cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Granular Flows in the Elastic Limit

This paper describes recent computer simulation studies into the rheological behavior of granular materials in the regime that lies between the quasistatic and rapid-flow regime. This investigation was prompted by studies of landslides, hopper flows and the “phase change” (i.e. the change between solidlike and fluid-like behavior) all of which indicated that the shear-to-normal stress ratio (the effective friction coefficient for the material) increased with shear rate. The results presented herein do demonstrate that the stress ratio varies with a dimensionless parameter created by scaling the shear rate with the stiffness of the interparticle contacts. In dense regimes, the stresses themselves scale with the stiffness indicating that they are generated by the elastic response of particle networks. Such speculation is supported by studies that show that the normal stresses are strongly dependent on the interparticle friction coefficient which affects the ability of internal elastic particle structures to support load and by the time variation of stress, which shows a spiky behavior as the structures form and break. However, analyses also indicate that these observations cannot explain the hopper, landslide and phase-change as these systems operate in regimes different from those in which the effect was observed. Finally, the effects of non-linear contacts are investigated and an appropriate scaling that takes the non-linearity into account is proposed.
Combining FDG-PET/CT with laboratory data yields superior results for prediction of relapse in multiple myeloma.

Objectives: The precise role of positron emission tomography (PET/CT) for predicting relapse/progression in multiple myeloma remains uncertain. We compared the predictive values of PET/CT, concurrent laboratory testing (labs), and their combination in prediction of 12-month progression, as determined by current International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria. Methods: PET/CT and labs (serum chemistry, β2-microglobulin, immunofixation, bone marrow biopsy, serum free light chains) were reviewed, and date of relapse/progression was determined by IMWG criteria. Results: The median time from therapy to PET/CT imaging was 12.0 months (1.0–110) and median time to progression (TTP) was 29.8 months (1.6–130+). Overall survival and survival-without-progression at last follow-up were 84% and 49%, respectively. Sensitivity of PET/CT for predicting relapse/progression was lower than that of labs (0.67 vs. 0.89, ns), but PET/CT was more specific (0.89 vs. 0.79, ns). When labs and PET/CT data were combined, a positive result for either test was 89% sensitive and a positive result for both tests was 100% specific for predicting 12-month progression of disease. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed significantly greater TTP for those with a negative vs. positive PET/CT (P = 0.0005), negative vs. positive labs (P < 0.0001), and both tests negative vs. both tests positive (P < 0.0001). Conclusions: Combining PET/CT with laboratory data improves the accuracy of prediction of relapse/progression within 12 months compared with each test alone. Thus, integration of PET/CT into myeloma follow-up is recommended, and the impact of this approach on management should be explored.
Assessing Substance-Related Disorders in Hispanic Clients

In the field of substance use, cultural considerations when assessing Hispanic clients include issues regarding the availability of translated and validated instruments in Spanish and interpretation of the data collected. The objective of this chapter is to describe the major assessment instruments used in the field of substance abuse, with a special focus on screening and multidimensional instruments that examine alcohol or drug using patterns, as well as associated problems. In particular, the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), CAGE questionnaire, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST), Drug Abuse Screening Test (DAST), and Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory (SASSI) will be discussed. We summarize the psychometric evidence of each assessment instrument, provide information about the availability of each instrument in the Spanish language and its psychometric properties, and present information on translated versions and adaptations of each assessment instrument for use with younger populations.
Review article: update on gastro‐oesophageal reflux disease in children

It is critical for the clinician who cares for children to distinguish between normal physiological gastro-oesophageal reflux (GER), and signs and symptoms that occur due to the persistent reflux, defined as gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). The underlying natural history of physiological GER in the paediatric population up to about 12 years of age, is quite distinct from normal reflux in adults. Conversely, the underlying pathophysiology of GERD in both age groups is for the most part similar. Regurgitation symptoms, which peak by 4-6 months of age, appear to resolve commonly by 12-18 months of life. However, there is a growing body of evidence that demonstrates that GERD may not be outgrown in a subset of children. In practice, many clinicians include an empiric therapeutic trial of an H 2 receptor antagonist (H 2 RA) or proton pump inhibitor accompanied by symptom resolution for the diagnosis of GERD. GERD-associated symptoms in the paediatric population range from regurgitation, often accompanied by arching and irritability, to feeding refusal, and/or poor growth to respiratory symptoms such as nocturnal and/or chronic cough. Upper endoscopy with biopsy may be useful in documenting the presence and severity of macroscopic and microscopic mucosal abnormalities, as well as excluding other disorders such as eosinophilic oesophagitis. Conservative management, particularly useful in mild GERD, consists of positioning during and after feeds, a 2- to 4-week trial of hydrolysate formula, addition of cereal to formula, and smaller, more frequent feeds. Among the current pharmacotherapeutic options available in the United States (US), the prokinetic agent metaclopramide and the acid-inhibitory agents (H 2 RAS, proton pump inhibitors) are the most widely prescribed. Numerous clinical investigations in both adults and children demonstrated that the proton pump inhibitors are more effective than the H 2 RAS in the relief of GERD symptoms and healing of erosive oesophagitis. The safety profile of the proton pump inhibitors in children is excellent with no significant adverse events observed either in the short- or long-term (>5.5 years continuous use). Finally, surgical procedures for GERD may also be indicated in certain circumstances.
Elastomeric Mold Liners in the Production of Porosity-Free Polymethyl Methacrylate

The presence of an elastomeric lining within the mold enabled preparation of porosity-free specimens of acrylic resin even when heating rates were far more severe than those normally used in dental laboratory procedures. The mechanisms whereby elastomeric liners prevent porosity under such conditions was investigated.
CONFORMATIONAL ENERGY CALCULATIONS OF ENZYME‐SUBSTRATE INTERACTIONS. I. Computation of Preferred Conformations of Some Substrates of α‐Chymotrypsin

Empirical energy calculations are used to determine all low-energy conformations of the isolated α-chymotrypsin substrates N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine amide, N-acetyl-L-tyrosine amide, N-formyl-L-tyrosine amide, and N-acetyl-L-tryptophan amide. The computed conformations are in agreement with the available experimental data for L-phenylalanyl, L-tyrosyl and L-tryptophanyl side chains in proteins, and with NMR and X-ray data for these side chains in small peptides. In the following papers, certain of these low-energy substrate conformations will be shown to bind selectively to the enzyme chymotrypsin to form stable noncovalent enzyme-substrate complexes.
Interface-controlled fatigue cracking of SCS-6/Ti-22Al-23Nb orthorhombic titanium aluminide composite

The effect of aging at elevated temperature on interfacial stability and fatigue behavior of a SCS-6/Ti-22Al-23Nb “orthorhombic” (O) titanium aluminide composite is investigated. The composite was heat treated in vacuum at 900 °C for up to 250 hours to change the microstructural characteristics. The stability of the matrix alloy and interfacial reaction zone after extended thermal exposure was analyzed. The effect of interface on fatigue behavior, including stiffness degradation, evolution of fatigue damage, and crack growth rates, was characterized. Finally, a modified shear-lag model was used to predict the saturated matrix crack spacing in the composite under fatigue loading. The results demonstrate that aging at elevated temperature affects the stability of the interfacial reaction zone, which, in turn, degrades the fatigue properties of the composite. However, fatigue crack will not develop from the ruptured interfacial reaction layer until the thickness of the reaction zone or the maximum applied stress exceeds a critical value.
Scattering of microwaves by a plasma column at atmospheric pressure

Summary form only given, as follows. In this paper, the scattering properties of a cylindrical column of unmagnetized plasma, generated at atmospheric pressure, are investigated analytically and computationally. Particularly, the back-scattering cross-section is calculated as function of the plasma parameters. Knowledge of the back-scattering cross-section is very important in monostatic radar applications where the signal reflected back in the direction of incidence is of interest. The angular distribution of the reflected microwave power is also investigated as a function of various plasma parameters.
The timing and sequencing of coarticulated non-modal phonation in English and White Hmong

Despite the growing number of studies on the acoustics of non-modal phonation, little is known about how two distinct non-modal phonations can interact acoustically when coarticulated. This study investigates the acoustics of breathy-to-creaky phonation contours in vowels from a production study of native speakers of English and White Hmong. These languages differ in the nature of the non-modal phonation types. In the English corpus, both the breathiness and creakiness are non-contrastive. In the Hmong corpus, the breathiness can be contrastive or a result of coarticulation with a neighboring segment, but the creakiness is always contrastive. The contours were analyzed using the three measures of phonation that were found to best differentiate non-modal from modal phonation in these languages: H1 n –H2 n ,H 1 n –A1 n , and harmonicsto-noise ratio. Results from these measures provide support for the presence of breathy–creaky contours in vowels. The timing and sequencing of the breathy and creaky phonation types are largely dependent on whether they are contrastive, with contrastive non-modal phonation being present during more portions of the vowel than non-modal phonation derived from coarticulation. The acoustic results also provide evidence for simultaneous breathy and creaky phonation types in Hmong.
Indigestible Food, Conquering Hordes, and Waste Materials: Metaphors of Immigrants and the Early Immigration Restriction Debate in the United States

A prime example of metaphor use is to denigrate marginalized populations as a means of supporting adverse social policies against group members. This article describes the use of organism, object, natural catastrophe/war and animal metaphors in the immigration restriction debate of the early 1900s. In addition to describing linguistic metaphors that served to dehumanize immigrants or portray them as a threat to social functioning, more global conceptual metaphors will also be discussed.
Maternal vagal tone change in response to methadone is associated with neonatal abstinence syndrome severity in exposed neonates.

Objective. Though methadone pharmacotherapy is the treatment of choice for opiate-dependence during pregnancy in the USA, most methadone-exposed neonates develop neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). NAS expression is widely variable among methadone-exposed neonates and only a subset requires pharmacotherapy. This study explores the potential predictors of NAS severity, including aspects of maternal substance use and methadone maintenance histories, concomitant exposure to other licit substances, and individual differences in intrinsic maternal or infant factors that may affect the infant's vulnerability to NAS expression.Methods. Fifty methadone-maintained pregnant women attending a comprehensive substance abuse treatment facility, received electrocardiogram monitoring at 36 weeks of gestation at the times of trough and peak maternal methadone levels. Vagal tone, an estimate of the magnitude of an individual's respiratory sinus arrhythmia and an indicator of autonomic control, was derived.Results. NAS expr...
Vanadium doping of 4H SiC form a solid source: photoluminescence investigation

Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy was used to monitor the efficiency of vanadium doping from a solid vanadium nitride source during CVD growth of 4H silicon carbide. More than an order of magnitude increase of vanadium related infrared photoluminescence in comparison to undoped samples was observed. By correcting the spectra for the contribution from the substrate, vanadium was shown to be incorporated in the epitaxial layer during CVD and was responsible for the observed differences in photoluminescence signal. Possible mechanisms of the vanadium transport to the growing layer and its incorporation are discussed.
Patterns of depressive symptomatology in women smokers, ex-smokers, and never-smokers

Abstract To investigate the possibility that specific symptom patterns contribute differentially to excess depression among smokers, we analyzed Center for Epidemiological Studies—Depression (CES-D) and subscale scores in 931 women current smokers (CS), ex-smokers (ES), and never-smokers (NS). After adjusting for differences in age, education, and marital status, significant group differences were found for the CES-D overall and for Depressed Affect, Anhedonia, and Somatic Features, but not Interpersonal Distress. Both CS and ES scored significantly higher than NS on most measures, whereas differences between CS and ES failed to reach significance. CS were significantly more likely than NS to be taking antidepressants. Alcohol intake also showed significant group differences, with CS>ES>NS, suggesting that the link between current smoking and alcohol intake is mediated by factors other than depression, since CS and ES were comparably depressed. We conclude that studying specific symptom patterns may elucidate the smoking–depression link. Our observation that ES and CS exhibit similar levels of depressive symptomatology further suggests that interventions for depressed smokers need to take into account the likely persistence of depression following cessation.
Synthesis of porphyrin-carbohydrate conjugates using "click" chemistry and their preliminary evaluation in human HEp2 cells

Using a Cu(I)-catalyzed carbohydrate azide-alkynylphenylporphyrin cycloaddition (the so-called "click" chemistry), we have synthesized in high yields, a series of four new porphyrin-carbohydrate conjugates containing either one or four galactose or lactose moieties linked via triazole units to a meso-phenyl group of a TPP or tetrabenzoporphyrin (TBP) macrocycle. The time-dependent uptake and subcellular distribution of this series of porphyrin-carbohydrate conjugates were evaluated in human carcinoma HEp2 cells. While the three TPP conjugates accumulated to a similar extent within cells and localized mainly in the ER and endosomes, the TBP-galactose conju gate was the one most efficiently taken up by the HEp2 cells, accumulating approximately 5 times more than the TPP conjugates, and localized preferentially within the cell lysosomes.
Facteurs de mortalité dans le trafic français d'esclaves au XVIIIe siècle

Maintenant que l'histoire du commerce des esclaves dans l'Atlantique est mieux connue, on a pu reexaminer systematiquement l'historiographie traditionnelle de la question. Non seulement on a reconsidere, grâce aux nouvelles donnees quantitatives, les estimations des effectifs envoyes d'Afrique et le role des differentes nations commercantes dans ce domaine, mais le probleme de l'ampleur et des causes de la mortalite des esclaves a pour la premiere fois ete l'objet d'un examen serieux. Bien qu'il reste evident que la mortalite des esclaves durant la traversee transoceanique — le « second cote » du commerce triangulaire — a ete tres elevee par rapport aux taux des populations sedentaires, puisqu'elle atteignait couramment les memes niveaux que pendant les epidemies en Europe, elle etait certainement inferieure aux chiffres frequemment avances et qui donnent a penser qu'elle aurait oscille entre le quart et la moitie des esclaves embarques.
The necessity of fundamental emission in type III bursts

Observations of some type III radio bursts in the hectometer and kilometer wave range are compared with theoretical predictions. It is shown that the burst emission must be near the plasma frequency in the region between 10 R⊙ and 50 R⊙ in order to be consistent with the observed steep rise in brightness temperature for these bursts. The results of Fainberg, Malitson et al., and Haddock and Alvarez are discussed and compared with the interpretation of emission near the plasma frequency.
Formation of cubic boron-nitride by the reactive sputter deposition of boron

Boron-nitride films are synthesized by RF magnetron sputtering boron targets where the deposition parameters of gas pressure, flow and composition are varied along with substrate temperature and applied bias. The films are analyzed using Auger electron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nanoindentation, Raman spectroscopy and x-ray absorption spectroscopy. These techniques provide characterization of film composition, crystalline structure, hardness and chemical bonding, respectively. Reactive, rf-sputtering process parameters are established which lead to the growth of crystalline BN phases. The deposition of stable and adherent boron nitride coatings consisting of the cubic phase requires 400 `C substrate heating and the application of a 300 V negative bias.
Changes in cell surface proteins during differentiation of mouse embryonal carcinoma cells

Abstract The cell surface proteins of teratocarcinoma-derived embryonal carcinoma cells (ECC), of parietal endoderm (Pys-2 and F9-AC cl 9), and of fibroblasts (OTT6050f) were radioiodinated by a lactoperoxidase method and analyzed by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. The combined electrophoretic profiles of proteins from a number of ECC lines allowed the determination of eight ECC-unique polypeptides. Parietal endoderm and fibroblast expressed their own unique polypeptides. The two parietal endoderm-specific polypeptides are identical to the subunits of laminin. Retinoic acid-induced differentiation of one ECC line (F9) resulted in the disappearance of polypeptides specific for ECC and the appearance of those specific for the parietal endoderm.
Delineation of Saltwater Intrusion Through a Coastal Borrow Pit by Resistivity Survey

Dewatering of a borrow pit in Portsmouth, VA, induced localized saltwater intrusion into a sandy coastal aquifer during excavation of the surficial deposit. More than a decade after mining operations ceased, brackish water still contaminates residential wells and the pit lake despite the expectation that recharge would lower the salinity of the wells and the lake over time. Twenty-seven Schlumberger resistivity soundings and two Wenner profiles were taken around the lake and salinity measurements of surface and well water were collected at 27 locations in order to delineate the extent of brackish groundwater in the surficial aquifer. Interpretation of these data, when combined with information from prior limnological and geological studies, indicates the presence of a relatively saline, confined aquifer beneath the lake. This aquifer is connected to the lake only where a deep depression on the lake bottom penetrates through the confining bed overlying the aquifer. The only continuous source of chloride for the lake is brackish water in that depression. Fresh groundwater in the shallow aquifer becomes brackish as it passes through the lake, eventually reentering the aquifer, where it contaminates the residential wells.
Consumer wayfinding tasks, strategies, and errors: An exploratory field study

A significant portion of the consumer's in-store shopping experience is spent searching for desired products in complex shopping environments. Surprisingly, past research has largely overlooked this important behavior. The authors attempt to rectify this situation by reporting the findings of an extensive exploratory investigation of consumer in-store wayfinding, or search behavior. The study was conducted in the field, on the premises of a suburban supermarket. The main thrust of the research was descriptive, aimed at uncovering the basic mechanisms that direct the consumer's use of in-store navigational search strategies. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Mycobacterial Lymphadenitis in Children: A Prospective Study of 105 Nontuberculous Cases with Long-Term Follow-Up

Cases of nontuberculous mycobacterial lymphadenitis were analyzed in a prospective study spanning 32 years, from 1958 to 1990. The results are based on personal observations and long-term follow-up. There were 105 cases, all of which occurred in children aged 9 1/2 months to 12 years (median age, 2.92 years). The patients were predominantly female, and the cases occurred more often in the winter and spring. The cervical or facial nodes were involved in 96 cases. An abrupt change in the predominant etiologic agent (from Mycobacterium scrofulaceum to Mycobacterium avium complex) was noted in the 1970s. Positive tuberculin skin tests were the rule, and reactivity was long lasting. Complications included a prolonged initial phase of infection (n = 6) and recurrences 3 1/2 months to 7 years later (n = 5). Resection during the early stage of infection produced the most satisfactory healing.
Molecular Symmetry and the Design of Molecular Solids: The Oxalamide Functionality as a Persistent Hydrogen Bonding Unit

A symmetry analysis based upon the structure of simple molecules and their anticipated intermolecular interactions can lead to successful predictions of molecular packing and crystal symmetry. As a demonstration of these ideas an in-depth study of the oxalamide functionality as a persistent hydrogen bonding unit is presented. The synthesis and structural characterization of a series oxalamide dicarboxylic acids is presented and the structures compared with the analogous urea compounds. Both the urea and oxalamide dicarboxylic acids form designed two-dimensional hydrogen-bonded β-networks with a significant degree of reliability. The urea designs are quite reliable when there is a molecular 2-fold axis, but competing hydrogen bond patterns are found when less symmetrical molecules are studied. The oxalamide design based on inversion centers is also quite reliable, with the designed layer structure found in most cases.
Integration of 3D Modeling, FEA, Rapid Prototyping in Engineering Technology 2-Year Programs

Graduates from the Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Mechanical Engineering Technology (MECH) and Industrial Design (IND) Technology at New York City College of Technology are learning new skills in 3D modeling, Finite Elements Analysis (FEA) and Rapid Prototyping. Two year programs in engineering technology are often short of helping students to grasp all aspects of the technology. This is mainly due to the limited number of credits allowed in 2-year programs (about 60 credits). Most graduates from both MECH and IND find employment in the local industry. Growing demand from local employers compelled the department to incorporate new components in the upper level courses in both AAS programs. Students from both programs are required to take a 60 hour (4 hours/week) Advanced Solid Modeling course (IND2304). In order to address the local industry need the department decided to modify and update IND2304. In the new course, students learn to improve their design by using some of the solid mechanics techniques, stress analysis, the role of Finite Element Analysis (FEA), rapid prototyping, and applying tolerance. Students learn 3D modeling using AutoDesk Inventor. They are required to design a team based project at the end of the semester. Students learn team work and sharing information with each other. They enhance their communication skills by presenting their work at the end of the semester. Results of this new course are very encouraging. Students get very motivated by the diversity and creativity of the new design work. Some students who graduated from both programs were able to use their new design skills and team work in their current positions in the field.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Uranium at high pressure from first principles

Abstract The equation of state, structural behavior and phase stability of α-uranium have been investigated up to 1.3 TPa using the density functional theory, adopting a simple description of electronic structure that neglects the spin–orbit coupling and strong electronic correlations. Comparison of the enthalpies of Cmcm (α-U), bcc, hcp, fcc and bct reveals that the α-U phase is stable up to a pressure of ∼285 GPa, above which it transforms to a bct-U phase. The enthalpy differences between the bct and bcc phases decrease with pressure but bcc is energetically unfavorable at least up to 1.3 TPa, the upper pressure limit of this study. The enthalpies of the close-packed hcp and fcc phases are 0.7and 1.0 eV higher than that of the stable bct-U phase at a pressure of 1.3 TPa, supporting the wide stability field of the bcc phase. The equation of state, the lattice parameters and the anisotropic compression parameters are in good agreement with experiment up to 100 GPa and previous theory. The elastic constants at the equilibrium volume of α-U confirm our bulk modulus. This suggests that our simplified description of electronic structure of uranium captures the relevant physics and may be used to describe bonding and other light actinides that show itinerant electronic behavior especially at high pressure.
The Role of the Wind–Evaporation–Sea Surface Temperature (WES) Feedback as a Thermodynamic Pathway for the Equatorward Propagation of High-Latitude Sea Ice–Induced Cold Anomalies

Abstract The role of the wind–evaporation–sea surface temperature (WES) feedback in the propagation of the high-latitude cooling signal to the tropical oceans using the NCAR atmospheric Community Climate Model (CCM3) coupled thermodynamically to a slab-ocean model (SOM) is studied. Abruptly imposed additional Northern Hemispheric sea ice cover equivalent to the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM; 18 kyr BP) in the model causes a Northern Hemisphere–wide cooling, as well as the generation and amplification of an anomalous cross-equatorial meridional SST dipole associated with a southward migration of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) stabilizing within a period of 5 yr. In experiments where the WES feedback is switched off explicitly by modifying the sensible and latent heat flux bulk aerodynamic formulations over the oceans in CCM3, imposed Northern Hemispheric sea ice also results in widespread northern cooling at the same rate as the unmodified run, suggesting that the WES feedback is not essential in th...
Pleomorphic lymphoma and gastric adenocarcinoma (collision neoplasm) associated with monoclonal macroglobulinemia and amyloidosis. A case report.

An unusual instance of lymphosarcoma involving the perigastric lymphnodes and presumably the stomach, associated with monoclonal IgM (Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia) is described. At autopsy, a pleomorphic malignant lymphoma and a coexistent mucin-secreting gastric adenocarcinoma were discovered. Cancer-to-cancer metastases were found in the lymph nodes, the liver, the lungs, the kidneys, the pancreas and the bone marrow. Amyloidosis of the stomach and the lung was also found. This represents the first reported case of pleomorphic lymphoma and gastric adenocarcinoma with dual metastases (collision neoplasm), associated with monoclonal macroglobulinemia and amyloidosis.
Is ignorance bliss? : the effect of asymmetric information between spouses on intra-household allocations

Fundamental questions about how resources are allocated within the family remain unresolved. Because family decision making is a repeated game and there is caring, it is generally posited that the marriage relationship exploits the high degree of information sharing between spouses. Even if official cash transfers themselves are common knowledge between household members, the transfer may loosen constraints over other income sources less easily monitored. Empirical research has documented inefficient allocations between spouses and non-cooperative behavior as a result of asymmetric information in migrant households. However, the implications of asymmetric information between cohabiting spouses are still relatively unexplored. In this paper the authors used data from a field experiment in Southern Ghana to test the effect of windfalls on intra-household allocation. The results from the experiment indicate that spouses behave according to a non-cooperative marital allocation contract with differences in spending patterns by gender.
Preventing Bronchoconstriction in Exercise-Induced Asthma with Inhaled Heparin

Background We have previously reported that inhaled heparin prevents allergic bronchoconstriction in sheep and inhibits the anti-IgE-mediated release of histamine from mast cells in vitro. Since the release of such mediators has been implicated in exercise-induced asthma, we investigated whether inhaled heparin could also attenuate the bronchoconstrictor response in this disease. Methods On five days we studied 12 subjects with a history of exercise-induced asthma. On day 1 they underwent a standardized exercise challenge on a treadmill to document the presence of exercise-induced asthma. Minute ventilation was estimated with a calibrated respiratory inductive plethysmograph. The workload was increased until the heart rate reached 85 percent of the predicted maximal value, and was sustained for 10 minutes. The magnitude of bronchoconstriction was assessed by measuring specific airway conductance before and after the exercise. On day 2 the partial-thromboplastin time was measured in plasma obtained before ...
RNA localization: A glimpse of the machinery

Asymmetric mRNA localization within cells plays an important part in both development and physiology. Recent studies have provided a glimpse of the conserved molecular machinery that directs the localization of specific mRNAs.
Estrogen synthesis by adrenal-placental tissues of the sheep and the iris monkey in vitro.

An experiment was designed to determine whether the interdependent relationship of the placenta and fetal adrenal in estrogen synthesis is unique to human pregnancy or whether it might be a feature of mammalian reproduction more generally. A sheep and an iris monkey (Macaque fasciculata), each with a near-term pregnancy, were selected for study. The placentas and the adrenals of both the mother and fetus were removed and homogenates were prepared as follows: 1) placenta, 2) maternal adrenal, 3) fetal adrenal, 4) placenta plus maternal adrenal, and 5) placenta plus fetal adrenal. Each homogenate was incubated with pregnenolone-7α-3H and appropriate cofactors. Following incubation the following carrier steroids were added: estrone, estradiol, androstenedione, 19-norandrostendione, testosterone and dehydroepiandrosterone. These carrier steroids were purified by conventional techniques and their radiochemical purity was determined by reverse isotope dilution. The synthesis of estrone was demonstrated in all i...
Midzone activation of aurora B in anaphase produces an intracellular phosphorylation gradient.

Aurora B, a kinase important in mitosis, is now shown to generate a spatial gradient of phosphorylated substrates in anaphase with the highest concentration at the spindle midzone. Generation of this gradient involves a microtubule-dependent mechanism of aurora B activation. The gradient is proposed to provide important spatial information during mitosis. Aurora B is a kinase important for mitosis, and is shown to generate a spatial gradient of phosphorylated substrates in anaphase with the highest concentration at the spindle midzone. Generation of this gradient involves a microtubule-dependent mechanism of aurora B activation. The gradient is proposed to provide important spatial information during mitosis. Proper partitioning of the contents of a cell between two daughters requires integration of spatial and temporal cues. The anaphase array of microtubules that self-organize at the spindle midzone contributes to positioning the cell-division plane midway between the segregating chromosomes1. How this signalling occurs over length scales of micrometres, from the midzone to the cell cortex, is not known. Here we examine the anaphase dynamics of protein phosphorylation by aurora B kinase, a key mitotic regulator, using fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based sensors in living HeLa cells and immunofluorescence of native aurora B substrates. Quantitative analysis of phosphorylation dynamics, using chromosome- and centromere-targeted sensors, reveals that changes are due primarily to position along the division axis rather than time. These dynamics result in the formation of a spatial phosphorylation gradient early in anaphase that is centred at the spindle midzone. This gradient depends on aurora B targeting to a subpopulation of microtubules that activate it. Aurora kinase activity organizes the targeted microtubules to generate a structure-based feedback loop. We propose that feedback between aurora B kinase activation and midzone microtubules generates a gradient of post-translational marks that provides spatial information for events in anaphase and cytokinesis.
Regional DNA content heterogeneity in colonic adenocarcinoma: prognostic significance in patients with liver metastases.

We retrospectively examined by flow cytometry the DNA ploidy pattern in tissue blocks from 25 primary colon adenocarcinomas and their lymph node and liver metastases. Intratumoral heterogeneity was present in 22% of primary tumors and 21% of metastatic liver deposits. Intertumoral heterogeneity, measured between the primary tumor and its lymph node and liver metastases, was 0% and 20%, respectively. Of 24 patients who underwent successful resection of their liver metastases, 8 neoplasms had uniformly diploid DNA content, while 16 tumors had aneuploid DNA pattern in either the primary tumor, the metastases, or both. Five-year survival was better in the diploid group (38% vs. 7%, P = 0.10 by log rank analysis). Three of eight patients in the diploid group remain free of disease, while all 16 patients with aneuploid cell populations have died of recurrent disease. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Functional links between stability and reactivity of strontium ruthenate single crystals during oxygen evolution.

Understanding structure–function relationships at oxide-solution interfaces is highly desirable. Here, Chang et al. study the oxygen evolution reaction on strontium ruthenate single-crystal films in alkaline environments, and establish relationships between conductivity, stability and activity of the catalysts.
Ketoacidosis and trace amounts of isopropanol in a chronic alcoholic patient

Abstract Background Alcohol ketoacidosis is a frequently missed diagnosis, but is well described in the literature. We present a case of ketoacidosis, likely alcohol ketoacidosis, in a 40 y-old chronic alcoholic patient. The detection of trace serum isopropanol prompted a discussion of alcohol ketoacidosis versus toxic isopropanol ingestion or a combination of both, including comparisons with citations in current literature. Methods The automated instruments used to analyze the patient's urine, blood, and serum samples are described. Results The initial impression was severe metabolic acidosis with an increased anion gap and normal serum glucose and whole blood lactate. Testing for potential toxic ingestions detected only increased serum acetone and trace serum isopropanol. A urinalysis positive for ketones and an increased serum β-hydroxybutyrate concentration clenched the diagnosis of ketoacidosis. Conclusion Ketoacidosis with an increased anion gap in the absence of hyperglycemia or glycosuria in a chronic alcoholic patient should prompt the evaluation for alcohol ketoacidosis. Trace serum isopropanol may be worrisome for a toxic ingestion, but this finding in severe ketoacidosis may be explained by the reversible action of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. Markedly increased serum isopropanol with a low serum acetone:isopropanol ratio would be more indicative of a toxic isopropanol ingestion.
Caveolin-1 Inhibits Epidermal Growth Factor-stimulated Lamellipod Extension and Cell Migration in Metastatic Mammary Adenocarcinoma Cells (MTLn3) TRANSFORMATION SUPPRESSOR EFFECTS OF ADENOVIRUS-MEDIATED GENE DELIVERY OF CAVEOLIN-1

Caveolin-1 is a principal component of caveolae membranes that may function as a transformation suppressor. For example, the human caveolin-1 gene is localized to a suspected tumor suppressor locus (D7S522; 7q31.1) that is deleted in human cancers, including mammary carcinomas. However, little is known about the role of caveolins in regulating cell movement, a critical parameter in determining metastatic potential. Here, we examine the role of caveolin-1 in cell movement. For this purpose, we employed an established cellular model, MTLn3, a metastatic rat mammary adenocarcinoma cell line. In this system, epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation induces rapid lamellipod extension and cell migration. Interestingly, we find that MTLn3 cells fail to express detectable levels of endogenous caveolin-1. To restore caveolin-1 expression in MTLn3 cells efficiently, we employed an inducible adenoviral gene delivery system to achieve tightly controlled expression of caveolin-1. We show here that caveolin-1 expression in MTLn3 cells inhibits EGF-stimulated lamellipod extension and cell migration and blocks their anchorage-independent growth. Under these conditions, EGF-induced activation of the p42/44 mitogen-activated protein kinase cascade is also blunted. Our results suggest that caveolin-1 expression in motile MTLn3 cells induces a non-motile phenotype.
Effects of angiotensin receptor subtype inhibitors on plasma angiotensin clearance.

The aim of this study was to determine whether angiotensin receptor subtypes play a role in angiotensin clearance from plasma. Angiotensin metabolic clearance rate was measured in rats by the constant infusion method. Increasing doses of angiotensin II were infused for 15 minutes, and blood was sampled for angiotensin II. The type 1 angiotensin II receptor antagonist losartan decreased the apparent metabolic clearance rate by > 50% at low-dose infusion, suggesting that type 1 angiotensin II receptors are involved in angiotensin II clearance from plasma. At higher angiotensin infusion rates, the-metabolic clearance rate of angiotensin was unaffected. To dissect the contribution of renin-generated angiotensin, additional experiments were performed in nephrectomized rats. In anephric rats, angiotensin clearance was unaffected by type 1 angiotensin II receptor inhibition. In contrast, the type 2 angiotensin II receptor ligand PD123319 in intact rats caused a > 50% increase in metabolic clearance rate of angiotensin at higher infusion rates (P < .05). In anephric rats, the type 2 angiotensin II receptor ligand alone or combined with type 1 receptor inhibition was without effect on the metabolic clearance rate or the T1/2 for angiotensin disappearance. These data argue against a role for type 1 or 2 angiotensin II receptors as clearance receptors. Increased clearance of angiotensin by type 2 receptor blockade in the presence but not the absence of kidneys suggests an alternative renal mechanism by which selective type 2 ligands may alter angiotensin effects.
Fast detection of network intrusion

In this paper, we propose new network intrusion detection techniques which promptly detect malicious attacks and thus lower the resulting damage. Moreover, our approach rigorously control the probability of falsely implicating benign remote hosts as malicious. Such technique is especially suitable for detecting DoS attackers and port-scan attackers routinely perform random "portscans" of IP addresses to find vulnerable servers to compromise. Our method performs significantly faster and also more accurate than other current solutions.
Kyasanur Forest Disease Virus Infection in Mice Is Associated with Higher Morbidity and Mortality than Infection with the Closely Related Alkhurma Hemorrhagic Fever Virus

Background: Kyasanur Forest disease virus (KFDV) and Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever virus (AHFV) are closely related members of the Flavivirus genus and are important causes of human disease in India and the Arabian Peninsula, respectively. Despite high genetic similarity, the viruses have distinctly different host ranges and ecologies. Human cases of KFDV or AHFV develop a spectrum of disease syndromes ranging from liver pathology to neurologic disease. Case reports suggest KFDV is more commonly associated with hepatic and gastrointestinal manifestations whereas AHFV is more commonly associated with neurologic disease. Methodology/Principal Findings: Inoculation of three immunocompetent laboratory mouse strains revealed that KFDV was consistently more lethal than AHFV. In subsequent studies utilizing C57BL/6J mice, we demonstrated that KFDV infection was associated with higher viral loads and significantly higher mortality. KFDV-infected mice rapidly developed more severe disease than AHFV-infected mice, as evidenced by significant abnormalities on clinical chemistry panels and more severe pathology in the brain and gastrointestinal tract. Conclusions/Significance: Infections of C57BL/6J mice with KFDV or AHFV resulted in clinical disease syndromes that closely approximate the diseases seen in human cases. Despite high genetic similarity, there were clear differences in survival, viral kinetics, clinical chemistry data and histology. These results suggest that distinct mouse models for AHFV and KFDV are necessary in order to gain a better understanding of the unique pathogenesis of each virus, as well as to provide platforms for testing promising vaccines and therapeutics.
Face-keeping strategies in reaction to complaints: English and Persian

This paper discusses a number of differences between English and Persian in the area of speech acts and links them with different cultural values and norms. The Persian speakers’ use of face-keeping strategies in reaction to complaints was compared with American English speakers’ performance. The most frequent face- saving strategy used by both groups in reaction to complaints was the apology speech act. Therefore, a cross-cultural comparison in the realization patterns of the apology speech acts between the two languages was performed. A detailed analysis of the use of the illocutionary force indicating device (IFID) strategies and supportive strategies revealed important differences in communicative styles of the two groups which can give us insights into understanding different cultural values, norms, and assumptions concerning interpersonal use of language in a Western and a non-Western language. It is shown that Persian speakers are more sensitive to contextual factors and vary their face-keeping strategies accordingly whereas English speakers mostly use one apology strategy and intensify it based on contextual factors.
Combined biological paradigms: A neural, genetics-based autonomous systems strategy

Abstract This paper introduces an autonomous systems strategy that combines two biological inspirations: neural networks and gentic algorithms (GAs). These ideas have been combined in a variety of ways in other systems, but the scheme presented here has several unique features. The system presented is based on an analogy between learning classifier systems (LCSs) and neural networks first presented by Smith and Cribbs [Evolutionary Computation 2(1) (1994) 19-36]. However, Smith and Cribbs focused on supervised learning. The work presented in this paper transfers these ideas to the realm of autonomous systems by considering reinforcement learning. In the new system, a neural network is used to map environmental states to Q values. The neural network structure is based on an LCS. The GA acts to shape neural connectivity, and the number of hidden layer nodes. The GAs action is similar to its action in the LCS. The suggested system is evaluated in a simulated mobile robot test environment. Experimental results suggest that the system is effective in learning and evolving parsimonious strategy representations for autonomous systems. Future directions for investigation of this system are discussed.
Can Limiting Choice Increase Social Welfare? The Elderly and Health Insurance

Herbert Simon's work on bounded rationality has had little impact on health policy discourse, despite numerous supportive findings. This is particularly surprising in regard to the elderly, a group marked by a decline in higher cognitive functions. Elders' cognitive capacity to make decisions will be challenged even further with the introduction of the new Medicare prescription drug benefit program, mainly because of the many options available. At the same time, a growing body of evidence points to the perils of having too many choices. By combining research from decision science, economics, and psychology, we highlight the potential problems with the expanding health insurance choices facing the elderly and conclude with some policy suggestions to alleviate the problem.
Interplay of superconductivity, magnetism, and localization in Mo/Ni superlattices

A new experimental relationship between superconductivity, magnetism, and localization is explored in short-wavelength (14 A< or =..lambda..< or =40 A) sputtered Mo/Ni superlattices. A crossover to a superconducting state is observed for ..lambda..<9 A implying paramagnetic behavior when the Ni strata are four atomic layers thick, or less. All samples show localization effects at liquid-helium temperatures and nonsuperconducting samples develop an unusual resistance plateau below Troughly-equal0.5 K.
African Fiscal Systems as Sources for Demographic History: the Case of Central Angola, 1799–1920

In evaluating statistical information found in reports of European travellers, historians have not paid sufficient attention to the possibility that African states possessed reasonably competent fiscal systems. This is demonstrated by a study of the demographic information about the central highlands of Angola collected in the 1850s by the Hungarian traveller Lazlo Magyar, who probably used oral fiscal records about the numbers of villages in the area to make a detailed series of population estimates.Our study of the population data left by Magyar suggests that it is reliable and can be used to show population trends in central Africa from 1800 to 1900. Population appears to have increased rapidly in the central highlands during this period, probably because of the importation of slaves, while it decreased dramatically after 1850 in the lands of the Lunda empire to the east.