cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparing human and nonhuman primate handedness: Challenges and a modest proposal for consensus

In the past 20–25 years, there have been a number of studies published on handedness in nonhuman primates. The goal of these studies has been to evaluate whether monkeys and apes show patterns of hand preference that resemble the right-handedness found in the human species. The extant findings on handedness in nonhuman primates have revealed inconsistent evidence for population-level handedness within and between species. In this article, I discuss some of the methodological and statistical challenges to comparative studies of handedness in human and nonhuman primates. I further offer a framework for developing some consensus on evaluating the validity of different handedness measures and the characterization of individual hand preferences.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography in Retained Soft Tissue Foreign Bodies: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Objectives Open wounds with the potential for retained foreign bodies are frequently seen in the emergency department (ED). Common foreign bodies, such as wood or glass, are often missed on physical examination and conventional radiography. The increased use of ultrasonography (US) in the ED presents an opportunity to better identify retained soft tissue foreign bodies, and understanding of its test characteristics is desirable. The authors set out to determine the test characteristics of US for detection of soft tissue foreign bodies by performing a systematic review and meta-analysis of the existing literature. Methods This was a thorough, systematic review of OVID Medline, SCOPUS, and Cochrane databases and a limited review of Directory of Open Access Journals, Google Scholar, and ClinicalTrials.gov to identify clinical studies examining the diagnostic accuracy of US in the identification of retained soft tissue foreign bodies. Studies were selected for full-text review by two independent reviewers to determine if they met inclusion criteria. Results were pooled for test characteristics using STATA and assessed for risk of bias and applicability using the QUADAS-2 tool. Results This systematic search strategy identified 5,059 unique articles, and 17 articles met inclusion criteria. Pooled sensitivity and specificity were, respectively, 72% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 57% to 83%) and 92% (95% CI = 88% to 95%). Overall quality of the studies was low and interstudy heterogeneity was high (I2 = 90%, 95% CI = 80% to 100%). Conclusions Ultrasonography is highly specific and moderately sensitive in the identification of retained soft tissue foreign bodies; however, studies to date have a high degree of heterogeneity and a high risk of bias.
Improved Parameterization of Amine-Carboxyate, Amine-Phosphate, and Aliphatic Carbon-Carbon Interactions for Molecular Dynamics Simulations using the Charmm and Amber Force Fields

Over the past decades, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of biomolecules have become a mainstream biophysics technique. As the length and time scales amenable to the MD method increase, shortcomings of the empirical force fields—which were developed and validated using relatively short simulations of small molecules—become apparent. One common artifact is artificial aggregation of water-soluble biomolecules, which has been observed in a variety of systems, including electrolyte solutions, intrinsically disordered proteins, lipid bilayer membranes and DNA arrays. Here, we report a systematic refinement of Lennard-Jones parameters (NBFIX) describing amine-carboxyate, amine-phosphate, and aliphatic carbon-carbon interactions, which brings the results of MD simulations of proteins, nucleic acids, and lipids in remarkable agreement with experiments. To refine the amine-carboxylate and aliphatic carbon-carbon interactions, we matched the simulated osmotic pressure of amino acid solutions to the experimental data. Similarly, we refined the amine-phosphate interaction by matching the simulated and experimental osmotic pressure of a DNA array. We demonstrate the utility of our NBFIX corrections through simulations of lysine-mediated DNA—DNA forces, lipid-bilayer membranes and folded proteins. As our refinement neither affects the existing parameterization of bonded interaction nor does it alter the solvation free energies, it improves realism of an MD simulation without introducing any new artifacts.
Sputter-induced photon spectroscopy of clean and sulfidized Fe-Cr-Mo single crystal surfaces*

Photon emission during argon ion sputterng of an Fe-18Cr-3Mo(100) surface was observed for clean, sulfur and carbon covered, and oxygen covered conditions. Auger spectroscopy was used to determine surface compositions. Measurements of intensity of iron and chromium emission lines as a function of time after introduction of oxygen to the system showed that enhancement of emission from chromium occurred considerably more rapidly than that from iron. We conclude that enhancement is local in origin and that it is due to an increase in the fraction of sputtered neutrals that are electronically excited. Sulfur and carbon produced little or no increase in photon emission.
Pepsin treatment of chicken ovalbumin and chicken egg white and its effect upon gelation

Abstract Limited pepsin treatment of chicken ovalbumin results in the removal of a short polypeptide fragment from the N-terminal end of the protein. The cleavage is specific and stabilises the protein. The cleavage site is between His22 and Ala23. However, contrary to previous reports [Kitabatake,N. and Doi,E. (1985) Agric. Biol. Chem. , 49 , 2457–2458], the pepsin treatment of either chicken ovalbumin or chicken egg white does not increase the transparency of the heat-set protein gels.
Integrative complexity, cognitive complexity and impression formation

Personal construct integrative complexity (I-C) refers to the assimilation of complex information into a system of impressions. Consistent with Kelly's (1955) theory of personal constructs, Chambers (1983: 1985) found I-C subjects tended to use a credulous approach to life and were better at resolving conflicting information in forming impressions. In similar research, Crockett et al. (1975) showed a measure of cognitive complexity (C-C) interacted with a credulous cognitive set to be predictive of conflict resolution. In the present study, I-C and C-C are compared, in interaction with cognitive set, as predictors of conflict resolution.
A preliminary study of optimal variable weighting in k-means clustering

Recently, algorithms for optimally weighting variables in non-hierarchical and hierarchical clustering methods have been proposed. Preliminary Monte Carlo research has shown that at least one of these algorithms cross-validates extremely well. The present study applies a k-means, optimal weighting procedure to two empirical data sets and contrasts its cross-validation performance with that of unit (i.e., equal) weighting of the variables. We find that the optimal weighting procedure cross-validates better in one of the two data sets. In the second data set its comparative performance strongly depends on the approach used to find seed values for the initial k-means partitioning.
Microsporidian Intrasporal Sugars and Their Role in Germination

The hypothesis that spores of terrestrial and aquatic microsporidia differ in their utilization of sugars was tested by evaluating the sugars in germinated and ungerminated spores of several species in each category. The aquatic species tested were Vavraia culicis, Edhazardia aedis, and Nosema algerae and the terrestrial species were Vairimorpha necatrix, Nosema disstriae, Nosema apis, Vairimorpha lymantriae, and Nosema spp. from Spodoptera exigua and Plutella xylostella. The percentage germination varied between species, ranging between 40 and 92%. Total sugars (anthrone reactive) and reducing sugars (Nelson's test) remained unchanged through germination in the three terrestrial species tested; however, reducing sugars increased significantly in the aquatic species. High-performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography revealed a preponderance of trehalose in all species and large quantities of sorbitol in all species except N. algerae and E. aedis. Other sugars were present in some species in much lower concentrations. After germination no changes in sugar content were observed in terrestrial species; however, all aquatic species lost trehalose with a concomitant increase in fructose and/or glucose concentrations. Increased osmotic potential from breakdown of trehalose has been postulated to induce germination of the aquatic species, but another explanation must be found for the terrestrial species.
A chemical degradation of 3-hydroxybutyric acid.

Abstract A method is described for degrading 3-hydroxybutyric acid to obtain specifically and in good yield each of its carbons as CO 2 . The hydroxybutyrate is dehydrated to crotonic acid which is reduced to butyric acid. The butyric acid is then degraded stepwise utilizing the Schmidt reaction.
Differential elastic cross sections for high angle electron scattering by He in the intermediate energy region

Measurements for the angular distributions of elastically scattered electrons from He atoms are reported for impact energies ranging from 5 eV to 75 eV. Differential cross sections for scattering angles between 90° and 135° are also reported. (AIP)
Concentration Measurement by Acoustic Reflectance

The speed of sound and the acoustic reflection coefficient of sucrose (0 to 60 wt%), glycerol (0 to 50 wt%), sodium chloride (0 to 27 wt%) solutions and tomato ketchup (0 to 100 wt%) dispersions were measured using a modified pulse-echo technique (2.25 MHz transducer, 20 °C). The density of all solutions is measured using a vibrating tube densitometer. All measured parameters are linear functions of concentration. Ultrasonic reflectance can provide equally precise measurements of concentration as conventional ultrasonic velocity measurements. For all samples except concentrated ketchup (> 50 wt%), measured reflectance is demonstrated to be a function of ultrasonic velocity and density. La vitesse du son et le coefficient de reflexion acoustique sont mesures dans des solutions de saccharose, glycerol, chlorure de sodium et ketchup. Les mesures varient en fonction de la concentration des solutions, lineairement. Pour tous les echantillons, sauf le ketchup, les coefficients de reflexions mesures sont fonction de la vitesse des ultrasons et de la densite des solutions et peuvent servir pour la mesure des concentrations.
Long-term changes in solar wind elemental and isotopic ratios: A comparison of two lunar ilmenites of different antiquities

The solar wind components in two lunar ilmenites are examined. The noble gas and nitrogen elemental and isotopic abundances of lunar regolith breccia sample 79035, assumed to have been exposed to solar winds more than 2 Ga ago, are analyzed using stepwise oxidation and pyrolysis. This sample is compared with the data of Frick et al. (1988) for soil sample 71501, recently exposed to solar winds. It is observed that the two elements differ in terms of xenon abundance, helium and neon isotopic rates, and He/Ar elemental ratios. It is concluded that there have been isotopic and elemental abundance changes in solar wind composition over time.
Optical coherence tomography of cell dynamics in three-dimensional engineered tissues

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is used to nondestructively monitor cell dynamics and distributions in 3-D engineered tissues. Dynamic processes including cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis, necrosis, and mechanical restructuring are observed during engineered tissue development.
The low-lying excited states of water, methanol, and dimethyl ether☆

Abstract Improved virtual orbital (IVO) calculations have been performed on the low-lying excited states of water, methanol, and dimethyl ether using minimal basis sets of contracted gaussian functions augmented with diffuse s and p functions. In all three molecules the low-lying states correspond to excitations out of an oxygen lone pair orbital to an excited orbital having the basic character of a 3s or 3p Rydberg orbital centered on the oxygen. The 3s and 3pb z Rydberg orbitals in water have especially large stabilities (term values) arising from favorable interactions with the electron-deficient hydrogens. Methylation diminishes this added stability in methanol and destroys it in dimethyl ether. The IVO calculations are used to assign the low-lying transitions in the optical and electron impact spectra of methanol and dimethyl ether.
Analysis of the single-particle scattering spectra for spin-density fluctuations of electrons in n-GaAs at T=300 K

The line shapes of single‐particle scattering spectra for spin‐density fluctuations of electrons in n‐GaAs with carrier concentrations ranging from 5×1015 to 7×1017 cm−3 have been analyzed. We have found that the Raman line shapes can be very well explained by a theory developed by Hamilton and McWhorter which takes into account both the band‐structure effects in semiconductors and the effects of carrier collision in a relaxation time approximation. For carrier concentration n≥2×1016 cm−3, the effects of finite collision time has been demonstrated to be very important and these effects must be properly taken into account in order to satisfactorily interpret the line shapes of single‐particle scattering spectra for spin‐density fluctuations in n‐GaAs at T=300 K. We show that although Lindhard–Mermin’s expression for dielectric constant as well as Hamilton and McWhorter’s theory fit the Raman line shapes equally well for carrier density n=7×1017 cm−3, neglect of band‐structure effects of the former tends to...
Pulmonary Complications After Descending Thoracic and Thoracoabdominal Aortic Aneurysm Repair: Predictors, Prevention, and Treatment

Background Although recent advances in surgical techniques have improved outcomes of descending thoracic (DTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) repair, significant mortality and morbidity still occur. The aim of the current retrospective study is to determine predictors of postoperative pulmonary complications and prolonged hospital stay. Methods Two hundred nineteen patients (median age, 66 years; range, 18 to 88; 112 male) underwent DTA (n = 79 [36%; 23 elephant trunk completions]) or TAAA (n = 140 [64%; Crawford I (52%), II (10%), III (11%), IV (7%); 31 elephant trunk completions]) between June 2002 and June 2005. Forty-one patients presented with ruptured aneurysms. Left atrial-to-femoral bypass was utilized in 51% of the patients. Femorofemoral bypass and distal aortic perfusion were used in 41% of the patients, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (DHCA) was used in 43 patients (mean duration: 31 ± 9 minutes); 8% were done with clamp-and-sew technique. Results Adverse outcomes were seen in 21 patients (9.5%); hospital death in 13 (5.9%), and stroke in 13 (5 of whom died; 5.9%). Sixty patients (27%) experienced respiratory complications with prolonged postoperative ventilation (longer than 48 hours); 24 required tracheostomy (11%). Independent predictors of pulmonary complications after DTA/TAAA were TAAA ( p = 0.03), preoperative blood urea nitrogen greater than 24 mg/dL ( p = 0.03) and rupture ( p = 0.09). The median hospital stay was 11 days (interquartile range, 6 to 35). Independent predictors of length of hospital stay were preoperative blood urea nitrogen ( p = 0.045), postoperative bleeding ( p p = 0.001), tracheostomy ( p p = 0.008). Conclusions This contemporary experience demonstrates that preoperative renal insufficiency and extensive aneurysm are important predictors of respiratory complications after aortic aneurysm surgery.
Inhibitors of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D3-1α-Hydroxylase: A-Ring Oxa Analogs of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D31

The most potent inhibitor known of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 1α-hydroxylase (1-OHase), a cytochrome P-450 mixed function oxidase involved in the production of the steroid hormone 1α,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (2), is 25-hydroxy-3-deoxy-2-oxavitamin D3 (3b). The latter, prepared previously in relatively low yield, is unusual because it coexists in nearly equal proportions with its [1,7]-sigmatropic shifted, previtamin D3 tautomer 4b. A more efficient synthesis of this potent inhibitor was developed by applying Trost's enyne Pd(0) cyclization strategy. Besides succeeding in improving the synthesis of 3b/4b, extension of this approach to the synthesis of other related A-ring oxacycles for structure−function studies of the 1-OHase system has been successful. This venture has resulted not only in oxacycles 4a, 3b/4b, and 3c but also their 9,11-didehydro counterparts 5a, 5b, and 5c. The analog 5b was anticipated to be of particular interest because it represents an analog of the potent inhibitor 3b, but the presence of ...
Antebrachial fractures in four captive polar bears (Ursus maritimus)

Objective— To identify common risk factors for antebrachial fractures of captive polar bears and to evaluate outcome after fracture repair. Study Design— Retrospective study. Animals— Four captive polar bears. Methods— United States zoological collections were surveyed to determine the prevalence of fractures in captive polar bears. Medical records of captive polar bears that had antebrachial fractures were reviewed for signalment, history, physical and radiographic findings, fracture management, postoperative care, and outcome. Serum samples from healthy bears and bears with antebrachial fractures were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) concentrations. Results— Nineteen fractures (12 polar bears) occurred from 1974 to 2002; 12 fractures involved the antebrachium. Management of 4 antebrachial fractures was reviewed; 3 were repaired by internal fixation and 1 by external coaptation. Fractures healed and bears were returned to exhibit on average 3 months postfracture. Of 11 serum samples assayed for 25-OHD concentrations, 6 were below normal, 1 was low normal and 4 were within normal reference intervals. The 7 bears with subnormal or low normal values were housed in 2 zoos. Subnormal vitamin D concentrations were identified in 2 of 3 bears with fractures. Conclusions— Fracture disease is not uncommon in captive polar bears. Additional research is necessary to explore the role of nutrition in polar bear fracture disease. Clinical Relevance— Internal fixation of antebrachial fractures is feasible and reasonably well tolerated in captive polar bears.
The murderous Dutch fiddler: Criminology, history and the problem of phrenology

To form a clear view of the origins of criminology and present-day practices in criminal justice, criminologists need to recognize phrenology as one of their progenitors. Although phrenology is dismissed as a ‘pseudo-science’ and mocked as ‘bumpology’, it in fact constituted an important early science of the mind, and the theories that phrenologists generated in the fields today called criminology, criminal jurisprudence and penology influenced those fields long after the phrenological map of the brain had been forgotten. Coming to terms with phrenology requires rejecting simple distinctions between ‘science’ and ‘pseudo-science’. It leads to a better understanding of the scientific project of criminology and, more broadly, to a better understanding of the nature of social-scientific knowledge
The relationship between perceived stress and health-promoting behaviors in high-risk pregnancy.

Objective The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between maternal perceived stress and health-promoting self-care behaviors in women experiencing high-risk pregnancies. Design Descriptive correlational. Sample Women (N=69) who had a complication in pregnancy that required referral to a perinatologist at a tertiary care center and ere in the third trimester of pregnancy. Measures The Perceived Stress Scale is a 14-item scale measuring the extent to which one appraises life situations as stressful. Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II is a 52-item scale from which scores for an overall health promotion scale and 6 subscales (health responsibility, physical activity, nutrition, spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management) are calculated. Results There was a significant and negative relationship between perceived stress and health-promoting lifestyle. The relationships between perceived stress and spiritual growth, interpersonal relations, and stress management were significant and negative. Conclusions During a high-risk pregnancy, women who engage in more health-promoting behaviors may experience less stress; however, the causal relationship between stress and health promotion is not known. Nurses can offer stress management techniques and health-promoting self-care during this stressful time to encourage health in mother and neonate.
Fidelity Decay as an Efficient Indicator of Quantum Chaos

We demonstrate that a system's rate of fidelity decay under repeated perturbations may be measured efficiently on a quantum information processor, and analyze the conditions under which this indicator is a reliable probe of quantum chaos. The type and rate of the decay are not dependent on the eigenvalue statistics of the unperturbed system, but depend on the system's eigenvector statistics in the eigenbasis of the perturbation. For random eigenvector statistics, the decay is exponential with a rate fixed by the variance of the perturbation's energy spectrum. Hence, even classically regular models can exhibit an exponential fidelity decay under generic quantum perturbations. These results clarify which perturbations can distinguish classically regular and chaotic quantum systems.
Effect of punishment on extinction of an avoidance response: Facilitation or inhibition?

The present study varied intensity and duration of punishment and level of training in an attempt to produce facilitation of responding by punishment during extinction of an avoidance response. Animals were trained to avoid shock in a shuttlebox to a criterion of 2, 4, or 8 consecutive avoidance responses. The Ss were then put on a punishment-extinction schedule. Five intensities and two durations of punishment were used. No evidence for facilitation by punishment was found. Inhibition of responding was directly related to both intensity and duration of punishment but unrelated to level of training.
Product Lifecycle Management in support of green manufacturing: addressing the challenges of global climate change

Companies are pursuing green manufacturing work to efficiently reduce or eliminate pollutants and hazardous substances as a result of their operations. Green manufacturing is an economically viable alternative that provides a competitive advantage as well as creates sustainable development, allows opportunity for re-investment, supports cost-saving strategies, and has a positive impact on the bottom line. To implement green processes and products, companies exploit Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) practices to achieve their strategic initiatives. This paper investigates why companies practice green manufacturing, what practices are engaged, and how PLM supports environmental-friendly initiatives.
Field testing of disinfectants for the control of potato ring rot bacteria on wooden and metallic surfaces

Field data are presented comparing the efficacy of various disinfectants for the inactivation of ring rot contamination on wooden and on metallic surfaces. Slats of potato crates were inoculated with ring-rot ooze and disinfested in various chemicals. Cut surfaces of healthy seed were then rubbed over the slats to pick up any remaining viable ring-rot bacteria. The seed was planted in randomized replicated rows, and evidence of ring rot survival derived from wilted vines or affected tubers. Disinfectants for wooden surfaces tested in this manner were 1) copper sulfate, 2) mercuric chloride, 3) coal tar phenols, 4) alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, 5) ammoniacal solution of copper-zinc-phenol, 6) copper naphthanate, 7) chlorinated phenols, 8) N(higher acyl esters of colamino formyl-methyl) pyridinium chloride, 9) calcium hypochlorite, and 10) di-isobutyl phenoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride. Of these at the concentrations tested, only the first five gave complete control. Disinfectants for metalic surfaces were tested, using screws to simulate such appurtenances of potato production as planters, diggers, and graders. Inoculated and treated screws were thrust into the vascular region of healthy seed, and the seed planted and observed as in the preceding paragraph. Disinfectants for metallic surfaces tested in this manner were: 1) copper sulfate, 2) formalin, 3) alkyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chlorides, 4) N(higher acyl esters of colamino formyl methyl) pyridinium chloride, 5) di-isobutyl cresoxy ethoxy ethyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride, 6) lauryl isoquinolinium bromide, 7) phenyl mercuri trienthanol ammonium lactate, 8) alkyl dimethyl 3, 4-dichloro-benzyl ammonium chloride pentachlorphenol, 9) sodium paratoluene sulfonchloramide, 10) calcium hypochlorite, and 11) pentachlorphenol. Of these at the concentrations tested, only the first six afforded complete control. Although other chemicals gave control equal to copper sulfate, the latter is the most logical disinfectant to recommend by virtue of its cheapness, its general availability, and its applicability to both wooden and metallic surfaces. Effective concentration for wooden surfaces was found to be 1 pound copper sulfate in 10 gallons water, and for metallic surfaces, 2 pounds in 10 gallons. Data on the 1-pound-per-gallon rate for metallic surfaces are missing.
Chromatographic Analysis of the Asexual and Sexual Stages of a Ciliate (Vorticella microstoma)

SUMMARY. We have been investigating asexual and sexual stages in the life cycle of a ciliated protozoan, Vorticella microstoma, with the object of determining characteristic patterns at the biochemical level. In the course of our studies we have made progress in the chromatographic analysis of acid hydrolysates of the asexual (neuter) and the sexual forms. Our findings demonstrate that it is possible to obtain from the neuter stages ninhydrin-positive patterns which are characteristically different from the patterns derived from the sexual stage. These patterns are believed to be indicative of the biochemical peculiarities of the organisms. Ninhydrin-positive patterns of the sexual stages of Vorticella microstoma are composed of 15 bands, in contrast with 10 bands observed in the patterns of asexual stages. In regard to color, bands 1–10 in the neuters are similar to bands 1–10 in the sexuals. The difference between the two ninhydrin-positive patterns is believed to be significant, in that it indicates the biochemical peculiarities of the respective kinds of Vorticellae. It is suggested that chromatographic analyses may lead to the identification of the substance or substances liberated by the macroconjugant for the purpose of attracting microconjugants. The methods which have been successfully used in this study may be helpful to investigators who utilize protozoa as experimental organisms. We believe the methods and results reported here may have applications in the genetics of protozoa and in biological studies devoted to metazoan subjects.
NMR Spectroscopy of Phase Transitions in Minerals

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy has been used extensively since the 1960’s to study phase transformations. When Lippmaa et al. (1980) presented the first significant high-resolution solid-state NMR spectroscopic study of minerals, the study of structural phase transitions by NMR was a mature field, appearing primarily in the physics literature (e.g., Blinc 1981; Rigamonti 1984). The sensitivity of NMR spectroscopy to short-range structure (first- and second-coordination spheres) and low-frequency dynamics (i.e., frequencies much lower than the thermal vibrations of atoms) make it useful for determining changes in the structure and dynamics of solids that occur near phase transitions. This combination of characteristic time- and distance-scales is not easily accessible by other techniques. Widely studied phase transformations include order-disorder and displacive transitions in compounds with perovskite, antifluorite, β-K2SO4 (A2BX4), KH2PO4 (“KDP”), and other structure types, including some mineral phases (e.g., colemanite; Theveneau and Papon 1976). These studies used primarily single-crystal techniques and were mostly limited to phases that exhibit high symmetry and possess one crystallographic site for the nucleus studied. In some cases, the NMR data can help distinguish order-disorder from purely displacive transition mechanisms. Also, careful measurement of NMR relaxation rates provides information on the spectral density at low frequencies, which reflects softening lattice vibrations or freezing-in of rotational disorder modes. Many phase transitions interesting to mineralogists became accessible to NMR spectroscopy in the late 1980’s with the commercial availability of magic-angle-spinning (MAS) NMR probe assemblies capable of operation at extended temperatures (up to about 600°C) and the development of high-temperature NMR capability at Stanford (Stebbins 1995b). These technical advances enabled many of the structural transitions that occur in minerals to be studied in situ by NMR, including those in phases for which large single crystals are not available. MAS-NMR …
Cation–π interactions modulate the NMDA receptor inhibitory potencies of inhaled aromatic anesthetics

Abstract Electrostatic interactions are being increasingly recognized as important modulators of anesthetic action. By virtue of their π electron clouds, aromatic anesthetics may engage in attractive electrostatic interactions with cationic atomic charges on protein targets. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that anesthetics containing π electron clouds inhibit human N -methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptors with potencies that correlate with their abilities to engage in cation–π interactions. Electrophysiological techniques were used to define the NMDA receptor inhibitory potencies of anesthetics containing π electron clouds and computer modeling was used to quantify their abilities to engage in cation–π interactions. All 18 anesthetics inhibited human NR1/NR2B NMDA receptors reversibly and in a concentration-dependent manner. NMDA receptor inhibitory potency correlated strongly with the ability to engage in cation–π interactions and weakly with hydrophobicity. These results provide strong evidence that electrostatic cation–π interactions modulate the NMDA receptor inhibitory potencies of volatile anesthetics possessing π electron clouds. It suggests that the NMDA receptor inhibitory site for such anesthetics contains a positive charge and that computational modeling may be used to predict the NMDA receptor inhibitory potencies of volatile compounds.
The effect of cancer chemotherapeutic agents on fibrin formation and stabilization in vitro.

The Effect of Cancer Chemotherapeutic Agents on Fibrin Formation and Stabilization in Vitro
Radionuclides in deer and elk from Los Alamos National Laboratory and the doses to humans from the ingestion of muscle and bone

This paper summarizes radionuclide concentrations (3H, 90Sr, 137Cs, 238Pu, 239,240Pu, 241Am, and totU) in muscle and bone tissue of mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) and Rocky Mountain elk (Cervus elaphus) collected from Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), Los Alamos, New Mexico, lands from 1991 through 1998. Also, the committed effective dose equivalent (CEDE) and the risk of excess cancer fatalities (RECF) to people who ingest muscle and bone from deer and elk collected from LANL lands were estimated. Most radionuclide concentrations in muscle and bone from individual deer (n = 11) and elk (n = 22) collected from LANL lands were either at less than detectable quantities (where the analytical result was smaller than two counting uncertainties) and/or within upper (95%) level background (BG) concentrations. As a group, most radionuclides in muscle and bone of deer and elk from LANL lands were not significantly higher (p < 0.10) than in similar tissues from deer (n = 3) and elk (n = 7) collected from BG locations. Also, elk that had been radio collared and tracked for two years and spent an average time of 50% of LANL lands were not significantly different in most radionuclides from road kill elk that have been collected as part of the environmental surveillance program. Overall, the upper (95%) level net CEDEs (the CEDE plus two sigma for each radioisotope minus background) at the most conservative ingestion rate (50 lbs of muscle and 13 lbs of bone) were as follows: deer muscle = 0.22 mrem y-1 (2.2 microSv y-1), deer bone = 3.8 mrem y-1 (38 microSv y-1), elk muscle = 0.12 mrem y-1 (1.2 microSv y-1), and elk bone = 1.7 mrem y-1 (17 microSv y-1). All CEDEs were far below the International Commission on Radiological Protection guideline of 100 mrem y-1 (1000 microSv y-1), and the highest muscle plus bone net CEDE corresponded to a RECF of 2E-06, which is far below the Environmental Protection Agency upper level guideline of 1E-04.
656 THE USE OF TISSUE LEUKEMIA BURDEN (TLB) IN THE STAGING OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL)

656 THE USE OF TISSUE LEUKEMIA BURDEN (TLB) IN THE STAGING OF CHILDHOOD ACUTE LYMPHOCYTIC LEUKEMIA (ALL)
Influence of Male Teachers on Elementary School Children's Stereotyping of Teacher Competence.

Children from two elementary schools, one with thirty-three percent male teachers and the other with no male teachers, were asked to attribute a series of descriptive statements regarding teacher competence to a hypothetical male or female teacher pictured in a cartoon drawing. Students with male teachers were found to make significantly more non-stereotyping attributions than students with no male teachers (F (1,183)=15.07,p<.001). Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) was carried out on nine competency subscales and for a general competence composite score with school and subject gender as factors. No significant differences between schools were found but significant effects of sex and of a sex by school interaction were found. A discriminant analysis uncovered two canonical variables that discriminate among the four groups: female treatment, male treatment, female control, male control. The first function, number of female selections overall, discriminated the females from the males. The second canonical discrimination function, attribution of mismanagement, revealed that the responses of boys and girls are not the same from school to school. Control school children made negative attributions in the mismanagement subscale to opposite sex teachers, while treatment children made negative attributions to same sex teachers. In the assignment of mismanagement items, the presence of male teachers significantly influenced responses which ran counter to theories of sex-role identification, including projection by elementary school age children of negative qualities to the opposite sex. An analysis of descriptive data indicates that boys with male as well as female teachers made the most egalitarian attributions to male and female teachers. Data suggest that the inclusion of men as members of the elementary school faculty could be most beneficial to boys. The presence of male teachers was not found to influence boys' interest in becoming teachers. Interest in teaching was found to differ significantly by sex (X2=24.036, df=1,183, p<.001) but not by school. Neither control school nor treatment school boys wanted to become teachers, while girls overall reported significant interest in teaching careers. Limits in generalizability of the study due to differences in the two schools, a college laboratory school and a Catholic parochial school, are discussed. Similar patterns in responses of girls from the two schools and of boys from the control school suggest that parental and curricular differences of the two schools cannot of themselves account for significant differences.
Inadequacies of the straits' passage regime in the LOS draft

Abstract Appraisers of recent sessions of the Law of the Sea Conference have directed their attention, sometimes at the expense of other critical issues, to the emerging regime to govern seabed mining. For one reason or another, a general Western consensus has emerged that the draft treaty's textual arrangements for traditional and innovative maritime and aerial passage are satisfactory. That complacent consensus may rest on perilously unrealistic assumptions.
Synthesis of [11C-methyl]-α-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB)

Alpha-aminoisobutyric acid (AIB) labeled with the cyclotron-produced, positron-emitting radionuclide 11C has been synthesized with the label in the alpha-methyl group. Our previously published synthesis of [11C] AIB in the carboxyl position from [11C] HCN requires a rigorous quality assurance program to ensure that the concentration of cyanide in the final product is below certain levels. This can be avoided using the method described here with [11C] CH3I. The radiochemical yield calculated to end of bombardment (EOB) was 45-55% from [11C] CO2 with radiochemical purity of [11C-methyl] AIB exceeding 99%. Synthesis times from [11C] CO2 were about 55 min. Specific activities of 1 Ci/mumol were achieved on average. It has been shown that [11C-carboxyl] AIB is a useful imaging agent in patients with soft tissue cancers and melanoma, and it demonstrates tumor uptake in a spectrum of other animal tumor models. Because AIB is a nonmetabolized amino acid, [11C-methyl] AIB should be equally as useful. Either agent can be employed for the quantification of the A-type amino acid transport system in vivo with PET.
Membrane estrogen receptors mediate calcium signaling and MAP kinase activation in individual hippocampal neurons

Abstract Previously we demonstrated that 17β-Estradiol (E2) induced rapid Ca 2+ influx via L-type calcium channel activation, which was required for activation of Src/ERK/CREB/Bcl2 signaling cascade and subsequent induction of neuroprotective and neurotrophic responses in rat hippocampal and cortical neurons (Wu et al., 2005; Zhao et al., 2005). The current study determined the presence and specificity of membrane E2 binding sites and the functional consequence of E2 binding to membrane receptors in individual neurons. Using E2-BSA-FITC (fluorescein isothiocyanate) macromolecular complex, membrane E2 binding sites were observed in hippocampal neurons. Punctate FITC signal was observed on plasma membrane of soma and neuronal processes in E2-BSA-FITC binding neurons. No membrane binding was observed with BSA-FITC. Specificity of binding was demonstrated by competition with excess un-conjugated E2. An ERa specific agonist, PPT, and an ERb agonist, DPN, partially competed for E2-BSA-FITC binding. Imaging of intracellular Ca 2+ ([Ca 2+ ]i) in live neurons, revealed rapid Ca 2+ responses in E2-BSA-FITC binding neurons within minutes that culminated in a greater [Ca 2+ ]i rise and [Ca 2+ ]i spikes at > 20 min. The same neurons in which E2-BSA-FITC induced a [Ca 2+ ]i rise also exhibited activated pERK (extracellular signal-regulated kinase) that was translocated to the nucleus. Immunofluorescent analyses demonstrated that both excitatory and inhibitory neuronal markers labeled subpopulations of E2-BSA-FITC binding neurons. All E2-BSA-FITC binding neurons expressed L-type calcium channels. These results demonstrate, at a single cell level, that E2 membrane receptors mediate the rapid signaling cascades required for E2 neuroprotective and neurotrophic effects in hippocampal neurons. These results are discussed with respect to therapeutic targets of estrogen therapy in brain.
Bonding Word and Polity: The Logic of American Constitutionalism

Fundamental to the logic of American constitutionalism is the bonding of language and politics, the equivocal linkage of two quite different orders of composition. Unabashedly, the constitutional enterprise purports to infuse writing with power and to shape power with the written word. Such a theory of what it means to organize a political order according to a written design should systematically regulate the ongoing processes of constitutional interpretation. The result is a two-textframework of interpretive methods which is justified by the nature of the American constitutional enterprise, a system of signification that coordinates constitutive language, the authoritative modeling of the polity in words, and political legibility, the readability of the resulting scheme of government in operation. The Interpretable Constitution, as such a construct, reflects in its divisions the interconnection between document and polity and demonstrates the bond and tension between the Constitution as a linguistic artifact and the constitution as a political product.
TNFα Disrupts Mitotic Clonal Expansion and Regulation of Retinoblastoma Proteins p130 and p107 during 3T3-L1 Adipocyte Differentiation

Abstract The inhibitory effects of TNFα on adipocyte differentiation are well described, however, the mechanisms are poorly understood. Early during hormonally-induced 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation there is a requisite mitotic clonal expansion phase that is associated with significant regulation in p130 and p107 protein levels, two members of the retinoblastoma protein family that regulate cell cycle events through interactions with the E2F transcription factors. This regulation occurs within the first 24 hours of differentiation (Day 1) and is characterized by a transient increase in p107 protein and mRNA levels as well as a transient decrease in p130 protein levels. Here we describe that TNFα disrupts the normal pattern of expression of both p130 and p107 proteins, leading to a complete block in mitotic clonal expansion. Interestingly, TNFα-treated cells enter S-phase as determined by 5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine uptake experiments, but rather than completing cell cycle, they are stimulated to undergo apoptosis.
HYPOTHYROIDISM DUE TO THYROTROPIN DEFICIENCY WITHOUT OTHER MANIFESTATIONS OF HYPOPITUITARISM

HYPOTHYROIDISM is generally considered to be produced by a lack of an adequate blood level of thyroid hormone, which results either from a primary defect within the gland itself or from the failure of the anterior pituitary to stimulate normal function of the thyroid. The latter condition, known as pituitary myxedema or secondary hypothyroidism, usually follows loss of function of the adenohypophysis due to tumor, necrosis or other destructive processes (1, 2, 3). In addition to the findings of myxedema, there are those associated with adrenocortical and gonadal insufficiencies due to the loss of tropic hormones from the pituitary (2). The present case of hypothyroidism does not fall into the foregoing classification; the patient was a severe diabetic in whom the adrenocortical responses and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were normal. The administration of thyroid-stimulating hormone demonstrated the presence of a physiologically intact thyroid gland, despite findings of hypothyroidism. The data indi...
Note on complex systems.

Abstract A view is presented which argues that hierarchically organized, complex systems are in no sense unlikely to come about in a world in which thermodynamics is operative, and that they, in fact, often represent states of greater entropy than unorganized systems of the same components. This view is also brought to bear on the problem of how qualitatively new behavior arises out of simple, interacting components.
Magnitude scaling of the near fault rupture directivity pulse

Abstract Current ground motion models all assume monotonically increasing spectral amplitude at all periods with increasing magnitude. However, near fault recordings from recent earthquakes confirm that the near fault fault-normal forward rupture directivity velocity pulse is a narrow band pulse whose period increases with magnitude. This magnitude dependence of the period of the near fault pulse is expected from theory, because the period of the pulse is related to source parameters such as the rise time (duration of slip at a point on the fault) and the fault dimensions, which generally increase with magnitude. This magnitude dependence of the pulse period causes the response spectrum to have a peak whose period increases with magnitude, such that the near fault ground motions from smaller earthquakes may exceed those of larger earthquakes at intermediate periods (around 1 s). This paper presents preliminary equations relating the period of the fault-normal component of the forward rupture directivity velocity pulse to the earthquake magnitude, and a preliminary model for the acceleration response spectra of near fault fault-normal ground motions that includes the magnitude dependence of the period of the response spectral peak.
Treatment of gastric antral vascular ectasia (watermelon stomach) with endoscopic band ligation

Background Gastric antral vascular ectasia (GAVE) is characterized by mucosal and submucosal vascular ectasia causing recurrent GI hemorrhage. Treatment of GAVE with endoscopic thermal therapy (ETT) requires multiple sessions for destruction of vascular ectasia and control of bleeding. Endoscopic band ligation (EBL) has become the standard treatment of varices because it effectively obliterates the submucosal plexus of esophageal varices with an acceptably low rate of complications. Additionally, EBL has been used for control of bleeding from other GI vascular lesions. In patients with GAVE and recurrent GI hemorrhage, EBL may offer an alternative to ETT for treatment of large areas of diseased mucosa and submucosa. Objective Our purpose was to compare EBL (n = 9) with ETT (n = 13) for the treatment of bleeding from GAVE. Design Observational comparative study. Patients Patients with gastric antral vascular ectasia with occult or overt bleeding. Setting Mayo Clinic Arizona, a multispeciality academic medical center. Intervention EBL or ETT with argon plasma coagulation or electrocautery. Main Outcome and Measurements Number of treatments to cessation of bleeding and posttreatment hemoglobin, hospitalization, and transfusion requirement. Results There were no significant differences in the demographics, clinical presentation, associated portal hypertension, or mean hemoglobin values or the mean number of transfusions or hospitalizations between the 2 groups before treatment. Four patients in the EBL group had failed prior ETT. Compared with ETT, in exploratory statistical testing EBL had a significantly higher rate of bleeding cessation (67% vs 23%, P = .04), fewer treatment sessions required for cessation of bleeding (1.9 vs 4.7, P = .05), a greater increase in hemoglobin values (2.8g/dL vs 0.9g/dL, P = .05), a greater decrease in transfusion requirements (–12.7 vs –5.2, P = .02), and a greater decrease in hospital admissions (–2.6 vs –0.5, P = .02) during the follow-up period. Analysis of covariance showed significantly superior efficacy of EBL for cessation of bleeding, postprocedure transfusion, and hospitalization. One patient in the EBL group had postprocedure emesis and 1 in the ETT group had immediate post procedure bleeding. All patients in the EBL group had complete mucosal healing with minimal residual GAVE at follow-up endoscopy failed post-EBL. Conclusions Our initial experience suggests that EBL is superior to ETT for the management of GAVE. EBL required fewer treatment sessions for control of bleeding, had higher rates for cessation of bleeding, had a reduction in hospitalizations and transfusion requirements, and allowed for a significant increase in hemoglobin values.