cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Phase I Trial of Intravesical Cabazitaxel, Gemcitabine and Cisplatin for the Treatment of Nonmuscle Invasive bacillus Calmette-Guérin Unresponsive or Recurrent/Relapsing Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder

Purpose:For patients with bacillus Calmette-Guerin unresponsive or recurrent/relapsing nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer, multi-agent intravesical trials have been limited. In this study we investi...
Laparoscopic Unroofing of Hepatic Cyst

This chapter discusses technical aspects of laparoscopic unroofing of hepatic cyst, including instrumentation and equipment, patient positioning and trocar placement, and surgical steps. The authors also offer pearls and pitfalls.
The Nonlinear Filtering Problem

In Chapter 4, we were concerned with the problem of approximations for the singularly perturbed system (4.1.1), (4.1.2), and with the associated problem of control approximations. In this chapter, we will be concerned with approximations for the nonlinear filtering problem. Suppose that we observe the noise corrupted data yϵ(•) defined by \(d{y^\varepsilon } = g({x^\varepsilon },{z^\varepsilon })dt + d{w_0}\), where w0(•) is a standard vector-valued Wiener process. Owing to the complexity and high dimension of the original system (4.1.1), (4.1.2), the construction of the optimal filter or even the direct construction of an acceptable approximation can be a very hard task. The possibility of using some sort of averaging method, such as in Chapter 4, to get a simpler filter (say, one for an averaged system) is quite appealing. One would use the filter for the averaged system, but the input would be the true physical observations yϵ(•).
Women and Chronic Pain: Understanding the challenges and empowering for change

In the United States, there are approximately 28 million women are living with chronic pain. Women who experience chronic pain face many obstacles through the diagnosis and treatment processes for ...
Photo-initiated rupture of azobenzene micelles to enable the spectroscopic analysis of antimicrobial peptide dynamics.

Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) show promise for the treatment of bacterial infections, but many have undesired hemolytic activities. The AMP MP1 not only has broad spectrum bactericidal activity, but has been shown to have antitumor activity. The interaction between AMPs and cellular membranes gives rise to a peptide's cell-specificity and activity. However, direct analysis of the biophysical interactions between peptides and membrane is complex, in part due to the nature of membrane environments as well as structural changes in the peptide that occurs upon binding to the membrane. In order to investigate the interplay between cell selectivity, activity, and secondary structural changes involved in antimicrobial peptide activity, we sought to implement photolizable membrane mimics to assess the types of information available from infrared spectroscopic measurements that follow from photoinitiated peptide dynamics. Azo-surfactants (APEG) form micelles containing a photolizable azobenzene core, which upon irradiation can induce membrane deformation resulting in breakdown of micelles. Spectroscopic analysis of membrane deformation may provide insights into the physical behavior associated with unfolding and dissociation of antimicrobial peptides within a membrane environment. Herein, we synthesized and characterized two new azo-surfactants, APEGTMG and APEGNEt2MeI. Furthermore, we demonstrate the viability of azosurfactants as membrane mimics by examining both the membrane binding and dissociation induced secondary structural changes of the antimicrobial peptide, MP1.
Mapping of International Aid to the Legal/Judicial Area Ministry of Justice/United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) VIE/02/015

The terms of reference for this report note that"[d]uring the past decades, the international community has assisted Vietnam in establishing and improving its legal system. However, the effectiveness and efficiency of such assistance has been limited due to the fact that Vietnam has only recently had an overall strategy for the development of its legal system, and has particularly lacked a common co-ordination framework for international assistance." Vietnam has taken a number of steps to address these issues, including the drafting of Legal Needs Assessment led and chaired by the Ministry of Justice in 2001 and 2002 with representatives from the Supreme People's Court, Supreme People's Procuracy, Office of the National Assembly, Office of the Government, Office of the President, Ministry of Planning and Investment, Internal Affairs Commission of the Party, and assisted in part by a consortium of nine multilateral and bilateral development agencies and international legal advisors.2 That effort results in the Final Draft Report for the Development of Vietnam's Legal System to the Year 2010, including, as the Terms of Reference point out, "a proposed framework for international legal cooperation."
Perovskite-based sensing scheme for detecting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at room temperature

Volatile organic compound (VOC) gases contribute significantly to environmental pollution and exposure to them in an indoor environment can cause severe health issues. Sensing the gases thus plays a crucial role in environmental monitoring. This study aims to test the sensitivity and selectivity of methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI3) perovskite to various VOC gases. Here, at first, microchannels were created on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated plastic substrates, and then were filled with the perovskite precursor solution using the capillary motion force. After crystallization, the current–voltage (I-V) characteristic responses of the perovskite before and after the exposure to the gases were studied. The variation of the photocurrent in response to acetone, ethanol, isopropanol, and methanol have been studied. While the sensor exhibited negligible I-V changes in response to acetone, ethanol, and isopropanol, photocurrent was decreased by ~ 22% when the device was exposed to methanol at 2.0 V voltage bias. The simple fabrication method in this work is promising for the development of VOC sensors using different perovskites.
Personal Jurisdiction, Very Specifically

This article discusses the consolidated Supreme Court appeal in Ford Motor Co. v. Montana Eighth Judicial District, to be argued on October 7, 2020. The plaintiffs in the two underlying cases suffered injuries or death while in a Ford Motor Co. vehicle involved in an accident on state highways. Ford appeals from the Montana and Minnesota Supreme court decisions upholding assertion of personal jurisdiction based on theories of specific jurisdiction. The appeal addresses the question whether a state court—consistent with the Due Process Clause of the Constitution and federalism principles—may assert personal jurisdiction over a corporate defendant that regularly markets and sells products in the state, but where the plaintiff’s claims are only remotely connected to the defendant’s out-of-state conduct. The Ford appeal highlights a gap in the Court’s evolving doctrinal embrace of the concept of specific jurisdiction. The Court has been less than pellucidly clear concerning the degree of connectedness required for a state legitimately to assert specific personal jurisdiction. In addition, the Court has not distinctly defined the necessary nexus between a defendant’s out-of-state conduct and a forum plaintiff’s claims that would support jurisdiction. This appeal affords the Court the opportunity to clarify the quality and nature of the necessary nexus between a non-resident defendant’s activities and the plaintiff’s claims to support a legitimate assertion of specific jurisdiction. The Court most likely will grapple with the precise formulation of the test for connectedness, with Ford urging one formulation, the U.S. government advocating another, more lenient construction, and the plaintiffs arguing in favor of retention of the status quo. Furthermore, the Court may address whether the tests approved and applied by the Montana and Minnesota Supreme Courts effectively conflated general and specific jurisdiction, exposing non-resident defendants to a foreign state’s jurisdiction based on random, fortuitous circumstances. In addition, the Court may broadly comment on the territorial, federalism issues implicated and whether the Montana and the Minnesota Supreme Court decisions were prohibited exercises of territorial overreach. Finally, the Court may address whether the Montana and Minnesota broadly-construed specific jurisdiction tests comport with the Court’s prior discussions of due process.
The impact of social determinants of health on management of stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Background Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) can be important contributors in health care outcomes. We hypothesized that certain SDOH independently impact the management and outcomes of stage I Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC). Study design Patients with clinical stage I NSCLC were identified from the National Cancer Database. The impact of SDOH factors on utilization of surgery, perioperative outcomes and overall survival were examined, both in bivariate and multivariable analyses. Results A total of 236,140 patients were identified. In multivariate analysis, SDOH marginalization were associated with less frequent use of surgery, lower 5-year survival and, in surgical patients, more frequent use of open surgery and lower 90-day postoperative survival. Conclusion SDOH disparities have a significant impact in the management and outcomes of stage I NSCLC. We identified SDOH patient groups particularly impacted by such disparities, in which higher utilization of surgery and minimally invasive approaches may lead to improved outcomes.
Role of IL-6 in a novel murine model of transient ischemic attack (853.1)

TIA is a precursor event in 7-40% of patients who suffer from an ischemic stroke. This study involves the development of a murine model of TIA and explores the mechanism that accounts for the increased vulnerability of cerebral arterioles to thrombus development after TIA. TIA was simulated by brief (2.5 - 10 min) occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. Thrombus formation in cerebral arterioles (induced by light/dye photoactivation of FITC-dextran) was evaluated 1 - 28 days after the TIA. Thrombosis was quantified using time of onset of platelet aggregation on the vessel wall and the time to complete flow cessation. While the brief period of TIA was not associated with neurological deficits or brain infarction (evaluated after 1 day), it yielded a pronounced and prolonged (up to 28 days) acceleration of thrombus formation, compared to control (sham) mice. Either immunoblockade of the interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor or genetic deficiency of IL-6, but not IL-6-/- bone marrow chimeras, signficantly protected ...
Fast and robust dense stereo correspondence by column segmentation

The stereo correspondence problem is considered. A new fast and stable algorithm for matching between two rectified images is proposed. The algorithm is based on grouping of image pixels into intervals in image columns and subsequent using dynamic programming technique to produce a dense disparity map. The algorithm enables creating fully automatic - nonparametric stereovision systems. The algorithm can be used in real time stereovision applications, as the sample implementation achieves 15-25fps processing speed in a typical environment. The proposed algorithm enables user to control ratio of speed-quality.
A novel cytotoxic T lymphocyte activation assay: Optimized conditions for antigen receptor triggered granule enzyme secretion

A method is described for the quantitative studies of cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activation. This functional assay is based on the measurements of secreted granule-associated enzymatic activity (BLT esterase (BLT-E) ) after incubation of CTL with activating stimuli. Immobilized mAb against CTL's antigen receptor (anti-TcR mAb), concanavalin A or a combination of PMA and ionophore A23187, were able to trigger the secretion of enzyme in the absence of target cells. Soluble anti-TcR mAb alone did not activate CTL, but using their conjugate with immobilized rabbit anti-mouse Ig antibody (RAMIg) TcR-mediated secretion of BLT-E was detected. Use of non-ionic detergents Nonidet P-40 or Triton X-100 (0.0125-0.2%) did not affect measurements of BLT-E activity. The efficiency of CTL exocytosis triggering by anti-TcR mAb which were immobilized on the surface of different plasticware is compared and conditions for studies of small and large numbers of CTL are described. The intensity of CTL response varies markedly with changes in buffer system, culture medium, additions of proteins. The optimal conditions for TcR complex triggered activation of murine CTL are described. Intensity of secretion can be easily manipulated by changing the surface density of immobilized anti-TcR mAb, thereby providing the possibility to screen inhibiting or activating agents (drugs or mAb) at selected sub-optimal levels of CTL activation. The potential for the use of described assay in screening of hybridoma supernatants for the presence of activating or inhibitory mAb against CTL's surface proteins is discussed. Since BLT-E secretion reflects exocytosis of granules from CTL, the conditions described here could be used for the detection of secretion of other markers of granules in future modifications of granule exocytosis assay.
Superunified theories in superspace

The structure of superunified theories in superspace is discussed from the point of view of local gauge invariance. It is shown that the same two requirements which lead to the correct description of gravity determine the structure of these theories. In particular, all the transformation laws of the fields follow from geometry.
Drug-induced long QT syndrome: molecular mechanisms for congenital and acquired QT prolongation

Congenital and acquired long QT syndromes (LQTSs) are important causes of sudden cardiac death. Drug-induced LQTS, the most common cause, has particular importance to clinicians and pharmaceutical companies. In this review, we will discuss the molecular and genetic mechanisms of both congenital forms and acquired forms of LQTS. In particular, we will focus on the available in vitro techniques to test for QT prolongation and arrhythmogenesis.
Pollen production in hexaploid triticale

Comparative studies were made of the pollen characteristics of triticale, wheat, and rye. Measurements were made of the anther length, width, and percent extrusion; pollen viability; size and number of pollen grains per anther; and dispersal on 10-mm2 slide area pollen traps. Triticale anthers were intermediate in length between and significantly different from both wheat and rye. Rye pollen grains per anther were four and two times greater in number than those of wheat and triticale, respectively. Pollen viability was not significantly different between species. Rye pollen grains were smaller than those of wheat and of some triticale cultivars. Simple correlations between anther length and anther width, pollen grains per anther, pollen grain trapped per 10 mm2 slide area, and plant height were significantly positive.
Autolysis of membrane lipids in potato leaf homogenates: Effects of calmodulin and calmodulin antagonists

Abstract Potato leaves contain high levels of lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity which degrades phospholipids and galactolipids during homogenization and organelle isolation. Four calmodulin antagonists (dibucaine, tetracaine, trifluoperazine a and chlorpromazine) were found to inhibit the rate of hydrolysis of endogenous membrane lipids in homogenates of potato leaves. In contrast, the addition of calcium and purified calmodulin stimulated the rate of hydrolysis. These results indicate that a lipolytic acyl hydrolase activity in potato leaves appears to be mediated either directly or indirectly by calcium and calmodulin.
Quantification of Hand Tremor in the Clinical Neurological Examination

A compensatory tracking task using a visual display and augmented auditory feedback and requiring subjects to maintain a 500-gm force on a control stick has been modified for clinical use. Integrated absolute values of the subjects' force error/second (tremor scores) have been used as a measure of steadiness, and power spectra of the force error have been used to establish the predominant tremor frequencies. Twenty parkinsonian patients, 7 age-matched controls, and 20 young controls have been evaluated, and representative tremor-time records, tremor scores, and tremor-power spectra are presented. The quantitative measures have proven sensitive to individual differences among normals, yet having a dynamic range sufficient to include the most severely afflicted patient tested. Normative values of both tremor scores and predominant tremor frequencies have been established and are significantly different from the parkinsonian values, the parkinsonian patients having a higher average tremor score [8.31 versus 3.76 (gram . seconds/second)] and a lower mean predominant tremor frequency (6.6 Hz versus 7.9 Hz). Representative tremor-power spectra have proven useful in describing physiological and parkinsonian tremors. Reevaluation over 1-3-week intervals indicates that the quantitative measures of tremor scores are reliable (r= 0.83, p < 0.01 for control subjects; r = 0.87, p < 0.01 for parkinsonian patients). In addition, the predominant tremor frequency as measured from the tremor-power spectra is found to be independent of learning effects. It is emphasized that such tests are not designed as diagnostic tools in themselves.
Blood-Borne Metabolic Factors in Obesity Exacerbate Injury-Induced Gliosis

Reactive gliosis, a sign of neuroinflammation, has been observed in mice with adult-onset obesity as well as CNS injury. The hypothesis that obesity-derived metabolic factors exacerbate reactive gliosis in response to mechanical injury was tested here on cultured primary glial cells subjected to a well-established model of scratch wound injury. Cells treated with serum from mice with diet-induced obesity (DIO) showed higher immunoreactivity of CD11b (marker for microglia) and GFAP (marker for astrocytes), with morphological changes at both the injury border and areas away from the injury. The effect of DIO serum was greater than that of scratch injury alone. Leptin was almost as effective as DIO serum in inducing microgliosis and astrogliosis in a dose-response manner. By contrast, C-reactive protein (CRP) mainly induced microgliosis in noninjured cells; injury-induced factors appeared to attenuate this effect. The effect of CRP also differed from the effect of the antibiotic minocycline. Minocycline attenuated the microgliosis and to a lesser extent astrogliosis, particularly in CRP-treated cells, thus serving as a negative control. We conclude that blood-borne proinflammatory metabolic factors in obesity increase reactive gliosis and probably exacerbate CNS injury.
A word-finding computer program with a dynamic lexical-semantic memory for patients with anomia using an intelligent speech prosthesis

Abstract A computer program for a portable microprocessor has been developed which aids anomic patients in finding words given clues about the target word. Over time the lexical-semantic memory is reorganized automatically depending on the frequency of word usage by an individual patient. Words can be added or deleted to fit the patient's idiosyncratic lexicon. A clinical example is given. The program is being tested with a variety of aphasic-anomic patients with major word-finding difficulties.
Quantitative assessment Ki-67 score for prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer

Measurement of Ki-67, a marker of cell proliferation, has been associated with response to therapy, but methods of measurement are controversial. Here we use a quantitative objective measurement for Ki-67 to determine the best method for assessment of Ki-67 for prediction of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Analysis was conducted on a cohort of 105 consecutive invasive breast cancer patients that received neoadjuvant therapy between 2002 and 2010, and on whom pre-surgical biopsies were obtainable. Ki-67 expression was measured using quantitative immunofluorescence automated quantitative analysis (AQUA) technology. Images for each specimen were collected for 5 to 115 fields of view (FOVs) and summary scores were obtained, corresponding to the average and maximum of all the FOVs. AQUA scoring (using both intensity and area) was comparable to automated calculation of percentage of positive nuclei for prediction of response to chemotherapy (OR: 2.832 vs 2.712). Both the average and maximum AQUA score showed Ki-67 expression was directly correlated to pathological complete response (pCR; average P=0.0002; maximum P=0.0011). Although examining the maximum FOV was more predictive of response to therapy (OR: 3.546 vs 2.832), averaging all fields provided more sensitivity and specificity (AUC 0.769 vs 0.732). Ki-67 average (P=0.0025) and maximum (P=0.0239) AQUA score were also significant predictors of pCR in a multivariable analysis, including tumor size, nuclear grade, nodal status, ER status, and HER2 status. Measurement of Ki-67 expression by objective quantitative methods shows increased Ki-67 levels are an independent predictor of response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Antileukemia activity of the combination of 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine with valproic acid

Abstract Aberrant DNA methylation of promoter associated CpG islands is a common phenomenon in human leukemias and cooperates with histone code changes in the control of gene expression. 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) is a hypomethylating agent with significant antileukemia activity in humans. Recently, valproic acid (VPA) has been shown to be a histone deacetylase inhibitor and to have potential antineoplastic activity. In this report, we study the in vitro effects of the combination of DAC and VPA on the leukemic cell lines HL-60 and MOLT4. DAC alone induced growth inhibition and apoptosis at doses of 1 μM, an effect observed with VPA at doses of 1 mM. Each drug alone had the capacity to induce the expression of p57KIP2 and p21CIP1. DAC mediated hypomethylation of p57KIP2 was not required to induce p57KIP2 gene expression, and treatment with DAC resulted in the induction of p21CIP1. VPA induced global histone acetylation, an effect enhanced by the addition of DAC. The combination of DAC and VPA had a synergistic effect in terms of growth inhibition, induction of apoptosis and reactivation of p57KIP2 and p21CIP1. These results suggest that the combination of DAC and VPA could have significant antileukemia activity in vivo.
The U.S. EPA Conference on Preventable Causes of Cancer in Children: a research agenda.

On 15-16 September 1997, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency sponsored the Conference on Preventable Causes of Cancer in Children. The conference was convened to examine rising trends in reported incidence of childhood cancer and the association of these trends with environmental exposures. This paper summarizes recommendations for future research offered by participants. These recommendations included more collaborative research integrating epidemiology, molecular biology, toxicology, and risk assessment; the development of better protocols for toxicologic testing including carcinogenicity using young animals; and research focused on specific periods of development during which susceptibility to environmental agents may be enhanced. Also recommended was enhanced use and development of molecular biomarkers for identification of susceptible populations, and documentation of exposures and effects in epidemiologic and toxicologic studies. Although toxicologic testing is considered essential to determine the effects of potential carcinogens on biological organisms, participants emphasized the need to link these findings with epidemiologic and exposure assessment research.
Effects of the administration of androgenic and estrogenic steroids on 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase levels of the intact and castrated dog prostate

Abstract The 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activity of dog prostate microsomes has been measured by monitoring the NADH-dependent reduction of dihydrotestosterone (17β-hydroxy-5α-androstan-3-one) to 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol by a novel and highly sensitive enzymatic procedure. In confirmation of the work of others (e.g. G. H. Jacobi, R. J. Moore and J. D. Wilson, Endocrinology102 (1978) 1748–1755) we have found that 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase falls to negligible levels after castration. Treatment with estradiol-17β has no effect on the low enzyme activity found in prostate microsomes of castrated dogs, but reduces this activity in intact animals to less than 10% of control values. The specific activities of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of castrated dogs can be restored to 50–100% of control levels by treatment with testosterone, dihydrotestosterone or 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol. These androgen-induced elevations of the enzyme are antagonized by the simultaneous administration of estradiol-17β. Contrary to the findings of others (G. H. Jacobi and J. D. Wilson, Endocrinology99 (1976) 602–610) we could detect no correlation between the specific activities of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase of prostate microsomes and the age of the animals, the size of their prostates or the presence of hyperplastic disease. In castrated beagles who have developed glandular prostatic hyperplasia in response to repetitive treatment with estradiol-17β in combination with either dihydrotestosterone or 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol, the 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase specific activities are 26 and 44% respectively, of untreated controls. Although the capacity of dihydrotestosterone and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol to induce prostatic hyperplasia appears to be related to the ability of these steroids to elevate prostatic dihydrotestosterone levels (and the diol is more effective than dihydrotestosterone in doing so), the experimental production of this disease does not appear to require the presence of supernormal levels of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. Similarly, prostatic growth induced by treatment of intact beagles with the three above-mentioned androgens is not associated with elevations of 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase above normal.
Formation of bubbles during ultrasonic treatment of cured poly(dimethyl siloxane)

A static ultrasonic treatment device was used to investigate the effect of ultrasound on degradation of unfilled poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) vulcanizate in the absence of shearing effect. The effects of pressure, ultrasound intensity and thickness of the disks upon ultrasonic treatment were investigated. The power consumption was measured as a function of sample thickness, ultrasonic amplitude, and applied pressure. The dynamics of bubble (nucleation, growth and coalescence) was also studied with respect to applied pressure and amplitude. An increase in thickness of the sample was observed during ultrasonic treatment. The unique correlation between gel fraction and crosslink density obtained in the present static experiments was compared with those of continuous devulcanization studied earlier.
A surface-tethered model to assess size-specific effects of hyaluronan (HA) on endothelial cells

Crosslinked gels (hylans) containing long-chain (MW>1 x 10(6)Da) hyaluronan (HA), a connective tissue GAG, show exceptional biocompatibility for vascular implantation but poorly interact with vascular endothelial cells (ECs). Previous studies showed in situ fragmentation of HA by UV light to bioactivate hylan gels and elicit enhanced EC responses. Since fragmented HA can be pro-inflammatory, it is important to define an optimal size distribution of HA fragments on the hylan surface that will recruit and support normally functional ECs and limit ulterior responses. Related studies have shown that exogenous models of HA do not necessarily replicate cell responses to HA scaffolds. Since scaffolds cannot be created based on fragmented HA alone, we sought to determine size-specific responses of ECs to HA substrates of defined fragment sizes by creation of HA-tethered culture surfaces. HA (1000, 200, 20 kDa) and an oligomer mixture were tethered onto an aminosilane (APTMS)-treated glass surfaces using a carbodiimide reaction. MALDI-TOF showed the HA digests to contain HA 4-8mers with a 75+/-0.4% w/w of 4mers. Immuno-fluorescence, SEM, AFM and XPS analysis revealed homogeneous amine and HA surfaces. An amine s-SDTB assay and HA fluorophore-assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) indicated surface densities of 9+/-3 amine groups/nm(2) and 0.57+/-0.44 microg/cm(2), respectively. HA/HA fragments/oligomers were stable over 21 days of incubation in serum-free culture media. EC proliferation on these surfaces resulted was limited, a possible effect of smooth surface topography, high anionicity, and in case of 4mers, non-interaction with primary HA cell-surface receptors (CD44). This work is significant in that it allows testing of cell responses to substrates composed of single-sized fragments of HA that cannot by themselves be cross-linked into a gel. Future work in our lab will use this model to assess the effects of other HA oligomer sizes on EC behavior.
Calculation of the viscous resistance of bodies of revolution

The flow in the tail region of a body of revolution is a complex one since there the boundary layer often grows to a thickness many times the local radius of the body and there results a strong interaction between the boundary layer and the external potential flow. The influence of making simplifying assumptions concerning the flow in this region in conventional drag-calculation methods is discussed, and assessed by incorporating a method which takes into account the effects of the thick axisymmetric boundary-layer near the tail in an approximate manner. It is shown that this modification leads to a drag-calculation method which gives consistently accurate prediction of the viscous resistance of a wide variety of bodies of revolution. (Author)
A study of AC reactive magnetron sputtering technique for the deposition of compositionally graded coating in the Cr–Al–N system

Abstract Cr 1− x Al x N coatings were deposited on various substrates using an inverted cylindrical AC magnetron sputtering system with chromium and aluminum targets, at a chamber pressure of 0.2 Pa (1.5 mTorr) for 1.5 h. The present study focuses on the effect of various deposition parameters, such as the N 2 /Ar ratio and the target power on the properties of the coatings obtained. Some of the samples were subjected to oxidation in still air at 900 °C. The morphology and structure of these coatings were investigated by various analytical techniques such as XRD, SEM, EDAX and EDS. We report on the effect of processing parameters on the morphology, orientation, composition and oxidation behavior of the compositionally graded (Cr 1− x Al x )N coatings.
Compensating corrections which enhance the accuracy of Janssen's formulas for static bin pressures

Abstract This paper concerns the effects of material consolidation on Janssen's formulas for the static pressures in bins. Material consolidation causes an increase in the weight density of the material in the bin and increases the vertical stress above that predicted by Janssen's formulas. However, material consolidation also increases the factor called the ‘pressure ratio’ in Janssen's formulas and this has the effect of decreasing the vertical stress below that predicted by Janssen's formulas. These two effects thus tend to compensate for one another and reduce the overall effect of material consolidation on the formulas of Janssen. In fact, it is shown here that if the coefficient of weight density consolidation with vertical pressure is exactly equal to the coefficient of pressure ratio increase with vertical pressure, the asymptotic value of the vertical stress is exactly that predicted by Janssen's formulas.
Jaeger's Higman–Sims State Model and theB2Spider

Abstract 6 discovered a remarkable checkerboard state model based on the Higman–Sims graph that yields a value of the Kauffman polynomial, which is a quantum invariant of links. We present a simple argument that the state model has the desired properties using the combinatorialB2spider 10 .
The polymerization of fibrinogen under the influence of diazomethane modification

Abstract To study the effect of the acidic amino acid residues on the physiological polymerization and clot formation of fibrinogen, the fibrinogen system was polymerized by interaction with diazomethane, a specific group reagent which modifies the carboxylic acid residues via the process of methylation. The extent of methylation of fibrinogen fay diazomethane was estimated by methoxyl determination on the modified fibrinogen. Under the present experimental conditions, no significant amounts of ammonia were detected as a result of amide hydrolysis concomitant with esterification of the fibrinogen. Chemical methylation of approximately 214 residues resulted in polymerization of the fibrinogen molecule to a product which resembled the physiological clot formation. The application of paper Chromatographie techniques identified the modification of other amino acid residues in addition to the methylation of the carboxylic acid groups of glutamic and aspartic acids. These results are interpreted in terms of methylation of carboxylic acid groups in fibrinogen by diazomethane providing a reduction of both negative charge and inter-molecular repulsion, thereby enabling the modified fibrinogen molecules to polymerize.
CHROMATOGRAPHIC STUDIES OF RAT LIVER SOLUBLE FRACTION (105,000G SUPERNATANT) EMPLOYING TEAE-CELLULOSE.

Abstract The application of TEAE-cellulose chromatography to an investigation of soluble fraction (105,000g supernatant) obtained from rat liver homogenates has been described. With this method, a number of important proteins and nucleotides as well as ascorbic acid and soluble RNA can be separated and identified. Ideally, the preservation of nucleotides requires the presence of EDTA during homogenization, but they can still be observed if centrifugation is initiated within about 7 minutes.
Fine-structure-changing collisions in atomic titanium

We have measured cold titanium-helium collisions that cause transitions between the fine-structure levels of the $[3{d}^{2}4{s}^{2}]\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}^{3}F_{J}$ electronic ground state of atomic titanium, over a temperature range from 5 to $20\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{K}$. The $\mathrm{Ti}\text{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{He}$ inelastic collision cross section is significantly smaller than cross sections measured for collisions of non-transition-metal atoms with noble gas atoms. Our theoretical calculations of the inelastic cross sections reproduce the magnitude and temperature dependence of the measurements, and attribute the suppression of inelastic collisions to titanium's ``submerged'' $d$-shell valence electrons.
The Mechanoenzymatic Properties of Drp1 in Nucleotide Induced Constriction of Lipid Bilayers

Mitochondria are dynamic organelles that continually undergo cycles of fission and fusion. Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1), an 81 kDa GTPase, is the main mediator of mitochondrial fission. In order to mediate fission, Drp1 is thought to form large oligomers in the presence of nucleotide on the outer mitochondrial membrane. Using sedimentation assays and electron microscopy, we confirm that Drp1 self-assembles in the presence of either or both nucleotide and artificial lipid bilayers in vitro. We further identify these oligomeric species as conformationally distinct structures. Drp1 constricts lipid bilayers through a mechanism that requires GTP hydrolysis. Following constriction, Drp1 disassembles and can reassociate with lipid bilayers. Here we also show that the variable domain (VD) is not required for lipid association. Rather, it limits Drp1 oligomerization and aids in oligomer curvature. Our results support the conclusion that Drp1 is a mechanoenzymatic protein regulated through distinct interactions with nucleotide and liposomes.
Parallel spectral element solution of the Stokes problem

Abstract In this paper we present a high-efficiency medium-grained parallel spectral element method for numerical solution of the Stokes problem in general domains. The method is based upon: naturally concurrent Uzawa and Jacobi-preconditioned conjugate gradient iterative methods; geometry-based data-parallel distribution of work amongst processors; nearest-neighbor sparsity and high-order substructuring for minimum communication; general locally-structured/globally-unstructured parallel constructs; and efficient embedding of vector reduction operations for inner product and norm calculation. An analysis is given for the computational complexity of the algorithm on a “native” medium-grained parallel processor, and the potential communication superiority of high-order discretizations is described. Lastly, the method is implemented on the (fast) Intel vector hypercube, and the performance of this algorithm-architecture coupling is evaluated in a technical and economic framework that reflects the true advantages of parallel solution of partial differential equations.
Design for a binary synapse

The mammalian rod transfers a binary signal, the capture of 0 or 1 photon. In this issue of Neuron, Sampath and Rieke show in mouse that the rod's tonic exocytosis in darkness completely saturates a G protein cascade to close nearly all postsynaptic channels. A full-sized photon event supresses exocytosis sufficiently to allow ∼30 postsynaptic channels to open simultaneously. Thus, the synapse behaves like a digital gate, whose hallmark is reliability and resistance to noise.
Power series expansions of quantum-mechanical potential surfaces

Power series expansions of quantum-mechanical potential surfaces for H2O and LiH2 are generated using conventional valence displacement coordinates and alternative distance [(r-r e)/r] and angle [(sin (θ/2) — sin (θe/2))/sin (θe/2)] variables. Power series in the new variables are demonstrated to be superior in terms of the quality of the fit to the energygeometry data, predicted equilibrium geometry and energy, and stability of expansion coefficients.
Patch cramming: Monitoring intracellular messengers in intact cells with membrane patches containing detector inn channels

Abstract This paper introduces "patch cramming", a new procedure that utilizes an ion channel gated directly by an intracellular messenger molecule as a probe for detecting changes in the concentration of that molecule in an intact cell. A patch pipette containing the channel in a membrane patch is inserted into a recipient cell where the channel locally "senses" the intracellular messenger. In this study patches containing Ca 2+ -dependent K + channels were inserted into Helix neurons, where they were activated by Ca 2+ influx during trains of action potentials. Channels gated directly by other messengers, including cyclic nucleotides and IP 3 , have also been identified. Hence, by using detector channels with appropriate specificity, it may be possible to detect local intracellular fluctuations of these molecules.
A rapid and specific assay, based on liquid chromatography—atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry, for the determination of MK-434 (a 5α-reductase inhibitor) and its metabolites in plasma

Abstract MK-434 is a new 5α-reductase inhibitor. A sensitive and specific assay based on combined liquid chromatography—mass spectrometry (LC—MS) has been developed for the determination of this compound in plasma. The analyte was isolated from plasma by solid-phase extraction on a C 18 cartridge. A related substance, L-654,066, was used as the internal standard. Extracts were separated on a 5-cm C 18 -reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography column interfaced via the heated nebulizer probe to a corona discharge chemical ionization source. The mass spectrometer was operated in the positive ion MS—MS mode. The method had sufficient sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and selectivity for the analysis of clinical samples containing MK-434 and its two principal metabolites at concentrations in the range 0.5–50 ng ml −1 . The chromatographic run time was
Meiotic analysis of haploid and doubled haploid forms of Nicotiana otophora and N. tabacum.

Detailed meiotic studies were conducted on anther-derived haploids of Nicotiana otophora (n = 12) and N. tabacum (n = 24). At midpachytene stages the non-homologous chromosomes apparently remain unpaired. However, since the spreading of chromosomes at this stage was poor, the possible partial pairing, if any, between non-homologues could not be determined with certainty. One to two univalents rarely exhibited partial foldback pairing involving a single arm or the intercalary regions of the same chromosome. — At diakinesis the bivalent-like structures ranged from 0–2 in Otophora and 0–7 per cell in Tabacum haploids. The bivalent-like configurations (mostly rod types with chromatin connections of varying thickness) observed at meta-anaphase I varied from 0 to 1 and 0 to 5 per cell in haploids of Otophora and Tabacum respectively. The various types of secondary associations of univalents at meta-anaphase I were also studied in different haploids. — The probable origin and significance of bivalent-like configurations and secondary associations observed in Nicotiana haploids is briefly discussed. Based on our results, it is concluded that there is very little intra- or intergenomic pairing, if any, in Nicotiana haploids studied. — The meiotic behavior of chromosomes in doubled haploids (N. tabacum) obtained by leaf mid-rib culture, root culture and spontaneous chromosome doubling was remarkably regular with a stable chromosome number of 2n = 48. The meiotic stability of the doubled haploids permits using these materials directly in the breeding program.
Ultrasound elasticity imaging for detecting intestinal fibrosis and inflammation in rats and humans with Crohn's disease

Background Intestinal fibrosis causes many complications of Crohn's disease (CD). Available biomarkers and imaging modalities lack sufficient accuracy to distinguish intestinal inflammation from fibrosis. Transcutaneous ultrasound elasticity imaging (UEI) is a promising, noninvasive approach for measuring tissue mechanical properties. We hypothesized that UEI could differentiate inflammatory from fibrotic bowel wall changes in both animal models of colitis and humans with CD. Methods Female Lewis rats underwent weekly trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid enemas yielding models of acute inflammatory colitis (n = 5) and chronic intestinal fibrosis (n = 6). UEI scanning used a novel speckle-tracking algorithm to estimate tissue strain. Resected bowel segments were evaluated for evidence of inflammation and fibrosis. Seven consecutive patients with stenotic CD were studied with UEI and their resected stenotic and normal bowel segments were evaluated by ex vivo elastometry and histopathology. Results Transcutaneous UEI normalized strain was able to differentiate acutely inflamed (−2.07) versus chronic fibrotic (−1.10) colon in rat models of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD; P = .037). Transcutaneous UEI normalized strain also differentiated stenotic (−0.87) versus adjacent normal small bowel (−1.99) in human CD ( P = .0008), and this measurement also correlated well with ex vivo elastometry ( r = −0.81). Conclusions UEI can differentiate inflammatory from fibrotic intestine in rat models of IBD and can differentiate between fibrotic and unaffected intestine in a pilot study in humans with CD. UEI represents a novel technology with potential to become a new objective measure of progression of intestinal fibrosis. Prospective clinical studies in CD are needed.
Expectative land rights, house consolidation and cemetery squatting: Some perspectives from Central Java

Abstract With more than 40% of the urban population of the Third World living in informal settlements, quasi- and extralegal adaptations have been utilized to appropriate land for housing. The most direct of these — squatting — has its inherent risks, however, for those who wish to improve their dwellings. Research has shown that house consolidation is more a function of resident perceptions than of strict legal categorization. This paper reports how such perceptions have triggered a greater rate of house consolidation among Javanese cemetery squatters than that in an adjoining area with formal land tenure.
Ribulose Bisphosphate Carboxylase: A Two-Layered, Square-Shaped Molecule of Symmetry 422

Electron micrographs and x-ray diffraction patterns of crystals of ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase, probably the most abundant protein on earth, have provided new details of the arrangement of subunits. The eight large subunits and eight small subunits are clustered in two layers, perpendicular to a fourfold axis of symmetry. Viewed down the fourfold axis, the molecule is square-shaped.
Lupus mastitis: a review

Lupus mastitis (LM) is a rare benign inflammatory condition characterized by inflammation of the deep subcutaneous adipose tissues of the breast. It can be seen in patients with a known history of systemic lupus erythematous or discoid lupus or rarely can be the initial presentation of these diseases. Histologically, the most common findings are the presence of a dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration of lobules and hyaline fat necrosis. Radiologic characteristics of LM can mimic a malignant lesion. However, because histologic features of this lesion have been well defined, correlation with clinical history is important to arrive at an accurate diagnosis and, therefore, deliver appropriate patient management. Herein, we present a review of LM with emphasis on clinicopathologic findings and differential diagnosis.
31P nuclear magnetic resonance studies of phosphate condensations with trichloroacetonitrile. II: Condensation and hydration in the ultraphosphate region

Abstract In a solvent consisting of tetramethylurea with tri- n -butylamine, the dehydration of phosphoric acids by trichloroacetonitrile to degrees of condensation in which branching PO 4 groups must be present has been studied by 31 P and 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance. Likewise, the reverse reaction, in which trichloroacetamide was employed as a hydrating agent for phosphorus pentoxide (or a highly condensed ultraphosphoric acid), was also studied in the same solvent system. There appears to be an equilibrium overall degree of condensation, which could be reached from either side by dehydrating a less condensed phosphate with trichloroacetonitrile or by hydrating a more condensed phosphate with trichloroacetamide. The room-temperature reactions are kinetically controlled since, in the ultraphosphate region of composition, the NMR patterns observed correspond to simple ultraphosphate molecules containing branching PO 4 groups rather than the cross-linked polymers usually observed in this region. Moreover, heating of these compositions under conditions in which further condensation (or the reverse process of hydration) does not occur leads to the conversion of the simple ultraphosphate molecules to insoluble cross-linked polymers. The fact that condensation proceeds into the ultraphosphate region of composition means that the intermediate with the trichloroacetonitrile must involve the linkage of this molecule to a middle PO 4 group instead of at the generally accepted end-group position of a polyphosphate chain molecule.
Lysine catabolism and glutamine production in Anolis carolinensis

Abstract 1. 1. Tissues of Anolis carolinensis were analyzed for free amino acids after injection of lysine, α-aminoadipate, glutarate, glutaconate or acetate. 2. 2. All compounds except acetate produced glutamine in liver, kidney and muscle, but lysine was the most effective precursor in liver. 3. 3. Injection of [14C]lysine led to labelled glutamate, glutamine, α-amino adipate and two unidentified compounds. 4. 4. Whether α-aminoadipate was formed via pipecolic acid or saccharopine remains uncertain. 5. 5. Conversion of glutarate to glutamine may not proceed via acetyl-CoA since acetate produced no increase in glutamine or glutamate. 6. 6. Liver and kidney may emphasize different reactions in production of glutamine from lysine.