cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Asymmetric synthesis via acetal templates. 9. Further studies of the allylation reaction. Preparation of (−)-dihydromyoporone

Abstract A procedure has been developed for the high-yield coupling of chiral acetals 1 with allyltrimethylsilane (2, R′=H) as well as with methallyltrimethylsilane (2,R′=ME) to afford the hydroxy ethers 3 in which the new chiral center is formed highly enantioselectively. Homoallylic alcohols 4 of high ee are produced by removal of the chiral auxiliary.
AMD3100 is a Potent Antagonist at CXCR4R334X, a Hyperfunctional Mutant Chemokine Receptor and Cause of WHIM Syndrome

WHIM is an acronym for a rare immunodeficiency syndrome (OMIM #193670) caused by autosomal dominant mutations truncating the C-terminus of the chemokine receptor CXC chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). WHIM mutations may potentiate CXCR4 signalling, suggesting that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved CXCR4 antagonist AnorMED3100 (AMD3100) (also known as Plerixafor) may be beneficial in WHIM syndrome. We have tested this at the preclinical level by comparing Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) and K562 cell lines matched for expression of recombinant wild-type CXCR4 (CXCR4WT) and the most common WHIM variant of CXCR4 (CXCR4R334X), as well as leucocytes from a WHIM patient with the CXCR4R334X mutation versus healthy controls. We found that CXCR4R334X mediated modestly increased signalling (∼2-fold) in all functional assays tested, but strongly resisted ligand-dependent down-regulation. AMD3100 was equipotent and equieffective as an antagonist at CXCR4R334X and CXCR4WT. Together, our data provide further evidence that CXCR4R334X is a gain-of-function mutation, and support clinical evaluation of AMD3100 as mechanism-based treatment in patients with WHIM syndrome.
On the observational evidence for accreting black holes in quasars.

Abstract We review (mainly high energy) observations which could lend support to (or dismiss) the hypothesis of an accreting central black hole in quasars. Direct imaging is not powerful (1). We focus on three main topics: 2) variability as a constraint of the quasar compactness; 3) X-ray continuum; 4) X-ray spectral features, expected from reprocessing of the X-ray radiation from matter near the X-ray source. We argue that the above observations provide a weaker evidence than once thought for a black hole as the engine of quasars. New tests will come from (5) the study of the evolution of the quasar Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) in the framework of models of quasar physical evolution. We present some new results, obtained comparing ROSAT X-ray observations of z=2–3 quasars with previous monitoring of low-z quasars, which represent a first steep in this direction.
Antithethic and homothetic faults

Antithetic faults are dip slip faults that displace rocks so as to prevent or reduce structural relief, typically producing tilted fault blocks. They may or may not occur in conjugate systems with their opposites, homothetic faults, which serve to increase structural relief. Several examples serve to illustrate the concept and to correct current misunderstandings.
Electrophysiological and morphological evidence for a diameter-based innervation pattern of the superior colliculus.

Abstract Neurophysiological and morphological techniques were used to describe changes in the optic tract and superior colliculus (SC) in response to unilateral enucleation. Long-Evans, male (>250 g) rats were implanted with chronic bipolar stimulating electrodes located in the optic chiasm and a recording electrode located below the stratum griseum superficiale (SGS) and referenced to a skull screw electrode. In rats with satisfactory electrode placements ( n = 15), peaks corresponding to rapidly conducting presynaptic activity (Pre), rapidly conducting postsynaptic activity (N1), and slowly conducting postsynaptic activity (P3) were identified according to peak latency, polarity, stimulation threshold, and resistance to 100-Hz stimulation. These peaks diminished differentially over a 7 day (D 1–7 ) postenucleation period. Those peaks reflecting rapidly conducting axons (i.e., Pre, N1) decayed by D 2 , whereas those reflecting slowly conducting axons (i.e., P3) persisted until D 4 and decayed completely by D 7 . In a separate set of enucleated rats ( n = 25), the progression of degeneration in the SC was outlined morphologically from D 1–7 using both light and electron microscopy. Light microscopy of semithin epoxy sections indicated that degenerative changes, consisting largely of swollen axons and myelin debris, appeared first in the upper stratum opticum (SO) and lower SGS on D 1,2 , progressed upward throughout the middle SGS by D 4 , and finally involved the entire SGS and lower stratum zonale (SZ) by D 5–7 . Electron microscopy, however, indicated that although degenerated terminals were seen in the lower SGS, at (D 1,2 ), the majority of degenerated synapses were restricted to the upper SGS at the later time points. Coupled with the electro-physiological data, these observations indicate that within the SGS, early degenerating, large diameter optic nerve fibers terminate below slower degenerating, smaller diameter fibers.
Sequences upstream of the STE6 gene required for its expression and regulation by the mating type locus in Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Abstract The STE6 gene of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is an a-specific gene; it is repressed in alpha cells by the alpha 2 product of the mating type locus. To study the role of sequences upstream of STE6 in its regulation and expression, we have determined the DNA sequence of the promoter region, identified the start sites for the STE6 transcript, and identified sequences governing its transcription. Deletions that remove DNA upstream of the STE6 gene were produced and assayed for effects on regulation and expression. The deletions defined two intervals upstream of the STE6 transcription initiation sites. One contains all or part of a negative element; the other contains all or part of a positive element. The negative element is required for repression of STE6 by alpha 2: deletions lacking this element express STE6 constitutively. Such deletions remove a 31-base-pair site, located 135 base pairs upstream of the first transcript start site, that is highly homologous to sites present in the upstream regions of four other genes repressed by alpha 2. These sites are presumably responsible for repression of the a-specific genes by alpha 2. The positive element (a putative upstream activation site) is required for expression of STE6. The deletions define the left boundary of the proposed upstream activation site. Sequence homologies between STE6 and other a-specific genes are found in this region and may mediate activation of this set of genes.
Increasing brachytherapy dose predicts survival for interstitial and tandem-based radiation for stage IIIB cervical cancer

Purpose: To evaluate factors affecting survival and toxicity in patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated with external-beam radiotherapy and low-dose-rate brachytherapy. Materials and Methods: Seventy patients with stage IIIB cervical cancer treated between 1980 and 2000 were identified. A total of 51 patients had a tandem placed; 19 had interstitial brachytherapy only with no tandem placed. Univariate and multivariate analyses assessed factors potentially associated with survival and long-term complications. Results: Kaplan-Meier estimates for overall survival (OS) for the entire population at 2, 3, and 4 years were 43%, 29%, and 27%, respectively. Overall survival differed significantly between those treated with a tandem versus those treated without (log rank P Conclusions: The dose to point A of approximately 85 Gy as associated with tandem use was a significant predictor of survival in patients with stage IIIB cervical carcinoma, indicating the significance of the central location of the high dose provided by the tandem. Patients selected for interstitial brachytherapy alone must receive sufficient dose, and a tandem should be placed whenever feasible for all patients with an intact uterus treated for locally advanced cervical cancer.
Two classes of deleterious recessive alleles in a natural population of zebrafish, Danio rerio.

Natural populations carry deleterious recessive alleles which cause inbreeding depression. We compared mortality and growth of inbred and outbred zebrafish, Danio rerio, between 6 and 48 days of age. Grandparents of the studied fish were caught in the wild. Inbred fish were generated by brother–sister mating. Mortality was 9% in outbred fish, and 42% in inbred fish, which implies at least 3.6 lethal equivalents of deleterious recessive alleles per zygote. There was no significant inbreeding depression in the growth, perhaps because the surviving inbred fish lived under less crowded conditions. In contrast to alleles that cause embryonic and early larval mortality in the same population, alleles responsible for late larval and early juvenile mortality did not result in any gross morphological abnormalities. Thus, deleterious recessive alleles that segregate in a wild zebrafish population belong to two sharply distinct classes: early-acting, morphologically overt, unconditional lethals; and later-acting, morphologically cryptic, and presumably milder alleles.
Mythical animals: a reference pathfinder

Provides direction for researchers and collection developers to locate sources of information on mythical, fantastical and symbolic creatures of world folklore and legends and their documentation in primary and secondary texts. Focussing on mythological animals, gives prominence to the unicorn and the dragon as the two most universal and symbolically important creatures, and to sources which concentrate on their status in folklore and legend rather than to literary works.
The Determinants of Presidential Foreign Policy Choice

What explains presidential decision making on foreign policy? This question is addressed by assessing the relative influence of the international and domestic environments on presidential foreign policy choice. Unlike previous studies, which have focused on the relatively small number of presidential decisions to use force, the authors look at the broad range of conflictual and cooperative policies that presidents have pursued. Using data from the Conflict and Peace Data Bank, they estimate a model of presidential foreign policy choice over the years 1948 through 1978. The results indicate that presidents respond mostly to the rhythms of international events and not domestic politics when making foreign policy. In particular, little evidence is found to support the findings or earlier research that public approval influences presidential decision making on foreign policy.
Viewing protein folding from many perspectives

The characterization of protein-folding mechanisms has dominated the landscape of experimental and theoretical biophysics for several decades. Experiment has moved the accessible time scales for the exploration of folding mechanism from minutes to milliseconds to microseconds and faster (1). Theory too has developed to address both the global character of folding mechanism and kinetics (2, 3) and the microscopic details that underlie this character for specific protein sequences and topologies (4). The advent of continuous-flow rapid-micromixing techniques (5, 6), rapid laser-induced temperature-jump heating methods (7), redox-triggered folding experiments (8), and NMR lineshape analysis (9) is beginning to allow direct examination of the earliest events in protein folding and permitting more direct comparison to theories and models of protein folding (10).
Postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias and the role of prophylactic digoxin in cardiac surgery.

Abstract A prospective study of 182 patients undergoing cardiac surgery was performed. The patients were divided into three groups. Group I consisted of 83 patients who had never been treated with digitalis. Group II comprised 59 patients who were taking digoxin before operation and had medication discontinued 24 to 48 hours prior to surgery; they did not receive maintenance digoxin in the postoperative periods. Group III was made up of 40 patients who were given prophylactic digoxin in the perioperative period; none had taken digoxin before. Sixty of 83 group I patients (72%) and two of the group III patients (5%) developed postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmia. Digoxin was reinstituted in 56 of group II patients (95%) for supraventricular arrhythmia and/or heart fallure. Of the various factors evaluated, only valvular surgery and ECG evidence of myocardial infarction were associated with postoperative supraventricular tachyarrhythmias.
Representation of Certain Covariance Matrices with Application to Asymptotic Efficiency

Abstract Although maximum likelihood estimates are asymptotically efficient, they are often very hard to find. Replacement of some, but not all, of the equations in the maximum likelihood system may make it more manageable. The covariance matrices of the new estimator and of the estimating functions will have special structure in relation to the information matrix. These relationships are characterized and various properties that pertain to multiparameter efficiency are developed. Application is made to the estimation of parameters from the gamma distribution. Some new estimators are found and their efficiencies are compared.
Estimating R 2 Shrinkage in Multiple Regression: A Comparison of Different Analytical Methods

Abstract The effectiveness of various analytical formulas for estimating R 2 shrinkage in multiple regression analysis was investigated. Two categories of formulas were identified: estimators of the squared population multiple correlation coefficient (ρ2) and those of the squared population cross-validity coefficient (ρc 2). The authors conducted a Monte Carlo experiment to investigate the effectiveness of the analytical formulas for estimating R 2 shrinkage, with 4 fully crossed factors (squared population multiple correlation coefficient, number of predictors, sample size, and degree of multicollinearity) and 500 replications in each cell. The results indicated that the most widely used Wherry formula (in both SAS and SPSS) is probably not the most effective analytical formula for estimating ρ2. Instead, the Pratt formula and the Browne formula outperformed other analytical formulas in estimating ρ2 and ρc 2, respectively.
Neutron conservation and boundary conditions in the PN approximation for critical slabs—II

Abstract The usual Marshak and Pomraning-Federighi (importance-weighted) free-surface boundary conditions for a critical slab are modified. For the infinite slab, neutron conservation and the exact extrapolation distance are imposed. A minimization criterion is used to complete the required set of equations. These boundary conditions are compared with the usual ones in the P 3 and P 5 approximations with respect to critical size and conservation for finite slabs.
A Systematic Approach to Nuclear Fuel Cycle Analysis and Optimization

Experience with modeling fuel cycle options reveals that the large amount of generated data makes it difficult to understand trade-offs among fuel cycle policies. This paper shows that numerical op...
SU-E-J-165: Unobtrusive Optical Fiber Rectal Balloon Deformation Sensor for Real-Time Prostate Motion Monitoring

Purpose: To design and develop an innovative prostate therapy motion sensor that applies an optical fiber based sensing technique to measure the deformation of a rectal balloon in order to measure real‐time prostate motion for radiation therapy. Methods: Based on the absorption spectra's high‐sensitivity to curvature in a long period grating (LPG) written in an optical fiber, a LPG based fiber sensor is utilized to monitor prostate motion by being attached to rectal balloon. To mimic very realistic prostate motion, we use an anthropomorphic prostate phantom modified by Kyoto Kagaku, Inc. with a large hole for the insertion of a sphere of realistic prostate size. It moves with a rigid bent arm attached to the Washington University 4D Motion Phantom. An inserted water tank allows for water to be around the prostate at all times as it moves. The rectal balloon, with fiber sensing head attached, is inserted into the phantom and placed adjacent to the prostate sphere. To detect the sensing signal, a broadband light source and an optical spectrum analyzer are used to complete the whole sensing system. Results: The prostate sphere movement results in curvature change of the fiber, and consequently spectral change of the LPG. The experimental results reveal that the spectral response of the LPG is linearly dependent on the degree of the curvature. Consequently, any position change of prostate is detected by monitoring the spectral change of the LPG‐based optical fiber sensing system. Since the sensor's sensitivities to curvature is up to 6.87 nm/m‐1, high displacement resolution of less than 0.1 mm is obtained. Conclusions: We have demonstrated a prototype of a novel real‐time prostate motion monitoring system based on optical fiber sensing techniques to measure rectal balloon deformation. Experimental results suggest the potential to improve radiation prostate treatment by monitoring prostate movement, when a balloon is used.
Formation and implications of ice particle nucleation in the stratosphere

The classical nucleation theory of homogeneous freezing along with a thermodynamic model of aqueous HNO3 is used to calculate the critical temperatures and compositions at which ice crystals will nucleate from an aqueous HNO3 droplet. Assuming that stratospheric aerosols are composed of aqueous HNO3 near the ice frost point, we show that ice particle formation in the stratosphere can only occur if the air mass is cooled to about 2 to 3 K below the equilibrium condensation point of ice. A simple function is given for predicting the nucleation temperature of ice particle formation in the stratosphere from the ambient water vapor concentration. Microphysical calculations show that only fast cooling rates (> 500 K day−1) encountered in cold lee waves are rapid enough for nucleating the majority of the background aerosols into ice particles. The likelihood that ice crystals formed in lee waves may result in the subsequent crystallization of HNO3 in the droplets is discussed. The barrier to ice formation by heterogeneous gas phase nucleation is compared to that of homogeneous freezing nucleation.
High-Density Lipoprotein Particle Subclass Heterogeneity and Incident Coronary Heart Disease

Background—Raising the cholesterol of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles is targeted as a cardiovascular disease prevention strategy. However, HDL particles are heterogeneous in composition and structure, which may relate to differences in antiatherogenic potential. We prospectively evaluated the association of HDL subclasses, defined by a recently proposed nomenclature, with incident coronary heart disease (CHD). Methods and Results—Baseline HDL particle concentrations were measured by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and categorized into 5 subclasses (very large, large, medium, small, and very small) among 26 332 initially healthy women. During a median follow-up of 17 years, 969 cases of incident CHD (myocardial infarction, revascularization, and CHD death) were ascertained. In Cox models that adjusted for age, race/ethnicity, blood pressure, smoking, postmenopausal status, and hormone therapy, associations with incident CHD were inverse (P trend<0.0001) for concentrations of very large (h...
Oxides of nitrogen emissions from biodiesel-fuelled diesel engines

Abstract Biodiesel has received, and continues to receive, considerable attention for its potential use as an augmenting fuel to petroleum diesel. Its advantages include decreased net carbon dioxide, hydrocarbon, carbon monoxide, and particulate matter emissions, and fuel properties similar to petroleum diesel for ease of use in diesel engines. Its disadvantages include poorer cold flow characteristics, lower heating values, and mostly reported higher emissions of oxides of nitrogen (NOx = NO + NO2, where NO is nitric oxide and NO2 is nitrogen dioxide). This latter disadvantage (i.e., higher emissions of oxides of nitrogen) is the focus of this review article. NOx formation mechanisms are complex and affected by several different features (e.g., size, operating points, combustion chamber design, fuel system design, and air system design) of internal combustion engines. The slight differences in properties between biodiesel and petroleum diesel fuels are enough to create several changes to system and combustion behaviors of diesel engines. Combined, these effects lead to several complex and interacting mechanisms that make it difficult to fundamentally identify how biodiesel affects NOx emissions. Instead, it is perhaps better to say that several parameters seem to most strongly influence observed differences in NOx emissions with biodiesel, thus introducing several possibilities for inconsistency in the trends. These parameters are injection timing, adiabatic flame temperature, radiation heat transfer, and ignition delay. This article provides a review of the rich literature describing these parameters, and provides additional insight into the system responses that are manifested by the use of biodiesel.
Negative affect and neural response to palatable food intake in bulimia nervosa

Binge eating is often preceded by reports of negative affect, but the mechanism by which affect may lead to binge eating is unclear. This study evaluated the effect of negative affect on neural response to anticipation and receipt of palatable food in women with bulimia nervosa (BN) versus healthy controls. We also evaluated connectivity between the amygdala and reward-related brain regions. Females with and without BN (n=26) underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) during receipt and anticipated receipt of chocolate milkshake and a tasteless solution. We measured negative affect just prior to the scan. Women with BN showed a positive correlation between negative affect and activity in the putamen, caudate, and pallidum during anticipated receipt of milkshake (versus tasteless solution). There were no significant relations between negative affect and receipt of milkshake. Connectivity analyses revealed a greater relation of amygdala activity to activation in the left putamen and insula during anticipated receipt of milkshake in the bulimia group relative to the control group. The opposite pattern was found for the taste of milkshake; the control group showed a greater relation of amygdala activity to activation in the left putamen and insula in response to milkshake receipt than the bulimia group. Results show that as negative affect increases, so does responsivity of reward regions to anticipated intake of palatable food, implying that negative affect may increase the reward value of food for individuals with bulimia nervosa or that negative affect has become a conditioned cue due to a history of binge eating in a negative mood.
Intrapartum electronic fetal heart rate monitoring and the identification of metabolic acidosis and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy

Objective The purpose of this study was to determine whether electronic fetal monitoring can identify fetuses with metabolic acidosis and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy. Study Design The cases were 107 nonanomalous chromosomally normal fetuses with an umbilical arterial pH Results Cases had a significant increase in late and prolonged decelerations/hour and late decelerations/contractions. Those fetuses with hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy had significant increases in bradycardia, decreased variability, and nonreactivity but no difference in late or variable decelerations/hour. For the identification of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were 15.4%, 98.9%, 66.7%, and 89.4%, respectively, for bradycardia; 53.8%, 79.8%, 26.9%, and 92.6%, respectively, for decreased variability; 92.3%, 61.7%, 2.7%, and 82.9%, respectively, for nonreactivity; and 7.7%, 98.9%, 50.0%, and 88.6%, respectively, for all 3 abnormalities combined. Conclusion Fetal metabolic acidosis and hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy are associated with significant increases in electronic fetal monitoring abnormalities, but their predictive ability to identify these conditions is low.
Computer integrated manufacturing—a joint effort

The integration of hitherto separate aspects of traditional manufacturing presents a formidable task in the development of computer integrated manufacturing systems. It is a problem which needs to be approached from many different points of view, and this is reflected by the different backgrounds of the team participating in Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's CIM Program, which has as one of its aims the creation of a centre of CIM expertise.
Safety behaviors and sleep effort predict sleep disturbance and fatigue in an outpatient sample with anxiety and depressive disorders

article i nfo Objective: Theoretical and empirical support for the role of dysfunctional beliefs, safety behaviors, and increased sleep effort in the maintenance of insomnia has begun to accumulate. It is not yet known how these factors predictsleepdisturbanceandfatigueoccurringinthecontextofanxietyandmooddisorders.Itwashypothesized that these threeinsomnia-specific cognitive-behavioral factors would be uniquely associated with insomnia and fatigue among patients with emotional disorders afteradjusting for current symptoms of anxiety and depression and trait levels of neuroticism and extraversion. Methods: Outpatients with a current anxiety or mood disorder (N = 63) completed self-report measures including the Dysfunctional Beliefs About Sleep Scale (DBAS), Sleep-Related Safety Behaviors Questionnaire (SRBQ), Glasgow Sleep Effort Scale (GSES), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), NEO Five-Factor Inventory (FFI), and the 21-item Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS). Multivariate path analysis was used to evaluate study hypotheses. Results: SRBQ (B =. 60,p b .001, 95% CI (.34, .86)) and GSES (B =. 31,p b .01, 95% CI (.07, .55)) were both signif- icantly associated with PSQI. There was a significant interaction between SRBQ and DBAS (B =. 25,p b .05, 95% CI (.04, .47)) such that the relationship between safety behaviors and fatigue was strongest among individuals with greater levels of dysfunctional beliefs. Conclusion:Findings are consistent with cognitive behavioral models of insomnia and suggest that sleep-specific factors might be important treatment targets among patients with anxiety and depressive disorders with disturbed sleep.
Endoscopic Closure of Acute Esophageal Perforations

Esophageal leak is a life-threatening problem that can result from spontaneous rupture of the esophagus, cancer, anastomotic dehiscence after surgery, or as a complication of endoscopy. During the last decade, developments in the minimally invasive endoluminal approach to the management of esophageal leaks include utilization of endoscopy not only for diagnosis but also for closure of leaks with clips or sutures, bypass of the leaks with stents, and/or endoluminal drainage of mediastinal infection. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances and the principles of endoscopic management of acute esophageal perforations.
Vascular injury during lumbar diskectomy associated with peridiskal fibrosis: case report and literature review

Dense peridiskal fibrosis was encountered during a lumbar diskectomy for a chronic lumbar disk herniation. Posteriorly the adhesions involved the annulus, dura mater, nerve roots, posterior longitudinal ligament, and sequestrated disk material. Anteriorly the iliac vessels were also densely adherent to the disk. When disk material was removed from a standard posterior approach, the left common iliac vein tore, leading to severe hypotension. Vascular injury by instruments has been described by many clinicians, but this indirect mechanism of injury has not been reported in the literature, nor has extensive peridiskal fibrosis been described in a spine without a history of previous surgery.
Photoelectrochemical and structural characterization of carbon-doped WO3 films prepared via spray pyrolysis

Abstract Carbon-doped tungsten trioxide (WO3) films were produced using a spray-pyrolysis methodology, with glucose used as the carbon dopant source. The films were characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, UV–vis, scanning electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance. The photoelectrochemical activity was evaluated under near UV–visible light and visible light only irradiation conditions. The presence of carbonate-type species in the C-doped sample was confirmed by XPS and SSNMR. The C-doped WO3 electrodes exhibited photocurrent densities up to 1.6 mA/cm2 in 1 M HCl electrolyte and as high as 2.6 mA/cm2 with the addition of methanol as a sacrificial agent. A high contribution (∼50%) of the photocurrent density was observed from visible light. C-doped WO3 produced approximately 50% enhanced photocurrent densities compared with the undoped WO3 electrode synthesized using the same procedures. The photoelectrochemical performance was optimized with respect to several synthetic parameters, including dopant concentration, calcination temperature and film thickness. These results indicate the potential for further development of WO3 photocatalysts by simple wet chemical methods, and provide useful information towards understanding the structure and enhanced photoelectrochemical properties of these materials.
Synthetic abilities of Euglena chloroplasts in darkness.

Abstract Protein synthesis, normally a light-dependent process in isolated mature chloroplasts of Euglena gracilis var. bacillaris will take place in darkness if ATP and Mg 2+ (ATP/Mg) are supplied. Either 5 or 10 mM ATP plus 15 mM MgCl 2 are optimal and rates equal to those in the light can be obtained. Since ATP and Mg 2+ are not stoichiometrically related, and since the optimal Mg 2+ concentration is similar to that which stabilizes chloroplast ribosomes in vitro, it is suggested that the chloroplast is freely permeable to Mg 2+ under these conditions. Protein synthesis under these conditions is not inhibited appreciably by DCMU, FCCP, cycloheximide, or by the addition of ribonuclease, but is highly sensitive to chloramphenicol. Carbon dioxide fixation is also a light-dependent process in isolated mature chloroplasts from Euglena , but addition of ATP (5 mM) and fructose bisphosphate (5 mM) plus aldolase (1.0 unit/ml) (fructose-1,6-bisphosphate/aldolase) yields CO 2 fixation rates in darkness that are 43% of those normally obtained in the light. Mg 2+ higher than 1.0 mM (e.g., 16 mM) is somewhat inhibitory. Chlorophyll synthesis from 5-aminolevulinate in 36 h developing chloroplasts from Euglena is also light-dependent, but addition of ATP/Mg and fructose-1,6-bisphosphate/aldolase in darkness brings about the accumulation of a compound having the same R F on chromatography as protochlorophyllide from Barley; a subsequent brief illumination of the chloroplasts converts this compound to a compound with the R F of chlorophyll. Thus Euglena chloroplasts supplied with appropriate additions can carry out protein synthesis, carbon dioxide fixation and most of chlorophyll synthesis in darkness. This versatility is appropriate in photosynthetic organelles isolated from photo-organotrophic cells.
Dynamical evolution of microstructure in finely atomized droplets of Al-Si alloys

The complex time-dependent evolution of microstructure in rapidly solidified droplets of Al-Si eutectic alloys is quantitatively studied. Fine droplets of the alloy were obtained by using a high pressure gas atomization technique. The recalescence effect within each droplet gives rise to non-steady state growth conditions that lead to a systematic variation in microstructure across the droplet. This variation in microstructure is quantitatively characterized first by determining the nucleation undercooling and then by measuring the spatial variation in microstructural scales within the droplet. The results are compared with theoretical models to obtain the interface velocity and interface undercooling as a function of distance from the apparent nucleation site in different sized droplets. Eutectic, dendritic and cellular microstructures have been observed in droplets and the presence of these different morphologies is explained by constructing a microstructure map for the Al-Si system. The volume fractions of these three microstructures, as well as the length scale of each microstructure, are shown to determine the properties of the material. Specifically, microhardness measurements have been carried out for different diameter droplets, and a minimum in the microhardness is observed that is related to the presence of different microstructures. A microstructure map is developed for the Al-Si system to establish regimes of alloy composition and undercooling (as related to droplet diameter) required for the design of materials with optimum mechanical properties.
The effect of glycine on ammonia intoxication and uric acid biosynthesis in the avion species

Abstract Various substrates for urea and uric acid synthesis were studied for their effects against acute ammonia intoxication in chicks. Glycine and glucose + glycine were shown to exert a significant protective effect against ammonia intoxication in chicks with no comparable effect in mice. The urea cycle substrates showed no protective effects in the chicks. It is suggested that glycine and glucose are the limiting substrates for purine synthesis in chicks under an ammonia stress. Evidence is presented that indicates that glucose + glycine exerts its effect by enhancing uric acid synthesis.
Pilocarpine for the Treatment of Refractory Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) Associated with Botulinum Toxin Type B

A woman with spastic hemiparesis from a stroke was injected with botulinum toxin type B (BoNTB) at a dose of 10,000 U. Although this had the desired effect of a reduction in her spasticity, she also developed severe dry mouth, which became refractory to local remedies such as moist towels, lip balms, and throat lozenges. She was then given pilocarpine (a muscarinic agonist) at a dose of 5 mg, three times a day, to which she responded well. This report describes another treatment option in rare cases of severe dry mouth after administration of BoNTB.
Antibody-enhanced thrombolysis: targeting of tissue plasminogen activator in vivo

Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) was modified by the unidirectional crosslinking reagent N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio)propionate and coupled to iminothiolane-modified anti-fibrin antibody 59D8 by the formation of disulfide bonds at neutral pH. Purification by two affinity-chromatography steps yielded tPA-anti-fibrin antibody conjugate (tPA-59D8) possessing both tPA and anti-fibrin antibody activities. In a quantitative rabbit thrombolysis model, the activity of the purified conjugate was compared with that of tPA alone and that of a conjugate between tPA and a digoxin-specific monoclonal antibody. After correction for spontaneous lysis (10.9 +/- 2.5%), tPA-59D8 was shown to be 2.8-9.6 times more potent than tPA alone. Unconjugated tPA and tPA-digoxin were equipotent. At equivalent thrombolytic concentrations, tPA-59D8 degraded less fibrinogen and consumed less alpha 2-antiplasmin than did tPA alone. This suggests that tPA can be efficiently directed to the site of a thrombus by conjugation to an anti-fibrin monoclonal antibody, resulting in both more potent and more selective thrombolysis.
A collaborative-interactive model for mental health consultation: Teacher inservice education by psychiatric clinicians

Primary prevention of emotional disorders is often cited as a goal in community mental health consultation. The daily contact with children and parents by the classroom teacher can yield effective prevention, if the teacher is appropriately prepared to act as a resource, and by clinicians given an awareness of emotional difficulties in children and their parents. Though consultation is often described as facilitative of change, typically discussions of such programs emphasize technique rather than content. Presented here is acollaborative model based upon a didactic input of humanistic psychology, upon which educator and clinician draw as they become allies in pursuit of answers to questions raised in current examples from the teacher's classroom experience. Excerpts and results of the model's effectiveness are given.
An X-ray study of the alkaline earth hexaammines at 77°K

Abstract X-Ray diffraction patterns taken at 77°K of the compounds M(NH3)60, M = Ca, Sr, Ba, correspond to bcc structures with a0 values of 9.20, 9.45, and 9.77 A, respectively. No sign of a gross crystal structure change was observed.
Environmentally Benign Synthesis Using Crystal Engineering: Steric Accommodation in Non-Covalent Derivatives of Hydroquinones

The solid state phase behavior of hydroquinone 1 with bis-(N,N-diethylamino)terephthalamide 2 and with bis-(N,N-dimethylamino)terephthalamide 3 has been investigated. Stoichiometric cocrystals have been prepared of the identified stable complexes. X-ray structure determinations of these cocrystals have been performed. The role of the alkyl side chains in the crystal packing geometry is discussed.
Book reviews of scientific and technical books

Guidelines are provided for the preparation of book reviews of scientific and technical books. A comprehensive checklist of the principal issues dealt with in book reviews, developed from a survey of published book reviews, is included.
Children living in transition: helping homeless and foster care children and families

Traditionally, children living in homeless situations and children placed in foster care have been viewed as distinct populations. However, these populations of vulnerable children share similar ch...
Cytoreductive Nephrectomy in Patients With Metastatic Renal Cancer: A Combined Analysis

ABSTRACTPurpose: Metastatic renal cancer is associated with a poor prognosis. Recent advances in immunotherapy for this problem have rekindled interest in cytoreductive nephrectomy. We report a combined analysis of 2 prospective randomized trials that used an identical study protocol.Materials and Methods: A total of 331 patients were randomized to 2 identical protocols comparing cytoreductive nephrectomy plus interferon α-2b vs interferon α-2b alone in patients with metastatic renal cancer, in whom the primary tumor was present and believed to be resectable. The primary end point for each trial was overall survival with a secondary end point of the response rate. Patients were stratified at pre-randomization by performance status (0 or 1), site of metastases (lung only vs other) and disease measurability. All results were analyzed by intent to treat criteria. Assuming a median survival of 1 year for interferon only, the Southwest Oncology Group trial was designed to detect a 50% improvement in median sur...
Application of the archibald sedimentation principle to paucidisperse macromoleculaar systems

The authors have found experimentally that the initial slope of a Trautman plot of data obtained from sedimentation-velocity experiments yields the z-average molecular weight of the solute components. It is also well known that the weight-average molecular weight is obtainable from such a plot. Equations are derived which permit the calculation of the individual concentrations and molecultar weight for unknown twocomponent paucidisperse systems. The experimental results on various two-component protein mixtures are compared to known values. It was found that the ratio of the weight concentrations of two components must be within about one to five for accurate results. It may be possible to extend the method to multicomponent systems. One could then rapidly determine the size distribution of synthetic and natural heterogeneous polymers.
Vibration control of structures during urban earthquakes

This paper addresses the problem of protecting structures from urban earthquakes. Urban (near field) earthquakes are responsible for generating a variety of ground motions. Some of these ground motions induce large displacements which result from rapid long period pulses-a type of excitation that can be detrimental to flexible structures. Herein a case study is presented for the response of a base-isolated structure located in Los Angeles, CA. The structure is subjected to two different records which have been recorded only 24 km apart during the Northridge earthquake; and it is shown that a protective isolation system that is beneficial to the structure when subjected to one ground motion is detrimental to the structure when subjected to the other. The alternative solution of controlling the response of flexible structures with controllable fluid dampers is investigated and preliminary results are presented.
Phenotypic transition maps of 3D breast acini obtained by imaging-guided agent-based modeling

We introduce an agent-based model of epithelial cell morphogenesis to explore the complex interplay between apoptosis, proliferation, and polarization. By varying the activity levels of these mechanisms we derived phenotypic transition maps of normal and aberrant morphogenesis. These maps identify homeostatic ranges and morphologic stability conditions. The agent-based model was parameterized and validated using novel high-content image analysis of mammary acini morphogenesis in vitro with focus on time-dependent cell densities, proliferation and death rates, as well as acini morphologies. Model simulations reveal apoptosis being necessary and sufficient for initiating lumen formation, but cell polarization being the pivotal mechanism for maintaining physiological epithelium morphology and acini sphericity. Furthermore, simulations highlight that acinus growth arrest in normal acini can be achieved by controlling the fraction of proliferating cells. Interestingly, our simulations reveal a synergism between polarization and apoptosis in enhancing growth arrest. After validating the model with experimental data from a normal human breast line (MCF10A), the system was challenged to predict the growth of MCF10A where AKT-1 was overexpressed, leading to reduced apoptosis. As previously reported, this led to non growth-arrested acini, with very large sizes and partially filled lumen. However, surprisingly, image analysis revealed a much lower nuclear density than observed for normal acini. The growth kinetics indicates that these acini grew faster than the cells comprising it. The in silico model could not replicate this behavior, contradicting the classic paradigm that ductal carcinoma in situ is only the result of high proliferation and low apoptosis. Our simulations suggest that overexpression of AKT-1 must also perturb cell-cell and cell-ECM communication, reminding us that extracellular context can dictate cellular behavior.
Multiresolution entropy measure for neuronal multiunit activity

It is known that the multiunit activity (MUA) reflects the status of population of neurons in the vicinity of an electrode. We provide a quantitative measure of the time-varying multiunit neuronal spiking activity using an entropy based approach. To verify the status embedded in the neuronal activity of a population of neurons, we incorporate the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to isolate the inherent spiking activity of MUA from the noise and background cortical activity or field potentials. Owing to the decorrelating property of DWT, the spiking activity would be preserved while reducing the non-spiking component such as the background noise. By evaluating the entropy of the wavelet coefficients of the denoised MUA, a multiresolution entropy of the MUA signal is developed. The proposed entropy measure was tested in the analysis of both simulated noisy MUA and actual MUA recorded from cortex in rodent model which undergoes hypoxic-ischemic brain injury. Simulation and Experimental results demonstrate that the dynamics of a population can be quantified by using the proposed multiresolution entropy.
Bioeffects of myocardial contrast microbubble destruction by echocardiography.

Background: Microbubble destruction during contrast echocardiography is known to cause capillary leaks and red blood cell extravasation in skeletal muscle. This study evaluated the biological effects of microbubble destruction on cardiac muscle. Methods: Contrast echocardiography was performed in 36 rats randomized to receive either Definity or Optison at a mechanical index (MI) of 1.6, 1.2, or 0.8. Myocardial bioeffects were assessed by measuring left ventricular (LV) size and fractional area shortening and histopathology. In addition, blood samples for troponin T were drawn at baseline, postinfusion (30 minutes), day 1, day 4, and day 7. LV size and function were measured at baseline and immediately prior to euthanasia on day 7, after which the heart was removed and sectioned for histopathology. Results: There was no statistical difference in LV size or function regardless of the contrast agent or MI, nor was there any histopathological evidence of myocardial damage. However, troponin T increased over time (F = 3.77, P = 0.012), peaking at 30 minutes and returning to normal by day 4. The difference between Definity and Optison was not statistically significant. However, troponin T values were higher at a higher MI (F = 5.01, P = 0.012). Of 12 rats imaged at a MI of 1.6, 9 (75%) had elevated troponin T as compared to 4 (33%) of 12 at a MI of 1.2. None of the 12 rats imaged at a MI of 0.8 had an elevated troponin T at any time point. Conclusions: Microbubble destruction at high acoustic power (MI 1.6) can cause mild troponin T elevations that are not associated with LV dysfunction or histopathological evidence of myocardial damage.
Origin of the difference between the capacitance intercept voltage and the built-in potential

For a diode with an abrupt, constant doping profile, the difference between the built-in potential V/sub bi/ and capacitance intercept voltage V/sub int/ is shown to be at least 2(k/sub B/T/q). The difference lies in the fact that q*V/sub int/ is related to the work needed to create this space charge. >
A perspective on the 801/Reduced Instruction Set Computer

From the earliest days of computers until the early 1970s, the trend in computer architecture was toward increasing complexity. This complexity revealed itself through the introduction of new instructions that matched the application areas. Microcode was an implementation technique that greatly facilitated this trend; thus, most computers were implemented using microcode. In 1975, work began at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center on an experimental minicomputer. This project, termed the 801 project, questioned the trend toward complexity in computer architecture. It was observed that most of the complex instructions were seldom used. Thus, a computer could be designed with only simple instructions without drastically increasing the path length or number of instructions required to implement an application. This made it possible to implement a machine without resorting to microcode, which improved performance. This paper described the background and evolution of these ideas in the context of the 801 experimental minicomputer project.
Misspecified T2 tests. i. location and scale

Properties of Hotelling's (1931) T 2 are studied under model misspecification in the model for a multivariate experiment. Stochastic bounds on T 2 and further properties of the T 2 test are studied under misspecified location and scale. The bounds are evaluated numerically in selected cases.