cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Folate transporter dynamics and therapy with classic and tumor-targeted antifolates

There are three major folate uptake systems in human tissues and tumors, including the reduced folate carrier (RFC), folate receptors (FRs) and proton-coupled folate transporter (PCFT). We studied the functional interrelationships among these systems for the novel tumor-targeted antifolates AGF94 (transported by PCFT and FRs but not RFC) and AGF102 (selective for FRs) versus the classic antifolates pemetrexed, methotrexate and PT523 (variously transported by FRs, PCFT and RFC). We engineered HeLa cell models to express FRα or RFC under control of a tetracycline-inducible promoter with or without constitutive PCFT. We showed that cellular accumulations of extracellular folates were determined by the type and levels of the major folate transporters, with PCFT and RFC prevailing over FRα, depending on expression levels and pH. Based on patterns of cell proliferation in the presence of the inhibitors, we established transport redundancy for RFC and PCFT in pemetrexed uptake, and for PCFT and FRα in AGF94 uptake; uptake by PCFT predominated for pemetrexed and FRα for AGF94. For methotrexate and PT523, uptake by RFC predominated even in the presence of PCFT or FRα. For both classic (methotrexate, PT523) and FRα-targeted (AGF102) antifolates, anti-proliferative activities were antagonized by PCFT, likely due to its robust activity in mediating folate accumulation. Collectively, our findings describe a previously unrecognized interplay among the major folate transport systems that depends on transporter levels and extracellular pH, and that determines their contributions to the uptake and anti-tumor efficacies of targeted and untargeted antifolates.
Bi-3 C2 polar subdivision

Popular subdivision algorithms like Catmull-Clark and Loop are C2 almost everywhere, but suffer from shape artifacts and reduced smoothness exactly near the so-called "extraordinary vertices" that motivate their use. Subdivision theory explains that inherently, for standard stationary subdivision algorithms, curvature-continuity and the ability to model all quadratic shapes requires a degree of at least bi-6. The existence of a simple-to-implement C2 subdivision algorithm generating surfaces of good shape and piecewise degree bi-3 in the polar setting is therefore a welcome surprise. This paper presents such an algorithm, the underlying insights, and a detailed analysis. In bi-3 C2 polar subdivision the weights depend, as in standard schemes, only on the valence, but the valence at one central polar vertex increases to match Catmull-Clark-refinement.
Pediatric Vulvar Lichen Sclerosus: A Survey of Disease Course

ABSTRACT Study Objective To assess long-term outcomes of lichen sclerosus (LS) in the female pediatric population, specifically in relation to patient age, treatment type and duration, and remission. Design, Setting, Participants, Interventions, and Main Outcome Measures Retrospective chart review was conducted to identify female pediatric patients (0-18 years of age) who were diagnosed with LS between January 1, 2015 and January 1, 2020 at the University of North Carolina Dermatology and/or Obstetrics and Gynecology Departments. Patients were contacted via telephone for follow-up interviews consisting of a series of questions regarding patient age, symptom onset, time of diagnosis, treatment, and current symptoms. Results Of the 128 patients identified, 61 patients consented and participated in follow-up interviews. At the time of study follow-up, 55/61 (90%) of participants reported their symptoms were improved. Patients reported using a variety of treatments, with medium- to high-potency topical steroids being the most common. At the time of follow-up, 53/61 (87%) of patients reported being asymptomatic, 37/53 (70%) of whom were not using any form of maintenance therapy. Those who achieved symptom resolution did so at an average of 8.4 years of age. There was no significant difference in age in asymptomatic patients receiving maintenance therapy and those receiving no maintenance therapy. There was a positive correlation for the duration of LS treatment and time in remission (P Conclusion In our cohort, the need for continued maintenance therapy was not correlated with age or, by proxy, pubertal status. Thus, LS remission might be determined more by early and successful pharmacological interventions.
Aphasia and Friendship: The Role and Perspectives of Speech-Language Pathologists.

Purpose Speech-language pathologists (SLPs) who work with people with aphasia focus on assessment and intervention to support improved communication outcomes for their clients. Friendship, a key co...
Pain-related post-exertional malaise in Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia: A systematic review and three-level meta-analysis.

Objective Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) and Fibromyalgia (FM) are two debilitating, moderately comorbid illnesses in which chronic musculoskeletal pain symptoms are prevalent. These individuals can experience post-exertional malaise (PEM), a phenomenon where symptom severity is worsened 24hr or longer following physical stress, but the pain-related component of PEM is not well characterized. Design Systematic review and meta-analysis. Methods Case-control studies involving adults with ME/CFS or FM and measuring pain symptoms before and after exposure to a standardized aerobic exercise test were included. Hedges' d effect sizes were aggregated using random effects models and potential moderators were explored with meta-regression analysis. Results were adjusted for nesting effects using three-level modeling. Results Forty-five effects were extracted from 15 studies involving 306 patients and 292 healthy controls. After adjusting for nesting effects, we observed a small-to-moderate effect indicating higher post-exercise pain in patients than controls (Hedges' d=0.42; 95% CI: 0.16, 0.67). The mean effect was significantly moderated by pain measurement timepoint (b = -0.19, z = -2.57, P = 0.01) such that studies measuring pain 8-72hr post-exercise showed larger effects (d = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.28-1.14) than those measuring pain 0-2hr post-exercise (d = 0.32, 95% CI = 0.10-0.53). Conclusions People with ME/CFS and FM experience small-to-moderate increases in pain severity following exercise which confirms pain as a component of PEM and emphasizes its debilitating impact in ME/CFS and FM. Future directions include determining mechanisms of pain-related PEM and developing exercise prescriptions that minimize symptom exacerbation in these illnesses.
Dispersion Relation of Stratified Electrothermal Instability in Warm, Dense, Tamped Aluminum-6061 with Current in a Skin Layer

The dispersion relation of the stratified electrothermal instability (ETI) has been measured on the surface of aluminum-6061 rods pulsed with rapidly rising lineal current density ( $3\times 10^{15}$ A m-1s-1 for 70 ns). The $500-\mu \mathrm{m}$ rod radius was much larger than the electrical skin depth. A transparent, $70-\mu \mathrm{m}$ . -thick, Parylene-N [poly(p-xylylene) $({}_{8}\text{CH}_{8})_{n}$ ] coating tamped the aluminum expansion and suppressed surface plasma. This enabled persistent observation, with time-resolved microscopy ( $3-\mu \mathrm{m}$ resolution, 2–13 ns gate), of discrete azimuthally-correlated stratified emission structures perpendicular to the current. Intensified CCD images of the surface were converted to temperature maps via radiometric calculations, assuming blackbody emission. Fourier analysis of these maps indicates the strata are comprised of temperature perturbations that grow exponentially at the rate \begin{equation*}\gamma(k)=0.06\text{ns}^{-1}-(0.4\text{ns}^{-1}\mu \mathrm{m}^{2}\text{rad}^{-2})k^{2},\end{equation*} where $k is the perturbation axial wavenumber. The aluminum was in the warm dense matter state, with density ~ 1 g/cm3 and temperature ~ 7,000 K.
An object storage model: structures for the storage and management of objects

Emerging applications address an array of multimedia types such as graphs, images, video, and sound and employ object-oriented programming to manipulate these media. To store these dissimilar objects, existing database managers have been utilized, no one of which has proved satisfactory for all varieties of objects. This dissertation presents an Object Storage Model (OSM), which bridges the gap between an object model and storage managers, allowing the set of available database managers to be used while maintaining object identity. The OSM is composed of three levels: the Conceptual Level lays the basic structure of the OSM and supplies a set of logical, storage, and physical transformations to support the storage of an object; the Logical Layer defines the mathematical relationships between object components and their class structure and provides the foundation to preserve these as the object is moved to storage by means of the transformation process; the Physical Layer defines a set of agents that provide the storage services required by a requesting object and maintain the schema set of the transformations. These agents operate as a set of independent objects which communicate with each other by means of standard messaging. A Minimal Criteria Set is presented as the requirement any Object Storage Model must meet and which the OSM satisfies. A set of existing systems were examined to determine the appropriateness of the OSM for their information storage, employing the OSM's transformation process. The Object Storage Model presents a flexible approach to address the issues of how to maintain the basic object principles, handle the new multi-media types, and employ existing database managers over a dispersed set of processors and storage mechanisms.
Investing in Agreement: Party Organization, Leadership Change, and Policy Positions

Party unity is a key feature of the political landscape. The degree of observed unity is an important element of the clarity and strength of party positions, but the critical question of how the preferences of party leaders and backbenchers feed into a common position is largely unasked. We argue that intraparty organization is critical both for party positioning and for the volatility of those positions. Whether and when backbenchers who would like to change their party’s position can gain the influence to put their desires into practice depends on how and to whom intraparty structure and process provide opportunities for influence. In this paper, we model the incentives for rank-and-file party members who might like to change their party’s position to nonetheless support leadership decisions. Contrary to the expectations generated by veto player theory, our signaling game suggests that changes in the policy content of party labels should be more frequent in political parties with complex leadership structures (i.e., more party members with influence in party decision making). We test our model empirically utilizing party-position data drawn from election manifestos.
Phytoremediation of nitroglycerin in smokeless powders

The reported study evaluated the feasibility of rhizosphereenhanced phytoremediation in the removal of nitroglycerin (NG), as applied in commercial smokeless powder (SP), from soil. Double base smokeless powder was applied to soil mesocosms at rates of 0, 1, 5 and 10% (w/w). The mesocosms were seeded with oats ( Avena sativa ) or planted with live sedge plants ( Carex vulpinoidea ). Composted biosolids (20% w/w) were used as a soil treatment. Mesocosms were sampled at 7, 14, 30, and 60 days after initial planting. Determination of residual soil NG was performed using gas chromatography with an electron capture
Reflexions sobre el concepte agressió des de la perspectiva cognitivo-conductual

The complexity of the study of aggressive behavior has been widely determinated by the difficulties to get an accurate definition of the aggression concept. In the present paper we study these difficulties and we conclude that although this delimitation and precision is necessary, it would be also necessary to put the emphasis --at least in the scientific literature- in the description of the specific behavior that we are interest to study in every case. Then we could analyse the causes for this specific behavior in every particular context.
Compensatory Time vs. Cash Wages: Amending the Fair Labor Standards Act?

In the 108th Congress, two work hours flexibility bills have been introduced: S. 317 by Senator Gregg and H.R. 1119 by Representative Biggert. Both bills deal with a compensatory time off option (comp time) — though the Gregg proposal is somewhat broader, projecting other changes in the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) as well. This report is limited to consideration of the issue of comp time.
Aminotriarylmethane Dyes Are High-Affinity Noncompetitive Antagonists of the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor

A series of aminotriarylmethane dyes were examined for binding to the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (AChR) from Torpedo californica. Several compounds were found to bind to the noncompetitive antagonist site of the AChR as demonstrated by inhibition of [3H]phencyclidine binding; apparent KD values ranged from 50 nM to >100 microM. One dye with high affinity, crystal violet, revealed a greater than 200-fold fluorescence enhancement upon binding the AChR. Using fluorescence to measure binding, we determined that one crystal violet bound per receptor with a dissociation constant of 100 nM; in the presence of the agonist carbamylcholine this value decreased to 10 nM. The KD for [3H]acetylcholine binding likewise was decreased in the presence of crystal violet. These results are consistent with preferential binding of crystal violet to the desensitized conformation of the AChR. Crystal violet binding blocked agonist-induced 22Na ion efflux from AChR-rich vesicles. It is concluded that crystal violet and other dyes of similar structure bind to the high-affinity noncompetitive antagonist site of the AChR associated with the channel lumen. Because of their optical properties, crystal violet and several of the other homologous dyes are likely to be useful ligands for further characterization of the AChR channel. Structure-activity comparison of the various dyes suggests the importance of nonquaternary nitrogens in binding the pore. Additional steric bulk on amines or at meta positions increase or have neutral effect on affinity, suggesting that steric considerations alone do not limit high affinity for the binding site.
Inhibition of Migration of Mouse Macrophages by Tuberculin-Sensitive Mouse Lymphocytes and by Mouse Migration Inhibitory Factor

The guinea pig migration inhibition technique, an accepted in vitro correlate of delayed hypersensitivity, has been adapted to a murine system. Peritoneal exudate cells from CF-1 mice vaccinated with viable cells of the H37Ra strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis were inhibited in vitro by purified protein derivative (PPD) or whole H37Ra microorganisms. Peritoneal exudate cells from the inbred C57Bl/6 mice immunized with H37Ra cells also were inhibited in vitro by PPD or whole H37Ra microorganisms. Migration inhibitory factor (MIF) was produced by splenic lymphocytes from the H37Ra-immunized C57Bl/6 mice when incubated with either antigen. Intravenous injection of PPD or viable H37Ra organisms into H37Ra mice resulted in MIF production in vitro by splenic lymphocytes without further antigenic stimulation. Peritoneal exudate cells from nonimmunized C57Bl/6 mice and supernatant fluids from cultures of lymphocytes from nonimmunized C57Bl/6 mice were not inhibited in the presence of antigen. The production of MIF by splenic lymphocytes from immunized C57Bl/6 mice depended upon the conditions under which the lymphocytes were cultured, the time of exposure to antigen (3 days), the use of a higher concentration of PPD for stimulation of lymphocytes than that required for guinea pig cells, and also the use of cells from a highly inbred mouse strain.
Longer-term Weathering – Research Needs in Perspective

Abstract The multiple agencies who sponsored The Long-Term Fate Workshop provided an opportunity to identify and prioritize research opportunities as they relate to the long-term weathering of oil. Workshop participants identified 15 areas needing research and ranked these areas by priority and level of effort. A short description of the research needs is presented here in the context of the “life history” of an oil spill.
Hydrogen: the wonder fuel

Abstract Because of the depletion of fossil fuels and because of the growing adverse impact on the environment caused by the utilization of fossil fuels, researchers are investigating fuels which are renewable and which are environmentally compatible. In order to compare the fuel candidates, criteria have been developed, which make it possible to rank them in order of merit. Among all the fuels considered, hydrogen stands out as the best. The paper compares hydrogen with other conventional and unconventional fuels, and comes to the conclusion that in every count hydrogen has the best characteristics with many unique and desirable properties.
Irregular networks, regular graphs and integer matrices with distinct row and column sums

Abstract A network is a simple graph to which each edge has been assigned a positive integer weight. A network is irregular if the sum of the edges incident to each vertex is distinct. In this paper we study this concept for regular or nearly regular graphs and derive a relationship to integer matrices with distinct row and column sums. In particular, we consider the parameter, s(G), the irregularity strength of a graph G, which is the smallest maximum weight over all irregular networks with underlying graph G. It is known that if G is an r-regular graph of order n, then s(G)⩾(n+r−1) r . We exhibit infinitely many r-regular graphs with s(G)=[(n+r−1) r] , and it is proved that s(G)⩽ [ n 2 ]+2 , for all r-regular graphs on n vertices if r is even. We also study totally irregular matrices, that is positive integer matrices with distinct row and column sums having the smallest possible maximal entry. As a corollary, we can determine the strength of complete bipartite graphs Kp,q except in the case when p=q is odd.
Poor Agreement between Pulmonary Capillary Wedge Pressure and Left Ventricular End-Diastolic Pressure in a Veteran Population

Background Accurate determination of left ventricular filling pressure is essential for differentiation of pre-capillary pulmonary hypertension (PH) from pulmonary venous hypertension (PVH). Previous data suggest only a poor correlation between left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) and its commonly used surrogate, the pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP). However, no data exist on the diagnostic accuracy of PCWP in veterans. Furthermore, the effects of age and comorbidities on the PCWP-LVEDP relationship remain unknown. Methods We investigated the PCWP-LVEDP relationship in 101 patients undergoing simultaneous right and left heart catherization at a large VA hospital. PCWP performance was evaluated using correlation and Bland-Altman analyses. Area under Receiver Operating Characteristics curves (AUROC) for PCWP were determined. Results PCWP-LVEDP correlation was moderate (r = 0.57). PCWP-LVEDP calibration was poor (Bland-Altman limits of agreement −17.2 to 11.4 mmHg; mean bias −2.87 mmHg). 59 patients (58.4%) had pulmonary hypertension; 15 (25.4%) of those met pre-capillary PH criteria based on PCWP. However, if LVEDP was used instead of PCWP, 7/15 patients (46.6%) met criteria for PVH rather than pre-capillary PH. When restricting analysis to patients with a mean pulmonary artery pressure of ≥25 mmHg and pulmonary vascular resistance of >3 Wood units (n = 22), 10 patients (45.4%) were classified as pre-capillary PH based on PCWP ≤15 mmHg. However, if LVEDP was used, 4/10 patients (40%) were reclassified as PVH. Among patients with any type of pulmonary hypertension, PCWP discriminated moderately between high and normal LVEDP (AUROC, 0.81; 95%CI 0.69–0.94). PCWP-LVEDP correlation was particularly poor in patients with COPD or obesity. Conclusion Reliance on PCWP rather than LVEDP results in misclassification of veterans as having pre-capillary PH rather than PVH in almost 50% of cases. This is clinically relevant, as misclassification may lead to inappropriate therapies and adverse events.
The Greater London Council and the Education Service

Metropolitan areas are often plagued in their educational efforts by the plethora of governmental bodies that have some say in matters educational. Dean Reller describes the problems faced by the London metropolitan area, the work of the Royal Commission, the Parliamentary Act of 1963, and the structure and functioning of the Greater London Council, all in the context of the education service.
Pore structure development in activated carbon honeycombs

Abstract This work describes the development of porosity in activated carbon honeycomb structures. The honeycombs were fabricated from a combination of synthetic precursors, i.e., phenolic resins, along with several organic and inorganic additives, which allowed their extrusion at room temperature as well as subsequent carbonization and activation. The pore size and pore volume of these structures depend on the level of activation and the precursor composition. It was found that essentially micropores are formed when pure phenolic resin is used. The introduction of metal catalysts in the resin precursor was evaluated as a means to change the pore structure of the final product. The presence of the metal catalyst changes the final pore structure significantly, as evidenced by the formation of a large volume of meso- and macropores, particularly at high activation levels.
Skeletal metastases from a granulosa‐cell tumor of the ovary: Report of a case diagnosed by fine‐needle aspiration cytology

We report on the fine-needle aspiration cytological findings of a metastatic granulosa-cell tumor of the ovary to bone. The patient had undergone resection of a primary ovarian granulosa-cell tumor 15 yr prior to her last admission. Recently she injured her right hip, sustained after a fall. CT examination revealed hypodense lesions involving the posterior body and the right pedicle of the L1 vertebra. The aspirate from the bone yielded a highly cellular smear, composed of round to oval cells with scanty cytoplasm. Many of the cells revealed the presence of nuclear grooves. In areas, the cells were arranged in clusters resembling Call-Exner bodies. The rarity of skeletal metastases from granulosa-cell tumors can cause diagnostic difficulty in diagnosing this entity. Accurate clinical data, radiological findings, and cytological features are important in arriving at the correct diagnosis.
Neo-Institutionalism and Dissent in State Supreme Courts

This study applies concepts derived from neo-institutionalism to coalition behavior in state supreme courts, using a pooled cross-sectional time series design. Neo-institutionalism embraces rational choice assumptions about human behavior, with particular attention to how institutional arrangements shape purposive behavior. From this perspective, dissent, or the tendency to form less than unanimous voting coalitions, is viewed not merely as the collective expression of individual attitudes or policy preferences or the result of structural characteristics of institutions but rather as a complex interaction of values and structures. A model incorporating variables derived from the neo-institutional perspective was estimated with GLS-ARMA and compared to an environmental model generated from past research. The amount of variation in dissent rates uniquely accounted for by the neo-institutional model is over six times that of the environmental model, while a composite model can explain more than one-third of the variation in state supreme court dissent rates for 1966, 1973, and 1981. More importantly, however, all the relationships posited by the neo-institutional approach are statistically significant and in the expected direction. An institutional approach guided by rational choice theory offers an important contribution toward developing a more refined understanding of judicial behavior. T he propensity for appellate court judges to dissent is of particular interest to scholars of judicial politics. Open expressions of disagreement among the members of a court offer researchers the opportunity to examine the political motivations underlying judges' voting. Patterns of conflict and consensus also provide the necessary foundations for developing theories of judicial behavior. An extensive body of literature has been generated on the subject of dissent. Utilizing an institutional approach, the research on state appellate institutions has identified the presence of an intermediate appellate court as a crucial determinant of dissent in state courts of last resort. Various environThis research was truly collaborative. The authors are listed in random order. Earlier versions of this manuscript were presented at various conferences, and many helpful suggestions were offered. We wish to thank in particular John Gates, Gary King, Jeffrey Segal, and Dan Zimmer
Genome-wide structure and organization of eukaryotic pre-initiation complexes

Transcription and regulation of genes originate from transcription pre-initiation complexes (PICs). Their structural and positional organization across eukaryotic genomes is unknown. Here we applied lambda exonuclease to chromatin immunoprecipitates (termed ChIP-exo) to examine the precise location of 6,045 PICs in Saccharomyces. PICs, including RNA polymerase II and protein complexes TFIIA, TFIIB, TFIID (or TBP), TFIIE, TFIIF, TFIIH and TFIIK were positioned within promoters and excluded from coding regions. Exonuclease patterns were in agreement with crystallographic models of the PIC, and were sufficiently precise to identify TATA-like elements at so-called TATA-less promoters. These PICs and their transcription start sites were positionally constrained at TFIID-engaged downstream +1 nucleosomes. At TATA-box-containing promoters, which are depleted of TFIID, a +1 nucleosome was positioned to be in competition with the PIC, which may allow greater latitude in start-site selection. Our genomic localization of messenger RNA and non-coding RNA PICs reveals that two PICs, in inverted orientation, may occupy the flanking borders of nucleosome-free regions. Their unambiguous detection may help distinguish bona fide genes from transcriptional noise.
Soluble P-selectin Predicts Lower Extremity Peripheral Artery Disease Incidence and Change in the Ankle Brachial Index: The Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA)

Objective To determine the association of circulating P-selectin with prevalent and incident peripheral artery disease (PAD), the ankle brachial index (ABI), and change in the ABI.
Pacific Symposium on Biocomputing--computational approaches for pharmacogenomics.

Russell A Wilke1†, Michelle W Carrillo2 & Marylyn D Ritchie3 †Author for correspondence 1Marshfield Clinic, Center for Human Genetics, and Department of Internal Medicine, 1000 N Oak Ave., Marshfield, WI 54449, USA E-mail: wilke.russell@mcrf.mfldclin.edu 2Stanford University, Department of Genetics, 300 Pasteur Drive, L337, Stanford, CA 94305-5120, USA 3Vanderbilt University, Center for Human Genetics Research, Department of Molecular Physiology & Biophysics, 519 Light Hall, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
International cooperation in establishing a regional order in Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia remains largely a geographic referent, not a political entity or even an economic unit. To explore the reasons why this region lags far behind other areas of the world in developing a regional identity and to explore areas where international cooperation is both desirable and possible, the Center for East Asian Studies of the Monterey Institute of International Studies held an international conference in June 1997, with participants from China, Japan, South Korea, Mongolia, Russia, and the United States. This article introduces the presentations and discussion at this conference and explores the prospects for regional cooperation. It identifies historical and contemporary sources of obstacles to regional cooperation, including those in the political, economic, security, and civilizational/cultural realms. It notes the fluidity and uncertainty in major power relations since the end of the Cold War and discusses the regional security implications of growing economic ties among the Northeast A...
Understanding the development of the concept of suicide through the use of early memory technique

Abstract Early memories of adults were examined to assess the understanding of the concept of suicide from childhood experiences. Two sets of early memories were gathered in which subjects recalled their earliest suicide memory and their earliest suicidal thought. Content analysis of these memories revealed that between the ages of 8 and 12 initial exposure to suicide occurs predominately through impersonal means; at this level of suicide understanding, uncertainty surrounds the motivating factors of suicide. It was found that at approximately age 14, a mature adult conception of suicide existed. This was a time period in which individuals, for the first time, were beginning to think about killing themselves as a solution to personal conflict or emotional turmoil in their life. Findings support research relating to the areas of death conception and levels of cognitive functioning in children. Further areas of investigation are outlined.
Conformational analysis of the methyl ester of alanine by gas electron diffraction and Ab initio geometry optimization

Abstract The gas electron diffraction data of the methyl ester of l -alanine were recorded at an approximate nozzle temperature of 80°C and analyzed with geometrical constraints taken from 4-21G ab initio gradient geometry refinements. The molecular intensities are consistent with a model for the most populated conformational state in which the NCCO torsion (τ) is syn-peri -planar and a bifurcated hydrogen bond exists between NH 2 and CO. Details of the intensity data make it impossible to rule out the presence of significant concentrations of a second conformer, (τ ⋍ + 150°), in contrast to the ab initio calculations which predict greater stability of the system at τ ⋍ −150° than +150°.
Sucralfate and cimetidine as single agents and in combination for treatment of active duodenal ulcers. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Abstract A randomized, double-blind, double-placebo study was conducted to compare the rates and predictors of healing in patients with endoscopically proved duodenal ulcers during treatment with sucralfate, cimetidine, or a combination of the two drugs. Standard therapeutic dosage regimens were used in each group. No antacids were allowed. Endoscopy was repeated at two weeks and, if needed, at four and eight weeks. Healing was defined as complete re-epithelialization of all ulcers. Cases in which there was a worsening of the ulcer or of symptoms were considered unhealed. Eight patients were dropped for protocol violations or unrelated medical Illnesses; data from 61 patients were suitable for analysis. The healing rates achieved with sucralfate and cimetidine did not differ significantly at any time. However, the healing rate at two weeks for combination therapy (33 percent) was higher than for either sucralfate alone (15 percent) or cimetidine alone (10 percent). Cigarette smoking, a prior history of ulcer disease, and a low pepsinogen I to pepsinogen II ratio were significant predictors of delayed healing.
The sequential determination of arsenic, selenium, germanium and tin as their hydrides by gas—solid chromatography with an atomic absorption detector

Abstract Arsenic, germanium, selenium and tin were sequentially determined in single samples by using hydride generation followed by gas chromatography with an atomic absorption detector. Apparent detection limits varied from 3 ppb for As to 13 ppb for Ge with linear dynamic ranges of about 1.5 orders of magnitude. Relative standard deviations, evaluated in the middle of the working range, varied from 2% to 11%. Chromatographie parameters were chosen to allow for manual lamp selection and monochromator adjustment. Data handling was done by microcomputer. The analysis time was 5 min.
Broadband dual varactor diode-loaded elliptical slot antenna with an orthogonal feed at K-band

An orthogonally-fed, small elliptical slot antenna loaded by a varactor diode, and operating in K-band frequency range (18 - 26.5 GHz), is designed for use in synthetic aperture radar imaging arrays. The broadest dimensions of the antenna are restricted to being less than λ/2 as a consequence of required spacing in an imaging array. The feed design uses a coplanar waveguide with a 90° bend without a direct DC connection to the antenna. The final slot employs two varactor diodes resulting in 3.5 GHz of bandwidth suitable for microwave 3D holography imaging.
The Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form" Age and Gender Effects and Norms

The Nisonger CBRF is a new informant behavior rating scale that was adapted for assessing children and adolescents with mental retardation. A total of 369 children referred to interdisciplinary diagnostic clinics for children with developmental disabilities were rated on the Nisonger Child Behavior Rating Form by their parents and teachers. Normative data (means, T scores, and percentiles) are presented Subscale scores were analyzed as a function of age and gender. Age influenced 3 of 8 subscales on the parent ratings and 1 subscale on the teacher ratings. Gender did not influence subscale scores. Age and gender results are discussed in relation to previous studies of subject variables.
MCSCF study of polaron- and bipolaron-like defects in small all-trans conjugated polyenes

A Multiconfigurational Self-Consistent Field study of neutral, singly and doubly ionized C4H6, C6H8, C8H10, and C10H12 as model systems for polaron and bipolaron defects in polyacetylene has been carried out. In all computations a double zeta quality basis set was used. The post-Hartree-Fock computations were carried out in the complete active π subspace and the fully optimized structures are reported. Comparison with SCF results reveals that the inclusion of electron correlation attenuates the double bond/single bond alternancy in conjugated polyenes as well as the charge waves associated with the cations.
Kinetics Of A Continuous Wave (CW) Infrared Laser Induced Reaction

Kinetics of the unimolecular decomposition of CH3CF2Cl induced by a CW CO2 laser has been investigated at pressures of 10 to 200 torr and beam intensities of 150 to 1000 W/cm2. Laser induced rate constants k and translational temperatures T have been obtained through several recently developed procedures which include interferometric measurements of T. While in the high pressure limit the laser induced rate constant k is found to be nearly identical to the thermal rate constant kt, we observe that k becomes progressively larger than kt at any T with decreasing pressure, reaching the value of 103 kt at 10 torr. We conclude that the effective vibrational temperature Tv exceeds T as a result of the competition between the rates of photon absorption and deactivation by vibrational-to-translational relaxation. The experiment also reveals some anomalous features of VT transfer at the lower pressures.© (1981) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
An example of the mandelstam representation in perturbation theory

Abstract A Feynman diagram that has three particle intermediate states in all channels is studied. Choosing special values of the masses, in particular taking infrared divergent terms as certain masses go to zero, we explicitly calculate the spectral functions in this limit. They are nonzero in all three regions.
The (limited) effect of cultural globalization in India: implications for culture theory

Abstract Since 1991, India has witnessed an explosion of new media. Between 1990 and 1999, access to television grew from 10% of the urban population to 75% of the urban population. Cable television and foreign movies became widely available for the first time. Despite being heavy users of this new media, nonelite urban middle-class men continue to be attached to previous family arrangements. The striking continuity of nonelite men's gender culture in the face of new meanings introduced by foreign media suggests that institutions are fundamentally important in rooting the fit between cultural orientations and institutional structures. Social theorists today often emphasize the mutually reinforcing nature of culture – meanings, norms, values – and structure – the way society is organized. But contemporary theorists too often sidestep consideration of the relative causal importance of cultural and structural factors. This paper confirms Swidler's argument that cultural “consistencies across individuals come less from common inculcation by cultural authorities than from the common dilemmas institutional life poses in a given society.” Changes resulting from globalization are, then, more likely to follow from changed structural realities than the introduction of new cultural meanings.
Confirmation of diminazene diaceturate in bovine plasma using electrospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Abstract Diminazene diaceturate is used as a trypanocide for cattle in tropical regions. This paper describes a LC–MSn method to confirm the presence of diminazene in bovine plasma. Bound diminazene in plasma samples was freed with dilute phosphoric acid, then concentrated on a bonded C18 SPE cartridge. The LC–MSn method utilized electrospray ionization coupled with an ion trap mass spectrometer. Ions observed in MS2 and MS3 product ion spectra, as well as those from the MS1 spectrum, were monitored. The method was validated with plasma samples fortified with diminazene diaceturate (4–100 ng/mL). Diminazene was confirmed in samples fortified with diminazene diaceturate at levels of 6.4 ng/mL or higher.
Optimum design of nonlinear structures with path dependent reponse

Optimum design of structures with path dependent response is studied in this paper. The direct differentiation and the adjoint structure methods of design sensitivity analysis are summarized. The reference volume concept is used to unify the conventional and shape design problems. It is concluded that the direct differentiation method is more effective for this class of problems. The design sensitivity analysis — developed with continuum formulation — is discretized using the finite element method. Two cases for an example problem are optimized using a sequential quadratic programming algorithm to demonstrate how the developed procedures work and to study the optimization process for the problems with path dependent response.
Real Time in Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry Studies of the Photocatalytic Oxidation of Stearic Acid on Titania Films

We used in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry to measure the photocatalytic activity of titania films on fused silica and glass substrates. Amorphous and anatase TiO2 films with a variety of microstructures were prepared by reactive sputtering and pyrolytic deposition. The titania films were coated with thin, spin-cast films of stearic acid [CH3(CH2)16COOH] to represent an organic contaminant. Photooxidation rates were determined from ellipsometric measurements of the reduction in stearic acid film thickness during exposure to UV irradiation at 313 or 365 nm. The photooxidation rate was found to be proportional to Iα, where I is the irradiance. The exponent α correlated with the TiO2 crystallinity, having values of approximately 0.7 and 0.8 for amorphous and anatase films, respectively. The largest photooxidation rate was observed for the pyrolytically deposited anatase sample on which X-ray reflectometry and spectroscopic ellipsometry measurements detected the presence of a low-density TiO2 surface layer. T...
Advanced Techniques for MRI of Atherosclerotic Plaque

This review examines the state of the art in vessel wall imaging by MRI with an emphasis on the biomechanical assessment of atherosclerotic plaque. Three areas of advanced techniques are discussed. First, alternative contrast mechanisms, including susceptibility, magnetization transfer, diffusion and perfusion, are presented in regards to how they facilitate accurate determination of plaque constituents underlying biomechanics. Second, imaging technologies, including hardware and sequences, are reviewed in regards to how they provide the resolution and SNR necessary for determining plaque structure. Finally, techniques for combining MRI data into an overall assessment of plaque biomechanical properties, including wall shear stress and internal plaque strain, are presented. The paper closes with a discussion of the extent to which these techniques have been applied to different arteries commonly targeted by vessel wall MRI.
Theoretical Estimates of Mechanical Properties of the Endothelial Cell Cytoskeleton

Current modeling of endothelial cell mechanics does not account for the network of F-actin that permeates the cytoplasm. This network, the distributed cytoplasmic structural actin (DCSA), extends from apical to basal membranes, with frequent attachments. Stress fibers are intercalated within the network, with similar frequent attachments. The microscopic structure of the DCSA resembles a foam, so that the mechanical properties can be estimated with analogy to these well-studied systems. The moduli of shear and elastic deformations are estimated to be on the order of 10(5) dynes/cm2. This prediction agrees with experimental measurements of the properties of cytoplasm and endothelial cells reported elsewhere. Stress fibers can potentially increase the modulus by a factor of 2–10, depending on whether they act in series or parallel to the network in transmitting surface forces. The deformations produced by physiological flow fields are of insufficient magnitude to disrupt cell-to-cell or DCSA cross-linkages. The questions raised by this paradox, and the ramifications of implicating the previously unreported DCSA as the primary force transmission element are discussed.
Changing patterns in the management of fractures in children

Advances in radiographic imagery have greatly facilitated the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric musculoskeletal injuries. In recent years, the indications for operative intervention in the treatment of children's fractures have become more clearly defined.
Two brain nuclei controlling circadian rhythms are identified by GFAP immunoreactivity in hamsters and rats.

Abstract The intergeniculate leaflet (IGL) of the lateral geniculate complex is marked by the presence of neuropeptide Y-containing neurons that project to the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of the hypothalamus. In the present study, we demonstrate that both the IGL and SCN in the hamster and rat are specifically delineated by the presence of glial fibrillary acidic protein-like immunoreactivity. This is significantly greater than in most other diencephalic regions and is particularly dense in the hamster brain. These observations suggest that glial-neuronal interactions may participate in circadian rhythm generation and regulation.
Collective Action Clauses for the Eurozone

One of the primary policy initiatives instituted in response to the Eurozone sovereign debt crisis is a requirement that all Eurozone sovereign bonds issued after January 1 2013 include provisions referred to as Collective Action Clauses or CACs. These CACs allow for a super-majority of creditors to impose restructuring terms on minority holdouts. This article assesses the likely effect of this proposal on the borrowing costs of sovereign debtors. Contrary to much of the literature, we find that the presence of CACs leads to a lower cost of capital, especially for below-investment grade bonds.
Highway Construction Impacts on Wyoming Businesses

Highway construction projects can affect motorists and businesses in many ways. Even though construction projects are temporary situations, many businesses worry about the level of impact during construction and the length and magnitude of the recovery period. Highway construction may cause a temporary loss of customers, revenue, and property value as well as create noise and air pollution and other problems. Currently, there is little information that quantifies the estimated business impacts, particularly for rural areas such as Wyoming. This study investigated the business-related effects of highway construction projects in Wyoming and provided managers at the Wyoming Department of Transportation with case studies and impact estimates to better address business owners' concerns. The study also compared the businesses' perceptions of what happened to their sales during and after construction with the actual impact on the businesses' sales for the same time period. Perceived impact data were collected through surveys sent to businesses in the 12 case study projects across Wyoming, and Wyoming Department of Revenue tax data were used to examine the actual estimated sales data before, during, and after construction. In addition to sales revenue data, traffic volumes and right-of-way purchase information were compared with the business owners' perceptions. The result of the study was the quantification of actual impacts as well as an analysis of the difference between the actual and perceived impacts.
Morphogenesis and the coordination of cell division in the bryophytes

Abstract The filamentous protonema and the leafy shoots of the moss gametophyte as well as the moss sporophyte provide examples of the intimate ties between cell division and morphogenesis. Many of these examples are incompletely described, especially at the molecular level. Simple cases of cellular differentiation in mosses can involve equal or unequal divisions. The more complex differentiation of the moss sporangium includes cell lineages of identical final extent but different clonal history. Since mosses are the sister clade to the higher plants, descriptions of development in mosses will expand our understanding of plant biology in an important way, introducing an evolutionary perspective.
Herpesvirus of orang-utan (H. pongo) and search for retrovirus in nonhuman primates.

Abstract We have established and characterized a herpesvirus-productive lymphoid cell line from a leukemic orang-utan. The virus (H. pongo) is related to but distinct from human Epstein-Barr virus and herpesviruses of other Old World monkeys or apes. Type C virus was not detected in this lymphoid culture nor could retrovirus be activated by treatment of these and other primate cells with various chemical and physical inducing agents.
Imaging Approach to Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Cholangiocarcinoma, and Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Liver imaging is a highly evolving field with new imaging contrast agents and modalities. Knowledge of the different imaging options and what they have to offer in primary and metastatic liver disease is essential for appropriate diagnosis, staging, and prognosis in patients. This review summarizes the major imaging modalities in liver neoplasms and provides specific discussion of imaging hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, and colorectal liver metastases. The final sections provide an overview of presurgical imaging relevant to planning hepatectomies and ablative procedures.