cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extra-atomic relaxation energies and auger parameters of titanium compounds

A series of titanium compounds have been studied by x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy within the Auger parameter formalism. Two different titanium Auger parameters are reported, both calculated from binding energies resulting from photoemission from Ti 2p3/2 core-level states. Of the two values, one has been commonly used for titanium Auger parameter analysis and involves a valence-level Auger transition (L3M2,3Mv), whereas the other is based purely on core-level transitions (L3M2,3M2,3). Both parameters correlate roughly with each other and with extra-atomic relaxation energies calculated from surrounding nearest-neighbor anion polarizabilities. However, the core-level-based Auger parameter shows significantly better correlation with predicted relaxation energy values, particularly when corrections are made for M2,3 multiplet splittings in the analysis. The ability to model extra-atomic relaxation with polarization energies suggests that the ligand polarizabilities in titanium thin-film and powder samples may be estimated reliably from Auger parameter data despite the high degree of covalent character found in many of these compounds. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The isothermal thickening of cementite allotriomorphs in a 1.5Cr1C steel

Abstract The kinetics of isothermal thickening of cementite allotriomorphs in a l%C1.5%Cr steel (AISI 52100) were investigated by quantitative metallographic measurements. Specimens from high phosphorus (0.023%) and low phosphorus (0.009%) heats were fully austenitized and then held at various temperatures between A 1 and A cm for times up to 6 h. Thickening rates in the later stages were quite sluggish compared with those expected for carbon diffusion controlled processes in austenite. Growth effectively stopped far short of the expected equilibrium volume fractions of cementite. Auger ionsputtering analysis of the fracture surface of specimens isothermally treated to form grain boundary allotriomorphs of cementite showed carbon activities in austenite that were independent of the location in an austenite grain. Therefore, growth was controlled by a mechanism other than carbon diffusion. Structural observations made by transmission and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the carbide thickening occurred by lateral ledge migration on partially coherent interfaces between the cementite and the parent austenite. Cementite growth may proceed rapidly without Cr partitioning in the early stages, but the growth becomes sluggish in the later stages due possibly to Cr partitioning to and/or Si rejection from cementite.
Point mutations in the ICR2 motif of brome mosaic virus RNAs debilitate (+)-strand replication.

Abstract Sequences at the 5′ termini of the genomic RNAs of brome mosaic virus (BMV) and other (+)-stranded RNA viruses have been shown ( L. E. Marsh and T. C. Hall, 1987 , Cold Spring Harbor Symp. Quant. Biol. 52, 331–341) to resemble the ICRs 1 and 2 (A and B boxes) of tRNA genes, with the complementary sequences at the 3′ termini of the (−) strands resembling the ICR2 motif of methionine initiator tRNA genes ( L. E. Marsh, G. P. Pogue, and T. C. Hall, 1989 , Virology 172, 415–427). In order to examine the role of these sequences in viral replication, point mutations have been introduced into the ICR2-like sequence of a BMV RNA-2 deletion mutant, pRNA ΔM/S (parasitic RNA), that does not encode a functional viral protein but replicates in the presence of genomic RNA-1 and -2. Single-base substitutions introduced at positions A 7 or T 8 of the (+)-sense ICR2-like motif reduced pRNA ΔM/S replication by 70–82%, the primary effect being shown by kinetic analyses to be debilitation of (+)-strand synthesis. Whether these motifs act in their (+)-sense orientation in a manner analogous to tRNA genes or through the tRNA Meti -like sequence on the 3′ (−) strand remains to be determined, but the data clearly demonstrate that the base composition within the ICR-like region of BMV RNAs contributes greatly to (+)-strand promoter function.
Selection in utero: A biological response to mass layoffs

Most research describing the biological response to unemployment appears appropriately motivated by clinical or public health concerns and focuses on death, disease, and medical care. We argue that expanding the work to include other outcomes could contribute to basic science. As an example, we use the response to mass layoffs to discriminate between two explanations of low ratios of male to female live births in stressed populations. One explanation asserts that ambient stressors reduce the ratio of males to females conceived. The other argues that the maternal stress response selects against males in utero. We show that selection in utero better explains the observed data. We conclude that human adaptation to the economic environment deserves scrutiny from a wider array of scientists than it now receives. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Operationalization of goal difficulty as a moderator of the goal difficulty-performance relationship

Examined the research studies cumulated in recent quantitative reviews of the relationship between goal difficulty and performance to determine how goal difficulty has been operationalized. 4 categories (assigned goal level, self-set goal level, performance improvement, and difficulty perceptions) of operationalization were discovered, and the operationalization of goal difficulty was tested as a moderator of the relationship between goal difficulty and performance
Abstract 3742: Targeting the stem cell factor HMGA2 to improve outcomes in glioblastoma.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) causes the majority of brain tumor-related deaths in the United States. The high invasiveness of GBM prevents complete surgical resection, allowing tumor recurrence. The lack of curative treatment highlights a dire need to develop specific targeted therapeutics. Identifying and targeting novel molecular markers in glioma stem-like cells (GSCs), one of the major causes of tumor invasion and recurrence, could lead to development of better therapies. HMGA2, a non-histone transcriptional modulator, is a regulator of normal and cancer stem cells. The significance of HMGA2 as a potential therapeutic target in GBM has not been investigated. To elucidate the role of HMGA2 in GBM, we have used a combination of in vitro and in vivo techniques in the present study. We found high expression of HMGA2 mRNA and protein in a subset of primary brain tumor samples from GBM patients, GBM cell lines and GBM stem-cell lines using quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated reduction of HMGA2 significantly inhibited invasion of GBM cell lines (U-87 MG and LN-229, 32 and 70% inhibition, respectively, with HMGA2 shRNA vs. control shRNA, P<0.001) and GBM stem cell lines (040821, 62% inhibition with HMGA2 shRNA vs. control shRNA, P<0.001) through Matrigel in vitro by transwell invasion assays. Conversely, overexpression of HMGA2 in GBM stem cell lines increased invasion (130% increase with HMGA2 overexpression vs. control vector, P<0.0001) through Matrigel in vitro as demonstrated by transwell invasion assays. In addition, overexpression of HMGA2 increased clonogenicity of GBM stem cell lines in vitro in soft agar and methylcellulose clonogenic assays (40% increase with HMGA2 overexpression vs. control vector, P<0.0001). Importantly, Kaplan-Meier analysis showed increased survival of mice injected with GBM stem cell lines transduced with HMGA2 shRNA compared to control shRNA (P<0.05) in an in vivo, orthotopic, intracranial mouse xenograft model. Together, our results suggest the importance of HMGA2 in promoting tumorigenicity of GBM by increasing invasiveness and a stem-like state, thereby suggesting that HMGA2 is a potential therapeutic target in GBM. Future studies are aimed at elucidating the molecular mechanism by which HMGA2 regulates invasion and stemness in GBM. Citation Format: Harpreet Kaur, Marianne Hutt, Xing-gang Mao, Charles G. Eberhart, Eric H. Raabe. Targeting the stem cell factor HMGA2 to improve outcomes in glioblastoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3742. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3742
IP-FCM Measures Physiologic Protein-Protein Interactions Modulated by Signal Transduction and Small-Molecule Drug Inhibition

Protein-protein interactions (PPI) mediate the formation of intermolecular networks that control biological signaling. For this reason, PPIs are of outstanding interest in pharmacology, as they display high specificity and may represent a vast pool of potentially druggable targets. However, the study of physiologic PPIs can be limited by conventional assays that often have large sample requirements and relatively low sensitivity. Here, we build on a novel method, immunoprecipitation detected by flow cytometry (IP-FCM), to assess PPI modulation during either signal transduction or pharmacologic inhibition by two different classes of small-molecule compounds. First, we showed that IP-FCM can detect statistically significant differences in samples possessing a defined PPI change as low as 10%. This sensitivity allowed IP-FCM to detect a PPI that increases transiently during T cell signaling, the antigen-inducible interaction between ZAP70 and the T cell antigen receptor (TCR)/CD3 complex. In contrast, IP-FCM detected no ZAP70 recruitment when T cells were stimulated with antigen in the presence of the src-family kinase inhibitor, PP2. Further, we tested whether IP-FCM possessed sufficient sensitivity to detect the effect of a second, rare class of compounds called SMIPPI (small-molecule inhibitor of PPI). We found that the first-generation non-optimized SMIPPI, Ro-26-4550, inhibited the IL-2:CD25 interaction detected by IP-FCM. This inhibition was detectable using either a recombinant CD25-Fc chimera or physiologic full-length CD25 captured from T cell lysates. Thus, we demonstrate that IP-FCM is a sensitive tool for measuring physiologic PPIs that are modulated by signal transduction and pharmacologic inhibition.
QoS Control in MANETs — A State‐of‐the‐Art Perspective

This paper examines the state-of-the-art of Quality of Service (QoS) control for wireless Mobile Ad-hoc Networks (MANETs) based on an exhaustive literature search comprising over 70 journal papers and conference proceedings and standardization development, per the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and the Internet Engineering Task Force. Site visits to selected United States Government facilities augmented this literature search by addressing –real-world” models for a comprehensive series of follow-on simulations and analyses. This paper defines prominent QoS metrics, such as throughput, delay, packet delivery rate and jitter and then proposes that design parameters, such as data rate, packet size, transmitted power, etc., influence QoS in a way to formulate a Multi-Objective Function (from the QoS metrics) subject to constraints (from design factors) that will solve an optimization problem using evolutionary computation techniques. This research will foster improvements for data link layer and network layer protocols optimizing QoS control.
Self-serving interpretations of ambiguity in other-regarding behavior☆

Abstract We demonstrate that people can adopt a favorable view of ambiguous risks relative to ones with known probabilities, contrary to the usual attitude of ambiguity aversion, when doing so permits justification for unfair behavior. We use binary dictator games involving a choice between a relatively equitable allocation and an “unfair” allocation that is both less generous and makes the recipient's payment dependent on a p = 0.5 lottery. Dictators choose the unfair option more frequently when the recipient's allocation depends on an ambiguous lottery than on a lottery with a known probability — even though the objective distributions of outcomes are identical under the two kinds of lotteries. Dictators' estimates of the expected value of the recipients' allocations are inflated under ambiguity, indicating that dictators form self-serving beliefs about ambiguity. Finally, increased unfair behavior under ambiguity is extinguished when dictators are constrained by their own initial unmotivated, and negative, attitudes towards ambiguity.
Thriving Older African American Women: Aging After Jim Crow

This paper is based on the findings of small group discussions with self-defined successful African American women age 60+ in Charlotte, North Carolina. These women, who lived through the Jim Crow era and thrived in spite of the obstacles, continue to seek meaning in their lives through the roles they play in their families, churches, and communities. They feel strongly that there is a core of key values that continue to hold meaning and struggle to impart these values to those whose lives they touch. The key values identified include education, religion, work, and giving back to the community, and illustrate the integration of both traditional and nontraditional definitions of success. Mentoring is proposed as an important concept for understanding the lives of African American women in later life.
Preventing Formation of Reticulon 3 Immunoreactive Dystrophic Neurites Improves Cognitive Function in Mice

Neuritic dystrophy is one of the important pathological features associated with amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and age-dependent neuronal dysfunctions. We reported previously that reticulon-3 (RTN3) immunoreactive dystrophic neurites (RIDNs) are abundantly present in the hippocampus of AD patients, in AD mouse models, and in aged wild-type mice. Transgenic mice overexpressing the human RTN3 transgene spontaneously develop RIDNs in their hippocampi, and the formation of RIDNs correlates with the appearance of RTN3 aggregation. To further elucidate whether the formation of RIDNs is reversible, we generated transgenic mice expressing wild-type human RTN3 under the control of a tetracycline-responsive promoter. Treatment with doxycycline for 2 months effectively turned off expression of the human RTN3 transgene, confirming the inducible nature of the system. However, the formation of hippocampal RIDNs was dependent on whether the transgene was turned off before or after the formation of RTN3 aggregates. When transgenic human RTN3 expression was turned off at young age, formation of RIDNs was essentially eliminated compared with the vehicle-treated transgenic mice. More importantly, a fear conditioning study demonstrated that contextual associative learning and memory in inducible transgenic mice was improved if the density of RIDNs was lowered. Additional mechanistic study suggested that a reduction in BDNF levels in transgenic mice might contribute to the reduced learning and memory in transgenic mice overexpressing RTN3. Hence, we conclude that age-dependent RIDNs cannot be effectively cleared once they have formed, and we postulate that successful prevention of RIDN formation should be initiated before RTN3 aggregation.
Methanol reaction with sulfuric acid: A vibrational spectroscopic study

The reaction between methanol and sulfuric acid (SA) was investigated using Raman and vibrational broad bandwidth sum frequency generation spectroscopies. Evidence for the formation of methyl hydrogen sulfate (MHS) was obtained by the presence of a new peak in the 800 cm-1 region, not present in either the neat methanol or concentrated sulfuric acid spectra. This peak is attributed to the singly bonded OSO symmetric stretch of MHS. The maximum yield of MHS with a large SA excess (7 SA/1 methanol) is shown to be (95 ± 5)% at −(15 ± 2) °C. No evidence was found to suggest formation of dimethyl sulfate.
High serum FSH levels in men with nonobstructive azoospermia does not affect success of microdissection testicular sperm extraction.

Objective To evaluate the outcomes of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in patients with high FSH. Design Clinical retrospective study. Setting Department of urology at a tertiary university hospital. Patient(s) Seven hundred ninety-two men with nonobstructive azoospermia. Intervention(s) Micro-TESE followed by intracytoplasmic sperm injection was performed. The men were classified into four groups based on serum FSH levels: 45 IU/mL. Main Outcome Measure(s) Sperm retrieval, clinical pregnancy, and live birth rates. Result(s) Testicular sperm were successfully retrieved in 60% of the men. Sperm retrieval rates in the groups of men with FSH values 15–30, 31–45, and >45 IU/mL was 60%, 67%, and 60% respectively; this was higher than the group of men with FSH Conclusion(s) The chances of sperm retrieval using micro-TESE is just as common, if not better for men with elevated FSH levels than for men with lower FSH. Micro-TESE results appear to differ from earlier series that report low retrieval rates with random biopsies for men with elevated FSH. High FSH is not a contraindication for micro-TESE.
Analysis of expression of the melanoma-associated antigens MART-1 and gp100 in metastatic melanoma cell lines and in in situ lesions

MART-1 and gp100 melanoma associated antigens (MAA) are expressed by cells of the melanocytic lineage and are recognized by the majority of HLA-A2 restricted tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes. Heterogeneity of expression of MAA in tumor deposits may affect the natural history or response to therapy of patients with melanoma. In this study, we evaluated the expression of these MAA with a new monoclonal antibody (mAb) directed against MART-1 (M2-7C10) and the commercially available HMB45 mAb directed against gp100. Expression was tested in vitro by intracellular fluorescence analysis and in vivo by immunophenotyping of tissue specimens. Nine melanoma cell lines and 25 tissue specimens from metastatic melanoma were analyzed. One cell line did not express MART-1 or gp100. The expression of both antigens was more heterogeneous and significantly reduced (p < 0.01) in melanoma cell lines compared with melanocytes, suggesting progressive loss of expression of MAA by neoplastic cells. None of the nonmelanoma cancer lines tested stained for MART-1 or gp100. Analysis of melanoma lesions by immunohistochemistry showed significant heterogeneity of expression of both MART-1 and gp100 MAA either as a percentage of cells expressing MAA or as intensity of expression. Ten of 25 frozen sections expressed MART-1 in < 50% of the cells. In 6 of 25 lesions, immunoreactivity for MART-1 was totally absent. Fine needle aspiration of metastatic lesions seemed to yield information accurately about amount and heterogeneity of expression of MAA in tumor lesions in vivo. Heterogeneity of expression of MAA may be one of several mechanisms leading to tumor escape from immune recognition, and pretreatment evaluation of tumor lesion for expression of these antigens may help in selecting patients best suited to antigen-specific vaccine therapies.
Characteristics of flocculated silica dispersions

Abstract Interparticle attractions manifest themselves in the rheology and microstructure of suspensions. One can investigate the effect of particle interactions in a flocculated dispersion by measuring the elasticity mechanically and determining the network dimensionality by static light scattering. For this purpose we synthesized a model system consisting of submicrometer silica spheres coated with octadecyl chains suspended in hexadecane. Lowering the temperature causes the silica—hexadecane system to form a gel network which possesses a measurable yield stress and elastic modulus. Rheological measurements at constant volume fraction reveal that the dispersion changes from fluid to solid within a narrow temperature range, defining a gel transition boundary. To quantify the magnitude of the attraction, we associate the gel transition with the percolation threshold for sticky spheres. At constant temperature, the elastic modulus increases with volume fraction following a power law. The power law exponent increases with increasing temperature, indicating a structural change in the gel network. We have probed the structure of these silica gels with static light scattering. The angular dependence of the scattering intensity differs significantly from that of a stable dispersion. The gel—liquid transition is observed over a 2°C range, substantiating the rheological results. At low temperatures, silica gels assume a fractal geometry with dimensionality of 2.08 ± 0.29. At high temperatures, the scattering intensity profile resembles that of primary particles, suggesting that interparticle attractions are significantly diminished.
Participant Estimates of the Effectiveness of Judgmental Decisions

Research generally supports the belief that individuals and groups tend to overestimate the effectiveness of their judgmental decisions. There is, however, little information about how consistently these estimates relate to objective measures of effectiveness. Participants' assessments of the anticipated effectiveness of their judgmental decisions were investigated in several studies. It was found that their estimates were poorly and inconsistently related to objective measures of effectiveness. This result raises a need for improved approaches to assessing judgmental decisions and identifying participants who make more accurate judgmental decisions.
Mediastinal extracardiac fetal rhabdomyoma; Case report

Abstract A 9-month-old girl with a small suprasternal mass was referred for treatment after fine needle aspiration of the mass elsewhere suggested rhabdomyosarcoma. On admission, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) identified a 58 × 42 mm oval mass in the anterior mediastinum close to the common carotid artery and aortic arch. Surgical intervention was initially considered to be too risky, but after a trial of chemotherapy failed to reduce the size of the tumor, complete local excision was planned through a vertical median thoracic incision with median sternotomy. Surgery was performed when she was 10 months old. Due to severe adhesions, the left clavicle, first rib and the sternoclavicular joint needed to be partially resected to allow the tumor to be completely excised with safety. Operating time was 3 h; intraoperative blood loss was 123 mL requiring intraoperative transfusion. Histopathology and immunohistochemistry were consistent with an intermediate form of fetal rhabdomyoma. The postoperative course was uneventful and she is currently alive with no evidence of disease 4 years later. Fetal rhabdomyoma is rare and our case presented with a small, asymptomatic, suprasternal mass. While the distinction between rhabdomyoma and rhabdomyosarcoma can be difficult, a multidisciplinary approach enabled surgery to be performed successfully.
Dimeric nature and amino acid compositions of homogeneous canine prostatic human liver and rat liver acid phosphatase isoenzymes. Specificity and pH-dependence of the canine enzyme.

Abstract Two isoenzymes of rat liver acid phosphatase (orthophosphoric-monoester phosphohydrolase (acid optimum) EC 3.1.3.2) have been purified to homogeneity, at least one of these for the first time. Both of the rat liver isoenzymes have identical specific activities towards p- nitrophenyl phosphate. Molecular weights of the native enzymes are 92 000 for rat liver isoenzyme I and 93 000 for isoenzyme II, while the subunit molecular weights are 51 000 and 52 000, respectively. Data on substrate specificity and pH dependence are presented for the homogeneous canine prostatic enzyme, which is also isolated as a dimeric enzyme of (native) molecular weight 89 000. Carbohydrate analysis data are presented for canine prostatic acid phosphatase and it is further noted that both isoenzymes of rat liver acid phosphatase are also glycoproteins. The amino acid compositions of the two rat liver isoenzymes are presented together with those of the similar dimeric acid phosphatase of human liver and of canine prostate. Comparison of these results with published data for the amino acid composition of human prostatic acid phosphatase shows substantial similarities. However, significant differences are seen in the amino acid composition of rat liver acid phosphatase isoenzyme I as compared to a previous literature report. Most notably, 17 histidine residues are found for mol of isoenzyme 1 and 18 for isoenzyme II.
Circuits with D-C magnetization and high induction

CRITERIA have been established, on the basis of a fairly simple theory, for analysis or design of magnetic circuits in which there are an unbalanced or d-c magnetization and a high alternating induction. High values of alternating induction and a nonlinear relation between induction B and field strength H are characteristics of magnetic circuits in power apparatus, in contrast to magnetic circuits in audio components.
Procedure for estimating the effects of impurities on measured vapor pressures

Abstract A thermodynamic relationship is used to describe how the presence of an impurity affects measured vapor pressures by relating the effect to the distribution coefficient, K, of the impurity. In practical situations K is estimated simply by analysis with a gas chromatograph. A second relationship is used to describe how K, and thus the effect, varies with temperature. The effect of azeotropic behavior on the temperature variation is also considered. Several examples are given, including the systems CH2F2+CF3CH2F (HFC32+HFC134a), CF3CF2Cl+CF3CHF2 (HCFC115+CFC125), CHF2CF2CH2F+CF3CF2CF2CH2F (HFC245ca+HFC338mccq), and samples of CF3CH2CF3 (HFC236fa) and n-heptane with impurities.
Patterns of consumer learning

Because of recent issues surrounding the effects of marketing activities on the youth, consumer learning among young people has become of increasing interest to several groups of people including public policy makers and consumer educators. Public policy makers are primarily interested in understanding consumer socialization (i.e., the process by which young people develop consumer-related thoughts and actions) in order to effectively respond to consumerist pressures regarding marketing practices affecting youths and their families. Consumer educators need to understand consumer socialization to better prepare young people for effective interaction with the marketplace (Ward, 1974). In spite of the growing interest in this area, relatively little theory and published research exist to guide effective decision making (Ward, 1974). Suggestions for resolving consumer socialization-related issues center around either protecting the unsophisticated child from persuasive communications (e.g., ban television advertisements) (FTC Staff Report, 1978) or teaching him effective consumer skills (e.g., product safety habits) (Faber and Ward, 1977). These suggestions heavily rely upon the cognitive development approach to socialization which assumes a fairly slow unfolding intellectual growth through childhood and early adolescence resulting from
La Galgada, Peru: A Preceramic Culture in Transition

La Galgada, Peru: A Preceramic Culture in Transition. Terence Grieder, Alberto Bueno Mendoza, C. Earle Smith, Jr., and Robert M. Malina. Austin: University of Texas Press, 1988. 282 pp., appendices, bibliography, index, 13 color plates, 173 figures, 24 tables. $35.00(cloth). ISBN 0–292–74647–4.
Transcriptional response of rat frontal cortex following acute In Vivo exposure to the pyrethroid insecticides permethrin and deltamethrin

Pyrethroids are neurotoxic pesticides that interact with membrane bound ion channels in neurons and disrupt nerve function. The purpose of this study was to characterize and explore changes in gene expression that occur in the rat frontal cortex, an area of CNS affected by pyrethroids, following an acute low-dose exposure. Rats were acutely exposed to either deltamethrin (0.3 – 3 mg/kg) or permethrin (1 – 100 mg/kg) followed by collection of cortical tissue at 6 hours. The doses used range from those that cause minimal signs of intoxication at the behavioral level to doses well below apparent no effect levels in the whole animal. A statistical framework based on parallel linear (SAM) and isotonic regression (PIR) methods identified 95 and 53 probe sets as dose-responsive. The PIR analysis was most sensitive for detecting transcripts with changes in expression at the NOAEL dose. A sub-set of genes (Camk1g, Ddc, Gpd3, c-fos and Egr1) was then confirmed by qRT-PCR and examined in a time course study. Changes in mRNA levels were typically less than 3-fold in magnitude across all components of the study. The responses observed are consistent with pyrethroids producing increased neuronal excitation in the cortex following a low-dose in vivo exposure. In addition, Significance Analysis of Function and Expression (SAFE) identified significantly enriched gene categories common for both pyrethroids, including some relating to branching morphogenesis. Exposure of primary cortical cell cultures to both compounds resulted in an increase (~25%) in the number of neurite branch points, supporting the results of the SAFE analysis. In the present study, pyrethroids induced changes in gene expression in the frontal cortex near the threshold for decreases in ambulatory motor activity in vivo. The penalized regression methods performed similarly in detecting dose-dependent changes in gene transcription. Finally, SAFE analysis of gene expression data identified branching morphogenesis as a biological process sensitive to pyrethroids and subsequent in vitro experiments confirmed this predicted effect. The novel findings regarding pyrethroid effects on branching morphogenesis indicate these compounds may act as developmental neurotoxicants that affect normal neuronal morphology.
Vascular Access in the Adult Home Infusion Patient

The dependence of IV hyperalimentation programs on the achievement and maintenance of reliable vascular access in the home infusion patient population has necessitated a review of the current methods used to establish and maintain adequate long-term vascular access. Vascular access device-related complications are significant contributors to the medical course and costs associated with the care of home parenteral nutrition (HPN) patients. The purpose of this manuscript is to review current thoughts on the establishment of long-term vascular access for HPN with regard to techniques used, device selection, and associated complications.
Comparison of butorphanol tartrate and meperidine in moderate to severe renal colic

Abstract The analgesic efficacy and safety of parenteral butorphanol and meperidine were compared. The double-blind, randomized study involved 120 patients presenting with moderate to severe renal colic. Pain intensity and pain relief were evaluated by trained observers at fixed time intervals for four hours after study drug was administered. Eighty-three patients with documented upper urinary tract calculi were evaluated for efficacy. Butorphanol 4 mg was significantly more effective than butorphanol 2 mg and was equivalent to meperidine 80 mg. Overall efficacy assessments were “good” or “excellent” for 87 per cent, 72 per cent, and 85 per cent, respectively. There were no significant differences in side effects among treatment groups in the 83 evaluable and 27 inevaluable patients receiving study drugs. Butorphanol was effective and well-tolerated in this patient population, with important advantages over opiate analgesics.
Restoration of replication-defective dengue type 1 virus bearing mutations in the N-terminal cytoplasmic portion of NS4A by additional mutations in NS4B

Flavivirus NS4A has an N-terminal hydrophilic cytoplasmic portion; however, the role of this portion remains poorly understood. In this study, we show that a recombinant dengue type 1 virus (DENV-1) in which a subportion (amino acids 27–34) of the N-terminal portion of NS4A is replaced by the corresponding region from Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) is defective in replication. Using the defective mutant clone NS4A(27–34JEV), we recovered suppressor mutant viruses that carry various non-synonymous mutations. Site-directed mutational analysis indicated that a single non-synonymous mutation in NS4B that is found in the suppressor viruses is sufficient to restore NS4A(27–34JEV). Recombinant DENV-1 with single mutations in NS4B had increased growth properties as compared to the wild-type virus and NS4A(27–34JEV) virus bearing the same NS4B mutation. Collectively, our results suggest that the NS4B mutation enhanced the growth of DENV-1, irrespective of the sequence of the 27–34 subportion NS4A.
Recombination algorithms and jet substructure: Pruning as a tool for heavy particle searches

We discuss jet substructure in recombination algorithms for QCD jets and single jets from heavy particle decays. We demonstrate that the jet algorithm can introduce significant systematic effects into the substructure. By characterizing these systematic effects and the substructure from QCD, splash-in, and heavy particle decays, we identify a technique, pruning, to better identify heavy particle decays into single jets and distinguish them from QCD jets. Pruning removes protojets typical of soft, wide-angle radiation, improves the mass resolution of jets reconstructing heavy particle decays, and decreases the QCD background to these decays. We show that pruning provides significant improvements over unpruned jets in identifying top quarks and $W$ bosons and separating them from a QCD background, and may be useful in a search for heavy particles.
Radiologic diagnosis of bone metastases

Metastatic cancer often involves the skeleton. Tumor most often reaches the bones by hematogenous spread; however, direct extension from the primary tumor or from another site of metastasis, as well as lymphatic dissemination, may occur. Clinical features depend on the affected sites and the extent of disease. The radioisotope bone scan has been the preferred imaging screening modality. Magnetic resonance imaging is probably more sensitive in the detection of axial lesions, but additional development is needed before it can replace the isotope scan in evaluation of the long bones. For patients presenting with metastatic disease, the appearance of the lesions may help to guide the search for a primary. Some helpful patterns include lytic and sclerotic lesions, "expanded" lesions, "pseudosarcomatous" lesions, acral lesions, and soft tissue ossification. Evaluation of response to therapy is problematic. Progressive sclerosis of a lytic focus generally indicates a positive response. Pitfalls in the evaluation of response include the "flare" phenomenon, which has been observed on radioisotope scans early in the course of therapy.
Dynein's Dual Roles as a Motor and Tether in the Neuron

While the myosin and kinesin superfamilies achieve diverse functions through a large number of motors, each specialized to its role, cytoplasmic dynein accomplishes varied roles in the cell through diverse interacting partners. We hypothesized that in addition to its role in bidirectional organelle transport, mammalian dynein might also play role in tethering microtubules at the cortex, analogous to the well-characterized function of dynein in S. cerevisiae. We identified a direct interaction between dynein and the neuronal cell adhesion molecule NCAM180 that recruits dynein to the cortex. To test the ability of dynein to tether microtubule plus ends, microtubules containing short biotinylated segments at the minus end were attached to the coverslip, allowing the non-biotinylated plus-ends to exhibit diffusive movements. When dynein-coated beads were brought near to the plus-end using an optical trap, the microtubule became tethered, while beads coated with BSA or kinesin-1 did not effectively restrict lateral fluctuations. In dynamic microtubule assays, plus-ends tended to associate with dynein-coated beads and continue to grow, remaining in contact with a bead for 94+/-18 s (mean+/-SEM). In contrast, encounters between growing plus-ends and BSA-coated beads often led to catastrophe, decreasing the contact time to 45+/-16 s. In live cell assays we also measured a significant increase in microtubule dwell time in the vicinity of NCAM patches (189+/-12 s, compared to 100+/-7 s in controls). Together, these data support a mechanism in which dynein is anchored to the cell cortex by NCAM180 and transiently tethers the plus-ends of microtubules. Tethered microtubules likely provide a direct connection between the cell center and sites of cell-cell interaction, either mechanically or as preferred routes for transport, creating a powerful mechanism for cells to respond to or produce stimuli in the extracellular environment.
Efficacy of erythromycin for postpyloric placement of feeding tubes in critically ill children: a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study.

Background: Erythromycin enhances gastric emptying and has been suggested to facilitate nasoenteric feeding tube placement in adults. Our primary objective was to evaluate the effect of erythromycin on the transpyloric passage of feeding tubes in critically ill children, and second, to evaluate the effect of erythromycin on the distal migration of duodenal feeding tubes. Methods: Seventy-four children were randomly assigned to receive erythromycin lactobionate (10 mg/kg) IV or equal volume of saline placebo 60 minutes before passage of a flexible weighted tip feeding tube. Abdominal radiographs were obtained 4 hours later to assess tube placement. If the tube was proximal to the third part of the duodenum, two additional doses of erythromycin/placebo were administered 6 hours apart. Those receiving additional doses had repeat radiographs 14 to 18 hours after tube placement. Results: The number of postpyloric feeding tubes was similar in the erythromycin and placebo treated groups 4 hours after tube insert...
RuBee: applying low‐frequency technology for retail and medical uses

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explore RuBee, which is a new form of automatic identification technology that can complement many of the new developments for the use of radio frequency identification (RFID). This is a timely piece, which examines the technology behind RuBee and the uses of this new identification tool.Design/methodology/approach – This technology is explored through a review of the available information on RuBee, examining the emerging standards for the technology from the The Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE).Findings – Through the use of magnetic energy for communications, RuBee provides superior reading capabilities vs RFID in environments involving metal and water. RuBee also provides many of the advantages found in active RFID, with unlimited life span and far lower costs.Research limitations/implications – The limitations of this study center on the fact that RuBee is an emerging technology and while the IEEE will be providing a standards framework, ...
A medical experience that taught me about humanism in medicine: burn in.

When something really terrible happened, it wasn’t heralded that way. The terrible cases were almost never the really ugly cases, the ones with a lot of blood and gore. The terrible cases usually did not have disfiguring, bloody things happen to them; they tended to be more sedate, because the worst ones for us were not the ones that came in through the door of the trauma bay. Traumas were usually drunk, or unconscious, or both, and if they were really seriously injured, they were usually quickly paralyzed by drugs and intubated, reduced to a manageable set of physiological processes. For a terrible case, one that caused a whisper, the patient had to be someone we couldn’t make ourselves forget was a real person.
Farnesyl Diphosphate Synthase. A Paradigm for Understanding Structure and Function Relationships in E-polyprenyl Diphosphate Synthases

The chain elongation reaction catalyzed by polyprenyl diphosphate synthases is the fundamental building reaction in the isoprenoid pathway. During chain elongation, the hydrocarbon moiety in an allylic isoprenoid diphosphate is added to the carbon–carbon double bond of isopentenyl diphosphate (IPP). The chain elongation enzymes can be divided into two genetically different families depending on whether the stereochemistry of the newly formed double bond during each cycle of chain elongation is E or Z. Farnesyl diphosphate (FPP) synthase, a member of the E-double bond family, is the best studied of the chain elongation enzymes and serves as a paradigm for understanding the reactions catalyzed by E-polyprenyl diphosphate synthases. The mechanism for chain elongation is a stereoselective electrophilic alkylation of the carbon–carbon double bond in IPP by the allylic substrate. X-ray structures of avian and E. coli FPP synthases have provided important insights about the mechanism for chain elongation and a structural basis for understanding the stereochemistry of the reaction.
A wedge-meniscus model of gas-diffusion electrodes

Abstract Reactions at gas-diffusion electrodes are modeled by treating the electrolyte meniscus geometry as a wedge. The resulting differential equations are solved analytically for the constant-overpotential case and numerically for all forms of polarization. The model's prediction agrees with experimental data for hydrogen oxidation on platinum in sulfuric acid. The effects of various physical parameters contributing to concentration, ohmic, and activation polarization are considered. The contact angle and the three-phase contact line have not been adequately addressed in previous studies and are shown to be very important parameters. This suggests a new approach in modeling conventional gas-diffusion electrode performance.
A further note on principal divisors in arithmetic progressions

Abstract Assume that the class number h of an algebraic number field k is relatively prime to (k : Q) and that k Q is galois. If (a, m) = 1, then there are infinitely many primes p≡a mod m which have principal prime ideal factors in k.
Crystal structure of a dimeric archaeal splicing endonuclease.

The splicing endonuclease from Archaeoglobus fulgidus (AF) belongs to the homodimeric family of splicing endonucleases, thought to have evolved from the homotetrameric endonucleases. We report here the crystal structure of the AF endonuclease determined at 2.8 A. The crystal structure of the full-length AF endonuclease contains a homodimer, with each monomer consisting of two homologous repeats joined together by an extended polypeptide chain of ten amino acid residues. The C-terminal repeat has a strong homology to that of a single subunit of the previously determined homotetrameric tRNA splicing endonuclease from Methanococcus jannaschii (MJ), indicating its role in catalysis. The N-terminal repeat is a more degenerate form of the MJ enzyme. Thus the N-terminal repeat is a "non-active" endonuclease fold evolved from the "active" one. By detailed comparison of the structures of the N-terminal and the C-terminal repeats, the binding region for RNA substrates containing a bulge-helix-bulge motif can be identified. Based on the identified RNA-binding region, a cation-pi interaction is suggested to be responsible for coordinating activities between the two active sites. In addition, the full-length AF endonuclease can adopt a higher-ordered fibrous structure in solution, as revealed by the unusual crystallographic packing interactions and other biochemical analysis. This 4(3)-fold fibrous structure adopted by the full-length enzyme is inaccessible to the RNA substrate and is largely stabilized by the first 60 amino acid residues. A mutated form of AF endonuclease with its first 60 residues removed catalyzes the cleavage reaction at a significantly higher rate. Whether there is any role in vivo for this structure-mediated modulation of activity remains to be determined.
Modeling the metal center of Cys4 zinc proteins.

We present here a 67Zn solid-state NMR investigation of several model complexes of zinc coordinated by four sulfurs. The lineshapes were obtained at a variety of magnetic fields from 11.7 T (500 MHz for 1H) to 21.15 T (900 MHz for 1H) and at ambient temperature down to 10 K. The quadrupole coupling constants, Cq's, ranged from 3.25 to 16.7 MHz throughout the series, while the average bond distances only spanned 2.34−2.36 A. Reasonable agreement with experiment was achieved in the molecular orbital calculations using DFT methods and the local density approximation to predict electric field gradients.
Polarized release of lipid mediators derived from phospholipase A2 activity in a human bronchial cell line.

Abstract The release of arachidonic acid (AA) and platelet activating factor (PAF) from airway epithelial cells may be an important mediating factor in lung physiological and inflammatory processes. The type of lung response may be determined by the directional release of AA and PAF. We used the human bronchial epithelial cell line, BEAS-2B (S6 subclone; BEAS), to investigate the polarized release of AA and PAF from lung epithelial cells. BEAS, grown on Transwell filters, were prelabeled with either 3H-AA or 3H-lyso-PAF. 3H-AA products and 3H-PAF were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography and thin layer chromatography, respectively. BEAS incubated with melittin (2–4 μg/ml for 15 min) had an increased release (compared to vehicle-incubated cells) of both free 3H-AA and 3H-PAF into the apical compartment but not into the basolateral compartment. Treatment of the BEAS cells with the phospholipase A2 (PLA2) inhibitor mepacrine (1 mM) prior to, and during, incubation with melittin inhibited the increase in 3H-AA and 3H-PAF release into the apical compartment by 65% and 100%, respectively. Exposure of BEAS cells to ozone (O3; 1.0 ppm for 15 min) increased the release of polar 3H-AA products as well as 3H-PAF into both the apical and basolateral compartments. Mepacrine did not significantly inhibit the O3-induced release of polar 3H-AA products or 3H-PAF into either the apical or basolateral compartments. These data suggest the direction of the release of 3H-AA (or 3H-AA products) and 3H-PAF is stimulus-specific and that PLA2 involvement in the release of the lipids is also dependent on the stimulus. The directional release of AA, AA products, and PAF may be important in the airways responses to various agonists and oxidants.
Unstructured 3D PIC simulations of the flow in a retarding potential analyzer

A three-dimensional particle in cell (PIC) code is developed on unstructured tetrahedral grids. Zero-order (Nearest Grid Point) and linear (volume) particle charge weighting and force interpolation schemes are incorporated. A parametric investigation of the numerical heating in unstructured 3D PIC simulations is presented. The PIC methodology is applied to the simulation of the flow inside the segmented microchannel of a directional-Retarding Potential Analyzer. Simulations show the flow characteristics of the ions and electrons and provide estimates of the collected current by the microplate.
Representing imprecision in engineering design: Comparing fuzzy and probability calculus

A technique to perform design calculations on imprecise representations of parameters using the calculus of fuzzy sets has been previously developed [25]. An analogous approach to representing and manipulatinguncertainty in choosing among alternatives (design imprecision) using probability calculus is presented and compared with the fuzzy calculus technique. Examples using both approaches are presented, where the examples represent a progression from simple operations to more complex design equations. Results of the fuzzy sets and probability methods for the examples are shown graphically. We find that the fuzzy calculus is well suited to representing and manipulating the imprecision aspect of uncertainty in design, and that probability is best used to represent stochastic uncertainty.