cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Disproportionate Vitamin A Deficiency in Women of Specific Ethnicities Linked to Differences in Allele Frequencies of Vitamin A-Related Polymorphisms.

Background: While the current national prevalence rate of vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is estimated to be less than 1%, it is suggested that it varies between different ethnic groups and races within the U.S. We assessed the prevalence of VAD in pregnant women of different ethnic groups and tested these prevalence rates for associations with the vitamin A-related single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) allele frequencies in each ethnic group. Methods: We analyzed two independent datasets of serum retinol levels with self-reported ethnicities and the differences of allele frequencies of the SNPs associated with vitamin A metabolism between groups in publicly available datasets. Results: Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic pregnant women showed high VAD prevalence in both datasets. Interestingly, the VAD prevalence for Hispanic pregnant women significantly differed between datasets (p = 1.973 × 10−10, 95%CI 0.04–0.22). Alleles known to confer the risk of low serum retinol (rs10882272 C and rs738409 G) showed higher frequencies in the race/ethnicity groups with more VAD. Moreover, minor allele frequencies of a set of 39 previously reported SNPs associated with vitamin A metabolism were significantly different between the populations of different ancestries than those of randomly selected SNPs (p = 0.030). Conclusions: Our analysis confirmed that VAD prevalence varies between different ethnic groups/races and may be causally associated with genetic variants conferring risk for low retinol levels. Assessing genetic variant information prior to performing an effective nutrient supplementation program will help us plan more effective food-based interventions.
Flood risk perception and responses among urban residents in the northeastern United States

Abstract Growing flood risks raise difficult questions regarding risk perception, protective actions, and government response. Drawing on behavioral decision theory, protection motivation theory, and the protective action decision model, we examine the roles risk salience and immediacy, response efficacy, and trust in government authorities play in perceptions of flood risk and adoption of protective actions, with a focus on flood insurance. Data come from focus group discussions conducted in 2 flood-affected neighborhoods in Troy, New York, United States of America. Troy has a history of flooding, including major floods linked to Hurricane Irene in 2011. While several participants had vivid memories of past floods, overall salience of flood risk was low. While they recognized responsiveness of local government at the time of hazard events, they expressed concern about inadequate preparation for future disasters. Participants expressed concern about flood insurance, citing costs, inadequate coverage, and arduous procedures needed to file claims. They expressed distrust in the institutions surrounding flood insurance. We argue that emergency managers will need to be responsive to people's multiple concerns in order to build the awareness and trust on which effective natural hazard preparedness depends.
Quantification of Porcine Vocal Fold Geometry

Summary Objective The aim of this study was to quantify porcine vocal fold medial surface geometry and three-dimensional geometric distortion induced by freezing the larynx, especially in the region of the vocal folds. Study Design The medial surface geometries of five excised porcine larynges were quantified and reported. Methods Five porcine larynges were imaged in a micro-CT scanner, frozen, and rescanned. Segmentations and three-dimensional reconstructions were used to quantify and characterize geometric features. Comparisons were made with geometry data previously obtained using canine and human vocal folds as well as geometries of selected synthetic vocal fold models. Results Freezing induced an overall expansion of approximately 5% in the transverse plane and comparable levels of nonuniform distortion in sagittal and coronal planes. The medial surface of the porcine vocal folds was found to compare reasonably well with other geometries, although the compared geometries exhibited a notable discrepancy with one set of published human female vocal fold geometry. Conclusions Porcine vocal folds are qualitatively geometrically similar to data available for canine and human vocal folds, as well as commonly used models. Freezing of tissue in the larynx causes distortion of around 5%. The data can provide direction in estimating uncertainty due to bulk distortion of tissue caused by freezing, as well as quantitative geometric data that can be directly used in developing vocal fold models.
The Harish-Chandra realization for non-symmetric domains in C n

Let D ⊂ ℂn be a bounded, homogeneous domain. This means that the group Aut (D) of bi-holomorphisms of D acts transitively on D. Let G be the component of the identity in Aut (D). It is known that G is a Lie group.
Glioma Test Array for Use with Formalin-Fixed, Paraffin-Embedded Tissue: Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization Correlates with Loss of Heterozygosity and Fluorescence in Situ Hybridization

Array-based comparative genomic hybridization (aCGH) is a powerful, high-throughput tool for whole genome analysis. Until recently, aCGH could only be reproducibly performed on frozen tissue samples and with significant tissue amounts. For brain tumors however, paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from small stereotactic biopsies may be the only tissue routinely available. The development of methods to analyze formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) material therefore has the potential to impact molecular diagnosis in a significant way. To this end, we constructed a BAC array representing chromosomes 1, 7, 19, and X because 1p/19q deletion and EGFR gene amplification provide clinically relevant information for glioma diagnosis. We also optimized a two-step labeling procedure using an amine-modified nucleotide for generating aCGH probes. Using this approach, we analyzed a series of 28 FFPE oligodendroglial tumors for alterations of chromosomes 1, 7, and 19. We also independently assayed these tumors for 1p/19q deletion by fluorescence in situ hybridization and by loss of heterozygosity analyses. The concordance between aCGH, standard loss of heterozygosity and fluorescence in situ hybridization was nearly 100% for the chromosomes analyzed. These results suggest that aCGH could offer an improved molecular diagnostic approach for gliomas because of its ability to detect clinically relevant molecular alterations in small FFPE specimens.
Lexical Alternatives as a Source of Pragmatic Presuppositions

I assume that semantic presuppositions are encoded in the semantic values of sentences, using truth value gaps or definedness of a file change potentials. 2 A pragmatic presupposition of an utterance is a proposition p such that in making the utterance, the speaker communicates that he takes p to follow from the current common ground of shared information. Typically, if a sentence S has a semantic presupposition p, and a speaker asserts S, then the speaker pragmatically presupposes p. Stalnaker (1 974) introduced the project of using the lexical representation (2a) without a semantic presupposition, and deriving the pragmatically presupposed status of the factive implication by conversational reasoning.3 I think this project is attractive for what I call soft triggers, which are presupposition triggers where the presuppositional behavior is weak and easily suspendable. Karttun en (1 971 ) mentioned that it is easy to suspend the factive implication of discover. In typical utterances, (3a) does not pragmatically presuppose that the speaker has not told the truth. The same holds for (3b) and (3c). (The examples are from Karttunen (1 971 ).)
A real-time optical data processing device

A novel liquid-crystal electro-optical device useful as a real-time input device in coherent optical data processing is described. The device is a special adaptation of an ac photoactivated liquid-crystal light valve, and utilizes a hybrid field effect (45 deg twisted nematic effect in OFF state and pure optical birefringence of the liquid crystal in ON state). A thin-film sandwich exerts photoelectric control over the optical birefringence of a thin liquid-crystal layer. Liquid-crystal layer thickness is successfully reduced without image degradation. The device offers high resolution (better than 100 lines/mm), contrast (better than 100/1), high speed (10 msec ON, 15 msec OFF), high input sensitivity, low power input, low fabrication cost, and can be operated at below 10 V rms. Preliminary measurements on device performance in level slicing, filtering, contrast reversal, and edge enhancement are under way.
Modeling and design of multidimensional vector-quantized M-channel subband codecs

We develop a heuristic theory for modeling, analysis, optimum filter bank design and compensation of encoding vector quantization effects in multidimensional M-band FIR filter banks. Each PDF-optimized vector quantizer is represented by a scalar nonlinear gain-plus-additive uncorrelated noise model embedded into the subband structure. We compute the mean squared reconstruction error which depends on N, the number of entries in each codebook, and k the length of each codeword (that is, the average bit rate), and on the filter coefficients. This mean squared error is then minimized subject to the perfect reconstruction constraints and the total bits for the entire bank. The algorithm gives optimum filter coefficients, compensator gains, and the bit allocations. Numerical design examples for the optimum separable and nonseparable paraunitary and biorthogonal filter banks are developed in this paper. Also, theoretical results are confirmed by extensive Monte Carlo simulation.
Plasticity of L‐type Ca2+ channels after cocaine withdrawal

Increased reactivity of certain frontal cortical brain regions to cocaine re-exposure or drug-associated cues in cocaine-abstinent human addicts is linked to drug craving. Similarly, in rats tested after withdrawal from repeated cocaine exposure, cocaine or other strong excitatory stimuli produce greater activation of pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Our recent findings indicate that the increased mPFC neuronal activation depends primarily upon enhanced voltage-sensitive Ca(2+) influx, most likely through high-voltage activated (HVA) L-type Ca(2+) channels, but the mechanism underlying the enhanced Ca(2+) currents is unknown. In this study, we used a protein crosslinking assay to show that repeated cocaine injections, resulting in behavioral sensitization, increased total protein levels and cell surface expression of HVA-Ca(v)1.2 L-type channels in pyramidal neurons in deep layers of the mPFC. These changes in Ca(v)1.2 L-channels were time dependent and subtype specific (i.e., differed from those observed for Ca(v)1.3 L-channels). Furthermore, we found enhanced PKA activity in the mPFC of cocaine-sensitized rats that persisted for 21 days after withdrawal. PKA phosphorylation of L-channels increases their activity, so Ca(2+) currents after cocaine withdrawal could be enhanced as a result of both increased activity and number of HVA-Ca(v)1.2 L-channels on the cell surface. By increasing the suprafiring threshold excitability of mPFC pyramidal neurons, excessive upregulation of HVA L-channel activity and number may contribute to the cortical hyper-responsiveness that enhances vulnerability to cocaine craving and relapse. More generally, our results are the first to demonstrate that repeated cocaine exposure alters the membrane trafficking of a voltage-sensitive ion channel.
Actively modulated acoustic nondestructive evaluation of concrete

The need in testing concrete is not only the ability to detect large cracks or flaws but also reliably and efficiently to quantify the residual strength. Current nondestructive testing methods are capable only of discriminating high states of damage. This study lays the foundation for an evaluation method that may be significantly more sensitive than traditional nondestructive evaluation (NDE) to the damage in concrete without high dependency on testing conditions. One promising method of evaluating damage state in concrete is by frequency domain analysis of the stress waves that pass through the material. This study unveils the potential of nonlinear frequency analysis methods for concrete damage detection and evaluation using actively modulated acoustic (AMA) signals. This method actively interrogates the specimen material exaggerating the nonlinearity that exists due to microcracking and deterioration.
Differentiating systolic from diastolic heart failure: pathophysiologic and therapeutic considerations.

Abstract purpose: To compare and contrast the pathophysiology and therapy of heart failure with normal and abnormal systolic ventricular function. methods: Review of basic pathophysiologic mechanisms, clinical data, and therapeutic trials. conclusions: The clinical features of heart failure may be similar regardless of whether ventricular function is normal or abnormal. However, the pathophysiologic mechanisms leading to heart failure with normal ventricular function differ considerably from those producing heart failure with abnormal systolic function. The key problems in heart failure with abnormal systolic function involve impaired contractility, neuroendocrine activation, increased intracardiac volume and pressure, and enhanced sensitivity to change in afterload. With normal systolic function, the key problem is an abnormal diastolic pressure/volume relationship, which may be due to a variety of active and passive processes affecting diastole. Assessing left ventricular systolic function is crucial before initiating therapy in a patient with heart failure, since treatment for systolic dysfunction may be ineffective or even counterproductive if symptoms are due to abnormal diastolic properties with preserved systolic function.
Evidence for cytochrome P-450 as a source of catalytic iron in myoglobinuric acute renal failure.

Iron has been implicated to play an important role in several models of tissue injury, including myoglobinuric acute renal failure. In this model, myoglobin released from the injured muscle is generally accepted as a source of iron. In the present study we measured the bleomycin-detectable iron (iron capable of catalyzing free radical reactions) in the kidneys and examined the role of cytochrome P-450 as a source of catalytic iron in glycerol-induced model of myoglobinuric acute renal failure. Rats were injected with 50% glycerol (8 ml/kg) i.m. after overnight water deprivation and sacrificed 24 hours later. There was a marked and a specific increase in the bleomycin-detectable iron content accompanied by a marked decrease in the cytochrome P-450 content in the kidneys of glycerol treated rats. We then examined the effects of two different cytochrome P-450 inhibitors, cimetidine (with ranitidine as a control) and piperonyl butoxide. Cimetidine, but not ranitidine, significantly prevented the increase of bleomycin-detectable iron in the kidneys of glycerol-treated rats. The loss of cytochrome P-450 content was substantially blocked by both inhibitors, cimetidine and piperonyl butoxide, but not by ranitidine. Both the inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 provided functional (as measured by BUN and creatinine) and histological protection against glycerol-induced acute renal failure. Our data thus demonstrate a marked increase in bleomycin-detectable iron in the kidneys of glycerol-treated rats. Our data also indicate that inhibitors of cytochrome P-450 provide protection against glycerol-induced acute renal failure and that cytochrome P-450 may be a significant source of this iron in this model of acute renal failure.
SU‐FF‐T‐18: On the Determination of the Absolute Dose for a 192Ir HDR Source Using a Fricke Dosimeter: Correction Factors for Several Radii Using MC Calculation

Purpose: To determine the absolute dose at the reference point using measurement with Fricke dosimeter at various transverse bisector distances. Method and Materials: In a previous work we showed how the absolute dose from a 192 Ir source can be measured using a Fricke dosimeter. Ring shaped fricke volume of 1 mm width and 3 mm height was used to determine the absolute dose. AlphaOmega HDR 192 Ir source was located at the center of the ring which was 1 cm away from the source, the uncertainty at this point was too high (k=7%). In another second study we demonstrated that there is a size detector dependence and source positioning uncertainty when doing the measurement. We did dose profile measurements along and away from a 192 Ir source using four different detectors (two ionization chambers and two diodes). We showed that the detector size effect goes from 1.3% at 1 cm to 0.2% at 2.5 cm. Therefore PENELOPE Monte Carlo simulations for several radii have been used to determine conversion factors to the reference point. Results: We show in this work that the absorbed dose at various distances away from the source does not have an inverse square law behavior. Therefore, factors have been determined to convert the dose at measured point to the dose at the reference point recommended by AAPM TG‐43. These conversion factors are 4.454, 7.609, 11.288 and 16.003 for the distances 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, and 3.0 cm respectively. Conclusion: Feasibility of determining the absorbed dose using a Fricke dosimeter at the reference point (1 cm distance) was demonstrated in a previous work, however the uncertainty was too high (7%). Measurement at distances greater than 1 cm was demonstrated to lower the uncertainty. PENELOPE MC code was used to obtain the conversion factors at various radii to the reference point.
Transcriptional activation of an Escherichia coli copper efflux regulon by the chromosomal MerR homologue, cueR.

Abstract Because copper ions are both essential cofactors and cytotoxic agents, the net accumulation of this element in a cell must be carefully balanced. Depending upon the cellular copper status, copper ions must either be imported or ejected. CopA, the principal copper efflux ATPase in Escherichia coli, is induced by elevated copper in the medium, but the copper-sensing regulatory factor is unknown. Inspection of the copA promoter reveals signature elements of promoters controlled by metalloregulatory proteins in the MerR family. These same elements are also present upstream of yacK, which encodes a putative multi-copper oxidase. Homologues of YacK are found in copper resistance determinants that facilitate copper efflux. Here we show by targeted gene deletion and promoter fusion assays that both copA andyacK are regulated in a copper-responsive manner by the MerR homologue, ybbI. We have designated ybbIas cueR for the Cu effluxregulator. This represents the first example of a copper-responsive regulon on the E. coli chromosome and further extends the roles of MerR family members in prokaryotic stress response.
Effects of medical student training in child advocacy and child abuse prevention and intervention

The Child Advocacy Studies Training (CAST) program was developed by the National Child Protection Training Center to educate future professionals to more effectively prevent, identify, and respond to child maltreatment. The program has been implemented nationally in over 20 colleges and universities. This pilot study examines the effectiveness of the first implementation of CAST in a medical school. RESULTS indicate that medical students' self-reported preparedness to identify signs of child maltreatment, to report a case of suspected child maltreatment, to recommend or secure needed services for a maltreated child, and likelihood to report suspected child maltreatment if they suspected but were not sure about it were significantly improved after completing CAST. The implications of this study may have a profound impact on identifying and potentially decreasing child maltreatment.
The Efficacy of Educational Movies on Aids Knowledge and Attitudes among College Students

Abstract University students from five classes were randomly assigned to seeing either a movie on Aids or a movie on first aid. Six weeks later, both groups of students filled out a questionnaire measuring their knowledge of Aids, attitudes toward Aids, and attitudes toward homosexuals. In general, the differences between the two groups on the knowledge and attitudes measures were slight. In particular, there was little effect on social attitudes. The showing of one educational movie on Aids (particularly the movie that was used in this experiment) appears to be insufficient to educate students on this issue.
Immunologic studies on the etiologic agents of North and South American blastomycosis. II. Comparison of serologic reactions.

This study presents an immunologic comparison of the fungi,B. brasiliensis andB. dermatitidis, by serologic reactions in animals and in humans.
Insulin therapy for depressed myocardial contractility after prolonged ischemia

Insulin was administered to two patients whose diminished myocardial contractility made it difficult to terminate cardiopulmonary bypass. In both instances, bypass was successfully terminated shortly after the insulin injection. These clinical observations led to experiments under the controlled conditions provided by the isolated, working rat heart preparation. The recovery of contractility after 30 minutes of severe ischemia was assessed in all 11 control and 11 insulin-treated hearts. Myocardial performance, as judged by the product of heart rate and peak systolic blood pressure, was significantly greater in the insulin-treated hearts. These clinical observations and experimental findings suggest the need for more extensive study of the potential value of insulin in treating depressed contractility after prolonged myocardial ischemia.
The role of chemotherapy in the management of cancer of the head and neck: A review

Although experience with drug therapy of advanced or recurrent squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck is limited, several agents have produced convincing and reproducible tumor regression in these patients. Methotrexate has had the widest usage, and produces 30–50% response rates; bleomycin, hydroxyurea, and adriamycin appear to be somewhat less effective. Location of the malignancy and previous x-ray treatment appear to be important determinants of responsiveness to methotrexate, while degree of differentiation has not yet been shown to be an important factor for response to this drug. Attempts to improve the response rate and duration of the chemotherapeutic response by utilizing combinations of drugs, or use of drugs to sensitize the tumor to x-ray treatment, or to reduce the bulk of tumor before x-ray treatment, are reviewed; they have been only moderately encouraging. Intra-arterial chemotherapy appears to have a therapeutic advantage over intravenous treatment; however, the morbidity associated with the former approach limits its usefulness for routine usage. The use of drugs as adjuncts following surgery and/or radiation therapy or immunotherapy are newer approaches that have not been investigated sufficiently, but are promising areas for investigation.
Suppressive Effect of Surfactant on TNFα Release from Murine Macrophages Stimulated by Genital Mycoplasmas in Normoxia and Hyperoxia† 1349

Suppressive Effect of Surfactant on TNFα Release from Murine Macrophages Stimulated by Genital Mycoplasmas in Normoxia and Hyperoxia† 1349
Superconductivity above 100K in compounds containing Hg

Several members of a new family of (Hg,Tl)(Ba,Sr)CaCuO high temperature superconductors have been synthesized. These compounds, which are analogs to the Hg-Ba-Ca- and Tl-Ba-Ca-layered cuprates, are multi-phased and have superconducting transition temperatures above 100K. Several samples with a nominal composition of HgTl2Ba4Ca4Cu6Oy had Tcs near 130K. Details of the characterization of these samples are presented.
Rethinking positive and negative aspects of alcohol use: Suggestions from a comparison of alcohol expectancies and decisional balance

Objective: Few studies have compared similar alcohol-related constructs such as alcohol expectancies and decisional balance: two conceptualizations of the positive and negative aspects of alcohol. The purpose of this study was to compare these constructs and to examine their ability to predict alcohol use and problems. Method: A sample of 406 college students recruited from Psychology courses at a mid-sized Northeastern University completed a questionnaire that included measures of alcohol expectancies, decisional balance, drinking indices and drinking problems. Of these students, N = 389 (73% female) were drinkers and were included in analyses. Results: Positive expectancies (PE) and the pros were more related to one another than were negative expectancies (NE) and the cons. The 8-item pros scale outperformed 20 items measuring PE in the prediction of alcohol problems and performed equally well in the prediction of alcohol indices. The negative relationship of cons to alcohol indices, something not found...
Cap-dependent and cap-independent translation in eukaryotic systems

Unlike bacterial protein synthesis, eukaryotic protein synthesis has several mechanisms to initiate translation including cap-dependent initiation, re-initiation and internal initiation. While there is extensive biochemical characterization of the multiple steps in cap-dependent initiation, most of the information on the other two mechanisms is derived from studies on the nucleic acid sequences that influence their efficiency. However, even in the best of circumstances, both re-initiation and internal initiation are only 25% as efficient as cap-dependent initiation and more commonly, are only 1-10% as efficient. This general lack of efficiency leaves open possibilities for mis-interpretation/artifacts in vivo (cryptic promoters, alternate splicing) or in vitro (nuclease degradation). Two examples are cited from the author's laboratory as background for the development of a general set of guidelines to minimize errors and validate authenticity for internal initiation.
The neuroinflammation marker translocator protein is not elevated in individuals with mild-to-moderate depression: A [11C]PBR28 PET study

Depression is associated with systemic inflammation. In animals, systemic inflammation can induce neuroinflammation and activation of microglia; however, postmortem studies have not convincingly shown that there is neuroinflammation in depression. The purpose of this study was to use positron emission tomography (PET) with [11C]PBR28, which binds to the neuroinflammation marker translocator protein 18 kDa (TSPO), to compare the level of TSPO between individuals with depression and control subjects. Ten individuals who were in an acute episode of major depression and 10 control subjects matched for TSPO genotype and other characteristics had a PET scan with arterial input function to quantify levels of TSPO in brain regions of interest (ROIs). Total volume of distribution (VT) of [11C]PBR28 was used as a measure of total ligand binding. The primary outcome was the difference in VT between the two groups; this was assessed using a linear mixed model with group as a between-subject factor and region as a within-subject factor. There was no statistically significant difference in [11C]PBR28 binding (VT) between the two groups. In fact, 7 of 10 individuals with depression had lower [11C]PBR28 binding in all ROIs compared to their respective genotype-matched control subjects. Future studies are needed to determine whether individuals with mild-to-moderate depression have lower TSPO levels and to assess whether individuals with severe depression and/or with elevated levels of systemic inflammation might have higher TSPO levels than control subjects.
Surface concentrations and molecular interactions in binary mixtures of surfactants

The regular solution treatment of Rubingh for mixed surfactant micelles has been extended to adsorption at the aqueous solution/air interface. Three systems were investigated: C12H25(OC2H4)3-OH-C12H25(OC2H4)8OH, C12H25SO3Na-C12H25(OC2H4)8OH, and C12H25C5H5NBr-C12H25(OC2H4)8-OH, all in aqueous solution. Mole fractions at the aqueous solution/air interface of the surfactants in these mixtures, calculated by this treatment, are in good agreement with those calculated by use of the Gibbs adsorption equation. Values of the molecular interaction parameter, β, at the aqueous solution/air interface, were also calculated by the regular solution treatment. For the systems investigated, the order of decreasing interaction was anionic-nonionic > cationic-nonionic > nonionic-nonionic.
Effect of light on the hydrocarbon-DNA adducts formed in hamster embryo cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are metabolically activated and bind to DNA in hamster embryo cell cultures. The effect of light exposure on the DNA adducts formed from two hydrocarbons of different photosensitivities was investigated by exposing cells to light during hydrocarbon treatment and by exposing DNA to light after isolation from cells treated with hydrocarbon in darkness. The total hydrocarbon-DNA adducts formed per mg DNA in cells treated with the highly photosensitive hydrocarbon 7,12-dimethylbenz(a)anthracene (DMBA) in the presence of light was less than in cells treated in darkness. No appreciable amounts of hydrocarbon-DNA adducts were formed in cells treated with a major photo-oxidation product of DMBA, the 7,12-endoperoxide, in either the presence or absence of light. DMBA-deoxyribonucleoside adducts were analyzed by chromatography on Sephadex LH20 columns. Exposure to light of the DMBA-deoxyribonucleoside adducts obtained by enzymatic degradation of DNA isolated from cells treated with DMBA in darkness converted more than half to photoproducts. DNA that was exposed to light prior to degradation contained less than half as many photoproducts and had an elution profile similar to that obtained from DNA isolated from cells treated with DMBA in the presence of light. With the less photosensitive hydrocarbon benzo(a)pyrene, benzo(a)pyrene-DNA adducts were identical for DNA from cells treated with benzo(a)pyrene in darkness, DNA from cells treated in the presence of light, and DNA exposed to light after isolation. These results indicate that exposure to light does not alter the mechanism of binding of hydrocarbons to DNA in hamster embryo cells, but does affect the DNA adducts of the photosensitive hydrocarbon DMBA in a similar manner in cells and in isolated DNA.
873 EFFECTS OF PHOSPHODIESTERASE INHIBITORS (PI) UPON THE DEFORMABILITY OF SICKLE CELLS

We studied the in vitro effect of 3 Pis upon the deformability of red cells (RCD) from patients with homozygous sickle cell disease (SSD). The subjects were clinically stable and had not been transfused. The RCD was quantitated by measuring the filtration time (FT) of a red cell suspension through polycarbonate filters under aerobic conditions. Venous samples were incubated with one of 3 Pis (RA233 .12 mg/cc, pentoxifylline .18 mg/cc, aminophylline .1 and .02 mg/cc) and alone as a control. FTs were measured after 30 and 60 minutes of incubation. RA233 treated cells from 6 patients exhibited FTs of 190.6±86.3 secs at 30 min and 190±109.9 at 60 min versus control values of 274.6±131.3 and 323.5±119.5 respectively. These differences are significant (P < 0.05 & P < 0.005). The improvement at 30 versus 60 min with RA233 was not significantly different. Pentoxifylline and the 2 concentrations of aminophylline were each studied in 6 patients. All samples exhibited improved FTs but this did not attain statistical significance with these small groups. Six normal patients did not exhibit a significant change in FT with RA233. RA233, a PI, improves the deformability of oxygenated sickle cells in vitro. The mechanism of this alteration is not known. Further in vitro studies of RA233 and the other PIs are indicated to justify clinical trials of these agents in the prevention of the vasoocclusive symptoms of SSD.
Alternative Placements Does A Difference Exist in the LD Populations

This study examined the similarities and differences in characteristics of learning disabled males staffed into resource programs and those staffed into self-contained programs. The performance of the 35 self-contained and 50 resource students was compared on the Weschler Intelligence Scale for Children, the Picture Story Language Test, the Peabody Individual Achievement Test, the Wide Range Achievement Test, and selected subtests of the Detroit Test of Learning Aptitude. The subjects were also compared on the factors of retention, chronological age, and a subjective index of behavior. Results of a discriminant function indicated a difference only in the intelligence factor between the two groups. Findings related to the use of the preceding variables for discrimination of L.D. placement are discussed and implications for personnel training are reviewed.
Serum amyloid A inhibits dendritic cell apoptosis to induce glucocorticoid resistance in CD4(+) T cells.

Mediators produced by the airway epithelium control the activation, recruitment, and survival of pulmonary dendritic cells (DC) that present antigen to CD4+ T cells during the genesis and exacerbation of allergic asthma. The epithelial-derived acute phase protein, serum amyloid A (SAA), induces DC maturation and TH17 polarization. TH17 responses are associated with severe forms of allergic asthma that are poorly controlled by corticosteroids. We sought to determine whether SAA would enhance the survival of DC during serum starvation and could then contribute to the development of a glucocorticoid-resistant phenotype in CD4+ T cells. Bone marrow-derived dendritic cells (BMDC) that were serum starved in the presence of SAA were protected from activation of caspase-3 and released less lactate dehydrogenase. In comparison with untreated serum-starved BMDC, treatment with SAA downregulated mRNA expression of the pro-apoptotic molecule Bim, increased production of the pro-survival heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. SAA-treated BMDC that were serum starved for 48 h remained capable of presenting antigen and induced OTII CD4+ T cells to secrete IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, IL-22, and IFNγ in the presence of ovalbumin. IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-21, and IFNγ production occurred even when the CD4+ T cells were treated with dexamethasone (Dex), whereas glucocorticoid treatment abolished cytokine secretion by T cells cocultured with untreated serum-starved BMDC. Measurement of Dex-responsive gene expression demonstrated CD4+ T cells as the target of glucocorticoid hyperresponsiveness manifest as a consequence of BMDC stimulation by SAA. Finally, allergic airway disease induced by SAA and antigen inhalation was unresponsive to Dex treatment. Our results indicate that apo-SAA affects DC to both prolong their viability and increase their inflammatory potential under apoptosis-inducing conditions. These findings reveal mechanisms through which SAA enhances the CD4+ T-cell-stimulating capacity of antigen-presenting cells that may actively participate in the pathogenicity of glucocorticoid-resistant lung disease.
Transesterification in poly(butylene terephthalate)/polyarylate blends

Abstract Triad concentrations obtained by 1H n.m.r. analysis enable the determination of the degree of randomness and average sequence length of poly(butylene terephthalate) (PBT) units for a number of melt processed PBT/polyarylate blends. Transesterification was confirmed by reduced degrees of crystallinity and melting points.
Therapy with Male Survivors of Sexual Abuse: The Client Perspective

Nineteen men who were sexually abused as children were asked what advice they would give to therapists who work with male survivors. Content analysis was used to interpret their responses. The majority of the participants described specific negative experiences they had had with therapists. When discussing positive therapeutic experiences or when imparting advice to therapists, they described therapy as a journey and the therapist as a guide. The six therapist traits they described as most helpful included being informed about male sexual abuse issues, informing the client about the therapeutic process, being connected to the client, respecting the client's process, going the distance with the client, and letting the client go at the right time.
Whole body bone, fat and lean mass in children: comparison of three ethnic groups.

We measured whole body bone, fat and lean mass, by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, of third-grade children in a suburban public school district adjacent to Detroit. Of 1,340 eligible children, 773 participated. Using U.S. Census categories, parents identified their children as black/African-American (57%), white (38%), or one of several other categories (5%). Some of the participants also identified with a relatively large Middle Eastern subgroup (Chaldeans). Of the 773 participants, 734 are included in this report (71 Chaldeans, 226 whites, and 437 black/African-Americans; other categories are omitted). We describe body size, body composition, and physical activity levels in the three groups. The Chaldean and black children have significantly higher average whole body bone mineral content (BMC) than whites (P > 0.05), but are not different from each other. Lean mass and height are significantly greater for Chaldeans and blacks than for whites. The ratio of BMC to height was also significantly greater in Chaldeans and blacks compared with whites. Chaldeans have a significantly higher weight and fat mass than either the black or white children, and report significantly less physical activity than either the white or the black children. The higher bone mass among the Chaldean children may be partially explained by their greater body mass, but there is no readily apparent explanation for the observed ethnic differences in body size. We cannot exclude genetic or environmental factors not evaluated in this observational study. Our unexpected finding that Chaldean children, when analyzed as a separate group, are more similar in body composition to black/African-American than to white children contributes to a growing body of literature indicating that the uncritical use of "race" categories may obscure rather than facilitate the identification of population differences.
Winning the war of ideas

U.S. success in Afghanistan will count for little if the United States loses the global war of ideas. Many currents of anti‐Americanism develop not because the United States is misguided, but because it is misunderstood. Here is a 12‐point plan to help bridge the perception gap.
Surface electron accumulation in indium nitride layers grown by high pressure chemical vapor deposition

Abstract Surface termination and electronic properties of InN layers grown by high pressure chemical vapor deposition have been studied by high resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (HREELS). HREEL spectra from InN after atomic hydrogen cleaning show N–H termination with no indium overlayer or droplets and indicate that the layer is N-polar. Broad conduction band plasmon excitations are observed centered at 3400 cm −1 in HREEL spectra with 7 eV incident electron energy which shift to 3100 cm −1 when the incident electron energies are 25 eV or greater. The shift of the plasmon excitations to lower energy when electrons with larger penetration depths are used is due to a higher charge density on the surface compared with the bulk, that is, a surface electron accumulation. These results indicate that surface electron accumulation on InN does not require excess indium or In–In bonds.
Patterns, Art, and Context: Donald Floyd Gleason and the Development of the Gleason Grading System

The Gleason grading system is a standard method of assessing prostate cancer. Very little is known, however, about the person behind the system, Donald Floyd Gleason, MD, PhD. Our objective was to construct a biography of Gleason and show how his work advanced prostate cancer diagnosis. We reviewed Gleason's notes, letters, and publications with the Veteran's Administration Cooperative Urology Research group (VACURG) between 1960 and 1980. Gleason described seeing five recurring histologic "pictures" in his review of 280 initial cases of prostate cancer from 1960 to 1964. By 1966, NIH statisticians combined Gleason's "pictures" with VACURG clinical data into a scoring system. By 1974, over 4,000 cases had been analyzed, and by 1978 the Gleason scale had reached widespread use. Donald F. Gleason recognized trends in histologic patterns which had eluded earlier, more sophisticated pathologic approaches and which lie as the basis for the sophisticated neural networks and nomograms in use today.
Debris from commercial low-Earth-orbit satellite operations: should regulators care?

Although the current hazard to most space activities from debris is low, growth in the amount of debris threatens to make some valuable orbital regions increasingly inhospitable to space operations over the next few decades.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Devitrification studies of Zr-Pd and Zr-Pd-Cu metallic glasses

Abstract High temperature X-ray diffraction (HTXRD) is used to investigate the devitrification pathway for two related Zr-based metallic glasses, Zr 70 Pd 30 and Zr 70 Pd 20 Cu 10 . Both alloys have similar as-quenched structures and initially devitrify to form a meta-stable quasicrystalline phase. The HTXRD data for the Zr 70 Pd 30 alloy shows the coexistence of the quasicrystalline and the Zr 2 Pd (I4/mmm) crystalline phases over a range of 25 K. Conversely, the Zr 70 Pd 20 Cu 10 alloy shows an additional transformation of the quasicrystalline phase to a meta-stable Zr 2 (PdCu) intermetallic (Zr 2 Si type structure, I4/mcm) that polymorphically transforms to the Zr 2 Ni type structure (I4/mmm) over a very narrow temperature range.
The Position of the Soviet Physician: The Bureaucratic Professional

The social position of the Soviet physician is a paradoxical combination of corporate powerlessness and bureaucratic power. As employees of the state, physicians are subject to its discipline and directives; they lack the control over their own work that is essential to a profession. In contrast to Western physicians, however, individual clinicians exercise enormous power over patients and subordinates by virtue of their position in the bureaucracy. The Soviet case suggests that as medical care in the West becomes increasingly bureaucratized and the profession loses autonomy, individual physicians may gain rather than lose authority in clinical decision making.
miR-210 inhibits trophoblast invasion and is a serum biomarker for preeclampsia

Preeclampsia is characterized by hypertension and proteinuria in pregnant women. Its exact cause is unknown. Preeclampsia increases the risk of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Although delivery, often premature, is the only known cure, early targeted interventions may improve maternal and fetal outcomes. Successful intervention requires a better understanding of the molecular etiology of preeclampsia and the development of accurate methods to predict women at risk. To this end, we tested the role of miR-210, a miRNA up-regulated in preeclamptic placentas, in first-trimester extravillous trophoblasts. miR-210 overexpression reduced trophoblast invasion, a process necessary for uteroplacental perfusion, in an extracellular signal–regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase–dependent manner. Conversely, miR-210 inhibition promoted invasion. Furthermore, given that the placenta secretes miRNAs into the maternal circulation, we tested if serum expression of miR-210 was associated with the disease. We measured miR-210 expression in two clinical studies: a case-control study and a prospective cohort study. Serum miR-210 expression was significantly associated with a diagnosis of preeclampsia (P = 0.007, area under the receiver operator curves = 0.81) and was predictive of the disease, even months before clinical diagnosis (P < 0.0001, area under the receiver operator curve = 0.89). Hence, we conclude that aberrant expression of miR-210 may contribute to trophoblast function and that miR-210 is a novel predictive serum biomarker for preeclampsia that can help in identifying at-risk women for monitoring and treatment.
Measure-based metasearch

We propose a simple method for converting many standard measures of retrieval performance into metasearch algorithms. Our focus is both on the analysis of retrieval measures themselves and on the development of new metasearch algorithms. Given the conversion method proposed, our experimental results using TREC data indicate that system-oriented measures of overall retrieval performance (such as average precision) yield good metasearch algorithms whose performance equals or exceeds that of benchmark techniques such as CombMNZ and Condorcet.
Analysis of multidimensional spectra

Coincidence spectra obtained from arrays of radiation detectors can be analyzed without resorting to projecting lower dimensional spectra. The techniques for two-dimensional analysis (peak searches and peak fitting) are described, and extensions to higher dimensions are discussed. Even for two-dimensional analysis it is most efficient to compare predictions from a model, such as a scheme for radioactive decay, with the data by backcalculating the data from the model.
Not Your Usual Cancer Case: Variants of Laryngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Although squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) variants account for less than 10% of all laryngeal SCCs, they have many unique biological, morphological, and clinical features. They are also easily confused with other tumor types. Recognition of them is critical for surgical pathologists as is the knowledge of what they mean for the patient. Three of the most common and important of these are basaloid, verrucous, and papillary SCC. These tumor types will be briefly reviewed with a focus on specific controversies, biological questions, and/or recent advancements in our understanding of them.
MULTIPLE SHEAR BAND FORMATION IN METALLIC GLASSES IN COMPOSITES

Multiple shear banding is observed in metallic glasses during tensile deformation of laminated composites containing such glasses. The phenomenon is related to (1) the local stress concentration that develops as a result of the formation of the first shear band, (2) the distribution in stress required to initiate shear banding in tensile loading, and (3) the properties of the surrounding matrix. The tendency for localized and uniform multiple shear banding has been determined. This was done by utilizing a finite element method (FEM) to simulate the local stress state in the vicinity of the shear band first formed, and by determining the distribution in shear band initiation strengths. The experimental data were combined with the FEM analysis to “predict” locations of secondary shear band initiation. Localized secondary banding is predicted for large initial slip displacements, whereas uniform banding is expected when the initial slip displacement is small.
Cottonseed Meal, Dehydrated Grass and Ascorbic Acid as Dietary Factors Preventing Toxicity of Vanadium for the Chick

Abstract PREVIOUS results from this laboratory (Berg, 1966) showed that 20 p.p.m. vanadium added to a corn-soybean meal chick diet caused a growth depression of 25–30% whereas a similar addition of vanadium to a corn-fish meal diet depressed growth only 3–7%. By contrast, when 20 p.p.m. vanadium was added to a sucrose-fish meal diet, growth was depressed by 50% and high mortality resulted. Adding graded levels of corn to the sucrose-fish meal ration and fish meal to the corn-soybean ration reduced vanadium toxicity. Reports of other dietary factors which may affect vanadium toxicity were previously reviewed (Berg, 1966). Hudson (1964) reviewed the toxicology of vanadium as it pertains to such mammals as rats, mice, guinea pigs, rabbits, dog and man. Little or no reference was made to studies involving birds. Of pertinence to this paper was the reference to studies indicating that vanadium toxicity was counteracted by subcutaneous injections…