cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Functional co-assembly among subunits of cyclic-nucleotide-activated, nonselective cation channels, and across species from nematode to human

Abstract Cyclic-nucleotide-activated, nonselective cation channels have a central role in sensory transduction. They are most likely tetramers, composed of two subunits ( α and β or 1 and 2), with the former, but not the latter, being able to form homomeric cyclic-nucleotide-activated channels. Identified members of this channel family now include, in vertebrates, the rod and cone channels mediating visual transduction and the channel mediating olfactory transduction, each apparently with distinct α - and β -subunits. Homologous channels have also been identified in Drosophila melanogaster and Caenorhabditis elegans . By co-expressing any combination of two α -subunits, or α - and β -subunits, of this channel family in HEK 293 cells, we have found that they can all co-assemble functionally with each other, including those from fly and nematode. This finding suggests that the subunit members so far identified form a remarkably homogeneous and conserved group, functionally and evolutionarily, with no subfamilies yet identified. The ability to cross-assemble allows these subunits to potentially generate a diversity of heteromeric channels, each with properties specifically suited to a particular cellular function.
Entropic pressure between biomembranes in a periodic stack due to thermal fluctuations.

The phenomenon of thermal fluctuation of a biomembrane within a stack of like membranes was introduced in a pioneering paper [Helfrich W (1978) Z Naturforsch A 33(3):305–315]. Internal energy arises in a representative membrane through elastic resistance to bending deformation, and membrane motion is further restrained through steric interaction with adjacent membranes. Due to reflective symmetry within the stack, analysis of behavior can be reduced to study of a single membrane fluctuating between parallel rigid planes. The phenomenon is reexamined here from several viewpoints to quantify the dependence of system free energy on the size of the gap between membranes. This analysis is based on essentially the same formulation that was used in the original study, and it is found that analysis based on enforcement of the underlying principles can lead to an exact mathematical solution. On this basis, a self-consistent picture of behavior emerges showing a dependence of free energy on the width of the confining gap that is weaker than has been thought to prevail.
Optimization of optical single sideband configurations for radio over fiber transmission and multi-type data communication over a DWDM link

Two new optical single side band (OSSB) configurations for radio frequency (RF) transmission of data are proposed based on the structures that have been designed for baseband digital data transmission. The performances of these schemes are evaluated based on the relevant eye diagrams and bit error rate (BER). The proposed configurations are studied and analyzed mathematically. Eye diagrams and BER's indicate an acceptable performance for the suggested structures. Feasible settings for the RF electrical power of the links are considered and the link performance for each setting is evaluated. A 4-dense wavelength division multiplexing (4-DWDM) link is considered for transmitting different types of data over a single mode fiber (SMF). Baseband digital data in the format of OSSB and RF-OSSB signals are transmitted over a 4-DWDM link. Furthermore, the link performance is considered for different electrical power settings of OSSB signal in order to achieve efficient transmission for DWDM network.
Exact solutions for the generalized sine-Gordon and the generalized sinh-Gordon equations

Abstract The reliable tanh method is used to handle the generalized sine-Gordon and the generalized sinh-Gordon equations. Families of exact travelling wave solutions are formally derived. The method requires minimal algebra work and the obtained results include the solutions derived in others’ works.
A microfluidic microelectrode array for simultaneous electrophysiology, chemical stimulation, and imaging of brain slices

In order to understand information processing in neural circuits, it is necessary to detect both electrical and chemical signaling with high spatial and temporal resolution. Although the primary currency of neural information processing is electrical, many of the downstream effects of the electrical signals on the circuits that generate them are dependent on activity-dependent increases in intracellular calcium concentration. It is therefore of great utility to be able to record electrical signals in neural circuits at multiple sites, while at the same time detecting optical signals from reporters of intracellular calcium levels. We describe here a microfluidic multi-electrode array (MMEA) capable of high-resolution extracellular recording from brain slices that is optically compatible with calcium imaging at single cell resolution. We show the application of the MMEA device to record waves of spontaneous activity in developing cortical slices and to perform multi-site extracellular recordings during simultaneous calcium imaging of activity. The MMEA has the unique capability to simultaneously allow focal electrical and chemical stimuli at different locations of the surface of a brain slice.
The solid state 13C-NMR and 19F-NMR spectra of some graphite fluorides

Abstract The solid state 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of fluorinated graphites show two resonances, one of which is assigned to aromatic carbon and the other to aliphatic carbon. The resonances are very broad with the high-field resonance centered at about 35 ppm below tetramethylsilane (TMS) and a low-field resonance centered at about 160 ppm below tetramethylsilane. The high-field resonance is typical of an sp3-like carbon and the low-field resonance is assigned to sp2-like carbons. It is found that the aromatic resonance in graphite decreases with an increase in fluorination of the graphite fluorides examined in this study. The 19F nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of C4F and CF1 each show one resonance. The fluorine resonance in C4F is 180 ppm above CFCI3 whereas the fluorine resonance in CF1 is 55 ppm above CFCI3. These peaks are in the range for fluorine bonded to aromatic and aliphatic carbons, respectively.
Postnatal depression in Mexican American fathers: Demographic, cultural, and familial predictors

Background: Although maternal postpartum depression (PPD) is a well-documented phenomenon that has been the focus of a large body of literature, much less is known about the prevalence and predictors of depressive symptoms among fathers following the birth of a child. Particularly scarce is research with Mexican American men, an understudied population at high risk given limited socioeconomic resources and elevated rates of maternal PPD. Methods: The current study used descriptive and path analyses to examine the prevalence and predictors of PPD in 92 Mexican American fathers (M age¼31.3 years). Results: At both 15 and 21 postpartum week assessments, 9% of fathers met criteria for PPD. Path analyses suggested that unemployment status, fewer biological children, poor marital relationship quality, and lower orientation to Anglo culture predicted higher 15 week paternal PPD symptoms, which was associated with greater paternal depressive symptoms at 21 weeks. Predictive paths from symptoms of maternal to paternal PPD were not significant. Limitations: Lack of generalizability to other ethnic groups, sampling of primarily resident fathers, and the absence of historical assessments of depression are limitations of the current study. Conclusions: Findings support the importance of PPD screenings among Mexican American fathers and suggest certain demographic, familial, and cultural factors may render men particularly vulnerable for maladjustment during the early infancy period.
Detection of Undiagnosed and Poorly Controlled Asthma in a Hospital-Based Outpatient Pediatric Primary Care Clinic Using a Health Risk Assessment System

Objective. To determine the rate of undiagnosed and poorly controlled asthma detected by a computerized health risk assessment (HRA) survey system in an urban pediatric hospital-based outpatient teaching clinic. Methods. A software-based HRA system uses survey answer patterns to identify children with (1) probable, (2) uncontrolled, and (3) moderate to severe asthma. Parents of patients > 2 years of age were asked by clinic staff to complete the touch screen computer survey before seeing their physician from August 2005 through July 2006. Results. The HRA survey predicted 26% (282/1,098) to have probable asthma. Of these, 51% (144/282) were controlled and the parents reported a previous diagnosis of asthma; 14% (40/282) were controlled and the parents did not report a previous diagnosis of asthma; 25% (71/282) were uncontrolled and the parents reported a previous diagnosis of asthma; and 10% (27/282) were uncontrolled and no previous diagnosis of asthma was reported by the parents. Among active cases comp...
Assessing aquatic productivity in the housatonic river using the Algal assay:bottle test

Abstract Dense algal growth and large diurnal oxygen variations in both free flowing and impounded reaches of the Housatonic River in Connecticut and Massachusetts prompted a concentrated study to assess the need for a comprehensive basin wide phosphorus abatement program and the contribution of point source discharges to eutrophication of the river. Inorganic nutrient levels and bioassay data indicated a predominance of nitrogen limitation below Pittsfield, MA resulting from discharges of phosphorus-rich, municipal and industrial wastewater into the river. N:P ratios suggested that the nutrient status of the river varied, to some extent, even over as short an interval as 2 months and was probably attributable to flow variations in the river. Algal assays of water samples confirmed the nutrient limitation predicted by N:P ratios in 10 out of 13 cases. Additions of varying percentages of untreated, and alum-treated Pittsfield domestic wastewater treatment plant effluent to Housatonic River water, resulted in a linear increase in algal yield that was within 20% of values predicted by inorganic nutrient content. No significant reduction in algal growth response was observed, however, in the alum-treated sewage since its N:P ratio was not sufficiently shifted to phosphorus limitation after 66% phosphorus removal (Al:P equal to 1.3:1). Phosphorus removal at Best Practicable Technology levels would therefore probably not change the nutrient status of the Pittsfield wastewater to phosphorus limitation.
Measuring the value of air quality: application of the spatial hedonic model

This study applies a hedonic model to assess the economic benefits of air quality improvement following the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendment at the county level in the lower 48 United States. An instrumental variable approach that combines geographically weighted regression and spatial autoregression methods (GWR-SEM) is adopted to simultaneously account for spatial heterogeneity and spatial autocorrelation. SEM mitigates spatial dependency while GWR addresses spatial heterogeneity by allowing response coefficients to vary across observations. Positive amenity values of improved air quality are found in four major clusters: (1) in East Kentucky and most of Georgia around the Southern Appalachian area; (2) in a few counties in Illinois; (3) on the border of Oklahoma and Kansas, on the border of Kansas and Nebraska, and in east Texas; and (4) in a few counties in Montana. Clusters of significant positive amenity values may exist because of a combination of intense air pollution and consumer awareness of diminishing air quality.
Gay, lesbian, and bisexual patients' recommendations for genetic counselors: a qualitative investigation.

Gay, lesbian, and bisexual (GLB) individuals comprise a growing patient population in genetic counseling. However, only one article from a genetic counseling journal provides empirical data on GLB patients’ genetic counseling experiences and genetic counselor attitudes and practices regarding GLB patients. The present study, an extension of the aforementioned article, gathered further information about patients’ genetic counseling experiences through semi-structured telephone interviews. Twelve of the previous study’s 29 patient respondents (n = 10 lesbian women, n = 1 gay man, n = 1 bisexual woman) participated. Interview questions concerned the use of medically inclusive forms, factors influencing patient disclosure, counselors’ ability to relate to them, and their expectations of genetic counselors. Inductive analysis of the interviews yielded seven themes: 1) Medically inclusive forms with gender neutral terms are important; 2) Genetic counselor ability to relate to a GLB person depends more on the relationship established during the session and less on external symbols; 3) The presence of GLB-friendly symbols increases comfort when disclosing one’s orientation; 4) Inclusion of the patient’s partner is important and best done by encouraging their active participation in sessions; 5) When GLB patients disclose their orientation, they expect to be treated like any other patient; 6) Providers should ask about orientation if medically pertinent and the remaining discussion should take orientation into consideration; and 7) When a provider inquires about orientation it should be done in a safe and appropriate way. Illustrative quotations, genetic counseling practice implications, and research recommendations are presented.
Organ localization: toward prospective patient-specific organ dosimetry in computed tomography.

Purpose: With increased focus on radiation dose from medical imaging, prospective radiation dose estimates are becoming increasingly desired. Using available populations of adult and pediatric patient phantoms, radiation dose calculations can be catalogued and prospectively applied to individual patients that best match certain anatomical characteristics. In doing so, the knowledge of organ size and location is a required element. Here, the authors develop a predictive model of organ locations and volumes based on an analysis of adult and pediatric computed tomography (CT) data. Methods: Fifty eight adult and 69 pediatric CT datasets were segmented and utilized in the study. The maximum and minimum points of the organs were recorded with respect to the axial distance from the tip of the sacrum. The axial width, midpoint, and volume of each organ were calculated. Linear correlations between these three organ parameters and patient age, BMI, weight, and height were determined. Results: No statistically significant correlations were found in adult patients between the axial width, midpoint, and volume of the organs versus the patient age or BMI. Slight, positive linear trends were found for organ midpoint versus patient weight (max r 2 = 0.382, mean r 2 = 0.236). Similar trends were found for organ midpoint versus height (max r 2 = 0.439, mean r 2 = 0.200) and for organ volume versus height (max r 2 = 0.410, mean r 2 = 0.153). Gaussian fits performed on probability density functions of the adult organs resulted in r 2-values ranging from 0.96 to 0.996. The pediatric patients showed much stronger correlations overall. Strong correlations were observed between organ axial midpoint versus age, height, and weight (max r 2 = 0.842, mean r 2 = 0.790; max r 2 = 0.949, mean r 2 = 0.894; and max r 2 = 0.870, mean r 2 = 0.847, respectively). Moderate linear correlations were also observed for organ axial width versus height (max r 2 = 0.772, mean r 2 = 0.562) and for organ volume versus height (max r 2 = 0.781, mean r 2 = 0.601). Conclusions: Adult patients exhibited small variations in organ volume and location with respect to height and weight, but no meaningful correlation existed between these parameters and age or BMI. Once adulthood is reached, organ morphology and positioning seem to remain static. However, clear trends are evident between pediatric organ locations versus age, height, and weight. Such information can be incorporated into a matching methodology that may provide the highest probability of representing the anatomy of a patient undergoing a clinical exam to prospectively estimate the radiation dose.
Cerebral developmental anomalies and disturbances of language.

Normal speech requires the presence of neural mechanisms which result from normal developmental processes. If the orderly sequence of development is interrupted because of extrinsic or intrinsic factors, "the instrument at the disposal of the individual will be defective, and the melody he is asked to play will be out of tune" (BENDA 1955). The number of school children in the United States who suffer from speech disorders amounts to 5%, an incidence which emphasizes the considerable problem which this defect presents (American Speech and Hearing Ass. Committee 1952, BROWN 1963). This paper is a review of the major causes of language disturbance, in particular those which result from maldevelopment of the central nervous system. The mechanisms involved in normal language production and the normal developmental processes which produce them will be discussed, and the pathologic origins of anomalies of the central nervous system which may affect language will be considered.
Antiinflammatory steroids inhibit granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor production by human lung tissue.

Granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) is an important hematopoietic growth factor which has been shown to induce proliferation and activation of inflammatory cells, and may play a role in allergic diseases and experimental allergic reactions. Since little is known about the involvement of cytokines in allergic inflammation in the lung, we investigated whether human lung fragments produce GM-CSF in vitro. The present studies demonstrate that human lung fragments produce GM-CSF in vitro and that glucocorticoids are potent inhibitors of this cytokine production. Human lung was cut into fragments, rinsed, and cultured in 60-mm tissue culture plates containing 50 mg of tissue in RPMI 1640 with antibiotics in the presence or absence of a variety of steroids for 18 h. Lung fragments were rinsed and then incubated for an additional 4 h. Supernatants were harvested and analyzed for GM-CSF activity using the GM-CSF/interleukin (IL)-3 responsive M-07e human leukemic cell line. Steroids alone had no effect on M-07e proliferation. Human lung fragments produced 32.1 +/- 11.8 ng of GM-CSF equivalents per gram wet weight of tissue during the 4 h incubation (mean +/- S.E.M., n = 5, range 9.2-74.2). While specific antisera against human GM-CSF neutralized 96.8 +/- 2.8% (n = 5) of the activity, anti-IL-3 antibody had no effect, suggesting most or all of this activity was GM-CSF. Treatment of lung fragments in vitro for 18 h with hydrocortisone (HC) inhibited the production of GM-CSF dose-dependently. Maximal inhibition of GM-CSF production was 72.8 +/- 4.0% at a concentration of 10(-6) M hydrocortisone (n = 5), and the molar concentration of HC that inhibited of GM-CSF production by lung tissue by 50% (IC50) was approximately 4.5 x 10(-7) M. Kinetic studies revealed that a 6 h preincubation with the drug was required for 50% inhibition of GM-CSF production. HC and other glucocorticoids, at a concentration of 0.1 microM, demonstrated significant inhibition of GM-CSF release. Based on the rank order of potency of several glucocorticoids, and the fact that nonglucocorticoid steroids including testosterone and beta-estradiol (0.1 microM) had no effect, we suggest that this is a specific receptor-mediated effect. We conclude that human lung produces GM-CSF in vitro and that antiinflammatory steroids are potent and effective inhibitors of the production of this cytokine. This may contribute to the therapeutic efficacy of these drugs in pulmonary diseases.
Traumatic disruption of the thoracic aorta in children.

Hypothesis This study was undertaken to identify mechanisms of injury, diagnostic modalities, surgical management, and outcome in children with traumatic aortic disruptions. Design Retrospective study. Setting University-affiliated private hospital. Patients All patients younger than 17 years listed in the trauma registry. Intervention Operative repair of thoracic aortic injuries. Main Outcome Measures There were 8 boys and 3 girls ranging in age from 12 to 17 years (mean, 14.8 years). Seven children were motor vehicle passengers; 3 were pedestrians struck by vehicles; and 1 was thrown from a bull. Aortic injuries were suspected on the basis of the mechanism of injury and abnormal chest x-ray films (mediastinal widening). Aortic injuries were confirmed in 9 patients by arch aortography and in 2 patients by computed tomography. The injuries involved the isthmus of the aorta in 9 patients (complete transections) and the aortic arch in 2 patients (avulsions of the great vessels). Isthmus injuries were repaired by means of left heart bypass with direct cannulation of the distal thoracic aorta in 8 patients and femoral venous to femoral arterial bypass in 1 patient. Arch injuries were repaired during hypothermic circulatory arrest. The injured aortic segments were replaced with interposition grafts. There were no direct complications of anticoagulation. Ten patients (91%) survived. The only death was caused by a severe closed head injury. There were no instances of paraplegia related to aortic repairs. Conclusion Good outcomes resulted from early diagnosis based on mechanism of injury, prompt aortography, and computed tomography and operative management that included distal aortic perfusion with left heart bypass.
Clinical Validity of a Brief Measure of Early Childhood Social–Emotional/Behavioral Problems

BITSEA Problem Index relative to Diagnosis (sensitivity ¼ 72.7%–80.8%, specificity ¼ 70.0%–83.3%) and clinical-range CBCL scores (sensitivity ¼ 80.0%–96.2%, specificity ¼ 75.0%–89.9%) was supported in the full sample and within minority/nonminority groups. Additional results supported the validity of the BITSEA Internalizing and Externalizing scales. Conclusions Documented validity suggests that the BITSEA may be a valuable tool to aid screening, identification, and assessment efforts targeting early-emergent social–emotional/behavioral problems. Practical implications and generalizability are discussed.
Mating behavior in commercial broiler breeders: Female effects

SUMMARY Commercial broiler breeder managers have reported differences in fertility among strains of birds, with the assumption that less feathering on the backs of hens results from more frequent mating. To determine if mating frequency is associated with back feathering, a study was undertaken to compare the mating behavior of 2 different lines of broiler breeder hens housed with a single strain of roosters. Each pen used in this study contained between 80 and 85 hens and 9 males. Mating behavior activities recorded included aggression, neck flares, male approaches, male waltzes, hen crouches, attempted mounts, completed mounts, attempted matings, and completed matings. Mating observations took place in the evening because this was the most active time for mating. Perivitelline layer sperm penetration, fertility, and hatchability were determined on eggs collected at each observation period. The hen strain with greater feather loss had fewer mounts by males as well as fewer completed matings, indicating that feather loss is not necessarily a good indicator of mating activity and, in fact, that it may deter such behavior. Sperm penetration, fertility, and hatchability were not different between the hen lines. In conclusion, although mating behavior varies in some genetic strains of broiler breeders, it does not fully explain the differences in feather loss, indicating that feather loss on the backs of hens is not a good indicator of mating activity. Furthermore, even though mating activity varied in the 2 hen strains, it did not result in differences in fertility.
Sex differences in the cerebral BOLD signal response to painful heat stimuli.

There are limited data addressing the question of sex differences in pain-related cerebral processing. This study examined whether pain-related blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal chang...
Pearls and Oy-sters: Evaluation of peripheral neuropathies

Peripheral neuropathy is common, with an estimated prevalence of 2% in the general population and prevalence as high as 8% in those over the age of 55 years. 1 Residents and fellows will undoubtedly evaluate many patients with various types of peripheral neuropathies during their careers. The evaluation for the etiology of a patient’s peripheral neuropathy can be challenging given the vast number of potential etiologies 2,3 and the fact that despite an appropriate evaluation, a high percentage of cases will remain idiopathic. 4,5 In this article, we provide a simple, easy-toremember algorithm that can simplify the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy. PERIPHERAL NEUROPATHY ALGORITHM The evaluation of peripheral neuropathy should begin with the gathering of clinical data including the history of present illness, past medical history, family history, and physical examination. The determination of what of that clinical data is relevant requires knowledge of various diseases and the risk factors for those diseases. The information then needs to be synthesized in order to characterize the complaints and findings and determine an appropriate workup. The appropriate characterization of the complaints and findings is essential in order to perform an efficient, cost-effective, and successful evaluation. We recommend characterizing the neuropathy by answering four basic questions about the neuropathy: What? Where? When? What setting? (figure). 6 This simple algorithm should facilitate the early step in clinical reasoning of creating a mental abstraction—that is, a problem representation or one-sentence summary of the defining and discriminating characteristics of the case. 7 The creation of an accurate problem representation will allow the evaluating physician to focus on a small list of potential etiologies. This critical step in diagnostic reasoning will usually guide the physician down the correct diagnostic path, but it must be kept in mind that our algorithm is not absolute and there will always be cases that prove to be exceptions. The creation and utilization of problem representations will also serve as anchor points in memory that should allow the physician to more efficiently evaluate future cases and particularly to identify subtle but meaningful variations in similar cases. 7
Results of Provider Self-Adjudication Using the Prudent Layperson Standard Compared With the Managed Care Organization’s Emergency Department Claim Review Process

Abstract Study Objectives: We compare the results of a provider "self-adjudicating" outpatient emergency department claims using a "presenting symptom–based" system with the managed care organization (MCO) adjudicating the claims using a "final diagnosis–based" system. Methods: All outpatient visits from one MCO to an urban, university hospital between January 1, 1998, and February 28, 1999, were included. Each record was reviewed by 2 methods to determine whether the visit qualified for payment under the MCO's benefit structure. Under the provider adjudication, symptom-based system, all visits with nursing triage levels of immediate/emergency were approved automatically. Those with triage levels of delayed/nonurgent were reviewed by an emergency physician and approved if, in the physician's opinion, the presenting symptoms met the emergency criteria under the District of Columbia's Access to Emergency Services Act. A second claims review, blinded to the first, was performed with the diagnosis-based system used by the MCO before approval of the prudent layperson standard. This review divided the records into "approve," "deny," and "suspend" categories according to the discharge International Classification of Diseases, ninth revision code. The results of the 2 reviews were compared. Results: We reviewed 1,830 records; 836 (46%) cases were triaged as immediate/emergency and 994 (54%) as delayed/nonurgent. Of the 994 delayed/nonurgent visits, physician review determined that 607 (61%) met the prudent layperson standard and 387 (39%) did not. Overall, the provider self-adjudication system determined that 1,443 (78.8%) of the 1,830 visits should be approved for insurance coverage. The MCO's system approved 966 (53%), denied 335 (18%), and suspended 529 (29%). Provider self-adjudication using a symptom-based system resulted in the immediate approval of 1,443 (77.8%) visits compared with 966 (52.7%) by a diagnosis-based system ( P P Conclusion: Compared with the standard ED claims review process used by the managed care industry, provider self-adjudication using a symptom-based system approves a greater proportion of visits, avoids rejection of many ED visits, and identifies many nonemergency visits that mistakenly appear to be emergencies. The possibility of providers and MCOs working together to adjudicate outpatient ED claims should be explored. [Shesser R, Holtermann K, Smith J, Braun J. Results of provider self-adjudication using the prudent layperson standard compared with the managed care organization's emergency department claim review process. Ann Emerg Med. September 2000;36:212-218.]
Light‐Dark Transients in Levels of Intermediate Compounds during Photosynthesis in Air‐Adapted Chlorella

The labeling of intermediate compounds and photosynthetic cofactors during photosynthesis and periods of darkness by Chlorella pyrenoidosa in the presence of 32P-labeled phosphate and 14CO2 have heen investigated. Algae adapted to photosynthesis in air were used, and the level of carbon dioxide was maintained at approximately 0.04 % and at constant specific radioactivity during the course of the experiments. The transient changes which occur in the levels of labeled fructose-1,6-diphosphate and in sedoheptulose-1,7-diphosphate, and in the corresponding monophosphates when the light is turned off suggest a light activation of the diphosphatase enzymes which decays after about 2 minutes of darkness. It is suggested that a light-dark switch in enzymic activities permits photosynthesis and glycolysis to occur in light and dark respectively with the same enzymic apparatus. The greatly diminished rate of disappearanec of the carboxylation substrate, ribulose-1,5-diphosphate, after about 2 minutes suggests that there is also a light activation of the carboxylation reaction in vivo. Large transient changes in the level of pyrophosphate between light and dark indicate that there may be an unstable cofactor which decomposes to give pyrophosphate during or alter killing of the algal cells. The possibility that this cofactor is involved in an activation of Carbon dioxide for the carboxylation reaction in vivo is suggested. Light-dark transient changes in labeling of other compounds of the photosynthetic carbon reduction cycle and related compounds were determined, and possible significance of these changes is discussed.(PDF DAMAGED)
Reduction of electron deficient guanine radical species in plasmid DNA by tyrosine derivatives

Guanine bases are the most easily oxidized sites in DNA and therefore electron deficient guanine radical species are major intermediates in the direct effect of ionizing radiation (ionization of the DNA itself) on DNA as a consequence of hole migration to guanine. As a model for this process we have used gamma-irradiation in the presence of thiocyanate ions to generate single electron oxidized guanine radicals in a plasmid target in aqueous solution. The stable species formed from these radicals can be detected and quantified by the formation of strand breaks in the plasmid after a post-irradiation incubation using a suitable enzyme. If a tyrosine derivative is also present during irradiation, the production of guanine oxidation products is decreased by electron transfer from tyrosine to the intermediate guanyl radical species. By using cationic tyrosine containing ligands we are able to observe this process when the tyrosine is electrostatically bound to the plasmid. The driving force dependence of this reaction was determined by comparing the reactivity of tyrosine with its 3-nitro analog. The results imply that the electron transfer reaction is coupled to a proton transfer. The experimental conditions used in this model system provide a reasonable approximation to those involved in the radioprotection of DNA by tightly bound proteins in chromatin.
Semiclassical dynamics and long-time asymptotics of the central-spin problem in a quantum dot

The spin of an electron trapped in a quantum dot is a promising candidate implementation of a qubit for quantum information processing. We study the central-spin problem of the effect of the hyperfine interaction between such an electron and a large number of nuclear moments. Using a spin coherent path integral, we show that in this limit the electron spin evolution is well described by classical dynamics of both the nuclear and electron spins. We then introduce approximate yet systematic methods to analyze aspects of the classical dynamics, and discuss the importance of the exact integrability of the central-spin Hamiltonian. This is compared with numerical simulation. Finally, we obtain the asymptotic long-time decay of the electron spin polarization. We show that this is insensitive to integrability, and determined instead by the transfer of angular momentum to very weakly coupled spins far from the center of the quantum dot. The specific form of the decay is shown to depend sensitively on the form of the electronic wave function.
Enhanced charge transport and photovoltaic performance of PBDTTT-C-T/PC70BM solar cells via UV–ozone treatment

In this work, the electron transport layer of PBDTTT-C-T/PC70BM polymer solar cells were subjected to UV–ozone treatment, leading to improved cell performances from 6.46% to 8.34%. The solar cell efficiency reached a maximum of 8.34% after an optimal 5 minute UV–ozone treatment, and then decreased if treated for a longer time. To the best of our knowledge, the mechanism behind the effects of UV–ozone treatment on the improvement of charge transport and cell performance is not fully understood. We have developed a fundamental understanding of the UV–ozone treatment mechanism, which explains both the enhancements in charge transport and photovoltaic performance at an optimal treatment time, and also the phenomenon whereby further treatment time leads to a drop in cell efficiency. Transient photocurrent measurements indicated that the cell charge transport times were 1370 ns, 770 ns, 832 ns, 867 ns, and 1150 ns for the 0 min, 5 min, 10 min, 15 min, and 20 min UV–ozone treatment times, respectively. Therefore the 5 min UV–ozone treatment time led to the shortest transport time and the most efficient charge transport in the cells. The 5 min UV–ozone treated sample exhibited the highest peak intensity (E2) in the Raman spectra of the treated films, at about 437 cm−1, indicating that it possessed the best wurtzite phase crystallinity of the ZnO films. Further increasing the UV–ozone treatment time from 5 to 20 min induced the formation of p-type defects (e.g. interstitial oxygen atoms), pushing the ZnO Fermi-level further away from the vacuum level, and decreasing the wurtzite crystallinity.
Science review: Redox and oxygen-sensitive transcription factors in the regulation of oxidant-mediated lung injury: role for nuclear factor-κB

The primary role of pulmonary airways is to conduct air to the alveolar epithelium, where gas exchange can efficiently occur. Injuries to airways resulting from inhalation of airborne pollutants and parenteral exposure to ingested pollutants that cause oxidative stress have the potential to interfere with this process. A progressive rise of oxidative stress due to altered reduction–oxidation (redox) homeostasis appears to be one of the hallmarks of the processes that regulate gene transcription in lung physiology and pathophysiology. Reactive metabolites serve as signaling messengers for the evolution and perpetuation of the inflammatory process that is often associated with cell death and degeneration. Redox-sensitive transcription factors are often associated with the development and progression of many human disease states and inflammatory-related injury, particularly of the lung. The present review elaborates on the role of the redox-sensitive and oxygen-sensitive transcription factor NF-κB in mediating lung injury. Changes in the pattern of gene expression through regulatory transcription factors are crucial components of the machinery that determines cellular responses to oxidative and redox perturbations. Additionally, the discussion of the possible therapeutic approaches of antioxidants, thiol-related compounds and phosphodiesterase inhibitors as anti-inflammatory agents will thereby help understand the oxidant/redox-mediated lung injury mechanisms.
Station reconfiguration on FDDI trunk rings

The US Navy is selecting a et of local area networking standards, under the name SAFENET, for use on tactical platforms. The set of standards incorporate the FDDI local area network (LAN) at the physical and data link layers. The SAFENET group has taken an FDDI feature (the hold policy option) and used it as the basis of a data path hop (or switch) capability. The paper provides a discussion of FDDI trunk ring reconfiguration both in a normal mode of operation and when the hold policy is in effect. Operational issues of concern to tactical network survivability are discussed. A discussion of the issues that result from the use of optical switches, the use of the hold policy, the use of dual media access controllers, the resolution of addresses and the association of one data path to one of two media access controllers is provided. >
Recurrent glioblastoma multiforme presents as a mirror image in the contralateral temporal lobe.

A 44-year-old woman with history of left temporal glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) presented with a generalized seizure and altered mental status. She had undergone surgical resection for the left tem...
THE EFFECT OF SECONDARY INFECTIONS ON EXPERIMENTAL TRACHOMA.

The possibility suggested itself, in view of the theories already advanced with regard to the ro1e of secondary infections in the later manifestations of trachoma (1), that the implantation of common bacteria on the conjunctivae of monkeys already having well marked characteristic granulosis lesions might give rise to a condition showing less predominance of the follicular reaction and more of the hyperemic granulopapillary effect. We believe we have succeeded, by a suitable technique, in doing this and in producing thereby in the experimental animals a condition closely resembling the florid type of human trachoma (Type IIb and c of MacCallan). The organisms used were some of those which are found in the conjunctival sac of monkey and man with different types of granular conjunctivitis. Of themselves, they produced only a transient reaction or none, as Noguchi had already shown and as we ourselves had observed in control animals. When inoculated together with material containing Bacterium granulosis, they did not affect the usual action of this organism, but when introduced into a conjunctiva in which granulosis lesions were already well developed, they induced more of the characteristics of the florid stage of trachoma than have been hitherto observed in animals, notably increased hyperemia, edema and thickening, papillary hypertrophy, obscurity of blood vessels, and masking of the follicles. Microscopically these changes were accompanied by increased scar tissue formation, lymphoid infiltration, and papillary hyperplasia.
Dietary antioxidants and exercise

Muscular exercise promotes the production of radicals and other reactive oxygen species in the working muscle. Growing evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species are responsible for exercise-i...
Molecular orbital treatment of gas-phase ion molecule collision rates: Reactive and nonreactive collisions

I. Introduction 142 II. Reaction Efficiency 144 III. Ion Polar-Molecule Collisions 145 IV. Momentum-Transfer Ion-Molecule Collisions 146 V. Summary 151 Acknowledgments 151 References 151 This paper reviews some applications of quantum mechanical models to ion-molecule collision processes, and presents a new theoretical approach to ion mobilities of isobaric ions. Reactive ion-molecule collisions have been successfully modeled, using perturbation molecular orbital (PMO) theory, and ab initio quantum mechanical models. In ion polar-molecule collisions, the Stark effect exerts a controlling influence on the collision rate. The average dipole orientation for an ion polar-molecule collision is exactly zero. The instantaneous dipole orientation to the ion-molecule axis in these collisions is not zero. The instantaneous angle between the dipole and the ion-molecule axis, Θ, increases as the distance between the ion and molecule, r, decreases. The Stark effect couples collisional angular momentum of the ion-molecule complex and rotational angular momentum of the molecule. Conversion of collisional angular momentum to rotational angular momentum causes the rotation of the molecule to increase as the ion and molecule approach each other. Changes in Θ directly follow the changes in rotational angular momentum for the molecule. In momentum transfer ion-molecule collisions in gases, the energy difference between the frontier orbitals of the collision pair is such that a first-order perturbation model is not appropriate. An approximate second-order PMO equation for the reduced mobility of ions in non-polar gases, Ko PMO, is presented and used to analyze data from the literature. Ion mobility is linearly related to Ko PMO, a function of the ion-molecule electronic potential, ΔEIM, and the reduced mass, μIM, for the ion bath-gas interaction. The electronic states of first-row transition metal ions separated by ion-mobility in helium have been assigned on the basis of their reduced mobilities. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Mass Spec Rev 20:142–152, 2001
Electrical properties of a polymeric nanocomposite with in-situ synthesized nanoparticles

Nanocomposite electrical insulation materials (nano-dielectrics) have been the focus of dielectrics research for the last ten years. Different materials preparation (mixing) methods have been applied to fabricate novel nanocomposites with improved electrical insulation properties. In this contribution we describe a nanodielectric fabrication method where the base polymeric material is loaded with particles, which are synthesized "in-situ". This method has an advantage in dispersing nanoparticles over other nanocomposite processing methods, because the particles are synthesized in randomly distributed sites inside the polymer network. In this paper structural and electrical properties of nanocomposites of polyvinyl alcohol and titanium dioxide are presented.
The Limits of Coexistence: Identity Politics in Israel

The Limits of Coexistence: Identity Politics in Israel. Rebecca L. Torstrick. Ann Arbor: University of Michigan Press, 2000. 284 pp.
Effects of Symptom Control Intervention on Utilization of Health Care Services Among Cancer Patients

Background In this study we investigated the effects of a clinical nursing symptom control intervention on utilization of physician, hospital and emergency room services. Material/methods Two hundred twenty-two patients currently undergoing chemotherapy were recruited for the study, and were randomized into either the 10-contact, 20-week experimental intervention group (110), where the intervention focused on assisting the patient in managing their symptoms, or to a conventional care control group (112). Results A random effects regression model revealed that patients in the intervention group reported fewer emergency room visits than patients in the control group (p=0.050). Greater symptom severity and more comorbid conditions were also predictive of more emergency room visits. The intervention was effective in reducing the number of hospital visits for the subgroup of patients who at baseline reported above average symptom severity (p=0.023). Conclusions These findings suggest that a nursing intervention focusing on educating patients regarding specific strategies to be applied for controlling symptoms may be worthwhile, as the patients may regain some control in managing their symptoms and thus ultimately require fewer emergency room services and hospital visits. Such a straightforward approach may empower patients, enhance their quality of life and reduce overall costs of cancer care.
A Note on Moral Imagination

Moral theories provide us with reasonable criteria for making moral judgments and evaluating decisions and actions. There is, however, one difficulty with approaching moral reasoning strictly from a "moral-theories" approach: despite their knowledge of ethical theories, intelligent, reasonable people make moral mistakes. These mistakes cannot be attributed solely to ignorance or insensitivity or even merely to weakness of character, but rather to a paucity of moral imagination. Moral judgments involve a delicate balance of context, evaluation, projection of moral standards, and imagination. The linchpin of this process is a highly developed moral imagination that perceives the nuances of a situation, challenges the framework or scheme in which the event is embedded, and imagines how it might be different.
CAPAS 2.0: A computer tool for coding transcribed and digitally recorded verbal reports

A new computer software tool for coding and analyzing verbal report data is described. Combining and extending the capabilities of earlier verbal report coding software tools, CAPAS 2.0 enables researchers to code two different types of verbal report data: (1) verbal reports already transcribed and stored in text files and (2) verbal reports in their original digitally recorded audio format. For both types of data, individual verbal report segments are presented in random order and coded independently of other segments in accordance with a localized encoding principle. Once all reports are coded, CAPAS 2.0 converts the coded reports to a formatted file suitable for analysis by statistical packages such as SPSS. R. J. Crutcher, crutcher@udayton.edu
Targeting Prolactin Receptor (PRLR) Signaling in PRLR-Positive Breast and Prostate Cancer

In this issue of The Oncologist, Agarwal et al. report negative results from a phase I trial of LFA102. Although “negative” in terms of antitumor activity, the study provides useful pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic information. Future trials evaluating PRLR blockers alone and in combination with other agents may still be warranted in patients with breast and prostate cancer.