cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Gibbsite (100) and Kaolinite (100) Sorption of Cadmium(II): A Density Functional Theory and XANES Study of Structures and Energies

Due to the potential toxicity of cadmium (Cd2+) and its presence in various waste products found in the environment, it is necessary to develop methods to attenuate and remediate Cd2+ waste. Sorption of Cd2+ to mineral surfaces is a potential route to accomplish this goal. This work focused on improving our molecular-scale understanding of the chemistry of Cd2+ interactions with gibbsite and kaolinite mineral surfaces. Plane-wave density functional theory (DFT) energy minimization calculations and molecular dynamics simulations were used to study the adsorption energies and the nature of the bonds between Cd2+ and the mineral surfaces for possible inner- and outer-sphere surface complexes. Models resulting from the DFT calculations were used to calculate theoretical XANES spectra that were compared with experimental Cd LIII XANES of aqueous Cd2+ as a proxy for outer-sphere Cd2+ hydrated complexes associated with the mineral surfaces. These studies suggest that Cd2+ would favorably bond to the (100) surfaces of both kaolinite and gibbsite through a bidentate mononuclear interaction. However, the results indicate that mixtures of surface complexes on these minerals are likely.
Controlling Diffusive Network Processes Using Incidental Measurements and Actuation

Feedback control of diffusive network dynamics using incidental measurements and actuation is explored. A standard model for diffusion or synchronization in networks is enhanced to represent two incidental control architectures: one in which clocked measurements from a stochastically-moving platform are used to regulate a fixed actuator, and a second where the sensor and actuator are collocated on a moving platform. Simple proportional-integral-derivative control schemes are studied. For both control architectures, low-gain controllers are shown to achieve regulation in a mean-square sense. A simulation example is presented, which demonstrates that the incidental control architectures allow for practical regulation, and in fact, can sometimes outperform a fixed control architecture.
Cooled Radiofrequency Neurotomy of the Articular Sensory Branches of the Obturator and Femoral Nerves - Combined Approach Using Fluoroscopy and Ultrasound Guidance: Technical Report, and Observational Study on Safety and Efficacy.

BACKGROUND Chronic hip joint pain is a common condition with an estimated prevalence of 7% in men and 10% in women, in a population sample aged over 45. Conservative treatment can include physical therapy, weight loss, a variety of pharmacologic agents ranging from nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) to opioids, and intraarticular injections with various substances. Definitive treatment of hip pain, however, has primarily centered on hip arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE We describe a novel anterior approach to cooled radiofrequency (RF) hip denervation under combined ultrasound (US) and fluoroscopy guidance to avoid the neurovascular femoral bundle and reach proper landmarks. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective chart review of consecutive cases. SETTING Interventional Pain Management urban private practice. METHODS Data on 52 RF ablations of the hip in 23 patients were retrospectively collected. RF ablation was conducted with patient supine and under guidance of fluoroscopy and US. While fluoroscopy was used to place RF probes to appropriate landmarks, sole purpose of using US was to avoid femoral neurovascular bundle. Data were collected on needle placement, stimulation parameters, and short- and long-term complications. RESULTS A total of 62 patients underwent 2 diagnostic blocks. Fifty-two of them had greater than 50% relief and agreed to RF ablation. Until now, the ablation was conducted in 23 patients. There were no adverse events, except one case of neuritis. Expectedly, the needle approach to the lateral articular branches of the femoral nerve was easily achieved with more than a 1 cm passage distance from the femoral nerve in all 52 RF cases (median 2.5 range 1-3.5 cm). Placement of the second trocar to the incisura acetabuli was more challenging; in 21 RF cases the passing distance was less than 1 cm (range 0.5 to 1.9 cm, median 0.8). Motor stimulation (2 Hz) at less than 1 V was positive for the obturator nerve in 26 cases, which resulted in electrode repositioning more laterally (2-5 mm). Change in the pain scores was from the baseline 7.61 ± 1.2 to 2.25 ± 1.4 after the RF ablation (P < 0.01). The time interval of pain relief was much longer for RF ablation. LIMITATIONS Limitations of this retrospective, observational study include lack of blinding and absence of a comparator group. We did not attempt to wean opioids in our patient population. CONCLUSIONS An anterior needle approach to the lateral articular branches of the femoral and obturator nerves, and subsequently RF denervation of these nerves, is a safe procedure when US needle guidance is combined with identification of landmarks using fluoroscopy. KEY WORDS Chronic hip pain, radiofrequency ablation, hip denervation.
Robust Controller Design for Stochastic Nonlinear Systems via Convex Optimization

This article presents ConVex optimization-based Stochastic steady-state Tracking Error Minimization (CV-STEM), a new state feedback control framework for a class of Ito stochastic nonlinear systems and Lagrangian systems. Its innovation lies in computing the control input by an optimal contraction metric, which greedily minimizes an upper bound of the steady-state mean squared tracking error of the system trajectories. Although the problem of minimizing the bound is nonconvex, its equivalent convex formulation is proposed utilizing SDC parameterizations of the nonlinear system equation. It is shown using stochastic incremental contraction analysis that the CV-STEM provides a sufficient guarantee for exponential boundedness of the error for all time with ${\bf \mathcal {L}_2}$ -robustness properties. For the sake of its sampling-based implementation, we present discrete-time stochastic contraction analysis with respect to a state- and time-dependent metric along with its explicit connection to continuous-time cases. We validate the superiority of the CV-STEM to PID, $\mathcal {H}_\infty$ , and baseline nonlinear controllers for spacecraft attitude control and synchronization problems.
Response: Re: Marketing Messages in Continuing Medical Education (CME) Modules on Binge-Eating Disorder (BED)

To the Editor: No one disputes that drug companies provide educational grants for continuing medical education (CME); as the largest CME provider in the country, Medscape receives substantial funds from industry. In this case, all 3 Medscape activities[1][1][⇓][2]–[3][3] were funded by Shire.
1143-P: ZnT8 Autoantibody Positivity Does Not Predict Pediatric Diabetes Presentation or Subsequent Clinical Course

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes specific autoantibodies are glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), protein tyrosine phosphatase-like islet antigen 2 (IA2), insulin (IAA), and Zinc transporter 8 protein (ZnT8). The aim of our study was to determine if the presence of ZnT8 antibodies(Ab) was predictive of clinical presentation at diagnosis or subsequent disease course. Methods: Between January 2003 and May 2019, 105 patients aged ≤ 21 years with a clinical diagnosis of T1DM had at least 1 diabetes autoantibody measured. For subjects who had less than 4 autoantibodies analyzed initially, residual serum sample was retrieved, and remaining autoantibodies were analyzed. Retrospective chart review was completed. At diagnosis, we evaluated BMI z-score, HbA1c, and the presence and severity of DKA. Complications recorded post diagnosis included episodes of DKA, diagnosis of autoimmune (AI) disease, and the presence of vascular complications. Results: Of the 105 patients, 71 were ZnT8(+) (68%). When comparing ZnT8Ab(+) to (-) patients at diagnosis, there was no difference in age (p=0.94), BMI z-score (p=0.83) or presence of DKA (p=0.26). There was no difference in duration of follow up between ZnT8 Ab (+) and (-) groups (p=0.54). Over follow-up, (0.05-15.7 years), there was no difference in rates of DKA episodes (p=0.71). There were no macrovascular complications recorded and no difference in microvascular complications between the 2 groups (p=0.14). There were more AI conditions in the ZnT8Ab(+) group, 77% compared to 23% in ZnT8Ab(-), but this did not reach statistical significance (p=0.12). Conclusions: Our study, unlike others, suggests that the presence of ZnT8 Ab does not result in a difference in disease course at presentation. This study adds to the literature as it has follow up on patients. Over up to 15 years of follow-up, there is no difference in complications between those with and without ZnT8 Ab’s. This study should be validated with larger numbers and longer follow up. Disclosure A. R. Dahl: None. S. Jenkins: None. J. Zbacnik: None. J. Foster: None. S. Pittock: None.
Clinical features and amino acid profiles of dogs with hepatocutaneous syndrome or hepatocutaneous-associated hepatopathy

BACKGROUND Superficial necrolytic dermatitis (SND), hepatocutaneous-associated hepatopathy (HCH), aminoaciduria, and hypoaminoacidemia define hepatocutaneous syndrome (HCS) in dogs. Dogs without SND but that possess all other syndrome components are not well described. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES To define an inclusive syndrome, aminoaciduric canine hypoaminoacidemic hepatopathy syndrome (ACHES) for dogs with HCH or HCS. Compare clinical features, salient clinicopathologic variables, and plasma and urine amino acid (AA) profiles among ACHES cases by skin lesion status. ANIMALS Dogs of various breeds and ages diagnosed with ACHES (n = 41). A control (CON) cohort (n = 12) provided AA profile data. METHODS Retrospective case series. Available medical records of previously identified cases were reviewed for salient clinical features and clinical pathology data. Plasma and urine AA profiles were performed. Cutaneous lesion status was classified as none, mild, or fulminant. RESULTS Thirty cases (73%) developed SND at some time. Dogs with fulminant skin lesions at diagnosis (n = 22/41, 54%) had significantly lower hematocrit (P = .05) and mean corpuscular volume (P = .01) than dogs without SND. Principal component analysis of plasma AA profiles identified distinct clustering of CON from ACHES dogs, but not by skin lesion status. Plasma 1-methylhistidine ( 344 nmol/mg creatinine) and methionine (>68 nmol/mg creatinine) also were useful ACHES biomarkers. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Specific AA biomarkers provide additional diagnostic utility in ACHES. Data suggests that HCH is an early stage, and SND a later stage manifestation of ACHES.
Beware the Ides of February: Kaleidoscoping Key Participants’ Public Performance Rights or Lack Thereof in Pre-1972 Sound Recordings

Much of the flurry of recent music owes a debt to the melodies of immortal tunes. Each United States state legislature — or each state’s highest court, at the very least, should a case ever progress to that level in a given state — should, within reason, grant living performers and their heirs a right to public performance in pre-1972 sound recordings on which the former, or the latter's ancestor, performs, even one that is not exclusive, in the realm of their dissemination via digital streaming services, both subscription-conferring (Google Play) and non-subscription-conferring (YouTube) and/or satellite radio. At the very least, temporarily expanding that right to performers under state statutory law is necessary. The pressing starting point here is background. Federal law cautiously fills in the blanks to inform readers. What follows, then, is a cross-country review of state law from the states’ highest courts and possibly legislatures, beginning with the law of the states which may soon allow a common law public performance right for pre-1972 sound recordings, with a review of the skeptical states. The catch is whether to zoom in on whether composers-creators should wield such a right, and/or recording artists or performers, and/or copyright holders (who tend to be the recording companies, also known as producers abroad), and/or broadcasters, and then there is the question of how to balance that right with public consumption.
Risk factors associated with hypoxaemia in horses undergoing general anaesthesia: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND Hypoxaemia is a common concern during equine general anaesthesia. The prevalence and predictors of hypoxaemia in horses undergoing elective anaesthesia in particular are poorly documented. OBJECTIVES To determine and compare the prevalence of hypoxaemia (defined as PaO2 ≤ 80 mm Hg, on the lowest value recorded) in horses undergoing anaesthesia for exploratory laparotomy and elective procedures, and to identify risk factors in both subpopulations. STUDY DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. METHODS Data were collected from 774 records of 708 horses undergoing general anaesthesia between April 2017 and August 2020. Potential predictors of hypoxaemia in horses undergoing anaesthesia for exploratory laparotomy or elective procedures were investigated separately by univariable penalised maximum likelihood logistic regression, followed by multivariable analysis. The lowest recorded PaO2 was used as a single data point for the determination of hypoxaemia and arterial oxygen partial pressure to fractional inspired oxygen ratio analysis. RESULTS Hypoxaemia was recorded in 23% horses undergoing exploratory laparotomy compared with 3.8% horses undergoing elective anaesthesia (P 30 cmH2 O were significantly associated with hypoxaemia during elective anaesthesia. MAIN LIMITATIONS This study only considered the minimum PaO2 recorded during anaesthesia. Duration and treatment of hypoxaemia were not considered. CONCLUSIONS Based on the lowest PaO2 value during anaesthesia, in our population, horses undergoing anaesthesia for exploratory laparotomy were over six times more likely to become hypoxaemic than horses undergoing elective procedures. Bodyweight, type of procedure, and high PIP were predictors of hypoxaemia.
Information flow, expectations and job search: rural-to-urban migration process in India.

Abstract Probabilistic migration models assume that search for urban jobs is entirely an urban-based activity and that employment in free-entry activities is a transitional phase during which migrants are actively searching for formal sector employment. This paper tests the empirical validity of these assumptions using data, collected by the author in a sample survey in Delhi in 1975-76, on 1400 migrants from rural areas. The evidence indicates that the migration process postulated in probabilistic models is not realistic in the case of Delhi. Over one-half of the sample had moved to Delhi after lining up specific jobs; a sizeable proportion expected to enter on arrival activities generally considered to be characterized by freedom of entry; and the majority of entrants into free-entry activities did not search for alternative employment and were engaged in the same activities at the time of the survey.
Histidyl-Transfer Ribonucleic Acid Synthetase in Positive Control of the Histidine Operon in Salmonella typhimurium

Histidyl-transfer ribonucleic acid (tRNA) synthetase (HRS), coded by the hisS gene, appears to play two roles in regulation of the histidine operon of Salmonella typhimurium: (i) in synthesis of a critical effector molecule, histidyl-tRNA, and (ii) a more direct effect elicited by the presence of the enzyme protein itself. The specific activity of HRS was elevated either by mutations in the strB locus or in hisS(+) merodiploids of Escherichia coli/S. typhimurium and S. abony/S. typhimurium. In each case, an increase in HRS was accompanied by an increase in histidine operon expression, indicating that HRS may be involved in positive control of the histidine operon. It is unlikely that HRS leads to increased histidine operon expression merely by acting as a "sponge" for charged tRNA. Rather, HRS appears to influence operon expression by interaction with some effector molecule other than charged tRNA or by a direct interaction with the histidine operator-promoter region. The functional level of histidine operon expression has no effect on HRS specific activity.
Research in Non-Timber Forest Products: Contributions of the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station

Abstract Summary Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) have emerged as a complex set of issues reflecting changes in society and how natural resources are regarded. These issues range from the sustainability of forest management practices to the relationship of diverse cultures and communities to public lands and their resources. Research and its relationship to this set of issues is a relatively unknown aspect of NTFPs. This paper reports on early NTFP research by scientists in the USDA Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station. It characterizes efforts over approximately five years and identifies their key elements. It also discusses the role research has and could play in addressing the problems and questions associated with NTFPs and sustainable forestry .
Assessing business-planning competence using the Collegiate Learning Assessment as a prototype

The assessment of competence has emerged as a critical issue as nations seek to develop their education systems, work forces, and their citizens’ capacity for life-long learning. While the assessment of competence may be critical to national well-being in the 21st century, as Hartig, Klieme and Leutner (2008, p. v) pointed out, «the theoretical modeling of competencies, their assessment, and the usage of assessment results in practice present new challenges for psychological and educational research». The purpose of this paper is to move the field forward by providing one possible model for assessing competence. The model presented here underlies the Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). Drawing on lessons from the CLA, the model was used to develop a concrete prototype for assessing business-planning competence.
The mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase-catalyzed strand transfer from internal regions of heteropolymeric RNA templates.

The mechanism of human immunodeficiency virus reverse transcriptase-catalyzed strand transfer synthesis (i.e. switching of the primer to a new template) from internal regions of natural sequence RNA was investigated. The system consisted of a 142-nucleotide RNA template (donor) primed with a specific 20-nucleotide DNA oligonucleotide used to initiate synthesis. DNA oligonucleotides with homology to internal regions of the donor were used as acceptor templates. In reactions performed in the absence of acceptor template, a prominent DNA synthesis product 75 nucleotides in length resulting from pausing DNA synthesis within the homology zone was observed. Prominent donor RNA degradation products of 47 or 54 nucleotides were also observed, in reactions with 80 or 150 mM KCl, respectively. The lengths indicated a potential 13- or 20-nucleotide long, respectively, complementary region between the DNA and RNAs. The 54-, but not the 47-, nucleotide RNA was susceptible to Escherichia coli RNase H, indicating that the DNA was annealed only to the 54-mer. When acceptor was added, a portion of the 75-nucleotide DNA was chased into transfer product at both salt concentrations, and a portion of the 54-mer RNA became resistant to E. coli RNase H. Evidently, this donor RNA was annealed to the 75-nucleotide long DNA but could be actively displaced by the acceptor. Overall, these observations support two mechanisms for transfer. In one, the pause site-specific DNA dissociates from the donor template before transferring. In the other, the acceptor actively displaces the DNA from the donor.
Some Situational Factors Improving Cognitive Conflict Reduction and Interpersonal Understanding

An important program of psychological laboratory research on cognitive conflict is based on Hammond's (1965) lens model. Most representative of this work is the triple-system case in which two persons conflict in their judgments on a mutual task of known structure and properties. Built into this case are two constraints reflecting characteristics of some conflict settings: task outcome feedback and the requirement that the conflicting parties reach a consensus. Minimal conflict reduction is evidenced in these experiments because the demands of outcome feedback orient the subjects to adapt to the changing policy dictated by the task rather than that defined by the other person. To examine the situational limits of these findings, a study was designed for a double-system case comprised of the two policy makers, but in which the structure and properties of the task are undetermined. Hence, no feedback was provided; moreover, joint judgments were made optional. Another deviation from the paradigm involved sel...
Estado actual de la ecocardiografía de contraste en la perfusión miocárdica

Resumen Avances en la ingenieria ultrasonica han lleva-tes” con capacidad de atravesar en cantidadsuficiente la barrera pulmonar transcapilar parapermitir la obtencion de imagenes de corazonizquierdo, lo que ha hecho posible la evaluacionde la perfusion miocardica. Si bien la Food andDrug Administration de los Estados Unidos haaprobado varios agentes de contraste para em-pleo en opacificacion ventricular y visualizacionde bordes endocardicos en sujetos que tienenestudios suboptimos, no ha aprobado hasta elmomento ningun agente de contraste para usoen perfusion miocardica. En la actualidad exis-ten dos estudios multicentricos a gran escala quefueron disenados exclusivamente para perfusionmiocardica en comparacion con medicina nucleary coronariografia. Nuestro laboratorio ha tenidola oportunidad de participar activamente en am-bos estudios. Esta revision incluye el diseno,criterios de interpretacion y resultados prelimi-nares de CARDIOsphere. Ademas, presentamoscriterios de interpretacion del estudio con la bur-buja AI-700 que se encuentra actualmente enfase III de investigacion clinica. La ecocardio-grafia de contraste para perfusion miocardicaenfrenta varios retos que debera resolver antesde que se establezca como una alternativa efi-ciente. Una limitante comun es la aplicabilidadde este metodo en sujetos con mala ventanaacustica, la creacion de artefactos intrinsecos alsistema como son la atenuacion distal y lateral,la inevitable curva de aprendizaje, y el estable-cimiento de criterios en la cuantificacion de losdefectos.
From features to semantics: some preliminary results

We present the results of a project that seeks to transform low-level features to a higher level of meaning. This project concerns a technique, latent semantic analysis (LSA), which has been used for full-text retrieval for many years. In this environment, LSA determines clusters of co-occurring keywords, sometimes, called concepts, so that a query which uses a particular keyword can then retrieve documents perhaps not containing this keyword, but containing other keywords from the same cluster. We examine the use of this technique for content-based image retrieval, using two different approaches to image feature representation.
bcl-2 protects against Fas-based but not perforin-based T cell-mediated cytolysis

Fas ligand and perforin are the two key effector mechanisms in T cell-mediated cytotoxicity. These molecules mediate cytolysis of target cells by membrane damage and apoptosis. bcl-2 is known to protect cells against apoptosis induced by many stimuli including growth factor removal. However bcl-2's effect on Fas ligand and perforin-induced lysis has not been studied extensively. We investigated the effect of overexpression of bcl-2 alone, Fas alone or their combined overexpression on lysis of a commonly used target, P815, by perforin-sufficient, Fas ligand-sufficient and perforin-deficient or Fas ligand-deficient, allospecific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). Wild-type P815 are susceptible to lysis by perforin-sufficient CTL, regardless of the presence or absence (gld) of Fas ligand, but are poorly lysed by perforin-deficient CTL. Fas transfection of P815 makes target cells highly susceptible to lysis by both perforin-sufficient and -deficient CTL, indicating the presence of the Fas ligand-mediated cytotoxicity on both types of CTL. Co-transfection of P815-fas with bcl-2 abolishes their increased susceptibility to Fas-mediated lysis, even in the face of Fas overexpression on the cell membrane. The protective effect of bcl-2 against cell lysis is evident with perforin-deficient CTL as effector cells or when perforin activity is eliminated by the absence of extracellular calcium in perforin-sufficient CTL. bcl-2 overexpression by P815, however, does not protect against CTL lysis by the perforin pathway, regardless of Fas overexpression, as demonstrated by fas ligand mutated gld and wild-type perforin-sufficient CTL. Therefore bcl-2 can protect P815 target cells against Fas-mediated lysis when triggered by the Fas ligand on CTL, but not against perforin-mediated lysis.
Fracture energy of Si3N4

The fracture energy of Si3N4 made by hot pressing, reaction sintering, and chemical vapour deposition (CVD) was studied. Extrapolation of fracture energies to zero additive or porosity levels, as well as analysis of CVD Si3N4 all indicate an intrinsic fracture energy of 20–30J m−2. Higher fracture energies in dense bodies with increasing additive content, or in some more porous bodies (relative to expected porosity dependence) are associated with crack branching. In dense bodies such branching may arise due to micro-cracking from combined effects of crack tip stresses and mismatch stresses due to differences in properties, especially thermal expansion, between Si3N4 and the additive or its reaction products. In porous bodies such branching appears to be due to spatial distribution of pores.
Characterization of indoor air quality and resident health in an Arizona senior housing apartment building.

A survey of key indoor air quality (IAQ) parameters and resident health was carried out in 72 apartments within a single low-income senior housing building in Phoenix, Arizona. Air sampling was carried out simultaneously with a questionnaire on personal habits and general health of residents. Mean PM10 concentrations are 66±16, 58±13, and 24±3 μg/m3 and mean PM2.5 concentrations are 62±16, 53±13, and 20±2 μg/m3 for the living room, kitchen, and outdoor balcony, respectively. Median PM10 concentrations are 17, 18 and 17 μg/m3 and median PM2.5 concentrations are 13, 14, and 13 μg/m3, respectively. The initial results indicate that increased indoor particle concentrations coincide with residents who report smoking cigarettes. Indoor formaldehyde concentrations revealed median levels of 36.9, 38.8, and 4.3 ppb in the living room, kitchen, and balcony, respectively. Results show that 36% of living room samples and 44% of kitchen samples exceeded the Health Canada REL for chronic exposure to formaldehyde (40 pp...
Assessing surgical residents' and medical students' interpersonal skills.

Abstract Effective physician-patient interaction is an important part of surgical practice. This study had three goals: (1) to measure the interpersonal skills (IS) of surgical students and residents in structured clinical settings and to determine the reliability of such measurements; (2) to determine the relationship of IS to clinical performance; and (3) to determine the impact of level of training on IS. Twenty third-year medical students and 30 junior-level interns (23 PG-1s, 7 PGY-2s) interacted with nine actual or simulated patients as part of an objective structured clinical examination. Using a global rating scale, faculty graded both the IS and the organizational skills of the candidates. A two-way analysis of variance indicated significant differences among the three groups of trainees (P = 0.0002) and among the IS scores for each of the nine patient problems (P
Placental pathology casebook. Chorangiosis of the placenta increases the probability of perinatal mortality.

Two apparent acute problems that may occur in labor, nuchal cord and placental abruption, were associated with chorangiosis of the placenta. The importance of complete placental examination in perinatal mortality is re-emphasized. The association of apparent acute obstetrical conditions, e.g., nuchal cord and placental abruption with chorangiosis of the placenta, may be the cause of fetal-newborn deaths that were previously assumed to be issues of labor management.
MRI-Guided Vascular Access with an Active Visualization Needle

Purpose To develop an approach to vascular access under MRI, as a component of comprehensive MRI-guided cardiovascular catheterization and intervention.
Estimation of the DNA sequence discriminatory ability of hairpin-linked lexitropsins

Three- and four-ring polyamides containing N-methylimidazole and N-methylpyrrole, and their hairpin-linked derivatives, bind side-by-side in the minor groove of DNA in a sequence-specific manner. The sequences recognized by side-by-side molecules are dependent on the pairings of the polyamide rings to the bases. In this study we report a mathematical model for estimating the free energies of binding for γ-aminobutyric acid-linked polyamides to 5- and 6-bp DNA sequences. The model parameters are calibrated by a least-squares fit to 35 experimental binding constants. The model performs well in cross-validation experiments and the parameters are consistent with previously proposed empirical rules of polyamide–DNA binding. We apply the model to the design of targeted polyamides, evaluating the ability of the proposed polyamides to bind to a DNA sequence of interest while minimizing binding to the remaining DNA sequences.
Conservation of avian genetic resources: current opportunities and challenges--a summary

Presented is an overview of the thesis of this symposium with a snapshot summation of the papers presented, including modest critiques and suggestions for future efforts.
EFFECT OF LONG‐TERM ADDICTION TO HEROIN ON ORAL TISSUES*

The oral health status of 36 long-term heroin addicts was measured using DMF, OHIS, and PI. Comparisons were made utilizing data from the National Center for Health Statistics. Age, sex, race, education, income, and geographic location were compared. The former addicts exhibited a significant increase in DMF, with significantly higher missing and decayed teeth, and fewer filled teeth. The periodontal condition of the former addict also showed health status. It would appear that long-term heroin addiction either contributes directly to lowered oral health status, or more likely, causes individuals to lead a life style which has ramifications to their oral health.
The convergence of inexact Chebyshev and Richardson iterative methods for solving linear systems

The Chebyshev and second-order Richardson methods are classical iterative schemes for solving linear systems. We consider the convergence analysis of these methods when each step of the iteration is carried out inexactly. This has many applications, since a preconditioned iteration requires, at each step, the solution of linear system which may be solved inexactly using an "inner" iteration. We derive an error bound which applies to the general nonsymmetric inexact Chebyshev iteration. We show how this simplifies slightly in the case of a symmetric or skew-symmetric iteration, and we consider both the cases of underestimating and overestimating the spectrum. We show that in the symmetric case, it is actually advantageous to underestimate the spectrum when the spectral radius and the degree of inexactness are both large. This is not true in the case of the skew-symmetric iteration. We show how similar results apply to the Richardson iteration. Finally, we describe numerical experiments which illustrate the results and suggest that the Chevyshev and Richardson methods, with reasonable param eter choices, may be more effective than the conjugate gradient method in the presence of inexactness.
Flow and Particle Dispersion in a Pulmonary Alveolus—Part I: Velocity Measurements and Convective Particle Transport

The alveoli are the smallest units of the lung that participate in gas exchange. Although gas transport is governed primarily by diffusion due to the small length scales associated with the acinar region (~500 μm), the transport and deposition of inhaled aerosol particles are influenced by convective airflow patterns. Therefore, understanding alveolar fluid flow and mixing is a necessary first step toward predicting aerosol transport and deposition in the human acinar region. In this study, flow patterns, and particle transport have been measured using a simplified in-vitro alveolar model consisting of a single alveolus located on a bronchiole. The model comprises a transparent elastic 5/6 spherical cap (representing the alveolus) mounted over a circular hole on the side of a rigid circular tube (representing the bronchiole). The alveolus is capable of expanding and contracting in phase with the oscillatory flow through the tube. Realistic breathing conditions were achieved by exercising the model at physiologically relevant Reynolds and Womersley numbers. Particle image velocimetry was used to measure the resulting flow patterns in the alveolus. Data were acquired for five cases obtained as combinations of the alveolar-wall motion (nondeforming/oscillating) and the bronchiole flow (none/ steady/oscillating). Detailed vector maps at discrete points within a given cycle revealed flow patterns, and transport and mixing of bronchiole fluid into the alveolar cavity. The time-dependent velocity vector fields were integrated over multiple cycles to estimate particle transport into the alveolar cavity and deposition on the alveolar wall. The key outcome of the study is that alveolar-wall motion enhances mixing between the bronchiole and the alveolar fluid. Particle transport and deposition into the alveolar cavity are maximized when the alveolar wall oscillates in tandem with the bronchiole fluid, which is the operating case in the human lung. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4001112].
The neural substrates of rapid-onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism

Although dystonias are a common group of movement disorders, the mechanisms by which brain dysfunction results in dystonia are not understood. Rapid-onset Dystonia-Parkinsonism (RDP) is a hereditary dystonia caused by mutations in the ATP1A3 gene. Affected individuals can be free of symptoms for years, but rapidly develop persistent dystonia and Parkinsonism-like symptoms after a stressful experience. Using a mouse model, we found that an adverse interaction between the cerebellum and basal ganglia can account for the symptoms of these individuals. The primary instigator of dystonia was the cerebellum, whose aberrant activity altered basal ganglia function, which in turn caused dystonia. This adverse interaction between the cerebellum and basal ganglia was mediated through a di-synaptic thalamic pathway that, when severed, alleviated dystonia. Our results provide a unifying hypothesis for the involvement of cerebellum and basal ganglia in the generation of dystonia and suggest therapeutic strategies for the treatment of RDP.
An adaptive test for the one-way layout

An adaptive test is proposed for the one-way layout. This test procedure uses the order statistics of the combined data to obtain estimates of percentiles, which are used to select an appropriate set of rank scores for the one-way test statistic. This test is designed to have reasonably high power over a range of distributions. The adaptive procedure proposed for a one-way layout is a generalization of an existing two-sample adaptive test procedure. In this Monte Carlo study, the power and significance level of the F-test, the Kruskal-Wallis test, the normal scores test, and the adaptive test were evaluated for the one-way layout. All tests maintained their significance level for data sets having at least 24 observations. The simulation results show that the adaptive test is more powerful than the other tests for skewed distributions if the total number of observations equals or exceeds 24. For data sets having at least 60 observations the adaptive test is also more powerful than the F-test for some symmetric distributions. Un test adaptif est propose pour la disposition unidirectionnelle. Cette procedure de test utilise les statistiques d'ordre des donnees combinees dans le but d'obtenir des valeurs estimees de percentiles qui sont utilisees pour selectionner un ensemble approprie de cotes de rang pour la statistique de test unidirectionnelle. Ce test est concu pour avoir une puissance raisonnablement elevee sur une etendue de distributions. La procedure adaptive proposee pour une disposition unidirectionnelle est la generalisation d'une procedure de test adaptive, a deux echantillons, existante. Dans cette etude de Monte Carlo, nous avons evalue la puissance et le degre de signification du test-F, du test de Kruskal-Wallis, du test des scores normaux, et du test adaptif pour la disposition unidirectionnelle. Tous les tests ont maintenu leur niveau de signification pour les ensembles de donnees comprenant au moins 24 observations. Les resultats de la simulation montrent que le test adaptif est plus puissant que les autres tests pour les distributions asymetriques si le nombre total d'observations est superieur ou egal a 24. Pour les ensembles de donnees de plus de 60 observations, le test adaptif est egalement plus puissant que le test-F pour certaines distributions symetriques.
Cation effects on the conformations of muscle and non-muscle alpha-actinins.

We examined the effects of changing KCl concentration on the secondary structures of α-actinins using circular dichroism (CD), 1,1′-bis(4-anilino) naphthalene-5,5′-disulfonic acid (bisANS) fluorescence and proteolysis experiments. Under near-physiological conditions, divalent cations also were added and changes in conformation were investigated. In 25 mm KH2PO4, pH 7.5, increasing KCl from 0 to 120 mm led to decreases in α-helix conformation for brain, platelet and heart α-actinins (40.5-30.2%, 65.5-37.8% and 37.5-27.8%, respectively). In buffered 120 mm KCl, 0.65 mm calcium produced small changes in the CD spectra of both brain and platelet α-actinin, but had no effect on heart α-actinin. bisANS fluorescence of all three α-actinins also showed significant changes in conformation with increasing KCl. However, in buffered 120 mm KCl increasing concentrations of Ca2+ or Mg2+ did not have significant effects on the bisANS fluorescence of any α-actinin. Digestion of brain, platelet and heart α-actinins with α-chymotrypsin showed an increase of proteolytic susceptibility in 120 mm KCl. These experiments also showed that increasing the concentration of Ca2+ or Mg2+ led to greater changes in digestion fragment patterns in the absence of KCl than in the presence of 120 mm KCl. The results suggest that α-actinins exist in different conformations depending on the ionic strength of the medium, which could explain the differences in calcium and F-actin binding results obtained from different α-actinins.
Study of a Semester A Book of Poems

While a growing body of work focuses on research in the form of poetry, the author instead uses poetry to examine not only her research topic and academia but also her own motives for research. Bas...
Applications of infrared spectroscopy to dioxin analyses of environmental samples

Abstract The gas chromatography/matrix isolation/Fourier transform-infrared spectra of 2,3,7,8-TCDD and its totally C-13 labeled isotopomer have been obtained at levels in the low nanogram range, and a problem with the infrared spectrum of this isotopomer has been cleared up. Potential future applications of infrared spectroscopy to dioxin analyses are also discussed.
THE CELLULAR SITE OF INSULIN INHIBITION OF GLUCOCORTICOID-INDUCED LUNG MATURATION

The infant of the diabetic mother shows delayed lung maturation and available evidence suggests that both hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia may mediate this delay. In vitro studies have shown that insulin blocks cortisol stimulation of surfactant-associated phospholipid synthesis. Cortisol induces the synthesis of fibroblast-pneumonocyte factor (FPF) which in turn stimulates surfactant synthesis by alveolar type II cells. In the present study, we have examined the effects of insulin, cortisol and FPF on saturated phosphatidylcholine (SPC) synthesis by fetal type II cells alone and in the presence of fetal lung fibroblasts and the effects of insulin and cortisol upon the production of FPF activity by fetal lung fibroblasts. In fibroblast/type II cell cultures, cortisol stimulates (3H)choline incorporation into SPC and this effect is blocked by insulin as well as by monoclonal antibodies directed against FPF. In type II cell cultures, cortisol is ineffective but SPC synthesis is stimulated by FPF. This stimulation is not inhibited by insulin. In contrast, preliminary studies suggest that insulin inhibits the elaboration of FPF activity by fetal lung fibroblasts exposed to cortisol. These observations confirm the ability of insulin to block cortisol induction of lung maturation and suggest that this action is exerted on the fetal lung mesenchyme. (Supported by NIH grant HL-25907)
Ensemble Based Ranking of Decision Making Units

AbstractOne of the problems with data envelopment analysis (DEA) is that it results in too many decision making units (DMUs) as efficient. This leads to a problem of discrimination among the efficient units. Model misspecification and unrestricted weight flexibility are two main reasons for the discrimination problem. In this paper, we propose and test a model averaging ensemble approach that results in unique DMU rankings. We also prove that ensemble based ranking of DMUs will always result in equal or fewer efficient DMUs than any other single DEA model considered in the ensemble.
On the experimental electron distribution in silicon

Abstract Very accurate experimental measurements on silicon are used to calculate the valence density and the bonding deformation density in the silicon crystal. Comparison with a pseudo-potential calculation density shows good agreement for the height, but an appreciable discrepancy for the shape of the bond maximum. The discrepancy is far beyond the estimated standard deviations in the experimental density functions. Cross sections perpendicular to the Si-Si bond confirm its cylindrical symmetry.
Remarks on Directionality.

This work was supported in part by the 1970 MSSB Advanced Research Seminar in Mathematical Linguistics, sponsored by the National Science Foundation through a grant to the Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences, Stanford, Calif., and held at The Ohio State University, and in part by National Science Foundation Grant GN-534 to the Computer and Information Science Research Center of the Ohio State University.
Relative affinity of Ca(II) and Mg(II) ions for human and bovine prothrombin and fragment 1.

Summary Equilibrium dialysis results are presented for Ca(II) and Mg(II) ion binding to human and bovine prothrombin and fragment 1. Ca(II) ions bind cooperatively, Mg(II) does not.
Evidence‐Based Practice and the Purpose of Clinical Social Work

The problematic that oriented this study is the response of clinical social workers to the state mandate to use evidence‐based practice (EBP) for Medicaid‐supported clients. The portion of the study that is explored in this article answers the research question, how does the mandate affect the provision of services? Data was collected from three clinical social workers who were identified as “successful” by their peers. The data was analyzed by means of thematic analysis, and evaluations of research methods were conducted. The data demonstrate the way in which the mandate to use EBP excludes many clients from receiving potentially helpful services.
Design of forging dies for forming flashless ring gear blanks using finite element methods

In the forging industry today, advanced mathematical techniques such as finite element methods (FEM) are beginning to revolutionize the conventional trial-and-error methods for die design and forging process development. Cost reduction programs are being implemented to enable the forging industry to remain competitive in today’s market. Material reduction or weight savings in the quantity of metal required to make the forged part is proving to be a significant factor contributing to cost reduction. Production of ring gear blanks without producing flash reduces the input weight of metal needed to make the gear blank, thus providing cost savings on the forged part. The following paper discusses different approaches currently used to make flashless ring gear blanks. The paper also describes the application of the rigid-viscoplastic finite element code “ALPID,” developed by Battelle Labs, Ohio, in developing a hot forging process to produce flashless ring gear blanks. The metal flow simulations, using ALPID, provide a tool to design and develop die cavities for defect-free closed die forging processes for making flashless ring gear blanks. The forming loads from these simulations are then applied to the forging die and the stresses on the die analyzed using another FEM based stress analysis package (“IDEAS,” developed by SDRC, Ohio) to verify the die design for strength in the given application. Thus, finite element methods were applied in different aspects of forging die design.
Pseudoallelism and gene evolution.

It is the purpose of this paper to consider some of the ways in which “pseudoalleles” (McClintock, 1944), or closely linked genes having similar effects, may provide clues to the mode of origin of new kinds of genes.Our underlying thesis will be that in those instances of pseudoallelism in which there is evidence for close functional similarity among the component genes we may come close to seeing the direct results of a process which produces new genes.
Paradigms in isotope dilution mass spectrometry for elemental speciation analysis

Isotope dilution mass spectrometry currently stands out as the method providing results with unchallenged precision and accuracy in elemental speciation. However, recent history of isotope dilution mass spectrometry has shown that the extent to which this primary ratio measurement method can deliver accurate results is still subject of active research. In this review, we will summarize the fundamental prerequisites behind isotope dilution mass spectrometry and discuss their practical limits of validity and effects on the accuracy of the obtained results. This review is not to be viewed as a critique of isotope dilution; rather its purpose is to highlight the lesser studied aspects that will ensure and elevate current supremacy of the results obtained from this method.
Asymmetric source acoustic LWD for the improved formation shear velocity estimation

Abstract Most acoustic LWD tools generate a single pure borehole mode (e.g., dipole or quadrupole) to estimate the formation shear velocity. We propose an approach where many borehole modes are generated and all the modes are used simultaneously to obtain a better shear estimate. In this approach we find the best fit to the dispersion characteristics of a number of modes, rather than one mode. We propose using an asymmetric source, that is a single source on one side of the tool, together with arrays of receivers distributed azimuthally around the tool to allow different modes to be identified and analyzed. We investigate such an approach using synthetic and laboratory data. The lab data uses a scale-model LWD tool with one active sources transducer mounted on the side of the tool. This source geometry generates monopole, dipole, and quadrupole modes simultaneously. Four sets of receiver arrays, each separated by 90 degrees azimuthally, are used to isolate and analyze each of these modes by adding and subtracting the signals received from different arrays. Based on the dispersion analysis and the method of least square fitting, we find that the by simultaneously using both dipole and quadrupole modes, we can reduce the residual error of the best fit shear velocity. It should be noted that higher order modes (e.g., hexapole, etc) will also be generated by an asymmetric source, and these modes could also be utilized with the appropriate azimuthal receiver configuration.