cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Deferasirox: appraisal of safety and efficacy in long-term therapy

Deferasirox is a once-daily, oral iron chelator that is widely used in the management of patients with transfusional hemosiderosis. Several Phase II trials along with their respective extension studies as well as a Phase III trial have established the efficacy and safety of this novel agent in transfusion-dependent patients with β-thalassemia, sickle-cell disease and bone marrow-failure syndromes, including myelodysplastic syndrome and aplastic anemia. Data from various clinical trials show that a deferasirox dose of 20 mg/kg/day stabilizes serum ferritin levels and liver iron concentration, while a dose of 30-40 mg/kg/day reduces these parameters and achieves negative iron balance in red cell transfusion-dependent patients with iron overload. Across various pivotal clinical trials, deferasirox was well tolerated, with the most common adverse events being gastrointestinal disturbances, skin rash, nonprogressive increases in serum creatinine, and elevations in liver enzyme levels. Longer-term extension studies have also confirmed the efficacy and safety of deferasirox. However, it is essential that patients on deferasirox therapy are monitored regularly to ensure timely management for any adverse events that may occur with long-term therapy.
Barriers to the management of international operations

Abstract The purpose of this research was to define and rank key barriers to the effective management of international manufacturing operations. An international panel of experts, composed of practitioners, academics and consultants, was surveyed using a Delphi process to identify the key barriers, to explain the rationale for their selection and to rank them. The highest ranked barrier was general lack of a global view by management. Among the other highly ranked barriers were contemporary managerial issues like manufacturing strategy and managing international factory networks. Some traditional technical concerns like cultural and language differences and managing global logistics were also highly ranked. The responses clustered into two groups with the largest group focusing more heavily on contemporary manufacturing concerns while the other group emphasized more traditional technical topics. The results help establish priorities for developing research agendas, orienting teaching programs and focusing company resources.
Beta decay of 25Al and 37K

Abstract New branches in the β + decay of 25 A1 and 37 K have been observed and their log ft values determined. Upper limits for the branching ratios are reported for unobserved branches. A K -forbidden branch was observed in the decay of 25 Al which indicates band mixing in the lowlying levels of A = 25 nuclei.
Whither the solid tumors. James Ewing lecture.

• Improvement in survival rates for solid tumors, the cancers of greatest concern to the surgeon, has lagged far behind the dramatic advances that have been made in the treatment of leukemias, lymphomas, and certain childhood tumors. The application of new technical procedures and an aggressive approach to certain metastatic lesions offer chances for improving operative results, but the greatest contribution to curing cancer that can be made by surgeons at this time is the complete removal of the small localized primary tumor. By more active participation in "early detection programs" surgeons can increase their opportunities to treat cancer at this stage. The American College of Surgeons, in consultation with the National Cancer Institute, has conducted a detailed survey that analyzes the lack of surgical participation in clinical trials with a view toward developing a more active surgical interest in evaluating new methods of treatment for the solid tumors. One of the current efforts to improve the outcome of these recalcitrant cancers involves increasing the number of trained surgical scientists in the field of cancer. (Arch Surg. 1990;125:158-162)
Assessing the feasibility of using acupuncture and moxibustion to improve quality of life for cancer survivors with upper body lymphoedema.

Abstract Purpose Within a three-step mixed-methods study to investigate using acupuncture and moxibustion (acu/moxa) in the management of cancer treatment-related upper body lymphoedema, Step 2 obtained preliminary data about: 1) whether acu/moxa can improve quality of life, 2) the most troublesome symptoms, and 3) adverse effects. Methods and sample An exploratory single-arm observational clinical study included breast (BC) and head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors with mild-to-moderate uncomplicated lymphoedema for ≥3 months, ≥3 months post active-cancer treatment, no active cancer disease, undergoing routine lymphoedema maintenance. Participants received seven individualised treatments (S1), and six optional additional treatments (S2). MYMOP, SF-36 and PANAS were administered at baseline, during each series, and at follow-up 4 and 12 weeks after end-of-treatment. The primary outcome was change in MYMOP scores at the end of each series. Key results Of 35 participants recruited, 30 completed S1 and S2, 3 completed S1, 2 were lost to the study. Mean MYMOP profile change scores for BC participants were 1.28 points improvement on a 7-point scale (sd = 0.93, p n = 25) for S1; and 1.41 for S2 (sd = 0.94, p n = 24). S1 HNC change scores were 2.29 points improvement (sd = 0.62, p n = 7); and 0.94 for S2 (sd = 0.95, p = 0.06, n = 6). Changes in some SF-36 scores for BC participants were significant to 4 weeks after treatment. No serious adverse effects were reported. Conclusion This small study suggests acu/moxa is an acceptable adjunct to usual care for cancer survivors with lymphoedema. Further rigorous research is warranted to explore the effectiveness of acu/moxa in reducing the symptom burden.
On the Jordan–Kinderlehrer–Otto variational scheme and constrained optimization in the Wasserstein metric

We prove the monotonicity of the second-order moments of the discrete approximations to the heat equation arising from the Jordan–Kinderlehrer–Otto (JKO) variational scheme. This issue appears in the study of constrained optimization in the 2-Wasserstein metric performed by Carlen and Gangbo for the kinetic Fokker–Planck equation. As an alternative to their duality method, we provide the details of a direct approach, via Lagrange multipliers. Estimates for the fourth-order moments in the constrained case, which are essential to the subsequent alternate analysis, are also obtained.
Cytotoxicity of polypropylenimine dendrimer conjugates on cultured endothelial cells.

The cytotoxicity and time-dependent membrane disruption by polypropylenimine dendrimer conjugates on cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) is reported. Fluorescently labeled derivatives of generation 5 polypropylenimine dendrimers were prepared via conversion of amines to acetamides or through the covalent attachment of high molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) chains. Direct interactions between the fluorescent dendrimer conjugates and HUVEC were monitored using confocal fluorescence microscopy to track dendrimer movement across the plasma membrane and the fluorescent staining of cell nuclei. Propidium iodide and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assays confirmed that chemical modification of the surface amines of the parental dendrimer to neutral acetamide or PEG functionalities eliminated their acute cytotoxicity. Cationic primary-amine-containing dendrimers demonstrated drastic time-dependent changes in the plasma membrane permeability and prominent cytotoxicity. However, co...
Precessional Motions of a Chain of Coupled Gyrostats in a Central Newtonian Force Field

This paper studies the problem of the motion of a classical model of modern analytical multibody dynamics — a chain of gyrostats coupled by ideal spherical joints. The chain moves about a fixed point in a central Newtonian force field. The paper develops the equations of chain’s motion and then establishes and analyzes the conditions for existence of some classes of precessional motions of the chain, under the assumption that the barycenter of each gyrostat is located on the line connecting the points where it is attached to other gyrostats. The findings of the paper extend corresponding results in the dynamics of a single gyrostat to a case of the multibody chain as well as generalize some of the known properties of precessional motions in the dynamics of many bodies.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Effect of photosynthesis inhibitors on light re-emission in photosynthesis

Abstract Studies of the effects of photosynthetic inhibitors on the decay curve of re-emitted light from algae and higher plants indicate that the re-emitted light originates from a series of reactions, some of which may be selectively inhibited. Monuron, 3-(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea, completely stops a rapidly decaying component of re-emitted light without inhibiting a second more slowly decaying component. These studies indicate that light re-emission results, at least in part, from a back reaction of intermediates in the photosynthetic pathway rather than from solid state traps.
Detection of antigens of the mouse mammary tumor (MTV) and murine leukemia virus (MuLV) in cells of cultures derived from mammary tumors of mice of several strains.

Abstract A number of tissue cultures of mouse mammary tumors were studied for the presence of the mouse mammary tumor virus (MTV) and of the murine leukemia virus (MuLV) antigens. Mixed hemadsorption reaction (MHA) was used for detection on the cell surface and indirect immunofluorescence (IF) on fixed cells for detection of antigens of the two viruses within the cells. Three rabbit anti-MTV sera, three rat anti-MuLV sera, and one rabbit anti-FeLV (feline leukemia virus) serum were used in these studies. The same cells of a 4-year-old cell line derived from a spontaneous mammary tumor of an RIII/Dm mouse strain, designated as Dmochowski-Williams line (D-W line), were found positive at the same time for the antigens of the two oncogenic RNA viruses (MTV and MuLV) in the cytoplasm (IF) and on the cell surface (MHA). Several cell lines derived from induced BALB/c/Dm mammary tumors were found negative on the cell surface (by MHA) and in the cytoplasm (by IF) for MTV antigens. Some of the BALB/c/Dm mammary tumor cell lines negative for MTV antigens were found positive for MuLV antigens (by both MHA and IF). The antigens of MTV and MuLV were found by IF in the cytoplasm of the tumor cells. No nuclear fluorescence was observed. The shared antigen of mammalian leukemia-sarcoma viruses (MuLV-gs3) was found by IF in the cytoplasm of mammary tumor cells producing type C virus particles. MuLV-gs1 and MuLV-gs3 antigens were not found in mammary tumor cell lines shown to be positive only for MTV. Mammary tumor cell lines found positive by IF for MTV and/or MuLV antigens present in the cytoplasm were also positive by MHA for MTV and/or MuLV antigens present on the cell surface. The anti-MuLV-gs1 and anti-MuLV-gs3 sera gave positive IF test (cytoplasmic antigens) and negative MHA test (cell surface antigens) with cell lines shown to contain type C virus particles. The same cell lines were positive by both MHA and IF tests with a polyvalent anti-MuLV serum.
The participation of cognitively impaired elderly in research

It is critical that cognitively impaired adults be permitted to participate in research in order to develop a greater understanding of the underlying causes of the impairments and strategies to prevent or ameliorate their impact. Significant ethical and legal issues may arise in the recruitment and enrollment of these persons as study participants, due to difficulties in understanding information, uncertainty regarding the existence of sufficient mental capacity to provide informed consent to participate, and the potential for coercion to participate as a function of limited capacity and dependence on others for care. This article explores these issues and suggests mechanisms to maximize the understanding of information and facilitate the cognitively impaired elders' expression of choice during incapacity.
The effects of premature delivery on subsequent development of the rat.

Delivery of rat fetuses 18 hr prematurely results initially in decreased body weight and delayed development of the negative geotropic response compared to full-term infants. At adulthood, prematurely delivered rat fetuses were less emotional than full-term controls, but did not differ in weight, learning, and susceptibility to gastric erosions.
Solubility of Benzil in Binary Alkane + Cyclooctane Solvent Mixtures: Comparison of Predictive Expressions Derived from the Nearly Ideal Binary Solvent (NIBS) Model

Abstract Experimental solubilities are reported for benzil dissolved in seven binary mixtures containing cyclooctane with n-hexane, n-heptane, n-octane, n-nonane, methylcyclohexane, 2,2,4-trimethylpentane, and tert-butyl-cyclohexane at 25°C. Results of measurements are compared to the predictions of equations developed previously for solubility in systems of nonspecific interactions. The most successful equation in terms of goodness of fit involved a volume fraction average of the excess Gibbs free energies relative to the Flory-Huggins model, and predicted the experimental solubilities in the seven systems studied to within an overall average absolute deviation of 2.1% and with a maximum deviation of 3.6%.
ESOPs and corporate control

Abstract This paper examines the effects of employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) on shareholder wealth. ESOPs established in the presence of takeover activity reduce share values, by approximately 4% on average. ESOPs also reduce share values if they are structured to transfer control away from outside shareholders, by creating a new ownership block with veto power over takeover bids. Large ESOPs established with nonvoting stock, so as to preclude any immediate control transfers, result in a significant increase in share values. The wealth effect of any given ESOP thus depends upon both its incentive and control effects on the corporation.
110 ASSESSMENT OF ADEQUACY OF PULMONARY ARTERY BANDING BY TWO-DIMENSIONAL ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY

The goal of banding the pulmonary artery in children with complex heart disease is to reduce distal PA systolic pressure to less than 0.5 systemic and insure low pulmonary vascular resistance for future repair. To assess the hypothesis that two-dimensional echocardiography (E) measurements could be used to non-invasively predict tightness of the PA band by measuring its diameter, we examined 12 patients with PA band. Of the 10 patients who underwent cardiac catheterization, 8 had distal systolic PA pressure less than 0.5 systemic and 2 more than 0.5 systemic. None had LV outflow tract obstruction or pulmonary vascular obstructive disease. The E measurements were obtained from the short axis parasternal view at the level of the great arteries. The internal diameter of the PA band (d) and PA annulus (D) were obtained in diastole. The d/D ratios correlated significantly with the measured systolic pressure ratios of distal PA to proximal PA. (r=0.99, p<0.001). The two patients not catheterized had d/D ratios of 0.4 and 0.53, respectively. The former had an excellent clinical improvement, while the latter remained in heart failure. We conclude that: 1) distal PA pressure can be assessed non-invasively by measuring systemic pressure and E d/D, 2) attainment of a distal d/D ratio less than 0.5 resulted in less than 0.5 systemic distal PA pressure and clinical improvement in patients without LV outflow tract obstruction, 3) it is possible that the circumference of an adequate PA band could be predicted pre-operatively.
Linear optoacoustic underwater communication.

The linear mechanism for optical-to-acoustic energy conversion is explored for optoacoustic communication from an in-air platform or surface vessel to a submerged vessel such as a submarine or unmanned undersea vehicle. The communication range that can be achieved is addressed. A number of conventional signals used in underwater acoustic telemetry applications are shown to be capable of being generated experimentally through the linear optoacoustic regime conversion process. These results are in agreement with simulation based on current theoretical models. A number of practical issues concerning linear optoacoustic communication are addressed that lead to a formulation of a linear-regime optoacoustic communication scheme. The use of oblique laser beam incidence at the air–water interface to obtain considerable in-air range from the laser source to the in-water receiver is addressed. Also, the effect of oblique incidence on in-water range is examined. Next, the optimum and suboptimum linear optoacoustic sound-generation techniques for selecting the optical wavelength and signaling frequency for optimizing in-water range are addressed and discussed. Optoacoustic communication techniques employing M-ary frequency shift keying and multifrequency shift keying are then compared with regard to communication parameters such as bandwidth, data rate, range coverage, and number of lasers employed.
Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation: Pathways to Safer Schools

(1994). Conflict Resolution and Peer Mediation: Pathways to Safer Schools. Childhood Education: Vol. 70, No. 5, pp. 279-282.
Scaling of large chromatic differences

Abstract Minimally-distinct borders between juxtaposed heterochromatic fields arc evaluated by equivalent achromatic contrasts or by subjective ratings and are in each case subjected to the Shepard Kruskal multidimensional scaling analysis. The results of the analysis show that the original stimuli can be orderly arrayed in a two-dimensional space on the basis of their sensory differences. Objective and subjective border ratings produce similar results. The MDB technique is shown to produce color scaling data that closely resemble those obtained by Guth with the subthreshold additivity method. The data provide additional information concerning the scaling of large sensory differences between spectral colors.
Secure regenerating code

Distributed storage plays a crucial role in the current cloud computing framework. After the theoretical bound for distributed storage was derived by the pioneer work of the regenerating code, Reed-Solomon code based regenerating codes, including the minimum storage regeneration (MSR) code and the minimum bandwidth regeneration (MBR) code, were developed. However, in the hostile network with passive eavesdroppers and active attackers, the data confidentiality and storage capacity of the network can be significantly affected. In this paper, we propose a secure MSR code that can combat against the passive eavesdroppers and active attackers in the network. We also provide theoretical analyses showing that our code can provide better security with less computational cost and bandwidth overhead.
Processing of place information in stop consonants

One of the basic questior, s that models of speech perception must answer concerns the conditions under which various cues will be extracted from a stimulus and the nature of the mechanisms which mediate this process. Two selective adaptation experiments were carried out to explore this question for the phonetic feature of place of articulation in both syllableinitial and syllable-final positions. In the first experiment, CV and VC stimuli were constructed with complete overlap in their second- and third-formant transitions. Despite this essentially complete overlap, no adaptation effects were found for a VC adaptor and a CV test series (or vice versa). In the second experiment, various vowel, vowel-like, and VC-like adaptors were used. The VC-like adaptors did have a significant effect on the CV category boundary, while the vowel and vowel-like stimuli did not. These results are interpreted within both one- and twolevel models of selective adaptation. These models are distinguished by whether selective adaptation is assumed to affect a single auditory level of processing or to affect both an auditory level and a later phonetic level. However, both models incorporate detectors at the auditory level which respond whenever particular formant transitions are present. These auditory detectors are not sensitive to the position of the consonant transition information within the syllable.
The effects of methoxyflurane and ether alone or in combination with apomorphine or 2 Br-α-ergocryptine (CB-154) on prolactin release in ovariectomized, estrogen-treated rats

Abstract Continuous methoxyflurane (MF) anesthesia caused a temporary increase in plasma prolactin but abolished the afternoon prolactin surge in ovariectomized, estrogenized rats with aortic catheters. In the morning hours (0900–1200), prior to the prolactin surge, administration of Apomorphine HCl (APO) or CB-154 lowered plasma prolactin and MF did not alter these responses. Similarly, continuous ether anesthesia prior to the afternoon surge elevated plasma prolactin but did not override the suppressive effects of APO and only partially overrode those of CB-154. It is suggested that the sharp and immediate increases in plasma prolactin produced by MF and ether are due to involvement of the dopamine/PIF system since two different dopaminergic receptor stimulators blocked the response.
Significance and Incidence of Concordance of Drug Efficacy Predictions by Holter Monitoring and Electrophysiological Study in the ESVEM Trial

Background Selection of antiarrhythmic therapy may be based on either suppression of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias assessed by Holter monitoring or by suppression of inducible ventricular arrhythmias during electrophysiological study. This study examines the frequency and significance of concordance of these two approaches in the Electrophysiologic Study Versus Electrocardiographic Monitoring (ESVEM) trial. Methods and Results Twenty-four-hour Holter monitoring was performed in patients randomized to the electrophysiology limb of the ESVEM study at the time of the first drug trial and at the time of an effective drug trial. Holter monitors were available in 65% (146/226) of patients at the time of the first drug trial and in 93% (100/108) of patients at the time of an electrophysiology study predicting drug efficacy. There were no clinical differences between patients who had and those who did not have a Holter monitor. At the time of the first drug trial, concordance of Holter and electrophysiological predictions of drug efficacy was observed in 46% of patients (both techniques predicted efficacy in 23%; neither predicted efficacy in 23%). Discordant results were observed in 54% (Holter suppression without electrophysiological suppression in 44%; electrophysiological suppression without Holter suppression in 10%). At the time of an electrophysiology study predicting drug efficacy, 68 of the 100 patients without inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias also had suppression of spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias on the Holter recorded at the time of the electrophysiological study. Neither arrhythmia recurrence nor mortality was significantly different in patients with suppression of both inducible and spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias compared with those with only suppression of inducible arrhythmias. Comparison of patients with suppression of both inducible and spontaneous ventricular arrhythmias with the 188 patients in the Holter limb, in whom efficacy was predicted by Holter monitoring only, revealed no difference in outcome. Conclusions In this population, (1) there is frequent discordance in prediction of drug efficacy and inefficacy between electrophysiological study and Holter monitoring; (2) a requirement to fulfill both Holter and electrophysiological efficacy criteria reduces the number of patients with an efficacy prediction; and (3) suppression of both spontaneous ventricular ectopy and inducible ventricular tachyarrhythmias does not identify a group with better outcome.
Diurnally modulated cumulus moistening in the preonset stage of the Madden-Julian oscillation during DYNAMO

AbstractAtmospheric soundings, radar, and air–sea flux measurements collected during Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) are employed to study MJO convective onset (i.e., the transition from shallow to deep convection) in the tropical Indian Ocean. The findings indicate that moistening of the low–midtroposphere during the preonset stage of the MJO is achieved by simultaneous changes in the convective cloud population and large-scale circulation. Namely, cumuliform clouds deepen and grow in areal coverage as the drying by large-scale subsidence and horizontal (westerly) advection wane. The reduction of large-scale subsidence is tied to the reduction of column radiative cooling during the preonset stage, which ultimately links back to the evolving cloud population. While net column moistening in the preonset stage is tied to large-scale circulation changes, a new finding of this study is the high degree to which the locally driven diurnal cycle invigorates convective clouds and cumulus moiste...
Sedimentary masses and concepts about tectonic processes at underthrust ocean margins

Tectonic processes associated with subduction of oceanic crust, but unrelated to the collision of thick crustal masses or microplates, are presumed by many geologists to significantly affect the formation and deformation of large sedimentary bodies at underthrust ocean margins. More geologists are familiar with the concept of subduction accretion , which describes the tectonic attachment of rock and sediment masses to the margin9s bedrock framework, than with other noncollision processes—for example, sediment subduction, subduction erosion , and subduction kneading . These are equally important processes controlling the geologic evolution of underthrust margins, and any one of them may predominate at a given place. In our opinion, no single subduction-related tectonic process is the dominant or typical one that forges the geologic framework of modern underthrust ocean margins. It is likely, therefore, that the rock records of ancient underthrust margins are preserved in a multitude of structural and stratigraphic forms.
Amino acid sequence of sheep carbonic anhydrase C.

Abstract The sequence of amino acid residues comprising the major form of sheep red cell carbonic anhydrase C has been determined. The primary sequences of peptides derived from cyanogen bromide cleavage and tryptic digestion were obtained primarily through the use of the Edman degradation procedure. The ordering of these peptides in the sheep molecule is based on the high degree of homology between the sheep enzyme and the previously sequenced human and bovine carbonic anhydrase C molecules. Based on comparisons with the three-dimensional structure of human carbonic anhydrase C, the function of certain residues which appear to be involved either in the maintenance of structure or in the active site of the sheep enzyme is discussed.
Mutations in ADE3 reduce the efficiency of the omnipotent suppressor sup45-2.

Mutations in a known yeast gene, ADE3, were shown to act as an antisuppressor, reducing the efficiency of the omnipotent suppressor, sup45-2. The ADE3 locus encodes the trifunctional enzyme C1-tetrahydrofolate synthase, which is required for the biosynthesis of purines, thymidylate, methionine, histidine, pantothenic acid and formylmethionyl-tRNAfmet. The role of this enzyme in translational fidelity had not previously been suspected.
Effectiveness of Atrial Fibrillation Monitor Characteristics to Predict Severity of Symptoms of Atrial Fibrillation

The goal of treatment for atrial fibrillation (AF) is often to control symptoms. It remains unclear whether targets for treatment such as AF rate or AF burden are correlated with AF symptom severity. Two hundred eighty-six patients completed a questionnaire of their general health and well-being, including a detailed AF symptom assessment immediately followed by a 7-day continuous monitor. AF characteristics assessed from the monitor included AF burden, AF rate, sinus rhythm rate, frequency and severity of pauses, and premature atrial contraction or premature ventricular contraction burden. Characteristics were analyzed separately for patients with paroxysmal or persistent AF. Symptom severity was assessed using the University of Toronto Atrial Fibrillation Severity Scale. Monitor characteristics were compared with AF symptom severity. The mean age of the cohort was 61.8 years and the majority of subjects were male (65.4%). Co-morbidities included hypertension (64.5%), sleep apnea (38.4%), congestive heart failure (19.6%), and diabetes (16.4%). In those with persistent or paroxysmal AF, there were no significant predictors of AF symptom severity. Specifically, heart rate in AF or sinus rhythm, AF burden, or premature atrial contraction or premature ventricular contraction burden was not predictive of AF symptom severity. After adjusting for potential cofounders (including age, gender, and co-morbidities), these findings persisted. In conclusion, there is no value in using AF monitor characteristics to predict symptoms in patients with AF.
Shared versus separate processes for letter and digit identification.

Letters and digits, although similar in many respects, also differ in potentially significant ways. Most importantly, letters are elements of an alphabetic writing system, whereas digits are logographs. In this article, we explore whether letters and digits are identified by a single character identification process that makes no fundamental distinction between the two types of characters, or whether instead letter and digit identification processes diverge at least in some respects. We present evidence from an acquired dyslexic patient, L.H.D., who is impaired in both letter and digit identification. Working within a theoretical framework specifying the levels of representation implicated in letter identification, we systematically compare L.H.D.'s letter and digit processing. The results provide evidence that letter and digit identification implicate the same levels of representation, and further that L.H.D.'s identification errors for both letters and digits arise at the same point in processing. On th...
Ultrasonic examination of the hemoglobin dissociation process in aqueous solutions of guanidine hydrochloride.

The ultrasonic absorption was determined, in aqueous solutions of hemoglobin undergoing dissociation as a function of the strong electrolyte guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl), up to 5.4M (molar), over the frequency range 1–50 MHz. With increasing GuHCl concentration to 0.7M, the Hb molecule dissociates into half‐molecules without loss of tertiary structure, and at GuHCl concentrations greater than 2.5M, the Hb molecule dissociates further into its four individual polypeptide chains with complete loss of tertiary structure. The ultrasonic absorption coefficient appears to be insensitive to the dissociation process, though a small contribution appears at the lower frequencies, owing to the expansion of the polypeptide molecule. A maximum in the absorption occurs near 2M GuHCl concentration, which does not correspond to dissociation or expansion of the Hb molecule, and it is thought to be associated with the proton transfer reaction.
Psychosomatic aspects of gynecologic oncology: present status and future directions

Among women genital malignancies are second in frequency only to breast cancer. Primary disease sites include the endometrium, cervix, ovary, and vulva. With early diagnosis and aggressive therapy, two-thirds of these women will survive for at least 5 years. This encouraging prognosis is in contrast to the distress that may be experienced by women during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery periods. A brief review of major avenues of current research and clinical work is provided, including; psychological responses to gynecologic cancer symptomatology; affective distress; sexual problems; and treatment-related distress. Areas for future investigation are highlighted, including difficulties occurring with disease recurrence; disruption of close relationships; and problems of the elderly woman with cancer.
Basal forebrain neurons adjacent to the globus pallidus co-express GABAergic and cholinergic marker mRNAs

Semi-quantitative single cell RT-PCR techniques were used to determine the expression of mRNAs related to GABAergic and cholinergic neurotransmission in neurons of the rat globus pallidus and adjacent basal forebrain region. Neurons of the globus pallidus expressed relatively high levels of GAD67 and GABA vesicular transporter mRNA but undetectable levels of ChAT or ACh vesicular transporter mRNA. In contrast, nominally basal forebrain neurons co-expressed ChAT and GAD67 mRNAs and mRNAs for both ACh and GABA vesicular transporters. These results suggest that the neurons along the medial border of the globus pallidus may co-release GABA and ACh.
Successful renal transplantation in a patient with systemic sarcoidosis and renal failure due to focal glomerulosclerosis.

In 1987, a patient presented with pulmonary sarcoidosis and progressive renal failure. Percutaneous renal biopsy showed focal glomerular sclerosis (FGS). Over the subsequent 4-year period, her renal failure progressed to require hemodialysis. During this time, her pulmonary sarcoidosis was treated with daily corticosteroid therapy and she remained in clinical remission. The patient received a one-haplotype-identical living-related renal transplant from her mother. The patient is now 25 months posttransplant with a serum creatinine of 106 µol/L (1.2 mg/dL). Her sarcoidosis continues to be in clinical remission. In this report, we review the rare association of a primary glomerular lesion causing renal failure in patients with sarcoidosis. In addition, we detail the first successful renal transplant in such a patient.
Cation Transport by Mitochondria

given mechanism, but also to accessing the powerful array of tools available through molecular biology. Sequencing these proteins will allow comparison of sequences of these mitochondrial transport systems with what may be related transport systems from the plasma membrane and other cellular membranes. Production of sufficient amounts of these proteins through molecular biological approaches could lead to structural studies utilizing X-ray crystallography or NMR to provide detailed structural information on these transporters. The purpose of this mini review series is to bring the reader up to date with respect to what is known about the characteristics of these cation transport mechanisms and their physiological functions. It also updates the reader on progress in applying the more sophisticated electrophysiological techniques and reconstitution techniques to studies of these mechanisms.
Quality evaluation and control methods in computer-assisted screening.

A computer-assisted, chronic respiratory disease (CRD) screening project undertook a critical evaluation of the performance of the screening equipment and techniques used in administering the tests and interpreting the measurements. Based upon screening tests of 13,494 adults, the analysis led to several conclusions: the use of trained volunteers to administer the questionnaire was feasible and reproducible within the expectation of such a technique; the “nonexertional wheezing” question was particularly associated with spirometry data; the spirometry system was found to be accurate and stable under screening conditions; technician improvement was observed; the spirometry technique was modified based upon an experiment performed during the course of the screening program; and the dual positive film readings were in agreement in only a small proportion of instances, necessitating a major effort aimed to increase concordance.
Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Tungsten NEMS Devices via a Novel Top-Down Approach

In this paper we present a novel low temperature, CMOS compatible, direct top-down nano-fabrication process employing ALD tungsten (WALD) as a structural material for nano-electro-mechanical systems (NEMS). Using this process doubly clamped suspended NEMS devices have been successfully fabricated and demonstrated. The devices have been observed to operate comparably to 2-terminal electrostatic carbon nanotube (CNT) switches, and MEMS tunneling devices. A lifetime in excess of 660,500 cycles has been observed under low-current-limited operating conditions. Under these conditions the device behavior is stable, reproducible and hysterisis free, resembling that of MEMS tunneling devices.
Inherently safer sustained casing pressure testing for well integrity evaluation

Abstract This paper presents the use of a model to predict sustained casing pressure (SCP), from early pressure buildup data, as a basis for inherently safer well integrity testing. Inherently safer principles aim to eliminate or reduce the hazards by design rather than by using protective features. SCP, a well integrity issue exhibited in many wells, is any measurable pressure that rebuilds after being bled down and attributable to causes other than artificially applied pressure or temperature fluctuations in the well. Intrusion of gas, resulting in SCP, can occur because of poor cement bond in the casing or cement deterioration. Gas entering the annulus migrates to the wellhead and represents a hazard due to increased wellhead pressure and the gas inventory. Compromised well integrity can have catastrophic consequences on both environmental and safety aspects. Most regulations require the monitoring, testing and, eventually, the elimination of SCP. However, test data analysis is predominantly qualitative and limited to arbitrary criteria. Due to the high percentage of wells that present SCP, accurate, safe and preferably fast testing methods are needed. This paper implements an analytical model, rooted in the transport processes and thermodynamics of the system, to predict pressure profiles and gas accumulation during SCP testing from early-time pressure buildup data. The amount of gas accumulated during different testing criteria, being 1) current practices and 2) early diagnostic by the analytical model, is calculated and compared. Results show that using the analytical model as a predictive tool, testing time is reduced significantly, thereby limiting the amount of gas accumulated and reducing the risk. This makes the testing procedure inherently safer as well as less time consuming.
Conformational studies of human islet amyloid peptide using molecular dynamics and simulated annealing methods

Molecular dynamics simulations and simulated annealing in vacuum, model aqueous solution, and simulated membrane were used to analyze the conformational preferences of a segment spanning 20–29 residues of human islet amyloid polypeptide, [referred to as IAPPH(20–29)]. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted at 300 K on IAPPH(20–29). The minimum energy conformers obtained in model aqueous solution and vacuum exhibited similar structures. Even in the absence of any constraints on peptide bonds, trans conformation was preferred consistently by all the peptide bonds. Analysis of the minimum energy conformers indicated that IAPPH(20–29) showed a strong preference for turn structures in all the environments. These turn structures were stabilized by the formation of hydrogen bonds between the backbone amide and carbonyl groups. A good agreement was found between the results obtained from the molecular dynamics simulation and solid-state nmr experimental studies. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Biopoly 45: 9–20, 1998
Finite-temperature phase diagram of trapped Fermi gases with population imbalance

We consider a trapped Fermi gas with population imbalance at finite temperatures and map out the detailed phase diagram across a wide Feshbach resonance. We take the Larkin-Ovchinnikov-Fulde-Ferrel (LOFF) state into consideration and minimize the thermodynamical potential to ensure stability. Under the local density approximation, we conclude that a stable LOFF state is present only on the BCS side of the Feshbach resonance, but not on the BEC side or at unitarity. Furthermore, even on the BCS side, a LOFF state is restricted at low temperatures and in a small region of the trap, which makes a direct observation of a LOFF state a challenging task.
What should be done about the uninsured poor

WITH THE number of uninsured persons in our society growing by 25% since 1980, presidential candidates, congress-men, and state legislators are once again confronting the plight of those without insurance gaining access to adequate medical care. 1 In a recent study supported by The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, those who were uninsured reported fewer physician visits and hospitalizations than insured persons, despite suffering from higher rates of ill health. In addition, an estimated 1 million individuals reported that they actually tried to obtain needed care, but did not receive it for economic reasons. 2 On the face of it, this should be an issue where the popular mandate leads to prompt remedies. Opinion polls repeatedly attest to the public belief that everyone has a right to adequate health care (82% of those responding to the question) 3,4 and that the federal government has the responsibility for guaranteeing it (76%). 5
Guillain-Barré Syndrome

GBS is an acquired, monophasic illness of the peripheral nervous system that usually presents with a gait disturbance and clinical features of pain, weakness, and areflexia. The etiology of the disease is immune-mediated and directed against the peripheral nervous system myelin, axon, or both. A careful history, physical examination, and routine laboratory tests are necessary to make a clinical diagnosis and to exclude other disorders that cause acute weakness. Laboratory tests that support the diagnosis, such as an increased CSF protein and abnormal electrodiagnostic studies, may be normal early in the illness. The most serious complications during the acute phase of the disease are respiratory failure and autonomic disturbances. Plasma exchange or IVIG shortens the duration and severity of the disease significantly. The prognosis for children who have GBS generally is excellent for full and functional recovery, using modern intensive care for respiratory support and the management of other complications.
Locating the Publicity of US-Based Anti-Sweatshop Activism

All the ruling classes, who are paying lip-sympathy to their hollow slogans of self-reliance and sovereignty, just to hood-wink the people, have to be exposed by forcing them to translate their slogans into reality and use their influence to persuade other developing countries to come out of WTO. (Draft Declaration of Indian People
MI-SIFT: mirror and inversion invariant generalization for SIFT descriptor

The best known Scale-Invariant Feature Transform (SIFT) shows its superior performance in a variety of image processing tasks due to its distinctiveness, invariance to scale, rotation and local geometric distortion. Despite its remarkable performance, SIFT is not invariant to mirror images and grayscale-inverted images.This paper proposes an improved SIFT descriptor named MI-SIFT which keeps the advantages of the standard SIFT and is additionally invariant to mirror images and grayscale-inverted images. MI-SIFT is achieved by combining SIFT histogram bins in an elegant way at slight expense of distinctiveness. Most importantly, MI-SIFT can be applied to mirror-like images and inversion-like images which are abundant in real world. Experiments show that MI-SIFT outperforms the standard SIFT on mirror-like and inversion-like images while achieve comparable performance on other images.
The social circumstances of illiteracy: Interpretation and exchange in a class-based society

Illiteracy, an extreme form of educational failure, is best understood in social structural terms, rather than as an individual psychological phenomenon. This structural interpretation of illiteracy is similar to critical institutional treatments of poverty, inadequate health care, and other persistent “social problems.” Instead of treating such problems as manifestations of remediable systemic imperfections, they are construed to be predictable consequences of the routine working of basic institutions in a class-based society. The institutionally determined social circumstances of illiteracy, moreover, are complemented by a context-specific logic that makes illiteracy a substantively “rational” achievment. In spite of its interpretable rationality, however, illiteracy retains the character of a self-inflicted wound that indexes a broad range of even more debilitating grievances.
Multiperiod design of azeotropic separation systems. I. An agent based solution

Abstract In this paper, the first in a two-part series, we explore an agent based solution approach to the multiperiod design of azeotropic separation systems. Asynchronous Teams (A-Teams), a software organization that has been successfully applied to combinatorial optimization problems in other disciplines, is applied to this chemical process system design problem. A-Teams is a framework in which multiple design techniques can work harmoniously in the solution of a problem too demanding for any one method. We introduce a simple architecture for constructing A-Teams that incorporates the use of persistent data. Several approaches for generating improved multiperiod azeotropic design solutions are developed and are used simultaneously in a large-scale demonstration. The software organization is found to be capable of developing and improving a population of preliminary designs for the multiperiod azeotropic design problem.
Gender differences in testosterone and cortisol response to competition

This study examined intra-individual change in testosterone, cortisol, and hormone-behavior relationships in response to a rowing ergometer competition. Forty-six members (23 females) of a university crew team provided saliva samples before, 20- and 40-min post-competition, as well as baselines on a non-competition day. Behavioral assessments included measures of previous rowing experience, dominance, competitiveness, bonding with teammates, pre- and post-competition mental state and performance. Men's and women's endocrine responses to this competitive setting were more different than alike and varied by level of competitive experience, the specific phase of the competitive event, and the particular hormone measured. Inter-individual differences in testosterone and cortisol were differentially associated with social affiliation with teammates but rarely with dominance or competitiveness. Theoretically, the findings support the integration of features of the 'tend and befriend' model with the biosocial model of status, and suggest future research directions that may lead to clarification and refinement of those ideas.
A numerical study of the applicability of the Boussinesq approximation for a fluid‐saturated porous medium

The regions of applicability of the Boussinesq approximation are investigated for natural convection in a fluid-saturated porous medium. A perturbation method is used to assess the relative importance of individual terms in the differential equations which describe the natural convection process. Specific limits to the validity of the Boussinesq approximation are identified for water and air. For water, it is shown that the restrictions imposed by the classical Boussinesq approximation can be relaxed by allowing for the variation of thermophysical properties with temperature while still retaining the incompressible form of the continuity relation. Results of the analysis are verified through numerical calculations performed for steady natural convection in a planar, water-saturated porous region.