cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Diagnostic significance of the time interval between resection of a malignant tumor and the appearance of jaundice.

Three cases of jaundice are reported in patients who had had a malignant tumor removed 4 to 7 years before development of the icterus. In each instance, the jaundice was not due to metastatic neoplasm of the liver, but to a tumor of the pancreas in two patients, and a tumor of either the colon or pancreas in the third. In spite of the fact that the cause of jaundice could not be successfully treated in our cases, it is conceivable that under similar circumstances forms of icterus may arise that may prove amenable to surgical or medical treatment. These three experiences indicate that when icterus appears more than 4 years after the resection of a malignant tumor, some cause other than metastatic invasion of the liver should be considered. It is, of course, quite possible that icterus caused by factors unrelated to a previously resected tumor may appear at somewhat shorter intervals after surgery than occurred in the cases reported here, or when caused by related factors may make its appearance in a period of time comparable with that which occurred in our cases.
Reply to letter regarding article, uncoupled cardiac nitric oxide synthase mediates diastolic dysfunction

We agree with the proposal by Antoniades et al that folate supplementation may be an effective way of restoring cardiovascular tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) concentrations. On the other hand, a pilot study from our group demonstrated that oral BH4 improves endothelial nitric oxide bioavailability in hypertensive patients. …
Changes in populations of soil microorganisms, nematodes, and enzyme activity associated with application of powdered pine bark

Evaluation of enzyme activities in combination with taxonomic analyses may help define the mechanisms involved in microbial decomposition of orgaic amendments and biological control of soilborne pathogens. In this study, powdered pine bark was added to nematode-infested soil at rates of 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 g kg−1. Total fungal populations did not differ among treatments immediately after application of pine bark. After 7 days, fungal populations were positively correlated with increasing levels of pine bark. This increase was sustained through 14 and 21 days.Penicillium chrysogenum andPaecilomves variotii were the predominant fungal species isolated from soil amended with pine bark. Total bacterial populations did not change with addition of pine bark at 0, 7, and 14 days after treatment. At 21 and 63 days, total bacterial populations declined in soil receiving the highest rates of pine bark. Addition of pine bark powder to soil caused a shift in predominant bacterial genera fromBacillus spp. in nonamended soil, toPseudomonas spp. in amended soil. Soil enzyme activities were positively correlated with pine bark rate at all sampling times. Trehalase activity was positively correlated with total fungal populations and with predominant fungal species, but was not related to bacterial populations. The number of non-parasitic (non-stylet bearing) nematodes andMeloidogyne arenaria in soil and roots were not correlated with pine bark rate. However,Heterodera glycines juveniles in roots, and the number of cysts g−1 root, declined with increasing levels of pine bark.
Auger line shape analyses for epitaxial growth in the Cu/Cu, Ag/Ag and Ag/Cu systems

Abstract A new measure of the MVV doublet Auger line shape called the R -factor has been applied to homoepitaxial layer growth on (111)Cu and on (111)Ag as well as to the heteroepitaxial growth of (111)Ag on (111)Cu. AES and TEM show that as thick (∼1500 A) monocrystalline Cu and Ag films grow thicker, R oscillates with a period equal to one atomic layer. Polycrystalline films do not show such a periodicity. The changes in doublet line shape are interpreted as arising from the superposition of two sets of doublets slightly displaced in energy. One set is presumed to come from the flat areas of the film and the other from the edge areas of incomplete layers. The origin of the periodicity in R arises then from the atomic relaxations that can be expected at the edges of surface steps, whose density varies periodically during growth. For the initial stages of (111)Ag growth on (111)Cu, an initially high R Ag decreased to bulk values as the Ag thickened beyond one or two monolayers for both polycrystalline and monocrystalline films; but the periodicity in R Ag was detected only for monocrystalline growth. The high initial values of R Ag are interpreted as arising from changes in the energy levels of the corresponding Auger transitions with changing interatomic spacing. Since the Ag overgrowth is compressed towards the smaller lattice parameter of the Cu substrate, energy levels in the valence band of Ag might be expected to become more widely separated. Consequently a more highly resolved MVV doublet for Ag would occur, resulting in a larger R Ag .
NUCLEAR CHROMODYNAMICS AND THE SIX QUARK COMPOUND BAG COMPONENT OF THE DEUTERON

Abstract Based upon a new formulation of nuclear chromodynamics, we determine the probability of the six-quark compound bag component of deuteron to be 2.2–5.5% using the experimental np partial width of the dibaryon resonance of Kamae et al.
Nocturnal Psychophysiological Correlates of Somatic Conditions and Sleep Disorders

Modern sleep research studies have provided the practicing physician with considerable new information concerning the basic psychophysiology of sleep, the effects of medical conditions on sleep and the role of maturational and emotional factors in producing certain sleep disorders. Medical and psychiatric disorders, sleep disorders and drug-induced sleep stage alterations are studied in the sleep laboratory using the same techniques developed to analyze sleep patterns in normal subjects. After initial sleep laboratory adaptation, a profile of the sleep characteristics of various clinical conditions is obtained. This profile can be compared to sleep profiles of normal subjects as well as to the effects on sleep of subsequent experimental or therapeutic procedures. Various studies have shown that coronary artery, duodenal ulcer and nocturnal headache patients experience angina, increased gastric acid secretion and migraine or cluster headaches, respectively during REM sleep. Adult nocturnal asthamtic episodes occur out of all sleep stages while attacks of dyspnea in asthmatic children occur in all stages except stage 4 sleep. Hypothyroid patients show decreases in stages 3 and 4 sleep, while in hyperthyroid patients the percentage of time spent in stages 3 and 4 sleep is markedly increased. Enuretic episodes occur predominantly in non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep. Sleepwalking and night terror episodes occur exclusively out of NREM sleep, particularly from stages 3 and 4 sleep. Most child somnambulists and children with night terrors "outgrow" this disorder, suggesting a delayed maturation of the central nervous system. Stimulant drugs are effective in the treatment of the sleep attacks of narcolepsy and in treating certain cases of hypersomnia, while imipramine is an effective treatment for the auxillary symptoms of narcolepsy. Psychological disturbances are frequent in adult somnambulism and night terrors as well as in hypersomnia and insomnia. Proper pharmacologic treatment to provide symptomatic relief for insomnia is recommended to enhance the psychotherapeutic process. Language: en
Classical mechanics of recombination via the resonance complex mechanism: H + H + M → H2 + M for M = H, H2, He, and Ar

Rate constants for the recombination reaction H + H + M→H2 + M are calculated within the framework of the resonance complex theory for a variety of third bodies (M=H, He, Ar, and H2). The stabilization cross sections for bimolecular collisions of M with the highly excited orbiting resonance states of H2 were computed from exact three‐dimensional classical trajectories. Calculations were carried out for several different reasonable potential surfaces in order to determine the effects of variations in the interaction potential upon the macroscopic rate constant. For example, the inclusion of long range attractive forces between the inert third body and each H atom in H2 leads to a systematic increase in the low temperature rate constant. Using a best estimate for the potential parameters, good agreement with experiment is found for all the third bodies investigated over the temperature range ∼77–300°K. For inert third bodies it is shown that the so‐called ``energy transfer'' mechanism is much more important than the ``chaperon'' mechanism. However, for the case M=H, both mechanisms play a significant role with the ``chaperon'' mechanism being the more important. Furthermore, H atoms are found to be more efficient than inert M in causing recombination to occur. Data for the nonequilibrium ortho/para product distribution are also presented.
a Survey of Parallel Multivariate Numerical Integration:. Recent Results and Developments

The main objective of this work is to present a survey of the most recently developed parallel multivariate integration routines for various architectures (MIMDDM, MIMD-SM, Network of workstations). Applications to computational physics problems is also provided.
Diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer risk in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial

A history of diabetes has been fairly consistently related to a reduced prostate cancer risk, but previous investigations have not always addressed whether the relation with diabetes varies by prostate cancer aggressiveness or the association between diabetes and prostate cancer is modified by physical activity level and body mass, variables closely related to glucose metabolism. We prospectively examined the diabetes–prostate cancer risk relationship among 33,088 men in the screening arm of the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial. During 8.9 years follow-up, we ascertained 2,058 incident prostate cancer cases. Diabetes history was related to decreased risk of total prostate cancer (RR = 0.80, 95% CI = 0.68–0.95). The apparent protection afforded by diabetes was primarily due to the inverse relation with non-aggressive disease (i.e., the combination of low grade (Gleason sum <8) and low stage (clinical stages I or II); RR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.62–0.91). In contrast, no association was noted between diabetes and aggressive disease (i.e., high grade or high stage (Gleason sum ≥8 or clinical stages III or IV); RR = 1.04, 95% CI = 0.74–1.45). In further analyses, the association between diabetes and aggressive prostate cancer was suggestively positive for men who were lean (RR = 1.64, 95% CI = 0.87–3.07; BMI < 25 kg/m2) and it was positive for men who were the most physically active (RR = 1.63; 95% CI = 1.07–2.62; 3+ hours vigorous activity/week). By comparison, no relations of diabetes to aggressive prostate cancer were noted for their heavier or physically less active counterparts (p-value for tests of interaction = 0.10 and 0.03 BMI and physical activity, respectively). In this study, diabetes showed divergent relations with prostate cancer by tumor aggressiveness. Specifically, diabetes was inversely associated with early stage prostate cancer but it showed no relation with aggressive prostate cancer. Exploratory analyses suggested a positive association between diabetes and aggressive prostate cancer in the subgroup of men with a low BMI.
Identification and development of novel antifibrotic agents

The second IBC meeting on fibrosis was held in Washington DC on April 28 - 29. Presentations covered a broad range of topics, including investigation of basic mechanisms that underlie the causes of fibrosis to novel therapeutic methods. Although the investigative area is in an early stage, much progress has been made concerning the development of a uniform mechanism for fibrotic disorders. It is anticipated that significant gains in the understanding of the cellular and molecular base for these disorders will lead to the development of effective therapeutic approaches in the near future.
Contraction-excitation feedback in the atria: A cause of changes in refractoriness

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of an increase in atrial pressure on atrial refractoriness by determining the relation between the atrial pressure and effective refractory period of the atrium. In 21 open chest anesthetized dogs, after the blocking of atrioventricular (AV) conduction by formalin injection, the left atrium and left ventricle were paced sequentially at a fixed cycle length of 300 ms. The AV interval was varied from 0 to 280 ms in 20 ms steps during the recording of aortic and left atrial pressures and refractory period of the left atrium. Mean left atrial pressure was lowest (8.0 ± 0.4 mm Hg, all values mean ± SEM) at an AV interval of 47 ± 3 ms, when refractory period was 135.5 ± 2.6 ms. Mean left atrial pressure was highest (13.3 ± 0.5 mm Hg) at an AV interval of 147 ± 5 ms, when refractory period was 137.9 ± 2.4 ms (p A similar relation was noted between right atrial pressure and right atrial refractory period (n = 10) and between left atrial pressure and refractory period of the interatrial septum (n = 12). In six chronically instrumented conscious dogs, left atrial refractory period prolonged from 116.3 ± 2.3 to 124.2 ± 1.7 ms (p
Dielectric Sensing with Supported Gold Bipyramids

The surface plasmon resonance shift of gold bipyramids deposited on glass slides is investigated as a function of dielectric environement. Due to their narrow ensemble resonance, the bipyramids prove to be highly sensitive near-infrared sensors.
The ETS factor TEL2 is a hematopoietic oncoprotein

TEL2/ETV7 is highly homologous to the ETS transcription factor TEL/ETV6, a frequent target of chromosome translocation in human leukemia. Although both proteins are transcriptional inhibitors binding similar DNA recognition sequences, they have opposite biologic effects: TEL inhibits proliferation while TEL2 promotes it. In addition, forced expression of TEL2 but not TEL blocks vitamin D3-induced differentiation of U937 and HL60 myeloid cells. TEL2 is expressed in the hematopoietic system, and its expression is up-regulated in bone marrow samples of some patients with leukemia, suggesting a role in oncogenesis. Recently we also showed that TEL2 cooperates with Myc in B lymphomagenesis in mice. Here we show that forced expression of TEL2 alone in mouse bone marrow causes a myeloproliferative disease with a long latency period but with high penetrance. This suggested that secondary mutations are necessary for disease development. Treating mice receiving transplants with TEL2-expressing bone marrow with the chemical carcinogen N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) resulted in significantly accelerated disease onset. Although the mice developed a GFP-positive myeloid disease with 30% of the mice showing elevated white blood counts, they all died of T-cell lymphoma, which was GFP negative. Together our data identify TEL2 as a bona fide oncogene, but leukemic transformation is dependent on secondary mutations.
Association of 3'----5' exodeoxyribonuclease activity with DNA replitase complex from S-phase Chinese hamster embryo fibroblast cells.

Abstract DNA replitase has been described as a complex of enzymes/proteins that are associated with both DNA precursor biosynthesis and DNA replication in mammalian cells [ Reddy, G. P. V., and Pardee, A. B. (1980) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77, 3312–3316]. We demonstrate for the first time a 3′ → 5′ exodeoxyribonuclease activity is associated with the replitase complex. As much as 60% of this exonuclease activity was similar to that associated with DNA polymerase δ based upon its sensitivity to inhibition by GMP and by butyl-phenyl-deoxyguanosine triphosphate (BuPdGTP). Association of 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity with the DNA polymerase in the replitase complex was also demonstrated by analyzing dTTP turnover to dTMP in an in vitro DNA polymerase assay system. The DNA polymerase activity in replitase complex exhibited a sensitivity to BuPdGTP which both was similar to that of DNA replication in permeable cells and was intermediate between the BuPdGTP inhibition of purified DNA polymerases α and δ. These studies suggest that the replitase complex contains 3′ → 5′ exonuclease activity associated with the DNA polymerase activity responsible for nuclear DNA replication in mammalian cells. Further studies are required to determine if these activities are at least partially attributed to DNA polymerase δ.
Cancer: The rules of attraction

The puzzle of how a drug that binds to a protein found in normal cells as well as cancer cells preferentially kills tumours is now solved — the target protein exists in a drug-binding complex in tumour cells.
History, Transcendence, and World Community in the Work of Wilfred Cantwell Smith

THE chief obstacle to authentic world community is the failure to understand the other. That failure can be reversed only if the boundaries of our understanding are extended geographically, socially, psychologically, and intellectually to the entire human community. Moreover, success in this endeavor requires a fundamental reappraisal of our ways of looking at ourselves, our neighbors, and the world as a whole. A major contribution to this necessary work must arise out of the study of the religious history of man, for it is here that the interrelations of the individual, society, and truth merge most significantly. These convictions are central to the work of Wilfred Cantwell Smith. For he has both identified the task of the historian of religion, and thoughtfully and thoroughly reappraised the historian's means toward the end of understanding. Smith's view constitutes a challenge to the intellectual community (chiefly western and American) in general, and to the students of human religious traditions in particular. He argues that both must see their work in global, rather than national or academic terms only; both must come to view and judge the now well-established categories of interpretation ("religion," for example) as historical rather than eternal; and finally, both must admit the centrality of subjective notions of truth in any meaningful attempt to understand other men. An Islamicist for the majority of his productive life, Smith has devoted most of his writing to Islam and the history of religions. From this work emerges Smith's view of how the religious traditions of the world see their own histories. This is especially apparent in Islam in Modern History (Princeton, 1957), Smith's major contribution to Islamic studies (and see "Modern Muslim Historical writing in English," Historians of India, Pakistan and Ceylon, ed. Cyril H. Philips [London, 1961], pp. 319-331). His contribution to the periodical literature on the question of Islamic historical self-consciousness is noteworthy. For example, he has addressed himself to the history of the critical concepts "Islam" ("The Historical Development in Islam of the Concept of Islam as an Historical
Analyzing the 2000 National Election Study

In an earlier report, two of us (Bowers and Ensley, 2003, National Election Studies Technical Report, www.umich.edu/;nes) provided a general framework for understanding the particular strategy outlined by Fogarty et al. (in this issue). Fogarty et al.’s strategy is to make the face-to-face variables more like the random digit dial (RDD) telephone variables by trimming the ends in order to reduce the variance of the face-to-face (FTF) variables. Perhaps some scholars will want the FTF variables to look like the RDD variables, but that would be a fix for a specific research question. Given the significant differences in the representativeness of the samples, the processes of survey nonresponse, and the quality and character of the responses between data taken from a National Area Probability sample in person and data taken from an RDD telephone sample, research questions involving comparisons with other years in the 50-year time series will require different remedies.
A high-throughput assay of yeast cell lysis for drug discovery and genetic analysis

The identification of new antifungal molecules is an important goal of current anti-infective research. To achieve this goal, alternatives to traditional growth inhibition-based screening have been developed in recent years. In this study, we describe an assay to detect molecules that disrupt yeast cell integrity by using the release of adenylate kinase (AK) into culture medium as a reporter of yeast cell lysis. The protocol is applicable to 96- and 384-well microtiter plate formats; uses a commercially available luminescence assay kit to detect AK activity; is more sensitive than traditional growth-based assays; and is specific for fungicidal compounds. In the high-throughput setting, the procedure provides excellent Z' scores (0.75-0.9), making it a highly robust assay. The AK assay is performed in a single microtiter plate using an 'add and read' procedure that can be completed in a single work day.
Two properties of l/sub 1/-optimal controllers

The solution of the l/sub 1/ sensitivity minimization problem is shown to have two properties which contrast markedly with properties of the solutions to the better-known H infinity sensitivity minimization problem or the LQG (linear quadratic Gaussian) problem is given of a one-parameter family of first-order plants where the order of the l/sub 1/-optimal compensator can be arbitrarily large, and thus it is impossible to bound the order of an l/sub 1/-optimal compensator in terms of the order of the plant. A plant is considered which has a continuous one-parameter family of l/sub 1/-optimal compensators, and thus l/sub 1/-optimal compensators need not be unique. The author's two examples are considered to answer two questions left open by M.A. Daleh and J.B. Pearson (ibid., vol.32, p.314-23, 1987). >
The Concentration and Output of Carotenoid Pigments, Vitamin A, and Riboflavin in the Colostrum and Milk of Dairy Cows

Summary The potency and output of carotene, vitamin A, and riboflavin in the colostrum and milk of 35 pasture-fed cows representing five dairy cattle breeds were determined for the first ten milkings and the twentieth milking. Cows of all ages were included. The data obtained show a rapid decline in the concentration of these constituents with successive milkings. A level closely approaching that of normal milk is reached by the end of the third day following parturition (sixth milking). These data show first milking colostrum to be approximately ten times as potent in carotene, six times as potent in vitamin A, and 3.3 times as potent in riboflavin as normal milk obtained at the twentieth milking. The practical importance of using all the colostrum produced in the raising of calves is pointed out.
Analysis of kinetic paramers for the 3β-indoleacrylic acid effect ontrp promoter inEscherichiacoli

The effects of a derepressor, IAA (3β-indoleacrylic acid) ontrp promoter inE. coli are studied. Kinetic parameters for the effect are estimated through the model equations and experiments. IAA concentration of 40 μg/ml is high enough to give the maximum transcriptional efficiency in M9 media supplemented with glucose and casamino acid.
The Needs of the Developing World

The vicious circle of poverty, very fast population growth rates, tenuous hold on life, and absence of health and fertility regulation services will be analysed. Studies have indicated that in most developing countries a maximum of 30% of women in the fertile age group are being reached and this is considered over-optimistic. Further figures are quoted to show how very poorly contraceptive services are being received in many developing countries. The differences between urban and rural areas are indicated. The reasons for poor contraception are discussed with reference to: imperfections of contraceptive technology in relation to the developing world; unsuitable delivery systems and a lack of true identification of the total complex of needs within the different cultural backgrounds. Some suggestions are made as to what is needed and how to overcome present problems.
Hemicellulose hydrolysis using solid acid catalysts generated from biochar

Abstract In an integrated forest biorefinery (IFB), hemicellulose is pre-extracted primarily in oligomeric form (e.g., hot water extraction) and the remaining solids (cellulose and lignin) subsequently treated via the Kraft process. Conceptually, hemicellulose can be used as a bio/chemical building block, but requires hydrolysis to monomeric carbohydrates. Selective hemicellulose hydrolysis using reusable solid acid catalysts, generated as a biorefinery co-product, could improve IFB economics. Solid acid carbon catalysts were synthesized from biochar (pine chip or PCC via slow pyrolysis at 400 °C) and wood based activated carbon (AC), and compared with a commercially available sulfonated styrene–divinylbenzene macroreticular resin (Amberlyst 15). The formation of active sites (SO 3 H) was verified by base titration, CHNS analysis, and attenuated total reflectance (ATR-FTIR) analysis with each technique indicating higher active site density in the biochar based catalyst (e.g., 0.7 and 0.2 mmol/g for PCC and AC, respectively). Catalytic testing using birchwood xylan as a model compound was performed in batch reactors (working volume 12 mL, 16 wt% catalyst) over a range of temperatures (90–120 °C). Although the biochar surface area was significantly lower than the activated carbon (365 vs. 1391 m 2 /g, respectively) hydrolysis rates were significantly higher for the biochar derived catalyst; e.g., an 85% conversion of xylan was observed within 2 h using the biochar, compared to 57% at 24 h for AC (7.7 g L −1 , 120 °C). Kinetic analysis clearly indicated that the hydrolysis reaction rate and conversion increased with temperature (85% in 2 h at 120 °C vs. 65% and
Effect of Lactose Monolaurate and High Intensity Ultrasound on Crystallization Behavior of Anhydrous Milk Fat

Crystallization behavior of anhydrous milk fat (AMF) was studied with the addition of 0.025 and 0.05 % lactose monolaurate (LML). The crystallization behavior was studied at low (ΔT = 3 °C) and high supercooling (ΔT = 6 °C). Polarized light microscopy and laser turbidimetry indicated a delay in crystallization on addition of 0.025 % and 0.05 % LML or Tween 20 to AMF. High intensity ultrasound (HIU) was applied to AMF samples with 0.05 % LML and lower supercooling (Tc = 31 °C; ΔT = 3 °C). HIU application in AMF and AMF + 0.05 % LML induced crystallization (p < 0.05) changing the induction time (τ) at 31 °C from 34.20 ± 1.67 min (AMF) and 47.07 ± 1.27 min (AMF + 0.05 % LML) to 23.23 ± 3.26 min (AMF) and 25.00 ± 0.87 min (AMF + 0.05 % LML). Melting enthalpies (ΔH) of AMF were significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the ones observed for AMF + 0.05 % LML when crystallized without HIU, while enthalpy values increased significantly in AMF + 0.05 % LML samples when crystallized with HIU reaching similar values to the ones obtained for AMF without LML. The viscosity of AMF significantly decreased (p < 0.05) on addition of 0.05 % LML and significantly increased on HIU application.
Organophophorous ester degradation by chromium(III) terephthalate metal-organic framework (MIL-101) chelated to N,N-dimethylaminopyridine and related aminopyridines.

Porous materials based on chromium(III) terephthalate metal organic frameworks (MOF) MIL-101(Cr) and their complexes with dialkylaminopyridines (DAAP) were synthesized via a DAAP-MOF complexation, and tested for hydrolytic degradation of organophosphorous esters such as diethyl 4-nitrophenyl phosphate (paraoxon). Elemental analysis, TGA, XRD, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, and nitrogen adsorption measurements indicated that the DAAP units were incorporated into MIL-101 pores by complexation, keeping the parent framework intact. The DAAP-MOF enabled facile paraoxon hydrolysis in water/acetonitrile mixtures under ambient conditions (100% conversion after 24 h at pH 10). The MOF-DAAP complexes showed synergistic effects, being 7-fold and 47-fold more active than the parent MIL-101 or DAAP materials, respectively. The high hydrolysis reaction turnover was realized by simultaneous action of the Lewis acid Cr(III) center of the MOF as well as the electron-rich nucleophile, DAAP. This study demonstrates a simple and efficient...
Supplementation with n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids: effects on lipoxygenase activity and clinical symptoms of pruritus in hemodialysis patients.

Objective To investigate the effect of supplementation with different sources of oils rich in long chain fatty acids, ie, fish oil (FO) and safflower oil (SO), on the production of leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) by polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNLs) in hemodialysis patients and the consequent effects on the symptoms of pruritus. Design Randomized, prospective, double-blind study for 2 treatment groups. Setting Three Medical Center—affiliated units. Patients Twenty-two patients on maintenance hemodialysis, of both sexes, age ≥ 20 years with complaint of dry and/or itchy skin. Intervention Two groups of patients receiving daily supplements of 6 g ethyl ester of FO or SO for 16 weeks. Main outcome measures Red blood cell (RBC) fatty acid profile, LTB 4 production by PMNLs, and pruritus symptoms at baseline and after supplementation. Results After supplementation, the FO group had a higher RBC 22:6n3, total n-3 fatty acids, and ratio of total n-3 to total n-6 fatty acids ( P 4 production (pg/mL) from baseline to week 16 was 240.7 ± 200.2 to 29.2 ± 14.6 in the FO group and from 171.1 ± 121.7 to 31.9 ± 14.7 in the SO group. The overall pruritus score change was 16.7 ± 11.4 to 8.9 ± 9.2 in the FO group and from 17.5 ± 8.8 to 13.1 ± 5.6 in the SO group. FO supplementation did not result in a significant specific effect on LTB 4 production by the PMNLs. There was a nonsignificant decrease in the pruritus scores that could be clinically significant and important to patients suffering with this condition. Conclusion Supplementation with FO results in significant incorporation of n-3 fatty acids in the RBCs. Intervention with both FO and SO resulted in a nonsignificant improvement of clinical symptoms of pruritus and a nonsignificant reduction in LTB 4 production by PMNLs in the hemodialysis patients. The percent decrease in total puritus score was greater for the FO group compared with the SO group.
Performance study of commercial LiCoO2 and spinel-based Li-ion cells

Abstract The performance of Cell-Batt® Li-ion cells and Sony 18650 cells using non-stoichiometric spinel and LiCoO2, respectively, as positive electrode material has been studied under several modes of charging. During cycling, the cells were opened at intermittent cycles and extensive material and electrochemical characterization was done on the active material at both electrodes. Capacity fade of spinel-based Li-ion cells was attributed to structural degradation at the cathode and loss of active material at both electrodes due to electrolyte oxidation. For the Sony cells both primary (Li+) and secondary active material (LiCoO2)/C) are lost during cycling.
Chromosome numbers in some cacti of western North America.

Documented chromosome numbers and meiotic behavior were recorded for 23 taxa of 18 species of Cactaceae of south-western United States and adjacent Mexico. All taxa are diploid (n = 11) or polyploid (n = 22, 33, 44), and with regular meiotic behavior.
Coherent optical techniques for diagonalization and inversion of circulant matrices and circulant approximations to Toeplitz matrices.

A coherent optical system for performing continuous Fourier transforms can be modified to perform discrete Fourier transforms. Such a system is capable of diagonalizing circulant matrices presented at its input. The diagonal elements of the new matrix are the eigenvalues of the original matrix. A suitable modification allows the eigenvalues of many different circulant matrices to be found simultaneously. Such a technique can be used for the initial portion of a coherent optical matrix inversion system, which can find the inverses of circulant matrices. The method can also be applied to the problem of inverting Toeplitz matrices in a hybrid digital and optical system.
A Linearization-Based Approach to Vibrational Control of Second-Order Systems

We present an alternative to averaging methods for vibrational control design of second-order systems. This method is based on direct application of the stability map of the linearization of the system at the desired operating point. The paper focuses on harmonic forcing, for which the linearization is Mathieu’s equation, but somewhat more general periodic forcing functions may be handled. When it is applicable, this method achieves significantly greater functionality than previously reported approaches. This is demonstrated on two sample systems. One is the vertically driven inverted pendulum, and the other is an input-coupled bifurcation control problem arising from electrostatic MEMS comb drives.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Phonological information for grammatical category assignments

Abstract During language acquisition, children must learn how to classify words into the appropriate grammatical category, such as noun or verb. Adults must also assign words to grammatical categories quickly and accurately. Most theories of this task focus on strategies that exploit semantic and/or syntactic correlates of grammatical class. This paper examines a relatively neglected source of information for grammatical category: phonology. Study one demonstrates that English verbs contain fewer syllables than English nouns, a difference that appears strongly in both adult-adult language and parental speech to children. Studies three and four provide evidence that adults and children are sensitive to this difference. Study three reports that adults use pseudowords more often in sentences as verbs if their syllable number is small, whereas they use pseudowords as nouns more often if their syllable number is large. Study four reports that 4-year old children associate pseudowords with actions (the prototypical verb meaning) more often than objects (the prototypical noun meaning) if the pseudowords contain one rather than three syllables. The relevance of the noun-verb syllable difference for connectionist models of linguistic knowledge is discussed. In addition, possible causes of the syllable number difference between nouns and verbs are proposed and evaluated in study two.
Viscosity of Materials for Laryngeal Injection: A Review of Current Knowledge and Clinical Implications

Summary Objective Over the past several decades, researchers have sought the ideal substances for use in injection laryngoplasty. This search has inspired several basic science studies centering on the viscoelastic properties of popularly used injectables as well as of experimental substances. Unfortunately, these studies have used various techniques and different units for measuring viscosity. For clinical purposes, there has been a need for a concise compilation of these data, converted into consistent units, to permit easy comparison of the reported viscosities of various substances. The literature has been reviewed to address this need. Method Scholarly review. Results Comparable data are available for various substances, including vocal fold mucosa, subcutaneous fat, bovine dermal collagen, glutaraldehyde cross-linked collagen, polytetrafluoroethylene, and hyaluronic acid products. The values for difference substances vary widely. Conclusion There appears to be a growing body of useful knowledge about viscosity of substances used for medial (vibratory margin) injection. However, decisions regarding viscosity of substances for lateral injection medialization appear to have been made without the benefit of evidence-based research. It is possible that the trend toward relatively low viscosity materials for lateral injection is based on ease of surgical use through a small needle, but that the low viscosity may adversely affect the control over the position of the injected substance. Research is needed comparing viscosity with predictability of surgical deposition of injected substances.
Correlations between alpha/beta and T1/2: implications for clinical biological modelling.

There seems little question that future directions in radiotherapy will involve altered or customized fractionation schedules (Cooper, 1990). Recent interest in accelerated fractionation and hyperfractionation, high dose-rate brachytherapy, and the search for predictive assays for tumour proliferation all exemplify this trend.
Recognition via alignment using aspect models

Recognition via alignment is a method for recognizing the general class of rigid objects, which includes vehicles, known terrain, and buildings. A candidate alignment transformation is computed from a minimal set of three corresponding points from model to image, and the transformation and model are accepted only after an expensive verification step. Methods are given here which can dramatically reduce the amount of computation required for recognition by alignment. First, the use of aspects is proposed to cut down on the combinatorics of point correspondence. Secondly, two practical constraints on orientation and size are shown to eliminate many alignment candidates before the expensive verification step. Simulations are reported which show the usefulness of the proposed methods in the context of automatic target recognition.
Progress curve analysis of qRT-PCR reactions using the logistic growth equation

We present an alternate approach for analyzing data from real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) experiments by fitting individual fluorescence vs. cycle number (F vs. C) curves to the logistic growth equation. The best fit parameters determined by nonlinear least squares were used to compute the second derivative of the logistic equation and the cycle threshold, Ct, was determined from the maximum value of the second derivative. This Ct value was subsequently used to determine ΔΔCt and the amplification efficiency, En, thereby completing the analysis on a qRT-PCR data set. The robustness of the logistic approach was verified by testing ∼600 F vs. C curves using both new and previously published data sets. In most cases, comparisons were made between the logistic estimates and those from the standard curve and comparative Ct methods. Deviations between the logistic and standard curve method ranged between 3–10% for Ct estimates, 2–10% for ΔΔCt estimates, and 1–11% for En estimates. The correlations between Ct estimates from the logistic and standard curve methods were very high, often >0.95. When compared with five other established methods of qRT-PCR data analysis to predict initial concentrations of two genes encompassing a total of 500 F vs. C curves, the logistic estimates were of comparable accuracy. This reliable performance of the logistic approach comes without the need to construct standard curves which can be a laborious undertaking. Also, no a priori assumptions for En are necessary while some other methods assume equal En values for the reference and target genes, an assumption that is not universally valid. In addition, by accurately describing the data in the plateau region of the F vs. C curve, the logistic method overcomes the limitations of the sigmoidal curve fitting method. The streamlined nature of the logistic approach makes it ideal for complete automation on a variety of computing environments thereby completely eliminating user bias. The simplicity, robustness, and ease of computer implementation of the logistic approach should make it an attractive alternative for rapidly analyzing qRT-PCR data. © 2011 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 2011
Ultradian variations of plasma noradrenaline in humans.

Abstract Plasma noradrenaline (NA) levels were measured every 15 min for 4 h in 9 human volunteers kept at complete bed rest. Levels of plasma NA in each subject fluctuated with a median period of 107 min (range 75–188 min) for the group as a whole. Fluctuations with this periodicity were found whether subjects were tested in the morning or afternoon. The amplitude of these intrinsic fluctuations was at times greater than those brought about by postural change. NA levels showed a tonic downward trend from the beginning to the end of the survey, in both AM and PM groups, upon which the ultradian variations for NA were superimposed. Behavioral arousal tended to correlate negatively with plasma NA levels and pain had little effect on levels. These data suggest that plasma NA levels in humans fluctuate with both longer tonic and shorter phasic components which are subject to alteration by environmental factors. These fluctuations must be taken into account when using plasma levels of NA as indicators of sympathetic function.
Neuronal porosome proteome: Molecular dynamics and architecture

Abstract Porosomes are the universal secretory portals at the cell plasma membrane, where membrane-bound secretory vesicles transiently dock and fuse to expel intravesicular contents to the outside during cell secretion. In the past decade, the neuronal porosome complex, a 10–15 nm cup-shaped lipoprotein structure has been isolated, its partial composition and 3D contour map determined, and it has been functionally reconstituted into artificial lipid membrane. Here we further determine the composition of the neuronal porosome proteome using immunoisolation and gel filtration chromatography, followed by tandem mass spectrometry. Results from the study demonstrate nearly 40 proteins to constitute the neuronal porosome proteome. Furthermore, interaction of proteins within the porosome and their resulting arrangement is predicted. The association and dissociation of proteins at the porosome following stimulation of cell secretion demonstrate the dynamic nature of the organelle.
Systematic approximations to the optimized effective potential: Application to orbital-density-functional theory

The integral equation originally derived by Sharp and Horton for the optimized effective potential (OEP) is exactly transformed into an equivalent form from which it is manifestly clear that the OEP, ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{x}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{0}$(r), is an implicit functional of only {${\mathit{n}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$}, the orbital densities of the occupied states {${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$}, and the corresponding single-particle exchange potentials {${\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$}. Furthermore, the transformed OEP has exactly the same form as one recently developed by the authors [Phys. Rev. A 45, 101 (1992)] from a more heuristic approach, the only difference being that in the present work a term proportional to the gradient of ${\mathit{n}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$ is added to each ${\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$ whose average value when taken over the i\ensuremath{\sigma} state is zero. This result leads to the natural development of an iterative approximation for ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathit{x}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{0}$, with the zeroth approximation being given by our previous result. The application of this technique to the calculation of the total energy and highest-energy single-particle eigenvalue for selected atoms is presented. In addition, we note that our results are applicable to the calculation of the OEP for any assumed exchange-correlation functional ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{xc}}$[{${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\psi}}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$}], where ${\mathit{v}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$ is taken as the appropriate functional derivative of ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{xc}}$. In the case that ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathrm{xc}}$ is a functional of {${\mathit{n}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$} only, as in the case of the local-density approximation with self-interaction correction, the resulting ${\mathit{V}}_{\mathrm{xc}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}^{0}$ is a functional of the {${\mathit{n}}_{\mathit{i}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\sigma}}}$} only.
Recombinant immunotherapeutics: current state and perspectives regarding the feasibility and market

Recombinant immunotherapeutics are important biologics for the treatment and prevention of various diseases. Immunotherapy can be divided into two categories, passive and active. For passive immunotherapy, the successes of antibody and cytokine therapeutics represent a promising future and opportunities for improvements. Efforts, such as cell engineering, antibody engineering, human-like glycosylation in yeast, and Fab fragment development, have led the way to improve antibody efficacy while decreasing its high manufacturing costs. Both new cytokines and currently used cytokines have demonstrated therapeutic effects for different indications. As for active immunotherapy, recently approved HPV vaccines have encouraged the development of preventative vaccines for other infectious diseases. Immunogenic antigens of pathogenic bacteria can now be identified by genomic means (reverse vaccinology). Due to the recent outbreaks of pandemic H1N1 influenza virus, recombinant influenza vaccines using virus-like particles and other antigens have also been engineered in several different recombinant systems. However, limitations are found in existing immunotherapeutics for cancer treatment, and recent development of therapeutic cancer vaccines such as MAGE-A3 and NY-ESO-1 may provide alternative therapeutic strategy.
Finite element analysis of compliant coating

Finite-element analysis (FEA) was used to explore the effect of key materials and process parameters relating to die-coat chemistry and thickness on the die surface and internal-package stress. Lower stresses are achieved with silicone gel compared to silicone RTV, modified polyimide, and polyimide coatings, as predicted by internal-stress calculations based on the integral of Young's modulus and thermal coefficient of expansion (TCE). The stress reduction mechanism is related to the decoupling of the die-surface/molding-compound interface. It is verified that thin-film cracking can be eliminated by using a thin film of silicone gel as shown by improved thermal cycle performance of a 68-lead plastic-leaded chip-carrier (PLCC) package. >
Decreased urine glycosaminoglycan excretion in cats with interstitial cystitis

AbstractPurpose: The urine protein and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) excretion of normal cats was compared with that of cats suffering from interstitial cystitis (IC), which is reported to decrease urine GAG excretion in humans.Materials and Methods: Total urine GAG concentration was measured in random and 24-hour urine specimens by spectrophotometry by 1,9-dimethylmethylene blue (DMB) chloride.Results: In both random and 24-hour urine samples, GAG and protein concentrations and GAG:creatinine and protein:creatinine ratios all were significantly lower in cats with IC. Total GAG and protein excretion also were significantly lower in 24-hour urine samples from cats with IC.Conclusions: GAG excretion was decreased in cats with IC, as it is in humans. It is unclear whether this is due to changes in synthesis, metabolism, or bladder permeability.
Suicide assessment by psychiatric nurses: a phenomenographic study.

Although suicide assessment has been researched, nurses haven't been included in studies nor has this been explored from a phenomenographic perspective. Suicide assessment by nurses was investigate...