cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Worksite Health Promotion

Although the significant majority of employers offer health promotion programs, for most companies the size and impact of existing programs is minor. Recent research has yielded substantial data in support of worksite health promotion activities, from both medical and economic perspectives. Yet despite this compelling information, corporations have been slow to incorporate more substantial health promotion activities. Employers must come to see that an investment in employee health promotion programs is an investment in their workforce, likely their greatest asset. The impact of health promotion programs needs to be viewed not simply in the context of a business operations cost. In the face of rapidly escalating healthcare costs, successful health promotion programs have the potential to reduce those expenditures as well as enhance employee performance, resulting in improved business productivity. To be effective, worksite health promotion programs must be implemented in a systematic manner. To gain senior management support, education regarding the principles of health and productivity is critical. Program selection and implementation must be carefully planned, reflecting the health promotion interests, needs, culture and resources of the organization. Objective, easily measurable parameters of program quality and outcome must be identified prior to program implementation, in order to assess program effectiveness, from both employee health and business productivity perspectives. Collaborative data review through regular reporting can identify program strengths and weaknesses, leading to corrective modifications.
Associations Between Loneliness, Reading Ability and Episodic Memory in Non-Hispanic Black and White Older Adults.

Objective Reading ability reflects a variety of beneficial life course exposures and may better index these exposures above and beyond education in racially diverse samples. Growing evidence suggests a negative impact of perceived loneliness on late-life cognitive health when parsing out the effect of other aspects of social relations. Few studies have examined how loneliness interacts with the reading ability or whether it operates differently in Black older adults who have higher dementia risk than Whites. Methods Participants in this cross-sectional study were drawn from the Washington Heights-Inwood Columbia Aging Project (n = 425 older adults, Mage = 74.23; 58% Black). Linear regressions estimated the main effects and interactions involving reading ability, loneliness, and race (non-Hispanic Black vs. non-Hispanic White) on episodic memory, controlling for age, sex/gender, and years of education. Subsequent models additionally controlled for income, employment status, depressive symptoms, disease burden, marital status, social network size, and number of social groups. Results Higher reading ability was associated with better memory, but loneliness was not associated with memory. The positive association between reading ability and memory was weaker among individuals with greater loneliness, and this interaction did not differ by race. Conclusions Loneliness may suppress the protective effect of higher reading ability on cognitive health among both Black and White older adults. Future longitudinal work is needed to clarify causal relationships among loneliness, reading ability, and memory decline.
UMOC: Unified Modular Ordering Constraints to Unify Cycle- and Register-Transfer-Level Modeling

We propose unified modular ordering constraints (UMOC), a novel approach that seamlessly unifies method-based cycle-level (CL) modeling and signal-based register-transfer-level (RTL) modeling. Motivated by the challenges in state-of-the-art CL modeling methodologies and existing CL/RTL composition attempts, UMOC successfully breaks the trade-off between model fidelity and scheduling modularity for CL modeling and provides seamless composition of CL and RTL models. Instead of requiring the designer to specify the global intra-cycle ordering of hardware processes, UMOC eliminates this burden using implicit local ordering constraints of RTL signals and explicit local ordering constraints of CL methods. We implement and evaluate UMOC in PyMTL3, a state-of-the-art open-source Python-based hardware modeling framework.
What are the measures of lean success

This chapter discusses the measures of Lean success. Some of the key measures are based on time—including cycle time, flow time, lead time, and processing time. Cycle time is the measure of a business cycle, from the start of the cycle to its conclusions. The term is used to refer to activities in production—such as the total time required to produce a product or the production-cycle time. It is also used in the front office to determine the total time required to process an order, which is the order-processing cycle time. Cycle-time improvements are linked to reduced costs, reduced inventories, and increased capacity. The resource areas that are measured by cycle time include the measurement of financial flow, materials flow, and information flow. In each case, a delay or failure of any of these measures will indicate a failure of the entire business process. Some other supporting measures that should become part of the motivation system include shortened customer lead time, increased customer satisfaction, improved quality of products and services, reduced cost of quality, reduced processing-cycle time, reduced cost of inventory, increased capacity for other needed tasks, increased employee satisfaction, reduced cost of forms and paperwork, reduced cost of administrative processes, reduced cost of manufacturing, and increased level of competitiveness.
6 Stressful Life Events and Adolescent Depressive Symptoms: A Six-Year Longitudinal Study

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a six-year longitudinal study of stressful life events and adolescent depressive symptoms. Three questions are investigated. First, are the three domains identified in the study (cognitive, affective, and vegetative symptoms) are valid indicators of depressive symptoms in a same-age cohort followed across adolescent years? This question is important because rapid cognitive changes in this age period present a challenge to the comparability of depression measure. Second, will stressful life events remain significantly associated with depressive symptoms once initial symptoms are taken into account in a longitudinal design? It is suggested that without a longitudinal design that allows a control for previous symptom levels, it is exceedingly difficult to differentiate if current depressive symptoms simply are a continuation of previous symptoms or triggered by stressful life circumstances encountered. Third, are stressful life events occurring in different domains (family, friends, school, and personal) equally related to adolescent depressive symptoms for male and female adolescents? The preventive significance of this question is obvious because, as it is argued, stress effects need to be de-aggregated to understand what specific domains of stress are most relevant to depressive symptoms experienced by males and females.
A New Correctness Proof of the Nelson-Oppen Combination Procedure

The Nelson-Oppen combination procedure, which combines satisfiability procedures for a class of first-order theories by propagation of equalities between variables, is one of the most general combination methods in the field of theory combination. We describe a new non- deterministic version of the procedure that has been used to extend the Constraint Logic Programming Scheme to unions of constraint theories. The correctness proof of the procedure that we give in this paper not only constitutes a novel and easier proof of Nelson and Oppen’s original results, but also shows that equality sharing between the satisfiability procedures of the component theories, the main idea of the method, can be confined to a restricted set of variables.
Reasons for Redistribution

Redistribution is probably the most important single function of most modern governments. Further, it is a very traditional government function, with all recorded governments having done at least some of it. Indeed, as I shall discuss later, it seems quite probable that the original motive for forming governments was the desire for special types of redistribution.
Identification and Characterization of the Genes Encoding the Core Histones and Histone Variants of Neurospora crassa

We have identified and characterized the complete complement of genes encoding the core histones of Neurospora crassa. In addition to the previously identified pair of genes that encode histones H3 and H4 (hH3 and hH4-1), we identified a second histone H4 gene (hH4-2), a divergently transcribed pair of genes that encode H2A and H2B (hH2A and hH2B), a homolog of the F/Z family of H2A variants (hH2Az), a homolog of the H3 variant CSE4 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (hH3v), and a highly diverged H4 variant (hH4v) not described in other species. The hH4-1 and hH4-2 genes, which are 96% identical in their coding regions and encode identical proteins, were inactivated independently. Strains with inactivating mutations in either gene were phenotypically wild type, in terms of growth rates and fertility, but the double mutants were inviable. As expected, we were unable to isolate null alleles of hH2A, hH2B, or hH3. The genomic arrangement of the histone and histone variant genes was determined. hH2Az and the hH3-hH4-1 gene pair are on LG IIR, with hH2Az centromere-proximal to hH3-hH4-1 and hH3 centromere-proximal to hH4-1. hH3v and hH4-2 are on LG IIIR with hH3v centromere-proximal to hH4-2. hH4v is on LG IVR and the hH2A-hH2B pair is located immediately right of the LG VII centromere, with hH2A centromere-proximal to hH2B. Except for the centromere-distal gene in the pairs, all of the histone genes are transcribed toward the centromere. Phylogenetic analysis of the N. crassa histone genes places them in the Euascomycota lineage. In contrast to the general case in eukaryotes, histone genes in euascomycetes are few in number and contain introns. This may be a reflection of the evolution of the RIP (repeat-induced point mutation) and MIP (methylation induced premeiotically) processes that detect sizable duplications and silence associated genes.
Cross-over—it's a feature, not a bug

Pharmaceutical companies, investigators, regulators, and payers need to work together to adapt standards for drug development that meet the needs of all stakeholders, but first and foremost, benefit cancer patients in the most appropriate way.
Reduced-order-based feedback control of the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation

In this paper, we consider the Kuramoto-Sivashinsky equation (KSE), which describes the long-wave motions of a thin film over a vertical plane. Solution procedures for the KSE often yield a large or infinite-dimensional nonlinear system. We first discuss two reduced-order methods, the approximate inertial manifold and the proper orthogonal decomposition, and show that these methods can be used to obtain a reduced-order system that can accurately describe the dynamics of the KSE. Moreover, from this resulting reduced-order system, the feedback controller can readily be designed and synthesized. For our control techniques, we use the linear and nonlinear quadratic regulator methods, which are the first- and second-order approximated solutions of the Hamilton-Jacobi-Bellman equation, respectively. Numerical simulations comparing the performance of the reduced-order-based linear and nonlinear controllers are presented.
Extensional rupture of oceanic crust in the Chile Trench

Abstract Extensive new bathymetric and seismic reflection coverage of the Chile Trench between 23 and 34° S allows a more detailed study of the tectonics and sedimentation of this feature. Using morphology, structure, and sediment distribution, the trench and outer continental margin can be divided into three provinces (Northern, 23–27° S; Central, 27–33° S; and Southern, 33–34° S) separated by distinct tectonic transition zones at 27 and 33° S. Large horst and graben blocks are the dominant structural features on the trench outer slope, with fault offsets of 500–1000 m into layer 2. Grabens generally range in width from 4 to 8 km, and extend up to 100 km parallel to the trench axis. Faulting is most pronounced in the deeper northern parts of the trench, but also occurs in the basement beneath thick axial sediments in the south. Sediment distribution along the axis is controlled by coastal climate and turbidity current transport northward along the trench axis. Over a kilometer of turbidites nearly fills the trench south of 33° S. Axial deposits are less thick but continuous from 33 to 27° S, with a patchy distribution of sediment ponds from 27 to 23° S. Transport of sediment is northward down the axis from the supply regions to the south. Faulting of the oceanic crust on the trench outer slope can be related to extensional stress created by downbending of the Nazca Plate prior to subduction. Horst and graben faulting patterns are similar to those predicted by Hafner (1951) for a bending slab. Horizontal turbidite layering surrounding these basaltic blocks in the trench axis indicates that the normal faulting occurs before the oceanic plate reaches the axis. A combination of sparse sediment cover and large fault offsets in the northern Chile Trench may result in tectonic erosion of the continental margin.
Genetic and physical localization of an anthracnose resistance gene in Medicago truncatula.

Anthracnose of alfalfa, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum trifolii, is one of the most destructive diseases of alfalfa worldwide. An improved understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms underlying host resistance will facilitate the development of resistant alfalfa cultivars, thus providing the most efficient and environmentally sound strategy to control alfalfa diseases. Unfortunately, cultivated alfalfa has an intractable genetic system because of its tetrasomic inheritance and out-crossing nature. Nevertheless, the model legume Medicago truncatula, a close relative of alfalfa, has the potential to serve as a surrogate to map and clone the counterparts of agronomically important genes in alfalfa—particularly, disease resistance genes against economically important pathogens. Here we describe the high-resolution genetic and physical mapping of RCT1, a host resistance gene against C. trifolii race 1 in M. truncatula. We have delimited the RCT1 locus within a physical interval spanning ∼200 kb located on the top of M. truncatula linkage group 4. RCT1 is part of a complex locus containing numerous genes homologous to previously characterized TIR-NBS-LRR type resistance genes. The result presented in this paper will facilitate the positional cloning of RCT1 in Medicago.
Bcl-2 turns deadly.

Small-molecule inhibitors of anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins and BH3 mimetic peptides are promising anticancer agents. A recent study identifies a Nur77-based peptide that converts anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins into proapoptotic molecules, providing another potential cancer therapeutic strategy.
Conceptual Framework and Statistical Procedures for Delineating and Testing Multilevel Theories of Homology

Scholars have been interested in the extent to which organizational phenomena generalize across levels of analysis for quite some time. However, theoretical frameworks for developing homologous mul...
Electronic Communities: Assessing Equality of Access in a Rural Minnesota Community

The recent implementation of a community electronic network is examined. The network is intended to help the rural community of Grand Rapids in northern Minnesota keep up with global technological ...
A comparative study of the reaction dynamics of the O(3P)+H2 → OH+H reaction on several potential energy surfaces. III. Collinear exact quantum transmission coefficient correction to transition state theory

Collinear exact quantum and quasiclassical rate constants and transmission coefficients are presented for the O(3P)+H2 (ν), ν = 0,1 reaction, using the quantum and quasiclassical trajectory reaction probabilities calculated in the preceding paper and by Clary, et al. [D. C. Clary, J. N. L. Connor, and C. J. Edge, Chem. Phys. Lett. 68, 154 (1979)] on a total of five potential energy surfaces.
Russian Peasant Farms and Household Plots in 2003: A Research Note

An American specialist on Russian agriculture surveys the current legal status of peasant farms and subsidiary agriculture ("private plots") in Russia following the enactment of two important new laws in 2003. In the process, he highlights differences between peasant farms and subidiary plots in terms of the quantity and type of food produced, the size of land plots utilized, and their legal status. Also reviewed are selected aspects of the recent economic perfomance of these two pillars of private-sector agriculture. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O13, O18, Q15. 16 references.
FAINT HIGH-LATITUDE CARBON STARS

Since carbon giants are ideal for study of the structure and kinematics of the outer galactic halo, we have undertaken a wide-area survey to search for faint high-latitude carbon (FHLC) stars. We use two-color photometric selection with large format CCDs to cover 52 deg2 of sky to a depth of about V=18. Below this limit, we find good (< 20%) agreement between our object counts as a function of magnitude and the galactic models of Bahcall and Coneira (1984) at a variety of latitudes and longitudes. Our spectroscopic followup began with low-resolution spectra of 19 unconfirmed C-star candidates from the Case objective-prism photographic survey of Sanduleak and Pesch (1988). Four of these we find to be M stars. The 15 C stars we classify on the two-parameter Keenan-Morgan (1941) system as warm (color class < 4), with moderate to weak carbon band strengths (C class < 3). Of 94 faint C-star candidates from our own CCD survey, one highly ranked V=17 candidate was found to have strong carbon and CN bands. We estimate that to a depth of V=18, the surface density of FHLC stars is 0.0190.044-0.016 deg-2. We identify two FHLC stars with previously cataloged high-proper-motion objects. These objects are thus inferred to be dwarf carbon (dC) stars, supplementing the one previously known case, G 77-61. Not all dC stars will have detectable proper motions, so other luminosity/distance indicators are needed: we find that C dwarfs all have similar JHK colors, and possibly an unusually strong lambda-6191 bandhead of carbon. By comparing positions of the HST Guide Star Catalog and the original Palomar Observatory Sky Survey, we detect proper motions in two additional FHLC stars. Our proper-motion survey, spanning a 30-yr base line, thus identifies four new dC's, and provides proper-motion upper limits for another 44 FHLC stars. Kinematic simulations suggest that virtually all Population II dCs will have detectable proper motions in a survey as sensitive as our own, and that to a limit of V 18, at least 10% of FHLC stars are dwarfs. The local space density of dC stars may thus substantially exceed that of luminous C stars, so that the automatic assumption of giant luminosities for C stars is no longer valid.
Effects of picrotoxin and bicuculline on the excitation and inhibition of Renshaw cells.

Abstract Picrotoxin, a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) antagonist, injected intravenously depressed the mutual inhibition of Renshaw cells but this effect was accompanied by a reduction in the excitation of Renshaw cells by motoneurone recurrent collaterals. Bicuculline, another GABA antagonist, did not modify either the excitation or mutai inhibition of Renshaw cells. It is considered unlikely that Renshaw cells contain a pool of GABA that can be released by nerve impulses.
Structural Studies of Obscurin Ig2

Obscurin (720-900 kD) is a giant sarcomeric signaling protein that plays a crucial role in the arrangement of the basic contractile unit of muscle. Mutations to Obscurin and to Obscurin binding partners have been linked to human muscle diseases such as hypertrophic cardiomyopathies and muscular dystrophy. These diseases likely occur due to the rescindment of specific molecular interactions necessary for suitable function. The modular arrangement of the independently folding domains of Obscurin allows for select analysis of each of these independent binding events. Here, we present the high-resolution crystal structure of the Obscurin Ig2 domain. This region binds to the extreme C-terminus of MBPC-slow variant, although how it does this is unknown. This structure is a canonical Ig-like fold, consisting of two beta sheets coming together to form a beta sandwich.
The application of laser-induced multi-scale surface texturing

Recently, there has been interest in controlling microstructure and surface texture on smaller and smaller scales. However, in nature, materials are organized on length scales varying from the nano- to the micro- and larger. In order to realize hierarchical structuring for use in biomedical and mechanical systems, two methods for producing multi-scale surface microstructures and physical textures are explained. The first investigates the use of a marking laser to produce multi-scale texturing of zirconia coatings on Ti-6Al-4V substrates and the second method discusses the design and challenges associated with laser interference surface texturing along with process and material factors controlling surface structures.
International Geomagnetic Reference Field 1980 A Report by IAGA Division I, Working Group I

IGRF 1965, the first international geomagnetic reference field, was adopted by the International Association of Geomagnetism and Aeronomy (IAGA) in 1968 (IAGA Commission 2, Working Group 4, 1969). It consists of a model of the main field at 1965.0, along with a model of secular variation for use in extending the main field model in time, both backward (not earlier than 1955.0) and forward (not later than 1975.0). IGRF 1975, adopted later, consists of IGRF 1965 extended to 1975.0, along with a revised model of secular variation for use in extending the main field model up to 1980.0 (IAGA Division I Study Group, 1976).
A harmonic oscillator having “volleyball damping”

Volleyball damping corresponds to linear damping up to a certain critical velocity, with zero damping above this value. The dynamics of a linear harmonic oscillator is investigated with this damping mechanism.
The Operational Use of QuikSCAT Ocean Surface Vector Winds at the National Hurricane Center

Abstract The utility and shortcomings of near-real-time ocean surface vector wind retrievals from the NASA Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) in operational forecast and analysis activities at the National Hurricane Center (NHC) are described. The use of QuikSCAT data in tropical cyclone (TC) analysis and forecasting for center location/identification, intensity (maximum sustained wind) estimation, and analysis of outer wind radii is presented, along with shortcomings of the data due to the effects of rain contamination and wind direction uncertainties. Automated QuikSCAT solutions in TCs often fail to show a closed circulation, and those that do are often biased to the southwest of the NHC best-track position. QuikSCAT winds show the greatest skill in TC intensity estimation in moderate to strong tropical storms. In tropical depressions, a positive bias in QuikSCAT winds is seen due to enhanced backscatter by rain, while in major hurricanes rain attenuation, resolution, and signal saturation result in a larg...
Screening Assays for the Mitochondrial Permeability Transition Using a Fluorescence Multiwell Plate Reader

Opening of permeability transition (PT) pores in the mitochondrial inner membrane causes the mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) and leads to mitochondrial swelling, membrane depolarization, and release of intramitochondrial solutes. Here, our aim was to develop high-throughput assays using a fluorescence plate reader to screen potential inducers and blockers of the MPT. Isolated rat liver mitochondria (0.5 mg/ml) were incubated in multiwell plates with tetramethylrhodamine methyl ester (TMRM, 1 microM), a potential-indicating fluorophore, and Fluo-5N (1 microM), a low-affinity Ca(2+) indicator. Incubation led to mitochondrial polarization, as indicated by uncoupler-sensitive quenching of the red TMRM fluorescence. CaCl(2) (100 microM) addition led to ruthenium red-sensitive mitochondrial Ca(2+) uptake, as indicated by green Fluo-5N fluorescence. After Ca(2+) accumulation, mitochondria depolarized, released Ca(2+) into the medium, and began to swell. This swelling was monitored as a decrease in light absorbance at 620 nm. Swelling, depolarization, and Ca(2+) release were prevented by cyclosporin A (1 microM), confirming that these events represented the MPT. Measurements of Ca(2+), mitochondrial membrane potential, and swelling could be made independently from the same wells without cross interference, and all three signals could be read from every well of a 48-well plate in about 1 min. In other experiments, mitochondria were ester-loaded with carboxydichlorofluorescein (carboxy-DCF) during the isolation procedure. Release of carboxy-DCF after PT pore opening led to an unquenching of green carboxy-DCF fluorescence occurring simultaneously with swelling. By combining measurements of carboxy-DCF release, Ca(2+) uptake, membrane potential, and swelling, MPT inducers and blockers can be distinguished from uncouplers, respiratory inhibitors, and blockers of Ca(2+) uptake. This high-throughput multiwell assay is amenable for screening panels of compounds for their ability to promote or block the MPT.
Archaeal RNA polymerase and transcription regulation

To elucidate the mechanism of transcription by cellular RNA polymerases (RNAPs), high-resolution X-ray crystal structures together with structure-guided biochemical, biophysical, and genetics studies are essential. The recently solved X-ray crystal structures of archaeal RNAP allow a structural comparison of the transcription machinery among all three domains of life. The archaea were once thought of closely related to bacteria, but they are now considered to be more closely related to the eukaryote at the molecular level than bacteria. According to these structures, the archaeal transcription apparatus, which includes RNAP and general transcription factors (GTFs), is similar to the eukaryotic transcription machinery. Yet, the transcription regulators, activators and repressors, encoded by archaeal genomes are closely related to bacterial factors. Therefore, archaeal transcription appears to possess an intriguing hybrid of eukaryotic-type transcription apparatus and bacterial-like regulatory mechanisms. Elucidating the transcription mechanism in archaea, which possesses a combination of bacterial and eukaryotic transcription mechanisms that are commonly regarded as separate and mutually exclusive, can provide data that will bring basic transcription mechanisms across all life forms.
Patterns of Recurrence After Ablation of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases

To determine the local recurrence rate and factors associated with recurrence after intraoperative ablation of colorectal cancer liver metastases. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively maintained database was performed for patients who underwent ablation of a hepatic colorectal cancer metastasis in the operating room from April 1996 to March 2010. Kaplan-Meier survival curves and Cox models were used to determine recurrence rates and assess significance. Ablation was performed in 10% (n = 158 patients) of all cases during the study period. Seventy-eight percent were performed in conjunction with a liver resection. Of the 315 tumors ablated, most tumors were ≤1 cm in maximum diameter (53%). Radiofrequency ablation was used to treat most of the tumors (70%). Thirty-six tumors (11%) had local recurrence as part of their recurrence pattern. Disease recurred in the liver or systemically after 212 tumors (67%) were ablated. On univariate analysis, tumor size greater than 1 cm was associated with a significantly increased risk of local recurrence (hazard ratio 2.3, 95% confidence interval 1.2–4.5, P = 0.013). The 2 year ablation zone recurrence-free survival was 92% for tumors ≤1 cm compared to 81% for tumors >1 cm. On multivariate analysis, tumor size of >1 cm, lack of postoperative chemotherapy, and use of cryotherapy were significantly associated with a higher local recurrence rate. Intraoperative ablation appears to be highly effective treatment for hepatic colorectal tumors ≤1 cm.
Calcium signalling in hair cells: multiple roles in a compact cell

Ca2+ is critical for mechanosensory adaptation, frequency tuning, afferent synaptic transmission, and efferent modulation in hair cells. These four processes involve cytoplasmic Ca2+ in three independent signalling pathways. Recent work suggests that Ca2+ regulates a myosin adaptation motor, and that a mobile Ca2+ buffer is highly concentrated in hair cells. Focal Ca2+ entry and the cytoplasmic Ca2+ buffer help to separate these pathways by limiting the spread of Ca2+ signals.
Urban Modeling as Storytelling: Using Simulation Models as a Narrative

This article examines the distinctions between empirical and simulation models using the metaphors of argument and narrative. It argues that all argumentation is contextualized within a narrative that is either inferred or communicated. The paper provides another semantic structure for urban models that applies elements of systems- dynamic method to construct "stories" of the past and possible futures of communities in a watershed in southern Arizona. By constructing such narratives this paper demonstrates how computer-based urban models can "tell a story".
Melatonin: deacetylation to 5-methoxytryptamine by liver but not brain aryl acylamidase.

— Rat liver and brain slices were incubated in vitro with [3H]melatonin. Liver slices synthesized small amounts of [3H]5-methoxyindoleacetic acid ([3H]5-MIAA) along with other melatonin metabolites including 6-hydroxymelatonin. Pretreatment of animals prior to killing with the irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor pargyline allowed [3H]5-methoxytryptamine ([3H]5-MT) to be recovered from the incubation. No [3H]5-MIAA or [3H]5-MT could be detected in incubations with hypothalamic slices or following intraventrieular injection of [3H]melatonin. The possibility that the deacetylase aryl acylamidase was in part responsible for the deacetylation occurring in liver slices was examined. Liver aryl acylamidase was able to utilize [3H]melatonin as substrate to produce [3H]5-MT. Furthermore, the liver enzyme was inhibited by melatonin (Ki. 1 mm) when tested with the alternate substrate o-nitroacetanalide. Brain aryl acylamidase did not generate any detectable [3H]5-MT nor was it inhibited by melatonin. These results suggest that 5-MT is not formed in brain from melatonin although trace amounts of 5-MT in the periphery could be derived from this precursor.
Rapid high-performance liquid chromatographic determination of fatty acid profiles of lipids by conversion to their hydroxamic acids

A simple and rapid procedure is described for the determination of fatty acid profiles of lipids by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Rapid derivatization of esterified fatty acids to their hydroxamic acids was achieved in a single step at room temperature in ca. 1 min by conducting the reaction in solvents of low acidity. The long-chain hydroxamic acids (C8 to C24) were separated on a commercial C18 column with a low FE(III) content, which minimized peak distortion due to strong complexation. The detection limit (2 × baseline noise) was 150 pmol at 213 nm. This method was applied successfully to the analysis of various lipid samples.
Integrative tumor board: recurrent breast cancer or new primary? UCSF Osher Center for Integrative Medicine and UCSF Carol Franc Buck Breast Care Center.

History of present illness: 1994 – Bilateral mammogram revealed bilateral benign calcifications confirmed by ultrasound. 1995 – increase in calcifications in the left breast. Excisional biopsy – 2.5 × 2 × 2 cm tumor positive for welldifferentiated intraductal and infiltrating ductal carcinoma, grade I. Borderline high S-phase. Estrogen and progesterone receptors positive. Her-2/ neu is negative. 1996 – Left axillary dissection, which revealed 1/17 positive lymph nodes. 1996 – Patient received cytoxan, methotrexate, 5-FU (6 cycles) with radiation sandwiched in between at 6,640 cGy over 36 fractions. Patient was then on tamoxifen for 5 years. Patient did well with routine physical exams, mammograms, and occasional ultrasounds until spring 2002 when a mammogram revealed a cluster of calcifications in the left breast. Left breast lumpectomy revealed an infiltrating ductal carcinoma with clear margins. Estrogen receptor positive. Progesterone receptor negative. Her-2/neu negative. Within 1 month, the patient was started on Arimidex. Whole body PET/CT scan was negative for metastatic disease. BRCA-1 and 2 = negative.
Decay-accelerating factor limits hemorrhage-instigated tissue injury and improves resuscitation clinical parameters.

Abstract Background Complement is invariably activated during trauma and contributes to tissue injury. Recombinant human decay-accelerating factor (DAF), a complement regulatory protein that inhibits both classical and alternative pathways, improves survival and reduces tissue damage in animal models of tissue injury. The extent to which DAF may facilitate resuscitation in hemorrhaged large animals is not known. Methods Male Yorkshire swine assigned to one of six groups were subjected to controlled, isobaric hemorrhage over 15 min to a target mean arterial pressure (MAP) of 35 mm Hg. Hypotension was maintained for 20 min followed by a bolus intravenous injection of DAF or vehicle followed by Hextend resuscitation. Animals were observed for 3 h after hypotensive Hextend resuscitation. Survival, blood chemistry, and physiological parameters were recorded. Additionally, tissue from lung, small intestine, liver, and kidney were subjected to histopathologic evaluation and tissue deposition of complement proteins was determined by immunohistochemistry, dot-blot, and Western blot analyses. Results Administration of DAF (25 μg/kg) to animals subjected to hemorrhage prior to Hextend infusion significantly improved survival (73% versus 27%); protected gut, lung, liver, and kidney tissue from damage; and resulted in reduced resuscitation fluid requirements when compared with animals subjected to hemorrhage and resuscitation with Hextend alone. Animals treated with a higher dose of DAF (50 μg/kg) followed by Hextend fluid resuscitation did not experience the same benefit, suggesting a narrow therapeutic range for use of DAF as adjunct to Hextend fluid. Conclusion DAF improved survival and reduced early Hextend fluid resuscitation requirements in swine subjected to hemorrhagic shock. These benefits are attributed to decreased complement deposition and limited organ damage.
Specific heat of La1.875−xNdxSr0.125CuO4: Magnetic and structural transitions

Abstract Near 70K (La,Ba) 2 CuO 4 undergoes a structural transition from orthorhombic to tetragonal symmetry (LTO→LTT). Partial substitution of La by Nd produces an additional transition that has been observed in structural studies. The specific heats of La 1.475 Nd 0.4 Sr 0.125 CuO 4 and La 1.275 Nd 0.6 Sr 0.125 CuO 4 samples exhibit anomalies near 75K, which are associated with these structural transitions, and additional smaller anomalies near 30K, which may be associated with a magnetic transition detected by μSR.
Observations of Langmuir circulation and internal waves

Sequences of surface velocity and backscatter intensity measurements were obtained with a 50 kHz multibeam acoustic Doppler system. The 32 element array yields resolutions of roughly 10 m in range by 1.5/spl deg/ bearing, sampling every 2.5 s. Data were obtained in conjunction with the Hawaiian Ocean Mixing Experiment (HOME), and includes well-resolved samples of both high-frequency internal waves and Langmuir circulation. The former are associated with the strong internal tides generated over the Hawaiian midocean ridge, while the latter are driven by the trades and/or storm winds, together with the complex directional wave field. Surface waves are also resolved (for periods longer than 5 seconds), typically revealing several discrete directional "modes." In addition, rapid-profiling CTDs and a combined up/down-looking sonar ("deep-8 sonar") are used to describe the profiles of density and velocity associated with the internal wave field. The data are used to investigate interactions between Langmuir circulation in the mixed layer and the underlying internal wave field. In particular, the hypothesis that the internal waves can disrupt the Langmuir circulation is examined.
Puromycin inhibition of ethanol ingestion and liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity in the rat.

Abstract Puromycin administered intraperitoneally in a dosage of 4 mg/100g body weight every 56 h for a period of 26 days produced a suppression of forced-choice alcohol drinking in the hooded rat. Food intake and weight gain were also diminished in these animals. A similar dosage of puromycin produced no changes in water and food intake for a group of control animals. Puromycin produced a suppression of alcohol drinking, without significant changes in water and food ingestion, in rats maintained on a free-choice ethanol selection regimen. Induced increases in liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity following forced-choice alcohol drinking were significantly suppressed by puromycin. Liver protein concentration was also reduced, but suppression of alcohol dehydrogenase was significant when enzyme activity was computed on the basis of total liver protein. These data support previous findings that an adaptive increase in liver alcohol dehydrogenase activity is associated with ethanol ingestion by rodents. The data also show that adaptive increases in alcohol dehydrogenase activity may be suppressed by puromycin and concomitant ingestion of ethanol is also suppressed.
Repeated measures regression and mediational tests: Enhancing the power of leadership research

Abstract Repeated measures regression is described and advocated for team contexts in which mediational tests are appropriate. We propose that this paradigm serves as an excellent design and data-analytic strategy for research on teams and team leadership, because studies in this area are often characterized by a small number of teams and leaders, relative to the number of variables that might be theoretically linked to their outcomes. The technique is especially valuable for longitudinal studies, where practical limitations preclude a large number of teams. Although the longitudinal nature of such research often leads to small sample sizes and hence reduced power, repeated measures regression makes it possible to regain some of this power through the use of multiple observations and between teams/within team variance partitioning. The use of this technique is illustrated with both hypothetical data and actual data generated to test a specific theory of teams and team leadership.
Early Childhood Predictors of Post-Kindergarten Executive Function: Behavior, Parent Report, and Psychophysiology

Research Findings: This study examined whether children's executive functions before kindergarten would predict variance in executive functions after kindergarten. We obtained behavioral (working memory task performance), parent-reported (temperament-based inhibitory control), and psychophysiological (working memory–related changes in heart rate and brain electrical activity) measures of executive functions from a group of preschool-age children. After children finished kindergarten, approximately 2 years later, parents were asked to complete an assessment of children's executive function skills. A regression analysis revealed that pre-kindergarten behavioral, parent-reported, and psychophysiological measures accounted for variance in post-kindergarten executive functions. Specifically, working memory task performance, temperament-based inhibitory control, and working memory–related changes in brain electrical activity accounted for unique variance in post-kindergarten executive functions. These data prov...
Mutation of Thr466 in SHP2 abolishes its phosphatase activity, but provides a new substrate-trapping mutant.

Most classical phosphotyrosyl phosphatases (PTPs), including the Src homology phosphotyrosyl phosphatase 2 (SHP2) possess a Thr or a Ser residue immediately C-terminal to the invariant Arg in the active site consensus motif (H/V-C-X5-R-S/T), also known as the “signature motif”. SHP2 has a Thr (Thr466) at this position, but its importance in catalysis has not been investigated. By employing site-directed mutagenesis, phosphatase assays and substrate-trapping studies, we demonstrate that Thr466 is critical for the catalytic activity of SHP2. Its mutation to Ala abolishes phosphatase activity, but provides a new substrate-trapping mutant. We further show that the nucleophilic Cys459 is not involved in substrate trapping by Thr466Ala-SHP2 (T/A-SHP2). Mutation of Thr466 does not cause significant structural changes in the active site as revealed by the trapping of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), the physiological substrate of SHP2, and by orthovanadate competition experiments. Based on these results and previous other works, we propose that the role of Thr466 in the catalytic process of SHP2 could be stabilizing the sulfhydryl group of Cys459 in its reduced state, a state that enables nucleophilic attack on the phosphate moiety of the substrate. The T/A-SHP2 harbors a single mutation and specifically interacts with the EGFR. Since the nucleophilic Cys459 and the proton donor Asp425 are intact in the T/A-SAHP2, it offers an excellent starting material for solving the structure of SHP2 in complex with its physiological substrate. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Neutron diffraction identifies His 57 as the catalytic base in trypsin.

The mechanism of action of trypsin and other serine proteases has been widely debated1–5, particularly with regard to the identification of the group at the active site which functions as the chemical base during the catalytic process. Attempts to resolve this question by a number of indirect techniques, including NMR, isotope exchange, difference IR and quantum mechanical calculations, have resulted in different identifications of this group6,7. Neutron diffraction, because of its ability to locate hydrogen atoms experimentally, offers the most direct way of resolving this issue. Results are presented here from a 2.2-A neutron data set for bovine trypsin covalently inhibited by a transition-state analogue, the monoisopropylphosphoryl (MIP) group. His 57 is clearly identified as the base in the catalytic process.
Laparoscopic sentinel lymph node mapping for cervix cancer--a detailed evaluation and time analysis

Objective To provide data from a US center on laparoscopic (LSC) approach to sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection in cervix cancer with detailed time analysis. Methods This prospective trial enrolled patients with stage IA2-IIA cervix cancer undergoing primary radical surgery. Tc-99 radiocolloid was injected the morning of surgery, followed by hybrid SPECT/CT lymphoscintigraphy. Blue dye injection occurred just prior to incision. After bilateral LSC SLN detection, all patients received complete LSC pelvic lymphadenectomy. Institutional SLN protocol was followed for frozen section, hematoxylin and eosin, and cytokeratin staining. Results Between December 2003 and February 2006, 20 enrolled patients received 9 LSC-assisted radical vaginal hysterectomies, 7 radical abdominal hysterectomies, 2 LSC-assisted radical vaginal trachelectomies, and 2 LSC lymphadenectomies alone (secondary to positive lymph nodes). Mean tumor size was 2.5 cm. Nineteen percent of the 64 SLNs were found in unusual sites, including common iliac (11%), presacral (5%) and para-aortic (3%). The negative predictive value was 100%. The combined technique detected SLNs bilaterally in all patients. If blue dye alone was used, this rate would have dropped to 67.5% and was negatively correlated with elapsed surgical time (-0.7; p=0.002). The ability to visualize blue SLNs remained steady for 30 min and was completely gone by 50 min. Conclusions Laparoscopic SLN mapping can be newly introduced into gynecologic oncology centers with high detection rates and negative predictive values. The visualization of blue dye in SLNs is transient, and this negative time correlation may explain the previously reported inferior detection rates with this technique. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION.: ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT 00205010.
Single and multistage production lot sizing with work-in-process inventory considerations

Abstract This paper modifies the single end item production lot sizing model with the explicit incorporation of the effects of conversion of input to output at finite rates and the resulting work-in-process inventories, for both single stage and multistage production/inventory systems, under deterministic conditions. We show that the single stage model is a special case of the more general multistage model and illustrate our results through simple numerical examples.
Physical Mapping of the Evolutionary Boundary between Human Chromosomes 21 and 22 on Mouse Chromosome 10

Adjacent regions of mouse Chromosome 10 (MMU10) show conserved synteny with human chromosome 22 (HSA22) and the telomeric region of HSA21. Physical mapping on MMU10 using YAC fragmentation and PAC contig analyses demonstrates that Prmt2 has a position consistent with its human homolog, HRMT1L1, being telomeric to S100B on HSA21. This result establishes Prmt2 as the new proximal boundary of the region of conserved synteny between MMU10 and HSA21 and predicts that it is the most telomeric gene known on HSA21. Physical mapping refines the positions and order of HSA22 homologs Mmp11, Mif, and Ddt, demonstrates the orientation of S100b on the mouse chromosome, and localizes the junction of conserved synteny between HSA21 and HSA22 on MMU10. Comparative mapping in this region is important for defining gene structure and dosage imbalance in Down syndrome (DS), for developing animal models of DS, and for understanding processes of chromosome evolution.
Macrolide Use Leads to Clinical and Radiological Improvement in Patients with Cryptogenic Organizing Pneumonia

Cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is an idiopathic form of organizing pneumonia (also known as bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia). Because cryptogenic organizing pneumonia is considered an inflammatory disease, it characteristically responds to the broad-spectrum antiinflammatory corticosteroids, although relapse is common on discontinued use. Additionally, long-term use of corticosteroids has many side effects. In severe cases in which corticosteroids have failed, either cytotoxic therapy or macrolide therapy is used. Because of the toxicity and adverse effects of cytotoxic therapy (e.g., cyclophosphamide), this therapy option cannot be used long term in refractory cases. Macrolide therapy has been shown to be an effective antiinflammatory agent that is relatively safe when used on a long-term basis in patients with cryptogenic organizing pneumonia.