cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Ahmed Glaucoma Valve in Neovascular Glaucoma (An AOS Thesis)

PURPOSE To evaluate the results of Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery in neovascular glaucoma and control patients. METHODS In this retrospective comparative study, we reviewed 76 eyes of 76 patients, comparing the surgical outcomes in control patients (N=38) to matched neovascular glaucoma patients (N=38). Success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) > or =6 mm Hg and < or =21 mm Hg, without further glaucoma surgery, and without loss of light perception. RESULTS Average follow-up for control and neovascular glaucoma patients was 18.4 and 17.4 months, respectively (P = .550). At last follow-up, mean IOP was 16.2 +/- 5.2 mm Hg and 15.5 +/- 12.5 mm Hg (P = .115) in control and neovascular glaucoma patients, respectively. Life-table analysis showed a significantly lower success for neovascular glaucoma patients compared with controls (P = .0096), with success at 1 year of 89.2% and 73.1%, at 2 years of 81.8% and 61.9%, and at 5 years of 81.8% and 20.6% for control and neovascular glaucoma eyes, respectively. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis showed neovascular glaucoma as a risk factor for surgical failure (odds ratio, 5.384, 95% CI, 1.22-23.84, P = .027). Although IOP control and complications were comparable between the two groups, visual outcomes were worse in neovascular glaucoma patients, with 9 eyes (23.7%) with neovascular glaucoma compared with no controls losing light perception vision (P = .002). The majority with loss of vision (5 of 9) had successful control of IOP during the postoperative period. CONCLUSION Neovascular glaucoma patients have greater risk of surgical failure after Ahmed glaucoma valve surgery compared with controls. Despite improved mean IOP with drainage implants, visual outcomes may be poor, possibly due to progression of underlying disease.
Scale in Geography

Scale is about size, and is one of the most fundamental issues in geography and other disciplines that study phenomena distributed over the earth's surface. The concept of scale has at least three referents: cartographic scale, analysis scale, and phenomenon scale. It is widely recognized that in order to observe and study geographic phenomena most accurately, the scale at which they are mapped and analyzed must match the actual scale of the phenomena. Scale is also important in part because it is closely allied with the problem of the generalization of geographic information.
Light harvesting: Strike while the iron is cold

For many years, chemists have tried and failed to find efficient light-harvesting molecules based on Earth-abundant, environmentally friendly iron. Now, an iron complex has been developed with photoluminescent properties that are tuned to efficiently convert light to electrons.
Tracking in a High Rate Environment

HERA-B, a fixed target experiment to study heavy flavour production in proton-nucleon interactions at HERA, has to cope with high particle densities. The reconstruction program for the main tracking system consisting of drift and microstrip gas chambers requires an efficient pattern recognition method. The method should be robust enough with respect to large occupancies and tracking detector imperfections like dead, inefficient and noisy channels. In this paper we present different track finding algorithms.
Humoral Antibody Formation in Infants Aged One to Three Months Injected With a Triple (Diphtheria–Tetanus–Pertussis) Alum-precipitated Antigen, by William L. Bradford, MD, et al,Pediatrics, 1949;4:711–718

Infants 1 to 3 months of age were immunized with a vaccine combining diphtheria and tetanus toxoids with pertussis organisms. The combination product was adjuvanted with alum. Infants were injected at four-week intervals between 1–3 months of age and boosted at 7–9 months of age. Serum antibody determinations were done 3 months after completion of the initial three administrations; again at 7–9 months of age, 6 months after completion of the original course; and a booster injection was given and final determinations obtained on serum collected at eight to ten months of age. Utilizing a variety of antitoxin and agglutination techniques, more than 90% of infants had effective antitoxin levels against diphtheria and tetanus on all three laboratory determinations whereas only 53% at 3 months, 51% at 6 months and 80% at 10 months had titers judged protective vs pertussis. It was therefore demonstrated that infants at this young age could respond satisfactorily with humoral antibodies against both diphtheria and tetanus toxoids but less so against pertussis.
Transnational Crime: Implications for Local Law Enforcement

Transnational organized crime presents interesting dilemmas for federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The most significant problems facing law enforcement agencies have to do with bot...
The perils of problematic parameterization

No matter how or when one uses polygons to approximate a curved surface, one needs to be very sure that they match that surface closely. The author can think of two ways to check this match: visually and mathematically. A visual check requires looking at the rendered imagery with a critical eye-if the surfaces look free of polygonal artifacts, then the approximation is good enough for that image. This is obviously pretty tough to quantize and implement in software. The mathematical approach suggests that one finds some descriptive measurement that one can apply to both the original model and the polygonal approximation. He evaluates the quality of a polygonal approximation to the original curved object by comparing their surface areas. If the areas are way off, something is wrong with the approximation. But even if the areas are the same, one can't say much. For example, one could start with a curved model of a lion and create a polygonal approximation of a bat. If they both have the same surface area, this measure won't tell one that there's any difference at all. On the other hand, if the areas are way off, one might be prompted to take a closer look. A folk theorem in graphics says if one wants to improve the quality of a polygonal approximation, one should use triangles, reduce their size, and use more of them, making sure of course that their vertices always lie on the surface. The resulting model can't help but get better and better.
Dynamic registration correction in video-based augmented reality systems

Augmented reality systems allow users to interact with real and computer-generated objects by displaying 3D virtual objects registered in a user's natural environment. Applications of this powerful visualization tool include previewing proposed buildings in their natural settings, interacting with complex machinery for purposes of construction or maintenance training, and visualizing in-patient medical data such as ultrasound. In all these applications, computer-generated objects must be visually registered with respect to real-world objects in every image the user sees. If the application does not maintain accurate registration, the computer-generated objects appear to float around in the user's natural environment without having a specific 3D spatial position. Registration error is the observed displacement in the image between the actual and intended positions of virtual objects. >
Automatic detection of “g-dropping” in American English using forced alignment

This study investigated the use of forced alignment for automatic detection of “g-dropping” in American English (e.g., walkin'). Two acoustic models were trained, one for -in' and the other for -ing. The models were added to the Penn Phonetics Lab Forced Aligner, and forced alignment will choose the more probable pronunciation from the two alternatives. The agreement rates between the forced alignment method and native English speakers ranged from 79% to 90%, which were comparable to the agreement rates among the native speakers (79% – 96%). The two variations of pronunciation not only differed in their nasal codas, but also - and even more so - in their vowel quality. This is shown by both the KL-divergence between the two models, and that native Mandarin speakers performed poorly on classification of “g-dropping”.
Ground-based measurements of galactic cosmic ray fragmentation in shielding

The mean free path for nuclear interactions of galactic cosmic-rays is comparable to shielding and tissue thicknesses present in human interplanetary exploration, resulting in a significant fraction of nuclear reaction products at depth. In order to characterize the radiation field, the energy spectrum, the angular distribution, and the multiplicity of each type of secondary particles must also be known as a function of depth. Reactions can take place anywhere in a thick absorber; therefore, it is necessary to know these quantities as a function of particle energy for all particles produced. HZE transport methods are used to predict the radiation field; they are dependent on models of the interaction of man-made systems with the space environment to an even greater extent than methods used for other types of radiation. Hence, there is a major need to validate these transport codes by comparison with experimental data. The most cost-effective method of validation is a comparison with ground-based experimental measurements. A research program to provide such validation measurements using neon, iron and other accelerated heavy ion beams will be discussed and illustrated using results from ongoing experiments and their comparison with current transport codes. The extent to which physical measurements yield radiobiological predictions will be discussed.
Magneto-optical characterization of Fe and Co-based alloy films

Abstract We report our ellipsometric measurements of the complex index of refraction N = n − ik and the complex magneto-optic coefficient Q = Q1 − iQ2 for the alloy systems M1−xRx, where M = Fe, Co and R = Gd, Tb, Sm and x is in the range 0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.5. The results indicate that the magneto-optical properties reflect polarization of the itinerant electrons by the transition-metal sublattice rather than the total magnetization.
Reaction of pentacarbonyl-manganese(-I) and -rhenium(-I) with metal carbonyl halide derivatives

Abstract Studies are reported related to the reaction of M(CO) 5 − (M = Mn, Re) with XM(CO) 3 L, XM(CO) 5 , and XRe(CO) 3 (pyridine) 2 (X = Cl, Br, I; M = Mn, Re; L = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane, 2,2′-biquinoline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, o -phenylenebis(dimethylarsine), and cis -1,2-bis(diphenylphosphino)ethylene) which may yield metalmetal bonded complexes. Neither XM(CO) 5 nor XRe(CO) 3 (pyridine) 2 react at 25°C, and for XM(CO) 3 L only those complexes which are easily reduced (L = 2,2′-bipyridine, 1,10-phenanthroline, 4,7-diphenyl-1,10-phenanthroline, and 2,2′-biquinoline) readily yield products of the formula M 2 (CO) 8 L. The data suggest that the metalmetal bond formation is not via a simple nucleophilic attack mechanism but likely involves prior electron transfer to generate XM(CO) 3 L − .
FDG-PET Imaging for Oxidized LDL in Stable Atherosclerotic Disease: A Phase II Study of Safety, Tolerability, and Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Previous reports have demonstrated that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) is a key mediator in atherogenesis [(1)][1]. oxLDL increases endothelial cell adhesion molecules, recruitment of inflammatory cells into the vessel wall, and formation of foam cells, all hallmarks of atherosclerosis
Investigation of compaction equations for powders

Abstract Two compaction equations (isothermal equations of state) for powders were developed, and experiments on the compaction of various ceramic powders were designed to examine these equations. A nonlinear least-squares technique was utilized to evaluate these and other published compaction equations for press compaction of submicrometer and nanosize powders. A modified linear least-squares method was developed for fitting experimental data to one of the present equations. The root-mean-square deviation per degree of freedom (rms) for fitting compaction data of powders using the present equations was reduced by almost one order of magnitude by comparison with fitting to that of Cooper and Eaton's equation. Data analysis indicates that our equations yield better fitting of data than the previous equations, and these equations can be applied to chemically different powders, powders with different size distribution of particles.
Successful Transfection of Genes Using AAV-2/9 Vector in Swine Coronary and Peripheral Arteries

Background Gene therapy has attracted attention for its potential to treat several cardiovascular diseases. The use of adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors to facilitate therapeutic gene transfer to suppress intimal hyperplasia is a promising concept. The objective of this study was to analyze the in vivo transduction of a novel recombinant AAV-2/9 vector with SM22α promoter, containing β-galactosidase gene (LacZ) or green fluorescent protein (GFP) as reporter genes, to the medial layer smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of swine coronary and peripheral arteries. Methods The AAV-2/9 vector containing SM22α (1 × 10 13 pfu) were administered into carotid/femoral/coronary arteries of domestic swine using irrigating balloon catheter-based gene delivery. Following gene transfer, cryosections of arteries were processed for X-Gal and GFP analysis. Fluorescence microscopy and Western blotting were done to analyze the GFP expression in the SMCs. Results LacZ mRNA expression was visualized in the medial layer 7 d after vector administration. The GFP expression was detected at day 7 and lasted for at least 2 mo showing the longer-lasting expression of the AAV-2/9 vector. Control arteries did not show any expression of GFP or LacZ. There was no significant effect of AAV-2/9 viral transduction on serum amylase, fibrinogen, and serum CRP levels. Conclusion These finding support the use of AAV-2/9 as a vector to effectively transduce a gene in SMCs of coronary and peripheral arteries without causing inflammation.
Alexander's Defense of Aristotle's Categories

L'A. s'interroge sur les categories d'Aristote et presente leur defense par Alexandre d'Aphrodise, qui montre leur habilite a elucider ces deux problemes: d'une part, peut-on dire que la forme est un accident de la matiere; d'autre part, qu'en est-il des qualites «essentielles» (le blanc de la neige par exemple)?
Sequential processes in the generalization and transfer of stimulus control

Prior research indicated that a training sequence consisting of a negative stimulus followed by a positive stimulus constitutes the minimal condition for the production of postdiscrimination phenomena typically observed after training with random sequences of the discriminanda. The present experiments, employing multiple schedules with pigeon subjects, confirmed the earlier findings but indicated that they are restricted to procedures in which the reinforcing stimulus may acquire a discriminative function that competes with the control exerted by the nominal discriminanda. The sequences in which the discriminanda were presented did not differentially affect subsequent measures of generalization and transfer if the discriminative function of reinforcement were degraded either by introducing some reinforcers during the negative stimulus (Experiment 1) or by omitting some reinforcers during the positive stimulus (Experiment 2). It was concluded that the sequence in which the discriminanda are presented during discrimination training does not contribute fundamentally to the processes responsible for discrimination formation with random training sequences.
Analysis of terahertz surface emitting quantum-cascade lasers

An analysis of surface-emitting terahertz quantum-cascade lasers operating at wavelengths near 100 /spl mu/m is presented. The devices use distributed feedback through second-order Bragg metal gratings to generate strong emission of radiation normal to the laser surface. The analysis is based on coupling between the exact Floquet-Bloch eigenmodes of infinite periodic structures in finite length devices. The results show performance of surface-emitting terahertz lasers comparable to edge-emitting devices, with high radiative efficiencies and low threshold gains. Using phase-shifts in the grating, high-quality single-lobe beams in the farfield are obtained.
Evidence for the non-specificity of the interaction between 5-hydroxytryptamine and botulinum toxin.

Abstract A comparison of the effects of the drugs 5-hydroxytryptamine and pargyline on intoxication by botulinum toxin and nereistoxin has been made. Results indicate that the former can be a non-specific antagonizer of poisoning; the latter, a non-specific augmenter of poisoning. Histamine is shown to be without effect on intoxication by either poison. The effect of 5-hydroxytryptamine appears to be a function of the interval between its injection and injection of a toxin. If given before a toxin, 5-hydroxytryptamine will antagonize it; if given at the same time as a toxin, 5-HT will augment it. 5-HT is impotent when administered after a toxin. The actions of both 5-HT and pargyline are suggested as being mediated through their effects on the circulatory system.
Fetal fornix transection and gestation length in sheep

Abstract Experiments in several species indicate that the hippocampus influences hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis function. In fetal sheep, simultaneous ACTH and cortisol rises over the last 30 days of gestation peak at term and are necessary for birth. We hypothesized that if the fetal hippocampal formation is functional in late gestation, loss of hippocampal input to the HPA axis following fetal fornix transection would change gestation length in comparison to controls. At 118–121 days of gestation (dG), stereotaxic technique was used in fetal sheep to sham transect (SHAM; n = 8) or transect (FXTX; n = 6) the dorsal fornix at the level of the hippocampal commissure. No differences were found between SHAM and FXTX fetuses in daily hormone profiles over the last week of gestation or in gestation length (148.0 ± 1.2 vs. 149.0 ± 0.4 dG, respectively). We conclude that the fetal hippocampus is immature in late gestation and we speculate that an immature hippocampus is necessary for the loss of negative feedback control that gives rise to the long term, simultaneous increases in ACTH and cortisol that are indispensable for labor and delivery at term in sheep.
Intravenous hyperalimentation in cancer patients

Abstract Anabolism has been maintained in a series of oncologic patients without a clinically detectable change in the growth characteristics of the cancer. Tumor response to chemotherapy was not abolished, surgical morbidity and mortality were minimized, and the undesirable side effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy were reduced.
Riding Out of Bounds: Women Bicyclists' Embodied Medical Authority

With its wide circulation and its resistance to old-fashioned morality, the popular magazine provided late nineteenth-century American women a location within which to counter doctors' long-held views of their physical frailty. In articles promoting the bicycle as an agent of women's health, nonmedically trained women countered medical commonplaces of women's limited energies and need for constant doctor scrutiny. Instead, they posited a renewable, self-governing female body capable of taking on both the bicycle and the challenges of the new century. In doing so, they influenced doctors' perspectives on women's bodies from outside professional boundaries.
Velocity of photons.

I AM seeking an answer—or a reference to an answer—to an apparent paradox arising out of the theory that light is transmitted in the form of photons, which may be illustrated by the following concrete example.
A microlevel-based characterization of granulation phenomena

Past granulation research has been essentially restricted to a macroscopic study of the impact of operating variables on granule morphology. While fundamental groundwork regarding agglomeration forces has been laid by pioneers such as Rumpf, little progress towards ana priori characterization of microlevel phenomena in terms of macroscopic process variables has been achieved. The present work centers on this microscale and introduces a classification of granulation mechanisms based on the collisional dissipation of relative particle kinetic energy. The mechanism of granule coalescence is, in part, a function of a dimensionless binder Stokes' numberStv, which is a measure of the ratio of granule collisional kinetic energy to the viscous dissipation brought about by interstitial binder. The Stokes' number provides a convenient classification of granulation regimes. For smallStv, coalescence hinges on the presence and distribution of binder and is independent of particle kinetic energy and binder viscosity. In this regime, binder viscosity controls the rate of granule consolidation and ultimate granule voidage. For the case where the maximumStv is of the order ofSt*v, increases in binder viscosity increase coalescence rate as traditionally expected. HereSt*v is a critical Stokes' number, being a known function of the volume of binder deposited on the bed. Finally, for largeStv, only granule coating is possible. Fluid-bed granulation and defluidization experiments supporting this simple classification of granulation regimes is presented. Implications regarding successful granulation operation are drawn.
Methodology for quantifying uncertainty in coal assessments with an application to a Texas lignite deposit

A common practice for characterizing uncertainty in coal resource assessments has been the itemization of tonnage at the mining unit level and the classification of such units according to distance to drilling holes. Distance criteria, such as those used in U.S. Geological Survey Circular 891, are still widely used for public disclosure. A major deficiency of distance methods is that they do not provide a quantitative measure of uncertainty. Additionally, relying on distance between data points alone does not take into consideration other factors known to have an influence on uncertainty, such as spatial correlation, type of probability distribution followed by the data, geological discontinuities, and boundary of the deposit. Several geostatistical methods have been combined to formulate a quantitative characterization for appraising uncertainty. Drill hole datasets ranging from widespread exploration drilling to detailed development drilling from a lignite deposit in Texas were used to illustrate the modeling. The results show that distance to the nearest drill hole is almost completely unrelated to uncertainty, which confirms the inadequacy of characterizing uncertainty based solely on a simple classification of resources by distance classes. The more complex statistical methods used in this study quantify uncertainty and show good agreement between confidence intervals in the uncertainty predictions and data from additional drilling.
The neuronal mineralocorticoid eeceptor as a mediator of glucocorticoid response

The cloning of the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) cDNAs provides a basis for understanding the actions of glucocorticoids in the central nervous system. Structural evidence is presented for the identity of the type I corticosteroid binding site as the MR expressed in the brain. This identification is supported by the anatomical distribution of MR mRNA, determined by in situ hybridization histochemistry, which parallels the steroid autoradiographic localization of the type I sites. An in vitro assay for MR and GR function demonstrates that these receptors respond to different levels of glucocorticoid, suggesting that together they confer a larger dynamic range of sensitivity to this hormone. These studies lead to a new hypothesis for glucocorticoid action in the central nervous system.
The Mother-Infant Feeding Tool

ABSTRACT Objective To describe the development and evaluation of an observation system to assess the process of mother-infant feeding interaction relevant to infant neuro-behavioral regulation: the Mother-Infant Feeding Tool. Design Secondary analysis. Setting Special care nursery just before discharge and in the home at 1 and 4 months postterm age. Participants Forty-three mother-infant dyads. Methods Videotaped feeding interactions were examined to assess regulatory processes of mother-infant interaction. Data were collected at three times over the infant's first 4 postterm months: before the infant's discharge from the special care nursery and at 1 and 4 months postterm age in the home. Results Across all three data points mothers rarely talked to their infants. Conclusion Further testing is needed, but the Mother-Infant Feeding Tool shows promise in assessing very early mother-infant feeding interactions.
Paradigm Lost: Dependence to Democracy

Analysis of transitions to democracy is marked empirically by democracy's own resurgent vigor, and theoretically by shifts away from focus on global political economy to concern with such political variables as organization or leadership, and study of their expression within national arenas. Contributors to Transitions from Authoritarian Rule: Prospects for Democracy (edited by Guillermo O'Donnell, Phillippe Schmitter, and Laurence Whitehead) explore these issues with special emphasis on how regime transitions begin and on possibilities for social, cultural, and economic democratization. The collection focuses more on the transitions than on democracy itself, and fails to place transitions in the context of democracy's social and cultural bases. Insufficient attention is given to civil society and to its organized links with politics. This theoretical and empirical position obscures the appeal of liberal democracy to elites and masses, and hinders understanding of why popular groups accept pacts and back the leaders who make them.
PRESERVICE ELEMENTARY TEACHERS’ GROWTH IN KNOWLEDGE OF MODELS IN A SCIENCE CAPSTONE COURSE

We used four different methods to determine the best means of assessing over 200 preservice elementary teachers’ growth in knowledge of models and their use in K-8 classrooms while participating in the Science Capstone course that focused on the unifying themes of models in science. Each assessment method probed a different aspect of models (from growth in scientific use to need for greater emphasis on the role and use of models) and each used a different method of gathering student responses (Likert-type responses to concept maps). We determined that growth in student knowledge was demonstrated by all instruments, but some instruments were more useful than others for determining preservice elementary teachers’ prior knowledge as well as growth in knowledge of models necessary for K-8 teachers.
Chemical equilibrium systems as numerical test problems

A system of nonlinear equations has been used as a test case by at least two authors. This system is purported to describe the equilibrium of the products of hydrocarbon combustion. The given system does not describe the stated physical problem, a fact which invalidates it as a test of solution methods for chemical equilibrium systems. In this note, the problem is correctly stated and then solved by the method of element variables.
Modification of plant growth and development by acceleration and vibration: Concerns and opportunities for plant experimentation in orbiting spacecraft

Abstract Growth, development, and orientation of higher plants is altered by physical disturbances such as shaking, touching, or vibration. Plant growth responses to thigmic (contact rubbing) forces are almost always negative, whereas growth responses to periodic seismic (shaking) or vibric (vibrational) disturbances may be positive or negative, depending on intensity and duration of force, and prevailing environmental conditions. Seedlings are most sensitive to mechanical stress when grown in darkness or under the low-light conditions typically available in plant flight hardware. Brief exposure to physical perturbation causes immediate growth inhibition of dark-grown seedlings followed by gradual recovery of growth rate beginning 10–12 minutes later. For mild vibration, growth rate may overshoot that of undisturbed control plants within an hour of a stress episode, whereas for thigmic stress recovery may remain incomplete for 24 hours or longer. Lack of physical stimulation by gravity should make plants even more responsive to random physical perturbation. Threshold growth response of seedlings to vibrational parameters needs to be determined under real spaceflight conditions.
Responsive Space: Concept Analysis, Critical Review, and Theoretical Framework

Customers’ needs are dynamic and evolve in response to unfolding environmental uncertainties. The ability of a company or an industry to address these changing customers’ needs in a timely and cost-effective way is a measure of its responsiveness. In the space industry, a systemic discrepancy exists between the time constants associated with the change of customers’ needs, and the response time of the industry in delivering on-orbit solutions to these needs. Increasingly, the penalties associated with such delays are becoming unacceptable, and space responsiveness is recognized as a strategic imperative in commercial competitive and military environments. In this paper, we provide a critical assessment of the literature on responsive space and introduce a new multi-disciplinary framework for thinking about and addressing issues of space responsiveness. Our framework advocates three levels of responsiveness: a global industry-wide responsiveness, a local stakeholder responsiveness, and an interactive or inter-stakeholder responsiveness. We introduce and motivate the use of “responsiveness maps” for multiple stakeholders. We then identify “levers of responsiveness,” technical spacecraft- and launch-centric, as well as “soft” levers (e.g., acquisition policies) for improving the responsiveness of the space industry. Finally, we propose a series of research questions to aggressively tackle problems associated with space responsiveness.
Thyrotropin releasing hormone interactions with an anterior pituitary membrane receptor.

Studies of 3H—TRH (40 Ci/mM) binding to adenohypophyses have been performed in vitro. After a 90 min incubation period, tissues were homogenized in an 0.3M sucrose solution and subjected to differential centrifugation. 3H—TRH binding was more than four—fold greater in the anterior pituitary 10,800 X g pellet than in the corresponding fractions of liver, renal cortex, and myocardium. Binding was enhanced in pituitaries derived from 19 day propylthiouracil treated rats and reduced in rats pre—treated with parenteral L—thyroxin. 3H—TRH binding paralleled the specific activity of the plasma membrane enzyme 5’ nucleotidase. TRH binding could be competitively inhibited by native TRH. Two optical analogues of TRH, with reduced and absent biologic activity respectively, exhibited parallel reductions in their ability to inhibit binding. The time course of TRH binding at 37 C and TRH mediated TSH secretion were similar. It is concluded that the first event in TRH action, analogous to that for larger protein hormone...
Evidence for independent metabolism and cell surface localization of cellular proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycan free chains

The synthesis and turnover of metabolically labeled proteoglycans from medium, cell layer, and substratum-associated compartments were characterized in four cell lines of fibroblastic origin, including a fibrosarcoma line, and in the murine melanoma cell type, B16.F10. Substantial differences were apparent between the various cell types with regard to quantities, hydrodynamic sizes, and compartmentalization of labeled product. Such variations were greater between the different cell lines than between separately labeled cultures of the same cell type. Greater than 85% of cell-associated proteoglycans were accessible to glycosaminoglycan-degrading enzymes added to the medium of monolayer cultures, demonstrating their principal location to be external to the cell membrane. Apparent glycosaminoglycan free chains, determined by a lack of change in hydrodynamic size following alkaline elimination, were among the products from each cell line and were similarly found to be in a principally pericellular location. Results from label-chase studies demonstrated apparent independent kinetics for proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycan free chains, with little conclusive evidence for precursor-product relationships. Also, their processing by the cells was different, since the proteoglycans were shed largely unchanged into the medium for the three cell lines evaluated, whereas the free chains were not recoverable from the medium in significant amounts. The latter observation suggests the internalization of cell surface-associated free chains and their depolymerization at an intracellular site. The results, which indicate that the content, cellular disposition, and turnover of proteoglycans are quite variable between the cell lines studied, may reflect fundamental cell type-specific specialization in the metabolism of these complex substances. Furthermore, the data raise the interesting possibility that glycosaminoglycan free chains may have biological functions at the cellular level, independent of proteoglycans.
Valence Bond Concepts Applied to the Molecular Mechanics Description of Molecular Shapes. 4. Transition Metals with π-Bonds

We have developed a model for understanding the shapes of transition metal complexes containing multiple bonds. This model, which focuses on Lewis-like structures and the balance of forces arising from σ- and π-bond frameworks, provides a simple method for predicting the structures of transition metal complexes with π-bonds. Potential energy expressions suitable for implementation in molecular mechanics computations have been derived from consideration of orbital hybridizations and coded into our UFF2-based molecular mechanics program, VALBOND. The VALBOND method correctly predicts the structures for a wide variety of experimentally and computationally characterized compounds containing metal−ligand multiple bonds.
Activated carbon removal of organic contaminants in ultra-pure water systems with recycle

A combination of experimental and process modeling methods is utilized to determine the fundamental equilibrium and kinetic parameters for multi-component adsorption of organic impurities on activated carbon. The operating conditions are generally relevant to the activated carbon application in industrial ultra-pure water plants with recycle; in particular, the study is focused on silicon wafer processing plants. Some compounds, such as IPA, are not adsorbed on granular activated carbon effectively and show poor removal. Removal improves as molecular size increases or as the molecule's polarity decreases. Equilibrium conditions cannot be assumed for these cases and the kinetic adsorption/desorption parameters should be considered in the process analysis and design. Multi-component interactions are found to be a source of impurity leaching during wastewater treatment and recycle.
Effective Normalization Method for Sample-Position-Dependence Effect in Photoacoustic Spectrometry

Sample position dependence effect in photoacoustic (PA) spectrometry has been reported by several scientists. This effect must be taken into account in a PA application that requires a quantitative theoretical treatment. In this work, we experimentally investigated PA signal magnitude varying with sample-to-window distance in an MTEC Model 300 Photoacoustic Detector, which has a fixed empty (gas) volume in addition to the sample-to-window-distance-dependent gas volume. An operative method was introduced to obtain the coefficient, which considered the sample-to-window distance and the additional gas volume. With this coefficient, the one-dimensional PA model, developed by Aamodt, Murphy, and Parker, can be employed to quantitatively process PA experimental data, no matter what the sample-to-window distance is. Quantitative measurements of thermal effusivities of two samples were performed to prove this effective normalization method.
Covariance is not the culprit: Adams, Brown, and Grant reply

(1992). Covariance is not the culprit: Adams, Brown, and Grant reply. Journal of Clinical and Experimental Neuropsychology: Vol. 14, No. 6, pp. 983-985.
First Observation of Elastic Plowing in Nanofriction

Accurate friction measurement at nanoscale is critical in reliable micro- and nano-device design. Different values of coefficient of friction (COF) have been reported in the literature for the same material when different instruments and tip sizes were used [1–3]. We have conducted a series of experiments to delineate the effects of different tip sizes and shapes on friction as a function of load and found that friction force values under the elastic contact regime for various tips can be unified when plotted against the tip cross-sectional area in the direction of sliding. This observation implies a volumetric dependence of friction that has not been reported before in the elastic regime.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Permitting Procedures and Challenges of CHP Implementation

ABSTRACT The objective of this research is to determine appropriate procedures required to apply for air permitting and interconnection agreements with all necessary agencies to assist an oilfield service company in Louisiana implementing a combined heat and power (CHP) system for their day-to-day operations. The main reasons for the facility to implement CHP are twofold. The management wants to provide a climate controlled work environment for the facility personnel to ensure that a high level of productivity is achieved. The use of CHP will also reduce the greenhouse gases that are emitted into the atmosphere. The procedures required for air permitting and utility permitting are developed, followed by discussions on the challenges of implementing CHP in Louisiana. The development of a how-to guide on CHP implementation using a case study will provide insight on the procedures for potential CHP adopters in Louisiana.
Molecular biology: Recent studies on enzyme/crystallins and α-crystallin gene expression

Abstract Jin H. Kinoshita has had a major role in fostering investigations on the molecular biology of the eye during his tenure as Scientific Director of the National Eye Institute (N.E.I.). His appreciation and support of molecular biology have been the basis for many advances in this area in the N.E.I. and have led to a fertile breeding ground for molecular studies on the normal and diseased eye. Our recent studies have shown that the taxon-specific crystallins have been recruited from numerous metabolic enzymes; they are expressed in the lens as abundant structural proteins and in other tissues as enzymes, a situation we call gene sharing. Although not taxon-specific, αB-crystallin, structurally related to the small heat-shock proteins, is expressed in diverse tissues; by contrast, αA-crystallin appears to be lens-specific. Recombinant DNA studies indicate that the two α-crystallin genes use different promoter sequences and trans factors for their expression. Thus, the ubiquitous α-crystallin genes may provide some insight into the mechanisms used to recruit metabolic enzymes as taxon-specific lens crystallins.
Melanogenesis in oocytes of wild-type and mutant albino axolotls

Abstract Melanogenesis during oogenesis in the wild-type and albino (a/a) axolotl was compared. Tyrosine-dopa oxidase activity, melanin accumulation, and melanosome development were correlated and the effect of the a gene on these biochemical and morphological events was examined. Studies of wild-type oocytes at the electron and light microscope level revealed that premelanosomes first appear in stage 2 oocytes. Mature melanosomes are present in stage 3 oocytes and steadily increase in number, reaching a maximum level in stage 6 oocytes. Melanosomes were detected in the albino. No obvious structural abnormalities were observed in these organelles, although they fail to accumulate melanin. Tyrosine-dopa oxidase (TDO) activity assayed radiometrically is at a very low level in stages 1 and 2 oocytes, reaches a maximum level in stage 3 oocytes, and declines to zero activity in stage 6 oocytes. In contrast to the finding with albino skin homogenates (Harsa-King, 1978), TDO activity was detected in albino oocytes. This activity never declined from its maximal stage 3 level. The addition of an inhibitor of proteolytic enzymes, phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride (PMSF), to the oocyte homogenization buffer completely blocks TDO activity in albino samples and reduces it somewhat in wild-type samples. It is suggested that TDO activity eliminated by PMSF represents TDO existing in an inactive form in vivo which is activated by proteolytic enzymes released upon homogenization. These results suggest that TDO is found only in an inactive state in albinos, a conclusion in agreement with the earlier work on albino skin melanocytes (Harsa-King, 1978). There is an inverse relationship between TDO activity and melanization in the wild type. The greater the amount of melanin deposited within the premelanosomes, the less enzyme activity is present. It is suggested, as it has been by others, that as melanin is synthesized within the confines of the oocyte melanosome, the active sites of the enzyme are covered up, resulting in its inactivation. The findings with the albino mutant support this hypothesis. No melanin deposition occurs in the albino, and TDO activity in PMSF-untreated samples does not decline from its maximal stage 3 level.
Coupling techniques in boundary-combined methods for solving elliptic problems with singularities

Abstract Three coupling strategies in matching the Ritz-Galerkin method and the finite element method are introduced for general elliptic equations, and useful numerical techniques are provided. Numerical experiments have been carried out for solving the typical, singular Motz problem, which shows that optimal convergence rates of numerical solutions can be achieved by using the combined methods and techniques provided in this paper.
Calcium Antagonist Receptors in Cardiomyopathic Hamster: Selective Increases in Heart, Muscle, Brain

The Syrian cardiomyopathic hamster has a hereditary disease in which a progressive myocardial necrosis mimics human forms of cardiac hypertrophy. Lesions are associated with calcium overload and can be prevented with the calcium antagonist verapamil. Numbers of receptor binding sites for calcium antagonists in heart, brain, skeletal muscle, and smooth muscle were markedly increased in cardiomyopathic hamsters. The uptake of calcium-45 into brain synaptosomes was also increased in cardiomyopathic hamsters. The increase in calcium antagonist receptors and related voltage-sensitive calcium channels may be involved in the pathogenesis of this cardiomyopathy.
Synthesis and characterization of Aza222-based polymers for the removal of mercury from aqueous solutions

Abstract Polymeric materials for mercury complexation have been prepared by cross-linking 1,4,7,10,13,16,21,24-octaazabicyclo[8.8.8]hexacosane (H6Aza222) with α,α′-dichloro-p-xylene and other multidentate electrophiles. Bulk and microporous p-xylylene-Aza222 were shown to be effective at binding divalent mercury cations from aqueous solutions of HgCl2 or Na2HgI4. The complexants were regenerable using solutions of HCl or Na2S.
Heavy Viewing: Emergent Frames in Contemporary News Coverage of Obesity

In the last 10 years, rising rates of obesity in the United States have drawn significant and increasing public attention from various quarters, which has led to commensurately increased news coverage of the issue. A handful of scholars to date have examined how obesity has been "framed" in the news, given that news framing of issues has proven effects on cultural and political attitudes, practices, and policies as regards the subject of coverage. Consistent with these studies, this qualitative framing analysis assesses how obesity is framed in more recent mainstream news coverage. Framing patterns identified in this analysis represent a notable departure from those identified in earlier studies, specifically as relevant to troubling the individual/environmental attribution binary that historically has characterized public discourse around obesity, in particular, and health more broadly. These findings signal important shifts for contemporary cultural attitudes toward obesity and, accordingly, public health policies designed to redress the issue. Further, the findings suggest a reconsideration and elaboration of established tenets of framing theory.
Lithium silicon tin oxynitride (LiySiTON): high-performance anode in thin-film lithium-ion batteries for microelectronics

Abstract A lithium-ion thin-film battery, consisting of the amorphous silicon tin oxynitride anode (`SiTON'), the amorphous lithium phosphorus oxynitride electrolyte (`Lipon'), and a crystalline LiCoO 2 cathode, can be heated at 250°C in air for 1 h which exceeds by far the required solder reflow conditions for electronic circuit assembly. Moreover, the performance of such a battery was found to even improve after the heat treatment. The Li y SiTON profile between 0 and 1.2 V vs. Li was determined in SiTON/Lipon/LiCoO 2 lithium-ion thin-film cells equipped with a Li metal reference electrode. By comparison with a Sn 3 N 4 /Lipon/LiCoO 2 three-electrode lithium-ion thin-film cell, a model for the electrochemical insertion/extraction process of Li y SiTON was suggested. The SiTON/Lipon/LiCoO 2 cells sustained 5 mA/cm 2 between 4.2 and 2.7 V while the anode supplied a reversible discharge capacity of about 340 μA h/mg or even 450 μA h/mg after heating at 250°C in air for 1 h. A long-term cycling stability test of a SiTON/Lipon/LiCoO 2 battery between 3.93 and 2.7 V demonstrated that the Li y SiTON capacity faded only by 0.001% per cycle when charging was stopped as soon as the Li y SiTON potential reached 0 V vs. Li. When this cathode-heavy cell was charged to 4.1 V (Li y SiTON at 0 V vs. Li), a significantly higher reversible discharge capacity was obtained over ∼5000 cycles.