cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of dimethylsulphoniopropionate by Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS‐3

Summary Ruegeria pomeroyi DSS-3 possesses two general pathways for metabolism of dimethylsulphoniopropionate (DMSP), an osmolyte of algae and abundant carbon source for marine bacteria. In the DMSP cleavage pathway, acrylate is transformed into acryloyl-CoA by propionate-CoA ligase (SPO2934) and other unidentified acyl-CoA ligases. Acryloyl-CoA is then reduced to propionyl-CoA by AcuI or SPO1914. Acryloyl-CoA is also rapidly hydrated to 3-hydroxypropionyl-CoA by acryloyl-CoA hydratase (SPO0147). A SPO1914 mutant was unable to grow on acrylate as the sole carbon source, supporting its role in this pathway. Similarly, growth on methylmercaptopropionate, the first intermediate of the DMSP demethylation pathway, was severely inhibited by a mutation in the gene encoding crotonyl-CoA carboxylase/reductase, demonstrating that acetate produced by this pathway was metabolized by the ethylmalonyl-CoA pathway. Amino acids and nucleosides from cells grown on 13C-enriched DMSP possessed labelling patterns that were consistent with carbon from DMSP being metabolized by both the ethylmalonyl-CoA and acrylate pathways as well as a role for pyruvate dehydrogenase. This latter conclusion was supported by the phenotype of a pdh mutant, which grew poorly on electron-rich substrates. Additionally, label from [13C-methyl] DMSP only appeared in carbons derived from methyl-tetrahydrofolate, and there was no evidence for a serine cycle of C-1 assimilation.
Combined Retrograde/Antegrade Approach to Transcatheter Closure of an Aortic Paravalvular Leak

New interventional techniques have made transcatheter closure of aortic paravalvular leaks a viable therapeutic option to treat the sequelae of these defects, including congestive heart failure and hemolysis. We report the transcatheter closure of an aortic paravalvular leak via a combined retrograde/antegrade approach. This was necessary because of difficulty in crossing the defect with a sheath from the retrograde approach. This technique might be useful in application to other difficult structural heart interventions. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a treated paravalvular leak around a Mitroflow® Aortic Pericardial Heart Valve.
Stem cell gene SALL4 in aggressive hepatocellular carcinoma: a cancer stem cell-specific target?

Background Hepatocellular carcinoma is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. In the heterogeneous group of hepatocellular carcinomas, those with characteristics of embryonic stem-cell and progenitor-cell gene expression are associated with the worst prognosis. The oncofetal gene SALL4, a marker of a subtype of hepatocellular carcinoma with progenitor-like features, is associated with a poor prognosis and is a potential target for treatment. Methods We screened specimens obtained from patients with primary hepatocellular carcinoma for the expression of SALL4 and carried out a clinicopathological analysis. Loss-of-function studies were then performed to evaluate the role of SALL4 in hepatocarcinogenesis and its potential as a molecular target for therapy. To assess the therapeutic effects of a peptide that targets SALL4, we used in vitro functional and in vivo xenograft assays. Results SALL4 is an oncofetal protein that is expressed in the human fetal liver and silenced in the adult liver, but it is reexpressed in a subgroup of patients who have hepatocellular carcinoma and an unfavorable prognosis. Gene-expression analysis showed the enrichment of progenitor-like gene signatures with overexpression of proliferative and metastatic genes in SALL4-positive hepatocellular carcinomas. Loss-of-function studies confirmed the critical role of SALL4 in cell survival and tumorigenicity. Blocking SALL4-corepressor interactions released suppression of PTEN (the phosphatase and tensin homologue protein) and inhibited tumor formation in xenograft models in vivo. Conclusions SALL4 is a marker for a progenitor subclass of hepatocellular carcinoma with an aggressive phenotype. The absence of SALL4 expression in the healthy adult liver enhances the potential of SALL4 as a treatment target in hepatocellular carcinoma.
A randomized controlled trial of a nurse short-message service by cellular phone for people with diabetes

Abstract Background Nurse's education using telemedicine results in a decrease in blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Objective To investigate the effectiveness of an educational intervention that used both the cellular phone and the Internet to provide a short-messaging service (SMS) relating to plasma glucose levels. Methods Twenty-five patients were randomly assigned to an intervention group and 26 to a control group. The intervention was applied for 12 weeks. The goal of the intervention was to keep blood glucose concentrations close to the normal range. Patients in the intervention group were asked to access a website by using a cellular phone or to wiring the Internet and input their blood glucose levels every day. Participants were sent the optimal recommendations by both cellular phone and the Internet weekly. Results Patients in the intervention group had a mean decrease in glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA 1 c) levels of 1.15% and those in the control group had a mean increase of HbA 1 c levels of 0.07% ( p =0.005). There was a significant mean change in the 2hrs post-meal glucose (2HPMG) level for the intervention group ( p Conclusion This educational intervention using the Internet and an SMS by cellular phone improved levels of HbA 1 c and 2HPMG.
Optimal Foraging Group Size for a Human Population: The Case of Bari Fishing

The Bari of the Maracaibo basin obtain most of the meat in their diet by spearfishing, usually in stretches of river which they dam off before fishing them. As the number of men in a fishing party increases, the time to build a dam decreases in approximately the same way that the catch per man decreases. The decrease in catch per manhour, as more men are added to a fishing party, is thus quite shallow. The interrelationship of these variables permits a prediction of the optimal number of men in a fishing party, based on the principle that below a certain number of participants, the addition of more men to the fishing party gains each individual more in time than it costs him in returns per man-hour. Data so far available indicate that the optimal number of men in a fishing party is about the same as the average number of adult men residing in a Bari longhouse.
Do connexin 43 gap-junctional hemichannels activate and cause cell damage during ATP depletion of renal-tubule cells?

We review our evidence in favour of the hypothesis that gap-junctional hemichannels (GJH) are activated by depletion of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in human renal proximal tubule cells in primary culture (hPT cells). Undocked GJH permit fluxes of ions and hydrophilic molecules up to 1 kDa, and thus their opening can cause alterations of cell composition conducive to cell damage. We show that hPT cells express connexin 43 (Cx43) (at the mRNA and protein levels) and that the protein is expressed on the plasma membrane. Moderate levels of pharmacological depletion of ATP increased plasma-membrane permeability, as shown by loading with the hydrophilic dye 5/6 carboxyfluorescein (CF, 376 Da) and other low-molecular weight dyes, but not with fluorescein-labelled dextran (>1500 Da). Roles for endocytosis and activation of purinergic-receptor channels were experimentally ruled out. Moderate ATP depletion also caused necrosis, assessed by cell permeabilization to propidium iodide. Prolonged exposure to gadolinium reduced both the dye loading and the necrosis induced by ATP depletion, i.e. it protected the cells. Cx43 overexpressed in insect cells, purified to homogeneity and reconstituted in proteoliposomes formed hemichannels that are activated by dephosphorylation of Ser368, a residue in a protein-kinase-C consensus phosphorylation sequence near the end of the C-terminal domain. Conclusions: (1) ATP depletion of hPT cells induces a Gd3+-sensitive permeability of the plasma membrane to hydrophilic dyes with a cut-off size consistent with Cx43 GJH. (2) ATP depletion also increases the percentage of necrotic cells, an effect also reduced by Gd3+. (3) The experiments with purified Cx43 reconstituted in liposomes suggest that dephosphorylation of Ser368 is sufficient to activate GJH, although other mechanisms may be involved in some cells.
Perinatal transfer of genetic information: developing an algorithm for reporting cystic fibrosis prenatal test results to the newborn screening program

Perinatal transfer of genetic information: developing an algorithm for reporting cystic fibrosis prenatal test results to the newborn screening program
Chester I. Barnard and other antecedents of the present managerial order

The interwar decades of the 1920s and 1930s were arguably the most important in management history. Not only did America finally achieve a national identity as a managed society, management itself evolved a paradigm that has remained in place until the present day. Chester I. Barnard's work is the quintessential expression of the modernist spirit.
Bovine brain astrocytes express basic fibroblast growth factor a neurotropic and angiogenic mitogen

Astrocytes derived from adult bovine corpus callosum contain large amounts of mitogenic activity for capillary endothelial cells and astrocytes. On the basis of radioimmunoassay, bioassay and immunoneutralization studies, 99.5% of this activity consists of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). Immunoblot and gene expression analysis are also consistent with the synthesis of bFGF. The remainder of bioactivity [0.5%] is accounted for by acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF). These data suggest that astrocytes are a source of brain-derived bFGF and to a much lesser extent also of aFGF. Considering that bFGF has been proposed to play a role in the development and differentiation of the nervous system through its angiogenic and neurotropic properties, its presence in astrocytes provides a rationale for the complex regulatory and neurotropic functions attributed to these cells. Also, the ability of bFGF to stimulate the growth of astrocytes themselves suggest a role for the mitogen in normal and aberrant proliferation of astrocytes.
The shadow world of superstring theories

Some possible astrophysical and cosmological implications of 'shadow matter', a form of matter which only interacts gravitationally with ordinary matter and which may or may not be identical in its properties to ordinary matter, are considered. The possible existence, amount, and location of shadow matter in the solar system are discussed, and the significance of shadow matter for primordial nucleosynthesis, macroscopic asymmetry, baryogenesis, double-bubble inflation, and asymmetric microphysics is addressed. Massive shadow states are discussed.
Carbon-13 NMR spectra of chromium pentacarbonyl carbenoid complexes

Abstract The carbon-13 NMR spectra of six carbenoid complexes of the type (OC) 5 Cr-(CXX′) have been recorded. The carbenoid carbon atoms are all markedly deshielded (chemical shifts vs. TMS in the range −271 to −360). With only one minor inversion of uncertain significance, the chemical shifts correlate well with the expected ability of the X and X′ groups to engage in dative π bonding to the carbenoid carbon atom. The longitudinal relaxation times for both carbenoid and carbonyl carbon atoms in (OC) 5 Cr[C(CH 3 )(OC 2 H 5 )] are 1 – 2 sec. The chemical shift difference for carbonyl carbon atoms cis and trans to the carbenoid ligand is essentially invariant in the six compounds.
Stability and change in nonfocal neurologic signs.

This paper describes the neurologic assessment of children in special educational placement and examines the developmental course of the following nonfocal signs: balance, coordination, speech, double simultaneous stimulation, choreiform movements, gait, imitative movements, graphesthesia, and asterognosis from a cross-sectional and a longitudinal perspective. Both approaches reveal a reduced frequency of occurrence of nonfocal signs in older children, but the number of children exhibiting two or more signs does not differ significantly on two examinations conducted four years apart. Consistency of findings on re-examination is significantly different for different signs. Inconsistency is greatest among, children of lower IQ.
Late migration of a Sideris buttoned device for occlusion of atrial septal defect

We describe a 17-year-old patient with an atrial septal defect who underwent device closure with a second generation Sideris buttoned device at 4 years of age. She presented 13 years after the procedure with the acute onset of chest discomfort, at which time a chest radiograph showed migration of the wire of the right atrial counter-occluder to the lateral aspect of the right atrial wall, with an associated right atrial perforation. The patient underwent uneventful surgical device retrieval and atrial septal defect closure. Late migration of a portion of the Sideris buttoned device can occur, suggesting the need for continued follow up, and a high index of suspicion for device failure should a patient become symptomatic.
Internet-Based Technology Use in Second Language Learning: A Systematic Review

Ever since computer technologies were accessible to second language learners and teachers, various types of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) have been harnessed in the service of teaching languages. Most recently, the advent of online technologies has sparked CALL practitioners to integrate this powerful form of teaching and learning into language education. This paper synthesizes the extant research on these online language education activities and the state of current understanding regarding the potential of Internet-based teaching and learning second languages. The results of analyzing extensive studies of Internet-based second language learning reveals that Internet-based technology has been widely used in second language learning. In addition, Internet-based technologies are effective instructional tools for second language learning and teaching.
Coculture of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells and Articular Chondrocytes Reduces Hypertrophy and Enhances Functional Properties of Engineered Cartilage

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being recognized as a viable cell source for cartilage repair; however, it still remains a challenge to recapitulate the functional properties of native articular cartilage using only MSCs. Additionally, MSCs may exhibit a hypertrophic phenotype under chondrogenic induction, resulting in calcification after ectopic transplantation. With this in mind, the objective of this study was to assess whether the addition of chondrocytes to MSC cultures influences the properties of tissue-engineered cartilage and MSC hypertrophy when cultured in hyaluronic acid hydrogels. Mixed cell populations (human MSCs and human chondrocytes at a ratio of 4:1) were encapsulated in the hydrogels and exhibited significantly higher Young's moduli, dynamic moduli, glycosaminoglycan levels, and collagen content than did constructs seeded with only MSCs or chondrocytes. Furthermore, the deposition of collagen X, a marker of MSC hypertrophy, was significantly lower in the coculture constructs than in the constructs seeded with MSCs alone. When MSCs and chondrocytes were cultured in distinct gels, but in the same wells, there was no improvement in biomechanical and biochemical properties of the engineered tissue, implying that a close proximity is essential. This approach can be used to improve the properties and prevent calcification of engineered cartilage formed from MSC-seeded hydrogels with the addition of lower fractions of chondrocytes, leading to improved clinical outcomes.
Coming together and remaining a part: Development of a group-as-a-whole compass. Part II

Group-as-a-whole theory is an attempt to explain the collaboration and synergy that results when patients share their care. The art and science of treating individuals within psychotherapy groups is enriched by an understanding of the unique mediums3through which a group comes into being and the more general domains within which it comes to be known. This paper continues the development of a group-as-a-whole compass, as an integration of extant models and theories (Ettin, 1996). The focus shifts from conceptual and spatial models to an exploration of the cultural and relational processes that make up whole-group functioning. The paper comes full circle with hypotheses drawn about how a psychotherapy group, as a holistic phenomenon, is composed and maintained.
A new isoeffect curve for change in dose per fraction

A method is proposed for using survival curve parameters for calculating the change in total dose necessary to achieve an equal response in a tissue when the dose per fraction is varied. The method uses the ratio alpha/beta of the coefficients of the linear quadratic survival formula and accounts only for the effect of repair of cellular injury. Absolute values for alpha and beta are not required. The isoeffect curves vary for different tissues. A dose adjustment to account for differences in the regeneration of surviving cells that might result from changing a treatment regimen must be made separately and will also vary from tissue to tissue. Examples of the use of the curves are given. At present, the curves, particularly those for late effects, are uncertain and caution should be observed in using them until they are defined more accurately with additional data.
Reconstructing Humans’ Hand Motion: Preliminary Results and Applications in the Design of Mechanical Fingers for Anthropomorphic Tasks

This paper reports the development of a low-cost sensor-based glove device using commercially available components that can be used to obtain position, velocity and acceleration data for individual fingers of the hand. Optical tracking of the human hand and finger motion is a challenging task due to the large number of degrees of freedom (DOFs) packed in a relatively small space. We propose methods to simplify the hand motion capture by utilizing accelerometers and adopting a reduced marker protocol.The preliminary results show that the use of relative position, velocity and acceleration homogeneous transformations enable us in getting improved finger motion data with respect to those obtained from a Vicon system. This data is directly related to contact and curvature constraints between the fingers and the grasped object. Once obtained from the glove, the higher derivative specifications are used in formulating the synthesis task for the design of robotic fingers.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Readily available fluorescein isothiocyanate-conjugated antibodies can be easily converted into targeted phototoxic agents for antibacterial, antiviral, and anticancer therapy.

Abstract Fluorescein-labeled antibodies have little, if any, photodynamic effect because energy acquired by light absorption is rapidly dissipated in fluorescence. However, they can be easily and efficiently converted to selective photodynamic sensitizers by iodination under mild conditions. We have outlined general experimental procedures that can be used to turn a fluorescein-labeled anti-Escherichia coli antibody into a photodynamic sensitizer that selectively kills E. coli while sparing closely related Salmonella typhimurium. These results demonstrate that iodination did not destroy the specificity or activity of the antibody. This technique should be applicable to the large number of fluoresceinated antibodies that are commercially available. Thus, this strategy provides a simple way to rapidly prepare a large number of targeted phototoxic agents that can be used for the selective destruction with light of nearly any type of tissue or organism.
The presence of certain dehydrogenases among polychaetous annelids as shown by disc electrophoresis

Abstract 1. 1. Homogenates of nearly all polychaetous annelids examined from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Delaware and Florida exhibited malate dehydrogenase activity, as determined by disc electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. 2. 2. About half showed activity for glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, approximately a quarter for lactate dehydrogenase and fewer for α-glycerophosphate dehydrogenase and glutamate dehydrogenase. 3. 3. Measurements of relative mobilities of major bands indicate that there are many kinds of lactate dehydrogenase present among those polychaetes in which it occurs.
TGFβ signals through a heteromeric protein kinase receptor complex

Transforming growth factor beta (TGF beta) binds with high affinity to the type II receptor, a transmembrane protein with a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase domain. We show that the type II receptor requires both its kinase activity and association with another TGF beta-binding protein, the type I receptor, to signal growth inhibition and early gene responses. Receptors I and II associate as interdependent components of a heteromeric complex: receptor I requires receptor II to bind TGF beta, and receptor II requires receptor I to signal. This mode of operation points to fundamental differences between this receptor and the protein-tyrosine kinase cytokine receptors.
Abstract 5524: Generation of cellular immune responses to MUC1-C to target the portion of MUC1 that is most biologically relevant to the transformation process

Proceedings: AACR 102nd Annual Meeting 2011‐‐ Apr 2‐6, 2011; Orlando, FL MUC1 is overexpressed in diverse human carcinomas and hematological cancers, and therefore serves as a potential target for immunotherapy. The MUC1 molecule has two distinctive subunits, formed by autocleavage with a SEA domain. The N-terminal (MUC1-N) is the large extracellular domain, and the C-terminal (MUC1-C) has three subunits: a small extracellular domain that is covalently bound to MUC1-N, a single transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail. It has been reported by Kufe et al that the MUC1-C subunit transduces signals that confer growth and survival responses. The MUC1-C cytoplasmic tail located downstream of the SEA domain is sufficient for the induction of anchorage independent growth and tumorigenicity. MUC1-C overexpression is also highly associated with poor prognosis in patients with lung cancer and breast cancer. We and others have previously reported on HLA-A2 binding agonist epitopes to MUC1-N. The objective of this investigation is to identify and characterize HLA-A3 binding cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) epitopes and agonist epitopes of the MUC1-C subunit. The intention is to add these peptides to vaccines against MUC1 positive carcinomas, as well as using them for monitoring patients’ immune responses in clinical MUC1 vaccine trials. The generation of cellular immune responses to MUC1-C would thus target the portion of MUC1 that is most biologically relevant to the transformation process. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 102nd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2011 Apr 2-6; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5524. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2011-5524
High growth speed of gallium nitride using ENABLE-MBE

abstract Films of gallium nitride were grown at varying growth speeds, while all other major variables were heldconstant. Films grown determine the material impact of the high ﬂux capabilities of the unique nitrogenplasma source ENABLE. Growth rates ranged from 13 to near 60 nm/min. X-ray ω scans of GaN (0002)have FWHM in all samples less than 300 arc sec. Cathodoluminescence shows radiative recombinationfor all samples at the band edge. In general material quality overall is high with slight degradation asgrowth speeds increase to higher rates.& 2015 Published by Elsevier B.V. 1. IntroductionOver the past two decades gallium nitride has reached maturityas a technologically pivotal semiconductor. The uses for GaN rangefrom power electronics, to high electron mobility transistors, andto light emitting diodes [1,2]. Currently, material for all of theseapplications has been predominantly produced by metal organicvapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE).Molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) has unique advantages overMOVPE due to its inherent lower background contamination,ability to make abrupt stops in incoming growth species (impor-tant for sharp quantum wells), and kinetically driven capability toaccess metastable phases that are not available to growth pro-cesses of thermodynamic equilibrium. However, any commercialinterest in MBE based growth of GaN has been passed over due toslow growth rates that make it hard to meet demand thuschallenging the economics of an MBE based industry. These slowgrowth rates are mostly due to the low ﬂuxes of active nitrogenassociated with conventional plasma nitrogen sources [3].The Energetic Neutral Atom Beam Lithography and Epitaxy(ENABLE) plasma source developed at Los Alamos National Labora-tory (LANL) is a unique source. ENABLE is capable of delivering ahigh ﬂux of neutral nitrogen atoms (or other gases as well) as theactive species to the surface of a wafer [4]. This technique has thepotential to keep pace with the Ga ﬂuxes supplied by the industrystandard Ga effusion cells. This should lead to higher growthspeeds for gallium nitride ﬁlms by MBE. These high speed growthrates and their effects on structural and luminescent propertieswill be explored herein.2. ExperimentalFilm growth was performed in a custom built MBE chamber.This chamber exhibited a background pressure of 3.1 10
Practitioners' Views of Delinquency Causation A Consideration in Comprehensive Juvenile J ustice Planning

A number of the usual factors considered in comprehensive juvenile justice planning are briefly reviewed. Several additional factors which should be considered in such planning are suggested. These additional factors include interagency differences in beliefs concerning delinquency etiology. The importance of this factor, especially with regard to programmatic areas, is demonstrated by the analysis of differences in beliefs about delinquency causation among various agency personnel in the juvenile justice system of one entire state. Results suggest that, in general, practitioners in the field regard delinquency as developing from a multiplicity of causes. Significant differences among agencies, in terms of frequency of mentioning, were found for five of seventeen causes of delinquency. Significant differences among types of agencies occurred for the following causes: lack of parental supervision; miscellaneous home and family influences; school-related factors; emotional and mental factors; and poverty. I...
Some concepts of mult1variate dependence

Several types of positive dependence are shown to be equiv-alent to the concept of a distribution with a density which is TP2 in pairs. Among these is the concept of m∗-positive depend-ence of Alam and Wallenius. Using this result, all relationships among many of the most important concepts of positive dependence are determined. Furthermore, an application of the equivalences of these types of positive dependence yields a results of Ahmed, Langberg, Leon and Proschan.
Bacterial Lipoteichoic Acid Enhances Cryosurvival

Antifreeze proteins in fish, plants, and insects provide protection to a few degrees below freezing. Microbes have been found to survive at even lower temperatures, and with a few exceptions, antifreeze proteins are missing. We show that lipoteichoic acid (LTA), a biopolymer in the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria, can be added to B. subtilis cultures and increase freeze tolerance. At 1 % w/v, LTA enables a 50 % survival rate, similar to the results obtained with 1 % w/v glycerol as measured with the resazurin cell viability assay. In the absence of added LTA or glycerol, a very small number of B. subtilis cells survive freezing. This suggests that an innate freeze tolerance mechanism exists. While cryoprotection can be provided by extracellular polymeric substances, our data demonstrate a role for LTA in cryoprotection. Currently, the exact mode of action for LTA cryoprotection is unknown. With a molecular weight of 3-5 kDa, it is unlikely to enter the cell cytoplasm. However, low temperature microscopy data show small ice crystals aligned along channels of liquid water. Our observations suggest that teichoic acids could protect liquid water within biofilms and planktonic bacteria, augmenting the role of brine while also raising the possibility for survival without brine present.
Unique Implementation of Incentive Contracts with Many Agents

In this paper we consider the problem of implementation when a principal hires many agents and is not able to monitor their actions. We distinguish two cases: (i) when actions are mutually observable among agents, (ii) when actions are not observable at all. In (i), there is a mechanism in which the first-best arises as a unique perfect equilibrium. In (ii), we show by two examples that typically there are multiple equilibria if the principal merely offers a set of optimal sharing rules. However, we prove that the principal can use these optimal sharing rules as a starting point and construct a multi-stage mechanism that has a unique second-best perfect Bayesian equilibrium.
Evolution of large shield volcanoes on Venus

We studied the geologic history, topographic expression, and gravity signature of 29 large Venusian shield volcanoes with similar morphologies in Magellan synthetic aperture radar imagery. While they appear similar in imagery, 16 have a domical topographic expression and 13 have a central depression. Typical dimensions for the central depression are 150 km wide and 500 m deep. The central depressions are probably not calderas resulting from collapse of a shallow magma chamber but instead are the result of a corona-like sagging of a previously domical volcano. The depressions all have some later volcanic filling. All but one of the central depression volcanoes have been post-dated by geologic features unrelated to the volcano, while most of the domical volcanoes are at the top of the stratigraphic column. Analysis of the gravity signatures in the spatial and spectral domains shows a strong correlation between the absence of post-dating features and the presence of dynamic support by an underlying plume. We infer that the formation of the central depressions occurred as a result of cessation of dynamic support. However, there are some domical volcanoes whose geologic histories and gravity signatures also indicate that they are extinct, so sagging of the central region apparently does not always occur when dynamic support is removed. We suggest that the thickness of the elastic lithosphere may be a factor in determining whether a central depression forms when dynamic support is removed, but the gravity data are of insufficient resolution to test this hypothesis with admittance methods.
Interorganizational Collaborative Forecasting and Replenishment Systems and Supply Chain Implications

Collaborative Forecasting and Replenishment (CFAR) is a new interorganizational system that enables retailers and manufacturers to forecast demand and schedule production jointly. The capabilities of CFAR exceed those of the traditional EDI because CFAR allows exchange of complex decision support models and manufacturer/retailer strategies. The proponents of CFAR claim that the fastest way for retailers and manufacturers to slash inventory costs and product shortages is by coordinating their decisions. The impact of CFAR on the supply chain using a model consisting of a manufacturer selling its product through two independent identical retailers is analyzed. The model assumes that the manufacturer doesn't face capacity constraints, the demand is stationary, and retailer prices are constant over time; the shortages are backordered at the manufacturer and retailers to isolate the effects of information sharing in CFAR. The most significant findings relate to the increase in the cost incurred by the nonparticipant in CFAR, the increase in the manufacturer's cost of serving the nonparticipant if the participant can obtain delivery guarantees in return for demand information sharing, and the incentives of the players to move towards universal retailer participation in CFAR. The findings are explained using the risk structure faced by the players in the supply chain. The managerial implications of the impact of CFAR on the supply chain structure are also discussed.
Surface ablation of silica-reinforced composites.

The ablation mechanism of a silica-reinforced composite is studied. Special attention is given to the effects of the presence of gas bubbles within the molten layer and certain internal chemical reactions. The assumption of two-phase laminar-flow for the melt layer is used to characterize the process. The physical properties which appear in the governing equations are considered as functions of the void fraction within the molten layer. The governing equations of change are simplified by adopting the model of constant drift velocities and are solved by the integration method. The void fraction is shown to have a substantial effect on the heat of ablation. The presence of gas bubbles affects the apparent viscosity, the effective thermal conductivity, the carbon-silica reactions, and the flow pattern of the molten layer. These effects vary with the magnitude of the stagnation enthalpy.
Reading and assessing reports of treatment studies in oncology.

The year 1998 marked the 50th anniversary of the introduction of the modern clinical trial to medicine. The trial was designed by Austin Bradford Hill for the evaluation of streptomycin for treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis. After centuries of enduring various erroneous methods resulting in persistence of ineffective and morbid treatments, a methodology was developed that produced consistently reliable answers and that largely avoided the biases of medical authorities. The introduction of the randomized, clinical trial transformed medicine into an experimental science. The essence of the clinical trial is to ask an important well-defined question and to get a reliable answer. 9 The important question is usually whether administration of a well-defined treatment to a well-defined population of patients produces a better distribution of a medically important outcome than a placebo or control treatment or no treatment. Surgeons and oncologists today are presented with many claims of treatment efficacy that they must assess. In many cases, the evidence supporting the claims is weak, although the weakness may be masked by high-tech luster and authoritative pronouncements. This article reviews the principles of the modern clinical trial to provide guidance for reading the medical literature and assessing claims of therapeutic efficacy.
Purification of a new b-type cytochrome from mung bean (Phaseolus aureus) seedlings.

ON the basis of spectral observations, four b-type cytochromes (b, b3, b6, b7) have been identified in higher plant tissues1. Of these pigments, all of which are bound firmly to the cytoplasmic particles, only cytochrome b3 has been extensively purified2. In the course of an examination of the cytochromes in etiolated mung bean seedlings, we have isolated a soluble pigment which has the properties of a b-type cytochrome; it has an unusual α-band (reduced), with a peak at 555 and a shoulder at 559 mµ. The purification and some of the properties of this component are described here.
Singular perturbation of two point boundary problems in a banach space

Let B be a Banach space and L a generator of a C 0 semigroup on B . We consider the problem e W x x − 2 a W x + L W = 0 , 0 x 1 , with boundary conditions given by P 1 ( d d x ) W | x = 0 = V 1 and P 2 ( d d x ) W | x = 1 = V 2 . P 1 ( x ) and P 2 ( x ) are polynomials with roots restricted by the spectrum of L . e and a are real parameters with 0 a |. We study the problem for e fixed and for e → 0. A convergence rate is also obtained.
Strain differences in kinetic and thermal stability of two mouse brain tryptophan hydroxylase activities.

Summary Levels of forebrain serotonin (5-HT), tryptophan, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and hydroxylase cofactor (BH4) were comparable in two experimental mouse strains (A/J and C57B1/6J) despite 2–3-fold differences in vitro in the relative activities of forebrain and midbrain tryptophan-5-monooxygenase (TPOH; EC 1.14.16.4). The enzyme activities did not differ with respect toKm for cofactor at saturating levels, but manifested different degrees of cooperativity with respect to cofactor when examined with BH4 concentrations within a physiological range. They differed also in the frequency and amplitude of kinetic variation around comparable mean velocity slopes across cofactor and time; in resistance to pre-incubation inactivation and responsiveness to its facilitation by calcium; in molecular weight heterogeneity as reflected in the distribution of molecular weight forms by gel diffusion chromatography; and in the number of peaks in power spectral analysis of kinetic variation patterns. Although the potential roles of small-molecule ligand and/or regulator proteins have not been ruled out, we hypothesize that differences in conformational stability underlie the differences in regulatory properties and make one enzyme activity more vulnerable to occlusive influences in vivo.
Lateral Femoral Epicondylar Osteotomy: An Extensile Posterolateral Knee Approach

Open exposure of the posterolateral corner of the knee is challenged by limitations of posterolateral ligamentous tissues and posterior neurovascular structures. We have used a modification of a lateral femoral epicondyle osteotomy, described historically for surgical management of posterolateral rotatory instability, as an approach to the posterolateral intraarticular structures. The historic technique for ligamentous reconstruction has been abandoned because its nonanatomic fixation does not restore ligamentous isometry. In this report, osteotomy of a bone block from the lateral femoral epicondyle is used to access the joint space. The lateral collateral ligament is reflected distally and posteriorly through traction on the block. Once the intraarticular disorder has been addressed, the lateral femoral epicondyle is secured in its native, anatomic position, thereby restoring isometry and normal joint mechanics after surgery. This technique has been used successfully to address posterolateral articular disorders on femoral and tibial sides. Postoperative magnetic resonance imaging verified restoration of lateral collateral ligament anatomy. Physical examination at 0° and 30° knee flexion showed clinical stability at all postoperative evaluations through 6 and 10 months followup. Using this technique, intraarticular disorders at the posterolateral corner may be addressed in an open manner with anatomic reduction and preserved postoperative function of the lateral collateral ligament.
Hepatitis C and G co-infection: Response to interferon therapy and quantitative changes in serum HGV-RNA.

Hepatitis G virus (HGV), a positive sense RNA virus, is distantly related to hepatitis C virus (HCV): its genetic organization and identity are consistent with the Flaviviridae family. Coinfection with HGV occurs in 10% to 20% of HCV-infected subjects. These similarities raise two theoretical questions. First, could HGV coinfection play any role in the response of HCV to antiviral therapy and second, would this coinfected population have changes in serum HGV-RNA induced by interferon. To address these questions, 98 patients with documented chronic HCV underwent interferon therapy (3 million units three times a week) for 6 months. Response to therapy was categorized using standard biochemical criteria. Changes in HGV-RNA levels were evaluated before, during, and after interferon therapy by a quantitative branched DNA amplification research-based assay. Eleven of 98 (11%) patients with HCV infection had detectable serum HGV-RNA. There was no difference between the groups (HGV+ vs. HGV-) when baseline alanine aminotransferase (ALT) values, HCV-RNA levels, HCV genotype, histological severity, or other demographic features were analyzed. Interferon response was similar in both groups and HGV was not associated with outcome following therapy. Antiviral therapy appeared to induce a reduction in HGV-RNA load in five of nine patients coinfected with HCV serially tested. In two patients, the fall in serum HGV-RNA correlated with biochemical response, independent of changes in HCV-RNA. These observations indicate that a larger study of an HGV population is required to more clearly define the relationship between HCV and HGV coinfection and their response to antiviral therapy.
Occurrence of cysteinyl transfer ribonucleic acid with a blocked α-amino group in rabbit reticulocytes

1. Rabbit reticulocytes or reticulocyte extracts incorporate cysteine into cysteinyl transfer ribonucleic acid (Cys-tRNA) having a blocked α-amino group (X-Cys-rRNA). The lack of a free α-amino group is revealed in the electrophoretic characteristics of X-cysteinyladenosine (X-Cys-A) obtained from X-Cys-tRNA by treatment with pancreatic ribonuclease, and in the failure of the X-Cys-A to react with acetic anhydride. The electrophoretic characteristics of X-Cys-A and its reactivity with diazomethane indicate that the blocking group X might have a free carboxyl group. X-Cys-A does not react with iodoacetate, possibly indicating that its sulfhydryl group is blocked. 2. Both high and low molecular weight fractions of the reticulocyte extract (obtained by fractionation by gel filtration through a Sephadex G-25 column) are needed for converting Cys-tRNA into X-Cys-tRNA. X-Cys-tRNA was not found in Escherichia coli extracts, but E. coli Cys-tRNA is converted to X-Cys-tRNA when added to a reticulocyte extract. 3. NaF is thought to inhibit a step in peptide chain initiation and to lead to the accumulation of initiation complexes (W. Hoerz and K. S. McCarthy, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S., 63 (1969) 1206). A tRNA species involved in chain initiation in reticulocytes is tRNAMetf. Intact reticulocytes treated with NaF contain about 7 times more X-Cys-tRNA and 4 times more tRNAMetf (at least partially acylated with methionine) bound to ribosomes than control cells. The amount bound to ribosomes of several other aminoacyl-tRNA's tested (including Cys-tRNA), however, decreases upon treatment with NaF. 4. The structure, biosynthesis, and function of X-Cys-tRNA remain to be established.
Flute interchange m = 1 mode in migma

Abstract The m = 1 flute interchange mode is investigated for the migma configuration. A previous investigation has indicated a rigid mode stability threshold may be present that is independent of the detailed orbit configuration. Careful analysis of the integral equation indicates instability can arise at a threshold particles storage number considerably below that predicted from the rigid mode theory for a well focused migma. Instability a low particle storage number is found when N/N rg ⩾8 g 2 , where N is the particle storage number N rg is the predicted rigid mode threshold for the particle storage number and it is defined in eq. (9) of the text and ϵ is a measure of the spread in angular momentum of the ions (ϵ = 2δP0/MiωcirL2), with δP0 the spread of angular momentum centered about zero angular momentum, Mi the ion mass, ωci the ion cyclotron frequency and rL the ion Larmor radius.
ART: an asymmetric and reliable transport mechanism for wireless sensor networks

Existing solutions for reliable data transmission in wireless networks are aimed to offer reliable message or per transport segment delivery. However, densely deployed sensor nodes can generate many redundant messages that essentially indicate the same event from the area of interest, thus this message-level reliability can pose significantly high and unnecessary communication overhead. In this paper, we address the reliability problem by defining event reliability and query reliability to reduce extra cost of reliable transport services. Unlike other studies on transport protocols for Wireless Sensor Networks (WSN), we consider event delivery in conjunction with query delivery. For the purpose, we propose an energy-aware sensor classification algorithm to construct a network topology that is composed of sensors in providing desired level of event and query reliability. We evaluate the performance of the proposed approach and conclude that significant savings on communication costs are attainable while achieving event and query reliability.
Perioperative and Anesthesia Considerations in Obese Patients

This article describes the perioperative and anesthesia nursing implications of some of the comorbidities associated with obesity. Specifically, we explain the cardiovascular and pulmonary changes associated with excess adipose tissue. Current evidence based practices that may help mitigate undesirable effects are identified. Finally, we address the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to consider in selection and dosing of common perioperative medications.
Continuous-flow blood cell separation.

The continuous-flow blood cell separator is capable of continuously removing blood from a donor, separating this blood into its various components, retaining certain components, and returning the balance to the donor. The first part of this paper is concerned with studies made to determine the centrifuge bowl configuration. Results show the effect of two geometric parameters on the separation efficiency of the bowl using bank blood. The second part gives the results of an analysis of the ability of the bowl to separate plasma, white cells, and platelets at various g forces. From 60 to 85 per cent of the plasma, 5 to 60 per cent of both lymphocytes and granulocytes, and 5 to 50 per cent of the platelets are removed. The amount of red cell destruction as determined by measuring plasma hemoglobin levels is very low. Increases in plasma hemoglobin levels are less than 5 mg/100 cc.
Management of unfavorable locoregional prostate carcinoma with radiation and androgen ablation

BACKGROUND This study attempted to define unfavorable locoregional prostate carcinoma and presents the results of treatment with combined radiation and androgen ablation for these patients. METHODS Of a group of 938 men with clinically localized N0/NX disease treated with radiation alone, an unfavorable category included all men with prostate specific antigen (PSA) > 20 ng/mL and all men with 10 7. One hundred and eighty-five such men treated with radiation alone and an additional 100 men with similar disease received radiation with early androgen ablation. A second cohort was comprised of 229 men with lymphadenectomy proven pelvic lymph node metastases, with 185 receiving early androgen ablation alone and 44 receiving androgen ablation and local radiation. The outcomes, with recurrence or rising PSA as the endpoint, were compared among these various treatment groups using multivariate techniques. RESULTS Disease outcome with the combined modality treatment was dramatically improved in both cohorts of men. For those with unfavorable N0/NX disease, the failure rate at 5 years decreased from 82% with only radiation therapy to 15% with combined treatment. Likewise, for patients with lymph node disease, the failure rate at 5 years decreased from 58% with only androgen ablation to 10% with combined treatment. For the whole group with unfavorable disease (unfavorable N0/NX and lymph node positive disease) the 6-year failure decreased from 71% with single modality treatment to 13% with bimodality treatment. There was a close relationship between the incidence of lymph node disease and prognostic categories and patients with otherwise unfavorable disease did not have their poor outlook ameliorated by undergoing a negative lymphadenectomy. CONCLUSIONS Unfavorable locoregional prostate carcinoma can be recognized on the basis of pretreatment PSA level, T category, and Gleason's grade without specific evaluation of pelvic lymph node status. Combined local radiation and androgen ablation for patients with unfavorable disease results in a substantial improvement in disease control compared with that achieved by either modality alone. The authors found no improvement in survival because all groups of men had a normal life expectancy to at least 5 years. Cancer 1997; 80:764-75. © 1997 American Cancer Society.