cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
No association between cataract surgery and mitochondrial DNA damage with age-related macular degeneration in human donor eyes.

Purpose To determine whether age-related macular degeneration (AMD) severity or the frequency of retinal pigment epithelium mitochondrial DNA lesions differ in human donor eyes that have undergone cataract surgery compared to phakic eyes. Methods Eyes from human donors aged ≥ 55 years were obtained from the Minnesota Lions Eye Bank. Cataract surgery status was obtained from history provided to Eye Bank personnel by family members at the time of tissue procurement. Donor eyes were graded for AMD severity using the Minnesota Grading System. Quantitative PCR was performed on DNA isolated from macular punches of retinal pigment epithelium to quantitate the frequency of mitochondrial DNA lesions in the donor tissue. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to evaluate for associations between (1) cataract surgery and AMD severity and (2) cataract surgery and mitochondrial DNA lesion frequency. Results A total of 157 subjects qualified for study inclusion. Multivariable analysis with age, sex, smoking status, and cataract surgery status showed that only age was associated with AMD grade. Multivariable analysis with age, sex, smoking status, and cataract surgery status showed that none of these factors were associated with retinal pigment epithelium mitochondrial DNA lesion frequency. Conclusions In this study of human donor eyes, neither retinal pigment epithelium mitochondrial DNA damage nor the stage of AMD severity are independently associated with cataract surgery after adjusting for other AMD risk factors. These new pathologic and molecular findings provide evidence against a relationship between cataract surgery and AMD progression and support the idea that cataract surgery is safe in the setting of AMD.
Protein synthesis directed by encephalomyocarditis virus mRNA. 3. Discrete polypeptides translated from a monocistronic messenger in vitro.

RNA derived from encephalomyocarditis virus directs the synthesis of 12 discrete polypeptides in a cell-free system derived from Krebs II ascites tumor cells. The largest of these proteins has a molecular weight greater than 120,000 and accounts for about 40% of the information present in the viral genome. This protein also contains most of the tryptic peptides found in the viral capsid and is analagous to an encephalomyocarditis precursor protein synthesized in vivo. In contrast to the maturation-cleavage mechanism which reduces this large precursor into smaller, mature viral proteins in vivo, the high molecular weight protein does not undergo maturation-cleavage in the cell-free system. Detailed studies involving the pulse-chase technique and peptide analysis of the discrete in vitro products indicate that they arise from a common translational initiation site, but are terminated at several unique points on the viral mRNA.
Automated Inspection and Reverse Engineering

CAD/CAM (Computer Aided Design/Manufacturing) typically involves the design and manufacture of a mechanical part. The problem of reverse engineering is to take an existing mechanical part as the point of departure and to produce a design, and perhaps a manufacturing process, for the part. We explore a new approach to reverse engineering and inspection applications. Discrete event dynamic systems (DEDS) are investigated as a new framework for guiding and controlling the active exploration and perception of mechanical parts. The dynamic recursive context for finite state machines (DRFSM) is introduced as a new DEDS tool for utilizing the recursive nature of the mechanical parts under consideration. The framework utilizes DRFSM DEDS for constructing a goal-directed autonomous observer for inspection and reverse engineering purposes. The developed techniques are then used to aid CAD pre-constructed models for inspection purposes and/or to develop models for subsequent manufacturing, thus, closing the sensing → modeling → manufacturing → inspection loop.
THe Veil and the British Male Elite

All over the world, the law permits employers to impose reasonable grooming standards on employees. For example, the police officers may be prohibited from donning hippie hair and the schoolteachers may not be permitted to wear short skirts. Azmi will have a weak legal claim if the school can show a factual linkage between veil and teaching inefficacy. But that is not the point the British male elite, though known for their love of legal formalisms, is making. Their argument goes beyond the grooming standards at workplace. They wish to assimilate immigrant women into a prototypical woman who caters for male sensibilities and makes men feel comfortable.
Regulaciones Estatales Y Locales De Inmigración: La Necesidad Para un Trinquete Bilateral (State and Local Regulation of Immigration: The Need for a Bilateral Ratchet)

The English version of this paper can be found at http://ssrn.com/abstract=1894900Spanish Abstract: Este articulo propone un enfoque mas amplio en relacion a las regulaciones subfederales a favor de la inmigracion con el proposito de nivelar el campo legislativo actual. Bajo el actual enfoque sobre el derecho de prioridad, apoyado por muchos que razonablemente temen por una discriminacion subfederal incontrolada en contra de los inmigrantes, el Congreso ha otorgado a los estados el derecho de actuar en este campo exclusivamente en una direccion a favor de la aplicacion. En vez de solo permitir propuestas a favor de la aplicacion, una propuesta mas flexible para analizar como interpretar el derecho de prioridad debe ser empleada para otorgarle a los estados la habilidad de generar enfoques variados y mas adaptables en el asunto de inmigracion ilegal.English Abstract: This essay proposes a broader approach regarding pro-immigrant subfederal regulation in order to level the current legislative playing field. Under the current preemption approach, supported by many who reasonably fear unharnessed subfederal discrimination against immigrants, Congress has granted states the right to act in this field exclusively in a pro-enforcement direction. Rather than allow only pro-enforcement proposals, a more flexible approach in examining how to view preemption should be used to grant states the ability to generate more adaptable, varied approaches to the issue of unauthorized immigration.
Relativistic optics in the lambda-cubed regime and applications to attosecond physics

Attosecond electromagnetic pulses and electron bunches, being produced efficiently, can give access to extreme field physics and coherent interaction in X-ray range. We find a path to the efficient generation of strong attosecond electromagnetic pulses and dense attosecond electron bunches in the regime of tightly focused ultrashort pulses. By focusing few-cycle laser pulses to a diffraction limited spot (the lambda-cubed regime) relativistic intensity can be achieved even with millijoule energies. If the phenomena discussed above are realized experimentally, they offer the potential for the generation of extreme fields and efficient attosecond X-ray generation
From bacteriology to biochemistry: Albert Jan Kluyver and Chester Werkman at Iowa State.

This essay explores connections between bacteriology and the disciplinary evolution of biochemistry in this country during the 1930s. Many features of intermediary metabolism, a central component of biochemistry, originated as attempts to answer fundamental bacteriological questions. Thus, many bacteriologists altered their research programs to answer these questions. In so doing they changed their disciplinary focus from bacteriology to biochemistry. Chester Hamlin Werkman's (1893–1962) Iowa State career illustrates the research perspective that many bacteriologists adopted. As a junior faculty member in the Bacteriology Department in the late 1920s, Werkman faced a powerful professional dilemma: establishing a research identity that distinguished him from his colleagues with flourishing national and international reputations. His solution was to radically alter his research program from traditional bacteriology to a biochemistry program, which reflected the influence of the Dutch microbiologist/biochemist, Albert Jan Kluyver (1888–1956). Werkman was extremely successful in this career change. His laboratory made significant contributions to biochemistry, and Werkman achieved a notable degree of personal success. His career began in the shadow of his departmental bacteriological colleagues; within a decade he became the department's dominant research figure, as a biochemist. Werkman's personal success, however, had profound consequences for the disciplinary future of bacteriology at Iowa State.
Visualizing Uncertainty: On Soyer's and Hogarth's 'The Illusion of Predictability'

This comment was prepared for the International Journal of Forecasting mini-symposium on the Soyer-Hogarth experiment. The experiment evaluates the ability of expert econometricians to make predictions based on commonly provided regression output. Visual displays of quantitative information, including simple plots of data, outperformed predictions based on R-squared, t-statistics, and other common diagnostics. Reliance on graphing - on the visualization of uncertainty - was suggested more than a century ago by Karl Pearson, a founding father of English language statistics. The results of the Soyer and Hogarth experiment, when combined with evidence produced by Ziliak and McCloskey (2008) and others, suggests that graphing and visualization should receive more attention and tests of statistical significance, less.
Optimal periodic-output-feedback control of active AFM probe for nanomanipulation

AFM based nanomanipulation has been widely studied during recent years. But the efficiency and accuracy are still hot issues. The main problems include nonlinearities and uncertainties such as drift, creep, hysteresis, the deformation of the cantilever caused by manipulation force, etc. These cause difficulties in precisely controlling the tip position, which will cause the tip to miss the object. In this paper an active AFM probe is used to eliminate the uncertainties caused by the deformation of cantilever. The active probe is modeled based on the Euler-Bernoulli theory. An active probe controller of optimal periodic-output-feedback control has been implemented to decrease the position error caused by deformation of cantilever. With the active probe controller the cantilever maintains a straight shape during manipulation by adjusting its flexibility or rigidity. The simulation and nanomanipulation experiments verified the system model and the controller demonstrated that the AFM tip can be controlled precisely.
A Comparison of Shadowgraphy and X-Ray Computed Tomography in Liquid Spray Analysis

This work examines and compares two proven techniques for assessing key characteristics of liquid sprays for combustion applications: shadowgraphy and time-averaged X-ray computed tomography (CT). Atomization has key applications in combustion as it can improve fuel efficiency, increase heat release, and decrease pollutant emissions. To improve the design of fuel injection nozzles, the ability to conduct accurate analyses of sprays is crucial. Key characteristics of the liquid spray, such as mean particle diameter, spray-cone angle, mass distribution, and penetration length give insight into the effectiveness of a nozzle. Shadowgraphy is a relatively inexpensive method that produces a two-dimensional, instantaneous image of the spray particles or spray called a shadowgram. Shadowgrams can be used for analyzing mean particle size, spray-cone angle, and location of breakup regions. X-ray CT measures the time-averaged X-ray absorption of two-dimensional projection images of spray to produce a three-dimensional reconstruction of the spray. X-ray CT can provide valuable insight into the symmetry and mass distribution of a spray; however, X-ray absorption diminishes rapidly with increased distance from nozzles, thereby limiting analysis to the regions near the nozzle. A detailed comparison of the overall effectiveness and insights yielded by the two methods illustrates the unique uses, benefits, and shortcomings of each method. The results confirm that X-ray CT scanning proves more effective in the dense, near-nozzle spray region. Shadowgraphy effectively complements the X-ray CT analysis through particle analysis. It also allows for relatively simple spray cone analysis, though it cannot provide quantitative mass distribution analysis.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
INACTIVATION OF NEUROPEPTIDES

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses inactivation of neuropeptides. Neuropeptides are biologically potent molecules of 2-40 amino acids, with physiological activity ranging from their acting as neurotransmitters, local hormones or, more generally, as neuromodulators. The number of identified neuropeptides in the mammalian nervous system is now over 50, and new potential members of the neuropeptide family are being described and evaluated continuously. Neuropeptides fulfill their physiological role acting in the extracellular space transmitting chemical messages by binding to specific receptors on the cell surface. Because of their crucial role in neuronal information processing, the regulation of the activity of neuropeptides is of utmost importance. It is believed that neuropeptide inactivation is carried out by peptidases anchored to the cell membrane, with their active sites facing the extracellular space. Such enzymes have been termed “ectoenzymes.” According to this assumption, an enzyme can be classified as a neuropeptidase in vivo if it can be shown that it fulfills the requirements of being an ectoenzyme, it is co-localized with its presumed target and it is capable of degrading relevant peptides.
The Three Boys and Other Buddhist Folktales from Tibet

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Yeshi Dorjee Year: 2007 Pages: 223 Publisher: University of Hawai'i Press ISBN: 978-0-8248-3079-3 (soft cover). Prices: $17.95 USD(soft cover).
Effects of human monoclonal antibody 216 on B-progenitor acute lymphoblastic leukemia in vitro.

Background Human monoclonal antibody (mAb) 216 is a naturally occurring IgM cytotoxic mAb that binds to a glycosylated epitope on the surface of B-lymphocytes. This study investigated if this mAb could bind and kill acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) B-progenitor lymphoblasts in vitro. ALL cell lines were used to determine if combining mAb 216 with chemotherapeutic drugs would enhance killing and cell lines were used to measure cytotoxicity by mAb 216 with human complement. Procedure Expression of cell surface markers and mAb 216 epitope on fresh and banked ALL bone marrow samples was determined by flow cytometry. Fresh lymphoblasts were incubated for 20 hr with mAb 216 without complement to measure cytotoxicity. Cytotoxicity of ALL cell lines incubated with mAb 216 and vincristine (VCR) or human complement was determined using flow cytometry. Results Pre-B-ALL cells but not T-ALL cells are bound and killed by mAb 216. The combination of mAb 216 and VCR at sub-therapeutic levels demonstrated enhanced cytotoxicity beyond that observed for either agent alone. Incubation of mAb 216 with human complement increased cytotoxicity of ALL cell lines. Conclusion This increased cytotoxicity with chemotherapy and the functional ability of mAb 216 to use multiple pathways to induce cell death identify mAb 216 as a potentially novel therapeutic tool in the treatment of B-progenitor ALL. Based on the results from this preclinical study, a Phase I clinical trial with mAb 216 for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory B-lineage ALL is ongoing. Pediatric Blood Cancer © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Subpicosecond electromagnetic pulses from large-aperture photoconducting antennas.

The radiation efficiency and physical mechanism for the generation of subpicosecond electromagnetic pulses from large-aperture photoconducting antennas are evaluated. The rise time of the photocurrent is found to be more important than the fall time in determining the relative sensitivity of photoconducting materials. Indium phosphide is found to be almost 10 times more sensitive than radiation-damaged silicon-on-sapphire.
THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF A NEW DIOXIRANE C2O4

Equilibrium geometries and harmonic vibrational frequencies of two isomers of a new substituted dioxirane, C2O4, are reported. Molecular geometric characteristics, vibrational frequencies, and local atomic charges, are compared with its analog, CO4. It is found that C2O4 is structurally and chemically similar to CO4: one isomer shows the dioxirane rings like most substituted dioxiranes and the other isomer retains a CO3 ring. Equilibrium geometries and vibrational frequencies of two energetically low-lying triplet states of C2O4 are predicted and analyzed.
Hypertrophic pyloric stenosis at the children's hospital of pittsburgh from 1912 to 1967 A critical review of current problems and complications

Abstract Review of 1215 patients treated for hypertrophic pyloric stenosis during the period from 1912 to 1967 inclusive, demonstrates that the mortality has decreased to 0.5 per cent and the rate of complications to 9.5 per cent. Infections, usually pneumonia, have been the principle cause of death in the 27 infants who did not recover following pyloromyotomy. Postoperative complications now most commonly observed are incisional infections and gastroenteritis. Roentgen examination was used to aid in the diagnosis of pyloric stenosis in 254 infants. In 154 instances, it was probably unnecessary. When pyloric stenosis is present in an infant with a cleft lip and palate, diagnosis may be difficult and delayed. Such infants require special care. Nine infants in this series required a second pyloromyotomy. Only 35 per cent of the patients in this series never vomited postoperatively. Postoperative vomiting of varied degree occurs frequently after successful pyloromyotomy and probably represents variations in the return of gastric peristalsis.
ON THE STABILITY OF BILINEAR FILTERS

We consider stability properties of discrete-time bilinear filters. Simple sufficient conditions are given for bounded-input bounded-output stability (with not necessarily zero initial conditions), Ip stability, and three other important types of stability. In particular, conditions are given under which asymptotically periodic inputs produce asymptotically periodic outputs with the same period.
Hepatitis C and the risk of kidney disease and mortality in veterans with HIV.

Objectives—To examine the effect of hepatitis C virus (HCV) on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) among veterans with HIV and to evaluate independent associations of HCV and CKD with mortality. Methods—We studied a national cohort of HIV-infected patients receiving care through the Veterans Healthcare Administration from 1998 to 2004. CKD was defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR (mL/min/1.73 m 2 )] < 60. Poisson regression was used to assess relationships between CKD, HCV, and mortality.
The N-terminal Domain of Human GABA Receptor ρ1 Subunits Contains Signals for Homooligomeric and Heterooligomeric Interaction

Abstract γ-Aminobutyric acid type C (GABAC) receptors identified in retina appear to be composed of GABA ρ subunits. The purpose of this study was to localize signals for homooligomeric assembly of ρ1 subunits and to investigate whether the same region contained signals for heterooligomeric interaction with ρ2 subunits. In vitrotranslated human ρ1 was shown to be membrane-associated, and proteinase K susceptibility studies indicated that the N terminus was oriented in the lumen of ER-derived microsomal vesicles. This orientation suggested the involvement of the N terminus of ρ1 in the initial steps of subunit assembly. To test this hypothesis, mutants were created containing only N-terminal sequences (N-ρ1) or C-terminal sequences (C-ρ1) of ρ1. Co-immunoprecipitation studies revealed that N-ρ1, but not C-ρ1, interacted with ρ1 in vitro. When coexpressed in Xenopus oocytes, N-ρ1 interfered with ρ1 receptor formation. Together, these data suggested that signals for ρ1 homooligomeric assembly reside in the N-terminal half of the subunit. Sequential immunoprecipitations were then performed upon cotranslated ρ1 and ρ2 subunits which demonstrated that ρ1 and ρ2 interacted in vitro. Co-immunoprecipitation indicated that N-ρ1 specifically associated with ρ2. Therefore, the N-terminal regions of ρ subunits contain the initial signals for both homooligomeric and heterooligomeric assembly into receptors with GABAC properties.
Three-loop finiteness in Ricci-flat supersymmetric non-linear σ-models

Abstract Using the generalized form of the renormalization group equations for supersymmetric non-linear σ-models, the background field expansion, and Kahler differential geometry, it is shown that all supersymmetric non-linear σ-models defined on Ricci flat manifolds are on-shell ultraviolet finite at the three-loop level.
Recovery of interlaminar stresses and strain energy release rates in composite laminates

A layerwise displacement finite element with enhanced strains is used to determine deflections and interface model using the penalty function method is developed to determine interlaminar stresses and strain energy release rates to study delaminations. Since the interface model provides the facility for the closure of a delamination by a small amount, strain energy release rates were evaluated by actual crack closure and virtual crack closure methods. Numerical examples of free edge problems and delamination problems are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the computational approaches developed herein.
Renal axis deviation in the elderly

Renal axis variations occurring in age-grouped populations are described. We discovered a significant difference in renal axis deviations between young and old population groups with a tendency for a more vertical axis as age increases. Possible reasons for these changes are proposed. We suggest that not all renal axis deviations in the elderly population require extensive evaluation.
Enterprise information extraction: recent developments and open challenges

Information extraction (IE) - the problem of extracting structured information from unstructured text - has become an increasingly important topic in recent years. A SIGMOD 2006 tutorial [3] outlined challenges and opportunities for the database community to advance the state of the art in information extraction, and posed the following grand challenge: "Can we build a System R for information extraction? Our tutorial gives an overview of progress the database community has made towards meeting this challenge. In particular, we start by discussing design requirements in building an enterprise IE system. We then survey recent technological advances towards addressing these requirements, broadly categorized as: (1) Languages for specifying extraction programs in a declarative way, thus allowing database-style performance optimizations; (2) Infrastructure needed to ensure scalability, and (3) Development support for enterprise IE systems. Finally, we outline several open challenges and opportunities for the database community to further advance the state of the art in enterprise IE systems. The tutorial is intended for students and researchers interested in information extraction and its applications, and assumes no prior knowledge of the area.
Cytomegalovirus and Epstein-Barr virus are associated with symptomatic periapical pathosis

Background: Recent studies have identified human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) in symptomatic periapical lesions. Little information exists on HCMV and EBV in asymptomatic periapical lesions. Aim: To compare the presence of late transcripts of HCMV, EBV and herpes simplex virus (HSV) in symptomatic and asymptomatic periapical lesions. Methods: Periapical samples were collected from seven symptomatic and seven asymptomatic periapical lesions at the time of apicoectomy. HCMV, EBV and HSV late mRNAs were identified by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Results: HCMV mRNA was detected in all seven symptomatic periapical lesions and in one asymptomatic lesion (Chi-squared test, Yates’P-value = 0.007). EBV mRNA was detected in six symptomatic lesions and in one asymptomatic lesion (P = 0.04). One asymptomatic lesion yielded HSV mRNA. Conclusions: HCMV and EBV active infections are associated with acute exacerbation of apical periodontitis. HSV seems to be unimportant in periapical pathosis.
Encouraging reading and collaboration using classroom salon

Classroom Salon (CLS) is a special web based platform developed to encourage active reading and annotation activities. Using special highlighting and commenting tools in CLS, students indicate their understanding of concepts. CLS groups student annotations and provides a number of visualizations that can be used to understand group agreements and disagreements and other patterns of social annotations. In this paper we present data from a pilot project conducted in a second semester data structures course. We found that there is strong correlation between student's ability to find errors in a document and their overall performance in class. We also found that the majority of students prefer reading others annotations and using them to further refine their comments and hence encouraging collaborative document reading activities.
Characterization and estimation of urinary steroids of the newborn human by gas-phase analytical methods.

Abstract Procedures have been developed for obtaining urinary steroid profiles for newborn human infants. The GLC profiles contain five steroids which have been identified previously, and numerous steroids which are not yet identified. The method chosen for general use was the separation of the TMSi ethers of steroids obtained by enzymic hydrolysis, or by the Fotherby-Roy method, using a 12 ft 1% SE-30 or OV-1 column. Qualitative and quantitative comparisons can be made for normal infants, for the same infant with increasing age, and for infants with profiles altered by placental transfer of drugs.
Long-term survival after pancreatic cancer treatment

Pancreatic cancer is a nearly lethal disease. Patients have such a poor prognosis because there are no early symptoms. Upon presentation, most patients already have regional and systemic spread of the disease. With cure rates below 3%, long-term survival is difficult to measure. Thus, the assessment of clinical benefit has been based not only on observed 5-year survival but more frequently on actuarial, median, and disease-free survival. Surgery remains the only hope for cure, but median survival remains low despite improvements in peri- and postoperative treatment of complications and sharp decreases in perioperative morbidity and mortality. The addition of adjuvant chemo- and radiotherapy has provided a survival advantage of 6 to 10 months (increasing median survival to 20 months). However, the long-term benefit, if any, is still to be determined. Neoadjuvant therapies are also undergoing evaluation, but their role has not yet been established. True long-term survival may ultimately depend on the development of screening tools that will allow early detection (before regional and systemic spread) of this lethal disease.
FOOD VACUOLE MEMBRANE GROWTH WITH MICROTUBULE-ASSOCIATED MEMBRANE TRANSPORT IN PARAMECIUM

Evidence from a morphological study of the oral apparatus of Paramecium caudatum using electron microscope techniques have shown the existence of an elaborate structural system which is apparently designed to recycle digestive-vacuole membrane. Disk-shaped vesicles are filtered out of the cytoplasm by a group of microtubular ribbons. The vesicles, after being transported to the cytostome-cytopharynx region in association with these ribbons, accumulate next to the cytopharynx before they become fused with the cytopharyngeal membrane. This fusion allows the nascent food vacuole to grow and increase its membrane surface area. The morphology of this cytostome-cytopharynx region is described in detail and illustrated with a three-dimensional drawing of a portion of this region and a clay sculpture of the oral apparatus of Paramecium. Evidence from the literature for the transformation of food vacuole membrane into disk-shaped vesicles both from condensing food vacuoles in the endoplasm and from egested food vacuoles at the cytoproct is presented. This transformation would complete a system of digestive vacuole membrane recycling.
Oxytocin effects on emotional processes: separation distress, social bonding, and relationships to psychiatric disorders.

Centrally administered oxytocin exerts powerful effects on a large variety of behavioral and physiological processes.'t2 As documented in many chapters of this volume, a substantial role for oxytocin has been established in the control of sexual and maternal behaviors in all mammalian species that have been studied. Homologous patterns of behavior have been observed following central administration of the evolutionary precursor, vasotocin, into avian and reptilian species, suggesting a remarkable conservation of sociosexual functions for this family of posterior pituitary nonapeptides.) The behavioral effects of oxytocin offer a prime example of a general principle which seems to be emerging from neuropeptide research-that there is a functional harmony between the peripheral and central effects of neuropeptides. One working premise of our research is that this principle holds not only for the physiological and behavioral effects of these hormones, but that it also extends to the emotional/psychological effects of these peptides within the brain. Indeed, neuropeptides may serve as key neuromodulators within the genetically provided emotional operating systems of the brain that coordinate behavioral, physiological, and psychological responses to major life-challenging circum~tances.~J In other words, many peptide systems may serve command functions in the brain that help synchronize a variety of bodily and brain systems to unconditionally promote coherent organismic response to primal survival needs. Other examples of this general principle are the ability of angiotensin to conserve water in the periphery and instigate thirst centrally,6 the ability of insulin to conserve fuel peripherally and to facilitate satiety centrally,' the ability of MSH to promote pigmentary camouflage peripherally and hiding behaviors centrally,8 the ability of CRF to promote stress responses peripherally and anxiety ~entrally,~ and the ability of LH-RH to promote gonadal readiness peripherally and sexual urgency centrally.'O One of the most striking examples of this principle is the ability of oxytocin to mediate maternal intent, sexual readiness, and perhaps neuropsychic emotional patterns that go along with these behavioral tendencies. Although neurodynamic emotional processes are difficult to measure empirically, some indication of the status of such putative brain systems can be obtained through the analysis of the unconditional emotive behavior patterns in animal^.^.^ A straightforward emotional prediction is that brain oxytocin may evoke warm positive feelings of social strength and comfort when aroused by peripheral stimuli. For instance, as mother and infant share in the nursing experience, brain oxytocin
An analysis of maleless and histone H4 acetylation in Drosophila melanogaster spermatogenesis

Abstract maleless ( mle ) is essential in Drosophila melanogaster males both in somatic cells and in germ cells. In somatic cells mle is necessary for X-chromosome dosage compensation. The role of mle in the germline is unknown. We have analyzed the expression pattern and localization of MLE, the other MSLs and acetylated isoforms of histone H4 in male germ cells to address whether dosage compensation and/or X inactivation occur in the Drosophila germline. We observed that MLE is the only MSL expressed in the male germ cells and it is not localized to the X chromosome. We conclude that in the germline mle is not involved in chromosomal dosage compensation but may be involved in post-transcriptional gene regulation. We also observed that the acetylation pattern of histone H4 is very dynamic during spermatogenesis. While the pattern is not compatible with dosage compensation or X inactivation, it is consistent with all premeiotic chromosomes being in an active configuration that is replaced in post-meiotic stages with an inactive chromatin constitution.
Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) Branded Drug Web Sites Risk Presentation and Implications for Public Policy

Direct-to-consumer (DTC) branded drug Web sites inform consumers of certain specific facts, including risk information, about drugs. Prominently displayed risk disclosures can reduce the potentially misleading aspects of advertising information and encourage a deeper level of consumer processing. Although previous studies of DTC Web sites have examined the presence and absence of risk information, no research to date has evaluated the placement of risk information relative to benefit information on DTC Web sites or whether risk information is presented consistently in the DTC category. Bettman, Payne, and Staelin (1986) suggested that "the same information presented in different formats can result in different decisions" (p. 2). Schema theory can guide Web site development, as it suggests that consistency of information presentation in an on-line environment can help consumers maximize their ability to utilize information at the site. In addition, current regulatory practices (Food and Drug Administration...
Confocal laser scanning and atomic-force microscopy in estimation of elastic properties of the organic-rich Bazhenov Formation

Shales are one of the most complicated and intriguing natural materials on Earth. Their multiphase composition is continually evolving over various scales of length and time, creating the most heterogeneous class of rocks in existence. The heterogeneities manifest themselves from the submicroscopic scale to the macroscopic scale, and all contribute to a pronounced anisotropy and large variety of shale macroscopic behavior (Ulm and Abousleiman, 2006). Moreover, the effects of the multiphase composition are amplified within organic-rich shales that contain varying amounts of kerogen. Despite significant research into the properties of kerogen, fundamental questions remain regarding how the intrinsic rock physics properties of the organic fraction affect the macroscopic properties of host shales.
Lateral collateral ligament reconstruction using quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft with bioscrew fixation

The lateral collateral ligament is the primary stabilizer against varus stress and is also an important contributor in maintaining posterolateral knee stability. Quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft has been used for anterior or posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. We introduce a reconstructive procedure to restore the lateral collateral ligament using a quadriceps tendon-patellar bone autograft. The procedure is designed for unstable knees with concomitant cruciate ligament tear and posterolateral complex injury. This is a reasonable choice especially when allograft tissue is not available or in patients who are not suited for the use of bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft.
Partial transmission high-speed continuous tracking multi-leaf collimator for 4D adaptive radiation therapy

As a technique for compensating for tumor motion induced by respiratory and cardiac motions, various dynamic approaches are being investigated and implemented in radiation therapy. This paper presents a novel system that can continuously track the tumor during radiation dose delivery so that a precise dose is given to a moving target while reducing dose to nearby critical organs for improved patient treatment outcome. The efficacy of the proposed methodology has been investigated by extensive computer simulation using a Proportional, Integral and Derivative (PID) controller. System design and simulation results are presented in this paper.
Downregulation of XPF–ERCC1 enhances cisplatin efficacy in cancer cells

Bulky cisplatin lesions are repaired primarily by nucleotide excision repair (NER), in which the structure specific endonuclease XPF-ERCC1 is a critical component. It is now known that the XPF-ERCC1 complex has repair functions beyond NER and plays a role in homologous recombination (HR). It has been suggested that expression of ERCC1 correlates with cisplatin drug resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In our study, using NSCLC, ovarian, and breast cancer cells, we show that the XPF-ERCC1 complex is a valid target to increase cisplatin cytotoxicity and efficacy. We targeted XPF-ERCC1 complex by RNA interference and assessed the repair capacity of cisplatin intrastrand and interstrand crosslinks by ELISA and alkaline comet assay, respectively. We also assessed the repair of cisplatin-ICL-induced double-strand breaks (DSBs) by monitoring gamma-H2AX focus formation. Interestingly, XPF protein levels were significantly reduced following ERCC1 downregulation, but the converse was not observed. The transcript levels were unaffected suggesting that XPF protein stability is likely affected. The repair of both types of cisplatin-DNA lesions was decreased with downregulation of XPF, ERCC1 or both XPF-ERCC1. The ICL-induced DSBs persist in the absence of XPF-ERCC1. The suppression of the XPF-ERCC1 complex significantly decreases the cellular viability which correlates well with the decrease in DNA repair capacity. A double knockdown of XPF-ERCC1 displays the greatest level of cellular cytotoxicity when compared with XPF or ERCC1 alone. The difference in cytotoxicity observed is likely due to the level of total protein complex remaining. These data demonstrate that XPF-ERCC1 is a valid target to enhance cisplatin efficacy in cancer cells by affecting cisplatin-DNA repair pathways.
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome and multiple tract degeneration in a homosexual man

A 35-year-old homosexual man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome developed progressive dementia and spastic quadriparesis over a two-month period. Severe symmetrical, bilateral degeneration of the corticospinal and frontopontine fibers and cerebellar white matter were found postmortem. Several glial nodules in the brainstem and cerebellum suggested "smoldering" brainstem encephalitis. The possible association of the adenovirus that was isolated from the patient's cerebrospinal fluid to these obscure changes in the central nervous system is discussed.
Precedence-inclusion patterns and relational learning

In this paper we introduce precedence-inclusion patterns, which are sets with a strictly partially ordered set of strict partial orders, along with some additional structure. The definition of these structures reflects how multiple partial orders interact in a number of situations such as in text, images, and video. In particular, precedence-inclusion patterns generalize constituent structure trees familiar to computational linguists. Our interest in these objects was initially sparked by their connection with problems of relational learning. We develop the general mathematical theory of precedence-inclusion patterns, we show that each finite set of finite precedence-inclusion relations has a minimal most specific generalization that is unique up to isomorphism, and we explain how this result relates to relational learning.
Radiographic Evaluation of the Distal Radius Using Two Novel Biplanar “Pitch-and-Roll” Views: A Preliminary Cadaveric Study

This study’s objective was to compare the use of two biplanar angled radiographs versus standard posterioanterior (PA) and lateral radiographs in determining preservation of the articular space with regard to pin placement in the distal radius. Various combinations of inclination (pitch) and clockwise/counterclockwise rotation (roll) were used to determine the best view of the distal radius articular surface. Optimum visualization of the articular surface presented at 12° inclination plus 15° counterclockwise rotation for the PA view and 22° inclination and 15° counterclockwise rotation for the lateral view. Ten cadaveric forearms were dissected, and ten Kirschner wires (K-wires) were placed at specific surfaces of the distal radius. Each K-wire was countersunk 2 mm below the chondral surface so all K-wires resided within the subchondral bone. Each forearm was radiographed in four views; PA, lateral, pitch-and-roll PA (PR-PA), and pitch-and-roll lateral (PR-lateral). Four blinded reviewers evaluated the radiographs and marked whether they were certain, relatively certain, or uncertain that the K-wires did not penetrate into the articular space. Reviewers demonstrated significantly less uncertainty about intraarticular penetration (p < 0.005) with both the PR-PA and PR-lateral views compared with standard PA and lateral views. The biconcave nature of the distal radius makes it extremely difficult to visualize placement of hardware with respect to the articular surface using standard radiographs. The use of PR-PA and PR-lateral views significantly improves the surgeon’s ability to judge the position of hardware in the distal radius compared to standard radiographic views, thus allowing for more meaningful clinical decision in post-operative radiographs.
Formation of low-δ18O rhyolites after caldera collapse at Yellowstone, Wyoming, USA

We present a new model for the genesis of low-δ18O rhyolites of the Yellowstone caldera based on analyses of zircons and individual quartz phenocrysts. Low-δ18O rhyolites were erupted soon after the massive caldera-forming Lava Creek Tuff eruption (602 ka, ∼1000 km3) and contain xenocrysts of quartz and zircon inherited from precaldera rhyolites. These zircons are isotopically zoned and out of equilibrium with their host low-δ18O melts and quartz. Diffusion modeling predicts that magmatic disequilibria of oxygen isotopes persists for as much as tens of thousands of years following nearly total remelting of the hydrothermally altered igneous roots of the depressed cauldron, in which the alteration-resistant quartz and zircon initially retained their δ18O values. These results link melting to caldera collapse, rule out rapid or catastrophic magma–meteoric water interaction, and indicate wholesale melting rather than assimilation or partial melting.
Developing a multidimensional measure of system-use in an organizational context

Abstract The perception of a widening gap between the potential of information technology (that is, what it is capable of being and what it can ideally achieve) and its actual use has focused attention on the need for better measures of how extensively information technology is utilized in an organizational context. Building on a taxonomy of system-use and the rich descriptive literature provided by social scientists who focus on the impact of information technology on work, this paper makes an effort to develop new multidimensional measures of how extensively information technology is utilized in an organizational context for decision support , work integration , and customer service functions. System-use is a pivotal construct in the system-to-value chain that links upstream research on the causes of system success with downstream research on the organizational impacts of information technology. The new measures are appropriate for use as dependent variables in upstream research, or as independent or mediating variables in downstream research on the impact of information technology on work. A sample of 409 end-users enabled the researchers to provide evidence of this instrument's reliability, validity, and general applicability.
Muted voices: a critical look at e‐male in organizations

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to conceptually discuss whether and how feminine voice is muted within e‐mails in organizations; the implications of which are substantial and far‐reaching for human resource development (HRD) professionals as well as the HRD field as a whole.Design/methodology/approach – Utilizing the approach and arguments in muted group theory, the author conceptually applies these tenets to organizational e‐mail.Findings – Current gender‐preferential research concentrates on the textual polarity of male‐ and female‐preferential language. These language differences carry over to organizational e‐mail despite the lack of contextual cues within e‐mail as well as the masculine nature of organizations. A critical assessment of these findings, rooted in muted group theory, reveals that women's voice is not merely marginalized (i.e. is present, but relegated to the margin), but it is mute (i.e. is not even present because it has no authentic language with which to use).Research limitati...
Life Paths Into Effective Environmental Action

Abstract Structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 30 environmentalists in Kentucky and 26 in Norway (35 men, 21 women) who represented a broad range of issues, from wilderness protection to urban planning, to determine the sources of their environmental commitment. Experiences of natural areas, family influences, organizations, negative experiences, and education were mentioned most often. People were also asked about the period in life when significant experiences occurred, and on this basis, a typical life path of predominant sources of commitment at different ages was constructed. Respondents also recommended strategies for effective environmental action.
Layered Organic Structure at the Carbon Tetrachloride−Water Interface

We have used equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations to show that, at the interface with water, CCl4 molecules pack in a alternating layered structure, primarily with corner and face contacts between the tetrahedra. The motivation for this ordering as well as the specific orientations observed is likely a field generated by interfacial water molecules. It is interesting that the interfacial CCl4 structure consists of an ordered arrangement of the coordination believed to occur in the bulk organic phase.
Pharmacological treatments for brain-injury repair: Progress and prognosis

Abstract It has been only within the last 10 years that research on treatment for central nervous system (CNS) recovery after injury has become more focused on the complexities involved in promoting recovery from brain injury when the CNS is viewed as an integrated and dynamic system. There have been major advances in research in recovery over the last decade, including new information on the mechanics and genetics of metabolism and chemical activity, including the definition of excitotoxic effects and the discovery that the brain secretes complex proteins, peptides, and hormones that are capable of directly stimulating the repair of damaged neurons or blocking some of the degenerative processes caused by the injury cascade. Many of these agents, plus other non-toxic, naturally occurring substances, are being tested as treatment for brain injury. Further work is needed to determine appropriate combinations of treatments and optimum times of administration with respect to the time course of the CNS disorde...
Correlations between physical properties, formulations, and ATR FTIR spectra of polyurethane foams

Polyurethane foams of varying surfactant, tin catalyst, and amine catalyst levels were prepared to find formulations that made `good' foams. A good foam is characterized by rise and density. Attenuated Total Reflectance spectra of the foams were collected after the foams were allowed to cure for 24 hours. Because the infrared spectrum shows morphology as well as structure, the ATR spectrum can be used to measure physical properties that are dependent on structure and morphology. The ATR FT-IR spectra were baseline corrected and then normalized by the area in the C-H stretch region to correct for differences in contact area with the ATR crystal. Samples were then taken from the cured foam parallel to the direction of rise to measure tensile strength and air permeability. Correlations were then made between the ATR spectra and the physical properties. Partial least squares (PLS) and principle component regression (PCR) were used to do the correlations.