cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Synthesis and characterization of methotrexate-dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine derivatives and the glycerophosphorylethanolamine analogs

Research in this laboratory is currently focused on the biochemical and pharmacological properties of liposomes in which an otherwise water-soluble drug is anchored to the lipid bilayers via an appropriate non-polar residue. To this end, we have synthesized three (I-III) methotrexate (MTX) derivatives of dimyristoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DMPE) by conjugation of the alpha and/or gamma glutamyl carboxyl groups of the drug with the amino function of the phospholipid. These derivatives have been characterized analytically and chromatographically as MTX-gamma-DMPE (I), MTX-alpha-DMPE (II), and MTX-alpha, gamma-diDMPE (III). The corresponding glycerophosphorylethanolamine analogs have also been prepared and identified. The biological activity of these compounds (as inhibitors of in vitro cell proliferation and dihydrofolate reductase) is described in the following paper.
Parent-Infant Interaction Research: The Argument for Earlier Intervention Programs

The results of research investigating the contributions of infant physical and personality characteristics as well as parental caretaking behaviors on the establishment of interaction pattems, and their subsequent influence on cognitive, social, and motor development are discussed in relation to the implications of findings for the identification and treatment of infants with developmental disabilities. The position is taken that the importance of interaction for later learning and development necessitates the initiation of early intervention programs aimed at preventing the occurrence of developmental delay or ameliorating the effects of handicapping conditions as soon after birth as possible. It is suggested that special techniques be incorporated to train caretakers in arranging the environment to encourage appropriate infant behavior or modify maladaptive responses to produce optimal interaction patterns.
Response of plasma retinol to dietary changes of ascorbic acid and selenium in the guinea pig

Abstract Ascorbic acid (AA) and retinol were measured in plasma and selenium (Se) was measured in erythrocytes of guinea pigs fed a Torula yeast based semipurified diets supplemented with either 0 (-AA), 200 (+AA), or 400 (++AA) mg of AA/kg of diet and either 0.05 (+Se) or 0.2 (++Se) ppm of Se for 24 days. After 24 days on the dietary regimen, plasma AA was shown to be dependent on dietary intake of AA and erythrocyte Se was shown to be dependent on dietary intake of Se. Two groups of guinea pigs, (-AA, +Se) and (-AA, ++Se) had mean body weights of 29.8±2.7 (P
Ricin induces IL-8 secretion from human monocyte/macrophages by activating the p38 MAP kinase pathway

Polymorphonuclear cell (PMN) infiltration is a hallmark of ricin-induced mucosal inflammation, yet the cellular processes involved in initiating this reaction remain undefined. In this study we report that ricin stimulates the human monocyte/macrophages cell line 28SC to secrete IL-8, a potent PMN chemoattractant. IL-8 release in response to ricin was both dose- and time-dependent. 28SC cells did not secrete IL-8 when exposed to formaldehyde-inactivated holotoxin or ricin B subunit. Furthermore, IL-8 induction could be blocked by brefeldin A, which inhibits ricin translocation into the cytosol. As predicted from the literature, we observed elevated levels of p38 mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK), a post-transcriptional regulator of IL-8, in 28SC cells as early as 3h after ricin exposure. Treatment of 28SC cells with the pyridylimidizole analogue SB203580, a known inhibitor of p38 MAPK, suppressed ricin-mediated IL-8 release. We conclude that ricin stimulates human monocyte/macrophages to produce IL-8 by activation of the p38 MAPK pathway, raising the possibility that p38 MAPK inhibitors may potentially serve as therapeutic agents to suppress mucosal inflammation associated with ricin intoxication.
Post-launch evaluation of the Advanced Microwave Sounding Unit-A on the NOAA-15 satellite

The post-launch performance of the NOAA-15 Advanced Microwave Sounding Units-A was evaluated by analysis of the AMSU-A Level 1B data. We examined the main instrument characteristics, including the noise-equivalent uncertainty of temperature (NE(Delta) T), channel gains, instrument temperatures, and the cold space and blackbody radiometric counts, which are fused for on-board calibration. Short- and long-term trends of these instrument characteristics are presented. Effect of the instrument temperature on the radiometric calibration counts and channel gains are also demonstrated. It shows that the radiometric counts and channel gains correlate linearly with the instrument temperature. The NE(Delta) T values calculated from the AMSU- A 1B data compare favorably to those obtained from the pre- launch test data. All channels on the NOAA-15 AMSU-A have functioned well since its powering up after launch, except Channel 14 which has shown an anomalous behavior since early January 1999. THis study summarizes our evaluation of the AMSU-A performance during a four-month period of the NOAA-15 post-launch operation, and introduces the new AMSU-A data to data users.
Management of simple ureterolithotomy closure

Two methods of ureterotomy closure, loose adventitial closure and an unsutured incision, were evaluated and compared in 89 cases of simple ureterolithotomy. The loose adventitial closure was associated with a significantly shorter period of postoperative urinary drainage and a lower incidence of ureteral narrowing found at follow-up urographic examination.
The Work of the Heart: Emotion in the 1805-35 Diary of Sarah Connell Ayer

Through analyzing the 1805--35 diary of Sarah Connell Ayer and employing sociological concepts of feeling rules, this article examines how women shaped and reshaped their emotions to fit their evolving roles as daughter, wife and mother. It finds that sentimental literature taught young women to cultivate tenderness, control anger and admire one's goodness. Emotion work increased as husbands explicitly corrected women's emotional expression. Together, motherhood and Calvinism created the most demanding feeling rules: this Massachusetts diarist felt compelled to control every facet of her behavior lest she imperil her children's salvation. Although female friendship allowed young women free expression, in adulthood religious and maternal demands constricted that freedom. This essay concludes that ;SPMquot;emotion work;SPMquot; was highly gendered, set different tasks as women's class and relationships changed, mirrored characteristics of women's physical labor but was distinctive in the degree to which it threatened the boundaries of self.
A Batteryless 19 $\mu$ W MICS/ISM-Band Energy Harvesting Body Sensor Node SoC for ExG Applications

This paper presents an ultra-low power batteryless energy harvesting body sensor node (BSN) SoC fabricated in a commercial 130 nm CMOS technology capable of acquiring, processing, and transmitting electrocardiogram (ECG), electromyogram (EMG), and electroencephalogram (EEG) data. This SoC utilizes recent advances in energy harvesting, dynamic power management, low voltage boost circuits, bio-signal front-ends, subthreshold processing, and RF transmitter circuit topologies. The SoC is designed so the integration and interaction of circuit blocks accomplish an integrated, flexible, and reconfigurable wireless BSN SoC capable of autonomous power management and operation from harvested power, thus prolonging the node lifetime indefinitely. The chip performs ECG heart rate extraction and atrial fibrillation detection while only consuming 19 μW, running solely on harvested energy. This chip is the first wireless BSN powered solely from a thermoelectric harvester and/or RF power and has lower power, lower minimum supply voltage (30 mV), and more complete system integration than previously reported wireless BSN SoCs.
Molecular-Wire Behavior of OLED Materials: Exciton Dynamics in Multichromophoric Alq3-Oligofluorene-Pt(II)porphyrin Triads

Donor-bridge-acceptor triads consisting of the Alq3 complex, oligofluorene bridge, and PtII tetraphenylporphyrin (PtTPP) were synthesized. The triads were designed to study the energy level/distance-dependence in energy transfer both in a solution and in solid state. The materials show effective singlet transfer from the Alq3-fluorene fluorophore to the porphyrin, while the triplet energy transfer, owing to the shorter delocalization of triplet excitons, appears to take place via a triplet energy cascade. Using femtosecond transient spectroscopy, the rate of the singlet−singlet energy transfer was determined. The exponential dependence of the donor−acceptor distance and the respective energy transfer rates of 7.1 × 1010 to 1.0 × 109 s-1 with the attenuation factor â of 0.21 ± 0.02 A-1 suggest that the energy transfer proceeds via a mixed incohererent wire/superexchange mechanism. In the OLEDs fabricated using the Alq3-oligofluorene-PtTPP triads with better triplet level alignment, the order of a magnitude...
Formation of open and elongating transcription complexes by RNA polymerase III.

Abstract The Saccharomyces cerevisiae transcription factors (TF) IIIB and IIIC assemble onto their respective DNA-binding sites on the SUP4 tRNATyr gene at 0 °C. RNA polymerase III specifically associates at 0 °C with this TFIIIC-TFIIIB-DNA complex to form a stable “closed” promoter complex in which the DNA surrounding the transcriptional start retains its duplex form. Promoter “opening” is a temperature-dependent and readily reversible process that involves up to 22 unwound base-pairs of DNA, and can be followed by analyzing the hyperreactivity of thymine to KMnO4 oxidation. This promoter opening increases progressively from 10 °C to 40 °C, with at least two regions within the transcription bubble appearing to melt independently. In contrast, the temperature dependence of forming an initiated transcription complex containing a 17 nucleotide nascent RNA chain displays a sharp transition between 10 °C and 15 °C. When RNA polymerase initiates transcription under conditions that limit the nascent RNA chain to less than six nucleotides, there is no displacement of the transcription bubble. These transcription complexes are distinguishable from “open” promoter complexes in their maintenance of the transcription bubble at 0 °C, and from transcription complexes with more extended (17 nucleotide) RNA chains in their sensitivity to disruption by heparin. In light of recent results by others that demonstrate a requirement for an RNA transcription factor in a Bombyx mori-based in vitro RNA polymerase III transcription system, we have searched for a comparable component in the S. cerevisiae-derived system. We show that if an RNA component is required in the yeast-derived system, it is not susceptible to inactivation by massive amounts of micrococcal nuclease, RNase A, or RNase T1.
Ductile fracture by vacancy condensation in f.c.c. single crystals

We explore the feasibility of vacancy condensation as the void-nucleating mechanism underlying ductile fracture by void growth and coalescence in single crystals at room temperature. Vacancies are presumed to be primarily generated by the dragging of intersection jogs. The equations governing the rate of growth of voids by vacancy condensation are derived. These equations are used to follow the evolution of vacancy concentrations and void sizes in the Wang and Anderson [Acta metall. 39, 779 (1991)] [1] Σ9 test. We find that, when pipe diffusions are taken into account, the time required for the nucleation of a macroscopic void in the near-tip region is of the order of one minute, which is well within the time-scale of quasistatic fracture tests.
A shooting scheme for boundary-value problems

A systematic shooting scheme is developed to solve a cascade of boundary value problems obtained from a small-parameter expansion of the full partial differential system. The sequence of solutions and the associated solvability conditions can be obtained simultaneously by a method without having to solve an adjoint boundary problem independently.
Observation of the adjacency effect in thematic Mapper imagery

Abstract The presence of the adjacency effect has been observed in Thematic Mapper imagery. The adjacency effect represents the blurring of boundaries due to scattering from atmospheric particulates. Edge response functions have been obtained from a random sample of field edges in central Illinois. A comparison of the widths of the line‐spread function for upwind edges of an urban area against those downwind edges of the urban area demonstrates the presence of atmospheric blurring. A similar comparison is made of the distance required for the radiance to reach the mean of the asymtotic and edge values. This distance, called the half length, is compared to the results of a radiative transfer calculation.
Online consumer communities and their value to new product developers

Purpose – To explore an emerging area in internet practice that has implications for new product developers.Design/methodology/approach – The paper integrates concepts including a range of recently published (1993‐2004) theoretical works and ongoing case developments in internet practice.Findings – Provides information and action approaches to new product developers that may increase the success and accuracy of resulting new products. Outlines the benefits of monitoring and participating in online consumer communities and offers practical suggestions for maximizing their value in the product development process.Research limitations/implications – The theoretical concepts that form the foundation of the paper appear to have a significant application to the product development process but have not been tested empirically.Practical implications – Uncovers a previously unrecognized source of direct consumer input and cooperation in the design and valuation of new products.Originality/value – This paper descri...
Finiteness and CAT(0) properties of diagram groups

Abstract Any diagram group over a finite semigroup presentation acts properly, freely, and cellularly by isometrices on a proper CAT(0) cubical complex. The existence of a proper, cellular action by isometries on a CAT(0) cubical complex has powerful consequences for the acting group G. One gets, for example, a proof that G satisfies the Baum–Connes conjecture. Any diagram group over a finite presentation of a finite semigroup is of type F ∞ .
Phosphorus source, organic matter, and arbuscular mycorrhiza effects on growth and mineral acquisition of chickpea grown in acidic soil

Abstract Plants grown in acidic soil usually require relatively high amounts of available phosphorus (P) to optimize growth and productivity, and sources of available P are often added to meet these requirements. Phosphorus may also be made available at relatively high rates in native soil when roots are colonized with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). Addition of P to soil usually reduces root‐AMF colonization and decreases beneficial effects ofAMF to plants. In glasshouse experiments, soil treatments of P [0 P (Control), 50 mg soluble‐P kg−1 as KH2PO4 (SP), and 200 mg P kg−1 as phosphate rock (PR)], organic matter (OM) at 12.5 g kg−1, AMF (Glomus darum), and various combinations of these (OM+SP, OM+PR, AMF+SP, AMF+PR, AMF+OM, AMF+OM+SP, and AMF+OM+PR) were added to steam treated acidic Lily soil (Typic Hapludult, pHw=5.8) to determine treatment effects on growth and mineral acquisition by chickpea (Cicer areitinum L.). The various treatment applications increased shoot dry matter (DM) above the Contro...
Is Life Law-Like?

Genes are generally assumed to be primary biological causes of biological phenotypes and their evolution. In just over a century, a research agenda that has built on Mendel’s experiments and on Darwin’s theory of natural selection as a law of nature has had unprecedented scientific success in isolating and characterizing many aspects of genetic causation. We revel in these successes, and yet the story is not quite so simple. The complex cooperative nature of genetic architecture and its evolution include teasingly tractable components, but much remains elusive. The proliferation of data generated in our “omics” age raises the question of whether we even have (or need) a unified theory or “law” of life, or even clear standards of inference by which to answer the question. If not, this not only has implications for the widely promulgated belief that we will soon be able to predict phenotypes like disease risk from genes, but also speaks to the limitations in the underlying science itself. Much of life seems to be characterized by ad hoc, ephemeral, contextual probabilism without proper underlying distributions. To the extent that this is true, causal effects are not asymptotically predictable, and new ways of understanding life may be required.
Short, strong hydrogen bonds on enzymes: NMR and mechanistic studies

Abstract The lengths of short, strong hydrogen bonds (SSHBs) on enzymes have been determined with high precision (±0.05 A) from the chemical shifts (δ), and independently from the D/H fractionation factors (φ) of the highly deshielded protons involved. These H-bond lengths agree well with each other and with those found by protein X-ray crystallography, within the larger errors of the latter method (±0.2 to±0.8 A) [Proteins 35 (1999) 275]. A model dihydroxynaphthalene compound shows a SSHB of 2.54±0.04 A based on δ=17.7 ppm and φ=0.56±0.04, in agreement with the high resolution X-ray distance of 2.55±0.06 A. On ketosteroid isomerase, a SSHB is found (2.50±0.02 A ), based on δ=18.2 ppm and φ=0.34, from Tyr-14 to the 3-O− of estradiol, an analog of the enolate intermediate. Its strength is ∼7 kcal/mol. On triosephosphate isomerase, SSHBs are found from Glu-165 to the 1-NOH of phosphoglycolohydroxamic acid (PGH), an analog of the enolic intermediate (2.55±0.05 A ), and from His-95 to the enolic-O− of PGH (2.62±0.02 A ). In the methylglyoxal synthase–PGH complex, a SSHB (2.51±0.02 A ) forms between Asp-71 and the NOH of PGH with a strength of ≥4.7 kcal/mol. When serine proteases bind mechanism-based inhibitors which form tetrahedral Ser-adducts analogous to the tetrahedral intermediates in catalysis, the Asp⋯His H-bond of the catalytic triad becomes a SSHB [Proc. Natl Acad. Sci. USA 95 (1998) 14664], 2.49–2.63 A in length. Similarly, on the serine-esterase, butyrylcholinesterase complexed with the mechanism-based inhibitor m-(N,N,N-trimethylammonio)-2,2,2-trifluoroacetophenone, a SSHB forms between Glu-327 and His-438 of the catalytic triad, 2.61±0.04 A in length, based on δ=18.1 ppm and φ=0.65±0.10. Very similar results are obtained with (human) acetylcholinesterase. The strength of this SSHB is at least 4.9 kcal/mol.
Functional Consequences of Troponin T Mutations Found in Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Missense mutations in the cardiac thin filament protein troponin T (TnT) are a cause of familial hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (FHC). To understand how these mutations produce dysfunction, five TnTs were produced and purified containing FHC mutations found in several regions of TnT. Functional defects were diverse. Mutations F110I, E244D, and COOH-terminal truncation weakened the affinity of troponin for the thin filament. Mutation ΔE160 resulted in thin filaments with increased calcium affinity at the regulatory site of troponin C. Mutations R92Q and F110I resulted in impaired troponin solubility, suggesting abnormal protein folding. Depending upon the mutation, the in vitro unloaded actin-myosin sliding speed showed small increases, showed small decreases, or was unchanged. COOH-terminal truncation mutation resulted in a decreased thin filament-myosin subfragment 1 MgATPase rate. The results indicate that the mutations cause diverse immediate effects, despite similarities in disease manifestations. Separable but repeatedly observed abnormalities resulting from FHC TnT mutations include increased unloaded sliding speed, increased or decreased Ca2+ affinity, impairment of folding or sarcomeric integrity, and decreased force. Enhancement as well as impairment of contractile protein function is observed, suggesting that TnT, including the troponin tail region, modulates the regulation of cardiac contraction.
Transparent high-performance CDSE thin-film solar cells

Abstract Simulations indicate that 25–30% efficiency can be achieved with a four-terminal thin-film tandem structure. The bottom low band gap cell can be CuIn 1− x Ga x Se 2 , and CdSe is proposed as the top cell, as it has an ideal band gap of 1.7 eV. In addition to the efficiency requirements, the top cell must also be transparent to effectively transmit sub band gap light to the bottom cell. We have developed CdSe devices that meet many of the requirements of this tandem structure. High electronic quality CdSe has been deposited on SnO 2 and ZnO, which serve as the transparent n-type contact. The p-type transparent contact is ZnSe/Cu. Voc's of 475 mV have been achieved and can be further improved with better contacts. However, record Jsc's in excess of 17 mA/cm 2 have been achieved. This is close to the target 18 mA/cm 2 to meet the efficiency objectives. Transmission of 80% of the sub band gap radiation has been demonstrated for 2-μm-thick absorber layers. This is also close to the 85% target to achieve the overall tandem efficiency objectives. Improvement of the contact layers to achieve the Voc target is the final challenge.
Estrophilic molecules in the male guinea pig

Abstract Following the intravenous administration of [ 3 H]-estradiol (300 μCi/kg) to mature male guinea pigs, the sex-accessory tissues (seminal vesicle muscle, seminal vesicle epithelium and prostate gland) and kidney incorporated greater concentrations of the native steroid than the liver, ileum, skeletal muscle or plasma. The seminal vesicle muscle was generally able to concentrate the greatest amount of [ 3 H]-estradiol. With a series of in vitro experiments, it was determined that these high concentrations of radioactivity associated with the sex-accessory tissues were not the result of active transport systems. However, it appears as if high affinity, steroid specific cytosolic estradiol binding molecules may serve as the intracellular determinants for the tissue selective distribution and retention of [ 3 H]-estradiol in vivo . Using Scatchard plot analyses, it was found that the seminal vesicle muscle possessed both the greatest concentration of estradiol binding sites and the highest equilibrium association constant. The cytosolic binding activities of the seminal vesicle epithelium, prostate gland and kidney were less than that of the seminal vesicle muscle but in great excess of the liver, skeletal muscle or plasma. These findings suggest that estradiol may potentially be a significant contributor to the function of sex-accessory tissue smooth muscle.
A directional change in tongue thrust.

During the past decade the number of different remedial procedures in tongue thrust have proliferated greatly. The need to improve differential diagnosis, to validate, not necessarily increase, the myriad of treatment and its effectiveness, and to share successful techniques is becoming more apparent. Several questions are raised relevant to the actual existence of the “tongue thrust syndrome”.
Effects of adsorbed homopolymer and diblock copolymer on molecular transport in micropores

Abstract A homopolymer and diblock copolymer each containing poly(butyl methacrylate) were adsorbed on to the pores of track-etched mica membranes. The hydrodynamic thickness LH of the adsorbed layer was determined by pressure-solvent flow measurements. The transport of a dissolved polymer, polystyrene (PS), through bare and polymer-lined pores was measured. Two transport mechanisms were studied: molecular diffusion, and convection by pressure-driven flow of solvent (filtration). The data were compared to predictions of the effects of the adsorbed polymer based on reducing the pore size by LH. In the case of PS diffusion, the experimental results show a smaller effect than predicted, indicating that the adsorbed polymer chains were more permeable to the diffusion of PS compared with the viscous flow of the solvent. The diblock produced a greater effect on PS diffusion than the homopolymer. The data for PS filtration through pores with the adsorbed diblock agree well with predictions based on reducing the pore size by LH; however, the effect of adsorbed homopolymer was greater than predicted from LH. The latter result is opposite to the trend for PS diffusion.
Use of Novel and Conventional Biomarkers for Management of Patients With Heart Failure

Investigation of the complex biochemical pathways that underlie heart failure (HF) has led to the recognition of multiple molecular markers that may help to characterize patients with this disease. Although a myriad of novel biomarkers are being studied, most attention continues to be focused on the natriuretic peptides, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-Terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP). Numerous studies have established a role for these hormones in HF diagnosis and prognostication. More contentious has been their role in helping to guide HF management on a routine basis. This article aims to update the body of evidence surrounding conventional HF biomarkers and to highlight some emerging evidence on the use of novel markers. We believe that in select patients there may be a role for monitoring and cautious interpretation of HF biomarker levels to facilitate diagnosis, prognostication, and optimization of tailored therapy. However, there are not yet convincing data to suggest that routine hormone monitoring should be applied broadly and algorithmically to all HF patients. Moreover, to the extent that they are measured, HF biomarkers should serve only as a complement to—never as a substitute for—sound clinical judgment, watchful follow-up, and reliance on expert consultation when necessary.
Potentially modifiable risk factors among veterans with spinal cord injury hospitalized for severe pressure ulcers: a descriptive study

AbstractContext/objectivePressure ulcers (PrUs) are a serious, costly and potentially life-long complication of spinal cord injury (SCI). Co-morbid conditions increase PrU risk, adding to the health behavior challenges faced by people with SCI. Little is known about medical co-morbidities, health beliefs, risk, protective behaviors, and readiness to improve skin care behaviors in people with SCI. This study describes the potentially modifiable medical and behavioral risk factors among veterans with SCI and severe (Stage III/IV) PrUs.DesignCross-sectional observational design.Setting6 VA SCI Centers.ParticipantsConvenience sample from a larger intervention study of 148 veterans hospitalized for PrUs.InterventionsNot applicable.Outcome measuresKnowledge, PrU risk, skin protective behaviors, health beliefs, and practices, health locus of control, skin worsening.ResultsMost ulcers were stage IV (73%) and about half had 2+ PrUs. Participants reported a mean of 6.7 co-morbid conditions (respiratory, gastrointes...
Spectral, spatial and temporal characterization of a millisecond pulsed glow discharge: copper analyte emission and ionization

Abstract Two-dimensional maps of the spatial distributions of excited and ionized sputtered copper atoms are presented for a millisecond pulsed argon glow discharge. These maps demonstrate the temporal as well as spatial dependence of different excitation and ionization processes over the pulse cycle. Transitions from the low energy electronic states for the atom, characterized by emission such as that at 324.75 nm (3.82→0.00 eV), dominate the plateau time regime at a distance of 2.5 mm from the cathode surface. These processes originate from the electron excitation of ground state copper atoms. Transitions from high-energy electronic states, such as that characterized by emission at 368.74 nm (7.16→3.82 eV), predominate during the afterpeak time regime at a distance of 5.0–6.0 mm from the cathode surface. This observation is consistent with the relaxation of highly excited copper atoms produced by electron recombination with copper ions during the afterpeak time regime. Analyses of afterpeak and plateau intensities for a series of copper emission lines indicate an electron excitation temperature equivalent to 5.78 eV at 0.8 torr and 1.5 W. Temporal profiles exhibit copper ion emission only during the plateau time regime.
Drug delivery: One nanoparticle, one kill

By wrapping a ligand-functionalized lipid membrane around a silica core, nanoparticles with a fluid surface are created. These combine unprecedented specificity in binding to cancer cells with the combinatorial delivery of drug cocktails.
Music genre classification using explicit semantic analysis

Music genre classification is the categorization of a piece of music into its corresponding categorical labels created by humans and has been traditionally performed through a manual process. Automatic music genre classification, a fundamental problem in the musical information retrieval community, has been gaining more attention with advances in the development of the digital music industry. Most current genre classification methods tend to be based on the extraction of short-time features in combination with high-level audio features to perform genre classification. However, the representation of short-time features, using time windows, in a semantic space has received little attention. This paper proposes a vector space model of mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs) that can, in turn, be used by a supervised learning schema for music genre classification. Inspired by explicit semantic analysis of textual documents using term frequency-inverse document frequency (tf-idf), a semantic space model is proposed to represent music samples. The effectiveness of this representation of audio samples is then demonstrated in music genre classification using various machine learning classification algorithms, including support vector machines (SVMs) and k-nearest neighbor clustering. Our preliminary results suggest that the proposed method is comparable to genre classification methods that use low-level audio features.
Glycolysis as an energy source for stimulation of lymphocytes by phytohemagglutinin

Abstract Various metabolic activities have been measured on cultures of lymphocytes from human blood which have been carefully freed of other types of cells. When these cultures were stimulated with phytohemagglutinin (PHA), a large increase in lactate production occurred which clearly correlated with the synthesis of DNA, RNA, and protein. In contrast, there was no demonstrable change in respiration. Deoxyglucose, which inhibits glycolysis, inhibited all synthetic activity back to the level of cultures not activated with PHA, and arrested the histological development of the cells. The effect of DOG was reversible; if the inhibitor was removed the culture could be activated with a new addition of PHA. Conversely, 2,4-dinitrophenol, which inhibits oxidative phosphorylation, had no effect on DNA synthesis, and only a partial inhibitory effect on RNA and protein synthesis. The lymphocytes continued to develop into blast forms. The results are interpreted as showing that the increased cellular activities following PHA activation are dependent on glycolysis rather than on respiration. This resembles in many respects what occurs in other rapidly dividing cells. The system may therefore be useful for studying metabolic controls associated with differentiation.
Wrinkled, wavelength-tunable graphene-based surface topographies for directing cell alignment and morphology

Abstract Textured surfaces with periodic topographical features and long-range order are highly attractive for directing cell-material interactions. They mimic physiological environments more accurately than planar surfaces and can fundamentally alter cell alignment, shape, gene expression, as well as multicellular organization into hierarchical tissue architectures. Here we demonstrate for the first time that wrinkled graphene-based surfaces are suitable as textured cell attachment substrates, and that engineered wrinkling can dramatically alter cell alignment and morphology. The wrinkled surfaces are fabricated by graphene oxide wet deposition onto pre-stretched elastomers followed by relaxation and mild thermal treatment to stabilize the films in cell culture medium. Multilayer graphene oxide films form periodic, delaminated buckle textures whose wavelengths and amplitudes can be systematically tuned by variation in the wet deposition process. Human and murine fibroblasts attach to these textured films and remain viable, while developing pronounced alignment and elongation relative to those on planar graphene controls. Compared to lithographic patterning of nanogratings, this method has advantages in the simplicity and scalability of fabrication, as well as the opportunity to couple the use of topographic cues with the unique conductive, adsorptive, or barrier properties of graphene materials for functional biomedical devices.
On the coefficients of ternary cyclotomic polynomials

Abstract We study coefficients of ternary cyclotomic polynomials Φpqr(z)=∏ρ(z−ρ), where p, q, and r are distinct odd primes and the product is taken over all primitive pqrth roots of unity ρ.
Retinoblastoma manifesting as orbital cellulitis.

Abstract Five children with previously undiagnosed retinoblastoma had signs of unilateral orbital cellulitis and were treated with systemic antibiotics, corticosteroids, or both. When retinoblastoma was finally diagnosed clinically, radiologists believed in every case that, on the basis of the soft-tissue swelling seen with computed tomography, there was orbital extension of the tumor. However, intraoperative and histopathologic observations disclosed no demonstrable orbital tumor involvement. The affected eyes all had neovascular glaucoma, and all harbored highly necrotic tumors that were contained within the eye. We concluded that orbital inflammation can occur with retinoblastoma confined to the eye and that signs of orbital cellulitis do not necessarily imply orbital extension of the tumor.
Stability and periodicity in discrete delay equations

Abstract In this research we study the stability of the zero solution of delay difference equations and the existence of unique periodic solution by utilizing fixed point theory. Mainly, we are interested in the qualitative analysis of the complete delay difference equation Δ x ( t ) = − a ( t ) x ( t − τ ) .
The CAMplexities of central ghrelin.

The gut hormone ghrelin is known to activate hypothalamic AMPK, a crucial metabolic sensor controlling energy balance. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Anderson et al. (2008) show that CaMKK2 mediates this effect by forming a unique complex of AMPKα/β with acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) in a pathway distinct from the more established AMP/LKB1 pathway.
Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior: Correlates of health in childhood diabetes

Abstract Childhood diabetes is a life-long chronic illness placing complex and daily demands on the patient and family. Although the role of psychological factors in diabetes has long been recognized, only recently have investigators begun to systematically explore the relationship between parent and child knowledge about diabetes, attitudes toward diabetes, compliance or adherence behaviors, and health status. The available literature is limited, but supportive of further inquiry of this type. Suggestions for future research include: (1) The use and development of psychometrically adequate measures; (2) The use of independent methods of measurement; (3) The development of highly specific measures; (4) The delineation of clear a priori models specifying the nature of relationships between variables; (5) Greater consideration for the effect of psychological variables on patients' health as well as the impact of health status on patients' knowledge, feelings, and behavior; (6) Increased attention to the child's cognitive developmental level and social roles as these relate to daily management tasks and health status; and, (7) Methods for improving the effectiveness of patient intervention programs.
Renin Angiotensin Aldosterone System Blockade: Little to No Rationale for ACE Inhibitor and ARB Combinations

Our understanding of the complexities and inter-related pathways of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system continues to evolve. Which drugs to use, when, and how, are everyday questions faced by clinicians in the ambulatory setting. Combining these classes, for the purpose of enhancing renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system blockade and incremental blood pressure, nephroprotective, and cardioprotective effects, logically has emerged as an area for scientific inquiry and clinical use. Despite the lack of evidence on safety and efficacy in most disease states, dual therapy has been embraced as a treatment option. Most studies of angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) combination therapy in the treatment of hypertension have limitations. In contrast, combination ACE inhibitor-ARB therapy in systolic heart failure has been addressed in several large randomized controlled trials. Until recently, there has been limited and conflicting evidence for the use of combination therapy for the prevention or management of nephropathy. Based on the new evidence, combination ACE inhibitor-ARB therapy in the treatment and management of hypertension, heart failure, and nephropathy should be limited.
Atomic layer-deposited tunnel oxide stabilizes silicon photoanodes for water oxidation

A leading approach for large-scale electrochemical energy production with minimal global-warming gas emission is to use a renewable source of electricity, such as solar energy, to oxidize water, providing the abundant source of electrons needed in fuel synthesis. We report corrosion-resistant, nanocomposite anodes for the oxidation of water required to produce renewable fuels. Silicon, an earth-abundant element and an efficient photovoltaic material, is protected by atomic layer deposition (ALD) of a highly uniform, 2 nm thick layer of titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and then coated with an optically transmitting layer of a known catalyst (3 nm iridium). Photoelectrochemical water oxidation was observed to occur below the reversible potential whereas dark electrochemical water oxidation was found to have low-to-moderate overpotentials at all pH values, resulting in an inferred photovoltage of ~550 mV. Water oxidation is sustained at these anodes for many hours in harsh pH and oxidative environments whereas comparable silicon anodes without the TiO(2) coating quickly fail. The desirable electrochemical efficiency and corrosion resistance of these anodes is made possible by the low electron-tunnelling resistance (<0.006 Ω cm(2) for p(+)-Si) and uniform thickness of atomic-layer deposited TiO(2).
Is preoperative donation of autologous blood rational for radical retropubic prostatectomy

Purpose: We investigated differences in the rate of homologous blood transfusion and the degree of anemia to determine whether it is rational to have patients donate autologous blood before radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 221 consecutive men who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy performed by 1 surgeon in a 14-month period. About half of the patients donated autologous blood preoperatively. We evaluated perioperative hemoglobin, and the rate of autologous and homologous transfusion.Results: The groups did not significantly differ in terms of demographic data, co-morbid conditions, clinical variables or hospitalization. Preoperatively mean hemoglobin plus or minus standard deviation was 13.4 ± 1 and 14.7 ± 1 gm./dl. in patients who did and did not donate blood, while homologous transfusion was required in 1 (1%) and 4 (3.5%), respectively (p = 0.18). At hospital discharge anemia was more prevalent in nondonors. Of the men who did versus did not...
Nutrient composition of extruded cowpea products

Summary Three cultivars of cowpeas (Ife brown, Vita 5 and California black eye) were blended with either rice, corn or both rice and corn and banana puree. The blends were dry extruded on a low cost extruder. The average energy content was 440 Kcal/100 g, protein 20% and the trypsin inhibitor activity was reduced by 63–84%. The stachyose contents varied from 0.52 to 2.44%, raffinose 0.16 to 4.32% and sucrose 0.18 to 1.16 g% respectively. The colour of the products was acceptable and there was no evidence of browning in the products.
Simulation as a Medium for Training Group Leaders.

This study was conducted to determine the effects of three group leadership styles on the personal and interpersonal functioning of 67 counselor trainees who participated in a required group experience in conjunction with a group experience course. The partici pants were randomly assigned to one of three group conditions: (1) structured T-group; (2) rotating leadership; or (3) Rogerian. Each of the 9 groups met approximately 20 hours over the course of the semester. Each subject completed the following instru ments : Edward's Personal Preference Schedule, Money Problem Checklist, and Reaction to Group Situation Test. Resultsfrom the pretest, posttest, and 6-8 weekfollow-up suggest that differences among the groups could be attributed in part to group leader ship styles. The theoretical and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Receipt of Preventive Oral Health Care by U.S. Children: A Population-Based Study of the 2005–2008 Medical Expenditure Panel Surveys

This study provides estimates of the annual use of preventive oral health care by U.S. children ages 6 months–17 years. We estimated the annual use of preventive oral health care with data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey for the years 2005 through 2008 (n = 18,218). Additionally, we tested associations between use of preventive oral health care and predisposing factors, enabling factors and health need within three age groups: young children, school-age children and youth. Overall, 21 % of the sample was reported to have received preventive oral health care in the prior year. More school-age children received preventive care than did young children or youth regardless of gender, race/ethnicity, health status, residence, or family size. Among the youngest children, low parental education and lack of health insurance were associated with lower odds of receiving preventive care. School-age children of racial and ethnic minority groups had a higher odds of receiving preventive care than did non-Hispanic Whites. Youth with special health care needs were less likely to receive care than their peers. Within each age group, use of preventive care increased significantly from 2005 to 2008. In the U.S. there has been an increase in use of pediatric preventive dental care. Continued effort is needed to achieve primary prevention. Outreach and education should include all parents and especially parents with low levels of education, parents of children with special health care needs and those without health insurance.
The effects of surface composition on the reaction of trimethylgallium on Si(100) and on aluminum and gallium treated Si(100)

Abstract The adsorption and decomposition of trimethylgallium (TMGa) on clean Si(100) and on gallium and aluminum covered Si(100) is examined with temperature desorption spectroscopy (TDS) and Auger electron spectroscopy. At coverages below 2.5 × 10 13 TMGa molecules cm 2 on clean Si(100), dosed at 100 K, the TDS products are methane (370 K, 500 K), hydrogen (800 K) and atomic gallium (970 K). At coverages near 0.5 × 10 14 molecules cm 2 additional products, TMGa (370 K) and ethylene (570 K), are observed. At multilayer coverages, 2.5 × 10 14 molecules cm 2 , there are new desorption signals which result from the multilayer desorption peak of TMGa (140 K), and the desorption of dimethylgallium (350–550 K), monomethylgallium (550–750 K), a second ethylene peak (740 K), and methyl species (770 K). The presence of 0.3 ML or more of gallium or aluminum on Si(100) drastically alters the reaction pathway, desorption of TMGa is favored on the gallium treated surface, whereas decomposition is favored on the clean silicon surface. More than twice as much gallium is deposited from TMGa on the untreated Si(100)2 × 1 surface than on a 0.5 ML gallium treated Si(100) surface. On the aluminum treated surface, desorption of gallium organometallic species is completely suppressed above the multilayer desorption temperature (140 K) and instead methyl groups are transferred from TMGa to aluminum atoms. Trimethylaluminum (TMA1) and dimethylaluminum (DMA1) are detected as desorption products, desorption of these species increases with increased aluminum coverage. There is more net gallium deposited from TMGa on the aluminum treated Si(100) surface than on the gallium treated surface or on the untreated Si(100) surface. It is postulated that a 3-center, 2-electron bonding arrangement, between the adsorbed TMGa and the surface metal dimers on the gallium and aluminum treated Si(lOO) surfaces, allows for facile transfer of methyl groups between the adsorbate and the surface metal atoms. The higher methyl-Al bond strength than the methyl-Ga bond strength accounts for the irreversible formation of TMAl on the aluminum treated Si(100). On all of the surfaces, desorption of organometallics dominates over deposition of gallium as TMGa coverage is increased above a monolayer.
Fracture Behavior of Shock-Loaded Boron-Aluminum Composite Materials

The dynamic tensile fracture, or spall, of filament-reinforced metal- matrix composites was investigated by means of the thin flyer plate technique. Aluminum alloys, containing approximately 50 volume percent boron filaments arranged in two mutually perpendicular directions, were impacted normal to the plane of reinforcement. Geometric shock wave attenuation, caused by the filaments in a plasma- sprayed and diffusion-bonded 6061 matrix composite, gave rise to a threefold increase in the impact velocity threshold for spall over that of unreinforced 6061-T6 aluminum. A brazed 6061/713 matrix com posite spalled at an impact velocity slightly lower than the 6061-T6 alloy, this was related to filament-filament contact points and planes of weakness existing prior to impact. Spall failure and shock-induced filament damage appeared to be mutually independent, although the number of crushed filaments and the severity of filament damage tended to increase with impact velocity.
On the relative efficiency of alternative modes of producing a public sector output: The case of the developmentally disabled

Abstract This paper examines the relative efficiency of alternative methods of producing care for the developmentally disabled. A linear programming framework is used to construct a production frontier which allows measurement of relative efficiency among institutions in the sample. Tests are performed to detect influential observations in the data which might result from measurement error which could distort the efficiency measures. Different types of institutions are compared in terms of average efficiency. Policy implications of the analysis are discussed in the concluding section.
The spherical reverse flow reactor

A packed bed reactor made up of two hemispheres separated by an orifice plate can be operated as an adiabatic reverse flow reactor with nearly spherical symmetry. The reactor requires little or no insulation with external temperatures limited to the adiabatic temperature rise, but much higher internal temperatures. The operational characteristics of this type of reactor have been studied using a dynamic model and the steady state model obtained for fast switching of the flow direction. Due to the large cooling region, higher conversions than the conventional reverse flow reactor are predicted for reversible exothermic reactions.