cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron Microscopy of VDAC Membrane Crystals Redux. Pore Shape, Size, and Location(s) of the N-Terminal Domain

Atomic structures of mammalian VDAC, the mitochondrial outer membrane channel protein, have recently been determined by three groups using NMR and x-ray crystallography. The three structures are similar, showing a 19-strand β-barrel into which the N-terminal domain inserts. That this common protein fold was determined independently in three different labs strongly suggests that it is an easily accessible low-energy state of the protein. Nonetheless, concerns have been raised whether the atomic structures obtained using bacterially expressed proteins refolded in detergent micelles or lipid bicelles correspond to physiologically relevant states of this integral membrane protein. The definitive answer to this question will require detailed information about the topology of VDAC in its native mitochondrial outer membrane environment. Some insights can be provided by past electron microscopic (EM) studies of ordered arrays of fungal VDAC in isolated mitochondrial outer membranes. Projected density maps of the VDAC protein in frozen-hydrated membranes are consistent with a circular β-barrel having a diameter of 3.6+/-0.2 nm at the alpha-carbon backbone, in good agreement with the atomic models. The low resolution of the EM density maps may have precluded detection of the N-terminal domain within the pore lumen. However, antibodies against the N-terminal domain bound well both to isolated mitochondria and outer membranes, and the corresponding Fab fragments mapped to membrane regions adjacent to the pore. These data indicate that the N-terminus of VDAC in the mitochondrial outer membrane occurs outside the β-barrel at least some of the time. That the amphipathic N-terminal domain might move in and out of the lumen is suggested by changes in the pore detected by multivariate statistical analysis and difference imaging of VDAC arrays embedded in gold-glucose. (Supported by NSF grants and NIH/NCRR grant RR01219.)
Bmal1 and β-cell clock are required for adaptation to circadian disruption, and their loss of function leads to oxidative stress-induced β-cell failure in mice.

Circadian disruption has deleterious effects on metabolism. Global deletion of Bmal1, a core clock gene, results in β-cell dysfunction and diabetes. However, it is unknown if this is due to loss of cell-autonomous function of Bmal1 in β cells. To address this, we generated mice with β-cell clock disruption by deleting Bmal1 in β cells (β-Bmal1−/−). β-Bmal1−/− mice develop diabetes due to loss of glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). This loss of GSIS is due to the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and consequent mitochondrial uncoupling, as it is fully rescued by scavenging of the ROS or by inhibition of uncoupling protein 2. The expression of the master antioxidant regulatory factor Nrf2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) and its targets, Sesn2, Prdx3, Gclc, and Gclm, was decreased in β-Bmal1−/− islets, which may contribute to the observed increase in ROS accumulation. In addition, by chromatin immunoprecipitation experiments, we show that Nrf2 is a direct transcriptional target of Bmal1. Interestingly, simulation of shift work-induced circadian misalignment in mice recapitulates many of the defects seen in Bmal1-deficient islets. Thus, the cell-autonomous function of Bmal1 is required for normal β-cell function by mitigating oxidative stress and serves to preserve β-cell function in the face of circadian misalignment.
Ketamine and propofol combination ("ketofol") for endotracheal intubations in critically ill patients: a case series.

Background Endotracheal intubation is a common procedure performed for critically ill patients that can have immediate life-threatening complications. Induction medications are routinely given to facilitate the procedure, but most of these medications are associated with hypotension. While etomidate is known for its neutral hemodynamic profile, it has been linked with increased mortality in septic patients and increased morbidity in trauma patients. Ketamine and propofol are effective anesthetics with counteracting cardiovascular profiles. No data are available about the use of this combination in critically ill patients undergoing endotracheal intubation. Case report We describe 6 cases in which the combination of ketamine and propofol ("ketofol") was used as an induction agent for endotracheal intubation in critically ill patients with a focus on hemodynamic outcomes. All patients received a neuromuscular blocker and fentanyl, while 5 patients received midazolam. We recorded mean arterial pressure (MAP) 1 minute before induction and 15 minutes after intubation with the combination. Of the 6 patients, 5 maintained a MAP ≥ 65 mmHg 15 minutes after intubation. One patient was on norepinephrine infusion with a MAP of 64 mmHg, and did not require an increase in the dose of the vasopressor 15 minutes after intubation. No hemodynamic complications were reported after any of the intubations. Conclusions This case series describes the use of the "ketofol" combination as an induction agent for intubation in critically ill patients when hemodynamic stability is desired. Further research is needed to establish the safety of this combination and how it compares to other induction medications.
The rough energy landscape of superfolder GFP is linked to the chromophore

Many green fluorescent protein (GFP) variants have been developed for use as fluorescent tags, and recently a superfolder GFP (sfGFP) has been developed as a robust folding reporter. This new variant shows increased stability and improved folding kinetics, as well as 100% recovery of native protein after denaturation. Here, we characterize sfGFP, and find that this variant exhibits hysteresis as unfolding and refolding equilibrium titration curves are non-coincident even after equilibration for more than eight half-lives as estimated from kinetic unfolding and refolding studies. This hysteresis is attributed to trapping in a native-like intermediate state. Mutational studies directed towards inhibiting chromophore formation indicate that the novel backbone cyclization is responsible for the hysteresis observed in equilibrium titrations of sfGFP. Slow equilibration and the presence of intermediates imply a rough landscape. However, de novo folding in the absence of the chromophore is dominated by a smoother energy landscape than that sampled during unfolding and refolding of the post-translationally modified polypeptide.
On reparations to blacks for slavery

This chapter is an attempt to shed some light on the legitimacy of some recent claims by prominent black leaders and scholars that reparations are owed to members of their race, and should be paid for by the US government out of tax revenues. I shall critically consider in the light of libertarian theory both the views in favor of this position put forth by Robinson and those against it of Horowitz; http://www.salon.com/news/col/horo/2000/05/30/reparations/index.html. See also Myron Magnet, The Dream and the Nightmare, New York: Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, especially the chapter “Race and Reparations.”
Deep cavitand receptors with pH-independent water solubility

Pendant oligoethyleneglycol groups confer water solubility to a cavitand over a wide pH range. The kinetic stability of the host-guest complexes reveals an effective stabilization through hydrogen bonding even in the highly competitive aqueous environment.
The Persuasive Influence of Emotion in Cancer Prevention and Detection Messages

This paper reviews and summarizes the literature on the relationship between emotion and persuasion as it bears on the production of cancer prevention and detection messages. A series of propositions are presented that serve to illustrate the intricacies of the emotion–persuasion relationship. These propositions deal with the necessary conditions for emotional arousal, individual differences in emotional reactivity to cancer messages, the potential for emotion-inducing messages to produce persuasive and counterpersuasive effects, the conditions that circumscribe the influence of emotions on persuasion, and the mechanisms by which that influence is achieved. To the extent that the literature permits, advice on message design is offered. doi:10.1111/j.1460-2466.2006.00286.x Among its many responsibilities, the National Cancer Institute produces messages that encourage individuals to (a) behave in ways that lessen their risk of cancer and (b) recommend actions to detect cancer in its earliest stages. Given the inherently threatening nature of cancer, it may be impossible for such messages to achieve these goals without intentionally or unintentionally arousing their audiences’ emotions. Although emotions can overwhelm individuals, they may also motivate behaviors that are psychologically difficult to enact. The effective use of emotions as persuasive devices, however, requires an understanding of not only principles related to emotional arousal but also the processes that allow emotional arousal to be translated into an effective action. This article is intended to speak to these two overarching issues. Although there is scant literature linking persuasive effects of emotion and cancer-related issues, we illustrate our claims with cancer-related research whenever possible, including previously unpublished data on individuals’ reactions to an antitobacco public service announcement (PSA). However, we augment these data with hypothetical message scenarios to further illuminate our points, which we outline in the eight propositions that follow.
Development of binary band-limited coronagraph masks for extremely high contrast imaging of extrasolar planets with Terrestrial Planet Finder

Abstract We report progress on development of a new generation of binary band-limited coronagraphic image masks at Penn State for extremely high contrast imaging of extrasolar planets with future visible Terrestrial Planet Finder (TPF). The masks are being precisely fabricated with a state-of-the-art E-beam lithographer using ~20 nm precision and are capable of achieving contrasts of 10 -9 with high throughput (> 40%) and close inner working distance (3 /D). A prototype with 250 nm precision has allowed us to reach ~10 -6 contrast at 8 /D and 10 -5 at 3 /D with ~27% throughput (Debes et al. 2004).--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Key Words: coronagraph, image mask, high contrast, terrestrial planet finder, lithography, nanofabrication, extrasolar planet, band-limited Optical, Infrared, and Millimeter Space Telescopes, edited by John C. Mather,Proceedings of SPIE Vol. 5487 (SPIE, Bellingham, WA, 2004)0277-786X/04/$15 · doi: 10.1117/12.5523961383
Brief announcement: the overlay network content distribution problem

Many overlay multicast protocols have been designed and deployed across the Internet to support content distribution. To our knowledge, however, none have provided a rigorous analysis of the problem or the effectiveness of their proposed solutions. We define the Overlay Network Content Distribution (OCD) problem to allow such analyses.
Dissolution and crystallization behavior of poly(ethylene terephthalate)–diluent mixtures

The solution crystallization kinetics and crystal dissolution behavior of three grades of poly (ethylene terephthalate) in N-methyl–2-pyrrolidinone were studied were using turbidimetric and calorimetric methods. The influence of concentration on the equilibrium dissolution temperature was described using Flory's melting point-composition relationship. The effect of the solvent alkyl group was also investigated. N-ethyl-2-pyrrolidinone was found to be a better solvent than N-ethyl–2-pyrrolidinone or N-cyclohexyl–2-pyrrolidinone for poly (ethylene terephthalate). From the calorimetric experiments, it was determined that two crystallization processes (primary and secondary crystallization) were responsible for the total crystallinity. The primary process dominated the early stages of the crystallization process and accounted for the majority of the final crystallinity for lower polymer concentrations. Based on coherent secondary nucleation theory, the effect of the crystallization temperature on the primary crystallization rate constant was quantified in terms of a temperature coefficient. This temperature coefficient was found to be relatively insensitive to PET concentration, PET structural impurities, and solvent alkyl group. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
MR atlas of the baboon brain for functional neuroimaging

Abstract Mathematical co-registration of functional image data (e.g., positron emission tomography, PET) to anatomical magnetic resonance (MR) imaging data allows for objective associations between function and anatomy. Baboons are often used as non-human primate models for functional neuroimaging studies. In this work, a digital MR-based high-resolution atlas of the baboon brain was generated and evaluated for PET. The atlas was generated from six SPGR-MR datasets (centered at mid-sagittal line, AC-PC orientation) that were transformed into the space of one representative MR, averaged and resampled into PET space. The atlas was evaluated by comparing blood flow and dopamine receptor and serotonin transporter binding measures determined using regions-of-interest (ROIs) generated on each individual co-registered MR (ROIi) and the atlas-defined ROI template (ROIATLAS). Common ROIs applied to all data included frontal cortex, temporal cortex, thalamus, caudate, putamen and cerebellum. High correlations (r2>0.87) were found between the ROIi and ROIATLAS data for all radiotracers (linear regression across ROIs for each baboon). The average regression slope values ranged from 0.95 to 1.02 across radiotracers. Lastly, use of the atlas for statistical parametric mapping (SPM) of [ 15 O ]water data yielded good agreement with previous ROIi results. Overall, the digital MR-based atlas allowed for automatic co-registration, proved useful across a range of PET Studies, and is accessible electronically via the Internet.
Genetic characterization of hydroxyurea-resistant mutants obtained from cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum

Genetic characterization of seven hydroxyurearesistant (HuR) mutants selected from cell cultures of Nicotiana tabacum var. Xanthi has shown that in each case resistance is inherited as a single, dominant, nuclear mutation. Four HuR mutants for which linkage analysis has been performed identify two unlinked loci.
PHP18: A MODEL FOR COMPARING COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH PRESCRIPTION WASTAGE WITH APPLICATION TO VA PRESCRIPTION DATA

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the frequency and cost of prescription switches for 90-day vs. 30-day outpatient prescriptions dispensed by a VA pharmacy and to develop a model to determine the prescription fill policy with the lowest total costs. METHODS: VA outpatient prescription records for one year for simvastatin and lovastatin (30 or 90-days) were analyzed to determine the frequency, quantity and cost of medication wasted due to medication switches. The quantity wasted was defined as the difference between the quantity dispensed and the quantity of drug used before changing to a new drug or dosage. Differences in dispensing costs for a given time-period were also included. Sensitivity analyses were conducted for quantity wasted, drug costs, and dispensing costs. RESULTS: A total of 16,990 prescriptions were analyzed. The quantity and costs of medication wasted were higher for 90-day prescriptions than for 30-day prescriptions. However, average costs to the VA pharmacy were $2.45 higher per prescription for the 30-day supply because of additional dispensing costs for the 30-day fill. The model and sensitivity analyses show that a 90-day supply policy results in lower total pharmacy costs under several scenarios. Only in the case of high drug costs was the 30-day policy favorable to the 90-day policy in terms of total costs. CONCLUSION: Prescriptions given in a 90-day supply resulted in lower total costs. The projected cost savings of having a 90-day versus a 30-day policy would hold true for prescriptions with similar drug costs and similar rates of wastage that result from changes that physicians make to patients' prescriptions. In addition, the model provides a flexible framework for pharmacy administrators to assess refill policies in terms of excess or unnecessary cost for different classes of drugs, given patient and/or physician behavior.
Privacy-Preserving String Comparisons in Record Linkage Systems: A Review

We face a growing need to be able to perform linkage among data set records to connect data about the same individual, organization or event so that further analysis becomes possible. At the same time, we also need to do a better job of protecting the privacy of the individuals identified by data set records. Therefore, it would be ideal if linkage could be effectively performed based not on the actual data but on some anonymous form of the data without diminishing the ability to link records whose identifiers are only “close” to each other, not equal, because of typical recording errors. This paper reviews existing proposals for how such anonymized string comparisons might be accomplished, but demonstrates that existing methods have various operational deficiencies. It therefore argues that new, more capable methods are needed.
Targeted disruption of the HFE gene

The genetic nature of primary hemochromatosis had been proposed more than 60 years ago by Sheldon (1), but it was not until Simon et al. (2) demonstrated unequivocally the HLA linkage of this disorder that its genetic basis was clear. The gene involved proved to be particularly elusive. Several groups of scientists invested enormous effort in attempting to identify it, but because the genomic region in which it is located seems particularly resistant to crossing over, it was only in 1996 that a large group of investigators at Mercator Genetics succeeded by positional cloning in …
Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated With Increased Left Ventricular Mass and Diastolic Dysfunction in Children With Chronic Kidney Disease

Cardiovascular disease currently is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Abnormalities in arterial compliance, increased left ventricular mass, and diastolic dysfunction are some of the recognized cardiovascular complications observed in these patients. This study explored the relationship between various parameters of calcium-phosphorus metabolism including 25-hydroxy vitamin D and cardiovascular structure and function in pediatric patients with CKD. This cross-sectional study was conducted using a cohort of 34 children with CKD who had no history of underlying congenital or structural cardiac disease. Two-dimensional echocardiography was used to measure the left ventricular mass index (LVMI), E/A ratio, E′, E/E′ ratio, and myocardial performance index (MPI). The augmentation index (AI), derived via radial artery tonometry, was used as an indirect measure of central aortic stiffness. Serum biochemical markers of calcium-phosphorus metabolism were simultaneously measured. Univariate analysis showed that LVMI correlated with 25-hydroxy vitamin D (r = –0.54; p < 0.05), systolic blood pressure (SBP) (r = 0.36; p < 0.05), and AI (r = 0.26; p < 0.05). Serum-intact parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels correlated with the E/E′ ratio (r = 0.63; p < 0.05) and E′ (r = –0.61; p < 0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that 25-hydroxy vitamin D and SBP were independent predictors of increased LVMI and that PTH was an independent predictor of diastolic dysfunction. This is the first study investigating pediatric patients with CKD that suggests an etiology of nutritional vitamin D deficiency associated with increased left ventricular mass and diastolic dysfunction. The cardiovascular changes observed are not easily reversible. Hence, early preventive therapy with vitamin D supplementation is advocated.
Preoperative Instrumented Evaluation of Anterior and Posterior Laxity of the Knee Joint

In order to justify the diagnostic criteria for the cruciate ligament injury of the knee joint, a series of 44 Chinese patients were enrolled for retrospective analysis. There were 15 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and 29 posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries. In addition, 80 normal volunteer subjects were recruited for the control group. Preoperatively, all the patients underwent the KT-1000 and Genucom analyses (except for 6 PCL patients without the Genucom test) of the injured and uninjured knees. Similarly, all the control subjects underwent the same assessments. In the ACL deficient group, the between-knee displacement difference in the anterior drawer test at knee flexion of 30° was 5.2 ± 3.9 mm with KT 1000, and 3.5 ± 2.1 mm with Genucom. The between knee difference of quadriceps active displacement and manual maximum displacement in KT-1000 were 4.4 ± 3.3 mm and 4.8 ± 2.3 mm, respectively. In the PCL deficient group, the between-knee displacement difference via posterior drawer test at knee flexion of 70° was 8.2 ± 3.9 mm with KT-1000, while with Genucom at knee flexion of 90°, the displacement difference was 4.6 ± 4.8 mm. Meanwhile, the quadriceps active displacement in KT-1000 was 4.9 ± 2.2 mm at knee flexion of 90°. All of the ACL deficient patients exhibited a more than 2 mm between knee difference in the manual maximum test. Among the PCL deficient knees, 97% of them in the corrected posterior drawer test and 89% in the quadriceps active displacement, exhibited a greater than 3 mm between knee difference. A significant side-to-side difference existed between the injured patient and control normal subjects (p < 0.001). The findings indicated that the between-knee difference of more than 3 mm in the corrected posterior drawer test is highly suggestive of a PCL injury; while a 2 mm in manual maximum displacement implied the existence of ACL insufficiency. These results could be useful in substantiating the clinical screening judgement of cruciate ligamentous injury of knee joints, in addition to the history and physical examinations.
Spetroscopic observation of magnetic ordering in DyPO4 using line intensity measurements

Abstract Magnetic ordering has been observed in DyPO 4 by high-resolution spectral line intensity measurements. By fitting the measurements with a Bethe-Peirls-Weiss calculation, a Neel temperature of 3.5°K is found.
Folylpolyglutamate synthetase inhibition and cytotoxic effects of methotrexate analogs containing 2,ω-diaminoalkanoic acids

Abstract The properties of a series of methotrexate analogs containing 2, (ω-diaminoalkanoic acids have been investigated. The compounds were potent inhibitors of dihydrofolate reductase but, unlike methotrexate, they were also inhibitors of mammalian folylpolyglutamate synthetases. The potency of synthetase and reductase inhibition increased with increasing length of the 2, (ω-diaminoalkanoate moiety. The most cytotoxic compound and the most potent inhibitor of both dihydrofolate reductase (I 50 = 2.5 to 4 nM) and folylpolyglutamate synthetase ( K i , ca . 4 μ M) contained 2, 5-diaminopentanoic acid (ornithine). These compounds were 70- to 100- fold less cytotoxic than methotrexate to human leukemia cell lines; however, they retained their potency against sublines resistant to methotrexate via defective transport. Their dual loci of enzyme inhibition and their efficacy against methotrexate transport-defective cell lines indicate that these compounds may be an important new class of antifol.
Inflammation and atherosclerosis

Inflammation plays a pivotal role in all stages of atherogenesis, from foam cell to plaque formation to rupture and ultimately to thrombosis. Insight gained from recent basic and clinical data linking inflammation to atherosclerosis has yielded important diagnostic and prognostic information. Low-grade chronic inflammation as measured by high sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts future risk of acute coronary syndrome independent of traditional cardiovascular risk factors. In addition, individuals with higher "inflammatory burden" gain the largest absolute risk reduction with aggressive risk-lowering therapy. The link between inflammation and atherosclerosis provides a new venue for future pharmacologic agents that may slow the progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting inflammation.
The defect structure of MgO containing trivalent cation solutes: the oxidation-reduction behaviour of iron

Association energies for ferric ion magnesium vacancy dimers and trimers derived from shell-model calculations are combined with oxidation-reduction equilibria data in concentrated crystalline solutions to derive equilibrium defect concentrations for relatively dilute solutions. The several simultaneous non-linear equations required are solved with a numerical iteration method. Calculated results are compared with experimental determinations of solute concentration and oxygen pressure. It is found that with a slight reduction of the shell-model energies, the defect model is in good accord with experimental data at temperatures greater than 1300° C. At lower temperatures, agreement is poor and it is surmised that solute-vacancy clusters may be important.
A practical reconfigurable hardware accelerator for Boolean satisfiability solvers

We present a practical FPGA-based accelerator for solving Boolean Satisfiability problems (SAT). Unlike previous efforts for hardware accelerated SAT solving, our design focuses on accelerating the most time consuming part of the SAT solver --- Boolean Constraint Propagation (BCP), leaving the choices of heuristics such as branching order, restarting policy, and learning and backtracking to software. Our novel approach uses an application-specific architecture instead of an instance-specific one to avoid time-consuming FPGA synthesis for each SAT instance. By avoiding global signal wires and carefully pipelining the design, our BCP accelerator is able to achieve much higher clock frequency than that of previous work. In addition, it can load SAT instances in milliseconds, can handle SAT instances with tens of thousands of variables and clauses using a single FPGA, and can easily scale to handle more clauses by using multiple FPGAs. Our evaluation on a cycle-accurate simulator shows that the FPGA co-processor can achieve 3.7--38.6x speedup on BCP compared to state-of-the-art software SAT solvers.
Mechanistic studies of surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition

Polythiophene is a conductive polymer that has attracted much interest in recent years because its propertiesare desirable for applications that include light-emitting diodes, field-effect transistors, and photovoltaics.Optimization of the performance of polythiophene in these devices requires the development of processingmethods that can simultaneously control its chemistry and morphology on the nanometer scale. One suchmethod is surface polymerization by ion-assisted deposition (SPIAD) in which conducting polymer thin filmsare grown on substrates by the simultaneous deposition of hyperthermal polyatomic ions and thermal neutralsin vacuum. Here, mass-selected beams of thiophene ions are deposited on R-terthiophene oligomers inexperiments, and density functional theory-molecular dynamics (DFT-MD) simulations are carried out todetermine the dominant mechanisms responsible for the SPIAD process. Both neutral and positively chargedsystems are considered in the simulations in order to assess the effect of charge on the results. The experimentalresults show that polymerization occurs preferentially under a narrow set of ion energy and ion/neutral ratioconditions. The DFT-MD simulations illustrate the manner in which ion energies affect polymerization andreveal how secondary chemical reactions can substantially modify both the thin film and the substrate.
Combinatorial Approach to Characterizing Epoxy Curing

Three complementary techniques that probe different characteristics of curing: FTIR microspectroscopy, confocal microscopy and axisymmetric adhesion testing ware used to study discrete epoxy samples cured at different temperatures and to follow curing across a continuous gradient combinatorial library. Together, these techniques provide a comprehensive picture of chemical and physical changes.
Hypercapnia attenuates inspiratory amplitude and expiratory time responsiveness to hypoxia in vagotomized and vagal-intact rats

A negative influence of central chemosensitivity on peripheral chemoreflex response has been demonstrated recently in a decerebrate-vagotomized rat preparation in situ with separate carotid body and brainstem perfusions. Here, we report similar negative influences of hypercapnia on the hypoxic respiratory response in anesthetized, spontaneously breathing rats before and after vagotomy and anesthetized, artificially ventilated rats after vagotomy. Baseline breathing patterns and responsiveness to hypercapnia and hypoxia varied widely between the three respiratory modes. Despite this, the responses in inspiratory amplitude and expiratory duration (and hence respiratory frequency and neural ventilation) to hypoxia varied inversely with the background CO2 level in all three groups. Results demonstrate a hypoadditive hypercapnic-hypoxic interaction in vivo that resembles the hypoadditive central-peripheral chemoreceptor interaction in situ for these respiratory variables in the rat, regardless of differences in vagal feedback, body temperature and ventilation method. These observations stand in contrast to previous reports of hyperadditive peripheral-central chemoreceptor interaction.
Hospitalization vs Outpatient Treatment of Young Febrile Infants: 10-Year Comparison

The evaluation and treatment of febrile infants remains a hot topic in pediatrics despite several decades of study. In 1983, two articles 1,2 were published detailing the management of febrile infants at The Johns Hopkins Children's Center in Baltimore, Md. Since then, published studies have described ways to determine which infants are at high or low risk for serious bacterial infection. 3-9 Many criteria have been touted as being relatively safe and effective methods of making such determinations, 10-12 and house staff and practicing pediatricians alike have incorporated these into their practice. We, therefore, sought to determine if there had been any significant changes in the management of febrile infants at our institution after a decade of experiences, studies, and debates of our own and others. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine what proportion of febrile infants younger than 2 months evaluated in our medical center are
Conversion of versiconal acetate to versiconal and versicolorin C in extracts from Aspergillus parasiticus.

The primary product of hydrolysis of versiconal acetate catalyzed by porcine liver esterase and the 35–70% ammonium sulfate fraction from a soluble extract from mycelia of Aspergillus parasiticus was versiconal. Versiconal was stable at neutral pH for several hours and was rapidly converted to versi-colorin C by treatment with 0.4 M HCl. The addition of NADPH to the 35–70% ammonium sulfate fraction resulted in conversion of versiconal acetate to both versiconal and versicolorin C. The conversion of versiconal acetate to versicolorin C in the cell-free system is proposed to involve an esterase and an NADPH-dependent cyclase.
Matrix fields over the integers modulo m

Abstract Let Zm denote the ring of integers modulo m, and let (Zm)n denote the complete ring of all n×n matrices over Zm under the usual matrix addition and multiplication. The primary purposes of this paper are to characterize and count all subfields of the ring (Zm)n. Related results are given on field extensions in (Zm)n of subfields of (Zm)n. Partial results on subfields of (R)n when R is an arbitrary finite commutative ring with identity are also given. Having basic significance, a partial characterization of rings containing division rings is obtained.
Job attitudes among full- and part-time employees

Abstract Many researchers have speculated that full- and part-time workers differ in ways that influence job attitudes. Empirical findings related to this contention have been mixed and conflicting. In view of this research and in the absence of strong theoretical justification, it was hypothesized that employment status is unrelated to facets of job satisfaction, work commitment, and perceptions of organizational climate. Results from a sample of 350 hospital employees support this contention. In addition, shift assignment was observed to be unrelated to job attitudes. The findings suggest that employment status may not be a useful predictor of work-related attitudes and that future investigation of potential differences between full- and part-time workers should include a wider variety of factors.
Ecstasy in the emergency department: MDMA ingestion.

HISTORY OF CHIEF COMPLAINT T.J. is a 16-year-old male adolescent who was brought to the emergency department (ED) by friends after he was found shaking and ‘‘acting weird’’ at a party. His friends deny drug use or alcohol consumption. No vomiting occurred, and T.J. has no chronic illness that they are aware of. They described the ‘‘shaking’’ event as a generalized tonic-clonic seizure lasting approximately 1 minute. A call was placed to T.J.’s family for notification and to obtain additional medical information. In the ED, T.J. was noted to have age-appropriate hemodynamically stable vital signs. He had confused speech and was unresponsive to verbal stimuli but responsive to pain. His total Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score was 9. His pupillary reactions were brisk and equal bilaterally. Laboratory findings from the ED were as follows (normal ranges in parentheses): sodium, 117 mmol/L (135-145); potassium, 3.3 mmol/L (3.5-5.0); chloride, 89 mmol/L (97-107); bicarbonate, 20 mmol/L (21-28); blood urea nitrogen, 6 mg/dL (520); creatinine, 0.6 mg/dL (0.51.2); glucose, 116 mg/dL (70-200); creatinine kinase, 2289 units/L (40-150); hemoglobin, 13 g/dL (10-18); hematocrit, 39% (31%55%); platelets, 220 thou/L (150400); white blood cell count, 16 10 cells/L (4.5-11 10); neutrophils, 70% (45%-75%); bands, 20% (0-5%); and lymphocytes, 10% (16%-46%). Urinalysis findings were remarkable for a specific gravity less than 1.005 (1.0081.035); urine sodium, 46 mmol/ day (143-208); potassium, 4.7 mmol/day (\15); and a serum osmolality of 247 mOsm/kg H2O (275-295). Cardiac isoenzymes showed a troponin I level of less than 0.1 ng/mL (\0.6 ng/mL), creatine kinase isoenzymes-MB fraction of 2 ng/mL (0-5), and brain natriuretic peptide, 45 pg/mL (\100 pg/mL). Diagnostic studies included a clear and well-aerated chest radiograph, 15-lead electrocardiogram for a normal sinus rhythm, and a negative computerized axial tomography (CT) scan of the head. A lumbar puncture performed after the CT scan reported all studies within normal limits with no organisms on the
Delineating relative homogeneous G+C domains in DNA sequences.

Abstract The concept of homogeneity of G+C content is always relative and subjective. This point is emphasized and quantified in this paper using a simple example of one sequence segmented into two subsequences. Whether the sequence is homogeneous or not can be answered by whether the two-subsequence model describes the DNA sequence better than the one-sequence model. There are at least three equivalent ways of looking at the 1-to-2 segmentation: Jensen–Shannon divergence measure, log likelihood ratio test, and model selection using Bayesian information criterion. Once a criterion is chosen, a DNA sequence can be recursively segmented into multiple domains. We use one subjective criterion called segmentation strength based on the Bayesian information criterion. Whether or not a sequence is homogeneous and how many domains it has depend on this criterion. We compare six different genome sequences (yeast S. cerevisiae chromosome III and IV, bacterium M. pneumoniae, human major histocompatibility complex sequence, longest contigs in human chromosome 21 and 22) by recursive segmentations at different strength criteria. Results by recursive segmentation confirm that yeast chromosome IV is more homogeneous than yeast chromosome III, human chromosome 21 is more homogeneous than human chromosome 22, and bacterial genomes may not be homogeneous due to short segments with distinct base compositions. The recursive segmentation also provides a quantitative criterion for identifying isochores in human sequences. Some features of our recursive segmentation, such as the possibility of delineating domain borders accurately, are superior to those of the moving-window approach commonly used in such analyses.
Leadership, partnerships, and organizational development: exploring components of effectiveness in three full-service community schools

Full-service community schools are viewed as an approach to improve educational opportunities and outcomes for underserved student populations. The realization of these goals, however, is not guaranteed. According to Richardson’s (2009) research-based model of highly effective community schools (HECS), the effectiveness of full-service community schools depends on 3 interrelated components: leadership, partnerships, and organizational development. This qualitative case study uses the HECS model to examine different levels of effectiveness among 3 full-service community schools in an urban district in the eastern United States. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications of Richardson’s model for practice and research.
Unsaturation in Binuclear Cyclopentadienyliron Carbonyls

The binuclear cyclopentadienyliron carbonyls Cp2Fe2(CO)n (n = 4, 3, 2, 1; Cp = η5-C5H5) have been studied by density functional theory (DFT) using the B3LYP and BP86 methods. The trans- and cis-Cp2...
Accurate diffraction efficiency control for multiplexed volume holographic gratings

We report the method of accurate diffraction efficiency control for multiplexed volume holographic gratings in dry photopolymer films (DuPont HRF-600). Based on the experimental evaluations of the grating formation characteristics in dry photopolymer films, we present the way to develop the practical recording schedules for the fabrication of holographic gratings under accurate diffraction efficiency control. Using this method, we obtained single holographic gratings with the desired diffraction efficiency (variation 2.5%) and high-efficiency equal-strength (47%/ 47%) double holographic gratings. As a practical application, we demonstrated the centralized optical backplane architecture with uniform fanouts using the single and equal-strength double holographic gratings we recorded.
Social Media Adoption Among University Communicators

Long interviews were conducted with university communicators at 2 distant universities with distinct social systems. Participants were drawn to adopt social media mainly by relative advantage, compatibility, and trialability attributes of the innovation. Inductive themes that emerged from the interviews included an emphasis on publics, information sharing, cost, and convenience. A believer–nonbeliever distinction among adopters is introduced. Believers are driven by the same characteristics of social media that public relations researchers have found to be essential to the practice of public relations itself: 2-way communication, interactivity, dialogue, and engagement.
Adverse Effects of Corticosteroid Therapy for COPD : A Critical Review

Inhaled and systemic corticosteroids are commonly prescribed for the treatment of COPD. Despite their frequent use, there is insufficient evidence regarding efficacy of steroid therapy in COPD. While awaiting the results of more definitive prospective trials, the clinician must evaluate whether the benefits of such therapy outweigh the potential for adverse events. This is particularly pertinent in the population of patients with COPD who generally are older, less active, and have significant tobacco use histories, all of which may place them at greater risk for adverse effects. In this review, we examine the current scientific evidence supporting the many purported adverse systemic effects associated with the use of corticosteroids in the treatment of COPD.
Interregional correlations of resting cerebral glucose metabolism in old and young women

Abstract A correlational analysis of normalized (regional to whole-brain) regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose obtained in the ‘resting’ state (eyes covered, ears plugged) using [18F]fluorodeoxyglucose, demonstrated differences between old and young women in patterns of functional associations. Fifteen healthy young (age 64 years) were scanned with a Scanditronix PC1024-7B tomograph. The brain was divided into 65 regions of interest. The old women had fewer and less positive correlations between pairs of metabolic ratios in the frontal and parietal cortices. The results suggest an age-related reduction in frontal and parietal functional interactions in the ‘resting’ state that is consistent with a prior correlation analysis using a low resolution ECAT II scanner on young and old men. Reduced functional interactions may reflect age-related cognitive changes.
Cytogenic studies of cryptorchid testes.

Abstract Twenty-nine patients with unilateral or bilateral cryptorchism underwent biopsies of the testis at the time of orchiopexy. Karyotype evaluation of fibroblasts obtained from tissue cultures of the biopsy specimen was completed counting a minimum of twenty-five cells. In 1 patient with multiple anomalies a 46,XY,Dq + karyotype was identified. All other karyotypes were normal suggesting cryptorchism is not associated with abnormal testicular cytogenetics.
Evaluation of the Accuracy of the RDG Approximation for the Absorption and Scattering Properties of Fractal Aggregates of Flame-Generated Soot

The accuracy of the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans approximation for the absorption and scattering properties of fractal aggregates of soot was evaluated against the generalized multi-sphere Mie solution, which is the most accurate solution technique for the optical properties of non-overlapping spherical particle systems. The fractal aggregates investigated in this study contain from 5 to 893 primary particles of 30 nm in diameter. These fract al aggregates were numerically generated using a combination of the particle-cluster and cluster-cluster aggregation algorithms with specified fractal properties. The wavelengths considered are 1064 nm and 532 nm and the corresponding size parameters of primary particle are 0.089 and 0.177, respectively. The Rayeligh-Debye-Gans approximation underestimates the aggregate absorption and total scattering cross section areas by approximately 10%, depending on the aggregate size. The generalized multi-sphere Miesolution predicts oscillatory variation of the normalized vv scattering cross section at large scattering angles, rather than the exponential decay predicted by the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory. The generalized multi-sphere Mie-solution also predicts different forward-tobackward vv scattering ratios of large aggregates than the Rayleigh-Debye-Gans theory.
Cauchy-characteristic evolution of Einstein-Klein-Gordon systems.

A Cauchy-characteristic initial value problem for the Einstein-Klein-Gordon system with spherical symmetry is presented. Initial data are specified on the union of a spacelike and null hypersurface. The development of the data is obtained with the combination of a constrained Cauchy evolution in the interior domain and a characteristic evolution in the exterior, asymptotically flat region. The matching interface between the spacelike and characteristic foliations is constructed by imposing continuity conditions on metric, extrinsic curvature, and scalar field variables, ensuring smoothness across the matching surface. The accuracy of the method is established for all ranges of M/R, most notably, with a detailed comparison of invariant observables against reference solutions obtained with a calibrated, global, null algorithm. @S0556-2821~96!01120-4#
Age-dependent changes in thiamin concentrations in whole blood and cerebrospinal fluid in infants and children

We determined pediatric age-specific normative ranges for total, phosphorylated, and nonphosphorylated thiamin in whole blood (n = 323) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF; n = 208). Whole-blood total thiamin decreased from 258 +/- 63 (mean +/- SD; age 0-3 mo group) to 214 +/- 44 nmol/L (age 3-12 mo group) in the first year of life and was stable at 187 +/- 39 nmol/L after 12 mo of age. The overall decline in whole-blood total thiamin was mainly due to a drop in phosphorylated thiamin, the biologically active form. Mean CSF total thiamin decreased from 135 +/- 42 (age 0-9-mo group) to 107 +/- 34 nmol/L (age 9-18-mo group) in the first 1.5 y of life and was stable at 84 +/- 51 nmol/L thereafter. This overall decline was due initially to a drop in nonphosphorylated thiamin and later to a drop in phosphorylated thiamin. The changes in whole blood and CSF occurred independently and probably represent metabolic and neurological maturation of the infant. Whole-blood total and phosphorylated thiamin concentrations were lower in blacks only after pubarche. Age-specific norms should be used for determining the thiamin status in infancy because thiamin concentrations are significantly higher in the first few months of life.
Major- and trace-element constraints on the petrogenesis of a fault-related pseudotachylyte, western Blue Ridge province, North Carolina

A newly identified 6 cm thick, zoned pseudotachylyte from the western Blue Ridge province of North Carolina is interpreted to be the result of episodic melting on a reactivated brittle fault, previously active in the ductile regime. Kinematic indicators in cataclasites associated with the pseudotachylyte indicate top-to-the-northeast shear, whereas kinematic indicators in mylonites indicate top-to-the-northwest shear. Higher concentrations in the pseudotachylyte of Al2O3, K2O, FeO and depletion in SiO2 are explained by the total fusion of micas and partial fusion of K-feldspar (≈ 60%), leaving quartz and refractory phases as residual. Enrichment of the pseudotachylytes in Ba2+, Rb+, Sr2+ and Eu2+ provide additional evidence for the preferential melting of K-feldspar. The trace element signature of the pseudotachylytes (similar REE patterns, Ba/K, K/Rb, Ba/Rb, Zr/Hf, Ti/Cr ratios) and entrained lithoclasts identify the source of the melt as cataclastically deformed mylonite of the hangingwall. The similarity of the REE patterns in the pseudotachylytes and the source rock is explained by the entrainment and/or dissolution of REE-bearing phases in the melt in proportion to its volume. These data indicate that coseismic flash melting is distinctly different from equilibrium partial melting and that trace elements can be used to identify the source rock and distinguish those phases that melt from those that remain residual.
Growth through greening: developing and assessing alternative economic development programmes

Abstract The paper articulates how communities can capitalize on the specific benefits of urban forestry and assesses the outcomes of urban forestry efforts. To accomplish this, the paper defines the context of local economic development and urban forestry; outlines the economic, aesthetic, and ecological benefits of a smart-growth agenda that includes urban forestry; and presents two brief case studies that empirically assess the viability of urban forestry policy by measuring the dynamics of the urban canopy. The research methodology presented here can be used by policy-makers to assess policy outcomes and the overall success of smarter and greener economic development strategies.