cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ANTIGENIC SPECIFICITIES OF SKIN-SENSITIZING ANTIBODIES IN SERA FROM PATIENTS WITH IMMEDIATE SYSTEMIC ALLERGIC REACTIONS TO PENICILLIN.

Abstract The sera of five patients with recent immediate systemic allergic reactions to penicillin were tested by the passive transfer technique with penicillin G and with several multivalent haptenic conjugates and simple chemicals derived from penicillin. Four of the five sera reacted to crystalline penicillin G and not to any of the other test materials. The fifth serum reacted to the multivalent benzylpenicilloyl conjugates and not to any of the other test materials. These results indicate that, in order to detect the potential immediate systemic allergic reactor, patients should be skin-tested with both penicillin G and a benzylpenicilloyl-polylysine conjugate rather than with the latter material alone.
Systematics of the Electronic Absorption Spectra of Fused 5-6 Ring Heterocyclics

The electronic absorption spectra of indene, indole, benzofuran isoindole, indolizine, 1- and 2-pyrindine are rationalized using semiempirical SCF-CI calculations. The absorption spectra of these materials are also rationalized using indenyl anion as the common perturbational model. Perturbation theory is also applied to explaining the effect of aza-substitution on the spectra of indolizines.
Energy Transfer from Nucleic Acids to Tb(III): Selective Emission Enhancement by Single DNA Mismatches

Enhanced luminescence resulting from energy transfer (EnT) from nucleic acids to Tb3+ has been utilized to investigate the binding of the ions to the bases and nucleotides, as well as in the detection of single mismatches in duplexes. Cytosine enhances the Tb3+ emission, but dCMP does not, indicating that the lanthanide bound to the phosphate group is too far away from the base for efficient energy transfer. Conversely, the enhancement of the Tb3+ luminescence by dGMP is greater than that of G, where the phosphate appears to aid in the binding of the ion to the base. We propose that the phosphate group in dGMP is able to fold over and permit coordination of the ion to the O6 and N7 atoms of the base while still bound to the anionic phosphate oxygens, thus increasing the binding affinity and promoting efficient EnT. Single-stranded oligonucleotides greatly enhance the Tb3+ emission, but duplexes do not. Single mismatches in the sequence of a duplex lead to selective luminescence enhancement in the presence...
Objective-first design of high-efficiency, small-footprint couplers between arbitrary nanophotonic waveguide modes.

We present an algorithm for designing high efficiency (∼98%), small-footprint (1.5–4 square vacuum wavelengths) couplers between arbitrary nanophotonic waveguide modes in two dimensions. Our “objective-first” method is computationally fast (15 minutes on a single-core personal computer), requires no trial-and-error, and does not require guessing a good starting design. We demonstrate designs for various coupling problems which suggest that our method allows for the design of any single-mode, linear optical device.
Dislocation nucleation and segregation in nano-scale contact of stepped surfaces

A myriad of engineering applications involve contact between two surfaces, which induces localized plastic deformation near the surface asperities. As a generic problem in studying nano-meter scale plastic deformation of solid surfaces, a unit process model of dislocation formation near a surface step under contact loading of a flat rigid surface is considered. The driving force on the dislocation is calculated using conservation integrals. The effect of surface adhesion, step size and lattice resistance on the dislocation driving force are analyzed in a continuum dislocation model, while the nucleation process is simulated atomistically. The driving force formula is used for a dislocation nucleation criterion and to get the equilibrium distance traveled by the dislocation away from the surface step. Results of the unit process model show that under a normal contact load dislocations nucleated in certain slip planes can only stay in a thin layer near the surface, while dislocations nucleated along other slip planes easily move away from the surface into the bulk material. The former dislocation is named anti-load dislocation and the latter dislocation is called pro-load dislocation. Embedded atom method (EAM) is utilized to perform the atomistic simulation of the unit-process model. As predicted by the continuum dislocation model, the atomistic simulations also indicate that surface adhesion plays significant role in dislocation nucleation process. Varying the surface adhesion leads to three different regimes of load-deflection instabilities, namely, just dislocation nucleation instability for no adhesive interaction, two distinct surface adhesion and dislocation nucleation instabilities for weak adhesive interaction and a simultaneous surface adhesion and dislocation nucleation instability for strong adhesive interaction. The atomistic simulations provide additional information on dislocation nucleation and growth near the surface steps. The results of dislocation segregation predict existence of a thin tensile-stress layer near the deformed surface and the results on the adhesion effect provides a cold-welding criterion.
The public and nanotechnology: How citizens make sense of emerging technologies

We report findings from a national telephone survey on levels of knowledge about and attitudes toward nanotechnology that demonstrate how people make decisions about emerging technologies. Our findings confirm previous research that suggests that people form opinions and attitudes even in the absence of relevant scientific or policy-related information. In fact, our data show that cognitive shortcuts or heuristics – often provided by mass media – are currently a key factor in influencing how the public thinks about nanotechnology and about its risks and benefits, and in determining the level of support among the public for further funding for research in this area.
On the Reliability of Hook Echoes as Tornado Indicators

A study of radar echoes associated with the tornadoes of the 3 April 1974 outbreak was performed to evaluate the usefulness of echo shape as an indicator of tornadic thunderstorms. The hook shape was usually successful in characterizing an echo as tornadic, with a false alarm rate of 16%. Because hook echoes were relatively rare, however, a less restrictive shape called distinctive was more successful at detecting tornadic thunderstorms, identifying 65% of the tornadic echoes. An echo had a distinctive shape if it possessed a marked appendage on its right rear flank or was in the shape of a spiral, comma or line echo wave pattern (LEWP). Characteristics of the distinctive echo are given.
Computation of conjugate three-dimensional natural convection heat transfer from a transversely finned horizontal cylinder

A vectorized finite-difference code has been developed for the Cray-2 supercomputer which has the capability of simulating a wide class of three-dimensional coupled conduction-convection flows. This program numerically solves the transient form of the Navier-Stokes equations of motion for laminar flow using the vorticity-vector potential method. One problem that has been considered is three-dimensional natural convection from a heated horizontal cylinder with an attached circular conducting fin array. Numerical solutions have been obtained for a Rayleigh number of 106 andaPrandtl number of 5. A parametric study has been performed by varying the fin length, fin spacing, fin thickness, and the fin conductivity parameter. Plots showing the local surface heal flux distribution, temperature distributions, and flow fields were developed using color graphics packages available on the Cray-2 that revealed the existence of very complex fin-cylinder interactions. The local heat flux in the upper section of the fins...
Comparison of the relative effectiveness of colloids and crystalloids in emergency resuscitation.

Summary Over a 2.5 year period, the fluid management of 600 hypotensive patients entering our surgical emergency department was evaluated during a prospective clinical trial of a resuscitation algorithm. The major clinical determinants (low mean arterial pressure, age, severity of illness, primary illness or injury, amount of blood loss, volume of fluids given, use of a protocol or clinical algorithm and satisfactory compliance with the algorithm) were controlled by grouping the patients into specific strata; the resuscitation times were almost always shorter with a regimen of about one-fourth colloids than with crystalloids only. This is consistent with the observations of greater increases in hemodynamic and oxygen transport variables after albumin than after lactated Ringer's solution when the latter was given in either 2 or 4 times the volume.
How good/bad is middle knowledge? A reply to Basinger

Just how good or how bad is middle knowledge? David Basinger, who formerly devoted considerable effort to persuading us of the importance of middle knowledge,1 now is seeking to convince us of its unimportance.2 There need be no inconsistency here, of course. It's likely that Basinger' s view is that the stock of MK Inc., formerly somewhat neglected, has now been bid up above its true value, so that a correction is required. Some of what he says seems to me to be correct, some not and as is customary, we will concentrate upon the latter.
NATIVISM, UTOPIA, AND DEATH IN THREE CONTEMPORARY BRAZILIAN NOVELS: A COMPARATIVE READING OF QUARUP, MAÍRA, AND A EXPEDIÇÃO MONTAIGNE

Entre as decadas de 60 e 80 a imagem do indio foi reaquecida no contexto da producao de discursos e praticas culturais associadas a construcao de novos simbolos para a nacao brasileira. Em um ensaio de 1979, Walnice Nogueira Galvao apontou que o indio nunca "teve muita sorte" na tradicao cultural nacional, para entao concluir, a proposito da publicacao de Maira, "mostra[ndo] como o indio esta mais vivo do que nunca em sua conexao com a literatura brasileira". Este ensaio realiza uma interpretacao comparada de tres obras que relacionam-se direta ou indiretamente com a cultura indigena ao nivel tematico e/ou estrutural. Assim, Quarup (1967) e A Expedicao Montaigne ( 1982) de Antonio Callado (1917-1997), bem como Maira (1976) de Darcy Ribeiro (1922-1997), sao acompanhados na maneira como suas narrativas constroem ou solapam determinados modos de falar sobre o nacional, utilizando imagens e estruturas que ora se aproximam e ora se distanciam do repertorio de simbolos associados a tradicao cultural indigena, oscilando frequentemente entre visoes ocidentais de temas miticos e visoes miticas de temas ocidentais.
Association between Lifestyle Factors and Metabolic Syndrome among African Americans in the United States

Background. Although there is a reported association between lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome, very few studies have used national level data restricted to the African Americans (AAs) in the United States (US). Methods. A cross-sectional evaluation was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 1999 to 2006 including men and nonpregnant women of 20 years or older. Multiple logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate the association between lifestyle factors and metabolic syndrome. Results. AA women had a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome (39.43%) than AA men (26.77%). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, no significant association was found between metabolic syndrome and lifestyle factors including alcohol drinking, cigarette smoking, and physical activity. Age and marital status were significant predictors for metabolic syndrome. With increase in age, both AA men and AA women were more likely to have metabolic syndrome (AA men: ORadj = 1.05, 95% CI 1.04–1.06, AA women: ORadj = 1.06, 95% CI 1.04–1.07). Single AA women were less likely to have metabolic syndrome than married women (ORadj = 0.66, 95% CI 0.43–0.99). Conclusion. Lifestyle factors had no significant association with metabolic syndrome but age and marital status were strong predictors for metabolic syndrome in AAs in the US.
Consistency of Female Gender Attitudes: A Research Note

The considerable body of past research on attitudes towards gender usually singled out some particular element: beliefs about psychological sex differences, or ideals of femininity and masculinity, and, most extensively, attitudes towards sex roles in various institutional sectors. By contrast, the theoretical focus of this research is on interrelationships and, conversely, disjunctions among beliefs, ideals, and sex-role attitudes exemplified by a random sample of freshmen, entering a women's college in September 1979. Numerous recent studies of attitudes towards gender have generally focused on some single component of what might be termed gender ideology. Most extensive is the literature on attitudes towards sex roles in various institutional sectors. Another significant strand of research deals with beliefs about psychological sex differences, more specifically, the degree of stereotyping of feminine and masculine traits. Finally, and less frequently, researchers have addressed themselves to the ideals of femininity and masculinity held by their respondents and the extent of differentiation in the ideal attributes of the sexes. Neglected in this volume of research is the problem of the degree of consistency among beliefs, role prescriptions, and ideals, with only a few studies addressing this issue. (See Kammeyer; Nielson and Doyle; Rapin and Cooper.) On the one hand, we might hypothesize that psychological sex stereotyping and role prescriptions are expressions of the same underlying attitudes. After all, historically, the societal support for sex-role differentiation was buttressed by the belief in significant psychological sex *This research, done in the fall of 1979, was supported by N.I.E. Grant # G-79-0087. Address correspondence to Mirra Komarovsky, Department of Sociology, Barnard College, Columbia University, 606 West 120th Street, New York, NY 10027. C 1984 The University of North Carolina Press 1020 This content downloaded from 157.55.39.163 on Wed, 21 Sep 2016 05:38:44 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms Gender Attitude Consistency / 1021 differences. On the other hand, however, cognitive dissonance and ethical inconsistencies are too widespread to rule out, a priori, their manifestation also in attitudes towards gender. This research, aimed to test these conflicting hypotheses, has methodological and theoretical implications. Should beliefs, norms, and ideals be found to lack a high degree of consistency, such result would dictate caution in their occasional interchangeable use in comparative studies of trends in gender ideology. Moreover the varying degrees of consistency or disjunction among these components will open up a significant set of theoretical issues for future research as to social variables accounting for such variations in consistency.
STT-RAM reliability enhancement through ECC and access scheme optimization

Multi-level cell Spin-Transfer Torque RAM (MLC STT-RAM) greatly suffers from the significantly degraded operation reliability and high programming cost. In this paper, a novel MLC design, namely ternary-state MLC (TS-MLC STT-RAM), is proposed for high-reliable high-performance memory systems by leveraging a cross-layer solution set. Based on the structure, several circuit and architecture schemes are proposed to enhance both the reliability and access latency of the memory cells.
Quantum statistics and superconductivity in two spatial dimensions

Abstract We review quantum statistics and superconductivity in two spatial dimensions. We speculate on the possible existence of new states of anyon superconductivity.
Calculated nucleon spectra at several angles from 192-, 500-, 700-, and 900-MeV C 12 on Fe 56

Neutron spectra were calculated as a function of angle between 0 and 110\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{} for $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ on $^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$ at 192, 500, 700, and 900 MeV. Proton spectra were calculated for the same angular range but for only 192-MeV $^{12}\mathrm{C}$ on $^{56}\mathrm{Fe}$. The most significant property of these spectra is that there is an appreciable number of neutrons emitted with energies greater than the incident energy per nucleon at all angles investigated.NUCLEAR REACTIONS $^{56}\mathrm{Fe}(^{12}\mathrm{C},n)$, $(^{12}\mathrm{C},p)$, $E=192\ensuremath{-}900$ MeV, calculated $\ensuremath{\sigma}(E,\ensuremath{\theta})$.
Sterol metabolism as a basis for a mutualistic symbiosis.

MUTUALISM makes it possible for certain organisms with unusual nutritional requirements to survive and reproduce1. Species of this kind may be invaluable in studies of metabolism if the aposymbiotic (symbiote-free) organisms can ultimately be raised easily on defined substrates in sterile conditions2. During efforts to develop such a laboratory culture of the beetle Xyleborus ferruguineus, fungus-free females feeding on media containing cholesterol as the sterol source produced second-generation larvae that did not pupate3. Here we report evidence that the mutualistic fungus Fusarium solani associated with the beetle produced ergosterol as its only sterol in pure culture on a chemically defined substrate in sterile conditions. Ergosterol proved to be adequate as the sole sterol source for continued growth, development and reproduction of the fungus-free beetle. Subsequent tests of other sterols showed that 7-dehydrocholesteroi was similarly adequate.
Tunable guided-wave optical polarization converters using static strain-induced mode coupling in lithium tantalate

Guided-wave optical polarization converters in birefringent crystals are wavelength selective and are thus useful for wavelength-division-multiplexing applications. Several such components have been produced on LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 substrates by using electro-optic or acousto-optic interactions.1–3 Their operation, however, has required a continuous use of external power to sustain the polarization coupling. This paper reports the use of static shear strain to promote polarization conversion in a channel waveguide. The strain is produced by a spatially periodic surface film deposited at an elevated temperature and patterned at room temperature; it is induced from the thermal expansion mismatch between film and substrate. No external power drive is needed, and the conversion is highly wavelength selective. Both thermal and electro-optic tuning have been used to shift the wavelength of maximum conversion.
An Ability Traitor at Work: A Treasonous Call to Subvert Writing From Within

In questioning conventional qualitative research methods, St. Pierre asked, “What else might writing do except mean?” The author answers, it oppresses. Co-opting the race traitor figurative, she calls on qualitative researchers to become “ability traitors” who interrogate how a valuable coinage of their trade—the written word—is used to rank and categorize individuals with troubling effects. In this article, she commits three betrayals: (a) multigenre writing that undermines the authoritative text; (b) assemblage as a method of analysis that deprivileges the written word; and(c) a gesture toward a dis/ comfort text intended to take up Lather’s example of challenging the “usual ways of making sense”. In committing these betrayals, the author articulates her “traitorous agenda” designed to interrogate assumptions about inquiry, power, equity, and writing as practice-as-usual.
Microfabricated spherical pressure sensing particles for pressure and flow mapping

Arrays of hollow, vacuum-sealed microsphere particles were fabricated by deposition of a conformal polymer coating on isotropically-etched micro-molds. When released, the microspheres inflate or deflate under the application of external pressure. The particle deflection characteristics were characterized using optical spectral reflectance and light scattering methods. The observed spectral shift of the particle reflectance was ~200nm/MPa.
Growth, Mortality, and Mating Group Size of an Androdioecious Barnacle: Implications for the Evolution of Dwarf Males

Androdioecy is a sexual system characterized by the coexistence of hermaphrodites and males. It has evolved several times independently in ancestrally hermaphroditic barnacles. Life history and sex allocation theory suggest that dwarf males can occur in hermaphroditic populations with very small mating groups, low growth rates and high mortality rates. We tested these predictions in the androdioecious barnacle Chelonibia testudinaria (Linnaeus, 1758), an epibiont on loggerhead sea turtles, blue crabs, and horseshoe crabs. The potential number of mates is indeed very small on invertebrate hosts but larger on sea turtles. Growth rates are host-specific but comparable to those of other purely hermaphroditic barnacle species. The maximum age of hermaphrodites was less than three years, which is lower than in most purely hermaphroditic species. Our data suggest that small mating groups on some hosts and high mortality on all hosts contribute to the evolutionary origin and persistence of dwarf males.
Turning points and resilience of academically successful foster youth

Abstract In this study, 19 young adults who were removed from their biological parents as children were interviewed about turning points in their lives that led to them to complete a post-secondary educational program or achieve at least junior standing in a four-year institution. The results suggest that a sense of autonomy, social and instrumental support, and access to “safe havens” interacted to facilitate turning-point events in their lives.
Neutron widths and configuration mixing in {sup 11}Be

We use known widths and branching ratios in $^{11}\mathrm{Be}$ to discuss ${J}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}$ and configuration admixtures. Analysis favors 3/${2}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ for the 3.96-MeV state and three-state mixing for this ${J}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\pi}}}$.
Project Impacts of Specialty Mechanical Contractor Design Involvement in the Health Care Industry: Comparative Case Study

AbstractRecent research efforts on project delivery have been heavily focused on using project-level indicators to predict cost and schedule outcomes. However, specialty contractors performing at t...
Targeted Skipping of Human Dystrophin Exons in Transgenic Mouse Model Systemically for Antisense Drug Development

Antisense therapy has recently been demonstrated with great potential for targeted exon skipping and restoration of dystrophin production in cultured muscle cells and in muscles of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) patients. Therapeutic values of exon skipping critically depend on efficacy of the drugs, antisense oligomers (AOs). However, no animal model has been established to test AO targeting human dystrophin exon in vivo systemically. In this study, we applied Vivo-Morpholino to the hDMD/mdx mouse, a transgenic model carrying the full-length human dystrophin gene with mdx background, and achieved for the first time more than 70% efficiency of targeted human dystrophin exon skipping in vivo systemically. We also established a GFP-reporter myoblast culture to screen AOs targeting human dystrophin exon 50. Antisense efficiency for most AOs is consistent between the reporter cells, human myoblasts and in the hDMD/mdx mice in vivo. However, variation in efficiency was also clearly observed. A combination of in vitro cell culture and a Vivo-Morpholino based evaluation in vivo systemically in the hDMD/mdx mice therefore may represent a prudent approach for selecting AO drug and to meet the regulatory requirement.
Effect of genetic modification on the content and composition of bioactive constituents in soybean oil

The content and composition of tocopherols, sterols, and phospholipids in soybean oils derived from genetically-modified soybeans were determined by normal and reverse-phase high-performance liquid chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography. Tocopherol content was lowered in oils from soybeans selected to yield high palmitate and stearate contents. However, β-tocopherol, which amounts to less than 1 ppm in control oils, was increased to 25–53 ppm in these oils. Sterol content was higher in one reduced-linolenate oil, which also had the highest oleate content. The greatest variability was observed in the content of β-sitosterol, which ranged from 46.9–151.6 mg/100/g in the modified oils. Although, in general, there was little impact on the phospholipids, the content of phosphatidic acid was elevated in crude oils from three of the lines. Increases in phosphatidic acid are generally associated with storage deterioration of soybeans. Individual major classes of phospholipid were isolated, and the molecular species composition of each was determined. Compositional variations in molecular species indicated that there was an impact of the genetic modification of soybeans at the molecular level of the phospholipids that are primary plant cell components.
Columnar aerosol optical properties in the Po Valley, Italy, from MFRSR data

[1] The Po Valley is one of the most polluted areas in Europe. In order to provide a further contribution to the characterization of aerosol optical properties in this area, a more than 2 yr set of Multi Filter Rotating Shadow-band Radiometer (MFRSR) measurements performed from September 2006 to May 2009 at Bologna, in northern Italy, were analyzed, paying particular attention to calibration, cloud screening, and uncertainty assessment of the measurements. The results show that daily mean aerosol optical depth (AOD) at 500 nm varies between 0.02 and 0.78, with an overall average value of 0.20 ± 0.11, and that daily mean values of Angstrom's exponent α range between 0.21 and 1.86, with an overall average value of 1.23 ± 0.30. The annual variations of these parameters are evidence of the large variability of aerosol content and size distribution shape parameters throughout the year. Interannual seasonal statistics show a cyclic behavior of AOD, with monthly median values increasing from winter to autumn. In late spring and summer, several episodes of Saharan dust transport from North Africa were associated with high values of AOD and low values of α, contributing to an appreciable modification of the seasonal mean values of these two optical parameters. The high temporal resolution of daily field measurements allowed the definition of the average features of daily cycles for both parameters AOD and α, on a seasonal basis. Comparison of MFRSR results with those obtained from three AERONET stations in the Po Valley shows good agreement for both optical parameters. Absolute values of biases and root-mean-square differences between the MFRSR results and those of the AERONET stations were found to be lower than 0.05 and 0.20, respectively, for AOD at 500 nm and lower than 0.30 and 0.44 for α, indicating that aerosol optical characteristics are quite homogeneous over the whole region.
Ancient Origin of the Tryptophan Operon and the Dynamics of Evolutionary Change

The seven conserved enzymatic domains required for tryptophan (Trp) biosynthesis are encoded in seven genetic regions that are organized differently (whole-pathway operons, multiple partial-pathway operons, and dispersed genes) in prokaryotes. A comparative bioinformatics evaluation of the conservation and organization of the genes of Trp biosynthesis in prokaryotic operons should serve as an excellent model for assessing the feasibility of predicting the evolutionary histories of genes and operons associated with other biochemical pathways. These comparisons should provide a better understanding of possible explanations for differences in operon organization in different organisms at a genomics level. These analyses may also permit identification of some of the prevailing forces that dictated specific gene rearrangements during the course of evolution. Operons concerned with Trp biosynthesis in prokaryotes have been in a dynamic state of flux. Analysis of closely related organisms among the Bacteria at various phylogenetic nodes reveals many examples of operon scission, gene dispersal, gene fusion, gene scrambling, and gene loss from which the direction of evolutionary events can be deduced. Two milestone evolutionary events have been mapped to the 16S rRNA tree of Bacteria, one splitting the operon in two, and the other rejoining it by gene fusion. The Archaea, though less resolved due to a lesser genome representation, appear to exhibit more gene scrambling than the Bacteria. The trp operon appears to have been an ancient innovation; it was already present in the common ancestor of Bacteria and Archaea. Although the operon has been subjected, even in recent times, to dynamic changes in gene rearrangement, the ancestral gene order can be deduced with confidence. The evolutionary history of the genes of the pathway is discernible in rough outline as a vertical line of descent, with events of lateral gene transfer or paralogy enriching the analysis as interesting features that can be distinguished. As additional genomes are thoroughly analyzed, an increasingly refined resolution of the sequential evolutionary steps is clearly possible. These comparisons suggest that present-day trp operons that possess finely tuned regulatory features are under strong positive selection and are able to resist the disruptive evolutionary events that may be experienced by simpler, poorly regulated operons.
Crosstalk between Iron Metabolism and Erythropoiesis.

Iron metabolism and erythropoiesis are inextricably linked. The majority of iron extracted from circulation daily is used for hemoglobin synthesis. In the last 15 years, major advances have been made in understanding the pathways regulating iron metabolism. Hepcidin is a key regulator of iron absorption and recycling and is itself regulated by erythropoiesis. While several viable candidates have been proposed, elucidating the “erythroid regulator” of hepcidin continues to generate significant experimental activity in the field. Although the mechanism responsible for sensing iron demand for erythropoiesis is still incompletely understood, evaluating diseases in which disordered erythropoiesis and/or iron metabolism are showcased has resulted in a more robust appreciation of potential candidates coordinated erythroid iron demand with regulators of iron supply. We present data drawn from four different conditions—iron deficiency, congenital hypotransferrinemia, beta-thalassemia, and hereditary hemochromatosis—both in human and non-human models of disease, together suggesting that erythroid iron demand exerts a stronger influence on circulating iron supply than systemic iron stores. Greater understanding of the interplay between the key factors involved in the regulation of iron metabolism and erythropoiesis will help develop more effective therapies for disorders of iron overload, iron deficiency, and hemoglobin synthesis.
An embedded four‐channel receive‐only RF coil array for fMRI experiments of the somatosensory pathway in conscious awake marmosets

fMRI has established itself as the main research tool in neuroscience and brain cognitive research. The common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) is a non-human primate model of increasing interest in biomedical research. However, commercial MRI coils for marmosets are not generally available. The present work describes the design and construction of a four-channel receive-only surface RF coil array with excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) specifically optimized for fMRI experiments in awake marmosets in response to somatosensory stimulation. The array was designed as part of a helmet-based head restraint system used to prevent motion during the scans. High SNR was obtained by building the coil array using a thin and flexible substrate glued to the inner surface of the restraint helmet, so as to minimize the distance between the array elements and the somatosensory cortex. Decoupling between coil elements was achieved by partial geometrical overlapping and by connecting them to home-built low-input-impedance preamplifiers. In vivo images show excellent coverage of the brain cortical surface with high sensitivity near the somatosensory cortex. Embedding the coil elements within the restraint helmet allowed fMRI data in response to somatosensory stimulation to be collected with high sensitivity and reproducibility in conscious, awake marmosets.
TFIIB aptamers inhibit transcription by perturbing PIC formation at distinct stages

Transcription in eukaryotes is a multistep process involving the assembly and disassembly of numerous inter- and intramolecular interactions between transcription factors and nucleic acids. The roles of each of these interactions and the regions responsible for them have been identified and studied primarily by the use of mutants, which destroy the inherent properties of the interacting surface. A less intrusive but potentially effective way to study the interactions as well as the surfaces responsible for them is the use of RNA aptamers that bind to the interacting factors. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of high-affinity RNA aptamers that bind to the yeast general transcription factor TFIIB. These aptamers fall into two classes that interfere with TFIIB's interactions with either TBP or RNA polymerase II, both of which are crucial for transcription in yeast. We demonstrate the high affinity and specificity of these reagents, their effect on transcription and preinitiation complex formation and discuss their potential use to address mechanistic questions in vitro as well as in vivo.
The Sarcoplasmic Reticulum and the Na+/Ca2+ Exchanger Both Contribute to the Ca2+ Transient of Failing Human Ventricular Myocytes

Our objective was to determine the respective roles of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger in the small, slowly decaying Ca2+ transients of failing human ventricular myocytes. Left ventricular myocytes were isolated from explanted hearts of patients with severe heart failure (n=18). Cytosolic Ca2+, contraction, and action potentials were measured by using indo-1, edge detection, and patch pipettes, respectively. Selective inhibitors of SR Ca2+ transport (thapsigargin) and reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange activity (No. 7943, Kanebo Ltd) were used to define the respective contribution of these processes to the Ca2+ transient. Ca2+ transients and contractions induced by action potentials (AP transients) at 0.5 Hz exhibited phasic and tonic components. The duration of the tonic component was determined by the action potential duration. Ca2+ transients induced by caffeine (Caf transients) exhibited only a phasic component with a rapid rate of decay that was dependent on extracellular Na+. The SR Ca2+-ATPase inhibitor thapsigargin abolished the phasic component of the AP Ca2+ transient and of the Caf transient but had no significant effect on the tonic component of the AP transient. The Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor No. 7943 eliminated the tonic component of the AP transient and reduced the magnitude of the phasic component. In failing human myocytes, Ca2+ transients and contractions exhibit an SR-related, phasic component and a slow, reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange-related tonic component. These findings suggest that Ca2+ influx via reverse-mode Na+/Ca2+ exchange during the action potential may contribute to the slow decay of the Ca2+ transient in failing human myocytes.
Pseudoscalar decay constants in staggered chiral perturbation theory

In a continuation of an ongoing program, we use staggered chiral perturbation theory to calculate the one-loop chiral logarithms and analytic terms in the pseudoscalar meson leptonic decay constants ${f}_{{\ensuremath{\pi}}_{5}^{+}}$ and ${f}_{{K}_{5}^{+}}.$ We consider the partially quenched, ``full QCD'' (with three dynamical flavors), and quenched cases.
Olanzapine: an atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia

Olanzapine is a serotonin-dopamine receptor antagonist primarily used in the treatment of psychotic illnesses. It has been shown in numerous large trials to be as equally effective as haloperidol in the acute treatment and maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. However, olanzapine was shown to be more effective than haloperidol in the treatment of negative symptoms and to cause significantly fewer extrapyramidal symptoms. Furthermore, early reports suggest that olanzapine produces less tardive dyskinesia than haloperidol, though longer follow-up data are needed. Current studies have failed to demonstrate the efficacy of olanzapine in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. One comparison trial of olanzapine versus risperidone has indicated similar efficacy. Clinical trials in acute mania have found olanzapine to be more effective than placebo. However, there is no role for olanzapine monotherapy in bipolar disorder given current studies. Although olanzapine has shown a low rate of extrapyramidal sympt...
Mirizzi With Pre-Bouveret’s Syndrome

d i d t s t d s s s I t s c t m d 35-year-old woman was admitted with a 3-week history of recurrent biliary colic, jaundice, nausea, and nonbilious emeis after meals. Her serum bilirubin was 18 mg/dL (normal, 0.2–1.3 g/dL), and her alkaline phosphatase was 1436 units/L (normal, 8–126 units/L). A right upper quadrant ultrasound showed comon bile duct dilatation with evidence of cholelithiasis and massike structure in the gallbladder fossa. Murphy’s sign was negative. computed tomography scan of the abdomen/pelvis showed ntrahepatic duct dilatation and common bile duct (CBD) dilataion up to 2.5 cm, just before the head of the pancreas (Figure A). here was a large hypodense lesion at this level with a hyperatenuating rim (Figure A, arrow), with abrupt duct narrowing therefter. There was no pancreatic head mass. On endoscopic retrorade cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), a 3to 4-cm filling efect was seen coming from the cystic duct and causing obstrucion within the CBD, ie, Mirizzi syndrome (Figure B). On endosopy, there was a large protruding bulge at the lateral wall in the rst portion of the duodenum (Figure C), corresponding to the arge gallstone seen on cholangiogram. On fluoroscopy, the tip of he endoscope was “touching” the gallstone when we placed tip of he endoscope on the duodenal bulge. The large gallstone moved ppropriately on gentle poking of the duodenal bulge with the tip f the endoscope. After biliary sphincterotomy, a 10F 9-cm iliary stent was placed with good drainage. During cholecystecomy, a 4-cm gallstone was removed from the CBD, and there was lmost complete obliteration of the cystic duct with formation of fistulous tract from the gallbladder to the CBD. Mirizzi syndrome is a rare cause of obstructive jaundice prouced by the impaction of a gallstone either in the cystic duct or n the gallbladder, resulting in stenosis of the extrahepatic bile uct.1,2 Although she had Mirrizi syndrome, the patient’s presenation was also concerning for Bouveret’s syndrome, which decribes gastric outlet obstruction caused by impacted gallstone in he pylorus or duodenum.3 A single gallstone of at least 2.5 cm in iameter is the most common underlying cause of Bouveret’s yndrome. The symptoms are epigastric pain, nausea, and emeis. Jaundice is an uncommon physical finding with Bouveret’s yndrome and is more commonly seen with Mirizzi syndrome. n patients with Mirizzi syndrome, a preoperative diagnosis and herapy by ERCP reduce the risk of biliary damage during urgery. Although enterotomy or gastrotomy with or without holecystectomy and fistula repair is the most common surgical herapy, there are reported cases of successful endoscopic treatent of Bouveret’s syndrome with intracorporeal electrohyraulic lithotripsy and mechanical lithotripsy.
Failure to thrive in Duchenne muscular dystrophy

plasma factor deficiency in haemolytic-uraemic syndrome. Lancet 1:1105, 198t. 5. Jorgensen KA, Pedersen RS: Familial deficiency of prostacyclin production stimulating factor in the hemolytic uremic syndrome of childhood. Thromb Res 21:31 t, 1981. 6. Defreyn G, Proesmans W, Machin S J, Lemmens F, Vermylen J: Abnormal prostacyclin metabolism in the hemolytic uremic syndrome: Equivocal effect of prostacyclin infusions. Clin Nephrol 18:43, 1982. 7. Levin M, Elkon KB, Nokes TJC, Buckle.AM, Dillion M J, Hardisty RM, Barratt TMi Inhibitor of prostacyclin production in sporadic haemolytic uraemic syndrome. Arch Dis Child 58:703, 1983. 8. Stuart M J, Spitzer RE, Coppe D: Abnormal platelet and vascular prostaglandin synthesis in an infant with hemolytic uremic syndrome. Pediatrics 71:120, 1983. 9. Powell E: Rapid extraction of oxygenated metabolites of arachidonic acid from biological s~imples using octadecyl silica. Prostaglandins 20:947, 1980. 10. Gr/instrom ER, Kindahl HK: Radioimmunoassay of prostaglandins and thromboxane. Adv Prostagtandin Thromboxane Leukotriene Res 5:119, 1978. 11. Viinikka L, Ylikorkala O: Measurement of thromboxane B2 in human plasma or serum by radioimmunoassay. Prostaglandins 20:759, 1980. 12. Hensby CN, Fitzgerald GA, Friedman LA: Measurement of 6-oxo-PGFt, in human plasma using gas chromatographymass spectrometry. Prostaglandins 18:731, 1979. 13. Blair IA, Barrow SE, WaddeH KA, Lewis PJ, Dollery CT: Prostacyclin is not a circulating hormone in man. Prostaglandins 23:579, 1982. 14. Furuse A, Hattori S, Matusda I: A case of hemolytic uremic syndrome With high concentrations of circulating immune complexes in the initial stage, lnt J Pediatr Nephrol 4:123, 1983. 15. Stuart M J, Sills RH: Deficiency of plasma prostacycli n or PGI2 regenerating ability in sickle cell anemia. Br J Haematol 48:545, 1981. 16. Mehta P, Albiol L: Prostacyclin and platelet aggregation in sickle cell disease. Pediatrics 70:354, 1982. 17. Moake JL, Rudy CK, Troll JH, Weinstein M J, Colannino NM, Azocar J, Seder RH, H0ng SL, Deykin D: Unusually large plasma factor VIII:yon Willebrand factor multimers in chronic relapsing thrombotic thromboxytopenic purpura. N Engl J Med 307:1432, 1982.
The projection of the supramammillary nucleus to the hippocampal formation: an immunohistochemical and anterograde transport study with the lectin PHA-L in the rat.

The organization and possible neurotransmitter specificity of a projection from the lateral supramammillary nucleus to the hippocampal formation has been examined with immunohistochemical and axonal transport methods in the adult male rat. Experiments with the retrograde tracer true blue indicate that neurons throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the nucleus are labeled after injections in either dorsal parts of the dentate gyms and Ammon's horn, or the entorhinal area, although cells labeled by the entorhinal injections tended to occupy more ventral parts of the nucleus. Combined immunohistochemical-retrograde transport studies showed that a small number (<5%) of cholecystokinin-immunoreactive neurons in the caudal tip of the supramammillary nucleus project to, the hippocampal formation, as do some (5–10%) vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-immunoreactive neurons throughout the nucleus. Anterograde transport studies with the lectin phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) indicate that fibers from the supramammillary nucleus innervate all parts of the hippocampal formation. Many varicose fibers with terminal boutons were observed in the granular and molecular layers of the dentate gyrus, throughout the molecular layer of field CA3 of Ammon's horn, and in the pyramidal layer and stratum oriens of subfield CA3a. Only scattered fibers were found in fields CA1 and CA2. Apparent terminal fields were also observed in superficial parts of the molecular layer, and deep parts of the pyramidal layer, of the subiculum, in the deepest layer of the presubiculum and parasubiculum, and in all layers of the entorhinal area.
Validity of Oral Bioavailability Estimates of Phenolsulfonphthalein Based on Total Urinary Excretion from Rats

Urinary recovery of phenolsulfonphthalein from rats was determined after intracardial (0.075 mg) and oral (1.5 mg) doses. Although trace quantities of conjugated metabolites could be identified by TLC, the levels present did not introduce significant error into estimates of total phenolsulfonphthalein excretion if samples were assayed directly by colorimetric methods for only unchanged dye. The absolute availability of phenolsulfonphthalein based on urinary recovery under the present experimental conditions was estimated at 10.6%.
Isolating Influential Regions of Electrostatic Focusing in Protein and DNA Structure

Electrostatic focusing is a general phenomenon that occurs in cavities and grooves on the molecular surface of biomolecules. Narrow surface features can partially shield charged atoms from the high-dielectric solvent, enhancing electrostatic potentials inside the cavity and projecting electric field lines outward into the solvent. This effect has been observed in many instances and is widely considered in the human examination of molecular structure, but it is rarely integrated into the digital representations used in protein structure comparison software. To create a computational representation of electrostatic focusing, that is compatible with structure comparison algorithms, this paper presents an approach that generates three-dimensional solids that approximate regions where focusing occurs. We verify the accuracy of this representation against instances of focusing in proteins and DNA. Noting that this representation also identifies thin focusing regions on the molecular surface that are unlikely to affect binding, we describe a second algorithm that conservatively isolates larger focusing regions. The resulting 3D solids can be compared with Boolean set operations, permitting a new range of analyses on the regions where electrostatic focusing occurs. They also represent a novel integration of molecular shape and electrostatic focusing into the same structure comparison framework.
Zebrafish as a platform to study tumor progression.

Abstract The zebrafish has emerged as a powerful model system to study human diseases, including a variety of neoplasms. Principal components that have contributed to the rise in use of this vertebrate model system are its high fecundity, ease of genetic manipulation, and low cost of maintenance. Vital imaging of the zebrafish is possible from the transparent embryonic stage through adulthood, the latter enabled by a number of mutant lines that ablate pigmentation. As a result, high-resolution analyses of tumor progression can be accomplished in vivo. Straightforward transgenesis of zebrafish has been employed to develop numerous tumor models that recapitulate many aspects of human neoplastic disease, both in terms of pathologic and molecular conservation. The small size of zebrafish embryos has enabled screens for novel chemotherapeutic agents. Its facile genetics have been exploited in studies that extend beyond modeling cancer to investigations that define new cancer genes and mechanisms of cancer progression. Together, these attributes have established the zebrafish as a robust and versatile model system for investigating cancer. In this chapter we describe methods that are used to study a gene's impact on melanoma progression. We detail methods for making transgenic animals and screening for tumor onset as well as methods to investigate tumor invasion and propagation.