cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Soluble FAS ligand as a biomarker of disease recurrence in differentiated thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Reliable predictive biomarkers are required to address the challenge of disease recurrence after thyroid cancer surgery. For this study, the authors assessed the association of cellular-based and serum-based immunologic mediators with thyroid cancer recurrence. METHODS: Leukocyte subset counts and immune regulatory cytokine levels were determined in peripheral blood samples using multiparameter flow cytometry and 51-panel, multiplex enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. The functional activity of circulating B-lymphocytes, T-lymphocytes, and natural killer lymphocytes was assessed ex vivo. Differences in mean biomarker levels between defined patient groups and correlations between biomarkers and cancer recurrence were assessed using t tests or Wilcoxon tests and by univariate and multivariate analyses with Cox models. Optimal cutoff values of significantly correlated biomarkers that best predicted disease recurrence after surgery were established by receiver operating characteristics and were validated by using an optimal cutpoint determination algorithm. RESULTS: In total, 35 patients were enrolled (median age, 49.4 year), including 24 women and 15 patients with recurrent disease; and there were 21 individuals in the control group. Patients without recurrence had higher levels of soluble FAS (tumor necrosis receptor superfamily, member 6) ligand (sFASL), transforming growth factor-β, regulatory T cells, and programmed death 1/ programmed death ligand 1-expressing leukocytes. sFASL (hazard ratio, 0.60; 95% confidence interval, 0.38-0.95; P = .031) and interferon-α (hazard ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-2.34; P = .038) were associated significantly with disease recurrence. There was a significant difference in progression-free survival between patient groups stratified by an sFASL optimal cutpoint of 15 pg/mL (log-rank P = .0009). CONCLUSIONS: sFASL and IFN-α levels were correlated significantly with thyroid cancer recurrence and may be useful for risk-adapted surveillance strategies in patients with thyroid cancer. Cancer 2013. © 2013 American Cancer Society.
Reality Radio: Telling True Stories in Sound

“We are living in the golden age of radio documentary,” declared Columbia University journalism professor Samuel F. Freedman in 2003; and co-editor John Biewen—in quoting Freedman in his introducti...
Weld Solidification Cracking in 304 to 304L Stainless Steel

A series of annulus welds were made between 304 and 304L stainless steel coaxial tubes using both pulsed laser beam welding (LBW) and pulsed gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW). In this application, a change in process from pulsed LBW to pulsed gas tungsten arc welding was proposed to limit the possibility of weld solidification cracking since weldability diagrams developed for GTAW display a greater range of compositions that are not crack susceptible relative to those developed for pulsed LBW. Contrary to the predictions of the GTAW weldability diagram, cracking was found.This result was rationalized in terms of the more rapid solidification rate of the pulsed gas tungsten arc welds. In addition, for the pulsed LBW conditions, the material compositions were predicted to be, by themselves, “weldable” according to the pulsed LBW weldability diagram. However, the composition range along the tie line connecting the two compositions passed through the crack susceptible range. Microstructurally, the primary solidification mode (PSM) of the material processed with higher power LBW was determined to be austenite (A), while solidification mode of the materials processed with lower power LBW apparently exhibited a dual PSM of both austenite (A) and ferrite-austenite (FA) within the same weld. The materials processed by pulsed GTAW showed mostly primary austenite solidification, with some regions of either primary austenite-second phase ferrite (AF) solidification or primary ferrite-second phase austenite (FA) solidification. This work demonstrates that variations in crack susceptibility may be realized when welding different heats of “weldable” materials together, and that slight variations in processing can also contribute to crack susceptibility.
Electric Vehicle AC Drive Development

A study evaluating the suitability of alternative motor and power converter technologies for electric vehicle application was performed. The results indicate that an ac induction motor with a transistor inverter has the greatest potential. Not only will this drive system provide greater vehicle range, but it will also provide improved regeneration to the battery.
Radiation-Induced Cancers of the Colon and Rectum: Assessing the Risk

Individuals who have received pelvic irradiation are reported to be at increased risk to develop subsequent malignancies in the large bowel. In order to plan appropriate follow-up for these patients, it is necessary to understand the magnitude of their risk. In this paper we review the literature on colorectal cancer after irradiation and estimate the excess risk based upon available data. Women who are irradiated for gynecologic cancer may have a relative risk for subsequent colorectal cancer of 2.0–3.6 based on best estimates. This risk is calculated independent of any risk imposed by underlying disease. These women are appropriate targets for careful surveillance for colorectal cancer.
Development of speech reception threshold materials for speakers of Taiwan Mandarin.

The aim of this research was to develop, digitally record, evaluate, and equate speech audiometry materials that can be used to measure the speech reception threshold (SRT) in quiet for native speakers of Taiwan Mandarin. Familiar trisyllabic words were digitally recorded by male and female talkers of Taiwan Mandarin and subsequently evaluated by 20 native listeners with normal hearing at 14 intensity levels (−10 to 16 dB HL) in 2 dB increments. Using logistic regression, psychometric functions were calculated for all words. Twenty-eight words with comparatively steep psychometric functions were selected and digitally adjusted to match the mean subject pure-tone average (5.0 dB HL). This resulted in a list of words that are relatively homogeneous in threshold audibility and psychometric function slope. The mean slopes for the 28 selected male and female trisyllabic Taiwan Mandarin words were 11.3%/dB and 11.7%/dB, respectively.
Adhesion by pathogenic corynebacteria

Pathogenic members of the genus Corynebacterium cause a wide range of serious infections in humans including diphtheria. Adhesion to host cells is a crucial step during infection. In Corynebacterium diphtheriae, adhesion is mediated primarily by filamentous structures called pili or fimbriae that are covalently attached to the bacterial cell wall. C. diphtheriae produces three distinct pilus structures, SpaA-, SpaD- and SpaH-type pili. Similar to other types, the prototype SpaA pilus consists of SpaA forming the pilus shaft and two minor pilins SpaB and SpaC located at the base and at the tip, respectively. The minor pilins SpaB/SpaC are critical for bacterial binding to human pharyngeal cells, and thus represent the major adhesins of corynebacteria. Like pili of many other gram-positive microbes, the assembly of corynebacterial pili occurs by a two-step mechanism, whereby pilins are covalently polymerized by a transpeptidase enzyme named pilin-specific sortase and the generated pilus polymer is subsequently anchored to the cell wall peptidoglycan via the base pilin by the housekeeping sortase or a non-polymerizing sortase. This chapter reviews the current knowledge of corynebacterial adhesion, with a specific focus on pilus structures, their assembly, and the mechanism of adhesion mediated by pili.
Complex Systems and the Evolution of Human Society

How can one explain the emergence of political, social, and economic order in human societies? The chapter starts with a short history of political and economical systems since classical antiquity. The historical ideas of political and economical order were often illustrated by technical, physical, or biological concepts of their corresponding period. In the 17th century, Thomas Hobbes tried to transfer Galilean and Cartesian laws of movement from mechanics to anthropology and state theory. The physiocrates modeled the economic system of an absolutist state like a mechanistic 18th-century clockwork (Sect. 6.1). The liberal ideas of Locke, Hume, and Smith were designed against the historical background from Newton’s physics. Until recent years, mainstream economics has often been inspired by models from linear mathematics, classical mechanics, thermodynamics of thermal equilibrium and sometimes the Darwinian theory of evolution. Like many physicists, economists believed in the exact computability of their (linear) models and suppressed the possibility of a “butterfly effect” leading to chaos and excluding economic forcasts in the long run (Sect. 6.2).
Relations among Adiposity and Insulin Resistance with Flow-Mediated Dilation, Carotid Intima-Media Thickness, and Arterial Stiffness in Children

Objective To determine the associations of adiposity and insulin resistance with measures of vascular structure and function in children. Study design A cross-sectional study included 252 children (age 15.1 ± 2.4 years; body mass index percentile 68.2 ± 26.5%; Tanner 2-5). Measurements of body fat percentage were obtained with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and visceral adipose tissue (VAT) with computed tomography. Insulin resistance was measured with hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp. Vascular measurements for endothelial function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation [FMD]), vascular structure (carotid intima-media thickness [cIMT]), vascular stiffness (carotid incremental elastic modulus), and pulse wave velocity were analyzed by tertiles of adiposity and insulin resistance. Additional analyses with ANCOVA and linear regression were adjusted for Tanner, sex, race, and family relationship; FMD was also adjusted for baseline artery diameter. Results FMD was positively associated with high adiposity (body mass index, body fat percentage, and VAT) ( P P Conclusions The findings suggest that adiposity is associated with higher FMD, and insulin resistance and VAT are associated with higher cIMT in children. Further research is needed to clarify the progression of these relations.
Methane production and release from two New England peatlands.

The rate of methane production and release to the atmosphere was determined for two New England peat bogs. Methane production rates from peat sediments, which were measured down to depths of 150 cm, ranged from 1 to 15 μmoles per liter per hour. The highest rates of methane production occurred at depths of 60–100 cm. Methane release from these same peats was quantified from various habitats on the bog using gas collection chambers. The chambers enclose a two-liter volume and cover an area of 0.02 m2. Methane accumulation in the chambers was measured for periods of up to 18 days. Methane release was related to pH and habitat zone. The lowest rates of methane release were from those portions of the bogs that had pH values below 5.0. Peak methane release occurred during or immediately after ice melt in both wetlands with release rates as high as 34 mmoles/m2/d. The overall estimate of yearly release of methane from these bog systems is 2,900 and 14,900 moles per year for Arcadia and Hawley Bogs respectively. Both of these bogs have pH environments close to the lowest limit for methanogenesis, and small differences in pH values can have a large impact on both the rate of methane production and the rate of methane release to the atmosphere.
Salicylaldimine-Based Metal–Organic Framework Enabling Highly Active Olefin Hydrogenation with Iron and Cobalt Catalysts

A robust and porous Zr metal–organic framework, sal-MOF, of UiO topology was synthesized using a salicylaldimine (sal)-derived dicarboxylate bridging ligand. Postsynthetic metalation of sal-MOF with iron(II) or cobalt(II) chloride followed by treatment with NaBEt3H in THF resulted in Fe- and Co-functionalized MOFs (sal-M-MOF, M = Fe, Co) which are highly active solid catalysts for alkene hydrogenation. Impressively, sal-Fe-MOF displayed very high turnover numbers of up to 145000 and was recycled and reused more than 15 times. This work highlights the unique opportunity of developing MOF-based earth-abundant catalysts for sustainable chemical synthesis.
Atomic and Raman spectroscopy of the dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid-calcium complex and phase transitions

Abstract Calcium binding measurements by atomic absorption spectroscopy and temperature-dependent phase transitions studies by Raman spectroscopy were combined in order to investigate the effect of Ca2+ binding on dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid (DPPA) dispersed in CaCl2 solutions of varying concentration at pH 7. The peak heights for the Raman CH stretch bands observed at 2885 cm−1 and 2935 cm−1 were used as a measure of hydrocarbon chain randomization and aggregate ultrastructure. Two transitions were observed for both pure DPPA and DPPA-Ca2+ mixtures. Ca2+ binding caused greatly increased DPPA chain rigidity in the melted state above Tm, but had much less effect on the solid phases below Tm. The increase in rigidity in the fluid state was observed to vary linearly with the molar ratio of bound Ca2+ to total DPPA throughout the range 0 to 1. The results of the Raman and Ca2+ binding measurements are explained by a model in which two populations of DPPA co-exist in the fluid state when Ca2+ binding has not reached saturation. One population consists of the Ca2+-bound DPPA complex with stoichiometric 1:1 binding ratio (determined from an atomic absorption Ca2+ binding study), and the second population is free DPPA. We propose that Ca2+-induced clustering and separation of the two components occurs chiefly because of differences in chain fluidity of the two components.
Optical phased array power penalty analysis.

This paper investigates the power penalty from optical phased arrays used for wide-angle beam steering of optical communication signals. The analysis studies the effect of aperture size, data rate, modulation format, and diffraction angle on digital lightwave signals. The results show increasing power penalties for larger angles, aperture sizes, and data rates. At a 10° steering angle, 10-cm aperture, and for both on-off keying (OOK) and differential phase-shift keying (DPSK) the 2.5-Gb/s power penalty is approximately 1.0 dB, while at 10 Gb/s the penalty increases to 7.7 dB for OOK and 7.8 dB for DPSK.
Worst-case error bounds for parallel machine scheduling problems with bounded sequence-dependent setup times

We consider minimizing makespan (Cmax) and maximum lateness (Lmax) on parallel identical machines with sequence-dependent setup times. We show that the optimal schedule need not be a list schedule. Motivated by a practical scheduling problem, we study the class of problems where setup times are bounded by processing times and develop tight worst case error bounds for list scheduling algorithms to minimize Cmax and Lmax.
Goodness‐of‐fit methods for matched case‐control studies

The authors propose graphical and numerical methods for checking the adequacy of the logistic regression model for matched case-control data. Their approach is based on the cumulative sum of residuals over the covariate or linear predictor. Under the assumed model, the cumulative residual process converges weakly to a centered Gaussian limit whose distribution can be approximated via computer simulation. The observed cumulative residual pattern can then be compared both visually and analytically to a certain number of simulated realizations of the approximate limiting process under the null hypothesis. The proposed techniques allow one to check the functional form of each covariate, the logistic link function as well as the overall model adequacy. The authors assess the performance of the proposed methods through simulation studies and illustrate them using data from a cardiovascular study. Les auteurs proposent des methodes graphiques et numeriques pouvant servir a juger de l'adequation d'un modele de regression logistique pour des donnees cas-contrǒle appariees. Lieur approche fait intervenir le cumul des residus par rapport a la covariable ou au predicteur lineaire. Lorsque le modele est bon, le processus des residus cumules converge faiblement vers une limite gaussienne centree dont la loi peut ětre approchee par voie de simulation. Le patron observe des residus cumules peut alors ětre compare visuellement et analytiquement a un certain nombre de realisations simulees du processus limite approximatif sous l'hypothese nulle. Les techniques proposees permettent de verifier la forme fonctionnelle de chaque covariable, le lien logistique, ainsi que l'adequation generale du modele. Les auteurs en evaluent la performance au moyen de simulations et en illustrent l'application sur des donnees issues d'une etude cardiovasculaire.
Produce or Perish: Generativity and New Reproductive Technologies

TECHNICAL DEBATES ABOUT new reproductive technologies (NRTs) capture daily headlines. Less prominent is what theologians think. Many leave these disputes to the scientists and medical ethicists with subspecialties in the finer mechanics of artificial reproduction. Although the specialization of the professions and the withdrawal of theologians to narrower and narrower spheres of discussion yields an increased depth of knowledge, it is a mistake. Behind the controversies surrounding reproductive technologies lie equally critical religious questions about human images of fulfillment and adult generativity. A theological perspective can draw attention to significant oversights within current conversations about the ethics of reproductive technologies. Only by comprehending complicated patterns of generativity, at heart a religious investigation of the nature of human realization, can we begin fairly to access and make moral decisions about NRTs. One contribution of theological analysis, encouraged and well done by the likes of Paul Tillich (1951-63; 1959) and others, is to reposition critical technical questions within a broader religious and cultural context. I first "conceived" the ideas that gave rise to this article while teaching two courses, one on medical ethics and the other on feminist psychology. Reading books for the latter, like Mary Field Belenky's (et al.) Women's Ways of Knowing or Anne Wilson Schaef's Women's Reality, intensified my sensitivity to the different ways of knowing or "realities" of students in the former. At the same time, my son turned two; my husband and I wanted a second child. I had already apprehended the critical place that becoming a mother had played in my own self-understanding. But the intense pressures I felt to conceive again came unexpectedly. Despite the mutuality in our marriage, I saw in a fresh way
Advocates of Law and Order: Villains or Guardians of Justice

Data on citizen reactions to rigged shoplifting incidents were analyzed in a test of the hypothesis that attitudes toward law and order interact with offender attributes to produce disparities in reactions. Although an interaction effect is observed, its form varies from common conception. Citizens strongly favoring law and order responded more punitively to shoplifting but were less affected by the shoplifter's appearance (hippie versus straight) in their responses. Citizens less concerned about the maintenance of law and order were less punitive in their responses, but were influenced more by the shoplifter's appearance. Thus, our findings are the opposite of what generally is expected. It is concluded that advocates of law and order are hardly the villains of justice as commonly assumed. Rather, they may be among her (justice) better guardians.
Effect of soil compaction and moisture on incidence of phytophthora root rot on American chestnut (Castanea dentata) seedlings

Abstract American chestnut is one of hundreds of plant species plagued by root rot caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi. Phytophthora root rot is thought to have contributed to chestnut dieback prior to the arrival of chestnut blight, and it may now present a serious limitation to establishment of blight-resistant hybrid chestnut. We manipulated soil compaction and moisture to evaluate the effect of soil physical factors on incidence of Phytophthora root rot on American chestnut seedlings. Seedlings were grown under three watering regimes, two soil compaction levels and two fungicide levels. Increased soil moisture enhanced seedling growth in loose soil, but irrigation did not impact seedlings growing in compacted soils. Seedling mortality was greatest in wet, compacted soils. Disease incidence was highest in the wettest soils, irrespective of compaction level. Fine root necrosis and Phytophthora infection occurred on 58 and 24% of non-fungicide-treated seedlings, respectively. Presence of ectomycorrhizal fungi declined in compacted soils that were either wetter or drier than optimal. Occurrence of ectomycorrhizal fungal symbionts was unrelated to root rot. This study demonstrates the high susceptibility of American chestnut to this common root pathogen, even under moderate levels of soil compaction and moisture. While overcoming chestnut blight is the first step in restoring chestnut to its original range, to establish successful plantings it will be crucial to recognize and avoid sites where soil physical factors promote Phytophthora root rot.
‘So why are you here?’ Assessing risk in HIV prevention and test decision counselling

This paper examines how counsellors attempt to assess clients' risks for contracting HIV when they come in for HIV testing. Starting with Maynard's (1989) proposal that an analysis of social problems should begin with an analysis of talk-in- interaction, I examine how a client's 'problem' of being at-risk for HIV is made visible or not in HIV prevention and test decision counselling sessions. First, I analyse counsellors' use of open-ended questions as a method for making the problem of at-risk for HIV visible within the interaction and how clients respond to those questions. Second, I analyse how the meaning of the clients' risks is negotiated in the interaction as counsellors support or contest clients' accounts for getting an HIV test.
The vascular endothelium as a target of cadmium toxicity

Cadmium (Cd) is an important industrial and environmental pollutant that can produce a wide variety of adverse effects in humans and animals. A growing volume of evidence indicates that the vascular endothelium may be one of the primary targets of Cd toxicity in vivo. Studies over the past 20 years have shown that Cd, at relatively low, sublethal concentrations, can target vascular endothelial cells at a variety of molecular levels, including cell adhesion molecules, metal ion transporters and protein kinase signaling pathways. The purpose of this review is to summarize the results of these recent studies and to discuss the implications of these findings with regard to the mechanisms of Cd toxicity in specific organs including the lung, liver, kidney, testis and heart. In addition the possible roles of the vascular endothelium in mediating the tumor promoting and anticarcinogenic effects of Cd are discussed.
Dynamic CT technique for assessment of wrist joint instabilities

Purpose: To develop a 4D [three-dimensional (3D) + time] CT technique to capture high spatial and temporal resolution images of wrist joint motion so that dynamic joint instabilities can be detected before the development of static joint instability and onset of osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: A cadaveric wrist was mounted onto a custom motion simulator and scanned with a dual source CTscanner during radial–ulnar deviation. A dynamic 4D CT technique was utilized to reconstructimages at 20 equidistant time points from one motion cycle. 3D images of carpal bones were generated using volume rendering techniques (VRT) at each of the 20 time points and then 4D movies were generated to depict the dynamic joint motion. The same cadaveric wrist was also scanned after cutting all portions of the scapholunate interosseus ligament to simulate scapholunate joint instability. Image quality were assessed on an ordinal scale (1–4, 4 being excellent) by three experienced orthopedic surgeons (specialized in hand surgery) by scoring 2D axial images. Dynamic instability was evaluated by the same surgeons by comparing the two 4D movies of joint motion. Finally, dose reduction was investigated using the cadaveric wrist by scanning at different dose levels to determine the lowest radiation dose that did not substantially alter diagnostic image quality. Results: The mean image quality scores for dynamic and static CTimages were 3.7 and 4.0, respectively. The carpal bones, distal radius and ulna, and joint spaces were clearly delineated in the 3D VRT images, without motion blurring or banding artifacts, at all time points during the motion cycle. Appropriate viewing angles could be interactively selected to view any articulating structure using different 3D processing techniques. The motion of each carpal bone and the relative motion among the carpal bones were easily observed in the 4D movies. Joint instability was correctly and easily detected in the scan performed after the ligament was cut by observing the relative motion between the scaphoid and lunate bones. Diagnostic capability was not sacrificed with a volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) as low as 18 mGy for the whole scan, with estimated skin dose of approximately 33 mGy, which is much lower than the threshold for transient skin erythema (2000 mGy). Conclusions: The proposed dynamic 4D CTimaging technique generated high spatial and high temporal resolution images without requiring periodic joint motion. Preliminary results from this cadaveric study demonstrate the feasibility of detecting joint instability using this technique.
Fiction, Biography, Autobiography, and Postmodern Nostalgia in (Con)Texts of Return

Patricia D. Fox discusses in her article, "Fiction, Biography, Autobiography, and Postmodern Nostalgia in (Con)Texts of Return," the meditations, in novel and essay, of variously positioned writers and protagonists as each contemplates return to a never glimpsed or long-lost geographical and cultural center. Attempting to decipher the grounding in place and time, by heritage or tradition, Fox's analysis juxtaposes selected texts: Hungarian Rhapsodies: Essays on Ethnicity, Identity and Culture (Richard Teleky, 1997); Out of America: A Black Man Confronts Africa (Keith B. Richburg, 1998); Dreaming in Cuban: A Novel (Cristina Garcia, 1992); The Hundred Secret Senses (Amy Tan, 1995); Next Year in Cuba: A Cubano's Coming-of-Age in America (Gustavo Pirez Firmat, 1995); and Zenzele: A Letter for My Daughter (J. Nozipo Maraire, 1996). The discussion compares the at once postmodern and nostalgic negotiation of the enunciated perception of displacement, on the one hand, and, on the other, a truncated sense of belonging, be it circumstantial, constructed, or assumed. Thus, the study suggests that, coupling imagination and substitution in the search of tangible ties (e.g., language), essayist, novelist, and protagonist transform themselves into architects of a unique transcultural history and diversely place themselves within a desired territorial context by the studied reconciliation of polarities. Patricia D. Fox, "Fiction, Biography, Autobiography, and Postmodern Nostalgia in (Con)Texts of Return" page 2 of 10 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 1.4 (1999):
Characterizations of the pivotal mechanism

The pivotal mechanism is strategyproof (demand revealing) in public decision problems where preferences are quasi-linear. Moreover, no agent has an incentive to “free ride” by withdrawing from the committee and consuming whatever decision is taken by the remaining agents. Strategyproofness plus No Free Ride characterize the pivotal mechanism. This mechanism is anonymous and neutral. Yet together Strategyproofness, Anonymity and Neutrality do not characterize it. They will, however, if reasonable lower (or upper) bounds on final utilities are imposed. Our last characterization of the pivotal mechanism uses the No Free Ride axiom and two mild monotonicity properties, but not Strategyproofness.
Molecular Characterization of the Nur77 Orphan Steroid Receptor in Apoptosis

One of the in vitro model of programmed cell death is T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated apoptosis of immature T cells and T cell hybridomas. This form of apoptosis requires newly gene synthesis and may relate to negative selection during T cell development. Recently, an orphan steroid receptor Nur77 was found to be induced during TCR-mediated apoptosis. When introduced into T cells, a dominant negative or antisense Nur77 construct can block the apoptosis process. Various inhibitors of TCR-mediated apoptosis, including cyclosporin A down-regulate the Nur77 DNA binding activity. Thus, the Nur77 protein family may play a crucial role during T cell apoptosis.
The effect ofβ-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) on bacteria

Alle untersuchten Bakterien waren gegenuber BAPN entweder ganz unempfindlich oder zeigten nur eine unspezifische Wachstumsverminderung. Diese Bakterien scheinen zum Studium lathyrogenischer Substanzen ungeeignet. Die Annahme, dass BAPN auf Mucopolysacchariden wirkt, konnte durch diese Untersuchung nicht gestutzt werden.
Increased vulnerability to demyelination in streptozotocin diabetic rats.

Demyelination is a prominent feature in nerve biopsies of patients with diabetic neuropathy. The mechanism is unknown because diabetic rodents, unlike humans, do not consistently develop segmental demyelination. We examined how diabetes influences toxicant-induced demyelination, remyelination, Schwann cell nerve growth factor receptor (p75) expression, and endoneurial macrophage apolipoprotein E (apo E) synthesis in diabetic rats. Postnatal day 17 (P17) rats were given 110 mg/kg streptozotocin intraperitoneally and then fed a diet containing metallic tellurium (Te) from P20 to P27 to induce demyelination. Transverse electron micrographs and immunostained longitudinal cryosections were prepared from sciatic nerve during demyelination and remyelination. Diabetic rats had a mean serum glucose concentration of 490 mg/dl and consumed equivalent doses of peroral Te. The number of demyelinated fibers in electron micrographs was increased significantly by 17% (P < .0011). Endoneurial density of p75-stained Schwann cells was increased in diabetic rats in proportion to the increased number of injured internodes. Density of apo E- and ED1-positive macrophages also was significantly increased in diabetes. There was no delay in macrophage myelin clearance. and remyelination was not compromised. Increased Schwann cell vulnerability to stress, by increasing the turnover rate of myelinated units, may explain why myelin defects accumulate after long-standing diabetes.
Assessment of methylammonium as an analog for ammonium in plant uptake from soil

We tested radioactive methylammonium (14CH3NH inf3 sup+ ) as a tracer for ammonium (NH4 +) in root uptake measurements from soil. Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Moll. cv T5) in 3 L pots filled with loamy sand soil received 40, 200, or 600 μmol 14CH3NH3 + or 15NH4 +. During a 4 h period, the plants absorbed 14CH3NH3 + at slower rates than 15NH4 +. Estimates of NH4 + absorption based on 15NH4 + absorption were 0.9–7.9 μmol NH4 + g−1 plant dry weight h−1, whereas those based on 14CH3NH3 + absorption were 0.2–1.0 μmol NH4 + g−1 plant dry weight h−1. After 4 h, approximately one-half of the applied 15N was not recovered in the plants or soil KCl extracts; apparently, this 15N was either immobilized or nitrified and denitrified by soil biota. By contrast, almost all the 14CH3NH3 + remained in the soil solution after 4 h, but after a 10 d incubation, approximately 20% had been released as 14CO2. These differences in plant absorption rates and movement through soil pools indicate that CH3NH3 + cannot be used reliably as an NH4 + analog in soil.
Molecular cloning, expression analysis, and chromosome mapping of WDR6, a novel human WD-repeat gene.

The WD-repeat proteins are found in all eukaryotes and play an important role in the regulation of a wide variety of cellular functions such as signal transduction, transcription, and proliferation. Here we report on the cloning and characterization of a novel human WD-repeat gene, WDR6, which encodes a protein of 1121 amino acids and contains 11 WD-repeat units. WDR6 is unique since its 11 WD repeats are clustered into two distinct groups separated by a putative transmembrane domain. The WDR6 gene was mapped to chromosome 15q21 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. Northern analysis demonstrated that WDR6 is ubiquitously expressed in human adult and fetal tissues. WDR6 is not homologous to any previously identified human WD-repeat genes including WDR1 through WDR5. However, it was found to have significant sequence similarity with Arabidopsis thaliana hypothetical protein T7B11.12, yeast putative elongation factor G, and probable membrane protein YPL183c. All of them have been defined as WD-repeat proteins. Therefore, WDR6 is a novel protein and probably belongs to a highly conserved subfamily of WD-repeat proteins in which T7B11.12 and YPL183c are its distantly related members.
Validating Rotter’s (1966) locus of control scale with a sample of not‐for‐profit leaders

Attempts to validate Rotter’s locus of control scale with a sample of religious not‐for‐profit leaders. Uses a questionnaire sent to 558 senior pastors of Arkansas Southern Baptist churches. Findings are consistent with other reseachers who have highlighted some deficiencies in the scale and many resppondents struggled to answer some sections. Suggests that the scale should be re‐evaluated with less items.
Homotopy of ends and boundaries of CAT(0) groups

For n ≥ 0, we exhibit CAT(0) groups that are n-connected at infinity, and have boundary which is (n − 1)-connected, but this boundary has non-trivial nth-homotopy group. In particular, we construct 1-ended CAT(0) groups that are simply connected at infinity, but have a boundary with non-trivial fundamental group. Our base examples are 1-ended CAT(0) groups that have non-path connected boundaries. In particular, we show all parabolic semidirect products of the free group of rank 2 and $$\mathbb{Z}$$ have a non-path connected boundary.
Analysis of the effect of charge storage on the frequency response of SCR's

Effects of charge storage on the response of a silicon-controlled rectifier (SCR) to a sinusoidal current and on the efficiency of the SCR circuit are analyzed. The frequency response of the SCR is characterized in terms of a time constant τ F and the frequency ω.
Analysis of hygrine and cuscohygrine in coca leaves using gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography

The alkaloids hygrine and cuscohygrine in Erythroxylum coca var. Coca leaves were analyzed by a gas chromatographic (GC) method using a dimethylsilicone capillary column and a high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method using a weak cation exchange column. Hygrine content in E. coca leaves was determined as 0.12% by GC and 0.07% by HPLC, whereas cuscohygrine content was 0.25% by GC and 0.21% by HPLC. Keywords: Hygrine; cuscohygrine; alkaloids; Erythroxylum; coca extracts
Liquid chromatographic assay for cerebrospinal fluid serotonin.

Abstract A novel liquid chromatographic method was developed for accurate and precise routine quantification of serotonin in human cerebrospinal fluid. Serotonin is derivatized with an amine-specific reagent leaving its hydroxy group free for electrochemical detection and making it lipophilic enough for effecient extraction into organic solvents. The method is reproducible, linear and free of interferences by endogenous amines other than serotonin. The limit of sensitivity is 100 fmol/ml CSF or 20 parts per trillion. Serotonin concentrations in lumbar cerebrospinal fluid from drug free, depressed patients were in the low nanomolar range.
Zygotic induction of the rac locus can cause cell death in E. coli.

Conjugational transfer of the rac locus of E. coli K-12 into a Rac− recipient strain (i.e. rac+xrac−) results in the killing of a majority of the recipient cells. The efficiency of killing depends somewhat on the plating medium, and can be as high as 98%. The killing is not observed in the rac+xrac+, rac−xrac− or rac−xrac+ configurations. The rac locus, which has the properties of a cryptic prophage, may carry a function analogous to the kil function of bacteriophage lambda, or may instead cause killing by some replication related process.
Relationship between CMR derived myocardial extracellular volume and myocardial replacement scarring in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy

Background The measurement of the extent of myocardial replacement fibrosis in non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICMP) has been shown to correlate with clinical cardiac outcomes Although delayed enhancement cardiovascular magnetic resonance (DE-CMR) has been established as the reference standard for assessing myocardial replacement fibrosis (RF), this imaging process is unable to identify more subtle diffuse interstitial fibrosis (IF) in the myocardium. Newer T1 mapping after the administration of gadolinium contrast has been shown to adequately assess increases in extracellular volume (ECV) fraction, which occurs in the setting of IF. In this study, we sought to evaluate the relationship between RF and IF in patients with NICMP. Methods Eighty consecutive patients with NICMP underwent DECMR and T1 mapping using a Modified Look-Locker Inversion recovery (MOLLI) technique. RF extent was determined by analysis of the DE-CMR images. The extracellular gadolinium contrast agent in the myocardium was compared to the amount of contrast in the blood in the dynamic steady state in order to estimate the ECV fraction. In order to decrease statistical variance, regions of localized RF detected on imaging were avoided when measuring the ECV. Results There was RF evident in 49 patients (61%). Patients with RF had higher ECV compared to those without RF (36.1 ± 10.7 and 31.9 ± 6.7 respectively; p = 0.04). The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and stroke volume (SV) were significantly lower in patients with ECV > 30% (p 30 has significantly lower LVEF (p = 0.02). There was a significant increase in ECV for patients with RF of more than 5% of LV myocardium (p 5% had ECV of 32.60 ± 6.20 and 44.70 ± 13.91%, respectively. In linear regression analysis, ECV is positively associated with scar burden (Beta weight = 0.527, p < 0.001). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that there is a positive relationship between increased RF and ECV in patients with NICMP. Our data shows that stroke volume and left ventricular ejection fraction are significantly decreased in patients with RF and in those with an increased ECV. Funding None.
A tris-(μ2-I) face-sharing dizirconium(III) complex, [1,4-Zr2I7(PEt3)2]- ; the first such dizirconium species

Abstract We report here the first example of a [1,4-Zr 2 X 7 L 2 ] − species, in the compound [NBu 4 ][Zr 2 I 7 (PEt 5 ) 2 ]. It was prepared by reduction of ZrI by HSn(n-Bu) 3 followed by addition of [NBu 4 ]I and PEt 3 , all reagents being used in the correct stoichiometric ratio. The yield was c. 17%. X-ray crystallography showed that the anion is a face-sharing bioctahedron with a ZrZr distance of 3.171(3) A and it is concluded that there is a ZrZr sigma bond The compound forms monoclinic crystals in space group P 2 1 / m (No. 11) with a =11.577(1), b =12.808(1), c =16.860(1) A, β=98.78(1)°, V =2470.6(6) A 3 and Z =2. With 167 parameters refined on 1603 reflections having F 2 >3σ( F 2 ) the final R factors were R =6.14% and R w =7.37%.
Oedipal Asymmetries and Heterosexual Knots

One of our most common everyday perceptions is that heterosexual couple relationships are difficult. This article argues that these difficulties are not accidental but systematically created as part of the reproduction of the family. The psychoanalytic account of feminine and masculine oedipal development shows that a family structure in which women mother produces women and men with asymmetrical relational needs and wants. These lead people to form heterosexual relationships containing contradictions, which tend to undermine them.
Drug-Induced Steatohepatitis

Drugs rarely cause steatohepatitis, but amiodarone, perhexiline, and DH, have unequivocally been found to independently induce the histologic picture of alcoholic liver disease or NASH. All three agents have similar pathogenetic mechanisms of hepatotoxicity, targeting mitochondrial ATP production and fatty acid catabolism. Other drugs that occasionally cause steatohepatitis, most importantly steroid hormones, likely exacerbate the pathogenetic mechanisms leading to NASH. Similar to NASH, lipid peroxidation resulting from mitochondrial injury may account for all of the histologic findings in drug-induced steatohepatitis. Further research should determine the mechanisms by which drug-induced steatosis, a benign lesion, evolves to steatohepatitis and progressive fibrosis.
Development of a new yielding criterion: The Yeh-Stratton criterion

Abstract A new criterion responsible for the first yielding of a material is presented: the Yeh-Stratton criterion (the Y-S criterion). The Y-S criterion requires three yield strengths in simple tension, compression and torsion. It can be shown that the Y-S criterion is applicable to a brittle material as well as to a ductile material. The yield surface of the Y-S criterion is bounded and compatible in the σ-τ plane, the σ1-σ3 plane and the σ1-σ2-σ3 plane. It also predicts the angle of failure.
Use of quantum methods for a consistent approach to combustion modelling: Hydrocarbon bond dissociation energies

An attempt has been made to use modern quantum methods to codify the data base concerning bond dissociation energies in hydrocarbons. Calculations have been performed using two hybrid DFT methods, the well-known B3LYP formalism and a newly developed alternative named KMLYP. CBS-Q has also been employed where possible. The combination of experimental uncertainty and theoretical limitations is less than completely satisfactory. However, within uncertainties that translate to a factor of two at 1500 K, many transferable quantities are elucidated. A hybrid method has been developed for the correction of DFT calculations using group additivity. Given that the philosophy behind this work is the understanding that all data bases must be optimised for specific applications, so that avoidance of large errors is more important than absolute precision, the results appear to be quite useful. We are particularly encouraged by the performance of the KMLYP method, given its ease of application to molecules of practical interest.
Getting Outside the Canon: The Role of World, Contemporary, and Lesser Known Texts in the Political Theory Curriculum

This article addresses the pros and cons of incorporating more non-canonical political theory into our introductory political theory courses. I begin by identifying what I take to be the goals of an introductory political theory class. Based on these four goals, I examine the reasons why we tend not to include non-canonical works in our introductory courses. Next, I move on to a discussion of the advantages of incorporating more non-canonical theory. I argue that the advantages of adding more non-canonical theory to our introductory courses outweigh the disadvantages, and propose that we make conscious efforts to get outside the canon. Finally, I present suggested course syllabi based on my own introductory courses, in the hope that these critiques might help us develop courses that are better at meeting the goals I laid out at the beginning of the article.
Social reactions to child sexual abuse disclosures: a critical review.

ABSTRACT Recent studies have examined disclosure of child sexual abuse to determine the correlates and consequences of telling others about this form of victimization. The present article reviews the current empirical literature on disclosure and reactions to adult survivors to assess what is known about the process of disclosure and whether telling others is therapeutic and leads to positive outcomes. Most studies assessing social reactions in detail have concerned adult survivors retrospectively reporting on their disclosures of child sexual abuse. Few empirical studies have been conducted in this area but research suggests that few victims tell anyone about child sexual abuse as children, and that the type of reactions to disclosure vary according to when disclosure occurs (childhood or adulthood), the extent and nature of the disclosure, and the person to whom one discloses. Clear evidence shows that negative social reactions are harmful to survivors' well-being, but better assessment of specific reac...
Individual versus tetradic performance on a complementary task as a function of initial ability level

Abstract In a test of a model of the relationship of ability to group problem solving on a complementary task, 1008 college students were administered the Terman Concept Mastery Test. After being trichotomized as High (H), medium (M), or low (L) ability, they retook the test working with three partners in one of the 15 possible ability combinations of tetrads HHHH, HHHM,…, LLLL. Control H, M, and L individuals retook the test alone. The predicted order of improvement scores from the first to the second test for the three ability levels was largely supported, as was the predicted order of absolute second-test performance for the 15 groups. It is proposed that, on a difficult complementary task, group problem solving performance increasingly exceeds the performance of the same individuals working, independently as the ability level of the individuals comprising the group increases. The failures of prediction of the model are interpreted as indicating that low and/or medium-ability members may hinder the performance of high-ability members of a problem-solving group.
Support Theorems for the Spherical Radon Transform on Manifolds

We will prove local support theorems for the Radon transform that integrates over spheres with center on a real-analytic hypersurface S in a connected real-analytic Riemannian manifold M. Our theorems are valid for a broad class of distributions with initial support restrictions depending on S and the injectivity radius of M. The proofs involve the microlocal analysis of the sphere transform and a microlocal Holmgren theorem of Kawai, Kashiwara, and Hormander. This transform has been well studied in R, but less is known for spherical transforms on manifolds. For y ∈ M, we define the sphere and disks centered at y ∈ M and of radius r > 0 as follows:
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY OF THALASSEMIA

The clinical manifestations in homozygous thalassemia may be attributed to the defect in hemoglobin synthesis (Figure 16). It is best typified by beta thalassemia, where excess alpha chains accumulate to form intracytoplasmic erythrocytic inclusions. This leads to anemia, bone marrow hyperplasia, osteoporosis, hemosiderosis, and organ failure.