cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Severe Chemoradiation-Related Lymphopenia in Patients With Anal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Purpose/objective(s) Treatment-related lymphopenia may be prognostic for poorer survival in anal squamous cell carcinoma (ASCC). With current randomized trials evaluating the potential role of immunotherapy in localized ASCC, the contribution of host immunity will become increasingly important. We sought to identify clinical, tumor, and dosimetric predictors for severe lymphopenia during chemoradiation (CRT) for ASCC. Materials/methods Patients who underwent CRT for ASCC from 2008-2020 at two Comprehensive Cancer Centers were identified and charts were reviewed. Only those who received 5-fluorouracil and mitomycin C concurrent with IMRT to 50.4-59.4 Gy were included. Lymphopenia was graded per CTCAE v5.0 with absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) nadir Results A total of 119 patients were identified with a median age of 59 years. Forty-seven patients (39%) had T3/4 disease and 57 patients (49%) had node positive disease. Fifty-eight patients (49%) developed grade 4 lymphopenia during CRT or within 1 month of completing treatment. On multivariate analysis pre-treatment ALC (P = 0.006, OR = 0.31), GTVp volume (P = 0.010, OR = 1.23), and iliac crest V40 (P = 0.013, OR = 1.08) were predictive of grade 4 lymphopenia. History of previous malignancy was associated with reduced risk of grade 4 lymphopenia (P = 0.030, OR = 0.04). TPD and PTVtv were not independently predictive of grade 4 lymphopenia, though patients with a higher TPD and smaller PTVtv were significantly more likely to develop grade 4 lymphopenia (P = 0.038) compared to those with both high TPD and PTVtv or both low TPD and PTVtv. Conclusion Severe lymphopenia is common during CRT for ASCC and certain patients are at higher risk for developing this treatment-related toxicity. Pre-treatment lymphocyte count, larger tumor volume, and dose to the iliac crests are each independent predictors of grade 4 lymphopenia. Additionally, closer observation should be employed when treating patients with higher prescription doses and smaller PTV total volumes. With ongoing efforts to incorporate immunotherapy in the treatment of ASCC, using predictors to detect patients at risk for severe lymphopenia will be increasingly important.
Transient Performance of D-C Machinery [includes discussion]

The study that follows illustrates the changes in air gap, leakage and commutating fluxes, constant flux linkage, and bar-to-bar voltages. Eddy-current effects are treated showing their influence on flux change with emphasis of the effect on leakage and commutating fluxes. An evaluation of the error that may be expected when obtaining the air-gap flux by applying the constant flux linkage theorem is presented.
The evolution of American television

The Paradigm The TV Experience Evolution Not Revolution The Main Source Political Influence Entertainment as Information Growing Up Impact
IS MOM IN CHARGE? IMPLICATIONS OF RESOURCE PROVISIONING ON THE EVOLUTION OF THE PLACENTA

The Trexler-DeAngelis model shows that placentas are most likely to evolve in environments with consistent, high levels of resource availability. An assumption imperative to the model is that placental species abort embryos in low food conditions. However, a previous experimental test of this assumption using the northern clade of Poeciliopsis showed no evidence for abortion. To distinguish between the alternatives that placental species either sacrifice body condition to maintain reproduction when resources are restricted, or that the previously documented pattern of resource allocation is a function of other life-history correlates of placentation rather than placentation alone, we perform a similar experiment on the southern clade of Poeciliopsis. The southern clade has the opposite relationship between life-history traits and placentation as seen in the northern clade. Our results mirror those from the northern clade, indicating that reproductive mode, rather than life history, dictates the pattern of resource allocation. These results add to the difficulties of explaining placental evolution within the constraints of the Trexler-DeAngelis model by restricting the range of resource conditions in which placental species can outcompete nonplacental species. They also lend support to hypotheses that suggest parent-offspring conflict in utero drives the evolution of the placenta.
Limitations of nonlinear optical isolators due to dynamic reciprocity

Researchers show that optical isolators based on nonlinearity cannot provide complete isolation for arbitrary backwards propagating noise, revealing limitations for their practical application.
Low-Sensitivity FDG-PET Studies: Less Common Lung Neoplasms

Computed tomography (CT) and positron emission tomography (PET) using the radiopharmaceutical 18F-2-deoxy-d-glucose (FDG) play an important role in the diagnosis and tumor node metastasis staging of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). CT is the optimal modality for evaluating the primary tumor, whereas PET is useful in improving the accuracy of staging by detecting occult nodal and distant metastases. However, both modalities have limitations in the evaluation of the primary tumor and in the detection of metastases. With regard to FDG-PET, these limitations are amplified in primary adenocarcinoma of the lung that manifests as a subsolid nodule and in primary carcinoid tumors of the lung, as these malignancies commonly have low levels of FDG avidity. Because the misinterpretation of CT and PET studies can alter the diagnosis and staging when evaluating subsolid nodules and carcinoid tumors, awareness and knowledge of these limitations are required for appropriate patient management. This article reviews the use of PET in patients with these uncommon lung neoplasms as well as radiotracers that have been developed to interrogate different metabolic pathways, receptors, and targets to overcome the potential limitations of FDG-PET in the diagnosis, staging, as well as early response evaluation and monitoring of response to targeted therapies.
From Farm to Table: Making the Connection in the Mid‐Atlantic Food System

A review of From Farm to Table: Making the Connection in the Mid-Atlantic Food System by Mathew Hora and Jody Tick.
The Design of Safer Chemicals: Past, Present, and Future Perspectives

The sections in this article are Evolution of the Concept In the Development of Drug Substances: Emergence of the Medicinal Chemist In the Development of Pesticide Substances In the Development of Industrial Chemical Substances Stagnation of the Concept Because of Section 5 of the TSCA Characteristics of a “Safer Chemical” Types of Safer Chemicals The Ideal Chemical The Future of the Concept Disclaimer Keywords: safer chemicals; chemical design; pharmaceuticals; pesticides; industrial chemicals; green chemistry; the ideal chemical
Dual MAC usage in FDDI

Two possible applications of dual ring use in the fiber distributed data interface (FDDI) are described. First, a straightforward mechanism of load sharing on the MAC layer based on the assumption of a homogeneous dual MAC network is discussed. Second, the TCP/IP sublayer DMARP (dual MAC ARP) is introduced. This sublayer supports dual MAC operations in inhomogeneous FDDI networks. A way towards the use of dual MAC FDDI in general network protocols is identified. >
Wnt Moves Beyond the Canon

A secreted protein associated with the metastasis of a melanoma harnesses cell adhesion proteins and the cytoskeleton to direct cell motility.
Experimental Therapies and Clinical Trials in Bone Sarcoma

Sarcomas originating in the bone represent a challenge for physicians and patients. Because they constitute only 0.2% of all adult malignancies and 6% of pediatric malignancies, resources for studying this disease are often limited. Nonetheless, significant advancements have been made in the treatment of this disease, and there are ongoing efforts toward improvement. This article discusses recently completed and currently enrolling clinical trials for the 3 most common bone sarcomas: osteosarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma family tumors, and chondrosarcoma.
MANAGEMENT OF GRADE IV RENAL INJURY IN CHILDREN

Purpose: Conservative nonsurgical management of major renal trauma in children is well established. However, when blunt trauma is accompanied by significant urinary extravasation, options are less than clearly defined. Endoscopic techniques, such as stents and percutaneous drainage, have not been widely used because of small caliber. We present our experience with endoscopic management of grade IV renal trauma.Materials and Methods: From 1983 to 1996, 15 children satisfied the criteria for grade IV renal trauma. We retrospectively reviewed the charts to assess the mechanism of injury, associated injury, treatment, hospital stay and transfusion requirement. Patients were followed clinically with blood pressure and creatinine monitoring, and by radiograph with computerized tomography.Results: Nine patients with isolated kidney injury were successfully treated with observation, 1 underwent early partial nephrectomy for persistent anemia and hypotension, and 5 had a urinoma, which was successfully treated wit...
Photoelectron angular distributions for states of any mixed character: an experiment-friendly model for atomic, molecular, and cluster anions.

We present a model for laboratory-frame photoelectron angular distributions in direct photodetachment from (in principle) any molecular orbital using linearly polarized light. A transparent mathematical approach is used to generalize the Cooper-Zare central-potential model to anionic states of any mixed character. In the limit of atomic-anion photodetachment, the model reproduces the Cooper-Zare formula. In the case of an initial orbital described as a superposition of s and p-type functions, the model yields the previously obtained s-p mixing formula. The formalism is further advanced using the Hanstorp approximation, whereas the relative scaling of the partial-wave cross-sections is assumed to follow the Wigner threshold law. The resulting model describes the energy dependence of photoelectron anisotropy for any atomic, molecular, or cluster anions, usually without requiring a direct calculation of the transition dipole matrix elements. As a benchmark case, we apply the p-d variant of the model to the e...
Adding Retentive Features in the Rebonding of Cast Metal Resin‐Bonded Prostheses

Many methods have been used to improve retention in resin-retained fixed prostheses, such as electrolytic etching of the retainer, the labial wrap design, proximal grooves, cast pin retention, and the use of improved adhesive resins such as Panavia EX (Kuraray Co, Osaka, Japan). Insufficient retentive features often lead to debonding of resin-retained fixed prostheses. Debonded prostheses may occasionally be recemented and successfully retained by the addition of retentive features to the prosthesis and abutment teeth. When recementing a debonded prosthesis with questionable retention, additional retention may be added to the retentive wings of the prosthesis by using a Rochette retentive hole in combination with pin retention or enamel/dentinal slots in the abutment teeth.
Assessing Psychological Distress Near the End of Life

Psychological suffering is one of the most significant and potentially remediable impediments to the dying process for terminally ill patients and their families. This article reviews several of th...
Function Unknown Number 26 (Fun26) Protein from Saccharomyces Cerevisiae is a Nucleoside Selective Integral Membrane Transporter

Nucleoside transporters are polytopic integral membrane proteins (IMPs) that modulate a wide array of eukaryotic physiology by regulating plasmalemmal flux of purine and pyrimidine nucleosides. These transporters exhibit broad substrate selectivity and specificity across different isoforms and utilize diverse mechanisms to drive substrate flux across membranes. In addition, nucleoside transporters serve as molecular targets for therapeutics designed to inhibit nucleoside flux across membranes (e.g., adenosine reuptake inhibitors) and are the primary means by which nucleoside analog therapeutics (e.g., gemcitabine) are able to enter eukaryotic cells. The current studies are focused on developing functional assays for purified eukaryotic nucleoside transporters as a foundation for defining the molecular basis for how therapeutics interact with this class of integral membrane proteins.Function Unknown Number 26 (FUN26) is a yeast ortholog of the human equilibrative nucleoside transporter (ENT) family. FUN26 was expressed and purified to homogeneity and incorporated into proteoliposomes for functional analysis. Our results demonstrate that FUN26 is: 1) functional in purified form using a defined proteoliposome system, 2) a nucleoside selective bidirectional transporter, 3) selective for purine over pyrimidine nucleosides, 4) sensitive to transport inhibition by known ENT chemotherapeutic substrates, and 5) sensitive to changes in the 2' position of nucleoside substrates. This study provides the first demonstration of functional activity of a purified eukaryotic equilibrative nucleoside transporter in a defined proteoliposome system.
Identification of aneuploidy-tolerating mutations

Aneuploidy causes a proliferative disadvantage in all normal cells analyzed to date, yet this condition is associated with a disease characterized by unabated proliferative potential, cancer. The mechanisms that allow cancer cells to tolerate the adverse effects of aneuploidy are not known. To probe this question, we identified aneuploid yeast strains with improved proliferative abilities. Their molecular characterization revealed strain-specific genetic alterations as well as mutations shared between different aneuploid strains. Among the latter, a loss-of-function mutation in the gene encoding the deubiquitinating enzyme Ubp6 improves growth rates in four different aneuploid yeast strains by attenuating the changes in intracellular protein composition caused by aneuploidy. Our results demonstrate the existence of aneuploidy-tolerating mutations that improve the fitness of multiple different aneuploidies and highlight the importance of ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation in suppressing the adverse effects of aneuploidy.
Impact of peroxidase addition on the sorption-desorption behavior of phenolic contaminants in surface soils.

The impact of peroxidase addition on sorption-desorption of phenol, o-cresol, 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), and 1-naphthol was evaluated using two surface soils. Target chemicals were added to soils as single solutes or binary mixtures. Seven-day adsorption studies were followed by sequential fill-and-draw extractions with synthetic groundwater. Addition of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) with H 2 O 2 was the primary treatment evaluated. HRP-mediated sorption enhancementwas related to contaminant solubility and increased in the order: naphthol < DCP < cresol < phenol. Little or no competition was observed in the presence of cosolutes. Contaminant desorption from soils was dramatically reduced upon HRP addition. Reduction in desorption was quantified using the Hysteresis Index and interpreted as attenuation of contaminant mobility. Desorption data predicted that mobility reductions followed the order: naphthol < DCP < cresol < phenol. It is believed that enzyme addition resulted in the production of hydrophobic polymers that, due to their low aqueous solubilities, readily partitioned on to the solid-phase. The adsorbed polymers were less likely to partition into the aqueous phase than the parent phenols resulting in a reduced risk to the environment.
The effect of Medicaid premiums on enrollment: a regression discontinuity approach.

Abstract This paper estimates the effect that premiums in Medicaid have on the length of enrollment of program beneficiaries. Whether and how low income-families will participate in the exchanges and in states’ Medicaid programs depends crucially on the structure and amounts of the premiums they will face. I take advantage of discontinuities in the structure of Wisconsin's Medicaid program to identify the effects of premiums on enrollment for low-income families. I use a 3-year administrative panel of enrollment data to estimate these effects. I find an increase in the premium from 0 to 10 dollars per month results in 1.4 fewer months enrolled and reduces the probability of remaining enrolled for a full year by 12 percentage points, but other discrete changes in premium amounts do not affect enrollment or have a much smaller effect. I find no evidence of program enrollees intentionally decreasing labor supply in order to avoid the premiums.
VALIDATION OF THE KATTAN PREOPERATIVE NOMOGRAM FOR PROSTATE CANCER RECURRENCE USING A COMMUNITY BASED COHORT: RESULTS FROM CANCER OF THE PROSTATE STRATEGIC UROLOGICAL RESEARCH ENDEAVOR (CAPSURE)

Purpose: The Kattan preoperative nomogram combines preoperative prostate specific antigen (PSA), biopsy Gleason grade and clinical stage to estimate disease recurrence after radical prostatectomy. Several studies using patient data from academic centers have validated the nomogram. We assessed the performance of the Kattan nomogram using the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor database, a national, largely community based observational disease registry. Materials and Methods: From the Cancer of the Prostate Strategic Urological Research Endeavor database we identified 1,701 men with clinically localized prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy with sufficient pretreatment information and PSA followup after surgery. Disease recurrence was defined as 2 consecutive PSA values 0.2 ng/ml or greater, or a second cancer treatment more than 6 months after prostatectomy. A concordance index was used to evaluate the performance of the nomogram compared to observed 5-year recurrence-free survival (Kaplan-Meier). Kattan nomogram scores were calculated for each patient and stratified into 6 groups for analysis. Results: In our cohort of 1,701 men 413 (24%) had evidence of disease recurrence. Median followup in these patients was 2.3 years. Kattan nomogram scores were 17% to 99% (mean 79%). The overall concordance index was 0.68. Varying the definition of recurrent disease and excluding patients with imputed data did not substantially alter nomogram performance (concordance index 0.65 to 0.70). The Kattan nomogram tended to overestimate 5-year freedom from recurrence in patients with scores of 65% and higher. Conclusions: We noted the reasonable performance of the Kattan nomogram for predicting cancer outcomes after radical prostatectomy using a community based population. Although concordance is lower than in previous validation studies and the nomogram overestimates recurrence-free survival in patients at lower risk, the model is fairly robust and it provides important information when counseling patients regarding treatment options in the community setting. Further refinements in pretreatment estimation of disease-free survival and ultimately overall survival are needed.
Li tunneling effects on spin-lattice relaxation rates of a color center in CaO:Li

Low-temperature spin-lattice relaxation rates of the ${[{F}_{\mathrm{Li}}]}^{0}$ center in single crystals of CaO:Li at $X$- and $\mathrm{Ku}$-band microwave frequencies exhibit an anisotropy in the functional form of the temperature dependence: from $T$ in the [100] direction to csch ($\frac{25}{T}$) in the [111] direction. A model involving longitudinal and transverse tunneling of a Li ion adjacent to the trapped electron can qualitatively explain this and most of the other characteristics of the relaxation data, with the exception of the hyperfine dependence.
Creep and microstructure of Nextel™ 720 fiber at elevated temperature in air and in steam

Abstract Creep of Nextel™ 720 alumina–mullite fiber tows was investigated at 1100 and 1200 °C for tensile stresses of 100–400 MPa in air and in steam. Fiber microstructures were characterized after creep by transmission electron microscopy. At low stresses steam increased creep rates by up to an order of magnitude and reduced creep lifetimes. At high stresses creep rates in steam and air were similar. Cavitation was prevalent in steam but not in air. The creep-rupture data obtained at 1200 °C were analyzed in terms of a Monkman–Grant (MG) relationship. The MG parameters were independent of the test environment. Results reveal that the MG relationship can be used to predict creep rupture for Nextel™ 720 fibers and composites reinforced with these fibers at 1200 °C in air and in steam. In steam the mullite in the Nextel™ 720 fibers decomposed to porous alumina. Decomposition kinetics were linear and had an activation energy of ∼200 kJ mol −1 . Intergranular films were not observed on alumina grain boundaries or alumina–mullite interphase boundaries after creep in steam. Creep mechanisms are discussed.
Runway-based infrared sensor for enhanced vision of approaching aircraft

A series of tests were conducted to assess the feasibility and performance of a fixed-field, infrared landing monitor system, located on the runway. The resultant images are used to provide enhanced vision for ground personal, in contrast to the more traditional enhanced vision for the flight crew. This paper describes the architecture and design of a dithered 320 by 240 MWIR InSb infrared camera, along with qualitative performance and test results. Issues associated with SWIR/MWIR bandpass selection, FPA type and atmospheric penetration are discussed as well as resolution requirements. Images of aircraft landing on an aircraft carrier are included for illustrative purposes.
Thermodynamic Critical Fluctuation Theory

The conventional thermodynamic fluctuation theory does not include local correlations and, hence, fails at volumes of the order of the correlation volume ${\ensuremath{\xi}}^{d}$. In this paper, an attempt is made to include local correlations in a thermodynamic theory by considering fluctuations in a sequence of concentric systems of decreasing volume. Tests are made on fluctuations in the magnetization within the one-dimensional Ising model. The results are a clear improvement over those of the conventional theory.
Investigation on the effects of organic solvent extraction on whole-rock pyrolysis: Multiple-lobed and symmetrical P2 peaks

Pyrolysis techniques provide an estimate of oil-generating potential of a sediment based on the amount of P{sub 2} (or S{sub 2}) hydrocarbons. Multiple-lobed and symmetrical P{sub 2} peaks were studied to determine if extractable bitumen affected the P{sub 2} results. Samples from the Tiglukpuk and Ledbetter wells were analyzed as whole, unextracted, ground sediment and after organic solvent extraction using pyrolysis techniques. Results indicate that P{sub 2} for the Tiglukpuk well appears unaffected by solvent extraction. P{sub 2} peaks for the Ledbetter well samples appear to include extractable bitumen or asphaltenes. Pyrolysis-gas chromatography (pyrolysis-GC) and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (pyrolysis-GC/MS) determined the composition of the portion of the P{sub 2} peak for the Ledbetter well that was removed by organic solvent extraction. Pyrolysis-GC analysis also demonstrated that for the Ledbetter well gas-generating organic material was not removed by organic solvents.
Fecal calprotectin levels predict colorectal inflammation among patients with chronic diarrhea referred for colonoscopy

Fecal calprotectin levels predict colorectal inflammation among patients with chronic diarrhea referred for colonoscopy
Seduction, counter seduction, and sexual role models: Bedroom politics and the Indian epics

'Heroic' women in the Indian literary tradition are depicted as long suffering and devoted to their husbands. Women like Sita, Draupadi, aakuntala, Savitri, and Damayanti stand as examples par excellence of femininity and have been used for thousands of years by both Indian men and women as role models of perfect womanhood. A relatively large corpus of scholarly material has been addressed to such figures and to their impact on the tradition, but little has been devoted to significant negative female characters or 'anti-heroines'.2 Perhaps the best known of these, and in a number of ways the most interesting, is the second queen of Dasaratha, Kaikeyi. She is considered by the tradition as a traitress to her husband and the 'wicked' step-mother of the god-hero Râma in the Sanskrit epic, the Vâlmiki Râmâyana. The treatment of Queen Kaikeyi is important to our understanding of Râma's actions throughout the epic, and more importantly, to our understanding of the attitudes expressed toward women in this epic, an epic that has served as a pattern for female sexuality and familial conduct to countless generations of Indians. In an attempt to shed additional light on the traditional Indian attitudes toward women, I would like to look more carefully at the maligned Queen Kaikeyi, antithesis of the devoted wife, and perhaps, to rehabilitate her as a hidden 'feminist heroine' of ancient India. The events that occur in the opening chapters of the Ayodhyâkanda of the Vâlmiki Râmâyana set the stage — structurally and psycho logically — for the remainder of the epic. Here we find Rama the hero of the epic exiled through the cruel machinations of his 'wicked' step mother Kaikeyi. The exile is tragic for Rama who, despite his stoicism, is bitter that his father, fallen victim to a mere woman, drove him from the kingdom on the eve of his coronation. Later in the closing portions of the epic, the fear that he, too, might be accused of such degrading behavior haunts Rama and when he realizes that rumors are
Effect of synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-Rh) on ovulation blockade by aspirin and indomethacin

Abstract To determine the site of the ovulation blocking action of indomethacin and aspirin, reversal of each drug's inhibitory effect by synthetic gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (Gn-RH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) was tested. Aspirin blockade of ovulation was consistently reversed by LH administration (10 μg;iv) 2 or 3 hours after drug injection and by Gn-RH (approximately 0.6 and 0.3 nanomoles, sc) given twice either 3 and 4 or 2 and 3 hours after drug injection. In contrast, ovulation blockade by indomethacin was not reversed by Gn-RH, nor was it reversed by exogenous LH given at the time of the expected LH surge if the indomethacin had been administered 2 hours earlier. Treatment with either drug resulted in a reduction in pituitary and hypothalamic PGF levels. The dosage of and injection schedule for Gn-RH was also effective in reversing phenobarbital-blocked ovulation. All animals, including those that did not ovulate after indomethacin and Gn-RH or LH treatment, exhibited loss of uterine fluid on the day after proestrus. Aspirin blocked ovulation at the hypothalamic level, whereas indomethacin may act at the ovarian level by interfering with the rupture of the follicle and release of the ovum.
Multilayer encapsulation of plastic photovoltaic devices

Abstract We report the first results on conformal deposition of parylene on plastic solar cells, and study the effects of protection on performance characteristics of polymer solar cell. We show that single parylene coating layer is not a very effective barrier even for thicknesses as large as 10 μm. Our results support the experimental observations that the main degradation processes in poly(3-hexylthiophene) are the oxygen-assisted photochemical reactions, such as photobleaching and chain scission. Multilayer barriers made of parylene and aluminum oxide coatings are very promising for full protection of organic solar cell from degradation even under intense AM1.5 solar light.
Effects of Activated ADP-ribosylation Factors on Golgi Morphology Require neither Activation of Phospholipase D1 nor Recruitment of Coatomer

Nine mutations in the switch I and switch II regions of human ADP-ribosylation factor 3 (ARF3) were isolated from loss-of-interaction screens, using two-hybrid assays with three different effectors. We then analyzed the ability of the recombinant proteins to (i) bind guanine nucleotides, (ii) activate phospholipase D1 (PLD1), (iii) recruit coatomer (COP-I) to Golgi-enriched membranes, and (iv) expand and vesiculate Golgi in intact cells. Correlations of activities in these assays were used as a means of testing specific hypotheses of ARF action, including the role of PLD1 activation in COP-I recruitment, the role of COP-I in Golgi vesiculation caused by expression of the dominant activating mutant [Q71L]ARF3, and the need for PLD1 activation in Golgi vesiculation. Because we were able to find at least one example of a protein that has lost each of these activities with retention of the others, we conclude that activation of PLD1, recruitment of COP-I to Golgi, and vesiculation of Golgi in cells are functionally separable processes. The ability of certain mutants of ARF3 to alter Golgi morphology without changes in PLD1 activity or COP-I binding is interpreted as evidence for at least one additional, currently unidentified, effector for ARF action at the Golgi.
Influence of pH on the Morphology and Luminescence Properties of Europium-Doped Hydroxyapatite Nanoparticles

Luminescence behaviors and morphology of Eu3+ doped hydroxyapatite synthesized under different pH values were well investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) (ICP–PLASMA 1000), and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Results revealed that With pH values increased from 6.5 to 10.0, the morphology of nano-Eu:HA particles changes from rod particles to equiaxed particles. The actual doping concentration and aspect ratio of Eu3+-doped HA decreased with the increasing of pH value. At the same time, the fluorescence intensity also tends to weakly lower with the increasing of pH value, which indicated that the luminescence properties mainly depended on the actual Eu3+ doping concentration, the influences of morphology on the luminescence properties were slight.
Photoluminescence of heavily doped, compensated Si:P,B.

We present a systematic experimental investigation of the photoluminescence of heavily doped, compensated Si:P,B. The spectra broaden as the doping levels are increased, as expected. The spectral weights of the no-phonon peak and the phonon-assisted transitions vary with compensation and with excitation intensity. In contrast with the simple superposition of high-level and low-level spectra found for uncompensated material, increasing the input power for heavily doped, compensated Si produces a strong, continuous shift in energy of the entire spectrum in an essentially rigid way. A logarithmic power dependence found for the two most heavily doped samples is consistent with an exponential band tail. Deviations from this behavior are found for two samples with lower concentration and compensation. We suggest that these deviations may signal the onset of a minimum in the density of states that occurs when the acceptor (donor) band begins to separate from the host valence (conduction) band as the dopant concentration is reduced.
Extraction characteristics of a cw double-hexagonal Talbot cavity with stochastic propagation phase

We solve the coupled cw electric field differential equations for an hexagonal array of fiber gain elements all sharing a common monolithic Talbot cavity mirror. A threshold analysis shows that the lowest gains are nearly equal, within 10% of one another, and that one of these corresponds to an in-phase supermode. Above threshold we study the extraction characteristics as a function of the Talbot cavity length, and we also determine the optimum outcoupling reflectivity. These simulations show that the lasing mode is an in-phase solution. Lastly, we study extraction when random linear propagation phases are present by using Monte Carlo techniques. This shows that the coherence function decreases as exp(-σ2), and that the near-field intensity decreases faster as the rms phase σ2 increases. All of the above behaviors are strongly influenced by the hexagonal array rotational symmetry.
An improved algorithm for in situ adaptive tabulation

In situ adaptive tabulation (ISAT) is a proven storage/retrieval method which efficiently provides accurate approximations to high-dimensional functions which are computationally expensive to evaluate. Previous applications of ISAT to computations of turbulent combustion have resulted in speed-ups of up to a thousand. In this paper, improvements to the original ISAT algorithm are described and demonstrated using two test problems. The principal improvements are in the table-searching strategies and the addition of an error checking and correction algorithm. Compared to an earlier version of ISAT, reductions in CPU time and storage requirements by factors of 2 and 5, respectively, are observed for the most challenging, 54-dimensional test problem.
Nonscaling behavior: The proton, neutron, and deuteron structure functions

We present a simple parton-model interpretation of the approach to scaling observed in lepton scattering off protons and deuterons. Different final-state configurations are classified and their behavior predicted using quark-counting rules. Good fits to the proton data are obtained. Using a relativistic description of the deuteron, its elastic form factor and inelastic structure function are analyzed. An extraction of the neutron structure function is performed by fitting the deuteron data. Several characteristics of the resulting parametrizations are shown to support our general model. Further experimental consequences are described.
31.3: Development of a 40″ LTCC‐M PDP

In the year 1999 we proposed a breakthrough technology for making Plasma display back panel so called LTCC-M (Low Temperature Co-fired Ceramic on Metal) PDP 1. In this paper we present the evaluation results of 40″ LTCC-M PDP. We have developed a 40″ LTCC-M plasma display back panel and succeeded in fabricating LTCC-M PDP module. We verified that LTCC-M back panel can replace the conventional glass back panel providing many advantages
The Central Question for Health Policy in Deficit Reduction

Health policy debates will bulk large in deliberations of the super committee tasked with proposing deficit reductions. But the importance of specific spending cuts for overall health policy pales beside that of whether a deficit-reduction plan includes tax increases.
Polyolefin nanocomposites: Formulation and development

The preparation of nanoclay-reinforced polypropylene nanocom posites by means of melt processing was investigated. In order to optimize the dispersion of the nanoclay and the nanoclay-matrix interface, experiments were performed with three different nanoclays, two different maleic-anhydride–grafted PP coupling agents, and two different mixing procedures. The physicochemical and mechanical properties of the prepared samples were characterized by means of various techniques. The coupling agents increase the degree of clay intercalation and exfoliation, the latter resulting in part from a “peeling off” mechanism. Significant improvements in tensile and flexural strength and modulus are obtained with Cloisite® 15A nanoclay and a coupling agent characterized by high molecular weight and low grafting content, and these improvements are also accompanied by an increase in Izod impact strength. Little difference was observed between the two mixing procedures used. The improvements were not as pronounced when the coupling agent was characterized by low molecular weight and high grafting content, or when Cloisite® 30B nanoclay was used. In the latter case, there was evidence of greater thermal instability than for Cloisite® 15A. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:1212–1219, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Brain Asymmetry . Edited by Richard J. Davidson and Kenneth Hugdahl. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 1995.

In an era characterized by an increasing bias in favor of molecular paradigms in neuroscience, this ambitious volume attests to the fundamental value of conceptualizing neural systems on a more molar and integrative level. Researchers in the area of brain asymmetry are in a unique position to make connections between brain functioning and behavioral functioning and are using sophisticated behavioral and clinical methods and advanced electrophysiological and hemodynamic techniques to do so. Chapters in this book elucidate complex cognitive and emotional phenomena from multifaceted perspectives ranging from the biochemical to the sociocultural. Indeed, the editors consider the study of brain asymmetry, with its ability to address various levels of analysis with diverse methodological and conceptual approaches, as an exemplary paradigm for future brain/behavior research.
Orexigenic and anorexigenic mechanisms in the control of nutrition in chronic kidney disease

Malnutrition is defined as abnormalities caused by an inadequate diet, but this term is often used inappropriately to describe the syndrome of loss of body weight with muscle mass being replaced by fatty tissue and declining serum proteins present in adults and children with chronic kidney disease (CKD). This syndrome is more accurately described as cachexia, and manifests as growth failure in children with CKD. Cachexia is common and is an important risk factor for poor quality of life and increased mortality and morbidity in both adults and children with CKD. Anorexia, acidosis and inflammation are important causes of cachexia, but the underlying molecular mechanism is not well understood. Dietary intake is often poor and resting metabolic rate is increased in CKD. The energy cost of growth is increased in experimental CKD. Circulating concentrations of cytokines, such as leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and interleukins 1 and 6 are increased in patients with CKD and correlate with the degree of cachexia in these individuals. We hypothesize that cytokines signal through orexigenic neuropetides such as agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y (NPY), and anorexigenic neuropetides such as proopiomelanocortin and alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone in the arcuate nucleus in the hypothalamus. This signaling system also involves the NPY receptor and the melanocortin receptors and controls appetite and metabolic rate in health and disease. Furthermore, the first order neurons of this system are located outside the blood-brain barrier and can therefore sense the circulating levels of cytokines, as well as long-term satiety hormones such as leptin and insulin and short-term satiety hormones such as ghrelin and peptide (P) YY. There is experimental evidence that this hypothalamic neuropeptide signaling system may have an important role in the pathogenesis of cachexia in CKD. Understanding the molecular mechanism of cachexia in CKD may lead to novel therapeutic strategies.
Choroidal detachment after the use of topical latanoprost.

Abstract PURPOSE: To report a case of delayed choroidal detachment after treatment with topical latanoprost. METHODS: Interventional case report. Five years after trabeculectomy in a 91-year-old female, a Holmium laser thermal sclerostomy was performed, and a year later, the patient was started on latanoprost .005% every 24 hours and hydrochloride dorzolamide 2% three times daily. RESULTS: Choroidal detachments developed 2.5 years after the sclerostomy; they resolved after discontinuation of the latanoprost and hydrochloride dorzolamide. Subsequently, the patient inadvertently restarted latanoprost. Again, the latanoprost was stopped, with resolution of the choroidal detachments. CONCLUSION: Topical latanoprost may lead to choroidal detachments and hypotony.
A Polynorbornene-Based Microelectrode Array for Neural Interfacing

This paper reports the development of a mechanically-flexible microfabricated flat interface nerve electrode using polynorbornene (PNB) as the structural material. The device consists of two electrode arrays each fabricated on a photolithographically-defined PNB base with thin film Pt electrodes and a photolithographically patterned PNB capping layer. The two arrays are inserted into a silicone housing designed to create a flat interface between the electrodes and the nerve bundle. Electrical tests showed that the resistance of the Pt electrode interconnect traces are unaffected by flexing around a 1.8 mm radius. Electrical testing in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) shows that resistance of the traces is about 3 kOmega. A 10 day leakage current test in PBS did not produce a detectable change in leakage current. These and other tests indicate that a PNB multilayer system may be viable for microfabricated electrodes.
Effects of side chains in helix nucleation differ from helix propagation

Helix–coil transition theory connects observable properties of the α-helix to an ensemble of microstates and provides a foundation for analyzing secondary structure formation in proteins. Classical models account for cooperative helix formation in terms of an energetically demanding nucleation event (described by the σ constant) followed by a more facile propagation reaction, with corresponding s constants that are sequence dependent. Extensive studies of folding and unfolding in model peptides have led to the determination of the propagation constants for amino acids. However, the role of individual side chains in helix nucleation has not been separately accessible, so the σ constant is treated as independent of sequence. We describe here a synthetic model that allows the assessment of the role of individual amino acids in helix nucleation. Studies with this model lead to the surprising conclusion that widely accepted scales of helical propensity are not predictive of helix nucleation. Residues known to be helix stabilizers or breakers in propagation have only a tenuous relationship to residues that favor or disfavor helix nucleation.
Photomechanical response of disperse red 1 azobenzene dye-doped PMMA polymer fiber

Abstract Disperse red 1 azobenzene (DR1) doped poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) optical fiber has been shown to have a fast photomechanical response upon 633 nm laser irradiation originating in photo-isomerization of the dopants between the cis and trans forms. In this work, laser light of 355 nm wavelength is used to investigate the trans to cis isomerization process, which should result in length contraction. A three-point-contact optically actuated beam-controlling mount is made of dye doped polymer fiber segments and metal-coated microscope coverslips to measure the photomechanical response. The length change of the fiber is determined from a quadrant photodetector reading upon beam deflection. The fiber is observed to elongate upon UV irradiation. We find that for DR1 dye in PMMA polymer, the dominant mechanism of the photomechanical effect is photo-thermally stimulated isomerization rather than direct photoisomerization.
Parallel Pathways for Photocatalytic Decomposition of Acetic Acid on TiO2

Acetic acid decomposes photocatalytically on TiO{sub 2} at room temperature in an inert atmosphere through two parallel pathways. In one pathway, acetic acid decomposed to gas-phase CO{sub 2} and apparently forms hydrogen and methyl groups, which combine on the surface to form CH{sub 4}. In the other pathway, acetic acid extracts oxygen from the TiO{sub 2} lattice to form adsorbed H{sub 2}O and gas-phase CO{sub 2} and C{sub 2}H{sub 6}. The extracted oxygen is replenished by diffusion from the bulk in an inert atmosphere or by gas-phase O{sub 2}. The formation of CH{sub 4} and CO{sub 2} in the first pathway does not consume lattice oxygen. The first step in photocatalytic decomposition (PCD) of acetic acid appears to be dissociation of the O-H bond, producing surface acetates. However, molecularly adsorbed acetic acid reacts at the same rate and with the same selectivity as surface acetates. Only the {alpha}-carbon forms CO{sub 2} during PCD. When gas-phase O{sub 2} is present, adsorbed methyl groups oxidize before they are hydrogenated to CH{sub 4}. The oxidizing agent during photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) is different from that during PCD and is most likely adsorbed oxygen. Adsorbed oxygen reacts with acetic acid in a different pathway frommore » the two reactions observed for PCD, so a Mars Van Krevlen mechanism for PCO appears unlikely. The TiO{sub 2} surface is not homogeneous and some surface sites are more active during both PCD and PCO. Co-adsorbed water increases the rate of CH{sub 4} formation, apparently by reacting with CH{sub 3(ads)} to form CH{sub 4}, but in contrast to adsorbed O{sub 2}, water does not react with acetic acid in a separate pathway that is different from those observed for PCD without water.« less
Seasonal differences in methyl farnesoate esterase activity in tissues of the spider crab Libinia emarginata

Summary Methyl farnesoate (MF), an unepoxidated form of insect JH III, is present in Crustacea. MF is synthesized by the mandibular organs and is degraded to fomesoic acid (FA) by peripheral tissues. In this study we investigated MF degradation by esterases in hepatopancreas, ovary, testes and hemolymph of the spider crab Libinia emarginata collected at different times of the year to determine seasonal differences. The conversion of MF to FA varied among the tissues. In the summer, the hepatopancreas showed the greatest esterase activity (52.8% conversion in females and 59.16% in males), and it was twice as high (28.86%) in ovaries than in the testes (12.16%), but was low in the hemolymph of both sexes (10.84% in males, and 6.97% in females). In the fall, the conversion of MF to FA was significantly reduced in all tissues (ovary 8.55%, testes 6.21%, hepatopancreas 10.22%, hemolymph 3.96%). Eyestalk ablation of animals in the fall restored MF esterase activity to summer levels. When tissues from these anim...
Surface structural analysis of LiF(100) thin films grown on Pt(111)

The surface structure of a multilayer LiF(100) thin film grown on Pt(111) from the vapor has been determined by the automated tensor low energy electron diffraction (LEED) method. The final structure, which refined to a Pendry R-factor (RP) of 0.24, had a surface corrugation (D1) of 0.24+-0.04 Angstrom due to the Li+ being displaced towards the bulk, leaving the initially coplanar F - unshifted. A similar intralayer corrugation due to the movement of the Li+ was also observed in the layer immediately under the surface layer, although to a lesser degree: D2=0.07+-0.04 Angstrom. This asymmetric relaxation resulted in the reduction of the first interlayer spacing, d(F2-Li1), to 1.77+-0.0 6 Angstrom from the ideal value of 2.01 Angstrom. The second interlayer spacing, d(Li3-F2), was within error bars of the bulk value, 2.01 Angstrom.
Restriction fragment length polymorphisms associated with abnormal lipid levels in an adolescent population.

Abstract The association of restriction fragment length polymorphism genetic markers at the apolipoprotein AI-CIII-AIV gene locus with lipid and lipoprotein levels was evaluated in subsets of the 666 Caucasian students from the junior high school (11–14 years old) population of Muscatine, Iowa. Male students whose leukocyte DNA had an uncommon haplotype consisting of the minor allele of a Sac I restriction site polymorphism (S2) in combination with the more common allele of an M sp I site variation (M1) had significantly lower levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol ( P Xmn I restriction site polymorphism (X2) was more frequent in females with triglyceride levels in the upper decile of the age and gender-specific triglyceride distribution than in normotriglyceridemic females (0.10 P P
Carbon-13 n.m.r. spectra of saturated heterocycles. Part VII—Thianium Salts

The 13C n.m.r. spectra of 53 thianium, S-methylthianium, S-alkylthianium and S-methyl-1-thiadecalinium salts, most of them substituted with methyl groups in the ring, have been recorded. The chemical shifts of the ring carbons in these thianium and S-methylthianium salts and the S-methyls in the S-methylthianium salts have been analyzed in terms of additive parameters of the methyl substituents which are compared to those previously determined for the parent thianes. Comparison is also made with other charged species.