cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Separation of paclitaxel and related taxanes by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography

Micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography is used to separate paclitaxel (trade name Taxol, Bristol-Myers Squibb) and 14 related taxanes in 11.5 min. An aqueous acetonitrile (ACN) buffer containing sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) surfactant allows resolution of the 15 taxanes from each other and from the principal matrix ingredient in the injectable dosage form of the drug, Cremophor EL (polyethoxylated castor oil). Although the precise effect of high concentrations of ACN on micelle size and structure is not clear, the separation achieved is not possible in the absence of the organic modifier. The migration order is apparently the of decreasing aqueous-phase solubility, which is related to the presence of a side chain at the carbon 13-position, to the addition of a xylosyl group at the 7-position, and to the number of acetylated hydroxyl groups; it is also related to the increasing affinity of the taxane side chain for the micellar phase. The retention factors, k', increase linearly with SDS concentration above the critical micelle concentration. With increasing concentration of ACN, k' values for the taxanes without side chain decrease; for the most hydrophobic taxanes, k' increases up to 20% (v/v) ACN and then decreases sharply at higher concentrations; for the others, k' varies little up to 10% ACN, and then decreases rapidly with added ACN. Similar behavior was observed with methanol, but the break in k' occurred between 30% and 40% (v/v). Resolution was unacceptably poor if the samples dissolved in methanol were injected; samples dissolved in buffer containing SDS were well-behaved, probably because of stacking of the micelles during injection. Van't Hoff plots (in k' vs 1/T) were linear and allowed calculation of the delta H degree of transfer of taxane from aqueous to micelle phase. However, similar to the situation in HPLC, uncertainty in the micelle/aqueous phase ratio precludes reliable determination of the corresponding delta S degree.
A Simple Law for Ice-Shelf Calving

A major problem for ice-sheet models is that no physically based law for the calving process has been established. Comparison across a diverse set of ice shelves demonstrates that iceberg calving increases with the along-flow spreading rate of a shelf. This relation suggests that frictional buttressing loss, which increases spreading, also leads to shelf retreat, a process known to accelerate ice-sheet flow and contribute to sea-level rise.
Role of tyrosine residue in the activation of Co-C bond in coenzyme B12-dependent enzymes: another case of proton-coupled electron transfer?

X-ray structural data along with density functional theory-based computations have been used to probe the role of tyrosine residue in the activation of Co−C bond in adenosylcobalamin (AdoCbl) -dependent enzymes. DFT computations have been carried out for tyrosine being in the immediate vicinity of AdoCbl using the structural mimics of the active sites of methylmalonyl CoA mutase and glutamate mutase enzymes. The calculations indicate the diradical nature of the deprotonated tyrosine-cofactor complex implying the possibility of electron transfer from tyrosine to the AdoCbl. Thus, the tyrosine residue may serve like an internal redox center to transfer an electron to the AdoCbl cofactor that can be critical for the activation of Co−C bond in B12-dependent enzymes. The local environment around the active site reveals that deprotonation of tyrosine motif may take place upon substrate binding, implying the possibility of proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) in AdoCbl-dependent enzymes. Thus, it is proposed ...
Influence of nanostructure on magnetic properties of strong anisotropy systems

Abstract The influence of nanostructure (multilayering or fine particles) on rare-earth-based systems with strong anisotropy has been studied. We find and discuss significant effects on the Curie temperature, coercivity and time dependence of magnetization.
Brauer t-tuples

Abstract Two non-isomorphic finite groups form a Brauer pair if there exist a bijection for the conjugacy classes and a bijection for the irreducible characters that preserve all the character values and the power map. Generalizing the definition of a Brauer pair we introduce the notion of a Brauer t-tuple. We show that Brauer t-tuples exist for any t ⩾ 2 .
Comparative evaluation of pattern recognition algorithms : Statistical, neural, fuzzy and neuro-fuzzy techniques

Pattern recognition by fuzzy, neural, and neuro-fuzzy approaches, has gained popularity partly because of intelligent decision processes involved in some of the above techniques, thus providing better classification and partly because of simplicity in computation required by these methods as opposed to traditional statistical approaches for complex data structures. However, the accuracy of pattern classification by various methods is often not considered. This paper considers the performance of major fuzzy, neural, and neuro-fuzzy pattern recognition algorithms and compares their performances with common statistical methods for the same data sets. For the specific data sets chosen namely the Iris data set, an the small Soybean data set, two neuro-fuzzy algorithms, AFLC and IAFC, outperform other well- known fuzzy, neural, and neuro-fuzzy algorithms in minimizing the classification error and equal the performance of the Bayesian classification. AFLC, and IAFC also demonstrate excellent learning vector quantization capability in generating optimal code books for coding and decoding of large color images at very low bit rates with exceptionally high visual fidelity.© (1998) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Generalizing from experiments: is predation strong or weak in the New England rocky intertidal?

Petraitis (1990) recently critized previous generalizations regarding the effects of predation in the New England rocky intertidal region (e.g., Menge 1976; Lubchenco and Menge 1978). Contrary to Lubchenco's and my conclusions, Petraitis concluded that (1) barnacles and not mussels are the favored prey of dogwhelks and (2) barnacles and not dogwhelks control mussel abundances in the mid and low rocky intertidal region. I provide evidence that these criticisms are unwarranted. First, Lubchenco and I never claimed that diet composition reflected prey preference. Moreover, predators can influence prey abundance without preferring the prey. Hence, claims regarding preferences have no bearing on our conclusions. Second, Petraitis' experiments do not invalidate Lubchenco's and my experimental results. Reanalyses of our experimental data support the earlier conclusion that at wave-sheltered sites, whelks reduce the abundance of mussels independently of barnacle abundances. Further, at all but one of Lubchenco's and my study sites, predator densities were higher than at Petraitis' site. Thus, the absence of a predator effect in Petraitis's study was most likely due to low predator density rather than a lack of generality of our earlier results. This reevaluation therefore suggests that within a broader conceptual framework, Petraitis' apparently divergent results are actually consistent with ours.
Coordination for multi-person visual program development

Typically, visual programming has been limited to only one person developing one program at a time. This article describes a technique for helping multiple people coordinate working together on the same diagram at the same time. This approach identifies transactions based on domain syntax. These transactions are used to notify people when someone else changes the diagram in a way that is likely to impact other people's work. In particular, the system assigns ownership of each syntactically incorrect element to the person who last acted upon that element. This ownership can be transferred between people. The potential problem of incomplete transactions when work extends beyond a single session is resolved by restarting transactions when work resumes. This syntax-based approach is particularly appropriate for visual languages. Various domain constraints are described as alternatives or supplements to the syntactic criteria. The technique was validated with data from 20 groups of three people using CoDiagram, a proof of concept system.
Protection of medium voltage DC power systems against ground faults and negative incremental impedances

Widespread concern about how to protect DC power distribution systems against high fault currents, and how to compensate for instabilities brought on by constant power load characteristics, has prompted us to develop a new approach for protecting these systems. Our approach employs a compact multiple switching topology converter, which fulfills three functions: it limits the line current to a predetermined value (which could be dynamically set); it works as buffer during short-duration faults on the power bus; and it compensates load instabilities that could arise due to the constant power characteristic of a load. The structure of the protection circuit, its positioning in the distribution network, its possible configurations, control strategies, and parameters selection will all be shown. Analysis of the performances and feasibility of the approach will be presented.
A Contingency Framework for Listening to the Dying

Listening to the dying poses special challenges. This paper proposes a contingency framework for describing and assessing various circumstances when listening to the dying. It identifies current approaches to listening, applies the contingency framework toward effectively listening to the dying, and proposes a new type of listening called perspective-taking listening. The framework provides guidance in how to improve listening to a dying person.
An examination of mitigation strategies used in Spanish psychotherapeutic discourse

Abstract The present study examined politeness phenomenon in Spanish discourse produced between a therapist and a client during psychotherapeutic motivational interviews as depression and adherence to medication are discussed. In particular, this study examined the mitigation strategies and indirect speech acts used by the interactants. Mitigation has been defined as a modification of a speech act that softens the message for its hearer ( Fraser, 1980 :341). Several devices such as shields, hedges, parenthetical verbs and proverbial sayings were observed in this discursive context in the qualitative and quantitative analyses. This study also revealed that the use of mitigating devices on the part of the therapist was conditioned by his intentions to attain his goals: to indirectly motivate the client to continue with treatment. The qualitative analysis revealed how references to persons varied and how the Latino cultural notions of el que diran and guardar las apariencias posited by Placencia (1996) emerged in this discursive context. Although mitigating features have been investigated in Spanish ( Bravo, 2008 , Haverkate, 1990 , Hernandez Flores, 1999 , Murillo Medrano, 2002 , Placencia, 1996 , among others), overall they remain relatively under investigated in Spanish psychotherapeutic discourse.
Pulmonary endarteritis with cor pulmonale in infancy: Report of a case

Summary 1. The syndrome of pulmonary endarteritis with cor pulmonale in infancy is reviewed, and an additional case is reported. 2. The disease is to be differentiated from any form of cyanotic congenital heart disease. 3. It should be noted that the infant generally does not do well, develops typical spells of increased cyanosis, dyspnea, and crying as if in pain. 4. The pathologic findings of right ventricular hypertrophy, dilatation with right-side heart failure, and sclerosis of pulmonary arterioles are discussed. 5. Etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment are not known.
Thrombospondin-1 Promotes Proliferative Healing through Stabilization of PDGF

Abstract Purpose. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) mediates chemotaxis, cell proliferation, angiogenesis, and protease regulation in healing. TSP-1 also binds platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β). This study confirms the role of TSP-1 and defines the relationship between TSP-1 and PDGF in proliferative tissue repair. Methods. Purified TSP-1 was analyzed for bound PDGF. Cultured fibroblast growth response to TSP-1 and recombinant PDGF was studied and the effects of antibodies against TSP-1, PDGF, and TGF-β on this response were evaluated. Levels of TSP-1 and PDGF and relative proteolytic activity in fluid collected from 10 skin graft donor sites were then assessed by ELISA and a protease assay kit. The effect of proteolysis on TSP-bound PDGF and free recombinant PDGF was studied by adding trypsin and measuring the remaining PDGF by ELISA. Results. TSP-1 promoted dose-dependent fibroblast growth. While antibody to TGF-β had no effect on promotion, antibody to both TSP-1 and PDGF eliminated this. Since a strong correlation of TSP-1 with PDGF levels was found and strong proteolysis was seen in all samples, we proposed that TSP-1 protected PDGF from proteolysis. Consistent with this, we found PDGF bound to TSP-1 was 33% less degraded than free PDGF upon trypsinization. Conclusions. These results suggest that TSP-1 stablizes PDGF, enhancing the biological effects of PDGF in proliferative tissue repair. This effect of TSP-1 along with its matrix-modulating activities may have important clinical utility regarding topical growth factor therapy in wound healing, since high proteolytic activity is believed to be partially responsible for limiting the efficacy of this treatment.
Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): activity of meconium and normal colon extracts.

Precipitating rabbit antiserum reacting with the carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) formed a band of identity with normal colon extract (NCE), tumor extract (TE) and meconium extract (ME) in Ouchterlony gel. Absorption with normal colon only reduced activity with NCE in the precipitation assay. Assays using quantitative complement fixation at final antibody titers suggest that molecular differences exist between NCE, ME and CEA. Their molecular relationships are currently being investigated in delayed hypersensitivity systems and by physico-chemical analyses.
Demand curves for public facilities

Attempts to estimate social benefits of public services by use of a willingness-to-pay metric have been hampered by the inability to generate the relevant demand curves. In this paper a novel technique for computing demand curves for existing and proposed direct and indirect public service facilities is developed. The technique is an extension of the Hotelling-Clawson-Knetsch method for estimating benefits associated with certain types of outdoor recreation facilities. The method relies upon the use of travel cost as a proxy for price; extensions are made in the way that substitution effects are incorporated into the model. After the model and its properties are specified a successful empirical application is made in the estimation of the benefits of selected outdoor recreation sites in the northeast United States. Results indicate that realistic estimates can be made at a relatively low cost.
Neural network approximation-based event-triggered control of uncertain MIMO nonlinear discrete time systems

This paper proposes neural network (NN) approximation-based event-triggered control of multiple-input and multiple output (MIMO) nonlinear discrete-time systems in the context of limited communication over the network. Unlike the traditional NN-based discrete-time control, the weights are updated non-periodically and only at the trigger instants. The Lyapunov direct approach is utilized to arrive at an analytical condition referred to as event-trigger condition which guarantees the uniform ultimate boundedness (UUB) of the system states and NN weight estimation errors. This design not only reduces the network communication but also the computation due to non-periodic control execution and NN weight update. In addition, explicit knowledge of the system dynamics is not necessary for generating the control input. Finally simulation results corroborate the analytical claims.
Antioxidant and anti-atherogenic activities of three Piper species on atherogenic diet fed hamsters

Atherogenic diet is known to induce high plasma lipid concentration, oxidative stress and early atherosclerosis. Antioxidants have potentials to counter the effect of atherogenic diet. The present research aims at evaluating the antioxidant and anti-atherosclerotic activities of three Piper species (Piper guineense, Piper nigrum and Piper umbellatum) on atherogenic diet fed hamsters. Hamsters divided into 8 groups: normal control, atherosclerotic control and six test groups. The normal animals fed normal rodent chow, the atherosclerotic control animals fed the same rodent chow supplemented with 0.2% cholesterol and 10% coconut oil (high cholesterol diet). The 6 test groups' animals fed same diet as the atherosclerotic control group but with additional supplementation of 2 graded doses (1 and 0.25 mg/kg body weight, o.p.) of plant extracts for 12 weeks. The atherogenic diet induced a collapse of the erythrocyte antioxidant defense system (significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities). Atherogenic diet also induced an increase in plasma total cholesterol, triglyceride, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), oxidation of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and accumulation of foam cells in the aorta a hall mark for atherosclerosis. Administration of the Piper species prevented the collapse of the antioxidant system and the increase of plasma parameters maintaining them towards normality. The Piper species also prevented LDL oxidation by increasing the time (lag time) for its oxidation. The results suggest that these Piper species have significant antioxidant and anti-atherogenic effect against atherogenic diet intoxication.
Diverse Soft Real-Time Processing in an Integrated System

The simple notion of soft real-time processing has fractured into a spectrum of diverse soft real-time types with a variety of different resource and time constraints. Schedulers have been developed for each of these types, but these are essentially point solutions in the space of soft real-time and no detailed unified definition of soft real-time has previously been provided that includes all types of soft realtime processing. We present a complete real-time taxonomy covering the spectrum of processes from best-effort to hard real-time. The taxonomy divides processes into nine classes based on their resource and timeliness requirements and includes four soft real-time classes, each of which captures a group of soft real-time applications with similar characteristics. We exploit the different features of each of the soft real-time classes to integrate all of them into a single scheduler together with hard real-time and best-effort processes and present results demonstrating their performance.
Cold-Air Distribution Comparison for Four Supply Air Diffusers

Cold-air distribution (CAD) with ice storage systems can potentially lower operating and first costs when compared to conventional heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning systems. One concern fo...
X-Ray-fluorescent Fe Kα Lines from Stellar Photospheres

X-ray spectra from stellar coronae are reprocessed by the underlying photosphere through scattering and photoionization events. While reprocessed X-ray spectra reaching a distant observer are at a flux level of only a few percent of that of the corona itself, characteristic lines formed by inner shell photoionization of some abundant elements can be significantly stronger. The emergent photospheric spectra are sensitive to the distance and location of the fluorescing radiation and can provide diagnostics of coronal geometry and abundance. Here we present Monte Carlo simulations of the photospheric -->K α1,α2 doublet arising from quasi-neutral Fe irradiated by a coronal X-ray source. Fluorescent line strengths have been computed as a function of the height of the radiation source, the temperature of the ionizing X-ray spectrum, and the viewing angle. We also illustrate how the fluorescence efficiencies scale with the photospheric metallicity and the Fe abundance. Based on the results we make three comments: (1) fluorescent Fe lines seen from pre-main-sequence stars mostly suggest flared disk geometries and/or supersolar disk Fe abundances; (2) the extreme 1400 mA line observed from a flare on V1486 Ori could be explained entirely by X-ray fluorescence if the flare itself were partially eclipsed by the limb of the star; and (3) the fluorescent Fe line detected by Swift during a large flare on II Peg is consistent with X-ray excitation and does not require a collisional ionization contribution. There is no convincing evidence supporting the energetically challenging explanation of electron impact excitation for observed stellar Fe Kα lines.
Survival of severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia has morbid consequences

Abstract Background/Purpose Fetal tracheal occlusion (TO) was developed in an attempt to enhance prenatal lung growth and improve survival in fetuses with severe congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH). We conducted a randomized, controlled clinical trial in 24 fetuses with severe left CDH (liver herniated into the thorax and low lung-to-head ratio) to compare survival after endoscopic fetal TO vs standard perinatal care (control) and prospectively followed up the 16 survivors (9 control, 7 TO) to compare neurodevelopmental, respiratory, surgical, growth, and nutritional outcomes. Methods At 1 and 2 years old, subjects underwent evaluation consisting of medical and neurological history and physical, developmental testing, nutritional assessment, oxygen saturation and pulmonary function testing, chest radiograph, and echocardiogram. Growth and developmental measures were corrected for prematurity. Data were analyzed by Mann-Whitney rank sum test, Fisher's Exact test, and logistic and linear regression. Results Infants with TO were significantly more premature at birth (control vs TO, 37.4 ± 1.0 vs 31.1 ± 1.7 weeks; P z score for weight P = .31). There was considerable catch-up growth by age 2 years (growth failure: control vs TO, 22% vs 33%; P = .19). There were no differences in other growth parameters. There were also no differences in neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 and 2 years. Supplemental oxygen at hospital discharge was a significant predictor of worse neurodevelopmental outcome at 1 and 2 years old ( P = .05 and P = .02, respectively). Hearing loss requiring amplification has been diagnosed in 44% of the group (control vs TO, 44% vs 43%; P = 1.0). Conclusions In this group of infants with severe CDH, there were no differences in outcome at 2 years old despite significant prematurity in the TO group. Oxygen supplementation at hospital discharge identified the most vulnerable group with respect to neurodevelopmental outcome, but all infants had significant growth failure, and hearing impairment is a substantial problem in this population. Severe CDH carries significant risk of chronic morbidity.
Hydroxyl radical production in a purified NADPH-cytochrome c (P-450) reductase system☆

Abstract Using the spin trap, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-1-oxide (DMPO) we have demonstrated that hydroxyl radicals are generated indirectly from purified preparations of rat liver microsomal NADPH-cytochrome c ( P -450) reductase during NADPH oxidation. Hydroxyl radical formation is completely inhibited by p -chloromercuribenzoate, but not by metyrapone. In addition, hydroxyl radical DMPO adduct formation is blocked by added linolenic acid which, in turn, is peroxidatively degraded into malondialdehyde, suggesting that hydroxyl radicals formed from purified NADPH-cytochrome c ( P -450) reductase are capable of initiating lipid peroxidation. A mechanism for the indirect production of hydroxyl radicals from NADPH-cytochrome P -450 reductase is discussed.
An Ileal Endometrioma: Of Carcinoids and Cadherin

A 38-year-old woman with history of prior adrenalectomy for Cushing’s syndrome presented with intermittent right lower quadrant (RLQ) abdominal pain, nausea, bloating, and non-bloody diarrhea for 2 months. Symptoms were not related to her menstrual periods. Examination revealed only an ill-defined mass in the RLQ. Investigations for infectious causes, inflammatory bowel disease, and carcinoid tumor were negative. Computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a terminal ileal mass with mesenteric stranding and dilatation of the proximal bowel. At laparotomy, a fibrotic, terminal ileal mass with matted adhesions involving the mesentery and retroperitoneum was resected. Histopathological examination identified multiple foci of endometriosis extending from the serosal surface into the mucosa of the terminal ileum. Immunostaining revealed E- and P-cadherin, but not N-cadherin immunopositivity. Mucosal involvement without cyclical menstrual symptoms and intestinal obstruction is an unusual presentation of intestinal endometriosis. Although the mechanism of endometriosis is not clear, the role of cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins has received attention. Increased expression of E- and P-cadherin and decreased N-cadherin expression in our patient demonstrates differential expression of these cadherins in endometriotic tissue. Future studies may investigate patterns of differential expression of these cadherins in a series of cases to elucidate the mechanisms of migration of endometriotic tissue.
Novel Catalytic Antioxidative Activity of Nitroxide Radicals in the Heme/H2O2 system

Deleterious reactive oxygen species (ROS), are involved in cellular damage, dysfunction and diseases. Cell-permeable stable nitroxide radicals (RNO.), effectively protect against ROS-induced injury in cell-free, cellular, isolated organs models as well as in whole animals. Unlike common antioxidants, which operate stoichiometrically, and are progressively depleted particularly under oxidative stress, RNO. can provide cytoprotection even at extremely low concentrations suggesting a catalytic mechanism. RNO. antioxidative activity involves 1-electron exchange between its reduced (RNOH) and oxidized (RN+=O) states, which allows its recycling. However, in spite of the significant therapeutic potential of nitroxides still, their protective mechanism(s) from ROS are not fully clear. A better mechanistic understanding of nitroxides activity in particular in the presence of heme proteins is essential for better selection of desired nitroxides, improvement of their efficacy, and minimizing potential adverse effects. Our objective is to elucidate the catalytic mechanism of nitroxides reaction under oxidative stress in the presence of heme proteins. We have studied RNO. reaction in the heme/ H2O2 system and have found the kinetics to be far more complex than previously assumed. Our recent electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectrometry results indicate transient oscillatory changes in [RNO.] during the catalytic dismutation of H2O2 and detoxification of the deleterious oxidized heme species such as heme protein radical and ferryl. Our results suggest that a key element in the catalytic antioxidative activity of nitroxides in the presence of heme/ H2O2 is a Belousov-Zhabotinsky like reaction mechanism, involving two reaction pathways (possibly ionic and radical).
Template-induced enhanced ordering under confinement.

We report a surprisingly strong ordering of Si−(CH3)2 groups upon confinement between two surfaces, an oxidized poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMSox) elastomer and a methyl-terminated self-assembled mon...
The relations of syntality dimensions of modern national cultures to the personality dimensions of their populations

Abstract Scores on 24 syntality dimensions for 100 modern nations have recently been made available by Cattell and Woliver (1979). For 18 of these countries population samples were measured on the 16 P.F. (translated). Significant differences appeared among countries on various personality factors. Correlations were then worked out between the personality factors (16 primaries and 2 secondaries, exvia and anxiety) and the syntality factors. A greater than chance expectation were significant at the p level for the best replicated syntality dimensions. Actually the theoretical model, S = f (R.P) would not call for any simple relation between syntality, S and population traits, P, but in this case the 18 countries are similar “developed” countries in structure, R, to permit expectation of S relations to P. The relations found, which are discussed in detail for the 8 syntality factors based on firmest evidence, make excellent psychological sense. Mainly, deviations on two or three different personality factors can be seen as sustaining the group behavior evidenced in a syntality dimension; but throughout most instances a two-way causal action seems the best explanation. A much briefer listing is given of the remaining syntality connections (most of which are only at the statistical level of indications), to suggest hypotheses for further more intensive investigation. Some discussion is given to (a) effects of methodological limitations in the present study and (b) refinement of the concepts involved, particularly of cultural pressure, vigorous adapted development, intelligent affluence and political-cultural alertness.
Human liver glucose-6-phosphatase characteristics of the detergent-solubilized enzyme

Abstract Detergent-solubilized human liver glucose-6-phosphatase ( d -glucose-6-phosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.9) has been found to have inorganic phyrophosphatase (pyrophosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.1) and pyrophosphate-glucose phosphotransferase activity (not yet classified). It is composed primarily of lipid and protein, with a small amount of RNA, and trace amounts of calcium and magnesium. Pigs and rabbits were immunized with it, and the antiserum also reacted with similar preparations from human kidney and intestine, and also from monkey and guinea pig liver. Liver from a child with glycogen storage disease, type I, did not produce a precipitin line in agar when it was diffused into the antiserum.
Sunitinib LC–MS/MS Assay in Mouse Plasma and Brain Tissue: Application in CNS Distribution Studies

Sunitinib malate is a multi-targeted tyrosine-kinase inhibitor, currently in clinical trials for glioma. Previously developed methods for preclinical studies in species such as mice have either employed high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or did not describe a detailed analytical method, which could be employed by other preclinical laboratories. In this paper, we have developed and validated a simple, sensitive high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass-spectrometric method (LC–MS/MS) for the determination of sunitinib concentration in mouse plasma and brain tissue homogenate using dasatinib-free base as the internal standard. A single step liquid–liquid extraction method was used for both the matrices. Since sunitinib exhibits light-induced E/Z isomerism, all sample preparation was done in light-protected conditions. Separation was performed on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB C18 column 4.6 × 50 mm, 1.8 μm. The mobile phase consisted of 20 mM ammonium formate (with 0.1 % formic acid): acetonitrile (70:30, v/v) pumped isocratically at a flow rate of 0.25 mL min−1 with a total run-time of 13 min. The retention times of sunitinib and dasatinib were 7.8 and 5.5 min, respectively. The calibration curve was linear over the range from 1.95 to 500 ng mL−1 in both plasma and brain tissue homogenate with 1.95 ng mL−1 as the lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) for both the matrices. Inter- and intra-day accuracy and precision was <15 % for low QC, med QC and high QC and <20 % for LLOQ. The method was applied to a pharmacokinetic study in FVB wild-type mice to determine the plasma and brain concentrations after a single oral sunitinib malate dose of 20 mg kg−1.
Effect of Protein Level in Milk Replacers on Growth and Protein Metabolism of Dairy Calves

Summary Three trials were conducted with two-day-old calves to study the minimum protein level required in milk replacer rations to support normal growth and protein metabolism. Two growth studies were conducted, using a total of 72 calves from two to 72 days of age in Trial 1 and from two to 86 days of age in Trial 2. A metabolism study was conducted with 16 calves. In Trial 1, replacers were fed containing 30.5, 24.1, 18.7, and 15.2% protein. Growth results indicated that the calves fed the three higher protein replacers made comparable growth, but the calves fed the 15.2% protein replacer grew at a slightly slower rate. Similar results were obtained in the second trial when 29.7, 26.2, 23.5, 19.6, and 16.6% protein replacers were fed. In both trials, calves fed the lowest protein replacers grew at slower rates than the calves fed the other protein levels. This was particularly true from two to 49 days of age. When the growth results of the two trials were combined, resulting in replacers of approximately 30, 24, 19, and 16% protein, the average daily gains of calves fed the combined replacers were 0.68, 0.80, 0.73, and 0.60lb per day, respectively. The growth rate of the calves fed the 24% replacers was significantly greater than the calves fed the 16% replacers. Results of the metabolism studies showed that the coefficients of digestibility decreased as the protein content of the replacers decreased; this was particularly true with crude protein and crude fiber. Metabolism data indicated little difference among rations in total nitrogen excretion, but nitrogen retention and the per cent of nitrogen retained decreased significantly as the protein content of the milk replacers decreased. The protein content of the milk replacers had little effect on the blood constituents studied, except urea-nitrogen and serum protein nitrogen. These two constituents decreased as the protein content of the replacers decreased. Results of these studies indicate that calves can make normal growth when fed milk replacer rations containing approximately 24% protein and that their growth rates are equal to calves fed higher levels of protein. Results also indicate that the protein level could be decreased to approximately 19% without seriously affecting the growth rate of calves.
Soil morphology, depth and grapevine root frequency influence microbial communities in a Pinot noir vineyard

Abstract The composition of microbial communities responds to soil resource availability, and has been shown to vary with increasing depth in the soil profile. Soil microorganisms partly rely on root-derived carbon (C) for growth and activity. Roots in woody perennial systems like vineyards have a deeper vertical distribution than grasslands and annual agriculture. Thus, we hypothesized that vineyard soil microbial communities along a vertical soil profile would differ from those observed in grassland and annual agricultural systems. In a Pinot noir vineyard, soil pits were excavated to ca. 1.6–2.5 m, and microbial community composition in ‘bulk’ (i.e., no roots) and ‘root’ (i.e., roots present) soil was described by phospholipid ester-linked fatty acids (PLFA). Utilization of soil taxonomy aided in understanding relationships between soil microbial communities, soil resources and other physical and chemical characteristics. Soil microbial communities in the Ap horizon were similar to each other, but greater variation in microbial communities was observed among the lower horizons. Soil resources (i.e., total PLFA, or labile C, soil C and nitrogen, and exchangeable potassium) were enriched in the surface horizons and significantly explained the distribution of soil microbial communities with depth. Soil chemical properties represented the secondary gradient explaining the differentiation between microbial communities in the B-horizons from the C-horizons. Relative abundance of Gram-positive bacteria and actinomycetes did not vary with depth, but were enriched in ‘root’ vs. ‘bulk’ soils. Fungal biomarkers increased with increasing depth in ‘root’ soils, differing from previous studies in grasslands and annual agricultural systems. This was dependent on the deep distribution of roots in the vineyard soil profile, suggesting that the distinct pattern in PLFA biomarkers may have been strongly affected by C derived from the grapevine roots. Gram-negative bacteria did not increase in concert with fungal abundance, suggesting that acidic pHs in lower soil horizons may have discouraged their growth. These results emphasize the importance of considering soil morphology and associated soil characteristics when investigating effects of depth and roots on soil microorganisms, and suggest that vineyard management practices and deep grapevine root distribution combine to cultivate a unique microbial community in these soil profiles.
Effect of pressure on the structure and magnetic properties of RbNiF3

Abstract Hexagonal RbNiF 3 has been found to transform at high pressure and elevated temperature to a phase with the cubic perovskite structure ( a = 4.074 A ). A pressure-temperature phase diagram is given. The magnetic susceptibility of the high pressure phase shows a maximum indicating a Neel temperature of 260°K. The T c of the hexagonal phase was studied as a function of pressure and gives a dT c dp = 0.60° K/kbar .
Keynote talk I: Security and privacy in implantable medical devices: An ongoing concern

In the last 5 years, there has been a considerable increase in research and awareness of security and privacy issues in implantable medical devices. This has been driven by the rapid introduction and deployment of an increasing diversity of medical devices. Although wearable and clinical devices are also of interest, the implantable nature of many recent devices significantly increases risks as well as engineering challenges. This talk will use several case studies to review the multi-disciplinary process in which vulnerabilities are analyzed, disclosed, and repaired. Business incentives and regulations play an important role in the overall process. Technical challenges include energy harvesting, side-channel protection, lightweight crypto, personalization, wireless communications, security/safety tradeoffs, and human factors. Several open research areas will be discussed.
Pre-Validation and Performance Prediction Using Pressure Monitoring to Evaluate HPLC Method Development Changes

HPLC methods for pharmaceutical analysis evolve from method development to commercial product testing. The majority of development and validation takes place in an RD however, the system pressure increases over time. These underlying data indicate a potential trend prior to method validation. As a result, sample preparation and HPLC condition modifications are evaluated using pressure plots as a key performance metric.
Density functional calculations on actinide compounds: Survey of recent progress and application to [UO2X4]2− (X=F, Cl, OH) and AnF6 (An=U, Np, Pu)

The subject of this article, the application of density functional theory (DFT) to molecular systems containing actinide elements, is discussed in two parts. In the first part, a survey is given of DFT applications on actinide containing molecules. Various methodological developments are reviewed, including, among others, new relativistic effective core potentials ECP, and newly developed stable relativistic DFT methods. Actual DFT calculations of actinide molecular systems are discussed, covering the time from about 1991 to the present. In the second part, two different DFT-based relativistic methods are applied to some actinide molecules.
Dissociation of exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage and pulmonary artery pressure via nitric oxide synthase inhibition

Summary During intense exercise, pulmonary capillary stress failure results in exercise-induced pulmonary hemorrhage (EIPH). To date, a principal focus has been the high pulmonary artery pressures (Ppa) manifest during high intensity exercise as one of the predominant mechanisms that elevates capillary transmural pressure resulting in rupture of the blood-gas barrier. However, it is possible that vascular pressures at other locations (e.g., venular) and extravascular pressures may also be important in the etiology of EIPH. To investigate further the relationship between EIPH and Ppa, five horses ran on an equine treadmill to volitional fatigue under control (CON) and nitric oxide synthase inhibition (L-NAME, 20 mg/kg, i.v.) conditions. Administration of L-NAME significantly increased EIPH (CON, 522.0 ± 453.8; L-NAME, 1178.7 ± 937.7 × 106 RBC/ml bronchoalveolar lavage fluid; p
Economic impact of future biological nitrogen fixation technologies on United States agriculture

The economic impact of some future biological nitrogen fixation (BNF) technologies are estimated using AGSIM, an economietric model of United States agriculture. Five separate scenarios were modeled: (1) legumes fix more nitrogen (N2) with no yield increase, (2) legumes fix more N2 with an increase in yields of 10%, (3) N fertilization requirements on all crops are reduced 50% with no yield changes, (4) total elimination of N fertilization, and (5) total elimination of N fertilization and non-legume yields decrease 10%. Results indicate that BNF technologies have a high value to society. Increasing the efficiency of legumes to fix N2 may have an annual US benefit of $1,067 million while decreasing N fertilization by 1,547 thousand metric tons. Total elimination of N fertilization of the major crops has an annual US benefit of $4,484 million.
A new class of models for computing receptor-ligand binding affinities

Models for predicting the binding affinities of molecules in solution are either very detailed, making them computationally intensive and hard to test, or very simple, and thus less informative than one might wish. A new class of models that focus on the predominant states of the binding molecules promise to capture the essential physics of binding at modest computational cost.
Developer intent versus instructor delivery in program implementation

Observation of the field testing of an instructional program for undergraduate engineering students revealed that the instructor did not collect or grade the student homework exercises as recommended in the instructor guide. Therefore, an experimental study was designed to investigate whether instructor delivery of the program as recommended would yield higher student achievement.
Gas-phase photodissociation of AuCH2+: the dissociation threshold of jet-cooled and rotationally thermalized ions

Abstract The photofragment spectra of jet-cooled and rotationally thermalized AuCH2+ are reported. Two channels are observed: loss of H2 and loss of CH2 with a branching ratio of 1.4:1 over the region studied. The presence of a threshold at 322 nm for the dissociation of jet-cooled AuCH2+ to Au++CH2 implies the upper limitD0o(Au+–CH2)≤372±3 kJ mol−1. The dissociation threshold of ions rotationally thermalized in an ion trap shifts to lower energy by the amount of parent rotational energy.
The synthesis, characterization, and teratology study of bis-3,4,5-trimethoxy-β-phenethylammonium tetrachloromanganate(II)

Abstract With a view to studying the teratological effects of the subject salt and (later) manganese(II) chloride, each was administered to pregnant white rats. In contrast to analogous cases studied previously, both Mn-containing salts resulted in 100% resorption of the fetuses. Since animals on diets low in calcium and vitamin D have shown pronounced teratological effects, similar cases were included for comparison.
KOBAYASHI-MASKAWA ANGLES AND SU(3) BREAKING IN HYPERON BETA-DECAY

The determination of the Kobayashi-Maskawa matrix element ${V}_{\mathrm{us}}$ from hyperon \ensuremath{\beta} decays has long had a hidden uncertainty due to the almost universal assumption of SU(3) invariance in Cabibbo-type fits, especially since the data definitely indicate the presence of SU(3) breaking. We have reanalyzed the hyperon-decay data using the pattern of symmetry breaking predicted by the quark model including the center-of-mass correction. We find that the SU(3)-broken picture is far superior to the assumption of perfect SU(3), and provides a good fit to experiment. The sensitivity of ${V}_{\mathrm{us}}$ to the breaking is not large and we find ${V}_{\mathrm{us}}$=0.220\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.001\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.003 (the errors are experimental and theoretical, respectively), in agreement with the results from kaon decay by Leutwyler and Roos.
Ultrasound detection of submerged dental implants through soft tissue in a porcine model.

Statement of problem. Current methods of measuring soft tissue thickness over potential dental implant sites and locating submerged implants may be imprecise or invasive. Purpose. The purpose of this study was to develop and demonstrate proof of the concept of a customized ultrasound imaging system in locating and measuring the depth of implants submerged beneath soft tissue. Material and methods. A complete ultrasound system, including a customized soft tissue-matched transducer, transceiver, and digital signal processing algorithms, was created for the specific application of detecting dental implants anchored in bone beneath soft tissue. The system was used to locate implants placed in cancellous bone and measure overlying soft tissue depth in a porcine model. Ten measurements were made on each porcine model by manually moving the transducer laterally over the soft tissue surface. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Results. The mean signal-to-noise ratio, SNR (standard deviation), from the bone surfaces, was 19.1 (4.6) dB, and the mean SNR from the implant surfaces was 36.6 (2.2) dB, resulting in a mean difference of 17.5 dB, or ×56.2, in average signal power between the bone and implant surfaces. Consequently, implants were easily and accurately (±0.2 mm) located beneath at least 5 mm of soft tissue. Likewise, soft tissue depths over bone and implants were accurately measured and were within the corresponding caliper tissue measurement error (±0.5 mm). Conclusions. The specialized ultrasound imaging system located and measured the depth of implants placed in bone submerged beneath soft tissue in a porcine model. (J Prosthet Dent 2008;99:218–224)
Neo-islet formation in liver of diabetic mice by helper-dependent adenoviral vector-mediated gene transfer.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Until now insulin replacement is still the major therapy, because islet transplantation has been limited by donor availability and by the need for long-term immunosuppression. Induced islet neogenesis by gene transfer of Neuogenin3 (Ngn3), the islet lineage-defining specific transcription factor and Betacellulin (Btc), an islet growth factor has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes. Adenoviral vectors (Ads) are highly efficient gene transfer vector; however, early generation Ads have several disadvantages for in vivo use. Helper-dependent Ads (HDAds) are the most advanced Ads that were developed to improve the safety profile of early generation of Ads and to prolong transgene expression 1 . They lack chronic toxicity because they lack viral coding sequences 2-5 and retain only Ad cis elements necessary for vector replication and packaging. This allows cloning of up to 36 kb genes. In this protocol, we describe the method to generate HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc and to deliver these vectors into STZ-induced diabetic mice. Our results show that co-injection of HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc induces 'neo islets' in the liver and reverses hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.