cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Related Transcriptional Enhancer Factor-1 Isoform, TEAD4216, Can Repress Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Expression in Mammalian Cells

Increased cellular production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is responsible for the development and progression of multiple cancers and other neovascular conditions, and therapies targeting post-translational VEGF products are used in the treatment of these diseases. Development of methods to control and modify the transcription of the VEGF gene is an alternative approach that may have therapeutic potential. We have previously shown that isoforms of the transcriptional enhancer factor 1-related (TEAD4) protein can enhance the production of VEGF. In this study we describe a new TEAD4 isoform, TEAD4(216), which represses VEGF promoter activity. The TEAD4(216) isoform inhibits human VEGF promoter activity and does not require the presence of the hypoxia responsive element (HRE), which is the sequence critical to hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-mediated effects. The TEAD4(216) protein is localized to the cytoplasm, whereas the enhancer isoforms are found within the nucleus. The TEAD4(216) isoform can competitively repress the stimulatory activity of the TEAD4(434) and TEAD4(148) enhancers. Synthesis of the native VEGF(165) protein and cellular proliferation is suppressed by the TEAD4(216) isoform. Mutational analysis indicates that nuclear or cytoplasmic localization of any isoform determines whether it acts as an enhancer or repressor, respectively. The TEAD4(216) isoform appears to inhibit VEGF production independently of the HRE required activity by HIF, suggesting that this alternatively spliced isoform of TEAD4 may provide a novel approach to treat VEGF-dependent diseases.
American Indian Breastfeeding Attitudes and Practices in Minnesota

Objectives We examined the breastfeeding attitudes and practices in an American Indian population in Minnesota. Methods We interviewed women prenatally (n = 380), at 2-weeks (n = 342) and at 6-months postpartum (n = 256). We conducted multivariable analyses to examine the demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal correlates of breastfeeding initiation and duration. Results Factors positively associated with breastfeeding initiation included positive breastfeeding attitudes and social support for breastfeeding from the woman’s husband/boyfriend and her mother. Factors positively associated with breastfeeding at 2-weeks postpartum were support from the woman’s mother and positive attitudes about breastfeeding. The prenatal use of traditional American Indian medicines and cigarette smoking were both significantly associated with breastfeeding at 6-months postpartum. Conclusions Programs to encourage breastfeeding in American Indian communities may be strengthened with protocols to encourage social support, recognition of the perceived health, developmental, and practical benefits of breastfeeding, and a focus on traditional American Indian health practices.
The effect of taurine on the incorporation of thymidine by chick B cells

Abstract 1. 1. This study was conducted to determine the effect of extracellular taurine on chick B cell proliferation as measured by the incorporation of [ 3 H] thymidine. 2. 2. B cells were cultured in RPMI-1640 media containing bacterial lipopolysaccharide and either 0 or 100 μM taurine. 3. 3. Thymidine incorporation was significantly increased in the presence of 100 μM extracellular taurine. 4. 4. These results suggest a role for taurine in the chick B cell proliferation process.
COMPARISON OF THE METABOLIC EFFECTS OF DIFFERENT THYROID PREPARATIONS

Rapid onset of increased nitrogen excretion following the daily administration of desiccated thyroid and diminution of the catabolic effect immediately upon cessation of therapy appeared inconsistent with the concept that this thyroid preparation is slow to act and prolonged in its effect. Consequently the effects of single, large, physiologically-comparable doses of triiodothyronine, thyroxine and desiccated thyroid were studied in 6 myxedematous and in 2 cuthyroid subjects. All 3 preparations were similar with regard to rapidity and duration of action, as judged by such indices of metabolic acceleration as nitrogen excretion, BMR, serum cholesterol level and pulse rate. In the patients with myxedema, identical clinical responses followed treatment with triiodothyronine and thyroid. The differences in response, as determined by the various indices of metabolic acceleration, were more pronounced between the subjects than between the compounds. Triiodothyronine induced a minimal rise in the serum PBI level...
Point Probability Distributions of Frozen Soil

Abstract In some areas of the Pacific Northwest, frozen soils play a major role in surface runoff, soil erosion and sedimentation, but quantitative descriptions of the frequency and severity of soil frost are lacking. The temporal characteristics of frozen soil in north-central Oregon were quantified by using a soil frost simulation model to calculate the presence or absence of frozen soil over a 30-year time period. The soil frost model correctly predicted the presence or absence of soil frost 80% of the time for a 5-year field calibration period. November through March simulation results for a 30-year time period showed that frozen soil occurred every year, and the soil was frozen an average of 57 days per year. The highest incidence of frozen soil occurs during January when the soil is frozen 67% of the time followed closely by February (53%) and December (51%). The number of freeze-thaw cycles other than diurnal cycles varied from 1 to 7 per year with an average of 3 per year for the simulation period.
Multicasting in Generalized Multistage Interconnection Networks

Multistage interconnection networks (MIN) are popular in switching and communication applications. It is also well known as a hypercube derived architecture, offering a fixed-degree alternative to hypercube for a large class of applications. Message routing strategy in MIN is well known, however, multicasting issues for MIN has not been considered. This paper formulates the multicasting problem for MIN. We demonstrate that reordering the dimensions in MIN can lead to traffic reduced multicasting. This leads to the formulation of optimality criteria in MIN multicast operation. Traffic optimum multicasting in MIN is shown as a NP-Complete problem. We present a polynomial time greedy heuristic to generate traffic reduced multicast in MIN. The greedy approach generates a locally optimum solution. Analytical study and simulation results are presented showing the traffic reduction that can be obtained using our approach over traditional linearly ordered dimensions approach.
Influence of Dietary Calcium Level and Particle Size of Calcium Source on In Vivo Calcium Solubilization by Commercial Leghorns

Six experiments were conducted in which hens with oviposition times between 0730 h and 0930 h were intubated with limestone at different levels or particle sizes at time of oviposition. Feed was withdrawn from all hens approximately 15.5 to 17.5 h prior to intubation, and the same feed but without supplemental Ca was immediately returned after limestone intubation. Excrement of each hen was collected from intubation (oviposition) until the next oviposition (24 to 27 h duration) in all experiments except Experiment 4. In Experiment 4, excreta were collected for 25 h after first oviposition. Five hens prior to intubation of Ca source and all hens at termination of an experiment were killed, and the contents of the digestive system were collected. Excreta and digestive system contents were analyzed for total Ca and quantity of insolubilized limestone. Approximately 50% of the Ca found in the excreta from hens with 3.75 g Ca intake was recovered in the same form as ingested (limestone). Percentage of Ca solubilized in the digestive system decreased (P less than .05) as Ca intake increased. Although in vitro solubility of larger limestone particles (2 to 5 mm) was much less than smaller particles (.5 to .8 mm), percentage of Ca solubilized in the digestive system during the 25 h following intubation increased (P less than .05) as particle size increased, suggesting a greater retention time of the larger limestone particles in the gizzard.
The effect of transverse damage on the shear response of fiber reinforced laminates

Abstract Matrix damage, in the form of cracks parallel to the fiber due both to in-plane tensile loading perpendicular to the fibers and to in-plane shear loading, is a common failure mode for composite structures, yet little is known concerning their interaction. Past work has focused on experimental and analytical studies of axial and transverse stiffness reduction due to matrix cracks. By comparison, there is relatively little experimental work addressing shear modulus degradation from matrix damage. In this paper, a modified Isoipescu coupon is proposed to study the shear modulus degradation due to loading perpendicular to the fibers direction. The layup and coupon geometry were selected in a way that controls the severity of the damage and allows the measurement of shear and transverse stiffness degradation in the same coupon. The proposed method showed good agreement with results from tubular specimens and has advantages of simplified specimen fabrication using standard test fixtures. The results provided the first experimental comparison of shear modulus reduction, from transverse damage, to the predictive models. The results were compared with existing analytical and numerical models which over predicted the observed shear modulus reduction.
DNA vaccines against tropical parasitic diseases

Parasitic diseases caused by protozoan and helminth parasites are among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Unfortunately, at present, there is no vaccine against any human parasitic disease. Conventional vaccine methods have largely failed against parasitic infections. This is due, in part, to the complexity of the parasite life cycle, the ability of the parasite to evade the immune system, and difficulties in identifying and eliciting the desired protective immune responses. The discovery of DNA vaccines has renewed hope for vaccine development against parasites. In the last decade, DNA vaccines were successful in inducing at least partial protection against several parasitic diseases. This review discusses the latest developments in DNA vaccines against tropical parasitic diseases.
Ezrin/Radixin/Moesin Proteins Are High Affinity Targets for ADP-ribosylation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoS

Pseudomonas aeruginosa ExoS is a bifunctional type III-secreted cytotoxin. The N terminus (amino acids 96–233) encodes a GTPase-activating protein activity, whereas the C terminus (amino acids 234–453) encodes a factor-activating ExoS-dependent ADP-ribosyltransferase activity. The GTPase-activating protein activity inactivates the Rho GTPases Rho, Rac, and Cdc42 in cultured cells and in vitro, whereas the ADP-ribosylation by ExoS is poly-substrate-specific and includes Ras as an early target for ADP-ribosylation. Infection of HeLa cells with P. aeruginosa producing a GTPase-activating protein-deficient form of ExoS rounded cells, indicating the ADP-ribosyltransferase domain alone is sufficient to elicit cytoskeletal changes. Examination of substrates modified by type III-delivered ExoS identified a 70-kDa protein as an early and predominant target for ADP-ribosylation. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectroscopy identified this protein as moesin, a member of the ezrin/radixin/moesin (ERM) family of proteins. ExoS ADP-ribosylated recombinant moesin at a linear velocity that was 5-fold faster and with a Km that was 2 orders of magnitude lower than Ras. Moesin homologs ezrin and radixin were also ADP-ribosylated, indicating the ERMs collectively represent high affinity targets of ExoS. Type III delivered ExoS ADP-ribosylated moesin and ezrin (and/or radixin) in cultured HeLa cells. The ERM proteins contribute to cytoskeleton dynamics, and the ability of ExoS to ADP-ribosylate the ERM proteins links ADP-ribosylation with the cytoskeletal changes associated with ExoS intoxication.
Results of the study

Abstract This chapter presents and discusses the results of the study. The results are presented in three sections: results of the correlational analysis, results of the regression analysis, and results of the path analysis. In general the results suggest that family background is indirectly linked to GPA by virtue of its direct effect on study behaviors, verbal ability, and nonverbal ability. Similarly, the link between study behaviors and GPA is mediated through verbal ability and nonverbal ability. Family background and study behaviours consistently predicted nonverbal ability, verbal ability, and GPA, even after the effects of the other cognitive variables had been removed.
Green room politics and the WTO's crisis of representation

World Trade Organization (WTO) Green Room meetings are small gatherings of representatives from up to 30 member countries, invited by the Director-General. They are designed to provide the basis for a consensus on critical negotiating issues that can be brought to the WTO membership as a whole. Green rooms appear to be a necessary feature of consensus building in such a large organization, but they have been criticized because they tend to favor representation from large and high-income member countries. This paper discusses the impact of the green room on the WTO decision-making process and the possibilities of reform.
Fecal Occult Blood Test in Patients on Low-Dose Aspirin, Warfarin, Clopidogrel, or Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs

Aim To determine the effect of anticoagulants and antiplatelet medications on the positive-predictive-value of fecal occult blood test (FOBT).
The effect of quality information on consumer health plan switching: evidence from the Buyers Health Care Action Group.

Abstract We examine the factors that lead employees to search for health plan quality information and the effect of such information on the decision to switch plans. Extending Hirshleifer and Riley's model [Hirshleifer, J., Riley, J.G., 1979. The analytics of uncertainty and information—an expositional survey. Journal of Economic Literature 17 (December (4)), 1375–1421] of the economics of information, we develop a two-equation model of quality information awareness and switching behavior. We estimate the model using data from a random sample of 651 single employees from 16 firms that are members of the Buyers Health Care Action Group, a health care purchasing coalition in the Minneapolis–St. Paul region. Our empirical results do not support either a link between quality information and switching behavior, or between perceived health plan satisfaction and switching. We do, however, find that switching is influenced by changes in premiums and whether an individual has an existing relationship with a health care provider.
Does alcohol advertising promote adolescent drinking? Results from a longitudinal assessment

Aims To examine the relationship between exposure to different forms of alcohol advertising and subsequent drinking among US adolescents and assess whether exposure to an alcohol and drug prevention program mitigates any such relationship. Design Regression models with multiple control variables examined the relationship between exposure to alcohol advertising in grade 8 and grade 9 drinking for two groups of South Dakotan adolescents: (1) seventh-grade non-drinkers (n = 1206) and (2) seventh-grade drinkers (n = 1905). Interactions between the intervention program and the significant advertising predictors were tested. Setting Forty-one middle schools in South Dakota, USA. Participants A total of 3111 seventh-graders followed through grade 9. Measurements Advertising variables were constructed for four types of alcohol advertising—television, in-store displays, magazines and concession stands. Other predictors tested included measures tapping social influences, social bonds, problem behavior, alcohol beliefs, television exposure and demographics. Findings For seventh-grade non-drinkers, exposure to in-store beer displays predicted drinking onset by grade 9; for seventh-grade drinkers, exposure to magazines with alcohol advertisements and to beer concession stands at sports or music events predicted frequency of grade 9 drinking. Although exposure to television beer advertising had a significant bivariate relationship with alcohol use for grade 7 non-drinkers, it was not a significant predictor of drinking for either group in multivariate analyses. Participation in the prevention program, ALERT Plus, reduced future drinking for both groups and counteracted the effect of in-store beer displays. Conclusions Several forms of alcohol advertising predict adolescent drinking; which sources dominate depends on the child's prior experience with alcohol. Alcohol prevention programs and policies should help children counter alcohol advertising from multiple sources and limit exposure to these sources.
Photoluminescence in as-drawn and irradiated silica optical fibers: an assessment of the role of non-bridging oxygen defect centers

Abstract The spectral and temporal characteristics of the photoluminescence in as-drawn and irradiated silica and doped silica fiber-optic waveguides have been investigated. The extended pathlength available with a fiber-optic geometry has offered the opportunity to make high sensitivity emission measurements on high silica glasses under both steady state and pulsed laser excitation. The analyses of the fiber data coupled with emission studies on selectivity doped bulk glasses suggest that the dominant emission band centered near 650 nm is intrinsic to defects in the SiO network, specifically, dangling non-bridging oxygens ions which can be generated by irradiation, fiber drawing or by the introduction of network modifying ions such as alkali.
Improvements in mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of e-glass/epoxy composites using amino functionalized MWCNTs

Abstract The prime objective of this work is to optimize the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of e-glass/epoxy composites by utilizing amino-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs–NH2) through a combination of dispersion method. At first, 0.1–0.4 wt.% of MWCNT–NH2 was integrated into SC-15 epoxy suspension using a combination of ultra-sonication and calendaring techniques. E-glass/epoxy nanocomposites were than fabricated at elevated temperature with the modified resin using hand layup and compression hot press. 3-Point flexural and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results demonstrated a linearly increasing trend in properties from 0 to 0.3 wt.% loading. Micrographs of MWCNTs incorporated epoxy and e-glass/epoxy samples revealed uniform dispersion of MWCNTs in epoxy, good interfacial adhesion between CNTs and polymer, and improved interfacial bonding between fiber/matrix at 0.3 wt.% loading. An improved dispersion and hence an improved crosslink interaction between MWCNT–NH2 and epoxy lead to the stronger shift of the mechanical and thermo-mechanical properties of the composites.
Proximal interruption of the pulmonary artery: Transcatheter embolization for emergent management of massive hemoptysis

Transcatheter embolization is the first-line treatment for massive hemoptysis and recurrent intractable hemoptysis. Proximal interruption of the pulmonary artery is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by hypertrophy and neovasculsarity of bronchial and nonbronchial aortopulmonary collaterals; hemoptysis complicates a minority of cases. We present a case of unilateral proximal interruption of the left pulmonary artery associated with a right-sided aorta, presenting in adulthood with hemoptysis. The patient was managed emergently with bronchial, intercostal, and inferior phrenic artery embolization.
Possible significance of histochemical changes of non-specific esterase during compensatory renal growth in the rat.

Histochemical changes of non-specific esterase activity were studied in the remaining kidney of male albino rats following unilateral nephrectomy. A three-fold increase in the enzyme's activity was noted on the 1st and 3rd postoperative days, followed by a sharp fall on the 7th postoperative day. Changes in non-specific esterase activity immediately following nephrectomy might possibly reflect the “triggering mechanism” of renal compensatory growth due to alterations in the fatty acid metabolism.
Stability analysis of stochastic integer optimization problems

This paper presents the stability analysis of integer linear programs with respect to perturbations in stochastic data, namely Markov chains. These perturbations affect the initial distribution, the transition matrix, or the stationary distribution of Markov chains. Stability analysis is concerned with obtaining the set of all perturbations for which a solution to the integer optimization problem remains optimal. In particular, we derive expressions for stability regions for perturbations in the initial distribution, the transition matrix and the stationary distribution. The constraints that preserve the stochasticity of the problem data are affine. The intersection of the stability region for arbitrary perturbations with these affine constraints yields the desired stability regions. Finally, stability regions for perturbations of elements of the transition matrix, given that the problem is linear in the stationary distribution of that transition matrix, are obtained using a small perturbation analysis. The results are applied to sensor placement problems, where a phenomenon modeled as a Markov chain needs to be detected, and numerical examples are given.
Evaluation of a role of acetaldehyde in the mechanism of inhibition of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation in isolated hepatocytes by ethanol.

Abstract The rate of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation is markedly inhibited by ethanol. To evaluate a role of acetaldehyde in the inhibition by ethanol, a comparison was made of the effects of ethanol and acetaldehyde on the metabolism of p-nitroanisole by isolated liver cells. No effect on the metabolism of p-nitroanisole was found at low concentrations of acetaldehyde ( m ), whereas inhibition occurred at high concentrations (1 m m ). In fact, acetaldehyde was not any more inhibitory than crotonaldehyde, which is a poor substrate for the low-Km mitochondrial aldehyde dehydrogenase. Cyanamide, an inhibitor of acetaldehyde oxidation, did not prevent the inhibition by ethanol. Crotonol, an alcohol that does not change the mitochondrial redox state, in contrast to ethanol, proved to be a more effective inhibitor of the metabolism of p-nitroanisole than ethanol. Greater sensitivity to crotonol was also found in isolated microsomes and may reflect hydrophobic effects by crotonol, relative to ethanol. These results suggest that although high levels of acetaldehyde can be inhibitory, physiological levels of acetaldehyde did not affect the metabolism of p-nitroanisole. It is unlikely that acetaldehyde itself plays a major role in the mechanism by which ethanol inhibits the metabolism of p-nitroanisole. The inhibition of p-nitroanisole O-demethylation by ethanol was prevented by pyruvate or fructose, but not by xylitol, sorbitol, or lactate. All these substrates by themselves stimulated metabolism of p-nitroanisole. Pyruvate and glyceraldehyde (which arises from the metabolism of fructose) can oxidize cytosolic NADH. These results suggest that the generation of cytosolic NADH from the oxidation of ethanol, the subsequent requirement for substrate shuttles to transfer NADH into the mitochondria, and redox inhibition of the citric acid cycle, interfere with the transport of NADPH out of the mitochondria, and consequently with drug metabolism.
Sport and Urban Life

The paper draws together historical and sociological literatures on sport with the purpose of more firmly introducing the role of sport into scholarly dialogue about city life. A central thesis of the paper is that there was a mutually transformative relationship between sport and the growth and development of American cities during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Discussed in this regard is the role of sport and games in socializing and controlling immigrants. On a more social psychological level, the significance of sport in providing urbanites with a subjective sense of community identification is examined. The last section of the paper considers how participation in urban playground sports may provide a forum for the expression of self, identity, and individualism in an otherwise anonymous urban world.
New Technique for High-Resolution Microwave Spectroscopy

An experiment is described in which microwave resonance lines have been obtained having widths substantially less than the normal Doppler width. The line shape obtained depends on the properties of a radiating gas when contained in a cavity in the form of a pillbox, of diameter large compared to height. Collisions of molecules with the walls take place in such a manner that the collisions narrow the line instead of broadening it. The 1.25-cm inversion transition in ammonia was observed, and lines one quarter the normal Doppler width of 73 kc/sec obtained; further narrowing appears feasible. The line shapes and widths are in good agreement with the calculations.
Group Therapy for Abused and Neglected Youth: Therapeutic and Child Advocacy Challenges.

Although group therapy for abused and neglected youth is a viable and efficacious treatment option, facilitation is challenging. Group leaders must contain intense affect, manage multiple transfere...
NASA may participate in foreign missions

The National Aeronautic and Space Administration's (NASA) sagging planetary exploration effort may get some relief through participation in other nation's space missions. The only planetary mission approved by Congress and underway at this time is the Galileo Jupiter orbiter and probe, and that has been affected by delays in the space shuttle. NASA planners have discussed, with European and Japanese investigators, three missions of importance to planetary researchers. The European Space Agency's (ESA) ‘Giotto’ mission would pick up the probe portion of NASA's ill-fated Halley/Tempel II rendezvous and flyby. ESA was originally scheduled to prepare an instrumented probe that would be aimed at the nucleus of Halley's comet from a main spacecraft that would have flown past Halley's, then rendezvoused with Tempel II and flown along with it.
Early detection of pancreatic carcinoma

The poor prognosis and late presentation of pancreatic cancer patients emphasize the importance of an effective early detection strategy for patients at risk of developing pancreatic cancer. In current practice, the use of CA 19-9 levels and imaging techniques is not optimal for detecting small pancreatic lesions. It is hoped that the understanding of genetic alterations in combination with the development of high-throughput sensitive techniques will lead to the rapid discovery of a panel of biomarkers that will save lives by enabling aggressive therapy at the time when tumors are curable.
Occurrence of (2-acetamido-2-deoxygluco)mannans in the cells of certain yeasts

Abstract D-Mannose-containing polysaccharides containing up to 6% of protein were obtained by extraction of several different yeasts with hot aqueous alkali fol
Change in Health Literacy Over 2 Years in Older Adults With Diabetes

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to evaluate the stability of health literacy in adults with diabetes over time. Understanding the dynamic nature of health literacy is important when tailoring ...
Misalignment sensitivity analysis of planar optical interconnect systems

In order to fabricate practical free-space optical interconnect systems, a thorough understanding of the effect of optical misalignment on the power throughput of an optical link is required. Further, not only assembly tolerances (resulting in misalignment) but also component manufacturing tolerances that also introduce vignetting into the optical system need to be studied. We present a study of a wide variety of assembly and component manufacturing errors and their effect on the integrated power falling onto the detector for planar space variant optical systems. We also discuss the trends of the different misalignment sensitivities as the interconnect distance increases.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effect of pH on the interaction of bilirubin with albumin and tissue culture cells.

Extract: Titrations of albumin with bilirubin were performed at pH 7.0 and pH 7.4. Unbound bilirubin concentrations were determined using a horseradish peroxidase assay. Titrations of infant serum indicated that 1 mol bilirubin was bound tightly/mol albumin at either pH with an association constant of approximately 6.2 × 107 M-1. When binding occurred at secondary sites, data were more scattered, but no pH differences could be detected. The effect of bilirubin on cells was studied by determining the viability of plated L cells after a pulse of bilirubin. The lethal unbound bilirubin concentrations for 50% of cells at pH 7.4 was about 0.7 μM compared with 0.3 μM at pH 7.0. Cell uptake of unbound bilirubin was rapid at either pH. In the essential absence of albumin (20/1 molar ratio), about 66% of the added bilirubin appeared in the cell pellet in 10 min at pH 7.0; initial uptake at pH 7.4 was 44% (P < 0.001). Our data do not support the hypothesis that acidemia decreases albumin binding of bilirubin. The increased sensitivity appeared to be related to a greater cell uptake of bilirubin at the lower pH. Speculation: Although albumin binding of bilirubin is clearly an important factor in the pathogenesis of kernicterus, this study emphasizes the importance of cell-bilirubin interaction as a determinant of bilirubin distribution and toxicity. Intervention to decrease the serum bilirubin concentration in a jaundiced neonate must respond both to the status of albumin-bilirubin binding and to conditions which alter the cellular affinity for bilirubin. The peroxidase method provides a sensitive new technique for analyzing protein bilirubin interaction.
Can we still be friends? Resources and barriers to friendship quality after romantic relationship dissolution

Using a social exchange framework, this study examined the influence of resources, satisfaction with resources, and barriers on friendship quality between former dating partners. Three hundred and eighty-six college students were surveyed regarding their current relationship with their most recent former romantic partner. Results indicated that participants who received more resources reported higher levels of friendship quality with their former partner. Satisfaction with resources moderated the relationship between receipt of resources and friendship quality. Lack of family or friends’ support, involvement in a new romantic relationship, and the use of neglect as a disengagement strategy were all found to be barriers to friendship quality.
Transient laser-induced surface deformation of silicon in relation to damage

Transient thermal expansion, heat generation and conduction, and nonlinear laser heating of single crystal Si wafers below and above the damage onset has been investigated via a laser pump-probe configuration. The transient photothermal deflection (TPD) technique that we employed consisted of a 10 ns Nd:YAG pump source at 1064 nm with 10 Hz repetition rate. A cw HeNe probe beam was used to probe the localized time dependent slope change of illuminated surface. The deflection of the reflected probe beam, centered at the maximum slope of the irradiated spot, was detected by a fast bicell photodiode. The deformation signals were recorded by a digital camera system in conjunction with a high-speed oscilloscope. The waveforms were later analyzed for surface angular deflection and vertical displacement based on the geometry of the Gaussian irradiation profile. Vertical displacement down to a few nm could be detected and converted into instantaneous peak surface temperature by a first-order, approximate thermal model. Measured displacement and surface temperature were then compared to computer simulations at different fluence levels. They were found to be in excellent agreement to each other. In addition, single and multiple shot experiments were performed to obtain their respective damage onsets and thresholds. Measurement of peak surface deformation at subthreshold fluences gives insight into the thermomechanical processes which may play an important role in multi-pulse damage.
Imaging in Sarcoma

Imaging has contributed to diagnosis and treatment decision making for patients with sarcomas, a highly heterogeneous tumor group. Derived from mesenchymal tissues, sarcomas occur in all parts of the body and in all patient age groups, with a highly variable histologic appearance and behavior. They are commonly separated into soft-tissue-derived and bone-derived groups; however, many exceptions to these classifications are seen clinically. Tumor size, cellular type and differentiation, and presence of necrosis are tumor features that can be used clinically to predict the risk of aggressive behavior. At present for soft-tissue sarcomas, the 5-y survival is approximately 60%, with substantially better survival for patients with bone tumors, particularly pediatric patients. Imaging with nuclear medicine techniques plays an important role in diagnosis, treatment planning, and follow-up. Conventional (99m)Tc-methylene diphosphonate bone scans, (201)Tl tumor imaging, and PET techniques have contributed to the care of sarcoma patients. Newer PET techniques with biologically specific imaging agents have also been evaluated to characterize sarcomas and contribute to risk stratification for poor outcome.
On‐line viscometry combined with gel permeation chromatography. II. Application to branched polymers

Gel permeation chromatography (GPC) combined with on-line flow time measurements have been applied to the analysis of branching in polymers. Three sets of branched polymers were examined: polybutadienes lightly crosslinked by high energy radiation, a styrene-divinyl benzene copolymer and several of its fractions, and polyvinyl acetates branched by polymer transfer reactions during polymerization. The reduction in intrinsic viscosity due to branching was determined for each GPC fraction of the polybutadiene samples. The branching frequency in these fractions was known from other information, so the results were used to establish a relationship between viscosity ratio G and the theoretical size ratio g. This relationship was then used to calculate the distribution of branching and Mw in the styrene copolymers and the polyvinyl acetates. The results were compared with independent information on these polymers. The agreement was generally good.
Robust speed control of induction motors using position and current measurements

A nonlinear robust output feedback control is designed for a sixth-order model of an induction motor. The control uses only measurement of the rotor position and stator currents. It contains two observers, a second-order observer to estimate the rotor flux from the stator current and a third-order high-gain observer to estimate the rotor speed and acceleration from its position. The control is robust to uncertainties in the rotor and stator resistances, and a bounded time-varying load torque. It guarantees that the speed tracking error can be made arbitrarily small by choice of certain design parameters. Moreover, when the speed reference and load torque are constant, it ensures asymptotic regulation. Simulation results agree well with the analysis.
The Universal Campus: An open virtual 3-D world infrastructure for research and education

The Universal Campus is a 3-D virtual world infrastructure consisting of a campus with multiple buildings and meetings rooms together with a set of avatars. The Universal Campus is built using a server-client architecture, with an OpenSim-based server and a Second Life-based client. The entire infrastructure is open and can be fully downloaded, replicated, shared, and customized. The Universal Campus enables the deployment and exploration of virtual worlds in research and education, in particular the deployment of meetings of various sizes, such as group meetings, classes, and conferences, in a 3-D virtual world where avatars can move around, view presentations, meet serendipitously, and engage in multiway communication supported by both chat and voice.
A typed intermediate language for compiling multiple inheritance

Type-preserving compilation can improve software reliability by generating code that can be verified independently of the compiler. Practical type preserving compilation does not exist for languages with multiple inheritance. This paper presents Emi, the first typed intermediate language to support practical compilation of a programming language with fully general multiple inheritance. The paper demonstrates the practicality of Emi by showing that Emi can be used to faithfully model standard implementation strategies of multiple inheritance for C++, the most widely-used programming language with general multiple inheritance.
The Conflict Resolution Inventory: Psychometric Data

The study provides basic psychometric data for those items and scores on the Conflict Resolution Inventory which are used for screening purposes and for the measurement of change. Three-week test-retest reliabilities, normative data for males and females, and intercorrelations among items used for subject selection are reported. The implications of these findings for re' search employing the inventory are discussed.
Neonatal pulmonary hypoplasia and perinatal mortality in patients with midtrimester rupture of amniotic membranes—A critical analysis

Abstract Objective: We sought to critically assess the risk factors for neonatal pulmonary hypoplasia and perinatal death in patients with preterm rupture of the amniotic membranes from 15 to 28 weeks' gestation. Study Design: This was a prospective cohort study. The study patients had preterm rupture of the amniotic membranes at 15 to 28 weeks' gestation and were without fetal anomalies, multiple gestation, and oligohydramnios before rupture of the membranes. The amniotic fluid volume index was determined at admission and weekly afterward until delivery. Results: The incidence of pulmonary hypoplasia was 12.9% (21/163). The overall perinatal mortality rate was 54% (88/163). Logistic regression analysis revealed the following: (1) Gestational age at rupture of the membranes, the latency period, and either the initial or the average amniotic fluid index have significant influence on the development of pulmonary hypoplasia; (2) gestational age at rupture of the membranes and latency period are significant factors in predicting perinatal death. Conclusions: In this large population of patients with rupture of membranes at 15 to 28 weeks' gestation, gestational age at rupture of the membranes, latency period, and amniotic fluid index were important independent predictors of neonatal pulmonary hypoplasia. In addition, gestational age at rupture of the membranes and latency period were important independent determinants of perinatal death. Expectant management of patients with preterm rupture of the amniotic membranes during this gestational age interval was associated with improved perinatal survival, even though it may increase the risk of pulmonary hypoplasia. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1638-44.)
Independence of Glycogen Accumulation and Glucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase Induction in Rat Liver

The responses of liver glycogen and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) (EC 1.1.1.49) to a high glucose, adequate protein diet were compared between rats previously starved 2 days, then refed a high protein, carbohydrate-free diet for 2 days and rats previously fed the high protein diet for 4 days. Glycogen levels increased dramatically during the first day the high carbohydrate diet was fed, then decreased gradually on the second day. The response was the same regardless of whether the rats had been starved before the high protein diet was fed. Liver G6PD activity also increased when the high carbohydrate diet was fed, and continued to increase on the second day. The increase in G6PD, however, was significantly greater in the rats which had been starved before the high protein diet was fed. It is suggested that, some process occurs during starvation that predisposes the induction of G6PD upon refeeding a high carbohydrate diet, over and above any effect of glycogen accumula tion and breakdown. Glucose or glucose-6-phosphate derived from glycogen does not appear to be the primary inducer of G6PD in rat liver. J. Nutr. 107: 2109-2112, 1977.
Balloon dilation only versus balloon dilation plus stenting for posttransplantation biliary strictures.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS Biliary strictures are a major cause of morbidity following liver transplantation. In the present prospective comparative trial, we evaluated balloon dilation vs. balloon dilation plus stenting with regard to technical and clinical efficacy as well as complications. PATIENTS AND METHODS A total of 32 patients with symptomatic biliary strictures after liver transplantation were assigned to balloon dilation (n = 17) or balloon dilation plus plastic stent placement (n = 15). The main outcome parameter was sustained clinical success defined as an interval of at least 3 months without further endoscopic intervention. Additional outcome parameters were assisted clinical success and treatment failure, as well as procedure-related complications. RESULTS The initial technical success and primary clinical success rates in the dilation group were both 100 %; in the stent group, the corresponding rates were 100 % and 93 % (n.s.). The sustained clinical success was 71 % vs. 73 %, respectively (n. s.). The time interval to reach sustained clinical success was 6.1 and 5.1 months, respectively (n. s.). No significant differences were found in assisted clinical success or in treatment failure. Complications were observed in 4.3 % in the dilation group and 13.6 % in the stent group (P < 0.05). Independent of the treatment group, a sustained clinical success in anastomotic strictures was achieved in 100 %, whereas the success rate of strictures of the donor hepatic duct was 50 % and of strictures involving the hilum, only 14 % (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In patients with biliary strictures after liver transplantation, endoscopic balloon dilation alone was as effective as dilation plus stent placement. Stent placement was associated with a significantly higher complication rate. Endoscopic treatment of strictures of the biliary anastomosis is highly effective, whereas attempts to treat more complex strictures are less promising.
T-Cell/Histiocyte-Rich B-Cell Lymphoma: Biology, Diagnosis, and Management

T-cell/histiocyte-rich B-cell lymphoma (T/HRBCL) is an uncommon morphologic variant of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Pathologically, it is distinguished by <10% malignant B cells amid a majority population of reactive T lymphocytes and histiocytes. Diagnosis of this entity is occasionally difficult, as it may appear similar to other lymphoid diseases, such as nodular lymphocyte-predominant Hodgkin's lymphoma and classic Hodgkin's lymphoma. Accurate diagnosis therefore rests with careful immunohistochemical analysis of the tumor cells and the inflammatory microenvironment. Clinically, T/HRBCL occurs in younger patients, predominantly affects men, and involves the liver, spleen, and bone marrow with greater frequency than traditional DLBCL. Despite the unique clinical features and robust host inflammatory response, T/HRBCL follows a natural history similar to those of other DLBCLs and responds similarly to therapy. Recent gene expression analysis demonstrates that a productive relationship with the host immune response may extend beyond this small DLBCL variant to include as many as one third of all DLBCLs. At present, T/HRBCL should be treated similarly to other stage-matched DLBCLs, though future therapies will likely be targeted at the relationship of the tumor cells with their inflammatory microenvironment.
In vivo alteration of the keratin 17 gene in hair follicles by oligonucleotide-directed gene targeting.

: Using intradermal injection of a chimeric RNA–DNA oligonucleotide (RDO) or a single-stranded oligonucleotide (ssODN) into murine skin, we attempted to make a dominant mutation (R94P) in the conserved α-helical domain of keratin 17 (K17), the same mutation found in pachyonychia congenichia type 2 (PC-2) patients with phenotypes ranging from twisted hair to multiple pilosebaceous cysts. Both K17A-RDO and K17-ssODN contained a single base mismatch (CGC to CCC) to alter the normal K17 sequence to cause an amino acid substitution (R94P). The complexes consisting of oligonucleotides and cationic liposomes were injected to C57Bl/6 murine skin at 2 and 5 day after birth. Histological examination of skin biopsies at postnatal day 8 from several mice showed consistent twisted hair shafts or broken hair follicles at the sebaceous gland level and occasional rupture of the hair bulb or epidermal cyst-like changes. In the injected area, the number of full anagen hair follicles decreased by 50%. Injection of the control oligonucleotide, identical to K17A-RDO but containing no mismatch to the normal sequence, did not result in any detectable abnormality. The frequency of gene alteration was lower than 3%, according to the restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of the genomic DNA isolated by dissection of hair follicles from slides. Although intradermal injection of K17A-RDO or K17-ssODN caused a dominant mutation in K17 affecting hair growth and morphology, these phenotypic changes were transient either due to the compensation of K17 by other keratins or the replacement of the mutated cells by normal surrounding cells during hair growth.
The Future of Botanical Drugs and the Rainforest

The importance of the rainforest as a source of botanical drugs is discussed. The future of botanical medicines is focused on pure compounds and plant extracts. Further efforts need to be devoted to isolation of active components with structural descriptions. The author states that only 90,000 natural compounds have been so studied representing only 40% of total possible new drugs while several million synthetics comprise the remaining 60%. It is estimated that 35,000 to 50,000 plant species are found in the Amazon rainforest hence it is a valuable source of new compounds.
Will superconducting magnetic energy storage be used on electric utility systems

As the cost of fossil fuel has increased and the load factors on electric utilities have decreased, the need for efficient, reliable energy storage systems has increased. Although pumped hydro storage is now used extensively on those utility systems having the appropriate resources nearby, it is only 65% efficient. Superconducting magnetic energy storage which promises to be more than 90% efficient and easily sited may become a competitive energy storage technology. A comparison of the various energy storage systems is presented in terms of performance on electric power systems, and cost. Emphasis is given to the various technologies involved in the development of large superconducting magnets. A brief review of the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory program on superconducting magnetic energy storage is included.