cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pancreas Allotransplants in Patients with a Previous Total Pancreatectomy for Chronic Pancreatitis

Background A total pancreatectomy is the last resort in the treatment of chronic pancreatitis because it results in complete endocrine and exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. More than 50% of total pancreatectomy patients experience severe glucose control problems, which cause up to 50% of late deaths. Study Design Between June 1, 1986, and May 15, 2007, we performed 26 pancreas allotransplants (18 primary, 8 retransplants) in 18 patients who had previously undergone a total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis. All patients had a history of labile diabetes mellitus with hypoglycemic unawareness; secondary diabetic complications developed in 12. The median time interval from the total pancreatectomy to the pancreas allotransplant was 5 years (range 9 months to 22 years). Of the 26 transplants, 6 were performed in the cyclosporine (CSA) era, 15 in the tacrolimus (TAC) era, and 5 in the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-free era. Results Patient survival rates at 1 and 3 years in both the CSA and TAC eras were 100% and 100%; in the CNI-free era, at 1 year, the survival rate was 40%. Pancreas graft survival rates in the CSA era were 67% and 50% at 1 and 3 years, respectively; in the TAC era, 73% and 51%, respectively; and in the CNI-free era, at 1 year, 40% (p=0.13). The mean number of rejection episodes in the CSA era was 2.1; in the TAC era, 1.4; and in the CNI-free era, 0.6. Conclusions Our series of pancreas allotransplants in patients with a previous total pancreatectomy for chronic pancreatitis showed that pancreas graft survival rates of more than 70% can be achieved with TAC-based immunosuppression; pancreas transplants can successfully treat both endocrine and exocrine insufficiency; and sequential pancreas allotransplants should be considered a treatment option in patients with pancreatectomy-induced brittle diabetes mellitus or with progression of secondary complications of diabetes mellitus.
Effects of sexual abuse are lessened by massage therapy

Abstract Women (mean age = 35 years) who had experienced sexual abuse, were given a 30-minute massage twice a week for 1 month. Immediately after the massage the women reported being less depressed and less anxious and their salivary cortisol levels decreased following the session. Over the 1-month treatment period the massage therapy group experienced a decrease in depression and in life event stress. Although the relaxation therapy control group also reported a decrease in anxiety and depression, their stress hormones did not change, and they reported an increasingly negative attitude toward touch.
Gestational dexamethasone treatment elicits sex-dependent alterations in locomotor activity, reward-based memory and hippocampal cholinergic function in adolescent and adult rats.

Gestational Dexamethasone Treatment Elicits Sex-Dependent Alterations in Locomotor Activity, Reward-Based Memory and Hippocampal Cholinergic Function in Adolescent and Adult Rats
Characteristics of interhemispheric impulse conduction between prelunate gyri of the rhesus monkey.

Cells of origin of the corpus callosum (callosal efferent neurons) in prelunate gyrus (area OA) of the rhesus monkey were studied using electrophysiological techniques. Monkeys were chronically prepared and callosal efferent neurons were identified by their antidromic activation following electrical stimulation of the contralateral prelunate gyrus and/or the splenium of the corpus callosum. Interhemispheric antidromic latencies ranged from 2.6–18.0 ms (median = 7.0 ms) while the conduction velocity along the length of the axon ranged from 2.8 to 22.5 M/s (median = 7.4 M/s). Following the relative refractory period of a single prior impulse, all but one of 61 callosal efferent neurons studied showed a supernormal period of increased axonal conduction velocity and excitability. Following several prior impulses, the supernormal period was followed by a subnormal period of decreased axonal conduction velocity and excitability, which, depending on the number of prior impulses, lasted from several hundred ms to nearly 2 min.
Immunoreactive Prolactin in the Cerebrospinal Fluid of Estrogen-Treated and Lactating Rats as Determined by Push-pull Perfusion of the Lateral Ventricles.

lmmunoreactive (ir) prolactin levels in the cerebrospinal fluid were measured in push-pull perfusion samples collected from the lateral cerebral ventricles in freely-moving ovariectomized rats prior to and after estrogen treatment, and in rats during pregnancy and lactation. Ir-prolactin levels in cerebrospinal fluid were elevated throughout the perfusion period in ovariectomized animals given estrogen and in Day 8 lactating females following the onset of nursing by their young. Cerebrospinal fluid perfusates collected from ovariectomized animals prior to estradiol treatment and from females on Days 18 and 22 of gestation contained levels of irprolactin that were below the limit of detectability of the prolactin radioimmunoassay. Data from previous studies in our laboratory suggest that pituitary prolactin is involved in the mediation of maternal responsiveness. Where and how prolactin exerts its actions in this regard remains to be determined. Results of the present study indicate that detectable levels of ir-prolactin are present in the cerebrospinal fluid of nulliparous females after exposure to an estradiol regimen known to shorten their latency to display maternal responsiveness and in lactating females actively exhibiting maternal behavior. Once in the cerebrospinal fluid, prolactin should have access to neural target sites behind the blood-brain barrier. The presence of ir-prolactin in the cerebrospinal fluid of females in the present study is consistent with a role for this protein hormone, acting at the level of the central nervous system, in the facilitation of maternal responsiveness as well as in the regulation of other neural and neuroendocrine processes.
Regulation of Nuclear PLCβ1 by a Novel Binding Partner called TRAX

Previous research has led to the discovery that the plasma membrane signaling protein PLCβ1 is sometimes present in the nucleus. Little is known how PLCβ1 is regulated in the nucleus on the plasma membrane. PLCβ1 activity is regulated by G proteins but these have not been found in the nucleus. The focus of this study is to find binding partners for nuclear PLCβ1 and investigate their role in the regulation of its activity in the nucleus. A protein called translin-associated factor-X, TRAX, has been identified as a potential binding partner for nuclear PLCβ1. The work done in this report shows that the two proteins bind in vitro and in living cells. Using a combination of biophysical and biochemical methods, we find the two proteins interact and that TRAX may regulate nuclear PLCβ1 activity.
Urocanic acid photobiology. Photochemical binding of urocanic acid to bovine serum albumin.

— The photolysis of E-[ring-2-14C]urocanic acid with bovine serum albumin (BSA) leads to incorporation of radiolabel into the protein. Levels up to 68 nmol mg−1 BSA have been observed if the irradiation is carried out in an inert atmosphere. Oxygen reduces the level slightly. It appears from gel-filtration chromatography that the label incorporation is covalent in nature.
The Nb-Ti-Si ternary phase diagram: Evaluation of liquid- solid phase equilibria in Nb-and Ti-rich alloys

Phase equilibria in ternary Nb-Ti-Si alloys have been investigated using scanning electron micros-copy, XRD, and electron beam microprobe analysis. Alloys containing up to four phases, Nb(Ti) 5 Si 3 , Ti(Nb) 5 Si 3 , (Nb,Ti) 3 Si, and (Nb,Ti,Si) were directionally solidified using cold crucible Czochralski crystal growth. A broad range of Nb and Ti compositions were investigated for Si concentrations up to 35.0%. Microstructural and microchemical evidence provided a clear definition of the Nb-Ti-Si liquidus surface and indicate that the metal-rich end of the ternary phase diagram possesses two transition reactions: L + Nb(Ti) 5 Si 3 → (Nb,Ti) 3 Si + Ti(Nb) 5 Si 3 L + (Nb,Ti) 3 Si → (Nb,Ti,Si) + Ti(Nb) 5 Si 3 The first of these transition reactions occurs at a composition of approximately Nb-66Ti-19Si, and probably at a temperature between 1600 and 1650 ‡C. The second of these transition reactions oc-curs at a composition of approximately Nb-76Ti-13.5Si and a temperature of approximately 1350 ‡C. No ternary eutectic was observed in the compositions that were investigated.
The importance of longer wavelength reheating in dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy

Dual-pulse laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) provides improved sensitivity compared to conventional single-pulse LIBS. We used a combination of Nd: yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) and CO2 lasers to improve the sensitivity of LIBS. Significant emission intensity enhancement is noticed for both excited neutral lines and ionic lines for dual-pulse LIBS compared to single-pulse LIBS. However, the enhancement factor is found to be dependend on the energy levels of the lines, and resonance lines provided maximum enhancement. Our results indicate that IR reheating will cause significant improvement in sensitivity, regardless of the conditions, even with an unfocused reheating beam. The improved sensitivity with a YAG-CO2 laser combination is caused by the effective reheating of the pre-plume with a longer wavelength laser is due to efficient inverse Bremsstrahlung absorption. The role of the spot sizes, inter-pulse delay times, energies of the preheating and reheating pulses on the LIBS sensitivity improvements are discussed.
Cyclin-dependent kinases regulate epigenetic gene silencing through phosphorylation of EZH2

The Polycomb group protein EZH2 promotes trimethylation of histone H3K27 and gene silencing. Cdk1 and Cdk2 are found to phosphorylate EZH2 and to positively regulate EZH2-mediated effects on global gene silencing, proliferation and migration.
Enhanced sorption of organic contaminants by smectitic soils modified with a cationic surfactant

Soils, subsoils, and aquifer materials can be modified with hydrophobic cationic surfactants to increase their sorptive capabilities for organic contaminants. In this study, the authors evaluated the adsorption/desorption of hexadecyltrimethylammonium (HDTMA) by smectitic soils, and the sorptive characteristics of the resultant organo-modified soils for trichloroethylene and chlorobenzene. Adsorption of HDTMA with loading levels up to 70% of the cation exchange capacity (0.70 CEC) was nearly quantitative and resulted in an equivalent release of Ca{sup 2+} from the soils, indicating ion exchange as the sole mechanism over this range. At higher loadings, HDTMA is adsorbed by both ion exchange and hydrophobic bonding. The selectivity coefficients for HDTMA replacing Ca{sup 2+} were very high (10{sup 9}-10{sup 7} between 0.1 and 0.8 CEC), indicating the high chemical stability of HDTMA-soil complexes at these loadings. Desorption is more significant for HDTMA adsorbed via hydrophobic bonding than via ion exchange. Sorption coefficients for trichloroethylene and chlorobenzene on HDTMA-modified soils (0.7 CEC) were 20 to 60 and 100 to 350 times higher, respectively, than those on the corresponding unmodified soils. The HDTMA derived phase was 10 to 30 and 80 to 160 times more effective than natural soil organic matter as a sorptive phase for trichloroethylene more » and chlorobenzene, respectively. A synergistic effect on sorption of trichloroethylene and chlorobenzene in binary solute systems was observed. The sorptive characteristics of HDTMA modified smectitic soils for organic contaminants are similar to those of pure HDTMA-smectites. « less
Traversing Trillions of Edges in Real Time: Graph Exploration on Large-Scale Parallel Machines

The world of Big Data is changing dramatically right before our eyes-from the amount of data being produced to the way in which it is structured and used. The trend of "big data growth" presents enormous challenges, but it also presents incredible scientific and business opportunities. Together with the data explosion, we are also witnessing a dramatic increase in data processing capabilities, thanks to new powerful parallel computer architectures and more sophisticated algorithms. In this paper we describe the algorithmic design and the optimization techniques that led to the unprecedented processing rate of 15.3 trillion edges per second on 64 thousand Blue Gene/Q nodes, that allowed the in-memory exploration of a petabyte-scale graph in just a few seconds. This paper provides insight into our parallelization and optimization techniques. We believe that these techniques can be successfully applied to a broader class of graph algorithms.
The role of filler-matrix interaction on viscoelastic response of biomimetic nanocomposite hydrogels

The effect of a glutamic acid (negatively charged) peptide (Glu6), which mimics the terminal region of the osteonectin glycoprotein of bone on the shear modulus of a synthetic hydorgel/apatite nanocomposite, was investigated. One end of the synthesized peptide was functionalized with an acrylate group (Ac-Glu6) to covalently attach the peptide to the hydrogel phase of the composite matrix. The addition of Ac-Glu6 to hydroxyapatite (HA) nanoparticles (50nm in size) resulted in significant reinforcement of the shear modulus of the nanocomposite (∼100% increase in elastic shear modulus). The reinforcement effect of the Glu6 peptide, a sequence in the terminal region of osteonectin, was modulated by the size of the apatite crystals. A molecular model is also proposed to demonstrate the role of polymer-apatite interaction in improving the viscoelastic behavior of the bone mimetic composite. The predictions of the model were compared with the measured dynamic shear modulus of the PLEOF hydrogel reinforced with HA nanoparticles. This predictive model provides a quantitative framework to optimize the properties of reinforced polymer nanocomposites as scaffolds for applications in tissue regeneration.
A general method for alkylating 2(5H)-furanones; reduction of products to 3-, 2,3-, and 3,4-substituted furans

Abstract The cycloaddition of diazoalkanes, diazoesters and diazoketones to 2(5H)-furanones followed by thermal decomposition of the respective adducts is shown to provide a general method for the preparation of a variety of alkylated 2(5H)-furanones. Reduction of the latter compounds with diisobutylaluminum hydride affords the corresponding substituted furans in good yield.
Post-transcriptional control by bacteriophage T4: mRNA decay and inhibition of translation initiation

Over 50 years of biological research with bacteriophage T4 includes notable discoveries in post-transcriptional control, including the genetic code, mRNA, and tRNA; the very foundations of molecular biology. In this review we compile the past 10 - 15 year literature on RNA-protein interactions with T4 and some of its related phages, with particular focus on advances in mRNA decay and processing, and on translational repression. Binding of T4 proteins RegB, RegA, gp32 and gp43 to their cognate target RNAs has been characterized. For several of these, further study is needed for an atomic-level perspective, where resolved structures of RNA-protein complexes are awaiting investigation. Other features of post-transcriptional control are also summarized. These include: RNA structure at translation initiation regions that either inhibit or promote translation initiation; programmed translational bypassing, where T4 orchestrates ribosome bypass of a 50 nucleotide mRNA sequence; phage exclusion systems that involve T4-mediated activation of a latent endoribonuclease (PrrC) and cofactor-assisted activation of EF-Tu proteolysis (Gol-Lit); and potentially important findings on ADP-ribosylation (by Alt and Mod enzymes) of ribosome-associated proteins that might broadly impact protein synthesis in the infected cell. Many of these problems can continue to be addressed with T4, whereas the growing database of T4-related phage genome sequences provides new resources and potentially new phage-host systems to extend the work into a broader biological, evolutionary context.
Lower GI Bleeding in a Patient with Cirrhosis and History of Colorectal Cancer

Question: A 65 year old man with history of colorectal cancer treated with left hemicolectomy and transverse colon colostomy 6 years ago was admitted to the hospital with bloody colostomy output. His other medical history was notable for type II diabetes, obesity and heavy alcohol use. He has had intermittent bloody colostomy output for the past three years. It was bright red blood that would fill his ostomy bag. This has been treated at other hospitals with periodic admission for blood transfusion and also with local cautery. A stomal revision was planned but was not performed because of unknown reasons. On admission he was hemodynamically stable, and his blood pressure was 190/100. Physical examination was unremarkable except for pallor, mild splenomegaly and colostomy. There were no stigmata of chronic liver disease. His labs included white blood cell count 2.7/mm3, hemoglobin 9.7 g/dl, platelets 56,000/mm3, normal electrolytes, urea nitrogen 12 mg/dl, creatinine 1.0 mg/dl, AST 30 IU/ml, ALT 18 IU/ml, alkaline phosphatase 55 IU/ml, total bilirubin 1.4 mg/dl, and International Normalized Ratio of prothrombin time 1.2. On the third day of admission, he had another episode of bright red blood that filled the colostomy bag associated with light-headedness and hypotension. His hemoglobin dropped to 7.6 g/dl. He responded well to resuscitation with 0.9% normal saline and 4 units of packed red blood cells. An EGD showed a normal esophagus and mild portal hypertensive gastropathy. The colonoscopy through his colostomy showed normal colon and terminal ileum. A CT-angiography was performed (Figure A) and the patient was referred to Interventional Radiology for further management. Figure A What is the diagnosis?
A Simple One-Dimensional Model for Primary Turbine Blade Erosion Prediction

Sophisticated models to predict the erosion process in turbine blades exposed to dust laden gas stream quickly become complex and tedious for use for everyday engineering applications. A simpler model for primary erosion can be formulated by assimilating the blade row to a device having a certain size and deflecting the stream through a given angle and at a given rate. The technology which exists for particle impacts physics with bluff bodies can be adapted to cascades. Thus, basically the model is derived from first principles.This approach is formulated in a quantitative manner in terms of cascade parameters, gas properties, and particulate parameters. The result is a simple equation which is easy to use and the physics of which are logical and intuitively reasonable. Its predictive ability, however, is limited to the frequency of impacts and the strength of the impacts. It does not address the mechanics of the impact process or the properties of the material being impacted. These variables are introduced through an experimental coefficient which, as it turns out, is the only experimental input in the analysis.The method is tested against quite a few experimental cases with a degree of predictive ability which is acceptable in a simple, first order method. The agreement is thought to be at least as good as the credibility or accuracy of the test data. The method is finally applied to study the effects of various blade cascade parameters on erosion resistance, the results of which are presented in the form of general curves.Copyright © 1983 by ASME
An Alternate Partitioning Technique to Quantify the Regularity of Complex Time Series

In this paper we use the concepts of information theory to analyze the time series obtained from complex systems. The procedure discussed here can be applied to quantify the regularity of chaotic time series, although it might not certify chaos. The main idea is to map the time series into a finite sequence of symbols using an efficient partitioning technique, and quantify the regularity of the resulting sequence by a chosen complexity measure. A proper partitioning technique is essential for any meaningful analysis of the resulting sequence. We have used a clustering technique to partition the time series into a finite sequence and the Lempel–Ziv complexity measure to quantify the regularity of this sequence.
A search engine approach to estimating temporal changes in gender orientation of first names

This paper presents an approach for predicting the gender orientation of any given first name over time based on a set of search engine queries with the name prefixed by masculine and feminine markers (e.g., "Uncle Taylor"). We hypothesize that these markers can capture the great majority of variability in gender orientation, including temporal changes. To test this hypothesis, we train a logistic regression model, with time-varying marker weights, using marker counts from Bing.com to predict male/female counts for 85,406 names in US Social Security Administration (SSA) data during 1880-2008. The model misclassifies 2.25% of the people in the SSA dataset (slightly worse than the 1.74% pure error rate) and provides accurate predictions for names beyond the SSA. The misclassification rate is higher in recent years (due to increasing name diversity), for general English words (e.g., Will), for names from certain countries (e.g., China), and for rare names. However, the model tends to err on the side of caution by predicting neutral/unknown rather than false positive. As hypothesized, the markers also capture temporal patterns of androgyny. For example, Daughter is a stronger female predictor for recent years while Grandfather is a stronger male predictor around the turn of the 20th century. The model has been implemented as a web-tool called Genni (available via http://abel.lis.illinois.edu/) that displays the predicted proportion of females vs. males over time for any given name. This should be a valuable resource for those who utilize names in order to discern gender on a large scale, e.g., to study the roles of gender and diversity in scholarly work based on digital libraries and bibliographic databases where the authors? names are listed.
Reconnecting environs to their environment

Abstract Environment is an ecologically important but often ill-defined concept. Environs are an operationalization of environments that let us study their organization and activity. Specifically, environs are the directed (input and output), within-system environments of species (or more generally holons) in ecosystems. Scientists primarily study environs through Network Environ Analysis (NEA). Quantifying general environ properties was an important step in the development of NEA. However, some of the standard NEA whole-system indicator calculations contain a hidden assumption that every system component has a unit input (output). While this can facilitate within system analysis, the even distribution assumption of inputs or outputs is unlikely to be true in many systems. Importantly, it also decouples the environ properties from the influence of the external system environment. We contend that for many applications we should use the observed or realized inputs (outputs) in the NEA calculations rather than the unit vector. We illustrate the effect of the alternative formulations for the ratio of indirect-to-direct flows, network homogenization, and network aggradation in 50 trophically based ecosystem models. Our results reveal that while the unit and realized indicators tend to be well correlated, the qualitative interpretations can be affected. We generalize these specific results by analytically investigating the sensitivity of the ratio of indirect to direct flows (I/D) to variation in the input distribution. We provide sufficient conditions on the direct flow intensity matrix G for which the computed value of I/D is less than unity for arbitrary input, as well as sufficient conditions on G for which the computed value I/D is larger than unity for arbitrary input. These results suggest that different formulations for the environ properties can alter the qualitative assessment of the ecosystem organization. We conclude that the realized formulation reconnects the environ properties to the system environment, producing a more internally consistent and applicable theory of environment.
Sequential regression considerations of adaptive filtering

The purpose of this communication is two-fold. First, we discuss the notion of adaptive filtering via a sequential regression formulation. The related algorithm is referred to as an s.e.r. (sequential regression algorithm). Secondly, it is shown that this formulation also leads to the adaptive digital filter (a.d.f.) algorithms attributed to Widrow, and Stearns.
Modeling the time to the next primary and secondary incident: A semi-Markov stochastic process approach

Abstract Incidents are notorious for their delays to road users. Secondary incidents – i.e., incidents that occur within a certain temporal and spatial distance from the first/primary incident – can further complicate clearance and add to delays. While there are numerous studies on the empirical analysis of incident data, to the best of our knowledge, an analytical model that can be used for primary and secondary incident management planning that explicitly considers both the stochastic as well as the dynamic nature of traffic does not exist. In this paper, we present such a complementary model using a semi-Markov stochastic process approach. The model allows for unprecedented generality in the modeling of stochastics during incidents on freeways. Particularly, we relax the oftentimes restrictive Poisson assumption (in the modeling of vehicle arrivals, vehicle travel times, and incidence occurrence and recovery times) and explicitly model secondary incidents. Numerical case studies are provided to illustrate the proposed model.
Nursing and the "managerial demiurge"

Abstract Two contemporary movements in nursing, nurse management and primary nursing, are described as strategies for increasing nurses' professional autonomy. The two strategies are viewed in terms of the individual nurse's experience of work in the context of the increasing managerial control of hospital organizations. Two determinants of the structure of professional work experience are considered: “personal rationality” and “organizational rationality”. The nurse management and primary nursing strategies are viewed as increasing the personal rationality of nursing work while simultaneously serving the potentially destructive requirements of increased organizational rationality.
Dialectical Perspectives on Empirical Research

The implications of dialectics for two aspects of social psychological research are considered. (a) Possible changes in methods and designs, and (b) The rationale for doing research. The emancipatory characteristics of the dialectical perspective should reduce mystification of the relationship between theory and practical problems. It is concluded that the development of a systematic dialectical social psychology depends on two related occurrences: the development of new models of community/research interaction and a new definition of social psychology.
A computational approach to conley's decomposition theorem

Background. The discrete dynamics generated by a continuous map can be represented combinatorially by an appropriate multivalued map on a discretization of the phase space such as a cubical grid or triangulation. Method of approach. We describe explicit algorithms for computing dynamical structures for the combinatorial multivalued maps. Results. We provide computational complexity bounds and numerical examples. Specifically we focus on the computation attractor-repeller pairs and Lyapunov functions for Morse decompositions. Conclusions. The computed discrete Lyapunov functions are weak Lyapunov functions and well-approximate a continuous Lyapunov function for the underlying map.
Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Aged Harbor Sediments

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of hydrophobic organic contaminants which have low aqueous solubilities and are common pollutants in harbor sediments. Adsorption and desorption isotherms for PAHs are conducted to study the abiotic sorption of PAHs in uncontaminated harbor sediments in contact with the natural overlaying water. Representative 2-, 3-, and 4-ring PAHs are used to obtain PAH adsorption/desorption data. Linear adsorption onto sediment is obtained for the following PAHs: Naphthalene and 2-methyl naphthalene (2 ring), acenaphthene, anthracene, and phenanthrene (3 ring), and fluoranthene and pyrene (4 ring). Linear adsorption is followed by a significant hysteresis in desorption from sediment, due to strong retention by the aged sediment organic carbon. Sediment organic carbon–water partition coefficients (log Koc ) for the seven PAHs range from 2.49 to 4.63. Based on the sorption data for these representative PAHs, sediment organic carbon–water partition coefficients may be p...
Layered fractal fibers and potentials

Abstract We study spectral asymptotic properties of conductive layered-thin-fibers of invasive fractal nature. The problem is formulated as a boundary value problem for singular elliptic operators with potentials in a quasi-filling geometry for the fibers. The methods are those of variational singular homogenization and M-convergence. We prove that the spectral measures of the differential problems converge to the spectral measure of a non-trivial self-adjoint operator with fractal terms.
The steroid ligands of estrogen binding proteins in Xenopus laevis liver cytosol are primarily metabolites of 17β-estradiol

The interactions in vitro between [3H]estradiol and liver proteins from Xenopus laevis have been examined to determine if the binding reaction meets criteria of steroid-receptors which may function in the induction of vitellogenesis. Estrogenic hormones associated with proteins is serum and liver cytosol from Xenopus laevis. However, the interactions between soluble liver proteins and estrogens apparently do not result from serum contamination of liver as specific binding was distinguishable by ligand affinity and by differential mobility on polyacrylamide gels. Steroid ligands bound by liver proteins during incubation in vitro were examined by solubility and by thin-layer chromatography. Only a small percentage (13%) of the bound radioactive ligand was recovered as the original tritium-labeled steroid, 17beta-estradiol. The major ligand was recovered as a water-soluble metabolite of estradiol which was identified tentatively as an estradiol-glucoside. To investigate whether the protein-bound estradiol metabolite(s) merely masks a small amount of authentic estradiol-receptor complexes or if the metabolite could be an intermediate in estrogen function, isolated liver nuclei were incubated with liver cytosol containing 3H-labeled steroid-protein complexes or with serum protein-steroid complexes relative to [3H]estradiol. Nuclei preferentially accumulated 3H-labeled steroids from liver cytosol protein-steroid complexes relative to [3H[estradiol from serum proteins. However, analysis of the steroids recovered in the nuclei after incubation with liver cytosol revealed that both 17beta-[3H]estradiol and the 3H-labeled water-soluble metabolite were retained in vitro by nuclei.U
Jaundice caused by a clinically undetectable T-cell lymphoma infiltrating the sphincter of Oddi

Malignant lymphoma rarely presents with jaundice. We describe a patient who had a unique etiology for painless jaundice, dilated ducts, and a normal ampulla of Vater. A Whipple's procedure was performed for the suspicion of pancreatic cancer, and initial pathological review detected only mild focal chronic pancreatitis. Seven months later, the patient developed ascites, retroperitoneal mass, and splenomegaly caused by a T-cell lymphoma. Reevaluation of the Whipple's specimen revealed previously unrecognized microscopic infiltration and fibrosis of the sphincter of Oddi by atypical T-lymphocytes. Obstructive jaundice caused by a clinically undetectable primary duodenal T-cell lymphoma has not been previously reported and is contrasted with other causes of jaundice associated with malignant lymphoma and ampullary lesions.
A therapist's guide to the genetics of human sexual orientation

Therapists may be faced with the question, ‘Do genes make people gay?’ This question is most likely to come from clients struggling with their sexual orientation (perhaps against the backdrop of a ...
Notes: Data Collection Software for the Psion Organiser II

Using notebook-sized computers to record field and laboratory data has become commonplace among agricultural researchers. However, the physical size, mass, and limited battery life of notebook-sized computers reduce their attractiveness for field data recording. Several manufacturers have developed small, hand-held computers designed primarily for field data recording, but the cost of many of these systems is prohibitive. Our objective was to develop data recording software for the Psion Organiser II Model XP (Psion PLC, London), an inexpensive, calculator-sized computer with long battery life and non-volatile data storage capabilities (...)
Interactions of Cu with PtSi and TiSi2 with and without Como Barrier Layers

Interactions of Cu with PtSi and TiSi2 films grown on Si (100) substrates have been studied in the temperature range of 250–500 °C with Rutherfold backscattering spectrometry, Auger electron spectrometry, and x-ray diffraction. Upon annealing Cu migrates across the intermediate PtSi or TiSi2 layers and reacts with Si substrates to form Cu suicides. Unlike what were reported in the literature, no indications of the reaction of Cu with PtSi or TiSi2 have been observed. Both PtSi and TiSi2 retain their original thicknesses and compositions during Cu penetration. The structural integrity of the metal silicides in contact with Cu films is attributed to low formation energies of Cu-silicides. A 50-nm thick amorphous CoMo barrier impedes Cu diffusion up to 550 °C, but fails as a diffusion barrier at higher temperatures due to CoMo-Si reaction.
54-Year-Old Woman With Fatigue, Back Pain, and Hypercalcemia

© 2009 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research A 54-year-old woman with a medical history of hypothyroidism presented to her local physician with a 2-week history of fatigue and midback pain. The patient described the back pain as aching, worse in the morning, and aggravated by movement; she rated its severity as 6 out of 10 and noted that it was not relieved by ibuprofen. Her primary physician obtained laboratory studies that were remarkable for a serum calcium level of 16.7 mg/dL. Chest radiography revealed mild curvature of the thoracic spine but was otherwise unremarkable. Notably, findings on recent mammography and colonoscopy were both normal. The patient was admitted to our hospital for pain control and further evaluation of back pain. She had no history of fever, chills, or night sweats but had intentionally lost 27.2 kg in 14 months. She also reported increased thirst during the past month. She had a strong family history of cancer, including multiple myeloma (mother), small cell lung cancer (sister), ovarian cancer (aunt), and testicular cancer (nephew). Her son had a history of common variable immunodeficiency. The patient was taking levothyroxine, a multivitamin, fish oil, calcium, and glucosamine/ chondroitin. On examination, her vital signs were as follows: blood pressure, 138/74 mm Hg; pulse, 85 beats/min; respiration, 12 breaths/min; and temperature, 37.6°. In general, she appeared in mild distress, having difficulty finding a comfortable position while lying in bed. Otherwise, the patient’s physical examination was unremarkable and her neurologic examination revealed no localizing findings. Results of the initial blood tests performed at our institution were remarkable for the following: hemoglobin, 10.4 g/dL (reference ranges provided parenthetically) (12.0-15.5 g/dL), mean corpuscular volume, 90.4 fL (81.6-98.3 fL), leukocyte count, 9.2 × 10/L (3.5-10.5 × 10/L); platelet count, 233 × 10/L (150-450 × 10/L); calcium level, 15.9 mg/dL (8.9-10.1 mg/dL); creatinine level, 2.3 mg/dL (0.7-1.2 mg/dL); blood urea nitrogen level, 34 mg/dL (6-21 mg/dL); and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, 70 mm/1 h (0-29 mm/1 h). 1. Which one of the following is the best initial treatment for this patient’s hypercalcemia? a. b. c. d. e.
Slender rod in shear flow

Eine analytische Untersuchung fur die Entwicklung der Grenzschicht an einem langen, dunnen Stab in Axialstromung wird prasentiert, wenn die aussere Geschwindigkeit und Temperatur sich linear in der radialen Richtung andert. Die Integralmethode von Glauert und Lighthill wurde uberpruft und erweitert, indem die Energie-Integralgleichung einbezogen wurde; man findet, dass die Losung weiter stromabwarts von der Prandtl-Zahl unabhangig ist. Das Glauert-Lighthill-Verfahren wird daraufhin angewendet um angenaherte Losungen fur das erwahnte Problem zu erhalten, sowohl fur eine aussere unendliche Scherstromung (in der die Druckanderung, welche die Scherung verursacht, berucksichtigt wird) als auch fur eine Scherstromung mit endlichem transversalem Bereich (in welcher die Druckanderung verschwindet). Analytische Losungen fur beide Falle sind durch Exponentialfunktionen und Integrale ausgedruckt. Die Losungen wurden in einer Reihe fur kleine Werte des transversalen Krummungsparameters entwickelt zum Vergleich mit den Ergebnissen von Seban, Bond und Kelly.
AN ITEM ANALYSIS BASED UPDATE OF THE NETTLER-HUFFMAN RADICALISM-CONSERVATISM SCALE

Strmmary.-An item analysis of the Nertler-Huffman Radicalism-Conservatism Scale, based on the responses of 333 undergraduates, indicated that the scale continues to be a useful measure of political attitude. A 10-item revised version of the scale had a split-half reliability of .80 and substantial item-total correlations. One of the better measures of policical attitudes is the Nettler-Huffman ( 1957) Radicalism-Conservatism Scale; see Robinson, Rusk, and Head ( 1969) for assessments of a variety of such mea2ures. There was impressive evidence of known-group validation using Republican, Democratic, and Socialist party workers for this Likert scale. Test-retest reliability was also high. The NettlerHuffman scale, however, is now more than 20 years old. While it is wasteful for social scientists to construct new measures when sound ones are available, older attitude scales need to be reassessed periodically. This reassessment is particularly necessary for political attitudes where there are few successful measures and the icem content of these measures is especially likely to become dated. The purpose of this note is to provide psychologists and other social scientists who are interested in measuring political attitudes with information about the current psychometric starus of the Radicalism-Conservatism Scale. The research provides an update through an icem analysis and current reliabilities. The Radicalism-Conservatism Scale was completed by 333 Purdue University students enrolled in introductory psychology and sociology c1asses.l The Spearman-Brown split-half reliability of the 14-item scale was a satisfactory .77. An examination, however, of the item-total correlations indicated that Items 7 and 7 had nearly zero correlations with the total score. Item 12 also correlated poorly (.IS) with the total while the correlation of Item G was marginal (.28).Vhese four items were dropped and split-half reliability for 'Item 10 required a slight modification for current use. The amount in "No one should be allowed to earn more than $25,000 a year 'cake-home' income" was changed to $50,000. The content of items which did not correlate well with the total score may be of interest to students of political attitudes. The complete scale is given by Nettler and Huffman (1957) o r Robinson, et al. (1969). For Item 6, "Labor unions should become stronger and have more influence generally." a substantive change in radical-conservative attitudes may be involved. .Labor unions are now less likely to be viewed favorably by radicals. The other items appear to be too abstract or implicative in their ideological connotations: (Item 7) "The right to inherit wealth is a sound principle which provides a strong incentive for creative work." (Item 9) "In general, full economic security is harmful; most men wouldn't work if they didn't need the money for eating and living." (Item 12) "America may not be perfect, but the American way has brought us about as close as
Micropyretic synthesis of tough NiAl alloys

NiAl has been produced by micropyretic synthesis in a tougher state by adding Cr, V, and Fe. The mechanical properties of the alloys have been evaluated. Fracture toughness values as high as 9.5 M Pa√m have been obtained. The effect of different process variables like particle size, diluents, and extent of preheat on the process of synthesis and the microstructure have been ascertained. Diluents, when present in small quantities, have been found to enhance the combustion process in NiAl without significantly affecting the microstructure of the alloy. Preheating of the specimen prior to synthesis however had a profound influence on the microstructure. The microstructures of the alloys have been examined for chemical homogeneity and the defect structure. The sequence of steps leading to the formation of NiAl from elemental powders during the process of micropyretic synthesis has been determined.
Convergence Theorems on the Core of a Public Goods Economy: Sufficient Conditions

Abstract It is shown if all consumers are either asymptotically satiated or strictly nonsatiated in public goods, then the core converges to the Lindahl allocations as the economy grow without bound. Asymptotic satiation implies that only a vanishing fraction of the private good is devoted to public goods production as the economy gets large. Strict nonsatiation, on the other hand, implies that essentially all of the private good is devoted to public goods production in the limit. It is interesting that these two conditions are independently sufficient for core convergence despite their completely opposite implications for the asymptotic nature of the Lindahl allocations. Journal of Economic Literature Classification Numbers: H41, D51, C71.
Research sharing, ethics and public benefit

Other areas of biomedical research should emulate new standards from the International Society for Stem Cell Research highlighting the importance of sharing materials, data and research rights, and requiring fair global access to resulting diagnostics and therapies.
A Rigorous Mind Meets Her Yielding Body: Intellectual Life and Meaning-Making in Wit

Some people find the experience of illness and dying to be primarily physical, emotional, and spiritual. However, many others find that the intellect offers ways to frame the complexity of these ex...
NMR studies of B2S3-based glasses

Abstract Glassy B2S3 and binary Li2SB2S3 glasses have been prepared and studied by 11B NMR. In contrast to previous NMR studies of g-B2S3, we do not observe a temperature dependent 11B spectrum. This is attributed to sample preparation technique. Studies of binary Li2SB2S3 glasses indicate that the structure of these glasses differs significantly from that of Li2OB2O3 glasses of similar composition.
A Role for the Small GTPase Rab6 in Assembly of Human Cytomegalovirus

In human-cytomegalovirus (HCMV)-infected cells, the localization of the viral protein pp150 to the virus assembly compartment (AC) is dependent on its direct interaction with the cellular protein Bicaudal D1 through a dynein- and microtubule-dependent mechanism. We found that the small GTPase Rab6 also interacts indirectly with pp150 through its interaction with Bicaudal D1. Inhibition of Rab6 activity in HCMV-infected cells interrupted the intracellular trafficking of pp150, significantly reducing infectious virus production without affecting the formation of the AC, arguing for an important function for this cellular GTPase in the intracellular localization of pp150 during virus assembly.
Low levels of lipid oxidation radically increase the passive permeability of lipid bilayers

Oxidation of unsaturated lipids in cellular membranes has been shown to cause severe membrane damage and potentially cell death. The presence of oxidized lipid species in the membrane is known to cause changes in membrane properties, such as decreased fluidity. This study uses giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) to measure passive transport across membranes containing defined concentrations of oxidized lipid species. GUVs consisting of a saturated phospholipid, an unsaturated phospholipid, and cholesterol were used as model membranes. By replacing defined amounts of the unsaturated lipid with a corresponding oxidized product, the oxidation process could be mimicked, yielding vesicles of varying oxidized lipid concentration. Oxidized lipid concentration was varied from 0 mol% to 18 mol% of the total lipid concentration. Passive transport of PEG12-NBD, an uncharged fluorescent molecule, was measured using a microfluidic trap to capture the GUVs and spinning disk confocal microscopy (SDCM) to track the transport of a fluorescent species in the equatorial plane of each GUV. Membrane permeability was determined by fitting the resulting concentration profiles to a finite difference model of diffusion and permeation around and through the membrane. Experiments showed three permeability regimes. Without oxidation, transport was slow, with a measured permeability on the order of 1.5 × 10−6 cm s−1. At 2.5–10% oxidized species permeation was fast (1.5 × 10−5 cm s−1). Above 12.5% oxidized species, the bilayer was disrupted by the formation of pore defects. As passive transport is an important mechanism for drug delivery, understanding the relationship between oxidation and permeation could provide insight into the pharmaceutical characteristics of tissues with oxidative damage.
Some Pattern Recognition Considerations for Low-temperature Luminescence and Room Temperature Fluorescence Spectra

Low-temperature (77 K) luminescence (LTL) and room temperature fluorescence (RTF) spectra of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons with varying amounts of spectral structure are studied as a function of several instrument parameters (emission alit width, scan speed, and damping) in order to develop quantitative criteria for spectral quality and reproducibility. The purpose of this study is to assess the classification and pattern recognition capabilities for hazardous chemicals for various spectral techniques and to develop suitable spectral libraries and search routines. In order to quantitate the effect of the instrument parameters on the spectrum, a statistic (power) was used to measure spectral quality. In addition, three measures of similarity, used for assessing the agreement between two patterns (spectra), were evaluated to determine the variability that can be expected in spectra obtained under the same and different instrumental conditions. Analysis of the data confirms that the low-temperature luminescence technique produces better quality spectra than the room temperature fluorescence technique, but that room temperature fluorescence spectra are more repeatable.