cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Crystallization of κ-bungarotoxin: Preliminary X-ray data obtained from the venom-derived protein

Abstract κ-Bungarotoxin is a 66 residue polypeptide found in the venom of the Taiwanese banded krait, Bungarus multicinctus. It binds tightly to neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors and inhibits nerve transmission mediated by these postsynaptic receptors. It is related, by similarity in amino acid sequence, to α-bungarotoxin and other α-neurotoxins, but differs sharply in physiologic action. The α-neurotoxins inhibit nerve transmission in nicotinic acetylcholine receptors associated with vertebrate skeletal muscle and fish electric organs. The κ-neurotoxins inhibit nerve transmission in neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors such as those found in chick ciliary ganglia. The κ-neurotoxins display a low level of interaction with receptors that are strongly affected by α-neurotoxins, but α-neurotoxins are completely without effect on receptors that are affected by κ-bungarotoxin. The structural basis for this physiologic differentiation is not known. Crystals of κ-bungarotoxin have now been obtained that diffract to at least 2.3 A. These crystals are hexagonal, space group P6, and have dimensions of a = b = 80.2 A , c = 39.6 A , and angles of α = β = 90° and γ = 120°. Each unit cell contains 12 molecules of the 66 residue protein or two molecules per asymmetric unit. Comparison of the structure of κ-bungarotoxin, which will result from further diffraction analysis of these crystals, with the structures of the α-neurotoxins that have been determined may provide information on the structural basis of physiologic action in these acetylcholine receptor antagonists.
Enhancement of injection current at the metal-insulator interface

Abstract Very deep traps may exist in amorphous insulators near a metal interface. When such traps are populated by photocarriers, large distortions in the electric field at the contact may result in carrier injection. A model of the time dependence and magnitude of the injection current is developed and compared with experimental results for the SiSiO2 interface and the Metal-PET (polyethyleneterephthalate) interface.
Surgical pioneers of the pancreas

Abstract State-of-the-art pancreatic surgery is the result of multiple innovations in imaging, pharmacology, endoscopy, and surgical technology, but the initial driving force that brought this discipline to its current level was the boldness and creativity of a group of surgical pioneers. From the many individuals who participated in this process, a group of 11 surgeons was selected, and brief descriptions of their contributions are given.
The role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap in the treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the osteocutaneous radial forearm free flap (OCRFFF) in the treatment of mandibular osteoradionecrosis (ORN). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective case review of patients who underwent OCRFFF oromandibular reconstruction after resection of nonviable tissue at an academic tertiary care center because of ORN. Patients with reconstructions other than OCRFFF were excluded from this study. RESULTS: Nine patients underwent a composite oromandibular resection for ORN with a reconstruction using an OCRFFF between April 1998 and February 2003. All patients had failed previous less aggressive surgical and medical management of the ORN. Mean follow-up was 36 months (range, 14-67 months). There were no flap failures or significant immediate postoperative or long-term complications observed. All patients had successful restoration of mandibular integrity and continuity, with 100% success rate of stabilization of ORN. All patients were able to tolerate PO diet, with only one third having to supplement their diet with gastrostomy feedings, compared with 89% gastrostomy dependence preoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Primary or adjuvant radiotherapy for head and neck malignancies can result in ORN of the mandible. This difficult problem often requires surgical intervention. In our experience, the OCRFFF can be successfully used for oromandibular reconstruction, even in the setting of the heavily radiated tissue with excellent postoperative outcomes. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the first study that demonstrates the efficacy of the OCRFFF as a treatment of mandibular ORN.
John C. Liebeskind (1935–1997): A tribute

I’d like to begin by thanking those who have helped me prepare this tribute—contributing pictures, stories, and/or moral support. This group includes many of John’s students and friends, his family, and especially those at the Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library at UCLA where the John C. Liebeskind History of Pain Collection is housed. In particular, Marcia Meldrum, who worked closely with John on the Pain Collection and, in 1995, took an oral history from him concerning his perspectives on his career, will be stolen from frequently here. Also, Russell Johnson spent days helping me wade through many of John’s papers on a recent visit to the library. My job is to address those of you who didn’t know John Liebeskind; to give you a flavor for the importance of this man, not only for the study of the neurobiology of pain—the topic of this conference—but also in positively influencing innumerable lives he came in contact with and, literally, health care worldwide—though he never treated a patient. I arrived at UCLA for graduate school in the fall of 1980. I had decided to attend UCLA because my psychology teacher, after hearing John speak at a weekend seminar for undergraduate teachers on the East Coast, persuaded me that there was only one option for pain research training—Liebeskind. Fig. 1 is a picture of the John Liebeskind I met and got to know as a student in his laboratory—notice the phone. John was never too busy for the phone or the people calling him on it. Although I actually enjoyed this characteristic once I left UCLA, while I was there I hated it. The other imposing inanimate object in his office was the bulletin board. Now, the bulletin board may have simply been a device John put up to give students he was …
Synthesis of epitaxial rutile-type VO2 and VO2(B) polymorph films

We exploit epitaxial relationships of rutile-type VO2 with (0001) Al2O3, (111) LaAlO3, (10‾10) Al2O3, and (10‾12) Al2O3 to achieve high-quality VO2 thin-film synthesis. We show that the deposition temperature can be lowered when these substrates are employed compared to one with no preferred crystallographic relationship with VO2, such as Si. We also report the first thin-film synthesis of the metastable VO2(B) polymorph on (001) LaAlO3 with a strongly preferred (001) out-of-plane orientation. These results are of interest for integrating VO2 films with other oxides in optoelectronic and reconfigurable device structures.
Inelastic scattering of vibrationally excited KBr by small polar molecules

Abstract Scattering intensities as functions of angle and velocity, for the interaction of highly vibrationally excited potassium bromide with methanol, water, and ammonia under molecular beam conditions, are reported and analyzed. A crossed beam reaction is used to produce potassium bromide with an average vibrational energy of 41 kcal/mole. In- elastic collisions between excited potassium bromide and partner molecules occur with large cross sections, ⪖ 300 A 2 , and proceed through a short lived energy randomizing collision complex.
Improving the growth of CZT crystals for radiation detectors: a modeling perspective

The availability of large, single crystals of cadmium zinc telluride (CZT) with uniform properties is key to improving the performance of gamma radiation detectors fabricated from them. Towards this goal, we discuss results obtained by computational models that provide a deeper understanding of crystal growth processes and how the growth of CZT can be improved. In particular, we discuss methods that may be implemented to lessen the deleterious interactions between the ampoule wall and the growing crystal via engineering a convex solidification interface. For vertical Bridgman growth, a novel, bell-curve furnace temperature profile is predicted to achieve macroscopically convex solid-liquid interface shapes during melt growth of CZT in a multiple-zone furnace. This approach represents a significant advance over traditional gradient-freeze profiles, which always yield concave interface shapes, and static heat transfer designs, such as pedestal design, that achieve convex interfaces over only a small portion of the growth run. Importantly, this strategy may be applied to any Bridgman configuration that utilizes multiple, controllable heating zones. Realizing a convex solidification interface via this adaptive bell-curve furnace profile is postulated to result in better crystallinity and higher yields than conventional CZT growth techniques.
A case-matching study of the analgesic properties of electroconvulsive therapy.

Objective. Chronic pain improves with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), yet few case reports account for treatment of comorbid major depression, a significant confounder of the analgesia of ECT. This study reports on the analgesia of ECT, controlling for treatment of depression. Methods. This is a case-matching study comparing outcomes of inpatients with chronic pain and major depression in a multidisciplinary pain treatment unit treated with ECT and medications (cases) with those of inpatients treated with medications only (controls). Both groups received the same behavioral and pharmacological treatments for depression and chronic pain. Outcome measures included 0–10 pain rating scales and the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Inventory. Patients were matched on sex, age within 5 years, admission date within 6 months, psychiatric diagnoses, and, as much as possible, on race and pain syndrome diagnosis. Percentage changes in depression scores and pain scores were calculated from the beginning to the end of admission. Results. There were nonsignificant differences in demographics, except in the proportion married. Twenty-five of 28 ECT patients were matched. Depression improvements were similar between cases and controls (55.9% vs 40.5%). Despite higher initial pain (8.1 vs 6.9 on a 10-point scale), the ECT group had less final pain (3.4 vs 5.5). The ECT group had a 59.8% drop in pain versus a 15.8% drop in the control group, P > 0.01. Conclusions. ECT has analgesic properties independent of its improvement of depression in patients with chronic pain and major depression. Improvements in depression were similar, while there was a significantly greater improvement in pain with ECT. The lower post-ECT treatment pain scores suggest a specific analgesic effect of ECT.
High-performance video server for broadband network environment

We present a multimedia server comprising of multiple stream controllers connected to a host (work station) I/O bus. Each stream controller manages an array of disks in which multimedia data is stored in format of network packets. When the host instructs the stream controller to deliver a multimedia file to a client, the stream controller retrieves the network packets of that file, completes the missing header/trailer fields, and forwards these packets to the network interface directly, avoiding any further involvement of the host. To avoid interference on the disks, data is interleaved across all disks connected to a stream controller in fixed play back time units. This helps reduce the jitter in the response time of the disks, and therefore, the size of the buffers needed to maintain interruption free delivery. Metadata is stored with the network packets of a video/multimedia file to enable the stream controller to autonomously fetch a complete multimedia/video file without host intervention. In a departure from traditional RAID, the stream controller simultaneously issues a set of read commands periodically, one for each active multimedia stream. Each reach command retrieves a full interleave unit from a single disk, and the set of simultaneously issued read commands are distributed across all disks.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Fertility cycles: a note on onset and periodicity.

The fertility transition was completed in Concord, Mass., by the end of the War of 1812. Thereafter, there has been baby boom-baby bust cyclically, a rhythm clearly demonstrated by the use of modern methods of digital spectral analysis.
The Development of Collective Efficacy in Small Task Groups

The purpose of this study was to assess how collective efficacy changes over time as a group receives feedback on a meaningful task. As part of a class project, student groups were formed early in ...
A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: Building American National Identity Through Art

Abstract With the adoption of the Constitution, the government of the United States took on a new role. Unlike other governments of the time, the United States was primarily founded on ideas, and, as a result, there were many challenges at the beginning of the newly-created republic. One of the biggest challenges was establishing credibility and legitimacy. In addition, republics require the support of the people; thus, to support the new political system, people needed to believe in the principles and ideals of the nascent government. As one form of communication, art has the capacity to reflect social contexts, depict specific events, and provide a visual link that makes words memorable, lasting, and compelling. Following this idea, we seek to examine the role the visual arts played in the early decades of the newly formed republic. What were the artists who worked during these years seeking to convey to their audiences? We argue that through art, a foundation for a national identity and a secular Ameri...
Predicting Postoperative Paradoxical Diplopia

Anomalous retinal correspondence (ARC) is the mechanism that functionally links noncorresponding retinal elements in the visual cortex to allow single binocular vision in the strabismic patient. Surgical correction of the strabismus in patients with ARC may lead to temporary paradoxical diplopia. ARC may be diagnosed prior to surgery by revealing a faulty spatial orientation of the fovea of the deviating eye through a fovea-to-fovea test, or by detecting the presence of a pseudo-fovea via a fovea-to-periphery test of retinal correspondence. This retrospective study was designed to determine which type of test, fovea-to-fovea or fovea-to-periphery, is most effective at predicting postoperative diplopia in adult patients with long-standing strabismus and ARC. Of the thirteen patients enrolled in the study, 62% had temporary postoperative diplopia. One hundred percent of the diplopic patients demonstrated ARC on fovea-to-fovea tests preoperatively. Patients with ARC on fovea-to-periphery tests were just as likely to be diplopic as not after surgery. Performance on any one sensory test did not correlate well with results on any other test. Fovea-to-fovea tests are more effective than fovea-to-periphery tests at detecting ARC and predicting the likelihood of postoperative diplopia in an adult patient.
Solar photovoltaic water pumping for remote locations

Abstract Many parts of the world as well as the western US are rural in nature and consequently do not have electrical distribution lines in many parts of villages, farms, and ranches. Distribution line extension costs can run from USD 10,000 to USD 16,000/km, thereby making availability of electricity to small water pumping projects economically unattractive. But, ground water and sunlight are available, which make solar photovoltaic (SPV) powered water pumping more cost effective in these areas’ small scale applications. Many western states including Wyoming are passing through the sixth year of drought with the consequent shortages of water for many applications. The Wyoming State Climatologist is predicting a possible 5–10 years of drought. Drought impacts the surface water right away, while it takes much longer to impact the underground aquifers. To mitigate the effect on the livestock and wildlife, Wyoming Governor Dave Freudenthal initiated a solar water pumping initiative in cooperation with the University of Wyoming, County Conservation Districts, Rural Electric Cooperatives, and ranching organizations. Solar water pumping has several advantages over traditional systems; for example, diesel or propane engines require not only expensive fuels, they also create noise and air pollution in many remote pristine areas. Solar systems are environment friendly, low maintenance, and have no fuel cost. In this paper the design, installation, site selection, and performance monitoring of the solar system for small-scale remote water pumping will be presented. This paper also presents technical, environmental, and economic benefits of the SPV water pumping system compared to stand alone generator and electric utility.
Yielding to Deviant Temptation: A Quasi-Experimental Examination of the Inhibiting Power of Intrinsic Religious Motivation

ABSTRACT The deviance-inhibiting power of religion is among the oldest criminological inquiries. To date, the extant empirical literature contains mixed and oftentimes contradictory evidence. Social scientists have argued that the ambiguous body of religion-deviance evidence is attributable, in some part, to known methodological weaknesses. This study responds to the criticisms of prior research by utilizing a validated measure of religiosity, employing a quasi-experimental design, and observing actual deviant behavior. The results of this study find that religion is indeed a powerful predictor of deviant behavior.
A Nickel Aluminide Microchannel Array Heat Exchanger for High-Temperature Applications

The miniaturization of microtechnology-based energy and chemical systems (MECS) is made possible by the manifold improvement in the heat and mass transfer performance of the system due to the high surface area to volume ratios of the microchannel arrays within the devices. It is desirable to perform many exothermic and endothermic chemical reactions above 650°C (e.g., gasoline steam reforming). At these temperatures, conventional engineering materials, such as stainless steel, are not functional. As a result, alternate microchannel materials are being investigated. Because of the high melting temperature and chemical inertness of nickel aluminide (NiAl), this paper introduces a fabrication procedure for NiAl microchannel arrays, including novel methods for material synthesis, NiAl machining, and NiAl bonding. NiAl microchannel arrays fabricated using this approach were tested for leakage and pressure drop. The research outcome indicated the viability of the proposed method in fabricating NiAl MECS devices.
Effects of hydrophobicity and mat thickness on release from hydrogel-electrospun fiber mat composites.

Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-based hydrogel-electrospun fiber mat (EFM) composites are a promising new controlled release system for hydrophilic drugs, providing longer and more linear release characteristics accompanied by a smaller initial burst than traditional hydrogel systems. However, the effect of EFM properties on release characteristics has not yet been examined. Here, we investigated the influence of EFM thickness and hydrophobicity on swelling and release behavior using bovine serum albumin as a model hydrophilic protein. EFMs investigated were comprised of poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) at thicknesses of 300, 800, or 1100 μm. Hydrophobicity was adjusted through surface modification: fluorinated PCL, core/shell PCL/PEGPCL, and acrylic acid (AAc)-treated PCL EFMs were examined. EFMs comprised of the external composite surface, forming a sandwich around PEG-poly(lactic acid) (PEGPLA) hydrogels, and significantly restrained hydrogel swelling in the radial direction while increasing swelling in the axia...
Additional New Genera and Species of Microveliinae (Heteroptera: Veliidae) from New Guinea and Adjacent Regions

and highly endemic assemblage of genera and species in the subfamily Microveliinae, many of which are still undescribed. The current paper builds on a previous contribution by Polhemus & Polhemus (1994) which provided descriptions for four of the more distinctive genera within this regional biota. Additional collecting since that time has brought further new genera and new species to our attention, as well providing additional distributional information for previously described species.
Get SMART: Effective Treatment for Sexually Abused Children with Problematic Sexual Behavior

Nearly 20% of children with a history of sexual abuse develop problematic sexual behaviors (PSBs). Effective mental health treatments for this specialized population are limited. This article presents outcome data on 62 children enrolled in the preliminary trial of the Safety, Mentoring, Advocacy, Recovery, and Treatment (SMART) model. SMART integrates individual, family, and group therapy in a strengths-based, problem-focused treatment model targeting PSB. Significant improvements were found in measures of functional impairment and PSB after participating in SMART. This preliminary study supports the effectiveness of the SMART model in ameliorating the PSB symptoms of young, sexually abused children.
A cloned DNA segment from the telomeric region of human chromosome 4p is not detectably rearranged in Huntington disease patients.

Abstract Genetic linkage studies have mapped the Huntington disease (HD) mutation to the distal region of the short arm of human chromosome 4. Analysis of recombination events in this region has produced contradictory locations for HD. One possible location is in the region distal to the D4S90 marker, which is located within 300 kilobases of the telomere. Other crossover events predict a more centromeric position for HD. Here we analyze the telomeric region of 4p in detail. Cloned DNA segments were derived from this region by utilizing a radiation-induced somatic cell hybrid as a source of DNA combined with preparative pulsed-field gel electrophoresis to enrich for the telomeric fraction. Additional DNA was obtained by using the cloned segments as multiple start points for cosmid walks. This strategy proved to be an effective method for cloning 250 kilobases of DNA in the region telomeric to D4S90. Hybridization analysis with the cloned DNA did not provide any evidence for the presence of rearrangements of 100 base pairs or greater in the DNA of individuals affected with HD. We also found no change in the size or structure of the 4p telomere in these samples.
ALTERATIONS IN GABA METABOLISM AND MET-ENKEPHALIN CONTENT IN RAT BRAIN FOLLOWING REPEATED ELECTROCONVULSIVE SHOCKS

The effects of electroconvulsive shock (ECS; 120 V for 1 s through ear-clip electrodes) or sub-convulsive shocks (70 V for 1 s) on rat brain GABA and met-enkephalin concentration and GABA turnover has been examined 24 h after a single treatment (×1) or once daily for 10 days (×10). ECS × 10 increased GABA concentrations in the N. caudatus and N. accumbens and decreased the synthesis rate of GABA by 40% and 50% respectively in these regions. Sub-convulsive shocks (× 10 × 10) or ECS × 1 had no effect. No consistent changes were seen in the substantia nigra. Met-enkephalin concentrations increased by 50% in the N. caudatus after ECS × 10 but were unchanged in the cortex and pons/medulla. No other shock regimen had any effect on the concentration of this peptide. The results are discussed in relation to the enhanced monoamine-induced responses seen only after ECS × 10.
Properties of glutathione- and phytochelatin-capped CdS bionanocrystallites

Abstract The incorporation of inorganic sulfide into cadmium–glutathione (GSH) led to the formation of a variety of GSH-capped CdS (GSH–CdS) complexes that differed in sulfide/Cd(II) ratios, optical spectroscopic properties and Cd(II)-binding capacity of GSH. The size-fractionation of GSH–CdS complexes indicated that the Cd(II)/GSH molar ratio increased from a minimum of 0.3 to a maximum of 25 as sulfide/Cd(II) molar ratio increased from 0 to ∼1.0 equivalent. The absorption shoulders in the 290–400 nm range, photoluminescence in the 400–550 nm range and the ability to reduce methylviologen indicated that these GSH–CdS complexes behaved like semiconductor nanocrystallites (NCs). The predicted radii of (GSH–CdS) NCs varied from 10.8 to 17.3 A. Unlike GSH, phytochelatins (PCs) formed CdS crystallites that appeared uniform in size as was indicated by their similar optical properties. Although the properties of PC-capped CdS (PC-CdS) complexes were controllable by altering the amounts of sulfide titrated, sulfide-induced transitions in the electronic absorption spectrum (indicative of the crystallite size) were limited to the blue of 318 nm. Thus, the maximum predicted radius of PC-capped crystallites was 11.8 A. The titration of PCs into GSH–CdS led to the replacement of GSH with PCs. Interestingly, the displacement of GSH by PCs did not alter the size of CdS particles as indicated by lack of changes in emission λ max or in the characteristic absorption shoulder at 358 nm. However, emission yields were quantitatively decreased upon displacement of GSH with PCs.
CD spectra of indolicidin antimicrobial peptides suggest turns, not polyproline helix.

Indolicidin is a 13-residue antimicrobial peptide-amide isolated from the cytoplasmic granules of bovine neutrophils that contains five Trp and three Pro residues. Falla et al. [(1996) J. Biol. Chem. 271, 19298] suggested that indolicidin forms a poly-l-proline II helix based upon the circular dichroism (CD) spectra of a closely related peptide (indolicidin methyl ester). In contrast, we found no evidence of poly-l-proline II helix formation in the CD spectra of native indolicidin in various solvents or when bound to micelles and membranes [Ladokhin et al. (1997) Biophys. J. 72, 794]. We interpreted the spectra as arising from unordered and/or β-turn structures, but noted a sharp negative band at 227 nm arising from the tryptophan residues that would mask spectral features characteristic of poly-l-proline II helix. We have reexamined this issue by means of CD measurements of native indolicidin and several of its analogues. None of the features characteristic of a poly-l-proline helix (or α- or 310-helix) ...
The GMS hypospadias score: assessment of inter-observer reliability and correlation with post-operative complications.

Abstract Objective An agreed upon method for describing the severity of hypospadias has not been established. Herein we assess the inter-observer reliability of the GMS hypospadias score and correlate it with the risk of a post-operative complication. Methods A 3-component method for grading the severity of hypospadias was developed (GMS). Eighty-five consecutive patients presenting for hypospadias repair were graded independently by at least 2 surgeons using the GMS criteria. Scores were compared statistically to determine agreement between the observers. The outcomes of these patients were then reviewed to determine how the GMS score correlates to the risk of a surgical complication. Results The G, M, and S scores had excellent agreement between observers. The GMS total score was exactly the same or differed by one point in 79/85 (93%) of patients. The complication rate was 5.6% for patients with a GMS score of 6 or less, but was 25.0% for patients with a GMS score greater than 6. Conclusions The GMS score provides a concise method for describing the severity of hypospadias and appears to have high inter-observer reliability. The GMS score also appears to correlate with the risk of a surgical complication.
Dative subjects and the notion of subject

Abstract The status of basic grammatical relations such as ‘subject-of’ has been a matter of some controversy in current linguistic theory. While Keenan has argued that they are squishy of ‘cluster’ concepts, Johnson and others have taken the position that they must be analyzed as discrete entities. This paper provides empirical evidence to decide between the two opposing positions. The syntax and semantics of the so-called Dative Subject Construction in South Asian languages demonstrate that the underlying subject is different from the surface subject. While this may appear to be a classic case of squishy subjecthood, it is shown that given the independently motivated principle of syntactic derivation, the facts are perfectly well accounted for within the framework that treats grammatical relations as discrete entities, thereby enabling us to maintain a more strictly constrained theory of grammar.
Transfer and expression of the interferon gamma gene in human endothelial cells inhibits vascular smooth muscle cell growth in vitro.

Intimal hyperplasia in blood vessels is primarily caused by the migration and proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. Excessive intimal thickening characterizes atherosclerosis as well as bypass graft and angioplasty failures. Endothelial cell-smooth muscle cell interactions and local cytokine production are important regulators of smooth muscle cell growth. Interferon gamma (γ-IFN), a product of T lymphocytes found in atherosclerotic lesions, inhibits smooth muscle cell proliferation in vitro. To determine if local delivery of γ-IFN may be useful in the treatment or prevention of vascular proliferative diseases, we transferred the human γ-IFN gene into endothelial cells isolated from human arteries and microvessels using a retroviral vector. Biologically active γ-IFN was produced and secreted by γ-IFN transduced endothelial cells, but not by control, nontransduced cells, or cells identically transduced with E. coli beta galactosidase (β-gal). To more closely approximate the microenvironment of blood vessels, subconfluent smooth muscle cells were plated in coculture with control, nontransduced endothelial cells, γ-IFN transduced endothelial cells, or β-gal transduced endothelial cells. Smooth muscle cell growth was inhibited 30–70% by coculture with γ-IFN transduced endothelial cells compared to coculture with β-gal transduced or control endothelial cells (p < 0.05). Our results suggest endothelial cells modified to produce γ-IFN may be a useful therapy in proliferative vascular diseases.
Binding energy of3He in thin4He films

Abstract We report measurements of the magnetization of 0.1 monolayers of 3 He in a thin 4 He film as a function of temperature and from these we determine the binding energies of the 3 He in the mixture film as a function of the 4 He coverage. For 4 He coverages between 0.21 and 0.53A˚ -2 the 3 He binding energies obtained are in reasonable agreement with predictions of Pavloff and Treiner for the 4 He coverage dependence of the binding energy.
Depressive symptoms as a longitudinal predictor of sexual risk behaviors among US middle and high school students.

OBJECTIVE. The purpose of this study was to examine whether depressive symptoms are predictive of subsequent sexual risk behavior in a national probability sample of US middle and high school students. METHODS. Sexually active, unmarried, middle and high school students (n = 4152) participated in home interviews in waves I and II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, at an ∼1-year interval. Associations between baseline depressive symptoms and sexual risk behaviors over the course of the following year were examined separately for boys and girls, adjusting for demographic variables, religiosity, same-sex attraction/behavior, sexual intercourse before age 10, and baseline sexual risk behavior. RESULTS. In adjusted models, boys and girls with high depressive symptom levels at baseline were significantly more likely than those with low symptom levels to report ≥1 of the examined sexual risk behaviors over the course of the 1-year follow-up period. For boys, high depressive symptom levels were specifically predictive of condom nonuse at last sex, birth control nonuse at last sex, and substance use at last sex; these results were similar to those of parallel analyses with a continuous depression measure. For girls, moderate depressive symptoms were associated with substance use at last sex, and no significant associations were found between high depressive symptom levels and individual sexual risk behaviors. Parallel analyses with the continuous depression measure found significant associations for condom nonuse at last sex, birth control nonuse at last sex, ≥3 sexual partners, and any sexual risk behavior. CONCLUSION. In this study, depressive symptoms predicted sexual risk behavior in a national sample of male and female middle and high school students over a 1-year period.
Temperature-enhanced alumina HPLC method for the analysis of wax esters, sterol esters, and methyl esters

Previous attempts at separating nonpolar lipid esters (including wax esters, sterol esters, and methyl esters) have achieved only limited success. Among the several normal-phase methods tested, a single recent report of a method employing an alumina column at 30°C with a binary gradient system was the most promising. In the current study, modification of the alumina method by increasing the column temperature to 75°C improved the separation of standards of wax esters and sterol esters. Elevated column temperature also enhanced the separation of FAME with differing degrees of unsaturation. Evidence was also presented to indicate that the method similarly separated phytosterol esters, based on their levels of unsaturation. With the increased interest in phytosterol- and phytostanol esterenriched functional foods, this method should provide a technique to characterize and compare these products.
Local cerebral glucose utilization in non-rapid eye movement sleep

Sleep is accompanied by alterations in neurophysiological activity in many discrete regions in the brain1. Such alterations could be expected to be accompanied by corresponding changes in local metabolic rate2. We have now looked for the specific regions involved in sleep, at least in the stages other than rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, by using the [2-14C]deoxyglucose method for measuring local cerebral glucose utilization3 in the rhesus monkey. Contrary to what many have predicted, animals during stages 2–4 of sleep exhibited a non-selective, generalized 30% decrease in cerebral metabolic rate. Of the 75 structures measured, none exhibited a higher rate in non-REM sleep than in wakefulness.
Early Development of Stereotyped and Self-Injurious Behaviors.

Literature on early development of typical and abnormal stereotyped and self-injurious behaviors was reviewed. Such behaviors are part of normal development, but abnormalities can be detected from birth to Age 3. Many of these behaviors reach a maximum level around Age 2 and then decline. The behaviors may be retained in some children, however, and around the time the child reaches school age, the behaviors may increase. Increase and decline of typical behaviors are delayed in children with developmental delays. The relationship between early and later behaviors has not been studied. Although many abnormal behaviors may emerge from typical behaviors in infancy, some behaviors definitely do not. Possibly, the 2nd year is a sensitive period for emergence of abnormal stereotyped and self-injurious behaviors and treatments might be most effective then. Tests of efficacy of treatments to prevent these behaviors are rare.
Food Habits of Red Wolves during Pup-Rearing Season

Abstract Canis rufus (Red Wolf) is critically endangered, with the only wild population consisting of <150 individuals. Currently, little is known about the food habits of this population. Such information may be vital to managing for the population's long-term persistence. We collected scats of Red Wolves for two consecutive pup-rearing seasons from six packs, classified contents into prey categories, and assessed diet composition for each pack. Five of the six packs studied consumed only mammalian prey items. Adult Odocoileus virginianus (White-tailed Deer) and White-tailed Deer fawns accounted for 37–66% of diet of Red Wolves depending on the metric of diet composition. Adult White-tailed Deer and White-tailed Deer fawns accounted for 21–83% of the diet of individual packs of Red Wolves according to biomass consumed. Two packs regularly consumed foods associated with humans. Generalized linear modeling indicated that diet varied between packs and was not influenced by reproductive status, nor did diet ...
Estimating the defense spending vote

Systematic evidence linking defense spending preferences to electoral choice has evaded scholars. This is surprising, given the relative importance of defense spending in terms of the overall budget, as well as the popular conception that increases in defense spending must be offset by decreases in social spending. I develop a theory that identifies the conditions where, when, and for whom defense spending preferences influence vote choice. I then introduce a new method that isolates the defense spending vote with a series of survey-specific models that account for factors unique to the particular situation in that country. I find that—contrary to conventional wisdom—defense spending preferences consistently influence vote choice. This presents an opportunity for right-wing parties and those that emphasize military buildups to attract votes, especially during times of heightened international tensions. These results highlight a strong connection between voters' preferences and electoral support in terms of national security issues, and speak to a number of important literatures including the constraining effects of public opinion on foreign policy and democratic representation.
Low-amplitude ultrasound enhances hydrodynamic-based gene delivery to rat kidney

The synergistic combination of hydrodynamic-based gene delivery and ultrasound was investigated to achieve improved gene transfer to the kidney. Plasmids encoding firefly luciferase and Erythropoietin (EPO) gene were delivered into the left kidney of rats by single or combinative application of renal vein hydrodynamic injection and ultrasound treatment with or without the addition of ultrasound contrast agents (UCA). Ultrasound exposure was found to enhance the efficiency of hydrodynamic-based gene delivery for both luciferase and EPO expression. An ultrasound exposure intensity of 2 W/cm2 at 10% duty cycle for 15 min, produced a maximal gene expression 4.5 times higher than hydrodynamic delivery alone. Duration, location, and tissue-specificity of gene expression were not changed by ultrasound exposure. Application of UCA reduced the intensity and exposure duration of ultrasound treatment needed for optimal expression. Appropriate application of ultrasound and UCA did not alter histological structure or impair physiological function of the treated kidney.
Genetic methods for characterizing the cis-acting components of yeast DNA replication origins.

Small circular plasmids containing replication origins and, in some cases, centromeres, can replicate autonomously in the nuclei of all tested yeast species. Because this autonomous replication is dependent on the replication origin within the plasmid, measurements of the efficiency of autonomous replication (by the methods summarized here) permit evaluation of the effects of mutations on origin function. Although alternative methods are available for genetic characterization of replication origins in other organisms, the simplicity of the autonomous replication assay in yeasts has permitted development of the deepest understanding to date of eukaryotic replication origin structure. This information has come primarily from studies with Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, there are many other yeast species, each with its own variety of replication origins. Use of the methods summarized here to characterize origins in other yeast species is likely to provide additional insights into eukaryotic replication origin structure.
An Isolated Cumulonimbus Observed in Northeastern Colorado: Comparison of Field Observations with Results of a Three-Dimensional Simulation

Abstract Observations are described of a small, isolated cumulonimbus developing in a wind field with relatively little directional shear. The storm displayed a high degree of symmetry about a vertical plane through the center of the storm oriented parallel to the wind shear vector. Single-Doppler observations of this storm reveal a region in which the horizontal component of the wind vector was opposite to that of the mid-level environmental wind, suggesting the presence of a vortex pair circulation. The storm was simulated with a three-dimensional cloud model which reproduced these and some of the other observed storm characteristics. The environmental wind shear in which the storm developed is similar to that of the composite sounding documented by Fankhauser and Mohr (1977) for weak, isolated or scattered storms in northeast Colorado. Therefore, this symmetric structure, involving two counter-rotating vortices, may be a common feature of isolated storms in this area.
Organometallic Chemistry in Aqueous Solution. Hydration of Nitriles to Amides Catalyzed by a Water-Soluble Molybdocene, (MeCp)2Mo(OH)(H2O)+

[Cp‘2Mo(μ-OH)2MoCp‘2]2+ (1) (Cp‘ = η5-CH3C5H4) is a precatalyst for the hydration of nitriles in aqueous solution under mild conditions (∼80 °C). Among the nitriles hydrated were acetonitrile, isobutyronitrile, benzonitrile, 3-hydroxypropionitrile, 3-bromopropioamide, 4-cyanopyridine, succinonitrile, methyl cyanoacetate, 2-methoxyacetonitrile, and acrylonitrile. Except in the case of 2-methoxyacetonitrile, hydrolysis of the resulting amide products did not occur. Hydration of the CC double bond did not occur in acrylonitrile, but hydrolysis of ester and ether linkages did occur in nitriles containing those functional groups. The apparent rate constants and turnover frequencies of the catalytic reactions were determined using an iterative kinetics-fitting program. The rates and turnover frequencies are comparable to those reported for many homogeneous nitrile hydration catalysts described in the literature. In aqueous solution, 1 is in equilibrium with [Cp‘2Mo(OH)(H2O)]+ (2), and this monomer is proposed t...
NONLINEAR OPTICAL RESPONSE OF METAL SURFACES WITH ADSORBED MOLECULES

A quantum mechanical theory describing the photodesorption dynamics of molecules bonded to metal surfaces and irradiated by pulsed laser light is presented. The physical system is separated into a primary region comprising the adsorbate and the bonding substrate atoms and a secondary region consisting of the remaining substrate. The two regions, which are strongly coupled, interact in a self-consistent manner via an electric dipole–electric dipole coupling. A density matrix approach, in which the density operator obeys the Liouville–von Neumann equation, is used to study the dynamics of photodesorption. An indirect desorption mechanism is considered and a local electromagnetic field, which induces electron–hole excitations in the metal, is introduced. The substrate response to femtosecond laser irradiation, including nonlinear effects of the laser electric-field strength, is investigated through solutions of the optical Bloch equations for the radiation field–substrate interaction and generalizes previous work for weak perturbing fields. An effective Hamiltonian which exhibits a nonlinear dependence on the field strength and includes the effects of dissipation is obtained. The theory developed is then parametrized using numerical values for the CO/Cu(001) adsorbate–substrate system and illustrated with model calculations. These show that the effective potential in the primary region is very sensitive to variations in the electric-field strength. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 75: 429–439, 1999
Functional analysis of hydrogenases and their effects on cell growth and magnetosome synthesis in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense

This study addressed the effect of hydrogen metabolism on cell growth and magnetosome synthesis in Magnetospirillum gryphiswaldense strain MSR-1. Two deletion mutants were generated: L206, with single deletion of the hupL gene encoding H2-uptake [NiFe] hydrogenase; and B206, with double deletion of the hyaB gene encoding H2-producing [NiFe] hydrogenase and the hupL gene. The wild-type and mutant strains were compared in terms of hydrogen uptake capability, hydrogen yield, growth rate, and iron uptake, and observed by transmission electron microscopy. Results indicate that HupSL protein is a specific H2-uptake hydrogenase while HyaAB protein is a specific H2-producing hydrogenase. In comparison to wild-type and B206, L206 released a greater quantity of H2 under conditions that induce magnetosomes synthesis, and showed higher rates of growth and iron uptake. M. gryphiswaldense appears to regulate reducing power in vivo, via H2-uptake hydrogenase and H2-producing hydrogenase, to promote iron absorption and magnetosome synthesis.
Feminists, Queers and Critics: Debating the Cuban Sex Trade

Cuban scholars and women's advocates have criticised the widespread emergence of sex tourism in post-Soviet Cuba and attributed prostitution to a crisis in socialist values. In response, feminist scholars in the United States and Europe have argued that Cuban analysts promote government agendas and demonise sex workers. Drawing on nineteen months of field research in Havana, I challenge this conclusion to demonstrate how queer Cubans condemn sex tourism while denouncing an unconditional allegiance to Cuban nationalism. By introducing gay Cuban critiques into the debate, I highlight the interventionist undertones of feminist scholarship on the Cuban sex trade.
Calculations for the stability of voids, stacking-fault tetrahedra, and dislocation loops in nickel

Abstract Calculations have been carried out for the formation energy of small vacancy clusters in nickel using an atomistic model based on central nearest-neighbour interatomic forces. The results for small vacancy clusters can be extrapolated to the consideration of voids, stacking-fault tetrahedra, and the collapse of vacancy platelets into dislocation loops. The void was found to be the most stable form of cluster except for very large perfect dislocation loops. Vacancy platelets on {111} planes were found to collapse into dislocation loops when they contain about 180 vacancies. A stacking-fault energy of 300 erg/cm2 was used, and for this value, stacking-fault tetrahedra were less stable than voids for all N, where N is the number of vacancies required for the formation of the defect. Voids with spherical, octahedral and tetra-kaidecahedral symmetry were all very close in formation energy per vacancy, a tendency towards spherical and octahedral being favoured for small values of N and towards octahedr...
Syndrome characterized by galactorrhea, amenorrhea and low urinary FSH: comparison with acromegaly and normal lactation.

THE combination of amenorrhea and persistent lactation, not associated either with a recent pregnancy or with acromegaly, has been sporadically noted in the past (1–5).1 Nevertheless, it was brought to our attention afresh by a patient who came to the Ovarian Dysfunction Clinic of the Massachusetts General Hospital nine years ago. Miss I.R., M.G.H. #374091, was an unmarried factory worker aged 31. She stated that she had been well, except for a congenitally dislocated hip, until the age of 25. Her periods started at 12 and occurred every thirty to forty days, with cramps. After the age of 25, she began to skip periods. This had happened more and more frequently until menstruation had stopped, a few months previously. When she was 27 years old she noted slight soreness in the right breast and a milky discharge from the nipple. The discharge seemed to be more marked just before a menstrual period, but was always present in some degree. Two other complaints dated from about the time her periods became irregu...