cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of enzymatic probes of oxidative and nitrosative DNA damage caused by reactive nitrogen species.

Abstract Chronic inflammation is associated with a variety of human diseases, including cancer, with one possible mechanistic link involving over-production of nitric oxide (NO ) by activated macrophages. Subsequent reaction of NO with superoxide in the presence of carbon dioxide yields nitrosoperoxycarbonate (ONOOCO2−), a strong oxidant that reacts with guanine in DNA to form a variety of oxidation and nitration products, such 2′-deoxy-8-oxoguanosine. Alternatively, the reaction of NO and O2 leads to the formation of N2O3, a nitrosating agent that causes nucleobase deamination to form 2′-deoxyxanthosine (dX) and 2′-deoxyoxanosine (dO) from dG; 2′-deoxyinosine (dI) from dA; and 2′-deoxyuridine (dU) from dC, in addition to abasic sites and dG–dG cross-links. The presence of both ONOOCO2− and N2O3 at sites of inflammation necessitates definition of the relative roles of oxidative and nitrosative DNA damage in the genetic toxicology of inflammation. To this end, we sought to develop enzymatic probes for oxidative and nitrosative DNA lesions as a means to quantify the two types of DNA damage in in vitro DNA damage assays, such as the comet assay and as a means to differentially map the lesions in genomic DNA by the technique of ligation-mediated PCR. On the basis of fragmentary reports in the literature, we first systematically assessed the recognition of dX and dI by a battery of DNA repair enzymes. Members of the alkylpurine DNA glycosylase family (E. coli AlkA, murine Aag, and human MPG) all showed repair activity with dX (kcat/Km 29 × 10−6, 21 × 10−6, and 7.8 × 10−6 nM−1 min−1, respectively), though the activity was considerably lower than that of EndoV (8 × 10−3 nM−1 min−1). Based on these results and other published studies, we focused the development of enzymatic probes on two groups of enzymes, one with activity against oxidative damage (formamidopyrimidine-DNA glycosylase (Fpg); endonuclease III (EndoIII)) and the other with activity against nucleobase deamination products (uracil DNA glycosylase (Udg); AlkA). These combinations were assessed for recognition of DNA damage caused by N2O3 (generated with a NO /O2 delivery system) or ONOOCO2− using a plasmid nicking assay and by LC–MS analysis. Collectively, the results indicate that a combination of AlkA and Udg react selectively with DNA containing only nitrosative damage, while Fpg and EndoIII react selectively with DNA containing oxidative base lesions caused by ONOOCO2−. The results suggest that these enzyme combinations can be used as probes to define the location and quantity of the oxidative and nitrosative DNA lesions produced by chemical mediators of inflammation in systems, such as the comet assay, ligation-mediated polymerase chain reaction, and other assays of DNA damage and repair.
Selective MOCVD growth of InGaAs/GaAs and InGaAs/InP quantum dots employing diblock copolymer nanopatterning

The conventional approach to fabricate semiconductor based QDs is based on the Stranski-Krastnow (SK) growth mode, which has enjoyed considerable success in device applications. However, the SK QD approach is complicated by the randomness of the QD size distribution and inherent presence of the wetting layer. Carrier leakage to the wetting layer has been identified as one of the underlying causes for low optical gain and high temperature sensitivity in diode lasers. To fully exploit the potential advantages of ideal Quantum Dots (i.e. full 3D carrier confinement), elimination of the wetting layer and a uniform mono-modal QD size distribution is needed. Nanopatterning with selective MOCVD QD growth has potential for achieving a higher degree of control over the QD formation, compared with the SK process. Furthermore, the problematic wetting layer states are eliminated and improved optical gain is expected. The QD patterning is prepared by dense nanoscale (20-30 nm diameter) diblock copolymer lithography, which consists of perpendicularly ordered cylindrical domains of polystyrene- block -poly(methylmethacrylate) (PS- b -PMMA) matrix. For selective MOCVD growth, a dielectric template mask was utilized and the polymer patterning is transferred on it. The resulting GaAs QD densities are larger than 5×10 10 /cm 2 , comparable to SK growth mode, with a nearly monomodal QD size distribution. Variable temperature PL has been used to characterize the optical properties of capped InGaAs QDs on GaAs (λ ~ 1.1 μm) and InP (λ ~ 1.5 μm) substrates.
Why are professionals failing to initiate mandated reports of child maltreatment, and are there any empirically based training programs to assist professionals in the reporting process?

Although millions of children are referred to Child Protective Services (CPS) agencies annually, the true extent of child maltreatment is grossly underestimated, as professionals legally mandated to report child maltreatment often fail to do. Failing to report child maltreatment denies child victims opportunities to receive much needed intervention services. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is twofold: (1) review studies that have been conducted to assist in understanding the reasons professionals fail to report child maltreatment, for example, being unaware of child abuse signs and symptoms, misinterpreting laws pertinent to child abuse reporting practices, fear of negative consequences resulting from the report, and (2) examine the extant training programs that have been proposed to assist professionals in the mandated child abuse and neglect reporting process. Further directions are provided in light of the reviewed study results.
WSSA in terms of itself: associations within the association

Presidential address to the membership of the Western Social Science Association (WSSA), at the annual conference of the Association in Las Vegas, Nevada on April 11, 2003.Thank you for attending t...
Evaluation of dopaminergic tone in hyperprolactinemia. III. Thyroid-stimulating hormone response to metoclopramide in differential diagnosis and postoperative follow-up of prolactinoma patients

Recently, it has been shown that patients with a PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma have a greater thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) release after dopamine (DA)-receptor blockade than normal subjects. We have compared the TSH and PRL responses to metoclopramide (MCP) in normal and postpartum lactating women with those in 28 patients with hyperprolactinemia of different origin. Patients with a PRL-secreting pituitary adenoma were also tested after transsphenoidal removal of the tumor in order to establish the prognostic value of this test in such patients. Following MCP administration, percent increases in plasma PRL levels were greater in normal female subjects than postpartum lactating women. Plasma TSH levels did not increase in postpartum women and had a modest increment in normal subjects. In patients with hypothalamic tumors and empty sella syndrome plasma PRL and TSH levels showed modest or no increases after MCP administration. In ten patients harboring a microprolactinoma, plasma TSH levels showed an exaggerated increment after DA-receptor blockade. Postoperatively, despite normal or borderline PRL levels in the immediate postoperative period, a TSH response to MCP was present (in five patients one to two weeks after the operation, and in five patients one to three years after the operation), suggesting an increased DA activity even in the absence of hyperprolactinemia. In conclusion, the TSH test can easily detect increased DA-activity in patients with a microprolactinoma both preoperatively and postoperatively. It is possible that some patients with increased DA-activity in presence of normal PRL levels and normal PRL responsiveness to stimulation will experience a recurrence of hyperprolactinemia.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Body size and breast cancer risk: the Multiethnic Cohort.

The influence of body size on postmenopausal breast cancer risk was investigated among five racial/ethnic groups in the Multiethnic Cohort. Participants were 45–75 years old at recruitment (1993–1996), living in Hawaii and California. Of the 82,971 White, African American, Native Hawaiian, Japanese and Latina women included in this analysis, 3,030 were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer. Body mass index (BMI), height, weight and adulthood weight gain were associated with a significantly higher risk and, with the exception of height, were found to vary across ethnic groups. Native Hawaiians and Japanese with a BMI ≥30.0 compared to 20.0–24.9 kg/m2 had the highest risk (hazard ratio = 1.82, 95% confidence interval: 1.31, 2.54, p-trend = 0.001, and hazard ratio = 1.59, 95% confidence interval: 1.24, 2.05, p-trend < 0.0001, respectively). Current hormone replacement therapy use modified the impact of a high BMI, as non- and former users had a significantly higher risk compared to current users. BMI also had a more pronounced risk for advanced tumors compared to localized tumors. When both BMI and adult weight gain were analyzed simultaneously, adult weight gain, rather than BMI, was a significant risk factor overall. These findings emphasize the significance of maintaining a healthy weight throughout adulthood for the prevention of postmenopausal breast cancer.
Comment on ‘A wave packet method for treating nuclear dynamics on complex potentials’

We comment on the accuracy of the results of Taioli and Tennyson in their paper 'A wave packet method for treating nuclear dynamics on complex potentials' (2006 J. Phys. B: At. Mol. Opt. Phys. 39 4379).
Factors which deter potential science/math teachers from teaching; changes necessary to ameliorate their concerns

In light of the perceived national need for more science and math teachers, this study was conceived to: 1. Identify “teaching oriented” students among freshmen at a mid-western engineering school, who have chosen NOT to become teachers; 2. Find out what reasons these “potential” science and math teachers have for deciding not to pursue teaching careers; 3. Determine what amelioration of these problems would be necessary for them to no longer be factors which would inhibit students from becoming teachers. Of a random sample of 110 students drawn from a freshman class, 98 participated fully in the study. Each participant took Holland's Self-Directed Search to determine “teaching orientation” and author-constructed instruments to assess their concerns about teaching. Results showed “teaching oriented” students avoided teaching due to low starting salaries, lack of job security, low maximum salaries, not wanting to do the work teacher's do, poor job availability and discouragement by family and friends. Starting salaries of $21,693 and salaries of $32,600 for a teacher with a B.A. and 10 years experience were among the changes deemed necessary to make teaching attractive.
scAAVIL-1ra dosing trial in a large animal model and validation of long-term expression with repeat administration for osteoarthritis therapy

A gene therapeutic approach to treat osteoarthritis (OA) appears to be on the horizon for millions of people who suffer from this disease. Previously we described optimization of a scAAVIL-1ra gene therapeutic vector and initially tested this in an equine model verifying long-term intrasynovial IL-1ra protein at therapeutic levels. Using this vector, we carried out a dosing trial in six horses to verify protein levels and establish a dose that would express relevant levels of therapeutic protein for extended periods of time (8 months). A novel arthroscopic procedure used to detect green fluorescence protein (GFP) fluorescence intrasynovially confirmed successful transduction of the scAAVGFP vector in both the synovial and cartilage tissues. No evidence of intra-articular toxicity was detected. Immune responses to vector revealed development of neutralizing antibodies (Nabs) within 2 weeks of administration, which persisted for the duration of the study but did not lower protein expression intra-articularly. Re-dosing with a different serotype to attain therapeutic levels of protein confirmed establishment of successful transduction. This is the first study in an equine model to establish a dosing/redosing protocol, as well as examine the Nab response to capsid and supports further clinical investigation to determine the clinical efficacy of scAAVIL-1ra to treat OA.
Pain and its implication as a presenting symptom in oral cavity cancer.

Article Title and Bibliographic Information Pain complaint as the first symptom of oral cancer: a descriptive study Cuffari L, Tesseroli de Siqueira JT, Nemr K, Rapaport A. Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2006;102(1):56-61 . Level of Evidence 4 Purpose/Question Investigators in this study, via a retrospective chart review (case series), attempt to discover a correlation between oral cavity cancer and pain as an initial presenting symptom. They go on to further investigate the relation of that pain with gender, site, and stage of the cancer as well. Source of Funding Information not available Type of Study/Design Retrospective Chart Review
Predicting organic thin-film transistor carrier type from single molecule calculations

Abstract The hole- or electron-conducting ability of functionalized acene-derivative organic molecular semiconductor thin-films can be predicted by electrochemical measurements of the frontier molecular orbital energies. We find that PM6 calculations using a Conductor-like Polarizable Continuum Model (CPCM) solvent are in complete qualitative agreement with the electrochemical results, and B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p)//B3LYP/6-31G(d) CPCM calculations are in quantitative agreement with the electrochemical results, given a suitable linear scaling function presented in this paper. These calculated electrochemical results can thus be used to predict the charge-carrier type of the resulting thin-film organic semiconductor device, enabling rapid computational screening of new materials. We also examine the role of internal reorganization energy and dielectric medium shifts to modify carrier conduction. Neither effect is large enough to explain the experimental results, demonstrating the importance of the relative orientations and packing of the molecules in the thin-film.
Localized orbitals for arbitrary molecular wave functions.

Localized orbitals defined for arbitrary wave functions for atoms and molecules with even or odd number of electrons, noting positive trihydrogen ion
"They Are the Reason I Come to Work": The Meaning of Resident-Staff Relationships in Assisted Living.

Abstract This article aims to provide understanding of how direct care workers (DCWs) in assisted living facilities (ALFs) interpret their relationships with residents and to identify factors that influence the development, maintenance, quality, and meaning of these relationships. Qualitative methods were used to study two ALFs (35 and 75 beds) sequentially over seven months. Researchers conducted in-depth interviews with 5 administrative staff and 38 DCWs and conducted 243 h of participant observation during a total of 99 visits. Data were analyzed using a grounded theory approach. Results showed that the emotional aspect of caregiving provides meaning to DCWs through both the satisfaction inherent in relationships and through the effect of relationships on care outcomes. Within the context of the wider community and society, multiple individual- and facility-level factors influence DCW strategies to create and manage relationships and carry out care tasks and ultimately find meaning in their work. These meanings affect their job satisfaction and retention.
Supercritical fluid-polymer interactions: phase equilibrium data for solutions of polystyrenes in n-butane and n-pentane

Abstract The phase separation of monodisperse polystyrene samples of different molecular weights in n-butane and n-pentane has been examined under both subcritical and supercritical conditions. A high-pressure variable-volume viewing cell capable of operating up to 100 MPa and 500 K permits the determination of phase separation points. A concentration range from 0.5 to 80% by weight has been studied. The phase behaviour of these solutions is discussed in terms of the demixing curves as well as the coexistence curves that are obtained from them. The demixing pressures depend upon the nature of the solvent and the molecular weight and concentration of the polymer in the solution.
Matched-pairs analysis of ovarian suppression during oral vs. vaginal hormonal contraceptive use.

Abstract Background This study was conducted to compare ovarian suppression during oral vs. vaginal hormonal contraceptive use. Secondary aims included comparison of endometrial thickness and bleeding patterns. Methods In two open-label trials assessing ovarian suppression, 33 compliant women completed both studies. They first used oral contraceptive pills (OCs) [randomized to either 20 mcg ethinyl estradiol (EE)/100 mcg levonorgestrel (LNG) or 30 mcg EE/150 mcg LNG] and subsequently used contraceptive vaginal rings (CVRs) (daily release of 15 mcg EE/120 mcg etonogestrel), all 21/7-day regimens. Participants had at least one run-in cycle using each contraceptive method prior to evaluation. During one cycle of each method, women underwent biweekly transvaginal sonography to measure ovarian follicular diameters and endometrial thickness. We also noted presence of a corpus luteum or a ruptured follicle as a marker of ovulation. Participants recorded bleeding days on paper calendars. We used matched-pairs analyses as appropriate. Results During follow-up, we identified at least one ovarian follicle ≥8 mm in 20/33 (61%) OC users and 12/33 (36%) CVR users (matched-pairs analysis, p=.02). Similar trends were seen for larger follicles; however, we had limited statistical power to evaluate these differences. Median follicular diameter among OC users was larger than median follicular diameter among CVR users (p=.01). We did not observe a corpus luteum or ruptured follicle in any participant during either study. Endometrial thickness was similar during OC and CVR use (mean 4.1±1.4 vs. 4.1±1.6 mm, p=.9), as was the number of bleeding or spotting days (mean 2.1±2.4 vs. 1.9±2.1, p=.8). Oral contraceptive pill dose was unrelated to follicle diameter, endometrial thickness or bleeding. Conclusions Ovarian follicles ≥8 mm were more common in 33 compliant women during OC use than during CVR use, indicating that CVR use results in greater ovarian suppression than OC use.
Turner syndrome (45x) with clitoromegaly.

MV, a 6-year-old female, presented for evaluation of ambiguous genitalia. The examination was significant for short stature, high arched palate and cubitus valgus. Genital examination revealed an enlarged phallic structure 3 cm in length, a perineal urethra and a vaginal introitus. The labioscrotal folds were mildly rugated and nonfused, with no palpable gonads (fig. 1). A voiding cystourethrogram demonstrated a normal female urethra and a cervical impression. Abdominopelvic ultrasonography showed a uterus, a solitary left kidney and no identifiable gonads. 17-Hydroxyprogesterone and testosterone levels were normal, with values of 23 ng/dl (normal 3 to 82) and less than 4 ng/dl (normal less than 10), respectively. Cytogenetic analysis of peripheral blood revealed a 45X karyotype in all 30 dividing cells studied. Because of the finding of virilization, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies with probes for the X and Y centromeres were performed on 200 interphase peripheral blood cells. All cells demonstrated 1 X signal and no Y signal, eliminating a diagnosis of Y mosaicism in the peripheral blood. A FISH study for SRY gene was also performed on 10 dividing cells from the peripheral blood, with no SRY signal detected. Controls were run in parallel and showed normal signals for the probes. The patient underwent bilateral laparoscopic gonadectomy, right herniorrhaphy and clitoroplasty. Pathological examination of the right adnexa was consistent with a cryptorchid testis with interstitial fibrosis and seminiferous tubules, epididymal tissue and a fallopian tube (fig. 2). The left adnexa consisted of fibrous connective tissue stroma, embryonal wolffian tube remnants and focal tissue suggestive of a streak ovary. FISH studies for SRY gene and X and Y centromeres were performed on formalin fixed gonadal tissue but failed to detect any Y signals. Fifty interphase cells were analyzed for each probe with control studies performed in parallel. DISCUSSION
Electronic behavior and cationic defects in cubic transition metal oxides

Abstract A comparison study has been made between the cubic monoxides and oxide spinels of iron, manganese, and cobalt in terms of cation defect structures and electrical properties. Although all six oxides share close-packed oxygen sublattices and have similar point defect structures, there are considerable differences between conduction processes. Whether or not an octahedral/tetrahedral cation exchange reaction occurs may play a central role in governing conduction. In the iron oxides, n-type small polaron conduction takes place with small hopping energies (0.11–0.16 eV) between octahedral Fe2+ and Fe3+, with the cation intersite reaction playing a dominant role. Very different behaviors are observed in the spinels and monoxides of manganese and cobalt. Intersite exchange is highly unlikely in these materials. Instead, disproportionation on the octahedral sites results in p-type small polaron conduction with larger hopping energies (0.25, 0.79 eV) between octahedral M4+ and M3+ in the spinels of cobalt and manganese. At higher temperatures, yet another small polaron mechanism prevails in cobalt spinel. In contrast, no hopping energy is apparent for either MnO or CoO.
Advances in Understanding Carboxysome Assembly in Prochlorococcus and Synechococcus Implicate CsoS2 as a Critical Component

The marine Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus are the numerically dominant cyanobacteria in the ocean and important in global carbon fixation. They have evolved a CO2-concentrating-mechanism, of which the central component is the carboxysome, a self-assembling proteinaceous organelle. Two types of carboxysome, α and β, encapsulating form IA and form IB d-ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase, respectively, differ in gene organization and associated proteins. In contrast to the β-carboxysome, the assembly process of the α-carboxysome is enigmatic. Moreover, an absolutely conserved α-carboxysome protein, CsoS2, is of unknown function and has proven recalcitrant to crystallization. Here, we present studies on the CsoS2 protein in three model organisms and show that CsoS2 is vital for α-carboxysome biogenesis. The primary structure of CsoS2 appears tripartite, composed of an N-terminal, middle (M)-, and C-terminal region. Repetitive motifs can be identified in the N- and M-regions. Multiple lines of evidence suggest CsoS2 is highly flexible, possibly an intrinsically disordered protein. Based on our results from bioinformatic, biophysical, genetic and biochemical approaches, including peptide array scanning for protein-protein interactions, we propose a model for CsoS2 function and its spatial location in the α-carboxysome. Analogies between the pathway for β-carboxysome biogenesis and our model for α-carboxysome assembly are discussed.
Labour analgesia with intrathecal fentanyl decreases maternal stress

Lumbar epidural analgesia (LEA) decreases maternal stress as measured by maternal circulating plasma catecholamine concentrations. Intrathecal fentanyl (ITF) provides effective labour analgesia but its effect on maternal epinephnne (Epi) and norepinephnine (NE) concentrations is not known. This study assesses whether ITF reduces maternal stress in the same manner as conventional LEA. Twenty-four healthy women in active labour received either 25 μ/g ITF (n = 12) or epidural lidocaine 1.5% (n = 12) for analgesia. Venous blood samples were collected before anaesthesia and at five minute intervals for 30 mm following anaesthesia for the measurement of plasma Epi and NE by high performance liquid chromatography. Maternal blood pressure (BP), heart rate (HR), visual analog scores (VAS) to pain and pruntus were recorded at the same time. Both ITF and LEA decreased pain VAS scores, maternal BP, and plasma Epi concentrations with only minimal effects on plasma NE concentrations. Intrathecal fentanyl (ITF) and LEA reduced plasma epi to a similar extent, with ITF reducing the levels slightly faster than LEA. Intrathecal fentanyi(ITF) and LEA reduced plasma Epi concentrations by 52% and 51%, respectively (P value < 0.01). We conclude that ITF is as effective as LEA in producing pain relief in the labounng patient. Intrathecal Fentanyl (ITF) is also capable of reducing maternal plasma epmephnne concentration, thus avoiding the possibly deleterious side effects of excess amounts of this catecholamme during labour.
Electrical resistivity of NbO

The resistivity of NbOx (0.99 ⩽ x ⩽ 1.03) boules containing 3 to 5 grains is reported for the range 77–900°K. The material is an excellent conductor with a positive temperature coefficient of resistivity. The results are compared with some earlier work, which seems to require correction, and with unpublished work which is confirmed by this study.
Heavy reflux PSA cycles for CO2 recovery from flue gas: Part I. Performance evaluation

This study evaluated nine stripping PSA cycle configurations, all with a heavy reflux (HR) step, some with a light reflux (LR) step, and some with a recovery (REC) or feed plus recycle (F+R) step, for concentrating CO2 from stack and flue gas at high temperature (575 K) using a K-promoted HTlc. Under the process conditions studied, the addition of the LR step always resulted in a better process performance; and in all cases, the addition of a REC or F+R step surprisingly did not affect the process performance except at low feed throughputs, where either cycle step resulted in a similar diminished performance. The best cycle based on overall performance was a 5-bed 5-step stripping PSA cycle with LR and HR from countercurrent depressurization (CnD) (98.7% CO2 purity, 98.7% CO2 recovery and 5.8 L STP/hr/kg feed throughput). The next best cycle was a 5-bed 5-step stripping PSA cycle with LR and HR from LR purge (96.5% CO2 purity, 71.1% CO2 recovery and 57.6 L STP/hr/kg feed throughput). These improved performances were caused mainly by the use of a very small purge to feed ratio (γ=0.02) for the former cycle and a larger one (γ=0.50) for the latter cycle. The former cycle was good for producing CO2 at high purities and recoveries but at lower feed throughputs, and the latter cycle was useful for obtaining CO2 at high purities and feed throughputs but at lower recoveries. The best performance of a 4-bed 4-step stripping PSA cycle with HR from CnD was disappointing because of low CO2 recoveries (99.2% CO2 purity, 15.2% CO2 recovery and 72.0 L STP/hr/kg feed throughput). This last result revealed that the recoveries of this cycle would always be much lower than the corresponding cycles with a LR step, no matter the process conditions, and that the LR step was very important to the performance of these HR cycles for this application and process conditions studied.
A computer model for wetting hysteresis 1. A virtual wetting balance

Abstract The modified Wilhelmy plate method is widely used to determine the wettability of solid surfaces by probe liquids. This is accomplished by monitoring the wetting force experienced by a solid suspended from a microbalance during immersion into and emersion from the fluid. In the absence of surface roughness, fluctuations in force observed as the liquid slides over the solid and hysteresis between the advancing and receding modes of measurement are caused by surface chemical heterogeneity. An independent analysis based upon the fundamental rules of stick-slip behavior of the moving contact line is developed to explain these effects quantitatively and to predict the hysteresis loop for a known surface. The extent of hysteresis and the amplitude and frequency of force fluctuations are shown to depend upon the nature of the heterogeneity and its spatial distribution. A detailed description of the model is given, followed by results of computer simulations performed on model surfaces. The results agree well with previous experimental work.
Interaction of picrotoxin with GABAA receptor channel-lining residues probed in cysteine mutants

We used the substituted-cysteine-accessibility method to identify the channel-lining residues in a region (257–261) near the putative cytoplasmic end of the M2 membrane-spanning segment of the rat gamma-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor alpha 1 subunit. The residues alpha 1Val257 and alpha 1Thr261 were accessible to charged, sulfhydryl-specific reagents applied extracellularly in both the open and closed states. The accessibility of alpha 1V257C and alpha 1T261C in the closed state implies that the gate must be at least as close to the cytoplasmic end of the channel as alpha 1Val257. Also, the positively charged reagent methanethiosulfonate ethylammonium penetrated from the extracellular end of the channel to alpha 1T261C, with which it reacted, indicating that the anion-selectivity filter is closer to the cytoplasmic end of the channel than this residue is. Co-application of picrotoxin prevented the sulfhydryl reagents from reacting with alpha 1V257C but did not prevent reaction with the more extracellular residue alpha 1T261C. Picrotoxin protection of alpha 1V257C may be due to steric block by picrotoxin bound in the channel at the level of alpha 1Val257; however, if this protection is allosteric, it is not due to the induction of the resting closed state in which alpha 1V257C was accessible to sulfhydryl reagent.
VisANT: an integrative framework for networks in systems biology

The essence of a living cell is adaptation to a changing environment, and a central goal of modern cell biology is to understand adaptive change under normal and pathological conditions. Because the number of components is large, and processes and conditions are many, visual tools are useful in providing an overview of relations that would otherwise be far more difficult to assimilate. Historically, representations were static pictures, with genes and proteins represented as nodes, and known or inferred correlations between them (links) represented by various kinds of lines. The modern challenge is to capture functional hierarchies and adaptation to environmental change, and to discover pathways and processes embedded in known data, but not currently recognizable. Among the tools being developed to meet this challenge is VisANT (freely available at http://visant.bu.edu) which integrates, mines and displays hierarchical information. Challenges to integrating modeling (discrete or continuous) and simulation capabilities into such visual mining software are briefly discussed.
Consumers’ judgments of numerical and price information

Usually price information is presented as arabic numerals and consumers’ brand selections often involve comparative judgments of product prices. One important issue concerns whether consumers process price information in a similar way to that found in numerical cognition research. Since numerical processing is a learned, primarily automatic process, whether such processing interferes with or facilitates the processing of price information is an important question. It is important because a better understanding of how people process price information has implications for how managers should establish and communicate prices. This paper reports two studies that compare the processing of price with other numerical information.
Linkages between utilization of prostate surgical pathology services and physician self-referral.

OBJECTIVE Federal law prohibits a physician from referring Medicare patients for procedures or services to health care entities in which the physician has a financial relationship. This law has exceptions which enable physicians to self-refer under certain conditions. This study evaluates the effects of self-referral on use rates of surgical pathology services performed in conjunction with prostate biopsies and whether such changes are linked to urologist self-referral arrangements. DATA AND SAMPLE A targeted market area case study design was employed to identify the sample from Medicare claims data. The sample included male beneficiaries who resided in geographically dispersed counties; were continuously enrolled in Medicare fee-for-service (FFS) during 2005-2007; and who met the criteria to be a potential candidate to undergo a prostate biopsy. OUTCOMES Prostate biopsy procedures per 1000 male Medicare beneficiaries in each county; counts of surgical pathology specimens (jars) associated with prostate biopsy procedures per 1000 male Medicare beneficiaries in each county. FINDINGS Regression analysis shows the self-referral share (percentage) of total utilization was associated with significant increases in the use rate of prostate surgical pathology specimens (p<.01). The use rate of prostate surgical pathology specimens (jars) would be 41.5 units higher in a county where the self-referral share of total utilization was 50% compared to a county with no self-referral (share equals 0%). CONCLUSIONS The findings show that urologist self-referral of prostate surgical pathology services results in increased utilization and higher Medicare spending. The results suggest that exceptions in federal and state self-referral prohibitions need to be reevaluated.
Relevance of the Bayesian paradigm for “applied probabilists”

The preceding explanation of a Bayesian time series analysis supports the claim of Professor Singpurwalla that statistical inference should be done according to the Bayesian paradigm. The Bayesian analysis was carried out using only the probability calculus. This is an example of how statistics is done within the Bayesian perspective. A straightforward application of the Bayes theorem produced the two basic results, which in turn allowed an implementation of the four stages of a time series analysis. Thus, a unified and simplified treatment is possible with the Bayesian paradigm.
APPN—An Introduction

This first article in a series on managing APPN Networks briefly introduces a relatively new networking architecture. Both traditional hierarchical SNA Networks and modern distributed Client/Server environments highly benefit from utilizing APPN functionality in their network configurations. APPN actually grew up in an environment which combines these two worlds: The IBM midrange computer environment based on AS/400 machines. APPN is part of IBM SNA (Systems Network Architecture) and many abbreviations in this series of articles actually are commonly used SNA terms.
Time-multiplexed photonically enabled radio-frequency arbitrary waveform generation with 100 ps transitions

For the first time, to our knowledge, radio-frequency arbitrary waveforms are time-multiplexed within 100 ps by integrating wavelength switching, optical frequency comb generation, and spectral line-by-line shaping. The novel time-multiplexed scheme demonstrated here can be extended to wide user specifications and faster waveform transition time.
Endoscopic resection of large sporadic non-ampullary duodenal polyps: efficacy and long-term recurrence

Background Endoscopic resection is an alternative to surgery for removal of large duodenal polyps. There are limited data on the safety, efficacy, and long-term recurrence data after endoscopic resection of sporadic, non-ampullary, and large duodenal polyps.
Why Divorce Laws Matter: Incentives for Noncontractible Marital Investments under Unilateral and Consent Divorce

The Coase Theorem suggests that married couples will divorce if and only if doing so increases their joint surplus, regardless of the legal rules governing divorce. This does not mean, however, that divorce laws only affect the distribution of rents. Because the distribution of rents affects each spouse's incentives for noncontractible investments, divorce laws can affect the joint welfare of the couple. This article analyzes the effects of the consent divorce regime and the unilateral divorce regime on incentives for selfish and cooperative marital investments. Using these results, the article demonstrates how endogenous choice of marriage with noncontractible investments can explain some recent empirical results concerning the effects of the shift from consent divorce to unilateral divorce. (JEL C78, D1, D23, J12, J18, K3, K36) The Author 2007. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Yale University. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org, Oxford University Press.
Oxidation of Methionine Residues in Polypeptide Ions Via Gas-Phase Ion/Ion Chemistry

The gas-phase oxidation of methionine residues is demonstrated here using ion/ion reactions with periodate anions. Periodate anions are observed to attach in varying degrees to all polypeptide ions irrespective of amino acid composition. Direct proton transfer yielding a charge-reduced peptide ion is also observed. In the case of methionine and, to a much lesser degree, tryptophan-containing peptide ions, collisional activation of the complex ion generated by periodate attachment yields an oxidized peptide product (i.e., [M + H + O]+), in addition to periodic acid detachment. Detachment of periodic acid takes place exclusively for peptides that do not contain either a methionine or tryptophan side chain. In the case of methionine-containing peptides, the [M + H + O]+ product is observed at a much greater abundance than the proton transfer product (viz., [M + H]+). Collisional activation of oxidized Met-containing peptides yields a signature loss of 64 Da from the precursor and/or product ions. This unique loss corresponds to the ejection of methanesulfenic acid from the oxidized methionine side chain and is commonly used in solution-phase proteomics studies to determine the presence of oxidized methionine residues. The present work shows that periodate anions can be used to ‘label’ methionine residues in polypeptides in the gas phase. The selectivity of the periodate anion for the methionine side chain suggests several applications including identification and location of methionine residues in sequencing applications.
Pharmacokinetic evaluation of percutaneous hepatic venous isolation for administration of regional chemotherapy

Hepatic artery infusion (HAI) chemotherapy has been used to treat patients with unresectable liver tumours. We report a preclinical study of the pharmacokinetics of HAI combined with hepatic venous drug extraction (HVDE) for regional administration of doxorubicin. HVDE was aided by a double balloon catheter inserted via femoral vein cutdown into the inferior vena cava to collect all hepatic vein blood. Pigs received doxorubicin 0.5–9.0 mg kg −1 over 90 min via HAI or systemic infusion (SYSI). HVDE was performed for 240 min. SYSI pigs underwent hepatic venous isolation without drug filtration. Doxorubicin levels were assayed using high-pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC). HAI/HVDE reduced systemic exposure to doxorubicin with equivalent hepatic exposure at all doses. Pharmacokinetic enhancement ranged from 7.0 to 22.3 for peak concentration, 8.8–23.2 for the area under the curve and 2.9–4.2 for tissue concentration. HAI/HVDE also prevented the mortality which was observed with SYSI administration of high-dose (5.0 and 9.0 mg kg −1 ) doxorubicin. We conclude that HAI/HVDE reduces systemic exposure to doxorubicin as compared with SYSI of equivalent doses. Pharmacokinetic enhancement indices suggest that HAI/HVDE may allow equivalent hepatic drug exposure with reduced systemic exposure. This method may be applicable to other drugs and to other anatomic settings in which enhanced regional drug delivery is desirable.
Atomic models of amorphous selenium

Abstract A critical review of the literature has been carried out on the structure of amorphous selenium. Two molecular models were then constructed to follow the conclusions derived from the survey and to also fit newly obtained radial distribution functions for bulk quenched amorphous selenium. These computer models followed four criteria: (1) the molecules were disordered chains; (2) the chains were packed to maximize Van der Waals attractions; (3) the close-packing was achieved by letting the magnitude of the dihedral angle vary slightly and by letting the phase of the dihedral angle vary randomly; (4) closed rings were assumed to be few in number and thus negligible in fitting the RDF. It was found that the percentage of cis and trans configurations in the molecules could vary widely and still be consistent with both the radial distribution function and with physical criteria. Thus the cis/trans ratio, or the phase of the dihedral angle, is not unique for amorphous selenium. The structure of a-Se may be described as consisting of coiled disordered chains which are packed in such a way as to minimize the Van der Waals bond lengths in a minimum cluster which has a radius of 11 A.
Effects of Traumatic Brain Injury on Arachidonic Acid Metabolism and Brain Water Content in the Rat

During the past decade, it has become increasingly clear that central nervous system trauma may produce tissue injury through both direct and indirect mechanisms.' Direct effects occur acutely as a result of mechanical disruption, with subsequent rapid cell death. Indirect effects are delayed and develop over a period of minutes to hours following the initial trauma. A variety of biochemical and physiological changes have been postulated to contribute to this delayed, secondary injury process, including: alterations in lipid metabolism: disruption of magnesium ion homeo~tasis,~ and edema formation! In the present study, preliminary results on changes in tissue lipids, magnesium, and edema following experimental traumatic brain injury to rats5 are reported. Any statistically significant differences among the control and experimental groups were determined by analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a Dunnett's posthoc test (* = significantly different from controls, p 5 0.05). Tissue levels of free fatty acids (FFA), total phospholipid, cholesterol, thromboxane B2, and water content were measured over time in the brains of rats subjected to fluid-percussion traumatic brain injury of moderate severity (2.0-2.2 atmospheres). Brains of injured animals and sham-operated controls were frozen in situ with liquid N2 at 10 min, 4 h, and 24 h postinjury, and the area that has been shown histologically to be the site of maximal injury (left parietal cortex) was dissected out. Trauma resulted in small increases in FFA levels a t the site of injury a t 10 min and 4 h, and much larger increases a t 24 h. Among the FFA, the largest increases were observed in stearate (control = 1.5 k 0.1, 10 rnin = 6.9 k 0.1*, 4 h = 7.4 * Oh*, 24 h = 17 .3 f 1 . 1 * pg/mg protein) arachidonate (control = 0.1 f 0.01, 10 rnin = 0.6 + 0.02*, 4 hr = 1.2 + 0.1*, 24 hr = 2.4 f 0.2*) and docosahexaenoate (control = 0.1 * 0.01, 10 rnin = 0.1 + 0.01, 4 h = 1 . 1 f 0.1*, 24 h = 2.7 * 0.2*). Total brain phospholipid and cholesterol levels were significantly decreased at all postinjury time points studied. Thromboxane levels were markedly elevated a t 10 min postinjury, substantially declined by 4 h, and approached control values a t 24 h (control = 8.7 * 2.8, 10 rnin = 636.4 8.3 33.1, 4 h = 110.8 11.4, 24 hr = 18.1
An investigation of soot formation in axisymmetric turbulent diffusion flames at elevated pressure

Turbulent, axisymmetric, ethylene-air diffusion flames were studied at pressures from 0.1 to 0.8 MPa for flame-tip Reynolds numbers from 5300 to 21 000. Local and integrated soot volume fractions were determined from measurements of laser attenuation by the soot. Integrals of the soot volume fraction over the flame cross section increase with axial position in the early, soot-formation region of the flames, peaking at approximately one half of the visible flame length for all pressures. Radial soot-volume-fraction profiles are Gaussian, the width of the profiles increasing roughly linearly with axial position. For flames with the same flame-tip Reynolds number and residence time, the soot yield at the axial location of the peak soot volume fraction increases as p1.4 for pressure p between 0.1 MPa and 0.5 MPa. At pressures greater than about 0.3 MPa, flames with long characteristic residence times have lower peak integrated soot volume fractions than comparable flames with relatively shorter residence times.
Environmental seasonality and incremental growth rates of beaver (Castor canadensis) incisors: implications for palaeobiology

Abstract Periradicular bands are incremental structures seen on the external dentin surfaces of rodent incisors. They correspond to circadian developmental rhythms in dentin growth and provide a record of the growth rate of the incisor along its longitudinal axis. In the present study, we investigate the relationship between daily environmental temperatures and longitudinal growth rates of incisors in 40 Recent beavers ( Castor canadensis ). We also look for trends in growth rates that reflect precipitation or photoperiod. The goal is to explore the potential of using longitudinal growth data as indicators of seasonality in past environments. The sample consists of upper and lower incisors of fall-harvested beavers and upper incisors of winter-harvested beavers with known dates of death. All distances between sequential periradicular bands were measured using a dissecting microscope fitted with an ocular micrometer. All increments for each individual were matched to corresponding dates of formation. Records of daily temperatures, precipitation, and photoperiod corresponding to the locality and period of growth represented by the teeth were obtained from the National Weather Service. Time series for both dental increments and temperature were smoothed using nonparametric regression to partition “primary” (seasonal or long-term) and “secondary” (daily or short-term) signals. Upper and lower incisors differ in their primary signals in that uppers exhibit a marked decline in growth rate during the late summer and early fall, leveling off in the late fall. This trend roughly parallels seasonal decreases in temperature, precipitation, and photoperiod, although the decline in growth rate begins while the weather is still warm (in late summer). In contrast, lower incisors show only a very weak seasonal trend in growth rate. Analysis of residuals from the trend lines reveals only a weak association between daily growth rate and both daily temperature changes and precipitation. The results suggest that longitudinal growth rates in upper incisors may be used to estimate season of death in fossil rodents.
A shear-lag model for three-dimensional, unidirectional multilayered structures

A shear-lag model is derived for unidirectional multilayered structures whose constituents vary throughout the cross-section through the extension of an existing optimal shear-lag model suitable for two-dimensional planar structures. Solution algorithms for a variety of boundary conditions are discussed. Numerical predictions for a single-fiber composite and a unidirectional laminated composite are presented. Comparison of the predicted interfacial shear stresses and average normal stresses to finite element analysis demonstrates that this shear-lag model can be used to rapidly estimate the average normal stress distribution in the various constituents, although the interfacial shear stresses are less accurate. Possible applications and limitations of the new model are finally discussed.