cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Human Class 3 Aldehyde Dehydrogenase, and Sensitization of Tumor Cells that Express Significant Amounts of this Enzyme to Oxazaphosphorines, by the Naturally Occurring Compound Gossypol

Cytosolic class 3 aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH-3) is a demonstrated determinant of cellular sensitivity to the cytotoxic action of certain widely used antineoplastic prodrugs collectively referred to as oxazaphosphorines, e.g., cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide, 4-hydroperoxyifosfamide and mafosfamide (cellular sensitivity to these drugs decreases as cellular levels of ALDH-3 increase) (Sladek, 1993; Sreerama and Sladek, 1993a,b, 1994; Bunting et al., 1994; Rekha et al., 1994; Sladek et al., 1995; Sreerama et al., 1995; Bunting and Townsend, 1996). Thus, tumor cells, otherwise sensitive to the oxazaphosphorines, became resistant to these drugs when electroporated with purified ALDH-3 protein or transfected with the cDNA coding for ALDH-3 (Bunting et al., 1994; Sreerama and Sladek, 1995; Bunting and Townsend, 1996), and, of therapeutic significance, relatively elevated levels of this enzyme can account for intrinsic, transient acquired, and stable acquired, resistance to the oxazaphosphorines on the part of malignant cells (Sreerama and Sladek, 1993a,b, 1994; Rekha et al., 1994; Sreerama et al., 1995). Resistance to the oxazaphosphorines mediated by ALDH-3 is ostensibly due to the enzyme-catalyzed oxidative detoxification of aldophosphamide, the pivotal metabolite of these prodrugs (Sreerama and Sladek, 1993a, 1994; Rekha et al., 1994; Sreerama et al., 1995; Bunting and Townsend, 1996).
Optimal Hamiltonian identification: The synthesis of quantum optimal control and quantum inversion

We introduce optimal identification (OI), a collaborative laboratory/computational algorithm for extracting quantum Hamiltonians from experimental data specifically sought to minimize the inversion error. OI incorporates the components of quantum control and inversion by combining ultrafast pulse shaping technology and high throughput experiments with global inversion techniques to actively identify quantum Hamiltonians from tailored observations. The OI concept rests on the general notion that optimal data can be measured under the influence of suitable controls to minimize uncertainty in the extracted Hamiltonian despite data limitations such as finite resolution and noise. As an illustration of the operating principles of OI, the transition dipole moments of a multilevel quantum Hamiltonian are extracted from simulated population transfer experiments. The OI algorithm revealed a simple optimal experiment that determined the Hamiltonian matrix elements to an accuracy two orders of magnitude better than obtained from inverting 500 random data sets. The optimal and nonlinear nature of the algorithm were shown to be capable of reliably identifying the Hamiltonian even when there were more variables than observations. Furthermore, the optimal experiment acted as a tailored filter to prevent the laboratory noise from significantly propagating into the extracted Hamiltonian.
The gradient of certain harmonic functions on manifolds of almost nonnegative Ricci curvature

In this paper we prove that when the Ricci curvature of a Riemannian manifoldM n is almost nonnegative, and a ballB L (p)⊂M n is close in Gromov-Hausdorff distance to a Euclidean ball, then the gradient of the harmonic functionb defined in [ChCo1] does not vanish. In particular, these functions can serve as harmonic coordinates on balls sufficiently close to an Euclidean ball. The proof, is based on a monotonicity theorem that generalizes monotonicity of the frequency for harmonic functions onR n .
Alteration of the Course of Hypertension in the Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat

The blood pressure of spontaneously hypertensive rats was controlled at low normotensive levels, using antihypertensive drugs for a 6-month period beginning when the rats were 3 months of age. Treatment was then withdrawn and the rats observed for an additional 4 months, until they were 13 months of age. Treatment with antihypertensive drugs arrested the progression of the hypertension and the secondary pathology for the duration of the treatment period. Following withdrawal of drugs the blood pressure did not rise to the level of the controls of a similar age, but rather it returned to the level that existed before treatment began and then progressed at the same rate that the controls exhibited when they were 3-7 months of age. Pathological changes were found only in controls. These results indicate that, although the tendency toward hypertension is inherited, its rate of development depends on environmental factors. The hypertension can be arrested by chemotherapeutic interventions and can be aggravated by excessive salt. The hypertension appears to be a progressive time-dependent process but is independent of biological processes associated with aging per se. Finally, control of blood pressure prevents end-organ damage.
Robust adaptive control of redundant manipulators

This paper presents an adaptive scheme for the motion control of kinematically redundant manipulators. The proposed controller is very general and computationally efficient since it does not require knowledge of either the mathematical model or the parameter values of the robot dynamics, and is implemented without calculation of the robot inverse dynamics or inverse kinematic transformation. It is shown that the control strategy is globally stable in the presence of bounded disturbances, and that in the absence of disturbances the size of the residual tracking errors can be made arbitrarily small. The performance of the controller is illustrated through computer simulations with a nine degree-of-freedom (DOF) compound manipulator consisting of a relatively small, fast six-DOF manipulator mounted on a large three-DOF positioning device. These simulations demonstrate that the proposed scheme provides accurate and robust trajectory tracking and, moreover, permits the available redundancy to be utilized so that a high bandwidth response can be achieved over a large workspace.
Late transition‐metal multiple bonding: Platinum phosphinidenes and ruthenium alkylidenes

Transition-metal (TM)–main-group multiply bonded complexes have been heavily studied, due to their usefulness in a variety of applications, e.g., catalysis. The large majority of multiply bonded complexes are early TM systems, but late metal complexes are becoming more common and have been shown to be potent catalysts. An investigation of ligand and substituent effects for representative late TM multiply bonded complexes with heavy (Pt–phosphinidenes) and light (Ru–alkylidenes) elements is presented. Fundamental differences in the response of the metal–ligand multiple bond are observed for light vs. heavy main-group elements for these late TM systems. The results are, in many respects, diametrically opposed to those seen for their early TM congeners. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 65: 987–996, 1997
Line Polarization of Molecular Lines at Radio Frequencies: The Case of DR 21(OH)

We present polarization observations in DR 21(OH) from thermal dust emission at 3 mm and from CO J = 1 → 0 line emission. The observations were obtained using the Berkeley-Illinois-Maryland Association (BIMA) array. Lai et al. observed this region at 1.3 mm for the polarized continuum emission and also measured the CO J = 2 → 1 polarization. Our continuum polarization results are consistent with those of Lai et al. However, the direction of the linear polarization for the J = 1 → 0 is perpendicular to that of the CO J = 2 → 1 polarization. This unexpected result was explored by obtaining numerical solutions to the multilevel radiative transfer equations for a gas with anisotropic optical depths. We find that in addition to the anisotropic optical depths, anisotropic excitation due to a source of radiation that is external to the CO is needed to understand the orthogonality in the directions of polarization. The continuum emission by dust grains at the core of DR 21(OH) is sufficient to provide this external radiation. The CO polarization must arise in relatively low density (n ~ 100 cm-3 ) envelope gas. We infer B ~ 10 μG in this gas, which implies that the envelope is subcritical.
Enkephalin convertase: A specific enkephalin synthesizing carboxypeptidase in adrenal chromaffin granules, brain, and pituitary gland

Abstract Enkephalin convertase, an enkephalin synthesizing carboxypeptidase, has been further characterized and purified to virtual homogeneity from brain pituitary and adrenal chromaffin granules. Activity varies more than 10 fold in brain regions, generally reflecting enkephalin distribution. Enkephalin convertase activity is 20 fold higher in the anterior than the posterior pituitary, suggesting a role in the processing of other peptide hormones. Enkephalin convertase activity was not detected in any peripheral tissues.
Characteristics and Key Success Factors in Family Business: The Case of Korean Immigrant Businesses in Metro-Atlanta

Immigrant businesses in the United States are a vibrant and growing part of the economy, and their similarities and differences to other family businesses in the U.S. are worthy of investigation.This paper examines two elements of Korean immigrant businesses in Metro-Atlanta: characteristics (ethnic business, general family business, ownership and succession planning, strategic planning, and conflict and communication) and key success factors. There were 93 respondents in this exploratory study. This paper discusses the results and implications of the study.
Muskellunge Spawning Habitat and Reproductive Success

Abstract Reproduction of muskellunge Esox masquinongy has failed in many waters that formerly supported self-sustaining populations. Laboratory experiments were conducted to isolate causes of such failures. Differential mortality occurred among lots of muskellunge eggs incubated in jars of unaceated lake water over substrates of sand, gravel, silt, aquatic macrophytes, wood, tree leaves, polyethylene screen, and bare glass. High and rapid early mortality (days 1–2), attributable to low dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations (0–0.1 mg/liter), occurred among eggs incubated on leaves and macrophytes. After day 3, Saprolegnia sp. fungus was implicated in high egg mortalities in jars with inorganic substrates and moderate DO concentrations (3.8–4.1 mg/liter). Lowest mortality rates occurred on organic substrates (silt and wood) amidst intermediate DO concentrations (0.4–1.7 mg/liter) and limited fungal infestation. Among eight midwestern lakes and reservoirs, measured DO at the substrate-water interface in four ...
Theory of a free-electron laser

A classical, linear theory is given for the gain of a short-wavelength free-electron laser. Waves propagating along the relativistic beam are unamplified when the beam is cold. Two of the six geometric optics modes have phase velocities
High-performance liquid chromatographic separation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons using pyridinium chloride as a selective fluorescence quencher to aid detection

The first use of pyridinium chloride (PC), as a selective fluorescence quenching agent of alternant polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), under HPLC separation conditions is reported. PC was found to be superior to nitromethane, the only reported PAH selective quencher used in HPLC. The mobile phase addition of 0.03 M PC greatly simplifies the observed fluorescence-detected chromatograms for complex PAH mixtures, facilitating PAH identification. Stern–Volmer quenching constants (Ksv) for PAHs were calculated from the chromatograms obtained under isocratic and gradient conditions and found to be similar. The Ksv values were shown to be useful in establishing peak purity.
Laser Resection of a Pedunculated Tracheal Adenoma

We report a case of tracheal adenoma presenting as hemoptysis and reversible airflow obstruction in an ex-smoker. A questionable defect in the tracheal air shadow on a posteroanterior chest radiograph was shown on CT to be a pedunculated, mid-tracheal tumor. Two-stage bronchoscopic laser resection resulted in an apparently normal tracheal mucosa. Results of postresection spirometry were normal.
Imageability and age of acquisition effects in disyllabic word recognition

Imageability and age of acquisition (AoA) effects, as well as key interactions between these variables and frequency and consistency, were examined via multiple regression analyses for 1,936 disyllabic words, using reaction time and accuracy measures from the English Lexicon Project. Both imageability and AoA accounted for unique variance in lexical decision and naming reaction time performance. In addition, across both tasks, AoA and imageability effects were larger for low-frequency words than high-frequency words, and imageability effects were larger for later acquired than earlier acquired words. In reading aloud, consistency effects in reaction time were larger for later acquired words than earlier acquired words, but consistency did not interact with imageability in the reaction time analysis. These results provide further evidence that multisyllabic word recognition is similar to monosyllabic word recognition and indicate that AoA and imageability are valid predictors of word recognition performance. In addition, the results indicate that meaning exerts a larger influence in the reading aloud of multisyllabic words than monosyllabic words. Finally, parallel-distributed-processing approaches provide a useful theoretical framework to explain the main effects and interactions.
A hypothalamic syndrome characterized by hypernatremia, adipsia, hyperprolactenemia and high threshhold for vasopressin release

Adipsia with high threshhold for vasopressin release was diagnosed in a 9-year-old girl with episodes of muscular weakness,hypernatremia (Na 162-175 mEq/L) ↑ BUN, ↓ Hb and ↓ platelets,and urine osmolality 800-1400 mOsm/L.The levels of serum prolactin,FSH,LH, and estrogens (306 pg/ml) were high.She was obese with normal linear growth,and mentality,and Tanner II pubic hair. Thirst was not sensed even with serum osm.of 365 mOsm/L Prolactin decreased after hypertonic saline infusion (1640 to 1200 mIU/ml) and after L-DOPA (1600 to 600). Thyroid,and adrenal function,and muscle enzymes were normal.CT brain scans,the last one two years after initial symptomatology,were normal.The forcing of fluids (1500 ml/day) resulted in clinical improvement,normalization of serum Na,BUN,Hb and platelets and the appearance of regular menses.Prolactin,LH,and FSH did not change.The pathophysiologic implications will be discussed. It is postulated that the biochemical findings might have been caused by hypothalamitis (autoimmune?) with selective dysfunction of the thirst center,osmolar receptor-vasopressin release complex and the centers for LHRH and prolactin regulation.
Synthesis and in vivo evaluation of [O-methyl-11C](2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[2-[2-[2-(3-methoxy)phenyl]ethyl]phenoxy]ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidine as a 5-HT2A receptor PET ligand

The serotonin2A (5-HT2A) receptor is implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia and mood disorders, and in vivo studies of this receptor would be of value in studying the pathophysiology of these disorders and in measuring the relationship of clinical response to receptor occupancy for 5-HT2A antagonists such as atypical antipsychotics. Therefore, (2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[2-[2-[2-(3-methoxy)-phenyl]ethyl]phenoxy]ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidine (MPM) (13), a selective and high-affinity (K(i)=0.79 nM) 5HT2A antagonist, has been radiolabeled with carbon-11 by O-methylation of the corresponding desmethyl analogue (2R,4R)-4-hydroxy-2-[2-[2-[2-(3-hydroxy)phenyl]ethyl]phenoxy]ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidine (12) with [11C]methyltriflate in order to determine the suitability of [11C]MPM to quantify 5-HT2A in living brain using PET. Desmethyl-MPM 12 and standard MPM were prepared, starting from 3-hydroxymethylphenol (2), in excellent yield. The yield obtained for radiolabeling was 40+/-5% (EOB), and the total synthesis time was 30 min at EOS. PET studies with [11C]MPM in baboon showed a distribution in the brain consistent with the known distribution of 5-HT2A receptors. The time-activity curves for the high-binding regions peaked at approximately 45 min after injection. Blocking studies with M100907 demonstrated not only 38-57% blocking of tracer binding in brain regions known to have 5-HT2A receptors but also 38% blocking in cerebellum, which has a low 5-HT2A receptor concentration. Although [11C]MPM exhibits appropriate kinetics in baboon for imaging 5-HT2A receptors, its specific binding in cerebellum and higher proportion of nonspecific binding limit its usefulness for the in vivo quantification of 5-HT2A receptors with PET.
Unique composition of plastid chaperonin-60: α and β polypeptide-encoding genes are highly divergent

Abstract Molecular chaperones of the chaperonin family occur in prokaryotes and in plastids and mitochondria. Prokaryotic and mitochondrial chaperonin-60 oligomers (Cpn-60) are composed of a single subunit type (p60cpn-60). In contrast, preparations of purified plastid Cpn-60 contain approximately equal quantities of two polypeptides, p60cpn-60α and p60cpn-60β, with slightly different electrophoretic mobilities. We have isolated cDNA clones encoding plastid p60cpn-60α and p60cpn-60β polypeptides from Brassica napus and Arabidopsis thaliana. The unexpected degree of sequence divergence observed between p60cpn-60α and p60cpn-60β raises questions concerning the structure of the oligomer and the functions of these polypeptides. We have also found an amino acid sequence motif within all p60cpn-60 sequences which resembles the p10cpn-10 sequences.
Design-oriented analysis of DC operating-point instability

A previously published test for detecting unstable DC operating points is shown to be expressible in a simpler form. The new form is much easier to compute, especially in manual symbolic analysis, which is necessary for use in circuit design. The key parameter /spl Gamma/ is shown to be a generalization of the desensitivity factor, adapted for circuits with multiple feedback loops. The test of /spl Gamma/ is shown to fail to detect instability in a significant class of circuits. A new test based on negative differential resistance is devised that detects most such circuits.
Patient satisfaction investigations and the emergency department: what does the literature say?

Abstract. Background: Patient satisfaction is an indicator of the quality of care provided by emergency department (ED) personnel. It is this perception of satisfaction that becomes the basis for future ED choice or the recommendation of a specific ED to other potential patients. Objective: To perform an evidence-based literature review to: 1) characterize measures of “patient satisfaction” 2) identify factors that have been associated with overall ED patient satisfaction; 3) critique the methods used to assess patient satisfaction in the literature; and 4) address how this information can be beneficial to those reading the satisfaction literature or designing a satisfaction survey instrument. Methods: The MEDLINE database was searched for studies addressing ED patient satisfaction, from January 1976 through July 1999, using MeSH terms and a text word search. Bibliographies of manuscripts also were searched for additional relevant articles and each clinical study was used as a search criterion in Science Citation Index, from the date of publication through July 1999. Results: Multiple measures have been used to evaluate overall patient satisfaction. Sixteen studies were found associating ED patient satisfaction with service and patient factors. Most studies are observational and of these, most are cross-sectional. Hence, cause-and-effect determination of factors responsible for patient satisfaction cannot be resolved using the current literature. Conclusions: Despite considerable methodologic variability, key themes (e.g., association of satisfaction with patient information, provider—patient interpersonal factors, and perceived waiting time) emerge from review of the ED patient satisfaction literature. To standardize future investigations, clinicians and investigators should use a common definition for the state of overall patient satisfaction, e.g., when the patient's own expectations for treatment and care are met (or exceeded). This common definition should be incorporated into the instrument used to measure overall ED patient satisfaction.
Channel-like function of the Na,K pump probed at microsecond resolution in giant membrane patches

Ion transporters can be thought of as ion channels that open and close only at one end at a time. As in real channels, ions may cross through an electrical field as they diffuse into and bind within the transporter pore, thereby generating electrical current. Extracellular sodium binding by the sodium potassium (Na,K) pump is associated with ultrafast charge movements in giant cardiac membrane patches. The charge movements are complete within 4 microseconds. They occur only when binding sites are open to the extracellular side, and they are abolished by ouabain and by the removal of extracellular sodium. Fast extracellular ion binding may be the exclusive source of Na,K pump electrogenicity.
Training novice raters on the Negative Symptom Assessment scale

The Negative Symptom Assessment (NSA), a scale for rating negative symptoms of schizophrenia, has been shown to have high interrater and test-retest reliabilities as well as high concurrent validity with similar instruments. In this study, the facility of clinicians unfamiliar with the NSA to learn this scale was evaluated. After attending a 30-min training lecture, 27 experienced researchers, who had never previously used the NSA, viewed and rated a videotaped, semi-structured NSA interview of a schizophrenic patient. These ratings were compared with those of an experienced rater. Scores for most items met our criteria for learning with this level of training. These data demonstrate that high levels of agreement with experienced raters can be achieved on the NSA after brief periods of training.
Adverse Interactions Between Pregnancy and a New Model of Systemic Hypertension Produced by Chronic Blockade of Endothelial Derived Relaxing Factor (EDRF) in the Rat

Chronic blockade of the endogenous EDRF system has previously been reported to produce a model of hypertension and renal damage in rats. The present studies were conducted in conscious chronically catheterized rats to compare the renal hemodynamic and blood pressure responses to pregnancy in normal rats and during chronic EDRF blockade. In both moderate and severe hypertension produced by EDRF blockade, the normal late gestational fall in blood pressure is absent and blood pressure remains elevated at term. There was no midterm renal vasodilation or increase in GFR in the chronically hypertensive rats, also proteinuria developed close to term in hypertensive animals. The normal pregnant rat shows a marked plasma volume expansion as evidenced by significant falls in hematocrit close to term. This was suppressed in the hypertensive animals, particularly in the more severely hypertensive group. The chronically EDRF blocked hypertensive animals had a relatively poor maternal and fetal outcome compared to norm...
Effect of lithium on cardiovascular performance: Report on extended ambulatory monitoring and exercise testing before and during lithium therapy

To assess the effect of long-term lithium therapy on cardiac arrhythmias and cardiovascular performance, extended ambulatory electrocardiographic monitoring was performed in 12 patients, and rest and exercise electrocardiograms in 10 of 12, before and during lithium therapy. Lithium increased the frequency of premature ventricular contractions in three patients, decreased it in one, and produced no change in eight. Three of four patients with atrial arrhythmias showed improvement during lithium therapy. Exercise performance was unchanged. Although 7 of the 12 patients manifested T wave flattening in the resting electrocardiogram, none had S-T segment displacement at rest or on treadmill exercise. Before lithium therapy, arrhythmias on exercise included premature atrial contractions in four patients, ventricular arrhythmias in four (premature ventricular contractions in four, with couplets in two and with ventricular tachycardia in one). During lithium therapy, exercise did not provoke premature atrial contractions or ventricular tachycardia in any of the patients, but three patients had premature ventricular contractions (with couplets in one case). We conclude that lithium at therapeutic levels may precipitate or aggravate ventricular arrhythmias. When administered to patients with heart disease, factors that interfere with renal clearance of lithium (heart failure, salt restriction, long-term diuretic therapy) must be recognized and doses must be adjusted accordingly. Careful follow-up and electrocardiographic monitoring are advisable if lithium is to be used in the presence of ventricular arrhythmias. Cardiovascular performance as assessed by treadmill exercise testing was not affected by long-term lithium therapy.
Short-term visual outcomes of Boston type 1 keratoprosthesis implantation.

Purpose To report the short-term visual outcomes after keratoprosthesis implantation. Design Retrospective multi center case series (Wilmer Eye Institute and University of Rochester Eye Institute). Participants One hundred twenty-two patients (126 eyes) with corneal diseases that were deemed ineligible to receive donor corneal transplants. Intervention Patients underwent a Boston type I keratoprosthesis procedure for visual rehabilitation. Main Outcome Measures The medical records of the patients were reviewed to assess intraoperative and postoperative complications, uncorrected and best-corrected visual acuity, as well as the degree of refractive error at various time points. Results One hundred four patients (82.5%) achieved improved vision within 6 months after surgery. An overwhelming majority of those patients who had improved vision had a manifest refraction of plano. The mean spherical refractive error was −0.57 diopters (D) and mean astigmatism was 0.10 D. Cumulatively, 7.1% patients achieved their best-corrected vision at 1 day, 24.6% at 1 week, and 70.6% at 3 months. The patients who achieved their best-corrected visual acuity after the first 3-month period most often were the ones who required multiple surgeries owing to preexisting or postoperative complications. Conclusions Boston keratoprosthesis seems to provide rapid visual recovery with excellent uncorrected acuity in the early postoperative period. Financial Disclosure(s) The authors have no proprietary or commercial interest in any of the materials discussed in this article.
Environmental Attention, Affect, and Altruism1

Three experiments were conducted concerning the effect of attention to positive or negative images of the physical environment on altruistic behavior: I. Some subjects listed and described aspects of their residential environments that were particularly pleasant while others described particularly unpleasant aspects. II. Subjects were exposed to slides of either attractive or unattractive outdoor environments. III. Subjects viewed slides of either attractive or unattractive environments while adopting an attentional set that focused only on positive or negative aspects of the slides. After these manipulations, subjects in each experiment encountered an ostensibly unrelated confederate who sought their assistance as a favor. Experiment I subjects who had thought about pleasant environments spent significantly more time helping than those who thought about unpleasant enviornments. Experiment II subjects who saw slides of attractive environments offered significantly more aid for a longer time period than subjects who saw slides of unattractive environments. Experiment III subjects who focused on positive aspects of attractive enviornments gave more help than subjects who focused on negative aspects of attractive environments, though overall differences were not significant. Attentional set produced no differential helping effects in subjects who had viewed unattractive environments. In all three experiments mood or affect was discussed as mediating the impact of environments on behavior.
Insights from a Management Prophet: Mary Parker Follett on Social Entrepreneurship

Current-day management leaders such as Peter Drucker and Rosabeth Moss Kanter have cited Mary Parker Follett as guru and prophet given her foreknowledge of systems theory, action research and leadership. She viewed business as a social institution and work itself as a community service, concepts particularly relevant in the context of understanding social entrepreneurship. Referencing two of her works, “The Individual in Society” and “Business in Society”, this paper introduces Follett, defines social entrepreneurship and presents her ideas as timely insights on the meaning of work, ethics and the role of business in society.
Biopsy: Principles, Technical Considerations, and Pitfalls

Biopsy is an essential part of the diagnostic workup for cancer patients. Percutaneous, endoscopic, catheter, incisional, and excisional biopsies have different indications, accuracy, and efficacy. Careful attention to biopsy technique will minimize complications and increase the accuracy and efficacy of the biopsy procedure. Intraoperative biopsy and microscopy can be used in selected instances to modify the surgical plan.
A kinetic and DRIFTS study of supported Pt catalysts for NO oxidation

NO oxidation was studied over Pt/CeO2 and Pt/SiO2 catalysts. Apparent activation energies (Ea) of 31.4 and 40.6 kJ/mole were determined for Pt/CeO2 and Pt/SiO2, respectively, while reaction orders for NO and O2 were fractional and positive for both catalysts. Pre-treatment of the catalysts with SO2 caused a decrease in the Ea values, while the reaction orders were only slightly changed. In situ DRIFTS measurements indicated that high concentrations of nitrate species were formed on the surface of Pt/CeO2 during NO oxidation, while almost no surface species could be detected on Pt/SiO2. The addition of SO2 resulted in the formation of a highly stable sulfate at the expense of nitrate species and caused an irreversible loss of catalytic activity for Pt/CeO2.
Research Misconduct Policies of Social Science Journals and Impact Factor

In this study we gathered data on the misconduct policies of social science journals and combined it with the data from our previous study on journal misconduct policies, which did not include enough social science journals for data analysis. Consistent with our earlier finding, impact factor of the journal was the only variable significantly associated with whether a journal had a formal (written) misconduct policy with an odds-ratio of 1.72 (p < 0.01). We did not find that type of science (physical, biomedical, or social) or publisher had a significant effect on whether a journal had a policy. Another important finding is that less than half of the journals that responded to the survey had a formal misconduct policy.
Reactions of (η6-Arene)tricarbonylchromium Complexes: Hydrogenation, Nitration, and Bromination

In this study, we explore the reactions of coordinated arenes, e.g., hydrogenation, nitration, and bromination, to prepare compounds which are not accessible from conventional organic synthesis. The reaction products formed from reactions with the coordinated and the uncoordinated arenes are compared. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) employed for this study include phenanthrene, methyl- and acetyl-phenanthrene, and benz[a]anthracene (BA), The tricarbonylchromium group demonstrated various characteristics which influence the reactions in this work, such as an electronic effect to deactivate hydrogenation, a steric effect to exhibit, highly positional selective nitration, and a free radical mechanism to direct bromine to attack at the ring coordinated to tricarbonylchromium.
Paraesophageal herniation as a complication following laparascopic antireflux surgery

Paraesophageal herniation of the stomach is a rare complication following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with 720 patients undergoing laparoscopic Nissen fundoplications. Seven patients were found to have postoperative paraesophageal hernias requiring reoperation. The clinical presentation, diagnostic workup, operative treatment, and outcome were evaluated. There were no deaths or procedure-related complications. Clinical presentation was recurrent dysphagia in four, nonspecific abdominal symptoms in one, and acute abdomen in one. One additional patient was asymptomatic. Preoperatively the correct diagnosis was able to be confirmed in four of six patients by barium esophagogram. Four patients underwent successful laparoscopic repair. Two patients had a thoracotomy including one conversion from laparoscopy to thoracotomy. One patient had a laparotomy to reduce an intrathoracic gastric volvulus. At a mean follow-up of 2.5 months no patient had further complications. Paraesophageal herniation is a rare complication following laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication and a definitive diagnosis is often difficult to establish. Early dysphagia after surgery should alert the surgeon to this complication. Redo laparoscopic surgery is feasible but an open procedure may be necessary.
Replacement of cash by cards in US consumer payments

Abstract Time-series data on cash use in any country is essentially nonexistent. An econometric model is developed to overcome this difficulty. Applied to the US, we estimate cash use over the past 25 years. The share of cash in (legal) consumer payments appears to have fallen by a third, from 0.31 in 1974 to 0.20 in 2000. Checks replaced some cash during the 1970s, credit cards replaced some checks during the 1980s, while debit cards replaced both cash and checks in the 1990s. Even so, cash is not projected to go to zero anytime soon (95 words).
That's not my style: Understanding the correlation of learning style preferences, self-efficacy, and student performance in an introductory chemical engineering course

The popular American children's story, The Little Engine that Could, is renowned for the engine saying "I think I can, I think I can," instilling the power of self-belief in the young. The importance of this self-belief, otherwise termed self-efficacy, has been studied by many researchers at the university level. Correlations between (i) self-efficacy and learning style, (ii) learning style and performance, and (iii) self-efficacy and performance have been independently investigated by others in numerous contexts. We are studying the link between student learning style preferences, self-efficacy, and performance in an introductory chemical engineering course. Using the Felder-Silverman model of learning styles developed for engineering, and the subsequent Felder-Soloman Index of Learning Styles indicator, we are analyzing each learning style dimension separately to better understand the subtleties of learning style effects. We believe this integrated study in a traditional lecture-based engineering classroom context will provide valuable information for engineering education. Results will provide evidence regarding whether learning styles may affect student performance or self-efficacy, as well as identify natural biases in chemical engineering problems translatable to other fields. A better understanding of student background and learning preferences is invaluable in developing improved curriculum, especially in the ever-changing modern classroom.
Copolymerization with Depropagation. II. Rate of Copolymerization of Styrene α - Methylstyrene

Abstract Styrene and α-methylstyrene have been copolymerized at 60°C. At this temperature depropagation of the latter monomer must be considered. The rate of copolymerization and the chain length of the polymer formed are quantitatively interpreted by an extension of the theory previously used to describe the copolymer composition. It is postulated that rapid termination of copolymerization occurs because of the presence in the systems of low molecular weight free radicals of poly(α-methylstyrene) of chain length 3 cr less.
PHASE: A systems approach to the analysis of forced population movement

The SoSE approach is a useful developmental paradigm for Disaster Management Systems. The multi-dimensional nature of such systems require the reuse and leveraging of existing systems, synergistically combined to deliver comprehensive information management capability. This paper presents the Presentation of Human Activity Sequence of Events (PHASE) an information infrastructure for the analysis, and presentation of forced population movements and their consequent effects on refugee populations. PHASE, modeled as an integrated meta-system is used to represent the multi-dimensional nature of the analysis required for the understanding and mitigation of the effects of forced population movements at the Mugunga III camp in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). This paper presents motivation for the development of PHASE, its architecture and implementation.
Forward current&#8212;Voltage and switching characteristics of p + -n-n + (epitaxial) diodes

The forward-biased current-voltage and forward-to-reverse biased switching characteristics of p+-n-n+epitaxial diodes are investigated. The manner in which the n-n+junction affects the flow of injected minority carriers in the epitaxial region is characterized by a leakage parameter a. Experimentally, for diodes with epitaxial film widths much less than a diffusion length, a "box" profile accurately describes the injected minority carriers in the n region. The current is found to increase with increased epitaxial width at a fixed bias. A general switching expression for epitaxial diodes is presented and the validity of the expression is shown experimentally. The experimental values of a, determined independently from the current-voltage and switching characteristics, are in good agreement and show that the leakage of the high-low junction is dominated by the recombination of minority carriers in the n-n+space-charge region.
Efficient Solid-State Photoluminescence in New Poly(2,5-dialkoxy-p-phenyleneethynylene)s

A series of novel poly(2,5-dialkoxy-p-phenyleneethynylene)s (PPEs) has been prepared by the palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling polycondensaton of aryl acetylenes and aryl iodides. Different alkoxy side chains including n-hexadecyloxy, n-octyloxy, (2-ethylhexyl)oxy, (2-methylpropyl)oxy, (3-(dimethylamino)propyl)oxy, and (7-carboxyheptyl)oxy groups were attached to the rigid-rod polymer main chain. With this structural concept, polymers having an identical conjugated backbone but different supramolecular structures in the solid state could be achieved. X-ray diffraction measurements on thin films show that the polymers which have sterically hindered side chains are essentially disordered, while those with only linear side chains can form lamellar structures with significant degrees of long-range order. High photoluminescence (PL) quantum yields, up to 0.86 in solution and 0.36 in the solid state, have been measured for the new materials. While the solution quantum yields are independent of the functionaliza...
Specificity pockets for the side chains of peptide antigens in HLA-Aw68

We have determined the structure of a second human histocompati-bility glycoprotein, HLA-Aw68, by X-ray crystallography and refined it to a resolution of 2.6 A. Overall, the structure is extremely similar to that of HLA-A2 (refs 1, 2; and M.A.S. et al., manuscript in preparation), although the 11 amino-acid substitutions at polymorphic residues in the antigen-binding cleft alter the detailed shape and electrostatic charge of that site. A prominent negatively charged pocket within the cleft extends underneath the α-helix of the α_1-domain, providing a potential subsite for recognizing a positively charged side chain or peptide N terminus. Uninterpreted electron density, presumably representing an unknown 'antigen(s)', which seems to be different from that seen in the HLA-A2 structure, occupies the cleft and extends into the negatively charged pocket in HLA-Aw68. The structures of HLA-Aw68 and HLA-A2 demonstrate how polymorphism creates and alters subsites (pockets) positioned to bind peptide side chains, thereby suggesting the structural basis for allelic specificity in foreign antigen binding.
Adiponectin blocks multiple signaling cascades associated with leptin-induced cell proliferation in ApcMin/+ colon epithelial cells

We previously demonstrated that leptin, an adipose-derived hormone, induces cell proliferation in a model of preneoplastic (IMCE (Apc(Min/+)), but not normal (YAMC (Apc(+/+)), colon epithelial cells by inducing autocrine IL-6 production and trans-IL-6 signaling. Low serum adiponectin is associated with colon, prostate and breast cancer. Adiponectin is secreted by white adipose tissue; the levels of adiponectin in the blood decrease as body mass index (and leptin) increases. In our study, we tested whether murine recombinant globular adiponectin (gArcp30) could modulate leptin-induced cell proliferation, autocrine IL-6 production, trans-IL-6 signaling and other leptin-induced cell signaling events previously observed in IMCE cells but not YAMC cells. Under serum-free conditions, adiponectin (1 mug/ml) inhibited leptin-induced autocrine IL-6 production, soluble IL-6 receptor shedding, trans-IL-6 signaling and subsequent STAT3 phosphorylation in IMCE cells. Adiponectin inhibited leptin-induced cell proliferation in the IMCE cells and this inhibition was associated with I kappa B-alpha phosphorylation, I kappa B-alpha degradation and decreased NF-kappaB p65 DNA activation and binding. These data indicate that adiponectin acts on preneoplastic colon epithelial cells to regulate cell growth via 2 distinct pathways inhibiting leptin-induced NF-kappaB-dependent autocrine IL-6 production and trans-IL-6 signaling. We hypothesize that adiponectin may be an important regulator of colon epithelial cell homeostasis by linking the observed reduced risk for cancer in populations with high serum adiponectin concentrations to specific mechanisms of cell number homeostasis in a model of preneoplastic colon epithelial cells. These data may have broad implications for diet and lifestyle strategies for the prevention and treatment of obesity-associated cancers.
Thermal adaptations in lizard muscle function.

This study was undertaken to investigate thermal adaptations in muscle contractile properties in closely-related lizards with different preferred body temperatures (PBT). The species examined all belong to theSphenomorphus group of Australian skinks (Scincidae: Lygosominae). Preferred body temperatures are conservative at the generic level as follows:Ctenotus, 35°C;Sphenomorphus, 30°C;Eremiascincus, 25°C. Contractile properties of the fast glycolytic portion of the iliofibularis muscle were measured. Translational adaptations are evident in several isometric factors, including tetanic tension (Po), twitch tension (Pt), twitch time to peak tension (TPT), and twitch half-relaxation time (1/2 RT). Capacity adaptations are not evident in rates of tetanic tension development (dPo/dt) or in maximal velocities of isotonic shortening (V max). Rotational adaptations are not evident in any contractile properties. Thermal limits on upper response temperatures are about 5°C warmer inCtenotus than in the more cryophilic species, indicative of resistance adaptation in muscle performance. Despite these adaptive shifts, there is little indication that muscle functional capacities are optimized or equalized at PBT in these lizards.
Deep UV to NIR Space Telescopes and Exoplanet Coronagraphs: A Trade Study on Throughput, Polarization, Mirror Coating Options and Requirements

The NASA Exoplanet program and the Cosmic Origins program are exploring technical options to combine the visible to NIR performance requirements of a space coronagraph with the general astrophysics requirements of a space telescope covering the deep UV spectrum. Are there compatible options in terms of mirror coatings and telescope architecture to satisfy both goals? In this paper, we address some of the main concerns, particularly relating to polarization in the visible and throughput in the UV. Telescope architectures employing different coating options compatible with current technology are considered in this trade study.
Numerical method and results for inviscid supersonic flow over a compressive ramp

Abstract An algorithm is presented for the steady, two-dimensional, inviscid, supersonic flow near a wall with a compressive turn. The wall is contoured to provide a centered, Prandtl-Meyer compression. The focal point of the compression is the origin of an oblique shock wave, a slipstream and a secondary disturbance. This disturbance is an expansion, a weak solution oblique shock, or a strong solution oblique shock. Although algebraic equations govern the flow in the vicinity of the focal point, a sophisticated algorithm is required for the solution, which does not always exist and is not always unique. For a range of incident Mach numbers ranging from 1.2 to 16, the near-field solution is compared with its well-known asymptotic far-field counterpart.
The study of Thermal Resistant Enhancement of Siloxane-Modified LED Transparent Encapsulants

Thermal resistant property of siloxane-modified epoxy compositions designed for long-term and high temperature storage was investigated. In this study, we developed two siloxane-modified epoxy compositions to improve the thermal stability of current epoxy encapsulants. One composition contained silicone epoxy, and the other one was cyclic aliphatic siloxane dianhydride. We selected triglycidyl ether terminated Phenylmethylsiloxnae-co-dimethylsiloxne (GT-1000), which was compatible with the diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A epoxy (Epon-828), to partial replaced the epoxy resin and was cured by liquid anhydride (MHHPA). In the mean time, we also synthesized 5, 5’-(1, 1, 3, 3-tetramethyl disiloxane-1, 3-dilyl)-bis-norborane-2, 3-dicarboxylic anhydride (A1) as a co-curing agent to cure Epon-828. The thermal resistance was studied by measuring the increase of yellow index (ΔYI) after thermal treatments. In 110 °C storage experiment for 1000 h, the ΔYI of GT-1000 0.2 equivalent was 1.51, whereas Epon-828/MHHPA (Comp 1) was 6.74. Moreover, The ΔYI of the composition with higher equivalent GT-1000 was only 2.15 after 2000 hours thermal aging. In the cyclic aliphatic siloxane dianhydride co-curing compositions, when A1 was 0.05 and 0.1 equivalent, the ΔYI was 2.28 and 0.72 after 1000 h, respectively. Compared with Comp 1, both GT-1000 and A1 were effective for thermal resistance. In IR-reflow test, the ΔYI of GT-1000/Epon-828/MHHPA= 0.5/0.5/1 was 0.65 and that of Epon-828/MHHPA was 1.49 after 260 °C for 10 seconds. The results revealed that either the siloxane-modified epoxy or siloxane-modified curing agent had excellent thermal resistant property for high performance LED applications.