cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
GLUCOCORTICOID-INDUCED PHOSPHOLIPASE A 2 -INHIBITORY PROTEINS (PLIP) MEDIATE GLUCOCORTICOID TERATOGENICITY IN VITRO

Our recent work has suggested that anti-inflammatory glucocorticoids produce cleft palate in mice by the same biochemical pathway as utilized in their anti-inflammatory action. This pathway includes a glucocorticoid receptor mediated induction of phospholipase A2-inhibitory proteins (PLIP) which inhibit the release of the prostaglandin precursor fatty acid, arachidonic acid, from membrane phospholipids at the level of phospholipase A2, which in turn leads to a subsequent inhibition of prostaglandin production. In this report we have prepared and partially purified such PLIPs of molecular weight about 55,000, 40,000, 28,000, and 15,000 from A/J mouse thymus and from 12-day embryonic B10.A palates. Sufficient quantities of calf thymus PLIP and of the 15,000 molecular weight mouse thymus and palate PLIPs were prepared and tested as inhibitors of programmed cell death in the medial edge epithelium of single mouse embryonic palatal shelves in culture. This event is completely prevented by the inclusion of nanomolar quantities of cortisone in the culture medium. All the proteins tested prevent the loss of the medial edge epithelium and thus produce the teratogenic effects of glucocorticoids in the palatal culture model. This teratogenic action of both PLIP and glucocorticoids is reversed by arachidonic acid, the precursor of prostaglandins suggesting that PLIP mediates the effects of glucocorticoids by inhibiting phospholipase A2 (PLA2).
Hole growth in plane viscous creep including interaction effects

Abstract A basis is presented for modeling the creep rupture process in terms of cavity growth by viscous creep deformation. It is shown that hole interactions must be included in the analysis in order to establish a rupture criterion. A technique introduced by Berg to study the growth of single holes is extended to treat two-hole geometries. The initial displacement rates for the case of two circular holes are calculated and interaction effects are examined.
Social structure, human agency, and social policy

Discusses the papers in this issue in calculated style, with regard to social structure, human agency and social policy. Itemizes the papers one‐by‐one and gives their strength of argument or policy or an important argument in their favour.
Detection and Measurement of Fat Cell-Binding Immunoglobulins: A New Method Applicable to the Diagnosis and Study of Graves' Disease*

This report describes a new method for detecting and quantitating those immunoglobulins G (IgG) in serum that are related to Graves' disease. The method is based on previous observations which indicate that the guinea pig fat cell membrane (FCM) is capable of binding Graves'-specific IgG, but does not bind the IgG common to Graves' disease and Hashimoto's disease, such as antimicrosomal antibodies. Crude FCM preparations were iodinated by a lactoperoxidase technique and were then treated with Triton X-100 to yield a solubilized radioiodinated FCM (SFCM) preparation. SFCM, which retained bovine (b) TSH binding and Graves'-IgG binding properties, provided a radioactively labeled receptor with which to test for the presence of fat cell-binding IgG (FBI) in immunoprecipitates prepared by reacting these IgG with antibody against the Fc fragment of human IgG. FBI values (percentage of added SFCM bound to immunoprecipitate; mean + SD) in IgG from 16 patients with thyrotoxicosis caused by Graves' disease (6.0 +/- 1.7) were completely separated from those in IgG from 16 normal subjects (0.4 +/- 0.3). IgG from 2 hypothyroid patients with Hashimoto's disease, which were strongly positive in the TSH binding inhibition (TBI) assay, yielded FBI values within the range in Graves' disease, but values in TBI-negative IgG from 15 other patients with Hashimoto's disease were normal (0.0 +/- 0.9). Moderately false positive FBI values were found in the IgG of 15 patients with rheumatoid arthritis or systemic lupus erythematosis, all rheumatoid factor positive, 3 of which were also TBI positive. In IgG from Graves' disease and those from patients with TBI-positive collagen-vascular disease, binding of SFCM was inhibited by bTSH in a dose-dependent manner. As with binding of TSH to thyroid plasma membranes, similar but less potent inhibition of binding of IgG to SFCM was produced by LH, FSH, and hCG, but not by insulin, glucagon, PRL, or ACTH. FBI values in TBI-negative IgG from patients with collagen-vascular disease were also decreased by TSH, but higher concentrations of bTSH were required. In 40 IgG from among the various clinical groups tested, a significant correlation was found between FBI values and TBI activity (r = 0.48; P less than 0.01). In addition, among 10 IgG from Graves' disease and 6 from collagen-vascular disease patients, a very close correlation (r = 0.89; P less than 0.001) was noted between their TBI activity and the extent to which their FBI values were decreased by a standard concentration of bTSH.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
E. H. Carr's Theory of International Relations: A Critique

rpHE CENTRAL ARGUMENT of the present essay falls into two parts, leach of which may be briefly stated. (1) E. H. Carr does not have a unified theory of international relations; he has at least two different theories which he fails to relate to one another in consistent fashion. (2) In Tke Twenty Years' Crisis Carr poses a problem the implications of which haunt him throughout that work and in his subsequent theoretical writings. In his most recent theoretical work, What Is History?, he returns to this problem and tries to give it an answer. The answer is, however, philosophically unsatisfactory. What is more it involves a reformulation of the "utopian illusions" against which Tke Twenty Years' Crisis was originally directed, and Carr thus stands self-incriminated in the light of his own prior analyses. The divergence between Carr's two theories of international relations may be seen most clearly with reference to his analyses of the causes of the breakdown of the interwar (1919-1939) international system. The divergent analyses are best reflected in Tke Twenty Yeors' Crisis, on the one hand, and Nationalism and After, on the other. Conditions of Peace is a transitional work in which the thesis of Tke Twenty Years' Crisis is echoed, but the thesis of Nationalism and After is clearly foreshadowed. In The Twenty Years' Crisis the cause of the interwar breakdown is traced to the harmful effects of the harmony of interest doctrine. In Nationalism and After it is found in the tension between the pressures of political autonomy and the necessities of economic and military interdependence. The implications of the analyses differ sharply. In the one case heavy responsibility is laid at the door of the "satisfied" powers; in the other, the problem is seen as rooted in the inevitable incongruity
Absent, unrecognized, and minimal myotonic discharges in myotonic dystrophy type 2.

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency of absent, unrecognized, or minimal myotonic discharges (MDs) in myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). We performed a retrospective review of needle electromyography (EMG) data prior to genetic diagnosis in 49 DM2 patients at the Mayo Clinic. MDs were not reported on first or repeat EMG studies (n = 8) and not found in archived recordings of 4 patients (8%); archived EMG recordings (n = 4) confirmed the absence of MDs (n = 2), including 1 patient with normal insertional activity in all muscles, and misinterpretation of MDs as slow fibrillation potentials (n = 1) and complex repetitive discharge (CRD) activity (n = 1). Eight (16%) patients had minimal classic MDs with diffusely increased insertional activity, including waning-only MDs in all patients in this group with archived EMG recordings (n = 5). Diffuse MDs were found in 33 (67%) patients. Absent or minimal MDs do not exclude DM2. Over-reliance on diffuse MDs in patients who present with myopathy may lead to delay in genetic diagnosis of DM2. Muscle Nerve, 2010
Abnormal social behaviors in young and adult rats neonatally infected with Borna disease virus

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have been the focus of a great deal of research and clinical speculation. This intense interest relates to both the perplexing pathogenesis and devastating consequences of these disorders. One of the obstacles to understanding the pathogenesis of autism and to developing efficient treatment has been the paucity of animal models that could be used for hypotheses-driven mechanistic studies of abnormal brain and behavior development and for the pre-clinical testing novel pharmacological treatments. In this report, we briefly review our animal model of ASD based on neonatal Borna disease virus (BDV) infection and present new data about abnormal social interaction in adult BDV-infected rats. We found that neonatal BDV infection profoundly affected social behaviors in adult rats. Compared to the control rats, both 90- and 180-day-old infected rats spent less time in active social interaction and more time in following their partners. In the intruder-resident test, the BDV-infected resident rats exhibited less aggression towards the intruders and showed more the following-the-intruder behavior. The following-the-partner behavior may be an example of "stereotypic" activity due to BDV-induced abnormal social communication between rats. The previously published results and present findings indicate that neonatal BDV infection significantly altered the normal pattern of social interaction in rats. Co-localization of activated microglia and dying Purkinje cells in BDV-infected rats suggests that the BDV model could be used to study a pathogenic link of Purkinje cell dropout and neuroinflammation to abnormal social behaviors.
Acetaldehyde inhibits angiotensin-converting enzyme activity of bovine lung.

Abstract The role of ethanol and its primary metabolite, acetaldehyde, were investigated for their effects upon angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) (EC 3.4.15.1), since the enzyme plays a key role in the maintenance of blood pressure homeostasis by transforming angiotensin I into angiotensin II and degrading bradykinin. ACE was extracted from a 38 000 × g pellet of bovine lung homogenate with 0.05-M N -(2-hydroxyethyl)piperazine- N ′-2-ethanesulfonic acid (HEPES) buffer, pH 7.0/0.4 M NaCl10 μMZnCl20.5% Triton X-100. The solubilized enzyme was preincubated with increasing concentrations of acetaldehyde (0.177–2.213 M) for 30 min at 0°C. Progressive inhibition of 41–84% was observed as enzyme aliquots were assayed with hippuryl-L-histidyl-L-leucine (HHL) as the substrate. The interaction of angiotensin-converting enzyme with acetaldehyde was rapid under these conditions. Ethanol appeared to have no effect upon enzymic activity at comparable concentrations. These results suggest that acetaldehyde-mediated ACE inhibition in vivo may play a contributory role in the development of vasodilation and facial flush reaction consequent to ethanol consumption, thereby accounting for localized hypotension.
Quantitative Determination of Free Estrone, Estradiol 17-β, and Estradiol 17-α in Bovine Fetal Cotyledons

Summary A quantitative method for assay of free estrone, estradiol 17- β , and estradiol 17- α in bovine fetal cotyledons is reported. Ethyl-acetate was used for initial extraction. The extract was partially purified by partitioning between toluene and 5% NaOH, followed by partitioning between the neutralized aqueous fraction and benzene. The estrogens were separated by paper chromatography, using the benzene-Skellysolve-B 1:1 form-amide system. The estrogens were quantitatively determined by fluorimetry, using an adaptation of the method of Bates and Cohen. Recovery of exogenous estrogens added to fetal cotyledons was approximately 83% for each of the three estrogens studied. Fetal cotyledons from 41 placentae of various stages of pregnancy were analyzed. Ten normal postpartum placentae averaged 3.5, 3.6, and 5.7 μ g/100g. of tissue, respectively, for estrone, estradiol 17- β , and estradiol 17- α , while total quantities present were, respectively, 55.9, 55.8, and 96.9 μ g. Estradiol-17 α was significantly higher than estrone or estradiol 17- β . In 31 prepartum placentae the concentration of estradiol 17- β was only slightly but consistently higher than either estrone or estradiol 17- α . The sum of the three estrogens present at 102–158, 170–212, 230–237, and 256–275 days of pregnancy was, respectively, 7.0, 11.2, 40.9, and 69.0 μ g. while similarly the concentration per 100g. of tissue was 1.4, 1.1, 2.4, and 4.0 μ g. In contrast, postpartum fetal cotyledons averaged 12.8 μ g/100g. and the total present was 208.6 μ g.
PERSPECTIVE: COMPLEX ADAPTATIONS AND THE EVOLUTION OF EVOLVABILITY

The problem of complex adaptations is studied in two largely disconnected research traditions: evolutionary biology and evolutionary computer science. This paper summarizes the results from both areas and compares their implications. In evolutionary computer science it was found that the Darwinian process of mutation, recombination and selection is not universally effective in improving complex systems like computer programs or chip designs. For adaptation to occur, these systems must possess "evolvability," i.e., the ability of random variations to sometimes produce improvement. It was found that evolvability critically depends on the way genetic variation maps onto phenotypic variation, an issue known as the representation problem. The genotype-phenotype map determines the variability of characters, which is the propensity to vary. Variability needs to be distinguished from variations, which are the actually realized differences between individuals. The genotype-phenotype map is the common theme underlying such varied biological phenomena as genetic canalization, developmental constraints, biological versatility, developmental dissociability, and morphological integration. For evolutionary biology the representation problem has important implications: how is it that extant species acquired a genotype-phenotype map which allows improvement by mutation and selection? Is the genotype-phenotype map able to change in evolution? What are the selective forces, if any, that shape the genotype-phenotype map? We propose that the genotype-phenotype map can evolve by two main routes: epistatic mutations, or the creation of new genes. A common result for organismic design is modularity. By modularity we mean a genotype-phenotype map in which there are few pleiotropic effects among characters serving different functions, with pleiotropic effects falling mainly among characters that are part of a single functional complex. Such a design is expected to improve evolvability by limiting the interference between the adaptation of different functions. Several population genetic models are reviewed that are intended to explain the evolutionary origin of a modular design. While our current knowledge is insufficient to assess the plausibility of these models, they form the beginning of a framework for understanding the evolution of the genotype-phenotype map.
Rates of pi-electron oxidation and reduction of free base and Zn(II) porphyrins, chlorins, and isobacteriochlorins

The rates of pi-electron oxidation and reduction of two homologous series of free base and Zn(II) porphyrins, chlorins, and isobacteriochlorins were studied by chronocoulometry at a platinum disk electrode. The macrocycles were octaethylporphyrin, tetraphenylporphyrin, and the chlorins and isobacteriochlorins derived therefrom. The rates were found to vary to within a factor of 3, and some consistent trends are noted. However, the most important conclusion of this work is that pi-electron redox processes for these macrocycles occur at essentially the same rate, despite the previously noted large differences in pi-electron redox potentials.
Non-medical treatment of first epileptic seizures in adolescence and adulthood

Preliminary results are presented of a prospective study of patients who after a first seizure were treated by avoidance of seizure-precipitating factors. Thirty patients have been enrolled of whom 13 (43.3%) already had had a relapse before study onset. Twenty-three patients have been followed for 12 to 102 months, and of these a total of 7 relapses were observed. The recurrence rate in the first year of follow-up was 17.4%, much below the rate expected from the previously observed relapses. Mostly, the relapses were caused by the same precipitating factors as before. The risk of relapse was not influenced by drug treatment, electroencephalogram findings, focal signs, and positive antecedents, but there was a non-significant trend of previous relapses to increase this risk. The observed seizure recurrences with antiepileptic drug treatment indicate that, if drugs are prescribed, a careful choice of medication is necessary even after a single seizure, and low-dose therapy may not be sufficient. However, careful evaluation of individual factors precipitating the first seizure(s), and careful subsequent avoidance of these factors seems to be a more efficient therapeutic strategy than pharmacotherapy.
Planting Patterns and Radiation Interception, Plant Nutrient Concentration, and Yield in Corn

(…) Interception of solar radiation shortly after silking was generally similar for all the planting patterns except for the 1.52 m twin row spacing which intercepted 10% more incident radiation with lower rather than upper leaves compared to the other planting patterns 3 h before solar noon, but allowed 7% more incident radiation to strike the soil surface compared to the narrow row spacings (0.38-0.76 m) at solar noon (…)
Rate-percentile-optimal sequential channel sensing and probing in cognitive radio networks under spectrum uncertainty

In this paper, we study the quality-of-service (QoS) support for realtime traffic in cognitive radio (CR) networks when spectrum availability and quality is not known a priori. A resource-constrained CR relies on sequential channel sensing and probing to resolve spectrum uncertainty and search for good transmission opportunities in real time. We are interested in maximizing the effective throughput the CR can achieve with a desired confidence (success probability) under a delay constraint. This quantity can be interpreted as the QoS-compliant capacity of the CR link under the uncertain spectrum environment. The optimization is formulated as a finite-horizon optimal stopping problem under the objective of maximizing a given percentile of the rate of return at the stopping time. This formulation cannot be directly solved by classical optimal stopping theory, because the latter only supports a mean-reward objective function. A novel transformation is developed to convert the problem into solving a series of sub problems, each of which optimizes a transformed mean-reward of the original problem and therefore can be solved using classical optimal stopping method. We prove the monotonicity of the sub problems, based on which we develop a fast algorithm to efficiently find the unique solution to the original problem. Extensive simulations are performed to verify the effectiveness and significance of the optimization. We show that significant gains (e.g., over 30%) on the QoS-compliant capacity can be achieved by the proposed algorithm when compared with the counterparts.
Space science setbacks discussed

Making the best of a difficult situation seemed to be the recurring theme of a forum on the future of U.S. space science held earlier this month at the meeting of the American Physical Society's Division of Plasma Physics in Baltimore, Md. The loss of the space shuttle Challenger has had “immediate and very substantial” effects on space science, according to Jeffrey D. Rosendhal of the Office of Space Science and Applications at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), one of four speakers at the forum.
Relaxation methods for monotropic programs

We propose a dual descent method for the problem of minimizing a convex, possibly nondifferentiable, separable cost subject to linear constraints. The method has properties reminiscent of the Gauss-Seidel method in numerical analysis and uses thee-complementary slackness mechanism introduced in Bertsekas, Hosein and Tseng (1987) to ensure finite convergence to near optimality. As special cases we obtain the methods in Bertsekas, Hosein and Tseng (1987) for network flow programs and the methods in Tseng and Bertsekas (1987) for linear programs.
Effectiveness of Congesting Cuffs ("Rotating Tourniquets") in Patients with Left Heart Failure

Congesting cuffs or "rotating tourniquets" are often used to treat patients with acute pulmonary edema secondary to left heart failure. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of congesting cuffs in pooling blood in the extremities and decreasing pulmonary congesting pressures in patients with left heart failure and to define optimal congesting cuff pressures. Congesting cuffs on three extremities were inflated to 20, 40, 60 and 80 mm Hg in 16 patients with left heart failure and in 7 normal subjects. The extremities were elevated to collapse the veins before inflating the cuffs. The amount of venous pooling was measured with mercury-in-silastic strain gauge plethysmographs. Inflation of the cuffs produced significantly less venous pooling in patients with heart failure than in normal subjects. Decreases in right atrial pressure during inflation of the cuffs were also significantly less in the patients with heart failure than in the normal subjects. In patients with heart failure, pulm...
Arterial infusion and occlusion in cancer patients

RANSCATHETER intraarterial infusion and occlusion techniques are being adapted to the percutaneous management of selected cancer patients. Because of ready access to the vascular supply of the tumor and the resulting reduced morbidity and mortality, the interventional radiologist has applied the percutaneous approach to a wide variety of neoplastic diseases. The rationale of intraarterial infusion is to expose the neoplasm to a higher local concentration of chemotherapeutic agent than with intravenous administration without increasing toxicity. Most cytotoxic agents have a steep dose response curve; ie, the higher the concentration of the drug, the higher the antitumor effect.’ The systemic concentration and therefore systemic toxicity will usually be the same whether the agent is delivered intravenously or intraarterially. However, a neoplasm that is refractory to systemic chemotherapy may respond to arterial infusion of the same agent at the same dose rate.’ Infusion should be differentiated from per+ don; the latter is an attempt to isolate the tumor circulation by introducing the agent selectively into the nutritive artery and withdrawing it from the venous drainage of the neoplasm in order to recirculate the drug and minimize its systemic toxic effect. The terms embofization, occlusion,
Gamma Emitters in Marine Sediments near the Columbia River

Samples from sediment cores collected at 26 different locations 5 to 35 miles offshore in and around Astoria Submarine Canyon were analyzed for gamma emitters. Chromium-51 and zinc-65 were the principal radio-nuclides found, although several fission products and natural potassium-40 were also present. Radioactivity fell off sharply with distance from the mouth of the Columbia River, indicating that the river serves as a common source of the artificial radionuclides.
SU-E-T-702: Performance of Multiple Conformity, Homogeneity and Dose Gradient Indices in SRS and SBRT Treatment Planning of the Spinal, Pelvic and Lung Lesions

Purpose: Presently, various forms of quality indices (QI) are used to compare and evaluate stereotactic treatment plans with no single QI accepted as universal. In this work we evaluate and compare the performance of 11 previously reported QI: 5 conformity (CI), 5 homogeneity (HI), and 1 dose gradient (DGI) indices as a function of target size, site, and mode of treatment. A novel unified quality function (UQF) which combines conformity, homogeneity and dose gradient is presented and investigated. Methods: 27 spine SRS, 8 pelvic SBRT and 34 lung SBRT cases were analyzed using an in‐house wxPython program which imports treatment plan data and calculates various quality indices, dose volume tables, displays 3D dose/CT images, cumulative and differential DVHs. Results: Mean spine, pelvis and lung coverages were 0.91, 0.93, 0.85 respectively. Mean maximum target dose was best for pelvis (108%), followed by the lung (115%) and the spine (118%). Mean minimum target dose was best for the lung (95%), followed by pelvis (94%) and spine (88%). Mean DGI were 4.6, 5.2 and 7.54 for the pelvis, spine and lung. UQF scores the best for pelvis (0.2), followed by spine (0.28) and the lung (0.42). IMRT spine plans had better mean coverages (0.94), and lower maximum target dose (114%), while VMAT plans had better minimum target dose (89%). Conclusion: Mean CI, HI and DGI show various sensitivities to the treatment site, size and the delivery type (VMAT or IMRT). All CI except coverage show large variations with volume < 130 cc while all 5 HI show little dependence on the PTV volume. DGI values fall sharply for the lung (from 15 to 6) and spine (from 10 to 5) as the PTV increases to about 100 cc, while pelvic DGI stays about 5 for all PTV sizes.
Latitudinal and longitudinal oscillations of cloud features on neptune.

Voyager observations suggest that three of Neptune's major cloud features oscillate in latitude by 2 to 4 deg and that two of them simultaneously oscillate in longitude by 7.8 and 98 deg about their mean drift longitudes. The observations define most convincingly the two orthogonal oscillations of the second dark spot (near 53 deg south). These oscillations have similar periods near 800 hours and approximately satisfy a simple advective model in which a latitudinal oscillation produces a phase-shifted longitudinal oscillation proportional to the local wind shear. The latitudinal motion of the Great Dark Spot can be fit with an oscillation period of about 2550 hours, whereas its dominant longitudinal motion, if oscillatory at all, has such a long period that it is not well constrained by the Voyager data.
Characteristics of monoamine oxidase activity in brain and other organs of the adult bullfrog, Rana catesbeiana

1. Monoamine oxidase (MAO) activity was measured in brain, liver, kidney and intestine of the adult bullfrog by a fluorometric method. 2. All tissues contained both type A and type B MAO, on the basis of responses to specific inhibitors, but with different ratios in each tissue. 3. MAO activity was optimum at 30 degrees C. However, MAO type B showed greater activity changes related to incubation temperature than did type A. 4. The Michaelis constant (Km) of MAO also varied with temperature, with a nadir around 20 degrees C. The functional significance of this is not clear. 5. Arrhenius plots showed that the activation energy for MAO B was higher than for MAO A.
Bone age determination in children with Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease: a comparison of two methods.

In 100 children (17 girls, 83 boys) with Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, the average chronological age, pelvis bone age, and hand-wrist bone age were significantly different for the girls (8.2, 6.9, and 7.0 years, respectively; p < 0.05) and the boys (8.2, 7.4, and 5.9 years, respectively; p < 0.05). For the girls, the chronological age was greater than the pelvis bone age and the hand-wrist bone age (p < 0.05); there was no difference between the pelvis and hand-wrist bone age. For the boys, the chronological age was greater than the pelvis bone age and the hand-wrist bone age (p < 0.05); the pelvis bone age was greater than the hand-wrist bone age and less than the chronological age (p < 0.05). The acromelic growth in Legg-Calve-Perthes disease may explain why the more proximal pelvis bone age in boys was less delayed than that of the more distal hand-wrist.
The entrainment interface in a stratified fluid

A study is made of the entrainment interface in a two-layer flow with one layer turbulent owing to an imposed surface stress. Turbulent and wave parameters were measured from films of an experiment carried out by Kantha, Phillips & Azad (1977) and are analysed to determine relationships between wave and turbulent length and velocity scales and bulk scales. A measure of interface distortion is calculated and it is found to be related to the mixed-layer depth only at small overall Richardson number. The local velocity of advance of the interface is determined and is found to vary with overall Richardson number tending to the Kolmogorov scale at small Ri and to Phillips’ (1966) quasilaminar scale at large Ri . Kelvin-Helmholtz type instabilities are observed and their wavelength, amplitude and lifetime are measured. The wavelength is not found to be related to the mixed-layer depth but some dependence on overall Richardson number is observed. An interfacial mean flow Richardson number is estimated and the variation of wave slope at maximum amplitude with this Richardson number is found to be comparable with observations of Thorpe (1973 a ) in a laminar two-layer flow. A relationship between the wavelength of an instability and the distortion length scale is found and is discussed.
Does Workfare Work? Evaluation Research and Workfare Policy

The passage of the Family Support Act of 1988, mandating workfare for recipients of AFDC, appears to have been influenced by a firm of program evaluation researchers. This paper examines the organization's research and presentation of findings to account for the unusual prominence of policy experts in the welfare policy domain. Evidence in this case suggests that effective mobilization and deployment of resources through interorganizational networks of policy experts, media, and policymakers, was more important than the position of technocrats in the policy process. This raises the question of whether knowledge about work, welfare, and single motherhood that extends beyond the purview of current policy research could possibly influence policy outcomes.
Direct observation of surface-profile effects on X-ray-photoelectron angular distributions

Abstract The first direct observations of surface-profile effects on X-ray-photoelectron angular distributions are reported. Ratios of Al 2p (oxide) and Al 2p (metal) peak intensities were measured at various electron emission angles for two different types of specimens consisting of an aluminum substrate with a surface oxide layer. For triangular-periodic diffraction grating surfaces with 10°, 20°, and 43° blaze angles, pronounced structure was observed in the ratio angular distributions; theoretical calculations based upon the ideal grating geometries furthermore reproduce all of the features found experimentally. For unidirectionally-polished aluminum specimens, ratio angular distributions measured perpendicular and parallel to the polishing grooves were found to be markedly different, with more oxide enhancement being possible at low electron emission angles for the parallel orientation; this finding is also qualitatively consistent with theory.
Designing generalized conic concentrators for conventional optical systems.

Generalized nonimaging concentrators can be incorporated into conventional optical systems in situations where flux concentration rather than imaging is required. The parameters of the concentrator for maximum flux concentration depend on the design of the particular optical system under consideration. Rationale for determining the concentrator parameters is given for one particular optical system and the procedure used for calculation of these parameters is outlined. The calculations are done for three concentrators applicable to the optical system.
Routine follow-up imaging is unnecessary in the management of blunt hepatic injury

Background: Nonoperative management of hemodynamically stable patients with blunt hepatic injuries has become the standard of care over the past decade. However, controversy regarding the role of in-hospital follow-up computed tomographic (CT) scans as a part of this nonoperative management scheme is ongoing. Although many institutions, including our own, have advocated routine in-hospital follow-up scans, others have suggested a more selective policy. Over time, we have perceived a low yield from follow-up studies. The hypothesis for this study is that routine follow-up imaging of asymptomatic patients is unnecessary. Methods: All patients selected for nonoperative management of blunt hepatic injury were evaluated for utility of follow-up CT scans over a 4-year period. Results: There were 530 stable patients with hepatic injury on admission CT scans in which follow-up scans were obtained within a week of admission. All injuries were classified according to the revised American Association for the Surgery of Trauma Organ Injury Scale: 102 (19.2%) grade 1, 181 (34.1%) grade II, 158 (29.8%) grade III, 74 (13.9%) grade IV, and 15 (2.8%) grade V. Follow-up scans showed that most injuries were either unchanged (51%) or improved (34.7%). Only three patients underwent intervention based on their follow-up scans: two patients had arteriography (one with therapeutic embolization) and one had percutaneous drainage. Each of those patients had clinical signs or symptoms that were indicative of ongoing hepatic abnormality. Conclusion: These data demonstrate that, regardless of injury grade, routine in-hospital follow-up scans are not indicated as part of the nonoperative management of blunt liver injuries. Follow-up scans are indicated for patients who develop signs or symptoms suggestive of hepatic abnormality.
The template activity of chromatin.

The isolated interphase chromosomes or chromatin of higher plants and animals can act as template for the conduct of DNA-dependent RNA synthesis catalyzed by RNA polymerase. Such polymerase may be either the endogenous enzyme present in the chromatin or added exogenous enzyme purified from a different organism, as E. coli. Only a portion of the DNA of chromatin is available for transcription by RNA polymerase, the remainder being inert, repressed. The physical agents of repression are proteins of the class known as histones. Removal of histone from chromosomal DNA causes derepression of genetic material previously repressed. Analysis of a particular gene, that which supervises the synthesis of pea seed globulin, shows that the state of repression characteristic of the chromatin in life is preserved in the isolated material. That hormones which bring about increases in rate of RNA and protein synthesis in life do so by causing derepression of previously repressed genes is indicated by the fact that the template activity for RNA synthesis of chromatin isolated from organs after appropriate hormone treatment is greater than is the case without such treatment.
Multiplicativity of acyclic digraphs

Abstract A homomorphism of a digraph to another digraph is an edge preserving vertex mapping. A digraph W is said to be multiplicative if the set of digraphs which cannot be homomorphically mapped to W is closed under categorical product. We discuss the necessary conditions for a digraph to be multiplicative. Our main result is that almost all acyclic digraphs which have a Hamiltonian path are nonmultiplicative. We conjecture that almost all digraphs are nonmultiplicative.
Thermosolutal transport phenomena in large Lewis number electrochemical systems

A detailed scaling analysis of transport phenomena by laminar natural convection along a vertical flat plate is made for multiple-component electrochemical systems. The convective flow is generated by both horizontal temperature and concentration gradients under limiting current conditions. Both binary and well-supported ternary electrolytes are considered. Thicknesses of the thermal and solutal boundary layers, concentration variations of all species in each solutal layer, and the heat and mass transport rates are estimated for electrochemical systems with large Lewis numbers and buoyancy ratios. The solutal boundary layer structure is constructed for the well-supported electrochemical system. The results from the present scaling analysis are compared with available analytical results and experimental data.
Chloroform Inhibition of 1,2-Dimethylhydrazine-Induced Gastrointestinal Tract Tumors in the Fisher 344 Rat

The effect of chloroform (CHCl3), administered at 0, 900, and 1800 mg/liter in the drinking water, on the carcinogenic potency of 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH) was investigated. Groups of 40 male Fisher 344 rats were given one of the three drinking water solutions for 39 weeks following the subcutaneous injection of 200 mg/kg DMH, a known gastrointestinal (GI) tract carcinogen in this animal strain. When tumors from the GI tract were pooled there was a highly significant (p less than 0.001) decrease in total number of tumors per group with increasing concentration of drinking water CHCl3. In the control group (0 mg/liter CHCl3), 14/39 (36%) of the animals developed tumors of the GI tract, including the duodenum, jejunum, stomach, cecum, and colon. In contrast, the incidence of tumors in the two groups of rats given CHCl3 in the drinking water was significantly lower (p less than 0.001; 900 mg/liter CHCl3, 12.8%; 1800 mg/liter CHCl3, 12.5%). A similar relationship was obtained when colon tumors were analyzed independently (p = 0.01). The incidence of total colon tumors obtained in the control group of this study (10/39, 26%) agrees well with the previous study by B.S. Reddy, K. Watanabe, and J.H. Weisburger (1977, Cancer Res. 37, 4156-4159) conducted in the same rat strain (7/30, 23%). These results demonstrate that CHCl3 in the drinking water inhibits carcinogenesis in the rat GI tract.
Kaposi sarcoma associated herpesvirus pathogenesis (KSHV) – an update

Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is the etiological agent of several human malignancies. The virus is able to modulate pro-proliferative pathways to its advantage, while simultaneously inhibiting pro-apoptotic signaling pathways. These functions are carried out by multiple viral proteins acting in concert. The overall outcome is the survival and proliferation of the infected cell. Additionally, the virus also modulates innate immune pathways to allow for prolonged survival of the infected cell following primary infection, and during viral latency. Here we review the latest advances in our knowledge of KSHV pathogenesis.
Stability of Homologue of Slimb F-box Protein Is Regulated by Availability of Its Substrate

The homologue of Slimb (HOS) F-box protein is a receptor of the Skp1-Cullin1-F-box protein (SCFHOS) E3 ubiquitin ligase, which mediates ubiquitination and degradation of β-catenin and the inhibitor of NFκB, IκB. We found that HOS itself is an unstable protein that undergoes ubiquitination and degradation in a 26 S proteasome-dependent manner. A HOS mutant lacking the F-box that is deficient in binding to the core SCF components underwent ubiquitination less efficiently and was more stable than the wild type protein. Furthermore, ubiquitination and degradation of HOS was impaired in ts41 cells, in which the activities of Cullin-based ligases were decreased because the NEDD8 pathway was abrogated. Whereas HOS was directly ubiquitinated within the SCFHOS complex in vitro, the addition of phosphorylated IκBα inhibited this ubiquitination. Increasing cellular levels of HOS substrate (phosphorylated IκBα) by activating IκB kinase inhibited HOS ubiquitination and led to stabilization of HOS, indicating that interaction between HOS and its substrate might protect HOS from proteolysis. Taken together, our data suggest that proteolysis of HOS depends on its interaction with active components of the SCF complex and that HOS stability is regulated by a bound substrate. These findings may define a mechanism for maintaining activities of specific SCF complexes based on availability of a particular substrate.
The cost implications of first anniversary renal function after living, standard criteria deceased and expanded criteria deceased donor kidney transplantation

AbstractObjectives:To quantify relationships of post-transplant renal function with healthcare costs after kidney transplantation.Methods:Clinical and billing records for Medicare-insured kidney transplant recipients (1995–2003) were drawn from the US Renal Data System. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) at 1-year post-transplant was computed with the abbreviated Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Associations of eGFR with total Medicare payments in the second and third post-transplant years were examined by multivariate non-linear regression with spline forms. Adjustment covariates were drawn from the survival prediction model developed by the UNOS Kidney Allocation Review Committee.Results:The sample comprised 7103 living donor (LD), 22,110 standard criteria deceased (SCD), and 2594 expanded criteria deceased (ECD) donor transplant recipients. Regardless of donor type, lower 1-year eGFR was associated with significantly increased expenditures during the second and the third years p...
New Technologies for Catheter Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation

The past decade of ablation for atrial fibrillation (AF) has seen the adaptation of catheters designed for “focal” tachycardias or single pathways to perform wide encirclement of the pulmonary veins (PV). During the next decade, technologies designed specifically for PV isolation will emerge. Each system has its unique attributes. The cryoballoon system offers rapid PV isolation and the promise of enhanced safety, whereas the success rate is likely to be similar to catheter-based approaches. Although preclinical studies do suggest a very low likelihood of left atria-esophageal fistula using this technology, concerns of phrenic nerve damage and a small incidence of PV stenosis need to be addressed. It is likely that use of the larger 28-mm balloon will mitigate these concerns. The cryoballoon is also the first balloon technology to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for clinical use, and this may gain the technology an early foothold in the AF ablation market. The laser balloon ablation system is a more time-consuming and technically demanding procedure, and the risk of thrombus formation if ablation is performed in stagnant blood is a concern. However, early studies suggest a high rate of persistent PV isolation, which hopefully will translate into high single-procedure efficacy. The Ablation Frontiers system is the only system currently being developed for more persistent forms of AF. This system offers a rapid approach to PV isolation and left atrial defragmentation. The early results do not demonstrate a success rate better than that described for catheter ablation; however, the results are difficult to compare to standard catheter ablation in this recalcitrant patient group without a prospective randomized study.
Ceramic Tribology—Needs and Opportunities

A review of the state-of-the-science of ceramic tribology is presented. The ceramics considered consist of both oxides and non-oxides running against themselves or metals in an unlubricated condition. The measurement techniques and apparatus are described as are some of the available theories which describe wear phenomena. Characterization of the materials by a variety of analytical techniques is also discussed. A summary of the area is provided and the additional need and opportunities defined. Presented at the 42nd Annual Meeting in Anaheim, California May 11–14, 1987
Rsk1 mediates a MEK–MAP kinase cell survival signal

Abstract Background: Growth factors activate an array of cell survival signaling pathways. Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases transduce signals emanating from their upstream activators MAP kinase kinases (MEKs). The MEK–MAP kinase signaling cassette is a key regulatory pathway promoting cell survival. The downstream effectors of the mammalian MEK–MAP kinase cell survival signal have not been previously described. Results: We identify here a pro-survival role for the serine/threonine kinase Rsk1, a downstream target of the MEK–MAP kinase signaling pathway. In cells that are dependent on interleukin-3 (IL-3) for survival, pharmacological inhibition of MEKs antagonized the IL-3 survival signal. In the absence of IL-3, a kinase-dead Rsk1 mutant eliminated the survival effect afforded by activated MEK. Conversely, a novel constitutively active Rsk1 allele restored the MEK–MAP kinase survival signal. Experiments in vitro and in vivo demonstrated that Rsk1 directly phosphorylated the pro-apoptotic protein Bad at the serine residues that, when phosphorylated, abrogate Bad's pro-apoptotic function. Constitutively active Rsk1 caused constitutive Bad phosphorylation and protection from Bad-modulated cell death. Kinase-inactive Rsk1 mutants antagonize Bad phosphorylation. Bad mutations that prevented phosphorylation by Rsk1 also inhibited Rsk1-mediated cell survival. Conclusions : These data support a model in which Rsk1 transduces the mammalian MEK–MAP kinase signal in part by phosphorylating Bad.
Foreign exchange rationing and the aggregate import demand function

Abstract This paper develops a theoretically consistent specification of the aggregate import demand function under foreign exchange rationing. Empirical results for Bangladesh using Johansen-Juselius cointegration illustrate the problem of near-identity in the standard specification and superiority of the new specification.
Comments on the power method

In a recent short communication, Miyashita et al. have commented on the weakness of the NIPALS algorithm (equivalently the power method) for calculating the eigenvalues out of order. They offer a diagnostic to ascertain when this may have occurred and suggested a modification to the NIPALS algorithm to avoid this situation. Further comments regarding the use of the power method and Miyashita's presentation of its weakness are warranted. The general inadequacies of methods for decomposing a matrix with degenerate eigenvalues and their relationship to the orthogonal design of experiments are discussed.
Chemical mutagenesis and fine-structure functional analysis of the mouse genome

Heritable mutations constitute important raw materials for mammalian developmental genetics and general genome studies. Mutations induced by high-efficiency chemical mutagenesis of germ cells in mice can be used in genetic and molecular studies to complement physical-mapping strategies and to examine the nature and extent of the functional complexities hidden within the mammalian genome.
From Symmetry to Anthropophagy: The Cultural Context of Maori Art

J. D. H. and Gabrielle Donnay have produced an instructive and fascinating analysis of Maori rafter designs. My task is to add a few thoughts from an anthropological perspective, to expand upon their insights by placing them in a broader perspective of Maori art and culture. The article will develop something like the spiral motif that is so common in Maori art, covering an increasingly wide area as it goes along. It begins with a few comments about Maori rafter patterns (kowhaiwhai), the particular subject of the Donnay's article. Next it relates structures of symmetry and antisymmetry in rafter designs to other elements of Maori art. Finally, it suggests connections between those artistic patterns and other aspects of Maori culture. The discussion will concern traditional rather than contemporary Maori culture-as it was up to roughly the middle of the nineteenth century.
Linearized model matching for single-input nonlinear systems

A linearized, input-output model-matching problem for single-input, multioutput nonlinear systems is formulated in the frequency domain, and solved using dynamic output feedback. The objective is to obtain a desired transfer function for the family of closed-loop linearized systems. A disadvantage of this approach is that extension to the multi-input case is difficult. >