cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apoptotic pathways induced by ixabepilone in paclitaxel-refractory ovarian carcinoma cells

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 46, 2005 5318 Objectives: Ixabepilone, a novel epothilone B analog that is similar to paclitaxel in mechanism of action, is non-cross resistant with taxanes and superior in anti-tumor efficacy. In this study we compared pathways regulating apoptosis induced by ixabepilone and paclitaxel in two epithelial ovarian cancer cell lines (OC-2 and PAT-7), established from tumor specimens obtained from patients clinically refractory to platinum/paclitaxel. Methods: OC-2 and PAT-7 cells were treated for 1 hr with equimolar doses of ixabepilone or paclitaxel, washed and re-incubated in drug-free medium prior to analysis for apoptosis, caspase activity and survival. Apoptosis was evaluated by fluorescent microscopy following staining with Hoechst 33342 and propidium iodide. Caspase-2 and caspase 9 activity was determined by fluorometry using specific peptide substrates, VDVAD-AFC and LEHD-AFC, respectively. Survival was determined one week after treatment (∼ 2-3 cell population doublings in untreated control). Results: Apoptosis induced by ixabepilone at 24 h following treatment was dose dependent with optimal effects at 0.5 μ M for both OC-2 (39%) and PAT-7 (68%) cells. In PAT-7 cells activation of both caspase 2 and 9 was observed, albeit to different levels, following treatment with ixabepilone (7 to 10-fold) and paclitaxel (2 to 3-fold). In contrast, activation of caspase 2 and 9 by the two drugs differed in OC-2 cells; ixabepilone stimulated only caspase 2 activity (3-fold), whereas paclitaxel enhanced only caspase 9 activity (see [table][1]). Compared to paclitaxel, enhanced apoptosis induced by ixabepilone in both OC-2 and PAT-7 cells strongly correlated with decreased cell survival. Conclusions: These results suggest that unlike taxanes that mediate apoptosis primarily via caspase 9, ixabepilone induced apoptosis is mediated essentially by enhancement of caspase-2 activity. Thus activation of caspase 2 likely represents a novel pathway for ixabepilone induced apoptosis in these ovarian cancer cell lines from patients clinically refractory to paclitaxel. The correlation between apoptosis and survival suggest that apoptosis is a key mechanism of action of ixabepilone. ![Table][2] [1]: #T1 [2]: pending:yes
Dynamic modeling and optimal control of flexible robotic manipulators

A methodology for mathematical modeling and control of flexible robotic manipulators is presented. For the sake of simple exposition of the basic methology, a single-axis robot consisting of a flexible arm driven by a servomotor is considered. The complete dynamics of the robot is given in terms of a coupled system of ordinary and partial differential equations. A finite-dimensional model is also developed from this model using the technique of modal expansion. A control scheme is presented for optimal regulation of the flexible manipulator to achieve a desired angular rotation of the link while simultaneously suppressing structural vibrations. >
Interpreting MSHA Citations Through the Lens of Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems: Investigating Their Impact on Mine Injuries and Illnesses 2003–2010

Since the late 1980s, the U.S. Department of Labor has considered regulating a systems approach to occupational health and safety management. Recently, a health and safety management systems (HSMS) standard has returned to the regulatory agenda of both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA). Because a mandated standard has implications for both industry and regulating bodies alike, it is imperative to gain a greater understanding of the potential effects that an HSMS regulatory approach can have on establishment-level injuries and illnesses. Through the lens of MSHA's regulatory framework, we first explore how current enforcement activities align with HSMS elements. Using MSHA data for the years 2003-2010, we then analyze the relationship between various types of enforcement activities (e.g., total number of citations, total penalty amount, and HSMS-aligned citations) and mine reportable injuries. Our findings show that the reduction in mine reportable injuries predicted by increases in MSHA enforcement ranges from negligible to 18%. The results suggest that the type and focus of the enforcement activity may be more important for accident reduction than the total number of citations issued and the associated penalty amount.
Auto- and Crosscorrelations of Gamma-Ray Burst Time Series

Since gamma-ray burst spectra reflect the energy content and particle distributions within the source’s emitting region, spectral evolution is an important diagnostic of the physics of this region. Golenetskii et al. (1983) reported that the intensity and spectral hardness are correlated, while Norris et al. (1985) found a hard-to-soft trend. Subsequent studies revealed that both trends hold in general: the spectrum does indeed harden during intensity spikes, but there is a hard-to-soft trend during and between spikes (SIGNE—Kargatis et al. 1994; BATSE—Ford et al. 1995). Most of the earlier studies tracked the spectral evolution by fitting models to a sequence of spectra across a burst and comparing the time histories of the intensity and spectral hardness. However, spectra require sufficient counts to be fit well. Consequently, these studies frequently lacked the temporal resolution to characterize properly the spectral evolution.
A novel technique for concurrent on & off - board EMI analysis of mixed RF-digital circuits via hybrid scattering patterns

We propose a hybrid scattering parameter matrix for concurrent on & off board EMI analysis of mixed RF-digital circuits. To start with, we first consider on-board EMI effects on digital circuits, particularly on an inverter to show the vulnerability of digital devices to RF interference and investigate both system and device level upsets due to adjacent EMI sources on printed circuit boards (PCBs). Next, we review port analysis technique to show the applications of S-parameter matrix for on-board EMI/EMC analysis. Subsequently, we extent the port analysis method with hybrid S-parameters to account for external field coupling to RF-digital circuit boards. In this context, we introduce a novel method in the frequency domain to circumvent CPU bottlenecks associated with time domain methods and yields increased accuracy as compared to transmission line theory. To do so, we present additional hybrid S-parameters that establish a link between the existing board ports and external plane wave. Thus, we can handle both on-board and off-board EMI problems simultaneously. The new hybrid S-parameter matrix is easily integrated into circuit solvers such as HSPICE and advanced design system (ADS, Agilent Technologies) and also allows both time domain and harmonic balance simulations of non-linear RF-digital components via broad-band network characterization. The proposed method was validated with full wave solvers and implemented for susceptibility analysis of an inverter, residing inside a metallic box, subject to a strong plane wave.
Interpretando o gênero

Neste artigo a autora desconstroi significados dominantes de dois conceitos centrais da critica feminista: genero e mulher. Multo do feminismo posterior aos anos 1960 ancorou-se na distincao entre sexo e genero. Embora essa discussao tenha tido alguma utilidade (como a de permitir que as feministas desafiassem a ideia de um determinismo biologico), ela tambem permitiu que as feministas preservassem um tipo de pensamento dualista sobre a identidade da mulher e que analisassem a diferenca entre mulheres como algo que pudesse ser separado daquilo que todas as mulheres compartilham. A autora argumenta que o marco teorico binario possibilitou a muitas feministas enfatizar profundas diferencas entre as experiencias culturais dos homens e das mulheres. Porem, como o pensamento binario nao e completamente estatico nem permite uma perfeita articulacao entre experiencias masculinas e femininas e corpos masculinos e femininos, emprega-lo em nossas analises pode resultar em serios problemas. O marco binario tambem nao consegue captar o nivel de desvio das normas do genero que existe em muitas de nos, reforcando tanto estereotipos culturais em relacao ao significado das experiencias masculinas e femininas bem como atuando politicamente na supressao de maneiras de ser quer desafiamos dualismos do genero.
Comparison of Darcian flux calculations and seepage meter measurements in a sandy streambed in North Carolina, United States

[1] We compared two methods for estimating groundwater flux into a stream reach: seepage meters and Darcian flux calculations. Both methods were applied at the same 53 points on the streambed of a 62.5-m-long reach of West Bear Creek in the coastal plain of North Carolina. At each point, a seepage meter was used to measure groundwater flux, vmeter, and several minutes later the streambed hydraulic conductivity (K) and hydraulic head gradient (J) were measured. We compared the 53 paired point values of groundwater flux from each method (vmeter and vdarcy = KJ), the integrated volumetric groundwater flux to the stream reach from each method (Qdarcy and Qmeter), and the spatial distributions of vdarcy and vmeter on the streambed. Values of Qmeter (268 m3/d) and mean vmeter (0.66 m/d) were each about 0.70 × the corresponding Darcian flux quantities (Qdarcy = 375 m3/d and mean vdarcy = 0.92 m/d). Despite their differences, the two methods gave the same direction of groundwater flow (into the stream) at all 53 points, a result not found in all previous comparison studies and thus not to be taken for granted. Also, vdarcy and vmeter had similar spatial distributions on the streambed. The ratio vmeter/vdarcy = 0.70 is within the range of 0.3–7 from previous studies and is closer to 1 than in previous studies. The differences between the two methods are probably in part due to random measurement error and to the spatial scales for the Darcy and seepage meter measurements being of a slightly different size and offset several centimeters from each other on the heterogeneous streambed, but these effects are unlikely to produce the observed consistent bias. The mean bias between the methods (ratio of 0.70) may be related to gas bubbles in the streambed pore spaces (e.g., collection of gas bubbles in the seepage meters lowering vmeter and loss of gas from the streambed upon seepage meter removal or permeameter insertion increasing the subsequent vdarcy measurement).
From yeast to patient neurons and back again: Powerful new discovery platforms

No disease-modifying therapies are available for synucleinopathies, including Parkinson's disease (PD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB), and multiple systems atrophy (MSA). The lack of therapies has been impeded by a paucity of validated drug targets and problematic cell-based model systems. New approaches are therefore needed to identify genes and compounds that directly target the underlying cellular pathologies elicited by the pathological protein, α-synuclein (α-syn). This small, lipid-binding protein impinges on evolutionarily conserved processes such as vesicle trafficking and mitochondrial function. For decades, the genetically tractable, single-cell eukaryote, budding yeast, has been used to study nearly all aspects of cell biology. More recently, yeast has revealed key insights into the underlying cellular pathologies caused by α-syn. The robust cellular toxicity caused by α-syn expression facilitates unbiased high-throughput small-molecule screening. Critically, one must validate the discoveries made in yeast in disease-relevant neuronal models. Here, we describe two recent reports that together establish yeast-to-human discovery platforms for synucleinopathies. In this exemplar, genes and small molecules identified in yeast were validated in patient-derived neurons that present the same cellular phenotypes initially discovered in yeast. On validation, we returned to yeast, where unparalleled genetic approaches facilitated the elucidation of a small molecule's mode of action. This approach enabled the identification and neuronal validation of a previously unknown "druggable" node that interfaces with the underlying, precipitating pathologies caused by α-syn. Such platforms can provide sorely needed leads and fresh ideas for disease-modifying therapy for these devastating diseases.
Pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography of fungi: numerical characterization of species variation among members of the Aspergillus glaucus group.

Principles of numerical analysis were applied to the interpretation of pyrolysis-gas-liquid chromatography (PGLC) data for characterizing species variation among three strains each of four species of theAspergillus glaucus group. Similarity values for the strains were calculated by comparing the number of peaks in which two strains agreed or disagreed. These data indicate that numerical analyses of pyrochromatograms were closely correlated with conventional taxonomic placement of the taxa with the exception of several intergrading or interbridging forms. Thus, a fundamental unity of these strains can be discerned at the chemical level by PGLC analysis. This unity stems from the similar chemical composition of these organisms, and deviation from this basic composition imparts to these strains their uniqueness and thus permits their delineation into distinct entities or “pyrotypes” based on the peak pattern of the pyrochromatograms.
Estrone Sulfate: A Clinical Study

ANUMBER of effective natural estrogens and synthetic estrogen-like compounds are being used at the present time for conditions requiring estrogenic therapy. However, the search has continued for an orally effective natural estrogen to allay the inconvenience of the parenteral administration of natural estrogens and the undesirable side reactions of the synthetic estrogen-like compounds, as diethylstilbestrol. This is of especial importance in conditions such as the menopause, which require protracted therapy. Recently a number of investigators (1–4) described the use in menopausal women of a new naturally occurring and orally effective conjugated estrogen which is prepared from the urine of pregnant mares. This water-soluble estrogenic product is a complex of estrogens in which sodium estrone sulfate predominates. When assayed in rats, 1.25 mg. of conjugated estrogens equine, expressed in terms of sodium estrone sulfate, yields 600 Collip oral day units of activity (3). When assayed in monkeys, 1.25 mg. i...
Computational Studies of the Arabinofuranose Ring: Conformational Preferences of Fully Relaxed Methyl α-d-arabinofuranoside

Two approaches for identifying the minimum energy conformers of methyl α-d-arabinofuranoside 1, in the gas phase have been explored and compared. In the first approach (the constrained envelope met...
Pituitary-Gonad Relationships in Weight Selected Lines Differing in Sexual Maturity

Abstract IT has been established that there is an interaction between the secretions of the gonad and the anterior pituitary. The gonadotropic content of the anterior pituitary of pullets at various levels of egg production has been studied in several laboratories (Phillips, 1942; Nakajo and Imai, 1957). Genetic differences in the concentration of gonadotropins in the anterior pituitary have been shown by Van Krey and Siegel (1968) whereas Nalbandov and Card (1942) and Munro et al. (1947) demonstrated genetic differences in response to secretions of the anterior pituitary. Further, a genetic difference in weight responses of the testes of chicks to purified FSH but not to LH was found by Siegel and Siegel (1961). Age at sexual maturity is influenced by the secretion of gonadotropins. Stocks which differ in age at sexual maturity might be expected to differ in gonadotropin secretion, target organ response or both. Siegel (1962) has developed lines . . .
De-fense! De-fense! De-fense: scavenging H2O2 while making cholesterol.

It has been long appreciated that abnormal glucose, lipid, and bone metabolism, as well as atherosclerosis and neuronal degeneration, are common accompaniments of old age—often present as co-morbidities in the same individual. However, it is only recently that shared molecular pathogenetic mechanisms related to aging per se have been implicated in the development of these conditions. This forward stride is largely due to significant advances in our understanding of the biology of aging, genetic discoveries in animal models and humans, the demonstration of a similar function of the same genes in different organs, and better grasp of integrative physiology and pathophysiology.
Blocking LINGO-1 as a therapy to promote CNS repair: from concept to the clinic.

LINGO-1 is a leucine-rich repeat and Ig domain-containing, Nogo receptor interacting protein, selectively expressed in the CNS on both oligodendrocytes and neurons. Its expression is developmentally regulated, and is upregulated in CNS diseases and injury. In animal models, LINGO-1 expression is upregulated in rat spinal cord injury, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, 6-hydroxydopamine neurotoxic lesions and glaucoma models. In humans, LINGO-1 expression is increased in oligodendrocyte progenitor cells from demyelinated white matter of multiple sclerosis post-mortem samples, and in dopaminergic neurons from Parkinson’s disease brains. LINGO-1 negatively regulates oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination, neuronal survival and axonal regeneration by activating ras homolog gene family member A (RhoA) and inhibiting protein kinase B (Akt) phosphorylation signalling pathways. Across diverse animal CNS disease models, targeted LINGO-1 inhibition promotes neuron and oligodendrocyte survival, axon regeneration, oligodendrocyte differentiation, remyelination and functional recovery. The targeted inhibition of LINGO-1 function presents a novel therapeutic approach for the treatment of CNS diseases.
Numerical and analytical study of transverse supersonic flow over a flat cone

Quasisteady supersonic flow over a flat cone on a plane surface is studied. A formula is derived for the angle through which the flow lines turn at the cone. The results are used to justify the use of two-dimensional simulations of the flow. Peak pressures and total impulses are obtained numerically for various cone angles.
Embryonic Response to Iodine-131

Abstract IODINE-131 with a half life of 8.05 days; has at least 4 beta emissions varying; from 0.08 to 0.72 mev. Eighty percent of each emission is composed of a 0.61 mev beta and a 0.37 mev gamma emission. Iodine concentrates in the thyroid, where, if radioactive, it can irradiate this tssue. This specificity enables small amounts of I131 to produce serious damage to the thyroid. As little as 6 mc. I131 per 100 gm. of body weight injected into chicks was shown to completely destroy their thyroids (Winchester et al., 1949; Winchester and Davis, 1952). Normal growth rates were restored by injection of 1 to 12 gamma of thyroxine per 100 gm. of body weight. Mellen and Wentworth (1962) pretreated their birds with a low-iodine diet and thiouracil to reduce the I131 necessary for thyroid destruction to 1.5 mc. per 100 gm. A series of experiments was conducted to determine …
Nucleic acid and protein structures and interactions in viruses investigated by laser Raman spectroscopy

Abstract Raman spectroscopy may be profitably exploited to determine details of protein and nucleic acid structures and their mutual interactions in viruses and gene regulatory complexes. Present applications use data obtained from model nucleic acid crystals, fibers and solutions to reveal preferred backbone and nucleoside conformations for different morphological states of DNA and RNA in plant (TMV, BDMV) and bacterial viruses (P22, Pfl, Xf, Pf3, fd, Ifl, IKe). Interpretation of the results is enhanced by deconvolution methods which, in favorable cases, permit quantitative conclusions regarding macromolecular structures. Both equilibrium and dynamic Raman applications are described.
Psychophysical scaling of stimulus similarity in 3-month-old infants and adults

Abstract The ability of 3-month-old infants to discriminate novel components of a prefamiliarized stimulus was assessed using an operant paradigm. Subjects were familiarized with the standard stimulus (five-component mobile) in three daily conditioning sessions and then were exposed to a comparison mobile containing from zero to four novel components substituted for familiar elements at the outset of a fourth daily session. Although a reliable reduction in mean number of footkicks was found only when an extreme number of components was substituted, log-log plots of infant response as a function of degree of novelty indicated that discriminability was described by a power function. Adult judgments of the similarity between the standard mobile and each degree of novelty were also described by a power function, suggesting a common basis may underlie the perception of similarity in the two groups. The finding of a power function for infant response to visual novelty is consistent with reports of similar discriminability functions in infant olfaction and audition. However, duration of visual fixation increased nondifferentially to all test stimuli, irrespective of degree of novelty. The latter finding is inconsistent with predictions arising from the visual attention literature.
Space–time variations of the TOPEX/POSEIDON-derived heat storage anomaly over the Kuroshio upstream regions

I processed 9.6 years of TOPEX/POSEIDON (T/P) altimeter data and computed the time series of heat storage (HS) anomaly over the Kuroshio upstream regions. Coherence between the heat storage anomaly and the wind stress curl is significant (>0.8) at the annual component over the studied area. Using wavelet analysis, the semiannual component has significantly westward propagating signals at 19 and 27°N. The annual component is significantly strong at 11 and 27°N while westward-propagating signals can be found at the North Equatorial Current regions. The peaks of the annual components of heat storage anomalies occur in summer and the peaks of the annual components of wind stress curl exit in winter. However, generally, the wind stress curl lows are 1 month ahead of the peaks of heat storage anomalies at 1-year component.
Drug-induced immune dysregulation as a cause of atypical cutaneous lymphoid infiltrates : a hypothesis

The authors encountered 22 patients in whom a skin biopsy showed atypical lymphoid hyperplasia and in whom a subsequent drug history showed indigestion of one or more agents before lesional onset. In 13 patients, the biopsy had been performed to rule out a diagnosis of malignant lymphoma, whereas the other nine the clinical impression was that of a drug eruption. Among the more frequently prescribed agents were calcium-channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors, antidepressants, antihistamines, beta-blockers, benzodiazepines and lipid-lowering agents, all of which are either known to perturb lymphocyte function or have been implicated as a cause of pseudolymphomata. Twelve of the patients were on two or more of these drugs. The effect of drug modulation on the clinical course was assessed. The clinical presentations were as one or more erythematous plaques or multiple infiltrative papules, or as solitary nodules. The patient had been on one or more of the aforementioned drugs from 2 weeks to 5 years before developing the lesions. Resolution of the eruptions occurred in 17 patients within 1 to 32 weeks (mean, 7 weeks) of discontinuing the medication. Five additional patients had complete excision of solitary lesions without recurrence. A history of atopy, autoimmune disease, or previous carcinoma was elicited in five patients. All biopsy specimens showed atypical lymphoid infiltrates, which assumed one or more of the following patterns: mycosis fungoides (MF)-like, a lymphomatoid vascular reaction, lymphocytoma cutis and follicular mucinosis. Based on the histopathology of the biopsied lesions and the clinical course being one of lesional resolution after cessation of drug therapy or excision of a solitary lesion without subsequent recurrence, a diagnosis of drug-associated lymphomatoid hypersensitivity was established in all specimens. A diagnosis of drug-associated pseudolymphoma should be excluded before a diagnosis of cutaneous lymphoma is rendered, and should be considered if the patient is on a drug known to alter lymphocyte function, particularly in the setting of systemic immune dysregulation or multidrug therapy where agent may act synergistically or cumulatively to alter lymphoid function. The authors postulate that the drug may promote an aberrant immune response to an antigen that may be the drug itself or some other stimulus. A skin biopsy may be particularly helpful, as the lesions of drug-associated pseudolymphoma have a morphology distinctive from malignant lymphoma.
Flow patterns in carbon black filled polyethylene at the entrance to a die

Abstract Flow patterns in the entrance region of dies with various entrance geometry configurations have been investigated for low density polyethylene filled with carbon black. The experiments were carried out using samples with titanium dioxide markers in the barrel of an Instron capillary rheometer using dies with varying entrance geometries. The material in the barrel was cooled under pressure, removed and longitudinally sectioned. Samples with 0–5 volume percent carbon black exhibited in 180° entrance angle dies corner vortices typical of low density polyethylenes. At higher volume loadings, no vortices were observed. All longitudinal sections of these systems showed streamline motion directed towards the die entrance. This was found to be the case for blacks of varying particle size and different die entrance geometries. Purging experiments using initially white (CaCO 3 or TiO 2 ) filled regions at the die entrance revealed only very small stagnant regions in the corners of 180° entrance angle dies, 270° diverging entrance angle dies were also shown to exhibit small stagnant regions in the diverging parts of the die.
Two distinct transfer enzymes from rabbit reticulocytes with ribosome dependent guanosine triphosphate phosphohydrolase activity.

Abstract Evidence is presented that indicates two reactions that each lead to the ribosome dependent hydrolysis of GTP by two physically distinct transfer enzymes from rabbit reticulocytes. One is dependent on aminoacyl-tRNA and the binding enzyme. The other is associated with TF-II activity and does not require aminoacyl-tRNA. The two enzymes differ in other enzymatic and physical properties.
Identification of 1,1′-Bi(4-anilino)naphthalene-5,5′-disulfonic Acid Binding Sequences in α-Crystallin

Abstract The hydrophobic binding sites in α-crystallin were evaluated using fluorescent probes 1,1′-bi(4-anilino)naphthalenesulfonic acid (bis-ANS), 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate (ANS), and 1-azidonaphthalene 5-sulfonate (1,5-AZNS). The photolysis of bis-ANS-α-crystallin complex resulted in incorporation of the probe to both αA- and αB-subunits. Prior binding of denatured alcohol dehydrogenase to α-crystallin significantly decreased the photoincorporation of bis-ANS to α-crystallin. Localization of bis-ANS incorporated into αA-crystallin resulted in the identification of residues QSLFR and HFSPEDLTVK as the fluorophore binding regions. In αB-crystallin, sequences DRFSVNLNVK and VLGDVIEVHGK were found to be the bis-ANS binding regions. Of the bis-ANS binding sequences, HFSPEDLTVK of αA-crystallin and DRFSVNLNVK and VLGDVIEVHGK of αB-crystallin were earlier identified as part of the sequences involved in their interaction with target proteins during the molecular chaperone-like action. The hydrophobic probe, 1,5-AZNS, also interacted with both subunits of α-crystallin. Localization of 1,5-AZNS binding site in αB-crystallin lead to the identification of HFSPEEK sequence as the interacting site in this subunit of α-crystallin. Glycated α-crystallin displayed decreased ANS fluorescence and loss of chaperone-like function, suggesting the involvement of glycation site as well as ANS binding site in chaperone-like activity display.
Imitators of Severe Pre-eclampsia

There are many obstetric, medial, and surgical disorders that share many of the clinical and laboratory findings of patients with severe pre-eclampsia–eclampsia. Imitators of severe pre-eclampsia–eclampsia are life-threatening emergencies that can develop during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. These conditions are associated with high maternal and perinatal mortalities and morbidities, and survivors may face long-term sequelae. The pathophysiologic abnormalities in many of these disorders include vasospasm, platelet activation or destruction, microvascular thrombosis, endothelial cell dysfunction, and reduced tissue perfusion. Some of these disorders include acute fatty liver of pregnancy, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, hemolytic uremic syndrome, acute exacerbation of systemic lupus erythematosus, and disseminated herpes simplex and sepsis syndromes. Differential diagnosis may be difficult due to the overlap of several clinical and laboratory findings of these syndrome. It is important that the clinician make the accurate diagnosis when possible because the management and complications from these syndromes may be different. Because of the rarity of these conditions during pregnancy and postpartum, the available literature includes only case reports and case series describing these syndromes. This review focuses on diagnosis, management, and counseling of women who develop these syndromes based on results of recent studies and my own clinical experience.
A multivariate analogue of the one-sided test

In this paper we consider the following problem. Given a multivariate normal population with known variance matrix, what test is appropriate to determine whether the means are slipped to the right? In the case when the population is univariate normal, this problem can be solved by the ordinary one-sided test using either the normal or the t-distribution functions. It is the purpose of this paper to develop what may be termed a multivariate analogue of the one-sided test of significance.
High-resolution map of the dc electric field in second-harmonic-generating glass

Irradiating a glass sample with intense light at both the fundamental frequency ω and its second harmonic 2ω can rearrange charges in the glass and so produce a strong, semipermanent dc electric field inside the sample. This spatially periodic dc field transforms the glass into a phase-matched frequency doubler. We demonstrate a new technique for mapping the spatial distribution of this dc electric field with high resolution, and we show that the underlying charge distribution is well approximated by the derivative of a Gaussian.
Nuclear excitation in muonic 209Bi

Abstract The hyperfine spectra of muonic L and K X-rays of 209Bi have been reanalyzed by taking into account the resonance processes and the observed isomer shifts in addition to the M1 and the E2 interaction. The M1 and E2 hyperfine structure constants of the 1s, 2p and 3d muonic states and the nuclear static moments of the excited states 15 2 + and 9 2 + are determined from the best fits to the experimental spectra. The hfs constants and the M1 moments are in good agreement with theoretical predictions from the core excitation model. The quadrupole moment of the ground state remains to be 20% higher than that determined by the atomic beam method. A plausible interpretation is that this discrepancy might be due to the deformation of the lead core.
Tin-based reactive solders for ceramic/metal joints

Contact angle measurements on silicon-nitride substrates were conducted on tin-based alloys, containing titanium and zirconium, to determine the suitability of these alloys as filler metals for low-temperature joining of ceramics. Titanium-containing alloys exhibited excellent wettability characterized by contact angles less than 20 deg, whereas the Zr-containing alloys exhibited contact angles around 50 deg. The superior wettability of the Sn−Ti alloys is attributed to the higher activity coefficient of Ti in Sn−Ti alloys. The liquidus temperature of the Sn−Ti alloys is in the 400°C to 600°C range. Hence, these alloys are expected to reduce the residual stress problem.
DO WOMEN FARE BETTER IN FEMALE-OWNED BUSINESSES?

Numerous studies have chronicled the problems women experience in seeking to be hired and subsequently break through the glass ceiling in corporate America. These studies have been approached from the traditional perspective of male-dominated organizations. However, using a human resource management (HRM) framework, this article explores the possibility of further extending to female-owned businesses Kanter's homosocial reproduction thesis that increased numbers of women in positions of management would increase hiring and advancement of women in corporate America. Results show that, at each step in the HRM process, female business owners in this study fulfill expectations by hiring, promoting and retaining significantly more women than male business owner counterparts. In addition, there were significant differences between minority and non-minority female business owners in the proportion of co-racial managers. Moreover, Whites and Blacks showed a significant preference for co-racial managers, while Hispanics and Asians did not.
PROTEIN-PROTEIN INTERACTIONS AMONG COMPONENTS OF THE DROSOPHILA PRIMARY SEX DETERMINATION SIGNAL

Sex determination inDrosophila melanogaster is initiated in the early embryo by a signal provided by three types of genes: (1)X-linked numerator elements [e.g.,sisterless-a (sis-a) andsisterless-b (sis-b)], (2) autosomally linked denominator elements [e.g.,deadpan (dpn)], and (3) maternal factors [e.g.,daughterless (da)]. This signal acts to stimulate transcription from an embryo-specific promoter of the master regulatory geneSex-lethal (Sxl) in embryos that have twoX chromosomes (females), while it fails to activateSxl in those with only oneX (males). It has been previously proposed that competitive dimerizations among the components of this signal might provide the molecular basis for this sex specificity. Here, we use the yeast two-hybrid system to demonstrate specific protein-protein interactions among the above-mentioned factors, and to delimit their interacting domains. These results support and extend the model of the molecular basis of theX/A ratio signal.
Genetic-program-based data mining for hybrid decision-theoretic algorithms and theories

A genetic program (GP) based data mining (DM) procedure has been developed that automatically creates decision theoretic algorithms. A GP is an algorithm that uses the theory of evolution to automatically evolve other computer programs or mathematical expressions. The output of the GP is a computer program or mathematical expression that is optimal in the sense that it maximizes a fitness function. The decision theoretic algorithms created by the DM algorithm are typically designed for making real-time decisions about the behavior of systems. The database that is mined by the DM typically consists of many scenarios characterized by sensor output and labeled by experts as to the status of the scenario. The DM procedure will call a GP as a data mining function. The GP incorporates the database and expert’s rules into its fitness function to evolve an optimal decision theoretic algorithm. A decision theoretic algorithm created through this process will be discussed as well as validation efforts showing the utility of the decision theoretic algorithm created by the DM process. GP based data mining to determine equations related to scientific theories and automatic simplification methods based on computer algebra will also be discussed.
Strategies in identifying people with chronic fatigue syndrome

Chronic Fatigue Syndrome is an illness that is characterized by debilitating fatigue. Few non-treatment-based epidemiological studies have been conducted in assessing rates of this disorder. Problems in conducting non-community-based prevalence studies are discussed. In addition, pilot data showing strategies to reach people afflicted with CFS are presented. It is argued that community-based epidemiological efforts are needed in order to estimate prevalence rates of this disorder.
Engagement/disengagement and adolescent intellectual development

Previous research has examined the relationship between facilitative and impeding trait complexes and intellect and learning/retention of domain knowledge in young adults and middle-aged adults. In this presentation, the results from a longitudinal study of high-school students (9th–12th grades) are reviewed. Assessments of cognitive abilities were made in the 9th grade; domain knowledge assessments (science, humanities) in the 12th grade. Affective traits, conative traits, and self-concept/self-estimates of ability were assessed each year. General and specific engagement measures indicated relatively high levels of year-to-year stability across the 4 yearly assessments. Ninth-grade measures of facilitative trait complexes were associated with engagement (e.g., TIE, nAch) and impeding trait complexes were associated with disengagement (e.g., Extroversion), as reflected in academic grades and individual differences in domain knowledge. Trait complex composites provided incremental predictive validity for domain knowledge; beyond the variance accounted for by a composite measure of general intellectual ability.
Dip and kink structures in hadron-nucleus and hadron-hadron diffraction dissociation

Using the idea in the geometrical model that $\ensuremath{\Omega}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\Omega}}$ is approximately the "source" distribution for the outgoing particle in diffraction dissociation, we calculate differential cross sections for such dissociation in $\ensuremath{\pi}A$ and $\mathrm{pp}$ collisions and show that there are dips which agree generally in positions with the observed kink structures in several such experiments. The computation of the dip position contains no adjustable parameters, justifying the picture that the dip and kink structures are geometrical in origin.
Insight into residues critical for antithrombin function from analysis of an expanded database of sequences that includes frog, turtle, and ostrich antithrombins.

INRODUCTION. Sequence comparison between homologous proteins from different species is a powerful means of discerning the importance of particular regions or residues in their structure and function, but one that depends on the database of sequences being large enough and diverse enough. Given the importance of antithrombin as an inhibitor of blood coagulation proteinases and as a mediator of antiangiogenic activity we sought to expand the available database by determining the sequences of three antithrombins from diverse families that were either unrepresented or poorly represented in the database of known sequences. We determined antithrombin sequences from frog, turtle, and ostrich, and analyzed conservation of antithrombin, to gain insight into the roles of its particular residues and regions. METHOD. Total RNA was isolated from frozen livers and the initial PCR was performed on oligo(dT)-tailed primed cDNAs. The primers used for the initial PCR were degenerate and designed based on the available antithrombin sequences. Amplified fragments were cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO vector (Invitrogen) and multiple clones were tested for the presence of an insert of the correct size by PCR. The inserts were sequenced in both directions, and gene-specific primers were designed based on the obtained sequences. These primers were used for reading 3’ and 5’ ends of antithrombin cDNA using 3’RACE and 5’RACE kits (Gibco BRL). All amplification products of correct size were cloned into pCR2.1-TOPO, and DNA from colonies containing inserts of correct size were sequenced in both directions. Complete sequences were assembled using Sequencher 2.0.6 software, and the alignment was carried out using ClustalW[1]. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION. Whereas mature human antithrombin is 432 residues long, mature ostrich and turtle antithrombins are each 436 residues long and frog antithrombin is 439 residues long. Overall, human antithrombin shares 72 and 71% identity, respectively, with ostrich and turtle antithrombin. This corresponds to about 120 differences between human and ostrich or turtle antithrombin. Frog antithrombin bears even less identity to human antithrombin, with around 140 amino acids in frog that are substituted by different amino acids in human antithrombin. The addition of three novel antithrombin sequences represent a doubling of the number of sequences that are less than 80% identical to human antithrombin, and decreasing the average identity score from 44 to 39%. This corresponds to 170 amino acids that are intolerant to
Sex Offending and Sexual Appetite: The Clinical and Theoretical Relevance of Hypersexual Desire

Disinhibited sexual desire, clinically manifested as hypersexual desire disorders, can be operationally defined by considering three behavioral domains associated with sexual motivation or appetitive behavior: (a) sexual preoccupation (time/day consumed by fantasies, urges, and activities), (b) the repetitive frequency of enacted sexual behavior (total sexual outlet/week), and (c) adverse consequences associated with repetitive sexual behavior: Data are presented suggesting that clinical samples of males with paraphilias, paraphilia-related disorders, and sexual coercion may be associated with disinhibited sexual appetite. These conditions need to be addressed by an integrated combination of psychotherapeutic and psychopharmacologic interventions that specifically target disinhibited sexual appetitive behaviors, their antecedents, and consequences. Although combination therapies (empirically based specific psychotherapies in conjunction with psychopharmacological treatments) have demonstrated superior efficacy in many Axis I psychiatric disorders, such combination therapies to reduce paraphilias, paraphilia-related disorders, and adult sexual coercion are currently underutilized in both North and South America and Europe.
Efficiency of spatial price discovery for U.S. rice under different farm policies and economic conditions

Abstract Changes in the discovery of U.S. spatial milled rice prices due to the shift from stable economic conditions and government policy of supply control in the 1960s to the more variable economic conditions and market-oriented rice farm policy of the 1970s are investigated. Efficiency of the markets was evaluated in terms of the magnitude and speed of price adjustments over three different time periods. The efficiency of the price discovery process is of concern to policymakers because firms must receive price signals quickly and accurately in order to use their resources optimally.
Scaleup factors of tubular emulsion polymerization reactors

This paper examines the important dimensionless numbers that control emulsion polymerization in a tubular reactor. It was found that the activation energy of polymerization was of major importance, while the role of monomer diffusion was not very significant. By selecting certain combinations of the dimensionless numbers, changes occurring during scaleup from a small tubular diameter to a larger diameter can be approximated.
Transition between tonic spiking and bursting in a neuron model via the blue-sky catastrophe.

We study a continuous and reversible transition between periodic tonic spiking and bursting activities in a neuron model. It is described as the blue-sky catastrophe, which is a homoclinic bifurcation of a saddle-node periodic orbit of codimension one. This transition constitutes a biophysically plausible mechanism for the regulation of burst duration that increases with no bound like $1/\sqrt{\ensuremath{\alpha}\ensuremath{-}{\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}}$ as the transition value ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{0}$ is approached.
Hypercholesterolemia and triglyceride secretion rates in monkeys fed different dietary fats

The influence of hypercholesterolemia on the triglyceride secretion rate was studied in both squirrel and cebus monkeys fed coconut oil, corn oil, or safflower oil. The triglyceride secretion rate (TGSR) was determined in vivo following the administration of Triton WR1339, which blocks the clearance of very low density lipoprotein (VLDL). Thus, the increase observed in circulating triglyceride after Triton administration presumably reflects hepatic triglyceride (VLDL) secretion in the fasted state. The VLDL-TGSR was lowest in hypercholesterolemic monkeys and highest in those fed unsaturated fat diets and having a low serum cholesterol. In all instances, TGSR was inversely correlated with the plasma cholesterol concentration. While a definitive explanation for these observations must await further investigation, the possibility that circulating low density lipoprotein (LDL) acts to feed back on VLDL secretion is discussed. The decreased TGSR associated with the diet-induced cholesterolemia also implies clearance of VLDL is impaired under these conditions.
Toxicity of Antimycin to Fish

ANTIMYOIN is an antifungal antibiotic of unusual chemical structure1 which is toxic to a variety of living forms including yeasts and other fungi, insects and mammals, but not bacteria2. The work recorded here was concerned with its effect on fish.
1239 DISATURATED PHOSPHATIDYLCHOLINE AND PRENATAL PREDICTION OF PULMONARY MATURITY

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) in premature infants is associated with a deficiency of pulmonary surfactant. Disaturated phosphatidylcholine (DSPC) is the major phospholipid component of surfactant. We have utilized the osmium tetroxide (0s04)technique described by Mason et al. (J. Lipid Res. 17:282, 1976) to isolate DSPC from amniotic fluid. The DSPC fraction is quantitated on thin layer chromatography by spectrodensitometry. The L/S ratio and DSPC concentration were determined for 100 consecutive uncontaminated amniotic fluid samples. Both correlated with gestational age (p < .01) and with each other (γ=0.70, p < .01). Using the L/S ratios and DSPC concentrations from 60 uncontaminated samples obtained within 72 hours of delivery enabled us to predict pulmonary maturity; however, the table below demonstrates that DSPC predicts RDS more accurately than does the L/S ratio: DSPC also provides: 1)specificity for pulmonary lecithin, circumventing spurious results due to non-pulmonary lecithins, including blood and meconium contamination and 2)ready adaptability to pre-existing instrumentation for determining the L/S ratio with no added expense. Supported by a grant from the C.H. Hood Foundation.