cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Adolescent perception of premature risk for death: contributions from individual and environmental contextual factors.

Objective Adolescent perception of premature risk for death is a cause of great concern. This study identified individual and environmental characteristics of youth expressing perception of premature risk for death. Methods Data are from Waves 1 (1995) and 3 (2001–2002) of the in-home interviews from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. The study sample included 12,103 adolescents and 10,519 parents (Wave 1) and 9130 young adults (Wave 3). Logistic regression models were used to determine contexts for health risk, connection, safety and monitoring, individual/developmental, and caregiver/family characteristics associated with adolescent early death perception. Results One in 7 youth endorsed perceived risk for early demise. After controlling for demographic factors, adolescent early death perception is a powerful marker for high-risk status, including involvement in self-destructive behaviors (odds ratio [OR] 1.32–13.97, P = .01– P P P Conclusions Study findings support further research into constructs for premature death perception as a potential mechanism to facilitate intervention with youth who may be at risk for further negative life trajectories, including depressive reactions and extreme reactions to future adverse life events.
Myotonic dystrophy: the role of RNA CUG triplet repeats.

Myotonic dystrophy (DM) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder associated with defects in many tissues, including skeletal muscle myotonia, progressive myopathy, and abnormalities in the heart, the brain, and the endocrine system (Harper 1995). The clinical phenotype, which is notably variable, is subject to genetic anticipation, the progressive worsening of symptoms, and/or presentation of symptoms at an earlier age in successive generations (Harper 1995). Both genetic anticipation and variability of phenotype in patients with DM were explained when an unstable CTG triplet–repeat expansion was identified in the myotonin protein kinase (DMPK) gene and shown to be responsible for the disease (Aslanidis et al.
Field experimentation in meiofaunal ecology

Field manipulations with meiofauna have become popular research tools recently. Over 40 experiments manipulating meiofauna have been conducted including natural experiments. Investigator induced experiments include pollution experiments, colonization (non-pollution) experiments, trophic-interaction experiments, organism-substrate experiments and others. We review the contributions of these investigations.
Mathematical Ideals and Metaphysical Concepts

In his recent series on “Criticism in the History of Science: Newton on Absolute Space, Time, and Motion”—Philosophical Review, LXVIII (1959), I–29; 203–227—Professor Stephen Toulmin has argued that the concepts of absolute space and time functioned, in Newton’s scientific work, as “mathematical ideals”—as formal elements of an axiomatic system—rather than as empirical postulates.
Cognitive addition and multiplication: Evidence for a single memory network

In an experiment using verification task procedures, 100 subjects responded to simple and complex problems of addition and multiplication. Identical structural parameters were found to model reaction time accurately to both addition and multiplication problems. Slope estimates for a memory network parameter did not differ significantly between simple and complex problems within an operation or between addition and multiplication problems. Both complex addition and complex multiplication problems were processed columnwise, with column sums or products being retrieved from an interrated memory network. The two types of complex problems included similar processes for carrying and for encoding of single digits, and both were self-terminated when an error in the units column was encountered. Addition and multiplication facts appear to be retrieved from a single interrelated memory network. A conceptual model for this interrelated network is discussed.
Effects of tranexamic acid on death, vascular occlusive events, and blood transfusion in trauma patients with significant haemorrhage (CRASH-2): a randomised, placebo-controlled trial

The article is reprinted after 'Lancet 2010; 376: 23-32' by the above collaborators with written permission from Lancet Authority. Background: Tranexamic acid can reduce bleeding in patients undergoing elective surgery. We assessed the effects of early administration of a short course of tranexamic acid on death, vascular ocdusive events, and the receipt of blood transfusion in trauma patients. Methods: This randomised controlled trial was undertaken in 274 hospitals in 40 countries. In Bangladesh we have taken 12 patients for this study. 20211 adult trauma patients with, or at risk of, significant bleeding were randomly assigned within 8 h of in jury to either tranexamic acid (loading dose 1 g over 10 mm then infusion of 1 g over 8 h) or matching placebo. Randomisation was balanced by centre, with an allocation sequence based on a block size of eight, generated with a computer random number generator. Both participants and study staff (site investigators and trial coordinating centre staft) were masked to treatment allocation. The primary outcome was death in hospital within 4 weeks of injury and was described with the following categories: bleeding, vascular ocdusion (myocardial infarction, stroke and pulmonary embolism), multiorgan failure, head injury, and other. All analyses were by intention to treat. This study is registered as ISRCTN867SO1O2, Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00375258, and South African Clinical Trial Register DOH-27-0607.1919. Findings: 10096 patients were allocated to tranexamic acid and 10115 to placebo, of whom 10060 and 10067, respectively, were analysed. All-cause mortality was significantly reduced with tranexamic add (1463(14.5%] tranexamic add group vs 1613 [16.0%] placebo group; relative risk 0.91, 95% Cl 0.85-0.97; p=0.0035). The risk of death due to bleeding was significantly reduced (489 [4.9%] vs 574 [5.7%]; relative risk 0.85, 95% CI 0.76 -0.96; p=O .0077). Interpretation: Tranexamic acid safely reduced the risk of death in bleeding trauma patients in this study. On the basis of these results, tranexamic acid should be considered for use in bleeding trauma patients. Funding: UK NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme, Pfizer, BUPA Foundation, and J P Moulton Charitable Foundation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bccj.v1i2.17198 Bangladesh Crit Care J September 2013; 1 (2): 71-79
Crude Protein for High Milk Production

Abstract In each of two 4×4 Latin squares, multiparous Holstein cows were fed ad libitum, blended, equicaloric, corn silage-concentrate diets containing 11.1 to 19.2 or 13.8 to 20.9% crude protein during four 36-day periods between 18 and 162 days postpartum. In trial 1, with low soluble nitrogen, yields of milk, protein, and nonfat solids increased as dietary protein increased from 11 to 16%; higher protein increased gross nitrogen balance rather than urinary excretion or mammary secretion. Mean daily milk, 46 to 159 days postpartum, was 34kg when the diet contained 15.7% protein. Trial 2 was with higher protein, higher-producing cows, lower proportion (.51 versus .59) of concentrate, and higher nitrogen solubility (urea-treated silage) than in trial 1. Mean milk yields were high (40kg) but not affected significantly by protein in the ration. With diets over 18% protein, cows increased water intake, urine volume, and urine nitrogen. Between 13.7 and 19.2% protein in the ration, conversion of absorbed nitrogen to milk nitrogen in isonitrogenous diets was about equal between trials, suggesting that urea in silage was used efficiently. Effects on various rumen and blood metabolites are discussed. Under these conditions 14% protein in the ration was adequate for high-producing cows during the first 23 wk of lactation.
Ergot on Pennisetum Hohenackeri Hochst.

Pennisetum Hohenackeri Hochst. (P. alopecuros Nees) is a densely tufted perennial grass thriving in the clayey moist situations. The occurrence of sphacelial and sclerotial stages of a Claviceps on this host was first recorded by Ajrekar1 in the course of his studies on the sugary disease of jowar in India caused by Sphacelia Sorghi McRae. In their studies on the ergot in South India, Thomas et al.2 have given measurements of the spores of the Sphacelia and of the sclerotia. The honey dew forms a brownish viscid crust on the infected spikelets, embedding numerous spores. The spores are hyaline, thin-walled, 17–24 × 3–7 µ.
HIGH POTENCY OF 2-METHYL-9α-FLUOROHYDROCORTISONE FOR LIFE MAINTENANCE AND REVIVAL FROM INSUFFICIENCY OF ADRENALECTOMIZED DOGS1

TWO new synthetic analogs of hydrocortisone: 2-methylhydrocortisone (2-methyl F), and 2-methyl-9α-fluorohydrocortisone (2-methyl FF), have become available (1) and early reports have called attention to the high Na-retaining activity of 2-methyl FF (2-4). This steroid has been stated to be 49 times more active in this respect than DC A and 155 times more potent in inducing K excretion in acute assays on adrenalectomized dogs (2). Investigators employing rats as test objects observed that the Na-retaining activity of methylated FF is 90 times that of DCA (4). The present writers have found the FF compound to be the most potent mineralocorticoid known both for maintaining adrenalectomized dogs symptom- free and for its remarkable activity in reviving such animals from severe insufficiency in record time with restoration of normal activity, vigor and serum electrolyte pattern.
Stability number and chromatic number of tolerance graphs

Abstract Golumbic and Monma [3] introduced a subclass of perfect graphs called tolerance graphs . In this paper, we present algorithms to compute the stability number, the clique number, the chromatic number, and the clique cover number of a tolerance graph.
Evaluating brief cognitive impairment screening instruments among African Americans.

This article compared and contrasted the Telephone Interview of Cognitive Status (TICS) to the racially-sensitive Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire (SPMSQ). The empirical questions addressed was whether the TICS over-represented African American (AA) cognitive impairment (CI) relative to the SPMSQ, if there were age differences in CI prevalence between younger subjects (ages 50–64) and older ones (>64 years) and on accuracy to detect CI in individuals with higher levels of educations (≥13 years) versus those with lower education levels (<13 years). A secondary data analysis was performed on 396 AA participants from the Carolina African American Twin Study on Aging (CAATSA). The SPMSQ measured CI prevalence at 10.3% and the TICS at 45.0%. Within the younger group, TICS and CI prevalence was 49.3 and 80% among the older group. Within the younger group SPMSQ and CI prevalence was 14.5 and 53.8% among the older group. Within the higher educated group, TICS and CI prevalence was 36.7 and 51.4% among t...
PHOTO SENSITIVITY OF FRESH MEAT COLOR IN THE VISIBLE SPECTRUM

SUMMARY –The effect of specific wavelengths of visible light on fresh meat color was investigated. 2-in. diam cores of meat were aseptically prepared from top rounds (adductor muscle and semimembranosus muscle). Freshly oxygenated face-to-face cuts were used as the sample and control. The sample and control were packaged in mylar polyethylene pouches and cooled moist filtered air was circulated through the pouch for the duration of the experiment. Samples were exposed to the following wavelengths at an energy level of 0.5 mw/cm2: 420.0, 510.0, 550.0, 570.0, 590.0 and 632.8 nm. Experiments were conducted at 34°± 1°F and 41°± 1°F for 2 and 5 days of exposure. The controls were next to the sample but kept in darkness during the exposure period. There was no temperature differential between the sample and control. Oxidized heme pigment content was determined by reflectance spectrophotometry. No wavelength enhanced the formation of oxidized heme pigment more than any other, however illuminated samples contained an average of 5.5% more oxidized heme pigment than did the controls. Oxidized heme pigment content increased with lengthened storage time and increased temperature. The increase in oxidized heme pigment content as a result of illumination may be due to a photochemical activation of a compound such as riboflavin which then may react with oxygenated heme pigments to form oxidized heme pigments.
THE FORM OF THE EPITHELIAL CELLS IN CULTURES OF FROG SKIN, AND ITS RELATION TO THE CONSISTENCY OF THE MEDIUM.

1. Fragments of skin from the leopard frog ( Rana pipiens ) were cultivated in media of varying consistency. A mixture of frog plasma, frog muscle extract, chicken plasma, and chicken embryo extract usually produced a very firm medium; a mixture of frog plasma, frog muscle extract, and chicken plasma, one less firm (semi-firm); and a mixture of frog plasma and frog muscle extract a medium of a consistency varying from soft to liquid. 2. ( a ) In a firm medium the cells which migrate into the medium are polyhedral (polygonal when seen from above) in form, which shape they retain permanently. They remain united in a compact membrane, the central parts of which consist of several (three to four) layers of cells. Migration of isolated cells into the medium does not take place. ( b ) In the semi-firm media the cells situated at the edge of the membrane become fusiform in shape, gradually detach themselves from the membrane, and stray out individually into the medium. This causes the membrane to become loose in character, and to contain holes, while its edges at the same time become very irregular and send out pointed projections. ( c ) In a soft medium the cells are fusiform or thread-like in shape. The migration of isolated cells is much more pronounced than in the semi-firm media, as a result of which the membrane undergoes constant and rapid loosening up. By this means whole portions of the membrane become detached and their separate parts are at first united by the thread-like columnar cells, which become drawn out in the form of long threads upon the separation of the individual sections of the membrane. The loosening up of the membrane is further assisted by liquefaction and the consequent formation of vacuoles; the latter process likewise results in the formation of thread-like columnar cells. ( d ) Liquid media contain only round cells. 3. This serves to explain numerous internal processes of the organism, especially certain changes of form observed by Leo Loeb in transplantations of wound scabs and of skin; the conditions artificially produced by Leo Loeb must have effected a change in the consistency of the medium. 4. It has been shown that it is unnecessary, for a satisfactory explanation of the above findings, to have recourse to the theories of "functional stimulus" or "inhibiting influences," by means of which Champy wished to account for the variations in the morphological character of the cells.
Spectrophotometric determination of molybdenum with thiocyanate and nitron

Abstract The ternary complex molybdenum(V)—thiocyanate— nitron exhibits an apparent molar absorptivity of 15,200 l mol-1 cm-1 when extracted by chloroform from aqueous 3 M hydrochloric acid solutions. Beer's law is followed for solutions containing 1.2–12 μg Mo ml-1. The effects of diverse ions and application to determination of molybdenum in steels are described.
Esophageal dysfunction and chest pain in patients with mitral valve prolapse: A prospective study utilizing provocative testing during esophageal manometry

Abstract purpose: The cause of chest discomfort in patients with mitral valve prolapse (MVP) remains unknown. Our aim was to determine prospectively the incidence of esophageal disorders and abnormal responses to edrophonium chloride and esophageal acid infusions in patients with MVP and troublesome non-ischemic chest pain. patients and methods: After coronary artery disease was excluded, 20 patients with MVP and chest pain underwent esophageal manometry and provocative testing with edrophonium chloride and acid infusion. Seven patients with MVP but without chest pain served as control subjects; they also underwent esophageal manometry with provocative testing. results: Esophageal manometry revealed esophageal disorders in 16 patients: diffuse esophageal spasm in 14 patients, nutcracker esophagus in one, and hypotensive lower esophageal sphincter in one. Esophageal motility was normal in four patients. Injection of edrophonium and acid infusion tests evoked typical chest disomfort in three of 18 and five of 19 patients, respectively. In six of seven control subjects with MVP but with no chest discomfort, esophageal motility was normal and provocative testing did not produce chest discomfort (p conclusion: Esophageal disorders were common and may account for chest discomfort in certain patients with MVP and persistent chest pain syndromes.
Skin aging and photoaging: An overview

As the population ages, common skin disorders of the elderly demand greater attention. Moreover, the many clinical, histologic, and physiologic changes that characterize old skin are increasingly implicated in its vulnerability to environmental injury and certain diseases. Thus it behooves dermatologists to study the basic biologic process of aging in the skin and the separable process of photoaging, which itself is a major clinical problem. To date studies at the cellular level have demonstrated major functional losses, particularly in proliferative capacity between infancy and adulthood, with definite further loss between early and late adulthood and as a result of chronic sun exposure. Continued careful, quantitative assessment of aging and photoaging in human skin both in vivo and in vitro will be critical to a better understanding of these processes and particularly to their successful therapeutic modification.
Adaptation of reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography for the isolation and sequence analysis of peptides from plasma amyloid P-component.

Abstract Gel permeation and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography were used to isolate chemical and enzymatic cleavage fragments of plasma amyloid P-component for amino acid sequence analysis. Optimal conditions for resolution of peptide mixtures were predetermined using analytical amounts (0.04–0.1 nmol) and volatile trifluoroacetic acid-acetonitrile or ammonium acetate-acetonitrile buffer systems. Thereafter, 100–200 nmol of each hydrolyzate was chromatographed on preparative columns. Size-exclusion chromatography using an acetic acid solvent containing n -propanol was found to be most useful for large-molecular-weight cyanogen bromide peptides while reverse-phase chromatography was best suited for the smaller enzymatically derived peptides. The high resolution and sensitivity of high-performance liquid chromatography using this dual approach has enabled the completion of greater than 95% of the sequence of P-component ( M r 23,500) using less than 10 mg.
Polymeric Mach-Zehnder interferometer using serially coupled microring resonators

We propose a novel geometry for a Mach-Zehnder interferometer in which one arm of the interferometer consists of serially coupled microresonators and the other a simple ridge waveguide. The device was fabricated in an optical polymer and its spectral characteristics were measured at telecommunications wavelengths. The serially coupled rings are modeled using a simple transfer matrix approach. Good agreement is found between the measurement and the theory.
Microscopic theory for the diffusive evolution of an isoconcentration surface.

We determine the schedule for the diffusive evolution of isoconcentration ``surfaces'' into a semi-infinite region, initially empty of diffusant, for a particular time-invariant boundary condition corresponding to constant diffusant concentration. This result is obtained by exploiting the correspondence between solutions of the Fokker-Planck equation for this boundary-value problem and the known fundamental solution in an unbounded space. We find that the initial evolution is linear, as predicted by us in earlier work, while the long-time behavior is as ${\mathit{t}}^{1/2}$, which is the solution predicted from the diffusion equation over the entire time domain. The transition between these limiting regions is described by a more complicated functional dependence.
Processing, mosaicking and management of the Monterey Bay digital sidescan-sonar images

Abstract Sidescan-sonar imaging systems with digital capabilities have now been available for approximately 20 years. In this paper we present several of the various digital image processing techniques developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and used to apply intensity/radiometric and geometric corrections, as well as enhance and digitally mosaic, sidescan-sonar images of the Monterey Bay region. New software run by a WWW server was designed and implemented to allow very large image data sets, such as the digital mosaic, to be easily viewed interactively, including the ability to roam throughout the digital mosaic at the web site in either compressed or full 1-m resolution. The processing is separated into the two different stages: preprocessing and information extraction. In the preprocessing stage, sensor-specific algorithms are applied to correct for both geometric and intensity/radiometric distortions introduced by the sensor. This is followed by digital mosaicking of the track-line strips into quadrangle format which can be used as input to either visual or digital image analysis and interpretation. An automatic seam removal procedure was used in combination with an interactive digital feathering/stenciling procedure to help minimize tone or seam matching problems between image strips from adjacent track-lines. The sidescan-sonar image processing package is part of the USGS Mini Image Processing System (MIPS) and has been designed to process data collected by any ‘generic’ digital sidescan-sonar imaging system. The USGS MIPS software, developed over the last 20 years as a public domain package, is available on the WWW at: http://terraweb.wr.usgs.gov/trs/software.html .
Plasma-Ion-Assisted Coatings for 15-fs Laser Systems

Large-aperture deposition of high-laser-damage-threshold, low-dispersion optical coatings for 15-fs pulses has been developed using plasma-ion-assisted electron-beam evaporation. Coatings are demonstrated over 10 in.-aperture substrates.
MC-1 Engine Valves, Lessons Learned

Many lessons were learned during the development of the valves for the MC-1 engine. The purpose of this report is to focus on a variety of issues related to the engine valves and convey the lessons learned. This paper will not delve into detailed technical analysis of the components. None of the lessons learned are new or surprising, but simply reinforce the importance of addressing the details of the design early, at the component level. The Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC), Huntsville, Alabama developed the MC-1 engine, a LOX / FW-1, 60,000 pound thrust engine. This engine was developed under the Low Cost Boost Technology office at MSFC and proved to be a very successful project for the MSFC Propulsion team and the various subcontractors working the development of the engine and its components.
Effects of Substrate Binding Determinants in the Transition State for Orotidine 5′-Monophosphate Decarboxylase

Abstract To evaluate the effects of individual binding determinants on transition state stabilization, the binding properties of substrates and competitive inhibitors of the OMP decarboxylase activity of human UMP synthase were compared with those of fragments obtained by cutting these ligands at various positions. The ribofuranosyl group generates little binding affinity (as indicated by comparison of the k cat / K m values of orotidine with that of orotic acid, and of the K i value of 6-hydroxyuridine with that of 6-hydroxyuracil), but seems to constrain the relative mobilities of the pyrimidine ring and the phosphoryl group in such a way as to optimize their contributions to transition state stabilization. The phosphoryl group of OMP appears to contribute approximately 10 kcal/mol of binding free energy to transition state stabilization, as indicated by comparison of the k cat / K m value of OMP with that of orotidine, and of the K i value of the transition state analogue inhibitor 6-hydroxy-UMP with that of the corresponding ribonucleoside. This substituent effect, one of the largest that has been recorded for an enzyme reaction, is of special interest in view of the phosphoryl group's considerable distance from the site of substrate transformation.
A Multibus-Compatible Interface to Selected Reading Displays for the Blind

A custom microprocessor-based output interface board for use in a reading aid for the visually impaired is described. The board drives the Optacon, the Stereotoner, and an enlarged Optacon-style LED display in real time under host microprocessor control. It is a versatile tool for simulating and evaluating operational features in blind reading aids.
Simultaneous preparation of four cell type enriched glial cultures from rat cerebral cortex

We have developed a procedure for the stimultaneous isolation of 95 to 98% homogeneous populations of four glial cell types from a heterogeneous cell suspension derived from one pool of neonatal rat cerebral cortices. The method is based on four known differences between microglia, astrocyte types 1 and 2, and oligodendrocytes: a) timing of differentiation and preservation of this schedule in dissociated cell cultures; b) adhesion strength; c) cell size; and d) nutritional requirements. The advantages of this procedure over current methods include: a) cultures remain pure approximately 2 wk longer; b) cultures of type 2 astrocytes are approximately 25% more pure; c) direct comparisons of these cell types are made possible during development and/or in maturity under a variety of heritable and other perturbations; d) biochemical analyses of the interactive and individual properties of glial cells are facilitated; and e) animal lives are conserved. The method may prove particularly valuable in human brain research where supply of tissue is both sporadic and limited.
Association of demographic and treatment variables in long-term colon cancer survival.

The purpose of this study is to examine demographic and treatment variables because they relate to 5-year survival in colon cancer. The study design is analysis of 174 471 patients with colon and rectosigmoid cancer as reported to the American College of Surgeons National Cancer Data Base. Factors associated with a reduced risk of mortality included female gender (hazard ratio = 0.89; 95% confidence interval, 0.87-0.90), education status (hazard ratio = 0.87; 95% confidence interval, 0.85-0.89), increased number of lymph nodes resected (compared with 12: hazard ratio = 0.79; 95% confidence interval, 0.77-0.80), and addition of chemotherapy (hazard ratio = 0.69; 95% CI, 0.68-0.71). African American race (hazard ratio = 1.14; 95% confidence interval, 1.11-1.18) and increasing age correlated with an increased hazard risk (61-75 years: hazard ratio = 1.26; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-1.29; >or=76 years: hazard ratio = 2.15; 95% confidence interval, 2.09-2.21, compared with age <60 years). Survival in colon cancer is significantly impacted by patient's age, race, gender, and education status but not by income or area of residence.
Temperature gradients within a soot layer during DPF regeneration

Abstract Many mathematical models have been developed for predicting the temperature rise during the regeneration of diesel particulate filters (DPFs). This requires assuming the magnitude of the temperature gradient normal to the flow in the inlet channels in the soot layer. We report here the first experimental measurement of this value. The experiments revealed that the maximum soot layer temperature occurred at the gas–soot interface. At soot loading of 10 g/L or less the temperature differences across the soot layer are rather small (usually less than 10 °C). Higher values may be obtained at higher soot loading. For example, a 40 °C difference was observed at a loading of 20 g/L. A surprising finding was that the amplitude of the temperature difference decreased with the increase in feed oxygen concentration.
The role of self-attribution differences in the utilization of social comparison information

Abstract A study is reported that investigated the effects of receiving social comparison information which implied individual's behavior was inconsistent with his/her self-ascribed trait. The effects of this information on subsequent self-labeling and behavior involving a similar task were found to be mediated by the attributional style of the subject. The social comparison information caused subjects to reevaluate their relevant self-labels regardless of their attributional style. However, only self-attributors also changed their behavior on a later task as a result of exposure to the comparison information. These findings and their implications were discussed with regard to self-attribution and the maintenance of traitbehavior consistency.
A conceptual framework for evaluating designs for corporate innovation

Abstract Innovation is becoming mandatory for an increasing number of organizations in order to sustain competitive advantage. This paper explores how designs for corporate entrepreneurship fit within other dimensions of a strategy configuration. To do this, first, seven innovation-related problems are diagnosed. The specific problem patterns arising in three representative approaches to corporate innovation efforts (internal research and development, joint ventures, and acquisition) are discussed. Next, issues related to strategy configuration are examined. The problem-accommodating characteristics associated with specific environmental domain choices and with two routes to competitive advantage are proposed. Hypotheses that reflect the problem characteristics of innovation approaches with the problem propensities resulting from organizational choices of domain and competitive advantages are offered. Specific directions for future research, as well as the practical applications of these concepts, are discussed.
Enzyme immunoassay method for total urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) beta subunit and its application for measurement of total urinary FSH☆

Abstract Objective: To develop and validate an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for total urinary follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) that can be used to evaluate frozen-thawed urine samples. Design: A method was developed for dissociating urinary FSH into subunits by boiling. An ELISA for the free beta subunit of FSH was used to measure total FSH in urine samples collected from male and female volunteers. The urinary FSH values were compared with serum FSH concentrations in paired samples. Setting: A clinical research laboratory. Patient(s): Serum and urine samples from normal male and female volunteers and from men with infertility were used to develop and validate an assay for total urinary FSH. Intervention(s): None. Result(s): Urinary FSH concentrations in frozen-thawed urine were highly correlated to matched serum FSH concentrations. Conclusion(s): A microtiter plate ELISA for FSH beta subunit provides an economical method for evaluating FSH secretion in men and women. This method has practical applications for population-based epidemiologic studies in which urine samples are collected in the held and stored frozen before analysis.
Utilizing the Extraordinary Optical Transmission of Metallic Microarray Mesh for Enhanced Molecular Dynamic and Protein Interactions Within a Supported Bilayer Lipid Membrane In Vivo by Infrared Microscopy

Self-assembling monolayers are physisorbed on metal mesh as a supporting struture for a protein being analyzed. A protein is embedded into a supported phospholipid bilayer membrane that is stacked between two microarray square-holed meshes of the same metal (either copper or nickel). Fourier transformed infrared (IR) microscopy and spectroscopy was used to observe the molecular vibration of protein dynamic and interaction by measuring the absorption of light that passes through the square holes of the mesh. This phenomenon of the extraordinary optical transmission (EOT) has been observed in the visible and in the IR. An enhanced amount of light is transmitted through the mesh due to propagating surface plasmons that are formed when photons hit and excite the conducting electrons on the surface of the metal creating surface waves. This extra amount of light was used to study the protein interaction structurally and dynamically while embedded within a lipid bilayer membrane. Work with liposomes and extract rabbit powder has been done but not within a bilayer lipid membrane to give an extremely similar example of how the protein actually occurs in vivo. Preliminary results were obtained by observing the interaction of globular actin as it changes to fibrous actin as it begins to form the microtubules of the cytoskeleton. Further studies are being conducted on L-Glutathione, a tripeptide protein residue of the anti-freeze protein. Further studies of the residue will give a good example of the anti-freeze protein dynamics in the membrane and may lead to understanding its role in protecting a cell from becoming cancerous.
KINEMATICS OF EXPERIMENTALLY PRODUCED DEFORMATION BANDS IN STIBNITE

McQueen, D.R., Kelly, W.C. and Clark, B.R., 1980. Kinematics of experimentally produced deformation bands in stibnite. In: W.M. Schwerdtner, P.J. Hudleston and J.M. Dixon (Editors), Analytical Studies in Structural Geology. Tectonophysics, 66 : 55-81. Using videotape techniques, we have observed the kinematic development of a variety of microstructures during experimental deformation of single crystals of stibnite (Sb&). The crystals were deformed by flexure or uniaxial compression at room P-T conditions in a small strain device attached to the stage of a reflecting microscope. In more than 50 experimental runs, the primary microstructuree produced in stibnite were deformation bands, not deformation twins as often reported in the literature. Tranalation gliding along (010) [OOl] results in visible slipbanda and produces two basic types of deformation bands, each with a variety of subtypes. Kink bands form with d (angle of internal rotation) Y70° and perpendicular bonds develop with $ Y SO’. Other optical deformation features seen forming were: breccia fragments, bent and opened cleavages, and microfolds. Four stages could be seen in the kinematic development of deformation bands. During initiation, bands form by nearly instantaneous propagation of a narrow bent zone across the crystal. During later migration, the bands widen at a rate invariably slower than the rate of initiation. Termination of bands occurs when growth is impeded by intersections with grain boundaries or other deformation features. During late modification, previously formed bands with straight boundaries are sheared, bent, and compressed. Unconfined crystals tend to form kinks, whereas the perpendicular bands formed in samples confined in relatively rigid plastic. Naturally deformed stlbnites show the same features. Television photomicroscopy has great potential for studying microatructures during deformation.
Remote air lasing for trace detection

We demonstrate coherent light propagating backwards from a remotely generated high gain air laser. A short ultraviolet laser pulse tuned to a two-photon atomic oxygen electronic resonance at 226 nm simultaneously dissociates the oxygen molecules in air and excites the resulting atomic oxygen fragments. Due to the focal depth of the pumping laser, a millimeter long region of high gain is created in air for the atomic oxygen stimulated emission at 845nm. We demonstrate that the gain in excess of 60 cm -1 is responsible for both forward and backwards emission of a strong, collimated, coherent laser beam. We present evidence for coherent emission and characterize the backscattered laser beam while varying the pumping conditions. The optical gain and directional emission allows for six orders of magnitude enhancement for the backscattered emission when compared with the fluorescence emission collected into the same solid angle. . This opens new opportunities for the remote detection capabilities of trace species, and provides much greater range for the detection of optical molecular and atomic features from a distant target.
Moore's Law

The Research News article “Can chip devices keep shrinking?” by Robert F. Service ([13 Dec., p. 1834][1]) represents Moore's Law as a doubling in the number of transistors on computer chips every 18 months. In the graphic by VLSI Research Inc., with a caption heralding the validity of Moore's
Grandpa Wen: Scene and Political Performance

This article remedies the divide in the theory of cultural performance between contingent strategy and cultural structure by bringing scene back in. Scene fuses components of performance and links ...
Topotecan in platinum- and paclitaxel-resistant ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to define the response rate and toxicity of topotecan in patients with ovarian cancer resistant to first-line therapy. Methods: Twenty patients with advanced or recurrent ovarian cancer were enrolled in a phase I/II protocol, and an additional 16 patients were treated following protocol closure at Washington University Medical Center. The starting dose of topotecan was 1.25 mg/m 2 /day given intravenously over 30 min for 5 consecutive days. Patients were eligible for response evaluation if they completed more than one cycle of topotecan. All patients were evaluated for toxicity. Results: Of 28 patients eligible for response evaluation, 26 were resistant to both platinum and paclitaxel prior to treatment with topotecan. There were four partial responders and no complete responders for a total response rate of 14% (95% confidence interval: 4 to 33%). All responders had exhibited primary resistance to both platinum and paclitaxel. Myelotoxicity was the major toxicity, with 92% of patients experiencing Gynecologic Oncology Group (GOG) grade 3 or 4 neutropenia and 67% experiencing GOG grade 3 or 4 thrombocytopenia. Other toxicity was minimal and easily managed. Fifty percent of patients receiving more than one cycle of topotecan tolerated a dose equal or greater to the starting dose. Conclusions: Topotecan exhibits activity in patients with ovarian cancer resistant to both platinum and paclitaxel. Further study is warranted in less heavily pretreated patients and in combination with other chemotherapeutic agents.
Drug binding to a DNA BZ molecule: analysis by chemical footprinting

The polymorphism in a DNA 16-mer (designated BZ-II) has been investigated by means of circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and chemical footprinting. CD spectra indicate that, in low salt, the oligomer is fully right-handed whereas, in high salt, it possesses a B-Z conformational junction: half of the duplex is right-handed while the other half is left-handed. Treatment of BZ-II with diethyl pyrocarbonate (DEPC) confirms the existence of a left-handed segment of the duplex in high salt: enhanced DEPC scission occurs at the G residues in the alternating CG sequence. The scission patterns of the upper and lower strands in BZ-II by the reactive chemical probe MPE.Fe(II), and the antitumor antibiotics dynemicin and Fe-(II).bleomycin, are different under low salt conditions. The 3'-terminal region of both upper and lower strands and the middle region of the upper strand of BZ-II are preferential cleavage sites in low salt. This result suggests that the methylated cytosines or the alternating CG domain in the molecule perturbs the DNA structure. Under high salt conditions, the reactivity of the Z-DNA segment of BZ-II for MPE.Fe(II) and Fe(II).bleomycin is dramatically enhanced, while it is reduced in the case of dynemicin. Excess propidium (PI) eliminates preferential cleavage by each of these chemical probes in high salt conditions. This is due in part to conversion of the BZ-DNA molecule into B-DNA, as is seen by a DEPC modification experiment.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Geometry of binocular imaging

Robotics Institute, School of Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University5000 Forbes Ave., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213ABSTRACTWe rigorously present the geometric issues related to binocular imaging. We identify the minimum number and mostfundamental conceptual set of parameters needed to define 3D-stereoscopic camera and display systems; the fundamentalparameter that is needed to specify a 3D-stereoscopic system but not a monocular system is the pupillary distance. Weanalyse the constraints that are imposed on the values of the parameters by the requirement that the imagery be geometricallyindistinguishable from the reality that would be perceived by the "naked' human visual apparatus. We relate our approach tothose employed by several well known textbooks and graphics engines.1. INTRODUCTIONAll binocular systems must provide a means for presenting one image to the left eye and another to the right. We use as abasis for discussion a system where images for both the left and right eyes are presented on a single, flat surface and where ameans to ensure that each eye sees only the intended image is employed. Our approach derives from first principles aframework for understanding presentation of binocular images and the corresponding display technologies. Irregularly
Immune response to acute virus infection in the Syrian hamster. I. Studies on genetic restriction of cell-mediated cytotoxicity.

Syrian hamsters show evidence of classical T-cell-mediated immune reactivity to acute virus infection as judged by primary foot pad swelling, kinetics of in vitro cytotoxic activity, and virus specificity of cytotoxic effector cells. In spite of this, no evidence of genetic restriction is observed among the variety of allodisparate inbred strains tested. This virus-induced, cell-mediated killing extends across strain barriers despite strong cellular and serologic alloreactivity among some of the strains utilized. To account for the apparent lack of genetic restriction, we currently favor the hypothesis that all hamsters examined thus far share at least one class I MHC antigen. Since these animals differ at hamster loci which elicit MLR, GVHR, acute SGR, CML, and alloantibody, we presume class II MHC polymorphism exists in this species. The presence of putative class II MHC polymorphism without detectable class I MHC polymorphism is unusual among mammals examined to date, and of unknown biologic significance.
Best L2 local approximation

Abstract In 1934, Walsh noted that the Taylor polynomial of degree n can be obtained by taking the limit as ϵ → 0 + of the net of n th degree polynomials which best approximate f in the closed discs ¦ z ¦ ⩽ ϵ . Later, this result was generalized to rational approximation. In a recent paper, Shisha and the first two authors generalized this idea to the idea of best local approximation . In this paper, using a different technique, we study this problem in the L 2 setting. Consequently, better results follow under weaker hypotheses.
Comparison of adsorption-desorption methods for pore size distribution with transmission electron microscopy measurements

Abstract Alumina films prepared by anodic oxidation of aluminum foils, in oxalic acid contain parallel cylindrical pores. Nitrogen isotherms are measured on these films and the pore size distribution is computed by using Kelvin, Cohan, and Broekhoff-de Boer equations. The results are compared with the direct transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The Broekhoff-de Boer equation for cylindrical pores closed at one end shows the best agreement with the size distribution obtained from TEM. Electron micrographs confirm that the pores are in fact closed at one end.
Production and characterization of monoclonal antibodies against human glycoalbumin

Hybridomas secreting monoclonal antibodies specific for nonenzymatically glycated albumin were produced by fusion of SP2/0 myeloma cells with spleen cells from BALB/c mice immunized with unreduced nonenzymatically glycated albumin prepared from human plasma. Wells containing hybridomas secreting antibodies against glycoalbumin were identified by binding, in an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, to glycoalbumin isolated from human plasma or to albumin that had been glycated in vitro. The colony designated A717, which secreted antibodies discriminating between glycated versus unglycated albumin, was cloned four times by limiting dilution and used for further study, performed with monoclonal antibody purified from mouse ascites fluid. Specificity of A717 was demonstrated by immunoblotting and by ELISA, wherein the monoclonal antibody reacted preferentially with glycated albumin but insignificantly with unglycated albumin. Immunoblotting of human plasma with A717 on nitrocellulose yielded a single band, the electrophoretic mobility of which corresponded with that of authentic glycated albumin, indicating site specificity for glycated epitopes residing in albumin but not in other nonenzymatically glycated serum proteins. A717 differs from other antibodies raised against glycated albumin and other proteins, which recognize glycated residues only after reductive conversion to glucitol-lysine and which do not discriminate between different glycated proteins. Thus, this report describes the establishment of the first hybridoma secreting monoclonal antibody raised against unreduced glycated albumin, which is the physiologic form occurring in vivo, and for the epitope when it resides in albumin but not other proteins.
Random nature of coronavirus RNA recombination in the absence of selection pressure

RNA-RNA recombination is thought to occur preferentially at certain selected sites and in only a few RNA viruses; the mechanism for these restrictions is unknown. In this paper we report the development of a recombination assay for coronavirus, using polymerase chain reaction, in the absence of selection pressure. Our results showed that within a 1-kb region of the peplomer gene, RNA recombination occurred at almost every potential crossover site. Thus, coronavirus RNA recombination appears to be more random than previously realized. However, after serial passages of the recombinant viruses in tissue culture, the recombination sites among the progeny viruses became clustered in the region which contains the previously reported "hot spot" for coronavirus recombination. These results suggest that RNA recombination is common and random in nature, but only certain recombinants can be selected. Thus, the presence of recombinational "hot spots" for coronavirus or other RNA viruses most likely resulted from selection of certain recombinant viruses and not restriction on the occurrence of RNA recombination. The failure to detect recombinants in other RNA viruses may therefore be due to unfavorable properties of recombinant viruses. This approach can be used to detect recombinants in these viruses.
Effects of High Energy Shocks on Pacing Impedance During Transvenous ICD Implantation

The purpose of the current study was to characterize the effects of transvenous ICD shocks on myocardial impedance. Rather than recording impedance during shocks, it was measured during continuous pacing in order to minimize confounding effects such as electrode polarization. Pacing impedance (reflecting the combined impedances of the electrode-tissue interface, myocardium, and blood pool) was measured every 5 seconds before and after 58 single shocks in 22 patients undergoing ICD implantation with a Transvene (n = 14) or Endotak (n = 8) lead. There was a progressive and long-lasting decrease in impedance after shocks. The magnitude of this change was similar for 0.6-J test shocks and shocks > or = 5 J (28 +/- 32 omega vs 23 +/- 16 omega; P = 0.8). However, the drop in impedance was more abrupt after high energy shocks. Because impedance continued to decline throughout the 5-minute interval between shocks, successive shocks had a cumulative effect, with a decrease of 46 +/- 42 omega after four discharges. In conclusion, a progressive decline in pacing impedance is a characteristic response to transvenous ICD discharges.