cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case 6 The Devil Inside (Seizure Disorder)

When Pat entered the room for her first session, she looked quite cheery. She had just come from working out at the health club, where she also worked part time while going to graduate school. Pat had been referred for psychotherapy by a physician in whom she had confided. Underneath the bubbly facade was a frightened, depressed, and angry 25-year-old.
Mutants of bacteriophage T4 deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption: shutoff of host DNA and protein synthesis gene dosage experiments, identification of a restrictive host, and possible biological significance.

Abstract The shutoff of host DNA synthesis is delayed until about 8 to 10 min after infection when Escherichia coli B/5 cells were infected with bacteriophage T4 mutants deficient in the ability to induce nuclear disruption (ndd mutants). The host DNA synthesized after infection with ndd mutants is stable in the absence of T4 endonucleases II and IV, but is unstable in the presence of these nucleases. Host protein synthesis, as indicated by the inducibility of beta-galactosidase and sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel patterns of isoptopically labeled proteins synthesize after infection, is shut off normally in ndd-infected cells, even in the absence of host DNA degradation. The Cal Tech wild-type strain of E. coli CT447 was found to restrict growth of the ndd mutants. Since T4D+ also has a very low efficiency of plating on CT447, we have isolated a nitrosoguanidine-induced derivative of CT447 which yields a high T4D+ efficiency of plating while still restricting the ndd mutants. Using this derivative, CT447 T4 plq+ (for T4 plaque+), we have shown that hos DNA degradation and shutoff of host DNA synthesis occur after infection with either ndd98 X 5 (shutoff delayed) or T4D+ (shutoff normal) with approximately the same kinetics as in E. coli strain B/5. Nuclear disruption occurs after infection of CT447 with ndd+ phage, but not after infection with ndd- phage. The rate of DNA synthesis after infection of CT447 T4 plq+ with ndd98 X 5 is about 75% of the rate observed after infection with T4D+ while the burst size of ndd98 X 5 is only 3.5% of that of T4D+. The results of gene dosage experiments using the ndd restrictive host C5447 suggest that the ndd gene product is required in stoichiometric amounts. The observation by thin-section electron microscopy of two distinct pools of DNA, one apparently phage DNA and the other host DNA, in cells infected with nuclear disruption may be a compartmentalization mechanism which separates the pathways of host DNA degradation and phage DNA biosynthesis.
Systemic p53 gene therapy of cancer with immunolipoplexes targeted by anti-transferrin receptor scFv.

A long-standing goal in genetic therapy for cancer is a systemic gene delivery system that selectively targets tumor cells, including metastases. Here we describe a novel cationic immunolipoplex system that shows high in vivo gene transfer efficiency and antitumor efficacy when used for systemic p53 gene therapy of cancer. A cationic immunolipoplex incorporating a biosynthetically lipid-tagged, anti-transferrin receptor single-chain antibody (TfRscFv), was designed to target tumor cells both in vitro and in vivo. A human breast cancer metastasis model was employed to evaluate the in vivo efficacy of systemically administered, TfRscFv-immunolipoplex-mediated, p53 gene therapy in combination with docetaxel. The TfRscFv-targeting cationic immunolipoplex had a size of 60–100 nm, showed enhanced tumor cell binding, and improved targeted gene delivery and transfection efficiencies, both in vitro and in vivo. The p53 tumor suppressor gene was not only systemically delivered by the immunolipoplex to human tumor xenografts in nude mice but also functionally expressed. In the nude mouse breast cancer metastasis model, the combination of the p53 gene delivered by the systemic administration of the TfRscFv-immunolipoplex and docetaxel resulted in significantly improved efficacy with prolonged survival. This is the first report using scFv-targeting immunolipoplexes for systemic gene therapy. The TfRscFv has a number of advantages over the transferrin (Tf) molecule itself: (1) scFv has a much smaller size than Tf producing a smaller immunolipoplex giving better penetration into solid tumors; (2) unlike Tf, the scFv is a recombinant protein, not a blood product; (3) large scale production and strict quality control of the recombinant scFv, as well as scFv-immunolipoplex, are feasible. The sensitization of tumors to chemotherapy by this tumor-targeted and efficient p53 gene delivery method could lower the effective dose of the drug, correspondingly lessening the severe side effects, while decreasing the possibility of recurrence. Moreover, this approach is applicable to both primary and recurrent tumors, and more significantly, metastatic disease. The TfRscFv-targeting of cationic immunolipoplexes is a promising method of tumor targeted gene delivery that can be used for systemic gene therapy of cancer with the potential to critically impact the clinical management of cancer.
Experimental Evidence of Underfill Voiding and Delamination during Board Level Assembly of Pb-free Solders

Summary form only given. In this paper, the underfill failure such as void and delamination is shown in the Pb-free flipchip package through solder ball reflow process. Since most of Pb-free solder candidates have similar melting point, Pb-free solder bump can melt again during board level Pb-free BGA reflow cycle. From the phase change of Pb-free solder bump, the volume expansion puts pressure on the surrounding materials, i.e. underfill, chip and substrate. This unique phenomenon is tested by board level solder ball reflow and the changes after reflow are presented by using X-ray and cross-section pictures. In addition, the volume expansion rate of pure tin is measured to confirm the effect of phase change of Pb-free solder
Abstract B11: Manipulating senescence to combat melanoma initiation and progression

Senescence has been identified as a tumor suppression mechanism in many premalignant tissues. The most widely studied example is the melanocytic nevus that guards against the onset of melanoma. Senescence therefore acts as a barrier to malignancies and reinforcing this growth-arrested state can be a valuable way to combat tumorigenesis. Accordingly, therapy induced senescence (TIS) has been shown to be a promising approach for treatment of cancer. Here we further study how specific factors govern TIS. Numerous clinical trials are currently ongoing that inhibit MDM2 or CDK4/6, which regulate the tumor suppressors p53 and RB/p16, respectively. As these tumor suppressors are the master regulators of senescence and senescence is an important mechanism in melanoma initiation, we analyzed the effect of their inhibition in primary melanocytes and transformed melanoma cell lines. As anticipated, we show that upon administration of the MDM2 and CDK4/6 inhibitors (-)-Nutlin-3a (1uM) and PD2991 (8uM, respectively), primary human melanocytes and human melanoma cell lines stop proliferating. While MDM2 and CDK4/6 inhibitors have been shown to induce senescence, we were surprised to find that induction of senescence was not conserved among all cell types studied. Analysis of the cell cycle arrest showed that human melanocytes do not display senescence associated beta-galactosidase activity while melanoma cell lines do stain positive for this marker of senescence. Furthermore, members of the senescence associated secretory phenotype (SASP) are not increased upon MDM2 and CDK4/6 inhibition in primary melanocytes, whereas the same treatment in melanoma cells causes SASP up-regulation in a similar fashion to that triggered by oncogene induced senescence (OIS). The induction of the SASP members was particularly evident upon combined treatment with MDM2 and CDK4/6 inhibitors. These results suggest that TIS may be influenced by the expression of the SASP. We have previously showed that many members of the SASP whose expression increases with senescence also expressed in metastatic disease. By further evaluating SASP following OIS vs TIS, we may better understand the mechanisms behind existing senescence inducing therapies and define additional routes for pro-senescence cancer therapy. Senescence is a highly complex process that is able to control multiple cell fates, often due in part to the SASP. Consequently, by manipulating the SASP we may be able to regulate melanoma initiation and progression. Citation Format: Jeff S. Pawlikowski, Malorie Holmes, Ann Richmond. Manipulating senescence to combat melanoma initiation and progression. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Advances in Melanoma: From Biology to Therapy; Sep 20-23, 2014; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(14 Suppl):Abstract nr B11.
Simulation of Airborne Radiometric Detection of Wake Vortices

This paper describes an analysis of the potential of using an airborne Fourier transform spectrometer (FTS) or radiometer to detect wake vortices. The goal was to determine the requirements for an infrared (IR) FTS to effectively detect wake vortices. Initially, a theoretical analysis of wake vortex detection by thermal radiation was realized in a series of simulations. The first stage used the Terminal Area Simulation System (TASS) dynamic model to simulate wake vortex temperature, moisture, and velocity fields. The second stage used these fields as input to the line-by-line radiative transfer model (LBLRTM) to simulate responses from both an imaging IR hyperspectral FTS and an IR imaging radiometer. These numerical simulations generated FTS and radiometer imagery that was compared with the original temperature data. This research supported an effort, using ground-based imaging FTS instruments, to make measurements of wake vortices of various landing aircraft. Results from two different field campaigns have been previously reported. Instrument specifications for wake vortex thermal detection are recommended for an imaging radiometer sensitive within the following two narrow spectral bands: 670–750 cm−1 and 2200–2350 cm−1 . The instrument must have at the very minimum a noise equivalent differential temperature < 2 mK and a spectral resolution of at least 32 cm−1.
STUDIES OF ISOSPIN QUINTETS AND NEUTRON-DEFICIENT INDIUM ISOTOPES WITH THE ON-LINE MASS ANALYSIS SYSTEM RAMA

The characterization of the nuclidic mass in those regions which are far removed from the line of beta stability is of fundamental importance for testing and improving mass theories. An increasing component of our knowledge on nuclear properties of light exotic nuclei is derived from the analysis of mass-separated radioactivity, complementing the much more extensive investigations by this technique of heavy nuclei off the stability line.1 Such studies provide new insights into the limits of nuclear stability, the behavior of nuclear shapes and the onset of new radioactive decay modes.
A Price Too High: Efficiencies, Voter Suppression, and the Redefining of Citizenship

This essay argues that the efficiency assumption in election law coupled with a resurgent preference for state-focused election administration has come to dominate considerations of the right to vote. Analysis of right-to-vote questions tends to turn around a calculus that puts at its center the efficiency of a state-dominated election system is the core interest the Court seeks to protect. This stands in contrast to a focus on the rights and status of the individual voter, especially where an individual voter confronts a voting regulation that fails to expressly deny that person the right to vote. In this sense, as is the case in a substantial amount of modern jurisprudence, this efficiency approach has overtaken the modern debates over election regulation. This essay explores this issue by tracing the development of voting rights jurisprudence from a laissez-faire position of virtually unfettered deference to state control of the vote to a voter-centric rights-based framework, to a balancing approach that champions the states’ interest in efficiency coupled with the reemergence of deference to state power in regulating voting rights. This essay will then turn to examine whether this doctrinal development is appropriate to the modern rights-related issues concerning voting rights. Ultimately, this essay concludes how this new focus on efficiency is ultimately damaging to the right to vote as it fails to fully encompass how voters are ultimately excluded from the process due to the indirect costs placed on voters as an added mechanism of dissuasion from casting one’s ballot.
NEIGHBORHOODS, RACE, AND HEALTH: EXAMINING THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NEIGHBORHOOD DISTRESS AND BIRTH OUTCOMES IN PITTSBURGH

One of the major challenges in researching neighborhoods and birth outcomes today concerns access to neighborhood-level data. The present study combines local data from the Pittsburgh Neighborhood and Community Information System with data from the national American Community Survey to examine the relationship between adverse birth outcomes (i.e., low birth weight, preterm birth, and infant mortality) and neighborhood distress. We examine racial differences in neighborhood distress using the census-based measure of socioeconomic disadvantage as well as measures of abandonment from local data sources, including vacancy, violence, tax delinquency, property sales, and property conditions. Results reveal significant differences in neighborhood distress by race for every aspect examined. Furthermore, findings show that abandonment-related measures explain a substantial portion of variation in adverse birth outcomes, with tax delinquency explaining more variation than socioeconomic disadvantage. We discuss the implications of these findings for future research and for strategies to reduce racial disparities in birth outcomes.
Satisfaction With Health Coverage and Care: Findings from the 2013 EBRI/Greenwald & Associates Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey

This paper examines satisfaction with various aspects of health care by type of health plan. It examines satisfaction among three groups of health-plan enrollees: those with a consumer-driven health plan (CDHP), those with a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), and those with traditional coverage. The findings presented in this paper are derived from the 2013 EBRI/Greenwald & Associates Consumer Engagement in Health Care Survey (CEHCS), an online survey that examines issues surrounding consumer-directed health care, including the cost of insurance, the cost of care, satisfaction with health care, satisfaction with health care plans, reasons for choosing a plan, and sources of health information. This paper also presents trends in satisfaction using findings from the 2005-2007 EBRI/Commonwealth Fund Consumerism in Health Care surveys, and the 2008-2012 CEHCS. The overall satisfaction rate among CDHP enrollees increased in most years of the EBRI/Greenwald & Associates CEHCS, while it decreased in most years among traditional enrollees. Differences in out-of-pocket costs may explain some of the differences in overall satisfaction rates. In 2013, 44 percent of traditional-plan participants were extremely or very satisfied with out-of-pocket costs (for health care services other than for prescription drugs), while 20 percent of HDHP enrollees and 31 percent of CDHP participants were extremely or very satisfied. Satisfaction has been trending upward among CDHP enrollees. CDHP and HDHP enrollees were less likely than those in a traditional plan both to recommend their health plan to friends or co-workers and to stay with their current health plan if they had the opportunity to switch plans. The percentage of HDHP and CDHP enrollees reporting that they would be extremely or very likely to recommend their plan to friends or co-workers has been trending upward, while it has been flat among individuals with traditional coverage.The PDF for the above title, published in the August 2014 issue of EBRI Notes, also contains the full text of another August 2014 EBRI Notes article abstracted on SSRN: “Contributory ‘Negligence?’ The Impact of Future Contributions to Defined Contribution Plans on Retirement Income Adequacy for Gen Xers.”
Progesterone modulation of estrogen-stimulated uterine biosynthetic events and estrogen receptor levels.

Abstract The effect of progesterone on estrogen-stimulated biosynthetic events — namely, glucose metabolism, fluid imbibition, DNA synthesis, and replenishment of estrogen receptor — is studied in uteri of immature (22–24-day-old) rats and immature estrogen-primed rats. Pretreatment with progesterone alone (2 mg s.c./rat) for up to 48 h does not markedly influence the subsequent uterine response to estrogen in terms of 2-h deoxyglucose metabolism, 3-h uterine wet weight or 24-h DNA synthesis rate. Moreover, progesterone alone increases uterine glucose metabolism and the rate of DNA synthesis, as does estradiol (5 Mg), although the magnitude of the responses obtained is lower with progesterone. However, simultaneous exposure to progesterone plus estradiol (E + P) for over 12 h results in a decreased uterine responsiveness to subsequent estrogen as monitored by glucose metabolism and uterine wet weight stimulation. This decreased responsiveness to estrogen after exposure to E + P correlates with a decreased content of uterine cytosol estrogen receptor. After treatment with E (5 Mg) plus P (0.5 or 2 mg), or E alone, the initial movement of the estrogen receptor into the nucleus is similar, but by 12 h after E + P the rate of reappearance of the cytosol receptor is slower and the levels of cytosol receptor are depressed, reaching only 50–60% of that seen after E alone. This depression of cytosol receptor replenishment is most marked with the steroid progesterone, although exposure to estradiol (5 μg) plus high doses of dihydrotestosterone or testosterone (2 mg), but not low doses (0.5 mg), results in slightly depressed levels of cytosol receptor at 12–48 h. Cortisol (0.5 or 2 mg) is without any effect. Administration of either progesterone or the inhibitor cycloheximide or actinomycin D at zero time (along with the estradiol) or up to 4–6 h following estradiol injection is markedly effective in decreasing the levels of estradiol cytoplasmic receptor (to approx. 40–50% of the control, E alone, level by 12 h) in 3-day estrogen-primed rat uteri. The striking similarity in the time course and extent of the cycloheximide-, actinomycin D-, and progesterone-sensitive inhibition of estrogen receptor replenishment suggests that progesterone may influence uterine sensitivity to estrogen by interfering with the de novo synthesis of new estrogen receptors.
Metallurgical and electrical characterization of metal-semiconductor contacts

Abstract A review of the methods for characterization of metal-semiconductor contacts used in microelectronic device applications is given. Emphasis is placed on the correlation of the electrical properties of the metal-semiconductor interface with the metallurgical interactions that occur during contact formation and subsequent device operation. Composition profiling by the Auger-ion-milling technique is discussed and shown to be a useful metallurgical tool for thin film contact evaluation. Electrical methods including the measurement of current, voltage and capacitance are shown to yield electrical parameters that are controlled by contact composition. Specific examples of both ohmic and rectifying metal-semiconductor contacts are discussed with emphasis on the compound semiconductors GaAs and InP. The effects of the interdiffusion and reaction of the contact constituents are shown to influence the electrical properties in Schottky contacts. Ohmic contacts utilizing alloy regrowth and sintering techniques are compared, and the roles of contact barrier energy and semiconductor doping are examined.
Physiological Regulation of the Immunological Synapse by Agrin

T cell activation is dependent on both a primary signal delivered through the T cell receptor and a secondary costimulatory signal mediated by coreceptors. Although controversial, costimulation is thought to act through the specific redistribution and clustering of membrane and intracellular kinase-rich lipid raft microdomains at the contact site between T cells and antigen-presenting cells. This site has been termed the immunological synapse. Endogenous mediators of raft clustering in lymphocytes have not been identified, although they are essential for T cell activation. We now demonstrate that agrin, an aggregating protein crucial for formation of the neuromuscular junction, is also expressed in lymphocytes and is important in reorganization of membrane lipid microdomains and setting the threshold for T cell signaling. Our data show that agrin induces the aggregation of signaling proteins and the creation of signaling domains in both immune and nervous systems through a common lipid raft pathway.
Influence of Developmental Lead Exposure on Expression of DNA Methyltransferases and Methyl Cytosine-Binding Proteins in Hippocampus

Developmental exposure to lead (Pb) has adverse effects on cognitive functioning and behavior that can persist into adulthood. Exposures that occur during fetal or early life periods may produce changes in brain related to physiological re-programming from an epigenetic influence such as altered DNA methylation status. Since DNA methylation is regulated by DNA methyltransferases and methyl cytosine-binding proteins, this study assessed the extent to which developmental Pb exposure might affect expression of these proteins in the hippocampus. Long Evans dams were fed chow with or without added Pb acetate (0, 150, 375, 750 ppm) prior to breeding and remained on the same diet through weaning (perinatal exposure group). Other animals were exposed to the same doses of Pb but exposure started on postnatal day 1 and continued through weaning (early postnatal exposure group). All animals were euthanized on day 55 and hippocampi were removed. Western blot analyses showed significant effects of Pb exposure on DNMT1, DNMT3a, and MeCP2 expression, with effects often seen at the lowest level of exposure and modified by sex and developmental window of Pb exposure. These data suggest potential epigenetic effects of developmental Pb exposure on DNA methylation mediated at least in part through dysregulation of methyltransferases.
Correlates of Reading Achievement and Attitude: A National Assessment Study

AbstractReading achievement and attitude scores of a National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) sample of 1,459 9-year-old students were multiply regressed on one another on home environment variables such as television watched, presence of newspapers, spare-time reading, dictionary use, kindergarten attendance, socioeconomic status, ethnicity, school characteristics, and other variables. The variances accounted for are moderate and highly significant; correlations and partial correlations of achievement with home environment, quantity of instruction, and leisure-time television watching corroborate quantitative syntheses of productive factors in school learning.
Composite ‘Layered-Layered-Spinel’ Cathode Structures for Lithium-Ion Batteries

The concept of embedding a spinel component in high capacity, composite xLi2MnO3•(1−x)LiMO2 (M = Mn, Ni) ‘layeredlayered’ structures to improve their electrochemical properties and cycling stability has been exploited. In this paper, we report the preparation and electrochemical characterization of three-component ‘layered-layered-spinel’ electrodes, synthesized by lowering the lithium content of a parent ‘layered-layered’ 0.3Li2MnO3•0.7LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 material while maintaining a Mn:Ni ratio of 0.65:0.35; such compounds can be designated generically by the system, LixMn0.65Ni0.35Oy, for which the end members are 0.3Li2MnO3•0.7LiMn0.5Ni0.5O2 (x = 1.3; y = 2.3), in which the average manganese and nickel oxidation states are 4+ and 2+, respectively, and LiMn1.3Ni0.7O4 (x = 0.5; y = 2) in which the corresponding average oxidation states are expected to lie between 4+ and 3.77+ for Mn, and 2.57+ and 3+ for Ni, respectively. For this study, compounds with a lithium content of x = 1.3, i.e., the parent ‘layered-layered’ composition, and 1.25 were selected for detailed and comparative investigation, the latter value corresponding to a targeted spinel content of 6%. The beneficial effects of 1) using Mg 2+ as a dopant ion and 2) treating the electrode particle surface with an acidic solution of AlF3 to enhance cycling stability, reduce first-cycle capacity loss, and to slow voltage decay on cycling are discussed. © 2012 The Electrochemical Society. [DOI: 10.1149/2.049301jes] All rights reserved. Manuscript submitted August 31, 2012; revised manuscript received October 12, 2012. Published November 6, 2012. Since the first rechargeable lithium-ion battery products, based on a C/LiCoO2 electrochemical couple, were commercialized by Sony Corporation in 1991, an explosive growth of the portable electronics industry and the urgent requirement for electrically-powered vehicles to offset the burgeoning cost of gasoline has resulted in intense worldwide efforts to design and develop higher capacity, higher power, safer and environmentally-benign anode and cathode materials. 1–3 Layered LiCoO2 cathodes and their nickel-based analogs have limitations with respect to capacity, thermal stability, and chemical stability at high states of charge, typically when x is >0.5 in Li1−xMO2 (M = Co, Ni). Therefore, there is a need to find alternative cathode materials to replace conventional Co- and Ni-based electrodes. Although considerable progress has been made in increasing the capacity of these electrodes by small amounts of Al or Mg substitution, 4,5 the intrinsic instability and strong oxidizing power of tetravalent nickel and cobalt in highly charged cells in the presence of flammable electrolyte
Synthesis of aluminum phosphate molecular sieves using cobalticinium hydroxide

Abstract The metal complex bis(cyclopentadienyl)cobalt(III) hydroxide, Cp2CoOH, was found to be a template for the synthesis of AlPO4-5 and AlPO4-16 molecular sieves. The metal complexes are included in the molecular sieves and are not removed by solvent extraction or ion-exchange methods. The molecular sieves were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible (UV-VIS) detection and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) as well as elemental analysis.
Mitochondrial coupling in vivo in mouse skeletal muscle

The coupling of mitochondrial ATP synthesis and oxygen consumption (ratio of ATP and oxygen fluxes, P/O) plays a central role in cellular bioenergetics. Reduced P/O values are associated with mitoc...
Local decay of scattering solutions to Schrödinger's equation

The main theorem asserts that ifH=Δ+gV is a Schrodinger Hamiltonian with short rangeV, φeL compact 2 (IR3), andR>0, then ‖exp(iHt)Π S φ‖ L 2 (|x|<R)=O(t −1/2), ast→∞ where Π S is projection onto the orthogonal complement of the real eigenvectors ofH. For all but a discrete set ofg,O(t −1/2) may be replaced byO(t −3/2).
Discriminability of different parts of faces

Two face-recognition studies were run, in which different groups of subjects were presented with photographs of fully exposed faces, faces with their lower halves masked, and faces with their upper halves masked. In the first experiment, subjects were shown a series of 50 pictures of 50 different people and had to keep a mental tally of how many different people were shown. The presentation of such a series produced a confusion among faces, resulting in errors’ being made in the final tallies given. The greatest number of errors (lowest tallies) was associated with masking the upper halves of the faces, and the fewest (highest tallies) occurred with no masking. Similar results were obtained in the second experiment, when subjects had to sort a set of 25 different facial stimuli into piles, with each pile supposedly containing pictures of the same person. The smallest number of piles was created when the upper halves of the faces were masked, and the largest number, with no masking. The finding that intrusion errors were associated primarily with the lower region of the face supports the proposition that faces are most distinctive in the upper half and most similar in the lower portion.
Isolation of NILE glycoprotein-related cDNA probes.

: The nerve growth factor (NGF)-induced large external (NILE) glycoprotein is an NGF-inducible surface component of PC 12 cells that is also widely distributed in the nervous system. It has recently been shown to be indistinguishable from the high-molecular-weight species of the brain antigens L1 and neuron-glia cell adhesion molecule (Ng-CAM) and may have a function in regulating cell adhesion in the developing nervous system. We have used polyclonal anti-NILE antisera to screen a λgt11 cDNA library made from NGF-treated PC12 cells. Four molecular probes have been isolated that encode parts of the apoprotein, related proteins, or both. These probes are 1,500, 800, 330, and 300 base pairs long, respectively, and in Northern blots they recognize a family of messages having lengths of ∼5.9, 3.4, 2.4, and 1.9 kilobases. The two smaller messages are modestly but reproducibly up-regulated by NGF in PC 12 cells, as is the NILE glycoprotein; however, only the two larger species would appear to be large enough to encode it. These messages are prominent in brain but not in nonneuraltissues, in accordance with the observed levels of the protein. The recombinant phages produce fusion proteins that share specific epitopes with the NILE glycoprotein but not with other proteins. In these experiments, filters coated with recombinant fusion protein were prepared. Antibodies bound to and eluted from these filters specifically immunoprecipitate NILE glycoprotein, but not other proteins, from PC12 cell extracts. Other activities present in the original sera are not specifically retained by recombinant fusion proteins, and Escherichia coll lysates made with nonrecombinant λgt11 do not absorb the anti-NILE activity. The probes described here will be of use in studying the function, biochemistry, and molecular biology of the NILE glycoprotein and related species.
Immortal time bias in the association of n-3 fatty acid supplementation and atrial fibrillation.

Macchia et al. have employed a computerized health database to assess the effect of n-3 polyunsaturated acids (PUFA) supplements in the prevention of atrial fibrillation (AF) and reduction of mortality rates in patients who have suffered a myocardial infarction [1]. After adjusting for potential confounders, they found that use of n-3 PUFAs was associated with reductions of 81% and 85% in the rates of AF and total mortality, respectively [1]. The use of large computerized databases including a variety of clinical information is, certainly, a useful and efficient approach to estimate the effect of interventions in large populations and in real-life clinical situations. Propensity scores, additionally, if properly applied, can help to control for measured confounding. However, the results presented by Macchia et al. could be affected by what pharmacoepidemiologists usually call “immortal time bias” [2]. In Macchia’s study, individuals were considered exposed if they were prescribed n-3 PUFA at some point before or after the beginning of follow-up. This definition of exposure is problematic since exposed individuals who received n-3 PUFA at some time during the follow-up were, by definition, “immortal” during the period prior to the prescription, that is, they could not develop the endpoint (AF, mortality) during that time. In other words, to be classified as exposed, an individual needs to remain event free until the start of the exposure. If they had developed the endpoint, that endpoint would have been counted among the unexposed group. As a consequence, the person-time of follow-up among the exposed includes time in which the individuals cannot develop the outcome and, therefore, the incidence rates in that group are an underestimation of the true rates and the hazard ratios are downwardly biased. A solution to this problem would be to conduct a Cox proportional hazards model with time-dependent exposures [3]. This method appropriately allocates exposed and unexposed person-time, removing this type of bias. I suggest the authors repeat their analysis using this methodology to provide a more valid estimate of the association between n-3 PUFA use and mortality and risk of AF after a myocardial infarction.
A Unified View of Test Compression Methods

A unified treatment of the various techniques to reduce the output data from a unit under test is given. The characteristics of time compression schemes with respect to errors detected are developed. The use of two or more of these methods together is considered. Methods to design efficient test compression structures for built-in-tests are proposed. The feasibility of the proposed approach is demonstrated by simulation results.
X-cube: an eight-port beamsplitting device

We introduce a new integrated solid-optics component, a X- cube, which can perform lossless beam-splitting and filtering functionality among four input beams. The X-cube can also be used for various wavelength-division multiplexing-based communication and interconnection applications, such as star-coupling, wavelength routing, and add/drop multiplexing. Our demonstrated fiber-interfaces X- cube opto-mechanical packaging shows an insertion loss of 2.1 dB, a uniformity ratio of 1.036 with a uniformity variance of 0.279.© (2000) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Angular and linear fields of view of Galilean telescopes and telemicroscopes.

Purpose The calculation of the angular fields of view (FOVs) of Galilean telescopes generally necessitates the calculation of the pupils and ports. This, in turn, requires knowledge of the optical design of the telescope, in particular, the focal lengths or powers of the objective and ocular lenses. Equations for finding the FOV that obviate the need to calculate pupils and ports, or even to know the lens powers of the telescope, are presented in this article. The equations can be used to find the FOVs in image space of real Galilean telescopes of known magnification, merely by measuring the distance between the objective and ocular lenses and the diameter of the objective lens. The equations include the effects of eye pupil diameter and eye relief. Linear FOVs (LFOVs) of Galilean telemicroscopes are similarly determined. Methods Two image space angular FOV equations were derived: (1) an equation to determine the angular FOVs of a telescope with various amounts of vignetting and eye relief; and (2) an equivalent equation for the LFOVs of telescopes fitted with lens caps for near vision. Results The FOV increases linearly with increasing vignetting. Increasing the eye relief results in a nonlinear decrease in the FOV, shown as a fraction of the normalized value for zero eye relief. Decrements in the FOVs with increasing eye relief as a fraction of the normalized field angle when the eye relief = 0 are shown to be constant regardless of the vignetting level. A transition of the objective lens from field stop to aperture stop occurs when the eye pupil diameter exceeds the diameter of the objective lens divided by the magnification. Conclusions Equations have been derived for Galilean telescopes and telemicroscopes that make it unnecessary to find pupils and ports, or to know the powers of the lenses. They provide a direct and simple evaluation of angular and LFOVs as functions of magnification, objective lens diameter, eye pupil diameter, eye relief, and vignetting, and enable comparisons of actual telescopes.
Multifaceted roles of alkyltransferase and related proteins in DNA repair, DNA damage, resistance to chemotherapy, and research tools.

O6-Alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase (AGT) is a widely distributed, unique DNA repair protein that acts as a single agent to directly remove alkyl groups located on the O6-position of guanine from DNA restoring the DNA in one step. The protein acts only once, and its alkylated form is degraded rapidly. It is a major factor in counteracting the mutagenic, carcinogenic, and cytotoxic effects of agents that form such adducts including N-nitroso-compounds and a number of cancer chemotherapeutics. This review describes the structure, function, and mechanism of action of AGTs and of a family of related alkyltransferase-like proteins, which do not act alone to repair O6-alkylguanines in DNA but link repair to other pathways. The paradoxical ability of AGTs to stimulate the DNA-damaging ability of dihaloalkanes and other bis-electrophiles via the formation of AGT-DNA cross-links is also described. Other important properties of AGTs include the ability to provide resistance to cancer therapeutic alkylating agents,...
Hiring the Best and the Brightest: A Roadmap to MBA Recruiting

The article reviews the book “Hiring the Best and the Brightest: A Roadmap to MBA Recruiting,” by Sherrie Gong Taguchi.
Reversible binding of nitric oxide and carbon-carbon bond formation in a meso-hydroxylated heme.

Exposure of a pyridine solution of (py)2Fe(OEPO) (1) (OEPO is the trianion of octaethyloxophlorin, py is pyridine) at 22 °C to nitric oxide under the strict exclusion of dioxygen results in a color change from green to red-brown and the formation of {(py)(ON)Fe(OEPO)}2 (2). Monitoring the reaction by 1H NMR spectroscopy shows that the reaction is reversible. The air-sensitive product {(py)(ON)Fe(OEPO)}2 has been isolated and characterized by X-ray crystallography. NO binding is accompanied by association of two hemes through the formation of a new C−C bond between two meso carbon atoms on the porphyrin periphery. The macrocyclic ligand has a ruffled distortion that positions the C5−O1 group with its short CO bond distance (1.237(3) A) in close proximity to the NO ligand. Since further attack upon 1 by O2 during heme degradation involves reaction in the vicinity of the oxygenated meso position, the positioning of the NO ligand so that the O2···C5 distance is only 3.100(3) A presents a highly suggestive mod...
Endoscopic approach to subepithelial lesions

Endoscopy and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) play a critical role in the detection and management of subepithelial lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. The most common subepithelial lesions detected by endoscopists are gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs), leiomyomas, lipomas, granular cell tumors (GCTs), pancreatic rests and carcinoid tumors. These lesions can be classified based on unique histochemical staining and the gastrointestinal layer of origin. While the majority of the lesions are considered benign, some tumors such as GISTs and carcinoids have a strong propensity for malignant transformation. Therefore, appropriate endoscopic versus surgical management based on size and location is crucial in the prevention of malignant transformation and metastasis. In this review, we provide a systematic approach to the diagnosis, management and treatment of commonly encountered subepithelial lesions.
Activity losses among T4 lysozyme variants after adsorption to colloidal silica.

Enzyme structure and function depend to some extent on enzyme net charge and charge location. Altering the charge of even a single residue may affect the interaction between enzyme and substrate such that all catalytic activity is lost. In this study we investigated the effect of net charge and charge location on the enzymatic activity of synthetic mutants of bacteriophage T4 lysozyme in the presence of colloidal silica. Enzymatic activity decreased upon adsorption, and these changes were variant-specific. Results were interpreted with reference to differences in adsorbed enzyme structure and orientation, and electrostatic effects. By exploring the effects of enzyme charge on adsorption, it may be possible to gain a better understanding of how enzyme structure influences adsorption and function at an interface.
Variability in Reasons for Hemodialysis Catheter Use by Race, Sex, and Geography: Findings From the ESRD Clinical Performance Measures Project

Background Race, sex, and geographic differences in hemodialysis vascular access use have been reported, but differences in reasons for catheter use have not been assessed. Study Design Cross-sectional. Setting & Participants Data obtained from the 2005 Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services End-Stage Renal Disease Clinical Performance Measures Project for adult hemodialysis patients. Predictors Race, sex, and geographic region. Outcomes & Measurements Reasons for catheter use were categorized as short term and long term. Race, sex, and geographic associations with reasons were assessed by using bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression. Results Of 8,479 hemodialysis patients, 3,302 (39%) used a fistula, 2,725 (32%) used a graft, and 2,299 (27%) used a catheter. We placed 857 patients with a catheter (37%) in the short-term-reason cohort and 1,404 (61%) in the long-term-reason cohort, and 38 (2%) lacked information to be placed. Reasons for catheter use were independently associated with race, sex, and geographic region. Whites were 43%, 49%, and 34% less likely than African Americans to use a catheter because of graft maturation, graft interruption, and all vascular access sites exhausted and 70% and 40% more likely because of fistula maturation and no fistula or graft surgically planned, respectively. Men were 50% less likely than women to use a catheter because of graft interruption and 80% more likely because of fistula maturation. Geographic end-stage renal disease network was associated with catheter use because of fistula maturation ( P = 0.03), no fistula or graft surgically created ( P P = 0.05). Limitations The cross-sectional study design precludes our ability to assess trends over time in reasons for catheter use. Associations were assessed for a limited set of variables. Conclusion Race, sex, and geographic differences in reasons for hemodialysis catheter use exist. Understanding these differences may aid in developing strategies to decrease catheter initiation rates.
The solubility of gases in aqueous solutions of poly(propylene glycol)

Measurements have been made to determine the solubilities of four gases, argon, methane, ethane, and propane, at 25°C in binary solutions of water and poly(propylene glycol)s (PPGs) having average molecular weights of 400 and 725, respectively. The lower critical solution temperature (LCST) for PPG having an average molecular weight of 400 is ≈50°C (P. Firman and M. Kahlweit, Colloid Polym. Sci.264, 936, 1986; technical data provided by BASF Corp.), thus allowing gas solubilities to be measured over a complete range of PPG concentrations at 25°C. The LCST for PPG having an average molecular weight of 725 is ≈15°C and the phase diagram is such that homogeneous solutions suitable for gas solubility measurements at 25°C are effectively limited to concentrations below 10 wt% and above 85 wt% PPG. Dissolved PPG acts to increase the solubility of each gas relative to its solubility in water. The degree of enhancement in gas solubility exhibits a distinctly nonlinear dependence on PPG concentration much like that found previously with poly(ethylene glycol) (A. D. King, Jr., J. Colloid Interface Sci.144, 579, 1991). Gas solubilities measured with solutions containing PPG having an average molecular weight of 725 differ only slightly from those obtained at similar concentrations with PPG having an average molecular weight of 400, indicating that molecular weight of the polymer plays a minimal role in determining gas solubilities for these systems. Standard free energies of solution for these gases in aqueous PPG solutions are found to exhibit many similarities to those measured for these same gases in other aqueous solutions of nonelectrolytes.
Radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction for treatment of turbinate hypertrophy: A pilot study☆☆☆★★★

Abstract Objectives: Ideal treatment for nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy remains in question. Medical therapy is often ineffective. Surgical procedures have associated morbidity including pain, bleeding, crusting, adhesion, infection, and dryness. Radiofrequency has recently been shown to be safe and effective in volumetric tissue reduction of the tongue in the animal model and of the palate in human beings. We prospectively evaluate the safety and effectiveness of radiofrequency volumetric tissue reduction (RFVTR) for the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by inferior turbinate hypertrophy. Methods: Twenty-two consecutive patients with nasal obstruction and associated inferior turbinate hypertrophy refractory to medical therapy were evaluated for RFVTR. The study design limited the region of treatment to the anterior third of the inferior turbinate. The procedures were performed in an ambulatory facility with patients under local anesthesia. Clinical examinations, patient questionnaires, and visual analog scales were used to assess treatment outcomes. Results: No adverse effects were encountered, including bleeding, crusting, dryness, infection, adhesion, or a worsening of obstruction. Mild edema was noted in all patients but was of short duration (24 to 48 hours). Posttreatment discomfort was well controlled with acetaminophen. Eight weeks after treatment, nasal breathing improved in 21 of 22 patients, with a 58.5% reduction in severity and a 56.5% decrease in the frequency of nasal obstruction. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that RFVTR of the hypertrophic inferior turbinate is associated with minimal adverse effects. Furthermore, this new treatment modality achieves subjective improvement in patients with symptoms of nasal obstruction. However, because of the small sample size and short follow-up, future investigations are needed to fully evaluate the use of RFVTR in the treatment of nasal obstruction caused by turbinate hypertrophy. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1998;119:569-73.)
SERS measurement of oxidation-reduction reactions of adsorbates on gold microstructures

Abstract The use of surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to study oxidation-reduction and complexation chemical reactions on Au surfaces is illustrated by: (1) the reaction of Au(CN) 2 − adsorbed on a Au colloid (2140 cm − ) to form Au(CN) 3 2− (2131 cm −1 ) on the surface in excess CN − ; (2) the oxidation of Au(CN) 2 − by HNO 3 , Cl 2 , or Br 2 solutions to form Au(CN) 4 − (2190 cm − ) on a Au colloid; and (3) the dissolution of Au in excess CN − with O 2 . Unlike with Ag surfaces, no SERS is observed when Au powder is exposed to NO, NO 2 , SO 2 , CO, or CO 2 gases. The surface chemistry of Au is discussed in the light of these reactions.
Development of a MEMS Xylophone Bar Magnetometer Using Optical Interferometry for Detection

We report the results of an optical interferometric study, which was designed to measure the magnetic-field induced displacement of a resonating xylophone bar MEMS magnetometer. The MEMS magnetometer is a Lorentz-force sensor, which transduces an alternating current and an orthogonal directed magnetic field into an alternating displacement of the xylophone bar. The Michelson interferometer system includes optics and electronics for active stabilization of the optical path length difference between the reference and sample beams. The active stabilization results in the ability to control or detect pathlength differences as small as ∼ 0.6 ×10 −3 A. With this level of operational sensitivity, the presence of a one nano Tesla magnetic field was found to produce a detectable bar displacement on the order of ∼10 −3 A. In addition to the high sensitivity, the interferometer photodetector displayed linear behavior over six decades of optical path length differences, which corresponded to a magnetic field dynamic range that spanned nano- to milli-Tesla amplitudes.