cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Temporal discounting for life cycle assessment: Differences between environmental discounting and economic discounting

One of the major problems existing in current LCA is the temporal homogeneity issue in the compiled life cycle inventory data [1–2]. In current practice, the life cycle inventory data are aggregated along a product's life cycle without considering the data's temporal differences. The aggregating approach introduces temporal uncertainties in LCA and may cause inaccurate estimates of the environmental impact and lead to improper decision-making in the sustainability management and environmental practices, in particular on those long-lived products and systems [3].
Intracranial in situ side-to-side microvascular anastomosis: principles, operative technique, and applications.

Objective Side-to-Side microvascular anastomosis is a revascularization technique used to create an artificial conduit between two similar adjacent vessels. This technique is used for microsurgical clipping of aneurysms, when indicated. It is important to study the angiographic results, both immediate and long term, along with the clinical outcomes and indications of the procedure. Methods Fifteen patients who had this procedure over a fourteen-year period were reviewed for patency of bypass by intra-arterial digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and computed tomographic arteriograms (CTA) and their clinical outcomes were studied. The mean age of the study group was 53.4 years and mean angiographic follow up period was 14 months. Results All surviving patients (14 patients) had patent anastomosis with good clinical outcomes. None of the patients developed a clinically manifested stroke due to the procedure, while one had a small asymptomatic infarct detected post operatively. Conclusion This technique is a useful and durable solution for correcting critical stenosis or complete occlusion of the vessels, while clipping intracranial aneurysms.
Response of Spawning Lake Sturgeons to Change in Hydroelectric Facility Operation

Abstract Spawning of lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens was documented from 1987 to 1992 below the Prickett hydroelectric facility on the Sturgeon River, a tributary to Portage Lake, Michigan. Lake sturgeons were captured at the spawning site with dip nets during periods of reduced flow. A change in the spawning characteristics of the population was noted that corresponded to a change in the operation of the hydroelectric facility. In 1987 and 1988 the facility operated in a peaking mode, which resulted in large daily fluctuations in river flows. The years 1989 and 1990 were years of transition, and in 1991 and 1992 the facility released near run-of-the-river (ROR) flows. Under near-ROR flows, which were more natural, adult lake sturgeons spent 4–6 weeks less at the spawning sites, 74% more fish were observed, weights were greater due to a 68% increase in number of females, and fish had increased reproductive readiness. The change in flow regime was the result of a Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rel...
A mean-field statistical theory for the nonlinear Schrödinger equation

Abstract A statistical model of self-organization in a generic class of one-dimensional nonlinear Schrodinger (NLS) equations on a bounded interval is developed. The main prediction of this model is that the statistically preferred state for such equations consists of a deterministic coherent structure coupled with fine-scale, random fluctuations, or radiation. The model is derived from equilibrium statistical mechanics by using a mean-field approximation of the conserved Hamiltonian and particle number (L2 norm squared) for finite-dimensional spectral truncations of the NLS dynamics. The continuum limits of these approximated statistical equilibrium ensembles on finite-dimensional phase spaces are analyzed, holding the energy and particle number at fixed, finite values. The analysis shows that the coherent structure minimizes total energy for a given value of particle number and hence is a solution to the NLS ground state equation, and that the remaining energy resides in Gaussian fluctuations equipartitioned over wave numbers. Some results of direct numerical integration of the NLS equation are included to validate empirically these properties of the most probable states for the statistical model. Moreover, a theoretical justification of the mean-field approximation is given, in which the approximate ensembles are shown to concentrate on the associated microcanonical ensemble in the continuum limit.
Lessons Learned Through Leadership

B.M.G. Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation, 1199 Pleasant Valley Way, West Orange, NJ 07052. Address correspondence to: B.M.G.; e-mail: bgans@kessler-rehab.com Disclosure: nothing to disclose There was no plan in my head when I realized that I had turned my career pathway down the road toward one of being a leader. It just happened. I will take credit for being selfaware enough to be conscious of the fact that I was actually making a career choice, but it was circumstantial, not the result of a grand plan.
Frankie, Johnny, Oprah and Me: The limits of narrative

Narrative is one of many strategies for making texts or coming to understand the world. This paper attempts to restore narrative to that status: as one mode of writing or telling among others. The main example developed is the contrast between blues ballads such as “Frankie and Johnny,” which tell a story, and traditional or modular blues songs, which do not.
Conditioned fear-induced opiate analgesia on the Formalin test: Evidence for two aversive motivational systems

Abstract Fear, conditioned to apparatus cues associated with electric shock, was measured by recording freezing. Pain reactivity was simultaneously measured by recording the paw-licking and paw-lifting response to Formalin injected into a paw. Stimuli associated with shock produced freezing and inhibited the responses to Formalin; whereas various control stimuli did neither. These results indicate that one of the responses to fear is analgesia. The opiate antagonist naltrexone reversed this analgesia, suggesting that the analgesia has an opiate nature. The results were interpreted in terms of a two-aversive-motivational-systems model. One system, the pain system, is instigated by tissue-damaging stimuli and produces recuperative behavior that functions to promote healing. The other system, the fear system, is triggered by conditioned fear stimuli. It produces species-specific defensive reactions and also inhibits the pain system via analgesia.
The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy on cosmesis and complications in patients with breast cancer treated by definitive irradiation

Abstract From 1978 to 1981, 46 patients received primary radiotherapy following excisional biopsy and axillary staging procedure for Stages 1 and II carcinoma of the breast. The patients were divided into 2 groups: 27 patients who received radiation and completed 12 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy (CMF or CMFP) and 19 patients who received radiation alone. All patients received radiation to the breast and regional nodes (4600–5000 rod) and a boost to the site of the primary tumor (1500–2000 rod). Median follow-up from completion of radiation was 26 months in the non-adjuvant and 241 months in the adjuvant group with a range of 12 to 49 months. Cosmesis was judged to be good to excellent in 89 % ( 17 19 ) of the patients receiving radiation alone and 81 % ( 22 27 ) of the patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy. Fair to poor cosmesis in the adjuvant group was attributed primarily to increased fibrosis and reduction of breast size. The single complication for which there was an increased incidence in the adjuvant group was arm edema (22 vs. 0% ). The incidence of arm edema was unrelated to T stage, type of axillary surgical procedure, number of positive nodes, addition of prednisone or sequencing of chemotherapy. Further efforts should be directed towards minimizing; complications and maximizing cosmesis without sacrificing relapse-free survival in patients receiving primary radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for early breast cancer.
A rapid micro assay method for amylo-1,6-glucosidase☆

Abstract A micro-scale method for the determination of amylo-1,6-glucosidase activity has been developed. The method utilizes the ability of the glucosidase to incorporate radioactive glucose moieties into glycogen which is then precipitated on filter paper squares by immersion in aqueous alcohol. The papers are counted directly for radioactivity by placing them in a vial containing scintillation fluid. The method was found to be entirely specific for amylo-1,6-glucosidase in tissue extracts. The pH optimum for the glucosidase was the same as that measured when assaying for the enzyme in the degradative direction using glycogen phosphorylase limit dextrin as a substrate, and a similar shift in pH optimum and inhibition by Tris were noted. The method was found to be applicable to muscle and liver extracts and to erythrocyte hemolyzates as well as to purified enzyme. The method has the advantage that it is rapid, that the substrates are readily available, and that only micro amounts of enzyme are required.
Perturbations of Jordan Differential Systems

Whereas in Chaps. 2 and 4, we studied the asymptotic behavior of solutions of perturbations of diagonal systems of differential equations, we are now interested in the asymptotic behavior of solutions of systems of the form $$\displaystyle{ y^{{\prime}} = \left [J(t) + R(t)\right ]y(t)t \geq t_{ 0}, }$$ (6.1) where J(t) is now in Jordan form and R(t) is again a perturbation. Early results on perturbations of constant Jordan blocks include works by Dunkel [50] and Hartman–Wintner [73]. The focus here is an approach, developed by Coppel and Eastham, to reduce perturbed Jordan systems to a situation where Levinson’s fundamental theorem can be applied.
Alpha1-adrenergic receptor blockade blocks LH secretion but not LHRH cFos activation

Abstract Long-standing pharmacological evidence supports a role of α-noradrenergic receptors in regulating LH release, yet little is known of the action of these receptors on LHRH neurons at the cellular level. We conducted a series of studies aimed at examining the effects of α-adrenergic receptor blockade on LH secretion and the cellular activation of LHRH neurons on proestrus. Our initial study used an irreversible α-receptor blocker, phenoxybenzamine (α1 > α2). A group of proestrous rats were treated with phenoxybenzamine at doses of 20 mg/kg, intraperitoneally, or 2, 10 and 20 mg/kg, intravenously, and compared with vehicle injected controls. Phenoxybenzamine administered intraperitoneally did not completely block the LH surge in all animals, whereas all intravenous doses consistently blocked the LH surge. cFos activation of LHRH neurons, on the other hand, was either unaffected or only slightly reduced by phenoxybenzamine treatment intraperitoneally. The effects of intravenous phenoxybenzamine were different, in that at all dose levels phenoxybenzamine effects of intravenous phenoxybenzamine could be mimicked by substitution of prazosin (an α1 antagonists, 4 mg/kg), but not idazoxan (an α2 antagonist, 1 mg/kg), administered intravenously at 11.00 h and 13.00 h on proestrus. These data provide evidence that noradrenergic systems operating through α1-receptors in the neuronal chain leading to the LH surge, while critical for the release of LHRH at the time of an LH surge, are not responsible for the cFos transcriptional changes in LHRH neurons that accompany the natural LH surge.
Factors Associated with Achievement of Goals for Home Health Care

With the introduction of Medicare's Prospective Payment System (PPS) and DRGs, the economic value of home health care services lies in its ability to reduce total patient care costs by the substitution of outpatient home care for inpatient hospital care. Analysis of service delivery patterns utilized by home health agencies in meeting goals for patient care will be an important ingredient in meeting these objectives. The purpose of this study was to determine if important patient characteristics known at the onset of home health care are predictive of utilization of home health services and/or the likelihood of meeting goals for home care established at the time of certification of care. Multivariate models were developed which predicted the odds of terminating with goals met based upon age, intensity of utilization, functional limitations, prognosis, presence of a caregiver, and type of patient condition. Results indicated that variability in likelihood of meeting goals for care is much better predicted by patient characteristics than by utilization of home care services.
Prognostic value of myocardial perfusion SPECT versus exercise electrocardiography in patients with ST-segment depression on resting electrocardiography

Background The value of exercise-induced ST-segment depression for the prognostic evaluation of patients with 1 mm of ST depression or greater on the resting electrocardiogram is controversial.
Endocrine-active chemicals in mammary cancer causation and prevention

Abstract Endocrine-active chemicals alter or mimic physiological hormones. These compounds are reported to originate from a wide variety of sources, and recent studies have shown widespread human exposure to several of these compounds. Given the role of the sex steroid hormone, estradiol, in human breast cancer causation, endocrine-active chemicals which interfere with estrogen signaling constitute one potential factor contributing to the high incidence of breast cancer. Thus, the aim of this review is to examine several common endocrine-active chemicals and their respective roles in breast cancer causation or prevention. The plastic component, bisphenol A (BPA), the synthetic estrogen, diethylstilbestrol (DES), the by-product of organic combustion, 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD), the soy component, genistein, and the red grape phytoalexin, resveratrol, have some degree of structural similarities to each other and estradiol. However, despite these structural similarities, the in vitro and in vivo properties of each of these chemicals vary greatly in terms of breast cancer causation and prevention. Early life exposure to BPA and DES increases rodent susceptibility to chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis, presumably through retardation of normal mammary gland maturation and/or disrupting the ratio of cell proliferation and apoptosis in the mammary gland. On the other hand, early exposures to genistein and resveratrol protect rodents against chemically induced and spontaneous mammary cancers. This is reported to occur through the ability of genistein and resveratrol to accelerate mammary gland maturation. Interestingly, TCDD, which is the most structurally dissimilar to the above chemicals and functions as an anti-estrogen, also increases chemically induced mammary carcinogenesis through retardation of mammary gland maturation. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled ‘Endocrine disruptors’.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Peptide Identified as a Functional Element in αA-crystallin

Eye lens α-crystallin is a member of the small heat shock protein (sHSP) family and forms large multimeric structures. Earlier studies have shown that it can act like a molecular chaperone and form a stable complex with partially unfolded proteins. We have observed that prior binding of the hydrophobic protein melittin to α-crystallin diminishes its chaperone-like activity toward denaturing alcohol dehydrogenase, suggesting the presence of mutually exclusive sites for these proteins in α-crystallin. To investigate the mechanism of the interaction between α-crystallin and substrate proteins, we determined the melittin-binding sites in α-crystallin by cross-linking studies. Localization of melittin-binding sites in α-crystallin resulted in the identification of RTLGPFYPSR and FVIFLDVKHFSPEDLTVK of αA-crystallin and FSVNLDVK of αB-crystallin as the chaperone sites. Of these sites, FVIFLDVKHFSPEDLTVK and FSVNLDVK were identified earlier as 1,1′-bi(4-anilino) naphthalene-5,5′-disulfonic acid (bis-ANS)-binding hydrophobic sites. Here we also report the synthesis and characterization of the peptide, KFVIFLDVKHFSPEDLTVK, having the melittin as well as bis-ANS-binding sequence of αA-crystallin. We show that this peptide has characteristics similar to that of αA-crystallin by in vitro thermal aggregation assay, gel filtration study, CD spectroscopy, and bis-ANS interaction studies. The peptide sequence corresponds to the β3 and β4 region present in the α-crystallin domain of sHSP 16.5. We hypothesize that the α-crystallin domain in other sHSPs may have a similar function and would likely possess the anti-aggregation property even when separated from the native protein.
Structure-property behavior of films containing disk spherulites: A model study

Thin films of a polyester of lactic and glycolic acid were prepared to give controlled amounts of disk spherulites. The spherulite contents ranged from zero to 100% and were accurately measured. The stress-strain properties of the films were then determined at 60°C, i.e., about 20°C above the glass transition temperature Tg. The mechanical behavior varied quite systematically with spherulite content and displayed little dependence on spherulite size. It was found that much of the mechanical data could be reasonably well described by a simple composite model. In addition, the yield strain as well as the strain to break could be principally coupled to the deformation of only the amorphous phase. SEM and optical microscopy studies supported the above conclusion, also demonstrating that the isolated spherulites adhered well to the amorphous matrix and behaved as stress concentrators in the system when the deformation temperature was above Tg.
Anisotropic rotations in 1-naphthylamine. Existence of a red-edge transition moment normal to the ring plane

Abstract The rotational motions of 1-naphthylamine in propylene glycol are investigated by means of steady-state flourescence polarization measurements and differential polarized phase flourometry, on excitation at various wavelengths. For excitation at 370 nm the average rotational rate is faster than for excitation at shorter wavelength and the rotations are clearly anisotropic. On excitation from 370nm to the red edge of the spectrum (390 nm) the average rotational rate slows down by a factor of two and the rotations become nearly isotropic. The results reveal the possible existence of an excited state generated preferentially by excitation at the edge of the absorption, in which the transition moments in both absorption and emission are prependicular to the plane of the aromatic rings.
Google Scholar and the Continuing Education Literature

Abstract The recent introduction of Google Scholar has renewed hope that someday a powerful research tool will bring continuing education literature more quickly, freely, and completely to one's computer. The authors suggest that using Google Scholar with other traditional search methods will narrow the research gap between what is discoverable and available. They present results of an investigation in which the names of two scholars were submitted to research queries using traditional library databases and Google Scholar. While not all of the scholars' academic publications were identified in the search, more were identified by Google Scholar than the other databases. However, other databases identified some that Google Scholar did not. It was evident from this informal analysis that utilizing Google Scholar with other traditional research methods adds value and discoverability in the search for relevant continuing education literature.
Glassy states in dormant corn embryos

Abstract Corn embryos contain oils with two melting points and a strong tendency to form glasses at temperatures down to −95° When these were extracted, water : sugar glasses can also be detected, with the water serving as a plasticizer. When the water content drops below about 12% (the water content required for seed storage stability) the transition temperature of these water glasses rises above ambient. These data are consistent with our hypothesis that the dormant state in these seeds is a glassy state.
Health Care Reform for Low-Income Countries in the Twenty-First Century

Abstract The health care systems in many low-income countries are unable to meet the challenges of health care expectations. These systems are unable to finance health services, provide quality care, and sustain on-going health developments. This paper identifies the issues that are vital to successful health care reform in low-income countries.
A Numerical Contact Model Based on Real Surface Topography

A numerical finite element contact model is developed to make use of the high precision surface topography data obtained at the nanoscale by atomic force microscopy or other imaging techniques while minimizing computational complexity. The model uses degrees of freedom that are normal to the surface, and uses the Boussinesq solution to relate the normal load to the long-range surface displacement response. The model for contact between two rough surfaces is developed in a step-by-step manner, taking into account the far-field effects of the loads developed at asperities that have come to contact in previous steps. Method accuracy is verified by comparison to simple test cases with well-defined analytical solutions. Agreement was found to be within 1 % for a wide range of practical loads for the high precision models. Applicability of extrapolation from lower precision models is presented. The real contact area estimates for micrometer-size tribology test machine surfaces are calculated and convergence behavior with mesh refinement is investigated.
Angle-dependent electronic effects in 4,4'-bipyridine-bridged Ru3 triangle and Ru4 square complexes.

Use of 1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane (cyclen) as a capping ligand and 4,4‘-bipyridine (4,4‘-bpy) as a bridging ligand enables assembly of redox-active Ru3 triangle and Ru4 square complexes. The former is produced by reacting [(cyclen)Ru(DMSO)Cl]Cl with 4,4‘-bpy in a 3:1 ethanol:water mixture to precipitate [(cyclen)3Ru3(4,4‘-bpy)3]Cl6·18H2O·THF (4), whereas the latter is generated as [(cyclen)4Ru4(4,4‘-bpy)4](CF3SO3)8·2CF3SO3H·5MeOH (7) by reacting (cyclen)Ru(CF3SO3)3 with 4,4‘-bpy in methanol. The crystal structure of 4·11H2O reveals an equilateral triangle in which the 4,4‘-bpy bridges are bowed outward, such that the pyridine rings are all forced to be perpendicular to the Ru3 triangle. Consequently, adjacent pyridine rings are essentially coplanar, and the cyclic voltammogram of [(cyclen)3Ru3(4,4‘-bpy)3]6+ in acetonitrile displays three distinct one-electron oxidation events. Cyclic voltammetry measurements reveal redox processes centered at E1/2 = 0.207, 0.342, and 0.434 V versus Cp2Fe0/+ that are a...
Obstades to duality between classes of relational structures

We prove an algebraic result concerning inverse limits of copowers in anS-class of relational structures of the same (finitary or infinitary) type. Among several applications to the nonexistence of category dualities is the following Theorem: If there exist arbitrarily large measurable cardinals then any classK of relational structures containing a nontrivial objectA and all of its cartesian powers via nonempty index sets will fail to be dual to anyS-class. (No large cardinal assumption is necessary if either there is a finite suchA or ifK consists only of finitary relational structures and contains the elementary class generated byA and its cartesian powers).
A Survey of Support Vector Machines with Uncertainties

Support Vector Machines (SVM) is one of the well known supervised classes of learning algorithms. SVM have wide applications to many fields in recent years and also many algorithmic and modeling variations. Basic SVM models are dealing with the situation where the exact values of the data points are known. This paper presents a survey of SVM when the data points are uncertain. When a direct model cannot guarantee a generally good performance on the uncertainty set, robust optimization is introduced to deal with the worst case scenario and still guarantee an optimal performance. The data uncertainty could be an additive noise which is bounded by norm, where some efficient linear programming models are presented under certain conditions; or could be intervals with support and extremum values; or a more general case of polyhedral uncertainties with formulations presented. Another field of the uncertainty analysis is chance constrained SVM which is used to ensure the small probability of misclassification for the uncertain data. The multivariate Chebyshev inequality and Bernstein bounding schemes have been used to transform the chance constraints through robust optimization. The Chebyshev based model employs moment information of the uncertain training points. The Bernstein bounds can be less conservative than the Chebyshev bounds since it employs both support and moment information, but it also makes a strong assumption that all the elements in the data set are independent.
Phosphorylation of different sites of acetyl CoA carboxylase by ATP-citrate lyase kinase and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase

Native acetyl CoA carboxylase was phosphorylated by catalytic subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase and ATP-citrate lyase kinase to 1 and 0.5 mol/subunit respectively. Both protein kinases added together increased acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylation additively. Partial proteolysis of 32P-acetyl CoA carboxylase followed by electrophoretic analysis showed that the 32P-phosphopeptides generated from acetyl CoA carboxylase phosphorylated with lyase kinase were different from the peptides obtained from the enzyme phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Mapping of tryptic 32P-phosphopeptides by high performance liquid chromatography showed that the major phosphopeptides phosphorylated by ATP-citrate lyase kinase were different from the major phosphopeptides phosphorylated by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. The results suggest that at least one different site on acetyl CoA carboxylase is preferentially phosphorylated by each protein kinase.
The KLF2 transcription factor does not affect the formation of preadipocytes but inhibits their differentiation into adipocytes.

Kruppel-like transcription factor 2 (KLF2), a critical gene for mouse embryogenesis, was recently identified as an inhibitor of adipogenesis. However, it is still unknown whether KLF2 is a natural repressor of adipocyte differentiation and if KLF2 affects the formation of preadipocytes. It may also be important for preadipocyte formation, as KLF2 is crucial for lung development and blood vessel formation. In this study, we show that differentiation of preadipocytes not only results in a concomitant decrease in the levels of KLF2 protein but also significantly reduces KLF2 promoter activity. We have generated tet-responsive lines of 3T3L1 that express physiological levels of KLF2 and show that reexpression of KLF2 prevents preadipocyte differentiation, thereby confirming the inhibition of adipogenesis by KLF2, partially via the restoration of Pref-1. In addition, we studied the contribution of KLF2-negative cells to the formation and subsequent differentiation of preadipocytes. We demonstrate that embryoid...
Concertina-like Phenomenon in Ventricular Preexcitation Due to Spontaneous Atrioventricular Nodal Wenckebach Periodicity

Electrophysiologic study and radiofrequency ablation therapy were performed in a 28-year-old male patient with the Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and electrocardiographic manifestation of concertina phenomenon. His bundle recordings showed a sinus cycle length of 720= ms with a cyclic variation of QRS morphologies of every 3 beats and an antidromic atrial echo following the last fully preexcited QRS complex. After successful radiofrequency ablation of a left posterior accessory pathway, spontaneous 3:2 atrioventricular nodal Wenckebach periodicity was noted and the mechanism of the concertina phenomenon was unraveled.
Generalized quasimonotonicity and strong pseudomonotonicity of bifunctions

We extend some recent definitions of generalized monotonicity of maps such as strong pseudomonotonicity and (semi) strict quasimonotonicity, to real bifunctions h(x,d). Under a suitable continuity assumption on a function f we show that (semi) strict quasimonotonicity of the Dini derivatives D +(x,d) and D +(x,d) is equivalent to (semi) strict quasiconvexity off. By means of a majoring criterion we extend these results to other kind of generalized derivatives. Finally we show that under a regularity condition, strong pseudomonotonicity of the lower Dini derivative D +(x,d) is equivalent to strong pseudoconvexity of the function f.
Polygenic association with total homocysteine in the post-folic acid fortification era: the CARDIA study.

Elevated plasma concentration of total homocysteine (tHcy) has been linked with many diseases. tHcy is associated with a variety of factors, including polymorphisms in genes involved in homocysteine metabolism. It is not clear whether US-mandated fortification of grain products with folic acid has affected the association of genetic variants with tHcy levels. We determined tHcy concentrations in sera from 997 Caucasians and 692 African Americans participants in the Coronary Artery Risk Development in Young Adults (CARDIA) study before and after folic acid fortification. DNA was genotyped for variants present in four genes involved in homocysteine metabolism: cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) 844ins68, methionine synthase (MS) 2756A>G; methionine synthase reductase (MTRR) 66A>G and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) 677C>T and 1298A>C. A greater number of African Americans were homozygous for the MS 2756GG, MTRR 66GG and CBS 844ins68 genotypes compared to Caucasians, while prevalence of MTHFR 677TT and 1298CC genotypes was substantially lower in African Americans compared to Caucasians. The overall variance in tHcy levels at y 0, 7 and 15 that can be explained by the combined presence of all five variants increased slightly over time in Caucasians (17%, y 0; 21%, y 7; and 26%, y 15) and in African Americans (13%, y 0; 17% y 7; and 18% y 15) largely due to decrease in tHcy variance.
Chemotherapy for newly diagnosed and relapsed advanced ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objectives To review chemotherapy options for patients with newly diagnosed or relapsed advanced ovarian cancer. Data sources Published literature. Conclusion Primary chemotherapy for newly diagnosed, advanced ovarian cancer consisting of a platinum compound and a taxane is commonly associated with myelosuppression, nausea/vomiting, alopecia, and sensory/motor neuropathy. For recurrent disease, numerous chemotherapy agents are effective, including rechallenging the patient with a platinum and/or a taxane or using newer agents such as pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, topotecan, and gemcitabine. In platinum-resistant disease, selection is based mainly on the toxicity profile, because palliation and quality of life are important. Implications for nursing practice Oncology nurses play a valuable role in ovarian cancer care by proactively meeting patient information needs.
Toward an integrated computational system for describing the additive manufacturing process for metallic materials

Abstract The ability to simulate the thermal, mechanical, and material response in additive manufacturing offers tremendous utility for gaining a deeper understanding of the process, while also having significant practical application. The approach and progress in establishing an integrated computational system for simulating additive manufacturing of metallic components are discussed, with the primary focus directed at the computational intensive components, which include the process and material models. The ability to experimentally measure key characteristics for verification of the models is also presented and is seen as critical in the development of the integrated computational system. Two examples are also presented that utilize the current features of the analyses techniques for exploring and applying additive manufacturing technology.
Do Remittances to Latin America Depend on the U.S. Business Cycle

We use a range of methods and remittance data from 1990-2007 to assess the strength and significance of linkages between remittance flows to Latin America and the U.S. business cycle. All of the evidence suggests that remittance flows are relatively insensitive to fluctuations in the U.S. cycle, underlining their role as a stable source of external financing, in good times and bad. A number of factors, not with-standing uncertainties related to official remittance data reliability, might explain this result, including remittance smoothing and flexible immigrant labor markets.
Atomic structures of periplasmic binding proteins and the high-affinity active transport systems in bacteria.

We have determined and refined the X-ray crystal structures of six periplasmic binding proteins that serve as initial receptors for the osmotic-shock sensitive, active transport of L-arabinose, D-galactose/D-glucose, maltose, sulphate, leucine/isoleucine/valine and leucine. The tertiary structures and atomic interactions between proteins and ligands show common features that are important for understanding the function of the binding proteins. All six structures are ellipsoidal, consisting of two similar, globular domains. The ligand-binding site is located deep in the cleft between the two domains. Irrespective of the nature of the ligand (e.g. saccharide, sulphate dianion or leucine zwitterion), the specificities and affinities of the binding sites are achieved mainly through hydrogen-bonding interactions. Binding of ligands induces a large protein conformational change. Three different structures have been observed among the binding proteins: unliganded 'open cleft', liganded 'open cleft', and liganded 'closed cleft'. Here we discuss the functions of binding proteins in the light of numerous crystallographic and ligand-binding studies and propose a mechanism for the binding protein-dependent, high-affinity active transport.
De Novo Purine Biosynthesis in Intact Cells of Cucurbita pepo

The capacity of intact cells of roots excised from summer squash plants (Cucurbita pepo L. cv Early Prolific Straightneck) to synthesize purine nucleotides de novo was investigated. Evidence that purine nucleotides are synthesized de novo included: (a) demonstration of the incorporation of [1-(14)C]glycine, [2-(14)C]glycine, NaH(14)CO(3), and H(14)COONa into total adenine nucleotides; (b) observation that the addition of azaserine or aminopterin, known inhibitors of de novo purine synthesis in other organisms, blocked the incorporation of these precursors into adenine nucleotides; and (c) demonstration that the purine ring synthesized from these precursors was labeled in a manner consistent with the pathway for de novo purine biosynthesis found in microorganisms and animal tissues. Under optimal conditions, the activity of this pathway in roots excised from 2-day-old squash plants was 244 +/- 13 nanomoles (mean +/- standard error, n = 17) NaH(14)CO(3) incorporated into summation operatorAde (the sum of the adenine nucleotides, nucleoside and free base) per gram tissue during the 3-hour incubation period.The possible occurrence of alternative enzymic reactions for the first steps of de novo purine biosynthesis was also investigated. No conclusive evidence was obtained to support the operation of alternative enzymic reactions in the intact cell of C. pepo.
Blueprints: adopting a construction trade approach in designing large scale management information systems

Abstract In building large scale MIS , it is not only necessary to employ a rigorous development methodology, but it is essential that the material recorded and used at each step in the design process be effectively communicated between users and developers. This paper describes a “new” method for facilitating effective communication between users and developers in the process. The method literally adapts construction blueprints to the MIS design process. The intent of these blueprints is to capture the essence of the design and facilitate communication with the users without the bulk verbiage that it takes to provide traditional written specifications. The paper shows how blueprints were used in the development and implementation of the Air Force's largest distributed processing MIS — The Requirements Data Bank ( RDB ) to aid in effective communication and reduce critical design errors.
Characterizing the subsurface chlorophyll a maximum in the Chukchi Sea and Canada Basin

Abstract Throughout the Arctic Ocean, subsurface chlorophyll a (Chl a) maxima (SCM) develop every summer after the water column stratifies and surface nutrients have been exhausted. Despite its ubiquity, the SCM׳s distribution, seasonal dynamics, and productivity remain uncertain. Here we present the first in-depth analysis of the SCM in the Chukchi Sea and adjacent Canada Basin, drawing on data collected during the field program Impacts of Climate on the EcoSystems and Chemistry of the Arctic Pacific Environment (ICESCAPE). The SCM was significantly shallower on the Chukchi shelf (30 m) than in the Canada Basin (56 m), and in both regions was correlated with the euphotic and nitracline depths, suggesting an actively growing community maintaining its optimal position within the water column, consistent with previous work. The SCM was located significantly deeper than the net primary productivity (NPP) maximum, which averaged 15 m depth. The development of the SCM on the Chukchi shelf appears tightly linked to under-ice blooms, beginning ~1 month prior to sea-ice retreat and reaching ~15 m depth by the time ice retreats, beyond the range of satellite ocean-color sensors. A seasonal analysis of historical data from the region shows that the SCM deepens to ~30 m by July and remains there throughout the summer, a depth that is consistent with previous studies across the pan-Arctic shelves. We employed a spectral model of light propagation through the water column to demonstrate that surface Chl a and CDOM play approximately equal roles in attenuating light, limiting euphotic depth, and therefore SCM depth, to ~30 m, thus greatly limiting new production. If surface Chl a and CDOM were reduced, allowing greater light penetration, new production on Arctic shelves could potentially be 40% greater.
COMPRESSION LOAD TRANSMISSION IN SCREW COMPRESSORS

Abstract In the current investigations of the bearing forces in screw compressors, the supports at the bearings are basically treated as ideal, simply supported boundary conditions. By using statics theory, the loads on the rotors are converted to the bearings at the suction and discharge ends. Some studies on rotor dynamics have shown that the behaviors of a rotor bearing system are, to some extent, controlled by the bearings that support the rotor. Therefore, it is important to study the dynamic performance of the rotor bearing system in screw compressors so that the bearing forces can be more accurately described. In this paper, a numerical method is presented for computing the compression loads by integrating the pressure over the rotor surface. Vector calculus and numerical integration methods are implemented to calculate the compression loads in order to obtain a robust procedure that can be applied to arbitrary rotor profiles. In addition, a dynamic model of a rigid compressor rotor supported by two cylindrical roller bearings and a four point contact ball bearing is developed from basic principles. This model simulates the dynamic responses of a typical screw compressor configuration. It includes five degrees of freedom of rotor motion interacting with the bearings of non-linear characteristics. Under the compression loads, the resulting bearing forces in the screw compressor are compared with those obtained by assuming ideal, simply supported boundary conditions at the bearings. It is shown that the interactions between the rotor and bearings are quite different by coupling the global rotor motion with the local dynamics of the bearings.
Elevated Serum Ghrelin Exerts an Orexigenic Effect that May Maintain Body Mass Index in Patients with Metastatic Neuroendocrine Tumors

Ghrelin is a potent orexigenic peptide principally produced in the stomach by a distinct population of neuroendocrine cells in the oxyntic mucosa of the fundus. Exogenous ghrelin given as an intravenous infusion has been shown to increase caloric intake in patients with cancer cachexia. In this study, we hypothesized that elevated endogenous ghrelin, produced by increased neuroendocrine cell tumor burden, also exerts an orexigenic effect helping to maintain body mass index. To evaluate the effect of elevated endogenous ghrelin, 35 patients with neuroendocrine tumors were enrolled, assigning them to one of two groups depending on the presence of hepatic metastases. Following an overnight fast, serum was collected and sent for ghrelin measurement by an outside laboratory. The two groups were well matched for all other relevant clinical variables including subtype of tumor, primary location of tumor and tumor treatment history. Nearly all patients with hepatic metastases had elevated levels of ghrelin compared to the standard reference range given for matched controls. The presence of hepatic metastases was associated with significantly elevated ghrelin levels (p<0.05) and a greater mean body mass index. In addition, we report a positive correlation between serum ghrelin and total tumor surface area and between serum ghrelin and body mass index, suggesting that elevated endogenous ghrelin may be sufficient to overcome any partial ghrelin resistance typically seen in cancer cachexia. These results support the possibility that ghrelin is co-released from neuroendocrine tumors and exerts an orexigenic effect in these patients, helping to maintain their body mass index despite widely disseminated disease.
Regulation of eicosanoid synthesis in microvessel endothelium : glucocorticoids do not affect arachidonyl CoA synthetase activity

Abstract The properties of acyl coenzyme A (CoA) synthetase activity were characterized in cultured rabbit coronary microvessel endothelial cells. We report here that microvessel endothelial cells contain two long-chain acyl CoA synthetases. One shows activity with a variety of fatty acids, similar to long-chain non-selective fatty acyl CoA synthetases described previously. The other activity was selective for arachidonic acid and other structurally related substrates. Both activities required ATP, Mg2+ and CoA for optimal activity. The arachidonyl CoA and the non-selective acyl CoA synthetases showed different thermolabilities. Arachidonyl CoA formation was inhibited by greater than 50% after 1 min at 45°C, whereas a 15 min heating treatment was necessary to produce the same relative inhibition of oleoyl CoA synthesis. Glucocorticoid pretreatment (10−7 M dexamethasone) of the RCME cells did not affect the apparent Km or Vmax, nor the fatty acid selectivity for either acyl CoA synthetase. Therefore, although fatty acyl CoA synthetases may be involved in limiting eicosanoid formation, these activities do not appear to be glucocorticoid-responsive.
Soft tissue angiofibroma: a case report

Soft tissue angiofibroma is a recently described neoplasm that typically presents as a slowly growing, painless mass in the soft tissues of the lower extremities. Cytogenetic and molecular studies have identified a recurrent t(5;8) translocation. Treatment is simple excision. Existing data suggest that this tumor is benign and has a low rate of local recurrence. The radiologic and pathologic differential diagnoses for this lesion include both benign and malignant lesions, including plantar fibromatosis, tenosynovial giant cell tumor, fibroma of tendon sheath, epithelioid sarcoma, and low-grade myxofibrosarcoma. Proper identification of this benign lesion through radiologic and pathologic correlation is important to prevent misdiagnosis of a low-grade sarcoma.
Tandem organic photodetectors with tunable, broadband response

Broadband photodetection is achieved by integrating three electron donor materials with complementary absorption into an organic photodetector (OPD). While a single donor-acceptor heterojunction can show broadband response, the spectral tunability is intrinsically limited to the absorption profiles of the active materials. Here, we demonstrate broadband OPDs consisting of multiple bulk heterojunctions arranged in tandem. These OPDs show high responsivity under moderate reverse bias from the ultraviolet to the near-infrared. By combining materials with complementary absorption in a tandem OPD, we demonstrate that the response from each band can be separately tuned with manipulation of the heterojunction thicknesses or composition.
Turbulent flow over a wavy surface: Stratified case

Stably stratified turbulent flow over wavy terrain is investigated using large-eddy simulation for laboratory-scale domains. Basic near-wall turbulence structure and production mechanisms appear similar to the neutral case, though dampened. The state of turbulence in the stratified fluid is analyzed by graphing the relationships between key nondimensional parameters. A shifting and smearing of the curve of flux Richardson number Rif versus turbulent Froude number Frt caused by the wavy boundary (compared with a flat boundary) demonstrates the higher level of turbulence near the wavy wall and shows strong mixing in the detached shear layer over the trough. The relationship describing the state of turbulence in a stratifed fluid given by Ivey and Imberger [1991] is approximately satisfied. Conditional sampling is used to analyze the nature of Reynolds stress events.
Rapid and Inexpensive Method for the Spectroscopic Determination of Innate Immune Activity of Crocodilians

Abstract We have employed a spectroscopic assay based on the hemolysis of sheep red blood cells (SRBCs) to assess the immune system of the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). The assay is based on the hemolytic disruption of the SRBCs by the immunological proteins in the crocodilian serum. Incubation of 1% SRBCs (v/v) with alligator serum resulted in hemolysis that was measured at 540 nm in a microtiter plate reader. The hemolysis was concentration‐, time‐, and temperature‐dependent. This assay is rapid, inexpensive, easy to perform, requires small sample volumes, and is useful for evaluating the humoral immune response of crocodilians.
Breastfeeding in Africa and the Latin American and Caribbean Region: The Potential Role of Urbanization

This paper compares breastfeeding patterns in Africa (AFR) and the Latin American and Caribbean region (LATCAR) based on demographic and health surveys conducted in 23 countries between 1986 and 1990. Results indicate that the proportion of infants who are never breastfed is twice as high in LATCAR than in AFR. The average median breastfeeding duration is 1.64 times higher in AFR (19.3 months) than in LATCAR (11.8 months). The longer breastfeeding duration found in AFR was due to a better lactation performance in both rural and urban areas. In both LATCAR and AFR 71 per cent of the 0-4-month infants were not breastfed exclusively during the first 4 months of life and breastfeeding duration was longer in rural than in urban areas. However, the degree of urbanization had a stronger negative effect on breastfeeding in LATCAR than in AFR. It is concluded that: (a) while LATCAR is in great need of breastfeeding promotion programmes, breastfeeding in AFR should be protected as it becomes more urbanized; (b) the promotion of exclusive breastfeeding remains a priority in both regions; and (c) the magnitude of the inverse association between urbanization and breastfeeding is likely to vary among regions with different socio-economic and cultural backgrounds.