cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Costs of using evidence-based implementation strategies for behavioral health integration in a large primary care system.

OBJECTIVE To describe the cost of using evidence-based implementation strategies for sustained behavioral health integration (BHI) involving population-based screening, assessment, and identification at 25 primary care sites of Kaiser Permanente Washington (2015-2018). DATA SOURCES/STUDY SETTING Project records, surveys, Bureau of Labor Statistics compensation data. STUDY DESIGN Labor and nonlabor costs incurred by three implementation strategies: practice coaching, electronic health records clinical decision support, and performance feedback. DATA COLLECTION/EXTRACTION METHODS Personnel time spent on these strategies was estimated for five broad roles: (a) project leaders and administrative support, (b) practice coaches, (c) clinical decision support programmers, (d) performance metric programmers, and (e) primary care local implementation team members. PRINCIPAL FINDING Implementation involved 286 persons, 18 131 person-hours, costing $1 587 139 or $5 per primary care visit with screening or $38 per primary care visit identifying depression, suicidal thoughts and/or alcohol or substance use disorders, in a single year. The majority of person-hours was devoted to project leadership (35%) and practice coaches (34%), and 36% of costs were for the first three sites. CONCLUSIONS When spread across patients screened in a single year, BHI implementation costs were well within the range for commonly used diagnostic assessments in primary care (eg, laboratory tests). This suggests that implementation costs alone should not be a substantial barrier to population-based BHI.
China-Vietnamese Relations in the Era of Rising China: Power, Resistance, and Maritime Conflict

In the twenty-first century, China and Vietnam have experienced heightened conflict over their disputes in the South China Sea. But Chinese policy and the writings of Chinese observers make clear t...
Stimulation médullaire : indications, sélection des patients et facteurs de bons pronostics

La stimulation medullaire est une option therapeutique reconnue chez les patients presentant des douleurs rebelles au traitement habituel connu. La douleur demeure intense (VAS > 5/10) et chronique (> 6 mois) [1–3]. Les indications les plus reconnues sont la lombosciatalgie refractaire postchirurgicale (FBSS), la douleur neuropathique secondaire a une lesion nerveuse peripherique et l’angine de poitrine refractaire. Le syndrome douloureux regional complexe type I (SDRC I) et II est une indication egalement acceptee. La douleur associee a la maladie vasculaire peripherique est egalement identifiee comme une indication donnant de bons resultats post-neuromodulation medullaire. D’autres indications ont egalement ete retenues, mais sont d’un succes variable [13–15] (Tableau I).
Expression of the yeast aspartyl protease, proteinase A: phosphorylation and binding to the mannose 6-phosphate receptor are altered by addition of cathepsin D sequences

Proteinase A, a yeast aspartyl protease that is highly homologous to the mammalian lysosomal aspartyl protease, cathepsin D, was expressed in Xenopus oocytes and its biosynthesis and post-translational modifications were characterized. While 29-45% of the proteinase A was secreted from oocytes, approximately 37% of the cell-associated proteinase A underwent proteolytic cleavage, characteristic of delivery to a lysosomal organelle. Although proteinase A is not targeted to the yeast vacuole by a mannose 6-phosphate receptor-dependent pathway, 2-5% of the proteinase A molecules expressed in oocytes bound to a Man-6-P receptor column. However, analysis of its [2-3H]mannose-labeled oligosaccharides revealed that 14-23% of these units contain phosphomannosyl residues. A hybrid molecule (H6), in which the propiece and first 12 amino acids of proteinase A were changed to the cathepsin D sequence, was also expressed in oocytes. The binding of H6 to the Man-6-P receptor was approximately 12-fold greater than observed for proteinase A. This increased level of receptor binding could be accounted for by three factors: 1) a small increase in the total amount of phosphorylated oligosaccharides, 2) an increase in the number of oligosaccharides which acquire two phosphomonoesters, and 3) the presence of a greater percentage of oligosaccharides with one phosphomonoester which exhibit high affinity binding to the Man-6-P receptor. These results demonstrate that proteinase A is recognized by UDP-GlcNAc:lysosomal enzyme N-acetylglucosaminylphosphotransferase. However, this interaction is altered by the addition of cathepsin D sequences, resulting in the generation of a higher affinity ligand for binding to the Man-6-P receptor.
A note on using finite non-abelian $p$-groups in the MOR cryptosystem

The MOR cryptosystem is a natural generalization of the El-Gamal cryptosystem to non-abelian groups. Using a $p$-group, a cryptosystem was built by this author in 'A simple generalization of El-Gamal cryptosystem to non-abelian groups'. It seems reasonable to assume the cryptosystem is as secure as the El-Gamal cryptosystem over finite fields. A natural question arises can one make a better cryptosystem using $p$-groups? In this paper we show that the answer is no.
DETERMINANTS OF THYROTROPE-SPECIFIC THYROTROPIN BETA PROMOTER ACTIVATION : COOPERATION OF PIT-1 WITH ANOTHER FACTOR

Thyrotropin (TSH) β is a subunit of TSH, the expression of which is limited to the thyrotrope cells of the anterior pituitary gland. We have utilized the thyrotrope-derived TtT-97 thyrotropic tumors to investigate tissue-specific expression of the TSHβ promoter. TSHβ promoter activity in thyrotropes is conferred by sequences between −270 and −80 of the 5′-flanking region. We have recently reported that the proximal region from −133 to −100 (P1) is required for promoter expression in thyrotropes. This region interacts with the pituitary-specific transcription factor Pit-1. While Pit-1 appears necessary for TSHβ promoter activity in thyrotropes, this transcription factor is not alone sufficient for promoter activity in pituitary-derived cells. In this report, we have generated a series of promoter mutations in the P1 region to identify additional protein-DNA interactions and determine their functional significance. We have found that Pit-1 interacts with the distal portion of the P1 region, and a second protein interacts with the proximal segment of this region. Each protein is able to independently interact with the TSHβ promoter, but neither alone can maintain promoter activity. Both proteins appear to be necessary for full promoter activity in thyrotropes. Southwestern analysis with the proximal segment of the P1 region (−117 to −88) reveals interaction with a 50-kDa protein. Interestingly, this protein is not found in the pituitary-derived GH3 cells and may represent a thyrotrope-specific transcription factor. Further characterization of this newly identified DNA-binding protein will further our understanding of the tissue-specific expression of the TSHβ gene.
A Note on Complex Algebras of Semigroups

The main result is that the variety generated by complex algebras of (commutative) semigroups is not finitely based. It is shown that this variety coincides with the variety generated by complex algebras of partial (commutative) semigroups. An example is given of an 8-element commutative Boolean semigroup that is not in this variety, and an analysis of all smaller Boolean semigroups shows that there is no smaller example. However, without associativity the situation is quite different: the variety generated by complex algebras of (commutative) binars is finitely based and is equal to the variety of all Boolean algebras with a (commutative) binary operator.
Beanbag Robotics: Robotic Swarms with 1-DoF Units

Robotic swarm behavior is usually demonstrated using groups of robots, in which each robot in the swarm must possess full mobile capabilities, including the ability to control both forward and reverse motion as well as directional steering. Such requirements place severe constraints on the cost and size of the individual robots (swarmers), limiting the number of units and constraining the overall minimal size of a swarm. Here we show that similarly-complex swarm behavior can be achieved using much simpler individual swarmers. These possess significantly fewer controllable degrees of freedom, namely the ability to move forward at different velocities. We demonstrate how the interaction between different units then causes the entire swarm to obtain maneuverability unavailable at the individual level. These results may open the door to fabrication of simpler and smaller units for swarms allowing significantly larger numbers of units and smaller overall swarm footprints.
Response of recurrent medulloblastoma to low-dose oral etoposide.

PURPOSEThe outcome for patients with recurrent medulloblastoma has historically been poor, with most patients dying of disseminated disease. Here, we report on seven patients with recurrent medulloblastoma, most heavily pretreated with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents, including parenteral etoposide (VP-16), who showed responses to the administration of repeated courses of low-dose oral VP-16.PATIENTS AND METHODSSeven patients age 4 to 16 years were treated with VP-16 after neuroradiographic and clinical evidence of tumor progression. Six had received prior irradiation. All seven had been pretreated with a variety of chemotherapeutic agents and schedules, including parenteral VP-16. VP-16 was administered orally as repeated 21-day courses at 50 mg/m2/d with a 7-day interval between courses. Evaluation consisted of neuroradiographic and clinical examination after completion of every two courses of therapy. Complete blood cell counts were performed weekly.RESULTSThe major toxicity of oral VP-16 was hema...
The relation between transpolar potential and reconnection rates during sudden enhancement of solar wind dynamic pressure: OpenGGCM‐CTIM results

This study investigates how solar wind energy is deposited into the magnetosphere-ionosphere system during sudden enhancements of solar wind dynamic pressure (Psw), using the coupled Open Geospace General Circulation Model–Coupled Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (OpenGGCM-CTIM) 3-D global magnetosphere-ionosphere-thermosphere model. We simulate three unique events of solar wind pressure enhancements that occurred during negative, near-zero, and positive interplanetary magnetic field (IMF) Bz. Then, we examine the behavior of the dayside and nightside reconnection rates and quantify their respective contributions to cross polar cap potential (CPCP), a proxy of ionospheric plasma convection strength. The modeled CPCP increases after a Psw enhancement in all three cases, which agrees well with observations from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program spacecraft and predictions from the assimilative mapping of ionospheric electrodynamics technique. In the OpenGGCM-CTIM model, dayside reconnection increases within 9–13 min of the pressure impact, while nightside reconnection intensifies about 13–25 min after the pressure increase. As the strong Psw compresses the dayside magnetosheath and, subsequently, the magnetotail, their magnetic fields intensify and activate stronger antiparallel reconnection on the dayside magnetopause first and near the central plasma sheet second. For southward IMF, dayside reconnection contributes to the CPCP enhancement 2–4 times more than nightside reconnection. For northward IMF, the dayside contribution weakens, and nightside reconnection contributes more to the CPCP enhancement. We find that high-latitude magnetopause reconnection during northward IMF produces sunward ionospheric plasma convection, which decreases the typical dawn-to-dusk ionosphere electric field. This results in a weaker dayside reconnection contribution to the CPCP during northward IMF.
Comparing four competing models of depressive symptomatology: A confirmatory factor analytic study of 986,647 U.S. veterans

Background: Few rigorous studies have examined the factor structure of major depression symptoms as assessed by current diagnostic systems. This study evaluated four competing models of depressive symptomatology among a large, heterogeneous sample of U.S. veterans. Methods: To determine the best fitting model of major depressive symptoms among four competing models, this study conducted a series of confirmatory factor analyses on a national sample of 986,647 U.S. veterans. Results: A two-factor model first reported by Krause, Reed, and McArdle (2010) provided superior fi tt o symptom-level data compared to three other models. The optimal model consists of a somatic factor including anhedonia, sleep difficulties, fatigue, appetite changes, concentration difficulties, and psychomotor agitation; and a non-somatic factor including depressed mood, feelings of worthlessness, and thoughts of death. Factorial invariance testing found this model to be invariant by gender and major depression diagnosis. Limitations: A widely used self-report measure of depression was used and the sample consisted solely of veterans so further study is needed with clinician-administered measures and non-veteran samples. Conclusions: Together, these findings support separating symptoms of major depression into somatic and non-somatic factors which may have clinical relevance, and help clarify debates about the factor structure of depressive symptoms. Published by Elsevier B.V.
Sampling Scheme for Carrot Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) in Parsley

Abstract The sample distribution of oviposition scar counts of the carrot weevil, Listronotus oregonensis (LeConte) was best fit by the Poisson distribution when the mean number of carrot weevil oviposition scars per plant was ⩽0.047. When the mean was ⩾0.06 oviposition scars per plant, the distribution of oviposition scar counts was best fit by the negative binomial distribution. Seventeen spatial patterns of parsley plants (Petroselinum crispum) infested with carrot weevil oviposition scars were obtained from sampling four commercial fields weekly for 4–5 wk on a 10 × 10 grid pattern. Using a 95% confidence level, 148 parsley plants having no oviposition scars indicates that the percentage of infested plants is <2%. Conversely, if one infested plant is found before 148 plants have been examined, then the desired level of confidence has not been achieved, and a treatment is indicated. Sampling with this decision rule and a variety of sampling transects was simulated using the data from commercial fields....
Poly-SiGe MEMS actuators for adaptive optics

Many adaptive optics (AO) applications require mirror arrays with hundreds to thousands of segments, necessitating a CMOS-compatible MEMS process to integrate the mirrors with their driving electronics. This paper proposes a MEMS actuator that is fabricated using low-temperature polycrystalline silicon-germanium (poly-SiGe) surface-micromaching technology (total thermal budget is 6 hours at or below 425°C). The MEMS actuator consists of three flexures and a hexagonal platform, on which a micromirror is to be assembled. The flexures are made of single-layer poly-SiGe with stress gradient across thickness of the film, making them bend out-of-plane after sacrificial-layer release to create a large nominal gap. The platform, on the other hand, has an additional stress-balancing SiGe layer deposited on top, making the dual-layer stack stay flat after release. Using this process, we have successfully fabricated the MEMS actuator which is lifted 14.6 μm out-of-plane by 290-μm-long flexures. The 2-μm-thick hexagonal mirror-platform exhibits a strain gradient of -5.5×10 -5 μm -1 (equivalent to 18 mm radius-of-curvature), which would be further reduced once the micromirror is assembled.
Muscle-contraction (tension) headache.

Abstract Current developments in the study of headache include questioning of the existence of a sharp distinction between muscle-contraction headache and migraine, attention to specific mechanisms of pain, and continuing assessment of the efficacy of biofeedback, relaxation therapy, and psychotherapy. The author's review of the extensive recent literature leads him to conclude that muscle-contraction headache is a multifactored illness for which there is no specific and totally effective therapy. Treatment continues to be empirical, and he described results with the options available.
Transport phenomena in Zonal centrifuge rotors: X. optimal gradient solution for velocity sedimentation

Abstract An analysis is made to determine an optimal profile of a density gradient solution for a velocity-sedimentation method. A density-gradient solution is characterized by density and viscosity profiles as functions of radial distance from the rotatio axis. It is found that the optimal density-gradient solution is one whose density increases as the two-thirds power and whose viscosity increases as the one and one-third power of the radial distance. An optimal centrifugation time for a velocity sedimentation method is also derived in terms of known quantities, i.e., the light-end gradient density and viscosity, the standard sedimentation coefficients and densities of the particles to be separated, etc.
An augmented Lagrangian method for distributed optimization

We propose a novel distributed method for convex optimization problems with a certain separability structure. The method is based on the augmented Lagrangian framework. We analyze its convergence and provide an application to two network models, as well as to a two-stage stochastic optimization problem. The proposed method compares favorably to two augmented Lagrangian decomposition methods known in the literature, as well as to decomposition methods based on the ordinary Lagrangian function.
APEG-1, a Novel Gene Preferentially Expressed in Aortic Smooth Muscle Cells, Is Down-regulated by Vascular Injury

Despite the importance of phenotypic alterations in arterial smooth muscle cells (ASMC) during the pathogenesis of arteriosclerosis, little is known about genes that define differentiated ASMC. Using differential mRNA display, we isolated a novel gene preferentially expressed in the rat aorta and termed this gene APEG-1. The cDNA of rat APEG-1 contained an open reading frame encoding 113 amino acids, which would predict a basic protein of 12.7 kDa. The amino acid sequence of rat APEG-1 was highly conserved among human and mouse homologues (97 and 98%, respectively). Using an APEG-1 fusion protein containing an N-terminal c-Myc tag, we identified APEG-1 as a nuclear protein. By in situ hybridization, APEG-1 mRNA was expressed in rat ASMC. Although APEG-1 was expressed highly in differentiated ASMC in vivo, its expression was quickly down-regulated and disappeared in dedifferentiated ASMC in culture. In vivo, APEG-1 mRNA levels decreased by more than 80% in response to vascular injury as ASMC changed from a quiescent to a proliferative phenotype. Taken together, these data indicate that APEG-1 is a novel marker for differentiated ASMC and may have a role in regulating growth and differentiation of this cell type.
Deep surveys of the obscured universe: GOODS

Astronomy in the next decade will be dominated by multi-wavelength surveys which address a wide variety of scientific issues including galaxy formation and evolution, AGN structure and demographics and galactic structure. The great observatories origins deep survey (GOODS) is a deep multi-wavelength public survey of two of the deepest fields ever studied, HDF-N and CDF-S, covering approximately 330 arcmin2. It comprises a SIRTF legacy program, an HST treasury program and the deepest X-ray observations with Chandra and XMM-Newton. Furthermore, GOODS includes extensive follow-up studies with several ground-based facilities. It is thus clear that GOODS will generate the deepest, largest and most uniform panchromatic data-set to study the distant universe. In this paper I give a short review of the current status of the GOODS survey, concentrating on issues related to the AGN research.
Synthesis of high specific activity [ethyl‐1,2‐3H]‐labeled chlorpyrifos oxon and diazoxon

[Ethyl-1,2-3H] Chlorpyrifos oxon and [ethyl-1,2-3H] diazoxon were synthesized at a specific activity of 79 and 58 Ci/mmol, respectively, by catalytic tritiation of the corresponding monovinyl analogs over Pd/C. Direct evidence is provided that the high specific activity results from isotope exchange of the terminal vinylic protons prior to saturation of the double bond. This radiosynthesis procedure is applicable to the toxicologically-important oxon metabolites of many commercial O-O-diethyl phosphorothioate pesticides.
REAL: High-power, eye-safe, scanning lidar for aerosol cloud detection and tracking

The Raman-shifted Eye-safe Aerosol Lidar (REAL) is well-suited for detection and tracking of otherwise invisible aerosol clouds in urban areas.
Moving Toward Whole School Reform: What the Principal Can Do

The first step toward creating staff interest in and capacity for change is to face the fact that things are wrong. Principals must then recognize atti tudes and actions in their schools that inhibit growth.
Simulations of mesospheric and thermospheric IR radiance measured in the CIRRIS-1A shuttle experiment

Abstract Comprehensive simulations of upper atmospheric limb radiance from 2.5 to 25 μm, carried out using a moderate-resolution non-LTE code and a series of model atmospheres, are compared with data from the 1991 CIRRIS-1A shuttle experiment. Good agreement, typically within a factor of two, is found at most wavelengths over a five-order-of-magnitude range in spectral radiance. The comparisons yield information on the temperature profile, the production and concentrations of odd-oxygen and odd-hydrogen species in the mesopause region and NO in the thermosphere, and the kinetics of CO 2 vibrational states.
Pixel-planes 5: a heterogeneous multiprocessor graphics system using processor-enhanced memories

This paper introduces the architecture and initial algorithms for Pixel-Planes 5, a heterogeneous multi-computer designed both for high-speed polygon and sphere rendering (1M Phong-shaded triangles/second) and for supporting algorithm and application research in interactive 3D graphics. Techniques are described for volume rendering at multiple frames per second, font generation directly from conic spline descriptions, and rapid calculation of radiosity form-factors. The hardware consists of up to 32 math-oriented processors, up to 16 rendering units, and a conventional 1280 × 1024-pixel frame buffer, interconnected by a 5 gigabit ring network. Each rendering unit consists of a 128 × 128-pixel array of processors-with-memory with parallel quadratic expression evaluation for every pixel. Implemented on 1.6 micron CMOS chips designed to run at 40MHz, this array has 208 bits/pixel on-chip and is connected to a video RAM memory system that provides 4,096 bits of off-chip memory. Rendering units can be independently reasigned to any part of the screen or to non-screen-oriented computation. As of April 1989, both hardware and software are still under construction, with initial system operation scheduled for fall 1989.
Spaces and Places, Whence and Whither, Homes and Rooms: "Territoriality" in the Fourth Gospel:

The Fourth Gospel is inordinately involved with places and spaces, valuing some but dis- valuing others. The task of interpreting all such references is greatly aided by the use of the anthropological model of "territoriality" which shows how all peoples 1) classify space, 2) communicate this and 3) control access to or exit from this territory. The classifications might be as follows: public/private, sacred/profane, honorable/shameful, clean/unclean, fixed/fluid, center/periphery and the like. Where appropriate these classifications are used to interpret the Johannine data on spaces and places, particularly 1) Galilee/Judean, 2) public/in secret, 3) not on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem, 4) whence/whither, 5) in my Father's house there are many rooms, 6) "indwelling" and "being-in" another; and 7) two different worlds.
Crystal structure of hexakis(tetrahydrofuran)sodium hexacarbonylvanadate(−I), [Na(THF) 6 + ][V(CO) 6 − ]

The title compound crystallizes in the space group $$R\bar 3$$ with unit cell parameters (hexagonal setting)a=14.922(5)A,c=14.379(9)A,V=2773(3)A3 andZ=3. The cation and the anion each lie on a site of $$\bar 3$$ (S6) symmetry. Interatomic distances include Na−O(THF)=2.40(1) A and V−C(CO)=1.91(2) A.
Primary (Neoadjuvant) Chemotherapy with Docetaxel in Breast Cancer

Abstract The use of primary or neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer, including those patients with inflammatory breast cancer, is well established. The use of primary chemotherapy has also been investigated in patients with operable breast cancer. The potential benefit of using primary chemotherapy is the opportunity to administer systemic therapy at an earlier timepoint, where it may be more effective against microscopic disease. In addition, primary chemotherapy for patients with operable breast cancer may also result in higher rates of breast conservation, axillary nodal downstaging, and potential improvement in patient outcome. A variety of different chemotherapy drugs have been evaluated in the primary chemotherapy setting. One of the most common approaches is to use an anthracycline-based regimen for 4 or more cycles of treatment before considering definitive local therapy. Although high tumor response rates have been reported using anthracycline-based regimens, the fraction of patients actually attaining a pathologic complete response has remained small (less than 20%). With the introduction of new chemotherapy drugs, such as docetaxel, which is associated with a very high tumor response rate in metastatic disease, a natural evolution of clinical investigation is to use docetaxel in the neoadjuvant or primary chemotherapy setting. Some of the recent trials that have evaluated single-agent docetaxel, docetaxel-based chemotherapy combinations, and novel sequencing strategies that include docetaxel in the neoadjuvant setting are reviewed. The results from these trials clearly suggest that docetaxel-containing treatment strategies can be considered a standard in the primary chemotherapy setting.
New method for making fiber optic Bragg gratings

The use of a focused ion beam (FIB) to fabricate novel fiber optic structures is described. Using a FIB in either the ion milling mode or deposition mode a large variation in the index of refraction may be introduced in the optical fiber. With a potential beam size as small as 0.02 micrometers , the FIB process provides the ability to both expand the variety and reduce the size of structures that maybe embedded in optical fiber. For example, estimates indicate that a 20 groove Bragg grating coupled to 10 percent of the guided more energy can achieve a maximum 98 percent reflectivity. CUrrent drawbacks of the FIB process include slow production time and high production cost.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A nuclear option that initiates autophagy.

In this issue of Molecular Cell, Huang et al. (2015) describe a nuclear pool of LC3 that is deacetylated during starvation, leading to redistribution of this essential autophagy regulator to the cytoplasm, where it can initiate autophagy.
The physical basis of gravity stimulus nullification by clinostat rotation.

The question of how rotation on a horizontal axis clinostat removes plants from the influence of the gravitational stimulus is answered. It is shown that appropriate horizontal axis clinostat rotation restricts the fall of intracellular particles to a quasi-circular path such that the position of the particle remains virtually stationary within cells. The displacement of the path of fall, due to centrifugal force, is then considered, and a method of determining the optimal rotation rate is developed from physical principles. This method selects the rotation rate which minimizes the volume of cytoplasm through which particles pass under the joint influence of centrifugal and gravitational forces. With the recognition that single axis clinostats are ineffective with large plants or for long experiments, a new type of clinostat is proposed on which intracellular conditions can be rendered virtually identical to those of plants in satellite free fall regardless of plant size or duration of experiment.It is shown that most low gravity biological responses can be studied using clinostats with only occasional satellite free fall experiments for verification. It is further inferred that most of these responses can be effectively and economically studied by computer simulation.
Human α-Defensins Inhibit Hemolysis Mediated by Cholesterol-Dependent Cytolysins

Many pathogenic gram-positive bacteria release exotoxins that belong to the family of cholesterol-dependent cytolysins. Here, we report that human α-defensins HNP-1 to HNP-3 acted in a concentration-dependent manner to protect human red blood cells from the lytic effects of three of these exotoxins: anthrolysin O (ALO), listeriolysin O, and pneumolysin. HD-5 was very effective against listeriolysin O but less effective against the other toxins. Human α-defensins HNP-4 and HD-6 and human β-defensin-1, -2, and -3 lacked protective ability. HNP-1 required intact disulfide bonds to prevent toxin-mediated hemolysis. A fully linearized analog, in which all six cysteines were replaced by aminobutyric acid (Abu) residues, showed greatly reduced binding and protection. A partially unfolded HNP-1 analog, in which only cysteines 9 and 29 were replaced by Abu residues, showed intact ALO binding but was 10-fold less potent in preventing hemolysis. Surface plasmon resonance assays revealed that HNP-1 to HNP-3 bound all three toxins at multiple sites and also that solution-phase HNP molecules could bind immobilized HNP molecules. Defensin concentrations that inhibited hemolysis by ALO and listeriolysin did not prevent these toxins from binding either to red blood cells or to cholesterol. Others have shown that HNP-1 to HNP-3 inhibit lethal toxin of Bacillus anthracis, toxin B of Clostridium difficile, diphtheria toxin, and exotoxin A of Pseudomonas aeruginosa; however, this is the first time these defensins have been shown to inhibit pore-forming toxins. An “ABCDE mechanism” that can account for the ability of HNP-1 to HNP-3 to inhibit so many different exotoxins is proposed.
Gustatory nerve discharge and preference behavior of penicillamine treated rats.

Abstract The present experiments were conducted to test the hypothesis that Penicillamine (D-Pen) had induced hypogeusia, an impairment in gustation, by causing peripheral changes. Rats were tested both behaviorally and electrophysiologically over a wide range of NaCl concentrations. The animals were also tested with other solutions of various taste qualities to see if any other exaggerated preferences exist. Large preferences for high concentrations of sodium saccharin, NH 4 Cl, KCl and some NaCl solutions were found to exist in the animals treated with D-Pen. After preference testing, the electrophysiological responses to these and other solutions were examined. Integrated nerve activity in response to NaCl and other taste stimuli was similar for control and experimental groups. Electrophysiological and behavioral thresholds for NaCl were also the same for both groups. It is concluded that D-Pen, despite producing marked preference shifts, does not alter the sensitivity of the taste bud to taste stimuli.
Expression of recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone receptor: species-specific ligand binding, signal transduction, and identification of multiple ovarian messenger ribonucleic acid transcripts.

The ligand specificity and biochemical properties of the human (h) FSH receptor are poorly characterized due to the low abundance of these receptors and the limited availability of human tissues. Using a fragment of rat FSH receptor cDNA, we screened a human testicular cDNA library and obtained a FSH receptor cDNA covering the entire amino acid-coding region. After transfection of a human fetal kidney cell line (293) with the hFSH receptor cDNA, radioligand receptor analysis revealed the presence of high affinity (Kd, 1.7 x 10(-9) M) FSH-binding sites on the plasma membrane. Both recombinant and wild-type hFSH displaced [125I]hFSH binding, with ED50 values of 25 and 70 ng/ml, respectively, whereas hLH, hCG, and hTSH were ineffective. Although human, rat(r), and ovine FSH as well as equine CG competed for rat testicular FSH receptor binding, only hFSH and rFSH interacted effectively with the recombinant hFSH receptor, suggesting that species-specific ligand recognition exists between human and rodent recep...
Vascular endothelial growth factor gene therapy in improvement of skin paddle survival in a rat TRAM flap model

Abstract Introduction: Growth factors have shown potential for inducing angiogenesis and enhancing survival in the flap tissue. Targeted gene therapy has been shown to increase the bioavailability of various growth factors. In this study, we examined the effectiveness of preoperative vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plasmid DNA transfection on the survival of the skin paddle in a rat pedicled TRAM flap model. Methods: Fifty-two rats were used. In part one, VEGF plasmid DNA was injected into the subcutaneous fascial layer of the upper abdominal walls of the rats. On postoperative day 4, biopsies were taken for histological review and VEGF protein quantification. In part two, the rats were divided into three groups. In the experimental group, the VEGF plasmid DNA was injected into the subcutaneous fascial layer in the area where the TRAM flap would be elevated. There were two control groups: one with plasmid containing no VEGF DNA and one with saline. The flaps were raised and examined 4 days after injection. Results: Flap tissue receiving VEGF plasmid DNA revealed angiogenesis. The VEGF level was significantly higher than of the tissue without receiving VEGF plasmid DNA injection. The mean viable area of the skin paddles receiving pre-operative VEGF plasmid DNA injection was significantly larger than that of flap receiving no VEGF plasmid DNA and saline injection. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that preoperative subcutaneous injection of VEGF plasmid DNA induced angiogenesis and improved the TRAM skin paddle survival.
Analysis of Multichannel Reactions

A method for analysis of multichannel reaction data is presented. A system of n strongly coupled two-body channels is considered, in a particular partial wave.'' The energy dependence of the cross sections is treated in the effective range approximation; the corrections to the scattering amplitudes arising from mass differences between isotopic spin multiplets and Coulomb scattering are included. Uncoupled'' amplitudes which would describe the scattering in the absence of influences of one of the channels, are introduced. Relations between these uncoupled phases and the actual amplitudes are derived (in a nonperturbative manner). The use of the uncoupled phase procedure, in conjunction with an effective-range analysis, to test certain theories of strong interactions is discussed. (auth)
The Transmission of Birth Stories from Mother to Daughter: Self-Esteem and Mother-Daughter Attachment

Sixty-two daughters provided narratives of their births and completed measures of self-esteem and mother–daughter attachment. Thirty-three of their mothers provided independent accounts of the births. Daughters who had heard the stories of their births more times wrote more descriptive and positive accounts and showed higher self-esteem and stronger attachment to their mothers than daughters who had heard the stories less often. Positivity of the mothers’ narratives was correlated with daughters’ self-esteem while descriptiveness of the mothers’ narratives was correlated with daughters’ levels of mother–daughter attachment. Raters blind to the identity of mothers and daughters made more successful matches between mothers’ and daughters’ stories for daughters with higher self-esteem and attachment.
The buoyant and potentiometric titrations of human immuno-gamma globulin.

The buoyant density and potentiometric hydrogen ion titration curves of human immuno-gamma globulin in 3M cesium chloride have been recorded. In addition, the amino acid analysis of the IgG employed has been completed. The hydration of the protein and the variation of the hydration with pH have been calculated from the buoyant density data. The potentiomtric hydrogen ion titration curve has been employed to estimate the intrinsic pK′s of the acidic and histidyl residues of the molecule, and to confirm the hypothesis that it does in fact conform to the oil drop model of protein conformation. Correlations have been drawn between the three sets of data in the following manner. The results of the potentiometric hydrogen ion titration have been checked against the amino acid analysis to determine whether the numbers of groups observed to titrate and the numbers of groups observed in the amino acid analysis do correspond. Second, previous hypotheses as to the direct correlation between potentiometric hydrogen ion titration behaviour and buoyant density titration behaviour have been investigated and substantially confirmed.
Single-reference theories of molecular excited states with single and double substitutions

Abstract Several single-reference excited-state methods based on single and double substitutions are considered. Quadratic configuration interaction (QCISD) and coupled-cluster theory (CCSD) are obtained in a time-dependent linear response framework, together with the CISD method. The QCISD and CCSD transition energies are size consistent, and exact for two-electron systems. The relation between the QCISD and CCSD excited-state theories and ground-state gradient expressions is developed and employed. Calculations are reported for singlet and triplet excited states of some small molecules. CCSD and QCISD are qualitatively superior to CISD. Overall, CCSD exhibits noticeably better accuracy than QCISD, and the differences are sometimes much larger than for ground-state problems. A possible explanation is suggested.
Archaeology: propaganda of the pyramids.

You would have thought that massive monuments would be built by states at the apogee of their pomp and glory. Not so, according to an argument in which it is states on the up that need to impress.
Carbocation Rearrangement in an Electrophilic Aromatic Substitution Discovery Laboratory

In this discovery laboratory, students performed electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions between 1,4-dimethoxybenzene and either 2-methyl-2-butanol or 3-methyl-2-butanol with sulfuric acid as a catalyst. The carbocation from 3-methyl-2-butanol undergoes a hydride shift, and hence, both reactions afford 1,4-bis(1,1-dimethylpropyl)-2,5-dimethoxybenzene in high yields. NMR spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and the melting point all indicate identical products from both reactions. Students determine the product identity from the spectroscopy results. Melting point and gas chromatography confirm that the products are identical, promoting discussion of carbocation stability and the hydride shift mechanism.
Standing Posture on Land and at Sea

We studied the influence of ship motion on postural activity during stance, varying stance width (the distance between the feet in side-by-side stance) and the difficulty of visual tasks. Participants (experienced crewmembers) were tested on land and then on successive days on a ship at sea in mild sea states. On land, we replicated classical effects of stance width and visual task on the magnitude of postural movement. The magnitude of forces used in postural control was greater at sea than on land. Visual performance at sea was comparable to performance on land. Both stance width and visual task difficulty influenced postural activity at sea. In addition, postural activity changed over days at sea. We conclude that experienced crewmembers modulated standing posture in support of the performance of visual tasks and that such effects occurred even in mild sea states. The overall pattern of effects is compatible with the hypothesis that postural activity is modulated, in part, in support of the performance...
Pleistocene to recent alkalic volcanism in the region of Sanganguey volcano, Nayarit, Mexico

Forty five cinder cones and associated lava flows have erupted within the last 300,000 years along five parallel lines through the calc-alkaline volcano, Sanganguey, in the northwestern segment of the Mexican Volcanic Belt. Lavas erupted from these cinder cones include ne- and hynormative alkali basalts, hawaiites, mugearites, and benmoreites. It is unusual that this suite has erupted in a calc-aikaline volcanic belt where volcanoes in the vicinity have been erupting calc-alkaline andesites, dacites and rhyodacites.
optics: general-purpose scintillator light response simulation code

Abstract We present the program optics that simulates the light response of an arbitrarily shaped scintillation particle detector. Predicted light responses of pure CsI polygonal detectors, plastic scintillator staves, cylindrical plastic target scintillators and a Plexiglas light-distribution plate are illustrated. We demonstrate how different bulk and surface optical properties of a scintillator lead to specific volume and temporal light collection probability distributions. High-statistics optics simulations are calibrated against the detector responses measured in a custom-made cosmic muon tomography apparatus. The presented code can also be used to track particles intersecting complex geometrical objects.
A Novel Type of Monoscope

A cathode-ray monoscope tube has been developed to provide output closely resembling the directivity pattern of a radar antenna. The variation of secondary electron emission from aluminum with angle of incidence is used as the basis for design of the monoscope target. The conical aluminum target is so shaped that variation of the target current with beam deflection corresponds to the variation of received radar signal with angular displacement of the radar antenna.
Left Ventricular Diastolic Heart Failure in Teenagers Who Underwent Balloon Aortic Valvuloplasty in Early Infancy

We report 4 teenage patients who, after successful palliation of severe aortic valve stenosis by balloon aortic valvuloplasty in early infancy, presented within the previous 3 years with significant left ventricular (LV) diastolic heart failure. All patients had remained asymptomatic until their teenage years and had normal or hyperdynamic LV systolic function on presentation, with limited residual aortic valve stenosis and regurgitation. All underwent echocardiography, cardiac catheterization, and cardiac magnetic resonance evaluation. One notable common feature in the 4 patients was the presence of a confluent layer of LV subendocardial hyperenhancement demonstrated by late gadolinium enhancement technique. Histopathology was available for 2 patients, which documented significant LV endocardial fibroelastosis. One patient who underwent endocardial fibroelastosis resection in conjunction with aortic valve replacement had late clinical improvement. In conclusion, this group of patients may represent an important emerging clinical entity and merits close clinical surveillance, with prospective assessment of diastolic function.
Photoinitiated DNA damage by melanogenic intermediates in vitro.

Cysteinyldopas, metabolic by-products of activated melanocytes, are photochemically unstable in the presence of biologically relevant ultraviolet radiation (i.e. wavelengths > 300 nm). Initial photochemical processes involve free radical production; continued photolysis yields polymeric photoproducts. Radicals produced during 5SCD photolysis were trapped by 5,5-dimethyl-l-pyrrolidine-l-oxide (DMPO) and identified by their ESR spectra. Further characterization by use of nitroso spin trap (2-methvl-2-nitrosopropane-MNP) demonstrated that homolytic cleavage of the -S-CH2 bond of the 5SCD cysteinyl side chain is a significant photochemical pathway. The potential photobiological significance of these reactive intermediates was investigated in vitro using isolated nucleic acids. Radiolabeled 5-[35S]-cysteinyldopa was found to photobind to calf thymus DNA with 300 nm light activation. Under similar conditions, 5-S-cysteinyldopa also induced single strand breakage of 3H-radiolabeled superhelical, circular pBR322 plasmid DNA. The implications of the 5SCD photoinitiated DNA damage and the production of highly reactive free radicals in this process are discussed with respect to the etiology of various skin cancers, particularly malignant melanoma.
Regulated neurite tension as a mechanism for determination of neuronal arbor geometries in vivo

Transection and displacement experiments on isolated neurons in culture have shown that their neurites are under tension [1] and [2]. Such tensile forces might be important in determining the structures of neuronal arbors in vivo [1]. It has also been proposed that tension mechanisms generate the global folding patterns of the brain [3]. It has been difficult to determine whether tension is important in vivo, however, because most neuronal arbors have complex three-dimensional structures that cannot be perturbed in a controlled manner. Here we describe a situation in which tension can be demonstrated and perturbed in an intact central nervous system (CNS). In the embryonic CNS neuropil of the grasshopper Schistocerca americana, the axon of a local serotonergic interneuron known as s1 [4] forms a characteristic bifurcation. The geometry of this bifurcation node is highly conserved between embryos and held constant during development. Current models for the development of such geometries usually propose that they are created and maintained by neurite adhesion to localized substrates. Here we show that the structure of the s1 bifurcation node is likely to be determined by balanced tension between three fixed points. This was revealed by selectively transecting each of the branches that intersect at the node. Transections are followed by a rapid restructuring (‘snapping’) of the node geometry.
Expression of mouse mammary tumor virus envelope protein does not prevent superinfection in vivo or in vitro.

Inbred mice expressing endogenous mouse mammary tumor virus envelope proteins can be infected with exogenous virus, and the mammary tumors that develop in these mice usually have many proviruses integrated in their genomes, indicating that this virus is not subject to receptor interference. We show here that transgenic mice expressing an exogenous mouse mammary tumor virus (C3H) envelope protein can still be infected with this virus. Moreover, cultured mammary gland cells expressing the mouse mammary tumor virus (C3H) envelope protein can be superinfected with pseudotyped viruses bearing that same protein. Thus cellular expression of the mouse mammary tumor virus envelope protein does not block superinfection in vivo or in vitro.
Chemical proof of absolute configuration of 24,26-cyclocholesterol by biomimetic conversion to 27-norergostenes.

Abstract Acid-catalyzed isomerization of 24,26-cyclocholesterol acetate gave (24R)-24-methyl-27-nor-5,26-cholestadien-3β-ol acetate, thus establishing the absolute configuration of the cyclopropyl sterol and providing a biomimetic route to the 27-norergostene type marine sterols.