cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ultrathin self-assembled polymeric films on solid surfaces. 2. Formation of 11-(n-Pentyldithio)undecanoate-bearing polyacrylate monolayers on gold

Polymeric monolayers of poly(methoxyethyl acrylate-co-hydroxyethyl acrylate) copolymers derivatized with 11-(n-pentyldithio)undecanoate side chains on gold surfaces have been fabricated by spontaneous self-assembly from organic solution. Experimental evidence derived from a combination of ellipsometry, polarized reflection infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that two-dimensional polymer films assemble on gold surfaces by multipoint attachment. Further experiments systematically changing polymer composition and solution concentrations for monolayer preparation reveal that polymer assemblies created by adsorption have less structural anisotropy than their corresponding conventional monomeric organic alkyl disulfides. However, these self-assembled polymer films show enhanced thermal stability in wet environments over films of monomeric organic analogs, indicating that polyfunctional polymer anchoring effects greatly improve integral adhesion and binding stabilities of ultrathin polymer assemblies. 29 refs., 10 figs., 5 tabs.
Cyclosporin A Disrupts Notch Signaling and Vascular Lumen Maintenance

Cyclosporin A (CSA) suppresses immune function by blocking the cyclophilin A and calcineurin/NFAT signaling pathways. In addition to immunosuppression, CSA has also been shown to have a wide range of effects in the cardiovascular system including disruption of heart valve development, smooth muscle cell proliferation, and angiogenesis inhibition. Circumstantial evidence has suggested that CSA might control Notch signaling which is also a potent regulator of cardiovascular function. Therefore, the goal of this project was to determine if CSA controls Notch and to dissect the molecular mechanism(s) by which CSA impacts cardiovascular homeostasis. We found that CSA blocked JAG1, but not Dll4 mediated Notch1 NICD cleavage in transfected 293T cells and decreased Notch signaling in zebrafish embryos. CSA suppression of Notch was linked to cyclophilin A but not calcineurin/NFAT inhibition since N-MeVal-4-CsA but not FK506 decreased Notch1 NICD cleavage. To examine the effect of CSA on vascular development and function, double transgenic Fli1-GFP/Gata1-RFP zebrafish embryos were treated with CSA and monitored for vasculogenesis, angiogenesis, and overall cardiovascular function. Vascular patterning was not obviously impacted by CSA treatment and contrary to the anti-angiogenic activity ascribed to CSA, angiogenic sprouting of ISV vessels was normal in CSA treated embryos. Most strikingly, CSA treated embryos exhibited a progressive decline in blood flow that was associated with eventual collapse of vascular luminal structures. Vascular collapse in zebrafish embryos was partially rescued by global Notch inhibition with DAPT suggesting that disruption of normal Notch signaling by CSA may be linked to vascular collapse. However, multiple signaling pathways likely cause the vascular collapse phenotype since both cyclophilin A and calcineurin/NFAT were required for normal vascular function. Collectively, these results show that CSA is a novel inhibitor of Notch signaling and vascular function in zebrafish embryos.
Histotripsy Fractionation of Prostate Tissue: Local Effects and Systemic Response in a Canine Model

Purpose: Histotripsy is an extracorporeal ultrasound technology that uses cavitational mechanisms to produce nonthermal tissue destruction. Previously we reported the feasibility of histotripsy for prostate tissue fractionation and immediate debulking. In this study we characterized the local effects and systemic response after histotripsy treatment of prostate tissue in an in vivo canine model.Materials and Methods: Histotripsy was applied transabdominally to the prostate in 18 intact male canine subjects under general anesthesia. Acoustic bursts (4 μseconds) were delivered at a 300 Hz pulse repetition rate from a highly focused 750 kHz piezoelectric ultrasound transducer with a 15 cm aperture and 3 × 3 × 8 mm focal volume. Specimens of the prostate and surrounding structures were obtained at prescribed time points (0, 7, 28 or 56 days) after histotripsy. Blood and urine parameters were assessed periodically while clinical evaluation incorporating a validated veterinary pain scale was performed daily.Res...
Social Influences on Health: Is Serotonin a Critical Mediator?

The influence of social relationships on health has been well documented for many years, yet identifying the physiological mechanisms responsible for these effects has proved more challenging. This review assesses the potential role of the serotonin system in affecting sensitivity to the health-related effects of the social environment. Building on recent studies of genetic variation in the serotonin system, particularly focusing on a polymorphism (5-HTTLPR) in the serotonin transporter gene, we provide evidence that activity within the serotonin system is critically involved in setting sensitivity to social experiences. Furthermore, we highlight the effects of the 5-HTTLPR on sensitivity to both positive and negative social experiences. In a positive environment, individuals with the short allele, and particularly the short/short genotype, function better psychologically than those with the long/long genotype. Conversely, when exposed to adverse environments or in the absence of social support, individuals with the short allele are at high risk for a variety of negative health outcomes. This serotoninergic involvement in social sensitivity seems to occur in concert with other neurochemical systems, such as the opioid system, which will also be discussed. Although this differential sensitivity to social experiences is initially determined in the brain, it has physiological effects on downstream pathways that more directly affect disease mechanisms, such as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is a particular focus of this review. The serotonin system, as indexed by the 5-HTTLPR, is an important link between the social environment and health. Key words: social, serotonin transporter, polymorphism, gene, health, A118G. 5-HTTLPR serotonin transporter gene-linked polymorphic region; HPA hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal; SERT serotonin transporter.
QuIRI (quality improvement and research in imaging) program: a means to promote and coordinate research and quality-improvement activities in radiology

Quality-improvement practices and research are important in radiology for multiple reasons [1–9]. For all of us involved in medical imaging, regardless of the type of practice, part of our vision and mission is improving the health of all patients through imaging delivery. While certainly this involves direct patient care, improving the practice of medical imaging delivery as well as sharing clinical experiences can expand our vision and our mission beyond the immediate patients we are serving. In addition, patients as well as regulatory bodies are increasingly demanding that physicians practice quality improvement through mechanisms such as the maintenance of certification [10] and the potential maintenance of licensure. It can also be argued that participation in quality-improvement and research activities can increase work satisfaction and engagement of radiologists. Finally, active quality-improvement and research programs are essential for radiology to preserve its leadership role in medical imaging [1–6]. At our institution, we have put in place a Quality Improvement in Research and Imaging (QuIRI) program. The purpose of this manuscript is to describe the QuIRI process and how it has positively affected our research and qualityimprovement program. A productive research program can enhance the prestige and clout of a radiology department within its institution and of the subspecialty of radiology within medicine. Cultivation of quality-improvement and research activities is essential to optimizing radiology’s role in health care reform. Quality will be a differentiating factor in a commodity imaging market [9]. A number of barriers have been identified, making development of research and quality-improvement initiatives difficult in radiology [11–14]. These include the historical lack of research training as a component of radiology training, increased clinical responsibilities related to increasing imaging volumes and decreased reimbursement, the inability to cover total research expenses even in successful grant-funded programs, the NIH salary cap being lower than most radiologists’ salaries, alignment of radiologists’ incentives and culture, and vacant positions within academic radiology departments [11–14]. These problems have prompted a number of articles describing important steps in programmatic aspects necessary to create a successful quality-improvement and research program in a department of radiology [1–15]. In our department, we have put in place a number of ways to stress the importance of research among our clinical radiologists and to promote a culture of research [7] as well as establish processes to promote quality and safety [15–21]. More recently, we have put in place the QuIRI program. L. F. Donnelly Departments of Radiology and Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH, USA
Understanding Farmscapes and Their Potential for Improving IPM Programs

New pest management programs must strive to achieve sustained, improved crop production and profitable agriculture, while simultaneously conserving natural resources and protecting the environment. Redesigning farms to take advantage of natural biological control can improve the sustainability of integrated pest management programs. A technique common in this approach to pest management is farmscaping, which refers to the arrangement or configuration of plants that promote biological pest management by attracting and sustaining beneficial organisms. Farmscaping is an ecologically based, whole-farm approach to enhancing the efficacy and local abundance of arthropod natural enemies through modification of the environment. However, by adding these resources back to simplified agriculture systems, they provide numerous other ecosystem services such as erosion control, reduced runoff, esthetic benefits, increased revenue, nutrient management, pollination services, soil health, as well as improved pest suppression. Herein, we discuss the strategy of farmscaping, review the theory of how it can improve pest management, and discuss the practicalities and risks involved in incorporating farmscapes into integrated pest management programs.
Abstract 753: Novel, potent and selective small molecule inhibitors of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase (PDK1)

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) signaling pathway plays a crucial role in cell growth, proliferation and survival. Genomic aberrations in the PI3K pathway, such as mutational activation of PI3Kα or loss-of-function of the tumor suppressor PTEN, have been closely linked to the development and progression of a wide range of cancers. Inhibition of the key targets in the pathway, PI3K, AKT, mTOR & PDK1, may provide an effective treatment of cancer. In an effort to discover compounds that inhibit PDK1, we have developed a series of 3-Carbonyl-4-Amino-Pyrrolopyrimidine (CAP) compounds that are selective and potent PDK1 inhibitors. Early screening led to a viable starting point, PF-03772304, (4-amino-7-isopropyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)-(6-methylamino-pyrazin-2-yl)-methanone, which has an IC50 of 94 nM for PDK1 and a ligand efficiency of 0.42. While potent, this lead was not selective against PI3K. Using structure-based drug design, this lead was modified to expand into the selectivity pocket of PDK1 (under the G-Loop), leading to the identification of a potent and pathway-selective compound, PF-05017255 ((4-Amino-7-isopropyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidin-5-yl)-{6-[(3S,4R)-4-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-tetrahydro-furan-3-ylamino]-pyrazin-2-yl}-methanone). PF-05017255 has a Ki of 0.6 nM for PDK1 and is more than 400-fold selective against other PI3K pathway kinases: PI3Kα, AKT, S6K and mTOR. For even greater kinase selectivity, we sought to lower the clogP of our lead (clogP for PF-05017255 is 3.0) to reduce the contribution from the hydrophobic effect. These efforts led to PF-05168899 (1-{(2R,3R)-3-[6-(4-Amino-7-isopropyl-7H-pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine-5-carbonyl)-pyrazin-2-ylamino]-2-phenyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl}-ethanone) with a Ki of 0.4 nM for PDK1, a clogP of 2.1, and greater than 1000-fold selectivity against PI3Kα, AKT, S6K, mTOR, CDK2, CHK1 and PAK4. PF-05168899 also showed little inhibitory effect (<50% at 1 uM) against 33 of 35 kinases in a broader panel, demonstrating significant inhibition only against CHK2 (94%) and AuroraB (54%). In addition, the most potent analogs (e.g. PF-05168889) inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT at the residue threonine 308 (IC50 40-200 nM) in a variety of cancer cell lines (e.g. H460, A549). The design, synthesis and SAR of this chemical series will be described. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 753.
Recipients of blood from a donor with multiple HLA antibodies: a lookback study of transfusion-related acute lung injury.

BACKGROUND: The effects of transfusion of HLA antibodies to patients with corresponding antigens are not well known. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Records of patients who received blood from previous donations of a donor implicated in a case of transfusion-related acute lung injury (TRALI) were examined. The donor had multiple HLA antibodies reactive with 96 percent of HLA Class I antigens and 88 percent of HLA Class II antigens. RESULTS: Among 103 patients (40 with a pretransfusion white blood cell [WBC] count of ≥3.5 × 109/L), 1 patient met criteria for TRALI and had clinical evidence for diffuse alveolar hemorrhage. Among the subset of 55 patients (17 with a pretransfusion WBC count of 3.5 × 109/L) with known HLA types, none developed TRALI even though 54 (98%) had one to five corresponding HLA antigens. In a subgroup of patients four of 62 patients with chest radiographs, developed new or worse bilateral infiltrates with implicated but not control units (p = 0.0625). CONCLUSION: Transfusion of HLA antibodies from this donor to nonneutropenic patients did not cause TRALI, but there was a trend of an association with new or worse bilateral pulmonary infiltrates. Further research is needed to determine why transfusion of HLA antibodies to recipients with corresponding antigens causes TRALI in some cases and not in others.
Hiring Teachers in New York's Public Schools: Can the Principal Make a Difference?

An analysis of survey data is used to examine the practices used to hire teachers, the level of principal autonomy within the process, the attributes sought in teachers, and to compare each based upon the characteristics of schools and of principals. Findings indicate that urban and low-performing schools (and the principals of these schools) are disadvantaged with respect to their ability to recruit and to hire highly qualified teachers and that, in general, principal autonomy in hiring teachers, teacher hiring practices, the attributes sought in teachers, and the constraints and limitations within the teacher hiring process are largely determined by the organizational structure, culture, and situational context of a school In addition, a causal model is used to examine the extent to which newly hired principals hire teachers with much better (or much worse) qualifications than the teachers hired by their predecessors and to examine the relationship between principal effectiveness, in this regard, and th...
Simulating a nomination procedure

Abstract A snowball sampling procedure is simulated by computer. In snowball sampling, a small first-round sample of respondents, in this case editors of journals in several specialities, are asked to name second-round respondents to be contacted for a similar request for a third round, etc. In our survey, respondents were asked to nominate peer scientists for their contributions and expertise in their specialty. We used the simulation to estimate the effect of the number of rounds on the fraction of experts likely to be named, and to investigate the effect of other parameters. We found that it would take many rounds before every expert in a specialty is nominated. The simulation considered the effect of specialty subdivisions and showed how the distribution changes as the sample increases.
Hybrid Solar Cells Based On Carbon Nanotubes and Nanoporous Silicon [Nanoproducts]

Despite intensive research and substantial investments over the past decade, existing organic/hybrid photo voltaics (PVs) are still unable to overcome the 7% conversion efficiency barrier. Our innovative solar cells of third generation are based on photonic band gap structures using the exceptional optical properties of nanoporous silicon (Si) infiltrated with single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs). The novel nanocomposite concept should provide the highest light entrapping, charge separation, and high charge mobility, which could demonstrate superior PV properties exceeding 10% conversion efficiency with respect to other organic/hybrid PV materials. It is established that 10% conversion is critical for commercialization of organic/hybrid solar cells.
Introduction to a method for the allocation of fire companies

A systematic method of allocating fire companies to regions in a city has been developed. The allocations are based on a compromise between the strategy of equal coverage to all regions of a city and that of minimizing the total citywide fire risk.
Shedding by rod photoreceptors after sunrise in fish

Diurnal shedding by retinal rods was studied in wild cutthroat trout,Oncorhyncus clarki, hatchery rainbow trout,Oncorhyncus mykiss, and the plains killifish,Fundulus zebrinus, by counting the shed tips of rod outer segments ingested as ‘phagosomes’ by pigment epithelial cells. After sunrise, phagosomes increased in all species, but fewer occurred in trout, and these were elevated from 3 to 9 hours after sunrise. Shedding occurred earlier in the light period and was more robust in killifish, with phagosomes elevated from 1.5 to 6 hours after sunset. The data suggest that both production of phagosomes by shedding and their subsequent disposal are slower at the lower temperatures experienced by trout. Otherwise, rod shedding produced under natural lighting is not appreciably different than that provoked by sudden onset of artificial light.
Dynamics of convection heat exchangers

A mathematical model is developed for heat exchangers with condensing vapors on one side which includes the effects of variations in the local film heat transfer coefficients and allows for energy accumulation and conduction in the tube wall. A numerical integration scheme for the flow forced case is presented. The model is tested against experimental steady state and transient data for a steam-water exchanger. It was necessary to modify the standard correlations of heat transfer coefficients to get a match of the overall steady state heat flux actually obtained in the apparatus. With these modified heat transfer coefficients, the model proved capable of predicting flow forced transients. These results are contrasted with transients predicted by a simple lumped parameters model employing empirically fit overall heat transfer coefficients. The lumped parameters model is shown quite adequate for predicting transient behavior under the specific conditions studied. The reasons for and limitations on the success of this very simple model are explored. On a mis au point un modele mathematique pour les echangeurs de chaleur dans lesquels les vapeurs se condensent sur un cote; il tient compte des effets des variations dans les coefficients de transmission de la chaleur de la pellicule ainsi que de l'accumulation d'energie et de la conduction dans la paroi du tube. On presente un systeme d'integration numerique daus le cas de l'ecoulement force. On a compare les donnees du modele avec les resultats experimentaux, dans le cas de regimes permanents et transitoires pour un echangeur de vapeur et d'eau. On a dǔ modifier les correlations normales des coefficients de transmission de la chaleur pour atteindre l'equivalent du flux global de chaleur en regime permanent obtenu dans l'appareil. En utilisant les coefficients modifies de transmission de la chaleur, on a pu predire avec le modele des comportements transitoires lorsque l'ecoulement est force; ces resultats font contraste avec les comportements transitoires predits par un simple modele avec parametres assembles ou l'on utilise des coefficients de transmission globale de la chaleur qui conviennent empiriquement. Le modele ou les parametres sont assembles semble tout a fait suffisant pour predire un comportement transitoire dans des conditions specifiques. On discute les facteurs responsables du succes du modele simple precite ainsi que ses limitations.
Evolution of nucleoside/tide analogues for hepatitis B: is the ideal drug here yet?

Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate versus adefovir dipivoxil for chronic hepatitis B. Marcellin P, Heathcote EJ, Buti M, Gane E, de Man RA, Krastev Z, Germanidis G, Lee SS, Flisiak R, Kaita K, Manns M, Kotzev I, Tchernev K, Buggisch P, Weilert F, Kurdas OO, Shiffman ML, Trinh H, Washington MK, Sorbel J, Anderson J, Snow-Lampart A, Mondou E, Quinn J, Rousseau F. Background Tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (DF) is a nucleotide analogue and a potent inhibitor of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase and hepatitis B virus (HBV) polymerase. Methods In two double-blind, phase 3 studies, we randomly assigned patients with hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative or HBeAg-positive chronic HBV infection to receive tenofovir DF or adefovir dipivoxil (ratio, 2:1) once daily for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy end point was a plasma HBV DNA level of less than 400 copies per milliliter (69 IU per milliliter) and histologic improvement (i.e., a reduction in the Knodell necroinflammation score of 2 or more points without worsening fibrosis) at week 48. Secondary end points included viral suppression (i.e., an HBV DNA level of Results At week 48, in both studies, a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving tenofovir DF than of those receiving adefovir dipivoxil had reached the primary end point ( P P P P =0.03) and loss of hepatitis B surface antigen (3% vs. 0%, P =0.02). At week 48, amino acid substitutions within HBV DNA polymerase associated with phenotypic resistance to tenofovir DF or other drugs to treat HBV infection had not developed in any of the patients. Tenofovir DF produced a similar HBV DNA response in patients who had previously received lamivudine and in those who had not. The safety profile was similar for the two treatments in both studies. Conclusions Among patients with chronic HBV infection, tenofovir DF at a daily dose of 300mg had superior antiviral efficacy with a similar safety profile as compared with adefovir dipivoxil at a daily dose of 10mg through week 48. (ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT00116805 and NCT00117676.) 2008 Massachusetts Medical Society. [Abstract reproduced by permission of N Engl J Med 2008;359:2442–2455.]
Degree of cure and fracture properties of experimental acid-resin modified composites under wet and dry conditions.

Abstract Objective Evaluate the effects of core structure and storage conditions on the mechanical properties of acid-resin modified composites and a control material by three point bending and conversion measurements 15 min and 24 h after curing. Methods The monomers pyromellitic dimethacrylate (PMDM), biphenyldicarboxylic-acid dimethacrylate (BPDM), (isopropylidene-diphenoxy)bis(phthalic-acid) dimethacrylate (IPDM), oxydiphthalic-acid dimethacrylate (ODPDM), and Bis-GMA were mixed with triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate (TEGDMA) in a 40/60 molar ratio, and photo-activated. Composite bars (Barium-oxide-glass/resin = 3/1 mass ratio, (2 mm × 2 mm × 25 mm), n = 5) were light-cured for 1 min per side. Flexural strength (FS), elastic modulus ( E ), and work-of-fracture (WoF) were determined in three-point bending after 15 min (stored dry); and after 24 h under dry and wet storage conditions at 37 °C. Corresponding degrees of conversion (DC) were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Data was statistically analyzed (2-way analysis of variance, ANOVA, Holm–Sidak, p Results Post-curing significantly increased FS, E and DC in nearly all cases. WoF did not change, or even decreased with time. For all properties ANOVA found significant differences and interactions of time and material. Wet storage reduced the moduli and the other properties measured with the exception of FS and WoF of ODPDM; DC only decreased in BPDM and IPDM composites. Significance Differences in core structure resulted in significantly different physical properties of the composites studied with two phenyl rings connected by one ether linkage as in ODPDM having superior FS, WoF and DC especially after 24 h under wet conditions. As expected, post-curing significantly contributed to the final mechanical properties of the composites, while wet storage generally reduced the mechanical properties.
Reaction Mechanisms of Plasma‐ and Thermal‐Assisted Chemical Vapor Deposition of Tetraethylorthosilicate Oxide Films

Plasma- and thermal-assisted chemical vapor deposited (CVD) tetrathylorthosilicate (TEOS) oxide films were deposited on silicon substrates using a single-wafer reactor. The deposition kinetics of both plasma and thermal CVD processes were studied as a function of temperature. Film properties and bonding structure were analyzed for as-deposited and annealed films using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Auger, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) techniques. The thermal TEOS films were found to be more porous and to contain more hydrogen, but were more conformal than plasma-deposited TEOS films. Without a plasma, thermal temperatures can assist gas-phase reactions between ozone and TEOS (oxidation) to form conformal oxide films at as low as 200°C. With a plasma, both gas-phase and subsequent surface CVD reactions between TEOS, ozone, and oxygen are substantially enhanced, thus result in CVD films with higher quality
Ebulliometric Determination of Small Amounts of Water

THE sensitivity of the ebulliometric method of determining small amounts of water, which has been applied to measurements of the water content in standard samples of benzoic acid1, to determinations of the degree of decomposition of organic substances on heating2, and to measurements of adsorption of vapours on solid metallic surfaces3, may be considerably increased by the use of the azeotropic mixture n-propanol/toluene instead of ethanol/benzene used formerly.
Methodological assessment of assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux

Abstract Assays for red cell sodium concentration and sodium-dependent lithium efflux were studied from a methodological point of view. The technical errors for sodium concentration—based on concurrent analysis of randomized blind duplicate samples —was 2.5% and for lithium efflux 6.4%. Based on repeated measures in the same individual, the assays were stable over time and reproducible; individual differences at a mean interval of 16 days were not significantly different. A wait of two hours from time of phlebotomy to analysis yielded a slight (3.8%) but significant fall in the sodium concentration; no further change was found at four hours. No change occurred in the lithium efflux over time. A standardized breakfast containing 664 mg sodium did not affect the measurements when fasting and three-hour postprandial levels were compared. The ratios of intra- to inter-individual variances were small—0.04 for red cell sodium concentration and 0.09 for sodium-stimulated lithium efflux. These assays appear to be reproducible and stable and can be applied in large scale field trials.
Factors determining the reconstructive denaturation of proteins in sodium dodecyl sulfate solutions. Further circular dichroism studies on structural reorganization of seven proteins

The factors determining the onset and extent of reconstructive denaturation of proteins were considered by comparing circular dichroism (CD) data of seven proteins and previously published findings. The effects of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) on the conformation of the following proteins were tested: lysozyme, the mitogens fromPhytolacca americana (fractions Pa2 and Pa4), lectin fromWistaria floribunda, ovine lutropin, a Bence Jones protein, and histone H2B. While the helix content of lysozyme was raised by SDS slightly, in the Bence Jones protein andW. floribunda lectin it increased from near zero to about 25–30%. In histone H2B the helix content was raised by SDS even to about 48%. However, no clear indication of helix formation could be observed in the mitogens and lutropin, even at low pH or 2.0–2.5. The tertiary structure of the proteins was perturbed by SDS. It was concluded that the reorganization of secondary structure of the proteins was favored by the following factors: (1) presence of helicogenic amino acid sequences in the protein, (2) availability of positively charged sites of the basic amino acids for interactions with the dodecyl ion, (3) absence of a large surplus of negatively charged sites on the surface of protein, and (4) absence of extensive disulfide cross-linking within the macromolecule. Both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions occur in reconstructive denaturation, and the newly formed helices are stabilized by hydrophobic shielding by the alkyl chains of the alkyl sulfate.
β-Sulfur substituted α-ketoglutarates as inhibitors and alternate substrates for isocitrate dehydrogenases and certain other enzymes☆

Abstract The RS-isomers of β-mercapto-α-ketoglutarate, β-methylmercapto-α-ketoglutarate and β-methylmercapto-α-hydroxyglutarate have been synthesized. β-Mercapto-α-ketoglutarate was a potent inhibitor, competitive with isocitrate and noncompetitive with NADP+, of the mitochondrial NADP-specific isozyme from pig heart ( K i = 5 nM ; K m ( DL-isocitrate ) K i (RS-β- mercapto-α-ketoglutarate ) = 650) and pig liver, the cytosolic isozyme from pig liver (I0·5 = 23 n m ), and the NADP-linked enzymes from yeast (Ki = 58 nM) and Escherichia coli (Ki = 58 nM) at pH 7.4 and with Mg2+ as activator. β-Mercapto-α-ketoglutarate was also an effective inhibitor of NADP-isocitrate-dehydrogenase activity in intact liver mitochondria. β-Mercapto-α-ketoglutarate was a much less potent inhibitor for heart NAD-isocitrate dehydrogenase (Ki = 520 nM) than for the NADP-specific enzyme. β-Methylmercapto-α-ketoglutarate (I0·5 = 10 μ m ) was a much less effective inhibitor than the β-mercapto derivative for heart NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase. The β-sulfur substituted α-ketoglutarates were substrates for the oxidation of NADPH by heart NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase without requiring CO2. β-Methylmercapto-α-hydroxyglutarate, the expected product of reduction of β-methylmercapto-α-ketoglutarate, did not cause reduction of NADP+ but it was an inhibitor competitive with isocitrate for NADP-isocitrate dehydrogenase. The β-sulfur substituted α-ketoglutarate derivatives were alternate substrates for α-ketoglutarate dehydrogenase and the cytosolic and mitochondrial isozymes of heart aspartate aminotransferase but had no effect on glutamate dehydrogenase or alanine aminotransferase.
Perfluorochemicals in Pooled Serum Samples from United States Residents in 2001 and 2002

Manufacturers have used perfluorochemicals (PFCs) since the 1950s in many industrial and consumer products, including protective coatings for fabrics and carpet, paper coatings, insecticide formulations, and surfactants. Some PFCs are persistent ubiquitous contaminants in the environment and in humans. Exposures to PFCs result in potential developmental and other adverse effects in animals. The sources of human exposure to PFCs and the potential health risks associated with exposure are still unclear, and differences in patterns of human exposure may vary. We measured the serum concentrations of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA; C8), perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (PFHxS), and 8 other PFCs in 54 pooled serum samples collected from 1832 participants of the 2001-2002 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Participants were 12 years of age and older. The pools represented three major racial groups/ethnicities (non-Hispanic blacks, non-Hispanic whites, and Mexican Americans), four age categories (12-19 years, 20-39 years, 40-59 years, and 60 years and older), and both genders. PFCs were extracted from 100 microL of serum using on-line solid-phase extraction coupled to isotope dilution-high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The limits of detection ranged from 0.05 ng/mL to 0.2 ng/mL. The concentrations of most PFCs were similar among the four age groups. For PFOS, the estimated least-squares mean (LSM) concentrations among non-Hispanic white males (40.19 ng/mL) and females (23.97 ng/mL) were greater than among non-Hispanic black males (18.27 ng/mL) and females (17.93 ng/mL) or Mexican American males (13.71 ng/mL) and females (10.40 ng/ mL). Similarly, for PFOA, the LSM concentrations among non-Hispanic white males (6.98 ng/mL) and females (3.97 ng/ mL) were greater than among non-Hispanic black males (3.62 ng/mL) and females (2.85 ng/mL) or Mexican American males (2.89 ng/mL) and females (2.08 ng/mL). Non-Hispanic whites had also greater LSM concentrations of PFHxS than non-Hispanic blacks and Mexican Americans. These findings indicate different patterns of human exposure to PFCs among the population groups examined and stress the importance of conducting research to identify the environmental sources and pathways of human exposure to PFCs.
Intraoperative use of fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green changes management of abdominal wall flaps during open ventral hernia repair.

Wound complications including infection and necrosis remain common during complex open ventral hernia repair. Advancements or enhancements in imaging technology may abate some of these issues but requires more investigation. Laser-assisted fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green (Spy Elite, LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ) allows visualization and quantification of perfusion, facilitating management of poorly perfused tissue. Ten patients, who underwent large or massive ventral or incisional hernia repair with biologic graft reinforcement and either perforator-sparing components separation or primary open repair, underwent intraoperative laser-assisted fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green from August 2012 to August 2013. The cases were reviewed by an independent data collector with primary outcomes of postoperative skin infection and/or abdominal wall necrosis. Three (30 %) patients had adequate perfusion, while seven (70 %) patients had inadequate skin perfusion and necessitated excision of additional tissue. Of the patients whose ischemic tissue was removed, four (57 %) patients had an infection and no patients developed necrosis postoperatively. Of the patients who had no removal of additional skin, one (33 %) patient developed an infection and one (33 %) patients developed skin necrosis. The intraoperative use of laser-assisted fluorescent imaging with indocyanine green may change management of abdominal wall flaps, even in perforator-sparing operations. Our study series is small and cannot suggest statistical significance in the potential benefit of intraoperative imaging, but shows that up to 70 % of patients may require change in management due to poorly perfused tissue flaps.
The Penurious Preacher? Nineteenth-Century Clerical Wealth : North and South

Exploitation du recensement de 1860 aux Etats-Unis. L'Americain moyen avait un revenu de 2 580 dollars| le ministre du culte, dans le Nord, gagnait en moyenne plus de 4 000 dollars| le ministre du culte, dans le Sud, gagnait plus de 10 000 dollars. La proportion Nord-Sud etait analogue pour les gens de robe et pour les medecins. Interpretation sociologique et economique. (L'etude touche pres de quinze denominations protestantes et les rabbins.)
Quantitative evaluation of some edge-preserving noise-smoothing techniques

Abstract A quantitative evaluation of several edge-preserving noise-smoothing techniques is presented. All of the techniques evaluated are devised to preserve edge sharpness while achieving some degree of noise cleaning. They are based on local operations on neighboring points and all of them can be iterated. They are unweighted neighbor averaging (AVE), K-nearest neighbor averaging (KAVE), the edge and line weights method (EDLN), gradient inverse weighted smoothing (GRADIN), maximum homogeneity smoothing (MAXH), slope facet model smoothing (FACET), and median filtering (MEDIAN). The evaluation procedure involves two steps. First, the image is partitioned into regions based on the amount of spatial activity in a neighborhood of a pixel, where spatial activity is defined as local gradient. In the second part of the procedure an objective measure, the mean-square error, for each region of the partitioned image is obtained to evaluate the performance of the smoothing scheme at the corresponding level of spatial activity content. This evaluation procedure provides a convenient way to compare both the edge-preserving and noise-smoothing abilities of different schemes. The smoothing schemes were tested on a specially generated image with varying degrees of added noise and different edge slopes. The results of the comparison study are presented.
Lewis Carroll's visual logic

John Venn and Charles L. Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) created systems of logic diagrams capable of representing classes (sets) and their relations in the form of propositions. Each is a proof method for syllogisms, and Carroll's is a sound and complete system. For a large number of sets, Carroll diagrams are easier to draw because of their self-similarity and algorithmic construction. This regularity makes it easier to locate and thereby to erase cells corresponding with classes destroyed by the premises of an argument, a particularly difficult task in Venn diagrams for more than four sets. Carroll diagrams can represent existential propositions easily, so they are capable of clearly representing more complex problems than Venn's system can. Finally, both Carroll and Venn diagrams are maximal, in the sense that no additional logic information like inclusive disjunctions is able to be represented by them. Carroll's logic diagrams and logic trees constitute his visual logic system.
Perivascular adipose tissue contains functional catecholamines.

The sympathetic nervous system and its neurotransmitter effectors are undeniably important to blood pressure control. We made the novel discovery that perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT) contains significant concentrations of catecholamines. We hypothesized that PVAT contains sufficient releasable catecholamines to affect vascular function. High-pressure liquid chromatography, isometric contractility, immunohistochemistry, whole animal approaches, and pharmacology were used to test this hypothesis. In normal rat thoracic aorta and superior mesenteric artery, the indirect sympathomimetic tyramine caused a concentration-dependent contraction that was dependent on the presence of PVAT. Tyramine stimulated release of norepinephrine (NA), dopamine (DA) and the tryptamine serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) from PVAT isolated from both arteries. In both arteries, tyramine-induced concentration-dependent contraction was rightward-shifted and reduced by the noradrenaline transporter inhibitor nisoxetine (1 μmol/L), the vesicular monoamine transporter inhibitor tetrabenazine (10 μmol/L), and abolished by the α adrenoreceptor antagonist prazosin (100 nmol/L). Inhibitors of the DA and 5-HT transporter did not alter tyramine-induced, PVAT-dependent contraction. Removal of the celiac ganglion as a neuronal source of catecholamines for superior mesenteric artery PVAT did not significantly reduce the maximum or shift the concentration-dependent contraction to tyramine. Electrical field stimulation of the isolated aorta was not affected by the presence of PVAT. These data suggest that PVAT components that are independent of sympathetic nerves can release NA in a tyramine-sensitive manner to result in arterial contraction. Because PVAT is intimately apposed to the artery, this raises the possibility of local control of arterial function by PVAT catecholamines.
Reaction of Escherichia coli cytochrome bo3 and mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 with a photoreleasable decylubiquinol

Abstract In order to probe the reaction chemistry of respiratory quinol-oxidizing enzymes on a rapid time scale, a photoreleasable quinol substrate was synthesized by coupling decylubiquinol with the water-soluble protecting group 3′,5′-bis(carboxymethoxy)benzoin (BCMB) through a carbonate linkage. The resulting compound, DQ-BCMB, was highly soluble in aqueous detergent solution, and showed no reactivity with quinol-oxidizing enzymes prior to photolysis. Upon photolysis in acetonitrile, 5,7-bis(carboxymethoxy)-2-phenylbenzofuran, carbon dioxide, and decylubiquinol were formed. In aqueous media, free 3′,5′-bis(carboxymethoxy)benzoin was also produced. Photolysis of DQ-BCMB with a 308 nm excimer laser led to the release of the BCMB group in less than 10−6 s. Decylubiquinol was released in the form of a carbonate monoester, which decarboxylated with an observed first-order rate constant of 195–990 s−1, depending on the reaction medium. Yields of decylubiquinol as high as 35 μM per laser pulse were attained readily. In the presence of Escherichia coli cytochrome bo3, photolysis of DQ-BCMB led to the oxidation of quinol by the enzyme with a rate that was limited by the rate of the decylubiquinol release. Mitochondrial cytochrome bc1 reacted with photoreleased decylubiquinol with distinct kinetic phases corresponding to rapid b heme reduction and somewhat slower c heme reduction. Oxidation of photoreleased ubiquinol by this enzyme showed saturation kinetics with a Km of 3.6 μM and a kcat of 210 s−1. The saturation behavior was a result of decylubiquinol being released as a carbonate monoester during the photolysis of DQ-BCMB and interacting with cytochrome bc1 before decarboxylation of this intermediate yielded free decylubiquinol. The reaction of cytochrome bc1 and photoreleased decylubiquinol in the presence of antimycin A led to monophasic b heme reduction, but also yielded slower quinol oxidation kinetics. The discrimination of kinetic phases in the reaction of cytochrome bc1 with ubiquinol substrates has provided a means of exploring the bifurcation of electron transfer that is central to the operation of the Q-cycle in this enzyme.
Temperature and Concentration Dependence of the Specific Conductivity of Concentrated Solutions of Potassium Hydroxide

The specific conductivity of concentrated solutions of potassium hydroxide was measured over a temperature range of −15 to 100 °C for concentrations of 15 to 45 mass %. An empirical correlation relating temperature, mass % KOH, and specific conductivity was made with a correlation coefficient of 0.9995. Using experimental density data from Akerlof and Bender, the correlation was extended to relate temperature, molarity, and conductivity.
Children's active commuting to school: an interplay of self-efficacy, social economic disadvantage, and environmental characteristics.

Active commuting to school (ACS) can promote children’s physical activity and may help prevent childhood obesity. Previous researchers in various disciplines, e.g., health, urban planning, and transportation, have identified various predictors of ACS. However, little research has been carried out into investigating the effect of self-efficacy on ACS. The purpose of this study is to investigate the roles of children’s and parents’ self-efficacy in children’s ACS, controlling for sociodemographic and objective environmental characteristics. This study is part of the Texas Childhood Obesity Prevention Policy Evaluation (T-COPPE) project, which includes data from 857 parent/child pairs from 74 schools who lived within two miles of school in Texas. Measures included children’s usual modes of commuting to school, participants’ sociodemographics, perceived self-efficacy toward ACS, sources of children’s self-efficacy, school settings, and objective environmental constraints. Multilevel structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized pathways using Mplus 7.0. Around 18% of the children were active commuters. Two sources of children’s self-efficacy were identified, i.e., emotional states (β = 0.36, p < 0.001) and social modeling (β = 0.28, p < 0.01). Compared with children’s self-efficacy (β = 0.16, p < 0.001), parents’ self-efficacy (β = 0.63, p < 0.001) had a stronger influence on children’s ACS. Participants’ social economic disadvantage (β = 0.40, p < 0.001), environmental constraints (β = −0.49, p < 0.001), and school setting (β = −0.17, p = 0.029) all had statistically significant direct effects on children’s ACS. Future initiatives should consider both parents’ and children’s self-efficacy in developing strategies for promoting children’s ACS. Social disadvantage and environmental constraints also need to be addressed for effective interventions. The work reported here provides support for the continuing exploration of the role of self-efficacy in children’s ACS.
Testing and evaluating virus detectors for handheld devices

The widespread use of personal digital assistants and smartphones gives securing these devices a high priority. Yet little attention has been placed on protecting handheld devices against viruses. Currently available antivirus software for handhelds is few in number. At this stage, the opportunity exists for the evaluation and improvement of current solutions. By pinpointing weaknesses in the current antivirus software, improvements can be made to properly protect these devices from a future tidal wave of viruses. This research evaluates four currently available antivirus solutions for handheld devices. A formal model of virus transformation that provides transformation traceability is presented. Two sets of ten tests each were administered; nine tests from each set involved the modification of source code of two known viruses for handheld devices. The testing techniques used are well established in PC testing; thus the focus of this research is solely on handheld devices. Statistical analysis of the test results show high false negative production rates for the antivirus software and an overall false negative production rate of 47.5% with a 95% confidence interval between 36.6% and 58.4%. This high rate shows that current solutions poorly identify modified versions of a virus. The virus is left undetected and capable of spreading, infecting and causing damage.
Analysis of adaptive multistage interference cancellation for CDMA using an improved Gaussian approximation

The proposed use of code division multiple access (CDMA) for cellular telephone has sparked considerable research interest in techniques to improve the capacity of CDMA systems. We consider a simple model for adaptive multistage interference cancellation within a (direct sequence spread spectrum) CDMA system, and seek to develop an accurate analytical expression for performance of this system. Previous work on interference cancellation has relied heavily on simulation techniques or a simple Gaussian approximation, which can lead to optimistic bit error rate (BER) results. This paper presents an analytical expression for the BER of an adaptive multistage interference canceller, using an improved Gaussian approximation for multiple access interference (MAI). The performance of the resulting BER expression is compared with simulation results. The analytical framework presented can also be used to evaluate the performance of multistage interference cancellation in arbitrary fading environments.