cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intravenous self-administration of propoxyphene napsylate: case report and in-vitro studies.

AbstractA man who was prescribed propoxyphene napsylate (PN) for treatment of heroin addiction stated that he received no effect from the drug by the oral route. He then decided to administer the drug to himself intravenously in a manner identical to that used by most heroin addicts (heating the tablet with water in a spoon and drawing the liquid through a needle); this procedure brought him immediate subjective relief. Several reports have stated that PN is not efficacious via the intravenous route since it is relatively water insoluble and is therefore not likely to be abused in this manner. However, in vitro experiments demonstrated that at least 13 mg of PN can be extracted by 10 mL of hot water from a tablet containing 100 mg of the drug. Assuming (as a conservative estimate) that the subject received a bolus injection of approximately 40 mg PN (he used four 100 mg tablets at once), his response may not have been entirely subjective. Moreover sever cardiovascular and pulmonary complications may ensue...
Pharmacology and efficacy of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors.

Abstract Discussion of the pharmacology and efficacy of cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition requires careful attention to the methodology used for making those comparisons. In vitro analysis of COX-2/COX-1 ratios requires consideration of the target tissues being examined, the details of incubation periods, outcome measures, and other parameters. Application of those data to the in vivo situation requires careful cognizance of pharmacokinetic factors such as clearance and serum half-life, protein binding, lipophilicity, and pK a . Proceeding from in vitro studies to efficacy studies also requires a careful consideration of methodology. Studies must be well controlled, of sufficient duration (≥12 weeks for rheumatoid arthritis), and, importantly, require equipotent dosing regimens. Equipotence may be hard to prove because in vitro and animal studies cannot predict equipotence in humans. Clinical studies are needed to prove equipotence. The obverse of efficacy is toxicity, and only with the knowledge of equipotent doses can toxicity be appropriately compared. Based on approximate equipotence, highly selective COX-2 inhibitors may cause fewer peptic ulcers and bleeds than drugs that are COX-1 preferential. COX-2 preferential (not highly selective) drugs may occupy a place between the two.
A 1.6V 3.3Gb/s GDDR3 DRAM with dual-mode phase- and delay-locked loop using power-noise management with unregulated power supply in 54nm CMOS

As the speed of DRAM increases and the applications spread, DLLs for DRAM require low-jitter characteristics as well as wide operating range in frequency and voltage domains. Even though digital DLLs have improved jitter control schemes [1,2,4], it is difficult to reject the jitter of the external clock in real applications. Whether a PLL or DLL is used, it should have negative delay for phase compensation in DRAM [3]. We design PDLL that has a PLL and a DLL with different roles. The DLL, which is used for phase compensation, is digital with low power consumption. The PLL, which is used for jitter reduction, is a charge-pump type [5] with dual K VCO and self-mode-shifting scheme, using an unregulated power supply for flexibility in operating range. Powering the PLL with an unregulated power supply is made possible by the power-noise-management technique of V PP control and by using a pseudo-rank architecture to suppress V DD noise due to low VPP pumping efficiency.
AXILLARY DISSECTION : WHEN AND HOW RADICAL?

Since the 1970s, axillary dissection has been regarded primarily as a staging procedure, with a secondary purpose of maintaining local control in the axilla. The widespread administration of adjuvant systemic therapy to women with breast cancer, as well as the increasingly frequent detection of very small breast cancers by mammography, has prompted an examination of the need for axillary dissection in all women with invasive breast cancer. This article reviews the rationale for eliminating axillary dissection, the incidence of nodal metastases in small and apparently favorable breast cancers, and discusses how often the findings of axillary dissection actually alter therapy in patients with clinically node-negative breast cancers. The extent of axillary dissection necessary to provide accurate staging and maintain local control is examined, and patients who will benefit from axillary dissection are identified.
Abstract 5344: Rapid induction and progression of PhIP+DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis in CYP1A-humanized mice

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA 2-Amino-1-methyl-6-phenylimidazo[4,5-b]pyridine (PhIP), the most abundant heterocyclic amine generated from high temperature cooking of meat and fish, is metabolically activated by human cytochrome P450 (CYP)1A2 to a proximate carcinogen. Using CYP1A-humanized (hCYP1A) mice, previous study in our lab demonstrated that a single i.g. administration of PhIP (200mg/kg b.w.), followed by 1.5% Dextran Sodium Sulfate (DSS) in drinking water for 7 days, can rapidly induce tumors in the colon with 100% incidence. Multiple adenocarcinomas were observed with elevation of β-catenin, a key protein in the Wnt signaling pathway, as well as iNOS, COX-2, cyclin D1 and c-Myc. In the present study, we investigated the early stage colon carcinogenesis in the hCYP1A mice treated with PhIP (2x 100mg/kg b.w.) and DSS (4 days). After 4 days of DSS treatment, clinical manifestation such as weight loss, diarrhea, and bloody stools were observed. At day 1 after DSS cessation, we found severe damages to the colon epithelium with expansive crypt degeneration, ulcerations and inflammation. At days 3 and 7, we detected epithelial hyperplasia and dysplasia in addition to extensive ulcerations and inflammation. At days 11 and 17, we identified early adenoma and adenocarcinoma, respectively. Similar adenomatous lesions were not observed in hCYP1A mice treated with only DSS. Using immunohistochemistry, we detected strong nuclear staining of β-catenin, specifically within the early adenomas and adenocarcinomas. Further examination using Ki67 marker revealed strong nuclear staining in the adenomas and adenocarcinomas as well as areas of hyperplasia and dysplasia, indicating their high level of proliferation and generation. DNA sequencing revealed 96% of the PhIP+DSS induced colon tumors at week 10 carried a β-catenin mutation, particularly in the codon 32, 33, and 34. Altogether, we demonstrate the rapid induction and progression of colon tumorigenesis in hCYP1A mice, initiated by PhIP-induced Wnt dysregulation and promoted by DSS-induced colitis. (Supported by NIH grants F31CA168333, RO1CA120915 and RO1CA133021 as well as shared facilities funded by CA72720 and ES05022) Citation Format: Jayson X. Chen, Hong Wang, Guangxun Li, Anna Liu, Chung S. Yang. Rapid induction and progression of PhIP+DSS-induced colon carcinogenesis in CYP1A-humanized mice. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5344. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5344
Heparin and chemotherapy in the management of inoperable lung carcinoma

Twenty-eight patients with inoperable or metastatic carcinoma of the lung who failed to respond to conventional chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were entered in this study. All of them received repeated courses of multiple chemotherapy (cyclophosphamide, 5-flourouracil, 6-thioguanine, methotrexate, and vincristine) with or without concurrent intravenous heparin anticoagulation. No tumor regression was noted in any of the 14 patients who received the multiple chemotherapy only. On the contrary, tumor progression was seen in all of them, and subsequently 12 died of their disease. The other 14 patients were anticoagulated with heparin, then received the same multiple chemotherapeutics while anticoagulated. Over 50% tumor regression was noted clinically and radiologically, and occasionally demonstrated histologically in 7 of them. Two patients in this group are alive and well for 1 1/2 years. No increase in toxicity or metastases was noted. The 2 patients who had progression of their disease while on the multiple chemotherapy program alone showed tumor regression when they received the same chemotherapy after heparinization.
Symmetry and microstructure in martensites

Abstract The shape memory effect and superelastic behaviour occur by the nucleation and growth of microstructure during a thermoelastic martensitic transformation. A constrained geometrically nonlinear theory is used to construct the twinned martensite, austenite-martensite, wedge, triangle, and diamond microstructures. The latter three microstructures are special microstructures, and they are of interest because they provide a mechanism through which the specimen can easily undergo the transformation. In this paper, it is shown that all of the twinning elements can be determined for any given transition, and that the twins are related by a symmetry transformation. Additionally, it is shown that there exists a symmetry amongst solutions to the habit plane equation with different variants, and this symmetry is exploited to show that the special microstructures are possible only for materials with special lattice parameters. This symmetry amongst the solutions provides a method by which all possible microst...
Rapidity of Cortisol Transfer Between Blood and Milk Following Adrenocorticotropin Injection

Abstract Cortisol concentrations in milk and blood plasma were measured in 12 lactating Holstein cows following administration of 40 IU adrenocorticotropin intravenously (groups 1 and 2) or 4 ml saline (control). Blood and milk samples were collected at 15 or 30-min intervals for 4 h from control and group 1 cows and at hourly intervals for 4 h from group 2. Cortisol concentrations in plasma and milk were increased 15 min after treatment and peaked by 1 h in group 1 but remained unchanged in controls. Group 2 cows were sampled less frequently but showed a pattern for plasma and milk Cortisol concentrations similar to group 1. The profile of increased Cortisol concentrations and of their decline 1 to 2 h later was similar for plasma and milk. These results suggest that Cortisol concentrations in milk reliably indicate Cortisol concentrations in blood and may be valuable in monitoring stress in dairy cows, depending upon duration of stress and its timing relative to milk removal.
Elastic and inelastic properties of the canine aorta and their variation along the aortic tree

Abstract Data on the nonlinear and inelastic mechanical properties of the canine aorta are presented. Major differences in the properties of the aorta from those of the mesentery, the skin, the muscle, etc, are pointed out. Mathematical representations of the experimental results are given. The relaxation spectrum is analyzed.
Some cost considerations of the seismic strengthening of pre-code buildings

Abstract Several earthquake ordinances have been enacted requiring owners of pre‐1934 unreinforced masonry buildings either to upgrade their seismic strength or to demolish them. In this paper some of the factors which an owner must consider, including the relative costs of rehabilitation and reconstruction, are reviewed and specific examination of the after‐tax returns for a hypothetical California building is made. It is shown that whereas there may be little direct income benefit gained from upgrading a particular building, tax shelter advantages may well provide sufficient financial inducement to justify a decision to upgrade rather than to demolish.
The use of antibiotics to reduce bacterioplankton uptake of phytoplankton extracellular organic carbon (EOC) in the Potomac River estuary

Abstract Phytoplankton production and accumulation of extracellular organic carbon (EOC) was tracked during diel intervals in microcosms by inhibiting bacterioplankton assimilation of EOC with streptomycin and kanamycin. Bacterioplankton production (3H-thymidine incorporation) and metabolism (14C-glucose incorporation) were monitored in samples collected from the Potomac River estuary to determine the effect of the antibiotics. Particulate (i.e., raw water) primary production and EOC (i.e., water passing through 1.0 μm glass fiber filter) production rates were monitored to determine the impact of antibiotics on phytoplankton. In preliminary experiments, neither streptomycin nor kanamycin alone significantly inhibited bacterioplankton activity compared to controls, but when both were present secondary production and metabolism were reduced up to 90%, and remained as such for 45 h. During field evaluations using a streptomycin and kanamycin mixture (50 μM each) particulate primary production and EOC production were not statistically different in control and antibiotic treated samples indicating that the antibiotics did not negatively influence phytoplankton production rates. In the presence of antibiotics dissolved free amino acids (DFAA) and, to a lesser extent, monosaccharides were significantly elevated compared to controls. This study demonstrates that streptomycin and kanamycin are capable of inhibiting bacterioplankton metabolism and uptake of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the samples tested so that the contribution of EOC to the DOC pool and to bacterioplankton metabolism could be measured and assessed.
Growth of calcium phosphate on ion-exchange resins pre-saturated with calcium or hydrogenphosphate ions: an SEM/EDX and XPS study

Calcium phosphate formed on the surfaces of ion-exchange resins pre-saturated with either Ca2+ or HPO4 2- ions has been studied using a combination of scanning electron microscopy (SEM)/energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Calcium phosphate was formed at a temperature of 36.5°C via two methods. On Ca2+ or HPO4 2--saturated resins, 1.5xSBF (simulated body fluid) solution was used while on Ca2+-saturated resins only, a novel biomimetic growth medium using the alkaline phosphatase-catalysed hydrolysis reaction of disodium p-nitrophenylphosphate as a source of inorganic phosphate was employed. SEM micrographs showed that the use of 1.5xSBF growth medium solution led to extensive coverage of the resins with calcium phosphate. In contrast, calcium phosphate coatings formed via the alkaline phosphatase-catalysed reaction were of a more variable quality whose morphology could be influenced by adding albumin and collagen to the growth medium. Average Ca:P ratios determined by EDX for coatings formed from the 1.5xSBF growth medium were in the range 1.62–1.74 suggesting that hydroxyapatite had formed. In contrast, Ca:P ratios for the calcium phosphate compounds formed on resins from the alkaline phosphatase reaction were lower at 1.50 suggesting that calcium-deficient hydroxyapatite had formed which was confirmed by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis and X-ray diffraction of isolated amorphous and crystallized powder samples, respectively. Evidence from X-ray photoelectron studies supports a mechanism of formation of the coatings which involves diffusion of the ion out of the interior of the resin to create a high local concentration at the surface thus stimulating precipitation of the coating material on the resin beads.
Effects of sugarcane borer, weed, and nematode control strategies in Louisiana sugarcane

Weeds in a Louisiana sugarcane field increased the abundance of arthropod prey and predators (including the imported fire ant), and caused at least 25% less injury from sugarcane borer, Diatraea saccharalis (F.). Weed competition, however, reduced sugarcane biomass, stand density, and sugar yields. Without insecticidal control of sugarcane borer, weedy habitats were more profitable than weed-free habitats. Future study on weed conservation in the furrows alone is suggested. Spring aldicarb (nematicide–insecticide) applications reduced arthropod prey, particularly stylet-feeding herbivorous insects, for up to 10 wk. Regardless of weed cover, predator densities on the soil surface, weeds, and cane stalks were decreased by the nematicide, and percentage of internodes injured by sugarcane borers increased by at least 19%. Fenvalerate (insecticide) reduced predators and prey arthropods on the soil surface and cane stalks, including Solenopsis invicta Buren. Cicadellidae on cane foliage were reduced by the insecticide, but the yellow sugarcane aphid, Sipha flava (Forbes), was enhanced by 63%. Fenvalerate did provide at least 70% protection against the sugarcane borer, with ratoon crop sugar yields 8.7% greater than in the insecticide-free regimes. A combination of weed and sugarcane borer chemical control tactics was the most economically sound pest management strategy.
Adenosylcobinamide Plus Exogenous, Sterically Hindered, Putative Axial Bases: A Reinvestigation into the Cause of Record Levels of Co−C Heterolysis

A reinvestigation of an earlier Ph.D. thesis (Sirovatka, J. M. Ph.D. Thesis, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, 1999) is reported herein. That thesis examined the thermolysis reaction of AdoCbi+BF4- in ethylene glycol solution with exogenous bases, N-methylimidazole (N-Me-Im) and the sterically hindered 1,2-dimethylimidazole, (1,2-Me2-Im), 2-methylpyridine (2-Me-py), and 2,6-dimethylpyridine (2,6-Me2-py). In the present work, multiple purities of each base have been utilized as a check to see if impurities in the nitrogenous bases are causing the observed homolysis and heterolysis product distributions as others have implied (Trommel, J. S.; Warncke, K.; Marzilli, L. G. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2001, 123, 3358). The “impurity hypothesis” is disproven by a series of results, including the following: N-Me-Im displays an invariant 52 ± 10% heterolysis and the 1,2-Me2-Im system displays an invariant 83 ± 7% heterolysis as a function of different base purification methods. Moreover, 2-Me-py and 2,6-Me2-py ...
Effects of cocaine on neuromuscular transmission in the lobster

In vitro electrophysiological techniques were used on an excitatory neuromuscular junction of a walking-limb stretcher muscle of the lobster in order to define the pharmacology of cocaine on a glutamatergic synapse. Cocaine reduced the amplitudes of the excitatory and the miniature junction potentials, as well as the mean quantum content of the muscle fiber. The effect on mean quantum content points to a presynaptic site of action of the drug, and the effect on miniature junctional potential suggests a postsynaptic site of action of the drug. In addition, cocaine shifted the concentration-depolarization curve for glutamate to the right, demonstrating a postsynaptic depression of the response to glutamate. Cocaine exerted no effect on the resting membrane potential or the effective membrane resistance of the muscle fibers. The data indicate that the drug concomitantly exerted pre- and postsynaptic depression of a glutamatergic junction.
Cell division: burning the spindle at both ends.

Accurate transmission of the genome during cell division requires the physical separation of replicated chromosomes. The identities of two molecular motors needed to do the job in fruitflies are now revealed.
Efficiency of Performance Testing in Poultry

Abstract TO MAKE efficient performance comparisons between crosses or strains of chickens it is important to know how sample size, testing location, year of test and the amount of trapnesting influence the differences observed. A knowledge of these factors as they influence variations in egg yield and other performance traits is of increasing importance to the breeder today whether he produces inbred-hybrids, strain-crosses, breed crosses or pure strains. In fact, it would be valuable to take these factors into account in a closed flock breeding program in order to carry on more efficient sire testing. Also, with the increasing emphasis placed on random sample testing of commercial poultry today, it is evident that much more needs to be known regarding factors which influence the reliability of strain comparisons. A question of special significance in a testing program is the importance of genetic-environmental interactions. For example, will a variety that is superior …
Telemetry of electrophysiologic variables from conscious dogs: System design, validation, and serial studies

Abstract The necessity for conscious animal models in the study of cardiac physiology has been established for hemodynamics. The characterization of the electrophysiologic properties of the heart has not been performed in a serial fashion in a conscious animal model. Implanted telemetry sensing devices for recording atrial, ventricular, and His electrograms and stimulation systems for both atrium and ventricle allowed serial evaluation of eight dogs for up to 4 months. There were significant fluctuations in some electrophysiologic variables with time, particularly heart rate, sinus node recovery time, and pacing rate for induction of Wenckebach block. This variability did not appear to deviate with time after implantation, and no significant differences in the basal electrophysiologic state were found between the period early after surgery ( 0 to 2 1 2 weeks ) and later (3 to 8 weeks).
Asymptomatic annular pancreas: Detection by magnetic resonance imaging

We report the features of annular pancreas on magnetic resonance imaging in an asymptomatic adult. Fat suppressed T1-weighted imaging sequence demonstrated normal appearing pancreatic tissue encircling the duodenum, and depicted an aberrant ventral pancreatic duct.
Temporal trends in radical prostatectomy complications from 1991 to 1998.

ABSTRACTPurpose: We performed a retrospective, longitudinal, population based study to ascertain whether radical prostatectomy outcomes improved after the diffusion of surgical innovations during the last decade.Materials and Methods: Using a 5% national random sample of Medicare beneficiaries we identified 12,079 men who underwent radical prostatectomy from 1991 to 1998. We analyzed relevant Medicare data to establish length of stay and the rate of in hospital complications (cardiac, respiratory, vascular, wound and genitourinary conditions) as well as the rate of anastomotic stricture, incontinence and impotence through 36 months after surgery. We performed multivariate logistic regression to control for age, race and geographic region when assessing the association of surgery year with outcomes of interest.Results: Between 1991 and 1998 the in hospital complication rate decreased from 38% to 30% and mean length of stay decreased from 8.1 to 5.1 days. Each value had significant regional variation throug...
An electron microscope study of ependymal cells of the fetal, early postnatal and adult rabbit.

The ependymal lining of the aqueduct of the rabbit changes considerably in the perinatal period from a thick stratified layer of relatively undifferentiated polygonal cells to cells of the adult type. Elaborate cell membrane infoldings and cilia form on the surface cells just before birth. After birth, the lining has diminished to a pseudostratified ciliated columnar layer of cells, among which three ependymal variants can be distinguished. The first is a simple columnar cell which exists in somewhat modified form in the mature rabbit. The other types are most common in the neonatal period. They are ependymal cells exhibiting long peripherally directed processes which appear to correspond with Horstmann's light microscope descriptions of the ependymal tanycyte and the ependymal astrocyte in lower vertebrates. The process of the ependymal tanycyte can be differentiated from other processes in the neuropil by its characteristically dense appearance. Dilated cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum, numerous longitudinally arranged mitochondria and fine filaments are present in the base of the cell and extend into the proximal portion of the process. The number of organelles diminishes distally where the process terminates by splitting into multiple end feet near or on capillary walls. The process of the ependymal astrocyte differs in that it is branched and is paler due to the presence of fewer organelles. Agranular vesicles and short randomly-disposed filaments are embedded in a finely granular ground substance which characteristically has a “ground glass” appearance. The lateral cell walls of the perinuclear area and also of the main process are highly elaborated, forming thin regular cytoplasmic plates or finger-like projections. It is suggested that these elaborate plications of the cell membrane may represent a stage in the formation and storage of its extensive smaller branches radiating out from the main process.
Criterion for initiation of cracks under mixed-mode I + III loading

The initiation of crack growth under a combination of opening and anti-plane shearing mode loading is considered in this paper. It is shown that such cracks do not grow through a continuous evolution of the crack surface. Rather, an abrupt fragmentation or segmentation of the crack front is generated. Through experimental observations and a theoretical model, we postulate a relationship between the scale of the fragmentation and the mode mix.
Modeling of Ti:LiNbO/sub 3/ waveguide devices. II. S-shaped channel waveguide bends

For pt.I see ibid., vol.7, no.3, p.533-9, 1989. Directly from design and fabrication parameters, the performances of S-shaped channel waveguide bends are calculated by using the same formalism described in Part I. The calculated insertion losses of S-shaped waveguide bends are in agreement with all experimental data found in the literature. Different S-curves for short-length low-loss waveguide bend design were also studied. Results show that the widely used sine-generated S-curve does not provide lower insertion loss than other S-curves. >
Observations of the mid-latitude F1 region

Abstract Automatically processed digital ionograms from mid-latitude sites have been used to study the N(h) profile in the F1 region at mid latitudes, as part of an attempt to produce an empirical model of that profile. The observations are found to be consistent with a profile shape composed of overlapping F1 and F2 layers, with the F1 layer being basically Chapman-like, and with the values of foF1 and hmF1 corresponding to a point of inflection in the total profile. Both foF1 and hmF1 are found to be affected by TIDs, which completely dominate any diurnal variation of hmF1, thus precluding the derivation of a model for the variations of that parameter. The F1 profile shape is found to be closely linear in plasma frequency, and the changes in foF1 and hmF1 due to TIDs are found to be correlated, as the point corresponding to the deduced values of foF1 and hmF1 moves up and down the profile.
Failure analysis based on dummy TIVA spot

Several lots suffer from electrical monitor structure fail, which failed the wafer center contact chain high resistance. EFA was performed on the failed unit. Compared with good unit, high resistance contact chain was found by I-V curve tracing, but the high resistance curve is a non-linear I-V curve. TIVA was employed to do electrical fault isolation and several series connected TIVA hotspot was observed on the contact chain. TEM cutting on the hotspot location found nothing abnormal. Even though TIVA spot is a dummy spot or induced spot, it is still useful. Combining dummy TIVA spot, electrical measurement and actual monitor structure property, detailed and in-depth electrical analysis was performed. According to the deep-dive electrical and logical analysis, the defect location is theoretically suspected on the contact that is nearby the last hotspot. In order to verify our hypothesis, further advance electrical analysis was performed by the AFP nanoprobing. The result confirms our analysis. Further physical FA, TEM cut found the open contact at our suspected location. Detailed failure mechanism and electrical analysis was described in the paper. it is a good reference for this kind of dummy spot related failure analysis.
Prenatal sonographic assessment of the fetal thorax: normal values

Fetal thoracic circumference and thoracic length measurements were obtained by ultrasonographic examination on 576 women between 16 and 40 weeks gestation. Nomograms for thoracic circumference and thoracic length with respect to gestational age were developed. Growth of both thoracic parameters was observed to be linear throughout gestation. In normal pregnancy the ratios of thoracic circumference to abdominal circumference and thoracic length to humerus length remained virtually constant at 0.89 and 0.93, respectively.
Synthesizing and Dispersing Silver Nanoparticles in a Water-in-Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Microemulsion.

Reverse micelles and microemulsions formed in liquid and supercritical carbon dioxide (CO{sub 2}) allow highly polar or polarizable compounds to be dispersed in this nonpolar fluid. However, since the polarizability per unit volume of dense CO{sub 2} is quite low, it is difficult to overcome the strong van der Waals attractive interactions between particles in order to stably suspend macromolecular species. Conventional surfactants by themselves do not form reverse micelles or microemulsions in CO{sub 2} because the van der Waals interdroplet attractions are too high. The use of surfactants or cosurfactants with fluorinated tails provides a layer of a weakly attractive compound covering the highly attractive droplet cores, thus preventing their short-range interactions that would destabilize the system. Using this strategy, the authors describe a method to synthesize and stabilize metallic silver nanoparticles having diameters from 5 to 15 nm in supercritical CO{sub 2} using an optically transparent, water-in-CO{sub 2} microemulsion.
Deducing Paleoearthquake Timing and Recurrence from Paleoseismic Data, Part I: Evaluation of New Bayesian Markov-Chain Monte Carlo Simulation Methods Applied to Excavations with Continuous Peat Growth

Determining the timing of paleoearthquakes is a central goal of paleoseismology and serves as an important input to seismic hazard evaluations. Herein, we develop a Bayesian statistical method for refining the ages of strata and earthquakes and calculating the recurrence of earthquakes based on data from paleoseismic excavations. Our work extends previous paleoseismic Bayesian modeling by simultaneously calculating the joint posterior probability density of recurrence intervals, earthquake ages, and layer ages. To estimate this joint posterior density, we employed the Metropolis–Hastings Markov-Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) sampling method. We used the Wrightwood paleoseismic excavation site as a test bed for our method by comparing the results derived from our simulation to those of previous studies. We found that for stratigraphic order constraints, our results agreed well with previously used methods; however, when peat growth was used to constrain the minimum time that separates layers from one another, a systematic aging of strata in the lower portion of the stratigraphic column resulted. Inspection of our results indicated that, rather than representing a minimum time that separates layers, peat growth instead determined the strata’s ages exactly when a constant peat-growth rate was prescribed. Using this information, we developed a new method of improving layer age, earthquake age, and recurrence interval estimates at sites where peat-bearing layers are present. This method generally produces layer-age estimates with less variance than previous methods and requires that both proximal stratigraphic constraints and trench-wide constraints be obeyed. The benchmarking of the MCMC simulation results shows that simulation provides an effective and efficient way of improving estimates of layer ages, earthquake ages, and recurrence intervals.
Estimating suppressed data in regional economic databases: A goal-programming approach

To avoid disclosure of individual establishment information, data records may have to be suppressed in regional economic databases, with values represented by flags. This paper investigates this suppression process and presents a goal-programming optimization approach to estimate these flagged data, using the 2000 County Business Patterns (CBP) database as a case study. The approach minimizes the sum of weighted deviations between the estimates and target values, subject to constraints related to county and sector total employment, as well as to flag and establishment size intervals. The model is tested using Ohio and Arizona data, for both sources of inconsistencies and parameter selection. A decision-theoretic analysis of the test results points to specific strategies that yield the best estimates of the suppressed data.
Identification of chromosomal alterations important in the development of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive carcinoma using alignment of DNA microarray data.

Objective. To use microarray data to reveal regions of potential chromosomal loss or gain important in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and invasive cervical cancer by identifying mRNA expression biases in contiguous chromosomal regions. Methods. Data from three RNA expression microarray experiments were used: one primary experiment using cDNA arrays profiling gene expression in cervical epithelium from viral cytopathic effect to invasive cancer, one experiment using Affymetrix arrays profiling gene expression in invasive cancerous cervical epithelium, and one experiment using Affymetrix arrays profiling gene expression in CIN cervical biopsy specimens. Gene expression was aligned along chromosomes to reveal regions of significant chromosomal imbalance. Regions showing significant gain or loss and verified in more than one experiment are presented here. RT-PCR was performed to validate expression of one gene in a region. Results. Gain of 3q was detected from the CIN II (P = 0.018), CIN III (P = 0.005), and invasive cancer (P = 0.0002) cDNA arrays, and gain of 12q was detected from the CIN (P = 0.05) and invasive cancer (P = 0.05) Affymetrix arrays. Loss of 6p was detected from the CIN III (P = 0.004) cDNA arrays and invasive cancer (P = 0.05) Affymetrix arrays. Loss of 4q was detected from the invasive cancer (P = 0.04) cDNA arrays and invasive cancer (P=0.05) Affymetrix arrays. RAN, located in the region of gain on 12q24.3, was overexpressed in CIN and invasive cancer. Conclusions. Alignment of microarray expression data by chromosomes can be used to estimate regions of potential chromosomal aberration and identify differentially expressed genes important in the development of CIN and invasive cancer.
Modeling and prototyping of polymer fiber-based chemical and biological agent sensors

We are studying ways to improve the performance of evanescent wave biosensors for use in detecting chemical and biological agents. We show a beam-propagation simulation that is used to determine the optimum fiber profile to achieve the desired propagation parameters. The model parameters can then be used to fabricate polymer fibers using an in-house fiber drawing apparatus. We also demonstrate a simple method of comparing the optical performance of different waveguides for use in such sensors.
Photoaffinity labeling of peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors in rat kidney mitochondria with [3H]PK 14105

Abstract The peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor in rat kidney has been identified by photoaffinity labeling. PK 14105, a derivative of the selective peripheral-type ligand PK 11195, was used to covalently label peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors. In the absence of UV light PK 14105 demonstrated reversible, high affinity (KD=4.8 nM) binding to rat kidney mitochondrial membranes. Inhibition of the reversible binding of [3H]PK 14105 by various benzodiazepine and other ligands demonstrated that this ligand bound with all the characteristics expected of a ligand interacting specifically with peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptors. A similar order of relative potencies was obtained for inhibition of photolabeling, indicating that reversible binding and photolabeling occurred at the same class of binding sites. Examination of photolabeled binding sites from kidney, heart, brain and adrenal membranes using sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated that the probe is photoincorporated into a single peptide of Mr=18 500. The results indicate that [3H]PK 14105 identifies the ligand binding domain of the peripheral-type benzodiazepine receptor, which is a peptide with Mr=18 500, that is of similar size in kidney, heart, brain and adrenals.
Assessing the Permissiveness of Transcriptional Activator Binding Sites

Both genetic and biochemical data suggest that transcriptional activators with little sequence homology nevertheless function through interaction with a shared group of coactivators. Here we show that a series of peptidomimetic transcriptional activation domains interact under cell-fiee and cellular conditions with the metazoan coactivator CBP despite differences in the positioning and identity of the constituent functional groups. Taken together, these results suggest that a key activator binding site within CBP is permissive, accepting multiple arrangements of hydrophobic functional groups. Further, this permissiveness is also observed with a coactivator from S. cerevisiae. Thus, the design of small molecule mimics of transcriptional activation domains with broad function may be more straightforward than previously envisioned.
Dissection of Melanogenesis with Small Molecules Identifies Prohibitin as a Regulator

Bioactive compounds can be used to selectively modulate gene function. We utilized a chemical genetic approach to dissect the mammalian pigmentation pathway and identify protein regulators. We screened a tagged library of 1170 small molecules in a cell-based assay and discovered a class of pigment-enhancing chemicals. From this class we characterized the small molecule melanogenin. Using melanogenin bound to an affinity matrix and amino acid sequencing, we identified the mitochondrial protein, prohibitin, as an intracellular binding target. Studies employing siRNA demonstrate that prohibitin is required for melanogenin to exert its propigmentary effects and reveal an unsuspected functional role for this protein in melanin induction. This represents a mechanism by which propigmentary signals are transduced and ultimately provides a potential target for the treatment of pigmentary disorders.
Quantization effects in the complex LMS adaptive algorithm-linearization using dither-applications

The use of dither to linearize the gradient quantizer in a digitally implemented LMS adaptive algorithm is described. In a previous paper by the authors (see ibid., vol.CAS-34, no.7, p.848-54, 1987), a theoretical model for the performance of the system was presented. Now the theory is applied to the design of dither which prevents algorithm stalling yet does not significantly effect the steady-state mean square error of the algorithm. It is demonstrated that the contribution of dither to steady-state mean square error is negligible compared to the contribution of quantization noise when the dither vector has a high-pass temporal spectrum. >
Applications of AlN thin-film resonator topologies as antennas and sensors

The authors report on two novel microwave applications of thin-film resonator (TFR) technology. The first application is the use of an array of TFRs as an on-wafer, phased-array antenna; the second is a gas and chemical mass sensor with nanogram sensitivity. >
Multi-Target Assignment and Path Planning for Groups of UAVs

Uninhabited autonomous vehicles (UAVs) have many useful military applications, including reconnaissance, search-and-destroy, and search-and-rescue missions in hazardous environments such as battlefields or disaster areas. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the possibility of using large teams (swarms) of UAVs functioning cooperatively to accomplish a large number of tasks (e.g., finding and attacking targets). However, this requires the assignment of multiple spatially distributed tasks to each UAV along with a feasible path that minimizes effort and avoids threats.
Origins of Bidirectional Promoters: Computational Analyses of Intergenic Distance in the Human Genome

We have analyzed intergenic distances and searched for the presence of bidirectional genes using the complete sequences and mapping information of human chromosomes 20, 21, and 22, which contain 2,122 known and predicted genes. Intergenic distances between genes with divergent transcripts were distributed in a biphasic manner with a strong peak of 25 kb and a weak peak of 0.3 kb between the divergent transcripts, suggesting that the genes might share a common promoter. The weak peak was not observed at the transcriptional ends of genes. Seventy-three percent (55/75 pairs of genes, from a total of 150 genes) of these divergent transcripts located within 1 kb of one another were CpG islands. Expression of the divergent transcript genes was not concordant in various human tissues, suggesting that they were independently regulated. Analyses of the frequency of occurrence of interspersed repeats in the intergenic sequences suggested that these repeats are strongly excluded from the regions of transcriptional starts. This exclusion might be responsible for the existence of these divergent transcripts.
Twinning-lnduced Stress and Electric Field Concentrations in Ferroelectric Ceramics

Experimental investigations suggest that microcracking may be the major cause for the commonly encountered degradation of ferroelectric actuators, namely electric fatigue. It is commonly believed that stress concentration is responsible for the onset of cracking although the quantitative relation between these two events has not been understood completely. It is expected that formation of ferroelectric twins, i.e., 90° domains, can cause severe stress concentration at intersections of domain walls with grain boundaries because of the incompatibility of lattice distortions with grain boundary constraints. This article presents an analysis upon the asymptotic behavior of stress and electric fields near these intersections. The asymptotic analysis is carried out within a framework of electrostatics for deformable continua. Assuming that the electromechanical state in each of the ferroelectric domains is slightly distorted from one of the natural states of the crystal, the authors developed a piecewise linearized model for which concentrations of stress and electric fields correspond to singularities of these fields. The analysis concludes that both the stress and the electric fields exhibit a power-law singularity; i.e., their magnitudes are proportional to rλ, with r being the radial coordinate originating at the intersecting point and λ being a constant whose value is within the range (–1,0). The examples included show that the severity of concentration depends upon the crystal orientation and the orientations of the domain walls with respect to the grain boundary which they intersect. Considering the microcracks may be generated during the cooling or poling process, the authors have also studied the interaction of ferroelectric twins with preexisting microcracks, both intergranular and transgranular. The analysis indicates that this interaction makes the singularity substantially stronger than the conventional √r-singularity and hence it suggests that this interaction promotes crack growth.
The international implications of quality‐of‐life policing as practiced in New York City

The New York City Police Department (NYPD) has made enforcement of laws against disorder and quality-of-life offenses a central part of their policing strategy. Concomitantly, New York City (NYC) experienced a renaissance in orderliness, cleanliness, tourism, real estate value, and crime reduction, although other problems such as poverty, unemployment, drug abuse, racial tensions and homelessness persist. This paper examines quality-of-life policing practices in NYC, describes the philosophical underpinnings, explores the critical response to the program and presents lessons of potential relevance to other policing organizations in the U.S. and around the world.
Methanogenic Inhibition by Arsenic Compounds

The acute acetoclastic methanogenic inhibition of several inorganic and organic arsenicals was assayed. Trivalent species, i.e., methylarsonous acid and arsenite, were highly inhibitory, with 50% inhibitory concentrations of 9.1 and 15.0 μM, respectively, whereas pentavalent species were generally nontoxic. The nitrophenylarsonate derivate, roxarsone, displayed moderate toxicity.
A Framework for Thinking about Oppression and Its Change

This paper provides a framework for thinking about oppression and how to overcome it. It considers the value premise underlying the use of the term “oppression.” It then discusses the nature of oppression, the forms it takes, and what keeps it in place. In its final two sections, it focuses on awakening the sense of injustice and the strategies and tactics for overcoming injustice.
Study of mechanisms for plant growth promotion elicited by rhizobacteria in Arabidopsis thaliana

Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) colonize plant roots and exert beneficial effects on plant health and development. We are investigating the mechanisms by which PGPR elicit plant growth promotion from the viewpoint of signal transduction pathways within plants. We report here our first study to determine if well-characterized PGPR strains, which previously demonstrated growth promotion of various other plants, also enhance plant growth in Arabidopsis thaliana. Eight different PGPR strains, including Bacillus subtilis GB03, B. amyloliquefaciens IN937a, B. pumilus SE-34, B. pumilus T4, B. pasteurii C9, Paenibacillus polymyxa E681, Pseudomonas fluorescens 89B-61, and Serratia marcescens 90-166, were evaluated for elicitation of growth promotion of wild-type and mutant Arabidopsis in vitro and in vivo. In vitro testing on MS medium indicated that all eight PGPR strains increased foliar fresh weight of Arabidopsis at distances of 2, 4, and 6 cm from the site of bacterial inoculation. Among the eight strains, IN937a and GB03 inhibited growth of Arabidopsis plants when the bacteria were inoculated 2 cm from the plants, while they significantly increased plant growth when inoculated 6 cm from the plants, suggesting that a bacterial metabolite that diffused into the agar accounted for growth promotion with this strain. In vivo, eight PGPR strains promoted foliar fresh weight under greenhouse conditions 4 weeks after sowing. To define signal transduction pathways associated with growth promotion elicited by PGPR, various plant-hormone mutants of Arabidopsis were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Elicitation of growth promotion by PGPR strains in vitro involved signaling of brassinosteroid, IAA, salicylic acid, and gibberellins. In vivo testing indicated that ethylene signaling was involved in growth promotion. Results suggest that elicitation of growth promotion by PGPR in Arabidopsis is associated with several different signal transduction pathways and that such signaling may be different for plants grown in vitro vs. in vivo.
Preparation of Chiral and Achiral Triazolium Salts: Carbene Precursors with Demonstrated Synthetic Utility

4,4a,9,9a-Tetrahydro-1-oxa-4-azafluoren-3-one (1R, 2S)-(+)-cis-!-Amino-indol 2-Pentafluorophenyl-6,10b-dihydro-4H,5aH-5-oxa-3,10c-diaza-2azoniacyclopenta[c]fluorene;tetraborate Trimethyloxonium tetrafluoroborate Pentafluorophenyhydrazine Keywords: chiral triazolium salts; achiral triazolium salts; carbene precursors; N-Heterocyclic carbenes; catalysts; waste disposal