cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Application of nonlinear least squares analysis on three different consecutive, irreversible first order kinetic processes.

Abstract A nonlinear regressional analysis method is presented for calculating rate constants on three different consecutive irreversible first order kinetic processes. The procedure exploits the best features of Marquardt's algorithm to reach an optimal, stable and unique solution quickly. This technique of data analysis allots both accuracy and validity if there is little or no experimental error. Reliable values are obtained within the confidence level [p - σp, p + σp]. However, when inherent errors are introduced, very precise measurements are required in order to reduce the uncertainties of the fitted parameters for the biphasic and triphasic processes. Systematic errors, such as background, should be corrected so as to alleviate unreliable results. Finally, a good fit does not necessarily mean that a proposed model is correct, for sometimes other models may have equivalent mathematical representation.
Aspect ratio dependence on surface enhanced Raman scattering using silver and gold nanorod substrates

Silver and gold nanorods with aspect ratios from 1 to 16 have been used as substrates for surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) in colloidal solution. The nanorod aspect ratio is varied to give different degrees of overlap between the nanorod longitudinal plasmon band and excitation source in order to determine its effect on overall surface enhancement. Results suggest that enhancement factors are a factor of 10–102 greater for substrates that have plasmon band overlap with the excitation source than for substrates whose plasmon bands do not.
Survival of Human Neurofibroma in Immunodeficient Mice and Initial Results of Therapy With Pirfenidone

Neurofibromatosis type I is a common tumor predisposing disease in humans. Surgical therapy can be applied only in selected patients with resectable masses. Hence, development of new therapies for this disease is urgent. We used human neurofibroma implants in mice with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) as a model to test the toxicity and potential efficacy of pirfenidone, a new therapeutic agent. Two hundred twelve human neurofibromas were transplanted into various locations in 59 experimental animals, and 30 mice with implants received oral pirfenidone for up to six weeks. Survival of neurofibromas in animals treated with pirfenidone was lower than in the control group (P=.02). Tumors did not change histologic appearance or vascularization in response to pirfenidone. Treatment with pirfenidone, a new antifibrotic agent, inhibits survival of some tumors without causing toxicity in animals.
Atomic Structure of Mn Wires on Si(001) Resolved by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

At submonolayer coverage, Mn forms atomic wires on the Si(001) surface oriented perpendicular to the underlying Si dimer rows. While many other elements form symmetric dimer wires at room temperature, we show that Mn wires have an asymmetric appearance and pin the Si dimers nearby. We find that an atomic configuration with a Mn trimer unit cell can explain these observations as due to the interplay between the Si dimer buckling phase near the wire and the orientation of the Mn trimer. We study the resulting four wire configurations in detail using high-resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) imaging and compare our findings with the STM images simulated by density functional theory.
Photogrammetric Errors from Camera Lens Decentering

A mathematical study has been made of the distortion introduced by a thin prism associated with a perfect lens of 6-in. focal length covering a 9 in.×9 in. negative. The position of the principal point for minimum distortion is found to lie away from the two currently used.
Sex Differences in Corticotropin-Releasing Factor Receptor Signaling and Trafficking: Potential Role in Female Vulnerability to Stress-Related Psychopathology

Sex differences in corticotropin-releasing factor receptor signaling and trafficking: potential role in female vulnerability to stress-related psychopathology
Estimating variances of standardized estimators in case-control studies and sparse data.

Abstract Flanders (J Chron Dis 37: 449–453, 1984) has presented variance estimators for standardized rate ratios obtained from follow-up data. This paper presents and illustrates the use of analogous estimators for case-control data, and discusses and illustrates estimation of standardized ratios and their variances when the data are sparse, as in matched case-control studies.
De-Aliasing of Large-Scale High-Frequency Barotropic Signals from Satellite Altimetry in the Japan/East Sea

Abstract In the Japan/East Sea, energetic high-frequency large-scale barotropic motions are shown to lead to large aliasing errors in satellite altimetry observations. The combined aliasing from several neighboring and crossing tracks produces artificial mesoscale signals in altimeter-mapped products, significantly changing the map interpretation. The alias can be well suppressed by subtracting the large-scale barotropic motions observed by bottom pressure sensors. By using coastal tide gauge data in the Japan/East Sea, about 78% of the alias source variance can be removed, which offers an alternative way to suppress the alias for other time intervals without bottom pressure measurements.
Fractals and multifractals in early-stage spinodal decomposition and continuous ordering.

Systems undergoing spinodal decomposition often exhibit an interconnected morphology similar to a fractal in the early stage. It has been speculated that this early-stage structure is in fact a fractal. In this Letter I show that the linear theory of spinodal decomposition does indeed predict that the early-stage morphology is fractal and, in addition, has what one might call a multifractal structure. In contrast, there is no fractal or multifractal structure in continuous ordering. In addition, I construct percolation cluster growth models isomorphic to spinodal decomposition and continuous ordering so that precise tests of these predictions can be performed.
OX62+OX6+OX35+ rat dendritic cells are unable to prime CD4+ T cells for an effective immune response following acute burn injury.

Co-stimulatory molecules expressed on Dendritic Cells (DCs) function to coordinate an efficient immune response by T cells in the peripheral lymph nodes. We hypothesized that CD4+ T cell-mediated immune suppression following burn injury may be related to dysfunctional DCs residing in gut associated lymphoid tissues (GALT), such as Mesenteric Lymph Nodes (MLN). Therefore, we studied co-stimulatory molecules expressed on burn rat MLN DCs as an index of functional DCs that would mount an effective normal CD4+ T cell immune response. In a rat model of 30% Total Body Surface Area (TBSA) scald burn, OX62+OX6+OX35+ DCs and CD4+ T cells were isolated from MLN of day 3 post-burn and sham control rats. DCs were tested for their expression of co-stimulatory molecules, and prime CD4+ T cell (DC:CD4+T cell co-culture assays) to determine an effector immune response such as CD4+ T cell proliferation. The surface receptor expressions of MLN DCs co-stimulatory molecules, i.e., MHC-II, CD40, CD80 (B7-1), and CD86 (B7-2) were determined by Flow cytometry (quantitatively) and confocal microscopy (qualitatively). Tritiated thymidine and CFDA-SE determined CD4+ T cell proliferation following co-incubation with DCs. Cytokine milieu of MLN (IL-12 and IL-10) was assessed by mRNA determination by RT-PCR. The results showed down-regulated expressions of co-stimulatory markers (CD80, CD86, CD40 and MHC-II) of MLN DCs obtained from burn-injured rats, as well as lack of ability of these burn-induced DCs to stimulate CD4+ T cell proliferation in co-culture assays, as compared to the sham rats. Moreover, anti-CD40 stimulation of affected burn MLN DCs did not reverse this alteration. Furthermore, a marked up-regulation of mRNA IL-10 and down-regulation of mRNA IL-12 in burn MLN as compared to sham animals was also observed. To surmise, the data indicated that dysfunctional OX62+OX6+OX35+ rat MLN DCs may contribute to CD4+ T-cell-mediated immune suppression observed following acute burn injury.
Sex Guilt and Contraceptive Knowledge: Interference or Justification?

Abstract Two hypotheses regarding the negative relationship between sex guilt and contraceptive knowledge were tested. The interference hypothesis argues that sex guilt induces strong negative emotions in response to sexual stimuli, which interfere with learning. The justification hypothesis argues that high guilt persons selectively attend to negative information about contraception to justify their sexual attitudes and behaviors. In the present study, high guilt men and women responded to an erotic stimulation manipulation with larger increases in negative affect than did low guilt subjects. After viewing a presentation on contraception, however, high and low guilt subjects displayed equal levels of negative affect and equal abilities to learn the information. Furthermore, high guilt subjects did not display biased processing of the information compared to low guilt subjects. Theoretical and empirical implications of these data are discussed.
Untangling the etiology of ascites.

Patient: Male, 72 Final Diagnosis: Systemic amyloidosis Symptoms: — Medication: — Clinical Procedure: Liver biopsy Specialty: Gastroenterology and Hepatology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Amyloidosis is a systemic disease known to affect a vast range of organs, including the liver, heart, and kidney. When infiltrating the liver, amyloidosis typically does not present with cirrhosis. Typical presentation includes hepatomegaly with some mild laboratory abnormalities. Case Report: A 72-year-old man presented with a 2-week history of worsening abdominal, scrotal, and extremity swelling. He endorsed melanotic stools and intermittent dizziness with a 10-pound weight gain. Vitals revealed a blood pressure of 82/57 mmHg and a pulse of 83 beats/min with positive orthostatic changes. Mild bibasilar crackles were noted. His abdomen was moderately distended with a fluid wave present, but no hepatosplenomegaly was noted. He displayed anasarca with significant extremity and scrotal edema, but no jaundice, telangiectasias, or other stigmata of chronic liver disease were present. Liver function tests demonstrated a total bilirubin of 1.5 mg/dL (normal value: 0.2–1.2 mg/dL), AST 111 IU/L (normal value 5–34 IU/L), ALT 51 IU/L (normal value 5–55 IU/L), and GGT 583 U/L (12–64 U/L). Alkaline phosphatase was 645 U/L (40–150 U/L). Analysis of peritoneal fluid was consistent with portal hypertension due to liver disease. Given an atypical presentation of cirrhosis with unclear etiology, a biopsy was performed and revealed amyloid deposition. Conclusions: Liver disease can be due to various etiologies, many of which can present ambiguously. Although the most typical etiologies have been well defined, we present a case of an atypical presentation of hepatic amyloidosis discovered in a patient with ascites and without typical hepatomegaly.
Quantification of competing H3PO4 versus HPO3 + H2O neutral losses from regioselective 18O-labeled phosphopeptides.

Abundant neutral losses of 98 Da are often observed upon ion trap CID-MS/MS of protonated phosphopeptide ions. Two competing fragmentation pathways are involved in this process, namely, the direct loss of H3PO4 from the phosphorylated residue and the combined losses of HPO3 and H2O from the phosphorylation site and from an additional site within the peptide, respectively. These competing pathways produce product ions with different structures but the same m/z values, potentially limiting the utility of CID-MS3 for phosphorylation site localization. To quantify the relative contributions of these pathways and to determine the conditions under which each pathway predominates, we have examined the ion trap CID-MS/MS fragmentation of a series of regioselective 18O-phosphate ester labeled phosphopeptides prepared using novel solution-phase amino acid synthesis and solid-phase peptide synthesis methodologies. By comparing the intensity of the –100 Da (–H3PO318O) versus –98 Da (–[HPO3 + H2O]) neutral loss product ions formed upon MS/MS, quantification of the two pathways was achieved. Factors that affect the extent of formation of the competing neutral losses were investigated, with the combined loss pathway predominantly occurring under conditions of limited proton mobility, and with increased combined losses observed for phosphothreonine compared with phosphoserine-containing peptides. The combined loss pathway was found to be less dominant under ion activation conditions associated with HCD-MS/MS. Finally, the contribution of carboxylic acid functional groups and backbone amide bonds to the water loss in the combined loss fragmentation pathway was determined via methyl esterification and by examination of a phosphopeptide lacking side-chain hydroxyl groups.
High‐Performance Pristine Graphene/Epoxy Composites With Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Properties

Dear Author, To avoid commonly occurring errors, please ensure that the following important items are correct in your proofs (online, no further corrections can be made): Names of all authors present and spelled correctly Titles of authors correct (Prof. or Dr. only: please note, Prof. Dr. is not used in the journals) Addresses an d postcodes correct E-mail address of corresponding author correct (current email address) Funding bodies included and grant numbers accurate Title of article OK All figures included. Resolution OK (If not, you can provide new figures with your corrections) Equations correct (symbols and sub/superscripts) This list is for your convenience. There is no need to return it with your corrections. If you have any queries, please contact theaddress above.
ROLE OF INSULIN-LIKE GROWTH FACTOR-I IN THE REGULATION OF SKELETAL MUSCLE ADAPTATION TO INCREASED LOADING

Adaptations in muscle mass stimulated by changes in muscle loading state entail alternations in the synthesis and degradation of myofiber proteins and the modulation of myonuclear number such that the ratio between the number of myonuclei and the size of the myofibers remains relatively constant. As depicted schematically in Figure 2.6, the literature regarding the role of IGF-in mediating muscle adaptation to alterations in loading state suggests the following conclusions: During periods of increased loading, myofibers upregulate the expression and secretion of IGF-I. Acting as an autocrine and/or paracrine growth factor, IGF-I stimulates myofiber anabolic processes. Acting as a paracrine growth factor, IGF-I also stimulates adjacent satellite cells to enter the cell cycle and proliferate. Continued myofiber production of IGF-I stimulates some satellite cells to differentiate and then fuse with myofibers, thus providing additional myonuclei in order to maintain or reestablish the myonucleus to myofiber size ratios of the enlarged myofibers.
Status marmoratus: A form of cerebral palsy following either birth injury or inflammation of the central nervous system

Summary 1. A general survey of the findings in fifteen cases of status marmoratus is presented. 2. A history of birth trauma in the majority of cases and of meningitis or encephalitis in a few instances represent the outstanding etiological factors. 3. The clinical and pathological findings are at variance with the concept of a disease entity. 4. The specific marbled pattern of the lesion is considered as the effect of some disturbance in the Galenic venous system, at least in cases of birth trauma.
Prognostic significance of preoperative MRI scans in glioblastoma multiforme.

Tumor necrosis, enhancement, and associated edema in patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) represent biological variables that can be quantitated on preoperative MRI scans. We reviewed 48 highly selected patients, all of whom had supratentorial lesions, had undergone gross total tumor resection, and had received adjuvant treatments (radio- and chemotherapies). None of these patients had had surgery for recurrent tumor resection and none had harbored multifocal tumors. The median age was 50 years. The median Karnofsky performance score was 80. Multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model revealed that the strongest prognostic variable was the amount of tumor necrosis on preoperative scan (P < 0.001), with median survivals of 42, 24, 15, and 12 months for tumor necrosis grades of 0 (7 ‘pts’), I (11 ‘pts’),11 (9 ‘pts’), and III (21 ‘pts’), respectively. The intensity of enhancement of the tumor nodule was another prognostic factor (P = 0.003), with median survivals of 35, 18, and 13.5 months for enhancement grades of 0 (2 ‘pts’), I (22 ‘pts’), and II (24 ‘pts’), respectively. The extent of peritumoral edema had a quadratic effect (P = 0.001), with grades I (19 ‘pts’), II (22 ‘pts’), and III (7 ‘pts’) surviving for 24,12, and 20 months respectively. Location and volume of tumors were not statistically significant predictors of survival (P < 0.05). In conclusion, in this highly selected group, GBM patients with little or no necrosis and with less tumor nodule enhancement on preoperative MRI survive longer than patients with greater amounts of necrosis and greater degrees of tumor enhancement. In addition, a moderate degree of peritumoral edema is associated with worse prognosis.
Femtosecond dispersion measurements of 1.3 µm quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier

Spectral interferometry is used to measure the dispersion of a quantum dot semiconductor optical amplifier under various injection current values in the wavelength range of 1200 to 1340 nm, spanning ground and first excited state.
JCAP Research on Solar Fuel Production at Light Sources

Nature's photosynthetic reaction provides inspiration for how to create an artificial photosynthetic device that converts solar photons into chemical energy. Creating such a device using solar energy, which is by far the most abundant and inherently clean energy source, is crucial for supporting our energy demand with minimal environmental impact [1]. The Joint Center for Artificial Photosynthesis (JCAP) was established in 2010 as the Fuels from Sunlight DOE Energy Innovation Hub by a team from the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and its lead partner, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL). The mission of JCAP is to demonstrate a scalable and manufacturable solar-fuels generator, using Earth-abundant elements, which robustly produces fuel from the sun 10 times more efficiently than current crops (Figure 1) [2]. The scientific challenges to reach this goal include: (1) the discovery of new catalysts for fuel production; (2) new materials and architectures for effective capture and conver...
Organizational culture: an important factor to consider

Purpose – This paper argues that when managing strategically it is important for leaders to consider how to work with the group's culture.Design/methodology/approach – Discusses and gives examples to illustrate how one can determine the nature of a group's culture.Findings – In advancing the library's issues, it is helpful for library directors to determine whether or not the organization's culture will assist the tactics proposed to implement a new plan.Practical implications – This provides concepts to be considered when a leader attempts to move forward a library's priorities.Originality/value – Hopefully, this article will motivate librarians to think about the library's culture when working to advance their library's interests.
Can increasing the number of excitations (NEX) in late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) imaging prove beneficial in patients who can not hold their breath for the duration of the scan time

Summary Image quality greatly improves using a LGE sequence with 4 NEX in patients that cannot hold their breath. Background It is imperative that patients hold their breath for Cardiac MRI imaging. Parallel imaging can be implemented on steady state free precession (SSFP) imaging to reduce scan time. However, for LGE imaging parallel imaging is not available. Manipulation of other parameters such as matrix, views per segment can be utilized but scan times are still too long for patients that cannot hold their breath. Increasing the NEX will increase scan time but will decrease respiratory motion. Perhaps, a free breathing technique can be mastered instead of trying various ways for a patient to hold their breath. Hypothesis We propose that by doubling the NEX on LGE imaging, free breathing can be utilized and that image quality will improve.
Response of tall fescue, bush bean, and maize to chrome tannery sludge in soils

Abstract Tannery sludge was compared with commercial nitrogen fertiliser to investigate its potential use as an alternative to commercial fertiliser. Soils containing 38% and 7% organic carbon and with nitrogen contents of 1·3% and 0·2%, respectively, were amended with either commercial N fertiliser or tannery sludge which contained 1·6% chromium. Part of the tannery waste was supplemented with additional chromium (Cr3+) salt before being added to the soils. Tall fescue, bush bean, and maize were grown in the sludge-treated soils and their tops harvested. First harvest yields of dry matter increased when tannery sludge was added to the soil, although less than with commercial N addition. Yields from subsequent harvests were larger from soils amended with tannery sludge. Yields of bush beans, maize, and tall fescue will increase when tannery sludge is added to soils; however, benefits of the sludge will depend upon: (1) nitrogen status of the soil; (2) organic content of the soil; (3) salt and Cr content of the tannery waste; (4) plant species; and (5) soil pH reaction.
A convergence analysis and applications for the Newton-Kantorovich method in K-normed spaces

We study the local and semilocal convergence of the Newton-Kantorovich method to a solution of a nonlinear operator equation on aK-normed space setting. Using more precise majorizing sequences than before we show that in the semilocal case finer error bounds can be determined on the distances involved and an at least as precise information on the location of the solution as in earlier results. In the local case we show that a larger radius of convergence can be obtained.
The number of polynomial functions which permute the matrices over a finite field

Abstract Let F = GF(q) denote the finite field of order q, and let Fn×n denote the algebra of n × n matrices over F. A function f:Fn×n → Fn×n is called a scalar polynomial function if there exists a polynomial f(x) ϵ F[x] which represents f when considered as a matrix function under substitution. In this paper a formula is obtained for the number of permutations of Fn×n which are scalar polynomial functions.
Three-dimensional ultrasound device for rapid determination of bladder volume

Abstract Objectives We sought to assess the accuracy, reliability, and clinical utility of the noninvasive determination of bladder volume using an automated, compact three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound device. Methods We prospectively tested 249 adult outpatients for accuracy (n = 182), by comparing scan versus catheter volumes, or reliability (n = 67), by comparing the scan readings of two independent observers. Two models of the bladder scan device were tested (BVI-2500, 1994 and 1995 models). Results Scan and catheter volumes were correlated (y = 1.02x + 12.6, R 2 = 0.90, P R 2 = 0.90, P Conclusions Volume determinations obtained with the bladder scan device are accurate and reliable in adult outpatients. A special technician is not required. These results may be attributable to use of automated planimetry and 3-D volumetry, rather than a fixed geometric formula, to custom measure each bladder shape.
Learning table extraction from examples

Information extraction from tables in web pages is a challenging problem due to the diverse nature of table formats and the vocabulary variants in attribute names. This paper presents a new approach to automated table extraction that exploits formatting cues in semi-structured HTML tables, learns lexical variants from training examples and uses a vector space model to deal with non-exact matches among labels. We conducted experiments with this method on a set of tables collected from 157 university web sites, and obtained the information extraction performance of 91.4% in the Fl-measure, showing the effectiveness of the combined use of structural table parsing and example-based label learning.
Gorbachev and the Council of Ministers: Leadership Consolidation and Its Policy Implications

For the last decade of the Brezhnev regime, Western observers predicted a generational transfer of power to occur in the USSR.1 The Brezhnev generation demonstrated remarkable continuity and stability, resulting in long tenure in office and the aging of those not only in top leadership posts, but throughout the Party and state apparatuses. After Brezhnev's death in November 1982 many observers expected the generational shift to occur at last; however, the short-lived regimes of Iurii Andropov and Konstantin Chernenko precluded extensive personnel changes. With the succession of Mikhail Gorbachev to the post of General Secretary, the long-awaited generational change has at last occurred, perhaps more rapidly than many predicted. The personnel changes that have taken place to date in the Gorbachev reign, especially those within the USSR Council of Ministers, offer a unique opportunity to assess the process of leadership consolidation in the USSR and also provide some insights into Gorbachev's economic reform strategy.
Pseudoseizures: Recognition and treatment

Abstract Pseudoseizures involve a subjective loss of consciousness, usually resulting from a psychological disturbance. Drug intoxication, panic or anxiety attacks, or hypoglycemia may also induce behavior that resembles epileptic manifestations. Multiple EEG evaluations and careful clinical observation can rule out epilepsy. Psychiatric treatment, including family interviews and sympathetic discussion of the underlying emotional problem with the patient, should be provided when appropriate.
Effects of crop residue on soil and plant water evaporation in a dryland cotton system

Dryland agricultural cropping systems emphasize sustaining crop yields with limited use of fertilizer while conserving both rain water and the soil. Conservation of these resources may be achieved with management systems that retain residues at the soil surface simultaneously modifying both its energy and water balance. A conservation practice used with cotton grown on erodible soils of the Texas High Plains is to plant cotton into chemically terminated wheat residues. In this study, the partitioning of daily and seasonal evapotranspiration (Et) into soil and plant water evaporation was compared for a conventional and a terminated-wheat cotton crop using the numerical model ENWATBAL. The model was configured to account for the effects of residue on the radiative fluxes and by introducing an additional resistance to latent and sensible heat fluxes derived from measurements of wind speed and vapor conductance from a soil covered with wheat-stubble. Our results showed that seasonalEt was similar in both systems and that cumulative soil water evaporation was 50% ofEt in conventional cotton and 31% ofEt in the wheat-stubble cotton. Calculated values ofEt were in agreement with measured values. The main benefit of the wheat residues was to suppress soil water evaporation by intercepting irradiance early in the growing season when the crop leaf area index (LAI) was low. In semiarid regions LAI of dryland cotton seldom exceeds 2 and residues can improve water conservation. Measured soil temperatures showed that early in the season residues reduced temperature at 0.1 m depth by as much as 5°C and that differences between systems diminished with depth and over time. Residues increased lint yield per unit ofEt while not modifying seasonalEt and reducing cumulative soil water evaporation.
Drusen are Cold Spots for Proteolysis: Expression of Matrix Metalloproteinases and Their Tissue Inhibitor Proteins in Age-related Macular Degeneration.

Drusen are abnormal extracellular matrix deposits characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a leading cause of blindness in the aging human population. The mechanisms underlying drusen formation are not well characterized. The purpose of this study was to examine the expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in drusen, and in the surrounding cells and tissue. To assess the extent of MMP and TIMP expression by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, cDNA arrays were screened with probes generated from cultured human RPE cells. The distribution of MMP-1, -2 and -3 and TIMP-1, -2, -3 and -4 was determined using immunohistochemistry in human RPE choroid from donor eyes with and without a clinical history of AMD. Gelatinase activity was assessed in unfixed frozen sections using in situ zymography. In cultured RPE cells, expression of 10 MMP and all four known TIMP mRNAs was detected. MMP immunoreactivity was widespread in the RPE choroid, but was absent from the interior of drusen. TIMP-3, but not other TIMPs, was detected in the drusen interior. Likewise, metal ion dependent gelatinase activity could be detected in RPE choroid, but not in drusen. These results show that, while metalloproteinase activity is widespread throughout the RPE choroid, drusen are cold spots for proteolysis. The data lead to the speculation that high TIMP-3 concentrations within drusen could inhibit MMPs and as a result slow the proteolytic degradation of these deposits.
Urologic complications following pancreas transplantation

Summary Advances in pancreas transplantation have resulted in pancreatic graft long term survivals that are similar to renal allografts. At least some of this achievement is attributed to the technique of draining the exocrine function into the bladder. As a result, we have seen a moderate amount of urologic complications that are related to this procedure. It is just now that we have started acknowledging that these complications may be at least in part as a result of diabetic bladder pathology and not the pancreatic enzymes or manipulation of the bladder. Enteric drainage has gained momentum in the last year or two to avoid the urologic complications. Some of the urological problems will remain and some may be amenable to medical therapy. A trial comparing enteric drainage and bladder drainage is overdue and is currently under progress. Several other controversial issues remain with us. It is possible, by the time we answer all the controversies, that islet cell transplantation becomes the treatment of choice.
Stability and Change in the Experience of Partner Violence Among Low-Income Women

Objective. In this analysis we identify factors associated with the dynamics of partner violence among low-income women. Methods. Using two waves of the Welfare, Children and Families Study (1999–2001), we examine the multivariate predictors of ever having experienced abuse, as well as factors associated with the initiation, resumption, and discontinuation of violence between the two interviews. Results. Over half the women who reported violence at Wave 1 reported no violence at Wave 2. These women were older, had experienced less severe violence, and reported less financial strain than women for whom violence continued or began. For 11 percent of the sample, violence began or resumed by the second interview. These women were younger, less educated, had weaker social networks, and were less likely to be Hispanic than those who never experienced violence. Conclusions. Partner abuse appears to be highly dynamic and a fuller understanding of the phenomenon requires a longitudinal focus.
NCX3 Is a Major Functional Isoform of the Sodium-Calcium Exchanger in Osteoblasts

The calcium phosphate-based skeleton of vertebrates serves as the major reservoir for metabolically available calcium ions. The skeleton is formed by osteoblasts which first secrete a proteinaceous matrix and then provide Ca++ for the calcification process. The two calcium efflux ports found in most cells are the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase (PMCA) and the sodium–calcium exchanger (NCX). In osteoblasts, PMCA and NCX are located on opposing sides of the cell with NCX facing the mineralizing bone surface. Two isoforms of NCX have been identified in osteoblasts NCX1, and NCX3. The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which each of the two NCX isoforms support delivery of Ca++ into sites of calcification and to discern if one could compensate for the other. SiRNA technology was used to knockdown each isoform separately in MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. Osteoblasts in which either NCX1 or NCX3 was impaired were tested for Ca++ efflux using the Ca++ specific fluorophore, fluo-4, in a sodium-dependent calcium uptake assay adapted for image analysis. NCX3 was found to serve as a major contributor of Ca++ translocation out of osteoblasts into calcifying bone matrix. NCX1 had little to no involvement. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 1101–1110, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Activation Pathways of Kinases Reveal Intermediate States as Novel Targets for Drug Design

Unregulated activation of kinases leads to aberrant signaling, uncontrolled growth, and differentiation of cancerous cells. Reaching a complete mechanistic understanding of the large scale conformational transformations underlying the activation of kinases could greatly help in the development of therapeutic drugs for the treatment of these pathologies. In princi- ple, the nature of conformational transition could be modeled by in silico via atomistic molecular dynamics simulations, although this is very challenging due to the long timescales (100s of μs) associated with activation. In this study, we employ a computational paradigm that couples transition pathway generation techniques and Markov State Model (MSM) based massively (total simulation time of ∼3 milliseconds) distributed simulations for mapping the conformational landscape of several key tyrosine kinases. The computations provide the thermodynamics and kinetics of kinase activation for the first time, and help identify key intermediates along the activation pathway. Furthermore, the presence of a novel allosteric sites in an intermediate states of kinases that could be potentially utilized for drug design is predicted.View Large Image | View Hi-Res Image | Download PowerPoint Slide
Study on the Calculation Method of Gas Flow in Vacuum System Based on the Fluent Software

In order to improve the calculation method of the vacuum system design, the research focus on the way applying the Fluent software to calculation of gas flow in vacuum system in this paper. It is proved that the permission pressure lower limit is 1Pa for meeting the continuity hypothesis. The applicable flow patterns include turbulent flow, laminar flow and transitional flow between turbulent and laminar flow, which are totally defined as the viscous flow in the traditional vacuum field. By means of user define function (UDF), a layer mesh cell of negative quality source is defined to simulate the constant volume flow rate at the inlet of positive displacement vacuum pump, which makes up for the lack of compressible fluid velocity outlet boundary conditions in Fluent. The usability of Fluent in vacuum system is confirmed by a successful calculating example of gas flow in an ice condenser of vacuum freeze dryer.
The role of defects in the dissociative adsorption of CO on Ni(100)

Abstract We present a molecular beam study on the dissociative sticking coefficient for CO on a Ni(100) surface. In the range from 1.6 to 20 kcal/mol the observed dissociative sticking coefficient at a surface temperature of 500 K is 0.02 and independent of beam energy. Investigations on a sputter-damaged surface result in a sticking coefficient of 0.40, again independent of beam energy. The observed behavior can be explained by CO dissociation at defect sites.
Aculturación en las fronteras de América. Cabeza de Vaca: el primer mestizo cultural

This essay deals with the captivity ordeal that Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca wrote in his autobiography Naufragios de Alvar Nunez Cabeza de Vaca (1542- 1555). By means of the rethorical device of the anecdote, certain subversive situations to the order established by the official discourse are treated and Cabeza de Vaca is able to depict an overall positive and human image of his indigenous captors.
Distal attribution and distance perception in sensory substitution.

In sensory substitution, the user may be directly aware of distal objects, as in everyday perception, or make explicit cognitive inferences based on an awareness of the proximal stimulation. Anecdotal evidence supports the experience of distal attribution, but so far there have been few rigorous experimental tests of the claim. In this study, blindfolded participants observed a target light using a device consisting of a finger-mounted photodiode that drives tactile vibration on the back. With the blindfold off and the target removed, participants moved a reference object to match the perceived egocentric distance of the target. Participants who were instructed to attend to the distal target improved significantly during 2 h of practice, whereas those instructed to attend to proximal variables showed no improvement. Unsigned error increased with ratings of proximal attention, but decreased with ratings of target object solidity, consistent with distal attribution. Performance transferred to the non-domina...
Breast cancer genomes — form and function

This review summarizes advances in our understanding of the genomic and epigenomic abnormalities in breast cancers that are being revealed by the increasingly powerful suite of genomic analysis technologies. It summarizes the remarkable genomic heterogeneity that characterizes the disease, describes mechanisms that shape cancer genomes as they evolve toward metastasis, summarizes important recurrent aberrations that exist in spite of the genomic chaos and that contribute to breast cancer pathophysiology, and describes the use of preclinical models to identify drugs that will be effective against subsets of breast cancers carrying specific genomic and epigenomic abnormalities.
Determination of rock type on Mercury and the Moon through remote sensing in the thermal infrared

Thermal infrared emission spectra of the moon and Mercury have been obtained using the Si:As photoconductor and circular variable filter at the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility on Mauna Kea, Hawaii. Lunar spectra from 7.2 to 12.2 microns for two different locations in the south polar highlands have Christiansen frequency peaks at 8.1 microns and 7.9 microns, respectively. This indicates different compositions at the two locations; mafic in the first case, more felsic in the second. Emission spectra from Mercury are not as spatially localized,; however, the longitude of maximum contribution to the spectrum can be calculated from thermal models of the earth-facing disk. Results for areas centered at two longitudes have been obtained. Two locations in the intercrater plains were observed. At 40-deg longitude (very near the crater Homer), a peak at 7.9 microns indicates mafic igneous rock type. Spectra emanating from 46-deg longitude have peaks at 7.8 microns, indicating a region borderline between mafic and intermediate composition.
Microphase Separation and Rheological Properties of Polyurethane Melts. 3. Effect of Block Incompatibility on the Viscoelastic Properties

The accompanying paper described the structural characterization of polyurethane multi- block copolymers that varied block incompatibility at fixed block length and composition. Their linear viscoelastic properties are presented in this paper. Dynamic mechanical experiments in temperature sweep mode confirmed that the materials ranged from almost homogeneous to highly microphase- separated. Dynamic mechanical frequency sweep experiments showed a Rouse-like frequency response in all materials at high temperatures, including those polyurethanes that were highly microphase- separated. This is in stark contrast to the numerous reports on microphase-separated block copolymers that show nonliquidlike terminal behavior at low frequencies. We attribute this homopolymer-like response of microphase-separated polyurethanes to a lack of long-range order in their microphase-separated structure and regard it to be a crucial feature of most commercial multiblock copolymers. The apparent activation energy for terminal flow was found to be insensitive to the extent of microphase separation, indicating that the thermodynamic penalty N expected for chain motion in block copolymers plays an insignificant role in the dynamics of the present materials. We demonstrate that bare effects (primarily proximity to the Tg) and dynamic asymmetry (friction in one block much larger than in the other) play a major role in the dynamics of polyurethanes. The latter is expected to be especially important in the dynamics of elastomeric block copolymers whose blocks usually have widely separated Tg's.
Stabilizing the lower impression while recording the periphery in functional positions

Abstract A method has been described which permits the accurate and physiologic border molding of the lower impression, in harmony with unencumbered tongue and cheek movements. This is accomplished because: 1.The patient is erect in a physiologic posture without the influence from a headrest or a back support. 2.The dentist's fingers have been taken from the mouth while the borders are molded, thereby eliminating their influence upon tongue, cheek, and lip movements, and upon the normal positioning of the border attachments. 3.The impression tray has been shortened sufficiently to eliminate its interference with the border tissues during extremes of movement. 4.The impression material used provides sufficient time for adequate border molding under optimum conditions. 5.The lower impression tray is stabilized by an external weight of approximately 175 Gm., which is located directly beneath a bilateral bearing point applied at the anteroposterior center of the tray on each side. The weight and the viscosity of the impression material being constant, a properly trimmed tray assures constant results with a minimum of artificial influences in the establishing of the denture borders.
Endostatin is a trans-synaptic signal for homeostatic synaptic plasticity.

At synapses in organisms ranging from fly to human, a decrease in postsynaptic neurotransmitter receptor function elicits a homeostatic increase in presynaptic release that restores baseline synaptic efficacy. This process, termed presynaptic homeostasis, requires a retrograde, trans-synaptic signal of unknown identity. In a forward genetic screen for homeostatic plasticity genes, we identified multiplexin. Multiplexin is the Drosophila homolog of Collagen XV/XVIII, a matrix protein that can be proteolytically cleaved to release Endostatin, an antiangiogenesis signaling factor. Here we demonstrate that Multiplexin is required for normal calcium channel abundance, presynaptic calcium influx, and neurotransmitter release. Remarkably, Endostatin has a specific activity, independent of baseline synapse development, that is required for the homeostatic modulation of presynaptic calcium influx and neurotransmitter release. Our data support a model in which proteolytic release of Endostatin signals trans-synaptically, acting in concert with the presynaptic CaV2.1 calcium channel, to promote presynaptic homeostasis.
Separation of [1-3H]cellooligosaccharides by thin-layer chromatography: assay for cellulolytic enzymes.

A thin-layer chromatographic method for the separation with high resolution of [1-3H]-celloligosaccharides on silica gel plates has been developed. Reducing end-labeled glucose through cellohexaose were separated on silica gel plates with three ascents of ethyl acetate:water:methanol (40:15:20; v:v) and each was extracted with an efficiency of 88 ± 3%. Separations of cellooligosaccharides using other adsorbents, solvents, and impregnants are also described. This thin-layer chromatographic method facilitated analysis of the activity of cellulolytic enzymes.
Role of Cytochrome P450 in Mechanism of Pyrethroid Resistance

Cytochrome P450 monooxygenases are important metabolic enzymes involved in catalyzing a number of compounds and thus are essential for most creatures. One of the major roles of P450s in insects is detoxification or activation of pesticides including pyrethroid insecticides. In this paper, our recent attempts to elucidate the role of P450s in mechanisms of pyrethroid resistance in Culex mosquitoes, houseflies and fruit flies are summarized. Possible applications to insect pest management and to the development of novel insect regulators are also discussed.
Comparison of outcomes for patients with unresectable, locally advanced non-small-cell lung cancer treated with induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiation vs. concurrent chemoradiation alone.

Purpose: To retrospectively compare outcomes for patients with unresectable locally advanced non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated at our institution with concurrent chemoradiation with or without induction chemotherapy. Methods and Materials: We retrospectively analyzed 265 consecutive patients who received definitive treatment with three-dimensional conformal radiation and concurrent chemotherapy. Of these, 127 patients received induction chemotherapy before concurrent chemoradiation. Results: The two groups of patients (with induction vs. without induction chemotherapy) were similar in age, performance status, weight loss, histology, grade, and stage. Patients who received induction chemotherapy had better overall survival (median, 1.9 vs. 1.4 years; 5-year rate, 25% vs. 12%; p p = 0.021). Locoregional control was not significantly different between the two groups. Multivariate analysis showed that induction chemotherapy was the most significant factor affecting overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.55 (95% confidence interval 0.40–0.75; p p = 0.003) but not for those with squamous cell carcinoma. A multivariate analysis of patients with adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma confirmed that induction chemotherapy was the most significant factor associated with better overall survival, with a hazard ratio of 0.47 (95% confidence interval, 0.28–0.78; p = 0.003). Conclusion: Our retrospective analysis suggests that in combination with concurrent chemoradiation, induction chemotherapy may provide a small but significant survival benefit for patients with unresectable locally advanced adenocarcinoma or large-cell carcinoma of the lung.
Tumors of the major and minor salivary glands

Surgery for salivary gland tumors requires technical skill, competence in head and neck anatomy, and a familiarity with a variety of tumors. Benign salivary tumors at all sites should be 100 percent curable, with a local recurrence rate of less than five percent; these local failures should be curable with further surgery. The majority of parotid tumors are benign. Sixty-two percent of patients with malignant parotid tumors will be alive at five years, 54 percent at 10 years, and 47 percent at 15 years. These survival rates for malignant parotid tumors are better than those for malignant tumors in the submaxillary and minor salivary glands and may be explained in part by the presence of a higher percentage of low-grade malignant tumors in the parotid gland. Since most submaxillary gland tumors are malignant, they are more dangerous than parotid tumors. A total of 80 percent of patients with submaxillary gland tumors die as a result of cancer. Almost all minor salivary gland tumors are malignant; curability relates to size, local extension, histology, and nodal metastases. Forty-five percent are alive at five years, and 21 percent at 15 years. Wide-field radical surgical excision is needed for malignant salivary tumors to minimize local recurrences and treatment failures. Future improvement in treatment results will be made possible by increased awareness of this group of tumors, earlier diagnosis when tumors are still small, more radical extirpation, and greater use of postoperative radiation therapy.