cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Analysis of hydrogen metabolism in Methanosarcina barkeri: regulation of hydrogenase and role of CO-dehydrogenase in H2 production

Methanosarcina barkeri strain MS had significant levels of in vivo hydrogenase activity and both produced and consumed hydrogen when grown on CO or methanol as sole carbon and energy source. The activities of multiple hydrogenases were detected in extracts and cells of M. barkeri grown on CO or methanol. Uptake hydrogenase activity was 4 times higher and production hydrogenase was 3 times lower in methanol than in CO-grown cells. When 2-bromoethane sulfonate was added to M. barkeri growing on methanol, methane production was inhibited while hydrogen was produced but not consumed, indicating that hydrogen may be an intermediate in methane production from methanol. CO inhibited in vivo hydrogenase activity of M. barkeri cells suggesting that CO might inhibit uptake hydrogenase activity and not production hydrogenase activity. Purified CO-dehydrogenase (CODH) from M. barkeri produced 278.9 nmol hydrogen min−1· mg−1 protein using methyl viologen as electron carrier. Purified CODH did not display either detectable uptake hydrogenase activity or significant tritium exchange activity. Notably, 20 μM KCN inhibited both hydrogen producing and CO-oxidizing activity of purified CODH, but not uptake hydrogenase activity. Thus, we propose that in addition to its role in acetate synthesis and degradation, CODH produces hydrogen as a by-product of carbonyl group transformation.
Desert mistletoe (Phoradendron californicum) infestation correlates with blue palo verde (Cercidium floridum) mortality during a severe drought in the Mojave desert

Abstract Effects of plant parasitism on plant hosts are dependant upon cumulative biotic and abiotic environmental conditions. Blue palo verde ( Cercidium floridum , Leguminoceae) is parasitized by desert mistletoe ( Phoradendron californicum , Viscaceae) across its range. Mistletoe infestations are positively correlated with host tree height, and not with host mortality in the Sonoran Desert, but this system has not been monitored previously in the Mojave where water availability is less predictable. We mapped the distribution of 1212 live palo verdes in June of 2001 and 77 dead trees in January of 2002 and quantified parasite load on an 80 ha site in California. Blue palo verde mortality is highly positively correlated with mistletoe infestation, host height, and interaction of host size and plant parasite load in this study. 96.7% of trees without mistletoe were alive at the conclusion of the study, compared to only 38.6% of trees with mistletoe infestations. An SPI drought index of the area shows that droughts occur in an episodic manner, potentially causing periodic large-scale palo verde mortality during periods of severe drought. Results highlight the necessity to monitor plant host–parasite interactions across their range as interactions are apt to change with varying environmental conditions.
Human telomeric c-strand tetraplexes

Telomeric C-strand sequences form non-Watson-Crick base-paired structures in supercoiled plasmids and in oligonucleotides at low pH. Here we examine oligonucleotides composed of 2 or 4 repeats of the human telomeric C-strand sequence d(CCCTAA)n. At low pH, the 2-repeat molecule forms a dimer which exhibits H1'-H1' nuclear Overhauser effects (NOEs) between stacked CC+ base pairs. These NOEs are characteristic of the i-motif, which is a tetraplex composed of two intercalated CC+ duplexes. The 4-repeat molecule forms an intramolecular monomeric structure at low pH, suggesting that four contiguous cytosine tracts fold into a CC+ intercalated tetraplex. These unusual structures may be relevant to the formation of guanine tetraplexes by complementary G-rich sequences. They may also provide a general mechanism for self-recognition by nucleic acids.
Perceptions, fear, and economic loss: an application of prospect theory to environmental decision making

Most of the analysis of costs associated with the introduction of risky prospects has concerned contingent costs amenable to insurance programs. An important missing element is the current cost associated with changes in uncertainty. These costs are not amenable to insurance plans and require compensation in order to prevent transfers. In a novel approach, this paper develops an application of prospect theory to such questions, in an intergenerational context. The importance of such an application is demonstrated in a case study of the high-level nuclear waste repository (HNWR) siting decision. As a case study, the costliness of obtaining some elements of the analysis leads to a simulation approach, comparing prospect costs at the three sites that were under consideration by the U.S. Department of Energy. Finding that such costs can be large, we argue for a reassessment of current risk analysis approaches. On a policy note, on the basis of the prospect cost analysis here, the choice of the Yucca Mountain, Nevada, HNWR site seems ill-advised.
Abstracts from math programming symposium

About half of the abstracts were published in the last Newsletter. In this issue we present the remaining ones. Each author was invited to update his abstract following his oral presentation to include the latest ideas. The updated abstracts were used when available, otherwise the original abstracts were used. Where an abstract are multiple authors to a paper, the one giving the paper is underlined and the address refers to that author.
Electronic properties of fractal-glass models.

Analytic results are presented for four new fractal lattices. A basic similarity between fractals and homogeneous glassy networks is the fluctuating environments of the lattice sites. The fractals are classified in terms of their local bonding geometry by comparison with glassy networks: (1) amorphous graphite, (2) two-dimensional and (3) three-dimensional Zachariasen glasses of two components, and (4) a three-component, infinitely ramified glass model with fractal dimension d\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}\ensuremath{\approxeq}3 and spectral dimension d\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}\ifmmode\bar\else\textasciimacron\fi{}g2.5. Localization and size scaling of corner-to-corner propagation are investigated, and it is found that there is a transition from power-law to exponential dependence in the case of model (1) at a correlation length \ensuremath{\lambda}\ensuremath{\approxeq}64. Edge states appear to play an important role in propagation over distances longer than \ensuremath{\lambda}. Effects of ring closure and site variety are studied by making two modifications to model (1). In the first, branch cuts unroll the ring structure into a Bethe lattice. In the second, the rings are severed, resulting in a fractal tree. Results suggest that noncontinuum spectral structure is more closely related to site variety than to connectedness or ring closure in these fractal-glass models. This is similar to Anderson localization in the homogeneous random case.
ACTH and protein synthesis in a transplantable ACTH-secreting tumor. Evidence for the absence of MSH.

The synthesis of ACTH and protein was studied in vitro in a transplantable mammotropic pituitary tumor (MtT.F4) in female Fisher rats. In tumor-bearing rats the thymus was involuted and the adrenals were 15 times normal weight. Based on radioimmunoassay, the ACTH concentration in MtT.F4 was at least 10-fold less than the concentration of the hormone in the normal pituitary. Crude ACTH was isolated from MtT.F4 by extraction with HC1, heat coagulation, and oxycellulose adsorption. The hormone was purified by gel filtration and carboxymethylcellulose chromatography. In vitro incubations were performed with MtT.F4 and with normal bovine anterior pituitary. The incorporation of radioactive phenylalanine into both ACTH and protein was about 3-fold greater in the tumor than in the normal pituitary. However, the relative rate of amino acid incorporation into ACTH, compared to that into protein, was no greater in the tumor than in the normal pituitary. These data suggested that ACTH was secreted 30–300 times more ...
Evidence for the involvement of ATP in co-translational protein translocation.

Identification of the source of energy for protein translocation across biological membranes is important in understanding the mechanism of this process. In eukaryotic cells, the tight coupling between translation and translocation1 and firm attachment of the secreting ribosomes to membranes2, as well as theoretical calculations3, have led to the suggestion that energy derived from protein synthesis is sufficient for protein translocation. On the other hand, in bacterial systems neither the attachment of ribosomes to membrane (other than nascent chains)4 nor tight coupling of translocation to translocation has been observed5–9. Moreover, certain proteins can be translocated across membranes either at the time of, or after, translation7,8,10. The separation of protein translocation from translation has made possible the demonstration that ATP hydrolysis is essential for post-translational protein translocation across bacteiral membranes11–14 and, more recently, also across canine and yeast endoplasmic reticulum membranes15−19. Here we report that certain ATP analogues inhibit co-translational protein translocation at concentrations that do not interfere with protein synthesis, suggesting that ATP is also required for co-translational protein translocation.
Stray light effects on calibrations using a solar diffuser

The sun is the intended source of radiation for a solar diffuser for the calibration of spacecraft radiometric sensors. Two unwanted sources have also been identified: (1) solar radiation reflected from the earth and scattered by the atmosphere, and (2) solar radiation reflected from surrounding spacecraft structures. This paper describes the determination of the stray radiation incident on the diffuser for the High Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (HIRIS). Finally, the optimization of the calibration geometry is considered.
Redistribution of phenocrysts by convective flow in a viscous boundary layer

Abstract The distribution of crystals suspended in the cooling margins of a magmatic intrusion is influenced not only by the temperature gradient but also by the dispersive forces related to velocity gradients in the convecting magma. The conditions in such a boundary layer are functions of several complexly inter-related factors. The velocity next to a steep wall is governed by the viscosity distribution, but the latter is strongly affected by the concentration of crystals, which in turn is determined in large part by the velocity gradient. These relations have been modelled mathematically to determine the equilibrium distribution of suspended crystals under a condition of uniform dispersive shear pressure across the width of a momentum boundary layer. The first-order effect is to sweep crystals from the wall toward the center of a plug-like velocity gradient, while crystals that nucleate and grow farther from the wall will move into the interior of the intrusion. Transfer of crystals up a temperature gradient by this mechanism can enhance fractionation and augment the efficiency of differentiation by double-diffusive boundary-layer flow.
Clinicopathologic findings in recurrent choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy

Abstract Objective This study aimed to report the clinicopathologic findings of recurrent choroidal melanoma after transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). Design Two case reports. Methods The clinical histories and ophthalmologic findings of two patients with recurrent choroidal melanomas who did not respond to TTT were reviewed. Both patients had their eyes with the melanoma enucleated and processed routinely for light and electron microscopic examination. Main outcome measures The eyes were examined for histopathologic and ultrastructural findings. Results Histopathologic examination showed choroidal melanomas with extensive tumor necrosis and hemorrhage. In areas, tumor cells appeared histologically intact and presumably viable, with ultrastructural evidence of melanogenesis. The eye from one patient was treated only with TTT and showed hemorrhagic necrosis with cytolysis and no changes to tissues surrounding the melanoma. The eye from the other patient, treated with TTT and a radioactive isotope of iodine (I 125 ) plaque, exhibited areas of intact tumor, tumor necrosis, fibrosis, and radiation retinopathy. Conclusions These two cases among a total treated series of 14 patients represent examples of uveal melanoma regrowth after TTT. Opaque media precluded adequate treatment in the first case that showed some TTT effect. The second case showed a combination of TTT and I 125 effect and failed because of the aggressive nature of tumor.
Assembling a Nevada 3-d Velocity Model: Earthquake-wave Propagation In the Basin & Range, And Seismic Shaking Predictions For Las Vegas

The development of an open-source 3-d modeling environment allows seismologists, explorationists, engineers, and students to predict wave propagation through geologically complex regions. The environment combines geologic and geotechnical data sets with gridding, modeling, and output specifications into portal packs for execution on standalone workstations, clusters, and supercomputing grids. A tutorial interface helps the user scale the grid to the facilities available, from small test runs to efforts requiring major resources. The ability to configure computations at a range of scales and model complexity is intended to promote wide use of advanced seismic modeling. Geologic models can include many basins in addition to the target urban basin, and detailed geotechnical information where available. To predict earthquake shaking in Nevada urban areas, the 3-d model assembles several data sets at a wide variety of scales, from regional geologic maps to shallow shear-velocity measurements from microtremor transects having 0.3-km spacing. For Las Vegas the principal earthquake hazard is from the Furnace Creek fault system, capable of M7.5 events. Peak ground velocity (PGV) results from finitedifference wave modeling at 0.3 Hz show no obvious correlation between amplification and basin depth or dip of the basin floor. Animations of shaking show the expected strong trapping and long shaking durations within basins, as well as diffusion and scattering of energy between the many basins in the region. The two Furnace Creek scenarios tested, involving rupture away from and toward Las Vegas, produced unexpectedly different PGV in the city. Rupture directivity toward the city may amplify shaking by a factor of fifteen at some locations. Despite affecting only the very shallowest zone of models (<30 m), the Vs30 geotechnical shear-velocity shows clear correlation to 0.3-Hz PGV predictions in basins. Increasing basin thicknesses to 1.3 km correlate with increased PGV, but the basin effect at 0.3 Hz saturates for basin thicknesses greater than 1.3 km; deeper parts of the basin show variance and uncertainty of a factor of two in predicted PGV.
My close encounter with GABAB receptors

In this review, I summarize the sequence of events involved in characterizing the functional role of GABA(B) receptors in the CNS and their involvement in synaptic transmission. The story was launched with the realization that baclofen was a selective agonist of GABA(B) receptors. This lead to the discovery in the CNS that GABA(B) receptor activation could result in a presynaptic inhibition of transmitter release as well as a postsynaptic increase in potassium conductance. Based on this information, it was found that GABA also activated a potassium conductance. A role for GABA(B) receptors in synaptic transmission was suggested by the fact that activation of GABAergic interneurons could generate a slow IPSP mediated by an increase in potassium conductance. To link this slow IPSP to GABA(B) receptors required a selective GABA(B) antagonist. Phaclofen was the first antagonist developed and was found to antagonize the action of baclofen and the GABA(A) independent action of GABA. Most importantly, it blocked the slow IPSP. The properties of GABA(A) and GABA(B) IPSPs are remarkably different. GABA(A) IPSPs powerfully inhibit neurons and rapidly curtail excitatory inputs. This greatly enhances the precision of excitatory synaptic transmission. GABA(B) IPSPs are recruited with repetitive and synchronous activity and are postulated to modulate the rhythmic network activity of cortical tissue.
The genus Paracloeodes (Insecta : Ephemeroptera : Baetidae) and its presence in South America

Le genre Paracloeodes (Insecta: Ephemeroptera: Baetidae) est signale pour la premiere fois en Amerique du Sud. En raison de la decouverte d'especes presentant des ailes posterieures ainsi que d'autres caracteres non associes jusqu'ici avec la definition de Paracloeodes, une redescription de ce genre est proposee. Des donnees cladistiques suggerent un centre d'origine Sud-Americain pour ce genre Panamericain. Paracloeodes binodulus, n. sp., est decrit a partir de larves provenant du Bresil septentrional, et se distingue par l'absence de fourreaux alaires posterieurs et la presence de petits tubercules mesonotaux. Paracloeodes eurybranchus n. sp., est decrit a partie de larves et d'adultes femelles provenant du Centre-Nord de l'Argentine et du Sud-Est du Bresil; les larves se distinguent par leur taille relativement elevee, leurs fourreaux alaires posterieurs et leurs branchies elargies dans la region mediane. Paracloeodes ibicui, n. sp., est decrit a partir d'une larve mature recoltee au Paraguay, et se distingue par ses fourreaux alaires posterieurs et sa coloration abdominale. Paracloeodes leptobranchus n. sp., est decrit a partir de larves provenant du Paraguay et du Sud-Est du Bresil, et se distingue par sa taille relativement grande, ses fourreaux alaires, et ses branchies etroites.
A single centrifugation method for isolating fat droplets from cells and tissues

Fat droplets (FDs) have important roles in cellular energy regulation. Isolating FDs from either cells or tissue continues to be important for studying these organelles. Here, we describe a procedure wherein whole homogenates of cultured cells or tissue are fractionated with a single centrifugation step in a standard microcentrifuge. This procedure reproducibly yields three fractions highly enriched in either FDs, soluble cellular components, or sedimentable organelles/membranes.
Self-organized Mn2+-block copolymer complexes and their use for in vivo MR imaging of biological processes

Manganese-block copolymer complexes (MnBCs) that contain paramagnetic Mn ions complexed with ionic–nonionic poly(ethylene oxide-b-poly(methacrylate) have been developed for use as a T1-weighted MRI contrast agent. By encasing Mn ions within ionized polymer matrices, r1 values could be increased by 250–350% in comparison with free Mn ions at relatively high fields of 4.7 to 11.7 T. MnBCs were further manipulated by treatment with NaOH to achieve more stable complexes (iMnBCs). iMnBCs delayed release of Mn2+ which could be accelerated by low pH, indeed by cellular uptake via endocytosis into acidic compartments. Both complexes exhibited good T1 contrast signal enhancement in the liver following intravenous infusion. The contrast was observed in the gallbladder due to the clearance of Mn ions from the liver to the biliary process. iMnBCs, notably, showed a delayed contrast enhancement profile in the gallbladder, which was interpreted to be due to degradation and excretion of Mn2+ ions into the gallbladder. Intracortical injection of iMnBCs into the rat brain also led to delayed neuronal transport to the thalamus. The delayed enhancement feature may have benefits for targeting MRI contrast to specific cells and surface receptors that are known to be internalized by endocytosis.
Inhibition of visual evoked responses to patterned stimuli during voluntary eye movements

Abstract Evoked cerebral responses were recorded to brief shifts of patterned stimuli under conditions of constant luminous flux during voluntary eye movements and ocular fixation. Virtually complete suppression of evoked response and perception of the pattern shift occurred during eye movements. In contrast, much dimmer test flashes presented against a dark field were suppressed to a substantially lesser degree. Retinal blur was eliminated as a factor in saccadic suppression, since inhibition was the same for horizontally and vertically oriented patterns. The results indicate that an inhibitory mechanism must exist which is specific for contour shift as opposed to change in luminance.
Novel Immunotherapeutic Strategies in Development for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Abstract Context The purpose of this report is to review immunotherapies under investigation for patients with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, for which the incidence and mortality rate continue to increase. Objective To summarize and evaluate current data on immunotherapies for RCC and discuss issues to be resolved before integration into the RCC treatment paradigm. Evidence acquisition A search of Medline, clinicaltrials.gov, and congress abstracts/treatment guidelines was performed in May 2012 using the following terms (and variations): metastatic renal cell carcinoma, practice guidelines, response/resistance to current treatments, immunotherapy, novel immunotherapeutic strategies, T-cell modulation, immune priming, innate immunity, and combination therapy. Evidence synthesis Prior to the advent of novel agents targeting the vascular endothelial growth factor and mechanistic target of rapamycin pathways, interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-α were the mainstays of RCC treatment. IL-2 remains one of the only treatments capable of curing advanced RCC, albeit in few patients. Despite recent advances, unmet need still exists for patients in the adjuvant setting, those with poor prognostic factors, and those who have progressed on prior targeted therapies. Improved understanding of host–tumor immune interactions has led to development of novel immunotherapeutic agents, including antibodies against immune checkpoint proteins (eg, programmed death-1 and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4), and various vaccines. Because many of these compounds are in development, clinical experience with them is limited, although some have demonstrated activity in preliminary studies. Conclusions It is not yet clear where these new immunotherapies will fit into RCC treatment paradigms, but they may provide new options for patients whose current choices are limited. Furthermore, predictive biomarkers are needed to identify patients who will derive the greatest benefit from immunotherapy.
DAC design method based on microwave circuit principles

We demonstrate a 2-bit DAC (Digital to Analog Converter) employing microwave circuits for very high speed operation. Data switching and summation are performed using a diode sampler and broadband Wilkinson power combiner, respectively. The DAC was fabricated as a hybrid circuit, and it achieved 1 Gs/s. Due to the microwave circuit components it uses, our design is scalable for much higher frequency operation, as well as higher resolution.
Reporting radiology results to patients: keeping them calm versus keeping them under control

In recent years, there has been evidence of increasing patient interest in easy, timely and complete access to all personal health information [1–4,101]. Breadth of interest has perhaps been increased by the recent American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) legislation which offers tangible incentives to providers who develop systems that offer patients access to electronic health records in order to maintain personal health records [5,102]. While the Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act of 2009 with ARRA outlines some specific required content for the patient-accessed medical records (e.g., allergies, medications and problem lists) in order for provider systems to qualify for financial incentives, inclusion of radiology reports has not been in early guidelines. However, there is evidence that patients specifically desire access to radiology results and so the question of how increased patient access to these test results might affect quality of care is raised [1,3,6–8].
True position of dangling bonds in the gap of undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon

We have studied the shift in Fermi Energy E F after prolonged light soaking in undoped hydrogenated amorphous silicon in order to find the position of negatively charged dangling bonds D − in the gap. The result show that D − should lie lower than 0.75 ∼ 0.80 eV below the conduction band edge which is in agreement with photothermal deflection spectroscopy (PDS) and other results but contrary to those of photomodulation spectroscopy and others.
Social Behavior of the African Electric Catfish, Malapterurus electricus, during Intra‐ and Interspecific Encounters

Using a “resident-intruder” protocol, we observed spacing strategies and agonistic behavior in the African electric catfish, Malapterurus electricus, as it encountered conspecifics and equal-sized members of three other species (a bichir, a tilapia, and goldfish). M. electricus defended a familiar shelter site. The catfish employed different locomotor and electric behavioral strategies, depending on the intruder species. In conspecific interactions, M. electricus engaged in ritualized fights, including lateral and open-mouth displays, occasionally escalating to bites. Electric organ discharges were rare. In contrast, in interspecific encounters contacts were limited to brief touches with frequent use of electric organ discharge volleys. Our data indicate that M. electricus discriminates between con-specifics and other species. We postulate that such a discrimination may be mediated by chemical and/or mechanical cues.
Hydrodynamic Separation of Particulate Matter Transported by Source Area Runoff

Hydrodynamic separation is a preliminary unit operation frequently utilized in wastewater and more recently in storm water for separation of coarse particulate matter (PM) and gross solids. In order to examine the behavior and separation mechanisms of a screened hydrodynamic separator (HS) not influenced by scour, this study examined the event-based performance of an empty-bed (clean sump and volute) HS for PM fractions transported in eight runoff events from a 1,088 m2 paved source area urban watershed. Influent particle-size distributions (PSDs) { d50 m from 270 to 2,202 μm } and HS particle separation efficiency (PSE) (from 38 to 70% of mass) exhibited variations influenced by hydrology and previous loadings. When examined as PM size fractions, results demonstrate separation of the sediment fraction (>75 μm) ranging from 76 to 94% while for settleable and suspended (1–25 μm) fractions, the PSE was variable and significantly lower; from 3 to 57% and 2 to 43%, respectively. Results demonstrate a correlat...
Right Precordial and Posterior Electrocardiographic Leads Do Not Increase Detection of Ischemia in Low-Risk Patients Presenting with Chest Pain

Background: A number of innovative approaches have been investigated for their value in the early detection of acute ischemia or infarction in patients presenting to the emergency d
Treasure Hunts in Rural Japan: Place Making at the Limits of Sustainability

ABSTRACT Locality studies, a form of community mapping, emerged as a popular technique of sustainable development in early-21st-century Japan. Its proponents contend that by cataloging the features of their surroundings rural residents can “rediscover” dormant resources and mobilize civic energies to sustain homes hollowed by decades of persistent socioeconomic decline. Despite its empowering potential, the practice of locality studies also reflects a political climate of devolving responsibility epitomized by decentralization reforms that demand greater autonomy and self-reliance of Japan's regions. Through an ethnographic examination of locality studies and debates surrounding its practice in Japan's northeastern Tōhoku region, I argue that it embodies a politics of recognition suited to an era of state streamlining. Its diverse proponents encourage residents of Tōhoku's mountainous peripheries to convert legacies of marginalization into celebrations of cultural diversity as a way of shifting responsibility for the future of the depleted countryside onto its inhabitants.
Voltammetry of maleic acid in aqueous and mixed environments

The electrochemical behavior of maleic acid is studied on rotating disk electrodes and stationary electrodes of individual Cu, Cd, Pt, and Ta metals, Cu and Cd amalgams, and Cd alloys with Sn, Cu, In, Pb, Ni, and Ag in aqueous solutions and water mixtures with acetone, acetonitrile, ethanol, dimethylformamide, and pyridine. Basic kinetic parameters for the maleic acid reduction to succinic acid are determined. Depending on the solution composition, all three forms of maleic acid (nondissociated acid, monoanion, dianion) may undergo reduction. The difference between diffusion coefficients and kinetic reduction parameters of the acid and monoanion is insignificant and that of the monoanion and dianion is noticeable. This is due to an intramolecular hydrogen bond in the monoanion, which decreases the negative charge on its anion center. The effect the electrode nature and the mixed-media composition have on the maleic acid reduction kinetics is discussed
Bidirectional morphological changes induced by dexamethasone in Morris hepatoma cell lines McA-RH7777 and McA-RH8994: independence of fibronectin and its receptor.

Abstract Two Morris hepatoma-derived cell lines, McA-RH7777 (7777) and McA-RH8994 (8994), exhibit different alterations in morphology upon exposure to glucocorticoid. After treatment with synthetic glucocorticoid dexamethasone (DEX), 7777 cells show increased adhesiveness and more flattened shape, while DEX-treated 8994 cells show decreased adhesiveness to substratum and exhibit a marked increase of round and detached cells. Since fibronectin has been thought to play an important role in cell adhesiveness to substratum in hepatoma cell culture, we have also compared the effects of DEX on the biosynthesis of flbronectin (FN) and the functional level of FN receptor in 7777 and 8994 cells. Northern blot analysis and immunofluorescent studies showed that 7777 cells have a high basal expression level of FN synthesis and that DEX treatment induces FN expression two- to threefold with establishment of an extensive fibrillar FN network around the cells. On the other hand, 8994 cells were shown to express little FN and no apparent FN was localized on nonstimulated 8994 cells. However, DEX-treatment drastically increased FN expression in 8994 cells to the level of more than that of DEX-treated 7777 cells and induced a detectable level of cell-associated FN around DEX-treated 8994 cells, which appears to be contradictory to the decreased adhesiveness to the substratum in DEX-treated 8994 cells. Cell attachment assays using FN-coated plates demonstrated that DEX does not exhibit significant effects on the attachment of either 7777 or 8994 cells to FN-coated dishes. Our results suggest that decrease of adhesiveness to the substratum and increase of round detached cells in DEX-treated 8994 cells are independent of changes in the FN expression and the function of FN receptor.
Recent developments in boron neutron capture therapy

The development of tumour-specific, boron-containing drugs will play an important role if boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) is to evolve into a clinically accepted treatment for cancer. BNCT is a binary cancer therapy, which is dependent on the selective deposition of boron-10 in a tumour cell followed by exposure of the cell to a neutron flux of appropriate energy. Over the past four decades, significant advances have been made in nuclear physics and nuclear engineering such that the required neutron sources are now available at a few centres throughout the world. The development of tumour-specific, boronated agents has met with more limited success although BNCT clinical trials have been initiated in the USA, Europe and Japan. This review focuses on patents published from 1995 through 1997 dealing with boronated agents, which could prove useful in clinical BNCT.
Revised scaling variables in systems with many-body interactions.

Thermodynamic perturbation theory and the Kirkwood-Salsburg correlation function identities are used to study nearest-neighbor lattice gases with certain weak symmetry-breaking many-body interactions. It is shown that such systems may be mapped onto symmetric models by the introduction of suitable effective interactions and a shifted chemical potential, both of which depend explicitly on the temperature and fugacity of the original model. In the critical region, such a thermodynamic-state dependence implies the existence of a thermal scaling field which depends on the bare chemical potential, and this ``field mixing'' leads to a breakdown in the classical law of the rectilinear diameter. These results give a microscopic interpretation to a field-theoretic renormalization-group analysis which derives such a diameter singularity from the presence of terms cubic and higher in the order parameter and its gradients in an asymmetric Landau-Ginzburg-Wilson Hamiltonian. For a primarily repulsive three-body potential like the Axilrod-Teller interaction in classical insulating fluids, and in comparison with recent experiments, the analysis correctly describes the observed trends in the critical and near-critical behavior of the diameters with increasing particle polarizability.
Beta-blockade of epinephrine-induced cyclic AMP formation in heart, liver, fat and trachea.

Abstract Epinephrine increased cyclic AMP formation by adenylate cyclase preparations from rat and dog heart and liver and rat epididymal fat cells. In addition,epinnphrine produced dose-dependent increases in cyclic AMP accumulation in guinea pig tracheal ring preparations. In all tissues the epinephrine effect was effectively blocked with the beta-adrenergic blocking agents dichloroisoproterenol and propanolol. Practolol [4-(2-hydroxy-3-isopropylaminopropoxy) acetanilide], a new beta blocker, was quite effective in blocking heart preparations, less effective with tracheal ring and fat preparations and nearly inactive with liver adenylate cyclase. These studies support the previous subclassification of beta-adrenergic receptors and provide additional evidence in favor of the view that beta-adrenergic responses in these tissues are mediated through increased accumulation of cyclic AMP.
Analysis of underivatized amino acid mixtures using high performance liquid chromatography/dual oscillating nebulizer atmospheric pressure microwave induced plasma ionization-mass spectrometry.

A dual oscillating capillary nebulizer (OCN) in conjunction with an atmospheric pressure microwave induced plasma ionization (AP-MIPI) source was applied to the analysis of underivatized amino acid mixtures. It was found that, compared to the single OCN, the dual OCN enhanced the sensitivity of detection several fold. Enhanced sensitivity was compound dependent. For small molecules, such as amino acids, it was 2–5 times more sensitive, while for larger molecules such as peptides it was more than an order of magnitude. The increase in sensitivity was attributed to the enhanced nebulization of the new torch. By using water/ acetonitrile containing 0.1% nonafluoropentanoic acid as the high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) mobile phase and a C18 column, all common amino acids were separated and detected. A comparison between the results obtained using microwave induced plasma, atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), and electrospray ionization (ESI) at flow rates compatible with micro LC (10–100 μL/min) showed a higher sensitivity of detection with the AP-MIPI technique for the analysis of underivatized amino acids.
Steady two-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic flow II

Pour illustrer les effets d'un champ magnetique sur un ecoulement plan stationnaire d'un fluide non visqueux ideal, parfaitement conducteur de l'electricite, on envisage ici les cas particuliers ou le champ magnetique a une composante differente de zero. Si l'on considere les regimes d'onde simple ou le champ magnetique est en chaque point normal au plan de l'ecoulement, qualitativement tout se passe en gros comme dans le cas de la dynamique des gaz classique. On utilise l'analyse lineaire pour etudier les faibles perturbations non-isentropiques d'un ecoulement initialement uniforme.
Cyclophosphamide Mobilization Does Not Improve Outcome in Patients Receiving Stem Cell Transplantation for Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Purpose Patients with multiple myeloma who undergo autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and exhibit a complete response (CR) have a superior overall survival and time to progression (TTP). High-dose cyclophosphamide is often used before ASCT for mobilization of hematopoietic stem cells. We hypothesized that cyclophosphamide might further improve CR rates in patients undergoing ASCT. We searched the Mayo Clinic myeloma transplantation database for patients who had stem cell mobilization with hematopoietic growth factor alone or cyclophosphamide and growth factor. The impact of cyclophosphamide on CR rates and TTP was evaluated. Patients and Methods A cohort of 201 patients was identified: 127 mobilized with cyclophosphamide and growth factor and 74 with growth factor alone. There were no statistically significant differences between the 2 cohorts in regard to age, sex, β 2 -microglobulin level, plasma cell labeling index, cytogenetics, conditioning regimen, or disease status at time of transplantation. Results Complete response rates were 37.4% and 41.3% ( P = 0.6115) for patients mobilized with cyclophosphamide combined with growth factor and growth factor alone, respectively, and TTPs were 19.9 months and 20.9 months ( P = 0.59). In a multivariate analysis for TTP, cytogenetics and CR rates were the only independent variables ( P = 0.0012 and P Conclusion We conclude that high-dose cyclophosphamide does not increase overall CR rates or improve TTP for patients with myeloma undergoing ASCT.
The Evolution of an Expert Eystem in Foodservice Forecasting

Abstract LEARNING OUTCOME: To update an expert system model to include changes in the environment and the knowledge acquired by the knowledge expert. The current expert system forecasts dinner entree items for three service lines in a university dining center. A modification was necessary because of new items added to the menu, changes in student preferences, and an improvement in the knowledge of the system by the knowledge expert as a result of working with the expert system during three semesters. The modification included a classification of the existing 110 menu items into 30 groups and the inclusion of 15 new menu items. The forecasts generated by the current and improved models were compared to the actual usage data for spring semester 1995. Error was computed using mean squared error (MSE), determined by days of the week and entree line, and total mean squared error (TMSE), the sum of the MSEs for all the entrees and days. The TMSEs were 22,717 for the first (old) expert system and 17,804 for the modified (new) expert system, a 22% reduction in error. Due to the increase in knowledge of the knowledge expert and the recognition of changes in the preferences of the customers, the updated expert system outperforms the first expert system. The concept that university dining centers are dynamic systems, where continuous updates of trends and preferences are required is reinforced. Results of this study indicate that expert systems can be used in the foodservice industry to assist both experts and nonexperts in the forecast process. The expert system also can be used as a training tool for future managers of the operation. Accurate data collection was critical to the success of the expert system.
Invariant helical subspaces for the Navier-Stokes equations

Three-dimensional solutions with helical symmetry are shown to form an invariant subspace for the Navier-Stokes equations. Uniqueness of weak helical solutions in the sense of Leray is proved, and these weak solutions are shown to be regular (strong) solutions existing for arbitrary time t. The global universal attractor for the infinite-dimensional dynamical system generated by the corresponding semi-group of helical flows is shown to be compact and finite-dimensional. The Hausdorff and fractal dimensions of the global attractors are estimated in terms of the governing physical parameters and in terms of the helical parameters for several problems in the class, with the most detailed results obtained for rotating Hagen-Poiseuille (pipe) flow. In this case, the dimension, either Hausdorff or fractal, up to an absolute constant is bounded from above by \(\frac{{\operatorname{Re} }}{{\sqrt {\alpha ^2 + n^2 } }}\), where α is the axial wavenumber, n is the azimuthal wavenumber and Re is the Reynolds number based on the radius of the pipe. These upper bounds are independent of the rotation rate.
Anatomical and biomechanical characteristics of human meniscofemoral ligaments

The meniscofemoral ligaments (MFL) of 26 human cadaver knees were studied to determine their structural importance. The incidence of at least one MFL in each of the specimens studied was 100%, and 46% of the specimens had both MFL ligaments (Humphry and Wrisberg). Another 23% had a single Humphry ligament, and the remaining 31% had a single Wrisberg ligament. A laser micrometer system was used to measure cross-sectional shape and area. The average cross-sectional areas of the Humphry and Wrisberg ligaments were 7.8 +/- 4.7 mm2 and 6.7 +/- 4.1 mm2, respectively. In specimens with both a Humphry and Wrisberg ligament, the larger ligament area was on average 100% greater than the smaller ligament area. The average ratios of the cross sectional areas of Wrisberg and Humphry to that for the PCL within the same knee were 12.0% +/- 7.7% and 11.9% +/- 5.7%, respectively. The structural properties of the MFL bone-ligament-meniscus complex and the mechanical properties of the MFL midsubstance were determined by uniaxial tensile testing. The average stiffness, ultimate load, and energy absorbed at failure were, respectively, 49.0 +/- 18.4 N/mm, 297.4 +/- 141.4 N and 1125.4 +/- 735.8 N/mm. The tangent modulus between 4% and 7% strain was 355.1 +/- 234.0 MPa. Our findings suggest that the MFL is a significant biomechanical structure in the knee because of its size, stiffness, and strength.
Reflective thinking and the American culture

ethos. Superficial inspection of contemporary American history would appear to confirm the alleged nexus. If Dewey's stress upon reflective thinking, most succinctly and specifically advocated in How We Think,' is given due consideration, however, a sharp breach between his general philosophical concerns and the drift of contemporary American society is really apparent; for some of our most significant institutional patterns do not seem to encompass any deepseated appreciation of or affinity for the scientific method as an instrument for confronting life-patterns. Lipservice to the value of all varieties of
A Probability Distribution Method for Detecting Radio-Frequency Interference in WindSat Observations

The detection of radio-frequency interference (RFI) continues to be an important problem for satellite-based microwave radiometers. This paper introduces two new probability-distribution-based techniques for computing the likelihood that a given brightness temperature observation contains an RFI signal. These methods extend the spectral difference method already being employed for the detection of RFI signals, and they allow for simultaneous observation-by-observation RFI detection of both land- and sea-based brightness temperature observations. This paper starts by laying out the theoretical groundwork for both techniques. It will then expand upon that groundwork to detail its practical application in analyzing WindSat brightness temperature observations. Finally, this paper compares the resulting probability indices from the detailed algorithms with spectral difference and principle component analysis indices computed from WindSat observations for various geographic regions. These comparisons will show effective RFI signal detection by these new techniques for RFI signal strengths as low as 4-5 K.
Marriage Is the Best Defense: Policy on Marital Rape

Marital rape is a serious problem in this country. However, in 36 states, husbands are protected from prosecution by a marital rape exemption. The origins of this exemption are found in antiquated patriarchal concepts of women. The State is reluctant to abolish the exemption because of the fear that abolition will further the disintegration of the patriarchal family and will shift the balance of power between women and the male State. Feminist social workers must work toward the eradication of this exemption and the patriarchal structure on which it is based.
MRG 15, A Chromodomain Protein Related to Mortality Factor 4 (MORF 4) is Involved in Multiple Complexes.

INTRODUCTION. Replicative senescence, the final non-proliferative state reached by normal cells when cultured in vitro, is considered a model of aging process at the cellular level. Senescence is dominant over indefinite division (1) and analysis of hybrids obtained by fusion of immortal human cell lines has defined four complementation groups (A-D) for indefinite division (2). Genes responsible for senescence are located on human chromosomes 1, 4 and 7 for complementation groups C, B and D, respectively. The mortality factor 4 (MORF 4) gene, cloned in our laboratory, is on chromosome 4 and is capable of inducing senescence in cell lines from group B with no effect on cell lines from the other groups (3). Two MORF 4 related genes, MRG X and MRG 15, have been cloned. These genes are of interest as they are induced by serum stimulation. The three proteins have common features, nuclear localization signal, helix-loop-helix and leucine zipper motifs. MRG 15 is of particular interest, as it has an Nterminal extension harboring a chromodomain. Using the yeast two-hybrid system a novel protein, PAM (protein associated with MRG), has been identified as an interacting partner of MRG 15 (Leung and Pereira Smith, unpublished results). We have determined that there are at least two different nucleoprotein complexes that involve MRG 15 and identified some of the interacting partners. METHODS. Stable clones expressing HA-tagged versions of MRG 15 and PAM following transfection of EJ cells were isolated for these studies. Fractionation of nucleoprotein complexes was done by sedimentation on 5 20% sucrose gradients. Fractions were analyzed by Western blot using an anti-HA antibody (Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.) or an antibody raised against a peptide from the N-terminal extension of MRG 15. The same nuclear extracts were analyzed by IP-Western to assess the interactions. GFP-tagged versions of native MRG 15 and deletion mutants lacking the chromodomain or the leucine zipper region were transfected into the stable-expressing PAM-HA clone using Lipofectamine plus (GIBCO BRL products) according to manufacturer instructions. Nucleoprotein complexes containing the native and mutant MRG 15 proteins were analyzed by sucrose gradients, and colocalization determined by confocal microscopy. RESULTS. Analysis of fractions from sucrose gradients of nuclear extracts from cells stablyexpressing MRG 15-HA have detected two protein complexes of 3.5 and 14 S. PAM is associated with the 3.5 S complex. The studies with deletion mutants indicate that the leucine