cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community Interrelations with the Outside World: The Case of a Japanese Agricultural Community1

ANTHROPOLOGISTS whose interests lie in community studies apparently are becoming increasingly concerned with the rationale for such research and have commented on the paucity of reports which attempt to deal with the interrelations of the community with its social-cultural environment (Steward 1950; Arensberg 1954; Redfield 1956). There are, of course, a number of researchers who have recognized the problem, and some community studies which do consider it (Embree 1939; Lewis 1951; Sanders 1949), but for the most part community interrelations have been neglected or dealt with summarily. In a recent paper, Morris Edward Opler (1956) has pointed out that for India, at least, the mistaken tendency to view the traditional village as a self-sufficient and isolated entity leads naturally to the erroneous conclusion that a major feature of modernization has been the breakdown of this alleged isolation by a flood of outside influences and values. In support of this contention, he outlines the ways in which a village in north central India has been in complex and intensive contact with the outside world for at least the past two hundred years, and suggests that it is "the pattern of outside contact rather than the fact of outside contact which is altered" (1956:9). In concluding his argument, he writes, "An attempt has been made in this paper to see an Indian village in terms of its extensions, and as a part of larger units organized on social organizational, political, caste, or religious grounds. The involvement of Senapur villagers with organizations, places, and events outside the village is considerable and it seems that this has been the case for a very long time. Yet it has not interfered with the separate identity and cohesiveness of the community, which in some respects is more marked than before. Like any unit in a segmentary social system, the Indian village has to be examined to determine in what respects it stands alone and parallels for its members the advantages and purposes of similar units, and in what respects it combines in various ways with other units to serve wider purposes" (1956:10). It is true, of course, that the reluctance of the lone anthropologist in the field to undertake any serious study of the regional or national context of his community is not necessarily due to any lack of interest in the problem, but rather to a recognition of the inadequacy of his techniques for such an investigation and the demands of such research on his time. Regional studies, such as those called for by Redfield (1956:37), are probably beyond one man's capacities, but it should be possible to focus on a single community while tracing out its crucial interconnections with the outside world.
ATTENUATION OF INTERLEUKIN-8 EXPRESSION IN C6-DEFICIENT RABBITS AFTER MYOCARDIAL ISCHEMIA/REPERFUSION

Neutrophil accumulation and activation of the complement system with subsequent deposition of the cytolytic membrane attack complex (MAC) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. The MAC, when present in high concentrations, promotes target cell lysis. However, relatively little is known about the potential modulatory role of sublytic concentrations of the MAC on nucleated cell functionin vivo. In vitrostudies demonstrated that the MAC regulates cell function by promoting the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators, including adhesion molecules and pro-inflammatory cytokines. We examined, using C6-deficient and C6-sufficient rabbits, the regulatory role of the MAC in mediating IL-8 expression and subsequent neutrophil recruitment in the setting of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. C6-deficient and C6-sufficient rabbits were subjected to 30 min of regional myocardial ischemia followed by a period of reperfusion. In addition to a significant reduction in myocardial infarct size in C6-deficient animals, analysis of myocardial tissue demonstrated a decrease in neutrophil influx into the infarcted region. The reduction in neutrophil influx correlated with the decreased expression of the neutrophil chemotactic cytokine IL-8, as determined by ELISA and immunohistochemical analysis. The results derived from this study provide evidence that the MAC has an important function in mediating the recruitment of neutrophils to the reperfused myocardium through the local induction of IL-8.
Causal explanation and scientific realism

It is widely believed that many of the competing accounts of scientific explanation have ramifications which are relevant to the scientific realism debate. I claim that the two issues are orthogonal. For definiteness, I consider Cartwright's argument that causal explanations secure belief in theoretical entities. In Section I, van Fraassen's anti-realism is reviewed; I argue that this anti-realism is, prima facie, consistent with a causal account of explanation. Section II reviews Cartwright's arguments. In Section III, it is argued that causal explanations do not license the sort of inferences to theoretical entities that would embarass the anti-realist. Section IV examines the epistemic commitments involved in accepting a causal explanation. Section V presents my conclusions: contra Cartwright, the anti-realist may incorporate a causal account of explanation into his vision of science in an entirely natural way.
Pharmacokinetics with uncertainties in rate constants— II: Sensitivity analysis and optimal dosage control☆

Abstract Based upon compartment models, the effect of random variations in the rate constants on the optimal drug dosage control is considered. An expected relative sensitivity function of control is defined and, using the notion of Kronecker products, it is shown that a direct evaluation of the sensitivity function is possible in terms of the statistics of the rate constants.
A recalibration of the NBS standard thermal neutron flux

Abstract The Standard Thermal Neutron Flux of the National Bureau of Standards has been recalibrated in terms of the thermal neutron absorption cross-section of gold. This was accomplished by β-γ coincidence counting of activated gold foils approximately 0·001 in. and 0·00025 in. thick in a 4π-scintillation counter geometry. The value obtained was 4167 ± 1·5 per cent neutrons/cm2 sec (October 1959). When averaged with a previous calibration made with borob foils the final value for the cadmium difference flux was 4203 ± 1.5 per cent neutrons/cm2 sec. Measurement of the cadmium ratio for various thicknesses of gold led to a value of 0·0235 ± 2 per cent for the epithermal flux parameter, r, of Wescott 's convention. Using this convention the value of the flux is 4225 ± 1·5 per cent neutrons/cm2 sec.
A numerical procedure for the selection of the constant interarrival time to a single server queue

Abstract We study a single server queue with deterministric arrivals to find the optimal interarrival time. No analytically tractable solution is available, except in the particular D/M/1 case, but under the assumption of a phase type service time distribution, the model has a tractable algorithmic solution. The purpose of this paper is to present the algorithm for the D/PH/1 queue and to demonstrate its implementation through interactive computation. The algorithm provides enough information about the system to be useful to a variety of problems in engineering design. Potential applications are in assembly line industrial processes, particularly those in computer-controlled, fully automated factories, and also in the selection of a good appointment system.
Acetylation of HMG I(Y) by CBP Turns off IFNβ Expression by Disrupting the Enhanceosome

The transcriptional coactivators CBP and P/CAF are required for activation of transcription from the IFN beta enhanceosome. We show that CBP and P/CAF acetylate HMG I(Y), the essential architectural component required for enhanceosome assembly, at distinct lysine residues, causing distinct effects on transcription. Thus, in the context of the enhanceosome, acetylation of HMG I by CBP, but not by P/CAF, leads to enhanceosome destabilization and disassembly. We demonstrate that acetylation of HMG I(Y) by CBP is essential for turning off IFN beta gene expression. Finally, we show that the acetyltransferase activities of CBP and P/CAF modulate both the strength of the transcriptional response and the kinetics of virus-dependent activation of the IFN beta gene.
Normal Neonatal Mandibular Growth not Affected by Muscular Inactivity

A muscle relaxant and a central nervous system depressant were used to induce muscle paralysis in 10-day-old mice. The loss of muscular activity did not seem to alter the mandibular growth rate.
Altered gait profile in subjects with peripheral arterial disease.

The purpose of this study was to determine whether peripheral arterial disease (PAD) subjects had impaired temporal and spatial gait characteristics compared to non-PAD controls at preferred and rapid self-selected walking paces. A total of 28 PAD subjects with intermittent claudication (age = 71 -1; mean -SEM) and 15 non-PAD controls with at least one cardiovascular risk factor but no ambulatory leg pain (age = 71 -1) were recruited. Gait parameters consisting of velocity, cadence, stride length, swing time, stance time, single-support time, double-support time, and base of support were recorded at the preferred and rapid walking paces. At the rapid walking pace, velocity was 22% slower (p, 0.001) in the PAD subjects compared with the non-PAD controls (99.9 - 3.3 vs. 117.5 - 5.3 cm/s) due to an 8% (p = 0.019) slower cadence (99.9 - 1.7 vs. 103.3 - 2.4 steps/min) and a 14% (p, 0.001) shorter stride length (119.8 - 2.9 vs. 135.8 - 4.2 cm/stride). The PAD subjects spent 5% less of the gait cycle in the swin...
Relationship among planted and harvested kernel weights and grain yield and protein percentage in winter wheat

Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) kernel weight is an important yield component and seed quality factor that appears to be declining with recent cultivar releases in the major U.S. wheat region. The objectives of experiments were to detmrmine the relationship between planted and harvested 1000-kernel weights and their effect on grain yield and grain protein percentage. Twelve popular hard red winter wheat cultivars were grown with recommended practices at 10 Kansas locations for three years. Rank correlation coefficients between kernel weights and grain yields and protein percentages were calculated.
Disease Progression in Hemodynamically Stable Patients Presenting to the Emergency Department With Sepsis

Background Aggressive diagnosis and treatment of patients presenting to the emergency department (ED) with septic shock has been shown to reduce mortality. To enhance the ability to intervene in patients with lesser illness severity, a better understanding of the natural history of the early progression from simple infection to more severe illness is needed.
Role of Predicted Metalloprotease Motif of Jab1/Csn5 in Cleavage of Nedd8 from Cul1

COP9 signalosome (CSN) cleaves the ubiquitin-like protein Nedd8 from the Cul1 subunit of SCF ubiquitin ligases. The Jab1/MPN domain metalloenzyme (JAMM) motif in the Jab1/Csn5 subunit was found to underlie CSN's Nedd8 isopeptidase activity. JAMM is found in proteins from archaea, bacteria, and eukaryotes, including the Rpn11 subunit of the 26S proteasome. Metal chelators and point mutations within JAMM abolished CSN-dependent cleavage of Nedd8 from Cul1, yet had little effect on CSN complex assembly. Optimal SCF activity in yeast and both viability and proper photoreceptor cell (R cell) development in Drosophila melanogaster required an intact Csn5 JAMM domain. We propose that JAMM isopeptidases play important roles in a variety of physiological pathways.
Theoretical Evaluation of the Feasibility of Inducing Brain Hypothermia Using a Torso Cooling Pad

Injuries to the brain and spinal cord are common in traumatic injury involving accidents. Clinical and animal studies have demonstrated the protective mechanisms of cooling the brain and spinal tissue for minimizing secondary tissue damage following the initial injury.1 Our previous theoretical study illustrates the feasibility of significantly reducing the temperatures of the spinal cord using a simple torso cooling pad, and the spinal fluid surrounding the spinal cord by approximately 3.5°C within 30 minutes. Since the spinal fluid connects with the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) surrounding the brain hemisphere, brain hypothermia may be possible as the cold spinal fluid constantly replaces part of the warm CSF.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
An asymptotic approach for debonding at the fiber-matrix interface

The debond stress at the fiber-matrix interface based on the critical energy release rate criterion has been analyzed previously by using both simple and rigorous approaches. Only the rigorous approach can yield the dependences of the debond stress on all the essential material properties and dimensions. However, the analytical procedures in deriving a rigorous solution are complicated, and the trends of these dependences cannot be readily visualized from the lengthy analytical expression of the debond stress. A simple asymptotic approach is adopted in the present study to derive the debond stress, and to elucidate the trends of these dependences; especially, the dependence on the embedded fiber length.
Reply to Fairley and Manktelow’s comment on “Naive theories and causal deduction”

Fairley and Manktelow (1997) have mistaken an error of presentation for an error of substance. My causal theory remains the same: Causal reasoning scenarios that require the reasoner to decide whether or not an effect will occur in the presence of a viable cause trigger consideration of disabling conditions—that is, factors that could prevent the effect from occurring in the presence of a viable cause. Scenarios that require the reasoner to decide whether or not a particular cause has produced an observed effect trigger consideration of possible alternative causes. The data reported by Cummins (1995) and Cummins, Lubart, Alksnis, and Rist (1991) are consistent with this theoretical analysis.
Formation of HCN by human phagocytosing neutrophils--1. Chlorination of Staphylococcus epidermidis as a source of HCN.

Abstract 1. 1. Phagocytosis of Staphylococcus epidermidis by human neutrophils is accompanied by HCN liberation. The amount of HCN evolved is significantly higher when the bacteria are damaged by penicillin. 2. 2. One of the substrates yielding HCN during phagocytosis are N -dichloroglycyl residues of bacterial peptidoglycan formed by the chlorinating myeloperoxidase-H 2 O 2 -Cl − system of neutrophils. 3. 3. HCN deriving from the bacterial structures constitutes 6–12% of total HCN liberated during phagocytosis, which indicates that there are other substrates for HCN production. 4. 4. Chlorination process within phagocytosing neutrophils seems to be essential for formation of both, total HCN and that deriving from bacterial structures.
Regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase activity by dopamine in cultured rat aortic smooth muscle cells

We investigated the effect of dopamine on Na+,K+-ATPase activity in cultured aortic smooth muscle cells. Na+,K+-ATPase activity was measured by a coupled enzyme assay. Our results demonstrate that dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists, SKF-38393 (a D1 receptor agonist) and quinpirole (a D2 receptor agonist) produced 62%, 50% and 49% inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in aortic smooth muscle cells, respectively. The combination of the two agonists produced inhibition similar to that of dopamine. Dopamine- and the agonist-induced Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition was blocked by selective receptor antagonists. The Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition by SKF-38393 but not by quinpirole was abolished by pertussis toxin. Na+,K+-ATPase inhibition was also achieved by guanosine triphosphate analog GTP-γ-S. SKF-38393 but not quinpirole stimulated phosphoinositide hydrolysis rate in rat aortic slices. SKF-38393-induced phosphoinositide hydrolysis stimulation was reversed by SCH-23390, a dopamine D1 receptor antagonist, and attenuated by pertussis toxin. In conclusion, our observations indicate that dopamine and dopamine receptor agonists inhibit Na+,K+-ATPase activity through specific vascular receptors. Dopamine D1 receptors are linked to pertussis toxin sensitive-mechanism(s) and a GTP-binding protein appears to be coupled to the enzyme inhibition. Finally, the inhibition of Na+,K+-ATPase activity in response to dopamine D1 receptor activation may be mediated by the phospholipase C signaling pathway.
Bauer mill operation and its effect on the percentage of oil found in soybeans

A Bauer Mill officially approved by the A.O.C.S. for grinding samples of soybeans to be used for oil determinations was used to grind duplicate series of the 10 check samples of soybeans sent out each year by the Smalley Foundation Committee. When the mill was operated at high temperature and forced to grind at its maximum rate, the 10 samples averaged 18.03% of oil. A duplicate series of 10 samples ground in a water-cooled mill at about one-half the maximum possible rate of grinding for the mill averaged 17.57% oil. Improper operation of a Bauer Mill when preparing soybean seed samples for analysis can cause abnormally high oil percentages. A simple mechanical device to reduce the rate of feed is suggested for use with the mill.
Alkaline phosphatase in the lactating bovine mammary gland and the milk fat globule membrane. Release by phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C

Abstract 1. 1. Alkaline phosphatase is covalenly bound to bovine mammary microsomal membranes and milk fat globule membranes through linkage to phosphatidylinositol as demonstrated by the release of alkaline phosphatase following treatment with phosphatidylinositol-specific phospholipase C. 2. 2. The release of alkaline phosphatas from the pellet to the supernatant was demonstrated by enzyme assays and electrophoresis. 3. 3. Electrophoresis of the solubilized enzymes showed that the alkaline phosphatase of the microsomal membranes contained several isozymes, while only one band with alkaline phosphatase activity was seen in the fat globule membrane. 4. 4. Levamisole and homoarginine were potent inhbitors of the alkaline phosphatase activities in both membrane preparations and in bovine liver alkaline phosphatase, but not in calf intestinal alkaline phosphatase.
Efficient analytical integration of symmetric Galerkin boundary integrals over curved elements; elasticity formulation

Abstract Substantial improvements are reported in the computational efficiency of Galerkin boundary element analysis (BEA) 1employing curved continuous boundary elements for elasticity problems. A direct analytical treatment of the singular and hypersingular double integrations, employing a limit to the boundary definition is adapted to gain computational economy. Symbolic manipulation has been employed to derive the analytical expressions for the singular contributions to these double integrals. The analytical regularization procedure separates the potentially singular Galerkin integrands into an essentially singular but simple part, plus a regular remainder that can be integrated numerically. The exact finite contributions from the simplified singular terms are then computed analytically. It is shown that the key to containing the explosive growth in the length of the formulae associated with such a hybrid analytical/numerical integration scheme is the strategic timing of when to take the limit to the boundary. This regularization also isolates the contribution from the curvature of the boundary element, thus facilitating enhanced computational efficiency in problems with many straight elements. Although the evaluation of the integrals of the Kelvin fundamental solution essentially follows the procedures described earlier for the scalar Laplace equation, the analytical treatment, is now more involved, in terms of the complexity and number of terms present in each of these second rank tensor kernel functions. The complete analytical formulation is explicitly provided in a series of tables. Example problems indicate that, with these techniques, Galerkin symmetric BEA can be more efficient than collocation for moderate or large scale problems.
Simulation and resident education in spinal neurosurgery.

BACKGROUND A host of factors have contributed to the increasing use of simulation in neurosurgical resident education. Although the number of simulation-related publications has increased exponentially over the past two decades, no studies have specifically examined the role of simulation in resident education in spinal neurosurgery. METHODS We performed a structured search of several databases to identify articles detailing the use of simulation in spinal neurosurgery education in an attempt to catalogue potential applications for its use. RESULTS A brief history of simulation in medicine is given, followed by current trends of spinal simulation utilization in residency programs. General themes from the literature are identified that are integral for implementing simulation into neurosurgical residency curriculum. Finally, various applications are reported. CONCLUSION The use of simulation in spinal neurosurgery education is not as ubiquitous in comparison to other neurosurgical subspecialties, but many promising methods of simulation are available for augmenting resident education.
Antibodies to SM and RNP

The charts of 150 consecutive patients found to have antibodies to Sm, ribonucleoprotein (RNP), or both were examined to determine these antibodies' possible associations with certain clinical conditions as well as their diagnostic specificities. Patients with anti-Sm were more likely to have renal disease and antibodies to double-stranded DNA, single-stranded DNA, and nuclear protein than were patients with anti-RNP. No clinical associations were found for anti-RNP. Although most of the patients with antibodies to Sm, RNP, or both had systemic lupus erythematosus, some had other diagnoses, including cutaneous lupus, drug-induced lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, juvenile arthritis, mixed connective tissue disease, Raynaud's disease, progressive systemic sclerosis, miscellaneous rheumatic and non-rheumatic diseases, and undifferentiated connective tissue disease syndromes. These findings suggest that these antibodies may be associated with some diseases, but are not disease-specific.
Water-Quality Parameters and Total Aerobic Bacterial and Vibrionaceae Loads in Eastern Oysters (Crassostrea virginica) From Oyster-Gardening Sites

Oyster gardening is a practice designed to restore habitat for marine life and to improve water quality. This study determined physical and chemical water-quality parameters at two oyster gardening sites in the Delaware Inland Bays and compared them with total aerobic bacteria and Vibrionaceae concentrations in Eastern oysters (Crassostrea virginica). One site was located at the end of a man-made canal, whereas the other was located in an open bay. Measured water parameters included temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), salinity, pH, total nitrogen, nitrate, nitrite, total phosphorus, and total suspended solids. The highest Vibrionaceae levels, as determined by the colony overlay procedure for peptidases, were at the canal site in September (3.5 × 105 g−1) and at the bay site in August (1.9 × 105 g−1). Vibrionaceae levels were significantly greater during the duration of the study at the canal site (P = 0.01). This study provides the first baseline levels for total Vibrionaceae in the Delaware Inland Bays. Minimum DO readings at the bay and canal sites were 3.0 and 2.3 mg l−1, respectively, far less than the state-targeted minimum threshold of 5.0 mg l−1. Total phosphorus levels exceeded recommendations of ≤0.1 mg l−1 at the bay and canal sites for all monthly samplings, with mean monthly highs at both sites ≥0.68 mg l−1 in August. Nitrogen occasionally exceeded the recommended level of 1.0 mg l−1 at both sites. Overall, waters were highly degraded from high phosphates, nitrogen, and total suspended solids as well as low DO.
Effects of mode of presentation on paired-associate transfer in children

Transfer under the A-Br and A-C paradigms was compared under four conditions of mode of presentation resulting from the factorial combination of aural and visual modes in Task 1 with Task 2 Second graders learned lists of four pairs of two-digit numbers, with transfer evaluated against a C-D control condition. Neither mode of presentation in the training or transfer task exerted a significant main effect, although both were found to interact with the other variables. Significant positive transfer occurred under the A-C paradigm, and while the direction of transfer under the A-Br paradigm was negative, this trend was not significant. The comparability of these results with the findings of other studies was discussed.
Structural characterization of suberan isolated from river birch (Betula nigra) bark

Suberan is a biopolymer located in the periderm (cork) of above ground parts of plants or the endoderm of roots. It acts as a protective barrier between plants and the environment and is commonly associated with another suberinic biopolymer, suberin. The structure of suberan has not been suggested, but is believed to have structural components similar to suberin. With the use of destructive and non-destructive techniques, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, flash pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (py–GC–MS), one and two-dimensional high-resolution magic angle spinning (HRMAS) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, the structure of suberan from the Betula nigra bark, is now described. Based on data obtained from B. nigra bark, the non-saponifiable residue, considered to be suberan, is a polymethylenic biopolymer with alkyl chain length consisting mainly of 22 carbons, which is consistent with previous degradative studies. Furthermore, esters, acids and primary alcohols were also observed in suberan, which contribute to a glyceryl structural entity. The long-chain polymethylenic structures demonstrate a high degree of crystallinity, providing a primary structural difference between suberan and suberin.
Finding cliques in protein interaction networks via transitive closure of a weighted graph

Finding protein functional modules in protein interaction networks amounts to finding densely connected subgraphs. Standard methods such as cliques and k-cores produce very small subgraphs due to highly sparse connections in most protein networks. Furthermore, standard methods are not applicable on weighted protein networks. We propose a method to identify cliques on weighted graphs. To overcome the sparsity problem, we introduce the concept of transitive closure on weighted graphs which is based on enforcing a transitive affinity inequality on the connection weights, and an algorithm to compute them. Using protein network from TAP-MS experiment on yeast, we discover a large number of cliques that are densely connected protein modules, with clear biological meanings as shown on Gene Ontology analysis.
Exploiting social partners in robot learning

Social learning in robotics has largely focused on imitation learning. Here we take a broader view and are interested in the multifaceted ways that a social partner can influence the learning process. We implement four social learning mechanisms on a robot: stimulus enhancement, emulation, mimicking, and imitation, and illustrate the computational benefits of each. In particular, we illustrate that some strategies are about directing the attention of the learner to objects and others are about actions. Taken together these strategies form a rich repertoire allowing social learners to use a social partner to greatly impact their learning process. We demonstrate these results in simulation and with physical robot `playmates'.
Method for Predicting River and Lake Ice Formation

Abstract Two sets of curves are developed which can be used to forecast the dates of. 1) first appearance of ice in the fell; and 2) ice formation from shore to shore on the Mackenzie River at Fort Good Hope, Canada. Similar curves, based on the same method, can be derived for sheltered harbor, lake and river locations. The numerical constants necessary to develop these curves were obtained from a relationship between mean daily air temperatures and previously observed dates of ice formation. To apply the curves, an adjusted temperature record, based on a numerical constant (N) and daily air temperatures, is maintained starting in early summer. Subsequently, this daily-adjusted temperature is applied to the family of curves to provide a day-to-day forecast of the date of ice formation.
A general equilibrium model of the incidence of corporation income tax under uncertainty

Abstract In this paper we investigate the incidence of the corporation income tax in terms of a two-sector, general equilibrium model, where production decisions are made under uncertainty. The conventional result, derived originally by Harberger (1962), is that if the corporate sector is the capital-intensive sector, then capital must bear a greater burden of the tax, in proportion to its initial share in national income, than labor. This result continues to hold unambiguously under uncertainty only if the relative and the absolute risk aversion of the corporations are non- increasing in profits. Otherwise, the Harberger result may not hold.
The pathogenesis of peptic ulceration.

P EPTIC ULCERATION occurs only in those parts of the gastrointestinal tract that are exposed to acid gastric juice. Further, the presence of acid gastric juice is necessary for the continued existence of benign peptic ulcers. This is not to imply that acid alone is responsible; pepsin, also, is present and its influence is significant. The dictum, “no acid, no ulcer,” is true; but so is the statement, “no acid, no peptic activity,” since pepsin is active only in acid solution. Presence of pepsin enhances the ulcerogenic capability of acid; but concentration and quantity of acid are directly related to UIcerogenesis; whereas, the strength of pepsin activity is Iess important than its presence. Those who remember Claude Bernard’s demonstration that the Ieg of a frog is digested if immersed in gastric juice will agree that gastric juice can digest living tissues. When a Iocalized area of mucosa exposed to acid gastric juice is unable to resist digestion, we call the result a peptic ulcer. It is surprising not so much that peptic uIcers occur as that the stomach does not regularly digest itself. Evidently, protective factors exist; and health, as far as absence of peptic ulceration is concerned, can be visualized as equiIibrium between aggressive or ulcer-promoting factors and defensive or ulcer-opposing factors. The aggressor is gastric juice; the defense consists of mechanisms that inhibit excessive gastric secretion and of mucosal resistance to peptic digestion. Let us begin with the defenses.
Threshold and Near Threshold Fatigue Crack Growth of Five Cast Steels at Room Temperature and −45°C

Threshold and near threshold fatigue crack growth behavior was obtained for five carbon or low alloy cast steels at room temperature and −45°C (−50°F) with the load ratio R=0.05 and 0.5. Mean stress effects at both temperatures appear to be substantially dependent upon crack closure. ΔKth did not correlate well with other mechanical properties such as Su , Sy , Sy ′ or Sf . Threshold and near threshold fatigue crack growth resistance was generally improved at −45°C despite the fact that this temperature was below the NDT temperature for three of the five cast steels. SEM fractography also established that the NDT temperature is not associated with a possible ductile-brittle constant amplitude fatigue crack growth transition in cast steels. ΔKth values for these five cast steels appear to be quite favorable relative to values found in the literature for wrought steels.
Prime divisors, asymptotic R-sequences and unmixed local rings

A current trend in commutative algebra has been to characterize properties of prime divisors in the completion of a local ring in terms of the independence of various elements and sequences in the local ring itself. For instance, in [2] Bruns characterizes the minimal depth of prime divisors of zero in the completion R* of a local ring (R, M) as the largest number of elements which are &P-independent, for n sufficiently large. More recently, the notion of asymptotic sequence has been used to characterize the minimal depth of minimal prime divisors of zero in R*. This was done by the author in [S] and L. J. Ratliff, Jr. in [19]. (Elements x, ,..., xd form an asymptotic sequence if x,+, P U {PI PE 2*(x,,..., x,)}, where A*(Z) = Ass R/I” large n, and r” is the integral closure of I”.) Using this result as a starting point, a full-blown theory of asymptotic grade has been developed in [19] and [7]. In this paper we seek a similar characterization of the minimal depth of all prime divisors of zero in R*. In particular, we introduce the set
Homogeneous ignition for a three-step chain-branching reaction model

Spatially homogeneous thermal explosions governed by a three-step chain-branching kinetic model are described in the asymptotic limit of large activation energy for a range of chain-branching cross-over temperatures. The model consists of a sequence of chain-initiation, chain-branching and chain-termination steps. Temperature-sensitive Arrhenius kinetics is employed for the initiation and branching steps, while the termination step has a temperature-independent rate. Marked distinctions in structure arise as the magnitude of the chain-branching cross-over temperature is increased relative to the initial system temperature. Attention is focused on the regime where the chain-branching cross-over temperature is close to the initial system temperature. Results are also obtained for the fast and slow explosion limits where the two temperatures are not close.
Reactive blending of thermoplastic polyurethane in situ with poly(vinyl chloride)

In this study, a novel reactive blending process was developed for producing poly(vinyl chloride)/thermoplastic polyurethane (PVC/TPU) blends. An alternative to melt or solution blending, the advantages to such a blending technique are fewer processing steps and less cost, no solvent removal, reduced PVC degradation, and the potential for producing otherwise unobtainable blend morphologies and properties. Using an internal mixer, PVC was compounded and plasticized with the polyol and chain extender of a polyester-based TPU. Then, upon addition of the stoichiometric amount of TPU diisocyanate, a high molecular weight TPU was polymerized in situ with PVC. Because of reaction-induced phase separation, the resulting partially miscible PVC/TPU blends were characterized by heterogeneous, multiphase morphologies. In addition, they exhibited excellent tensile properties intermediate between that of neat PVC and TPU. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 45:876–887, 2005. © 2005 Society of Plastics Engineers
Ghost simulation model for discrete event systems, an application to a local bus service

In this paper we present a simulation model for large networks that increases the efficiency compared to a discrete event simulation model. These networks have two different time scales: a fast one and a slow one. The main idea is to replace some of the faster point processes by a "fluid" (called the ghost processes) thus accelerating the execution of the simulation. Using local modularity for the code, there is no need to keep a list of events. Clocks are not necessarily synchronized. When a local clock advances due to a slower event, retrospective calculations recover the fine detail lost in the fluid model. Mathematically, the model is a special case of the Filtered Monte Carlo method. Efficiency improvement results not only from the speed of execution, but also from variance reduction. We provide proofs of unbiasedness. Throughout the paper we use a case scenario of an airport car park.
Coherent and incoherent Ce heavy fermion systems: The very nearly trivalent end of the mixed valence phenomenon

Abstract Evidence is presented for the notion that Ce heavy fermion behavior corresponds to the n f ≈ 1 limit of mixed valence and hence the T K → 0 limit of the Kondo regime in both Ce lattice systems and in systems in which the Ce ions are diluted and hence don't form a regular sublattice.
Enzymatic denitrification of 2-nitropropane in uninduced mouse liver microsomes.

Hepatic microsomes from 5 strains of untreated mice were tested for the ability to enzymatically cleave the nitro group from 2-nitropropane (2NP). All strains showed significant NADPH-dependent nitrite release at pH 7.6 and pH 8.8. Statistical differences in nitrite-releasing activity between strains were found between BALB and PL/J and ATH strains at pH 7.6. At pH 8.8, BIO.M differed from CD-1 and BALB. These results are in contrast to a report of little or no denitrification activity in uninduced rats and suggest that the 2NP microsomal metabolism may be of greater importance than previously thought.
Biogenic methane from abyssal brine seeps at the base of the Florida Escarpment

Dissolved methane is present at concentrations exceeding 10mM in the pore waters of sulfidic, salt-brine-enriched sediments underlying chemosynthetic communities at the base of the Florida escarpment. Light hydrocarbon samples were obtained from brine seep sediments by means of an in situ probe and push cores deployed by the deep submersible Alvin. Pore-water methane had a {delta}{sup 13}C value of {minus}83.3 {plus minus}7.0 (Peedee belemnite, N = 17), contained < 1.3% modern carbon, and was enriched over ethane concentrations by 10{sup 3} to 10{sup 5}; these results all indicate a fossil, biogenic carbon source within the Florida platform. Methane-rich brine fluids arriving at seep sites are depleted in dissolved sulfate, although they have been diluted twenty-fold with sulfate-rich seawater during transit. It appears that sulfate reduction and methano-genesis are important processes within the platform.
Increases in the Number of SNARE Genes Parallels the Rise of Multicellularity among the Green Plants

The green plant lineage is the second major multicellular expansion among the eukaryotes, arising from unicellular ancestors to produce the incredible diversity of morphologies and habitats observed today. In the unicellular ancestors, secretion of material through the endomembrane system was the major mechanism for interacting and shaping the external environment. In a multicellular organism, the external environment can be made of other cells, some of which may have vastly different developmental fates, or be part of different tissues or organs. In this context, a given cell must find ways to organize its secretory pathway at a level beyond that of the unicellular ancestor. Recently, sequence information from many green plants have become available, allowing an examination of the genomes for the machinery involved in the secretory pathway. In this work, the SNARE proteins of several green plants have been identified. While little increase in gene number was seen in the SNAREs of the early secretory system, many new SNARE genes and gene families have appeared in the multicellular green plants with respect to the unicellular plants, suggesting that this increase in the number of SNARE genes may have some relation to the rise of multicellularity in green plants.
Efficacy of sustained blood levels of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist in animal models of arthritis: comparison of efficacy in animal models with human clinical data.

Objective To determine the role of interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) in rat adjuvant arthritis and rat type II collagen–induced arthritis, and to compare the efficacy in rat models with that seen in human clinical trials of IL-1Ra. Methods Rats with developing adjuvant arthritis or established collagen-induced arthritis were treated with IL-1Ra by continuous infusion in order to determine and maintain efficacious blood levels of this IL-1 inhibitory protein in the rats for comparison with human clinical data. The effects of treatment in the rats were monitored by sequential caliper measurement of the ankle joints, determination of final paw weights, and histologic evaluation with particular emphasis on bone and cartilage lesions. The effects of IL-1Ra on joint swelling and radiographic bone damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in a 6-month trial were compared with the findings in rats. Results Dramatic differences in the profile of IL-1Ra activity were seen between the 2 groups of rats. Modest antiinflammatory effects were observed in the adjuvant arthritis rats treated with IL-1Ra. However, marked inhibition of bone resorption occurred, even at doses with which antiinflammatory activity was not seen. In contrast, IL-1Ra treatment of rats with established collagen-induced arthritis resulted in nearly complete suppression of all aspects of the disease when adequate blood levels of IL-1Ra were maintained. Treatment of RA patients with IL-1Ra (150 mg daily) resulted in modest inhibition of joint swelling and inhibition of radiographic progression of bone lesions. Conclusion IL-1 appears to be of major importance in mediating the bone resorption that occurs in rat adjuvant arthritis, but is less important in the pathogenesis of periarticular inflammation in this disease. In contrast, IL-1 is of major importance in mediating all aspects of disease progression in rat collagen-induced arthritis. Similar to the response in adjuvant arthritic rats, RA patients treated with IL-1Ra showed only modest antiinflammatory activity, but had evidence of inhibition of progression of bone resorption. However, a comparison of the plasma levels of IL-1Ra in humans and rats suggests that the optimal level of dosing for continuous saturation of IL-1 receptors may not have been achieved in humans, although this was achieved in the rat studies.
Sex Differences and Estropausal Phase Effects on Water Maze Performance in Aged Rats

An age-related decline in memory has been reported in male rats; however, there are few studies that have addressed these changes in aged female rats. In young female rats, hormonal cycles influence behavior. By the age of 22 months most female rats have not had regular hormonal cycles for at least 9 months. In the current study we examined how the hormonal status (persistent estrus and pseudo-pregnant) of the aged (22-24 months) female rat (Long Evans) influenced performance on a spatial version of the Morris water maze and compared this to aged male rats. Aged females in persistent estrus showed better performance on the water maze than both aged females that were pseudopregnant and aged males. Thus, postestropausal hormonal status may influence the course of aging in females.
Redox Cycling in Iron Uptake, Efflux, and Trafficking

Aerobic organisms are faced with a dilemma. Environmental iron is found primarily in the relatively inert Fe(III) form, whereas the more metabolically active ferrous form is a strong pro-oxidant. This conundrum is solved by the redox cycling of iron between Fe(III) and Fe(II) at every step in the iron metabolic pathway. As a transition metal ion, iron can be "metabolized" only by this redox cycling, which is catalyzed in aerobes by the coupled activities of ferric iron reductases (ferrireductases) and ferrous iron oxidases (ferroxidases).
In vivo administration of interleukin 1 to normal mice depresses their capacity to elicit contact hypersensitivity responses: prostaglandins are involved in this modification of immune function.

The administration of pyrogenic doses of interleukin 1 (IL-1) to normal mice before contact sensitization with dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB) resulted in a significant reduction in the intensity of the elicited contact hypersensitivity (CH) responses. Adoptive transfer experiments established no difference between normal and IL-1-pretreated mice regarding their capacity to generate splenic suppressor-cell activity and lymph node effector-cell activity in response to DNFB. However, a marked reduction in the intensity of elicited responses was observed when primed CH-effector cells, obtained from normal donors, were adoptively transferred to IL-1-pretreated recipients. This finding was paralleled by a consistent reduction in the ability of the adoptively transferred cells to infiltrate the tissue sites of antigen challenge in the IL-1-pretreatcd animals. Treatment of mice with indomethacin, a potent inhibitor of prostaglandin production, abrogated the capacity of IL-1 to depress CH responses following skin sensitization with DNFB. Similarly, indomethacin was also capable of abrogating the ability of IL-1 to depress CH responses of adoptive recipients of primed CH-effector cells. Our results indicate that the capacity of IL-1 to depress CH responses in normal mice is due to an indomethacin-sensitive process, presumably mediated through the IL-1-induced generation and action of prostaglandins. This was supported by our finding that treatment of mice with arachidonic acid or prostaglandin E2 caused a similar type of inhibition. The mechanism(s) responsible for this effect appears to act at the efferent level of the CH response, as evidenced by the reduced capacity of CH-effector cells to infiltrate the tissue sites of antigen challenge.
Recurrent fungal pneumonias in patients with acute nonlymphocytic leukemia undergoing multiple courses of intensive chemotherapy

The records of 40 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL) were reviewed to determine the risk of recurrent fungal pneumonia during multiple episodes of chemotherapy-induced granulocytopenia. Fungal pneumonias were diagnosed as proven or probable using defined pathologic, microbiologic, radiologic, and clinical criteria. Sixteen patients died without a complete remission; of these, all 11 who underwent autopsy were found to have invasive fungal pneumonia. The 24 patients who achieved a complete remission received one to nine (median, four) additional courses of intensive chemotherapy for remission consolidation and/or relapse, and experienced 132 episodes of severe granulocytopenia. Seven patients never had a pulmonary infection despite 34 granulocytopenic episodes. However, fungal pneumonia complicated 32 (33 percent) of 98 granulocytopenic episodes in the other 17 patients. Fifteen of the patients who achieved a complete remission had at least one episode of fungal pneumonia; 12 received further chemotherapy, and nine (75 percent) of these had a subsequent fungal pneumonia. In all, 17 (52 percent) of 33 subsequent granulocytopenic episodes experienced by patients with a prior fungal pneumonia were complicated by another fungal pneumonia. All four patients with a probable fungal pneumonia diagnosed antemortem who subsequently underwent autopsy were found to have invasive fungal disease. It would appear that patients with ANLL who have had one episode of fungal pneumonia are at high risk for recurrence during subsequent episodes of granulocytopenia. Empiric or even prophylactic amphotericin B therapy may be warranted for such patients.
Andrzej Bursa: An Introduction

images projected on a screen to the rhythm of music produced by a “special machine for kinoforms,” and Carbuncle, a theatre of horrors written by Bursa and
Islam and Society in Turkey

Islam and Society in Turkey. David Shankland. Huntingdon, England: The Eothen Press, 1999. vi. 240 pp., notes, appendixes, references, index.
Semantic organization in deaf and hearing subjects.

Hierarchical cluster analysis of data from the sorting of noun words was used to compare semantic structures in 63 profoundly deaf and 63 hearing adolescents. In the first study, performance differed only for a set of words referring to sounds, where deaf persons have no experience, and not for a set of common noun words and pictures. In the second study, differences between matched sets of high- and low-imagery words were comparable for 63 deaf and 63 hearing subjects. It is concluded that deaf subjects manifested abstract hierarchical relations and were not dependent on “visual mediators” or hindered by the absence of “acoustic mediators.”