cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
High resolution SNP array analysis of primary ovarian tumors reveals numerous microdeletions and amplifications.

A63 Genetic changes in sporadic ovarian cancer are poorly characterized. We have evaluated 31 primary ovarian cancers for loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and copy number alterations using the Affymetrix GeneChip® Mapping 500K Arrays. We analyzed DNA extracted from fresh frozen tumor and matching normal lymphocytes from 31 women with primary epithelial ovarian cancer, including three different histological subtypes - mucinous, endometrioid and serous. Analysis of the number of copy number breakpoints and the distribution of the small regions of copy number change indicate high levels of structural chromosomal genetic instability in ovarian cancer. There were differences in the number of chromosome breakpoints with tumor subtype, grade and stage. In addition to identifying the expected large-scale genomic copy number changes, the 500K array also revealed numerous smaller regions (
Developing Allies to Transgender and Gender-Nonconforming Youth: Training for Counselors and Educators

Lack of training regarding transgender youth leaves K–12 educators unprepared to become allies to this disenfranchised community and attend to their needs. This article explores the pedagogical strategies of two professional workshop models (GLSEN Houston training and the Gender Infinity practitioner training), which provide skills and resources for educators and counselors in K–12 settings to become adult allies to gender-nonconforming youth. Discussion includes pedagogical approaches and implications regarding sessions that provide training, resources for counselors and teachers to develop skills to support transgender youth, and responses from participants about the outcomes associated with workshop training.
Genistein induces Ca2+-mediated, calpain/caspase-12-dependent apoptosis in breast cancer cells

Abstract Genistein, a soy-derived isoflavone, has been suggested for breast cancer prevention; however, use of soy products for this purpose remains controversial. Genistein has been reported to regulate growth of tumor cells, although the involved molecular mechanisms are not defined. Here we report that genistein induces apoptosis in breast cancer cells via activation of the Ca 2+ -dependent proapoptotic proteases, μ-calpain, and caspase-12. The treatment of MCF-7 breast cancer cells with genistein induced a sustained increase in concentration of intracellular Ca 2+ resulting from depletion of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca 2+ stores. This increase in Ca 2+ was associated with activation of μ-calpain and caspase-12, as evaluated with the calpain and caspase-12 substrates and antibodies to active (cleaved) forms of the enzymes. Selective inhibition of Ca 2+ binding sites of μ-calpain, forced increase of the cytosolic Ca 2+ buffering capacity, and caspase inhibition decreased apoptotic indices in the genistein-treated cells. Our results suggest that Ca 2+ -dependent proteases are potential targets for genistein in breast cancer cells and that the cellular Ca 2+ regulatory activity of genistein underlies its apoptotic mechanism.
A One-Dimensional Mixed Layer Ocean Model for Use in Three-Dimensional Climate Simulations: Control Simulation Compared to Observations

Abstract A study has been made of the dynamic interactions between the surface layer of the ocean and the atmosphere using a climate model that contains a new approach to predicting the sea surface temperature (SST). The atmospheric conditions are simulated numerically with the NCAR Community Climate Model (CCM3). The SST is determined by a modified Kraus–Turner-type one-dimensional mixed layer ocean model (MLOM) for the upper ocean that has been coupled to CCM3. The MLOM simulates vertical ocean dynamics and demonstrates the effects of the seasonal variation of mixed layer depth and convective instability on the SST. A purely thermodynamic slab ocean model (SOM) is currently available for use with CCM3 to predict the SST. A large-scale ocean general circulation model (OGCM) may also be coupled to CCM3; however, the OGCM is computationally intensive and is therefore not a good tool for conducting multiple sensitivity studies. The MLOM provides an alternative to the SOM that contains seasonally and spatial...
Linkage between 9 and 12 antigens of Salmonella typhosa.

SummaryThe 9 and 12 antigens of S. typhosa have been specifically precipitated by either anti-9 or anti-12 sera and used to immunize rabbits. The antisera obtained contained both 9 and 12 antibodies indicating that the 9 and 12 antigens of S. typhosa are on the same molecule.
Ostéome ostéoïde de la fosse acétabulaire : à propos d’une série de cinq cas traités par résection percutanée

Resume Introduction L’osteome osteoide (OO) est une tumeur benigne, douloureuse dont le traitement reste chirurgical, dans l’objectif de realiser l’exerese du nidus. L’atteinte de la fosse acetabulaire est rare, mais pose le probleme de son accessibilite. Patients et methodes Nous presentons ici une serie de cinq patients atteints d’un osteome osteoide de la fosse acetabulaire pour lesquels a ete realise un forage resection osseux percutane (FROP) sous scanner. Resultats Pour ces cinq patients, les suites ont ete simples et l’evolution favorable avec une disparition immediate et durable des douleurs dans tous les cas. Discussion Les resultats de notre technique percutanee semblent aussi satisfaisants que les resultats des autres techniques percutanees, notamment en ce qui concerne la disparition des douleurs et la tolerance du patient vis-a-vis de la technique. Conclusion Le FROP sous controle tomodensitometrique a montre son efficacite therapeutique dans le cas d’une atteinte de la fosse acetabulaire par un osteome osteoide. Niveau de preuve IV.
Sonographic assessment of renal length in the first year of life: the problem of "spurious nephromegaly".

Purpose. Interest in the potential diagnostic or prognostic implications of nephromegaly as evidence for compensatory renal hypertrophy has recently been emphasized in a variety of clinical settings. This project was designed to compare the results of linear and nonlinear sonographic models in the interpretation of renal size and growth during the first year of life.¶Materials and methods. We identified all renal and abdominal ultrasound examinations that were performed between March 1994 and October 1997 in full-term infants under age 1 year during which (1) both renal lengths were measured and (2) both kidneys appeared anatomically normal. Using three different computerized algorithms based on published standards for sonographic renal length in relation to age, we calculated z-scores for the renal lengths and compared the results of the three methods: in method A the standards at birth, 1 week, 4 months, 8 months, and 1 year were all used; in method B the 1-week standard was omitted; in method C the standards at 1 week, 4 months, and 8 months were omitted.¶Results. We evaluated 1,234 renal measurements in 617 patients (293 boys, 324 girls; mean age 0.24 year). Compared with method A, z-scores were significantly increased when either method B or C was used (P + 2) was significantly increased when subannual standards were omitted (P < 0.0001): using method A, 20 (1.6 %) kidneys were large for age compared with 74 (6.0 %) using method B, and 214 (17.3 %) using method C. All kidneys that were large for age based on method A were also large for age using both methods B and C. The rate of false-positive diagnosis of nephromegaly was 73 % (54/74 kidneys) with method B and 91 % (194/214 kidneys) with method C.¶Conclusions. Although the use of multiple subannual standards for renal length in infants less than 1 year of age is time consuming and mathematically more complicated, omission of these standards results in a statistically significant increase in the frequency of “spurious” nephromegaly.¶Learning objectives. Precise application of published standards is important in the interpretation of sonographic measurements of renal length. Omission of the subannual standards for renal length in children who are less than 1 year of age can result in an incorrect impression of nephromegaly.
THE PHOTOTROPIC SENSITIVITY OF PHYCOMYCES AS RELATED TO WAVE-LENGTH.

Under the circumstances of experimentation described, the sporangiophores of Phycomyces are found to be most sensitive to stimulation by light in the violet between 400 and 430 mµ. Toward the red, sensitivity falls to nearly zero near 580 mµ, while in the near ultra-violet around 370 mµ, sensitivity is still high. The previous experiments of Blaauw had placed the point of greatest sensitivity some 80 mµ nearer the red end of the spectrum. Because of the known presence in the sporangiophores of Phycomyces of "accessory" pigments, care must be taken in identifying such results with the absorption spectrum of the photosensitive substance.
Global registration of overlapping images using accumulative image features

This paper introduces a new feature-based image registration technique which registers images by finding rotation- and scale-invariant features and matching them using a novel feature matching algorithm based on an evidence accumulation process reminiscent of the generalized Hough transform. Once feature correspondence has been established, the transformation parameters are then estimated using non-linear least squares (NLLS) and the standard RANSAC (random sample consensus) algorithm. The technique is evaluated under similarity transforms - translation, rotation and scale (zoom) and also under illumination changes.
The ventilatory threshold: quantitative analysis of reproducibility and relation to arterial lactate concentration in normal subjects and in patients with chronic congestive heart failure.

Abstract The present study evaluates optimal ventilatory criteria and exercise protocols for determining the ventilatory threshold, and assesses the day-to-day reproducibility of the ventilatory threshold and its relation to peak oxygen uptake V0 2 and blood lactate concentration in normal subjects and patients with stable chronic congestive heart failure (CHF). Eighteen normal subjects and 18 patients underwent rapid (1-minute stage) and gradual (3-minute stage) bicycle exercise tests on consecutive days. The ventilatory threshold was determined from computer-generated printouts of expired gas variables measured breath by breath. lnterobserver variability of ventilatory threshold was small in both normal (0.66 ± 0.85 ml/min/kg) and CHF patients (0.50 ± 0.46 ml/min/kg). Variability in the normal subjects was lower for the rapid exercise protocol (0.66 ± 0.85 ml/min/kg) than the gradual protocol (1.72 ± 1.63 ml/min/kg) (p 2 (r = 0.95, standard error of the estimate 3.31 ml/min/kg). The use of co-plotted ventilatory equivalents for oxygen and carbon dioxide yielded ventilatory threshold values comparable to values obtained by using multiple parameters (r = 0.94, p
Failure prognosability of stochastic discrete event systems

We study the prognosis of fault, i.e., its prediction prior to its occurrence, in stochastic discrete event systems. We introduce the notion of m-steps Stochastic-Prognosability, called S m -Prognosability, which allows the prediction of a fault at least m-steps in advance. We formalize the notion of a prognoser and also show that S m -Prognosability is necessary and sufficient for the existence of a prognoser that can predict a fault at least m-steps prior to occurrence, while achieving any arbitrary false alarm and missed detection rates. We also provide a polynomial algorithm for the verification of S m -Prognosability.
Journeys on the Silk Road: A Desert Explorer, Buddha's Secret Library, and the Unearthing of the World's Oldest Printed Book. By Joyce Morgan and Conrad Walters. (Guilford, CT: Lyons Press, 2012. Pp. ix, 326. $24.95.)

Journeys on the Silk Road is a fun, quick read for those with no background in the subject. The authors work for the Sydney Morning Herald and have constructed a lively narrative centering on Aurel...
Digital Daisy: An Inquiry-Based Approach to Investigating Floral Morphology and Dissection

Many topics in the secondary science classroom can be difficult to introduce to students in a manner that fully engages them, especially when presented using traditional teaching methods. However, with a little innovation and an emphasis on inquiry, even dry subjects can be presented in an appealing way. The authors developed an inquiry-based exercise that teaches students about flower anatomy and dissection. During this exercise, students investigate the morphology of simple and composite flowers using digital microscopes. Dissection of a simple flower results in a count of floral parts that is used to construct a floral formula. Students use appearance of structures to suggest function of sepals, petals, anthers, pistils, and components. Investigation of composite and bilabiate flowers introduces concepts of inflorescence and symmetry and asymmetry. Following self-guided inquiry by the students, the teacher uses a digital microscope, computer, and LCD projector to lead discussion of what was observed an...
Mercaptoethanol protects glutathione depleted cells.

Buthionine sulfoximine depleted the glutathione (GSH) level of mouse lymphoma L1210A cells in culture to 6% of control and killed the cells within 48 hours in medium supplemented with fetal calf serum or bovine serum albumin. Mercaptoethanol or α-thioglycerol but not GSH or cysteine added to the medium protected the cells from the effect of GSH depletion. Horse serum was also protective, and this effect was removed by dialysis over 65 hours and could not be restored by adding GSH.
The determination of all λ-designs with λ=3

Abstract Let S1, …, Sn, n>1, be subsets of an n-set S where |Si|>λ≥1 and |Si∩Sj|=λ for i≠j. Then our configuration is either a symmetric block design, with possible degeneracies, or what Ryser [3] has called a λ-design. A λ-design has the remarkable property, established by Ryser [3], that each element of S occurs either r1 or r2 times among the sets Si, …, Sn and r1+r2=n+1. The 1-designs are completely known and so is the unique 2-design. The present paper establishes that there are exactly three 3-designs.
Predicting children's sociometric status from their behavior.

PUTALLAZ, MARTHA. Predicting Children's Sociometric Status from Their Behavior. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1983, 54, 1417-1426. 22 boys were videotaped during their summer before first grade as they attempted to enter a group of 2 unfamiliar boys. The 2 boys, who were experimental confederates, engaged in a series of scripted games and presented several scripted problematic social situations to the subjects. The subjects' behavior was used to predict their sociometric status 4 months later in first grade. Results indicated that the tendency of subjects to fit into the group they entered by contributing relevant conversation was predictive of their social status even after controlling for intelligence. Further, this relationship was enhanced for those subjects who accurately perceived the group's behavior, as assessed in a postsession interview.
Flaw Investigation in a Multi-Layer, Multimaterial Composite: Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonics

Ceramic tiles are the main ingredient of a multi-layer multi-material composite being considered for the modernization of tank armors. The high stiffness, low attenuation, and precise dimensions of these uniform tiles make them remarkable resonators when driven to vibrate. Defects in the tile, during manufacturing or after usage, are expected to change the resonance modes. The comparison of a pristine tile/lay-up and a defective tile/lay-up will thus be a quantitative damage metric. This study is aimed at examining the vibration modes of the tiles and the composite lay-up and using these vibrations to detect and characterize defects.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Reduced Stimulation of Recombinant DNA Polymerase γ and Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) Helicase by Variants of Mitochondrial Single-stranded DNA-binding Protein (mtSSB) Correlates with Defects in mtDNA Replication in Animal Cells

The mitochondrial single-stranded DNA-binding protein (mtSSB) is believed to coordinate the functions of DNA polymerase γ (pol γ) and the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) helicase at the mtDNA replication fork. We generated five variants of the human mtSSB bearing mutations in amino acid residues specific to metazoans that map on the protein surface, removed from the single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding groove. Although the mtSSB variants bound ssDNA with only slightly different affinities, they exhibited distinct capacities to stimulate the DNA polymerase activity of human pol γ and the DNA unwinding activity of human mtDNA helicase in vitro. Interestingly, we observed that the variants with defects in stimulating pol γ had unaltered capacities to stimulate the mtDNA helicase; at the same time, variants showing reduced stimulation of the mtDNA helicase activity promoted DNA synthesis by pol γ similarly to the wild-type mtSSB. The overexpression of the equivalent variants of Drosophila melanogaster mtSSB in S2 cells in culture caused mtDNA depletion under conditions of mitochondrial homeostasis. Furthermore, we observed more severe reduction of mtDNA copy number upon expression of these proteins during recovery from treatment with ethidium bromide, when mtDNA replication is stimulated in vivo. Our findings suggest that mtSSB uses distinct structural elements to interact functionally with its mtDNA replisome partners and to promote proper mtDNA replication in animal cells.
Computed tomography of septal defects

Septal defects are common congenital cardiac anomalies that may present in adulthood. Although echocardiography and magnetic resonance imaging are most frequently used to assess for and evaluate septal defects, multidetector computed tomography (CT), with its high spatial and temporal resolutions, multiplanar reconstruction capabilities, and wide field of view, is an excellent tool for detection and characterization of septal defects and for identification of associated anomalies of the heart and pulmonary vasculature. Knowledge of the CT appearances of septal defects and their respective associated abnormalities is critical for accurate reporting as well as for providing information for planning of surgical or percutaneous therapy. In this pictorial review, the CT appearances of various atrial and ventricular septal defects and associated shunts are described and illustrated.
SAR feature representation and matching using the probablistic distance transform

In this paper we present a method of fusing evidence of targets in an observed SAR image. We have selected three simple feature types to perform these initial experiments. Fusion is performed by straightforward addition of log likelihoods over feature match types. In all cases among the three feature types tested it is observed that the probability of identification improves as feature types are added. The method of recognition is based on the probabilistic distance transform (PDT). This approach derives from traditional distance transform (DT) methods of matching target predictions (based either on training or model based predictions) to observed features. The PDT method retains the basic DT matching structure, including the advantages of fast processing and non-unique correspondences between predicted and observed features, while interpreting 'distance' in terms of spatial probability densities of predicted and observed features. The PDT matching approach then results in a statistic that can be treated as a likelihood of match between an observed set of features and a predicted target signature.
Dilepton tagged jets

We present simulation studies of a possible jet measurement at LHC using the leptonic decay of a high transverse momentum virtual photon/Z0 in association with a quark/gluon jet. The interested production channels are q+q→Z0/γ*+g and g+q→Z0/γ*+q with the subsequent Z0/γ*→μ-+μ+ decay. The total energy of the jet is highly correlated to that of the dilepton coming from the Z0/γ* decay. The jet can be considered in this case as tagged (i.e. a dilepton-tag) with a known energy. Based on momentum balance between the dilepton (whose energy is not modified by the medium) and the jet (which does suffer energy loss in the medium), the angular correlation analysis that we plan to perform can shed light on the properties of the medium traversed (e.g. density) and parton fragmentation functions.
Reliability and Efficiency of a DNA-Based Computation

DNA-based computing uses the tendency of nucleotide bases to bind (hybridize) in preferred combinations to do computation. Depending on reaction conditions, oligonucleotides can bind despite noncomplementary base pairs. These mismatched hybridizations are a source of false positives and negatives, which limit the efficiency and scalability of DNA-based computing. The ability of specific base sequences to support error-tolerant Adleman-style computation is analyzed, and criteria are proposed to increase reliability and efficiency. A method is given to calculate reaction conditions from estimates of DNA melting.
Measurement and characterization of thin film module reliability

Abstract As an indication of the evolving nature and continuing growth of photovoltaic technology, thin film amorphous silicon (a-Si) power modules have made their commercial debut during the past two years. Early experience with this technology has highlighted certain failure mechanisms as being the most important to long-term power generation. These include light-induced effects, corrosion of the cell monolithic interconnects, electrochemical corrosion between cells and the module frame, hot-spot heating and UV photodegradation of polymer encapsulants and frame members. Research at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory during 1987 has focused on measuring and characterizing many of these degradation mechanisms. A summary of the results is presented, together with references to recent publications of detailed results in each area.
Variants at chromosome 10q26 locus and the expression of HTRA1 in the retina

Variations in a locus at chromosome 10q26 are strongly associated with the risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The most significantly associated haplotype includes a nonsynonymous SNP rs10490924 in the exon 1 of ARMS2 and rs11200638 in the promoter region of HTRA1. It is under debate which gene(s), ARMS2, HTRA1 or some other genes are functionally responsible for the genetic association. To verify whether the associated variants correlate with a higher HTRA1 expression level as previously reported, HTRA1 mRNA and protein were measured in a larger human retina-RPE-choroid samples (n = 82). Results show there is no significant change of HTRA1 mRNA level among genotypes at rs11200638, rs10490924 or an indel variant of ARMS2. Furthermore, two AMD-associated synonymous SNPs rs1049331 and rs2293870 in HTRA1 exon 1 do not change its protein level either. These results suggest that the AMD-associated variants in the chromosome 10q26 locus do not significantly affect the expression of HTRA1.
Oxyntomodulin stimulates intestinal glucose uptake in rats

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Enteroglucagon peptides have long been proposed as mediators of intestinal adaptation, including mucosal growth and nutrient absorptive capacity. The hypothesis that infusions of oxyntomodulin, a bioactive form of enteroglucagon, would stimulate glucose and amino acid uptake was tested and its effects were compared with those of glucagon. METHODS: Rats were infused intravenously via minipumps with either saline, rat oxyntomodulin (0.47 nmol x kg(-1) x h[-1]), or glucagon (0.88 nmol x kg(-1) x h[-1]) for 7 days, and plasma hormone levels were measured. At death, intestinal dimensions and brush border uptake of D-glucose and L-proline were measured using an in vitro everted sleeve technique. RESULTS: Plasma enteroglucagon and glucagon levels were increased 4- and 12-fold, respectively, but there were no effects on food intake, body weight, or intestinal dimensions. In contrast, oxyntomodulin and glucagon significantly stimulated total intestinal glucose uptake capacity by 44% and 53%, respectively, over controls. Oxyntomodulin most potently enhanced glucose uptake in the ileum (215%), whereas glucagon's greatest effect was in the jejunum (63%-85%). However, neither peptide affected proline uptake. CONCLUSIONS: These results support a new, specific action for oxyntomodulin in intestinal adaptation as a glucose uptake stimulator and confirm glucagon's role as a regulator of glucose uptake. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jun;112(6):1961-70)
Highlights from the latest articles on vaccine development using nanoparticles.

2014 Designer aluminum salt-based nanoparticles as vaccine adjuvants Evaluation of: Sun B, Ji Z, Liao Y et al. Engineering an effective immune adjuvant by designed control of shape and crystallinity of aluminum oxyhydroxide nanoparticles. ACS Nano. 7(12), 10834–10849 (2013). Aluminum salts, such as aluminum hydroxide, are widely used in vaccines to improve antigen-specific immune responses [1]. Despite their widespread usage, the exact mechanism of their action is still not fully elucidated. Recently, NLPR3 inflammasome, also known as NALP3 or cryopyrin, has been implicated in the immunostimulatory effects observed with aluminum salts [2]. Structural studies using x-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy have shown that aluminum hydroxide adjuvant is actually crystalline aluminum oxyhydroxide, as opposed to aluminum hydroxide or Al(OH) 3 . The geometrical shape of the adjuvant in general has also been implicated in its uptake by antigen-presenting cells (APCs). In this study, Sun et al. designed aluminum oxyhydroxide nanoparticles with different morphologies, shapes and hydroxide concentrations and investigated their adjuvant activities [3]. They studied the effect of these parameters on aluminum oxyhydroxide’s ability to trigger the NLPR3 inflammasome and APC uptake, relative to a commercial alum preparation, using in vitro assays and in vivo studies. An aluminum oxyhydroxide library of nanorods, nanoplates and nano polyhedra was synthesized using a hydrothermal method and structures confirmed by transmission electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. All the nanostructures were able to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome through generation of oxidative stress in THP-1 human monocytes and induce maturation of mouse bone marrow derived dendritic cells and IL-1β cytokine production by them, but the nanorods were more effective than the nanoplates, nanopolyhedra and the commercial alum. The nanorods were hence used in an in vivo immunization study using ovalbumin (OVA) as a model antigen. The OVA-specific immune responses induced by the OVA-adsorbed aluminum oxyhydroxide nanorods tended to be stronger than that induced by OVA-adsorbed on the commercial alum preparation. This study opens the possibility of engineering designer aluminum salt-based adjuvants with a stronger adjuvant activity.
Complementarity, Source Coherence, and Joint Uncertainty

The relationship between spatial coherence and joint uncertainty of position-momentum entangled photons is the basis for the reinforcement of complementarity in an experiment combining quantum imaging with double-slit interference.
Extended dominance and a stochastic shortest path problem

In the context of stochastic networks, we study the problem of finding a path P that combines in a reasonable way the mean m(P) and variance v(P) of its length. Specifically we study a separable objective function that combines these two path measures: namely, z(P)=f(m(P))+g(v(P)), where f is an increasing convex function and g is an increasing concave function. A new type of dominance (e-dominance), stronger than the standard form of dominance, is then introduced, and it is shown to satisfy a certain form of Bellman's optimality principle. This means that it is possible to modify existing label-setting and label-correcting methods by using e-dominance, and without sacrificing optimality. Computational experience with these enhanced labeling algorithms has been promising. Test results for a variety of sample problems show that the e-dominance criterion can often significantly reduce the number of nondominated path vectors, compared to the standard dominance criterion. We observe a consequent reduction in both computation time and storage requirements.
Application of modern technologies to interlibrary resource‐sharing networks

Examined in this article is the hypothesis that it is now technologically and economically feasible to move the content of documents electronically among nodes of a library network rather than the documents themselves or photocopies thereof. Comparisons are made on the basis of response-to-request time, quality of reproduced copy and cost factors. The conclusion is reached that electronic interlibrary resource-sharing networks are ideally suited to situations where there are high-frequency occurrences of internode requests for information contained in serials, where nodal separation distances do not exceed a few tens of miles and where copy is in six-point type or larger. A three-node network is examined in detail. Specifications for each element of the network are given, with emphasis placed on a highly critical element, the bound-document scanner. The results of an economic study of interlibrary electronic networks are also presented.
The lagrange method of optimization with applications to portfolio and investment decisions

Abstract A method of Lagrange multipliers is presented for solving dynamic optimization problems involving stochastic differential equations. It is an alternative to dynamic programming. As a generalization of Pontryagin's maximum principle to stochastic models it avoids having to solve the Bellman equation for the value function. Its analytical convenience is illustrated by applications to classic problems of portfolio selection and investment. Its computational advantages are pointed out by presenting a numerical method for dynamic optimization in continuous time.
The origin of Spanish entre tú y yo "between you and me": a typological parallel to English between you and I?

The present study analyzes both diachronically and typologically the synchronically irregular Spanish syntagm, entre tu y yo “between you and me”, which employs the subject pronouns, tu and yo, rather than the expected prepositional pronouns, ti and mi. First, a thorough examination of Old Spanish texts reveals that the Old Spanish syntagm did indeed exhibit prepositional pronouns, i.e., OSp. entre mi & ti (a fact virtually unknown to specialists of Spanish historical grammar), thus unveiling a syntactic change from entre mi & ti > entre tu y yo. Next, the change is compared to the typologically similar ongoing change in Modern English, namely, between you and me > between you and I. It is then shown here that although the change in these languages appears, on the surface, to be an exact parallel, the origin, or cause, of the change in each language is different. Nevertheless, certain factors — including the ultimate inability of the preposition to govern the second of two conjoined elements, as well as word-order patterns of the subject pronouns — were indeed found to have played a role in the development of both entre tu y yo and between you and I.
Direct measurement of electron loss rate in air

We present direct local measurements of electron attachment and recombination rates in atmospheric air. Using a microwave scattering based resonantly enhanced multi-photon ionization scheme we monitor the electron density dynamics with nanosecond resolution.
Nicotinamide deamidase from rabbit liver. III. Inhibition and sedimentation studies

Abstract Treatment of rabbit liver nicotinamide deamidase with diisopropyl fluorophosphate or carbobenzoxyamide-2-phenylethyl chloromethyl ketone led to the loss of deamidase activity. In the process, two moles of reagent were covalently bound to the enzyme. Photo-oxidation of two histidine residues also led to the loss of deamidase activity. Acylated enzyme has been implicated as an intermediate in the hydrolysis of nicotinamide by the finding that nicotinamide hydroxyamate was formed when the reaction was carried out in the presence of hydroxylamine. These data are compatible with the characterization of the deamidase as a serine esterase. Guanidinium hydrochloride and sodium dodecyl sulfate, but not urea, caused the enzyme to dissociate. The molecular weight of the subunits obtained on dissociation with sodium dodecyl sulfate was shown to be 60,000 by electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gels. Nicotinamide deamidase was 70% inhibited by l -thyroxine at a molar ratio of thyroxine to enzyme of 2:1. Thyroxine caused the enzymes to enter into a rapid equilibrium involving dissociation into two subunits. The endogenous inhibitor of rabbit liver nicotinamide deamidase was found to be associated with the fatty-acid fraction and to have comparable effectiveness to equivalent weights of purified fatty acids.
Electrophysiologic Properties of Cimetidine in Man

Severe brady-cardia has been reported with the use of cimetidine.1–5 This observation has been explained by histamines' known action in increasing the contraction rate of the spontaneously beating right atrium, strips of ventricular muscle, and whole heart of guinea pigs.6 Histamine can also produce cardiac arrhythmias in animals.7 There is evidence for H2 receptors in the heart. Black and his associates8 have shown that the characteristic effect of histamine on isolated guinea pig atrium could be selectively blocked by anti-H2 drugs. Thus cimetidine probably can produce a sinus brady-cardia by blocking the H2-receptor site in the heart. Recently Engel and Luck9 reported that 300 mgs of intravenously administered cimetidine did not affect heart rate, sinus node recovery time, or sinoatrial conduction time. These workers concluded that there is insufficient evidence to demonstrate that cimetidine causes appreciable sinus node dysfunction in man. In view of the disparity in these reports, we investigated the effects of 300 mgs of intravenously administered cimetidine on the human conduction system.
The role of information asymmetry in escalation phenomena: Empirical evidence

Abstract Economic rationality dictates that only incremental costs and benefits should affect decisions. Observed behavior often seems to violate this principle, resulting in unwarranted commitment to past choices and their escalation. In this paper, we present experimental results that show that information asymmetry plays a key role in determining when such escalation behavior occurs. This finding opens new avenues for mitigating escalation behavior since information asymmetry is an environmental feature that can be modified by organization design and explicit economic rewards.
Optical devices for label-free detection

Innovation in technology routinely leads the way for discovery in chemistry and biology. Most notably, x-ray diffraction data was instrumental in the elucidation of the structure of DNA. To explore the inherent complexity present in biological systems, existing technologies are being pushed to their limits. Once again, scientists are looking to engineers to create innovative solutions to enable their exploration and discovery. Many of the new methods currently being developed focus on increasing the sensitivity of the detection technique by inventing new devices as well as increasing the specificity of the device by engineering synthetic targeting moieties and improved attachment methods. This presentation will focus on new optical technologies with an emphasis on bio/chem-detection applications. Specifically, the experimental and theoretical optical properties of several new optical devices, which were designed for the express purpose of biological and chemical detection, will be discussed. Additionally, biomolecule attachment strategies which can improve both the stability and specificity of the sensor's surface functionalization will be presented.
Public-Safety Concerns Among Law Enforcement Agencies in Suburban and Rural America

Contingency theory argues that the performance of an organization is contingent on how well it fits the context within which it is embedded. This study explores the public-safety concerns of nearly 6,000 law enforcement agencies serving populations less than 50,000. Property offenses, domestic violence, and drugs were the most frequently reported concerns, whereas gangs and violent crimes were often ranked lower. Rankings of public-safety concerns varied across agencies and were affected by population density, violent and property crime, type of agency, department size, and region. Findings suggest that the context in which police organizations are located plays a role in shaping public-safety concerns, which is an important step in broadening our knowledge about the priorities, goals, and behaviors of police organizations.
Myoclonic epilepsy evolved into West syndrome: a patient with a novel de novo KCNQ2 mutation.

KCNQ2 mutations causing benign familial neonatal convulsions were initially described more than 10 years ago but more recently reports suggest that early infantile encephalopathy can also be caused by the same genetic mutation. We report an infant with de novo KCNQ2 mutation who presented with drug responsive myoclonic epilepsy in early infancy but later had a presentation consistent with West syndrome including hypsarrhythmia and electrodecrement pattern during spasms. This report highlights the importance of genomic screening in patients with infantile epileptic encephalopathy and the emergence of a broad phenotype of KCNQ2 mutations.
Pulmonary mechanisms of the normal ferret

Pulmonary mechanics were measured in normal anesthetized male Fitch ferrets (200-360 g). In eight transorally intubated ferrets, pressure-volume (PV) curves for the lung and chest wall were obtained with an esophageal balloon and body plethysmograph. The lung volumes and capacities expressed as a percentage of the total lung capacity (mean, 49.8 ml) were: vital capacity, 84.7%; inspiratory capacity, 63.7%; inspiratory reserve volume, 58.2%; functional residual capacity, 33.8%; expiratory reserve volume, 16.8%; residual volume, 15.3%; and tidal volume, 8.0%. The compliance of the lung (2.93 ml . cmH2O-1), chest wall (22.42 ml . cmH2O-1) and respiratory system (2.55 ml . cmH2O-1) were determined from the PV curves. The dynamic compliance (1.6 ml . cmH2O-1), pulmonary resistance (0.024 cmH2O . ml-1 . s), frequency of breathing (43.5 breaths . min-1), and minute ventilation (195 ml . min-1) were measured during spontaneous breathing. In a second group of 10 ferrets the total airway resistance (0.116 cmH2O . ml-1 . s) and specific conductance (0.915 ml . s-1 . cmH2O . ml-1) were measured during spontaneous nasal breathing. In general the pulmonary mechanics of the ferret were similar to those of the rabbit and dog, when the data were normalized for lung volume.
Inert gas enhancement of superoxide radical production.

Abstract Two free radical generating systems, xanthine oxidase/ hypoxanthine or phenazine methosulfate/NADH, were exposed to air plus He, N2, or Ar at partial pressures ranging from 0.2 to 6.0 MPa, and the rates of production of superoxide, hydroxyl, singlet O2, and H2O2 were measured. All three inert gases acted similarly to enhance the production of superoxide radicals by facilitating interactions between iron and H2O2, or O2 and organic radicals. These reactions occurred at quite low gas partial pressures, only 0.28 MPa, and hydrostatic pressures of up to 6.0 MPa had no effect on radical reactions. Enhanced radical production may be the basis for the inhibition of cellular growth mediated by inert gases, and inert gas enhancement of O2 toxicity.
Modeling the effect of drop charge on coalescence in turbulent liquid—liquid dispersions

In this work, a mechanistic model of drop coalescence based upon a stochastic film-drainage analysis is developed. The coalescence model accounts for previously considered factors, such as turbulence intensity, drop size, and drop deformability, while additionally describing the dual effects of drop surface potential and system electrolyte concentration. Model results indicate that electrostatic repulsion may strongly inhibit small drop coalescence, as well as coalescence between larger deformable drops. Comparison of model predictions to data from several transient coalescence experiments shows good agreement in most cases.
The impact of renal insufficiency on clinical outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary interventions.

Abstract Objectives We sought to determine the effect of varying degrees of renal insufficiency on death and cardiac events during and after a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Background Patients with end-stage renal disease have a high mortality from coronary artery disease. Little is known about the impact of mild and moderate renal insufficiency on clinical outcomes after PCI. Methods Cardiac mortality and all-cause mortality were determined for 5,327 patients undergoing PCI from January 1, 1994, to August 31, 1999, at the Mayo Clinic, based on the estimated creatinine clearance or whether the patient was on dialysis. Results In-hospital mortality was significantly associated with renal insufficiency (p = 0.001). Even after successful PCI, one-year mortality was 1.5% when the creatinine clearance was ≥70 ml/min (n = 2,558), 3.6% when it was 50 to 69 ml/min (n = 1,458), 7.8% when it was 30 to 49 ml/min (n = 828) and 18.3% when it was Conclusions Renal insufficiency is a strong predictor of death and subsequent cardiac events in a dose-dependent fashion during and after PCI. Patients with renal insufficiency have more baseline cardiovascular risk factors, but renal insufficiency is associated with an increased risk of death and other adverse cardiovascular events, independent of all other measured variables.
Adaptation of the Kidney During Reproduction: Role of Estrogen in the Regulation of Responsiveness to Parathyroid Hormone

Avian kidney function adapts during reproduction to provide the calcium required for eggshell formation. Adaptive changes in kidney function are 1) increased parathyroid hormone (PTH)-dependent adenylate cyclase activity; 2) elevated numbers of PTH receptors; and 3) increased synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol. Because exogenous estrogen mimics these changes, this study explored the physiological role of estrogen in the regulation of kidney function by altering egg-laying status or levels of estradiol. In hens, treatment with the coccidiostatic drug, nicarbazin, led to cessation of egg laying with maintenance of the reproductive tract and of plasma estradiol and calcium. The PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity remained elevated (upregulated). However, when molting was induced by altering the photoperiod and diet, plasma estradiol, plasma calcium, and renal PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity all decreased. The depressed responsiveness to PTH was restored by administration of estradiol either during the molt or upon return to egg laying following the molt. When the estrogen antagonist, tamoxifen, was administered to laying hens, reproduction ceased and the PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase activity of renal membranes was decreased. In all three groups of nonlaying birds, the activity of kidney 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase was markedly decreased relative to that of laying hens irrespective of the amount of plasma estradiol. It was concluded that estrogen regulates the PTH-dependent adenylate cyclase system of avian kidney, whereas the activity of the 25-hydroxycholecalciferol-1-hydroxylase of kidney and thus, the synthesis of 1,25-hydroxycholecalciferol may be governed at least in part by the regulation of renal receptors for PTH by estrogen.
Sequences in the proximal IRL of herpes simplex virus DNA hybridize to human DNA

A short segment of the herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA proximal IRL region hybridized to two doublet bands of EcoRI-digested human cellular DNA. The hybridization was abolished neither by increasing stringency conditions nor by inclusion of guanine-rich DNA in the hybridization mixture. Thus, the hybridization appeared to represent authentic base sequence homology between HSV DNA and middle repetitive human DNA.
Fiber Gyroscope With Birefringence Modulation

A theoretical analysis of the non-reciprocal phase error in a highly-birefringent fiber gyroscope is presented, characterizing the different types of errors and their sources in a general form. These error terms are due to polarization cross coupling in the fiber and in the fiber components and can be reduced by modulating the magnitude of the fiber birefringence at appropriate locations in the optical circuit and by balancing the optical power between the two polarization eigenmodes of the fiber at the input of the interferometer. Experimental results demonstrating these techniques show a 20 dB relief on the performance requirements of the polarizer usually employed for drift reduction.
Why are multi-party minority governments viable in India? Theory and comparison

This paper attempts to explain the apparently exceptional pattern of coalition politics in India compared to international patterns – the prevalence of minority governments and among them, minority coalitions, among non-single party majority governments, as well as the predominance of very large coalitions of 6–12 parties – in the light of theorising on coalition and minority governments and the specificities of India's political institutions. It shows that there are two general and three specific circumstances that favour such a pattern and that most of these have been present at government formation since 1989, and particularly since 1996.
Synthesis, biological properties, and molecular modeling investigation of the first potent, selective, and water-soluble human A3 adenosine receptor antagonist

A new, highly potent, selective, and water-soluble antagonist of the hA3 adenosine receptor was synthesized and tested in binding and functional assays. Compound 4 (5-[[(4-pyridyl)amino]carbonyl]amino-8-methyl-2-(2-furyl)-pyrazolo[4,3-e]1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-c]pyrimidine hydrochloride) displayed high water solubility (15 mM) and the highest affinity (Ki = 0.01 nM) and selectivity for the hA3 versus A1, A2A, and A2B receptors (>10000-fold) ever reported. A Schild analysis of the antagonism by 4 of agonist-induced inhibition of cAMP production in CHO cells expressing the hA3 receptor indicated a KB value of 0.20 nM.
A Model for Assessing the Shape of Solder Joints in the Presence of PCB and Package Warpage

Our goals in this paper are to develop and demonstrate a computationally efficient methodology for assessing the effect of circuit board warpage, component warpage, and solder volume variation on the shape of the solder joints in area array packages. The effect of warpage is analyzed using a two-step procedure in the present paper. In the first step, the restoring forces and moments (in the molten state of solder droplet) that result from a given solder joint height, solder material volume, pad diameter, and pad inclination are predicted using the surface tension theory. In the second step of the analysis, the forces and moments at individual solder joints caused by varying solder heights and pad tilts are combined to predict the equilibrium configuration of the package. A program written in the MATHEMATICAL environment was developed to implement the above-described methodology. The developed procedure was validated on an experimental test vehicle with nine solder joints. The heights of solder joints computed by the program matched the experimentally measured heights to within ±5% error. Further, the general capabilities of the modeling procedure are demonstrated by assuming complex combinations of package and PCB warpage.