cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Significance of Blood Vessel Leakiness in Cancer

Despite major advances in the field of tumor angiogenesis, relatively little attention has been paid to the permeability of blood vessels in tumors. The leakiness of tumor vessels is well documented in experimental tumor models and in human cancer, but the mechanism is poorly understood, as are the implications to the rate of cancer growth, predisposition to metastasis, and delivery of macromolecular therapeutics to tumor cells. Sixteen experts in the fields of cancer biology and vascular biology gathered at the William Guy Forbeck "Focus on the Future" Conference to discuss this topic. The meeting was the first of its kind focused on the significance of blood vessel leakiness in tumors. The participants discussed the cellular basis of tumor vessel leakiness, endothelial barrier function of blood vessels, monitoring tumor vessel leakiness, mediators of endothelial leakiness, consequences of tumor vessel leakiness, genomic analysis of vascular targets, targeting drugs to tumor vessels, and therapeutic manipulation of tumor vessels. The group concluded that a more complete understanding of the basic biology of tumor vessels will be necessary to fully appreciate the consequences of vessel leakiness in cancer. New research tools such as intravital measurements of tumor blood flow and vessel leakiness, in vivo phage display, magnetic resonance imaging, and use of selective angiogenesis inhibitors will contribute to this understanding.
Avoiding spurious correlation in analysis of chemical kinetic data

This communication demonstrates that improperly formulated data analyses can inflate the strength of statistical correlations and result in drawing incorrect conclusions. The widespread misuse of a second-order kinetic model in the recent literature reveals that many chemists are not aware of the dangers of spurious correlation.
Thiodigalactoside Binding Lectin and Skeletal Myogenesis

A beta-D-galactoside binding lectin has been proposed to play a role in the cell interactions required for skeletal myogenesis. However, conflicting results have challenged this model as the basis for myoblast interactions and fusion. We have studied the effects of thiodigalactoside on the differentiation of the myogenic L8 line of rat cells and on myoblasts from newborn rats. Our results do not support a role for this lectin in the interactions of myoblasts immediately preceding fusion or in myoblast fusion per se. Thiodigalactoside did not inhibit development when present for restricted periods preceding fusion; differentiation was delayed only when cells were grown in the sugar for prolonged periods. Although a thiodigalactoside binding lectin is present in extracts of developing myoblasts, it is also present in equivalent amounts in developmentally defective nonfusing variants. Using antibody specific for this lectin and indirect immunofluorescence, myoblasts could be distinguished from fibroblasts; however, most of the lectin-associated antigen was within and not on the cells. One pattern of distribution of lectin determinants, similar to that reported with antiactin antibody, was present in differentiating L8 cells but not in the transformed fu-1 variant.
Challenges and needs for process safety in the new millennium

Abstract Process industries have made quite a bit of progress in process safety since the tragic night of December 2, 1984 in Bhopal. Nonetheless, incidents continue to occur on a regular basis due to insufficient understanding of the urgency to identify best practices and drive for process safety improvements in the organization. This paper addresses some of the critical challenges in implementing effective safety programs: (a) failure to learn from past incidents and to capture those lessons into process design, procedures, training, maintenance, and other programs, (b) insufficient attention to leading indicators, and (c) an increase in complexity of process operations and lack of communication. In the presence of these challenges, there is a great need to develop better solutions by utilizing good science based approaches and best practice studies. Potential research areas include, but are not limited to, incident database analysis, reactive chemicals, inherently safer design, combustible dust explosion, facility siting, and the flammability of fuel mixtures and aerosols. In addition, an example was presented on LNG industry safety to illustrate that science-based research is needed to ensure the safe operation and to avoid or mitigate unintended consequences.
High-resolution ultrasound as an effective and practical tool to analyze eyebrow profile expansion in thyroid-associated periorbitopathy.

PURPOSE Clinical, radiographic, and molecular studies have shown that patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy exhibit volumetric expansion of eyebrow tissues. This clinicopathologic entity has been termed thyroid-associated periorbitopathy. The goal of this study was to determine whether high-resolution ultrasonography could be used to reliably quantify thyroid-associated periorbitopathy. METHODS Institutional review board approval was obtained. The internal case-control study consisted of 12 subjects with unilateral-asymmetric thyroid-associated orbitopathy. High-resolution ultrasonography using a 15-MHz probe (Logiq p6) was performed by a single operator. Measurements were obtained 0.5 cm cephalad to the superior orbital rim at the midpupillary sagittal level. For each subject and tissue layer thickness (total tissue, dermis fat, retro-orbicularis oculi fat), the measured values on the less affected side were subtracted from those on the more severely diseased side. Summary statistics were used to analyze results. RESULTS High-resolution ultrasonography effectively demonstrated asymmetric expansion of total eyebrow tissue (p < 0.0001) and retro-orbicularis oculi fat (p = 0.0003). No significant difference in dermis fat thickness was found between the 2 sides (p = 0.2). Hertel exophthalmometry measurements were statistically different between the 2 sides (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrates that high-resolution ultrasonography independently confirms previously published studies of retro-orbicularis oculi fat expansion in patients with thyroid-associated orbitopathy. Compared with CT, MRI, and tissue biopsy, high-resolution ultrasonography is a more practical and cost-effective way to quantify and track thyroid-associated periorbitopathy over time. With its potential for real-time tissue assessment, high-resolution ultrasonography may be best suited for future studies of the dynamic relationship between globe and periorbital structures.
Screening the soul: communication regarding spiritual concerns among primary care physicians and seriously ill patients approaching the end of life.

The purpose of this study was to explore the spiritual concerns of seriously ill patients and the spiritual-care practices of primary care physicians (PCPs). Questionnaires were administered to outpatients (n = 65, 90 percent response rate) with end-stage illness and to PCPs (n = 67, 87 percent response rate) in a diverse general medicine practice. Most patients (62 percent) and PCPs (68 percent) considered it important that physicians attend to patients’ spiritual concerns. However, few patients reported receiving such care, and most (62 percent) did not think it was the PCP’s job to talk about spiritual concerns. Although both seriously ill outpatients and PCPs assert the importance of spiritual concerns, PCPs often do not provide spiritual care. Appropriate provision of spiritual care within a diverse population of seriously ill outpatients is complex, necessitating appropriate and attentive screening.
Micro and macroscopic aspects of shear band formation in internally nitrided single crystals of Fe-Ti-Mn alloys

Abstract The formation of localized shear bands in single crystals of internally nitrided alloys of Fe-Ti-Mn was studied experimentally and theoretically. The experimental studies included observation of the dislocation substructures that are formed at and near shear band/matrix interfaces along with documentation of the crystallography of the localized shearing process. Computational studies of tensile deformation of the crystals using the finite element method, that incorporated a large strain, strain rate dependent constitutive theory for crystalline slip, were carried out and the results were compared to the experimental observations. Mechanical tests, and in situ metallographic observations of shear band formation, showed that localized shearing occurs while the materials are continuously hardening and before “damage”, through microfracture, begins. Electron diffraction and imaging of the deformation substructures near shear band interfaces showed that an important part of the localization mechanism is nonuniform lattice reorientations that cause a “geometrical softening” of the lattice. The numerical studies are in good agreement with the experiments and demonstrate the role of material strain hardening and strain rate sensitivity.
Exaggerated smooth muscle contraction segments on esophageal high‐resolution manometry: prevalence and clinical relevance

Background Two smooth muscle contraction segments (S2, S3) on esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM) demonstrate varying contraction vigor in symptomatic patients. Significance of isolated exaggerated smooth muscle contraction remains unclear. Methods High-resolution manometry studies were reviewed in 272 consecutive patients (56.4 ± 0.8 years, 62% F) and compared to 21 healthy controls (27.6 ± 0.6 years, 52% F), using HRM tools (distal contractile integral, DCI; distal latency, DL; integrated relaxation pressure, IRP), Chicago Classification (CC) and multiple rapid swallows (MRS). Segments were designated merged when the trough between S2 and S3 was ≥150 mmHg, and exaggerated S3 when peak S3 amplitude was ≥150 mmHg without merging with S2. Presenting symptoms and global symptom severity (on 100 mm visual analog scale) were recorded. Prevalence of merged and exaggerated segments was determined, and characteristics compared to symptomatic patients with normal HRM, and to healthy controls. Key Results Merged segments were identified in 5.6%, and exaggerated S3 in another 12.5%, but only 17–50% had a CC diagnosis; one healthy control had merged segments. DCI with wet swallows was similar in cohorts with merged and exaggerated segments (p = 0.7), significantly higher than symptomatic patients with normal HRM and healthy controls (p ≤ 0.003 for each comparison). Incomplete inhibition and prominent DCI augmentation on MRS (p ≤ 0.01), and presenting symptoms (chest pain and dysphagia, p = 0.04) characterized exaggerated segments, but not demographics or symptom burden. Conclusions & Inferences Merged esophageal smooth muscle segments and exaggerated S3 may represent hypermotility phenomena from abnormal inhibition and/or excitation, and are not uniformly identified by the CC algorithm.
Catalytic partial oxidation of ethane to ethylene and syngas over Rh and Pt coated monoliths: Spatial profiles of temperature and composition

Abstract The catalytic partial oxidation of C 2 H 6 over Pt and Rh coated monolithic supports (4.7 wt% M/α-Al 2 O 3 45 PPI) was investigated with a capillary sampling technique for a range of C 2 H 6 /air ratios at constant inlet flow (∼8 ms contact time), with and without H 2 addition. Effluent data clearly indicate the differences in product distribution between catalysts and equilibrium. Rh effectively converts the reactant mixtures to syngas with ∼80% selectivity, whereas Pt produces C 2 H 4 with ∼55% C-atom selectivity, while neither produces thermodynamically favored C. Spatially resolved measurements provide direct evidence of the multi-zone nature of the reactors. With Rh, complete conversion of O 2 occurs to produce mostly CO, H 2 and H 2 O within the first 3 mm of catalyst, followed by a reforming zone to produce additional syngas. Pt consumes O 2 more slowly, which results in a steady increase in temperature along the reactor. Ethylene formation correlates to reactor temperatures >750 °C, regardless of C/O, in line with the onset of homogeneous reactions. Hydrogen addition tests (C 2 H 6 /O 2 /H 2 =2/1/2) clearly exhibit preferential oxidation of H 2 with O 2 over Pt, which shifts the maximum in temperature upstream while preserving a portion of the C 2 H 6 for C 2 H 4 production. H 2 addition modifies the concentration and temperature profiles minimally on Rh. The main differences between catalysts are the high reforming and O 2 consumption activity with Rh compared to Pt, which are likely responsible for differences in C 2 H 4 yields.
Ka-band E-plane Beam Steering/Shaping Phased Array System Using Antipodal Elliptically-tapered Slot Antenna

In this letter, we present a Ka-band 8-element E-plane beam steering/shaping phased antenna array (PAA) using antipodal elliptically tapered slot antenna (AETSA). The power feeding network, phase shifter and antenna element were fabricated on a single low cost PCB substrate to avoid the extra loss caused by connection of different circuit pieces and for easier integration and easier fabrication. The system achieved wide scanning angle, which is from −21° to +24° and the 3 dB beamwidth is widened by 10°, the latter being the requirement for plasma imaging application.
The Context of Current Content Analysis of Gender Roles: An Introduction to a Special Issue

The aim of this paper is to provide context for the quantitative content analyses of gender roles that are to be included in both parts of this special issue. First, a timeline of historical uses of the content analysis methodology is presented. Second, research objectives that frequently drive content analysis of gender roles are described; these include: to support feminist claims, to compare media with real life, to predict effects on audiences, and to detect effects of media producers on content. Third, previous content analyses published in Sex Roles and other gender-focused journals are reviewed and categorized in terms of medium, genre, time span, gender, and nationality. Finally, contributions of each of the articles in this special issue are outlined.
Susceptibility to Cell Death Induced by Mutant SV40 T-Antigen Correlates with Purkinje Neuron Functional Development

Purkinje cells are uniquely susceptible to a number of physical, chemical, and genetic insults both during development and in the mature state. We have previously shown that when the postmitotic state of murine Purkinje cells is altered by inactivation of the retinoblastoma tumor susceptibility protein (pRb), immature as well as mature Purkinje cells undergo apoptosis. DNA synthesis and neuronal loss are induced in postmitotic Purkinje cells dependent upon the pRb-binding portion of SV40 large T antigen (T-ag). In the present study, Purkinje cell targeting of a mutant T-ag, PVU, which does not bind pRb, reveals disparate cerebellar phenotypes dependent upon temporal differences in transgene expression. Strong embryonic and postnatal transgene expression in three lines alters Purkinje cell development and function during the second postnatal week, causing ataxia without Purkinje cell loss. In contrast, two other transgenic lines reveal that PVU T-ag expression following normal Purkinje cell maturation causes rapid Purkinje cell degeneration. The second and third postnatal weeks of cerebellar development, which include the major period of synaptogenesis, appear to be the defining stage for the two PVU-induced phenotypes. These data indicate that Purkinje cell death susceptibility varies with developmental stage.
Relationship between estimated occurrence and social desirability scale value of objective personality items.

Item parameters have been used to predict and unify many aspects of behavior related to objective personality items. Parameters such as probability of endorsement and social desirability scale value have not been related to the likelihood of occurrence in the population of the overt behavior signified by an item. This study showed that both social desirability scale value and probability of endorsement correlate highly with probability of occurrence estimated by a sample of judges. The correlation between probability of occurrence and probability of endorsement is higher than the other two correlations among these three item characteristics for both male and female Ss.
Daidzein effect on hormone refractory prostate cancer in vitro and in vivo compared to genistein and soy extract: potentiation of radiotherapy.

Genistein, the major bioactive isoflavone of soybeans, acts as a radiosensitizer for prostate cancer (PCa) both in vitro and in vivo. However, pure genistein promoted increased metastasis to lymph nodes. A mixture of soy isoflavones (genistein, daidzein, glycitein) did not cause increased metastasis, but potentiated radiotherapy. We tested whether daidzein could negate genistein-induced metastasis. Mice bearing PC-3 prostate tumors were treated with daidzein, genistein or both, and with tumor irradiation. Primary tumors and metastases were evaluated. The effects of each isoflavone and soy were compared in vitro using PC-3 (AR−) and C4-2B (AR+) androgen-independent PCa cell lines. Daidzein did not increase metastasis to lymph nodes and acted as a radiosensitizer for prostate tumors. Daidzein inhibited cell growth and enhanced radiation in vitro but at doses higher than genistein or soy. Daidzein caused milder effects on inhibition of expression and/or activities of APE1/Ref-1, HIF-1α and NF-κB in PC-3 and C4-2B cells. Daidzein could be the component of soy that protects against genistein-induced metastasis. Daidzein inhibited cell growth and synergized with radiation, affecting APE1/Ref-1, NF-κB and HIF-1α, but at lower levels than genistein and soy, in AR+ and AR- PCa cells, suggesting it is an AR-independent mechanism.
Direct ultraviolet spectrophotometric determination of total sulfide and iodide in natural waters.

A technique is described that allows the determination of total dissolved sulfide in natural waters using direct ultraviolet detection of the HS- ion. The concentration of bisulfide is determined by measuring absorption from 214 to 300 nm and then deconvolution of the HS- spectra from the complex spectrum of natural fluids. A nonlinear least-squares fitting approach is used for the deconvolution. At a pH near 8, where >95% of total sulfide is present as HS-, the results are indistinguishable from total sulfide measured using the methylene blue method in a wide range of sample types and matrixes including freshwater from groundwater wells, marine hydrothermal vent fluids, and marine sediment porewaters. The method allows simultaneous determination of other UV-absorbing ions, including nitrate, bromide, and iodide, in samples with low total sulfide concentrations. Bisulfide concentrations can be determined in samples with low background absorption, such as well water and hydrothermal fluids, with a detectio...
Die Hanse und die nordischen Mächte im Mittelalter

Es wird kaum einer besonderen Begrundung dafur bedurfen, das im Kreise der Arbeitsgemeinschaft fur Forschung und in der Hauptstadt des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen uber einen Ausschnitt aus der Geschichte der Hanse berichtet wird*. Denn die Keimzellen des hansischen Stadtewesens, der Lebens- und Organisationsformen des hansestadtischen Burgers, liegen ja eben hier, in der niederrheinisch-westfalischen Stadtelandschaft, wie sie sich — mit weitem Vorsprung vor dem ubrigen Deutschland — im Lauf des 10.–12. Jahrhunderts herausgebildet hat. Die kulturellen und sozialen Wurzeln des Stadtewesens um die Ostsee, die das hansische „Mittelmeer“ war, sind hier in diesem Bereich zu suchen1. Das sind bekannte Tatsachen, und von ihnen soll im Rahmen unseres Themas auch nicht weiter gesprochen werden. Nur an eine Komponente dieses grosen stadtgeschichtlichen Zusammenhanges sei noch ausdrucklich erinnert: an die soziale und bevolkerungsgeschichtliche. In allen ostlichen Hansestadten des Mittelalters wiederholt sich die soziale Gliederung des fruhen niederrheinisch-westfalischen Burgertums, mit ihrem unbedingten Ubergewicht einer kaufmannisch-fernhandlerischen Oberschicht. Und in allen ostlichen Hansestadten bezeugt das Sprachgut und das Namensgut, bezeugen die Rechtsnormen und die Familienbindungen, bezeugen schlieslich auch die kulturellen und kunstlerischen Ausdrucksformen das Vorherrschen des rheinisch-westfalischen Bevolkerungselements2.
Population genetic structure of raccoons (Procyon lotor) inhabiting a highly fragmented landscape

The raccoon (Procyon lotor (L., 1758)), a generalist mesocarnivore, has thrived in anthropogenically fragmented landscapes. In this study we utilized 13 microsatellites to analyze the population ge...
Narratives in interview — The case of accounts: For an interactional approach to narrative genres

Narratives told in interview have become a central tool of data collection and analysis in a variety of disciplines within the social sciences. However, many researchers, particularly those who embrace a conversational analytic or ethnomethodological approach (see among others Schegloff, 1997; Goodwin, 1997), regard them as artificial and oppose them to naturally occurring stories, which they see as much richer and interesting sources of data and analysis. In this paper, I argue that the criticism against interview narratives has been justified by the lack of attention that many narrative analysts have shown towards the interview as a truly interactional context. However, I also point to some shortcomings that derive from this opposition between naturally occurring and interview narratives and to an alternative framework in which the stress is not on the kind of narrative data used for the analysis, but rather on the kind of narrative analysis that should be adopted. I argue that our methodologies of analysis cannot fail to take into account the way narratives shape and are shaped by the different contexts in which they are embedded and propose the study of narrative genres as a way of looking at the reciprocal influence of narratives and story-telling contexts. I illustrate this point looking at accounts as a genre.
Heterodimers: Plasmonic Properties of Mismatched Nanoparticle Pairs

Heterodimers—two closely adjacent metallic nanoparticles differing in size or shape—exemplify a simple nanoscale geometry that gives rise to a remarkably rich set of properties. These include Fano resonances, avoided crossing behavior, and a surprising dependence of the scattering spectrum on the direction of excitation, known as the “optical nanodiode” effect. In a series of studies, we experimentally probe and theoretically analyze these properties in heterodimer nanostructures, where nanoparticle size and plasmon resonance frequency are varied systematically. Polarization-dependent dark-field microspectroscopy on individual heterodimer structures fabricated using a novel electromigration assembly method allows us to examine these properties in detail. These studies expand our understanding of the range of physical effects that can be observed in adjacent metallic nanoparticle pairs.
Quantum key distribution using sequential weak values

We propose a new secure key distribution method that utilizes the properties of the sequential weak values of a quantum observable to prevent eavesdropping. Unlike all previous protocols, the security of this QKD protocol does not rely on the no-cloning theorem or on the spatial nonlocality of entangled states. The robustness of the protocol to detector dark counts and optical losses is investigated and is found to compare favorably with BB84. While this new protocol has the drawback of a very low secure key generation rate, that the rate is non-zero is a significant result due to the lack of any obvious use of the usual resources of quantum information.
The Study of CXCL7-CXCL12 Chemokine Heterodimer by NMR Spectroscopy

Chemokines are small regulatory proteins that play an important role in the functioning of mammalian immune system. They are involved in wound repair, hematopoiesis, organ development, and protect organism from inflammation. However, they are also associated with serious inflammatory disorders, such as autoimmune diseases, atherosclerosis, and cancer. Recently, it became apparent that different chemokines can interact affecting the biological activities of each other. Moreover, it has been shown that the disruption of such functional interactions between chemokines can be of direct therapeutic benefit (Koenen, von Hundelshausen et al. 2009). Our mass spectrometry (MS) data shows that CXCL7 and CXCL12 form heterodimers (Carlson, Baxter et al.). To design targeted, anti-inflammatory pharmacological agents that will inhibit the interactions between CXCL7 and CXCL12, the structural model of the heterodimer is required. Here, we used NMR spectroscopy to identify the interaction interface between CXCL7 and CXCL12 chemokines. Based on these data, a molecular model of CXCL7-CXCL12 heterodimer is proposed.
Local polygon reduction for voxel-based modeling

In voxel-based modeling systems, shapes of objects are visualized in terms of many tiny polygons. Because these excessive polygons deteriorate the interactive visualization performance, a grid-dependent local polygon reduction method is developed in this paper. Instead of processing the entire polygons altogether in the reduction process, these polygons are divided into many subgroups and reduced separately. This method has the advantages of having faster computational speed and providing local editing functions. The relations of native voxel data and sub-regions for local reduction are discussed. The partial surface editing function is also presented.Copyright © 2002 by ASME
Housing Price Indexes from the 1974–1983 SIMSA Annual Housing Surveys

This paper reports residential real estate price indexes computed from the Standard Metropolitan Statistical Area (SMSA) Annual Housing Survey (AHS) for the 1974 through 1983 period. During this ten-year period, the U.S. Bureau of the Census conducted detailed surveys of the housing stock in sixty metropolitan areas in a three to four year cycle. This information is used to compute tenure specific hedonic housing price indexes for: (1) the entire metropolitan housing market; (2) separately for properties located in the central city and in the suburbs (whenever central city locations are identified); and (3) for three points in the dwelling quality distribution-for substandard housing (using the definition employed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development), for new housing (housing less than three years old and not substandard), and for existing standard quality housing (everything else). In addition, the hedonic prices reported here are adjusted for the finite sample bias introduced when taking the exponential of a lognormally distributed random variable.
A randomized trial of povidone-iodine compared with iodine tincture for venipuncture site disinfection: effects on rates of blood culture contamination.

Abstract Background: Contamination of blood cultures creates problems in their interpretation and unneeded resource utilization. Because skin flora comprise the major group of contaminant species, more effective skin disinfection at the venipuncture site could reduce contamination. Subjects and methods: We performed a randomized trial in adult inpatients at a tertiary care teaching hospital. Antecubital venipuncture sites were randomly disinfected with povidone-iodine or iodine tincture, and blood cultures (two bottles, 10 mL of blood) were drawn by professional phlebotomists. Scoring of contaminant species was restricted to skin flora. Hospital resource utilization was compared among patients with contaminated blood cultures and those with sterile blood cultures. Results: Of the 3,851 blood cultures collected during the study, 120 (3.1%) were contaminated with skin flora. The contamination rate for blood cultures collected after povidone-iodine was 3.8% (74 of 1,947), compared with a rate of 2.4% (46 of 1,904, P = 0.01) after iodine tincture. The difference in mean total hospital costs for patients with contaminated blood cultures and those with sterile blood cultures was $4,100 (95% confidence interval: $740 to $7,400, P = 0.02). Conclusions: Iodine tincture is superior to povidone-iodine for venipuncture site antisepsis before blood culture sampling. Because of the high costs associated with contaminated blood cultures, hospitals should consider switching from povidone-iodine to iodine tincture. Reduction of the contamination rate may improve the quality of patient care and reduce hospital costs.
Fictional narratives change beliefs: replications of Prentice, Gerrig, and Bailis (1997) with mixed corroboration.

We report three exact replications of experiments aimed at illuminating how fictional narratives influence beliefs (Prentice, Gerrig, & Bailis, 1997). Students read fictional stories that contained weak, unsupported assertions and which took place either at their home school or at an away school. Prentice et al. found that students were influenced to accept the assertions, even those blatantly false, but that this effect on beliefs was limited to the away-school setting. We questioned the limiting of the narrative effect to remote settings. Our studies consistently reproduced the first finding, heightened acceptance of statements occurring in the conversations of narrative protagonists, but we failed to reproduce the moderating effect of school location. In an attempt to understand these discrepancies, we measured likely moderating factors such as readers’ need for cognition and their extent of scrutiny of the narratives.
Symmetry of Insulin Dimers and Hexamers

RECENT X-ray crystallographic studies of orthorhombic crystals of bovine insulin sulphate have provided information about the symmetry of the insulin dimer (molecular weight 2 × 5733). This dimer appears to be the stable unit in acid aqueous solution, except under special conditions1. The dimer is the protein component of the asymmetrical unit in the wet, type A and type B sulphate and type A citrate, crystals2, and also in the air-dried sulphate crystals3. Studies of the shrinkage stages of the type A insulin sulphate crystals4 have disclosed the existence of several new crystal forms. The space group of all but one of these is P212121 (Z = 4), that of all previously examined orthorhombic insulin crystals. One shrinkage stage (type C) has the space group I212121 (Z = 8). In this crystal twofold rotation axes relate pairs of insulin molecules. On the basis of crystallographic and other evidence, it was possible to establish the strong probability that the insulin dimer has basically an invariant structure, with point group 2, in all these crystal forms and in acid solution; that is, the two insulin molecules of the dimer are related to each other by a twofold rotation axis.
Structure and composition of the metacercarial cyst wall of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda)

Abstract Huffman J. E. 1986. Structure and composition of the metacercarial cyst wall of Sphaeridiotrema globulus (Trematoda). International Journal for Parasitology 16: 647–653. Histochemical and structural observations were made on the metacercarial cyst wall of Sphaeridiotrema globulus , obtained from naturally infected Goniobasis virginica (Pleuroceridae) snails. The cyst wall of S. globulus is a thin, glistening, transparent structure that thickens as the metacercaria ages. The cysts occur singly beneath the shell of the snail host or linked together in sheets, pyramids and other three dimensional forms. Light and electron microscopic examination of the cyst wall reveals an inner, middle and outer layer, each of which may vary in thickness. Adjacent cysts are linked by their outer layers. The chemical composition of these layers, elucidated through histochemistry, is described.
Properties of organic-water mixtures. IV. The effect of various salts on the miscibility gap of the glycerol triacetate-water system

Abstract The effect of various salts on the miscibility gap of the glycerol triacetate (GTA)water system was examined at 25°C. Whereas addition of NaCl and KC1 reduces the mutual solubility of GTA and water, the addition of certain other salts, e.g., perchlorates, thiocyanates, iodides, bromides, salicylates, and zinc chloride, increases the mutual solubility of GTA and water to such an extent that complete miscibility may result. For the anions listed the “salting-in” effects are, in general, insensitive to the cation used or its charge. Plots of equivalents of salt required to produce miscibility vs. wt. percent GTA showed curves with maxima usually at about 40% GTA. Miscibility at the maximum required ca. 1 mole of perchlorate or salicylate ions per kilogram of solvent; for thiocyanates, iodides, bromides, and zinc chloride, the corresponding concentrations were usually larger. For several salts measurements were made in the temperature range 2° to 75°C. The mutual solubility of GTA and water in the absence of salts increases slightly with increasing temperature. Less NaC7H5O3 was required for miscibility at a higher temperature. However, for Mg(ClO4)2, KCNS, NaI, and CdBr2, more salt was required for miscibility at a higher temperature.
Biological Fluid Separation in Microfluidic Channels Using Flow Rate Control

A microfluidic device for continuous, real time blood plasma separation is introduced. This device is composed of a blood inlet, a purified plasma outlet, and a concentrated blood cell outlet. It is designed to separate blood plasma from an initial blood sample of up to 45 % hematocrit (Hct). The microfluidic device is designed and analyzed using an analogous electrical circuit, analytical and numerical studies. The numerical study results show that 27 % and 25 % of plasma volume can be separated from a total inlet blood volume of 45 % and 39 % hematocrit, respectively. The functionality of this device was demonstrated using defibrinated sheep blood (Hct=36 %). During 2 hrs. of continuous blood infusion through the device, all the blood cells traveled through the device toward the concentrated blood outlet while only the plasma flowed towards the plasma outlet without any clogging or lysis of cells. The experimentally measured plasma skimming volume was about 33 % for a 36 % inlet hematocrit. Due to the device’s simple structure and control mechanism, this microdevice is expected to be used for highly efficient continuous, real time cell-free blood plasma separation device.Copyright © 2005 by ASME
Model potential calculations of lithium transitions.

Semi-empirical potentials are constructed that have eigenvalues close in magnitude to the binding energies of the valence electron in lithium. The potentials include the long range polarization force between the electron and the core. The corresponding eigenfunctions are used to calculate dynamic polarizabilities, discrete oscillator strengths, photoionization cross sections and radiative recombination coefficients. A consistent application of the theory imposes a modification on the transition operator, but its effects are small for lithium. The method presented can be regarded as a numerical generalization of the widely used Coulomb approximation.
Semiconductor polymer-based rf MEMS and its applications to microwave systems

During the past decade, several new fabrication techniques have evolved which helped popularize micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS), and numerous novel devices have been reported in diverse areas of engineering and science. One such area is microwave and millimeter wave systems. MEMS technology for microwave applications should solve many intriguing problems of high frequency technology for wireless communications. The recent and dramatic developments of personal communication devices forced the market to acquire miniaturized efficient devices, which is possible only by the development of RF MEMS. Semiconductor- polymer based sensor use silicon use silicon or compound semiconductors as inorganic parts with sensitive polymers as insulating, semiconducting or conductive materials. Organic thin film transistor has also been fabricated using this concept. These devices may allow control circuitry to be integrated with 2D or 3D MEMS. Interdigital type RF-MEMS can be designed and fabricated with Interdigital Electrodes (IDE) deposited on either polymer or an inorganic material such as Barium Strontium Titanate (BST). In the case of polymer-based device, we study the capacitance change and calibrate it for desired sensing application. In the inorganic case, we make use of the change in dielectric properties of BST as a function of DC bias. IDE will act like a RF filter and oscillator just like the comb-type RF MEMS devices. These polymeric based devices can be integrated with organic thin film transistors. RF switches, tuners and filters are some of the initial applications of RF MEMS although many others are still under development. In this paper we present the design and development of few devices such as phase shifters, switches and IDT capacitors. It is observed that, dielectric constant of BST thin film changes by more than 50 percent with an applied bias voltage of 25 V dc, which could therefore be easily implemented in RF switch.
Uterine defense mechanisms in the mare: Serum opsonins affecting phagocytosis of Streptococcus zooepidemicus by equine neutrophils

The addition of serum to uterine secretions was shown to opsonize Streptococcus zooepidemicus and significantly enhance bacterial phagocytosis by equine neutrophils. Treatment of serum by heat inactivation at 56 degrees C, EDTA treatment, and C3 consumption reduced phagocytosis and therefore demonstrated that the process was complement-dependent. The amount of C3 present in uterine secretions was measured in a series of 14 mares infected with Streptococcus zooepidemicus . Ten of the 14 mares had detectable amounts of C3; however, the C3 had been cleaved and rendered nonfunctional. The importance of these findings in relationship to chronic uterine infections in the mare is discussed.
Trapping and Structural Elucidation of a Very Advanced Intermediate in the Lesion-Extrusion Pathway of hOGG1

Here we present the first structure of a very advanced intermediate in the lesion-extrusion pathway of a DNA glycosylase, human 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (hOGG1), and a substrate DNA containing a mutagenic lesion, 8-oxoguanine (oxoG). The structure was obtained by irradiation and flash-freezing of a disulfide-cross-linked (DXLed) complex of hOgg1 bound to DNA containing a novel photocaged derivative of oxoG. The X-ray structure reveals that, upon irradiation, the oxoG lesion has transited from the exosite to the active site pocket, but has not undergone cleavage by the enzyme. Furthermore, all but one of the specificity-determining interactions between the lesion and the enzyme are unformed in the flashed complex (FC), because active site functionality and elements of the DNA backbone are mispositioned. This structure thus provides a first glimpse into the structure of a very late-stage intermediate in the lesion-extrusion pathway--the latest observed to date for any glycosylase--in which the oxoG has undergone insertion into the enzyme active site following photodeprotection, but the enzyme and DNA have not yet completed the slower process of adjusting to the presence of the lesion in the active site.
Widespread anatomical projections of the serotonergic modulatory neuron, CB1, in Aplysia

Although sensitization-related changes in the neural circuitry of withdrawal reflexes inAplysia are well studied, relatively few studies address the organization of the modulatory components of sensitization. In particular, it is not known whether individual modulatory loci can simultaneously influence multiple reflex circuits. There is, however, evidence that a single modulatory transmitter, serotonin, plays a pivotal role in facilitating different reflex circuits during sensitization. Furthermore, it is known that activation of a pair of serotonergic neurons, the CB1s, produces heterosynaptic facilitation of the sensorimotor connections of one of these reflex circuits. These data together raise the possibility that the CB1s may produce sensitizing changes in the neural elements of multiple reflex systems simultaneously. In the present study, we utilized immunocytochemistry and intracellular labeling to obtain anatomical evidence of CB1's possible role in modulating multiple reflex circuits. We found that two distinct neurons satisfy previously published physiological criteria for CB1. One of these, CB1, is immunoreactive to serotonin. The second cell, here named CB2, has a different neuroanatomy and is not serotonin immunoreactive. Focusing on CB1, we found (1) profuse fine processes given off by its axons in the posterior neuropil of the cerebral ganglion, (2) extensive branching and fine processes in the pleural ganglion, and (3) a branch of CB1 that projects into the pedal ganglion. These three observations are consistent with the hypothesis that, in addition to its already established role in modulating the siphon withdrawal circuit, CB1 may also modulate synaptic connections between (1) the sensory and motor neurons of the tentacle withdrawal reflex (2) the sensory neurons and interneurons of the tail and tail-elicited siphon withdrawal reflex, and (3) the sensory and motor neurons of the tail withdrawal reflex. These observations support further physiological investigations of a possible global role of CB1 in modulating the tail and tentacle withdrawal reflexes.
Strichartz estimates for the magnetic Schrödinger equation

Abstract We prove global, scale invariant Strichartz estimates for the linear magnetic Schrodinger equation with small time dependent magnetic field. This is done by constructing an appropriate parametrix. As an application, we show a global regularity type result for Schrodinger maps in dimensions n ⩾ 6 .
A Prospective Study of Daily Measurement of C-Reactive Protein in Serum of Adults with Neutropenia

A total of 1,622 daily measurements of the level of C-reactive protein (CRP) in the serum of 40 hospitalized patients with neutropenia were made during 55 study periods from October 1990 through February 1993 (mean, 29.5 measurements per period). Clinical events were categorized into four groups : group I (bloodstream infection), group II (significant bacterial or fungal infection without bloodstream infection), group III (fever without an obvious source), and group IV (drug-related fever). There was a strong association between baseline elevation of the CRP level (≥100 mg/L) and tumor-associated fever (P =.0005) ; the resolution of such fever coincided with a decrease in the CRP level following chemotherapy. Levels of CRP increased by ≥40 mg/L in 10 (31%) of 32 cases during the 48-72 hours preceding the clinical diagnosis of a subsequently demonstrable infection-often pneumonia without bloodstream infection. CRP values on day 2 (1 day after the diagnosis of a clinical event) were significantly higher for events in groups I and II than for those in group III (P <.01) but not those in group IV. With regard to significant infections, a day-2 CRP value of ≥40 mg/L was 100% sensitive and an increase in CRP level of ≥50 mg/L from day 1 to day 2 had a positive predictive value of 95%. We conclude that serial measurements of serum CRP levels may be helpful in determining the extent of evaluation required for a newly febrile neutropenic patient and possibly in accelerating the detection of an otherwise unsuspected infection.
Analysis of the Low Molecular Weight Fraction of Serum by LC-Dual ESI-FT-ICR Mass Spectrometry: Precision of Retention Time, Mass, and Ion Abundance

This study quantifies the experimental uncertainty for LC retention time, mass measurement precision, and ion abundance obtained from replicate nLC-dual ESI−FT-ICR analyses of the low molecular weight fraction of serum. We used ultrafiltration to enrich the <10-kDa fraction of components from the high-abundance proteins in a pooled serum sample derived from ovarian cancer patients. The THRASH algorithm for isotope cluster detection was applied to five replicate nLC-dual ESI-FT-ICR chromatograms. A simple two-level grouping algorithm was applied to the more than 7000 isotope clusters found in each replicate and identified 497 molecular species that appeared in at least four of the replicates. In addition, a representative set of 231 isotope clusters, corresponding to 188 unique molecular species, were manually interpreted to verify the automated algorithm and to set its tolerances. For nLC retention time reproducibility, 95% of the 497 species had a 95% confidence interval of the mean of ±0.9 min or less w...
Diagnoses in Pediatric Patients With Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Lesions Suspicious for Demyelination

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies of the brain in pediatric patients frequently show abnormal white matter lesions, which may be concerning for demyelinating disease. This study aimed to determine the proportion of pediatric patients who have MRI lesions concerning for demyelinating disease at presentation and ultimately are diagnosed with a primary central nervous system demyelinating disease. A retrospective chart review was performed on MRI reports of patients who underwent imaging evaluation at a single tertiary pediatric hospital. Of 299 patients identified, 192 presented with acute neurologic complaints. In this group, ≥ 5 discrete lesions, African American race, and having brain stem, thalamic, cerebellar, or optic nerve lesions was associated with the patient being diagnosed with a disease that required further treatment. The other 107 patients underwent MRI for other indications. Among these subjects, having lesions within the corpus callosum or cerebellum was associated with being diagnosed with a disease requiring further treatment.
Expanded CTG triplet blocks from the myotonic dystrophy gene create the strongest known natural nucleosome positioning elements

Expanded blocks of repeating nucleotide triplets have been found in or near genes associated with several human diseases. In the case of myotonic dystrophy, a block of repeating CTG trinucleotides is located downstream of the gene, and expansions of this block to repeats of n = 100 or more are frequently found in afflicted individuals. Using electron microscopy, we recently demonstrated that these blocks form unusually stable nucleosomes. Here, competitive nucleosome reconstitution was employed to measure the energetics of nucleosome formation over CTG repeat blocks of n = 75 and n = 130. These values were compared to the Xenopus borealis somatic 5S RNA gene, previously one of the strongest known natural nucleosome positioning elements. It is shown that DNA fragments containing 75 and 130 CTG repeats are 6 and 9 times stronger in nucleosome formation, respectively, than the 5S RNA gene. These findings suggest that expanded CTG blocks may profoundly alter local chromatin structure.
Isoflavone glycitein diminished plasma cholesterol in female golden Syrian hamsters.

The soybean isoflavones, daidzein, genistein, and glycitein, were hypothesized to act as cholesterol-lowering components, separate from soy protein. Pure synthetic daidzein, genistein, or glycitein (0.9 mmol/kg diet) or a casein-based control diet was fed to groups of 10 female Golden Syrian hamsters for 4 weeks. Hamsters fed glycitein had significantly lower plasma total (by 15%) and non-HDL (by 24%) cholesterol compared with those fed casein (P daidzein > genistein (33.2%, 4.6%, 2.2%, respectively), with the apparent absorption of glycitein significantly greater than that of the other isoflavones. These data suggest that glycitein’s greater cholesterol-lowering effect was due to its grea...