cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Mechanical Comparison of Equine Proximal Interphalangeal Joint Arthrodesis Techniques: An Axial Locking Compression Plate and Two Abaxial Transarticular Cortical Screws versus an Axial Dynamic Compression Plate and Two Abaxial Transarticular Cortical Screws

Objectives: To compare in vitro monotonic biomechanical properties of an axial 3-hole, 4.5 mm narrow locking compression plate (ELCP) using 5.0 mm locking screws and 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (ELCP–TLS) with an axial 3-hole, 4.5 mm narrow dynamic compression plate (DCP) using 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion (DCP–TLS) for equine proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joint arthrodesis. Design: Experimental. Animal Population: Cadaveric adult equine forelimbs (n=18 pairs). Methods: For each forelimb pair, 1 PIP joint was stabilized with an axial ELCP using 5.0 mm locking screws and 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion and 1 PIP joint with an axial 3-hole narrow DCP (4.5 mm) using 5.5 mm cortical screws in conjunction with 2 abaxial transarticular 5.5 mm cortical screws inserted in lag fashion. Six matching pairs of constructs were tested in single cycle to failure under axial compression, 6 construct pairs were tested for cyclic fatigue under axial compression, and 6 construct pairs were tested in single cycle to failure under torsional loading. Mean values for each fixation method were compared using a paired t-test within each group with statistical significance set at P<.05. Results: Mean yield load, yield stiffness, and failure load under axial compression, single cycle to failure, of the DCP–TLS fixation were significantly greater than those of the LCP–TLS fixation. There was no significant difference between the mean number of cycles to failure in axial compression of the LCP–TLS and the DCP–TLS fixations. Mean yield load, yield stiffness, and failure load under torsion, single cycle to failure, of the LCP–TLS fixation were significantly greater than those of the DCP–TLS fixation. Conclusion: The DCP–TLS construct provided significantly greater stability under axial compression in single cycle to failure than the ELCP–TLS construct, the ELCP–TLS construct provided significantly greater stability under torsional loading in single cycle to failure than the DCP–TLS construct, and there was no significant difference in stability between the 2 constructs for cyclic loading under axial compression.
Spirit and Incarnation: Toward a Pneumatic Chalcedonianism

The Holy Spirit has often been used to define an alternative to Chalcedonian Christology that, by replacing the Word with the Spirit as the locus of Christ's divinity, is better able to honor Christ's humanity. Such alternatives not only display a serious misunderstanding of Chalcedon, but also exacerbate the problem they seek to address by accentuating Christ's difference from other human beings. While an orthodox Christology will see the Spirit as present in every one of Jesus' actions, this should be understood as a vindication rather than a rebuttal of Chalcedon.
Alteration of proliferation and apoptotic markers in normal and premalignant tissue associated with prostate cancer

Background Molecular markers identifying alterations in proliferation and apoptotic pathways could be particularly important in characterizing high-risk normal or pre-neoplastic tissue. We evaluated the following markers: Ki67, Minichromosome Maintenance Protein-2 (Mcm-2), activated caspase-3 (a-casp3) and Bcl-2 to determine if they showed differential expression across progressive degrees of intraepithelial neoplasia and cancer in the prostate. To identify field effects, we also evaluated whether high-risk expression patterns in normal tissue were more common in prostates containing cancer compared to those without cancer (supernormal), and in histologically normal glands adjacent to a cancer focus as opposed to equivalent glands that were more distant.
Age dependent changes in the methylation of rat brain phospholipids.

Summary Phospholipid methyltransferase I and II enzymes methylate phosphatidylethanolamine three times to form phosphatidylcholine. The activity of these two enzymes was determined in synaptosome-enriched fractions from rats 1, 3, 7, 15 and 21 months old. The activity of phospholipid methyltransferase I was significantly greater in 7-, 15- and 21-month-old rats than in 1- and 3-month-old rats. In contrast, the activity of phospholipid methyltransferase II did not change with age. These changes in methyltransferase activity with increasing age may be related to changes in β-receptor function with increasing age.
The effect of chronic clozapine and haloperidol on basal dopamine release and metabolism in rat striatum and nucleus accumbens studied by in vivo microdialysis

Abstract The effects of chronic treatment with clozapine and haloperidol on basal dopamine release and metabolism were studied in the striatum and the nucleus accumbens of awake, freely moving rats using in vivo microdialysis. Chronic haloperidol (2 mg/kg × 21 days) but not chronic clozapine (20 mg/kg × 21 days) decreased basal dopamine release and metabolism in both the striatum and the nucleus accumbens. These results differ significantly from those previously reported with in vivo voltammetry. Possible explanations are discussed.
The effect of 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and charybdotoxin (CTX) on relaxations of isolated cerebral arteries to nitric oxide.

The mechanism underlying smooth muscle relaxations of cerebral arteries in response to nitric oxide is still not completely understood. The present study was designed to determine the role of soluble guanylate cyclase in the relaxations to a nitric oxide/nucleophile complex, diethylaminodiazen-1-ium-1,2-dioate (DEA-NONOate). Rings of canine middle cerebral arteries without endothelium were suspended in Krebs-Ringer bicarbonate solution for isometric tension recording. The levels of guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic GMP) were measured by radioimmunoassay technique. During contractions to uridine 5'-triphosphate (UTP), DEA-NONOate (10(-10) to 10(-5) M) caused concentration-dependent relaxations. Measurements of cyclic GMP levels in cerebral arterial wall demonstrated that DEA-NONOate is a potent stimulator of guanylate cyclase and subsequent formation of cyclic GMP. Increasing concentrations of a selective soluble guanylate cyclase inhibitor, 1H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), caused concentration-dependent reduction of both cyclic GMP production and relaxations to DEA-NONOate. Interestingly, in the presence of the highest concentration (3 x 10(-6) M) of ODQ, production of cyclic GMP in response to 10(-6) M of DEA-NONOate was abolished, whereas the same concentration of DEA-NONOate caused almost complete relaxation, suggesting that mechanisms independent of cyclic GMP production may mediate relaxing effect of high concentration of a nitric oxide donor. A selective Ca2+-activated potassium channel blocker charybdotoxin (CTX) significantly reduced relaxations to DEA-NONOate resistant to ODQ, supporting the idea that in cerebral arteries nitric oxide may activate potassium channels independently of cyclic GMP. The results of our study suggest that under physiological conditions, guanylate cyclase is a key mediator of cerebral arterial relaxations to nitric oxide. However, under pathological conditions associated with induction of nitric oxide synthase and increased biosynthesis of nitric oxide (e.g., cerebral ischemia, inflammation, sepsis), mechanisms other than formation of cyclic GMP may be activated.
Next-generation clinical trials: Novel strategies to address the challenge of tumor molecular heterogeneity.

The promise of ‘personalized cancer care’ with therapies toward specific molecular aberrations has potential to improve outcomes. However, there is recognized heterogeneity within any given tumor-type from patient to patient (inter-patient heterogeneity), and within an individual (intra-patient heterogeneity) as demonstrated by molecular evolution through space (primary tumor to metastasis) and time (after therapy). These issues have become hurdles to advancing cancer treatment outcomes with novel molecularly targeted agents. Classic trial design paradigms are challenged by heterogeneity, as they are unable to test targeted therapeutics against low frequency genomic ‘oncogenic driver’ aberrations with adequate power. Usual accrual difficulties to clinical trials are exacerbated by low frequencies of any given molecular driver. To address these challenges, there is need for innovative clinical trial designs and strategies implementing novel diagnostic biomarker technologies to account for inter-patient molecular diversity and scarce tissue for analysis. Importantly, there is also need for pre-defined treatment priority algorithms given numerous aberrations commonly observed within any one individual sample. Access to multiple available therapeutic agents simultaneously is crucial. Finally intra-patient heterogeneity through time may be addressed by serial biomarker assessment at the time of tumor progression. This report discusses various ‘next-generation’ biomarker-driven trial designs and their potentials and limitations to tackle these recognized molecular heterogeneity challenges. Regulatory hurdles, with respect to drug and companion diagnostic development and approval, are considered. Focus is on the ‘Expansion Platform Design Types I and II’, the latter demonstrated with a first example, ‘PANGEA: Personalized Anti-Neoplastics for Gastro-Esophageal Adenocarcinoma’. Applying integral medium-throughput genomic and proteomic assays along with a practical biomarker assessment and treatment algorithm, ‘PANGEA’ attempts to address the problem of heterogeneity towards successful implementation of molecularly targeted therapies.
‘This is the place:’ putting the past on the map

Abstract All events noticed in the historical record necessarily occurred—if they occurred at all—in a specific time and place. Although perhaps more interested in the first of these, historians and others have also attempted to localize these events as far as possible. Using evidence from the written and oral sources, archaeology, aerial photography, and the like, they attempt to match present-day locales with this testimony. Inevitably problems arise. Sometimes these are due to the exiguity of the evidence, sometimes to the desire to match the past and the present in specific ways regardless of the evidence, and sometimes to a failure to appreciate that both historiography and topography are dynamic entities. In this paper I look at a few examples of the phenomenon that can serve as a microcosm of the issues that arise and suggest that they serve as a cautionary tale.
Whole body imaging in the diagnosis of blunt trauma, ionizing radiation hazards and residual risk

Ever since the introduction of radiographic imaging, its utility in identifying injuries has been well documented and was incorporated in the workup of injured patients during advanced trauma life support algorithms [American College of Surgeons, 8th ed. Chicago, 2008]. More recently, computerized tomography (CT) has been shown to be more sensitive than radiography in the diagnosis of injury. Due to the increased use of CT scanning, concerns were raised regarding the associated exposure to ionizing radiation [N Engl J Med 357:2277–2284, 2007]. During the last several years, a significant amount of research has been published on this topic, most of it being incorporated in the BEIR VII Phase 2 report, published by the National Research Council of the National Academies [National Academy of Sciences, Washington DC, 2006]. The current review will analyze the scientific basis for the concerns over the ionizing radiation associated with the use of CT scanning and will examine the accuracy of the typical advanced trauma life support work-up for diagnosis of injuries.
Is There a Reliable and Valid Self-Report Measure of Sexual Behavior?

A psychometric analysis of the Sexual Experience Scale (SES) from the Derogatis Sexual Functioning Inventory was conducted. This sexual behavior measure was administered on four occasions to a large sample of normal, heterosexual, sexually active women and a comparable sample which underwent gynecologic treatment that resulted in a predictable and clinical level of sexual dysfunction. In terms of reliability, internal consistency estimates for the SES were in the .85 to .90 range, but the stability of the SES was lower and ranged from .55 to .85. An evaluation of the validity revealed both strengths and limitations of the SES. The content analysis reveals that a wider range of sexual behaviors is sampled by the SES than comparable measures. To examine construct validity, a factor analysis provided a five-factor solution which would account for 82% of the variance, but the solution was not stable across groups or time and the factors were not sensitive to detecting important behavior changes. As many other psychological measures, the SES was poor in predicting a criterion (i.e., the occurrence of sexual dysfunction) concurrently or at the time of follow-up. The outcome of this analysis is discussed in the context of selecting reliable and valid self-report measures of sexual behavior.
A GENERALIZED APPROACH TO THE MODELING OF ARTERIAL BLOOD FLOW

Arterial blood flow may be described as the almost periodic, unsteady-state flow of a non-Newtonian fluid through a flexible-walled, tapered, branching conduit. A generalized approach to the development of a realistic mathematical model is described. All assumptions involved in the analysis are evaluated critically in terms of their quantitative effect on the validity of the model. As a result some of the traditional assumptions are avoided. A numerical integration routine for obtaining solutions to the resulting nonlinear partial differential equations comprising the model is outlined. The possible application of the model to compute localized arterial wall elasticity is discussed. Successful implementation of this procedure could lead to a significant clinical diagnostic tool for vascular disease.
The influence of the ecological characteristics of phytocoenoses on the percentage proportions of zoogeographical elements in the malacocoenoses of land snails (Mollusca: Gastropoda terrestria)

The influence of 11 forest phytocoenoses in a single area (the Medvednica Mountain in north-western Croatia) on the composition of the zoogeographical elements of the land malacofauna was analysed. It was established that malacocoenoses in different plant associations of the same phytogeographical and zoogeographical area have different compositions in respect to the zoogeographical elements of the land snail fauna. Zoogeographical elements located on borders of the range display the widest divergences in their percentage representation in the malacocoenoses of the forest phytocoenoses of a single area. This is due to varying ecological conditions in the phytocoenoses under investigation.
Temperature regulator for irradiation systems designed for evaluation of microwave bioeffects

A temperature-regulating circuit, applicable to irradiation systems designed for investigation of microwave bioeffects (at cellular levels), is described. The temperature regulator provides a thermal balance between two biological suspensions in aqueous media, by heating one sample electrically when the second specimen is heated by means of microwaves.
The relationship between endothelial dysfunction and collagen accumulation in irradiated rat lung.

Abstract Male rats were killed 2 months (early fibrosis) or 6 months (peak fibrosis) after a range of single doses of 60 Co gamma rays to the right hemithorax. Pulmonary arterial perfusion scans were performed at 2 months on animals scheduled for autopsy at 6 months. Lung angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) activity was used to monitor endothelial function, and hydroxyproline (HP) concentration served as an index of interstitial collagen accumulation (fibrosis). ACE activity also was measured in right lung bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and blood serum, to determine whether information obtained from a minimally invasive procedure might serve as an index or predictor of the severity of lung damage. Linear dose-response curves ( r = 0.92–0.99) were obtained for right lung arterial perfusion, ACE activity and HP concentration. At 2 months, perfusion decreased 2.7% per Gy, ACE activity (per lung, per mg wet weight, or per mg protein) decreased 3.0–4.2% per Gy, and HP concentration (per g dry weight) increased 1.7% per Gy. At 6 months, the slopes of the response curves were virtually identical to those at 2 months; the Y intercept of the response curve for ACE activity was unchanged, whereas that for HP concentration was 50% higher at 6 than at 2 months. ACE activity and protein concentration in the BAL increased with increasing dose, but the variation within groups was too large, and the sensitivity was too low to serve as a reliable index of lung status. Serum ACE activity was independent of radiation dose at both autopsy times. Thus in rat lung, arterial perfusion, endothelial dysfunction and interstitial fibrosis exhibit similar but not identical radiosensitivities. The dose-effect curves for these three responses of the lung in situ change less than 5% per Gy over the dose range of 10–30 Gy, a smaller variation than would be predicted from endothelial cell survival data based on clonogenic assays in vitro or in vivo .
Predicting long-term cardiovascular risk using the mayo clinic cardiovascular risk score in a referral population.

Exercise testing provides valuable information but is rarely integrated to derive a risk prediction model in a referral population. In this study, we assessed the predictive value of conventional cardiovascular risk factors and exercise test parameters in 6,546 consecutive adults referred for exercise testing, who were followed for a period of 8.1 ± 3.7 years for incident myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, and cardiovascular death. A risk prediction model was developed, and cross-validation of model was performed by splitting the data set into 10 equal random subsets, with model fitting based on 9 of the 10 subsets and testing in of the remaining subset, repeated in all 10 possible ways. The best performing model was chosen based on measurements of model discrimination and stability. A risk score was constructed from the final model, with points assigned for the presence of each predictor based on the regression coefficients. Using both conventional risk factors and exercise test parameters, a total of 9 variables were identified as independent and robust predictors and were included in a risk score. The prognostic ability of this model was compared with that of the Adult Treatment Panel III model using the net reclassification and integrated discrimination index. From the cross-validation results, the c statistic of 0.77 for the final model indicated strong predictive power. In conclusion, we developed, tested, and internally validated a novel risk prediction model using exercise treadmill testing parameters.
The shift of an increase in phosphofructokinase activity from protein synthesis-dependent to -independent mode during concanavalin A induced lymphocyte proliferation.

Abstract Phosphofructokinase activity increased dramatically in cultured mouse spleen lymphocytes 8 hours after concanavalin A stimulation and preceded the onset of DNA synthesis by 8 hours. The increase in enzyme activity and [3H]-thymidine incorporation were mitogen-concentration dependent. Enzyme activity increased 12-fold over control level at 48 hours when DNA synthesis peaked. The protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, blocked the rise in phosphofructokinase only when given prior to the increase in enzyme activity. Once the increase began, later addition of cycloheximide became progressively less inhibitory. These observations suggest that the period of increase in phosphofructokinase activity involves the activation of preexisting enzyme molecules.
Fragile X syndrome due to a missense mutation

Fragile X syndrome is a common inherited form of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. Most patients exhibit a massive CGG-repeat expansion mutation in the FMR1 gene that silences the locus. In over two decades since the discovery of FMR1, only a single missense mutation (p.(Ile304Asn)) has been reported as causing fragile X syndrome. Here we describe a 16-year-old male presenting with fragile X syndrome but without the repeat expansion mutation. Rather, we find a missense mutation, c.797G>A, that replaces glycine 266 with glutamic acid (p.(Gly266Glu)). The Gly266Glu FMR protein abolished many functional properties of the protein. This patient highlights the diagnostic utility of FMR1 sequencing.
Professional uncertainty and physician medical decision-making in a multiple treatment framework.

Abstract This paper develops a new microanalytic approach to physician medical decision-making treatment setting. Physician medical decision-making is modelled as a two-stage sequential process. In Stage 1, the patient's illness is diagnosed and the health outcomes for all illness-related restoration options are identified. In Stage 2, an “optimal” restoration option is selected. This model provides new insights into physician medical decision-making and the complexity of proving physician-induced demand in a medical care market where professional uncertainty and consumer heterogeneity exist.
The Onset of Structural Yield During Tensile Loading Increases With Age in the Pediatric PMHS Cervical Spine

Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of injury to the pediatric spine, and the mortality rate of pediatric spinal trauma victims has been approximated at 25–32% [1]. In addition, non-fatal painful traumatic injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes or sports-related activities contribute to an estimated prevalence of neck pain of 21–41% in children and adolescents [2]. It has been hypothesized that the anatomy of the pediatric neck, combined with a relatively large head mass, presents an increased risk for traumatic inertial loading in that population, particularly during early development. However, the relationship between mechanical metrics related to pain and age remains undefined, limiting the development of meaningful estimates of tolerance to painful injury in this population.Copyright © 2009 by ASME
Misattributed tsunami 3: the Mw 7.7 2013.9.24 SE Pakistan earthquake

Abstract The M w 7.7 earthquake that struck SE Pakistan on 24 September 2013 at 11.29.48 UTC was a sinistral strike-slip event on a branch of the Ornach-Nal-Chaman fault system which hereabouts separates the Eurasian Plate from the Indian Plate. Although the focus was at a depth of 15 km and 400 km inland the earthquake was accompanied by the emergence of an island off the Makran coast and the generation of a tsunami with a peak amplitude of 27 cm at Muscat (Oman) and 20 cm at Chah Bahar (Iran). At DART marine buoy 23228 in the Indian Ocean 500 km to the south a series of seismic Rayleigh waves about 4 min after the main shock was followed 54 min later by a tsunami with a peak amplitude of 1 cm. The Rayleigh series is here attributed to seafloor vibration during accelerated subduction of the Arabian Plate beneath the Eurasian Plate, and the tsunami to the development or reactivation of one or more reverse faults on the seaward portion of the Makran imbricate fan. As in the 2010.2.27 M w 8.8 Maule (Chile), the 2004.12.26 M w 9.2 Sumatra–Andaman, the 2005.3.28 M w 8.7 Nias (Indonesia) and the 2011.3.11 M w 9.0 Tohoku (Japan) earthquakes, the link between tsunami generation and slip on the megathrust is thus very indirect, to the detriment of attempts to mitigate coastal hazards using teleseismic data when nearshore seafloor monitoring would probably prove more effective.
Pediatric use of topical ophthalmic drugs

Background Changes in the policies of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have resulted in a rapid increase in the number of drugs now labeled for pediatric use. In topical ophthalmic drugs, there are Pharmaceuticals approved for use in children in the treatment of allergy, inflammation, and bacterial and viral infection. Clinicians should anticipate that this trend will continue into the future. Overview This article reviews the history of FDA oversight of drugs used to treat children. Recent shifts in policies and approach are emphasized. Pediatric issues associated with ophthalmic drug use are discussed, including important differences regarding dosage, instillation, distribution, systemic toxicity, and metabolism. A summary of topical ophthalmic drugs approved for pediatric use, including age considerations, is provided. Conclusions Clinicians should be aware of the increasing number of topical ophthalmic drugs that are approved for pediatric use. Social, regulatory, and economic factors suggest this trend will continue. When prescribing these drugs for use in children, clinicians should remember to refer to details of labeling for Pediatric Use, including the age of the child for whom the drug is approved.
Tissue culture of human and canine thoracic duct endothelium.

Endothelial cells from the canine or human thoracic duct were harvested using 0.2% collagenase digestion and grown in Media 199, supplemented with fetal bovine serum. The canine endothelial cells grew to confluence (4.4 to 12×104 cells/cm2) in 6 to 10 d; doubling times ranged from 1.5 to 2.8 d. There was a minimum critical density for cell growth between 500 and 10 000 cells/cm2. The canine endothelial cells have been maintained in culture for periods up to 11 mo. The human thoracic duct endothelial cells are more difficult to grow and maintain. Endothelial cells were isolated from 5 out of 35 human thoracic ducts and grew for periods of up to 2 wk before degenerating. Both human and canine endothelial cells were Factor VIII positive. It has thus been demonstrated that it is possible to grow canine and, less easily, human thoracic duct endothelium in tissue culture.
Electric field-induced surface transformations and experimental dynamic characteristics of dielectric elastomer membranes

Abstract Acute and tunable surface transformations of a monolithic structure by application of an electric field have immediate significance for adaptive structures, morphing concepts and optical applications. Dielectric elastomer (DE) membranes are electric field-responsive materials typically employed as large strain electrostatic actuators. In this paper, it is demonstrated that an electric field will generate several symmetric surface shapes analogous to the mode shapes in the classical drumhead or stretched membrane problem. In a previous experimental study, a single surface transformation creating ripples or waves on an initially smooth surface was observed for an electrically excited DE membrane. The unexpected result led to the development of an experimental setup that would facilitate extensive characterization of the dynamic surface transformations of dielectric elastomer membranes. The new results clearly show that the electric field can be used to tune the patterns of the DE surface. Furthermore, the membrane will go through resonance when a periodic electric field is applied if the system conditions are favorable, which has not been observed before now. This presents a unique opportunity to increase the output displacement of DE membranes without electrically overloading the membrane. The experiments show that increasing the size of the chamber onto which the membrane is clamped will increase the peak deformation as well as cause the membrane's resonance peaks to shift and change in number. For DE membranes driven at 1.5 kV, at the smallest chamber volume, the maximum actuation displacement is 81 μm; while at the largest chamber volume, the maximum actuation displacement is 1431 μm. This corresponds to a 1767% increase in maximum pole displacement. The dependence on chamber volume suggests that under dynamic conditions a systems level analysis is needed for DE actuators. The effect of voltage offset as a means of modulating the dynamic deformation response is also reported in this study.
Toxic trace metals and embryo quality indicators during in vitro fertilization (IVF).

Abstract Trace exposures to the toxic metals mercury (Hg), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) may interfere with in vitro fertilization (IVF). The aim of this study is to explore biologically plausible hypotheses concerning associations between metals and embryo quality indicators during IVF. For 24 female patients, a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model suggests a 75% reduction in the odds for higher embryo cell cleavage per μg/dL increase in blood Pb (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 0.25, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.07–0.86). For 15 male partners, each μg/L increase in blood Hg (aOR 0.60, 95% CI 0.45–0.79) and μg/dL increase in blood Pb (aOR 0.58, 95% CI 0.37–0.91) is associated with a decrease in the analogous odds. Embryo fragmentation is reduced by higher blood Hg (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.72–1.00), but increased by higher blood Pb (aOR 1.47, 95% CI 1.11–1.94) in men. The magnitude of these suggested effects warrants confirmation in a larger study.
Inhibitory effect of quercetin on primary ovarian and endometrial cancers and synergistic activity with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II)

Abstract It has been demonstrated that the flavonoid quercetin (3,3′,4′,5,7-pentahydroxyflavone) inhibits the growth of several cancer cell lines and that the antiproliferative activity of this substance is mediated by so-called type II estrogen binding sites. Moreover it has been observed that quercetin enhances the antiproliferative activity of cis -diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (CDDP) and busulfan both in vitro and in vivo . We tested the effect of quercetin and its combination of CDDP on clonogenic cells of nine primary gynecological tumors (four ovarian and five endometrial tumors). Quercetin produced a dose-dependent inhibition of colony formation in a range of concentrations between 0.01 and 10 μM . The bromodeoxyuridine uptake into neoplastic specimens was evaluated immunocytochemically: quercetin at 10 μM concentration produced a clear reduction in the number of bromodeoxyuridine-labeled cells. The simultaneous treatment with quercetin and CDDP (in a range of concentration between 0.01 and 10 μM and 0.01 and 0.5 μg/ml, respectively) resulted in a marked synergistic antiproliferative activity in all cases, with a CDDP potentiation ranging from 1.5- to 30-fold. The combination of quercetin with two other chemotherapeutic agents, Adriamycin and etoposide (VP-16), did not yield any enhancement of the antiproliferative activity. Two other flavonoids tested, rutin and hesperidin, were ineffective on colony formation both alone and in combination with CDDP.
A novel function of Saccharomyces cerevisiae CDC5 in cytokinesis.

Coordination of mitotic exit with timely initiation of cytokinesis is critical to ensure completion of mitotic events before cell division. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae polo kinase Cdc5 functions in a pathway leading to the degradation of mitotic cyclin Clb2, thereby permitting mitotic exit. Here we provide evidence that Cdc5 also plays a role in regulating cytokinesis and that an intact polo-box, a conserved motif in the noncatalytic COOH-terminal domain of Cdc5, is required for this event. Depletion of Cdc5 function leads to an arrest in cytokinesis. Overexpression of the COOH-terminal domain of Cdc5 (cdc5ΔN), but not the corresponding polo-box mutant, resulted in connected cells. These cells shared cytoplasms with incomplete septa, and possessed aberrant septin ring structures. Provision of additional copies of endogenous CDC5 remedied this phenotype, suggesting a dominant-negative inhibition of cytokinesis. The polo-box–dependent interactions between Cdc5 and septins (Cdc11 and Cdc12) and genetic interactions between the dominant-negative cdc5ΔN and Cyk2/Hof1 or Myo1 suggest that direct interactions between cdc5ΔN and septins resulted in inhibition of Cyk2/Hof1- and Myo1-mediated cytokinetic pathways. Thus, we propose that Cdc5 may coordinate mitotic exit with cytokinesis by participating in both anaphase promoting complex activation and a polo-box–dependent cytokinetic pathway.
The displacement of sulfonate groups by azide in cyclitols. Fully substituted 4-sulfonates of d-pinitol and 2-sulfonates of 1l-1-O-methyl-allo-inositol

Abstract A series of p -toluenesulfonic and p -bromobenzenesulfonic esters was prepared from 1 d -1,2:5,6-di- O -isopropylidene-3- O -methyl- chiro -inositol (“diisopropylidenepinitol”, 1). In these compounds, the arylsulfonyl group was at position 4(3), and the substituents at positions 1,2,5, and 6 were isopropylidene, acetyl, methyl, and cyclic carbonate, respectively. Inversion of configuration at C-4 in 1 gave 1 d -1,2:5,6-di- O -isopropylidene-4- O -methyl- allo -inositol, from which a corresponding series of allo -inositol sulfonates was prepared. Rates of displacement of the sulfonate groups by azide ion ( N,N -dimethylformamide, 110°) were measured in both series, and the azido products were isolated and characterized. All of the azides except the penta- O -methyl- chiro derivative were convertible to one of two inosamine pentaacetates, which were shown to be 1 l -2-amino-2-deoxy-1- O -methyl- allo -inositol pentaacetate and 1 d -3-amino-3-deoxy-4- O -methyl- chiro -inositol pentaacetate, respectively.
Some experiments in machine learning

Ever since the development of automatic sequence computers it has been possible for the machine to modify its own instructions, and this ability is the greatest single faculty in the complex that tempts the term "giant brain." Friedberg demonstrated a new technique in the modification of instructions; he allowed the machine to make alterations at "random," and lent direction to the maneuver by monitoring the result. This technique is far from being a feasible way to program a computer, for it took several hundred thousand errors before the first successful trial, and this was for one of the simplest tasks he could imagine. A simple principle of probabilities shows that a task compounded of two tasks of this same complexity would take several hundred thousand times as long, perhaps a million computer hours. It is the object of this study to examine techniques for abbreviating this process.
Inelastic neutron scattering studies of magnetic excitations at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Abstract Inelastic neutron scattering using the triple axis spectrometer is the technique of choice for studying collective magnetic excitations in condensed matter. Over the past several years, there has been a high level of interest in understanding the nature of magnetic excitations in high Tc superconductors, quantum magnets and other highly correlated electrons systems. This article provides a glimpse at a few of the exciting highlights of recent research on magnetic excitations conducted using the neutron scattering facilities at ORNL's High Flux Isotope Reactor.
The Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision: A Tool for Training Therapists to Work with Same-Sex Couples

The Sexual Orientation Matrix for Supervision (SOMS) was created in order to assist supervisors and trainers in preparing supervisees to work with lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) clients. The SOMS was developed around two core concepts: (1) degree of heterosexual bias, and (2) degree of acceptance of LGB orientations and behavior. Supervisors can employ the matrix to explore both their own and their supervisee’s levels of comfort, knowledge, and experience in working with LGB clients including same-sex couples. This article describes the development of the matrix, an exploration of the concepts underlying this tool, and an explanation of how to use the matrix, including suggested tasks for supervision of therapists working with same-sex couples.
Circulation of Arab Silver in Medieval Afro‐Eurasia: Preliminary Observations

Dirhams or medieval Islamic silver coins offer a unique and indispensable primary source for the study of many fundamental issues pertaining to Afro-Eurasian history during the Middle Ages that cannot be studied using any other evidence. When found in hoards, or deposits of five or more dirhams, they are especially useful, since historical numismatists can study the profiles of the contents of the hoards to discern numerous questions. Thus, the 1656 hoards, containing almost half a million dirhams, recorded to date show that close to three quarters of them were deposited not in the Muslim world, but in northern Europe from c.800 to c.1100 and that they were brought there mostly via Russia. This finding brings many questions that need answering in the future. One of the key conclusions of the present study is that this silver gravitated to silver-scarce northern Europe and was exchanged for items in great demand in the ‘House of Islam’– furs and slaves.
Solid inclusions of halite in quartz: evidence for the halite trend

Abstract Compositions of fluid inclusions containing halite and sylvite daughter minerals can define a linear trend of decreasing salinity when plotted in the NaCl–KCl–H 2 O ternary system. This is termed the Halite Trend, and is attributed to halite precipitation from the fluid before trapping. Salt crystals observed in vein quartz crystals from mineralized zones in the Capitan Mountains, NM, USA, using an electron microprobe are evidence of halite precipitation causing the halite trend. The crystals (observed on both polished and broken sample surfaces) are often euhedral and enclosed in quartz with little suggestion of associated fluid cavities. Based on the textural evidence, these salt crystals are interpreted as solid inclusions that were trapped during the growth of quartz. Given halite-saturated fluids, trapping of heterogeneous (liquid+halite) fluid inclusions is possible, leading to the potential to overestimate the fluid inclusion salinities.
A generalized assignment model for dynamic supply chain capacity planning

We consider a generalization of the well-known generalized assignment problem (GAP) over discrete time periods encompassed within a finite planning horizon. The resulting model, MultiGAP, addresses the assignment of tasks to agents within each time period, with the attendant single-period assignment costs and agent-capacity constraint requirements, in conjunction with transition costs arising between any two consecutive periods in which a task is reassigned to a different agent. As is the case for its single-period antecedent, MultiGAP offers a robust tool for modeling a wide range of capacity planning problems occurring within supply chain management. We provide two formulations for MultiGAP and establish that the second (alternative) formulation provides a tighter bound. We define a Lagrangian relaxation-based heuristic as well as a branch-and-bound algorithm for MultiGAP. Computational experience with the heuristic and branch-and-bound algorithm on over 2500 test problems is reported. The Lagrangian heuristic consistently generates high-quality and in many cases near-optimal solutions. The branch-and-bound algorithm is also seen to constitute an effective means for solving to optimality MultiGAP problems of reasonable size. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Naval Research Logistics, 2012
Social Story Worlds With Comme il Faut

This paper presents Comme il Faut (CiF), an artificial intelligence system that matches character performances to appropriate social context, with the goal of enabling authors to write high-level rules governing expected character behavior in given social situations, rather than specific fixed choice points in a curated narrative structure. CiF models characters with a complex set of traits, feelings, and relationships, who can form intents, take actions, relate to a shared cultural space, and remember and refer to past events. A set of authored rules encoding appropriate behavior within a specific story world allow these characters to select actions to take (and respond to actions by others) in a manner consistent with their own personal and social concerns as well as a shifting interpersonal context. Through the development and release of Prom Week, a complete game using CiF as its narrative engine, we show how the system successfully creates complex narratives that are unique for each player and directed by those players' attempts to make progress towards story goals. We also show how CiF continues to be used in several in-progress interactive experiences (Mismanor and IMMERSE), speaking to the utility and flexibility of its design.
Aluminium Interferes with Signal Transduction in Neuroblastoma Cells

The effects of aluminium on inositol phosphate formation were examined in murine neuroblastoma cells labelled with [3H]-myo-inositol. In aluminium-pretreated cells, the bradykinin-triggered inositol triphosphate, IP3, release and the change in intracellular [Ca2+] were appreciably less compared with the control group. Stimulating digitonin-permeabilized cells with non-hydrolyzable guanosine 5'-[gamma-thio]-triphosphate, GTP[S], inositol phosphate formation decreased in the presence of aluminium. A primary target of aluminium toxicity may reside on the guanine nucleotide-binding protein(Gp)/phospholipase C system, at a site different from that of the GTP[S] binding site.
An Approach to Improved Decentralized Design: The Modified Approximation-Based Decentralized Design (MADD) Framework

The design of large scale complex engineering systems requires interaction and communication between multiple disciplines and decentralized subsystems. One common fundamental assumption in decentralized design is that the individual subsystems only exchange design variable information and do not share objective functions or gradients. This is because the decentralized subsystems can either not share this information due to geographical constraints or choose not to share it due to corporate secrecy issues. Game theory has been used to model the interactions between distributed design subsystems and predict convergence and equilibrium solutions. These game theoretic models assume that designers make perfectly rational decisions by selecting solutions from their Rational Reaction Set (RRS), resulting in a Nash Equilibrium solution. However, empirical studies reject the claim that decision makers always make rational choices and the concept of Bounded Rationality is used to explain such behavior. In this paper, a framework is proposed that uses the idea of bounded rationality in conjunction with set-based design, metamodeling and multiobjective optimization techniques to improve solutions for convergent decentralized design problems. Through the use of this framework, entitled Modified Approximation-based Decentralized Design (MADD) framework, convergent decentralized design problems converge to solutions that are superior to the Nash equilibrium. A two subsystem mathematical problem is used as case study and simulation techniques are used to study the impact of the framework parameters on the final solution. The discipline specific objective functions within the case study problem are unconstrained and continuous — however, the implementation of the MADD framework is not restricted to such problems.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Use of dynamic oxygen chemisorption for the characterization of partially deactivated (coked) hydrotreating catalysts

Coke is an ubiquitous contaminant of solid catalysts used for hydrocarbon reactions. Its general effect as is well known, is to decrease catalytic activity, presumably by covering the active sites or rendering them inaccessible by other means such as pore blocking. The quantitative relationship between coke deposition and activity decline is, however, a complex affair and depends upon many factors. This report describes the application of chemisorption (specifically, dynamic oxygen chemisorption) to partially deactivate (coked) hydrodesulfurization catalysts. In this case (and probably in others as well) there are practical incentives to characterize such catalysts.
Laboratory studies of antibiosis of foliage of certain soybean cultivars on immature stages of Heliothis zea

Abstract Soybean [ Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars Cutler, Essex, Hill, York, Delmar, Wye, Shore and two advanced breeding lines, D67.3297 and ED73.371, were evaluated for leaf feeding resistance to corn earworm ( Heliothis zea - Boddie). Larvae reared on resistant genotypes gained less weight and had extended larval periods. Shore and ED73.371 showed high levels of leaf feeding resistance to corn earworm. D67.3297 showed least antibiosis. Cultivars resistant to corn earworm should play an important role in an integrated pest management program.
Pulse compression using angular multiplexing in a high-gain 1.7 kJ amplifier

Pulse compression using angular multiplexing is demonstrated on a large-scale hydrogen-fluoride (HF) laser system. For a train of two 24 ns pulses, the essential elements of this scheme are evaluated as a function of interpulse separation time. Included are energy-extraction efficiency, overall temporal pulse distortion, leading-edge contrast-ratio distortion, and suppression of amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) relative to a single long-duration input pulse. For appropriate interpulse delay time, we show that distortionless amplification is possible with energy-extraction efficiency, as is obtained using a single input beam having a pulsewidth equal to the duration of the amplifier gain.
Sealed with a twist: complexin and the synaptic SNARE complex.

Abstract Knockout experiments show that complexins are crucial for Ca 2+ -dependent neurotransmitter release. In the recently solved crystal structure of complexin I bound to the synaptic SNARE complex, complexin binds along the groove between the syntaxin and synaptobrevin coils. This structure, together with NMR data, suggests that the role of complexin is to stabilize the SNARE complex as it forms from SNAREs in vesicle and target membranes.
Alienation and Social Awareness Among College Students

The generality of feelings of alienation among college students was tested by employing two sets of alienation scales. The obtained intercorrelations indicated a close correspondence between feelings of alienation from the university and from the surrounding society. The social learning hypothesis was investigated by relating these forms of alienation to two information tests. Inverse relationships were found between degrees of alienation and awareness concerning both the immediate university situation and larger political events. The influence of social background characteristics on the major variables was generally negligible.