cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamins in human arteriosclerosis with emphasis on vitamin C and vitamin E

Introduction: This review focuses on the process of arteriosclerosis arising from oxidative stress on lipoproteins and the general failure of randomized human trials using vitamins to retard this process. Review: As well as clinical trials, the paper reviews the mechanisms by which a variety of oxidants act. Antioxidants are discussed, emphasizing interactions of vitamins C and E with transition metals that can lead to prooxidation. There is a focus on interactions between supplemental or co-antioxidants that counterbalance prooxidant effects of one another. Conclusions: It is concluded that normal cellular supplementation mechanisms are poorly accessible in the arteriosclerotic plaque leading to a prooxidant environment in which the haphazard introduction of vitamins could potentially be hazardous. Continued investigations into basic and clinical redox interactions of the kind discussed in this review using new measuring techniques may lead to approaches whereby antioxidants can be introduced into tissue in controlled ways for reducing arteriosclerosis.
Automated imaging reveals a concentration dependent delay in reversibility of cardiac myocyte hypertrophy

Abstract Cardiac hypertrophy is controlled by a dense signaling network with many pathways associated with cardiac myocyte growth. New large scale methodology is required to quantitatively characterize the pathways that distinguish reversible forms of hypertrophy from irreversible forms that lead to heart failure. Our automated image acquisition method records 5 × 5 mosaic images of fluorescent protein-labeled cardiac myocytes within each well of a 96-well plate using an automated stage and focus. Post-processing algorithms automatically identify cell edges, quantify cell phenotypes, and track cells. We uniquely applied our imaging platform to study hypertrophy reversibility in a scalable cell model. Cell area changes after washout of a dose response to the α-adrenergic receptor (αAR) agonist phenylephrine (PE) showed that hypertrophy reverses at low but not high levels of α-adrenergic signaling: a reversibility delay. Perturbations with specialized αAR antagonists, a mathematical model, and live imaging of αAR localization identify the mechanism for this reversibility delay: ligand trapping with internalized PE acting on intracellular αAR's.
Surface tension and interface kinetics of ice crystals freezing and melting in sodium chloride solutions

Abstract Cylindrical ice crystals growing into supercooled 0.1 M sodium chloride solutions develop approximately sinusoidal perturbations parallel to the cylinder axis. Using a previously developed non-linear morphological stability theory, an analysis of the growth and melting rates of these perturbations yields values of the solid-liquid surface tension and linear interface kinetic coefficient. In contrast to previous results in 0.1 M hydrochloric acid solutions, the melting behavior in sodium chloride solutions is different from the growth behavior. From the growth data, the solid-liquid surface tension is 30 mJ/m 2 and the linear interface kinetic coefficient is 2.2×10 −4 m/s K for solutions with pH > 6. For solutions with pH 10 −3 m/s K) to measurably affect the perturbation velocities. From the melting data, the surface tension is 38 mJ/m 2 . The difference in surface tension on melting and growth is attributed to ionic adsorption during growth. Experiments in which the crystal is grown in one solution and is melted in a different solution indicate that the surface tension depends on the chloride content of the ice.
Fractures After Thyroidectomy in Men: A Population‐Based Cohort Study

Bone mass is purportedly reduced by an endogenous or exogenous excess of thyroid hormone or, perhaps, by calcitonin deficiency. Patients who have undergone thyroidectomy could be subject to all of these effects, yet their practical implications in terms of fracture risk are poorly defined. Interpretation is further hampered by the focus on women, where results may be influenced by involutional osteoporosis. Consequently, we assessed the potential for fractures among the 136 Rochester, Minnesota men who underwent thyroidectomy between 1935 and 1979, relative to a group of age-matched control men from the community. With 2194 person-years of follow-up in each group, survival free of any fracture of vertebra, proximal humerus, distal forearm, pelvis, or proximal femur was similar in the two groups (p = 0.23), and the relative risk of any of these fractures for thyroidectomized patients versus their controls was increased only 1.5-fold (95% CI, 0.7-3.2). The difference was entirely accounted for by a statistically significant excess of proximal femur fractures in the men with thyroidectomy. Risk factors for fractures among men with thyroidectomy included greater age at surgery, greater extent of surgery, and the presence of risk factors for secondary osteoporosis. Thus, thyroidectomy, performed mainly for adenoma or goiter, seems to have little overall influence on the risk of age-related fractures in men. However, the association with hip fractures requires further evaluation.
Intracisternal basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) enhances behavioral recovery following focal cerebral infarction in the rat

Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is a potent neurotrophic agent that promotes neuronal survival and outgrowth. Previous studies have shown that bFGF, administered intraventricularly or intravenously before or within hours after ischemia, reduces infarct size and neurological deficits in models of focal cerebral ischemia in rats. In the current study, we tested the hypothesis that bFGF, administered at later time points after ischemia, might improve behavioral recovery without affecting infarct size. Mature Sprague-Dawley rats received bFGF (1 microgram/injection) or vehicle by biweekly intracisternal injection for 4 weeks, starting at 1 day following permanent proximal middle cerebral artery (MCA) occlusion. Animals were examined every other day using four different behavioral tests to assess sensorimotor and reflex function. At 4 weeks after ischemia, there was no difference in infarct volume between bFGF- and vehicle-treated animals. There was, however, an enhancement in the rate and degree of behavioral recovery among bFGF-treated animals, as measured by all four tests. There were no apparent side effects of bFGF treatment, except that bFGF-treated animals tended to recover body weight more slowly than did vehicle-treated animals following stroke. The mechanisms of enhancement of behavioral recovery by bFGF require further study, but may include protection against retrograde neuronal death and/or stimulation of neuronal sprouting.
Binary Lenses For Use At 10.6 µm

By combining advances in lithography and electromagnetic grating theory, we have recently demonstrated the ability to produce highly efficient binary gratings and binary lenses for use at 10.6μm. Electromagnetic theory predicts that binary gratings with the proper parameters can achieve a first order diffraction efficiency of nearly 100%. If the periodicity of the grating is on the order of the radiation wavelength, all of the orders become evanescent except for the zero and +1st orders. By choosing the depth to period ratio and duty cycle properly, the zero order can be suppressed, placing virtually all of the incident radiation into the 1st diffracted order. Theoretical calculations have been done only for constant period gratings. However, assuming a lens pattern to be a minor perturbation of a grating, we succeeded in producing an F/5 binary lens with a diffraction efficiency of 96% at 10.6pm. Furthermore, because of the high efficiency of these elements, it becomes practical to consider using more than a single diffractive element in a system. We have constructed a simple afocal telescope from two binary lenses. The telescope has a 2 inch entrance aperture and a magnification of 5. A final point to be considered is the wavefront quality of these elements. Electron beam machines, which are used to write the lens patterns, are designed to draw the pattern in a raster fashion. This quantization sets a limit on the quality of the lens pattern.
A Yeast Mitogenic Factor Active on Human Peripheral Leucocytes in Culture

WE have observed that the addition of zymosan-treated sera to short-term human peripheral leucocyte cultures leads to a slight but significant increase in mitotic frequency. Inactivation of serum complement by zymosan1 as an important factor in the increase in mitotic frequency was ruled out, and it could be shown that an active mitogenic factor was extracted from zymosan during treatment of the sera. It was found that a more active mitogenic factor could be extracted directly from whole frozen yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and this extract was then used exclusively. The method of extraction consisted of overnight incubation at 37° of equal volumes of saline washed cells and 0.2 N potassium hydroxide, followed by centrifugation at 2,000 r.p.m. for 30 min. The resulting supernatant was neutralized with perchloric acid, and then passed through a ‘Sephadex’ DEAE column which had been washed with 0.2 M tris buffer at pH 7.1. Before use, the yeast extract (YAF) was sterilized in boiling water for 30 min. Leucocyte suspensions were obtained by dextran sedimentation (2.5 ml. 6 per cent dextran per 10 ml. heparinized blood at 37°). Colchicine (0.02 µg/ml. culture) was added 8–10 h before collecting and chromosome preparations were made according to the method of Hungerford et al.2.
Risk Allocation and Increased Claims in the Construction Industry

In the past decade, construction industry professionals have increasingly sought legal assistance to help identify, allocate, control, minimize, and mitigate risk in the design and construction process. In spite of these efforts at controlling risk, the industry has witnessed an alarming rise in claims and disputes. Essentially, this rise in claims has resulted in more attorney involvement or an effective “lawyerization” of the construction industry. Several factors may have contributed to this rise in claims:
Measurement of Incoherent Laslett Tune Shifts in the Fermilab Main Ring

The incoherent radial and vertical tune shifts have been measured in the Fermilab Main Ring via the resonance scan technique, and the results are compared to the Laslett predictions.
Effects of thyrotropin, prostaglandin E1 and a prostaglandin antagonist on iodide trapping in isolated thyroid cells.

Abstract We examined effects of two adenyl cyclase activators, thyrotropin [TSH] and prostaglandin E 1 [PGE 1 ], as well as those of a prostaglandin antagonist, 7-oxa-13-prostynoic acid [PY 1 ], on iodide trapping in isolated bovine thyroid cells [ITC]. When maximally effective concentrations of TSH and PGE 1 were combined, no additive effect on I − trapping was seen. PY 1 abolished PGE 1 effects on I − trapping and markedly inhibited TSH effects thereon, but was without effect on the increase induced by dibutyryl cyclic AMP [DBcAMP] or NH 4 + ion. PY 1 also inhibits TSH and PGE 1 activation of ITC adenyl cyclase, whereas NH 4 + ion is without effect on ITC adenyl cyclase. Thus, these data suggest that: 1) TSH effects on iodide trapping are mediated via adenyl cyclase activation, and 2) there may be a single TSH-related prostaglandin receptor in thyroid, activation of which is requisite of TSH atimulation of adenyl cyclasse and hormonogenegis in the gland.
Liposomes with double-stranded DNA anchoring the bilayer to a hydrogel core.

Liposomes are important biomolecular nanostructures for handling membrane-associated molecules in the lab and delivering drugs in the clinic. In addition to their biomedical applications, they have been widely used as model cell membranes in biophysical studies. Here we present a liposome-based model membrane that mimics the attachment of membrane-resident molecules to the cytoskeleton. To facilitate this attachment, we have developed a lipid-based hybrid nanostructure in which the liposome bilayer membrane is covalently anchored to a biocompatible poly(ethylene) glycol (PEG) hydrogel core using short double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) linkers. The dsDNA linkers connect cholesterol groups that reside in the bilayer to vinyl groups that are incorporated in the cross-linked hydrogel backbone. Size exclusion chromatography (SEC) of intact and surfactant-treated nanoparticles confirms the formation of anchored hydrogel structures. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows ∼100 nm nanoparticles even after removal ...
Collision-induced dissociation: A simplistic optical model analysis

Abstract The cross section σ CID for the collision-induced dissociation of a diatomic molecule (or ion) by atomic impact in the post-threshold energy region is found to be of the form σ CID α( E tot - E 0 ) 5/2 / E tr , where E tr is the initial relative translational energy, E tot the total (translational + internal) energy, and E 0 the endoergicity (or threshold energy). The power 5/2 is a direct consequence of the 3-body final state of the CID process.
Atypical neurofibroma of the skin and subcutaneous tissue: clinicopathologic analysis of 11 cases

Background: Neurofibroma (NF) is a relatively common cutaneous tumor, which typically presents little diagnostic difficulty. Occasionally, however, pleomorphic cells may be present in NF raising consideration of other neoplasms like malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST). Methods: This study examines the clinicopathologic and immunohistochemical features of 11 dermal and subcutaneous ‘atypical’ NF. Results: 9/11 (82%) atypical NF were from females, aged 8–70 years. One patient had neurofibromatosis-1. Most presented on the extremities or trunk. The atypical cells had large hyperchromatic, irregular nuclei, and were arranged in a distinct lamellar or fibrillar pattern. Some tumors were hypercellular, but marked density characteristic of MPNST was not observed. All were nonplexiform. Mitoses were mostly absent. The pleomorphic cells expressed S-100 protein. All were negative for p53. MIB-1 was negative in 7/10 (70%) and stained only rare cells in 3 (30%). Epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) and p16 expression were variable. Of six patients with available follow-up, no tumor recurred and none developed malignancy (range 6–63, mean 33 months). Conclusions: Superficial atypical NF, while morphologically unusual, has no apparent association with neurofibromatosis-1 or short-term risk of recurrence or malignant transformation. Awareness of this variant is important in order to avoid misdiagnosis of a more aggressive neoplasm.
Using the Medical Record to Evaluate the Quality of End-of-Life Care in the Intensive Care Unit

Rationale:We investigated whether proposed “quality markers” within the medical record are associated with family assessment of the quality of dying and death in the intensive care unit (ICU).Objective:To identify chart-based markers that could be used as measures for improving the quality of end-of
Single-Run Separation and Detection of Multiple Metabolic Intermediates by Anion-Exchange High-Performance Liquid Chromatography and Application to Cell Pool Extracts Prepared fromEscherichia coli

A method is described for analysis of the intracellular concentrations of metabolic intermediates of the Embden–Meyerhof–Parnas pathway, the Entner–Doudoroff pathway, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in cell pool extracts ofEscherichia coli.A single anion-exchange HPLC run of 40 min allowed resolution of 27 anionic metabolite standards. Detection limits of 0.1 nmol per injection were achieved by use of a conductivity detector equipped with an anion self-regenerating suppressor and a uv detector. A boiling water extraction procedure was used to prepare cell pool extracts. Cochromatography of cell pool extracts and metabolite standards was used to confirm the identities of metabolites in the cell pool. As many as 16 metabolites could be detected and quantified in the cell pool extracts by using the described HPLC method. An analysis of metabolite concentrations inE. colishowed the dynamics of glucose metabolism during a 2-min transition from starvation to steady-state metabolism following addition of glucose. The ease and power of this method suggests general utility forin vivometabolite analysis in a variety of experimental systems.
The effect of high and low trait anxiety on implicit and explicit memory tasks

Abstract Two experiments were conducted assessing the presence of explicit and implicit memory biases for threatening material in high and low trait anxious college students. No implicit memory bias for threat words was found in either experiment. Futher, an explicit free recall bias for threat words in anxious subjects was found in Experiment 1, but was not replicated in Experiment 2. The inconsistent research literature on memory biases in anxious individuals is discussed and directions for future research are highlighted.
A bandwidth advisor for wireless networks

Many network intensive applications can benefit substantially from reasonable estimates of future available bandwidth. As a simple example, consider a user, John, that is about to board a flight that is leaving shortly. Using his palmtop equipped with the Aura ubiquitous computing system, John has just finished editing some very large documents that he needs to email over the airport's wireless network. Just before he begins transmission, a 747 begins deplaning passengers at a gate adjacent to where John is waiting; these deplaning passengers are heavily loading the network in John's cell. John's Aura client contacts the bandwidth advisor and learns that there is insufficient bandwidth for John to complete his transmission before his plane leaves. Fortunately, Aura learns from the bandwidth advisor that a nearby cell has ample bandwidth which enables John to move into that cell briefly and complete his transmission before catching his plane.The utility of bandwidth advisors has lead to efforts such as Remos and the Network Weather Service which have investigated providing bandwidth advice in wired network settings. This research builds on this previous work by developing a bandwidth advisor that is specifically tuned for wireless networks, and is suited to the needs of mobile applications.
Perioperative management of the patient with a coronary stent.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: In recent years, an increasing number of patients have received coronary stents as a treatment for coronary artery disease. It is expected that more such patients will present to the operating room. The purpose of this review is to highlight the key issues and provide possible management strategies for these patients. RECENT FINDINGS: Currently published studies suggest that patients with coronary stents, and in particular those with drug-eluting stents, are at an increased risk of perioperative cardiac morbidity and mortality due to stent thrombosis. Total and premature discontinuation of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel) is considered as the main culprit. SUMMARY: Caring for patients with coronary stents in the perioperative period requires input from a team consisting of anesthesiologists, surgeons and cardiologists. The management of the dual antiplatelet therapy regimen should be customized to each patient depending on the type and urgency of surgery, type of coronary stent, time since the coronary intervention and complexity of the coronary intervention. For patients identified at high risk for stent thrombosis, surgery should be planned in a hospital with cardiac catheterization facilities. Postoperatively, these patients require a monitored setting and their antiplatelet agents restarted immediately. Signs and symptoms of stent thrombosis should be promptly recognized and aggressively treated with percutaneous coronary intervention.
Dissociation of CDK2 from cyclin A in response to the topoisomerase II inhibitor etoposide in v-src-transformed but not normal NIH 3T3 cells.

Our previous work has demonstrated that treatment of NIH 3T3 cells with etoposide (VP16), an inhibitor of DNA topoisomerase II and widely used anticancer agent, results in G2/M-phase arrest, whereas treatment of cells transformed by v-src, v-ras, or v-raf results in an S-phase blockage. The present studies describe the mechanistic aspects of this selective S-phase arrest in the v-src-transformed cells. The S-phase arrest in these cells was found to be coupled with depletion of cyclin A-dependent kinase activity. This decrease could not be explained by changes in the overall level of cyclin A, CDK2, p27, or p21 proteins. Rather, it was associated with a time-dependent reduction of CDK2 protein complexed with cyclin A following VP16 treatment. It was further shown that the decrease of cyclin A-associated CDK2 was linked to an increase of CDK2 protein in cyclin E immunocomplexes, which suggests that CDK2 might become redistributed following treatment with VP16. Thus, oncogenic transformation by v-src can trigger separation of CDK2 protein from cyclin A in response to VP16. This might contribute to the depletion of cyclin A-dependent kinase activity and the selective S-phase arrest by VP16 in v-src-transformed cells.
Organizational Conflict Management as Disputing Process The Problem of Social Escalation

In this article, organizational conflict management is conceived as a “disputing process” involving the social escalation from grievance stage to conflict and dispute stages. The Disputing Process Instrument (DPI) was designed as a way to study these phenomena quantitatively. Seven behaviors are represented in the instrument: conciliatory negotiation, third-party mobilization, overt retaliation, covert retaliation, toleration, avoidance, and discipline. The DPI demonstrated high reliability, content, discriminant, and construct validity relative to earlier conflict instruments. An empirical study of social escalation was conducted among peers with different strengths of informal relations in an electronics firm. The study results revealed that interpersonal problems among weakly tied peers are likely to be contained at the grievance stage using covert behaviors or to be socially escalated to disputes involving third parties. More strongly tied peers are likely to escalate their problems from grievances to dyadic confrontations only. These results have implications for understanding disparate results from earlier studies of peer conflict in organizations and for arguments regarding the introduction of external third-party conflict consulting in organizations.
“Dueling” ESI: Instrumentation to study ion/ion reactions of electrospray-generated cations and anions

Novel instrumentation has been developed which allows for the sequential injection and subsequent reaction of oppositely-charged ions generated via electrospray ionization (ESI) in a quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. The instrument uses a DC turning quadrupole to sequentially direct the two ion polarities into the ion trap from ESI sources which are situated 90° from the axial (z) dimension of the trap, and 180° from one another. This arrangement significantly expands the range of ionic reactants amenable to study over previously-used instrumentation. For example, ion/ion reactions of multiply-charged positive ions with multiply-charged negative ions can be studied. Also, reactions of multiply-charged ions with singly-charged ions of opposite polarity that could not be generated by previously used ionization methods, or that could not be efficiently injected through the ion trap ring electrode, can be studied with the new instrument. This capability allows, for example, the charge state manipulation of negatively-charged precursor and product ions derived from proteins and oligonucleotides via proton transfer reactions with singly-charged cations generated by ESI.
Association of treatment modality for depression and burden of comorbid chronic illness in a nationally representative sample in the United States.

Abstract Objective We examined associations between treatment modality for depression and morbidity burden. We hypothesized that patients with higher numbers of co-occurring chronic illness would be more likely to receive recommended treatment for depression with both antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. Methods Using a retrospective cross-sectional design, we analyzed data on 165,826 people over 16 years from 2004 to 2008. Using a single multinomial logistic regression model, we examined the likelihood of treatment modality for depression: no treatment, psychotherapy alone, medication alone, and psychotherapy and medication. We examined the following predictors of therapy: (a) morbidity burden; (b) five specific chronic conditions individually: diabetes mellitus II, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or asthma; and (c) sociodemographic factors. Results The likelihood of any treatment for depression, specifically psychotherapy with medication, increased with the number of co-occurring illnesses. We did not find a clear pattern of association between the five specific conditions and treatment modality, although we identified treatment patterns associated with multiple sociodemographic factors. Conclusions This study provides insight into the relationship between multimorbidity and treatment modalities which could prove helpful in developing implementation strategies for the dissemination of evidence-based approaches to depression care.
Effects of dibutyryl-cAMP on adenovirus replication in different cell lines.

Abstract Replication of adenovirus type 2 (Ad2) was inhibited by dibutyryl-cAMP (db-cAMP) in three fibroblastic cell lines, BHK21, HEK, and WI-38, and in Ad12 transformed BHK21 cells with high intracellular level of cAMP. Yield of Ad12 in WI-38 cells was also reduced. The inhibitory effects were undiminished when db-cAMP was added up to 9 h.p.i. but decreased on later additions. In contrast, replication of either Ad2 or Ad12 was not affected by db-cAMP in two tumor-derived human cell lines, HeLa and KB.
A calculation on the geometry of CH+4

Abstract The geometry of CH + 4 as determined by open shell CNDO/2 calculations had D 2d symmetry with a CH bond length of 1.13 A and HCH angles of 94.8 and 146.4 degrees. The distortion energy is 0.075 au (2.04 eV). A barrier to inversion through the planar D 4h configuration was found to have a height of 0.8054 eV (18.57 kcal/mole). These results are discussed in relation to the photo-electron spectrum of methane.
Interval Estimation of Non-Linear Parametric Functions, II

Abstract Let x 1, x 2 be bivariate normal with unknown means μ1, μ2, known standard deviations σ1, σ2 and arbitrary correlation coefficient ρ. It is shown that if an interval estimate of f(μ1, μ2), a (possibly non-linear) function of μ1, μ2, is defined by [min f(μ1, μ2), max f(μ1, μ2)] subject to (x i − μ i )2/α2 i ≤ R 2, i = 1, 2 then, for appropriately constrained f(μ1, μ2), the confidence level of the statement is bounded from below by Pr {χ2 1 ≤ R 2} where χ2 1 is a chi-square variate with one degree of freedom. For , approximately normal with unknown means μ1, …, μk, known variances σ2 i /n i , i = 1, 2, …, k and arbitrary correlations the result just cited as exact for k = 2 is shown to hold asymptotically (min n i → ∞) for general k under mild conditions on f(μ1, …, μ k ), a (possibly non-linear) function of μ1, …, μ k . The procedure can be modified so as to achieve, asymptotically, the exact nominal confidence level. The modification yields the superficially surprising consequence that we can der...
Mother's and father's birthweight as predictors of infant birthweight

Mothers' and fathers' birthweights are each significantly related to their infants' birthweight, even after control for 31 potentially confounding variables. The relationship is stronger for mothers and daughters than for other parent-offspring pairs. Parents' birthweights together account for 2% of the variance in sons', and 5% of the variance in daughters' birthweights. There are interactions of maternal birthweight with maternal adult weight, pregnancy weight gain, and parity; the predicted effect of maternal birthweight on infant birthweight is enhanced when the mother weighs more, gains more weight during pregnancy, or is multiparous. Race and parents' drinking and smoking also modify the predicted effect of parents' birthweights. The correlation between mother and offspring birthweights has been attributed to the mother's own uterine experience and its effect on her later reproductive performance. However, the significant relationship of father and infant birthweights reported in this paper suggests that the fetal genes also play some role in determining size at birth.
“Your” Intellectual Property: Who Owns It?

State Street Bank & Trust Co. v. Signature Financial Group, Inc. brought “business methods” into the scope of patentable material. In an academic setting, this expansion may increase the importance of university intellectual property policies to business research. This article discusses criteria for protection as copyrightable or patentable work. It also addresses implications for faculty ownership and disclosure requirements. The discussion highlights rights universities have enforced through their intellectual property policies. Recognition of these issues may be helpful in identifying both opportunities and pitfalls as “business method” intellectual property protection continues to evolve.
Experimental investigations of pressure and temperature loads on a containment after a loss-of-coolant accident

Abstract For the design of an LWR containment one of the important conditions to be considered is the rapid rise of internal pressure and temperature caused by a loss-of-coolant accident (LOCA) of the primary cooling system. The phenomena occurring within a containment during a LOCA are currently investigated through experiments with a model containment. The experimental results are compared with the results of model calculations to improve the calculational methods. An experimental facility was built, consisting of a primary coolant circuit and a special model containment. The model containment, built in conventional reinforced concrete, has a diameter of 12 m, a height of 12.5 m, a capacity of 580 m 3 and is designed for an internal pressure of 6 bar. The interior is divided by concrete walls and removable partitions into several compartments, which are interconnected through openings with adjustable cross sections. By exchanging the removable partitions it is possible to modify the interior of the containment and to simulate different containment shapes. For the first experiments a PWR configuration with nine compartments has been installed. The model scales of the compartment volumes and the overflow areas are about 1:64 compared to the 1200 MW PWR plant Biblis A. Up to now the test facility has been used for four trial runs and nine PWR LOCA experiments with single- and double-ended pipe ruptures of 100 mm dia. in a steam generator compartment and in the nozzle compartment. The initial conditions of the pressurized water in the coolant circuit before rupture were 140 bar and 290°C. About 0.1 sec after the rupture the flow rate at the site of rupture reaches its maximum of about 400 kg/sec (single-ended rupture) and 800 kg/sec (double-ended rupture). From the compartment where the rupture takes place a water-steam-air mixture streams through openings into the other compartments of the containment. Differential pressures between the compartments were measured with maximums of up to a few bar 0.15–0.5 sec after rupture, depending on the positions of rooms and transducers. Approximately 30–40 sec after rupture the blowdown has finished and the pressure in the containment has reached about 4–5 bar. The maximum pressure in a model containment is lower and the decrease of the pressure by condensation is faster than in a full-scale containment, due to the greater ratio of inner surface area to volume of a model containment. During blowdown the temperature of the containment atmosphere rises to about 150°C. Several minutes later the temperature of the concrete walls has increased non-uniformly causing considerable stress in the walls. Approximately 30 min after rupture measurements on the outside of the outer containment wall show a temperature-caused strain of about 30–60% of the maximum pressure-caused strain. A comparison between experiments and calculations shows discrepancies indicating the need for further development of calculational methods.
Intrinsically Disordered Mollusk Shell Prismatic Protein That Modulates Calcium Carbonate Crystal Growth

The formation of calcite prism architecture in the prismatic layer of the mollusk shell involves the participation of a number of different proteins. One protein family, Asprich, has been identified as a participant in amorphous calcium carbonate stabilization and calcite architecture in the prismatic layer of the mollusk, Atrina rigida. However, the functional role(s) of this protein family are not fully understood due to the fact that insufficient quantities of these proteins are available for experimentation. To overcome this problem, we employed stepwise solid-phase synthesis to recreate one of the 10 members of the Asprich family, the 61 AA single chain protein, Asprich “3”. We find that the Asprich “3” protein inhibits the formation of rhombohedral calcite crystals and induces the formation of round calcium carbonate deposits in vitro that contain calcite and amorphous calcium carbonate (ACC). This mineralization behavior does not occur under control conditions, and the formation of ACC and calcite ...
Lack of correlation between streptococcal Fc receptors and symptomatic pharyngitis

Abstract To determine whether bacterial Fc(γ) surface receptors are associated with symptomatic streptococcal pharyngitis, throat cultures were obtained from 264 children (grouped according to symptoms of pharyngeal infection) and from 328 who were asymptomatic. Group A beta-hemolytic streptococci which were recovered were tested for the presence of Fc(γ) surface receptors. There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of Fc(γ) surface receptors on strains from the various patient groups.
Sapphire direct bonding as a platform for pressure sensing at extreme high temperatures

Direct bonding between two epitaxy-ready (EPI polished) sapphire wafers is demonstrated as the basis for an all-sapphire pressure sensor. Through chemical processing, hydrogen pre-bonding, and a final high-temperature bakeout, the two single-crystal wafers are directly bonded without the use of any adhesive or intermediate layer. Dicing across the edge of the structure and inspection of the diced pieces with a scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicates a successful direct bond. Control of the bonding wave generates an air bubble sealed between the two bonded sapphire wafers. Optical interference-based measurements of the bubble height and shape at pressures from 0 to 60psig prove that the bubble is sealed by the bonded wafers and demonstrate the potential for sapphire direct bonding as a means of constructing an all-sapphire pressure sensor. Since the structure contains no adhesives, such an all-sapphire sensor is ideal for pressure sensing in extremely harsh, high-temperature environments, potentially operating at temperatures over 1500°C.
Understanding FDA Regulation of DTC Genetic Tests within the Context of Administrative Law

How the FDA should regulate direct-to-consumer genetic tests is fiercely contested. Passing a rule or issuing an order is only one down in the series. There is more to the regulatory game.
Time and the Horizon of Poignancy: Notes on Temporally Induced Sorrow

Abstract The origin of poignancy is our awareness of eventual loss due to the ephemerality of existence. Socialization produces a self that is simultaneously subject and object, knower and known. Self-consciousness is an awareness that one exists, one matters, and strong feelings are attached to one’s continued existence. To be self-conscious, however, is to be aware of one’s eventual demise. Moreover, each passing moment is immediately and irretrievably lost, which can make it precious in our sight, its loss poignant when we remember that our days are numbered. I examine poignancy in everyday life and literature. The essential formula for poignancy appears to be a collision between our capacity to imagine an infinite future and the finitude of all human experience. Susan Sontag’s study of photography provides further evidence for this argument.
Nitrogen fixation by intact grass-soil cores using 15N2 and acetylene reduction

To determine N2 fixation by intact grass-soil cores, samples were collected from 25 sites in central Texas during the summer. Three cores (32 cm2 each) were extracted immediately adjacent to one another from single grass clumps or sods. Two of these cores were incubated under 10% C2H2 in air and the third core was incubated for 12 h in an atmosphere with 10% 15N2 enrichment. Following incubation with 15N2 the same core was assayed for rate of C2H2 reduction (AR). Rates of AR were generally low and quite variable (0–7.6 μmol C2H4 core−1 day−1). 15N2 was incorporated into root and shoot tissues within 12–24 h. Extrapolated values of N2 fixation based on 15N2 incorporation ranged from 0 to 20 kg N ha−1100 day−1. The ratio of C2H2 reduced (μ mol C2H4 core−1 day−1) to N2 fixed (μ mol N2 fixed core−1 day−1) was highly variable ranging from 0 to 12. This study confirmed that N2 is fixed in the rhizosphere of grasses grown in Texas through the use of 15N2 and demonstrated that incorporation of fixed N into shoots was relatively rapid.
Success and failure in a lotic crayfish invasion: the roles of hydrologic variability and habitat alteration

Summary 1. This paper examines the distribution, habitat relationships, and potential for spread of non-native signal crayfish (Pacifastacus leniusculus) in streams of the Truckee River catchment, California, U.S.A. Crayfish associations with natural features and with impoundments and flow alteration were examined in a survey of 33 streams. Abundance changes were followed over 5 years, which included some of the highest and lowest flows on record, in three streams, two unregulated and one regulated. Movement of marked crayfish was studied in one 0.5 km stream reach just upstream from a reservoir. 2. Signal crayfish were most abundant in low-gradient streams and were positively associated with proximity to reservoirs (both upstream and downstream). Crayfish were more likely to be found in regulated than unregulated sites, and did not occur in sites upstream of barriers, such as culverts, that separated them from reservoirs or lakes. 3. Crayfish declined in abundance in years following particularly intense and prolonged wet-season spates, leading to a negative association between crayfish abundance and both peak discharge and duration of bankfull flows. 4. Crayfish moved distances of up to 277 m, and at rates of up to 120 m day−1, suggesting significant dispersal ability. Larger crayfish moved greater distances and were more likely to move downstream. Female crayfish showed a pattern of upstream movement in early summer and downstream movement late in the summer, opposite the pattern found in two other studies. 5. These results suggest that natural or artificial gradient barriers and, in regulated systems, management of flow regimes to include bankfull or greater flows may help to control invasive crayfish in streams.
STABILITY AND BIFURCATION OF ROTOR MOTION IN A MAGNETIC BEARING

Abstract The equations of motion of a two-degrees-of-freedom mass in a magnetic bearing are non-linear in displacement, with geometric coupling of the magnetic bearing coupling the horizontal and vertical components of rotor motion. The non-linear forced response is studied in two ways: (1) using imbalance force; (2) using non-imbalance harmonic force. In the forced response, only periodic motion is investigated here. Stable periodic motion is obtained by numerical integration and by the approximate method of trigonometric collocation. Where unstable motion coexists with stable motion after a bifurcation of periodic motion, the unstable motion is obtained by the collocation method. The periodic motions' local stability and bifurcation behavior are obtained by Floquet theory. The parameters i.e., rotor speed, imbalance eccentricity, forcing amplitude, rotor weight, and geometric coupling are investigated to find regimes of non-linear behavior such as jumps and subharmonic motion.
Nucleotide Analog Interference Mapping

Single-atom substitution experiments provide atomic resolution biochemical information concerning RNA structure and function. Traditionally, these experiments are performed using chimeric RNAs generated by reassembly of full-length RNA from a synthetic substituted oligonucleotide and a truncated RNA transcript. Unfortunately, this technique is limited by the technical difficulty of assembling and measuring the effect of each singly substituted molecule in a given RNA. Here we review an alternate method for rapidly screening the effect of chemical group substitutions on RNA function. Nucleotide analog interference mapping is a chemogenetic approach that utilizes a series 59-O-(1-thio)-nucleoside analog triphosphates to simultaneously, yet individually, probe the contribution of a functional group at every nucleotide position in an RNA molecule. A population of randomly substituted RNAs is prepared by including phosphorothioate-tagged nucleotide analogs in an in vitro transcription reaction. The active molecules in the RNA population are selected by an activity assay, and the location of the analog substitution detrimental to activity is identified by cleavage at the phosphorothioate tag with iodine and resolution of the cleavage fragments by gel electrophoresis. This method, which is as easy as RNA sequencing, is applicable to any RNA that can be transcribed in vitro and has an assayable function. Here we describe protocols for the synthesis of phosphorothioate-tagged analogs and their incorporation into RNA transcripts. The incorporation properties and unique biochemical signatures of each individual analog are discussed. ' 1999 Academic Press
Drosophila Enhancer of zeste protein interacts with dSAP18

Abstract The Drosophila Enhancer of zeste [E(z)] gene encodes a member of the Polycomb group of transcriptional repressors. Here we report evidence for direct physical interaction between E(Z) and dSAP18, which previously has been shown to interact with Drosophila GAGA factor and BICOID proteins. dSAP18 shares extensive sequence similarity with a human polypeptide originally identified as a subunit of the SIN3A-HDAC (switch-independent 3-histone deacetylase) co-repressor complex. Yeast two-hybrid and in vitro binding assays demonstrate direct E(Z)-dSAP18 interaction and show that dSAP18 is capable of interacting with itself. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments provide evidence for in vivo association of E(Z) and dSAP18. Gel filtration analysis of embryo nuclear extracts shows that dSAP18 is present in native protein complexes ranging from ∼1100 to ∼450 kDa in molecular mass. These studies provide support for a model in which dSAP18 contributes to the activities of multiple protein complexes, and potentially may mediate interactions between distinct proteins and/or protein complexes.
Age differences in Exposure and Reactivity to Interpersonal Tensions among Black and White Individuals across Adulthood.

The present study examined age differences in exposure and reactivity to interpersonal tensions among white and black Americans. Participants from the National Study of Daily Experiences II (NSDE II, n = 1,696 white and n = 239 black; ages 34–84) reported their experiences of daily interpersonal tensions and well-being (positive and negative affect) over 8 days and provided salivary cortisol samples. A total of 40% of respondents reported having an argument and 62% reported avoiding an argument. Multilevel models estimated separately for black and white respondents revealed that older people reported fewer interpersonal tensions (i.e., less exposure) than did younger people. However, age differences in reactivity to tensions (e.g., appraisals, coping strategies, implications of tensions for affect and cortisol) varied by race. Although older black respondents reported tensions were less stressful than younger black respondents, there were fewer age difference in reactivity to tensions overall among black respondents compared with white respondents. Findings are consistent with the exposure-reactivity model and gerontological theories of emotion regulation but show that the specific age differences vary by race which may indicate unique strengths and vulnerabilities among whites and blacks.
Hope and God as good-enough Mother: the Development of Hope in Job

The development of hope in Job through his trials is identified with the developmental strides of an infant who (in Eriksonian and Object Relations terms) navigates the tensions of trust vs. mistrust and finds hope rather than despair due to an environment created by a “good-enough mother.” The dynamics at play in the dyadic relationship between the infant and the good-enough mother is noted as corresponding to Job’s relationship with God. God is thus conceived as the primordial good-enough mother, whose mothering produces hope, seen as the primal virtue for human existence. The dynamics and necessity of hope are considered and implications for pastoral theology suggested.
Nonlinear ac dynamics of charge-density-wave condensate in NbSe3

Phase-space plots of the ac charge-density-wave (CDW) current versus the ac voltage have been obtained in Nb${\mathrm{Se}}_{3}$ for frequencies 0.1-5 MHz. The strong inductive hysteresis observed is consistent with metastable states in the CDW and incompatible with classical oscillator models.
Management of complications of frontal sinus and frontal bone fractures

Complications related to untreated and treated fractures of the frontal calvarium, frontal sinus, and anterior skull base are, fortunately, uncommon. However, when they do occur, disturbing alterations in appearance and life-threatening infections may result, alone or in combination. Extensive reconstructive procedures may be required to restore defects that affect the contour of the forehead or position of the globe. These procedures should not be undertaken until all infection in the frontal and ethmoid sinuses and the frontal bone have been controlled and the chance of recurrent infection in the sinus reduced to a minimum. A rational approach to the management of the injured frontal sinus, based on an understanding of the pathophysiology of drainage system dysfunction, is mandatory for these goals to be achieved. Patients must be made aware that have a life-long risk of additional problems, even with appropriate managment of their initial complications.