cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Media for the Isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans

Four media, Staib's Guizotia abyssinica, trypan blue, and Staib's with 2 and 10 mg of methyl violet per liter, were compared for the selective and differential isolation of Cryptococcus neoformans from environmental samples. Trypan blue medium allowed for the differentiation of C. neoformans colonies from Candida albicans colonies several days earlier than did Staib's medium. The addition of methyl violet to Staib's medium was found to be inhibitory to some strains of all species tested. Diphenyl in Staib's medium inhibited the growth of 30 strains of C. neoformans and C. albicans.
Picosecond imaging circuit analysis of ULSI microprocessors

Picosecond Imaging Circuit Analysis (PICA) is a high speed backside emission based tool used for timing analysis of ULSI circuits. It was invented at IBM in 1996, and has been used since then to help deliver microprocessors profitably. As a fault localization tool, PICA has been used to find and diagnose stuck at faults, races, shorts, and leaking devices as well as many other failure mechanisms. The combination of timing resolution on the order of 20 ps, and submicron spatial resolution enables the probing of many individual transistors in parallel in complex high speed circuit designs. The timing analysis from PICA can also be used to debug and improve designs while running chips at speed by measuring the timing at which transistors switch, and comparing the results to simulated values. Here we describe the technique as well as demonstrate its use during the debug of an I/O circuit defect found on the IBM System/390 G5 microprocessor.
Demonstration of steroid 17α-hydroxylase activity in human fetal kidney, thymus, and spleen

Abstract In previous investigations, steroid 21-hydroxylase activity was demonstrated in human fetal kidney, thymus, and spleen tissues. In the present investigation, steroid 17α-hydroxylase activity also was found in microsome-enriched preparations of human fetal kidney, thymus, and spleen tissues.
Scable and interactive visual analysis of financal wire transactions for fraud detection

Large financial institutions such as Bank of America handle hundreds of thousands of wire transactions per day. Although most transactions are legitimate, these institutions have legal and financial obligations to discover those that are suspicious. With the methods of fraudulent activities ever changing, searching on predefined patterns is often insufficient in detecting previously undiscovered methods. In this paper, we present a set of coordinated visualizations based on identifying specific keywords within the wire transactions. The different views used in our system depict relationships among keywords and accounts over time. Furthermore, we introduce a search-by-example technique, which extracts accounts that show similar transaction patterns. Our system can be connected to a database to handle millions of transactions and still preserve high interactivity. In collaboration with the Anti-Money Laundering division at Bank of America, we demonstrate that using our tool, investigators are able to detect accounts and transactions that exhibit suspicious behaviors.
COPD: new treatment strategies

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major public health problem that is projected to be the third leading cause of mortality by 2030. The most common aetiological factor related to the development of COPD is tobacco smoking, but exposure to burning biomass and outdoor air pollution are also major risk factors. The prevalence of COPD is projected to increase due to continued exposure to these risk factors and the aging of the world's population. The molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of COPD are complex and poorly understood and this has hampered the development of new therapies. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Undermethylated transfer RNA does not support phage RNA-directed in vitro protein synthesis.

Abstract A cell-free, protein synthesis system from Escherichia coli Q13 was depleted of mRNA and tRNA so that restoration of maximum activity was dependent on the addition of these components. Protein synthesis, directed by either MS2 or Qβ phage RNA, was stimulated significantly by the addition of normal tRNA from either E. coli Q13 or B. In contrast, undermethylated tRNA from methionine-starved E. coli RCrel did not cause this stimulation. It is concluded that undermethylated tRNA lacks sufficient base modifications to function in protein synthesis.
Efficient finite difference derivatives for algebraic modelling systems

A procedure is described which determines Jacobian incidence structure and the constant/nonconstant nature of each Jacobian element via examination of the text of function expression strings. This procedure may be used to minimize the effort required to evaluate by finite differences the Jacobian of a set of functions. Target applications involve algebraic modelling systems and other systems with interpreted functions which require evaluation of first derivatives. Computational experience is presented and discussed.
The Extracellular Domain of Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Elicits Atypical Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis in Rat and Macaque Species

Atypical models of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) are advantageous in that the heterogeneity of clinical signs appears more reflective of those in multiple sclerosis (MS). Conversely, models of classical EAE feature stereotypic progression of an ascending flaccid paralysis that is not a characteristic of MS. The study of atypical EAE however has been limited due to the relative lack of suitable models that feature reliable disease incidence and severity, excepting mice deficient in gamma-interferon signaling pathways. In this study, atypical EAE was induced in Lewis rats, and a related approach was effective for induction of an unusual neurologic syndrome in a cynomolgus macaque. Lewis rats were immunized with the rat immunoglobulin variable (IgV)-related extracellular domain of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (IgV-MOG) in complete Freund’s adjuvant (CFA) followed by one or more injections of rat IgV-MOG in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant (IFA). The resulting disease was marked by torticollis, unilateral rigid paralysis, forelimb weakness, and high titers of anti-MOG antibody against conformational epitopes of MOG, as well as other signs of atypical EAE. A similar strategy elicited a distinct atypical form of EAE in a cynomolgus macaque. By day 36 in the monkey, titers of IgG against conformational epitopes of extracellular MOG were evident, and on day 201, the macaque had an abrupt onset of an unusual form of EAE that included a pronounced arousal-dependent, transient myotonia. The disease persisted for 6–7 weeks and was marked by a gradual, consistent improvement and an eventual full recovery without recurrence. These data indicate that one or more boosters of IgV-MOG in IFA represent a key variable for induction of atypical or unusual forms of EAE in rat and Macaca species. These studies also reveal a close correlation between humoral immunity against conformational epitopes of MOG, extended confluent demyelinating plaques in spinal cord and brainstem, and atypical disease induction.
Towards an algebraic theory of recursion

An algebraic framework for the study of recursion has been developed. For immediate linear recursion, a Horn clause is represented by a relational algebra operator. It is shown that the set of all such operators forms a closed semiring. In this formalism, query answering corresponds to solving a linear equation. For the first time, the query answer is able to be expressed in an explicit algebraic form within an algebraic structure. The manipulative power thus afforded has several implications on the implementation of recursive query processing algorithms. Several possible decompositions of a given operator are presented that improve the performance of the algorithms, as well as several transformations that give the ability to take into account any selections or projections that are present in a givin query. In addition, it is shown that mutual linear recursion can also be studied within a closed semiring, by using relation vectors and operator matrices. Regarding nonlinear recursion, it is first shown that Horn clauses always give rise to multilinear recursion, which can always be reduced to bilinear recursion. Bilinear recursion is then shown to form a nonassociative closed semiring. Finally, several sufficient and necessary-and-sufficient conditions for bilinear recursion to be equivalent to a linear one of a specific form are given. One of the sufficient conditions is derived by embedding to bilinear recursion in an algebra.
Effects of Measurement Errors and Noise on MEG Moving Dipole Inverse Solutions

Magnetoencephalograms (MEG's) are increasingly being used with the moving dipole method to localize electrical sources in the brain. In this method, also known as the dipole location method, a dipolar source is moved about in a model of the head while its amplitude and orientation are also adjusted to obtain a solution dipole which gives the least squares error fit between the measured MEG's and those produced by the dipolar source. The accuracy of this solution is affected by various measurement errors such as errors in the size of the measurement grid, size of the head model, etc., and by noise in the measured MEG's. This study uses computer modeling methods to investigate the effects of these factors on the localization accuracy of sources in the cortical region of the brain for several different ways of making MEG measurements using single channel and/or multichannel detectors.
Augmentation grafting of the maxillary sinus for placement of dental implants: anatomy, physiology, and procedures.

In patients with an inadequate amount of bone for implant placement, sinus lift surgery can be performed to restore a sufficient amount of alveolar bone to allow for successful implant placement and subsequent prosthetic reconstruction. In this article, the anatomy and physiology of the maxillary sinus, the mechanisms of bonegrafting, bone grafting material, preoperative evaluation, surgical technique, and the grafting procedure, as well as intraoperative bleeding and postoperative complications, are discussed. (Implant Dent 1999;8:36–46)
Proposed criteria for response assessment in patients treated in clinical trials for myeloproliferative neoplasms in blast phase (MPN-BP): Formal recommendations from the post-myeloproliferative neoplasm acute myeloid leukemia consortium

Leukemic transformation (LT) of a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) is associated with a dismal prognosis and no medical therapies have shown a survival improvement in patients with MPN in blast phase (MPN-BP). Effective therapies for the treatment of MPN-BP are a serious unmet need. Consensus response criteria do not exist for the treatment of patients with MPN-BP and this is necessary for the uniformed reporting of treatment response in clinical trials. We have identified relevant MPN and MPN-BP features in order to define treatment response categories that reflect hematological, clinical, pathological, cytogenetic and molecular changes after therapeutic intervention. We plan to validate these proposed response criteria within multi-centered clinical trials.
Persistence length of DNA

In the wormlike chain (Kratky-Porod) model of DNA the stiffness of the chain is determined by the persistence length, a. The persistence length may be evaluated from light-scattering measurements of the molecular weight and the mean-square radius if the samples are not polydisperse or if the polydispersity can be quantitatively determined. The persistence length can also be evaluated with the aid of hydro dynamic theory from measurements of intrinsic viscosity and sedimentation coefficient. Data taken from the literature and from other studies by the authors are examined by these methods. The light-scattering method yields a value of a of 900 ± 200 A the hydrodynamic data yield 600 ± 100 A. These values are considerably larger than those obtained by most previous authors.
Gender differences in psychosocial responses to lung cancer.

Abstract Background: Although biologically based sex differences in the smoking patterns, epidemiology, biomedical markers, and survival rates associated with lung cancer are well documented, examinations of psychosocial gender differences are scarce. Objective: This cross-sectional study examined gender differences in psychosocial factors that are important in the medical management of lung cancer. Methods: A convenience sample of patients who were attending a multidisciplinary lung cancer treatment center (Markey Cancer Center, Lexington, Kentucky) were invited to complete a psychosocial needs assessment. Eligibility criteria included primary diagnosis of lung cancer, age ≥18 years, and being cognitively intact. Measures focused on psychosocial resources, treatment decision-making, social consequences of treatments, and treatment outcomes. Data were collected between the fall of 2005 and the summer of 2006. Results: A total of 47 women and 53 men (mean [SD] age, 62.81 [12.01] years; 95% white) completed the needs assessment. Gender was not found to be associated with demographic characteristics, time until diagnosis, treatment, or survival rate. Smoking histories differed significantly in the proportion of women and men who smoked or were former smokers (P = 0.01) as well as the age when they began to smoke (P = 0.02). There were no significant gender differences in social support networks, general coping, information needs, treatment decision satisfaction, functional health, life satisfaction, financial impact, or service needs. However, significant gender differences did indicate that women favored spiritual practices (P = 0.02) and religious coping (P = 0.04), and were more likely to endorse having a life mission (P = 0.03) and being part of a divine plan (P = 0.01). Conclusions: Previous research has found that religiousness and spirituality improved depressive symptoms and may ease end-of-life despair. In the present study of patients with lung cancer, gender differences in religiousness and spirituality suggest that this may be especially true for women, and that interventions should be directed toward their religious practices and coping.
The interaction of the trp repressor from Escherichia coli with l-tryptophan and indole propanoic acid

The binding of the corepressor, l-tryptophan, and an inducer, indole propanoic acid, to the trp repressor from Escherichia coli was studied by absorbance, fluorescence, circular dichroic and proton NMR spectroscopy. The two ligands bind to the same site on the repressor in the same orientation; they are molecular competitors. The binding site is of relatively low polarity and contains at least one methyl group that lies 0.3 nm over the indole moiety near the C5 proton of the bound ligand, and an aromatic residue, probably tyrosine. The dissociation constant was determined as a function of temperature and pH. At 25°C in 0.1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.6, the dissociation constant is 18 ± 2 μM for both ligands. In the same buffer system, the van't Hoff enthalpy for dissociation is 35.5 ± 1 kJ/mol for tryptophan, and 30.5 ± 2 kJ/mol for indole propanoic acid. The affinity of the repressor for indole propanoic acid is independent of pH in the range 7 < pH < 10, but decreases four fold for tryptophan in the same range. The amino group of tryptophan makes a significant contribution to its binding affinity. Difference NMR spectra showed that there are few changes of protein resonances on binding ligands. The NMR signals of the bound resonances were assigned by difference and nuclear Overhauser effect spectroscopy. The properties of the bound resonances are consistent with the ligands being largely immobilised within the binding site. The difference spectra, and the known functional differences of the two ligands, suggest that tryptophan induces a slightly different conformational state in the repressor from that induced by indole propanoic acid. There is no evidence for a global transition. The rate of dissociation of ligands is relatively large, being in the range 400–600 s−1.
Submicron MOSFET Fabrication With X-Ray Lithography

X-ray lithography has been applied in a single-layer resist process to fabricate n-channel enhancement field-effect transistors with effective channel lengths (L eff ) and channel widths (We ff ) as small as small as 0.9 Lim and 0.5 Lim, respectively. The yields on 3" wafers ranged from as high as 50 % for the smallest MOSFETs with L eff /W eff of 0.9/0.5 to above 90% for those with Leff/Weff of 2.2/0.5 and 0.9/1.7 without process optimization. This report outlines the mask technology and the device fabrication process. The MOSFET performance is discussed with emphasis on threshold voltage and subthreshold slope uniformity and on wafer-to-wafer variations.
Structural biology: Spliceosome's core exposed.

The spliceosome complex removes intron sequences from RNA transcripts to form messenger RNA. The structure of a spliceosomal protein, Prp8, reveals the complex's active site and casts light on the origin of splicing. See Article p.638 The core of the spliceosome, a complex that removes introns from precursor mRNA transcripts prior to their expression, consists of several RNA–protein complexes arranged on the pre-mRNA. Prp8 is a protein in one such core complex, the U5 snRNP, and it contains the active site where cleavage occurs. Kiyoshi Nagai and colleagues have solved the structure of a large fragment of Prp8 bound to a U5 snRNP assembly factor, Aar2. This structure offers insight into how the splice sites might fit into the active site, and supports a possible unified evolutionary origin of eukaryotic pre-mRNA and bacterial group II intron-splicing mechanisms.
"Warning signs" of primary immunodeficiency among patients with periprosthetic joint infection.

PURPOSE The use of ten clinical "warning signs" has been suggested as a screening tool to identify patients that may have primary immunodeficiency (PID) conditions in adulthood. This study aimed to evaluate the presence of these "warning signs" among a cohort of patients with periprosthetic joint infections (PJI), in order to detect those cases that may have had a PID contributing to development of infection. METHODS A descriptive study using our institutional PJI database was conducted. 185 patients with more than 15 medical consultations in our healthcare network before the diagnosis of PJI were considered eligible for the study. The presence of the "warning signs" was retrospectively evaluated using medical records. RESULTS Twenty-seven patients (14.5%) presented with one or more "warning signs" of PID; however, 24 of the individuals had another immunocompromising condition and were thought to suffer secondary immunodeficiency. Among the remaining 3 patients, PID was confirmed in 1 individual who was found to have hypogammaglobulinemia. CONCLUSIONS It appears that some patients who develop PJI could suffer from a primary immunodeficiency status that may be detected using "warning signs" questionnaire. The administration of these questions to patients with multiple infections may lead to identification of a primary immunodeficiency status which may in turn influence the outcome of elective arthroplasty or PJI, when develops.
A forward-fading technique for increasing heterosexual responsiveness in male homosexuals

A forward-fading conditioning technique was successfully used with a 27-yr-old homosexual client in conditioning penile erection, as measured by a mechanical strain gauge, to a previously neutral female stimulus. The technique involved the incremental fading of a nude female slide into a nude male slide, a procedure which is just the reverse of that recently reported by Barlow and Agras. This technique has a major advantage over the Barlow—Agras technique in that its application is not precluded by S's initial failure to reach an erection of a given magnitude.
Virginia Dale intrusion, Colorado and Wyoming Magma-mixing and hybridization in a Proterozoic composite intrusion

The Virginia Dale intrusion is a granitic and monzogranitic composite intrusive body at the southern extent of the Sherman batholith in southeastern Wyoming and adjacent areas of Colorado. Within the study area, at the margin of the intrusion, mafic rock (diorite) is commingled with felsic rock (monzogranite) and intermediate rocks. Resulting features include pillows (some with zones of felsic or mafic enrichment at their margins), enclaves, mantled quartz grains, and alkali feldspar megacrysts. Intermediate rocks interpreted as hybrids include: (1) granodioritic hybrid; (2) main-phase hybrid; (3) granitoid hybrid; and (4) mafic hybrid. Each of the hybrids shows distinct textural and mixing relations. Mixing and hybridization models were evaluated using major-element, trace-element, and isotopic data. Major-element compositions of the hybrid rocks generally plot along simple mixing lines between mafic and felsic rocks. Incompatible element concentrations of the intermediate rocks are similar to, or greater than, concentrations in the felsic end-member. Trace-element data suggest that the variety of intermediate rocks resulted from chemical diffusion in addition to bulk mixing of heterogeneous end-members. Mafic rocks show a possible differentiation trend, in which the most primitive members are cumulates. The more evolved members show progressive LREE and incompatible element enrichment, growth of a negative europium anomaly (to Eu/Eu * = 0.61), and a correlated decrease in Mg-number (to 0.35). Virginia Dale isotopic data (ϵ Nd = 0± 1) are similar to values for the adjacent Sherman batholith, suggesting that both of these bodies formed by partial melting (at 1.43 Ga) of ca. 1.8-Ga crust in the Colorado province. Initial 87 Sr/ 86 Sr values are more heterogeneous, perhaps due to chemical diffusion.
Serum testosterone (T) levels in BALB/cByJ and BALB/cJ substrain mice: potential relationship with differential susceptibility to experimental allergic orchitis (EAO).

BALB/cByJ substrain mice are highly susceptible to the induction of EAO whereas BALB/cJ mice are resistant. BALB/cJ mice have been reported to have elevated levels of serum T, which may account for disease resistance in light of its purported immunosuppressive effects. Serum T levels were determined by radioimmunoassay on 40 BALB/cByJ and 41 BALB/cJ age matched male mice. Our results indicate that the two substrains do not differ significantly from each other in their mean serum T levels (BALB/cByJ-4.50ng/ml and BALB/cJ-3.16ng/ml; p = 0.601) suggesting that the EAO resistant phenotype exhibited by BALB/cJ mice is not a result of the immunosupressive effects of T.
Evidence for mesothermy in dinosaurs

Were dinosaurs ectotherms or fast-metabolizing endotherms whose activities were unconstrained by temperature? To date, some of the strongest evidence for endothermy comes from the rapid growth rates derived from the analysis of fossil bones. However, these studies are constrained by a lack of comparative data and an appropriate energetic framework. Here we compile data on ontogenetic growth for extant and fossil vertebrates, including all major dinosaur clades. Using a metabolic scaling approach, we find that growth and metabolic rates follow theoretical predictions across clades, although some groups deviate. Moreover, when the effects of size and temperature are considered, dinosaur metabolic rates were intermediate to those of endotherms and ectotherms and closest to those of extant mesotherms. Our results suggest that the modern dichotomy of endothermic versus ectothermic is overly simplistic.
Screening for oxidative damage by engineered nanomaterials: a comparative evaluation of FRAS and DCFH

Several acellular assays are routinely used to measure oxidative stress elicited by engineered nanom- aterials (ENMs), yet little comparative evaluations of such methods exist. This study compares for the first time the performance of the dichlorofluorescein (DCFH) assay which measures reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, to that of the ferric-reducing ability of serum (FRAS) assay, which measures biological oxidant damage in serum. A diverse set of 28 commercially important and extensively characterized ENMs were tested on both the assays. Intracellular oxidative stress was also assessed on a representative subset of seven ENMs in THP-1 (phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate matured human monocytes) cells. Associations between assay responses and ENM physicochemical properties were assessed via correlation and regression analysis. DCFH correlated strongly with FRAS after dose normalization for mass (R 2 = 0.78) and surface area (R 2 = 0.68). Only 10/28 ENMs were positive in DCFH versus 21/28 in FRAS. Both assays were strongly associated with specific surface area and transition metal content. Qualitatively, a similar response ranking was observed for acellular FRAS and intracellular reduced:oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH:GSSG) in cells. Quantitatively, weak correlation was found between intracellular GSSG and FRAS or DCFH
Magmagenesis at the Eocene Electric Peak–Sepulcher Mountain complex, Absaroka Volcanic Province, USA

Abstract Igneous rocks exposed on Electric Peak and Sepulcher Mountain represent the preserved intrusive and extrusive components of an early Eocene, calc-alkaline eruptive center in the Absaroka Volcanic Province (AVP) of Montana and Wyoming, USA. The Electric Peak stock has an outcrop area of ∼1 km2 and consists of six discrete phases ranging in composition from quartz diorite to granite, representing multiple small intrusions of compositionally distinct magmas. Lava flows and dikes on Sepulcher Mountain are basaltic–andesitic to dacitic in composition with silicic rocks generally peripheral to mafic rocks. Important geochemical characteristics of the rocks from both localities include high Ni and Cr concentrations in andesitic and dacitic rocks, lower rare earth element (REE) concentrations in evolved rocks relative to more mafic rocks, and variable Sr and Nd isotopic ratios. Although petrographic evidence permissive of magma mixing is limited, compositional data suggest that andesitic rocks are hybrids formed by mixing variably fractionated and contaminated mantle-derived mafic magmas with diverse composition silicic crustal melts derived from partial melting of amphibolitic lower- to mid-crustal rocks. Isotopic and trace element systematics of mafic rocks, such as high ratios of large ion lithophile to high field strength elements, also suggest that parental magmas were derived from melting of subduction-modified lithospheric mantle. The significance of these results is that the calc-alkaline nature of the center was inherited from crustal processes, whereas the arc-like trace element signature reflects generation of the magmas in a tectonic environment related to geometrically complex subduction of the Farallon plate under the North American continent.
Regulation of Fas Ligand Expression by IL-8 in Human Endometrium

Numerous cytokines and growth factors are synthesized in the endometrium. IL-8 is one of these cytokines regulating endometrial function. It is a neutrophil chemoattractant/ activating factor and a potent angiogenic agent. IL-8 is elevated in the peritoneal fluid of women with endometriosis. We have previously demonstrated a direct proliferative effect of IL-8 on endometrial stromal cells. We hypothesized that increased levels of IL-8 in the endometriotic environment could up- regulate Fas ligand (FasL) expression in endometrial cells and may be relevant for the development of a relative local immunotolerance in endometriosis by inducing apoptosis of cytotoxic T lymphocytes. To test our hypothesis, we studied the in vitro regulation of FasL expression and apoptosis by IL-8 in endometrial cells. Western blot analysis in endometrial stromal, glandular, and Ishikawa cells revealed that IL-8 up- regulated FasL protein expression in these cells. By semiquantitative RT-PCR analysis, IL-8 does not alter the expression of either Fas or FasL mRNA levels in these cells. Immunocytochemistry results from endometrial stromal cells treated with IL-8 demonstrated an up-regulation of FasL protein expression. IL-8 decreased apoptosis rate in endometrial stromal cells as evaluated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling assay. We observed an increased apoptotic rate in Jurkat (T lymphocyte line) cells plated on endometrial stromal cells previously treated with IL-8. We speculate that increased FasL expression by IL-8 may induce apoptosis of T lymphocytes and thus produce a local immunotolerant environment for the development of ectopic implants.
"Early" versus "late" 23-week infant outcomes.

Objective To determine whether survival is different in “early” (23 0/7 -23 3/7 weeks) vs “late” (23 4/7 -23 6/7 weeks) infants. Study Design Records of 126 consecutive liveborn infants delivered at 23 0/7 to 23 6/7 weeks' gestation from 2001-2010 were examined using the Vermont Oxford Network database. Infants born at 23 0/7 to 23 3/7 weeks were grouped into “early” and those at 23 4/7 to 23 6/7 weeks were “late.” Clinical characteristics were compared between groups and multivariate analyses were used to predict survival. Results Seventy-two infants were early and 54 were late. Survival was 25% vs 56%, respectively ( P P = .016) and had a lower mean birthweight (547 g vs 596 g; P Conclusion Late 23-week infants have improved survival compared with early infants. Delaying delivery as little as 24-96 hours may improve survival for 23-week infants.
Laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of colonic dysplasia: prospects for optical histological analysis

Several groups have shown that laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy can detect dysplastic changes in human colon tissues. We present an approach based on analysis of the underlying tissue microstructure for extracting histological information from such spectral signals. The method employs fluorescence microscopy and tissue optics to model the `bulk' fluorescence collected with an optical fiber probe in a clinical setting. For both colonic normal and adenoma, we measured the intrinsic fluorescence lineshapes, the spatial distributions of the fluorophores, and optical parameters of tissue. Numerical and analytical solutions to the radiative transfer equation were then used to compute fluorescence spectra. The results of the model were in excellent agreement with clinical spectra collected during colonoscopy, using 370 nm excitation. Four factors were found to be responsible for the spectral differences between normal tissue and adenoma: fluorescence of mucosal collagen, dysplastic cell, and submucosa, and hemoglobin attenuation. Preliminary results indicate that these parameters can be extracted from individual clinical spectra by reversing the modeling procedure.
Phase Shifter for a 915 MHz Phased Array Hyperthermia System

This paper describes a design for an analog phase shifter operating at 915 MHz and suitable for use in a phased array microwave hyperthermia system. Here, the major operating constraint was minimization of amplitude variation over a 1800 phase shift, whereas previous phase shifters were designed to obtain a linear relationship between phase and control voltage. The result is a simple, inexpensive hybrid coupler phase shifter that operates over a narrow bandwidth and provides 180°of continuous phase shift with input powers up to 1 W.
Highly sweet compounds of plant origin.

The demand for new alternative “low calorie” sweeteners for dietetic and diabetic purposes has increased worldwide. Although the currently developed and commercially used highly sweet sucrose substitutes are mostly synthetic compounds, the search for such compounds from natural sources is continuing. As of mid-2002, over 100 plant-derived sweet compounds of 20 major structural types had been reported, and were isolated from more than 25 different families of green plants. Several of these highly sweet natural products are marketed as sweeteners or flavoring agents in some countries as pure compounds, compound mixtures, or refined extracts. These highly sweet natural substances are reviewed herein.
Comparison of chemical biodegradation rates in BOD dilution and natural waters.

Laboratory studies of chemical biodegradation are generally conducted using synthetic media inoculated with sewage, natural water, soil, or hydrosoil. Results from such studies provide the bases for appraising chemical persistence in native environments. However, inspection of the literature shows the behavior pattern of a chemical in the field can vary from that predicted by the laboratory characterization. Consequently, legitimate questions have been raised about the reliability of biodegradability screening tests, and the ability of such tests to predict the fate of compounds in real world. In view of the above, the objectives of this study were: (1) to measure biodegradation rates of nine chemicals in BOD dilution water, and (2) to compare the rates with those reported in literature for the same chemicals in five natural waters. The comparison allowed an assessment of the environmental relevance of rates measured using BOD dilution water.
Design charts for roads with geotextiles

Abstract Design charts have been developed to determine the required aggregate thickness for geotextile-reinforced roads using the Giroud and Noiray 1 procedure. The charts are for rut depths of 75, 100, 150, 200, and 300 mm, with tire pressures of 480 and 620 kPa for a standard design axle load of 80 kN. The charts can be used for the design of geotextile-reinforced unpaved roads, roadway stabilization aggregate, and for the first construction lift for embankments on very soft foundations.
Dosage-mortality in rats given total body roentgen irradiation.

SummaryThe LD50 for total body X-radiation in Wistar rats is 640 ± 5 r with a 30-day endpoint. The time elapsing before 50%percnt; mortality occurs at different doses is a more reliable measure of mortality than the dosage-mortality curve or the dosage-survival time curves for different X-ray doses. The dosage-mortality curve of rats has such a steep slope in the LD50 range that variations in mortality of from O to nearly 100%percnt; may occur in this range because of variations in animals and in the X-ray machine output. Therefore in studies directed toward (therapy or protection of animals given total body ionizing radiation, if the mortality curves are extremely steep as in the rat, dosages in the LD50 range should not be used. Other measures which might be employed are discussed.
Abscorbate Effects on Type I Procollagen Synthesis by Human Adult Skin Fibroblasts: Different Migration Positions of Type I Procollagen Chains on SDS Polyacrylamide Gel after Incubation with Ascorbate

Abstract The effects of ascorbate and steroids on type I procollagen synthesis by human skin fibroblasts were studied. Ascorbate treatment (50 μg/ml) for 24 hours stimulated a 2–3 fold increase in type I procollagen synthesis and an unexpected-shift in the mobility of type I procollagen on SDS polyacrylamide gels. The kinetics of the increase in procollagen synthesis (4 hours) and the shift in electrophoretic mobility (1 hour) were dissimilar, suggesting different controlling mechanisms. This was confirmed by the addition of α-α'-dipyridyl to ascorbate-treated cultures which eliminated the ascorbate-induced shift in electrophoretic mobility without altering the amount of procollagen synthesis. In contrast, hydrocortisone (1.5 μM) reduced the ascorbate-induced stimulation of type I procollagen synthesis by 80% but did not affect the ascorbate-induced shift in electrophoretic mobility. These studies indicate that the ascorbate-induced increase in type I procollagen synthesis is due to increased levels of type I procollagen mRNA and is independent of the level of hydroxylation of the procollagen.
Photo-ring contraction reactions of 4-hydroxypyrylium cations

Abstract 4-Hydroxypyrylium cations undergo photo-ring contraction upon irradiation of 50 percent H2SO4. Dihydroxycyclopentenones are intermediates in these reactions.
Solubilization and partial characterization of lecithin-retinol acyltransferase from rat liver

Abstract Lecithin-retinol acyltransferase (LRAT) is a microsomal enzyme that can esterify retinol bound to either cellular retinol binding protein or cellular retinol binding protein type II, utilizing phosphatidylcholine as the acyl source. Here, we report the solubilization of rat liver microsomal LRAT by 1.0% Brij-35, and partial purification via Phenyl Sepharose CL-4B chromatography. Kinetic properties of the solubilized enzyme were determined for retinol bound to cellular retinol binding protein (Km of 2.4 μ M ), retinol bound to cellular retinol binding protein type II (Km of 1.3 μ M ) and dilauroylphosphatidylcholine (Km of 2.5 μ M ). The solubilized enzyme was very selective for acyl donor in that phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidic acid were not utilized. With phosphatidylcholine as the acyl source, only the acyl group at the sn -I position was transferred to retinol. The reaction catalyzed by LRAT is reminiscent to that catalyzed by lecithin-cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT); both enzymes transfer acyl groups from phosphatidylcholine to lipid alcohols to form esters. The catalytic mechanism of the two enzymes may also be similar. LCAT utilizes a serine for the phospholipase-like cleavage of phosphatidylcholine and one (or both) of two vicinal sulfhydryls as the intramolecular acceptor for the fatty acyl group, prior to transfer to cholesterol. Similar to LCAT, LRAT was inhibited by N-ethylmaleimide at concentrations as low as 15 μ M , and completely inhibited by 1.0 m M p-aminophenylarsineoxide, a reagent that requires vicinal sulfhydryls in order to form a stable covalent complex. But unexpectedly, LRAT retained over 50% of its activity after treatment with 20 m M diisopropylfluorophosphate, diethyl p -nitrophenyl phosphate, or m -aminophenyl boronic acid, reagents that have been shown to inhibit LCAT as well as other enzymes utilizing serine residues for hydrolysis. Solubilized LRAT was inhibited by 5.0 m M phenylmethylsulfonylfluoride, and this inhibition was reversible within seconds of dithiothreitol addition to the inactive enzyme. Similar results have been reported for the sulfhydryl-protease papain. These inhibitor studies suggest that the active residue in LRAT necessary for the phospholipase cleavage step is a cysteine rather than the serine employed by LCAT.
Amperometric micro-immunosensor for the detection of tumor biomarker

In this paper, a highly sensitive, reagentless, electrochemical strategy is reported for the detection of a cancer biomarker-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF). Disc shaped carbon fiber microelectrodes were used as the immunosensor platform. Ferrocene monocarboxylic acid labeled anti-VEGF was covalently immobilized on the microelectrode surface using a Jeffamine cross-linker. The formation of immunocomplexes leads to a decrease in the electrochemical signal of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid owing to increased spatial blocking of microelectrode surface. These signal changes enable quantitative detection of VEGF in solution. Voltammetric measurements were conducted to evaluate the interfacial immunoreactions and to quantitatively detect VEGF biomarker. The proposed immunosensing strategy allows a rapid and sensitive means of VEGF analysis with a limit of detection of about 38 pg/mL. This opens up the possibility of employing these electrodes for various single cell analysis and clinical applications. Further, experimental conditions such as concentration of the immobilized antibodies and incubation period were optimized. Following this, the stability and specificity of the immunosensors were also evaluated.
Differentiation of the cell membrane in embryonic chick blood cells.

Abstract The changes of some properties of the red blood cells membrane during maturation have been studied. Red blood cells collected from 3-day embryos give rise to a patch-like reaction when they react with a labelled anti-adult blood cells serum. On the other hand, cells from older embryos or from adult chicken give rise to a ring-shaped reaction. Concomitant with this change, a resistance of the cells to trypsin digestion is observed. Furthermore, while antibodies can enter blood cells from 3-day embryos after they have been fixed with methanol, older cells become impermeable to antibodies even after such a treatment. Some experiments run on adult erythrocytes support the idea that the antigen(s) accumulating on the cell membrane during maturation is (are) a mucopolysaccharide.
Some evidence for the existence of water II

Abstract Product isolated from “cleaned” capillaries which had been washed extensively with quadruply-distilled water is different from the residue obtained during the cleaning process. This observation indicates that a material forms in the capillaries during the anomalous water preparation, whose formation cannot be explained on the basis of the impurities found during the cleaning process. Infrared spectral data obtained on this product from “cleaned” capillaries before and after pyrolysis show that this product does not contain acetates, formates, or other related compounds. Thus no interpretation, other than that a form of water (which is stable to 350–400°C), has yet been found to explain the infrared spectra of the products from “cleaned” capillaries. A surface diffusion or “creep” mechanism does not account for the collection of material in the capillaries. No significant (≥0.1%) silicon, boron, or aluminum has been found to be present in the product from “cleaned” capillaries. All results presented have been reproduced.
Ethanol and negative feedback regulation of mesolimbic dopamine release in rats.

The objectives of this study were to examine the relationship between somatodendritic and terminal field dopamine (DA) release following manipulation of DA D2 receptors in the ventral tegmental area (VTA), systemic administration of ethanol, and inhibition of DA uptake in the nucleus accumbens (ACB). Perfusion of 5, 25 and 100 μM quinpirole (a D2 agonist), or sulpiride (a D2 antagonist) through the microdialysis probe in the VTA produced dose-related decreases or increases, respectively, in the extracellular levels of DA in both the VTA and ACB of adult Wistar rats. The IP administration of 2–3 g/kg ethanol produced a sustained increase in the extracellular levels of DA (150–200% of baseline) in the ACB for at least 2 h after injection, whereas only a transient increase was observed in the VTA. Local perfusion of the ACB with 100 μM GBR12909, a DA uptake inhibitor, elevated the extracellular levels of DA in the ACB to approximately 400% of baseline, but decreased the extracellular levels of DA in the VTA to approximately 50% of baseline. Overall, the results suggest that (a) there is an association between somatodendritic and terminal field DA release when D2 cell body autoreceptors in the VTA are manipulated, (b) elevating synaptic levels of DA in the terminal field activates a long-loop negative feedback system to the VTA, and (c) different mechanisms may be mediating the actions of ethanol on DA neuronal activity and terminal DA release.
Sedimentation controls on the preservation and time resolution of climate-proxy records from shallow fluctuating lakes

Lithological stratigraphies of 210Pb-dated sediment cores from four hydrologically interconnected fluctuating lake basins in Kenya are used to investigate how differences in basin morphometry and physical limnology influence the preservation and time resolution of sedimentary climate-proxy records. The potential of lakes to accumulate an undisturbed sediment record is primarily determined by their relative depth, the ratio between maximum depth and effective wind fetch. Chemically stratified crater lakes accumulate high-quality climate-proxy records because they complement great relative depth with topographical wind shelter, resistance of density stratification to propagation of wind-induced turbulence, and absence of bioturbation in anoxic bottom waters. The changes in water-column circulation and bottom dynamics that accompany lake-level fluctuations affect the time resolution of accumulating climate-proxy signals and thus the apparent magnitude and frequency of inferred climatic events. An episode of low lake level can be both over- or underrepresented in the climate-proxy record depending on the severity of the drawdown relative to the lake’s critical depth of sediment accumulation. Decade-scale hiatuses due to non-deposition or erosion at low lake level may be difficult to recognize because mixing of unconsolidated muds deposited before and after the lowstand can obliterate evidence that the record has been truncated. Regional correlation of climate-proxy records must consider both hydrology-related differences in the climatic sensitivity of lakes and sedimentation-related differences in the integrity of their climate-history archives.
An etching technique for microalloyed dual-phase steels

Abstract A double etching technique consisting of picral etching followed by alkaline chromate staining has been applied to a Nb-microalloyed dual-phase steel. The etching technique is described in detail in this article. Evidence is presented which shows that the alkaline chromate stain delineates the size and shape of the austenite pool formed during intercritical annealing. Ferrite not transformed during annealing is stained gray and new ferrite, formed by the transformation of austenite on cooling, appears white. There is no grain boundary between the two types of ferrite. Martensite is stained black and other structures such as acicular ferrite and fine lamellar ferrite-carbide clusters are also clearly revealed.
Reproducing kernel particle methods

A new continuous reproducing kernel interpolation function which explores the attractive features of the flexible time-frequency and space-wave number localization of a window function is developed. This method is motivated by the theory of wavelets and also has the desirable attributes of the recently proposed smooth particle hydrodynamics (SPH) methods, moving least squares methods (MLSM), diffuse element methods (DEM) and element-free Galerkin methods (EFGM). The proposed method maintains the advantages of the free Lagrange or SPH methods; however, because of the addition of a correction function, it gives much more accurate results. Therefore it is called the reproducing kernel particle method (RKPM). In computer implementation RKPM is shown to be more efficient than DEM and EFGM. Moreover, if the window function is C∞, the solution and its derivatives are also C∞ in the entire domain. Theoretical analysis and numerical experiments on the 1D diffusion equation reveal the stability conditions and the effect of the dilation parameter on the unusually high convergence rates of the proposed method. Two-dimensional examples of advection-diffusion equations and compressible Euler equations are also presented together with 2D multiple-scale decompositions.
Historical Perspectives On Hazardous Wastes in the United States

This paper traces changing attitudes and practices regarding municipal and industrial waste disposal from the middle of the 19th century to the present. It examines the interaction between various theories of health and waste disposal in water and on land. The concluding section explores the increasing use of industrial and sanitary landfills since World War II and the development of legislation to deal with negative effects.