cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanisms of Tissue Injury in Cryosurgery

As the modern era of cryosurgery began in the mid 1960s, the basic features of cryosurgical technique were established as rapid freezing, slow thawing, and repetition of the freeze-thaw cycle. Since then, new applications of cryosurgery have caused numerous investigations on the mechanism of injury in cryosurgery with the intent to better define appropriate or optimal temperature-time dosimetry of the freeze-thaw cycles. A diversity of opinion has become evident on some aspects of technique, but the basic tenets of cryosurgery remain unchanged. All the parts of the freeze-thaw cycle can cause tissue injury. The cooling rate should be as fast as possible, but it is not as critical as other factors. The coldest tissue temperature is the prime factor in cell death and this should be -50 degreesC in neoplastic tissue. The optimal duration of freezing is not known, but prolonged freezing increases tissue destruction. The thawing rate is a prime destructive factor and it should be as slow as possible. Repetition of the freeze-thaw cycle is well known to be an important factor in effective therapy. A prime need in cryosurgical research is related to the periphery of the cryosurgical lesion where some cells die and others live. Adjunctive therapy should influence the fate of cells in this region and increase the efficacy of cryosurgical techniques.
Analysis of cell-wall pectin from hot and cold break tomato preparations

Abstract The initial processing of tomatoes includes a break step, which involves rapid heating of the freshly chopped tomatoes to >90 °C for hot break, or 60–77 °C for cold break. It is believed that pectolytic enzyme deactivation is the key element in the hot break step; therefore the pectin content of the different products should be qualitatively distinct. There are two general sources of pectin in a tomato fruit: the middle lamella which is rich in homogalacturonan, and the cell-wall. In this study, a 0-min or 24-min hold time (room temperature) for the chopped tomatoes preceded the break step to replicate hot and cold break, respectively, with minimum variation in the processing. The cell-wall pectin was then isolated and analyzed for the carbohydrate composition, degree of polymerization, and degree of esterification. The results showed no observable differences in pectin isolated from the two preparations, indicating that there is no significant pectolytic activity in the cell wall during the 24 min hold time; thus, the pectolytic enzymes probably act on the lower ester, middle lamella pectin in cold break products.
MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets.

Studies have tested the therapeutic value of small inhibitory RNAs by introducing them to an animal model of disease. A new study takes the opposite tack: a specific endogenous inhibitory RNA is ablated in the mouse, resulting in a large decrease in serum cholesterol.
The 18O/16O and 17O/16O Ratios in Atmospheric Nitrous Oxide: A Mass-Independent Anomaly

Measurements of the oxygen isotope ratios (18O/16O and 17O/16O) in atmospheric nitrous oxide (N2O) from La Jolla, Pasadena, and the White Mountain Research Station (elevation, 3801 meters) in California and the White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico show that N2O has a mass-independent composition. These data suggest the presence of a previously undefined atmospheric process. The La Jolla samples can be explained by a mixing between an atmospherically derived source of mass-independent N2O and biologically derived mass-dependent N2O. Possible origins of the mass-independent anomaly in N2O are discussed.
Development and characterization of a syngeneic monoclonal antibody to a rat mammary tumor metastasis-associated mucin-like cell-surface antigen (gp580).

A rat hybridoma producing IgM monoclonal antibody (MAb) GP2l:56 was generated with specificity for a high-molecularweight, mucin-like glycoprotein (gp580) present on highly metastatic I3762NF rat mammary adenocarcinoma cells. The hybridoma was made by fusing rat Y3 Ag1.2.3 myeloma cells with spleen cells from a rat immunized i.d. with purified gp580. The gp580 appeared to be of low immunogenicity in syngeneic F344 rats because a total of 27 fusions were required to produce one hybridoma with specificity for this glycoprotein. lmmunoblotting of purified gp580 after electrophoresis in I % agarose and antibody-binding assays using purified gp580 linked to microtiter plates confirmed that MAb GP2l:56 bound specifically to gp580. Other MAbs made against breast mucins were negative for gp580 reactivity. Enzymelinked immunoabsorbent assays (ELISA) and radiolabelled antibody binding assays demonstrated that MAb GPZ I :56 bound to 13762NF adenocarcinoma cell lines and clones in relation to their spontaneous metastatic potentials; significantly more MAb GP2l:56 bound to highly metastatic MTLn3 cells than to low metastatic MTC cells, and MAb GP2I:56 showed little reactivity towards the majority of other cell lines tested, whether of rodent or 01 human origin. Kinetic binding studies indicated that MAb GP2I:56 does not have a high affinity for gp580 but, once bound, it shows high avidity for this sialogalactoprotein. Localization studies using frozen tissue sections of 13762NF tumors indicated that MAb GP2I:56 reacts with tumor cells grown in vivo in an analogous manner to in vitro cultured cells. Using immunoperoxidase techniques, less than 50% of the highly metastatic MTLn3 tumor cells were stained, whereas approximately 20% of the intermediate metastatic MTF7 and MTLn2 cells and < 10% of low metastatic MTC and MTPa cells were stained with MAb GP2I:56. The cell-to-cell reactivity was heterogeneous and mainly associated with the tumor-cell surface and extracellular matrix. Cancer metastasis results from a series of complex interactions between the tumor and its host, including those with host effector cells (Nicolson and Poste, 1982a,b; North and Nicolson, 1987). These interactions take place, for the most part, at the cell surface and involve components expressed by the tumor cells (North and Nicolson, 1987; Poste and Weiss, 1976; Nicolson, 1982). We have been identifying and characterizing the cell-surface glycoproteins of metastatic mammary carcinomas to determine their possible role in metastatic processes. In these studies, we have used an experimental animal tumor model derived from the chemically induced 13762NF mammary adenocarcinoma in Fischer F344 rats (Neri et al., 1982).
Analysis of Thermal Gradient Effects in Oil Ring Seals

The analysis of ring type seals is of great concern for the designer of high speed and high pressure centrifugal gas compressors. Computers now play a major role in allowing for a quick evaluation of the floating ring seal. Since the accuracy of the rotor shaft stability evaluation depends on the validity of the dynamic seal characteristics, every step in the evaluation must be carefully scrutinized and updated to include, the latest in theory and practical operating experience. This paper presents the theory and results of one such extension to the current published analysis of oil ring seals. The new analysis includes the influence of the sealing fluid temperature gradients on the leakage flow rate and seal dynamic characteristics for multi-land ring configurations. Using classical short bearing theory but allowing for temperature and pressure dependent viscosity variations across the seal, the resulting pressure profiles have been determined numerically utilizing a finite difference solution technique....
From Bakke to Fullilove Has the Supreme Court Finally Settled the Affirmative Action Controversy

The affirmative action controversy over quotas is examined in light of recent Supreme Court decisions in the Bakke and Fullilove cases. Through important affirmative action courts decisions, the au...
The Importance of Library Liaison Programs

The purpose of the library liason program is to build relationships with faculty members and provide personal communication about library services, information literacy and instruction, and collections. Suggestions for transforming or revitalizing your library liason program are provided.
Observation of steric conformational effects in hydrocarbon adsorption and decomposition: cis- and trans-butene-2 on Si(100)-(2 × 1)

Abstract Adsorption, desorption and decomposition of the isomeric hydrocarbons, cis- and trans-butene-2, on Si(100)-(2 × 1) have been studied by means of a kinetic uptake method, temperature programmed desorption (TPD) and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES). Both butene-2 molecules adsorb molecularly on Si(100)-(2 × 1) at 120 K with an initial sticking coefficient of near unity. Both olefin isomers show very similar dependence of the adsorption rate on the coverage with an initial region of constant rate followed by a decrease above a certain critical coverage. This kinetic behavior is typical for adsorption of unsaturated hydrocarbons on Si(100)-(2 × 1) at low temperature and is explained by a precursor mediated adsorption mechanism. Observation of the same adsorption kinetics for cis- and trans-butene-2 indicates that for the precursor mediated chemisorption process, the conformational difference between the isomers is of minor importance. The saturated coverages at 120 K are 1.4 × 1014molecules cm−2 for trans-butene and 1.6 × 1014molecules cm−2 for cis-butene. TPD experiments show a difference in the stability of the adsorbed layers. In the limit of low coverage the activation energies of desorption are ∼ 34 and ∼ 30 kcal/mol for trans- and cis-butene-2, respectively, assuming a first-order preexponential factor of 1013 s−1. Di-σ bonding is suggested for the chemisorption state where the molecule preserves its cis- or trans-structure. Upon heating of saturated butene-2 layers, 25% of trans-butene and 13% of cis-butene undergo dissociation. Thus steric conformational effects are likely responsibile for the different thermal stability of the layers with respect to both desorption and decomposition. In contrast to the role of adsorbate conformation on desorption and decomposition, the lack of a significant effect of hydrocarbon conformation on adsorption kinetics indicates that adsorption and desorption processes occur by independent pathways. It is postulated that the intermediate surface species responsible for dissociation is a di-σ bonded 1,3 butane which involves coupling of one methyl group with the substrate.
On the Connection Between the Telford and Kinetic-Equation Approaches to Droplet Coalescence Theory

Abstract The Telford statistical approach to cloud droplet growth by coalescence and the kinetic-equation approach are shown to give identical results when the Telford assumptions are used to linearize the latter. It is concluded that in this case the kinetic equation contains all relevant statistical information. A brief demonstration is given that the nonlinear kinetic equation also is statistically complete.
Macromolecular mixing: Entropic templating

The entropic repulsion between tethered molecular brushes at fluid interfaces templates the mixing of otherwise incompatible macromolecules.
Hearing loss and gait speed among older adults in the United States

Background Previous studies have suggested that hearing loss, which is highly prevalent but undertreated in older adults, may be associated with gait and physical functioning. Determining if hearing loss is independently associated with gait speed is critical toward understanding whether hearing rehabilitative interventions could help mitigate declines in physical functioning in older adults.
Model for a partially coherent Gaussian beam in atmospheric turbulence with application in lasercom

Analytic expressions for the mutual coherence function (MCF) and the scintillation index of a partially coherent lowest order Gaussian beam wave propagating through the atmosphere (based on Kolmogorov spectrum model) are developed for the pupil plane of a receiving system. Partial coherence of the beam is modeled as a thin (complex) phase screen with Gaussian spectrum (Rytov theory and ABCD ray matrices are applied). The relation between the second- and fourth-order statistics for a beam with any degree of coherence in the atmosphere is introduced with the help of ''effective'' beam parameters, deduced from the free-space MCF. In particular, the scintillation (in weak and strong atmospheric conditions), based on these parameters, is stud- ied as a function of the diffuser's strength and that of the atmosphere. The model is applied for the calculation of the SNR and bit error rates (OOK modulation) of the communication link with diffuser at the trans- mitter and slow detection system. The improvement of bit error rates is observed in weak and strong atmospheric turbulence. In the weak re- gime, the optimal diffuser can be found. © 2004 Society of Photo-Optical Instru-
The Effect of Total Parenteral Nutrition or Elemental Diet on Pancreatic Proteolytic Activity and Ultrastructure

Previous reports regarding the effect of an elemental diet (ED) on pancreatic secretion have been conflicting. This study was designed to assess the effect of a high-nitrogen ED or total parenteral nutrition (TPN) on proteolytic activity in the pancreatic exocrine cell. Forty-eight dogs were divided into 12 groups of 4 each. Group I (control) was fed commercial dog food. Groups II, III, and IV received 1, 2, and 3 days, respectively, of 25% glucose with 4.25% amino acids. Groups V, VI, and VII received 1, 2, and 3 days, respectively, of 25% glucose with 2.75% amino acids. Groups VIII, IX, and X received 3 days of ED given orally, via gastrostomy or jejunostomy, respectively. Groups XI and XII received 1 day each of either 2.75% amino acids or 25% glucose. The pancreas of each dog was then resected and processed for electron microscopy, or minced and analyzed for tryptic activity expressed as micromoles of benzoyl arginine ethyl ester (BAEE) digested per milligram of pancreatic protein. There were no significant differences in ultrastructure or in the levels of pancreatic tryptic activity between the control and the 11 experimental groups. It appears that during the short period of our treatment with TPN as well as ED, the exocrine cell retains its normal content of proteolytic enzyme. Reports of others that pancreatic secretion volume decreases with TPN and ED, coupled with our findings of stable intracellular tryptic activity, indicate that the synthesis and release of proteolytic enzymes have actually been reduced by TPN and ED. Thus, TPN or ED should benefit the patient with pancreatitis by decreasing pancreatic secretion as well as pancreatic proteolytic enzyme synthesis.
A volume-averaged two-phase model for transport phenomena during solidification

A basic model of the transport phenomena occurring during solidification of multicomponent mixtures is presented. The model is based on a two-phase approach, in which each phase is treated separately and interactions between the phases are considered explicitly. The macroscopic transport equations for each phase are derived using the technique of volumetric averaging. The basic forms of the constitutive relations are developed. These relations link the macroscopic transport phenomena to microscopic processes such as microstructure development, interfacial stresses, and interfacial heat and mass transfer. Thermodynamic relations are presented, and it is shown that nonequilibrium effects can be addressed within the framework of the present model. Various simplifications of the model are examined, and future modeling needs are discussed.
Reactivity to exclusion prospectively predicts social anxiety symptoms in young adults

Peer victimization leads to negative outcomes such as increased anxiety and depression. The prospective relationship between peer victimization and social anxiety in children and adolescents is well established, and adults with social anxiety disorder (SAD) are more likely than individuals with other anxiety disorders to report a history of teasing. However, a crucial bridge between these findings (peer victimization in young adults) is missing. We manipulated perceptions of peer exclusion in a young adult sample (N=108) using the Cyberball Ostracism Task. Reactivity to exclusion prospectively predicted social anxiety symptoms at a 2-month follow-up, whereas self-reported teasing during high school and current relational victimization did not. This research suggests that reactions to peer victimization may be a worthwhile target for clinical interventions in young adults. Targeting how young adults react to stressful social interactions such as exclusion may help prevent the development of SAD. Future research should test if reactivity to exclusion plays a role in the relationship between other disorders (e.g., depression) and peer victimization.
Modeling Hydrologic Performance of Permeable Pavement with DRAINMOD in North Carolina and Ohio

Variations in the hydrologic performance of permeable pavement can be due to several factors including gravel storage depth, drainage configuration, surface infiltration rate, and underlying soil type. A long-term hydrologic model is needed to better understand the influence of these factors on surface runoff, drainage, and exfiltration from permeable pavement systems. DRAINMOD is a widely accepted agricultural drainage model that can predict water table level, drainage, infiltration, and evapotranspiration continuously over long records of time. Past research has shown that DRAINMOD can be calibrated to accurately predict the hydrology of bioretention areas. Given that water movement through a permeable pavement cell is similar to a bioretention area, it is hypothesized that the model could also be calibrated to predict the hydrologic response from permeable pavement. Both stormwater control measures (SCMs) employ infiltration as the primary mechanism for peak flow attenuation and exfiltration for volume reduction. Drainage configurations for both SCMs are also analogous to the required DRAINMOD inputs. This study investigates the application of DRAINMOD to predict permeable pavement hydrology for a variety of different drainage configurations and underlying soil types. Three sites in North Carolina and one site in Ohio were monitored for rainfall, drainage outflow, and internal water level for a period of 9 to 12 months. The four sites have varying drainage configurations and underlying soils to represent a wide variety of permeable pavement applications. The model was calibrated for a period of 4 to 6 months at each site and validated for an additional 4 to 6 months. Results comparing the field-monitored and modeled volumes of drainage, surface runoff, and exfiltration/ET will be presented for each site. Preliminary results at the Boone, NC, site indicate success in predicting drainage volumes, with Nash-Sutcliffe efficiencies of 0.97 during the calibration period and 0.85 during the validation period. How the DRAINMOD outputs can be extended to predict the annual average water balance for varying drainage configurations and underlying soil types will also be discussed.
Large Electrostatic Deformation of a Dielectric Elastomer Annulus

A large quasi-static deformation analysis of a thin annulus made of dielectric elastomer is presented in this paper. The material is assumed to be perfectly elastic, isotropic, and incompressible. An electric field is applied through the thickness of the annulus. The outer periphery of the annulus is held fixed, while the inner periphery is free to move. The radial stress and strain distributions are determined using two nonlinear differential equations obtained from equilibrium, stress-strain and geometric relations. Mooney’s (1940) from of the strain energy function is used for the analysis. The non-linear differential equations are solved for the principal extension ratios, λ1 and λ2 , using Matlab’s two-point boundary value function BCP4C. The radial and circumferential stresses are calculated using the derived solutions. The resluts of the mathematical model showed that for increasing effective (squeeze) pressure, the readial and circumferential stress transitions from tensile to compressive states at a “critical” effective (squeeze) pressure. Also, for the annulus with non-zero hole pressure, there exists an operating range for both the hole pressure and effective (squeeze) pressure of which the model is mathematically as well as physically viable.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Aristotle's axiom in the foundations of geometry

In the foundations of non-Euclidean geometry without Dedekind's axiom, Archimedes' axiom suffices to insure that the geometry is hyperbolic, but this axiom is not necessary. The weaker axiom of Aristotle is necessary and sufficient; it uses only geometric variables, not integer variables.
Somali immigrant women's perceptions of cesarean delivery and patient–provider communication surrounding female circumcision and childbirth in the USA

Abstract Objective To explore perceptions of cesarean delivery and patient–provider communication surrounding female circumcision and childbirth through interviews with Somali women residing in the USA. Methods Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 23 Somali immigrant women living in Boston who had given birth in the USA and Africa. Interviews asked about birth experiences in the USA and Africa, as well as norms and attitudes surrounding childbirth practices. Interview transcripts were coded and themes identified through an iterative process. Results Participants were aged 25–52 years and had been living in the USA for an average of 7 years. All women had experienced circumcision. Five women had undergone a cesarean delivery. Women feared having a cesarean because of their perception that it could result in death or disability. Women also highlighted that providers in the USA rarely discussed female circumcision or how it could affect childbirth experiences. Conclusions Previous experiences and cultural beliefs can affect how Somali immigrant women understand labor and delivery practices in the USA and can explain why some women are wary of cesarean delivery. Educating providers and encouraging patient–provider communication about cesarean delivery and female circumcision can ease fears, increase trust, and improve birth experiences for Somali immigrant women in the USA.
Merit: A unified framework for routing protocol assessment in mobile AD Hoc networks

MERIT is a framework to assess routing protocols in mobile Ad hoc networks (manets). It is based on the novel concept of a shortest mobile path (SMP) in a mobile qraph, generalizing the traditional shortest path concept for the mobile environment. As a standard measure for routing protocols in a manet, the MERIT framework proposes the mean ratio of the cost of the actually used route to the cost of the optimal mobile path, under the same history of link metrics in the changing network topology. The MERIT spectrum takes the MERIT ratio as a function of parameters of interest yielding a multi-faceted representation of protocol effectiveness. This Mean Real vs. Ideal cosT (MERIT) framework is unifying in that it provides a measure that allows a protocol to be assessed independently of other protocols, within its own environment. We show that there is an efficient algorithm to solve the underlying SMP problem for important cases, making the approach practically feasible. We also investigate generalizations of and extensions within the MERIT framework.
Analysis of recursive batched interpolation search

For an ordered file of records with uniformly distributed key values, we examine an existing batched searching algorithm based on recursive use of interpolation searches. The algorithm, called Recursive Batched Interpolation Search (RBIS) in this paper, uses a divide-and-conquer technique for batched searching. The expected-case complexity of the algorithm is shown to beO(m loglog (2n/m) +m), wheren is the size of the file andm is the size of the query batch. Simulations are performed to demonstrate the savings of batched searching using RBIS. Also, simulations are performed to compare alternative batched searching algorithms which are based on either interpolation search or binary search. When the file's key values are uniformly distributed, the simulation results confirm that interpolation-search based algorithms are superior to binary-search based algorithms. However, when the file's key values are not uniformly distributed, a straight-forward batched interpolation search deteriorates quickly as the batch size increases, but algorithm RBIS still outperforms binary-search based algorithms when the batch size passes a threshold value.
Stark Effect in Rapidly Varying Fields

A method is developed for calculating the effects of a strong oscillating field on two states of a quantum-mechanical system which are connected by a matrix element of the field. Explicit approximate solutions are obtained for a variety of special cases, and the results of numerical computations are given for others. The effect of an rf field on the $J=2\ensuremath{\rightarrow}1$ $l$-type doublet microwave absorption lines of OCS has been studied in particular both experimentally and theoretically. Each line was observed to split into two components when the frequency of the rf field was near 12.78 Mc or 38.28 Mc, which are the frequencies separating the $J=1$ and $J=2$ pairs of levels, respectively. By measuring the rf frequency, ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0}$, at which the microwave lines are split into two equally intense components, one may determine the separation between the energy levels. The measured value of ${\ensuremath{\nu}}_{0}$ depends upon the intensity of the rf field and the form of this dependence has been calculated and found to be in good agreement with the experimental results.
Einstein boundary conditions for the Einstein equations in the conformal-traceless decomposition

In relation to the Baumgarte-Shapiro-Shibata-Nakamura (BSSN) formulation of the Einstein equations, we write down the boundary conditions that result from the vanishing of the projection of the Einstein tensor normally to a timelike hypersurface. Furthermore, by setting up a well-posed system of propagation equations for the constraints, we show explicitly that there are three constraints that are incoming at the boundary surface and that the boundary equations are linearly related to them. This indicates that such boundary conditions play a role in enforcing the propagation of the constraints in the region interior to the boundary. Additionally, we examine the related problem for a strongly-hyperbolic first-order reduction of the BSSN equations and determine the characteristic fields that are prescribed by the three boundary conditions, as well as those that are left arbitrary.
Amyloid Coronary Artery Disease, Primary Systemic Amyloidosis and Paraproteinemia

A patient had primary systemic amyloidosis with severe cardiac involvement and IgG paraproteinemia. Numerous intramural coronary arteries were occluded by amyloid deposits, but arteriosclerosis of the extramural arteries was absent. The amyloid coronary artery disease was associated with angina pectoris, a myocardial infarct, and mural thrombi which resulted in cerebral, renal, pulmonic, and coronary arterial emboli.
The cell survival pathways of the primordial RNA-DNA complex remain conserved in the extant genomes and may function as proto-oncogenes.

Malignantly transformed (cancer) cells of multicellular hosts, including human cells, operate activated biochemical pathways that recognizably derived from unicellular ancestors. The descendant heat shock proteins of thermophile archaea now chaperon oncoproteins. The ABC cassettes of toxin-producer zooxantella Symbiodinia algae pump out the cytoplasmic toxin molecules; malignantly transformed cells utilize the derivatives of these cassettes to get rid of chemotherapeuticals. High mobility group helix–loop–helix proteins, protein arginine methyltransferases, proliferating cell nuclear antigens, and Ki-67 nuclear proteins, that protect and repair DNA in unicellular life forms, support oncogenes in transformed cells. The cell survival pathways of Wnt–β-catenin, Hedgehog, PI3K, MAPK–ERK, STAT, Ets, JAK, Pak, Myb, achaete scute, circadian rhythms, Bruton kinase and others, which are physiological in uni- and early multicellular eukaryotic life forms, are constitutively encoded in complex oncogenic pathways in selected single cells of advanced multicellular eukaryotic hosts. Oncogenes and oncoproteins in advanced multicellular hosts recreate selected independently living and immortalized unicellular life forms, which are similar to extinct and extant protists. These unicellular life forms are recognized at the clinics as autologous “cancer cells”.
Calcium levels in normal and hypertensive pregnant patients

Epidemiologic studies of hypertension in nonpregnant patients have suggested that abnormal calcium metabolism contributes to the genesis of hypertension. We have studied serum ionized calcium, total calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, total protein, and albumin in 16 normal pregnant women, 12 gravid patients with chronic hypertension, and 31 gravid patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension. In contradistinction to the reported difference in ionized calcium between nonpregnant normal and hypertensive patients, we have found no difference in serum ionized calcium between our groups.
NMR studies of a D2 single crystal in the ordered phase

We report the first experimental study of the NMR lineshape anisotropy in the orientationally ordered cubic phase of a D2 single crystal. The para-D2 concentration covered the range 0.72<X<0.82. The observed line shapes were obtained by means of Fourier transform techniques from the solid echoes recorded with a pulsed NMR spectrometer operating at 5.9 MHz. Theoretical line shapes and their second moments forp-D2 (with angular momentumJ=1 and spinI=1) and foro-D2 (withJ=0, I=2) were calculated as a function of the applied field direction from the theory by A. B. Harris. Good agreement was obtained for all directions, provided that, just as for solid H2, a Gaussian function for the distribution of molecular axial alignment was assumed with an rms spreading angle of ∼6 deg forX=0.77. No change in the anisotropy of the second moment in the disordered phase was detected between the initial (hcp) crystal and after repeated thermal cyclings through the martensitic transition. This result implies no change in the orientation of the plane for the sliding nets during repeated passages through the transition. Furthermore, we report measurements of the longitudinal relaxation time for bothp-D2 ando-H2 versusT over the temperature range 0.5<T<3.5 K. The complex behavior reported previously for both H2 and D2 was confirmed. Measurements of the relaxation times as a function of the applied field direction in the ordered phase at 1.2 K showed no anisotropy within experimental error, and this result is discussed in the light of predictions by Hardy and Berlinsky. Finally, the polarization of theJ=0 molecules is studied as a function of the concentrationX of theJ=1 molecules and their state of orientational order over a wide range ofX andT in the ordered and disordered states. The results are compared with predictions of A. B. Harris and with previous data on polycrystalline samples.
Effect of Retinoic Acid on Gene Expression in Human Conjunctival Epithelium: Secretory phospholipase A2 mediates retinoic acid induction of MUC16.

Purpose. How vitamin A contributes to the maintenance of the wet-surfaced phenotype at the ocular surface is not well understood. We sought to identify vitamin A responsive genes in ocular surface epithelia using gene microarray analysis of cultures of a human conjunctival epithelial cell line (HCjE) grown with all-trans-retinoic acid (RA). The analysis showed that secretory phospholipase A2 Group IIA (sPLA2-IIA) was the gene most upregulated by RA, followed by the membrane-associated mucin MUC16 at a later time point. Since eicosanoids, the product of arachidonic acid generated by the phospholipase A2 family, have been shown to increase mucin production, we sought to determine if sPLA2 mediates the RA induction of MUC16. Methods. HCjE cells were cultured with or without RA for 3, 6, 24 and 48 hours. Complementary RNA prepared from RNA of the HCjE cells was hybridized to human gene chips (HG-U133A; Affymetrix) and analyzed using Rosetta Resolver software. Microarray data on mucin expression were validated by real-time PCR. To investigate whether sPLA2 is associated with RA-induced MUC16 upregulation, HCjE cells were incubated with RA and the broad spectrum PLA2 inhibitor, aristolochic acid (ArA) or the specific sPLA2-IIA inhibitor {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY315920","term_id":"1257380081","term_text":"LY315920"}}LY315920, followed by analysis of MUC16 mRNA and protein by real-time PCR and Western blot analysis. Results. After RA addition, 28 transcripts were upregulated and 6 downregulated by over 2.0-fold (p < 0.01) at both 3 and 6 hours (early phase). Eighty gene transcripts were upregulated and 45 downregulated at both 24 and 48 hours (late phase). Group IIA sPLA2, significantly upregulated by 24 hours, and MUC16 were the most upregulated RNAs by RA at 48 hours. sPLA2 upregulation by RA was confirmed by Western blot analysis. When HCjE cells were incubated with RA plus ArA or specific inhibitor of sPLA2-IIA, {"type":"entrez-nucleotide","attrs":{"text":"LY315920","term_id":"1257380081","term_text":"LY315920"}}LY315920, the RA-induced MUC16 mRNA was significantly reduced (p < 0.01). Conclusion. The retinoic acid-associated upregulation of membrane-associated mucin MUC16 at late phase appears to be through sPLA2-IIA. Upregulation of this hydrophilic membrane-associated mucin may be one of the important mechanisms by which vitamin A facilitates maintenance of the wet-surfaced phenotype on the ocular surface.
A Noise-Filtering Approach for Spatio-temporal Event Detection in Social Media

We propose an iterative spatial-temporal mining algorithm for identifying and extracting events from social media. One of the key aspects of the proposed algorithm is a signal processing-inspired approach for viewing spatial-temporal term occurrences as signals, analyzing the noise contained in the signals, and applying noise filters to improve the quality of event extraction from these signals. The iterative event mining algorithm alternately clusters terms and then generates new filters based on the results of clustering. Through experiments on ten Twitter data sets, we find improved event retrieval compared to two baselines.
Probability and the Explanatory Virtues

AbstractRecent literature in philosophy of science has addressed purported notions of explanatory virtues—‘explanatory power’, ‘unification’, and ‘coherence’. In each case, a probabilistic relation...
da Vinci Skills Simulator construct validation study: correlation of prior robotic experience with overall score and time score simulator performance.

Objective To assess the construct validity of the da Vinci Skills Simulator (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA). Ideally, a well-designed simulator should demonstrate construct validity, which is defined in this study as the correlation between robotic surgical experience and performance on the simulator. Patients and Methods Thirty-nine surgeons (18 [46%] group I [0-20 robotic cases]; 8 [21%] group II [21-150 robotic cases]; and 13 [33%] group III [>150 robotic cases]) were enrolled from September 2010 to December 2010. Participants completed 24 virtual-reality exercises on the da Vinci Skills Simulator. Data on 12 performance metrics were collected by the software. Overall means for score and time across exercises were analyzed. Results Overall scores (64.7%/79.1%/87.4%) and time scores (39.1%/58.6%/87.3%) were significantly different among surgeons in groups I-III ( P P Conclusion Initial construct validity analysis revealed that both overall scores and time scores showed a significant linear relationship when comparing the surgeons in groups I, II, and III. Overall score seems to be a stronger indicator for differences between surgeons in groups I and II. Time score seems to be a stronger indicator for differences between surgeons in groups II and III.
In vitro fertilisation treatment and factors affecting success

The efficacy of assisted reproductive technologies has improved significantly over the past decades. The main indications for in vitro fertilisation include tubal obstruction, severe male-factor infertility, severe endometriosis, ovulatory dysfunction, diminished ovarian reserve, and infertility of unexplained cause. In vitro fertilisation has also become an effective treatment option for couples wishing to undergo pre-implantation genetic diagnosis or screening, and for those wishing to cryopreserve their oocytes or embryos for preservation of fertility. The management of women in late reproductive age poses a major challenge; the optimum in vitro fertilisation treatment for poor responders remains elusive. The success of in vitro fertilisation treatment can be optimised by taking an individualised, patient-centered approach to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation. Key components involve selection of an appropriate controlled ovarian protocol, close-cycle monitoring, adjustment of gonadotropin dosage to avoid hyper-response, and individualised timing of human chorionic gonadotropin injection. Future directions of assisted reproductive technologies include development of non-invasive embryo selection methods, use of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and time-lapse imaging technologies.
Integrated sensor design using ion channels inserted into lipid bilayer membranes

In this paper, we present an approach towards a biosensor based on the gating action of ion channel proteins integrated on a silicon chip using planar microfabrication technology. The ion channels are inserted into lipid bilayer membranes which are supported across apertures in the wafer. The use of deep silicon reactive ion etching allows fast and flexible fabrication of these apertures in the range of 150 /spl mu/m diameter with the potential for future downscaling. A plasma-deposited surface modification layer was introduced to increase the hydrophobicity of the sample and allow reproducible bilayer formation with gigaohm seal resistances. Studies on patterned planar Ag/AgCl electrodes show a good longterm stability of the Nernst potential and an easy integration with the microfabricated aperture.
Arthroscopic evaluation of knee lateral compartment widening after lateral ligamentous injury

To evaluate whether diagnostic arthroscopy of the lateral tibiofemoral compartment can determine the presence of a lateral ligamentous knee injury. Nine cadaveric knee specimens were used with varus stresses of 12 Nm and the force at which no further lateral opening occurred. Arthroscopic measurements were taken of the lateral compartments with knees at 30°, 45° and 90°. Measurements were recorded in the intact knees and with sequential sectioning of LCL, popliteus, popliteofibular, ACL and PCL. Measurements and opening differences between each ligament state were recorded. No significant difference existed between the two forces compared (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference in opening distance measured at all knee angles with sequential sectioning (p < 0.001). Sequential opening difference between each ligament state was significantly different (p < 0.001) and also when compared across each knee angle (p < 0.001). At 30° for an isolated LCL injury, the average lateral opening was 10.1 mm. For a combined LCL and PLC (popliteus tendon and popliteofibular ligament) injury, the average lateral opening was 12.9 mm. For LCL-, PLC- and ACL-deficient knees, there was average lateral opening of 16.5 mm. LCL and combined lateral ligamentous injuries can be differentiated during arthroscopy with varus stress. This may be useful when deciding if there is a need for operative repair of any injured lateral ligamentous structures.
Racial/Ethnic Income Inequality Responses to a Government Maintenance Program in the United States

In this study, the authors investigate the income inequality responses of Blacks, Whites, and Hispanics in the United States to the income maintenance program Temporary Assistance for Needy Familie...
African American Men With Very Low–Risk Prostate Cancer Exhibit Adverse Oncologic Outcomes After Radical Prostatectomy: Should Active Surveillance Still Be an Option for Them?

Purpose Active surveillance (AS) is a treatment option for men with very low–risk prostate cancer (PCa); however, favorable outcomes achieved for men in AS are based on cohorts that under-represent African American (AA) men. To explore whether race-based health disparities exist among men with very low–risk PCa, we evaluated oncologic outcomes of AA men with very low–risk PCa who were candidates for AS but elected to undergo radical prostatectomy (RP).
Glucose-dependent Insulinotropic Polypeptide Mediated Signaling Pathways Enhance Apical PepT1 Expression in Intestinal Epithelial Cells

We have shown recently that glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP), but not glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) augments H+ peptide cotransporter (PepT1)-mediated peptide absorption in murine jejunum. While we observed that inhibiting cAMP production decreased this augmentation of PepT1 activity by GIP, it was unclear whether PKA and/or other regulators of cAMP signaling pathway(s) were involved. This study utilized tritiated glycyl-sarcosine [3H-glycyl-sarcosine (Gly-Sar), a relatively nonhydrolyzable dipeptide] uptake to measure PepT1 activity in CDX2-transfected IEC-6 (IEC-6/CDX2) cells, an absorptive intestinal epithelial cell model. Similar to our earlier observations with mouse jejunum, GIP but not GLP-1 augmented Gly-Sar uptake (control vs. +GIP: 154 ± 22 vs. 454 ± 39 pmol/mg protein; P < 0.001) in IEC-6/CDX2 cells. Rp-cAMP (a PKA inhibitor) and wortmannin [phosophoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) inhibitor] pretreatment completely blocked, whereas neither calphostin C (a potent PKC inhibitor) nor BAPTA (an intracellular Ca2+ chelator) pretreatment affected the GIP-augmented Gly-Sar uptake in IEC-6/CDX2 cells. The downstream metabolites Epac (control vs. Epac agonist: 287 ± 22 vs. 711 ± 80 pmol/mg protein) and AKT (control vs. AKT inhibitor: 720 ± 50 vs. 75 ± 19 pmol/mg protein) were shown to be involved in GIP-augmented PepT1 activity as well. Western blot analyses revealed that both GIP and Epac agonist pretreatment enhance the PepT1 expression on the apical membranes, which is completely blocked by wortmannin in IEC-6/CDX2 cells. These observations demonstrate that both cAMP and PI3K signaling pathways augment GIP-induced peptide uptake through Epac and AKT-mediated pathways in intestinal epithelial cells, respectively. In addition, these observations also indicate that both Epac and AKT-mediated signaling pathways increase apical membrane expression of PepT1 in intestinal absorptive epithelial cells.
Exploration of twin-arginine translocation for expression and purification of correctly folded proteins in Escherichia coli.

Historically, the general secretory (Sec) pathway of Gram‐negative bacteria has served as the primary route by which heterologous proteins are delivered to the periplasm in numerous expression and engineering applications. Here we have systematically examined the twin‐arginine translocation (Tat) pathway as an alternative, and possibly advantageous, secretion pathway for heterologous proteins. Overall, we found that: (i) export efficiency and periplasmic yield of a model substrate were affected by the composition of the Tat signal peptide, (ii) Tat substrates were correctly processed at their N‐termini upon reaching the periplasm and (iii) proteins fused to maltose‐binding protein (MBP) were reliably exported by the Tat system, but only when correctly folded; aberrantly folded MBP fusions were excluded by the Tat pathway's folding quality control feature. We also observed that Tat export yield was comparable to Sec for relatively small, well‐folded proteins, higher relative to Sec for proteins that required cytoplasmic folding, and lower relative to Sec for larger, soluble fusion proteins. Interestingly, the specific activity of material purified from the periplasm was higher for certain Tat substrates relative to their Sec counterparts, suggesting that Tat expression can give rise to relatively pure and highly active proteins in one step.
Coevaporated Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu Oxide Films and Their Patterning Film Fabrication of Artificial (BiO)/(SrCaCuO) Layered Structure

Initially, after the discovery of high Tc superconducting materials, most of the studies were confined to yttrium based 1-2-3 compounds. However, Bi and Tl based compounds are attracting the attention of many investigators recently because of their relatively lower sensitivity to oxygen and easy annealing1. In addition to a semiconducting phase2, these compounds have multiple superconducting phases with transition temperatures between 85 and 110 K. Various approaches to obtaining high T, superconducting BiCaSrCu oxide films have been reported. These include electron beam coevaporation3, ion and reactive ion beam deposition4–5, multisource magnetron sputtering6, spin—on coating7 and laser ablation8. For applications in electronics, another important aspect is the patterning of thin superconducting films. Numerous papers have been published regarding the patterning of yttrium based 1-2-3 films by wet chemical etching9, ion beam etching10 and laser ablation11, but there are only a few papers on the patterning of Bi based compounds. In this paper we report the results of the fabrication of BiSrCaCu oxide superconducting thin films by coevaporation of CaF2, SrF2, Bi and Cu followed by a post—deposition annealing in wet oxygen; and their patterning by wet chemical etching.
Capillary supercritical fluid chromatography with simultaneous flame ionization and mass spectrometric detection

Systeme a insertion directe de la colonne dans la source d'ions du spectrometre avec un separateur vers le detecteur a ionisation de flamme
Saul Bellow's "Likely Stories"

Although largely ignored by political scientists, Saul Bellow may be the most widely read proponent of Platonic political philosophy writing today. This essay delineates the dramatic parallels between the Republic and The Dean's December and demonstrates the relevance of the body of Bellow's work to the revival of classical political concepts.
Political Order and One-Party Rule

The second half of the twentieth century and the beginning of the twenty-first century have witnessed an unprecedented expansion of oneparty autocracies. One-party regimes have become the most common type of authoritarian rule and have proved to be more stable and to grow faster than other types of authoritarianism. We review the literature on one-party rule and, using data from 1950–2006, suggest four avenues for future research: focusing on autocrats’ ability to simultaneously minimize threats from the elites and from the masses; focusing on the conditions that foster the establishment and the collapse of oneparty regimes and on transitions from one type of authoritarianism to another; focusing on the relationship between authoritarian elections and democratization; and focusing on the global and international forces that influence the spread of one-party rule.