cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Military Concussion Readiness Inventory for Dizziness and Balance.

Purpose The objective of this study was to develop and establish content validity of a new instrument titled the Military Concussion Readiness Inventory for Dizziness and Balance (MCRI-DB). The MCRI-DB was intended to recognize functional impairments and predict readiness for return-to-duty in service members who experienced mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Methods Nineteen male service members were included in a nominal group technique (NGT) process to produce items for the MCRI-DB. Items were categorized according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and were sent to 13 physical therapy experts through a Delphi survey to determine content validity. The consensus to include an item was defined as an agreement of at least 70% of the participants. Results The NGT produced 222 items with 108 duplicates removed. The ICF categorization linked 84 of the items to 36 unique ICF Codes, 9 items were not linkable to the ICF due to the complex nature of the activity, and 21 items were removed. After three rounds of the Delphi survey, 68 items were included in this instrument. Conclusion In this study, we successfully combined the use of service members' experiences with expert opinion to determine content validity of the MCRI-DB. This instrument may be used for assessment of service members who have experienced mTBI to help identify environmental factors, functional activities, and body functions that may reduce the safe and efficient fulfillment of their duties and determine their ability to return-to-duty. Further research is needed to develop the psychometric properties of the instrument fully.
Effect of Triazole-Modified Thymidines on DNA and RNA Duplex Stability

Previous reports showed that consecutive incorporations of triazole-modified 2′-deoxyuridines stabilized DNA·DNA and DNA·RNA duplexes due to additional π-stacking between triazole moieties. In this...
Adipose tissue Mest and Sfrp5 are concomitant with variations of adiposity among inbred mouse strains fed a non-obesogenic diet.

The expression of a subset of genes including mesoderm specific transcript (Mest), secreted frizzled-related protein 5 (Sfrp5) and bone morphogenetic protein 3 (Bmp3) in adipose tissue biopsies of C57BL/6J mice before exposure to an obesogenic diet were shown to be predictive for the development of obesity in mice after feeding a high fat diet for 8 weeks. This observation led to the supposition that adipose tissue expression of this subset of genes within inbred strains of mice could be associated with their susceptibility in the development of adiposity when fed a low fat diet. The analyses of male mice from 5 inbred strains showed average bodyweights ranging from 25.82 to 36.58 g at 16 weeks of age. Bodyweight was highest for AKR/J and adiposity correlated highly with bodyweight for all strains. Analyses of epididymal fat gene expression showed Mest, Sfrp5 and Bmp3 to be highly concomitant with adiposity across all strains of mice. Naked 1 (Nkd1), a gene previously shown to be associated with variations of adiposity in mice fed a high fat diet, but not predictive for the development of adiposity, showed no correlation with adiposity. In addition, the expression of Mest and Sfrp5 were tightly associated across the 5 mouse strains with the highest and lowest expression occurring in DBA/2J and C57BL/6J (B6) respectively suggesting a common mechanism for their regulation. Surprisingly, when independent cohorts for these 2 strains were fed high fat diet for 8 weeks, DBA/2J showed no further increase in Sfrp5 expression whereas expression levels for B6 mice were induced almost 20-fold. Analyses of (B6 x DBA2/J) F1 mice fed a low fat diet for 8 weeks showed intermediate levels of adiposity and gene expression for Sfrp5 and Mest suggesting a strong genetic basis for these differences.
Public Perceptions of Risks Associated with Mixing Opioid Pain-Relievers with Alcohol and Benzodiazepines.

Objectives: Use of alcohol or benzodiazepines with opioid pain-relievers increases risk of overdose and overdose death. A substantial proportion of adults receives an opioid prescription each year,...
Product appropriateness, willingness to try and perceived risks of foods containing insect protein powder: A survey of U.S. consumers

The top five products [Protein/Energy Bar, Chips/Snack Crackers, Protein Shake, Bread and Muffin] containing insect protein powder that US consumers (N = 1005) are willing to try.
En Bloc Celiac Axis Resection for Pancreatic Cancer: Classification of Anatomical Variants Based on Tumor Extent

Background En bloc celiac axis resection (CAR) for pancreatic cancer is considered increasingly after modern neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC). Appleby and distal pancreatectomy with CAR are anatomically inaccurate terms, as tumors can extend beyond celiac axis proper, requiring concurrent resection of the proper hepatic artery and/or superior mesenteric artery. Study Design A 3-level classification for CAR (class 1, 2, or 3) was developed after retrospective review of an arterial resection database describing anatomical variants that dictate pancreatectomy-type, formal arterial revascularization, and gastric preservation. Perioperative and oncologic outcomes were assessed. Results Of 90 CARs for pancreatic cancer, 89% patients received NAC, 35% requiring chemotherapeutic switch. There were 41 class 1, 33 class 2, and 16 class 3 CARs, with arterial and venous revascularization performed 62% and 66%, respectively. Ninety-day mortality decreased to 4% in the last 50 cases (p = 0.035); major morbidity was unchanged (55%). Any hepatic or gastric ischemia occurred in 20% and 10% patients, respectively, and arterial revascularization was protective. R0 resection rate (88%) was associated with chemoradiation (p = 0.004). Median overall survival was 36.2 months, superior with NAC (8.0 vs. 43.5 months). Predictors of survival after NAC included chemotherapy duration, carbohydrate antigen 19-9 response, pathologic response, and lymph node status. Major pathologic response (p = 0.036) and extended duration NAC (p = 0.007) were independent predictors on multivariate analysis. Conclusions Current terminology for CAR inadequately describes all operative variants. Our classification, based on the largest single-center series, allows complex operative planning and standardized reporting across institutions. Extent of arterial involvement determines pancreatectomy type, need for arterial revascularization, and likelihood of gastric preservation. Operative mortality has improved, morbidity remains significant, and survival favorable after extended NAC with associated pathologic responses; given these factors, CAR should only be considered in fit patients with objective NAC responses at specialized centers.
Perioperative Assessment of High-Risk Abdominal Surgery: A Case Study.

Objectives • To outline the key components of a pre-operative cardiac risk assessment. • To review the major guidelines utilized to assess patients' surgical risks. • To discuss the perioperative management of surgical patients to prevent cardiac and pulmonary complications. • To review the utility of biomarkers in the pre- and post-operative period.
An evaluation of healthcare utilization and clinical charges in children and adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background Prior studies have estimated healthcare costs for cystic fibrosis (CF) of $8000-$131,000, but do not account for impacts of CF modulator therapy. This study aims to assess utilization patterns and cost of CF care in a center in the United States. Methods Care utilization patterns and costs at a large pediatric-adult CF center were examined from November 2017 to November 2018. Subjects were stratified by age and cost (excluding pharmacy costs) were calculated based on hospital-derived utilization charges. Results A total of 166 patients were reviewed with mean clinical charges of $28,755. Lower lung function ($23,032 normal lung function, $62,293 moderate reduction, $186,786 severe reduction; p = .05), hospitalizations ($85,452 yes, $6362 no; p = .0001), Pseudomonas positive culture ($48,660 positive, $22,013 negative, p = .0001), and CF-related diabetes ($161,892 CFRD, $22,153 no CFRD; p = .001) were associated with increased charges. Patients utilizing Ivacaftor had lower charges compared to lumacaftor-ivacaftor ($6633 vs. $33,039; p = .05) and tezacaftor-ivacaftor ($6633 vs. $64,434; p = .002). Conclusion Our study characterized utilization and care charges among a CF cohort. Lower lung function, hospitalizations, and CFRD were associated with increased charges.
Blunted hyperemic response to mental stress in young, non-Hispanic black men is not impacted by acute dietary nitrate supplementation

Non-Hispanic black individuals suffer from an elevated prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease (CVD) relative to other populations. This elevated disease risk is, in large part, related to impaired vascular function, secondary to reduced nitric oxide (NO) bioavailability. Emerging evidence suggests that dietary nitrate supplementation improves several cardiovascular parameters, including vascular function, in part by increased NO bioavailability. However, whether these findings extend to a population of black individuals is unknown. This study tested the hypothesis that forearm blood flow responses in young, non-Hispanic, black (BL) men during a mental stress challenge would be blunted relative to young, non-Hispanic, white (WH) men. We further hypothesized that acute dietary nitrate supplementation would improve this response in BL men. This study comprised two parts (phase 1 and phase 2). Phase 1 investigated the difference in blood flow responses between young, BL, and WH men. In contrast, phase 2 investigated the effect of acute nitrate supplementation on the responses in a subset of the BL men from phase 1. Eleven (nine for phase 2) BL and eight WH men (23 ± 3 vs. 24 ± 4 yr, respectively) participated in this double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, crossover study. During each visit, hemodynamic responses during 3 min of mental stress were assessed in the brachial artery using duplex Doppler ultrasound. Phase 1 was completed in one visit, whereas phase 2 was completed over two visits separated by ∼1 wk. During phase 2, data were collected before and 2-h postconsumption of a beverage either high in nitrate content or nitrate depleted. In phase 1, peak forearm blood flow (FBF; P 0.05 vs. prebeverage for all variables). These data indicate that young, BL men have blunted microvascular vasodilatory responses to acute mental stress, which may not be altered following acute nitrate supplementation.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study tested the hypothesis that non-Hispanic black (BL) men have a blunted forearm hyperemic response to mental stress, which would be augmented following acute nitrate supplementation. The increase in forearm blood flow during mental stress was attenuated in BL men and was not impacted by nitrate supplementation. This supports findings of altered vascular function in this population. This is especially important as BL experience a higher prevalence of stress, which contributes to CVD risk.
Did Everolimus Break the Rules

A phase II study with everolimus (mTORC1 inhibitor) among advanced solid tumors patients with TSC1/TSC2 or MTOR alterations was recently published. Although efficacy was limited, the study provided the future groundwork to advance the targeted therapy approach.
Integrated Capture and Conversion of CO2 to Methane Using a Water-lean, Post-Combustion CO2 Capture Solvent.

Integrated carbon capture and conversion of CO2 into materials (IC3 M) is an attractive solution to meet global energy demand, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, and lower CO2 emissions. Herein, using a water-lean post-combustion capture solvent, [N-(2-ethoxyethyl)-3-morpholinopropan-1-amine] (2-EEMPA), >90 % conversion of captured CO2 to hydrocarbons, mostly methane, is achieved in the presence of a heterogenous Ru catalyst under relatively mild reaction conditions (170 °C and <15 bar H2 pressure). The catalytic performance was better in 2-EEMPA than in aqueous 5 m monoethanol amine (MEA). Operando nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) study showed in situ formation of N-formamide intermediate, which underwent further hydrogenation to form methane and other higher hydrocarbons. Technoeconomic analyses (TEA) showed that the proposed integrated process can potentially improve the thermal efficiency by 5 % and reduce the total capital investment and minimum synthetic natural gas (SNG) selling price by 32 % and 12 %, respectively, compared to the conventional Sabatier process, highlighting the energetic and economic benefits of integrated capture and conversion. Methane derived from CO2 and renewable H2 sources is an attractive fuel, and it has great potential as a renewable hydrogen carrier as an environmentally responsible carbon capture and utilization approach.
Expression and pharmacologic inhibition of the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 family members in feline tumor cell lines

4391 Spontaneous tumors in companion animals offer a promising opportunity as models for human cancer biology and translational therapeutics. Feline oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) and soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are excellent examples of spontaneous tumors that arise in companion animals that share similar biologic behavior and clinical outcome when compared to their human counterparts. Here, we report that the anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w may play an important role in the survival of feline OSCC and STS cells and that inhibition of this family of proteins by ABT-737, a small molecule inhibitor that targets the Bcl-2 family, leads to cell death in vitro. More importantly, we show that inhibition of these Bcl-2 family members by ABT-737 leads to chemosensitization of OSCC and STS cells and enhances the effects of certain chemotherapies. In this study, the feline OSCC cell line SCCF-1 and four feline STS cell lines (Tietz, Ela-1, Kai and Ham) were examined for expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-xL and Bcl-w via western blot analysis. All three of the Bcl-2 family members were expressed in all of the STS cell lines tested. Interestingly, the OSCC cell line SCCF-1 had undetectable levels of Bcl-2 and low expression of Bcl-w when compared to the panel of STS cell lines. OSCC did however have significantly higher expression of the Bcl-xL compared to STS cell lines. After determining that at least one of the Bcl-2 family members was expressed in the OSCC and STS cell lines, we examined the effect of ABT-737 on the cell lines in vitro. Cells were incubated with increasing amounts of ABT-737 for 72 hours and analyzed using a colorimetric proliferation assay. The results showed that ABT-737 was able to inhibit cell growth in OSCC cells and 3 of the 4 STS cell lines by greater that 75% when concentrations reached 20 μM. SCCF-1, Ela-1, Ham, and Kai showed greater than 50% growth inhibition with concentrations between 1 μM and 5 μM ABT-737 in minimal growth media containing 1% fetal bovine serum (MEM-1%). Staining of the cells with annexin-FITC and propidium iodide indicated that the inhibitory effect of ABT-737 is a result of apoptosis and not growth arrest. SCCF-1 (OSCC) and Ela-1 (STS) cells were then incubated in MEM-1% with 1 μM ABT-737 and increasing levels of the chemotherapeutic drugs doxorubicin (DOX) and carboplatin (CPT). The results showed that ABT-737 was able to sensitize the cells to the effects of both DOX and CPT. The information gained from these studies leads us to believe that the use of ABT-737 in combination with conventional chemotherapeutic agents may improve the clinical outcome of cats with OSCC or STS.
Application of membrane dewatering for algal biofuel

Abstract Microalgae dewatering is one of the major process bottlenecks in terms of energy and cost, hindering further development of microalgae biofuels. Membrane filtration has the potential to overcome many drawbacks of conventional dewatering technologies. The major focus of this review is to evaluate the current state-of-the-art of membrane filtration technologies as well as to identify the factors that affect efficiency. The major metrics pertaining to system performance have been identified and compared across four membrane system configurations — cross-flow, submerged, dynamic, and forward osmosis. Previous reported life cycle impacts of various algae dewatering technologies were also examined and compared. The review revealed that trade-offs exist between different membrane configurations, yet there is limited understanding on the mechanisms, performance, and environmental implications of these algae dewatering systems. Further experimental and life cycle assessment studies are necessary to draw conclusions as to the most preferable configurations. The field would also greatly benefit from consistency in research and reporting frameworks.
Selective Photodissociation of Acetonitrile Ligands in Ruthenium Polypyridyl Complexes Studied by Density Functional Theory

Metal complexes that release ligands upon photoexcitation are important tools for biological research and show great potential as highly specific therapeutics. Upon excitation with visible light, [Ru(TQA)(MeCN)2](2+) [TQA = tris(2-quinolinylmethyl)amine] exchanges one of the two acetonitriles (MeCNs), whereas [Ru(DPAbpy)MeCN](2+) [DPAbpy = N-(2,2'-bipyridin-6-yl)-N,N-bis(pyridin-2-ylmethyl)amine] does not release MeCN. Furthermore, [Ru(TQA)(MeCN)2](2+) is highly selective for release of the MeCN that is perpendicular to the plane of the two axial quinolines. Density functional theory calculations provide a clear explanation for the photodissociation behavior of these two complexes. Excitation by visible light and intersystem crossing leads to a six-coordinate (3)MLCT state. Dissociation of acetonitrile can occur after internal conversion to a dissociative (3)MC state, which has an occupied dσ* orbital that interacts in an antibonding fashion with acetonitrile. For [Ru(TQA)(MeCN)2](2+), the dissociative (3)MC state is lower than the (3)MLCT state. In contrast, the (3)MC state of [Ru(DPAbpy)MeCN](2+) that releases acetonitrile has an energy higher than that of the (3)MLCT state, indicating dissociation is unfavorable. These results are consistent with the experimental observations that efficient photodissociation of acetonitrile occurs for [Ru(TQA)(MeCN)2](2+) but not for [Ru(DPAbpy)MeCN](2+). For the release of the MeCN ligand in [Ru(TQA)(MeCN)2](2+) that is perpendicular to the axial quinoline rings, the (3)MLCT state has an occupied quinoline π* orbital that can interact with a dσ* Ru-NCCH3 antibonding orbital as the Ru-NCCH3 bond is stretched and the quinolines bend toward the departing acetonitrile. This reduces the barrier for the formation of the dissociative (3)MC state, leading to the selective photodissociation of this acetonitrile. By contrast, when the acetonitrile is in the plane of the quinolines or bpy, no interaction occurs between the ligand π* orbital and the dσ* Ru-NCCH3 orbital, resulting in high barriers for conversion to the corresponding (3)MC structures and no release of acetonitrile.
Hyperglycemia can cause membrane lipid peroxidation and osmotic fragility in human red blood cells.

Abstract The present study has examined the effect of elevated glucose levels on membrane lipid peroxidation and osmotic fragility in human red blood cells (RBC). Defibrinated whole blood or RBC were incubated with varying concentrations of glucose at 37 degrees C for 24 h. RBC incubated with elevated levels of glucose showed a significantly increased membrane lipid peroxidation when compared with control RBC. A significant positive correlation was observed between the extent of glucose-induced membrane lipid peroxidation and the osmotic fragility of treated RBC. Glucose-induced membrane lipid peroxidation and osmotic fragility were blocked when RBC were pretreated with fluoride, an inhibitor of glucose metabolism; with vitamin E, an antioxidant; with para-chloromercurobenzoate and metyrapone, inhibitors of the cytochrome P-450 system; or with dimethylfurane, diphenylamine, and thiourea, scavengers of oxygen radicals. RBC treated with elevated glucose concentrations also showed an increase in NADPH levels. Exogenous addition of NADPH to normal RBC lysate induced membrane lipid peroxidation similar to that observed in the glucose-treated RBC. These data suggest that elevated glucose levels can cause the peroxidation of membrane lipids in human RBC.
The potent inhibition of human SULT1A1 by 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is due to interactions with ILE89 in loop 1 (1141.12)

Drug-drug interactions (DDI) are a concern for the 17% of women in the United States taking birth control pills. Competition for metabolism with phase I and II drug metabolizing enzymes is one caus...
Smith Predictor Design for Robust Performance

A method is outlined for designing Smith predictor controllers that provide robust performance despite real parameter uncertainties in the process model. Insight into the design process is gained by viewing the Smith predictor from the perspective of Internal Model Control. Performance requirements are written in terms of a frequency-domain weight restricting the magnitude of the closed-loop sensitivity function. A general method for approximating multiple parameter uncertainties by a single multiplicative uncertainty is developed - an exact bound is derived for the magnitude of multiplicative uncertainty used to approximate simultaneous uncertainties in process gain, time-constant, and time-delay. Three controller design methods are demonstrated. The first method locates loop transfer-function uncertainty regions to test for robust performance - real parameter uncertainties are considered exactly. The second tuning method approximates real parameter uncertainties by multiplicative uncertainty and uses structured singular value analysis to guarantee robust performance. Finally, the Smith predictor controller is compared with the Structured-Singular-Value-optimal controller.
Depletion of Cholinergic Amacrine Cells by a Novel Immunotoxin Does Not Perturb the Formation of Segregated On and Off Cone Bipolar Cell Projections

Cone bipolar cells are the first retinal neurons that respond in a differential manner to light onset and offset. In the mature retina, the terminal arbors of On and Off cone bipolar cells terminate in different sublaminas of the inner plexiform layer (IPL) where they form synapses with the dendrites of On and Off retinal ganglion cells and with the stratified processes of cholinergic amacrine cells. Here we first show that cholinergic processes within the On and Off sublaminas of the IPL are present early in development, being evident in the rat on the day of birth, ∼10 d before the formation of segregated cone bipolar cell axons. This temporal sequence, as well as our previous finding that the segregation of On and Off cone bipolar cell inputs occurs in the absence of retinal ganglion cells, suggested that cholinergic amacrine cells could provide a scaffold for the subsequent in-growth of bipolar cell axons. To test this hypothesis directly, a new cholinergic cell immunotoxin was constructed by conjugating saporin, the ribosome-inactivating protein toxin, to an antibody against the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. A single intraocular injection of the immunotoxin caused a rapid, complete, and selective loss of cholinergic amacrine cells from the developing rat retina. On and Off cone bipolar cells were visualized using an antibody against recoverin, the calcium-binding protein that labels the soma and processes of these interneurons. After complete depletion of cholinergic amacrine cells, cone bipolar cell axon terminals still formed their two characteristic strata within the IPL. These findings demonstrate that the presence of cholinergic amacrine cells is not required for the segregation of recoverin-positive On and Off cone bipolar cell projections.
Inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor signal transduction via metabolic oligosaccharide engineering sensitizes pancreatic cancer cells to drugs (788.4)

Metabolic Oligosaccharide Engineering is a versatile technique that can be used to change patterns of glycosylation by altering the availability and abundance of biosynthetic precursors of glycans; for example, 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc can be used to increase flux through the sialic acid biosynthetic pathway. Because glycosylation is a non-template driven process, such an increase in the levels of sialic acid results in the favoring of increasingly sialylated glycoforms. In a previous study we found that 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc increased the sialylation of dozens of N-linked glycoproteins in SW1990 pancreatic cancer cells including Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) by ~2.6 fold. EGFR is known to play important roles in cancer progression but relatively little is known about how alterations to the glycosylation of this protein affect its behavior. Therefore we found it interesting that the 1,3,4-O-Bu3ManNAc-driven increase in EGFR sialylation inhibited signal transduction of this receptor beginning at the level o...
Factors Associated With the Chronicity of Intimate Partner Violence Experiences Among Pregnant Women in Detoxification Services

The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with chronicity of intimate partner violence (IPV) among pregnant substance abusers. A total of 114 pregnant women entering an inpatient, detoxification unit voluntarily agreed to participate in a study about women's health and well-being. Face-to-face interviews were used for data collection. A multiple linear regression assessed the relationship between background characteristics, substance use, and IPV chronicity. Protective factors, which were associated with reduced chronicity of IPV, included whether most recent/current intimate partner fathered pregnancy, whether the mother was currently in a relationship with most recent/current intimate partner, whether the mother received greater social support, and increasing age. Childhood sexual abuse was associated with increased chronicity of IPV. Results suggest important prevention, intervention, and treatment implications for this vulnerable population.
Reduced cadmium body burden in cadmium-exposed calves fed supplemental zinc.

Abstract The objectives of this study were to evaluate the use of practical supplemental dietary zinc to modify the cadmium content in edible bovine tissues and to identify copper interactions with cadmium and zinc. The effect of supplemental zinc (200 or 600 μg/g) on the concentrations of cadmium, zinc, and copper in liver, kidney cortex, muscle, and blood of calves fed 50 μg/g cadmium for 60 days was evaluated. Blood samples were collected before and eight times after starting to feed cadmium or cadmium plus zinc. Liver, kidney, and muscle samples were collected when calves were slaughtered (baseline, at beginning of experimental feeding; cadmium-fed, at end of 60 days feeding). The cadmium concentrations of all sample types collected were markedly increased by the feeding of cadmium. Feeding 600 μg/g supplemental zinc significantly increased the zinc concentrations of liver, kidney cortex, and blood and decreased the cadmium accumulation in these organs as well as muscle. The copper concentrations of muscle or blood were not altered by feeding cadmium with or without zinc but those of liver and kidney cortex were significantly increased by higher dietary levels of zinc and cadmium. The potential use of dietary zinc salts in reducing cadmium body burden in food animals suspected or known to have high cadmium intakes is suggested.
Fission fragment K x-ray emission and nuclear charge distribution for thermal neutron fission of 233U, 235U, 239Pu and spontaneous fission of 252Cf

Abstract The emission of K X-rays by fission fragments within ≈ 1 nsec after fission has been studied as a function of fragment mass and nuclear charge for thermal neutron-induced fission of 233 U, 235 U, 239 Pu and spontaneous fission of 252 Cf. This work is based on a simultaneous measurement of the fragment kinetic energies to obtain the fragment masses and high-resolution measurement of the characteristic energy spectra of the K X-rays emitted by the fragments to determine their nuclear charges. For all four fissioning systems the K X-ray yields per fragment were found to be strongly dependent on nuclear structure. Near closed nuclear shells the K X-ray yields for odd- Z nuclei are enhanced relative to even- Z nuclei. Away from closed shells the K X-ray yields increase rapidly with Z and A , and the odd-even Z -fluctuations diminish. With an approximate parameterization for the dependence of K X-ray yields on Z and A , the average nuclear charges of the primary fragments represented as a linear function of their pre-neutron-emission mass (charge division) and the width of the charge distribution about the average values (charge dispersion) were obtained. The linear charge division functions obtained in this work are in good agreement with existing radiochemical data and with recent β-decay chain-length measurements. The average charge dispersion (before neutron emission) found in this work for 235 U ( n , f ) ( σ z = 0.40 ±0.05 charge units) is narrower than the charge dispersion (0.56±0.06) determined radiochemically (after neutron emission).
Personality factors related to black teenage pregnancy and abortion.

Forty-eight pregnant adolescents who applied for therapeutic abortions (TAs) were compared with 55 adolescents who planned to have their babies (Terms) and 67 adolescents who were not pregnant (Controls) on the California Psychological Inventory (CPI). All the subjects were single, Black, and aged 15 or 16. CPI results point to psychological differences with the Controls being most socialized, followed by the TAs, and then the Terms. Term girls seem to be experiencing a void and appear to be trying to fill it and assume an adult role by having a baby; the TAs do not seem to have these same needs. In addition, girls who became pregnant and described the relationship with the putative father as casual, appear on the CPI to have more daily problems, lack socialization, be less clear thinking, and have poor self-control. Pregnant girls who have good communication with their mothers showed no differences on the CPI from girls with poor communication with their mothers.
Solanum etuberosum: A model for studying the cryobiology of shoot-tips in the tuber-bearing Solanum species

Abstract A high percentage of isolated shoot tips of Solanum etuberosum survived slow cooling at 0.3°C/min to −40°C. Below this temperature survival decreased. High survival could be obtained at −196°C by a two-step procedure of slow cooling to −40°C followed by immersion in liquid nitrogen. Dimethylsulfoxide was the cryoprotectant used in all studies. Essential for survival under these conditions was the culture in light of isolated shoot tips for a period of time (about 2 days) before addition of cryoprotectant and subsequent freezing. Under these conditions, formation of a multiple shoot mass was the predominant morphogenetic response.
Determining the depth of insertion of dynamically invisible membrane peptides by gel-phase 1 H spin diffusion heteronuclear correlation NMR

Solid-state NMR determination of the depth of insertion of membrane peptides and proteins has so far utilized 1H spin diffusion and paramagnetic relaxation enhancement experiments, which are typically conducted in the liquid-crystalline phase of the lipid bilayer. For membrane proteins or peptide assemblies that undergo intermediate-timescale motion in the liquid-crystalline membrane, these approaches are no longer applicable because the protein signals are broadened beyond detection. Here we show that the rigid-solid HETCOR experiment, with an additional spin diffusion period, can be used to determine the depth of proteins in gel-phase lipid membranes, where the proteins are immobilized to give high-intensity solid-state NMR spectra. Demonstration on two membrane peptides with known insertion depths shows that well-inserted peptides give rise to high lipid cross peak intensities and low water cross peaks within a modest spin diffusion mixing time, while surface-bound peptides have higher water than lipid cross peaks. Furthermore, well-inserted membrane peptides have nearly identical 1H cross sections as the lipid chains, indicating equilibration of the peptide and lipid magnetization. Using this approach, we measured the membrane topology of the α-helical fusion peptide of the paramyxovirus, PIV5, in the anionic POPC/POPG membrane, in which the peptide undergoes intermediate-timescale motion at physiological temperature. The gel-phase HETCOR spectra indicate that the α-helical fusion peptide is well inserted into the POPC/POPG bilayer, spanning both leaflets. This insertion motif gives insight into the functional role of the α-helical PIV5 fusion peptide in virus-cell membrane fusion.
Magnetic interface states and finite-size effects.

Studies of the formation of a nonmagnetic/magnetic silver/iron interface by spin-polarized photoemission identify magnetic interface states showing discrete binding energies dependent on the number of atomic layers in the overlayer. The results for one layer of silver on iron are in good agreement with a full-potential linearized-augmented-plane-wave calculation and tight-binding modeling allows us to reproduce qualitatively the layer-dependent binding energies for one, two, and three layers of silver on iron. The interface states appear to be related to a minority surface resonance on the iron surface.
Plasmid transformation ofBacteroides spp. by electroporation

Transformation of Bacteroides spp. with a variety of plasmid DNAs was accomplished using electroporation. The standard transformation assay system used to deduce the optimal electroporation parameters employed a 50-to 100-fold concentrated cell suspension of mid-logarithmic phase Bacteroides fragilis strain 638 and the 5.4-kb clindamycin resistance (Ccr) vector, pBI191. A variety of electroporation buffers were used successfully in transformation experiments but of these, 1 mM MgCl2 in 10% glycerol was superior. The incorporation of MgCl2 was essential for optimum viability prior to electroporation and for optimum transformation. Transformants were routinely obtained using 5-ms pulses over a range of field strengths from 5 to 12.5 kV/cm, with a maximum of greater than 10(6) micrograms-1 DNA at 12.5 kV/cm. The number of transformants increased linearly with respect to DNA concentration over the range 0.01-2 micrograms tested. Recovery of transformants required an expression period of up to 2.5 h following exposure to the electric field. This period, however, was dependent on the antibiotic resistance marker used for selection of transformants, with a significantly shorter incubation required when chloramphenicol rather than clindamycin was used in the selective medium. The effect of the DNA source on transformation was tested using the shuttle vector pFD288. Plasmid DNA isolated from Bacteroides uniformis, Bacteroides ovatus, or Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron transformed B. fragilis 638 at frequencies 7.5- to 12.5-fold less than those observed for controls with homologous DNA. Further reductions were seen with Escherichia coli purified pFD288, which transformed at 1000-fold lower frequencies. Finally, using homologous pFD288 or pBI191 isolated from strain 638, several strains of B. fragilis, B. uniformis, and B. ovatus were transformed successfully without modification of the standard assay system. Two strains each of B. thetaiotaomicron and Bacteroides ruminicola were not transformed using the methods described here.
HIGH CURRENT PULSED ELECTRON SOURCE: VAN DE GRAAFF.

Abstract An electron gun and pulser have been developed to produce high current pulses of nanosecond duration. When mounted on the ht terminal of a 3 MeV electron Van de Graaff, 5 A pulses have been obtained for time durations of 1 to 100 ns. Corresponding beam area without external focusing is about 0.15 cm 2 .
Specificity of the heat-stable protein inhibitor of the branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase phosphatase

Abstract A potent, heat-stable protein inhibitor of branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKDH) phosphatase has been identified and purified to near homogeneity from bovine kidney mitochondria (Damuni, Z., Humphreys, J. S., and Reed, L. J., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., in press). This protein is a noncompetitive inhibitor of BCKDH phosphatase, with a K i about 0.13 nM. By contrast, this protein inhibitor did not affect the activity of the cytosolic protein phosphatase-1 and phosphatase-2A or the mitochondrial pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) phosphatase at concentrations up to 10 nM. The cytosolic protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 and inhibitor-2 had no effect on the activity of BCKDH phosphatase or PDH phosphatase at concentrations up to 50 and 300 nM respectively. These results, together with previous evidence, demonstrate that BCKDH phosphatase and its inhibitor protein are distinct from the cytosolic protein phosphatase-1 and phosphatase-2A and from protein phosphatase inhibitor-1 and inhibitor-2, respectively.
Immunogold localization of AMPA and NMDA receptors in somatic sensory cortex of albino rat

We performed an electron microscopic study of S-1 cortex by using postembedding immunogold histochemistry to examine the subcellular distribution of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptors (assessed with an antibody recognizing the glutamate receptor 2 and 3 [GluR2 and GluR3] subunits) and to compare this distribution with that of N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (assessed with an antibody for the NR1 subunit). Both receptors were concentrated at active zones of asymmetric synapses, often directly apposed to presynaptic dense bodies. GluR2/3 showed a bias for long active zones, whereas short active zones expressed GluR2/3 at substantially lower levels; in contrast, labeling for NR1 was independent of synaptic size. Particle counts suggested that synaptic labeling was Poisson distributed and implied that the majority of synapses express both receptors. Quantitative analysis indicates that approximately one-half of synapses express high levels of GluR2/3 and that the remainder express GluR2/3 at a much lower level. Approximately three-fourths of synapses express NR1 at a uniform level; the remainder, which may lack NR1 completely, include synapses with especially large active zones. The present results suggest that the smallest active zones may play a special role in synaptic plasticity. J. Comp. Neurol. 412:292–302, 1999. © 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
DYNAMIC PROPERTIES OF THE HUMAN HEAD

Abstract Driving point mechanical impedance measurements were used to determine the dynamic response of the human head to sinusoidal vibration in the frequency range between 30 Hz and 5000 Hz at excitation levels of 0·98 m/s 2 and 3·4 m/s2. Because of the low excitation levels, the weight of the head was sufficient to couple the head to the vibration source. At 20 Hz the impedance magnitude was about 790 N-s/m but increased at approximately 6dB/octave to a peak near 3500 N-s/m at 70–90 Hz. Between 100 Hz and 2000 Hz impedance decreased by about two orders of magnitude while the apparent mass decreased by three orders of magnitude indicating good vibration isolation at higher frequencies. The impedance response contains the information for modelling the head as a dynamic system. The response of the head to vibration can be simulated by a two degree-of-freedom, mass-excited system consisting of a series connection of a small driving mass, a damper, a spring and damper in parallel and a large final mass. Parameter values, derived by computer techniques, suggest that the large mass represents the total head, the small mass the tissue in contact with the vibration input and the spring the skull stiffness.
Climate-mediated nitrogen and carbon dynamics in a tropical watershed

[1] Climate variability affects the capacity of the biosphere to assimilate and store important elements, such as nitrogen and carbon. Here we present biogeochemical evidence from the sediments of tropical Lake Titicaca indicating that large hydrologic changes in response to global glacial cycles during the Quaternary were accompanied by major shifts in ecosystem state. During prolonged glacial intervals, lake level was high and the lake was in a stable nitrogen-limited state. In contrast, during warm dry interglacials lake level fell and rates of nitrogen concentrations increased by a factor of 4–12, resulting in a fivefold to 24-fold increase in organic carbon concentrations in the sediments due to increased primary productivity. Observed periods of increased primary productivity were also associated with an apparent increase in denitrification. However, the net accumulation of nitrogen during interglacial intervals indicates that increased nitrogen supply exceeded nitrogen losses due to denitrification, thereby causing increases in primary productivity. Although primary productivity in tropical ecosystems, especially freshwater ecosystems, tends to be nitrogen limited, our results indicate that climate variability may lead to changes in nitrogen availability and thus changes in primary productivity. Therefore some tropical ecosystems may shift between a stable state of nitrogen limitation and a stable state of nitrogen saturation in response to varying climatic conditions.
Operators with singular continuous spectrum. II. Rank one operators

For an operator, A, with cyclic vector ϕ, we study A+λP, where P is the rank one projection onto multiples of ϕ. If [α,β] ⊂ spec (A) and A has no a.c. spectrum, we prove that A+λP has purely singular continuous spectrum on (α,β) for a dense G_δ of λ's.
The AAUP: A Moral Autopsy.

Among the first things I did upon becoming a professor in 1959 was to join the American Association of University Professors (AAUP). To do so almost seemed like a religious obligation, a step any serious academic would eagerly and proudly take. The AAUP was then the largest and most influential academic association in the United States, an organization whose founding principles had become the bedrock upon which academic freedom and the security of tenure had been raised. Thirty-five years later I resigned. It had become clear to me that the AAUP had become part of the problems then roiling the academic world, problems that have continued and intensified to this day. The AAUP was established in 1915, in a world radically different from ours, especially in the much smaller size, number, and cultural importance of colleges and universities. It was organized, in part, as a reaction to a long series of sensational academic firings at the beginning of the twentieth century. The story I most vividly remember, and that long seemed to me most emblematic of the organization’s origin and mission, involved Mrs. Leland Stanford’s dismissal of economist Edward A. Ross, whose views were too radical for her taste. On the Stanford faculty at that time was a man destined to become a distinguished American philosopher, Arthur Lovejoy, also a founder of the discipline known as The History of Ideas. Incensed to learn that professors served at the whim of their employers and could be summarily fired, he indignantly resigned—only to be subsequently denied Acad. Quest. (2009) 22:340–350 DOI 10.1007/s12129-009-9117-7
Effects of posture, upright exercise, and myocardial stimulation on cardiac output in patients with diseases affecting diastolic filling and effective systolic ejection of the left ventricle

Abstract 1. 1. Cardiovascular responses to changes in posture, exercise in the upright position, and myocardial stimulation with isoproterenol have been studied in 14 patients with diseases of the left side of the heart. Seven patients had limitations of diastolic filling of the left ventricle imposed by mitral stenosis, and 7 patients had lesions which reduced the effective systolic ejection of the left ventricle. 2. 2. In both types of patients, stroke index fell and arteriovenous oxygen difference widened significantly with a change in posture from supine to sitting upright. 3. 3. The mean values during rest in the recumbent position were virtually normal for patients with left ventricular diseases. Although heart rate and cardiac index increased significantly with the exertion of walking, stroke index increased toward, but not above, the resting supine value, and the mean arterial pressure, on the average, increased slightly. 4. 4. Patients with mitral stenosis tended to have lower stroke and cardiac indices and higher pulmonary arterial pressure and ventilation during rest in the recumbent position. Cardiac index was increased by the exertion of walking, largely because of a disproportionate acceleration of heart rate; stroke index, on the average, showed no increase above the lowered value produced by the patient's sitting upright. The average systemic arterial pressure for these patients did not rise. 5. 5. Myocardial stimulation with isoproterenol during recumbency significantly increased heart rate, cardiac index, and left ventricular work, and lowered systemic arterial resistance in both types of patients. Except in 2 patients with pulmonary vascular disease, total pulmonary resistance diminished. 6. 6. A primary defect of patients with diseases of the left side of the heart is an impaired capacity to increase stroke output in response to exertion or to myocardial stimulation. This may result from a number of mechanisms distorting effective systolic ejection; such capacity is particularly restricted by lesions, such as mitral stenosis, that offer increased resistance to diastolic filling of the left ventricle. Compensatory mechanisms include tachycardia, widening of the arteriovenous oxygen difference, and anaerobic metabolism. 7. 7. There was a significant correlation in patients with mitral stenosis between minute ventilation and pulmonary arterial pressure under each experimental state.
An Analysis of Twentieth Century Climate Fluctuations in Northern North America

Abstract The spatial patterns and temporal trends of temperature and precipitation for northern North America (Alaska Canada and western Greenland) have been analyzed. Over approximately the past hundred years, three temperature regimes are identified that correspond roughly to similar climatic regimes identified in separate studies for the contiguous United States. Through 1980, warming is evident only from around the mid-1920s to about the early 1960s. No recent trends are present in winter or fall. Some cooling is evident during summer while spring shows cooling from 1963 to 1976 and warming thereafter. Spatially, the largest changes occur in areas where variations in the amplitude of the long waves result in large advective differences; these areas are also sensitive to fluctuations in the mean position of the arctic front. Changes from one temperature regime to another occur quite abruptly and last for several years to a few decades. There are two areas where well-defined precipitation changes coinci...
Postextubation laryngeal spasm in an unanesthetized patient with Parkinson's disease

We present a patient with Parkinson's disease who experienced laryngeal spasm after tracheal extubation without having been anesthetized. This patient's trachea was intubated because of respiratory arrest. We postulate that her postextubation laryngospasm was related to Parkinson's disease.
Branding Cities A Social History of the Urban Lifestyle Magazine

The author traces the emergence over the past 30 years of a new media genre in U.S. cities: the urban lifestyle magazine. With the shift in the primary role of U.S. cities from production sites to ...