cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Porphyromonas gingivalis RagB is a proinflammatory signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 agonist.

Summary Periodontal diseases are semi-ubiquitous and caused by chronic, plaque-induced inflammation. The 55-kDa immunodominant RagB outer membrane protein of Porphyromonas gingivalis, a keystone periodontal pathogen, has been proposed to facilitate nutrient transport. However, potential interactions between RagB and the innate response have not been examined. We determined that RagB exposure led to the differential and dose-related expression of multiple genes encoding proinflammatory mediators [interleukin-1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and CCL2; all P < 0.05] in primary human monocytes and to the secretion of tumor necrosis factor and IL-8, but not interferon-γ or IL-12. RagB was shown to be a Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) and TLR4 agonist that activated signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 and nuclear factor-κB signaling, as determined by a combination of blocking antibodies, pharmaceutical inhibitors and gene silencing. In keeping, a ΔragB mutant similarly exhibited reduced inflammatory capacity, which was rescued by ragB complementation. These results suggest that RagB elicits a major pro-inflammatory response in primary human monocytes and, therefore, could play an important role in the etiology of periodontitis and systemic sequelae.
An experimental study of the pressure effect of a translating high aspect ratio particle in a plane slider bearing

Abstract An experimental apparatus is used to measure the transient pressure in a slider bearing as a high aspect ratio two-dimensional particle of rectangular profile passes through the fluid film. The apparatus measures pressure at a particular location in the bearing and simultaneously measures the particle's displacement with respect to its initial location. Results are presented to demonstrate the effect of particle location on the pressure in the bearing. The measurements show a disturbance which develops in the pressure field in the region of the particle location. The data are compared with theoretical and experimental results which have been previously presented. Theoretical restrictions are that the particle is long relative to the gap size and the bearing is long relative to the particle thickness. Unless these restrictions are adhered to, the theory over-predicts the magnitude of the disturbance.
Export of nitrogen, phosphorus, and suspended solids from a southern New England watershed to Little Narragansett Bay.

The Pawcatuck River watershed (764 km2) is a mainly forested drainage basin with a low population density (80 people km−2) that discharges to a shallow estuary, Little Narragansett Bay (RI and CT, USA). In order to quantify the nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) flux to the estuary, we measured all forms of nitrogen and phosphorus, as well as suspended solids at the mouth of the river above tidal influence, on more than 80 occasions over an annual cycle. The annual export of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids amounted to 16.0×106 mol y−1, 0.97×106 mol y−1, and 1.4×106 kg y−1, respectively. Nitrogen export was equally divided between dissolved inorganic (83% NO3 −) and organic forms, with particulate nitrogen comprising 17% of the total flux. Phosphorus export was dominated by particulate forms (67%), with dissolved inorganic phosphate contributing 30% and dissolved organic phosphorus contributing 8% of the annual flux. Preliminary nutrient budgets for the Pawcatuck watershed suggest that only about 10% of the nitrogen and phosphorus inputs are exported from the system. Strong regressions between water discharge and TN enabled us to extrapolate the data collected during the relatively dry study period to a long term average discharge year. Under normal river discharge conditions, the N flux would be approximately 26.0×106 mol y−1 or about 20% of the nitrogen inputs to the watershed. This value is very close to the N flux predicted by a regression developed by others from a wide range of larger watersheds. The relatively large size of the Pawcatuck watershed relative to the estuary (9.6 km2), makes Little Narragansett Bay one of the most intensively nitrogen loaded estuaries on the Atlantic coast in spite of the dominant forest cover of the watershed.
Deterministic Phase Retrieval and the Fractional Talbot Effect

Phase-space tomography and related deterministic phase retrieval methods are investigated in the context of coherent self-imaging. The periodicity of the complex signal is used to establish relationships for accurate and unique signal recovery.
Series compensated open-winding PM generator wind generation system

This paper presents a new wind power generation system utilizing an open-winding permanent magnet synchronous generator (PMSG). A diode rectifier is used for the major portion of power conversion process. In addition, the proposed system controls the generated power by using an auxiliary voltage source inverter located at the neutral of the generator. The VA rating of the auxiliary inverter is only a fraction of the system rated power. Compared to wind power systems utilizing a PWM rectifier or diode rectifier having a DC/DC boost converter, the converter cost can be considerably reduced. In addition, the generator underutilization issue in a conventional diode rectifier fed wind power system can also be solved.
Self-assembly of one-dimensional coordination polymers from M(II) salts (M=Co, Cd) and flexible ligand 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane

Abstract Reaction of Co(NO3)2 or Cd(NO3)2 with 1,3-bis(4-pyridyl)propane (or bpp) in a mixture of benzene and methanol generates one-dimensional (1-D) coordination polymers [Co(bpp)2(NO3)2]·2C6H6 (1) and [Cd(bpp)2(NO3)2]·2C6H6 (2). The isostructural 1 and 2 crystallize in monoclinic space group P 1 . The polymeric framework in 1 or 2 is neutral in which the metal ions have an octahedral geometry and are bridged by two bpp ligands. The six-coordination of Co(II) or Cd(II) is satisfied by its binding two nitrate ions in addition to the four pyridyl nitrogen atoms from four different bpp ligands.
Extraction of Distinctive Antigens from Neoplastic Tissue

Antigens have been obtained from HeLa and J111 cells by treatment with fluorocarbon. Cross absorption studies revealed that the antigen from HeLa cells had no serologic relationship to normal human uterus. Antibody for HeLa extract coated red blood cells was found in 25 percent of the sera from patients with malignant diseases.
Evidence of photoreduction in thermal oxides formed on chromium

Abstract Cr 6+ , formed as CrO 3 along with Cr 2 O 3 during the oxidation of pure chromium, is shown to reduce to Cr 4+ (as CrO 2 ) in the course of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. Chromate which formed as a result of surface hydration of the oxide film was less affected by irradiation. Estimates have been made of the amounts of CrO 3 and CrO 4 2− present in the oxide film prior to irradiation.
The role of the family physician in the care of the child with cancer

Cancer in the child is no longer a death sentence. Although the treatment has become complex, the survival rate has increased impressively. Modern treatment involves a multidisciplinary approach, which should include the primary physician as a key member of the highly skilled treatment team.
Differential Regulation of Macropinocytosis by Abi1/Hssh3bp1 Isoforms

Background: Macropinocytosis, which is a constitutive cellular process of fluid and macromolecule uptake, is regulated by actin cytoskeleton rearrangements near the plasma membrane. Activation of Rac1, which is proposed to act upstream of the actin polymerization regulatory Wave 2 complex, has been found to correlate with enhanced macropinocytosis. One of the components of the Wave 2 complex is Abi1. Multiple, alternatively spliced isoforms of Abi1 are expressed in mammalian cells, but the functional significance of the various isoforms is unknown. Principal Findings: Here, using flow cytometric assay analysis for Alexa Fluor 647, we demonstrate that Abi1 isoforms 2 and 3 differentially regulate macropinocytosis. LNCaP cells expressing isoform 3 had increased macropinocytic uptake that correlated with enhanced cell spreading and higher Rac1 activation in comparison to cells expressing isoform 2. Isoform 2 expressing cells had decreased macropinocytic uptake, but demonstrated greater sensitivity to Rac1 activation. Moreover, more isoform 2 was localized within the cytoplasm in comparison to isoform 3, which was more associated with the plasma membrane. Activated Rac1 was found to specifically bind to a site in exon 10 of isoform 2 in vitro. Because of alternative mRNA splicing, exon 10 is absent from isoform 3, precluding similar binding of activated Rac1. Both isoforms, however, bound to inactive Rac1 through the same non-exon 10 site. Thus, Abi1 isoform 3-containing Wave 2 complex exhibited a differential binding to activated vs. inactive Rac1, whereas isoform 2-containing Wave 2 complex bound activated or inactive Rac1 comparably. Conclusion: Based on these observations, we postulate that Abi1 isoforms differentially regulate macropinocytosis as a consequence of their different relative affinities for activated Rac1 in Wave 2 complex. These findings also raise the possibility that isoform-specific roles occur in other Abi1 functions.
The effect of chronic ethanol consumption on temperature-dependent physical properties of liver mitochondrial membranes☆

Abstract The effects of chronic ethanol consumption on the temperature dependence of the motion, order, and partition of spin probes were investigated in both intact rat mitochondrial membranes and phospholipid vesicles derived from those membranes. In intact membranes from chronic alcoholic animals an abrupt change in the order and motion parameters (5 doxylstearic acid), as well as in the partition coefficient of 5-doxyldecane (5N10), occurs at about 26 °C, compared to 20 °C in the control. This shift in temperature parallels the shifts in Arrhenius plots of respiration and ATPase activities previously reported ( H. Rottenberg, D. E. Robertson, and E. Rubin, 1980, Lab. Invest. 42 , 318–326 ). Similar shifts are observed in vesicles prepared from extracted phospholipids, thus confirming the suggestion that these changes result from an alteration in molecular ordering of the lipid structure. Membranes and phospholipid vesicles from chronic alcoholic rats show significantly higher order parameters. Similarly, the partition coefficient of the nitroxydecane, 5N10, is lower in membranes from chronic alcoholic animals over the entire temperature range. These findings indicate increased rigidity of these membranes. While ethanol, in vitro , greatly enhances the partition of 5N10 into normal membranes, it has almost no effect on its partition into the membranes from chronic alcoholic rats. These findings, together with our recent observation that, at high temperature, membranes from chronic alcoholic animals are resistant to the disordering effect of ethanol ( A. J. Waring, H. Rottenberg, T. Ohnishi, and E. Rubin, 1981, Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA 78 , 2582–2586 ), may explain the resistance of these membranes to uncoupling by ethanol. We suggest that an adaptive adjustment of the phospholipid composition of mitochondrial membranes causes increased rigidity, which is manifested by shifts in the temperature dependence of the physical properties of the mitochondrial membranes from ethanol-fed rats. Although these adjustments tend to preserve adequate coupling efficiency in chronic alcoholic rats, they may also lead to many of the ethanol-induced mitochondrial alterations previously reported.
A Pilot Study of Mifepristone in Combat-Related PTSD

Background. We obtained pilot data to examine the clinical and neuroendocrine effects of short-term mifepristone treatment in male veterans with PTSD. Methods. Eight male veterans with military-related PTSD completed a randomized, double-blind trial of one week of treatment with mifepristone (600 mg/day) or placebo. The primary clinical outcome measures were improvement in PTSD symptoms and dichotomously defined clinical responder status as measured by the CAPS at one-month follow-up. Additional outcome measures included self-reported measures of PTSD symptom severity, CAPS-2 symptom subscale scores, and morning plasma cortisol and ACTH levels. Results. Mifepristone was associated with significant improvements in total CAPS-2 score. At one-month follow-up, all four veterans in the mifepristone group and one of four veterans in the placebo group achieved clinical response; three of four veterans in the mifepristone group and one of four veterans in the mifepristone group remitted. Mifepristone treatment was associated with acute increases in cortisol and ACTH levels and decreases in cytosolic glucocorticoid receptor number in lymphocytes. Conclusions. Further controlled trials of the effects of mifepristone and their durability are indicated in PTSD. If effective, a short-term pharmacological treatment in PTSD could have myriad uses.
Geometrical phases and symmetries in dissipative systems.

A geometrical phase is constructed for dissipative dynamical systems possessing continuous symmetries. It emerges as the natural analog of the holonomy associated with the adiabatic variation of parameters in quantum-mechanical and classical Hamiltonian systems. In continuous media, the physical manifestation of this phase is a spatial shift of a wave pattern, typically a translation or rotation. An illustration associated with pattern formation in fluids is provided.
Lymphocele after retroperitoneal node dissection for testis tumor.

A patient is presented in whom a lymphocele developed after a retroperitoneal lymph node dissection for Stage I1 embryonal carcinoma of the testicle. The benign nature of this lymphocele has been confirmed not only by the diagnostic procedures outlined, but by its stability over a 42-month follow-up period with no further antitumor therapy. We conclude from reviewing the literature that while aggressive measures are necessary to confirm the diagnosis of a lymphocele, its management should be expectant. If significant obstruction of neighboring structures occurs, an attempt at percutaneous drainage (and possibly sclerosis) seems appropriate despite potential risks of interventional treatment such as hemorrhge and introduction of infection. Open procedures for marsupialization and drainage should be reserved for cases in which more conservative measures fail. Cancer 57:871-874, 1986.
Generation of microwaves by mixing two optical frequencies in a nonlinear crystal: a novel approach to high-bandwidth optical mixers

Optical mixing of waves separated in frequency by many gigahertz can be accomplished by allowing the waves to mix in a nonlinear medium to generate microwave difference frequencies. This basis for high-bandwidth optical mixers is demonstrated by mixing optical frequencies approximately 4 GHz apart of a pulsed dye-laser beam at approximately 660 nm in a LiTaO(3) crystal to produce readily detectable microwave power at approximately 4 GHz.
Simulation of adaptive mechanisms in the vestibulo-ocular reflex

The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR), which stabilizes the eyes in space during head movements, can undergo adaptive modification to maintain retinal stability in response to natural or experimental challenges. A number of models and neural sites have been proposed to account for this adaptation but these do not fully explain how the nervous system can detect and correct errors in both gain and phase of the VOR. This paper presents a general error correction algorithm based on the multiplicative combination of three signals (retinal slip velocity, head position, head velocity) directly relevant to processing of the VOR. The algorithm is highly specific, requiring the combination of particular sets of signals to achieve compensation. It is robust, with essentially perfect compensation observed for all gain (0.25X---4.0X) and phase (-180°---+180°) errors tested. Output of the model closely resembles behavioral data from both gain and phase adaptation experiments in a variety of species. Imposing physiological constraints (no negative activation levels or changes in the sign of unit weights) does not alter the effectiveness of the algorithm. These results suggest that the mechanisms implemented in our model correspond to those implemented in the brain of the behaving organism. Predictions concerning the nature of the adaptive process are specific enough to permit experimental verification using electrophysiological techniques. In addition, the model provides a strategy for adaptive control of any first order mechanical system.
Stimulus-dependent myristoylation of a major substrate for protein kinase C.

Bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the major surface component of gram-negative bacteria, exerts a profound effect on the immune system by enhancing the release of proteins and arachidonic acid metabolites from macrophages (for review see ref. 1). The molecular mechanism(s) by which LPS induces these various secretory responses is unknown. We previously reported that LPS promotes the myristoylation of several macrophage proteins including one with a relative molecular mass (Mr) of 68K2. We have now found that by several criteria the 68K myristoylated protein is similar or identical to the 80/87K protein, a major specific substrate for protein kinase C (PKC) found in brain and fibroblasts3–6 (for review see refs 7,8). We have also found that the myristoylated PKC substrate is quantitatively associated with the membrane fraction. Myristoylation of the PKC substrate may target it to the membrane and constitute a transduction pathway for stimulus-response coupling.
Trapezium implant arthroplasty: Evaluation of a semiconstrained implant

Twenty-five patients who presented with symptoms of disabling pain secondary to arthritis at the base of thumb had 29 arthroplasties with silicone rubber trapezium implants. Stabilization was achieved with tenodesis using a strip of abductor pollicis longus as described by Eaton. All patients had relief of pain after surgery. We examined 23 hands in 19 patients for follow-up. Average follow-up was 31 months. Assessment of functional status and measurements of prehensile capabilities showed that all patients had improved after surgery. Range of motion of the thumb was measured (radial abduction averaged 40°; 80% had full opposition). Average key pinch was 8 pounds. Stability of the implant was assessed with standard posteroanterior, lateral, and stress views of the trapeziometacarpal joint. Comparisons were made with previously reported results for Eaton and Swanson trapezium implants. The tenodesis effect may provide a more stable, although possibly less mobile, CMC joint of the thumb.
Evaluation of a Nonpeptidic Ligand for Imaging of Cholecystokinin 2 Receptor–Expressing Cancers

Tumor-specific targeting ligands were recently exploited to deliver both imaging and therapeutic agents selectively to cancer tissues in vivo. Because the cholecystokinin 2 receptor (CCK2R) is overexpressed in various human cancers (e.g., lung, medullary thyroid, pancreatic, colon, and gastrointestinal stromal tumors) but displays limited expression in normal tissues, natural ligands of CCK2R were recently explored for use in the imaging of CCK2R-expressing cancers. Unfortunately, the results from these studies revealed not only that the peptidic CCK2R ligands were unstable in vivo but also that the ligands that mediated good uptake by tumor tissues also promoted a high level of retention of the radioimaging agent in the kidneys, probably because of capture of the conjugates by peptide-scavenging receptors. In an effort to reduce the normal organ retention of CCK2R-targeted drugs, we synthesized a nonpeptidic ligand of CCK2R and examined its specificity for CCK2R both in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Nonpeptidic agonists and antagonists of CCK2R described in the literature were evaluated for their affinities and specificities for CCK2R. Z-360, a benzodiazepine-derived CCK2R antagonist with subnanomolar affinity, was selected for complexation to 99mTc via multiple spacers. After synthesis and purification, 4 complexes with different physicochemical properties were evaluated for binding to CCK2R-transfected HEK 293 cells. The best conjugate, termed CRL-3–99mTc, was injected into mice bearing CCK2R tumor xenografts and examined by γ scintigraphy and SPECT/CT. The uptake of the conjugate in various organs was also quantified by tissue resection and γ counting. Results: CRL-3–99mTc was shown to bind with low nanomolar affinity to CCK2R in vitro and was localized to tumor tissues in athymic nu/nu mice implanted with CCK2R-expressing tumors. At 4 h after injection, tumor uptake was measured at 12.0 ± 2.0 percentage injected dose per gram of tissue. Conclusion: Because the uptake of CRL-3–99mTc by nonmalignant tissues was negligible and retention in the kidneys was only transient, we suggest that CRL-3–99mTc may be a useful radioimaging agent for the detection, sizing, and monitoring of CCK2R-expressing tumors.
Pediatric Cardiovascular Embolization Therapy

Transcatheter embolization of superfluous vascular structures has assumed an important role in pediatric interventional cardiology. A variety of devices and materials are being used to treat an increasing number of unwanted arterial, venous, and surgically created vascular connections. In general, the occlusion techniques are simple, the results are good, and the complication rates are low. The current indications, devices, materials, methods, applications, and results of pediatric cardiovascular embolization therapy are described.
Hyperparathyrodism and pancreatitis during pregnancy

Although the simultaneous occurrence of hyperparathyroidism and pancreatitis during pregnancy is rare, several points should be emphasized. Early recognition and treatment are essential. Pancreatitis should be kept in the differential diagnosis of unexplained nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain during pregnancy. Hyperparathyroidism should always be included in the differential diagnosis of pancreatitis. Finally, the second trimester is the optimal period for surgical intervention.
A model of the platelet factor 4 complex with heparin.

A model of heparin bound to bovine platelet factor 4 (BPF4) was completed using a graphically designed heparin molecule and the crystallographic coordinates of the native bovine platelet factor 4 tetramer. The oligosaccharides had a chain length of at least eight disaccharide units with the major repeating disaccharide unit consisting of (I→4)-O-(α-L-idopyranosyluronic acid 2-sulfate)-(l→4)-(2-deoxy-2-sulfamino-2-D-glucopyra-nosyl 6-sulfate). Each disaccharide unit carried a −4.0 charge. The structure of BPF4 was solved to 2.6 A resolution with R = 0.237. Each monomer of BPF4 contains an α-helix lying across 3 strands of antiparallel β-sheet. Each helix has four lysines, which have been implicated in heparin binding. These lysine residues are predominantly on one side of the helix and are solvent accessible. Electrostatic calculations performed on the BPF4 tetramer show a ring of strong, positive charge which runs perpendicularly across the helices. Included in this ring of density is His-38, which has been shown by NMR to have a large pKa shift when heparin binds to BPF4. Our model of heparin bound to PF4 has the anionic polysaccharide perpendicular to the α-helices, wrapped about the tetramer along the ring of positive charge, and salt linked to all four lysines on the helix of each monomer. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Surface Modification of Silicon Nanocrystallites by Alcohols

Room-temperature addition of 1-undecanol (UD-OH), 1-hexadecanol (HD-OH), 1-octanol (OC-OH), and 1,12-dodecanediol DD-(OH)2 completely quenched the photoluminescence of silicon nanocrystallites, Si-nc. Heating Si-nc with UD-OH, HD-OH, and OC−OH resulted in the partial recovery of the photoluminescence and in the formation of 1−10 nm diameter alcohol capped Si-nc: Si-nc-O-UD, Si-nc-O-HD, and Si-nc-O-OC. Heating Si-nc with DD-(OH)2 also restored partially the photoluminescence and TEM and AFM images indicated the formation of diol interconnected, 100−800 nm diameter silicon nanoparticle agglomerates, Si-nc-O-DD-O-nc-Si.
Photon-stimulated desorption from rare earth oxides☆

Abstract Resonances in the photon-stimulated desorption (PSD) spectra of praseodymium, samarium, erbium, thulium and ytterbium oxides are reported at photon energies near their 4d edges. These resonances, which are also seen in soft X-ray absorption (SXA), arise from excitations of 4d electrons to the 4f shell. Comparisons of SXA and PSD show how PSD can be used to determine surface valency.
A Primer on Propensity Score Analysis

This article discusses the role that propensity score analysis can play in assessing the effects of interventions. It mostly focuses on identifying the range of solutions to practical problems that occur in propensity score analysis, especially with regard to propensity score construction (logistic regression, classification trees, ensemble methods), balancing (significance tests, other metrics), and analysis (matching, stratifying, weighting, covariance). Throughout, the article will identify particularly important or common pitfalls that need to be avoided in these analyses. The article ends with a discussion of the comparative advantages and disadvantages of propensity scores compared to alternative analytic and design options.
Encoding-decoding of nonverbal emotional messages: Sex differences in spontaneous and enacted expressions

Male and female encoding-decoding of spontaneous and enacted nonverbal affective behavior was evaluated using the Buck (1977) slide-viewing paradigm. The eliciting stimuli were carefully selected and evaluated to insure a comparable emotional impact on both sexes, and all subjects received the same decoding task. Consistent with previous research, females were superior decoders overall. Also as predicted, females were superior encoders, principally when reacting spontaneously to the slides. Given no evidence of differential affective arousal, this sex difference for spontaneous encoding is interpreted to reflect differences in male-female display rules. Contrary to several previous findings spontaneous and enacted encoding measures were not strongly related, especially for males, where display rules may modify their spontaneous and enacted expressive behavior in comparison to females. There was no consistent positive or negative relationship between dimensional or category measures of encoding-decoding for either sex. Future investigations should separately evaluate encoding-decoding phenomena for each sex, employing more precise methods to evaluate the specific nonverbal behaviors actually important to the encoding-decoding communication process.
ELEVATIONAL GRADIENTS IN DIVERSITY OF SMALL MAMMALS

A global analysis of elevational diversity trends for nonvolant small mammals revealed a clear pattern of mid-elevational peaks in species richness. Fifty-six data sets were used to test the predictions of a null model (the mid-domain effect) and climatic hypotheses. Very few data sets fit entirely within the predictions of the null model, and the average predictive power of the null model was low. Regional (gamma) diversity fit the null model better than did local (alpha) diversity. Diversity peaked at higher elevations on taller mountains, consistent with climatic factors producing elevationally correlated habitat bands (Massenerhebung effect). This positive, linear relationship was documented for all data sets but was particularly pronounced for alpha diversity. Gamma diversity, which is generally highly influenced by area, exhibited a trend of highest diversity shifting toward lower elevations, and higher elevational peaks in species diversity at higher latitudes. The elevation of temperate diversity peaks exhibited a negative association with latitude. These results are evidence for the importance of a suite of interacting climatic, area, and geometric factors on elevational diversity patterns, apparent in spite of noise associated with different sampling techniques, localities, and historical pressures.
Determination of Yield Surfaces for Isotropic Non-Cohesive Particulate Materials by the Discrete Element Method

We perform numerical simulations using the discrete element method (DEM) to determine yield surfaces for large samples of randomly packed uniform spheres with constant normal and tangential contact stiffnesses (linear spring model) and uniform inter-particle friction coefficient μ, for a large range of values of the inter-particle friction coefficient μ. The beauty of DEM is that the micromechanical properties of the spheres, especially the inter-particle friction coefficient μ, are known exactly. Further, simulations can be performed with particle rotation either prohibited or unrestrained, which provides an effective means for evaluating analytical models that employ these assumptions. We compare the resulting yield surfaces to the Mohr–Coulomb, Matsuoka–Nakai, Lade–Duncan, and Drucker–Prager yield surfaces, and determine the relationship between the resulting material friction angle ϕ on the macroscale and the inter-particle friction coefficient μ (or the inter-particle friction angle ϕ μ ) on the microscale. We find the Lade–Duncan yield surface provides the best agreement, by far, with the simulations in all cases. We also monitor inter-particle friction work and particle rotation within each specimen during the DEM simulations, both globally and on a particle-by-particle basis, and we compare the results obtained from DEM simulations in which the spheres were allowed full three-dimensional translational and rotational freedom of motion and DEM simulations in which particle rotation was prohibited.
Chemoimmunotherapy Reinduction With Epratuzumab in Children With Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia in Marrow Relapse: A Children's Oncology Group Pilot Study

Purpose To determine the tolerability and serum concentration of epratuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting CD22, administered alone and in combination with reinduction chemotherapy in children with relapsed acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and to preliminarily assess tumor targeting and efficacy.
Breast Cancer Bone Metastases: It’s All about the Neighborhood

In order to establish themselves in distal sites, metastatic cancer cells need to acquire organ-specific traits. Zhang et al. provide evidence in breast cancer that a tumor cell's acquisition of properties for successful bone metastasis is influenced by signals from the stroma of the primary tumor.
Multizone accretional evolution of planetesimal swarms

The general features of a new numerical simulation of planetesimal accretion which models multiple heliocentric distance zones, together with a detailed model for the planetesimal size and orbital distribution in each zone, are described. A restricted version of this model which allows only a single heliocentric distance zone has been used to test the validity of the code by comparing with results from earlier authors when the same physical phenomena are included. Generally, very good agreement is found.
Utility of frozen section analysis on follicular lesions of the thyroid.

The experience of one surgeon (R.H.) with intraoperative frozen sections (FS) performed on thyroid nodules over a 10-year period was studied to assess the utility of FS in follicular thyroid lesions. One hundred and ten patients with dominant or solitary nodules demonstrating a follicular growth pattern were evaluated. The FS slides and subsequently the permanent sections of the nodules were reviewed by the pathologists in the study (M.P.B., VAL.) without knowledge of the original diagnoses. Our results indicate: (1) if the FS was definitively benign (58 patients), the final diagnosis was benign [these lesions consisted of adenomatous nodule, nodular goiter, follicular adenoma, and Hurthle cell adenoma); (2) if an FS diagnosis of malignancy was rendered (4 patients), it was confirmed on permanent sections (follicular variant of papillary carcinoma in all 4); and (3) if the FS diagnosis was deferred (48 patients), the final diagnosis was benign in all but 10 (21 %) (of these 10, 6 had minimally invasive follicular carcinoma [2 of the Hurthle cell type], and 4 had follicular variants of papillary carcinoma). Overall, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy rates for FS diagnoses were 29, 100, and 91%. Because unilateral lobectomy may be acceptable therapy for well-differentiated thyroid cancers, and because the efficiency of FS evaluation in diagnosing malignancy is low (only 4 malignancies of 110 total patients were diagnosed at FS, or 3.6% overall), we conclude that in this era of cost-containment, FS is not useful in the evaluation of follicular thyroid nodules identified preoperatively as follicular lesions by fine-needle aspiration cytology. Several recommendations concerning the 3 categories of FS diagnosis (i.e., definitively benign, definitively malignant—especially the follicular variant of papillary carcinoma—and deferred) are also put forward.
Oral contraceptive use and risk of breast carcinoma in situ (United States).

Our study assesses the impact of oral contraceptive use on breast carcinoma in-situ (BCIS) risk. We conducted a population based case–control study of incident BCIS among black and white women ages 35–64 years residing in Los Angeles County. Case patients (n = 567) were newly diagnosed with BCIS and control participants (n = 614) were identified by random digit dialing between 1 March 1995 and 31 May 1998. All subjects were required to have had a mammogram in the 2 years before case diagnosis or control recruitment. Data were collected during in-person interviews. Multivariable logistic regression analyses provide estimates of odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Oral contraceptive use was not associated with risk of BCIS (OR = 1.04, 95% CI (0.76–1.42)). Risk did not increase with longer periods of use. No associations with BCIS risk were observed for oral contraceptive use before first term pregnancy, age at first oral contraceptive use, or for time since last use. Risk was not modified by estrogen dose, age, race, or parity. Our results are consistent with recent results on invasive breast cancer reported for the Women’s Contraceptive and Reproductive Experiences Study and show no association between oral contraceptive use and risk of BCIS.
Spiral laser beams in inhomogeneous media

Explicit solutions of the inhomogeneous paraxial wave equation in a linear and quadratic approximation are applied to wave fields with invariant features, such as oscillating laser beams in a parabolic waveguide and spiral light beams in varying media. A similar effect of superfocusing of particle beams in a thin monocrystal film, harmonic oscillations of cold trapped atoms, and motion in magnetic field are also mentioned.
Can Marxism Explain America's Racism?

The Marxist interpretation of the black experience in America has always had difficulty explaining various noneconomic aspects of racism and the presence of racism within the working class. With the development of post-World War II capitalism, Marxism seems unable to concede and intellectually incorporate an economics of uselessness in which large numbers of blacks are permanently unemployed. Many blacks who are also highly critical of capitalism have come to reject a class analysis which blames capitalists for the racism within the white working class. Yet, by understanding more fully the labor process within capitalism, it is possible to incorporate an explanation of working-class racism within another type of class analysis.
Effects of Dietary Functional Ingredients and Irradiation on the Quality of Cooked Turkey Breast Meat during Storage

: Patties were prepared using the breast meat from 15-wk-old turkeys fed one of the 8 dietary treatments [Con, control; VE, 200 IU/kg vitamin E; Se, 0.3 mg/kg selenium; CLA, 2.5% conjugated linoleic acids; VE + Se, 200 IU/kg vitamin E + 0.3 mg/kg selenium; VE + CLA, 200 IU/kg vitamin E + 2.5% CLA; Se + CLA, 0.3 mg/kg selenium + 2.5% CLA; VE + Se + CLA, 200 IU/kg vitamin E + 0.3 mg/kg selenium + 2.5% CLA] for 4 wk. Patties were vacuum-packaged in oxygen-impermeable bags, and then irradiated with 0 or 1.5 kGy. Irradiated breast meats were cooked and vacuum-packaged or aerobically packaged, and the quality of meat was evaluated after 0 and 7 d of storage at 4 °C. Dietary VE + Se, VE + CLA, Se + CLA, and VE + Se + CLA treatments reduced lipid oxidation of cooked irradiated (1.5 kGy) turkey breast meat by 24%, 29%, 26%, and 40%, respectively, compared to that of the control after 7 d of storage under aerobic conditions. Dietary treatments had no influences on the color of nonirradiated cooked turkey breast. However, dietary VE and Se decreased the internal a* value of irradiated meats in vacuum packaging at days 0 and 7, and the effect was even greater when VE and Se were combined with CLA. Dietary VE, Se, and CLA combinations significantly reduced the production of volatiles, especially those related to lipid oxidation. Dietary VE + Se, VE + CLA, and VE + Se + CLA reduced the difference in sulfur-containing compounds between irradiated and nonirradiated meat. Aerobic packaging was more effective than vacuum packaging in reducing sulfur-containing compounds. Therefore, dietary VE, Se, and CLA combinations plus aerobic packaging were effective in reducing the odor problems induced by irradiation.
Distribution of gland‐like structures in human gallbladder adenocarcinomas possesses fractal dimension

Background and objectives Epithelial cells form tissue patterns of higher order such as gland-like structures. A question arises whether distribution of those patterns in adenocarcinomas is subject to certain regularity. Methods Due to the pilot nature of this study, gallbladder adenocarcinomas were preselected by histopathological, immunohistochemical, and morphometric analysis to ensure relative homogeneity of the patterns analyzed. A box-counting method was applied to investigate a relationship between a number of gland-like structures and a radius of the expanding family of the concentric circles. Results The coefficient of linear regression characterizing that relationship possesses noninteger value. It is 1. 585 (well-differentiated adenocarcinomas, standard deviation (SD) = 0.038, n = 100 sections), and 1.340 (moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, SD = 0.044, n = 100 sections). While both nuclear area and nucleo-cytoplasmic ratio in those tissues remain within a similar range (Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), F(0) = 0.791 F(alpha) = 0.693, n = 100 sections, P = 2 x 10(-3)). Also, variablity of fractal dimension between tumor sections is significant (moderately differentiated adenocarcinomas, F(0) = 1.9856 > F(alpha) = 1.4262, n = 100 sections, P = 0.189). Conclusions There is fractal regularity in distribution of gland-like structures in human gallbladder adenocarcinomas. Fractal dimension is a holistic parameter which can be applied to evaluate tumor grading in a quantitative manner.
Microbial Production of Glucose Oxidase

Productivity of extracellular glucose oxidase was examined for various microorganisms and it was found in strains belonging to genus Penicillium except one species of Tallalomyces. As the best glucose oxidase producer, Penicillium purpurogenum No. 778 was isolated from natural source. This microorganism produced 32, 000 units per ml broth of glucose oxidase in a simple medium containing beet molasses, NaNO3 and KH2PO4 by submerged culture for 3 days. That value was about 10-times of that of Penicillium amagasakiense which has been known as an excellent glucose oxidase producer. Culture conditions for glucose oxidase production were examined, which were extremely different among microbial species. In the case of Penicillium chrysogenum AJ 7007 and Penicillium purpurogemun No. 778, the effects of aeration and carbon sources were remarkably different from each other. Penicillium purpurogenum No. 778 produces catalase sufficiently in a culture broth for glucose oxidase application in food industry. Glucose oxidase was purified about 25-fold from culture supernatants of Penicillium purpurogenum No. 778, and some properties of the enzyme were examined. The optimum temperature and pH for the activity were 35°C and 5.0, respectively. The enzyme was stable at pH 5.0 to 7.0 when it was incubated at 40°C for 2 hr, while it was stable at temperature lower than 50°C when incubated at pH 5.6 for 15min. The enzyme was specific for D-glucose and apparent Michaelis constant for D-glucse was 12.5mM. The enzyme was inhibited by 1mM of HgCl2, CuSO4, NaHSO4 and phenylhydrazine, but not inhibited by 1mM of p-hydroxy-mercuribenzoate, EDTA, hydroxylamine and dimedone. Four percents NaCl inhibited the activity about 50%, while the addition of ethanol (from 0 to 16%) increased oxygen uptake more than that expected from the peroxidase activity of catalase.
The decomposition of phthalate esters in soil

Abstract Factors affecting the decomposition of carboxyl‐labelled (14C) phthalic acid (PA), monobutyl phthalate (MBP), and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) were studied in soil incubation experiments conducted under labortory conditions. A lag phase of 10 to 20 days occurred before soil microbes initiated metabolism of MBP and DBP while PA was rapidly decomposed. Approximately 90% of DBP added to soils at rates of 0.1 to 0.4% was decomposed within 80 days under both aerobic and anaerobic conditions. Decomposition of DBP was enhanced in soils by increasing soil pH from 5.2 to 7.0, by adding organic matter, and by elevating the temperature from 23°C to 30°C. Varying soil characteristics and the simultaneous addition of ammonium, CaCO3 or sewage sludge had little effect on the rate or extent of DBP degradation. The addition of DBP in sewage sludge or other waste materials to soils should not pose a long‐term persistence problem.
The Undecidability of the Existence of Zeros of Real Elementary Functions

From Richardson's undecidability results, it is shown that the predictive “there exists a real number r such that G(r) = 0” is recursively undecidable for G(x) in a class of functions which involves polynomials and the sine function. The deduction follows that the convergence of a class of improper integrals is recursively undecidable.
Human Resource Management in European Public Services Ambiguities, Tensions, and Contradictions in the Reform Process

This collection of articles spread over two issues of the Review of Public Personnel Administration consists of eight case studies reporting and analyzing new human resource management (HRM) practices in selected European public services. Collectively, they cover staff communication and consultation, job satisfaction, HRM reforms and organizational performance, learning and development, and public services as employers of choice. Individually, these studies examine changes in the managing of people at different levels of government— centrally, regionally, and locally. The significance of each case is that it is linked with public management reforms, or modernization of public services, so each provides some insights into the interactions between developments in HRM and the modernization process. These articles also highlight some of the ambiguities, tensions, and contradictions inherent in the reform process. It is these ambiguities, tensions, and contradictions that have to be managed by public managers,...
Dynamical Characteristics of the Linear Rolling Guide with Numerical Simulation and Experiment

Research results will be different when the boundary condition is changed. In this work, the finite element model of the linear rolling guide of the NC machine tool is established. Then the natural frequencies and the corresponding vibration modals of the linear rolling guide model are obtained with two different boundary conditions. One boundary condition is that the movable joint surface of the linear rolling guide is considered, and regardless of the influence of the bolt joint surface of the guide. And another boundary condition is that the movable joint surface of the linear rolling guide and the influence of bolt joint surface of the guide are all considered. By comparing the modal characters of the two states, it is proved that the movable joint and bolted interfaces of the guide have certain effects on the dynamic performance of the linear rolling guide. For the experiment, the linear rolling guide also has been tested in two ways, the slider excited and the sliding guide excited respectively. Comparing the results obtained from numerical simulation and experiment, the validity of finite element model and the influence of the boundary conditions on the interface of the linear rolling guide are verified. This will help the dynamic analysis on the linear rolling guide and other research objects. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.11591/telkomnika.v11i1.1920
The GoodGuide to “Good” Coffee

Political empowerment, social justice, and environmental resilience are increasingly upheld alongside flavor and quality as criteria of “good” foods. However, these criteria cannot be simply assessed through taste tests—one cannot determine from a bite of chocolate whether the cacao it contains was tended by child slaves in the Ivory Coast or fairtrade farmers in Ghana. In order to reinvent these global commodities, to rediscover the small farmers hidden behind bulk purchasing and corporate branding, consumers today increasingly rely on a variety of twenty-first-century tools, technologies, and labels. This article explores one of these instruments, questioning the relative merits of the product rating system provided by GoodGuide, an internet-based tool designed to help consumers with product research, and comparing it to the fairtrade labels that are more familiar to most coffee drinkers. GoodGuide’s greatest strength is how it assesses a product from crop to cup, capturing multiple and diverse factors within global supply chains. However, in comparison to fairtrade labeling, GoodGuide employs quantitative metrics and opaque rating criteria that inadequately capture the complexity of smallholder coffee production in places like Guatemala. It also fails to promote food citizenship in a meaningful way. One key part of reinventing foods is intentionally placing people at the heart of the provisioning system. Therefore, it is important to question the extent to which new tools and technologies for assessing the relative “goodness” of foods promote food citizenship and food-related behaviors that support, rather than threaten, the development of a democratic, economically just, and environmentally sustainable food system.
Toward Ontology-Driven Omics Data Integration in Current Database Management Systems

To fully realize the benefit of ontology-driven “Omics” data integration, it is essential that database management systems (DBMSs) provide persistent storage and efficient concurrent access in a manner that leverages the emerging Semantic Web technologies. In this paper, we explore the current capabilities of existing DBMSs, such as Oracle’s database server, to meet the needs generated by the Semantic Web technologies. Our primary consideration is the new features provided by existing DBMSs to incorporate RDF, OWL, and SPARQL. We present a framework for this evaluation and lay the groundwork for subsequent benchmarking of the semantic-enabled DBMSs.
Modulation of myosin heavy chain turnover by spontaneous action potential generation in cultured dysgenic (mdg) muscle

Abstract Muscular dysgenesis (mdg) is an autosomal recessive mutation in which skeletal muscle excitation and contraction are uncoupled. In vitro, action potential generation triggers the morphological deterioration of dysgenic myotubes. Active dysgenic muscle is vacuolated and atrophied. Cellular degeneration is accompanied by a decrease in the amount of myosin heavy chain (MHC) accumulated in active mdg muscle compared to that accumulated in quiescent mdg muscle. A marked increase in the rate of MHC degradation primarily accounts for the relatively low quantities of MHC in cells generating action potentials. MHC synthesis is only slightly reduced in active cells.