cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurotrophic effect of a novel TrkB agonist on retinal ganglion cells.

There is limited intrinsic potential for repair in the mature central nervous system (CNS). For example, after optic nerve injury or in degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) fail to regenerate their injured axons, and eventually die.1,2 The failure of survival and axon regeneration is in part due to a lack of adequate trophic support after injury. For example, death of injured RGCs can be delayed by application of neurotrophic factors such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-4/5, and ciliary neurotrophic factor.3–5 BDNF belongs to the neurotrophin family. It binds to high-affinity tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) and the low-affinity receptor-p75NTR. BDNF binding to TrkB induces subsequent phosphorylation of several downstream, intracellular mediator kinases such as extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IV (CaMKIV), phospholipase C-gamma, and other downstream pathways.6,7 Recent studies have shown that these signaling pathways are important for RGC survival and axon regeneration.7 For example, TrkB upregulation protects RGCs from axotomy7,8; activation of the ERK1/2 pathway protects RGCs in glaucoma9; CaMKIV is necessary for BDNF-induced phosphorylation of cyclic AMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and axonal growth10; and PI3K/Akt and JAK/STAT pathways mediate RGC survival after acute intraocular pressure elevation.11 However, the effect of BDNF is limited: it does not promote long-term survival because of the downregulation of TrkB,12 and it may lead to optic nerve dystrophy when used in vivo.13 Recently, a novel TrkB-selective antibody with agonist properties, 29D7, has been developed, and it demonstrated the potential for therapeutic use in ameliorating neurodegeneration associated with acute brain injury and in promoting long-term repair.14 We therefore hypothesized that this TrkB agonist could be used as a neuroprotectant for RGCs after optic nerve injury and asked whether it would be more or less effective than BDNF. Here we studied 29D7 for its ability to enhance RGC survival and neurite growth in culture, RGC viability after axotomy, and RGC axon regeneration into permissive peripheral nerve grafts.
Differential expression of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC in carcinomas of various sites: an immunohistochemical study.

We studied immunohistochemical expression of MUC1, MUC2, and MUC5AC in 194 carcinomas of different primary sites to determine whether differential expression patterns could be used to distinguish different carcinomas. MUC1 was expressed by most (except
Satellite Thermal Infrared and Inverted Echo Sounder Determinations of the Gulf Stream Northern Edge

Abstract The northern edge of the Gulf Stream off Cape Hatteras, North Carolina was located in 155 AVHRR-derived maps of sea surface temperature (SST) using five different methods. One method was subjective location of the northern edge by an analyst; the other four involved objective location of the edge by computer using various statistics of the SST field. Specifically, the quantities considered were: maximum SST gradient (calculated over a 3 × 3 pixel box), maximum SST (on a pixel-by-pixel basis), maximum variance (calculated over a 7 × 7 pixel box), and change in the skewness of the SST distribution (calculated over a 5 × 5 pixel box). The resulting locations were compared with the location of the 15°C isotherm at 200 m (T15) determined from inverted echo sounders (IESs) moored on the sea floor. The best method, which yielded the smallest rms difference from the IES-derived T15, was the subjective one; the surface front was located 9.0 km shoreward of T15 with a rms difference of 14.3 km. The best ob...
Rates of oxidation of millimetre-sized char particles: simple experiments

Abstract Rates of oxidation of 5–10 mm particles of chars from six coals at various temperatures were measured in air at ambient pressure in simple devices: a muffle furnace, a Meker burner, and a heated ceramic tube. The chars were first prepared from the coals in the Meker burner at comparable temperatures. As well as coal type and oxidation temperature, initial char particle mass and number of particles were varied. The char particles were oxidized in incremental steps of several minutes for periods up to 1 h. The cube root of particle mass decreased linearly with increasing time in all tests. Ash layers formed and usually remained in place around the particle. Average mass reactivities increased with decreasing initial particle mass. With decreasing furnace temperature, char reactivity decreased at the lower temperatures. Two or four closely spaced char particles burned much more slowly than single particles of the same size. Correlative equations are consistent with the data, elucidating the roles of kinetic reaction and oxygen diffusion.
Multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors: case report of a 19-year-old African American female.

Background and objective This is a somewhat rare case of a 19-year-old African American female with multiple cutaneous granular cell tumors. Granular cell tumors are of neural origin, except in rare cases, and are considered benign, with a low incidence of malignancy. The clinical presentation varies greatly, but these tumors are most commonly painful and slow growing, with two-thirds occurring on the head and neck. Patients are most commonly in their second to fourth decades of life, two-thirds are black, and two-thirds are women. Granular cell tumors are diagnosed by the characteristic pathologic findings of polygonal cells with eosinophilic granular cytoplasm. Conclusion These tumors are most commonly singular but can be multiple in 10 to 15% of patients. Older patient age, rapid growth or enlargement, and a history of local recurrence should raise concern for malignant behavior. The distribution and family history in this case are suggestive of possible mosaicism.
Effects of cimetidine and ranitidine on the conversion of prednisone to prednisolone.

Prednisone is a glucocorticoid that must be converted in vivo to prednisolone for pharmacologic activity. We examined the effects of the H2-receptor antagonists cimetidine and ranitidine on the time course of plasma prednisolone concentrations after an oral dose of prednisone. Nine healthy men received each of three oral treatments in a double-blind, balanced, crossover manner: cimetidine (300 mg every 6 hours), ranitidine (150 mg twice a day), or placebo for 4 days, with prednisone (40 mg) taken also on day 4. Serial blood and urine samples were collected for 30 hours after prednisone dosing. Prednisone and prednisolone plasma and urine concentrations were analyzed by HPLC. No differences were found between treatments in the maximum prednisolone plasma concentration, t½, apparent volume of distribution, and AUC. Cimetidine reduced the mean (±SD) ratio of prednisone dose to the plasma prednisolone AUC (16.6 ± 2.9 L/hr) below that ratio after ranitidine (19.2 ± 4.2 L/hr) and placebo (19.3 ± 2.8 L/hr), and resulted in the lowest fractional excretion of prednisolone in the urine (5.2% ± 2.2%, 9.8% ± 4.5%, and 12.4% ± 4.9%, respectively). The minor alterations in prednisolone kinetics during concomitant cimetidine dosing are not likely to induce clinically significant alterations in steroid effect. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1985) 37, 534–538; doi:10.1038/clpt.1985.84
Notes on projectively related ideals and residual division

Abstract Let I = ( I i ,…, I g ) and J = ( J i ,…, J f ) be finite collections of ideals of a Noetherian ring R . Then I and J are projectively related in case the integral closures of the ideals I i i i … I i g g and J j i i … J j f f are equal for some positive integers i 1 ,…, i g and J 1 ,…, J f . Some basic properties of this relation are proved, and then these are applied (when either g = 1 or each I i , is regular) to give several necessary and sufficient conditions for the existence of an ideal K that is projectively related to I such that K n : G = K n for all n ⩾ 1 and for all G in a given multiplicatively closed set Γ of nonzero ideals of R . It is then shown that if there exists such an ideal K in R , then for certain rings A related to R there exist ideals L projectively related to I A such that L n : GA = L n for all n ⩾ 1 and for all G ϵΓ.
Using ART1 neural networks with destructive solid geometry for design retrieving systems

Abstract A prototype of a feature-based design retrieval system using a modified ART1 neural network is proposed and implemented in this research. The coding scheme adopted is a destructive solid geometry (DSG) approach in which parts are coded on its respective form features using a difference operator. Then sets of binary vectors representing all designs are fed into an ART1 network to structure design families. This network can create new groups when novel parts fail to match any current grouping instances. A user can also receive a proper number of reference designs by controlling a similarity threshold, vigilance parameter. This proposed system has been demonstrated as an efficient and robust design retrieving tool.
Preoperative Oral Use of Ibuprofen or Dexamethasone May Improve the Anesthetic Efficacy of an Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block in Patients Diagnosed With Irreversible Pulpitis

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Effect of premedication with ibuprofen and dexamethasone on success rate of inferior alveolar nerve block for teeth with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis: a randomized clinical trial. Shahi S, Moktari H, Rahimi S, Yavari HR, Narimani S, Abdolrahmi M, Nezafati S. J Endod 2013;39(2):160-2. Reviewer John M. Nusstein, DDS, MS Purpose/Question To determine whether preoperative oral administration of ibuprofen (400 mg), dexamethasone (0.5 mg), or placebo (lactose) would improve the anesthetic success rate of an inferior alveolar nerve block in patients with molars diagnosed with asymptomatic irreversible pulpitis Source of Funding University: Dental and Periodontal Research Center of Tabriz, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran Type of Study/Design Randomized controlled trial Level of Evidence Level 2: Limited-quality, patient-oriented evidence Strength of Recommendation Grade Not applicable
A spatial analysis of snow–surface energy exchanges over the northern Great Plains of the United States in relation to synoptic scale forcing mechanisms

The northern Great Plains of the US is a region that experiences extensive winter snow covers. Meltwater provided by this snow is an important source of freshwater for agriculture, domestic uses and hydroelectric power. The geographic location of the region, however, makes it subject to a variety of meteorological influences that can induce rapid ablation episodes and flooding. A study of the synoptic scale weather patterns that induce large snowmelt events can provide a useful insight into the processes that contribute to ablation. The first objective of this study is to identify distinct regional circulation patterns that are associated with snow depth changes of greater than 2.54 cm (1 in.). Detailed case studies representing each synoptic type are then examined and used to illustrate the spatial relationships between synoptically induced meteorological variations and snow–surface energy fluxes. A one-dimensional mass and energy balance model is used to compute the surface energy fluxes and snow depth changes. The use of modeled fluxes in lieu of measured values allows for a more spatially extensive analysis as surface fluxes over the entire study region can be analyzed in conjunction with the prevailing synoptic scale weather patterns. Three synoptic patterns are associated with large midwinter snowmelt episodes in the northern Great Plains. All three patterns involve a midlatitude cyclone moving through the region and the advection of warm air into the region. The case studies reveal that subtle differences in the location and the strength of the cyclones lead to variations in cloud cover, wind speed, temperature and humidity among the different synoptic types. These differences when combined with variations in surface cover can greatly affect the magnitude and spatial distribution of radiative and turbulent energy exchanges. Copyright © 1999 Royal Meteorological Society
A Combined Particle-element Method for High-velocity Impact Computations☆

Abstract This article presents a Combined Particle-Element Method (CPEM) for high-velocity impact computations. It includes a description of the numerical algorithms, and example computations. For this new approach the initial mesh is input as solid finite elements, and then it is put into a meshless-particle structure in the preprocessor. The integration points of the original elements are transformed into massless stress points, and the nodes from the original elements carry the mass and accept forces from the stresses. When the equivalent plastic strain in a stress point is less than a user-specified value (ecrit) a finite-element algorithm (formulated within a particle structure) is used to update the strain rates and strains at the stress point, and to compute forces for the (fixed connectivity) particle nodes. When the equivalent plastic strain in a stress point exceeds ecrit the strain rates are determined from the surrounding neighbor nodes (obtained from a search routine) with a Moving Least Squares (MLS) formulation, and the nodal forces are determined from a weak-form formulation. With this approach there is a simple transition between the element and particle algorithms. The advantages are that the lower-strained particles (stress points) are computed with a fast and accurate finite-element formulation, and the higher-strained particles are computed with a meshless-particle formulation that can handle severe distortions. Furthermore, the meshless-particle algorithm (with MLS strain rates and weak-form forces) is consistent and does not exhibit tensile instabilities. It is also well-suited for conversion of finite elements into variable-connectivity meshless particles because it does not require deletion of elements and addition of particles, as required with the existing conversion algorithms that use the Generalized Particle Algorithm (GPA). Instead it is simply a branch point based on equivalent plastic strain. The basic approach can also be used for the element algorithm only or the particle algorithm only.
Speed-up multi-stage non-cooperative iris recognition

Iris is tested to be the most accurate one. However, most existing methods are not designed for non-cooperative users and cannot work with off-angle or low quality iris images. In this paper, we propose a robust multi-stage feature extraction and matching approach for non-cooperative iris recognition. We developed the Speed Up Robust Feature (SURF)-like method to extract stable feature points, used Gabor Descriptor method for local feature description, and designed the multi-stage feature extraction and matching scheme to improve the recognition accuracy and speed. The experimental results show that the proposed method can not only improve the process speed but also achieve better recognition accuracy.
Propaganda techniques in selected essays of George Bernard Shaw

This article examines propaganda techniques in three selected essays of George Bernard Shaw: “Socialism and Superior Brains,” “Vivisection,” and “The Censorship of the Stage in England.” Some of the areas considered are the nature of Shaw's readers, the direction of his persuasion, and the tenor of his appeals.
Xanthine dehydrogenase in the fat body of Manduca sexta: purification, characterization, subcellular localization and levels during the last larval instar

Xanthine dehydrogenase was isolated and purified from the fat body of fifth instar tobacco hornworms, Manduca sexta (L.) by ammonium sulfate precipitation, Sephacryl S-400 gel filtration, QAE-Sephadex ion exchange chromatography and reactive blue-2 Sepharose affinity chromatography. The preparation appeared homogeneous following analysis by polyacrylamide disc gel electrophoresis, sodium dodecylsulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and rocket and crossed immunoelectrophoresis using rabbit antiserum against purified xanthine dehydrogenase. The molecular weight of native xanthine dehydrogenase was estimated at about 300,000 while SDS-PAGE indicated that the enzyme consisted of two 158,000 mol. wt subunits. Kinetic analyses revealed high affinities for xanthine and hypoxanthine as substrates. Electron acceptors (cofactors) included NAD+, as well as the dyes, p-iodonitrotetrazolium violet and nitro blue tetrazolium. A broad pH optimum was observed between pH 7 and 10, and xanthine dehydrogenase was competitively inhibited by allopurinol and irreversibly inhibited by the sulfhydryl inhibitor, p-hydroxymercuribenzoate. The levels of xanthine dehydrogenase in fat body extracts from fifth instar larvae, as determined by both enzyme assay and immunoelectrophoresis, decreased from days 1 to 5. Ultra-structural analysis of day 3 larval fat body cells by immunocytochemical techniques, using colloidal gold staining, revealed that xanthine dehydrogenase was specifically located either within urate storage vacuoles or near the basal lamina of the cells.
High-affinity binding of thyroid hormones to neuroblastoma plasma membranes

The binding of thyroid hormones to isolated plasma membranes was studied in NB41A3 neuroblasts. Saturable binding of l-T3, d-T3 and l-T4 was observed. Binding was time-dependent, with eqilibrium reached in less than 60 min and maximal binding occurring between pH 7.4 and 7. Saturation experiments demonstrated two classes of sites for l-T3: a high-affinity site with Ka 8.4 · 109 M−1 and a low-affinity site with Ka 7.3 · 106 M−1. l-T3 and d-T3 inhibited each other's binding, l-T3 being several-times more potent. Affinity labeling of isolated membranes with bromoacetylated thyroid hormones disclosed stereospecific binding to SDS-PAGE bands with approximate molecular masses of 27 kDa (preferentially labeled by BrAc-l-T3), 32 kDa (preferentially labeled by BrAc-d-T3), and 48 and 87 kDa (preferentially labeled by BrAc-l-T4). Binding of BrAc-l-T3 to the 27 kDa band accounted for 3.4% of total binding, was selectively inhibited by excess l-T3, and may be involved in intracellular transport of l-T3.
“What Sort of Man Reads Playboy?” the Self-Reported Influence of Playboy on the Construction of Masculinity:

Virtually no research has explored men's phenomenological experiences with sexually explicit material. The present research examined men's self-reports regarding how they felt reading Playboy magaz...
A similarity retrieval method for functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) statistical maps

We propose a method for retrieving similar fMRI statistical images given a query fMRI statistical image. Our method thresholds the voxels within those images and extracts spatially distinct regions from the voxels that remain. Each region is defined by a feature vector that contains the region centroid, the region area, the average activation value for all the voxels within that region, the variance of those activation values, the average distance of each voxel within that region to the region's centroid, and the variance of the voxel's distance to the region's centroid. The similarity between two images is obtained by the summed minimum distance of their constituent feature vectors. Results on a dataset of fMRI statistical images from experiments involving distinct cognitive tasks are shown.
Nonsurgical treatment of prostatic hyperplasia.

Background Epidemiologic studies in castrates strongly support the key role of the testis in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Since the testis secretes both androgen and estrogen, both of these hormones have been implicated in BPH. Many data support the important role of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in BPH. It is now possible to quantify prostate size and function with reliable new techniques and to utilize androgen withdrawal studies to test the validity of the DHT theory. Methods A variety of androgen-blocking drugs have been demonstrated to decrease prostate size by approximately 30% by either blocking secretion of circulating testosterone and adrenal androgen, inhibiting 5 alpha-reductase to prevent DHT formation, or blocking DHT binding to androgen receptors. Results Accompanying these changes in size have been significant improvement in clinical symptoms of prostatism in approximately 50% of patients when double-blind, large multicenter studies were conducted with one of these drugs. Although these results suggest a very important role for androgen, particularly dihydrotestosterone, in the pathogenesis of BPH, other abnormalities besides those of androgen metabolism may coexist since significant numbers of patients do not show a total reversal of disease. There is strong indirect evidence for a possible role for estrogen in the pathogenesis of BPH and studies are under way to test the effects of estrogen withdrawal on prostate size and symptoms. Similarly, dynamic aspects of prostatic obstruction, which are under alpha adrenergic regulation, may also be a component of this disease and amenable to therapy with alpha-adrenergic blockers. Conclusions Therefore it would seem that BPH may be multifactorial and require combined therapy. Androgen would certainly appear to be necessary, but perhaps not sufficient, for the pathogenesis of this disorder.
Validity of the Darwin and Ewald reflectivity functions in the range of the far wings: Neutron diffraction study

Abstract Using the neutron time-of-flight (TOF) technique, we have examined the reason for the dramatic departure of experimental results from the Darwin and Ewald reflectivity functions in the far wings. The scattering from Si ( 111 ) single- and triple-bounce crystals set up at the Bragg angle θ B = 24.4 ° was dispersed in time-of-flight in the wavelength range 0.3 λ 3.0 A . The experiment reveals admixture of the single-scattered Bragg peaks and thermal diffuse scattering (TDS) originating at λ 0.6 A in the spectrum registered from a triple-bounce crystal. Our study explains the discrepancy between the theory and the experimental results reported in many neutron studies and proves the validity of the Darwin and Ewald theories in the far wings.
The Study of the DDR in the USA

Until the mid- to late 1960s, East Germany remained a virtual terra incognita to all but the tiniest handful of specialists in the United States. Even today, the discovery of the DDR by wider American publics-both academic and non-academic-can scarcely be regarded as anything like complete. Yet, after surveying the state of American research on the DDR, Peter C. Ludz concluded in 1970 that despite certain problems, its future prospects seemed bright.1 Indeed, he contended that the high level of development of social science techniques in the United States, together with geographic detachment from day-to-day involvement in intra-German politics, might enable American scholars to come to grips with "the basic questions" more readily than their German colleagues.2 Just how well has that optimistic forecast been borne out? Readers are invited to draw their own conclusions from the discussion that follows. Since the present treatment, rather than aspiring to be comprehensive, seeks to depict general trends, identify specific problems, and explore future prospects-all in the author's own disciplinary speciality, political science, several cautionary observations should be recorded at the outset. The study of politics, in the United States no less than elsewhere, must constantly grapple with the fact-value dilemma. I believe there can never be a genuinely wertfrei social science, in the sense in which some Americans have tended, somewhat one-sidedly, I think, to understand Max Weber's scientific aspirations. Similarly, with respect to the sociology of knowledge, Karl Mannheim's postulation of a freischwebende Intelligenz appears, to employ Mannheim's own terminology, to be utopian. If, as I believe, political science must be regarded as "metapolitics," then any treatment of work in the field of political science becomes a kind of "meta-metapolitics."3 Thus, description is inseparable from evaluation, if only because all description necessarily "involves selection, synthesis, and sequence."4 My personal value biases (broadly humanistic) and methodological preferences (I favor choosing the particular research techniques appropriate to specific subject of investigation rather than vice versa and am always distrustful of narrowly positivistic approaches) will be apparent in the account that follows. They will obviously also inform the recommendations for possible directions in future work on the DDR with which the present report concludes.
Plasmodesmal-mediated cell-to-cell transport in wheat roots is modulated by anaerobic stress

Cell-to-cell transport of small molecules and ions occurs in plants through plasmodesmata. Plant roots are frequently subjected to localized anaerobic stress, with a resultant decrease in ATP. In order to determine the effect of this stress on plasmodesmal transport, fluorescent dyes of increasing molecular weight (0.46 to 1OkDa) were injected into epidermal and cortical cells of 3-day-old wheat roots, and their movement into neighboring cells was determined by fluorescence microscopy. Anaerobiosis was generated by N2 gas or simulated by the presence of sodium azide, both of which reduced the ATP levels in the tissue by over 80%. In the absence of such stress, the upper limit for movement, or size exclusion limit (SEL), of cortical plasmodesmata was <1 kDa. The ATP analogue TNP-ADP (mw 681) moved across the plasmodesmata of unstressed roots, indicating that plasmodesmata may be conduits for nucleotide (ATP and ADP) exchange between cells. Upon imposition of stress, the SEL rose to between 5 and 10 kDa. This response of plasmodesmata to a decrease in the level of ATP suggests that they are constricted by an ATP-dependent process so as to maintain a restricted SEL. When roots are subjected to anaerobic stress, an increase in SEL may permit enhanced delivery of sugars to the affected cells of the root where anaerobic respiration could regenerate the needed ATP.
Prevalence of Myocardial Viability as Detected by Positron Emission Tomography in Patients With Ischemic Cardiomyopathy

Background—Detection of myocardial viability is important in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy. Restoration of blood flow to viable myocardium is associated with improved left ventricular function and improved patient prognosis. However, the prevalence of viable myocardium in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy is unknown. Methods and Results—To determine the prevalence of myocardial viability, clinical [13N]ammonia/18F-deoxyglucose PET studies performed in 283 patients (age, 63±10 years) with ischemic heart disease (mean ejection fraction, 26±8%) were visually analyzed for the presence and extent of viable and nonviable myocardium. The myocardium was divided into 19 segments. The extent of viable myocardium was considered “functionally” significant if ≥5 segments (≈25% of the left ventricular myocardium) exhibited a blood flow/metabolism mismatch and “prognostically” significant if 1 to 4 left ventricular segments did so. Of all patients, 41% had no evidence of viable myocardium, 55% had viable myo...
Motility of Colwellia psychrerythraea Strain 34H at Subzero Temperatures

We examined the Arctic bacterium Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H for motility at temperatures from -1 to -15 degrees C by using transmitted-light microscopy in a temperature-controlled laboratory. The results, showing motility to -10 degrees C, indicate much lower temperatures to be permissive of motility than previously reported (5 degrees C), with implications for microbial activity in frozen environments.
Laser laparoscopy in the treatment of polycystic ovarian disease

A polycystic ovaries disease occurs in the case of women with anovulatory cycles as the result of neurohormonal disorders. Patients with this disease suffer from infertility and many symptoms, such as: irregular menstrual bleeding, hirsutism, obesity. The paper presents a method of the carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy in the polycystic ovary disease treatment. The study included 96 women operated on (carbon dioxide laser laparoscopy) in the II Clinic Of Obstetric and Gynecology in Warsaw. Each woman measured her body temperature in order to evaluate her menstrual cycle and had vaginal USG examination or a cytohormonal one before laparoscopy and within 6 months after the surgery. Performing the laparoscopy the operator punctured each ovary in at least 15 points using the carbon dioxide laser. The patients were followed-up for 6 months. The Chi test was used to make the statistic analysis. Comparing the percent of ovulatory cycles and regular ones before and after surgery we noticed that the differences were statistically relevant. Eighty-five patients (88%) had regular cycles and in 88 cases (92%) there was a diphasic curve of the body temperature after the laparoscopy. Fourteen percent of infertile women with polycystic ovary disease conceived.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Enhanced x-ray diffraction patterns from oriented fibers

The difference x-ray diffraction pattern can reveal the presence of oriented, ordered material whose conventional diffraction pattern is masked by that of unoriented, disordered material. It is shown that this enhancement results from the fact that scattering from only oriented material contributes to the difference intensity, defined as the difference between the scattered intensity and its average over the polar angle in intensity space. Difference patterns of lightly crosslinked natural rubber, obtained as a function of elongation, show the development of crystallinity at smaller elongations than do the corresponding conventional patterns and indicate that nearly all the oriented material is crystalline. The difference and conventional patterns were obtained from the same diffractometer data. Photographically recorded diffraction patterns are intermediate between the conventional and difference diffractometer patterns in sensitivity to crystallinity. The difference diffraction pattern of a highly oriented atactic polystyrene fiber shows no evidence of crystallinity, the halos on the difference pattern being just as broad as those on the conventional pattern with no apparent tendency to break up into crystalline lines.
Lymphosarcoma in a Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

A case of lymphosarcoma in a captive adult female raccoon (Procyon lotor) from northeastern Pennsylvania (USA) was observed in 1991. Prior to its death the raccoon had lost weight. At necropsy the carcass was in poor body condition and had pale mucous membranes. The thoracic and abdominal lymph nodes were enlarged, soft, and pale tan. Microscopically, there was effacement of normal lymph node architecture by sheets of mononuclear cells. These were well-differentiated small lymphocytes with distinct cell borders. Nuclei of these cells were darkly stained and mitotic figures were frequently seen. Similar but lesser numbers of neoplastic cells were seen in the parenchyma of liver, spleen, and the pancreas. Since the neoplasm involved several organs, we propose that the condition was of multicentric origin. Gross lesions, histopathologic findings and the organs involved differed from a previously described case of lymphosarcoma in a raccoon.
Poly(ethylene glycol)-Supported Enzyme Inactivators. Efficient Identification of the Site of Covalent Attachment to α-Chymotrypsin by PEG-TPCK

A new methodology utilizing an enzyme inactivator covalently attached to poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) is described in which the PEG affords facile and mild quantification, isolation, and identification of the site of enzyme inactivation. As proof of concept, the known affinity labeling agent for alpha-chymotrypsin, N-tosyl-L-phenylalanine chloromethyl ketone (TPCK), was linked to PEG. The synthesis of the PEG-bound inactivator PEG-TPCK was carried out in good yields using standard solution-phase chemistry. Inactivation of alpha-chymotrypsin with PEG-TPCK was monitored via UV-vis spectroscopy in aqueous conditions, which resulted in less than 3% remaining activity, indicating that 97% of the alpha-chymotrypsin was covalently modified with PEG-TPCK. The MALDI-TOF mass spectrum showed only one new peak that was distinct in shape and corresponded to the mass of PEG-TPCK-alpha-chymotrypsin. Following proteolytic digestion, the PEG-TPCK-peptide was easily discernible from the rest of the digest in a HPLC trace because of its characteristic prolonged retention time and broad polymer shape. MALDI-TOF MS was used to determine the mass of the PEGylated peptide. Without prior removal of the PEG, the amino acid site to which PEG-TPCK covalently bound was determined via Edman sequencing. In comparison to other methods, the PEG-supported inactivator system is significantly cheaper and safer than the synthesis of radiolabeled compounds; furthermore, isolation of the PEGylated peptide is milder and more selective than standard affinity binding columns. Edman sequencing provides an exact determination of the site of inactivator covalent attachment without extensive, tedious LC-MS analysis of a complex peptide mixture. The method described here could be applied to a variety of enzymes as an alternative to current techniques.
M.I.T./Canadian vestibular experiments on the Spacelab-1 mission: 5. Postural responses following exposure to weightlessness.

The four science crewmembers of Spacelab-1 were tested for postural control before and after a 10 day mission in weightlessness. Previous reports have shown changes in astronaut postural behavior following a return to earth's 1-g field. This study was designed to identify changes in EMG latency and amplitudes that might explain the instabilities observed post-flight. Erect posture was tested by having the subject stand on a pneumatically driven posture platform which pitched rapidly and unexpectedly about the ankles causing dorsi- and plantarflexion. Electromyographic (EMG) activity from the tibialis anterior and the gastrocnemiussoleus muscles was measured during eyes open and eyes closed trials. The early (pre 500 ms) EMG response characteristics (latency, amplitude) in response to a disturbance in the posture of the subject were apparently unchanged by the 10 days of weightlessness. However, the late (post 500 ms) response showed higher amplitudes than was found pre-flight. General postural control was quantitatively measured pre- and post-flight by a “sharpened Romberg Rails test”. This test showed decrements in standing stability with eyes closed for several days post-flight.
TREATMENT AND OUTCOMES OF STEMI PATIENTS PRESENTING >12 HOURS AFTER ONSET OF CHEST PAIN

Previous studies have shown PCI administered 12-24 hours (hrs) after onset of chest pain (CP) improves 12-month survival in STEMI patients (pts). Despite this, management of these pts continues to be controversial. Using a comprehensive prospective regional STEMI program database, we evaluated the
The measurement of isotonicity and maintenance of osmotic balance in plant protoplast manipulations

Abstract Deviation of protoplast media from isotonic concentrations causes the protoplasts to shrink or swell. This process may influence membrane physiology and long-term cell survival. On close examination of standard protoplast procedures, we found that considerable protoplast volume changes can occur during routine manipulation. Techniques for balancing isolation and culture media to cell isotonic concentration were evaluated for two plant genera ( Betula and Solanum ). Two methods for determining cell sap concentration were examined. Plasmometric methods revealed that different cell types within a single leaf vary markedly in isotonic concentrations. The accuracy of cell sap extraction methods was influenced by pretreatment, handling and selection of plant material. The influence of salts, sugars and other media components on osmotic strength was also investigated. It is suggested that low success rates for protoplast culture of certain plants may in part be due to use of osmotically imbalanced media.
Acoustic wavefield propagation using paraxial extrapolators

Modeling by paraxial extrapolators is applicable to wave propagation problems in which most of the energy is traveling within a restricted angular cone about a principle axis of the problem. Frequency domain finite-difference solutions are readily generated by using this technique. Input models can be described either by specifying velocities or appropriate media parameters on a two or three dimensional grid of points. For heterogeneous models, transmission and reflection coefficients are determined at structural boundaries within the media. The direct forward scattered waves are modeled with a single pass of the extrapolator operator in the paraxial direction for each frequency. The first-order back scattered energy can then be modeled by extrapolation (in the opposite direction) of the reflected field determined on the first pass. Higher order scattering can be included by sweeping through the model with more passes.The chief advantages of the paraxial approach are 1) active storage is reduced by one dimension as compared to solutions which must track both up-going and down-going waves simultaneously, thus even realistic three dimensional problems can fit on today's computers, 2) the decomposition in frequency allows the technique to be implemented on highly parallel machines such the hypercube, 3) attenuation can be modeled as an arbitrary function of frequency, and 4) only a small number of frequencies are needed to produce movie-like time slices.By using this method a wide range of seismological problems can be addressed, including strong motion analysis of waves in three-dimensional basins, the modeling of VSP reflection data, and the analysis of whole earth problems such as scattering at the core-mantle boundary or the effect of tectonic boundaries on long-period wave propagation.
Solid-state metal hydride batteries using tetramethylammonium hydroxide pentahydrate

Abstract A new solid electrolyte, tetramethylammonium hydroxide pentahydrate, was applied to a nickel oxyhydroxide-metal hydride (NiOOH/MH) battery and a manganese dioxide-metal hydride (MnO 2 /MH) battery, which were prepared by impregnating the melt of the solid electrolyte into the battery components. The NiOOH/MH and MnO 2 /MH batteries were dischargeable even at 10 mA cm −2 and 2 mA cm −2 , respectively. No appreciable decrease in discharged capacity for both batteries was observed up to 200 cycles. Both batteries showed poor charge retention performance, resulting from the decreased density of the oxidized metal ions near the surface of the active material particles on their positive electrodes due to diffusion of protons and conduction of electrons.
Regulation of dihydrofolate reductase gene expression and E2F components in human diploid fibroblasts during growth and senescence.

The induction of dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR), a key enzyme in DNA biosynthesis that is induced just before the onset of S phase, is markedly attenuated in senescent human fibroblasts (Pang and Chen, 1994, J. Cell. Physiol., 160~531538). Footprinting analysis of the 365 bp promoter region of the human DHFR gene (-381 to -17) indicated that nuclear proteins bind to a cluster of ciselements, including two overlapping E2F binding sequences, two Spl sites, and one Yi sequence. Gel mobility shift assays were performed to assess the role of each cis-element in the regulation of DHFR gene expression. We found that 1) Spl binding activity was constitutively expressed throughout the cell cycle in early passage and senescent cells; 2) Yi binding activity was undetectable in both early passage and senescent cells; and 3) E2F binding activity was seruminducible, senescence-dependent, and prominent in presenescent cells but strikingly diminished in senescent cells. Northern blot analysis of the expression of E2F and DP family members showed that the E2F-1, E2F-4, and E2F-5 mRNA was growth- and senescence-dependent, whereas E2F-3, DP-1 , and DP-2 expression was constitutive and senescence-independent. In contrast, E2F-2 mRNA was not detectable in IMR-90 or WI-38 human fibroblasts. Western blot analysis showed that among the E2F-associated proteins, the expression of E2F-1, cyclin A, and cyclin B but not p107 was cell cycle- and senescence-dependent. A nuclear extract mixing experiment suggested that an inhibitory factor may further
Disclosing illness and disability in the workplace

Purpose – This paper seeks to explore what disclosing illness and disability in the workplace means to workers with chronic illness and disabilities. It aims to argue that beginning analysis from the meanings of these workers contributes to a nuanced understanding of their situations; gaining this view requires knowing how individuals define their health as well as their meanings, risks, and dilemmas of disclosing illness and disability; understanding the employee's perspective and actions helps employers to make useful accommodations for illness and disability; and this analysis can offer researchers and managers in international business a starting‐point for making comparisons with worksites across the globe.Design/methodology/approach – The analysis derives from qualitative data in which issues concerning disclosure emerged as a recurring theme, and on studies reported in literatures that illuminate ill and disabled workers' views and experience. The paper draws on material from 185 qualitative intervi...
Carbonyl iron (CI) solution stability and aggregation behavior response to electrochemical and magnetic stimuli

Zeta potential measurements, optical microscopy and viscometry have been used to probe the behavior and the modified response to electrochemical and magnetic stimuli of cabonyl iron with other species present in the magnetorheological finishing fluid.
Luminescence spectrum of the vibronic laser KZn1-xCoxF3:Ni

Abstract The luminescence spectrum of the vibronic laser material KZn 1 2 -xCoxF3:Ni X
Polytobacco Use Among College Students

Introduction Use of more than one tobacco product among college students is increasing in popularity, leading to nicotine addiction and additional health risks. The study (1) examined polytobacco use patterns among college students who had ever used tobacco; and (2) assessed the sociodemographic and personal factors associated with current polytobacco use, compared to current single product use and former tobacco use among college students. Methods Of 10,000 randomly selected college students from a large public university in the Southeast, a sample of 1593 students age 18 or older completed an online survey assessing tobacco use and attitudes. Ever tobacco users were included in this study (n = 662, or 41.6% of survey completers). Results About 15% of ever users reported current polytobacco use, and more than 70% of polytobacco users smoked cigars, little cigars, or clove cigarettes in combination with one or more products. Cigarettes were the most commonly-used product among single users, followed by hookah. Males, underclassmen, and students with greater acceptance of cigarette use were more likely to be polytobacco users. Race/ethnicity was marginally related to polyuse status, with white/non-Hispanics 28% less likely to be polytobacco users versus single product users. Conclusions Polytobacco users were more likely than single users to consume emerging tobacco products, (ie, hookah and electronic cigarettes). Males, underclassmen, and racial/ethnic minorities were more at risk for polytobacco use. As young people are particularly prone to nicotine addiction, there is a need to further investigate polytobacco use among college students.
Compact fiber optic immunosensor using tapered fibers and acoustic enhancement

A compact fiber-optic sensing system that features all-fiber optical design and semiconductor-laser excitation has been developed and tested. A 2X2 fiber coupler directs the input light to the SMA connected sensing fiber tip and the fluorescent signal back to a CCD fiber spectrophotometer. In this system, the fluorescent signal is confined in the fiber system so the signal-to-noise ratio is greatly improved and the system can be operate in ambient light conditions. The utilization of a red laser diode has reduced the background signal of non-essential biomolecules. The fluorescent dye used is Cy5, which has an excitation wavelength of 650 nm and a fluorescent center wavelength of 680 nm. To illustrate the biosensor's diagnostic capabilities, a sandwich immunoassay to detect Salmonella is presented. Tapered fiber tips with different shapes and treatments were studied and optimized. An enhancement system employing ultrasonic concentration of target particles has also been developed and applied to the detection of Salmonella. The immunoassay was conducted in a test chamber that also serves as an ultrasonic standing-wave cell and allows microspheres to be concentrated in a column along the fiber probe. The system demonstrates broad promise in future biomedical application.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Defective DNA base excision repair in brain from individuals with Alzheimer's disease and amnestic mild cognitive impairment

Oxidative stress is thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and increased oxidative DNA damage has been observed in brain tissue from AD patients. Base excision repair (BER) is the primary DNA repair pathway for small base modifications such as alkylation, deamination and oxidation. In this study, we have investigated alterations in the BER capacity in brains of AD patients. We employed a set of functional assays to measure BER activities in brain tissue from short post-mortem interval autopsies of 10 sporadic AD patients and 10 age-matched controls. BER activities were also measured in brain samples from 9 amnestic mild cognitive impairment (MCI) subjects. We found significant BER deficiencies in brains of AD patients due to limited DNA base damage processing by DNA glycosylases and reduced DNA synthesis capacity by DNA polymerase β. The BER impairment was not restricted to damaged brain regions and was also detected in the brains of amnestic MCI patients, where it correlated with the abundance of neurofibrillary tangles. These findings suggest that BER dysfunction is a general feature of AD brains which could occur at the earliest stages of the disease. The results support the hypothesis that defective BER may play an important role in the progression of AD.