cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular docking towards drug discovery

Fueled by advances in molecular structure determination, tools for structure-based drug design are proliferating rapidly. Lead discovery through searching of ligand databases with molecular docking techniques represents an attractive alternative to high-throughout random screening. The size of commercial databases imposes severe computational constraints on molecular docking, compromising the level of calculational detail permitted for each putative ligand. We describe alternative philosophies for docking which effectively address this challenge. With respect to the dynamic aspects of molecular recognition, these strategies lie along a spectrum of models bounded by the Lock-and-Key and Induced-Fit theories for ligand binding. We explore the potential of a rigid model in exploiting species specificity and of a tolerant model in predicting absolute ligand binding affinity. Current molecular docking methods are limited primarily by their ability to rank docked complexes; we therefore place particular emphasis on this aspect of the problem throughout our validation of docking strategies.
Overall risk of left ventricular hypertrophy secondary to systemic hypertension.

Abstract Stratification of risk for cardiovascular events is a fundamental aspect of the assessment of hypertensive patients. The assessment of left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy is an important component of such stratification. The low prevalence of LV hypertrophy on the electrocardiogram (
The association between telomerase, p53, and clinical staging in colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: A proposed etiology of tumor activation involves p53 mutations while telomerase may serve as a key enzyme for maintenance of tumor cell proliferation. METHODS: Telomerase activity levels were measured in colorectal adenocarcinomas and corresponding normal tissue using a modified telomeric repeat amplification protocol, and p53 mutations were identified using immunohistochemical staining. Results were compared with staging data using regression analysis. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was present in 23 of 23 (100%) of the tumors and only 2 (9%) of. normal specimens (P <0.0001). The p53 mutations were present in 18 of 23 p8%) of the tumors. No significant correlation between p53 mutations, telomerase activity levels, and staging was found. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activity in 100% of the tumors suggests telomerase activation is a universal event in colorectal tumor progression; however, telomerase activity appears to be independent of p53 mutations and clinical staging.
Correlation effects in the excited states of polydiacetylene models

Abstract Correlation effects in the π-electron system of models for diacetylenic systems have been investigated. Although doubly excited configuratons are important, the correlation correction is smaller than in the corresponding polyenes: the 1Ag-like excited state is above the 1Bu-like state. In-plane double-bonding orbitals mix significantly with the π excitations.
MATRIX ACCUMULATION AND RETENTION IN EMBRYONIC CARTILAGE AND IN VITRO CHONDROGENESIS

Since hyaluronan anchors the proteoglycan-rich pericellular matrix to chondrocytes, hyaluronan-cell interactions may direct cartilage matrix assembly. To test this hypothesis, the competitive binding of hyaluronan hexasaccharides for native hyaluronan during matrix assembly, accumulation and retention in embryonic cartilage was studied. Chondrocytes released from explants with collagenase P retained pericellular matrices, but chondrocytes appeared "matrix-free" when released from hexasaccharide-treated explants. Decreased safranin O staining was also observed in the hexasaccharide-treated explants. This loss of proteoglycan retention was demonstrated quantitatively in the cartilage extracts and recovered in the media. The continual presence of hexasaccharides in micromass cultures resulted in decreased proteoglycan deposition. Increased proteoglycan retention, indicative of matrix repair, occurred following hexasaccharide wash-out. Thus, native hyaluronan-chondrocyte interactions are important for the assembly and maintenance of cartilage matrix.
On an Isolated Island

Thinking about being stranded on a deserted island conjures up images of solitude, tranquility, and beauty, as well as an opportunity to relax and swim daily. Further, I need not hear the sound of ringing telephones or weed around cactus plants with my bare hands. The best part of daydreaming about life on the island is that I can dictate the terms of my isolation, for example, no pollution, no sharks, plenty to eat, comfortable shelter, and a horse to ride. One other condition is necessary: I can be rescued after three weeks—sooner if my kids have a scheduled soccer game.
Correlation of results obtained by in-vivo optical spectroscopy with measured blood oxygen saturation using a positive linear regression fit

Near infrared light generated by specialized instrumentation was passed through artificially oxygenated human blood during simultaneous sampling by a co-oximeter. Characteristic absorption spectra were analyzed to calculate the ratio of oxygenated to reduced hemoglobin. A positive linear regression fit between diffuse transmission oximetry and measured blood oxygenation over the range 23% to 99% (r2 equals .98, p < .001) was noted. The same technology was used to pass two channels of light through the scalp of brain-injured patients with prolonged, decreased level of consciousness in a tertiary care neuroscience ICU. Transmission data were collected with gross superficial-to-deep spatial resolution. Saturation calculation based on the deep signal was observed in the patient over time. The procedure was able to be performed clinically without difficulty; rSO2 values recorded continuously demonstrate the usefulness of the technique. Using the same instrumentation, arterial input and cerebral response functions, generated by IV tracer bolus, were deconvoluted to measure mean cerebral transit time. Date collected over time provided a sensitive index of changes in cerebral blood flow as a result of therapeutic maneuvers.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
On the construction of sociological explanations

One of the main tasks of scientific activity is the construction of expla nations and, indeed, explanations abound in the sociological literature. Many sociological analyses are wholly devoted to the task of explaining some social phenomenon, while virtually every report of empirical research contains a section variously called 'interpretation', 'discussion' or 'conclusions', in which the investigator offers an explanation for his results. Sometimes these explanations occur in the introduction to a research report as a rationale for some particular hypothesis or as a justification for doing the reported study. Although these explanations are informal and discursive in nature, it is very clear that their objectives are similar to the objectives of highly formalized and rigorous explan atory systems. It is, perhaps, paradoxical that despite the abundance of explanatory efforts in sociology and despite the similarity in the goals of explanation between sociology and other sciences, there are very few satisfactory sociological explanations. Our explanations are unsatisfactory because they do not lead anywhere. They are not useful in the pursuit of further understanding of social phenomena. Most often sociological explana tions are ad hoc ideas applied to one particular situation and rarely, if ever, used again. Typically, these interpretations are plausible, cer tainly possible, and often interesting, but the striking thing is that the ideas which one author uses to explain his observations are rarely en countered again, either in the same author's later work or in the works of other sociologists. Furthermore, these explanations seldom generate new research, for they are often untestable; or, if they are testable, they are presented without any guidelines that would allow another investi gator to apply them to some other situation, study, or phenomenon. If it is true that sociological explanations are inherently ad hoc, it becomes important to examine what makes them ad hoc, for through understanding those features of our formulations that limit their use fulness, we can arrive at guidelines for more fruitful explanations. It is
Time-resolved microscopy for imaging lanthanide luminescence in living cells

Time-resolved luminescence (TRL) microscopy can image signals from lanthanide coordination complexes or other probes with long emission lifetimes, thereby eliminating short-lifetime (<100 ns) autofluorescence background from biological specimens. However, lanthanide complexes emit far fewer photons per unit time than conventional fluorescent probes, making it difficult to rapidly acquire high quality images at probe concentrations that are relevant to live cell experiments. This article describes the development and characterization of a TRL microscope that employs a light-emitting diode (LED, λem = 365 nm) for pulsed epi-illumination and an intensified charge-coupled device (ICCD) camera for gated, widefield detection. Europium chelate-impregnated microspheres were used to evaluate instrument performance in terms of short-lifetime fluorescence background rejection, photon collection efficiency, image contrast, and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). About 200 nm microspheres were imaged within the time resolution limit of the ICCD (66.7 ms) with complete autofluorescence suppression. About 40 nm microspheres containing ∼400 chelate molecules were detected within ∼1-s acquisition times. A luminescent terbium complex, Lumi4-Tb®, was introduced into the cytoplasm of cultured cells at an estimated concentration of 300 nM by the method of osmotic lysis of pinocytic vesicles. Time-resolved images of the living, terbium complex-loaded cells were acquired within acquisition times as short as 333 ms, and the effects of increased exposure time and frame summing on image contrast and SNR were evaluated. The performance analyses show that TRL microscopy is sufficiently sensitive and precise to allow high-resolution, quantitative imaging of lanthanide luminescence in living cells under physiologically relevant experimental conditions. © 2010 International Society for Advancement of Cytometry.
Obstruction of Aqueous Outflow by Sodium Hyaluronate in Enucleated Human Eyes

Instillation of sodium hyaluronate into the anterior chambers of enucleated human eyes caused a 65% decrease in outflow facility (from 0.33 +/- 0.16 microliters/min/mm Hg to 0.08 +/- 0.02 microliters/min/mm Hg). Vigorous anterior chamber irrigation, performed either immediately or three hours after introduction of the sodium hyaluronate, failed to relieve this obstruction. However, irrigation with hyaluronidase restored the facility values to baseline. Tying limbal or corneal 9-0 nylon sutures (for example, in cataract surgery), followed by instillation of sodium hyaluronate into the anterior chamber and subsequent irrigation, produced an overall decrease of 76% in outflow facility (final outflow values were 0.08 +/- 0.03 microliters/min/mm Hg in eyes with corneal wounds and 0.08 +/- 0.04 microliter/min/mm Hg in eyes with limbal wounds). Postoperative intraocular pressure should be monitored closely when sodium hyaluronate is used in cataract surgery. Irrigating the anterior chamber with balanced salt solution after using sodium hyaluronate does not eliminate the possibility of severe postoperative glaucoma.
Permeation behavior of carbon dioxide-methane mixtures in cellulose acetate membranes☆

Abstract Permeation rates were measured for carbon dioxide and methane through asymmetric cellulose acetate membranes. The data show that the permeability of carbon dioxide increases dramatically with pressure. This is in contrast to the normal behavior where permeability decreases with pressure. This anomalous behavior is due the plasticization of cellulose acetate by carbon dioxide. The effect of pressure, to a less marked degree, also was observed for methane permeability. Permeabilities of both gases also depend on temperature and feed composition. A model is presented that explains the experimental results and correlates the data.
Exogenous Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis.

Purpose To report a case of Neisseria meningitidis endophthalmitis in association with a leaking filtering bleb and to consider antibiotic prophylaxis of those people with whom the patient had contact. Method We treated an 81-year-old man who had a chronic, leaking filtering bleb and who developed exogenous N meningitidis endophthalmitis. Result N meningitidis endophthalmitis was controlled with antibiotic therapy. Antibiotic prophylaxis for those with whom the patient had contact was not recommended. Conclusion In this case, the N meningitidis strain was not considered invasive because the bacteria apparently entered the eye through a leaky filtering bleb and not through the bloodstream. Recovery of noninvasive N meningitidis does not require prophylaxis for patient contacts. In cases of endogenous or idiopathic N meningitidis endophthalmitis, antibiotic prophylaxis of close patient contacts may be warranted.
Osteology, myology and feeding mechanism of Astronotus ocellatus (Pisces, Perciformes)

Astronotus ocellatus captures its prey by creating a negative pressure in the buccal cavity which is caused by its quick expansion. Once the prey has been accommodated, the buccal cavity undergoes a compression which may propel the prey towards the pharyngeal jaws for mastication. The motion picture recordings indicate retracted premaxillae at the beginning of food intake followed by a maximum attainment of mouth gape and then mastication. During the maximum opening of the mouth the premaxillae are protruded and dentaries are at maximum depression. These events are followed by activities such as buccopharyngeal cavity expansion, bulging on the ventral surface of the head, and prominent curvature on the ventral surface anterior to the urohyal, caused by the upward movement of the glossohyal. Based on the cinematographic results, it may be inferred that the maximum mouth gape is caused by the sternohyoid-hyoid-interopercular-mandible coupling, and not by the opercular apparatus-mandible coupling, as the latter acts after the full descent of the lower jaw. Impression of the expanded buccopharyngeal cavity has been made by a paraffin mold technique, which confirms the displacement of the buccopharyngeal elements during expansion of the cavity.
Microwave-induced transformation of rice husks to SiC

Samples of rice husks were transformed to β (3C)-SiC by microwave processing in controlled conditions of temperature and vacuum. This simple and fast way of producing powdered samples of silicon carbide is technologically important if this material is to be used for electronics, sensors, biotechnology, and other applications. Using x-ray diffraction it was found that the microwave processed sample at 1900 °C consists of β (3C)-SiC phase. Raman scattering measurements confirmed the formation of β (3C)-SiC phase. Transmission electron microscopy revealed the presence of stacking faults along the [111] direction. The presence of 6H/4H stacking faults in 3C phase is explained in terms of their total energies. The presence of these stacking faults with a ∼1 eV band offset between the host 3C and hexagonal stacking faults implies that these stacking faults provide a conduction barrier, and the interfaces between the stacking faults and host lattice act as a heterojunction that may provide potential utility for various optoelectronic applications.
Children's recall of approximations to English.

As a general index of language development, the recall of first through fourth order approximations to English was examined in four, five, six, and seven year olds and adults. Data suggested that r...
The infectivity of surviving Psoroptes ovis (Hering) on cattle treated with ivermectin

Ivermectin, 22,23-dihydroavermectin B1 (Merck MK-933), injected intramuscularly at the rate of 200 μg kg−1 body wt., completely eliminated Psoroptes ovis populations from 6 Hereford cattle within 2 weeks after treatment. However, mites surviving 1, 3, and 5 days after treatment were viable and infective when transferred to untreated cattle. Mites surviving 7 days after treatment did not cause scabies or establish a colony of mites when transferred to untreated cattle. These results indicate that cattle treated with ivermectin for control of psoroptic scabies should be isolated from other cattle for at least 5 days after treatment.
The gastric H, K-ATPase system also functions as the Na, K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase in altered states

This article offers an explanation for the apparent lack of Na, K-ATPase activity in parietal cells although ouabain has been known to inhibit gastric acid secretion since 1962. The gastric H, K-ATPase (proton-pump) seems to be acting in altered states, thus behaving like a Na, K-ATPase (Na-pump) and/or Ca-ATPase (Ca-pump) depending on cellular needs. This conclusion is based on the following findings. First, parietal cell fractions do not exhibit Na, K-ATPase activity at pH 7.0 but do at pH 8.5. Second, the apical plasma membrane (APM) fraction exhibits a (Ca or Mg)-ATPase activity with negligible H, K-ATPase activity. However, when assayed with Mg alone in presence of the 80 k Da cytosolic proton-pump activator (HAF), the APM fraction reveals remarkably high H, K-ATPase activity, suggesting the observed low affinity of Ca (or Mg)-ATPase is an altered state of the latter. Third, calcium (between 1 and 4 µM) shows both stimulation and inhibition of the HAF-stimulated H, K-ATPase depending on its concentration, revealing a close interaction between the proton-pump activator and local Ca concentration in gastric H, K-ATPase function. Such interactions suggest that Ca is acting as a terminal member of the intracellular signaling system for the HAF-regulated proton-pump. It appears that during resting state, the HAF-associated H, K-ATPase remains inhibited by Ca (>1 µM) and, prior to resumption of acid secretion the gastric H, K-ATPase acts temporarily as a Ca-pump for removing excess Ca from its immediate environment. This conclusion is consistent with the recent reports of immunochemical co-localization of the gastric H, K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase by superimposition in parietal cells, and a transitory efflux of Ca immediately preceding the onset of acid secretion. These new perspectives on proton-pump function would open new avenues for a fuller understanding of the intracellular regulation of the ubiquitous Na-pump.
Photoluminescence and Raman spectroscopy of polycrystalline ZnO nanofibers deposited by electrospinning

The technique of electrospinning offers the advantage of growing nanowires in bulk quantities in comparison with traditional methods. We report optical studies of polycrystalline zinc oxide (ZnO) nanofibers (∼100 nm thick and 5 μm long) deposited by electrospinning. Photoluminescence from the nanofibers shows a near-ultraviolet (near-UV) peak corresponding to near-band-edge emission and a strong broad peak in the visible region from oxygen antisite and interstitial defects. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals that different carrier recombination mechanisms are dominant at low temperature. Our Raman spectroscopy results demonstrate that characterization of the quasimodes of longitudinal optical (LO) and transverse optical (TO) phonons present in an ensemble of polycrystalline nanofibers tilted at various angles in addition to the dominant E 2(high) mode provides a promising technique for assessing the quality of such randomly oriented nanowires.
Effects of nuclear forces on ion thermalization in high-temperature plasmas

A number of investigations have been concerned with the kinetic theory and processes associated with a relativistic electron gas. Gould (1981) has considered a condition in which upon the ultimate thermalization the temperature can be such that the electron gas is highly relativistic while the gas of protons and other ions is nonrelativistic. With the nuclear component nonrelativistic but having energies in the MeV range and above, it is necessary to consider the effects of nuclear forces in the scattering of the ions in their thermalization. The effects of nuclear forces in the thermalization of ions in plasmas have been computed, principally in connection with problems of controlle; fusion. The present investigation is concerned with an attempt to express results in analytic form to as great a degree as possible. The p-p problem, which is the fundamental problem in astrophysical plasma, is studied. Attention is given to a low-energy formulation, the s-wave phase shift, the effective stopping number, Fokker-Planck operators, and the interaction with the electron gas.
Characterization of the Photodegradation of β-Carotene in Aqueous Model Systems

The photodegradation of β-carotene in model dispersions was studied to gain a better understanding of carotene stability in foods. Aqueous dispersions were exposed to 250 ft-c of light at varied times and temperatures. Analysis was by HPLC and spectrophotometry. Degradation reactions fit a first-order kinetic model. Temperature, physical state and β-carotene microenvironment had some influence on degradation rates. cis-isomers of β-carotene were present and the relative amounts of cis-isomers increased with time of exposure.
The primacy of self-development in Chris Argyis writings

This paper critically explores Chris Argyris’ concern for human development as found in his organizational writings. Specifically, his focus on a personl development approach to human growth in organization is critically assessed as to its prospects to facilitate behavior needed for “public” organization. Argyris’ theoretical emphasis upon “self-development” as explicated is unlikely to provide for social consciousness and political action by everyday participants of organization. His mode of “self-development” is a perspective which is fundamentally grounded in the psychological and moral subjectively of the individual. As such, Argyris’ developmental mode is one which primarily promotes consciousness and action of self-interest rather than social involvement. A more authentically public type of organization requires a developmental mode which engenders democratic action toward the shared problems and common needs experienced in everyday organizational reality.
The Effects of Erythrosine on Alveolar Bone and Gingival Connective Tissue in Dogs

This study was conducted to determine if erythrosine had any effect when placed in contact with alveolar bone and gingival connective tissue in dogs in conjunction with a periodontal surgical procedure. Periodontal surgery was performed on 15 dogs, with a mucoperiosteal flap affording access for introduction of erythrosine (test) or saline (control) solutions, and subsequent flap replacement. The dogs were sacrificed at 2, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 days. Autopsy specimens were prepared, stained, sectioned, and examined by light microscopy. The general amount, degree, and type of inflammatory infiltrate was evaluated and recorded. Erythrosine had no apparent effect on the clinical healing time, alveolar bone, or gingival connective tissue in regard to the general degree, type, and location of the inflammation infiltrate based on postsurgical observations. J Periodontol 1991; 62:132–134.
Predicting Graduation Rates: An Analysis of Student and Institutional Factors at Doctoral Universities.

The importance that is placed on graduation rates as a measure of the success of institutions of higher education warrant the ongoing research into understanding the determinants of these educational outcomes. This study examines the role of institutional factors in determining graduation rates at doctoral universities. While controlling for student characteristics, we find that institutional characteristics are an important determinant of four-, five-, and six-year graduation rates. Student-faculty ratios, percentage of faculty that are full time, total expenditures and tuition and fees all play a significant role in explaining graduation rates at the universities in our sample.
Genetic background influences fluoride's effects on osteoclastogenesis

Excessive fluoride (F) can lead to abnormal bone biology. Numerous studies have focused on the anabolic action of F yet little is known regarding any action on osteoclastogenesis. Little is known regarding the influence of an individual's genetic background on the responses of bone cells to F. Four-week old C57BL/6J (B6) and C3H/HeJ (C3H) female mice were treated with NaF in the drinking water (0 ppm, 50 ppm and 100 ppm F ion) for 3 weeks. Bone marrow cells were harvested for osteoclastogenesis and hematopoietic colony-forming cell assays. Sera were analyzed for biochemical and bone markers. Femurs, tibiae, and lumbar vertebrae were subjected to microCT analysis. Tibiae and femurs were subjected to histology and biomechanical testing, respectively. The results demonstrated new actions of F on osteoclastogenesis and hematopoietic cell differentiation. Strain-specific responses were observed. The anabolic action of F was favored in B6 mice exhibiting dose-dependent increases in serum ALP activity ( pb0.001); in proximal tibia trabecular and vertebral BMD (tibia at 50&100 ppm, p=0.001; vertebrae at 50 and 100 ppm, p=0.023&0.019, respectively); and decrease in intact PTH and sRANKL ( p=0.045 and pb0.001, respectively). F treatment in B6 mice also resulted in increased numbers of CFU-GEMM colonies ( p=0.025). Strain-specific accumulations in bone [F] were observed. For C3H mice, dosedependent increases were observed in osteoclast potential ( pb0.001), in situ trabecular osteoclast number ( p=0.007), hematopoietic colony forming units (CFU-GEMM: pb0.001, CFU-GM: p=0.006, CFU-M: pb0.001), and serum markers for osteoclastogenesis (intact PTH: p=0.004, RANKL: p=0.022, TRAP5b: pb0.001). A concordant decrease in serum OPG ( p=0.005) was also observed. Fluoride treatment had no significant effects on bone morphology, BMD, and serum PYD cross-links in C3H suggesting a lack of significant bone resorption. Mechanical properties were also unaltered in C3H. In conclusion, short term F treatment at physiological levels has strain-specific effects in mice. The expected anabolic effects were observed in B6 and novel actions hallmarked by enhanced osteoclastogenesis shifts in hematopoietic cell differentiation in the C3H strain.
DARK AGE CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE MEDITERRANEAN WAY OF LIFE

ABSTRACT The Dark Age of Greece was the gestation period of Greek culture and the incubation of the Mediterranean way of life. Greek colonization of the west, based on grains and wine, was the earliest specialized commercial agriculture of the Mediterranean basin. Innovations were made in the arts, shipbuilding and bulk commerce, military tactics, the spread of iron, the use of waterproof plaster, and the use of the olive for food. Perhaps any period of cultural florescence is the result of germination in earlier, possibly unnoted, times. Depressions may be necessary to progress, because they provide a release from bureaucratic paralysis, and permit talented individuals to experiment with innovations. Innovations occur in politically fallow periods, and the spectacular events which fascinate historians are not conducive to human progress.
Lessons from Virginia Tech: Exploring Disparities & Commonalities Between Visual Coverage in U.S. Newspapers & Victims' Families' Perceptions

Abstract Using a multi-method approach, the researchers examined the visual content of the Virginia Tech shootings in U.S. newspapers during the 3 days following the event and conducted interviews with a few members of the victims' families examining their perceptions of the photographic coverage. This exploratory study analyzed 2079 photographs in terms of the crime and suspect frame and the tension management frame. It also examined the use of the graphic device in the visual coverage. Then, inspired by the photo elicitation technique, perceptions of media coverage held by three families of the victims were examined and suggestions for improving the visual coverage of similar events in the future were recorded. Thus, the outcome of the difficult ethical decisions newspaper editors must make while covering traumatic events and the perceptions of those directly affected by the events were explored. Results of this study represent a step toward offering resources for thinking about the visual coverage of t...
Just world maintenance patterns among intrinsically and extrinsically religious individuals

Abstract The present study investigated the influence of religiosity on just world maintenance strategies. We expected that extrinsic religiosity would relate to general endorsement of just world strategies while intrinsic religiosity would correlate positively to the “benevolent” strategies and negatively to negative strategies. Following a vignette that manipulated just world threat, participants completed measures of victim blaming, victim derogation, benefit finding, restitution and perpetrator demonizing. While extrinsic religiosity was positively correlated to overall strategy use, intrinsic religiosity was positively correlated with benefit finding and restitution but negatively correlated with perpetrator demonization. The results suggest that intrinsic and extrinsic religiosity influence just world beliefs differently, providing an explanation for the discrepancies among past findings in just world and religiosity research.
Hot atom chemistry and radiopharmaceuticals

The chemical products made in a cyclotron target are a combined result of the chemical effects of the nuclear transformation that made the radioactive atom and the bulk radiolysis in the target. This review uses some well-known examples to understand how hot atom chemistry explains the primary products from a nuclear reaction and then how radiation chemistry is exploited to set up the optimal product for radiosynthesis. It also addresses the chemical effects of nuclear decay. There are important principles that are common to hot atom chemistry and radiopharmaceutical chemistry. Both emphasize short-lived radionuclides and manipulation of high specific activity nuclides. Furthermore, they both rely on radiochromatographic separation for identification of no-carrieradded products.
Cellular injury by oxidants

Oxidants, generated by stimulated leukocytes, induce a variety of distinct biochemical changes in target cells. HOCl, produced by the action of peroxidase on H2O2 in the presence of chloride ion, acts at low molar concentration (10–20 μM) to damage proteins on cell membranes and destroy their function. H2O2 rapidly permeates cells and causes inhibition of ATP synthesis via both glycolytic and oxidative phosphorylation (mitochondrial) pathways. In the glycolytic pathway, damage is limited to the step involving glyceraldehyde 3-PO4 dehydrogenase (GAPDH). This results from both an attack of H2O2 on GAPDH and, indirectly, by a reduction in concentration of the GAPDH cofactor, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). This latter effect was found to result from activation of the enzyme, poly-ADP ribose polymerase, an enzyme involved in DNA repair. Indeed, DNA damage in target cells was found at low concentrations of H2O2 (20–80 μM) in many cell types. Both strand breaks and base hydroxylation were observed, and resulted from the generation of hydroxyl radical from the H2O2 in the presence of transition metal. The consequence of the damage of DNA was found to be either cell injury and death or mutations of the base sequence and amino acid residues. These latter effects led to malignant transformations in cultured cells in both tissue cultures of the cells and in vivo in athymic mice. Exposure of a protooncogene, K-ras 4B, also led to the development of a malignant transformation by virtue of mutations in codon positions 12 and 61. Thus, oxidant effects on target cells can lead to damage to multiple functional pathways inside the cells, on the one hand, and malignant transformation via DNA damage, on the other.
Detection of semiconductor dopants using accelerator mass spectrometry

Abstract We have used the tandem accelerator mass spectrometer at the University of Arizona to detect dopants and other impurities in Si and GaAs. B, P, As and Sb doped Si crystals have been examined, with detection limits ranging from ~ 0.5 ppb (parts-per-billion) for B to ~10 ppb for P and Sb. B and Cr doped GaAs have also been examined, with detection limits of ~ 0.5 and 40 ppb, respectively. The terminal voltage for these experiments was 1.8 MV, and a post-acceleration carbon stripper foil ( ~ 350 A) was used to lower the magnetic rigidity of heavy ions before entering the analyzing magnets.
Identification and Individualization of Lophophora using DNA Analysis of the trnL/trnF Region and rbcL Gene

Lophophora williamsii (peyote) is a small, spineless, greenish-blue cactus found in Mexico and the southwestern United States. Ingestion of the cactus can result in hallucinations due to its content of mescaline. In the United States, L. williamsii is classified as a Schedule I controlled substance. In this study, we use DNA analysis of the chloroplast trnL/trnF region and chloroplast rbcL gene to identify the individuals of Lophophora. Using the rbcL gene, Lophophora specimens could be distinguished from outgroups, but species within the genus could not be distinguished. The trnL/trnF region split the Lophophora genus into several groups based on the length and substructure of an AT-rich segment of the sequence. Our results indicate that the genetic variability at the trnL/trnF locus is greater than previously recognized. Although DNA structures at the trnL/trnF region and rbcL gene do not align with the classification of Lophophora species, they can be used to aid in forensic analysis.
An examination of PTSD symptoms and relationship functioning in U.S. soldiers of the Iraq War over time

We examined associations between overall posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, symptom clusters of PTSD (reexperiencing, avoidance, dysphoria, and arousal), and relationship adjustment cross sectionally and longitudinally using self-report measures from a dyadic sample of U.S. National Guard soldiers from the Iraq war and their intimate partners (N = 49 couples). Results of multilevel modeling revealed that Time 1 PTSD symptom severity significantly predicted lower relationship adjustment as rated by partners at Time 2 after controlling for baseline relationship adjustment (β = -.20, p = .025). Total PTSD symptoms did not significantly predict soldiers' ratings of relationship adjustment at Time 2. For soldiers, the PTSD symptom cluster of dysphoria was uniquely and significantly related to relationship adjustment ratings both at Time 1 and at Time 2, controlling for Time 1 adjustment. For partners, none of the soldiers' PTSD symptoms clusters was uniquely associated with Time 1 relationship adjustment or with change in adjustment over time. In contrast, findings regarding the effect of relationship adjustment on changes in PTSD over time found that Time 1 relationship adjustment was not associated with changes in PTSD symptoms at Time 2.
Grid resource allocation and task scheduling for resource intensive applications

Evolution of grid has drawn attention from various resource intensive applications addressing domains of bio-informatics, astrology and multimedia, to name a few. Image analysis applications in both bio-sciences and astrophysics are explicitly built in modular fashion to exploit the potential offered by grid. In this paper, we present a framework for resource allocation and task scheduling, MARS (management architecture for resource services), which efficiently allocates resources for such resource intensive applications which can be represented as task interaction graph (TIG), while keeping makespan as minimum as the current state of resources in grid allows. Simulation experiments with MARS show a considerable improvement in job completion time and host utilization over traditional resource management and scheduling algorithms for grid.
Convergence of Lump-Sum Markets with Price-Anticipating Agents

Large engineering systems exist, such as air traffic control and Internet routing, for which resources must be allocated amongst a few competitive agents with significant market power. Lump-sum market mechanisms are attractive for these resource allocation problems because the ability of individual agents to manipulate market prices has been shown to be limited. This work addresses the issue of convergence to the Nash equilibrium of lump-sum markets with price-anticipating agents. By defining a continuous time agent update dynamic and employing Lyapunov stability theory, convergence is guaranteed for arbitrary initial allocations and agent specific update rates. Simulation results demonstrate the convergence properties of both the continuous dynamics and the best response discrete update dynamic.
Malpighiales Phylogenetics: Gaining Ground on One of the Most Recalcitrant Clades in the Angiosperm Tree of Life

The eudicot order Malpighiales contains ∼16000 species and is the most poorly resolved large rosid clade. To clarify phylogenetic relationships in the order, we used maximum likelihood, Bayesian, and parsimony analyses of DNA sequence data from 13 gene regions, totaling 15604 bp, and representing all three genomic compartments (i.e., plastid: atpB, matK, ndhF, and rbcL; mitochondrial: ccmB, cob, matR, nad1B-C, nad6, and rps3; and nuclear: 18S rDNA, PHYC, and newly developed low-copy EMB2765). Our sampling of 190 taxa includes representatives from all families of Malpighiales. These data provide greatly increased support for the recent additions of Aneulophus, Bhesa, Centroplacus, Ploiarium, and Rafflesiaceae to Malpighiales; sister relations of Phyllanthaceae + Picrodendraceae, monophyly of Hypericaceae, and polyphyly of Clusiaceae. Oxalidales + Huaceae, followed by Celastrales are successive sisters to Malpighiales. Parasitic Rafflesiaceae, which produce the world's largest flowers, are confirmed as embedded within a paraphyletic Euphorbiaceae. Novel findings show a well-supported placement of Ctenolophonaceae with Erythroxylaceae + Rhizophoraceae, sister-group relationships of Bhesa + Centroplacus, and the exclusion of Medusandra from Malpighiales. New taxonomic circumscriptions include the addition of Bhesa to Centroplacaceae, Medusandra to Peridiscaceae (Saxifragales), Calophyllaceae applied to Clusiaceae subfamily Kielmeyeroideae, Peraceae applied to Euphorbiaceae subfamily Peroideae, and Huaceae included in Oxalidales.
The effects of delayed plumage maturation on aggression and survival in male red-backed fairy-wrens

The occurrence of multiple phenotypes within a sex of a single species has long puzzled behavioral ecologists. Male red-backed fairy-wrens Malurus melanocephalus exhibit 3 behaviorally distinct types in their first breeding season: breed in bright nuptial plumage, breed in dull plumage, or remain as an unpaired auxiliary (helper) with dull plumage. The retention of dull plumage by auxiliaries and dull breeders is an example of delayed plumage maturation (DPM), a widespread phenomenon in birds whose costs and benefits are not well understood. At a mechanistic level, DPM might allow dull males either to deceptively mimic females (female mimicry hypothesis) or to honestly signal their subordinate status (status-signaling hypothesis). DPM might function via either mechanism to provide ultimate benefits relative to developing nuptial plumage by increasing reproductive success, survival, or both. In this study, we tested the hypothesis that DPM is related to increased male survival in the red-backed fairy-wren via either female mimicry or status signaling. Aviary-based experiments revealed that dull males were perceived as male, which is consistent with the status-signaling hypothesis but contradicts the female mimicry hypothesis. Further aviary and field-based experiments also revealed that dull males were socially subordinate to bright males and received less aggression than bright males, further evidence for status signaling. However, male survival was not related to plumage coloration or breeding status. These findings indicate that male plumage coloration signals social status but that dull plumage does not afford a net survival advantage, perhaps because plumage color is a conditional strategy.
IC chip stress during plastic package molding

Approximately 95% of the world's integrated chips are packaged using a hot, high pressure transfer molding process. The stress created by the flow of silica powder loaded epoxy can displace the fine bonding wires and can even distort the metallization patterns under the protective chip passivation layer. In this study we developed a technique to measure the mechanical stress over the surface of an integrated circuit during the molding process. A CMOS test chip with 25 diffused resistor stress sensors was applied to a commercial lead frame. Both compression and shear stresses were measured at all 25 locations on the surface of the chip every 50 milliseconds during molding. These measurements have a fine time and stress resolution which should allow comparison with computer simulation of the molding process, thus allowing optimization of both the manufacturing process and mold geometry.
A low-complexity sparsity-based multi-target tracking algorithm for urban environments

In this paper, we propose a low-complexity sparsity based multi-target tracking algorithm. We develop a finite dimensional representation of the received signal when the radar is operating in an urban environment. The dimensionality of the representation denotes the extra degrees of freedom that an urban environment offers. We employ spread-spectrum signaling to exploit the full diversity offered by the environment. We then develop a block-sparse measurement model by discretizing the delay-Doppler plane and prove that the dictionary of the block-sparse model exhibits a special structure under spread-spectrum signaling. This structure enables an efficient support recovery of the sparse vector, by projecting the measurement vector on the row space of the dictionary. Numerical simulations show that our tracking procedure takes significantly less time, while giving good tracking performance.
System performance and layered analysis tool

Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division (NSWC-PCD) has developed a System Performance and Layered Analysis Tool (SPLAT) using MATLAB. The overall goal is to detect terrorist threats, particularly in an open crowded area, in a timely manner. Given a sensor configuration and a scenario specification, it combines a layered set of threat detection sensors to determine overall system performance in terms of probability of detection, probability of false alarm, and cost. SPLAT avoids overly optimistic performance estimates inherent when a series of closely spaced detection events are modeled as discrete, independent Bernoulli trials. SPLAT describes all sensors using multi-dimensional lookup tables, thereby circumventing the need to mathematically model complex sensor performance functions. This methodology is sufficiently general that it can be applied to a broad class of problems where multiple stationary sensors attempt to detect a moving target.
Genetic diversity does not affect the invasiveness of fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) in Arizona, California and Hawaii

Pennisetum setaceum (Poaceae) is a perennial bunch grass that invaded the United States during the 20th century and is highly invasive in Hawaii, moderately invasive in Arizona, and not yet invasive in southern California. Pennisetum setaceum is apomictic, a condition that is normally associated with low genetic variation within populations, but even moderate levels of genetic variation among populations could account for differences in invasiveness. To determine whether genetic factors are causing the variable invasion success, we used Inter-Simple Sequence Repeat markers (ISSRs) to examine genetic variation in populations from the three areas. Screening of 16 primers revealed no genetic variation within any population or between any geographical areas, a pattern consistent with complete apomixis. Variation in invasion success appears unrelated to genetic differences among populations. Differences in the seasonal timing of rainfall among the regions may be the cause of variable invasiveness of fountain grass. Alternatively, differences in timing of introduction or duration of lag phase may have limited invasiveness in Arizona and southern California.
Massive Endocytosis (MEND) Activated by Ca and Polyamines in Fibroblasts and Cardiac Myoyctes: Dependencies on nucleotides, PIP2, cholesterol, clathrin, and other factors

We describe four protocols that result in internalization of ∼50% of the surface membrane of BHK fibroblasts and cardiac myocytes within <1 min. To do so, we use patch clamp with large pipette tips for cell dialysis and Na/Ca exchangers to evoke cytoplasmic Ca transients (5 to 200 μM Ca2+) for 1-5 s. Endocytosis is monitored via capacitance and/or optically by standard membrane dyes. In the first protocol, ATP is depleted from the cytoplasm, a Ca transient is evoked, and MEND is then activated by replenishment of ATP and GTP. GTP alone is not sufficient, Ca transients are required, and AMPPNP does not subsitute for ATP. Second, when membrane cytoskeleton is stabilized with phalloidin, MEND is made ‘available’ for 1 to 3 min, and it occurs within 5 s during a Ca transient without ATP depletion. Third, high ATP concentrations (4 to 8 mM) promote MEND to occur within 20 to 60 s after (but not during) a Ca transient. Fourth, polyamines, spermine or spermidine, at physiological concentrations (1 mM) cause MEND to occur within <5 s during Ca transients without ATP depletion. MEND is not blocked by protein domains and other interventions that block chathrin-dependent endocytosis or by tyrosine kinase inhibitors. MEND is blocked by cholesterol depletion, GTPgS, and PIP2 phosphatases, and MEND is promoted by perfusion of PIP2 into cells when ATP and GTP are depleted. In neonatal myocytes, transient GTPgS perfusion substitutes for Ca transients in permissive steps leading to MEND activation upon ATP perfusion. We conclude that MEND is a regulated and massive cell stress response that can remove large fractions of the cell surface of multiple cell types by clathrin-independent mechanisms.
Linking public spaces: technical and social issues

Three public spaces frequency used by members of a single organization who are distributed across different floors of two buildings were linked by constantly-running video and audio connections. We discuss the design of the system, including issues in providing low-latency, full-duplex audio-video connectivity, ways to increase possibilities for interaction while addressing privacy concerns, and the introduction of the system to the community. We report on responses to the system and lessions learned, including unexpected issues, such as creative decorations of the spaces and assertions by a vocal minority of employees about the private nature of “public space.”
Detection of artificial structures in natural-scene images using dynamic trees

We seek a framework that addresses localization, detection and recognition of man-made objects in natural-scene images in a unified manner. We propose to model artificial structures by dynamic tree-structured belief networks (DTSBNs). DTSBNs provide for a distribution over tree structures that we learn using our structured approximation (SVA) inference algorithm. Furthermore, we propose multiscale linear-discriminant analysis (MLDA) as a feature extraction method, which appears well suited for our goals, as we assume that man-made objects are characterized primarily by geometric regularities and by patches of uniform color. MLDA extracts edges over a finite range of locations, orientations and scales, decomposing an image into dyadic squares. Both the color of dyadic squares and the geometric properties of extracted edges represent observable input to our DTSBNs. Experimental results demonstrate that DTSBNs, trained on MLDA features, offer a viable solution for detection of artificial structures in natural-scene images.