cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Attracting federal research funds: Why so much from so many goes to so few

This paper addresses the question of the distribution of federal research funds. It is noted that the top five institutions in terms of federal funding occupy very stable and extremely high rankings in terms of the quality of their academic programs in a variety of fields. It is suggested that this is part of their overall strategy for achieving organizational effectiveness. The implications for technology generation and transfer are discussed. In view of the various theories of organizational effectiveness, it is noted that research oriented universities that consistently win in the quest for federal research funds have developed both the structure and atmosphere necessary for responding to external groups.
Electrohydrodynamic natural convection enhancement for horizontal axisymmetric bodies

Abstract This article addresses a new theoretical derivation to describe the electrohydrodynamic (EHD) natural convection enhancement for isothermal, horizontal axisymmetric bodies immersed in a dielectric liquid under the effects of uniform electric fields. Using asymptotic power series expansions in the laminar boundary-layer regime we obtain convenient explicit relations which are capable of predicting the local and average Nusselt numbers in terms of two controlling parameters, namely the Rayleigh number and the electric Rayleigh number. The solutions of two coupled partial differential equations for the temperature and the stream function are represented by Gortler-type series, which are universal with respect to body contours. The Gortler-type series appears to converge rapidly so that minimal computational effort is required even for a sub-class of body shapes that do not admit the usual similarity transformations. As an example, the leading order approximation for the first derivative of the temperature is used to calculate the local and total average Nusselt numbers for horizontal circular cylinders.
BiCMOS current buffer-rectifier

A BiCMOS current buffer with positive and negative precision rectifying outputs as well as a nonrectifying output is presented. It has low voltage supply requirements and good high-frequency performance and can be used as a building block of linear and nonlinear current-mode circuits. Experimental results of a test chip that verify the operation of the circuit are presented. >
Exploring structured inequality in Internet use behavior

This paper explicates the construct of ‘communicative potentials’ for understanding inequality in Internet use. Communicative potentials consist of three sets of factors (resources, utility values, and literacy) that jointly affect individuals' Internet use behavior. They are distributed unequally in a society and form a structural grid to transfuse structural patterns of resource and opportunity distributions into patterns of Internet use behavior. Analyzing data of the Shanghai Survey, this study discerns the operation of such structures in the manifestation of socio-economic, age, and gender gaps in likelihood and frequency of usage, as well as types of online activities. Based on the findings, this paper argues that systemic inferences about how the Internet might lead to social changes must be built upon a better understanding of how social structural factors configure features of Internet use behavior in a general population.
Sources of Nitrate in Ground Water in a Sewered Housing Development, Central Long Island, New York

Nitrate concentrations in ground water on Long Island, New York, have increased markedly in the last 30 years. A significant amount of this increase has been attributed to lawn and garden fertilizers in addition to cesspool and septic-tank discharges. The increase in nitrate concentration is of particular concern in the central and eastern part of the island, where ground water is the sole source of drinking water. Ground-water samples were collected from 14 wells screened near the water table in the sewered Twelve Pines housing development constructed in Medford, Suffolk County, in 1970. Samples were collected during 1972–79 and analyzed for total ammonium, organic nitrogen, and nitrate. Statistical analyses indicate that concentrations of nitrate-nitrogen in water from 10 of the wells increased significantly during 1972–79; those in water from the other four wells did not. Nitrogen loads were estimated to be 2,300 kg/yr from fertilizers, less than 80 kg/yr from irrigation water, 200 kg/yr from animals, and less than 670 kg/yr from precipitation. Leakage from sewers was considered negligible. Nitrate-nitrogen isotope ratios also suggest that the greatest source of nitrogen is from cultivation sources (either mineralized soil nitrogen or fertilizers) rather than human or animal wastes.
Taking MLL through the MudPIT: Identification of Novel Complexes that Bring Together MLL-Fusion Proteins and Transcription Elongation Factors

Recently in Molecular Cell, Lin et al. (2010) showed that multiple MLL-fusion proteins implicated in mixed-lineage leukemia (MLL) associate with AFF4, ELLs, and the positive transcription elongation factor P-TEFb, providing evidence that the dysregulated gene expression in MLL patients is due to aberrant transcription elongation.
VizCom: a novel workflow model for ICU clinical decision support

The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has the highest annual mortality rate (4.4M) of any hospital unit or 25% of all clinical admissions. Studies show a relationship between clinician cognitive load and workflow, and their impact on patient safety and the subsequent occurrence of medical mishaps due to diagnostic error - in spite of advances in health information technology, e.g., bedside and clinical decision support (CDS) systems. The aim of our research is to: 1) investigate the root causes (underlying mechanisms) of ICU error related to the effects of clinical workflow: medical cognition, team communication/collaboration, and the use of diagnostic/CDS systems and 2) construct and validate a novel workflow model that supports improved clinical workflow, with goals to decrease adverse events, increase safety, and reduce intensivist time, effort, and cognitive resources. Lastly, our long-term objective is to apply data from aims one and two to design the next generation of diagnostic visualization-communication (VizCom) system that improves intensive care workflow, communication, and effectiveness in healthcare.
Correlation by Conodonts of Golconda Group (Chesterian) in Illinois Basin: GEOLOGICAL NOTES

The Golconda group is overlain by the Hardinsburg formation and underlain by the Cypress formation in Illinois and western Kentucky but by the Elwren formation in Indiana and N.-central Kentucky. The 3 units of the Golconda group, the Beech Creek formation, Fraileys and correlative Big Clifty formations, and the Haney formation, in ascending order, are readily distinguishable on the basis of their respective conodont faunas. Gnathodus is the dominant genus in the Beech Creek whereas Cavusgnathus dominates the Haney fauna. The fauna of the Beech Creek represents an invasion from a southern faunal province of Texas and Oklahoma, and the Haney fauna is characteristic of the Illinois basin faunal province.
Simultaneous Target and Multipath Positioning via multi-hypothesis single-cluster PHD filtering

This work considers the problem of tracking a RF source in dense multipath environments using a uniform linear receiver array (ULA) where multipath propagation is modeled as specular reflections from planar reflectors. A single cluster process is formulated using a Bayesian estimation framework for Simultaneous Target and Multipath Positioning (STAMP) where target state is defined as a parent process and the reflector state is defined as the daughter process. A multi-hypothesis data association method is used with Probability Hypothesis Density (PHD) filtering to improve the accuracy of the target state estimate. The Gaussian target state is updated based on classic multiple-scan maximum likelihood data association while the update of multipath parameters is based conventional Gaussian Mixture PHD filtering. Experimental results using real data for an indoor target positioning problem demonstrates substantial improvements in localization accuracy with this method.
Erratum to “Hyaluronic acid-based hydrogel for regional delivery of paclitaxel to intraperitoneal tumors” [Journal of Controlled Release 158 (2012) 386–392]

Figure 1. (A) In-vitro PTX release kinetics from HA-gel (40 mg/mL). % Cumulative PTX released=(PTX released in the medium by the specified time)/(PTX loaded in the gel). Results shown are averages of three independently and identically prepared samples. article. The figure is corrected, and the related texts are accordingly revised as shown below. 3.3. In‐vitro PTX release kinetics from PTX-gel and Taxol-gel (p. 388) The release kinetics of PTX from PTX-gel and Taxol-gel were examined with the PBS containing FBS and hyaluronidase (Fig. 1A). Taxol-gel completed PTX release in 24 h, followed by no further release. 62.0±7.4% of total loaded PTX was released from Taxol-gel in 24 h, and 0.1±0.1% of the loaded PTX was found to be adsorbed to the container. On the other hand, PTX-gel continuously released 89.5±9.7% of the loaded PTX over a period of 10 days, leaving 3.6±0.7% adsorbed to the container. 4. Discussion (p. 390) Due to the high water content, the HA gels are usually poor at delaying the release of low molecular-weight drugs [40] but can retain precipitates of hydrophobic drugs [35] or NPs [20] relatively well. In the present study, Taxol was not well entrapped in the gel, whereas PTX precipitates remained with the gel, evident from the difference in PTX release kinetics. The persistent white color of PTX-gel during the release study also supported the retention of PTX precipitates in the gel. This difference may be attributable to the particle size of Taxol and PTX precipitates. Taxol micelles (14 nm) appear to be too small to remain in the degrading gel, but PTX precipitates in micrometer ranges are sufficiently large. PTX-gel released PTX continuously and completely over 10 days in vitro, leaving little residue behind. Given the small volume of peritoneal fluid (~0.1 mL fluid for 1 mL gel), the PTX release in vivo is likely to be slower than in vitro, where the gel was exposed to a much larger volume of release medium (20 mL medium for 0.3 mL gel). This prediction is supported by the presence of white gel mass remaining after 14 days in the peritoneal cavity. It is worth mentioning that the total recovery of PTX from Taxol-gel in the release studies was less than the loaded amount. This may be partly due to the degradation of PTX released in the medium.
Trap loss in a dual-species Rb-Ar* magneto-optical trap

We have investigated trap loss in a dual-species magneto-optical trap (MOT) comprised of $^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ and metastable $^{40}\mathrm{Ar}$. We measure the trap loss rate coefficients for each species due to the presence of the other as a function of trap light intensity. We clearly identify both Penning ionization of Rb by ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ and associative ionization to form the molecular ion $\mathrm{Rb}{\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ as two of the trap loss channels. We have also measured the trap loss rate coefficient for the ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{*}$ MOT alone and observe production of ${\mathrm{Ar}}^{+}$ and $\mathrm{Ar}_{2}{}^{+}$ ions.
Re-evaluating Bode's law of planetary magnetism

THE popularity of the so-called magnetic Bode's law for the magnetic dipole moments of the planets1–4 persists despite the lack of any physical justification for such a law. The magnetic Bode's law takes the form of a plot of the log of the magnetic moment of a planet against the log of its angular momentum. On this plot, the planetary moments lie roughly along a straight line. But the dimensions of the planets vary widely and both the magnetic moment and angular momentum depend on high powers of these dimensions, so that the apparent correlation of the two quantities should not be surprising. On the positive side, this display illustrates the relative strengths of the magnetic moments of the planets without invoking a particular physical mechanism for the source of those fields, and thus has the advantage of being ‘noncontroversial’. We shall here bring up to date the magnetic Bode's law based on recent analysis of the moments of the terrestrial planets.
Population Dynamics, Trophic Interactions, and Production of Northern Pike in a Shallow Bog Lake and Their Effects on Simulated Regulation Strategies

Abstract Bog lakes provide a unique but common environment for northern pike Esox lucius within the native range of northern pike. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources intensively removed nearly half of the population of age-2 and older northern pike from a 28.3-ha bog lake. The removal provided a unique opportunity to study the population dynamics, diet, and secondary production of northern pike. These northern pike formed a dense population with moderate growth rates and a relatively high total mortality rate. Estimated density for fish of ages 2 and older was 59.0 fish/ha, growth through age 4 for both sexes was comparable to an international growth standard, total annual mortality was 63%, and natural mortality was a critically large component of the total mortality. Yellow perch Perca flavescens prey sustained much of the growth and secondary production of northern pike. Estimated secondary production was 4.0 kg/ha/year for male northern pike and 4.8 kg/ha/year for females, with the bulk of ...
Opiate addiction and anorexia nervosa: a case report.

The case of a young female patient with onset of anorexia nervosa at 14 and subsequent development of dependence on opiate drugs is reported. Her positive family history for opiate dependence and the relationship between her eating behavior and the use of opiate agonists or antagonists are highlighted. Implications of this case for the treatment of eating disorders with opiate antagonists are discussed.
Practical Aspects of Texture Analysis in the Aluminum Industry

Crystallographic texture analysis is a microstructure characterization technique essential for relating microstructure attributes to the anisotropy of properties in crystalline matter. As such, it is widely used in research as well as in industrial materials and process design. Additionally, texture analysis is also used in industrial applications to monitor the consistency of a process for e.g. the anisotropy in mechanical properties from product to product. This overview outlines the reduction of quantitative texture data for the use in industrial settings.
Increased serotonin in the developing superior colliculus does not alter the number or distribution of retinotectal ganglion cells

Administration of a single subcutaneous dose of 5,7-dihydroxytryptamine (5,7-DHT) to newborn hamsters results in a significant increase in the density of serotoninergic (5-HT) fibers in the superficial layers of the superior colliculus (SC) and marked abnormalities in both the crossed and uncrossed retinotectal projections when these animals reach adulthood (R. Rhoades, C. Bennett-Clarke, R. Lane, M. Leslie, and R. Mooney, 1993, J. Comp. Neurol. 334:397-409). The present study was undertaken to determine whether changes in the retinotectal projection of 5,7-DHT-treated animals were associated with alterations in the number or distribution of retinal ganglion cells in these animals. Nissl staining of retinae from normal adult and 5,7-DHT-treated hamsters revealed no differences between them in the number or average diameter of cells in the retinal ganglion cell layer. Retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) demonstrated no effect of 5,7-DHT treatment on the number or distribution of ipsilaterally or contralaterally projecting ganglion cells. Neonatal 5,7-DHT administration also had no effect on the distribution of soma diameters for HRP-labeled retinal ganglion cells. Electron microscopic analysis demonstrated no significant difference between the number of optic nerve fibers in the normal and 5,7-DHT-treated hamsters. The results are consistent with the conclusion that the effect of 5,7-DHT on the retinotectal projection may primarily be a function of this toxin, or the increase in 5-HT it induces, on the terminal arbors of retinotectal axons rather than on their parent cells.
Simultaneous analysis of multiple monoclonal antibody biotherapeutics by LC-MS/MS method in rat plasma following cassette-dosing

We have recently developed a general liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometric (LC-MS/MS) method using a stable isotope-labeled (SIL) monoclonal antibody (mAb) as an internal standard (IS) for single-analyte quantification of mAb (Li et al. Anal Chem 84(3):1267–1273, 2012). The method offers an advantage over ligand binding assay in reducing the time and resources needed for bioanalytical support in preclinical stages of drug development. In this paper, we report another marked increase in assay efficiency for multi-analyte bioanalysis using unique surrogate peptides for each analyte and the strategic choice of the SIL-IS peptide. The method was qualified for the simultaneous determinations of four mAbs in rat plasma and applied to samples from discrete- and cassette-dosed rats. The pharmacokinetic parameters of the four mAbs of cassette dosing were comparable to those of discrete dosing and of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results. Although there may be limitations and special considerations for cassette-dosing of biologics, these results demonstrate the robust performance of the multi-analyte LC-MS/MS method allowing cassette-dosing that would ultimately reduce animal use and improve efficiency.
Blind Identification of Spatial Multiplexing and Alamouti Space-Time Block Code via Kolmogorov-Smirnov (K-S) Test

A novel algorithm for blind identification of spatial multiplexing and Alamouti space-time block code is proposed in this paper. It relies on the Kolmogrov-Smirnov test, and employs the maximum distance between the empirical cumulative distribution functions of two statistics derived from the received signal. The proposed algorithm does not require estimation of the channel coefficients, noise statistics and modulation type, and is robust to the carrier frequency offset and impulsive noise. Additionally, it outperforms the algorithms in the literature under a variety of transmission impairments.
Role of stem cell homing in myocardial regeneration

Recent studies have demonstrated the potential for myocardial regeneration at the time of myocardial infarction. Our lab focuses on understanding how stem cells home to injured tissue. We believe that a detailed analysis of the biological responses to tissue injury not only gives us insight into how damage occurs, but can also yield insight into how the body attempts to repair itself. In the case of the heart, we have shown that these "healing pathways" are only expressed for a short time following injury, and this may be why myocardial damage is usually irreversible. Furthermore, work suggests that deciphering these "healing pathways" and re-establishing their expression at time remote from injury offers an avenue for developing novel therapeutics that ultimately may allow us to orchestrate and exaggerate the healing process at time remote from tissue injury.
Intermittent transition between order and chaos in an insect pest population

Abstract The causes of the erratic seasonal variation in the sizes of some insect pest populations are largely unknown, but they are believed to be associated, at least in part, with environmental change. The attendant lack of predictability makes the control of insect pests difficult, resulting in substantial losses. In a model simulation study, using parameter values based on field data, it is shown that under certain conditions a population experiencing regular periodic cycles (therefore being predictable) can become chaotic (i.e. erratic) in the absence of changes in environmental factors. Moreover, after a time the population returns to regular stable cycles. The process recurs and represents an intrinsic characteristic of the system. This phenomenon, known as intermittency, occurs when certain variables have values that place the system near the transition point between order and chaos. This discovery may help explain the erratic behaviour of some insect pest population and aid in developing better biological control measures.
Theoretical Maximal Precision for Mass-to-Charge Ratio, Amplitude, and Width Measurements in Ion-Counting Mass Analyzers

A theory previously developed for spectra with detector-limited (i.e., signal-independent) Gaussian-distributed noise is applied to calculate the maximal precision with which mass spectral peak parameters (mass-to-charge ratio, amplitude, width) can be determined from a discrete spectrum with source-limited Poisson-distributed noise. The precision depends in a calculable way upon the peak shape, signal-to-noise ratio, and number of data points per peak width. Those dependencies are tested by analysis of simulated data. The theory provides estimates for the precision of a repeated experiment, based on data from a single discrete mass spectrum whose parameters are extracted by a least-squares fit to a specified line shape. The relevance of the predictions to present and potential time-of-flight performance is discussed.
Carbon storage and emissions offset potential in an East African tropical rainforest

Abstract Forestry based carbon emissions offset projects have potential to both mitigate climate change and foster sustainable forest management. Degraded African tropical forests could sequester large amounts of additional carbon, but the lack of empirical data limits the feasibility of initiating carbon offset projects in many threatened forests. This study examines the potential to increase carbon stocks in the Kakamega National Forest of western Kenya, a threatened biodiversity hotspot and Kenya's only remaining rainforest. Carbon density values for indigenous forest and plantations were estimated based on forest inventory data from 95 randomized plots distributed throughout the forest. Total ecosystem carbon was estimated using allometric equations for tree biomass, destructive techniques for litter and herbaceous vegetation biomass, and Dumas combustion and spectroscopy for soils. Land cover maps for 1975, 1986, and 2000 were used to estimate both current carbon stocks and the influence of past land use changes. Mean carbon density in indigenous forest was 330 ± 65 Mg C/ha, greater than that of the forest's hardwood plantations (280 ± 77 Mg C/ha) and significantly greater that that of softwood plantations (250 ± 77 Mg C/ha). The distribution of carbon densities within the indigenous forest and the variation between plantation types suggest management practices could feasibly increase Kakamega's carbon stock. Deforestation between 1975 and 1986 and limited reforestation from 1986 to 2000 have resulted in a net loss of 0.4–0.6 Tg C. If this loss were reversed, the value of possible associated carbon credits dwarfs the current operational budget for managing and protecting the forest, even at low carbon prices. Additional income could help address resource needs of impoverished communities surrounding the forest and promote sustainable protection of Kakamega's high biodiversity.
An electronic brachytherapy technique for treating squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the digit: a case report

Background Squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the digit presents a complex management problem, which is usually treated with surgery or radiation or topical agents. The outcome of the surgical treatment can be an undesirable cosmetic result and loss of function. We report a unique Electronic Brachytherapy technique to treat the digit, which uses a 50 Kv miniaturized X-ray source with specialized applicators.
Nanoscale Semiconductor Plasmon Lasers

We present several designs for surface-plasmon confined electrically pumped nanoscale semiconductor lasers. We show that low-loss laser nanocavities with subwavelength cavity sizes in all three dimensions are feasible in which threshold gain requirements are easily met with standard semiconductor gain materials.
Cyanide inhibition of the catalase system.

Abstract The concentration of cyanide, I50, required to bind or inhibit 50% of bacterial catalase heme groups has been determined in the presence and absence of hydrogen peroxide. The difference in values of I50 obtained by kinetic and spectroscopic studies is approximately 40% and agrees with that predicted from the analytical solution for the kinetics of inhibition by cyanide. At 13.6 ° the dissociation constant is 4.78 ± 1.20 × 10−6M from inhibition data and 4.60 × 10−6M ± 1.36 × 10−6M from spectrophotometric data. The heat of the reaction between cyanide and catalase is approximately 19,600 cal./mole.
Factors influencing the uptake and loss of radiosulfate by rat renal cortical tissue in vitro.

Rat kidney cortical slices, during incubation in vitro, lose previously accumulated radiosulfur when exposed to conditions (e.g. addition to the medium of metabolic inhibitors) which normally depress the uptake of S35. The extent of this loss is not affected significantly by the presence of phlorhizin, an agent which enhances markedly radiosulfate accumulation. On the other hand, when tissues are chilled to 1°C., loss is slight or negligible even in the presence of metabolic inhibitors. These data, and observations on the effect of pre-incubation of kidney slices in S35-free media before the addition of radiosulfate, have been interpreted as evidence that S35 accumulation in vitro may be resolved into at least two processes, namely (a) entrance of the isotope-labelled anion into the cells, by diffusion and/or active transport, and (b) complexing of S35 (in ionic or other form) with an intracellular component. The postulated complex is stabilized, perhaps through inactivation of a specific enzyme, by chilling the tissue to 1°C. Possible relationships are discussed among the observations noted above, sulfur metabolism in general, and aspects of the known in vivo transport mechanism for sulfate ion; i.e., renal tubular reabsorption.
Origins of phase anomalies in 13C FT NMR spectra

Some controversy exists on the origin(s) of phase anomalies observed in 13C FT NMR spectra. Two separate explanations, based on either echo or sampling effects, have been proposed by previous workers. We now show experimentally that these two effects can occur separately or together and, in the latter case, the effects can interfere with one another. Methods to ameliorate or remove phase anomalies are briefly reviewed.
Correlation between progression free survival and dynamic susceptibility contrast MRI perfusion in WHO grade III glioma subtypes

The purpose of this study was to determine whether dynamic susceptibility contrast MR perfusion relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV) correlates with prognosis of World Health Organization (WHO) grade III glial tumors and their different subtypes. Retrospective evaluation of pre-treatment tumor rCBV derived from dynamic susceptibility contrast MR perfusion was performed in 34 patients with histopathologically diagnosed WHO grade III glial tumors (anaplastic astrocytomas (n = 20), oligodendrogliomas (n = 4), and oligoastrocytomas (n = 10)). Progression free survival was correlated with rCBV using Spearman rank analysis. ROC curve analysis was performed to determine the operating point for rCBV in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas dichotomized at the median progression free survival time. For all grade III tumors (n = 34) the mean rCBV was 2.51 with a progression free survival of 705.5 days. The mean rCBV of anaplastic astrocytomas was 2.47 with progression free survival 495.2 days. In contrast, the mean rCBV for oligodendroglial tumors was 2.56 with a progression free survival of 1005.6 days. Although there was no significant correlation between rCBV and progression free survival among all types of grade III gliomas (P = 0.12), among anaplastic astrocytomas there was a significant correlation between pretreatment rCBV and progression free survival with correlation coefficient of -0.51 (P = 0.02). The operating point for rCBV in patients with anaplastic astrocytomas dichotomized at the median progression free survival time (446.5 days) was 2.86 with 78 % accuracy and there was a significant difference between the survival of patients with anaplastic astrocytomas in the dichotomized groups (P = 0.0009). Pre-treatment rCBV may serve as a prognostic imaging biomarker for anaplastic astrocytomas, but not grade III oligodendroglioma tumors.
Preparation of diastereomeric thymidine 3′,5′-cyclic methylphosphonates. Assignment of RP and SP configurations by 13C NMR

Abstract The diastereomers of thymidine 3′,5′-cyclic methylphosphonate have been prepared and separated. A use of 13 C NMR for the assignment of their phosphorus configurations is demonstrated which should be generally applicable to P-derivatized cyclic nucleotides.
Heterogeneity in harlequin ichthyosis, an inborn error of epidermal keratinization: Variable morphology and structural protein expression and a defect in lamellar granules

Skin biopsies and scale samples from nine infants and one fetus affected with harlequin ichthyosis (HI) were obtained from eight families. Epidermal differentiation was examined by morphologic and biochemical criteria and cell culture studies. Two striking abnormalities were identified; first, keratin and filaggrin expression were abnormal and varied between cases, and, second, in all cases lamellar granules were absent or abnormal, and intercellular lamellae within the stratum corneum were absent. Three HI phenotypes were distinguished by variable expression of epidermal structural proteins. Cases were classified by the absence (type 1) or presence (types 2 and 3) of keratins K6 and K16 ("hyperproliferative" keratins) and by the presence of profilaggrin in the interfollicular epidermis (types 1 and 2 only). Profilaggrin is apparently not converted to filaggrin, but it is retained in the scale. The block in profilaggrin processing may be due to an inactive phosphatase. Siblings in two families (presenting with types 1 and 2) showed the same type classification suggesting that expression of the phenotype is consistent within families but differs between families. Cultured HI keratinocytes were normal by phase microscopy, but abnormal by electron microscopy with no lamellar granules and extensive stacking of the upper layers. We conclude that harlequin ichthyosis is a genetically heterogeneous group of disorders with altered lamellar granules, intercellular lipids, and variation in expression and/or processing of structural protein markers of normal epidermal keratinization. Furthermore, the lamellar granule and structural protein defects may be indirectly related via a mechanism involving phosphorylation/dephosphorylation.
Phylogenetic evaluation of systematics and biogeography of the leech family Glossiphoniidae

The phylogenetic relationships of Glossiphoniidae, a leech family characterised by its high degree of parental care, were investigated with the combined use of morphological data and three molecular datasets. There was strong support for monophyly of most accepted genera in the group, many of which are consistent with eyespot morphology. The genera Desserobdella Barta & Sawyer, 1990 and Oligobdella Moore, 1918 are suppressed as junior synonyms of Placobdella Blanchard, 1893 and thus recognising each of Placobdella picta (Verrill, 1872) Moore, 1906, Placobdella phalera (Graf, 1899) Moore, 1906, and Placobdella biannulata (Moore, 1900), comb. nov. The species Glossiphonia elegans (Verrill, 1872) Castle, 1900 and Helobdella modesta (Verrill, 1872), comb. nov. are resurrected for the North American counterparts to European non-sanguivorous species. Glossphonia baicalensis (Stschegolew, 1922), comb. nov. is removed from the genus Torix Blanchard 1898 and Alboglossiphonia quadrata (Moore, 1949) Sawyer, 1986 is removed from the genus Hemiclepsis Vejdovsky, 1884. The biogeographic implications of the phylogenetic hypothesis are evaluated in the context of what is already known for vertebrate hosts and Tertiary continental arrangements.
RELEASE OF NONTRANSMEMBRANE FULL-LENGTH ALZHEIMER'S AMYLOID PRECURSOR PROTEIN FROM THE LUMENAR SURFACE OF CHROMAFFIN GRANULE MEMBRANES

We previously demonstrated the presence of a soluble form of full-length Alzheimer's amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the lumen of adrenal medullary chromaffin granules (CG). Furthermore, full-length APP is released from CG membranes in vitro at pH 9.0 by an enzymatic mechanism, sensitive to protease inhibitors [Vassilacopoulou et al. (1995) J. Neurochem. 64, 2140-2146]. In this study, we found that when intact CG were subjected to exogenous trypsin, a fraction of APP was not digested, consistent with an intragranular population of APP. To examine the substrate-product relationship between membrane and soluble full-length APP, we labeled CG transmembrane APP with 3-(trifluoromethyl)-3-(m-[125I]iodophenyl)diazirine ([125I]TID), a lipophilic probe, specific for membrane-spanning domains of proteins. APP released from the membranes at pH 9.0 was not labeled with [125I]TID. In addition, this APP was not biotinylated in intact CG. Combined, the results indicate that APP released from CG membranes derives from a unique nontransmembrane population of membrane-associated APP, located in the lumenal side of CG membranes. Dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP) cross-linking indicated that APP in CG is situated in close proximity with other proteins, possibly with APP itself. APP complexes were also detected under nonreducing conditions, without DSP cross-linking. These results, combined with our previous studies, indicate that full-length APP within CG exists as three different populations: (I) transmembrane, (II) membrane-associated/nontransmembrane, and (III) soluble. The existence of nontransmembrane populations suggests that putative gamma-secretase cleavage sites of APP, assumed to be buried within the lipid bilayer, could be accessible to proteolysis in a soluble intravesicular environment.
Analytical, experimental, and computer-simulation results on the interactive effects of speckle with multidither adaptive optics systems*

A comprehensive study of the interactive effects of multidither adaptive optics (COAT) systems with the spurious signals induced by speckle modulations is presented. An analysis based on a statistical model of a COAT system is developed in order to predict convergence levels in the presence of such modulations. A computer simulation study of these effects is also presented. Good agreement is found between the data gathered in both of these studies. In order to further corroborate these results, experimental data is then presented. These data were gathered using a laboratory model of a COAT system interacting with a real target that produced speckle modulations.
In vitro abnormality of the blood in von Willebrand's disease correctable by normal plasma.

VON WILLEBRAND'S disease is a familial haemorrhagic disorder affecting both sexes and characterized by a prolonged bleeding time and a low level of antihaemophilic factor (AHF, factor VIII). The prolonged bleeding time is associated with abnormal in vivo platelet adhesiveness1. However, no in vitro abnormality has been detected in the factors believed to be essential for haemostasis, such as platelet viscous metamorphosis2 and aggregation of platelets by adenosine diphosphate (unpublished observation) and by collagen3. The platelet-aggregating ability of the patient's connective tissue is also unimpaired3. Recent reports have indicated that the abnormal bleeding time can be corrected by transfusion of fresh plasma or a plasma fraction4–6. This effect can only be tested in patients. Identification of an in vitro abnormality in von Willebrand's disease would facilitate purification of this plasma factor; it would also help to elucidate both the pathological physiology of the disease and the normal physiology of haemostasis.
Measurement of birefringence of optical materials using a wedged plate interferometer

A nondestructive technique for measuring the birefringence of optical materials such as calcite using wedged plate interferometer is presented. The sample needed for measuring the refractive index must be polished in the form of a parallel plate. The method is based on the measurement of the longitudinal displacement of the focus when the parallel plate is inserted in a converging beam of light. The displacement of the focus is a measure of the refractive index of the optical material. In the case of a uniaxial crystal, the displacement of the focus for the extraordinary ray is different from the displacement of the focus for the ordinary ray. Hence the birefringence of the crystal is determined by measuring the difference between the two focii. It is possible to obtain an accuracy up to 0.0002 in the measurement of birefringence depending on the sample thickness. The method should find its application for the characterization of new crystals in various material research and crystal growth laboratories.
Emotional Eating and Spiritual Well-Being: A Possible Connection?

Abstract The purpose of this exploratory study was to evaluate the relationship between emotional eating and spiritual well-being. It was found that among college women lower levels of spiritual well-being correlated with higher levels of emotional eating (r=-.22, p=.0015). In other studies emotional eating has been found to contribute to higher caloric intake, binge eating, and bulimic eating attitudes. A better understanding of the correlates of emotional eating may lead to health education strategies for preventing or managing overweight, obesity, and eating disorders—which may be some of the major public health issues of the future. Implications for health education are discussed, and research needs are suggested.
The impact of particulates on the aqueous sonication of bromobenzene

Sonodegradation of bromobenzene, bromophenolate ion, and 2,4,5-trichlorobiphenyl was studied in the presence of various types of solid particles suspended in water. Three particle diameters (10 nm, 15 microm, and 35 microm) and two particle types (silica particles and organic resin) were investigated over a range of particle concentrations (0.05-10 g l(-1)). The sonochemical decomposition rate constant for bromobenzene (k = 0.044 +/- 7.50 x 10(-4) min(-1) at 20 kHz) was not significantly impacted by very fine silica particles (10 nm). The presence of 15 microm silica decreased sonication rates slightly (<7%) even at a concentration of 10 g l(-1). Organic resin particles demonstrated a more significant impact, particularly at higher concentration and with very hydrophobic compounds. These findings are significant for the application of ultrasound to treatment streams containing solid particles.
Genome-wide association analysis of age-at-onset in Alzheimer’s disease

The risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is strongly determined by genetic factors and recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified several genes for the disease risk. In addition to the disease risk, age-at-onset (AAO) of AD has also strong genetic component with an estimated heritability of 42%. Identification of AAO genes may help to understand the biological mechanisms that regulate the onset of the disease. Here we report the first GWAS focused on identifying genes for the AAO of AD. We performed a genome-wide meta-analysis on three samples comprising a total of 2222 AD cases. A total of ~2.5 million directly genotyped or imputed single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were analyzed in relation to AAO of AD. As expected, the most significant associations were observed in the apolipoprotein E (APOE) region on chromosome 19 where several SNPs surpassed the conservative genome-wide significant threshold (P<5E-08). The most significant SNP outside the APOE region was located in the DCHS2 gene on chromosome 4q31.3 (rs1466662; P=4.95E-07). There were 19 additional significant SNPs in this region at P<1E-04 and the DCHS2 gene is expressed in the cerebral cortex and thus is a potential candidate for affecting AAO in AD. These findings need to be confirmed in additional well-powered samples.
Interface shape in the vertical Bridgman configuration with and without the submerged heater

The shape of the solid-liquid interface in a multi-zone furnace was studied experimentally and numerically. Gallium-doped germanium single crystals were grown with and without the submerged heater (SH). With the SH, the direction of the heat flux was controlled, and the convective heat transfer at the interface was eliminated. As a result, the interface becomes convex with respect to the liquid. During growth with the rotating SH, a natural convection counter-flow is generated by the centrifugal forces imposed by the rotating heater. This forced flow causes vigorous mixing in the melt near the interface which allows significantly higher growth rates while maintaining a planar interface.
Cell Proliferation in Precancerous Liver: Linear Growth Curve

IN extending our recently published work on cell growth and the development of tumours1, we have observed that in the livers of rats fed 2-acetylamino-fluorene the cell proliferation continues at a constant rate during the pre-cancerous period arid does not decrease as we had at first supposed. Such continuous increase in a cell population at a constant rate constitutes a most unusual form of growth, and it affords an important insight into the dynamics of cell proliferation in a pre-neoplastic tissue.
Synthesizing a representative critical path for post-silicon delay prediction

Several approaches to post-silicon adaptation require feedback from a replica of the nominal critical path, whose variations are intended to reflect those of the entire circuit after manufacturing. For realistic circuits, where the number of critical paths can be large, the notion of using a single critical path is too simplistic. This paper overcomes this problem by introducing the idea of synthesizing a representative critical path (RCP), which captures these complexities of the variations. We first prove that the requirement on the RCP is that it should be highly correlated with the circuit delay. Next, we present two novel algorithms to automatically build the RCP. Our experimental results demonstrate that over a number of samples of manufactured circuits, the delay of the RCP captures the worst case delay of the manufactured circuit. The average prediction error of all circuits is shown to be below 2.8% for both approaches. For both our approach and the critical path replica method, it is essential to guard-band the prediction to ensure pessimism: our approach requires a guard band 30% smaller than for the critical path replica method.
Buyer–Supplier Contracts Versus Joint Ventures: Determinants and Consequences of Transaction Structure

Abstract When a buyer firm and a supplier firm plan to transact, what factors drive their choice of mechanism to govern the relationship? Focusing on contract-governed versus joint venture–governed relationships, the authors present a theoretical framework that specifies the conditions that make one or the other form of relationship structure more appropriate. This study was designed to address potential limitations regarding measurement, financial consequences, and context in the extant literature. The authors employ measures derived from Standard & Poor’s Compustat financial database and an overall measure of firm reputation to examine empirically differences in firm characteristics across the two types of relationships. To examine the financial consequences of relationship structure, the authors use event-study techniques that tie stock price reactions to the governance mechanism choice. The results suggest that buyers and suppliers are more likely to form a joint venture (versus simple contract) when ...
The great lead water pipe disaster

The great lead water pipe disaster, by Werner Troesken, Cambridge, MA, MIT Press, 2008, 328 pp., US$15.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-2627-012-59 The historical interrogation of public health knowledge...
Liquid phase vibrational spectra of 13C-isotopes of benzene

Abstract The Raman and i.r. spectra of liquid benzene—(μl)— 13 C ( 13 C 6 H 6 ) and benzene—1— 13 C are reported. The samples consist of a mixture of isotopes, but the lines and bands of the majority of the modes were separately resolvable. Because of the high resolution of the spectra the separation of bands down to 1 cm −1 has been achieved. Band assignments are discussed in detail.
The differential effect of tetranitromethane on the proteinase and esterase activity of bovine thrombin.

Abstract Some aspects of the reaction of bovine thrombin with tetranitromethane have been studied. Treatment of highly purified bovine thrombin with this reagent inhibits the proteinase (fibrinogen-clotting) activity of this enzyme but the esterase activity remains unchanged. Amino acid analysis indicated that 4–5 tyrosyl residues are modified under these reaction conditions. The inhibition of proteinase activity is not prevented by the presence of benzamidine, a competitive inhibitor of thrombin. It is concluded that the reaction of bovine thrombin with tetranitromethane results in a change in the conformation of the enzyme molecule with subsequent distortion of the substrate binding site which leads to an alteration in the specific proteinase activity but not in the less specific esterase activity.
Physician gender may influence prevalence of IBS patients in primary care physician practices and referrals to gastroenterologists

Purpose: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common gastrointestinal disorder. Individuals with IBS often seek medical attention from primary care physicians (PCPs). This study evaluated primary care physicians|[rsquo]| reported prevalence of IBS patients in their practices and the frequency of referrals to gastroenterologists.
Use-Wear on Later Stone Age Microliths from Laga Oda, Haraghi, Ethiopia and Possible Functional Interpretations

Summary Excavations in later Stone Age deposits at Laga Oda rock-shelter near Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, yielded a quantity of microliths which retained signs of edge damage. Experiments were conducted in an attempt to replicate the patterns of edge damage observed on the prehistoric material. Several uses are proposed to which the microliths may have been put: some evidently served as knife-blades, suggesting the cutting of grass.
Mediation analysis for intervention trials: objectives, models, and inference

Lynch, Gary, Gallop and Ten Have (hereafter LGGT) are to be commended for taking on a difficult issue that is of high importance to researchers in a number of areas. It may be surprising to statisticians that a considerable literature on this topic exists in the psychometric and behavioral sciences literature, dating at least to the highly influential work of Baron and Kenny (1986). The standard approach is a two-stage regression that carries strong and largely unrealistic assumptions about the distribution of mediating variables. LGGT argue, and we agree, that these methods are generally not up to the task of drawing inferences about the causal effects that are of direct interest. Interested readers should see Egleston and Scharfstein (2006) for another outstanding critique.
The Sentence Completion Blank In Assessing Student Self‐Actualization

A 40-item self-oriented sentence completion blank with stems designed to elicit responses to frustrations, conflict, and personal identity was administered to college students at two levels of maturity and to industrialists in supervisory positions. Responses were classified with satisfactory reliability into self-actualizing (A), self-defeating (D), and immobilizing-affective (I) categories. Ratio scores (A/A + D + I) for individuals show reliability over a 2-day period and 14-week period and significant difference between college underclassmen and industrialists. The technique has counseling utility in that trends toward self-actualizing or defensive tendencies are evident in individual blanks. Ratings of responses to the stems by the subjects on a 5-point good-bad scale yielded “feeling” score patterns with impressive reliability, but the meaning of these scores needs further exploration.