cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inclusion of an ultraviolet radiation transfer component in an urban forest effects model for predicting tree influences on potential below-canopy exposure to UVB radiation

Evaluating the impact of ultraviolet-B radiation (UVB) on urban populations would be enhanced by improved predictions of the UVB radiation at the level of human activity. This paper reports the status of plans for incorporating a UVB prediction module into an existing Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) model. UFORE currently has modules to quantify urban forest structure, urban tree volatile organic compound emissions, carbon storage and sequestration in urban vegetation, dry deposition of air pollutants on trees, tree influences on energy use for heating and cooling buildings, tree pollen allergenicity index, and replacement cost of trees. These modeled effects are based upon field sampling to characterize land use, vegetation cover, and building features. The field sampling includes recording of tree species, total height, height to base of live crown, and crown width on randomly selected 0.04-ha (0.1 acre) plots. Distance and direction from sampled trees to buildings are also measured. The input for UFORE modeling of effects includes hourly meteorological data and pollution-concentration data. UFORE has already been used in assessing the urban forest functionof 13 cities in the United States and 5 cities in other countries. The objective of the present work is to enable UFORE to predict the effect of different urban tree densities on potential average human exposure to UVB. The current version of UFORE is written using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS); a new version will be a user-friendly Windows application and will be available for wide distribution. Progress to date on the UVB module consists primarily of examining available modeling and data collection tools. Two methods are proposed for the UVB module. In Method 1, we will derive predicted UVB irradiance I b > at person height, that is, below the urban tree and building canopy, using gap fractions (sky view portions) measured from digitized fisheye photos taken from each of the UFORE plot centers during a UFORE field survey. A promising method for analyzing the photos is the use of Gap Light Analyzer (GLA). A human thermal comfort model will be used to determine the times when people would be comfortable outdoors in light attire, and UVB I b > will be determined for those times. Method 2 will be applied in cases where hemispherical photos cannot be made available, and for making predictions for cities where surveys have already been done. Method 2 will use a 3D canopy UV radiation transfer model to derive I b > based on tree canopy cover maps from GIS analysis of aerial color IR photographs or Landsat TM images. The UV module addition to UFORE will make it useful in epidemiology of UV-related human disease and assessment of UV benefits, such as in vitamin D production, and it will also facilitate consideration of UV exposure in urban forest management.
Resisting Narrative: The Problem of Edgar Degas's Interior

From around 1990, Edgar Degas's Interior of ca. 1868 has been understood as a “literary” painting, either associated with a particular textual source— e.g., Emile Zola's Therese Raquin—or generally characterized as exemplary of a narrative mode of representation. This essay proposes that it was conceived and constructed in explicit opposition to the formal and thematic conventions of narrative painting, and participates in a wide theoretical debate about how realist subjects were to be defined and pictured. Within a setting metaphoric of the inner life, Degas staged a new kind of genre painting, radical in structure, ambitious in theme, and fundamentally anti-narrative in conception.
Immunoreactivity of the Two Common Allozymes of Murine Glucosephosphate Isomerase

There are two common electrophoretic variants (allozymes) of murine glucosephosphate isomerase (GPI). In order to develop immunocytochemical procedures that are allozyme-specific, the two variants (GPI-1A and GPI-1B) were purified from skeletal muscle of several mouse strains and used as antigens for the elicitation of antibodies. The allozymes were purified to a specific activity of 800 units/mg by substrate elution from cellulose phosphate. When the purified allozymes were presented as antigens to goats, rabbits, and mice (both syngeneically and allogeneically), the goats and rabbits produced high titers of anti-GPI antibody, but no humoral antibody was detected in the mice, as determined by radioimmunoassays. Antisera specific for the GPI-1B variant were enriched by absorbing selected sera with GPI-1A conjugated to Sepharose 4B. No antisera specific for GPI-1A were detected following the immunizations. The specificity of the anti-GPI-1B antisera provides a unique opportunity for the development of immunocytochemical procedures for studying the distribution of this allozyme in chimeric mouse tissues.
Specific Binding at the Cellulose Binding Module–Cellulose Interface Observed by Force Spectroscopy

The need for effective enzymatic depolymerization of cellulose has stimulated an interest in interactions between protein and cellulose. Techniques utilized for quantitative measurements of protein-cellulose noncovalent association include microgravimetry, calorimetry, and atomic force microscopy (AFM), none of which differentiate between specific protein-cellulose binding and nonspecific adhesion. Here, we describe an AFM approach that differentiates nonspecific from specific interactions between cellulose-binding modules (CBMs) and cellulose. We demonstrate that the "mismatched" interaction between murine galectin-3, a lectin with no known affinity for cellulose, and cellulose shows molecular recognition force microscopy profiles similar to those observed during the interaction of a "matched" clostridial CBM3a with the same substrate. We also examine differences in binding probabilities and rupture profiles during CBM-cellulose binding experiments in the presence and absence of a blocking agent-a substrate specific for CBM that presumably blocks binding sites. By comparison of the behavior of the two proteins, we separate specific (i.e., blockable) and nonspecific adhesion events and show that both classes of interaction exhibit nearly identical rupture forces (45 pN at ∼0.4 nN/s). Our work provides an important caveat for the interpretation of protein-carbohydrate binding by force spectroscopy; delineation of the importance of such interactions to other classes of binding warrants further study.
EFFECT OF STEROID AND PITUITARY HORMONES ON EXPERIMENTAL DIABETES MELLITUS OF FERRETS1

THE ACTION of various anterior pituitary and adrenal cortical principles on car' bohydrate metabolism has been extensively studied. Scattered reports of vari' ous types suggest that the sex steroids also affect carbohydrate metabolism. Studies of the actions of sex hormone injections have led to results which can only be said to be controversial, or of uncertain interpretation or significance (1–12). Sex differences in carbohydrate and ketone levels have been demonstrated (13), and con' siderable evidence indicates that the glycosuria of either experimental or clinical dia' betes mellitus can be reduced by estrogens (14–19), but this has been questioned (20); androgens also have been reported to diminish glycosuria (19, 21, 22) We report here the effects of various sex and adrenal cortical hormones on the diabetic symptoms of partially depancreatised ferrets.
Frustration and curvature - Glasses and the cholesteric blue phase

An analogy is drawn between continuum elastic theories of the blue phase of cholesteric liquid crystals and recent theories of frustration in configurational glasses. Both involve the introduction of a lattice of disclination lines to relieve frustration; the frustration is due to an intrinsic curvature in the natural form of parallel transport. A continuum theory of configurational glasses is proposed.
Use and Safety of Unfractionated Heparin for Anticoagulation During Maintenance Hemodialysis

Anticoagulation is essential to hemodialysis, and unfractionated heparin (UFH) is the most commonly used anticoagulant in the United States. However, there is no universally accepted standard for its administration in long-term hemodialysis. Dosage schedules vary and include weight-based protocols and low-dose protocols for those at high risk of bleeding, as well as regional anticoagulation with heparin and heparin-coated dialyzers. Adjustments are based largely on clinical signs of under- and overanticoagulation. Risks of UFH use include bleeding, heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, anaphylaxis, and possibly bone mineral disease, hyperkalemia, and catheter-associated sepsis. Alternative anticoagulants include low-molecular-weight heparin, direct thrombin inhibitors, heparinoids, and citrate. Anticoagulant-free hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis also are potential substitutes. However, some of these alternative treatments are not as available as or are more costly than UFH, are dependent on country and health care system, and present dosing challenges. When properly monitored, UFH is a relatively safe and economical choice for anticoagulation in long-term hemodialysis for most patients.
A Rapid Method for the Purification of Immunoglobulin M (IgM) from the Sera of Certain Mammalian Species

Abstract The purification of normal IgM is typically accomplished using a combination of euglobulin precipitation, gel filtration and electrophoresis or ion-exchange chromatography. The euglobulin fraction of serum contains many macroglobulins, including IgM, and is readily precipitated from serum by dialysis against distilled water1. Mandena et al.2 and Martin3 have published data that relate the solubility of IgM to ionic strength. Solubility is also affected by pH and temperature4. Separation of IgM from most other euglobulins may be accomplished by gel filtration4, chromatography on DEAE cellulose5, and zonal electrophoresis on starch, Pevikon6 or agar7.
Interleukin-6 alters sleep of rats

Although it is well established that the cytokines tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interleukin (IL)-1 regulate sleep, there is no direct evidence implicating IL-6 in the regulation/modulation of sleep. We tested the hypotheses that central administration of rat recombinant IL-6 increases non-rapid eye movements (NREM) sleep of rats, and that central administration of anti-IL-6 antibodies reduces NREM sleep. Effective doses of IL-6 (100 and 500 ng) initially enhance NREM sleep, after which NREM sleep may be suppressed. IL-6 induces febrile responses at doses lower (50 ng) than those required to alter sleep. Rapid eye movements (REM) sleep is not altered by the doses of IL-6 tested. Central administration of monoclonal or polyclonal anti-rat IL-6 antibodies does not alter any of the parameters determined in this study. Collectively, these results support the hypothesis that IL-6 possesses sleep modulatory properties. However, this cytokine may not be involved in the regulation of spontaneous sleep in healthy animals because antagonizing the IL-6 system using antibodies does not alter sleep. The interpretation of these data is consistent with those of previous studies demonstrating correlations between increased IL-6 and excessive daytime sleepiness during some pathophysiological conditions.
The impact of arsenic trioxide and all-trans retinoic acid on p53 R273H-codon mutant glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and demonstrates a 1-year median survival time. Codon-specific hotspot mutations of p53 result in constitutively active mutant p53, which promotes aberrant proliferation, anti-apoptosis, and cell cycle checkpoint failure in GBM. Recently identified CD133+ cancer stem cell populations (CSC) within GBM also confer therapeutic resistance. We studied targeted therapy in a codon-specific p53 mutant (R273H) created by site-directed mutagenesis in U87MG. The effects of arsenic trioxide (ATO, 1 μM) and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA, 10 μM), possible targeted treatments of CSCs, were investigated in U87MG neurospheres. The results showed that U87-p53R273H cells generated more rapid neurosphere growth than U87-p53wt but inhibition of neurosphere proliferation was seen with both ATO and ATRA. U87-p53R273H neurospheres showed resistance to differentiation into glial cells and neuronal cells with ATO and ATRA exposure. ATO was able to generate apoptosis at high doses and proliferation of U87-p53wt and U87-p53R273H cells was reduced with ATO and ATRA in a dose-dependent manner. Elevated pERK1/2 and p53 expression was seen in U87-p53R273H neurospheres, which could be reduced with ATO and ATRA treatment. Additionally, differential responses in pERK1/2 were seen with ATO treatment in neurospheres and non-neurosphere cells. In conclusion, codon-specific mutant p53 conferred a more aggressive phenotype to our CSC model. However, ATO and ATRA could potently suppress CSC properties in vitro and may support further clinical investigation of these agents.
Age of a basalt intrusion estimated by organic carbon data

Abstract In a deep-water hemipelagic sequence organic carbon contents were found to decrease monotonically with increasing depth of sediment burial. In proximity to a basalt still, however, the organic carbon contents of thermally-altered sediments were anomalously high. Comparison of the anomalous values with the normal carbon diagenesis curve already established for the unaltered sediments permitted an estimate of the time and depth at which the sill emplacement occurred. Results from the organic geochemical estimate of sill age agree satisfactorily with the potassium-argon age of the sill. This method is not general, but rather depends upon the existence of predictable carbon diagenesis trends. The sedimentary sequence in the present study was deposited under conditions which apparently remained nearly constant for 15 Myr. Other sedimentary sections suitable for such analyses must exist in other locales, especially in oceanic basins.
Role of bulk lipid fluidity in the thermal adaptation ofDictyostelium discoideum thermotaxis

Abstract Thermotactic responses of Dictyostelium discoideum , strain AX-2, were examined and found to be similar to those of strain NC-4. These responses, like those of strain NC-4, were dependent on the temperature at which the amoebae grew and developed into slugs. The lipid fluidity of strain AX-2 was found to be independent of development temperature. Consequently, the hypothesis that a change in bulk lipid fluidity is the mechanism for the adaptation of D. discoideum thermotaxis appears to be untenable.
Differential sensitivity of pancreatic and colon cancer to cyclosporine and α-difluoromethylornithine in vivo

We have previously reported that the in vitro growth of MC-26 mouse colon cancer and H2T hamster pancreatic cancer cells are inhibited by cyclosporine (CsA) and α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO). The present study was designed to investigate the effects of these two drugs on the two experimental tumors (MC-26 and H2T) growing in vivo. Forty-eight male Balb/c mice or Syrian golden hamsters were inoculated with MC-26 (250,000) or H2T (500,000) cells, respectively, and then were randomized into four groups of 12 each: group I was control; group II received CsA; group III received DFMO; group IV received a combination of CsA and DFMO. MC-26 tumors were significantly more sensitive than H2T tumors to the effects of CsA and DFMO. MC-26 tumor growth and tumor weight, as well as the tumor content of DNA, RNA, and protein were all significantly more reduced by CsA and DFMO than were the H2T tumors. Our present study shows that both CsA and DFMO are potent inhibitors of MC-26 colon carcinoma growth in vivo, though DFMO is more than twice as effective as CsA. DFMO also produced greater reductions in the tumor content of DNA, RNA, and protein than did CsA. DFMO significantly decreased the concentrations of polyamines in both H2T and MC-26 tumors; the MC-26 tumors were affected to a greater degree.
Functions of fatty acid binding proteins.

Cytosolic fatty acid binding proteins (FABP) belong to a gene family of which eight members have been conclusively identified. These 14–15 kDa proteins are abundantly expressed in a highly tissue-specific manner. Although the functions of the cytosolic FABP are not clearly established, they appear to enhance the transfer of long-chain fatty acids between artificial and native lipid membranes, and also to have a stimulatory effect on a number of enzymes of fatty acid metabolism in vitro. These findings, as well as the tissue expression, ligand binding properties, ontogeny and regulation of these proteins provide a considerable body of indirect evidence supporting a broad role for the FABP in the intracellular transport and metabolism of long-chain fatty acids. The available data also support the existence of structure- and tissue-specific specialization of function among different members of the FABP gene family. Moreover, FABP may also have a possible role in the modulation of cell growth and proliferation, possibly by virtue of their affinity for ligands such as prostaglandins, leukotrienes and fatty acids, which are known to influence cell growth activity. FABP structurally unrelated to the cytosolic gene family have also been identified in the plasma membranes of several tissues (FABPpm). These proteins have not been fully characterized to date, but strong evidence suggests that they function in the transport of long-chain fatty acids across the plasma membrane.
Physicochemical Aspects of Microemulsion Flooding

Whenever water, an oil, and a surfactant equilibrate at concentrations of surfactant in excess of critical micelle concentrations, one or more microemulsions form. In view of this, all surfactant flooding processes may involve microemulsions in situ. Ternary diagrams have been constructed for 3 specific microemulsion systems showing the effects of salinity and cosurfactant on phase behavior, viscosity, resistivity, optical birefringence, and interfacial tension. Using these data, micellar structure maps were prepared for the single-phase region. In this connection, Winsor's concept of intermicellar equilibrium was found consistent with microemulsion systems of interest for tertiary oil recovery. Experimental techniques are described for minimizing extent of the multiphase region and measuring low interfacial tensions that obtain there. (21 refs.)
Limitations with light microscopy in the detection of colorectal cancer cells.

PURPOSE: The failure of light microscopy to predict individual patient survival accurately in pStage I and II colorectal carcinoma can hinder planning postoperative therapy and follow-up. This study was designed and conducted in two parts to assess the influence of relative sensitivity of the light microscope on the pathologist's ability to detect malignant cells in lymph nodes. METHODS: The first part of the study examined the issue of sampling error as a fraction of the number of lymph node sections examined by asking the question, “Does increasing the number of sections (sampling) taken from the block increase tumor cell detection in a lymph node?” Three levels of five sections 4 to 5 µm thick separated by 15 to 20 µm were obtained from each of 494 blocks from 173 cases of pStage I and II colorectal carcinoma. A total of 1,721 lymph nodes were examined. Sections from each level were stained with hematoxylin and eosin and for the expression of cytokeratin. The second part of the study examined the relative sensitivity of the light microscope to detect tumor cells in a lymph node. To simulate lymph nodes, cell blocks were made that contained 106 or 107 mononuclear cells admixed with increasing numbers of SW480 tumor cells (0, 50, 102, 5×102, 103, and 5×103). Three pathologists independently examined sections from ten control and ten experimental blocks. RESULTS: Results from the first part of the study demonstrated cytokeratin-positive cells in 278 lymph nodes from 102 of 172 (59 percent) cases. These cells were identified in the first level in 177 (64 percent) as compared with the second or third level or both in 101 (36 percent) of the lymph nodes. Results from the second part of the study demonstrated an overall sensitivity of light microscopic examination of hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections to be approximately 23 percent, representing tumor cells correctly detected in 7 sections of the 30 sections containing tumor cells. The overall specificity was 87 percent or 26 sections correctly classified as lacking tumor cells of a possible 30. Immunohistochemical staining for cytokeratin expression improved sensitivity of the light microscope to detect tumor cells to 18 of 30 (60 percent) and the specificity to 30 of 30 (100 percent). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates several sources of variability that can induce errors in pathologic staging. These include 1) inadequate section,i.e., sampling, of lymph nodes, 2) use of only hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections, 3) samples with tumor cells below the level of detection sensitivity of the light microscope, and 4) observer variability.
Do no harm: avoidance of herbal medicines during pregnancy

Herbal medicines are regarded by the public and some health care providers as gentle and safe, but there is no scientific basis for that belief. The active ingredients of plant extracts are chemicals that are similar to those in purified medications, and they have the same potential to cause serious adverse effects. This commentary summarizes recent data on the poor quality control and toxicity of herbal remedies and on the pharmacologic activities of ginger, which is used for treatment of morning sickness. There are no rigorous scientific studies of the safety of dietary supplements during pregnancy, and the Teratology Society has stated that it should not be assumed that they are safe for the embryo or fetus. Obstetricians should advise women not to expose their fetuses to the risks of herbal medicines.
Separation and identification of barbiturates and some related compounds by means of gas-liquid chromatography.

Barbiturates and certain related hypnotics have been separated and identified by direct gas chromatography on a number of different stationary phases. Depending on the type and concentration of stationary phase, column temperatures ranging from about 140 to 200° were used. No evidence of decomposition of the substances was observed. The method is rapid and extremely sensitive.
Modulating calmodulin binding specificity through computational protein design.

We report the computational redesign of the protein-binding interface of calmodulin (CaM), a small, ubiquitous Ca^(2+)-binding protein that is known to bind to and regulate a variety of functionally and structurally diverse proteins. The CaM binding interface was optimized to improve binding specificity towards one of its natural targets, smooth muscle myosin light chain kinase (smMLCK). The optimization was performed using optimization of rotamers by iterative techniques (ORBIT), a protein design program that utilizes a physically based force-field and the Dead-End Elimination theorem to compute sequences that are optimal for a given protein scaffold. Starting from the structure of the CaM-smMLCK complex, the program considered 10^(22) amino acid residue sequences to obtain the lowest-energy CaM sequence. The resulting eightfold mutant, CaM_8, was constructed and tested for binding to a set of seven CaM target peptides. CaM_8 displayed high binding affinity to the smMLCK peptide (1.3nM), similar to that of the wild-type protein (1.8 nM). The affinity of CaM_8 to six other target peptides was reduced, as intended, by 1.5-fold to 86-fold. Hence, CaM_8 exhibited increased binding specificity, preferring the smMLCK peptide to the other targets. Studies of this type may increase our understanding of the origins of binding specificity in protein-ligand complexes and may provide valuable information that can be used in the design of novel protein receptors and/or ligands.
Biomass, extracted liquid yields, sugar content or seed yields of biofuel feedstocks as affected by fertilizer

Abstract Harvesting products from plants for conversion into renewable resources is increasing in importance. Determination of nutrition requirements for the applicable crops is necessary, especially in regions where the biofuel feedstock crops have not been historically grown. Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), two hybrids and one variety; sweet and grain (milo) sorghums (both Sorghum bicolor L.), one variety each, and sweet corn (Zea mays var. rugosa Bonaf.), four cultivars, were provided the recommended and twice the recommended rate of fertilizer. Biomass, expressed liquid volumes and sugar contents of sweet sorghum and sweet corn were determined. Grain yields of milo and sunflower and oil content of sunflower were determined. Sweet corn stalk sugar levels were below what is expected from field corn (maize), and were not affected by fertilizer rate. Sweet sorghum biomass and sugar content were within expected ranges and not affected by fertilizer rate. Milo grain yields were higher with increased fertilizer. Seed yield in Sunflower, which was below expected levels, was inconsistently affected by fertilizer rate, years or varieties. Overall crops year and cultivar/variety had more effect on results than did fertilizer. There does not appear to be a reason to provide fertilizer above recommended rates in production of these crops.
Oncostatin M Modulation of Lipid Storage

Oncostatin M (OSM) is a cytokine belonging to the gp130 family, whose members serve pleiotropic functions. However, several actions of OSM are unique from those of other gp130 cytokines, and these actions may have critical roles in inflammatory mechanisms influencing several metabolic and biological functions of insulin-sensitive tissues. In this review, the actions of OSM in adipose tissue and liver are discussed, with an emphasis on lipid metabolism.
Reading Trauma in Gendered Struggle: Meja Mwangi's Carcase for Hounds

This article explores themes of mourning and melancholia, as defined by Freud, which appear in Meja Mwangi's Carcase for Hounds, a fictional history of Kenya's armed struggle for independence from ...
A mild winter delays supercooling point elevation in freeze tolerantChymomyza amoena larvae (Diptera: Drosophilidae)

Supercooling point elevation to −3.2±1.3°C among 17 freeze tolerantChymomyza amoena larvae was delayed until January, 1983 in the mild winter of 1982–83 and occurred despite particulate matter in the gut. The larval population in mid-Michigan is polymorphic for both freeze tolerant and freeze sensitive larvae. One substrate,Malus coronaria fruits, appears to be a neutral niche supporting both phenotypes in the population.
O024: New holistic approach to determine the infection risk profile of a hospital; visualised in a easy-to-read plot

Prevalence surveys are common tools to determine the prevalence of- and determinants for Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI). However this only incorporates patient-related variables.
Galactose measurement in human fluids using a generalized substrate-oxidase-ternary conjugate system.

Abstract A general reaction for quantitation of hydrogen peroxide involving modifications appropriate for measurements of galactose using enzymatic oxidation is described. Quantitation is provided through generation of a stable ternary conjugate consisting of titanium (IV), xylenol orange and hydrogen peroxide. Continuous flow instrumentation is used to reduce processing time and maintain constancy in reaction rates through oxidant partial pressures.
A Review of the Hyporheic Zone, Stream Restoration, and Means to Enhance Denitrification

The hyporheic zone is the subsurface area below and adjacent to a stream where groundwater mixes with stream water, through vertical, lateral, and longitudinal flows. The hyporheic zone connects the stream to uplands and other terrestrial environments. It is a zone of distinct faunal communities, high biological diversity and ecological complexity, and is the site of chemical processing and transformations of ground- and stream waters. The hyporheic zone is important to the overall ecosystem ecology of the stream, and it can influence stream water chemistry. Flows, reactions, and biota in the hyporheic zone are heterogeneous and patchy, making it difficult to clearly describe the ecotone in a straightforward, general way. Nitrogen processing, especially denitrification, appears to be widespread in the hyporheic zone. The hyporheic zone, as with most aquatic systems, is often impacted by human activities. Stream restorations rarely consider potential effects on the hyporheic zone, but careful project choic...
Accelerated automatic chromatographic analysis of peptides on a spherical resin.

Abstract Chromatographic analysis of tryptic hydrolyzates of hemoglobin, lysozyme, and ribonuclease has been accelerated by use of improved resins developed specifically for amino acid chromatography. The peptide mixtures are analyzed on a 23 × 0.9 cm resin column at a developer flow rate of 90 ml/hr. This system reduces the analysis time from the previously reported 16–20 hr for tryptic hydrolyzates of hemoglobin and 50 hr to days for lysozyme and ribonuclease to analysis times of approximately 7.5 hr for each of these peptide mixtures. The resolution of peptide peaks using the PA-35 resin is superior to that previously noted for other cation-exchange resins.
Higher-grade transformation of follicular lymphoma -- a continuous enigma.

Higher-grade histological transformation is a pivotal event in the natural history of low-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), typically associated with more aggressive clinical behavior and a rapidly progressive clinical course refractory to treatment and short survival. Better understanding of the pathogenesis of the higher-grade transformation might lead to the identification of new therapeutic approaches that could improve patients' outcome. In this issue of the journal, Davies et al1 evaluated the role of TP53 gene mutations in transformation of follicular lymphoma (FL) to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).1
Glial hyaluronate-binding protein (GHAP) optic nerve and retina

Abstract The distribution of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and of glial hyaluronate-binding protein (GHAP) was studied by indirect immunofluorescence with monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies in dog, rat and rabbit optic nerve. In dog and rabbit myelination extends into the optic nerve head inside the eye, while in the rat myelination of the optic nerve ceases abruptly at its entry into the eye. Outside the eye the distribution of the two proteins was similar. Both antigens formed a delicate mesh surrounding myelinated optic nerve axons. In all 3 species GFAP immunoreactivity continued uninterrupted into the optic nerve head inside the eye. Conversely, in both dog and rat, GHAP immunoreactivity ceased abruptly in the region of the lamina cribrosa, a sieve-like structure continuous with the sclera through which bundles of optic nerve axons pass. No staining was observed in the myelinated optic nerve head of the dog nor in the non-myelinated optic nerve head of the rat. In the rabbit lacking a lamina cribrosa, GHAP immunoreactivity did not cease abruptly at the optic nerve entry into the eye, but the staining intensity was reduced in the optic nerve head.
Gamma-ray multiplicity measurement of the spontaneous fission of 252Cf in a segmented HPGe/BGO detector array

Abstract Coincident γ rays from a 252Cf source were measured using an array of six segmented high-purity germanium (HPGe) Clover detectors each enclosed by 16 bismuth-germanate (BGO) detectors. The detectors were arranged in a cubic pattern around a 1 μ Ci 252Cf source to cover a large solid angle for γ ‐ray measurement with a reasonable reconstruction of the multiplicity. Neutron multiplicity was determined in certain cases by identifying the prompt γ rays from individual fission fragment pairs. Multiplicity distributions from previous experiments and theoretical models were convolved with the response function of the array and compared to the present results. These results suggest a γ ‐ray multiplicity spectrum broader than previous measurements and models, and provide no evidence of correlation with neutron multiplicity.
Organotitanium(IV)-Catalyzed Cyclopolymerizations of 1,2-Diisocyanates and Cyclocopolymerizations of Monoisocyanates with 1,2-Diisocyanates

1,2-Diisocyanates were cyclopolymerized using CpTiCl 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 . Treatment of 1,2-diisocyanatodecane with CpTiCl 2 N(CH 3 ) 2 in THF effected its cyclopolymerization with stoichiometric control over molecular weight and with M w /M n ranging from 1.2 to 1.8. IR, 1 H NMR, and 13 C NMR spectra of the resulting polymers indicate that the monomer underwent complete cyclization. Studies of the solution properties of poly(1,2-diisocyanatodecane) showed that it maintains a smaller hydrodynamic volume than poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) at equivalent molecular weights. Living poly(n-hexyl isocyanate) was end-capped with blocks of poly(1,2-diisocyanatopropane) and poly(1,2-diisocyanatodecane). TGA and DSC studies of these block copolymers showed that the individual block segments decomposed at the same temperatures as their respective homopolymers. Random copolymerizations of n-hexyl isocyanate with 1,2-diisocyanatopropane and 1,2-diisocyanatodecane were conducted. TGA studies of these macromolecules showed that the decomposition temperature of the copolymer was a function of its 1,2-diisocyanate content, and the incorporation ofa relatively high mole percent of the diisocyanate monomer was necessary to observe an increase in the decomposition onset of the copolymer.
The individual in Japanese history: Parallels to and divergences from the European experience

This paper shows that Japan underwent a sequence of historical periods during which the level of technical development and the place of the individual in society paralleled that of similar periods in Europe. Particular attention is paid to 16th-century Japan, a period remarkably similar to the European Renaissance in its individualism and socioeconomic and cultural vitality. In both Japan and Western Europe, this renaissance followed the breakdown of an imperium and its replacement by a feudal system. The historical parallel continues with those parts of Europe in which absolutist governments were successfully imposed, since Japan underwent a similar phenomenon, accompanied by a similar decline in individualism and in technological development. Although no definitive conclusions can be reached, the paper explores the implications of these parallels for our understanding of both Japan and the general historical and psychological processes involved in the growth of individualism and technology.
Regulatory Accessibility and Social Influences on State Self-Control

The current work examined how social factors influence self-control. Current conceptions of state self-control treat it largely as a function of regulatory capacity. The authors propose that state self-control might also be influenced by social factors because of regulatory accessibility. Studies 1 through 4 provide evidence that individuals’ state self-control is influenced by the trait and state self-control of salient others such that thinking of others with good trait or state self-control leads to increases in state self-control and thinking of others with bad trait or state self-control leads to decreases in state self-control. Study 5 provides evidence that the salience of significant others influences both regulatory accessibility and state self-control. Combined, these studies suggest that the effects of social influences on state self-control occur through multiple mechanisms.
Priming Sex-Role Stereotypic Event Schemas With Rock Music Videos: Effects on Impression Favorability, Trait Inferences, and Recall of a Subsequent Male-Female Interaction

Two experiments examined the effects of priming on appraisal and recall of a subsequent social interaction. Popular rock music videos depicting sex-role stereotypic themes were used to prime sex-role stereotypic schemas. Two commonly available sex-role stereotypic event schemas ("boy-meets-girl" and "boy-dumps-girl") were identified in rock music videos. Subjects were exposed to one of these two types of videos (or neutral videos) before watching an interaction between a man and a woman that had been constructed to be schematically consistent or inconsistent with either the boy-meets-girl or the boy-dumps-girl schema. In Experiment 1, consistent with predictions from contemporary schematic processing theories, greater and more accurate recall of the actors' behaviors was found when the interaction was schema-inconsistent with the priming videos than when it was schema-consistent. In addition, after either stereotypic priming videos, both actors were liked more when their behavior was schema-consistent tha...
Critical Issues Facing America's Community Colleges: A Summary of the Community College Futures Assembly 2008.

Three focus groups consisting of board of trustee members, community college presidents, senior administrators, administrators, and faculty members developed critical issues facing community colleges with respect to instructional planning and services; planning, governance, and finance; and workforce development. Thereafter, the delegation of more than 200 voted on various aspects of the most critical issue divulged in the 2008 Community College Futures Assembly: general education assessment is coming. The findings, including opportunities and challenges, potential implications for community college administrators, and future research topics are also discussed, mostly in the context of workforce development opportunities.
Analysis, Design, and Evaluation of the UC-Berkeley Wave-Energy Extractor

This paper evaluates the technical feasibility and performance characteristics of an ocean-wave energy to electrical energy conversion device that is based on a moving linear generator. The UC-Berkeley design consists of a cylindrical floater, acting as a rotor, which drives a stator consisting of two banks of wound coils. The performance of such a device in waves depends on the hydrodynamics of the floater, the motion of which is strongly coupled to the electromagnetic properties of the generator. Mathematical models are developed to reveal the critical hurdles that can affect the efficiency of the design. A working physical unit is also constructed. The linear generator is first tested in a dry environment to quantify its performance. The complete physical floater and generator system is then tested in a wave tank with a computer-controlled wavemaker. Measurements are compared with theoretical predictions to allow an assessment of the viability of the design and future directions for improvements.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Studies of the Human Testis. VIII. Product Activation of 17β-Hydroxysteroid Oxidoreductase for Testosterone

Cell-free homogenates prepared from human testis tissue were incubated with either 1.3 × 10−5m[4-14C]testosteroneand 2× 10−4m NADP or 1.3 × 10−5 [4-14C]androstenedione and 2 × 10−4m NADPH. Addition of non-radioactive androstenedione and testosterone to the incubation medium increased the formation of [14C]androstenedione from [4-14C]testosterone and [14C]testosterone from [4-14C]androstenedione, respectively, while addition of product nucleotide NADPH or NADP, respectively, decreased the conversions. The addition of androstenedione to the incubation medium changed the apparent optimal pH of 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase for testosterone from 8.6 to 8.0. It appears likely that in a cell-free system human testicular 17β-hydroxysteroid oxidoreductase not solubilized and still attached to membrane is activated by the product of the reaction catalyzed by the enzyme.
Response of Proximal Tubules to Angiotensin II Changes During Maturation

The renin-angiotensin system changes with age, but it is unclear how renal responses to angiotensin II (Ang II) evolve as an animal matures. We hypothesized that Ang II exerts a greater effect on proximal nephron volume absorption (Jv), blood pressure (BP), renal blood flow (RBF), and renal vascular resistance (RVR) in young compared with adult rats. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the effects of Ang II on proximal nephron fluid absorption in response to 10 −10 mol/L Ang II in rats from three age groups: young (4 to 5 weeks old), intermediate (6 weeks old), and adult (7 weeks old). In proximal straight tubules from 7 young rats, Jv was 0.64±0.05 nL/mm per minute. Ang II in the bath increased Jv by 69±18% to 1.05±0.07 nL/mm per minute ( P P P P P P
Exposure of the U.S. Population to Acrylamide in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2003–2004

BackgroundThe lifelong exposure of the population to acrylamide has raised concerns about the possible health effects of the chemical. Data on the extent of exposure to acrylamide and its primary m...
A consensus-based decentralized emforamixture of factor analyzers

We consider the problem of decentralized learning of a target appearance manifold using a network of sensors. Sensor nodes observe an object from different aspects and then, in an unsupervised and distributed manner, learn a joint statistical model for the data manifold. We employ a mixture of factor analyzers (MFA) model, approximating a potentially nonlinear manifold. We derive a consensus-based decentralized expectation maximization (EM) algorithm for learning the parameters of the mixture densities and mixing probabilities. A simulation example demonstrates the efficacy of the algorithm.
Comparison of myocardial catecholamine balance in chronic congestive heart failure and in angina pectoris without failure.

To evaluate myocardial catecholamine balance in heart failure, systemic hemodynamics, coronary sinus blood flow, and arterial and coronary sinus venous norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E) concentrations were determined in 30 patients with chronic left ventricular failure (CHF), and in 25 patients with angina pectoris (AP) but without heart failure. In the group with CHF, stroke work index was lower (CHF 20 ± 9, AP 53 ± 13 g-m/m 2 , p
Technical report: Double-phase technetium-99m-sestamibi parathyroid imaging with an in-field photopenic marker for better mapping

The author introduces a photopenic marker that was used to delineate better anatomic mapping in a double-phase technetium-99m-sestamibi parathyroid imaging. This home-marker was placed on a patient within the imaging field to increase reproducibility of the images: early versus delayed images.
Structure and Dynamics of Disodium Hydrogen 12-Tungstophosphoric Acid

The structure and dynamics of the limiting hydrated form of disodium hydrogen 12-tungstophosphoric acid (HNaPW) were investigated as a function of temperature using solid-state 1H, 23Na, and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray analysis. The 1H nonspinning (NS) and magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR results indicate that the limiting hydrated form of HNaPW has two types of protons. One type of proton corresponds to lone protons isolated from all other protons in the material. The second type of proton corresponds to an isolated proton pair of a water molecule. 1H NS NMR spectra recorded from 168 to 393 K, in combination with theoretical simulations, show that the proton dynamics of the water molecule can be characterized by four temperature ranges above 168 K, the temperature corresponding to a rigid lattice. From 168 to 203 K, proton motion is minimal; from 203 to 293 K, the proton motion is dominated by rotational diffusion; from 293 to 383 K, both translational and ...
Computational investigation of failure in anodized aluminum

This study concerns a common wafer manufacturing problem due to fracturing of anodized layer typically used to protect aluminum components from corrosive environment in plasma chamber. A computational approach is introduced for modeling of mechanical behavior of such structures. Predicted fracture morphology is consistent with the experimentally observed phenomena. Suggestions for mitigation of anodized aluminum fracturing related wafer failure are made.
Determination of muramic acid, ornithine, and diaminopimelic acid during automatic amino acid analysis

Abstract An effective method has been presented for the separation and quantitation of ornithine, muramic acid, diaminopimelic acid, glucosamine, and galactosamine using a modified system on the Beckman-Spinco amino acid analyzer. In addition to the above compounds, all of the natural protein amino acids are resolved. About six hours is required for a complete anlaysis but, with partial coincident elution, two complete analyses can be performed per day.
Slipped femoral capital epiphyses in irradiated children: dose, volume and age relationships.

Abstract Between 1960 and 1979, 50 patients under 15 years of age received radiotherapy to the pelvis including the non-fused capital femoral epiphyseal plate. A total of 83 epiphyseal plates were at risk. Eight epiphyseal plates (9.6%) in five patients were abnormal: symptomatic capital femoral epiphyseal slippage—4, asymptomatic slippage—1, severe epiphyseal abnormalities on radiographs—3. No complication occurred below doses of 2,500 rad (25 Gy). Children under the age of 4 at time of irradiation were at a higher risk (715−47%) than those over 4 years of age (121−4.7%). Most slippages occurred at ages between 8 and 10 years. No dose response curve was obtained—higher doses above the threshold dose of 2,500 rad did not increase the incidence of slippage. A mechanism of action is postulated. This is a preventable complication; judicious use of primary or secondary blocking systems can eliminate or limit the dose to the non-fused epiphyseal plate and prevent later morbid complications.
Constituents of Cannabis sativa L. III: Clear and discrete separation of cannabidiol and cannabichromene

Synthetic cannabidiol and cannabichromene were discretely separated by GLC using their trimethylsilyl ether derivatives. The mono and disilylated derivatives of cannabidiol were identified. This procedure was utilized in the analysis of Cannabis sativa L.
Effects of fission neutron, beta and gamma radiation on seedling growth of dormant and germinating seeds of barley*

Experiments were designed to study the effects of fission neutron (Nf), 60Co γ- and 90Y β-radiation on dormant and germinating seeds (caryopses) of barley, Hordeum vulgare L. cv. Himalaya. All seeds were adjusted to a water content of ~ 14 per cent and the irradiations carried out in air. For studies with dormant seeds, the seeds were soaked after irradiation in nitrogen-bubbled water at 0 °C for ~ 18 hr and then planted in blotter “sandwiches”. For studies with germinating seeds, the seeds were soaked ~ 16 hr at 0 °C and then planted either in blotter “sandwiches” or with the embryo oriented up on blotters in Petri dishes and allowed to germinate for 24 hr before irradiation. The mean doses for the β-radiation were calculated for that absorbed in the embryo by the first leaf, the endpoint measured. The results showed that γ- and β-radiation were equally effective in reducing seedling growth of both dormant and germinating seeds. Fission neutron radiation was ~ 40 times more effective than either β- or γ-radiation on dormant seeds at the D50 level of damage but only 6·8 times more effective on germinating seeds. The RBE's for γ/Nf and β/Nf decreased with increased dose and level of damage for germinating seeds but remained nearly constant for the dormant seeds. The germinating seeds were 5·0, 29·3 and 30·0 times more sensitive to Nf−, β- and γ-radiation, respectively, than the dormant seeds at the D50 level of damage. These values also decreased with increasing dose and level of damage.