cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Honoring the scholarship, mentorship, and legacy of a Media Psychology founder

Alabama is a very different world from where I grew up in the northern Midwest part of the United States. Understandably, I was skeptical when I moved to Tuscaloosa in 1991 to join the faculty in t...
Regulation of male fertility and accessory gland gene expression by the Drosophila HR39 nuclear receptor.

Abstract Successful reproduction is dependent on the transfer of male seminal proteins to females upon mating. These proteins arise from secretory tissues in the male reproductive tract, including the prostate and seminal vesicles in mammals and the accessory gland in insects. Although detailed functional studies have provided important insights into the mechanisms by which accessory gland proteins support reproduction, much less is known about the molecular mechanisms that regulate their expression within this tissue. Here we show that the Drosophila HR39 nuclear receptor is required for the proper expression of most genes that encode male accessory gland proteins. Consistent with this role, HR39 mutant males are infertile. In addition, tissue-specific RNAi and genetic rescue experiments indicate that HR39 acts within the accessory glands to regulate gene expression and male fertility. These results provide new directions for characterizing the mammalian orthologs of HR39, the SF-1 and LRH-1 nuclear receptors, both of which are required for glandular secretions and reproduction. In addition, our studies provide a molecular mechanism to explain how the accessory glands can maintain the abundant levels of seminal fluid production required to support fertility.
Enhancement of hydrogen evolution reaction activity using metal–rich molybdenum sulfotelluride with graphene support: A combined experimental and computational study

Abstract ‘Green hydrogen’ can be one of the promising energy technologies in near future. Therefore, the importance of discovering the efficient electrocatalysts for hydrogen generation can never be refuted. The present work demonstrates a facile, ultrafast (60 s) microwave-assisted synthesis approach to develop an electrocatalyst of molybdenum sulfotelluride on graphene support, which is denoted as MoSxTey/Gr. The abundant interfaces in hybrid nanostructure of MoSxTey/Gr enable more exposed active sites for electrochemical reaction, facilitating the ion and charge transport activities. Among the resultant nanocomposites with different elemental ratios of Mo, S and Te, the MoS0.46Te0.58/Gr exhibits the best hydrogen evolution property with a low overpotential of 62.2 mV at 10 mA cm−2, a small Tafel slope of 61.1 mV dec−1, and long–term stability in 0.5 M H2SO4 electrolyte. Moreover, the tool of periodic plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) has been used to elucidate hydrogen binding energetics on various molybdenum sulfotelluride (stoichiometric and non-stoichiometric molybdenum-rich) on graphene nanocomposite systems. According to the computational results, high-performing catalytically active sites are found to be comprised of primarily exposed Mo atoms, thus showing Mo enrichment as a potential method for electrocatalyst engineering. Furthermore, in a volcano plot constructed with both computational and experimental values, the position of the MoS0.46Te0.58/Gr nanocomposite is found to be close to the apex with near thermoneutral catalytic activity.
AVERT: An elaborate model for simulating variable retention time in DRAMs

Abstract In DRAMs, stored data on a capacitor tend to leak over time because of leakage current. To retain data, DRAMs require periodic refresh based on a profile of retention time. However, accurate DRAM refresh characterization is hindered by variable retention time (VRT) owing to random telegraph noise. In this paper, we propose AVERT, a device model and circuit simulation methodology for variable retention time in DRAMs. Based on the charge trapping and detrapping model, we generate a random telegraph signal in trap-induced gate leakage and trap-assisted gate-induced drain leakage to model random fluctuations in the retention time of DRAMs. With AVERT, we apply a stochastic device model of variable retention time to circuit simulation. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of simulating DRAM with random telegraph noise in leakage current and correspond closely to experimental results from prior publications. Based on observations from experimental data, we provide some insight into how to optimize the test time per cell and how to reduce the overall test time of a DRAM considering VRT.
The Effects of Acculturation on Intimate Partner Violence Among Chinese Immigrants in New York City

Little research has examined the role of acculturation in the determination of intimate partner violence (IPV) among Chinese immigrants in the United States. Data on 166 IPV Chinese immigrant couples obtained from a Chinese American community organization were analyzed for this study. Findings show that the level of acculturation and socioeconomic status were associated with severity, frequency, length, and type of abuse committed by Chinese immigrant men although not all factors played an equally important role in explaining IPV. Certain Chinese immigrant victim characteristics, such as having social networks, were also related to the experience of IPV.
Identification of the Rate Function

We want to carry out the program outlined in section 5), now that we know some conditions which guarantee the existence of a rate function. Throughout this section we will be working with one or the other of the following situations.
Effects of particle size on magnetic and dielectric properties of ferrites at microwave and millimeterwave frequencies

Constitutive material properties of micro-size and nano-size hexagonal ferrites have been studied. Two different measurements techniques have been applied to characterize the samples in the broad frequency range from 1.7 GHz to 120 GHz. X-ray diffraction studies have been carried out to study the structure of the particles. The possible reasons for the difference in behavior of nano-powder and micro-powder sample have been discussed. A thorough error analysis has been presented to account for experimental inaccuracy.
Modification of Sertoli Cell Responsiveness to FSH by Cryptorchidism and Hypophysectomy in Immature and Adult Rats

Cryptorchid or hypophysectomized rats were used as models to examine the possible relationships between germ cell development and gonadotropins in the age-related decline in the responsiveness of the cyclic flucleotide system of rat Sertoli cells to FSH. Neither cryptorchidy nor hypophysectomy of adult rats can restore the ability of Sertoli cells to respond to FSH. Thus the age-related decline in cAMP response to FSH appears to be irreversible by depletion of postmeiotic germ cells in the presence or absence of gonadotropins. In contrast, cryptorchidy or hypophysectomy of immature rats prevents the normal age-related change in FSH responsiveness, suggesting that the change in responsiveness is not directly related to changes in gonadotropins or to the presence of developing germ cells. It is hypothesized that the decline in responsiveness to FSH may be physiologically important and may be a prerequisite for the completion of meiosis.
Proxies for the Marginal Tax Rate

This paper focuses on how to best measure the corporate marginal tax rate, which is an important input into analysis of the cost of capital, financing policy, corporate hedging, corporate reorganizations, and the relative pricing between taxable and tax-advantaged securities. The results indicate that the simulated tax rate used by Shevlin (1990) and Graham (1996) is the best available proxy for the "true" marginal tax rate; however, the simulated variable is difficult to calculate. If the simulated rate is unavailable, a very easy-to-calculate trichotomous variable and the statutory marginal tax rate are reasonable alternatives, better than most commonly used tax variables. The difficult task of forecasting taxable income is also discussed.
Evaluating Healthy Meal Choices on Children’s Menus in Sit-Down Restaurants

The purpose of this study was to assess parents’ and restaurant managers’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors about choosing and providing healthy choices on sit-down restaurant children’s menus. A parent survey, restaurant manager group discussions, and children’s menu evaluations were conducted to examine those factors. Managers felt children’s menus did not offer healthy choices and that having nutritional information available on menus would not change parent’s menu choices. Thirty-five percent of restaurants’ children’s menus offered a healthy entree choice, 48% offered a healthy side option and 13% offered low-fat milk. Ninety-four percent of parents felt restaurants should offer more healthy choices on children’s menus. Sixty-eight percent of parents would like to have an informational website on choosing healthy choices at restaurants. The results of this study will allow for educational tool development to assist parents and restaurant managers on ways to choose and provide healthy food choices on children’s menus.
Review of hydrogen accidents and incidents in NASA operations

A number of the accidents/incidents with hydrogen in NASA operations are reviewed. The cause factors for the mishaps are reviewed and show that although few accidents occurred, the number could have been further reduced if the established NASA rules and regulations had been followed. Requirements for effective safety codes and areas of study for hydrogen safety information are included. The report concludes with a compilation of 96 hydrogen mishaps; a description of the accidents and their causes.
Stromal matrix metalloproteinase 2 regulates collagen expression and promotes the outgrowth of experimental metastases

Breast cancer survival rates decrease from 99% for patients with local disease to 25% for those with distant metastases. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), including MMP2, are associated with metastatic progression. We found that loss of host MMP2 reduces the proliferation of experimental metastases in the lungs and identified fibroblasts in tumour-bearing lungs as the major source of MMP2. In vitro, spheroidal mammary tumour growth was increased by co-culture with control fibroblasts isolated from tumour-bearing lungs, but not when fibroblasts with stable Mmp2 knockdown were used. This result prompted us to assess whether MMP2 was responsible for a tumour-proliferative, activated fibroblast phenotype. To test this, we evaluated: (a) fibroblasts from wild-type tumour-bearing lungs, with or without shRNA-mediated MMP2 knockdown; and (b) normal, quiescent fibroblasts isolated from either WT or Mmp2(-/-) mice. Quantitative PCR revealed that Mmp2 knockdown attenuated expression of two markers of activation (α-smooth muscle actin and vimentin), but there was minimal expression in quiescent WT or Mmp2(-/-) fibroblasts, as expected. Placing quiescent fibroblasts under activating conditions led to increases in activation-associated transcripts in WT but not Mmp2(-/-) fibroblasts. Additionally, Mmp2 knockdown fibroblasts showed significantly decreased expression of the matrix transcripts collagen I, collagen IV and fibronectin. Addition of active TGFβ was sufficient to rescue the MMP2-dependent collagen I and IV expression, while MMP2-induced collagen expression was blocked by the addition of TGFβ1-neutralizing antibody. Gene expression data in stromal cells of human breast cancers reveal that MMP2 expression is also positively correlated with activation and matrix transcripts. Thus, we present a model whereby MMP2 production in tumour fibroblasts is important for TGFβ1 activity and subsequent activation of fibroblasts to a matrix-producing, proliferation-supportive phenotype. Overall, our results reveal a previously undefined role for MMP2 in metastatic outgrowth mediated by fibroblasts, and extend the mechanisms by which MMPs contribute to tumour progression.
Carbohydrates : functionality in foods

Many functional requirements are met by the use of simple and complex carbohydrates in food. Carbohydrates offer a wide range of rheological and other properties, including solubility, cryoprotection, sweetening effect, hygroscopicity, crystallization inhibition, flavor encapsulation, and coating ability. These properties are based on chemical structure and interactions with other molecules through hydrogen bonding, ionic effect, and the formation of complexes with lipids and proteins. The ability to understand these properties directly affects the development of food products and processes. Thus, the functionality of carbohydrates in foods integrates precise knowledge of chemical structure and behavior with practical applications in the development and preparation of foods.
Short-Chain Fatty Acids Stimulate Ileal Motility in Humans

We tested the hypothesis that short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and distention would stimulate ileal motility in humans. Intraluminal pressures in the ileocolonic region were recorded in 18 healthy human volunteers after instillation of boluses of SCF As, air, and saline. Ileal motility was stimulated more often by SCF As than by similar volumes of air or saline. Although increasing volumes of distention evoked greater numbers of contractions, this phenomenon was not apparent after repeated stimulation, suggesting that the "mechanoreceptor" in the human ileum has a refractory period. Symptoms of abdominal pain, cramps, and an urge to defecate may have resulted from instillation of SCF As, even at small volumes. The motility stimulated in the ileum by SCF As was not associated with systemic release of gastrointestinal regulatory peptides and was not affected by naloxone or indomethacin. Short-chain fatty acids, which can be considered as "markers" of colonic contents, might be associated with the motor response to coloileal reflux in humans.
Phase I trial of weekly paclitaxel in advanced lung cancer.

PURPOSEWe conducted a phase I study in chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to determine the maximum-tolerated dose (MTD) of paclitaxel using an extended weekly schedule.PATIENTS AND METHODSPatients with stage IIIB/IV NSCLC were treated with paclitaxel administered weekly over 3 hours for 6 weeks of an 8-week cycle. Doses were modified for granulocyte counts less than 1,800/microL or neurotoxicity greater than grade I. Groups of three patients were entered at each dose level. The dose was escalated to the next level if less than 50% of patients developed unacceptable toxicity and received more than 80% of the intended first-cycle dose.RESULTSTwenty-six patients were entered through six dose levels (100, 125, 135, 150, 175, and 200 mg/m2/wk). Four of six patients at the 175-mg/m2 dose level and only one of six patients at the 200-mg/m2 level received all scheduled doses of paclitaxel during cycle 1. Neutropenia was dose-limiting. Fourteen patients were treated with s...
Molecular Models of Voltage Sensing

Voltage-gated ion channels have always been overachievers. They have the singular distinction of having solved the permeation problem five times over. Not only do they have a central, highly selective pore through which they conduct charged ions, they also have four peripheral “pores” or gating
Immunohistological localization of TGFα, EGF, IGF-I, and TGFβ in the normal human pituitary gland.

In previous studies, we demonstrated several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factorβ (TGFβ), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I, somatomedin C), and TGFe in extracts of the human pituitary. Using immunohistochemistry, reactivity for TGFα, EGF, and TGFβ was localized in sections of 12 of 12 autopsy-derived human pituitary glands. IGF-I reactivity was demonstrated in 5 of 5 pituitary glands. Sections staining for TGFα and IGF-I were double-stained for the full spectrum of anterior pituitary hormones (i.e., GH, PRL, ACTH, LH, FSH, TSH, and a-subunit). Intracellular EGF immunostaining was demonstrated within the posterior pituitary and in some squamous cell nests of the pars tuberalis. Occasional extracellular EGF reactivity was also noted within connective tissue of the anterior pituitary. Polyclonal antibody to TGFβ showed extracellular reactivity within connective tissue surrounding the gland as well as that separating cords of secretory cells. TGFβ staining was also noted in the mediae of small vessels. Monoclonal anti-TGFα antibody labeled scattered secretory cells throughout the anterior pituitary, including ones engaged in follicle formation, and some cells lining Rathke's cleft remnants. TGFα reactivity in secretory cells was expressed in cells also staining for PRL, α-subunit, LH, FSH, and TSH. No TGFα reactivity was noticed in cells staining for either GH or ACTH. IGF-I reactivity was observed in occasional secretory cells within the anterior pituitary and in neuronal processes of the posterior pituitary. Anterior pituitary cells reactive for hormones were nonreactive for IGF-I. The presence of EGF and TGFβ reactivity within extracellular matrix suggests that it represents a possible storage site of these growth factors within the anterior pituitary. The presence of EGF and IGF-I within the axons and terminations of posterior pituitary implies either local or possibly hypothalamic production of EGF. Finally, our results indicate that TGFα and IGF-I, as well as perhaps EGF, are manufactured by specific pituitary cells and that they may have a role in the endocrine function of the anterior and posterior pituitary, respectively.
Minability through Compression

We offer an experimental proof that the application of compression to data files can be used as a evaluation technique for minability of the data. This is based on the fact that the presence of patterns embedded in data has an influence of compressibility.
An exploration of the effects of the interaction between ICT and labor force on economic growth in transition economies

Abstract Complementary investments serve as one of the prerequisites for the successful translation of investments in Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) into macroeconomic outcomes. In this study, we investigate the presence of complementarity between investments in Telecoms and full-time Telecom staff in the context of transition economies (TE). Using translog formulation of Cobb–Douglas production function, we determined the presence of statistically significant interaction effect between the two variables. The direction of the effect, however, varies between the two subgroups of TEs in our sample, thus suggesting the presence of the level-dependent threshold.
Wave-particle chaos in the magnetosphere

Abstract The nonlinear interaction between the bounced motion of a proton and the kinetic Alfven wave excited in the magnetosphere is studied. Using the Poincare surface of section technique, the motion of the proton is traced numerically in phase space. With suitable initial conditions, particle trajectories are calculated for several values of the wave amplitudes under the paraxial approximation of the ambient field. The trajectories show chaotic behavior at some finite amplitude of the wave. The threshold electrostatic field computed for the onset of wave-particle chaos is less than the expected parallel electric field associated with the kinetic Alfven wave. This suggests that nonlinear wave-particle interactions can lead to chaos and subsequent instability of the bounced motion of the proton.
Carnitine ester excretion in pediatric patients receiving parenteral nutrition.

ABSTRACT: Carnitine plasma concentrations and the excretion of carnitine and individual carnitine esters were determined in 25 children and adolescents with gastrointestinal diseases receiving carnitine-free parenteral nutrition for at least 1 mo using radiochemical and radioisotopic exchange HPLC methods. Children 12-y-old had carnitine plasma concentrations within the normal range. Age was the only variable to correlate significantly with plasma carnitine concentrations during parenteral nutrition. Free carnitine (FC) excretion was closely correlated with plasma FC concentrations and minimal at values <25 μmol/L. The excretion of FC and short-chain acylcarnitines was reduced by an order of magnitude in younger compared with older patients and controls, but the excretion of “other” acylcarnitines was less affected. Some of the latter were tentatively identified using gas-liquid chromatographic and mass spectroscopic techniques as unsaturated and/or branched medium-chain carnitine esters with a carbon chain of C8-C10. The results suggest that FC and short-chain acylcarnitine are conserved by the kidney in nutritional carnitine deficiency but that there may be an obligatory renal excretion of other carnitine esters that contributes to the development of hypocarnitinemia in the younger age group.
Olive oil polyphenol oleuropein inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation.

Abstract Objectives The Mediterranean diet, with a high content of olive oil, is associated with a reduced risk of coronary artery disease. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oleuropein, one of the polyphenols in olive oil, on vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) proliferation in vitro . Design This was an experimental study. Materials and methods Bovine vascular SMCs were cultured in the presence of 100 μM of oleuropein. On days 1, 3 and 5, cell number was counted. Cell cycle analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Cell cycle regulators were assessed by immunoblotting. Results Cell proliferation in the presence of oleuropein was significantly inhibited by 92%. Cell cycle analysis revealed that oleuropein treatment blocked cells in the G1–S phase compared with the non-treated group. Among G1 phase regulators, retinoblastoma protein, cyclinD, p21 and p27 were not affected by oleuropein, but extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) activation was inhibited. Growth of SMC treated with 100 μM of the mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase/ERK kinase 1 (MEK1) inhibitor PD98059 was also significantly inhibited by 70%. Conclusions Oleuropein inhibited SMC proliferation through a cell cycle block between the G1 and the S phases, which may be regulated by ERK1/2. These results suggest a mechanism by which olive oil consumption may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular mortality by inhibiting SMC proliferation.
An Assessment of Arabic Transliteration Systems

The American Library Association and the Library of Congress currently use a cooperatively developed Arabic transliteration method that incorporates the use of diacritical marks native to neither Arabic nor English. This study seeks to investigate whether the adoption of an alternate Arabic transliteration system can increase user access to library materials. The various systems are evaluated based upon phonetic and spelling accuracy, as well as usability and the adherence to not using non-native diacritics.
Multicasting flow control for hybrid wired/wireless ATM networks

Abstract Multipoint communication has been an increasingly focused topic in computer communication networks, including the Internet, the ATM, and the wireless/mobile networks. The major challenges of designing multicast flow control protocols for a combined wired/wireless network are the varying transmission characteristics (bandwidth, error, reliability, and propagation delay) of the wireless and wired media, and the irregular, different, possibly conflicting flow control requests from multiple receivers in the point-to-multipoint (branching) setting, or from multiple senders in the multipoint-to-point (merging) setting. To address these issues, in this paper we design, analyze, and evaluate both branch-point and merge-point algorithms; we also provide a comparison on the major issues and solutions of the two multicasting scenarios. On point-to-multipoint ABR flow control, we examine an existing max–min fair branch-point algorithm proposed by Siu and Tzeng, and formally analyze its maximum cell loss. A new algorithm is then proposed. Both the maximum cell loss and max–min fairness of new algorithm are analyzed. With extensive simulation, we compare three branch-point algorithms (including a third one proposed by Fahmy, Jain et al.). On multipoint-to-point flow control, we extend the “essential fairness” concept, which was first proposed by Wang and Schwartz to flow control of multicast and unicast TCP traffic in the Internet to the multipoint-to-point ABR flow control. We design a general switch algorithm, which provides essential fairness to the multipoint-to-point ABR flow control. Three major variations of the algorithm, each of them guarantees different fairness (of favor) to unicast or multicast sessions, are then presented. These three schemes are evaluated by simulation. The significance of our approach is illustrated by the formal analysis of cell loss, feedback delay and max–min fairness properties, the generalized fairness definition for multicasting flow control, and the comparisons we made for (1) point-to-multipoint vs. multipoint-to-point scenarios, (2) three branch-point algorithms, and (3) three fairness definitions and mechanisms of multipoint-to-point multicasting. The work may be applied to multicast services in various high speed networks, such as supporting differentiated multicast service over IP, supporting flexible billing schemes, and providing QoS services over hybrid networks.
Groundwater surface water interactions and the role of phreatophytes in identifying recharge zones

Abstract. Groundwater and surface water interactions within riparian corridors impact the distribution of phreatophytes that tap into groundwater stores. The changes in canopy area of phreatophytes over time is related to changes in depth to groundwater, distance from a stream or river, and hydrologic soil group. Remote sensing was used to determine the location of trees with pre-development and post-development aerial photography over the Ogallala Aquifer in the central plains of the United States. It was found that once the depth to groundwater becomes greater than about 3 m, tree populations decrease as depth to water increases. This subsequently limited the extent of phreatophytes to within 700 m of the river. It was also found that phreatophytes have a higher likelihood of growing on hydrologic soil groups with higher saturated hydraulic conductivity. Phreatophytes exist along portions of the Arkansas River corridor where significant decreases in groundwater occurred as long as alluvium exists to create perched conditions where trees survive dry periods. Significant decreases (more that 50%) in canopy cover exists along river segments where groundwater declined by more than 10 m, indicating areas with good hydraulic connectivity between surface water and groundwater. Thus, interpretation of changes in phreatophyte distribution using historical and recent aerial photography is important in delineating zones of enhanced recharge where aquifers might be effectively recharged through diversion of surface water runoff.
Maize from an adena mound in athens county, ohio.

The discovery of a carbonized ear of maize in an Adena burial mound at Athens, Athens County, Ohio, is the first indisputable evidence of Adena maize horticulture. The mound contained typical middle Adena features, including a bark prepared burial, and has yielded charcoal radiocarbon dated at 280 B.C. ± 140 years.
Nuclear astrophysics at DRAGON

The DRAGON recoil separator is located at the ISAC facility at TRIUMF, Vancouver. It is designed to measure radiative alpha and proton capture reactions of astrophysical importance. Over the last years, the DRAGON collaboration has measured several reactions using both radioactive and high-intensity stable beams. For example, the 160(a, g) cross section was recently measured. The reaction plays a role in steady-state helium burning in massive stars, where it follows the 12C(a, g) reaction. At astrophysically relevant energies, the reaction proceeds exclusively via direct capture, resulting in a low rate. In this measurement, the unique capabilities of DRAGON enabled determination not only of the total reaction rates, but also of decay branching ratios. In addition, results from other recent measurements will be presented.
Compensation Of Linear Sources Of Non-Reciprocity In Sagnac Interferometers

We examine the non-reciprocal behavior of Sagnac interferometers exposed to linear perturbations, and develop a geometrical representation for the magnitude of the pointing error in fiber gyroscopes. We show that proper winding techniques may greatly reduce the environmental sensitivity of these devices.
Cultural Determinants in the Treatment of Arab Americans: A Primer for Mainstream Therapists

As the population of Arab Americans grows, so does their presence among mental health clientele, creating a need among clinicians for information about these clients. The broad lines of Arab culture are delineated: its roots, language, religion, and political history; patterns of immigration to the United States; and the salient differences between Arab culture and the dominant U.S. culture. The effects of negative stereotyping and discrimination against Arab Americans are examined, as are specific clinical issues in treating them. Recommendations for more culturally sensitive treatment are enumerated.
Comparative chromatographic adsorbabilities of some azines, thioles and thienopyridines, their heteroatom oxides and other derivatives on silica gel

Thin layer chromatographic Rf data on silica gel are reported for 64 compounds containing either a thiole sulfur atom, one or more azine nitrogen atoms, or both. Thiole adsorbates are compared with 28 aromatic hydrocarbons and non-heterocyclic sulfur compounds. In general the orders of Rf values found are thioles > sulfides > sulfones > sulfoxides > azine N-oxides and azines > azine-N-oxides. Results are interpreted in terms of hydrogen bonding from the silica gel to the adsorbate. The different orders of adsorbability found amongst four series of condensed thiophenes and their arene analogs for chromatography on silica gel and on alumina are rationalized in terms of planarity and acid-base interactions. Correlations of the tlc data with separations on columns are presented.
Materials design principles of ancient fish armour

Knowledge of the structure–property–function relationships of dermal scales of armoured fish could enable pathways to improved bioinspired human body armour, and may provide clues to the evolutionary origins of mineralized tissues. Here, we present a multiscale experimental and computational approach that reveals the materials design principles present within individual ganoid scales from the ‘living fossil’ Polypterus senegalus. This fish belongs to the ancient family Polypteridae, which first appeared 96 million years ago during the Cretaceous period and still retains many of their characteristics. The mechanistic origins of penetration resistance (approximating a biting attack) were investigated and found to include the juxtaposition of multiple distinct reinforcing composite layers that each undergo their own unique deformation mechanisms, a unique spatial functional form of mechanical properties with regions of differing levels of gradation within and between material layers, and layers with an undetectable gradation, load-dependent effective material properties, circumferential surface cracking, orthogonal microcracking in laminated sublayers and geometrically corrugated junctions between layers. The scales of a fish are its first level of defence. Now, the multilayered structure of fish scales has been analysed according to its mechanical properties and penetration resistance. This study of the four different layers provides a mechanistic understanding of evolutionary design as well as inspiring new materials for armour protection.
Multiplicative and Fractal Process in DNA Evolution

Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection revolutionized science in the nineteenth century. Not only did it provide a new paradigm for biology, the theory formed the basis for analogous interpretations of complex systems studied by other disciplines, such as sociology and psychology. With the subsequent linking of macroscopic phenomena to microscopic processes, the Darwinian interpretation was adopted to patterns observed in molecular evolution by assuming that natural selection operate fundamentally at the level of DNA. Thus, patterns of molecular evolution have important implications in many fields of science. Although the evolution rate of a given gene seems to be of approximately the same order of magnitude in all species, genes appear to differ in rate from one another by orders of magnitude, a fact which standard theory does not adequately explain. An understanding of the statistics of rates across different genes may shed light on this problem. The evolution rates of mammalian DNA, based on recent estimates of numbers of nonsynonymous substitutions in 49 genes of human, rodents, and artiodactyls, are studied. We find that the rate variations are better described by lognormal statistics, as would be the case for a multiplicative process, than by Gaussian statistics, which would correspond to a linear, additive process. Thus, we introduce a multiplicative evolution statistical hypothesis (MESH), in which the theoretical explanation of these statistics requires the evolution of different substitution rates in different genes to be a multiplicative process in that each rate results from the interaction of a number of interdependent contingency processes.
Non-metastatic Ewing's sarcoma: twenty years of experience suggests that surgery is a prime factor for successful multimodality therapy.

Eighty-five patients (37 female, 48 male; median age 14 years) with non-metastatic Ewing's sarcoma received definitive treatment at the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center between 1969 and 1988. Multidisciplinary therapy was administered as follows: combination chemotherapy (CC) and local radiotherapy (XRT): 65 patients; CC, XRT and surgery, 19 patients; and XRT and surgery, 1 patient. This permitted a 10-20 year follow-up for 75% of our patients. The overall survival at 5 and 10-20 years was 46.1%, and 37.2%, respectively. At 5 years, 80.5% of live patients had control of local disease. The influence of sex, age, ethnicity, primary site, size, lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) level, presence or absence of systemic symptoms, and XRT dose (<60 Gy and </=60 Gy) was analyzed and was not found to be of prognostic significance in survival. The presence of a soft tissue mass at diagnosis was found to be a significant unfavorable prognostic variable. Nine of 11 patient who underwent resection after CC and/or XRT had residual tumor in the surgical specimen. Patients who received surgery as part of the planned treatment of their primary tumor had significantly better local control and disease-free survival than those who did not undergo resection. Complications in long-term survivors are described.
Jasmonate and Ethylene Signaling Pathway May Mediate Fusarium Head Blight Resistance in Wheat

Fusarium head blight (FHB), caused by Fusarium graminearum Schw. [teleomorph: Gibberella zeae (Schw.) Petch], can be a devastating disease in small grains production. Understanding its molecular pathogenesis will help identifying key steps in disease development and developing a strategy for efficiently preventing FHB epidemics. As the first step toward our goal, gene expression in the FHB-resistant wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivar Sumai 3 and the FHB-susceptible wheat landrace Y1193-6 was profiled with Affymetrix Wheat Genome GeneChip in 24 h after inoculation by F. graminearum isolate Fg4 and compared. Twofold change [log 2 (signal ratio) = 1] in expression was set as the threshold for data selection. Comparing the FHB-inoculated and the mock-inoculated wheat spikelets in both Sumai 3 and Y1193-6 revealed a total of 677 possible FHB-responsive genes. Further analysis and comparison revealed that, among these FHB-responsive genes, 69 were F. graminearum genes. Of the 608 wheat genes, 243 showed similar expression in both Sumai 3 and Y1193-6; 281 and 79 significantly changed expression pattern only in Sumai 3 or Y1193-6, respectively; and five had opposite expression pattern between the two wheat genotypes. Functional genomics and physiological analyses both suggested that FHB resistance in Sumai 3 involves defense pathways regulated by jasmonic acid and ethylene signaling, while salicylic acid-regulated systematic acquired resistance is insignificant in this process.
Entry into 6-Methoxy-D(+)-tryptophans. Stereospecific Synthesis of 1-Benzenesulfonyl-6-methoxy-D(+)-tryptophan Ethyl Ester

Abstract A strategy for the synthesis of optically active ring-A methoxylated indole alkaloids which employs the Moody azide/Schollkopf chiral auxiliary protocol has resulted in the successful preparation of 1-benzenesulfonyl-6-methoxy-D(+)-tryptophan ethyl ester 16. This amino ester is required for the synthesis of Alstonia bisindole alkaloids including macralstonine 2 via an enantiospecific Pictet-Spengler reaction.
Crystal Structure of a Human Cleavage Factor CFIm25/CFIm68/RNA Complex Provides an Insight into Poly(A) Site Recognition and RNA Looping

Summary Cleavage factor I m (CFI m ) is a highly conserved component of the eukaryotic mRNA 3′ processing machinery that functions in sequence-specific poly(A) site recognition through the collaboration of a 25 kDa subunit containing a Nudix domain and a larger subunit of 59, 68, or 72 kDa containing an RNA recognition motif (RRM). Our previous work demonstrated that CFI m 25 is both necessary and sufficient for sequence-specific binding of the poly(A) site upstream element UGUA. Here, we report the crystal structure of CFI m 25 complexed with the RRM domain of CFI m 68 and RNA. The CFI m 25 dimer is clasped on opposite sides by two CFI m 68 RRM domains. Each CFI m 25 subunit binds one UGUA element specifically. Biochemical analysis indicates that the CFI m 68 RRMs serve to enhance RNA binding and facilitate RNA looping. The intrinsic ability of CFI m to direct RNA looping may provide a mechanism for its function in the regulation of alternative poly(A) site selection.
Genome size and complexity of the obligate fungal pathogen, Bremia lactucae

Abstract The size and organization of the genome of Bremia lactucae , a highly specialized fungal pathogen of lettuce, has been characterized using dot blot genomic reconstructions, reverse genomic blots, and genomic DNA reassociation kinetics. The haploid genome contains 5 × 10 7 bp of DNA and 65% of the nuclear DNA is repeated. Low copy sequences are interspersed with repeated sequences in a short-period interspersion pattern. This pattern of genome organization is different to that described for other fungi. Although most fungi have been shown to contain some form of repetitive DNA other than the ribosomal repeat, the high percentage of repetitive DNA and the interspersion of low copy and repeated sequences are atypical of fungi characterized previously.
High prevalence of T cell type I protein kinase a deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus

Objective. To estimate the prevalence of protein kinase A type I isozyme (PKA-I) deficiency in a cohort of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients, and to establish whether the isozyme deficiency is associated with SLE disease activity. Methods. Thirty-five SLE patients and 35 age-, sex-, and race-matched normal controls were studied. Fifteen subjects were restudied on at least 3 occasions over a 4-year interval. Clinical disease activity was estimated by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI), and the T cell activation markers CD25+ and HLA-DR+ were quantified by flow cytometry. PKA-I isozyme activities were quantified in enriched T cells. Statistical analyses were performed by Student's t-test, Mann Whitney U test, and Pearson product moment test. Results. The mean PKA-I activity in SLE T cells (540 pmoles/minute/mg of protein) was significantly lower than that in control T cells (1,578 pmoles/ minute/mg of protein) (P < 0.001). The prevalence of isozyme deficiency in this cohort was 80%. During a 4-year interval, PKA-I activities remained significantly reduced, whereas SLEDAI scores significantly improved. There was no relationship between deficient PKA-I activity and either SLEDAI scores or the proportion of T cells bearing CD25+ or HLA-DR+ activation markers. Conclusion. There is a high prevalence of deficient T cell PKA-I isozyme activity in SLE that persists over time and is independent of SLE disease activity.
A simple physiologic pulsatile perfusion system for the study of intact vascular tissue

Perfusion vascular culture models may provide a useful link between cell culture models and animal culture models by allowing a high level of control over important parameters while maintaining physiologic structure. The purpose of this study was to develop and test a new vascular culture system for pulsatile perfusion culture of intact vascular tissue. The system generates a pulsatile component of flow by means of a cam-driven syringe and a peristaltic pump and compliance chamber. Cams were designed, constructed and tested to simulate canine femoral and common carotid artery flows. The mean pressure was adjusted between 60 and 200 mmHg without significantly affecting flow rate, flow waveform, or the pressure waveform. Porcine common carotid artery segments were cultured in this pulsatile perfusion system. The viability of vascular segments was tested after various culture times with a functional assay that demonstrated both smooth muscle cell and endothelial cell response to vasomotor challenge.
Disability determination: validity with occupational low back pain.

Abstract Disability determination for occupational low back pain challenges indemnification systems because spinal pathoanatomy is weakly related to pain intensity and functional capacity, making judgments of disability vulnerable to such confounding factors as sociodemographic variables (eg, race, socioeconomic status). To assess the contribution of impairment, race, and socioeconomic status to disability ratings and post settlement functional status, the current study investigated 580 African American and 892 white workers’ compensation claimants with occupational low back pain who were surveyed an average of 21 months after claim settlement. Results indicated that diagnosis, surgery, and medical costs (indicators of impairment) were associated with disability ratings at the time of case settlement. African American race was negatively associated with disability ratings and also with diagnosis/surgery and medical costs. Disability ratings, however, correlated only weakly with post settlement status at 21-month follow-up. The association between race and disability ratings suggests that inequities operate in disability determination. Furthermore, the relative lack of association between disability ratings and postsettlement status raises questions about the validity of disability determination for workers’ compensation claimants with low back pain. Perspective Results demonstrated apparent racial/ethnic disparities in treatment and little association between disability ratings and post settlement status. Together, these results raise questions about social justice in the management of occupational back pain, as well as the validity of associated disability determination processes.
Prelethal effects of killing action by stock 7 of Paramecium aurelia.

When stock 16 sensitives are exposed to kappa particles of stock 7, the kappa particles enter food vacuoles in large numbers. The kappa quickly break down, R bodies unroll and penetrate the cytoplasm, food vacuole membranes show a general breakdown, and the formation of new food vacuoles is suppressed. The observations suggest that R body unrolling is important in the toxic activity and that the food vacuole membranes may be a major site of action of the toxin.
The Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program's impact on medicaid claims: a longitudinal, statewide evaluation.

Background : Disease management programs have grown in popularity over the past decade as a strategy to curb escalating healthcare costs for persons with chronic diseases. Objectives : To evaluate the effect of the Indiana Chronic Disease Management Program (ICDMP) on the longitudinal changes in Medicaid claims statewide. Research design : Phased implementation of a chronic disease management program in 3 regions of the state. Fourteen repeated cohorts of Medicaid members were drawn over a period of 3.5 years and the trends in claims were evaluated using a repeated measures model. Subjects : A total of 44,218 Medicaid members with diabetes and/or congestive heart failure in 3 geographic regions in Indiana. Results : Across all 3 regions and both disease classes, we found a flattening of cost trends between the pre- and post-ICDMP-initiation periods. This change in the slopes was significant for all of the models except for congestive heart failure in southern Indiana. Thus, the average per member claims paid was increasing at a faster rate before ICDMP but slowed once the program was initiated. To distinguish shorter and longer-term effects related to ICDMP, we estimated annual slopes within the pre- and post-ICDMP- time periods. A similar pattern was found in all regions: claims were increasing before ICDMP, flattened in the years around program initiation, and remained flat in the final year of follow-up. Conclusions : This analysis shows that the trend in average total claims changed significantly after the implementation of ICDMP, with a decline in the rate of increase in claims paid observed for targeted Medicaid program populations across the state of Indiana.
Utilization of the 16O(n,p) reaction for monitoring the output of 14 MeV neutron generators.

A system based upon the 16O(n,p)16N reaction has been developed for monitoring 14‐MeV neutron production. The system has proven to be quite applicable for monitoring the output of a disk‐shaped neutron source and computeranalysis has shown it equally suitable for monitoring the ouput of cone‐shaped neutron sources from gas targets presently being considered for cancer therapy.
Constructing reliable communication networks of small weight online

Abstract Suppose the vertices of a complete weighted graph are revealed to us one at a time, and we have to build a network with some desired properties on these vertices. We consider the cost of building a network which has these properties after the addition of each vertex and compare it to the cost incurred by an algorithm which builds a network that has the same properties only at the end, i.e., after all the vertices have been revealed. We examine online algorithms for constructing networks with three properties; high connectivity, low vertex degree, and small diameter, and evaluate these algorithms from the competitive perspective. We show that on n points drawn from any metric space, a greedy algorithm constructs a k -connected network with a competitive ratio of O ( k 2 log n ), and prove a lower bound of Ω( k log n ) on the competitive ratio of any online algorithm. We also present an online algorithm with a competitive ratio of O ( k 2 log n ) to build a k -connected network with maximum vertex degree 3 k and an online algorithm with a competitive ratio of O ( k 2 log n ) to build a k -connected network with a diameter no more than a constant times the diameter of the n points.