cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physiology of myeloproliferation.

Abstract The current dogma about polycythemia vera (PV) is that one or more genetic mutations in a hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) cause abnormal proliferation and differentiation of the progeny of that stem cell. This model ignores two fundamental characteristics of biologic systems that must be considered if regulation is to be understood: first, at a molecular level, biochemical processes are intrinsically stochastic; and second, ontogeny and hematopoiesis are branching processes—with one cell dividing into two cells, and so on. Why is it important to add an understanding of the stochastic, branching nature of HSC function to a description of the genes and gene products only? Why not just say one understands the regulation of normal hematopoiesis, or PV, when all the genes and gene products actively transcribed have been identified? The answer is that within a branching, stochastic process, one mutation can cause more than one outcome (phenotype) in the future. There will be one or more related outcomes that will be highly likely and others that will be less likely. Although most patients will have similar phenotypes, some will differ, but not because they have different underlying mutations. Mathematics will probably play an increasingly important role in describing and analyzing the regulation that occurs as the genetic program of HSC is expressed within a clone over time.
Plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin for the treatment of D alloimmunization in pregnancy

The alloimmunized pregnancy can result in fetal and newborn mortality due to fetal anemia. Control of fetal anemia has not been possible until recently, and management consists of following the degree of fetal anemia during gestation until intrauterine transfusion is feasible to support the fetus until delivery. Cordocentesis and intrauterine transfusion have potential complications that have been well documented. Control of fetal anemia via immune modulation utilizing plasmapheresis and intravenous immune globulin administration has been attempted alone and in combination with varying results. We present a case report of an Rh(D) alloimmunized pregnancy, in which successful management consisted of initial therapeutic plasmapheresis (TPE) followed by intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) administration until delivery at 37 weeks gestation without the need for intrauterine transfusion.
Emotional factors and enuresis nocturna.

Enuretic children seen by a physician are more likely to be emotionally disturbed than children who have been dry at night since the age of 2 or 3 years. Nevertheless the majority appear to have no problems apart from their symptom of enuresis (Barbour et al. 1963, Hallgren 1957, Kanner 1960, Werry and Cohrssen 1965). Pathological findings are also relatively infrequent in enuretic children, so that the causation in most cases is quite obscure.
Strategies to Improve Recruitment and Retention of Older Stroke Survivors to a Randomized Clinical Exercise Trial

Background Relatively few exercise randomized clinical trials (RCTs) among stroke survivors have reported the effectiveness of recruitment and retention strategies, despite its central importance to study integrity. Objective Our objective is to examine recruitment and retention strategies used among a group of older community-dwelling stroke survivors for an exercise RCT. Methods Recruitment strategies were multidimensional using both paid (ie, newspaper, radio and, television) and unpaid advertisements (ie, staff visits, flyers, and brochures placed at outpatient rehabilitation centers, physician offices, and community facilities working with older adults; free media coverage of the study, presentations at stroke support groups, relatives/friends, and study Web site) to obtain referrals. Retention strategies centered on excellent communication, the study participants' needs, and having dedicated study staff. Attrition rates and adherence to the intervention were used to examine the effectiveness of these retention strategies. Results A total of 393 referrals were received, 233 persons were screened, and 145 stroke survivors enrolled in the study. During 3 years of study recruitment, we achieved 97% of our enrollment target. We enrolled 62% of those screened. Study enrollment from paid advertising was 21.4% (n = 31), whereas unpaid advertisements resulted in 78.6% (n = 114) of our participants. Attrition was 10% (n = 14 dropouts), and adherence to the intervention was 85%. Conclusions Recruitment and retention of participants in an exercise RCT are time and labor intensive. Multiple recruitment and retention strategies are required to ensure an adequate sample of community-dwelling stroke survivors. Many of these strategies are also relevant for exercise RCTs among adults with other chronic illnesses.
The effects on earnings of interregional and interindustry migration.

The purpose of this study is to examine a model of the decision to migrate between regions and/or industries and its effect on earnings. The study is based on a large set of individual microdata taken from the [U.S.] Social Security Administrations One Percent Continuous Work History Sample. The data are for 1971 and 1973. "Results of estimation provide strong support for the hypothesis of self-selection among region and industry migrants. Additional empirical evidence supports the notion of comparative advantage in migrant earnings implying that earnings distributions of individuals who made a particular combination of migration decisions may differ from those of the population as a whole." (EXCERPT)
The impact of anticipated and unanticipated policy actions on the stock market

(1988). The impact of anticipated and unanticipated policy actions on the stock market. Applied Economics: Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 377-384.
Cytotoxic cells suppress in vitro generation of cellular immunity by stimulator cell lysis.

Abstract Irradiated BALB/c spleen-cell populations actively cytotoxic to BL/6 alloantigens (modulator cells) were capable of suppression of the in vitro generation of BALB/c anti-BL/6 cellular cytotoxicity. This suppression was abrogated by anti-θ serum plus complement. The suppression was dose dependent on the number of modulator cells and correlated directly with the magnitude of their cytotoxicity. By varying the number of stimulator cells, specific suppression for a relevant stimulator cell and nonspecific suppression for an irrelevant stimulator cell were demonstrated in the same cultures. These data suggest that cytotoxic cells caused specific suppression in mixed lymphocyte culture by lysing stimulator cells although evidence for other nonspecific suppressor factors was seen. A model was proposed suggesting that cell populations possessing high levels of cytotoxicity may feed back negatively on an ongoing immune response by competing with proliferating T cells for cellular antigen.
Multilayered membranes with suppressed fuel crossover for direct methanol fuel cells

In order to reduce the methanol crossover from the anode to the cathode side in direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC), multilayered membranes containing a thin layer of sulfonated poly(etheretherketone) (SPEEK) with different sulfonation levels and thickness and two outer layers of recast Nafion have been fabricated and characterized. With a comparable polarization loss in DMFC, the multilayered membranes show a significant reduction in methanol crossover compared to the native Nafion membranes. The sulfonation level and the thickness of the SPEEK middle layer play an important role in the methanol crossover and electrochemical performance. The multilayered membrane approach is a promising strategy to overcome the difficulties of methanol crossover in DMFC.
Epoxidation of propylene over molybdenum-Y zeolites

Molybdenum zeolites prepared by the reaction of ultrastable-Y with either Mo(CO)6 or MoCl5 are initially quite active and selective for the formation of propylene oxide. They are considerably more active than a homogeneous catalyst derived from Mo(CO)6. In these reactions t-butyl hydroperoxide was used as the oxidant and 1,2-dichloroethane was the solvent. The intrazeolitic reaction is poisoned by the formation of polyoxypropylene. A small amount of molybdenum (< 10% by weight) was leached from the zeolite and is responsible for a continuous homogeneous reaction. Catalysts obtained from [Mo2(en)4]Y zeolites (en = ethylenediamine) are less active in the epoxidation reaction.
Linking Carbon Saturation Concepts to Nitrogen Saturation and Retention

Recent advances in soil C saturation concepts have increased our understanding of soil C storage and mineralization without explicit links to N retention and saturation theories. Here, we exploit soil texture and organic matter (OM) gradients in a Maryland, USA hardwood forest to test hypotheses that link soil organic C saturation with soil 15N retention and nitrification. At our site, mineral-associated OM (MAOM) N concentrations in the silt + clay particle fraction (g MAOM-N g silt + clay−1) were negatively correlated with the fraction of NH4-N transferred to MAOM during a 3-day in situ incubation (R = −0.85), but positively correlated with potential net nitrification (R = 0.76). Moreover, the fraction of NH4-N transferred to MAOM was negatively correlated with potential net nitrification (R = −0.76). Due to physico-chemical stabilization mechanisms, MAOM is considered to be resistant to mineralization. Carbon saturation theory suggests that the proportion of new C inputs that can be stabilized in MAOM decreases in proportion to the amount of C already present in the fraction; C inputs not stabilized in MAOM are susceptible to rapid mineralization. We demonstrate that NH4-N stabilization in MAOM is similar to C stabilization in MAOM and associated with nitrification, thereby extending soil C saturation theory to mineral N and linking it with N retention and saturation theories. These data and concepts complement N saturation models that emphasize vegetation type, N input levels, and microbial turnover. Incorporating the OM retention capacity of fine mineral particles into N saturation theory can improve predictions of N saturation rates and resolve inconsistent relationships between soil organic matter, texture, N mineralization, and N retention.
The effect of cap-and-trade programs on firms’ profits: Evidence from the Nitrogen Oxides Budget Trading Program

Abstract Cap-and-trade programs have become an increasingly common means of regulating emissions from electric power plants, but there is little empirical evidence about the programs’ effects on regulated firms’ profits. This paper uses stock prices to estimate the change in expected profits under the Nitrogen Oxides Budget Trading Program (NBP). Using regional variation in compliance costs, I find that the NBP reduced expected profits by as much as $25 billion, primarily affecting the values of coal generators that operate in states with restructured electricity markets.
A Quantile Domain Perspective on the Relationships between Optimal Grouping, Spacing and Stratification Problems.

Abstract The relationships between two distributions having the same solutions for problems of optimal spacing selection for the asymptotically best linear unbiased estimator of a location or scale parameter or for problems of optimal stratification for estimation of a population mean are investigated. Easily checked necessary and sufficient conditions under which two distributions have identical solutions to these problems are given in terms of their quantile and density-quantile functions. As an application of these results a quantile domain analoque of a theorem due to Adatia and Chan (1981) on the equivalence of optimal grouping, spacing and stratification problems is obtained.
Structural variations in room-temperature ionic liquids: Influence on metal ion partitioning modes and extraction selectivity

Abstract Studies of the partitioning behavior of alkali and alkaline earth cations in systems comprising a nitric acid solution and an immiscible ionic liquid (IL) to which a crown ether has been added have established trends in the predominant mode by which these cations are transferred between phases. For a series of 1,3-dialkylimidazolium-based ILs, it is shown that the relative importance of cation exchange and neutral complex extraction to the overall ion transfer process can vary considerably with the hydrophobicity of the IL cation, the concentration of the aqueous acid, and the metal ion extracted. The overall trends observed display a simple correlation with charge density within each group of cations. Coupled with existing knowledge of ion partitioning into ILs, these results provide a framework by which variations in the extraction behavior of metal ions with changing conditions can be rationalized and the unique extraction selectivity exhibited by these systems can be exploited to develop improved systems for metal ion separations.
Use of Electric Fields to Monitor the Dynamical Aspect of Cell Behavior in Tissue Culture

Mammalian cells can be cultured and therefore studied in vitro. Normally, the cells' morphology and other static properties are observed with the aid of a light microscope. A method is described here that allows observation of the dynamical aspects of cultured cells. Mammalian fibroblasts are cultured in polystyrene dishes that contain evaporated gold electrodes. As the cells attach to the electrodes, their presence and their motion is directly reflected in the measured impedance.
Integrated multicomponent solute geothermometry

The previously developed and well-demonstrated mineral saturation geothermometry method is revisited with the objective to ease its application, and to improve the prediction of geothermal reservoir temperatures using full and integrated chemical analyses of geothermal fluids. Reservoir temperatures are estimated by assessing numerically the clustering of mineral saturation indices computed as a function of temperature. The reconstruction of the deep geothermal fluid compositions, and geothermometry computations, are implemented into one stand-alone program, allowing unknown or poorly constrained input parameters to be estimated by numerical optimization using existing parameter estimation software. The geothermometry system is tested with geothermal waters from previous studies, and with fluids at various degrees of fluid–rock chemical equilibrium obtained from laboratory experiments and reactive transport simulations. Such an integrated geothermometry approach presents advantages over classical geothermometers for fluids that have not fully equilibrated with reservoir minerals and/or that have been subject to processes such as dilution and gas loss.
Behind the Numbers: Welfare Reform from an Ecological Perspective

Abstract Welfare reform is unfinished business. Contrary to proclamations of its resounding success, an examination of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA) of 1996 using an ecological perspective shows unequal outcomes. Some individuals and localities are faring better than others because of different ecosystems. Over reliance on reduced rolls as an indicator of success fails to capture the experiences of individuals who are differentially impacted by the redesigned welfare program. An ecological perspective avoids this flaw and offers a way to compile evidence that includes the views of multiple stakeholders. It looks behind the numbers to see how people are being affected by the nation's work first philosophy. Most importantly, an ecological perspective provides a framework for policy makers to examine the population that is being labeled as “hard to serve” and reframes the dialogue from personal pathology to a holistic approach that places equal weight on a perso...
Abstract 1395: Inhibition of transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) increases the therapeutic benefit of radiotherapy in a murine mammary tumor model

Ionizing radiation triggers activation of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ), which is implicated in regulation of cell cycle, apoptosis, immune response. Our prior work has shown that the DNA damage response is compromised when TGFβ is inhibited prior to irradiation in mouse epithelial tissues and human mammary epithelial cells (Cancer Res 62:5627, 2002; Cancer Res 66:10861, 2006). TGFβ depletion compromises ataxia telengiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase activity and autophosphorylation in irradiated epithelial cells, leading to reduced phosphorylation of critical DNA damage transducers, abrogation of the cell cycle block and apoptosis. If cancer cells are similarly regulated, then TGFβ inhibition could improve the therapeutic effect of radiotherapy (RT). We used the highly metastatic 4T1 mouse mammary carcinoma model to evaluate the impact of TGFβ inhibition on the response to radiation in vitro and in vivo. Cultured 4T1 cells were TGFβ responsive as demonstrated by SMAD phosphorylation, but were not sensitive to TGFβ growth inhibition. 4T1 cells were radiosensitized following inhibition of TGFβ type I receptor kinase with a small molecule inhibitor as shown by clonogenic assay. For in vivo evaluation, 4T1 cells were injected s.c. in the flank of syngeneic mice and were treated when tumors became palpable 13 days later. Mice were randomly assigned to four groups receiving control isotype monoclonal antibody (mAb), 50mg/kg 1D11.16, a monoclonal pan-specific TGFβ neutralizing antibody, local RT and isotype control mAb, or RT and 1D11.16. In the first experiment, mAb were administered at 24 hr prior to the first radiation treatment and RT was delivered as three fractions of 12 Gy on three consecutive days. 1D11.16 treatment slightly reduced tumor growth rate compared to isotype mAB control-treated mice but tumor weights were not significantly different on day 28 (N=5, 0.62 ± 0.07 vs 0.54 ± 0.09 gm). When administered in combination with RT, 1D11.16 enhanced tumor growth delay and significantly reduced tumor weight at experiment termination (N=5, 0.12 ± 0.02 vs 0.24 ± 0.04 gm; p Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1395.
The dearth of psychological treatment studies for anorexia nervosa.

Objective Anorexia nervosa (AN) was first described more than 130 years ago, yet few psychological treatments have been formally studied. Our objective was to review the available studies to understand whether these may highlight directions for future investigation. Method Medline and PsycINFO were consulted to identify relevant treatment studies. Twenty psychotherapy treatment studies were identified for review. These were divided in terms of patient age (adolescent vs. adult) and type of study (uncontrolled vs. controlled). Results Without exception, adolescent studies (uncontrolled or controlled) involved the parents or family in the treatment. The adult studies were much more varied in terms of treatments that were compared. Most studies were statistically underpowered and only one utilized manualized treatments. More recent investigations have attempted to remedy these methodologic shortcomings. Discussion The review highlights the effectiveness of one particular treatment modality for adolescents, but emphasizes the compelling need for further and larger systematic investigation into treatments for both adolescent and adult AN. © 2005 by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A middle-range theory of acute pain management: use in research.

p a i n not only an is intense discomfort but can also delay healing and recovery. Severe and prolonged pain has been shown to adversely affect immunocompetence and stimulate sympathoadrenal stress responses, which can result in infection, urinary retention, muscle tension, and sensitivity of nociceptors. 14 In recognition of these deleterious effects, the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) published guidelines for the management of acute postoperative pain in 1992. 5 The goals of the pain management guidelines are to reduce pain, complications, and length of hospital stay; to educate patients in communicating unrelieved pain; and to enhance patient satisfaction with pain management practices. Recommendations for physicians and nurses include use of medication, nonpharmacologic adjuvants, patient education, and attentive care. 5 Moore and 16 have described a theory that is based on the acute pain guidelines and have presented initial empiric support, theoretic definitions, and measures.
A framework for construction and evaluation of high-level specifications for program analysis techniques

Abstract interpretation introduced the notion of formal specification of program analyses. Denotational frameworks are convenient for reasoning about such specifications. However, implementation considerations make denotational specifications complex and hard to develop. We present a framework that facilitates the construction and understanding of denotational specifications for program analysis techniques. The framework is exemplified by specifications for program analysis techniques from the literature and from our own research. This approach allows program analysis techniques to be incorporated into automatically generated program synthesizers by including their specifications with the language definition.
Ranking visualizations of correlation using Weber's law

Despite years of research yielding systems and guidelines to aid visualization design, practitioners still face the challenge of identifying the best visualization for a given dataset and task. One promising approach to circumvent this problem is to leverage perceptual laws to quantitatively evaluate the effectiveness of a visualization design. Following previously established methodologies, we conduct a large scale (n=1687) crowdsourced experiment to investigate whether the perception of correlation in nine commonly used visualizations can be modeled using Weber's law. The results of this experiment contribute to our understanding of information visualization by establishing that: (1) for all tested visualizations, the precision of correlation judgment could be modeled by Weber's law, (2) correlation judgment precision showed striking variation between negatively and positively correlated data, and (3) Weber models provide a concise means to quantify, compare, and rank the perceptual precision afforded by a visualization.
Probing the barrier properties of self-assembled monolayers using flow amperometry

In this note the authors describe the use of flow-injection amperometry as a new effective tool for probing the barrier behavior of alkanethiol monolayers on gold electrodes. Flow injection analysis, based on the injection of samples into a flowing stream that carries the analyte into a detector, has been widely used for automated chemical analysis. SAM-modified electrodes have been used earlier for improving the specificity of flow-injection electrochemical measurements, but not for characterizing the barrier properties of SAM coatings. The new flow-injection amperometric probing of SAM-coated electrodes is carried out at fixed potentials during the passage of a sample plug (containing the redox marker) over the coated gold-electrode detector. Such fixed-potential measurements are free from background-current contributions common to scanning-potential CV experiments. The substantially enhanced detectability of such flow injection studies (compared to CV runs) can thus be exploited for detecting minute differences in the barrier properties of SAM films that are not detectable by conventional CV studies. The improved characterization of the monolayer barrier behavior is coupled to additional advantages, including speed, reproducibility, reagent economy, and versatility. Such improvements and advantages are illustrated below in connection with SAMs prepared from alkanethiols of different chain lengths or by using differentmore » chemisorption times.« less
The impact of hormonal contraception on disease-related cyclical symptoms in women with inflammatory bowel diseases.

Background Women with inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) commonly report an increase in their IBD symptoms related to their menstrual cycle. Hormonal contraceptives are safe for women with IBD and frequently used for reproductive planning, but data are lacking on their effect on IBD-related symptoms. Methods We completed a cross-sectional phone survey of 129 women (31% response rate), aged 18 to 45 years, with IBD in an academic practice between March and November 2013. An electronic database query identified eligible women, and we sent an opt-out letter before contact. Questions included demographics, medical and reproductive history, and current/previous contraceptive use. Women were asked if/how their menses affected IBD-related symptoms and if/how their contraceptive affected symptoms. We calculated descriptive statistics and made comparisons by Crohn's disease versus ulcerative colitis on Stata V11. Results Participants were predominately white (85%) and college educated (97%), with a mean age of 34.2 (SD 6.2, range 19-45) years. Sixty percent had Crohn's disease, and 30% had IBD-related surgery previously. Half of the participants were parous, and 57% desired future pregnancy. Of the participants, 88% reported current or past hormonal contraceptive use and 60% noted cyclical IBD symptoms. Symptomatic improvement in cyclical IBD symptoms was reported by 19% of estrogen-based contraceptive users and 47% of levonorgestrel intrauterine device users. Only 5% of all hormonal method users reported symptomatic worsening. Conclusions In a subset of women with IBD, 20% of hormonal contraception users reported improved cyclical menstrual-related IBD symptoms. Health care providers should consider potential noncontraceptive benefits of hormonal contraception in women with cyclical IBD symptoms.
Intended’ and ‘Experienced’ Meaning: Reevaluating the Reader-Response Theory

Typically, Immanuel Kant’s Critique of Pure Reason has been discussed in the context of epistemology, the study of human knowing. However, one aspect or implication that scholars seem to have missed is the relevance that Kant’s theory has for the field of literary criticism; in particular, its relation to the “Reader-Response” theory.In this paper, we will reexamine the basic claims of the Reader-Response and ask whether one may draw a connection between the assertions of Immanuel Kant – that truth is construed by the observer – and of proponents of the Reader-Response theory. As it is commonly accepted, the Reader-Response proponents believe that the reader of a given text should receive a more prominent role than he or she is given in the traditional schools of literary criticism. That is, “instead of asking ‘what does this sentence mean?’ one should ask ‘what does this sentence do?’ “ (R. Williams, Literary Meaning). In other words, as soon as a reader approaches the text, he or she “compromises” its meaning by the mere fact of experiencing it. Accordingly, we will want to examine the link between Kantian thinking and the premises that operate behind the logic of the Reader-Response arguments. Without attempting to acknowledge a direct influence of Kantian logic on the Reader-Response theory, we will show that Kant’s epistemology did influence the wider context of philosophy, science and literature and that this influence must be taken into account. We will also want to ask whether criticism of Kantian epistemology may be used against the Reader-Response logic. We will consider the arguments of several of the more important authors who have written on this subject, but will state a more personal, and perhaps controversial, understanding of the issue. DOI: 10.5901/jesr.2013.v3n7p519
Aquaporin-1 protein levels elevated in fresh urine of renal cell carcinoma patients: potential use for screening and classification of incidental renal lesions.

Introduction and Objectives. There are over 65,000 new cases of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) each year, yet there is no effective clinical screening test for RCC. A single report claimed no overlap between urine levels of aquaporin-1 (AQP1) in patients with and without RCC (Mayo Clin Proc. 85:413, 2010). Here, we used archived and fresh RCC patient urine to validate this report. Methods. Archived RCC, fresh prenephrectomy RCC, and non-RCC negative control urines were processed for Western blot analysis. Urinary creatinine concentrations were quantified by the Jaffe reaction (Nephron 16:31, 1976). Precipitated protein was dissolved in 1x SDS for a final concentration of 2 μg/µL creatinine. Results. Negative control and archived RCC patient urine failed to show any AQP1 protein by Western blot analysis. Fresh RCC patient urine is robustly positive for AQP1. There was no signal overlap between fresh RCC and negative control, making differentiation straightforward. Conclusions. Our data confirms that fresh urine of patients with RCC contains easily detectable AQP1 protein. However, archival specimens showed an absence of detectable AQP1 indistinguishable from negative control. These findings suggest that a clinically applicable diagnostic test for AQP1 in fresh urine may be useful for detecting RCC.
A study of Sublingual Absorption. III.*: A Comparison of Sublingual Absorption From Various Tablet Bases

Abstract Radioactive sodium iodide‐131 was incorporated into twelve tablet bases which were administered sublingually to anesthetized mice. The absorption of the radioactive material was followed by a Geiger‐Muller counter tube held over the tail. Sodium phenobarbital was incorporated into the same tablet bases as the radioactive sodium iodide‐131 and administered sublingually to anesthetized rabbits. Periodic blood level determinations were made with the ultraviolet spectrophotometer. There was no correlation between the rates of absorption of sodium phenobarbital and radioactive sodium iodide‐131. The rates of in vitro or in vivo tablet disintegration could not be related to the rates of absorption.
Improved computerized detection of lung nodules in chest radiographs by means of 'virtual dual-energy' radiography

Major challenges in current computer-aided detection (CADe) of nodules in chest radiographs (CXRs) are to detect nodules that overlap with ribs and to reduce the frequent false positives (FPs) caused by ribs. Our purpose was to develop a CADe scheme with improved sensitivity and specificity by use of "virtual dual-energy" (VDE) CXRs where ribs are suppressed with a massive-training artificial neural network (MTANN). To reduce rib-induced FPs and detect nodules overlapping with ribs, we incorporated VDE technology in our CADe scheme. VDE technology suppressed ribs in CXR while maintaining soft-tissue opacity by use of an MTANN that had been trained with real DE imaging. Our scheme detected nodule candidates on VDE images by use of a morphologic filtering technique. Sixty-four morphologic and gray-level-based features were extracted from each candidate from both original and VDE CXRs. A nonlinear support vector classifier was employed for classification of the nodule candidates. A publicly available database containing 126 nodules in 126 CXRs was used for testing of our CADe scheme. Twenty nine percent (36/126) of the nodules were rated "extremely subtle" or "very subtle" by a radiologist. With the original scheme, a sensitivity of 76.2 (96/126) with 5 (630/126) FPs per image was achieved. By use of VDE images, more nodules overlapping with ribs were detected and the sensitivity was improved substantially to 84.1% (106/126) at the same FP rate in a leave-one-out cross-validation test, whereas the literature shows that other CADe schemes achieved sensitivities of 66.0% and 72.0% at the same FP rate.
Chemistry of Bifunctional Photoprobes

Abstract The synthesis and biological activity of functionalized lisinopril, a potent angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor is described. Selective functionalization of lisinopril is achieved at the secondary amino position by a photochemical method, whereas esterfication of the carboxylic groups and modification at the primary amino group is achieved by chemical methods. Autoradiographic investigations using competitive 125 I radioactive binding assays with the modified lisinopril reveal that the terminal amino group modification enhanced the binding to ACE, whereas the secondary amino group functionalization did not differ significantly from the binding properties of native lisinopril. However, esterification of the carboxyl groups reduced the inhibitory potentency from n M to μ M . These results suggest that lisinopril can be derivatized with preservation of inhibition potency toward ACE. These modifications may find utility in the development of photoaffinity labeling agents for ACE or to incorporate bifunctional chelating agents carrying diagnostic radiometals for the development of cardiac imaging agents.
In vitro effect of L-tryptophan and its metabolites on dimethylaminoazobenzene reductase activity of rat liver.

Abstract The exact role of azodye reductase, a liver microsmal enzyme, and its influence on the hepatocarcinogenicity of 4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (DAB) are uncertain. The effect of DAB is depressed by many nutritional factors, including trytophan. Therefore, the effects of o-aminophenol and of L -tryptophan and its metabolites L -kynurenine, anthranilic acid, kynurenic acid, quinaldic acid, 3-hydroxy- DL -kynurenine, 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid, xanthurenic acid, quinolinic acid, N-methylnicotinamide, and N′-methylnicotin-amide on rat liver azoreductase activity were determined, using DAB as substrate. Only 3-hydroxyanthran- ilic acid, 3-hydroxykynurenine and o-aminophenol decreased enzyme activity. The inhibition was greater if the buffered solutions (pH 7.4) of these three compounds were kept overnight before use, but the effect was prevented if these compounds were prepared in solutions of L -ascorbic acid and/or L -cysteine HCl. This observation indicates that the autoxidation products were probably responsible for inhibition of the enzyme. Further study of the oxidation products including the phenylquinoneimine formed from the oxidation of 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid in air, cinnabarinic acid, xanthommatin, 2-amino-3H-isophenoxazin-3-one, 1,9-dimethyl-2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one and actinomycin D showed that all these compounds inhibited enzyme activity. A non-competitive type of inhibition was observed in the presence of cinnabarinic acid and xanthommatin. Cinnabarinic acid, xanthommatin, 2-amino-3H-isophenoxazin-3-one, 1,9-dimethyl-2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one, a nd actinomycin D all have the same phenoxazinone ring system, suggesting that the driving factor in the inhibition of the azoreductase is the presence of the phenoxazinone chromophore. The chemical resemblance of these phenoxazinones to the coenzyme riboflavine further supports this supposition.
Titration of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) and its phenyl isocyanate reaction products: A model correction factor for determination of TEPA grafted to carbon surfaces

Abstract Ex-PAN carbon fibers (high strength, Celion G30-500, 3K-HTA-7C-N501, BASF Structural Materials, Inc.) were oxidized in 70% nitric acid at 115 °C for various times and then reacted with tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) at 190–200 °C, thereby grafting TEPA to the fiber through amide bonds. To determine the resulting quantity of surface amino groups present, HCl uptake experiments were conducted. However, charge-charge repulsion prevents complete protonation of all the amino groups at suitable pH values for accurate measurements. Therefore, model compounds were prepared by reacting TEPA with phenyl isocyanate (PhNCO). These compounds were used to model the protonation of amine sites in the TEPA grafted onto nitric-acid oxidized carbon fiber surfaces. TEPA and the model compounds were independently titrated with HCl solution to measure the fraction of amino groups in these compounds which are protonated at various pH values. This titration mimics the titration of TEPA amino groups which would be grafted onto oxidized carbon fiber surfaces. Protonation of TEPA was not complete at pH 1, and protonation of surface-bound TEPA was certainly not complete at pH 2.8, the lowest pH for accurate determination of basic functions on carbon fiber surfaces. Therefore, direct measurements of HCl uptake were lower than the true quantity of amino groups present in TEPA molecules. A correction procedure has been established, based on the titration results from the model TEPA/phenyl isocyanate reaction products, to correct the direct HCl uptake measurements on fiberbound TEPA or TEPA in solution.
Cresyl saligenin phosphate makes multiple adducts on free histidine, but does not form an adduct on histidine 438 of human butyrylcholinesterase

Abstract Cresyl saligenin phosphate (CBDP) is a suspected causative agent of “aerotoxic syndrome”, affecting pilots, crew members and passengers. CBDP is produced in vivo from ortho-containing isomers of tricresyl phosphate (TCP), a component of jet engine lubricants and hydraulic fluids. CBDP irreversibly inhibits butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) in human plasma by forming adducts on the active site serine (Ser-198). Inhibited BChE undergoes aging to release saligenin and o-cresol. The active site histidine (His-438) was hypothesized to abstract o-hydroxybenzyl moiety from the initial adduct on Ser-198. Our goal was to test this hypothesis. Mass spectral analysis of CBDP-inhibited BChE digested with Glu-C showed an o-hydroxybenzyl adduct (+106 amu) on lysine 499, a residue far from the active site, but not on His-438. Nevertheless, the nitrogen of the imidazole ring of free l -histidine formed a variety of adducts upon reaction with CBDP, including the o-hydroxybenzyl adduct, suggesting that histidine–CBDP adducts may form on other proteins.
First-Principles Calculations and CALPHAD Modeling of Thermodynamics

Thermodynamics is the key component of materials science and engineering. The manifestation of thermodynamics is typically represented by phase diagrams, traditionally for binary and ternary systems. Consequently, the applications of thermodynamics have been rather limited in multicomponent engineering materials. Computational thermodynamics, based on the CALPHAD approach developed in the last few decades, has released the power of thermodynamics and enabled scientists and engineers to make phase stability calculations routinely for technologically important engineering materials. Within the similar time frame, first-principles quantum mechanics technique based on density functional theory has progressed significantly and demonstrated in many cases the accuracy of predicted thermodynamic properties comparable with experimental uncertainties. In this paper, the basics of the CALPHAD modeling and first-principles calculations are presented emphasizing current multiscale and multicomponent capability. Our research results on integrating first-principles calculations and the CALPHAD modeling are discussed with examples on enthalpy of formation at 0 K, thermodynamics at finite temperatures, enthalpy of mixing in binary and ternary substitutional solutions, defect structure and lattice preference, and structure of liquid, super-cooled liquid, and glass.
Heat transfer in porous media considering phase change and capillarity—the heat pipe effect

Abstract A one-dimensional, steady state analysis of the heat and mass transfer in porous media saturated with the liquid and vapor phases of a single component fluid was conducted. The effects of capillarity, gravity forces, and phase change were included. Theoretical results were compared to experimental data with excellent agreement. It was found that the heat transfer was increased several orders of magnitude beyond pure conduction due to an evaporation, convection and condensation phenomenon similar to conventional heat pipe operation. The dry-out heat flux was predicted and verified for the bottom heating orientation. Theoretical temperature, pressure and saturation profiles within the two-phase region were obtained. Apparent thermal conductivities were evaluated for various gravitational orientations and medium permeabilities
Fundamental groups of negatively curved manifolds and actions of semisimple groups

THIS PAPFR is part of the investigation of the fundamental groups of manifolds on which a non-compact semisimple Lie group may act. Earlier work in this direction has dealt largely with the linear representation theory of the fundumcntal group. In this paper we consider homomorphisms into isomctry groups of negatively curved manifolds. and in particular the question as to when a scmisimplc Lie group may act on a manifold whose fundamcnt;ll group is isomorphic to th;tt of a ncgativcly curved manifold.
Survey of low-frequency electromagnetic waves stimulated by two coexisting newborn ion species

Parallel electromagnetic instabilities generated by coexisting newborn hydrogen and oxygen ions are studied for different orientations of the interplanetary magnetic field with respect to the solar wind velocity. The wave growth dependence on the densities and temperatures of the newborn species is investigated. The results indicate that in most domains of the Brillouin plane each ion beam can excite resonant instabilities without undue influence from the other newborn ion species. Although comparable resonant instabilities are more efficiently generated by the lighter newborn ions in ion-rich environments, the growth stimulated by the heavier species can withstand large beam density decreases.
The “price puzzle” reconsidered

Abstract A large literature has employed structural vector autoregressive (SVAR) models to investigate the empirical effects of U.S. monetary policy. Many of these models regularly produce a “price puzzle”—a rise in the aggregate price level in response to a contractionary innovation to monetary policy—unless commodity prices are included. Conventional wisdom maintains that commodity prices resolve the price puzzle because they contain information that helps the Federal Reserve forecast inflation. I examine a number of plausible alternative indicator variables and find little correlation between an ability to forecast inflation and an ability to resolve the price puzzle. Additionally, a sub-sample investigation reveals that evidence of a price puzzle is associated primarily with the 1959–1979 sample period, and that most indicators—including commodity prices—cannot resolve the puzzle over this period.
Road to Ruin: Targeting Proteins for Degradation in the Endoplasmic Reticulum

Some nascent proteins that fold within the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) never reach their native state. Misfolded proteins are removed from the folding machinery, dislocated from the ER into the cytosol, and degraded in a series of pathways collectively referred to as ER-associated degradation (ERAD). Distinct ERAD pathways centered on different E3 ubiquitin ligases survey the range of potential substrates. We now know many of the components of the ERAD machinery and pathways used to detect substrates and target them for degradation. Much less is known about the features used to identify terminally misfolded conformations and the broader role of these pathways in regulating protein half-lives.
Trace element and organochlorine concentrations in California clapper rail (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) eggs

Trace contaminant concentrations were measured in eggs of endangered California clapper rails (Rallus longirostris obsoletus) collected from San Francisco Bay during 1975, 1986, and 1987, and in clapper rail eggs (R. l. waynei) from North Carolina during 1987. Residues of 10 detected organochlorines (OC) were low and decreased by 2 to 3-fold from 1975 to 1986–1987 for San Francisco Bay samples, whereas eggshell thickness remained unchanged and comparable to eggs collected prior to 1940. Mercury (Hg) concentrations in eggs from San Francisco Bay were higher than those from North Carolina, and comparable to concentrations associated with reproductive effects in other avian species. Selenium (Se) concentrations in eggs from San Francisco Bay were also higher than those from North Carolina, and were highest in a north San Francisco Bay marsh adjacent to an oil refinery. Individual Se concentrations were slightly lower than values associated with embryotoxicity in other rallids. We recommend additional research on the effects of these and other contaminants on California clapper rails and the restoration of rail habitat.
Characterization of the rrn operons in the channel catfish pathogen Edwardsiella ictaluri.

Aims: To advance diagnostics and phylogenetics of Edwardsiella ictaluri by sequencing and characterizing its rrn operons. Methods and results: The Edw. ictaluri rrn operons were identified from a 5‐ 7 kbp insert lambda library and from Edw. ictaluri fosmid clones. We present the complete sequences and analysis of all eight Edw. ictaluri rrn operons and unique regions located upstream and downstream. Two rrn operons were located in tandem with 169 bp separating them, which is apparently a conserved feature between Edw. ictaluri and Edwardsiella tarda. I-CeuI enzyme digestion of Edw. ictaluri genomic DNA and analysis by pulsed field gel electrophoresis indicated that rrn operon number and chromosomal locations are conserved within the species Edw. ictaluri. Conclusions: The rrn operons of Edw. ictaluri have similar structure and flanking regions compared with other members of the family Enterobacteriaceae; however, the presence of eight copies of the rrn operon makes Edw. ictaluri unique within the family. Significance and impact of the study: This research clarifies previous phylogenetic analyses of Edw. ictaluri and provides support for the Edw. ictaluri genome sequencing project. In addition, we identified a unique feature of two rrn operons that shows potential for the development of a diagnostic PCR method.
Thermal Stresses in Circular Ceramic Rod Specimens Subjected to Sudden Radiative Cooling

The thermal stresses which result from sudden radiation heat losses in a ceramic circular cylinder were calculated by the finite-element method. It was shown that, for a given value of coefficient of thermal expansion and Young's modulus, the magnitude of the maximum stress increases with increasing emissivity and cylinder diameter and decreasing thermal conductivity. In terms of the initial temperature, T, the maximum stress was found to be proportional to Tx, with 3.3 ≤x≤ 3.5.
Derivation of spin hamiltonians by tensor decomposition

Abstract The spin Hamiltonian of a paramagnetic system is derived from the decomposition of spherical tensors having appropriate symmetry properties. Although no explicit use of group theory is involved, the Hamiltonian obtained is similar to that derived from purely group theoretical methods. Since perturbation theory is not invoked, the derivation applies regardless of the relative magnitude of the interactions, regardless of whether the lowest state of the free ion is an S-state, and regardless of whether the interaction of interest is linear, quadratic or of higher order.
Responses to Social Exchange and Social Exclusion in Networks

Various theoretical accounts of power in social exchange networks have emerged in recent years. The authors use a new experimental setting to test assumptions that appear to be implicit in all network exchange theories of power : actors in exchange networks increase their demands following social exchange and concede more resources when excluded. They also tested for the relative impact of inclusion versus exclusion and differential responses to multiple exchange partners given exchange with just one of them. They observed that the tendency to concede following exclusion was significantly greater than the tendency to raise demands following an exchange. Furthermore, when an actor had multiple potential exchange partners, the clear tendency was to demand more from those with whom exchange just occurred, but not from those excluded. These findings are discussed in view of current theories of exchange and commitment