cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Optical and Biometric Characteristics of Anisomyopia in Human Adults

Citation information: Tian Y, Tarrant J & Wildsoet CF. Optical and biometric characteristics of anisomyopia in human adults. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2011, 31, 540–549. doi: 10.1111/j.1475-1313.2011.00858.x Abstract Purpose: To investigate the role of higher order optical aberrations and thus retinal image degradation in the development of myopia, through the characterization of anisomyopia in human adults in terms of their optical and biometric characteristics. Methods: The following data were collected from both eyes of 15 young adult anisometropic myopes and 16 isometropic myopes: subjective and objective refractive errors, corneal power and shape, monochromatic optical aberrations, anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous chamber depth, and best corrected visual acuity. Monochromatic aberrations were analyzed in terms of their higher order components, and further analyzed in terms of 31 optical quality metrics. Interocular differences for the two groups (anisomyopes vs isomyopes) were compared and the relationship between measured ocular parameters and refractive errors also analyzed across all eyes. Results: As expected, anisomyopes and isomyopes differed significantly in terms of interocular differences in vitreous chamber depth, axial length and refractive error. However, interocular differences in other optical properties showed no significant intergroup differences. Overall, higher myopia was associated with deeper anterior and vitreous chambers, higher astigmatism, more prolate corneas, and more positive spherical aberration. Other measured optical and biometric parameters were not significantly correlated with spherical refractive error, although some optical quality metrics and corneal astigmatism were significantly correlated with refractive astigmatism. Conclusions: An optical cause for anisomyopia related to increased higher order aberrations is not supported by our data. Corneal shape changes and increased astigmatism in more myopic eyes may be a by-product of the increased anterior chamber growth in these eyes; likewise, the increased positive spherical aberration in more myopic eyes may be a product of myopic eye growth.
Modelling of a fixed-bed water-gas shift reactor: 1. Steady-state model verification

Abstract This paper describes the development and verification of a non-linear, steady-state model of a laboratory-scale water-gas shift reactor. The objective of the work was to develop a model of the laboratory reactor for use in simulation and model-based control strategies. Heat transfer parameters were determined from the experiments without reaction. Parameter estimates for the pre-exponential factor, the activation energy and the coefficient for heat transfer between the catalyst bed and reactor wall were determined from experiments with reaction. Non-linear optimization with a least-squares objective function was used to determine the parameter values. With six fitted parameters, the simplified reactor model accurately predicted the performance of the laboratory reactor system. A second-order reversible rate expression successfully modelled the water-gas shift reaction over a cobalt-molybdenum catalyst.
The sweat test.

AN INCREASED interest in the physiology of sweating was precipitated by the demonstration of markedly elevated electrolyte levels in sweat of patients with cystic fibrosis. Indeed, the determination of sweat electrolytes has become the most reliable single diagnostic test for cystic fibrosis, replacing the more difficult, time consuming, uncomfortable, and less reliable procedures of duodenal fluid aspiration and assay. The marked reduction or absence of proteolytic activity of duodenal fluid no longer serves as the cornerstone of diagnosis, since fully 15% of patients with cystic fibrosis have sufficient exocrine pancreatic function to yield normal or nearly normal enzyme values. Nevertheless, study of duodenal fluid is still of considerable value when dealing with cases difficult to diagnose, in instances of borderline sweat electrolyte levels, or for special study purposes.
The Functions of B-Vitamins in the Biosynthesis of Purines and Pyrimidines

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the functions of B-vitamins in the biosynthesis of purines and pyrimidines. Since the classical discovery of uric acid as a constituent of urine, a considerable number of other purines and pyrimidines have been found to occur naturally. Of these, adenine (6-aminopurine), guanine (2-amino-6-hydroxypurine), uracil (2,4-dihydroxypyrimidine), cytosine (4-amino-2-hydroxypyrimidine), and thymine (2,4-dihydroxy-5-methylpyrimidine) are of major interest because these compounds occur as polymeric phosphorylated ribosides and desoxyribosides in the nucleic acids. Experimental studies demonstrate that the incorporation of the single carbon unit derived from formate into positions 2 and probably 8 of the purines and into the 5-methyl group of thymine involves certain B-vitamins as catalytic factors. The vitamin B 12 group and either p -aminobenzoic acid or folic acid, depending upon the organism, are involved in the utilization of the single carbon unit in a number of transformations, and this single carbon unit may be transferred from one of these products to another through these reactions. This chapter discusses B-vitamins involved in the utilization of the single carbon unit and in the oxidation of purines. This chapter analyzes the role of folic acid in the biosynthesis of purines, pyrimidines, and related factors.
Mean Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score and gender distribution as function of academic discipline

The correlation between the percentage of doctorates in a field obtained by males and the mean Verbal plus Quantitative plus Analytical Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score for that field was 0.76, d.f.=44, P<0.001. It was inferred that men tend to earn doctorates in more demanding fields. It was also maintained that the findings are very consistent with the previous literature showing males having higher means on a number of different cognitive and aptitude measures, including GRE Verbal and Quantitative and Analytical scores.
Philopatric and nonphilopatric foundress associations in the social wasp Polistes fuscatus

1. Overwintering females of the paper wasp, Polistes fuscatus, were marked on their home colonies in 1977 and identified in the spring of 1978. Most females which joined foundress associations in 1978 did so with former nestmates, which are close relatives. The probability that any two associating females were nestmates ranges between 0.77 and 0.93. 2. Philopatric females — those which nested at the site where they emerged — enjoyed a higher probability that an associate would be a nestmate (0.90–1.00) than did nonphilopatric females (0.50–0.79). 3. Philopatric females formed associations of 2–7 wasps. Nonphilopatric females which did not found singly almost always formed associations of only two foundresses. The bias to two-foundress colonies in nonphilopatric females might be explained by a hypothesis of ‘selfish joining’.
Cytoplasmic microfilaments in plant cells

Microfilaments 50–60 A in diameter occur commonly in many elongating cells in stems and roots of twelve species of plants investigated. The microfilaments occur in bundles as cytoplasmic fibers in the peripheral regions of an elongating cell and are usually oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the cell. Such cytoplasmic fibers may be up to 12 μ in length and 0.1–0.3 μ in width. The number of cytoplasmic fibers per cell varies from 1 to 5. There is no evidence to indicate that the fibers composed of microfilaments are derived from microtubules during fixation. The distribution of microfilaments in various types of plant cells and their possible function is discussed.
Upper critical fields of periodic and quasiperiodic Nb-Ta superlattices.

Upper critical fields have been studied for two series of Nb-Ta superlattices grown by molecular-beam epitaxy with both periodic and quasiperiodic (Fibonacci sequence) layering. X-ray results are presented to characterize the nature and quality of the layering. Positive curvature in the perpendicular upper critical field (${H}_{c2\ensuremath{\perp}}$), pronounced negative curvature near ${T}_{c}$ in the parallel upper critical field (${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}2\mathrm{?}}$), and dimensional crossover are observed in both types of samples. For quasiperiodic samples two upturns are observed in ${\mathit{H}}_{\mathit{c}2\mathrm{?}}$ with decreasing temperature. These are shown to be associated with dimensional crossover occurring twice as the superconducting coherence length in the growth direction, ${\ensuremath{\xi}}_{\ensuremath{\perp}}$, samples the two length scales, 2${d}_{\mathrm{Nb}}$ and ${d}_{\mathrm{Nb}}$, that are present in these structures.
Relationship Between Cognition and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia

Much research has focused on neurochemical and neuropathologic changes in dementia. However, further research is required before definite conclusions can be made about the link between these neurochemical and neuropathologic changes and specific behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) (Zaudig, 1998). Similarly, the relationship between cognitive status and BPSD has yet to be clarified. Studies investigating the relationship between cognition and BPSD have yielded little consensus, ranging from no association to positive, negative, or mixed findings (Chen et al., 1998). Examples include differences in findings from studies relating the occurrence of psychosis to the severity of cognitive deficits (Ballard & Oyebode, 1995; Molchan et al., 1995; Wragg & Jeste, 1989); failure of some often-quoted associations, such as a relationship between psychosis and the rate of cognitive decline, to hold up under a rigorous critical appraisal of the published data; and contradictory findings regarding the effects of antidepressant treatment on cognition in patients with concomitant dementia and depression (Greenwald, 1995).
RIVER RIDGE I: STRUCTURAL ELEMENTS IN A SCHOOL DISTRICT'S COLLECTIVE INNOVATION‐DECISION

A diffusion model was utilized to examine the failure of a school district to pass a bond issue. Precincts in the district were categorized as modern or traditional subsystems using structural descriptors of modernity. The degree of modernity of the social systems was found to be strongly related both to voting behavior and attitudes toward those who initiate and advocate change.
Sequences that confer β-tubulin autoregulation through modulated mRNA stability reside within exon 1 of a β-tubulin mRNA

Synthesis of alpha- and beta-tubulin is controlled in animal cells by a novel autoregulatory mechanism: the concentration of unpolymerized subunits specifies the level of tubulin mRNAs. Using transient DNA transfection, we have localized the sequences that identify a beta-tubulin RNA as a substrate for autoregulation. Insertion of as few as 106 nucleotides (57 bases of 5' untranslated region and 49 coding nucleotides) from a beta-tubulin gene into a thymidine kinase gene is sufficient to make expression of the resultant chimeric RNA regulated as if it were an authentic beta-tubulin mRNA. Furthermore, all 5' untranslated region sequences can be deleted without disrupting regulation. We conclude that this novel autoregulatory pathway is specified by cytoplasmic events that modulate mRNA stability through sequences lying within the first 16 translated codons of a beta-tubulin mRNA.
Genetic identification of a locus, Mot1, that affects renal tumor size in the rat.

Abstract Prognosis and treatment of solid tumors are directly dependent on the stage of disease. For any type of cancer, tumor characteristics such as size, multiplicity, and metastatic potential are highly heterogeneous among patients. Our understanding of the genetic determinants of tumor burden is rudimentary. Here, rats carrying a germline mutation of the gene Tsc2 were found to develop variable size and number of renal tumors. We hypothesize that “modifier” genes unlinked to Tsc2 affect its expressivity. Using a backcross (BC) analysis between the two strains that showed the greatest difference in tumor size (Fischer344 and Brown Norway), we mapped a quantitative trait locus based on tumor volume to rat chromosome 3q, lying in the interval between D3Mit3 and D3Rat17 , with a maximum lod score of 4.4. This locus, Mot1 (modifier of Tsc2 1), accounts for ∼35% of the genetic variation in tumor size between the two strains. No significant difference in tumor multiplicity was noted between Brown Norway and Fischer344 rats. This suggests that Mot1 modulates the rate of disease progression and not tumor initiation. Candidate genes on rat chromosome 3 included Tsc1 , whose product interacts biochemically with the TSC2 protein, but it was excluded on the basis of linkage analysis (LOD=0.01). Comparative genomics suggest that the Mot1 region is represented by human chromosomes 15q and 20pq. Our results provide the first evidence of a modifier gene affecting the Tsc2 pathway in the progression of renal tumorigenesis.
Molecular and chiral analyses of some protein amino acid derivatives in the Murchison and Murray meteorites

— The varied organic suite extracted from the Murchison meteorite contains several amino acids that are common to the biosphere. Some of these have been found to be non-racemic, but the indigenous nature of their L-enantiomeric excesses has been subject to debate in view of possible terrestrial contamination. We have investigated two amino acids of common terrestrial and meteoritic occurrence, alanine and glutamic acid, and assessed their indigenous enantiomeric ratios in the Murchison and Murray meteorites through the ratios of some of their derivatives. Analyzed were N-acetyl alanine, α-imino propioacetic acid, N-acetyl glutamic acid and pyroglutamic acid. Both alanine derivatives were found to be racemic, while those of glutamic acid showed L-enantiomeric excesses varying from 16% to 47.2% for pyroglutamic acid, and from 8.6% to 41% for N-acetyl glutamic acid. The δ13C was determined for the two enantiomers of Murchison pyroglutamic acid both before and after acid hydrolysis to glutamic acid. The values of +27.7%0 (D-pyro), +10.0%0 (L-pyro), +32.2%0 (D-glu) and +14.6%0 (L-glu) were obtained. The racemic nature of alanine derivatives strongly suggests that alanine itself, as indigenous to the meteorite, is racemic. The explanation of the L-enantiomeric excesses found for glutamic acid derivatives is less direct; however, the variability of the enantiomeric ratios for these compounds and the distinctly lower δ13C values determined for pyroglutamic L-enantiomer point to a terrestrial contamination, possibly dating to the time of fall.
South China Sea throughflow as evidenced by satellite images and numerical experiments

[1] The South China Sea throughflow begins at the Luzon Strait, as an intrusion of the Kuroshio. At the present time, there are insufficient in situ measurements either to estimate accurately the transport loss or to provide a clear picture of the Kuroshio pathway at the Luzon Strait. In this study, we use newly available, multi-year, high-resolution satellite images and a numerical model to track the warm, relatively low-biomass, Pacific water carried by the Kuroshio. A suite of numerical experiments are carried out to identify key factors that influence Kuroshio paths at the Luzon Strait. The model can reproduce the satellite-inferred Kuroshio paths across the Luzon Strait only when a significant amount of the Kuroshio water is allowed to enter the Luzon Strait during December–February, therefore providing strong evidence for the existence of the South China Sea throughflow.
The dynamics of argon and methane trapping on Pt(111) at 30 and 50 K: energy scaling and coverage dependence

Abstract The dynamics of argon and methane trapping on clean Pt(111) were investigated using supersonic molecular beam techniques at a surface temperatures of 30 and 50 K, well below the desorption temperatures of 46 and 67 K, respectively. The initial trapping probabilities for both Ar and methane scale with normal incident energy ( E T cos 2 θ ), indicating a smooth gas–surface potential. The trapping probability for Ar decreases from 0.8 to zero as the incident normal energy is increased from 2 to 29 kJ mol −1 . Below 10 kJ mol −1 incident energy, the results agree with previous experiments [C.B. Mullins et al., Chem. Phys. Lett. 163 (1989) 111] and molecular dynamics simulations [M. Head-Gordon et al., J. Chem. Phys. 94 (1991) 1516] which were conducted above the desorption temperature. The trapping probability for methane decreases from 0.7 to zero as the incident normal energy is increased from 3 to 20 kJ mol −1 . Trapping on the argon- or methane-saturated surface is greatly enhanced compared to the clean surface at all incident energies and angles, and exhibits near total energy scaling ( E T cos 0.3 θ ), indicating a corrugated gas–surface potential. The kinetics of trapping as a function of coverage are quantitatively described by the modified Kisliuk model [H.C. Kang et al., J. Chem. Phys. 92 (1990) 1397; C.R. Arumainayagam et al., J. Chem. Phys. 94 (1991) 1516], which allows for an extrinsic precursor to adsorption. The trapping probabilities of both argon and methane increase with coverage, indicating that trapping into an extrinsic precursor state is more efficient than trapping onto the bare Pt(111) surface.
Gymnodinioides pitelkae n. sp. (Ciliophora, Apostomatina) from the littoral amphipod, Marinogammarus obtusatus, a trophont with remnants of the tomite's infraciliature

Abstract The apostome genus, Hyalophysa , is a symbiont on most littoral decapods in the US, but no other crustacean orders have been investigated. When exuvia of the amphipod Marinogammarus obtusatus were examined, they contained swimming trophonts whose characteristics revealed by Chatton–Lwoff stains describe a new species of Gymnodinioides. Its unique characteristic is the retention in the trophont of a polykinety similar to the falciform field of the tomite, the non-feeding, migratory microstome stage common to apostome genera. The trophont's anterior pattern of kineties also resembles that of the tomite. Speculations that speciation in Gymnodinioides may result from isolation on different hosts, changes in the internal feeding apparatus, delays or mishaps during morphogenesis, or habitat changes affecting the host must consider the case of G. pitelkae. The tomite may not respond to the signals from its premoult host to change to the macrostome infraciliature although the feeding apparatus is formed.
Application of the McNabb-Foster trapping equations to the diffusion of oxygen in dilute niobium alloys

The McNabb-Foster equations, solved using a finite difference approach, have been applied to the data reported earlier by Lauf and Altstetter for the diffusion of oxygen in dilute niobium alloys. It was assumed that the substitutional alloy atoms acted as traps for the oxygen. Ratios of the release coefficient to the trapping coefficient,p/k, were calculated at various temperatures by computer-assisted curve fitting. Trapping energies obtained from plots ofp/k vs 1/T agree fairly well with those reported earlier using the Oriani model, but differ somewhat from those obtained using a recent model proposed by McLellan. The merits and limitations of the models with respect to the treatment of experimental data are discussed. Initial fractional trap occupancies were also calculated for these alloys and plotted against 1/T, and the results are also discussed.
Molecular dynamics studies of DNA

Abstract Progress has recently been made towards the development of an accurate theoretical model of DNA structure and motions on the basis of molecular dynamics computer simulations. Recent quantitative comparisons between calculated properties with those observed in crystal structure determinations and nuclear magnetic resonance experiments allow improvement of modelling techniques. Current issues in molecular dynamics methodology, particularly truncation of potentials, are discussed, followed by a survey of results from in vacuo and in aquo treatments of solvent. The results of recent in aquo DNA trajectories extended into the nanosecond regime, together with a comparison of calculated and observed axis bending behavior, close the gap between. the timescale of molecular dynamics simulation and NMR techniques. Examples illustrating the analysis of DNA molecular dynamics simulations are included and discussed.
Energy content of stormtime ring current from phase space mapping simulations

We perform a phase space mapping study to estimate the enhancement in energy content that results from stormtime particle transport in the equatorial magnetosphere. Our pre-storm phase space distribution is based on a steady-state transport model. Using results from guiding-center simulations of ion transport during model storms having main phases of 3 hr, 6 hr, and 12 hr, we map phase space distributions of ring current protons from the pre-storm distribution in accordance with Liouville's theorem. We find that transport can account for the entire ten to twenty-fold increase in magnetospheric particle energy content typical of a major storm if a realistic stormtime enhancement of the phase space density f is imposed at the nightside tail plasma sheet (represented by an enhancement of f at the neutral line in our model).
Calcitonin (but not calcitonin gene-related peptide) increases mouse bone cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and increases mouse bone formation, alone and in combination with fluoride.

Previous in vitro studies have shown that salmon calcitonin had direct effects to increase parameters associated with embryonic chicken bone formation and to increase mouse and chicken osteoblast-line cell proliferation. The current studies demonstrate increased cell proliferation (i.e., [3H]-thymidine incorporation into DNA and tetrazolium salt reduction/deposition) in the osteoblastic murine cell line MC-3T3-E1 in response to salmon calcitonin (P less than 0.005) and to human calcitonin (P less than 0.005), but not to human calcitonin gene-related peptide. The current studies also show that salmon calcitonin increased several indices of murine bone formation. We found that 72 hours of exposure to salmon calcitonin [at 5 mU/ml-about 0.37 nM; mU/ml = milliunits of calcitonin activity/ml incubation medium (at 4,000 U/mg protein)] increased net 45Ca deposition (121% of control, P less than 0.05), net [3H]-proline incorporation 149% of control, P less than 0.001), and alkaline phosphatase activity (146% of control, P less than 0.01), in neonatal mouse half-calvaria. The calcitonin-dependent increase in alkaline phosphatase activity was not affected by co-incubation with 1 nM parathyroid hormone. Co-incubation with fluoride (which also increased net [3H]-proline incorporation and alkaline phosphatase activity in neonatal mouse half-calvaria, P less than 0.05, for each) enhanced the osteogenic response to low-dose calcitonin, (i.e., co-incubation with fluoride shifted the biphasic calcitonin dose-response curve to a range of lower calcitonin concentrations). The calcitonin-fluoride combinations had proportional effects on net [3H]-proline incorporation and alkaline phosphatase in the treated mouse calvaria (r = 0.78, P less than 0.005).
Human Pemphigus Autoantibodies Are Pathogenic to Squamous Epithelium

In 1957, Witbesky et al. put forward several criteria that ideally should be fulfilled in order to prove the pathogenic role of an autoantibody in a putative autoimmune disease. There can now be very little doubt of the autoimmune nature of this disease and of the primary role of autoantibodies in its pathogenesis. The evidence that supports the concept that pemphigus autoantibodies are of primary pathogenic importance in the disease is as follows: IgG class autoantibodies can be found both circulating in the serum and bound to the epithelial cell surfaces in and around lesions in patients with pemphigus. These autoantibodies, purified from the serum of pemphigus patients, can induce acantholytic lesions typical of pemphigus both in experimental animals (neonatal mice) and in human and murine epidermal cell cultures. These autoantibodies react with a specific antigen of the epidermal cell. This purified antigen has been used to immunize rabbits and the resulting antibodies are capable of inducing pemphigus-like lesions in neonatal mice.
Use of webMathematica for optics training over the Web

webMathematica provides a good mathematical and graphical mechanism for using a web browser to study optics problems over the internet. Techniques for using webMathematica to study interference, Fraunhofer and Fresnel diffraction, polarization, and Seidel and Zernike aberration will be described and illustrated. (See http://wyant.optics.arizona.edu/math.htm).
Quantum dot carrier dynamics and far-infrared devices

Carrier dynamics in self-assembled quantum dots, grown by molecular beam epitaxy, have been studied. The temperature dependence of the relaxation times, measured by room temperature high frequency impedance response of quantum dot lasers and by low temperature (T=4K) differential transmission spectroscopy. strongly suggests that electronhole scattering is the dominant scattering mechanism in quantum dots. The favorable relaxation times can be exploited to realize far infrared emission and detection based on intersubband transitions in the dots.
Practice guidelines and late-life depression assessment in long-term care

To determine how well nursing home physicians believe they can detect and treat depression, we conducted a national survey, eliciting a 63% response rate. More than 75% of respondents believed they detected and treated depression well. Excellent depression training (vs “good,” “fair,” “poor/none”) was associated with better self-reported recognition (odds ratio [OR] 14.25; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.81, 111.93) and treatment skills (OR 6.72; 95% CI 1.91, 23.64). Screening tool use predicted greater self-assessed detection (OR 1.89; 95% CI 0.92, 3.87) and treatment competency (OR 2.00; 95% CI 1.14, 3.50). Practice guideline awareness was associated with greater self-reported treatment competency (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.56, 3.91).
Oil-filled glands on a leaf

Peltate and capitate glandular trichomes produce secretions containing monoterpenes (Fig. 1Fig. 1). Peltate glandular trichomes have eight secretory cells on top of one stalk cell and one basal cell, whereas capitate glandular trichomes have one secretory cell, one stalk cell and one basal cell. In peltate glandular trichomes, the secretion is stored in an enlarged subcuticular cavity, which gives these oil-filled glands their bulbous appearance. Peltate and capitate glandular trichomes are found in many other species of the Lamiaceae. The isolated cells of peppermint glandular trichomes have provided an enriched source of transcripts, which were the basis of an EST project from which many genes of monoterpenes biosynthesis, trafficking and secretion were identified 1xProbing essential oil biosynthesis and secretion by functional evaluation of expressed sequence tags from mint glandular trichomes. Lange, B.M. et al. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 2000; 97: 2934–2939CrossRef | PubMed | Scopus (204)See all References1.Fig. 1Scanning electron micrograph of a peppermint leaf (abaxial surface) showing peltate (P) and capitate (C) glandular trichomes and nonglandular trichomes (N). Micrograph by Glenn W. Turner, Washington State University, Pullman, WA, USA. Scale bar = 50 μm.View Large Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Grafische Funktionen in der Künstlichen Intelligenz

Grafik kann in wissensbasierten Systemen ebenso wie in anderen Programmen zur Visualierung von Ergebnissen der Verarbeitung eingesetzt werden. Die charakteristische, daruber hinausgehende Anforderung, die von der Kunstlichen Intelligenz (KI) an die grafische Datenverarbeitung gestellt wird, ist die visuelle Darstellung der Wissensbasis. Hierbei geht es nicht um Gegenstandliches wie im CAD-Bereich, auch nicht um quantitative Daten wie in der Prasentationsgrafik oder in der Geostatistik, sondern um die Darstellung von Strukturen der Wissensreprasentation, z. B. in Form von semantischen Netzen. Eine weitere neue Anforderung an die grafische Datenverarbeitung ergibt sich aus der Einbindung von Grafikfunktionen in Sprachen der Kunstliche Intelligenz, so z. B. in PROLOG (vgl. z. B. HUB85).
GIANNI CELATI'S VERSO LA FOCE: “An Intense Observation of the World”:

This paper discusses Verso la force (Towards the river mouth), a collection of four travel diaries, or “stories of observation,” which chronicle trips Gianni Celati took during the 1980s to explore...
Arguments against and alternatives for an extracellular surfactant layer in the alveoli of mammalian lung.

It is generally believed that lung alveoli contain an extracellular aqueous layer of surfactant material, which is allegedly required to prevent alveolar collapse at small lung volume; the surfactant's major constituent is a fully saturated phospholipid, referred to as dipalmitoyl lecithin or DPL. I herein demonstrate that the surfactant hypothesis of alveolar stability is fundamentally wrong. Although DPL is synthesized inside type II epithelial cells and stored in the typical inclusion bodies therein and lowers surface tension to zero in the surface balance, there is no evidence to the effect that type II cells secrete the DPL surfactant into the aqueous intra-alveolar layer which is shown by electron microscopy in support of the surfactant theory. To the contrary, all the evidence indicates that, when seen, such an extracellular layer is an artifact. This is probably produced upon the damage glutaraldehyde inflicts onto alveolar structures during fixation of airinflated lung tissue. Furthermore, several cogent arguments invalidate the belief that an extracellular layer of DPL and serum proteins is present in the alveoli of normal lung. In light of these arguments, a surface tension role of DPL in alveolar stability is excluded. Three hypotheses for an alternative role of DPL in respiration mechanics are proposed. They are: (a) alveolar clearance by viscolytic and surfactant action (bubble or foam formation) on the aqueous systems which are present in lung alveoli during edema and in prenatal life and which would otherwise be impervious to air; (b) homeostasis of blood palmitate in normal lung; (c) modulation of the elasticity of terminal lung tissue by the intact inclusion bodies and parts thereof inside type II cells in normal lung.
LOCAL INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT GROUPS: PERSPECTIVES AND PROFILES

Local industrial development groups (LIDGs) are often among the most visible organizations involved in community economic development. LIDGs annually spend billions of dollars directly or indirectly in various promotional and community improvement efforts. Yet relatively little is known about their organizational forms, their operating strategies, or their real impact on the economic development of communities. The study reported here was undertaken by researchers from three academic backgrounds in order to capture a rich, comprehensive view of this organizational type. In this paper, we discuss the research perspectives which informed our overall approach to the study, and subsequently, we present and discuss a preliminary profile of LIDGs, based on our recent national survey.
A diamond-shaped zipper-like DNA architecture containing triads sandwiched between mismatches and tetrads.

The present study reports on the solution structure of the guanine plus adenine rich d(A(2)G(2)T(4)A(2)G(2)) 12-mer sequence which forms a unique fold in moderate NaCl solution. Proton resonance assignments for this sequence, which contains a pair of AAGG repeats separated by a T(4) linker segment, were aided by site-specific (15)N-labeling of guanine and adenine bases, as well as site-specific incorporation of 2,6-diaminopurine and 8-bromoadenine for adenine, 8-bromoguanine, 7-deazaguanine and inosine for guanine, and uracil and 5-bromouracil for thymine. The solution structure, which was solved by a combined NMR and intensity-refined computational approach, consists of a diamond-shaped architecture formed through dimerization of a pair of d(A(2)G(2)T(4)A(2)G(2)) hairpins. This 2-fold symmetric structure contains a quadruplex core consisting of a pair of symmetry-related G(syn).G(syn).G(anti). G(anti) tetrads, where adjacent strands have both parallel and anti-parallel neighbors and connecting T(4) segments which form diagonal loops. Each of the G(syn).G(syn).G(anti).G(anti) tetrads forms a platform on which stacks a T(anti).[A(syn)-A(anti)] triad containing a novel A(syn)-A(anti) platform step and a reversed Hoogsteen A(syn).T(anti) pair. We observe both base-base and base-sugar stacking interactions, with the latter occuring at a sheared A-G step where the sugar of the A stacks on the purine plane of the G. Unexpectedly, the topology of this sheared A(anti)-G(syn) step has many similarities with the C(anti)-G(syn) step in left-handed Z-DNA. The T.(A-A) triad is sandwiched between the G-tetrad on one side and a reversed Hoogsteen A(anti).T(anti) pair on the other. This intercalative topology is facilitated by a zipper-like motif where the A(anti) residue of the triad is interdigitated within a stretched A(anti)-G(syn) step. Our structural study reports on new aspects of A-A platforms, base triads, zipper-like interdigitation and sheared base steps, together with base-base and base-sugar stacking defining a diamond-like architecture for the d(A(2)G(2)T(4)A(2)G(2)) sequence. One can anticipate that mixed guanine-adenine sequences will exhibit a rich diversity of polymorphic architectures that will provide unique topologies for recognition by both nucleic acids and proteins.
Suramin Inhibits the Development and Progression of Peritoneal Fibrosis

Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the most serious complications in patients with peritoneal dialysis (PD) and is associated with the loss of peritoneal membrane ultrafiltration function. In this study, we investigated whether suramin, an inhibitor that blocks multiple growth factors by binding to their receptors, would prevent development of peritoneal fibrosis in a rat model. Rats were given a daily intraperitoneal injection of chlorhexidine gluconate (CG) for 3 weeks to induce peritoneal fibrosis. Administration of suramin at 5, 10, and 20 mg/kg dose-dependently attenuated peritoneal membrane thickening and expression of collagen I, fibronectin, and α-smooth muscle actin. Increased expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and phosphorylation of Smad3 was detected in fibrotic peritoneum and inhibited by suramin treatment. Suramin was also effective in blocking CG-induced phosphorylation of inhibitor of κB (IκB) and nuclear factor (NF)-κBp65, expression of several inflammatory cytokines, and infiltration of macrophages in the peritoneum. Moreover, suramin suppressed angiogenesis and expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, a molecule associated with angiogenesis in the injured peritoneum. Therefore, our results indicate that suramin treatment can effectively alleviate the development of peritoneal fibrosis by suppression of TGF-β1 signaling, inflammation, and angiogenesis, and suggest that suramin may have therapeutic potential for prevention of peritoneal fibrosis in PD patients.
Significance of large‐scale circulation in magnetic storm characteristics with application to AE‐C neutral composition data

Theoretical analysis of a magnetic storm in February 1974 leads to the following conclusions: (1) Wind-induced diffusion leads to depletion of O and He and enhancements of Ar at high latitudes. (2) The same process increases O and He and decreases Ar at low latitudes. (3) There is substantial agreement between theory and neutral composition data from the AE-C closed source neutral mass spectrometer; the low-latitude enhancements of O and He, in magnitude comparable to or even larger than those of N2 and Ar, are observed, which is characteristic for the circulation mechanism. (4) To achieve agreement with the composition measurements, a heat input rate of 1.7 ergs/sq cm s is required above 120 km. (5) Changes in the neutral composition associated with the annual variations have significant effects on the magnetic storm dynamics.
Nonmonotonic alterations in the fluorescence anisotropy of polar head group labeled fluorophores during the lamellar to hexagonal phase transition of phospholipids.

The temperature dependence of the fluorescence anisotropy of polar head group labeled fluorophores (i.e., N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)dipalmitoyl-L- alpha-phosphatidylethanolamine or N-(lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl)dipalmitoyl-L-alpha-phosphatidylethanol- amine) incorporated into multiple phosphatidylethanolamine molecular species was parabolic, possessing minima (dr/dT = 0) that precisely correlated with the respective lamellar (L alpha) to hexagonal (HII) phase transition temperature of each species. The parabolic alterations in the thermotropic behavior of these fluorophores were due to increased motional constraints in the polar head group region during heating (dr/dT greater than 0), because significant alterations in the fluorescence lifetimes of these probes during the phase transition did not occur. The sensitivity inherent in identification of peak minima was exploited to determine the lamellar to hexagonal phase transition temperatures of several homogeneous molecular species of plasmenylethanolamine (e.g., the transition temperature of 1-O-(Z)-hexadec-1'-enyl-2-octadec-9'- enoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine was 28 degrees C). Experiments using ethanolamine glycerophospholipids containing either an ester or a vinyl ether linkage at the sn-1 position demonstrated that introduction of the vinyl ether constituent increased the propensity of these species to assume the hexagonal phase. Collectively, these results identify and substantiate a new technique for the characterization of the lamellar to hexagonal phase transition in phospholipids that requires only small amounts of phospholipids present in dilute membrane suspensions.
Urinary excretion of 5-methyltetrahydrofolate and liver S-adenosylmethionine levels of rats fed a vitamin B1 2-deficient diet

Abstract Uptake and urinary excretion of tritiated folic acid (pteroylglutamic acid) was studied in vitamin B 1 2 -deficient rats which received only 0.2% methionine in the protein supplement. Liver uptake was reduced to 33% compared to controls, the change being mainly in the polyglutamate fractions, while urinary excretion increased. Dietary methionine and ethionine (intraperitoneal) had the same effect as vitamin B 1 2 . 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate represented 65%, while 10-formyltetrahydrofolate plus 5-formyltetrahydrofolate represented 19% of the total urinary radioactivity. B 1 2 , methionine and/or ethionine normalized this to approx. 45 and 39%, respectively. Hepatic S -adenosylmethionine levels were approx. 33 nmoles/g wet tissue for the deficient group and returned to normal levels of approx. 60 nmoles/g with addition of vitamin B 1 2 (100 μg/kg diet) and/or methionine (15 g/kg diet). Perfusion of the deficient liver with 300 μmoles L -methionine for 1 h increased it to approx. 115 nmoles/g. The observed high urinary excretion of methyltetrahydrofolate and the correspondingly low folate uptake could mean that methyltetrahydrofolate is not efficient utilized in the synthesis of polyglutamates and is thus excreted when it accumulates. In addition, the S -adenosylmethionine levels indicate that feedback inhibition of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase by this active form of methionine works in vivo. All findings are consistent with the “methyl-block” hypothesis proposed to explain folate deficiency in a primary B 1 2 deprivation.
Homosexual demography: implications for the spread of AIDS.

Using both national surveys and surveys of self‐identified gay men in the United States, the numbers, age distribution, life expectancy, and marital status of men who have sex with men is examined. It is concluded that five types can be distinguished: open preferential, repressed preferential, bisexual, experimental, and situational. These five categories have different patterns of sexual behavior, and the numbers in each category are influenced by changing social conditions, in particular the growth of gay neighborhoods, and public tolerance. The typology is used to explain the low rate of reported HIV transmission from bisexual men to their female partners.
An Integrated Qualitative Analysis of Overarm Throwing

Abstract Summary The best qualitative analyses involve an understanding of the four tasks of qualitative analysis and an integrated use of all subdisciplines of physical education. The examples in this article illustrate how an integrated qualitative analysis is used to provide feedback in correcting errors and motivating performers. There are no perfect approaches to teaching or qualitatively analyzing motor skills. However, a structured approach to qualitative analysis that integrates the many subdisciplines of physical education will increase the consistency and effectiveness of teaching motor skills.
Role of taxanes in the combined modality treatment of patients with locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer.

The plant-derived taxanes have a unique mechanism of cytotoxic action and have shown interesting response and survival data in metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Based on these results, taxane-based regimens have been investigated in combination with radiotherapy in unresectable NSCLC. Trials with paclitaxel-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy have shown 50 - 100% tumour response rates, 12 - 26 month median survivals and 32 - 52% 2-year survival rates. Trials with concurrent chemoradiotherapy with docetaxel have shown 35 - 92% tumour response rates, 12 - 23 month median survivals, and 41 - 43% 2 year survival rates. Taxane-based concurrent chemoradiotherapy for stage III NSCLC appears promising. Large ongoing randomised trials will define the role of these agents in the treatment of locally advanced NSCLC.
A two-phagemid system for the creation of non-phage displayed antibody libraries approaching one trillion members.

Abstract We have designed a two-phagemid system for the construction of very large non-phage displayed Fab antibody libraries in E. coli approaching 1012 members. The system can accommodate both periplasmic and cytoplasmic Fab expression and should prove useful for the direct selection of functional antibodies by genetic techniques. We successfully alleviate problems of Fab vector instability and report a set of improved 5′ primers for the amplification of mouse Ig VH repertoires from mouse spleen. These primers have no more than one mismatch in the last 11 bases for >95% of mouse Ig VH genes and minimize the amount of N-terminal amino acid changes while maintaining the flexibility of periplasmic or cytoplasmic antibody expression in E. coli.
Anxiety disorders in women: does gender matter to treatment?

Women have a substantially higher risk of developing lifetime anxiety disorders compared with men. In addition, research evidence has generally observed an increased symptom severity, chronic course, and functional impairment in women with anxiety disorders in comparison to men. However, the reasons for the increased risk in developing an anxiety disorder in women are still unknown and have yet to be adequately investigated. Evidence from various studies has suggested that genetic factors and female reproductive hormones may play important roles in the expression of these gender differences. The significant differences in onset and course of illness observed in men and women diagnosed with anxiety disorders warrants investigations into the need of differential treatment; however, evidence of gender differences in treatment response to different anxiety disorders are varying and remain largely inconclusive. This article reviews the prevalence, epidemiology, and phenomenology of the major anxiety disorders in women, as well as the implications of such differences for treatment.
Pharmacokinetics of nafimidone in patients with chronic intractable epilepsy.

Nafimidone is a new antiepileptic drug which may be effective in partial onset seizures. We studied the pharmacokinetics of nafimidone and its metabolite, nafimidone alcohol, in 12 patients already taking phenytoin and/or carbamazepine. The half life of nafimidone was 1.34 ± 0.48 hours after a 100mg single dose and 1.69 ± 0.91 hours after a 300mg single dose. However, the half-life of nafimidone alcohol increased from 2.84 ± 0.72 hours after a 100mg single dose to 4.22 ± 1.09 hours after a 300mg single dose (p < 0.02). The clearance of nafimidone was 43.56 ± 22.11 L/h/kg after a 100mg single dose and 35.51 ± 28.93 L/h/kg after the 300mg single dose. The respective apparent volumes of distribution of nafimidone after single 100 and 300mg doses were 80.78 ± 46.11 L/kg and 71.01 ± 36.86 L/kg. After short term (9 to 10 weeks) and long term (127 to 152 weeks) maintenance therapy on nafimidone 600mg per day the half-life of nafimidone alcohol was 2.23 ± 0.36 hours and 2.16 ± 0.60 hours, respectively. No nafimidone could be detected in urine but from 4 to 7% of the daily nafimidone dose was recovered as nafimidone alcohol. Thus, it appears that over 90% of the administered dose of nafimidone is metabolised by pathways other than glucuronidation of nafimidone alcohol and urinary excretion.
Humoral Regulation of Hematopoietic Stem Cellsa

: During the last two decades, studies using primarily cell culture methods disclosed that a number of hematopoietic cytokines possess stimulatory effects on primitive hematopoietic progenitors. More recently, investigators in a number of laboratories, including ours, used murine transplantation models to characterize the cytokines regulating the hematopoietic stem cells. The results are in general agreement with the cytokine interactions defined in culture. The positive cytokines may be separated into two groups: one consisting of steel factor and flt3/flt2 ligand and the other consisting of interleukin (IL)-6, IL-11, IL12, leukemia inhibitory factor, granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) and thrombopoietin. Interactions of two cytokines belonging to different groups appear necessary to positively regulate the kinetics of stem cells. Surprisingly, IL-3 and IL-1 proved to have profound negative effects on hematopoietic stem cells. Studies of human hematopoietic stem cells are now necessary.
Mass splitting among meson octets

The bootstrap model of resonant pseudoscalar-meson scattering, proposed by Chan, DeCelles and Paton, is extended to discuss the dynamical breaking ofSU3 symmetry. The bootstrap hypothesis is invoked to provide a consistent dynamical theory in which to examine the symmetry breaking. We are, however, able to extract some results which are independent of the dynamics. In particular, we derive two mass formulae, one for an octet of scalar mesons, the other for an octet of vector mesons. These formulae are bilinear in the scalar or vector mass (squared) and the pseudoscalar-meson mass (squared). Finally, the independence of dynamical detail of these formulae prompts the conjecture that they are valid for meson octets with spin-parityJP=l(−1)l orl(−1)l+1.
Stenomylus (Stenomylus) taylori, sp. nov. (Stenomylinae, Camelidae), from the early Miocene (Hemingfordian) Blick Quarry in New Mexico

Stenomylus ( Stenomylus ) taylori is a new species of stenomyline camel from the early Hemingfordian (early Miocene) of New Mexico. The holotype, F:AM 50858, a palate with left and right P2 –M3, was collected from the Blick Quarry, which is in the Chamisa Mesa Member of the Zia Formation. Stenomylus ( Stenomylus ) taylori is a derived species diagnosed by greatly reduced premolars, length of P2 –P4 shorter than in any other species of Stenomylus ( Stenomylus ), less well-developed parastyles and metastyles on P4 –M2, M3 with weak parastyle and well-developed metastyle forming a heel, M3 extremely hypsodont with open roots, and anteroposteriorly short internal nares. Stenomylus ( Stenomylus ) taylori is the sixth named species in the genus Stenomylus and shows that the locus of stenomyline evolution apparently shifted southward during the early Miocene (late Arikareean or earliest Hemingfordian).