cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evidence for increased formation of preprothrombin and the noninvolvement of vitamin K-dependent reactions in sex-linked hyperprothrombinemia in the rat.

Abstract The rate of appearance of plasma prothrombin was measured in vitamin K-deficient male and female rats after the administration of vitamin K1, and the disappearance of prothrombin was measured in normal rats after injection of cycloheximide. The results suggest that hyperprothrombinemia in female rats is due to a faster rate of formation of the clotting protein rather than to a slower rate of its degradation. Preprothrombin activity in liver microsomes was higher in warfarin-treated female rats than in warfarintreated male rats; but the activity of preprothrombin in liver disappeared at approximately the same rate in both sexes after administration of vitamin K. The rate and extent of vitamin K-dependent formation of γ-carboxyglutamic acid and the appearance of prothrombin activity in vitro were not significantly different between the sexes. These results suggest that elevated levels of plasma prothrombin in female rats are probably due to a higher rate of synthesis of preprothrombin and not to any difference in the vitamin K-dependent step. A difference was observed in the amount of cycloheximide required to inhibit synthesis of liver microsomal protein in the two sexes.
Breaking the Ethnographer’s Frames: Reflections on the Use of Photo Elicitation in Understanding Sri Lankan Monastic Culture

This article assesses the use of auto-driven photo elicitation among children Buddhist monks in Sri Lanka. Comparing the data previously collected from word-only interviews with the data collected ...
On the solvatochromic properties of the oxalate-bridged complexes [(tBuCO2)3M2]2(μ-O2C2O2) where M=Mo or W

The room temperature electronic absorption spectra of the oxalate bridged MM quadruply bonded complexes [(tBuCO2)3M2]2(μ-O2C2O2), where M = Mo or W have been recorded in H2O, THF:H2O mixtures, THF, CH2Cl2, toluene, DMSO, aniline, toluene saturated with N,N-dimethylaniline and ethanol. The strong absorptions in the visible region of the electronic absorption spectra assignable to the metal-to-ligand (bridge) charge transfer are shown to be highly solvent dependent. Those samples prepared in H2O, CH2Cl2 and toluene are shown to comprise of a suspension of microcrystalline particles ranging in size from 100 nm to 5 μm. Individual particles were found by scanning electron microscopy to have an aspect ratio of ∼10:1, all being needle shaped. The spectra in THF, EtOH, aniline, DMSO and toluene–N,N-dimethylaniline all show similar vibronic progressions and are attributed to discrete solvated molecular species. The spectra recorded in aniline are notably red-shifted which is proposed to arise from a combination of hydrogen bonding and Lewis base stabilization of the photoexcited state.
The System for Population Kinetics: Open Source Software for Population Analysis

This chapter describes the System for Population Kinetics (SPK), a novel Web service for performing population kinetic analysis. Population kinetic analysis is a widely-used tool for extracting information about the probability distributions of unknown parameters in kinetic models. The statistical population model is usually hierarchical, with a nested structure encompassing both variation between subjects and residual unexplained variation associated with the model predictions. The complexity of the analysis is largely driven by the nonlinearity of the models employed. Here, we provide a concise introduction to the topic and a historical perspective for the benefit of the reader who is new to these concepts. Next, we briefly describe the SPK open source system and its multi-tiered architecture, indicating the user goals it set to achieve and elucidating its practical usage with examples.
Child Maltreatment and Delinquency Onset Among African American Adolescent Males

Child welfare and criminology research have increasingly sought to better understand factors that increase the likelihood that abused and neglected children will become involved in the juvenile justice system. However, few studies have addressed this relationship among African American male adolescents. The current study examines the relationship between child maltreatment (i.e., neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and other/mixed abuse) and the likelihood of a delinquency petition using a sample of African American males (N = 2,335) born before 1990. Multivariable logistic regression models compared those with a delinquency-based juvenile justice petition to those without. Results indicate that African American males with a history of neglect, physical abuse, or other/mixed abuse were more likely to be involved in the juvenile justice system than those without any child maltreatment. Additionally, multiple maltreatment reports, a prior history of mental health treatment, victimization, and having a parent who did not complete high school also increased the likelihood of a delinquency petition. Implications for intervention and prevention are discussed.
The Uranian corona as a charge exchange cascade of plasma sheet protons

The paper uses models of magnetic convection and interparticle interactions to examine the collisional interactions between atmospheric neutral hydrogen and magnetospheric charged particles observed by Voyager to be convecting through the Uranian magnetosphere. The e(-)-H collisional ionization process, continually reenergized by compressional heating of the electrons as they drift toward Uranus, produces a cascade of new plasma. This process has been suggested elsewhere as the source of the warm (10 eV at L = 5) plasma and is found in the present study to continue in a cascade to even cooler and more abundant plasma. This newly created plasma consists almost entirely of electrons and protons because He and H2 are nearly absent from the uppermost layers of the atmosphere. If this plasma crosses the dayside magnetopause and mixes with magnetopause boundary layers such as the plasma mantle, there to be swept back along the magnetotail, reincorporated into the magnetotail by the same processes postulated for solar wind plasma entry, and reenergized in the magnetotail current sheet, it would constitute an important source for the hot plasma observed by Voyager.
China’s Brain Gain? Attitudes and Future Plans of Overseas Chinese Students in the US

The largest group of foreign students currently in the United States comes from the People’s Republic of China (PRC). According to a 1993 UC Berkeley survey (Zweig and Chen, 1995), the percentage of Chinese students planning to eventually return home was 33%. However in the past decade this percentage appears to be increasing. This article uses results from surveys taken in 2001 and 2005 of Chinese students enrolled at American universities to show that the intention to return home after graduation is indeed rising. The cause behind this rise is shown to be largely driven by the economic opportunities back home and cultural comfort, although the desire to give back to their homeland is also a prominent factor. The impact of 9/11 vis-a-vis US visa and employment policies was shown to have relatively little effect on Chinese students’ post-graduate plans.
Near-IR and PS-OCT imaging of developmental defects in dental enamel

Polarization sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) and near-IR (NIR) imaging are promising new technologies under development for monitoring early carious lesions. Fluorosis is a growing problem in the U.S., and the more prevalent mild fluorosis can be visually mistaken for early enamel demineralization. Some initial NIR images suggest that enamel defects and dental caries manifest different optical behavior in the NIR. Unfortunately, there is little quantitative information available regarding the differences in optical properties of sound enamel, enamel developmental defects, and demineralized enamel due to caries. This study tested the hypothesis that hypomineralized enamel due to fluorosis can be differentiated from demineralized enamel due to caries using NIR and PS-OCT imaging because of different optical behavior in the NIR. Thirty extracted human teeth with various degrees of suspected fluorosis and/or caries were imaged using PS-OCT and NIR transillumination. An InGaAs camera and a near-IR diode laser were used to measure the optical attenuation through transverse tooth sections (~200 mm). Developmental defects were clearly visible in the polarization-resolved OCT images, demonstrating that PS-OCT can be used to nondestructively measure the depth and possible severity of the defects. Enamel defects on whole teeth that could be imaged with high contrast with visible light were transparent in the near-IR while demineralized areas due to caries were opaque. In contrast, dental caries could be clearly distinguished from sound enamel. This study suggests that PS-OCT and NIR methods may potentially be used as tools to assess the severity and extent of enamel defects and for the differentiation of mild fluorosis defects from early carious lesions.
The effect of oxidants on biomembranes and cellular metabolism

During the reductive process in the tissues, the aerobes generate a number of oxidants. Unless these oxidants are reduced, oxidative damage and cell death would occur. Oxidation of plasma membrane lipids leads to autocatalytic chain reactions which eventually alter the permeability of the cell. The role of oxidative damage in the pathophysiology of diabetic complications and ischemic reperfusion injury of myocardium, especially the changes in the channel activity which may lead to arrhythmia have been studied. Hyperglycemia activates aldose reductase which could efficiently reduce glucose to sorbitol in the presence of NADPH. Since NADPH is also aldose required by glutathione reductase for reducing oxidants, its diversion would lead to membrane lipid oxidation and permeability changes which are probably responsible for diabetic complications such as cataractogenesis, retinopathy, neuropathy etc. Antioxidants such as butylated hydroxy toluene (BHT) and also reductase inhibitors prevent or delay some of these complications. By using patch-clamp technique in isolated frog myocytes, we have shown that hydroxy radicals generated by ferrous sulfate and ascorbate as well as lipid peroxides such as t-butyl hydroperoxide facilitate the entry of Na+ by oxidizing Na+-channels. Increased intracellular Na+ leads to an increase in Na+/Ca2+ exchange. The increased Na+ concentration by itself may produce electrical disturbance which would result in arrhythmia. Increased Ca2+ may affect proteases and may help in the conversion of xanthine dehydrogenase to xanthine oxidase, consequently increased production of super oxide radicals. Increased membrane lipid peroxidation and other oxygen free-radical associated membrane damage in myocytes has been demonstrated.
Pre-Feudal Women

Buck looks at social forces that can be perceived in the poem Beowulf and discovers that the early medieval North European rearing produced a wonderful "breed" of warriors and fellow-warriors, with attractively tragic and pathetic women in the burh-loca of all their backgrounds. Their form of social bonding can be relied on only to produce more of the same, hence is not appropriate at present to our society.
Bisexuality: Complicating and Conceptualizing Sexual Identity

This article focuses on research that seeks to understand conceptualizations of sexual orientation. In particular, the tension between self-identification and social classification is highlighted as discussion focuses on the ways in which sexual identity is understood within a social context. In addition to complicating notions of sexual identity, inclusion of bisexuality in research ultimately invites new ways of conceptualizing sexual orientation. The role the Journal of Bisexuality has played in shaping this research is considered.
A comprehensive evaluation of the potential chemical defenses of antarctic ascidians against sympatric fouling microorganisms

The present study analyzed the bioactivity of whole body extracts from six solitary and eight colonial ascidian taxa against 20 sympatric bacterial isolates and one sympatric diatom species from the Western Antarctic Peninsula. Ascidians had crude lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts assayed against 20 bacterial strains. The lipophilic extract of one ascidian caused growth inhibition in all bacterial isolates at 3× tissue-level concentrations. The lipophilic and hydrophilic extracts were fractionated into seawater-soluble and insoluble fractions and assayed at three concentrations against a sympatric diatom species. Significant diatom mortality was detected at 3× and 1× concentrations in all but one ascidian taxon. Lipophilic fractions caused higher diatom mortality than hydrophilic extracts. The specificity of secondary metabolites against diatom fouling and the lack of activity against bacteria suggest high selective pressure for chemical defenses against diatom fouling or the potential that bacterial pathogens are controlled by the ascidian immune system.
The magnitude, symmetry and origin of upper mantle anisotropy based on fabric analyses of ultramafic tectonites

Summary. Seismic anisotropy within the upper mantle originates from the preferred orientation of highly anisotropic single crystals. The symmetry and magnitude of anisotropy depend upon: (1) the volume percentages of the minerals constituting the upper mantle, (2) the degree and symmetry of preferred orientation of each mineral and (3) the alignment of the minerals’ crystallographic axes relative to one another. The nature of upper mantle anisotropy can be examined by studying mineral orientations within ultramafic rocks which were once part of the mantle. Petrofabric data for olivine and pyroxene have been used to obtain velocity anisotropy patterns over large regions of ultramafic rocks from the Samail ophiolite, Oman, the Troodos ophiolite, Cyprus, the Bay of Islands ophiolife, Newfoundland, the Twin Sisters ultramafic, Washington, USA, the Dun Mountain ophiolite, New Zealand, the Red Hills ophiolite, New Zealand and the Red Mountain ophiolite, New Zealand. The compressional wave anisotropy calculated for these massifs ranges from 3 to 8 per cent, in excellent agreement with observed seismic anisotropy in the upper continental and oceanic mantle. The symmetry varies from orthorhombic to axial, with the axial symmetry axis corresponding to the olivine a-axes maxima and subparallel to spreading directions in oceanic upper mantle. Pyroxene a-, b- and c-axes maxima generally parallel olivine b-, c- and a-axes, respectively, and anisotropy decreases with increasing pyroxene content. Shear-wave splitting is predicted for all propagation directions within the upper mantle. Symmetry is also orthorhombic or axial, with the minimum difference in velocity between the two shear-waves parallel to the maximum compressional wave velocity.
VEGF-A165 Potently Induces Human Blood–Nerve Barrier Endothelial Cell Proliferation, Angiogenesis, and Wound Healing In Vitro

Several mitogens such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been implicated in mammalian vascular proliferation and repair. However, the molecular mediators of human blood-nerve barrier (BNB) development and specialization are unknown. Primary human endoneurial endothelial cells (pHEndECs) were expanded in vitro and specific mitogen receptors detected by western blot. pHEndECs were cultured with basal medium containing different mitogen concentrations with or without heparin. Non-radioactive cell proliferation, Matrigel™-induced angiogenesis and sterile micropipette injury wound healing assays were performed. Proliferation rates, number and total length of induced microvessels, and rate of endothelial cell monolayer wound healing were determined and compared to basal conditions. VEGF-A165 in the presence of heparin, was the most potent inducer of pHEndEC proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing in vitro. 1.31 nM VEGF-A165 induced ~110 % increase in cell proliferation relative to basal conditions (∼51 % without heparin). 2.62 pM VEGF-A165 induced a three-fold increase in mean number of microvessels and 3.9-fold increase in total capillary length/field relative to basal conditions. In addition, 0.26 nM VEGF-A165 induced ∼1.3-fold increased average rate of endothelial wound healing 4–18 h after endothelial monolayer injury, mediated by increased cell migration. VEGF-A165 was the only mitogen capable of complete wound closure, occurring within 30 h following injury via increased cell proliferation. This study demonstrates that VEGF-A165, in the presence of heparin, is a potent inducer of pHEndEC proliferation, angiogenesis, and wound healing in vitro. VEGF-A165 may be an important mitogen necessary for human BNB development and recovery in response to peripheral nerve injury.
Intraoperative angiography in the management of neurovascular disorders.

ABSTRACTIntraoperative angiography is useful in verifying the goals of neurovascular operations during the procedure and before the wound is closed. We report on our technique of intraoperative angiography in 115 neurovascular operations, including obliteration of intracranial aneurysms, resection o
Review of the formulation and applications of the finite-difference time-domain method for numerical modeling of electromagnetic wave interactions with arbitrary structures

Abstract This paper reviews the basis and applications of the finite-difference time -domain (FD-TD) numerical modeling approach for Maxwell's equations. FD-TD is very simple in concept and execution. However, it is remarkably robust, providing highly accurate modeling predictions for a wide variety of electromagnetic wave interaction problems. The accuracy and breadth of FD-TD applications will be illustrated by a number of two- and three-dimensional examples. The objects modeled range in nature from simple geometric shapes to extremely complex aerospace and biological systems. In all cases where rigorous analytical, code-to-code, or experimental validations are possible, FD-TD predictive data for penetrating and scattered near fields as well as radar cross sections are in excellent agreement with the benchmarks. It will also be shown that opportunities are arising in applying FD-TD to model rapidly time-varying systems, microwave circuits, and inverse scattering. With continuing advances in FD-TD modeling theory as well as continuing advances in supercomputer technology, there is a strong possibility that FD-TD numerical modeling will occupy an important place in high-frequency engineering electromagnetics as we move into the 1990s.
Postoperative radiotherapy for cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck region

Abstract Purpose: To assess the efficacy and toxicity of elective-adjunctive radiotherapy given in five 6-Gy fractions to patients with cutaneous melanoma of the head and neck at high risk for local-regional relapse. Methods and Materials: From 1983 to August 1992, 174 patients (132 men and 42 women) were enrolled. The ages ranged from 16 to 89 years (median: 54 years). One group (n = 79) received elective irradiation after wide local excision of lesions ≥ 1.5 mm thick, or Clark's level IV–V, a second group (n = 32) received adjunctive irradiation after excision of primary lesions plus limited neck dissection, and a third group (n = 63) received irradiation after neck dissection for nodal relapse. Each group had a projected local-regional recurrence rate of approximately 50%. The radiotherapy consisted of five fractions of 6 Gy each, specified at Dmax, delivered twice a week, to a total dose of 30 Gy in 2.5 weeks. Electron beams of appropriate energies were used whenever possible. Junction lines between adjoining fields were moved twice to minimize dose heterogeneity. Patients were seen at regular intervals to assess disease status and therapy-related complications. Patients who relapsed were treated as indicated by the clinical status. Results: With a median follow-up of 35 months, 111 of 174 patients were alive. The disease recurred above the clavicles only in six patients, at distant sites in 58 patients, and both local-regionally and at distant sites in nine patients. The actuarial 5-year local-regional control (LRC) and survival rates for the whole group were 88% and 47%, respectively. The thickness of the primary lesion, presence of more than three positive nodes, and extracapsular extension did not influence the LRC rate after radiotherapy (range: 85 – 92%). However, lesion thickness strongly affected the 5-year survival rate of group 1 patients (i.e., 100% for ≤ 1.5 mm thick, but Clark's level IV, 72% for > 1.5 – 4 mm, and 30% for > 4 mm). In groups 2 and 3, the 5-year survival rate of patients with > three involved nodes was lower than that of patients with one to three positive nodes (23% vs. 39%). The acute tolerance to adjunctive radiotherapy was excellent. Late radiation complications were observed in only three patients. These were moderate neck fibrosis, mild ipsilateral hearing impairment, and transient exposure of external auditory canal cartilage. Conclusion: The safety of this hypofractionated radiotherapy regimen in the management of cutaneous melanoma was established in this study. The overall 5-year actuarial LRC rate of 88% was much higher than that of our historical group and that reported in the literature (50%). The survival rate of patients with lesion of 1.5 – 4 mm thickness was also higher than that observed in other series. Based on these results a prospective randomized study to further define the role of adjunctive postoperative radiotherapy is planned.
The conductance of divalent Ions in H2O at 10 and 25°C and in D2O

Precise conductance measurements are reported for potassiumm-benzenedisulfonate and ferricyanide, for calcium, strontium, barium, and manganese chloride, and for manganese and potassium sulfate in D2O at 25°C. Measurements were also carried out in water at 10 and 25°C for all the salts with the exception of K3Fe(CN)6 at 10°C. Two runs are reported for sodium sulfate in water at 25°C. Limiting conductances of these ions are discussed in terms of solvent structural effects. The association constant for MnSO4 is found to be the same in H2O and D2O.
A role for covariance stabilization in the construction of the classical mixture surface

Some well-established ideas from classical covariance stabilization and shrinkage estimation are extended to the context of physical mixtures through the use of a model developed by Burdick and Rayens. A cross-validation techique is proposed and associated computational issues are addressed. The methodology is evaluated in the context of real polychlorinated biphenyl data.
An Item Response Theory for Personality and Attitude Scales: Item Analysis Using Restricted Factor Analysis

This paper describes the applicability of item re sponse theory to attitude scale development and pro vides an illustration derived from a study of the pro pensity toward jealousy in romantic relationships. The item analysis model used is identical to the factor analysis model, so factor analytic criteria are used to evaluate the scale. These criteria may be used to de cide whether the scale may be scored as a measure of a single variable and whether a simple sum or a weighted sum of the item responses serves as an opti mal test score. Estimates of the reliability of the scale based on the item response model are also described.
"Good Apples in Good Barrels: Ethical Code Enforcement, Conscientiousness, and Unethical Behavior"

Environmental and individual antecedents of unethical behavior have each received substantial research attention, but the interactions between these two antecedents are less well- understood. Using...
Dermal hypersensitivity to schistosome cercariae in rhesus monkeys during immunization and challenge: I. Complex hypersensitivity reactions of a well-immunized monkey during the challenge

Abstract Complex dermal hpersensitivity reactions induced by the challenge infection with Schistosoma japonicum cercariae were observed in a rhesus monkey that had been immunized six times with cercariae exposed to high doses of x-irradiation and had been proved to have acquired a solid resistance against subsequent challenge infection. Macroscopically, three hypersensitivity reactions—reaginic whealing reaction, Arthus reaction, and delayed hypersensitivity reaction—appeared in sequence after the cercarial application. Results of microscopic examinations of sections prepared from biopsies of skin samples taken serially correlated in general with those of the macroscopic examinations. In the Arthus reaction, however, neither intravascular thrombi nor vascular fibrinoid necrosis was found, and the predominant cells in the perivascular infiltrate were not neutrophils but eosinophils. Pending further investigation, the Arthus reaction, previously so designated because of the macroscopic features noted, is temporarily designated an Arthus-like reaction. Most of the migrating schistosomula derived from the challenge cercariac seemed to be destroyed in the dermis as well as in the epidermis at about 12 hours after the challenge. Discussions of the true nature of the present "Arthus-like reaction" with special speculation on the possible role of IgE antibody in this reaction, the possible production of eosinophil chemotactic factor by the lymphocytes, and the schistosomulicidal effect of the eosinophils are presented.
Lysosomal β-d-mannosidase of rat liver

1. 1. β-Mannosidase (β-d-mannoside mannohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.25) is localized in the lysosomes of rat liver. The enzyme is a distinct activity from lysosomal α-mannosidase (α-d-mannoside mannohydrolase, EC 3.2.1.24), has an acid pH optimum and is stable to pH to incubation of 4°C. Rat liver contains 0.37 unit of β-mannosidase per g of tissue. 2. 2. Purified lysosomal preparations were able to hydrolyse a trimannoside, β-d-Man-(1→4)-β-d-Man-(1→4)-d-Man, at a rate proportional to the p-nitrophenyl β-mannosidase activity of the preparations. 3. 3. Rat liver β-mannosidase exhibits substrate specificity, hydrolysising trimannoside at a faster rate than dimannoside. 4. 4. Purified lysosomal preparations extensively hydrolyse the carbohydrate portion of glycopeptides obtained from ovalbumin.
Developmental changes of renal brushborder membrane ionic permeability

Renal brush-border membrane vesicles (BBMV) show an age-dependent increase in height of the Na+-gradient driven overshoot for glucose and proline uptake. Conversely, early uptake of 22Na+ is more rapid in BBMV from kidney of 7-day-old vs. adult rats. To understand the mechanisms responsible for these observations, ionic permeability characteristics of BBMV from different aged animals were determined using an electrical potential sensitive fluorescent dye, diS-C3(5). Absolute and relative ionic permeabilities were determined after a 3-h incubation in 100 mM KCl. Intravesicular K+ ([K+]in), a measure of absolute K+ permeability, was calculated from the extravesicular K+ at which valinomycin produced no potential difference (PD). [K+]in was significantly lower in vesicles from 7-day, compared to adult (P < 0.01). While Cl− permeability, relative to that of K+ (PCl−PK+) was similar, PNa+PK+ decreased significantly with age (P < 0.05, 7 day vs. adult). In the presence of an inwardly directed NaCl gradient, the lower PNa+ relative to PCl− of the adult vesicles would result in a less positive intravesicular charge, which would therefore augment Na+-solute co-transport. Fluorescence polarization studies also show that lipids from BBM vesicles of 7-day-old rats are more fluid than those from adult. These differences are likely due to developmental lipid compositional changes, which influence membrane transport and permeability characteristics. These findings would explain, in part, the age-dependent alterations of renal BBMV solute transport.
Interferometric gravitational wave detectors vibrational isolation

Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detectors, coming online lin late 2000, look for small space strains, leading to apparent motions of test masses of 10-19 m or less; isolation from other forces is crucial. They require a formidable vibration isolation level in a frequency range between few Hz and few kHz. The off-band residual motion must be kept below 10-12 m not to saturate the phase sensors. These exceptional requirements are met, in all degrees of freedom, with a chain of active and passive filters. The key isolation mechanism is the use of mechanical oscillators above their resonant frequencies, pendula horizontally, springs vertically. Very high quality pendular suspensions are needed at the mirror level to limit the thermal noise from fluctuations in the dissipation mechanisms. Off-band electromagnetic actuators on or near the mirror keep its magnitude of attenuation in the longitudinal direction. To provide the bulk of the attenuation, virtually all in the vertical direction, they are suspended from Seismic Noise Attenuation Systems. Attenuation filters, either active or passive, are chained, each providing 2 or 3 orders of magnitude of attenuation. Passive attenuation is obtained with springs and pendula. The vertical is the toughest direction to deal with because the oscillators also fight against gravity. The vertical attenuation requirements, although orthogonal to the beam direction, are only slightly less stringent than the vertical ones due to cross-couplings (Earth curvature is the source of one of them). High internal damping springs organized in hierarchical stacks are used in most early designs. More advanced designs increasingly rely on chains of filters equipped with high quality cantilever springs driven to low resonant frequencies by different mechanisms. The Quality Factors of each resonance are actively and/or passively spoiled at the chain suspension point. IN the latest designs, Ultra Low Frequency Oscillators filter out the microseismic and other low frequency perturbations. This paper addresses one approach to achieving the required seismic isolation level.
The Monodromy Conjecture for hyperplane arrangements

The Monodromy Conjecture asserts that if c is a pole of the local topological zeta function of a hypersurface, then exp(2πic) is an eigenvalue of the monodromy on the cohomology of the Milnor fiber. A stronger version of the conjecture asserts that every such c is a root of the Bernstein-Sato polynomial of the hypersurface. In this note we prove the weak version of the conjecture for hyperplane arrangements. Furthermore, we reduce the strong version to the following conjecture: −n/d is always a root of the Bernstein-Sato polynomial of an indecomposable essential central hyperplane arrangement of d hyperplanes in C n .
Acute Toxicity From Breast Cancer Radiation Using Helical Tomotherapy With a Simultaneous Integrated Boost

Purpose:To evaluate 2 simultaneous integrated boost treatment planning techniques using helical tomotherapy for breast conserving therapy with regard to acute skin toxicity and dosimetry.Methods:Thirty-two patients were studied. The original approach was for 16 patients and incorporated a directional block of the ipsilateral lung and breast. An additional 16 patients were planned for using a modified approach that incorporates a full block of the ipsilateral lung exclusive of 4 cm around the breast. Dose–volume histograms of targets and critical structures were evaluated. Skin toxicity monitoring was performed throughout treatment and follow-up using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events.Results:Treatment was well tolerated with patients receiving a median dose of 59.36 Gy. Of the 16 patients in both groups, 8 had grade 2 erythema immediately after radiation. On 3-week follow-up, 10 and 7 patients in the original and modified groups showed grade 1 erythema. On 3- and 6-month follow-up, both g...
EFFECT OF WARMED, HUMIDIFIED INSUFFLATION GAS AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AGENTS ON CYTOKINE RESPONSE TO LAPAROSCOPIC NEPHRECTOMY: PORCINE MODEL

ABSTRACTPurpose: We evaluated the effects of warmed, humidified CO2 and anti-inflammatory agents on the local and systemic cytokine response after laparoscopic nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: A total of 15 pigs were randomized to undergo standard laparoscopic nephrectomy, laparoscopic nephrectomy with warmed, humidified CO2 gas or laparoscopic nephrectomy with perioperative administration of intravenous dexamethasone and oral rofecoxib. At baseline, and 1, 4, 24 and 48 hours after surgery duplicate blood and peritoneal samples were drawn to analyze cortisol, glucose, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-6 via a microassay technique. Body temperature was determined at operation, intraoperatively and 1 hour postoperatively. Surgical parameters, including operative time, gas volume used and blood loss, were recorded.Results: Pigs in the warmed, humidified CO2 and anti-inflammatory arms maintained higher intraoperative and postoperative core body temperatures than controls. Warmed, h...
EMPIRICAL TWO-PARAMETER MIXING RULES FOR A CUBIC EQUATION-OF-STATE

Four two-parameter mixing rules are presented along with expressions for the fugacity coefficient and compressibility factor obtained when they are used in conjunction with the Peng-Robinson equation of state. A comparison of the forms of these expressions and results obtained in the prediction of VLE for nine systems with these temperature-, pressure-, density-, and composition-dependent rules provides a guideline for the applicability, advantages and disadvantages of each. Excellent results were obtained, especially in the near critical region, when these simple pressure- and density-dependent rules were used to describe P-x data. The density-dependent mixing rule consistently yielded better predictions of VLE over a range of temperatures (using parameters obtained at a single temperature) than the results obtained by optimizing the interaction parameter of conventional mixing rule at each temperature. The composition-dependent rule was slightly less effective for most systems, but for highly polar, asy...
Immunochemical comparison of cell-wall antigens of various viridans streptococci, including strain 2A2 + 3 hot from recurrent oral aphthous ulceration in man

Abstract Several studies suggest that patients with recurrent aphthous ulceration show cell-mediated and humoral immunity to antigens of Streptococcus sanguis, particularly strain 2A2+3HOT which is said to be antigenically similar or identical to Strep, sanguis strain ATCC 10556. However, physiological classification as well as analysis of the immunologically dominant cell-wall antigens by immunoelectrophoresis and indirect immunofluorescence showed that the strain is actually a strain of Streptococcus mitis and is antigenically more like ATCC 10557 than ATCC 10556. The findings illustrate the antigenic heterogeneity of the Strep, sanguis and Strep, mitis taxons, and demonstrate the need for antigenic analysis of viridans streptococcal strains used in immunological studies of the aetiology of disease and in antiserum production. Commercial streptococcal group and antisera were also tested.
Generalized convex set functions

Abstract Concepts of quasiconvexity and pseudoconvexity of set functions are introduced. Properties and relations between these generalized convex set functions are investigated, and optimality criteria for differentiable and convex set functions are extended to these larger classes of set functions.
'Two pains together': patient perspectives on psychological aspects of chronic pain while living with HIV.

Objective: Chronic pain is common in HIV-infected individuals. Understanding HIV-infected patients’ chronic pain experience not just from a biological, but also from a psychological perspective, is a critical first step toward improving care for this population. Our objective was to explore HIV-infected patients’ perspectives on psychological aspects of chronic pain using in-depth qualitative interviews. Methods: Investigators engaged in an iterative process of independent and group coding until theme saturation was reached. Results: Of the 25 patients with chronic pain interviewed, 20 were male, 15 were younger than age 50, and 15 were AfricanAmerican. Key themes that emerged included the close relationship between mood and pain; mood and pain in the context of living with HIV; use of alcohol/drugs to self-medicate for pain; and the challenge of receiving prescription pain medications while dealing with substance use disorders. Conclusions: The results suggest that psychological approaches to chronic pain treatment may be well received by HIVinfected patients.
Human Cadaveric Allograft for Repair of Nasal Defects After Extirpation of Basal Cell Carcinoma by Mohs Micrographic Surgery

Background. Immediate reconstruction after removal of skin cancer by Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) may not be feasible in patients unwilling or unable to undergo an extensive procedure. Human cadaveric allograft (HCA) may offer a useful alternative to granulation. Objective. To examine the usefulness of HCA in resurfacing nasal defects after extirpation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) by MMS. Methods. Case histories of seven patients treated with HCA were reviewed with respect to primary skin cancer histology, defect size, medical status, healing time, and cosmesis. Results. Five of seven tumors were infiltrative BCCs. Defects ranged from 2.7 to 20 cm2. Average healing times for wounds with and without exposed cartilage were 42 and 35 days, respectively. There were no wound infections. Hypergranulation tissue was noted in three patients and had no effect on cosmesis, which was adequate in five patients and poor in two patients. Conclusion. HCA may be a useful alternative to granulation following MMS for treatment of skin cancers involving the nose.
Development of New HPLC Chiral Stationary Phases Based on Native and Derivatized Cyclofructans

An unusual class of chiral selectors, cyclofructans, is introduced for the first time as bonded chiral stationary phases. Compared to native cyclofructans (CFs), which have rather limited capabilities as chiral selectors, aliphatic- and aromatic-functionalized CF6s possess unique and very different enantiomeric selectivities. Indeed, they are shown to separate a very broad range of racemic compounds. In particular, aliphatic-derivatized CF6s with a low substitution degree baseline separate all tested chiral primary amines. It appears that partial derivatization on the CF6 molecule disrupts the molecular internal hydrogen bonding, thereby making the core of the molecule more accessible. In contrast, highly aromatic-functionalized CF6 stationary phases lose most of the enantioselective capabilities toward primary amines, however they gain broad selectivity for most other types of analytes. This class of stationary phases also demonstrates high “loadability” and therefore has great potential for preparative ...
Diterpenes and sesquiterpene Lactones from Mikania congesta

Abstract The chloroform extract of the aerial parts of Mikania congesta, afforded four new geranylnerol derivatives, new analogs of deoxyelephantopin, a new melampolide and several known compounds. Structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and chemical transformations.
Upper Airway Obstruction Secondary to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome-related Kaposi's Sarcoma

A 45-year-old man with a history of intravenous drug use presented with acute respiratory distress. A pulsus paradoxus of 42 mm Hg, accessory respiratory muscle use and stridor were present. Examination of the oropharynx revealed multiple 1 to 2 cm purple lesions of the gingiva and hard palate. A purple tumor mass in the posterior pharynx obstructed the view of the larynx. An emergency tracheostomy was performed resulting in hemorrhage into the respiratory tract. Autopsy revealed disseminated Kaposi's sarcoma and large blood clots in the trachea and main stem bronchus. This case illustrates the occurrence of life threatening involvement of the upper aerodigestive tract with Kaposi's sarcoma and hemorrhagic complications resulting from surgical manipulation.
Targeting the pancreatic β-cell to treat diabetes

Diabetes is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, and predicted to affect over 500 million people by 2030. However, this growing burden of disease has not been met with a comparable expansion in therapeutic options. The appreciation of the pancreatic β-cell as a central player in the pathogenesis of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has renewed focus on ways to improve glucose homeostasis by preserving, expanding and improving the function of this key cell type. Here, we provide an overview of the latest developments in this field, with an emphasis on the most promising strategies identified to date for treating diabetes by targeting the β-cell.
Creases as local features of deformation grids.

Abstract To help identify underlying developmental or pathological processes, biological shape differences often are represented as diffeomorphisms of a Cartesian coordinate grid. The problem addressed here is the extraction of spatially discrete, localized, organized features of such transformation grids. Some features can be identified with variants of the singularity ( x , y )→( x , x 2 y + y 3 ) that are visually evident as creases in suitably enhanced grid diagrams. The crease is a non-generic singularity at which a pair of cusps appears as a function of a parameter for extrapolation. The examples here show how these representations extract statistically informative and scientifically helpful features from deformations that help characterize two brain diseases, schizophrenia and Fetal Alcohol Syndrome, in two dimensions. Under smoothing by relaxation of bending energy against Euclidean distance, one analogue to multiscale analysis for discrete punctate data, creases are robust in location and orientation.
A General Framework for Formal Tests of Interaction after Exhaustive Search Methods with Applications to MDR and MDR-PDT

The initial presentation of multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR) featured cross-validation to mitigate over-fitting, computationally efficient searches of the epistatic model space, and variable construction with constructive induction to alleviate the curse of dimensionality. However, the method was unable to differentiate association signals arising from true interactions from those due to independent main effects at individual loci. This issue leads to problems in inference and interpretability for the results from MDR and the family-based compliment the MDR-pedigree disequilibrium test (PDT). A suggestion from previous work was to fit regression models post hoc to specifically evaluate the null hypothesis of no interaction for MDR or MDR-PDT models. We demonstrate with simulation that fitting a regression model on the same data as that analyzed by MDR or MDR-PDT is not a valid test of interaction. This is likely to be true for any other procedure that searches for models, and then performs an uncorrected test for interaction. We also show with simulation that when strong main effects are present and the null hypothesis of no interaction is true, that MDR and MDR-PDT reject at far greater than the nominal rate. We also provide a valid regression-based permutation test procedure that specifically tests the null hypothesis of no interaction, and does not reject the null when only main effects are present. The regression-based permutation test implemented here conducts a valid test of interaction after a search for multilocus models, and can be applied to any method that conducts a search to find a multilocus model representing an interaction.
INDIVIDUAL VARIATION IN THE TIMING OF ONTOGENETIC NICHE SHIFTS IN LARGEMOUTH BASS

The transition to piscivory is a crucial ontogenetic niche shift for many primarily piscivorous fishes. An early transition to piscivory may increase growth, decrease mortality, and therefore enhance lifetime fitness. Although much is known about the extent and causes of variation in the timing of the shift to piscivory among species and among cohorts within a species, little is known about the extent and causes of variation in the timing of the switch to piscivory among individuals within a single cohort. Here, I link otolith age and growth analysis to direct diet and stable isotope analyses to examine variation in the timing of the transition to piscivory and its causes among individual members of the 1994 largemouth bass cohort in Paul Lake, Michigan. Stable isotope and direct diet analyses indicate that only a few members of the 1994 cohort were able to shift to and sustain piscivory in their first summer of life (early piscivores), while most cohort members would have to wait until their second summer of life to become piscivorous (late piscivores). Significant differences in growth rate between early and late piscivores emerged shortly after 18 June, the first date of possible piscivory by early piscivores, after which early piscivores began to grow at rates nearly twice that of late piscivores. Otolith and stable isotope analyses combined indicate that an early hatching date was necessary, but not sufficient, to explain variation in the timing of the transition to piscivory. All early piscivores were hatched early in the summer, but many early-hatched members of the 1994 cohort did not shift to piscivory in their first summer of life. A combination of at least 10 days of variation in hatching dates and higher-than-average growth rates was required for early piscivores to switch to and sustain piscivory in their first summer of life. Individuals that were able to make the early transition to piscivory most likely benefited from both increased survival and fecundity over much of their life, the combination of which would confer a substantial fitness advantage upon individuals able to make the early transition to piscivory.
Imaging Samples in Silica Aerogel Using an Experimental Point Spread Function

Light microscopy is a powerful tool that allows for many types of samples to be examined in a rapid, easy, and nondestructive manner. Subsequent image analysis, however, is compromised by distortion of signal by instrument optics. Deconvolution of images prior to analysis allows for the recovery of lost information by procedures that utilize either a theoretically or experimentally calculated point spread function (PSF). Using a laser scanning confocal microscope (LSCM), we have imaged whole impact tracks of comet particles captured in silica aerogel, a low density, porous SiO2 solid, by the NASA Stardust mission. In order to understand the dynamical interactions between the particles and the aerogel, precise grain location and track volume measurement are required. We report a method for measuring an experimental PSF suitable for three-dimensional deconvolution of imaged particles in aerogel. Using fluorescent beads manufactured into Stardust flight-grade aerogel, we have applied a deconvolution technique standard in the biological sciences to confocal images of whole Stardust tracks. The incorporation of an experimentally measured PSF allows for better quantitative measurements of the size and location of single grains in aerogel and more accurate measurements of track morphology.
Disilene system (R2Si:SiR2). The tetra-tert-butyl derivative

Formation par photolyse a basse temperature du tetra-t-butyl-2,2,3,3 tetrahydro-1,2,3,4 etheno-1,4 disila-2,3 naphtalene
Optical properties and selective solar absorption of composite material films

Abstract Composite material films are widely used as selective solar absorbers. We investigated the cermets AuMgO and WMgO and the semiconductor-insulator composites SiCaF 2 and SiMgO prepared by co-sputtering. For Au-MgO the dielectric constant does not exhibit the resonance structure near 0.6 μm that is characteristic of other systems of gold particle dispersions, and furthermore the infrared absorption is much larger than that predicted by theory. This anomalous behavior could be due to the textured surface of the films. For the WMgO films the observed dielectric constants are in good agreement with the Maxwell Garnett theory. In the films with Si dispersions strong absorption bands appear in the infrared; these are due to compounds formed by chemical reaction between Si and the matrix materials. The photothermal conversion efficiency of solar energy of these materials was estimated and compared with other selective solar absorbers.