within the genus there are several different adaptations that increase the average dispersal distance for the seed crop.
Injection and sexual HIV/HCV risk behaviors associated with nonmedical use of prescription opioids among young adults in New York City

Prevalence of nonmedical prescription opioid (PO) use has increased markedly in the U.S. This qualitative study explores the drug-use and sexual experiences of nonmedical PO users as they relate to risk for HIV and HCV transmission. Forty-six New York City young adult nonmedical PO users (ages 18–32) completed in-depth, semi-structured interviews. Despite initial perceptions of POs as less addictive and safer than illegal drugs, PO misuse often led to long-term opioid dependence and transition to heroin use and drug injection. Injectors in the sample reported sporadic syringe-sharing, frequent sharing of non-syringe injection paraphernalia and selective sharing with fellow injectors who are presumed “clean” (uninfected). Participants reported little knowledge of HCV injection-related risks and safer injection practices. They also reported engaging in unprotected sex with casual partners, exchange sex and group sex, and that PO misuse increases the risk of sexual violence. Prevention efforts addressing HIV/HCV risk should be targeted to young nonmedical PO users.
STELLAR PHYSICS USING HIGH-RESOLUTION SPECTROSCOPY WITH LARGE TELESCOPES

The traditional high resolution domain of stellar physics will be profoundly affected by the deployment of 8-10 meter class telescopes. We discuss here some of the advances anticipated in the fields of stellar convection, seismology and magentic structures. Also discussed are the tests of stellar evolution and star formation processes that one may expect based on high resolution observations of radial velocity, Doppler imaging, and chemical abundances.
Measuring strand discontinuity-directed mismatch repair in yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae by cell-free nuclear extracts.

Mismatch repair corrects biosynthetic errors generated during DNA replication, whose deficiency causes a mutator phenotype and directly underlies hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer and sporadic cancers. Because of remarkably high conservation of the mismatch repair machinery between the budding yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and humans, the study of mismatch repair in yeast has provided tremendous insights into the mechanisms of this repair pathway in humans. In addition, yeast cells possess an unbeatable advantage over human cells in terms of the easy genetic manipulation, the availability of whole genome deletion strains, and the relatively low cost for setting up the system. Although many components of eukaryotic mismatch repair have been identified, it remains unclear if additional factors, such as DNA helicase(s) and redundant nuclease(s) besides EXO1, participate in eukaryotic mismatch repair. To facilitate the discovery of novel mismatch repair factors, we developed a straightforward in vitro cell-free repair system. Here, we describe the practical protocols for preparation of yeast cell-free nuclear extracts and DNA mismatch substrates, and the in vitro mismatch repair assay. The validity of the cell-free system was confirmed by the mismatch repair deficient yeast strain (Δmsh2) and the complementation assay with purified yeast MSH2-MSH6.
Short-run efficiency in the labor-managed firm

Abstract This paper examines the short-run comparative statics of resource allocation in a labor-managed firm when workers are free to adjust work hours but not membership in a competitive market environment. It is found that the workers might encounter difficulties in attaining their utility-maximizing choices of work hours, but with the acceptance of a simple collective-choice decision rule, each worker's optimum becomes the Pareto-optimum.
Effects of halothane on the development of rat brain: a golgi study of dendritic growth.

Abstract Dendritic growth was studied in rats exposed to halothane in utero for the entire gestation period and 60 days after birth. The exposure conditions were control, intermittent halothane (25 ± 5 ppm or 100 ± 5 ppm, 8 h/day, 5 days/week), or continuous halothane (25 ± 5 ppm, 24 h/day, 7 days/week). Dendritic growth in terms of branch numbers and length was most advanced in the control groups, followed by those groups exposed to 25 ± 5 ppm halothane intermittently, 25 ± 5 ppm halothane continuously, and 100 ± 5 ppm halothane intermittently. The latter two exposure conditions exerted identical effects on dendritic growth. The order of this dendritic growth level established at 5 postnatal days remained the same throughout the first 95 postnatal days in both the entorhinal cortex and subiculum. The effect of halothane on dendritic growth appeared to be enduring, and the delay in the initial dendritic growth caused by halothane was not compensated for by an increased rate of dendritic growth.
The role of superoxide radical in chromium (VI)-generated hydroxyl radical: the Cr(VI) Haber-Weiss cycle.

Abstract To understand the role of the superoxide (O 2 − ) radical in chromate-related genotoxicity, we investigated whether Cr(VI) can catalyze the Haber-Weiss cycle in vitro: O 2 − + Cr(VI) → Cr(V) + O 2 Cr(V) + H 2 O 2 → Cr(VI) + ·OH + OH − . ESR and spin trapping techniques were utilized to monitor the O 2 − (produced using xanthine/xanthine oxidase), ·OH, and Cr(V) species. Superoxide dismutase as well as catalase inhibited the ·OH radical radical formation, attesting to the direct involvement of O 2 − and H 2 O 2 in the process. ESR measurements also provided direct evidence for the formation of Cr(V). Kinetic measurements were consistent with the role of Cr(V) and H 2 O 2 as intermediates in ·OH formation. These results indicate that in cellular media, especially during chromate phagocytosis, the O 2 /t radical can become a significant source of ·OH radicals and hence a significant factor in the biochemical mechanism of cellular damage due to Cr(VI) exposure.
Effect of tillage and residue management on enzyme activities in soils: III. Phosphatases and arylsulfatase

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of tillage and residue management on activities of phosphatases (acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiesterase, and inorganic pyrophosphatase) and arylsulfatase. The land treatments included three tillage systems (no-till, chisel plow, and moldboard plow) in combination with corn residue placements in four replications. The activities of these enzymes in no-till/double mulch were significantly greater than those in the other treatments studied, including no-till/bare, no-till/normal, chisel/normal, chisel/mulch, moldboard/normal, and moldboard/mulch. The effect of mulching on activities of phosphatases was not as significant as on activities of arylsulfatase. The lowest enzyme activities were found in soil samples form no-till/bare and moldboard/normal treatments, with the exception of inorganic pyrophosphatase, which showed the lowest activity in no-till/bare only. Among the same residue placements, no-till and chisel plow showed comparable arylsulfatase activity, whereas the use of moldboard plow resulted in much lower arylsulfatase activity. The activities of phosphatases and arylsulfatase were significantly correlated with organic C in the 40 soil samples studies, with r values ranging from 0.71*** to 0.92***. The activities of alkaline phosphatase, phosphodiesterase, and arylsulfatase were significantly correlated with soil pH, with r values of 0.85***, 0.78***, and 0.77***, respectively, in the 28 surface soil samples studied, but acid phosphatase and inorganic pyrophosphatase activities were not significantly correlated with soil pH. The activities of phosphatases and arylsulfatase decreased markedly with increasing soil depth and this decrease was associated with a decrease in organic C content. The activities of these enzymes were also significantly intercorrelated, with r values ranging from 0.50*** to 0.92***.
Selective inactivation of heterokaryons of Candida albicans by anaerobiosis.

Heterokaryons (hets), but not monokaryons of Candida albicans die when grown anaerobically on minimal medium. Their rates of inactivation increase with decreases in growth temperatures from 37°C to 25°C. At 10°C, however, anaerobiosis is not lethal and suppresses the inactivation which normally occurs among hets cultured aerobically at that temperature. Killing of hets by anaerobiosis can be altered significantly by certain exogenously provided amino acids or intermediates of oxidative respiration. Aspartic acid alone promotes inactivation whereas alanine, glutamic acid or lysine individually have no effects. However, glutamate and lysine combined afford slight protection against inactivation while aspartate and glutamate combined, with or without lysine, are highly protective: the activity of the aspartate-glutamate combination is completely negated by the addition of alanine. Other common amino acids have no effects on het responses to anaerobiosis other than the ability, when combined, to relieve the antagonism of alanine for the aspartate-glutamate combination. Anaerobic survivals are also enhanced by oxalacetic acid or α-ketoglutaric acid, and even more so by a combination of these two intermediates. The resistances to inactivation elicited by the oxalacetate α-ketoglutarate or aspartate-glutamate combinations are not additive. These relationships are interpreted to signify that inactivation of hets by anaerobic growth is largely, if not exclusively, due to depletion of their oxalacetic acid and α-ketoglutaric acid contents for amino acid biosyntheses, and the unique inability of het cells to replenish those keto acids upon subsequent return to aerobic conditions. The observations are consistent with previous indications that mitochondria formed by hets are functionally abnormal.
On the inflation of a long elastic tube in the presence of axial load

Abstract When inflating long circular tubes made from some rubber compounds it is possible for a localization type of instability to occur. The localization takes the form of a bulge which forms somewhere along the length of the tube. Further inflation results in axial enlargement of the bulged section. This occurs at a value of pressure which is substantially lower than the pressure at which the bulge was first initiated. The paper presents experimental and analytical results which show how the initiation and steady state propagation of such bulges in latex rubber tubes is affected by the presence of axial tensile load.
Pharmacology and therapeutic potential of pattern recognition receptors

Pharmacologists have used pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs), such as lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for decades as a stimulus for studying mediators involved in inflammation and for the screening of anti-inflammatory compounds. However, in the view of immunologists, LPS was too non-specific for studying the mechanisms of immune signalling in infection and inflammation, as no receptors had been identified. This changed in the late 1990s with the discovery of the Toll-like receptors. These 'pattern recognition receptors' (PRRs) were able to recognise highly conserved sequences, the so called pathogen associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) present in or on pathogens. This specificity of particular PAMPs and their newly defined receptors provided a common ground between pharmacologists and immunologists for the study of inflammation. PRRs also recognise endogenous agonists, the so called danger-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs), which can result in sterile inflammation. The signalling pathways and ligands of many PRRs have now been characterised and there is no doubt that this rich vein of research will aid the discovery of new therapeutics for infectious conditions and chronic inflammatory disease.
A Kinetic Study of the Loss of Vitamin C, Color, and Firmness During Thermal Processing of Canned Peas

The kinetic parameters, D and z, for the loss of color, firmness, and vitamin C were determined during the thermal processing of peas canned in 303 × 406 cans. The D250 values for loss of color, firmness, and vitamin C were 13.2 min, 9.2 min, and 246 min, respectively. The corresponding z values were: 69°F, 66°F, and 91°F, respectively. These results are in good agreement with those reported in the literature. With proper precautions and corrections for lags, kinetic parameters for the loss of quality parameters can be determined during thermal processing of foods in relatively large cans.
Surface diffusion in the solid-on-solid model.

We present results in 1+1 and 2+1 dimensions for surface diffusion controlled profile relaxation for the solid-on-solid model above and below the roughening transition. For all cases examined we found that the characteristic time scale [tau] for the decay of a sinusoidal profile scaled with the wavelength [ital L] as [tau][similar to][ital L][sup [ital z]] where [ital z][congruent]4. These results can be understood in terms of the anomalous diffusion displayed by tracer atoms whose root mean square displacement scaled as [ital t][sup 1/4].
Modeling the genetic etiology of pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic links with the ARMA process.

Substantial variability exists among different patients in response to drugs. The identification of genetic factors that contribute to the interpersonal differentiation has been an important task for pharmacogenetic research and drug discovery. In this article, we have derived a high-dimensional statistical model for unveiling the genetic machinery for drug response by integrating two different but biologically related processes—pharmacokinetics (PK) and pharmacodynamics (PD)—into a genetic mapping framework. Using an integrated model of PK and PD, we can identify specific DNA sequence variants and test how they relate to the differential effect of the body to the drug (PK) and the effect of the drug on the body (PD). To effectively model a two-stage hierarchic structure of the covariance matrix at the PD and PK level, we have for the first time introduced an autoregressive moving-average (ARMA) process to the mixture-based likelihood function for sequence mapping. Closed-form estimates of the determinant...
Republican Constitutionalism in Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia

The unusual form and content of Thomas Jefferson’s Notes on the State of Virginia has obscured its contribution to the development of republican constitutional theory. We propose an interpretation of the Notes taken as a unified whole, demonstrating how attention to its coherent literary structure and Enlightenment methodology prepares readers for the political reforms and the vision of republican constitutionalism presented therein. We also argue that a careful study of the publication history of the Notes shows Jefferson’s intention to print and distribute the work in America at a critical period during the debates over the proposed Constitution of 1787. The success of his effort to influence the deliberations may be seen in the impact of Jefferson’s vision of republican constitutions in the Notes on James Madison’s contributions to The Federalist.
Border-ownership-dependent tilt aftereffect.

Single-cell recordings from macaque visual cortex have shown orientation-selective neurons in area in V2 code for border ownership [J. Neurosci.20, 6594 (2000) ]: Each piece of contrast border is represented by two pools of neurons whose relative firing rate indicates the side of border ownership. Here we show that the human visual cortex uses a similar coding scheme by demonstrating a border-ownership-contingent tilt aftereffect. The aftereffect was specific for the adapted location, indicating that the adapted neurons have small receptive fields. We conclude that figure–ground organization is represented by border-ownership-selective neurons at early stages in the human visual cortex.
Endangered outdoor recreation experiences: contextual development and lexicon.

Just as some species of plants and animals are endangered, some outdoor recreation opportunities are ‘endangered’ in that opportunities to participate in certain activities are becoming scarce and may eventually be permanently lost. The existence of these experiences is threatened by both alterations in the physical environment and by changing social and cultural pressures. The objective of this paper is to propose the application of ecological terms and concepts to develop a conceptual framework for managers and planners dealing with ‘endangered’ outdoor recreation experiences. Potential applications of the lexicon and conceptual approach presented in this paper are: to identify threats to the existence of opportunities for specific recreational experiences, and to provide policy-makers and planners with a systematic approach to setting priorities and developing management strategies to maintain or expand these opportunities. Such an approach may help insure the perpetuation of a diverse array of recreat...
Proteomic and functional characterisation of platelet microparticle size classes

Activated platelets release large lipid-protein complexes termed microparticles. These platelet microparticles (PMP) are composed of vesicular fragments of the plasma membrane and α-granules. PMP facilitate coagulation, promote platelet and leukocyte adhesion to the subendothelial matrix, support angiogenesis and stimulate vascular smooth muscle proliferation. Objectives: PMP were separated into 4 size classes to facilitate identification of active protein and lipid components. PMP were obtained from activated human platelets and separated into 4 size classes by gel filtration chromatography. Proteins were identified using 2-dimensional, liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Functional effects on platelets were determined using the PFA-100→ and on endothelial cells by measuring transendothelial cell electrical resistance. PMP size classes differed significantly in their contents of plasma membrane receptors and adhesion molecules, chemokines, growth factors and protease inhibitors. The two smallest size classes (3 and 4) inhibited collagen/adenosine-diphosphate-mediated platelet thrombus formation, while fractions 2 and 4 stimulated barrier formation by endothelial cells. Heat denaturation blocked the effect of fraction 4 on endothelial cell function, but not fraction 2 implying that the active component in fraction 4 is a protein and in fraction 2 is a heat-stable protein or lipid but not sphingosine-1-phosphate. Proteomic and functional analysis of PMP size fractions has shown that PMP can be separated into different size classes that differ in protein components, protein/lipid ratio, and functional effects on platelets and endothelial cells. This analysis will facilitate identification of active components in the PMP and clarify their involvement in diseases such as atherosclerosis and cancer.
The effect of paracentesis on serum proteins.

Abstract The effect of single and multiple paracenteses was studied in patients with ascites secondary to gynecologic malignancy. A positive correlation was found between serum albumin concentration and ascitic fluid albumin concentration, allowing the former to be used to predict the albumin content of the ascitic fluid. Repeated paracenteses for symptomatic relief in ovarian carcinoma present no risk for the patient and do not significantly lower serum total proteins or albumin.
FURTHER REMARKS ON A THEORY OF EXTENDED QUANTIZATION.

The quantity of mass-energy in the universe is expressed in terms of some of its basic parameters. The methods of derivation involve the minimum possible unit of energy and the minimum possible non-zero force, introduced in a previous paper (in this journal) by the author (Crocker, 1970).
A new class of isoquinoline alkaloids: The indenobenzazepines

Abstract The dark yellow indenobenzazepine alkaloids lahorine ( 1 ) and lahoramine ( 2 ) have been found in Fumaria parviflora Lam. (Fumariaceae). In a transformation with biogenetic implications, treatment of the spirobenzylisoquinolines dihydrofumariline ( 4 ) and dihydroparfumidine ( 7 ) with methanesulfonyl chloride and triethylamine in dry THF, followed by iodine oxidation, provided 1 and 2 , respectively.
A geometric connection between the cubic lattice and the honeycomb lattice

A natural embedding of the two-dimensional honeycomb lattice into the three- dimensional cubic lattice is demonstrated. A simple geometric argument is given to find a formula relating the number of paths of length n between any two points on the honeycomb lattice to the number of paths of length n between the corresponding points on the cubic lattice. This correspondence also is used to partition the cubic lattice into a disjoint collection of honeycomb lattices, which are themselves connected by a honeycomb structure.
Exploring the anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition

Abstract The anchor-point hypothesis of spatial cognition, according to which primary nodes or reference points anchor distinct regions in cognitive space, brings together certain frequently reported apparent properties of mental maps: the regionalization and hierarchical organization of cognitive space, and the active role of salient cues in structuring spatial cognition. After a brief overview of the state of the art in cognitive mapping research, the anchor-point hypothesis is first explored conceptually, and then one particular version of it, the ‘tectonic plates’ hypothesis, is made operational. For that second part of the study, cognitive configurations derived from five subjects selected from a larger sample taken in Goleta, California are analyzed using three different methods, and features transcending any method-specific biases are identified. Although not entirely unambiguous, these first results seem encouraging and warrant further research in this direction.
Controlled self-assembly of monodisperse niosomes by microfluidic hydrodynamic focusing.

Niosomes are synthetic membrane vesicles formed by self-assembly of nonionic surfactant, often in a mixture with cholesterol and dicetyl phosphate. Because of their inner aqueous core and bilayer membrane shell, niosomes are commonly used as carriers of treatment agents for pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications or contrast agents for clinical imaging applications. In those applications, niosomes are considered as a more economical and stable alternative to their biological counterpart (i.e., liposomes). However, conventional bulk method of niosome preparation requires bulk mixing of two liquid phases, which is time-consuming and not well-controlled. Such mixing conditions often lead to large niosomes with high polydispersity in size and thus affect the consistency of niosome dosage or imaging quality. In this study, we present a new method of niosome self-assembly by microfluidic hydrodynamic focusing to improve on the size and size distributions of niosomes. By taking advantage of the rapid and contro...
Phorbol Ester Activation of a Proteolytic Cascade Capable of Activating Latent Transforming Growth Factor-β A PROCESS INITIATED BY THE EXOCYTOSIS OF CATHEPSIN B

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) suppresses the proliferation of the human breast epithelial cell line MCF10A-Neo by initiating proteolytic processes that activate latent transforming growth factor (TGF)-β in the serum used to supplement culture medium. Within 1 h of treatment, cultures accumulated an extracellular activity capable of cleaving a substrate for urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). This activity was inhibited by plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 or antibodies to uPA but not tPA. Pro-uPA activation was preceded by dramatic changes in lysosome trafficking and the extracellular appearance of cathepsin B and β-hexosaminidase but not cathepsins D or L. Co-treatment of cultures with the cathepsin B inhibitors CA-074 or Z-FA-FMK suppressed the cytostatic effects of TPA and activation of pro-uPA. In the absence of TPA, exogenously added cathepsin B activated pro-uPA and suppressed MCF10A-Neo proliferation. The cytostatic effects of both TPA and cathepsin B were suppressed in cells cultured in medium depleted of plasminogen/plasmin or supplemented with neutralizing TGF-β antibody. Pretreatment with cycloheximide did not suppress the exocytosis of cathepsin B or the activation of pro-uPA. Hence, TPA activates signaling processes that trigger the exocytosis of a subpopulation of lysosomes/endosomes containing cathepsin B. Subsequently, extracellular cathepsin B initiates a proteolytic cascade involving uPA, plasminogen, and plasmin that activates serum-derived latent TGF-β.
RCS feature extraction from simple targets using time-frequency analysis

Radar target identification requires the processing of a large amount of data. Radar cross section alone is a function of time/frequency, aspect angle, and polarization. Storing all this data as well as processing it for identification is an extremely difficult task. The goal of this research is to analyze the RCS of simple targets in the time/frequency domain to identify which time/frequency algorithms best highlight distinguishing target characteristics. We have taken extensive RCS measurements on simple objects, such as spheres, cubes, pyramids and corner reflectors, and processed the data using Fourier and wavelet transforms. In most instances, the data can be significantly compressed.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Comparison of detectability of traditional pulsed and spread spectrum radar waveforms in classic passive receivers

Passive receivers can be used to detect radar emissions over considerable distances. If range resolution requirements are fixed, it is of interest to compare the detectability of equal-bandwidth/equal-energy waveforms regardless of their time duration. Relative detection ranges are predicted, via computer simulation, for two types of transmitted waveforms: a benchmark rectangular pulse and a Welti binary coded waveform. The waveforms will be detected by square-law, delay and multiply, wideband, and channelized passive receivers possessing typical bandwidth, noise-floor, and loss parameters. A comparison is given showing the relative low probability of intercept and low probability of detection (LPI/LPD) attributes of each waveform and the relative detection attributes of each receiver.
The impact of misconduct on the published medical and non-medical literature, and the news media

Better understanding of research and publishing misconduct can improve strategies to mitigate their occurrence. In this study, we examine various trends among 2,375 articles retracted due to misconduct in all scholarly fields. Proportions of articles retracted due to "publication misconduct" (primarily plagiarism and duplicate publication) or "distrust data or interpretations" (primarily research artifacts and unexplained irreproducibility of data) differ significantly between PubMed (35 and 59 %, respectively) and non-PubMed (56 and 27 %) articles and between English- and non-English-speaking author affiliation countries. Retraction rates due to any form of misconduct, adjusted for the size of the literature in different disciplines, vary from 0.22 per 100,000 articles in the Humanities to 7.58 in Medicine and 7.69 in Chemistry. The annual rate of article retractions due to misconduct has increased exponentially since 2001, and the percentage of all retractions involving misconduct allegations has grown from 18.5---29.2 % for each year from 1990---1993 to 55.8---71.9 % for each year from 2007---2010. Despite these increases, the prominence of research integrity in the news media has not changed appreciably over the past 20 years. Articles retracted due to misconduct are found in all major scholarly disciplines. The higher rate of plagiarism among authors from non-English speaking countries may diminish if institutions improved their support for the writing of English manuscripts by their scholars. The training of junior scholars on proper codes of research (and publishing) conduct should be embraced by all disciplines, not just by biomedical fields where the perception of misconduct is high.
Memory for the pragmatic implications of sentences.

A sentence pragmatically implies another sentence when information in the first sentence leads the hearer to expect something that is neither explicitly stated nor necessarily implied by the original sentence. Thus,The safe-cracker put the match to the fuse pragmatically impliesThe safe-cracker lit the fuse. In a cued recall task with sentences containing pragmatic implications, 19% of the items were recalled correctly while 26% of the responses consisted of the pragmatic implications of the original sentences. The data were interpreted as demonstrating the strong interaction of the subjects’ long-term knowledge with the episodic memory for sentences task.
Technical efficiency and productivity analysis in Indonesian provincial economies

This article estimates inefficiency and Total Factor Productivity (TFP) across Indonesian provinces from 1993 to 2000. Indonesia is a large emerging market economy, but provinces within the country (due to the island structure of the country) are more distinct from one another compared to other countries. We use a stochastic frontier methodology to estimate inefficiency and TFP. We find that TFP fell by an average rate of 7.5% across provinces due to the decrease in technical efficiency. In fact, the majority of output growth within Indonesia is explained by the accumulation of inputs. In this sense, economic growth within Indonesia does not appear to be sustainable without reversing these trends.
Educational Requirements for Civil Infrastructure Managers: What Should They Know and When Should They Know It?

This article discusses the changing and increasing demands being made of public works and civil infrastructure managers within the context of higher educational requirements and attainment. These demands are examined, and some specific proposals as to how traditional civil engineering and public administration curricula may need to shift are put forth. The article begins with a definition of civil infrastructure, the nature of modern infrastructure systems is described, and constraints applicable to today's public works and civil infrastructure managers are outlined. The article concludes with sections on educational strategy, proposals, and future directions. An appendix containing a recommended 14-week list of readings and lectures is also included.
Radioactive beams at Texas A&M University

Abstract The combination of the K500 superconducting cyclotron and the recoil spectrometer MARS have been used to generate secondary radioactive ion beams ranging from 7Be at 12 MeV/u to 62Ga at 37 MeV/u. Secondary beams are produced via transfer reactions in inverse kinematics using stable beams from the cyclotron on gas targets. The radioactive beams have been used for reaction measurements and β-decay studies.
A microdrive for use with glass or metal microelectrodes in recording from freely-moving rats ☆

A new subminiature microdrive assembly is described for electrophysiological recording from behaving rats. This very small, lightweight system allows excellent precision in electrode placement and can maintain stable recordings over extended periods. Since the electrode is nonrotating, tissue damage is minimized. Either metal or glass microelectrodes may be used with the system, offering the possibility of iontophoresis for cell marking or neuropharmacological manipulations.
Paclitaxel-based high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell rescue for relapsed germ cell cancer.

Abstract We evaluated the antitumor activity of tandem cycles of high-dose chemotherapy with autologous peripheral stem cell transplantation (aPSCT) in relapsed germ cell tumors by using high-dose paclitaxel, carboplatin, etoposide, and ifosfamide. Thirty-three patients were entered, and 31 underwent protocol therapy. Paclitaxel 350 mg/m2 (5 patients) or 425 mg/m2 (26 patients) by 24-hour continuous intravenous infusion was followed by 3 daily doses of carboplatin and either etoposide (cycle 1) or ifosfamide/mesna (cycle 2). The carboplatin dose had a calculated area under the curve of 7 mg-min/mL, and the daily dose of etoposide was 20 mg/kg (cycle 1). Ifosfamide 3 g/m2/d for 3 days (with mesna uroprotection) was substituted for etoposide in cycle 2. Each cycle was supported by granulocyte colony-stimulating factor–mobilized peripheral blood stem cells. Thirty-one patients were evaluable for response, toxicity, and long-term disease control. Two patients did not undergo aPSCT because of rapid disease progression. Nineteen patients received both cycles of aPSCT, 8 progressed after cycle 1, 3 refused the second cycle, and 1 died of fungal infection during cycle 1. Twelve patients remain relapse free at a median of 67 months from the initiation of therapy. Whereas the International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group category at the time of initial diagnosis did not seem to predict outcome, the patient's probability of achieving durable remission was significantly associated with the Beyer prognostic score at the time of protocol entry. Regimens containing the most active agents in relapsed nonseminomatous germ cell tumors, including high-dose paclitaxel, are well tolerated and have promising activity even in patients with poor-risk features who do not achieve durable remissions with standard therapy. The Beyer prognostic system is a valuable predictor for patients undergoing aPSCT.
Sox17 Dependence Distinguishes the Transcriptional Regulation of Fetal from Adult Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Fetal stem cells differ phenotypically and functionally from adult stem cells in diverse tissues. However, little is known about how these differences are regulated. To address this we compared the gene expression profiles of fetal versus adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and discovered that the Sox17 transcriptional regulator is specifically expressed in fetal and neonatal but not adult HSCs. Germline deletion of Sox17 led to severe fetal hematopoietic defects, including a lack of detectable definitive HSCs. Conditional deletion of Sox17 from hematopoietic cells led to the loss of fetal and neonatal but not adult HSCs. HSCs stopped expressing Sox17 approximately 4 weeks after birth. During this transition, loss of Sox17 expression correlated with slower proliferation and the acquisition of an adult phenotype by individual HSCs. Sox17 is thus required for the maintenance of fetal and neonatal HSCs and distinguishes their transcriptional regulation from adult HSCs.
Fixed‐point densities for a quasiperiodic kicked‐oscillator map

Suppose that a one‐dimensional harmonic oscillator is subjected to instantaneous kicks q times per natural period, with the kick amplitude varying sinusoidally with position. Viewed stroboscopically in phase space, the motion has an infinitely extended periodic or quasiperiodic array of fixed points, as well as an infinite web of chaotic orbits. In the present work (restricted to the quasiperiodic case q=5) the fixed points are classified according to their local linear behavior, which depends essentially on a single variable, the residue R. With the aid of a five‐dimensional embedding, a function ρ(R) is calculated which for infinitesimal ΔR gives the average density of fixed points in the plane with residue in the range (R,R+ΔR). The location and strength of the singularities and discontinuities of ρ(R) are extracted from relatively simple transcendental equations, and this makes possible efficient numerical determination of ρ(R). An exact equality for the densities of positive‐R and negative‐R fixed po...
Characterization of Be-based multilayer masks using x-ray reflectivity and auger electron spectroscopy

With the acceptance of AAPSM’s by most major semiconductor manufacturers, it is necessary to build a significant number of these masks in a cost effective and controlled manner. Optical methods of metrology used for many years in the photomask industry for binary masks are unsuitable for certain metrology applications related to AAPSM manufacture and repair. Recent work performed on a Dimension 9000M-PM automated atomic force microscope shows promise for both process control and defect review applications for AAPSM’s and overcome some of the limitations of optical and SEM based metrologies. AFM metrology is shown to be able to quantify shifter step heights and phase error for features as small as 100 nm. Further, these systems are able to read in defect coordinate maps and automatically drive to these sites and scan. The scanned data provides pixel-by-pixel height data that can be used by repair tools to establish the proper dose for defect ablation.