cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
THERMAL DESTRUCTION KINETICS OF A LACTIC STREPTOCOCCAL BACTERIOPHAGE.

Abstract The aim of the study was to elucidate the kinetics of thermal destruction of a lactic streptococcal bacteriophage, and to determine the effect of varied propagation and heating conditions on its thermoresistance. The propagation medium and temperature affect the degree of thermostability of the phage produced; higher incubation temperature enhances thermostability. The composition and reaction of the heating menstruum are also of significance. Phage thermoresistance increased significantly with the phosphate and whey levels. The effect of various minerals was difficult to resolve, mainly because of the bimodal nature of the survival curve. Thermoresistance was highest at pH 6, intermediate at pH 7, and lowest at pH 8. The kinetics of inactivation of this phage deviated from those of a first-order reaction. Consequently, a special treatment of the data was required in order to compute the various thermodynamic parameters that define the reaction. The high positive values of Q10, energy of inactivation, and entropy appear to indict protein denaturation as the cause of phage destruction.
When Sommers Are Winters: Do Blanks Denote Revocability?

In Sommers, ruling on both parties’ motions for partial summary judgment, the Tax Court dealt with claims of issue preclusion and collateral estoppel, equitable apportionment, the completion of gifts of limited liability company interests, and retained powers that would cause estate tax inclusion. Two aspects of Sommers held particular interest for me. The first is that the parties appear to be arguing their opponent’s conventional position. The second is that the court grappled with whether the blanks left in the gift documents were immaterial to gift completion; however, the court did not address whether the decedent’s completed gifts qualified for the annual exclusion or whether their value was unascertainable at the time of the gifts for any donee to obtain immediate use or possession of the transferred property.
Rapid detection and characterization of multimolecular cellular constituents by two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis

Abstract Agarose gel electrophoresis (best known for fractionating nucleic acids by length and conformation) may also be used for fractionating multimolecular complexes of either protein or protein together with other macromolecules. To improve analyses of such complexes, a procedure of two-dimensional agarose gel electrophoresis (2D-AGE) with the following capabilities has been developed: (1) the radius (R) of those spherical particles that form bands can be measured with an accuracy that can be as high as ±1%; (2) the solid-support-free electrophoretic mobility of band-forming particles can be measured; (3) the distribution of R in mixtures heterogeneous in R can be measured; and (4) complex mixtures can be analysed with separations that can be tuned to the R of particles of interest.
Induction of phototropism by multiple pulses of unilateral light

Abstract The effects of four sequential pulses of unilateral monochromatic blue light on phototropism were studied using darkgrown buckwheat ( Fagopyrum esculentum ) hypocotyls and a variety of fluence rates, pulse lengths and dark interval durations. Pulse stimuli can induce substantial curvature (>70°), obey the law of reciprocity, and are more effective than continuous irradiation. The optimal pulse length was inconsistently variable, while the optimal dark interval duration increases from 15 min to 45 min as the light pulse becomes more optimal. The magnitude of curvature is dependent on the length of the stimulus period, defined as the temporal sum of the light pulses and dark intervals. The complexity of the fluence-response relationships observed using long, continuous exposures is reduced; in addition to a fluence-independent region, only a single bell-shaped curve is generated by pulse stimuli. These data extend those reported for Arabidopsis (B. Steinitz and K. Poff, Planta, 168 [1986] 305) and support the proposal that a single mechanism, consisting of both light-dependent and light-independent events, exists for positive phototropism, at least of dicots.
A comparative study of uranyl nitrate and cisplatin-induced renal failure in rat.

Renal dysfunction can have substantial effects on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs. A wide variety of animal models have been developed in an attempt to mimic conditions seen in human renal failure. In reality, no single animal model would be completely satisfactory because the etiology and development of renal failure are diverse. During recent years injection of uranyl nitrate has been found to be the most effective and easiest method to produce renal dysfunction in laboratory animals. Changes over the last 10 years in government regulations on the production and use of radioactive substances make the compound less available. There is, therefore, a need for a more accessible compound comparable to uranyl nitrate as an inducer of renal failure. The present study compares the effects of another known nephrotoxin, cisplatin, with uranyl nitrate in the rat. Cisplatin was chosen because of its ability to produce kidney damage and its identical site and mechanism of action on the kidneys as uranyl nitrate. In the present study, rats were given different i. v. doses of uranyl nitrate or cisplatin dissolved in 0.9% of saline solution. The effects of nephrotoxins were evaluated on the basis of changes in body weight, creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. It was found that the degree of renal damage produced by uranyl nitrate and cisplatin is a function of the administered dose. With increasing dose there is evidence of more severe kidney damage, as measured by substantially increased plasma concentrations of creatinine and BUN. The time required to return to normal creatinine and BUN concentrations was also a function of dose. Furthermore, plasma alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activity was measured as an index of hepatocellular damage. The ALT test showed that a single dose does not affect the liver function. From dose-response curves a dose of 4 mg/kg body weight of uranyl nitrate or cisplatin was chosen to produce acute renal failure in animals for pharmacokinetic study of barbital. Barbital (100 mg/kg) was administered on the fifth day (the day of maximum renal dysfunction) to uranyl nitrate, cisplatin-treated and control rats. The elimination rate constant (k), elimination half life (t1/2), volume of distribution at steady state (Vss) total (CLt) and renal clearance (CLt) were significantly different in treated groups of rats from control, however no such difference was detected between uranyl nitrate and cisplatin-treated group of rats. In short, cisplatin is comparable to uranyl nitrate in producing renal failure in the rat and can be considered a suitable alternative.
Petrogenesis of a vitrophyre in the martian meteorite breccia NWA 7034

Abstract Northwest Africa (NWA) 7034 and its paired meteorites NWA 7533 and NWA 7475 are the first recognized martian polymict breccia samples. An unusual, large, subrounded clast in NWA 7034 shows a vitrophyric texture, consisting of skeletal pyroxene and olivine with mesostasis. This lithology has not been observed in the paired meteorites. It crystallized under disequilibrium conditions as indicated by its olivine and pyroxene KDFe/Mg partitioning values, as well as reversed order of crystallization and mineral compositions relative to those predicted by MELTS. We report the highest bulk Ni value (1020 ppm) measured in any known martian meteorite or martian igneous rock, suggesting an impact melt origin for the vitrophyre. Addition of 5.3–7.7% chondritic material to the target rock would account for the Ni enrichment. The bulk major and trace element abundances of the vitrophyre indicate that the protolith was not the host breccia nor any other martian meteorites. However, the clast is compositionally similar to Humphrey rock in Gusev crater analyzed by the Spirit rover and to a texturally distinct group of clasts in the paired meteorite NWA 7533. Thus, we propose that the target rock was an igneous lithology similar to Gusev basalts, which was subsequently contaminated by a chondritic impactor.
Effect of weathering on the stress distribution and mechanical performance of automotive paint systems

The sources of stress in complete automative paint systems have been identified and measured as a function of weathering. In addition to the stresses developed during cure, the main sources of stresses developed during exposure are thermal expansion coefficient mismatch, humidity expansion mismatch, and densification of the clearcoat. Stresses generally increase during weathering due to a slow densification of the clearcoat and increasing water absorption and desorption stresses. Finite element analysis (FEA) was used to compute the stress distribution in full paint systems. Stresses are typically in-plane and highest in the primer and clearcoat. Stresses approaching those required to propagate cracks can be attained in weathered paint systems. The presence of flaws, either cracks or incipient delaminations, will lead to large stress concentrations that can give rise to peeling forces not present in coatings without cracks.
Positioning Epidemiology in a Changing Environment Over the Next 25 Years: Introduction

A panel of former presidents of the American College of Epidemiology has been convened to reflect on future challenges in epidemiology and public health and how epidemiologists may be best prepared to meet these challenges. The evolving priorities in the allocation of resources, recruitment and training of health professionals, and the orientation of future intervention programs in disease prevention and control require a global perspective. We cannot afford to view a future that is limited to fulfilling only national priorities. Public health emergencies (e.g., pandemics of infectious diseases) transcend national boundaries and require international collaboration. Another compelling example would be preparedness for bioterrorism, which encompasses the intentional release of bacteria, viruses, or toxins for the purpose of harming or killing civilians (1). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlighted ‘‘ten great public health achievements’’ during 1900–1999: vaccines to prevent childhood communicable diseases; measures to ensure motor vehicle safety; establishing guidelines for safety in the workplace; national morbidity and mortality surveillance of acute and chronic diseases; declining coronary heart disease and stroke mortality; increasing safety and nutritional assessment of marketed foods; improving maternal and infant health; assistance in family planning; fluoridation of drinking water; and the recognition of tobacco use as a major health hazard (2). In the latter half of the 20th century, the emergence of chronic diseases provided a stimulus for enhancing the capacity of the public health infrastructure. Epidemiologists, in recognizing the complexity of the etiology and prevention of emerging chronic diseases, developed an increasing capacity for conducting population-based studies that examined health determinants in relationship to molecular and genetic mechanisms as well as social epidemiologic studies that assessed the contextual significance of social class, neighborhood, and ethnicity (3). It is also apparent that the public health infrastructure comprises a partnership of federal, state, and municipal governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations, academic research and training institutions, and community-based ‘‘stakeholders.’’
Reflections on the genus Corollospora (Ascomycetes)

The arenicolous ascomycete Corollospora cinnamomea is reported from a beach in Puerto Rico, the diagnosis is amended, and a key to the members of the genus is presented. Circumstantial evidence supports the view that Varicosporina ramulosa is a Corollospora that has lost its ability to reproduce sexually.
Differential Effects of Prevention and Reversal Treatment with Lisinopril on Left Ventricular Remodelling in a Rat Model of Heart Failure.

Background Angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors such as lisinopril, represent the front line pharmacological treatment for heart failure, which is characterised by marked left ventricular (LV) dilatation and hypertrophy. This study sought to determine whether initiating treatment with ACE inhibitors at different stages in the remodelling process would alter the efficacy of treatment. Methods To this end, LV size and function were determined in the aortocaval (AV) fistula model of volume overload-induced heart failure. Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned to sham, untreated AV fistula (21 weeks), AV fistula treated with lisinopril (21 weeks), or AV fistula treated with lisinopril from six to 21 weeks post-fistula groups. Results Administration of lisinopril for the entire 21-week period prevented LV dilatation, attenuated myocardial hypertrophy and prevented changes in myocardial compliance and contractility, whereas delaying initiation of treatment until six weeks post-fistula attenuated LV dilatation and hypertrophy, however, the delayed onset of treatment had no beneficial effect on ventricular compliance or systolic function. Conclusions The results demonstrate differential effects that can occur with ACE inhibitors depending on the stage during the remodelling process at which treatment is administered.
All roads lead to Rome? The multiple pathways of protein folding

Recent studies have found that protein folding reactions often proceed through two or more kinetically distinct pathways. In at least some cases, the observed folding intermediates act as kinetic traps, slowing the rate at which folding is completed. These findings have important implications for understanding how proteins fold in vitro and in vivo.
L'E MUET

Author's summary.— After having given the general characteristics of the mute e, reference is made to Pernot's work on this subject; then follows a general outline of his article: Revue de Phonetique, Didier, tome vi, pp. 64–151.
Cumulative Hazard Ratio Estimation for Treatment Regimes in Sequentially Randomized Clinical Trials

The proportional hazards model is widely used in survival analysis to allow adjustment for baseline covariates. The proportional hazard assumption may not be valid for treatment regimes that depend on intermediate responses to prior treatments received, and it is not clear how such a model can be adapted to clinical trials employing more than one randomization. Besides, since treatment is modified post-baseline, the hazards are unlikely to be proportional across treatment regimes. Although Lokhnygina and Helterbrand (Biometrics 63: 422–428, 2007) introduced the Cox regression method for two-stage randomization designs, their method can only be applied to test the equality of two treatment regimes that share the same maintenance therapy. Moreover, their method does not allow auxiliary variables to be included in the model nor does it account for treatment effects that are not constant over time. In this article, we propose a model that assumes proportionality across covariates within each treatment regime but not across treatment regimes. Comparisons among treatment regimes are performed by testing the log ratio of the estimated cumulative hazards. The ratio of the cumulative hazard across treatment regimes is estimated using a weighted Breslow-type statistic. A simulation study was conducted to evaluate the performance of the estimators and proposed tests.
Low energy effective hamiltonian for ΔI = 1 nuclear parity violation and nucleonic strangeness

Abstract We calculate the low energy effective hamiltonian for isovector ( ΔI = 1) nuclear parity violation, including the effects of heavy quarks s, c and b. At the hadronic scale, the hamiltonian contains four-quark operators of the u, d, and s quarks whose coefficients contain leading logarithmic QCD corrections from running between the weak scale and the hadronic scale. The coefficients of the operators involving the s quark are substantially larger than those of the operators involving only the u and d quarks. Recent EMC measurements of the spin-dependent proton structure functions g 1 p ( x ) and measurements of the low- Q 2 axial nucleon-Z 0 coupling from neutrino scattering indicate that the nucleon matrix element of the strange vector axial current is substantial. Assumming that the weak amplitude factorizes, this matrix element gives rise to an enhancement in the weak isovector parity violating NN ϱ coupling, and consequently an enhancement of h ϱ 1 .
Human mitochondrial electron transport chain: assay of succinate: cytochrome c reductase in leukocytes, platelets and cultured fibroblasts.

Abstract An assay for the middle portion of the mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is described. Succinate: cytochrome c reductase (SCR) activity is measured in mitochondria isolated from human leukocytes, platelets, and cultured fibroblasts. The activity is blocked by antimycin A indicating specificity for the mitochondrial inner membrane ETC. SCR values in normal and Friedreich's ataxia patients were similar. This assay may be helpful in evaluating acquired and heritable disorders of mitochondrial metabolism.
The Bifurcation of One or More Closed Orbits from an Equilibrium Point of an Autonomous Differential System

where x and X are real n-vectors in the Euclidean space ZP(n > 2), E > 0 is a small parameter, P is a real n x n matrix, and X(0,6) = 0, E > 0, so that the origin x = 0 is an equilibrium point of (*) for E > 0. We will require that both P and X be continuous in their respective arguments and that X satisfy a suitable Lipschitz condition in x, explicitly stated below, from which it follows that 1 X(x, l )I = o(I x I) as 1 x ( + 0. Furthermore, we will assume that for each E > 0 there exist two distinct complex-conjugate eigenvalues of P(E) which have zero real part for E = 0 and positive real part for z > 0. The other n 2 eigenvalues of P(C), we will assume, have negative real parts for all E > 0. Finally, we will suppose that when E = 0 the equilibrium point at the origin 3c = 0 is asymptotically stable in the sense of Liapunov. The object of our investigations is to obtain a complete description of the qualitative behavior of solutions of (*) near the origin when E > 0. Our principal results can be described as follows. For E > 0 and sufficiently small, there exist for (*) two closed orbits yl(e) and y*(c), not necessarily distinct, and as E -+ 0 + these orbits uniformly contract to the origin. In this sense we can say that n(e) and ys(e) bifurcate
Magnetic activation of bipolar plasmas in HgTe-CdTe superlattices

It is shown theoretically that in semimetallic HgTe-CdTe superlattices, there is a critical magnetic field above which minority carriers with density proportional to B-${\mathit{B}}_{\mathrm{crit}}$ are expected to coexist with majority carriers in the zero-temperature limit. Experimental confirmation of the magnetically activated bipolar plasma is provided by low-temperature magneto-optical data showing the emergence of minority holes in an n-type superlattice whenever Bg${\mathit{B}}_{\mathrm{crit}}$.
Studies on the maternal effect of the semilethal gene, v, in the Mexican axolotl. I. Influence of temperature on the expression of the effect. II. Cytological changes in the affected embryos.

Abstract The gene, v , in the Mexican axolotl has recently been shown to affect the egg cytoplasm during oogenesis in such a way as to lead to abnormalities in development following fertilization. Affected embryos frequently are arrested in blastula stages and display a remarkable appearance resulting from a stratification of the contents of the blastomeres. Or they may continue to later stages before the maternal effect becomes apparent ( Humphrey, 1962 ). The present paper is concerned with the influence of temperature on the expression of this maternal effect and with the cytological changes occurring in the affected embryos. The influence of temperature on the maternal effect was investigated by rearing the embryos at 25° C and at 14–20° C. (Both temperatures are well within the range permitting normal development of control eggs.) At 25° a large majority (88%) of the embryos were arrested in mid-blastula stages and exhibited a striking appearance due to a stratification of the contents of the blastomeres. At lower temperatures (14–20°) the expression of the maternal effect was delayed. Less than 1% of the embryos were arrested in mid-blastula stages. Approximately 70% developed to gastrula and neurula stages and 30% to more advanced embryonic stages. Stratification of cell contents was observed in the gastrulae and some neurulae but was less pronounced than that seen in arrested blastulae. The maternal effect results in a striking rearrangement of cell components in embryos arrested in blastula and gastrula stages. The first cytologically detectable change consists in a concentration of the RNA-containing cytoplasm into the upper (animal) parts of the cells. Nuclei are similarly displaced from their normal central location and are found in the upper parts of the cells, wholly or partly within the RNA-containing cytoplasm. These changes in the distribution of nuclei and of cytoplasmic RNA are followed by a sedimentation of yolk platelets and then of pigment granules. Eventually the cells take on a highly stratified appearance. For a time after the beginning of the cytoplasmic stratification the nuclei continue mitotic activity which, however, is usually of an abnormal type. The most common abnormality (at 25°) is an extensive polyploidization, indicating that chromosomal replication continues for a time after nuclear and cell division have been suppressed.
Impedance characterization and modelling of an improved patch clamp device

The gold standard for studying the properties of ion channels is the patch clamp, a technique that measures pA currents passing through ion channels in an isolated patch of cell membrane. The authors sought to design an improved device for whole-cell patch clamp recordings using nanoscale pipettes which more readily form seals with the cell membrane and a movable metal electrode to decrease the access resistance, increase the signal bandwidth, and clear debris from the pipette tip. Electrical characterization of the instrument by impedance spectroscopy showed that advancing the metal electrode towards the pipette tip decreased the impedance distinctly in different frequency bands, the greatest decrease occurring between 1 and 100 kHz, and the smallest at 100 kHz. Finite element simulations of the electrode, incorporating the electrode/electrolyte interface, suggest that optimal signal transmission can be achieved with athick-walled pipette, nearly filled with alarge Ag/AgCl electrode, whose impedance can ...
Highlights of "Scientific Detectors Workshop 2002" The workshop of (in)famous characters in the detector community

This paper provides an overview of the “Scientific Detectors Workshop 2002”, a 5 day meeting held on the Big Island of Hawaii in June 2002. The purpose of this workshop, which is held every 3 years, is to bring together the leading scientists and engineers working in the field of optical and infrared detectors. The 125 participants came from 14 countries on 6 continents and included representation from every major detector designer/manufacturer and 27 astronomical observatories. This paper is a synthesis of the information presented at the workshop. In order to provide context, we begin with an introduction to the use of optical/IR detectors in astronomy and the basic steps in light detection. We then present the major developments in optical and infrared detectors. We conclude with information about the 2002 workshop format and give advance notice of the next workshop, scheduled for 2005.
Specificity of Allogeneic Cell Recognition by Human Lymphocytes in vitro

Human lymphocytes proliferate in vitro in response to foreign histocompatibility antigens that are present on allogeneic lymphocytes. Within a population of immunocompetent lymphocytes there are specific subpopulations that respond to allogeneic cells from different individuals. A means of selectively eliminating such subpopulations is suggested.
Psychological Stress and Induced Ischemic Syndromes

Myocardial ischemia provoked by mental and emotional stress has been the focus of research for almost 40 years. In this paper, we briefly review the literature on this ischemic phenomenon, followed by a more focused review of research findings that have been disseminated over the past year. We use these reviews to highlight important issues concerning research methods, particularly the methods used to myocardial ischemia provoked by mental and emotional stress, along with outstanding questions that bear on clinical utility and integration.
Experimental observation of plasma formation and current transfer in fine wire expansion experiments.

When several kA pulses are passed through single, fine 25-μm-diam wires the wire material heats, melts, vaporizes, and expands. Initially the voltage across and current through a wire increases until an abrupt voltage collapse occurs. After this collapse the voltage remains at a relatively small value while the current continues to increase. The voltage collapse has been attributed to the formation of plasma around the wire and a transfer of current to this highly conducting coronal plasma. Interferometry has confirmed the plasma formation, but the current transfer has only been postulated. This Letter reports additional confirmation of the plasma formation as well as the first direct observation of the current transfer.
Interaction between the constituent A and B lens α-crystallin subunits leading to formation of α-neoprotein molecules

Abstract A and B constituent subunits associated in lens α-crystallin were found to interact with added B chains forming α-neoprotein molecules with lower A to B chain ratios than 2 A to 1 B in α-crystallin. Addition of 1% excess of B chains to the one in α-crystallin, which resulted in a ratio of 1.98 A to 1 B in the mixture, caused a change of quaternary structure in 30% of α-crystallin molecules within 18 h. At a ratio of 1.86 A to 1 B, all α-crystallin molecules were affected at this time. A maximum number of 495 B chains was found to form an association with 1 A chain, initially bound in α-crystallin. Such a high number may indicate that the reaction involves monomeric A chains binding aggregated macromolecules of B chains. It is in such form that B chains occur as macromolecules with an average molecular weight of 0.7 × 10 6 in aqueous solution. The α-neoprotein molecules selected for studies in this report had A to B chain ratios of 1.75:1, 1:1, and 0.2:1. Each behaved in immunodiffusion tests like single molecular entities. Antigenic determinants located on A as well as on B chains associated with each other in α-crystallin were found to be identical with determinants on the chains associated in the above α-neoprotein molecules. Determinants dependent on the quaternary structure of α-neoprotein and of α-crystallin molecules were completely different. Some of the quaternary determinants of various α-neoproteins were type specific and did not occur in molecules with different A to B chain ratios. Other quaternary determinants occurred in all α-neoproteins. An excess of A chains did not revert α-neoproteins to α-crystallin. However, α-neoprotein molecules did interact with added B chains forming neomolecules with lower A to B chain ratios.
Cytoskeletal and adhesion protein changes during neoplastic progression of human prostate epithelial cells

In vitro model systems have facilitated the identification of altered cellular functions in transformed cells, including motility, attachment to the basement membrane and response to inter/intra-cellular signals. Recent studies on prostate cancer models and other transformed epithelial cell systems, have shown downregulation of several actin-binding proteins, such as gelsolin, tropomyosins, a-actinin, vinculin and myosin light chain-2 (MLC-2), along with an accompanying lack of well-organized actin stress fibers. The transformed phenotype in prostate epithelial cells is also characterized by alterations in the expression and function of the E-cadherin mediated cell–cell adhesion system. Most of these changes appear to depend upon the actin-based dynamic remodeling of prostate tumor cell acquiring special growth and invasive advantages. Furthermore, when the effects of reverse-transforming agents have been studied in vitro, the target proteins identified to date have been of cytoskeletal origin. This review examines contemporary prostate cancer research pointing to the tumor suppressive role of certain actinbinding and cell adhesion proteins and their correlations with enhanced cell motility, invasion and metastatic properties in prostate carcinoma in vitro and in vivo. * Corresponding author: Tel.: +1 202 6874901; fax: +1 202 6872221; e-mail: prasads@gunet.georgetown.edu
Marital Satisfaction and Personality Traits in Long-Term Marriages: An Exploratory Study

This study explored personality dimensions that contribute to marital satisfaction in older couples in long-term marriages (M = 49.2 years). Each spouse completed the Comprehensive Marital Satisfaction Scale, the Horney-Coolidge Tridimensional Inventory (HCTI), and the NEO-Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI). There was a moderate correlation between the marital satisfaction scores for husbands and wives. Husbands' marital satisfaction was significantly higher when their self-reported HCTI Detachment scores were lower and their HCTI Aggression scores were higher. Wives' marital satisfaction was higher when their Detachment scores and their husbands' Detachment scores were lower. On the NEO-FFI, only wives' marital satisfaction was significantly related to the more Extraverted and the less Conscientious the husbands reported themselves to be. Clinical implications and research directions are discussed.
High-resolution structures of variant Zif268-DNA complexes: implications for understanding zinc finger-DNA recognition.

Abstract Background: Zinc fingers of the Cys 2 –His 2 class comprise one of the largest families of eukaryotic DNA-binding motifs and recognize a diverse set of DNA sequences. These proteins have a relatively simple modular structure and key base contacts are typically made by a few residues from each finger. These features make the zinc finger motif an attractive system for designing novel DNA-binding proteins and for exploring fundamental principles of protein–DNA recognition. Results: Here we report the X-ray crystal structures of zinc finger–DNA complexes involving three variants of Zif268, with multiple changes in the recognition helix of finger one. We describe the structure of each of these three-finger peptides bound to its corresponding target site. To help elucidate the differential basis for site-specific recognition, the structures of four other complexes containing various combinations of these peptides with alternative binding sites have also been determined. Conclusions: The protein–DNA contacts observed in these complexes reveal the basis for the specificity demonstrated by these Zif268 variants. Many, but not all, of the contacts can be rationalized in terms of a recognition code, but the predictive value of such a code is limited. The structures illustrate how modest changes in the docking arrangement accommodate the new sidechain–base and sidechain–phosphate interactions. Such adaptations help explain the versatility of naturally occurring zinc finger proteins and their utility in design.
Changes in Mini-Mental State Exam in Community-Dwelling Older Persons over 6 Years: Relationship to Health and Neuropsychological Measures

Although cognitive screening test scores change with advanced age, the significance of these changes (particularly decline in score) needs to be defined in terms of general health and neuropsychological functioning. Such analysis was undertaken in a subgroup of 287 healthy older men (mean age at baseline = 70.7 years) from the Western Collaborative Group Study, an ongoing cardiovascular and aging research project. Time from baseline to follow-up study averaged 6.0 years (SD = 0.5 years). Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores indicated that 15% of participants declined by three or more points (a 1+ standard deviation change among all change scores), 5% of participants improved by three or more points, and 80% of the sample remained within two points of their initial score. In health terms, decliners were significantly older, less active at follow-up, rated their health more poorly, and reported more depressive symptoms than non-decliners. Decliners also performed more poorly on several neuropsychological tests administered at follow-up. Results suggest that a decline of three or more points on the MMSE in community-dwelling, older persons without acute illness may signify important changes in health and cognition.
Metastatic Potential of Gastric Leiomyosarcoma

Metastatic and lethal gastric leiomyosarcoma in 12 of 30 surgically treated cases was found most closely correlated with larger size tumors. A highly statistically significant correlation (p less than 0.0001) between tumor diameter and success or failure of surgical extirpation was demonstrated for the total of 241 gastric leiomyosarcomas in the present series and collected from the literature. Six other gross and microscopic attributes analyzed, including mitotic counts, did not provide equally useful prognostic indications. Inadequate sampling may be responsible for lack of correlation between histological criteria and tumor progression.
Psychosocial functioning during the treatment of major depressive disorder with fluoxetine

Background Major depressive disorder (MDD) is associated with significant disability, having a profound impact on psychosocial functioning. Therefore, studying the impact of treatment on psychosocial functioning in MDD could help further improve the standard of care. Methods Two hundred twenty-two MDD outpatients were treated openly with 20 mg fluoxetine for 8 weeks. The self-report version of the Social Adjustment Scale was administered at baseline and during the final visit. We then tested for the relationships between (1) self-report version of the Social Adjustment Scale scores at baseline and clinical response, (2) nonresponse, response and remission status and overall psychosocial adjustment at end point, (3) the number/severity of residual depressive symptoms and overall psychosocial adjustment at end point in responders, and (4) the time to onset of response and overall psychosocial adjustment at end point. Results An earlier onset of clinical response predicted better overall psychosocial functioning at end point (P = 0.0440). Responders (n = 128) demonstrated better overall psychosocial adjustment at end point than nonresponders (P = 0.0003), while remitters (n = 64) demonstrated better overall psychosocial adjustment at end point than nonremitted responders (P = 0.0031). In fact, a greater number/severity of residual symptoms predicted poorer overall psychosocial adjustment at end point in responders (P = 0.0011). Psychosocial functioning at baseline did not predict response. Conclusions While MDD patients appear equally likely to respond to treatment with fluoxetine, regardless of their level of functioning immediately before treatment, the above results stress the importance of achieving early symptom improvement then followed by full remission of depressive symptoms with respect to restoring psychosocial functioning in MDD.
The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic differences of the D- and L-isomers of verapamil: Implications in the treatment of paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia

There is increasing interest in defining the pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of drugs that are marketed as racemic mixtures. Verapamil is one such drug that is commercially available as a mixture of D- and L-isomers. The L-isomer of verapamil has a greater-negative inotropic, negative chronotropic, and negative dromotropic potency than the D-isomer. The values for fraction unbound in serum, distribution volume, and systemic clearance are substantially greater for the L-isomer after intravenous dosing. After oral dosing, the D-isomer achieves peak plasma concentrations five times greater than the L-isomer. The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic characteristics of each isomer are reviewed. The differences in the concentrations of the D- and L-isomers after oral vs intravenous dosing may contribute to the relatively lower efficacy of orally administered verapamil in the treatment of PSVT.
MICROSTRUCTURE OF SULFIDE NANOCRYSTALS FORMED BY ION-IMPLANTATION

Abstract Ion implantation is a versatile tool for the formation of compound semiconductor nanocrystal precipitates in a host medium with the ultimate goal of producing a uniform size distribution of quantum dots for use in optical devices. Ion implantation was used to form ZnS, CdS, and PbS nanocrystals in both glass and crystalline hosts, and the precipitate microstructures and size distributions were investigated by TEM techniques. The size distributions were found to be significantly different for the three compounds, and several unusual microstructures were observed.
Solving systems of explicit language relations

While systems of language equations have been studied in various contexts, the corresponding problems for general relations between languages have not received much attention. This paper examines relations where the operations involved are unrestricted union and concatenation from the left by a constant. In the case of equations, this defines the classical ones provided each variable has exactly one equation. Since these equations express variables, they will be called explicit. For single explicit relations, we solve the problem of whether there exists a solution, study how to find all solutions, and investigate adequate representations for the solutions. Then we focus on systems of several explicit relations; the questions here are significantly more complicated since for a single variable X, there may be three types of relations, namely X = LX ∪ M , X ⊇ LX ∪ M , X⊆ LX ∪ M We concentrate on decoupled systems; these are systems where for each variable, at most one of the three types may occur (although different variables of the system may occur in relations of different types). Nevertheless, a single variable may have several relations of the same type. We give methods to answer the questions whether there exists a solution, whether there is more than one solution, and how to represent these solutions.
Social position and speaking competence of stuttering and normally fluent boys.

To assess the relation of social position to speaking competence and to determine the stuttering child’s awareness of peer evaluation, ratings of social position and speaking competence were obtain...
Pseudoparadoxic Effect of Atropine and Carotid Sinus Massage on Atrioventricular Conduction in Acute Myocardial Infarction

Sec n & ree atrioventricular block is a relatively common complication of acute inferior wall myocardial infarction (IMI) occurring in approximately 8 percent of patients.’ When second-degree block is manifest as Mobitz type 1 (Wenckebach) conduction in the presence of a QRS of normal duration, the level of block is almost invariably above the bundle of H is.2 If treatment is required, atropine is often effective in overcoming the block.3 Although small (0.2 mg) doses of atropine may have a transient parasympathomimetic effect leading to sinus slowing, therapeutic doses (0.5 mg or above) are vagolytic causing an increase in the sinus rate and improved atrioventricular conduction.4 The present report demonstrates a case where a therapeutic dose of atropine produced slowing in the ventricular rate due to increased atrioventricular block, whereas carotid sinus pressure, which usually increases atrioventricular block, caused an improvement
Closing the Loop With Graphical SLAM

The problem of simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM) is addressed using a graphical method. The main contributions are a computational complexity that scales well with the size of the environment, the elimination of most of the linearization inaccuracies, and a more flexible and robust data association. We also present a detection criteria for closing loops. We show how multiple topological constraints can be imposed on the graphical solution by a process of coarse fitting followed by fine tuning. The coarse fitting is performed using an approximate system. This approximate system can be shown to possess all the local symmetries. Observations made during the SLAM process often contain symmetries, that is to say, directions of change to the state space that do not affect the observed quantities. It is important that these directions do not shift as we approximate the system by, for example, linearization. The approximate system is both linear and block diagonal. This makes it a very simple system to work with especially when imposing global topological constraints on the solution. These global constraints are nonlinear. We show how these constraints can be discovered automatically. We develop a method of testing multiple hypotheses for data matching using the graph. This method is derived from statistical theory and only requires simple counting of observations. The central insight is to examine the probability of not observing the same features on a return to a region. We present results with data from an outdoor scenario using a SICK laser scanner.
The effect of pregnancy and delivery on the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis functions

Since 1981, a total of 729 ileal pouch-anal anastomoses have been performed at the Mayo Clinic-affiliated hospitals. Three hundred fifty-four were in women. Twenty of these patients subsequently had at least one successful pregnancy and delivery. Eleven deliveries were vaginal with episiotomy, and nine were cesarean sections. No maternal deaths occurred. One child died of hyaline membrane disease. The frequency of nocturnal stooling increased in the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis patients during pregnancy (P less than .01), and the increase persisted for three months after delivery (P less than .05). In contrast, the frequency of daytime stools, the incidence of incontinence, the consistency of the stool, and the development of perineal seepage or skin irritation were not greatly altered by pregnancy or delivery. Moreover, postpartum pouch function was not influenced by the type of delivery (vaginal vs. cesarean section). In conclusion, pregnancy and delivery are safe in patients with the ileal pouch-anal anastomosis, but they lead to more frequent nocturnal stools. The type of delivery (vaginal vs. cesarean section) does not influence pouch functional outcome.
The post-suburban era comes to Richmond: city decline, suburban transition, and exurban growth

Abstract The Richmond, Virginia region is an example of a metropolitan area that has entered the post-suburban era. We define the post-suburban era in terms of inner suburban population loss and relative income decline, suburban employment increase, suburban outcommuting reduction, exurban population and income increase, and farmland conversion. The post-suburban era involves the maturing of many suburbs. Maturing suburbs usually increase employment within their borders. The necessity for suburbanites to commute to central cities declines. However suburban maturity also is associated with diminished capacities. Relative income decline in numerous suburbs is the most prominent feature of diminished suburban capacities. Ironically, the stage for relative suburban income decline is set by suburban job increases which expand the commuting zone 20 or 30 more miles into rural territory, greatly enlarging the zone of exurban population growth.
Arthroscopic versus nonoperative treatment of acute shoulder dislocations in young athletes

We evaluated the natural history of anterior shoulder dislocations in a young athletic population (cadets at the United States Military Academy) and compared conventional means of nonoperative treatment with early arthroscopic treatment (staple capsulorraphy or anterior glenoid abrasion). The rate of recurrent instability after a shoulder dislocation was 92% (35 of 38) in cadets treated nonoperatively. Strict adherence to a supervised nonoperative treatment program had no effect on the recurrence rate. All recurrences of instability occurred within 14 months of the initial injury. In comparison, arthroscopic treatment of acute shoulder dislocations has been successful thus far in 78% (7 of 9) of cadets followed for at least 14 months. With the high rate of recurrence of shoulder instability in young athletes, we believe that arthroscopic surgical intervention after the initial shoulder dislocation can dramatically lower the recurrence rate and should be considered as a treatment option in young athletes.
Atomic layer deposited Al 2 O 3 dielectrics using ozone functionalization of graphene

In this article we demonstrate the use of an ozone based functionalization scheme of graphene surface for depositing thin, high-k dielectrics using atomic-layer deposition (ALD) technique. It is found that the ozone functionalization at room temperature provides nucleation sites for atomic layer deposition without causing any substantial damage to the electronic properties of graphene devices. The capacitance of the Al 2 O 3 films was extracted using DC and CV measurements and was found to be similar from both types of measurements. A charge carrier mobility of upto ∼5000 cm2/V-s at room temperature was extracted for top-gated graphene devices with ALD Al 2 O 3 deposited using ozone functionalization.
Caspase-1 inhibitors from an extremophilic fungus that target specific leukemia cell lines.

Berkeley Pit Lake, Butte, Montana, is a 540 m deep abandoned open-pit copper mine filled with over 140 billion liters of acidic, metal-sulfate-contaminated water. This harsh environment has yielded several microorganisms that produce interesting biologically active compounds. Several polyketide metabolites including the new berkazaphilones A (1) and B (2) and octadienoic acid derivatives berkedienoic acid (13) and berkedienolactone (15), as well as previously reported azaphilone 4, vermistatin (6), dihydrovermistatin (7), penisimplicissin (8), aldehyde 9, and methylparaconic acid (11), were isolated from a culture broth of Penicillium rubrum taken from a depth of 270 m. The structures of these compounds were deduced by interpretation of spectroscopic data. The compounds were isolated either for their inhibition of the signal transduction enzyme caspase-1 or because of their structural similarity to these inhibitors. Selected compounds were further evaluated for their ability to inhibit interleukin-1β prod...
GIS Pedagogy, Web-based Learning and Student Achievement

The authors evaluate impacts of web-based learning (WBL) for a geographic information system (GIS) course in which self-paced interactive learning modules replaced lectures to prepare students for GIS laboratory activities. They compare student laboratory, mid-term, final exam and overall scores before and after introduction of WBL, analyzing for gender differences in performance. Laboratory scores improved significantly for both males and females, though course grades did not change significantly overall for either group. Gender results show females performing better than males with either method. Most students were receptive to WBL. Future research is needed to understand what combination of graphics and text is most useful to students.