cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Peculiar Trend of Cyclic Perfluoroalkane Electron Affinities with Increasing Ring Size

The adiabatic electron affinities (AEAs), vertical electron affinities (VEAs), and vertical detachment energies (VDEs) of cyclic perfluoroalkanes, c-CnF2n (n = 3−7), and their monotrifluoromethyl derivatives were computed using various pure and hybrid density functionals with DZP++ (polarization and diffuse function augmented double-ζ) basis sets. The theoretical AEA of c-C4F8 at KMLYP/DZP++ is 0.70 eV, which exhibits satisfactory agreement with the 0.63 ± 0.05 eV experimental value. The nonzero-point-corrected AEA of c-C4F8 is predicted to be 0.41 eV at the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory, which shows a slight deviation of 0.11 eV from the KMLYP estimated value of 0.52 eV for the same. With the zero-point correction from the MP2/6-311G(d) [Gallup, G. A. Chem. Phys. Lett. 2004, 399, 206] level of theory combined with the CCSD(T)/aug-cc-pVTZ//MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ result, the most reliable estimate of AEA of c-C4F8 is 0.60 eV. c-C3F6(−), c-C4F8(−), and c-C5F10(−) are unusual in preferring pl...
Neurogenesis of sensory neurons in the primate olfactory system after section of the fila olfactoria

Axotomy of the olfactory sensory neurons in the adult primate squirrel monkey induces retrograde degeneration of the perikarya in the nasal neuroepithelium. The process of neuronal degeneration is rapid and by the 10th day the olfactory neuroepithelium is deprived of all mature neurons. Basal cells, supporting cells and the Bowman's glands are unaffected by the surgical procedure. The degeneration of the neurons is followed by intense mitotic activity of the basal cells of the neuroepithelium. At 30 days survival several young, mature neurons are present again in the neuroepithelium. At 60--90 survival days the neuroepithelium reacquires a population of neurons similar to controls. The persistence of neurogenesis and the replacement of experimentally degenerated neurons in an adult, non-human primate is briefly discussed.
Prioritization of putative metabolite identifications in LC‐MS/MS experiments using a computational pipeline

One of the major bottle-necks in current LC-MS-based metabolomic investigations is metabolite identification. An often-used approach is to first look up metabolites from databases through peak mass, followed by verification of the obtained putative identifications using MS/MS data. However, the mass-based search may provide inappropriate putative identifications when the observed peak is from isotopes, fragments, or adducts. In addition, a large fraction of peaks is often left with multiple putative identifications. To differentiate these putative identifications, manual verification of metabolites through comparison between biological samples and authentic compounds is necessary. However, such experiments are laborious, especially when multiple putative identifications are encountered. It is desirable to use computational approaches to obtain more reliable putative identifications and prioritize them before performing experimental verification of the metabolites. In this article, a computational pipeline is proposed to assist metabolite identification with improved metabolome coverage and prioritization capability. Multiple publicly available software tools and databases, along with in-house developed algorithms, are utilized to fully exploit the information acquired from LC-MS/MS experiments. The pipeline is successfully applied to identify metabolites on the basis of LC-MS as well as MS/MS data. Using accurate masses, retention time values, MS/MS spectra, and metabolic pathways/networks, more appropriate putative identifications are retrieved and prioritized to guide subsequent metabolite verification experiments.
Sense of Place in Child Care Environments

The exterior design of existing preschool environments is evaluated in the context of contemporary writings by architects focusing on creating designs that nurture children’s emotions. Sense of place research is discussed in relation to young children’s experiences. Findings reveal that the majority of sites included in the study incorporated many physical design elements that create a sense of place for children in preschool environments, including small-scale structures, windows, landscaping, natural wall materials, and thresholds. Recommendations for administrators and directors planning and designing a new or remodeled preschool environment include incorporating features that reflect home-like environments with windows, thresholds, and landscaping.
Effects of TNI Inhibitory Peptide Mutation on Troponin Dynamics

Striated muscles are relaxed under low calcium concentration conditions due to actions of the thin filament protein troponin. To investigate this regulatory mechanism, this project studies the dynamic behavior of a mutant troponin in which an 11-residue segment of cardiac troponin I, known as the inhibitory region, has been converted to a Gly-Ala flexible linker. The functional effects of this mutation were previously characterized. (Mouannes Kozaili, et al, JBC 2010). The mutation impairs rather than abolishes troponin's inhibitory function, and thin filaments retain cooperative Ca2+-sensitive properties. Previous work from our lab has mapped the dynamic behavior of the Ca2+-saturated cardiac troponin core domain at 10°C and 25°C using hydrogen/deuterium exchange (HDX)-mass spectrometry. (Kowlessur D, et al, JBC 2010, JBC 2010a). Also, another previous study established the effects of Ca2+ binding to site II of TnC in the NH2 domain on troponin dynamics, using the TnC mutant D65A/E66A (CBMII-TnC) (Manuscript Submitted).To better understand troponin function, the dynamic behavior of site II Ca2+-free troponin (i.e. troponin with CBMII-TnC) containing the TnI inhibitory peptide mutation is investigated in this work. HDX can determine the effect of a specific alteration in a protein on the dynamics of all parts of that protein. The results show that mutation of the inhibitory region alters troponin dynamics both locally and at distance. The inhibitory region replacement slowed the dynamics of some regions, had no effect on others, and increased the dynamic properties of much of the troponin coiled-coil. Some of the effects of Ca2+ removal on troponin dynamics were dependent upon presence of the intact inhibitory region. The current work indicates a clear and complex effect of the inhibitory peptide region on many portions of troponin.
Determination of the enthalpy change for anabolism by four methods

Abstract The enthalpy change for anabolism is needed to model the growth/respiration relation in plants. If all CO 2 production is assigned to catabolism, the anabolic reaction becomes C substrate →C products + x O 2 with an enthalpy change, Δ H b . Four methods are proposed for determining Δ H b : (a) From the difference in the heats of combustion of substrate and anabolic products (i.e. newly grown tissue). (b) From the composition of newly grown tissue and application of Thornton’s rule. (c) From independently measured values of the specific growth rate, R SG , and of the product ( R SG Δ H b ). The product ( R SG Δ H b ) equals (−Δ H CO 2 R CO 2 − R q ) where R CO 2 is the specific rate of CO 2 production by respiration, Δ H CO 2 is the heat of combustion of respiratory substrate per mole of CO 2 and R q is the specific metabolic heat rate. Δ H b is then calculated as the ratio ( R SG Δ H b )/ R SG . (d) From (Δ H b =−( R q / R CO 2 +Δ H CO 2 ) [(1− e )/ e ] where e is the substrate carbon conversion efficiency obtained from a total carbon balance. The first three methods have been tested and compared on oat seedlings and the last on corn seedlings. Δ H b values from all four methods are in reasonable agreement despite the different assumptions involved.
Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with etanercept, a tumour necrosis factor antagonist

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a chronic spondylarthritis that occurs in ∼ 23% of plaque psoriasis sufferers. Traditional treatments for rheumatoid arthritis have been used as the first therapeutic approach to treat this inflammatory disease, which has both joint and skin manifestations. However, due to the inefficiency of current disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in stopping the progression of the joint disease, biologics have emerged as a hopeful alternative to PsA therapy. Etanercept was the first approved tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitor for reducing the signs and symptoms of PsA, as well as preventing the progression of the disease. Etanercept is a fully human, soluble, dimeric fusion protein that has the ability to bind to two molecules of TNF, thereby rendering them biologically inactive. Two clinical trials have demonstrated that etanercept is generally a safe, efficacious and well-tolerated biologic therapy for the treatment of PsA.
The Role of the Ventromedial Prefrontal Cortex in Abstract State-Based Inference during Decision Making in Humans

Many real-life decision-making problems incorporate higher-order structure, involving interdependencies between different stimuli, actions, and subsequent rewards. It is not known whether brain regions implicated in decision making, such as the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), use a stored model of the task structure to guide choice (model-based decision making) or merely learn action or state values without assuming higher-order structure as in standard reinforcement learning. To discriminate between these possibilities, we scanned human subjects with functional magnetic resonance imaging while they performed a simple decision-making task with higher-order structure, probabilistic reversal learning. We found that neural activity in a key decision-making region, the vmPFC, was more consistent with a computational model that exploits higher-order structure than with simple reinforcement learning. These results suggest that brain regions, such as the vmPFC, use an abstract model of task structure to guide behavioral choice, computations that may underlie the human capacity for complex social interactions and abstract strategizing.
Differential effects of chronic clorgyline and amfonelic acid on desensitization of striatal dopamine receptors

Abstract Chronic treatment of rats with the MAOI clorgyline significantly reduced the density (Bmax) of cortical β-adrenergic receptors but did not alter either the Bmax or dissociation constant (Kd) of 3H-spiperone binding to striatal DA receptors. Clorgyline co-treatment also did not significantly affect either behavioral supersensitivity to apomorphine or the increase in 3H-spiperone binding induced by chronic haloperidol. In contrast, repeated treatment with the DA uptake inhibitor amfonelic acid elicited behavioral subsensitivity and reduced striatal 3H-spiperone binding. Furthermore, amfonelic acid co-treatment prevented haloperidol-induced behavioral and receptor binding changes. The possible relevance of these findings in relation to drug choice in clinical trials of receptor sensitivity modification are discussed.
Systematic Variations of the Constant A in Thermionic Emission.

Recent measurements(1) on the thermionic emission from a platinum surface during outgassing have brought to the attention of the writer an empirical relation between the thermionic constants for a metallic surface which was discovered by Richardson(2) for tungsten and platinum in 1915, but which has apparently been completely neglected in formulating the various theories of the emission process.
Poliovirus temperature-sensitive mutant containing a single nucleotide deletion in the 5'-noncoding region of the viral RNA.

Abstract The effect on viral replication of deleting nucleotide 10 of the poliovirus RNA genome was determined. This deletion, which removes a base pair from a predicted hairpin structure in the viral RNA, was introduced into full-length cDNA. Virus recovered after transfection of HeLa cells with the mutated cDNA contained the expected deletion and was temperature sensitive for plaque formation. Analysis of viral replication by one-step growth experiments indicated that mutant virus production at the nonpermissive temperature was at least 100 times less than that of wild type virus, and release of virus from mutant-infected cells was delayed. The synthesis of positive- and negative-strand viral RNA in mutant virus-infected cells was temperature sensitive. Virus-specific protein synthesis in mutant virus-infected cells was not temperature sensitive but occurred at a slower rate than that of wild type virus at permissive and nonpermissive temperatures. Replication of the mutant virus was sensitive to actinomycin D, in contrast to the wild type parent virus, which was resistant to the drug. Mutant virus stocks contained a small percentage of ts + viruses that were able to form plaques at the nonpermissive temperature. Nucleotide sequence analysis of genomic RNA from these ts + viruses revealed a single base change at position 34 from a G to U. In the positive RNA strand, the effect of this mutation is to restore to the hairpin structure the single base pair whose formation was prevented by the original deletion. The ts + pseudorevertants replicated to similar titers as wild type virus at 33 and 38.5° and were partially sensitive to actinomycin D.
Calcium Channel Regulation and Presynaptic Plasticity

Voltage-gated calcium (Ca 2+ ) channels initiate release of neurotransmitters at synapses, and regulation of presynaptic Ca 2+ channels has a powerful influence on synaptic strength. Presynaptic Ca 2+ channels form a large signaling complex, which targets synaptic vesicles to Ca 2+ channels for efficient release and mediates Ca 2+ channel regulation. Presynaptic plasticity regulates synaptic function on the timescale of milliseconds to minutes in response to neurotransmitters and the frequency of action potentials. This article reviews the regulation of presynaptic Ca 2+ channels by effectors and regulators of Ca 2+ signaling and describes the emerging evidence for a critical role of Ca 2+ channel regulation in control of neurotransmission and in presynaptic plasticity. Failure of function and regulation of presynaptic Ca 2+ channels leads to migraine, ataxia, and potentially other forms of neurological disease. We propose that presynaptic Ca 2+ channels serve as the regulatory node in a dynamic, multilayered signaling network that exerts short-term control of neurotransmission in response to synaptic activity.
Picosecond excited-state dynamics in octahedral cobalt(III) complexes : intersystem crossing versus internal conversion

The results of transient absorption experiments are reported for aqueous solutions of the low-spin d 6 complexes [Co(en) 3 ] (ClO 4 ) 3 , [Co(tpen)] (ClO 4 ) 3 , and [Co(tppn)] (ClO 4 ) 3 , where en is ethylenediamine, tpen is tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)ethylenediamine and tppn is tetrakis(2-pyridylmethyl)-1,2-propylenediamine. Following excitation at 314 nm with a ∼500-fs pulse, all three complexes exhibit biphasic relaxation kinetics. In the case of [Co(tpen)] 3+ excited-state decay is biphasic with relaxation time constants of τ 1 =4±2 ps and τ 2 =44±5 ps
Coping as a caregiver for an elderly family member.

With nearly 30% of the adult U.S. population acting as caregivers for sick, disabled, or elderly family members, it is imperative that caregivers become better equipped to cope with this challengin...
Third Party Consultation: A Method for the Study and Resolution of Conflict

Conflict in its many forms is an omnipresent fact of human existence. Since it often includes dysfunctional and destructive components, men have explored numerous methods for its management, including techniques of avoidance, regulation, and resolution. A number of these methods involve the intervention of an outside third party as in mediation, arbitration, and conciliation
Physiological responses to temperature in the long-nosed bat, Leptonycteris sanborni.

Abstract 1. 1. Leptonycteris sanborni , and a single Artibeus hirsutus , of the family Phyllostomidae, showed temperature regulation equal to that of other small mammals, with no pattern of torpor. 2. 2. Breathing rates and metabolism of both species, and heart rate of L. sanborni , increased linearly with decreasing T A below thermal neutrality, in a pattern typical of homeotherms. 3. 3. Above the narrow thermal neutral zones, metabolism, breathing rates and body temperature increased sharply in both species. 4. 4. Greater thermal conductance and higher evaporative water losses permit L. sanborni to tolerate T A = 41°C, apparently higher than T A tolerated by A. hirsutus . Aspects of the thermoregulation of these bats can be correlated with their ecology. 5. 5. Homeothermy is probably characteristic of all Phyllostomids, and, in view of the few species studied, cannot be ruled out as a common pattern among Microchiroptera.
Corrosion of Fe alloys in NaNO3-KNO3-NaNO2 at 823 K

In support of advanced solar central receiver programs, six commercially available, iron-based construction materials were exposed to a molten NaNO2-NaNO3-KNO3 salt mixture at 823 K for periods up to six months. After one month of exposure, oxide coatings formed on each alloy;the amount of oxidation ranged from 10 mg/cm 2 for low carbon steel to ∼0.7 mg/cm2 for 310 stainless steel. The low-Cr alloys tended to blister and spall but the stainless steels were much more corrosion resistant. Analysis of the oxide surface of a 5 pct chrome alloy clearly indicated a chromium enriched layer was present at the oxide/metal interface and an iron oxide rich layer at the oxide/nitrate interface.
Abscisic acid and storage protein accumulation in Pisum Sativum embryos grown in vitro

Abstract Embryos of a range of developmental stages were cultured in media containing 0.29 M or 0.53 M sucrose and in the absence or presence of ABA. Concentrations of 10−6 and 10−4M abscisic acid (ABA) in the medium of higher osmolarity resulted in a slight reduction of growth in smaller but not in larger embryos; the ABA had no effect in the lower osmolarity medium. There was no effect of ABA on the total protein accumulation in the embryos; furthermore measurements of legumin concentrations using rocket immunoelectrophoresis showed no effect of ABA on the accumulation of this storage protein. These results differ from those obtained in Phaseolus vulgaris where ABA was shown to enhance storage protein accumulation if embryos were cultured at low osmolarities. It is suggested that the basis of this variation could be attributed to the different experimental conditions used; there was no indication in these results that ABA plays an important role in regulating the rate of accumulation of storage protein in Pisum sativum.
Schizophrenia spectrum and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms in autism spectrum disorder and controls.

Objective This study compared the differential severity of specific symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorder (SSD) in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and child psychiatry outpatient referrals (controls). Each group was further subdivided into subgroups with and without co-occurring attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Method Children with ASD (n = 147) and controls (n = 335) were evaluated with parent and teacher versions of a psychometrically established DSM-IV -referenced rating scale. Results The two ASD groups (with and without ADHD) had a larger number of more severe SSD symptoms than their respective control groups (with and without ADHD), extending the observation of an association between ASD and SSD to subgroups with and without co-occurring ADHD. The ASD groups exhibited more severe schizoid personality symptoms than controls, but findings for schizophrenia symptoms were mixed. The ASD + ADHD group generally had more severe disorganized thought, disorganized behavior, and negative schizophrenia symptoms than controls (with and without ADHD); nevertheless, findings varied according to ADHD status (present versus absent), individual symptom (symptom specificity), and informant (informant specificity). Ratings of hallucinations and delusions indicated mild severity and few group differences. Negative symptoms such as inappropriate emotional reactions evidenced considerable group divergence. Conclusion Findings provide additional support for an interrelation between ASD and SSD symptoms and the differential influence of neurobehavioral syndromes on co-occurring symptom severity, underscore the multidimensionality of SSD in children with ASD, and suggest how symptom phenotypes may contribute to a better understanding of the etiology, nosology, and possibly clinical management.
The health insurance portability and accountability act: Implications for the dental profession

HIPAA is generating long-awaited change in the health care world. Administrative, operational, and technical solutions are being created in response to the requirements of HIPAA. The current rules emphasize that the regulations' provisions are scalable and allow all entities, whenever possible, to determine how extensively they will address certain issues. The larger the organization, the more complex the HIPAA strategy must be. Implementation in a small dental practice requires a simple strategy compared to that of a health care plan or clearinghouse. It still takes time and resources for a dental practice to accommodate the numerous HIPAA requirements, however. Although a dentist may find the rules at HHS Web site or other Internet sites, he or she may wish to rely on vendors, consultants, and the guidance of the ADA and other dental organizations to help implement them. The dentist also should keep in mind that HIPAA compliance is an evolutionary process; future modifications are necessary. As a result, some of the information contained in this material may not be accurate by the time this issue in printed. Dentists always should consult sources such as the ADA or HHS Web site to procure current HIPAA information.
Local cortical function after uncomplicated subdural electrode implantation. Laboratory investigation.

Object Although subdural electrodes are routinely used to map regional brain function, it is unknown if the presence of these implants hinders local cortical function. The authors used psychophysical methods to measure the effect of uncomplicated electrode implantation on local cortical function. Methods Local field potentials were used to map receptive fields (RFs) for subdural electrodes that were unilaterally implanted on early visual cortex in 4 patients. After electrode implantation, patients did a task that required them to detect an orientation change in a flashing visual stimulus that was presented either inside the mapped RF or outside the RF in the diametrically opposite portion of the other hemifield. The size of the orientation change was varied to span a wide range of behavioral performance. Psychometric curves were generated by fitting behavioral responses to a logistic function. The threshold was defined as the point at which the fitted function crossed 50% detection. Results Data were well...
Party Discipline and Measures of Partisanship

Vote-based measures of partisanship have had a huge impact on the received wisdom about parties in the U.S. Congress. This article employs a cutpoint model to analyze how five such measures respond to changes in preference distributions and to different forms of behavior: partybased discipline and nonpartisan or undisciplined behavior. Three sets of findings are central to ongoing research about parties in legislatures. (1) The well-known and widely used party-voting score cannot discriminate between polar types of behavior. (2) All five measures encourage erroneous inferences of party discipline when only intraparty preference homogeneity may be present. (3) Of the four measures that can discriminate between partisan and nonpartisan behavior, historic congressional averages are often nominally high on a 0-100 scale, however, the averages tend to be closer to no-discipline expectations than to party-discipline expectations. Cumulatively, these findings suggest that, labels notwithstanding, vote-based measures of partisanship are ineffective instruments for detecting genuine partybased voting, party strength, and leadership support.
Response of benthic infauna and epifauna to ocean disposal of red clay dredged material in the New York Bight: A study using sediment-profile imaging, surface imaging and traditional methods

Abstract In 1997, approximately 1 million cubic yards of consolidated red clay was dredged from Newark Bay in New Jersey and deposited on the seafloor at an open-water dredged material disposal site located on the inner continental shelf of the New York Bight. To address concerns about the ability of benthic organisms to colonize the seafloor deposits of this compact, organic-poor red clay, monitoring surveys were conducted in 1998 (1 year after disposal) and 2002 (5 years after disposal). The surveys used a combination of sediment imaging and traditional grab sampling methods to characterize physical and biological conditions over the surface of the red clay deposits in comparison to nearby reference areas consisting of either naturally-occurring, sandy surface sediments or deposits of unconsolidated, muddy dredged material. Sediment-surface and sediment-profile images (SPI) collected in summer 2002 indicated that the surface of the red clay deposits had become much smoother and more heterogeneous in texture compared to images collected in 1998. The images also indicated that these deposits had become colonized to a much greater degree by relatively abundant and diverse infaunal and epifaunal communities compared to 1998. Taxonomic analysis of benthic grab samples confirmed the imaging results and indicated relatively high infaunal organism abundance and diversity over the red clay deposits in 2002 compared to the reference areas. However, the structure of the benthic community inhabiting the red clay was fundamentally different from the communities in the reference areas, due to the differences in sediment texture and composition. The combination of imaging and traditional taxonomic approaches used in this study provided much greater insight on the red clay colonization process than either approach by itself.
Scaling the universe: Gravitational lenses and the Hubble constant

Gravitational lenses, besides being interesting in their own right, have been demonstrated to be suitable as “gravitational standard rulers” for the measurement of the rate of expansion of the Universe (Ho), as well as to constrain the values of the cosmological parameters such as Ωo and Λo that control the evolution of the volume of the Universe with cosmic time.
Incidence and Severity of Acute Cellular Rejection in Recipients Undergoing Adult Living Donor or Deceased Donor Liver Transplantation

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) may have better immunological outcomes compared to deceased donor liver transplantation (DDLT). The aim of this study was to analyze the incidence of acute cellular rejection (ACR) after LDLT and DDLT. Data from the adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation (A2ALL) retrospective cohort study on 593 liver transplants done between May 1998 and March 2004 were studied (380 LDLT; 213 DDLT). Median LDLT and DDLT follow-up was 778 and 713 days, respectively. Rates of clinically treated and biopsy-proven ACR were compared. There were 174 (46%) LDLT and 80 (38%) DDLT recipients with ≥1 clinically treated episodes of ACR, whereas 103 (27%) LDLT and 58 (27%) DDLT recipients had ≥1 biopsy-proven ACR episode. A higher proportion of LDLT recipients had clinically treated ACR (p = 0.052), but this difference was largely attributable to one center. There were similar proportions of biopsy-proven rejection (p = 0.97) and graft loss due to rejection (p = 0.16). Longer cold ischemia time was associated with a higher rate of ACR in both groups despite much shorter median cold ischemia time in LDLT. These data do not show an immunological advantage for LDLT, and therefore do not support the application of unique posttransplant immunosuppression protocols for LDLT recipients.
Beneficial effects of plants in the remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated with organic materials

Abstract The use of plants in remediation of soil and unconfined groundwater contaminated with organic materials is appealing for a variety of reasons: (1) plants provide a remediation strategy that utilizes solar energy; (2) vegetation is aesthetically pleasing; (3) plant samples can be harvested and tested as indicators of the level of remediation; (4) plants help contain the region of contamination by removing water from soil; (5) rhizosphere microbial communities are able to biodegrade a wide variety of organic contaminants; and (6) many plants have mechanisms for transporting oxygen to the rhizosphere. However, before effective plant remediation strategies can be developed, an understanding is needed of the physical, biological, and chemical relationships that determine the fate of each organic contaminant in the rhizosphere. This review presents an overview of some factors required to understand and model the complex processes that determine the fate of the organic contaminants in plant remediation ...
Would the real myeloma cell please stand up

The immunophenotypic antigenic expression profile of myelomatous plasma cells is highly heterogeneous, and clearly different from that of normal plasma cells [1,2]. In some patients with multiple m...
Cigarette Smoking and Alcohol Consumption as Risk Factors for Colorectal Adenomatous Polyps

BACKGROUND Results of epidemiologic studies suggest that there is limited evidence for the association between cigarette smoking and risk of colorectal cancer. Cigarette smoking has been shown to increase the risk of colorectal adenomatous polyps, which are recognized as precursors of colorectal cancer, while few studies have examined the association between alcohol consumption and the development of adenomatous polyps. PURPOSE We examined the association between cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, and the presence of colorectal adenomatous polyps. METHODS Analyses were based on data from a case-control study of dietary and other lifestyle factors for colorectal adenomatous polyps. We assessed the risk of adenomatous polyps associated with total number of years of smoking, number of cigarettes smoked per day, and pack-years of smoking for past and current smokers separately. We also assessed the joint association between cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption on the risk of adenomatous polyps. RESULTS Current smokers who smoked more than 20 pack-years were at significantly higher risk of adenomatous polyps compared with never smokers (odds ratio [OR] = 2.56; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.28-5.14). Past smokers also had an increased risk of having adenomatous polyps, but no clear trend was observed for pack-years of smoking. Alcohol consumption was positively associated with risk of adenomatous polyps. Compared with nondrinkers, the strongest risk was observed for individuals who consumed 2.31-9.46 g alcohol per day (OR = 2.23; 95% CI = 1.29-3.83), and a decrease in risk was observed for individuals who consumed 9.47-67.36 g alcohol per day (OR = 1.63; 95% CI = 0.92-2.88). Among current smokers, a joint effect was observed for individuals who smoked and drank compared with those who never smoked and were not current drinkers (OR = 4.21; 95% CI = 1.88-9.41). For past smokers, a significant joint effect of smoking and current alcohol consumption was also observed, but the risk was not as strong as that for current smokers (OR = 2.61; 95% CI = 1.40-4.87). CONCLUSIONS These data provide further evidence of the positive association between cigarette smoking and the development of colorectal adenomatous polyps. The combination of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption increased the risk of adenomatous polyps. IMPLICATIONS Future research should focus on the understanding of the role of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption as these two factors relate to the evolution of colorectal adenomatous polyps and subsequent carcinogenesis.
Rotating-wheel detector system for measuring millisecond half-life high-energy β emitters

Abstract In order to detect the 11 ms 12N activity produced in the pion single charge exchange reaction 12C(π+, π0)12N, a high-energy β-particle telescope was designed, constructed, and used successfully in the high-background field of γ rays, neutrons, and high-energy charged particles at LAMPF. A high-speed rotating wheel served both as a target and as a means of transporting the short-lived activity to an array of telescopes for counting. Monte Carlo calculations were carried out to optimize the design parameters of the telescope and to estimate counting efficiencies.
White light-emitting organic electroluminescent device based on a new orange organometallic iridium complexes

We develop the white organic light-emitting diodes (WOLEDs) with a new orange electrophosphorescent emission, and the blue electrofluorescent or electrophosphorescent sensitizer. The new orange phosphorescent sensitizer is the thieno-pyridine framework organo-iridium complexes (PO-01). The blue phosphorsensitized electrofluorescent is 4,4'-Bis(9-ethyl-3-carbazovinylene)-1,1'- biphenyl (DSA) doped into 4,4'-Bis(2,2-diphenyl-ethen-1-yl) diphenyl (DPVBi). Beside, the blue phosphorescent sensitizer is Bis(3,5-difluoro-2-(2-pyridyl)phenyl- (2-carboxypyridyl)iridium (FirPic). The Device Type I of WOLED based on the PO-01 and the DSA doped into DPVBi has an efficiency of 5.7 lm/W (10.6Cd/A) at 500 Cd/m 2 , a CIE coordinates of (0.33, 0.31), and a CRI of 71. However, the Device Type II of WOLED has an efficiency of 5.5 lm/W (10.3Cd/A) at 500 Cd/m 2 and a CIE coordinates of (0.30, 0.42), while the FirPic replaces the DPVBi doped with DSA. The spectra of the Device Type II and I both response insensitive to drive current. Nevertheless, the Device Type I relatively achieves a balanced whit emission with CIE coordinates of (0.33, 0.33). They are good suitability to use in OLED lighting and full-color LCD backlights.
Two- and Three-Dimensional Transesophageal Echocardiography in Patient Selection and Assessment of Atrial Septal Defect Closure by the New DAS–Angel Wings Device Initial Clinical Experience

Background Transcatheter closure of atrial septal defects (ASDs) has been feasible and successful. Two-dimensional echocardiography (2DE) was applied to patients before selection and during device deployment. Three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) can provide unique anatomic perspectives that might aid in improving device closure of ASDs. Methods and Results Twenty-two consecutive patients were enrolled in an initial protocol for ASD device closure by the new DAS–Angel Wings occluder device. On the basis of transesophageal (TEE) 2DE and 3DE, 13 patients were considered eligible for device closure (9 secundum ASDs and 4 with patent foramen ovale associated with a cerebral vascular accident). Maximal ASD diameter and surrounding rim tissues were compared by TEE 2DE and 3DE and with balloon sizing measurements at catheterization. ASD size measured by TEE 2DE and 3DE correlated well (y=1.0x+0.049, r=.95), with good limits of agreement. However, balloon-stretched diameter measurements were systematically lar...
Mutations in the R2 subunit of ribonucleotide reductase that confer resistance to hydroxyurea

Ribonucleotide reductase is an essential enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of ribonucleotides to deoxyribonucleotides for use in DNA synthesis. Ribonucleotide reductase from Escherichia coli consists of two subunits, R1 and R2. The R2 subunit contains an unusually stable radical at tyrosine 122 that participates in catalysis. Buried deep within a hydrophobic pocket, the radical is inaccessible to solvent although subject to inactivation by radical scavengers. One such scavenger, hydroxyurea, is a highly specific inhibitor of ribonucleotide reductase and therefore of DNA synthesis; thus it is an important anticancer and antiviral agent. The mechanism of radical access remains to be established; however, small molecules may be able to access Tyr-122 directly via channels from the surface of the protein. We used random oligonucleotide mutagenesis to create a library of 200,000 R2 mutants containing random substitutions at five contiguous residues (Ile-74, Ser-75, Asn-76, Leu-77, Lys-78) that partially comprise one side of a channel where Tyr-122 is visible from the protein surface. We subjected this library to increasing concentrations of hydroxyurea and identified mutants that enhance survival more than 1000-fold over wild-type R2 at high drug concentrations. Repetitive selections yielded S75T as the predominant R2 mutant in our library. Purified S75TR2 exhibits a radical half-life that is 50% greater than wild-type R2 in the presence of hydroxyurea. These data represent the first demonstration of R2 protein mutants in E. coli that are highly resistant to hydroxyurea; elucidation of their mechanism of resistance may provide valuable insight into the development of more effective inhibitors.
On Broadened Definitions of Instability for Stars in Thermal Imbalance

The classical theory of stability of dynamical systems is employed to demonstrate that traditional definitions of pulsational instability cannot be directly applied to stars in thermal imbalance. In particular, it is shown that, for the case of thermal imbalance, pulsational displacements and pulsational velocities have separate and distincte-folding times. This being true, a broadened set of definitions becomes necessary, and we formulate such a set, again with reference to the classical theory. In accordance with the new definitions, it is argued that the development of observable pulsations requires as a necessary condition infinitesimal instability of both absolute displacement and velocity. If either one is unstable without the other, this constitutes a class of (probably) non-pulsational instability, not previously treated in the astrophysical literature. Finally, it is shown that the stability of stars in thermal imbalance may be evaluated according to the present definitions by employing either of two existing theories — the energy approach due to Demaret 91974; 1975; 1976) or the small perturbation technique of Coxet al. (1973).
Radar reflectors for submarines

The Echomax 305 was designed to give a more azimuthally symmetric RCS. Since the submarine has a large RCS at port and starboard already, a better design is possible. A flat plate placed against the side of the sail appears to have a much better chance of increasing the submarine RCS compared to the Echomax. This type of reflector would also be smaller and easier to store and handle.
Prey-capture behavior in gymnotid electric fish: motion analysis and effects of water conductivity.

Animals can actively influence the content and quality of sensory information they acquire from the environment through the positioning of peripheral sensory surfaces. This study investigated receptor surface positioning during prey-capture behavior in weakly electric gymnotiform fish of the genus Apteronotus. Infrared video techniques and three-dimensional model-based tracking methods were used to provide quantitative information on body position and conformation as black ghost (A. albifrons) and brown ghost (A. leptorhynchus) knifefish hunted for prey (Daphnia magna) in the dark. We found that detection distance depends on the electrical conductivity of the surrounding water. Best performance was observed at low water conductivity (2.8 cm mean detection distance and 2 % miss rate at 35 microS cm(−)(1), A. albifrons) and poorest performance at high conductivity (1.5 cm mean detection distance and 11 % miss rate at 600 microS cm(−)(1), A. albifrons). The observed conductivity-dependence implies that nonvisual prey detection in Apteronotus is likely to be dominated by the electrosense over the range of water conductivities experienced by the animal in its natural environment. This result provides the first evidence for the involvement of electrosensory cues in the prey-capture behavior of gymnotids, but it leaves open the possibility that both the high-frequency (tuberous) and low-frequency (ampullary) electroreceptors may contribute. We describe an electrosensory orienting response to prey, whereby the fish rolls its body following detection to bring the prey above the dorsum. This orienting response and the spatial distribution of prey at the time of detection highlight the importance of the dorsal surface of the trunk for electrosensory signal acquisition. Finally, quantitative analysis of fish motion demonstrates that Apteronotus can adapt its trajectory to account for post-detection motion of the prey, suggesting that it uses a closed-loop adaptive tracking strategy, rather than an open-loop ballistic strike strategy, to intercept the prey.
Preparing students for internet and multimedia technology careers

This paper provides descriptions of three courses in a thirty-credit Internet and Multimedia Technology (I/MMT) certificate program. They are: Multimedia Authoring II, Project Development, and Internet Programming. The latter has been offered in both traditional and online versions at the Essex Campus of the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC-Essex).
La Jouissance de la vérité ou le plaisir tragique selon le Chancelier d'Aguesseau

Le Chancelier d'Aguesseau, architecte du code civil, etait aussi homme de lettres. En reponse a un discours de facture aristotelicienne sur la tragedie prononce par Valincour, il compose des remarques sur la nature du plaisir tragique qui se situent en marge des theories contemporaines. Nous nous proposons ainsi d'etudier les Remarques sur la tragedie de d'Aguesseau en regard des textes de Fontenelle et de Dubos qui abordent egalement la question du plaisir tragique. L'originalite du texte de d'Aguesseau se situe dans une nouvelle conception du plaisir tragique entendu comme un acce's a la verite signifie e lors de l'emotion produite par la tragedie. La mise en echec momentanee du jugement lors de l'emotion esthetique autorise le surgissement d'une verite morale provisionnelle. Le plaisir tragique, selon l'hypothe'se de d'Aguesseau, consisterait en une 'jouissance de la verite' ressentie lors de la representation des tragedies.
DNA and Other Strands: The Making of a Human Geneticist

This article—a mini-memoir—focuses on the first half of my half-century-long career as a human geneticist: its accidental beginnings; its early bad and then good fortunes at the National Institutes of Health; its serendipitous successes and career-making scientific productivity at Yale; and its incalculable fortuity in the form of the large number of talented and resourceful mentors, colleagues, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, and technicians who worked with me. These years acted as a launchpad for positions of visibility and leadership that followed them. My personal odyssey, which began in Madison, Wisconsin, and meandered with no fixed plan to New York, Bethesda, New Haven, and Princeton, has offered me life views as a human and medical geneticist that are panoramic, splendid, and indelible. I doubt that many people have been as fortunate as I have been in the professional life I have lived—and continue to live.
Robust superhydrophilic coatings by electropolymerization of sulfonated pyrrole

Superhydrophilic coatings were prepared by electropolymerization of sufonated pyrrole from aqueous solutions. The monomer was prepared in one step from commercially available reagents. Electropolymerized polymer films exhibited significant surface roughness and porosity as evidenced by scanning electron microscopy analysis. Advancing water contact angles of the pristine coatings were as low as 12°, while receding angles were 0° for almost all samples. Soaking the films in hot water resulted in decrease in the advanced contact angles to as low as 0°. The produced coatings retained their extreme wetting characteristics even when treated in harsh environments, such as dry heat for a week. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2012
Management Work—Family Research and Work—Family Fit: Implications for Building Family Capital in Family Business

In this article, 25 years of organization science research on work—family is summarized, and its implications for building the human, social, and economic elements of family capital in family business are developed. The impact of work—family conflict; sex and gender roles; role enrichment; work—family benefits, programs, and policies; and work, job, and organization redesign are emphasized. A social systems model of environment—environment fit—work—family fit—is developed. Implications for future research and for investing in family capital are discussed.
Complex analysis of resonance conditions for coupled capillary and dilational waves

Capillary and dilational waves occur at a surfactant–covered interface between two fluids. These wave modes, two physically realizable roots of the same dispersion relation, can resonate when the surfactant rheological parameters possess a critical combination of values. Recent numerical studies have shown that this resonant behaviour is marked by two separate phenomena: (i) a peak in the capillary mode damping rate together with a concurrent trough in the dilational mode damping rate, or (ii) a mixed–mode behaviour. The latter phenomenon suggests that, as the values of the rheological parameters approach a critical combination, neither wave mode exhibits primarily capillary nor dilational behaviour. In this paper we show that both of these phenomena are manifestations of the occurrence of a root coalescence point, which marks resonant interaction, in the fully complex wave mode solution space resulting from complexification of the dispersion relation. In our analysis, we consider six rheological parameters which are important for this problem and which we term the static surface tension, surface normal shear viscosity, surface dilational elasticity, surface relaxational elasticity, surface tangential shear viscosity, and surface tangential dilational viscosity. Many of these parameters are difficult to measure experimentally and impossible to measure in the field. We demonstrate in this paper that it is possible to obtain analytically an approximate value over a specific frequency range of each of the first three parameters and an apparent viscosity combining the last three parameters from simple measurements of capillary wavenumber and frequency.
The influence of irrelevant anchors on the judgments and choices of doctors and patients.

Background. Several decades of research have shown that judgments typically and robustly assimilate toward irrelevant anchor numbers. However, little or no research has examined how anchor numbers affect choice. Methods. In one experiment, HIV-positive patients (N = 99) judged the chance that a sexual partner would become HIV infected after sex with a defective condom and then indicated their treatment choices. In a second experiment, Iowa physicians (N = 191) rated the chance that a hypothetical patient had a pulmonary embolism and then formulated a treatment plan. Results. The 2 experiments showed support for a scale distortion hypothesis that predicts that choices following an anchored judgment would actually contrast away from the anchor. Both experiments showed the expected assimilation effect in judgment, but both also showed the predicted contrast effect in choice. Discussion. Biases that have been demonstrated in judgment should be demonstrated in choice rather that assuming such an effect exists. The practical implications of the anchoring bias are noteworthy for risk judgments but of less concern for treatment choices. The findings also show that the theoretical underpinnings of the anchoring bias are more complex than previously thought. Key words: anchoring bias; assimilation effect; contrast effect; medical decision making; risk perception. (Med Decis Making 2007;27: 1–9)