cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Basic Principles of Chromatography

Chromatography has many applications for analysis of various foods components. It differs from other methods of separation in that a wide variety of materials, equipment, and techniques can be used. This chapter focuses on the principles of chromatography, as background information for the detailed principles and application of high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography (GC) covered in Chap. 13 and 14, respectively. This chapter gives the basics of chromatography as a separation method based on the partitioning of a solute between a mobile phase and a stationary phase. Based on the physicochemical characteristics of the analyte and the availability of instrumentation, a chromatographic system is chosen to separate, identify and quantify the analyte. Chromatographic modes include adsorption, partition, hydrophobic interaction, ion exchange, affinity, and size exclusion chromatography. Factors to be considered when developing a separation include mobile phase variables, as well as column efficiency, selectivity, and capacity. Following detection, a chromatogram provides both qualitative and quantitative information via retention time and peak area data.
Analyses of Hurricane Ivan wave in the Gulf of Mexico

The large waves caused by Hurricane Ivan have received considerable media coverage because of the extensive damage they wrought on the offshore oil industry and on the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico. It has been speculated that the associated wave conditions correspond to the 1000-year event and that criteria for designing offshore structures in the Gulf of Mexico may need revision. Here, we describe one analysis of all of the measurements from NDBC buoys in the Gulf of Mexico and elsewhere in US waters, with a view to placing Hurricane Ivan's waves in the context of other measurements. The largest significant wave heights (SWH's) measured during Hurricane Ivan in the Gulf of Mexico rival the largest waves ever recorded in all US waters. This is noteworthy because, on a return period basis, the Gulf of Mexico has the smallest wave climate compared with all other regions around the US. At four locations in the Gulf of Mexico, the SWH's were the largest ever recorded at those locations, and exceeded the previous biggest waves by a significant margin. Wave-induced velocities are estimated to be as high as 3.5 m/s at some locations, which may have contributed to the extensive mud, sediment, and pipeline movements that have been reported. Calculations based on the admittedly short-duration datasets suggest that the some SWH's measured during Hurricane Ivan may correspond to recurrence intervals of the order of several thousand years.
Childbearing and Infancy in the Carolingian World

T h e h i s T o r i c a l s T u d y o f p r e g n a n c y and childbearing began only relatively recently and has been hindered by the relative scarcity of records concerning these particular female experiences. The problem of sources is especially acute for the early Middle Ages; as a result, many studies of pregnancy, childbearing, and even early childhood skim over the period. Few studies of early medieval europe have addressed the history of reproduction, and none have focused on pregnancy and childbearing in the Carolingian empire, perhaps the greatest of all the early medieval kingdoms. This empire, whose most famous ruler was Charlemagne (d. 814), stretched from the northern Iberian and Italian peninsulas to the North Sea and from the Atlantic coast of europe to the Slavic borderlands east of the Danube and elbe rivers. After the death of Charlemagne’s son louis the Pious (d. 840) and a civil war, however, louis’s sons divided the empire in 843. Subsequent Carolingian kings continued to take the imperial title until the early tenth century, when other royal families took over former Carolingian realms. In attempting to build a unified Christian empire north of the Alps, Charlemagne and his descendants worked to standardize religious and legal practices throughout their territories. Clerics under royal
Anomalías celulares en larvas de ostra japonesa (Crassostrea gigas) provenientes de cultivo

Cultured larvae of the Japanese oyster (Crassostrea gigas) were analyzed ultrastructurally. Spherical bodies inside the gastro-intestinal cavity were observed. These structures seem to be marine fungus similar to Hyalochlorella sp. Dense cellular bodies of variable size found in ciliated cells of the velum are also described, they would be associated with tissue damage. This is the first record for these abnormalities in larvae cultured in the south of Chile.
Oxidative stress and protein glycation in diabetes mellitus

Metabolic alterations of diabetes mellitus are not only informative biological signs, but also factors of degenerative complications. Thus, hyperglycaemia increases non enzymatic glycation, characterized by the binding of simple oses (glucose) or by-products to amino groups of proteins. This reaction leads to the formation of complex compounds, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), which alter structure and functions of proteins. Glycation and oxidative stress are closely linked, and both phenomena are referred to as "glycoxidation". All steps of glycoxidation generate oxygen free radical production, some of them being common with lipidic peroxidation pathways. Besides, glycated proteins activate membrane receptors such as RAGE through AGEs, and induce an intracellular oxidative stress and a pro-inflammatory status. So, glycated proteins may modulate functions of cells involved in oxidative metabolism and induce inappropriate responses. Finally, some oxidative products (reactive aldehydes such as methylglyoxal) or lipid peroxidation products (malondialdehyde) may bind to proteins and amplify glycoxidation-generated lesions. The knowledge of glycoxidation mechanisms may lead to new therapeutic approaches.
Affinity Labeled Somatomedin-C-Binding Proteins in Rat Sera*

We have developed an affinity labeling technique that uses disuccinimidyl suberate to covalently cross-link [125I]somatomedin-C (Sm-C) to specific binding proteins in rat serum. Normal rat serum contains four major classes of intensely labeled [125I]Sm-C-binding protein complexes which are sensitive to competition with unlabeled Sm-C with relative molecular masses of 95, 49, 36–33, and 26–23 K. In addition, less intensely labeled complexes are observed migrating between 175 and 115 K. Of the Sm-C binding complexes observed in normal serum, hypophysectomized (hypox) serum contains only an intensely labeled 36-33-K complex and a faint 49-K complex. Chronic administration of ovine (100 ng, ip, daily) to hypox rats induces the 95-K complex and possibly complexes between 175–115 K. With increasing duration of treatment, these complexes as well as the 49-K complex appear to increase in intensity. Binding proteins in both hypox and normal sera do not appear to distinguish between Sms, since both unlabeled Sm-C a...
Bullous Pemphigoid and Ulcerative Colitis

A 21-year-old white woman, who had ulcerative colitis for 14 years, developed generalized severe bullous pemphigoid. Following the resection of her colon, her skin showed marked clinical improvement, but this was only temporary. Direct immunofluorescence was performed on the surgical specimen and no antibodies (BMZ) to colonic mucosal cells were evident. Anti-basement membrane zone antibodies were found on direct and indirect immunofluorescent studies and have persisted. Sera from 15 patients with ulcerative colitis and 11 patients with Crohn's disease, evaluated for the presence of an anti-basement membrane zone antibody did not contain any demonstrable levels of anti-BMZ antibodies. The co-existence of ulcerative colitis and bullous pemphigoid is more likely incidental rather than etiopathologic.
The Nature of the Collagen in Hepatic Fibrosis in Advanced Murine Schistosomiasis

Livers from CF 1 mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni, 50 cercariae each, were examined 8 weeks postinfection. The collagen content of the livers was increased about 18-fold over that for normal control animals. Quantitation of the collagen types in pepsin-solubilized collagen showed a change in the ratio of Type I to Type III from 2:1 in normal mice to 1:1 in the fibrotic animals. The change in ratio resulted from a very large accumulation of Type III collagen and, accordingly, may provide an important model for study of the possible reversibility of fibrotic lesion.
Stir-bar sorptive extraction and thermal desorption-ion mobility spectrometry for the determination of trinitrotoluene and l,3,5-trinitro-l,3,5-triazine in water samples

Stir-bar sorptive extraction (SBSE) is interfaced to ion mobility spectrometry (IMS) for the rapid detection of trace analytes, with the explosives, trinitrotoluene (TNT) and l,3,5-trinitro-l,3,5-triazine (RDX) shown as examples. SBSE retains its inherent advantages as a sensitive, straightforward, solventless, and inexpensive method. Additionally, the new SBSE-IMS technique exhibits excellent sensitivity, has onsite field analysis capabilities and provides the potential to detect and quantitate analytes that are difficult to accomplish using gas chromatography (GC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The SBSE-IMS technique is shown to be an effective method for the low-level detection of TNT and RDX from water with method standard deviation of 8.6% for TNT and 6.6% for RDX. The short desorption time of 60 s and analysis time of less than 20 ms along with limits of detection of 0.1 ng/mL for TNT and 1.5 ng/mL for RDX and render the method potentially useful for trace analysis. Desorption profiles showing the kinetics of analyte transfer from the stir-bar into the IMS are shown and discussed; the SBSE-IMS configuration shows very rapid desorption from the stir-bar, with the analytes completely transferred in most cases, in under 1 min.
The James wavefunction for the ground state of H2

Abstract A recent article by Jackson, McEachran and Cohen on the James wavefunction for the ground state of H2+ completely plicates previous efforts by the present authors.
Simulation-based performance comparisons of routing protocols for mobile ad hoc networks

An ad hoc network is a collection of wireless mobile hosts forming a temporary network without the aid of any established infrastructure or centralized administration. Because of the limited range of each host’s wireless transmission, to communicate with hosts outside its transmission range, a host needs to enlist the aid of its nearby hosts in forwarding packets to the destination. A routing protocol for ad hoc networks is executed on every host and is therefore subject to the limit of the resources at each mobile host. In this paper, the authors focus on on-demand schemes, studying and comparing the performance of three routing protocols: AODV, CBRP, and DSR. Results indicate that despite its improvement in reducing route request packets, CBRP has a higher overhead than DSR because of its periodic hello messages, while AODV’s end-to-end packet delay is the shortest when compared to DSR and CBRP.
Chewing and spitting: A marker of psychopathology and behavioral severity in inpatients with an eating disorder

Chewing and spitting out food is a frequent behavior in hospitalized patients with eating disorders (ED). Personality characteristics of those who frequently chew-spit (CHSP), the amount of food consumed during CHSP episodes, associated sense of loss of control overeating (LOC), and clinical response to hospital-based treatment have not been examined and were the focus of this study. Participants (N=324) were inpatients on a behavioral ED specialty unit. A third of the sample (n=107) reported engaging in CHSP in the 8weeks prior to admission with 21% (n=69) reporting CHSP at least once per week. Those who engaged in the behavior at least weekly (CHSP+) were compared to those with less frequent or no CHSP (CHSP-) on demographic and clinical indices and on the EDI, BDI, and the NEO-FFI. Participants were also asked if their CHSP behavior involved a binge-like amount of food (≥1000kcal) or was associated with LOC. The CHSP+ group was more likely to have purging diagnoses. After controlling for purging diagnosis, CHSP+ were found to engage in more restricting, diet pill and laxative use, and excessive exercise, and endorsed greater drive for thinness, body dissatisfaction, depression, and neuroticism than CHSP-. Among all CHSP+ participants, LOC was present in 70% and a minority (n=10, 18%) endorsed recent CHSP on binge-like amounts of food. This behavior should be assessed routinely in all patients, as it appears associated with increased eating behavior severity and increased psychiatric comorbidity at hospital admission.
Transcriptome sequencing of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis under desiccation and starvation stress in peanut oil.

Abstract It is well recognized that Salmonella can survive long-term starvation and desiccation stresses and contaminate foods that have intermediate to low water activities; however, little is known about the specific molecular mechanisms underlying its survival and persistence in low water activity foods. In this study, we used the RNA-seq approach to compare the transcriptomes (27–33 million 36-bp reads per sample) of a Salmonella enterica subsp. enteric serovar Enteritidis strain ATCC BAA-1045 after inoculation in peanut oil (water activity 0.30) for 72 h, 216 h and 528 h to those grown in Luria-Bertani (LB) broth for 12 h and 312 h. Our results showed that desiccated Salmonella cells in peanut oil were in a physiologically dormant state with Salmonella from desiccation and starvation stresses. In addition, non-coding RNAs may also play roles in Salmonella desiccation stress response. This is the first report of using RNA-seq technology in characterizing bacterial transcriptomes in a food matrix.
Spatial Distribution of Relative Scattering Coefficients Determined from Microearthquake Coda

A coda-envelope-inversion technique is developed to image the three- dimensional spatial distribution of relative scattering coefficients. The technique is applied to the Norris Lake Community, Georgia, earthquake swarm of 1993. The relative scattering coefficient is the ratio of the scattering coefficient to a regionally determined average used to normalize the coda amplitudes. The inversion problem was solved using the Algebraic Reconstruction Technique (ART) with the relative scattering coefficient constrained to positive values. Although coda envelope inver- sion is based on the theory for single scattering, we show that it may with a correction factor be used to characterize the distribution of relative scattering coefficients when multiple scattering contributes significantly to the coda. The coda envelope inversion for the Norris Lake Community earthquake swarm revealed a highly nonuniform distribution of relative scattering coefficients. The zones of strong scattering are correlated with the hypocenters and areas of rough topography. Moreover, at shallow depths the relative scattering coefficients are frequency dependent, with scattered energy increasing with frequency. We interpret this frequency dependence to imply that open fractures less than 250 m in length are responsible for strong scattering in the coda of these shallow earthquakes. At greater depths, scattering is independent of frequency and probably relates to velocity layering. A strong reflecting layer was identified at or below 7 km, which is consistent with the thrust plain identified in the Georgia COCORP reflection lines. The inhomogeneous distribution of scattering strength obtained in this study argues strongly against the observation-based as- sumption that the scattering structures are uniformly distributed in the crust.
Cyclic AMP and platelet prostaglandin synthesis.

Abstract The present study has investigated the influence of agents which elevate intracellular levels of endogenous platelet adenosine 3′5′-cyclic monophosphate (cyclic AMP), and the effect of the exogenous cyclic AMP analog, dibutyryl cyclic AMP, on the conversion of 14C-arachidonic acid by washed platelets. Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), PGE1 with theophylline, or dibutyryl cyclic AMP incubated with washed platelets prevented arachidonic acid induced platelet aggregation, but had no effect on the conversion of arachidonic acid to 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10, 14-eicosatetraenoic acid (HETE), 12L-hydroxy-5,8,10 heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT), or thromboxane B2. Ultrastructural studies of the platelet response revealed that agents acting directly or indirectly to increase the level of cyclic AMP inhibited the action of arachidonic acid on washed platelets and prevented internal platelet contraction as well as aggregation. The influence of PGE1 with theophylline, and dibutyryl cyclic AMP on the thrombin induced release of 14C-arachidonic acid from platelet membrane phospholipids was also investigated. These agents were found to be potent inhibitors of the thrombin stimulated release of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids, due most likely to an inhibition of platelet phospholipase A activity. The results show that dibutyryl cyclic AMP and agents which elevate intracellular cyclic AMP levels act to inhibit platelet activation at two steps 1) internal contraction and 2) release of arachidonic acid from platelet phospholipids.
Clinical Problems In Pulmonary Angioscopy

Pulmonary angioscopy has been shown to have a clinically useful role in the diagnosis of causes of chronic pulmonary artery obstruction and in determining operability. These results are based on the use of traditional medical endoscope technology and a distal view-ing balloon. While the technique is clinically useful, modifications are needed to make the technique more readily available to clinicians. Needed modifications include narrower bundles, improved flexibility of the bundle, and a secure (preferably disposable) mechanism of balloon attachment. These changes need to occur without sacrifice of current optics or distal tip deflection. These changes appear to be possible and would facilitate the wide-spread use of angioscopy in a large volume, branching vascular bed.
A geometric frequency-magnitude scaling transition: Measuring b=1.5 for large earthquakes

Abstract We identify two distinct scaling regimes in the frequency–magnitude distribution of global earthquakes. Specifically, we measure the scaling exponent b = 1.0 for “small” earthquakes with 5.5 m b = 1.5 for “large” earthquakes with 7.6 m m t = 7.6, can be explained by geometric constraints on the rupture. In conjunction with supporting literature, this corroborates theories in favor of fully self-similar and magnitude independent earthquake physics. We also show that the scaling behavior and abrupt transition between the scaling regimes imply that earthquake ruptures have compact shapes and smooth rupture-fronts.
The Dissociation of Video Head Impulse Test (vHIT) and Bithermal Caloric Test Results Provide Topological Localization of Vestibular System Impairment in Patients With “Definite” Ménière's Disease

Purpose We report 3 patients with Meniere's disease and describe how the combination of audiometry, video head impulse testing, and caloric results may prove helpful in the diagnosis of Meniere's disease. Method Three patients with “definite” Meniere's disease were evaluated in a tertiary care medical center. Each patient underwent videonystagmography, horizontal canal video head impulse testing, and audiometry. Results All 3 patients demonstrated moderate, flat, sensorineural hearing losses; significant caloric asymmetries; and bilaterally normal video head impulse testing. This pattern of findings suggests differential preservation of high-frequency function (video head impulse testing) with impairment of low-frequency function (unilaterally abnormal caloric test results) in these patients. Conclusion Ipsilesional abnormal caloric testing in the presence of normal video head impulse testing is a pattern of findings observed in a cohort of patients who have “definite” Meniere's disease.
Dysphonia associated with epidural steroid injection: A case report

A 46-year-old patient with left-side low back pain developed symptoms of dysphonia and throat irritation 24 hours after receiving a fluoroscopically guided steroid injection into the epidural space. A direct laryngoscopy performed before a second injection detected no abnormalities. When dysphonia reappeared 48 hours after that injection, laryngoscopy revealed edema in the anterior vocal cord with thick surrounding mucous. Full clinical resolution of the dysphonia was apparent by laryngoscopy 15 days after the second injection. The mechanism of dysphonia after epidural steroid injection is unknown, but it may result from a systemic steroid effect.
Dementia and Comorbidities: An Overview of Diagnosis and Management:

The term “dementia” describes various neurodegenerative disorders that effect cognition, including Alzheimer disease, vascular dementia, and others. This article reviews the diagnosis and managemen...
Biochemical effects of physiological amounts of dietary boron

Research on human and animal boron nutrition has progressed sufficiently over the past decade to develop working hypotheses for biochemical roles of the element. It is well established that vascular plants, diatoms, and some species of marine algal flagellates have acquired an absolute requirement for boron although the primary role remains unknown. Discovery of naturally-occurring boron oxy compounds, all ionophoric macrodiolide antibiotics with a single boron atom critical for activity, established at least one biochemical role of boron. Recent findings suggest that physiological amounts of supplemental dietary boron (PSB) affect a wide range of metabolic parameters in chick and rat model systems as well as humans. Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3) regulates energy substrate utilization; current findings indicate that boron modifies that regulatory function. For example, in chicks, PSB substantially corrected vitamin D3-deficiency-induced elevations in plasma glucose concentrations. Boron also alleviates perturbations in mineral metabolism characteristic of vitamin D3 deficiency. In rachitic chicks, PSB alleviated distortion of the marrow sprouts in the proximal tibial epiphysial plate. Boron may help prevent inflammatory disease as several key regulatory enzymes in the inflammatory response are inhibited by PSB. The findings to date support the hypothesis that boron is essential for animals and humans. Also, boron and vitamin D3 have the same overall effect on the utilization of energy substrates found in plasma. Further advances in boron nutrition research will probably include characterization of the mechanisms through which boron modulates immune function, insulin release, and vitamin D metabolism. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Optimal investment, pricing and replacement of computer resources

The problem of multiple-resource capacity planning under an infinite time horizon is analyzed using a nonlinear programming model. The analysis generalizes to the long term the short-run pricing model for computer networks developed in Kriebel and Mikhail [5]. The environment assumes heterogeneous resource capacities by age (vingate), which service a heterogeneous and relatively captive market of users with known demand functions in each time period. Total variable operating costs are given by a continuous psuedoconcave function of system load, capacity, and resource age. Optimal investment, pricing, and replacement decision rules are derived in the presence of economies of scale and exogenous technological progress. Myopic properties of the decision rules which define natural (finite) planning subhorizons are discussed.
Speaking in time

Most spoken disfluencies, it is argued, are not problems in speaking, but the solutions to problems in speaking. Speakers design most forms of disfluencies as signals, communicative acts, for coordinating with their addressees on certain of their speech actions. At the lowest level, speakers try to synchronize their vocalizations with their addressees' attention. At the next level up, they try to synchronize, or pace, the presentation of each expression with their addressees' analysis of those expressions. Speakers have a variety of strategies for achieving synchronization, and many of these lead to the common forms of disfluencies.
A Two-Factor Explanation of Assimilation and Contrast Effects:

Associations to a contextual cue were contrasted with those of an advertised object when the cognitive resources devoted to message processing were substantial and when the categories to which the ...
Predictors of Disease-free Survival and Recurrence in Patients with Resected Bronchial Carcinoid Tumors

Background Bronchial carcinoids are characterized by neuroendocrine differentiation and have distinct biological behavior, recurrence patterns, and prognosis compared with adenocarcinomas or squamous cell carcinomas. Because of their often indolent nature, it has been suggested that routine postoperative imaging surveillance may not be warranted in the majority of patients. This study aims to define the factors that predict disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence after resection of these tumors, with the goal of identifying high-risk patients for whom image surveillance may be warranted. Methods We conducted a retrospective review of a prospective database to identify patients with completely resected bronchial carcinoid tumors. Surgical procedure, histology, pathological stage, follow-up, tumor recurrence, and survival were assessed. Results One hundred and forty-two patients were identified. Median age was 62 years and the majority was women (106). Surgical procedures included 20 wedge resections, 10 segmentectomies, 99 lobectomies, 3 bilobectomies, 2 pneumonectomies, 6 sleeve resections, and 2 bronchectomies. Pathologic stages included I (81%), II (10%), III (8%), and IV (1%). With a median follow-up of 31 months, there were seven recurrences. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 92% and 75% and DFS rates were 88% and 72%, respectively. There were 34 patients with atypical carcinoids, and 6 (18%) developed recurrence, compared with 1 recurrence (1%) in the group of 108 patients with typical carcinoids (p = 0.0008). For atypical carcinoid tumors, the 5- and 10-year DFS rates were 72% and 32% versus 92% and 85% in typical carcinoid tumors (p = 0.001). Patients with more advanced tumor stage pT2–4 and pathologic N1/N2 nodal metastases had a significantly decreased 5- and 10-year DFS compared with those with early pT1 stage (p = 0.029) or those without nodal disease (p = 0.043). Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed advancing age (p = 0.001), atypical histology (p = 0.021), and advanced tumor stage (p = 0.047) were significant negative predictors for DFS. Conclusion Long-term survival after resection of bronchial carcinoids is common, especially for patients with typical carcinoid tumors. DFS can be negatively influenced by atypical histology, advanced tumor, and nodal statuses. Efforts at postoperative image surveillance should target those patients with such high-risk factors.
SPECTROSCOPIC PROPERTIES OF PTN

Abstract Spectroscopic properties of 21 electronic states of PtN are computed using complete active space multiconfiguration self-consistent field computations followed by first-order configuration interaction computations. Potential energy curves of several electronic states of PtN are reported. The multireference singles + doubles configuration interaction and the relativistic configuration interaction techniques are used to compare the properties of the low-lying states. Results of our computations agree not only with the known spectra of PtN but also predict several new electronic states which are yet to be observed.
Bone marrow transplantation without total-body irradiation in patients aged 40 and older

We evaluated relapse-free survival and the incidence and type of complications in 17 patients aged 40 or older with chronic myelogenous leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, or lymphoma who underwent allogeneic marrow transplantation following busulfan 16 mg/kg and cyclophosphamide 120 mg/kg. Nine patients are disease-free survivors 5-38 months (median 26 months) following transplantation. The incidence of grades II-IV acute graft-versus-host disease was 35%. No significant difference was detected in the incidence of GVHD or interstitial pneumonia between patients aged 40 and older and a group of younger patients transplanted over the same time period. These observations should encourage consideration of allogeneic marrow transplantation in older patients and suggest that this busulfan-cyclophosphamide regimen is a promising alternative to regimens containing total-body irradiation in older individuals.
Parathyroid Hormone-Related Protein mRNA in Sheep Endometrium and Myometrium During Late Gestation and Labor:

To determine quantitative changes of parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) mRNA in sheep myometrium and endometrium during late gestation and labor. Tissues were obtained from 22 pregnant ewes under halothane anesthesia: early controls at 131 days’ gestational age (dGA) not in labor (ECNL; n = 6); during cortisol-induced premature labor (CPL at 131 dGA; n = 6); in term spontaneous labor (STL at 140-145 dGA; n = 5); or term control animals not in labor (TCNL at 140-145 dGA; n = 5). Total RNA was extracted and subjected to Northern blot analysis. Blots were probed with a human PTHrP cDNA probe, stripped, and rehybridized with an 18s rRNA nucleotide probe to normalize PTHrP mRNA levels. Endometrial PTHrP mRNA:18s was unaffected by gestational age or labor in tissues from the four groups. In contrast, myometrial PTHrP mRNA:18s ratio was decreased when TCNL and STL were compared with both ECNL and CPL groups (P < .05). Significant changes occur at the end of gestation in pregnant ovine myometrium PTHrP mRNA but not in the endometrium. In myometrium PTHrP mRNA levels were down-regulated at term regardless of whether labor was present. It seems that PTHrP mRNA levels in myometrium are related to gestational age rather than to labor per se in sheep. We hypothesize that PTHrP may play a role in maintaining uterine quescence until term, at which time levels fall allowing myometrial contractile activity to increase unopposed by PTHrP.
Successful Treatment of Drug-Resistant Atrial Tachycardia and Intractable Congestive Heart Failure With Permanent Coupled Atrial Pacing

Abstract Temporary coupled atrial stimulation slowed the ventricular rate by nearly 50 percent in an adolescent patient with intractable congestive heart failure and focal repetitive atrial tachycardia that was resistant to drug treatment. Because of the success with the temporary pacemaker, a specially designed permanent pacemaker was implanted to provide coupled atrial stimulation. The necessary electrophysiologic conditions for ventricular slowing by coupled atrial pacing are: (1) an atrial effective refractory period shorter than that of the atrioventricular junction, and (2) depolarization of the ectopic atrial pacemaker by the responses to coupled atrial stimulation. During a 4 year follow-up period the treatment resulted in elimination of the tachycardia, followed by return of the heart size to normal and complete clinical recovery. Coupled atrial stimulation can provide effective treatment in selected patients with disabling drug-resistant atrial tachycardia in whom this mode of therapy is shown to be effective by careful electrophysiologic studies.
Drosophila synaptotagmin I null mutants survive to early adulthood.

Summary: Synaptotagmin is a synaptic vesicle protein required for efficient neurotransmitter release, yet its exact role in the synaptic vesicle cycle is unclear. Drosophila presents an ideal organism for studies aimed at determining the in vivo functions of proteins. However, synaptotagmin studies have been limited by the early (embryonic or first instar) lethality previously reported for Drosophila synaptotagmin I null (sytnull) mutants. Here we report a new culturing technique that enhances survival of severely uncoordinated mutants thereby permitting Drosophila sytnull mutants to survive through early adulthood. We examined synapses in sytnull third instar larvae by electrophysiology and found that they exhibit severely decreased and asynchronous evoked neurotransmitter release, as well as an increased rate of spontaneous neurotransmitter release, as previously seen in first instar sytnull larvae. The ability to examine severe synaptotagmin mutants as third instar larvae, a stage where electrophysiological and morphological analyses are more easily accomplished, will facilitate structure/function studies. genesis 31:30–36, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Chitin variability with species and method of preparation

Abstract 1. 1. Comparable series of chitins were derived from blue, red, stone, and horseshoe crabs by representative mild acid and EDTA decalcification followed by alkali deproteinization. 2. 2. These chitins were found to comprise a family of closely-related products with variable solubility, molecular weight, optical rotation, and acetyl values, which are a function of both the species from which they originated and their method of preparation. 3. 3. Substantial differences in the chitins were observed even from a single species, depending upon the details of their isolation.
Influence of cytokine gene variations on immunization to childhood vaccines.

The magnitude of the immune response to vaccinations can be influenced by genetic variability. In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether cytokine or cytokine receptor gene polymorphisms were associated with variations in the immune response to childhood vaccination. The study group consisted of 141 healthy infants who had been immunized with hepatitis B vaccine (HBV), 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate (PCV7), and diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP) vaccines according to standard childhood immunization schedules. Genotype analysis was performed on genomic DNA using a 5′ nuclease PCR assay. Post vaccination total, isotypic, and antigen-specific serum antibody levels were measured using multiplex immunoassays. Significant associations were observed between SNPs in the TNFα, IL-12B, IL-4Rα, and IL-10 genes and vaccine-specific immune responses (p < 0.05). In addition, SNPs in the IL-1β, TNFα, IL-2, IL-4, IL-10, IL-4Rα, and IL-12B genes were associated with variations in serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, IgM) and IgG isotypes (IgG1–IgG3) (p < 0.05). These data suggest that genetic variations in cytokine genes can influence vaccine-induced immune responses in infants, which in turn may influence vaccine efficacy.
Saturation effects in liquid argon doped with methane

Abstract Measurements of the charge collected for alpha and beta particles in liquid argon, doped with methane concentrations of up to 30%, have been measured. It is found that, for concentrations of ≥10% mole fraction of methane, the saturation constant in Birks' law does not change with increasing methane concentration, making the mixture similar to a warm liquid in behavior. The significance of the measurements for compensation in liquid argon hadron calorimetry is also discussed.
Time-resolved EPR studies of main chain radicals from acrylic polymers. Effects of tacticity, solvent, and side group structure on chain stiffness

Main chain polymeric radicals from several acrylic polymers, produced by laser flash photolysis at 248 nm in liquid solution, have been studied using direct detection time-resolved electron paramagnetic resonance (TREPR) spectroscopy at 9.5 GHz. Highly isotactic poly(methyl methacrylate) (i-PMMA) shows a sharp, well-resolved spectrum at about 95 degrees C. Using synthetic methodology to disrupt the tacticity of i-PMMA, we observed different fast-motion hyperfine coupling constants for the main chain radicals. By raising the temperature of observation, we returned the coupling constants to the same value as those in the highly isotactic sample. This result is related qualitatively to the degree of stiffness of the polymer chains as a function of tacticity. The concept is tested further by comparison to two other acrylic polymers with bulky side chains: poly(fluorooctyl methacrylate) (PFOMA) and poly(adamantyl methacrylate) (PAMA), whose main chain radicals show significant line broadening even at 110 degrees C. Solvent effects on both spectral appearance (the alternating line-width effect) and kinetic decays (attributed to T1 relaxation) are also presented and discussed in terms of main chain conformational motion.
Justify my ideology: Madonna and traditional values

(1992). Justify my ideology: Madonna and traditional values. Popular Music and Society: Vol. 16, No. 2, pp. 75-84.
Three divergent mitochondrial genomes from California populations of the copepod Tigriopus californicus

Previous work on the harpacticoid copepod Tigriopus californicus has focused on the extensive population differentiation in three mtDNA protein coding genes (COXI, COXII, Cytb). In order to get a more complete understanding of mtDNA evolution in this species, we sequenced three complete mitochondrial genomes (one from each of three California populations) and compared them to two published mtDNA genomes from an Asian congener, Tigriopus japonicus. Several features of the mtDNA genome appear to be conserved within the genus: 1) the unique order of the protein coding genes, rRNA genes and most of the tRNA genes, 2) the genome is compact, varying between 14.3 and 14.6 kb, and 3) all genes are encoded on the same strand of the mtDNA. Within T. californicus, extremely high levels of nucleotide divergence (>20%) are observed across much of the mitochondrial genome. Inferred amino acid sequences of the proteins encoded in the mtDNAs also show high levels of divergence; at the extreme, the three ND3 variants in T. californicus showed >25% amino acid substitutions, compared with <3% amino acid divergence at the previously studied COXI locus. Unusual secondary structures make functional assignments of some tRNAs difficult. The only apparent tRNA(trp) in these genomes completely overlaps the 5' end of the 16S rRNA in all three T. californicus mtDNAs. Although not previously noted, this feature is also conserved in T. japonicus mtDNAs; whether this sequence is processed into a functional tRNA has not been determined. The putative control region contains a duplicated segment of different length (from 88 to 155 bp) in each of the T. californicus sequences. In each case, the duplicated segments are not tandem repeats; despite their different lengths, the distance between the start of the first and the start of the second repeat is conserved (520 bp). The functional significance, if any, of this repeat structure remains unknown.
Comparing a new technology with its predecessor—Steel making

Abstract This paper examines the physical and economic performance of a major innovation in steel making, the Basic Oxygen Furnace, and compares it with the performance of the traditional, open-hearth process. Evaluations are based on actual records from five American plants, covering three different time periods, and are set against engineering and management expectations as to the innovation's effects. Interviews with managers and technical personnel complemented the statistical findings. The analysis considers: how the attractiveness of the innovation was determined ex ante; the relative accuracy of the expected technological and economic expectations; the interactions of the innovation with the surrounding production system; and the objectives of post-installation technical and managerial adaptations.
From current to constituent quarks: A renormalization-group-improved Hamiltonian-based description of hadrons

A model which combines the perturbative behavior of QCD with low-energy phenomenology in a unified framework is developed. This is achieved by applying a similarity transformation to the QCD Hamiltonian which removes interactions between the ultraviolet cutoff and an arbitrary lower scale. Iteration then yields a renormalization-group-improved effective Hamiltonian at the hadronic energy scale. The procedure preserves the standard ultraviolet behavior of QCD. Furthermore, the Hamiltonian evolves smoothly to a phenomenological low-energy behavior below the hadronic scale. This method has the benefit of allowing radiative corrections to be directly incorporated into nonperturbative many-body techniques. It is applied to Coulomb gauge QCD supplemented with a low-energy linear confinement interaction. A nontrivial vacuum is included in the analysis via a Bogoliubov-Valatin transformation. Finally, the formalism is applied to the vacuum gap equation, the quark condensate, and the dynamical quark mass. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
SHMTool: a webserver for comparative analysis of somatic hypermutation datasets

The somatic hypermutation (SHM) of Immunoglobulin variable (V) regions is a key process in the generation of antibody diversity. The growing number of datasets of point mutations that occur during SHM in mice and humans often include comparisons between wild-type and individuals or strains genetically defective in the repair mechanisms that contribute to SHM. However, it has been difficult to compare the results of different studies because the analyses have not been standardized for criteria such as correction for base composition and the inclusion of unique mutations. If many mutations are involved, the analysis can also be time consuming. To overcome these problems and facilitate a standardized analysis and display of similar data, we present a webserver (SHMTool) for comparing SHM datasets, available at http://scb.aecom.yu.edu/shmtool.
Photoconduction in molecularly doped polymers: establishing a relationship between experimental observations and the predictions of transport theory

The similarity of charge transport in a wide variety of molecularly doped polymers implies that the key unifying feature in these materials is their inherent disorder. Much attention has recently been focused on the role of permanent dipole moments of the dopants, and of the host polymer repeat unit. Theoretical considerations show that energy fluctuations arising from the interaction of a photoinjected charge with randomly placed dipole moments are approximately characterized by a Gaussian distribution, had have long- range spatial correlations. Furthermore, a theoretical link between correlated Gaussian site energies and the Poole- Frenkel has recently been established. This talk will provide an overview of recent progress in understanding transport in molecularly doped polymers in terms of a model of correlated Gaussian disorder.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Serous ovarian tumors of low malignant potential with peritoneal implants

Between 1956 and 1985, 82 patients with metastatic low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma, subsequently reclassified by pathologic review as serous ovarian tumors of low malignant potential with peritoneal implants, were seen at the authors' institution. Median age was 34 years (range, 17-64 years). Original stage distribution was as follows: 32 Stage II, 46 Stage III, and four Stage IV. Peritoneal implants in 72 patients were classified as benign (22 patients), noninvasive (37), or invasive (13). For ten patients, implants were clinically documented but histologic material was unavailable. The most common sites of peritoneal implants included the pelvic peritoneum (42), omentum (33), uterus (33), and fallopian tube (26). All patients underwent primary surgery. Postoperative therapy consisted of radiotherapy in 18 patients, single-agent chemotherapy in 37 patients, combination chemotherapy in 25 patients, and no therapy in two patients. Second-look laparotomy documented response to chemotherapy in 42% of patients with no gross residual disease and in 80% of patients with macroscopic residual disease (40% complete response, 40% partial response). Disease-free survival rates were 95% at 5 years and 91% at 10 years. The International Federation of Gynecologists and Obstetricians (FIGO) stage, extent of residual disease, type of postoperative treatment, and type of peritoneal implants had no effect on survival. Based on a comparison of the present study's findings with those in the literature, the authors propose possible explanations for differences in survival by type of peritoneal implants and outline recommendations for clinical management until further studies elucidate the role of postoperative therapy.
Imatinib mesylate therapy reduces bone marrow fibrosis in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia

BACKGROUND Reticulin-stained bone marrow fibrosis is associated with a poor prognosis in patients with chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). Resolution of fibrosis with therapy may improve patient outcome. METHODS The effect of imatinib therapy on bone marrow fibrosis was evaluated in 40 patients with chronic-phase CML who were treated after interferon-α failure. RESULTS Thirty-one patients (78%) had severe (Grade 3 or 4) reticulin fibrosis prior to therapy. After imatinib therapy was administered for 3 to > 24 months, fibrosis was reduced by at least 2 grades in 19 of the 31 patients (61%) and by at least 1 grade in 34 patients (85%). There was no correlation noted between reduction of fibrosis and cytogenetic response. However, a reduction in fibrosis was found to correlate with a reduction in bone marrow megakaryocytosis (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS Treatment with imatinib mesylate appears to reduce CML-associated bone marrow fibrosis in most patients who are treated during the chronic phase of disease. This effect may be independent of the degree of suppression of Philadelphia chromosome-positive cells, and may improve prognosis in patients with CML. Cancer 2004. © 2004 American Cancer Society.
Cyst Features and Risk of Malignancy in Intraductal Papillary Mucinous Neoplasms of the Pancreas: A Meta-Analysis

Background & Aims International guidelines for the management of intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) of the pancreas recommend surgical resection of those with specific characteristics. We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the risk of malignancy associated with each of these features of IPMNs. Methods We performed a comprehensive search of MEDLINE from January 1, 1996, to November 11, 2011, for studies that included any of the features mentioned in the consensus guidelines for surgical resection of main duct and branch duct IPMNs. Data were analyzed from 41 studies for the following features: cyst size greater than 3 cm, the presence of mural nodules, dilated main pancreatic duct, symptoms, and main duct vs branch duct IPMNs. Malignant IPMNs were defined as those with carcinoma in situ or more advanced histology. A separate meta-analysis was performed for each risk factor to calculate pooled odds ratios (ORs). A random-effects model was used, based on the assumption of variation among study populations. Results The risks of malignancy associated with individual cyst features were as follows: cyst size greater than 3 cm (OR, 62.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 30.8–126.3), presence of a mural nodule (OR, 9.3; 95% CI, 5.3–16.1), dilatation of the main pancreatic duct (OR, 7.27; 95% CI, 3.0–17.4), and main vs branch duct IPMN (OR, 4.7; 95% CI, 3.3–6.9). There was a moderate level of heterogeneity among studies (I 2 range, 34–67). Conclusions Based on a meta-analysis, cyst features proposed by the international guidelines for resection of IPMN were highly associated with malignancy. However, based on our findings, not all cyst features should be weighted equally when considering risk of malignancy; cyst size greater than 3 cm was associated most strongly with malignant IPMN.
Iliac Vein-Inferior Caval Thrombosis after Cardiac Catheterization in Infancy

In a retrospective analysis of 300 children who underwent cardiac catheterization in the first six months of life, iliac vein-inferior caval thrombosis (IVICT) was diagnosed at a later study in 4% (12/300). IVICT occurred in only three (1.2%) of the 244 children catheterized by the cutdown technique but in nine (16%) of the 56 studied by the percutaneous technique.