cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A Guide to Sovereign Debt Data

The last decade or so has seen a mushrooming of new sovereign debt databases covering long time spans for several countries. This represents an important breakthrough for economists who have long sought to, but been unable to tackle, first-order questions such as why countries have differential debt tolerance, and how debt levels affect the scope for countercyclical policy in recessions and financial crises. This paper backdrops these recent data efforts, identifying both the key innovations, as well as caveats that users should be aware of. A Directory of existing publicly-available sovereign debt databases, featuring compilations by institutions and individual researchers, is also included.
A quality improvement initiative to successfully reduce the frequency of hypoglycemia during treatment of hyperglycemic crises at an academic safety-net hospital: Insights and results.

Background Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state (HHS) are potentially life-threatening complications of diabetes. Many hospitals have developed protocols to guide the management of these conditions and align with best practices. One of the main complications encountered in the treatment of hyperglycemic crises is hypoglycemia. Methods At our institution, we undertook a review of our insulin infusion titration protocol, rates of hypoglycemia, and time to clinical resolution for patients with hyperglycemic crises. A multidisciplinary team performed a literature review and analyzed baseline hospital data with the existing protocol. With the input of multiple stakeholders, several changes were made to the titration algorithm over multiple PDSA cycles to refine the protocol. Effectiveness and safety of the protocol, as well as fidelity with the protocol, were assessed after each PDSA cycle. Results After the initial cycle, chart review showed a reduction in hypoglycemia rates of more than 50% in patients treated with the new protocol without any increase in time to resolution of DKA. A second version of the protocol was implemented to improve usability, and improvement in hypoglycemia was maintained. Conclusion Despite the fact that the initial protocol had been developed based on best practice recommendations, rates of hypoglycemia were initially high. Critical assessment of pitfalls in management allowed changes to the protocol that significantly and sustainably reduced hypoglycemia.
Creating New Ways of Being and Relating

The therapeutic action of psychoanalysis has been broadened beyond interpretation to the creation of new ways of being and relating. The concept of analysis as including both understanding and creation is rooted in two major analytic traditions: the British Independent school and the relational movement. It is proposed that central concepts from each tradition can be combined to form a theory of technique that is focused creating new ways of being to replace the patient's historical patterns. The clinical strategy advocated here is aimed toward bringing dissociated self states to consciousness and then using the now conscious conflicting states to create new self-world relationship patterns. A theory of technique is suggested that combines the relational concepts of dissociated patterns of interaction with Winnicott's theory of potential space for the purpose of transforming latent psychic capacities into new forms of being. Specific criteria are proposed for identifying new potentially authentic ways of ...
The Quantitative Measurement of Reversible Acute Depression after Subthalamic Deep Brain Stimulation in a Patient with Parkinson Disease.

Background. Depression is the most commonly reported mood symptom affecting 2–8% of patients after deep brain stimulation (DBS). Usually, symptoms develop gradually; however there have been cases of reproducible events that the mood symptoms were elicited within seconds to minutes after stimulation and were immediately reversible upon cessation of the stimulus. In the current study, we applied a self-reported questionnaire to assess the patient's mood state. Objective. To objectively measure the reversible acute depression induced by DBS in a patient with Parkinson disease (PD). Methods. A statistically validated Spanish version of the Beck Depression Inventory Short Form (BDI-SF) was used. The questionnaire was administered three times. Results. The patient became acutely depressed within ninety seconds of monopolar stimulation on the right side. His symptoms resolved immediately after changing the setting to bipolar stimulation. The BDI-SF scores during stimulation off, on, and off again were 15, 19, and 6, respectively. Conclusions. The BDI-SF scores increased during stimulation and decreased after cessation. This is consistent with a reversible depressive state. The poststimulation BDI-SF score decreased to less than half of the baseline score. This may suggest that the depression was more severe than the patient was able to express during the stimulation.
Chemical Reactions in Diffuse Clouds and the Chemistry of Isotope Fractionation in the Interstellar Gas

The basic processes and reaction networks that cause the formation and destruction of small molecules containing hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and nitrogen in the diffuse interstellar clouds of our galaxy are summarized. Selected, recent advances in the molecular physics/chemistry, in the modelling and interpretation, and in key observational aspects are mentioned. The fractionation of the isotopes 13C/12C and D/H in molecules in both the diffuse and dense cloud environments is discussed.
Description and validation of a teacher-report version of the Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire

Teachers are important influences on children’s development in multiple domains; and teachers’ emotional expressiveness is a particularly salient influence on children’s social, emotional, and academic development. Well-validated observational measures of teachers’ emotional expressiveness are available, yet observational methods are not feasible for many researchers. Given the need for valid and reliable self-report measures of teachers’ emotional expressiveness, the present study of pre-kindergarten through second-grade teachers (n = 29) describes a novel adaptation of the widely used Self-Expressiveness in the Family Questionnaire for use by teachers. Highly consistent with the original measure, the adaptation yields a two-factor structure; and the positive and negative expressiveness scales demonstrate strong internal reliability and test–retest reliability. Limitations, directions for additional research, and applications are discussed.
An individual-based model of lake fish communities: application to piscivore stocking in Lake Mendota

A general individual-based fish community simulator is presented. The model tracks the daily feeding, growth, movement, reproduction, and mortality of individuals of up to six species for multiple generations in up to three spatial boxes. The version presented in this paper has been configured and calibrated for Lake Mendota, Wisconsin. Six species are followed: yellow perch, bluegill, white bass, cisco, walleye, and northern pike. The environment consists of daily temperature, dissolved oxygen, and prey densities in each of the epilimnion, hypolimnion, and littoral zone spatial boxes. Feeding parameters and larval mortality rates were calibrated until all species persisted at reasonable biomasses, with realistic mean lengths at age and diets by life stage. Two alternate baseline calibrations are presented which differ in their degree of interannual variability. Correlation analysis of survival and growth rates showed that larvae were influenced by competition, yearlings by predation, and young of the year (YOY) juveniles by both. Adult growth was density-dependent for planktivores and positively related to forage biomass for piscivores. Cisco dynamics were effectively independent of the other species. The calibrated model was used to compare the effects of a biomanipulation experiment (piscivore enhancement) versus a coincident fish die-off event, and to evaluate alternative stocking regimes for their ability to sustain improved water quality. Predicted total zooplankton consumption was used to indicate effects on algae and water quality. Cisco die-off produced similar short-term but much larger long-term reductions in zooplankton consumption than piscivore enhancement. Delayed changes in YOY juvenile and larval survival illustrated complex indirect food web responses to piscivore enhancement. None of the three alternative stocking regimes analyzed yielded ideal management results. Stocking either had little effect on zooplankton consumption, or resulted in significant changes in piscivore mean lengths or in the composition of the fish community.
Altered regional cardiac wall mechanics are associated with differential cardiomyocyte calcium handling due to nebulette mutations in preclinical inherited dilated cardiomyopathy

Nebulette (NEBL) is a sarcomeric Z-disk protein involved in mechanosensing and force generation via its interaction with actin and tropomyosin-troponin complex. Genetic abnormalities in NEBL lead to dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in humans and animal models. The objectives of this study are to determine the earliest preclinical mechanical changes in the myocardium and define underlying molecular mechanisms by which NEBL mutations lead to cardiac dysfunction. We examined cardiac function in 3-month-old non-transgenic (non-Tg) and transgenic (Tg) mice (WT-Tg, G202R-Tg, A592E-Tg) by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. Contractility and calcium transients were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. A592E-Tg mice exhibited enhanced in vivo twist and untwisting rate compared to control groups. Ex vivo analysis of A592E-Tg cardiomyocytes showed blunted calcium decay response to isoproterenol. CMR imaging of G202R-Tg mice demonstrated reduced torsion compared to non-Tg and WT-Tg, but conserved twist and untwisting rate after correcting for geometric changes. Ex vivo analysis of G202R-Tg cardiomyocytes showed elevated calcium decay at baseline and a conserved contractile response to isoproterenol stress. Protein analysis showed decreased α-actinin and connexin43, and increased cardiac troponin I phosphorylation at baseline in G202R-Tg, providing a molecular mechanism for enhanced ex vivo calcium decay. Ultrastructurally, G202R-Tg cardiomyocytes exhibited increased I-band and sarcomere length, desmosomal separation, and enlarged t-tubules. A592E-Tg cardiomyocytes also showed abnormal ultrastructural changes and desmin downregulation. This study showed distinct effects of NEBL mutations on sarcomere ultrastructure, cellular contractile function, and calcium homeostasis in preclinical DCM in vivo. We suggest that these abnormalities correlate with detectable myocardial wall motion patterns.
Airfoil optimization by Evolution Strategies

This paper addresses subsonic airfoil optimization using Evolution Strategies (ES) and devises a means of defining the airfoil geometry that reduces unnecessary restrictions in the search space. The solution encoding uses Bezier Control Points to define the geometry of the airfoil, but does not restrict the movement of the control points as was common in previous airfoil optimization algorithms. The ES move operator combined with this improved solution encoding expands the search space to include superior solutions while also enabling a more efficient search to reduce computational cost.
Synthesis and characterization of bipyridylruthenium(II) complexes bound to the bridging ligand dipyrido(2,3-a; 2′,3′-h)phenazine (dpop)

Abstract Mono- and bimetallic bis-bipyridylruthenium(II) complexes bound to the nitrogen aromatic heterocyclic ligand dipyrido(2,3-a;2′,3′-h)phenazine (dpop) have been prepared and their electronic absorption and emission and electrochemical properties studied. The monometallic (bpy)2Ru(dpop)2+ ion in CH3CN has an intense 528 nm absorption attributed to a Ru(dπ)→dpop(π*) MLCT transition, with additional higher energy MLCT absorptions also present. The (bpy)2Ru(dpop)2+ ion undergoes emission at λ=768 nm from the lowest lying triplet metal to ligand charge transfer state in room temperature CH3CN solution. The bimetallic ((bpy)2Ru)2(dpop)4+ ion in CH3CN displays an intense Ru(dπ)→dpop(π*) absorption at 661 nm, with higher energy MLCT absorptions, but does not emit within detection limits. Cyclic voltammetry results for the bimetallic ion give a ΔE=E 1 2 (2)−E 1 2 (1) value of 0.17 V. The comparison of these results with those for similar bis- bipyridylruthenium(II)(L2) (L2=bidentate ligand) complexes, shows the Ru(dπ)→L2(π*) MLCT absorption energy decreases in the order dpp>bpym>bppz>dpq>dpop. The comparative electrochemical results for the complexes indicate the ligand centered reduction values E 1 2 is less negative in the order dpop dpq;bpym>bppz>dpp. Overall results indicate that bis-bipyridylruthenium(II) coordination to the highly conjugated planar dpop ligand produces complexes that absorb and emit at lower energies than for complexes with similar ligands while retaining favorable electrochemical and photochemical properties for excited state energy transfer reactions.
Psychosis in geropsychiatric inpatients with and without dementia

Psychotic symptoms are commonly encountered in elderly patients both with and without dementia. The authors compared presentation and treatment response between these two groups. Of 206 consecutive admissions to an inpatient geropsychiatry unit, 52 (26%) had psychotic symptoms. Thirteen of these had dementia and 22 had a primary Axis I psychotic disorder without dementia. Both groups presented similarly, improved significantly from admission to discharge and demonstrated equivalent medication side-effect profiles. Elderly psychotic patients with and without dementia improve significantly on antipsychotics and tolerate their side-effects; however, those with dementia receive lower dosages of medication to treat their symptoms.
Synthesis and characterization of A–B–A triblock copolymers derived from chloro-telechelic poly(l-lactide): combining ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP)

Abstract Ring-opening polymerization (ROP) of l -lactide was combined with atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) to produce well-defined linear block copolymers. Poly( l -lactide) (PLLA) was synthesized via ROP using ethylene glycol as an initiator and stannous octoate as a catalyst. The isolated hydroxy-telechelic PLLA was reacted with thionyl chloride and pyridine in toluene to afford chloro-telechelic PLLA (Cl-PLLA-Cl). The latter was employed as a macroinitiator in the synthesis of A–B–A triblock copolymers having either tert -butyl acrylate or benzyl acrylate outer blocks. Outer-block molecular weight was targeted by the mole ratio of monomer (acrylate) to the PLLA chloride initiating sites. The actual incorporation of acrylate into the triblock copolymer was lower than the molar feed ratio as the copolymer became increasingly less soluble upon conversion of acrylate in all cases.
Remission Duration ≤ 12 Months for Early Relapsed and Refractory Follicular Lymphoma Is Predictive of Early Failures Post-High Dose Therapy and Autologous Stem Cell Rescue

recorded an ANC 1 year) complete remission without subsequent relapse following a donor lymphocyte infusion or chemoradiotherapy. 13 patients died (relapse1⁄48 and other causes1⁄45). Proportional hazards model showed improved relapse free survival with higher CD3+ donor chimerism (p1⁄40.01). We conclude that for patients with lymphoma relapse after auto-HCT, allogeneic HCT from a sibling or unrelated donor using TLI-ATG conditioning was a well tolerated outpatient procedure, did not induce significant cytopenias and was associated with 3 year NRM of<10%. It is unlikely that TLI-ATG conditioning itself provided long-term lymphoma control in these heavily pre-treated patients, with advanced disease. Rather the 79% 3-yr OS and the fact that the majority of patients continue in durable CR suggest retained graft antitumor reactions following TLI-ATG.
Developmental changes of spontaneous synaptic potential properties in the rat neuromuscular contact formed in culture.

Abstract Developmental changes of miniature endplate potential (mepp) properties were examined in rat neuromuscular contacts formed in vitro . Synaptic transmission starts early. The shortest interval between addition of spinal cord explants and detection of mepps in a myotube was 1 hr and 45 min. The average frequency of mepps was 0.3/sec for contacts formed within 24 hr in cocultures. The mepp frequency increased gradually 10% per day during the period of coincubation up to 2 weeks. The mean mepp amplitude and the mean conductance increase during mepps did not change during days of coincubation. The mepps had a slow time course which closely resembled that of depolarization evoked by iontophoretic application of acetylcholine (ACh) on the myotubes. The extrajunctional ACh sensitivity of myotubes, which had mepps, were not different from those of myotubes without mepps. It is suggested under the conditions studied ACh receptors do not accumulate at the area of nerve-muscle contact in the great majority of rat myotubes cocultured with spinal cord explants.
Binucleating Ligand Structural Effects on (μ-Peroxo)- and Bis(μ-oxo)dicopper Complex Formation and Decay: Competition between Arene Hydroxylation and Aliphatic C−H Bond Activation

The reactivity of dicopper(I) complexes of the ligands α,α‘-bis(4,7-diisopropyl-1,4,7-triazacyclononan-1-yl)-p- and m-xylene (p- and m-XYLiPr4) with dioxygen was examined by spectroscopic and rapid...
Tris(2,2'-bipyridine)ruthenium (II) as a peroxide-producing replacement for enzymes as chemical labels.

Abstract The concentration of the ruthenium-based label is determined from the rate of hydrogen peroxide production elicited by photolysis. Electron transfer quenching of the photoexcited label by methyl viologen (1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridinium dication, MV2+) and/or oxygen in the presence of EDTA generates hydrogen peroxide. Both flow injection and direct photolysis techniques were tested, with the latter showing better results. Direct photolysis is more sensitive, faster, requires only a 20 μl sample volume, uses only 30 mW laser power and shows a smaller background. The presence of 5% normal human serum in the sample did not interfere with the measurements. Linear calibration curves were obtained in the nanomolar concentration range for goat antimouse antibody labeled with the ruthenium complex. The determination of membrane-surface-bound labeled IgG is accomplished by direct photolysis of a membrane that covers a platinum microelectrode.
Intraoperative touch imprint of sentinel lymph nodes in breast carcinoma patients

BACKGROUND Sentinel lymph node examination in patients with breast carcinoma has been gaining in popularity. Currently, there is no standard intraoperative assessment of sentinel lymph nodes. To assess the utility of an intraoperative touch imprint (TI) evaluation, the authors compared TI cytology with surface hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) histology in sentinel lymph nodes from patients with breast carcinoma. METHODS Sixty five sentinel lymph node biopsy cases were identified. Diagnoses from TI and surface H&E histologic sections were compared. RESULTS Touch imprint had a specificity of 100%, a negative predictive value of 88%, a sensitivity of 65%, and a false negative rate of 9% per sentinel lymph node biopsy case. Eighty three percent of the false negative TI cases were due to micrometastasis. Preoperative chemotherapy, primary tumor type, and primary tumor size did not significantly contribute to false negative events. Touch imprint identified 67% of the cases that required completion axillary dissection. CONCLUSIONS Touch imprint is a reliable and accurate intraoperative technique, with the potential to save a significant number of patients morbidity and the cost of a second surgical procedure to remove axillary lymph nodes. The difficulty of identifying micrometastases appeared to be the major source of false negative events, a problem that is not unique to TI cytology. Cancer (Cancer Cytopathol) 2002;96:000–000. © 2002 American Cancer Society.
Design and Development of Programs for the Videodisc.

The design and development of an instructional videodisc requires attention to the way the many flexible possibilities of the disc are integrated. The constraints on the process involve: 1. the intrinsic characteristics of the medium; 2. the intrinsic characteristics of people; 3. the traditions and conventions of the medium; and 4. the expectations that people have regarding the medium and the instructional process. Aspects of each of the above are discussed with the intention of emphasizing a combination of artistry and knowledge in the design process.
Thalidomide as salvage therapy for VAD-refractory multiple myeloma prior to autologous PBSCT.

Thalidomide as salvage therapy for VAD-refractory multiple myeloma prior to autologous PBSCT
Mechanisms of cartilage growth: modulation of balance between proteoglycan and collagen in vitro using chondroitinase ABC.

Objective To examine the cartilage growth–associated effects of a disruption in the balance between the swelling pressure of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and the restraining function of the collagen network, by diminishing GAG content prior to culture using enzymatic treatment with chondroitinase ABC. Methods Immature bovine articular cartilage explants from the superficial and middle layers were analyzed immediately or after incubation in serum-supplemented medium for 13 days. Other explants were treated with chondroitinase ABC to deplete tissue GAG and also either analyzed immediately or after incubation in serum-supplemented medium for 13 days. Treatment- and incubation-associated variations in tissue volume, contents of proteoglycan and collagen network components, and tensile mechanical properties were assessed. Results Incubation in serum-supplemented medium resulted in expansive growth with a marked increase in tissue volume that was associated with a diminution of tensile integrity. In contrast, chondroitinase ABC treatment on day 0 led to a marked reduction of GAG content and enhancement of tensile integrity, and subsequent incubation led to maturational growth with minimal changes in tissue volume and maintenance of tensile integrity at the enhanced levels. Conclusion The data demonstrate that a manipulation of GAG content in articular cartilage explants can distinctly alter the growth phenotype of cartilage. This may have practical utility for tissue engineering and cartilage repair. For example, the expansive growth phenotype may be useful to fill cartilage defects, while the maturational growth phenotype may be useful to induce matrix stabilization after filling defect spaces.
Tissue concentrations and the mortality of d-amphetamine in mice: Changes associated with the use of diethylaminoethyl 2,2-diphenylvalerate · HCl

Abstract The concentrations of d -amphetamine produced by doses of 20 to 60 mg/kg were determined in brain, heart, lung, and liver of adult mice and were examined for correlations with mortality. Administration of p -hydroxy-amphetamine with amphetamine did not affect mortality, and the tissue concentrations of this metabolite were not determined. The concentrations of d -amphetamine increased linearly with the dose in brain and lung and nonlinearly in the liver and heart. The concentration in heart tissue varied in a phasic manner, the higher doses (50 and 60 mg/kg) producing lower concentrations than a 40-mg/kg dose. Pretreatment of mice with diethylaminoethyl 2,2-diphenylvalerate · HCl (SKF 525-A) altered tissue concentrations of d -amphetamine only in the liver and the heart. The phasic nature of the d -amphetamine concentrations in heart tissue which was eliminated by SKF 525-A pretreatment corresponded to the elimination of the phasic nature of the lethal dose curve by SKF 525-A.
The spinal motor system in early vertebrates and some of its evolutionary changes.

Recent studies of the spinal motor systems of vertebrates allow us to begin to infer the organization of the motor apparatus of primitive vertebrates. This paper attempts to define some of the feature
Causal relationships between solar proton events and single event upsets for communication satellites

In this work, we analyze a historical archive of single event upsets (SEUs) maintained by Inmarsat, one of the world's leading providers of global mobile satellite communications services. Inmarsat has operated its geostationary communication satellites and collected extensive satellite anomaly and telemetry data since 1990. Over the course of the past twenty years, the satellites have experienced more than 226 single event upsets (SEUs), a catch-all term for anomalies that occur in a satellite's electronics such as bit-flips, trips in power supplies, and memory changes in attitude control systems. While SEUs are seemingly random and difficult to predict, we correlate their occurrences to space weather phenomena, and specifically show correlations between SEUs and solar proton events (SPEs). SPEs are highly energetic protons that originate from solar coronal mass ejections (CMEs). It is thought that when these particles impact geostationary (GEO) satellites they can cause SEUs as well as solar array degradation. We calculate the associated statistical correlations that each SEU occurs within one day, one week, two weeks, and one month of 10 MeV SPEs between 10 – 10,000 particle flux units (pfu). However, we find that SPEs are most prevalent at solar maximum and that the SEUs on Inmarsat's satellites occur out of phase with the solar maximum. Ultimately, this suggests that SPEs are not the primary cause of the Inmarsat SEUs. A better understanding of the causal relationship between SPEs and SEUs will help the satellite communications industry develop component and operational space weather mitigation techniques as well as help the space weather community to refine radiation models.
Multiple state emission from rhodium(I) and iridium(I) complexes

Abstract The effect of temperature (2–100 K) on the emission spectra and lifetimes of [M(2 = phos) 2 ]ClO 4 (M = Rh(I), Ir(I): 2 = phos is cis-1,2-bis-(diphenylphosphino)ethylene) is interpreted with a two-level spin-orbit-split emitting manifold. For [Ir(2 = phos) 2 ]ClO 4 , Δϵ = 143cm −1 , τ(lower) = 999μs, and τ(higher) = 1.54 μs. For the rhodium species, Δϵ = 35 cm −1 , τ(lower) = 5920 μs, and τ(higher) = 20.3 μs.
Functional Form of the Arrhenius Equation for Electrical Conductivity of Glass

Very precise electrical conductivity data on a series of six glasses (molar composition 25[xNa2O+(l−x)K2O]-5Al2O3−70SiO2 with 0.95 ≤x≤l) have been obtained over a large temperature range (∼310°C). Analysis of these data suggests that the preexponential term in the Arrhenius conductivity equation is temperature independent.
Inversion error, condition number, and approximate inverses of uncertain matrices

Abstract The classical condition number is a very rough measure of the effect of perturbations on the inverse of a square matrix. First, it assumes that the perturbation is infinitesimally small. Second, it does not take into account the perturbation structure (e.g., Vandermonde). Similarly, the classical notion of the inverse of a matrix neglects the possibility of large, structured perturbations. We define a new quantity, the structured maximal inversion error, that takes into account both structure and non-necessarily small perturbation size. When the perturbation is infinitesimal, we obtain a “structured condition number”. We introduce the notion of approximate inverse, as a matrix that best approximates the inverse of a matrix with structured perturbations, when the perturbation varies in a given range. For a wide class of perturbation structures, we show how to use (convex) semidefinite programming to compute bounds on the structured maximal inversion error and structured condition number, and compute an approximate inverse. The results are exact when the perturbation is “unstructured”—we then obtain an analytic expression for the approximate inverse. When the perturbation is unstructured and additive, we recover the classical condition number; the approximate inverse is the operator related to the Total Least Squares (orthogonal regression) problem.
Polyion-Sensitive Membrane Electrodes for Detecting Phosphate-Rich Biological Polyanions

Appropriately formulated polymeric membrane electrodes are shown to exhibit analytically useful nonequilibrium potentiometric responses to biologically important polyanions with high phosphate content, including polyphosphates and nucleic acids, in the μg/mL concentration range This response is dependent on the charge density, lipophilicity, and molecular weight of the polyanion species. The application of these electrodes for monitoring enzymatic activities is also demonstrated, using acid phosphatase/polyphosphate as a model system. The detection limit of this assay was found to be 0.9 ± 0.4 mU/mL with a linear range of 5–100 mU/mL. A similar electrochemical assay scheme can be utilized to monitor ribonuclease activity, using a RNA homopolymer as the substrate.
Structure and function of integral membrane protein domains resolved by peptide-amphiphiles: Application to phospholamban

We have used synthetic lipidated peptides (“peptide-amphiphiles”) to study the structure and function of isolated domains of integral transmembrane proteins. We used 9-fluorenylmethyloxycarbonyl (Fmoc) solid-phase peptide synthesis to prepare full-length phospholamban (PLB1–52) and its cytoplasmic (PLB1–25K: phospholamban residues 1–25 plus a C-terminal lysine), and transmembrane (PLB26–52) domains, and a 38-residue model α-helical sequence as a control. We created peptide-amphiphiles by linking the C-terminus of either the isolated cytoplasmic domain or the model peptide to a membrane-anchoring, lipid-like hydrocarbon tail. Circular dichroism measurements showed that the model peptide-amphiphile, either in aqueous suspension or in lipid bilayers, had a higher degree of α-helical secondary structure than the unlipidated model peptide. We hypothesized that the peptide-amphiphile system would allow us to study the function and structure of the PLB1–25K cytoplasmic domain in a native-like configuration. We compared the function (inhibition of the Ca-ATPase in reconstituted membranes) and structure (via CD) of the PLB1–25 amphiphile to that of PLB and its isolated transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Our results indicate that the cytoplasmic domain PLB1–25K has no effect on Ca-ATPase (calcium pump) activity, even when tethered to the membrane in a manner mimicking its native configuration, and that the transmembrane domain of PLB is sufficient for inhibition of the Ca-ATPase. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 69: 283–292, 2003
Source, etiolation and orientation of explants affect in vitro regeneration of Venus fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula)

In vitro culture of Venus fly-trap (Dionaea muscipula) was initiated using flower stalk explants. Activated charcoal was required for bud initiation, but omitted in the subculture of regenerated plantlets. Regenerated plants were subsequently used as explant source for investigations concerning effects of source of tissue, etiolation, orientation and illumination of leaf explants on plant regeneration. Etiolation of source plantlets increased the rate of regeneration from explants and decreased explant failure. Generally, adventitious buds developed at the adaxial side and proximal end of an explant. However, when explants were incubated in the dark, 20–30% of bud initiation occurred at the distal end. The site of shoot regeneration on a leaf explant was affected by both illumination and orientation of explants. Placing an explant adaxial side up resulted in the highest rate of regeneration. The most effective condition for plantlet regeneration was found with etiolated petioles incubated with the adaxial side facing the light.
Co-ordination compounds of 1,3-dimethylurea

Abstract A study of the 1,3-dimethylurea complexes of several metals is reported. Hexakis(1,3-dimethylurea) complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) and Cd(II) as well as the tetrakis(1,3-dimethylurea) complex of Cu(II) have been prepared and characterized. Magnetic susceptibilities, electronic spectra, and electrolytic conductances have been used to elucidate the structural features of the new compounds. 1,3-Dimethylurea lies very near urea in the spectrochemical series.
Absolute Quantification of Hemoglobin Derivative Concentrations and Reduced Scattering Coefficients from Turbid Media using Steady State Reflectance Spectroscopy with Single Source-Detector Separation

Steady state broadband (650-845nm) reflectance spectroscopy yields absolute concentrations of hemoglobin derivatives and reduced scattering coefficients of blood-intralipid phantoms within 15% relative error, using an algorithm developed from diffusion approximation.
INTER- AND INTRAMOLECULAR HYDROGEN BONDS WITH TRANSITION METAL ATOMS IN METALLOCENES OF THE IRON SUBGROUP

The intramolecular M···HO bond in α-metallocenylcarbinols (M = Fe, Ru, Os) and the intermolecular Os···HOH bond in the water complex with osmocene have been studied by extended Huckel (EH) and dens...
A method for high-frequency intergeneric fusion of plant protoplasts.

Protoplasts of Vicia hajastana Grossh. obtained from suspension-culture cells and Pisum sativum L. obtained from leaves adhered tightly to each other in concentrated solutions of high-molecular-weight polyethylene glycol (PEG). The adhesion occurred non-specifically between the free protoplasts from the same species as well as from the different species and genus. It was enhanced by enrichment of the PEG solution with calcium. Very few heteroplasmic fusions occurred during the period when the protoplasts were incubated in the PEG solution. However, many heterokaryons (up to 10%) were formed soon after the PEG solution was diluted out. The same phenomena were also observed in protoplasts from suspension-culture cells of Glycine max L. and from leaves of Hordeum vulgare L. Vicia and soybean protoplasts obtained from cultured cells regenerated cell walls and underwent sustained cell division after such treatment. Some Vicia-pea heterokaryons divided once. Over 10% of the soybean-barley hybrids divided in 7 days. Some divided 4–5 times and formed small clusters of cells in 10 days. The hybrids were recognizable because they contained chloroplasts from the leaf protoplast and exhibited morphological characters typical of the chlorophyll-less cells. None of the protoplasts from pea and barley leaves, either with or without PEG treatment, underwent cell division during the period of observation. The mechanism of adhesion and fusion of the protoplasts has been discussed.
Possible interrelations among environmental toxicants, amphibian development, and decline of amphibian populations.

Many amphibian populations are declining in a number of geographical locations throughout the world. In most cases, the cause or causes are unknown, but are assumed to result from man-made alterations in the environment. We review existing evidence concerning how environmental xenobiotics could contribute to declines of amphibian populations by impacting growth and development of the young. This paper examines the potential roles of toxicants in: a) affecting the susceptibility of young to disease; b) retarding growth and development of amphibian young; c) affect? ing the ability of larvae to avoid predation; d) affecting the development of physiological, morphological, or behavioral processes in a manner that subsequently impairs the ability of the young for future reproduction; and e) directly causing mortality of young. These issues are not well studied, and more studies are needed before the roles of environmental xenobiotics in amphibian declines are fully understood. ? Environ Health Perspect 103(Suppl4):13-17(1995)
Regulation of Work in Small Firms: A View from the Inside

Participant observation was undertaken at Button Co., a small manufacturing firm operating in the clothing sector. The paper explores the impact of external structures on shopfloor control and the ways in which skilled dyers, and less skilled despatch workers, were able to shape the effort bargain and practise fiddles. It shows a particular varient of small firm dynamics. Large retailers were important to the success of Button Co. but its broad customer base and niche market meant that it was not subject to a simple large/small firm dependency relationship. Control was fluid rather than imposed. Relations with large firms did impact upon the shopfloor, but not in a determinate way. Informal negotiation between directors and workers over throughput and quality occurred on a daily basis: as such, it provides some support to the view that the process of negotiating orders described by Ram (1994) is not ethnically specific.
Suppression of Kinesin Expression Disrupts Adenomatous Polyposis Coli (APC) Localization and Affects β-Catenin Turnover in Young Adult Mouse Colon (YAMC) Epithelial Cells

Mutational inactivation of the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein initiates most hereditary and sporadic colon cancers. The tumor-suppressive effect of APC is mediated by promoting degradation of the oncogenic transcriptional activator beta-catenin, and loss of APC function often results in nuclear accumulation of beta-catenin in cancer cells. APC is a nuclear-cytoplasmic shuttling protein and moves along microtubules in the cytoplasm. However, the molecular motor proteins responsible for APC translocation and the implications of APC trafficking on beta-catenin turnover are unknown. Here we show that APC protein is associated with microtubules and is colocalized with kinesin heavy chain (KHC) and beta-catenin to clusters of puncta at the tip regions of cellular extensions in a conditionally immortalized mouse colon epithelial cell line, young adult mouse colon (YAMC, APC+/+). Inhibition of KHC expression using an antisense oligonucleotide disrupts peripheral translocation of APC and induces nucleocytoplasmic accumulation of beta-catenin. These data indicate that KHC-mediated APC translocation is tightly coordinated with beta-catenin turnover in the cell.
GENDER BIAS IN CHILD CUSTODY DECISIONS

Throughout history, gender stereotypes have played a key role in child custody dispositions. Despite current gender-neutral statutes, men's advocacy groups claim that custody decisions continue to discriminate against fathers. Women's advocacy groups and the media counter that custody decisions discriminate against mothers. Contradictory perceptions can be traced to the imprecision of the best interest standard, anecdotal cases that have been popularized in the media, a selection bias among cases that are decided in court, the absence of reliable nonpartisan research, distortions of existing research, and implicit assumptions about which parent should get custody. Gender stereotypes that favor mothers' preferential claims to custody are not supported by research, and the primary parent presumption is regarded as seriously flawed. Rather than focus on the demands of adults, custody reform should address the needs of children.
Complementation between temperature-sensitive (ts) and host range nontransforming (hr-t) mutants of polyoma virus.

Abstract Two major classes of polyoma mutants are defective in cell transformation: early temperature-sensitive mutants of the tsA type which are defective in viral DNA synthesis and transformation at 39°, but not at 32°; and host range nontransforming (hr-t) mutants which fail to transform at either temperature. Mixed infection of mouse 3T3 cells by hr-t mutants and early tsA-type mutants results in enhanced growth of the tsA-type mutants at 39°, indicating that the hr-t mutants can supply the early viral function required for viral DNA synthesis. The hr-t mutants also complement late is mutants which fail to produce infectious progeny at 39° because of alterations in the 45,000-dalton major virion protein. Mixed infection of hamster BHK or rat Y1 cells by hr-t and tsA-type mutants results in efficient transformation at 39°, indicating that the two classes of mutants can complement for transformation. No complementation is observed in pair-wise crosses among the early tsA-type mutants alone. The tsA-type mutants are located in the distal portion of the early region of the polyoma genome [Miller, L. K., and Fried, M. (1976) J. Virol. 18 , 824–832]. The hr-t mutants are located in the proximal portion [Feunteun, J., Sompayrac, L., Fluck, M., and Benjamin, T. (1976) Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. USA ]. These results suggest that the early region of the polyoma genome is divided into two functional regions which can complement for transformation. The ts3 mutant of polyoma is located in the proximal portion of the late region.
Theory of rolling contact heat transfer

This paper addresses the fundamentals of the phenomenon of steady heat transfer by rolling contact between two bodies at different temperatures. The contact region is modeled according to the classical Hertz theory, by which the bodies undergo elastic deformation and the contact area has the shape of an ellipse. In the first part of the study it is shown that when the two bodies make contact continuously over the elliptical area, the overall heat transfer rate is proportional to the square root of the Peclet number based on the ellipse semiaxis parallel to the tangential (rolling) velocity. In the same case the heat transfer rate increases as the square root of the normal force (F) between the two bodies. The second part of the study treats the case when the rolling contact is made through a large number of asperities (contact sites) distributed over the elliptical contact area. The heat transfer rate is again proportional to the square root of the Peclet number. When the asperities are distributed randomly, the heat transfer rate increases as F{sup 5/6}. In the case of regularly distributed asperities that undergo elastic deformation, the heat transfer rate is proporitonal to F{sup 13/18}. The high Pecletmore » number domain covered by this study is discussed in the closing section of the paper.« less
High Frequency Power Amplifiers Without Ground

Experimental High Frequency Power amplifiers with fully differential connection to a single-ended device are described. There is no ground connection near the device, and no electrical connection to the heat sink. Common mode choke ferrite sleeve coaxial baluns confine all of the drive and output signal energy to the E and H fields inside the coax connected to the power device. The outside of the coax is not part of the radio frequency circuit. Circuit details and measurements are presented for examples are at 7 MHz, 50 MHz, and a broadband MMIC version from 1 MHz to 3 GHz.
Optimization of Offset Frequency in the SORC Pulse Sequence Using Feedback

The low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of nuclear quadrupolar resonance measurements has motivated research on signal enhancement methods, including multipulse sequences that facilitate signal averaging, the development of interlaced pulse sequences, and super-Q coils. More recently, it has been shown that feedback can be used to automatically optimize pulse sequence parameters, maximizing the SNR. This paper extends this work by using feedback to optimize the offset frequency in the strong off-resonant comb pulse sequence. Analysis and results are presented for a sample of sodium nitrite at both liquid nitrogen and room temperatures.
Differentiation in human endometrial cells in monolayer culture: Dependence on a factor in fetal bovine serum

Human epithelial cells of the Ishikawa endometrial line can be stimulated to differentiate and form multicellular structures in 4–5 day-old monolayer cultures by the addition of a protein factor from fetal bovine serum. Multicellular structures become obvious over an 18–30-h period as the cells enlarge, separate from the dish, and form domes. These structures are similar to those that result from polarization in other epithelial cell lines. Ishikawa dome formation appears to be a multistage process. The appearance of enlarged differentiated cells is detected within hours of adding fetal bovine serum; these enlarged cells lift off the surface of the dish within 6–8 more hours. Domes are observed about 24 h after the addition of fetal bovine serum. Sometimes dome cells migrate into a “bud-like” structure that extends out from the dome. Differentiation of the domes is dependent on a factor from fetal calf serum that behaves similarly to a very large protein or complex of proteins, greater than 300 kd. Progesterone appears to enhance the formation of domes but does not elicit dome formation in the absence of serum factor.
Transitional vermiculite-smectite phases in Aqualfs of southwestern Ohio

The clay mineralogy of two Aqualfs occurring on the Illinoian till plain of southwestern Ohio was investigated in order to (i) determine the clay mineral distribution with depth, (ii) examine the clay mineral weathering sequence, and (iii) identify the 2:1 mineral species in which hydroxy interlayers had formed. Despite the presence of multiple parent materials, no obvious discontinuities in clay mineralogy were observed. A weathering sequence involving the transformation of clay mica to vermiculite to low charge vermiculite/high charge smectite occurred. Alkylammonium ion exchange data indicated that weathering created a heterogeneous charge distribution in the 1.4-nm (expandable) mineral phase resulting in mixed low-and high-charge interlayers. The low-charge interlayers readily formed bilayer complexes with ethylene glycol (1.7 nm), and also accommodated double layers of glycerol (1.8 nm) when the mean layer charge was <0.65. Reductions in layer charge were correlated with the oxidation of octahedral Fe(II) and the expulsion of K and Mg from the mineral structure. The expansion of 2:1 layer silicates in horizons near the soil surface was restricted as a result of Alhydroxy interlayering. After interlayer materials were removed with boiling 0.33 M Na citrate, the previously interlayered minerals exhibited x-ray diffraction effects following Mg saturation and ethylene glycol and glycerol solvation that were indicative of vermiculite. Journal Article no. 170-86.
Glide matching with binary and ternary zeotropic refrigerant mixtures Part 2. A computer simulation

Abstract The glide-matching study presented in Part 1 was a laboratory investigation which demonstrated the evaporator performance in detail. However, since it was not possible to instrument the condenser sufficiently, some computer simulation work was conducted using a semi-theoretical model cycle -11, which has been under continual development at NIST for the past five years. As in the experimental effort, R22, R142b, R22/142b, R23/22/142b and R23/142b working fluids were investigated, but the simulation work did not include heat pump operation with liquid-line/evaporator heat exchange. By utilizing the model to quantify entropy generation at various state points within the cycle, it was possible to locate the likelihood of temperature profile pinch points in both the condenser and evaporator. This information clarified the impact of non-linearities on the system performance.
Evolution of a gram-scale synthesis of (+)-discodermolide

An efficient, highly convergent, stereocontrolled total synthesis of the potent antimitotic agent (+)-discodermolide (1) has been achieved on gram scale. Key elements of the successful strategy include (1) elaboration of three advanced fragments from a common precursor (CP) which embodies the repeating stereochemical triad of the discodermolide backbone, (2) σ-bond installation of the Z trisubstituted olefin, exploiting a modified Negishi cross-coupling reaction, (3) synthesis of a late-stage phosphonium salt utilizing high pressure, and (4) Wittig installation of the Z disubstituted olefin and the terminal (Z)-diene.
Racial Variation in the Effects of Sons versus Daughters on the Disruption of the First Marriage

This research investigates whether there is racial variation in how the gender composition of the sibling group impacts the probability of divorce among couples in their first marriage. For African...