cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The influence of Cox-2 and bioactive lipids on hematological cancers

Inflammation is implicated in the progression of multiple types of cancers including lung, colorectal, breast and hematological malignancies. Cyclooxygenases (Cox) -1 and -2 are important enzymes involved in the regulation of inflammation. Elevated Cox-2 expression is associated with a poor cancer prognosis. Hematological malignancies, which are among the top 10 most predominant cancers in the USA, express high levels of Cox-2. Current therapeutic approaches against hematological malignances are insufficient as many patients develop resistance or relapse. Therefore, targeting Cox-2 holds promise as a therapeutic approach to treat hematological malignancies. NSAIDs and Cox-2 selective inhibitors are anti-inflammatory drugs that decrease prostaglandin and thromboxane production while promoting the synthesis of specialized proresolving mediators. Here, we review the evidence regarding the applicability of NSAIDs, such as aspirin, as well as Cox-2 specific inhibitors, to treat hematological malignancies. Furthermore, we discuss how FDA-approved Cox inhibitors can be used as anti-cancer drugs alone or in combination with existing chemotherapeutic treatments.
Test of a new model pole assembly for an advanced photon source undulator

Abstract A set of model poles was assembled and tested as part of the design and verification of an Advanced Photon Source undulator. The model pole consists of a half period of a 3.1-cm periodic structure of the undulator. Steel mirror plates are used to set up the magnetic field boundary conditions. The vertical magnetic field component near the midplane of the model has been measured with a Hall probe as a function of gap and transverse position. The results of this study are presented.
The onset of bioconvection in a suspension of negatively geotactic microorganisms with high-frequency vertical vibration

The effect of vertical vibration on the stability of a dilute suspension of negatively geotactic microorganisms in a fluid layer of finite depth is investigated. For the case of high-frequency vibration, solutions of governing equations are decomposed into two components: one which varies slowly with time and a second which varies rapidly with time. An averaging method is utilized to derive the equations describing the mean flow. Linear stability analysis is used to investigate stability of the obtained averaged equations.
A New Approach to High Sensitivity Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry of Peptides using Nanoflow Solvent Assisted Inlet Ionization

Liquid chromatography (LC) solvent assisted inlet ionization (SAII) mass spectrometry (MS) was previously reported to give good chromatographic resolution and MS detection injecting 66 ng of a BSA tryptic digest. In analogy to nano-electrospray ionization (nESI), we extend SAII LC/MS to nano-SAII (nSAII) operating at nL min–1 flow rates and demonstrate good quality ion chromatograms and mass spectra from injection of as little as 0.7 ng of BSA digest onto a capillary LC column. Data dependent fragmentation is demonstrated for injection of 7 ng of a BSA digest. This method has advantages over nESI in ease of use and low cost as it requires no voltage and is operational without the necessity of connectors or fragile nESI emitters, although similar constricted tips can be helpful in nSAII to stabilize the signal at low nanoliter flow. At a flow rate of 0.8 μL min–1, the only requirement for nSAII is that the exit-end of the capillary LC column be adjusted near the aperture of the heated inlet of the mass spectrometer.
THE FAINTEST X-RAY SOURCES FROM z = 0 TO 8* , ** , ** *

We use the new 4 Ms exposure of the Chandra Deep Field-South (CDF-S) field obtained with the Chandra X-ray satellite to investigate the properties of the faintest X-ray sources over a wide range of redshifts. We use an optimized averaging procedure to investigate the weighted mean X-ray fluxes of optically selected sources in the CDF-S over the redshift range z = 0-8 and down to 0.5-2 keV fluxes as low as 5 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup -19} erg cm{sup -2} s{sup -1}. None of the samples of sources at high redshifts (z > 5) show any significant flux, and at z = 6.5 we place an upper limit on the X-ray luminosity of 4 Multiplication-Sign 10{sup 41} erg s{sup -1} in the rest-frame 3.75-15 keV band for the sample of Bouwens et al. This is consistent with any X-ray production in the galaxies being solely due to star formation. At lower redshifts, we find significant weighted mean X-ray fluxes in many samples of sources over the redshift range z = 0-4. We use these to argue that (1) the relation between star formation and X-ray production remains invariant over this redshift range, (2) X-ray sources below the direct detection threshold in themore » CDF-S are primarily star forming, and (3) there is full consistency between UV and X-ray estimations of the star formation history.« less
News orientations and variability of attitudes toward developing countries

This study examined whether increased exposure and attention to news are associated with a greater uniformity of U.S. residents’ attitudes about three developing countries: India, Mexico, and Venezuela. Data were collected in a survey of 374 residents of Tuscaloosa County, Alabama. Evidence suggested that attention to news about specific countries, but not various forms of news exposure, may reduce variability in people's attitudes toward Third World countries.
A Molecular orbital description for sulfur compounds of valences 2, 4 and 6

The qualitative picture of the bonding involved in sulfur compounds with valences 2, 4 and 6 is discussed. Molecular orbital CNDO/2 calculations are used to describe the covalent and hypervalent bonds in the three simplest hydrides and fluorides half of which are hypothetical. The results with and without d-orbitals on the sulfur atom are compared and bonding can be understood without d-orbitals. Possible structures of a sulfurane dimer and sulfurane oxides which are likely intermediates or stable compounds in this chemistry are considered briefly.
Gametogenesis and oospore formation in Sclerospora species on Sorghum vulgare.

A detailed account of gametogenesis and oospore formation in Sclerospora andropogonis-sorghi is given. In many respects S. andropogonis-sorghi differs from Sclerophthora macrospora. On cytological ...
Reduction of artillery noise by natural barriers

Abstract Measurements of the reduction in peak sound pressure level of artillery noise due to diffraction over hills have been obtained and compared to the results of a pulse diffraction theory. It is found that Kirchoff boundary conditions most accurately predict the results. The use of a two-barrier model is investigated. The measurements necessary to resolve the questions raised by this study are also described.
One-dimensional model of a negative ion and its interaction with laser fields

We describe a two-electron ``atom'' in one space dimension. This one-dimensional system is treated fully quantum mechanically and with full electron correlation. Its bare eigenstates and eigenenergies are determined numerically by solving Schr\"odinger's equation on a spatial grid. When the electron-electron interaction (of soft-core long-range Coulombic form) is taken equal in strength and opposite in sign to the electron-proton interactions, this atom is found to have only one bound state, and is similar in other ways to a negative ion. We give a Z-correlation diagram, showing the relation of the system's energy spectrum to those of its isoelectronic partners, which are one-dimensional analogs of He, ${\mathrm{Li}}^{+}$, etc. We also calculate a large number of fully correlated two-electron time-dependent wave functions for the system under excitation by a laser field, and exhibit a number of results, including one-photon and multiphoton photodetachment rates, ac Stark shifted threshold closings, photoelectron spectra, and above-threshold detachment spectra, single-electron and double-electron ionization probabilities, and light-scattering spectra.
Metabolism of anandamide in cerebral microvascular endothelial cells

Anandamide (N-arachidonoylethanolamine, AEA), an endogenous cannabinoid receptor agonist, causes potent vasodilation in the cerebral circulation through an endothelial-dependent or -independent mechanism. We have investigated the processing of [3H]AEA in cultured mouse cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (MEC) in order to better understand its mechanism of action in the cerebral vasculature. These cells took up anandamide very quickly, reaching a maximum value in 5 min and remaining at that level for at least 8 h. Analysis of the cell lipids demonstrated that, in addition to free anandamide, radioactivity was incorporated into phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) in a time-dependent manner. Analysis of the hydrolyzed cell lipids indicated that anandamide was converted to arachidonic acid, a process that was inhibited by the selective fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor oleyl trifluoromethyl ketone (OTMK). Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) hydrolysis of the PC, PI, and PE fractions indicated that the arachidonic acid formed from anandamide was esterified predominately into sn-2 position of the endothelial phospholipids. Furthermore, anandamide and arachidonic acid were released when the cells were incubated with A23187. These results suggest that the biological activity of anandamide might be regulated by its rapid uptake and calcium-dependent release in endothelial cells, and conversion of anandamide to arachidonic acid might serve as an inactivation process in the cerebral microcirculation.
Empirical likelihood-based inference for genetic mixture models.

The authors show how the genetic effect of a quantitative trait locus can be estimated by a nonparametric empirical likelihood method when the phenotype distributions are completely unspecified. They use an empirical likelihood ratio statistic for testing the genetic effect and obtaining confidence intervals. In addition to studying the asymptotic properties of these procedures, the authors present simulation results and illustrate their approach with a study on breast cancer resistance genes. Inference fondee sur la vraisemblance empirique pour l'application des modeles de melange en genetique Les auteurs montrent comment on peut estimer l'effet genetique du locus d'un trait quantitatif par une methode non parametrique fondee sur la vraisemblance empirique lorsqu'on ignore tout de la loi des phenotypes. Ils se servent d'une statistique du rapport des vraisemblances empiriques pour tester l'effet genetique et obtenir des intervalles de confiance. En plus d'etudier les proprietes asymptotiques de ces procedures, les auteurs presentent des resultats de simulation et illustrent leur approche a l'aide d'une etude portant sur des genes de resistance au cancer du sein.
Woody Vegetation Removal Stimulates Riparian and Benthic Denitrification in Tallgrass Prairie

Expansion of woody vegetation into areas that were historically grass-dominated is a significant contemporary threat to grasslands, including native tallgrass prairie ecosystems of the Midwestern United States. In tallgrass prairie, much of this woody expansion is concentrated in riparian zones with potential impacts on biogeochemical processes there. Although the effects of woody riparian vegetation on denitrification in both riparian soils and streams have been well studied in naturally wooded ecosystems, less is known about the impacts of woody vegetation encroachment in ecosystems that were historically dominated by herbaceous vegetation. Here, we analyze the effect of afforestation and subsequent woody plant removal on riparian and benthic denitrification. Denitrification rates in riparian soil and selected benthic compartments were measured seasonally in naturally grass-dominated riparian zones, woody encroached riparian zones, and riparian zones with woody vegetation removed in two separate watersheds. Riparian soil denitrification was highly seasonal, with the greatest rates in early spring. Benthic denitrification also exhibited high temporal variability, but no seasonality. Soil denitrification rates were greatest in riparian zones where woody vegetation was removed. Additionally, concentrations of nitrate, carbon, and soil moisture (indicative of potential anoxia) were greatest in wood removal soils. Differences in the presence and abundance of benthic compartments reflected riparian vegetation, and may have indirectly affected denitrification in streams. Riparian soil denitrification increased with soil water content and NO3 - . Management of tallgrass prairies that includes removal of woody vegetation encroaching on riparian areas may alter biogeochemical cycling by increasing nitrogen removed via denitrification while the restored riparian zones return to a natural grass-dominated state.
Treatment capability of a physical—Chemical package plant

Abstract A short-term study of a commercially-available physical—chemical waste treatment plant is reported. Results indicate that an excellent quality of effluent can be consistently obtained despite wide fluctuations of influent wastewater characteristics. Physical, chemical, and biological parameters were monitored. The short-term data obtained offer some evidence of superior treatment efficiency in terms of COD, color, turbidity, and phosphorus removals when compared to more conventional treatment methods.
Indigenous Chinese HRM research: phenomena, methods, and challenges

Purpose – This article aims to highlight major unique Chinese organizational phenomena and delineate associated qualitative methods for exploratory inquiries and to focus on perceived challenges in developing indigenous knowledge in HRD and related management fields.Design/methodology/approach – The author takes an in‐outsider position and adopts an observational and reflexive approach to the phenomena, methods and challenges important for indigenous Chinese HRM research.Findings – The paper presents six major indigenous phenomena commonly seen in Chinese organizations. With a recent study exploring one of the phenomena, it discusses how grounded theory and phenomenology methods, combined with reflexivity, may be embraced for exploratory indigenous research. It also delineates challenges for indigenous Chinese HRM research.Research limitations/implications – Indigenous research is the first and necessary stage to understand unique and indigenous Chinese organizational phenomena. With appropriate qualitati...
Extracting Valuable Data from Classroom Trading Pits

How well does competitive theory explain the outcome in experimental markets. The authors examined the results of a large number of classroom trading experiments that used a pit-trading design found in Experiments with Economic Principles, an introductory economics textbook by Bergstrom and Miller. They compared experimental outcomes with predictions of competitive-equilibrium theory and with those of a simple profit-splitting theory. Neither theory was entirely successful in explaining the data, although in the first rounds of trading there was significant profit splitting and, as traders became more experienced, outcomes were closer to those predicted by competitive theory.
The process of designing a design process: An outside-the-box engineering technology capstone course

The Mechanical Engineering Technology (MET) program at Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) caters to a unique and diverse population of students. The students entering the program are divided between individuals fresh out of high school and preparing to pursue degrees full-time with an expectation of completion in four years and those who have already begun careers in industry and are seeking to improve their opportunities for advancement and whose expectation for graduation is further in the future. Thus, in catering to this diverse community of students, IUPUI's MET program has experimented with some innovative, and non-traditional, approaches to course design. One area where this innovation has proved noteworthy is in the design of the MET capstone course, where three different formats are employed in an effort to meet the needs of the student population. This paper discusses one of those options which stretches the boundaries of capstone pedagogy and tradition.
Studies on the growth and inhibition of isolated plant parts. III. The action of some inhibitors concerned with pyruvate metabolism.

The action of three inhibitors which bear on pyruvate metabolism is presented, together with experiments on the reversal of their effects; from the results some conclusion are drawn as to the nature of the metabolic processes participating in growth. Experiments were conducted using sections cut from Avena coleoptiles, and also from the apical portion of the third internodes of etiolated Pisum. Results indicate that fluoride inhibits the growth of these plants sections. The inhibition differs from those previously studied in that: (a) it is not reversed by organic acids or sulfhydryl reagents, (b) it does not show significant variation with age of the plants, and (c) the quantitative effect of a given fluoride concentration is about the same on Avena as on Pisum. Growth-inhibiting concentrations of fluoride have no effect on the respiration of coleoptile sections, although this is inhibited by higher concentrations. Growth is promoted by 1-amino-2-naphthol-4 sulfonic acid, an inhibitor of the enzyme carboxylase. It is also strongly promoted in Avena by purified pyruvate. Fluoroacetate also inhibits growth. The role of reactions involving pyruvate in the metabolism leading to growth is discussed.
Income Inequality in Large U.S. Cities in the 1980s

Per capita personal income among states and regions has been shown to diverge during the 1980s following a long trend of income convergence. This paper investigates the divergence of income using median family income in the 1980s for the largest 51 U.S. cities. Producer services earnings and manufacturing earnings as a percent of total earnings are also investigated to shed light on income divergence. It is found that income and producer services earnings diverged in the 1980s unlike manufacturing earnings which converged. Convergence among regions for household income is also investigated. The results substantiate the common view of trends toward convergence prior to the 1980s and divergence thereafter.
Language and psychotherapy

Abstract A rationale is presented for taking our knowledge of language use as a source of “technologies” for investigating the process of psychotherapy. This rationale involves showing that specific aspects of the philosophical turn toward language as a new methodology for understanding subjectivity and sociality are integral to understanding key functions of language in psychotherapy. A top-down model of methodological decisions/tasks facing researchers who adopt this “linguistic turn” in process investigations is sketched. The model is intended to stress that (a) all descriptions and/or interpretations of language in psychotherapy are theory-laden; (b) the choice of scoring units, classification categories, data descriptions, and explanatory formalisms should be derived from the rationale linking theories of process to theories of language use; and (c) that such methodological choices structure and thus partly create the language phenomena subsequently explained. The top-down model of process investigations is used to review the extant studies of language in psychotherapy. It is concluded that little progress has been made in addressing the key theoretical and methodological issues in this area of research.
Differences in end-of-life decision making among black and white ambulatory cancer patients

OBJECTIVE: African-American (black) and white individuals have been shown to differ in their desire for life-sustaining treatments and their use of living wills for end-of-life care, but the reasons for these differences are unclear. This study-was designed to test the hypothesis that these ethnic differences exist because black patients trust the health care system less, fear inadequate medical treatment more, and feel less confident that living wills can give them more control over their terminal care.
Some Easy t Statistics

Abstract This article explores the use of t statistics based on two-or four-order statistics. The functions of the order statistics, which are used to define the t statistics, are the pivots and bipivots. The pivots are exact order statistics, while the bipivots are the means of two adjacent order statistics. Two t statistics, based on the pivots and bipivots, are examined and compared to other t statistics, including Student's t, under various sampling situations. We conclude that the proposed t statistics are not only simple to use but are robust and perform quite well in terms of the lengths of their confidence intervals. We recommend that these t statistics be used for sample sizes between 4 and 20, because they perform well and are easy to use. Tables of percentage points are provided to facilitate the use of the t statistics.
Computer aided blasting-round design in an arctic coal mine

Abstract Design of blasting-rounds in surface coal mines is dependent on physical properties and structural characteristics of the overburden material. In the absence of any theoretical formula to design blasting rounds, mines have adopted a “trial and error” approach to optimize their blasting system. Blasting data from approximately one hundred surface coal mines were utilized to develop a set of nomograms based on a set of eleven equations relating rock physical properties, blasting-round dimensions and explosive characteristics. An interactive computer program has been developed. Blasting efficiency in frozen rock is influenced by moisture content of the permafrost.
Periodic versus constant harvesting of discretely reproducing fish populations

We use a single-species discrete-time model to demonstrate changes that introduction of the strong Allee mechanism and periodic exploitations have on compensatory and overcompensatory stock dynamics through comparison with corresponding models that lack such constraints. Periodic and constant exploitations simplify complex overcompensatory stock dynamics with or without the Allee effect. Both constant and periodic exploitations force a sudden collapse to extinction of fisheries systems that exhibit the Allee mechanism. However, in the absence of the Allee effect, fisheries systems decline to zero smoothly under high exploitation.
Maintenance of Weight Loss Using Taste and Smell Sensations

The mechanism responsible for matching the intake and expenditure of nutrients in order to maintain body weight is not fully understood. Seven females learned to terminate the act of eating when the pleasantness of flavor of food subsided during a meal. By the end of 1 month, significant weight loss took place in the study group compared with the baseline weight (p < 0.01) and was maintained throughout the study period of 1 year. Focusing on the changes in oronasal sensory signals during a meal could facilitate weight maintenance.
The environmental stress crazing of polycarbonate

The environmental crazing from a central hole in extruded polycarbonate sheets, using ethanol as a crazing liquid, was studied. A stress analysis was made to analyse the criteria for craze initiation and growth. The craze length was found to change linearly with the square root of time and the rate of crazing was found to vary exponentially with the applied stress (above a certain stress level). It was concluded that the principal strain is the controlling parameter for environmental craze initiation and growth.
Structure and expression of a pea nuclear gene encoding a chlorophyll a/b-binding polypeptide.

Abstract A nuclear gene AB80 has been isolated from a phage λ Charon 4 library of pea DNA. The sequence of the gene has been determined and it has been shown to contain an uninterrupted reading frame of 269 amino acids, corresponding to a precursor to a constituent polypeptide of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex. Primer extension and S1 nuclease studies defined a cap site for AB80. The first methionine codon 3′ from this site is 69 nucleotides away and is the initiating codon of the open reading frame. A “TATA” sequence occurs 31 nucleotides 5′ from the cap site. A second TATA sequence is found 7 nucleotides on the 5′ side of the initiating methionine codon and the sequences surrounding this TATA sequence are strikingly similar to those surrounding the first TATA sequence. The mature polypeptide encoded by AB80 differs by 5 amino acids from the polypeptide corresponding to a previously characterized cDNA sequence pAB96. This result is indicative of heterogeneity within the constituent polypeptides of the light-harvesting chlorophyll a/b-protein complex. The sequence Arg-Lys-Ser-Ala-Thr-Thr-Lys-Lys occurs at, or near, the NH2-terminus of the mature polypeptide encoded by AB80. This basic peptide is of interest because of its apparent involvement in changes in excitation-energy distribution in chloroplast membranes. Some general similarities, but no extensive sequence homology, is found on comparing the transit sequence for the precursor to the chlorophyll a/b-binding polypeptide with the transit sequences previously determined for the precursors to the small subunit of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase.
Pertussis toxin blocks the dipsogenic actions of carbachol, but does not block the dipsogenic and pressor actions of angiotensin II

Rats were tested for dipsogenic and pressor responses to intracerebroventricularly (icv) administered Ang II and for dipsogenic responses to icv administered carbachol in the absence and presence of pertussis toxin, also administered icv. Pertussis toxin did not inhibit the pressor or dipsogenic responses to Ang II, but did inhibit the dipsogenic responses to carbachol. This suggests that the pressor and dipsogenic responses to Ang II in the brain are not mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein, but that the muscarinic cholinergic dipsogenic response is mediated by a pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein.
Spin structure of the nucleon

Within the framework of the quark-parton model and perturbative QCD the spin-dependent structure functions of the nucleon are discussed. The formalism suggests dramatic behavior for the distribution describing the polarization of the $d$ quark in a polarized proton (or a $u$ quark in a polarized neutron). Possible experimental tests of this result are noted.
Newer viral encephalitides.

BACKGROUND Viral encephalitis occurs in epidemic settings or is sporadic. New encephalitis patterns reflect the roles that biologic reservoirs and vectors play in determining virus-human interactions. "New" viral encephalitis can also result from human host modifications that increase susceptibility to neuroinvasive viral infection. REVIEW SUMMARY Three human viruses, Nipah virus, Human Herpesvirus-6, and West Nile virus, present examples of how "new" viral encephalitides emerge in a specific geographic region or clinical setting. Nipah virus encephalitis emerged after the molecular evolution of a new zoonotic viral genus within the Paramyxovirinae family. Human herpesvirus-6 encephalitis has emerged in the immune suppressed human host harboring this ubiquitous but typically benign herpesvirus. West Nile virus encephalitis has emerged in the Western hemisphere after apparent abrupt translocation of this mosquito-borne virus to a distant geographic region with immunologically naive avian and human hosts. CONCLUSION While the clinical features of these viral encephalitides are somewhat distinct, they each emerged as the result of human-derived factors that altered the biologic dynamic between humans and their viral pathogens.
Commentary: Intellectual Property Rights and Knowledge Dissemination in Research Joint Ventures

Intellectual property rights affect the incentives of firms to participate in research joint ventures, collaborate efficiently with their partners, and exploit the knowledge created by a joint venture. Economists and policy analysts know little about the effects of intellectual property rights on the rate of formation, organization, nature of research, and expected economic impacts of research joint ventures. The proliferation of interfirm cooperation in R&D requires addressing those issues. It also requires a better understanding of the relationship between intellectual property rights and national innovation systems.
Development of a versatile two-photon endoscope for biological imaging

We describe a versatile, catheter-type two-photon probe, designed for in vivo and ex vivo imaging of the aqueous outflow pathway in the eye. The device consists of a silica double cladding fiber used for laser delivery and fluorescence collection, a spiral fiber scanner driven by a miniature piezoelectric tube, and an assembly of three micro-size doublet achromatic lenses used for focusing the laser and collecting the two-photon excitation signal. All the components have a maximum diameter of 2 mm and are enclosed in a length of 12-gauge stainless steel hypodermic tubing having an outer diameter of 2.8 mm. The lateral and axial resolutions of the probe are measured to be 1.5 μm and 9.2 μm, respectively. Different lens configurations and fibers are evaluated by comparing their spatial resolutions and fluorescence signal collection efficiencies. Doublet achromatic lenses and a double cladding fiber with a high inner cladding numerical aperture are found to produce a high signal collection efficiency, which is essential for imaging live tissues. Simple methods for reducing image distortions are demonstrated. Images of human trabecular meshwork tissue are successfully obtained with this miniature two-photon microscope.
Design of 3D visualization of search results: evolution and evaluation

We discuss the evolution of the NIST Information Retrieval Visualization Engine. This prototype employs modern interactive visualization techniques to provide easier access to a set of documents resulting from a query to a search engine. The motivation and evaluation of several design features, such as keywork to concept mapping, explicit clustering, the use of 3D vs. 2D, and the relationship of visualization to logical structure are described. In particular, the result of an extensive usability experiment show how visualization may lead to either increased or decreased cognitive load.
Sampled-data processing for feedback control

FEEDBACK CONTROL SYSTEMS in which the data at one or more points are in the form of pulse trains or sequences of numbers are known as sampled-data feedback control systems. These systems are most readily analyzed1, 2 in terms of the so-called z-transforms which are the Laplace transforms of impulse-modulated time functions with the delay operator e−nTs replaced by the variable z−n.
THERMODYNAMICS OF MOLTEN BINARY CHLORIDE MIXTURES CALCULATED FROM THE PHASE DIAGRAMS

The excess free energy of mixing of both components is calculated for the binary systems LiCl- KCl, MgCl/sub 2/-KCl, CaCl/sub 2/-KCI, CaCl/sub 2/- RbCl, and CaCl/sub 2/- CsCl from existtng phase diagrams. The method of Hauffe and Wagner is employed for systems containing intermediate phases along with the conventional equations for freezing-point lowering and the Gibbs-Dahem equation. (W.L.H.)
The Sarcophagus in S. Ambrogio and St. Ambrose

THE famous sarcophagus in S. Ambrogio at Milan can claim an unusual importance among works of Early Christian art, not only because of its formal beauty and impressive austerity, not only because of the comprehensive and exceedingly interesting program of its sculptural decoration, but also because of the time and place of its origin.1 The sarcophagus can be dated about 385–390 and must have been sculptured in or near Milan, since its marble had been identified as coming from a quarry in the neighboring Como.2 It is important to realize that the sarcophagus was created in or near the city of which St. Ambrose had been elected bishop in 374. It is equally important to keep in mind that the sarcophagus originated in those momentous years when Milan was the new capital of the Western Roman Empire, and when Emperor Theodosius I, through his edict of 380, made Christianity the only legal religion in the empire.
Retrospective analysis of neurapraxia and axonotmesis injuries of select peripheral nerves of the foot and ankle and their conservative and surgical treatment (external neurolysis and neurectomy)

There is a paucity of scientific literature that has reviewed the conservative and surgical treatment efficacy for the management of injuries causing neurapraxia and axonotmesis. This retrospective study evaluates the clinical outcomes of certain treatments for these injuries. Twenty-seven patients fulfilled the inclusion/exclusion criteria for the study, and represented both genders and a wide variety of ages, weights, levels of education, and backgrounds. Surgical intervention resulted in a slightly better clinical outcome when compared to conservative therapies. Patients undergoing surgery for a single nerve problem improved more than those who underwent surgery when three or more nerves were involved. Failure was most often associated with: 1) multiple nerve injuries, 2) a previous history of psychopathology, and 3) application of conservative therapy without surgical intervention for single nerve injury.
Stereomask lithography (SML): a universal multi-object micro-patterning technique for biological applications

The advent of biological micro-patterning techniques has given new impetus to many areas of biological research, including quantitative biochemical analysis, tissue engineering, biosensing, and regenerative medicine. Derived from photolithography or soft lithography, current bio-patterning approaches have yet to completely address the needs of out-of-cleanroom, universal applicability, high feature resolution, as well as multi-object placement, though many have shown great promise to precisely pattern one specific biomaterial. In this paper, we present a novel versatile biological lithography technique to achieve integrated multi-object patterning with high feature resolution and high adaptability to various biomaterials, referred to as stereomask lithography (SML). Successive patterning of multiple objects is enabled by using unique three-dimensional masks (i.e., the stereomasks), which lay out current micropatterns while protecting pre-existing biological features on the substrate. Furthermore, high-precision reversible alignment among multiple bio-objects is achieved by adopting a peg-in-hole design between the substrate and stereomasks. We demonstrate that the SML technique is capable of constructing a complex biological microenvironment with various bio-functional components at the single-cell resolution, which to the best of our knowledge has not been realized before.
Primary treatment of cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast.

BACKGROUND Cystosarcoma phyllodes is a rare sarcoma of the breast. Although surgical removal is the mainstay of treatment, the extent of surgery required (excision vs. mastectomy) and the need for additional local therapy, such as radiotherapy, are unclear. The current study evaluated the rate of local and distant failure, as well as potential prognostic factors, to better define appropriate treatment strategies. METHODS One hundred one patients treated primarily for cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast were evaluated. These tumors were classified histologically into benign (58%), indeterminate (12%), and malignant (30%) based on well defined criteria. Stromal overgrowth (29%) was considered separately. Surgery was comprised of local excision with breast conservation (47%) or mastectomy (53%). Microscopic surgical margins were negative in 99% of cases. Six patients received adjuvant radiotherapy. RESULTS Overall survival for the 101 patients was 88%, 79%, and 62% at 5, 10, and 15 years, respectively. For patients with nonmalignant (benign or indeterminate) and malignant cystosarcoma phyllodes, the overall survival was 91% and 82%, respectively, at 5 years, and 79% and 42%, respectively, at 10 years. Similar rates were observed based on the presence or absence of stromal overgrowth. Local recurrence occurred in 4 patients, with an actuarial 10-year rate of 8%. Eight patients developed distant metastases, with an actuarial 10-year rate of 13%. Multivariate analysis using Cox proportional hazards regression revealed stromal overgrowth to be the only independent predictor of distant failure. CONCLUSIONS Local failure in this group of largely margin negative patients with cystosarcoma phyllodes of the breast was low, showing that breast-conserving surgery with appropriate margins is the preferred primary therapy. The current study data do not support the use of adjuvant radiotherapy for patients with adequately resected disease. Patients with stromal overgrowth, particularly when the tumor size was > 5 cm, were found to have a high rate of distant failure; such patients merit consideration of a trial that examines the efficacy of systemic therapy. Cancer 2000;89:1502–11. © 2000 American Cancer Society.
Monocular display validation for the dismounted soldier

This paper describes a demonstration of monocular helmet/head mounted display (HMD) approaches conducted at Fort Benning, Dismounted Battlespace Battle Lab. The objective of the monocular demonstration was to explore soldier impressions of monocular HMD concepts relevant to the Generation II Soldier Systems (GEN II) program, and to do so in realistic field settings. Two monocular HMD prototypes were demonstrated to infantry soldiers in daylight, dusk, and night conditions. In general, soldiers found both see-through and look-around monocular HMD approaches to be acceptable, with perceptual differences in approaches most pronounced in daylight viewing. The look-around approach was associated with the best daylight visibility of the electronic display, while the see-through approach was associated with the best daylight visibility of the natural world. Soldier feedback on the acceptabilty of the various HMD configurations will allow the GEN II team to more adequately evaluate HMD design trades in the future.
Separation of the fluorescent compounds of bovine ligamentum nuchae elastin using sephadex G-10, cellulose phosphate and thin-layer chromatography

Abstract Adsorption chromatography on Sephadex G-10, ion-exchange chromatography on cellulose phosphate and thin-layer chromatography on silica gel developed with n-propanol-ammonia effectively separated compounds with visible fluorescence from acid-hydrolyzed bovine ligamentum nuchae elastin. These methods are compatible for use with samples containing residual hydrochloric acid. The number of fluorophores resolved were 5, 6-9 and 9 for the respective methods. Two fluorophores predominated in the cellulose phosphate and Sephadex G-1O chromatograms; the excitation/emission maxima were 338/400 and 297/394 nm and 336/398 and 295/393 nm for the respective chromatograms. Cationic charges of 0 and 3 were estimated for the 338/400 and 297/394 nm fluorophores, respectively, from cellulose phosphate chromatography. DEAE-cellulose chromatography indicated an anionic charge of 2 for the fluorophore with initial 298/393 am spectrum. The two dominant fluorophores degraded following thin-layer chromatography indicating that the method has only qualitative use. Sephadex G-10 should prove useful for detecting changes in the amounts of the elastin fluorophores that result from degradation of or specific chemical modification of the fluorophores. The dominant fluorophores isolated by Sephadex G-1O chromatography can be used directly for chemical modification investigations.
Dietary polyamine intake and risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps.

Background: Putrescine, spermidine, and spermine are the polyamines required for human cell growth. The inhibition of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), which is the rate-limiting enzyme of polyamine biosynthesis, decreases tumor growth and the development of colorectal adenomas. A database was developed to estimate dietary polyamine exposure and relate exposure to health outcomes. Objective: We hypothesized that high polyamine intake would increase risk of colorectal adenoma and that the allelic variation at ODC G>A +316 would modify the association. Design: Polyamine exposure was estimated in subjects pooled (n = 1164) from the control arms of 2 randomized trials for colorectal adenoma prevention [Wheat Bran Fiber low-fiber diet arm (n = 585) and Ursodeoxycholic Acid placebo arm (n = 579)] by using baseline food-frequency questionnaire data. All subjects had to have a diagnosis of colorectal adenoma to be eligible for the trial. Results: A dietary intake of polyamines above the median amount in the study population was associated with 39% increased risk of colorectal adenoma at follow-up (adjusted OR: 1.39; 95% CI: 1.06, 1.83) in the pooled sample. In addition, younger participants (OR: 1.94; 95% CI: 1.23, 3.08), women (OR: 2.43; 95% CI: 1.48, 4.00), and ODC GG genotype carriers (OR: 1.59; 95% CI: 1.00, 2.53) had significantly increased odds of colorectal adenoma if they consumed above-median polyamine amounts. Conclusions: This study showed a role for dietary polyamines in colorectal adenoma risk. Corroboration of these findings would confirm a previously unrecognized, modifiable dietary risk factor for colorectal adenoma.
The interaction between antiretroviral agents and tacrolimus in liver and kidney transplant patients

Solid organ transplantations have been performed successfully in selected HIV-positive patients with highly active antiretrovirus therapy (HAART). However, some of the medications in the HAART regimen require metabolism via the cytochrome P4503A, the same enzyme complex responsible for clearance of the calcineurin inhibitors cyclosporine and tacrolimus. Several case reports have described significant interactions between the agents used in HAART and immunosuppressive drugs. The goal of this report is to examine the extent of potential drug interactions between antiretroviral agents and tacrolimus after liver and kidney transplantation. Seven liver transplant (LTx) patients (M = 6, F = 1) and four kidney transplant (KTx) patients (M = 4) infected with HIV underwent surgery between September 1997 and January 2001. Initial immunosuppression consisted of tacrolimus and steroids for LTx patients or tacrolimus, steroids, and mycophenolate mofetil for KTx recipients. Their current baseline immunosuppression and HAART regimen were examined retrospectively. Of the seven liver recipients, one (case 4) died 2 weeks after LTx and never received HAART therapy posttransplantation. The remaining six patients were placed on a regimen consisting of two nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) and one protease inhibitor (PI) (nelfinavir in 5, indinavir in 1) based on known viral sensitivities or history of a previous clinical response. Kidney recipients received NRTI and nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI). The mean dose of tacrolimus in liver recipients was 0.6 mg/d, with mean trough concentration of 9.7 mg/mL. Compared with historic controls (liver transplant patients not on HAART), the average tacrolimus dose was 16-fold lower in patients on HAART. In contrast to liver recipients, HIV-positive kidney recipients not on PI therapy required a mean tacrolimus dose of 9.5 mg/d to maintain a mean trough concentration of 9.6 ng/mL. Of the two protease inhibitors used, nelfinavir seems to have a more profound effect than indinavir. When patients on nelfinavir alone (n = 5) were compared with a control group not on antiretroviral therapy, the need for a tacrolimus dose was 38 times lower (mean dose, 0.26 mg/d). Profound drug interactions between PI and tacrolimus have been observed requiring up to 50-fold reductions in dosage. This effect seems to be most pronounced with the use of nelfinavir as opposed to indinavir, although further experience is required to confirm this observation. In contrast, HAART using NRTI and NNRTI without the use of PI, as shown in kidney recipients, produces less significant effects on tacrolimus metabolism. Great caution and frequent drug level monitoring are necessary when HAART is introduced or withdrawn in HIV-positive recipients of organ transplants.
Reactive flow of mixed CO2–H2O fluid and progress of calc-silicate reactions in contact metamorphic aureoles: insights from two-dimensional numerical modelling

Previous models of hydrodynamics in contact metamorphic aureoles assumed flow of aqueous fluids, whereas CO2 and other species are also common fluid components in contact metamorphic aureoles. We investigated flow of mixed CO2–H2O fluid and kinetically controlled progress of calc-silicate reactions using a two-dimensional, finite-element model constrained by the geological relations in the Notch Peak aureole, Utah. Results show that CO2 strongly affects fluid-flow patterns in contact aureoles. Infiltration of magmatic water into a homogeneous aureole containing CO2–H2O sedimentary fluid facilitates upward, thermally driven flow in the inner aureole and causes downward flow of the relatively dense CO2-poor fluid in the outer aureole. Metamorphic CO2-rich fluid tends to promote upward flow in the inner aureole and the progress of devolatilization reactions causes local fluid expulsion at reacting fronts. We also tracked the temporal evolution of P-T-XCO2conditions of calc-silicate reactions. The progress of low- to medium-grade (phlogopite- to diopside-forming) reactions is mainly driven by heat as the CO2 concentration and fluid pressure and temperature increase simultaneously. In contrast, the progress of the high-grade wollastonite-forming reaction is mainly driven by infiltration of chemically out-of-equilibrium, CO2-poor fluid during late-stage heating and early cooling of the inner aureole and thus it is significantly enhanced when magmatic water is involved. CO2-rich fluid dominates in the inner aureole during early heating, whereas CO2-poor fluid prevails at or after peak temperature is reached. Low-grade metamorphic rocks are predicted to record the presence of CO2-rich fluid, and high-grade rocks reflect the presence of CO2-poor fluid, consistent with geological observations in many calc-silicate aureoles. The distribution of mineral assemblages predicted by our model matches those observed in the Notch Peak aureole.
Imaging the Carotid Bifurcation: Toward Standardization

Treatment of extracranial carotid artery disease has been one of the most hotly debated topics in vascular medicine. Imaging of the carotid bifurcation remains an important first step in the therapeutic decision-making process. Successful determination of the severity of carotid artery stenosis depends on several factors, including the skill and expertise of the technologists obtaining the images and the physicians providing an interpretation of the data; knowledge of the advantages and pitfalls of the specific technology; and the need for correlative imaging based on initial test findings. This article will highlight the current strategies for carotid bifurcation imaging and will provide a diagnostic algorithm useful for centers involved in the management of carotid artery disease.
The kinetics of spinel crystallization from a high-level waste glass

The kinetics of spinel crystallization from a molten high-iron simulated high-level nuclear waste glass was studied using isothermal heat treatments. Optical microscopy with image analysis was used to measure volume fraction of spinel as a function of heat treatment time and temperature. The Johnson-Mehl-Avrami equation was fitted to data to determine kinetic coefficients for spinel crystallization. The liquidus temperature and Avrami number are T{sub L} = 1,337K and n = 1.5.
Inhibition of ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated heterotypic T-cell adhesion to epithelial cells: design of ICAM-1 cyclic peptides.

In this work, we have designed cyclic peptides (cIBL, cIBR, cIBC, CH4 and CH7) derived from the parent IB peptide (ICAM-11–21) that are inhibitors of ICAM-1/LFA-1-mediated T-cell adhesion to Caco-2 cell monolayers. Cyclic peptide cIBR has the best activity of any of the peptides evaluated. The active ICAM-1 peptides have a common Pro-Arg-Gly sequence that may be important for binding to LFA-1.