cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Limited clinical utility of blood and urine cultures in the treatment of acute pyelonephritis during pregnancy.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the utility of urine and blood cultures in the clinical management of pregnant women with acute pyelonephritis. Study Design: Data were pooled from three randomized controlled trials that were conducted at two university-based tertiary care centers and included 391 pregnant women with pyelonephritis. The results of urine and blood cultures were correlated with clinical management decisions, outcome, length of hospital stay, and cost. Results: Results of 98% of urine cultures (382/391) and 99% of blood cultures (388/391) were available for analysis. The most common pathogen isolated was Escherichia coli, which was found in 79% of the urine cultures (300/382) and in 77% of the blood cultures (27/35). Susceptibility testing revealed 46% resistance to ampicillin; 7%, 2%, and 0% resistances to first-, second-, and third-generation cephalosporins, respectively; and 1% resistance to gentamicin. Six percent of the participants (25/391) required changes in antibiotic therapy, most commonly for persistent fever (6/25, 25%). Positive blood culture results directly influenced management by prolonging the duration of hospitalization, with means of 4.6 ± 2.6 hospital days for women with bacteremia and 2.6 ± 1.5 hospital days for women without bacteremia ( P Conclusion: Urine and blood cultures with sensitivity testing had limited utility in the clinical management of pregnant women with pyelonephritis. Decisions to change antibiotic treatment were affected more by clinical course than by culture results. We suggest that elimination of blood and urine cultures might simplify management and result in significant cost savings without compromising patient care. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2000;182:1437-41.)
Dynamic rheology of modified starches

Viscosities η and rigidities G were determined for 5% pastes of phosphate-linked white milo starches and acidmodified cornstarches, using a resonance elastometer operating in the frequency range 0.1 to 40 cycles/sec. Most of the starches behaved as ideal Kelvin solids under these conditions, thereby permitting η and G to be evaluated from the height and location of the resonance peak. Sample calculations of η and G are given, followed by a discussion of the trends displayed by these values as the severity of treatment is increased.
Heroin Purchasing is Income and Price Sensitive

In the economic literature, debate continues as to whether drug-addicted individuals are rational consumers (Rogeberg, 2004), the dollar value of the costs and benefits of treatment and prevention (Holder, 1998), and the potential benefits of legalizing drug trade (Grossman, Chaloupka, & Shim, 2002). Although a single survey of self-reports of behavior and economic activity cannot settle these debates, studying entrenched behaviors of drug abusers coupled with their economic profiles may help predict unintended side effects of policy and treatment. Contingent valuation is an economic method for obtaining a consumer’s reaction to hypothetical change (Bateman et al., 2002). This method has been used to determine the value of non-market goods or goods where trade is indirect and prices are unobservable (Diener, O’Brien, & Gafani, 1998). Most studies assess willingness to pay (WTP) for non-market benefits or willingness to accept (WTA) the loss of some benefit (expressed in dollars). Specific instances involve assessing WTP for symptom alleviation from the common cold (Yasunaga, Ide, & Ohe, 2006), publically financed health care (Shakley & Donaldson, 2000), and health care services/technologies (Ratcliffe, 2000). The present study provides quantitative data on heroin consumption among out-of-treatment users, focusing on income generating and spending behaviors. Semi-structured interview methods were used to address three aims. First, we characterized baseline (past 30-day) economic behaviors. Second, contingent valuation was used to assess the impact of prices, arrest rates, transfer incomes and supply availability on purchasing. Third, we examined individual differences. Many variables can simulate price increases and we directly assessed WTA these increases by calculating a difference in daily purchasing amount of heroin.
Structural and spectroscopic studies on four-, five-, and six-coordinate complexes of zinc, copper, nickel, and cobalt: Structural models for the bicarbonate intermediate of the carbonic anhydrase catalytic cycle

The molecular structures and electronic spectra of a series of four-, five-, and six-coordinate complexes of cobalt, nickel, copper, and zinc, stabilized by tris(pyrazolyl)hydroborato ligands, have been determined. The structural variations that are observed for the series of nitrate and carbonate complexes reveal that the preference for bidentate coordination of these ligands increases across the series Zn < Co ⪡ Cu and Ni.
Measurement of ventilatory frequency in unrestrained rodents using microwave radiation.

Abstract A novel technique for remote determination of breathing frequency in unrestrained rodents using microwave radiation is described. Single mice were placed inside a rectangular waveguide operating at 2450 MHz. Because mice efficiently absorb radio frequency energy at 2450 MHz, any change in their absorption, as occurs rhythmically with breathing, can be detected by monitoring the changes in power transmitted through the waveguide. When the volume of the mouse increases during inspiration, transmitted power through the waveguide momentarily decreases — during expiration the reverse takes place. By differential amplification of the analog output of the power meter used to monitor transmitted power, breathing frequency can be easily recorded on conventional recording equipment. The microwave technique has a definite advantage over other methods in that breathing frequency can be remotely monitored without the need to attach wire leads or surgically implant telemetry probes. This greatly reduces unnecessary stress to the animal. By use of larger waveguides the principle of this technique may be applied to larger species.
Bladder sensation measures and overactive bladder.

Purpose: We performed a prospective multicomponent study to determine whether subjective and objective bladder sensation instruments may provide data on sensory dysfunction in patients with overactive bladder.Materials and Methods: We evaluated 70 prospectively enrolled patients with urodynamics and questionnaires on validated urgency (Urgency Perception Score), general overactive bladder (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire). We first sought a correlation between sensory specific (Urgency Perception Score) and quality of life questionnaire scores. We then assessed a correlation between sensory questionnaire scores and urodynamic variables, exploring the hypothesis that certain urodynamic parameters may be bladder sensation measures. We evaluated 2 urodynamic derivatives (first sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity) to increase sensory finding discrimination.Results: We noted a moderate correlation between the Urgency Perception Score (0.56) and the...
Understanding fatigue crack growth in aluminum alloys by in situ X-ray synchrotron tomography

Abstract In situ 3D X-ray synchrotron tomography of fatigue crack growth was conducted in a 7075-T6 aluminum alloy. Local measurements of d a /d N were possible with the 3D data sets obtained from tomography. In situ measurements of crack opening displacement (COD) were obtained, illustrating the possibilities for quantifying fatigue crack closure. Quantitative microstructural analysis enabled an assessment of the role of brittle inclusions on fatigue crack propagation. A significant increase in preferential crack growth through the inclusions was observed.
ESTIMATES OF THE SHORT-TERM RATE PROCESS IN AN ARBITRAGE-FREE FRAMEWORK

This paper uses a new restriction imposed by the no-arbitrage condition on interest rate processes to estimate the parameters of the short-term rates for US, France, UK and Germany. A general process that nests almost all previous one-factor models is estimated. The results show that the volatility structure of US short-term rate is similar to the processes suggested by Duffie and Kahn [9] or Chan et al. [4] depending on the proxy used for the short-term rate and the time period covered by the study. The volatility structures of the short-term rates in France and Germany do not have constant elasticity with respect to the short-term rate, while the elasticity of UK's short-term rate is constant and equal to 1.5.
Preliminary Results of a Time-Harmonic Electromagnetic Analysis of Shielded Microstrip Circuits

The precise analysis of microstrip circuits at microwave and millimeter wave frequencies has become critically important in the design of monolithic microwave GaAs integrated circuits. This is because the usual post-fabrication 'tweaking' of circuit response is rarely feasible and the resulting lengthy repeated design modifications drive design costs to unacceptable levels. This paper will describe a Galerkin method of moments analysis for microstrip circuits of arbitrary planar geometry enclosed in a rectangular conducting box. The technique entails a time-harmonic electromagnetic analysis evaluating all fields and surface currents. This analysis is suitable for the accurate verification of designs prior to fabrication. Thus any necessary modifications may be made quickly and inexpensively. A computer program has been written in Pascal on an IBM-PC and preliminary results will be presented.
Discourses of Equality, Rights and Islam in the One Million Signatures Campaign in Iran

An innovative signatures campaign by Iranian feminists uses human rights discourses within an Islamic framework to reform family law. Using a bottom-up approach, the campaign seeks to harmonize culture and law by arguing that women's relatively high status within Iranian society should be reflected in the law. Iranian feminists emphasize the indigenous character of their struggle, and push the state to live up to its promise of being a rights-securing, just and modern Islamic state.
Reflective Teaching in Social Work Education: Findings from a Participatory Action Research Study

This article describes a feminist-informed reflective teaching project enacted by a group of social work faculty at Texas State University–San Marcos. Utilizing Schon's notion of reflection-in-action, faculty formed a participatory action research group to implement reflective techniques to further their professional development as new teachers and better prepare social work students for practice in the social work profession. This project guided the participants in establishing academic identity through the creation of a supportive academic setting and peer collegiality. The group met monthly to share reflective teaching journals (RTJs), participate in intergroup dialogue, and engage in contemplative practices, such as meditation and visualization. Methods of data collection and analysis included content analysis of the intergroup dialogue sessions. Findings from the project reinforced Kolb's experiential learning cycle, in which new insights gained from reflection were integrated back into the classroom...
4 f electron delocalization and volume collapse in praseodymium metal

We study the pressure evolution of the 4$f$ electrons in elemental praseodymium metal compressed through several crystallographic phases, including the large volume-collapse transition at 20 GPa. Using resonant x-ray emission, we directly and quantitatively measure the development of multiple electronic configurations with differing 4$f$ occupation numbers, the key quantum observable related to the delocalization of the strongly correlated 4$f$ electrons. These results provide a high-fidelity test of prior predictions by dynamical mean-field theory, and support the hypothesis of a strong connection between electronic and structural degrees of freedom at the volume-collapse transition.
The Underlying Insulin Receptor in Patients with Antireceptor Autoantibodies: Demonstration of Normal Binding and Immunological Properties

Antibodies against self-antigens occur in a variety of autoimmune disorders. In most cases, it has been impossible to determine whether this is the result of some alteration in the endogenous antigen (perhaps induced by an infectious or toxic agent) or of a disorder in immunoregulation which allows selftolerance to be broken. In the present study, we have attempted to characterize the underlying insulin receptor in patients with insulin resistance due to autoantibodies against the receptor (Anti-R) by both its functional and immunological features. Freshly isolated peripheral monocytes obtained from patients with Anti-R characteristically show reduction in receptor affinity and loss of negative cooperativity. This defect appears to be the consequence of cell-bound Anti-R by several criteria. Thus, when the freshly isolated monocytes were exposed to an acidglycine buffer (pH 3.5), a procedure which removes cell-bound antibodies, there was an increase in receptor affinity toward normal and a return of negat...
Systematic Review:: Effective Characteristics of Nursing Homes and Other Residential Long-Term Care Settings for People with Dementia

Objectives: In response to the need for an evidence-based review of factors within long-term care settings that affect the quality of care, this review compared characteristics of nursing homes and other residential long-term care settings for people with dementia and their informal family caregivers with respect to health and psychosocial outcomes. Design Databases were searched for literature published between 1990 and March 2012 that met review criteria, including that at least 80% of the subject population had dementia. Results Fourteen articles meeting review criteria that were of at least fair quality were found: four prospective cohort studies, nine randomized controlled trials (RCTs), and one nonrandomized controlled trial. Overall, low or insufficient strength of evidence was found regarding the effect of most organizational characteristics, structures, and processes of care on health and psychosocial outcomes for people with dementia and no evidence for informal caregivers. Findings of moderate strength of evidence indicate that pleasant sensory stimulation reduces agitation for people with dementia. Also, although the strength of evidence is low, protocols for individualized care and to improve function result in better outcomes for these individuals. Finally, outcomes do not differ between nursing homes and residential care or assisted living settings for people with dementia except when medical care is indicated. Conclusion: Given the paucity of high-quality studies in this area, additional research is needed to develop a sufficient evidence base to support consumer selection, practice, and policy regarding the best settings and characteristics of settings for residential long-term care of people with dementia.
Management of Head and Neck Pseudoaneurysms: A Review of 33 Consecutive Cases

Background. Endosaccular coiling, vessel occlusion, stenting, stent-assisted coiling, and flow diversion are all endovascular treatment options for pseudoaneurysms (PAs) of the head and neck. We explore different clinical situations in which these were selected for PA management at a single institution. Methods. Over a period of ten years, 33 patients presented to our hospital with PAs of the head and neck. Their outcomes and procedural complications are discussed. Results. We observed a complication rate of 18.2% (6 of 33), consisting predominantly of infarcts following vessel occlusion. As measured by the modified Rankin Scale, 25 (75.8%) patients had achieved favorable outcomes on discharge. A single patient who was treated with stent-assisted coiling expired following procedural complications. Conclusions. In our series, most patients with traumatic/iatrogenic PAs were successfully treated with parent vessel sacrifice. When parent vessel occlusion is not an option, stenting with or without coiling, or flow diversion, may also be safe and effective alternatives.
A temporal basis for Weber's law in value perception

Weber’s law—the observation that the ability to perceive changes in magnitudes of stimuli is proportional to the magnitude—is a widely observed psychophysical phenomenon. It is also believed to underlie the perception of reward magnitudes and the passage of time. Since many ecological theories state that animals attempt to maximize reward rates, errors in the perception of reward magnitudes and delays must affect decision-making. Using an ecological theory of decision-making (TIMERR), we analyze the effect of multiple sources of noise (sensory noise, time estimation noise and integration noise) on reward magnitude and subjective value perception. We show that the precision of reward magnitude perception is correlated with the precision of time perception and that Weber’s law in time estimation can lead to Weber’s law in value perception. The strength of this correlation is predicted to depend on the reward history of the animal. Subsequently, we show that sensory integration noise (either alone or in combination with time estimation noise) also leads to Weber’s law in reward magnitude perception in an accumulator model, if it has balanced Poisson feedback. We then demonstrate that the noise in subjective value of a delayed reward, due to the combined effect of noise in both the perception of reward magnitude and delay, also abides by Weber’s law. Thus, in our theory we prove analytically that the perception of reward magnitude, time, and subjective value all approximately obey Weber’s law.
Application of seismic surface waves at a pre-Columbian settlement in Honduras

A technique to locate culturally significant features by means of mechanical stiffness contrasts using seismic surface waves was applied at a Pre-Columbian settlement along the Talgua River near the town of Catacamas, Department of Olancho, Honduras, Central America. This technique was adapted from geotechnical engineering, where it is used to establish layering of soil and rock. With this surface-based, non-intrusive technique, a stress pulse is applied at the ground surface and the resulting ground motion is sensed and recorded using a pair of geophones placed on the ground surface a short distance away. Through spectral analysis, the dispersive characteristics of the earth between the two geophones are determined. Anomalies were mapped by comparing dispersion “signatures” along linear arrays. For corroboration, electrical resistivity measurements were also conducted. Ground truth was established through excavations, during which several significant features were unearthed. The most valuable result of the geophysical investigation was the discovery that a thick layer of fill had been brought in to level the site. This documented that the Talgua Village was constructed on top of a massive modification of the natural landscape and implies a higher level of political power and complexity than suggested by the modest size of the surface mounds. Copyright © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Role of the cognitive influence of familiarity in processing kinetic-depth-effect signals

We present two methods for investigating the role of familiarity in processing kinetic-depth-effect signals produced by rotating concave objects. Motion-parallax signals recover the true three-dimensional shape of concave objects and they compete against the bias to perceive objects as convex, rather than concave. We test the hypothesis that the cognitive influence of object familiarity favors the bias for convexity, thus strengthening the illusion of convexity for familiar objects. Data with physical and virtual objects obtained with healthy controls confirm this trend and provide a baseline for comparison with schizophrenia patients.
Prognostic factors for early severe pulmonary complications after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Abstract Pulmonary complications are a significant cause of early mortality (before day 100) after bone marrow transplantation (BMT). To identify factors associated with development of early post-BMT severe pulmonary complications (SPCs), we conducted a retrospective review of the medical records of 339 consecutive patients who underwent hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for hematologic disorders and identified pulmonary complications that occurred before day 60 posttransplantation. SPCs, defined as (1) diagnosis of diffuse alveolar hemorrhage, (2) need for mechanical ventilation, or (3) death from respiratory failure, occurred in 48 (24%) of 199 patients receiving allogeneic transplants and 4 (2.9%) of 140 patients receiving autologous transplants (P or=50 years, sex, unrelated donor, cytomegalovirus serologic status, disease status at transplantation, pretransplantation carbon monoxide diffusing capacity, and total body irradiation were not associated with development of SPCs. We conclude that autologous BMT is associated with a significantly lower incidence of SPCs compared with allogeneic BMT and that for allogeneic BMT, GVHD prophylaxis using TCD is associated with a significantly lower risk for SPCs compared with prophylaxis using CYA/MTX. Patients with pretransplantation FEV1 of Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 2001;7(4):223-9.
Effects of crowding on the thermal stability of heterogeneous protein solutions.

Crowding can substantially affect the transition of a protein between its native (N) and unfolded (U) states via volume exclusion effects. Also, it influences considerably the aggregation (A) of unfolded proteins. To examine the details, we developed an approach for computing the kinetic rates of the process N ↔ U → A in which the concentration of the protein is explicitly taken into account. We then compute the relative change with temperature of the protein denaturation for various fractional volume occupancies and partition of proteins in solution. The analysis indicates that, in protein solutions in which the average distance between proteins is comparable with the radius of gyration of an unfolded protein, steric effects increase the stability of the proteins which are in compact, native states. In heterogeneous protein solutions containing various types of proteins with different thermal stabilities, the unfolding of the most thermolabile proteins will increase the stability of the other proteins. The results shed light on the way proteins change the thermal stability of a cell as they unfold and aggregate. This study may be valuable in questions related to the dynamics of thermal injuries.
A comparison of machine modeling methods for real-time applications

Electrical systems utilizing electromagnetic devices, namely power systems of all electric ships, are subject to nonlinearities from regenerative loads, distributed energy storage systems, and onboard loads such as air handling and fluid pumps. Thus, accurate and timely electromagnetic device models are required in order to fully assess the impact of such transient and/or nonlinear activity. Specifically, by exploiting an often overlooked technique, i.e. the Magnetic Equivalent Circuit (MEC) technique, a solution of adequate granularity for the electromagnetic device may be attained while still obeying a faster time commitment when compared to the simulation standard for electromagnetic devices, the finite element analysis (FEA) technique. This paper proposes a benchmarking study considering MEC, FEA, and Fourier series based inductance approximation differential equation modeling methods. A switched reluctance machine (SRM) is used as the case study device due to its inherent nonlinearity and since it provides an ideal foundation for incorporating various characteristics of the MEC modeling technique. In order to highlight the potential accuracy and computational benefits attainable via MEC when compared to FEA and differential equation models of the same machine and system a notional Hardware-in-the-Loop (HIL) applications study is proposed. Such a study simulates the SRM MEC model driven via power electronics and loaded via a mathematical load profile. Ultimately, this work aims to motivate to the development of real-time MEC modeling (RT-MEC).
Effect of intravenous magnesium sulfate on supraventricular tachycardia

Abstract In 1943, Boyd and Scherf 1 reported magnesium sulfate (MgSO 4 ) to be effective in the treatment of supraventricular tachycardia (SVT). Recently, the infusion of MgSO 4 has been shown to increase the atrio-His interval and atrioventricular nodal refractoriness. 2 However, MgSO 4 has not yet been systematically examined for its effect on SVT. This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy and clinical tolerance of MgSO 4 in the treatment of SVT at the bedside and in the electrophysiology laboratory.
Intrinsic Catalytic Cracking Activity of Hexane over H−ZSM-5, H−β and H−Y Zeolites

Mono- and bimolecular intrinsic rate constants for the conversion of n-hexane over H−Y, H−ZSM-5, and H−β zeolites were measured at 623 K by combining conventional catalytic techniques with gravimetric adsorption measurements. Since H-zeolites are catalytically active, their adsorption properties under reaction conditions could not be directly obtained. Rather, adsorption experiments were carried out on the H-zeolites at temperatures below the onset of catalytic activity (450−530 K). Thermodynamic adsorption constants for the H forms at 623 K were then obtained by extrapolation. In addition, the catalytically inactive Na forms were chosen to characterize the overall temperature dependence of n-hexane adsorption on ZSM-5, Y, and β zeolites in the range 450−623 K. For the cracking experiments, monomolecular conditions were ensured by choosing a low hexane pressure (<0.57 kPa) and short contact times. The intrinsic activity for mono- and bimolecular n-hexane cracking over the zeolites, after taking into accou...
Study of acetoin reductase from Kluyveromyces marxianus

Acetoin reductase (EC 1.1.1.4) from Kluyveromyces marxianus var. marxianus NRRL Y-1196 was found to possess the highest specific activity (3-64 units/mg protein) of the four cultures studied. The enzyme was NADH-dependent and catalysed the conversion of acetoin to 2,3-butanediol. It was stable at 40°C for 30 min, but lost 50% of its activity after 15 min at 50°C. The optimum pH for the enzymatic reduction of acetoin was 7.0. The K m values of the crude enzyme for acetoin and NADH were determined to be 0.57 mmol/l and 0.045 mmol/l, respectively
Left-side infant holding: a test of the hemispheric arousal-attentional hypothesis.

When asked to hold a young infant in their arms, most adults hold on the left side (Harris, 1997) . In a prior study, we found the same bias when we asked adults merely to imagine holding an infant in their arms (Harris, Almerigi, & Kirsch, 1999) . It has been hypothesized that the left-side bias is the product of right-hemisphere arousal accompanying certain aspects of the act, causing attention to be driven to the contralateral, or left, side of personal space. Left-side holding, whether actual or imagined, thus would be consistent with the direction to which the holder's attention has been endogenously directed. We tested this hypothesis by giving 250 college students the “imagine-holding” task and then, as an independent measure of lateralized hemispheric arousal, a 34-item Chimeric Faces Test (CFT). On the “imagine” test, a significant majority reported a left-side hold, and, on the CFT, left-side holders had a significantly stronger left-hemispace bias than right-side holders, although both left- and right- side holders had left-hemispace CFT biases. The results thus support the attentional-arousal hypothesis but indicate that other factors are contributing as well.
Fast ion conduction in cubic perovskite structures: An ion dynamics study of NaMgF3

Abstract The origin of fast ion conduction in certain perovskites near their fusion points is not obvious, since they do not contain unoccupied equivalent cation or anion sites as do many other fast ion conductors. We report an ion dynamics simulation study of the perfect NaMgF 3 structure which yields the correct lattice energy to 1% but which, unlike the case of CaF 2 , shows no diffusion of either cationic or anionic species, even under strong superheating. Since this indicates, for the laboratory material, a mechanism involving defects which form slowly on the computation time scale, or are excluded, we have investigated the consequences of introducing populations of defects into the simulated structure. Fluoride ion mobility has been observed in three cases, the most active one involving a novel cation-site exchange defect.
Solitons in normally dispersive mode-locked lasers

Soliton pulses in normally dispersive mode-locked lasers are considered using a nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation, appropriately modified to model power (intensity) and energy saturations. Strongly chirped, localized pulses are obtained when the effects of nonlinearity, dispersion, saturated gain, filtering, and loss form an appropriate balance. In the case of constant dispersion, perturbation theory yields a set of uncoupled equations for the amplitude and the phase of the soliton pulse. In dispersion-managed (DM) systems, an asymptotic multiple-scale theory is used to analyze the dynamics. This equation, which describes solitons in the anomalous regime, also admits higher-order solitons, the so-called antisymmetric soliton or bisoliton, in both constant dispersion and DM systems. Such pulses have been observed in recent experiments.
A Series of Cyanide-Bridged Binuclear Complexes

A series of cyanide-bridged binuclear complexes, ('S(3)')Ni-CN-M[Tp(tBu)] ('S(3)' = bis(2-mercaptophenyl)sulfide, Tp(tBu) = hydrotris(3-tert-butylpyrazolyl)borate, M = Fe (2-Fe), Co (2-Co), Ni (2-Ni), Zn (2-Zn)) was prepared by the coupling of K[('S(3)')Ni(CN)] with [Tp(tBu)]MX. The isostructural series of complexes was structurally and spectroscopically characterized. A similar coupling strategy was used to synthesize the anionic copper(I) analogue, Et4N{('S3')Ni-CN-Cu[Tp(tBu)]}, 2-Cu.An alternative synthesis was devised for the preparation of the linkages isomers of 2-Zn, i.e. of cyanide-bridged linkage isomers. X-ray diffraction, (13)C NMR and IR spectral studies established that isomerization to the more stable Ni-CN-Zn isomer occurs. DFT computational results buttressed the experimental observations indicating that the cyanide-bridged isomer is ca. 5 kcal/mol more stable than its linkage isomer.
Effect of freezing on conformation and stability of the virions of southern bean mosaic virus

Abstract Irreversible alterations occurred in the conformation and stability of southern bean mosaic virus (SBMV) virions upon freezing and thawing in deionized water. Such virions showed ca. a 12% reduction in their sedimentation rate. Frozen-thawed SBMV became susceptible to several proteolytic enzymes, protein denaturants, and ribonuclease. Additionally, the serological reactivity of such virions was reduced by one-half. Freeze-thaw treatment caused 80% loss in virion infectivity but RNA isolated from such virions was fully infectious. Virions were protected from the freezing damage in presence of 10 m M Mg 2+ or Ca 2+ , 0.2 M sucrose, 1.0 M NaCl, or 0.02 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. SBMV virions normally are stabilized with strong protein: protein interactions. Apparently, freezing and thawing in water alters the stability of the SBMV capsid in a manner whereby such interactions are drastically reduced.
Carboxyl-Terminal Domain of DHPR β1A is Essential for DHPR Tetrad Formation

Lack of expression of DHPR-β1a subunit in skeletal muscle cells severely compromises the DHPRs-RyR1 stereospecific association that results in the assembly of ordered DHPR tetrads arrays. This, in turn results in the disruption of the EC-coupling DHPR-RyR signal. Previously, using expression of β1a subunits with progressive truncations of the carboxyl-terminal (C-term) domain in β1-null myotubes we found that aa residues 488-512 of β1a were critical to the restoration of the EC-coupling signal. Here we explore the effect of C-term truncations on DHPR tetrad formation and whether the ability of different truncated β1a to restore EC-coupling correlate with their ability to restore DHPR tetrad array. cDNA constructs carrying wt-β1a and C-term truncated clones were transiently expressed in mouse β1-null myotubes and tested for their ability to restore depolarization-induce Ca2+ release. Cells were then fixed and freeze-fractured to assess DHPR tetrad arrangement. Our data show that expression of wt-β1a fully restores EC-coupling, as well as normal DHPR tetrads arrays. Construct β14, lacking 14 aa of the C-terminal tail of β1a, still supports normal EC-coupling and also shows normal arrangement of tetrads. On the other hand, β14 clone containing several Leu/Ala mutations (β14L/A) that prevent EC-coupling failed to restore tetrad arrays. Immunofluorescence staining confirmed that all clones were expressed and targeted to the plasmalemma. These results suggest that 1) C-term tail of β1a plays an essential role in permitting and/or maintaining the precise positioning of four DHPRs relative to the four RyR subunits; 2) DHPR positioning in tetrads is essential to EC-coupling and 3) the molecular structure (aa sequence) of the C-term tail is relevant for the role of β1a in the DHPR-RyR structural and functional relationship.Supported by NIH Grants: 5K01AR054818-02 (to CFP) and AR055104 to KG. Beam (CFA subcontract).
Update on the Ecstasy Epidemic

Interest in the drug Ecstasy, by users, researchers, educators and policy makers, has increased considerably in recent years. The increase in use and potential dangers associated with Ecstasy has led to mainstream media coverage and scientific investigations. Recreational use is increasing, especially among teens and young adults. Researchers continue to study the side effects of 3,4-methylenedioxymetham-phetamine (MDMA), the chemical compound from which Ecstasy was named. This article will provide an updated review of Ecstasy: its history, epidemiology, pharmacology, subjective effects, dangerous effects, neurobiology and MDMA detection. Given the potential for dangerous and lethal outcomes, the increase in MDMA use should be of national concern.
Polymers for the sustained release of proteins and other macromolecules

SINCE the first demonstration that silicone rubber1 could be used as an implantable carrier for sustained delivery of low molecular weight compounds in animal tissues, various drug delivery systems have been developed. But except for the reports of Davis2,3 and Girnbrone et al.4, there has been little success in the development of slow release agents for large molecular weight compounds. Furthermore, the polymers used in those studies, polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylamide, are often inflammatory in animal tissues and usually permit only brief periods of sustained release. We now present a simple method for incorporating various proteins and other macromolecules into non-inflammatory polymers. Sustained release of biochemically active macromolecules has been demonstrated for periods exceeding 100 d.
Coordinatively Unsaturated 16-Electron Ruthenium Allenylidene Complexes: Synthetic, Structural, and Catalytic Studies

The one-pot reactions of [(p-cymene)RuCl2]2 (1) or (PPh3)4RuCl2 (2) with 2 equiv of PCy3 and 3,3-diphenylpropyn-3-ol afford the novel 16-electron ruthenium allenylidene complex (PCy3)2Cl2Ru(CCCPh2) (3) in high yields. Substitution of one PCy3 ligand in 3 for one nucleophilic carbene ligand, IMes [1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazol-2-ylidene], affords the novel complex (PCy3)(IMes)Cl2Ru(CCCPh2) (4). Single-crystal X-ray structure analyses of complexes 3 and 4 were performed. Thermal stability of complexes 3 and 4 was investigated, and their catalytic activity promoting ring-closing metathesis (RCM) of various substrates was tested.
Differential nitrogen–carbon bond cleavages in architecturally complex molecular scaffolds containing a bridge-head nitrogen atom

Abstract Application of an N–C bond cleavage reaction in various structurally complex molecular frameworks containing bridge-head nitrogen atom offered differential outcomes that were attempted to rationalize invoking both steric and electronic factors.
Women and men are what they eat: The effects of gender and reported meal size on perceived characteristics

This study investigated the effect of reported eating behavior on person perception. Subjects (87% white, 4% African-American, 9% Asian; 60% female) were presented with brief descriptions of a fictitious male or female “target” subject that included a food diary describing either a small, medium, or large breakfast and lunch. One-half the food diaries of male targets were calorically adjusted to compensate for the male target's larger physical size. Subjects recorded their impressions of the target on a number of physical and attitudinal characteristics. Targets were perceived as being less feminine and more masculine as meal size increased. Attractiveness ratings showed an interaction between meal size and gender. Female targets were judged to be more concerned with appearance and more attractive as meal size decreased. However, ratings of male targets on attractiveness variables were less affected by reported meal size in the standard diet condition, suggesting the existence of a double-standard for eating behaviors between men and women. However, male targets whose diets had been size-adjusted were rated in a pattern similar to ratings of female targets. These results expand on prior work demonstrating that meal size affects social judgements of both men and women. Further, these results suggest the presence of a cognitive schema in which the relative size of males and females is taken into account when making social judgements based on eating behavior. Work that does not take this schema into account is more likely to produce results suggesting a double-standard for eating behavior based on gender.
Displaying colonial artifacts in Paris at the Musée Permanent des Colonies to Musée du Quai Branly

Abstract The vast cultural artifacts plundered from Africa, Asia, the Pacific region, and the Americas – regions in which France once had colonies, have been distributed among various museums in Paris. For the past seven decades, much of these artifacts from the colonies were at various museums including the Musee Permanent des Colonies (whose name has changed several times) until President Chirac officially inaugurated the new Musee du Quai Branly. The architecture of the Musee Permanent des Colonies and Musee du Quai Branly are reminders of France's relation to its colonial past and postcolonial present.
Quantitative detection of single molecules in fluorescence microscopy images.

Fluorescence imaging and counting of single molecules adsorbed or bound to surfaces are being employed in a number of quantitative analysis applications. Reliable molecular counts with knowledge of counting uncertainties, both false-positive and false-negative probabilities, are critical to these applications. By counting stationary single molecules on a surface, spatial criteria may be applied to the image analysis to improve confidence in detection, which is especially critical when detecting single fluorescent labels. In this work, we describe a simple approach to incorporating spatial criteria for counting single molecules by using an intensity threshold to locate regions with multiple, adjacent intense pixels, where the size of these regions is guided by the point-spread function of the microscope. By requiring multiple, spatially correlated bright pixels, false-positive events resulting from random samples of background noise are minimized. The reliability of detection is established by quantitative...
Differential effects of amitriptyline and of zimelidine on the sleep electroencephalogram of depressed patients.

The effects of amitriptyline (n = 14) or zimelidine (n = 13) on the sleep electroencephalogram of hospitalized depressed patients were assessed in a double-blind protocol involving 28 days of active dosing. Zimelidine induced no immediate improvement in sleep continuity, and even after 3 wk on zimelidine subjects tended to have longer sleep latency, more awakenings, and lighter non-rapid eye movement (REM) sleep than before taking the drug. Zimelidine did, however, induce a rapid and persistent alteration of sleep architecture and selected REM measures. REM sleep, which was suppressed over the first two nights on zimelidine, was maximally suppressed after 1 wk, but by 3 wk there was some tolerance for selected REM measures. While zimelidine induced none of the sedative effects of amitriptyline, both were equivalent in their REM-suppressant effects. These findings are discussed in terms of the differences in uptake blockade and anticholinergic potency in these two drugs. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1984) 36, 251–259; doi:10.1038/clpt.1984.171
A suite of software for processing MicroED data of extremely small protein crystals

Electron diffraction of extremely small three-dimensional crystals (MicroED) allows for structure determination from crystals orders of magnitude smaller than those used for X-ray crystallography. MicroED patterns, which are collected in a transmission electron microscope, were initially not amenable to indexing and intensity extraction by standard software, which necessitated the development of a suite of programs for data processing. The MicroED suite was developed to accomplish the tasks of unit-cell determination, indexing, background subtraction, intensity measurement and merging, resulting in data that can be carried forward to molecular replacement and structure determination. This ad hoc solution has been modified for more general use to provide a means for processing MicroED data until the technique can be fully implemented into existing crystallographic software packages. The suite is written in Python and the source code is available under a GNU General Public License.
Silicone Oil- and Agitation-Induced Aggregation of a Monoclonal Antibody in Aqueous Solution

Silicone oil, which is used as a lubricant or coating in devices such as syringes, needles and pharmaceutical containers, has been implicated in aggregation and particulation of proteins and antibodies. Aggregation of therapeutic protein products induced by silicone oil can pose a challenge to their development and commercialization. To systematically characterize the role of silicone oil on protein aggregation, the effects of agitation, temperature, pH, and ionic strength on silicone oil-induced loss of monomeric anti-streptavidin IgG 1 antibody were examined. Additionally, the influences of excipients polysorbate 20 and sucrose on protein aggregation were investigated. In the absence of agitation, protein absorbed to silicone oil with approximately monolayer coverage, however silicone oil did not stimulate aggregation during isothermal incubation unless samples were also agitated. A synergistic stimulation of aggregation by a combination of agitation and silicone oil was observed. Solution conditions which reduced colloidal stability of the antibody, as assessed by determination of osmotic second virial coefficients, accelerated aggregation during agitation with silicone oil. Polysorbate 20 completely inhibited silicone oil-induced monomer loss during agitation. A formulation strategy involving optimization of colloidal stability of the antibody as well as incorporation of surfactants such as polysorbate 20 is proposed to reduce silicone oil-induced aggregation of therapeutic protein products.
US QCD computational performance studies with PERI

We report on some of the interactions between two SciDAC projects: The National Computational Infrastructure for Lattice Gauge Theory (USQCD), and the Performance Engineering Research Institute (PERI). Many modern scientific programs consistently report the need for faster computational resources to maintain global competitiveness. However, as the size and complexity of emerging high end computing (HEC) systems continue to rise, achieving good performance on such systems is becoming ever more challenging. In order to take full advantage of the resources, it is crucial to understand the characteristics of relevant scientific applications and the systems these applications are running on. Using tools developed under PERI and by other performance measurement researchers, we studied the performance of two applications, MILC and Chroma, on several high performance computing systems at DOE laboratories. In the case of Chroma, we discuss how the use of C++ and modern software engineering and programming methods are driving the evolution of performance tools.
Chronic Pulmonary Insufficiency in Children and Its Effects on Growth and Development

Conditions leading to chronic pulmonary insufficiency can affect infants and children. These can lead to growth failure and delayed development. Among the most common and severe of these are bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and cystic fibrosis. In addition to the respiratory consequences of these diseases, there is ample evidence that they lead to decreased growth as a result of decreased energy intake and increased energy expenditure. Furthermore, there is evidence that infants with BPD may also have delayed development, independent of the effects of their prematurity. Enhancing the long-term outlook for these conditions may therefore require consideration of both improved pulmonary management and aggressive nutritional management to limit growth failure and potentially enhance developmental outcome. Specific micronutrient supplementation, such as antioxidant therapy, may also enhance pulmonary and nutritional status.
Finite element analysis of temperature controlled coagulation in laser irradiated tissue

The Theoretical study of thermal damage processes in laser irradiated tissue provides further insight into the design of optimal coagulation procedures. Controlled laser coagulation of tissue was studied theoretically using a finite element method with a modulating laser heat source to simulate feedback controlled laser delivery with a constant surface temperature. The effects of uncertainty in scattering and absorption properties of the tissue, thermal denaturation induced changes in optical properties, and surface convection were analyzed. Compared to a single pulse CW irradiation in which a doctor would presumably stop CW laser delivery after noticing some effect such as vaporization or carbonization, the constant surface temperature scenario provided a better overall control over the coagulation process. In particular, prediction of coagulative damage in a constant temperature scenario was less sensitive to uncertainties in optical properties and their dynamic changes during the course of coagulation. Also, subsurface overheating under surface convective conditions could be compensated for under constant temperature irradiation by lowering the surface temperature.
The relationship between serum sodium and intracranial pressure when using hypertonic saline to target mild hypernatremia in patients with head trauma

Introduction Limited data suggest mild hypernatremia may be related to lower intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). The practice at the study center has been to use hypertonic saline (HTS) to generate a targeted serum sodium of 145 to 155 mEq/l in patients with TBI. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between serum sodium values and ICP, and to evaluate the acute effect of HTS on ICP.