cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Increased MTH1-specific 8-oxodGTPase activity is a hallmark of cancer in colon, lung and pancreatic tissue.

Abstract Cellular homeostasis is dependent on a balance between DNA damage and DNA repair mechanisms. Cells are constantly assaulted by both exogenous and endogenous stimuli leading to high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that cause oxidation of the nucleotide dGTP to 8-oxodGTP. If this base is incorporated into DNA and goes unrepaired, it can result in G > T transversions, leading to genomic DNA damage. MutT Homolog 1 (MTH1) is a nucleoside diphosphate X (Nudix) pyrophosphatase that can remove 8-oxodGTP from the nucleotide pool before it is incorporated into DNA by hydrolyzing it into 8-oxodGMP. MTH1 expression has been shown to be elevated in many cancer cells and is thought to be a survival mechanism by which a cancer cell can stave off the effects of high ROS that can result in cell senescence or death. It has recently become a target of interest in cancer because it is thought that inhibiting MTH1 can increase genotoxic damage and cytotoxicity. Determining the role of MTH1 in normal and cancer cells is confounded by an inability to reliably and directly measure its native enzymatic activity. We have used the chimeric A TP- r eleasing g uanine- o xidized (ARGO) probe that combines 8-oxodGTP and ATP to measure MTH1 enzymatic activity in colorectal cancer (CRC), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) along with patient-matched normal tissue. MTH1 8-oxodGTPase activity is significantly increased in tumors across all three tissue types, indicating that MTH1 is a marker of cancer. MTH1 activity measured by ARGO assay was compared to mRNA and protein expression measured by RT-qPCR and Western blot in the CRC tissue pairs, revealing a positive correlation between ARGO assay and Western blot, but little correlation with RT-qPCR in these samples. The adoption of the ARGO assay will help in establishing the level of MTH1 activity in model systems and in assessing the effects of MTH1 modulation in the treatment of cancer.
Conclusion: Contours of a Progressive Macroeconomic Policy

This concluding chapter summarizes the main arguments of What’s Wrong with Modern Money Theory? I argue that while I share many of the policy goals of MMT advocates, I have some significant concerns about the arguments and evidence for their proposals, and the likely feasibility and impacts of them, especially world-wide. To illustrate that better approaches do exist, I present an extended example of research PERI economists have done on an “employment targeted” macroeconomic policy for South Africa. I also briefly discuss work that PERI economists have done on programs to mitigate climate change. I discuss these in the spirit of promoting more programmatic discussions among progressive economists with similar policy goals.
Effect of natural fractures on determining closure pressure

In Utah FORGE reservoir, eight pressure transient tests (microhydraulic fracturing and DFIT™) show natural fracture/pressure-dependent leakoff. This behavior may lead to misinterpretation of the closure pressure (proxy for minimum principal stress). The closure pressures obtained from DFIT™ (or microhydraulic fracturing) testing may reflect shear failure along natural fractures or discontinuities rather than tensile failure and lead to inaccurate estimates of the minimum principal stress. In pressure tests conducted at the Utah FORGE site showed that reactivation or opening of natural fractures intersecting the wellbore and were suggested by multiple closure events in DFIT™ tests. In addition, comparisons between the pre- and post-well-tests FMI logs show that there are populations of induced fracture and reactivated natural fractures which are mostly vertical and sub-vertical. In this study, DFIT™ (or microhydraulic fracturing) test analysis and numerical simulations were used to suggest that hydraulic shearing of critically stressed natural fractures can contribute to multiple closure signatures and possibly lead to incorrect determination of the minimum principal stress. As other authors have previously advocated, the DFIT™ test analyses and numerical simulations suggest that better estimations of minimum principal stress may be derived by injecting at relatively high rate and pressure and insuring that tensile breakdown is reached. In addition, extended shut-in period is required to determine accurate reservoir characteristics and fluid flow regime.
Oncotype DX recurrence score implications for disparities in chemotherapy and breast cancer mortality in Georgia

Among women diagnosed with stage I–IIIa, node-negative, hormone receptor (HR)-positive breast cancer (BC), Oncotype DX recurrence scores (ODX RS) inform chemotherapy treatment decisions. Differences in recurrence scores or testing may contribute to racial disparities in BC mortality among women with HR+ tumors. We identified 12,081 non-Hispanic White (NHW) and non-Hispanic Black (NHB) BC patients in Georgia (2010–2014), eligible to receive an ODX RS. Logistic regression was used to estimate the odds of chemotherapy receipt by race and ODX RS. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) comparing BC mortality rates by race and recurrence score. Receipt of Oncotype testing was consistent between NHB and NHW women. Receipt of chemotherapy was generally comparable within strata of ODX RS—although NHB women with low scores were slightly more likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 1.16, 95% CI 0.77, 1.75), and NHB women with high scores less likely to receive chemotherapy (OR = 0.77, 95% CI 0.48, 1.24), than NHW counterparts. NHB women with a low recurrence score had the largest hazard of BC mortality (HR = 2.47 95% CI 1.22, 4.99) compared to NHW women. Our data suggest that additional tumor heterogeneity, or other downstream treatment factors, not captured by ODX, may be drivers of racial disparities in HR+ BC.
Sparganosis due to Spirometra sp. (cestoda; Diphyllobothriidae) in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta).

Abstract We report three cases of sparganosis due to plerocercoids of the tapeworm Spirometra sp. in captive meerkats (Suricata suricatta) from a zoo exhibit in the southeastern United States. Two meerkats were euthanized, one due to an uncontrollable seizure and the other due to trauma, and at necropsy cysts containing cestode larvae were observed. A third meerkat had a subcutaneous nodule surgically removed, which contained similar larvae. The third animal died years later, and had numerous cestode larvae in the pleural and peritoneal cavities. The larvae were morphologically identified as plerocercoids of diphyllobothriidean cestodes. On necropsy, multiple nodules, ranging in size from 2.5 to 3.0 cm, were observed in the subcutaneous tissue and muscles. Multifocally, separating skeletal muscle fibers were longitudinal and transversal sections of cestode larva. Histologically, parasitic cysts contained large numbers of neutrophils and macrophages, admixed with proteinaceous material. Molecular and phylogenetic analyses confirmed that specimens from one of the meerkats belonged to the genus Spirometra and was closely related to Spirometra plerocercoids isolated from a snake from the United States and wild felids from South America. Meerkats likely became infected by ingesting infected second intermediate hosts, such as amphibians and reptiles that may have entered the exhibit. Management practices that minimize access of meerkats and other susceptible hosts to intermediate hosts should be implemented.
Convergence analysis of numerical schemes for the Darcy-Forchheimer problem.

This paper deals with the Darcy-Forchheimer problem with two kinds of boundary conditions. We discretize the system by using the finite element methods and we propose two iterative schemes to solve the discrete problems. The well-posedness and the convergence of the corresponding iterative problems are then proven. Finally, several numerical experiments are performed to validate the proposed numerical schemes.
Paid Family Leave and Mental Health in the U.S.: A Quasi-Experimental Study of State Policies.

Introduction Several U.S. states have implemented paid family leave policies for new parents. Few studies have evaluated the impacts of U.S. paid family leave policies on families’ health. This study tests the hypothesis that paid family leave policies in California and New Jersey improved parent and child mental health. Methods Using national data from the 1997–2016 waves of the National Health Interview Survey, the study assessed changes in parental psychological distress (measured using the Kessler 6 score, n=28,638) and child behavioral problems (measured using the Mental Health Indicator score, n=15,987) using difference-in-differences analysis, a quasi-experimental method that compared outcomes before and after the implementation of paid family leave policies in California and New Jersey while accounting for secular trends in states without paid family leave policies. Secondary analyses were conducted to assess differential responses among prespecified subgroups. Data analysis was conducted in 2018–2021. Results Exposure to paid family leave policies was associated with decreased psychological distress among parents (−0.49, 95% CI= −0.77, −0.21). There was no association between the paid family leave policies and children's behavioral problems (−0.06, 95% CI= −0.13, 0.012). Associations varied by demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, with some subgroups experiencing benefits, whereas others were negatively impacted. Conclusions Study findings suggest that state paid family leave policies improved mental health among parents, with mixed findings among children, including positive, negative, or no changes in mental health, depending on the subgroup. Future work should clarify how more recent state policies, some of which provide more generous benefits and job protections for low-income parents, influence health among affected families.
Depth drives growth dynamics of dreissenid mussels in Lake Ontario

Abstract Understanding dreissenid mussel population dynamics and their impacts on lake ecosystems requires quantifying individual growth across a range of habitats. Most dreissenid mussel growth rates have been estimated in nutrient rich or nearshore environments, but mussels have continued to expand into deep, cold, low-nutrient habitats of the Great Lakes. We measured annual quagga mussel (Dreissena rostriformis bugensis) growth at 15 m, 45 m, and 90 m in Lake Ontario using caged mussels near Oswego, New York, USA from June 2018 to May 2019. Quagga mussel growth (starting size 12 mm) was greatest at 15 m (mean shell length increase = 10.2 mm), and was lower at 45 m (5.9 mm) and 90 m (0.7 mm). Caged mussels were obtained from near the 90-m site and those reared at 15 and 45 m developed thicker shells than those that were caged at 90 m. We observed relatively high colonization by quagga and, to a lesser degree, zebra mussels (Dreissena polymorpha) at 15 m, very few colonizers at 45 m, and none at 90 m. Higher growth potential, but low natural mussel densities observed at 15 m and 45 m suggest factors other than growth limit dreissenid abundance at these depths. The relatively slow dreissenid growth rates observed in offshore habitats are consistent with the gradual abundance increases documented in these zones across the Great Lakes and suggest new mussels that become established in these habitats may contribute to ecosystem effects for decades.
Maternal attachment, self-control, and offending among college students

ABSTRACTGottfredson and Hirschi's general theory of crime is offered as an explanation for delinquent and criminal behavior across all demographics. It focuses on early childhood socialization and its role in nurturing self-control. This study examines the general theory of crime cross-culturally while accounting for maternal attachment. For that purpose, a self-report survey was administered to a sample of 454 Hispanic and White college students enrolled at 1 of 2 universities. The effect of maternal attachment during high school and self-control on analogous behavior and crime during college was examined. Attachment and self-control related to analogous behaviors and crime. Self-control, however, was not able to entirely mediate the effects of attachment on analogous behaviors or crime.
The Current Perception and Practice of 'Shariah Auditing' in Bangladeshi Islamic Banks

Almost all the commercial banks in Bangladesh are operating Islamic banking windows throughout the country to attract Muslims (90% of the population). To ensure shariah compliance, Islamic banks in Bangladesh currently use “Internal Shariah Review” which is basically the SSC’s supervision, monitoring and controlling ‘during’ and ‘after’ the banks’ operation. However, It does not cover a thorough and comprehensive audit to examine the transactions after executing the contracts. There lies a huge functional gap between shariah compliance and internal shariah review, which is obstructing Muslims from trusting these banks. The purpose of this research was to investigate the interpretations of “Shari’ah Auditing” in Islamic Banks by accounting academicians, audit practitioners and Shari’ah scholars in Bangladesh. This research tries to measure the respondents’ idea about establishing “Shari’ah Audit” as a discipline. It also investigates whether there should be a proper shariah audit side-by-side internal shariah review and how far Shariah audit would be worth implementing. Both primary and secondary data were used in this research. For collecting primary data a survey questionnaire, with both ‘open-ended’ and ‘close-ended’ questions, was designed and distributed among the accounting academicians, audit practitioners and Shari’ah scholars in Bangladesh. A combination of quantitative and qualitative method was used to get the result. Frequency distribution method was used to examine the pattern of the respondents (Positivistic approach) and Hermeneutic approach was used to interpret the views of the respondents. The respondents had varying experience of awareness about shariah auditing. However, most of the respondents opined that shariah auditing should be a separate discipline. While shariah scholars claimed that the internal auditor under the guidance of shariah supervisory committee should conduct shariah audit, other respondents opined that an independent professional body should conduct shariah audit. While the shariah scholars considered checking every single transaction should be the best way to ensure shariah compliance, others advocated for existing sampling method. While shariah scholars are quite satisfied, accounting academicians and audit practitioners are quite unhappy about the roles of Islamic banks in promoting shariah audit among the common people. However, most of the respondents opined that there should be a proper shariah audit side-by-side shariah review in the Islamic banks in Bangladesh. Almost all the respondents think that because of the involvement of huge transaction and monitoring costs, Islamic banks in Bangladesh are unwilling to carry out shariah audit instead of or along with shariah review. A unique set of standards for auditing Islamic banks maintaining Islamic shariah principles has to be developed. The existing Islamic banks should maintain a shariah compliance rating for their products and service.
Beta-Reduction as Unification

Abstract We define a unification problem ^UP with the property that, given a pure lambda-term M, we can derive an instance Gamma(M) of ^UP from M such that Gamma(M) has a solution if and only if M is beta-strongly normalizable. There is a type discipline for pure lambda-terms that characterizes beta-strong normalization; this is the system of intersection types (without a ``top'''' type that can be assigned to every lambda-term). In this report, we use a lean version LAMBDA of the usual system of intersection types. Hence, ^UP is also an appropriate unification problem to characterize typability of lambda-terms in LAMBDA. It also follows that ^UP is an undecidable problem, which can in turn be related to semi-unification and second-order unification (both known to be undecidable).
Developments in optical access networks

Optical fibre access network technology has become more complex over the last few years with bit rates steadily increasing. PON systems are available with bit rates in the range 155 Mbit/s to, currently, 622 Mbit/s. Newly designed systems, both PON and point-to-point, will allow this trend to continue with 2.5 Gbit/s systems becoming practicable in the near future. With this increase in technology has come an increase in the opportunities for fibre systems to cost-reduce more of the network, including the “metro” space – a fact which increases the appeal of the technology. Some of the newer PON systems are being designed using Ethernet as the underlying technology with a promise of reducing the price of the technology still further. How this will occur in practice, however, is still unclear. What is certain is that optical access technologies are expanding and are sure to find openings in real networks in the foreseeable future.
Social Worker Hope and Perceived Burnout: The Effects of Age, Years in Practice, and Setting

Abstract A national sample of 1,200 social workers, categorized by the National Association of Social Workers as being in clinical practice, participated in a study to find out whether social work clinicians decline in hope or have increasing burnout over the course of their careers. In the final sample of 676 respondents, social workers' self-reported burnout was negatively associated with social worker age. Practice setting (i.e., either public or private practice) moderated the relation between perceived burnout and years in social work. Burnout seemed to decline with increasing years in private practice, but not in public practice. The results also suggest that social worker hope is higher in public practice than in private practice. However, for older social workers, hope in these two settings is about equal. Implications for social work managers and administrators are discussed.
Disclosure of complementary health approaches among low income and racially diverse safety net patients with diabetes

Abstract Objective Patient–provider communication about complementary health approaches can support diabetes self-management by minimizing risk and optimizing care. We sought to identify sociodemographic and communication factors associated with disclosure of complementary health approaches to providers by low-income patients with diabetes. Methods We used data from San Francisco Health Plan's SMARTSteps Program, a trial of diabetes self-management support for low-income patients ( n =278) through multilingual automated telephone support. Interviews collected use and disclosure of complementary health approaches in the prior month, patient–physician language concordance, and quality of communication. Results Among racially, linguistically diverse participants, half (47.8%) reported using complementary health practices ( n =133), of whom 55.3% disclosed use to providers. Age, sex, race/ethnicity, nativity, education, income, and health literacy were not associated with disclosure. In adjusted analyses, disclosure was associated with language concordance (AOR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.05, 4.67), physicians' interpersonal communication scores (AOR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.19), shared decision making (AOR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.33, 2.29), and explanatory-type communication (AOR=1.46, 95% CI: 1.03, 2.09). Conclusion Safety net patients with diabetes commonly use complementary health approaches and disclose to providers with higher patient-rated quality of communication. Practice implications Patient–provider language concordance and patient-centered communication can facilitate disclosure of complementary health approaches.
Clarke's Defense of the Contrast Argument

In his (2004), Randolph Clarke assesses an important version of an influential argument against libertarianism about metaphysical freedom. Clarke calls the anti-libertarian argument he evaluates the Contrast Argument. It targets the following claim: there could be an undetermined free act done by S such that S would have freely done something else had S not done the act in question. This modal claim will be endorsed not only by proponents of main brands of libertarianism, but also by action theorists of other stripes – including many compatibilists. Clarke aims to defend the Contrast Argument from a prominent objection by developing a novel case for the premise under attack. I show that Clarke's attempted defense of the Contrast Argument fails, thereby protecting the relevant libertarian and compatibilist positions. In brief, Clarke's argument depends on an ambiguous principle, each available reading of which leaves some or other premise of his argument unjustified.
Efficiency of sulfurization in the synthesis of oligodeoxyribonucleotide phosphorothioates utilizing various sulfurizing reagents

Abstract The synthesis of fully modified oligodeoxyribonucleotide phosphorothioates utilizing various sulfurizing reagents is described.
Introduction to the use of protons and heavy ions in radiation therapy: Historical perspective

Abstract For over 20 years, medical irradiation using proton and subsequently helium ion beams has been utilized, principally for ablative therapy of the pituitary and most often with the plateau portion of the beam rather than the extended Bragg peak. More recently, cancer radiotherapy using proton beams has seen limited clinical trial in Sweden and more extensive ongoing trials in the Soviet Union.. Pilot studies of extended Bragg peak therapy of neoplastic disease using protons (Harvard cyclotron) and helium ions (184 in. Berkeley synchrocy-clotron) have been underway in this country for about one year. For ions heavier than helium, sufficiently penetrating beams for cancer radiotherapy became available August of 1974 with successful activation of the Bevalac at Berkeley. Extensive preclinical evaluation of the dosimetry and biological properties of these heavier ion beams are being directed toward an evaluation of their suitability for beginning clinical trials, with the latter planned for mid-1977 if results are favorable. Potential therapeutic advantages and the extent to which they are supported by present knowledge of the physical and biological characteristics of heavy charged particle beams will be discussed.
Design of neutron streak camera for fusion diagnostics

The D-T burn time for advanced laser-fusion targets is calculated to be very short, < 50 ps. We describe the design of a neutron streak camera of 16 ps resolving time that can be used to study the temporal history of fusion burn. The cathode of the neutron streak camera is sensitive to neutrons and is curved such that the difference in the neutron path lengths from a point source to various parts of the cathode is compensated by electron transit times within the streak tube. Thus the cathode can be made large for high sensitivity, without sacrificing time resolution. The cathode is coated with 1 pm UO2. Each fission fragment leaving the cathode generates 400 secondary electrons that are all < 20 eV. These electrons are focussed to a point with an extractor and an anode, and are then purified with an electrostatic deflector. The electron beam is streaked and detected with the standard streak camera techniques. Careful shielding is needed for x-rays from the fusion target and general background. It appears that the neutron streak camera can be a viable and unique tool for studying temporal history of fusion burns in D-T plasmas of a few key ion temperature.A;© (1983) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Organic Chemistry (Brown, William H.)

Brown has used a traditional format, with which most instructors and students feel comfortable, organized by functional group with extra chapters for acid-base, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. T...
Legal Risk in Selection: An Analysis of Processes and Tools

This paper reviews a decade of employment litigation to illuminate the most legally dangerous selection devices and employment practices. A sample (n = 312) of court cases drawn from 10 years of Bloomberg BNA case briefs was analyzed to determine which selection tools (e.g., biographical information blank, interview, cognitive ability test, and psychomotor test) and which selection processes (e.g., violations of the four-fifths rule, administrative inconsistencies, lack of documentation, failure to provide accommodations) are most at risk for litigation for unfair employment practices. Results demonstrate that while some selection tools do attract legal scrutiny, dangerous hiring practices such as favoritism against protected classes and improper human resource documentation put employers at far greater risk of suit. When considering cases settled outside of court and those that continued to trial, the data reveal that employers lose employment discrimination cases at a rate nearing 90 % and suffer an average payout of over $1.5 million per case. Just as legal challenges once drove the search for selection tools free of adverse impact, the current legal landscape demonstrates the necessity of fair and consistent selection processes. This paper provides evidence of common mistakes in implementing selection systems—mistakes that lead to costly legal battles. This paper reduces cumbersome legal records into useful evidence of trends in recent employment law cases. Selection system designers and organizations who implement them will benefit from avoiding the risky hiring practices presented in this paper.
Extreme rays for cones of Hermitian matrix functions that are non-negative on the positive semi-definite matrices

Abstract Given a complex valued function λ with domain s n , the symmetric group on {1,2,…, n ), we define the matrix function d λ (·) in the usual way, and restrict d λ (·) to ℋ n , the n × n positive semi-definite Hermitian matrices. If λ∈ℂS n ,. the algebra of functions from S n to ℂ. then λ is said to be Hermitian if λ(σ −1 = λ(σ) for each σ ∈ S n . By K n we mean the cone of Hermitian elements λ ∈ℂS n such that d λ {A) ⩾0 for each A ∈ℋ n , and by K el n , also a cone, we mean the intersection of K n with the set of class functions on S n . Recently Barrett, Hall, and Loewy showed that if n ⩽4. then K el n is finitely generated, and that there is a finite set ℐ.U n ⊂ ∛ n of matrices, called test matrices, such that a class function λ: S n → ℂ is in K el n if and only if d λ { A ) ⩾ 0 for each A ∈ ℐ.U n . We demonstrate that if n ⩾ 3. then the larger cone K n is not finitely generated by presenting an infinite set of extreme rays. Consequently, there is no finite set of test matrices for K n when n ⩾ 3. In addition we present a scheme that is effective in identifying extreme rays in both K n and K ef n and use it in conjunction with various sets of test matrices to identify additional extreme rays in each of these cones. In particular, certain of the rays associated with the Fischer inequality are proved to be extreme in K n , and K ef n .
Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor-1 (FGFR-1) Is Essential for Normal Neural Tube and Limb Development

Fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR-1) is a membrane-spanning tyrosine kinase that serves as a high-affinity receptor for fibroblast growth factors. It has recently been shown that FGFR-1 mutant embryos die during gastrulation displaying severe growth retardation and defective mesodermal structures. This early lethality has obscured functions of FGFR-1 that might occur later in development. To circumvent these embryonic defects, we generated chimeras by injecting FGFR-1-deficient (R1-/-) ES cells into wild-type blastocysts. We found that the fgfr-1 gene plays an important role after gastrulation and that it acts in a cell-autonomous fashion. Embryos with a high contribution of R1-/- cells replicate the FGFR-1 null phenotype and die during gastrulation. In contrast, the majority of embryos with a low contribution of R1-/- cells complete gastrulation and display malformations of posterior structures at later stages of embryogenesis. These abnormalities include truncation of embryonic structures, limb bud malformation, partial duplication of the neural tube, tail distortion, and spina bifida caused by the amplification of neural tissue in the posterior portion of the spinal cord. Thus, FGFR-1 plays a role in neurulation, suggesting that there may be a connection between FGFR-1-mediated signal pathways and neural tube defects, the most common malformations in the human central nervous system.
Effects of proteoglycan extraction on the tensile behavior of articular cartilage

We undertook an interdisciplinary biomechanical and biochemical study to explore the extent and manner in which the total pool of proteoglycans influences the kinetic and static behavior of bovine articular cartilage in tension. Two biomechanical tests were used: (a) the viscoelastic creep test and (b) a slow constant-rate uniaxial tension test; and two enzymatic proteoglycan extraction procedures were used: (a) chondroitinase ABC treatment and (b) a sequential enzymatic treatment with chondroitinase ABC, trypsin, and Streptomyces hyaluronidase. We found that the viscoelastic creep response of all cartilage specimens may be divided into two distinct phases: an initial phase (less than 15 s), characterized by a rapid increase in strain following load application, and a late phase (15 s less than or equal to t less than 25,000 s), characterized by a more gradual increase in strain. A major finding of this study is that the kinetics of the creep response is greatly influenced by the glycosaminoglycan content of the tissue. For untreated and control specimens, the initial response comprises about 50% of the total strain, while for chondroitinase ABC and sequentially extracted specimens, the initial response comprises up to 83% of the total strain. Furthermore, most untreated and control specimens did not reach equilibrium within the 25,000 s test period, while enzymatically digested specimens often reached equilibrium in less than 100 s. Thus, we conclude that through their physical restraints on collagen, the bulk of proteoglycan present in the tissue acts to retard fibrillar reorganization and alignment under tensile loading, thereby effectively preventing sudden extension of the collagen network. In contrast, the results of our slow constant-rate uniaxial tension experiment show that essentially complete extraction of proteoglycan glycosaminoglycans does not affect the intrinsic tensile stiffness and strength of cartilage specimens or the collagen network in a significant manner. Hence, an important function of the bulk proteoglycans (i.e., the large aggregating type) in cartilage is to retard the rate of stretch and alignment when a tensile load is suddenly applied. This mechanism may be useful in protecting the cartilage collagen network during physiological situations, where sudden impact forces are imposed on a joint.
ATRIAL FIBRILLATION RESULTS IN HIGHER MORTALITY IN PATIENTS WITH PULMONARY HYPERTENSION

Established prognostic factors for pulmonary hypertension (PH) include brain natriuretic peptide and hemodynamic measures such as central venous pressure and cardiac output. The prognostic role of atrial fibrillation (AF) is yet to be determined in patients with PH. The aim of this study was to
New Approaches to the Pathology and Genetics of Neurodegeneration

The pathologies of major neurodegenerative diseases including Parkinson disease and Alzheimer disease have been well known for decades. More recently, advances in molecular genetics have suggested important mechanistic links between the pathology of these disorders and pathogenesis of neuronal dysfunction and death. Numerous animal models have been produced based on the new information emerging from human genetic studies. As a complement to traditional mouse models, a number of investigators have modeled neurodegenerative diseases in simple model organisms ranging from yeast to Drosophila. These simple genetic models often display remarkable pathological similarities to their cognate human disorders, and genetic and biochemical studies have yielded important insights into the pathogenesis of the human disorders. Use of these tractable simple models may become even more important as large amounts of genetic data emerge from genome-wide association studies in Alzheimer disease, Parkinson disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders.
The role of the American Medical Association in product evaluation

In the area of soap bacteriostats the concern of the American Medical Association is with safety. Manufacturers who contemplate market tests of consumer products are encouraged to share the scientific information about these products with the appropriate AMA department.
SIGLEC12, a Human-specific Segregating (Pseudo)gene, Encodes a Signaling Molecule Expressed in Prostate Carcinomas

The primate SIGLEC12 gene encodes one of the CD33-related Siglec family of signaling molecules in immune cells. We had previously reported that this gene harbors a human-specific missense mutation of the codon for an Arg residue required for sialic acid recognition. Here we show that this R122C mutation of the Siglec-XII protein is fixed in the human population, i.e. it occurred prior to the origin of modern humans. Additional mutations have since completely inactivated the SIGLEC12 gene in some but not all humans. The most common inactivating mutation with a global allele frequency of 58% is a single nucleotide frameshift that markedly shortens the open reading frame. Unlike other CD33-related Siglecs that are primarily found on immune cells, we found that Siglec-XII protein is expressed not only on some macrophages but also on various epithelial cell surfaces in humans and chimpanzees. We also found expression on certain human prostate epithelial carcinomas and carcinoma cell lines. This expression correlates with the presence of the nonframeshifted, intact SIGLEC12 allele. Although SIGLEC12 allele status did not predict prostate carcinoma incidence, restoration of expression in a prostate carcinoma cell line homozygous for the frameshift mutation induced altered regulation of several genes associated with carcinoma progression. These stably transfected Siglec-XII-expressing prostate cancer cells also showed enhanced growth in nude mice. Finally, monoclonal antibodies against the protein were internalized by Siglec-XII-expressing prostate carcinoma cells, allowing targeting of a toxin to such cells. Polymorphic expression of Siglec-XII in humans thus has implications for prostate cancer biology and therapeutics.
Continuous Spectral Energy Distribution within the X-ray Tube

Continuous spectral energy distribution of x-radiation as emitted from the target of a Coolidge tube at right angles to the beam of electrons, has been determined from the distribution curve obtained with a rock salt crystal spectrometer and a methyl iodide ionization chamber, by applying the following corrections: (1) For superposed higher orders (determined from polychromat curves and also from the absorption of the complex rays in aluminum); (2) for incompleteness of absorption in the ionization chamber (determined by absorption experiments); (3) for absorption by glass wall, by air, and by aluminum window (determined by observation or by computation); (4) for reflecting power of the rock salt crystal (obtained from curve derived from results of various investigators). The final curves show maxima at 0.445 and 0.503A for 71 and 51 kv respectively. Comparison of these curves with those given by the theories of Behnken, March, and Davis, shows agreement with none. The maxima correspond to the equation ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{m}=k+{k}^{\ensuremath{'}}{\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\circ}}$, where ${\ensuremath{\lambda}}_{\ensuremath{\circ}}$ is the quantum wave-length.Intensities of various orders of x-ray spectra simultaneously reflected from a crystal, determined experimentally as stated above, do not correspond to Dauvillier's assumption. Families of spectra may be corrected for order effects by a graphical method based upon the linearity of isochromats.Production of constant potential x-ray spectra with alternating voltage by use of a synchronous shutter between tube and spectrometer is described.
Radionuclide imaging of nonneoplastic soft tissue disorders

In the decade since the introduction of the first 99m Tc phosphates, bone imaging has become a popular diagnostic tool. Early on, it became apparent that many tissues other than bone accumulated these pharmaceuticals. A list of nonneoplastic extraosseous conditions with demonstrated affinity for 99m Tc phosphates, derived from a literature search and the author's experience, is presented. Several cases demonstrating features that have not been previously described or are not well known are presented. Finally, mechanisms of localization of these agents are discussed.
Identification and separation of five cephalosporins by micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography.

The cephalosporins are a group of structurally related, broad spectrum beta-lactam antibiotics isolated from the mold Cephalosporium. Methods of analysis of cephalosporin antibiotics include microbiological, titrimetric and chromatographic assays. Chromatographic techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography, have been extensively utilized for specific and sensitive assays of beta-lactam antibiotics in a variety of matrices, i.e. clinical and pharmaceutical. Several of the drawbacks of HPLC in the analysis of cephalosporins in food and biological samples include matrix interferences and low resolution due to column adsorption. Recently, the applicability of capillary electrophoresis to the resolution of beta-lactam antibiotics has been demonstrated in the literature. In this paper we employed sodium borate and an anionic surfactant, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), in a separation technique called micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography with UV detection, to resolve a mixture of five cephalosporins--cefuroxime, cephalexin, cephapirin, cefamandole nafate and cephalothin. The presence of SDS in the running buffer above the critical micelle concentration, creates a pseudostationary phase enabling high-efficiency chromatographic separations. The effect of the ion-pairing reagent, pentanesulfonic acid sodium salt, on the resolution of the cephalosporin mixture in conjunction with SDS was also examined.
A comprehensive review of gastroesophageal reflux disease and obesity.

Summary Obesity has been implicated as an important risk factor for the development of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). A variety of physiological abnormalities have been described which likely contribute to the association of GERD and obesity. These abnormalities involve the oesophageal body, lower oesophageal sphincter and stomach. For obese patients with GERD, weight loss in conjunction with anti-secretory medications is first-line therapy. For those with severe obesity who fail medical weight loss treatment, bariatric surgery has been shown to be beneficial. On balance, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is probably the most efficacious surgery for patients with morbid obesity suffering from concomitant GERD.
Disaster recovery planning: a strategy for data security

The migration from centralized mainframe computers to distributed client/server systems has created a concern on data security. If a disaster occurs to the organization that destroys a server or the entire network, a company may not be able to recover from the loss. Developing an effective disaster recovery plan will help an organization protect them from data loss.
Copper (I) and (II) complexes of melamine

Abstract Coordination of copper (I) and (II) salts to melamine (Mel) produces [CuX(Mel)] [X = Cl ( 5a ), Br ( 5b ), I ( 5c ), NO 3 ( 5d )], [CuX 2 (Mel) 2 ] · S [X = Cl, S = H 2 O ( 6a ); X = Cl, S = 2 MeOH ( 6b ); X = Br, S = 1/2H 2 O ( 6c ); X = OAc, S = none ( 6d )], and [Cu(OAc) 2 (Mel)] ( 7 ). The chemical identity of the complexes has been confirmed by elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, thermogravimetry, and infrared analysis.
Methamphetamine Abstinence Syndrome: Preliminary Findings

Retrospective reports suggest that chronic use of methamphetamine is associated with a prolonged abstinence syndrome; however, there are no prospective studies confirming this. Nineteen non-treatment-seeking methamphetamine-dependent volunteers participated in a study of mood during initial abstinence. Moderate levels of depression were reported during the first several days of abstinence, with minimal levels reported thereafter. The most prominent symptoms were anhedonia, irritability, and poor concentration. The abstinence syndrome associated with methamphetamine dependence varied considerably in intensity and duration but generally was mild and resolved quickly for most individuals.
Nutrient Intakes of Adolescents and Adults with Phenylketonuria

Abstract Eighteen PKU individuals completed three-day food records. Nutrient analysis of the diets was determined using the Minnesota Nutrition Data System for Research. Subjects were divided into three medical formula consumption groups: Adequate (n s =6), Inadequate (n=3) and No Formula (n=9). Adequate formula was defined as consuming ≥ 80% of the Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) of protein from medical formula. Statistical significance was found among the three groups using ANOVA for the mean nutrient intakes of folate (p=0.01), calcium (p 12 . The results of this pilot study suggest that PKU subjects consuming no medical formula or less than adequate amounts of medical formula are at risk for several nutrient deficiencies. Supplementation with vitamins and minerals may be warranted in these subjects.
The multiple hemoglobins of the chick embryo.

Two embryonic hemoglobins are found in chick erythrocytes during early development by column chromatography on DEAE-cellulose and by electrophoresis on starch gel and gelatinized cellulose acetate. Beginning during the sixth day of incubation these are replaced by three different hemoglobins. Following hatching, chicks lose the most alkaline component, so that in the adult two hemoglobins are again found. Chromatographic fractionation on phosphonic acid cellulose also revealed an increase in the number of hemoglobins present in chicks during their development. We report the presence of at least 11 hemoglobins whose relative concentrations rise and fall during chick ontogeny. Failure to recognize the multiplicity of chicken hemoglobins is believed to be the major source of the confusion regarding this subject in the present literature.
Self-administration of D1 receptor agonists by squirrel monkeys.

Dopaminergic mechanisms are believed to play a prominent role in the self-administration of cocaine and other abused stimulants. The contribution of D2 receptors is now well established, but less is known about the role of D1 receptors in the reinforcing effects of these drugs. To help clarify the role of D1 mechanisms in stimulant self-administration, agonists differing in D1 receptor selectivity (SKF 81297>SKF 82958>SKF 77434) and efficacy (SKF 82958>SKF 81297>SKF 77434) were studied for their ability to maintain IV self-administration in squirrel monkeys previously trained to self-administer cocaine. Up to a 100-fold range of doses of each D1 agonist was studied under both a fixed-ratio (FR) and a second-order fixed-interval (FI) schedule of reinforcement. Parallel studies were conducted with the D2 receptor agonists, (+)-PHNO and quinpirole, under the second-order FI schedule. Of the three D1 agonists, only SKF 82958 maintained consistent self-administration under both the FR and second-order FI schedules and had dose-related effects that were qualitatively similar to those of (+)-PHNO and quinpirole under the latter condition. SKF 81297, which has high selectivity at D1 receptors and intermediate agonist efficacy, maintained self-administration in the majority of monkeys under the FR schedule, but did not maintain self-administration under the second-order FI schedule. SKF 77434, which has moderate selectivity at D1 receptors and low agonist efficacy, did not maintain self-administration under either schedule. The results suggest that the ability of D1 agonists to maintain IV self-administration in squirrel monkeys depends both on the type of schedule and on the pharmacological properties (i.e. selectivity and efficacy) of the particular drug. These results are also consistent with the view that D1, in addition to D2, receptor mechanisms play a role in the self-administration of abused stimulants.
Multigrid methods for the computation of singular solutions and stress intensity factors I: corner singularities

We consider the Poisson equation −Δu=f with homogeneous Dirichlet boundary condition on a two-dimensional polygonal domain Ω with cracks. Multigrid methods for the computation of singular solutions and stress intensity factors using piecewise linear functions are analyzed. The convergence rate for the stress intensity factors is\(\mathcal{O}(h^{(3/2) - \in } )\) whenfeL2(Ω) and\(\mathcal{O}(h^{(2 - \in )} )\) whenfeH1(Ω). The convergence rate in the energy norm is\(\mathcal{O}(h^{(1 - \in )} )\) in the first case and\(\mathcal{O}(h)\) in the second case. The costs of these multigrid methods are proportional to the number of elements in the triangulation. The general case wherefeHm(Ω) is also discussed.
The evaluation of nystatin on the course of coccidioidomycosis in mice.

Nystatin (Fungicidin) was first isolated and reported in 1949 by Brown and Hazen (1) and they have presented its chemical, biological and fungicidal properties in several subsequent articles (2—4). It is obtained from an unidentified species of Streptomyces which in their collection was designated as strain No. 48240. The source of the drug is unique in that it is obtained from the pellicle formed by the growth of the organism in liquid medium and not from the culture filtrate. The known physical, chemical and biological properties of Nystatin distinguish it from any of the antibiotics reported in the literature. However, Raubitacheck, et al. (5), has recently isolated an antifungal antibiotic from the culture filtrate of a strain closely related to Streptomyces aureus which was found to be similar to Nystatin. Nystatin in amounts of 1.56 to 6.25 g/ml of broth was found in vitro to effectively inhibit the growth of a large variety of nonpathogenic and pathogenic fungi including Coccidioides immitis. The agent has not shown activity in concentrations as high as 100 g/ml. against some of the common bacterial pathogens. The incubation of Nystatin in the presence of defibrinated horse blood or serum does not modify its activity. The approximate LD50 of crude Nystatin when administered intraperitoneally to mice was between 20 and 26 mg/kg. Mice injected with large numbers of Cryptococcus neoformans and Histo plasma capsulatum and given repeated parenteral doses of Nystatin had a milder form of infection and their life was prolonged beyond that of the controls. The purpose of this paper is to present the preliminary results obtained from an evaluation of Nystatin both in vitro and in vivo against Coccidioides immitis.