cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Metabolism of methotrexate and γ-tert-butyl methotrexate by human leukemic cells in culture and by hepatic aldehyde oxidase in vitro

Abstract The cellular uptake and metabolism of methotrexate (MTX) and γ- tert -butyl methotrexate (TBM) were compared in CEM human leukemic lymphoblasts and a highly MTX-resistant subline (CEM/MTX) in which MTX uptake is defective. The CEM/MTX cells were found previously to be as sensitive as the parent line to TBM. While MTX was polyglutamylated extensively in the CEM cells, giving abundant levels of non-effluxing conjugates, polyglutamylation in CEM/MTX cells was reduced severely, even after exposure to a high MTX concentration (100 μm) in the medium. This treatment provided free intracellular MTX in >100-fold excess over the dihydrofolate reductase level. In contrast to MTX, the ester TBM was unmetabolized in either cell line. Uptake levels after incubation of CEM and CEM/MTX cells with 2 μM TBM for 24 hr were 17 and 15 pmol/mg protein respectively. Thus, TBM accumulated equally in both cells and was well retained despite the lack of polyglutamylation. These results, together with the previously observed affinity of the drug for dihydrofolate reductase, provide a plausible rationale for the comparable sensitivity of CEM and CEM/MTX cells to TBM. Experiments were also performed to determine the susceptibility of TBM to metabolic detoxification by hepatic aldehyde oxidase. K m , values were 8-fold lower for TBM than for MTX in assays using an enzyme preparation from rabbit liver, and V max values were 8-fold higher. Neither MTX nor TBM was oxidized to its 7-hydroxy derivative in intact CEM or CEM/MTX cells. Because TBM is capable of overcoming at least one of the modalities of MTX resistance, defective polyglutamylation, and may be more efficiently detoxified than MTX by the action of hepatic aldehyde oxidase, it has the potential to be a useful agent for the treatment of MTX-resistant tumors.
Enhancement of Plasmon Propagation Length Using Metamaterials

We propose using a strongly anisotropic dielectric as a substrate for a thin metallic film along the boundary of which surface plasmon excitations may propagate. We show that the propagation range of surface plasmons is increased if the substrate is a birefringent dielectric crystal with a properly oriented optical axis. The increase of the propagation range depends on the degree of anisotropy, and, consequently, it turns out to be small for substrates of natural optical crystals, where anisotropy is weak. However, in specially designed photonic crystals, the anisotropy may be very strong, thus leading to appreciable increase of the propagation range. A photonic-crystal substrate, being a medium with nonlinear dispersion, also affects the dispersion law of the surface plasmon. All these effects may be used in order to increase the efficiency of modern plasmonic and optoelectronic devices.
Carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions in cell recognition.

Obtaining a better understanding of the molecular basis of cell recognition remains an important challenge with regard to the social functioning of cells in multicellular systems. The wide structural diversity of carbohydrates allows many combinatorial possibilities for fine-tuning cell–cell and cell–matrix recognition in multicellular organisms. Direct carbohydrate–carbohydrate interaction would endow both the flexibility and the specificity of reversible contacts at the cell surface during the formation, maintenance and pathogenesis of tissues. The recent development of methods for the characterization of such interactions will help to expand our knowledge of the mechanisms that trigger early events in cell recognition.
Chemistry of thienopyridines. XXV. Comparative mass spectra of some amino and acylamino derivatives

Electron-impact mass spectral fragmentation patterns are reported for various aminothieno-pyridines (TPNH2) and aeylaminothtenopyridines. The molecular ion TPNH2+ shows loss of atomic hydrogen, hydrogen cyanide and both thioformyl radical and cation. TPNH2+ is the most abundant ion in the spectrum of each acylamino compound investigated. A semiquanti-tative mass spectrum of the amine TPNH2 can be obtained by deletion of selected peaks (for the acetylium and molecular ions) from the observed mass spectrum of the A-acetyl derivative.
Isolation and characterization of transcripts induced by androgen withdrawal and apoptotic cell death in the rat ventral prostate.

A variety of stimuli have been identified which initiate transcription-dependent programmed cell death (apoptosis) in specific target cells. Since the withdrawal of androgens induces regression and apoptosis in rat ventral prostate (RVP) epithelial cells, and it is known that the androgen receptor is a transcriptional regulator, we used subtraction cDNA cloning to isolate differentially expressed transcripts from the RVP of androgen ablated rats. In addition to sulfated glycoprotein-2 and glutathione S-transferase (GST), which had been previously described, several other transcripts were found to be elevated 3- to 8-fold in the regressing RVP. DNA sequencing revealed that two of these cDNA clones encode matrix carboxyglutamic acid and γ-actin, respectively. A third cDNA contained novel sequence information and was named RVP.1. The RVP.1 transcript is expressed at very low levels in the RVP and epididymis of normal adult rats (<0.01% of the total mRNA) and is undetectable in other tissues, such as kidney, ...
The wonderful world of spiders: preface to the special Toxicon issue on spider venoms

Spiders are remarkable for their complete reliance on predation as a trophic strategy. Their evolutionary success is due in large part to production of a complex venom that is designed to rapidly subdue or kill their prey. This issue provides an overview of the fascinating complexity of these venoms, a realistic account of the danger they pose to humans, and an examination of their immense but largely untapped potential for drug and insecticide discovery.
Assessing Respiration-Induced Tumor Motion and Internal Target Volume Using Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography for Radiotherapy of Lung Cancer

Purpose: To assess three-dimensional tumor motion caused by respiration and internal target volume (ITV) for radiotherapy of lung cancer. Methods and Materials: Respiration-induced tumor motion was analyzed for 166 tumors from 152 lung cancer patients, 57.2% of whom had Stage III or IV non–small-cell lung cancer. All patients underwent four-dimensional computed tomography (4DCT) during normal breathing before treatment. The expiratory phase of 4DCT images was used as the reference set to delineate gross tumor volume (GTV). Gross tumor volumes on other respiratory phases and resulting ITVs were determined using rigid-body registration of 4DCT images. The association of GTV motion with various clinical and anatomic factors was analyzed statistically. Results: The proportions of tumors that moved >0.5 cm along the superior–inferior (SI), lateral, and anterior–posterior (AP) axes during normal breathing were 39.2%, 1.8%, and 5.4%, respectively. For 95% of the tumors, the magnitude of motion was less than 1.34 cm, 0.40 cm, and 0.59 cm along the SI, lateral, and AP directions. The principal component of tumor motion was in the SI direction, with only 10.8% of tumors moving >1.0 cm. The tumor motion was found to be associated with diaphragm motion, the SI tumor location in the lung, size of the GTV, and disease T stage. Conclusions: Lung tumor motion is primarily driven by diaphragm motion. The motion of locally advanced lung tumors is unlikely to exceed 1.0 cm during quiet normal breathing except for small lesions located in the lower half of the lung.
Social-cognitive skill development with sixth graders and its initial impact on substance use.

A primary prevention research project is described which tests an intervention model based on cognitive and interpersonal skill enhancement. Thirty-two classrooms of sixth grade students were randomly assigned to either Program or Control conditions, with Program classrooms receiving a twelve-session cognitive skill development curriculum aimed at reducing rates of substance use as measured by a drug use survey. Students in Program classrooms showed greater decision-making skills, including the ability to generate alternatives and to consider consequences and risks, greater ability to utilize social networks, and greater understanding of group roles, behavior, and alternatives. In addition, Program students reported less use of tobacco in the past year than Control Group students, but no differences between groups were found in use of alcohol, marijuana, or other drugs except for a tendency on the part of Program students to show greater experimentation with alcohol. The effectiveness of the intervention ...
Metabolomics and microarrays for improved understanding of phenotypic characteristics controlled by both genomics and environmental constraints

Advances in our understanding of functional genomics are best addressed by integrative studies that include measurements of mRNA, proteins, and low molecular weight metabolites over time and varied conditions. Bioinformatics can then be used to relate this data to the genome. Current technology allows for comprehensive and rapid mRNA expression profiling and mass spectrophotometric measurement of low molecular weight intermediates and metabolic products. In prokaryotic organisms, this combination provides a potentially powerful tool for identifying gene function and regulatory networks even in the absence of a combined proteomic approach.
Nonrandom sister chromatid segregation of sex chromosomes in Drosophila male germline stem cells

Sister chromatids are the product of DNA replication, which is assumed to be a very precise process. Therefore, sister chromatids should be exact copies of each other. However, reports have indicated that sister chromatids are segregated nonrandomly during cell division, suggesting that sister chromatids are not the same, although their DNA sequences are the same. Researchers have speculated that stem cells may retain template strands to avoid replication-induced mutations. An alternative proposal is that cells may segregate distinct epigenetic information carried on sister chromatids. Recently, we found that Drosophila male germline stem cells segregate sister chromatids of X and Y chromosomes with a strong bias. We discuss this finding in relation to existing models for nonrandom sister chromatid segregation.
Psychopathy and crime: Testing the incremental validity of PCL-R-measured psychopathy as a predictor of general and violent recidivism

It has been argued that psychopathy plays a vital role in the criminal justice system. To test this assumption, the incremental validity of the psychopathy construct was examined in 198 male Canadian prison inmates serving time for nonsexual offenses and 122 male U. S. inmates undergoing forensic evaluations. When these two samples--which had been used previously to test the incremental validity of the four Psychopathy Checklist-Revised (PCL-R: Hare, 2003) facet scores (Walters, Wilson, & Glover, 2011)--were treated as a single group, second-order confirmatory factor analysis and item response theory principles indicated that a three-factor hierarchical model of the PCL-R facets (interpersonal, affective, lifestyle) fit the data better than a four-factor hierarchical model (interpersonal, affective, lifestyle, antisocial). When the two samples were examined separately, a composite of the first three PCL-R facets (interpersonal, affective, lifestyle) failed to predict general and violent recidivism above and beyond the contributions of age and criminal history. These results bring into question the utility of the psychopathy construct, as measured by Facets 1, 2, and 3 of the PCL-R, to predict important criminal justice outcomes like recidivism. Additional research using alternative measures of psychopathy and a wider array of outcome measures is required to determine the extent to which the psychopathy construct contributes to our understanding of criminal behavior.
Predictors of College Retention and Performance between Regular and Special Admissions

This predictive correlational research study examined the effect of cognitive, demographic, and socioeconomic variables as predictors of regular and special admission students’ first-year GPA and retention among a sample of 7,045 students. Findings indicated high school GPA and ACT scores were the two most effective predictors of regular and special admission students’ first-year GPA. High school GPA was effective for predicting retention only among regular admission students. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Technical Services Cataloging and Database Maintenance Assessment

ABSTRACT While much has been published to diagnose the disconnect between public and technical services, the need still exists for examination of possible solutions that have a broader impact than cross-training or committee formation. Two surveys were administered to public and technical services personnel at the University of Mississippi Libraries. A comparison of the surveys' results yielded unique insight for inter-departmental relations. The surveys accomplished several functions: to indicate satisfaction levels for technical services, to gauge perceptions of importance for services provided, to begin educating public services personnel regarding technical services work, and to serve as a tool for departmental strategic planning.
Comparison of Human Induced Pluripotent and Embryonic Stem Cells: Fraternal or Identical Twins?

Human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) have been hailed as an effective replacement for human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) and a prime candidate cell source for regenerative medicine aims. Both hESCs and hiPSCs share the important properties of self-renewal and pluripotency; that is, they are theoretically capable of generating unlimited amounts of any differentiated cell in the human body. However, accumulating reports of gene expression differences between hESCs and hiPSCs have led many to question the equivalence of these two promising cell types. Seemingly random variation in the differentiation propensity of hiPSCs to neural,1 cardiovascular,2 and hemangioblastic lineages3 has frustrated investigators hoping to better exploit their potential for disease modeling and cell replacement therapies. In light of these somewhat dispiriting results, the recent publication of genome-wide reference “scorecards” for monitoring the quality and utility of 32 human pluripotent stem cell lines is a welcome advance.4 Such advances are crucial to aiding our ability to predict a cell line’s differentiation propensity in a high-throughput fashion.
Discovering auxiliary information for incremental computation

This paper presents program analyses and transformations that discover a general class of auxiliary information for any incremental computation problem. Combining these techniques with previous techniques for caching intermediate results, we obtain a systematic approach that transforms nonincremental programs into efficient incremental programs that use and maintain useful auxiliary information as well as useful intermediate results. The use of auxiliary information allows us to achieve a greater degree of incrementality than otherwise possible. Applications of the approach include strength reduction in optimizing compilers and finite differencing in transformational programming.
No Flavor Changes in Chicken Broilers Fed Monensin

Abstract A study was conducted to compare flavor of control broilers with others that had been fed an anticoccidial agent, monensin, at 110 grams per ton for 61 days with a 72-hour withdrawal prior to slaughter. A total of 42 birds from each treatment group were compared using a duo-trio test with white meat, dark meat and liver. Extra livers from each treatment group were used. Comparisons were made with the products served hot immediately after cooking in a pressure deep fat fryer, and with the fried products chilled and reheated. No change in flavor was detected as a result of including the anticoccidial agent in the diet of broilers.
Hypertension management in patients with diabetic nephropathy

Treatment of hypertension, to reverse and delay proteinuria progression and kidney failure, is the primary focus of medical management in patients with diabetic nephropathy. The initial choice for hypertension treatment in those with early nephropathy involves agents that block the renin-angiotensin system. However, it is not clear what the best choices for further drug therapy management are, because there are few data concerning the impact that antihypertensive drug combinations have on hard clinical outcomes, such as preventing the need for dialysis, and death. Patients usually require several drugs for controlling hypertension, which becomes harder to control as nephropathy progresses. In this review, it is suggested that quantitatively tracking proteinuria to guide therapy and a broad focus on the cardiovascular and renal end points are important for best outcomes in patients. Strategies may vary based on stage of disease, comorbidities, and age. Therapies not directed specifically at hypertension may also significantly aid hypertension management in prevention of progressive nephropathy, comorbidities, and mortality.
Attitudes of Citizens in a Southern Rural County toward Juvenile Crime and Justice Issues

This study reports the results of a telephone survey of 387 residents in a southern rural county concerning juvenile crime and justice issues. The study concluded that there are several communities...
On the problem of resonance assignments in solid state NMR of uniformly 15N, 13C-labeled proteins

Determination of accurate resonance assignments from multidimensional chemical shift correlation spectra is one of the major problems in biomolecular solid state NMR, particularly for relative large proteins with less-than-ideal NMR linewidths. This article investigates the difficulty of resonance assignment, using a computational Monte Carlo/simulated annealing (MCSA) algorithm to search for assignments from artificial three-dimensional spectra that are constructed from the reported isotropic (15)N and (13)C chemical shifts of two proteins whose structures have been determined by solution NMR methods. The results demonstrate how assignment simulations can provide new insights into factors that affect the assignment process, which can then help guide the design of experimental strategies. Specifically, simulations are performed for the catalytic domain of SrtC (147 residues, primarily β-sheet secondary structure) and the N-terminal domain of MLKL (166 residues, primarily α-helical secondary structure). Assuming unambiguous residue-type assignments and four ideal three-dimensional data sets (NCACX, NCOCX, CONCA, and CANCA), uncertainties in chemical shifts must be less than 0.4 ppm for assignments for SrtC to be unique, and less than 0.2 ppm for MLKL. Eliminating CANCA data has no significant effect, but additionally eliminating CONCA data leads to more stringent requirements for chemical shift precision. Introducing moderate ambiguities in residue-type assignments does not have a significant effect.
Perspectives on Oral Pulmonary Hypertension Therapies Recently Approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration

In the past 18 months, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved macitentan, riociguat, and treprostinil as oral agents for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH); riociguat also became the first agent approved for the treatment of chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH). These new agents are welcome additional therapeutic options for PAH and CTEPH. However, their use can be complicated by potential drug interactions, adverse effects, dosing complexity, and cost. Macitentan, the newest endothelin receptor antagonist, showed significant benefits in a long-term event-driven trial of morbidity and mortality. Dosed once daily and with minimal liver toxicity, it has potential drug interactions with potent CYP 3A4 inhibitors and inducers, and can decrease hemoglobin levels. Riociguat is approved for PAH and clinically inoperable CTEPH to improve exercise capacity and functional status. Riociguat requires dose titration beginning with 1 mg up to 2.5 mg three times a day, as tol...
Studies in ageing. IX. Brain transplantations in Drosophila.

Abstract Transplantation experiments on the Swedish-b 8 inbred line of Drosophila melanogaster were attempted. Hosts or donors consisted of females. Two asynchronous series of experiments were preformed. All females were injected on the 14th day of adult life. In one series, larval brains were injected individually into females; in another, each host was transplanted a brain without the ring gland. An experimental and a synchronous control population constituted a series. Every experimental or control female in both series received approximately 0·005 μl of Ringer's solution. The longevity and fecundity of the four populations were measured at 25 ± 0·50°C. The population injected with larval brains showed a reduction in the life span without a change in the fecundity. But females, which received larval brains deprived of ring glands, revealed no effect on the physiological parameters examined. The life-shortening effect observed in hosts is explained as due to an increase in the concentration of ecdyson. It is suggested that the harmful activity of ecdyson, under certain experimental conditions, is not obstructed by a higher concentration of other hormones secreted by the brain inclusive of the corpus allatum-corpus cardiacum complex.
CONTINUITY, REVOLUTION OR EVOLUTION ON THE SLAVE COAST OF WEST AFRICA? ROYAL ARCHITECTURE AND POLITICAL ORDER IN PRECOLONIAL DAHOMEY

The Kingdom of Dahomey has played a central role in our understanding of political organization in West Africa in the era of the trans-Atlantic slave trade. Research has focused on two major questions: whether or not Dahomey possessed revolutionary qualities that allowed it to maintain order in this turbulent era, and the role of militarism in fostering stability. Mounting archaeological evidence from the Republic of Benin can contribute to our understanding of Dahomean political dynamics over time. Spatial patterns in royal palace construction, materialized regionally and architecturally, are examined in this essay. These data suggest that Dahomey achieved real administrative advances in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, including the expansion of regional control and the successful integration of a complex administrative hierarchy.1
Gunfight at the NOT OK Corral: Reply to "High Noon for Microfinance" by Duvendack and Palmer-Jones (Uncut version).

Abstract Duvendack and Palmer-Jones claim to replicate Chemin (2008) and Pitt and Khandker (1998) but obtain different results and hence challenge the two papers' estimates of the impact of microfinance in Bangladesh. This response details a number of reasons to demonstrate that Duvendack and Palmer-Jones is not a replication so their results provide no evidence about the validity of either of the earlier papers or on the effectiveness of microfinance.
Contrastive breathiness across consonants and vowels: A comparative study of Gujarati and White Hmong

Gujarati and White Hmong are among a small handful of languages known to maintain a phonemic contrast between breathy and modal voice across both obstruents and vowels. Given that breathiness on stop consonants is realized as a breathy-voiced aspirated release into the following vowel, how is consonant breathiness distinguished from vocalic breathiness, if at all? We examine acoustic and electroglottographic data of potentially ambiguous CV sequences collected from speakers of Gujarati and White Hmong, to determine what properties reliably distinguish breathiness associated with stop consonants from breathiness associated with vowels comparing both within and across these two unrelated languages. Results from the two languages are strikingly similar: only the early timing and increased magnitude of the various acoustic reflexes of breathiness phonetically distinguish phonemic consonantal breathiness from phonemic vocalic breathiness.
Reliability and Practice Effects of Wisc-R Iq Estimates in a Normal Population

WISC-R test-retest data with a six-month interval were obtained for 45 normal 10-year-old children ranging in age from 7.8 to 15.0 years. Verbal IQ estimates were stable (one IQ point increase), bu...
A fast intensity-hue-saturation fusion technique with spectral adjustment for IKONOS imagery

Among various image fusion methods, intensity-hue-saturation (IHS) technique is capable of quickly merging the massive volumes of data. For IKONOS imagery, IHS can yield satisfactory "spatial" enhancement but may introduce "spectral" distortion, appearing as a change in colors between compositions of resampled and fused multispectral bands. To solve this problem, a fast IHS fusion technique with spectral adjustment is presented. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed approach can provide better performance than the original IHS method, both in processing speed and image quality.
Functional neuroimaging of self-referential encoding with age

Aging impacts memory formation and the engagement of frontal and medial temporal regions. However, much of the research to date has focused on the encoding of neutral verbal and visual information. The present fMRI study investigated age differences in a social encoding task while participants made judgments about the self or another person. Although previous studies identified an intact self-reference effect with age, subserved by robust engagement of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by both young and older adults, we identified a number of age differences. In regions including superior mPFC, inferior prefrontal cortex, and anterior and posterior cingulate cortex, young and older adults exhibited reversals in the pattern of activity for self and other conditions. Whereas young primarily evidenced subsequent forgetting effects in the self-reference condition, older adults demonstrated subsequent memory effects in the other-reference condition. These results indicate fundamental differences across the age groups in the engagement of elaborative encoding processes. We suggest that older adults may encode information about the self in a more normative manner, whereas young adults focus on encoding the unique aspects of the self and distinguishing the self from others.
On the use of Shank's transform to accelerate the summation of slowly converging series

It is shown that the application of Shank's transform results in accelerating the convergence of slowly converging series. The transform is applied to a periodic Green's function involving a single summation. The convergence properties of this series are reported for the on-plane case, in which the series converges extremely slowly. Numerical results indicate that by using Shanks' transform the computation time can be reduced by as much as a factor of 200. >
Finite element model of a lumbar spinal motion segment to predict circadian variation in stature

Epidemiological studies suggest that repetitive lifting is of importance in the development of back injuries. In vitro studies suggest a direct link between repetitive loading and a variety of disc tissue failures but the efficacy of such studies is limited. For this reason, a non-linear finite element model including both solid and fluid components of the disc was developed. The finite element model was used to determine the pattern and the magnitude of disc height change with time over a 24-h period due to normal daily activity. The results agreed well with those observed in vivo. 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Radiation performance of Harris' 64K SOS SRAMs

Radiation data on Harris' 1.2 /spl mu/m SOS 64K/spl times/1 SRAM (HS-65643RH) and 8K/spl times/8 SRAM (HS-65647RH) are given. These results include total dose performance, dose rate upset levels, and single event upset (SEU) phenomena.
Size Separation of cDNA Fragments

The original procedure of DDRT-PCR employed denaturing Polyacrylamide gels, commonly used for DNA sequencing, to separate a large number (50–100) of amplified cDNAs (Fig. 1). Nondenaturing gels can also be used to display differentially expressed bands. However, nondenaturing gels have not replaced denaturing ones, since both incompletely annealed single-stranded cDNAs and heteroduplexes (produced by errors of Taq polymerase) from the same gene may still be resolved as different bands by nondenaturing gel.
Analytical methods for estimating saturated hydraulic conductivity in a tile-drained field

Determination of field-scale hydraulic properties is required for many hydrologic predictions. Four analytical methods for determining the saturated hydraulic conductivity k on the field scale for a field drained by a network of parallel drains are considered. These methods, all derived from the Boussinesq equation, relate: (1) time rate of change of discharge to discharge; (2) relative discharge to time; (3) time rate of change of water table height to height; and (4) relative water table height to time. Though all four methods eliminate the need to know precisely the beginning time of the recession curve, which is in practice ambiguous, Methods (2) and (4) do not require taking time derivates of observations, which introduces noise. The mean field-scale k based on several recession events on two 1 ha fields using all methods was 4 m/d. This is near the median k of 5 m/d calculated from 40 soil cores taken at various depths within the same fields, but five times less than the mean k of the soil cores (20 m/d). q 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Biochemical effects of three carcinogenic chlorinated methanes in rat liver

Three chlorinated methanes, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, and methylene chloride, known to cause liver tumors in rodents, were given by oral gavage to adult female rats both 21 h and 4 h before sacrifice. Then hepatic DNA damage, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC), cytochrome P-450, glutathione content, and serum alanine aminotransferase (SGPT) activity assays were performed. Carbon tetrachloride increased rat hepatic ODC activity and decreased cytochrome P-450 content at doses both below and above cytotoxicity (as measured by increased SGPT activity). At 54 and 160 mg/kg, chloroform increased hepatic ODC activity with minimal or no elevation in SGPT activity. At 480 mg/kg chloroform increased hepatic ODC and SGPT activity. A dose of 1,275 mg/kg methylene chloride caused a small, but significant amount of hepatic DNA damage. When these three compounds are compared on either an equimolar or equitoxic (1/5 LD50) basis, their ability to induce hepatic ODC or increase SGPT activity was carbon tetrachloride greater than chloroform greater than methylene chloride. The results of this biochemical study are interpreted with respect to the ability of chemicals to cause hepatic cancer by either genetic or epigenetic mechanisms.
Assimilation Conundrum: Austrian Befriends Americans in Costa Rica

The number of international students coming to the United States has fallen during the past two years. Still, many come. They seek an education that may be unavailable at home or just an opportunity to study in a foreign environment. Upon graduation, many return home with subject matter knowledge gleaned in the classroom but no real understanding of Americans or America. Those lacking assimilation and acceptance among US students return to their homelands shortchanged and in some ways, less prepared than they should be to deal in a multi-cultural environment. International students need to be assimilated in such a manner as to enrich their understanding of the United States and to broaden their horizons. Too, assimilation may lead to an increase in the numbers of foreign students seeking an education in the U.S. In a similar vein, U.S. students can enrich their knowledge and understanding of foreign cultures through close interaction with foreign students.
Reestablishing trust in the medical profession: making a significant impact on maternal mortality in the United States.

espite the most advanced technologies and facilities, D outstanding and capable medical personnel, and being “under the microscope” by both professional and other national organizations, the rate of maternal death in the United States over the last 20 years has remained relatively unchanged and actually appears to be increasing. Up until now, trust in our ability to reduce maternal mortality rates has been eroding. Trust evolves from equal contributions of sincerity, competence, and reliability. It clearly seems that, although our collective “sincere care” for the well-being of our patients remains at the forefront, competence in making a significant impact on mortality rates and reliability in showing continuous improvement has been put to question. Clark et al in this edition of the Journal have demonstrated “landmark” steps in reestablishing trust by improving our collective competence and reliability in reducing maternal mortality rates. In a population that is representative of the US population as a whole from the ethnic, demographic, and geographic parameters, Clark et al showed that they were able to reduce maternal mortality rates significantly by implementing diseasespecific protocols. They performed a retrospective evaluation of maternal deaths from 2000-2006 and again from 2007-2012 after the implementation of disease-specific protocols. A policy of universal pneumatic compression devices for all cesarean deliveries resulted in a significant decrease in deaths from pulmonary embolism (7/458,097 to 1/465,880 cesarean deliveries; P 1⁄4 .038). A policy of automatically implementing antihypertensive therapy for systolic blood pressure 160 mm HG or diastolic
Notes on the Occurrence of RIPIDIUS PECTINICORNIS Thunberg (Coleoptera: Rhipiphoridae) in the Continental United States and Hawaii

Abstract Ripidius pectinicornis Thunberg, a parasitoid of the german cockroach Blattella germanica L., has a sporadic, anthropogenically cosmopolitan distribution. Consequently, there have been numerous conflicting opinions regarding its occurrence in the United States. I argue that although R. pectinicornis has been collected in the continental U.S. it is not established here and that, while relatively frequently collected on Oahu, Hawaii, its status there remains uncertain.
Photorealistic Attention-Based Gaze Animation

We apply a neurobiological model of visual attention and gaze control to the automatic animation of a photorealistic virtual human head. The attention model simulates biological visual processing along the occipito-parietal pathway of the primate brain. The gaze control model is derived from motion capture of human subjects, using high-speed video-based eye and head tracking apparatus. Given an arbitrary video clip, the model predicts visual locations most likely to attract an observer's attention, and simulates the dynamics of eye and head movements towards these locations. Tested on 85 video clips including synthetic stimuli, video games, TV news, sports, and outdoor scenes, the model demonstrates a strong ability at saccading towards and tracking salient targets. The resulting autonomous virtual human animation is of photorealistic quality.
The Usefulness of CD71 Expression by Flow Cytometry for Differentiating Indolent From Aggressive CD10+ B-Cell Lymphomas

We studied 34 low- and 30 high-grade CD10+ B-cell lymphomas. Forward light scatter (FSC) and CD71 fluorescence intensity (CD71i) of tumor cells were measured and normalized by corresponding values for resting T cells. Significant differences in CD71i values between low- and high-grade lymphomas were observed by the Mann-Whitney U test (P < .001) and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis (P < .001). FSC was not significantly different between low- and high-grade lymphomas; the area under the ROC curve was less than that for CD71i. Neither FSC nor CD71i significantly differentiated follicular lymphoma (FL) grades. A comparison of all FLs (grades 1-3) and non-FL high-grade lymphomas (Burkitt lymphoma [BL] and large B-cell lymphoma [LBCL]) showed significant differences in CD71i (P < .001) and FSC (P = .021). Differences were significant in CD71i and FSC between FL and LBCL (P < .001) but not between FL and BL. CD71i is more potent than FSC for distinguishing CD10+ low- from high-grade lymphomas and FL from non-FL high-grade lymphomas. Sensitivity and specificity are limited owing to inability to identify FL3. In ROC analysis, a high value for CD71i can identify BL and LBCL with a high degree of certainty.
The Nature and Direction of Economic Reform in North Korea

In this article we critically examine the nature and direction of economic reform in North Korea.While North Korea began to experiment with reforms and a partial open-door policy in the mid-1980s, the most substantial attempt at economic restructuring occurred in July 2002. In these latest reforms, the government attempted to change the planned economic system through the introduction of price reforms, market and commodity relations, profit motivation and material incentives. However, scholars disagree on the nature and direction of economic restructuring.In order to analyze the state of economic transformation,we develop a conceptual framework of market socialism with a set of empirical indicators against which we examine the trends, direction and limitations of reforms. Our study strongly suggests that North Korea is moving away from the command economy towards a model of market socialism as practiced in China andVietnam.
A single mutation at lysine 241 alters expression and trafficking of the D2 dopamine receptor

Ubiquitination of G protein-coupled receptors has been identified to regulate receptor signal transduction including agonist-induced internalization and sorting of internalized receptor for degradation or for recycling. Using co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analysis, I found that the membrane-associated D(2) dopamine receptor (DAR) is mono-ubiquitinated in the absence of an agonist following heterologous expression in human embryonic kidney cells (HEK293). By using site-directed mutagenesis, this report shows that the loss of lysine-241, K241A D(2) DAR reduced the amount of membrane-associated D(2) DAR. It is of interest that the K241A D(2) DAR also had a distinctly different ubiquitination pattern than the wild-type D(2) DAR. It is important to note that the ubiquitinated mutant D(2) DAR was degraded through ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. These data provide the factual evidence that a loss of lysine-241 of the D(2) DAR affects receptor ubiquitination and renders the protein susceptible to the proteasomal degradation.
Fifty Years of the Indonesian Throughflow

Simple Ocean Data Assimilation (SODA) reanalysis data are used to produce a 50-yr record of flow through the Makassar Strait, the primary conduit for the Indonesian Throughflow (ITF). Two time series are constructed for comparison to the flow through the Makassar Strait as observed during 1997‐98 and 2004‐06: SODA along-channel speed within the Makassar Strait and Pacific to Indian Ocean interocean pressure difference calculated on isopycnal layers from SODA hydrology. These derived time series are compared to the total ITF as well as to the vertical distribution and frequency bands of ITF variability. The pressure difference method displays higher skill in replicating the observed Makassar ITF time series at periods longer than 9 months, particularly within the thermocline layer (50‐200 m), the location of maximum flow. This is attributed to the connection between the thermocline layer and large-scale wind forcing, which affects the hydrology of the ITF inflow and outflow regions. In contrast, the surface layer (0‐50 m) is more strongly correlated with local wind flow, and it is better predicted by SODA along-channel velocity. The pressure difference time series is extended over the 50-yr period of SODA and displays a strong correlation with ENSO as well as a correlation at the decadal scale with the island rule.
The Gastrointestinal Circulation

Research on the gastrointestinal circulation, particularly the developments of the last 5 years, is reviewed in this article . Older surveys document earlier work. H In general, new discoveries in this field relate to the normal structure and function of the gastrointestinal circulation, to its abnormalities and diseases, or to drugs active in the gastrointestinal circulation. Our objectives are: to inform the reader of newer knowledge in these three areas, to provide background information which the reader needs to interpret recent reports in this field, and to evaluate critically the newer information. The review is organized as follows. First, we discuss methodological research, because other advances depend heavily on newer techniques. Next, we discuss the stomach-first the relationship between blood flow and gastric secretion and then the relationship of blood flow to ulcer disease. Third, we discuss the physiology and pathology of the circulation of the intestine. This has been an area of particularly fruitful research. Finally, we review investigations of the circulations of other digestive organs.
From dialogue rights to property rights: Reply to Shearmur

Jeremy Shearmur's consequentialist argument for universality in the distribution of individual “negative”; liberties claims that what is gained as a consequence of extending such liberties to the last hitherto excluded group is likely to outweigh what is lost by doing so. In trying to make such a claim convincing, does it help to notice that whoever is denied negative liberties is thereby impeded from contributing to social dialogue about the arts and ethics of human well‐being? Perhaps, but only on two conditions: First, we understand individual identities as intersubjectively constituted. Second, we pursue universality in the distribution of social requisites of dialogic competence beyond negative liberties.
A Novel in Silico 4D Geometrical Measure of the Active Site Correlates with the Enzymatic Activity of HCV NS3 Protease; Implications in Catalysis and Drug Design

We have previously developed and improved on a 4D computational methodology, based on 3D structural modeling coupled with molecular dynamics simulations, to analyze, pan-genotypic, the active sites of the NS3 proteases of HCV, in relation to their catalytic activity and drug susceptibility. The 4D analysis of the interactions between the catalytic triad residues (His57, Asp81, and Ser139) yielded a divergent, gradual and genotype- dependent, 4D conformational instability measures, which correlate well the with known altered catalytic activities.
Process window variation comparison between NTD and PTD for various contact type

As technology node has been shrinking for bit growth, various technologies have been developed for high productivity. Nevertheless, lithography technology is close to its limit. In order to overcome these limits, EUV(Extreme Ultraviolet Lithography) and DSA(Directed Self-Assembly) are being developed, but there still exists problems for mass production. Currently, all lithography technology developments focus on solving the problems related to fine patterning and widening process window. One of the technologies is NTD(Negative Tone Development) which uses inverse development compared to PTD(Positive Tone Development). The exposed area is eliminated by positive developer in PTD, whereas the exposed area is remained in NTD. It is well known that NTD has better characteristics compared to PTD in terms of DOF(Depth of Focus) margin, MEEF(Mask Error Enhancement Factor), and LER(Line End Roughness) for both small contact holes and isolated spaces [1]. Contact hole patterning is especially more difficult than space patterning because of the lower image contrast and smaller process window [2]. Thus, we have focused on the trend of both NTD and PTD contact hole patterns in various environments. We have analyzed optical performance of both NTD and PTD according to size and pitch by SMO(Source Mask Optimization) software. Moreover, the simulation result of NTD process was compared with the NTD wafer level performance and the process window variation of NTD was characterized through both results. This result will be a good guideline to avoid DoF loss when using NTD process for contact layers with various contact types. In this paper, we studied the impact of different sources on various combinations of pattern sizes and pitches while estimating DOF trends aside from source and pattern types.
DOES INTERFERENCE COMPETITION AMONG POLLEN GRAINS OCCUR IN WILD RADISH

Interest in the possibility of sexual selection in plants has focused primarily on competition among pollen donors based on the speed of pollen-tube growth. However, when pollen arrives on stigmas, there is the opportunity for both races for access to ovules (exploitation competition) and interference with the germination and growth of pollen from other donors (interference competition). We considered whether this second form of competition might occur among pollen grains of wild radish in two experiments. In the first, interference likely occurred because the amount of pollen germination was less in mixed-donor than in single-donor pollinations. This result was duplicated in a second experiment, which also showed that interference occurred only when pollen grains from different donors were in direct contact with each other. In addition, in the second experiment, the opportunity for interference affected the frequency of seeds sired by different pollen donors. Because pollen loads are often mixed in nature, interference competition among pollen grains may be important in the ecology and evolution of plant reproduction.
On the Reproductive Behavior of the Fiddler Crab Uca thayeri, with Comparisons to U. pugilator and U. vocans: Evidence for Behavioral Convergence

ABSTRACT The fiddler crabs have been separated into two major species groups: the "broad fronts" (with wide spaces between their eyestalks) of the New World, which may show resourcebased mating systems, and the "narrow fronts" of the Indo-Pacific, which may show resource-free mating systems. A few species, however, are known to deviate both structurally and behaviorally from these patterns. One (Uca thayeri) was studied to determine why. My data show that U. thayeri has a resource-free mating system, behaves much like a narrow front, but possesses the reproductive physiology of a broad front. Studies by others indicate it is closely related to the broad fronts, yet shows many ecological similarities to the narrow fronts. The evidence suggests, then, that the reproductive behavior of U. thayeri is best explained by evolutionary convergence. This result constitutes further evidence that differences between the two groups are best viewed as alternative adaptations.
Local recurrence in malignant melanoma: Long-term results of the multiinstitutional randomized surgical trial

Background: In the past, radical margins of excision were prescribed for cutaneous melanoma based on preconceived notions rather than on hard clinical evidence.
Suburban Diversity in Postwar America

This essay introduces a special section in the Journal of Urban History that explores the concept of suburban diversity in the United States during the post-World War II decades. Recent scholarship...
Detection of Immune Complexes: Techniques and Implications

Antigen-antibody complexes are being increasingly implicated in kidney diseases, collagen disorders, a variety of viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, and malignancies. Perhaps their most im...
Whole-body oxygen consumption during low-flow hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass

To assess the adequacy of tissue perfusion during low-flow, moderately hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB), we measured whole-body oxygen consumption (Vo2), serum lactate concentrations, and acid-base balance in 12 men undergoing myocardial revascularization. When perfusion flow rate was kept at control levels (2.1 L/min/m2), decreasing the patient's body temperature to 25.4 ± 1.8° C (mean ± SD) was associated with a reduction in Vo2 of almost 50% (from 83.3 ± 14.6 ml/min/m2 to 45.6 ± 9.6 ml/min/m2, p