cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Management of asymptomatic neonates with prolonged rupture of membranes

Guidelines for management of asymptomatic term and preterm neonates born to mothers with prolonged rupture of membranes (PROM) have not been clearly established. A survey was conducted to identify current management practice of neonatologists in midwestern states and to find if there is consensus among physicians with regard to management of PROM without chorioamnionitis, with chorioamnionitis but without treatment prior to delivery, and with intrapartum maternal antibiotic therapy prior to delivery. One hundred thirty seven responses to the questionnaire were received. Management of asymptomatic at risk neonates varied in different clinical scenarios. Preterm neonates were screened (94% vs 82%, p < 0.001) and treated (64% vs 41%, p < 0.001) more often than term babies. In the absence of maternal symptoms of chorioamnionitis, term neonates were usually observed or treated based on screening test results. With maternal symptoms, 94% of physicians ordered screening test. Prematurity and perceived severity of maternal illness significantly influenced the decision to treat routinely irrespective of screening test results. Physicians favour routine treatment of infants born to mothers who had received intrapartum antibiotic therapy; opinion was divided about management of term asymptomatic infant born to mothers with chorioamnionitis without intrapartum antibiotic therapy. Lumbar punctures were not routinely done for term or preterm neonates prior to antibiotic therapy. Further studies are needed to answer questions regarding the benefits and risks of routine therapy of high risk neonates vs routine clinical observation and selective therapy of only infants who develop symptoms.
Pivotal Role of the Kidney in Hypertension

The kidneys play a pivotal role in causing some forms of hypertension and probably a permissive role in most, if not all, forms of hypertension. This concept of the critical role of the kidneys has been postulated for many years but has been solidified by the molecular unraveling of several monogenic forms of hypertension such as Liddle's syndrome, apparent mineralocorticoid excess and glucocorticoid-remedial aldosteronism. These and other hypertensive disorders cause sodium retention through excess Na reabsorption in the distal nephron. Some disorders of salt wasting and relative hypotension such as Bartter's syndrome, Gitelman's syndrome and pseudohypoaldosteronism also localize to Na transport abnormalities in the distal nephron. Hypertensive in the general population may also result from subtle abnormalities in sodium balance resulting from alterations in the distal nephron.
Cellular Expression of Adhesion Factors in Childhood Rhabdomyosarcoma

Tumor invasion and metastasis are believed to involve the adhesive interaction of tumor cells with extracellular matrix (ECM). This study reports the expression of laminin, fibronectin, thrombospondin, tenascin, and CD44 in rhabdomyosarcoma cells taken from tumors derived from 12 pediatric patients. Twelve paraffin-embedded rhabdomyosarcomas consisting of five alveolar, six embryonal, and one botryoid subtype were examined. All tumors demonstrated positive staining for tenascin and thrombospondin, 10 were positive for fibronectin, 5 positive for laminin, and 4 positive for CD44. Both specimens without cellular staining for fibronectin were of embryonal subtype and no alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas were positive for CD44. No association of the expression of the studied ECM proteins and receptor with the presence of metastatic disease at clinical presentation or with the level of tumor differentiation was found.
A New Technology for Fast Two-Dimensional Detection of Proton Therapy Beams

The Micromesh Gaseous Structure, or Micromegas, is a technology developed for high count-rate applications in high-energy physics experiments. Tests using a Micromegas chamber and specially designed amplifiers and readout electronics adapted to the requirements of the proton therapy environment and providing both excellent time and high spatial resolution are presented here. The device was irradiated at the Roberts Proton Therapy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. The system was operated with ionization gains between 10 and 200 and in low and intermediate dose-rate beams, and the digitized signal is found to be reproducible to 0.8%. Spatial resolution is determined to be 1.1 mm (1σ) with a 1 ms time resolution. We resolve the range modulator wheel rotational frequency and the thicknesses of its segments and show that this information can be quickly measured owing to the high time resolution of the system. Systems of this type will be extremely useful in future treatment methods involving beams that change rapidly in time and spatial position. The Micromegas design resolves the high dose rate within a proton Bragg peak, and measurements agree with Geant4 simulations to within 5%.
A Radiative Detonation Model for the Development of a Laser-Induced Spark in Air

Abstract : In the course of recent work on the spark produced in air by a focused ruby laser beam, the rather surprising result was obtained that, after breakdown, the spark developed asymmetrically, moving towards the lens with an initial velocity of about 10 to the 7th power cm/sec. In this article this effect is discussed in terms of a new mechanism--that of a radiationsupported shock wave. It is assumed that after breakdown a shock wave propagates into the undisturbed gas, and that further absorption of energy from the laser beam then occurs behind the shock front travelling towards the lens, in the manner of a detonation wave. After the end of the laser pulse the heated gas then expands in the form of a blast wave. (Author)
Artistic and nonartistic backgrounds as determinants of the cognitive response to the arts

Three groups of artists, including dance and art students and art professors, did not differ from each other or from two groups of nonartists on physiognomic, imagery, aesthetic, and creativity measures. The 65 subjects’ physiognomic perception did differ as a function of their aesthetic scores: Aesthetic subjects had higher physiognomic scores than nonaesthetic subjects. These results suggest that people’s capacity to respond to the arts depends more on certain cognitive skills than on artistic training.
INTERVIEWER AND APPLICANT BEHAVIORS IN EMPLOYMENT INTERVIEWS

The associations between interviewer and applicant behavior during simulated employment interviews were examined in a laboratory experiment. As hypothesized, applicant self-esteem, interviewer beha...
Defect mapping and stress mapping of crystalline silicon using Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

In this paper we present the concept of a new method, based on Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (SE), for mapping defects and stress patterns in crystalline silicon. Proof of this concept is demonstrated by scanning defect etched multicrystalline silicon samples of known defect distribution with SE, at representative wavelengths between 400 nm-1500 nm. From these data, we extracted the effective optical constants `neff' and `keff' for each wavelength. The spatial distribution of `neff' and `keff' matches the defect density distribution. The phase difference between `neff' and `neff' was also calculated and it shows a good correlation with the defect map of the sample. However, when “sister wafers” wafers were polished, we did not obtain a one-one correlation any more, but there was significant variation in `neff' and `keff'. However, the pattern of variation of these quantities was found to correspond to the residual stress patterns in the silicon wafer. Although the results are preliminary, SE appears to have a great promise as a defect and stress mapping tool.
AFM Imaging?Reliable or Not?: Validation and Verification of Images in Atomic Force Microscopy

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) was invented in 1986 [1]. By using a compliant flexure probe, such as a microcantilever beam with a sharp tip at one end, the interaction forces between atoms on the probe-tip and atoms on the material surface can be measured (see Figure 1). Since its invention, the simple strategy of using a beam with a sharp tip is now being employed to measure many diverse properties of matter at the nanometer scale including electrical, magnetic, chemical, and mechanical properties [2]. Many different operational modes have evolved that have demonstrated the versatility of the basic underlying principle [3]. AFM has led to many seminal insights in science such as obtained in the recent imaging of pentacene molecules with subatomic resolution [4].
Flavivirus nonstructural protein NS1: Complementary surprises

The 1999 outbreak of mosquito-borne West Nile virus (WNV) in New York City (1) and its subsequent hemispheric spread by infected migratory birds have been met by urgency for new knowledge about this flavivirus. WNV is closely related to a number of other medically important flaviviruses that include the family's prototype, the storied yellow fever virus (YFV; flavi means yellow), dengue virus (DV), and the Japanese encephalitis and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) viruses. Much of what we know about flavivirus epidemiology, biology, and pathogenesis derives from collective observations made about these particular flaviviruses. They exhibit both distinctive and shared clinical expression, and their biology appears to be more similar than dissimilar, so that lessons learned from one are likely to apply to the others. The flavivirus single-strand, positive-sense RNA genome encodes three structural (capsid, matrix, and envelope) and seven nonstructural (NS) proteins (2). Considerable attention has naturally been directed at the biology of the flavivirus envelope E protein because it subserves virus attachment and neutralization. E protein atomic structure has been solved for TBE, DV, and WNV, elegantly informing us about flaviviral entry mechanisms and how neutralizing antibodies protect (3–5). In the course of screening YFV monoclonal antibodies for protective activity in mice a number of years ago, investigators were quite surprised to find that, in addition to protective anti-YFV E monoclonal antibodies, passive transfer of some monoclonal antibodies against YFV NS1 glycoprotein (then known as “gp48”) protected mice against YFV encephalitis (6, 7). Remarkably, active immunization with YFV NS1 also protected monkeys against classic yellow fever (8). The work of Chung et al. (9) in this issue of PNAS brings us yet another surprise about NS1 that may enhance our knowledge of flavivirus pathogenesis and immunity: WNV NS1 is reported to exhibit an immunomodulatory function by …
An Update on the Medical Pain Management of the Multiply Operated Lumbar Spine, Including Neuroablative and Other Minimally Invasive Techniques

A review of case studies, retrospective studies, and history of techniques including injections, radiofrequency ablation, and implantable devices was conducted to update the reader regarding the management of pain, for the multiple-operated spine patient, including neuroblative and other minimally invasive procedures. The methodology, risks, and options associated with each type of treatment are discussed. The use of injections, radiofrequency ablation, minimally invasive disc procedures, and implantable devices are valuable tools in treating the patient who has persistent pain after spinal surgery.
Digital library resources as a basis for collaborative work

The creation of large, networked, digital document resources has greatly facilitated information access and dissemination. We suggest that such resources can further enhance how we work with information, namely, that they can provide a substrate that supports collaborative work. We focus on one form of collaboration, annotation, by which we mean any of an open-ended number of creative document manipulations that are useful to record and to share with others. Widespread digital document dissemination required technological enablers, such as web clients and servers. The resulting infrastructure is one in which information may be widely shared by individuals across administrative boundaries. To achieve the same ubiquitous availability for annotation requires providing support for spontaneous collaboration, that is, for collaboration across administrative boundaries without significant prior agreements. Annotation is not more commonplace, we suggest, because the technological needs of spontaneous collaboration are challenging. We have developed a document model, called multivalent documents, which provides a means to address these challenges. In the multivalent document model, a document comprises distributed data and program resources, called layers and behaviors, respectively. Because most document functionality is implemented by behaviors, the model is highly extensible, and can accommodate both new document formats and novel forms of functionality. Among other applications, it is possible to use the model to effect a wide class of annotation types, across different document formats, without any administrative provisions. An implementation of the model has allowed us to develop behaviors that currently support some quite different but common digital document types, and a number of quite different annotation capabilities-some familiar, and some novel. A related implementation provides some analogous capabilities for geographic data. Such capabilities could have a beneficial impact on the scholarly information life cycle, i.e., the process by which researchers and scholars create, disseminate, and use knowledge.
Husbands' perceptions of wives' adjustment to breast cancer: the impact on wives' mood

Married women's adjustment to breast cancer is positively influenced by their husbands' emotional support and by both spouses' active coping strategies. However, little is known about how women's adjustment is related to their husbands' perceptions of their psychosocial impairment. The current study examined the relationships among wives' coping strategies, the extent of congruence between wives' and husbands' perceptions of wives' adjustment, and wives' mood disturbance in 45 women with Stage I or II breast cancer and their husbands. Mediational analyses demonstrated that discrepancies between husbands' perceptions of wives' adjustment and wives' perceptions of their own adjustment mediated the relationship between wives' use of avoidant coping strategies and wives' mood disturbance. The findings suggest that husbands' over- or under-estimation of wives' adjustment may have a negative impact on wives' mood. Implications for future research are discussed.
Peroxide synthesis from alkyl halides, alcohols and alkenes

New and improved methods of peroxide synthesis have been developed along with advances in peroxide analyses. Hydroperoxides were obtained by one of three methods: i) perhydrolysis of alkyl mercury tetrafluoroborates (RHgBF4); ii) perhydrolysis of alkyl trifluoromethanesulfonates (triflates, ROSO2CF3); and iii) photooxygenation of unsaturated fatty esters (methyl oleate) with sensitizer in a phase transfer catalysis (PTC) system. Dialkyl peroxides also were prepared by three methods: hydroperoxidation of the mercury and triflate intermediates and an innovation of the reaction of superoxide anion with alkyl halides in a PTC system. Chromatographic—gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)—methods were examined in detail for compositional analysis of hydroperoxides and dialkyl peroxides in reaction mixtures and for purity determinations. Dialkyl peroxides were further analyzed by an improved rapid iodometric method by using strong non-oxidizing acid (HCLO4) and iron catalysis.
Relative affinities of carbonylbis(triphenylphosphine)rhodium(I) and related cations for anionic ligands in CH2Cl2

Determination des constantes d'equilibre des reactions RhL 2 (CO)Y+PPN + Z − ⇄RhL 2 (CO)Z+PPN + Y − ou PPN=bis-triphenylphosphoranylidene d'ammonium. Etude realisee avec une serie d'anions respectivement pour L=Ph 3 P et L=Ph 3 As au moyen de la spectrometrie IR. Cette etude montre un large domaine d'affinite anionique pour les complexes du rhodium
Mirror hands and feet with a distinct nasal defect, an autosomal dominant condition.

We report on a father and daughter with mirror hands and feet and a distinct nasa defect and compare their condition to a similar one reported previously in one other family. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
On the Molecularity of Bilirubins and their Esters and Anions in Chloroform Solution

Bilirubins with propionic acids at C-8 and C-12 engage in intramolecular hydrogen bonding and are thought to be monomeric in solution, although the latter is unproven. In contrast, their dimethyl esters and etiobilirubin analogs (with the C-8 and C-12 propionic acids replaced by alkyl residues) favor intermolecular hydrogen bonding and are thought to be dimeric in nonpolar solvents. There is little information on the molecularity of the bilirubin dianion in solution. In this work, vapor pressure osmometry studies of chloroform solutions of bilirubins, their dimethyl esters, and etio-analogs clearly indicate that the diacids and dianions are monomeric, whereas the diesters and dialkyls are dimeric. However, the presence of a C-10 gem-dimethyl group causes the ester and the etiobilirubin to become monomeric.
Connectionism: Is it a paradigm shift for psychology?

Connectionism is a method of modeling cognition as the interaction of neuron-like units. Connectionism has received a gread deal of interest and may represent a paradigm shift for psychology. The nature of a paradigm shift (Kuhn, 1970) is reviewed with respect to connectionism. The reader is provided an overview on connectionism including: an introduction to connectionist modeling, new issues it emphasizes, a brief history, its developing sociopolitical impact, theoretical impact, and empirical impact. Cautions, concerns, and enthusiasm for connectionism are expressed.
Purification and biochemical properties of genetically defined malate dehydrogenase in maize

Abstract Malate dehydrogenase of maize exists in multiple molecular forms (isozymes). In strain W64A, two soluble forms (s-MDH), five mitochondrial forms (m-MDH), and two glyoxysomal forms (g-MDH) were found in etiolated seedlings. The s-MDHs and m-MDHs were prepared in highly purified form. Using these purified isozymes, experiments with reducing agents (100 m m mercaptoethanol), low pH (2.0), and high salt cocn (7.5 m guanidine-HCl), along with genetic data, have eliminated the possibility of conformational alterations as an explanation for MDH multiplicity in maize; the MDH isozymes are genetically determined. Biochemical properties for each of the seven MDH isozymes were examined. Molecular weight, pI, pH optimum, thermolability, and K m for oxaloacetate, malate, NAD, and NADH at different pH values were determined for each isozyme. Different kinetics of substrate inhibition (oxaloacetate) and coenzyme inhibition (NAD) were observed for the different isozymes. Effects of NAD analogs, chelating agents, reducing agents, metal ions, and TCA cycle acids on the enzymatic activity of these isozymes were tested. Based on the physical and kinetic properties observed, the maize malate dehydrogenase isozymes can be classified into four groups: s-MDH 1 ; s-MDH 2 ; the two most anodal m-MDHs; and the three most cathodal m-MDHs. Since strain W64A is highly inbred, our data along with our previous and simultaneous genetic analysis suggest that multiple genes are involved in the expression of maize malate dehydrogenase isozymes.
THE PENNSYLVANIAN-PERMIAN VEGETATIONAL TRANSITION: A TERRESTRIAL ANALOGUE TO THE ONSHORE-OFFSHORE HYPOTHESIS

An analysis of 68 floras from the Pennsylvanian and Early Permian of Euramerica reveals distinct patterns of environmental distribution. Wetland assemblages are the most commonly encountered floras from the Early and Middle Pennsylvanian. Floras from drier habitats characterize the Permian. Both wetland and dry-site floras occur in the Late Pennsylvanian, but floristic overlap is minimal, which implies strong environmental controls on the distributions of the component species. Drier habitats appear to be the sites of first appearance of orders that become prominent during the Late Permian and Mesozoic. Higher taxa originated in physically heterogeneous, drier habitats, which were geographically marginal throughout most of the Pennsylvanian. They then moved into the lowlands during periods of climatic drying in the Permian, replacing older wetland vegetation. This pattern is analogous to the marine onshore-offshore pattern of origination and migration. The derivation of Mesozoic wetland clades from the Permian dry-lowland vegetation completes the parallel. The similarities of the marine and terrestrial patterns suggest that the combination of evolutionary opportunity, created by physical heterogeneity of the environment, and migrational opportunity, created by changing extrinsic conditions, may be underlying factors that transcend the specifics of organism and environment.
Direct-Coupled Plasma-Assisted Combustion Using a Microwave Waveguide Torch

A tunable microwave waveguide is used to initiate and enhance combustion by coupling an atmospheric plasma discharge to a premixed methane/air flame. The absorbed microwave power ranges from 60 to 150 W, which was generated from a continuous source operating at 2.45 GHz, whereas combustion power ranges from 200 to 1000 W. OH radical number densities were measured using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF), and temperatures were measured using Rayleigh scattering thermometry for various flow rates, equivalence ratios, and power levels. Increases in reaction volume, OH density, and temperature were observed as power increased. In the plasma-coupled premixed flame, OH number densities, which are quantified on the order of 1016 cm-3, increased by up to 50%, and temperature ranging from 2000 to 3000 K increased by up to 40% as the absorbed microwave power was increased from 60 to 130 W. Air-only plasma discharges exhibited a much greater temperature increase, i.e., up to 190%. The power associated with the measured temperature increases varied greatly with flow and input power but are typically three to four times greater in the air-only plasma compared to the flame coupled plasma, demonstrating a greater degree of nonthermal mechanisms present in plasma-enhanced flame discharge.
A posteriori error analysis of IMEX multi-step time integration methods for advection-diffusion-reaction equations

Abstract Implicit–Explicit (IMEX) schemes are an important and widely used class of time integration methods for both parabolic and hyperbolic partial differential equations. We develop accurate a posteriori error estimates for a user-defined quantity of interest for two classes of multi-step IMEX schemes for advection–diffusion–reaction problems. The analysis proceeds by recasting the IMEX schemes into a variational form suitable for a posteriori error analysis employing adjoint problems and computable residuals. The a posteriori estimates quantify distinct contributions from various aspects of the spatial and temporal discretizations, and can be used to evaluate discretization choices. Numerical results are presented that demonstrate the accuracy of the estimates for a representative set of problems.
Microcomputers for professional accountants

Introducing the microcomputer as an audit tool has profound implications for accounting educators, as well as, accounting professionals. Graduates from accounting programs must have basic microcomputing skills and a working knowledge of how to apply their accounting skills in microcomputer environments. Practicing accountants need to be educated in the use of the microcomputer as an audit tool in order to maintain their professional effectiveness. First, this paper is designed to present the results of an investigation into the current uses of the microcomputer as an audit tool; second, the author will discuss its future in the audit process; third, the author will outline the educational requirements for professional accountants; and finally, the author will discuss the implications for computing professionals involved with professional accountants.
Plasma Diagnostics for Unraveling Process Chemistry

This review focuses on the use of diagnostic tools to examine plasma processing chemistry, primarily plasma species energetics, dynamics, and molecule-surface reactions. We describe the use of optical diagnostic tools, mass spectrometry, and Langmuir probes in measuring species densities, rotational and kinetic energies, and plasma-surface reactions. Molecule-surface interactions for MX(n) species (M = C, Si, N; X = H, F, Cl) are presented and interpreted with respect to the molecule's electronic configuration and dipole moments.
DISSOCIATIVE ATTACHMENT OF ELECTRONS TO VIBRATIONALLY EXCITED H2

Calculations are reported of the dissociative attachment of low-energy (less than 5 eV) electrons to molecular hydrogen in the states {ital v}=0--9 and {ital J}=0. The dynamics are treated using resonant scattering theory, fully including the nonlocal and energy-dependent shift and width operators. The necessary coupling terms are taken from the {ital ab} {ital initio} calculations of fixed-{ital R} electron-H{sub 2} scattering performed by Muendel, Berman, and Domcke (Phys. Rev. A 32, 181 (1985)). Good agreement with the available experimental data of Schulz and Asundi (Phys. Rev. 158, 2 (1967)) and of Allan and Wong (Phys. Rev. Lett. 41, 1791 (1978)) is achieved. Exploratory calculations were performed to investigate various local approximations to the nonlocal shift operator. The results suggest that the optimum local approximation will, in general, differ from the curve obtained in a fixed-nuclei structure calculation.
LIGNIN-ASSISTED COAL DEPOLYMERIZATION

Previous research has shown that addition of lignin-derived liquids to coal stirred in tetralin under mild reaction conditions (375{degree}C and 300--500 psig) results in a marked enhancement in the rate of coal depolymerization. A mathematical model was developed to study the kinetics of coal depolymerization in the presence of liquid-derived liquids. In the present study, a reaction pathway was formulated to explain the enhancement in coal depolymerization due to lignin (solid) addition. The model postulated assumes that the products of lignin obtained during thermolysis interact with the reactive moieties present in coal while simultaneous depolymerization of coal occurs. A good fit between the experimental data and the kinetic model was found. The results show that in addition to the enhancement in the rate of coal depolymerization, lignin also reacts (and enhances the extent of depolymerization of coal) with those reaction sites in coal that are not susceptible to depolymerization when coal alone is reacted in tetralin under identical reaction conditions. Additional work is being carried out to determine a thorough materials balance on the lignin-assisted coal depolymerization process. A number of liquid samples have been obtained which are being studied for their stability in various environments. 5 refs., 4 figs.,more » 1 tab.« less
Methodology for Wind-Driven Rainwater Intrusion Fragilities for Light-Frame Wood Roof Systems

Light-frame wood buildings represent most of residential structures throughout the United States. Approximately half of the U.S. population lives within 50 miles of the coast with many of those dwellings in the Gulf Coast region or along the eastern seaboard, both of which can be negatively impacted by hurricanes. The majority of damage during a hurricane is the result of wind-driven rainwater entering a building through openings caused by strong wind. To date, wind fragility approaches to examine the probability of damage to a light-frame wood building have focused only on component or subassembly strength, thereby providing information up to the point of first failure of the building envelope. These previous analyses, while valuable, will not allow hurricane engineering research to progress to fully mechanistic loss modeling, which is needed to mitigate losses caused by these events. In this paper a methodology to develop fragility curves and fragility surfaces for the volume of rainwater intrusion is summarized and demonstrated on an example structure. To do this, nonlinear structural analysis, computational fluid dynamics, and reliability theory are combined with particle dynamics for rainwater trajectory modeling, essentially providing the first fragilities of their kind and going beyond first failure of the building envelope. It should be emphasized that it is the methodology that is the focus and some level of calibration is still necessary.
Bound Lac repressor protein differentially inhibits the unwinding reactions catalyzed by DNA helicases

Abstract A partial duplex DNA substrate containing the Lac repressor binding site, within the duplex region, was constructed to examine the effect of bound Lac repressor on the unwinding reaction catalyzed by several DNA helicases. The substrate contained 90 base pairs of double-stranded DNA and, in the absence of Lac repressor, was effectively unwound by each of the seven helicases tested. The unwinding reactions catalyzed by Escherichia coli Rep protein, bacteriophage T4 Dda protein and E. coli DNA helicase I were not inhibited by the presence of bound Lac repressor. Both SV40 T antigen and E. coli helicase II were partially inhibited by bound repressor at the highest repressor concentrations tested. The helicase reactions catalyzed by E. coli DnaB protein and helicase IV were substantially inhibited by the presence of bound protein. When the length of the duplex region was increased to 323 base pairs the inhibition spectrum caused by bound Lac repressor on the unwinding reactions catalyzed by DnaB protein, helicase I and helicase II was essentially the same as that observed using the shorter partial duplex molecule. Inhibition of the unwinding reaction was due to the presence of bound Lac repressor as evidenced by the substantially weaker inhibition of helicase IV by Lac repressor in the presence of IPTG. In addition, we have shown that Rep protein displaces the bound repressor protein during the course of an unwinding reaction.
Truly 3D midsagittal plane extraction for robust neuroimage registration

This paper describes a robust algorithm for reliable ideal midsagittal plane extraction (iMSP) from 3D neuroimages. The algorithm makes no assumptions about initial orientation of a given 3D brain image and works reliably on neuroimages of normal brains as well as brains with significant pathologies. Presented technique is truly three-dimensional since we treat each neuroimage as a three-dimensional volume rather than a set of two-dimensional slices. We use an edge-based approach which employs cross-correlation to extract iMSP. Proposed algorithm was quantitatively evaluated on a variety of real and artificial neuroimages. We find that our algorithm is able to extract iMSP from neuroimages with arbitrary initial orientations, large asymmetries, and low signal to noise ratio. We also demonstrate that presented algorithm can increase robustness of existing neuroimage registration algorithms, be it rigid, affine or less restricted deformable registration. Our algorithm was implemented using Insight Toolkit(ITK).
Multitherapeutic hybrid material platforms for nanoengineered medicine

The realization of optimized therapeutic delivery is often challenged by the inability for localized drug activity and systemic cytotoxicity which can contribute to patient treatment complications. Here we demonstrate the block copolymer-mediated deposition of LXRalpha/beta agonist 3-((4-Methoxyphenyl)amino)-4-phenyl-1-(phenylmethyl)-1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione (LXRa) and doxorubicin hydrochloride (Dox) at the air-water interface via Langmuir-Blodgett deposition, as well as copolymer-mediated potent drug elution toward the Raw 264.7 murine macrophage cell line. Confirmation of drug functionality was confirmed via suppression of the interleukin 6 (II-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFalpha) inflammatory cytokines (LXRa), as well as DNA fragmentation analysis (Dox). Furthermore, the fragmentation assays demonstrated the innate biocompatibility of the copolymeric material at the genetic level via the confirmed absence of material-induced apoptosis. This modality enables layer-by-layer control of agonist and chemotherapeutic functionalization at the nanoscale for the fine tuning of drug dosage, while simultaneously utilizing the copolymer platform as an anchoring mechanism for drug sequestering, all with an innate material thickness of 4 nm per layer, which is orders of magnitude thinner than existing commercial technologies. Furthermore, these studies comprehensively confirmed the potential translational applicability of copolymeric nanomaterials as localized multi-therapeutic thin film platforms.
Social distance and shopping behavior

This research was designed to see whether a reconceptualization of social distance (as measured by social class variables) between shoppers and stores would provide a basis for understanding store avoidance behavior. A survey of shoppers classified into two distinct social classes investigated their images, including social class images, of two stores that had been selected as representatives of upscale and downscale retailers. A new measure of social distance was proposed and evaluated. Controlling for other functional aspects of store image such as price and personnel, the social distance measure was found to be influential in discriminating shopping frequency groups for the two stores, providing evidence that people tend to avoid stores that are perceived as being socially distant from themselves.
Globalization and the Paradoxes of Place: Poverty and Power in Memphis

At present, globalization research on complex technological and financial processes takes priority over studies of place and locality. A few cities, namely those described as “Global Cities,” recei...
Do nuisance alarms decrease functionality of smoke alarms near the kitchen? Findings from a randomised controlled trial

Background Many home fires begin in the kitchen. Kitchen smoke alarms are more likely to produce nuisance alarms, but few previous studies have examined the role of alarm sensor and battery types on the functionality of smoke alarms located nearest to the kitchen. Methods Data were analysed from a 2×2 factorial randomised controlled trial conducted in rural Iowa homes (n=628). Enrolled households were randomly assigned into one of four smoke alarm/battery combinations: ionisation/zinc, ionisation/lithium, photoelectric/zinc and photoelectric/lithium. Alarm functionality was determined using a smoke test. Alarm type and battery type were compared using an intent-to-treat analysis. Logistic regression was used to identify factors that might impact the functionality of smoke alarms located nearest to the kitchen 42 months after installation. Results Photoelectric alarms with lithium batteries had the highest rate of functionality (90.2%), whereas ionisation alarms with carbon/zinc batteries had the lowest (76.5%). Forty-two months following installation, 6.4% more of photoelectric alarms were functional than ionisation alarms, and 7.9% more of alarms with lithium batteries were functional than those with carbon/zinc batteries. Logistic regression revealed that when the indicator of nuisance alarms was included, the effect of alarm type became statistically insignificant and ionisation alarms were less likely to be functional at 42 months, partly due to increased nuisance alarms. Conclusions Alarm type is an important consideration for certain locations. Photoelectric alarms may be more appropriate for installation nearest to the kitchen despite their increased cost. These findings can help guide consumer choices to increase protection against home fire-related injuries and deaths.
New Approaches to Pancoast and Chest Wall Tumors

Superior pulmonary sulcus carcinoma, or Pancoast's tumor, was first identified in 1932 by H. K. Pancoast, who described a small tumor at the apex of the lung producing a characteristic pain pattern and rapid, universal mortality. Despite early indications that this type of carcinoma was amenable to neither radiation nor surgery, the current treatment approach calls for irradiation therapy (3,000 rad over 2 to 3 weeks) followed by surgical resection of the chest wall, lower brachial plexus, and en bloc resection of the lung. In selected patients with negative mediastinal nodes, this approach has been associated with a 34% 5-year and a 29% 10-year survival.
Processing of prosthetic heart valve sounds for classification

People with serious heart conditions have had their expected life span extended considerably with the development of the prosthetic heart valve especially with the great strides made in valve design. Even though the designs are extremely reliable, the valves are mechanical and operating continuously over a long period, therefore, structural failures can occur due to fatigue. Measuring heart sounds non-invasively in a noisy environment puts more demands on the signal processing to extract the desired signals from the noise. We discuss acoustical signal processing techniques developed to process noisy heart valve sounds measured by a sensitive, surface contact microphone and used for the eventual classification of the valve. >
The Organization of Households in Adabraka: Toward a Wider Comparative Perspective

Households everywhere are staging areas for social life: places where individuals sleep, store personal belongings, and refurbish themselves, physically and psychologically, for the day ahead. The fire and simple shelter of the Australian Mardudjara (Tonkinson 1978), the sections within farming compounds of the Ghanaian Tallensi (Fortes 1949a), and the rooms in Manhattan hotels rented by poor, elderly, or mentally disturbed men and women (Sokolovsky et al. 1978) are each examples of this basic aspect of household life. How then should households be compared in order to understand the ways in which ethnographic cases differ?
Environments and Life Activities

Four simple questions can be asked regarding the quality of services for adults with disabilities: (1) What is the person doing? (2) Where is she or he doing it? (3) When is the person doing it? and (4) With whom? These questions and their answers reflect the interrelationship of activities and environments and the importance of environments. It is to the issue of environments that we turn in the present chapter. We wish to focus your thinking on the importance and power of environments within which one can exercise the life activity areas, and thereby fulfill a number of basic needs all people have, including an enhanced quality of life.
The chemical biology of Cu(II) complexes with imidazole or thiazole containing ligands: Synthesis, crystal structures and comparative biological activity

The synthesis and characterization of two copper(II) complexes containing 2-(2-pyridyl)benzimidazole (PyBIm) are reported with the biological activity of these two complexes and a third Cu(II) complex containing 2-(2-pyridyl)benzothiazole (PyBTh). Complex 1, [Cu(PyBIm)(NO3)(H2O)](NO3), is a four coordinate, distorted square planar species with one ligand (N,N), nitrate and water bound to Cu(II). The [Cu(PyBIm)3](BF4)2 complex (2) has distorted octahedral geometry with a 3:1 Py(BIm) ligand to metal ratio. The distorted trigonal bi-pyramidal geometry of compound 3, [Cu(PyBTh)2(H2O)](BF4)2, is comprised of two PyBTh ligands and one water. Biological activity of 1-3 has been assessed by analyzing DNA interaction, nuclease ability, cytotoxic activity and antibacterial properties. Complex 3 exhibits potent concentration dependent SC-DNA cleavage forming single- and double-nicked DNA in contrast to the weak activity of complexes 1 and 2. Mechanistic studies indicate that all complexes utilize an oxidative mechanism however 1 and 2 employ O2(-) as the principal reactive oxygen species while the highly active 3 utilizes (1)O2. The interaction between 1-3 and DNA was investigated using fluorescence emission spectroscopy and revealed all complexes strongly intercalate DNA with Kapp values of 2.65 × 10(6), 1.85 × 10(6) and 2.72 × 10(6)M(-1), respectively. Cytotoxic effects of 1-3 were examined using HeLa and K562 cells and show cell death in the micromolar range with the activity of 1 ≈ 2 and were slightly higher than 3. Similar reactivity was observed in the antibacterial studies with E. coli and S. aureus. A detailed comparative analysis of the three complexes is presented.
Mass spectrometric characterization of transglutaminase based site-specific antibody-drug conjugates

Antibody drug conjugates (ADCs) are becoming an important new class of therapeutic agents for the treatment of cancer. ADCs are produced through the linkage of a cytotoxic small molecule (drug) to monoclonal antibodies that target tumor cells. Traditionally, most ADCs rely on chemical conjugation methods that yield heterogeneous mixtures of varying number of drugs attached at different positions. The potential benefits of site-specific drug conjugation in terms of stability, manufacturing, and improved therapeutic index has recently led to the development of several new site-specific conjugation technologies. However, detailed characterization of the degree of site specificity is currently lacking. In this study we utilize mass spectrometry to characterize the extent of site-specificity of an enzyme-based site-specific antibody–drug conjugation technology that we recently developed. We found that, in addition to conjugation of the engineered site, a small amount of aglycosylated antibody present in starti...
Mitoxantrone (dihydroxyanthracenedione) in acute leukemia. An evaluation of two treatment schedules by the Southwest Oncology Group.

Fifty-eight evaluable patients with acute leukemia were treated with Mitoxantrone (DHAD) according to two schedules: 14 mg/M2 as a single I.V. pulse dose administered three-week intervals, and 4 mg/M2/day for five days every three weeks. Six of 58 patients achieved a complete remission. One complete remission and 1 partial remission were observed among 26 patients treated with the single pulse schedule. Five (16%) complete remissions were attained among 32 patients treated on the daily × 5 schedule. Responses were observed only in patients with non-lymphoblastic leukemia. DHAD was very well tolerated with myelosuppression as the major toxicity. Nausea and vomiting were minimal. Subclinical cardiac toxicity occurred in two patients. This was identified by serial reductions in cardiac ejection fractions. DHAD appears to have significant activity in acute non-lymphoblastic leukemia with minimal toxicity.
Assessing Risk-Cost-Benefit Analysis, The Preeminent Method of Technology Assessment and Environmental-Impact Analysis

Several centuries ago, Edmund Burke observed that the age of chivalry had gone and that of sophisters, economists, and calculators had succeeded.1 More recently, Stuart Hampshire lamented that the contemporary quantitative methods used in economics and social planning have brought a coarseness and grossness of moral feeling.2 If Burke and Hampshire are to be believed, then society has a great deal to lose by employing techniques such as risk-cost-benefit analysis as a basis for public policymaking regarding environmental and technological projects.
Carcinoembryonic antigen in colonic lavage.

Colonoscopic lavage was performed for assay of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) concentration in patients with small and large colonic adenomas, in patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon, and in normal controls. CEA concentration was considerably higher in colonoscopic lavage as compared to plasma. CEA concentration in normal controls and in patients with colonic adenomas 1 cm in size and in patients with adenocarcinoma of the colon were significantly higher than those observed in patients with small adenomas and in the normal controls. In all except 2 patients, plasma CEA concentrations were normal. Assay of CEA concentrations in colonic lavage may have potential application in the further assessment of the mucosa at risk for colon adenomas and for colon cancer. It does not appear to be accurate enough for diagnosis of colon cancer in individual patients.
LIGHT Elevation Enhances Immune Eradication of Colon Cancer Metastases

The majority of patients with colon cancer will develop advanced disease, with the liver being the most common site of metastatic disease. Patients with increased numbers of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in primary colon tumors and liver metastases have improved outcomes. However, the molecular factors that could empower antitumor immune responses in this setting remain to be elucidated. We reported that the immunostimulatory cytokine LIGHT (TNFSF14) in the microenvironment of colon cancer metastases associates with improved patient survival, and here we demonstrate in an immunocompetent murine model that colon tumors expressing LIGHT stimulate lymphocyte proliferation and tumor cell-specific antitumor immune responses. In this model, increasing LIGHT expression in the microenvironment of either primary tumors or liver metastases triggered regression of established tumors and slowed the growth of liver metastases, driven by cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-mediated antitumor immunity. These responses corresponded with significant increases in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and increased expression of lymphocyte-homing signals in the metastatic tumors. Furthermore, we demonstrated evidence of durable tumor-specific antitumor immunity. In conclusion, increasing LIGHT expression increased T-cell proliferation, activation, and infiltration, resulting in enhanced tumor-specific immune-mediated tumor regressions in primary tumors and colorectal liver metastases. Mechanisms to increase LIGHT in the colon cancer microenvironment warrant further investigation and hold promise as an immunotherapeutic strategy. Cancer Res; 77(8); 1880-91. ©2017 AACR.
Constraining the sources and cycling of dissolved organic carbon in a large oligotrophic lake using radiocarbon analyses

Abstract We measured the concentrations and isotopic compositions of solid phase extracted (SPE) dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and high molecular weight (HMW) DOC and their constituent organic components in order to better constrain the sources and cycling of DOC in a large oligotrophic lacustrine system (Lake Superior, North America). SPE DOC constituted a significant proportion (41–71%) of the lake DOC relative to HMW DOC (10–13%). Substantial contribution of 14C-depleted components to both SPE DOC (Δ14C = 25–43‰) and HMW DOC (Δ14C = 22–32‰) was evident during spring mixing, and depressed their radiocarbon values relative to the lake dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC; Δ14C ∼ 59‰). There was preferential removal of 14C-depleted (older) and thermally recalcitrant components from HMW DOC and SPE DOC in the summer. Contemporary photoautotrophic addition to HMW DOC was observed during summer stratification in contrast to SPE DOC, which decreased in concentration during stratification. Serial thermal oxidation radiocarbon analysis revealed a diversity of sources (both contemporary and older) within the SPE DOC, and also showed distinct components within the HMW DOC. The thermally labile components of HMW DOC were 14C-enriched and are attributed to heteropolysaccharides (HPS), peptides/amide and amino sugars (AMS) relative to the thermally recalcitrant components reflecting the presence of older material, perhaps carboxylic-rich alicyclic molecules (CRAM). The solvent extractable lipid-like fraction of HMW DOC was very 14C-depleted (as old as 1270–2320 14C years) relative to the carbohydrate-like and protein-like substances isolated by acid hydrolysis of HMW DOC. Our data constrain relative influences of contemporary DOC and old DOC, and DOC cycling in a modern freshwater ecosystem.