cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
TGF-β-induced apoptosis is mediated by the adapter protein Daxx that facilitates JNK activation

Transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) is a multifunctional growth factor that has a principal role in growth control through both its cytostatic effect on many different epithelial cell types and its ability to induce programmed cell death in a variety of other cell types. Here we have used a screen for proteins that interact physically with the cytoplasmic domain of the type II TGF-beta receptor to isolate the gene encoding Daxx - a protein associated with the Fas receptor that mediates activation of Jun amino-terminal kinase (JNK) and programmed cell death induced by Fas. The carboxy-terminal portion of Daxx functions as a dominant-negative inhibitor of TGF-beta-induced apoptosis in B-cell lymphomas, and antisense oligonucleotides to Daxx inhibit TGF-beta-induced apoptosis in mouse hepatocytes. Furthermore, Daxx is involved in mediating JNK activation by TGF-beta. Our findings associate Daxx directly with the TGF-beta apoptotic-signalling pathway, and make a biochemical connection between the receptors for TGF-beta and the apoptotic machinery.
The effect of fetal age, birth weight, and sex on cord blood immunoglobulin values

Abstract In order to determine the role played by fetal "factors" in fetal immunoglobulin levels, cord blood samples from 176 normal infants were analyzed for the relationship between immunoglobulin concentration and the gestational age, birth weight, and the sex of the fetus. Cord blood IgM and IgG both increased with gestational age until term, while IgA, its subclasses IgA 1 and IgA 2 , and IgD were unaffected by gestational age. IgM and IgG were higher in fetuses weighing 2,000 grams or more, while IgA, IgA 1 , and IgA 2 were not influenced by birth weight. Cord blood immunoglobulin values were the same in male and female infants. The interrelationship between cord blood immunoglobulin clss and subclass concentrations was examined in two ways: (1) The correlation coefficient r for paired samples was calculated between immunoglobulin concentrations in individual cord sera. (2) Student's t test for the mean was used to compare subgroups of the entire sample populations, divided into high, intermediate, and low immunoglobulin values. IgM and IgG and IgM and IgD were correlated. The data obtained indicate the need to consider the gestational age and birth weight of a neonate in the use of cord blood immunoglobulin values to evaluate the possibility of fetal infection.
Social geography in the United States: everywhere and nowhere

[I]t seems that social geography [in the 1970's] was squeezed between a powerful political economic research focus, revolving around young marxist, feminist and other radical work, and an emergent ...
Ideas and Political Communication in the Service of Power in Russia and the Post-Soviet Space

Studies of the post-Soviet states reveal new insights into how regimes use ideas to create political legitimacy in both foreign and domestic policy.
Behavior Basics: Quick Behavior Analysis and Implementation of Interventions for Classroom Teachers.

Abstract Dealing with student behavior is often cited as one of the most frustrating aspects of teaching, yet many classroom teachers receive no pre-service training in the basics of behavior management. This article describes the process of implementing a quick behavioral analysis for the purpose of designing a basic intervention. It will provide general education teachers with the means to choose the appropriate interventions when behavioral problems occur in their classrooms.
Inadequacy of temperature and white blood cell count in predicting bacteremia in patients with suspected infection.

Abstract Background Early treatment of sepsis in Emergency Department (ED) patients has lead to improved outcomes, making early identification of the disease essential. The presence of systemic inflammatory response criteria aids in recognition of infection, although the reliability of these markers is variable. Study Objective This study aims to quantify the ability of abnormal temperature, white blood cell (WBC) count, and bandemia to identify bacteremia in ED patients with suspected infection. Methods This was a post hoc analysis of data collected for a prospective, observational, cohort study. Consecutive adult (age ≥ 18 years) patients who presented to the ED of a tertiary care center between February 1, 2000 and February 1, 2001 and had blood cultures obtained in the ED or within 3 h of admission were enrolled. Patients with bacteremia were identified and charts were reviewed for presence of normal temperature (36.1–38°C/97–100.4°F), normal WBC (4–12 K/μL), and presence of bandemia (> 5% of WBC differential). Results There were 3563 patients enrolled; 289 patients (8.1%) had positive blood cultures. Among patients with positive blood cultures, 33% had a normal body temperature and 52% had a normal WBC count. Bandemia was present in 80% of culture-positive patients with a normal temperature and 79% of culture-positive patients with a normal WBC count. Fifty-two (17.4%) patients with positive blood cultures had neither an abnormal temperature nor an abnormal WBC. Conclusion A significant percentage of ED patients with blood culture-proven bacteremia have a normal temperature and WBC count upon presentation. Bandemia may be a useful clue for identifying occult bacteremia.
Ethical dilemmas in the field: the complex nature of doing education ethnography

Education ethnographers face the question of ethics in at least two general domains – an academic institutional domain and the domain of interactions with our participants. The academic institution...
The United States and Iran, 1946-51: The Diplomacy of Neglect

Beginning the growth of royal power military aid economy a royal visit America to the rescue? the Grady mission oil crisis.
Domain Architecture and Biochemical Characterization of Vertebrate Mcm10

Mcm10 plays a key role in initiation and elongation of eukaryotic chromosomal DNA replication. As a first step to better understand the structure and function of vertebrate Mcm10, we have determined the structural architecture of Xenopus laevis Mcm10 (xMcm10) and characterized each domain biochemically. Limited proteolytic digestion of the full-length protein revealed N-terminal-, internal (ID)-, and C-terminal (CTD)-structured domains. Analytical ultracentrifugation revealed that xMcm10 self-associates and that the N-terminal domain forms homodimeric assemblies. DNA binding activity of xMcm10 was mapped to the ID and CTD, each of which binds to single- and double-stranded DNA with low micromolar affinity. The structural integrity of xMcm10-ID and CTD is dependent on the presence of bound zinc, which was experimentally verified by atomic absorption spectroscopy and proteolysis protection assays. The ID and CTD also bind independently to the N-terminal 323 residues of the p180 subunit of DNA polymerase α-primase. We propose that the modularity of the protein architecture, with discrete domains for dimerization and for binding to DNA and DNA polymerase α-primase, provides an effective means for coordinating the biochemical activities of Mcm10 within the replisome.
Active site flourescent labeled dansyl and anthraniloyl human thrombins

Abstract Human α- and γ-thrombins were covalently labeled with two active serine directed probes, dansyl fluoride and p-nitrophenyl anthranilate. Both probes inactivated the enzyme upon labeling and each yielded enhanced probe fluorescence and energy transfer bands in both their excitation and emission spectra. Upon binding the reversible inhibitor benzamidine, both dansyl- and anthraniloyl-α-thrombins displayed a decrease in the probe emission band (510 and 415 nm, respectively) while the intrinsic protein emission was essentially unaltered. Identical results were obtained for the reduced clotting γ-form of the enzyme. The dissociation constants for benzamidine were within 65 ± 5 mM for all derivatives.
Generalized Hartree-Fock Method

A variational principle is formulated to determine the single-particle states, their pairing, and the occupation number distribution for a trial state vector of the Bardeen, Cooper, Schrieffer type. The equations which are derived generalize those of the Hartree-Fock method obtained with a Slater determinant trial wave function. It is pointed out that in a suitable representation the vacuum state of a general quasi-particle transformation has such a trial form which exhibits directly the pairing of single-particle states. Another variational principle determines the excitation energies.Two coupling cases are distinguished: the commutative case in which the self-consistent densities and energies are related to quantities which all commute, and the more general noncommutative case. The latter is of importance in critical-field phenomena. The equations for the commutative case can be written in a matrix form which retains its validity in the more general noncommutative case. The simple matrix commutator equations appear as direct generalizations of the density matrix form of the Hartree-Fock equations.The equations for small oscillations have an equally simple form. Their connection with a diagonal representation of the quasi-particle energies is exhibited in a way which remains valid in the general coupling case. The "unphysical" solutions are excluded by the supplementary condition. The contact with the Green's function approach is established. The generalized matrix form of the Green's function equations shows especially clearly the symmetry properties of the method.
Novel multiple lateral polysilicon p+-n-n+ and p+-p-n+ diodes

Lateral polysilicon p+-n-n+ and p+-p- n+ diodes in a series combination of 2 to 5 were fabricated and their electronic properties such as ON- resistance, reverse current and ideality factor were studied. Since the multiple diodes are in series with each other, they have a reduced reverse current. Such a series combination can be used as a single device in applications such as x-ray sensing arrays, which need switching devices with reverse current lower than 1 by 10-12 A and forward current more than 1 by 10-6 A. The ON- resistance and the ideality facto increase linearly with the number of diodes in series. This behavior is attributed to the effect of series combination of diodes.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A general method for manipulating DNA sequences from any organism with optical tweezers

Here we describe and characterize a method for manipulating desired DNA sequences from any organism with optical tweezers. Molecules are produced from either genomic or cloned DNA by PCR using labeled primers and are tethered between two optically trapped microspheres. We demonstrate that human, insect, plant, bacterial, and viral sequences ranging from ~10 to 40 kbp can be manipulated. Force-extension measurements show that these constructs exhibit uniform elastic properties in accord with the expected contour lengths for the targeted sequences. Detailed protocols for preparing and manipulating these molecules are presented, and tethering efficiency is characterized as a function of DNA concentration, ionic strength, and pH. Attachment strength is characterized by measuring the unbinding time distribution as a function of applied force.
The effect of goal setting on fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity level in a Web-based intervention.

Abstract Objective To explore the relationship between goal setting and fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption and physical activity (PA) in an intervention for college students. Methods Secondary data analysis of intervention group participants from a 10-week online intervention with complete weekly data (n = 724). Outcomes (cups of FV per day and minutes of PA per week) and goals for both behaviors were reported online each week. Weekly differences between goals and behaviors were calculated, as well as the proportion meeting individual goals and meeting recommendations for behaviors. Results There were significant ( P P Conclusions and Implications Goal setting as part of a Web-based intervention for college students was effective, but results differed for FV and PA. Goal setting for maintaining behavior may need to differ from goal setting for changing behavior.
An Immunofluorescent Stain for Helicobacter pylori

We prepared a murine monoclonal antibody that recognized the Helicobacter pylori urease. Monoclonal antibody, U2, reacted with purified native urease in enzyme linked immunosorbent assay but it did not react in Western immunoblot analysis. Urease was immunoprecipitated with U2 bound to Staphylococcus aureus protein A, followed by elution and visualization by sodium dodecyl-sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The species and strain specificity of U2 were determined by biodot reaction with H. pylori, H. mustelae, Campylobacter spp., and other gram-negative bacteria. Monoclonal antibody, U2, was used for an indirect immunofluorescent stain of formalin fixed gastric biopsies from patients with H. pylori gastritis. The immunofluorescent stain showed spiral and coccoid forms of H. pylori within the gastric mucosa. U2 was specific for H. pylori and did not react with other tested bacteria. These findings suggest that antibody U2 might be of diagnostic value for specific immunofluorescence detection of H. pylori.
SU‐E‐T‐28: Task Tracking and Messaging for Workflow Optimization of Treatment Planning Process

Purpose: The entire radiotherapytreatment planning process, from simulation, target definition, planning, to treatment, requires a collaborative effort from a multidisciplinary team of highly specialized professionals. Although treatment planning is a highly sequential process for an individual patient, professionals are consistently multi‐tasking to support on‐going patient care activities. As a result, treatment planning is a lengthy process, which often results in delay of new treatment start or poor quality treatment plans. Methods: To improve accountability and optimize workflow, a novel electronic messaging solution using event triggering and automatic information processing was designed to improve the effectiveness of collaboration among different professionals for treatment planning. In order to reduce the burden of data entry, we have made efforts to develop software interfaces to other clinical systems, such as the electronic medical record (EMR), integrated scripts executed in the planning system, or Active Directory to obtain planner's information. Professionals receive e‐notice from the system immediately following the completion of the previous step. Results: In our initial deployment of the system clinical wide, the system tracked 2500 planning assignments in the main campus and regional cancer centers with 50+ practicing radiation oncologists and approximately equal numbers of dosimetrists and physicists. The system provided an electronic media to communicate with physicians, dosimetrists, and physicists to improve communication on prescription, dose tolerance, or just simply the timeline for the planning activities. The average simulation‐to‐treatment start time was 3 business days in 50% patients, but IMRT took extra 2 business days to complete. IMRT contouring was completed in one business day in 72% of patients. Workflow bottleneck was identified in certain services for which dominant Monday new starts and rushed plans on Friday were observed. Conclusions: We designed a novel workflow enhancement tool to assist collaboration and process improvement. Research partially supported by Philips Medical Systems
The determination of sulfide in the aqueous environment

Abstract Direct measurements were made by use of a sulfide ion-selective electrode in conjunction with a double-junction reference electrode and an Orion Model 407 A/F specific ion meter. This method enables simple and rapid determinations of the total sulfide ion concentration in water. Total sulfide was determined in samples collected from lakes in Fort Bend County. Texas, which ranged from 4 ppb to 18 ppb and from the Houston Ship Channel which ranged from 13 ppb to 42 ppb. A series of experiments shows that (1) the rate of oxidation of S 2− exposed to air is about three times slower for solutions containing the sulfide antioxidant buffer (SAOB II) and (2) the rate of oxidation of S 2 in tightly capped containers is about twice as fast for solutions not containing SAOB II than for solutions containing SAOB II. It was concluded that the use of SAOB II almost eliminates the problem of air oxidation of sulfide ions during direct measurements and that sulfide ion concentrations (as low as 4 ppb) can be determined directly in the laboratory and in the field by use ofthis electrode method.
Photoevaporation of Circumstellar Disks Due to External Far-Ultraviolet Radiation in Stellar Aggregates

When stars form within small groups (with N* ? 100-500 members), their circumstellar disks are exposed to relatively little extreme-ultraviolet (EUV; h? > 13.6 eV) radiation but a great deal of far-ultraviolet (FUV; 6 eV rg and is negligible for rd < rg. Since rg 100 AU for FUV heating, this would imply little mass loss from the planet-forming regions of a disk. In this paper we focus on systems in which photoevaporation is suppressed because rd < rg and show that significant mass loss still takes place as long as rd/rg 0.1-0.2. Some of the gas extends beyond the disk edge (or above the disk surface) to larger distances where the temperature is higher, the escape speed is lower, and an outflow develops. The resulting evaporation rate is a sensitive function of the central stellar mass and disk radius, which determine the escape speed, and the external FUV flux, which determines the temperature structure of the surface layers and outflowing gas. Disks around red dwarfs, low-mass stars with M* 0.5 M?, are evaporated and shrink to disk radii rd 15 AU on short timescales t 10 Myr when exposed to moderate FUV fields with G0 = 3000 (where G0 = 1.7 for the local interstellar FUV field). The disks around solar-type stars are more durable. For intense FUV radiation fields with G0 = 30,000, however, even these disks shrink to rd 15 AU on timescales t ~ 10 Myr. Such fields exist within about 0.7 pc of the center of a cluster with N* ? 4000 stars. If our solar system formed in the presence of such strong FUV radiation fields, this mechanism could explain why Neptune and Uranus in our solar system are gas-poor, whereas Jupiter and Saturn are relatively gas-rich. This mechanism for photoevaporation can also limit the production of Kuiper Belt objects and can suppress giant planet formation in sufficiently large clusters, such as the Hyades, especially for disks associated with low-mass stars.
Improved motion vector predictor for video coding

This paper proposes an approach to improve the accuracy of the motion vector (MV) predictor in video coding. The proposed method makes use of the mechanism of a physical model of rigid objects to assess motion vector relationships among neighboring blocks, and takes advantage of this relationship to improve MV predictor accuracy. Consequently, more bits can be allocated for texture information to improve video quality. Our premise is that blocks associated with the same physical rigid objects have stronger MV relationships than those not associated. This association leads to certain observable behaviors. By detecting this behavior we design an algorithm to achieve a more accurate motion vector predictor. We tested our method on a multi-layer scalable video codec and the results show that the proposed method reduces the number of bits used for motion information without PSNR degradation.
The destruction of serine and threonine during acid hydrolysis.

Bovine submaxillary mucin (a glycoprotein) was hydrolyzed for varous times (1 to 300 hr) at 110° in 6 N HCl (0.3 mg protein per ml). The kinetics of destruction of serine were found to be first-order and that of threonine to be zero-order. The velocity constant for the destruction of serine was k – 4.3 X 10-3 hr-1 and of threonine was k – 5.6 X 10-4 mole hr1. The amounts of serine and threonine destroyed after 22 hours hydrolysis were 10.0 % and 2.7 %, respectively. Since the losses were the same in the absence of carbohydrates and since several prior extensive investigations reported similar corrections for serine, these corrections may be applicable to most proteins and glycoproteins.
Circumferential crack at the fixed end of a pipe

Abstract The problem of a circumferential through-crack at a fixed end of a pipe is analyzed according to thin shell theory. Expressions for the energy-release rate, in closed form, are obtained for the pipe subjected to tension and bending. The proximity of the fixed boundary is found to have an alleviating effect in the case considered.
Rapid Identification of Specific Proteins in Eluants from Chromatographic Separations

Abstract The identity of proteins from chromatographic separations can be rapidly determined by immunoelectroosmophoresis. Column eluants can be serologically assayed by several specific antisera in 30 minutes. The assay is only limited by the number of specific anti-sera that can be prepared or commercially obtained.
EFFECTS OF ADRENALIN AND ANAPHYLAXIS ON THE AGGREGATION OF THE CELLULAR CONSTITUENTS OF THE BLOOD IN VIVO

The effect of adrenalin and anaphylaxis on the behaviour of leucocytes, erythrocytes and platelets in the microcirculation was observed by means of transparent chambers inserted in rabbits' ears. Within one minute of the intravenous administration of adrenalin, blood flow became more brisk and within 2 to 5 minutes, extensive platelet aggregation and platelet leucocyte microthrombi were observed. After 6 to 7 minutes flow reverted to normal but microthrombi persisted for as long as 30 minutes. Anaphylaxis was induced by the administration of horse serum to sensitized rabbits, the first observable effect upon the injection of the shocking dose being platelet aggregation and the sticking of leucocytes to the vessel wall. Red cells adhered to leucocytes and to one another in aggregates, at times forming distinct sludge before the flow markedly diminished at about 4 minutes. These changes occurred invariably, quite irrespective of the death or survival of the rabbit. Sludging of erythrocytes was universal and so prominent that it appears to be a contributory factor in the production of anaphylactic shock. Adrenalin administration greatly improved the flow in anaphylaxis, but had no direct desludging effect on erythrocyte conglutination.
Effect of Warm-up Prior to Maximal Grip Contractions

Abstract Two studies are reported that investigated the effect of warm-up exercises on maximal grip strength. Warm-up, a submaximal rehearsal or practice of an intended activity or event, is used to enhance athletic performance and reduce injury. Previous research on lower extremity performance has not found that activities designed to produce a warm-up effect increased strength. We hypothesized that subjects who engaged in mild warm-up exercises would have higher maximal grip force than would subjects with no warm-up period. The hypothesis was supported by both studies. The increase in grip strength due to warm-up was statistically and clinically significant (an increase of about 1 standard deviation).
Declining health insurance access among US Hispanic workers: not all jobs are created equal.

Introduction Approximately 18% of the U.S. population are uninsured, a proportion that may continue to rise, particularly among Hispanics, as the cost of medical care increases faster than the growth in wages. Methods Health insurance trends were analyzed by race–ethnic category, and among Hispanic workers by occupation type and industrial sector, using data on employed respondents ≥18 years from 1997 to 2007 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (mean annual n = 17,392, representing 123 million US workers on average over this 11 year period). Results From 1997 to 2007, the relative decline in health insurance coverage for US workers was greatest among Hispanics (7.0%). Hispanic workers in the Construction and Services industries had the greatest overall decline in coverage (24.9% and 14.7%), as well as Hispanic blue collar workers (14.0%). Conclusion Hispanic workers in general, and those employed in blue collar, construction, and services sectors in particular, are at greater risk for poor access to health care due to a lack of health insurance coverage. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:163–170 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Association between pain, radiographic severity, and centrally-mediated symptoms in women with knee osteoarthritis.

Objective To examine the relationship between pain, radiographic severity, and a common set of co-occurring centrally-mediated symptoms (fatigue, sleep quality, and depression) in women with knee osteoarthritis. Methods Participants underwent knee radiographs, and had repeated assessments of pain severity and other centrally-mediated symptoms during a 5-day home monitoring period. To examine associations between pain severity (the average of pain over the home monitoring period), measures of osteoarthritis radiographic severity (Kellgren/Lawrence grade, minimum joint space width), centrally-mediated symptoms, and demographics (age) were used. Symptoms of fatigue, sleep efficiency, and depression were used in a composite measure representing centrally-mediated symptoms. Results Using a series of linear regression models in which each variable was entered hierarchically (n = 54), the final model showed that 27% of the variance in pain severity was explained by age, radiographic severity, and centrally-mediated symptoms. Centrally-mediated symptoms explained an additional 10% of the variance in pain severity after the other 2 variables were entered. Conclusion Both radiographic severity and centrally-mediated symptoms were independently and significantly associated with pain severity in women with knee osteoarthritis. In addition to more severe radiographic features, women with higher centrally-mediated symptoms had greater pain severity. Treatments for women with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis may be optimized by addressing both peripheral and central sources of pain.
Effect of α1-Adrenoceptor Antagonist Exposure on Prostate Cancer Incidence: An Observational Cohort Study

Purpose: The quinazoline based α1-adrenoceptor antagonists doxazosin and terazosin suppress prostate tumor growth via the induction of apoptosis and decrease in tissue vascularity. To assess the effect of α1-blocker exposure on the incidence of prostate cancer we performed an exploratory, observational cohort study.Materials and Methods: The medical records of all male patients enrolled at Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center were searched to identify men treated with quinazoline based α1-adrenoreceptor antagonists between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 2002 for hypertension and/or benign prostatic enlargement. Medical records were subsequently linked to the Markey Cancer Center Kentucky Cancer Registry, a statewide population based central cancer registry that is part of the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results Program, to identify all incident prostate cancer cases diagnosed. All newly diagnosed prostate cancer cases unexposed to α1-adrenoreceptor antagonists in th...
An interface to link dynamic system models

An interface is developed to link general-purpose simulation processors such as MIMIC and CSMP to sub system computer models containing their own integra tion routines.* Implementing the interface requires no modification of CSMP and only simple additions to MIMIC.Tests using the interface to link subsystem models with CSMP and MIMIC programs showed substantial increases in computing efficiency over carrying out the same simulation with only a general-purpose pro cessor. The test cases consisted of stiff systems surrounded by control loops. The control loops were modeled using the general-purpose simulation languages, while the stiff systems were modeled with FORTRAN subroutines incorporating appropriate integration algorithms.
Role of aromatic interactions in amyloid formation by peptides derived from human Amylin.

Numerous polypeptides and proteins form amyloid deposits in vivo or in vitro. The mechanism of amyloid formation is not well-understood particularly in the case where unstructured polypeptides assemble to form amyloid. Aromatic−aromatic interactions are known to be important in globular proteins, and the possibility that they might play a key role in amyloid formation has been raised. The results of Ala-scanning experiments on short polypeptides derived from Amylin have suggested that aromatic interactions could be particularly important for this system. Here, we examine a set of Amylin-derived polypeptides in which the single aromatic residue has been substituted with a Leu and Ala. A peptide corresponding to residues 21−29 with a Phe-23 to Leu substitution, a free N terminus, and amidated C terminus readily forms amyloid. Shorter peptides derived from the putative minimal amyloid-forming segment of Amylin, residues 22−27, also form amyloid when Phe-23 is replaced by Leu. Amyloid formation is more facile...
Effect on birth weight of erythromycin treatment of pregnant women

To test the hypothesis that treatment with antibiotics prevents low birth weight, pregnant women whose vaginal cultures contained Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis (or both) and who gave written informed consent were treated with one of the following: identical looking capsules containing 250 mg of either erythromycin estolate or stearate (active against U urealyticum), or 150 mg of clindamycin hydrochloride (active against M hominis), or placebo, four times daily for six weeks in a randomized double-blind study. Treatment with clindamycin had no effect. Treatment with erythromycin initiated during the second trimester had no effect on mean birth weight or on the frequency of low-birth-weight infants. In contrast, women whose treatment with erythromycin was initiated in the third trimester gave birth to infants with a heavier mean birth weight (3331 g) than infants born to placebo-treated women (3187 g) (P = .042). Similarly, in women whose erythromycin was begun during the third trimester, the birth rate of infants weighing 2500 g or less was 3%, whereas in women treated with placebo, the birth rate for low-birth-weight infants was 12% (P = .047). These data suggest that treatment with erythromycin during the third trimester prevents low birth weight in mycoplasma-colonized pregnant women. Whether the effect is due solely to the action of erythromycin on U urealyticum is uncertain.
Oil and gas platform ocean current profile data

Approximately forty deep water oil production platforms and drilling rigs continue to provide real-time current profile data to NOAA's National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). NDBC receives and quality controls the data and transmits it over the Global Telecommunications System. NDBC stores the raw binary current profile data where it can be extracted by private concerns in order to forecast the Loop Current and Loop eddies for oil and transportation concerns in the Gulf of Mexico. After quality control, NDBC also stores the processed data. In addition to aiding the oil and gas industry to understand and design for the forces in the water column generated by strong currents in the Gulf of Mexico, the three years of ocean profile data show a number of oceanographic phenomena. The high currents of the Loop Current that extend to several hundred meters are present and generally impact several oil platforms as it moves into the northern Gulf of Mexico. Cyclonic loop eddies exhibit many of the same characteristics of the Loop Current, but move into the western Gulf of Mexico as currents diminish. Five day plots of the current profiles show the passage of eddies. Evidence of tidal currents modifying unidirectional currents are also present. Inertial currents generated by wind events are omnipresent and propagate throughout the water column in all regions of the Gulf. The current profiles from delayed-mode, bottom-mounted profilers show that inertial currents reach great depths. Statistical analyses of these data verify the existence of the currents.
Dynamic MEMS measuring interferometric microscope

The wide variety of shapes, functions, and operational parameters of micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) moving into production requires high flexibility for any commercial measurement instrumentation. Customers increasingly desire complete characterization of devices with both in-plane and out-of-plane motion over their full range of frequency, phase, and voltage inputs. Due to the tight tolerances on most MEMS devices, position, shape, and roughness must be measured to nanometer resolution. The parts themselves, however, can have steps up to several millimeters in height, while lateral features may range from a few microns to more than ten millimeters. Additionally, the devices must be characterized from their static state up to frequencies of one megahertz or more. These requirements pose large design challenges for both software and hardware for a system targeted to serve all of these measurement needs. While strobed systems have been used to exmaine moving devices for decades, these systems were generally quite specialized. Some could not measure static parts, while others have height or strict field-of-view limits. This paper describes the design of a general-purpose measurement system for dynamic MEMS components, and presents measurement results on a variety of MEMS devices with various features and modes of activation. Analyses including resonant frequency characterization, step response, and dynamic deformation will be presented on multiple devices.
Comparison of acute myeloid leukemia patients at MD Anderson: 1982-1986 vs 1992-1996.

We compared the acute myeloid leukemia (AML) population seen at UT MD Anderson Cancer Center in the period from 1982 to 1986 with the population seen in the period of 1992 to 1996. The population seen in the 1990s was significantly (P< 0.01) older than the population seen in the 1980s, and was more likely (P<0.001) to have abnormalities of chromosomes 5 and/or (5q-, -5, 7q-, -7). The increase in the incidence of -5/-7 was seen in both younger and older patients. Because the populations differed in these ways it is likely that they differed in other, less quantifiable ways. Our results suggest caution when using historical controls and when generalizing findings from randomized studies.
Influence of proteinase inhibitors on glucocorticoid receptor properties: recent progress and future perspectives.

Studies with proteinase inhibitors have shown that these reagents have potent effects on many properties (including binding, inactivation, degradation, and transformation) of the cytosolic glucocorticoid-receptor. Future studies to determine the influence of these inhibitors on purified receptors and in reconstituted systems should prove particularly useful in elucidating the mechanism(s) of proteinase inhibitor action. Such studies should not only clarify the chemical relationship between proteinase inhibitors and the glucocorticoid receptor(s), but should also provide insight into the basic biochemical nature of steroid binding, inactivation, degradation and transformation. If proteinase inhibitors are shown to exert certain effects by depressing the action of specific enzymes (or other receptor modifying factors), these inhibitors should be helpful in further characterizing and purifying these receptor modifying molecules. On the other hand, if the inhibitors are found to directly interact with the glucocorticoid receptor, such an interaction could prove useful in purifying the receptor (such as using inhibitor-linked affinity columns) as well as characterizing specific chemical groups on the receptor. It should be noted that since proteinase inhibitors affect several properties of the glucocorticoid receptor, it is possible that more than one mechanism of inhibitor action may be revealed. While proteinase inhibitors have clearly been shown to alter glucocorticoid receptor properties in vitro, their effect on receptor function in vivo is largely unexplored. Such studies could prove extremely valuable in determining ways of regulating glucocorticoid hormone action in both experimental and possibly clinical situations. It should also be emphasized that until the effects of proteinase inhibitors on steroid receptor properties in vivo are understood, caution must be used in crediting proteinase inhibitor effects in vivo to their ability to hinder proteinase action (since biological alterations could also be due to steroid receptor modulation).
What is 3D good for? A review of human performance on stereoscopic 3D displays

This work reviews the human factors-related literature on the task performance implications of stereoscopic 3D displays, in order to point out the specific performance benefits (or lack thereof) one might reasonably expect to observe when utilizing these displays. What exactly is 3D good for? Relative to traditional 2D displays, stereoscopic displays have been shown to enhance performance on a variety of depth-related tasks. These tasks include judging absolute and relative distances, finding and identifying objects (by breaking camouflage and eliciting perceptual "pop-out"), performing spatial manipulations of objects (object positioning, orienting, and tracking), and navigating. More cognitively, stereoscopic displays can improve the spatial understanding of 3D scenes or objects, improve memory/recall of scenes or objects, and improve learning of spatial relationships and environments. However, for tasks that are relatively simple, that do not strictly require depth information for good performance, where other strong cues to depth can be utilized, or for depth tasks that lie outside the effective viewing volume of the display, the purported performance benefits of 3D may be small or altogether absent. Stereoscopic 3D displays come with a host of unique human factors problems including the simulator-sickness-type symptoms of eyestrain, headache, fatigue, disorientation, nausea, and malaise, which appear to effect large numbers of viewers (perhaps as many as 25% to 50% of the general population). Thus, 3D technology should be wielded delicately and applied carefully; and perhaps used only as is necessary to ensure good performance.
A Note About the Cover of the August Issue [Letter to the Editor]

Regarding the article by Prabhakar Pathak, Giorgio Carluccio, and Matteo Albani, ?The Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction and Some of Its Applications,? in the August 2013 issue of the IEEE Antennas & Propagation Magazine (55, 4, August 2013, pp. 41?69), the authors make reference to some data comparing the measured and calculated coupling between a pair of antennas installed on a small aerial platform that is shown on the front cover of the magazine. I wish to point out to your readers that these data came from a comprehensive study conducted by the Naval Research Laboratory to investigate the use of the NEC Basic Scattering Code (NECBSC). This was developed by the ElectroScience Laboratory at The Ohio State University, based on the Uniform Geometrical Theory of Diffraction, to predict the coupling between transmitting and receiving antennas on an aerial platform called FLYRT.
Serial cell-free passage in rats of the mouse leukemia virus. Effect of thymectomy.

Summary1. Passage A leukemic virus, initially isolated from spontaneous Ak mouse leukemia and passed serially through newborn mice, is pathogenic not only for mice, but also for Sprague-Dawley or Osborne-Mendel rats. 2. The virus could be recovered from rats and passed serially in rats. After one or 2 passages in this species, the incidence of leukemia induced in rats following inoculation of this virus increased to almost 100%, and the latency decreased to less than 3 months. 3. In rats the virus induced most frequently lymphatic or stem-cell leukemia, in about 7% also the myeloid form. Lymphosarcomas, and less frequently reticulum-cell sarcomas or Hodgkin's-like lesions, were found in lymph nodes and spleens in some of the leukemic animals. 4. After passage through rats, the virus induced an incidence of leukemia varying from 87 to 97% when inoculated into newborn mice. 5. Thymectomy of rats that had been inoculated with the virus, slightly delayed the development of leukemia: incidence of myeloid leuke...
Bone Mineral Density (BMD) of Sedentary and Active Older Women With and Without Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA)

Abstract RA is a chronic, inflammatory disorder occurring more commonly in women. Women with RA may have increased risk of bone loss due to the hypermetabolic nature of the disease and steroid drug use. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of RA and programmed physical activity (PPA) on BMD in sedentary and active women (56-77y, mean BMI=24.3kg/m 2 , mean body fat=40.9%). Subjects were classified into one of four groups: active RA (n=10; 25y with RA), sedentary RA (n=13; 24y with RA), active healthy control (HC) (n=10), sedentary HC (n=12). Active subjects engaged in PPA for 4-6h/wk for ⩾5y. Supplemental Ca intake was reported to be 564, 1368, 273, and 419mg/d for the RA Active, RA Sedentary, HC Active, and HC Sedentary groups, respectively. BMD (hip and spine) was measured by DXA. ANOVA indicated no difference between groups for the variables measured. Engaging in PPA did not prevent BMD loss in active subjects.L2-L4, BMD (g/cm 2 )Femur Neck, BMD (g/cm 2 )Ward's Triangle, BMD (g/cm 2 )RA Active0.971±0.1370.649±0.1170.508±0.154RA Sedentary0.974±0.1460.649±0.0700.492±0.120HC Active0.894±0.1680.654±0.0970.506±0.132HC Sedentary0.956±0.1720.677±0.1200.531±0.158Using Ward's Triangle BMD, a clinical diagnosis of osteoporosis was observed in 30% of the subjects overall and 40%, 27%, 10%, and 25% of subjects in the RA Active, RA Sedentary, HC Active, and HC Sedentary groups, respectively. These data indicate the importance of monitoring bone health in all older women regardless of health, activity level, and supplemental calcium intake.
The apartment plot: urban living in American film and popular culture, 1945-75

by Pamela Robertson Wojcik, Durham, Duke University Press, 2010, 310 pp., $23.95 (paperback), ISBN 978-0-8223-4773-6 Pamela Wojcik’s The Apartment Plot urges readers to look beyond the prominence o...
In vivo MRI of fresh stored osteochondral allograft transplantation with delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage: Protocol considerations and recommendations

The protocol for delayed gadolinium-enhanced MRI of cartilage (dGEMRIC) was adapted for the evaluation of transplanted osteochondral allograft cartilage. Eight patients with focal grade 4 cartilage defects of the femoral condyle were treated with single cylindrical osteochondral allografts. At 1 and 2 years, dGEMRIC image sequences were acquired and regions of interest (ROIs) were drawn in repair and native control cartilage. Mean T1 values of region of interest were used to calculate established dGEMRIC metrics. The correlation was measured between the ΔR1 and R1 -Post metrics for repair and native cartilage. T1 times were measured in deep and superficial zones of cartilage. A strong correlation was identified between full-thickness, deep, and superficial ΔR1 and R1 -Post values for native cartilage and repair cartilage for all years (range: 0.893-1.0). The mean T1 times and ΔR1 rate between deep and superficial regions of articular cartilage were statistically different for all regions of the distal femora analyzed at 1 year and 2 years after osteochondral allograft transplantation (P<0.05). The dGEMRIC pre-Gadolinium scan is unnecessary when evaluating transplanted osteochondral allograft cartilage. The observation of stratified T1 and ΔR1 values indicates a need to re-evaluate the methodology behind the placement of region of interest in dGEMRIC.
Hydrazine sulfate protection against endotoxin lethality : analysis of effects on expression of hepatic cytokine genes and an acute-phase gene

Abstract Hydrazine sulfate (HS) pretreatment protects mice against the lethal effects of bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharide (LPS) through mechanisms yet to be established. The liver was examined as a model organ to determine HS effects on (a) LPS activation of leukocyte (Kupffer cell) interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) genes and (b) subsequent cytokine-mediated induction of the acute-phase response as measured by hepatic metallo-thionein (MT) gene expression. The utility of this model was documented by in situ hybridization which showed that acute induction by LPS of the IL-1β gene occurred in cells found in liver sinusoids, consistent with Kupffer cells, whereas induction of the MT gene occurred in hepatocytes. The cell specific expression of these genes was further verified by Northern blot hybridization to LPS-treated liver RNA which showed that the LPS-mediated increase in hepatic cytokine mRNA levels, unlike that of MT, was not prevented by d -galactosamine ( d -GaIN) treatment. Northern blot hybridization established that HS pretreatment did not block the acute induction of hepatic cytokine mRNAs (IL-1β and TNF-α) by LPS nor did it induce these cytokine mRNAs in the absence of LPS. Northern blot hybridization further established that HS did not prevent LPS-mediated activation of hepatocyte MT gene expression. Thus, HS does not prevent LPS from activating liver leukocytes. These results also suggest that HS pretreatment neither prevents the general release of cytokines from LPS activated leukocytes nor the general induction of acute-phase protein gene expression in hepatocytes. Therefore, it is unlikely that HS protection against LPS-mediated lethality entails a global down-regulation of LPS-mediated inflammatory events.
Using a computer algebra system to teach double integration

Evaluating double integrals is an important topic in calculus. The mechanics of evaluating interated integrals can be assisted with a computer algebra system. Methods using the computer algebra software MAPLE are presented.
Influence of water vapor on the thermal dehydration of Li2SO4·H2O

Abstract Kinetics of thermal dehydration of lithium sulfate monohydrate have been studied by using TG and DSC for Li2SO4·H2O samples with different characteristics, i.e., powdered sample, pressed pellet, plate crystal and cubic crystal. The TG measurements in N2 saturated with water and dry N2 showed that the dehydration of Li2SO4·H2O was affected by the presence of water, particularly for the powdered sample at the early stage of dehydration. This phenomenon is explained by consideration of H2O diffusion. The apparent activation energies were calculated based on the Ozawa method from TG data obtained at different heating rates. No significant difference was found in the apparent activation energy due to the presence of external water vapor. DSC measurements on the dehydration of all four samples were also performed, and the apparent activation energies, obtained from analyzing partial areas by the Ozawa method, are comparable to those obtained from TG.