cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
EDTA chelation for calcific band keratopathy: results and long-term follow-up.

Abstract Purpose To determine the etiologies and management of calcific band keratopathy (CBK), and assess the results and long-term follow-up after ethylenediamine-tetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation. Design Retrospective interventional case series. Methods Two hundred thirty patients with clinically significant CBK were included from January 1996 to July 2002. Among these, 54 patients (65 eyes) underwent EDTA chelation. Outcome measures included symptomatic relief, visual improvement, and recurrences. The improvement or worsening of the number of lines of Snellen best-corrected visual acuity was determined at 1 month and at last follow-up visit. Results The most common causes of CBK were chronic corneal edema in 80 eyes (28%) and idiopathic in 74 eyes (25.9%). The mean follow-up time after EDTA chelation was 36.6 months (range, 1 month to 29.6 years). Forty-four of 45 patients (98%) reported partial or complete symptomatic relief. Seventeen eyes (33.3%) improved 2 or more lines at 1 month and 18 eyes (35.2%) at last follow-up visit ( P = .0001). In patients with an initial visual acuity between 20/50 and 20/400, 15 eyes (47%) improved 2 or more lines at 1 month and 16 eyes (50%) at last follow-up visit. Ten of 56 eyes (17.8%) had a recurrence at a mean time of 17.7 years (range, 1 month to 26 years). The highest number of recurrences was in three of five eyes with uveitis (60%; P = .03). Conclusion Chelation with EDTA is an effective treatment of CBK. Visual acuity improves most in eyes with acuity between 20/50 and 20/400. This treatment can be used as the initial surgical intervention after conservative measures fail.
Humanized Antibodies as Potential Therapeutic Drugs

Background Antibodies have been used therapeutically to treat a variety of clinical conditions. The introduction of monoclonal antibodies and more recently, engineered humanized antibodies has greatly refined and expanded the therapeutic potential of this modality of treatment. Learning objectives To reinforce the reader's knowledge of the therapeutic application of antibody in the treatment for different diseases. More specifically, to enhance the reader's understanding of basic methods employed in the production and clinical use of humanized antibodies. Data source The MEDLINE database was used to review the humanized antibody related literature. Conclusion Humanized antibodies provide a novel approach for the treatment of a broad range of diseases. Expanded use will depend on improvement in their efficacy (avidity and specificity), demonstration of their safety, and reduction of their immunogenicity.
Corrosivity of Fluids as a Function of the Distillate Cut: Application of an Advanced Distillation Curve Method

Recently, we reported a method and apparatus for the advanced measurement of distillation curves. The new method allows for increased precision in the measurement of distillation curves as well as a composition-explicit channel of data. Herein, we report a further extension of this method, one which provides the capability to assess corrosivity and quantitate corrosive impurities (such as acidic sulfur species commonly found in fuel feedstocks) as a function of the distillate fraction. To demonstrate the new metrology, we examined mixtures of n-decane and n-tetradecane with dissolved H2S. At each of 11 predetermined distillate volume fractions, the corrosivity was measured with the copper strip corrosion test (CSCT) and the sulfur concentration was measured by gas chromatography with sulfur chemiluminescence detection. Significantly, we were able to quantitatively correlate the distillation temperature of the fluid with both the sulfur concentration and the results of a CSCT for samples that had initial s...
Design of MEMS based XOR and AND gates for rad-hard and very low power LSI mechanical processors

Design and calculations for a novel MEMS based logic gate (XOR and AND) is presented. Applications include computational circuits that require low operational power consumption (leakage current & power &#60;10−9 A, &#60;1µW), low operational voltage (∼2V), and harsh environment (radiation hard and high temperatures) operations. The device relies on an innovative Si 3 N 4 /PolySi cross-bridge platform with patterned metal (W) contacts to form single device logic gates. These functional structures reduce device count (6–14 for a single logic gate in the preceding configuration) leading to denser circuits, improved reliability, better speed and fabication yield. We examine Si 3 N 4 , PolySi, and W as bridge materials and the resulting gate speed and transition voltages. XOR and AND gates are specifically discussed.
Combination chemotherapy of human ovarian xenografts with intraperitoneal liposome-incorporated valinomycin and cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

Intraperitoneal administration of liposomal valinomycin (MLV-VM) withcis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II) (cDDP) had significant antitumor activity against murine P388 leukemia and inhibited the growth of OVCAR-3 tumors in a nude mouse model of human ovarian cancer. This tumor is a teratoma originating in the ovary with pathogenesis and metastatic properties similar to those of human ovarian cancer. Drug was given to the mice once every 5 days for 4 doses beginning 1 day after i.p. implantation of 107 or 5×107 OVCAR-3 tumor cells. For P388 leukemia, drug was given i.p. once or on days 1 and 5 after tumor inoculation. Despite the use of low doses of MLV-VM, the antitumor activity of the combination [increase in life span (%T/C), 289%–294%] represents a 4-log cell kill over the additive effect of the two drugs, indicating a synergistic interaction between MLV-VM and cDDP. Likewise, low doses of the drug combination produced a synergistic interaction on human ovarian OVCAR-3 tumors, and tumor-free, long-term survivors were obtained. Combined therapy of liposome-incorporated valinomycin and cisplatin was well tolerated and produced no overlapping nephrotoxicity although a decrease in liver enzyme markers (alkaline phosphatase and/or alkaline aminotransferase) with MLV-VM was observed. These results appear to suggest that MLV-VM with cDDP may have considerable potential for the treatment of ovarian cancer disseminated within the peritoneal cavity, although the frequency and sequence of drug administration may need to be improved.
Relatedness between major taxonomic groups of fungi based on the measurement of DNA nucleotide sequence homology.

A procedure for the isolation of highly purified labeled and unlabeled DNAs from fungi representing three major groups has been described. The yield of DNA per g weight of freeze-dried mycelia is always higher inNeurospora crassa thanCoprinus lagopus andMucor azygospora. Thermal melting profiles show that theN. crassa andC. lagopus DNAs have one low G+C (32 mole percent) and another high G+C (52 mole percent) component, whereas theM. azygospora DNA has only one low G+C (38 mole percent) component. Based on DNA: DNA reassociation kinetics studies in this and other laboratories the genome size ofM. bacilliformis, N. crassa andC. lagopus was found to be 2×1010, 2.2×1010 and 2.5×1010 daltons respectively.N. crassa32P DNA when hybridized withCoprinus andMucor DNAs gave an average of 14 and 11% homologies respectively but when hybridized with DNAs of other species of the same genus gave a homology of 83% on an average. When32PCoprinus DNA was hybridized withN. crassa andM. azygospora DNAs and average of 10 and 8% hybridization, respectively, was obtained. The DNA: DNA homology and thermal stability data indicate that the twoNeurospora species,N. intermedia andN. sitophila, are equally distant fromN. crassa and probably originated from the same ancestor in the evolutionary scale. On the basis of genome size comparison between the three fungi, theCoprinus (basidiomycetes) seems to be highly evolved whereasMucor (phycomycetes) is a relatively primitive one,Neurospora (ascomycetes) being somewhere in between these two groups in the evolutionary scale.
3-methylcholanthrene blocks hepatic necrosis induced by administration of bromobenzene or carbon tetrachloride

Abstract Prior administration of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC) to rats blocked the centrolobular hepatic necrosis induced by bromobenzene, chlorobenzene, or α-chloronaphthalene and partially blocked the hepatotoxic effect of carbon tetrachloride. 3-MC treatment enhanced the overall rate of 14C-bromobenzene metabolism but inhibited the covalent binding of 14C-labeled material to liver macromolecules in rats. In contrast, 3-MC administration to mice prevented neither the covalent binding nor the hepatotoxic effects of 14C-bromobenzene. These results support the hypothesis that chemically unreactive substances, such as bromobenzene, cause tissue lesions through the formation of covalent bonds between a chemically reactive metabolite and tissue macromolecules.
Arrowwood Contaminant in Pap Smear

This harmless contaminant was seen in a routine cervical smear of a young woman. What is it?
Auditory evoked brain responses from the parakeet: Intensity functions

Averaged auditory evoked brain responses were collected from the skulls of unanesthetized parakeets. These responses were collected at eight intensities of a 1,000-Hz tone. The waveform of the evoked response was highly consistent across birds, with a major positive deflection occurring at about 20 msec after tone onset, followed by a negative deflection at about 40 msec and a second positive deflection at about 100 msec. Over the intensity range examined, there is a log-linear relation between the intensity of the stimulating tone and the size of the evoked response. Threshold estimates obtained from this evoked response data compare favorably with the behavioral threshold at 1,000 Hz for the parakeet.
The fast Fourier transform algorithm: Programming considerations in the calculation of sine, cosine and Laplace transforms☆

Abstract In the organization of programming packages for computing Fourier and Laplace transforms, it is useful, both for conceptual understanding and for operational efficiency to consider the discrete complex Fourier transform as a kind of nucleus around which programming for special applications is performed. An advantage of these procedures is that the basic complex Fourier transform algorithm is systematic and can relatively easily be implemented in efficient subroutines, micro-programs and special hardware devices. Once this is done, programming for special properties of the data can efficiently be left to the user to implement on a general purpose computer. The problem of establishing the correspondence between the discrete transforms and the continuous functions with which one is usually dealing is described. The application of these results and the above-mentioned subroutines to the calculation and inversion of Laplace transforms is given with formulas and empirical results displaying the effect of optimal parameters on computational efficiency and accuracy.
The gastric cardia : Fact or fiction?

Abstract OBJECTIVE: It is unclear whether the gastric cardia is present from birth or is metaplastic and develops as a result of gastroesophageal reflux disease. To this end, we evaluated the histology of the entire esophagogastric junction in consecutive pediatric autopsies to determine the presence and extent of cardiac mucosa. METHODS: The entire esophagogastric junction of 33 consecutive pediatric (≤18 yr) autopsies was examined. The precise location of the squamocolumnar junction and its relationship to the esophagogastric junction was noted in all cases. Slides were evaluated by two pathologists in a blinded fashion to look for cardiac mucosa, characterized by unequivocal periodic acid-Schiff (PAS)-positive mucous glands in a lobular configuration. Sections from the antrum and esophagogastric junction were examined for the presence of Helicobacter pylori. RESULTS: Three cases were excluded due to autolysis. The mean age of the 30 remaining patients was 6.3 yr (range: 16 days–18 yr). A regular-appearing squamocolumnar junction was identified at the esophagogastric junction in all 30 cases. Cardiac mucosa was present in all specimens (mean length: 1.8 mm; range: 1.0–4.0 mm), always on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction. There was no significant association between patient age or gender and length of cardiac mucosa. None of the patients had a known history of gastroesophageal reflux disease or Barrett’s esophagus, and none were taking acid-suppressing medications before death. All were negative for Helicobacter pylori by Giemsa stain. CONCLUSIONS: In an unselected pediatric patient population with little or no propensity for gastroesophageal reflux disease, a short segment of cardiac mucosa was consistently present on the gastric side of the esophagogastric junction, independent of gender or age. These results support the concept that the gastric cardia is present from birth as a normal structure.
Kinetics of complexation of Ni2+ in hydrogen bonded solvents: nickel malonate in water-glycerine solutions

Abstract The kinetics of complexation at 25°C of nickel malonate in water-glycerine mixtures has been studied by the pressure-jump relaxation technique. For the water-glycerine mixtures, the ratio kf/KF, (namely the ratio between the forward rate constant kf and the pre-equilibration constant for the bimolecular diffusion step KF), shows a decrease within a factor of two from pure water to 49% glycerine in water. This decrease, if significant, is at variance with the apparently random scatter of the same data for water-fructose mixtures. In order to decide whether these changes in kf/KF reflect solvation of nickel ion, or modification of the chelation mechanism, the complexation of Ni(NCS)2 at 10°C in the same solvent of composition 49% glycerine has been studied. It is proposed that the changes in kf/KF, may be caused by the changes in the KF with solvent composition, namely with changes in the ion-pair distance rather than with changes in the reaction mechanism. This is reflected in the constancy of the kf's with solvent composition.
CITIUS, ALTIUS, LONGIUS (FASTER, HIGHER, LONGER): THE BIOMECHANICS OF JUMPING FOR DISTANCE

The purpose of this paper is to review current knowledge concerning the long and triple jumps. Much has been learned over the past two decades about techniques in the long jump. Many myths have been dispelled and many training practices have been altered as a result. In all of this, the techniques employed during the takeoff have received little attention. It is in this area that the most important developments are likely to take place in the next decade. In contrast with the long jump, satisfactory answers have yet to be obtained to even the most fundamental of questions about techniques in the triple jump. The triple jump is an experimental task with potential for use in studies of human locomotion, of visual perception and control, of the strength of biological materials and of the mechanisms of soft tissue injury.
Compensating for noise and mismatch in speaker verification systems using approximate Bayesian inference

This paper presents a feature domain approach to the problem of robust speaker verification in noisy acoustic environments. We derive a variational Bayesian algorithm that enhances the log spectra of noisy speech using speaker dependent priors. This algorithm extends prior work by Frey et al. where the Algonquin algorithm was introduced to enhance speech log spectra in order to improve speech recognition in noisy environments. Our work is built on the intuition that speaker dependent priors would work better than priors that attempt to capture global speech properties. Experimental results using the TIMIT data set and the MIT Mobile Device Speaker Verification Corpus (MDSVC) are presented to demonstrate the algorithms performance.
Comparison of human- and model-observer LROC studies

We have investigated whether extensions of linear model observers can predict human performance in a localization ROC (LROC) study. The specific task was detection of gallium-avid tumors in SPECT images of a mathematical phantom, and the study was intended to quantify the effect of improved detector energy resolution on scatter-corrected images. The basis for our model observers is the latent perception measurement postulated for the LROC model. This measurement is obtained by cross-correlating the image with a kernel, and the LROC rating and localization data are the max and argmax, respectively, of this measurement made at all relevant search locations. The particular model observers tested were the nonprewhitening (NPW), channelized NPW (CNPW), and channelized Hotelling (CH) observers. Specification of the observer's search region was also part of the task definition, and several variations were considered that could approximate the training of human observers. The best agreement with the human observers was found with the CNPW observer, suggesting that the ability of human observers to prewhiten images may be degraded when the detection task requires signal localization.
1281 POST-ROTATORY NYSTAGMUS IN THE FULL-TERM INFANT

Post-rotatory nystagmus (P-RN) is an easily elicited reflex which has been found to be abnormal in developmentally delayed children. P-RN has been recorded in newborn infants,but limited information is presently available. Thirty-six healthy full-term infants were tested at 1, 2, 4, 6, 9 and 12 mo. of age. Infants were held in a rotational chair, spun in the dark for one minute at a constant angular velocity (150°/sec) and then abruptly stopped. P-RN occurrence, duration of primary nystagmus (reversal time), time constant values (Tc=cupula,Ta=adaptation) and intersaccadic intervals (time between fast components) were recorded, measured and analyzed (ANOVA). P-RN was elicited more frequently in older infants. Mean reversal time was 23.6 sec. at 1 mo. and increased linearly with age, approaching by 12 mo. those of children and adults (34.8 sec). Cupula and adaptation times (Tc and Ta) varied with the individual, did not change with age and were similar to those reported for adults. Mean intersaccadic interval (ISI) was 0.49 and 0.64 sec. at 1 and 12 mo.,respectively. P-RN is present at 1 mo. of age and can be reliably measured if wakefulness is maintained. Adult-like values for Tc and Ta reflect a relatively mature vestibular system. Reversal time appears to be a sensitive measure of vestibular function and shows maturational changes during the first year of life. Preliminary evaluation of ISI suggests that this system is functional early in life. These data may be valuable for comparison with those of infants at risk for developmental delay.
Adjuvant Mitotane for Adrenocortical Cancer—A Recurring Controversy

Adrenocortical cancer (ACC) is a tumor with a high mortality, often complicated by hypercortisolism. Because of its rarity, physicians must rely on anecdotal evidence, uncontrolled trials, and retrospective studies. Mitotane is the only drug approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for ACC. Interest in mitotane dates to the 1960s when studies demonstrated its ability to 1) inhibit adrenocortical steroid biosynthesis by inhibiting cholesterol side chain cleavage and 11 β-hydroxylation and 2) affect extraadrenal disposition of cortisol by inducing hepatic clearance (1,2). Over the years, mitotane has been at the center of many controversies because of its limited efficacy and associated toxicities. In this opinion, we address the use of adjuvant mitotane in ACC, a recurring controversy again under debate (3,4).
Design Of A 64 KBPS Coder For Teleconferencing

A 64 KBPS codec for digital transmission of full motion monochrome video, which makes allowances for synchronization (frame, field and line) is proposed. Various combinations of down-up conversions, temporal filters, motion compensated frame interpolation, transform/predictive coding, quantizer and geometrical zonal sampling are applied to video sequences with an objective to obtain optimum combination. Simulation results based on these techniques are reported. A viable scheme for teleconferencing at 64 KBPS is proposed.
Evaluation of a Collaborative Aerospace Lifecycle Systems Engineering Master's Program

Abstract There is a need for a program designed to more tightly integrate manufacturing, producibility, life cycle costs, and large scale system integration concerns from the beginning of the aerospace design process. This paper presents the results of an analysis performed in support of the development of a Collaborative Aerospace Lifecycle Systems Engineering Master's Program (CALSEMP). The proposed CALSEMP addresses six focus areas identified by the NDIA including systems engineering trade study and design decision methodologies; system integration, assembly, and test analyses modeling; enterprise level supply chain design; electrical, mechanical, and assembly yield modeling; quantitative analyses; and life cycle cost modeling. The analysis was performed at Georgia Tech using an integrated product and process design approach to systems engineering, with qualitative and quantitative tools, such as the house of quality, morphological matrix, Pugh and TOPSIS methods. We present the alternative concepts studied and our proposed master's program, which will hopefully enable aerospace industries to compete on the global aerospace market by providing them with tools that help them better integrate all these concerns throughout the product life cycle.
Covalent bonds are created by the drive of electron waves to lower their kinetic energy through expansion

An analysis based on the variation principle shows that in the molecules H2 (+), H2, B2, C2, N2, O2, F2, covalent bonding is driven by the attenuation of the kinetic energy that results from the delocalization of the electronic wave function. For molecular geometries around the equilibrium distance, two features of the wave function contribute to this delocalization: (i) Superposition of atomic orbitals extends the electronic wave function from one atom to two or more atoms; (ii) intra-atomic contraction of the atomic orbitals further increases the inter-atomic delocalization. The inter-atomic kinetic energy lowering that (perhaps counter-intuitively) is a consequence of the intra-atomic contractions drives these contractions (which per se would increase the energy). Since the contractions necessarily encompass both, the intra-atomic kinetic and potential energy changes (which add to a positive total), the fact that the intra-atomic potential energy change renders the total potential binding energy negative does not alter the fact that it is the kinetic delocalization energy that drives the bond formation.
Effectiveness of a machine-level, global optimizer

We present an overview of the design of a machine-code-level, global (intraprocedural) optimizer that supports several front-ends producing code for the Hewlett-Packard Precision Architecture family of machines. The basic optimization strategy is described, including information about the division of responsibilities between various components of the compiler. Optimization algorithms are described, including a discussion of the dataflow information they require. Measurements showing the collective and individual effects of various optimizer components are presented.The performance data presented here was collected using a preliminary version of the optimizer. Development is continuing and further improvements are expected.
Sodium channel kinetics in normal and denervated rabbit muscle membrane.

The effects of chornic denervation on sodium (Na) channels in rabbit muscle membrane were determined using intracellular microelectrodes and Vaseline gap voltage clamp techniques. The Hodgkin-Huxley13 model was used to describe the kinetic and steady-state parameters of channel activation and fast inactivation. Chronic (7–10 days) denervation was found to cause a decreased resting potential, lowered action potential peak, and fibrillation potentials in rabbit extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles. Under voltage clamp conditions, no differences were observed between denervated and normal fibers in the voltage dependence of the steady-state Na channel activation and fast inactivation curves, or in the time course of development of fast inactivation. However, in denervated fibers, the time course of recovery from fast inactivation was approximately half that measured in normal fibers. Also, whereas depolarizing holding potentials induced a longterm inactivation to varying degrees in normal EDL fibers, denervated EDL fibers and normal soleus fibers were uniformly resistant to prolonged depolarization. These results suggest that the denervation-induced development of spontaneous activity may be due in part to changes in the mechnisms that control the refractoriness of Na channels.
Characterization of an HL-60 cell variant resistant to the antineoplastic ether lipid 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine

A resistant cell line (HL-60R) was selected by incubating HL-60 cells with increasing concentrations of 1-O-octadecyl-2-O-methyl-rac-glycero-3-phosphocholine (ET-18-OCH3) and used to examine the mechanism of resistance to the antineoplastic ether-linked lipid. The HL-60R cells exhibited a>10-fold increase in resistance when measured by [3H]-thymidine incorporation in comparison to the HL-60 cell line. ET-18-OCH3 binding occurred at 4°C and was not saturable at the concentrations tested (1–100 μM), indicating that the binding was receptor-independent. At 4°C, association of ET-18-OCH3 was low for each cell line. At 37°C, uptake in the HL-60 cells was approximately 5-fold greater in comparison to HL-60R cells at each concentration tested. However, when the cellular content of ET-18-OCH3 was equal, both cell lines experienced similar declines in cell growth. Cellular incorporation of ether lipid was determined using serum-free media and in the presence of serum albumin or lipoproteins. Reduced uptake by the resistant cell line was observed only in the presence of albumin. A greater proportion of ether lipid could be removed from prelabeled HL-60R cells than from HL-60 cells, by an albumin wash procedure, indicating an increased rate of internalization and retention by the sensitive cell line. ET-18-OCH3 uptake in the HL-60 cell line was also more sensitive to treatment with endocytic (chloroquine, monensin) or metabolic (NaF, KCN) inhibitors. These results suggest that uptake is the principal determinant influencing sensitivity of the resistant cell line and consists of receptor-independent binding followed by internalization. Differential uptake requires the presence of serum albumin and is dependent on the energy-dependent endocytosis of the ether lipid.
Acute esophageal necrosis: a rare syndrome

Acute esophageal necrosis, which presents as a black esophagus on endoscopy, is a rare disorder that is poorly described in the medical literature. In this study, we analyze all cases reported to date to define risk factors, clinical presentation, endoscopic features, histologic appearance, treatment, complications, outcome and etiopathogenesis of the disease and to describe a distinct medical syndrome and propose a staging system. We searched Medline and PubMed from January 1965 to February 2006 for English-language articles using the key words “acute esophageal necrosis,” “necrotizing esophagitis,” and “black esophagus.” A total of 88 patients were reported in the literature during the 40 years, 70 men and 16 women with an average age of 67 years. Patients were generally admitted for gastrointestinal bleeding and cardiovascular event/shock. Patients presented with hematemesis and melena in more than 70% of the cases. Upper endoscopy showed black, diffusely necrotic esophageal mucosa predominantly affecting the distal third of the organ. Necrosis was confirmed histologically in most cases. Complications included strictures or stenoses, mediastinitis/abscesses, and perforations. Overall mortality was 31.8%. This study provides a structured approach to identifying risk factors, diagnosis, and pathogenesis of the acute esophageal necrosis. Risk factors include age, male sex, cardiovascular disease, hemodynamic compromise, gastric outlet obstruction, alcohol ingestion, malnutrition, diabetes, renal insufficiency, hypoxemia, hypercoagulable state, and trauma. Mechanism of damage is usually multifactorial secondary to ischemic compromise, acute gastric outlet obstruction, and malnutrition. Overall, acute esophageal necrosis should be viewed as a poor prognostic factor, associated with high mortality from the underlying clinical disease.
How culture impacts the dissemination and implementation of innovation: a case study of the Families and Schools Together program (FAST) for preventing violence with immigrant Latino youth.

We consider how culture impacts the translation of research into practice, focusing on the culture of the client and the culture of the agency implementing selected pro- grams. We build on lessons learned from a pilot study of an evidence-based family-school partnership, Families and Schools Together (FAST), to prevent youth violence with low-income, immigrant Latino families in Southern Califor- nia. We examine the impact of cultural characteristics on the translation of this innovation into practice at the community level, relying on an interactive systems framework developed recently by Wandersman and colleagues (2008, American Journal of Community Psychology, 41(3-4), in press) dis- cussed in this issue. As we point out, the culture of the client and the culture of the agency can facilitate or impede con- nections within and across these interactive systems.
Critical dynamics of random magnetic systems

Abstract Using a Migdal-type renormalization-group method the critical dynamical index z for the two-dimensional dilute random Ising ferromagnet and three-dimensional Ising spin glass is calculated. For the dilute random ferromagnet z is the same as for the pure system, while for the 3D spin glass z=2.182.
Estimation of the coupling matrix elements for one-electron transfer systems.

Correlation coupling matrix elements for one electron transfer and ion-ion recombinations in Landau-Zener calculations
The spectral energy distribution of the z=3 quasar: HS 1946+7658

For the bright z = 3.02 radio-quiet quasar, HS 1946+7658, we have obtained radio to X-ray data within the past year: 5 GHz and 1415 MHz data from the Very Large Array (VLA); IR photometry at J, H, K, L prime (3.4 micrometers and N; IR spectroscopy; UBVRI photometry; optical spectrophotometry and high-resolution spectra; and an X-ray spectrum from the ROSAT Position Sensitive Proportional Counter (PSPC). The spectral energy distribution (SED) constructed from these data is compared to the mean SED for a set of low-redshift quasars, and while they appear generally similar, there are several differences. In relation to the low-redshift mean, the SED of HS 1946+7658 shows (1) only an upper limit at 10 micrometers (a rest wavelength of 2.5 micrometers, indicating that HS 1946+7658 does not have a strong near-IR excess such as hot dust would produce; (2) relatively weak Fe II and Balmer continuum emission at approximately 3000 A; and (3) a steeper turndown shortward of Ly alpha, even after correction for the Ly alpha forest absorption lines.
Role of Cofilin in Epidermal Growth Factor–Stimulated Actin Polymerization and Lamellipod Protrusion

Stimulation of metastatic MTLn3 cells with epidermal growth factor (EGF) causes a rapid and transient increase in actin nucleation activity resulting from the appearance of free barbed ends at the extreme leading edge of extending lamellipods. To investigate the role of cofilin in EGF-stimulated actin polymerization and lamellipod extension in MTLn3 cells, we examined in detail the temporal and spatial distribution of cofilin relative to free barbed ends and characterized the actin dynamics by measuring the changes in the number of actin filaments. EGF stimulation triggers a transient increase in cofilin in the leading edge near the membrane, which is precisely cotemporal with the appearance of free barbed ends there. A deoxyribonuclease I binding assay shows that the number of filaments per cell increases by 1.5-fold after EGF stimulation. Detection of pointed ends in situ using deoxyribonuclease I binding demonstrates that this increase in the number of pointed ends is confined to the leading edge compartment, and does not occur within stress fibers or in the general cytoplasm. Using a light microscope severing assay, cofilin's severing activity was observed directly in cell extracts and shown to be activated after stimulation of the cells with EGF. Microinjection of function-blocking antibodies against cofilin inhibits the appearance of free barbed ends at the leading edge and lamellipod protrusion after EGF stimulation. These results support a model in which EGF stimulation recruits cofilin to the leading edge where its severing activity is activated, leading to the generation of short actin filaments with free barbed ends that participate in the nucleation of actin polymerization.
Anti-HLA Antibodies in Double Umbilical Cord Blood Transplantation

Recent registry data suggest that host-versus-graft alloreactions mediated by anti-donor HLA antibodies in recipients of adult allogeneic hematopoietic stem cells or single-unit umbilical cord blood (UCB) contribute to the risk of graft failure. The present study evaluated the impact of anti-HLA antibodies on engraftment and unit predominance in 126 double-UCB (dUCB) recipients. Eighteen dUCB recipients were identified with at least 1 of 2 UCB units recognized by anti-HLA antibodies directed against donor-directed HLA-specific antibodies (DSAs). Overall, 9 of 12 patients who had DSAs against 1 of the 2 UCB units composing the graft and 5 of 6 patients who had DSAs against both units engrafted. The cumulative incidence of engraftment was similar in patients with and without DSAs (83% vs 78%). Thus, our data do not support a negative effect of anti-HLA antibodies on engraftment, at least in the setting of cyclosporine and mycophenolate mofetil and the conditioning regimens used at the University of Minnesota, and argue against routine screening for use in graft selection before dUCB transplantation. Further studies are needed to fully understand the value of anti-HLA antibody testing in dUCB graft selection and its impact on transplantation outcomes.
The relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic achievement for first generation Latino college students

Hispanic students are pursuing higher education more than in previous years and they often represent their family as the first member to attend college (Strage in Coll Stud J 33:198–205, 1999). Past educational research has studied the influence of intrinsic motivation on academic achievement in various ethnically diverse elementary, middle school and high school student populations (Areepattamannil in Soc Psychol Educ 15:367–386, 2012; Crumpton and Gregory in J Educ Psychol 104:42–53, 2011; Lepper et al. in J Educ Psychol 92:184–196, 2005). Despite the fact that many studies using college student samples have also shown the positive role of intrinsic motivation with achievement outcomes (Harackiewicz et al. in Educ Psychol 33:1–21, 1998; Simons et al. in Br J Educ Psychol 74:343–360, 2004; Vallerand and Bissonnette in J Pers 60:599–620, 1992), few studies focus on Latino samples. We expect that intrinsic motivation may play an important role in the academic achievement of Latino students, particularly first generation college students. The current review will examine self-determination theory, including intrinsic motivation and extrinsic motivation, as well as relevant research pertaining to the connection between intrinsic motivation and academic achievement. The relationship between intrinsic motivation and academic achievement for first generation Latino college students will be examined along with ways to increase intrinsic motivation and academic achievement in turn. Implications for future research will be discussed.
Guidelines for Purchasing Semen

Abstract This extension guideline provides dairymen with a method of establishing a maximum price for profitable semen purchases. It is a practical condensation of principles presented in (1). Multiplicative factors for predicted difference dollars are given for computing net present value of semen over 10 yr. Assumptions are included, and options are available for annual interest, 10% and 15%; units of semen to derive a milking heifer, 5, 6.5, 8, and 10; age at first calving, 24 and 30 mo; calving interval, 12.5, 13.5, and 14.5 mo. The average factor for 10% interest is .25.
Antipressor and Depressor Effects of Oxidation Products of Pressor Amines

PRESSOR amines comprise a great variety of I-substituted primary and secondary alkylamines the cyclic portion of which may contain one or two phenol groups. The various functional groups determine the catabolic fate of these amines which, in turn, contribute to the nature, intensity and duration of their action. Because of the role attributed to pressor amines in essential1 and in experimental2 hypertension, the mechanism of their inactivation and destruction is of pathological and pharmacological interest.
Distribution of synaptic ribbons in the developing organ of Corti.

Studies of synaptogenesis in the developing organ of Corti in the intact mouse and in culture indicate that the inner and outer hair cells contain three populations of synaptic ribbons, i.e. ribbons adjacent to nerve fibres, free intracellular ribbons and misplaced ribbons apposed to non-neuronal elements. Ribbons adjacent to nerve fibres can be further classified into: ribbons synaptically engaged, ribbons participating in formation of presynaptic complexes only and ribbons that are not engaged to the hair cell membrane. In the developing innervated cultures the ribbon distributions are similar to those in the normal animal. Inner and outer hair cells differ in distribution of the ribbons. In the inner hair cells the ribbons adjacent to the nerve fibres are dominant (over 90%) and most of them (88%) are synaptically engaged. In the outer hair cells the presynaptic ribbons dominate the population (up to 60%) during the first postnatal week when the cells acquire afferent synaptic connections. This stage is followed by a marked reduction in the number of all ribbons. In the intact animal the rapid decrease results in a relative increase of misplaced and free ribbons. These changes are presumably due to the loss of some of the afferents. In the denervated hair cells the distribution of ribbons indicated the presence of conspicuous scatter. In the areas of incomplete denervation, however, the ribbons are apposed to the preserved fibres. Despite denervation, most of the ribbons develop the entire presynaptic complex in apposition to non-neuronal structures. The different populations of synaptic ribbons appear to reflect different stages in synapse formation. Possibly, the synaptic body originates in the interior of the hair cell and subsequently migrates to the cell membrane. In any case, a nerve fibre appears critical in influencing the location of the synaptic ribbon. At the apposition of the ribbon to the hair cell membrane, presynaptic densities are formed and the ribbon appears to become anchored. Typically, the nerve fibre membrane apposed to the presynaptic complex responds with the formation of postsynaptic densities.
Extraction, Quantification, and Characterization of Phenolics Extracted with the Aid of Sonication from Rice Bran

ABSTRACT Phenolics are phytochemicals extensively distributed among plants that have been receiving great deal of attention for their functionality. Rice bran is a good source of phenolics, especially hydroxycinnamates. Although chemicals are commonly employed to isolate phenolics, the use of physical treatments such as sonication is still limited. This study was conducted to optimize a procedure to isolate phenolics from rice bran using sonication as a preextraction treatment. Sonication was optimized by varying output, time, and temperature. Extraction was optimized by varying solvent, extraction time, temperature, and sample-to-solvent ratio. After an optimum procedure was established, HPLC analyses were conducted to identify and quantify the major individual phenolic acids extracted. The optimum conditions for extracting phenolics from rice bran were sonication with water (1:100 sample-to-solvent ratio) for 1 min; output intensity of 10; holding at ambient temperature; and autoclave treatment for 20 m...
EFFECT OF COLCHICINE ON HUMAN TUMOURS TRANSPLANTED IN CHEEK POUCH OF SYRIAN HAMSTER.

THE human tumour transplanted in the cheek pouch of the Syrian hamster has proved to be a useful tool for the examination of potential anti-tumour agents1,2. What appears to be an obvious advantage in using transplantable human tumours over transplantable animal tumours in chemotherapy investigations lies in the fact that a given compound can be assayed on cells of human origin growing in an in vivo system. However, at least two conditions would have to be fulfilled prior to making such a comparison: (1) transplanted human tumours should not undergo profound changes in their biological properties; (2) the host should not alter the effect of the tested agents on the human cells.
Indenyl Rhenium Alkyne Complexes: CO Substitution via Alkyne-Assisted Ring Slippage and CO-Catalyzed Phosphine Substitution

CO substitution of the indenyl alkyne complex (η5-C9H7)(CO)2Re(η2-MeC⋮CMe) (3) to form (η5-C9H7)Re(CO)3 (8) is much faster than that of either the indenyl alkene complex (η5-C9H7)(CO)2Re(η2-cis-MeHCCHMe) (2) or the cyclopentadienyl alkyne complex (η5-C5H5)(CO)2Re(η2-MeC⋮CMe) (5). The acceleration of the reaction of 3 with CO is proposed to involve cooperativity between slippage of the indenyl ring from an η5 6e-donor to an η3 4e-donor and shifting of the alkyne ligand from a 2e- to a 4e-donor as CO associates with the rhenium complex. The rate of reaction of 3 with CO showed a linear dependence on CO pressure between 1 and 10 atm, consistent with CO-promoted indenyl ring slippage. At very high CO pressure, 3 is rapidly converted to (η1-C9H7)(CO)4Re(η2-MeC⋮CMe) (12). Upon release of CO pressure, 12 reverts to a 12:1 mixture of starting material 3 and CO substitution product 8 at a rate that is inversely dependent on CO pressure. When the reaction of 13CO with 3 was carried to about 50% conversion, extensiv...
Capturing the essential spatial variability in distributed hydrological modelling: Infiltration parameters

Selecting the correct resolution in distributed hydrological modelling at the watershed scale is essential in reducing scale-related errors. The work presented herein uses information content (entropy) to identify the resolution which captures the essential variability, at the watershed scale, of the infiltration parameters in the Green and Ampt infiltration equation. A soil map of the Little Washita watershed in south-west Oklahoma, USA was used to investigate the effects of grid cell resolution on the distributed modelling of infiltration. Soil-derived parameters and infiltration exhibit decreased entropy as resolutions become coarser. This is reflected in a decrease in the maximum entropy value for the reclassified/derived parameters vis a vis the original data. Moreover, the entropy curve, when plotted against resolution, shows two distinct segments: a constant section where no entropy was lost with decreasing resolution and another part which is characterized by a sharp decrease in entropy after a critical resolution of 1209 m is reached. This methodology offers a technique for assessing the largest cell size that captures the spatial variability of infiltration parameters for a particular basin. A geographical information system (GIS) based rainfall-runoff model is used to simulate storm hydrographs using infiltration parameter maps at different resolutions as inputs. Model results up to the critical resolution are reproducible and errors are small. However, at resolutions beyond the critical resolution the results are erratic with large errors. A major finding of this study is that a large resolution (1209 m for this basin) yields reproducible model results. When modelling a river basin using a distributed model, the resolution (grid cell size) can drastically affect the model results and calibration. The error structure attributable to grid cell resolution using entropy as a spatial variability measure is shown.
Use of the Pinna Reflex as a Test of Hearing in Mutant Mice

Although it is a gross measure, the pinna reflex test is easily administered and is, therefore, incorporated as a general screening tool in mutagenesis programs. Our recent application of this approach indicated that mutant mice lacking one of the small Maf proteins, in this case MafG, failed to exhibit a pinna reflex. In contrast, littermate controls, with the same mixed 129/CD1 background, and including both wild type and heterozygous mutant animals, passed the test. Because previous studies indicate that mafG is expressed in both cochlear and vestibular parts of the mouse inner ear, the source of this 'presumed deafness' was further assessed by making round window recordings to determine compound action potential thresholds. Auditory brainstem responses were also acquired to assess function along portions of the central auditory pathway. In all cases, responses in homozygous mutants (-/-) were comparable to those obtained from littermate controls, either wild type (+/+) or heterozygous mutants (+/-). Gross anatomy of the organ of Corti was also found to be similar in all three groups of mice. Hence, the lack of a pinna reflex must relate to nonauditory causes.
Learning curve analysis of the first 100 robotic‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomies performed by a single surgeon

Abstract Objective To review the first 100 cases of robotic-assisted hysterectomy performed by an individual surgeon. Methods A retrospective cohort study of the first 100 consecutive patients who underwent robotic-assisted hysterectomy by a newly trained minimally invasive gynecologic surgeon was conducted. Demographic factors and short-term surgical outcome variables were abstracted from medical records. We examined univariate associations and performed multivariable modeling with linear regression, and modeled the learning curve for total operative time using power-law function. Results Mean age was 46 years; mean body mass index was 27.8 kg/m2. Median operative time was 120 minutes; median estimated blood loss was 100 mL. On multivariable analysis, case number (β –0.296; P Conclusion There was a significantly decreased operative time for robotic-assisted hysterectomies performed later in the surgeon’s learning curve. Surgical proficiency, as measured by operative time, seemed to be attained after 20–30 cases.
Designing a friendly space for technological change to slow global warming

Abstract What is the best strategy to encourage research and development on new energy technologies in a market economy? What steps can ensure a rapid and efficient transition to an economy that has much lower net carbon emissions? This paper shows that, under limited conditions, a necessary and sufficient condition for an appropriate innovational environment is a universal, credible, and durable price on carbon emissions. Such a price would balance the marginal damages from carbon emissions against the marginal costs of abating emissions; it should not contain a correction factor for inducing technological change. This result, which the paper calls “price fundamentalism,” applies principally to the market-oriented part of research and innovation. It is subject to qualifications regarding the efficacy of intellectual property protection and the proper level of carbon prices, and it applies primarily to market sectors. The role of appropriate prices on emissions is a central part of public policies to encourage technologies to combat global warming.