cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nutrition after gastric resection for peptic ulcer.

Summary A study of 110 patients from 2 to 7 years after gastric resection for peptic ulcer showed 41.8 per cent to be underweight. Approximately one-third had dumping symptoms, which were severe in 2 patients and moderate in 10. In those underweight, a number of causes for the malnutrition were noted, but inadequate intake and impaired digestion appeared to be the major factors. A careful dietary history was of considerable aid in directing the patients to a regimen designed to improve nutrition and avoid dumping symptoms. This consisted of a return to or toward a normal diet, increased fat and decreased carbohydrate intake, limitation of fluids with meals, and multiple feedings when required to reach adequate caloric intake.
The role of epigenetics in the endothelial cell shear stress response and atherosclerosis

Abstract Currently in the field of vascular biology, the role of epigenetics in endothelial cell biology and vascular disease has attracted more in-depth study. Using both in vitro and in vivo models of blood flow, investigators have recently begun to reveal the underlying epigenetic regulation of endothelial gene expression. Recently, our group, along with two other independent groups, have demonstrated that blood flow controls endothelial gene expression by DNA methyltransferases (DNMT1 and 3A). Disturbed flow (d-flow), characterized by low and oscillating shear stress (OS), is pro-atherogenic and induces expression of DNMT1 both in vivo and in vitro. D-flow regulates genome-wide DNA methylation patterns in a DNMT-dependent manner. The DNMT inhibitor 5-Aza-2′deoxycytidine (5Aza) or DNMT1 siRNA reduces OS-induced endothelial inflammation . Moreover, 5Aza inhibits the development of atherosclerosis in ApoE −/− mice. Through a systems biological analysis of genome-wide DNA methylation patterns and gene expression data, we found 11 mechanosensitive genes which were suppressed by d-flow in vivo, experienced hypermethylation in their promoter region in response to d-flow, and were rescued by 5Aza treatment. Interestingly, among these mechanosensitive genes, the two transcription factors HoxA5 and Klf3 contain cAMP-response-elements (CRE), which may indicate that methylation of CRE sites could serve as a mechanosensitive master switch in gene expression. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism by which flow controls epigenetic DNA methylation patterns, which in turn alters endothelial gene expression, regulates vascular biology, and induces atherosclerosis. These novel findings have broad implications for understanding the biochemical mechanisms of atherogenesis and provide a basis for identifying potential therapeutic targets for atherosclerosis. This article is part of a Directed Issue entitled: Epigenetics dynamics in development and disease.
Gentian violet inhibits MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell proliferation, and reverses the stimulation of osteoclastogenesis and suppression of osteoblast activity induced by cancer cells

Gentian violet (GV) is a cationic triphenylmethane dye, with potent antifungal and antibacterial activity. We recently reported that in vitro GV suppresses the differentiation of bone resorbing osteoclasts while stimulating the differentiation and activity of bone forming osteoblasts. Breast cancer is highly metastatic to bone and drives bone turnover that further promotes cancer engraftment and expansion, the so-called vicious cycle. In humans, breast cancer metastases cause osteolytic lesions and skeletal damage that leads to bone fractures, an additional source of patient morbidity. The MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line is a commonly used model of human breast cancer that when injected into mice metastasizes to bone causing osteolytic lesions by promoting osteoclastic bone resorption and/or suppressing osteoblastic bone formation. In the present study, we investigated the direct action of GV on MDA-MB-231 proliferation, and the capacity of GV to reverse the negative impact of MDA-MB-231 cells on osteoclast and osteoblast differentiation. Our data reveal for the first time that GV suppresses proliferation, and induces apoptosis, of MDA-MB-231 cells. We further demonstrated the capacity of GV to reverse the pro-osteoclastogenic and anti-osteoblastic activities of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro. These data suggest that GV has important applications in the treatment of breast cancer through multiple actions including direct suppression of cancer cell proliferation, breaking the vicious cycle between cancer and bone, and alleviating the skeletal defects induced by bone metastasis.
Neutron Radiography of Irradiated Nuclear Fuel at Idaho National Laboratory

Abstract Neutron radiography of irradiated nuclear fuel provides more comprehensive information about the internal condition of irradiated nuclear fuel than any other non-destructive technique to date. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) has multiple nuclear fuels research and development programs that routinely evaluate irradiated fuels using neutron radiography. The Neutron Radiography reactor (NRAD) sits beneath a shielded hot cell facility where neutron radiography and other evaluation techniques are performed on these highly radioactive objects. The NRAD currently uses the foil-film transfer technique for imaging fuel that is time consuming but provides high spatial resolution. This paper describes the NRAD and hot cell facilities, the current neutron radiography capabilities available at INL, planned upgrades to the neutron imaging systems, and new facilities being brought online at INL related to neutron imaging.
Species mixture effects in northern red oak-eastern white pine stands in Maine, USA

Growth and yield studies of mixed-species stands lack generality, though mixture effects appear to be most likely in stands of species with contrasting traits and/or with vertical stratification. The northern red oak (Quercus rubra L.) – eastern white pine (Pinus strobus L.) forest type of the US Northeast is dominated by species of intermediate shade tolerance, often with a spatially heterogeneous lower canopy of shade-tolerant red maple (Acer rubrum L.) and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis (L.) Carr.). We examined neighborhood scale plots (0.02 ha) with variable mixtures of these species and a range of age structure (44–140 years mean age) in southern Maine. Linear mixed effects regression was used to model canopy surface area, stem biomass growth, and stem biomass yield across gradients of composition. With stocking, age, and site quality held constant, more species-diverse plots had denser canopies and faster growth, but lower yield than compositionally simpler plots. For a variety of age structures, mixtures of oak and pine produced more canopy surface area and more stem biomass growth than would be expected if interspecific competition were equal to intraspecific, and more than would be expected on plots dominated by one species or the other. Lower canopy red maple and hemlock contributed to higher plot-level values of all variables in mixed plots, but there was no evidence to suggest that any species contributed to stocking without displacing other species to some degree. This study demonstrates that white pine and red oak, along with other species, can grow in fine-scale mixtures in a variety of even- and two-aged structures without sacrificing productivity, and in some conditions enhancing it.
Regioselective and Stereoselective Reactions of 2-Butyne Bound to a Resolved Chiral Tungsten(II) Center

Deprotonation of chiral complexes of the type Tp‘(CO)(I)W{RC⋮CCH2R‘} at the propargyl carbon followed by alkylation is regioselective and stereoselective. Photolysis liberates the elaborated alkynes from the metal complex. Resolution of metal diastereomers, with amido ligands, Tp‘(CO)(NHR)W{CH3C⋮CCH3} (NH2R = ((S)-(−)-α-methylbenzylamine), has been accomplished by fractional crystallization. Conversion to an amine complex followed by iodide replacement of H2NCHMePh produces separate enantiomers of Tp‘(CO)(I)W{CH3C⋮CCH3}. Methylation followed by benzylation of each enantiomer affords Tp‘(CO)(I)W{CH3C⋮CCHMeCH2Ph}. The alkynes (−)-CH3C⋮CCHMeCH2Ph and (+)-CH3C⋮CCHMeCH2Ph have been released from each of these enantiomerically enriched complexes in optically active form, as assayed by optical rotation and by 1H NMR with chiral shift reagents. The barrier to alkyne rotation in Tp‘(CO)(I)W{RC⋮CCH2R‘} complexes has been probed by variable-temperature 1H NMR, and extended Huckel molecular orbital calculations have ...
Making a profit … and a difference: HP invents an organization to drive sustainability

More companies are realizing that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive. The merger of Hewlett-Packard and Compaq has produced an innovative organizational model for addressing corporate, social, and environmental responsibility (CSER). HP's CSER group integrates these seemingly disparate functions and relies on influence rather than control to make sustainability a way of life at HP. © 2004 Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
Photo CD in practice

Kodak Photo CD is an optical disc-based storage system for recording still photographs. This article explores some of the practical aspects of Photo CD for the medical user. Some potential applications are described, along with hardware and software requirements for the effective use of the medium.
Reflectance Of Ground Snow At Millimeter Wavelengths

Radar cross sections per unit area of ground snow were calculated for linearly polarized incident radiation at 8.6, 17, 35, and 95 GHz. The snow was modeled as a plane-parallel medium consisting of ice grains immersed in a homogeneous substance having varying amounts of liquid water-like absorption. Individual ice grains were treated as independent Rayleigh scattering centers. Calculations of the radar cross sections were made using known solutions of the radiative transfer equation. These were then compared with experimental data. Curves are given which can be used to find radar cross sections once the grain size and the water content of the snow are known.
Neutron-neutron final state interactions in the reaction 2H(d, pp)2n

The reaction 2H(d, pp)2n has been studied at a bombarding energy of 12 MeV, detecting the two protons in coincidence at angles of ±20° as well as +20° and −15°. In both cases, a narrow band was observed in a three-dimensional plot of the yield versus the energies of the two detected protons. E1 and E2, with most of the yield concentrated in the area where E1 ≈ E2. This suggests a two-step sequential process of the type d + d → (2p) + (2n) → p + p + n + n. In a missing mass plot for the third, undetected “particle” a pronounced, narrow peak appears at low relative energies in the (nn) system.
Nd:YAG laser irradiation in root canal disinfection.

The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of Nd:YAG laser irradiation in disinfecting the root canal system. Seventy-five teeth were uniformly instrumented and sterilized, and their root canals were infected for 60 min with an overnight culture of Enterococcus faecalis in Tryptic Soy Broth. The teeth were divided into 6 groups: 1 - non-infected controls; 2 - infected controls; 3 - infected, laser treated; 4 - infected, laser dummy (dye only); 5 - infected, laser dummy (dye and air-water spray); 6 - infected, NaOCl-treated (reference group). After treatment, the root canals were dried and dentinal shavings removed for a post-treatment culture. Quantitative analysis of bacteria surviving the various treatments were performed, and the bacterial counts for each group were compared. SEM analysis of teeth split longitudinally was used to illustrate the effect of treatment on the smear layer and on surface bacteria. Nd:YAG laser irradiation (group 3) significantly reduced the number of bacteria while NaOCl irrigation (group 6) effectively disinfected the canals.
Computational pulse shaping for thermographic inspections

The thermographic inspection of materials and structures typically involves the application of a heat flux to the surface and measuring the subsequent surface temperature profiles. The nature of typical heat flux sources requires the incident flux has the shape of either a short pulse or a step function. This pulse shape for the flux typically will not maximize the contrast between a response from a flaw in the structure and the unflawed regions of the structure. Optimal shaping of the pulse is experimentally difficult, if not impossible. However, its consideration serves as a useful tool for developing post-processing techniques for the data. The concept is to design filters for processing the data in a manner that emulates shaping the input flux. Convolving the measured thermal response with this optimized filter effectively maps the measured response to the response for an optimally shaped input heat flux. A method for generating this filter is presented. Applying the filter to the thermal response of the structure increases the contrast between flawed and unflawed regions. Results with experimental data illustrate the advantages of the technique over conventional techniques.
Implantation of breast cancer in a transplanted nipple: A plea for preoperative screening

A 45-year-old, white woman, following mastectomy for a large inflammatory carcinoma of the left breast with multiple involved nodes, had her nipple body-banked in her left groin. She subsequently developed locally recurrent breast carcinoma in the areola of the transplanted nipple with metastases to the groin nodes, for which she received a radical groin dissection. Clinical and pathologic criteria for screening the nipples to be preserved are reviewed, and a plea is made for employing similarly stringent screens to eliminate future cases such as this.
Chemomechanical effects of long-chain alcohols during nanoindentation

Surface and chemomechanical effects are very important in tribology, wear and friction, but are difficult to quantify due to being confined in the near-surface region. Nanoindentation techniques have been successfully used to investigate environmental effects on mechanical response. In this work, nanoindentation tests have been performed on various materials (silicon, fused silica, and gold nanofilms on a glass substrate) immersed in long-chain alcohols (i.e., 1-hexanol, 1-heptanol, 1-octanol, and 1-nonanol). The results consistently show an increase in mechanical properties for silicon and gold nanofilms immersed in the alcohols at shallow nanoindentation depths. The results for fused silica show little effect of immersion. The changes in the observed mechanical properties are attributed to the ability of the long-chain organic molecules to sustain elastic strains when they are in confined geometry. These long organic chains also distribute the normal stress of the indenter over a larger area on the sample surface thereby causing a decrease in the perceived contact area (Ac). As a result the long-chain alcohols modify both the Ac and the elastic compliance of the contact.
Implementing Welfare-to-Work: Program Managers’ Identities and Service Delivery in North Carolina

Using telephone interviews, we examine the professional identities of welfare-to-work managers in North Carolina counties and explore how their identities correlate with county characteristics and the structuring of services. We find social work and efficiency engineer approaches to be distinct and influential with the street-level bureaucrat often conflicted, caught between helping and policing clients. In our study, conflicted managers often do daily casework on top of their managerial responsibilities. Although social work identities were the most common, efficiency engineer and conflicted identities were associated with more punitive and eligibility-focused routines. Overall, program managers’ identities correspond to how services are structured for clients within the constraints of the federal welfare-to-work program.
electrochemical generation of a nonheme oxoiron(IV) complex.

The complex [FeIVO(N4Py)]2+ (N4Py = N,N-bis(2-pyridylmethyl)-N-bis(2-pyridyl)methylamine) has been prepared by bulk electrolysis in aqueous CH3CN and CH2Cl2, and its redox properties characterized. Bulk chronocoulometry and spectropotentiometry experiments in CH3CN show that [FeII(N4Py)(NCCH3)]2+ can be oxidized quantitatively to its iron(III) derivative at an applied potential of +0.71 V vs ferrocene and then to the oxoiron(IV) complex (in the presence of added water) at potentials above +1.3 V. The E1/2 value for the FeIV/III couple has been estimated to be +0.90 V from spectropotentiometric titrations in CH3CN and cyclic voltammetric measurements in CH2Cl2.
Assessment of creativity with the ACL: An empirical comparison of four scales

Abstract: Several scales have been developed from the Adjective Check List to assess creativity, with almost no comparative data to evaluate them. In this study, two samples, one of research scientists and one of advanced architecture students, were assessed using the A CL scored for the Domino, Gough, Schaefer, and Yarnell scales of creativity. The results indicated a fair amount of equivalence among the four scales, with a tendency for the Domino and the Gough scales to have better convergent and discriminant validity.
Analyzing acceptance politics: Towards an epistemological shift in the public understanding of science and technology

Reviewing the main research approaches on the acceptance of science and technology (S&T) developed in the last decades, I will (1) summarize advances achieved and persisting problems concerning the understanding of both the public and S&T. I will show that the acceptance-centered framework has, at least implicitly, been linked to practical efforts in acceptance politics, i.e., attempts to improve a lack of acceptance. In order to investigate conflicts relating to S&T in a more reflective way, I will (2) suggest an epistemological shift towards the analysis of acceptance politics. Building on the distinction between the relevance and resonance of S&T, the ways in which S&T are valuated and gain legitimacy are investigated from a regime analytical perspective. I will (3) exemplify the advantages of this approach by comparatively analyzing the acceptance politics of three biotechnology applications in the USA and Germany. I will (4) conclude with an outlook on future research.
Reducing truncation errors by programming

In accumulating a sum such as in a numerical integration with a large number of intervals, the sum itself becomes much larger than the individual addends. This may produce a less accurate sum as the number of intervals is increased.Separate variables can be established as accumulators to hold partial sums within various distinct intervals. Thus, the extensive successive truncations are eliminated.
Use of a more physiologic oral glucose solution during screening for gestational diabetes mellitus

Objectives : We sought to compare in pregnant women deviations in glucose values, insulin values, and the occurrence of side effects between a “standard” 50 gm oral glucose solution (50 gm of glucose in 150 ml of fluid, 1.85 mol/L) versus a modified “physiologic” 50 gm oral glucose solution (50 gm of glucose in 450 ml of fluid, 0.62 mol/L) as a screening test for gestational diabetes mellitus. Study Design : A total of 132 pregnant women underwent (1) a standard 50 gm,1-hour oral glucose screening test, (2) a 50 gm,1-hour oral glucose screening test using the modified solution, and (3) a 3-hour oral glucose tolerance test (with 100 gm of glucose in 300 ml of fluid, 1.85 mol/L). Results : Compared with the “standard” regimen, both glucose and insulin values were significantly higher in the “modified” regimen 30 minutes after ingestion, indicating a more rapid absorption of glucose. Nausea and vomiting were greatly decreased with the modified glucose solution. The 1-hour glucose values were not statistically different. Conclusions : A more dilute, more palatable oral glucose solution can be used to screen for gestational diabetes mellitus, yielding more accurate results and eliminating unpleasant side effects.
Bacteriostatic effect of five antimicrobial agents on salmonellae in the intestinal tract of chickens.

Abstract Groups of chicks were administered five antimicrobial agents in their drinking water before and, in some cases, at the time of and after oral infection with Salmonella typhimurium. The drugs reduced the number of positive isolations of S. typhimurium from cloacal swabs only if they were administered in the drinking water before infection. Sodium nalidixate was the most effective bacteriostatic agent followed in effectiveness by gentamicin, sulfathiazole, sulfamethazine, and chloramphenicol. Birds removed from treatment were found to be active carriers of S. typhimurium.
Rupture of thin stagnant films on a solid surface due to random thermal and mechanical perturbations

A generalized formalism for the rupture of a nondraining thin film on a solid support due to imposed random thermal and mechanical perturbations, modeled as a Gaussian white noise, is presented. The evolution of amplitude of perturbation is described by a stochastic differential equation. The average film rupture time is the average time for the amplitude of perturbation to equal to the film thickness and is calculated by employing a first passage time analysis for different amplitudes of imposed perturbations, wavenumbers, film thickness, van der Waals and electrostatic interactions and surface tensions. The results indicate the existence of an optimum wavenumber at which the rupture time is minimum. A critical film thickness is identified based on the sign of the disjoining pressure gradient, below which the film is unstable in that the rupture time is very small. The calculated values of rupture time as well as the optimum wavenumber in the present analysis agree well with the results of linear stability analysis for immobile as well as completely mobile gas-liquid film interfaces. For stable films, the rupture time is found to increase dramatically with film thickness near the critical film thickness. As expected, the average rupture time was found to be higher for smaller amplitudes of imposed perturbations, larger surface potentials, larger surface tensions and smaller Hamaker constants.
Effect of tree fruit species on residual activity of avermectin B1 to Tetranychus urticae and Panonychus ulmi

Field-aged residues of avermectin B, on apple and pear foliage were bioassayed at intervals for activity against two mite species, European red mite (Panonychus ulmi (Koch)) and twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae Koch). Initial mortality was nearly 100% for both mite species on treated leaves of both tree species, and declined to 0-63% (1987) and 16-85% (1988) after 14 d. In both years, the mortality on treated apple foliage declined more quickly than that on pear. The main effect of tree species was significant at 1, 3, 7, and 14 d after treatment in 1987, and at 7 and 14 d after treatment in 1988. The main effect of mite species on mortality was not significant 3 d after treatment. Observed differences in field trial performance of avermectin B, were apparently caused by differences inherent between apple and pear rather than the mite species that normally infest them.
Some Trends in the History of Sinus Surgery

Some trends in the American and Western European history and literature of sinus surgery for infection are summarized. Maxillary sinus surgery was first limited to drainage; subsequently radical su...
A microfluidic device for continuous capture and concentration of microorganisms from potable water

A microfluidic device based on electrophoretic transport and electrostatic trapping of charged particles has been developed for continuous capture and concentration of microorganisms from water. Reclaimed and bottled water samples at pH values ranging from 5.2–6.5 were seeded with bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella, and Pseudomonas) and viruses (MS-2 and Echovirus). Negative control and capture experiments were performed simultaneously using two identical devices. Culture based methods were utilized to characterize the capture efficiency as a function of the species type, time, flow rate, and applied electric field. Based on differences between the capture and negative control data, capture efficiencies of 90% to 99% are reported for E. coli, Salmonella, Pseudomonas, and MS-2, while the capture efficiency for Echovirus was between 70% and 80%. Overall, the device exhibits a 16.67 fold sample volume reduction within an hour at 6 mL h−1 flow rate, resulting in a concentration factor of 14.2 at 85.2% capture efficiency. The device can function either as a filter or a sample concentrator without using any chemical additives. It can function as an integral component of a continuous, microbial capture and concentration system from large volumes of potable water.
Microstructure of a rapidly-solidified Ni-base eutectic superalloy

A γ- γ’ -MC eutectic nickel-base superalloy was rapidly solidified by melt-spinning. The resulting ribbon microstructure was studied using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. In the as-spun ribbon, a chill zone was found at the surface in contact with the wheel, consisting of grains 0.2 to 2.0 μm in diameter with Ta-rich MC carbides, 25 nm in diameter, decorating the grain boundaries. An intragranular cell structure was seen with 10 to 20 nm MC carbides at cell walls. A uniform dispersion of γ’ particles, 20 to 40 nm in diameter, was also present. In the ribbon center, a columnar dendritic structure was observed, with a slight increase in grain size. Carbides were found in this region at grain boundaries, along secondary dendrite arm boundaries, and in extended intercellular regions. A randomly-oriented dendritic structure was present at the ribbon top surface. The chill zone structure and the cellular-to-dendritic transition are described in terms of classical solidification models. Heat treatment of the as-spun ribbon for 2 hours at 1000 °C caused significant coarsening of the γ’ particles, but the grain size and carbide size and distribution were only slightly altered. An additional Re-rich sigma phase precipitated at grain boundaries during the heat treatment. After heat treatment for 2 hours at 1200 °C, some grain growth occurred, the MC and γ’ particles coarsened, and the Re-rich sigma phase was found.
Proteolytic Regulation of the Zinc Finger Transcription Factor YY1, a Repressor of Muscle-restricted Gene Expression

Regulated proteolysis has been postulated to be critical for proper control of cell functions. Muscle development, in particular, involves a great deal of structural adaptation and remodeling mediated by proteases. The transcription factor YY1 represses muscle-restricted expression of the sarcomeric α-actin genes. Consistent with this repressor function of YY1, the nuclear regulator is down-regulated at the protein level during skeletal as well as cardiac muscle cell differentiation. However, the YY1 message remains relatively unaltered throughout the myoblast-myotube transition, implicating a post-translational regulatory mechanism. We show that YY1 can be a substrate for cleavage by the calcium-activated neutral protease calpain II (m-calpain) and the 26 S proteasome. The calcium ionophore A23187 destabilized YY1 in cultured myoblasts, and the decrease in YY1 protein levels could be prevented by calpain inhibitor II and calpeptin. Treatment with the proteasome inhibitors MG132 and lactacystin resulted in the stabilization of YY1 protein, which is consistent with the finding that YY1 is readily polyubiquitinated in reticulocyte lysates. We further show that proteolytic targeting by calpain II and the proteasome involves different structural elements of YY1. This study thus illustrates two proteolytic pathways through which the transcriptional regulator can be differentially targeted under different cell growth conditions.
Electrooxidation of molybdenum halide complexes of the type CpMo(CO)3−n(PR3)nX

Etude electrochimique des complexes [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Mo(CO)(PR 3 )I] et [(η 5 -C 5 H 5 )Mo(CO) 3 X] au moyen de la voltammetrie cyclique dans le dichloromethane et l'acetonitrile
Polygalacturonase in the salivary apparatus of Lygus hesperus (Hemiptera)

A polygalacturonase was found in the posterior lobe of the principal salivary gland of Lygus hesperus Knight, which degraded the α-1,4 glycosidic bonds of sodium polypectate. The enzyme(s), which was heat stable in dry air and resistant to ethyl alcohol, had an activity of 800 based on viscosimetric measurements. Air-dried salivary glands, when mixed with buffer and potato tissue contained macerating enzymes which digested 11 mg of potato tissue/hr at an estimated dilution of 5 × 105. Optimum activity occurred at pH 7·0.
Reactions of Cg10062, a cis-3-Chloroacrylic Acid Dehalogenase Homologue, with Acetylene and Allene Substrates: Evidence for a Hydration-Dependent Decarboxylation.

Cg10062 is a cis-3-chloroacrylic acid dehalogenase (cis-CaaD) homologue from Corynebacterium glutamicum with an unknown function and an uninformative genomic context. It shares 53% pairwise sequence similarity with cis-CaaD including the six active site amino acids (Pro-1, His-28, Arg-70, Arg-73, Tyr-103, and Glu-114) that are critical for cis-CaaD activity. However, Cg10062 is a poor cis-CaaD: it lacks catalytic efficiency and isomer specificity. Two acetylene compounds (propiolate and 2-butynoate) and an allene compound, 2,3-butadienoate, were investigated as potential substrates. Cg10062 functions as a hydratase/decarboxylase using propiolate as well as the cis-3-chloro- and 3-bromoacrylates, generating mixtures of malonate semialdehyde and acetaldehyde. The two activities occur sequentially at the active site using the initial substrate. With 2,3-butadienoate and 2-butynoate, Cg10062 functions as a hydratase and converts both to acetoacetate. Mutations of the proposed water-activating residues (E114Q,...
Evidence for bimodal particle distribution from the spectra of polar mesospheric clouds

[1] The spectrographic imagers on the MSX satellite have made the first observations of the middle ultraviolet spectra (200–315 nm) of polar mesospheric clouds (PMCs). Dividing the PMC spectra by the solar spectrum yields a scattering spectrum expressible as a matrix-vector formalism of Mie scattering functions and the particle distribution. Using this formalism, PMC particle distributions are related to the observed scattering spectrum. The scattering spectrum always exhibits a peculiar “hump” at ∼260 nm that cannot be explained by any effect other than the particle distribution. A lognormal distribution of small particles (mode ∼ 50 nm) produces the overall shape of the spectrum but not the “hump.” Although not unique, a simple bimodal distribution of small particles (r ∼ 50 nm) and large particles (r ∼ 200 nm) describes the scattering spectrum and its hump very well. The clouds may therefore consist of two different populations, as suggested by some models of the clouds. Numerically, smaller particles dominate by about 10:1, but the larger particles strongly influence the scattering spectrum.
Previously undescribed features in the temporalis and masseteric musculature of several large felids raised in captivity

Although the anatomy of the domestic housecat has been examined in meticulous detail, comparative observations on the anatomy of the larger wild cats is scant and information about particularities in their cranial complexes rarer still. In the course of dissecting sets of masticatory muscles in five large felids, all older zoo animals, we had the opportunity to note muscular attachments in the head and jaw apparatus that appeared significantly broader and more distal in their insertion sties than expected. Further investigation may determine whether these masticatory peculiarities are functional adaptations of felids, or instead are associated in some manner with the specialized diets large felids receive in captive environments. Zoo Biol 16:187–191, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Subjects and Objects: Metaphysics, Biology, Consciousness, and Cognition

Over the past half-century, the Freeman laboratory has accumulated a large volume of data and a correspondingly extensive interpretive framework centered around an alternative perspective on brain function, that of dynamical systems. The purpose of this paper is first briefly to summarise this work, and bring it into dialogue with other perspectives. The contents of consciousness are seen as an inevitably sparse sample of events in the perception–action cycle. The paper proceeds to an attempt to elucidate the contents of this sparse sample. A critical concept is that of selfhood, and how it presents itself phenomenologically. It is argued that our experience of selfhood is an artifact of the necessity of preservation of subject/object relations. As this part of metaphysics has been badly misunderstood, we scrutinise it at some length in quantum mechanics, biology, and cognition. It is argued that Pattee's approach, while valuable, tends to premature closure on these issues. The paper then proceeds to outline a view on how selfhood is best considered wrt the immune response. This is interrelated with phenomenology, and some data are adduced to support this central hypothesis. Finally, consequences for the social sciences in general are hinted at.
An interesting case of persistent abdominal pain leading to an unusual finding of gallbladder aplasia

An interesting case of persistent abdominal pain leading to an unusual finding of gallbladder aplasia
Use of reaction space in depicting polymetamorphic histories

Metasedimentary rock fragments in a breccia at Ascutney Mountain, Vermont, have a complex metamorphic history that involved at least one and perhaps two episodes of Paleozoic regional metamorphism as well as Cretaceous contact metamorphism that resulted from the emplacement of Ascutney Mountain magmas into the Paleozoic country rock. Herein I derive a set of linearly independent net-transfer reactions that represent possible transfers of matter among the minerals in garnet-cordierite schist fragments, a major constituent of the breccia. I use net-transfer reactions to construct three reaction spaces. The reaction spaces define volumes within which an infinite number of reaction paths might have been followed by the schist fragments during metamorphism. I constrained the reaction path by using modal-abundance, textural, and chemical data from the schist fragments in the breccia. The example illustrates the elegant utility of reaction space: for any system, a volume may be defined within which metamorphic reactions occurred during the history of a rock. By examining the modal abundances, textures, and chemistry of the constituent minerals, one may discern and depict the history of complexly metamorphosed rocks.
Chronic utero-ovarian vein catheterization with subsequent occlusion prolongs the estrous cycle and changes electromyographic activity in the myometrium of ewes.

Abstract The objective of our study was to determine the effect of chronic utero-ovarian vein catheterization in ewes on estrous cycle length, plasma progesterone (P) concentration, and myometrial electromyographic activity. Cyclic ewes with inferior vena cava catheters were used as controls. Estrus was synchronized in ten ewes and 10 to 12 d following estrus, the ewes were anesthetized, fitted with myometrial electromyograph leads and with utero-ovarian vein (n = 5) or inferior vena cava (n = 5) catheters. After surgery, ewes returned to estrus as expected (16 to 18 d interestrus interval). The second cycle of four of five ewes with utero-ovarian vein catheters were prolonged (40 to 58 d). The inferior vena cava catheterized ewes had normal length second cycles. Plasma P concentrations reflected the estrous cycles: low (≤ 0.01 ng/ml) at estrus and 2 to 3 ng/ml at midcycle. The inferior vena cava catheterized ewes had decreased plasma P concentrations after luteolysis (Days 13 to 14) while four of five utero-ovarian vein catheterized ewes maintained elevated plasma P concentrations for 20 to 58 d. Catheterization affected the myometrial electromyograph; short events (16 to 180 sec) were increased on Days 5 to 13 in utero-ovarian vein as compared with inferior vena cava catheterized ewes (P 0.05).
What Drives Amyloid Molecules To Assemble into Oligomers and Fibrils

We develop a theory for three states of equilibrium of amyloid peptides: the monomer, oligomer, and fibril. We assume that the oligomeric state is a disordered micellelike collection of a few peptide chains held together loosely by hydrophobic interactions into a spherical hydrophobic core. We assume that fibrillar amyloid chains are aligned and further stabilized by steric zipper interactions—hydrogen bonding, steric packing, and specific hydrophobic side-chain contacts. The model makes a broad set of predictions that are consistent with experimental results: 1), Similar to surfactant micellization, amyloid oligomerization should increase with peptide concentration in solution. 2), The onset of fibrillization limits the concentration of oligomers in the solution. 3), The extent of Aβ fibrillization increases with peptide concentration. 4), The predicted average fibril length versus monomer concentration agrees with data on α-synuclein. 5), Full fibril length distributions agree with data on α-synuclein. 6), Denaturants should melt out fibrils. And finally, 7), added salt should stabilize fibrils by reducing repulsions between amyloid peptide chains. It is of interest that small changes in solvent conditions can tip the equilibrium balance between oligomer and fibril and cause large changes in rates through effects on the transition-state barrier. This model may provide useful insights into the physical processes underlying amyloid diseases.
An Evaluation of a Summer Treatment Program for Adolescents With ADHD

Abstract Although adolescents with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) experience serious life impairment (Molina et al., 2009; Wolraich et al., 2005), very few effective psychosocial interventions exist to treat this population (Pelham & Fabiano, 2008; Smith, Waschbusch, Willoughby, & Evans, 2000). Intensive child-directed interventions are an important component in the treatment of childhood ADHD (Pelham et al., 2005), yet no study exists that fully evaluates an intensive adolescent-directed intervention. The current investigation is a pilot study of 19 adolescents with ADHD (age range: 11-16) who participated in an 8-week intensive Summer Treatment Program–Adolescent (STP-A) during the summer of 2009. The program was developed to address specific difficulties associated with ADHD in adolescence. As such, the program was designed to be ecologically valid, age appropriate, and parent-involved. Results suggest that almost all adolescents who attended the STP-A benefitted from the program according to parent, self, and staff ratings and objective measures. These ratings also indicated that participants showed moderate improvement in each of the 6 domains targeted by treatment (i.e., conduct problems, adult-directed defiance, social functioning, inattention/disorganization, mood/well-being, and academic skills). All parents indicated that both they and their children benefitted from the program and all but 1 parent indicated that the STP-A was more effective than the treatments they had utilized in the past. A case example is presented to illustrate typical improvement patterns during the STP-A. Discussion addresses the role of the STP-A in the treatment of ADHD in adolescence.
Base pairing and fidelity in codon-anticodon interaction

Base pairing in codon–anticodon interaction has been investigated in order to understand the basis on which particular base pairs have been selected for or against participation at the wobble position and the basis for codon–anticodon infidelity.
Diversity from Simplicity: A Review of the Threat Index

This article highlights the diversity with which the Threat Index (TI) has been used in the last ten years to explore death-related topics in the empirical literature. Following a brief introduction of TI methodology and theoretical foundation, the following focal areas will be reviewed: 1) historical research questions; 2) multidimensional assessment; 3) alternative scoring procedures; 4) workshop applications; and 5) future directions. These topic areas attest to the TI's demonstrated theoretical and practical diversity as a psychometric tool, underscoring its importance to the field of thanatological research.
"I Had a Stereotype that American Were Fat": Becoming a Speaker of Culture in a Second Language

This article examines how adult learners were socialized by one another in the context of content materials in conjunction with the teacher's participation. Based on the premise that second language learning is experiential and emergent and using discourse analysis of students' asynchronous electronic postings and writing assignments together with ethnographic observations, we traced the students' evolving understandings of a culturally rich word, stereotype, over the course of one semester. We first looked at how the students understood the meaning of stereotype in early discussions, then at how these initial understandings changed as the students engaged in social activities in which their stances and identities became relevant, and finally at how these changes were exhibited in later discussions and written essays. Our analysis demonstrates concretely that learning a second language involves the acquisition not only of linguistic forms but also ways of thinking and behaving in new communities of practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
The non-homologous end-joining pathway is not involved in the radiosensitization of mammalian cells by heat shock.

A synergistic increase in cell killing is observed when a heat-shock is administered prior to, during, or immediately after exposure to ionizing radiation (IR). This phenomenon, known as heat-radiosensitization, is believed to be mediated by inhibition of repair of radiation-induced double strand breaks (DSB) when cells are exposed to temperatures above 42 degrees C. However, the mechanism by which heat inhibits DSB repair is unclear. The bulk of radiation-induced DSBs are repaired via the non-homologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ). Several reports indicate that the Ku70 and Ku80 subunits of the mammalian DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK), a complex involved in NHEJ, appear to be susceptible to a heat-induced loss of DNA-binding activity, with Ku80 representing the heat-sensitive component. Since the heat-induced loss and subsequent recovery of Ku-DNA binding activity correlates well with heat-radiosensitization, a role for Ku80 and NHEJ in heat-radiosensitization has been proposed. However, direct evidence implicating Ku80 (and NHEJ) in heat-radiosensitization has been indeterminate. In this study, we demonstrate that equitoxic heat treatments at 42.5-45.5 degrees C induce a similar amount of aggregation of Ku80 in human U-1 melanoma cells. These data suggest that the time-temperature-dependent relationship between heat lethality and Ku80 aggregation are similar. However, the aggregation/disaggregation of Ku80 and its transient or permanent inactivation is unrelated to heat-radiosensitization. When survival curves were obtained for irradiated or irradiated and heated Ku80(-/-) mouse embryo fibroblasts (MEFs) and compared with survival curves obtained for wild-type (WT) cells, we found that heat-radiosensitization was not reduced in the Ku80(-/-) cells, but actually increased. Thus, our findings indicate that Ku80 is not essential for heat-radiosensitization. Non-involvement of Ku-dependent or Ku-independent NHEJ pathways in heat-radiosensitization was confirmed by comparing clonogenic survival between DNA ligase IV-defective and WT human cells. Our data therefore implicate homologous recombination in inhibition of repair of radiation-induced DSBs and as a target for heat-radiosensitization.
Benefits of early diagnosis and preemptive treatment of biliary tract complications after major blunt liver trauma in children.

Abstract Background/Purpose: Nonoperative management of blunt liver trauma may delay diagnosis of related biliary complications leading to delayed surgical intervention and related morbidity. The aim of this study was to see whether technetium (tc) 99 trimethylbromo-im-indolacetic acid (TBIDA) nuclear scan would allow noninvasive early diagnosis of bile leak and pre-emptive management. Methods: Retrospective analysis of the patient records and radiologic investigations of 7 patients admitted between April 1998 and December 2000 with "major" blunt liver trauma (parenchymal fracture of less than 4 cm on computed tomography [CT] scan or involving porta hepatis) and various types of biliary complications. Patients with or without early TBIDA diagnosis were compared. Results: There were 7 patients. The first 2 patients were treated conventionally without TBIDA, and late diagnosis was associated with further related problems (sepsis, life-threatening hemorrhage in both cases) and prolonged hospital stay. The subsequent 5 consecutive patients benefited from early diagnosis (TBIDA scan, 2 to 4 days after trauma), and preemptive management was done (tailored to each case). There was no further or related morbidity. All 7 patients currently are alive and well. Conclusions: A TBIDA nuclear medicine scan was efficient in providing an early diagnosis of biliary leakage, thus, allowing adequate preemptive management. In turn, this may have helped avoid related added morbidity compared with cases of late diagnosis. Early TBIDA scan should be performed routinely when the initial CT scan confirms liver trauma graded as "major." J Pediatr Surg 37:1287-1292. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Tephra sequences as indicators of magma evolution: 40Ar/39Ar ages and geochemistry of tephra sequences in the southwest Nevada volcanic field

Abstract Changes in rock chemistry with 40Ar/39Ar ages in tephra layers record the temporal and magmatic history of two volcanic systems in southwestern Nevada. Tephra layers from the Post-Grouse Canyon tephra sequence record three distinct groups. These groups are chemically distinct and have 40Ar/39Ar ages of 13.52±0.06, 13.31±0.18, and 12.95±0.10 Ma . The age groups correspond to three distinct chemical groups based on trace element distributions. These chemical groups cannot be related by any reasonable fractional crystallization or magma mixing model and are interpreted as distinct magma batches. The Pre-Rainier Mesa tephra sequence records two 40Ar/39Ar ages (12.79±0.10 and 11.84±0.18 Ma ). The upper portion of this sequence is equivalent in age and chemistry to part of the overlying Rainier Mesa ash-flow sheet. The lower portion of the sequence is equivalent in age to the underlying Tiva Canyon ash-flow sheet but is chemically distinct from this sheet. The formation of this chemical group is consistent with mixing of low silica Tiva Canyon and high silica, low Th, Rainier Mesa magma. Post-Grouse Canyon magmas were most likely emplaced as a series of small, unrelated magma bodies, which allowed them to evolve independently. The mixed Pre-Rainier Mesa magma was produced by infilling of the Tiva Canyon magma chamber with Rainier Mesa-like magma after eruption of the Tiva Canyon ash-flow sheet at approximately 12.8 Ma. The upper portion of the Pre-Rainier Mesa tephra sequence represents eruption of Rainier Mesa magma less than 0.3 My. before that of the voluminous (1200 km3) Rainier Mesa ash-flow sheet at approximately 11.71 Ma.