cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Factor Va residues 311-325 represent an activated protein C binding region.

Abstract Activated protein C (APC) inactivates factor Va (fVa) by proteolytically cleaving fVa heavy chain at Arg506, Arg306, and Arg679. Factor Xa (fXa) protects fVa from inactivation by APC. To test the hypothesis that fXa and APC share overlapping fVa binding sites, 15 amino acid-overlapping peptides representing the heavy chain (residues 1–709) of fVa were screened for inhibition of fVa inactivation by APC. As reported, VP311–325, a peptide comprising residues 311–325 in fVa, dose-dependently and potently inhibited fVa-dependent prothrombin activation by fXa in the absence of APC. This peptide also inhibited the inactivation of fVa by APC, suggesting that this region of fVa interacts with APC. The peptide inhibited the APC-dependent cleavage of both Arg506 and Arg306 because inhibition was observed with plasma-derived fVa and recombinant R506Q and RR306/679QQ fVa. VP311–325 altered the fluorescence emission of dansyl-active site-labeled APCi but not a dansyl-active site-labeled thrombin control, showing that the peptide binds to APCi. This peptide also inhibited the resonance energy transfer between membrane-bound fluorescein-labeled fVa (donor) and rhodamine-active site-labeled S360C-APC (acceptor). These data suggest that peptide VP311–325 represents both an APC and fXa binding region in fVa.
Synthesis and Structural Characterization of Bis[(cyclohexylamino)pent-2-en-4-onato]-Chromium(II)

Addition of one equivalent of CrI2 to two equivalents of lithium cyclohexylamino-pent-2-en-4-onate results in bis[(cyclohexylamino)pent-2-en-4-onato]-chromium(II). Crystallization in diethylether reaction solvent forms the hemi-etherate A with the asymmetric unit showing two target compounds and one molecule of cocrystallized diethylether in the P-1 space group with crystal cell parameters a = 12.931(4) A, b = 13.207(4) A, c = 16.104(5) A, α = 66.559(5)°, β = 77.670(5)°, γ = 81.562(5)°, V = 2,459.1(14) A3 and Z = 4. Drying A in vacuo and recrystallization in pentane yields a nonsolvated crystalline phase B with an asymmetric unit displaying only one molecule of the target compound in the P21/c space group with crystal cell parameters a = 14.290(7) A, b = 14.082(7) A, c = 11.246(6) A, β = 94.807(8)°, V = 2,255.1(19) A3 and Z = 4. A Cr(II) complex supported by two β-enaminoketiminato ligands, bis[(cyclohexylamino)pent-2-en-4-onato]-chromium(II), has been synthesized and has been structurally characterized in two different crystal phases.
Field Sampling of Residual Aviation Gasoline in Sandy Soil

Two complementary field sampling methods for the determination of residual aviation gasoline content in the contaminated capillary fringe of a fine, uniform, sandy soil were investigated. The first method featured field extrusion of core barrels into pint-size Mason jars, while the second consisted of laboratory partitioning of intact stainless steel core sleeves. The barrel extrusion procedure involved jar headspace sampling in a nitrogen-filled glove box, which delineated the 0.7m thick residually contaminated interval for subsequent core sleeve withdrawal from adjacent boreholes. Soil samples removed from the Mason jars (in the field) and sleeve segments (in the laboratory) were subjected to methylene chloride extraction and gas chromatographic analysis to compare their aviation gasoline content. The barrel extrusion sampling method yielded a vertical profile with 0.10m resolution over an essentially continuous 5.0m interval from the ground surface to the water table. The sleeve segment alternative yielded a more resolved 0.03m vertical profile over a shorter 0.8m interval through the capillary fringe. The two methods delivered precise estimates of the vertically integrated mass of aviation gasoline at a given horizontal location, and a consistent view of the vertical profile as well. In the latter regard, a 0.2m thick lens of maximum contamination was found in the center of the capillary fringe, where moisture filled all voids smaller than the mean pore size. The maximum peak was resolved by the core sleeve data, but was partially obscured by the barrel extrusion observations, so that replicate barrels or a half-pint Mason jar size should be considered for data supporting vertical transport analyses in the absence of sleeve partitions.
Use of an artificial neural network for data analysis in clinical decision-making: the diagnosis of acute coronary occlusion

A nonlinear artificial neural network trained by backpropagation was applied to the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction (coronary occlusion) in patients presenting to the emergency department with acute anterior chest pain. Three-hundred and fifty-six patients were retrospectively studied, of which 236 did not have acute myocardial infarction and 120 did have infarction. The network was trained on a randomly chosen set of half of the patients who had not sustained acute myocardial infarction and half of the patients who had sustained infarction. It was then tested on a set consisting of the remaining patients to which it had not been exposed. The network correctly identified 92% of the patients with acute myocardial infarction and 96% of the patients without infarction. When all patients with the electrocardiographic evidence of infarction were removed from the cohort, the network correctly identified 80% of the patients with infarction. This is substantially better than the performance reported for ...
GAS-PHASE REACTIONS OF HYDRIDE ANION, H–

Rate constants were measured at 300 K for the reactions of the hydride anion, H–, with neutral molecules C2H2, H2O, CH3CN, CH3OH, (CH3)2CO, CH3CHO, N2O, CO2, O2, CO, CH3Cl, (CH3)3CCl, (CH3CH2)2O, C6H6, and D2 using a flowing-afterglow instrument. Experimental work was supplemented by ab initio calculations to provide insight into the viability of reaction pathways. Our reported rate constants should prove useful to models of astrophysical environments where conditions prevail for the existence of both H– and neutral species. The variety of neutral reactants studied includes representative species from prototypical chemical groups, effectively mapping reactivity trends for the hydride anion.
Effect of weld details on the ductility of steel column baseplate connections

Abstract Results from six two-thirds scale tests on moment-resisting steel column base plates are presented. The test specimens incorporate Complete Joint Penetration (CJP) and Partial Joint Penetration (PJP) weld details between the column and the base plate. The test data indicate that both details are resilient to fracture and sustain inelastic column hinging to story drift ratios of 6%–9%, which exceeds the typical acceptance criteria of 4% drift ratio for seismically detailed special moment frames. In five of the six tests, fractures initiated in the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) at the fusion line between the weld and column flange. In the sixth test, fractures initiated at the inside face of the column flange at the upper edge of the weld access hole of the CJP weld detail. Contrary to the initial expectations, the specimens with the PJP welds exhibited higher displacement ductility than those with CJP welds. This is attributed to the fillet reinforcing that strengthens the PJP welds and enables them to sustain stresses and strains necessary to fully develop yielding in the column flanges. The test data further support the adequacy of the FEMA 350 provisions for determining the required strength of the welds based on the probable moment demand with the material overstrength factor of R y = 1.1 and strain hardening factor of C p r = 1.2 .
The antitumor sulfonylurea N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N′-(4-chlorophenyl) urea (LY181984) inhibits NADH oxidase activity of HeLa plasma membranes

Plasma membrane vesicles from HeLa S cells grown in culture bound with high affinity the antitumor sulfonylurea N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(4-chlorophenyl)urea (LY181984). Based on binding site protection experiments with the radiolabeled thiol reagent N-[14C]ethylmaleimide, a ca. 34 kDa binding protein was identified. By analogy with a 36 kDa NADH oxidase from plant plasma membranes where activity was blocked by a growth-inhibitory herbicidal sulfonylurea, the sulfonylurea-binding protein of the HeLa plasma membranes has now been identified as a comparable sulfonylurea-inhibited NADH oxidase activity. The drug inhibited half maximally at about 50 nM which corresponded closely to the Kd for binding of [3H]LY181984 of 25 nM. A closely related but growth-inactive sulfonylurea N-(4-methylphenylsulfonyl)-N'-(phenyl)urea (LY181985) inhibited the activity only weakly. The inhibition by LY181984 was analyzed kinetically and shown to be noncompetitive or uncompetitive depending on the concentration of NADH. With sealed right-side out plasma membrane vesicles, the NADH oxidase activity was about 90% inhibited by 1 microM LY181984. With frozen and thawed plasma membrane vesicles or with vesicles first solubilized with 1% Triton X-100, activity also was inhibited by LY181984 and not by LY181985 but the maximum inhibition at 10 microM LY181984 was about 50%. With plasma membranes from rat liver, neither LY181984 nor LY181985 affected the NADH oxidase even in the presence of detergent. Thus, selective inhibition or stimulation of the oxidation of NADH of tumor plasma membranes by the antitumor sulfonylurea LY181984 may be related to its antitumor activity.
β-Diketo Acid Pharmacophore Hypothesis. 1. Discovery of a Novel Class of HIV-1 Integrase Inhibitors

HIV-1 Integrase (IN) is an essential enzyme for viral replication. The discovery of beta-diketo acids was crucial in the validation of IN as a legitimate target in drug discovery against HIV infection. In this study, we discovered a novel class of IN inhibitors using a 3D pharmacophore guided database search. We used S-1360 (1), the first IN inhibitor to undergo clinical trials, and three other analogues to develop a common feature pharmacophore hypothesis. Testing this four-featured pharmacophore against a multiconformational database of 150,000 structurally diverse small molecules yielded 1,700 compounds that satisfied the 3D query. Subsequently, all 1,700 compounds were docked into the active site of IN. On the basis of docking scores, Lipinski's rule-of-five, and structural novelty, 110 compounds were selected for biological screening. We found that compounds that contain both salicylic acid and a 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone (rhodanine) group (e.g. 5-13) showed significant inhibitory potency against IN, while the presence of either salicylic acid or a rhodanine group alone did not. Although some of the compounds containing only a salicylic acid showed inhibitory potency against IN, none of the compounds containing only rhodanine exhibited considerable potency. Of the 52 compounds reported in this study, 11 compounds (5, 6, 8, 10-13, 32-33, 51, and 53) inhibited 3'-processing or strand transfer activities of IN with IC(50) < or = 25 microM. This is the first reported use of S-1360 and its analogues as leads in developing a pharmacophore hypothesis for IN inhibition and for identification of new compounds with potent inhibition of this enzyme.
Evaluation of defects in the seal region of food packages using the ultrasonic contrast descriptor, ΔBAI

A rapid, dependable method of on-line package inspection will allow wider implementation of energy- and material-efficient retortable pouches and trays, by reducing inspection costs. To evaluate high-frequency ultrasonic imaging as a sensing method, the 17·3 MHz ultrasonic pulse-echo Backscattered Amplitude Integral (BAI) method was used to visualize and evaluate major defects (channels and product inclusions, which compromise the seal integrity and must be reliably inspected) in the seal area of flexible food packages. The focus of this study was to evaluate the image contrast, denoted ΔBAI, for various packaging materials, defect types and sizes. Channel (6–100 µm in diameter) and inclusion defects (strands of mouse tail tendons, 20–150 µm) were created in the seal area of all-plastic and foil-containing packaging films. It has been shown that there is a direct relationship between the defect size and ΔBAI value, and that different defect types and packaging materials have a significant impact on the ΔBAI value. The utility of ΔBAI for detecting defects makes it a useful and reliable sensing method for package inspection. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Trading relations among acoustic cues in speech perception are largely a result of phonetic categorization

Abstract When several different acoustic cues contribute to the perception of a phonetic distinction, a trading relation among the cues can be demonstrated in an identification task as long as the speech stimuli are phonetically ambiguous. The present experiments address the question of whether the cues trade also in unambiguus stimuli, using a fixed-standard AX discrimination task with stimuli either from the vicinity of the phonetic category boundary or from within a phonetic category. The results suggest that four of the five trading relations examined are tied to the perception of phonetic constrasts; they disappear or reverse within categories. The one predicted exception represents a trading relation presumed to originate at a psychoacoustic level. The data severely restrict psychoacoustic explanations for these effects and also suggest that within-category discrimination is not achieved in a phonetic mode of perception, thus affirming a dual-process view of speech discrimination.
Short-term Outcomes in Obese Patients after Colectomy for Adenocarcinoma at a Bariatric Center

Obesity (body mass index ≥30) is associated with worse outcomes after colon cancer surgery. Most research, however, has been performed outside bariatric centers of excellence. We sought to determine the relationship between obesity and outcomes after colon cancer resection when performed at a center with bariatric expertise. We performed a retrospective review of 245 consecutive patients undergoing elective colectomy for adenocarcinoma at a single institution from 2008 to 2009. Body mass index, major and minor postoperative complications, tumor characteristics, lymph node yield, type of resection, and operating times were determined. Complication rates, operative times, and lymph node counts were all similar between the two weight groups. Obese patients had similar tumor characteristics at all stages when compared with nonobese patients. On multivariate analysis, obesity did not correlate with tumor size, tumor differentiation, or presence of lymphovascular or perineural invasion. We conclude that obese patients undergoing colon cancer resection at a bariatric center of excellence have similar tumor characteristics and equivalent short-term outcomes as do nonobese patients.
Development of a placental cell culture system for studying the control of mouse placental lactogen II secretion

Fetal placental tissue from 11 days pregnant mice was dissociated in collagenase and DNase solution and then separated on a 40 per cent Percoll gradient. Trophoblast cells banded at a density of 1.05 g/ml. When cultured on rat tail collagen, these cells formed colonies of mono- and binucleate cells varying in size from 40 to 70 microns. At the time of plating, about 13 per cent of the trophoblast cells secreted mouse placental lactogen II (mPL-II) as determined by reverse haemolytic plaque assay. The ratio of mPL-II-producing cells increased significantly in culture and reached 63 per cent after 48 h. The secretion of mPL-II increased continuously during six days of culture, whereas the total protein release was highest after the first day, declined the second day and then remained relatively constant for the last four days of culture. The DNA content of the cells did not change significantly during the six-day period. When the trophoblast cells were incubated with insulin (1 ng/ml to 5 micrograms/ml), a modest but significant reduction in mPL-II secretion was observed. No change in the mPL-II secretion was seen when epidermal growth factor was administered to the culture in concentrations from 1 ng/ml to 10 micrograms/ml. It is concluded that this in vitro culture system is suitable for studying both mPL-II secretion and the differentiation of mPL-II-producing cells.
Motion planning and experiments validation for a laparoscopic robot

Minimally invasive surgery (MIS) is an increasingly important approach in operation, where robots play a key role in overcoming the limits set to such techniques through increased precision and dexterity. Laparoscopic robot is used for replacing surgeons to hold laparoscope in MIS. In this paper, according to task analysis in MIS, action of the laparoscopic robot is divided into three parts, each movement corresponds to a motion planning that is researched particularly for enhancing operation efficiency of the laparoscopic robot. Surgeons can operate laparoscopic robot to accomplish operations by combining the three basic kinds of movement. Finally, experiments are carried out to validate effectiveness of the motion planning methods.
Determinants of hot flashes and night sweats

Primary Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify determinants of hot flashes and night sweats, two vasomotor symptoms associated with the hormonal changes of the menopause transition.Methods: Participants were 293 women, aged 45 to 55, randomly selected from automated demographic and membership records of a health maintenance organization in the northeast USA. Letters were mailed to eligible women, followed by face-to-face interviews.Results: Hot flashes during the month before interview were reported by 57% of the participants, although only 9% of the entire sample reported hot flashes to be “bothersome”. Night sweats were reported by 36% of all participants, with 6% reporting night sweats to be “bothersome”. Fifty-four percent of women reporting hot flashes also reported night sweats. In logistic regression analyses that controlled for menopause status and use of hormone therapy (HT), daily alcohol consumption significantly increased the risk of hot flashes, night sweats, and bothersome nigh...
Spatiotemporal changes in Ha-ras p21 expression through the hepatocyte cell cycle during liver regeneration.

Abstract The protein product of the ras oncogene, Ha-ras (p21), is thought to be an important regulator of cell growth. The cytoplasmic relocalization of p21 in the cell during the cell cycle suggests a transient signaling role for this protein in association with its signal transduction function. Because of the importance of this role we examined spatial patterns in vivo of p21 expression at the protein and mRNA levels in hepatocytes during compensatory growth in rat liver following partial hepatectomy. A low level of p21 was immunolocalized on the cytoplasmic membrane of nonregenerating hepatocytes. The level of hepatic p21 increased significantly and without spatial restriction within the liver from 36 to 60 hr after partial hepatectomy (PH). p21 was localized in the cytoplasm of dividing hepatocytes and on the hepatic cytoplasmic membrane. The elevated p21 level decreased and was found mainly on hepatocyte plasma membranes by 96 hr after PH. Immunogold electron microscopy showed p21 localized over mitochondrial membranes and nuclei in nondividing regenerating hepatocytes. Approximately 50% of nonregenerating hepatocytes show nuclear localization of p21. This percentage changes with time following PH. The decrease in nuclear localization was accompanied with an increase in the low number of hepatocytes which demonstrated cytoplasmic localization in nondividing hepatocytes in regenerating liver. Flow cytometric analysis revealed a significant increase of p21 at 36 hr after PH which was 12 hr after the initial induction of ras mRNA. ras mRNA level increased 1.5-fold at 24 hr after PH and a maximum twofold induction was observed at 48 hr. Cell-cycle analysis of regenerating hepatocytes indicated a synchronized first peak of cell division 36–40 hr after PH. Dual parameter flow cytometry revealed that the level of p21 in hepatocytes in S phase and G2/M phase of the cell cycle was significantly higher than that in G0/G1 phase during regeneration. These findings suggest that p21 is important for the progression of regenerating hepatocytes to S phase and then to G2/M phase.
Relative risk aversion around the world

Abstract In this letter the hypothesis of constant relative risk aversion is examined for 15 countries, using property/liability insurance data. For more than half the cases it is shown that CRRA can not be rejected. Following that, the degree of relative risk aversion is estimated, and found to usually lie between one and two.
Soluble and cellular markers of immune activation in patients with systemic sclerosis.

Abstract The peripheral blood lymphocyte pattern, the lymphocyte responses in vitro, as well as the soluble markers of immune activation were studied in 24 patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc patients). The proportions of total T cells (CD3), their CD4 subset, as well as B lymphocytes were within the normal range. The relative proportion of CD8 lymphocytes, however, was significantly reduced. Patients with SSc had a slightly lower percentage of CD4 4B4+ cells, whereas their proportion of CD4 2H4+ cells was elevated as compared to healthy controls. The proportion of lymphocytes expressing the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) was significantly higher in SSc patients. The proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to PHA stimulation were reduced in the patient group, while expression of IL-2R on lymphocytes after such in vitro stimulation was comparable to that of controls. Expression of IL-2R on patient but not control lymphocytes was increased after in vitro exposure to laminin. Such exposure failed to induce IL-2 production or cell proliferative responses. Soluble plasma IL-2R level (sIL-2R) and soluble CD8 (sCD8) molecule levels in SSc patients were significantly elevated. These results indicate the presence of an ongoing lymphocyte activation in this disease process.
Head assembly steps controlled by genes F and W in bacteriophage λ

Abstract Bacteria infected with λ mutants defective in gene F or W produce unjoined tails and heads. The heads have the same size, shape, buoyant density and sedimentation velocity as λ heads isolated from tail-defective lysates. DNA isolated from these heads has the same length as that isolated from complete phage particles and has normal cohesive ends. In spite of their apparently normal morphology, F− and W− heads are unable to join tails, but this defect can be complemented, in vitro, by extracts of induced lysogenic bacteria. From such extracts a protein has been purified which renders F− heads able to join tails. Thus F− heads have not reacted with a protein required for tail attachment. Reaction with W protein appears to precede reaction with F protein: purified F− heads can be activated by a W-deficient extract, but purified W− heads cannot be complemented by an F-deficient extract. Thus genes W and F seem to control two ordered terminal steps in head assembly which prepare a DNA-filled head for tail attachment.
Laboratory Abnormalities in Patients With Bacterial Pneumonia

Study objectives This study was undertaken to evaluate the laboratory abnormalities observed in patients with bacterial pneumonia as predictors of the severity of illness. Design Retrospective analysis. Setting Tertiary care hospital. Patients and participants We studied 302 consecutive patients who were admitted to the Long Island Jewish Medical Center from January through December 1993 and treated for bacterial pneumonia. The patients were subdivided into two groups based on their serum phosphorus level either on hospital admission or 4 days before the onset of pneumonia, if this was acquired in-hospital. Hypophosphatemia (group 1) was defined as serum phosphorus level of ≤2.4 mg/dL and normophosphatemia >2.4 mg/dL (group 2). Three hundred randomly selected hospitalized patients treated for conditions other than pneumonia comprised the control group (group 3). Measurements Groups 1 and 2 were compared with respect to laboratory data, mortality rate, and duration of hospitalization. The laboratory data of patients in group 3 were compared with those treated for bacterial pneumonia (groups 1 and 2). Stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed to identify the variables that best predicted the onset of pneumonia. Results In groups 1 and 2, a greater (p Conclusion We conclude that hypophosphatemia, hypocalcemia, hypokalemia, and hypoalbuminemia may be predictors of the severity of illness in patients admitted to the hospital with bacterial pneumonia.
Organization of thalamic afferents to anterior dorsal ventricular ridge in turtles. I. Projections of thalamic nuclei.

Dorsal ventricular ridge (DVR) is a thalamorecipient, subcortical telencephalic structure in reptiles and birds. Although there is a fair amount of information about sources of afferents to DVR, little is known about the relationship of projections from individual thalamic nuclei to the organization of the structure. This study examines the relationship between thalamic projections and both areal and zonal divisions of anterior DVR (ADVR; Balaban,'78a) of emydid turtles with orthograde degeneration, and horseradish peroxidase techniques. Individual thalamic nuclei contribute either a diffuse or a restricted projection to ADVR. Diffuse projections arise primarily from the dorsomedial anterior nucleus. These fine-caliber axons distribute bilaterally over a wide region of the telencephalon via both medial and lateral thalamotelencephalic pathways. The terminal regions include septum, striatum and the medial bank of cortex caudal to the lamina terminalis. In ADVR, the fibers are distributed sparsely in zones 2–4 of dorsal, medial and ventral areas. Restricted projections to ADVR originate in nucleus rotundus, nucleus reuniens and nucleus caudalis. They ascend ipsilaterally in the lateral thalamotelencephalic pathway (lateral forebrain bundle), and enter ADVR rostral to the anterior commissure. Nucleus rotundus projects to zone 4 of dorsal area, nucleus caudalis projects to zones 2–4 of the dorsal division of medial area, and nucleus reuniens projects to zones 2–4 of both the ventral division of medial area and the ventral area. Comparison of these results with thalamotelencephalic projections in mammals suggests that diffuse and restricted thalamic projection systems are a common feature of both groups. Restricted thalamic projections in reptiles, birds and mammals, terminating in anatomically distinct regions, also appear to be associated with different sensory modalities. The significance of diffuse systems is not clear.
Synthesis, characterization, and coordination chemistry of the dihydrobis(5-aminotetrazol-1-yl)borate anion

The new anionic dihydrobis(5-aminotetrazol-1-yl)borate ligand was synthesized in high yield and structurally characterized. Electron donating effects of the amino substituent on the tetrazole ring are discussed comparing the basicity and coordination chemistry to the previously reported unsubstituted dihydrobistetrazol-1-ylborate anion. Both mono- and diprotonated ligand species were isolated and structurally characterized. Increased σ-electron donating strength of the aminotetrazole compound provides more than one tetrazolyl nitrogen position capable of metal coordination. One-dimensional coordination polymers of {H2B(H2NCN4)2}2Cu(NH3)2 and {H2B(H2NCN4)2}Zn(NH3)Cl are structurally characterized demonstrating both a symmetrically bridging and a new unsymmetrically bridging motif involving more than one of the tetrazolyl ring positions of the ligand.
Teaching graphics using Ada

This paper describes several tools related to the Ada language that were developed to support the teaching of a computer graphics course. These tools include an updated and improved OpenGL Ada specification file, a VRML-to-code conversion tool, and an Ada-to-C conversion tool. The rational for the development of these tools and some issues related to their implementation are discussed.
Fatty acids of asparagus seed oil

Asparagus seed, Mary Washington variety, was found to contain 14.7% of glyceride oil having iodine value 135.1, saponification value 185.5, and unsaponifiable matter 1.46%. The oil was converted to methyl esters, and the mixed esters were separated by fractional distillation and low-temperature crystallization. The acids were identified by chemical and physical methods. The % composition of the fatty acids is estimated from the data as follows: palmitic 3, linoleic 57, oleic 27, stearic 2, eicosenoic 1.5, arachidic 0.6, undetermined 9. The oil is somewhat similar to corn oil in composition. It has at least 2% of acids of the C20 series, which have not been reported previously in this plant family (Liliaceae).
High-resolution Mass Spectrometry and Accurate Mass Measurements with Emphasis on the Characterization of Peptides and Proteins by Matrix-assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Time-of-flight Mass Spectrometry

Fundamental concepts of high-resolution mass spectrometry as it relates to the issue of accurate mass measurements are presented. Important issues specific to magnetic sector instruments, Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance and time-of-flight (TOF) methods are discussed. Recent high-resolution TOF measurements on peptides and proteins, ionized by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI), are presented and discussed in terms of basic concepts important to accurate mass measurements. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Illuminating the wall : Using click chemistry to image pectins in Arabidopsis cell walls

Plant cell walls are the most abundant biomaterials on Earth and serve a multitude of purposes in human society. These complex extracellular matrices are mainly composed of polysaccharides, including cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins, which cannot be cytologically examined using conventional techniques. Click chemistry, which exploits a bio-orthogonal cycloaddition reaction between alkynyl and azido groups, has proven to be useful for the metabolic incorporation and detection of modified sugars in polysaccharides in animals, fungi, and bacteria, but its use to interrogate the biosynthesis or dynamics of plant cell walls has not been previously reported. Recently, we found that an alkynylated analog of fucose can be metabolically incorporated into Arabidopsis thaliana cell walls and click labeled with fluorescent probes, facilitating imaging of cell wall carbohydrates. Despite the presence of fucose in several classes of wall polysaccharides, fucose-alkyne was primarily incorporated into rhamnogalacturonan-I, a type of pectin. Using timecourse and pulse-labeling experiments, we observed the dynamics of pectin delivery and reorganization in expanding cell walls. The use of click chemistry to investigate plant cell wall architecture should help bridge the gap between biochemical characterization of isolated cell wall components and an understanding of how those components interact in intact cell walls.
Internal migration and inequalities: The influence of migrant origin on educational attainment in Spain

This paper examines the influence of origin (parents and/or individual native of a certain region/ non-native) on educational attainment in different social and economic settings. In Spain, differences between natives and non-natives in terms of education and social mobility have been observed for a long time. However, the determinants of such inequalities have not been analysed. Using data from the Spanish 1991 Socio-Demographic Survey, we conduct a logistic regression analysis to assess whether being of non-native origin has a negative impact on educational attainment and whether such impact is constant across destination regions and birth cohorts. Our findings indicate that differences by origin persist once socioeconomic characteristics are accounted for. In particular, the probability of enrolling in higher education is significantly lower for individuals with non-native parents. However, results vary greatly by region of destination and by cohort. The possible reasons why parents' mobility affects groups differently depending on destination are discussed in the paper
Vertical clinging and leaping revisited: Vertical support use as the ancestral condition of strepsirrhine primates

A re-examination of primate foot and knee anatomy suggests that strepsirrhine primates (adapiforms and lemuriforms) possess a unique and derived hindlimb related to their use of vertical supports. In contrast, leaping adaptations are older and shared by both major euprimate clades, Strepsirrhini and Haplorhini. Combining this derived hindlimb anatomy with leaping suggests that ancestral strepsirrhines were at least frequent vertical support users and leapers, and perhaps vertical clingers and leapers. These initial strepsirrhine adaptations were preadaptive for later lemuriform vertical clingers and leapers. In contrast, haplorhine vertical clingers and leapers require additional foot and leg modifications to accommodate a vertical clinging and leaping lifestyle. The movement pattern called vertical clinging and leaping evolved independently among different primate lineages throughout primate evolutionary history for several different ecological reasons.
The Angular and Lateral Spread of Cosmic-Ray Showers

The mean square angular and lateral spreads in showers have been evaluated for electrons as well as photons as functions of their energy. Analytical expressions have been obtained for high and medium energies down to the critical shower energy. The calculations have been extended by numerical methods for air down to low energies (\ensuremath{\sim}4 Mev). Radiative effects and ionization losses have been taken into account simultaneously for all energies, and we believe that no factors of physical significance have been omitted.
The Discourse of Reform in Teacher Education: Extending the Dialogue

In response to Fenstermacher’s and Furlong’s commentaries, Cochran-Smith and Fries suggest three additional points to extend the dialogue about the reform of teacher education. They discuss the potential value of debates that marshal evidence for a particular policy position, the importance of open discussion about the ideologies that underlie different positions, and necessary cautions about the increasing role of the federal government in educational policy and practice.
Behavioral small group training to improve the social skills of emotionally-disordered adolescents

Adolescents with a history of disorders such as autism and schizophrenia often exhibit severe social skill deficits which interfere with the ability to establish relationships. In the current study, three students attending special education for emotionally-handicapped teenagers received small-group training at their school. Treatment consisted of training in conversational skill and social problem solving, in multiple baseline fashion and replicated across all three students. Treatment resulted in: (1) more effective performance during unstructured practice conversations, including conversations with persons the teenagers never met before; (2) more effective performance when presented with scenarios of social problems; (3) improved ratings of adjustment made by their teacher; (4) increased quality and rating of social interaction during informal class parties for two of the subjects; and (5) generally improved scores on self-report measures of depression, selfesteem, and loneliness. Implications for the use of social skill enhancement techniques for this population are discussed.
The tissue-specific accumulation of hepatic zinc metallothionein following parenteral iron loading.

The synthesis in various tissues of the unique metal-binding protein, metallothionein, can be influenced by the administration of certain trace elements. Zinc and cadmium, both of which bind to metallothionein, are most widely recognized as potent inducers. Preliminary results in our laboratory suggested that iron loading causes a marked accumulation of hepatic zinc metallothionein. In this report the effects of parenteral iron administration on metallothionein concentration in various tissues are presented. Male chicks (300-350 g) received (ip) either a single injection (+1 Fe) of iron (10 mg Fe/kg, as FeCl/sub 3/), two injections (+2 Fe) given 24-hr apart, three injections (+3 Fe) each given 24-hr apart, or an equivalent volume of 0.9% saline (control). Twenty-four hours following the final injection, chicks were killed and tissues analyzed for cytoplasmic zinc and metallothionein (Zn-MT). The parenteral administration of ferric iron, FeCl/sub 3/, resulted in a marked tissue-specific accumulation of zinc as metallothionein. In chicks given +2 Fe, hepatic Zn-MT increased more than 10-fold with a third injection (+3 Fe) causing no further change. The concentration of Zn-MT in renal and pancreatic tissue was unaffected by iron loading. An increase in hepatic Zn-MT was evident prior to detectable changes in total hepatic iron.more » The administration of other ferrous iron compounds at a similar rate produced comparable changes in hepatic Zn-MT. Feeding excess dietary iron, however, had no effect on liver Zn-MT levels even though similar hepatic iron concentrations were attained. Results indicated that parenteral administration, but not feeding, of various iron compounds causes a marked increase in zinc metallothionein, specifically in liver tissue.« less
A perspectives approach to suicide after traumatic brain injury: case and review.

Background Suicidal behavior after traumatic brain injury (TBI) is an increasingly recognized phenomenon. Both TBI and suicide are major public health problems and leading causes of death. The interaction between both of them is complex, and understanding it requires a multifaceted approach. Epidemiologic studies have shown a markedly higher incidence of suicide in individuals with TBI as compared with the general population, but imprecise definitions of suicide and suicidality as well as sample characteristics caution conclusive interpretation. Risk factors for suicide after TBI include male gender, presence of substance abuse or psychiatric disorders, and the severity of the injury. Evaluation of a suicidal patient with previous TBI currently relies on careful clinical examination. Established assessment tools can be useful but have not all been validated in this population. Intervention strategies should stress a multidimensional approach incorporating neurologic, behavioral, psychologic, pharmacotherapeutic, and psychosocial factors. Objective This article serves to review the currently available literature on suicidal behavioral after TBI. Methods It uses a case to illustrate how one might conceptualize this complex problem. Conclusion It is hoped that this review stimulates further research in an area where there are still large gaps in our knowledge of this very important problem.
Groups at work: lessons from research into large-scale coordination

Study of large-scale coordination seeks us to understand work between and across groups beyond earlier conceptions of social human factors. Revealing the complexity of work domains and the subtle yet effective ways that workers negotiate its challenges opens the way to develop support tools that are grounded in a scientific understanding. This first special issue in Large-Scale Coordination shows the breadth of application research from air traffic control to the military and multi-agency emergency response. A second special issue later this year will show depth of research at large scale in healthcare.
Simultaneous detection of multiple contrast agents with photoacoustic spectroscopy

Early detection of cancer is important for survival, and multiple targeted contrast agents can be used for advanced cellular profiling. Photoacoustic (PA) imaging is effective at imaging optically-absorbing contrast agents. In this study, we present simulated and experimental results using spectral decomposition to separate the PA absorption spectrum into components from individual contrast agents. The original colocalized concentration of each agent is then simultaneously reconstructed. Monte Carlo simulations were performed to estimate wavelength-dependent fluences in the sample. In phantom experiments, the concentration of two contrast agents (gold nanorods with different absorption spectra) and a background absorbing dye (India Ink) were reconstructed. Finally, we implemented our algorithm in a mouse after injections of gold nanorods with absorption peaks of 750 and 810 nm. The concentration of each nanoparticle was identified from the endogenous background signal with a signal-to-noise ratio of greater than 25 dB.
Review of Crack Propagation Under Unsteady Loading

The theories and research current available on crack propagation under unsteady loadings, especially those of acoustic origin, are reviewed. Since the original theories on fatigue failure did not account for random loading conditions, modified theories which provide statistical methods for evaluating the random loading have emerged. The impact of acoustic fatigue in the aerospace industry, basic principles such as fatigue crack initiation and propagation and load interactions, and testing procedures are discussed. Attention is also given to metal and metal alloy structures, fiber-reinforced composites and nonmetallic structures, short crack growth, and the effects of temperature, moisture, and corrosion on structures. Suggestions for future research in this field are presented, namely, studies on the effect of 'snap-through' response and associated crack growth patterns, studies in microcrack and 'small crack'; propagation under unsteady loading conditions, and the development of an accurate analytical model to predict acceleration and retardation effects in fatigue crack growth under random loading conditions.
Recidivism as a follow-up methdology

Issues surrounding posttreatment follow-up research are examined in terms of internal and external validity. Because of the problems involved in other types of follow-up research, recidivism is proposed as the most reliable methodology for follow-up research. Problems and solutions in recidivism research, as well as implications for aftercare, are discussed.
Nanoscale architecture of integrin-based cell adhesions

The physical linkage between the extracellular matrix and the actin cytoskeleton of a cell is made by structures known as focal adhesions, acting through integrin receptors. They are of fundamental importance in human physiology because they mediate cell adhesion, mechanosensing and signalling for the control of cell growth and differentiation. The molecular architecture of focal adhesions has now been determined using three-dimensional super-resolution fluorescence microscopy to map protein organization at the nanoscale level. They are revealed as well-organized ultrastructures in which integrins and actin are separated by a 40-nanometre-long core consisting of partially overlapping protein-specific layers, spanned by talin tethers. The multilaminar architecture creates three or more separate compartments that mediate the interdependent functions of focal adhesions. Focal adhesions link the extracellular matrix by integrin receptors to cytoplasmic actin filaments and are fundamental to human physiology. These authors determine the molecular architecture of focal adhesions by mapping protein organization at the nanoscale level. The results demonstrate that focal adhesions possess a well-organized ultrastructure made up of at least three spatial and functional compartments that mediate their interdependent functions. Cell adhesions to the extracellular matrix (ECM) are necessary for morphogenesis, immunity and wound healing1,2. Focal adhesions are multifunctional organelles that mediate cell–ECM adhesion, force transmission, cytoskeletal regulation and signalling1,2,3. Focal adhesions consist of a complex network4 of trans-plasma-membrane integrins and cytoplasmic proteins that form a <200-nm plaque5,6 linking the ECM to the actin cytoskeleton. The complexity of focal adhesion composition and dynamics implicate an intricate molecular machine7,8. However, focal adhesion molecular architecture remains unknown. Here we used three-dimensional super-resolution fluorescence microscopy (interferometric photoactivated localization microscopy)9 to map nanoscale protein organization in focal adhesions. Our results reveal that integrins and actin are vertically separated by a ∼40-nm focal adhesion core region consisting of multiple protein-specific strata: a membrane-apposed integrin signalling layer containing integrin cytoplasmic tails, focal adhesion kinase and paxillin; an intermediate force-transduction layer containing talin and vinculin; and an uppermost actin-regulatory layer containing zyxin, vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein and α-actinin. By localizing amino- and carboxy-terminally tagged talins, we reveal talin’s polarized orientation, indicative of a role in organizing the focal adhesion strata. The composite multilaminar protein architecture provides a molecular blueprint for understanding focal adhesion functions.
Sexual dysfunction in patients with hypertension: implications for therapy.

Sexual dysfunction associated with hypertension or antihypertensive therapies may impact the ability of patients to stay on therapy and lead to deterioration in patients' quality of life. Therefore, it is important for practitioners to become familiar with the wide variation in sexual side effects produced by antihypertensive agents and to discuss the potential occurrence of these side effects with their patients. In many cases, a change in the patient's drug regimen may help patients overcome specific sexual side effects experienced with certain treatments. Practitioners should consider selecting an antihypertensive therapy that is highly effective in lowering blood pressure but preserves patients quality of life. The effect of medications on sexual function remains controversial. Some blinded trials report little difference between placebo and specific medications, whereas other studies indicate that antihypertensive medications increase sexual dysfunction, which has an impact on quality of life. Recent evidence suggests that losartan, an angiotensin II antagonist, is not typically associated with development of sexual dysfunction and may actually positively impact several indices of sexual function (erectile function, sexual satisfaction, and frequency of sexual activity) as well as perceived quality of life. Thus, angiotensin II antagonists may offer a therapeutic option to prevent or correct erectile dysfunction in patients with hypertension. The favorable effects of these agents on sexual function may be related, in part, to their ability to block angiotensin II, which has recently become recognized as an important mediator of detumescence and possibly erectile dysfunction.
Representing Ourselves: Ethnic Representation in America's Television Newsrooms

To what extent does the ethnic composition of America's television newsrooms actually reflect that of the local communities they serve? By applying representation theory from the political sciences, this content analysis examines the proportional representation of the on-air personnel within designated market areas (DMAs) across the United States to determine the extent to which these communities are ethnically represented. Statistically significant correlations were found between the proportion of persons of similar ethnic background in the newsrooms and the DMAs, suggesting that television newsrooms' ethnic composition is related to the demographic constituencies they serve. Although some descriptive physical representation seems to be taking place, underrepresentation still occurs among some ethnic groups and suggestions for areas of improvement are offered.