cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Loving-kindness meditation for chronic low back pain: results from a pilot trial.

Purpose: Loving-kindness meditation has been used for centuries in the Buddhist tradition to develop love and transform anger into compassion. This pilot study tested an 8-week loving-kindness program for chronic low back pain patients. Method: Patients (N = 43) were randomly assigned to the intervention or standard care. Standardized measures assessed patients’ pain, anger, and psychological distress. Findings: Post and follow-up analyses showed significant improvements in pain and psychological distress in the loving-kindness group, but no changes in the usual care group. Multilevel analyses of daily data showed that more loving-kindness practice on a given day was related to lower pain that day and lower anger the next day. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggest that the loving-kindness program can be beneficial in reducing pain, anger, and psychological distress in patients with persistent low back pain. Implications: Clinicians may find loving-kindness meditation helpful in the treatment of patients with persistent pain.
Synthesis and purification of soluble ligand binding domain of the human vitamin D3 receptor.

Abstract We expressed and purified milligram quantities of the ligand binding domain of the human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor using a glutathione-S-transferase (GST) fusion protein expression system. Amino acids 105–427 were expressed inE. colias a GST fusion protein at a reduced (20°C) temperature and purified on glutathione sepharose. The fusion protein adsorbed to glutathione sepharose was cleaved with thrombin to yield soluble 105–427 human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor. The 105–427 human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor was further purified by Mono Q ion exchange chromatography and was characterized as a single band on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The 105–427 human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor bound 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3with high affinity (Kdapproximately 10−9M) and with a binding capacity of 47 pmoles/nmole protein. Large scale expression of 105–427 human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor will provide human 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3receptor ligand binding domain suitable for structural studies.
THE ANOMALY CONSIDERATION OF O(16) × O(16) HETEROTIC STRING THEORY

To a tachyon-free O(16) × O(16) heterotic string theory with anomaly-free properties in the low energy limit, we consider the anomaly of the compactified theory in 8, 6 and 4 dimensions. Furthermore, we investigate the global anomaly of the theory and discuss the compactified manifold which will give a consistent low energy theory.
The Structure of Ethical Argument in the Pastorals

The growing tendency among scholars to find coherence rather than chaos in the argumentation in the Pastoral Epistles is producing new insights into the letters and is raising interesting questions about their authority. This article provides one example of how the inner logic of the arguments in the letters might be described. In doing so, it will be argued that each individual ethical imperative derives its validity from the credibility of the theological warrants supplied by the author. This suggests that individual ethical commands, such as, "Let women learn in silence with complete submissiveness," are not seen here as self-authenticating. Both for the ancient church and the modem one, their authority depends upon the reliability of the overall theology of the letters, including the deceit of Pauline authorship.
Abstract C105: Preclinical evaluation of galectin‐1 targeting antiangiogenic, antitumor peptidomimetics

We have showed previously that the peptide 33mer anginex targets galectin‐1 (gal‐1) thereby inhibiting tumor endothelial cell proliferation via anoikis and attenuating tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth. Gal‐1 binds β‐galactoside groups on various cell surface receptors and is highly upregulated in tumor‐activated endothelial cells. Differential stromal elevation of gal‐1 over the tumor parenchyma has been reported in several cancers, including cancer of the breast, colon, prostate and ovaries. The aim of the present study was to develop gal‐1 targeting anti‐angiogenic peptidomimetics and anti‐tumor clinical candidates for use in the management of human cancers. Based on structure‐activity relationships of anginex, a partial‐peptide mimetic was designed, using dibenzofuran (DBF) as a β‐turn mimetic to maintain the two key β‐strands and the bioactive amphipathic β‐sheet conformation of the peptide. The best DBF‐based compound 6DBF7 (13mer) inhibited tumor angiogenesis and tumor growth in vivo better than parent anginex. Subsequently, by substituting natural and non‐natural amino acids, new DBF‐based analogues were generated and tested in vitro. The analogs with improved anti‐angiogenic activity and pharmacokinetic profile were then tested in tumor mouse models in vivo. The pre‐clinical development of these novel anti‐angiogenic and anti‐cancer peptidomimetics will aid in the development of small‐molecule mimetics and subsequently hold great promise for the management of human cancers in the clinic. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2009;8(12 Suppl):C105.
Process-oriented Guided Inquiry Learning in Engineering

Abstract Process-oriented guided inquiry learning (POGIL) is a student-centered pedagogy. While it has been extensively used in the chemistry curriculum, its use in engineering has been limited. This paper describes the use of POGIL in the Introduction to Materials Engineering course. Assessment of its effectiveness shows that details of implementation can play a critical role. In particular, because of the student-centered aspect of the approach students can feel that they are not being “taught” and thus not take ownership of their own learning. By providing opportunities for students to check their understanding and reflect on their learning process performance is enhanced over a traditional lecture course.
On minimal realizations: a polynomial approach

Abstract The (generalized) Bezout identity associated with the polynomial matrix description of a linear system provides an alternative solution to the minimal realization problem.
POLICY DIRECTION AND ECONOMIC INTERPRETATIONS OF THE U.S. AGRICULTURAL ACT OF 1970

Review and change have recently characterised governmental price and income policy for agriculture in the U.K., E.E.C. and U.S. This study of the U.S. Agricultural Act of 1970, effective for the major crops for the next three years, is a follow-up to an earlier article in this Journal on the policy of the 1960's. An analysis is made of the new Act's development, provisions, and probable consequences. Although voluntary land retirement, compensatory payment policy is continued, a ‘set-aside’ modification is likely to have implications for either government costs or farmer incomes. The slightly lower supports and higher payments contrasts with the apparent current direction of European policy. Consideration is given to current negotiations and policy differences among these three trading groups.
The effect of the breast and cervical cancer prevention and treatment act on medicaid disenrollment

Abstract Background The Breast and Cervical Cancer Prevention and Treatment Act (BCCPTA) of 2000 created a new Medicaid option that allowed states to expand coverage to previously uninsured low-income women screened by certain public providers and found in need of treatment for those cancers. States also had the flexibility to allow any provider to screen for this new eligibility category and BCCPTA women were made eligible for all Medicaid services for the duration of their treatment. We have assessed the effect of this new program on the disenrollment patterns of women with breast/cervical cancer versus those with control cancers pre- and post-BCCPTA in Georgia. The post-BCCPTA period analyzed here was one in which Georgia BCCPTA women could self-report that they were in active treatment and, hence, still eligible. Methods The Georgia Comprehensive Cancer Registry (1999–2004) was linked to Medicaid enrollment files (1998–2005) to identify female Medicaid enrollees aged under 65 and enrolled in Medicaid at or after being diagnosed with breast (n = 2,265), cervical (n = 439) or one of five control cancers (n = 700). The rate of disenrollment (per 100 person-months) was computed for each cancer group pre- versus post-BCCPTA. We employed difference-in-differences analysis to adjust for any temporal changes other than BCCPTA that could affected the disenrollment rate of women with both the treatment (breast/cervical) and control cancers. We used a parametric hazard model with a Weibull distribution to analyze the odds of disenrollment. Results The unadjusted disenrollment rate declined 50% for women with breast and cervical cancers, whereas it increased over 30% for those with control cancers, pre- versus post-BCCPTA. The direction and magnitude of these results held after adjusting for socio-demographics and area characteristics that could affect disenrollment rates. Conclusion Georgia BCCPTA has the potential to improve continuity of care for women with breast and cervical cancers because they experience more stable coverage and simpler recertification process under this new eligibility category.
Study of Biological Samples Obtained from Victims of MGM Grand Hotel Fire

Eighty blood samples and 17 respiratory-tract tissue samples containing fluid taken from victims of the MGM Grand Hotel fire were studied to assist in the determination of the cause of death. The blood and tissue-fluid samples were analyzed for carboxyhemoglobin, oxyhemoglobin, methemoglobin, and total hemoglobin. Outgassing studies were done on the tissue samples using gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy, and heavy metal analysis on inhaled soot was done by x-ray fluorescence. The carboxyhemoglobin values obtained on the samples were significantly higher than those reported by Clark County. However, the percentage of the victims with a carboxyhemoglobin saturation level of 50% or less is higher than that found in the Maryland fire fatality study, suggesting that other toxic factors may have contributed to the lethal nature of the fire.
An analysis of the legality of government-mandated computer inoculations

Abstract Compulsory medical inoculations have withstood legal challenges for more than a century. Conditions in cyberspace today are similar to the public health situation in early 1800s America, when vaccinations were sporadic and disease outbreaks were prevalent. Comprehensive and mandatory computer inoculation programs could provide immunity in cyberspace, reduce outbreaks and help protect the critical infrastructure. But would such programs withstand legal challenges? This paper analyzes the legal issues related to government-mandated computer inoculations. It draws on case law related to mandatory medical inoculations and treatment, where the concept of “general welfare” generally overrides individual freedoms. In order to clarify and focus the legal analysis, three scenarios with increasing levels of intrusiveness are discussed. The first scenario involves simple computer inoculations with updates, patches and anti-malware. The second scenario involves, in addition, the introduction of sensors to provide feedback on the health status of computers and attached networks. The third scenario, which is the most intrusive, involves the induction of computers in controlled immunized networks that could support national security objectives during crisis situations.
Early Design Stage Reliability Analysis Using Function-Flow Failure Rates

In this paper, failure rates for function-flow pairs are presented. This data creates an opportunity for the designer to move reliability analysis earlier in the design process. The function-flow failure rates can be used to make design decisions before components are selected giving the designer increased knowledge to explore alternative options. A reliability block diagram approach has been adopted to evaluate the reliability of three designs at both the functional and component level. The results show that the bounds from the functional reliability overlap those of the component reliability.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
The Influence of Low Substrate Sodium Levels upon the Free Amino Acid Content of Cotton Leaves

The sodium nutrition of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) was investigated. Plants were grown in purified nutrient solutions within a chamber designed to minimize sodium contamination. Three nutrient solutions were employed that contained in microequivalents/liter: (a) 0.17 Na, (b) 43.5 Na and (c) 0.75 Cs, 14.41 Li, and 1.17 Rb. All solutions had adequate potassium. Total free amino acids were increased by sodium. Leaves from plants grown in the high sodium solution contained significantly more free asparagine, arginine, and methionine than leaves from plants of the other treatments. The other alkali metals had little or no effect on concentrations of the free amino acids. An unknown was tentatively identified as argininosuccinic acid.
Recycling of surface-enhanced Raman substrates by ultraviolet cleaning

Commercial substrates used for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) are investigated for their reusability following cleaning with 254-nm UV light from a mercury lamp. SERS of Rhodamine 6G (Rh6G, a dye) and RDX (an explosive) is investigated. It is found that without UV irradiation, the substrate is usable only once, since it is not possible to dislodge the analyte either by prolonged immersion in distilled water or by ultrasonic cleaning. However, prolonged exposure to 254-nm UV followed by immersion in distilled water removes most of the analyte, making the substrate reusable for new SERS measurements. The technique of UV cleaning is demonstrated by recycling the same substrate several times and comparing SERS spectra taken after each cleaning cycle.
Single-mode Raman fiber laser based on a multimode fiber.

Single-mode operation of a Raman fiber laser based on a multimode fiber has been demonstrated for what is to our knowledge the first time. Single-mode operation was achieved through the beam cleanup effect of stimulated Raman scattering in multimode fibers. The Raman laser, consisting of a 50‐µm-core multimode fiber and a multimode Nd:YAG laser pump, produced an output beam corresponding to the fundamental mode of the fiber. The measured beam quality factor M2 of the Raman laser beam was 1.66.
Statins and Over-the-Counter Availability

The motivation for making statins available over the counter is understandable: to increase access to an effective and underused therapy. Dr. Brian Strom writes that it is unclear that such a switch would help to achieve that goal.
Tools required for ocean observing

The value of coastal and ocean observing is well documented. In particular, both the NOAA-led Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) and the NSF-funded Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) have been established to address the management, safety, and scientific needs of the US and to better understand and predict changes to important ocean and coastal resources and processes. A foundation for successful ocean observing is access to, and implementation of, effective, reliable, and standardized sensors and sensor platforms to collect environmental data. The Alliance for Coastal Technologies (ACT) was therefore established by NOAA as partnership of research institutions, state and regional resource managers, and private sector companies interested in developing and applying sensors and sensor platforms for monitoring and studying aquatic systems. ACT goals include: transitioning emerging technologies to operational use rapidly and effectively; maintaining a dialogue among technology users, developers, and providers; identifying technology needs and novel technologies; documenting technology performance and potential; and providing IOOS with information required for the deployment of reliable and cost-effective networks. These goals are accomplished by providing three basic services: (1) a third-party tested for evaluating existing and developing sensor and sensor platform technologies, (2) a comprehensive data and information clearinghouse on environmental technologies, and (3) a forum for consensus and capacity building through a series of annual workshops on specific technology topics. This paper, and associate presentation, will review the ACT program, highlight accomplishments, and discuss trends found during the evaluations of in situ sensors.
Characterization of the pineapple stem proteases (Bromelains)

The two major acidic sulfhydryl proteases, bromelain A and bromelain B, from the pineapple stem have been characterized by their kinetic properties toward p-nitrophenyl esters of N-α-acyl amino acids. Both enzymes show the same broad specificity toward the amino acid side chains at pH 4.7. Less than an order of magnitude of difference is observed in the rates of bromelain A-catalyzed hydrolyses of the following five amino acid esters: Z-l-lysine (kcat = 7.4 s−1, Km = 57 μM), Z-l-alanine (kcat = 2.5 s−1, Km = 24 μm), Z-l-tyrosine (kcat = 0.4 s−1, Km = 7.6 μm), Z-glycine (kcat = 1.75 s−1, Km = 174μm) and Z-l-asparagine (kcat = 1.5 s−1, Km = 75 μm). Valine, leucine, isoleucine, and tryptophan derivatives react at least one-thousand times slower. The pineapple stem acetone powder also contains sulfhydryl proteases of markedly different specificity. A purification procedure of bromelain A and B is described which eliminates these enzymatic impurities.
Academic writing of adolescent English learners: Learning to use “although”

Abstract Increasing calls for equity and accountability in U.S. secondary schools have led to intensified scrutiny of the academic literacy development of English learning (EL) adolescents. This paper discusses some of the challenges that EL secondary students face in achieving the language and literacy skills that will enable them to succeed in their mainstream classes, graduate from high school, and continue their academic careers into college. It presents an instructional approach used to work with students on academic language development and describes the language resources that students were able to take up following instruction. This paper suggests ways that secondary teachers can teach their EL students to use linguistic analysis in order to recognize the expectations of academic writing and produce texts that increasingly incorporate the linguistic features of academic language.
Patient controlled intravenous opioid analgesia versus conventional opioid analgesia for postoperative pain control: A quantitative systematic review

Summary Background Patients may control postoperative pain by self-administration of intravenous opioids using devices designed for this purpose (patient controlled analgesia or PCA). Two previous meta-analyses found patients preferred PCA versus conventional analgesia but disclosed no differences in analgesic consumption or length of postoperative hospital stay. Results were equivocal regarding differences in pain intensity or relief between groups. We performed an updated and expanded analysis to fully explore differences between PCA and conventional analgesia. Methods Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were identified from MEDLINE, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and EMBASE. RCTs that compared PCA without a continuous background infusion versus conventional parenteral analgesia and that employed pain intensity as an outcome were selected. Meta-analyses were performed of outcomes that included analgesic efficacy, analgesic consumption, patient satisfaction, length of stay and side effects. Results PCA provides better pain control and greater patient satisfaction than conventional parenteral analgesia. Patients using PCA consume higher amounts of opioids than controls, and have a higher incidence of pruritus, but a similar incidence of other side effects. There is no difference in the length of stay. Conclusions This review provides evidence that PCA is an efficacious alternative to conventional systemic analgesia for postoperative pain control.
Isolation, characterization, and functional analysis of ferret lymphatic endothelial cells

Abstract The lymphatic endothelium (LE) serves as a conduit for transport of immune cells and soluble antigens from peripheral tissues to draining lymph nodes (LNs), contributing to development of host immune responses and possibly dissemination of microbes. Lymphatic endothelial cells (LECs) are major constituents of the lymphatic endothelium. These specialized cells could play important roles in initiation of host innate immune responses through sensing of pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) by pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), including toll-like receptors (TLRs). LECs secrete pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines to create local inflammatory conditions for recruitment of naive antigen presenting cells (APCs) such as dendritic cells (DCs) to sites of infection and/or vaccine administration. In this study, we examined the innate immune potential of primary LEC populations derived from multiple tissues of an animal model for human infectious diseases – the ferret. We generated a total of six primary LEC populations from lung, tracheal, and mesenteric LN tissues from three different ferrets. Standard RT-PCR characterization of these primary LECs showed that they varied in their expression of LEC markers. The ferret LECs were examined for their ability to respond to poly I:C (TLR3 and RIG-I ligand) and other known TLR ligands as measured by production of proinflammatory cytokine (IFNα, IL6, IL10, Mx1, and TNFα) and chemokine (CCL5, CCL20, and CXCL10) mRNAs using real time RT-PCR. Poly I:C exposure induced robust proinflammatory responses by all of the primary ferret LECs. Chemotaxis was performed to determine the functional activity of CCL20 produced by the primary lung LECs and showed that the LEC-derived CCL20 was abundant and functional. Taken together, our results continue to reveal the innate immune potential of primary LECs during pathogen-host interactions and expand our understanding of the roles LECs might play in health and disease in animal models.
How far can autistic children go in matters of social adaptation

The case histories of 9 autistic children, 8 boys and 1 girl, selected from a total of 96 so diagnosed at The John Hopkins Hospital prior to 1953, are presented in some detail and discussed. These children, first evaluated and given the diagnosis at an age ranging from 2 years and 10 months to 8 years and 1 month, are presently in their 20's and 30's. Their development is traced from acute psychotic infancy until the end of 1971. Having made a sufficient social adjustment, they manage to function as self-dependent individuals, mostly well educated and all gainfully employed. Attention is drawn to differences between this group and other autistic patients, maturational and environmental issues as well as to past and present patterns of behavior and personality structure.
β-Adrenergic modulation of calcium channels in frog ventricular heart cells

Adrenergic modulation of calcium channels profoundly influences cardiac function1,2, and has served as a prime example of neurohormonal regulation of voltage-gated ion channels1–7. Channel modulation and increased Ca influx2,8,9 are mediated by elevation of intracellular cyclic AMP10–17 and protein phosphorylation18,19. The molecular mechanism of the augmented membrane Ca conductance has attracted considerable interest. An increase in the density of functional channels has often been proposed20–22, but there has previously been no direct evidence. Single-channel recordings show that isoprenaline or 8-bromocyclic AMP increase the proportion of time individual channels spend open by prolonging openings and shortening the closed periods between openings2,23–25. To look for an additional contribution of changes in the number of functional channels, we applied ensemble fluctuation analysis26 to whole-cell recordings27,28 of cardiac Ca channel activity. Here we present evidence that in frog ventricular heart cells β-adrenergic stimulation increases NF, the average number of functional Ca channels per cell. We also find that isoprenaline slows the time course of both activation and inactivation, and that the enhancement of peak current decreases gradually with greater membrane depolarization.
The Johnson Administration Responds to Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's Trip to South Vietnam, January 1968

Due in part to the growing criticism of the war in Vietnam, Sen. Edward M. Ken-nedy's decision to launch a fact-finding mission to Vietnam in January 1968 generated suspicion and anxiety within the Johnson administration. This paper focuses on the administration's attempt to discredit the Kennedy mission which it viewed as offering a serious, official, and troubling source of dissent. Although the publication of the mission's findings would be overshadowed by the Tet Offensive, the Johnson administration's response seriously undermines its contention that it desired a negotiated settlement.
TRANSIENT KINETIC ANALYSIS OF METHANE SYNTHESIS OVER UNSUPPORTED Co and Rh/SiO2

Concentration jump and isotopic transient experiments show that at H2/CO = 3, one atmosphere pressure, and 523 K both unsupported cobalt and Rh/SiO2, have near monolayer coverage of molecular CO but coverage of the primary reactive intermediate below 5% of a monolayer. Modeling the data for unsupported Co requires inclusion of a second reactive surface carbon pool about four times less active than the primary pool. Coverages of both reactive intermediates increase with temperature and with H2/CO ratio, the latter suggesting that CO dissociation is assisted by hydrogen. On Rh/SiO2, deactivation appears to be caused by growth of an inactive surface carbon species that blocks sites for the reactive intermediate. Initially, CO dissociation is rate determining over the Rh catalyst. Over the Co catalyst and over Rh after long reaction times or at lower temperature, hydrogcnation of the reactive intermediate produced by CO dissociation has a low enough rate constant to allow the coverage of the intermediate, rel...
Wastewater effluent, combined sewer overflows, and other sources of organic compounds to Lake Champlain.

Some sources of organic wastewater compounds (OWCs) to streams, lakes, and estuaries, including wastewater-treatment-plant effluent, have been well documented, but other sources, particularly wet-weather discharges from combined-sewer-overflow (CSO) and urban runoff, may also be major sources of OWCs. Samples of wastewater-treatment-plant (WWTP) effluent, CSO effluent, urban streams, large rivers, a reference (undeveloped) stream, and Lake Champlain were collected from March to August 2006. The highest concentrations of many OWCs associated with wastewater were in WWTP-effluent samples, but high concentrations of some OWCs in samples of CSO effluent and storm runoff from urban streams subject to leaky sewer pipes or CSOs were also detected. Total concentrations and numbers of compounds detected differed substantially among sampling sites. The highest total OWC concentrations (10-100 μg/l) were in samples of WWTP and CSO effluent. Total OWC concentrations in samples from urban streams ranged from 0.1 to 10 μg/l, and urban stream-stormflow samples had higher concentrations than baseflow samples because of contributions of OWCs from CSOs and leaking sewer pipes. The relations between OWC concentrations in WWTP-effluent and those in CSO effluent and urban streams varied with the degree to which the compound is removed through normal wastewater treatment. Concentrations of compounds that are highly removed during normal wastewater treatment [including caffeine, Tris(2-butoxyethyl)phosphate, and cholesterol] were generally similar to or higher in CSO effluent than in WWTP effluent (and ranged from around 1 to over 10 μg/l) because CSO effluent is untreated, and were higher in urban-stream stormflow samples than in baseflow samples as a result of CSO discharge and leakage from near-surface sources during storms. Concentrations of compounds that are poorly removed during treatment, by contrast, are higher in WWTP effluent than in CSO, due to dilution. Results indicate that CSO effluent and urban stormwaters can be a significant major source of OWCs entering large water bodies such as Burlington Bay.
Comparative efficiency ratings between public and private acute inpatient facilities

Objectives: The aims of this study are to compare clinical outcomes and efficiency ratings in an acute psychiatric inpatient facility with findings from other studies, and to examine relationships between symptom severity, admission medico-legal status and length of stay.Method: The Health of the Nation Outcome Scales was administered at admission and discharge and analysed against admission medico-legal status and length of stay. Efficiency ratings were calculated and compared with those from other acute psychiatric inpatient settings.Results: Clinical outcomes and efficiency ratings were similar to those from other public acute inpatient facilities, with greater admission severities and higher efficiency ratings than those found in private facilities. Involuntary hospitalisation was found to be associated with higher admission severities and longer lengths of stay.Conclusions: Outcome or effect size is enhanced by higher admission severities, however, mean outcome per 10 days of stay is decreased by inv...
Enol esters as potential prodrugs. IV. Enhanced delivery of the quaternary species coralyne to rat brain using 6′-acetylpapaverin and its enol esters as prodrugs☆

Abstract Coralyne (I), 6'-acetylpapaverin (II) and three 6'-acetylpapverin enol esters (acetate, IIIa; isobutyrate, IIIb; and pivalate, IIIc) were compared for their ability to deliver the cytotoxic quaternary coralyne ion to the brains of rats following i.v. administration. Maximum levels of coralyne were achieved in all cases within one hour of dosing and remained essentially constant for up to 90 h, indicating an inability of the quaternary ion to escape from the brain. The brain levels achieved decreased in the following order; II >IIIa, IIIb >IIIc >I, with II and IIIa producing ~ 60- and ~ 30-fold greater brain coralyne levels than achieved when I was administered. Based on the results obtained and previous work it appears that the determining factor in the accumulation of coralyne in brain following administration of the enol esters is the rate of production of II in the general circulation and not the rate of hydrolysis in brain tissue. Additionally, this study has demonstrated the utility of selected enol esters as prodrugs.
Comparison of C40/82A and P27A C40/82A barstar mutants using 19F NMR.

Barstar, an inhibitor of the enzyme barnase, contains two phenylalanine residues, three tryptophan residues, and two proline residues. After incorporating either 2-19F-Phe, 4-19F-Phe, or 6-19F-Trp, the structural, dynamic, and folding properties of two mutants (C40/82A, a double mutant, and P27A C40/82A, a triple mutant) were studied by 19F NMR. Experiments were performed as a function of temperature and urea with the two mutants. We show that the consequences of the P27A mutation are extensive. The effect of the mutation is transmitted to distant residues (Phe56 and Trp53) as well as to a residue deeply buried in the hydrophobic core (Phe74). By incorporating 2-19F-Phe, it is shown that Phe56 undergoes a slow ring flipping on the NMR time scale in the triple mutant that is not observed in the double mutant. On the other hand, incorporating 4-19F-Phe shows that the P27A mutation has little effect along the Cβ−Cγ axis of Phe56. Labeling with 4-19F-Phe shows, from line broadening, that Phe74 experiences mor...
Flanking sequence composition differentially affects the binding and functional characteristics of glucocorticoid receptor homo- and heterodimers.

The dynamic interaction of transcription factors with DNA regulates gene expression, conferring temporal and cell-specific control in response to a wide range of intracellular and extracellular cues. However, these protein:DNA interactions are not always easily predicted, as the exact sequence of a binding site can alter its function in unexpected ways. For instance, particular sequences may influence the recruitment of co-factors by altering the conformation of the bound transcription factor via specific interactions with individual nucleotides (1-3). If a site binds transcription factors as a dimer, both spacing and orientation of the two half sites affect how the site behaves (4,5). Also, not all functional binding sites are a good match to the consensus sequence compiled from known binding sites for a particular factor (6). In addition, the interactions between transcription factors and DNA do not necessarily rely solely on the sequence of the actual binding site, but may be influenced by other DNA elements. Sequences flanking the binding site can affect response element utilization by altering the protein conformation of a factor bound to the DNA (7). Nearby sequences may bind transcription factors of their own that change the functionality of an unrelated site (8-10). Distal DNA sequences can silence transcription from a known site in a cell-specific manner (11). A more complex example is a factor:DNA interaction that recruits a corepressor to affect a transcription factor bound at a distal site (12). Location of the binding site relative to basal regulatory elements is sometimes important, as demonstrated by the positional dependence of a hormone response element in relation to the TATA box of a gene promoter (13). A single transcription factor binding site is also capable of affecting multiple genes simultaneously, sometimes over a considerable distance (14). Here, we examine interplay between two distinct determinants, flanking sequence and dimerization partner, that influence the binding and function of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR)1. The Xenopus γ-fibrinogen gene upstream regulatory region contains a binding site for a heterodimer of Xenopus glucocorticoid receptor accessory factor (XGRAF) and GR (8), which is essential for maximal hormone induction (15-17). Individually, XGRAF and GR interact with DNA to form single distinct bands in a gel mobility shift assay. Both XGRAF and GR binding are highly specific for their respective sites as confirmed by competition experiments using mutated DNA competitors (8,15,16). The combined XGRAF:GR heterodimer binding site is readily converted to a GR homodimer binding site by a single point mutation (15). Taking advantage of this property here, we used transfections and quantitative gel mobility shift assays to determine the effects of mutating individual flanking sequences on the abilities of XGRAF:GR and GR:GR to stimulate transcription.
THE EFFECTS OF AGE, STIMULI AND ORDER OF PRESENTATION OF THE STIMULI ON CONSERVATION OF NUMBER

Summary. TWO experiments were conducted to investigate possible differences in observed conservation of number due to the stimuli utilised. In the first experiment, 20 kindergarten, 20 first grade, and 20 second grade subjects were given Piaget's one-to-one correspondence experiment: one half had trials with small candies (Smarties or M and Ms) followed by trials with paper clips and one half had trials with paper clips followed by trials with small candies. Significant F ratios were found for the main effect, grade, and for the interaction between stimulus and order of presentation. This result was taken as indicating that when small candy trials were first, this helped performance on the paper clips, while when paper clip trials were first, this had a slight opposite effect on the small candy trials. The second experiment investigated the three suggested interpretations of the findings of the first experiment: according to learning theory, according to an attentional hypothesis, and according to Piaget's theory of equilibration. The results tended to support the first two interpretations. The implications of the results of the two experiments, for Piagetian training studies and for education, were discussed.
Open quiz-solution: Case report 797

We have presented the first case of a lipoma-like liposarcoma of the soft tissues with high-grade malignant transformation to a high-grade osteosarcoma, the latter component of which responded well to systemic chemotherapy. With 4 months of follow-up the patient is without evidence of disseminated disease. The various types of liposarcoma are listed and several described in some detail. Of particular importance is the potential for development of a highly malignant sarcoma from a relatively indolent low-grade liposarcoma, with even osteosarcoma developing.
Possible Errors and Role of Mercuric Chloride in Using Trinder’s Reagent for Assay of Salicylates in Urine Specimens

Abstract Sir: Trinder’s reagent has been used in many colleges of pharmacy as a colorimetric agent to assay urinary salicylate and thereby to estimate the bioavailability of compounds such as aspirin, sodium salicylate, and p -aminosalicylic acid (1–4). The assay procedure is simple. One milliliter of the urine sample is usually diluted with 5 ml. of the reagent, and the absorbance of the resultant solution at 540 nm. is measured using the properly diluted (with water or urine blank) reagent as a reference solution.
Weight Gain Associated with Decreases in Smoking Rate and Nicotine Intake

The mechanisms involved in the weight gain associated with smoking cessation are not well known. This study employed a single-subject design to investigate changes in weight following systematic reductions in smoking rate and cigarette nicotine content. Although there were no changes in the subject's caloric intake or physical activity, a weight gain of 3.6 kg was observed after 4 months of reduced rate and nicotine intake. These results suggest that weight change during smoking reduction and cessation may be primarily due to changes in factors other than caloric intake or activity.
Applying data mining to false alarm reduction in an aviation explosives detection system

Data mining techniques were applied for the reduction of false positives in aviation explosives detection CT (computed tomography) imaging systems. An inductive post-detection classifier (PDC) was trained, implemented, and fielded. The PDC can only eliminate alarms generated from the existing detection system - it does not detect new alarms.
An empirical investigation of socio-technical code review metrics and security vulnerabilities

One of the guiding principles of open source software development is to use crowds of developers to keep a watchful eye on source code. Eric Raymond declared Linus'' Law as "many eyes make all bugs shallow", with the socio-technical argument that high quality open source software emerges when developers combine together their collective experience and expertise to review code collaboratively. Vulnerabilities are a particularly nasty set of bugs that can be rare, difficult to reproduce, and require specialized skills to recognize. Does Linus' Law apply to vulnerabilities empirically? In this study, we analyzed 159,254 code reviews, 185,948 Git commits, and 667 post-release vulnerabilities in the Chromium browser project. We formulated, collected, and analyzed various metrics related to Linus' Law to explore the connection between collaborative reviews and vulnerabilities that were missed by the review process. Our statistical association results showed that source code files reviewed by more developers are, counter-intuitively, more likely to be vulnerable (even after accounting for file size). However, files are less likely to be vulnerable if they were reviewed by developers who had experience participating on prior vulnerability-fixing reviews. The results indicate that lack of security experience and lack of collaborator familiarity are key risk factors in considering Linus’ Law with vulnerabilities.
SQUEEZING AND FIBER-OPTIC COMMUNICATIONS

We review the relations between squeezing and optical communication advances and introduce the field of distributed phase-sensitive amplification, where we expect this cross-fertilization to happen next. We consider the quantum noise properties of phase-sensitive amplifiers in lossy fiber in the case of arbitrary parametric gain distribution along the fiber length. Three most important cases of gain followed by loss, loss followed by gain, and ideally distributed gain, are discussed in detail. We show that ideally distributed phase-sensitive amplifier maximizes the signal-to-noise ratio for a fixed non-linear phase shift in the fiber span, and is promising for both classical and quantum communications.
Affect, Consumption, and Identity at a Buenos Aires Shopping Mall:

This paper explores the built environment of a shopping mall in light of recent theoretical interventions that stress the affective dimensions of everyday political life. By drawing on sixteen weeks of ethnographic fieldwork at a shopping mall in central Buenos Aires, Argentina, I explore how retail affects are unevenly distributed across a diverse public, and how different bodies, in turn, affect the mall in particular ways. In short, this paper explores embodiment as an affective experience that coheres around raced, classed, and gendered bodies at the mall. As such, this paper helps clarify how ethnographic research can benefit from nonrepresentational theory and the ‘new materialism’ literature that challenges prevailing conceptual approaches to the politics of consumption.
Disparate proteome reactivity profiles of carbon electrophiles

Insights into the proteome reactivity of electrophiles are crucial for designing activity-based probes for enzymes lacking cognate affinity labels. Here, we show that different classes of carbon electrophiles exhibit markedly distinct amino acid labeling profiles in proteomes, ranging from selective reactivity with cysteine to adducts with several amino acids. These data specify electrophilic chemotypes with restricted and permissive reactivity profiles to guide the design of next-generation functional proteomics probes.
Distinguishing Geographic Strains of the Aedes atropalpus Group (Diptera: Culicidae) by Analysis of Enzyme Variation

Enzyme variation was compared in the 4 taxa of the Aedes atropalpus Group. Average heterozygosity over the 17 loci examined was low (3–10%), reflecting the inbreeding effects of colonization. Genetic distance (Nei's) between Aedes atropalpus and A. epactius was 0.45 or greater with 5 loci discriminating between the species. To a lesser degree, the 3 strains of A. epactius from different parts of its range were also genetically distinguishable. Specimens from a new habitat (discarded tires) outside the range of both species were morphologically A. atropalpus, but showed some behavioral characters of A. epactius. These specimens were positively identified as A. atropalpus based on discriminating enzyme phenotypes.
Parallel simulation of DEDS via event synchronization

In this paper we use the event synchronization scheme to develop a new method for parallel simulation of many discrete event dynamic systems simultaneously. Though a few parallel simulation methods have been developed during the last several years, such as the well-known Standard Clock method, most of them are largely limited to Markovian systems. The main advantage of our method is its applicability to non-Markovian systems. For Markovian systems a comparison study on efficiency between our method and the Standard Clock method is done on Connection Machine CM-5. CM-5 is a parallel machine with both SIMD (Single Instruction, Multiple Data) and MIMD (Multiple Instruction Multiple Data) architectures. The simulation results show that if event rates of Markovian systems do not differ by much then both methods are compatible but the Standard Clock method performs better in most cases. For Markovian systems with very different event rates, our method often yields better results. Most importantly, our simulation results also show that our method works as efficiently for non-Markovian systems as for Markovian systems.
Numerical and experimental mixing studies in a MEMS-based multilaminated/elongational flow micromixer

Improvement of mixing quality in microchannel mixers or reactors has been recognized as a relevant technical issue critical to the development and application of integrated microchemical processing systems. Silicon micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) technology was successfully used to fabricate a novel multichannel micromixer. This improved micromixer design basically used the mechanisms of fluid multilamination, elongational flow, and geometric focusing for mixing enhancement. The fabricated triple-stack (Pyrex™/silicon/Pyrex™) multilaminated/elongational flow micromixer (herein referred to as MEFM-4) was evaluated for its mixing performance using residence time distribution (RTD) measure in conjunction with UV–vis absorption spectroscopy detection technique. Using a semi-empirical model and the so-called convolution–deconvolution theorem, a model description of the experimental RTD data was obtained for the flow/mixing unit. This result was compared with numerical RTD predictions based on computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations. The simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental data, especially in the low flow-rate range (Reynolds number <13 in this study). However, as expected, the accuracy of the CFD simulations is generally limited at higher flow rates (high Peclet number) because of unavoidable numerical diffusion. This paper describes the efficient design, fabrication and characterization of an effective microchannel mixer for microchemical systems’ applications.
Many-body localization and delocalization in the two-dimensional continuum

We discuss whether localization in the two-dimensional continuum can be stable in the presence of short-range interactions. We conclude that, for an impurity model of disorder, if the system is prepared below a critical temperature $Tl{T}_{c}$, then perturbation theory about the localized phase converges almost everywhere. As a result, the system is at least asymptotically localized and perhaps even truly many-body localized, depending on how certain rare regions behave. Meanwhile, for $Tg{T}_{c}$, perturbation theory fails to converge, which we interpret as interaction-mediated delocalization. We calculate the boundary of the region of perturbative stability of localization in the interaction-strength-temperature plane. We also discuss the behavior in a speckle disorder (relevant for cold-atom experiments) and conclude that perturbation theory about the noninteracting phase diverges for arbitrarily weak interactions with speckle disorder, suggesting that many-body localization in the two-dimensional continuum cannot survive away from the impurity limit.
Borrowing evidential functions from Quechua: the role of pues as a discourse marker in Andean Spanish

Abstract This paper is a tentative description of the function that the non-standard use of the particle pues has in Andean Spanish, a dialect that exists due to the contact of Spanish and Andean indigenous languages. Following Prince's framework of information status of entities, this pues will be analyzed, within a qualitative approach, as a confirmation and clarification device which is attached at the end of evoked or inferred utterances when an assumption of shared knowledge has been disturbed. After an introduction to the problem and a review of the relevant literature, an analysis will be presented with the help of examples taken from ten sociolinguistic interviews conducted with male Spanish-Quechua bilinguals. A discussion and a ‘problems and questions for further research’ section will be followed by concluding comments on how this use of pues , which has a discourse marker role in Andean Spanish, has borrowed evidential functions from Quechua.