cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of alkylating agents derived from diamines on fertility of the male mouse.

Nachweis, dass einige alkylierende Substanzen, die von verschiedenen Diaminen erhalten wurden, die Spermatogenese mannlicher Swiss-Webster-Mause hemmen. Eine davon verursachte achtwochige Sterilitat und scheint zur Kontrolle von Nagetieren besonders geeignet.
Imaging of cancer invasion and metastasis using green fluorescent protein.

Abstract The use of green fluorescent protein to fluorescently tag tumour cells has allowed investigators to open the “black box” of metastasis in order to visualise the behaviour of tumour cells in living tissues. Analysis of cells leaving the primary tumour indicates that highly metastatic cells are able to polarise more effectively towards blood vessels while poorly metastatic cells fragment more often when interacting with blood. In addition, there appear to be greater numbers of host immune system cells interacting with metastatic tumours. After arresting in target organs such as the lungs or liver, most tumour cells become dormant or apoptose. A small fraction of the arrested cells form metastases. In some target organs, migration of tumour cells may enhance the ability to form metastases.
Challenges that nurses face in caring for morbidly obese patients in the acute care setting

Abstract Background Despite increasing numbers of morbidly obese patients admitted to acute care facilities for surgery or treatment of nonsurgical conditions, there is little evidence of the problems nurses face in providing care to these patients. Anecdotal evidence suggests that the care of these patients is more demanding than the care of nonobese patients. The objective of this study was to describe nurses' perceptions of the challenges that they face when caring for morbidly obese patients. Methods Focus groups of nurses from a tertiary care facility were convened. A trained facilitator posed questions to the group concerning various aspects of care for morbidly obese patients. Comments of respondents were categorized using NVIVO software. Results Nurses reported concerns about the increased staffing needs required for care of these patients and the particular challenges of the physical care. Concerns also included the availability, placement, and use of specialized equipment. Room size and the absence of some equipment were also problematic. Finally, nurses perceived safety issues, both for themselves and their patients. Conclusions Morbidly obese patients in the acute care setting require specialized nursing care in terms of techniques, levels of staffing required, and the use of specialized equipment.
SIVΔnef vaccination mobilizes systemic and mucosal natural killer cells in Mamu A*01+ macaques

Background Although vaccination with live attenuated SIV is the most effective means of inducing protection against lentiviruses, the immunologic mechanisms responsible remain unclear. Previous studies have yielded conflicting data regarding the role of adaptive immune responses in mediating protection, suggesting that innate immune responses, including natural killer (NK) cells, may play a role.
Risk factors of infection after ORIF of bicondylar tibial plateau fractures.

Objectives:This study was designed to evaluate risk factors of infection after bicondylar tibial plateau fractures. We hypothesized that open fractures and smoking would be associated with deep infection requiring reoperation.Design:We retrospectively identified all bicondylar (AO/OTA 41-C) tibial p
Studies on the structures of haptoglobin 1-1 and hemoglobin in the haptoglobin-hemoglobin complex.

Abstract The near and far ultraviolet (UV) circular dichroism (CD) spectra of human haptoglobin 1-1 (Hp 1-1) and of one of its complexes with horse ferrihemoglobin are presented. Comparison of the far UV spectrum of the complex with the appropriate weighted sum of its components gives a calculated spectrum that is slightly more negative than the experimental at every wavelength. The small deviation from additivity indicates that if any changes in secondary structure occur on complex formation, they are very small. The basic chain folding of the hemoglobin is preserved, at least with regard to helix content. Changes in side-chain and heme optical activity cause similar deviations from additivity in the near UV and these may be responsible for the observed far UV deviations.
Antifungal and peroxidative activities of nonheme chloroperoxidase in relation to transgenic plant protection.

Nonheme chloroperoxidase (CPO-P) of Pseudomonas pyrrocinia catalyzes the oxidation of alkyl acids to peracids by hydrogen peroxide. Alkyl peracids possess potent antifungal activity as found with peracetate: 50% killing (LD50) of Aspergillus flavus occurred at 25 μM compared to 3.0 mM for the hydrogen peroxide substrate. To evaluate whether CPO-P could protect plants from fungal infection, tobacco was transformed with a gene for CPO-P from P. pyrrocinia and assayed for antifungal activity. Leaf extracts from transformed plants inhibited growth of A. flavus by up to 100%, and levels of inhibition were quantitatively correlated to the amounts of CPO-P activity expressed in leaves. To clarify if the peroxidative activity of CPO-P could be the basis for the increased resistance, the antifungal activity of the purified enzyme was investigated. The LD50 of hydrogen peroxide combined with CPO-P occurred at 2.0 mM against A. flavus. Because this value was too small to account for the enhanced antifungal activity...
Magneto-transport in InAs/AlSb quantum wells with large electron concentration modulation

Abstract We report measurements of magnetocapacitance, Hall resistance, and magnetoresistance of gated InAs/AlSb quantum wells, By varying the voltage between the front gate and the two-dimensional electron gas, we were able to make magneto-transport measurements at 4.2 K for electron concentrations covering a range from 3 × 1011 to 3 × 1012 cm−2. A strongly modified magnetocapacitance signal and a drop in the mobility were observed as the second subband became populated. The relation of gate voltage to density of mobile carriers obtained from these measurements was in agreement with the simple capacitor model, indicating the absence of Fermi level pinning in the quantum well.
Emergency ventricular pacing from the esophagus in infancy

Abstract Use of transesophageal ventricular pacing for emergency cardiac pacing has been reported in adults, 1–4 but not in infants. Emergency pacing in infants has heretofore required introduction of a transvenous catheter. In this report we describe an infant who required emergency ventricular pacing, which was successfully performed using an esophageal catheter.
Fuel cell–gas turbine hybrid system design part II: Dynamics and control

Abstract Fuel cell gas turbine hybrid systems have achieved ultra-high efficiency and ultra-low emissions at small scales, but have yet to demonstrate effective dynamic responsiveness or base-load cost savings. Fuel cell systems and hybrid prototypes have not utilized controls to address thermal cycling during load following operation, and have thus been relegated to the less valuable base-load and peak shaving power market. Additionally, pressurized hybrid topping cycles have exhibited increased stall/surge characteristics particularly during off-design operation. This paper evaluates additional control actuators with simple control methods capable of mitigating spatial temperature variation and stall/surge risk during load following operation of hybrid fuel cell systems. The novel use of detailed, spatially resolved, physical fuel cell and turbine models in an integrated system simulation enables the development and evaluation of these additional control methods. It is shown that the hybrid system can achieve greater dynamic response over a larger operating envelope than either individual sub-system; the fuel cell or gas turbine. Results indicate that a combined feed-forward, P–I and cascade control strategy is capable of handling moderate perturbations and achieving a 2:1 (MCFC) or 4:1 (SOFC) turndown ratio while retaining >65% fuel-to-electricity efficiency, while maintaining an acceptable stack temperature profile and stall/surge margin.
Complications of Nasotracheal Intubation

For a two-month period, 71 nasotracheal intubations done in the emergency department or inpatient units at Detroit General Hospital were studied. Sixtyfive of 71 intubations, or 91%, were successful. Mild or moderate complications occurred in 15 of 71 patients, and consisted of mild or moderate bleeding. Moderate to severe complications occurred in seven of 71 patients, and consisted of severe bleeding and retropharyngeal perforation. Retropharyngeal perforation may be a more common complication of nasotracheal intubation than realized. The major technical error is failure to appreciate that loss of flow of air from the tube, once the tube has passed the turbinates, means that the lumen of the tube is abutting the pharyngeal mucosa. Even slight pressure at this point can lead to retropharyngeal perforation.
Ferrochelatase activity in Azospirillum brasilense with reference to the influence of metal cations.

Ferrochelatase in membrane preparations fromAzospirillum brasilense displayed an activity of 2.17 μmol protoheme formed · h−1 · mg protein−1 which is 10-fold greater than previous reports for other bacteria. This ferrochelatase showed an apparentKm of 20.9 μM for Fe2+, a pH optimum of 6.0–6.5, and stimulation by oleic or stearic acids. Co2+, Cu2+ and Zn2+ inhibited the incorporation of Fe2+ into protoporphyrin IX while Ni2 and Mg2+ had no effect on protoheme synthesis. Activity with Fe2+ and mesoporphyrin IX was less than with protoporphyrin IX but deuteroporphyrin IX produced the highest rate of protoheme synthesis. The membrane fraction containing ferrochelatase activity was found to insert Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+ and Co2+ enzymatically into protoporphyrin IX to produce metalloporphyrins. Cu2+ incorporation into protoporphyrin IX proceeded at a rate greater than with Fe2+ and theKm for Cu2+ was 21.9 μM.
The temporal evolution of plate driving forces: Importance of “slab suction” versus “slab pull” during the Cenozoic

Although mantle slabs ultimately drive plate motions, the mechanism by which they do so remains unclear. A detached slab descending through the mantle will excite mantle flow that exerts shear tractions on the base of the surface plates. This "slab suction'' force drives subducting and overriding plates symmetrically toward subduction zones. Alternatively, cold, strong slabs may effectively transmit stresses to subducting surface plates, exerting a direct "slab pull'' force on these plates, drawing them rapidly toward subduction zones. This motion induces mantle flow that pushes overriding plates away from subduction zones. We constrain the relative importance of slab suction and slab pull by comparing Cenozoic plate motions to model predictions that include viscous mantle flow and a proxy for slab strength. We find that slab pull from upper mantle slabs combined with slab suction from lower mantle slabs explains the observation that subducting plates currently move similar to4 times faster than nonsubducting plates. This implies that upper mantle slabs are strong enough to support their own weight. Slab suction and slab pull presently account for about 40 and 60% of the forces on plates, but slab suction only similar to30% if a low-viscosity asthenosphere decouples plates from mantle flow. The importance slab pull has been increasing steadily through the Cenozoic because the mass and length of upper mantle slabs has been increasing. This causes subducting plates to double their speed relative to nonsubducting plates during this time period. Our model explains this temporal evolution of plate motions for the first time.
Multi-configuration electron-hole potential method for excited states

The recently proposed electron-hole potential (EHP) method for excited states is extended to the multi-configurational case. The variation equation is solved using the quadratic convergence method. The EHP methods are shown to be approximations to the complete singly excited configuration interaction (CSECI) in the variational sense. Extended Brillouin theorems are proved for the EHP methods. The excitation energies and wave functions obtained by one and two configurational EHP methods agree well with those of the CSECI method. The EHP methods have clear advantage in the computer time requirement over the CI method and are especially suited for a calculation of approximate excited states of large molecules. The EHP methods are applicable to excited states which belong to the same irreducible representation as the ground state.
Free flap reconstruction of the head and neck: analysis of 241 cases.

Objective: We undertook this study of free flap reconstruction of the head and neck to stratify patients and procedures, to determine how donor site preference changed over time, to assess medical and surgical outcomes, and to identify variables associated with complications. Methods: We analyzed computerized medical records from 236 patients who underwent a total of 241 reconstructions at a tertiary academic medical center in St. Louis between 1989 and 1998. We created a more detailed retrospective database of 141 of those patients by using 48 perioperative variables and 7 adverse outcome measures. Multivariate statistical models were used to analyze associations between variables and outcomes. Results: The fibula became the preferred donor site for mandibular reconstruction, and the radial forearm became the preferred donor site for pharyngoesophageal reconstruction. For the 241 procedures, the mortality rate was 2.1%, the median length of stay was 11 days, and the flap survival rate was 95%. Administration of more than 7 L of crystalloid during surgery and age over 55 were associated with major medical complications. Blood transfusion, prognostic comorbidity, and number of surgeons correlated with length of stay. Cigarette smoking and receipt of more than 7 L of crystalloid during surgery were associated with overall flap complications, and weight loss of more than 10% before surgery, more than one operating surgeon, and cigarette smoking were associated with major flap complications. Conclusions: Risk to patients and transferred tissue is low in free flap head and neck reconstruction. Age, smoking history, and weight loss should be considered during patient selection. Fluid balance should be considered during and after surgery. Division of labor for patient care should be carefully delineated among surgeons in a teaching setting. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;125:10-7.)
Modeling of melt conveying and heat transfer in a twin-screw cheese stretcher

A numerical model to simulate non-isothermal generalized Newtonian flow inside a deep-channel twin-screw cheese stretcher was developed. System variables (SME, MRT and TE) of the process were defined and mathematical models were developed to compute system variables from the flow field. The stretcher-cooker geometry and operating conditions strongly influence the system variables. Therefore, the stretcher-cooker geometry and operating conditions can be adjusted to control the process towards a desirable end. The technique developed in this study can help to improve the stretcher-cooker design and to optimize the pasta filata operation to obtain more desirable final product.
Neurocognitive Function of Patients with Severe Combined Immunodeficiency

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) has offered a curative approach for treating patients with severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID). However, HSCT may have long-term effects on some of these patients, This article reviews the literature regarding long-term neurocognitive function of patients who have received HSCT for SCID, including the effect of disease-specific characteristics, psychosocial factors, being a chronically ill child, and transplant-related factors.
Emergency communications within the limited English proficient Chinese community.

Limited English speaking communities face communication challenges during emergencies. Our objective was to investigate Chinese limited English proficiency individuals’ perceptions of and inclination to interact with emergency communication systems. A telephone survey was conducted in Mandarin or Cantonese with 250 ethnic Chinese individuals who spoke little or no English. Respondents who spoke no English were less likely to name 9-1-1 as their first source of help for a medical emergency than those who spoke some English (p < 0.01). Those reporting higher levels of confidence in handling the situation were more likely to name 9-1-1 as their first source of help, as were those who listed 9-1-1 as their most trusted source of help (p < 0.01). For this group, the results indicate that calling 9-1-1 may require a sense of self-efficacy. Not calling 9-1-1 in a medical emergency can have serious health consequences, thus interventions are needed to increase confidence in accessing 9-1-1.
Racial/ethnic disparities in sleep health and health care: importance of the sociocultural context

Sleep may play an important role in health disparities. Indeed, several studies have shown that racial/ethnic minorities in the United States are more likely to report short (≤6 hours) sleep durations, relative to non-Hispanic white.1,2 Furthermore, several studies have shown that although sleep complaints may be difficult to assess in minority populations,3 minorities tend to be at increased risk for poor sleep quality.4,5 This is important because habitual short sleep duration is associated with obesity,6 cardiovascular disease,7 diabetes,8 and mortality.9 Several studies have also shown poor health outcomes associated with poor sleep quality.10 Furthermore, several studies have suggested that the relationship between sleep duration and these health outcomes differs across racial/ethnic groups. For example, data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and National Health Interview Survey data sets have evidenced that relationships between sleep duration and obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia depend on individuals race/ethnicity.11,12 It is also likely that race/ethnicity influences relationships between sleep duration and plasma levels of C-reactive protein13 as well as relationships between sleep apnea and risk of sleep apnea.14 Taken together, this literature suggests that short sleep duration and/or poor sleep quality are associated with adverse health outcomes, racial/ethnic minorities are at increased risk for short sleep duration and/or poor sleep quality, and the relationships between sleep and health outcomes may be moderated by race/ethnicity. Thus, the issue of sleep health disparities represents an important area of research. Nearly 3 decades ago, the US Secretary's Task Force on Black and Minority Health concluded that “despite the unprecedented explosion of scientific knowledge and the phenomenal capacity of medicine to diagnose, treat, and cure disease, blacks, Hispanics, Native Americans, and those of Asian/Pacific Islander heritage have not benefited fully or equitably from the fruits of science or from systems responsible for translating and using health sciences technology.”15 Yet, for many reasons, less is known about racial/ethnic health and health care disparities in sleep medicine. Moreover, potential cultural influences on sleep disorders, sleep practices, and habitual sleep duration have received little attention in the adult sleep literature. The main purpose of this review is to (1) examine potential ramifications of inadequate sleep in a multicultural context; (2) identify cultural variations between patient and provider in the delivery of sleep care, borrowing from the medical and psychosocial literature; and (3) propose potential strategies to address sleep disparities. We conclude with an agenda for advancing health disparities research in sleep medicine.
Parental Weight Status and Girls’ Television Viewing, Snacking, and Body Mass Indexes

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine whether television viewing (TVV) provides a context for patterns of snacking fostering overweight in young girls from overweight and non-overweight families. Research Methods and Procedures: Participants were 173 non-Hispanic white girls and their parents from central Pennsylvania, assessed longitudinally when girls were 5, 7, and 9 years old. Path analysis was used to test patterns of relationships among girls’ TVV, snacking while watching television, snacking frequency, fat intake from energy-dense snack food, and girls’ increase in body mass index (BMI) from age 5 to 9. Results: In both overweight and non-overweight families, girls who watched more television consumed more snacks in front of the television. In families where neither parent was overweight, television viewing was the only significant predictor of girls’ increase in BMI. In families where one or both parents were overweight, girls who watched more television snacked more frequently, and girls who snacked more frequently had higher intakes of fat from energy-dense snacks, which predicted their increase in BMI from age 5 to 9. TVV did not directly predict girls’ increase in BMI in girls from overweight families. Discussion: The results of this study support and extend previous findings that have shown that excessive television viewing and snacking patterns are risk factors for the development of overweight in children; however, patterns of relationships may differ based on parental weight status. For overweight families, TVV may provide a context for excessive snack consumption, in addition to inactivity.
The effect of transdermal scopolamine for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting

Postoperative nausea and vomiting is one of the most common and undesirable complaints recorded in as many as 70%-80% of high-risk surgical patients. The current prophylactic therapy recommendations for PONV management stated in the Society of Ambulatory Anesthesia guidelines should start with monotherapy and patients at moderate to high risk, a combination of antiemetic medication should be considered. Consequently, if rescue medication is required, the antiemetic drug chosen should be from a different therapeutic class and administration mode than the drug used for prophylaxis. The guidelines restrict the use of dexamethasone, transdermal scopolamine, aprepitant, and palonosetron as rescue medication 6 hours after surgery. In an effort to find a safer and reliable therapy for postoperative nausea and vomiting, new drugs with antiemetic properties and minimal side effects are needed, and scopolamine may be considered an effective alternative. Scopolamine is a belladonna alkaloid, α-(hydroxymethyl) benzene acetic acid 9-methyl-3-oxa-9-azatricyclo non-7-yl ester, acting as a nonselective muscarinic antagonist and producing both peripheral antimuscarinic and central sedative, antiemetic, and amnestic effects. The empirical formula is C17H21NO4 and its structural formula is a tertiary amine L-(2)-scopolamine (tropic acid ester with scopine; MW = 303.4). Scopolamine became the first drug commercially available as a transdermal therapeutic system used for extended continuous drug delivery during 72 hours. Clinical trials with transdermal scopolamine have consistently demonstrated its safety and efficacy in postoperative nausea and vomiting. Thus, scopolamine is a promising candidate for the management of postoperative nausea and vomiting in adults as a first line monotherapy or in combination with other drugs. In addition, transdermal scopolamine might be helpful in preventing postoperative discharge nausea and vomiting owing to its long-lasting clinical effects.
A relative trace identity between GL2n and Sp̃n

We prove a relative trace identity between GL2n and Spn, using Ginzburg, Rallis, and Soudry's work on automorphic descent. This should serve as a model on using automorphic descent to establish a relative trace identity
Microstructure fabrication process induced modulations in CVD graphene

The systematic Raman spectroscopic study of a “mimicked” graphene device fabrication is presented. Upon photoresist baking, compressive stress is induced in the graphene which disappears after it is removed. The indirect irradiation from the electron beam (through the photoresist) does not significantly alter graphene characteristic Raman peaks indicating that graphene quality is preserved upon the exposure. The 2D peak shifts and the intensity ratio of 2D and G band, I(2D)/I(G), decreases upon direct metal deposition (Co and Py) suggesting that the electronic modulation occurs due to sp2 C-C bond weakening. In contrast, a thin metal oxide film deposited graphene does not show either the significant 2D and G peaks shift or I(2D)/I(G) decrease upon the metal deposition suggesting the oxide protect the graphene quality in the fabrication process.
Management of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A 60-Year-Old Man With Probable Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: Weight Reduction, Liver Biopsy, or Both?

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most common hepatic disorders in the United States, but uncertainty remains as to the optimal way to manage it. Using the case of Mr T, a 60-year-old man with obesity, diabetes mellitus, and increased serum transaminase levels, an evidence-based approach to diagnosis and treatment is discussed. Diagnosis of NAFLD is based on patient clinical profile and risk factors for metabolic syndrome, the exclusion of other liver diseases, radiologic imaging and sometimes biopsy. At this point in Mr T's disease, the most important step is differentiation between simple steatosis and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Simple steatosis has a benign natural history, but NASH is progressive and may lead to cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver cancer. An evidence-based approach to treatment is limited by lack of large randomized trials, particularly of combinations of therapies, but weight loss, exercise, and medical therapies targeted at the mechanism of liver injury in NASH are recommended. Improved noninvasive diagnostic tests, a clearer understanding of the natural history of NAFLD, and large, well-designed clinical trials are needed.
928 EFFECTIVE TREATMENT OF METASTATIC CANCER WITH IN VITRO IMMUNIZED AUTOLOGOUS LYMPHOCYTES AND CIMETIDINE

We report results of a Phase I study of a novel immunotherapy we developed based on our described technique for in vitro primary immunization of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM) (Biotechniques 1:30, 1983). Twenty patients with metastatic cancer were enrolled in this prospective study (15 renal cell and 1 each of breast carcinoma, glioblastoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, melanoma and transitional cell carcinoma). Patient PBM were depleted of suppressor T-cells and immunized in vitro against autologous tumor antigen. The immunized PBM were then re-infused. Patients received 3 infusions, each of 50-100 × 106 cells. In addition, patients received cimetidine to block suppressor T-cell activation (Lancet I:636, 1981). The only toxicity was fever of 102° in 1 patient following-the second infusion. At this time, 10 patients are available for analysis with regard to therapeutic efficacy. This excludes 5 patients who died prior to their first efficacy evaluation timepoint (3 months) and 5 others who have not yet reached that timepoint. Five of these 10 evaluable patients had an objective clinical response, as evidenced by clinical examination or radiographic study. There was a significant correlation (p<-05) between clinical response and the level of specific anti-tumor antibody that could be measured in patient sera following treatment. We are encouraged by these results, since toxicity appears minimal, and we saw objective evidence of therapeutic efficacy in patients with end-stage metastatic disease.
Dynamic interferometry techniques for optical path length measurements

Two dynamic interferometric techniques based on electrically tunable lasers are described and experimentally demonstrated. The first technique allows for measurements of small phase modulations in interferometers independently of dc drifts and low frequency noise in the interferometer. The second scheme is a true FM technique suited for continuous real-time noncontact measurements of the optical thickness of transparent materials.
Voter response to computerized campaigning

A computer system was designed to telephone voters en masse and play a short campaign message in support of a candidate. The calling program used a new algorithm to detect and leave messages on answering machines, or, when a human answered, to observe telephone etiquette. It was tested in the Raleigh City Council election of 1993. Over 30,000 households were called in both a primary and final election. Immediately after the November election about 600 of the called households were polled by telephone (using human interrogators) to measure the effect of the calling campaign. Among persons reached who actually voted, 52% remembered the candidate's name, and 6.4% said the call had affected their vote.
Vesicle trafficking maintains nuclear shape in Saccharomyces cerevisiae during membrane proliferation

The parameters that control nuclear size and shape are poorly understood. In yeast, unregulated membrane proliferation, caused by deletion of the phospholipid biosynthesis inhibitor SPO7, leads to a single nuclear envelope “flare” that protrudes into the cytoplasm. This flare is always associated with the asymmetrically localized nucleolus, which suggests that the site of membrane expansion is spatially confined by an unknown mechanism. Here we show that in spo7Δ cells, mutations in vesicle-trafficking genes lead to multiple flares around the entire nucleus. These mutations also alter the distribution of small nucleolar RNA–associated nucleolar proteins independently of their effect on nuclear shape. Both single- and multi-flared nuclei have increased nuclear envelope surface area, yet they maintain the same nuclear/cell volume ratio as wild-type cells. These data suggest that, upon membrane expansion, the spatial confinement of the single nuclear flare is dependent on vesicle trafficking. Moreover, flares may facilitate maintenance of a constant nuclear/cell volume ratio in the face of altered membrane proliferation.
The Evolution of Dispersal in Reserve Networks

The fragmentation of an environment into developed and protected areas may influence selection pressure on dispersal by increasing the chance of moving from a favorable to an unfavorable habitat. We theoretically explore this possibility through two cases: (1) marine systems in which reduced predation and/or increased feeding drive the evolution of planktonic larval duration and (2) more generally, where stochasticity in reproductive yield drives the evolution of the proportion of offspring dispersing. Model results indicate that habitat fragmentation generally shifts selection pressure toward reduced dispersal, particularly when areas outside reserves are uninhabitable. However, shifts to increased dispersal may occur when temporal heterogeneity is the primary selective force and constant-quota harvest occurs outside reserves. In addition, model results suggest the potential for changes in the genetic variability in dispersal after habitat fragmentation. The predicted evolutionary changes in dispersal will depend on factors such as the relative genetic and environmental contributions to dispersal-related traits and the extent of anthropogenic impacts outside reserves. If the predicted evolutionary changes are biologically attainable, they may suggest altering current guidelines for the appropriate size and spacing of marine reserves necessary to achieve conservation and fisheries goals.
DNA Homologous Recombination Factor SFR1 Physically and Functionally Interacts with Estrogen Receptor Alpha

Estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), a ligand-dependent transcription factor, mediates the expression of its target genes by interacting with corepressors and coactivators. Since the first cloning of SRC1, more than 280 nuclear receptor cofactors have been identified, which orchestrate target gene transcription. Aberrant activity of ER or its accessory proteins results in a number of diseases including breast cancer. Here we identified SFR1, a protein involved in DNA homologous recombination, as a novel binding partner of ERα. Initially isolated in a yeast two-hybrid screen, the interaction of SFR1 and ERα was confirmed in vivo by immunoprecipitation and mammalian one-hybrid assays. SFR1 co-localized with ERα in the nucleus, potentiated ER’s ligand-dependent and ligand-independent transcriptional activity, and occupied the ER binding sites of its target gene promoters. Knockdown of SFR1 diminished ER’s transcriptional activity. Manipulating SFR1 expression by knockdown and overexpression revealed a role for SFR1 in ER-dependent and -independent cancer cell proliferation. SFR1 differs from SRC1 by the lack of an intrinsic activation function. Taken together, we propose that SFR1 is a novel transcriptional modulator for ERα and a potential target in breast cancer therapy.
Studies of superconducting A-15 vanadium-based alloys

Superconductivity of binary alloys spanning the A-15 compounds V3Si, V3Ge, V3Ga, and V3Al and the pseudobinary derivatives of these stoichiometric compounds was surveyed by studying samples prepared by rf-sputtering from alloy cathodes. The possible formation of the hypothetical A-15 binaries “V3P,” “V3B,” and “V3C” and their pseudobinary formation with V3Si was also explored. Efforts to form these hypothetical alloys were not successful. The Tc's were measured resistively and the structure and lattice constants were determined by x-ray analysis. A maximum Tcof 11.7 K was obtained for A-15 V3Al, and the importance of a suitable deposition temperature and high sputtering pressures was examined. It is proposed that large variations of Tcamong pseudobinary alloys imply a rapid variation of the density of states at the Fermi level.
The depression in rat pineal melatonin production after saline injection at night may be elicited by corticosterone

A hind-leg subcutaneous saline injection into rats at night elicits a decrease in N-acetyltransferase (NAT) activity and melatonin content of the pineal gland. The decrement in pineal melatonin production after saline injection is prevented by adrenalectomy. The present studies were undertaken to determine what factor(s) from the adrenal gland cause(s) the drop in pineal melatonin production after saline injection at night. In the first study, groups of intact and adrenal-demedullated male rats were given a saline injection at 23.10 h (3 h, 10 min after lights off) and their pineals were collected 15 or 30 min later. Pineal NAT activity was depressed in both intact and adrenal-demedullated rats at 15 min postinjection as compared to their respective control animals. Pineal melatonin levels exhibited a drop in intact animals at 15 min and in adrenal-demedullated rats at 30 min. In a second study, hypophysectomy was found to prevent the drop in nocturnal pineal NAT activity and melatonin levels normally associated with a hind leg injection of saline. Finally, in a third experiment, groups of hypophysectomized rats were injected i.p. with corticosterone at 23.10 h and killed 10, 25 or 40 min postinjection. Corticosterone injection in hypophysectomized rats produced a response similar to that caused by saline injection in intact animals: NAT activity was depressed at 10 min and melatonin content was lowered at 25 min. These results suggest that the adrenal-mediated depression in melatonin synthesis after saline injection at night in rats may be elicited by an adrenal cortical hormone (corticosterone) and apparently does not involve the release of factors from the adrenal medulla.
Angular Distributions of Secondary Particles Produced in High-Energy Nuclear Collisions and the Two-Center Model of Multiple Meson Production

The angular distributions of shower particles from 54 nuclear interactions of protons and neutrons with energies g ${10}^{12}$ ev in a stack of nuclear emulsions are analyzed. The method consists essentially in normalizing the angular distributions of all events in the $x=logtan\ensuremath{\theta}$ scale to the same dispersion $\ensuremath{\sigma}$. One finds a very significant deviation from the normal distribution predicted by hydrodynamical models. The deviation goes in the direction indicated by the two-center model (two maxima in the plot over the $x$ coordinate). The correlation between the separation of the two emitting centers and $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ is also in qualitative agreement with the model. The angular distribution in the rest system of the emitting centers is found to be roughly isotropic. The two-center model also offers an explanation for certain characteristic features observed for the angular distribution of events with a small number of shower particles (${n}_{s}\ensuremath{\leqq}5$). On the basis of this model a coefficient of inelasticity of \ensuremath{\approx}0.2 is obtained for these events.Interactions characterized by small evaporation (${N}_{h}\ensuremath{\leqq}5$) and small numbers of shower particles (${n}_{s}\ensuremath{\leqq}20$) show the characteristic two-maximum shape. The same shape is found for presumably central collisions with heavy nuclei in the emulsion (${N}_{h}g8, {n}_{s}g40$). However, the group of collisions with ${N}_{h}\ensuremath{\leqq}5$, ${n}_{s}g20$ does not show the two maxima. The last two observations cannot be explained by the present simple form of the two-center model.The results of this paper are in good agreement with a similar analysis carried out by Gierula, Mi\ifmmode \mbox{\k{e}}\else \k{e}\fi{}sowicz, and Zielinski.
A reconfigurable unit for a clustered programmable-reconfigurable processor

In a clustered programmable-reconfigurable processor, multiple programmable processors and blocks of reconfigurable logic communicate through a register-based communication mechanism, which reduces the impact of wire delay on clock cycle time. In this paper, we present a circuit-level design for the reconfigurable clusters used on the Amalgam programmable-reconfigurable processor. We outline our interleaved reconfigurable array design, which provides high bandwidth to and from the register file without requiring large amounts of register control logic. We characterize the latency of operations in our array, and present results that show the impact that this latency has on overall system performance in a range of fabrication processes. Finally, we present a pipelining scheme that enables the array to operate at clock rates closer to those of programmable processors and allows for better scaling in future technologies.
Evaluation of an alternate method for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates in low-gradient streams sampled as part of the National Rivers and Streams Assessment.

Benthic macroinvertebrates are sampled in streams and rivers as one of the assessment elements of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s National Rivers and Streams Assessment. In a 2006 report, the recommendation was made that different yet comparable methods be evaluated for different types of streams (e.g., low gradient vs. high gradient). Consequently, a research element was added to the 2008–2009 National Rivers and Streams Assessment to conduct a side-by-side comparison of the standard macroinvertebrate sampling method with an alternate method specifically designed for low-gradient wadeable streams and rivers that focused more on stream edge habitat. Samples were collected using each method at 525 sites in five of nine aggregate ecoregions located in the conterminous USA. Methods were compared using the benthic macroinvertebrate multimetric index developed for the 2006 Wadeable Streams Assessment. Statistical analysis did not reveal any trends that would suggest the overall assessment of low-gradient streams on a regional or national scale would change if the alternate method was used rather than the standard sampling method, regardless of the gradient cutoff used to define low-gradient streams. Based on these results, the National Rivers and Streams Survey should continue to use the standard field method for sampling all streams.
Adsorptive stripping voltammetric measurements of trace beryllium at the mercury film electrode

Abstract A highly sensitive adsorptive stripping voltammetric protocol for measuring trace beryllium, in which the preconcentration is achieved by adsorption of the beryllium–arsenazo-I complex at a preplated mercury-coated carbon-fiber electrode, is described. Optimal conditions were found to be a 0.05 M ammonium buffer (pH 9.7) containing 5 μM arsenazo-I, an accumulation potential of 0.0 V (versus Ag/AgCl) and a square-wave voltammetric scan. The new procedure obviates the need for renewable mercury-drop electrodes used in early stripping protocols for beryllium. A linear response is observed over the 10–60 μg l−1 concentration range (90 s accumulation), along with a detection limit of 0.25 μg l−1 beryllium (10 min accumulation). A 15-s electrochemical cleaning enables the same mercury film to be used for a prolonged operation. High stability is thus indicated from the reproducible response of a 100 μg l−1 beryllium solution (n = 60; RSD = 3.3%) over a 2.5-h operation. Applicability to a seawater sample is illustrated. The attractive behavior of the new sensor holds great promise for on-site environmental and industrial monitoring of beryllium. Preliminary data in this direction using mercury-coated screen-printed electrodes are encouraging.
Sexual Abuse, Trauma and Dementia in the Elderly: A Retrospective Study of 284 Cases

Abstract The study objective was to compare elders with a dementia with those without a dementia as to method of disclosure of sexual abuse, forensic markers of sexual abuse and legal outcome of cases. A convenience sample was obtained of 284 forensic cases known to a multidisciplinary group of professionals who investigated, examined or consulted on elder sexual abuse victims. The Comprehensive Sexual Assault Assessment (CSAAT) was used to enter data from case files. 60 percent of the 284 elders were diagnosed with some degree of dementia. Elders with dementia, compared to those without a diagnosis, were abused more often by persons known to them (family member, caregiver or another nursing home resident) than a stranger, presented behavior cues of distress rather than verbal disclosures, were easily confused and verbally manipulated, and were beaten. Suspects who were identified whom abused elders with dementia had less chance of being arrested, indicted or plea bargained. All reported suspected cases o...
Microbial Transformations of the Antimelanoma Agent Betulinic Acid

Microbial transformation studies of the antimelanoma agent betulinic acid (1) were conducted. Screening experiments showed a number of microorganisms capable of biotransforming 1. Three of these cultures, Bacillus megaterium ATCC 14581, Cunninghamella elegans ATCC 9244, and Mucor mucedo UI-4605, were selected for preparative scale transformation. Bioconversion of 1 with resting-cell suspensions of phenobarbital-induced B. megaterium ATCC 14581 resulted in the production of the known betulonic acid (2) and two new metabolites: 3beta,7beta-dihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (3) and 3beta,6alpha, 7beta-trihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (4). Biotransformation of 1 with growing cultures of C. elegans ATCC 9244 produced one new metabolite characterized as 1beta,3beta, 7beta-trihydroxy-lup-20(29)-en-28-oic acid (5). Incubation of 1 with growing cultures of M. mucedo UI-4605 afforded metabolite 3. Structure elucidation of all metabolites was based on NMR and HRMS analyses. In addition, the antimelanoma activity of metabolites 2-5 was evaluated against two human melanoma cell lines, Mel-1 (lymph node) and Mel-2 (pleural fluid).
The Ulnar Epiphyseal Cartilage Width in Normal and Rachitic Calves and Its Use Compared to Other Methods of Detecting Rickets

Summary Observed values have been presented for the width of the epiphyseal cartilage of the ulna for Holstein and Jersey calves up to 240 days of age. It was wide in young calves and gradually became ossified or “closed” at about 8 months of age. Formulas were derived and presented from which expected values can be obtained at any given age. A significant difference in the cartilage width between breeds and sexes was found at certain ages. There was no seasonal trend or differences in these values for calves born in winter, summer, or spring and fall. Examples are given of the use of this technique in the detection of rickets, in which values for blood calcium and phosphatase were compared to cartilage width in normal and rachitic calves. The use of this technique to determine physiological or skeletal age in young calves is indicated.
Multiuser Multimedia Resource Allocation Over Multicarrier Wireless Networks

We address the problem of multiuser video transmission over the uplink of multicarrier networks from an information theoretic perspective. Under the constraints imposed by the underlying physical (PHY) and medium access control (MAC) layers, we exploit the unique property of state-of-the-art video coders that can provide inherent bitstream prioritization in terms of distortion impact and solve the problem of allocating wireless resources, i.e., power/rate and subcarrier assignment, among multiple users such that the weighted sum of the overall video qualities is maximized. We focus on two different types of multiple-access strategies and their corresponding achievable rate regions, i.e., Shannon capacity region and frequency-division multiplexing access (FDMA) capacity region, in the Gaussian multiple-access channel. We propose two different approaches to optimize the multiuser multimedia transmission by considering the specific structures of both problems. First, for the general multiple-access strategy, under the constraint of its Shannon capacity region, we propose an algorithm to describe the achievable convex utility region directly. Second, for the FDMA strategy, we study the problem by relaxing the original integer programming problem into a convex optimization problem, which makes it tractable to find near-optimal solution analytically. For both multiple-access schemes, we start from the two-user case and develop algorithms for finding the (near) optimal resource allocation strategies. Inspired by the intuition gained from the two-user case, we extend the algorithms to the multiple-user case. Our numerical simulations show that the proposed resource allocation algorithms give significant performance improvements as compared to application-layer agnostic solutions that do not consider the quality impact.