cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tumor angiogenesis and accessibility: role of vascular endothelial growth factor.

Solid tumors consist of several components, including normal and stromal cells, extracellular matrix, and vasculature. To grow and metastasize, tumors must stimulate the development of new vasculature through a process known as angiogenesis. Unlike normal blood vessels, tumor blood vessels are chaotic, irregular, and leaky, which leads to uneven delivery of nutrients and therapeutic agents to the tumor. Conventional therapies target neoplastic cells within a tumor; however, tumor vasculature is emerging as an important target for anticancer therapy. Antiangiogenic therapy offers several potential advantages as an approach to cancer treatment, notably physical accessibility and genetic stability of target cells. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), a central mediator of angiogenesis, has emerged as an important target for antiangiogenic therapy. In preclinical studies, treatment of human tumor xenografts in immunodeficient mice with the anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody A4.6.1 led to reduced tumor vessel permeability and caused vascular regression. The reduced vascular permeability, resulting from inhibition of VEGF, led to increased delivery of oxygen and therapeutic agents to tumors. Anti-VEGF therapy was effectively combined with other treatment modalities, including radiation, antihormonal, antibody, and chemotherapies in multiple preclinical models. Currently, several phase 3 clinical trials in various cancer types are under way to establish the efficacy of antiangiogenic therapy with a recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody, bevacizumab (Avastin, rhuMAb-VEGF; Genentech, South San Francisco, CA), in combination with chemotherapeutic agents.
Cost-effective use of the surgical intensive care unit.

The intensive care unit (ICU) continues to be a large user of resources. There is a continued need for a balance of cost-effective utilization and quality patient care. A data base of information currently exists that defines those groups of patients in whom reasonable success in resource allocation can be anticipated. In other cases, attempts are being made to define variables that adequately predict survival so they can be used to effect care decisions. Although some progress has been made, considerable work is needed to achieve both of these. For surgeons, the ICU has become an essential “part of the knife.” It is a necessity in modern high-technology care and has become an essential element in surgical training programs. The use of the ICU for currently conceived high-risk patients is now commonplace. A growing database supports this preoperative use of ICU resources. Techniques are now available to make ICU care more cost-effective. Tools such as not having routine orders, daily rewriting of all orders, review of drug orders, and the utilization of the laboratory and radiographic resources have already reduced significantly the real cost of using these life-saving facilities.
Electrochemical Characterization of Thin Films for a Micro-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

One of the first technological benchmarks towards the realization of a micro solid oxide fuel cell is the production of thin film structures with adequate electrochemical properties. This paper describes the deposition of thin film yttria-stabilized zirconia electrolytes and lithographically patterned platinum and gold electrodes. By using conventional, ultraviolet lithography, electrode patterns were produced with features sizes as fine as 15 μm, enabling a more direct investigation into the role of the triple phase boundary. Impedance spectroscopy measurements show three arcs, ascribed to the grain, grain boundary and electrode processes, and an offset on the real axis due to the leads. The high frequency arc, ascribed to the ohmic resistance of the YSZ electrolyte, exhibited an activation energy of 1.0 eV, while the intermediate frequency arc, attributed to blocking grain boundaries, exhibited an activation energy of 0.69 eV. The low frequency, non-ohmic arc was found to be highly dependent upon the electrode material and exhibited activation energies of 0.91 eV for gold electrodes and 0.77 eV for platinum electrodes. The electrode impedances for different sample geometries were similar when normalized to the triple phase boundary length.
Multivalvular bacterial endocarditis after suction curettage abortion.

Background Bacterial endocarditis is a potentially life-threatening disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is estimated that one patient per 1 million will develop endocarditis after elective abortion. Case A young woman with no history of cardiac defects developed acute bacterial endocarditis after elective abortion performed without appropriately timed antibiotic prophylaxis. She subsequently required surgical debridement of the tricuspid valve and replacement of the aortic valve. She experienced numerous postoperative sequelae eventually culminating in death. Conclusion Although rare, it is possible to develop multivalvular, right-sided and left-sided endocarditis after elective pregnancy termination in a patient without preexisting cardiac disease. This patient should have received antibiotic prophylaxis before initiation of the suction curettage.
The phenylcarbene rearrangement revisited

Abstract The evolution of mechanistic ideas about the phenylcarbene rearrangement has been reviewed, and three closely linked problems have been identified toward whose solution this research has been aimed: 1. Why do the ratios of the stable end products from the rearrangements of o-, m- and p-tolylmethylene differ when all three reactions have been throught to pass through a common intermediate? 2. Why does the rearrangement of 2-methylcycloheptatrienylidene lead to exclusive formation of styrene? 3. What is the mechanism of styrene formation from o-tolylmethylene? New mechanisms have been proposed in which m- and p-tolylmethylene can rearrange to styrene without necessarily being converted to o-tolylmethylene. The formation of a small amount of 2,6-dimethylstyrene from the rearrangement of 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene is viewed as evidence for such a mechanism, and a set of interconverting norcaradienylidenes are believed to be the crucial intermediates. Other alternatives are considered and rejected on the basis of the rearrangement products of 3,5-dimethyl- and 3,4,5-trimethylphenylmethylene.
Metaphysical Implications of the Quantum Theory

According to Arthur Danto1 one of the distinguishing features of philosophy is that, unlike any other discipline, questions about its own nature are internal to the discipline; questions like ‘What is a philosophical question?’ and ‘What is philosophy?’ are themselves philosophical questions. Conceptions of the scope and nature of philosophy have varied markedly throughout the history of philosophy, and vary today from one ‘school’ to the next. The conception of the nature of philosophy naturally affects the way philosophy is done, which of course affects the content of philosophy. Hence, in order to appreciate the content of any philosopher’s writings it is important to understand his general attitude towards philosophy and how the content is structured by that attitude. Reichenbach is exceptionally clear about his attitude towards philosophy: I do not believe that there are philosophical questions as such, exempt from scientific treatment. If philosophy is to deal with problems of the structure of the world, it should abandon the idea of deriving this structure from an intuition alleged to be based on eternal truths. The philosophical truths of yesterday have become the errors of today. The philosopher who wants to contribute towards making the universe intelligible can aid the physicist only in searching for the correct form of a question, but not in searching for the answer. That is to say, his contribution will consist in a logical analysis of the problems which separate the physical content of a theory from the additions occurring in the form of definition, and which clarifies the meanings of terms instead of prescribing the ways of thought. (Italics mine.)
Ebenezer Emmons 1799-1863, founder of American Paleozoic stratigraphy; hero of the Taconic controversy, one of the most celebrated geological disputes in North America

One of the most important and distinguished geologists in the history of the earth sciences was Ebenezer Emmons Sr., father of the Taconic System. The overthrust which places Lower Cambrian rocks in contact with Middle Ordovician rocks, known as Emmons' Line, formerly Logan's Line, is a segment that extends from Canada through New York, and as far south as Alabama. Emmons, a graduate of Rensselaer in the first class of 1826, was inspired by Amos Eaton. Emmons became junior professor at Rensselaer in 1830, a position he held for ten years, and while serving there, was appointed State (Chief) Geologist of the northern Geological District of the New York State Geological Survey in 1836. He named the Adirondack Mountains (1838), and the Taconic Mountains (1844, 1846) and acquainted the public with these regions. Emmons had noted the presence of a group of rocks between the Potsdam Sandstone, the oldest of the then recognized sedimentary formations in New York, and what was called then the Primitive Rocks of C...
Heparin and infarct coronary artery patency after streptokinase in acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Anticoagulant therapy is frequently used after thrombolytic agents in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) although it is unclear that such therapy will prevent subsequent infarct vessel reocclusion. The role of duration of heparin therapy in maintaining infarct artery patency was studied retrospectively in 53 consecutive AMI patients who received streptokinase therapy and underwent coronary angiography acutely and at 14 ± 1 days. Of the 39 patients with initial infarct vessel patency, patency at follow-up angiography was observed in 100% (22 of 22) of those who received ≥4 days of intravenous heparin but in only 59% (10 of 17) of those patients who received
Efficient generation of high-frequency terahertz waves from highly lossy second-order nonlinear medium at polariton resonance under transverse-pumping geometry

Owing to strong coupling between transverse-optical phonons and high-frequency terahertz waves in zinc-blende semiconductors, second-order nonlinear coefficients can be dramatically enhanced within the forbidden band of the polariton resonance. However, linear absorption in this regime is also dramatically increased. We show that transverse-pumping geometry can be exploited for achieving an efficient terahertz generation at the polariton resonance. Our estimates illustrate that pump powers as low as 100 mW are sufficient for causing the significant depletion of the pump beams.
Characterization of ascorbyl esters hydrolysis in fish

Abstract The hydrolysis of ascorbate mono-, tri- and polyphosphates by trout intestinal alkaline phosphatase was examined. Km values were established as 1.19, 4.1 and 3.7 mM, respectively. The enzyme catalyzed ascorbate triphosphate hydrolysis with 60% efficiency of that for ascorbate monophosphate. With the Km value of 1.19 mM for ascorbate monophosphate the trout enzyme exhibits similar affinity with this substrate as with p-nitrophenyl phosphate (1.00–1.67 mM). Two Km values for micro- and millimolar ranges of ascorbate monophosphate concentrations ranges were calculated as: 27.9 μM and 1.19 mM, respectively. Specific intestinal alkaline phosphatase inhibitor L-phenylalanine (100 mM), inhibited reaction rate by 20% in 10 min. We conclude that alkaline phosphatase, which is in a great abundance in the trout intestine, serves as ascorbate esters hydrolase, thus releasing active ascorbic acid into circulation.
A "genome-to-lead" approach for insecticide discovery: pharmacological characterization and screening of Aedes aegypti D(1)-like dopamine receptors.

Background Many neglected tropical infectious diseases affecting humans are transmitted by arthropods such as mosquitoes and ticks. New mode-of-action chemistries are urgently sought to enhance vector management practices in countries where arthropod-borne diseases are endemic, especially where vector populations have acquired widespread resistance to insecticides. Methodology/principal findings We describe a "genome-to-lead" approach for insecticide discovery that incorporates the first reported chemical screen of a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) mined from a mosquito genome. A combination of molecular and pharmacological studies was used to functionally characterize two dopamine receptors (AaDOP1 and AaDOP2) from the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti. Sequence analyses indicated that these receptors are orthologous to arthropod D(1)-like (Gα(s)-coupled) receptors, but share less than 55% amino acid identity in conserved domains with mammalian dopamine receptors. Heterologous expression of AaDOP1 and AaDOP2 in HEK293 cells revealed dose-dependent responses to dopamine (EC(50): AaDOP1 = 3.1±1.1 nM; AaDOP2 = 240±16 nM). Interestingly, only AaDOP1 exhibited sensitivity to epinephrine (EC(50) = 5.8±1.5 nM) and norepinephrine (EC(50) = 760±180 nM), while neither receptor was activated by other biogenic amines tested. Differential responses were observed between these receptors regarding their sensitivity to dopamine agonists and antagonists, level of maximal stimulation, and constitutive activity. Subsequently, a chemical library screen was implemented to discover lead chemistries active at AaDOP2. Fifty-one compounds were identified as "hits," and follow-up validation assays confirmed the antagonistic effect of selected compounds at AaDOP2. In vitro comparison studies between AaDOP2 and the human D(1) dopamine receptor (hD(1)) revealed markedly different pharmacological profiles and identified amitriptyline and doxepin as AaDOP2-selective compounds. In subsequent Ae. aegypti larval bioassays, significant mortality was observed for amitriptyline (93%) and doxepin (72%), confirming these chemistries as "leads" for insecticide discovery. Conclusions/significance This research provides a "proof-of-concept" for a novel approach toward insecticide discovery, in which genome sequence data are utilized for functional characterization and chemical compound screening of GPCRs. We provide a pipeline useful for future prioritization, pharmacological characterization, and expanded chemical screening of additional GPCRs in disease-vector arthropods. The differential molecular and pharmacological properties of the mosquito dopamine receptors highlight the potential for the identification of target-specific chemistries for vector-borne disease management, and we report the first study to identify dopamine receptor antagonists with in vivo toxicity toward mosquitoes.
SU‐E‐T‐563: Applicability of Image Smoothing for Dose Calculation of High Density Phantoms in Patient Specific Delivery Quality Assurance

Purpose: We designed and tested a teflon phantom to perform DQA with our newly added SBRT protocol. Our initial testing suffered from artifacts in the scanned images of the phantom. In an attempt to improve the ability of the treatment planning systems to calculate doses in the teflon phantom, we smoothed the images and retested the phantom. Method and Materials: The teflon phantom was scanned and imported into the treatment planning systems twice. One version was left untouched while the other had been smoothed. Smoothing was performed using a Matlab script and consisted of replacing the varying pixel values of the teflon phantom with an average pixel value. Teflon being a high density material, we needed to determine the correct calibration value to extend the calibration curves in both treatment planning systems. This was done by delivering a cylindrical sample plan and altering the calibration value until the computed dose matched the measured dose. Once calibrated, six patients were replanned and the corresponding DQAs ran. Point dose measurements and film distributions were compared against those computed by both treatment planning systems. Results: Having removed the artifacts from the images, the variability in the dose differences (Mx/TPS) was significantly reduced. The average error in calculating absolute point doses was reduced from ∼1.14% to ∼0.3% for HT and decreased from 1.47% to 0.5% for RA. The average &#947; pass rate increased from ∼94.5% to ∼96.8% for HT and increased from 93.8% to 98.6% for RA. Conclusion: Smoothing out the artifacts further improves the treatment planning systems' ability to accurately calculate both point doses and dose distributions in our teflon phantom. The results indicate that DQA of SBRT plans using our high density phantom will be possible with further commissioning.
The Story of Dinah in the Testament of Levi

It is normal for scholars to read a text of the Second Temple period with an eye to the particular historical circumstances and ideology that it seems to embody. For this was a period of rapid historical changes and sharp ideological conflicts, and by paying attention to reflections of history and ideology in a text, one can often better understand its meaning and situate it chronologically with greater accuracy. And so, scholars regularly ask: What can be deduced on the basis of this text about the precise period in which its author lived? What is there in the content of this text that can tell us something about its author's beliefs?
Purification and sequence of an opioid peptide derived from ovine proenkephalin

Abstract An enkephalin-containing peptide originating from ovine adrenal proenkephalin has been purified and sequenced. The sequence of the peptide is: GLY-GLY-GLU-VAL-LEU-GLY-LYS-ARG-TYR-GLY-GLY-PHE-MET (preproenkephalin 128–140) which represents a portion of peptide F (preproenkephalin 107–140). This peptide has a sequence identical to that of bovine preproenkephalin 128–140 while it differs from the corresponding human sequence in positions 129, 131 and 133.
Decision aids for surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer: A narrative review of the literature

Abstract Objective To review and critique the published empirical research on decision aids for women actually facing surgical treatment of early stage breast cancer, synthesize findings across studies related to outcomes of decision aids use with specific attention to the influence of system and client characteristics, and identify opportunities for further research. Methods A systematic and reproducible search was carried out to identify studies evaluating decision aids for women making breast cancer surgical treatment decisions. All included studies were appraised. Results Most studies evaluated the outcomes of decision aids use in terms of final treatment decisions, patients’ knowledge of treatment options, anxiety, decisional conflict, satisfaction and quality of life. Included studies varied in design, measures used to assess effectiveness, format of the aids, patient populations and clinical settings. Studies yielded mixed results related to the effect of the decision aids on the outcomes measured. Conclusion Despite the mixed findings of the studies, some support exists for the use of decision aids with women diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. Practice implications To ensure successful implementation of decision aids in clinical practice, healthcare providers should be educated on their use. Greater allocation of time, space and access to decision aids is also needed.
Differential Use of Informal and Formal Helping Networks Among Rural Elderly Black and White Floridians

Until recently, relatively little data has been available concerning either the minority elderly or the rural elderly. This paper presents data which examines differences between black and white rural elderly respondents with regard to their social situation as well as their use of both informal and formal support systems. The findings based on 112 interviews, suggest that there are important differences between the two groups, with implications for service delivery.
A kinetic model for the fungal pellet lifecycle

Many industrially significant microbial products are produced during secondary metabolism by fungal pellets. Most models of mycelial pellet growth, however, consider only the primary growth phase. During secondary metabolism, the whiterot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium produces extra-cellular lignin peroxidases and manganese-dependent peroxidases which have been implicated in the degradation of lignin and various xenobiotics. This unstructured kinetic model for mycelial pellet cultures of P. chrysosporium describes the culture dry weight, respiration, glucose consumption, nutrient nitrogen uptake, pellet size and oxygen effectiveness factor during the lag, primary growth, secondary metabolic, and death phases. During secondary metabolism, the intraparticle diffusion of oxygen limits metabolism. Parameters for respiration during secondary metabolism are validated using three separate measurements: 1. by measuring oxygen concentration profiles in mycelial pellets using oxygen microelectrodes; 2. by measuring the depletion of oxygen from the culture fluid using a respirometer; and 3. by measuring the daily evolution of carbon dioxide. The physiological state of the mycelial pellets is predicted for various culture conditions and is related to the production of LIP and MNP during secondary metabolism.
A major site of bicarbonate effect in system II reaction. Evidence from ESR signal IIvf, fast fluorescence yield changes and delayed light emission.

Abstract In order to determine the major site of bicarbonate action in the electron transport complex of Photosystem II, the following experimental techniques were used: electron spin resonance measurements of Signal II vf , measurements of chlorophyll a fluorescence yield rise and decay kinetics, and delayed light emission decay. From data obtained using these experimental techniques the following conclusions were made: (1) absence of bicarbonate causes a reversible inactivation of up to 40% of Photosystem II reaction center activity; (2) there is no significant effect of bicarbonate on electron flow from the charge accumulating S state to Z; (3) there is no significant effect of bicarbonate on electron flow from Z to P -680 + ; (4) electron flow from Q − to the intersystem electron transport pool is inhibited by from 4- to 6-fold under bicarbonate depletion conditions.
Processing–structure–property relationships in poly(ethylene terephthalate) blown film

An investigation was undertaken to establish processing–structure–property relationships in poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) blown film. For the study, a commercial grade of PET was used to fabricate the film specimens by means of a tubular film blowing process. In this process, the stretch temperature was accurately controlled by an oven. The annealing treatment of the oriented specimens involved clamping the sample in an aluminum frame and then putting the clamped sample in an oven, controlled at a temperature between the glass transition temperature (70°C) and the melting point (255°C) of PET, for a specified annealing period. The structure of the blown film samples was characterized by density, bulk birefringence, flat plate wide-angle X-ray scattering, and pole figure analysis. The processing variables, namely, takeup ratio, blowup ratio, and stretch temperature were found to significantly affect the bulk birefringence and density of the oriented PET blown film samples. It was found that both the bulk birefringence and density of the specimens increased upon annealing at an elevated temperature. Both the crystalline and amorphous orientation functions were calculated from the data of bulk birefringence, density, and the pole figure analysis. Compared to the amorphous orientation functions, the crystalline orientation functions were found to be relatively insensitive to the processing variables. It was concluded that equibiaxially oriented PET films can be produced via a tubular film blowing process by judiciously controlling the processing and annealing conditions. It has also been observed that the tensile stress-at-break of equibiaxially oriented PET film increases with decreasing stretch temperature and increasing annealing temperature.
Relationship between the oxidative and fermentative phases during adaptation to galactose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

AEROBIC adaptation to the utilization of galactose in Saccharomyces cerevisiae occurs in two phases: an oxidative phase in which the respiratory quotient is 1, and a fermentative phase which follows it1. Further experiments have now demonstrated that during the oxidative phase of adaptation to galactose, the yeast cells are capable of fermenting galactose if anaerobic conditions are introduced. The degree of fermentation which resulted when anaerobic conditions were instituted was found to be correlated with the degree of adaptation during the oxidative phase as measured by the .
The degrees of conditional problems

In this paper we define and study conditional problems and their degrees. The main result is that the class of conditional degrees is a lattice extending the ordinary Turing degrees and it is dense. These properties are not shared by ordinary Turing degrees. We show that the class of conditional many-one degrees is a distributive lattice. We also consider properties of semidecidable problems and their degrees, which are analogous to r.e. sets and degrees.
ΔNp63α Expression Is Regulated by the Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Pathway

p63 is a homologue of p53 that functions to maintain progenitor cell populations in stratified epithelia. ΔNp63α is overexpressed in epithelial cancers and has been shown to have oncogenic properties. We have previously reported that inhibition of epidermal growth factor receptor signaling results in a decrease in ΔNp63α expression. Here, we demonstrate ΔNp63α is a target of the phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PI3K) pathway downstream of the epidermal growth factor receptor. Treatment of keratinocytes with epidermal growth factor results in an increase in ΔNp63α expression at the mRNA level, which is abrogated by inhibition of PI3K but not mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling. Small interfering RNA-mediated knockdown of the p110β catalytic subunit of PI3K results in a decrease in ΔNp63α protein levels in keratinocytes. The results presented herein suggest that regulation of ΔNp63α expression by the PI3K pathway plays a critical role in the survival and proliferative capacity of squamous epithelia.
Structure of foraging dives by Weddell seals at an offshore isolated hole in the Antarctic fast-ice environment

Abstract Knowledge of the biology and ecology of diving animals has been constrained by the inability to make direct observations of their underwater behaviour. We deployed an animal-borne video and data recorder on 10 adult Weddell seals (Leptonychotes weddellii) near Ross Island, McMurdo Sound, Antarctica, during the austral spring, to examine the structure of foraging dives. Three-dimensional dive profiles for 109 foraging dives were reconstructed, and nine behavioural states were identified based on geometry of the travel path and changes in speed and stroking. Five kinds of prey-related events were identified using video imagery. Most foraging was in midwater; rarer benthic foraging dives were especially distinctive. Successful and unsuccessful midwater foraging dives did not differ in energetic cost, but benthic foraging dives required significantly more energy than midwater dives and approached the seal's aerobic dive limit. We described the dominant sequence of behaviours in successful midwater, unsuccessful midwater, and unsuccessful benthic foraging dives. We also examined the dominant sequence leading to the first prey encounter in a dive and found that it usually followed an ascent, which in turn followed descent and/or horizontal swimming. We confirmed that discontinuous trajectories in time–depth profiles occur during midwater prey encounter. There were two kinds of descent behaviour (descent and meandering descent), both with reduced stroking and a large amount of gliding, which appeared to be when searching occurred. There is also some indication that increased amounts of gliding during descent behaviours could increase the seal's ability to capture prey by reducing the amount of self-generated noise. These findings provide a baseline for comparison with entirely free-ranging seals and for more detailed study of foraging strategies of diving seals.
Rotating electric machine time constants at low speeds

THE use of the concept of time constants in the analysis of a-c rotating electric machine transients is well known.1 It is also well known that the short-circuit time constants of machines running at normal speed are not at all like those of the same machines at rest. The purposes of this paper are to show the continuous nature of the variation of the machine characteristics in the range of speed from zero to rated speed, and to determine the limits of applicability of the full-speed and standstill values and the behavior at low speed.
Internalism and epistemically responsible belief

In section one the deontological (or responsibilist) conception of justification is discussed and explained. In section two, arguments are put forward in order to derive the most plausible version of perspectival internalism, or the position that epistemic justification is a function of factors internal to the believer's cognitive perspective. The two most common considerations put forward in favor of perspectival internalism are discussed. These are the responsibilist conception of justification, and the intuition that two believers with like beliefs and experiences are equally justified in their like beliefs. In section three it is argued that perspectival internalism is false, and that in fact the position is not supported by a responsibilist conception of justification. Section four explicates two other forms of internalism, which are rejected for reasons similar to those presented against perspectival internalism. In section five, an internalist theory of justification is defended which is supported by a responsibilist conception of justification. Roughly stated, the position is that justified belief is belief which arises from the use of correct rules of reasoning. The idea of correctness is explicated, and the position is distinguished from others which are similar to it.
COMMON ANCESTRAL MUTATION IN THE MEN1 GENE IS LIKELY RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PROLACTINOMA VARIANT OF MEN1 (MEN1BURIN) IN FOUR KINDREDS FROM NEWFOUNDLAND

Familial multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder with affected individuals developing parathyroid, gastrointestinal (GI) endocrine, and anterior pituitary tumors. Four large kindreds from the Burin peninsula/Fortune Bay area of Newfoundland with prominent features of prolactinomas, carcinoids, and parathyroid tumors (referred to as MEN1Burin) have been described, and they show linkage to 11q13, the same locus as that of MEN1. Haplotype analysis with 16 polymorphic markers now reveals that representative affected individuals from all four families share a common haplotype over a 2.5 Mb region. A nonsense mutation in the MEN1 gene has been found to be responsible for the disease in the affected members in all four of the MEN1Burin families, providing convincing evidence of a common founder. Hum Mutat 11:264–269, 1998. Published 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Paleomagnetism of Some Neogene Sedimentary Rocks on Oga Peninsula, Japan

The Oga Peninsula Neogene section in Japan was sampled for paleomagnetic studies. The results show that the upper Wakimoto formation is normally magnetized and the lower Wakimoto, Kitaura and uppermost Funakawa formations are reversely magnetized. The remainder of the Funakawa and the Onnagawa formation are interpreted as being remagnetized and unreliable for magnetic stratigraphy. The saturation IRM intensity was found to be an effective method of normalizing the effects of magnetic mineral content variation on the NRM intensity. Variations in the NRM intensity in these samples were paralleled by variations in SIRM intensity indicating that they are mineralogically rather than field controlled. The secondary component of magnetization in these rocks is believed to be a VRM acquired over the Brunhes normal epoch. Intensities and stabilities of the secondary component are compatible with the results from the VRM experiments conducted in the laboratory. Due to the fact that only one reliable reversal was found in the section, age interpretations based on the magnetic stratigraphy were difficult to make. Tentative age assignments were postulated based on the interpretations of the diatom evidence by BURCKLE (1971).
Nonlinear theory of slow cyclotron wave interaction in folded waveguide

A three-dimensional nonlinear theory is presented for the generation of broadband radiation from slow cyclotron wave interaction in a folded waveguide. The serpentine structure is formed by folding a rectangular waveguide so that the orientation of the magnetic changes (H-plane bend) instead or the conventional E-plane bend configuration where the orientation of the electric field changes. The H-plane bend structure can use larger beam tunnel without distorting the RF field structure and generate higher output power. Numerical results are shown for the TE/sub 10/ mode propagation in an unridged and a double ridged waveguide. For a 61.5 kV, 3 A beam with /spl alpha/=1.0 and /spl Delta/V/sub Z//V/sub Z/=0, calculations show an efficiency of 25% with 20% bandwidth and an efficiency of 35% at 10% bandwidth. The efficiency and bandwidth is relatively unchanged up to a beam axial velocity spread of 2%. The bandwidth can be further increased by mode coalescing techniques. Multistage operation is necessary to avoid backward wave oscillation.
Chemical induced impedance spectroscopy for single cancer cell detection

This paper reports a MEMS-based impedance spectrometer capable of detecting a single MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell in a background of normal MCF10A breast epithelial cells. This has been achieved by 1) stimulating a selective increase in the cancer cell area using the FDA-approved anti-cancer drug SAHA which resulted in a cancer-specific rise in bioimpedance and 2) utilizing a unique thin multi-branched electrode configuration that induced linear cell alignment along the electrode resulting in increased sensitivity. A 5% rise in bioimpedance in response to only 550nM of SAHA was a reliable biomarker for the presence of one or more cancer cells on the electrode. The bioimpedance response to SAHA was rapid and detectable as early as 30min.
Advanced approaches to hot-mix asphalt dynamic modulus prediction

The dynamic modulus (|E*|) is one of the primary hot-mix asphalt (HMA) material property inputs at all three hierarchical levels in the new Mechanistic–empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). The ...
Sensitivity and specificity in Drosophila pheromone perception

How the brain perceives volatile chemicals in the environment to evoke the appropriate behaviour is a fundamental question in sensory neuroscience. The olfactory system of the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, has emerged as a powerful model system to address this problem. Recent analysis of the molecular, neuroanatomical and physiological properties of the olfactory circuits that detect the sex and social aggregation pheromone cis-vaccenyl acetate now provides one of the most comprehensive outlines for the neural basis of odour perception. This review describes these latest advances, discusses what they reveal about where stimulus sensitivity and specificity is encoded in olfactory circuits, and considers future questions.
Diode-pumped Yb-FAP solid-state laser driver for inertial fusion energy power plant

In this paper we describe our conceptual design of an IFE laser driver based on a novel laser material Yb:S-FAP, or Yb/sup 3+/-doped Sr/sub 5/(PO/sub 4/)/sub 3/F. We will report our computer modeling results on the performance and costs of a diode-pumped solid-state laser (DPSSL), as it is anticipated to operate in the context of an inertial fusion energy power plant. >
The pressure inside a suspended gas bubble

An integral representation is derived for the pressure inside an inviscid, compressible or incompressible bubble suspended in a Newtonian fluid, in terms of the instantaneous bubble shape and structure of the ambient velocity field. The starting point in deriving this representation is the reciprocal theorem for Navier-Stokes flow, applied for the flow around the bubble and the flow due to a point source situated inside the bubble. The integral representation is used to evaluate the pressure inside a spherical bubble in potential flow to leading order with respect to the Weber number, and the pressure inside a circular bubble in Stokes flow to leading order with respect to the capillary number. The results are consistent with and generalize numerical and analytical solutions derived by previous authors.
Simultaneous intraoperative Mohs clearance and reconstruction for advanced cutaneous malignancies.

Background Improved control of cutaneous malignancies using Mohs micrographic pathologic clearance has been well established. However, surgical margin control of advanced and complex cutaneous tumors of the head and neck is commonly performed by far less reliable frozen section margin analysis. Objective To describe a routine and ideal collaboration between dermatologic surgery and facial plastic surgery/head and neck surgery in which the Mohs micrographic method is used intraoperatively to achieve marginal clearance during resection and reconstruction. Methods A single-institution retrospective analysis was performed of patients who underwent intraoperative Mohs micrographic surgery. Intraoperative margins (peripheral and deep) of tissue specimens were analyzed by the Mohs surgeon. Results Twenty-six patients underwent large cutaneous tumor resection using intraoperative Mohs micrographic surgery. Most lesions were basal (48%) or squamous (34%) cell carcinoma. A mean (SD) of 2.1 (0.98) resection layers were required before negative margins were achieved. Conclusions We demonstrate the intraoperative technique and utility of Mohs micrographic analysis via an efficient collaborative effort. Well established for accuracy greater than intraoperative frozen section margin analysis, intraoperative Mohs micrographic surgery provides an optimal method of intraoperative margin assessment of cutaneous malignancies.
Substrate Topography and Stiffness affect Cardiomyocyte Anchorage, Shortening and Shortening Velocity

Substrate stiffness and topography that mimic healthy and unhealthy heart tissue were engineered for contractility and anchorage assessment of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes in vitro. Substrates were molded from PDMS with soft 10 kPa (normal) or rigid 1000 kPa (fibrotic) stiffness and either flat or topography with 15μm-high, 15μm-diameter posts, spaced 75μm apart. Data of living (line scans) and fixed (immunohistochemistry Z-stacks) cells was collected on a Zeiss 710 confocal microscope. Line scan data was analyzed with LSM Browser to determine cell shortening and shortening velocity; Z-stack images were analyzed with Volocity and MetaMorph to quantify distribution of the focal adhesion protein, paxillin and assess sarcomere remodeling. Shortening (displacement) was greater in the mid-region vs. the end of the cell, regardless of substrate topography or stiffness. Shortening in the mid-region was greater on rigid substrates, regardless of topography. Shortening velocity is fastest (∼10μm/sec) on rigid post substrata and slowest (∼5μm/sec) on soft substrates, regardless of topography. The majority of quantified paxillin was localized in the outer perimeter of the cell (over 50% on post and over 70% on flat substrates), regardless of stiffness. Paxillin was also localized on post topographies but in a smaller quantity (∼30% on rigid and ∼15% on soft substrates). This 3D-post environment, that permits paxillin distribution in the Z-axis, simultaneously reduces the cell surface area (x-y plane). The focal adhesion complex on the 3D post anchors and stabilizes deep layers of sarcomere formation, which extend to the cell perimeter. In conclusion, topography predominates in contractile shortening whereas the shortening velocity is more dependent on substrata stiffness. Thus, contractile dysfunction of cardiomyocytes in stiff diseased 3D tissue might affect velocity more than shortening. Funding: T32/HL07692, HL62426
In Vitro Studies of Peptidoglycan Binding and Hydrolysis by the Bacillus anthracis Germination-Specific Lytic Enzyme SleB

The Bacillus anthracis endospore loses resistance properties during germination when its cortex peptidoglycan is degraded by germination-specific lytic enzymes (GSLEs). Although this event normally employs several GSLEs for complete cortex removal, the SleB protein alone can facilitate enough cortex hydrolysis to produce vulnerable spores. As a means to better understand its enzymatic function, SleB was overexpressed, purified, and tested in vitro for depolymerization of cortex by measurement of optical density loss and the solubilization of substrate. Its ability to bind peptidoglycan was also investigated. SleB functions independently as a lytic transglycosylase on both intact and fragmented cortex. Most of the muropeptide products that SleB generates are large and are potential substrates for other GSLEs present in the spore. Study of a truncated protein revealed that SleB has two domains. The N-terminal domain is required for stable peptidoglycan binding, while the C-terminal domain is the region of peptidoglycan hydrolytic activity. The C-terminal domain also exhibits dependence on cortex containing muramic-δ-lactam in order to carry out hydrolysis. As the conditions and limitations for SleB activity are further elucidated, they will enable the development of treatments that stimulate premature germination of B. anthracis spores, greatly simplifying decontamination measures.
What do V1 neurons tell us about saccadic suppression

Abstract A series of neurophysiological experiments on the responses of V1 neurons during saccadic eye movements were carried out. Strong suppression followed by rebound was observed in post-saccadic neural activities. These results showed that although the reduction in perceptual sensitivity during rapid eye movements was largely due to the smearing of visual stimuli during saccades, there exist saccade-related extra-retinal signals mediating saccadic suppression at the neuronal level.
Determination of the antiferromagnetic spin axis in epitaxial LaFeO-3 films by x-ray magnetic linear dichroism spectroscopy

We report x-ray magnetic linear dichroism ~XMLD! measurements at the Fe L2,3 absorption edges of thin antiferromagnetic ~AFM! LaFeO3 films grown epitaxially on SrTiO 3 ~100! and ~110! substrates and a stepped ~100! substrate with a 2° miscut. The spin structure in the near-surface region of the thin films, and in particular the orientation of the AFM axis, has been derived from the observed polarization dependence. We show that in all cases, the orientation of the AFM axis differs from that of bulk LaFeO3. In particular, we find that the AFM axis is rotated away from its bulk orientation and lies parallel to the ~111! plane of the underlying cubic SrTiO3 substrate, with its projection on the film surface parallel to the c axis of the orthorhombic LaFeO3 crystal lattice. Our results are of importance in light of existing models for the exchange coupling and bias of antiferromagnetic/ferromagnetic multilayers. They indicate the inadequacy of models that assume a bulk like spin structure near surfaces and interfaces.
Urban population distribution planning

ABSTRACT Public policy objectives concerning urban population distribution often are achieved through residential land use regulation. Control over population distribution also can be exerted indirectly through the selection of employment sites. If population policy goals can be expressed as a target for each zone of the urban area, then it is possible to determine that spatial distribution of employment for which population distribution comes as close as possible to these targets. Using the matrix structure of the Garin-Lowry urban development model, a goal program is derived which determines the basic employment distribution which minimizes deviations from desired zonal populations for Metropolitan Toronto.
A hibonite‐corundum inclusion from Murchison: A first‐generation condensate from the solar nebula

Through freeze-thaw disaggregation of the Murchison (CM) carbonaceous chondrite, we have recovered a ~90 x 75 μm refractory inclusion that consists of corundum and hibonite with minor perovskite. Corundum occurs as small (~10 μm), rounded grains enclosed in hibonite laths (~10 μm wide and 30-40 μm long) throughout the inclusion. Perovskite predominantly occurs near the edge of the inclusion. The crystallization sequence inferred petrographically - corundum followed by hibonite followed by perovskite - is that predicted for the first phases to form by equilibrium condensation from a solar gas for Ptot ≤ 5 x 10^(-3) atm. In addition, the texture of the inclusion, with angular voids between subhedral hibonite laths and plates, is also consistent with formation of the inclusion by condensation. Hibonite has heavy rare earth element (REE) abundances of ~40 x CI chondrites, light REE abundances ~20 x CI chondrites, and negative Eu anomalies. The chondrite-normalized abundance patterns, especially one for a hibonite-perovskite spot, are quite similar to the patterns of calculated solid/gas partition coefficients for hibonite and perovskite at 10^(-3) atm and are not consistent with formation of the inclusion by closed-system fractional crystallization. In contrast with the features that are consistent with a condensation origin, there are problems with any model for the formation of this inclusion that includes a molten stage, relic grains, or volatilization. If thermodynamic models of equilibrium condensation are correct, then this inclusion formed at pressures <5 x 10^(-3) atm, possibly with enrichments (<1000x) in CI dust relative to gas at low pressures (below 10^(-4) atm). Both hibonite and corundum have δ17O ≈ δ18O ≈ -50‰, indicating formation from an 16O-rich source. The inclusion does not contain radiogenic 26Mg and apparently did not contain live 26Al when it formed. If the short-lived radionuclides were formed in a supernova and injected into the early solar nebula, models of this process suggest that 26Al-free refractory inclusions such as this one formed within the first ~6 x 10^5 years of nebular collapse.
Road Rage: Relationships with Borderline Personality and Driving Citations

OBJECTIVE: The objectives of this study were to determine: (1) the prevalence of self-reported road rage in a primary care sample; (2) the relationship, if any, between road rage and borderline personality disorder (BPD); and (3) whether those with road rage have a greater prevalence of different types of driving citations compared to those without road rage. METHOD: Using a consecutive, cross-sectional sample of primary care outpatients, we surveyed 419 individuals. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-reported road rage in this sample was 35.3%. BPD was significantly more prevalent among participants with road rage (24.8% vs. 9.8%). Compared to those without road rage, those with road rage reported statistically significantly higher numbers of different types of driving citations, including moving and non-moving violations, as well as having had a driver's license suspended. There were no differences between the groups with regard to vehicular crashes or driving while intoxicated. CONCLUSIONS: About one-third of individuals reported road rage. The prevalence of BPD was significantly higher among those with road rage compared to those without road rage, and is likely to be one of the contributory variables to reckless driving. Individuals who reported road rage appear to be less disciplined drivers and are subject to more types of driving citations, although they do not report greater rates of vehicular crashes or driving while intoxicated. Language: en