cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of Either NF‐κB p50 or p52 in Osteoclast Precursors Is Required for IL‐1‐Induced Bone Resorption

Interleukin (IL)-1 is implicated in postmenopausal- and inflammation-mediated bone loss. Its expression is regulated by NF-κB and vice versa. To examine the role of NF-κB p50 and p52 (they are required for osteoclast formation during embryonic development) in IL-1-induced resorption, we used various NF-κB knockout (KO) mice, including p50−/− and p52−/− single KO, p50−/− and p52+/− (3/4KO), and p50−/− and p52−/− double KO (dKO) mice. IL-1 increased blood calcium and bone resorption in wild-type (wt), p50, and p52 single KO mice, but not in 3/4KO or dKO mice. Osteoclast formation was impaired in bone marrow cultures from 3/4KO compared with single KO and wt mice treated with IL-1. IL-1 receptor expression was similar in colony forming unit-granulocyte macrophage (CFU-GM) colony cells from wt and dKO mice. However, IL-1 promoted CFU-GM colony formation and survival as well as the formation, activity, and survival of osteoclasts generated from these colonies from wt mouse splenocytes, but not from dKO splenocytes. No difference in expression of the osteoclast regulatory cytokines, RANKL, and OPG, was observed in osteoblasts from wt and dKO mice. Thus, expression of either NF-κB p50 or p52 is required in osteoclasts and their precursors, rather than osteoblasts, for IL-1-mediated bone resorption.
Near-field zooplankton, ice-face biota and proximal hydrography of free-drifting Antarctic icebergs

Abstract A small ROV was used to collect plankton, make video surveys and take hydrographic measurements in close proximity to six free-drifting, Antarctic icebergs. The icebergs studied ranged in size from 32 km in length. Large icebergs have a greater scale of influence than do smaller ones and iceberg-mediated differences in the hydrographic characteristics of their surrounding water depend on the scale sampled. Irrespective of size, temperature generally decreased in close proximity to an iceberg while salinity increased. Chlorophyll a was often lower in the surface waters near the iceberg, relative to the surface waters further away. Tabular icebergs typically had 3 distinct underwater features: shelf, side and bottom. Ablation pockets were a common feature of subsurface ice. The ice itself is a dynamic and seemingly harsh environment with relatively few macrofauna living on it. Those that do inhabit the ice face are either highly specialized or highly mobile. Species composition of zooplankton within 40 m of an iceberg did not change relative to distance. However, biomass was generally greater within 5 m of an iceberg than it was 15 to 40 m distant.
New Superconvergent Dispersion Relations for the Forward πN Crossing-Even Amplitude

A Liu-Okubo-type dispersion relation is derived for the crossing-even pion-nucleon forward elastic scattering amplitude ${T}^{(+)}$. Two subtractions are made, one at the physical scattering threshold and the other at a previously determined zero of ${T}^{(+)}$ on the imaginary axis of the complex $\ensuremath{\omega}$ (pion lab energy) plane. The dispersion relation is well satisfied over the whole allowed range of the Liu-Okubo parameter. Moreover, it is nearly saturated by low-energy scattering for a considerable range of the parameter. It should thus serve as an extremely sensitive test of the low-energy scattering data when such data become more accurately known.
Influence of fructose on the mechanisms for ethanol-induced hypertriglyceridaemia

Twelve adult albino rabbits with an average weight of 1.42kg were purchased and divided equally into the normal saline, ethanol and ethanol+fructose-treated groups. The ethanol-treated group orally received 1.5g (40%) ethanol/kg body weight as single daily dose, while the ethanol +fructose-treated animals also received the same ethanol dose, but were given in addition, 0.25gfructose/kg body weight after about 10 min of the ethanol administration. The normal saline-treated rabbits were given the equivalent amount of normal saline in lieu of ethanol. The animals were exposed to these various treatments along with their usual feeding pattern for a regular period of 15 weeks. Results showed that the progressive increase (P 0.05) but decreased (P Tanzania Journal of Science Vol. 31 (2) 2005: pp. 5-12
Some physical and chemical properties of a phytohemagglutinin isolated from Phaseolus vulgaris

Abstract The phytohemagglutinin (lectin) of the wax bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) has been purified by a sequence of steps involving fractionation with ammonium sulfate and successive chromatography on DEAE- and CM-cellulose. The purified wax bean hemagglutinin was shown to be homogeneous by ultracentrifugal analysis and electrophoresis on polyacrylamide gel. Wax bean hemagglutinin had an s°20,w value of 5.37 S and its molecular weight, calculated from sedimentation equilibrium data, was 132 000. In addition to amino acids, wax bean hemagglutinin contained 10.4 % covalently bound carbohydrate which was identified and quantitated by gas chromatography of the acetylated alditols. Mannose was the predominant sugar with lesser amounts of glucosamine, galactose, arabinose, xylose, and fucose also being present. The physicochemical properties of wax bean hemagglutinin differ in several respects from those of other phytohemagglutinins which have been reported by previous workers.
A concentric-arrayed radial line slot array antenna for THz applications optimized using PSO algorithm

A concentric-arrayed radial line slot array (CA-RLSA) antenna is presented for THz (350 GHz) operation. This CA-RLSA antenna is optimized using particle swarm optimization (PSO) method. The PSO optimized THz antenna is demonstrated for five rows CA-RLSA. The final CA-RLSA antenna is delivering 24 dB gain, -44 dB cross-pol and has an axial ratio <; 1.5 dB.
Note on the “Alternation” of French and English Leaders in the Liberal Party of Canada

Since 1887 and the selection of Wilfrid Laurier to succeed Edward Blake, the Liberal party has chosen its leaders so that candidates of English and French descent have alternated at the head of the party: William Lyon Mackenzie King was selected in 1919; Louis S. St. Laurent in 1948; Lester B. Pearson in 1958; and Pierre Elliott Trudeau in 1968. While it is seldom if ever explicitly elaborated in textbooks on Canadian politics, there is widespread assumption that this alternation is a tradition within the party and is now one of the components of leadship availability.' In March 1968, a national sample of 215 of the 2475 delegates to the Liberal Leadership Convention scheduled for April 4-6 was interviewed and a series of questions was included in a lengthy questionnaire on many topics in order to explore this subject in some detail.2 First, respondents were asked if they thought that a "tradition" of alternating French and English leaders actually exists: 61 per cent claimed that it did, 28 per cent felt it did not, and the remainder were not sure (Table I).
The many ways to make an iPS cell

Several new approaches for generating induced pluripotent stem cells reduce the risk of insertional mutagenesis.
The importance of calcium in amphetamine-induced turning behavior in mice with unilateral nigro-striatal lesions

Abstract This study was designed to examine the role of calcium in the amphetamine-induced turning behavior of mice lesioned with 6-hydroxydopamine. Intrastriatal administration of either saline or calcium had no effect on amphetamine-induced circling in lesioned mice. In contrast, intrastriatal administration of either EGTA, which chelates extracellular calcium, or verapamil, which inhibits calcium entry into cells, blocked the amphetamine-induced circling. The effect of EGTA was reveresd by the administration of calcium to the EGTA solution. At a dose that blocked amphetamine-induced circling, EGTA did not inhibit the circling produced by apomorphine. These results suggest that EGTA may exert its inhibitory effect on amphetamine-induced circling via a presynaptic mechanism.
Adsorption/Desorption of Water and Ethanol on 3A Zeolite in Near-Adiabatic Fixed Bed

A pilot scale adsorber apparatus was designed and constructed to investigate water and ethanol adsorption/desorption kinetics on 3A zeolite for the design purposes of a fuel ethanol dehydration pressure swing adsorption (PSA) process. Equilibrium studies have shown that 3A zeolite adsorbed a significant amount of water while very weak ethanol adsorption was observed. The breakthrough curves were utilized to study the effects of column pressure, temperature, flow rate, pellet size, and adsorbate concentration on the overall mass transfer resistance. Based on experimentally observed trends, both macropore and micropore diffusion were identified as relevant mass transfer mechanisms. A mathematical model for a bench scale adsorption bed included the linear driving force (LDF) adsorption rate model and the variation of axial velocity. A detailed heat transfer model was a necessity since the bed dynamics was affected by heat transfer in the bed wall. The model was used to analyze the experimental data and extra...
Surface Micellization Patterns of Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants on Mica

The microscopic equilibrium structures of adsorbed films of quaternary ammonium surfactants on mica have been investigated by noncontact atomic force microscopy imaging as a function of alkyl chain length and headgroup structure. Spherical and cylindrical surface micelles were observed; these were found to be related to bulk solution self-assembly and the surfactant packing parameter, v/a0lc. Shape transitions in the surface aggregates were observed on changing the counterion between chloride, bromide, and salicylate.
Synthesis of Indanes through Coupling of Ethynylstyrene Derivatives with Carbene Complexes

A new synthesis of indane derivatives was developed using the coupling of carbene complexes with 2-alkynylstyrene derivatives as a key step. A mechanism involving attack of a nucleophilic alkene at an electrophilic carbene complex intermediate, followed by formation of an isoindene followed by 1,5-hydride shift, was proposed. This reaction pathway is maximized for highly electrophilic carbene complexes and for styrene derivatives featuring nucleophilic alkenes.
Conservative and Esthetic Cast Gold Fixed Partial Dentures—Inlay, Onlay, and Partial Veneer Retainers, Custom Composite Pontics, and Stress Breakers: Part II: Utilization of Additional Retentive Features and Fabrication of Custom Pontic Facings

Although in today's dental world implant restorations are considered the standard of care in the replacement of missing teeth, clinical contraindications and patient nonacceptance of implant placement can be encountered. Several scenarios are discussed here in which a single missing tooth can be restored with conservative fixed partial dentures (FPD) that employ cast gold retainers; each with a customized design in order to preserve tooth structure, maintain esthetics, and provide a long-term prognosis. The abutment teeth are prepared for conservative partial coverage restorations by using Brasseler burs (Brasseler USA, Savannah, GA, USA). Impressions are taken of the preparations, along with any retentive features, utilizing either the Vented Pin Channel technique or the Shooshan Plastic Pin technique. The latter technique utilizes Kodex twist drills and corresponding impression pins (Coltene Whaledent Inc., Mahwah, NJ, USA). The conservative FPD with non-rigid connectors is fabricated by using type III gold alloy. The pontic cage portion is chemically prepared utilizing the Panavia F2.0 cement kit (Kuraray America Inc., Houston, TX, USA) or other dual-polymerizing resin cement and restored with any type of direct composite resin material. A palette of opaquers and tints are used for chairside characterization of the esthetic pontic facing. The final polish of the pontic is completed by using FlexiDisc and FlexiBuff discs (Cosmedent Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE In cases where an implant restoration is contraindicated for replacement of a single tooth, a semi-precision FPD is a conservative, functional, and esthetic alternative.
Preparation of 125I-calmodulin with retention of full biological activity: Its binding to human erythrocyte ghosts

Abstract Of several methods employed for preparing 125I-calmodulin, only the glucose oxidase-lactoperoxidase system under controlled conditions produced an iodinated derivative which retained complete biological activity. Unlabeled calmodulin and 125I-calmodulin stimulated cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase from bovine brain interchangeably and both proteins displaced 125I-calmodulin from high-affinity binding sites on human erythrocyte ghosts with equal effectiveness. This procedure yielded a labeling stoichiometry of 1.34. Scatchard plots of binding of 125I-calmodulin to ghosts were consistent with the presence of a single class of high-affinity binding sites with the properties expected of (Ca2+ + Mg2+)-ATPase molecules. The binding showed positive cooperativity and occurred only in the presence of Ca2+. The maximum amount of binding seen in Scatchard plots corresponded to 4.1 × 103 sites per ghost.
Increased micronucleus frequency in lymphocytes from smokers with lung cancer

We investigated whether lung cancer was associated with an increased micronucleus (MN) frequency in lymphocytes in a case-control study. Epidemiological data were obtained by an interviewer-administered questionnaire and included information on smoking history, intake of dietary micronutrients, general medical history, environmental and occupational exposures to mutagens and carcinogens, and family history of cancer. A modified cytokinesis-block method was used to determine individual MN frequency. Polymorphisms in glutathione S-transferase class mu were determined by PCR analysis. Overall, 55 controls and 42 cases were studied. MN frequency in cases and controls was not associated with age, smoking, metabolic genetic polymorphisms, environmental and occupational exposures, or medical history. Female controls had a significantly higher MN frequency than male controls (p = 0.05). Overall, MN frequency was significantly higher in cases than in controls (p < 0.01). Twenty-four cases (57%) had an MN frequency higher than the upper 95% confidence interval of the mean value for controls (11.5 MNs/1000 binucleated cells). Further analysis showed that, cases who were current and former smokers had significantly higher MN frequencies than controls (p = 0.04); this difference was not seen in the group that had never smoked. The significantly higher MN frequency among cases with a history of smoking may be attributable to the presence of lung neoplasm per se or to the interaction of smoking with endogenous factors associated with the development of lung cancer.
Growth of YBa2Cu3O7−x thin films by ion beam sputtering

Abstract Polycrystalline, superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x films have been grown by ion beam sputtering (IBS) of bulk stoichiometric ceramic target. We found that the superconducting properties of the films are very sensitive to the choice of the substrates and post-deposition annealing conditions. Films deposited on SrTiO 3 substrates were found to be the best with a critical onset transition temperature, T c to be as high as 95 K with a maximum current carrying capacity in superconducting state of 1.5 × 10 5 A/cm 2 which is close to the best reported value for single-crystal YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x films.
From Semirings to Residuated Kleene Lattices

We consider various classes of algebras obtained by expanding idempotent semirings with meet, residuals and Kleene-*. An investigation of congruence properties (e-permutability, e-regularity, congruence distributivity) is followed by a section on algebraic Gentzen systems for proving inequalities in idempotent semirings, in residuated lattices, and in (residuated) Kleene lattices (with cut). Finally we define (one-sorted) residuated Kleene lattices with tests to complement two-sorted Kleene algebras with tests.
Measurement of the Radar Cross Section of a Man

Both the monostatic and the bistatic radar cross sections of a man were measured at the five frequencies 410, 1120, 2890, 4800, and 9375 mc. The measurements were made using both horizontal and vertical polarizations, and for various directions of facing, or aspects, of the man being used as a target. The cw Doppler method was used in making the measurements. The man whose cross section was measured weighed about 200 pounds and he was six feet tall. It was found that the man's cross section varied as follows, depending primarily upon polarization of the incident wave and aspect of the man: 410 mc 0.033 to 2.33 square meters 1120 mc 0.098 to 0.997 square meters 2890 mc 0.140 to 1.05 square meters 4800 mc 0.368 to 1.88 square meters 9375 mc 0.495 to 1.22 square meters. A few measurements were made with men of different sizes, and these indicate that the cross section is approximately proportional to the weight of the man.
Estimation of food intake: Effects of the unit of estimation

While many studies have shown that individuals under-estimate caloric intake few studies have examined how individuals estimate intake when using other units of mea surement (e.g. cups, ounces). Forty-one women (21 obese, 20 normal weight) ate a test mea of Haagen-Dazs® chocolate ice cream and were asked to estimate the amount they ate in both calories and cups. As expected, participants under-estimated intake when asked to esti mate how much they ate in calories, but considerably over-estimated their intake when mea sured in cups. Thus, individuals can both under- and over-estimate how much of the same food they have eaten, depending on the unit they are asked to use for estimation. Obesity and eating disorders treatment programs should take into account the tendency to over-estimate volumetric portions as well as under-estimate caloric intake.
Subtle changes in TCRα CDR1 profoundly increase the sensitivity of CD4 T cells.

Changes in the peptide and MHC molecules have been extensively examined for how they alter T cell activation, but many fewer studies have examined the TCR. Structural studies of how TCR differences alter T cell specificity have focused on broad variation in the CDR3 loops. However, changes in the CDR1 and 2 loops can also alter TCR recognition of pMHC. In this study we focus on two mutations in the CDR1α loop of the TCR that increased the affinity of a TCR for agonist Hb(64-76)/I-Ek by increasing the on-rate of the reaction. These same mutations also conferred broader recognition of altered peptide ligands. TCR transgenic mice expressing the CDR1α mutations had altered thymic selection, as most of the T cells were negatively selected compared to T cells expressing the wildtype TCR. The few T cells that escaped negative selection and were found in the periphery were rendered anergic, thereby avoiding autoimmunity. T cells with the CDR1α mutations were completely deleted in the presence of Hb(64-76) as an endogenous peptide. Interestingly, the wildtype T cells were not eliminated, identifying a threshold affinity for negative selection where a 3-fold increase in affinity is the difference between incomplete and complete deletion. Overall, these studies highlight how small changes in the TCR can increase the affinity of TCR:pMHC but with the consequences of skewing selection and producing an unresponsive T cell.
Management of perioperative hypertensive urgencies with parenteral medications.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular (CV) disease such as myocardial infarction (MI) and stroke. This risk is well known to extend into the perioperative period. Although most perioperative hypertension can be managed with the patient's outpatient regimen, there are situations in which oral medications cannot be administered and parenteral medications become necessary. They include postoperative nil per os status, severe pancreatitis, and mechanical ventilation. This article reviews the management of perioperative hypertensive urgency with parenteral medications. METHODS: A PubMed search was conducted by cross-referencing the terms “perioperative hypertension,” “hypertensive urgency,” “hypertensive emergency,” “parenteral anti-hypertensive,” and “medication.” The search was limited to English-language articles published between 1970 and 2008. Subsequent PubMed searches were performed to clarify data from the initial search. RESULTS: As patients with hypertensive urgency are not at great risk for target-organ damage (TOD), continuous infusions that require intensive care unit (ICU) monitoring and intraarterial catheters seem to be unnecessary and a possible misuse of resources. CONCLUSIONS: When oral therapy cannot be administered, patients with hypertensive urgency can have their blood pressure (BP) reduced with hydralazine, enalaprilat, metoprolol, or labetalol. Due to the scarcity of comparative trials looking at clinically significant outcomes, the medication should be chosen based on comorbidity, efficacy, toxicity, and cost. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2010;5:E11–E16. © 2010 Society of Hospital Medicine.
Bias, reporting, and sharing: computational evaluations of docking methods

Computational methods for docking ligands to protein binding sites have become ubiquitous in drug discovery. Despite the age of the field, no standards have been established with respect to methodological evaluation of docking accuracy, virtual screening utility, or scoring accuracy. There are critical issues relating to data sharing, data set design and preparation, and statistical reporting that have an impact on the degree to which a report will translate into real-world performance. These issues also have an impact on whether there is a transparent relationship between methodological changes and reported performance improvements. This paper presents detailed examples of pitfalls in each area and makes recommendations as to best practices.
Alteration of a Single Hydrogen Bond between Class II Molecules and Peptide Results in Rapid Degradation of Class II Molecules after Invariant Chain Removal

To characterize the importance of a highly conserved region of the class II β chain, we introduced an amino acid substitution that is predicted to eliminate a hydrogen bond formed between the class II molecule and peptide. We expressed the mutated β chain with a wild-type α chain in a murine L cell by gene transfection. The mutant class II molecule (81βH−) assembles normally in the endoplasmic reticulum and transits the Golgi complex. When invariant chain (Ii) is coexpressed with 81βH−, the class II–Ii complex is degraded in the endosomes. Expression of 81βH− in the absence of Ii results in a cell surface expressed molecule that is susceptible to proteolysis, a condition reversed by incubation with a peptide known to associate with 81βH−. We propose that 81βH− is protease sensitive because it is unable to productively associate with most peptides, including classII–associated invariant chain peptides. This model is supported by our data demonstrating protease sensitivity of peptide-free wild-type I-Ad molecules. Collectively, our results suggest both that the hydrogen bonds formed between the class II molecule and peptide are important for the integrity and stability of the complex, and that empty class II molecules are protease sensitive and degraded in endosomes. One function of DM may be to insure continuous groove occupancy of the class II molecule.
Saturn's Magnetic Field and Magnetosphere

The Pioneer Saturn vector helium magnetometer has detected a bow shock and magnetopause at Saturn and has provided an accurate characterization of the planetary field. The equatorial surface field is 0.20 gauss, a factor of 3 to 5 times smaller than anticipated on the basis of attempted scalings from Earth and Jupiter. The tilt angle between the magnetic dipole axis and Saturn's rotation axis is < 1°, a surprisingly small value. Spherical harmonic analysis of the measurements shows that the ratio of quadrupole to dipole moments is < 10 percent, indicating that the field is more uniform than those of the Earth or Jupiter and consistent with Saturn having a relatively small core. The field in the outer magnetosphere shows systematic departures from the dipole field, principally a compression of the field near noon and an equatorial orientation associated with a current sheet near dawn. A hydromagnetic wake resulting from the interaction of Titan with the rotating magnetosphere appears to have been observed.
Efficient recombination in diverse tissues by a tamoxifen-inducible form of Cre: a tool for temporally regulated gene activation/inactivation in the mouse.

In recent years, the Cre integrase from bacteriophage P1 has become an essential tool for conditional gene activation and/or inactivation in mouse. In an earlier report, we described a fusion protein between Cre and a mutated form of the ligand binding domain of the estrogen receptor (Cre-ER) that renders Cre activity tamoxifen (TM) inducible, allowing for conditional modification of gene activity in the mammalian neural tube in utero. In the current work, we have generated a transgenic mouse line in which Cre-ER is ubiquitously expressed to permit temporally regulated Cre-mediated recombination in diverse tissues of the mouse at embryonic and adult stages. We demonstrate that a single, intraperitoneal injection of TM into a pregnant mouse at 8.5 days postcoitum leads to detectable recombination in the developing embryo within 6 h of injection and efficient recombination of a reporter gene in derivatives of all three germ layers within 24 h of injection. In addition, by varying the dose of TM injected, the percentage of cells undergoing a recombination event in the embryo can be controlled. Dose-dependent excision induced by TM was also possible in diverse tissues in the adult mouse, including the central nervous system, and in cultured cells derived from the transgenic mouse line. This inducible Cre system will be a broadly useful tool to modulate gene activity in mouse embryos, adults, and culture systems where temporal control is an important consideration.
Schistosoma mansoniInfection in Humans and Primates Induces Cytolytic Antibodies to Surface LexDeterminants on Myeloid Cells

The Lewis x antigen (Lex; Galβ1-4[Fucα1-3]GlcNAcβ1-R), which is present on the surfaces of human cells, is also synthesized by the human helminthic parasiteSchistosoma mansoni.We now report that IgM and IgG antibodies to Lexantigens are present in the sera of humans and rhesus monkeys infected withS. mansoni,whereas these antibodies are completely absent in uninfected individuals. The sera from infected humans and monkeys mediate specific complement-dependent cytolysis of human promyelocytic leukemic HL-60 cells, which bear surface Lexantigen. Furthermore, the major cytolytic activity in sera from infected individuals toward HL-60 cells is due to anti-Lexreactivity.
Comparative Effects of Various Sucrose‐Fatty Acid Esters upon Bread and Cookies

Standardized bread and cookies were baked to test the effects of sucrose fatty-acid esters, ranging in HLB (hydrophyl-lipophyl-balance) from 1 to 15. Bread volume and tenderness and cookie spread were determined. Interactions between shortening and the esters were tested in bread, and between nonwheat flours and the esters in both bread and cookies. Bread volume was restored when up to 20% sorghum, millet and corn flours were added. Bread tenderness over a five-day period was also improved by use of the esters. The most practical emulsifier use levels ranged from 0.5—1.0%, depending upon emulsifier HLB.
Ethnic differences in the behavior of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentation, prognostic factors, and survival rates of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to examine differences between Asian and non-Asian patients with HCC. METHODS A review of the clinical characteristics and laboratory evaluations for 76 patients in two different broad ethnic groups (Asians [Group 1] and non-Asians [Group 2]) who underwent treatment for HCC from 1977-1995 was performed. Chi-square and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess factor interaction and association with survival. RESULTS A total of 24 patients in Group 1 and 52 patients in Group 2 were reviewed. Of the clinical variables examined, a higher rate of a history of hepatitis B positivity was observed in Group 1 compared with Group 2 (32% vs. 6%; P = 0.001). Among the 76 patients with HCC, a 1-year survival estimate of 41.4% was found. There was a borderline significant difference in survival between Group 1 and Group 2 with a 1-year survival estimate of 29.5% versus 46.9%, respectively (P = 0.08). Better overall survival was found in patients who had tumors that were resectable (P = 0.0001), had an α-fetoprotein level < 10 ng/mL (P = 0.02), or were a younger age at the time of diagnosis (P = 0.01). There was a trend for Asian race (P = 0.08) to be associated with poorer survival. When these risk factors were entered into a multivariate analysis, tumor resectability and non-Asian race were most predictive of improved survival (model P value = 0.007). When controlling for the multiple variables most often reported to be associated with HCC, Asians had a significantly lower survival than non-Asians (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS In this study it appears that the outcome for Asian patients with hepatoma is worse than for non-Asian patients, even when controlling for factors commonly associated with HCC. Biologic or social factors that are not appreciated currently may be involved in Asian patients with HCC, contributing to a poorer clinical outcome. Cancer 1999;85:1931–6. © 1999 American Cancer Society.
Differing HOMO and LUMO Mediated Conduction in a Porphyrin Nanorod

In this communication we provide the first UHV-STM images and STM-based current−voltage (I−V) and orbital mediated tunneling spectroscopy (OMTS) data on a self-assembled porphyrin nanostructure at the single structure level. We will show that transverse conductivity over distances less than 10 nm can occur by barrier type tunneling but that long distance conduction solely occurs through the LUMO band. These nanorods are very highly rectifying.
Qualitative thermobarometry of inverted metamorphism in the Pelona and Rand Schists, southern California, using calciferous amphibole in mafic schist

Abstract The Rand and Pelona Schists consist of eugeoclinal rock types overlain by continental basement along the Vincent-Chocolate Mountains (VCM) faults. Both schists display inverted metamorphic zonation, defined in part by a systematic variation in composition of calcic to sodic-calcic amphibole in mafic schist structurally upward. The compositional progressions include increase of total A1, A1IV and Ti, but decrease in the ratios of Na/(Na + Ca) to A1/(A1 + Si), and NaM4 to (A1VI+ Fe3++ Ti). These variations imply that structurally high rocks belong to a lower-pressure metamorphic fades series than those at depth. This result is consistent with previous views that the inverted metamorphic zonations represent intact structural sequences. Amphibole composition is dependent not only on structural position (i.e. P-T), but also upon bulk-rock composition. The important controls are whole-rock Mg/(Mg + Fe2++ Mn) and Fe3+/Fe2+. The greatest impact of these factors, however, is on the absolute values of Na and Al, rather than their ratio. Thus, interpretation of facies series is not seriously hindered by compositional variability. Sodic amphibole in epidote blueschists from the Rand Schist is extensively replaced by sodic-calcic amphibole. Sodic-calcic amphibole in the Rand Schist and Pelona Schist is, itself, rimmed by actinolitic amphibole. Similar blueschist to greenschist transitions in other metamorphic terranes are typically attributed to exhumation. In the Rand and Pelona Schists, the sequence probably formed during burial.
Effect of particle size on the kinetics of particle deposition under attractive double layer interactions

Abstract The effect of particle size on the kinetics of particle deposition in the presence of attractive double layer interactions has been studied theoretically and experimentally. Particle deposition experiments were carried out with several model suspensions of positively charged latex particles and negatively charged glass beads using the packed bed column technique. The model particles used in the deposition experiments covered a wide size range, from 0.08 to 2.51 μm. Experimental deposition rates were compared to theoretical predictions based on a numerical solution of the convective diffusion equation with colloidal, hydrodynamic, and gravitational forces fully incorporated. Theoretical and experimental results reveal that the enhancement in particle deposition rate (i.e,, the deposition rate in the presence of double layer interaction divided by the rate in the absence of double layer interaction) is dependent on particle size. At low ionic strengths, the enhancement in deposition rate passes through a maximum as the particle size increases. This maximum corresponds to particles with a size around 1 μm. It is also concluded that this maximum is determined by the interplay between the size of the particles and the range of the attractive double layer interactions.
On Subspace Noise Estimation for OFDM

The performance of the subspace-based noise power estimation algorithm for an OFDM receiver is investigated. It is shown that due to the correlation of the channel in the frequency domain, the dimension of the autocorrelation matrix does not need to be larger than the number of signal paths. Therefore, due to the reduction of the dimension of the signal space, the required complexity and computation for subspace decomposition is reduced. It is shown that the algorithm performs well in various speed and channel conditions.
Interatrial defect sizing by intracardiac and transesophageal echocardiography compared with fluoroscopic measurements in patients undergoing percutaneous transcatheter closure.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate prospectively the feasibility and accuracy of using echocardiographic measurements by transesophageal and intracardiac echocardiography (TEE and ICE, respectively) for interatrial septal defect sizing during percutaneous transcatheter closure. Forty-two patients underwent balloon sizing of interatrial septal defects using TEE in 21 of them and ICE in the other half. These measurements were correlated with quantitative fluoroscopic analysis and evaluated for bias and agreement between methods using a Bland-Altman analysis. Echocardiographic measurements were obtained by ICE and TEE in all patients. An excellent correlation was found between TEE and quantitative fluoroscopy (r = 0.898; P < 0.001) and between ICE and quantitative fluoroscopy (r = 0.876; P < 0.001), with a significant agreement (P < 0.001) and minimal positive bias toward the echocardiographic measurements. Both TEE and ICE are excellent methods of interatrial defect sizing when compared with quantitative fluoroscopic measurements. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;62:415–420. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Criminal judgments to medical malpractice in Taiwan

Abstract Our society is the only country that punishes physicians with medical malpractice by using criminal law as a routine, while most countries in this planet settle almost all medical disputes with civil action. In Taiwan, criminal suits account 79% of all medical malpractice law suits. The purpose of this trial is to investigate the reasons for the overruled criminal judgment by empirical approach. In this study, 15 overruled judgments out of 615 criminal prosecutions were collected from February 1st, 2002 to January 31st, 2005. The judgments of these cases are analyzed by using "the content analytic method". It is found that in these 15 criminal prosecutions, 16 doctors out of 18 defendants lost their trials, which indicates, statistically, one doctor was sentenced to be guilty per every 3 months. Out of these unlucky ones, two-thirds of the criminals were surgeons, one-fifth internists, and the rests are gynecologists and pediatricians. The average of the terms of imprisonment was 6.6months and, fortunately, all of them obtained probation or replacement with forfeit. In these cases, most of the doctors came from local hospitals or clinics, while only two were from the medical centers. Concerning the disputes, five cases were involved with delayed or missed diagnoses of the illness and the other ten in the surgical complications. In the first 4 years of the 21st century, there was one physician in Taiwan sentenced guilty per every 3 months, which is a unique phenomenon in the world. The criminal rate of physicians in Taiwan is the highest in all professionals in the world. Most of these criminal doctors were the laborious, mind-dependent, life-saving surgeons, internists, pediatricians, and gynecologists. According to the causes of the disputes, the difference between the expectation of the doctors and that of the patients should be treated by informed consent doctrine to avoid the very expensive defensive medicine.
Arabidopsis NPH1: A Protein Kinase With a Putative Redox-Sensing Domain

The NPH1 (nonphototropic hypocotyl 1) gene encodes an essential component acting very early in the signal-transduction chain for phototropism. Arabidopsis NPH1 contains a serine-threonine kinase domain and LOV1 and LOV2 repeats that share similarity (36 to 56 percent) with Halobacterium salinarium Bat, Azotobacter vinelandii NIFL, Neurospora crassa White Collar-1, Escherichia coli Aer, and the Eag family of potassium-channel proteins from Drosophila and mammals. Sequence similarity with a known (NIFL) and a suspected (Aer) flavoprotein suggests that NPH1 LOV1 and LOV2 may be flavin-binding domains that regulate kinase activity in response to blue light-induced redox changes.
Utilization of Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Patients With Ductal Carcinoma in Situ Undergoing Mastectomy

Background Current guidelines suggest consideration of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) undergoing mastectomy. Our objective was to identify factors influencing the utilization of SLNB in this population.
Imaging Oncogene Expression

: In 2003, approximately 39,800 women in the US will die from breast cancer. Mammography and physical examination miss up to 40% of early breast cancers. Moreover, if an abnormality is found, an invasive diagnostic procedure must still be performed to determine if the breast contains atypia or cancer, even though approximately 85% of abnormalities are benign. Scintigraphic imaging of gene expression in vivo by noninvasive means could direct physicians to appropriate targets for intervention at the onset of disease and thereby significantly impact patient management. Until now, no method has been available to image specific overexpressed oncogene mRNAs in vivo by scintigraphic imaging. We hypothesize that gamma-emitting Tc-99m-PNA-peptides can be taken up by human ER+ and ER− breast cancer xenografts, hybridize to complementary mRNA targets in those cells, and concentrate sufficiently in tumor tissue to allow noninvasive imaging of oncogene overexpression. To prepare the probes, peptide analogs of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) were extended from a solid support by Fmoc coupling. Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) dodecamers antisense to CCND1 and MYC mRNAs were then extended from the N-terminus of IGF1, followed by a chelator peptide, using Fmoc coupling for all residues. The cysteine thiols were cyclized on the solid support, either before or after PNA extension. This simplified synthetic approach allows preparation of a variety of multipeptide disulfide-bridged PNA chimeras. A chelating peptide-PNA chimera antisense to MYC mRNA was then labeled efficiently with Tc-99m, yielding a single product. Tissue distribution studies of antisense and mismatch chimeras at 4 h and 24 h after administration displayed modest accumulation in the liver and kidneys, with appreciable levels in tumors. This result enables testing of Tc-99m-peptide-PNA probes to image gene expression in tumors.
AUDITORS' CAUSAL JUDGMENTS: EFFECTS OF FORWARD VS BACKWARD INFERENCE ON INFORMATION PROCESSING.

Abstract This paper has two purposes: (1) to provide a conceptual basis for empirical research on auditors' causal judgments by reviewing the philosophical and psychological literatures on causality, and (2) to report two experiments on auditors' information processing when making causal judgments. The experiments examined the association between the direction of inference (forward inference from cause to effect vs backward inference from effect to cause) and type of information about a casual relation (conditionality vs multiplicity). The results supported the hypotheses that auditors place a significant weight on conditionality information when making forward inferences and a significant weight on multiplicity information when making backward inferences.
Thermal analysis of some crystal habits of pentaerythritol tetranitrate

Abstract The heat of fusion (Δ H f ) of the explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) varies as a result of the method used for its crystallization. Single crystals show a Δ H f of 37.4 cal g −1 , but some samples have a Δ H f as low as 31 cal g −1 . It is shown that the variation is not a function of surface area or impurity: it is the result of crystal imperfection. Calorimetric and X-ray data form the basis for the postulation of a disordered state of PETN. A scanning calorimetric method is presented for the determination of annealing rates of the disordered state, and the activation energy and preexponential for the process are determined ( E = 14.9 kcal mole − , A = 1.2 × 10 6 min −1 ). It is concluded that the disorder is the result of the random inclusion within the lattice of inverted and strained PETN molecules. The effect of impurities on the system is discussed.
Public Perceptions and Politics When Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound Is Employed as a Nondiagnostic, Nonmedical Tool

Societal influences have resulted in a shift of diagnostic medical ultrasound, particularly prenatal ultrasound, from its roots as a diagnostic medical tool to the public domains of marketing, entertainment, and the contentious abortion debate. This article examines the impact of ultrasound on society and society on ultrasound by using prenatal ultrasound screening as the catalyst for the discussion. Ultrasound is a powerful tool that has redefined pregnancy for most women in the United States. The medical benefits of ultrasound notwithstanding, the woman's emotional experience in the examination room, as has been closely examined by social scientists, often transcends the diagnostic outcomes; a consideration that must be recognized by the sonographer or sonologist. The trivialization of ultrasound in the mass media further jeopardizes the integrity of the ultrasound technology by creating unrealistic expectations about the nature of the examination. Through patient and community education efforts with re...
Synergistic Effect of Garcinol and Curcumin on Antiproliferative and Apoptotic Activity in Pancreatic Cancer Cells

Pancreatic cancer (PaCa) is a major health concern due to its aggressiveness and early metastasis. Current treatments for PaCa are limited by development of resistance against therapy. As an alternative strategy, we assessed the combinatorial effect of dietary compounds, garcinol and curcumin, on human PaCa cells (BxPC-3 and Panc-1). A significant (P < 0.05) dose-dependent reduction in cell viability and increase in apoptosis were observed in both cell lines as compared to untreated controls. A combination index (CI) value < 1, for a two-way comparison of curcumin and garcinol, suggests synergism. The potency (Dm) of the combination of garcinol and curcumin was 2 to 10 fold that of the individual agents. This indicates that curcumin and garcinol in combination exhibit a high level of synergism, with enhanced bioactivity, thereby reducing the required effective dose required for each individually. This combinatorial strategy may hold promise in future development of therapies against PaCa.
The effect of aluminum on markers for synaptic neurotransmission, cyclic AMP, and neurofilaments in a neuroblastoma × glioma hybridoma (NG108-15)

Abstract The effects of the neurotoxin aluminum on markers of synaptic neurotransmission, adenosine 3′,5′-monophosphate, and neurofilaments have been evaluated in a neuroblastoma × glioma hybridoma (NG108-15). Cells were exposed for 4 days to 2 mM aluminum lactate, a concentration that did not suppress growth. Compared to controls, the activity of choline acetyltransferase was significantly increased by 37% associated with an up-regulation in enzyme activity ( V max ). Muscarinic receptors, measured by [ 3 H]QNB binding, were reduced by 41%. In contrast, the activities of acetylcholinesterase and glutamate decarboxylase were not significantly changed. Aluminum raised the level of cyclic AMP by 20%, although adenylate cyclase activity was unchanged. Small amounts of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated neurofilaments were detected in NG108-15 cells. Aluminum intoxication, however, did not alter the quantity, ultrastructure, or immunoreactivity of neurofilaments. Our results demonstrate the capability of aluminum to produce selected changes in cholinergic markers and levels of cyclic AMP in a rapidly dividing cell line.
Emerging AI & law approaches to automating analysis and retrieval of electronically stored information in discovery proceedings

This article provides an overview of, and the matic justification for, the special issue of the journal of Artificial Intelligence and Law entitled "E-Discovery". In attempting to define a characteristic "AI & Law" approach to e-discovery, and since a central theme of AI & Law involves computationally modeling legal knowledge, reasoning and decision making, we focus on the theme of representing and reasoning with litigators' theories or hypotheses about document relevance through a variety of techniques including machine learning. We also identify two emerging techniques for enabling users' document queries to better express the theories of relevance and connect them to documents: social network analysis and a hypothesis ontology.
A Two-Part Measure of Degree of Invasion for Cross-Community Comparisons

Invasibility is a critical feature of ecological communities, especially for management decisions. To date, invasibility has been measured in numerous ways. Although most researchers have used the rich- ness (or number) of exotic species as a direct or indirect measure of community invasibility, others have used alternative measures such as the survival, density, or biomass of either a single or all exotic species. These different measures, even when obtained from the same communities, have produced inconsistent results and have made comparisons among communities difficult. Here, we propose a measure of the degree of invasion (DI) of a community as a surrogate for community invasibility. The measure is expressed as 2 independent components: exotic proportion of total species richness and exotic proportion of total species abundance (biomass or cover). By including richness and abundance, the measure reflects that the factors that control invasibility affect both of these components. Expressing exotic richness and abundance relative to the richness and abundance of all species in a community makes comparisons across communities of different sizes and resource availability possible and illustrates the importance of dominance of exotic species relative to natives, which is a primary management concern associated with exotic species.