cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) Of Brain Tumors (P7.019)

Objective: To determine the maximum tolerable dose (MTD) of Photofrin in pediatric subjects. Background: The principle behind PDT is light-mediated activation of a photosensitizer that is selectively accumulated in the target tissue, causing tumor-cell destruction through singlet-oxygen production. Transfer and translation of captured light energy into chemical reaction in the presence of molecular oxygen produces singlet oxygen or superoxide, and induces cell damage through direct and indirect cytotoxicity. Design/Methods: This phase I study includes pediatric subjects with brain tumors that are deemed refractory to conventional therapy. The subjects are individuals with either supratentorial or infratentorial brain tumors. A minimum number 3 pediatric subjects will be required for each dose level (Dose Escalation Scheme - Laser 240 J/cm2) Dose Level of Photofrin - 0.5 mg kg−1, 1.3 mg kg−1, 2.0 mg kg−1, 3.0 mg kg−1. MTD is defined as the Photofrin dose that precedes the dose level used with a subgroup of subjects that exhibits a greater than 33% DLT occurrence. Dose Limiting Toxicity(DLT) is defined as any of the following events that are at least possibly, probably, or definitely attributable to experimental - intervention: Neurotoxicity, Photosensitivity, ocular sensitivity, any other toxicity of CTCAE grade 4 or higher. Results: 3 patients were enrolled in this phase I study (Patient #1-15 year old boy with high risk medulloblastoma. Patient #2-28 month old boy with grade 2/3 ependymoma and Patient #3-5 year old boy with anaplastic 4th ventricular ependymoma). Patient 1 followed at 31 days and patient 2 at 13 days post PDT did not reveal any dose related toxicity related to PDT. (Patient 3 is currently undergoing the procedure at the time of submission) Conclusions: This is first ever phase I trial to be conducted on pediatric patients with brain tumors to determine the maximum tolerable dose of Photofrin. Study Supported by the Bleser Endowed Chair in Neurology, the Baumann Research Endowment, and a Pinnacle Biologics Grant (to Dr. Whelan). Disclosure: Dr. Parachuri has nothing to disclose. Dr. Katyayan has nothing to disclose. Dr. Whelan has nothing to disclose.
Women motorcyclists: Childhood foundations and adult pathways

Women have been involved in motorcycling for almost one hundred years, but it has always been an activity dominated by men. However, recent data suggest that women are now becoming active motorcyclists in greater numbers. This study identifies variables which are related to a woman becoming a motorcyclist and the nature of the process. It also investigates the possibility that the meaning of motorcycling may be different for women. The women riders in this study reported substantial involvement in outdoor activities as a child, and they tended to be involved in competitive sports. Most reported enjoying boys ' games and playing with boys prior to adolescence. Many appeared to be the products of gender neutral child rearing, especially from fathers. The most common entrance to motorcycle operation was via a boyfriend or spouse. For many of these women, motorcycling has special meaning for them as a woman.
Integrating national culture measures in the context of business decision making

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to detail the measurement development of a set of indices that manifest culture in the context of business decision making.Design/methodology/approach – Survey research was conducted eliciting opinion data from managers of firms in two countries, the USA and Hungary, for cross‐cultural comparison. Critical issues of measurement equivalency are assessed using item response theory (IRT) prior to the comparison of the US and Hungarian manager samples.Findings – The following sub‐indices were identified as a result of the analysis: individualism in decision making; individualism and authority; logic/emotion; equality as people, equality of authority, tolerance for ambiguity in decision making; tolerance for ambiguity and flexibility, and time orientation.Research limitations/implications – While the framework provides a broad representation of the cultural value dimensions (CVD) in a business context, it cannot be said that it encompasses the entire dimension or where th...
Mechanics of the Musculoskeletal System

Many professionals interested in human movement function need information on how forces act on and within the tissues of the body. The deformations of muscles, tendons, and bones created by external forces, as well as the internal forces created by these same structures, are relevant to understanding human movement or injury. This chapter will provide an overview of the mechanics of biomaterials, specifically muscles, tendons, ligaments, and bone. The neuromuscular control of muscle forces and the mechanical characteristics of muscle will also be summarized. The application of these concepts is illustrated using the Force-Time Principle of biomechanics. An understanding of mechanics of musculoskeletal tissues is important in understanding the organization of movement, injury, and designing conditioning programs.
Dopamine resistance of prolactinomas

Resistance to dopamine agonists can be defined with respect to failure to normalize PRL levels and failure to decrease tumor size by ≥50%. Using these definitions, failure to normalize PRL levels is seen in 24% of those treated with bromocriptine, 13% of those treated with pergolide and 11% of those treated with cabergoline. Failure to achieve at least a 50% reduction in tumor size occurs in about one-third of those treated with bromocriptine and 10–15% of those treated with pergolide or cabergoline. Studies of in vitro cell preparations show that the D2 receptors of resistant tumors are decreased in number but have normal affinity.
Modeling low impact development in two Chicago communities

Sustainable practices that will aid in reducing runoff volume and nutrient loading during storm events are needed in many urban areas. Continued assessment of the hydrologic impact of low impact development (LID) practices in urban communities is needed to support development and re-development of residential areas. An evaluation using the L-THIA LID model of two south-side Chicago communities with hypothetical implementation levels of LID features is presented in this study. The results revealed that incorporating LID practices such as porous pavement, and rain barrels, could have a noticeable impact on average annual runoff and the nonpoint source (NPS) pollutants carried in the runoff. Porous pavement on 50% of current parking lot space could result in an estimated 24% decrease in runoff volume. Additionally, the runoff reduction for all scenarios ranged from 2–24%. Hence, these results indicate that implementation of LID features in urban communities could provide substantial benefits.
A nested phosphorus and proton coil array for brain magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy

A dual-nuclei radiofrequency coil array was constructed for phosphorus and proton magnetic resonance imaging and spectroscopy of the human brain at 7T. An eight-channel transceive degenerate birdcage phosphorus module was implemented to provide whole-brain coverage and significant sensitivity improvement over a standard dual-tuned loop coil. A nested eight-channel proton module provided adequate sensitivity for anatomical localization without substantially sacrificing performance on the phosphorus module. The developed array enabled phosphorus spectroscopy, a saturation transfer technique to calculate the global creatine kinase forward reaction rate, and single-metabolite whole-brain imaging with 1.4cm nominal isotropic resolution in 15min (2.3cm actual resolution), while additionally enabling 1mm isotropic proton imaging. This study demonstrates that a multi-channel array can be utilized for phosphorus and proton applications with improved coverage and/or sensitivity over traditional single-channel coils. The efficient multi-channel coil array, time-efficient pulse sequences, and the enhanced signal strength available at ultra-high fields can be combined to allow volumetric assessment of the brain and could provide new insights into the underlying energy metabolism impairment in several neurodegenerative conditions, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, as well as mental disorders such as schizophrenia.
The Potlatch Papers: A Colonial Case History

The Potlatch Papers:. Colonial Case History. Christopher Bracken. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1997.276 pp.
Action Recognition of Sleeping at the Desk Using Regression on a Dependency Graph

In this paper, we present a hierarchical method of activity recognition for sleeping at the desk in business hall. The method consists of three steps. First, the reference points such as body joints are obtained from workers in business hall. Second, we build the dependency graph to represent the relationships between reference points. Third, the multidimensional output regressions along the dependency paths are used to estimate the positions of these reference body points. Experimental results demonstrate that our method achieves comparable accuracy to state-of-the-art results.
Ethics and the Treatment of the Mentally Ill, Homeless Person: a Perspective on Psychiatry Resident Training

The authors outline the unique ethical challenges that psychiatry residents face in working with individuals who are homeless and mentally ill. The authors also propose steps to develop effective teaching methods with residents working with these patients. The authors reviewed literature relevant to the training of psychiatry residents in ethics and treating individuals who are homeless and mentally ill. The authors summarize current literature and, with the use of case examples, provide guidelines for effective teaching. Teaching psychiatry residents who are working in the community with individuals who are mentally ill and homeless needs to address a number of unique ethical conflicts that arise in this area. The authors outline approaches to this teaching.
Optimal Resource Allocation in Library Systems.

A procedure is developed for optimal allocation of resources among the many processes of a library system. Queueing theory is used to model processes as either waiting or balking processes. The optimal allocation of resources to these processes is defined as that which maximizes the expected value of the decision-maker's utility function. An application of the procedure to a specific library system is discussed.
The Evaluation and Treatment of Graves Ophthalmopathy

Optimum care of the patient with Graves ophthalmopathy (GO) is achieved through teamwork between the endocrinologist and ophthalmologist, with input from ancillary specialists as needed. Clinical evaluation should include determination of both the severity and the activity of the disease. It is important to assess early in the evaluation the impact of the disease on the patient's quality of life and their priorities and expectations regarding management. Once this information has been gathered, careful discussion between patient and physicians can define the management plan. This article reviews the pathophysiology, epidemiology, evaluation, and management of GO.
Improved efficiency of gene transfer to the transplanted lung by retrograde vascular gene delivery

Experiments were designed to evaluate the efficiency of antegrade compared to retrograde vascular gene transfection of donor lungs used for transplantation. Rat donor lungs (n = 5/group) were transduced with an adenoviral vector encoding for β-galactosidase (AdβGal), either antegrade in the pulmonary artery (Group A, 3 × 108 pfu, Group B, 3 × 109 pfu) or retrograde into the pulmonary vein (Group C, 3 × 108 pfu), immediately after pneumoplegia. After storage at 4 °C for 1 h, the transduced lungs were transplanted orthotopically in syngeneic animals. The lungs were assessed for transgene expression by ELISA and X-Gal-staining at day 7 after operation. Inflammation was graded based on the extent of inflammatory cell infiltration. Transgene expression was similar between Groups A (1.7 ± 0.7 ng/mg protein) and B (2.1 ± 1.0 ng/mg protein). With retrograde delivery, there was a four-fold (8.3 ± 2.6 ng/mg protein) increase (P < 0.05) in transgene expression compared to either group A or B. In all groups, pneumocytes were transduced most frequently. The degree of inflammation correlated positively with the extent of transgene expression (r = 0.75, P < 0.01). The efficiency of vascular gene delivery to transplanted lungs can be improved by retrograde delivery of the vector via the pulmonary vein. Transgene expression predominates in pneumocytes following both antegrade and retrograde delivery. The severity of inflammation in the transplanted lung appears to correlate with the extent of transgene expression.
Emerging Carbon and Post-Carbon Nanomaterial Inks for Printed Electronics.

Carbon and post-carbon nanomaterials present desirable electrical, optical, chemical, and mechanical attributes for printed electronics, offering low-cost, large-area functionality on flexible substrates. In this Perspective, recent developments in carbon nanomaterial inks are highlighted. Monodisperse semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes compatible with inkjet and aerosol jet printing are ideal channels for thin-film transistors, while inkjet, gravure, and screen-printable graphene-based inks are better-suited for electrodes and interconnects. Despite the high performance achieved in prototype devices, additional effort is required to address materials integration issues encountered in more complex systems. In this regard, post-carbon nanomaterial inks (e.g., electrically insulating boron nitride and optically active transition-metal dichalcogenides) present promising opportunities. Finally, emerging work to extend these nanomaterial inks to three-dimensional printing provides a path toward nonp...
Costs of beta-lactam allergies: selection and costs of antibiotics for patients with a reported beta-lactam allergy.

Objective To evaluate antibiotic selection and the cost effect of reported beta-lactam allergies. Design Retrospective medical records review comparing antimicrobial selection and costs in patients with a reported beta-lactam allergy with a group in which no such allergy had been documented. Setting University-based family medicine clinic. Patients Patients who were prescribed at least 1 antibiotic for an upper respiratory tract infection, otitis media, sinusitis, and/or a urinary tract infection were eligible. One thousand two hundred one patients were identified via ICD-9-CM (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification) codes. Four hundred sixty-five patients were initially identified and an additional 195 family members were eligible for inclusion. Main outcome measures Comparison of antimicrobial selection and costs (by average wholesale price) between patients with and without a reported beta-lactam allergy. Results Of the 660 patients eligible for inclusion, 99 (15%) had a documented beta-lactam allergy. Of the patients with a documented allergy, only 33% had a description of their purported reaction. The mean antibiotic cost for patients with a beta-lactam allergy was significantly higher compared with those without a beta-lactam allergy ($26.81 vs $16.28, respectively; P =.004). Patients with a beta-lactam allergy were more likely to have received a cephalosporin, macrolide, or a miscellaneous agent (eg, quinolone, tetracycline, or nitrofurantoin) (P =.001). Conclusions Patients with a beta-lactam allergy had higher antibiotic costs and were more likely to receive a broader-spectrum antibiotic. Most patients with a reported allergy did not have a description of their reaction. Skin testing may be of use in detecting true beta-lactam allergies; however, further study is needed to determine its cost-effectiveness.
Chemical manipulations of nanoscale electron transfers

Abstract The recent progress in nanoscale electron transfers is reviewed. Here, we focus on quantized capacitance charging of monolayer-protected nanoparticle molecules. For gold nanoparticles larger than 1.6 nm in diameter, this novel charge transfer phenomenon is represented by a series of voltammetric peaks that are evenly separated around 0 V; whereas for smaller-sized particles, uneven spacings of the discrete charging peaks are observed. Additionally a sizeable bandgap starts to evolve with decreasing particle core size, due to the quantum size effect. This bandgap can be further manipulated by the interactions between the particle core and surface ligands. When nanoparticles are immobilized onto electrode surfaces by bifunctional chemical linkages, one system that is of particular interest is the observation of ion-induced rectification of nanoparticle quantized charging in aqueous media in the presence of hydrophobic electrolyte ions. This is interpreted on the basis of the ion-pair formation between “soft” electrolyte ions and particle molecules which leads to the variation of the electrode interfacial double-layer capacitance (Randles equivalent circuit). Further control of nanoscale electron transfers can be accomplished by magnetic and photochemical interactions. Fundamentally, these studies offer a rare glimpse of the molecular origin and mechanistic regulation of electron transfers at nanoscale interfaces.
A mechanism of cell survival: Sequestration of Fas by the HGF receptor met

Death receptors such as Fas are present in a variety of organs including liver and play an important role in homeostasis. What prevents these harmful receptors from forming homooligomers, clustering, and initiating the apoptotic pathway is not known. Here, we report the discovery of a cell survival mechanism by which Met, a growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase, directly binds to and sequesters the death receptor Fas in hepatocytes. This interaction prevents Fas self-aggregation and Fas ligand binding, thus inhibiting Fas activation and apoptosis. Our results describe a direct link between growth factor tyrosine kinase receptors and death receptors to establish a novel paradigm in growth regulation.
A large-scale conservation perspective considering endemic fishes of the North American plains

Abstract Regions with unique habitats often harbor endemic taxa associated with temporally stable habitats. We identified such habitats that sustain endemic fishes in the plains of North America. We also summarized threats to their conservation and identified remnant habitats that still harbor endemic fishes (refuges) based on post-1989 surveys. Major springs, smaller, spring-fed streams, larger rivers, and euryhaline habitats were associated with a total of 49 endemics. Endemism was attributable to climatic refugia associated with each habitat type and dispersal limitation among major river drainages and springs. Forty-one endemic fishes (84%) were declining or extinct. Dewatering, habitat fragmentation, and habitat degradation were main causes of declines, often present together. Pollution and non-native species were also threats in many cases. Evidence for 53 existing refuges was found. We considered 34 refuges to be “high-quality” because they harbored three or more endemics. Twenty of these (those with available data) maintained consistent streamflow regimes for at least 50 years up to 2009. Case studies suggest high stream length, more natural flow regimes, and fewer direct human impacts are features of high-quality refuges, but extinction thresholds are unquantified and extinction debts of refuges are unknown. Limited information on past extinctions suggests drought, a natural feature of the plains, combines with other threats to eliminate remnant endemic populations. Long-term conservation planning requires identification, protection, and restoration of high-quality refuges to reduce extinction risk, especially during future drought periods. Planning should be integrated with regional water resource planning, given scarcity of water in the region.
The implementation of health promotion: A new structural perspective

Although health promotion has become a critical concept in public health, both research and practical projects in this area are almost devoid of theory. The present article uses a theory of complexity and structure to organize the different elements of health promotion in a new perspective. This perspective involves (1) new ways for looking at patterns of behavioral risk factors and health-related lifestyles. It (2) relates health promotion to policy making. In particular, it (3) focuses on a comprehensive model of the implementation process, revealing the true interrelationship of relevant elements to the concept of health promotion. In this context, it (4) becomes obvious that the reflexivity and recursiveness of scientific analyses are an integral part of the structure of health promotion. Thus, the professional role of the social scientist with regards to the implementation and utilization of scientific knowledge in the field of public health policy will be discussed. Finally, the role of appropriate theory is emphasized as a strategy for improving the practice of health promotion and to further the development of a new public health.
Stepwise hydration of ionized aromatics. Energies, structures of the hydrated benzene cation, and the mechanism of deprotonation reactions.

The stepwise binding energies (ΔH°n-1,n) of 1−8 water molecules to benzene•+ [Bz•+(H2O)n] were determined by equilibrium measurements using an ion mobility cell. The stepwise hydration energies, ΔH°n-1,n, are nearly constant at 8.5 ± 1 kcal mol-1 from n = 1−6. Calculations show that in the n = 1−4 clusters, the benzene•+ ion retains over 90% of the charge, and it is externally solvated, that is, hydrogen bonded to an (H2O)n cluster. The binding energies and entropies are larger in the n = 7 and 8 clusters, suggesting cyclic or cage-like water structures. The concentration of the n = 3 cluster is always small, suggesting that deprotonation depletes this ion, consistent with the thermochemistry since associative deprotonation Bz•+(H2O)n-1 + H2O → C6H5• + (H2O)nH+ is thermoneutral or exothermic for n ≥ 4. Associative intracluster proton transfer Bz•+(H2O)n-1 + H2O → C6H5•(H2O)nH+ would be also exothermic for n ≥ 4, but lack of H/D exchange with D2O shows that the proton remains on C6H6•+ in the observed Bz•+...
Economic Polarization and US Policy Activism

Many economists view the increased inequality associated with globalization as the cause of the US ‘employment miracle’. This paper argues, to the contrary, that any such benefits are short-lived. Increased income inequality has heightened social—and especially racial and genderpolarization; and the reactions of globally mobile corporations to this polarization have reduced both access to capital and the size of the fiscal and monetary policy multipliers. Stimulative macroeconomic policy remains crucial in achieving a more prosperous, less unequal society, if it includes measures to enhance access to human and financial capital.
Cardiovascular effects produced by R-(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin in the preoptic area of conscious rats

Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that activation of forebrain 5-HT1A receptors elicits cardiovascular responses. The microinjection of R-(+)-8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino) tetralin [(+)-8-OH-DPAT], a selective 5-HT1A receptor agonist, in the preoptic area of conscious rats increased blood pressure and heart rate at doses of 0.2–20 nmol; lower doses (0.002 and 0.02 nmol) were ineffective. The concomitant administration of methiothepin, a non-selective 5-HT receptor antagonist, into the preoptic area attenuated the responses. In addition, he tachycardia elicited by (+)-8-OH-DPAT was abolished by the peripheral β-adrenoceptor antagonist sotalol, but not by atropine methyl nitrate. Finally, the tachycardia, but not the hypertension, was also produced by (+)-8-OH-DPAT in urethane-anesthetized rats. These results suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in the preoptic area or an adjacent region of the forebrain produces: (1) an increase in heart rate consistent with sympathoadrenal activation; and (2) an increase in blood pressure which might be the result of sympathoexcitation or secondary to behavioral arousal.
Noninvasive imaging of apoptosis in cardiovascular disease

Recent advances in molecular imaging have permitted the noninvasive imaging of apoptosis, a critical process underlying the pathogenesis of many diseases of the cardiovascular system including atherosclerotic vascular disease, myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury, chronic heart failure, myocarditis, and cardiac allograft rejection. Multiple molecular targets including phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, and caspases have been targeted by a variety of imaging agents and modalities such as nuclear scintigraphy, PET, MRI, and fluorescent and bioluminescent imaging. Translationally, methods utilizing radiolabeled annexin V have proven promising in several clinical trials of ischemia-reperfusion injury and cardiac allograft rejection. New approaches using novel molecular imaging agents show great potential for the ability to image apoptosis in the research and clinical setting. Ultimately the ability to detect apoptosis noninvasively would help to identify patients for emerging anti-apoptotic therapies and guide clinical management with the aim of maximal myocardial preservation.
Design of a 600 MeV Superconducting Microtron

The design of a 600 MeV racetrack microtron proposed for the University of Illinois consists of a 30 MeV superconducting linac operating at 1.3 GHz between two uniform field bending magnets about 6.4 meters apart. There will be 19 parallel return paths separated by 14.7 cm. Vertical focusing is provided on each return orbit by a quadrupole pair close to each magnet. For quadrupoles 20 cm long and separated by 10 cm, the gradients required to advance the vertical oscillation phase by 90° per revolution increase monotonically from 150 to 350 gauss per centimeter. Only very weak horizontal focusing powers are needed to keep the return beams within 2 mm of linac axis. The linac itself provides some focusing but two weak quadrupole singlets on the linac axis, one near each magnet, provide additional focusing. Electron trajectories for all traversals through the linac and the magnets have been calculated in detail, by a step by step procedure where required, and are presented here. These results confirm earlier, less complete, calculations indicating that the microtron design parameters are not critical and that an output energy resolution of one part in 104 is easily obtainable.
Densities of liquid silicates at high pressures.

Densities of molten silicates at high pressures (up to ∼230 kilobars) have been measured for the first time with shock-wave techniques. For a model basaltic composition (36 mole percent anorthite and 64 mole percent diopside), a bulk modulus K_s, of ∼230 kilobars and a pressure derivative (dK_s/dP) of ∼4 were derived. Some implications of these results are as follows: (i) basic to ultrabasic melts become denser than olivine-and pyroxene-rich host mantle at pressures of 60 to 100 kilobars; (ii) there is a maximum depth from which basaltic melt can rise within terrestrial planetary interiors; (iii) the slopes of silicate solidi [(dT_m/dP), where T_m is the temperature] may become less steep at high pressures; and (iv) enriched mantle reservoirs may have developed by downward segregation of melt early in Earth history.
Hazard Connotation of Fire Safety Terms

Knowledge about the level of danger associated with fire hazards is crucial for avoiding injury when dealing with hazardous materials. Participants (N=107) comprised of undergraduate students and nonstudent adults rated 12 one- and two-word phrases based on the extent of fire hazard conveyed. Evaluated were four root words (Inflammable, Combustible, Flammable, and Explosive) combined with three qualifiers (no qualifier, Very, and Extremely). Inflammable has the same meaning as Flammable but was rated as if it was of very low flammability, consistent with previous research. Explosive was rated higher than the other root words but was followed closely by Flammable and Combustible, which themselves did not differ. By including qualifiers, there was an increased hazard connotation over the root word alone, with the qualifier Extremely producing significantly higher ratings than with the qualifier Very. Even though Inflammable was rated erroneously as low in flammability when Very or Extremely were added, part...
Can we do without pragmatic encroachment

And John Hawthorne (2004) and Jason Stanley (2005) have argued that what it takes to turn true belief into knowledge is sensitive to the practical environment the subject is in. These authors seem to be suggesting there is, to use Jonathan Kvanvig’s phrase “pragmatic encroachment” in epistemology. In this paper I’ll argue that their arguments do not quite show this is true, and that concepts of epistemological justification need not be pragmatically sensitive. The aim here isn’t to show that (PC) is false, but rather that it shouldn’t be described as a pragmatic condition on justification. Rather, it is best thought of as a pragmatic condition on belief. There are two ways to spell out the view I’m taking here. These are both massive simplifications, but they are close enough to the truth to show the kind of picture I’m aiming for. First, imagine a philosopher who holds a very simplified version of functionalism about belief, call it (B).
Does evening sun increase the risk of skin cancer

Circadian clocks are time tracking systems for all organisms, including mammals, to adjust to the day/night cycle in regard to physiological behaviors. Usually, a 24-h periodicity is observed in the rhythms of mammals related to feeding, sleep and other behaviors. However, the cycle can also be reset by light or other external signals. Circadian regulation involves a central clock in the hypothalamus and peripheral clocks located in most mammalian tissues (1). Circadian regulation has been observed in a vast array of genes involved in cell cycle and growth, metabolism, survival, and DNA damage responses. In mammals, circadian oscillation of specific genes has been observed in most but not all organs. Sancar and coworkers showed that UV damage repair in mammals via the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway is regulated by circadian rhythm (2). The UV part of the solar spectrum is relatively small but has profound impact on human health, primarily because of the damage UV photons cause to the genome (3). UV causes multiple damages in DNA bases, the predominant among which are pyrimidine photoproducts (PPs) including cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPDs) and (6-4) PPs (4). These lesions in the genome block replication (and transcription) and are highly toxic. Several specialized DNA translesion synthesis polymerases replicate these photoproducts (5) without using normal base pairing and often induce mutations at the photoproduct sites. Such mutations in tumor suppressor genes such as p53 and PTEN could lead to melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers (6, 7).
Inhibition of oligomycin-sensitive and -insensitive magnesium adenosine triphosphatase activity in fish by polychlorinated biphenyls

Abstract Tests in vitro with four polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) on four tissues of fish showed prominent inhibitory effects on oligomycin-insensitive Mg 2+ ATPase, with muscle homogenate being most sensitive. Aroclors 1242 and 1254, in the intermediate range of chlorination, were more effective than 1221 and 1268. Mg 2+ ATPase from mitochondria was not as sensitive to the PCBs when compared with DDT-type compounds which were more effective on mitochondrial Mg 2+ ATPase than on oligomycin-insensitive Mg 2+ ATPase. Some stimulation of Mg 2+ ATPase was evident from the poorest inhibitors, Aroclors 1221 and 1268. Na + −K + ATPase from fish brain homogenate was inhibited by Aroclor 1242 but the dose required was several times that for Mg 2+ ATPase.
Invariant noncanonical mappings of singular theories. II

In a paper of the same title published in Physical Revview Dit was shown that in singular theories (i.e. theories incorporating constraints) non-canonical infinitesimal mappings that map equivalence classes intact on each other lead to the divergence of a vector field associated with the mapping constant throughout the equivalence class. The infinitesimal mappings form the germ of the group of finite mappings of equivalence classes on each other that change the form of the symplectic tensor field. Any non-canonical coordinate system on phase space thus obtained defines a scalar density field that is constant over an equivalence class. The constant of the motion obtained earlier represents the infinitesimal deviation of this new field from unity.
Rapid assessment of drug response in cancer cells using microwell array and molecular imaging

Selection of personalized chemotherapy regimen for individual patients has significant potential to improve chemotherapy efficacy and to reduce the deleterious effects of ineffective chemotherapy drugs. In this study, a rapid and high-throughput in vitro drug response assay was developed using a combination of microwell array and molecular imaging. The microwell array provided high-throughput analysis of drug response, which was quantified based on the reduction in intracellular uptake (2-[N-(7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose) (2-NBDG). Using this synergistic approach, the drug response measurement was completed within 4 h, and only a couple thousand cells were needed for quantification. The broader application of this microwell molecular imaging approach was demonstrated by evaluating the drug response of two cancer cell lines, cervical (HeLa) and bladder (5637) cancer cells, to two distinct classes of chemotherapy drugs (cisplatin and paclitaxel). This approach did not require an extended cell culturing period, and the quantification of cellular drug response was 4–16 times faster compared with other cell-microarray drug response studies. Moreover, this molecular imaging approach had comparable sensitivity to traditional cell viability assays, i.e., the MTT assay and propidium iodide labeling of cellular nuclei;and similar throughput results as flow cytometry using only 1,000–2,000 cells. Given the simplicity and robustness of this microwell molecular imaging approach, it is anticipated that the assay can be adapted to quantify drug responses in a wide range of cancer cells and drugs and translated to clinical settings for a rapid in vitro drug response using clinically isolated samples.
Determination of Diphenoxylate Hydrochloride and Atropine Sulfate in Solutions and Tablets

Methods for the determination of diphenoxylate hydrochloride and atropine sulfate combinations in solutions and powdered tablet composites are presented. A semiautomated assay for diphenoxylate hydrochloride in individual tablets (content uniformity) also is presented. The USP XIX assays for these products are cumbersome and, in the case of solutions, inaccurate due to spectral interferences; the proposed methods offer substantial improvements in sensitivity, specificity, and speed. Results obtained by the USP and proposed methods are compared for several lots of commercial products. The accuracy and precision of the proposed methods are shown by standard recovery studies.
FUNCTION OF XENOPUS CYSTIC FIBROSIS TRANSMEMBRANE CONDUCTANCE REGULATOR (CFTR) CL- CHANNELS AND USE OF HUMAN-XENOPUS CHIMERAS TO INVESTIGATE THE PORE PROPERTIES OF CFTR

To explore the relationship between structure and function in the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) Cl- channel, we studied Xenopus CFTR. We found that the anion permeability sequence of cAMP-activated Cl- currents in the apical membrane of Xenopus A6 epithelia differed from that of cAMP-activated Cl- currents in human epithelia expressing CFTR. To understand the molecular basis for this difference and to learn whether CFTR from another species would have properties similar to human CFTR, we assembled a full-length Xenopus CFTR cDNA from A6 cells. Expression of Xenopus CFTR in HeLa cells generated cAMP-activated whole-cell currents and cAMP-dependent protein kinase-activated single channels that resembled those of human CFTR with the exception that the anion permeability sequence was different (Br- = I- > Cl- in Xenopus CFTR and Br- = Cl- > I- in human). In addition, the single-channel conductance of Xenopus CFTR was increased. To investigate protein regions that account for these differences, we constructed chimeric proteins by replacing either the first or second membrane-spanning domain of human CFTR with the equivalent region of Xenopus CFTR (hX1-6 and hX7-12, respectively) and examined their function in HeLa cells. We found that the anion permeability sequence (Br- = I- > Cl-) and single-channel conductance of hX1-6 resembled that of Xenopus CFTR expressed in HeLa cells, whereas hX7-12 had properties like those of human CFTR. However, the gating of hX1-6 showed a flickery behavior. The altered gating of hX1-6 was attributed to residues in the first extracellular loop of Xenopus CFTR because mutation of residues in that region to the corresponding residues of human CFTR produced gating behavior similar to that of human CFTR. These data suggest that sequence differences in the first membrane-spanning domains are responsible for the differences in the permeation properties of human and Xenopus CFTR and that the first extracellular loop influences channel gating.
Isotopic exchange between H2 and D2 by the Rideal-Eley mechanism

The rate of the reaction, H2+D2 → 2HD, is very rapid at −160 °C on the catalyst Cp′2Th-(CH3)2/dehydroxylated Al2O3, activated in H2+D2 and believed to contain supported Cp′2ThH+(Cp′ = η5-pentamethylcyclopentadienyl). Even at −195 °C, the turnover frequency is greater than 0.1 sec−1 at\(P_{H_2 + D_2 } = 1\) atm. Strong evidence is adduced that the exchange proceeds by a Rideal-Eley process, i.e. by a four-center transition state involving Th-H+D-D.
Higher order singular value decomposition in quantum chemistry

Higher order singular value decomposition is studied in the context of quantum chemistry, with particular focus on the decomposition of the &#x1d4af; 2 amplitudes obtained from second order Moller Plesset perturbation (MP2) theory calculations. Our test calculations reveal that HOSVD transformed amplitudes yield considerably faster convergence in MP2 correlation energy, both in terms of amplitude and orbital truncation. Also, HOSVD orbitals display increased bonding/antibonding character compared to Hartree–Fock orbitals. In contrast to canonical MP2 theory, the leading amplitudes are those between corresponding occupied–virtual orbital pairs. The HOSVD orbitals are paired up automatically around the Fermi level in decreasing importance, so that the strongest occupied virtual–pair are the highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. We show that in the case of MP2 amplitudes, the HOSVD orbitals are equivalent to the unrelaxed MP2 natural orbitals. The least squares higher order orth...
Improved Simulation of the East Asian Summer Monsoon Rainfall with Satellite-Derived Snow Water Equivalent Data*

Abstract The effect of Eurasian spring snow amount on the summer monsoon rainfall over East Asia has been studied both observationally and numerically. The results indicate that the Eurasian spring snow amount could be important for seasonal prediction of East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) rainfall. Therefore, accurately initializing snow could be critical to improving seasonal prediction of EASM rainfall by numerical models. An attempt has been made in this study to initialize snow in a regional climate model using snow water equivalent (SWE) data derived from a microwave imager. Results from an ensemble seasonal prediction experiment for the 2005 EASM show that the satellite-derived SWE data can be effectively used to initialize a dynamical seasonal prediction model, which leads to improved seasonal prediction of EASM rainfall. Possible effects of snow anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau on EASM rainfall were also studied through a comparative ensemble simulation in which snow was initialized by spinning u...
Tritiation of several intrinsically activated photoaffinity agents at high specific activity

The tritiation of natural photoffinity ligands chlorpromazine and cytochalasin B is described.
Temperature and velocity profiles in sooting free boundary layer flames

Temperature and velocity profiles are presented for cyclohexane, n-heptane, and iso-octane free, laminar, boundary layer, sooting, diffusion flames. Temperatures are measured with 3 mil Pt/Pt-13 percent Rh thermocouples. Corrected gas temperatures are derived by performing an energy balance of convection to and radiation from the thermocouple bead incorporating the variation of air conductivity and platinum emissivity with temperature. Velocities are measured using laser doppler velocimetry techniques. Profiles are compared with previously reported analytic temperature and velocity fields. Comparison of theoretical and experimental temperature profiles suggests improvement in the analytical treatment is needed, which accounts more accurately for the local soot radiation. The velocity profiles are in good agreement, with the departure of the theory from observation partially due to the small fluctuations inherent in these free flows.
Is the galactic center source, IRS 21, as large as it appears?

We present diffraction limited 2-25 micrometers images, obtained with the W.M. Keck 10-m telescopes that spatially resolve the cool Galactic Center source IRS 21, an enigmatic object that has alluded classification. Modeled as a Gaussian, the azimuthally averaged intensity profile of IRS 21, an enigmatic object that has alluded classification. Modeled asa a Gaussian, the azimuthally averaged intensity profile of IRS 21 has a HWHM radius of 740 +/- 30 AU at 2.2 micrometers and an average HWHM radius of 1540 +/- 90 AU at mid-IR wavelength. These sizes along with its color temperature favor the hypothesis that IRS 21 is self-luminous rather than an externally heated dust clump. Based on the size alone, the remaining possible dust geometries are (1) an intrinsic inflow or outflow or (2) an extrinsic dust distribution, in which case IRS 21 could be simply embedded in the Northern Arm. A simple SED model of the IR photometry from the literature and our mid-IR images reveal that the near-IR radiation is scattered light from an unknown embedded source while the mid-IR radiation is the remaining re-radiated light. The agreement between the 2.2 micrometers polarization angle for IRS 21 and the 12.5 micrometers polarization angle at the position of IRS 21, the symmetric shape of its intensity profiles, as well as the similarity of the observed properties of all the Northern Arm sources, lead us to conclude that the scattering dust around IRS 21 is extrinsic to the central source and is associated with the Northern Arm.
A model of tension and compression cracks with cohesive zone at a bone-cement interface

This paper gives an insight about compression and tension cracks as encountered at a bone-cement interface. Within the context of continuum theory of fracture, an analytical solution is presented for the problem of a bimaterial interface edge crack under uniaxial tension or compression, assuming no tangential slip along the crack faces since cement pedicles penetrate into the cancellous bone several millimeters. Also essential to the solution are cohesive zone effects that account for a strengthening mechanism over the crack faces. The solution provides a methodological framework for quantifying the influence of the cohesive zone on the magnitude of the stress singularity. Mode I crack tip stress intensity factors are calculated at different stages of the loading and unloading phases under uniaxial tension or compression. Finally, an inelastic mechanism is presented that gives theoretical support to explain the formation of interfacial compression cracks, a phenomenon that was not previously appreciated and that arises from the rigid cement being forced into the more compliant cancellous bone.
Alveolar nitric oxide concentration, small airways inflammation, and targeted asthma therapy: are we there yet?

In recent years there has been increasing focus on inflammation in the small airways as a significant contributor to the severity of asthma. The increased interest, at least in part, is a result of the development of extrafine aerosol particle formulations of inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs) and oral therapies that may better target the small airways. However, the development of newer noninvasive methods of assessing the inflammation found in small airways has been a significant contributor. Alveolar nitric oxide concentration (CANO) is one of those measures of small airways inflammation that has spawned numerous studies of the effect of various therapies targeting small airways. The results of these trials have been mixed, showing both improved CANO and no difference in CANO with targeted therapy compared with nontargeted therapy. In this issue of the Journal, Van Muylem et al provide a possible reason for these disparate results but also keep open the more important question about targeted therapy: Does it matter? The measurement of CANO is not direct but a derived value using a 2-compartment mathematical model after measuring the fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (NO) at different expiratory flows. However, the model was based on normal physiology, and when the model met the pathophysiology of asthma, including air trapping and patchy heterogeneous ventilation, its use provided large variability in CANO values. Indeed, the group that developed the initial model has recently shown that a multicompartment model taking into account the heterogeneity is more accurate in assessing CANO in children with mild asthma. 11
Capacitative calcium entry in the nervous system.

Capacitative calcium entry is a process whereby the depletion of Ca2+ from intracellular stores (likely endoplasmic or sarcoplasmic reticulum) activates plasma membrane Ca2+ channels. Current research has focused on identification of capacitative calcium entry channels and the mechanism by which Ca2+ store depletion activates the channels. Leading candidates for the channels are members of the transient receptor potential (TRP) superfamily, although no single gene or gene product has been definitively proven to mediate capacitative calcium entry. The mechanism for activation of the channels is not known; proposals fall into two general categories, either a diffusible signal released from the Ca2+ stores when their Ca2+ levels become depleted, or a more direct protein–protein interaction between constituents of the endoplasmic reticulum and the plasma membrane channels. Capacitative calcium entry is a major mechanism for regulated Ca2+ influx in non-excitable cells, but recent research has indicated that this pathway plays an important role in the function of neuronal cells, and may be important in a number of neuropathological conditions. This review will summarize some of these more recent findings regarding the role of capacitative calcium entry in normal and pathological processes in the nervous system.