cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Coordination chemistry of N-tetraalkylated cyclam ligands—A status report

Abstract N-alkylation of macrocyclic amines has a significant impact on their properties as ligands for metal ions. This article examines the development of the coordination chemistry of N-alkylated cyclam ligands from its inception in 1973 with the first report of tetramethylcyclam. Emphasis is on: (1) the stereochemistry of metal complexation, including the effects of inclusion of functional groups in one or two of the N-alkyl groups; (2) the effect of N-alkylation on the metal–donor interaction; (3) the ability of tertiary amine ligands to stabilize complexes of metal ions in unusual oxidation states.
Evaluation of various methods of intravenous contrast enhancement for thoraco-abdominal spiral CT scanning in trauma patients

The purpose of this study was to determine the optimal contrast concentration, volume, and injection rate for helical CT imaging of trauma patients requiring evaluation of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis. Two hundred forty patients were randomized into six different regimen groups for administration of iohexol nonionic intravenous contrast medium, each regimen containing 36 g iodine, with various injection rates, volumes, and concentrations of intravenous contrast enhancement. Parenchymal and vascular enhancement was objectively measured by obtaining pre- and post-contrast attenuation values of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, liver, and spleen, as well as post-contrast attenuation values of vascular enhancement of the portal vein and iliac artery. The contrast-enhanced images were subjectively reviewed by four radiologists blinded to the contrast administration techniques and objective evaluation results. It was found that while our ability to evaluate the abdominal organs was essentially equivalent with all six contrast administration regimens, our ability to evaluate the thoracic aorta was significantly better using 150 ml iohexol (Omnipaque 240) at 3 ml/s than with the other methods. Therefore, we recommend the use of 150 ml iohexol (Omnipaque 240) at 3 ml/s for combined chest and abdominal studies in patients with blunt trauma.
Effects of experimental conditions on the interaction of filipin and pimaricin with cholesterol.

The effect of salts, small neutral molecules, detergents, and organic solvents on the interaction of filipin and pimaricin with cholesterol was investigated using fluorometric techniques. The salts and small molecules, at concentrations of 0.5 mM-100 mM, showed no effect on the interaction of filipin with cholesterol. The interaction of pimaricin with cholesterol was slightly decreased in the presence of 100 mM MgCl2 or CaCl2. The detergents sodium deoxycholate and lauryl sulfate altered the fluorescence properties of the polyenes and precluded the interaction of the polyenes with cholesterol. The organic solvents dimethylformamide, ethanol, acetone, and iso-propanol when present at 0.1-1% (v/v) did not affect the fluorescence properties of pimaricin or the pimaricin-cholesterol complex. However, these solvents changed the fluorescence properties of filipin as well as its capacity to interact with cholesterol. These data indicate that low concentrations of some organic solvents and detergents can affect the fluorescence properties of these polyenes in a manner not directly related to the interaction of the polyene with sterol. Light scattering experiments indicate that the different solvents used to solubilize cholesterol produce suspensions of varying size when injected into the aqueous solutions. The extent of the subsequent interaction with the polyene antibiotic correlates with the light scattering properties of these suspensions.
Prevalence of and interest in unionization among staff pharmacists.

Abstract Background Although the propensity for staff pharmacists to join a labor union has never been high, conditions in the profession and workplace have changed over the last decade. Some of these changes may result in staff pharmacists joining a labor union, as well as increased interest in staff pharmacists who are currently not union members to join. Objectives The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the degree of union membership among staff pharmacists in 6 states, (2) compare the practice settings, work activities and conditions, compensation, and demographic characteristics between union and nonunion staff pharmacists, (3) assess the level of interest in joining a union among nonunion staff pharmacists, and (4) compare the practice settings, work activities and working conditions, wages and benefits, and demographic characteristics between nonunion staff pharmacists interested in joining a union and nonunion staff pharmacists who were not interested in joining a union. Methods A biennial pharmacist compensation study was conducted in 6 states (Florida, Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota, Tennessee, Wisconsin) in late 2003. Randomly selected pharmacists were mailed a self-administered questionnaire asking about their practice setting, work activities and conditions, wages and benefits, and demographic characteristics. Respondents were also asked to indicate current membership in a union and, if not a member, their desire to unionize their workplace. Results Compensation and unionization data were provided by 2,180 respondents (27% usable response rate), of which 1,226 (56%) were staff pharmacists. Eight percent of the staff pharmacists were union members, whereas 18% of nonunion members would vote to unionize their workplace. There were few statistically significant differences between union and nonunion staff pharmacists regarding work activities, working conditions, and hourly wages. However, the benefits provided to union staff pharmacists differed from those provided to nonunion staff pharmacists in several ways. Union staff pharmacists were younger than their nonunion counterparts (40.9 vs 44.5 years, P = .01), yet had worked for their current employers a longer time (11.1 vs 7.3 years, P = .03). Nonunion staff pharmacists interested in joining a union differed from those who would not by practice location and setting, working conditions, and benefits. Conclusions Although the union membership rate among staff pharmacists is relatively low, there are geographic and practice areas where membership rates are higher. Differences in work activities, working conditions, wages, and benefits were noted between union and nonunion staff pharmacists as well as between those who would join a union and those who would not. These differences merit further investigation, especially with respect to evaluating the effectiveness of unions and identifying factors that may lead nonunionized staff pharmacists to join a union.
Identification of a lectin that induces cell death in developing chicken B cells.

Abstract The bursa of Fabricius is required for the development of a diverse B cell repertoire in chickens. Bursal B cells are dependent on survival signals within the bursa and their removal from the bursa results in death by apoptosis. To find molecules that regulate B cell survival, a panel of mAb and lectins was screened for the ability to either accelerate or prevent B cell death in culture. The fucose-specific lectinAleuria aurantiaagglutinin (AAA) rapidly rendered B cells permeable to propidium iodide. Incubation with the lectin also accelerated the appearance of internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and nuclear condensation, characteristics of apoptotic cell death. On Western blots the lectin detects a single protein band of ∼48–50 kDa molecular weight. AAA detects fucose in an α1-6 linkage and the restriction of this fucose linkage to a single protein suggests that it may be functionally important in the regulation of cell survival.
Impact of land-use on the acid and trace element composition of precipitation in the North Central U.S.

Event (wet-only) precipitation and snow core samples from a transect across northern Minnesota provided a means for examining the influence of land-use on the composition of wet deposition. Analyses included major cations (Al, Ca, Mg, Fe, Mn), major anions (SO4, NO3), trace metals (Cu, Cd, Pb, Cr, Ni, Zn), ammonia and pH. Volume-weighted mean concentrations, elemental enrichments, correlations and factor analyses suggest that soil-sources dominate for major ions, and to some extent for trace elements, corresponding to the prairie-agricultural areas of western Minnesota and eastern North Dakota. In the forested region of northeastern Minnesota, the soil function is less important and anthropogenic sources are dominant for most trace elements, SO4 and NO3. Soil-derived cations (NH4+, Ca2+, Mg2+) partially neutralize precipitation acidity in areas close to agricultural lands.
Monocyte chemoattractant activity of Ser195 → Ala active site mutant recombinant α-thrombin

Abstract α-Thrombin is chemotactic for human monocytes with optimal activity between 10-100 n M . The mechanism by which this response is mediated remains a point of controversy. The purpose of this study was to compare the chemotactic activity of proteolytically inactive thrombin (active site Ser 195 → Ala mutant or Phe-Pro-Arg-chloromethyl ketone-inactivated thrombin) to thrombin and the "tethered ligand" thrombin receptor agonist peptide SFLLRN (single-letter amino acid code). Monocyte chemotaxis was compared to an optimal concentration (10 n M , considered to be 100%) of formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLP). Proteolytically inactive thrombin (38% of fMLP) had similar chemotactic activity to active thrombin (46% of fMLP) at a concentration of 100 n M . Chemotaxis to SFLLRN was comparable to that of a control hexapeptide (FSLNLR) which is not an agonist for the tethered ligand thrombin receptor. Cross-desensitization experiments showed that pretreatment of monocytes with either mutant or active thrombin reduced subsequent chemotaxis to both thrombin chemotaxins. Pretreatment with SFLLRN did not decrease subsequent chemotaxis to either form of thrombin. Calcium flux measurements showed that both active thrombin and SFLLRN induced a rapid increase in monocyte and platelet intracellular calcium concentration. However, there was no intracellular calcium change in response to mutant thrombin or FSLNLR. Likewise, active thrombin and SFLLRN induced a rapid net increase in polymerized actin, but mutant thrombin and FSLNLR did not. By contrast, both active and mutant thrombin induced a polarization of monotocyte morphology and actin distribution. This polarization has been associated with directed migration in many cell types. SFLLRN, however, induced a symmetrical increase in polymerized actin. These results suggest that measurements of intracellular calcium and polymerized actin are not perfect surrogate tests for true chemotactic activity. These results show that thrombin proteolysis is not required for monocyte chemotaxis and may be mediated by interaction with a binding site other than the tethered ligand thrombin receptor.
The impact of resection margin status and postoperative CA19-9 levels on survival and patterns of recurrence after postoperative high-dose radiotherapy with 5-FU-based concurrent chemotherapy for resectable pancreatic cancer.

Objectives: To analyze the impact of surgical margins and other clinicopathological data on treatment outcomes on 75 patients treated from 1999 to 2006 by initial potentially curative surgery (±intraoperative radiotherapy), followed by high-dose 3-dimensional conformal radiation therapy and concomitant fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy. Materials and Methods: All clinical and pathologic data on this patient cohort were analyzed by actuarial Kaplan-Meier survival methodology and by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards methods to measure effects on survival and patterns of failure. Results: With a median follow-up of 28 months, the median, 2-year and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 18.1 month, 41% and 23.6%, respectively. Disease-free survival (DFS) rates were of 11.4 months, 35% and 20%, respectively. Only 2 clinicopathological features, positive (≤1 mm) surgical margins (P 70 U/mL) elevation of the postoperative serum CA19-9 (P 1 mm) surgical margins and a low (≤70 U/mL) postoperative CA19-9, the projected 2- and 5-year OS were 80% and 65%, respectively, compared with 40% and 10% with positive surgical margins and a low CA19-9 and to 10% and 0% with positive or negative surgical margins and a high (>70 U/mL) CA19-9. Positive surgical margins (P Conclusions: Using this fluoropyrimidine-based chemoradiotherapy regimen after surgical resection (±intraoperative radiotherapy), positive surgical margins and an elevated (2-fold) postoperative serum CA19-9 level predicted for reduced survival and early development of distant metastatic disease.
Mechanics and energetics of the Bain transformation

Abstract The general mechanics and energetics of the Bain transformation are presented. The Bain transformation takes a crystal from its b.c.c. configuration into its f.c.c. structure, or vice versa, by means of homogeneous axial deformations. The crystal remains b.c.t. on the transformation path, and different types of Bain transformation may be distinguished by the response of the transverse lattice parameters to incremental changes in the longitudinal lattice parameter. A rational means of comparing the various types is made possible by defining the longitudinal stretch as the independent variable or degree of transformation. It is shown that, among possible Bain transformations, the one that occurs under a uniaxial-loading environment has the lowest binding energy at any given stage of transformation. In addition, the lowest possible barrier energy for any Bain transformation occurs when the crystal passes through a special unstresssd tetragonal state that resides at a local energy maximum on the unia...
Optical manipulation of self-aligned graphene flakes in liquid crystals

Graphene recently emerged as a new two-dimensional material platform with unique optical, thermal and electronic properties. Single- or few-atom-thick graphene flakes can potentially be utilized to form structured bulk composites that further enrich these properties and enable a broad range of new applications. Here we describe optical manipulation of self-aligned colloidal graphene flakes in thermotropic liquid crystals of nematic and cholesteric types. Three-dimensional rotational and translational manipulation of graphene flakes by means of holographic optical tweezers allows for non-contact spatial patterning of graphene, control of liquid crystal defects, and low-power optical realignment of the liquid crystal director using these flakes. Potential applications include optically- and electrically-controlled reconfigurable liquid crystalline dispersions of spontaneously aligning colloidal graphene flakes and new electro-optic devices with graphene-based interconnected transparent electrodes at surfaces and in the bulk of liquid crystals.
The Joule Effect in Air

Previous methods used in determining the magnitude of the Joule effect are reviewed and their significance discussed. Essential requirements on apparatus and the technique necessary for measuring reliably this effect to within 0.1 percent are analyzed. The construction of and operational technique for a set of apparatus built to these requirements are described. Sample data on air are given and compared with other values in the literature. It is concluded that with indicated improvements in detail, the method developed here will achieve precision and reliability to within 0.1 percent.
Surfactant protein (SP)-D suppresses antigenic and mitogenic T cell activation in vitro

Abstract Rationale Pulmonary SP-D is an important immunomodulator but its mechanism of action remains unknown. To study the hypothesis that SP-D exerts its effects directly on T cells, we established an in vitro antigen rechallenge model using Aspergillus fumigatus (Af)-specific lymphocytes. Methods Lymphocytes isolated from spleens and the thoracic lymphnodes of mice sensitized and challenged with Af were studied by tritiated thymidine uptake and by FACS analysis of CFSE expression in vitro. Cytokine release was investigated by ELISA. Recombinant SP-D was purified from the supernatant of an SP-D producing CHO cell line and administered to cells at physiologically relevant 0.1–1.0 ug/ml concentrations. Results SP-D inhibited thymidine incorporation, IL-4 and IL-5 production in response to Af stimulation in a dose-dependent manner. FACS analysis of CFSE distribution showed that the proportion of Af-stimulated CD4 (but not CD8) cells was increased in the M1/2 and decreased in the M3/4 mitotic generations by SP-D treatment indicating a specific inhibitory effect on antigen-driven Th cell proliferation. Further, SP-D inhibited PMA and ionomycin-stimulated T cells and cells induced by PHA in both their proliferative and cytokine responses. The effects of PHA was partially abolished when IL-2 (10ng/ml) was added to the culture or when addition of SP-D was delayed by 24h suggesting that SP-D acts at the early phases of T cell activation. Conclusions SP-D may be an essential immunoregulator in the lung. The regulatory effects of this molecule are mediated by direct inhibition of CD4+ T cell function at the initial phase of their activation.
Discriminative Subgraph Mining for Protein Classification

Protein classification can be performed by representing 3-D protein structures by graphs and then classifying the corresponding graphs. One effective way to classify such graphs is to use frequent subgraph patterns as features; however, the effectiveness of using subgraph patterns in graph classification is often hampered by the large search space of subgraph patterns. In this paper, the authors present two efficient discriminative subgraph mining algorithms: COM and GAIA. These algorithms directly search for discriminative subgraph patterns rather than frequent subgraph patterns which can be used to generate classification rules. Experimental results show that COM and GAIA can achieve high classification accuracy and runtime efficiency. Additionally, they find substructures that are very close to the proteinsâ€™ actual active sites.
Effects of Hot Environments and Carbonated Drinking Water on Bone Characteristics of Eight-Week-Old Broiler Chicks

Abstract Epiphyses of the femura from 8-week-old broiler chicks were examined for morphology using scanning electron microscopy and for elemental composition using energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. Birds between the ages of 4 and 8 weeks were subjected to either 25 or 35 C environments and given tap or carbonated drinking water. The morphological appearance of the epiphyses was affected by the kind of drinking water but not the thermal environment. Elemental constituents, however, were affected by both environmental temperature and drinking water.
Dynamics of kaleidoscopic maps

Abstract First, we introduce a certain class of piecewise affine elliptic rotation maps on T 2 , called the kaleidoscopic maps, and describe its importance. And then, we concentrate our efforts on a special case, when the rotation angle θ of a kaleidoscopic map is θ= π n , n∈ Z + . For the special case, we answer the conjectures regarding the periodicity and the singularity structure of such (kaleidoscopic) dynamics. In the process, we prove the partial riddling of the regular orbits that gives rise to the classification of periodic sets, and estimate the Hausdorff dimension of the singular set. Finally, we study the dynamics of such kaleidoscopic maps restricted within the singular set, and answer conjectures concerning the chaos, the local chaos, and the ergodicity with respect to the normalized Hausdorff measure of the singular set.
LEGAL PROFESSIONALS AS TEACHERS OF FOSTER YOUTH: CHANGING EXPECTATIONS AND DEMANDING THE BEST

The foster care system sets low expectations for foster youth, and ultimately the system produces poor results in terms of outcomes. In its unique role, the legal system and its actors have the responsibility and opportunity to change expectations, mentor, and provide a frame work for successful reform using the skills inherent in the practice and study of the law. Importantly, foster youth must be supported and expected to achieve high educational outcomes through goals that are developed in partnership with service providers and professionals like attorneys.
Children's Mechanistic Reasoning.

Reasoning about mechanisms is one of the hallmarks of disciplined inquiry in science and engineering, but comparatively little is known about its precursors and development. Children at grades 2 and 5 predicted and explained the motion of simple mechanical systems composed entirely of visible linkages (levers). Students' explanations of device behavior suggested four forms of knowledge: simple recognition of device components, noting of structural relations among components, construction of cause-effect rules derived by observation of regularities in device behavior, and identification of essential system components and interactions among components that accounted for cause–effect rules. Only a few children coordinated multiple essential components to constitute a mechanistic causal scheme. Mechanistic causal schemes, in turn, were associated with successful prediction of the output motion of a system. Device tracing via gesture and talk appeared to support this form of knowledge development, and hence ma...
Murine Kupffer cells and hepatic natural killer cells regulate tumor growth in a quantitative model of colorectal liver metastases.

This investigation aimed to develop a biologically relevant murine model of colorectal liver metastases and determine if Kupffer cells (KC) and hepatic natural killer cells (hNKC) regulate tumor growth. The model involves the injection of murine colon adenocarcinoma 26 (MCA 26) tumor cells into the portal vein of female-specific pathogen-free BALB/c mice. Metastases developed in all animals, and the growth was limited entirely to the liver. To determine if KC and hNKC control the development of liver metastases, the in vivo function of these hepatic effector cells was modulated. Tumor growth was quantitated by the uptake of 125I into tumor DNA. Stimulation of the KC and hNKC produced a significant (P < 0.01) dose-dependent decrease in 125I uptake in the liver in both treatment groups, which was associated with a significant improvement in survival (P < 0.05). The in vivo cytotoxic function of the liver was inhibited with an intravenous injection of gadolinium chloride (for KC) or asialo GM1 antiserum (for hNKC). Inhibition of KC and hNKC cytotoxic function led to a significant (P < 0.01) increase in 1251 uptake in the liver and a significant decrease in survival (P < 0.05).
Source of the northeastern Idaho batholith: isotopic evidence for a Paleoproterozoic terrane in the northwestern U.S.

The northeastern portion of the Idaho batholith (NIB) intruded Proterozoic rocks of the Belt-Purcell supergroup between 50 and 90 Ma. Whole-rock Sm-Nd isotopic analyses of batholithic rocks yield depleted mantle model ages ($$T_{DM}$$) between 1.72 and 1.93 Ga and values of $$\epsilon_{Nd}$$ between -17.7 and -21.2, similar to associated metamorphic rocks and within the range for Belt-Purcell sedimentary rocks. Premagmatic zircons from one sample of the NIB were analyzed individually using the SHRIMP ion microprobe and yielded a single age population at 1.74 Ga. This apparently single-aged source contrasts with the range of ages reported for zircons from sedimentary rocks of the Belt-Purcell supergroup and suggests that the batholith was not the product of melting Belt-Purcell sediments, nor was it significantly contaminated with these sediments. The source of the batholith, however, appears to be of appropriate age and composition to be a major contributor of sediment to the Belt basin. In addition, the ...
Tumor Necrosis Factor/Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor Family Members That Positively Regulate Immunity

The interactions between members of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) family and their specific receptors (TNFRs) are influential in controlling cell division, life, and death. Recent evidence suggests that these interactions control the functionality and longevity of many types of cells involved in immune responses. In particular, it has become evident that certain interactions support the clonal expansion and survival of T-cells, B-cells, and dendritic cells and thus are essential for establishing a robust immune response. This review describes select TNF/TNFR family members that principally support activation and survival and prevent excessive cell death of T-cells (OX40L/OX40, 4-1BBL/4-1BB, CD30L/CD30, LIGHT/HVEM, CD70/CD27, and GITRL/GITR), B-cells (BAFF/BAFFR), and dendritic cells (RANKL/RANK). Expression of these ligands and receptors on the cell surface is highly regulated, and communication via them occurs during contact between T-cells and dendritic cells and between T-cells and B-cells. The functional dynamic between these TNF/TNFR members is slowly being unraveled, including whether these molecules act together or sequentially or control different type of immune responses. This review summarizes aspects of these TNF/TNFR interactions that are potentially important to immune responses.
Simultaneous modeling and optimization of nonlinear simulated moving bed chromatography by the prediction-correction method.

Abstract This work demonstrates a systematic prediction–correction (PC) method for simultaneously modeling and optimizing nonlinear simulated moving bed (SMB) chromatography. The PC method uses model-based optimization, SMB startup data, isotherm model selection, and parameter estimation to iteratively refine model parameters and find optimal operating conditions in a matter of hours to ensure high purity constraints and achieve optimal productivity. The PC algorithm proceeds until the SMB process is optimized without manual tuning. In case studies, it is shown that a nonlinear isotherm model and parameter values are determined reliably using SMB startup data. In one case study, a nonlinear SMB system is optimized after only two changes of operating conditions following the PC algorithm. The refined isotherm models are validated by frontal analysis and perturbation analysis.
Anesthesia, airways, and asthma

Summary Perioperative management of asthmatic subjects provides a unique challenge to anesthesiologists involved in all forms of anesthetic care. A better understanding of pathophysiology and pharmacology in asthma will lead to improvements in patient care within the perioperative period.
Reverse Micelle‐Mediated Synthesis and Characterization of Tricalcium Phosphate Nanopowder for Bone Graft Applications

Nanocrystalline β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) powder was synthesized using reverse micelle as a template system. Cyclohexane was used as the oil phase, aqueous solutions of calcium nitrate and phosphoric acid as the aqueous phase, and poly(oxyethylene)5 nonylphenol ether (NP-5) and/or poly(oxyethylene)12 nonylphenol ether (NP-12) as the surfactants. The powder were synthesized at a fixed Ca/P molar ratio of 1.5 at a pH of 10. The synthesized powder were calcined at 800°C to obtain monophasic β-TCP. Particle size, morphology, and surface area of the synthesized powder were dependent on the chemistry of the surfactant and composition of the microemulsion. The powder were characterized using a BET surface area analyzer, powder X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering technique, and transmission electron microscopy. TCP nanoparticles had a particle size between 32 and 135 nm, and a BET-specific average surface area between 57 and 103 m2/g with controlled morphology. The powder were consolidated and sintered at 1250°C in a 3 kW microwave furnace in the form of a compact disk. Human osteoprecursor cells (osteoblastic precursor cell line 1 [OPC1]) were used to assess the biocompatibility of TCP disks after 1, 5, and 11 days in culture using scanning electron microscopy, MTT assay, and alkaline phosphatase expressions. Disk samples were biocompatible and showed excellent OPC1 cell adhesion, growth, and proliferation. Biocompatible β-TCP nanopowder were synthesized with controlled particle size, morphology, and surface area using a reverse micelle-mediated template system.
Flexible display enabling technology

In a collaboration between Pennsylvania State University and Princeton University, we have been laying the foundations for flexible display technology. Flexible substrates including plastic or steel foil, backplanes of organic or silicon transistors, and directly printed RGB organic light emitting diodes are issues central to this collaboration. We present an overview of key recent results. Silicon based thin film transistors have been processed at the ultralow temperatures required for processing on plastic substrates. Organic thin film transistors and circuits with record mobilities have been fabricated that are naturally matched to low temperature substrates. Organic light emitting diodes have been made by inkjet printing in an approach that solves the RGB patterning problem of OLED displays. The mechanics of flexible substrates have been defined and thin film silicon transistor performance is shown to be unaffected by bending. Substantial progress has been made toward the realization of rugged, lightweight, flexible and even conformal displays.
Spin Index Determination of the Hawkeye Spacecraft

We have developed a method to despin data from the Hawkeye spacecraft (1974-1978) that involves analyzing the variation of solar array voltage with sun phase angle. This new method is needed because the optical aspect system on the Hawkeye spacecraft failed four months into its mission, after which the spacecraft spin index could be determined only for limited periods using two other methods. Adding our new solar array technique nearly doubles the available data. The Hawkeye mission was designed to study high-latitude, high-altitude magnetosphere (exterior cusp, surrounding magnetopause and boundary layers, the polar cap, and Auroral field lines). The scientific payload was designed to measure the in situ plasma, magnetic, and electric fields. Besides Hawkeye, only the Highly Eccentric Orbiting Satellite-2 (HEOS-2) systematically explored this region of the Earth's geospace. Determining the spin index for the rest of the data, and subsequently despinning these data and representing them in a geophysically meaningful coordinate system, is still important due to the uniqueness of Hawkeye's orbit. The solar array method presented is based on searching parameter space for the solution that results in the best self-organization in spin index of the solar array voltage measurements. The spin index computed using this method is compared against the spin index determined from other methods. The resulting despun magnetic field data are compared with magnetic field models and with in situ magnetic field measurements in the solar wind made by the IMP-8 spacecraft.
PONDEROSA, an automated 3D-NOESY peak picking program, enables automated protein structure determination

Summary: PONDEROSA (Peak-picking Of Noe Data Enabled by Restriction of Shift Assignments) accepts input information consisting of a protein sequence, backbone and sidechain NMR resonance assignments, and 3D-NOESY (13C-edited and/or 15N-edited) spectra, and returns assignments of NOESY crosspeaks, distance and angle constraints, and a reliable NMR structure represented by a family of conformers. PONDEROSA incorporates and integrates external software packages (TALOS+, STRIDE and CYANA) to carry out different steps in the structure determination. PONDEROSA implements internal functions that identify and validate NOESY peak assignments and assess the quality of the calculated three-dimensional structure of the protein. The robustness of the analysis results from PONDEROSA's hierarchical processing steps that involve iterative interaction among the internal and external modules. PONDEROSA supports a variety of input formats: SPARKY assignment table (.shifts) and spectrum file formats (.ucsf), XEASY proton file format (.prot), and NMR-STAR format (.star). To demonstrate the utility of PONDEROSA, we used the package to determine 3D structures of two proteins: human ubiquitin and Escherichia coli iron-sulfur scaffold protein variant IscU(D39A). The automatically generated structural constraints and ensembles of conformers were as good as or better than those determined previously by much less automated means. Availability: The program, in the form of binary code along with tutorials and reference manuals, is available at http://ponderosa.nmrfam.wisc.edu/. Contact:whlee@nmrfam.wisc.edu; markley@nmrfam.wisc.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Accurate and Efficient Inter-Transaction Dependency Tracking

A reparable database management system has the ability to automatically undo the set of transactions that are corrupted by a human error or malicious attack. The key technical challenge to building repairable database management systems is how to accurately and efficiently keep track of inter-transaction dependencies due to data sharing through a database or through an application. In this paper, we present the design, implementation and evaluation of the inter-transaction dependency tracking mechanisms used in a repairable database management system called Blastema, which adds fast repairability in a portable way to a commercial DBMS, Oracle 9.2.0. Compared with other repairable DBMSs, Blastema eliminates false positive dependencies using fine-grained inter-transaction dependency tracking, and is able to successfully recognize two major sources of false negative dependencies, phantom dependencies and dependencies among transactions due to application data sharing. With these advanced inter-transaction dependency tracking mechanisms, Blastema significantly improves the availability of modern DBMSs by facilitating and sometimes even automating the damage repair process after a human error or a malicious attack. Performance measurements on a fully operational Blastema prototype run under the TPC-C benchmark show that the average run-time throughput penalty of the proposed inter-transaction dependency tracking mechanisms is less than 18%.
Chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-3-iodopropane

The pure rotational spectra of the two lowest energy conformers of 1,1,2,2-tetrafluoro-3-iodopropane have been investigated between the frequency limits of 7.5 and 16 GHz using chirped pulse Fourier transform microwave spectroscopy. Quantum chemical calculations have been performed to aid the spectral analyses. For the trans–trans conformer, which is calculated to be the lowest in energy, a total of 135 transitions were recorded. For the gauche–gauche conformer a total of 286 transitions were recorded. In both cases the complete iodine nuclear quadrupole coupling tensor has been determined.
Genetic or acquired deficits in the norepinephrine transporter: current understanding of clinical implications.

The norepinephrine transporter (NET) has a major role in terminating the neurochemical signal established by the neurotransmitter norepinephrine (NE) in the synaptic cleft. The NET is also the initial site of action for therapeutic antidepressants, and drugs such as cocaine and amphetamines. Polymorphisms in the NET gene have been identified, and associations with several disorders such as depression have been proposed but not established. However, evidence of a direct association between a genetic mutation of the NET and an autonomic clinical syndrome has recently emerged. A patient and her identical twin were evaluated for typical symptoms of orthostatic intolerance (OI), a disorder mainly characterised by elevated heart rate on standing, and both were found to have clinical and laboratory signs of abnormal uptake of NE. Sequence analysis of the patients' NET gene identified a mutation that resulted in more than 98% loss of function as compared with the wild-type gene. This article reconsiders the important role of the NET protein in the regulation of the nervous and cardiovascular systems, reviews the literature for its polymorphisms and their suggested clinical manifestations, and finally focuses on the effects of its defect on the pathophysiology of OI, the only confirmed direct association between a genetic mutation of the NET and a clinical syndrome.
The ethics of online anonymity or Zuckerberg vs. "Moot"

This paper argues that anonymity in networked digital communications is indispensable as an enabler of other inalienable rights including informational privacy and freedom of expression. Yet, an alignment of industry norms, practices, ethics, and techno-social design asserts a persistent identity ecosystem, making online anonymity more difficult to achieve. This paper reappraises the democratic uses, affordances, and human rights dimensions of online anonymity in order to advance an ethical justification for its protection.
Current status of monophasic action potential recording: theories, measurements and interpretations.

Time for primary review 26 days. Monophasic action potentials (MAPs) are extracellularly recorded wave forms that, under optimal conditions, can reproduce the repolarization time course of transmembrane action potentials (TAPs) with high fidelity [1–3]. While TAP recordings require the impalement of an individual cardiac cell by a glass-microelectrode and therefore generally are limited to in vitro preparations, MAPs can be recorded from the endocardium and epicardium of the in situ beating heart, including that of human subjects. MAP recordings therefore are suitable for studying the characteristics of local myocardial electrophysiology, especially of repolarization, in the clinical setting. This has made MAP recordings an important bridge between basic and clinical electrophysiology in multiple areas of arrhythmia research [4]. Despite the growing use of the MAP recording method, there still is surprisingly little hard data on the exact mechanism by which MAPs are created and recorded. New methods for recording MAPs recently have been proposed, and new theories and models have been suggested to explain the mechanisms that underlie the genesis of the MAP signal. There have been attempts to record MAPs from sites within the myocardial wall, an effort spurred on by the discovery that mid-myocardial cells (M-cells) have different repolarization characteristics than either epicardial or endocardial cells [5], and these different characteristics have been found to be important for the development of torsade de pointes arrhythmias [6]. This article attempts to review the available information on the MAP genesis and its particular recording modes. It also highlights some important MAP quality criteria and guidelines for correct interpretation of MAPs and how to avoid artifacts. Last but not least, important differences between unipolar and bipolar recordings of both MAPs and conventional electrograms will be discussed, as they pertain to the fidelity and spatial resolution of these recordings. … * Tel.: +202-745-8398; fax: +202-745-8473; e-mail: mfranz@washington.va.gov
Label-Free Biomarker Sensing in Undiluted Serum with Suspended Microchannel Resonators

Improved methods are needed for routine, inexpensive monitoring of biomarkers that could facilitate earlier detection and characterization of cancer. Suspended microchannel resonators (SMRs) are highly sensitive, batch-fabricated microcantilevers with embedded microchannels that can directly quantify adsorbed mass via changes in resonant frequency. As in other label-free detection methods, biomolecular measurements in complex media such as serum are challenging due to high background signals from nonspecific binding. In this report, we demonstrate that carboxybetaine-derived polymers developed to adsorb directly onto SMR SiO2 surfaces act as ultralow fouling and functionalizable surface coatings. Coupled with a reference microcantilever, this approach enables detection of activated leukocyte cell adhesion molecule (ALCAM), a model cancer biomarker, in undiluted serum with a limit of detection of 10 ng/mL.
The maturation of human evoked brain potentials to sounds presented at different stimulus rates.

The current study assessed the normal development of cortical auditory evoked potentials (CAEPs) in humans presented with pure tone stimuli at relatively fast stimulus rates. Traditionally, maturation of sound processing indexed by CAEPs has been studied in paradigms using inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) generally slower than 1 Hz. While long ISIs may enhance the amplitude of CAEP components, speech information generally occurs at more rapid rates. These slower rates of sound presentation may not accurately assess auditory cortical functions in more realistic sound environments. We examined the effect of temporal rate on the elicitation of the P1—N1—P2—N2 components to unattended sounds at four levels of stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA, onset to onset, 200, 400, 600, and 800 ms) in children grouped separately by year (ages 8, 9, 10, 11 years), in adolescents (age 16 years) and in one group of young adults (ages 22–40 years). We found that both age and stimulus rate produced profound changes in CAEP morphology. Between the ages of 8–11 years, the P1 and N2 components dominated the ERP waveform at all stimulus rates. N1, the dominant CAEP component in adults, appeared as a bifurcation in a broad positive peak at earlier ages, and did not emerge as a separate component until adolescence. While the P1—N1—P2 components are more “adult-like” than “child-like” in the adolescent subjects, the N2 component, a hallmark of the child obligatory response, was still present. Faster rates resulted in the suppression of discrete components such that by 200 ms, only P1 in the adults and adolescents, and both P1 and N2 in the youngest children were discernable. We conclude that both age and ISI are important variables in the assessment of auditory cortex function and maturation. The presence of N2 in adolescents indicates that auditory cortical maturation persists into teen years.
Changes in materials properties explain the effects of humidity on gecko adhesion

SUMMARY Geckos owe their remarkable stickiness to millions of dry setae on their toes, and the mechanism of adhesion in gecko setae has been the topic of scientific scrutiny for over two centuries. Previously, we demonstrated that van der Waals forces are sufficient for strong adhesion and friction in gecko setae, and that water-based capillary adhesion is not required. However, recent studies demonstrated that adhesion increases with relative humidity (RH) and proposed that surface hydration and capillary water bridge formation is important or even necessary. In this study, we confirmed a significant effect of RH on gecko adhesion, but rejected the capillary adhesion hypothesis. While contact forces of isolated tokay gecko setal arrays increased with humidity, the increase was similar on hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces, inconsistent with a capillary mechanism. Contact forces increased with RH even at high shear rates, where capillary bridge formation is too slow to affect adhesion. How then can a humidity-related increase in adhesion and friction be explained? The effect of RH on the mechanical properties of setal β-keratin has escaped consideration until now. We discovered that an increase in RH softens setae and increases viscoelastic damping, which increases adhesion. Changes in setal materials properties, not capillary forces, fully explain humidity-enhanced adhesion, and van der Waals forces remain the only empirically supported mechanism of adhesion in geckos.
Inbreeding and developmental stability in a small human population

Inbreeding coefficients are reported for all members of the isolated Havasupai tribe of northern Arizona (USA), based upon pedigrees which are as deep as eight generations. Because inbreeding has b...
The Lived Experience of Depression in Elderly African American Women

Objectives. This article focuses on the lived experience of depression in 20 elderly African American women. Methods. Data on depression emerged from research that qualitatively explored experiences of depression, sadness, and suffering in 120 community-dwelling persons aged 80 and older, stratified by gender, ethnicity, and self-reported health. Results. We placed women’s narratives under three general themes: Depression was (a) linked with diminishment of personal strength, (b) related to sadness and suffering, and (c) preventable or resolvable through personal responsibility. Brief accounts illustrate how themes emerged in women’s discussion of depression. Discussion. African American women created a language for depression that was rooted in their personal and cultural history and presented in vivid vignettes through their life stories. Their belief systems and the language they used to describe depression are integral aspects of the lived experience of depression.
Lack of common haplotype among four family members with late-onset Kaposi's sarcoma.

SUMMARY Kaposi's sarcoma is associated with an increased frequency of HLA-DR5. The hypothesized model of a susceptibility gene in linkage disequilibrium with DR5 may be tested by haplotype analysis in familial Kaposi's sarcoma. Our finding of no common haplotype among afflicted members of a family provides evidence against the hypothesized linkage.
Epithelial cell fate in the nephron tubule is mediated by the ETS transcription factors etv5a and etv4 during zebrafish kidney development

Kidney development requires the differentiation and organization of discrete nephron epithelial lineages, yet the genetic and molecular pathways involved in these events remain poorly understood. The embryonic zebrafish kidney, or pronephros, provides a simple and useful model to study nephrogenesis. The pronephros is primarily comprised of two types of epithelial cells: transportive and multiciliated cells (MCCs). Transportive cells occupy distinct tubule segments and are characterized by the expression of various solute transporters, while MCCs function in fluid propulsion and are dispersed in a "salt-and-pepper" fashion within the tubule. Epithelial cell identity is reliant on interplay between the Notch signaling pathway and retinoic acid (RA) signaling, where RA promotes MCC fate by inhibiting Notch activity in renal progenitors, while Notch acts downstream to trigger transportive cell formation and block adoption of an MCC identity. Previous research has shown that the transcription factor ets variant 5a (etv5a), and its closely related ETS family members, are required for ciliogenesis in other zebrafish tissues. Here, we mapped etv5a expression to renal progenitors that occupy domains where MCCs later emerge. Thus, we hypothesized that etv5a is required for normal development of MCCs in the nephron. etv5a loss of function caused a decline of MCC number as indicated by the reduced frequency of cells that expressed the MCC-specific markers outer dense fiber of sperm tails 3b (odf3b) and centrin 4 (cetn4), where rescue experiments partially restored MCC incidence. Interestingly, deficiency of ets variant 4 (etv4), a related gene that is broadly expressed in the posterior mesoderm during somitogenesis stages, also led to reduced MCC numbers, which were further reduced by dual etv5a/4 deficiency, suggesting that both of these ETS factors are essential for MCC formation and that they also might have redundant activities. In epistatic studies, exogenous RA treatment expanded the etv5a domain within the renal progenitor field and RA inhibition blocked etv5a in this populace, indicating that etv5a acts downstream of RA. Additionally, treatment with exogenous RA partially rescued the reduced MCC phenotype after loss of etv5a. Further, abrogation of Notch with the small molecule inhibitor DAPT increased the renal progenitor etv5a expression domain as well as MCC density in etv5a deficient embryos, suggesting Notch acts upstream to inhibit etv5a. In contrast, etv4 levels in renal progenitors were unaffected by changes in RA or Notch signaling levels, suggesting a possible non-cell autonomous role during pronephros formation. Taken together, these findings have revealed new insights about the genetic mechanisms of epithelial cell development during nephrogenesis.