cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vinyl chloride-induced DNA adducts I: Quantitative determination of N2,3-ethenoguanine based on electrophore labeling

A sensitive assay for quantitative determination of the vinyl chloride (VC)-induced cyclic DNA adduct N2,3-ethenoguanine (EG) was developed. The method is based on the detection of EG as its di-pentafluorobenzyl derivative (3,5-PFB2-EG). This compound exhibited good gas chromatographic properties and was detected with high sensitivity by gas chromatography with electron capture detection (limit of detection 300 amol/microliters injected solution) or with negative ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry monitoring the [M-181]-fragment ion at m/z 354 (GC-NICI-MS, limit of detection 190 amol/microliters injected solution). EG, its 13C-labeled analog [13C4]-EG and 3,5-PFB2-EG were synthesized and characterized by UV and fluorescence spectrophotometry, 1H- and 13C-NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. The standards were used to optimize the isolation of EG and its derivatization with pentafluorobenzyl bromide (electrophore labeling) at fmol quantities. DNA solutions were spiked with EG, the DNA was depurinated by mild acid hydrolysis, and EG was isolated from the hydrolysates by low-pressure strong cation exchange chromatography with subsequent C18 solid-phase extraction. The extracted EG was electrophore labeled and 3,5-PFB2-EG was detected using GC-NICI-MS. [13C4]EG served as internal standard. 3,5-PFB2-EG was quantitated relative to its 13C-labeled analog by measuring the ion ratio m/z 354/358. The limit of detection for the complete method was 60 fmol EG/mumols guanine. The method was applied to liver DNA from young Sprague-Dawley rats exposed to 600 p.p.m. VC from day 10 through day 14 after birth. The EG concentration in these samples was 1.8 +/- 0.3 pmol/mumols guanine.
Bending of multi-layered curved bars

Abstract Solutions are presented for the bending by couples or terminal forces of curved bars consisting of layers of either homogeneous isotropic or cylindrically orthotropic materials. Typical plots are given for the bending and shearing stress distributions.
EQUITY VALUATION EFFECTS OF FORCED WARRANT EXERCISE

We examine stock price reactions to announced calls of in-the-money warrants and find a significant average devaluation in excess of 4 percent, consistent with the recent literature. We test theoretical predictions based on asymmetric information, agency costs, and corporate control in a cross-sectional model of announcement-period returns and find support for voting rights and ownership dilution as an explanation. We find evidence of some price recovery after the call announcement; however, further evidence of a liquidity-based explanation is mixed.
Selective inhibition of separate esterases in rat and mouse liver microsomes hydrolyzing malathion, trans-permethrin, and cis-permethrin

Abstract Separate esterase activities of rat and mouse liver microsomes hydrolyzing malathion, trans -permethrin, and cis -permethrin were differentiated on the basis of their sensitivities to inhibition by paraoxon and α-naphthyl N -propylcarbamate (NPC). In rat liver microsomes, the malathionhydrolyzing activity was more sensitive to both inhibitors and showed a different time course of NPC inhibition than the activities hydrolyzing the permethrin isomers. Paraoxon completely inhibited trans -permethrin hydrolysis, but only partially inhibited that of cis -permethrin. The paraoxonsensitive trans - and cis -permethrin-hydrolyzing activities were not differentially inhibited, but separate inhibition curves were obtained for the inhibition of trans - and cis -permethrin hydrolysis by NPC. The mouse liver esterase activity hydrolyzing trans -permethrin showed a similar paraoxon sensitivity to that of rat liver, but that the paraoxon-sensitive portion of the cis -permethrinhydrolyzing activity was 5.5-fold less sensitive to paraoxon than the corresponding rat liver activity and was clearly differentiated from the mouse liver trans -permethrin-hydrolyzing activity. The mouse liver malathion-hydrolyzing activity was 100-fold less sensitive to paraoxon and 14-fold less sensitive to NPC than the corresponding rat liver activity. Rat and mouse liver esterase activities hydrolyzed trans - and cis -permethrin at similar rates under standard assay conditions, but mouse liver esterases were 10-fold less active in hydrolyzing malathion. The higher specific activity of rat liver malathion-hydrolyzing esterases resulted from the greater apparent affinity and maximum velocity for malathion hydrolysis. These results demonstrate that the hydrolysis of malathion, trans -permethrin, and cis -permethrin by rat and mouse liver microsomal preparations involves several esterases with differing substrate specificities and inhibitor sensitivities.
Development of Capitella sp. G from Galveston Bay, Texas

Abstract Polychaetes belonging to the Capitella ‘capitata’ species complex thrive in polluted or disturbed marine sediments. Sibling species differ in their reproductive and developmental features. Here we examine the life cycle of Capitella sp. G from Galveston Bay, TX. This species was collected in Galveston Bay and cultured in the laboratory. Brooding tubes were isolated from the culture and observed every 24 h. In addition to documenting normal development, we manipulated three brooding tubes by cutting them in half transversely and freeing the larvae in one of the fragments. In the unmanipulated cultures, development was direct, with the offspring emerging from the tubes after an average of 8 days as juveniles, following a trochophore and metatrochophore stage inside the brood tube. Individuals that were freed from the brood tubes in an early trochophore stage went through the same developmental stages as their siblings from the same brood; however, they showed large variation within a single brood a...
Sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients for procedures outside the operating room

Sedation and analgesia in pediatric patients for procedures outside the operating room are becoming more frequent as health care is being driven to be more cost effective and "efficient." Although anesthesiologists may not be directly involved in sedation or analgesia outside of the operating room, there is a high likelihood that they will be asked by their institutions to be integrally involved in creating and supervising sedation policy given that the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations consider sedation and analgesia as part of a continuum ranging from minimal sedation to moderate sedation and analgesia, deep sedation and analgesia, and, finally, general anesthesia. Further, anesthesiologists will be asked to define, teach, and credential nonanesthesiology practitioners who perform deep sedation because these practitioners are now required to be qualified to "rescue from general anesthesia."
Pulmonary vascular disease in children with congenital cardiovascular malformations. Etiologic considerations.

A detailed clinical analysis of 16 patients with various forms of congenital cardiac malformations with the potential for large left-to-right shunts who developed extreme pulmonary hypertension in infancy and early childhood has been carried out. The study plan was to include only patients with sufficiently long follow up to allow analysis of their course in both the prepubescent and postpubescent periods. In early life these patients were all characterized by lack of evidence for significant development of the expected left-to-right shunt indicating inappropriate maturation of their pulmonary vascular circulation. Throughout all phases of their life, they were significantly polycythemic in comparison with a control group but this polycythemia, representative of peripheral systemic hypoxemia, increased markedly with the acquisition of puberty in all patients. These two findings indicate both an early abnormality, suggestively primary, of the pulmonary vasculature and a late progression of the disease asso...
Atypical squamous cells, cannot exclude high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion: A follow-up study of conventional and liquid-based preparations in a high-risk population

We compared the histologic follow-up of 368 smears or slides with an interpretation of "atypical squamous cells, cannot rule out high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion" (ASC-H) based on conventional and liquid-based preparations and age groups in a high-risk population. Patients with an ASC-H interpretation were 17 to 87 years old (mean, 36.8 years). The specimens were 52 liquid-based preparations and 316 conventional smears. For 218 cases (59.2%), including 28 liquid-based preparations (65%) and 190 conventional smears (58%), histologic follow-up was available. In 20 liquid-based preparations (71%) and 152 conventional smears (80.0%), cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) or higher was revealed on subsequent biopsy. Other results were as follows: liquid-based preparations, CIN1, 11 (55%); CIN2/3, 9 (45%); conventional smears, CIN1, 78 (51.3%); CIN2/3, 70 (46.1%); squamous cell carcinoma, 4 (2.6%). There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of CIN or higher on subsequent biopsy after an interpretation of ASC-H based on preparation types. The incidences of CIN in patients 40 years old or older and patients younger than 40 years were 66% and 84%, respectively, a statistically significant difference. Because of the high incidence of clinically significant lesions noted on subsequent follow-up, patients with an interpretation of ASC-H should be observed closely and referred for colposcopic examination regardless of their age.
Discriminant analysis of intellectual ability groups with measures of adaptive behavior

Abstract Interest in the differential diagnostic capabilities of instruments designed to measure adaptive behavior has greatly increased in recent years. The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the differential diagnostic potential of the Scales of Independent Behavior (SIB). It was hypothesized that a multiple discriminant function analysis, with SIB cluster domain scores as independent variables, would lead to the correct group classification of 479 subjects (303 nonretarded, 54 educable mentally retarded (EMR) and 122 trainable mentally retarded (TMR) subjects). A linear combination of scores from the four SIB cluster domains explained 63% of the variance between groups and correctly classified 76% of the subjects by group membership. Findings support the use of the SIB as a significant contributor to the process of differential diagnosis, with concomitant implications for improving decision-making practices pertinent to classification for service and program placement purposes.
Focal adhesion kinase antagonizes doxorubicin cardiotoxicity via p21Cip1

Clinical application of potent anthracycline anticancer drugs, especially doxorubicin (DOX), is limited by a toxic cardiac side effect that is not fully understood and preventive strategies are yet to be established. Studies in genetically modified mice have demonstrated that focal adhesion kinase (FAK) plays a key role in regulating adaptive responses of the adult myocardium to pathological stimuli through activation of intracellular signaling cascades that facilitate cardiomyocyte growth and survival. The objective of this study was to determine if targeted myocardial FAK activation could protect the heart from DOX-induced de-compensation and to characterize the underlying mechanisms. To this end, mice with myocyte-restricted FAK knock-out (MFKO) or myocyte-specific expression of an active FAK variant (termed SuperFAK) were subjected to DOX treatment. FAK depletion enhanced susceptibility to DOX-induced myocyte apoptosis and cardiac dysfunction, while elevated FAK activity provided remarkable cardioprotection. Our mec6hanistic studies reveal a heretofore unappreciated role for the protective cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in the repression of the pro-apoptotic BH3-only protein Bim and the maintenance of mitochondrial integrity and myocyte survival. DOX treatment induced proteasomal degradation of p21, which exacerbated mitochondrial dysfunction and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. FAK was both necessary and sufficient for maintaining p21 levels following DOX treatment and depletion of p21 compromised FAK-dependent protection from DOX. These findings identify p21 as a key determinant of DOX resistance downstream of FAK in cardiomyocytes and indicate that cardiac-restricted enhancement of the FAK/p21 signaling axis might be an effective strategy to preserve myocardial function in patients receiving anthracycline chemotherapy.
CO-free production of hydrogen via stepwise steam reforming of methane

CO-free hydrogen is produced by the reversible cyclic stepwise steam reforming of methane for use in fuel cells and other processes that are sensitive to CO poisoning. The process consists of two steps involving the decomposition of methane in a first step followed by steam gasification of the surface carbon in a second step. The ease of carbon removal in step II is strongly dependent on temperature and surface coverage of carbon. To optimize the process conditions, we have investigated this cyclic methane steam-reforming process as a function of temperature and surface coverage of carbon. These studies show that it becomes increasingly difficult to remove the surface carbon at higher temperatures and coverage. Since higher temperatures favor methane conversion and hydrogen production in step I, it is essential to delicately optimize the temperature conditions for the process. The hydrogen produced in step I of the cyclic process in the optimum range of temperature conditions (≤673 K) is CO-free ( 2 produced in step I varies from 1.0 to 1.3 mol/mol methane consumed. The optimum process conditions for carrying out the two-step process are temperatures of 648–673 K and a carbon surface coverage of 0.10–0.20 monolayer equivalents (MLEs).
Seismic fragility methodology for highway bridges using a component level approach

Bridge fragility curves, which express the probability of a bridge reaching a certain damage state for a given ground motion parameter, play an important role in the overall seismic risk assessment of a transportation network. Current analytical methodologies for generating bridge fragility curves do not adequately account for all major contributing bridge components. Studies have shown that for some bridge types, neglecting to account for all of these components can lead to a misrepresentation of the bridges' overall fragilities. In this study, an expanded methodology for the generation of analytical fragility curves for highway bridges is presented. This methodology considers the contribution of the major components of the bridge, such as the columns, bearings and abutments, to its overall bridge system fragility. In particular, this methodology utilizes probability tools to directly estimate the bridge system fragility from the individual component fragilities. This is illustrated using a bridge whose construction and configuration are typical to the Central and Southeastern United States and the results are presented and discussed herein. This study shows that the bridge as a system is more fragile than any one of the individual components. Assuming that the columns represent the entire bridge system can result in errors as large as 50% at higher damage states. This provides support to the assertion that multiple bridge components should be considered in the development of bridge fragility curves. The findings also show that estimation of the bridge fragilities by their first-order bounds could result in errors of up to 40%. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Night temperature, rubber production, and carbon exchange in guayule

Abstract Guayule (Parthenium argentatum Gray), a native of the Chihuahuan desert, produces the majority of its rubber during the winter months. Increased rubber production is thought to be induced by cold night temperatures, but the factors involved in rubber induction are not completely understood. The purpose of this study was to answer three questions about rubber production in the winter: (1) how do immature plants (
Establishing flight software reliability: testing, model checking, constraint-solving, monitoring and learning

In this paper we discuss the application of a range of techniques to the verification of mission-critical flight software at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. For this type of application we want to achieve a higher level of confidence than can be achieved through standard software testing. Unfortunately, given the current state of the art, especially when efforts are constrained by the tight deadlines and resource limitations of a flight project, it is not feasible to produce a rigorous formal proof of correctness of even a well-specified stand-alone module such as a file system (much less more tightly coupled or difficult-to-specify modules). This means that we must look for a practical alternative in the area between traditional testing and proof, as we attempt to optimize rigor and coverage. The approaches we describe here are based on testing, model checking, constraint-solving, monitoring, and finite-state machine learning, in addition to static code analysis. The results we have obtained in the domain of file systems are encouraging, and suggest that for more complex properties of programs with complex data structures, it is possibly more beneficial to use constraint solvers to guide and analyze execution (i.e., as in testing, even if performed by a model checking tool) than to translate the program and property into a set of constraints, as in abstraction-based and bounded model checkers. Our experience with non-file-system flight software modules shows that methods even further removed from traditional static formal methods can be assisted by formal approaches, yet readily adopted by test engineers and software developers, even as the key problem shifts from test generation and selection to test evaluation.
Iterative demodulation/decoding methods based on Gaussian approximations for lattice based space-time coded systems

In this letter, we study iterative demodulation and decoding methods for lattice based space-time coded systems concatenated with convolutional codes. We first apply the optimal MAP demodulation and the suboptimal linear MMSE methods to lattice based space-time demodulation and decoding. We then propose two other methods based on the idea of soft interference cancellation and in one method vector Gaussian approximation is used and in the other method scalar Gaussian approximation is used. We also present the EXIT chart analyses for the performance analyses for these iterative methods. Both theoretical and simulation results show that the performance of the vector Gaussian approximation method is the same as that of the linear MMSE method but in some cases the vector Gaussian approximation method has lower complexity. The complexity of the scalar Gaussian approximation method is the lowest among these different methods and grows linearly with the transmission rate while it still has an acceptable performance. Full diversity and full rate lattice based space-time coding is compared with the BLAST scheme and simulations show that the former has a better performance than the later even with the proposed suboptimal iterative demodulation and decoding methods
Amoeba-Resistant Bacteria: Their Role in Human Infections

Abstract Free-living amoebae in water supply systems harbor bacterial endosymbionts. Legionella pneumophila , the agent of Legionnaires' disease, was one of the first agents that was demonstrated to survive and multiply within amoebae. Similar bacteria, termed Legionella -like amoebal pathogens (LLAP's), were subsequently described and implicated in human respiratory tract infections. Amoebal co-cultivation/enrichment techniques and molecular methods (e.g., PCR) have elucidated a variety of alphaproteobacteria (e.g., Afipia, Bosea, Mesorhizobium , and Rasbobacterium species) and Chlamydia -like bacteria (e.g., Parachlamydia, Simkania, Protochlamydia , and Waddlia species) within free-living amoebae in hospital water systems. These agents are also able to survive and multiply within macrophages, pneumocytes, and lung fibroblasts. Sero-epidemiological studies and application of molecular technology to clinical specimens have revealed these agents as rare causes of community- and health care-associated pneumonia, particularly among immunocompromised patients. Additional studies have implicated these agents in other infectious processes. This article reviews these newly described microorganisms and the evidence for their roles in human infections and disease.
The effect of sodium and carbohydrate in a rehydration food on subsequent exercise performance

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of two rehydration beverages on fluid restoration and metabolism on subsequent exercise following exerciseand heat-induced dehydration. Twelve male subjects were dehydrated by ~3 % of body mass with exercise and heat exposure. In a randomly assigned, counterbalanced design, subjects were rehydrated at room temperature with either 175 ml of chicken noodle soup (SOUP: Campbell Soup Company, Camden, NJ) or an artificially sweetened placebo (CON) at the beginning of the 120 min rehydration period and 20 min later. Water was ingested every 20 min during the remaining 100 min of rehydration. Soup contained 161.0 mmol/l Na, 5.3 mmol/l K, and 32.6 g total carbohydrate. CON contained 14.4 mmol/l Na, 16.0 mmol/l K, and no carbohydrate. Total fluid ingestion was matched with body fluid loss during dehydration. After rehydration, subjects performed 30 min of steady state exercise at 68% VO2peak. Subjects then performed a time trial in which they accumulated as rapidly as possible the amount of work equal to 30 min of exercise at 70% VO2peak in a thermo-neutral environment (25 C and 40% relative humidity). There was no significant difference in percent recovery of body mass during rehydration (CON: 79.4 ± 3.3%; SOUP: 80.9 ± 3.4%). Time trial performance was significantly improved in SOUP (30.6 ± 0.8 min) compared with CON (33.2 ± 1.4 min; p=0.031). The rate of carbohydrate oxidation tended to be higher in SOUP (2.33 ± 0.09 g/min) compared with CON (2.18 ± 0.11 g/min; p=0.076). No differences in heart rate or ratings of perceived exercise were found during post-rehydration exercise. These results
Tim3 binding to galectin-9 stimulates antimicrobial immunity

T cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain 3 (Tim3) is a negative regulatory molecule that inhibits effector TH1-type responses. Such inhibitory signals prevent unintended tissue inflammation, but can be detrimental if they lead to premature T cell exhaustion. Although the role of Tim3 in autoimmunity has been extensively studied, whether Tim3 regulates antimicrobial immunity has not been explored. Here, we show that Tim3 expressed on TH1 cells interacts with its ligand, galectin-9 (Gal9), which is expressed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis –infected macrophages to restrict intracellular bacterial growth. Tim3–Gal9 interaction leads to macrophage activation and stimulates bactericidal activity by inducing caspase-1–dependent IL-1β secretion. We propose that the TH1 cell surface molecule Tim3 has evolved to inhibit growth of intracellular pathogens via its ligand Gal9, which in turn inhibits expansion of effector TH1 cells to prevent further tissue inflammation.
Distinguishability of Functionally Distinct Evoked Neuroelectric Signals on the Surface of a Nerve

This paper describes initial experiments to determine the feasibility of recording functionally distinct neuroelectric signals from the surface of the rabbit's sciatic nerve. A cuff electrode assembly was constructed; it consisted of two planar arrays, each having four wires equally spaced around the circumference of the electrode. The electrode assembly was placed on the sciatic nerve proximal to the popliteal fossa. A hook electrode was placed on six branches of the sciatic nerve in turn, just proximal to each branch's insertion into a leg muscle. Stimulation of the nerve branches was used to evoke signals in the sciatic nerve.
A model-based approach to system-level dependency and real-time analysis of embedded software

We describe an end-to-end tool-chain for model-based design and analysis of component-based embedded real-time software. All aspects of an embedded real-time system are captured in domain-specific models, including software components and architecture, timing and resource constraints, processes and threads, execution platforms, etc. We focus on the AIRES tool, which performs various static analysis tasks based on the models, including system-level dependency analysis, execution rate assignment to component ports, real-time and schedulability analysis, and automated allocation of components to processors. By capturing all relevant information explicitly in the models at the design-level, and performing analysis that provide insight into nonfunctional aspects of the system, we can raise the level of abstraction for the designer, and facilitate rapid system prototyping.
Ultrasound diagnosis of structural abnormalities in the first trimester

The advances in ultrasound technology have made it possible to identify fetal structural abnormalities and genetic syndromes in the first trimester. First trimester prenatal diagnosis of fetal central nervous system, renal, gastrointestinal, cardiac, and skeletal abnormalities is reviewed.
Non-resonant coupled parallel resonant converter

A resonant converter using nonresonant coupling between the rectifier and resonant circuits is presented. This converter has many advantages over a conventional parallel resonant converter (PRC), such as better control characteristics, lower component stress, lower converter gain, and better stability. It uses a capacitive (instead of an inductive) output filter, which has the advantages of smaller physical size and less component cost. Analysis and design of this converter are given for three modes of converter operations. By comparing the characteristic curves with those of the conventional PRC, it is seen that the present converter has a lower converter gain for a given Q/sub p/. This present converter should have better stability than the conventional PRC. Since the capacitor voltage is clamped at +or-V/sub 0/, the size of the state-plane diagram is limited for a given gain. This assures that a runaway problem in the converter is not encountered. >
HnRNP L and HnRNP A1 Induce Extended U1 snRNA Interactions with an Exon to Repress Spliceosome Assembly

Pre-mRNA splicing is catalyzed through the activity of the spliceosome, a dynamic enzymatic complex. Forcing aberrant interactions within the spliceosome can reduce splicing efficiency and alter splice site choice; however, it is unknown whether such alterations are naturally exploited mechanisms of splicing regulation. Here, we demonstrate that hnRNP L represses CD45 exon 4 by recruiting hnRNP A1 to a sequence upstream of the 5' splice site. Together, hnRNP L and A1 induce extended contacts between the 5' splice site-bound U1 snRNA and neighboring exonic sequences that, in turn, inhibit stable association of U6 snRNA and subsequent catalysis. Importantly, analysis of several exons regulated by hnRNP L shows a clear relationship between the potential for binding of hnRNP A1 and U1 snRNA and the effect of hnRNP L on splicing. Together, our results demonstrate that conformational perturbations within the spliceosome are a naturally occurring and generalizable mechanism for controlling alternative splicing decisions.
Quantum Bayes estimation of the amplitude of a coherent signal (Corresp.)

The complex amplitude of a coherent quantum signal in the presence of thermal noise is to be estimated when its real and imaginary parts have a Gaussian prior distribution. Cost functions of Gaussian, power-law, and delta-function forms are shown all to lead to the same optimum estimator.
CESSATION OF PROPHYLACTIC ANTIBIOTICS FOR MANAGING PERSISTENT VESICOURETERAL REFLUX

Purpose: We reviewed our experience with patients with vesicoureteral reflux treated off prophylactic antibiotics.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of patients with vesicoureteral reflux treated off prophylactic antibiotics, noting the intervals on and off antibiotics, urinary tract infection, signs and symptoms associated with urinary tract infection, and renal ultrasound and dimercapto-succinic acid scan findings.Results: We identified 196 patients with vesicoureteral reflux treated off prophylactic antibiotics, including 122 who were infection-free while on and 124 who had no urinary tract infection while off prophylactic antibiotics. The infection rate on and off prophylactics was 0.29 and 0.24 urinary tract infections per patient per year, respectively. New scars were identified in 5 patients while on prophylactics and in 7 after antibiotics were discontinued. Comparing different subgroups off prophylactic antibiotics showed that children who presented with scarring had s...
Molecular Phylogeny of the Chipmunk Genus Tamias Based on the Mitochondrial Cytochrome Oxidase Subunit II Gene

Complete sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase subunit II gene were used to construct a phylogeny for 21 of the 25 currently recognized chipmunk species. Phylogenetic analyses indicate that T. striatus (subgenus Tamias, eastern United States) and T. sibiricus (subgenus Eutamias, Asia) are distantly related to the other species (subgenus Neotamias), which constitute a western North American radiation. We discuss and compare our molecular phylogeny to previous taxonomies and present a suggested classification of the species groups for the subgenus Neotamias.
Detection of fos protein during osteogenesis by monoclonal antibodies.

Abstract We have generated monoclonal antibodies by using a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acid positions 4 to 17 of the human fos protein. The antibodies detected both v- and c-fos proteins by immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, and indirect immunofluorescence. The monoclonal antibodies not only identified the fos protein complex with the cellular 39-kilodalton protein, but also recognized the modified forms of the mouse, rat, and human fos proteins. In day-17 rat embryos, nuclear-staining fos protein could be identified in the cartilage by immunohistochemical staining.
Produtividade e pseudoperfilhamento do alho influenciados pelo nitrogênio, potássio e cobertura morta

Os alhos nobres vernalizados apresentam tendencia ao pseudoperfilhamento, podendo ser influenciados pelo nitrogenio, potassio e cobertura vegetal, mas ha poucos estudos sobre o assunto. O experimento foi realizado em Latossolo Amarelo distrofico, textura media, em Campinas-SP. O delineamento experimental foi em blocos casualizados em esquema fatorial 4 x 4 x 2, composto de quatro doses de N (0; 50; 100 e 150 kg ha-1), quatro doses de K20 (0; 50; 100 e 150 kg ha-1), dois sistemas de manejos (com e sem cobertura morta) e tres repeticoes. A area util de cada parcela foi de 1,5 m2, sendo feito o plantio (maio de 1999 e de 2000) no espacamento de 0,20 x 0,10 m. Apos a colheita (outubro de 1999 e 2000) e a cura (50 dias), foi feita a pesagem, avaliacao de pseudoperfilhamento e de outros defeitos, calculando-se as produtividades total e comercial. Houve efeito das doses de nitrogenio, de potassio e da cobertura mortal, de maneira independente sem ocorrer interacao entre esses fatores, variando em funcao de cada avaliacao. A adubacao nitrogenada aumentou o pseudoperfilhamento e a potassica reduziu esse disturbio nos dois anos. Os bulbos classificados como miudos predominaram em 1999 e os medios em 2000. A cobertura vegetal proporcionou menores producoes em todas as classes, produtividade total e comercial e nao influenciou outros defeitos nos dois anos. A produtividade total maxima estimada foi 3.922 e 8.689 kg ha-1 com 74 e 107 kg ha-1 N em 1999 e 2000, respectivamente. A produtividade comercial (3.563 kg ha-1) foi verificada com 68 kg ha-1 N em 1999 e nao houve resposta as doses de nitrogenio em 2000. A maxima producao comercial estimada de alho ocorreu com 94,5 kg ha-1 K2O em 1999 e, em 2000, a resposta foi linear.
The Confusing Words of Business Policy

Language is very important in comprehending a subject as complex as business policy. Unfortunately, the lack of a widely shared and understood language is a liability that business policy has yet to overcome. In this paper some proposals are made that, it is hoped, will promote a consensus on the meaning of the basic concepts and terms in the field.
Absolute quantum yield measurements in Yb/Ho doped M2O2S (M=Y, Gd, La) upconversion phosphor

Using the integrating sphere technique the absolute quantum yield measurements of the visible emission bands at 550, 650 and 750 nm in Yb/Ho doped M2O2 S( M¼Y, Gd, La) upconversion phosphor have been reported for the first time. Observations show that the 750 nm emission in La2O2S doped with 1 mol% each of Yb and Ho yield the highest efficiency of 0.12% followed by green emission which is 0.065% with 9.5% Yb and 0.5% Ho in the same host. The red emission in La2O2S, Y2O2S are nearly 6 times weaker than green emission, whereas in Gd2O2S it is 14 times less efficient making Gd2O2S doped with 4.5 mol% Yb and 0.5 mol% Ho as the most efficient single color green upconvertor among all three host compositions studied.
Perioperative Management of Intracranial Aneurysm and Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

Stroke is the third leading cause of death and the leading cause of disability in contemporary society. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (aSAH) is a hemorrhagic stroke which accounts for 7% of all stroke cases and 22 to 25% of cerebrovascular deaths. Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a very complex disease and many controversies on its pathophysiology and management have not yet been settled. The aim of this review is to present the most recent evidence-based advances in the pathophysiology and perioperative management of aSAH.
ALVINN: An Autonomous Land Vehicle in a Neural Network

ALVINN (Autonomous Land Vehicle In a Neural Network) is a 3-layer back-propagation network designed for the task of road following. Currently ALVINN takes images from a camera and a laser range finder as input and produces as output the direction the vehicle should travel in order to follow the road. Training has been conducted using simulated road images. Successful tests on the Carnegie Mellon autonomous navigation test vehicle indicate that the network can effectively follow real roads under certain field conditions. The representation developed to perform the task differs dramatically when the network is trained under various conditions, suggesting the possibility of a novel adaptive autonomous navigation system capable of tailoring its processing to the conditions at hand.
An XPS study of molecularly chemisorbed oxygen on Ag(111)

Abstract An adsorbed oxygen species on Ag(111) which desorbs as O2 at ∽ 217 K has been examined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Its O(1s) spectrum differs significantly from the “peroxolike” O2-2,a species of Ag(110), which also desorbs near 200 K. The differences suggest that this species is more “superoxo-like” (O-2,a) in nature. Implications of this result for the mechanism of catalytic ethylene oxidation over Ag are discussed.
Toward Diversity and Similarity Curves: Implications for Theory, Research and Practice

Curvilinear models have been proposed to reflect the simultaneous consideration of both differences and similarities. We build on these models and propose a heuristic model of diversity and similarity curves based on supply and demand curves from economics. We use the curves to graphically show how changes in demographic differences (diversity) and value congruence (similarity) can affect the extent of competition/cooperation, which will subsequently affect the extent of creativity in an organization. We capture this graphically by flattening or steepening the slopes of the diversity and similarity curves. We conclude by discussing the advantages of using diversity and similarity curves and explore the implications for theory, research, and practice.
Settlement Confidentiality: A 'Fracking' Disaster for Public Health and Safety

Confidentiality clauses in settlement agreements have become so commonplace they seem like benign contractual terms. In reality, confidentiality clauses have formidable power to silence even the most outspoken plaintiffs, including a woman once known in Colorado as the “Erin Brockovich of Garfield County.” Because settlement agreements generally operate as simple contracts, requiring no judicial input or approval, litigants have virtually unbridled power to condition settlement on one or both parties’ silence. As a result, settlement confidentiality has muzzled virtually every plaintiff in hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) suits, aided the Catholic Church’s alleged child molestation cover-ups, and helped shield manufacturers from public scrutiny of hundreds of deaths and injuries stemming from tire failures. Despite such risks and a trend in U.S. law and policy toward openness and disclosure of potential public safety dangers, the confidentiality clause remains a staple for civil settlements. Whereas other scholarship focuses on whether to continue permitting settlement confidentiality or proposes changes that restrict court-approved confidentiality clauses, this article (1) explores conventional arguments for and against settlement confidentiality, using fracking claims as a case study; (2) concludes courts must reject the secrecy-as-bargain status quo but accept the reality that confidentiality is sometimes necessary; and (3) proposes a uniform rule courts should adopt to regulate, when public interest requires, confidentiality clauses in both court-approved settlements and private settlements courts are later asked to enforce.
S20. Religious Attitudes Toward Pain and Suffering in Mid-19th Century America

Background: Two British mathematicians conducted pioneering work in the late 19th and early 20th century in the discipline of statistics. Laying the foundations of modern statistical inference were Sir Ronald Aylmer Fisher (1890-1962) and William Sealy Gosset (1876-1937). We explore the careers and influences of these mathematical giants, whom we refer to as professor and student. Although neither was qualified in the biological sciences, almost every quantitative biomedical investigation relies on their work, directly or indirectly. Sources and Methods: Published research articles, biographies, and material in the public domainwere used to carry out our investigation. Results: Statistical techniques were being introduced in many industries during the early 19th century. Examples of variables examined included crop yields and yeast counts in breweries. Gosset showed that population statistics could be estimated on the basis of measurements made on random samples. Fisher explored how experiments ought to be designed to allow rigorous comparisons between groups, laying the groundwork for statistical inference. Their contributions are used in clinical and experimental medicine every time the terms t test, P value, F value, and analysis of variance are used. We document the change brought about by their revolutionary work by examining original reports published in mainstream journals in “medicine” and “anesthesiology,” before and after their techniques were adopted by researchers. Conclusions: Descriptive and inferential statistical techniques allow us to obtain quantitative information about variables of interest and to understand the effect of interventions. The importance of using evidence to guide clinical practice relies heavily on the work of the professor and the student.
Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility

In the fall of 2008, the securitization market, which was the major provider of credit for consumers and small businesses, came to a near halt. Investors in this market abandoned not only the residential mortgage-backed securities that triggered the financial crisis, but also consumer and business asset-backed securities (ABS), which had a long track record of strong performance, and commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS). Also, the unprecedented widening of spreads for these securities rendered new issuance uneconomical, and the shutdown of the securitization market threatened to exacerbate the downturn in the economy.The Federal Reserve (Fed) thus decided to introduce the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility (TALF) to help stabilize funding markets for issuers in the securitization market. The TALF extended term loans, collateralized by the securities, to buyers of certain high-quality asset-backed securities. By reopening the ABS market, the Fed intended to ultimately support the provision of credit to consumers and small businesses. Preventing the shutdown of lending to consumers and small businesses was the goal. The Fed did not directly take on material credit risk in those loans, but encouraged private investors to do so by providing them with liquidity.In aggregate, the Fed issued 2,152 loans, totaling $71.1 billion. The volume of outstanding loans peaked in March 2010 at $48.2 billion. Loans secured by nonmortgage ABS totaled $59 billion and loans secured by legacy CMBS totaled $12 billion. There are no longer any loans outstanding under the TALF program.
The 'all-right' man: a case of three coronary arteries all arising from the right sinus of Valsalva.

A 53-year-old man with a history of tobacco and alcohol abuse, presented to the emergency department with intermittent atypical chest pain and exertional dyspnoea for several days. His physical examination, electrocardiogram (ECG) and cardiac biomarkers were normal. He underwent exercise stress echo with an average exercise capacity and without inducible angina or ECG changes. The stress images were suboptimal but suggested ischaemia in the inferior wall; therefore, he was referred for selective coronary angiogram. Interestingly, this revealed anomalous coronary arteries (ACAs) with the right coronary artery (RCA), left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) arteries all arising from the right sinus of Valsalva (videos 1⇓⇓⇓⇓⇓–7). The ejection fraction was normal and there was no obstructive coronary disease. Video 1 Selective coronary angiogram using 5F FL4 Catheter (Boston Scientific) in left anterior oblique projection showing no coronary artery originating from the left coronary cusp. …
Short Hydrogen Bonds and Proton Delocalization in Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP).

Short hydrogen bonds and specifically low-barrier hydrogen bonds (LBHBs) have been the focus of much attention and controversy for their possible role in enzymatic catalysis. The green fluorescent protein (GFP) mutant S65T, H148D has been found to form a very short hydrogen bond between Asp148 and the chromophore resulting in significant spectral perturbations. Leveraging the unique autocatalytically formed chromophore and its sensitivity to this interaction we explore the consequences of proton affinity matching across this putative LBHB. Through the use of noncanonical amino acids introduced through nonsense suppression or global incorporation, we systematically modify the acidity of the GFP chromophore with halogen substituents. X-ray crystal structures indicated that the length of the interaction with Asp148 is unchanged at ∼2.45 A while the absorbance spectra demonstrate an unprecedented degree of color tuning with increasing acidity. We utilized spectral isotope effects, isotope fractionation factor...
Correction of congenital penoscrotal webbing in children: A retrospective review of three surgical techniques

Summary Introduction Congenital penoscrotal webbing (PSW) is a condition that leads to penile shortening and is a common cause of delayed circumcision. While various techniques for PSW repair have been described, no comparative studies are currently available. Objective The goal of this study was to validate and critique three commonly utilized techniques for PSW repair. Subjects and methods A retrospective chart review was performed on all patients who underwent repair for PSW, with or without concomitant surgical procedure, by a single surgeon (MKH) over a 7-year period. Inclusion criteria were: aged Results Out of 196 patients, 10 (6.7%) had complications, with four (2.7%) requiring surgical revision or correction. Two patients had excision of ‘dog-ear’ skin tags, one required excision of a suture tract, and the fourth required revision of skin contraction after HM repair with Z scrotoplasty. Discussion Congenital penoscrotal webbing is a common condition that often requires pediatric urology consultation. Although it is felt that the severity of the defect may not impact on the operative technique for repair of PSW, data comparing these techniques is lacking. This single-surgeon series highlighted that amongst the patients who underwent one of the three described techniques (HM, VY or Z scrotoplasty), there were no significant postoperative differences in complications or parent satisfaction. Although the ease of the HM repair for minor webbing is acknowledged, Z scrotoplasty is the authors' preference for repair given its ability to address the most severe webbing. Conclusions In this comparison of three surgical techniques for the correction of PSW, it was demonstrated that each choice is safe, with no option showing a significant difference in complication rate. Surgeon preference should therefore weigh heavily when choosing the surgical approach for PSW repair. Download : Download high-res image (414KB) Download : Download full-size image Figure . Before and after planned surgical technique. Depicted in sequential order is: a Heineke-Mikulicz, V–Y and Z-plasty technique for repair of penoscrotal webbing.
CD47 as a potential target for molecular imaging

1706 Objectives The goal of this study was to evaluate CD47, a protein upregulated on cancer cells where it protects them against attack by the host immune system, as a PET imaging target for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Methods OV10, a CD47-deficient cell line, was transfected with human CD47. Anti-CD47 antibody B6H12 was conjugated to the Zr chelator, desferroxamine, and the resulting complex labeled with Zr-89 at 37°C for 1 hour. CD47-sufficient and -deficient cells were incubated with 2 µCi (0.5 µg) of radiolabeled antibody for 35 minutes at 37°C in humidified atmosphere supplemented with 5% CO2. Unbound antibody was removed and the cells were solubilized in PBS containing 0.1% SDS, the lysate was transferred to microfuge tubes and cell-associated activity detected with a gamma-counter. Protein content was measured with the bicinchoninic acid assay and the data expressed as counts per milligram of protein. These cell lines were used to generate subcutaneous xenograft tumors in athymic NCR nu/nu mice. Imaging data was acquired with either Inveon PET/CT or Focus 220 (Siemens Medical Solutions) and reconstructed with the maximum aposteriory probability (MAP) algorithm. The data was analyzed with Inveon Research Workstation software. Results The antibody-chelate complex was efficiently labeled with Zr-89 at 4 µCi/µg specific activity. The complex was bound by the CD47-sufficient and not CD47-deficient cells. Image analysis of tumor-bearing animals demonstrated 4.5 fold higher tracer uptake in the CD47-expressing tumors. Analysis of post-imaging biodistribution showed that the tracer accumulated in CD47 negative tumors at levels similar to those of the blood, 2.1 %ID/g vs. 2.7 %ID/g, respectively; while tracer uptake in the CD47 positive tumors was 2.5 fold higher, 4.9 %ID/g. Conclusions These results indicate that the anti-CD47 antibody can be effectively labeled with Zr-89 and used as an imaging probe for tumors over-expressing this marker