cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of desferrioxamine and chronic iron deficiency of heme metabolism--comparison with the porphyrogens 2-allyl-2-isopropylacetamide and 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine.

Abstract Desferrioxamine (DF), an iron chelator, inhibits mitochondrial heme synthase (heme-S) activity and stimulates the activity of microsomal heme oxygenase (MHO) in the liver of rats. However, the inhibitory effect on heme-S is not accompanied by an increased activity of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthase (ALA-S). Consequently, no prolonged accumulation of porphyrins is found in the liver. The proposed mechanism of the induction of ALA-S activity by the porphyrogen, 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine (DDC), has been thought to involve first a decrease in heme-S activity followed by an increase in ALA-S activity. DF and DDC both inhibit heme-S, but ALA-S was not induced by DF as it was by DDC. Therefore, the concept of derepression of ALA-S following decreased heme production cannot in itself explain the observed results. However, they do indicate a relationship between iron and heme metabolism which is above that of a simple reduction in substrate availability for heme formation by DF and do implicate a role for iron in the regulation of ALA-S activity by heme.
Revisiting a measure of child postoperative recovery: development of the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire for Ambulatory Surgery.

Summary Background The Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire (PHBQ) was designed for assessing children's posthospitalization and postoperative new-onset behavioral changes. However, the psychometric properties of the scale have not been re-evaluated in the past five decades despite substantial changes in the practice of surgery and anesthesia. In this investigation, we examined the psychometric properties of the PHBQ to potentially increase the efficacy and relevance of the instrument in current perioperative settings. Method This study used principal components analysis, a panel of experts, Cronbach's alpha, and correlations to examine the current subscale structure of the PHBQ and eliminate items to create the Post Hospitalization Behavior Questionnaire for Ambulatory Surgery (PHBQ-AS). Data from previous investigations (N = 1064, Mage = 5.88) which utilized the PHBQ were combined for the purposes of this paper. Results A principal components analysis revealed that the original subscale structure of the PHBQ could not be replicated. Subsequently, a battery reduction, which utilized principal components analysis and a panel of experts, was used to eliminate the subscale structure of the scale and reduce the number of items from 27 to 11, creating the PHBQ-AS. The PHBQ-AS demonstrated good internal consistency reliability and concurrent validity with another measure of children's psychosocial and physical functioning. Conclusion Revising the former subscale structure and reducing the number of items in the PHBQ to create the PHBQ-AS may provide a means for reducing the burden of postoperative behavioral assessment through decreasing time of administration and eliminating redundancy of items and allow for more accurate measurement of child postoperative behavioral changes.
The Rh factor in obstetrics.

Abstract 1. 1. The Rh factor in obstetrics is discussed. 2. 2. Every obstetric patient should have an Rh determination during her prenatal course. 3. 3. When anti-Rh agglutinins are present, labor should be induced before term. 4. 4. Erythroblastotic babies with hemolytic anemia should be treated with immediate transfusions. 5. 5. Transfusions reduce the mortality in erythroblastosis fetalis. 6. 6. Three hundred consecutive deliveries are analyzed. In this group two women had anti-Rh agglutinins present and had labor induced before term. One of these infants had true erythroblastosis fetalis and, with five blood transfusions, survived and is alive and well. 7. 7. The incidence of erythroblastosis fetalis in this series was 1 in 300.
A Psychologically Plausible Logical Model of Conceptualization

This paper discusses how we understand and use a concept or the meaning of a general term to identify the objects falling under the term. There are two distinct approaches to research on the problems of concepts and meaning the psychological approach and the formal (or logical) approach. My major concern is to consider the possibility of reconciling these two different approaches, and for this I propose to build a psychologically plausible formal system of conceptualization. That is, I will develop a theory-based account of concepts and propose an explanation of how an agent activates a perspective (which consists of theories) in response to a situation in which reasoning using a concept is called for. Theories are represented as sets of facts and rules, both strict and defeasible. Each theory is organized in a coherent perspective which stands for an agent‘s mental state or an agent‘s model of another agent‘s perspective. Perspectives are organized into hierarchies and the theory for a concept in one perspective may defeat the theory for the same concept in another perspective. Which perspective is superior is context-dependent.
Enduring footprint of historical land tenure on modern land cover in eastern Mexico: implications for environmental services programmes

Historical land-tenure regimes and associated land-use practices can have cumulative and persistent long-term (centuries) effects on land cover in human-modified landscapes. Thus, identifying areas historically preferred for specific land uses is important to prioritise sites for payments for environmental services (PES) programmes. We use historical studies spanning the 16th to 20th centuries, 1907 and 2007 land-tenure maps, and a supervised classification of 2007 land cover to examine the footprint of historical land tenure on modern land cover in eastern Mexico. This information is then used to assess the conservation potential of forests and agroforests included in PES between 2003 and 2010. Our findings show that historical land tenure strongly influences the composition and spatial configuration of modern land cover in this region. In 2007, three land-use and land-cover types introduced by Spanish colonists and their heirs – grass/pasture, sugar cane and shade coffee – covered nearly three-quarters of the study area. Moreover, the hacienda land-tenure system stratified the landscape into well-defined agroecological zones. In 2007, areas under hacienda control in 1907 had relatively more grass/pasture, sugar cane and urban, and relatively less forest and shade coffee land cover compared with areas not controlled by haciendas. Agricultural and urban lands were concentrated on gentle slopes and near roads, whereas forested lands were found on slopes >12 per cent and more distant from roads. Approximately 20 per cent of the land area targeted for PES fell within areas identified as historically preferred for intensive land use. Three to 25 per cent of the PES target areas were situated where forest and coffee would be expected to persist: on steeper slopes not previously controlled by haciendas and with low accessibility. By elucidating areas of relatively stable land cover as well as the responsiveness of different land-cover types to underlying land-use change drivers, our findings suggest that PES programmes could benefit from better understanding of landscape history.
A New Asymmetric Correlation Kernel for GNSS Multipath Mitigation

Multipath is the dominant error source in precise positioning Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) such as the United States Global Positioning System (GPS). These systems utilize the satellite signal time of arrival estimates to solve for position. Multipath corrupts the time of arrival estimates by distorting the signal tracking phase discriminator; which results in a slowly time- varying phase bias. This bias ranges from several centimeters to tens of meters. The submeter bias is the most problematic for centimeter positioning systems. Moreover, in addition to multipath, the GPS spread spectrum code is unbalanced for certain space vehicles which can lead to a code tracking phase bias. A new correlation kernel is proposed as part of a multipath mitigating delay-locked- loop code phase discriminator that does not suffer a tracking bias due to unbalanced spreading codes. This new algorithm performance is compared to existing techniques with respect to position bias and robustness.
Surface Diffusion of Metal Clusters on Metals

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the surface diffusion of metal clusters on metals. To understand the behavior of surface clusters, it is useful to first examine the properties of single metal atoms bound to a surface. The (211) plane of tungsten is particularly advantageous for this. It is made up of rows of close-packed lattice atoms; these form channels, which can be expected to restrict the motion of atoms to one dimension. This is indeed the behavior actually observed. A single rhenium atom has been deposited upon a (211) plane of tungsten formed in a highly perfect state by field evaporation at low temperatures. Observations in the field ion microscope reveal that this atom moves only along surface channels in the direction, never across them. Repeated observations do not cause any change in the location of the atom. Atom locations are never examined at room temperature, where mobility is pronounced and where the field is likely to have a significant effect. The motion evident is thus typical of diffusion in an ordinary thermal environment. It is customary to view the surface migration of an adatom as a random walk, for which the mean-square displacement in one dimension is related to the diffusion coefficient and the diffusion interval.
TATA-binding protein and nuclear differentiation in Tetrahymena thermophila.

Abstract Unambiguous TATA boxes have not been identified in upstream sequences of Tetrahymena thermophila genes analyzed to date. To begin a characterization of the promoter requirements for RNA polymerase II, the gene encoding TATA-binding protein (TBP) was cloned from this species. The derived amino acid sequence for the conserved C-terminal domain of Tetrahymena TBP is one of the most divergent described and includes a unique 20-amino-acid C-terminal extension. Polyclonal antibodies generated against a fragment of Tetrahymena TBP recognize a 36-kDa protein in macronuclear preparations and also cross-react with yeast and human TBPs. Immunocytochemistry was used to examine the nuclear localization of TBP during growth, starvation, and conjugation (the sexual phase of the life cycle). The transcriptionally active macronuclei stained at all stages of the life cycle. The transcriptionally inert micronuclei did not stain during growth or starvation but surprisingly stained with anti-TBP throughout early stages of conjugation. Anti-TBP staining disappeared from developing micronuclei late in conjugation, corresponding to the onset of transcription in developing macronuclei. Since micronuclei do not enlarge or divide at this time, loss of TBP appears to be an active process. Thus, the transcriptional differences between macro- and micronuclei that arise during conjugation are associated with the loss of a major component of the basal transcription apparatus from developing micronuclei rather than its appearance in developing macronuclei.
Weighted Laplace transforms and Bessel functions on Hermitian symmetric spaces

This paper defines ir-weighted Laplace transforms on the spaces of ir-covariant functions. By the inverse Laplace transform we define operator-valued Bessel functions. We also study the holomorphic discrete series of the automorphism group of a Siegel domain of type II.
CASP2 experiences with docking flexible ligands using FlexX.

We have applied our docking program FLEXX to all eight CASP2 targets involving protein complexes with small ligands. Of the seven targets that were kept in the CASP2 experiment, we could solve two. We found important parts of the solution in four other examples, and were unsuccessful on the remaining example. This paper discusses all predictions in detail. Each of our prediction runs took just a few minutes of computer time on a standard workstation and could thus be demonstrated in real time at the CASP meeting. We believe that this speed is the prime strength of our program FLEXX. In quality, our predictions are competitive with those produced by other predictors. The experiment showed that possible objectives of improvement of the FLEXX program are to incorporate relevant aspects of receptor flexibility, deal with water molecules in the receptor pocket, allow for a postoptimization to refine favorable complexes, and improve the scoring function. Proteins, Suppl. 1:221–225, 1997. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Outcomes in 24 selected patients with stage IVB cervical cancer and excellent performance status treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

We sought to review outcomes in patients with stage IVB carcinoma of the cervix treated with irradiation in combination with chemotherapy. We report outcomes of 24 consecutive patients with good performance status treated from 1998 to 2005. Most of these patients underwent concurrent irradiation with platinum-based chemotherapy. Some patients received subsequent systemic chemotherapy. All patients underwent external beam radiotherapy; 7 patients (29%) had additional high-dose-rate and 12 (50%) low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Two patients (8%) received an IMRT boost instead of brachytherapy. The mean dose to point A was variable (73.9 ± 19.2 Gy). Twenty patients (83%) received radio-sensitizing platinum-based chemotherapy, and the remaining had radiotherapy alone. Seven patients (29%) had further combination chemotherapy. Therapy was well tolerated. The overall survival was 44% at 36 months and 22% at 5 years. Patients with stage IVB cervical cancer have mostly been treated with palliative intent. With the advent of concurrent chemoradiation, we have treated many of these cases with aggressive combination therapy. In this series, the use of radiotherapy and multiagent chemotherapy in patients with stage IVB cervical carcinoma and good performance status was well tolerated and resulted in higher survival rates than previously reported.
Comparison of Stormwater Management Strategies with an Urban Watershed Model

AbstractA detailed hydrologic/hydraulic model for an urbanized 381-acre watershed in Blacksburg, Virginia, is used to evaluate downstream results from simulation of seven stormwater management (SWM) strategies currently practiced within the United States. Each strategy has unique design criteria for specified design storms and is intended to achieve predevelopment peak runoff rates at the site outfall or a baseline peak runoff rate at a watershed point of interest (POI). Model simulations are run that represent each strategy implemented throughout the watershed within areas currently subjected to SWM. Runoff hydrographs at each site outfall and the watershed POI are evaluated. Evaluation of model results at the site outfalls and a downstream watershed POI lead to a number of observations about the performance of the various strategies and their respective design criteria. Results demonstrate that strategies met the predevelopment peak runoff rate targets for design storms specified in their design criteri...
Livin’ for the city: African American ethnogenesis and depression era migration

Urban ethnogenesis is a process by which a group creates and maintains social networks and communication patterns as the basis for institutional and communal life in urban areas. Ethnogenesis is a foundation upon which most historical, urbanward migrations have been built, including the “Great Migration” of African Americans during the first half of this century. Although a period of decreased migration, the Depression was marked by sizeable movement in which nearly 10% of the total African American population moved interregionally. Ethnogenic measures such as NAACP activism, the number of community newspapers directed at African Americans, and the longevity of a chapter of the National Urban League significantly increased migration flows.
Effect of hot bands on the ionization threshold of some diatomic halogen molecules

Abstract Photoion-yield curves are obtained for the molecular ions of the homonuclear diatomic halogens and for iodine monochloride and iodine monobromide. Excepting iodine, ionization thresholds of ground-state and vibrationally-excited molecules are separately identified by measurements made at several ion-source temperatures. The adiabatic ionization energies (in eV) are: I(F2 = 15.69, I(Cl2) = 11.48, I(Br2) = 10.52, I(ICl) = 10.07, and I(IBr) = 9.79. A preferred value of I(I2) = 9.37 eV is proposed.
Computed tomographic evaluation of lesions in the thoracic apex

Fifty patients with clinically suspected lesions of the chest apex underwent computed tomography (CT) and plain film (PF) examinations in an attempt to define the underlying etiology as benign or malignant. CT was slightly more sensitive in diagnosing malignancy (90%) compared with PF (77%), with a higher predictive value of a negative test (85% vs. 70%), although the differences were not statistically significant. The specificity and predictive value of a positive test were similar for CT and PF. CT's advantage was better elucidation of the soft tissues of the chest apex. CT provided additional information beyond PF in 17/20 patients with benign conditions and in 29/30 patients with cancer. In 21 of these 29 cancer patients, CT findings significantly altered subsequent management.
Treatment considerations for the management of fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

The ultimate goal of research on fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is the development of treatments that will prevent, half, or even reverse the progression of the condition. Despite advances in understanding the pathophysiology of FOP, there are no therapies with scientifically proven benefits for the prevention or treatment of FOP. Insights obtained from the research laboratory and from the treatment of hundreds of patients world wide have allowed us to identify targets for potential therapies. Some of these therapies involve the use of currently available medications, whereas others involve novel therapeutic approaches that are in preclinical testing. In this article, we will review the scientific basis for considering various therapeutic options based on the known pathophysiology of FOP. Because there are presently no proven preventions or treatments for the condition, this article is intended to represent an opinion of the authors that may be helpful to others who face similar situations.
The (p, t) reactions on nuclei in the rare earth region

Abstract The (p, t) reactions on isotopic targets of 178, 180 Hf and all the stable isotopes of Yb and on natural targets of Gd, Dy, Er, Hf, Ta, W, Os and Au were studied at a beam energy of 19 MeV with an average resolution of 12 keV. A split-pole magnetic spectrometer was used to measure (p, t) Q -values and absolute differential cross sections. On the basis of angular distribution shapes definite 0 + and tentative 2 + assignments were made. Rotational bands were identified assuming an I ( I +1) spacing. The (p, t) reaction populates excited 0 + states strongly in 174 Yb, 176 Hf, 166 Yb and several Gd, Dy and Er isotopes. The 174 Yb and 176 Hf 0 + states are discussed in terms of the pairing phase transition and in terms of Nilsson orbitals with unequal (p, t) reaction amplitudes. Members of gamma and octupole vibrational bands were observed in the even- N nuclei. The lowest L = 0 transfers to states in 169, 171 Yb were found to have less than 55% of the strength to ground states in adjacent even- N nuclei. A strong L = 0 transfer to a state at 1513 keV in 171 Yb indicates the presence of a possible K = 0 core vibration coupled to the unpaired 5 2 [512] neutron. The natural targets have furnished information on trends in cross sections for members of ground bands, gamma bandheads, 3 − octupole states, and strongly excited 0 + states.
DEALS: a demountable superconducting magnet system for fusion reactors

Abstract A new type of superconducting magnet system (DEALS) for large fusion reactors is described. Instead of winding large planar or multi-axis coils, as has been previously proposed in fusion reactor designs, the demountable superconducting coils would be made by joining together several prefabricated conductor sections. Conductor types, fabrication processes, and joining schemes are described. The magnet sections would be made at a central factory and shipped to the reactor site for assembly. The magnetic forces on the conductors would be transmitted to an external room temperature support structure via low thermal conductivity bearing blocks. This reduces conductor tensile stresses to very low levels. Differential and mechanical thermal movements between the magnet coil and the external support structure would be accommodated by the use of moveable joints between magnet sections. These pressure type contact joints carry current during magnet operation, and do not carry tensile loads. Finite element analyses on the magnet and its support structure are presented together with analyses of magnet cooling requirements. Results of experiments on small movable pressure type joints at liquid helium temperatures are described. These indicate that adequately low joint losses should be achievable in large magnet systems. Current carrying capcity is not affected by relative motion, and friction coefficients are reaonable. Based on these results and the analyses, the DEALS concept appears feasible for fusion magnet systems.
Structural characterizations of glycerol kinase: unraveling phosphorylation-induced long-range activation

Glycerol metabolism provides a central link between sugar and fatty acid catabolism. In most bacteria, glycerol kinase plays a crucial role in regulating channel/facilitator-dependent uptake of glycerol into the cell. In the firmicute Enterococcus casseliflavus, this enzyme's activity is enhanced by phosphorylation of the histidine residue (His232) located in its activation loop, approximately 25 A from its catalytic cleft. We reported earlier that some mutations of His232 altered enzyme activities; we present here the crystal structures of these mutant GlpK enzymes. The structure of a mutant enzyme with enhanced enzymatic activity, His232Arg, reveals that residues at the catalytic cleft are more optimally aligned to bind ATP and mediate phosphoryl transfer. Specifically, the position of Arg18 in His232Arg shifts by approximately 1 A when compared to its position in wild-type (WT), His232Ala, and His232Glu enzymes. This new conformation of Arg18 is more optimally positioned at the presumed gamma-phosphate location of ATP, close to the glycerol substrate. In addition to structural changes exhibited at the active site, the conformational stability of the activation loop is decreased, as reflected by an approximately 35% increase in B factors ("thermal factors") in a mutant enzyme displaying diminished activity, His232Glu. Correlating conformational changes to alteration of enzymatic activities in the mutant enzymes identifies distinct localized regions that can have profound effects on intramolecular signal transduction. Alterations in pairwise interactions across the dimer interface can communicate phosphorylation states over 25 A from the activation loop to the catalytic cleft, positioning Arg18 to form favorable interactions at the beta,gamma-bridging position with ATP. This would offset loss of the hydrogen bonds at the gamma-phosphate of ATP during phosphoryl transfer to glycerol, suggesting that appropriate alignment of the second substrate of glycerol kinase, the ATP molecule, may largely determine the rate of glycerol 3-phosphate production.
Cell death versus cell survival instructed by supramolecular cohesion of nanostructures

Many naturally occurring peptides containing cationic and hydrophobic domains have evolved to interact with mammalian cell membranes and have been incorporated into materials for non-viral gene delivery, cancer therapy, or treatment of microbial infections. Their electrostatic attraction to the negatively charged cell surface and hydrophobic interactions with the membrane lipids enable intracellular delivery or cell lysis. While the effects of hydrophobicity and cationic charge of soluble molecules on the cell membrane are well known, the interactions between materials with these molecular features and cells remain poorly understood. Here we report that varying the cohesive forces within nanofibres of supramolecular materials with nearly identical cationic and hydrophobic structure instruct cell death or cell survival. Weak intermolecular bonds promote cell death through disruption of lipid membranes, while materials reinforced by hydrogen bonds support cell viability. These findings provide new strategies to design biomaterials that interact with the cell membrane.
Gender differences in IS career choice: examine the role of attitudes and social norms in selecting IS profession

The proposed research will systematically assess the causes of gender-related differences in attraction to information systems (IS) as a career. We propose a Theory of Reasoned Action (TRA)—based model of intention to pursue an IS career which incorporates work value congruence, attitudes, norms, and self-efficacy. Undergraduate students in an introductory IS course, which for many will be their first introduction to the field, will be surveyed to test this model and also the extent to which their perceptions change with exposure to IS through the course.
Remarks on the Huygens absorbing boundary conditions for electromagnetics

Abstract The Huygens absorbing boundary conditions (ABCs) are promising new implementations of operator ABCs. They have certain advantageous features which are lacked in other operator ABCs. Under certain conditions and with the Huygens ABCs, the transmitted wave depends solely upon the second derivative with respect to time or upon the double integral of the incident wave. For such cases and for problems with a Dirichlet boundary condition, the overall reflection is not unique. Two new examples of the Huygens ABCs are given for such cases. For each example and with a FDTD scheme the newly derived reflection is less than that which has been studied by Berenger [J.-P. Berenger, On the Huygens absorbing boundary conditions for electromagnetics, J. Comput. Phys. 226 (2007) 354–378].
Effects of enzymatically-extracted purple rice bran fiber as a protectant of L. plantarum NRRL B-4496 during freezing, freeze drying, and storage

Abstract This study investigated purple rice bran fiber (PRF) as a protectant for Lactobacillus plantarum NRRL B-4496 (LP) during freezing, freeze drying and storage. PRF was enzymatically extracted from purple rice bran. L. plantarum NRRL B-4496 was grown in MRS broth, centrifuged, and immobilized on PRF suspension. LP cells immobilized on PRF (LP-PRF) and free LP cell (control) samples were frozen in either air blast (AF) or cryogenic freezing (CF) before freeze drying. Freeze-dried (FLP) samples were stored either at room temperature or at refrigerated temperature. For either freezing method, PRF protected cells had less than one log reduction of viable cells while the control had reductions greater than six logs after freeze drying. The log reductions of viable LP cells protected with PRF after freeze drying and 12 weeks storage at 4° C for AF and CF treatments were 0.7 and 1.3 log cycle, respectively. The viable LP-PRF cell count for CF was significantly lower than for AF after 12 weeks at room temperature. PRF improved LP survival in both AF and CF samples in bile. This study demonstrated that freezing methods affected LP viability during storage and that PRF could protect at both refrigerated and room temperatures.
Fuzzy Optimal Controller Design with Application to Fuzzy Modeled Structures

Fuzzy analysis can be used to model the uncertainties present in structures. In particular, the fuzzy finite element method can be used to find the response of structures (isotropic or composite) involving uncertainties. For the integrated structural control of a system, the design of a fuzzy optimal controller is explored. In the past few years, some researchers have tried to design a fuzzy optimal controller based on the Takagi and Sugeno model. In this work, a different (new) approach is proposed for the design of a controller in the context of fuzzy optimal control theory. In most practical applications, the structural and material parameters vary considerably and are subject to uncertainties, mainly due to the uncontrollable aspects associated with the manufacturing and assembly of composite materials. These uncertainties, in many cases, cannot be modeled probabilistically because the probability distributions of the uncertain parameters are not usually known. Also, in some situations, the parameters are known only in linguistic form. A fuzzy finite element approach has been developed for the analysis of structures with fuzzy parameters. Using the deterministic optimal control theory as a basis, a fuzzy optimal control theory is developed so that the controller can be used to act as either a regulator or a tracking system. The control of a planar truss is presented to demonstrate the feasibility and applicability of the methodology presented.
Mechanism free domain decomposition

The simulation of three-dimensional (3D) structural dynamics on massively parallel platforms places stringent requirements on the existing software infrastructure. A constrained and nonlinear graph partitioning problem that arises in scalable iterative substructuring methods, such as finite element tearing and interconnecting (FETI) methods, is identified. New sufficient criteria on a partition are presented that ensure the applicability of FETI methods, and improve the associated preconditioner. One-dimensional finite elements in 3D structures are treated by an encapsulation method. The techniques are demonstrated on complex finite element model problems.
Endothelial nitric oxide synthase mediates cutaneous vasodilation during local heating and is attenuated in middle-aged human skin

Local skin heating is used to assess microvascular function in clinical populations because NO is required for full expression of the response; however, controversy exists as to the precise NO synt...
Two-Dimensional Melts: Polymer Chains at the Air−Water Interface

Both physical surface rheology and computer simulation experiments were performed to understand the conformation of polymers in 2D systems. The interfacial stress rheometer was used to measure surface rheological properties of Langmuir monolayers of poly(tert-butyl methacrylate) with molecular weights between 81.5 and 780 kg mol-1. The Π−A isotherms for these monolayers show two transitions: a plateau at Π ≈ 18 mN m-1 and a bend at Π ≈ 52 mN m-1. The properties of the films are shown to be substantially different above and below the plateau surface pressure, Πp. Below Πp, the monolayers are primarily viscous, and surface viscosity increases linearly with MW, while above Πp, the films are more elastic, and surface viscosity is MW-independent. Computer simulations of these systems produce qualitatively similar Π−A isotherms. The observed transition at Πp marks the changeover from polymer chains existing in a single layer to forming regions of multilayers.
Horizontal and vertical distribution of meiofauna in the Venezuela Basin

Abstract Benthic samples collected in three sedimentary regions of the Venezuela Basin indicated differences in abundance and distribution of meiofauna among sediments. Abundance (mean ± 1 s.e.) was greatest in hemipelagic sediments (131.9 ± 14.3 individuals 10 cm−2) less in pelagic (81.2 ± 9.5) and least in turbidite (49.4 ± 8.5) sediments. Significant differences in abundance between hemipelagic and turbidite sediments were related to percent organic carbon and silt-clay. Significantly more organisms occurred in the upper than lower layer of sediments at all stations, with greatest differences occurring between the 0–2 and 2–4 cm layers. On a horizontal scale, no heterogeneity in meiofauna dispersion at centimeter or kilometer distances was detected for the turbidite and pelagic sediments. Homogeneity of dispersion was attributed to sediment homogeneity at the turbidite station and small sample size at the pelagic station. Heterogeneity in meiofauna dispersion at the centimeter scale in hemipelagic sediments was attributed to sediment heterogeneity and high organic input derived from surface production.
Platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy and interval surgical cytoreduction for advanced ovarian cancer: A meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To determine the overall survival and relative effect of multiple prognostic variables in cohorts of patients with advanced-stage ovarian cancer treated with platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in lieu of primary cytoreductive surgery. Methods Twenty-two cohorts of patients with Stage III and IV ovarian cancer (835 patients) were identified from articles in MEDLINE (1989–2005). Linear regression models, with weighted correlation calculations, were used to assess the effect on median survival time of the proportion of each cohort undergoing maximum interval cytoreduction, proportion of patients with Stage IV disease, median number of pre-operative chemotherapy cycles, median age, and year of publication. Results The mean weighted median overall survival time for all cohorts was 24.5 months. The weighted mean proportion of patients in each cohort undergoing maximal interval cytoreduction was 65.0%. Each 10% increase in maximal cytoreduction was associated with a 1.9 month increase in median survival time ( p =0.027). Median overall survival was positively correlated with platinum–taxane chemotherapy ( p p =0.004) and negatively correlated with the proportion of Stage IV disease ( p =0.002). Each incremental increase in pre-operative chemotherapy cycles was associated with a decrease in median survival time of 4.1 months ( p =0.046). Conclusions Neoadjuvant chemotherapy in lieu of primary cytoreduction is associated with inferior overall survival compared to initial surgery. Increasing percent maximal cytoreduction is positively associated with median cohort survival; however, the negative survival effect of increasing number of chemotherapy cycles prior to interval surgery suggests that definitive operative intervention should be undertaken as early in the treatment program as possible.
Stability/instability in the alcoholic marriage: the interrelationships between course of alcoholism, family process, and marital outcome.

Thirty-one alcoholic families who were originally studied in home, multiple-family group, and laboratory settings were reassessed two years later to determine course of alcoholism and degree of marital stability. This paper presents data comparing baseline alcohol consumption and family interactional behavior at home with subsequent alcoholism and marital stability outcomes. Findings suggest that the relative degree of stability/instability in these marriages is best understood as a function of the "goodness-of-fit" between the relative predictability of drinking on the part of the identified alcoholic and the family's characteristic pattern of interactional behavior at home. Language: en
On the parameterization of Catmull-Rom curves

The behavior of Catmull-Rom curves heavily depends on the choice of parameter values at the control points. We analyze a class of parameterizations ranging from uniform to chordal parameterization and show that, within this class, curves with centripetal parameterization contain properties that no other curves in this family possess. Researchers have previously indicated that centripetal parameterization produces visually favorable curves compared to uniform and chordal parameterizations. However, the mathematical reasons behind this behavior have been ambiguous. In this paper we prove that, for cubic Catmull-Rom curves, centripetal parameterization is the only parameterization in this family that guarantees that the curves do not form cusps or self-intersections within curve segments. Furthermore, we provide a formulation that bounds the distance of the curve to the control polygon and explain how globally intersection-free Catmull-Rom curves can be generated using these properties.
Seeing through a mask's confession

Yukio Mishima's autobiographical novel Confessions of a Mask (Kamen no Kokuhaku) raises significant questions concerning the nature and function of inscribed truth. This essay draws upon Julia Kristeva's theory of poetic language and methodology for semanalysis as a way of explicating Mishima's text. It argues that poetic truth resides in intertextual movements generated by the reversible relation between autobiography and novel, truth and lie, and confession and mask. Insight into this reversibility provides a context for understanding the dialectics between Mishima's text and his final performance of ritual suicide.
Expectancies for smoking cessation among drug-involved smokers: implications for clinical practice.

Abstract Drug-involved smokers may be less motivated to quit smoking because they expect smoking cessation to occasion adverse outcomes (e.g., exacerbation of drug use). Non-treatment-seeking adult smokers from the community ( N =507) reported drug involvement, expectancies for smoking abstinence via the Smoking Abstinence Questionnaire (SAQ), and motivation to quit smoking (desire to quit and abstinence goal). Mediation analyses evaluated the indirect effects of binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, other stimulant, opiate, and barbiturate/other sedative involvement on motivation to quit smoking through the SAQ Adverse Outcomes scale. Adverse outcomes expectancies accounted for a reduced desire to quit smoking and a lower likelihood of endorsing a goal of complete smoking abstinence among those involved with binge drinking, marijuana, cocaine, other stimulants, opiates, and barbiturates/other sedatives. Drug-involved smokers' greater expectancies for adverse outcomes upon quitting smoking may deter smoking quit attempts. Interventions are encouraged to counteract the notion that smoking cessation jeopardizes sobriety.
Isolation of Plastids from Sunflower Cotyledons during Germination.

Plastids from cotyledons of sunflower (Helianthus annus L.) seedlings, germinated in the dark or in the light, were isolated by isopycnic sucrose density gradient centrifugation. At all stages of development the whole plastids contained triose phosphate isomerase, NADPH-glyoxylate reductase, and l-dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidase, which were used as marker enzymes. At the beginning of germination the isopycnic density of whole plastids (proplastids) was about 1.22 g cm−3. During development of proplastids into etioplasts in the dark, their isopycnic density increased to 1.26 g cm−3. During exposure of germinating seedlings to white light for 2 days, the isopycnic density of whole plastids decreased from 1.26 to 1.22 g cm−3. These changes in isopycnic density of plastids on sucrose density gradients are consistent with changes in the plastid ultrastructure caused by the protein-rich prolamellar body or by the lipid-rich thylakoids. Broken plastids (thylakoids), determined by the main peak of chlorophyll, increased in isopycnic density from less than 1.14 to about 1.17 g cm−3 during illumination. During germination no major changes occurred in the isopycnic density of mitochondria. Microbodies had an isopycnic density of 1.24 g cm−3 in very early stages of germination, and their density increased to 1.265 g cm−3, when glyoxysomal enzymes reached maximum development.
INTELLIGENT TECHNOLOGY FOR TRUCK CRANE ACCIDENT PREVENTION

Sideand shock-loading of cranes can cause boom and turret drive gear failures with fatal results. However, traditional overload systems do not protect against these types of critical loading conditions, and crane capacity charts only consider the normal loading case, vertical lifts. In the maintenance of bridges, crane operators in any state department of transportation are presented with situations in which they have to pull debris and entire trees that are lodged against bridges. Dragging and shock-loading are commonplace. Researchers from the Construction Automation and Robotics Laboratory at North Carolina State University have developed an innovative crane monitoring system capable of warning an operator who enters a danger zone and storing information about critical events on an electronic device. Acting like a black box on an airplane, the storage device allows this information to be downloaded by a supervisor in order to assess how a particular crew “worked” the crane. This paper presents the resu...
RNA synthesis in liver and heart of growing and adult mice

Abstract Cells of liver and heart of 12-day-old mice actively synthesize DNA, whereas in 5-month-old mice, the rate of DNA synthesis in these two organs is reduced to a negligible level. Livers and hearts of 12-day- and 5-month-old mice were therefore compared in order to determine differences in some aspects of RNA synthesis. RNA synthesis was studied by determining nucleic acid concentration, incorporation in vivo of radioactive cytidine into whole cells and into subcellular fractions, the size of the endogenous cytidine pool, RNA turnover over a period of 30 days, the effect of actinomycin D and sucrose gradient analysis of phenol-extracted RNA. The rate of synthesis of rapidly-labeled RNA was higher in 12-day-old than in 5-month-old tissues (50 % higher in liver and 2.4 times higher in heart). The specific activity of the cytidine precursor pool was doubled in the adult tissues. In addition, the turnover of RNA was decreased in the adult heart, and the concentration of RNA per cell in the adult liver was almost twice the amount found in growing liver. Other parameters of RNA synthesis were substantially similar in growing and adult livers an hearts.
Query-based models and algorithms for distributed information dissemination

We propose a general query-based framework of an information exchange system for information search and acquisition. The system is intended to support ad-hoc and potentially anonymous interactions between users of the network, while apparently providing a convenient and effective mechanism to acquire information of the “most interest.” In particular, members of the population may cooperate over a network to reliably identify and acquire the most popular “answers” to the most popular “questions,” where popularity is defined in a global sense by summing up rankings over all users. We propose a fully distributed algorithm for reliable identification of the most popular content, which attempts to minimize and balance the amount of content that needs to be examined and ranked by each user. Using a Zipf product form model for the preferences of a random user in the system, we present simulation results which suggest that the volume of content that needs to be examined by each user in the system, in order to reliably identify the k-most popular items, is effectively and approximately O(3k).
Aortocaval compression in the sitting and lateral decubitus positions during extradural catheter placement in the parturient

We prospectively studied the incidence of concealed aortocaval compression in parturients at term during identification of the extradural space. Forty ASA I or II parturients, at term and in active labour, who requested extradural analgesia were randomly allocated to one of two groups. Parturients in the first group (n = 22) were positioned in the left lateral decubitus position and those in the second group (n = 18) were in the sitting position. Cardiac output (CO) was recorded at one-minute intervals for five minutes before extradural catheter placement (supine position with a 15° wedge under the right side), and during and thereafter for five minutes (in the supine wedged position), using the BoMED NCCOM3-R7 thoracic electrical bioimpedance (TEB) monitor. The average of five COTEB recordings before positioning the patient were compared with the average of five COTEB measurements during and after extradural space identification. A change of >25% COTEB was considered beyond machine variability. Upper limb arterial pressure was recorded at one-minute intervals. In the left lateral decubitus position, 17 of 22 patients demonstrated a >25% reduction in COTEB compared with five of 18 patients in the sitting position (X2,P <0.01). The percentage change in COTEB in the lateral decubitus position (−29.8%, 95% CI −17% to −44%) was greater than the sitting position (−9.8%, 95% CI +36% to −32%) (P <0.01). A decreased incidence of aortocaval compression during identification of the extradural space was demonstrated in the sitting position when compared with the left lateral decubitus position.
Liver allografts are toleragenic in rats conditioned with posttransplant total lymphoid irradiation

Background. Posttransplant total lymphoid irradiation (TLI) treatment has been applied to tolerance induction protocols in heart and kidney transplantation models. Methods. We examined the efficacy and mechanism of posttransplant TLI treatment in the induction and maintenance of tolerance in a rat orthotopic liver transplantation model. Results. Posttransplant TLI prolonged ACI (RT1 a ) liver allograft survival in Lewis (RT1 b ) hosts, with 50% long-term engraftment without immunosuppression and without evidence of chronic rejection. Injection of donor-type liver mononuclear cells (LMCs) facilitated the prolongation of graft survival, with more than 70% of grafts in LMC recipients surviving more than 100 days without chronic rejection. Recipients with long-term liver allograft survival accepted ACI but not PVG skin grafts. In TLI-conditioned recipients with accepted grafts, apoptosis occurred predominantly in graft-infiltrating leukocytes. In contrast, there were few apoptotic leukocytes in rejecting grafts. Recipients with long-term graft acceptance (>100 days of survival) demonstrated evidence of immune deviation; mixed lymphocyte reaction to ACI stimulator cells was vigorous, but secretion of interferon-γ and interleukin-2 was reduced. In tolerant recipients, the number of Foxp3 + CD25 + CD4 + regulatory T cells was increased in the liver allograft as well as in the peripheral blood. Conclusion. We conclude that posttransplant TLI induces tolerance to liver allografts via a mechanism involving apoptotic cell-deletion and immunoregulation.