cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GLYCINE IN THE NUTRITION OF EXCISED TOMATO ROOTS

Five years ago it was unequivocally demonstrated for the first time that an isolated plant organ, the root, could be grown in culture for potentially unlimited periods of time (8). An environmental complex capable of supporting normal growth for such periods was outlined which included only one factor recognized as being of unknown constitution. That factor was an extract of dried brewers' yeast representing 1/10,000 of the total mass of the nutrient. Since this one unknown made interpretations of any experiments utilizing the complex of uncertain validity, much effort has been expended since then aiming at the elimination of this factor. Analysis showed the effective material to be soluble in 85 per cent, alcohol, insoluble in ether, and separable by extraction with 100 per cent, alcohol into two fractions both of which were essential for normal growth (10). The fraction insoluble in 100 per cent, alcohol was shown to be replaceable by a mixture of 9 amino acids (11). This demonstration was obtained before the nature of the 100 per cent, alcohol soluble material, now known to be thiamin or its precursors, was known (1, 4,12). A nutrient containing thiamin and amino acids was still inferior to the original yeast extract medium. It was shown to be improved by addition of a complex mixture of accessory salts. Analysis of the accessory salt mixture showed most of the ingredients to be either inert or detrimental, and by elimination of all but four (iodine, manganese, zinc, and boron), the nutrient was improved to the point where growth equal to that in a yeast extract medium could be obtained (13). A completely known nutrient for the maintenance of normal growth of excised tomato roots was thus made available.
Nuclear factor of activated T-cell c3 inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin signaling through induction of regulated in development and DNA damage response 1 in human intestinal cells

The nuclear factor of activated T-cell (NFAT) proteins are a family of transcription factors (NFATc1-c4) involved in the regulation of cell differentiation. We identified REDD1, a negative regulator of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) through the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC1/2 complex), as a new molecular target of NFATc3. We show that treatment with a combination of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) plus ionophore A23187 (Io), which induces NFAT activation, increased REDD1 mRNA and protein expression and inhibited mTOR signaling; pretreatment with the calcineurin inhibitor cyclosporin A (CsA), an antagonist of NFAT signaling, decreased REDD1 induction and mTOR inhibition. Knockdown of NFATc3, not NFATc1, NFATc2, or NFATc4, attenuated PMA/Io-induced REDD1 expression. Treatment with PMA/Io increased REDD1 promoter activity and increased NFATc3 binding to the REDD1 promoter. Overexpression of NFATc3 increased REDD1 mRNA and protein expression and increased PMA/Io-mediated REDD1 promoter activity. Treatment with PMA/Io increased expression of the goblet cell differentiation marker MUC2; these changes were attenuated by pretreatment with CsA or knockdown of REDD1 or NFATc3. Overexpression of NFATc3 increased, while knockdown of TSC2 decreased, MUC2 expression. We provide evidence showing NFATc3 inhibits mTOR via induction of REDD1. Our results suggest a role for the NFATc3/REDD1/TSC2 axis in the regulation of intestinal cell differentiation.
Studies of rat antibodies specific for myelin basic protein (MBP). Antibody-dependent cell-mediated lysis of MBP-sensitized targets in vitro.

Abstract Rats immunized with rat myelin basic protein (MBP) in an encephalitogenic regimen produce antibodies which cooperate with spleen cells from unimmunized rats in the specific lysis of MBP-sensitized chicken erythrocytes (MBP-CRBC) in vitro. Antibodies against MBP capable of participating in antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) were detected in serum 9 days post immunazation, and prior to the onset of experimental allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE). Measurements based on a sensitive radioimmunoassay technique had previously established that anti-MBP activity emerges by day 9, early enough to participate in events leading up to EAE. The ADCC assay was designed to further characterize functions of immunoglobulins associated with the humoral response to MBP, with emphasis on the cytophilic properties of early antibodies. The assay described was found to be nearly as sensitive as the RIA and could detect specific syngeneic rat anti-MBP at concentrations of about 0.03 pmoles/ml serum. Whether ADCC-type reactions take place in the central nervous system during acute EAE is not known; however, the presence of early cytophilic antibody in serum suggests that humoral immunity may play an ancillary role to that demonstrated for T-cell immunity in EAE.
The Chromatin Remodeler Mi-2β Is Required for CD4 Expression and T Cell Development

Changes in chromatin structure underlie the activation or silencing of genes during development. The chromatin remodeler Mi-2beta is highly expressed in thymocytes and is presumed to be a transcriptional repressor because of its presence in the nucleosome remodeling deacetylase (NuRD) complex. Using conditional inactivation, we show that Mi-2beta is required at several steps during T cell development: for differentiation of beta selected immature thymocytes, for developmental expression of CD4, and for cell divisions in mature T cells. We further show that Mi-2beta plays a direct role in promoting CD4 gene expression. Mi-2beta associates with the CD4 enhancer as well as the E box binding protein HEB and the histone acetyltransferase (HAT) p300, enabling their recruitment to the CD4 enhancer and causing histone H3-hyperacetylation to this regulatory region. These findings provide important insights into the regulation of CD4 expression during T cell development and define a role for Mi-2beta in gene activation.
Encapsulated polypyrrole actuators

Abstract Conducting polymer-based actuators undergo volumetric changes as they are oxidized or reduced, from which mechanical work can be obtained. Polypyrrole [Q. Pei, O. Inganas, Advanced Materials 4 (1992) 277; Q. Pei, O. Inganas, Journal of Physical Chemistry 96 (1992) 10508; E. Smela, O. Inganas, Q. Pei, I. Lundstrom, Advanced Materials 5 (1993) 630; E. Smela, O. Inganas, I. Lundstrom, Science 268 (1995) 1735; J.D. Madden, S.R. Lafontaine, I.W. Hunter, Proceedings – Micro Machine and Human Science 95, Nagoya, Japan, October 1995] and polyaniline-based actuators have attracted recent interest because of the high forces per cross-sectional area (stress) and relatively large strains generated at low activation voltages; however, with the notable exception of some bilayers, the operation of these actuators has largely been constrained to bulk liquid environments. Operation out of solution is clearly desirable for many potential applications. Linear actuators that contract in length like muscle fibers fully exploit the high forces produced by conducting polymers. Results presented here demonstrate the operation in air of polypyrrole linear actuators. These actuators are capable of generating stresses exceeding those of mammalian skeletal muscle.
Role of composition and microstructure in the abrasive wear of high-alumina ceramics

Investigations into the tribological behavior of polycrystalline alumina ceramics often treat the materials as monolithic alumina materials. But in fact, high-alumina ceramics are available in a wide range of compositions, both in terms of alumina content and grain-boundary chemistry, and this variation in composition can have an important influence on the wear behavior of the material. In this study, the effect of composition and microstructure on the two-body abrasive wear behavior of a series of high-alumina ceramics containing between 85 and 99.997% alumina is examined. Results indicate that in order to optimize abrasive wear resistance, the alumina grain size should be small, regardless of the alumina content. In addition, if second phases are present at the boundaries, they should be amorphous, with a composition high in alkaline earth constituents to reduce their softening point. Comparisons of the wear behavior of the polycrystalline aluminas with a single crystal sapphire under identical test conditions indicate that the presence of grain boundaries enhances the wear resistance of alumina regardless of alumina content, so long as the matrix grain size remains small.
Mutations in the Exocyst Component Sec5 Disrupt Neuronal Membrane Traffic, but Neurotransmitter Release Persists

The exocyst (Sec6/8) complex is necessary for secretion in yeast and has been postulated to establish polarity by directing vesicle fusion to specific sites along the plasma membrane. The complex may also function in the nervous system, but its precise role is unknown. We have investigated exocyst function in Drosophila with mutations in one member of the complex, sec5. Null alleles die as growth-arrested larvae, whose neuromuscular junctions fail to expand. In culture, neurite outgrowth fails in sec5 mutants once maternal Sec5 is exhausted. Using a trafficking assay, we found impairments in the membrane addition of newly synthesized proteins. In contrast, synaptic vesicle fusion was not impaired. Thus, Sec5 differentiates between two forms of vesicle trafficking: trafficking for cell growth and membrane protein insertion depend on sec5, whereas transmitter secretion does not. In this regard, sec5 differs from the homologs of other yeast exocytosis genes that are required for both neuronal trafficking pathways.
Potential role of the adventitia in arteritis and atherosclerosis.

Abstract The role of the adventitia in vascular lesion formation has been largely ignored despite numerous studies which have suggested its potential importance. Adventitial reactions are common in atherosclerosis as well as arteritis. Experimental hypercholesterolemia in pigs and non-human primates stimulates the accumulation of inflammatory cells in the arterial adventitia. The extent of adventitial inflammation associated with human atherosclerotic plaques is correlated with the severity of intimai disease. Adventitial reactions also occur after balloon angioplasty. Our studies indicate that the major site of cell proliferation after angioplasty of porcine coronary arteries is the adventitia and not the medial wall. These cells have been identified as myofibroblasts on the basis of differential staining with smooth muscle specific antibodies and a role for these cells in arterial remodeling associated with angioplasty and late lumen loss is postulated. Evidence from pulse studies with bromodeoxyuridine suggests that adventitial myofibroblasts have the capacity to migrate into the forming intimai lesion after angioplasty and may be a major component of the neointima. Additional work will have to be directed at a more detailed examination of the response of adventitial cells to balloon injury and in the setting of atherosclerosis and arteritis to determine what role these cells might play vascular lesion development.
Phenomenological and structural study of a low-temperature phase transition in the PbZrO3PbTiO3 system

The Landau-Ginsburg-Devonshire phenomenological theory has been applied to the PbZrO/sub 3/-PbTiO/sub 3/ crystalline solid solution system to explore the behavior of the rhombohedral-tetragonal morphotropic phase boundary in the region below room temperature. The theory suggests that morphotropy is preserved, i.e., that the phase boundary occurs at nearly the same composition right down to 0/sup 0/K. The rhombohedral (3Rm)-rhombohedral (R3c) phase transition was investigated for a composition PbZr/sub 0/ /sub 6/Ti/sub 0/ /sub 4/O/sub 3/ using neutron diffraction. Structures in both phases were refined by the Rietveld profile fitting technique. The transition behavior in this composition was indicative of a diffuse-type phase transition, with a transition temperature somewhere between 250 and 300/sup 0/K. The diffuse nature of this transition is perhaps due to short-range ordering of Zr and Ti. However, powder neutron diffraction is not ideal for determining critical behavior; therefore, it is difficult to make a quantitative conclusion in this respect. Values of the spontaneous polarization were obtained from the (Zr/Ti) shifts, and compared to those deduced from phenomenological theory.
Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich: Supreme Commander of the Russian Army

Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich: Supreme Commander of the Russian Army, by Paul Robinson, DeKalb, Northern Illinois University Press, 2014, vii + 435 pp., US$44.95 (hbk), ISBN 978-0-875-80482-8Paul Robinson has written a very useful, informative, and readable book in his account of the life of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, uncle of Nicholas II, the last tsar of Russia. The strength of this book is the research, which uses the Grand Duke's personal correspondence and the memoirs of people close to him at court or in family matters to give the fullest depiction so far of the man. There are two weaknesses to this work. The first is that the author seems to have grown fond of his subject and consistently portrays him in a favourable light. To be fair, the author must be credited with defending the Grand Duke against unwarranted criticism that has thus far been based on suspect sources. In several instances he corrects longstanding misrepresentations that have taken root in the field, such as the notion that Nikolai Nikolaevich had a reactionary attitude toward change in the army and the claim that the Grand Duke conspired with the Army High Command in plotting a coup against Nicholas II in late 1916. The second weakness is that the author does not offer the insight or interpretive analysis of the life of Nikolai Nikolaevich that his material warrants. The author chose not to use the life of the Grand Duke to illustrate the major issues of the time, but places him and his experiences in a narrow context without analysis. Unfortunately, Robinson missed the opportunity to use the biography of such a prominent insider to add more to our understanding of how and why the tsarist regime collapsed.The Grand Duke's life was centred on his service in the military. That Nikolai Nikolaevich rose to become the Supreme Commander of Russia's field forces at the start of World War I based on birth rather than merit is obvious, but not acknowledged by the author. Those who study Imperial Russian military history will be disappointed that the author does not use the Grand Duke's career or this particularly significant appointment to address the issue of "grand duke-ism" and its effect on the professionalization of the Imperial Army.The main contribution of this book, besides being the sole work in English to comprehensively chronicle the life of Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich, is the treatment of his role as Supreme Commander of the Imperial Army during World War I from August 1914 through August 1915 and the inner workings of the Army High Command (Stavka) at the front. …
Aging exacerbates extrapyramidal motor signs in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

The phenotype of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in the developed world has changed with the broad institution of highly active antiretroviral theray (HAART) and with aging of the HIV+ population. Extrapyramidal motor signs were a prominent feature of HAND as defined in the early stages of the epidemic but has not been reevaluated in the era of HAART. Moreover, the contribution of aging to extrapyramidal motor signs in the context of HIV remains undefined. We examined these questions among the 229 HIV+ participants in the Hawaii Aging with HIV Cohort compared to age-, gender-, and ethnicity-matched HIV-negative controls. Extrapyramidal motor signs were quantified using the motor exam of the Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRSmotor) and compared to concurrent neuropsychological and clinical cognitive diagnostic categorization. The mean UPDRSmotor score increased with older age (1.68 versus 3.35; P <.001) and with HIV status (1.18 versus 3.56; P <.001). Age group (P =.024), HIV status (P <.001), and the interaction between age and HIV (P =.026) were significantly associated with UPDRSmotor score. Among HIV+ patients, the mean UPDRSmotor score increased with worsening cognitive diagnostic category (P <.001) where it was 2.06 (2.31) in normal cognition (n = 110), 3.21 (3.48) in minor cognitive motor disorder (MCMD) (n = 84), and 5.72 (5.01) in HIV-associated dementia (HAD) (n = 37). We conclude that extrapyramidal motor signs are increased in HIV in the era of HAART and that the impact of HIV on extrapyramidal motor signs is exacerbated by aging. These results highlight the importance of a careful neurological examination in the evaluation of HIV patients.
Conformation of poly(isoprene‐gstyrene) in dilute solution

A detailed description of the synthesis of a model poly(isoprene-g-styrene) is given. From light scattering measurements the real radius of gyration of the polyisoprene is backbone is found to be smaller than that of the polystyrene branches. The core-and-shell conformation of graft copolymers in dilute solution in good solvents, which was proposed for poly(styrene-g-isoprene), is supported by these results.
Tracheal Surgery: Posterior Splinting Tracheoplasty for Tracheomalacia

Adult acquired tracheomalacia is an uncommon disorder that is more frequently diagnosed by CT imaging than by presenting associated symptoms. Common symptoms include dyspnea, constant coughing, inability to raise secretions and recurrent respiratory infections. The basic evaluation includes an inspiratory-expiratory chest CT (Dynamic CT), an awake functional bronchoscopy and pulmonary function studies. Patients with significant associated symptoms and severe collapse on CT and bronchoscopy are offered an operation. Tracheoplasty (or more commonly tracheobronchoplasty) is performed via a high right thorocotomy. The posterior airway is exposed after the azygous vein is ligated. The posterior wall of the trachea is reefed to a sheet of acellular dermis (or polypropylene mesh) with a series of 4 mattress sutures of 4-0 sutures from the thoracic inlet to the bottom of the trachea to re-shape the trachea and restore the normal D shape. Similar techniques are performed if the main bronchi are involved. Patients report generally good results with relief of their symptoms. Functional capacity is improved while pulmonary function tests usually are not.
Genomics Traces Carcinogen Fingerprints

Genome-wide sequencing highlights the distinctive pattern of mutations caused by a plant that contains a potent carcinogen.
The next (snake) oil boom and birth of the new species—Lupus Geophysicus A note of fatherly advice to geophysics students everywhere

In this second age of the robber barons we are seeing the already penny-wise and pound-foolish attitude of oil industry management carried to new heights of—not stupidity, because there is cold calculating intent involved; not insanity, because the logic is impeccable if perverse— the only appropriate descriptor I can find is illness; a pervasive, debilitating disease borne of greed and manifested by a ubiquitous shortsightedness that is unfortunately terminal for the world many of us knew.
A procedural evaluation of an analytic-deliberative process: the Columbia River Comprehensive Impact Assessment.

The U.S. Department of Energy's Columbia River Comprehensive Impact Assessment (CRCIA) was an ambitious attempt to direct its cleanup of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation toward the most significant risks to the Columbia River resulting from past plutonium production. DOE's approach was uncommonly open, including tribal, regulatory agency, and other Hanford interest group representatives on the board that was to develop the assessment approach. The CRCIA process had attributes of the "analytic-deliberative" process for risk assessment recommended by the National Research Council. Nevertheless, differences between the DOE and other participants over what was meant by the term "comprehensive" in the group's charge, coupled with differing perceptions of the likely effectiveness of remediation efforts in reducing risks, were never resolved. The CRCIA effort became increasingly fragmented and the role its products were to play in influencing future clean-up decisions increasingly ambiguous. A procedural evaluation of the CRCIA process, based on Thomas Webler's procedural normative model of public participation, reveals numerous instances in which theoretical-normative discourse disconnects occurred. These had negative implications for both the basic procedural dimensions of Webler's model-fairness and competence. Tribal and other interest group representatives lacked the technical resources necessary to make or challenge what philosopher Jurgens Habermas terms cognitive validity claims, while DOE and its contractors did not challenge normative claims made by tribal representatives. The results are cautionary for implementation of the analytic-deliberative process. They highlight the importance of bringing rigor to the evaluation of the quality of the deliberation component of risk characterization via the analytic-deliberative process, as well as to the analytic component.
A single-fluid model for shock formation in MHD shock tubes

A simple single-fluid model is presented which accounts for the behaviour of MHD shock producing devices in which the shock and the driving current sheet are unseparated. By means of both characteristic and similarity solutions, it is shown that unusual plasma behaviour is a simple consequence of the fluid equations of motion. The important parameters in determining the performance of MilD shock tubes are the width of the current sheet at breakdown (related to the magnetic Reynolds number) and the current sheet Mach number with respect to the gas at rest. It is shown that, under many conditions, separation is more likely to be achieved with a decrease , rather than an increase , in current sheet speed. Lowering the Mach number is more influential in causing the shock to form at the front of the current sheet than raising the magnetic Reynolds number.
Analysis of the cbhE' plasmid gene from acute disease-causing isolates of Coxiella burnetii.

Abstract A gene termed cbhE' was cloned from the QpH 1 plasmid of Coxiella burnetii . Expression of recombinants containing cbhE' in vitro and in Escherichia coli maxicells, produced an insert-encoded polypeptide of approx. 42 kDa. The CbhE protein was not cleaved when intact maxicells were treated with trypsin. Hybridizations of total DNA isolated from the six strains of C. burnetii indicate that this gene is unique to C. burnetii strains associated with acute disease i.e., Hamilton[I], Vacca[II], and Rasche[III]. The cbhE' gene was not detected in strains associated with chronic disease (Biotzere[IV] and Corazon[V]) or the Dod[VI] strain. The cbhE' open reading frame (ORF) is 1022 bp in length and is preceded by a predicted promoter/Shine-Dalgarno (SD) region of TCAACT (−35)-N 16 -TAAAAT (−10) -N 14 -AGAAGGA (SD) located 10 nucleotides (nt) before the presumed AUG start codon. The ORF ends with a single UAA stop codon and has no apparent Rho-factor-independent terminator following it. The cbhE' gene codes for the CbhE protein of 341 amino acid (aa) residues with a deduced M r of 39442. CbhE is predominantly hydrophilic with a predicted pI of 4.43. The function of CbhE is unknown. No nt or aa sequences with homology to cbhE' or CbhE, respectively, were found in searches of a number of data bases.
Conformation of paired helical filaments blocks dephosphorylation of epitopes shared with fetal tau except Ser199/202 and Ser202/Thr205

To determine if the high phosphate content of paired helical filaments (PHFs) in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a result of limited access to filament phosphorylation sites, we studied in vitro dephosphorylation of intact PHFs, PHFs with filamentous structure abolished by formic acid treatment (PHF(FA)) and fetal human tau protein. Samples were treated with alkaline phosphatase for up to 24 h at 37 degrees C and then immunoblotted with eight well characterized tau antibodies, that recognize two phosphorylation-insensitive sites and six phosphorylation-sensitive epitopes at Thr181, Ser199/202, Ser202/Thr205, Thr231, Ser262/356 and Ser396/404. Intact PHFs were effectively dephosphorylated only at the two N-terminal epitopes Ser199/202 and Ser202/Thr205, with little change in electrophoretic mobility. In contrast, PHF(FA) were dephosphorylated at all epitopes, with particular effectiveness at those in the C-terminus and with significant increase in electrophoretic mobility. The fetal tau epitopes were effectively dephosphorylated except at Thr181 and Thr231 with marked increase in mobility. The extent of dephosphorylation of PHF(FA) was equal or more effective than in fetal tau, except for Thr181 that was minimally dephosphorylated in both proteins. The results indicate that intact PHFs, but not PHF(FA) or fetal tau display differential dephosphorylation of the N- and C-terminal epitopes. The results confirm that the filamentous conformation may significantly contribute to hyperphosphorylation of PHFs in the C-terminus. The filamentous conformation, however, does not limit access to two N-terminal epitopes Ser199/202 and Ser202/Thr205. The access to these sites in AD may be limited by other factors, e.g., inhibition of phosphatase binding.
Perspectives on In Vivo Testing of Biomaterials, Prostheses, and Artificial Organs

The goal of in vivo testing of a medical device is to determine the safety or biocompatibility of the device in a biological environment. Biocompatibility is the ability of a medical device to perform with an appropriate host response in a specific application. Biocompatibility assessment is considered to be a measure of the magnitude and duration of adverse alterations in homeostatic mechanisms that determine the host response. Perspectives are provided on the role of injury, tissue responses to medical devices, and blood responses to medical devices. The concept of the normal foreign body reaction is presented. The potential importance of the macrophage, an important component of the foreign body reaction, in controlling the biocompatibility in the in vivo environment is discussed.
Modeling of Leakage in Liquid Surfactant Membrane Systems

Abstract The stability of double emulsions or liquid surfactant membranes, an important topic in liquid membrane extraction processes, was investigated. The percentage of liquid membrane leakage which reflects the stability of the liquid surfactant membranes was measured as a function of time using sodium hydroitide as a tracer. Water-in-oil emulsions were prepared with SOLTROL 220, an isoparaffinic solvent, and solvent extracted neutral oils—S100N and S500N. A stochastic model for droplet formation under the conditions of isotropic turbulence was developed. It assumes the presence of complete randomness in the process of emulsification. The mean growth rate obtained from this model is in excellent agreement with microdroplet formation data from the literature. A model for leakage of internal reagent into the bulk phase for liquid membrane systems was derived from the droplet formation model, assuming macrodroplet breakup to be the main mechanism responsible for microdroplet release. The internal reagent ...
Complete groin lymphadenectomy with preservation of the fascia lata in the treatment of vulvar carcinoma.

Abstract Objective. The goal of this study was to assess the local groin recurrence of vulvar carcinoma in patients treated by complete groin node dissection with preservation of the fascia lata (GNDPFL). Methods. This study is a retrospective chart review of 60 patients with Stage I–IV vulvar carcinoma who underwent radical vulvectomy and GNDPFL between 1990 and 1998. All superficial inguinal nodes and the deep femoral nodes on the anterior and medial surfaces of the femoral vein within the fossa ovalis were removed en bloc while sparing the fascia lata and the cribriform fascia over the femoral artery. Results. Of the 60 study patients, 14 patients had Stage I disease, 20 Stage II, 21 Stage III, and 5 Stage IV. The mean number of nodes removed was 10 per groin. Thirty-nine patients had benign nodes on groin dissection. None of these 39 patients developed cancer recurrence in the dissected groins. Twenty-one of the sixty study patients (34%) had malignant nodes on groin dissection. Of these 21 patients, 2 experienced cancer recurrence in the groins. Our study describes a groin recurrence rate of 7.6% in patients with fewer than three malignant unilateral groin nodes. Postoperatively, 13% of patients developed lymphedema and 15% formed lymphoceles. Conclusions. The zero groin recurrence rate in patients with negative nodes and the low rate of recurrence in patients with positive nodes indicate that groin lymphadenectomy with preservation of fascia lata is complete, therapeutic, and comparable to radical techniques of lymphadenectomy involving skeletonization of femoral vessels, resection of fascia lata, and muscle transposition.
Collagen sponge: Theory and practice of medical applications

Theoretical as well as practical-clinical applications of one form of collagen (collagen sponge) as a biodegradable material is reviewed. The role of porosity of the sponge and surface characteristics of the meshwork in relation to cell ingrowth are considered essential features of collagen sponge. Rate of resorption and antigenicity could be controlled by graded crosslinking of collagenous framework. Four basic examples of clinical use of collagen sponge are presented: as wound (burn) dressing material, as a matrix, for bone and cartilage repair, as an intravaginal contraceptive diaphragm, and as surgical tampons.
Committing embryonic stem cells to differentiate into thyrocyte-like cells in vitro

The derivation of thyrocyte-like cells in culture is of importance in the basic study of early thyroid embryogenesis and the generation of an unlimited clinical source of thyrocytes for genetic manipulation and cell transplantation. We have established an experimental system, which shows that 6-d-old embryoid bodies (EBs) differentiated from mouse embryonic stem (ES) cells expressed a set of genes traditionally associated with thyroid cells. The genes analyzed included the thyroid transcription factor PAX8, the Na(+)/I(-) symporter, thyroperoxidase, thyroglobulin, and the TSH receptor (TSHR). Immunofluorescent analysis demonstrated the presence of TSHR-positive cells as outgrowths from 8-d-old EBs cultured on chamber slides. Accordingly, this area of cells also expressed PAX8 and another thyroid transcription factor TTF2. Of importance, TSH, the main regulator of the thyroid gland, was necessary to maintain the expression of PAX8 and TSHR genes during EB differentiation. Furthermore, thyroid-specific function, such as cAMP generation by TSH, was maintained in this model. Together, these results suggested that the developmental program associated with thyrocyte development is recapitulated in the ES/EB model system. The differentiation of mouse ES cells into thyrocyte-like cells provides a powerful model for the study of thyrocyte developmental diseases associated with this lineage and contributes to the development of thyroid hormone-secreting cell lines.
Discovery of asteroid 1976 AA

Asteroid 1976 AA was discovered as a result of a continuing systematic search for planet-crossing asteroids. It is the first asteroid to be thoroughly investigated by means of photometry and radiometry on its discovery apparition. It is also the first asteroid found with a semimajor axis and period less than that of the Earth and the first Earth-crossing asteroid which does not cross the orbit of either Mars or Venus. We estimate that there might be several tens of objects to absolute magnitude 18, which are exclusively Earth crossing. Some of these objects might be exceptionally easy to reach by spacecraft.
World Sheet Instantons and the {Peccei-Quinn} Symmetry

Abstract It is shown that world-sheets violate the Peccie-Quinn symmetries associated with some of the axions that arise in superstring compactification. In the case of unbroken low-energy supersymmetry, the Peccie-Quinn violating operators that arise are D terms of dimension six. One remaining axion is unaffected.
Treatment-Resistant Depressed Youth Show a Higher Response Rate if Treatment Ends During Summer School Break

Objective There is little work on the effect of school on response to treatment of depression, with available research suggesting that children and adolescents with school difficulties are less likely to respond to fluoxetine compared with those with no school difficulties. Method Depressed adolescents in the Treatment of Resistant Depression in Adolescents study, who had not responded to a previous adequate selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) trial, were randomly assigned to one of the following: another SSRI, venlafaxine, another SSRI + cognitive behavior therapy (CBT), or venlafaxine + CBT. Participants were classified into four groups depending on whether their enrollment in the study and end of treatment was during school or summer vacation. Results Controlling for baseline differences, adolescents ending their 12-week treatment during summer vacation had odds 1.7 times (95% confidence interval=1.02-2.8, p = .04) greater to have an adequate response as those ending their treatment while being in school. In addition, adequate depression response was associated with fewer school problems at week 12 (scores p Conclusion School problems are relevant to treatment response in depressed adolescents and should be incorporated into the treatment plan. These findings also suggest that the time of the year might need to be taken into consideration for analysis of clinical trials in school-aged youth. Clinical trial registration information—Treatment of SSRI-Resistant Depression in Adolescents (TORDIA); http://www.clinicaltrials.gov; NCT00018902.
"Repulsion of Energy Levels" in Complex Atomic Spectra

It is shown that "repulsion of energy levels" of the same symmetry type occurs in complex atomic spectra. Thus, for the elements Hf, Ta, W, Re, Os, and Ir, for which the spin-dependent forces are relatively strong, the spacings between neighboring odd-parity levels of the same $J$ value follow the Wigner distribution (approximately). For the elements Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni, for which the spin-dependent forces are relatively weak, a similar distribution is obtained for the odd-parity levels having fixed values for $S$, $L$, and $J$. (When the quantum numbers $S$ and $L$ are disregarded, the same levels give rise to a distribution of spacings which is approximated by a random superposition of a number of appropriately weighted Wigner distributions.) For the elements Y, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Rh, and Pd, for which the spin-dependent forces are of intermediate strength, the empirical distribution of spacings between the odd levels of the same $J$ value has a character which is intermediate between the Wigner and exponential distributions. All of these observations are explained in terms of a statistical model for the Hamiltonian matrix in the $S$, $L$, $J$, $\ensuremath{\pi}$ representation. Quantitative results are obtained for a relatively simple form of the model which depends on only two parameters, viz., the dimensionality $N$ and the ratio $\ensuremath{\mu}$ of the dispersions of the normal distributions for the off-diagonal and diagonal matrix elements. The transition from the exponential to the Wigner distribution occurs, roughly speaking, in the range of $N{\ensuremath{\mu}}^{2}$ from 0 to 1. The results of this work suggest that an empirical study of the distribution of the spacing between the energy levels of a complex quantum system may be capable of pointing to the existence of constants of the motion beyond those which are already known.
Energy Loss Mechanisms of Superconductors Used in Alternating-Current Power Transmission Systems

The intrinsic hysteretic loss of superconductors carrying alternating current has been derived from simple models and verified experimentally. In practical cable designs the losses are increased by surface roughness, conductor configuration, and added metallic components. When possible applications by electric utility companies are being considered, such losses are only one of many factors that must be adjusted in an optimization that produces the lowest cost(including both capital and operating expenses) during the lifetime of the system.
Antibiotics for Bull Semen Frozen in Milk and Egg Yolk Extenders

Abstract In six experiments, gentamicin, clindamycin, amikacin, minocin, tylosin, and Linco-Spectin ® were tested for their effect on motility and fertility of frozen bull spermatozoa and all but clindamycin were used in fertility trials. Antibiotics were added to raw (unextended) semen and nonglycerol portions of the three commonly used semen extenders, whole milk, egg yolk-Tris, and egg yolk-citrate. Semen was frozen in .5-ml straws, stored in liquid nitrogen, and thawed at 37°C for 30s. Postthaw percentage of motile spermatozoa in antibiotic-treated semen was different for individual bulls in each experiment. Percentage of motile sperm was slightly but significantly depressed at the higher concentrations of clindamycin and Linco-Spectin ® tested in whole milk and with minocin in the two egg yolk extenders. In general, nonspermicidal concentrations of each antibiotic were established. Of five antibiotics tested for fertility, only gentamicin reduced fertility on the basis of 59-d nonreturn rates.
MONAD: a flexible architecture for multi-agent control

Research in multi-agent systems has led to the development of many multi-agent control architectures. However, we believe that there is currently no known optimal structure for multi-agent control since the effectiveness of any particular architecture varies depending on the domain of the problem. Therefore, deployment of multi-agent teams would be significantly sped up by a development and deployment environment which would allow designers to easily modify the architecture. In this paper, we present a flexible team-oriented programming and execution architecture, MONAD, which integrates hierarchical behavior-based control, multi-agent coordination mechanisms, and agent-task allocation services. MONAD uses a novel scripting language that allows designers to easily modify the team structure, behavior hierarchy, applicability conditions, and arbitration methods, in pursuit of the best solution for a particular problem. We have evaluated the MONAD architecture within a well-accepted adversarial game environment, GameBots, to enable qualitative comparison of different control techniques. In this environment, we were able to rapidly design and test several teams of agents who used role, preference, or a combination of role and preference arbitration and observed that these different teams varied in their performance characteristics.
Surgical management of corneal ulceration and perforation

Corneal ulceration leading to perforation can occur secondary to a number of conditions, including infection, trauma, corneal dryness, and exposure keratitis. Because the ocular morbidity of corneal perforations is high, prompt diagnosis and treatment is critical. When persistent corneal ulceration does not respond to medical treatment, including antibiotics, therapeutic soft contact lenses, or tarsorrhaphy, surgical intervention is indicated. In this review, the evaluation of patients with recalcitrant ulceration or perforation is summarized, and indications and techniques for surgical treatment (epithelial transplantation, conjunctival flaps, lamellar and penetrating keratoplasty, tissue adhesives, periosteal grafts) are described.
Microfabricated biocapsules for cell xenografts : A review

Immune rejection rapidly destroys cellular transplants, particularly xenografts. Encapsulation of xenografts with an artificial membrane has been proposed as a means of cell immunoprotection after transplantation. Currently, organic biocapsule materials are used in this context, and have presented significant problems that relate to capsule biodegradation and limited biocompatibility. In this review, we describe our alternative approach to immunoisolation using microfabricated biocapsules. Previous studies have shown the viability and functionality of various cell lines within our biocapsule microfabricated environment. This review describes general cell culture wafer and biocapsule fabrication protocols, as well as, in vitro studies on the viability and functionality of pancreatic islets of Langerhans in microfabricated culture wafers and biocapsules.
Static follower problem revisited

Using an energy technique, the classical solution for the static formulation of the tangential follower problem is reproduced considering the more general case of a column with variable stiffness. The method of solution allows for a more delicate analysis of the phenomena associated with this problem. It is shown that the classical problem is, in a sense, overdetermined. The problem is then reformulated to permit the existence of critical loads for the static case.
Movement of herbicides under two irrigation regimes applied to turfgrass

Abstract Our objective was to investigate the movement of the dimethylamine salt of (2,4-dichlorophenoxy) acetic acid (2,4-D), dicamba, and 2-(2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxy) propionic acid (MCPP), when applied to Kentucky bluegrass turf under both infrequent and frequent irrigation regimes. The turfgrass was established on 50-cm length and 20-cm diameter undisturbed soil columns of Nicollet (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic-Aquic Hapludolls) with intact macropores. The infrequent irrigation regime consisted of four 2.54-cm applications, and the frequent regime consisted of 16 0.64-cm applications. On average, the amounts of 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP recovered from the soil columns, and in the leachate, under the infrequent irrigation regime were 3.0, 22.4, and 1.1%, respectively. The average amounts of 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP recovered from soil columns, and in the leachate, under the frequent irrigation regime were 3.2, 6.3, and 2.3%, respectively. Average values of 1.9, 21.8, and 0.7% of the applied 2,4-D, dicamba, and MCPP, respectively, were measured in the leachate from the soil columns under infrequent irrigation, in contrast to 0.1, 3.4, and 0.2%, respectively, from the soil columns under frequent irrigation. We concluded that the frequency of irrigation can have an impact on the movement of these herbicides through soil profiles.
Contact lens considerations for patients infected with HIV.

BACKGROUND As an eye care practitioner, one must be aware of the many sequelae of HIV disease and its impact on contact lens patients. With the progressing development of anti-HIV medications, patients infected with HIV are living longer and more productive lives. Thus a greater number of patients infected with HIV may be candidates for contact lens wear. PURPOSE The eye care practitioner will play an important role in caring for patients infected with HIV who wear contact lenses. Theoretically, contact lens wear in patients infected with HIV could potentially increase their risk of corneal infection particularly from opportunistic pathogens in immuno-compromised patents. METHODS This article reviews the common anterior segment HIV-related complications that can impact on the ability to wear contact lenses. These complications include: keratoconjunctivitis sicca, herpes simplex, herpes zoster, microsporidial keratoconjunctivitis, molluscum contagiosum, bacterial keratitis, conjunctival microvasculopathy, and Kaposi's sarcoma. "In-office infection control" concerns will be reviewed, along with proper care and disinfection of contact lenses for patients infected with HIV.
Calretinin-immunoreactive neurons are resistant to β-amyloid toxicity in vitro

Abstract The molecular pathways by which β-amyloid protein (Aβ) induced neurotoxicity in vitro are unknown. We report that cultured hippocampal neurons exhibiting immunoreactivity for the calcium binding protein calretinin are relatively resistant to degeneration resulting from exposure to either β25–35 or β1–42. These findings suggest that intrinsic characteristics of calretinin cells, possibly including enhanced calcium buffering capacity, underlie the resistance of these cells to Aβ toxicity in vitro and perhaps similar insults in Alzheimer's disease.
Kant's Theory of the Self

Arthur Melnick: Kant's Theory of the Self. Routledge Studies in Eighteenth Century Philosophy. London and New York: Routledge, 2009, pp. 186, £80.00 (hb.). ISBN 978-0-415-99470-5 Kant's Theory of t...
Some theoretical aspects of intercellular bridges as a potential mechanism of cancerous proliferation

Abstract Recent experimental investigations have shown that formation of intercellular bridges accompanies malignant transformation of several cell types in vitro and that such bridges are capable of transmitting a mitotic stimulus from cell to cell. The present paper formulates on a generalized basis some of the more important theoretical properties of mitotically self-exciting syncytia of the type mentioned above, and establishes some conceptually useful criteria for determining the probability of formation and the relative malignancy of such systems. It is suggested that, in principle, syncytia formed of bridge-connected cells are mitotically unstable, and, provided they contain a critical minimum number of cells, whose value is defined by a ‘spontaneous mitotic index’, are highly malignant in nature.
Mechanical Properties and Strain Effects in Superconductors

Superconductors within large-scale magnets can be subjected to high mechanical loads. These arise from three principal sources: 1. During fabrication, the conductor is subjected to both winding tension and bending strain. The latter can be particularly severe in dipole and quadrupole magnets, but also plays a role in small-bore high- field solenoids.
RELATIONS ON SPACES WITH PRIMITIVE DISPERSION SETS

For T2 spaces, it is shown that any left monotone partial order on a connected space with a finite primitive dispersion set has a minimal element. Also, any non-void closed left monotone transitive relation on a connected space with compact primitive dispersion set has a minimal element.
Alignment of a three-mirror anastigmat using the sine condition test

Continuing to develop the sine condition test (SCTest), we show how violations of the generalized sine condition can be used to align a three-mirror anastigmat (TMA). This paper shows how the linear aberrations measured using the sine condition, along with aberrations that have constant field dependence, can be used to align a system. We discuss the design of the test hardware needed to align a TMA and the procedure for alignment. Using simulation, we then investigate the behavior of the alignment SCTest for various levels of mirror misalignment, mirror fabrication errors, and misalignment of the test equipment. All of these tests show that the alignment SCTest can successfully align an optical system.