cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Unintended Consequences of Policy Change: The Effect of a Restrictive Abortion Policy

The maternal health consequences of abortion policy changes in Romania are investigated. The primary event examined is the effect of a September 29 1966 decree effective in 30 days which drastically reduced the availability of legal abortion. In order to analyze the impact of the abortion law change a multiple time series design is employed which allows one to control for the possibility of confounding effects of history and instrumentation. The dependent variable is the number of maternal deaths from abortion. The control countries are Poland and Yugoslavia. Essentially the abortion was to be performed at the request of the woman with minor variations among the countries in bureaucratic procedures. Data were gathered from the World Health Statistics Annual (WHO) for the years 1961-1965. The effect on a society of tightening an abortion policy is likely to depend on the countrys previous experience with pregnancy termination. There is little likelihood that the effects of a more restricive abortion policy in Romania can be attributed to other events that were occurring in Eastern Europe at the same time. The control nations Poland and Yugoslavia demonstrated a fairly steady decline in abortion mortality once liberalized abortion regulations were introduced. The Romanian experience offers a few interesting comparisons to that of America. Advocates for abortion in America on maternal health grounds probably are right in stating that the restricting procedures can have negative consequences. In looking at both Romania and America it would seem that much would depend upon the degree of restriction. When legal abortion is made almost totally unavailable the consequences for maternal health are likely to be especially severe.
Glucose insufficiency alters neuronal viability and increases susceptibility to glutamate toxicity.

Complete glucose deprivation has been shown to induce neuronal apoptosis, but the effect of moderate glucose deprivation under normal and pathological conditions is not fully understood. We investigated the effect of a restricted supply of glucose on neuronal vulnerability to glutamate by assaying cellular ATP levels (cellular energy production), 3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction (mitochondrial function), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release (cellular viability) and activation of caspase-3 (apoptosis) in rat hippocampal neurons cultured in media (1.7, 5 and 25 mM glucose) with or without 100 μM glutamate. Cellular ATP levels were significantly reduced in neurons cultured in 1.7 mM glucose, while addition of glutamate markedly lowered cellular ATP levels even at the normal glucose concentration. MTT reduction was also significantly inhibited by 1.7 mM glucose; however, unlike cellular ATP levels, glutamate inhibition of MTT reduction was glucose concentration dependent. The LDH assay suggested that neuronal survival declines with decreasing glucose concentration in media, and glutamate potentiates this effect. Since low glucose media caused a decrease in cellular ATP and cell viability, we investigated apoptosis-related changes in cultured neurons by examining activity of caspase-3. Low glucose media (1.7 and 5 mM glucose) increased caspase-3 activity, and glutamate potentiated this effect. Our results suggest that a low glucose supply in culture media activates an apoptosis mediator and markedly increases susceptibility to glutamate toxicity. Thus, even moderate glucose deprivation could be a serious risk factor that potentiates the pathophysiological consequences of certain neurodegenerative diseases.
Syntheses of alkylated malonates on a traceless linker derived soluble polymer support

Abstract A new traceless soluble polymeric linker and a corresponding alkylating strategy has been developed. Dimethyl malonate was alkylated with a variety of polymeric halides and these resulting polymer bound malonates underwent further alkylation with additional monoalkyl halides. The methodology described should provide access to libraries of dialkyl malonates.
A simulator formulated to study the concept of minority dominance

A mathematical model and computer simulator are developed to aid in studying the issue of minority dominance. Mathematically precise definitions, lacking in prior research, are posed, then used to examine conditions under which minorities are dominated. Results indicate that some domination is inherent in simple democratic procedures, and that statistical methods should be used to infer causes of domination after facts are deduced directly from definitions.
Marketer Acculturation: The Changer and the Changed:

Adapting to consumers from another culture is a quintessential task for marketers in the global marketplace. This research investigates marketers’ processes of multicultural learning and adaptation...
Design and motion planning for serpentine robots

Serpentine robots offer advances over traditional mobile robots and robot arms because they have enhanced flexibility and reachability, especially in convoluted environments. These mechanisms are especially well suited for search and rescue operations where making contact with surviving victims trapped in a collapsed building is essential. The same flexibility that makes serpentine robots incredibly useful also makes them difficult to design and control. This paper will describe the current status of serpentine robot design and path planning underway in our research group and point towards future directions of research.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An estimate of the ketogenic diet in bronchial asthma

Abstract 1.1. Nine cases of bronchial asthma were treated by a ketogenic diet. No pronounced beneficial results were noted. 2.2. The failure of this treatment is attributed to the fact that the acidosis induced is too mild to affect the allergic lesion.
Perceived Quality of Fifty Selected Journals: Academicians and Practitioners:

This paper was undertaken to help academicians and practitioners better fit manuscripts to journals. Fifty selected journals were analyzed for perceptions of quality.
Hybrid Guidance Law for Approach Angle and Time-of-Arrival Control

A new derivation of an optimal missile guidance law is presented. The guidance law derived is an extension of previously published versions of explicit guidance in that gravity compensation is incorporated in an optimal fashion. Performance of the extended guidance law is demonstrated via simulation comparisons with generalized vector explicit guidance andKappa guidance, both of which have appeared previously in the literature. The new law is then incorporated into a hybrid guidance scheme that allows the specification and satisfaction of a desired time-of-arrival constraint. Performance of this capability is also demonstrated via simulation examples. Finally, an approach to coordinating desired times of arrival among a group of cooperatingmissiles to achieve simultaneous target intercepts or missile rendezvous is presented.
A family of implicit partitioned time integration algorithms for parallel analysis of heterogeneous structural systems

An implicit time integration algorithm is presented for the solution of linear structural dynamics problems on parallel computers. The present algorithm is derived from the partitioned equations of motion for a structure which consist of the equilibrium equations of each substructure due to its deformation energy, the self-equilibrium condition for each substructure under rigid-body motions, the partition boundary displacement compatibility condition and Newton's 3rd law along the partition boundary forces. A novel feature of the present algorithm is a flexibility normalization along the partitioned boundary nodes by using a localized version of the method of Lagrange multipliers, thus making the algorithm insensitive to both material and kinematic heterogeneities among the partitioned substructures. Numerical performance of the present algorithm demonstrates both its simplicity and efficiency. Hence, we recommend it for production analysis of heterogeneous structures modeled.
Does styles research have useful implications for educational practice

Abstract This paper reviews eight articles on the implications of styles research contained in this special issue of Learning and Individual Differences . Three of the papers present original research on topics such as the nature of visualizer cognitive style and intuitive cognitive style. Five of the papers offer reviews or analyses of styles research, such as the degree to which a person’s learning style changes with experience, the degree to which styles research is making useful progress, and the degree to which researchers should advocate styles research. However, the papers do not provide much progress in testing the learning styles hypothesis—the idea that instructional method should be aligned with learning style.
Cognition in the African Grey parrot: Preliminary evidence for auditory/vocal comprehension of the class concept.

An African Grey parrot, previously taught to discriminate more than 40 objects by means of vocal labels, has now acquired a limited understanding of abstract class concepts. The subject, Alex, can routinely decode and successfully reply vocally to queries concerning either coloror shape for exemplars which simultaneously incorporate both variables (e.g., colored and shaped keys, wood, and rawhide).
Bombesin-like peptides elevate cytosolic calcium in small cell lung cancer cells.

The ability of bombesin-like peptides to elevate intracellular Ca 2+ levels in small cell lung cancer cells was investigated using the fluorescent Ca 2+ indicator Fura 2. Nanomolar concentrations of bombesin elevated cytosolic Ca 2+ levels in the absence or presence of extracellular Ca 2+ . Potent bombesin receptor agonists, such as gastrin releasing peptide (GRP) or (GRP) 14-27 elevated cytosolic Ca 2+ levels whereas inactive compounds such as (D-Trp 8 ) bombesin or (GRP) I-16 did not Furthermore, the bombesinreceptor antagonist (D-Arg 1 , D-Pro 2 , D-Trp 7,9 , Leu 11 ) substance P (30 μM) had no effect on the Ca 2+ levels by itself but antagonized the increase in Ca 2+ caused by 10 nM or 100 nM bombesin. These data suggest that bombesin receptors may regulate the release of Ca 2+ from intracellular organelles in small cell lung cancer cells.
Temperature affects ethanol lethality in C57BL/6, 129, LS and SS mice

The effect of ambient and body temperature on ethanol lethality in inbred strains and selected lines of mice was investigated. C57BL/6J, 129/J, LS/Ibg and SS/Ibg mice were exposed to 23 or 34 degrees C following IP injection of lethal ethanol doses (8.2, 6.0, 6.5 or 7.0 g/kg ethanol, respectively). All mice exposed to 23 degrees C during intoxication became markedly hypothermic, with mean body temperatures dropping to lows of 27.9, 30.3, 33.0 and 33.3 degrees C in C57, LS, SS and 129 animals, respectively. Compared to the 23 degrees C groups, exposure to 34 degrees C offset the ethanol-induced hypothermia and significantly increased percent mortality in all four mouse genotypes. Exposure to 34 degrees C increased mortality at 24 hours postinjection from 15% to 95% in SS mice, from 37.5% to 100% in 129 mice and from 50% to 100% in LS and C57 mice. Blood ethanol data suggest that the present results cannot be explained by temperature-related changes in ethanol elimination. These results provide further evidence that body temperature during intoxication can have major effects on mortality rates in mice.
Innovation and comparative-effectiveness research in cardiac surgery.

Cardiac surgery has always been a unique combination of art and science. The field is advanced by those who push the envelope by suggesting innovations. Yet promising techniques need to be rigorously evaluated before they are widely adopted. Coronary-artery bypass grafting (CABG) was pioneered in the 1960s and subsequently shown in a series of randomized studies to extend life and relieve angina in subgroups of patients with severe coronary disease.1 As a result of these studies, CABG has grown to become the most common surgical procedure in the world.2 During the subsequent years, however, CABG techniques have continued to be . . .
Job loss, the family, and public policy

SUMMARY Worker-family units in the U.S. have been impacted by significant work-related changes, including mass layoffs and involuntary job loss through shutdowns. Some post-WWII federal policies have been created to assist displaced workers adapt to job loss, thereby reducing stress in family relations. While these policies assisted dislocated workers to adjust to involuntary joblessness, there are still needs that exist for terminated workers, particularly for those individuals who desire long-term training, those worker-family units that are dramatically impactedincluding single parent families and family units where both partners have become joblessand in communities that are dependent on a single industry or have had multiple workforce reductions.
Predeparture Uncertainty and Prediction Performance in Collaborative Routing Coordination Tools

The collaborative routing coordination tools concept demonstration and evaluation prototype is a tool to help the Federal Aviation Administration detect traffic flow problems in advance, generate reroute-based problem resolutions, and evaluate the resolution strategies. The tool does this by modeling four-dimensional aircraft trajectories and using them to predict demand for sector usage. The predictions are affected by various sources of uncertainty in the national airspace system. Therefore, it is useful to understand the contribution of this uncertainty to the tool's predictive error. A methodology was developed and used to assess the impact of predeparture uncertainty on the prototype tool's prediction performance. The tool's trajectory modeling and sector load prediction are described, the methodology used to assess the tool's prediction performance is presented, and the results of the predeparture uncertainty analysis are discussed. The analysis is based on tool predictions made for two air route traffic control centers. Tool runs were made against recordings of actual air traffic data on two good weather and two bad weather days. Analysis of run data showed that predeparture uncertainty is a greater contributor to sector prediction error than en route uncertainty. Because predeparture uncertainty is reflected in departure time estimate, research is recommended to identify methods to improve the accuracy of this estimate.
Antimutagenic effect of various honeys and sugars against Trp-p-1.

Honey has been used since ancient times as a flavorful sweetener and for its therapeutic and medicinal effects. Consumers' demand for natural, healthy products has driven renewed interest in honey's health benefits. The commonly encountered food mutagen, Trp-p-1, has been demonstrated to be mutagenic in bacteria and carcinogenic in animals. Chemically, honey is quite complex. Honey is comprised primarily of sugars; however, it contains many other potentially biologically active components, such as antioxidants. Sugars have been reported to display both mutagenic and antimutagenic effects in different systems; antioxidants often display antimutagenic activity. Little information exists about potential antimutagenic effects of honey. Antimutagenicity of honeys from seven different floral sources against Trp-p-1 was tested via the Ames assay and compared to that of a sugar analogue and to individually tested simple sugars. All honeys exhibited significant inhibition of Trp-p-1 mutagenicity; most demonstrated...
A Taxonomy of Health, Safety, and Welfare Implications of Interior Design Decisions

Legal and operational definitions of health, safety, and welfare are expanding to include greater emphasis on long-term issues of health and psychological well-being in addition to near-term safety issues. Mounting environmental research suggests that many interior design decisions previously thought of as benign with respect to their effects on human health and productivity may, in combination with other environmental influences, have debilitating effects on the occupant. Other research indicates that interior features and environmental amenities previously considered extravagant, can have an empowering influence on people, elevating their sense of self-worth and contributing to their long-term physical and emotional wellness. To better enable designers to understand their role in affecting the safety, health, and well-being of occupants, this article briefly describes emerging health concerns related to the indoor environment and cites environmental design research that potentially links these health concerns to interior design decisions. Rather than an exhaustive literature review, this paper focuses on selected studies that highlight the significance of interior design decisions in ensuring the health and well-being of the occupant. The goal is to propose a framework that makes the consequences of daily interior design decision making more evident to interior design practitioners and educators while providing a structure for future research.
Health status after total wrist arthrodesis for posttraumatic arthritis.

Purpose Total wrist arthrodesis is regarded as the most predictable way to relieve the pain of posttraumatic wrist arthritis. Wrist arthrodesis also is believed to be compatible with a high level of upper-extremity function. This study evaluated the effect of total wrist arthrodesis on both general and upper-extremity–specific health status in patients treated for posttraumatic wrist arthritis. Methods By using an institutional review board–approved protocol 22 patients were evaluated an average of 6 years after total wrist arthrodesis for posttraumatic arthritis. Upper-extremity–specific and general health status were measured using the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire and the Short-Form 36 (SF-36) instruments, respectively. Patient satisfaction and interest in pursuing a wrist-mobilizing procedure should one become available also were assessed. Objective assessment included grip strength, digit range of motion, and radiographic fusion. Results Grip strength averaged 79% of the uninvolved wrist. The average Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire score was 25. The average physical component score of the Short-Form 36 was 39 and the average mental component score was 52. Fourteen patients complained of wrist pain, including severe pain in 4 patients. Fifteen patients were satisfied or very satisfied with the result of the fusion, 5 patients were neutral, and 2 patients were mildly dissatisfied. Twenty patients would elect to have a procedure that could make their wrist move again if one were available. Conclusions Substantial dysfunction was noted on both upper-extremity–specific and general health status measures after total wrist arthrodesis for posttraumatic conditions. Pain was improved but not eliminated.
Plant-Parasitic Nematodes Associated with Grapevines, Vitis vinifera, in Washington and Idaho

Surveys were conducted in eastern Washington and Idaho to determine the plant-parasitic nematodes associated with winegrape (Vitis vinifera) vineyards. The most commonly encountered plant-parasitic nematodes in eastern Washington and Idaho winegrape vineyards were Meloidogyne hapla, Paratylenchus spp., and Xiphinema spp. (detected in >50% of sampled vineyards) with Pratylenchus spp. and Helicotylenchus spp. also commonly detected in Idaho. The frequency of occurrence of these plant-parasitic nematodes was consistently greater in Idaho compared to eastern Washington, except for M. hapla, which had a similar frequency of occurrence in both states. The types of groundcover or irrigation method used in vineyards and estimates of previous crop yields did not influence nematodes present in soil, but differences in plant-parasitic nematode communities were found among geographical areas (American Viticultural Areas, AVAs). Xiphinema spp. was more commonly associated with vineyards in the Horse Heaven Hills and Snake River Valley AVAs than in the Yakima Valley and Columbia Valley AVAs. Twenty-seven juice grape (Vitis labruscana) vineyards were sampled to enable a comparison of plant-parasitic nematode communities among red and white winegrapes (V. vinifera) and juice grape varieties. Meloidogyne hapla and Xiphinema spp. were more commonly found in red and white winegrape vineyards than in juice grape vineyards, while Mesocriconema xenoplax and Paratylenchus spp. were more commonly associated with white wine and juice grape vineyards than with red winegrape vineyards. While plant-parasitic nematodes were commonly found in eastern Washington and Idaho vineyards, the impact of these plant-parasitic nematodes on winegrape productivity in this region remains to be determined.
Characteristics of Incidentally Discovered Thyroid Cancer

Importance The incidence of thyroid cancer has been steadily increasing; however, no clear reason for the increase in incidence has been identified. Objectives To compare incidentally discovered (ID) thyroid cancer via non–thyroid-related imaging with nonincidentally discovered (NID) thyroid cancer, as well as determine if differences in tumor characteristics and patient presentation in ID thyroid cancer may help elucidate the increasing incidence of this disease. Design, Setting, and Participants Retrospective medical record review at an academic tertiary care medical center of 31 patients with ID thyroid cancer and 207 patients with NID thyroid cancer evaluated at our institution during a 12-month period. Main Outcomes and Measures Patient demographics, tumor pathology, stage, tumor size, invasion, and metastasis were recorded. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 56.4 years for the ID group and 41.8 years for the NID group ( P P P = .003). There was no difference in tumor size ( P = .91), invasion ( P = .76), lymph node involvement, or distant metastases ( P > .99). Conclusions and Relevance Patients with ID thyroid cancer tend to be older at presentation, have higher stage disease, and are more likely to be male compared with patients with NID thyroid cancer. There does not appear to be a significant difference in the size, pathology, or behavior of the tumor at presentation between ID and NID thyroid cancers. These findings imply that improved detection may not represent the only cause of the increased incidence of thyroid cancer.
Integrin αIIbβ3 and Its Antagonism

α IIb β 3 , the major membrane protein on the surface of platelets, is a member of the integrin family of heterodimeric adhesion receptors. The α IIb and β 3 subunits are each composed of a short cytoplasmic tail, a single transmembrane domain, and a large, extracellular region that consists of a series of linked domains. Recent structural analyses have provided insights into the organization of this and other integrins and how a signal is initiated at its cytoplasmic tail to transform the extracellular domain of α IIb β 3 into a functional receptor for fibrinogen or von Willebrand factor to support platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. These functions of α IIb β 3 have been targeted for antithrombotic therapy, and intravenous α IIb β 3 antagonists have been remarkably effective in the setting of percutaneous coronary interventions, showing both short-term and long-term mortality benefits. However, the development of oral antagonists has been abandoned on the basis of excess of mortality in clinical trials, and the extension of therapy with existing α IIb β 3 antagonists to broadly treat acute coronary syndromes has not fully met expectations. An in-depth understanding of how antagonists engage and influence the function of α IIb β 3 and platelets in the context of the new structural insights may explain its salutary and potential deleterious effects.
Arachidonic acid products and the thoracic accumulation of neutrophils and platelets following i.v. antigen challenge of sensitised guinea-pig.

The 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors, AA861 and phenidone, have been shown to inhibit the formation and release of leukotrienes C4, D4 and B4 from isolated perfused sensitised guinea pigs lungs when challenged through either the pulmonary system or the airways. The same drugs inhibit the thoracic neutrophil, but not platelet, accumulation observed following i.v. antigen challenge of sensitised guinea pigs. Indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, at doses which inhibited an arachidonic acid-induced thoracic platelet accumulation, had no effect on the platelet response following antigen challenge. Indomethacin did affect, however, the neutrophil response to antigen challenge presumably through mechanisms unrelated to cyclooxygenase inhibition. These observations suggest a role for lipoxygenase products, possibly LTB4, but not cyclooxygenase products in the neutrophil response to i.v. antigen challenge.
Investigations of restricted mass transport effects on hydrocarbon pyrolysis mechanisms through silica immobilization

Abstract In the pyrolysis of polymers and other macromolecular systems including coal, kerogen, lignin, and cellulose, the importance of mass transport in affecting pyrolysis kinetics, tar and char yields, and product molecular weight distribution is becoming increasingly appreciated. However, detailed molecular level information on the effects of restricted mass transport on the reaction mechanisms for organic constituents in these complex organic materials is understandably more limited. Well-designed, experimental studies of the pyrolysis of model compounds and polymers are capable of providing such insights. In this paper, research employing silica-immobilized compounds is reviewed and selected examples from other types of model systems that explore mass transport effects are presented.
Spiritual Maturity in Psychological Development

SUMMARY A review of data from an international survey of life satisfaction in 13 countries indicates that acceptance of the conditions of life increases with age. In relation to religious orientation, in all countries women expressed more adherence to the belief systems of the country than did men. This paper raises the question of change in orientation in the latter portion of life, from a logical analytical perspective to a more subjective one. The search for meaning in the later years would thus appear to have a different focus than for persons in the work years of life.
Redox Cycling of 2-(x′-Mono, -di, -trichlorophenyl)- 1,4-benzoquinones, Oxidation Products of Polychlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) preparations are complete liver carcinogens in rodents and efficacious promoters in two-stage hepatocarcinogenesis. Cytochrome P450 isozymes catalyze the oxidation of PCBs to mono- and dihydroxy metabolites. The potential for further enzymatic or nonenzymatic oxidation of ortho - and para -dihydroxy PCB metabolites to (semi)quinones raises the possibility that redox cycling involving reactive oxygen species may be involved in PCB toxicity. Seven synthetic 2-( x′ -chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinones (containing one to three chlorines) were investigated for their participation in oxidation–reduction reactions by following the oxidation of NADPH. These observations were made: (i) NADPH alone directly reduced all quinones but only 2-(2′-chlorophenyl)- and 2-(4′-chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone supported NADPH consumption beyond that required to quantitatively reduce the quinone. (ii) For all quinones, superoxide dismutase increased NADPH oxidation in excess of the amount of quinone, demonstrating the participation of the superoxide radical. (iii) The presence of microsomal enzymes from rat liver increased the rate of NADPH consumption, but only 2-(2′-chlorophenyl)- and 2-(4′-chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinone autoxidized. (iv) The combination of superoxide dismutase with microsomal enzymes accelerated autoxidation from 1.6- to 6.8-fold higher than that found in the absence of microsomal protein. These data support the concept that in the absence of microsomal protein, there occurs a two-electron reduction of the quinone by NADPH to the corresponding hydroquinone that comproportionates with the large reservoir of quinone to initiate autoxidation. In the presence of microsomes, enzymatic one-electron reduction generates a semiquinone radical whose autoxidation with oxygen propagates the redox cycle. These results show the potential of some 2-( x′ -chlorophenyl)-1,4-benzoquinones to initiate the wasteful loss of NADPH.
A differential scanning calorimetric study of phase transitions in polysubstitutedn-alkylammonium halides

A DSC investigation of severaln-alkylammonium salts is reported. The results of this investigation can be used to help decide which of several crystalline forms should be studied by X-ray diffraction for the best correlation between the liquid and solid states.
Probing Soft Matter with the Atomic Force Microscopies: Imaging and Force Spectroscopy

The development of atomic force microscopy has evolved into a wide variety of microscopy and characterization techniques well beyond conventional imaging. The focus of this review is on characterization methods based on the scanning probe and their application in characterizing physical properties of soft materials. This consideration is broken into three major categories focusing on mechanical, thermal, and electrical/magnetic properties in addition to a brief review of high-resolution imaging. Surface spectroscopy is discussed to great extent and consideration includes procedural information, common pitfalls, capabilities, and their practical application in characterizing soft matter. Key examples of the method are presented to communicate the capabilities and impact that probe-based characterization techniques have had on the mechanical, thermal, and electrical characterization of soft materials.
Detection of urinary TGF-α by HPLC and western blot in patients with melanoma

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) secretion in the urine may reflect autonomous production by neoplasms. Previous measurements of TGF-alpha in the urine were limited by the large volumes of urine required for detection. Sensitive assays are required to detect TGF-alpha in small urine samples from individual patients with melanoma. An assay which detects ng quantities of immunoreactive TGF-alpha in 10 ml of urine using dialysis, reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and Western blot of the HPLC fractions was used to study the urine from 6 melanoma patients and 6 normal human volunteers. No TGF-alpha was detectable in the first voided urine specimens from the normal volunteers. In contrast, TGF-alpha was detected in the urine specimens of two of three patients with primary melanomas and two of three patients with metastatic melanoma. The sensitivity and reliability of the assay were most affected by methods of urine collection, sample preparation, and storage. TGF-alpha was less often found in randomly voided urine samples from melanoma patients (1 of 3 detectable) as compared to first voided morning urine samples (3 of 3 detectable). This data indicates urinary TGF-alpha assay may be useful in the diagnosis and management of patients with melanoma.
Assessment of hydrologic controls on applicability of routing methods

AbstractVarious applicability criteria have been developed to determine the appropriateness of different hydraulic routing methods (e.g., kinematic, diffusive, or dynamic) a priori (i.e., before any routing is done). However, little has been done to account for hydrologic variability and basin size in these criteria. To account for hydrologic variability and basin size in this paper, an existing applicability criteria for routing methods is linked analytically to a model of peak flow, a simple stochastic representation of rainfall, and relationships of river basin geomorphology. This linkage provides a novel way for understanding and quantifying the interrelationship between basin-scale hydrologic phenomena and routing methods. Using this linkage, the aim of this paper is to explore and assess the applicability of routing methods in strongly coupled systems or headwater basins. To illustrate and assess the linkage, the Illinois River basin is used. From this assessment, the diffusive and dynamic contribut...
Creatine kinase gene expression during the development of Brachydanio

The ontogeny of creatine kinase (CK) in Brachydanio rerio, B. albolineatus and hybrids formed by their reciprocal crosses was investigated using electrophoretic and spectrophotometric methods. Creatine kinase existed in three homodimeric isozymes in tissues of both species: an eye-brain predominant CK-B2 form, a skeletal muscle predominant CK-A2 form, and a stomach specific CK-C2 form. Zebra and pearl danio embryos exhibited identical progressions of CK isozymes through four days postfertilization. The CK-B2 isozyme was continuously expressed and was the only CK form present from Stage 1 (fertilization) through Stage 20 (optic cup). The CK-A2 isozyme initially appeared at Stage 21. Its expression correlated temporally with slow, irregular contractions of the trunk and early differentiation of the trunk somites into myoblasts. Spectrophotometric analysis of total CK showed a sharp decline in activity during the first 10 hours of development (i.e., until the end of gastrulation). Total CK activity remained low until the appearance of the CK-A2 isozyme. Embryos of reciprocal crosses between B. rerio and B. albolineatus displayed similar patterns of expression of both CK-B2 and CK-A2 isozymes. The paternal Ck-B locus was first expressed in hybrid embryos at 48 hours postfertilization in the form of the CK-BABR heterodimer. The paternal CK-B2 homodimer was detected in embryos at 55 hours postfertilization. The parental alleles of the Ck-B locus were synchronously expressed. The pattern of CK-A2 expression in hybrids followed a pattern similar to that in intraspecific crosses. Experiments with actinomycin D and cycloheximide supported our previous studies which indicate that nuclear genes of multilocus isozyme systems in Brachydanio are activated during gastrulation. Results of exposing B. rerio embryos to actinomycin D showed that transcription of template RNA coding for the CK-A2 isozyme occurred during an 8-hour interval beginning at mid-gastrulation or about 12 to 20 hours prior to Stage 21. The initial translation of the CK-A2 template RNA began 15 hours following transcription or five hours prior to the detection of the first enzyme molecules.
The Cooperative Human Tissue Network. An update.

Background. During the past decade, the National Cancer Institute became aware of a lack of availability of human tissues for research, especially in the fields of molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. Methods. In 1987, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Cooperative Human Tissue Network (CHTN) by funding three institutions that had extensive experience in the procurement and distribution of tissues for research. Results. Since its inception, the CHTN has been expanded to five member institutions, with the addition of the Columbus Children's Hospital (the Pediatric Division for the procurement of pediatric tissues) and Case Western Reserve University. Each of the five divisions have established regional networks of institutions that supply tissues to the major divisions. From 1987 through 1991, the CHTN has distributed more than 29,000 human tissue samples and supplied approximately 500 researchers throughout the country. Conclusions. This report describes the development and current status of the CHTN, a valuable resource to the research community.
Comment on “The λ-R relationship in the directional decomposition of ϵ-FeAl” By J. Van Den Boomgaard, R.A.J. Born, G. Frens and J.W.A. Nelissen

Abstract A comment explaining certain discrepancies between the results published by Van den Boomgaard et al., and by Livingston are presented.
Report of the Committee on Runoff, 1937–38

The personnel of the Committee has remained unchanged as follows throughout the year: H. K. Barrows R. W. Davenport I. E. Houk F. T. Mavis F. F. Snyder Merrill Bernard R. S. Goodridge W. G. Hoyt A. F. Meyer H. C. Troxell E. S. Cullings R. E. Horton Joseph Jacobs C. R. Pettis C. O. Wisler Members of the Committee have been active throughout the year in matters relating to the work of the Section of Hydrology and all, through personal study and research, have advanced our knowledge of the phenomena of runoff and stream-flow. During the year various members have reviewed many technical papers and articles dealing with the hydrology of runoff and have made appropriate recommendations to the program committee regarding publication. Members have also assisted in the compilation of references for the Bibliography of Hydrology for 1935, 1936, and 1937. Credit for this compilation rests largely with Mr. Beij.
Efficient Bug Triaging Using Text Mining

Large open source software projects receive abundant rates of submitted bug reports. Triaging these incoming reports manually is error-prone and time consuming. The goal of bug triaging is to assign potentially experienced developers to new-coming bug reports. To reduce time and cost of bug triaging, we present an automatic approach to predict a developer with relevant experience to solve the new coming report. In this paper, we investigate the use of five term selection methods on the accuracy of bug assignment. In addition, we re-balance the load between developers based on their experience. We conduct experiments on four real datasets. The experimental results show that by selecting a small number of discriminating terms, the F-score can be significantly improved.
Multivariable model state feedback: Computationally simple, easy‐to‐tune alternative to MPC

Methods for the design and tuning of multivariable model state feedback (MMSF) systems for complete and triangular output decoupling of inherently stable processes are presented. MMSF is a method of implementing multivariable IMC controllers that substantially reduces the complexity of the implementation and compensates for control effort saturation. Complexity is reduced because the controls are formed as a linear combination of past and current model states. Saturation-induced directionality problems are avoided by temporarily increasing filter time constants to bring the control vector into the constraint set. The possibility that needed future controls will be inadequate to compensate for past control actions is avoided by setting minimum values for the controller filter time constants. The feedback structure of MMSF facilitates on-line tuning, one process variable at a time. Also, because MMSF is a form of IMC, it can be tuned off-line to accommodate process uncertainty using H∞ methods.
Distributed Utility Maximization for Network Coding Based Multicasting: A Critical Cut Approach

A central issue in practically deploying network coding in a shared network is the adaptive and efficient allocation of network resources. This issue can be formulated as an optimization problem of maximizing the net-utility — the difference between a utility derived from the attainable multicast throughput and the total cost of resource provisioning. We develop a primal-subgradient type distributed algorithm to solve this utility maximization problem. The effectiveness of the algorithm hinges upon two key properties we discovered: (1) the set of subgradients of the multicast capacity is the convex hull of the indicator vectors for the critical cuts, and (2) the complexity of finding such critical cuts can be reduced by exploiting the algebraic properties of linear network coding. The extension to multiple multicast sessions is also carried out. The effectiveness of the proposed algorithm is confirmed by simulations on an Internet Service Provider’s topology.
Preparing a new generation: thoughts on contemporary museum studies training

In this paper, I examine the development of museum studies training in the USA; offer an updated definition of what constitutes ‘a museum’; describe and discuss three conceptual domains that underlie and penetrate all museum work; and review the professional areas of museum work. I then propose a multi-tiered approach to museum studies training that, I argue, would effectively prepare the next generation of museum workers for leadership that will keep museums relevant to society.
Mechanisms of perceptual learning

Systematic measurements of perceptual learning were performed in the presence of external or stimulus noise. In the new external noise method (Dosher, B, & Lu, Z.-L. (1997). In6estigati6e Ophthalmology and Visual Science, 38, S687; Lu, Z.-L., & Dosher, B. (1998). Vision Research, 38, 1183‐1198), increasing amounts of external noise (white Gaussian random noise) is added to the visual stimulus in order to identify mechanisms of perceptual learning. Performance improved (threshold contrast was reduced) over days of practice on a peripheral orientation discrimination task—labelling Gabor patches as tilted slightly to the right or left. Practice improvements were largely specific to the trained quadrant of the display. Performance improved at all levels of external noise. The external noise method and perceptual template model (PTM) of the observer identifies the mechanism(s) of performance improvements as due to stimulus enhancement, external noise exclusion ,o rinternal noise suppression. The external noise method was further extended by measuring thresholds at two threshold performance levels, allowing identification of mixtures in the PTM model. Perceptual learning over 8‐10 days improved the filtering or exclusion of external noise by a factor of two or more, and improved suppression of additive internal noise—equivalent to stimulus enhancement—by 50% or more. Coupled improvements in external noise exclusion and stimulus enhancement in the PTM model may reflect channel weighting. Perceptual learning may not reflect neural plasticity at the level of basic visual channels, nor cognitive adjustments of strategy, but rather plasticity at an intermediate level of weighting inputs to decision. © 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Synergistic anticancer effects of combined γ-tocotrienol with statin or receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor treatment

Systemic chemotherapy is the only current method of treatment that provides some chance for long-term survival in patients with advanced or metastatic cancer. γ-Tocotrienol is a natural form of vitamin E found in high concentrations in palm oil and displays potent anticancer effects, but limited absorption and transport of by the body has made it difficult to obtain and sustain therapeutic levels in the blood and target tissues. Statins are inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMGCoA) reductase and are an example of a promising cancer chemotherapeutic agent whose clinical usefulness has been limited due to high-dose toxicity. Similarly, erlotinib and gefitinib are anticancer agents that inhibit the activation of individual HER/ErbB receptor subtypes, but have shown limited clinical success because of heterodimerization between different EGF receptor family members that can rescue cancer cells from agents directed against a single receptor subtype. Recent studies have investigated the anticancer effectiveness of low-dose treatment of various statins or EGF receptor inhibitors alone and in combination with γ-tocotrienol on highly malignant +SA mouse mammary epithelial cells in vitro. Combined treatment with subeffective doses of γ-tocotrienol with these other chemotherapeutic agents resulted in a synergistic inhibition of +SA cell growth and viability. These findings strongly suggest that combined treatment of γ-tocotrienol with other anticancer agents may not only provide an enhanced therapeutic response but also provide a means to avoid the toxicity, low bioavailability, or limited therapeutic action associated with high-dose monotherapy.
High-throughput analysis of spatio-temporal dynamics in Dictyostelium

We demonstrate a time-lapse video approach that allows rapid examination of the spatio-temporal dynamics of Dictyostelium cell populations. Quantitative information was gathered by sampling life histories of more than 2,000 mutant clones from a large mutagenesis collection. Approximately 4% of the clonal lines showed a mutant phenotype at one stage. Many of these could be ordered by clustering into functional groups. The dataset allows one to search and retrieve movies on a gene-by-gene and phenotype-by-phenotype basis.
Treatment of antiretroviral-drug-resistant HIV-1 infection

Drug-resistant HIV-1 is a cause of growing clinical and public-health concern. In many patients, combination antiretroviral therapy fails to achieve complete viral suppression (virological failure). Continuing viral replication during therapy leads to the accumulation of drug-resistance mutations, resulting in increased viral load and a greater risk of disease progression. Patients with drug-resistant HIV-1 infection have three therapeutic options: a change to a salvage regimen with the aim of fully suppressing viral replication; interruption of therapy; or continuation of a partially effective regimen. The first strategy is preferred for most patients failing their first or perhaps their second regimen. However, the best approach remains unclear for patients who have failed multiple treatment regimens and who have limited options for complete viral suppression. The management of such patients requires a careful understanding of the pathogenesis of drug-resistant HIV-1, the clinical consequences of virological failure, the potential benefits and limitations of diagnostic assays, and the likelihood that agents in development will be effective.
Craniofacial variation in Australasian and pacific populations

Stepwise discriminant function analysis and Mahalanobis's generalized distance are applied to 36 measurements recorded in crania from Australasia and Oceania for assessing biological relationships and possible origins of these populations. Craniofacial variation in Australia is found to be clinal. There is extreme diversity in the Murray River Valley and southern Queensland cranial series. Multiple origins of the Australians are not supported by these results. Although selection and other processes cannot be completely ruled out, gene flow and restrictions to the exchange of genes can explain most of the morphological patterning observed. Breadth and length dimensions of the vault, interorbital breadth, biorbital breadth, palate length, and upper facial height are among the most important discriminators. Viewed within the broader context of Asia and the Pacific, Australians represent a biologically distinct population, one sharing ancestral ties with Melanesians but not with the recent populations of Asia and the rest of the Pacific. The latter represent a second major population complex.
Atricure bipolar radiofrequency clamp for intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation.

Abstract Purpose This work reports our initial evaluation and clinical experience with the Atricure bipolar radiofrequency (RF) system for intraoperative ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF). Description The Atricure system includes a bipolar RF clamp and an RF generator. Lines of conduction block are created by delivery of RF energy (75 volts, 750 milliamps) to tissue compressed between the jaws of the clamp. Energy delivery is continued until the lesion is transmural, indicated by steady and reduced conductance between electrodes in the clamp. Evaluation The Atricure device was used for intraoperative treatment of AF in 120 patients. Lesion sets varied, as the device was used for pulmonary vein isolation, creation of right atrial lesions, or both. There were no device-related complications. Initial incomplete pulmonary vein isolation, identified by pacing, was uncommon, occurring with very thick atrial tissue and when tightening the clamp caused tissue to become folded upon itself in the jaws or to extrude beyond the jaws of the clamp. In such cases, reapplication of the RF clamp produced complete pulmonary vein isolation. Conclusions The Atricure bipolar RF system facilitates surgical treatment of AF. Proper application of the clamp is essential to ensure continuous transmural lesions.