cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effects of t-bomb II on lean body mass and hormonal profile in resistance trained athletes

Background Periodization describes an organized approach to training variation throughout a given year. For competitive athletes this typically includes and offseason, pre-season and inseason. The offseason is meant to build muscle, increase power, strength and endurance. However, the season brings on stress that can negatively impact body composition via decreasing lean body mass (LBM). One general cause may be a decline in anabolic hormones, particularly testosterone. T Bomb II is a product made by Maximum Human Performance, INC. (MHP). It is a proprietary blend of ingredients such as fenugreek extract which has been shown to elevate testosterone levels. PURPOSE: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the 6 week impact of T Bomb II (TB) supplementation on the ability to maintain testosterone and LBM during season.
Contact Stress Reduction Mechanisms for the CAM-Based Infinitely Variable Transmission

The Cam-based Infinitely Variable Transmission (IVT) is a new type of ratcheting IVT based on a three dimensional cam and follower system which provides unique characteristics such as generating specific functional speed ratio outputs including dwells, for a constant velocity input. This paper presents several mechanisms and design approaches used to improve the torque and speed capacity of this unique transmission. A compact, lightweight, and capable differential mechanism based on a cord and pulley system is developed to double the number of followers in contact with the cam at any time, thereby reducing the contact stress between the followers and the cam surface considerably. A kinematic model governing the motion of this differential is developed and a few experimental results from the prototype are presented, showing an overall increase in performance including a smooth output, a wide gear range, and the ability to shift under load. Plans for future improvements to the design, including an inverted external cam mechanism, is also presented along with the expected performance gains.Copyright © 2007 by ASME
Ultrafast Computed Tomographic Scanning to Assess Patency of Coronary Artery Stents in Bypass Grafts

Anginal chest pain after implantation of coronary stents in bypass grafts is a concern because it suggests the possibility of occlusion. Coronary angiography is the definitive method for determining patency of a stent; however, this procedure is relatively contraindicated in a patient receiving warfarin sodium, who has a therapeutic international normalized ratio. An alternative method for determining patency of a stent is by ultrafast computed tomography. This new, minimally invasive technique shows promise for determining blood flow within the large vessels of the thorax. Herein we describe a case in which a metallic stent placed in a vein graft was noninvasively established to be patent, despite chest pain in the patient. This method may be clinically applicable for determining patency of stents in vein grafts in the setting of patients with chest pain who have undergone complete anticoagulation.
Brain stem auditory evoked response development in the kitten.

Abstract The development of brain stem auditory evoked responses (BAERs), recorded from a surface electrode as short-latency, volume-conducted potentials, was studied in a series of kittens over a postnatal period ranging from birth to 60 days. Repeated, longitudinal observations on particular kittens were supplemented with observations on additional kittens during the first and second postnatal week to determine age of onset of the BAERs. The position of the animal and sound source within the recording chamber were held constant across recording sessions, as was click intensity except during recordings in which intensity effects were specifically studied. Click rates of 1, 10, 50 and 100/sec were routinely presented. Reference electrodes at the tongue, pinna and neck showed volume-conducted responses to the click stimuli and resulted in considerable distortion of the activity recorded by the vertex electrod; the forepaw, in contrast, showed no activity and a vertex-forepaw electrode configuration provided good resolution of the BAERs across development. A number of new observations were made. BAERs were first observed at 4 days of age, approximately the same age at which depth evoked potentials are first recorded in brain stem auditory nuclei. Initially the BAERs were diffuse, high threshold and fatigued rapidly, characteristics shared with depth evoked potentials in the early postnatal period. Over the first two weeks, the potentials showed marked decrease in threshold, increased resistance to fast click rates, and better definition of wave forms. All BAER components showed exponential decreases in latency. Because all of the brain stem evoked potentials could be recorded concurrently and longitudinally in the same subject a number of developmental comparisons were possible among the BAER components. Wave 1, related to the acoustic nerve in the adult cat, showed a developmental time course and adult latency similar to that reported for N 1 . Wave 2, related to the cochlear nucleus in the adult, showed a marked bimodality over the first month; wave 2a was a large amplitude clearly separated wave which gradually fused as an inconspicuous conspicuous leading shoulder on wave 2b. Wave 2b developed with a time course and adult latency similar to that reported for the ventral cochlear nucleus. Wave 3, related to the region of the superior olivary complex in the adult, showed a clear but transient bimodality during the third week of development. Wave 5, related to the inferior colliculus in the adult, appeared later than waves 1–4 and showed a significantly slower rate of development than waves 1–4. These data indicate that differential developmental changes occur within the brain stem auditory pathway and that the BAERs provide a dynamic probe of concurrent maturational interactions.
A new micellar aqueous two-phase partitioning system (ATPS) for the separation of proteins.

Abstract Partitioning of six typical globular proteins with molecular weights ranging from 12.6 to 250 kDa was investigated using an aqueous two-phase system formed by heating a solution containing the individual proteins and n-dodecyldimethylphosphine oxide (APO12) above the cloud point of the nonionic surfactant (approximately 40 °C). The partition coefficient, Kp, was much greater at 55 than 45 °C and depended on both APO12 and protein concentrations. The value of Kp for bovine β-lactoglobulin (β-L) varied from 2 to 60, and was larger for 1.0 mg/mL solutions than for ovalbumin (2× greater), bovine serum albumin (3× greater) and lysozyme (12× greater). Catalase and cytochrome c were apparently denatured in the presence of 20 mg/mL of APO12 and were not investigated. Large values of Kp for β-L resulted when the pH of APO12 mixtures containing phospholipids and either a cationic or anionic surfactant in molar ratios of 10:0.5:1.0 was partitioned above or below the isoelectric point of the protein, respectively. The affinity of the proteins for the APO12 micelle was responsible for partitioning of the proteins into the upper phase. Finally, DSC studies with β-L showed that the denaturing action of n-decyldimethylphosphine oxide (APO10) below 61 °C and APO12 at 22 °C was reversed by dilution or dialysis, respectively.
ESR Studies of λ-Irradiated Poly[3,3-bis(chloromethyl)oxetane]

Abstract Poly[3,3-bis(chloromethyl)] oxetane in vacuo, after λ-irradiation at 77°K and room temperature, showed ESR spectra consisting of a triplet (hfs of 22.0G) and a doublet (hfs of 17.8G), respectively. The triplet ESR spectrum is attributed to the -CH2-C(CH2Cl)-CH2 -O- radical and the doublet ESR spectrum is attributed to the -CH2-C(CH2Cl)2-CH-O- radical. The G values for formation of radicals are estimated to be 0.3 and 0.5 at 298 and 77°K, respectively.
The Catch data warehouse: support for community health care decision-making

The measurement and assessment of health status in communities throughout the world is a massive information technology challenge. Comprehensive Assessment for Tracking Community Health (CATCH) provides systematic methods for community-level assessment that is invaluable for resource allocation and health care policy formulation. CATCH is based on health status indicators from multiple data sources, using an innovative comparative framework and weighted evaluation process to produce a rank-ordered list of critical community health care challenges. The community-level focus is intended to empower local decisionmakers by providing a clear methodology for organizing and interpreting relevant health care data. Extensive field experience with the CATCH methods, in combination with expertise in data warehousing technology, has led to an innovative application of information tehnology in the health care arena. The data warehouse allows a core set of reports to be produced at a reasonable cost for community use. In addition, online analytic processing (OLAP) functionality can be used to gain a deeper understanding of specific health care issues. The data warehouse in conjunction with Web-enabled dissemination methods allows the information to be presented in a variety of formats and to be distributed more widely in the decision-making community. In this paper, we focus on the technical challenges of designing and implementing an effective data warehouse for health care information. Illustrations of actual data designs and reporting formats from the CATCH data warehouse are used throughout the discussion. Ongoing research directions in health care data warehousing and community health care decision-making conclude the paper.
Low-Level Transcutaneous Electrical Vagus Nerve Stimulation Suppresses Atrial Fibrillation

Abstract Background Transcutaneous low-level tragus electrical stimulation (LLTS) suppresses atrial fibrillation (AF) in canines. Objectives This study examined the antiarrhythmic and anti-inflammatory effects of LLTS in humans. Methods Patients with paroxysmal AF who presented for AF ablation were randomized to either 1 h of LLTS (n = 20) or sham control (n = 20). Attaching a flat metal clip onto the tragus produced LLTS (20 Hz) in the right ear (50% lower than the voltage slowing the sinus rate). Under general anesthesia, AF was induced by burst atrial pacing at baseline and after 1 h of LLTS or sham treatment. Blood samples from the coronary sinus and the femoral vein were collected at those time points and then analyzed for inflammatory cytokines, including tumor necrosis factor alpha and C-reactive protein, using a multiplex immunoassay. Results There were no differences in baseline characteristics between the 2 groups. Pacing-induced AF duration decreased significantly by 6.3 ± 1.9 min compared with baseline in the LLTS group, but not in the control subjects (p = 0.002 for comparison between groups). AF cycle length increased significantly from baseline by 28.8 ± 6.5 ms in the LLTS group, but not in control subjects (p = 0.0002 for comparison between groups). Systemic (femoral vein) but not coronary sinus tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and C-reactive protein levels decreased significantly only in the LLTS group. Conclusions LLTS suppresses AF and decreases inflammatory cytokines in patients with paroxysmal AF. Our results support the emerging paradigm of neuromodulation to treat AF.
Directed evolution of mesophilic enzymes into their thermophilic counterparts.

Thermophillic enzymes tend to be less active at low temperatures than are their natural mesophillic or psychrophillic counterparts, which in turn are less thermostable (Fig. 1). Enzymes that are both highly thermostable and highly active at low temperature are not observed in nature. Our study addresses the following question: Are such enzymes physically possible?
The analysis of a phase-delayed optical two-state switch

A novel optical waveguide phase-delayed two-state switch that consists of a pair of asynchronous waveguides is presented. The performance of the switch is analyzed in detail. The simple structure of the device may lead to an easy implementation in optical switching, optical interconnects, and sensor applications. >
Testing for causal relationships between large pyroclastic volcanic eruptions and mass extinctions

The Permo/Triassic mass extinction, the most extensive of all Phanerozoic extinctions [Erwin, 1990], has been correlated with both massive pyroclastic eruptions [Yang and Yin, 1987; Yin et al., 1989; Jinwen, 1989] and flood basalts [Rampino and Strothers, 1988]. More tentatively, the end-Cretaceous mass extinction has also been linked with massive volcanic events [Officer et al, 1987; Rampino and Strothers, 1988]. However, the nature of the connection between volcanism and either mass extinction remains uncertain. Rather than study volcanic events at known extinction horizons, another approach is to identify extremely large (>1000 km3) pyroclastic eruptions with well-constrained age determinations, and evaluate the fossil record for evidence of significant regional or global extinctions. We selected the largest, best constrained pyroclastic events known, (Toba Tuff, Huckleberry Ridge Tuff, Tuff of Blacktail and the Elkhorn Mountain volcanics); neither global marine diversity nor global or regional terrestrial vertebrate diversity exhibit any biological effect from these extremely massive pyroclastic eruptions. We conclude that massive pyroclastic eruptions are unlikely to have been an effective cause of mass extinctions.
Thermodynamics of membrane domains.

Abstract The concept of lipid rafts and the intense work toward their characterization in biological membranes has spurred a renewed interest in the understanding of domain formation, particularly in the case of cholesterol-containing membranes. The thermodynamic principles underlying formation of domains, rafts, or cholesterol/phospholipid complexes are reviewed here, along with recent work in model and biological membranes. A major motivation for this review was to present those concepts in a way appropriate for the broad readership that has been drawn to the field. Evidence from a number of different techniques points to the conclusion that lipid–lipid interactions are generally weak; therefore, in most cases, massive phase separations are not to be expected in membranes. On the contrary, small, dynamic lipid domains, possibly stabilized by proteins are the most likely outcome. The results on mixed lipid bilayers are used to discuss recent experiments in biological membranes. The clear indication is that proteins partition preferentially into fluid, disordered lipid domains, which is contrary to their localization in ordered, cholesterol/sphingomyelin rafts inferred from detergent extraction experiments on cell membranes. Globally, the evidence appears most consistent with a membrane model in which the majority of the lipid is in a liquid-ordered phase, with dispersed, small, liquid-disordered domains, where most proteins reside. Co-clustering of proteins and their concentration in some membrane areas may occur because of similar preferences for a particular domain but also because of simultaneous exclusion from other lipid phases. Specialized structures, such as caveolae, which contain high concentrations of cholesterol and caveolin are not necessarily similar to bulk liquid-ordered phase.
REPLACEMENT OF RESIDENT CRAYFISHES BY AN EXOTIC CRAYFISH: THE ROLES OF COMPETITION AND PREDATION

Exotic species are often a threat to native biodiversity. In northern Wisconsin lakes, the invading crayfish Orconectes rusticus is replacing 0. virilis, the native, and 0. propinquus, a previous invader. We tested the impacts of interspecific competition for food and of nonconsumptive effects of predation by largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides, on growth and mortality of these three species. In competition experiments, 0. virilis grew less, and 0. propinquus suffered increased mortality in the presence of 0. rusticus relative to single-species treatments. Orconectes rusticus was unaffected by the presence of con- geners. In experiments testing nonconsumptive effects of predation, 0. virilis growth de- clined substantially in the presence of largemouth bass, 0. rusticus growth declined slightly, and 0. propinquus growth was unaffected. Mortality of all three crayfishes increased in the presence of largemouth bass, with 0. virilis experiencing the greatest and 0. rusticus the least mortality. To explore how competition, predation, and their interaction influence species replace- ments, we compared a fitness index (mortality/growth = (/g) among species across biotic interaction domains: no interaction, intraspecific competition, interspecific competition, predation by fish, fish predation with competition, and predation risk with competition. In three of six domains, 0. virilis and 0. propinquus had somewhat similar (/g, but reversals in p/g rank between 0. virilis and 0. propinquus among domains occurred. These reversals are consistent with lack of unidirectionality of species replacements observed where 0. virilis and 0. propinquus distributions overlap. In all four interspecific interaction domains, 0. rusticus had the lowest (/g (indicating greatest fitness), which is consistent with observed unidirectional replacement of 0. propinquus and 0. virilis by 0. rusticus. Whereas some fish management strategies might reverse the replacement of 0. virilis by 0. propinquus, no realistic interaction domain is likely to reverse replacement of the native species by 0. rusticus.
Population synchrony and stability in environmentally forced metacommunities

A general prediction from simple metapopulation models is that spatially synchronized forcing can spatially synchronize population dynamics and destabilize metapopulations. In contrast, spatially asynchronous forcing is predicted to decrease population synchrony and promote temporal stability and population persistence, especially in the presence of dispersal. Only recently have studies begun to experimentally address these predictions. Moreover, few studies have experimentally examined how such processes operate in the context of competition communities. Stabilizing processes may continue to operate when placed within a metacommunity context with multiple competing consumers but only at low to intermediate levels of dispersal. High dispersal rates can reverse these predictions and lead to destabilization. We tested this under controlled conditions using an experimental aquatic system composed of three competing species of zooplankton. Metacommunities experienced different levels of dispersal and environmental forcing in the form of spatially synchronous or asynchronous pH perturbations. We found support that dispersal can have contrasting effects on population stability depending on the degree to which population dynamics were synchronized in space. Dispersal under synchronous forcing or no forcing had either neutral of positive effects on spatial population synchrony of all three zooplankton species. In these treatments, dispersal reduced population stability at the local and metapopulation levels for two of three species. In contrast, asynchronously varying environments reduced population synchrony relative to unforced systems, regardless of dispersal level. In these treatments, dispersal enhanced temporal stability and persistence of populations not by reducing population synchrony but by enhancing population minima and spatial averaging of abundances. High dispersal rates under asynchronous forcing reduced the abundance of one species, consistent with increasing regional competition and general metacommunity theory. However, no effects on its stability or persistence were observed. Our work highlights the context-dependent effects of dispersal on population dynamics in varying environments.
Distant cutaneous metastases of cholangiocarcinoma: Report of two cases of a previously unreported condition

Cutaneous metastases develop in 2% to 10% of patients with internal malignancies. Here we present two cases of bile duct carcinoma with distant cutaneous metastases, a condition previously unreported. Scalp tumors were the initial presentation in both cases.
Predicting marital dissolution: A 5-year prospective longitudinal study of newlywed couples.

This study examined how well marital dissolution was predicted by husbands' and wives' personal demographic scores, couple demographic scores, husbands' and wives' individual-differences scores, husbands' and wives' interdependence scores, and the size of the discrepancy between spouses' individual-differences scores as well as their interdependence scores. Over 5 annual assessments, 222 newlywed couples remained together and 64 dissolved their marriages. Variables from each of the 4 sets of scores reliably discriminated between stable and unstable couples
Direct measurements of the reaction H + CH2O → H2 + HCO behind shock waves by means of Vis–UV detection of formaldehyde

The combination of sensitive detection of formaldehyde by 174 nm absorption and use of ethyl iodide as a hydrogen atom source allowed direct measurements of the reaction H + CH2O → H2 + HCO behind shock waves. The rate constant was determined for temperatures from 1510 to 1960 K to be k2 = 6.6 × 1014 exp(−40.6 kJ mol−1/RT) cm3 mol−1 s−1 (Δ log k2 = ± 0.22) Considering the low uncertainty in k2, which accounts both for experimental and mechanism-induced contributions, this result supports the upper range of previously reported, largely scattered high temperature rate constants. Vis–UV light of 174 nm was generated by a microwave N2 discharge lamp. At typical reflected shock wave conditions of 1750 K and 1.3 atm, as low as 33 ppm formaldehyde could be detected. High temperature absorption cross sections of CH2O and other selected species have been determined. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 34: 374–386, 2002
The Destructive Path of Addiction: Experiences of Six Parents Who are Substance Dependent

This qualitative study explored the experiences of five men and one woman who were parents, substance dependent, and receiving treatment. Data collected by observation and in-depth interviewing were analyzed using constant comparison method and thematic analysis. Findings were grouped into three categories: surviving my childhood and becoming an adult, the struggles of trying to be a parent, and the roles of spouses and extended family members. An overarching metathematic category, the destructive path and powerful appeal of addiction, describes why the participants reported feeling most comfortable in the role of drug addict and found order in the chaos in the addictive lifestyle.
Studies on the electron transport system. XXXI. DPNH-cytochrome c reductase II.

The oxidoreduction properties of the components (flavoprotein, coenzyme Q, cytochrome b and cytochrome c1) involved in a highly active DPNH-cytochrome c reductase, purified from beef-heart mitochondria, have been studied. The components of the enzyme are rapidly reduced by DPNH and are oxidized in presence of catalytic amounts of cytochrome c plus cytochrome oxidase. The oxidoreduction changes of the electron carriers of the enzyme have also been studied in presence of Amytal and antimycin A, and the points of inhibition of these two compounds have been defined. As a result of these as well as other studies, a functional sequence for the participation of the above components in the DPNH oxidase system of mitochondria has been presented.
Innervation of hippocampal explants by central catecholaminergic neurons in co-cultured fetal mouse brain stem explants

The ability of central catecholaminergic neurons to grow into and establish functional connections with the hippocampus in vitro was studied using organotypic tissue culture. Brain stem explanted from the region of the locus coeruleus and hippocampal explants, from 18-day fetal mice, were maintained as co-cultures and were also grown separately. After 1-4 weeks these tissues were analyzed by glyoxylic acid-induced histofluorescence, by light and electron microscopic radioautography after incubation with [3H]norepinephrine, and by electrophysiology. Brain stem explants exhibited specifically fluorescent catecholaminergic cell bodies and varicose fibers after 2-4 weeks in culture. In contrast, no fluorescent cells or neurites could be seen in isolated hippocampal cultures grown for 2-3 weeks in vitro. When hippocampal explants were grown near brain stem explants, catecholaminergic fibers grew out of the brain stem and entered the hippocampus. In additional experiments, co-cultures of brain stem and hippocampus were incubated with [3H]norepinephrine (0.5 micron) and the monoamine oxidase inhibitor nialamide (100 micron). Radioautographic analyses revealed that brain stem neurites which entered the hippocampus took up norepinephrine, whereas neurites in the isolated hippocampal explants did not. Electron microscopic studies of the hippocampus showed varicose axon terminals within the hippocampus to be preferentially labeled. Although close relationships could be seen between labeled axons and dendrites, junctions exhibiting the membranous modifications associated with synapses were never seen. Electrophysiological studies suggested that the catecholaminergic neurites within the hippocampus were functional. Complex synaptically mediated slow wave discharges could be evoked by electrical stimuli in isolated hippocampal explants. Introduction of the beta adrenergic antagonist propranolol (0.4-4.3 micron) did not alter, or slightly depressed, these hippocampal discharges. On the other hand, in hippocampus-brain stem co-cultures, these concentrations of propranolol enhanced the complex hippocampal responses to brain stem or hippocampal stimuli. Similar enhancement of hippocampal responses by propranolol also occurred in these cocultures after acute surgical extirpation of the brain stem explant. The data suggest, therefore, that the action of propranol was probably to block adrenergic inhibitory connections with hippocampal synaptic networks. These experiments provide morphological and electrophysiological evidence that catecholaminergic neurons from fetal mouse brain stem maintained in organotypic tissue culture can grow into and functionally innervate the hippocampus.
Some remarks on distances between fuzzy numbers

In this paper we consider different approaches to assigning distances between fuzzy numbers. A pseudo-metric on the set of fuzzy numbers arising from the idea of the value of a fuzzy number is described, and some of its topological properties are noted. Reducing functions are used to define a family of metrics on the space of fuzzy numbers; some convergent properties for these metrics are illustrated. Finally, a fuzzy distance between fuzzy numbers is introduced and its basic properties are studied.
Pyrroloquinoline Quinone Biogenesis: Demonstration That PqqE from Klebsiella pneumoniae Is a Radical S-Adenosyl-l-methionine Enzyme

Biogenesis of pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) in Klebsiella pneumoniae requires the expression of six genes (pqqA-F). One of these genes (pqqE) encodes a 43 kDa protein (PqqE) that plays a role in the initial steps in PQQ formation [Veletrop, J. S., et al. (1995) J. Bacteriol. 177, 5088-5098]. PqqE contains two highly conserved cysteine motifs at the N- and C-termini, with the N-terminal motif comprised of a CX(3)CX(2)C consensus sequence that is unique to a family of proteins known as radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (SAM) enzymes [Sofia, H. J., et al. (2001) Nucleic Acids Res. 29, 1097-1106]. PqqE from K. pneumoniae was cloned into Escherichia coli and expressed as the native protein and with an N-terminal His(6) tag. Anaerobic expression and purification of the His(6)-tagged PqqE results in an enzyme with a brownish-red hue indicative of Fe-S cluster formation. Spectroscopic and physical analyses indicate that PqqE contains a mixture of Fe-S clusters, with the predominant form of the enzyme containing two [4Fe-4S] clusters. PqqE isolated anaerobically yields an active enzyme capable of cleaving SAM to methionine and 5'-deoxyadenosine in an uncoupled reaction (k(obs) = 0.011 +/- 0.001 min(-1)). In this reaction, the 5'-deoxyadenosyl radical either abstracts a hydrogen atom from a solvent accessible position in the enzyme or obtains a proton and electron from buffer. The putative PQQ substrate PqqA has not yet been shown to be modified by PqqE, implying that PqqA must be modified before becoming the substrate for PqqE and/or that another protein in the biosynthetic pathway is critical for the initial steps in PQQ biogenesis.
Spectral reflectance of solids for aluminum K-radiation

The fraction of aluminum K radiation reflected from flat glass, magnesium, aluminum, copper, silver, and gold surfaces was measured as a function of the angle of grazing incidence. A single vacuum chamber enclosed the 0.01 in. diameter, aluminum wire anode x-ray tube, 15-μ thick absorption filter, CeBr(Tl) scintillator, refrigerated 6199 photomultiplier, reflecting surface, and metal evaporation source. The metallic surfaces were films deposited on glass flats already placed in position for immediate reflectance measurements. A linkage caused the x-ray beam to impinge on a fixed portion of the scintillator to avoid detector nonuniformities, and the photomultiplier-detector was cooled with ice water to reduce thermal noise.Excluding two anomalous cases, the critical angles average 9.3% below theoretical calculated values, and absorption ratios 28.2% above. A reduced material density could account for the low critical angle, but no simple explanation was conceived to account for the absorption discrepancy. Interference extremes produced by reflection from the aluminum film were in agreement with predictions of a revised interference theory.
Molecular dynamics simulations of bottlebrush macromolecules in two dimensional polymeric melts under flow conditions

Using molecular dynamics simulations and theoretical analysis we studied dynamics of a bottlebrush macromolecule in a matrix of linear chains under flow conditions. Our simulations showed that the velocity of a bottlebrush depends on the degree of polymerization of the brush backbone, degree of polymerization of the side chains and degree of polymerization of the linear chains. The velocity of a bottlebrush, first, decreases with increasing the bottlebrush degree of polymerization then it saturates. The location of the saturation regime was shown to be a universal function of the bottlebrush area. This behavior was explained by a combined effect of the hydrodynamic drag acting on a bottlebrush macromolecule from the matrix of faster moving linear chains and by the difference in the friction coefficients of a bottlebrush macromolecule and of linear chains with a substrate. A proposed theoretical model of bottlebrush dynamics under flow conditions is in a good agreement with simulation results.
Increased levels of a specific cyclic-AMP binding protein in acth stimulated bovine adrenal cortical cells

Abstract Ion exchange chromatography of bovine adrenal cortex cytosol on DEAE-cellulose reveals two major cAMP binding protein fractions. Isolated adrenal cortical cell cytosol was found to contain these same two binding proteins although in different proportions. These two binding proteins can be distinguished by the inhibition of [ 3 H]-cAMP binding by a spectrum of cAMP analogues. The isolated adrenal cortical cells show an increase in total cAMP binding protein activity when stimulated with ACTH 1−24 . This increase in total binding protein activity is due almost exclusively to one of the two binding proteins. Cycloheximide (10 μM) inhibits this ACTH stimulated cAMP binding protein.
Application of Nuclear Explosives in Exploitation of Underground Resources: ABSTRACT

The Rainier detonation of 1957 and the underground detonations of October, 1958, produced phenomena of heat, fracturing, and melting which have possible application to mineral and petroleum production. Such effects may be particularly applicable to oil sands and oil shales. End_of_Article - Last_Page 1099------------
Media exposure and attention as mediating variables influencing social risk judgments

This study examined the hypothesis that media exposure and attention partially mediate the effects of variables such as demographics and personal experience on risk judgments. Risk judgments, including perceived severity, prevalence, controllability, familiarity, and concern about alcohol-related injuries, comprised the outcome measures. Alcohol-related injuries included assaults, motor vehicle crashes, and other injury incidents such as falls, fire, and drowning. Results supported the hypotheses of partial mediation with respect to most risk judgment factors. In particular, effects of education, gender, sensation seeking, and prior firsthand or secondhand experience with alcohol-related mishaps on judgments of concern and/or severity were partially mediated by media variables. The authors concluded that media effects on risk judgments can be usefully understood as part of a larger social process in which media are selectively attended to due to exogenous influences; part of the effect of these exogenous influences on these social risk judgments was via these media influences. Media use variables also retain a degree of influence after controlling for these exogenous factors.
Artifacts in wavelet image merging

Intensity modulation (IM), intensity-hue-saturation (IHS), and multiresolution wavelet decomposition (MWD) are {ital ad} {ital hoc} image merging techniques that enhance low-spatial-resolution color imagery with high-resolution black and white imagery. While the MWD is a relatively new technique, both IM and IHS can be found in commercial software. These three merging techniques are compared to find which best retains spectral fidelity while adding spatial information. With this criterion, merging artifacts are identified and characterized. Specifically, the three techniques were tested with respect to resampling, misregistration, intensity variance, and complexity problems that arise in multiresolution image merging. Test images were used allowing the mean difference, standard deviation difference, entropy difference, and affected area to be calculated. {copyright} {ital 1996 Society of Photo{minus}Optical Instrumentation Engineers.}
mTOR Co-Targeting in Cetuximab Resistance in Head and Neck Cancers Harboring PIK3CA and RAS Mutations

Squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck (HNSCC), which arise in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, and hypopharynx, are a major public health concern. New therapeutic strategies to prevent and treat HNSCC patients are urgently needed. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is overexpressed in up to 90% of HNSCC lesions (1,2) and is associated with unfavorable clinical outcome (3,4). Anti-EGFR targeted therapies have been shown to be effective in a variety of preclinical HNSCC models (5–8). Furthermore, in seminal clinical studies, cetuximab, a humanized IgG1 monoclonal antibody against the EGFR extracellular domain, prolonged the median overall survival and reduced disease progression in advanced HNSCC patients as part of combination therapies with radiation and chemotherapy (9,10). Based on these findings, cetuximab gained approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for use together with radiation or as a single agent in patients that failed to respond to platinum-based therapy, and for recurrent or metastatic HNSCC in combination with standard chemotherapy (10). However, the overall increased response of adding cetuximab to radiation and/or chemotherapy is approximately 10% to 20% (9,10), much lower than initially expected considering the high level of EGFR expression in HNSCC. Recent studies have identified multiple mechanisms of resistance to cetuximab, including EGFR mutations, overexpression of EGFR ligands, amplification or transactivation of HER family members or the MET receptor, and deregulated EGFR recycling (11–17), all of which could explain the intrinsic or acquired resistance to cetuximab in the clinic. EGFR regulates multiple intracellular signaling circuits, including the JAK/STAT3, RAS/MAPK, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways (18–20). Among them, recent findings indicate that multiple genetic and epigenetic alterations converge on the persistent activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling in most HNSCC lesions (21–24). Thus, we asked here whether genetic alterations causing PI3K/AKT/mTOR activation can promote cetuximab resistance in HNSCC, and if so whether pharmacological inhibition of this signaling pathway represents a suitable target to prevent or overcome cetuximab resistance in HNSCC.
Alterations to movement mechanics can greatly reduce anterior cruciate ligament loading without reducing performance

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are one of the most common and potentially debilitating sports injuries. Approximately 70% of ACL injuries occur without contact and are believed to be preventable. Jump stop movements are associated with many non-contact ACL injuries. It was hypothesized that an athlete performing a jump stop movement can reduce their peak tibial shear force (PTSF), a measure of ACL loading, without compromising performance, by modifying their knee flexion angle, shank angle, and foot contact location during landing. PTSF was calculated for fourteen female basketball players performing jump stops using their normal mechanics and mechanics modified to increase their knee flexion angle, decrease their shank angle relative to vertical and land more on their toes during landing. Every subject tested experienced drastic reductions in their PTSF (average reduction=56.4%) using modified movement mechanics. The athletes maintained or improved their jump height with the modified movement mechanics (an average increase in jump height of 2.5cm). The hypothesis was supported: modifications to jump stop movement mechanics greatly reduced PTSF and therefore ACL loading without compromising performance. The results from this study identify crucial biomechanical quantities that athletes can easily modify to reduce ACL loading and therefore should be targeted in any physical activity training programs designed to reduce non-contact ACL injuries.
A ubiquitin ligase complex regulates caspase activation during sperm differentiation in Drosophila.

In both insects and mammals, spermatids eliminate their bulk cytoplasm as they undergo terminal differentiation. In Drosophila, this process of dramatic cellular remodeling requires apoptotic proteins, including caspases. To gain further insight into the regulation of caspases, we screened a large collection of sterile male flies for mutants that block effector caspase activation at the onset of spermatid individualization. Here, we describe the identification and characterization of a testis-specific, Cullin-3–dependent ubiquitin ligase complex that is required for caspase activation in spermatids. Mutations in either a testis-specific isoform of Cullin-3 (Cul3Testis), the small RING protein Roc1b, or a Drosophila orthologue of the mammalian BTB-Kelch protein Klhl10 all reduce or eliminate effector caspase activation in spermatids. Importantly, all three genes encode proteins that can physically interact to form a ubiquitin ligase complex. Roc1b binds to the catalytic core of Cullin-3, and Klhl10 binds specifically to a unique testis-specific N-terminal Cullin-3 (TeNC) domain of Cul3Testis that is required for activation of effector caspase in spermatids. Finally, the BIR domain region of the giant inhibitor of apoptosis–like protein dBruce is sufficient to bind to Klhl10, which is consistent with the idea that dBruce is a substrate for the Cullin-3-based E3-ligase complex. These findings reveal a novel role of Cullin-based ubiquitin ligases in caspase regulation.
Frequent allelic loss on chromosomes 4q and 16q associated with human hepatocellular carcinoma in Taiwan

To define the critical region of liver-specific tumor suppressor genes in human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), we analyzed 30 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma using nine 4q and six 16q microsatellite polymorphic DNA markers. We observed one major common deleted region which was flanked by D4S175-D4S1625 and there may be two tumor suppressor genes on chromosome 16q associated with HCC. An extensive study of allelotyping of human HCC was therefore carried out in the candidate region on arms of chromosome 4q with additional tumor tissues and more informative microsatellite DNA markers. These data imply that at least one putative tumor suppressor gene is located in the human chromosome 4q26-q27 region and provides very useful information for further construction of a long-range physical restriction map and thereafter cloning of the putative tumor suppressor gene.
Frederick Douglass's Patriotism

Although Frederick Douglass disclaimed any patriotism or love of the United States in the years when he considered its constitution to be pro-slavery, I argue that he was in fact always a patriot and always a lover of his country. This conclusion leads me to argue further that patriotism is not as expressly political as many philosophers suppose. Patriots love their country despite its politics and often unreasonably, although in loving their country they are concerned with its politics. The greatest among them freely dedicate themselves selflessly to the improvement of their country, partly because they love it, and partly because they are moved to take on great projects.
Pericardial lipoma in a geriatric dog with an incidentally discovered thoracic mass

An intrathoracic mass was discovered as an incidental finding in a 14-year-old, spayed, female Rottweiler cross during evaluation of urinary incontinence. Computed tomography suggested a pericardial or pleural location and high adipose content of the mass. The mass was removed via lateral thoracotomy with partial pericardectomy and was diagnosed as a pericardial lipoma. The dog recovered well, and there was no evidence of recurrence approximately one year later. Adipose tumours of the heart and its associated structures are rare in dogs and have been associated with both successful and fatal outcomes.
Methodological Issues in the Analysis of Quality of Life Data in Clinical Trials: Illustrations from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) Breast Cancer Prevention Trial

We present two Quality of Life (QOL) endpoints collected in conjunction with the recently completed Breast Cancer Prevention Trial (BCPT) performed by the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project. The analyses of these endpoints (depression and hot flashes) indicate the importance of randomization and give some insight about the impact of missing data in a large randomized trial.
Prediction of the structure of fuel sprays in cylindrical combustion chambers

The structure of fuel sprays in cylindrical combustion chambers is theoretically investigated using computer models of current interest. Three representative spray models are considered: 1) a locally homogeneous flow (LHF) model, which assumes infinitely fast interphase transport rates; 2) a deterministic separated flow (DSF) model, which considers finite rates of interphase transport but ignores effects of droplet/turbulence interactions; and 3) a stochastic separated flow (SSF) model, which considers droplet/turbulence interactions using stochastic methods. Various flow conditions are considered to examine the influence of droplet size and swirl strength on the spray flame structure. Comparison of calculated results with the experimental data shows that general features of the flow structure can be predicted with reasonable accuracy using the two separated flow models. In contrast, the LHF model overpredicts the rate of development of the flow. It is found that large swirl is associated with a high rate of evaporation and intensive turbulent mixing and combustion. Increased droplet diameter produces a longer flame length and reduces combustion intensity when compared to smaller initial droplet diameters.
The recurrence experience: family concerns during cancer chemotherapy

Summary •Cancer affects the entire family but limited description exists of the experience of cancer recurrence from the perspective of the family. •The purpose of this report was to describe family concerns when a family member experiences out-patient chemotherapy (CTX) for cancer recurrence. •During a 6-month study period, 34 adults with recurrence of breast (50%), colorectal (15%), and other selected tumours, and their family members (n= 38) participated in three home interviews. •The Lewis et al. (1986) Problem Centered Family Coping Interview (PCFCI) was used to obtain family concerns, management strategies, and their effects. The interview data were thematically analysed by a panel of three nurses. •Families reported from one to eight family concerns, with the number varying minimally from the first PCFCI mean of 33 (SD 1-8). •Cancer-related concerns accounted for 35–43% of those identified; next in frequency was family issues (3–14%), then finances (5–10%). The most important concern did change over the study for some families. •Families had minimal difficulty in identifying concerns or in reaching consensus as to the most important family concern. The average impact of the most important concern on the family ranged from 4·1 to 47middot;8 on a six-point scale, with 6′ defined as an extreme amount. •There is considerable conjecture in practice about the cancer recurrence event for patients and their family members. This study contributes to an understanding of the family's experience with disease recurrence.
Classifying individual tree genera using stepwise cluster analysis based on height and intensity metrics derived from airborne laser scanner data

Abstract This paper evaluates the ability of small footprint, multiple return and pulsed airborne scanner data to classify tree genera hierarchically using stepwise cluster analysis. Leaf-on and leaf-off airborne scanner datasets obtained in the Washington Park Arboretum, Seattle, Washington, USA were used for tree genera classification. Parameters derived from structure and intensity data from the leaf-on and leaf-off laser scanning datasets were compared to ground truth data. Relative height percentiles and simple crown shapes using the ratio of a crown length to width were computed for the structure variables. Selected structure variables from the leaf-on dataset had higher classification rate (74.9%) than those from the leaf-off dataset (50.2%) for distinguishing deciduous from coniferous genera using linear discriminant functions. Unsupervised stepwise cluster analysis was conducted to find groupings of similar genera at consecutive steps using k-medoid algorithm. The three stepwise cluster analyses using different seasonal laser scanning datasets resulted in different outcomes, which imply that genera might be grouped differently depending on the timing of the data collection. When combining leaf-on and leaf-off LIDAR datasets, the cluster analysis could separate the deciduous genera from evergreen coniferous genera and could make further separations between evergreen coniferous genera. When using the leaf-on LIDAR dataset only, the cluster analysis did not separate deciduous from evergreen genera. The overall results indicate the importance of the timing of laser scanner data acquisition for tree genera separation and suggest that the potential of combining two LIDAR datasets for improved classification.