cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Isolation of a component from commercial coomassie brilliant blue R-250 that stains rubrophilin and other proteins red on polyacrylamide gels.

Commercially available Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 (C.I. 42660) is a popular and useful dye that stains most proteins blue on polyacrylamide gels. Some proteins from brain (rubrophilin), collagens, histones and parotid gland proteins are distinctly red when stained with Coomassie Blue. Commonly used Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 preparations may contain more than 30 distinct colored and fluorescent components that can be separated on silica gel chromatographic columns. A specific component has been isolated on silica gel columns that stains rubrophilin and other proline-rich proteins a reddish color. Fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry of the isolated rubrophilin staining principle indicates a molecular weight of 634 as compared to 826 for the major dye in the original Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250. Infrared spectrometry is consistent with a difference between the rubrophilin staining principle and Coomassie Brilliant Blue R-250 of a toluene sulfonic acid residue.
Steroid-protein interactions XX. Effect of chemical modifications on progesterone-binding affinity of α1-acid glycoprotein

Whereas treatment of α1-acid glycoprotein with dilute acid does not affect the progesterone binding or antigenic activity, both of these properties are eliminated by exposure to dilute alkali. Reduction of the disulfide linkages results in loss of progesterone-binding affinity; reoxidation restores the original activity. Alkylation of the thiol groups of reduced α1-acid glycoprotein by iodoacetic acid and its amide abolishes progesterone binding while the antigenic properties are maintained. Modification of the ϵ-amino groups of lysine leads to virtual disappearance of the steroid-binding affinity; partial removal of the modifying substituent causes partial return of the affinity. The antigenicity is reduced or completely lost, depending on the nature of the reaction. The results show that antigenicity and progesterone-binding affinity are independent properties of the α1-acid glycoprotein molecule.
Isolation of halogenated monoterpenes from bioreactor-cultured microplantlets of the macrophytic red algae Ochtodes secundiramea and Portieria hornemannii.

Field collections of the red macroalgae Ochtodes secundiramea and Portieria hornemannii exhibit site-to-site variations in halogenated monoterpene (HMT) content. In contrast, microplantlets of O. secundiramea and P. hornemannii established through cell and tissue culture techniques had remarkably similar HMT profiles when cultivated in a photobioreactor under identical, controlled conditions. Both algae shared Apakaochtodene B (6) as the only cyclic HMT, 10E-bromomyrcene (3) and 10E-bromo-3-chloro-α-myrcene (4) as the dominant acyclic HMTs, and myrcene (1) as their common precursor. Furthermore, HMT yields were comparable between organisms (0.9−1.3 μmol/g dry mass of 6; 3.4−4.4 μmol/g of 3). P. hornemannii microplantlets also contained 7-chloromyrcene (9) as the dominant compound (37−73 μmol/g), suggesting additional chlorination capacity. Proposed pathways for HMT biosynthesis shared by P. hornemannii and O. secundiramea microplantlets possessed two common manifolds: (a) bromonium ion (Br+)-catalyzed cy...
Loss of nitrogen and bases after fertilization of second-growth hardwood forest soils☆

Abstract Soils at five New York sites of a nitrogen fertilization study in second-growth mixed deciduous forests were sampled to determine the fate of applied N and possible adverse chemical changes from its application. Organic layer and mineral soil (0–10 cm) samples were collected 10 or 11 years after the initial application from plots receiving a total of 0, 672 and 1344 kg-N ha−1 in two equal-sized applications 5 years apart. Nitrogen was applied as ammonium nitrate, except the first application at one location was urea. Treatments had little effect on the N and C pools of the forest floor and surface soil, indicating no appreciable retention of added N in the upper soil. Concentration and mass of cations in the mineral soil decreased with added N, as did pH, in accord with an hypothesis of nitrate leaching. The estimated loss of base cations was modest (12.4 kmol(+) ha−1) relative to the anions added in the highest single application of N (24 kmol(−) ha−1). On such soils, N added in exces of plant uptake capacity is not immobilized by long-term storage in soil organic matter despite its wide C:N ratio. The reduction in pH entails a loss of effective cation exchange capacity in addition to the associated loss of base cations.
An unusual reaction of 1,1-dilithio-2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1-silacyclopentadiene with diphenylcyclopropenone: synthesis of 1,4-Bis(trimethylsiloxy)-2,3,5,6-tetraphenylbenzene

Reaction of 1,1-dilithio-2,3,4,5-tetraphenylsilole (*5*) with diphenylcyclopropeneone proceeds with loss of silicon to yield the dilithium salt of 2,3,4,5-tetraphenyl-1,4-hysroquinone (*8*), which was trapped with trimethylchlorosilane to yield 1,4-bis(trimethylsiloxy)-2,3,5,6-tetraphenylbenzene, *9*. A possible pathway for the formation of *8* and *9* is proposed.
Mammalian SWI-SNF Complexes Contribute to Activation of the hsp70 Gene

ATP-dependent chromatin-remodeling complexes are conserved among all eukaryotes and function by altering nucleosome structure to allow cellular regulatory factors access to the DNA. Mammalian SWI-SNF complexes contain either of two highly conserved ATPase subunits: BRG1 or BRM. To identify cellular genes that require mammalian SWI-SNF complexes for the activation of gene expression, we have generated cell lines that inducibly express mutant forms of the BRG1 or BRM ATPases that are unable to bind and hydrolyze ATP. The mutant subunits physically associate with at least two endogenous members of mammalian SWI-SNF complexes, suggesting that nonfunctional, dominant negative complexes may be formed. We determined that expression of the mutant BRG1 or BRM proteins impaired the ability of cells to activate the endogenous stress response gene hsp70 in response to arsenite, a metabolic inhibitor, or cadmium, a heavy metal. Activation of hsp70 by heat stress, however, was unaffected. Activation of the heme oxygenase 1 promoter by arsenite or cadmium and activation of the cadmium-inducible metallothionein promoter also were unaffected by the expression of mutant SWI-SNF components. Analysis of a subset of constitutively expressed genes revealed no or minimal effects on transcript levels. We propose that the requirement for mammalian SWI-SNF complexes in gene activation events will be specific to individual genes and signaling pathways.
Recursive forms of optimal multidimensional filters

We present techniques to develop recursive forms of optimal mean square image reconstruction filters. The techniques do not presuppose any causality conditions and are not restricted to any particular scanning of the image.
Spectra of irreducible matrices

A real matrix is called non-negative (positive) if all its entries are non-negative (positive). Two matrices A and B are said to be cogredient if there exists a permutation matrix Q such that QAQ T = B . A square non-negative matrix is called reducible if it is cogredient to a matrix of the form where the blocks X and Y are square. Otherwise it is called irreducible .
Creating a System for Meeting the Fiber Requirements of Dairy Cows

Current NRC recommendations for dairy cattle provide limited guidance to nutritionists for meeting the fiber and carbohydrate needs of lactating cows. The NRC provide only minimum recommendations for fiber and no accommodation for factors such as physical effectiveness of fiber, interactions with nonfibrous carbohydrates, or animal attributes, which can affect the optimality of dairy rations. To be an improvement, any new system for meeting the fiber requirements of dairy cows must be based on 1) feed characteristics that can be defined and preferably be determined quantitatively using routine laboratory methods and 2) animal requirements that correspond to critical feed characteristics and vary with feeding situation, ration composition, and attributes of the animal. Published data were used to develop coefficients for defining the physical effectiveness or roughage value of feeds and the fiber requirements of dairy cows. Information in this paper is intended to provide practical guidelines for improving current fiber recommendations and to serve as an idealized framework for future research on meeting the fiber requirements of dairy cows. The system is based on NDF as the measure of total chemical fiber in feeds. Adjustments for the effectiveness of NDF in maintaining milk fat production and optimizing ruminal fermentation are based on the particle size and inherent characteristics of NDF that affect chewing activity, ruminal pH, and milk fat production.
Simultaneous Blood–Tissue Exchange of Oxygen, Carbon Dioxide, Bicarbonate, and Hydrogen Ion

A detailed nonlinear four-region (red blood cell, plasma, interstitial fluid, and parenchymal cell) axially distributed convection-diffusion-permeation-reaction-binding computational model is developed to study the simultaneous transport and exchange of oxygen (O\(_{2}\)) and carbon dioxide (CO\(_{2}\)) in the blood–tissue exchange system of the heart. Since the pH variation in blood and tissue influences the transport and exchange of O\(_{2}\) and CO\(_{2}\) (Bohr and Haldane effects), and since most CO\(_{2}\) is transported as HCO\(_{3}^{-}\) (bicarbonate) via the CO\(_{2}\) hydration (buffering) reaction, the transport and exchange of HCO\(_{3}^{-}\) and H\(^{+}\) are also simulated along with that of O\(_{2}\) and CO\(_{2}\). Furthermore, the model accounts for the competitive nonlinear binding of O\(_{2}\) and CO\(_{2}\) with the hemoglobin inside the red blood cells (nonlinear \({\rm O_{2}\hbox{--}CO_{2}}\) interactions, Bohr and Haldane effects), and myoglobin-facilitated transport of O\(_{2}\) inside the parenchymal cells. The consumption of O\(_{2}\) through cytochrome-c oxidase reaction inside the parenchymal cells is based on Michaelis–Menten kinetics. The corresponding production of CO\(_{2}\) is determined by respiratory quotient (RQ), depending on the relative consumption of carbohydrate, protein, and fat. The model gives a physiologically realistic description of O\(_{2}\) transport and metabolism in the microcirculation of the heart. Furthermore, because model solutions for tracer transients and steady states can be computed highly efficiently, this model may be the preferred vehicle for routine data analysis where repetitive solutions and parameter optimization are required, as is the case in PET imaging for estimating myocardial O\(_{2}\) consumption.
Science Signaling Podcast: 21 April 2009

This is a conversation with Michael Yaffe, Chief Scientific Editor of Science Signaling . He discusses signaling through the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, the topic of a Science Signaling Focus Issue released this week.
Screening Women of Childbearing Age for Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Model-Based Policy Analysis

This paper analyzes the costs and benefits of screening women of childbearing age for HIV. The analysis is based on a dynamic compartmental model of the HIV epidemic that incorporates disease transmission and progression over time, behavioral changes, and effects of screening and associated counseling and education. The model allows one to consider not only effects on the screened women and their newborns, but also effects on the rest of the population. The analysis reveals that the primary benefit of screening programs targeted to women of childbearing age lies not in the prevention of HIV infection in their newborns but in the prevention of infection in their adult contacts. We find that screening medium and high risk women is likely to be cost-beneficial. Screening women regardless of risk group may also be cost-beneficial if screened positive women show relatively modest levels of behavioral change, but screening programs that reach primarily low risk women are not likely to be cost-beneficial. The results hold over a broad range of sensitivity analyses of important variables.
The Essential Role of “Minor” Phyla in Molecular Studies of Animal Evolution

SYNOPSIS. Molecular studies have revealed many new hypotheses of metazoan evolution in recent years. Previously, using morphological methods, it was difficult to relate “minor” animal groups representing microscopic metazoans to larger, more well known groups such as arthropods, molluscs, and annelids. Molecular studies suggest that acanthocephalans evolved from rotifers, that priapulids share common ancestry with all other molting animals (Ecdysozoa), and that flatworms, gnathostomulids and rotifers form a sister group to the remaining non-molting protostomes (Lophotrochozoa), together forming Spiralia. The lophophorate phyla (phoronids, brachiopods and bryozoans) appear as protostomes, allied with annelids and molluscs rather than with deuterostomes. These findings present a very different view of metazoan evolution, and clearly show that small and simple animals do not necessarily represent ancestral or primitive taxa.
On the EM Degrees of Freedom in Scattering Environments

By considering the 2D problem of electrical line sources radiating in the presence of perfectly conducting cylinders and decomposing the real power flow on a circumscribing observation circle separating the transmit nodes from the receive nodes, simple formulas are derived for the electromagnetic degrees of freedom in scattering environments for a network of nodes communicating with each other. The locations, magnitudes, and phases of the line sources are assumed to be independent and identically distributed (i.i.d.) random variables. Similarly, the locations of the scatterers in the region outside the observation circle are assumed to be i.i.d. random variables. The exact scattering problem is cast in the form of an integral equation, where the Fourier coefficients of the scatter current density are the unknowns. Based on the Born approximation that is valid for mild scatter densities and asymptotic analysis, a closed form expression is derived for the number of degrees of freedom in scattering environments. The benefit of observing near-fields in the determination of degrees of freedom is included in the numerical examples considered. If the power per source and/or the number of sources within the circumscribing circle are made to increase algebraically with the size of the circle, it is shown that scattering environments can offer much higher degrees of freedom than what are available in free-space.
Pathophysiology of Depressive Illness: Review of the Literature and Case Example

Exciting advances in knowledge of pathophysiology, diagnostic procedures, and treatment of depression necessitate an update for the psychiatric/mental health nurse. In this paper the authors review the research literature and present a case example: a 31-year-old married white female with psychotic depression. 7Ae case example illustrates the complicated interaction of psychological and physiological variables in the genesis of depression and the utility of new laboratory tests to establish diagnosis and determine appropriate therapy. Implications for nurse clinicians are presented.
Inhibition of the in Vitro Synthesis of Pituitary Prolactin and Growth Hormone by Mouse Pituitary Isografts

SummaryPituitary glands from mice bearing pituitary isografts in the renal capsule for 6-74 weeks were incubated with 14C- labeled amino acids, and the incorporation into prolactin and growth hormone was determined. Mice with isografts for 23 weeks synthesized 60% less prolactin and growth hormone than did normal intact mice. Implantation of isografts for periods up to 74 weeks further decreased the ability of the pituitary gland to synthesize the prolactin hormone; however, at 74 weeks, the extent of this inhibition in growth hormone synthesis was some-what decreased. It is proposed that the decrease in prolactin and growth hormone synthesis is mediated by hormone(s) secreted by the tumor acting at the hypothalamo-pituitary level through an autofeedback process.The author thanks Prof. O. Muhlbock and Drs. L. M. Boot and H. W. Kwa for providing the laboratory facilities and fruitful discussions during his visit to the Netherlands Cancer Institute.
Photomask development for 90-nm technology

To accelerate the time-to-market of advanced photomasks, Photronics launched its 90nm program in spring 2003. The program included three learning cycles and a technology transfer phase. Both 90nm test masks and product masks from leading integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and foundries were exercised through the cycles. Stringent success criteria were set based on a survey of leading customers’ requirements and the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS). Hundreds of binary masks, embedded attenuated phase shift masks (EAPSMs), and alternating aperture phase shift masks (AAPSMs) were produced throughout the program. All targets were exceeded. This paper describes program success criteria, complexity of customer requirements, 90nm test vehicle design, and efforts on improving critical dimension (CD) uniformity and registration. Results in positive and negative chemically amplified resist (CAR) and tunable etching for AAPSM are shown. Details on AAPSM undercut optimization, intensity and CD imbalance are reported.
SOMATOSTATIN INHIBITS RAPID CENTROSOMAL SEPARATION AND CELL PROLIFERATION INDUCED BY EPIDERMAL GROWTH FACTOR.

The role of endogenous growth inhibitors in the regulation of cell proliferation is unclear. Although there are numerous studies on the stimulatory effect of peptide hormones such as insulin, the somatomedins and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on cell proliferation, little is known about the existence of hormones that might exert an antiproliferative effect on cells. Somatostatin (SS), a cyclic tetradecapeptide hormone that is widely distributed in the body, exerts an inhibitory effect on numerous cellular processes. We observed that SS at concentrations of 10-8 - 10-13M, inhibited EGF-induced centrosomal separation, which recent evidence suggests is necessary for DNA synthesis in response to EGF. This SS effect was associated with inhibition of DNA synthesis and cell replication induced by EGF in gerbil fibroma and HeLa cells. Inhibition of centrosomal separation and the consequent antiproliferative effect of SS may represent a biologically significant action of this ubiquitous hormone.
Joe Holmes—Here I Am Amongst You: Songs, Music and Traditions of an Ulsterman

Reviewed Medium: book Authors: Len Graham Year: 2010 Pages: 320 Publisher: Four Courts Press ISBN: 978-1-84682-251-3 (hard cover).
Radiotherapeutic Strategies in the Management of Low-Risk Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the most common nonskin malignancy among men in the United States. Since the introduction of screening with prostate-specific antigen (PSA), most patients are being diagnosed at an early stage with low-risk disease. For men with low-risk prostate cancer, there exists an array of radiotherapeutic strategies that are effective and well tolerated, such as external-beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. In recent years, there have been tremendous advances in the field of radiation oncology that have transformed the way radiation is used to treat prostate cancer, such as intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, and stereotactic radiotherapy. It is now feasible to deliver high doses of radiation to the target volume with improved precision and spare more of the neighboring tissues from potentially damaging radiation. Disease outcomes are generally excellent in low-risk prostate cancer. Improvements are expected with further integration of innovative technologies in radiation delivery, tumor imaging, and target localization.
Communication and control of electric drive vehicles supporting renewables

The coming intersection between a growing electrified vehicle fleet and desired growth in renewable electricity generation presents an opportunity for synergistic value. Some types of renewable electricity generation are variable and intermittent, and rarely coincident with utility load pattern. Vehicles are typically parked 90% of the time, and the batteries are a significant capital investment. In this paper we discuss the intersection of these two growth areas, the technology needed for integration, and several potential scenarios highlighting the limitations and opportunities for renewable energy resources to fuel electrified vehicles of the future.
Formulation of an Insect Medium for Thrips Monolayer Cell Cultures (Thysanoptera: Thripidae:Frankliniella occidentalis)

A thrips tissue culture system was developed from embryonic eggs from Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Cell lines that have been established for other insects offer a wide range of usages for studies of insect physiology, toxicology, and pathology. This study examined the efficiency of different insect cell culture media for suitability in establishing a thrips cell culture system. Final development of a medium for thrips cell culture allowed cells to be cultured up to 7 months. Within 1‐2 days after being explanted, tissue fragments and individual cells attached to the substrate; at this stage, fibroblast-like cells were the dominant cell type. Monolayers of epithelial-like cells were observed at 10‐20 days. This is the first cell culture system established which provides a method for the examination of thrips cell growth and metabolism and which provides a method for the study of virus infection and replication within the thrips vector F. occidentalis. © 1996 Academic Press, Inc.
Patterns of nucleic acids synthesis in normal and crown gall tumor tissue cultures of tobacco.

Abstract The bacteria-free crown gall tumor tissue cultures of tobacco were 40–90% higher in nucleic acid content and up to 10–15 times higher in the capacity to incorporate 32 P into RNA than the normal tissue cultures. Examination of the 32 P sedimentation profile of rapidly labeled nucleic acids from normal and tumor tissue cultures (12–42 days old) suggested some differences between the normal tissue and the tumor tissue, although the profiles also changed with the culture age. Since the 32 P nucleotide composition (AMP + UMP = 54–58%) of total RNA and of different RNA fractions, obtained by density gradient centhfugation, was similar to DNA (A + T = 61%) rather than ribosomal RNA (AMP + UMP = 44%), the RNA labeled with 32 P was considered to represent principally mRNA. Both the absorbance and the 32 P nucleotide compositions of total RNA from normal tissue were similar to those from tumor tissue, and, except for fraction “C,” consistent differences in the 32 P nucleotide compositions of different RNA fractions from normal and tumor tissue were not very apparent.
An algebraic approach to practical and scalable overlay network monitoring

Overlay network monitoring enables distributed Internet applications to detect and recover from path outages and periods of degraded performance within seconds. For an overlay network with n end hosts, existing systems either require O(n2) measurements, and thus lack scalability, or can only estimate the latency but not congestion or failures. Our earlier extended abstract [1] briefly proposes an algebraic approach that selectively monitors k linearly independent paths that can fully describe all the O(n2) paths. The loss rates and latency of these k paths can be used to estimate the loss rates and latency of all other paths. Our scheme only assumes knowledge of the underlying IP topology, with links dynamically varying between lossy and normal.In this paper, we improve, implement and extensively evaluate such a monitoring system. We further make the following contributions: i) scalability analysis indicating that for reasonably large n (e.g., 100), the growth of k is bounded as O(n log n), ii) efficient adaptation algorithms for topology changes, such as the addition or removal of end hosts and routing changes, iii) measurement load balancing schemes, and iv) topology measurement error handling. Both simulation and Internet experiments demonstrate we obtain highly accurate path loss rate estimation while adapting to topology changes within seconds and handling topology errors.
Timed circuit verification using TEL structures

Recent design examples have shown that significant performance gains are realized when circuit designers are allowed to make aggressive timing assumptions. Circuit correctness in these aggressive styles is highly timing dependent and, in industry, they are typically designed by hand. In order to automate the process of designing and verifying timed circuits, algorithms for their synthesis and verification are necessary. This paper presents timed event/level (TEL) structures, a specification formalism for timed circuits that corresponds directly to gate-level circuits. It also presents an algorithm based on partially ordered sets to make the state-space exploration of TEL structures more tractable. The combination of the new specification method and algorithm significantly improves efficiency for gate-level timing verification. Results on a number of circuits, including many from the recently published gigahertz unit Test Site (guTS) processor from IBM indicate that modules of significant size can be verified using a level of abstraction that preserves the interesting timing properties of the circuit. Accurate circuit level verification allows the designer to include less margin in the design, which can lead to increased performance.
Morphological characteristics of prostaglandin cytoprotection.

The term “cytoprotection” originally described the ability of prostaglandins, independent of their known antisecretory activity, to prevent macroscopic evidence of gastric injury induced in different animal models under various experimental conditions. Several recent reports have challenged this concept because the apparent macroscopic protection could not be confirmed microscopically. To determine whether prostaglandins do indeed possess cytoprotective properties, and if such effects are dependent on the dose and the route of prostaglandin administration, studies were performed using 16,16 dimethyl prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and the known gastric damaging agent, ethanol. Fasted rats received either oral or subcutaneous PGE2 in doses of 10 or 20 μg/kg or equal volumes of saline. Thirty minutes later, animals were given a 1-ml oral bolus of 50% or 100% ethanol or an equal volume of saline. At 5 minutes to 24 hours following ethanol, animals were sacrificed, and tissues from the glandular portion of the stomac...
White-Tailed Deer Antler Research: A Response to Demarais and Strickland

Demarais and Strickland presented several questions about the scope and validity of conclusions regarding predictability of mature antler size based on yearling antler size and produced a simulation model reported to demonstrate measurement bias in our 2008 study. We believe our conclusions were appropriate with our research hypothesis and demonstrated the assumed differential selection bias by hunters used in Demarais and Strickland was unwarranted. Demarais and Strickland provided no metadata to document the provenance of data used in their model and did not account for location, year, cohort, nutrition of research animals, or loss of individuals from their sample population by accidents or death: the same questions raised in their critique. Additionally, selection and experimental design problems in a portion of their sample population indicate their model results are questionable. Our responses to Demarais and Strickland will aid wildlife managers in making future culling decisions in white-tailed deer management.
Identifying Error-Prone Software&#8212;An Empirical Study

A major portion of the effort expended in developing commercial software today is associated with program testing. Schedule and/ or resource constraints frequently require that testing be conducted so as to uncover the greatest number of errors possible in the time allowed. In this paper we describe a study undertaken to assess the potential usefulness of various product-and process-related measures in identifying error-prone software. Our goal was to establish an empirical basis for the efficient utilization of limited testing resources using objective, measurable criteria. Through a detailed analysis of three software products and their error discovery histories, we have found simple metrics related to the amount of data and the structural complexity of programs to be of value for this purpose.
CO-Oximetry interference by perflubron emulsion: comparison of hemolyzing and nonhemolyzing instruments

Perflubron emulsion is expected to be in clinical use soon as a non-hemoglobin blood substitute. A preliminary report indicates that this new oxygen-carrying fluorocarbon interferes with the measurements of CO-oximeters. Therefore, we have quantified the interference that perflubron causes in the measurements of eight widely used oximeters and CO-oximeters. The AVL Omni 6, CC270, IL482, IL682, and OSM3 are conventional CO-oximeters that hemolyze blood samples before analyzing them. In contrast, the AVOXimeters 1000 and 4000 and the IL Synthesis 35 make their measurements without hemolyzing the samples. Because perflubron is expected to be used most frequently on surgical patients in a hemodiluted state, we conducted all tests on human erythrocytes suspended in plasma at a hemoglobin concentration standardized to 70 g/L (7 g/dL) and with oxyhemoglobin saturation set at 97%. When perflubron was added to the blood samples, the nonhemolyzing CO-oximeters were not seriously affected by perflubron concentrations in and above the therapeutic range. In contrast, some of the hemolyzing CO-oximeters experienced concentration-dependent interference in their measurements of all analytes except total hemoglobin concentration. Thus, we conclude that the nonhemolyzing CO-oximeters provide an effective means for determining whether a hemolyzing CO-oximeter is experiencing clinically important interference in blood from patients receiving perflubron.
Effects of Accessory Proteins on the Bypass of a cis-syn Thymine−Thymine Dimer by Saccharomyces cerevisiae DNA Polymerase η†

Among several hypotheses to explain how translesion synthesis (TLS) by DNA polymerase eta (pol eta) suppresses ultraviolet light-induced mutagenesis in vivo despite the fact that pol eta copies DNA with low fidelity, here we test whether replication accessory proteins enhance the fidelity of TLS by pol eta. We first show that the single-stranded DNA binding protein RPA, the sliding clamp PCNA, and the clamp loader RFC slightly increase the processivity of yeast pol eta and its ability to recycle to new template primers. However, these increases are small, and they are similar when copying an undamaged template and a template containing a cis-syn TT dimer. Consequently, the accessory proteins do not strongly stimulate the already robust TT dimer bypass efficiency of pol eta. We then perform a comprehensive analysis of yeast pol eta fidelity. We show that it is much less accurate than other yeast DNA polymerases and that the accessory proteins have little effect on fidelity when copying undamaged templates or when bypassing a TT dimer. Thus, although accessory proteins clearly participate in pol eta functions in vivo, they do not appear to help suppress UV mutagenesis by improving pol eta bypass fidelity per se.
Synergistic visual/haptic rendering modes for scientific visualization

Our approach uses a visual/haptic interface to display scientific data both graphically and haptically. The haptic interface provides a natural means of interacting with the data through direct tactile sensing and manipulation of the data display. Our experience with this interface suggests that users understand the data more clearly when the haptic component acts as a synergistic companion to the visual display. That is, rather than replace the visual display of data or display disparate data haptically, the haptic component reinforces and clarifies visual information via compatible haptic data rendering.
An optimal training signal structure for frequency-offset estimation

This paper addresses an optimal training-signal design for frequency-offset estimation. Based on minimizing the Cramer-Rao lower bound for frequency-offset estimation with constraints on the peak and the total training signal energies, and the training block length, the optimal training-signal structure is developed. An approximate version of the optimal training-signal structure is proposed, which has practically the same performance as the optimal one, and provides convenience in training-signal generation and estimator derivation. Two robust reduced-complexity frequency-offset estimation methods for the proposed training structures are presented. In order to handle larger frequency offsets, modified training-signal structures are proposed. Frequency-offset estimation methods suitable for these training signals are also derived, based on the best linear unbiased estimation principle. Analytical and simulation results show that the proposed training-signal structures improve the estimation performance significantly.
Pre-Measure to Pre-Integral

Each length function λ induces a rudimentary integration process as follows. If the function χ[a:b] is 1 on the interval [a:b] and 0 elsewhere, then its “integral” I λ (χ[a:b]) with respect to λ should be λ[a:b] and if f = ∑ i=1 n c i χ[a:b] then I λ (f) should be ∑ i=1 n c i λ[a i :b i ]. But is this assignment non-ambiguous? Stated in another way: does the function χ[a:b] ↦λ[a:b] have a linear extension to the vector space of linear combinations of functions of the form χ[a:b]? It turns out that this is the case, and that it is a consequence of the fact that λ has an additive extension to a ring of sets containing the closed intervals, as we presently demonstrate.
Taking Up Faith: Ethical Methods for Studying Writing in Religious Contexts

Greater attention to methods and methodologies when studying writing in religious contexts is needed to help researchers navigate ethical issues specific to faith communities and religious practices; to improve knowledge regarding the relationships among writing, religion, and faith; and to encourage respect for religious and nonreligious beliefs. To that end, I present findings from a study based on interviews of 14 scholars who have published results from their empirical studies on writing and religion or faith. Specifically, interview data show, first, researchers’ religious positionalities acting as terministic screens and promoting identification with participants, and, second, researchers’ efforts to fairly represent participants’ beliefs and the methods they use to do so. The article also offers a heuristic, based on findings from the interviews, for maintaining a reflective position when conducting research on writing and religious contexts.
Hospital cost of pediatric patients with complicated acute sinusitis.

Abstract Objective Review costs for pediatric patients with complicated acute sinusitis. Methods A retrospective case series of patients in a pediatric hospital was created to determine hospital costs using a standardized activity-based accounting system for inpatient treatment between November 2010 and December 2014. Children less than 18 years of age who were admitted for complicated acute sinusitis were included in the study. Demographics, length of stay, type of complication and cost of care were determined for these patients. Results The study included 64 patients with a mean age of 10 years. Orbital cellulitis (orbital/preseptal/postseptal cellulitis) accounted for 32.8% of patients, intracranial complications (epidural/subdural abscess, cavernous sinus thrombosis) for 29.7%, orbital abscesses (subperiosteal/intraorbital abscesses) for 25.0%, potts puffy tumor for 7.8%, and other (including facial abscess and dacryocystitis) for 4.7%. The average length of stay was 5.7 days. The mean cost per patient was $20,748. Inpatient floor costs (31%) and operating room costs (18%) were the two greatest expenditures. The major drivers in variation of cost between types of complications included pediatric intensive care unit stays and pharmacy costs. Conclusion Although complicated acute sinusitis in the pediatric population is rare, this study demonstrates a significant financial impact on the health care system. Identifying ways to reduce unnecessary costs for these visits would improve the value of care for these patients.
HydroCoil for Endovascular Aneurysm Occlusion (HEAL) Study: 3–6 Month Angiographic Follow-Up Results

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The HydroCoil Embolic System (HES) was developed reduce recurrences of aneurysms relative to platinum coils. This study was conducted to evaluate the recurrence rate of cerebral aneurysms 3–6 months after treatment with HES. METHODS: We report the results in 135 cerebral aneurysms treated with HES in a prospective multicenter registry. Angiographic results 3–6 months after treatment were evaluated at a core laboratory. Wide variation in HES utilization within the HydroCoil for Endovascular Aneurysm Occlusion (HEAL) registry (HES representing 5% to 100% of the coil length used) allowed for subgroup analysis with regard to percentage length, last coil used, and packing attenuation in small ( RESULTS: The overall recurrence rate was 38 (28.1%) of 135, which included a number of large, giant, and previously recurrent aneurysms. When HES represented ≥75% of coil length, the recurrence rate was 0 (0%) of 18, whereas with P = .035). When the final coil deposited was a HES coil, the recurrence rate was 6 (11%) of 53, whereas when the final coil was platinum, the recurrence rate was 10 (29%) of 34 ( P = .047). When the packing attenuation was ≥50%, the recurrence rate was 11 (19%) of 59, whereas for packing attenuation CONCLUSION: Although the overall recurrence rates for small and large aneurysms in HEAL were no lower than published rates for aneurysms treated with platinum coils, patients treated in HEAL had a reduced recurrence rate when greater than 75% of the coil length used to treat an aneurysm was HES and when the final coil was HES.
Commentary on article: Laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion for multilevel cervical myelopathy: A meta-analysis of clinical and radiological outcomes by Chang-Hyun Lee et al.

Background: This is a commentary on the article laminoplasty versus laminectomy and fusion (LF) for multilevel cervical myelopathy: A meta-analysis of clinical and radiological outcomes by Chang-Hyun Lee et al. Here, the authors utilized seven studies to compare the efficacy of cervical expansive laminoplasty (EL) versus laminectomy and fusion (LF) to address three or more level multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM). Both procedures led to similar degrees of neurological recovery and short-term loss of lordosis, but found that LF led to more favorable long-term results.
DRUG-USE EVALUATION PROGRAMS IN SHORT-TERM-CARE GENERAL HOSPITALS

The results of a survey to assess drug-use evaluation (DUE) programs in short-term-care general U.S. hospitals are reported. During February 1992, questionnaires were mailed to pharmacy directors at 491 randomly selected short-term-care general hospitals with 100 or more beds. The questionnaire was designed to collect information on the characteristics of surveyed hospitals and their pharmacies, DUE program characteristics, and the perceptions of pharmacists about the DUE programs. The net response rate was 66.6% (327 usable replies). Pharmacists involvement in DUE program activities was found to be very high, with two thirds of respondents indicating they participated in all five ASHP-recommended activities. Pharmacists rated the effectiveness of current DUE programs as moderate, while the importance of pharmacist participation was perceived to be very high. Pharmacists were members of 97.9% of the respondents' DUE committees, but only 65.5% of the pharmacist members held voting privileges. Pharmacists reported devoting an average of 11.27 hours weekly to DUE-related tasks. Reasons used to select drugs for DUEs, interventions employed, uses of DUE results, and methods of evaluating the effectiveness of DUE programs all varied widely. In short-term-care general hospitals with 100 or more beds, pharmacists assigned to DUE activities were highly involved in DUE committees and programs. The effectiveness of these activities needs to be assessed in more detail.
A 500 GHz Quasi-Optical Slot Antenna SIS Mixer

We describe a new quasi-optical SIS mixer design which attempts to obtain efficient radiation coupling into the SIS tunnel junction. Devices were fabricated at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) using Nb/Al-oxide/Nb junctions, and a receiver noise temperature of 420 K (DSB) was measured at 490 GHz.
Flex fuel polygeneration: Integrating renewable natural gas into Fischer–Tropsch synthesis

Abstract Flex Fuel Polygeneration (FFPG) is the use of multiple primary energy sources for the production of multiple energy carriers to achieve increased market opportunities. FFPG allows energy supply adjustments to meet market fluctuations and increase resilience to contingencies such as weather disruptions, technological changes, and variations in supply of energy resources. As an example of FFPG, we explored natural gas and municipal solid waste as the primary energy sources converted into electricity and transportation fuels as the energy carriers through the processes of anaerobic digestion, Fischer–Tropsch synthesis (FTS), and combined cycle power. We combined previous techno-economic analyses of conventional energy production plants to obtain equipment and operating costs, and then evaluated the economic performance of the FFPG plant designs. We investigated the effect of changing operating parameters on economic performance of the baseline FTS and FFPG systems.
Parameterization of Lamellar Repeat Spacings for Lipid Bilayers in Binary Salt Mixtures

For lipids that form multilamellar vesicles, the interlamellar equilibrium spacing (D-spacing) depends on the chemical composition of the aqueous solution. For example, the D-spacing of phosphatidylcholine lipids increases with increasing KCl or KBr concentrations. However, the variation of D-spacing is specific to each salt. One can then consider binary solutions in which the fraction of ions is varied at constant total concentration. The question is whether the resulting D-spacing variation follows any general functional form when plotted versus fractional composition. We show that general variations of this kind can be parameterized with simple power functions that reflect the cooperativity or competition of ion types in binary mixtures.
The Contributions of President Kenneth N. Waltz

Kenneth Waltz and his work do not fit our normal stereotypes. He draws heavily on classical political and social theory and simultaneously develops parsimonious and powerful analytical models. When most of us are either strongly influenced by models and assumptions drawn from either economics or sociology, Waltz combines them, bringing insights from Emile Durkheim and Adam Smith. At a time of increasing specialization, he develops arguments that apply to international political economy as well as to national security. Although he works in the sub-field of international politicswhich is often considered somewhat
Excretion of Urea in the Rabbit at Different Age Periods.

Urea determinations have been made in many kinds of animals and under various conditions, but the literature apparently does not contain any reference to a relationship of urea excretion in normal rabbits to the age of the animal. This investigation was therefore undertaken to ascertain the daily amount of urea nitrogen excreted in the urine of rabbits from birth to adult condition. Fifty-one rabbits were used, including all ages from fully grown fetuses to adult animals.Collection of urine. To collect the urine from the fetuses the mother was killed by decapitation, and the abdomen of the fetus after removal from the uterus was opened by an incision. The urine was removed by means of a fine hypodermic needle. The same method was used for collecting urine from the new born rabbits up to the age of 4 days. In these experiments practically no urine was found in the bladders of 8 fetuses and 12 new born rabbits, 2 to 5 minutes after parturition, except for a very small drop occasionally encountered, which wa...
Quadratic Hexa-Dimensional Solution for Relative Orbit Determination

An approximate second-order nonlinear closed-form solution for three-dimensional relative motion assuming Keplerian dynamics and a circular reference track has been applied to the relative initial orbit determination problem recently with promising results. In that work, several solution strategies have been offered including a nonlinear formulation that solves the original measurement equations without exploiting their polynomial structure and an equivalent linear formulation with equality constraints based on eigen decomposition concepts. Consideration of a new solution strategy based on the intersection of quadratic surfaces in a hexa-dimensional space for the relative initial orbit determination problem is the subject of this paper. The polynomial measurement equation structure in terms of the unknown initial relative position and velocity states is shown to be second-order surfaces in the six-dimensional state space, and their intersection corresponds to the relative orbit determination solution. These equations are then reformulated as a single resultant polynomial equation, which can also be solved with eigen decomposition concepts. Numeric examples are presented to assess the performance of the new solution strategy and to compare against the previously offered solution strategies. The intent of the study is to expose and discuss any significant similarities and/or differences in the relative orbit determination solution techniques.
Continuous Blood Purification Combined with Hemoperfusion for Treating Critically Sick Children with Acute Renal Failure

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of continuous blood purification(CBP) combined with hemoperfusion(HP) for treating critically sick children with acute renal failure(ARF).MethodsTen critically sick children with ARF treated with CBP combined with HP were studied.These children with ARF were hospitalized in Anhui Provincial Children′s Hospital from Apr.2009 to Aug.2010.Continuous veno-venous hemodiafiltration(CVVHDF) model was selected and treated at the bedside with CBP therapy lasting 8 to 36 hours.HP was sequentially performed with HA series resin manufactured by Zhuhai Franc Biomedical Materials Co.Ltd.,perfusion lasting for 2 hours.The changes in indexes were observed,including blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),creatine phosphokinase(CK),electrolytes,C reactive protein(CRP),endothelin(ET),central venous pressure(CVP),mean arterial pressure(MAP),oxygenation index[pa(O2)/FiO2],arterial blood gas analysis and so on before and after treatment.The statistical analysis of the results were performed by SPSS 13.0 software.ResultsThe levels of blood BUN,SCr,body temperature,ALT,CK were significantly reduced after CBP combined with HP treatment;electrolyte,acid-base balance disorders were corrected.CRP was decreased dramatically,pa(O2)/FiO2 significantly increased;the hemodynamics of patients were stable during the treatment and ET,heart rate,and CVP were significantly lower than before therapy.The above differences were statistically significant(Pa0.05).Six cases got cured,2 cases gave up,2 cases got better.ConclusionsThe hemodynamics in children are stable,and nitremia,water electrolyte,and acid-base equilibrium disorder are effectively corrected in the course of treatment by CBP combined with HP,which is a safe and effective way in treating critically ill children with ARF.J Appl Clin Pediatr,2011,26(6): 401-403