cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Estrous cycle modulates ovarian cancer growth

5495 Objective: Activation of the estrogen receptor has been shown to upregulate proangiogenic factors such as VEGF and modulate tumor growth. However, the influence of the estrous cycle on ovarian cancer is not fully known, and is the focus of the current study. Methods: We utilized RT-PCR to determine the expression levels of estrogen receptor 1 and 2 (ER 1-2) as well as Progesterone Receptor (PR) in the HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 cell lines. Tumor cells were injected intraperitoneally into nude mice during either the proestrus or estrus phase, as determined by vaginal cytopathology. Results: In vitro, HeyA8 cells demonstrated high levels of both ER-1 and ER-2 and low levels of PR. The SKOV3ip1 cell line expressed high levels of all three receptors. In vivo experiments with both HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 tumors demonstrated that injecting tumor cells during the proestrus phase significantly increased tumor burden by 251%compared to injecting tumor cells during the estrus phase (p=0.01). The in vivo HeyA8 and SKOV3ip1 models also showed that injection of tumor cells during the proestrus phase resulted in a 178% increase in tumor nodule formation compared to injection during the estrus phase (p=0.02). Conclusions: Inoculation of ovarian cancer cells during proestrus significantly augmented tumor growth compared to inoculation during estrus, thus, suggesting that the estrogen receptor may play a role in tumorigenesis.
Liver Transplantation in the Time of COVID19: Barriers and Ethical considerations for Management and Next Steps.

The recent outbreak of the novel virus Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) which causes COVID19 disease has spread globally affecting millions of people. This pandemic has taxed our healthcare system and disrupted normal operations, even of lifesaving procedures like liver transplants. During these unprecedented times providers and patients are imperiled and resources for diagnosis and care may be limited. Continuing to perform resource intense advanced procedures is challenging, as is caring for patients with end-stage liver disease or patients with urgent needs for liver tumor control. Liver transplantation in particular requires critical resources like blood products and critical care beds, which are fairly limited in the COVID19 pandemic. The potential of COVID19 infections in post-transplant patients on immunosuppression and staff contacts further adds to the complexity. Therefore, transplant programs must re-evaluate the ethicality, feasibility, and safety of performing liver transplants during this pandemic. Herein, we discuss the clinical and ethical challenges posed by performing liver transplants and offer guidance for managing patients with end-stage liver disease during the COVID19 pandemic.
Abstract PO-126: PVT1 exon 9 transcript regulates claudin 4 expression and migration in triple negative breast cancer

Breast cancer (BC) is a heterogeneous disease that is classically driven by the estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and human epithelial growth factor receptor 2 (EGFR2/HER2) signaling pathways. Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC), is a lethal subtype of invasive BC tumors that are ER-, PR- and HER2-. A subtype of TNBC is claudin low (CL). Dysregulation of claudin proteins disrupts tight junctions, consequently inducing the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in cancers. This leads to enhanced motility and metastasis. Patients with CL TNBC have worse prognosis than patients with other BC subtypes. PVT1 is a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) transcribed from the 8q24 genomic locus that has been implicated in multiple cancers including BC. Amplification of the 8q24 gene locus is a common event in many malignant diseases and is associated with poor clinical outcomes. Although previous research has implicated PVT1 as an important player in BC, the underlying molecular mechanisms of PVT1 in CL TNBC was previously unknown. We assessed PVT1 expression in BC, and we observed that PVT1 exons 4A, 4B, and 9 are significantly upregulated in MDA MB 231 cells (claudin low) and significantly downregulated in MDA MB 468 cells (claudin high), in comparison to T47D (ER+). We have confirmed that claudin expression, specifically claudins 1, 3, 4 and 7, are significantly higher in MDA MB 468 cells and significantly lower in MDA MB 231 cells. Knockdown of PVT1 exon 9 expression in the MDA MB 231 cell line, led to a significant reduction in migration when compared to cells transfected with a control scramble siRNA, indicating that PVT1 exon 9 regulates migration in CL TNBC. Interestingly, we observed that claudin 4 expression, and not claudins 1, 3 and 7, was increased in cells where PVT1 exon 9 was knocked down when compared to the control cells. This indicates that PVT1 exon 9 regulates claudin 4 protein stability in CL TNBC. We also assessed the expression of EMT markers (vimentin, fibronectin, and E-cadherin) in MDA MB 231 cells. We observed no changes in EMT markers when PVT1 exon 9 is knocked down; however, our data suggests that EMT markers are more highly expressed in MDA MB 231 cells in comparison to MDA MB 468 cells. Taken together, our data indicate that PVT1 exon 9 regulates claudin expression and migration in CL TNBC, and may have implications for clinical outcomes in TNBC. Citation Format: Fayola Levine, Olorunseun Ogunwobi. PVT1 exon 9 transcript regulates claudin 4 expression and migration in triple negative breast cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Virtual Conference: Thirteenth AACR Conference on the Science of Cancer Health Disparities in Racial/Ethnic Minorities and the Medically Underserved; 2020 Oct 2-4. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2020;29(12 Suppl):Abstract nr PO-126.
APPLICATION OF BOUNDARY INTEGRAL METHOD TO CONTINUOUS PLATE STRUCTURES

Ship hulls are composed of complex plate structures. Such structures can be analyzed by analytical as well as numerical methods. Here it is demonstrated that boundary integrals can be used to analyze such structures by a seminumerical method. Boundary integrals have been used for analyzing single plate bending problems, and only recently have attempts been made to extend their use to complex plate structures. In this paper, the Direct Boundary Integral Method for bending of thin elastic plates is extended to analysis of the continuous plate structures. The concepts of compatibility and equilibrium conditions along the common boundary have been imposed in conjunction with a boundary element formulation for each panel. Several examples of loading conditions are presented and compared with analytical solutions. The excellent agreement achieved illustrates the effectiveness of the extended formulation.
Microbiota Introduced to Germ-Free Rats Restores Vascular Contractility and Blood Pressure

Commensal gut microbiota are strongly correlated with host hemodynamic homeostasis but only broadly associated with cardiovascular health. This includes a general correspondence of quantitative and qualitative shifts in intestinal microbial communities found in hypertensive rat models and human patients. However, the mechanisms by which gut microbes contribute to the function of organs important for blood pressure (BP) control remain unanswered. To examine the direct effects of microbiota on BP, we conventionalized germ-free (GF) rats with specific pathogen-free rats for a short-term period of 10 days, which served as a model system to observe the dynamic responses when reconstituting the holobiome. The absence of microbiota in GF rats resulted with relative hypotension compared with their conventionalized counterparts, suggesting an obligatory role of microbiota in BP homeostasis. Hypotension observed in GF rats was accompanied by a marked reduction in vascular contractility. Both BP and vascular contractility were restored by the introduction of microbiota to GF rats, indicating that microbiota could impact BP through a vascular-dependent mechanism. This is further supported by the decrease in actin polymerization in arteries from GF rats. Improved vascular contractility in conventionalized GF rats, as indicated through stabilized actin filaments, was associated with an increase in cofilin phosphorylation. These data indicate that the vascular system senses the presence (or lack of) microbiota to maintain vascular tone via actin polymerization. Overall, these results constitute a fundamental discovery of the essential nature of microbiota in BP regulation.
Non-Epitaxial GaAs Heterojunction Nanowire Solar Cells (PVSC)

The efficiency of substrate-removed GaAs nanowire solar cells can be increased to over 32% by borrowing processes and materials from GaAs MOSFETs and perovskite photovoltaics. Photogenerated carriers fundamentally limit the performance of off-wafer homojunction devices to less than 15% efficiency by creating low resistance pathways for minority carriers to recombine at ohmic contacts. We report the results of coupled optoelectronic device physics simulations of GaAs nanowire homojunction solar cells and GaAs nanocone heterojunction solar cells where SnO2 and CuSCN are used for charge carrier collection. Our simulations include realistic recombination models for bulk and surface recombination. We find the optimal design is a radial junction with moderately p-type GaAs. Densities of states previously demonstrated in GaAs MOSFETs enable efficiencies greater than 30%.
A Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Mystery: Persistent Fevers and Leukocytosis in a Patient With Severe COVID-19

Short-course glucocorticosteroids are being used and tocilizumab (TCZ) had been used to treat patients with severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) disease. These agents, when administered individually, have been associated with tuberculosis (TB) during chronic use. We report a case of TB in a 44-year-old male with diabetes and severe COVID-19 who received high-dose short-course glucocorticosteroids and a single dose of TCZ. The clinical presentation was atypical with unresolving fevers and leukocytosis, progressive lower lobe cavities, and hilar adenopathy. Delayed diagnosis led to prolonged hospitalization and extensive antibiotic use.
No Evidence for Expectation Effects in Cognitive Training Tasks

A great deal of recent empirical and theoretical work has examined whether it is possible to enhance cognitive functioning via behavioral (cognitive) training. While a growing body of research provides support for such a hypothesis, multiple critiques of the field have suggested that any positive findings in the field to date may be due to placebo effects, rather than reflecting “true” benefits of the training paradigms. Here, in a series of four experiments, we sought to purposefully induce placebo effects of this type in cognitive training-style setup. We did so in multiple outcome domains (fluid intelligence; spatial skills), employed multiple types of “training” paradigms (classic cognitive training using the N-back working memory task; the video game Tetris) and critically, combined explicit verbal instructions that participants in some groups “should” expect to improve their performance after completing their training with associative learning “evidence” that such improvements were occurring (via manipulated task designs). In no case, though, was a placebo effect observed. These results collectively provide evidence against the contention that placebo effects are a major driver of positive outcomes previously attributed to cognitive training interventions.
Design and development of a compact high-resolution detector for PET insert in small animal irradiator

We report the development of a compact high-resolution detector for a positron emission tomography (PET) insert in small animal irradiator. The detector consists of 4 sub-detectors; each sub-detector consists of a 15×15 array of 1×1×20 mm3 LYSO scintillators with each array end coupled to an 8×8 array of 2×2 mm2 silicon photomultipliers for depth-of-interaction (DOI) measurement; all sides of scintillators were roughed with a 0.03 mm surface lapping for balanced detector performance. Based on row and column signal readout, only 64-ch electronics is required to process 512-ch output of each detector. A compact 96-ch electronics board was developed to measure the charge, timing, and position of each interaction and convert them into digital output pulses for further processing. The detector performance evaluation study shows an average ~26.3% energy resolution, ~3.2 ns coincidence timing resolution, and ~3.2 mm DOI resolution from all crystals. All scintillators are well identified. The maximum throughput of the detector is ~200 K events/s.
How Gender, Race, Ethnicity, and Their Intersections Shape Americans’ Issue Priorities

Gender, race, and ethnicity shape the direction of Americans’ policy preferences. Do these traits also affect which issues Americans prioritize? I use open-ended responses about the most important ...
Arterial wave reflections and left ventricular energy output in vasoconstriction and vasodilation

Increased afterload is normally associated with vasoconstriction. The heart has to increase its work to overcome this load, which can be reduced with vasodilators. The forward and reflected waves are computed for the vasoconstriction-induced hypertension and subsequent vasodilation conditions. Results show that the increased and decreased work output by the left ventricle is principally modulated by the amount of wave reflection. >
Three new beetle‐associated yeast species in the Pichia guilliermondii clade

New yeasts in the Pichia guilliermondii clade were isolated from the digestive tract of basidiocarp-feeding members of seven families of Coleoptera. A molecular phylogeny and unique traits placed eight isolates in Candida fermentati and three undescribed taxa in the genus Candida. The new species and type strains are C. smithsonii (type strain NRRL Y-27642T), C. athensensis (type strain NRRL Y-27644T), and C. elateridarum (type strain NRRL Y-27647T). Based on comparison of small-and large-subunit rDNA sequences, C. smithsonii and C. athensensis form a statistically well-supported subclade with P. guilliermondii, C. xestobii, and C. fermentati; C. elateridarum is basal to this subclade.
Examples and Exercises on Optimal Control

A point P moves along the x-axis governed by the equation x″ = u with |u| ≤ 1. We are to take P from any given state x = a, x′ = b to rest at the origin x = 0, x′ = 0 in the shortest time. By introducing phase coordinates x = x, y = x′, we have the Mayer problem of minimum time: $$dx/dt = y,dy/dt = u,0 \leqslant t \leqslant {t_2},u \in U = \left[ { - 1 \leqslant u \leqslant 1} \right],I\left[ {x,y,u} \right] = g = {t_2},{t_1} = 0,x\left( {{t_1}} \right) = a,y\left( {{t_1}} \right) = b,x\left( {{t_2}} \right) = 0,y\left( {{t_2}} \right) = 0,$$ (6.1.1) where we seek the minimum of the functional I under the constraints.
Elastomeric Seal Performance after Terrestrial Ultraviolet Radiation Exposure

Ultraviolet radiation was evaluated to determine its negative effects on the performance of elastomeric gas pressure seals. The leak rates of the silicone elastomer S0383-70 O-ring test articles were used to quantify the degradation of the seals after exposure to vacuum-ultraviolet and/or middle-to-near-ultraviolet wavelength radiation. Three groups of seals were exposed in terrestrial facilities to 115-165 nm wavelength radiation, 230-500 nm wavelength radiation, or both spectrums, for an orbital spaceflight equivalent of 125 hours. The leak rates of the silicone elastomer S0383-70 seals were quantified and compared to samples that received no radiation. Each lot contained six samples and statistical t-tests were used to determine the separate and combined influences of exposure to the two wavelength ranges. A comparison of the mean leak rates of samples exposed to 115-165 nm wavelength radiation to the control specimens showed no difference, suggesting that spectrum was not damaging. The 230-500 nm wavelength appeared to be damaging, as the mean leak rates of the specimens exposed to that range of wavelengths, and those exposed to the combined 115-165 nm and 230-500 nm spectrums, were significantly different from the leak rates of the control specimens. Most importantly, the test articles exposed to both wavelength spectrums exhibited mean leak rates two orders of magnitude larger than any other exposed specimens, which suggested that both wavelength spectrums are important when simulating the orbital environment.
Mechanism of action of phenolic disinfectants V. Effect of 2,4‐dichlorophenol on the incorporation of labeled substrates by Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli ATCC 11229, when exposed to concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenol adequate to inhibit growth in synthetic medium, was able to incorporate some label from glucose-C-14 and sodium sulfate-S-35 but little from thymine-C-14, acetate-C-14, or succinate-C-14. This growth inhibiting concentration of 2,4-dichlorophenol (66.5 mcg./ml.) permitted substantial incorporation of radioactivity from adenine-C-14, uracil-C-14, or leucine-C-14, although higher concentrations (133 mcg./ml.) were inhibitory. If incorporation of leucine-C-14 and uracil-C-14 can be taken as indicators of protein and ribonucleic acid synthesis, respectively, the results suggest that a concentration of this germicide adequate to prevent growth does not inhibit synthesis of protein or ribonucleic acid. Also, if one assumes inhibition of label incorporation from radioactive succinate to be due to inhibition of succinic dehydrogenase, known to be located in the cell membrane, damage by the phenol to biochemical mechanisms of the cell membrane would appear to be indicated.
Intelligent Interfaces for Mining Large-Scale RNAi-HCS Image Databases

Recently, high-content screening (HCS) has been combined with RNA interference (RNAi) to become an essential image-based high-throughput method for studying genes and biological networks through RNAi-induced cellular phenotype analyses. However, a genome-wide RNAi-HCS screen typically generates tens of thousands of images, most of which remain uncategorized due to the inadequacies of existing HCS image analysis tools. Until now, it still requires highly trained scientists to browse a prohibitively large RNAi-HCS image database and produce only a handful of qualitative results regarding cellular morphological phenotypes. For this reason we have developed intelligent interfaces to facilitate the application of the HCS technology in biomedical research. Our new interfaces empower biologists with computational power not only to effectively and efficiently explore large-scale RNAi-HCS image databases, but also to apply their knowledge and experience to interactive mining of cellular phenotypes using Content-Based Image Retrieval (CBIR) with Relevance Feedback (RF) techniques.
Preparation and biological activity of amino acid and peptide conjugates of antitumor hydroxymethylacylfulvene

The primary hydroxyl group in hydroxymethylacylfulvene, a potent antitumor drug, is readily replaced by thiols including cysteine, N-acetylcysteine, homocysteine, and glutathione. Best yields are obtained when reaction is carried out in the presence of dilute sulfuric acid. A variety of sulfur-containing analogues have been prepared, and their toxicity to tumor cells was examined.
Application of artificial neural networks in mammography for the diagnosis of breast cancer

Yuzheng Wu, Maryellen L. Giger, Kunio Doi, Charles B. Metz,Robert M. Nishikawa, Carl J. Vyborny, Robert A. SchmidtKurt Rossmann Laboratories for Racliologic Image ResearchDepartment of Radiology, MC2026The University of ChicagoChicago, illinois 60637ABSTRACTInterpretation of mammograms for the diagnosis of breast cancer is a difficult task. Weinvestigated the potential utility of neural networks in the analysis of mammographic data as an aidto radiologists in arriving at correct diagnoses. Three-layer, feed-forward networks with a back-propagation algorithm were employed in this study. The neural networks were trained for theinterpretation of mammograms based on: (a) features extracted from mammograms by expertradiologists; and (b) radiographic patterns of clustered microcalcifications in digital mammograms,as represented by pixel values.Performance of the neural networks was evaluated by ROC analysis with jack-knifemethod on individual cases. The network that used human-extracted features as input performedwell in distinguishing between benign and malignant lesions, yielding an A value of 0.95 in a testby the round-robin method for textbook cases. The performance of a neural network in mergingradiologist-extracted features of lesions to diagnose breast cancer was found to be higher than theaverage performance of attending and resident radiologists alone (without the aid of a neuralnetwork). The networks trained on digital mammograms also performed at a fairly high level,achieving an A value of 0.88 in detecting microcalcffications and demonstrated the potential tohelp reducing false-positive clusters produced by the rule-based detection scheme ofmicrocalcifications developed in our lab. The neural networks are capable of classifyingmammographic images on the basis of both extracted features and radiographic patterns, andtherefore, are potentially useful tools for mammographic interpretation.1. INTRODUCTIONArtificial neural networks, which constitute a non-algorithmic approach to informationprocessing, have been studied intensively in the field of computer science in recent years.13 Theseneural networks, which are capable of parallel-processing a large amount of informationsimultaneously, address problems not by pre-specified "conventional" algorithms, but rather by"learning" from examples presented repeatedly. The popularity of neural networks is primarily dueto their apparent ability to make decisions and draw conclusions when presented with complex,noisy, or partial information and to adapt their behavior to the nature of the training data.Neural networks have been applied to medical imaging and decision-making in recent yearsand have been shown to be a powerful tool for pattern recognition and data classification.414Among the applications, neural networks have been employed in attempts to interpret neonatal
Anencephalics as organ sources

In recent years, the need for infant organs for transplantation has increased. There is a growing recognition of the potential use of anencephalics as sources of organs. Prevalent arguments defending the use of live anencephalics for organ sources are identified and criticized. I argue that attempts to deny the applicability of the “dead-donor rule” are either question-begging or based on false premises and that attempts to skirt the Kantian dictum against treating others as a means only are not successful. I contend that the apparent utilitarian justification for live anencephalics as organ sources is unsatisfactory for two reasons: first, because it ignores the undermining effect the policy would have on parental values and sentiments central to social welfare; and second, because attempts to respond adequately to the slippery slope argument against live anencephalic use are unconvincing.
Analysis of the Convergence and Generalization of AA1

AA1 is an incremental learning algorithm for Adaptive Self-Organizing Concurrent Systems (ASOCS). ASOCS are self-organizing, dynamically growing networks of computing nodes. AA1 learns by discrimination and implements knowledge in a distributed fashion over all the nodes. This paper reviews AA1 from the perspective of convergence and generalization. A formal proof that AA1 converges on any arbitrary Boolean instance set is given. A discussion of generalization and other aspects of AA1, including the problem of handling inconsistency, follows. Results of simulations with real-world data are presented. They show that AA1 gives promising generalization.
Carcinoma of the prostate. Hormonal therapy

A selective review of the literature regarding hormonal therapy for patients with carcinoma of the prostate is presented to assess the current status of the following: (1) therapeutic advantages, disadvantages and risks of alternate approaches to hormonal therapy; (2) observations to predict the magnitude and duration of response to therapy; (3) indications for initiating hormone therapy; (4) the short-term and long-term effects of therapy; and (5) role of hormone therapy in patients with recurrent tumor activity after initial hormonal measures.
An electron impact study of ionization and dissociation of trimethylstannanes

Abstract Appearance potentials of ions from a series of trimethylstannanes were measured. Combination of these data with molecular and radical heats of formation, with the assumption of zero excess energy on electron impact ionization, yields a value of Δ H f [(CH 3 ) 3 Sn] = 32 ±6. Also from these data an ionization potential of the trimethylstannyl radical of 6.8±0.3 eV is derived, in good agreement with direct measurement. The dissociation energies of the (CH 3 ) 3 Sn-X bonds are shown to be about 10-12 kcal·mole -1 lower than in the corresponding (CH 3 ) 3 C-X bonds. value of Δ H f [(CH 3 ) 3 Sn] = 32 ±6. Also from these data an ionization potential of the A considerable fraction of the available data on bond dissociation energies, molecular ionization potentials, and free radical ionization potentials has come from studies of the behavior of molecules subjected to electron impact. Such knowledge has proven to be of interest and importance in questions of electronic structure and of rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions. However, most of this large body of energetic data pertains to molecules, radicals, and ions that are generally thought of as belonging to the realm of organic chemistry. In the rapidly growing field of organometallic chemistry very little such energetic data is available for guidance in structural, mechanistic and rate considerations. Indeed, in many areas of organometallic chemistry not even the standard heats of formation of the stable compounds are known. In the case of organotin compounds, however, a body of thermochemical data is available (although some of the older work, as recently pointed out, is unreliable) and mes feasible electron impact studies directed toward the determination of the energetic properties of the organotin molecule, ions, and free radicals. In this paper we describe a study on the ionization and dissociation of some trimethyltin derivatives by electron impact. Some preliminary results of this study were published previously.
Activation of porcine oocytes with calcium ionophore: effects of extracellular calcium.

The present study examined the mechanism of A23187-induced activation in pig oocytes, with special reference to the effects of extracellular calcium on oocyte activation. The following endpoints were evaluated: intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), intracellular pH ([pH]i), cortical granule (CG) exocytosis, pronuclear formation, and blastocyst development. In experiment one, when oocytes were exposed to 50 μM A23187 for 5 min in a medium with, or without, calcium, a significant (P < 0.004) increase in the [Ca2+]i was observed in medium with calcium but not in medium without calcium. An increased [pH]i (0.08 unit in medium with calcium and 0.13 unit in medium without calcium), cortical granule exocytosis and pronuclear formation were observed in oocytes treated with A23187 irrespective of the presence or absence of calcium in the medium. In experiment two, the effects of treatment time (0, 0.5, 1, 2, and 5 min) on nuclear activation of oocytes with A23187 were further examined in medium with, or without, calcium. It was found that a 2 min treatment activated more (71–74%) oocytes than the other treatments. Treatment for 5 min in medium without calcium resulted in chromatin condensation in some oocytes. Microtubules were not found in these oocytes. In experiment three, developmental ability was examined of the oocytes treated with A23187 in medium with, or without, calcium. In vitro fertilized oocytes were used as a positive control. It was found that 16%, 6% and 38% of the oocytes treated with A23187 in medium with calcium, in medium without calcium, and in vitro fertilized oocytes developed to blastocysts after culture for 7 days, respectively. These results indicate that A23187 can induce pig oocyte activation in calcium-free medium without a typical increase in the [Ca2+]i and that A23187-induced pig oocyte activation is accompanied by an increase in [pH]i. Oocytes activated with A23187 can develop to blastocysts regardless of activation in medium with, or without, calcium. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 53:99–107, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Pattern classification using a joint transform correlator based nearest neighbor classifier

A JTC-based nearest neighbor classifier (JTC-NNC) is presented, by which shift-invariant pattern classification can be obtained. To efficiently utilize the spatial domain input plane, a non-zero-order JTC is introduced to remove the autocorrelation power spectra. In addition, a phase-transform technique is introduced into the JTC-NNC to improve the light efficiency and pattern discriminability. Finally, application of the JTC-NNC to optical character recognition is discussed, and computer simulation is provided to show the feasibility of the JTC-NNC.
A liquid xenon imaging telescope for gamma ray astrophysics: Design and expected performance

A high resolution telescope for imaging cosmic x ray sources in the MeV region, with an angular resolution better than 0.5 deg is being developed as balloon-borne payload. The instrument consists of a 3-D liquid xenon TPC as x ray detector, coupled with a coded aperture at a distance of 1 meter. A study of the actual source distribution of the 1.809 MeV line from the decay of Al-26 and the 511 keV positron-electron annihilation line is among the scientific objectives, along with a search for new x ray sources. The telescope design parameters and expected minimum flux sensitivity to line and continuum radiation are presented. The unique capablity of the LXe-TPC as a Compton Polarimeter is also discussed.
Test of Goffman's hypothesis of familiarity and deviance: attempted suicide and tolerance of deviant behavior.

Data for 115 college students indicated no support for Goff-man's assertion that greater familiarity with deviants was associated with tolerance of deviance.
Transfer of phosphatidylcholine facilitated by a component of human plasma.

Abstract A constituent of lipoprotein-free (ρ > 1.21) human plasma from normolipemic donors facilitates the transfer of diacyl phosphatidylcholine from unilamellar egg yolk phosphatidylcholine liposomes to liver mitochondria. The active component is heat labile, has a hydrated density greater than 1.25 and an apparent molecular weight of more than 100 000. The presence of this protein in plasma may facilitate movement of diacylphospholipids between the surfaces of lipid-containing particles such as lipoproteins and erythrocytes. Knowledge of the properties and behavior of this protein are important in designing methods of drug therapy based on encapsulation in biodegradable lipid vesicles.
X-ray photoelecton spectroscopic (ESCA) study of 1,2-bis(diphenyl-phosphino)-ethane, 1-(diphenylphosphino)-2-(dimethylamino)-ethane and related compounds

Abstract ESCA spectra for compounds of the type φ 2 P-CH 2 CH 2 -Pφ 2 , φ 2 PCHCHPφ 2 , φPCCPφ 2 and, Me 2 NCH 2 CH 2 Pφ 2 are reported along with similar compounds having positive charges on one or both of the heteroatoms. For uncharged molecules, group electronegatives correlated with P (2 p ) binding energies. For molecules having a charged site, the inductive effect of the charged atom was a major factor determining binding energies for both heteroatoms. Among similar compound types, anion effects were absent. For molecules containing nitrogen, the smaller (CH 3 ) 2 N-group allowed anion shielding of the positive charge, causing smaller shifts than for similar compounds containing only phosphorus. Correlations between charge, calculated from Sanderson electronegatives, and P (2 p ) and N (1 s ) binding energies are reported.
Computer-regulated constant pressure ischemia in the rat: the animal model.

A system permitting computer control of partial ischemia in the normotensive rat brain was developed. Right carotid cannulation and bilateral subclavian artery occlusion made the input of blood to the brain dependent solely on left carotid artery flow. Perfusion pressure was controlled by partial compression of this artery with a balloon. The system can produce a range of partial ischemic states maintaining perfusion pressures from 4 to 20 mm Hg. The adequacy of the servo-control system was evaluated in greater detail at requested perfusion pressures of 7 and 12 mm Hg in 14 male Sprague-Dawley rats (300–450 g). Experimentally obtained cerebral perfusion pressures of 6.84 (SD = 0.25, n = 7) and 11.72 (SD = 0.89, n = 7) mm Hg, respectively, demonstrate the efficacy of the system. CBFs were concurrently measured at four separate bilaterally symmetric anatomic sites (cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, and substantia nigra). Significant intra- and interhemispheric differences were found to exist, with regional flo...
Compliance and diameter mismatch affect the wall shear rate distribution near an end-to-end anastomosis

The development of intimal hyperplasia near the anastomosis of a vascular graft to an artery may be related to changes in the wall shear rate distribution. Mismatches in compliance and diameter at the end-to-end anastomosis of a compliant artery and a rigid graft cause shear rate disturbances that may induce intimal hyperplasia and ultimately graft failure. The goal of this study is to determine how compliance mismatch, diameter mismatch, and impedance phase angle affect the wall shear rate distribution in end-to-end anastomosis models under sinusoidal flow conditions. Wall shear rates are obtained through flow visualization using a photochromic dye. In a model with a well-matched graft diameter (6% undersized), the compliance mismatch causes low mean wall shear rates near the distal anastomosis. Considering diameter mismatch, the wall shear rate distributions in 6% undersized, 16% undersized, and 13% oversized graft models are markedly different at similar phase angles. In the two undersized graft models, the minimum mean shear rate occurs near the distal anastomosis, and this minimum is lower in the model with greater diameter mismatch. The oversized graft model has a minimum mean shear rate near the proximal anastomosis. Thus in all three models, the minimum mean wall shear rate is observed at the site of the divergent geometry. The impedance phase angle, which can be altered by disease states and vasoactive drugs, has a minor effect on the wall shear rate amplitude far from the anastomosis but a more pronounced effect closer to the anastomosis. Mean wall shear rates under sinusoidal flow conditions are significantly lower than under steady flow conditions at the same mean flow rate, but they are fairly insensitive to phase angle changes. In order to avoid the divergent geometry that may cause lower wall shear rates, we recommend that compliance mismatch be minimized whenever possible and that graft diameter be chosen to match the arterial diameter at the relevant physiologic pressure, not at the reduced pressure present when the graft is implanted.
Mitochondrial Uptake and Recycling of Ascorbic Acid

Abstract Mitochondria generate reactive oxygen species as by-products of oxidative metabolism. Since ascorbic acid can scavenge such destructive species, we studied the ability of mitochondria from rat liver and muscle to take up, recycle, and oxidize ascorbate. Freshly prepared mitochondria contain ascorbate, as do mitoplasts that lack the outer mitochondrial membrane. Both mitochondria and mitoplasts rapidly take up oxidized ascorbate as dehydroascorbic acid and reduce it to ascorbate. Ascorbate concentrations in mitochondria and mitoplasts rise into the low millimolar range during dehydroascorbic acid uptake, although uptake and reduction is opposed by ascorbate efflux. Mitochondrial dehydroascorbic acid reduction depends mainly on GSH, but mitochondrial thioredoxin reductase may also contribute. Reactive oxygen species generated within mitochondria oxidize ascorbate more readily than they do GSH and α-tocopherol. These results show that mitochondria can recycle ascorbate, which in turn might help to prevent deleterious effects of oxidant stress in the organelle.
Initial interactions online-text, online-audio, online-video, or face-to-face: Effects of modality on liking, closeness, and other interpersonal outcomes

In a social interaction study, pairs of unacquainted college students engaged in a two-part get-acquainted interaction. In a first interaction, modality was manipulated and was either: computer mediated communication (CMC)-text, CMC-audio, CMC-video, or face-to-face (FtF). The pairs then engaged in a second interaction, in which all pairs interacted via CMC-video (Skype). After the first interaction, dyads in the CMC-text condition had lower scores on affiliative outcomes (e.g., liking) than the other dyads, particularly compared to dyads in the FtF condition. However, dyads in the CMC-text condition ''caught up'' in their positive reactions once they had the second interaction, which was conducted via CMC-video. The results of this study have implications for relationships that begin on the Internet, which is becoming increasingly common.
DISTRIBUTION OF CONSUMER PRODUCTS IN JAPAN

This article examines the structure of the Japanese distribution channels for consumer products. It highlights the unique characteristics of the distribution process on both the wholesale and retail levels and shows how historical factors have contributed to these developments. Based on this information, recommendations are made to the importer of consumer products into Japan in order to aid in successful market penetration.
Effects of diazepam and chlordimeform analogs on the German and the American cockroaches

Abstract Twenty-one diazepam- and chlordimeform (CDM)-related compounds were synthesized by mimicking some parts of the 1,4-benzodiazepine tranquilizing drugs, and were tested for their insecticidal activity against the German cockroach. Some of these compounds showed knockdown effects and some were insecticidal. Against the German cockroach the most toxic CDM analog was N -propargyl CDM (compound 6), and that with a potent knockdown potency was compound 13 which has a structural resemblance to diazepam. Ligand-receptor binding assay was carried out, using [ 3 H]diazepam as a ligand to examine the relation between CDM-related compounds and the 1,4-benzodiazepines. The [ 3 H]diazepam binding to a specific site in the American cockroach brain was inhibited by the insecticidal compounds. Among these compounds a correlation exists between their inhibitory potency on specific [ 3 H]diazepam binding and their insecticidal activity, suggesting a possible significance of such an interaction with the diazepam binding site for the toxicity of these compounds against cockroaches.
Microleakage comparison of apical seal of plastic versus metal Thermafil root canal obturators.

This study compared the apical seal of plastic versus metal thermafil obturators in extracted human teeth. The obturated teeth were evaluated radiographically for the extent and adaptation of the filling obturator. No difference was seen between plastic and metal for over- or underfilling. Voids were seen more often in smaller sizes of both plastic and metal obturators. Obturated teeth were stained in India ink, decalcified, and cleared. Microleakage evaluation of the transparent teeth showed no statistical difference between metal and plastic obturators.
Law versus life: the ethical imperative to practice and teach using the newly dead emergency department patient.

Abstract See related editorial, "Bioethics and Health Policy Section: Practicing Procedures on the Newly Dead" [Iserson KV: Law versus life: The ethical imperative to practice and teach using the newly dead emergency department patient. Ann Emerg Med January 1995;25:91-94.]
Improved auscultation skills in paramedic students using a modified stethoscope.

Abstract Background The Ventriloscope® (Lecat's SimplySim, Tallmadge, OH) is a modified stethoscope used as a simulation training device for auscultation. Objective To test the effectiveness of the Ventriloscope as a training device in teaching heart and lung auscultatory findings to paramedic students. Methods A prospective, single-hospital study conducted in a paramedic-teaching program. The standard teaching group learned heart and lung sounds via audiocassette recordings and lecture, whereas the intervention group utilized the modified stethoscope in conjunction with patient volunteers. Study subjects took a pre-test, post-test, and a follow-up test to measure recognition of heart and lung sounds. Results The intervention group included 22 paramedic students and the standard group included 18 paramedic students. Pre-test scores did not differ using two-sample t -tests (standard group: t [16]=−1.63, p =0.12) and (intervention group: t [20]=−1.17, p =0.26). Improvement in pre-test to post-test scores was noted within each group (standard: t [17]=2.43, p =0.03; intervention: t [21]=4.81, p t [17]=0.94, p =0.36). However, follow-up scores for the intervention group significantly improved from their respective pre-test score of 16.05 ( t [21]=2.63, p =0.02). Conclusion Simulation training using a modified stethoscope in conjunction with standardized patients allows for realistic learning of heart and lung sounds. This technique of simulation training achieved proficiency and better retention of heart and lung sounds in a safe teaching environment.
Interoceptive awareness, positive affect, and decision making in Major Depressive Disorder

Background: Little work has examined the relation between interoceptive awareness and symptoms of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD). Existing research suggests that depressed individuals exhibit impaired heartbeat perception, though the results of this research have been equivocal. Importantly, depressed participants in these studies have had comorbid anxiety disorders, making it difficult to draw inferences about interoceptive awareness in MDD. The current study addresses this issue by assessing heartbeat perception in depressed women without current anxiety disorders and exploring the relation between interoception and perturbations in both affective intensity and decision making, components of MDD postulated to be related to bodily awareness. Methods: Depressed women without concurrent anxiety disorders (n¼25) and never-disordered controls (n¼36) performed a heartbeat perception task. Participants completed the self-report Affect Intensity Measure (AIM), and decision-making difficulty was assessed in MDD participants using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Results: Depressed women exhibited poorer heartbeat perception accuracy than did control participants. Impaired accuracy in MDD participants was associated with reduced positive affectivity and difficulty in decision making.
A synaptic membrane glycine-, glutamate- and thienylcyclohexylpiperidine-binding protein: isolation and immunochemical characterization.

Abstract Antibodies raised against a 43 kDa component of a complex of synaptic membrane proteins with ligand binding sites characteristic of glutamate/ N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors, were used previously to clone a cDNA for a glycine-, glutamate-, and thienylcyclohexylpirperidine (TCP)-binding protein, pGlyBP (Kumar et al., Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 216 , 390–398, 1995). In the present studies, the antibodies were shown to label a 60 kDa protein, in synaptic membranes, that was relatively hydrophilic as demonstrated by its predominant separation in the detergent-depleted phase of proteins solubilized with Triton X-114. A 55–60 kDa protein was purified from rat brain synaptic membranes by chromatographic separation through matrices derivatized with 5,7-di-chlorokynurenic acid (5,7-DCK) followed by chromatography on a matrix derivatized with 8-hydroxyquinoline (8-OHQ). The isolated fractions were highly enriched in strychnine-insensitive [ 3 H]glycine, NMDA- and glutamate-sensitive l -[ 3 H]glutamate, and MK-801-sensitive [ 3 H]TCP binding sites. The purified protein bound [ 3 H]glycine with a stoichiometry of 1.1-1.2 mol glycine per mol protein and exhibited both high ( K D = 280 nM) and low affinity ( K D = 30 μ M) glycine binding sites. Glycine binding was inhibited by d -serine and R -(+)-3-amino-1-hydroxypyrrolidin-2-one ( R -(+)-HA-966). The K D values for high and low affinity sites of glycine binding as well as those for the inhibition by R -(+)-HA-966 were very similar to the K D s for glycine binding to the expressed pGlyBP. Both l -glutamate and glycine activated [ 3 H]TCP binding to the isolated proteins, but with relatively low affinity. The anti-43 kDa antibodies reacted strongly with the 55–60 kDa protein. Based on these results, it appears that the 60 kDa glycoprotein in brain synaptic membranes described in the present study is the same protein as the cloned pGlyBP.
A polynomial invariant of oriented links

THE THEORY of classical knots and links of simple closed curves in the 3-dimensional sphere has, for very many years, occupied a pre-eminent position in the theory of low dimensional manifolds. It has been a motivation, an inspiration and a basis for copious examples. Knots have, in theory, been classified by Haken [lo] but the classification is by means of an algorithm that is too complex to use in practice. Thus one is led to seek simple invariants for knots which will distinguish large classes of specific examples. A knot (or link) invariant is a function from the isotopy classes of knots to some algebraic structure. Perhaps the most famous invariant of a knot K is the Alexander polynomial, AK(t), a Laurent polynomial in the variable t. This was introduced by .Alexander [l] who explained how to calculate the polynomial by taking the determinant of a matrix associated with a presentation (or picture) of the knot given by a suitably chosen projection of its spatial position to a plane. The Alexander polynomial is still remarkably efficacious in distinguishing specific knots and, being readily calculable by computer, is employed by modern compilers of prime knot tables as the fundamental invariant to distinguish between examples (see Thistlethwaite [20]). Of course other invariants, notably signatures and the sophisticated Casson-Gordon ‘invariants’ are now available as well. Nevertheless, AK(t) is still a most useful invariant. Much has been written on this polynomial during the last sixty years; and a modern definition might be as follows. If X is S3 - K, where K is now an oriented link, let X, be the covering of X corresponding to the kernel of the homomorphism xi(X) + H,(X) + i2 that sends meridians (with prefered orientation) to 1. Thus X, is acted upon by the infinitecyclicgroup, which is to be considered as a multiplicative group with generator denoted by t, acting as the deck transformations of the covering space. Then H,(X,) is a finitely generated module over the ring Z[t, t- ‘1, its order ideal is principal and AK(f) is a generator of that ideal. This defines AK(t) uniquely up to multiplication by an element of the form + tin, elements of this form being the units of the ring.