cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tricyclic antidepressant-specific Fab fragments alter the distribution and elimination of desipramine in the rabbit: a model for overdose treatment.

AbstractThe effects of tricyclic antidepressant (TCA)-specific Fab fragments (Fab) on total and free desipramine (DMI) levels in serum and urine of DMI-treated rabbits were studied to determine the feasibility of using these Fab for antidotal treatment of TCA overdoses in humans. Serial samples of blood and urine were collected from two 3 kg rabbits after arterial injection of 2 mg 3H-DMI and, about 1.5 hr later, after injection of approximately 1 g Fab (prepared from sheep total IgG). Protein-free filtrates of serum and urine samples were obtained by ultrafiltration; concentrations of apparent total and apparent free DMI (apparent DMI, aDMI - DMI + metabolites) were calculated based on the radioactivity in the sample and ultrafiltrate, respectively. Treatment with Fab induced significant changes in the absolute and relative concentrations of free and total aDMI in both serum and urine. Changes in the serum included increases in the total and free aDMI levels. Changes in the urine included the appearances...
Variations in prudent laypersons' perceptions of the need for emergent medical care.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine whether differences exist among distinct demographic groups’ tendencies to view various medical symptoms as emergent in nature. A questionnaire containing six demographic questions and listing 29 common medical complaints was distributed to 306 respondents who agreed to participate; they were asked to indicate when (if at all) they would be likely to seek medical care for each problem. Overall, across the series of complaints, African American respondents desired statistically significantly more acute care than Caucasians. Those with a high school education or lower also wanted to be seen statistically significantly sooner for more symptoms than those with some college education or higher. We conclude that opinions as to the urgency of medical symptoms vary widely among demographic groups.
Four dimensional analysis of aortic magnetic resonance images in connective tissue disorders: Novel indices of local and regional vessel properties

Methods MR scans of the thoracic aorta were acquired over 3 years on controls (Ctrl; n = 32) and patients with connective tissue disease (Pt; n = 37). Images were obtained at 1.5 T using a True FISP sequence. Imaging planes included left ventricular outflow tract and aortic arch views. 4D data from the two views were merged and a graph theory-based segmentation algorithm was applied to quantitate cross sectional area (CSA) and novel parameters for the entire length of aorta throughout the cardiac cycle.
Moisture content and dormancy in Striga asiatica seeds

Freshly harvested Striga asiatica L. seeds will germinate in response to a stimulant only after the passage of time, an after-ripening period, and exposure to moisture at a suitable temperature, a conditioning period. To investigate the role of seed moisture content in the regulation of the after-ripening period, seeds were placed in chambers having specific relative humidity of 6%, 14%, 33%, 75% and 91% for 30, 60, 90 and 150 days. The seeds were then conditioned and germination percentage, response to tetrazolium and seed moisture contents were measured. Seeds at moisture contents less than 10% at the start of conditioning had germination of greater than 93%. Seeds at moisture contents over 10% at the start of conditioning could germinate between 60% and 3%, with germination decreasing as seed moisture content at the start of conditioning increased. The highest moisture content (17%) and lowest germination percentage (3%) occurred in seeds stored at 91% relative humidity for 150 days. There was a linear relationship of a high degree of correlation (0.997) between a positive tetrazolium test and germination capacity. Germination capacity of seeds could be changed from 90% to 3% by prolonged storage in water (dilute benomyl solution), causing 'wet dormancy', then returned to 90% germination by returning to dry storage. Seed moisture content at the beginning of conditioning appears to control the responsiveness of the seeds to germination stimulants. The implications of these findings to the control of the parasite are discussed.
Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry For Elemental Analysis and Isotope Ratio Determinations in Individual Organic Compounds Separated by Gas Chromatography

A gas chromatograph (GC) with a packed column was interfaced to an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to yield atomic mass spectra from volatile organic compounds. Atomization of injected compounds was nearly complete and independent of molecular structure, so that elemental ratios could be determined. Detection limits were in the range 0.001 to 400 ng s−1, depending on the ionization energy of the element and its abundance in the background spectrum. The relative standard deviation of measured isotope ratios varied from 0.4% for Br (i.e., a ratio close to unity) to 18% for N (a very large ratio). Thus, GC-ICP-MS provides elemental and isotope ratio information that is complementary to the molecular information derived from GC-MS with conventional ionization methods.
Cage activity in cottontail rabbits

Cage activity of two cottontail rabbits was measured twice daily (morning and night) under six levels of ambient illumination (dark, less than 1.0, 2.5, 5.0, 25.0, and 50.0 fc). Analysis of variance indicated that the Ss were significantly more active at night than in the morning under all levels of illumination. In addition, the Illumination by Time of Day interaction was significant. Increasing levels of illumination produced decreasing cage activity at night, but did not significantly affect cage activity in the morning. Results are discussed as providing further generalization of earlier findings with nocturnal Virginia opossum and diurnal California antelope ground squirrels.
Simulating engineering design a case study on the interface between the technology and social psychology of design

The development of a new design aid (a computer simulation of a particular engineer's design behavior) is described. Improvement in the engineer's technical performance has resulted from the more extensive and systematic examination of design alternatives, which the simulation has made possible. As a case study of engineering design, this study also represents an intensive effort to identify and to model as many variables as possible, both technical and behavioral, affecting a particular engineer's development of a design project. One of the most significant variables affecting the development of a project is the image that an engineer and his client have of one another. Since a behavioral variable like “image” so strongly influences how a design problem is technically conceived, the distinction between what is “technical” and what is “behavioral” is often tenuous and misleading. The consequence is that realistic improvements in the processes of design will only be made by improving on both the behavioral as well as the technical aspects of design systems and design techniques.
Assessment of Prerelease Diet Regimes on Growth of Juvenile Atlantic Sturgeon

Abstract To determine whether the growth rates of juvenile Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus would be improved if the fish were weaned to natural food before being released into a simulated natural environment, 60 sturgeon from the 2006 and 2007 year-classes (ages 2 and 1, respectively) were subjected to two prerelease diet regimes (n = 30 per treatment, 120 total). Each year-class was divided into two groups, a control group that was fed a commercial diet for 10 d until stocking into a 0.2-ha earthen pond in June 2008 and a treatment group that was weaned to natural food over a 10-d period before stocking. Final sampling (84 d poststocking) showed that year-class had an effect on the specific growth rate (% weight gain/d) but that treatment did not. The survival rates were 77% and 80% among the controls from the 2007 and 2006 year-classes and 87% and 90% among the treatment fish. This study shows that weaning to natural food before release into a natural environment does not significantly affect the...
On Multivariate Adaptive Approximation

Recently, A. Cohen, R. A. DeVore, P. Petrushev, and H. Xu investigated nonlinear approximation in the space BV (R2 ). They modified the classical adaptive algorithm to solve related extremal problems. In this paper, we further study the modified adaptive approximation and obtain results on some extremal problems related to the spaces Vσ,pr (Rd ) of functions of ``Bounded Variation" and Besov spaces Bα (Rd ).
Non-domination and pure negative liberty:

The central insights of Philip Pettit’s republican account of liberty are that (1) freedom consists in the absence of domination and (2) non-domination is not reducible to what is commonly called ‘negative liberty’. Recently, however, Matthew Kramer and Ian Carter have questioned whether the harms identified by Pettit under the banner of domination are not equally well accounted for by what they call the ‘pure negative’ view. In this article, first I argue that Pettit’s response to their criticism is problematic insofar as it produces the following dilemma: either Pettit must concede that domination which one regards as consistent with one’s own best interests does not limit one’s freedom or he must embrace the implication that one can be forced to be free, a result he explici tly wants to avoid. Second, I argue that, despite the inadequacy of Pettit’s response, he is ultimately right in thinking that domination and negative liberty are sometimes compatible. My central contention, then, is that neither Pe...
Urinary immunoreactive androgen levels during sexual development in the male tree-shrew (Tupaia belangeri).

Abstract 1. 1. Immunoreactive androgens were measured in the urine of individual male tree-shrews throughout post-natal development. 2. 2. Urinary androgens were low during the infantile phase and then rose significantly between the 36–45 and 46–55 day age groups, in association with the onset of pubertal development. 3. 3. Androgen excretion increased linearly during the pubertal period in parallel with the progressive development of the testes and reproductive tract. 4. 4. The precise endocrine correlates established in the present work suggest that serial determination of urinary androgens provides a reliable method of monitoring male reproductive development which may be applied to small, sensitive species.
Polynomial-time disulfide bond determination using mass spectrometry data

We present an algorithmic approach for determining, in polynomial time, disulfide bonds in proteins using mass spectrometry data. The proposed technique is based on matching the set of all theoretically possible disulfide bonded structures with precursor ions derived from a tandem MS/MS experiment. For each match found, theoretical fragments from a disulfide bonded peptide structure are matched with precursor ion fragments obtained from the same tandem MS/MS data set in order to determine a protein's disulfide linkage pattern. A polynomial-time approximation strategy is proposed to selectively generate the set of theoretically possible disulfide bonded linkages for matching. Experiments demonstrate the efficacy of the method.
Speed of Lexical Activation in Nonfluent Broca's Aphasia and Fluent Wernicke's Aphasia

Abstract Rapid, automatic access to lexical/semantic knowledge is critical in supporting the tight temporal constraints of on-line sentence comprehension. Based on findings of “abnormal” lexical priming in nonfluent aphasics, the question of disrupted automatic lexical activation has been the focus of many recent efforts to understand their impaired sentence comprehension capabilities. The picture that emerges from this literature is, however, unclear. Nonfluent Broca's aphasic patients show inconsistent, not absent, lexical priming, and there is little consensus about the conditions under which they do and do not prime. The most parsimonious explanation for the variable findings from priming studies to date is that the primary disturbance in Broca's lexical activation has something to do with speed of activation. Broca's aphasic patients prime when sufficient time is allowed for activation to spread among associates. To examine this “slowed activation” hypothesis, the time course of lexical activation was examined using a list priming paradigm. Temporal delays between successive words ranged from 300 to 2100 msec. One nonfluent Broca's aphasic patient and one fluent Wernicke's patient were tested. Both patients displayed abnormal priming patterns, though of different sorts. In contrast to elderly subjects, who prime at relatively short interstimulus intervals (ISIs) beginning at 500 msec, the Broca's aphasic subject showed reliable automatic priming but only at a long ISI of 1500 msec. That is, this subject retained the ability to access lexical information automatically if allowed sufficient time to do so, a finding that may help explain disrupted comprehension of normally rapid conversational speech. The Wernicke's aphasic subject, in contrast, showed normally rapid initial activation but continued to show priming over an abnormally long range of delays, from 300 msec through 1100 msec. This protracted priming suggests failure to dampen activation and might explain the semantic confusion exhibited by fluent Wernicke's patients.
Circadian activity of the red squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus, in continuous darkness and continuous illumination.

In order to examine the effects of constant conditions on wheelrunning activity, 58 red squirrels (Tamiasciurus hudsonicus ) were taken directly from the field and placed in either total darkness (DD) or continuous illumination (LL) 500 lux, for up to 70 days. The squirrels were sampled at various times of the year so that seasonal changes in the endogenous rhythm could be examined. The initial phasing of activity correlated with the photoperiod in the field and had a free-running period (τ) close to 24 hours. However,τ increased in a nearly linear fashion, averaging about 0.19 min/day for squirrels in DD and about 0.87 min/day for squirrels in LL. All animals in LL had rhythms which eventually became dissociated into two or more components. On the other hand, squirrels kept in DD had running patterns which usually remained intact. After being in constant conditions for between 20 and 70 days, 28 squirrels were subjected to step transitions in illumination from DD to LL (500, 350 or 200 lux) or vice versa. An increase in illumination level generally resulted in a phase advance and a decreasedτ. A decrease in illumination level generally resulted in a phase delay and increasedτ. The maximum amount of activity occurred at some critical intensity between 200 and 350 lux. The free-running period was directly correlated with the entrainment phase-angle difference. This relationship was compared to the red squirrel's light-pulse response curve. These data support Pittendrigh's (1965) entrainment model.
17β‐Estradiol Exposure Accelerates Skeletal Development in Xenopus laevis Tadpoles

Although it is well established that estrogen regulates skeletal growth and ossification in mammals, the effects of estrogen on skeletal development in amphibians are relatively uncharacterized. This study was conducted to characterize the impact of 17β-estradiol exposure on skeletal development in Xenopus laevis tadpoles. On day 48 postfertilization, tadpoles were placed in tanks containing 50% Holtfreter's Solution ±17β-estradiol at one of four concentrations (10(-11), 10(-10), 10(-9), and 10(-8) M). At 7-11 day intervals until day 91, 7-10 tadpoles per group were killed, fixed, measured, and staged. Specimens were then cleared and double-stained for cartilage and bone, and 34 skeletal elements were analyzed for ossification. Results from the study indicate that both low (10(-11) M) and high (10(-8) M) concentrations of 17β-estradiol have a significant stimulatory effect on tadpole development. Both the larval stage and ossification index of tadpoles exposed to 10(-11) or 10(-8) M 17β-estradiol were significantly greater than those observed in control animals by day 91 postfertilization. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that endogenous and exogenous estrogen could play a role in the regulation of bone ossification in amphibians.
ASSESSING THE DIVERSITY OF PERSONAL BELIEFS ABOUT ADDICTION: DEVELOPMENT OF THE ADDICTION BELIEF INVENTORY

Previous work in the field of substance use/misuse has suggested that client beliefs about addiction are quite diverse, and may influence the effectiveness of various treatment approaches. This paper presents an Addiction Belief Inventory (ABI) that was developed and evaluated to assess personal beliefs about addiction and substance use problems. The ABI is a 40-item instrument developed using two clinical samples: an alcohol user treatment group (N = 134) and a dual diagnosis treatment group (N = 536). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed seven stable subscales: inability to control, chronic disease, reliance on experts, responsibility for actions, responsibility for recovery, genetic basis, and coping. Multivariate analyses provided preliminary reliability and validational support. The utility of the ABI for clinical and research purposes is discussed, along with suggestions for future research and improvements to the instrument.
Analogs of methionyl-tRNA synthetase substrates containing photolabile groups

Three photolabile analogs of substrates of methionyl-tRNA synthetase were synthesized. In one, the 4-thiouridine at the 8 position of E. coli tRNAfMet was alkylated with [14C]p-azidobromoacetanilide. In the second, [14C]p-azidobenzoic acid hydrazide was condensed with the 3'-terminal dialdehyde of periodate-oxidized Escherichia coli tRNAfMet. The modified tRNAs could be purified by chromatography on benzoylated DEAE-cellulose. The third photolabile compound was [3H]methioninyl-8-azido-adenosine 5'-phosphate, an analog of the methionyl adenylate intermediate in the aminoacylation reaction. Irradiation of each of these compounds in the presence of equimolar amounts of E. coli methionyl-tRNA synthetase of micrometer concentrations gave 5-15% crosslinking.
Studies of the rings of Henle associated with collagenous bundles in human and calf skin.

The nature of Henle's rings, which are the highly refractile constricting fibers seen around chemically swollen collagen, has long been in dispute. Several theories can be found in the literature to account for this phenomenon. Henle's rings were abundant in oxhide and calfskin, but were rarely seen in human skin. They did not stain with any of the common elastic tissue stains. Reactions of Henle's rings, collagen fibers, and elastic fibers in purified hexosamine-free collagen of oxhide, fresh calfskin, fresh human abdominal skin, and ligamentum nuchae were compared using microscopic heat reactions both before and after chemical enzymatic treatment. Solutions used were 50% glycerin, glacial formic acid, 1 N NaOH, 0.1 N acetic acid, 3 N acetic acid, elastase, collagenase, pepsin, and hyaluronidase. The conclusions reached were that Henle's rings are not elastin, mucoid, or protoplasmic in nature but closely resemble a nonswelling collagen, probably reticulin. Henle's rings are very rare in human skin, but after digestion with elastase or treatment with NaOH, long, curving, poorly swelling fibers are seen which react like collagen in other respects. Henle's rings in oxhide varied in diameter from 24 μ up to several hundred microns. They seemed to be made up of fine fibrillae as seen with the phase-contrast microscope. The fluorescent colors of Henle's rings with various filters differed from the fluorescent colors of elastic fibers. Attempts to stain them with silver were not successful.
The Bright Side of Internal Capital Markets

We examine capital expenditure decisions of discount firms in response to Wal-Mart's entry into their markets. Before Wal-Mart's entry, focused incumbents and discount divisions of diversified incumbents are similar in size, geographic dispersion, and firm debt levels. However, discount divisions of diversified firms are significantly more productive. After Wal-Mart's entry, diversified firms are quicker to either “exit” the discount business or “stay and fight.” Also, their capital expenditures are more sensitive to the productivity of their discount business. Internal capital markets function well, as transfers are away from the worsening discount divisions. It appears diversified firms make better investment decisions.
A Permeability Factor (Toxin) found in Cholera Stools and Culture Filtrates and its Neutralization by Convalescent Cholera Sera.

A Permeability Factor (Toxin) Found in Cholera Stools and Culture Filtrates and its Neutralization by Convalescent Cholera Sera
Face Fidelity: Perspectives from a Local Evaluation of the Safe Schools/Healthy Students Initiative.

The creation of a federal Safe Schools/Healthy Students (SS/HS) Initiative reflects a growing level of concern across the United States that many children do not feel safe at school, and that teachers must receive a new level of training to better equip themselves to manage a diverse student population. PROJECT BLUE was funded during the first phase of this initiative and proposed to provide students in its District with a range of services to improve school safety, decrease school violence, decrease alcohol and drug use, and improve student mental health. The local evaluation team collected information regarding project implementation and its impact on school safety, school climate, and teacher preparedness to manage student misbehavior. Selected results are highlighted in the article. However, the primary purpose of this article is to document lessons learned from the evaluation of this project. Lessons learned are presented in four areas: leadership, communication, system change efforts, and local evaluation of federal initiatives. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 40: 515–529, 2003.
Reducing unnecessary skull radiographs in children: a multidisciplinary audit

Abstract AIM: To review guidelines on the indications for skull radiographs with a view to improving compliance and reducing unnecessary irradiation of children. METHODS: Three audits on the indications, compliance and effect on practice of differing sets of guidelines for skull radiographs following paediatric head trauma were performed. After each audit, alterations in clinical practice with modifications of the guidelines were implemented. The effect of these changes on radiological practice and patient care were recorded. Audits were performed for 3 months (February–April) in 1999, 2001 and 2003. RESULTS: The number of children with head injuries presenting was unchanged. The number of skull radiographs performed fell from 146 in 1999 to 95 in 2001 and 50 in 2003. Compliance with hospital guidelines increased from 85% in 1999 to 100% in 2003. No neurosurgical problems were missed. CONCLUSION: The implementation of guidelines that are acceptable to all specialities will improve compliance and reduce unnecessary radiographs being performed. The involvement of the radiography staff will help maintain compliance. The training of junior staff and maintaining good communication with involved departments will improve patient care.
Estrogen enhances epidermal growth factor-induced DNA synthesis in mammary epithelial cells.

Estradiol (E2) priming (1 nM for 48 h) of normal murine mammary gland epithelial cells significantly increased the response of those cells to epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced DNA synthesis. The synergism between E2 and EGF was evident in two aspects: After serum-free synchronization for 24 h, more cells entered the S-phase of the cell cycle after E2 priming and when treated with 0.17 nM EGF (13%) than did control cells (1.3%) or cells treated with EGF (4%) or E2 (3.5%) alone; further, the dose of EGF required to elicit maximal response was reduced an order of magnitude in estrogen-primed cells (0.17 nM) compared to controls (1.7 mM). Estrogen alone, however, did not increase DNA synthesis in these cells. Ligand binding studies indicate that these effects of estrogen on proliferating mammary epithelial cells may be explained, at least in part, by a 3.7-fold increase in the number of high affinity EGF-receptors observed in estrogen primed cells (7,300 receptors per cell) compared to estrogen deprived cells (1,960 receptors/cell). © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Regulation of brain 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase: effects of aging, fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, and regional subunit distribution

Total 6-phosphofructo-1-kinase (PFK) activity, amounts of each type of PFK subunit, and levels of fructose-2,6-P2 in the cerebral cortex, midbrain, pons-medulla, and cerebellum of 3, 12, and 25 month rats were measured. Further, the role of fructose-2,6-P2 in the regulation of brain PFK activity was examined. A positive correlation was found to exist between the reported losses of glucose utilization as measured by 2-deoxy-D-glucose uptake and PFK activity in each region. That is, both parameters decreased to their lowest level by 12 months of age and remained decreased and fairly constant thereafter. Fructose-2,6-P2 levels did not appear to directly correlate with regional changes in glucose utilization. Also, region-specific and age-related alterations of the PFK subunits were found although these changes apparently did not correlate with decreased glucose utilization. Brain PFK is apparently saturated with fructose-2,6-P2 due to the high endogenous levels, and it contains a large proportion of the C-type subunit which dampens catalytic efficiency. Consequently, brain PFK could exist in a conformational state such that it can readily consume fructose-6-P rather than in an inhibited state requiring activation. This may explain, in part, the ability of brain to efficiently but conservatively utilize available glucose in energy production.
Pressure Dependence of de Haas-van Alphen Parameters in Bismuth

The Hall coefficient, $A$, of a bismuth single crystal has been measured at 4.2\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K, in magnetic fields up to 12 kilogauss, and under liquid helium pressures up to 120 atmospheres. The period ($\frac{\ensuremath{\beta}}{{E}_{0}}$) of the oscillations in reciprocal field, the phase, and the monotonic part of the magnetic field dependence of $A$ were found to depend on the pressure with small, but nevertheless easily measurable, pressure coefficients. Only the single-period term observable in bismuth when the magnetic field is parallel to the trigonal axis was studied.
Amino Acid Transporters in Cancer and Their Relevance to “Glutamine Addiction”: Novel Targets for the Design of a New Class of Anticancer Drugs

Tumor cells have an increased demand for amino acids because of their rapid proliferation rate. In addition to their need in protein synthesis, several amino acids have other roles in supporting cancer growth. There are approximately two-dozen amino acid transporters in humans, and tumor cells must upregulate one or more of these transporters to satisfy their demand for amino acids. If the transporters that specifically serve this purpose in tumor cells are identified, they can be targeted for the development of a brand new class of anticancer drugs; the logical basis of such a strategy would be to starve the tumor cells of an important class of nutrients. To date, four amino acid transporters have been found to be expressed at high levels in cancer: SLC1A5, SLC7A5, SLC7A11, and SLC6A14. Their induction occurs in a cancer type-specific manner with a direct or indirect involvement of the oncogene c-Myc. Further, these transporters are functionally coupled, thus maximizing their ability to promote cancer growth and chemoresistance. Progress has been made in preclinical studies, exploiting these transporters as drug targets in cancer therapy. These transporters also show promise in development of new tumor-imaging probes and in tumor-specific delivery of appropriately designed chemotherapeutic agents.
CYTOKINE DYSREGULATION AS A MECHANISM OF GRAFT VERSUS HOST DISEASE

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) remains the major complication of allogeneic bone marrow transplantation. T cells in the donor bone marrow recognize and react against host alloantigens and thereby initiate GVHD, but the precise mechanisms by which host tissues are damaged remain unclear. Recently, several convergent lines of evidence have suggested that inflammatory cytokines act as mediators of acute GVHD. Most of the clinical manifestations of GVHD may in fact be due to the dysregulated production of cytokines by T cells and other inflammatory cells. The complex interactions among cytokines and their cellular targets suggest that individual cytokines may play an important and distinctive role in the pathophysiology of GVHD. Perturbation of the cytokine network may function as a final common pathway of target organ damage, and the rapid onset of severe, acute GVHD can be considered a 'cytokine storm.'
Near-Source Ground Motion along Strike-Slip Faults: Insights into Magnitude Saturation of PGV and PGA

Empirical data suggest that peak ground acceleration (PGA) and peak ground velocity (PGV) saturate as a function of magnitude for large magnitude ruptures close to the fault. Because data are sparse in the near-source region of large magnitude events, we have explored this question by simulating large magnitude strike-slip earthquakes. We use kinematic simulations to generate ground motion for a strike-slip fault that has a large aspect ratio (length/width). We consider both homogeneous or heterogeneous rupture models. We find that close to the fault along strike profiles of PGV and PGA increase to a maximum at a certain epicentral distance and then decrease to an asymptotic level beyond this distance. Critical factors for predicting ground motion are the position of an observer along strike, the depth of the hypocenter below the top of the fault, and the ratio of rupture velocity to shear-wave velocity. To understand the cause of the amplitude variation of along strike profiles of PGV and PGA, we use the isochrone method and the concept of the critical point to investigate how the geometry and kinematic parameters interact to produce the computed ground motion. We construct a predictor based on the critical point that does well in predicting the position of the maximum of PGV and PGA for stations close to the fault. For heterogeneous rupture models we find that the behavior is more complex though the general observation that along strike profiles of PGV and PGA increase to a maximum and then decrease still holds. This has implications for empirical attenuation relationships that essentially average the ground motion for all stations along strike with the same distance to the fault.
Analysis of nitride-based quantum well LEDs and novel white LED design

Fundamental electrical and optical properties of strained wurtzite InGaN/GaN-based quantum well light emitting diodes are calculated based on the Rashba-Sheka-Pikus Hamiltonian in the vicinity of the Gamma point. The theoretical results show an excellent correlation with experiments. A novel design of using AlInGaN as quantum barrier is proposed to realize efficient red emission, which is hard to achieve if GaN is used as barrier. To achieve high efficiency, the important factors relating to the oscillator strength are discussed in detail.
Inhibition of Ran Guanosine Triphosphatase-Dependent Nuclear Transport by the Matrix Protein of Vesicular Stomatitis Virus

Transport of macromolecules into and out of nuclei, essential steps in gene expression, are potential points of control. The matrix protein (M protein) of vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was shown to block transport of RNAs and proteins between the nucleus and cytoplasm of Xenopus laevis oocytes. The pattern of inhibition indicated that M protein interfered with transport that is dependent on the ras-like nuclear guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase) Ran-TC4 and its associated factors. This inhibition of nuclear transport by M protein explains several observations about the effects of VSV infection on host cell gene expression and suggests that RNA export is closely coupled to protein import.
Gender Performance Differences in Biochemistry.

This study examined the historical performance of students at Michigan State University in a two-part biochemistry series Biochem I (n = 5,900) and Biochem II (n = 5,214) for students enrolled from 1997 to 2009. Multiple linear regressions predicted 54.9–87.5% of the variance in student from Biochem I grade and 53.8–76.1% of the variance in student from Biochem II grade. Overall, the student's cumulative GPA has the primary influence on their biochemistry grade in Biochem I for all models whereas either cumulative GPA or Biochem I performance has the primary influence on Biochem II grade. These factors were far more influential than any other predictors as their β values were larger (5–10 times larger depending on the model). However, the gender of the student was also statistically significant for Biochem I and more than half of our Biochem II models with female students always predicted lower than their equivalent male counterparts. Biochemistry majors were also found to perform better in Biochem I. Interestingly, grades earned in prerequisite courses such as introductory biology, chemistry, or organic chemistry and ethnicity provided no additional predictive ability about students' performance in biochemistry. Enrollment in an honors college or science residential college had little direct impact on performance in biochemistry. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education Vol. 38, No. 6, pp. 380-384, 2010
The effect of maternal phenology on offspring characters in the herbaceous plant Campanula americana

Summary 1 An individual's phenotype may influence the expression of traits in its offspring. I tested whether maternal flowering phenology influenced offspring germination and thus life history schedule in two populations of Campanula americana. Autumn-germinating C. americana grow as annuals whereas individuals that germinate in the spring are biennials. 2 Under near-natural conditions, early-season flowers produced seeds that were more likely to germinate in the autumn than late-season flowers, but spring germination was equally likely for all seeds. 3 Seed mass (two of three years) and percentage and timing of germination under constant environmental conditions (all three years) did not vary across the reproductive season. External environmental factors are therefore more likely to contribute to seasonal changes in the probability of germinating in the autumn than are the characteristics of the seeds. 4 The frequency of annual offspring varied among maternal plants. The association between the time a flower was open and offspring germination season suggests that evolution of life history schedule may be accomplished by altering maternal flowering phenology. 5 The association between the time of a flower's anthesis and its fruit maturation was weaker in two years when water was limiting. Limited water also resulted in earlier seed maturation, and consequently a greater proportion of a population's seed being produced during the period when autumn germination was likely. This, in combination with differences between populations, suggests that the magnitude of maternal phenological effects varies across years and populations.
Source apportionment of PAHs in dated sediments from the Black River, Ohio.

Abstract Black River, OH, is contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from coke ovens of a US Steel Corp. Plant. Closing of a coking plant in 1983 and environmental dredging of the sediments during 1989 and 1990 has reduced the PAH levels significantly. This study quantifies the decrease, and consider source apportionment of PAHs in Black River sediments using chemical mass balance modeling. Five vibra cores collected in 1998 and dated using 210 Pb and 137 Cs, were analyzed for 18 PAHs. The cores had total PAH concentrations between 250 and 0.10 ppm. PAH maxima occur in 1949, 1969, in accordance with regional historical inputs (core BR4), and in 1991 due to remediation (BR6). Coke oven emissions (CO), highway dust (HWY), and wood burning (WB) are likely sources. The CO source (6–92% of total PAHs) is maximal in 1954, and again in 1992–1994 due to the exposure and redistribution of older contaminated sediments during dredging, and decreases thereafter. There is minimal CO content in 1985 (BR4), 2 yr after closure of the coking plant. The HWY contribution (2–86%) is high during 1969–1988, and increases again after 1993. The WB source is less than 23%, and exhibits a minimum (2%) around 1979 (BR4). There is evidence of aerobic biodegradation or photolysis in the sediment of phenanthrene (PhA) at PhA concentrations >500 ppb.
Interaction and aggregation of lens crystallins.

Abstract Crystallins of the normal eye lens have a specific structure that maintains lens transparency. This structure reportedly arises from a short-range order. The age-related post-translational changes and high molecular weight (HMW) aggregation disrupt the normal structure and decrease lens transparency. In the current study, we have carried out fluorescence measurements (polarization and extrinsic probe binding) in an attempt to understand protein interaction and aggregation. Based on polarization measurements of dansyl chloride (DCl) labeled γ-crystallin, there is a hetero-interaction among crystallins (α-γ, β-γ, etc.) but no self-interaction in γ-crystallin (γ-γ) ( −1 ). Alpha-crystallin is rich in hydrophobic region and possibly has a self-interaction through hydrophobic interaction. Hydrophobic probes, ANS (1-anilinonaphthalene-8-sulfonic acid) and DPH (1,6-diphenyl 1,3,5-hexatriene) measurements show that α-crystallin is a very hydrophobic protein. HMW α-crystallin appears to be even more hydrophobic, indicating that the post-translational unfolding exposes more hydrophobic groups which facilitate HMW aggregation. The HMW aggregation results from highly hydrophobic proteins which tend to become thermodynamically more stable.
Healthcare provider working conditions and well-being: sharing international lessons to improve patient safety.

Mais de uma decada desde que alguns estudos comecaram a demonstrar que os erros medicos sao uma das principais causas de morte e injurias em todo o mundo1, a epidemia da seguranca dos pacientes continua descontrolada2,3. Em um estudo envolvendo 58 hospitais de cinco paises latinoamericanos, demonstrou-se que 10% de todos os pacientes hospitalizados haviam sofrido algum dano decorrente do atendimento medico durante a hospitalizacao; 59% desses danos foram determinados por uma equipe internacional de investigadores como sendo passiveis de prevencao e 20% foram considerados danos graves, que causaram incapacidade, necessidade de intervencao cirurgica ou obito4. Esses numeros sao similares a taxas recentes de eventos adversos (EAs) relatados nos Estados Unidos, na Australia, no Reino Unido e em outras partes do mundo. Com o surgimento desses estudos epidemiologicos, a conscientizacao sobre a seguranca dos pacientes aumentou tremendamente nos ultimos anos, e numerosos esforcos tem sido realizados em um unico centro ou em multiplos centros para melhorar a seguranca. Muitos desses esforcos coincidiram com iniciativas bem-sucedidas em hospitais comprometidos5,6. Contudo, tais esforcos nao se traduziram na melhora global da seguranca do atendimento em um escala mais ampla2,3. A disseminacao de melhores praticas continua baixa, e, em muitos hospitais em todo o mundo, a fragilidade fundamental da organizacao da saude permanece.
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE, REACTIVITY, AND PHOTOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF THE TUNGSTEN(0) ZWITTERIONIC AMIDO COMPLEX (CO)5WNPHNPHC(OME)PH

Abstract : The crystal structure of the zwitterionic complex (CO)5WNPhNPhC(Ph)OMe (1) shows that it is best described as an amido complex in which the 'imidate' fragment PhN=C(Ph)OMe serves as a substituent on the amide nitrogen. The structural information allows the previously reported conversion of 1 to an isomeric zwitterion to be assigned as simple rotation about the N-C double bond. The twisted intermediate for such a rotation also offers a pathway for the previously reported isomerization of 1 to a 2,4-diazametallacycle. The electronic spectrum of 1 reveals a low energy MLCT transition that is responsible for its photodecomposition via N-N bond cleavage. INDO/1 CI calculations support assignment of the MLCT band as the HOMO to LUMO transition, where depopulation of the HOMO initiates the cleavage of the N-N bond.
Resonant elastic scattering of protons from analog and compound states

Abstract In this note we give a general derivation of the amplitude for elastic scattering in the presence of one analog state and many compound (T-lower) states. We derive the form of the amplitude in a rather general scattering formalism, using unitarity and invariance under time reversal. Within this formalism, we state the assumptions necessary to make the transmission coefficient PA(e) vanish at some energy. An additional assumption is necessary if it is to vanish at the unperturbed energy eA of the analog, as in Robson's model.
Laminin- and basement membrane-polycaprolactone blend nanofibers as a scaffold for regenerative medicine

Mimicking one or more components of the basement membrane (BM) holds great promise for overcoming insufficiencies in tissue engineering therapies. We have electrospun laminin nanofibers (NFs) isolated from the murine Engelbreth-Holm Swarm (EHS) tumor and evaluated them as a scaffold for embryonic stem cell culture. Seeded human embryonic stem cells were found to better maintain their undifferentiated, colony environment when cultured on laminin NFs compared to laminin mats, with 75% remaining undifferentiated on NFs. Mouse embryonic stem cells cultured on 10% laminin-polycaprolactone (PCL) NFs maintained their colony formation for twice as long without passage compared to those on PCL or gelatin substrates. In addition, we have established a protocol for electrospinning reconstituted basement membrane aligned (RBM)-PCL NFs within 10° of angular deviation. Neuron-like PC12 cells show significantly greater attachment (p < 0.001) and percentage of neurite-extending cells in vitro on 10% RBM-PCL NFs when compared to 1% and 0% RBM-PCL NFs (p < 0.015 and p < 0.001, respectively). Together, these results implicate laminin- and RBM-PCL scaffolds as a promising biomimetic substrate for regenerative medicine applications.
The effect of sepsis in rats on skeletal muscle protein synthesis in vivo and in periphery and central core of incubated muscle preparations in vitro.

Abstract Recent studies demonstrated the development of a central, hypoxic core in incubated rat skeletal muscles. The influence of a central core on changes in protein synthesis rate, observed in incubated muscles from septic rats, is not known. In the present study, intact soleus muscles from 40 to 60-g sham-operated control rats and from septic rats (16 hours after cecal ligation and puncture) were incubated in vitro in a flaccid or stretched state. Protein synthesis rate was determined in whole muscle and in the central core and periphery of the muscle by measuring incorporation of 14C-phenylalanine into protein. Protein synthesis rate in vivo was measured with a flooding-dose technique using 3H-phenylalanine. The development of a central, hypoxic core in incubated muscles was assessed histochemically by staining the muscles for α-glucan phosphorylase activity. A central core with loss of α-glucan phosphorylase activity was noted after incubation for 30 minutes in both control and septic muscles. The protein synthesis rate was lower in the central core than in the periphery of incubated flaccid control muscles. In all other in vitro muscle preparations, however, there were no significant differences in protein synthesis rate among whole muscles, central core, and periphery. Protein synthesis rate in septic muscles was reduced to a similar extent, approximately 20%, in vivo and in the different in vitro preparations, both when measured in whole muscle and in the central core or periphery. The present results suggest that incubated soleus muscles from small rats can be used to evaluate the effect of sepsis on protein synthesis, despite the development of a central, hypoxic core in these muscle preparations.
A comparison of the binding profiles of dextromethorphan, memantine, fluoxetine and amitriptyline: Treatment of involuntary emotional expression disorder

Abstract We compared the binding profiles of medications potentially useful in the treatment of involuntary emotional expression disorder at twenty-six binding sites in rat brain tissue membranes. Sites were chosen based on likelihood of being target sites for the mechanism of action of the agents in treating the disorder or their likelihood in producing side effects experienced by patients treated with psychoactive agents. We used radioligand binding assays employing the most selective labeled ligands available for sites of interest. Concentrations of labeled ligand were used at or below the Ki value of the ligand for the target site. Compounds were initially screened at 1 μM. For compounds that competed for greater than 20–30% of specific binding at target sites of interest, full concentration curves were constructed. Dextromethorphan, amitriptyline and fluoxetine competed for binding to σ1 receptors and to serotonin transporters with high to moderate affinity. Of the target sites tested, these are the most likely to contribute to the therapeutic benefit of the various agents. In addition, all three drugs showed some activity at α2 and 5-HT1B/D sites. Of the drugs tested, dextromethorphan bound to the fewest sites unlikely to be target sites. Although the mechanism of action of dextromethorphan or any drug that has been used in the treatment of involuntary emotional expression disorder is currently unknown, our data support that the affinity of the drug for σ1 receptors is consistent with its possible action through this receptor type in controlling symptoms of the disorder.
Intake of dilute sweet solutions is influenced by stage of the rat's estrous cycle: Evidence for a shift in palatability.

In female rats, endogenous and exogenous estradiol decrease intake of dilute sucrose solutions (e.g., 0.025 M), but fail to alter intake of concentrated sucrose solutions (e.g., 0.1 M) during brief (10-s) intake tests. Because the post-ingestive consequences of sucrose intake were negligible under these conditions, these data suggest that estradiol decreases the palatability of dilute sucrose solutions. The present study was conducted to better characterize this phenomenon and to determine whether it extends to other sweet solutions. Using a within-subjects design, female rats were first given access to sucrose (0.0125, 0.025, 0.05, and 0.1 M) and then saccharin (1.25, 2.5, 5.0, and 10 mM) solutions during daily intake tests conducted during diestrus (following low endogenous estradiol) and estrus (following high endogenous estradiol). The solutions were presented in an ascending concentration series. Intakes were measured after 5, 15, 30 and 60 min. Relative to diestrous rats, estrous rats consumed less 0.0125 M sucrose at each time point and less of all saccharin concentrations at 30 and 60 min. In contrast, intake of the more concentrated sucrose solutions was not influenced by stage of the estrous cycle. Thus, estradiol appears to selectively decrease intake of dilute sweet solutions. It is unlikely that this effect is secondary to estradiol's inhibitory effect on caloric intake, since diestrous and estrous rats consumed similar volumes of more concentrated sucrose solutions and intake of all concentrations of non-caloric saccharin was suppressed during estrus. A decrease in the palatability of these dilute sweet solutions appears to underlie this action of endogenous estradiol. Support: MH-63932 and DC-00044-10.