cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract MP52: Increased Intake of Non-Dairy Sugars in Foods and Beverages is Positively Associated with Annual Increases in Waist Circumference among Overweight and Obese Adolescent Females

Introduction: Waist circumference (WC) is an important measure of adiposity that predicts cardiovascular disease risk in adolescents. Previous studies have shown a positive association between sugar-sweetened beverages and WC in adolescents but it is unknown if this effect differs when sugars are consumed in foods vs. beverages. Hypothesis: Increased sugar consumption from both foods and beverages is associated with increased WC. Methods: NHLBI’s Growth and Health Study was a 10-year cohort study of Caucasian (n=1,166) and African-American (n=1,213) girls aged 9 and 10 at baseline who were recruited from three sites in the US in 1987 and 1988. Minimum WC was measured annually except at baseline. Diet was assessed using a three-day food record in eight of ten years; nutrient content was determined using the Nutrient Data System for Research. Girls were grouped by weight status (normal vs. overweight or obese). One-year changes in WC and in consumption of liquid and solid non-dairy sugars were calculated by subtracting each year’s measure from its value for the subsequent year. A linear mixed model was used to accommodate multiple observations per individual. After modeling change in sugar consumption as quintiles, a linear trend was observed and further modeling was conducted using continuous change in sugars consumption. Model I adjusted for race, age, puberty stage, initial WC, initial BMI, change in height, dieting status, initial and change in physical activity, initial and change in % energy from fat and % energy from carbohydrates, and initial consumption of sugars. Model II additionally adjusted for initial and change in total energy. Results: Among normal weight girls using Model I, significant increases in WC were observed with each additional teaspoon of liquid, 0.19mm (0.05, 0.33) (p=0.006), but not solid sugars 0.11mm (-0.02, 0.24) (p=0.11). These increases were no longer significant after adjusting for total energy in Model II. Among overweight and obese girls in Model I, increases in WC were observed with each additional teaspoon of solid sugars, 0.42 mm (0.22, 0.62) (p<0.0001) and liquid sugars, 0.26 mm (0.09, 0.44) (p=0.004). This association was slightly attenuated but still significant after controlling for total energy with WC increases of 0.31 mm (0.10, 0.52) (p=0.005) with each teaspoon of solid sugars and 0.19 mm (0.005, 0.37) (p=0.049) with each teaspoon of liquid sugars. Conclusions: Increases in non-dairy sugars from both foods and beverage were associated with increased WC among overweight and obese adolescents, both before and after adjusting for total energy intake.
Heat Transfer During Burner Rig Thermal Fatigue of Ceramic Matrix Composites

A two-dimensional transient heat transfer model was developed to calculate temperatures during the heating and cooling of hot pressed SCS6 and SCS-9 SiC fiber reinforced ceramic composite specimens in the NASA Lewis Mach 0.3 atmospheric pressure burner test rig. The specimens modeled were thermally cycled under an impinging jet fuel flame in the temperature range 500 C to 1350 C under a constant applied tensile stress. An implicit finite difference procedure was employed that included the effect of forced convection, natural convection, and thermal radiation between the burner flame and the specimen. The predicted temperature distributions may be used to predict thermal stresses in the specimens.
Angiogenesis in the female reproductive organs: pathological implications

The female reproductive organs (ovary, uterus, and placenta) are some of the few adult tissues that exhibit regular intervals of rapid growth. They also are highly vascular and have high rates of blood flow. Angiogenesis, or vascular growth, is therefore an important component of the growth and function of these tissues. As with many other tissues, vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) and fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) appear to be major angiogenic factors in the female reproductive organs. A variety of pathologies of the female reproductive organs are associated with disturbances of the angiogenic process, including dysfunctional uterine bleeding, endometrial hyperplasia and carcinoma, endometriosis, failed implantation and subnormal foetal growth, myometrial fibroids (uterine leiomyomas) and adenomyosis, ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, ovarian carcinoma, and polycystic ovary syndrome. These pathologies are also associated with altered expression of VEGFs and/or FGFs. In the near future, angiogenic or antiangiogenic compounds may prove to be effective therapeutic agents for treating these pathologies. In addition, monitoring of angiogenesis or angiogenic factor expression may provide a means of assessing the efficacy of these therapies.
Naive T Cell Maintenance and Function in Human Aging

In studies of immune aging, naive T cells frequently take center stage. Describing the complexity of the human naive T cell repertoire remains a daunting task; however, emerging data suggest that homeostatic mechanisms are robust enough to maintain a large and diverse CD4 T cell repertoire with age. Compartment shrinkage and clonal expansions are challenges for naive CD8 T cells. In addition to population aspects, identification of potentially targetable cellular defects is receiving renewed interest. The last decade has seen remarkable progress in identifying genetic and biochemical pathways that are pertinent for aging in general and that are instructive to understand naive T cell dysfunction. One hallmark sets naive T cell aging apart from most other tissues except stem cells: they initiate but do not complete differentiation programs toward memory cells. Maintaining quiescence and avoiding differentiation may be the ultimate challenge to maintain the functions unique for naive T cells.
The work of the National Patient Safety Agency to improve medication safety.

PATIENT safety is defined as freedom from accidental injury due to medical care.1 Two reports on patient safety in the National Health Service (NHS) have been published by the Department of Health: An organisation with a memory 2 and its follow-up, Building a safer NHS for patients: implementing an organisation with a memory .3 The reports highlighted research that indicated that around 10% of patients admitted to United Kingdom (UK) acute hospitals experience some kind of incident that might threaten their safety,4 and that up to half of these could have been prevented. Findings in the United States,5,6 Australia,7 New Zealand,8 and Denmark9 have suggested similar error rates. The little data reported from primary care suggests similar rates of safety incidents.10 The reports noted, however, that in the UK, as well as in many other countries, little systematic learning resulted from incidents or failures in health care. The international evidence tells us that in complex healthcare systems things can, will and do go wrong. An organisation with a memory concluded that the best way of reducing error rates is to target the underlying systems failures, rather than to take action against individual members of staff, since most incidents result from weaknesses in systems and processes rather than the acts of individuals. Although the majority of studies looking at the frequency of patient safety incidents have been conducted in an acute setting, the results of a study carried out by Sanders and Esmail in the UK suggests a similar situation in general practice.10 The National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) is a Special Health Authority in the NHS and was set up in 2001, following the publication of these reports. The role of the NPSA is to:
Targeting prostate cancer for focal destruction: can we find it?

W ith an increasing number of men diagnosed with low-risk prostate cancer because of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) screening, a great deal of attention has been focused on avoiding overtreatment by radical surgery or radiation. Although active surveillance has been widely discussed, an analysis of 5300 men in the CAPSURE database showed that only 7% of men choose active surveillance as an initial treatment option. This is likely because of the ambiguity of follow-up methods and the anxiety associated with simple observation of a cancer. Focal therapy has emerged in recent years as a means of bridging the gap between active surveillance and radical therapy by offering the potential for cancer cure while avoiding the genitourinary side effects of surgery or whole gland radiation. One true challenge to focal therapy, however, lies in appropriately identifying patients who would be ideal candidates for treatment. The goals and methods of focal therapy have yet to be truly defined, but clearly the method of gland destruction will influence the likelihood of cancer control and potency preservation. At New York University, we have proposed a nomenclature to define potential strategies for focal gland ablation in the treatment of prostate cancer: 1) lesion ablative therapy; 2) hemiablative therapy (HAT); or 3) subtotal ablative therapy (STAT), in which the lobe ipsilateral to an index tumor is totally ablated and the contralateral lobe is partially ablated with preservation of the posterolateral gland, thereby minimizing injury to the juxtaposed neurovascular bundle. As men with unilateral prostate cancer are ideal candidates for HAT, the study by Schulte et al appearing in this issue of Cancer evaluates the accuracy of extended pattern for localization of tumor laterality. The authors present a large prospective cohort with all biopsies done by a single operator. This is a strength of the article, as uniformity of biopsy technique is essential in assessing the mapping accuracy. Schulte and colleagues confirm a longstanding belief that biopsy characteristics often underestimate disease volume and focality given the multifocal nature of disease. Interestingly, even See referenced original article on pages 155965, this issue.
Lyman Break Galaxies and the Lyα Forest

We use hydrodynamic cosmological simulations to predict correlations between Lyα forest absorption and the galaxy distribution at redshift z ≈ 3. The probability distribution function (PDF) of Lyα flux decrements shifts systematically toward higher values in the vicinity of galaxies, reflecting the overdense environments in which these galaxies reside. The predicted signal remains strong in spectra smoothed over 50-200 km s-1, allowing tests with moderate-resolution quasar spectra. The strong bias of high-redshift galaxies toward high-density regions imprints a clear signature on the flux PDF, but the predictions are not sensitive to galaxy baryon mass or star formation rate, and they are similar for galaxies and dark matter halos. The dependence of the flux PDF on galaxy proximity is sensitive to redshift determination errors, with rms errors of 150-300 km s-1 substantially weakening the predicted trends. On larger scales, the mean galaxy overdensity in a cube of 5 or 10 h-1 Mpc (comoving) is strongly correlated with the mean Lyα flux decrement on a line of sight through the cube center. The slope of the correlation is ~3 times steeper for galaxies than for dark matter as a result of galaxy bias. The predicted large-scale correlation is in qualitative agreement with recently reported observational results. However, observations also show a drop in the average absorption in the immediate vicinity of galaxies, which our models do not predict even if we allow the galaxies or active galactic nuclei within them to be ionizing sources. This decreased absorption could be a signature of galaxy feedback on the surrounding intergalactic medium, perhaps via galactic winds. We find that a simplified wind model that eliminates neutral hydrogen in spheres around the galaxies can marginally explain the data. However, because peculiar velocities allow gas at large distances to produce saturated absorption at the galaxy redshift, these winds (or any other feedback mechanism) must extend to comoving radii of ~1.5 h-1 Mpc to reproduce the observations. We also discuss the possibility that extended Lyα emission from the target galaxies fills in the expected Lyα forest absorption at small angular separations.
Suppression of feather morphogenesis in co-aggregates of skin cells from embryos of different ages.

These experiments test the capacity of younger skin cells to promote feather differentiation in aggregates of older skin cells; the results indicate that the older cells suppressed the normal differentiation of the younger cells. Skin sheets (epidermis and dermis) from the dorsum and from the featherless (apterous) area of 6- to 14-day chick embryos were dissociated into suspensions of single cells and commingled in the following heterochronous combinations: (a) 6-day dorsal skin cells with 14-day dorsal skin cells, (b) 8-day dorsal skin cells with 14-day dorsal skin cells, (c) 6-day dorsal skin cells with 10-day mid-dorsal skin cells, (d) 6-day dorsal skin cells with 10-day apterous skin cells. Single-age suspensions served as controls. The cells were co-aggregated in vitro for 24 hours and the resulting aggregates grafted to the chorioallantoic membrane for further development for seven days. In grafts of control aggregates of 6- or 8-day skin cells there was excellent development of feathers; in aggregates of 14-day cells no feathers developed; aggregates of 10-day mid-dorsal cells gave rise to atypical, stunted feathers; aggregates of 10-day cells from apterous areas produced no feathers. In grafts of 6- or 8-day skin cells co-aggregated with 14-day skin cells, there was complete suppression of feather development; the predominant structures were stratified and heavily keratinized skin sheets, characteristic of aggregates of 14-day skin cells. Grafts of co-aggregates of 6-day skin cells with 10-day mid-dorsal skin cells gave rise to feathers and skin of patterns characteristic of the 10-day cells. Six-day skin cells co-aggregated with 10-day apterous skin cells reconstructed feathers and skin of the 6-day type as well as skin of the 10-day type. Simple dilution of feather-forming by non-feather-forming cells cannot by itself explain feather suppression in co-aggregates with cells from older skin and “assimilation” of the younger cells into the morphogenetic pattern of the older cells. It is assumed that the suppression results from interference by constitutents in the older cell population with interactions between specific cell groupings essential for feather development or, with the cellular sorting-out process by which these groupings arise.
Neuropeptide Y in relation to carbohydrate intake, corticosterone and dietary obesity

Neuropeptide Y (NPY) is known to stimulate eating behavior and to be related to behavioral patterns of carbohydrate ingestion. The present report investigates this relationship further to: (1) characterize the specific NPY projection activated in different dietary paradigms; (2) understand associated changes in circulating hormones that may mediate dietary effects on NPY neurons; and (3) determine whether endogenous NPY in conditions with macronutrient diets can be linked to body fat. Male albino Sprague-Dawley rats were tested in two feeding paradigms, one in which the rats were given a choice of the macronutrients, carbohydrate, fat or protein, or the other involving a single diet varying in carbohydrate of fat content. These studies consistently demonstrated a close association between the ingestion of carbohydrate and NPY levels, specifically in the arcuate nucleus (ARC) and medial portion of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. In addition to revealing increased NPY activity in animals that naturally select high carbohydrate when given a choice of macronutrients, a single diet with 65% carbohydrate (10% fat), compared to a control diet with 45% carbohydrate (30% fat), significantly potentiates NPY gene expression and NPY-immunoreactivity, as determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. A further lowering of carbohydrate to 15% has little effect on NPY. Studies of medial hypothalamic fragments in vitro also reveal enhanced NPY release from hypothalamic tissue taken from rats maintained on high-carbohydrate diet. Together with NPY, circulating corticosterone (CORT) levels are also highest in a high-carbohydrate condition and positively correlated with NPY in the ARC. An association between NPY and adiposity in these dietary conditions is indicated by significantly higher levels of NPY in the medial PVN in rats with high body fat, whether consuming a high-carbohydrate of high-fat diet. This evidence, linking NPY to carbohydrate intake and circulating CORT, suggests a role for this peptide in glucose homeostasis that is normally exhibited under conditions when carbohydrate stores are low. Disturbances in this homeostatic process, associated with hyperinsulinemia and higher levels of NPY, become evident with only a moderate rise in body fat on a high-carbohydrate as well as high-fat diet.
The response of psychotic-like symptoms to fluoxetine monotherapy in non-psychotic major depressive disorder.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of psychotic-like symptoms in non-psychotic major depressive disorder and to monitor the response of these symptoms to monotherapy with fluoxetine. Methods: We reviewed the charts of 384 subjects (54.7% women; mean age 39.9±10), all outpatients diagnosed with non-psychotic major depressive disorder by the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV (SCID), aged 18–65 years, with an initial 17-item Hamilton Depression (HAM-D-17) score of 16 or greater. Subjects were treated openly with fluoxetine 20 mg/day for 8 weeks. Subjects were administered the SCID-II (Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview for Personality Disorder) prior to entering acute treatment and at the completion of the acute phase of treatment. We monitored the course of psychotic-like symptoms following this course of therapy. Results: 187 subjects endorsed at least one psychotic-like symptom, including not trusting close acquaintances (item 51), picking up hidden meanings (item 52), believing that othe...
Connectional distinction between callosal and subcortically projecting cortical neurons is determined prior to axon extension.

In adult rats, layer 5 cortical neurons send axons through the corpus callosum to contralateral cortex or through the internal capsule to subcortical targets, but individual neurons reportedly do not have both connections. Here we confirm this adult separation and address whether it develops by extension of axon collaterals to both sets of targets with later elimination of one or the other (a phenomenon common in developing cortex) or by initially selective axon outgrowth. Retrograde tracers Fast Blue and Diamidino Yellow were injected in the subcortical path at the pyramidal decussation and in the contralateral cortex, respectively, of adult and newborn rats. In 16 adults, no cortical neurons were double-labeled, indicating that none project to both sites. In 17 neonates, hundreds of thousands of layer 5 neurons were single-labeled in each brain, but only one was double-labeled. In cases in which the injections to one of the two targets was delayed, again, no double-labeled cells were found. These results indicate that the connectional distinction found in adults is not achieved by the elimination of long transient callosal or subcortical collaterals. To determine if shorter transient collaterals are extended by callosal neurons into the internal capsule, i.e., the subcortical pathway, we injected DiI into one cortical hemisphere of aldehyde-fixed Embryonic Day (E)19 and E21 brains. Two types of axons are seen in the white matter of the cortex opposite the injection: those which turn and extend through the callosum and those which branch, sending collaterals to both ipsilateral and contralateral cortex. Rarely were collaterals seen to extend into or toward the internal capsule. [3H]Thymidine birthdating studies show that layer 5 callosal and subcortically projecting neurons are generated at the same stage of corticogenesis. Thus, from early stages of axon extension, callosal and subcortically projecting cells are distinct classes of neurons and, responding differentially to cues present in cortex, initiate growth toward class-specific and nonoverlapping sets of targets. We conclude that the distinction between the two projection classes in inherent to them and is likely to be determined at an early stage of cortical development, prior to neuronal migration from the neuroepithelium.
Gas Compression With the Liquid Jet Pump

The isothermal compression of a gas by a liquid jet in a mixing throat followed by secondary compression in a diffuser is described by a one dimensional model including frictional losses. Good theory-experiment agreement is shown; pump efficiencies can exceed 40 percent. Mixing throat and diffuser energy analyses are presented. The isothermal compression mechanism in the throat is related to momentum transfer while the diffuser process consists of a pistonlike compression of entrained gas bubbles by the continuous liquid medium. The efficiency of a liquid-jet gas pump depends primarily on the mixing loss. The mixing loss function, the throat compression ratio and the Mach number are developed as functions of the throat inlet velocity ratio v and the jet pump number n. A zero mixing loss criterion defines the theoretically possible region of pump operation. Design applications are discussed.
Two-Photon and Second Harmonic Microscopy in Clinical and Translational Cancer Research

Application of two-photon microscopy (TPM) to translational and clinical cancer research has burgeoned over the last several years, as several avenues of pre-clinical research have come to fruition. In this review, we focus on two forms of TPM—two-photon excitation fluorescence microscopy, and second harmonic generation microscopy—as they have been used for investigating cancer pathology in ex vivo and in vivo human tissue. We begin with discussion of two-photon theory and instrumentation particularly as applicable to cancer research, followed by an overview of some of the relevant cancer research literature in areas that include two-photon imaging of human tissue biopsies, human skin in vivo, and the rapidly developing technology of two-photon microendoscopy. We believe these and other evolving two-photon methodologies will continue to help translate cancer research from the bench to the bedside, and ultimately bring minimally invasive methods for cancer diagnosis and treatment to therapeutic reality.
A diagnostic method for simultaneous feature selection and outlier identification in linear regression

A diagnostic method along the lines of forward search is proposed to simultaneously study the effect of individual observations and features on the inferences made in linear regression. The method operates by appending dummy variables to the data matrix and performing backward selection on the augmented matrix. It outputs sequences of feature-outlier combinations which can be evaluated by plots similar to those of forward search and includes the capacity to incorporate prior knowledge, in order to mitigate issues such as collinearity. It also allows for alternative ways to understand the selection of the final model. The method is evaluated on five data sets and yields promising results.
Karl Fischer titrimetry with bimetallic potentiometric electrode systems

Abstract Seven bimetallic electrode couples in which one member was platinum have been examined as indicators in the Karl Fischer titration of water in methanol and in methanolic solvent mixtures. The platinum-gold potentiometric couple requires no polarizing source, and gives results that compare favorably with those obtained at the biamperometric platinum-platinum couple.
Methanol and Dimethyl Sulfide Removal by Pulsed Corona Part I: Experiment

Methanol and dimethyl sulfide are volatile organic compound (VOC) air pollutants that are subject of severe environmental regulations due to their toxicity, environmental persistence and odor. Traditional technologies are often inefficient for their removal, especially in the case of the dilute industrial streams. Non-thermal plasma methods, typically characterized by high removal efficiency, energy yields and good economy, offer possible alternative solutions. The present research employs pulsed corona discharge known for its high selectivity and low energy costs of emission control. This paper provides experimental (Part I) and in a later issue numerical (Part II) data on removal of methanol and dimethyl sulfide from dry and humid air streams. The removal efficiency and the specific energy input are evaluated along with the energy costs required for the removal process. Particular attention is given to the formation of unwanted byproducts such as NO x , CO, and SO2.
The risk of radiation-induced second cancers in the high to medium dose region: a comparison between passive and scanned proton therapy, IMRT and VMAT for pediatric patients with brain tumors

The incidence of second malignant tumors is a clinically observed adverse late effect of radiation therapy, especially in organs close to the treatment site, receiving medium to high doses (>2.5 Gy). For pediatric patients, choosing the least toxic radiation modality is of utmost importance, due to their high radiosensitivity and small size. This study aims to evaluate the risk of second cancer incidence in the vicinity of the primary radiation field, for pediatric patients with brain/head and neck tumors and compare four treatment modalities: passive scattering and pencil beam scanning proton therapy (PPT and PBS), intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). For a cohort of six pediatric patients originally treated with PPT, additional PBS, IMRT and VMAT plans were created. Dose distributions from these plans were used to calculate the excess absolute risk (EAR) and lifetime attributable risk (LAR) for developing a second tumor in soft tissue and skull. A widely used risk assessment formalism was employed and compared with a linear model based on recent clinical findings. In general, LAR was found to range between 0.01%-2.8% for PPT/PBS and 0.04%-4.9% for IMRT/VMAT. PBS was associated with the lowest risk for most patients using carcinoma and sarcoma models, whereas IMRT and VMAT risks were comparable and the highest among all modalities. The LAR for IMRT/VMAT relative to PPT ranged from 1.3-4.6 for soft tissue and from 3.5-9.5 for skull. Larger absolute LAR was observed for younger patients and using linear risk models. The number of fields used in proton therapy and IMRT had minimal effect on the risk. When planning treatments and deciding on the treatment modality, the probability of second cancer incidence should be carefully examined and weighed against the possibility of developing acute side effects for each patient individually.
Novel oxadiazole-containing conjugated polymers as efficient single-layer light-emitting diodes

Abstract A poly(phenylenevinylene) (PPV) containing oxadiazole units in both the main chain and as main chain substituents was synthesized. Single-layer LED (light-emitting diodes) devices fabricated with this polymer show external efficiencies of 0.15% with calcium as the cathode and 0.068% with alumina as the cathode. In addition, these devices show good stability under ambient operating conditions.
An experimental analysis of the determination of cell patterns in the spinal cord of the chick embryo.

The effects of rotation of the brachial region of the spinal cord about its longitudinal axis between stages 12 to 15 were studied in a series of 30 chick embryos by transplanting that portion of the neural tube opposite somite levels 16 to 20 from a donor embryo to a host embryo at the same stage of development. Despite the altered topographical relationship between the transplanted neural tube and the adjacent mesodermal somites, the cytological characteristics of the cells and the organization of the major cell groups derived from the alar and basal halves of the cord remained unaffected. In the more successful experiments, well-developed lateral motor columns and ventral roots and dorsal roots and spinal ganglia could be identified in the usual morphological relationships even though the graft piece of spinal cord was clearly inverted compared to the remaining part of the spinal cord of the host embryo. A limited number of cell counts of the lateral motor column in some of these cases showed no significant difference in cell number, nor was there an appreciable change in the general morphology of the cell groups in the transplanted cord compared to the lateral motor columns of control embryos at similar developmental stages.
Wnt Signaling to β-Catenin Involves Two Interactive Components: GLYCOGEN SYNTHASE KINASE-3β INHIBITION AND ACTIVATION OF PROTEIN KINASE C

Wnt signaling involves inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and elevation of cytoplasmic β-catenin. This pathway is essential during embryonic development and oncogenesis. Previous studies on both Xenopus and mammalian cells indicate that lithium mimics Wnt signaling by inactivating GSK-3β. Here we show that serum enhances accumulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin induced by lithium in both 293 and C57MG cell lines and that growth factors are responsible for this enhancing activity. Growth factors mediate this effect through activation of protein kinase C (PKC), not through Ras or phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. In addition, Wnt-induced accumulation of cytoplasmic β-catenin is partially inhibited by PKC inhibitors and by chronic treatment of cells with phorbol ester. Both calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, and a dominant negative PKC exhibit partial inhibition on Wnt-mediated transcriptional activation. We therefore propose that Wnt signaling to β-catenin consists of two interactive components: one involves inhibition of GSK-3β and is mimicked by lithium, and the other involves PKC and serves to augment the effects of GSK-3β inhibition.
Angina-like Pain: A Manifestation of the Male Climacterium

IN BOTH THE MALE and the female, at some period of life, a readjustment normally occurs in the body secondary to a change in the entire system of endocrine glands as a result of a lessening activity of the gonads. This change frequently takes place without distressing or untoward manifestations other than those to be expected as an integral part of the aging process. However, in a certain proportion of individuals, any of a number of unpleasant reactions may occur which are not infrequently confused with disease entities of one type or another. To such disturbances we apply the term climacterium, and in this sense it is used here. In a certain proportion of women the presence of the climacterium is generally acknowledged, perhaps because the cessation of ovulation and menstruation marks an episode in, but is not necessarily either the beginning or the end of that critical period.
The ITZ in concrete – a different view based on image analysis and SEM observations

Abstract The traditional picture of the ITZ in concrete involves an approximately 30 μm zone around each aggregate, within which the porosity increases as the aggregate interface is approached. The results of the writers' extensive image analysis investigations, and examinations of SEM specimens from various concretes provide a very different picture. While the “wall effect” excluded much of the ground cement from the vicinity of the aggregates, the great increases in pore content within a few μm of the aggregate, up to approximately 30% porosity, that have been reported by others, are not found. On average, only modestly higher porosities are observed within the ITZ than in the bulk paste. This is true even in the innermost areas immediately adjacent to the aggregates. In part, the extra space produced by the wall effect is filled in by CH deposits, many of which are anchored directly on the surfaces of aggregates and are essentially non-porous. Strong indications exist that the ITZ contains as high a proportion of C–S–H per unit volume as the bulk paste; thus some of the extra space that was created by the wall effect is filled in by through-solution deposits of C–S–H derived from elsewhere in the system. It is considered that the structure of the ITZ in ordinary concretes is not different enough from that of the bulk cement paste to provide any basis for significant effects on permeance or mechanical properties.
Hydrogen-bonded clusters of ferrocenecarboxylic acid on Au(111)

Self-assembled monolayers of ferrocenecarboxylic acid (FcCOOH) contain two fundamental units, both stabilized by intermolecular hydrogen bonding: dimers and cyclic five-membered catemers. At surface coverages below a full monolayer, however, there is a significantly more varied structure that includes double-row clusters containing two to twelve FcCOOH molecules. Statistical analysis shows a distribution of cluster sizes that is sharply peaked compared to a binomial distribution. This rules out simple nucleation-and-growth mechanisms of cluster formation, and strongly suggests that clusters are formed in solution and collapse into rows when deposited on the Au(111) surface.
Teachers' Perspectives on Response Comparisons When Children and Adults Read Children's Literature.

Abstract As teacher educators and researchers, we designed this action‐research project to help pre‐ and inservice teachers experience first‐hand children's responses to Sarah, Plain and Tall by Patricia MacLachlan (1985). They then compared those responses to their own for the same book. In addition, we examined the role of discussion in shaping adults' perceptions about the book and their understanding of children's responses. Comparisons were drawn between adults' and children's responses in two broad categories: reader‐based and text‐based. Within these areas, subcategories emerged highlighting similarities and differences between children's and adults' responses. Discussion was found to play a formative role in shaping adults' responses to the book, the nature or direction of those responses, and their understanding of children's responses. Implications are drawn for teachers to better understand and support their students' transactions with literature.
Novel IκBα Proteolytic Pathway in WEHI231 Immature B Cells

The Rel/NF-kappaB family of transcription factors is sequestered in the cytoplasm of most mammalian cells by inhibitor proteins belonging to the IkappaB family. Degradation of IkappaB by a phosphorylation-dependent ubiquitin-proteasome (inducible) pathway is believed to allow nuclear transport of active Rel/NF-kappaB dimers. Rel/NF-kappaB (a p50-c-Rel dimer) is constitutively nuclear in murine B cells, such as WEHI231 cells. In these cells, p50, c-Rel, and IkappaB alpha are synthesized at high levels but only IkappaB alpha is rapidly degraded. We have examined the mechanism of IkappaB alpha degradation and its relation to constitutive p50-c-Rel activation. We demonstrate that all IkappaB alpha is found complexed with c-Rel protein in the cytoplasm. Additionally, rapid IkappaB alpha proteolysis is independent of but coexistent with the inducible pathway and can be inhibited by calcium chelators and some calpain inhibitors. Conditions that prevent degradation of IkappaB alpha also inhibit nuclear p50-c-Rel activity. Furthermore, the half-life of nuclear c-Rel is much shorter than that of the cytoplasmic form, underscoring the necessity for its continuous nuclear transport to maintain constitutive p50-c-Rel activity. We observed that IkappaB beta, another NF-kappaB inhibitor, is also complexed with c-Rel but slowly degraded by a proteasome-dependent process in WEHI231 cells. In addition, IkappaB beta is basally phosphorylated and cytoplasmic. We thus suggest that calcium-dependent IkappaB alpha proteolysis maintains nuclear transport of a p50-c-Rel heterodimer which in turn activates the synthesis of IkappaB alpha, p50, and c-Rel to sustain this dynamic process in WEHI231 B cells.
Use of 6-benzylamino purine and Promalin for improved canopy development in selected apple cultivars

Abstract Foliar sprays of Promalin (gibberellins A 4 + 7 + 6-benzylamino purine) applied to 1-year-old apple ( Malus domestica Borkh.) trees at the 3–5-cm growth stage significantly increased lateral branching in 5 of 9 cultivars tested. Branching response ranged from 0% (‘Winter Banana’) to 131% (‘Starkrimson Delicious’) of the untreated controls. Total shoot growth was not consistently increased by 6-benzylamino purine or Promalin in tests over 3 years on spur and non-spur 1- and 2-year-old apple trees. Sprays of 50–300 mg l −1 Promalin were ineffective for increased branch development. Sprays of 300–500 mg l −1 increased total shoot numbers and reduced average shoot length. Sprays applied prior to new terminal growth in spring were ineffective. Treatment during periods of active shoot growth were generally effective, but periods of stress may have reduced response. Sprays were more effective for inducing lateral shoot formation than dormant heading or delayed dormant heading (pruning) (10 days after full bloom) in ‘Criterion Golden Delicious’. No difference in branching response was observed between BA and Promalin. Addition of a spray adjuvant (Buffer-X) did not affect branching response. Repeat annual single sprays of Promalin applied to dormant pruned trees were generally less effective for stimulating lateral branching than a single application in a given year. Phytotoxicity was associated with Promalin sprays at 300–500 mg l −1 on ‘Delicious’.
A note on mucus shear rates

Abstract Some order is brought into calculations of the shear rates found in the mucus layers of the lung due to ciliary activity. In the cilia sublayer shear rates of the order of 2π f sec −1 , where f is frequency of the cilium beat, are theoretically obtained. The maximum shear rates are found in the “watery” cilia sublayer, while in the other regions of the mucus layer shear rates less than 10 sec − can be expected. Mucus rheologists should now be able to carry out more appropriate experiments in determining the rheological properties of mucus.
Relationship of job satisfaction and productivity to work values of vocational education graduates

Abstract The relationships of job satisfaction and job productivity to work values of a randomly selected sample of beginning workers who graduated from public vocational education programs were investigated. Workers with intrinsic work value orientation seem to be more satisfied with their job and are more productive than are those with extrinsic work value orientation. In addition, workers with a broader perception of the meaning of work seem to be more satisfied with their job than are those with a relatively narrow perception of the meaning of work.
Air Pollution Technical Information Network: A Revised Approach

Technical information services which match the needs of the air pollution control community are now being provided. EPA studied alternatives for one month before settling on this new approach which relies on a multiplicity of existing technical information services. A file of more than 82, 000 abstracts was transferred from EPA's computer and information retrieval system in Research Triangle Park, NC, to those of Lockheed in Palo Alto, CA. That file is being built at the new rate of 2500–4000 abstracts per year. EPA may resume publication of an abstract bulletin from that file and other files which contain the needed information. A quarterly catalog of all EPA reports, including those on air pollution, is for sale at NTIS. EPA is sponsoring literature searches from multiple files for an exclusive clientele. EPA's offices may make the abstracted documents accessible at their locations nationwide. Both personnel reductions and cost savings were achieved. The new computer and information retrieval system is satisfactory.
EXPRESSION OF RAT TARGET OF THE ANTIPROLIFERATIVE ANTIBODY (TAPA) IN THE DEVELOPING BRAIN

The present study defines the expression pattern of TAPA (target of the antiproliferative antibody, also known as CD81) in the developing rat brain. TAPA is a member of the tetramembrane spanning family of proteins, and like other members of this family it appears to be associated with the stabilization of cellular contacts (Geisert et al. [1996] J. Neurosci. 16:5478–5487). On immunoblots of the brain, TAPA is present in higher levels than any other tissue examined: muscle, tendon, peripheral nerve, cartilage, liver, kidney, skin, and testicle. Immunohistochemical methods were used to define the distribution of TAPA in the brain. This protein is expressed by ependyma, choroid plexus, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes. TAPA is dramatically upregulated during early postnatal development, at the time of glial birth and maturation. At embryonic day 18, the levels of TAPA are low, with most of the immunoreaction product being associated with the ependyma, choroid plexus, and the glia limitans. As development continues, the amount of TAPA expressed in the brain increases, and at postnatal day 14 the levels approach those of the adult. This increase in the levels of TAPA at postnatal day 14 is due to upregulation in the gray matter and white matter. Thus, TAPA is found in all glial cells, and the level of this protein correlates with their maturation. J. Comp. Neurol. 396:366–380, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimizing Organic Functionality in Mesostructured Silica: Direct Assembly of Mercaptopropyl Groups in Wormhole Framework Structures

A series of mercaptopropyl-functionalized wormhole mesostructures, denoted MP-HMS, have been prepared through the S0I0 assembly of alkylamine surfactants (S0) and mixtures of 3-mercaptopropyltrimet...
Mechanical properties of a NiTi-Pd high-temperature shape memory alloy

ABSTRACT Mechanical tests have been conducted to characterize the shape memory effect and mechanical properties of a NiTi—20 at%Pd high temperature shape memory alloy. The experimental results show that theratio of the Young's modulus of martensite to austenite is 0.58. The ratio of the yield stress of the martensiteto austenite phase is 0.62 and the fully reversible strain is 3%. These values indicate that the shape memoryproperties of the NiTi—Pd alloys is not as good as those of the NiTi binary alloys. The mechanical propertiesof the alloy also demonstrate that the ductility of the alloy is significantly lower than that of the NiTi binaryalloy. Further studies should be carried out to improve the shape memory effect and enhance the ductility ofthe alloy. 1. INTRODUCTION Owing to their accurate temperature response, energetic recovery force, miniature size, and gooddurability, shape memory alloys (SMAs) have been recognized as important intelligent materials. They areutilized in a wide variety of applications, such as active shape controlling, smart actuators, and sensors.However, the most currently used SMAs, including NiTi, Cu-Zn-Al and Cu-Ni-Al, have a phase transformationtemperature below 100°C1. This hinders application of SMAs in smart devices at elevated temperatureenvironments. In past decades, some attention had been paid to the development of high temperature shapememory alloys. Donkersloot and Van Vucht2, Khachi et al. and Wu and Wayman5 have made somepreliminary investigations on the NiTi-Pd system and found that the alloying element, Pd, can significantlyelevate the phase transformation temperatures of the NiTi binary alloy. Most recently, Lindquist6 and Lindquistand Wayman7 conducted an experimental investigation on the shape memory effect of the NiTi-Pd system. Asof yet, no reports on the mechanical properties of NiTi-Pd are available in the literature and no informationis available on the shape memory effect and mechanical properties of the newly-developed NiTi-Pd alloys,including (1) yield stress, (2) tensile elongation, (3) fully-reversible memory strain, (4) recovery stress, and (5)the effect of temperature on these properties. Nonetheless, knowledge of these properties is vital for the designof high-temperature shape memory sensors and actuators made of the NiTi-Pd alloys. The present paperprovides the results of a preliminary experimental study on the shape memory effect and the mechanicalproperties of this newly-developed NiTi-Pd alloy.
The role of chloroplast-encoded protein biosynthesis on the rate of D1 protein degradation in Dunaliella salina.

Mechanistic aspects of the Photosystem II (PS II) damage and repair cycle in Dunaliella salina were investigated. The work addressed the role of chloroplast-encoded protein biosynthesis on the rate of the D1 protein (chloroplast psbA gene product) degradation, following photoinhibition of PS II under in vivo conditions. Cells were grown under different light-intensities and the rate of D1 photodamage and degradation was measured via pulse-chase measurements with (35S)sulfate. It is shown that no detectable difference exists in the rate of D1 degradation in D. salina, measured in the presence or absence of lincomycin, a chloroplast protein biosynthesis inhibitor. The results suggest that de novo D1 biosynthesis does not play a role in the regulation of D1 degradation. In low-light (100 μmol photons m−2 s−1) grown cells, the rate of photodamage to D1 did not exceed the rate of its degradation and replacement. In high-light (2200 μmol photons m−1 s−1) grown cells, the rate of D1 photodamage was faster than the rate of its degradation, resulting in a significant accumulation of photoinactivated PS II centers in the chloroplast thylakoids (chronic photoinhibition). The latter was coincident with the appearance of a 160 kD complex that contained photodamaged D1. Electron micrographs of D. salina thylakoids revealed extensive grana stacks in the thylakoid membrane of low-light grown cells. Only rudimentary appressions consisting of simple membrane pairings were found in the high-light grown cells. The results are discussed in terms of the regulation of D1 degradation in chloroplasts under in vivo conditions.
Multigrid optimal mass transport for image registration and morphing

In this paper we present a computationally efficient Optimal Mass Transport algorithm. This method is based on the Monge-Kantorovich theory and is used for computing elastic registration and warping maps in image registration and morphing applications. This is a parameter free method which utilizes all of the grayscale data in an image pair in a symmetric fashion. No landmarks need to be specified for correspondence. In our work, we demonstrate significant improvement in computation time when our algorithm is applied as compared to the originally proposed method by Haker et al [1]. The original algorithm was based on a gradient descent method for removing the curl from an initial mass preserving map regarded as 2D vector field. This involves inverting the Laplacian in each iteration which is now computed using full multigrid technique resulting in an improvement in computational time by a factor of two. Greater improvement is achieved by decimating the curl in a multi-resolutional framework. The algorithm was applied to 2D short axis cardiac MRI images and brain MRI images for testing and comparison.
Ethnography of scaling, or, how to a fit a national research infrastructure in the room

Ethnographers have traditionally studied people in particular times and places. However, sociotechnical systems are often long-term enterprises, spanning the globe and serving vast communities. Drawing from three cases of research infrastructure development, this paper demonstrates a methodology in which the ethnographer examines scalar devices: actors' techniques and technologies for knowing and managing large-scale enterprises. Such devices are enacted in and across concrete times and places; for the ethnographer they are observable as activities of scaling. By examining the enactment of scale we can better investigate diverse kinds of size and growth within sociotechnical systems.