cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regularized discriminate analysis for breast mass detection on full field digital mammograms

In computer-aided detection (CAD) applications, an important step is to design a classifier for the differentiation of the abnormal from the normal structures. We have previously developed a stepwise linear discriminant analysis (LDA) method with simplex optimization for this purpose. In this study, our goal was to investigate the performance of a regularized discriminant analysis (RDA) classifier in combination with a feature selection method for classification of the masses and normal tissues detected on full field digital mammograms (FFDM). The feature selection scheme combined a forward stepwise feature selection process and a backward stepwise feature elimination process to obtain the best feature subset. An RDA classifier and an LDA classifier in combination with this new feature selection method were compared to an LDA classifier with stepwise feature selection. A data set of 130 patients containing 260 mammograms with 130 biopsy-proven masses was used. All cases had two mammographic views. The true locations of the masses were identified by experienced radiologists. To evaluate the performance of the classifiers, we randomly divided the data set into two independent sets of approximately equal size for training and testing. The training and testing were performed using the 2-fold cross validation method. The detection performance of the CAD system was assessed by free response receiver operating characteristic (FROC) analysis. The average test FROC curve was obtained by averaging the FP rates at the same sensitivity along the two corresponding test FROC curves from the 2-fold cross validation. At the case-based sensitivities of 90%, 80% and 70% on the test set, our RDA classifier with the new feature selection scheme achieved an FP rate of 1.8, 1.1, and 0.6 FPs/image, respectively, compared to 2.1, 1.4, and 0.8 FPs/image with stepwise LDA with simplex optimization. Our results indicate that RDA in combination with the sequential forward inclusion-backward elimination feature selection method can improve the performance of mass detection on mammograms. Further work is underway to optimize the feature selection and classification scheme and to evaluate if this approach can be generalized to other CAD classification tasks.
Asymptotic distribution of absorbing sets and fully absorbing sets for regular sparse code ensembles

Past work focused on the asymptotic enumeration of trapping sets under random ensembles for specific codes. In this paper, we extend the asymptotic analysis of trapping sets to find the distribution of elementary absorbing sets and elementary fully absorbing sets, which are a special class of trapping sets. The asymptotic results for elementary (fully) absorbing sets are presented, and compared with the results of trapping sets. The distribution of fully absorbing sets allows one to determine the error rates for bit-flipping decoders more accurately.
Mitochondrial KATP channels in cell survival and death

Since the discovery of the mitochondrial ATP-sensitive potassium channel (mitoK(ATP)) more than 13 years ago, it has been implicated in the processes of ischemic preconditioning (IPC), apoptosis and mitochondrial matrix swelling. Different approaches have been employed to characterize the pharmacological profile of the channel, and these studies strongly suggest that cellular protection well correlates with the opening of mitoK(ATP). However, there are many questions regarding mitoK(ATP) that remain to be answered. These include the very existence of mitoK(ATP) itself, its degree of importance in the process of IPC, its response to different pharmacological agents, and how its activation leads to the process of IPC and protection against cell death. Recent findings suggest that mitoK(ATP) may be a complex of multiple mitochondrial proteins, including some which have been suggested to be components of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore. However, the identity of the pore-forming unit of the channel and the details of the interactions between these proteins remain unclear. In this review, we attempt to highlight the recent advances in the physiological role of mitoK(ATP) and discuss the controversies and unanswered questions.
Intercalation of Well-Dispersed Gold Nanoparticles into Layered Oxide Nanosheets through Intercalation of a Polyamine

Well-dispersed 1−6 nm diameter gold nanoparticles were intercalated into the interlayer galleries of lamellar oxides by first intercalating with poly(allylamine) (PAA) or poly(diallyldimethylammonium) ions to invert the layer charge. This reaction was demonstrated for an exfoliated fluoromica as well as a Dion−Jacobson phase layer perovskite (HCa2Nb3O10). In the PAA case, the nanoparticles were intercalated with very little aggregation. Larger (3−6 nm diameter) gold nanoparticles could also be intercalated, but some aggregates were observed on outer surface of the host solids. FTIR spectra of the samples suggest that the weak covalent-bonding interaction between excess free primary amine groups of the PAA chains and the Au nanoparticle surface drives the nanoparticle intercalation reaction.
Performance of packed columns VII. The effect of holdup on gas‐phase mass transfer rates

To account for the differences in the gas-phase mass transfer coefficients obtained by the use of vaporization and absorption techniques, data were obtained for ring and saddle packings in a 12-in. diam. column employing water vaporization and methanol absorption. The ratio of the vaporization to absorption coefficient, corrected for differences in diffusivity, is found to be directly proportional to the ratio of the total holdup to the operating holdup in confirmation of the proposed model in which the effective interfacial area for each type of operation is proportional to the holdup of the liquid active for that operation.
PREDICTION OF NUTRIENT LOSSES

Once a food is processed it is subjected to a variable temperature-humidity-time distribution pattern which can cause further losses. If a truthful nutrition label is to be put on the food package knowledge of this distribution function is important in assessing the further loss that occurs. More important however, is some knowledge of the kinetics of the degradation of the particular nutrient being considered. The method presented in this paper is based on selecting certain criteria and then based on minimal data, decision rules are used to estimate the possible extent of loss. The steps are as follows: (1) Some estimate is made of the minimum, average and maximum temperatures and times for distribution of the food; (2) A decision is made as to whether moisture gain or loss is involved and can change the rate of degradation; (3) A literature search is made as to the kinetics of the degradation of the nutrient (even single point data, i.e., endpoint analysis are useful); (4) A decision is made as to the maximum amount of degradation tolerated for the average and maximum shelf life; (5) The amount of degradation in #4 is calculated based on both zero and first order rate constants estimated from #3; (6) If the amount lost is less than 50% in #5 then that data is used for the label. If it is greater, then the true order of the reaction must be determined in the lab for calculation in #5. Based on these rules a better estimate of losses can be made.
Mental Health Services for Native Americans in the 21st Century United States

As the population of American Indians and Alaska Natives continues to expand in the 21st century United States, an increasing number of professional psychologists will be called upon to provide culturally appropriate mental health services for Native American people and their communities. This article provides a general overview of contemporary tribal America before describing the legal, political, and institutional contexts for mental health service delivery administered through the federally sponsored Indian Health Service. Recommendations for mental health professionals who desire to avoid a subtle but profound Western cultural proselytization in their therapeutic service to Native clients and their communities are presented. It is the policy of this Nation, in fulfillment of its special responsibilities and legal obligation to the American Indian people, to meet the national goal of providing the highest possible health status to Indians and to provide existing Indian health services with all the resources necessary to effect that policy. (Pub. L. No. 94-437, §3a)
2009 Special Issue: A phase code for memory could arise from circuit mechanisms in entorhinal cortex

Neurophysiological data reveals intrinsic cellular properties that suggest how entorhinal cortical neurons could code memory by the phase of their firing. Potential cellular mechanisms for this phase coding in models of entorhinal function are reviewed. This mechanism for phase coding provides a substrate for modeling the responses of entorhinal grid cells, as well as the replay of neural spiking activity during waking and sleep. Efforts to implement these abstract models in more detailed biophysical compartmental simulations raise specific issues that could be addressed in larger scale population models incorporating mechanisms of inhibition.
Design and analysis of a single stage to orbit nuclear thermal rocket reactor engine

Abstract Recent advances in the development of high power density fuel materials have renewed interest in nuclear thermal rockets (NTRs) as a viable propulsion technology for future space exploration. This paper describes the design of three NTR reactor engines designed for the single stage to orbit launch of payloads from 1 to 15 metric tons. Thermal hydraulic and rocket engine analyses indicate that the proposed rocket engines are able to reach specific impulses in excess of 800 s. Neutronics analyses performed using MCNP5 demonstrate that the hot excess reactivity, shutdown margin, and submersion criticality requirements are satisfied for each NTR reactor. The reactors each consist of a 40 cm diameter core packed with hexagonal tungsten cermet fuel elements. The core is surrounded by radial and axial beryllium reflectors and eight boron carbide control drums. The 40 cm long reactor meets the submersion criticality requirements (a shutdown margin of at least $1 subcritical in all submersion scenarios) with no further modifications. The 80 and 120 cm long reactors include small amounts of gadolinium nitride as a spectral shift absorber to keep them subcritical upon submersion in seawater or wet sand following a launch abort.
Minimal energy surfaces using parametric splines

Abstract We explore the construction of parametric surfaces which interpolate prescribed 3D scattered data using spaces of parametric splines defined on a 2D triangulation. The method is based on minimizing certain natural energy expressions. Several examples involving filling holes and crowning surfaces are presented, and the role of the triangulation as a parameter is explored. The problem of creating closed surfaces is also addressed. This requires introducing spaces of splines on certain generalized triangulations.
Determination of 2,3-dibromopropanol in air.

One of the starting materials for the preparation of TRIS-BP(Tris-2,3-dibromopropanol phosphate), which is used in the treatment of fabrics and various materials to make them nonflammable, is 2,3-dibromopropanol. Because of the reported toxic nature of its parent phosphate compound, 2,3-dibromopropanol recently has been used by itself as a fire retardant. The manufacture and use of 2,3-dibromopropanol as a fire retardant, however, have been a matter of great concern in the workplace because of its mutagenic, carcinogenic and nephrotoxic nature. A sensitive air sampling and analytical method has been developed as part of a complete field survey protocol. This paper describes the development of an air sampling and gas-liquid chromatographic analysis procedure for 2,3-dibromopropanol. The detection limit for the method is 5 µg per sample and the relative standard deviation for the method is 5%.
Measurement and Indeterminacy in the Quantum Mechanics of Dirac

The quantum-measurement problem and the Heisenberg indeterminacy principle are presented in the language of the Dirac formulation of the quantum theory. Particularly the relationship between quantum state prior to measurement and the result of the measurement are discussed. The relation between the indeterminacy principle and the analog between quantum and classical systems is presented, showing that this principle may be discussed independently of the wave-particle duality. The importance of statistics in the treatment of many body systems is outlined and the approach to investigating God's interaction with human beings is discussed in this context. The treatment is nonmathematical.
Highly Conserved Structural Properties of the C-terminal Tail of HIV-1 gp41 Protein Despite Substantial Sequence Variation among Diverse Clades: IMPLICATIONS FOR FUNCTIONS IN VIRAL REPLICATION *

Although the HIV-1 Env gp120 and gp41 ectodomain have been extensively characterized in terms of structure and function, similar characterizations of the C-terminal tail (CTT) of HIV gp41 remain relatively limited and contradictory. The current study was designed to examine in detail CTT sequence conservation relative to gp120 and the gp41 ectodomain and to examine the conservation of predicted physicochemical and structural properties across a number of divergent HIV clades and groups. Results demonstrate that CTT sequences display intermediate levels of sequence evolution and diversity in comparison to the more diverse gp120 and the more conserved gp41 ectodomain. Despite the relatively high level of CTT sequence variation, the physicochemical properties of the lentivirus lytic peptide domains (LLPs) within the CTT are evidently highly conserved across clades/groups. Additionally, predictions using PEP-FOLD indicate a high level of structural similarity in the LLP regions that was confirmed by circular dichroism measurements of secondary structure of LLP peptides from clades B, C, and group O. Results demonstrate that LLP peptides adopt helical structure in the presence of SDS or trifluoroethanol but are predominantly unstructured in aqueous buffer. Thus, these data for the first time demonstrate strong conservations of characteristic CTT physicochemical and structural properties despite substantial sequence diversity, apparently indicating a delicate balance between evolutionary pressures and the conservation of CTT structure and associated functional roles in virus replication.
SRC: OpenSHMEM library development

OpenSHMEM is a PGAS programming library implementing an RMA-based point-to-point and collective communication paradigm which decouples data motion from synchronization. This results in a more scalable programming model than more common two-sided paradigms such as MPI. The OpenSHMEM project arose in an effort to standardize among several implementations of the decade-old SHMEM API, which exhibited subtle differences in the API and underlying semantics, inhibiting portability between implementations. In collaboration with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, the University of Houston is preparing an API specification and a portable, scalable, observable OpenSHMEM reference implementation.
Binary image compression using conditional entropy-based dictionary design and indexing

The JBIG2 standard is widely used for binary document image compression primarily because it achieves much higher compression ratios than conventional facsimile encoding standards, such as T.4, T.6, and T.82 (JBIG1). A typical JBIG2 encoder works by first separating the document into connected components, or symbols. Next it creates a dictionary by encoding a subset of symbols from the image, and finally it encodes all the remaining symbols using the dictionary entries as a reference. In this paper, we propose a novel method for measuring the distance between symbols based on a conditionalentropy estimation (CEE) distance measure. The CEE distance measure is used to both index entries of the dictionary and construct the dictionary. The advantage of the CEE distance measure, as compared to conventional measures of symbol similarity, is that the CEE provides a much more accurate estimate of the number of bits required to encode a symbol. In experiments on a variety of documents, we demonstrate that the incorporation of the CEE distance measure results in approximately a 14% reduction in the overall bitrate of the JBIG2 encoded bitstream as compared to the best conventional dissimilarity measures.
Differences in arterial and mixed venous IL-6 levels: the lungs as a source of cytokine storm in sepsis.

Abstract Background. Several investigators have shown that blood levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6) correlate with the severity of illness in critically ill or injured patients. However, little is known about differential arterial and venous blood levels of the cytokine, especially across the lungs. Methods. We measured differences in IL-6 levels in pulmonary and systemic arterial blood and then documented the production or elimination of IL-6 by the lungs in 19 patients with severe illness. Prospective data were obtained from multiple, simultaneous systemic arterial (ART) and mixed venous (MV) blood samples that were drawn for IL-6 analysis from systemic arterial and pulmonary artery catheters in 7 patients awaiting vascular operation and in 12 trauma patients being treated in the intensive care unit. Results. A lung disorder was present in 5 patients (pneumonia [n = 1], lung trauma [n = 4]) and absent in the remaining 14 patients. The following data were obtained (mean ± SD) from the highest MV IL-6 levels (pg/mL) in each patient. In patients with a lung disorder (n = 5) compared with those with no disorder (n = 14), ART IL-6 was 9309 ± 12,521 versus 134 ± 128 ( P =.010), MV IL-6 was 5516 ± 7420 versus 137 ± 129 ( P =.011), the absolute difference was 3793 ± 5271 versus −3 ± 15 ( P =.011), and the percentage difference was 37.4% ± 29.8% versus 1.5% ± 12.3% ( P =.001). The ART and MV IL-6 levels tended to be much higher in the 5 patients with pneumonia (n = 1) and lung injuries (n = 4) than in the patients without apparent pulmonary problems. In addition, the patients with a primary lung disorder demonstrated a net increase in IL-6 levels across the lungs, whereas there was no increase, but rather, a net reduction of IL-6 levels across the lungs in patients without a lung disorder. Conclusions. The lung appears to be a major producer of IL-6 in patients with an inflammatory lung process. There is a 39% increase in the level of IL-6 as it passes through inflamed lung, producing a marked difference in ART and MV IL-6 levels. Normal lung demonstrated little effect on either ART or MV IL-6 levels. (Surgery 2001;130:748-52.)
Action of two juvenile hormone antagonists on lepidopteran epidermis

Abstract The juvenile hormone antagonist ETB (ethyl-4-2(t-butylcarbonyloxy)-butoxybenzoate) caused formation of precocious larval-pupal intermediates after the 4th (penultimate)-larval instar of the tobacco hornworm, Manduca sexta, when 50 μg were applied to any 3rd stage larvae or to 4th stage larvae within 12 hr after ecdysis. This dose was most effective within 12 hr after ecdysis to the 3rd stage. In the black mutant larval assay for juvenile hormone, ETB had activity, 0.75 μg per larva giving half-maximal score. In vitro ETB acted as a juvenile hormone to prevent the ecdysteroid-induced change in commitment at concentrations above 0.1 μg/ml with an ED50 at 2.8 μg/ml and as a partial juvenile hormone antagonist to 0.1 μg/ml juvenile hormone I at concentrations between 10−3 and 10−2 μg/ml. By contrast, EMD (ethyl-E-3-methyl-2-dodecenoate) had little juvenile hormone-like activity in vitro up to its limits of solubility (100 μg/ml) and exhibited sporadic partial juvenile hormone antagonistic activity in vitro at concentrations between 1 and 100 μg/ml. Since these concentrations were 10–1000 times that of juvenile hormone I in the medium, EMD apparently is not an efficient competitor.
Future consideration for improving end-of-life care for older persons: Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE).

MEDICARE BENEFICIARIES comprise 80%–85% of all deaths in the United States annually.1 Among this group, approximately 92%, or 1.75 million deaths, occur in persons 65 years and older. Improving care at end-of-life should be a priority for the Medicare program and for providers of health care for the elderly. One strategy for improving care is to increase public awareness of the need to improve care of the dying and to garner public support for change. Recently, philanthropic foundations and media campaigns have sought to engage the public’s attention. Such campaigns attempt to educate the public on such issues as access to palliative care, quality of life, pain management, spirituality and support, and improvement of institutional practices in care of the dying. Another proactive strategy is for health professionals, particularly physicians, to become aware of the problems and to work toward improving existing care delivery systems. Health professionals and policy makers need to develop innovative new systems of care for terminally ill elderly. Public debate needs to be followed by changes within the Medicare regulations to allow for improvement and innovation. The latter requires legislative advocacy, particularly from organized medical societies. Finally, Medicare benefits for the frail and terminally ill elderly should be strengthened, enhanced, and better utilized. Examples of such benefits are the Medicare Hospice benefit, established by Congress in 1983, and Program of Allinclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE), legislated as part of the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The number of Medicare beneficiaries served by hospice has increased significantly throughout the 1990s, but the program served just 19% of all Medicare decedents in 1998.1 Although the hospice benefit covers palliative care for the last 6 months of life, the length of service per patient remains short, with a national average of 48 days and median of 29 days in 1992.2 PACE, a relatively new Medicare benefit, specializes in care for frail Medicare beneficiaries 55 years and older.3,4
Confidence-Judgment Accuracy as a Predictor of Test Performance.

Abstract As part of the regular classroom testing procedure, undergraduate students in an introductory psychology course were asked to provide confidence judgments along with their answers to multiple-choice test items. The two objectives of the study were to determine the extent of students' confidence-judgment accuracy and the degree of relationship of this memory-monitoring ability to overall test performance. The results showed that even the students having the poorest test performance showed some confidence-judgment accuracy, and, more importantly, there was a strong positive relationship between confidence-judgment accuracy and test performance, r(43) = .49. Thus, students who know more also are better able to distinguish between known and unknown information.
Fabrication and testing of large steering mirrors for a scanning lidar.

Large, inexpensive scanning mirrors for a lidar have been designed and built out of common float glass mirrors and aluminum honeycomb. The flatness of the scanning mirrors has been characterized with a modified Foucault knife-edge test. The peak-to-peak surface slope error over the entire surface of the mirrors was found to be less than 1 mrad, with slope errors of 0.15 mrad over small areas. This performance was sufficient for use of the mirrors in a scanning CO2 lidar system that uses direct detection.
Regulatory T cell ablation causes acute T cell lymphopenia.

Regulatory T (Treg) cells enforce T cell homeostasis and maintain peripheral T cell tolerance. Here we report a previously unappreciated phenomenon of acute T cell lymphopenia in secondary lymphoid organs and non-lymphoid tissues triggered by Treg cell depletion that precedes the expansion of self-reactive T cells. Lymphopenia affects both neonates and adults indicating a dominant role of Treg cells in maintaining peripheral T cell numbers regardless of the developmental stage. The lymphopenia was neither triggered by caspase-dependent apoptosis nor macrophage-mediated clearance of T cells, nor diminished survival of naive or recently activated T cells due to paucity of IL-7. It is possible that transient lymphopenia associated with congenital or acute Treg cell deficiency may contribute to the development of T cell mediated autoimmune disorders.
Collisionally activated dissociation and electron capture dissociation provide complementary structural information for branched permethylated oligosaccharides.

Doubly charged sodiated and permethylated linear malto-oligosaccharides ({Glc}6-{Glc}9), branched N-linked glycans (high-mannose type GlcNAc2Man5-9, and complex asialo- and disialylated-biantennary glycans) were analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry using collisionally-activated dissociation (CAD) and “hot” electron capture dissociation (ECD) available in a custom-built ESI FTICR mass spectrometer. For linear permethylated malto-oligosaccharides, both CAD and “hot” ECD produced glycosidic cleavages (B, Y, C, and Z ions), cross-ring cleavages (A- and X-type), and internal cleavages (B/Y and C/Y type) to provide sequence and linkage information. For the branched N-linked glycans, CAD and “hot” ECD provided complementary structural information. CAD generated abundant B and Y fragment ions by glycosidic cleavages, whereas “hot” ECD produced dominant C and Z ions. A-type cross-ring cleavages were present in CAD spectra. Complementary A- and X-type cross-ring fragmentation pairs were generated by “hot” ECD, and these delineated the branching patterns and linkage positions. For example, 0, 4An and 3, 5An ions defined the linkage position of the major branch as the 6-position of the central core mannose residue. The internal fragments observed in CAD were more numerous and abundant than in “hot” ECD spectra. Since the triply charged (sodiated) molecular ion of the permethylated disialylated-biantennary N-linked glycan has relatively high abundance, it was isolated and fragmented in a “hot” ECD experiment and extensive fragment ions (glycosidic and complementary pairs of cross-ring cleavages) were generated to fully confirm the sequence, branching, and linkage assignments for this glycan.
Solvent and substituent effects in aromatic carbonyl compounds: The triplet state of flavone☆

Abstract The internal “heavy atom” effect has been used to identify the configuration of the lowest triplet state of flavone as π,π* with some n ,π* character. These results are in contrast to the structurally similar xanthones.
Risk factors for incident osteoarthritis of the hip and knee

This article reviews the published risk factors associated with incident osteoarthritis of the lower extremity weight-bearing joints. Systemic risk factors include factors such as age, ethnicity, gender and genetic variables. Local risk factors are variables such as obesity, previous knee injury and occupational activities. Challenges in the study of incident osteoarthritis, and promising potential future study directions are also reviewed.
Evidence for a rate-limiting role of cysteinesulfinate decarboxylase activity in taurine biosynthesis in vivo

The relationship between activities of enzymes involved in cysteine oxidation and the apparent conversion of cysteine to taurine in vivo were investigated in the rat and cat. Both hepatic cysteinesulfinate decarboxylase activity and the oxidation in vivo of cysteine to taurine were lower in the kitten than in the adult female rat and lower in the latter than in the young male rat. Our data support the hypothesis that cysteinesulfinate decarboxylase plays a rate-limiting role in taurine biosynthesis.
Characterization and properties of the copper(II/I) complexes of macrocyclic hexathiaether ligand [21]aneS6

Abstract The copper(II/I) complexes of hexathiaether macrocyclic ligand, 1,4,8,11,15,18-hexathiacyclohenicosane ([21]aneS 6 ), were synthesized, and characterized by electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Cyclic voltammetric studies indicate that Cu([21]aneS 6 ) 2+/+ forms a reversible one-electron redox couple. The electrochemical potential obtained for Cu([21]aneS 6 ) 2+/+ ( E f = 0.89 V, against SHE) was found to be the highest potential reported to date for a Cu 2+/+ macrocyclic system in aqueous solution. By employing the Nernst equation, we can infer that the practical upper limit for formal potential of Cu(II/I)L systems maybe close to this high value. Stability constant data obtained for these complexes indicate that Cu([21]aneS 6 ) + is 12 orders of magnitude greater in stability than that of Cu([21]aneS 6 ) 2+ indicating the favorable nature of this large macrocyclic ligand towards formation of Cu(I) complexes over Cu(II) complexes. Crystal structure of Cu([21]aneS 6 ) + ( Fig. 2 ) shows that four sulfurs adjacent to one another are coordinated to Cu + ion in this complex. Bond angles and distances calculated for the crystal indicate that it is a distorted tetrahedron, a geometry commonly encountered by Cu(I) complexes. This is the first report of synthesis and characterization of a metal coordinated [21]aneS 6 complex.
Quantitative structure-retention relationships for purine compounds on reversed-phase packings

Abstract The capacity factors of 86 purine compounds (bases, nucleosides, 2′-deoxynucleosides, 3′, 5′-cyclic nucleotides and 5′-nucleotides) were determined on four different reversed-phase packings with an aqueous phosphate buffer as eluent. Using purine as the parent structure, the effects of substituents on retention behavior were quantified. The tabulated group contribution values allow the retention of many purine compounds to be predicted under similar chromatographic conditions; for example, a linear regression analysis of predicted and observed retention for 36 randomly chosen compounds on a μBondapak-C 18 column gave a correlation coefficient of 0.9999 and a standard error of 0.01830. In addition, the group contribution terms, derived from the different stationary phases, were compared to determine if retention on one packing could be used to predict retention on another. Furthermore, the elucidation of purine structures through the use of structure-retention relationships was examined.
Characterization of genetic interactions with RFA1: the role of RPA in DNA replication and telomere maintenance.

Abstract Replication protein A (RPA) is a heterotrimeric single-stranded DNA binding protein whose role in DNA replication, recombination and repair has been mainly elucidated through in vitro biochemical studies utilizing the mammalian complex. However, the identification of homologs of all three subunits in Saccharomyces cerevisiae offers the opportunity of examining the in vivo role of RPA. In our laboratory, we have previously isolated a missense allele of the RFA1 gene, encoding the p70 subunit of the RPA complex. Strains containing this mutant allele, rfa1-D228Y, display increased levels of direct-repeat recombination, decreased levels of heteroallelic recombination, UV sensitivity and a S-phase delay. In this study, we have characterized further the role of RPA by screening other replication and repair mutants for a synthetic lethal phenotype in combination with the rfa1-D228Y allele. Among the replication mutants examined, only one displayed a synthetic lethal phenotype, pol12-100, a conditional allele of the B subunit of pol α-primase. In addition, a delayed senescence phenotype was observed in rfa1-D228Y strains containing a null mutation of HDF1, the S. cerevisiae homolog of the 70 kDa subunit of Ku. Interestingly, a synergistic reduction in telomere length observed in the double mutants suggests that the shortening of telomeres may be the cause of the decreased viability in these strains. Furthermore, this result represents the first evidence of a role for RPA in telomere maintenance.
Discreteness-of-charge effects at an electrode covered with a self-assembled monolayer containing a simple redox couple

Abstract The electrostatic description of an electrode modified by a self-assembled monolayer containing redox centers is considered. The model assumes that there is a Stern layer containing hydrophobically bonded water molecules between the monolayer and the electrolyte solution, and also considers the stabilizing effects of the adjacent metal and solution in estimating the local potential at the chargeable groups in the monolayer. The local potential and interfacial capacity are estimated as a function of electrode potential, and the results are compared with those from a simpler model.
On the enhanced multi-membership clustering Quasi-Clique Merger algorithm

In this paper, we survey three enhanced versions of the Quasi-Clique Merger (QCM) algorithm for clustering data sets. By assigning a graphical structure to a data set, we cluster the underlying data by analyzing the graph and identifying dense subgraphs. In the current work we outline three variations of the QCM algorithm and illustrate their effectiveness on example data sets.
Developmental changes in murine brain antioxidant enzymes.

Reactive oxygen species produced in cells during normal aerobic metabolism have the ability to induce lipid peroxidation and protein oxidation; therefore, their detoxification and elimination are necessary for physiologic cellular activity and survival. The changes in neuronal antioxidant enzymes from fetal life to adulthood have not been fully described. We investigated protein expression, using Western blot analysis, and enzymatic activity of the antioxidant system—copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD), manganese SOD, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase, as well as reduced glutathione level as an indicator of the nonenzymatic system—in CD1 murine brain at embryonic d 18 (E18), and postnatal d 1 (P1), d 4, d 7, d 14, and d 21. Copper-zinc SOD and glutathione peroxidase protein levels were low, whereas manganese SOD and catalase protein levels were high at E18 and P1. Total SOD activity was high at E18 and P1 and paralleled elevated manganese SOD activity; however, copperzinc SOD activity was relatively unchanged throughout development. Catalase activity doubled and glutathione peroxidase activity tripled between E18 and P1. Reduced glutathione increased between E18 and P1. Except for catalase and manganese SOD, peak protein levels do not occur until later developmental ages. We suggest that as the fetus moves from an in utero hypoxic to a relatively hyperoxic environment with an approximate 4-fold elevation in oxygen concentration, these developmental changes in antioxidant enzymes are compensatory mechanisms aimed at protecting the newborn from oxidative stress. These data will be important in our future understanding of the mechanisms by which hypoxia mediates injury in the immature and the mature brain.
Lax forms and the Euler top equations: A new approach

Abstract We consider the problem of torque-free spinning of a rigid body in the context of Lax representation from which the linearization of the nonlinear Euler top equations naturally arises. The Lax equation with Hermitian matrices leads to the two equivalent pictures of quantum mechanics, namely, the Schrodinger and Heisenberg pictures. We derive a 3×3 Hamiltonian matrix based on principal moments of inertia and the Jacobi elliptic functions for the case of a 3-dimensional free rotation. We show generalization of our work for the n -dimensional case.
Effect of glucagon on growth of chick embryo.

SummaryThe effect of highly purified, crystalline glucagon on the weight of chick embryos was studied in a series of 5 experiments and using a wide range of doses. No significant effect on weight of embryos was observed. It is suggested that a previous report of significant increases in embryo weight induced by glucagon may have been due to contaminants in the relatively crude glucagon preparation used.
669 INCREASED COLONY STIMULATING ACTIVITY IN THE PLASMA OF A PATIENT WITH LYMPHOEPITHELIOMA METASTATIC TO THE LIVER

Leukocytosis with predominance of polymorphonuclear leukocytes occurs in a variety of primary or metastatic hepatic tumors without apparent explanation. A 17-year-old male with lymphoepithelioma developed marked leukocytosis following the onset of liver metastases. In order to gain insight into the origin of the leukocytosis, granulopoietic colony stimulating activity (CSA) of patient's plasma and leukocytes were examined and compared to control. Leukocyte conditioned media (LCM) was prepared by the double layer culture method. The assay consisted of non-adherent marrow cells from normal individuals cultured in methylcellulose, fetal calf serum and α-media. With the various CSA sources in this system, the number of granulocytic colony forming units (CFU-C) is proportional to the amount of CSA present and therefore allows for quantitative comparisons. The number of CFU-C produced with the patient's plasma was significantly higher (P<0.001) than those obtained from the patient's LCM or from control plasma or LCM. The size and distribution of colony type was similar irrespective of the source of CSA. Major sources of CSA in man are macrophages and monocytes. Thus identification of a stronger stimulatory activity in plasma as compared to LCM indicates the presence of a major new source of CSA in this patient. The fact that leukocytosis paralleled the onset of liver metastases suggests that a CSA derived from tumor products or secondary to hepatocellular damage may be responsible for this finding.
Comparison Of Aerial To On-The-Roof Infrared Moisture Surveys

Prior research by the Corps of Engineers has shown aerial thermography to he useful as a reconnaissance tool for finding wet roof insulation. This conclusion was based on findings from thermal line scanners flown at about 1000 feet in military fixed-wing aircraft and from hand-held thermal imagers flown at about 500 feet in military helicopters. During the spring of 1983 a comprehensive aerial to on-the-roof infrared comparison study was conducted on several roofs at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. These recent studies confirm our earlier opinion that oblique thermography is generally of reconnaissance value only. However, "straight-down" thermography from either fixed-wing aircraft or from helicopters can be used to produce reasonably accurate maps of wet roof areas. The most accurate maps were produced by thermal imaging systems in a helicopter hovering as close as 200 feet above a roof. This study suggests that some forms of airborne thermography can be of more value than just a reconnaissance tool in finding wet roof insulation. Of course, a visual examination of each roof along with a few core samples are still needed before recommendations for maintenance and repair can be made.
Reactive Surface Micropatterning by Wet Stamping

Hydrogel stamps are used to reactively micropattern various types of substrates. The method, called reactive wet stamping (r-WETS), is general in nature and overcomes several limitations of conventional soft-lithographic techniques. Illustrative applications of r-WETS in surface wettability modification, deposition of metallic microstructures, preparation of supports for electrostatic self-assembly, and multistep reactive patterning are discussed.
RAT ADRENAL DOPAMINE‐β‐HYDROXYLASE PURIFICATION AND IMMUNOLOGIC CHARACTERISTICS

— Dopamine-β-hydroxylase (DBH) was purified from rat adrenal medulla by a series of steps including sedimentation of membranes, extraction with n-butanol, ammonium sulfate fractionation, gel chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. Disk gel electrophoresis revealed two protein bands, both of which were active. Antiserum was prepared against homogeneously purified bovine adrenal and rat adrenal DBH: Ouchterlony immunodiffusion, enzyme neutralization and complement fixation tests demonstrated that the respective homologous antisera were monospecific and of high titer. Antiserum to bovine DBH was only 2- to 3-fold more potent than pre-immune serum in inhibition of rat DBH activity. Complement fixation tests demonstrate that antiserum to bovine DBH has a 25,000-fold lower immunoreactivity with rat DBH than with bovine DBH.
Ordering distributions on the circle with respect to uniformity

Abstract Orderings (denoted ⪡) for probability distributions on the circle are introduced for which μ 1 ⪡ μ 2 means roughly that μ 1 is “more uniform” than μ 2 , or that μ 2 is “more clumped” than μ 1 . Somewhat more precisely, μ 1 ⪡ μ 2 if the random variable μ 1 ( A s ) is “less variable” than the random variable μ 2 ( A s ) for all s , where A s denotes a random arc of length s distributed uniformly on the circle. Some properties of the orderings are explored and applications are presented to random coverage problems on the circle, the distribution of spacings, and the analysis of directional data.
Density fluctuations in strong Langmuir turbulence: Scalings, spectra, and statistics

A recently developed two-component model of strong Langmuir turbulence is applied to determine the scalings, spectra, and statistics of the associated density fluctuations. The predictions are found to be in excellent agreement with extensive results from numerical solution of the Zakharov equations in two and three dimensions.
Dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint. An end-result study

The cases of 127 patients who had an acute dislocation of the acromioclavicular joint were studied. Fifty-two patients, with an average follow-up of 10.8 years, were managed operatively, and seventy-five patients, with an average follow-up of 9.5 years, were managed non-operatively. Using a rating system that included subjective, objective, and roentgenographic criteria, it did not appear that reduction of the acromioclavicular joint was necessary to obtain consistently good results. Operative management, using either coracoclavicular or acromioclavicular fixation, was associated with a higher rate of complications than non-operative treatment. The use of a sling for four weeks without reduction of the joint, followed by a graduated exercise program, led to acceptable clinical results. In patients who had persistent pain and stiffness of the acromioclavicular joint, or in whom symptomatic post-traumatic arthritis developed, resection of the distal part of the clavicle reliably produced significant improvement.
Effectiveness of Scat Detection Dogs for Detecting Forest Carnivores

Abstract We assessed the detection and accuracy rates of detection dogs trained to locate scats from free-ranging black bears (Ursus americanus), fishers (Martes pennanti), and bobcats (Lynx rufus). During the summers of 2003–2004, 5 detection teams located 1,565 scats (747 putative black bear, 665 putative fisher, and 153 putative bobcat) at 168 survey sites throughout Vermont, USA. Of 347 scats genetically analyzed for species identification, 179 (51.6%) yielded a positive identification, 131 (37.8%) failed to yield DNA information, and 37 (10.7%) yielded DNA but provided no species confirmation. For 70 survey sites where confirmation of a putative target species' scat was not possible, we assessed the probability that ≥1 of the scats collected at the site was deposited by the target species (probability of correct identification; PID). Based on species confirmations or PID values, we detected bears at 57.1% (96) of sites, fishers at 61.3% (103) of sites, and bobcats at 12.5% (21) of sites. We estimated...
Might axial myofascial properties and biomechanical mechanisms be relevant to ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis

Ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthropathy have characteristic age- and sex-specific onset patterns, typical entheseal lesions, and marked heritability, but the integrative mechanisms causing the pathophysiological and structural alterations remain largely undefined. Myofascial tissues are integrated in the body into webs and networks which permit transmission of passive and active tensional forces that provide stabilizing support and help to control movements. Axial myofascial hypertonicity was hypothesized as a potential excessive polymorphic trait which could contribute to chronic biomechanical overloading and exaggerated stresses at entheseal sites. Such a mechanism may help to integrate many of the characteristic host, pathological, and structural features of ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. Biomechanical stress and strain were recently documented to correlate with peripheral entheseal inflammation and new bone formation in a murine model of spondyloarthritis. Ankylosing spondylitis has traditionally been classified by the modified New York criteria, which require the presence of definite radiographic sacroiliac joint lesions. New classification criteria for axial spondyloarthritis now include patients who do not fulfill the modified New York criteria. The male-to-female sex ratios clearly differed between the two patient categories - 2:1 or 3:1 in ankylosing spondylitis and 1:1 in non-radiographic axial spondyloarthritis - and this suggests a spectral concept of disease and, among females, milder structural alterations. Magnetic resonance imaging of active and chronic lesions in ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis reveals complex patterns, usually interpreted as inflammatory reactions, but shows similarities to acute degenerative disc disease, which attributed to edema formation following mechanical stresses and micro-damage. A basic question is whether mechanically induced microinjury and immunologically mediated inflammatory mechanisms operate in both ankylosing spondylitis and degenerative disc disease but differ in relative degrees. The hypothesized biomechanical properties raised in this commentary require documentation of their association with the onset risk and course of ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis. If particular subsets of ankylosing spondylitis and axial spondyloarthritis patients are confirmed to have altered axial myofascial properties, their biological basis and underlying biomechanical mechanisms promise to become clarified. Understanding how biomechanical and physical properties can affect symptomatic and structural manifestations of these disorders could also improve their management.
Option pricing under a stressed-beta model

Empirical studies have concluded that stochastic volatility is an important component of option prices. We introduce a regime-switching mechanism into a continuous-time Capital Asset Pricing Model which naturally induces stochastic volatility in the asset price. Under this Stressed-Beta model, the mechanism is relatively simple: the slope coefficient—which measures asset returns relative to market returns—switches between two values, depending on the market being above or below a given level. After specifying the model, we use it to price European options on the asset. Interestingly, these option prices are given explicitly as integrals with respect to known densities. We find that the model is able to produce a volatility skew, which is a prominent feature in option markets. This opens the possibility of forward-looking calibration of the slope coefficients, using option data, as illustrated in the paper.
Structured Debriefing and Students' Clinical Judgment Abilities in Simulation

Abstract Background Debriefing is a critical component of clinical simulation, yet there are limited studies that demonstrate the outcomes of debriefing on learners' clinical judgment. Method Using the Lasater Clinical Judgment Rubric, this mixed-method study examined the effects of structured debriefing after 2 clinical simulation experiences on 86 junior-level baccalaureate nursing students' clinical judgment. Debriefing for Meaningful Learning © was the method used for the structured debriefing sessions. Results The mean clinical judgment scores of the intervention group were higher and improved more over time compared with the mean scores of those in the control group; however, the differences were not statistically significant. Conclusions Data generated from focus group interviews suggest that students perceived the structured debriefing sessions as being learner-focused discussions that provided a holistic approach that included a review of knowledge, technical skills, and their reactions and emotions about the learning experiences.