cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ab initio many-body photoemission theory of transverse energy distribution of photoelectrons: PbTe(111) as a case study with experimental comparisons

This manuscript presents, to our knowledge, the first fully ab initio many-body photoemission framework to predict the transverse momentum distributions and the mean transverse energies (MTEs) of photoelectrons from single-crystal photocathodes. The need to develop such a theory stems from the lack of studies that provide complete understanding of the underlying fundamental processes governing the transverse momentum distribution of photoelectrons emitted from single crystals. For example, initial predictions based on density-functional theory calculations of effective electron masses suggested that the (111) surface of PbTe would produce very small MTEs ($\leq$ 15 meV), whereas our experiments yielded MTEs ten to twenty times larger than these predictions, and also exhibited a lower photoemission threshold than predicted. The ab initio framework presented in this manuscript correctly reproduces the magnitude of the MTEs from our measurements in PbTe(111) and also the observed photoemission below the predicted threshold. Our results show that photoexcitations into bulk-like states and coherent, many-body electron-photon-phonon scattering processes, both of which initial predictions ignored, indeed play important roles in photoemission from PbTe(111). Finally, from the lessons learned, we recommend a procedure for rapid computational screening of potential single-crystal photocathodes for applications in next-generation ultrafast electron diffraction and X-ray free-electron lasers, which will enable new, significant advances in condensed matter research.
Health services uptake among nomadic pastoralist populations in Africa: A systematic review of the literature

The estimated 50 million nomadic pastoralists in Africa are among the most "hard-to-reach" populations for health-service delivery. While data are limited, some studies have identified these communities as potential disease reservoirs relevant to neglected tropical disease programs, particularly those slated for elimination and eradication. Although previous literature has emphasized the role of these populations' mobility, the full range of factors influencing health service utilization has not been examined systematically. We systematically reviewed empirical literature on health services uptake among African nomadic pastoralists from seven online journal databases. Papers meeting inclusion criteria were reviewed using STROBE- and PRISMA-derived guidelines. Study characteristics were summarized quantitatively, and 10 key themes were identified through inductive qualitative coding. One-hundred two papers published between 1974-2019 presenting data from 16 African countries met our inclusion criteria. Among the indicators of study-reporting quality, limitations (37%) and data analysis were most frequently omitted (18%). We identified supply- and demand-side influences on health services uptake that related to geographic access (79%); service quality (90%); disease-specific knowledge and awareness of health services (59%); patient costs (35%); contextual tailoring of interventions (75%); social structure and gender (50%); subjects' beliefs, behaviors, and attitudes (43%); political will (14%); social, political, and armed conflict (30%); and community agency (10%). A range of context-specific factors beyond distance to facilities or population mobility affects health service uptake. Approaches tailored to the nomadic pastoralist lifeway, e.g., that integrated human and veterinary health service delivery (a.k.a., "One Health") and initiatives that engaged communities in program design to address social structures were especially promising. Better causal theorization, transdisciplinary and participatory research methods, clearer operational definitions and improved measurement of nomadic pastoralism, and key factors influencing uptake, will improve our understanding of how to increase accessibility, acceptability, quality and equity of health services to nomadic pastoralist populations.
Investigation of the microstructure evolution of alpha uranium after in pile transient

Abstract This work describes the microstructural evolution of textured alpha uranium (α-U) specimens under different reactor transients achieving very low burn-up. The understanding of the behavior of this single phase will provide important information to further the material knowledge of metallic fuels (e.g. U-Pu-Zr, U-10Zr). Such alloys are of interest for their application in advanced reactor concepts. In metallic fuels α-U is, indeed, a relevant phase. Moreover, data on fuel behavior during early-stage irradiation are generally lacking and are important to validate and develop modelling and simulation tools. Characterization of grain boundaries, texture evolution, and phase transformation were obtained through scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron backscattered diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy .The data obtained indicates that phase transformation and microstructural change (e.g. recrystallization/grain growth) can occur during rapid transient even at low burn up. It is likely that the residual strain in the as-fabricated α-U specimens and the thermal strain introduced by reactor transients played an important role in the recrystallization of the α-U phase, as well as retaining the β-U phase at room temperature.
Physical Therapy Referral From Primary Care for Acute Back Pain With Sciatica : A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background Few studies have examined primary care management for acute sciatica, including referral to physical therapy. Objective To evaluate whether early referral to physical therapy reduced disability more than usual care (UC) alone for patients with acute sciatica. Design Randomized controlled clinical trial. (ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT02391350). Setting 2 health care systems in Salt Lake City, Utah. Patients 220 adults aged 18 to 60 years with sciatica of less than 90 days' duration who were making an initial primary care consultation. Intervention All participants received imaging and medication at the discretion of the primary care provider before enrollment. A total of 110 participants randomly assigned to UC were provided 1 session of education, and 110 participants randomly assigned to early physical therapy (EPT) were provided 1 education session and then referred for 4 weeks of physical therapy, including exercise and manual therapy. Measurements The primary outcome was the Oswestry Disability Index (OSW) score after 6 months. Secondary outcomes were pain intensity, patient-reported treatment success, health care use, and missed workdays. Results Participants in the EPT group had greater improvement from baseline to 6 months for the primary outcome (relative difference, -5.4 points [95% CI, -9.4 to -1.3 points]; P = 0.009). The OSW and several secondary outcomes favored EPT after 4 weeks. After 1 year, between-group differences favored EPT for the OSW (relative difference, -4.8 points [CI, -8.9 to -0.7 points]) and back pain intensity (relative difference, -1.0 points [CI, -1.6 to -0.4 points]). The EPT group was more likely to self-report treatment success after 1 year (45.2%) than the UC group (27.6%) (relative risk, 1.6 [CI, 1.1 to 2.4]). There were no significant differences in health care use or missed workdays. Limitation The patients and providers were unblinded, and specific physical therapy interventions responsible for effects could not be determined. Conclusion Referral from primary care to physical therapy for recent-onset sciatica improved disability and other outcomes compared with UC. Primary funding source Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
Use of High-Throughput Tools for Telescoped Continuous Flow Synthesis of an Alkynylnaphthyridine Anticancer Agent, HSN608

Developing continuous syntheses of lead compounds to support in vivo studies and preclinical evaluation remains an underdeveloped area. We report a telescoped continuous flow synthesis of an alkyny...
The Changing Dynamic of Government–Nonprofit Relationships: Advancing the Field(s)

We advance nonprofit scholarship by using the conceptual framework of policy fields to examine differences across nonprofit fields of activity. We focus on the structure of relationships among four sectors (government, nonprofit, market, informal) and how relationships differ across policy fields (here health, human services, education, arts and culture, and religion). The fields differ notably in the economic share that each sector holds and the functional division of labor among the sectors. Systemic differences also exist in how the nonprofit sector interacts with the government, market, and informal sectors. The policy fields themselves operate within national contexts of distinctive economic and political configurations. The framework explores how government-nonprofit relationships differ across policy fields, the factors responsible for this variation, and offers predictive capacity to generate hypotheses and research designs for additional research. We provide insights on how nonprofit organizations differ in key sub-fields with direct relevance for policy and practice.
Fostering Metacognition to Support Student Learning and Performance.

This essay highlights the key features of an evidence-based teaching guide on student metacognition that was created by an interdisciplinary team (https://lse.ascb.org/evidence-based-teaching-guide...
African American Women Experience Over One and a Half Times the Rate of PTB.

African American women in the United States (US) experience over one and a half times the rate of PTB (14.1% vs. 9.1%) and nearly double the risk of early PTB (< 32 weeks) compared to US white women. Their infants are twice as likely to die. More than a decade ago, the National Academy of Medicine identified chronic stress experienced by African American women as one of the key factors contributing to this elevated risk. Unfortunately, in the decade since, there has been little if any improvement in birth outcomes among the population, and this health disparity has continued unabated. Therefore, in order to better address this intractable problem, our team of experts with complementary skills in prenatal health, stress research, health disparity, and metabolomics came together with a fresh approach. As a group, and as described in our recent article, “Metabolites and Metabolic Pathways Associated with Glucocorticoid Resistance in Pregnant African-American Women”,we identified for the first time, the metabolites and metabolic pathways that associated with increased chronic stress within a socioeconomically diverse cohort of pregnant African American women, an essential first step in the successful development of a targeted intervention. For our study, the level of chronic stress exposure was determined by the concentration of the cortisol-like steroid dexamethasone (Dex) required to produce a 50% inhibition (i.e., Dex IC50) of the in vitro release of the cytokine tumor-necrosis-factor alpha (TNF-alpha) from white blood cells in response to a standard dose of lipopolysaccharide (LPS); this variable, Dex IC50, is commonly defined as glucocorticoid resistance.
A simple tool extends TIMSTOF compatibility with historic data processing tools and enables ion mobility-enhanced spectral libraries

Trapped ion mobility mass spectrometry is proving to be a disruptive technology in LCMS based proteomics. One primary drawback of this hardware is the lack of compatibility with the hundreds of data processing pipelines historically in use. This study describes a simple data conversion tool that folds the TIMSTOF ion mobility data into the MS2 fragmentation spectra allowing simple downstream processing. Little to no detriment in the assignment of peptide spectral matches is observed when folding the 1/k0 value into the low mass region. To demonstrate one utility of TIMS Folding, spectral libraries are provided in multiple common formats that were constructed from the same files both with and without folded ion mobility data. When new data is acquired and folded using the same parameters prior to data processing the folded ion mobility data can be used as an additional metric for peptide match confidence against folded spectral libraries.
Inversion methods in temperature and aerosol remote sounding: Their commonality and differences, and some unexplored approaches

The two remote sensing problems of temperature profiling and aerosol characterization (complex refractive index, size distribution) are considered. These problems differ only in the explicit form of the source function which, for aerosols, includes contributions from both single and multiple scattering processes. When the observables are the spectral extinction or the single scattering of the source radiation, the associated problem is completely analogous to the linearized temperature inversion problem. Methods for obtaining the solution of the linear problem are classified following three main categories: (1) derivation of properties that all solutions satisfy, which must then be properties of the actual solution; (2) regularization of the ill-posed problem; and (3) data changes within their domain of uncertainty in order to avoid the basic instability. A number of unexplored methods are indicated.
Stereoselective halofantrine disposition and effect: concentration-related QTc prolongation.

Aims 1) To characterize the variability of multiple-dose halofantrine pharmacokinetics over time in healthy adults, 2) to correlate the pharmacodynamic measure electrocardiographic (ECG) QT interval with (+)- and (−)-halofantrine plasma concentration and 3) to evaluate the safety and tolerance of halofantrine hydrochloride given over time to healthy adults. Methods Twenty-one healthy subjects were enrolled and 13 completed the study (180 days). Subjects received either 500 mg of racemic halofantrine once daily in the fasted state for 42 days, or placebo, and then halofantrine washout was documented for the following 138 days. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (ECG QTc) measurements were obtained. Results Mean accumulation half-times (days) for halofantrine were: 7.0 ± 4.8 [(+)-halofantrine] and 7.3 ± 4.8 [(−)-halofantrine]. Mean steady-state concentrations were: 97.6 ± 52.0 ng ml−1[(+)-halofantrine] and 48.5 ± 20.8 [(−)-halofantrine]. Steady-state oral clearance was: 139 ± 73 l h−1[(+)-halofantrine] and 265 ± 135 l h−1[(−)-halofantrine]. Peak plasma concentrations of both (+)- and (−)-halofantrine were attained at 6 h and maximal ECG QTc prolongation was at 4–8 h following drug administration. Fourteen of 16 subjects who received active drug had ECG QTc prolongation that was positively correlated with both (+)- and (−)-halofantrine concentration. The five subjects who received placebo had no demonstrable change in ECG QTc throughout the study. Conclusions Halofantrine accumulates extensively and shows high intersubject pharmacokinetic variability, is associated with concentration-related ECG QTc prolongation in healthy subjects, and is clinically well tolerated in this subject group.
Association between right ventricular dysfunction and restrictive lung disease in childhood cancer survivors as measured by quantitative echocardiography.

BACKGROUND: Restrictive lung disease is a complication in childhood cancer survivors who received lung-toxic chemotherapy and/or thoracic radiation. Left ventricular dysfunction is documented in these survivors, but less is known about right ventricular (RV) function. Quantitative echocardiography may help detect subclinical RV dysfunction. The aim of this study was to assess RV function quantitatively in childhood cancer survivors after lung-toxic therapy.PROCEDURES: We identified records of 33 childhood cancer survivors who (1) were treated with lung-toxic therapy and/or radiation, (2) were cancer-free for ≥ one year after therapy, and (3) had pulmonary function tests and echocardiograms from their most recent follow-up visit.RESULTS: Participants' mean age was 11.6 ± 4.5 years at cancer diagnosis and 23 ± 8.6 years at evaluation. The most common diagnosis was lymphoma/leukemia (n = 27). Twenty-nine subjects had anthracycline exposure. Eleven of the 33 subjects demonstrated restrictive pulmonary impairment (total lung capacity 3.69 ± 1.5 L [69.3 ± 22.4% predicted]). Among quantitative measures of RV function, isovolumetric acceleration (IVA), a measure of contractility, was significantly lower in the group with restrictive lung disease (2.42 ± 0.56 vs. 1.83 ± 0.78 m/sec(2); P < 0.05). There was a trend towards lower tissue Doppler derived S' and tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion in the group with restrictive lung disease. Subjects with restrictive lung disease were found to have ≥ 2 abnormal parameters (P < 0.01).CONCLUSION: IVA may detect early RV dysfunction in childhood cancer survivors with restrictive lung disease. Our findings require confirmation in a larger study population and validation by cardiac MRI.
Signal subspace decomposition of ideal covariance matrices

Xu and Kailath have proposed (1992) a fast algorithm for signal subspace decomposition that exploits the special matrix structure associated with signal subspace algorithms. This work presents some modifications which eliminate the need to estimate the noise eigenvalue in order to estimate the orthonormal basis of an ideal covariance matrix. The algorithm yields the exact signal subspace and in so doing yields the exact subspace dimension. The modifications presented reduce the computational load by at least a factor of four. >
Formate Dehydrogenase H

Keywords: molybdopterin guanidine dinucleotide cofactor; iron sulfur cluster; formate dehydrogenase; selenocysteine
An Adaptive Filter Denoising Based on Wavelet Transform Applied in ECG Signal

Due to the fact that it is not easy to filter out the spectrum overlap noise between noisy signal and noise by using the traditional wavelet method, an adaptive filter model based on the wavelet transform is constructed in this paper. In the new filter, the adaptive filter is used to filter out noise secondary on the basis of wavelet denoising on the original noise signal. The experimental results show that the filter can effectively remove the noise. The new filter is applied to the denoising of the ECG signal, achieving a better filtering effect.
Building Vladimir Dzhunkovskii's Memory Palace: The Curious Fate of His Archive and Memoir

[This article traces the convoluted route by which Vladimir Dzhunkovskii's personal papers, originally deposited in Pushkinskii dom in the early 1920s, and his voluminous memoir, acquired by Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich for the State Literary Museum (GLM) in 1934, came to reside in what is now the State Archive of the Russian Federation (GARF). It also opens windows on little-known aspects of Dzhunkovskii's early life, examines his reasons for writing his memoirs, explores the question of his missing diary, and sheds light on Dzhunkovskii's contacts with Soviet authorities and his consultations for the OGPU. The article shows how Dzhunkovskii's papers, memoirs and persona became issues in the infamous Akademicheskoe delo in 1929 and figured in “museum politics” during the mid-1930s., This article traces the convoluted route by which Vladimir Dzhunkovskii's personal papers, originally deposited in Pushkinskii dom in the early 1920s, and his voluminous memoir, acquired by Vladimir Bonch-Bruevich for the State Literary Museum (GLM) in 1934, came to reside in what is now the State Archive of the Russian Federation (GARF). It also opens windows on little-known aspects of Dzhunkovskii's early life, examines his reasons for writing his memoirs, explores the question of his missing diary, and sheds light on Dzhunkovskii's contacts with Soviet authorities and his consultations for the OGPU. The article shows how Dzhunkovskii's papers, memoirs and persona became issues in the infamous Akademicheskoe delo in 1929 and figured in “museum politics” during the mid-1930s.]
Partial dissociation of TSC2 and mTOR phosphorylation in cardiac and skeletal muscle of rats in vivo

Insulin promotes protein accretion in cardiac and skeletal muscles through a stimulation of the mRNA translation initiation phase of protein synthesis. The present set of experiments examined the regulatory TSC2 signaling pathway that potentially contributes to the myocardial responsiveness of protein synthesis to insulin in post-absorptive male Sprague-Dawley rats in vivo. Heart and skeletal muscles were sampled from rats up to 1 h following intravenous injection of various doses of insulin. In cardiac muscle, TSC2 phosphorylation was elevated only at the highest plasma insulin concentration (386 ng/ml). In contrast, the extent of mTOR phosphorylation either on Ser(2448) or Ser(2481) was raised at 24-fold less concentration of insulin and corresponded with increased phosphorylation of PKB(Thr308) or PKB(Ser473). In gastrocnemius, TSC2 phosphorylation was elevated at plasma insulin concentrations (16 ng/ml) lower than that observed in cardiac muscle (386 ng insulin/ml). The increased TSC2 phosphorylation corresponded with a marked stimulation of PKB phosphorylation. However, mTOR(Ser2448) or mTOR(Ser2481) phosphorylation was not elevated until the plasma insulin concentration reached 97 ng/ml. The results indicate there is a dissociation of TSC2 and mTOR phosphorylation in vivo.
Accuracy of intraoperative frozen-section analysis of breast cancer lumpectomy-bed margins.

Background My colleagues and I have been using intraoperative frozen-section analysis (FSA) to evaluate lumpectomy margins in an attempt to reduce the number of additional operations that patients with ductal carcinoma in situ or stage I and II breast cancer would have to endure. We review our experience in breast-conservation therapy (BCT) at the University of Florida (Gainesville) to determine the effectiveness of this approach. Study design Operative reports, operative logs, and pathology reports were retrospectively reviewed for patients who had BCT from January 2001 to January 2004. Ninety-seven patients (116 operations) were reviewed. Results Nineteen patients required an additional operation (19.6%). Forty-three patients had positive margins on paraffin-embedded histologic analysis (44.3%). Accuracy of FSA was 84% when evaluated on a per-case basis, and 96% on a per-slide basis. False negatives were identified in 22 patients, affecting the operative pathway of 19 patients (19.6%) and were identified more frequently in cases of ductal carcinoma in situ (p Conclusions Intraoperative analysis of margins using FSA is effective at minimizing the number of additional operations, with 19 patients benefiting from immediate intervention in this study. The authors believe that the number of second operations prevented and the high BCT rates justify performing FSA. Ductal carcinoma in situ is more difficult to identify in FSA. Preoperative discussions with the patient should reflect these findings.
FORUM - Word of Mouse - An Assessment of Electronic Word-of-Mouth Research:

Word-of-mouth (WOM) communication has received a great deal of attention from marketing academics and practitioners alike. Widespread use of the internet for shopping, information gathering and ent...
The Impact of Clinical Stage on Prostate Cancer Survival Following Radical Prostatectomy

Purpose: Clinical stage has been incorporated into multiple risk stratification models for patients with newly diagnosed prostate cancer. However, the independent prognostic value of this variable remains open to debate. In this study we evaluated the association of clinical stage with death from prostate cancer in men who underwent radical prostatectomy and assessed for changes in its prognostic value over time.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 14,842 consecutive patients who underwent radical prostatectomy at our institution between 1970 and 2008 without having received preoperative hormone or radiation therapy. Postoperative disease recurrence was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log rank test. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to analyze the association of clinical stage with outcome.Results: A total of 5,725 (38.6%) men were classified as having cT1 tumors, 8,160 (55.0%) cT2 tumors and 957 (6.4%) cT3 disease. On univariate a...
Ovarian drilling in infertile women with polycystic ovary syndrome

Ovarian drilling is a laparoscopic treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome. As with wedge resection, it is unclear why women with this syndrome ovulate after the procedure. Studies describing the clinical response of over 600 patients to this treatment have appeared in the medical literature. Attention to detailed steps can guide experienced laparoscopic surgeons to apply this technique to appropriate patients who are experiencing infertility due to polycystic ovary disease.
Librarians and the Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans: Helping Disabled Veterans With Business Research

The Entrepreneurship Bootcamp for Veterans with Disabilities is a national educational program that helps post-9/11 Veterans accomplish their dreams of starting their own businesses. Although their story has been well documented, one story that has not been told is that of a group of business librarians who support the program. The authors present unique services and resources made available to participants of this program and discuss some of the challenges, results, and future aspirations of library support.
High temperature oxidation of carbon by atomic oxygen

Abstract The true kinetics of the attack of high temperature graphite by both atomic and diatomic oxygen have been studied using microwave discharge-fast flow system techniques. In the surface temperature range 1100°K–2000°K the oxidation probability for O-atom attack 1. (i) exceeds that for O 2 , by factors between 5 and as much as 80, 2. (ii) passes through a maximum in this temperature range, as does the O 2 attack probability on the same surface, and 3. (iii) is independent of oxygen partial pressure (corresponding to a first order reaction), in contrast to the kinetic order of the O 2 /carbon reaction. Several mechanistic implications of these results are briefly discussed.
Transplanted astrocytes derived from BMP- or CNTF-treated glial-restricted precursors have opposite effects on recovery and allodynia after spinal cord injury

Two critical challenges in developing cell-transplantation therapies for injured or diseased tissues are to identify optimal cells and harmful side effects. This is of particular concern in the case of spinal cord injury, where recent studies have shown that transplanted neuroepithelial stem cells can generate pain syndromes. We have previously shown that astrocytes derived from glial-restricted precursor cells (GRPs) treated with bone morphogenetic protein-4 (BMP-4) can promote robust axon regeneration and functional recovery when transplanted into rat spinal cord injuries. In contrast, we now show that transplantation of GRP-derived astrocytes (GDAs) generated by exposure to the gp130 agonist ciliary neurotrophic factor (GDAsCNTF), the other major signaling pathway involved in astrogenesis, results in failure of axon regeneration and functional recovery. Moreover, transplantation of GDACNTF cells promoted the onset of mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia at 2 weeks after injury, an effect that persisted through 5 weeks post-injury. Delayed onset of similar neuropathic pain was also caused by transplantation of undifferentiated GRPs. In contrast, rats transplanted with GDAsBMP did not exhibit pain syndromes. Our results show that not all astrocytes derived from embryonic precursors are equally beneficial for spinal cord repair and they provide the first identification of a differentiated neural cell type that can cause pain syndromes on transplantation into the damaged spinal cord, emphasizing the importance of evaluating the capacity of candidate cells to cause allodynia before initiating clinical trials. They also confirm the particular promise of GDAs treated with bone morphogenetic protein for spinal cord injury repair.
Creep relaxation around a crack tip in an ice crystal

Abstract The creep deformation at the crack tip of ice crystals was investigated by etching and replicating techniques. Extensive creep occurred in a specimen subjected to 5 hours of Mode I loading, and creep spread throughout the specimen. At the crack tip, an etch pit-free zone was observed which could be interpreted as a dislocation-free zone or a tertiary creep zone. Accordingly, either an elastic zone or a highly damaged zone could exist in front of crack tip.
Selective Activation and Inhibition of Calmodulin‐Dependent Enzymes by a Calmodulin‐Like Protein Found in Human Epithelial Cells

A calmodulin-like protein, which is identical in size and 85% identical to vertebrate calmodulin, was recently identified by 'subtractive hybridization' comparison of transcripts expressed in normal versus transformed human mammary epithelial cells. Unlike the ubiquitous distribution of calmodulin, calmodulin-like protein expression is restricted to certain epithelial cells, and appears to be modulated during differentiation. In addition, calmodulin-like protein levels are often significantly reduced in malignant tumor cells as compared to corresponding normal epithelial cells. The current studies compare calmodulin-like protein functions with those of calmodulin. We find that calmodulin-like protein activation of multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (calmodulin kinase II) is equivalent to activation by calmodulin, but that four other calmodulin-dependent enzymes, cGMP phosphodiesterase, calcineurin, nitric-oxide synthase, and myosin-light-chain kinase, display much weaker activation by calmodulin-like protein than by calmodulin. In the case of myosin-light-chain kinase, calmodulin-like protein competitively inhibits calmodulin activation of the enzyme with a Ki value of 170 nM. Thus, calmodulin-like protein may have evolved to function as a specific agonist of certain calmodulin-dependent enzymes, and/or as a specific competitive antagonist of other calmodulin-dependent enzymes.
Two Minutes per Person per Day Each Year: Exploration of Growth in Travel Time Expenditures

During the past several decades significant changes in travel behavior in the United States have occurred. Evidence from the Nationwide Personal Transportation Survey series and the 2001 National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) indicates that the average daily travel time per person has increased by 1.9 min per year between 1983 and 2001. The objective of this paper is to explore the growth of daily travel time expenditures. Changes in society, technology, incomes, attitudes, and sociodemographic and household structure have been hypothesized as having contributed to the travel time growth. This analysis explores those variables and their relationship to increases in travel time. Aggregate values are used to investigate the relationships between daily travel time expenditures and sociodemographic characteristics. This paper comments on the share of travel time growth that can be explained by the available variables and speculates on the implications of other factors on travel time expenditure growth. A rev...
Biochemistry and ultrastructure of iridescent virus type 29

Abstract Physical and chemical parameters of iridescent virus type 29, isolated from the mealworm, Tenebrio molitor, have been analyzed. The icosahedral capsid is 130–135 nm in diameter and is surrounded by a fringe of coarse filaments. The virus has a buoyant density in CsCl of 1.31 g cm−3 and contains 20 to 25 structural proteins as analyzed by isoelectric focusing and SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The DNA has a buoyant density in CsCl of 1.6874 g cm−3 indicating a G + C content of approximately 28%. The lipid components of this virus differ from those of the host cell; the virus contains about 80% cardiolipin and 20% phosphatidyl choline.
Fluorescence of 6-methoxyquinoline, quinine, and quinidine in aqueous media

Abstract The absorption and fluorescence spectra of 6-methoxyquinoline, quinine, and quinidine were studied as a continuous function of pH. 6-Methoxyquinoline is a stronger base in the lowest excited singlet state, as reflected by the pH dependence of its fluorescence. The latter is used to calculate the rates and equilibria of proton exchange in the excited state. Quinine and quinidine, however, do not protonate during the lifetimes of their excited states, an observation attributed to the lower basicity of their aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen than that in 6-methoxyquinoline. The differences in basic properties between the alkaloids and 6-methoxyquinoline are employed to infer the ketonic character of the quinolinemethanol group of the alkaloids and the existence of an intramolecular hydrogen bond in quinine but not in quinidine.
FREE TAXANES AND THE RELEASE OF BOUND COMPOUNDS HAVING TAXANE ANTIBODY REACTIVITY BY XYLANASE IN FEMALE, HAPLOID-DERIVED CELL SUSPENSION CULTURES OF TAXUS BREVIFOLIA

Haploid cells derived from the female gametophyte ofTaxus brevifolia produce multinucleate egglike cells that have grown as cell suspensions over a 5-yr period. Two new media are formulated, one without nitrates, to select for haploid cell lines and to enhance free taxane production when cell lines are artificially aged by withholding subculture. The cell suspensions produce bound taxanes that are detectable with anti-taxane monoclonal antibodies on cell surfaces and on particles released into the culture medium. Recovery and detection of bound taxanes are based on a competitive inhibition enzyme immunoassay (CIEIA). Tissues extracted exhaustively with methanol then treated with xylanase release CIEIA-detectable taxanes. Approximately 300% more taxanes were detected in the xylanase-treated tissue culture material versus the control. Wood (winter bark) taken fromT. brevifolia and treated in the same way with xylanase release 20% more taxanes than could be detected in the control.
The effects of muscle activation on postural stability in diabetes mellitus patients with cutaneous sensory deficit in the foot

Activity of the lower leg muscles in response to an unexpected disturbance to upright standing was studied in diabetic patients and non-diabetic matched controls. The diabetic individuals were classified into two groups: diabetic patients with normal cutaneous sensitivity in the foot (n=27) and patients with cutaneous sensory deficit (n=23). All participants completed twenty trials standing on a force platform that rotated upward 8 deg at 50 deg/s. This movement produced short-latency and medium-latency responses in the gastrocnemius muscle and a single long-latency response in the anterior tibialis. All muscle activity was assessed using electromyography techniques. Results indicated that the average delay of the short-, medium- and long-latency responses produced by the diabetic groups was comparable to control group values. However, the within subject variability associated with activating the anterior tibialis was found to be statistically greater for the cutaneous deficit diabetic group. Additionally, fifty percent of the CD group failed to produce an observable stretch reflex response. The results suggest that the inability to generate a neuromuscular response with consistent temporal patterning is a contributing factor to greater postural sway observed in diabetic patients with cutaneous sensory deficit in the foot.
Collection management in the eighties — where are we now?

Des conseils pour la gestion des fonds des bibliotheques universitaires ou specialisees, de taille moyenne, en ces periodes de recession budgetaire sont donnes. Cette etude, tres pragmatique, est tiree de l'experience d'une gestion de bibliotheque universitaire aux Etats-Unis
Observations on the Biology of Spurgia capitigena Bremi on Leafy Spurge in North Dakota

Abstract The gall midge, Spurgia capitigena, was released in North Dakota for the biological control of leafy spurge, Euphorbia esula. S. capitigena induces a rosette-type gall formation on the stem tip. Galling destroys the stem tip, which prevents flowering and seed production. S. capitigena is a multivoltine insect and individual generations can be separated by obtaining counts of larvae and pupae inhabiting leafy spurge galls. In North Dakota, three generations were delineated in 1992 and four generations in 1993. The number of adult S. capitigena collected from galls was highest in the first generation and declined by 50% in the second. The sex ratio of emerged adults favored females by approximately 2:1. S. capitigena produced between 70 and 110 eggs per female. Counts of S. capitigena larvae and pupae per gall were highest in the second generation and declined dramatically in the third and fourth generations. The decrease in larvae and pupae per gall in generations three and four was due to increased mortality and exit of larvae from the gall to overwinter in the soil.
The multidisciplinary approach to develop artificial organs.

This paper presents the author's perspective of how artificial organ development has evolved in the past 35 years into a multidisciplinary effort. Examples are taken from the fields of hemodialysis, oxygenators, and affinity immunoadsorption devices. Development of the multidisciplinary approach to develop dialysis and oxygenation membranes has been significantly advanced by private and governmental collaboration and conferences that gathered together chemists, physicians, engineers, and fluid dynamics experts. Lengthy delays occurred in artificial organ development when such interdisciplinary collaborations did not take place.
Approaches to Alkaline Earth Metal−Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition Precursors. Synthesis and Characterization of Barium Fluoro-β-ketoiminate Complexes Having Appended Polyether “Lariats”

The synthesis and characterization of a family of beta-ketoimines derived from 1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedione (hfa) and the corresponding volatile barium beta-ketoiminate-polyether complexes having the general formula Ba[CF(3)COCHC(NR)CF(3)](2) where R = (CH(2)CH(2)O)(2)CH(3), (CH(2)CH(2)O)(2)CH(2)CH(3), and (CH(2)CH(2)O)(3)CH(2)CH(3) is reported. These complexes can be transported in the vapor phase at 160 degrees C/0.05 Torr without decomposition. The beta-ketoiminate ligands are synthesized by condensation of the appropriate amine-terminated poly(ethylene oxide)s with the trimethylsilyl enol ether derivative of hfa and converted to barium beta-ketoiminate-polyether complexes by reaction with BaH(2). The poly(ethylene oxide) amines are in turn synthesized by triphenylphosphine-mediated reduction of the corresponding poly(ethylene oxide) azides (synthesized via the tosylates) to afford the amines in good yields and analytical purity. The amines, beta-ketoimines, and barium complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H, (19)F, and (13)C NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The eight- and ten-coordinate Ba(2+) complexes having the formula Ba[CF(3)COCHC(NR)CF(3)](2) where R = (CH(2)CH(2)O)(2)CH(2)CH(3) [C(22)H(28)N(2)F(12)O(6)Ba; space group = monoclinic, P2(1); a = 12.1175(2) A, b = 14.9238(2) A, c = 16.9767(3) A, alpha = gamma = 90 degrees, beta = 90.0840(10) degrees, Z = 4] and R = (CH(2)CH(2)O)(3)CH(2)CH(3) [C(26)H(36)N(2)F(12)O(8)Ba; space group = triclinic, Po (#2); a = 10.971(2) A, b = 12.134(2) A, c = 15.280(4) A, alpha = 89.94(2) degrees, beta = 110.00(2) degrees, gamma = 116.75(2) degrees, Z = 2] were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Both analyses reveal monomeric structures with the beta-ketoiminate ligands coordinated to the Ba(2+) center through all available oxygen and nitrogen atoms. These complexes are substantially more volatile than Ba(2,2,6,6,-tetramethyl-3,5-heptanedionate)(2) but less so than the most volatile Ba(1,1,1,5,5,5-hexafluoro-2,4-pentanedionate)(2).polyether complexes.
Effective removal of adhering cells via ultrashort laser pulses

A technique for accurately and effectively removing adhering red blood cells in a blood plasma thin film via a picosecond pulsed laser was developed. The laser beam was focused to the surface of the film to generate plasma-mediated ablation and an automated stage was employed for raster scan. The SEM images showed that the red blood cells distributed in the ablation scanned area were removed neatly, leaving the surroundings and the film base intact. For cells across the boundary between the ablated and untreated areas, a trim cutting interface was observed. Complete ablation of red blood cells in the target area is achieved without visible thermal and collateral damage in the remaining structure. The removal method is very effective because it is not necessary to selectively focus a laser beam on individual target cells and remove cells one by one. The ablation is scanned over a certain size of area, enabling practical cell killing or microbial decontamination in clinical/industrial scale.
Socrates on Desire for the Good and the Involuntariness of Wrongdoing: Gorgias 466a-468e

In the Gorgias Socrates forces his interlocutor Polus to agree that neither orators nor even the tyrants whom they emulate have any great power at all. I would like to examine the logic and dramatic context of the argument for this rather strange claim. Doing so will help clarify (1) Plato's thesis that all men desire the good and (2) the role this thesis plays in the Socratic Paradox 'No One Is Voluntarily Unjust.' The argument runs as follows (466a9-468e5). Tyrants (or orators) are typically able to do whatever they please: e.g., they can expropriate, banish, or even murder their opponents. Thus they do what seems good to them (& Boxci avcrots). Doing what seems good, however, must be distinguished from doing what one desires (a& iovXovTaL). For all men desire the good. And so if a particular action, either in itself or in its consequences, happens actually to be bad (i.e., harmful to the agent), how can it be what one desires to do? In accordance with the familiar argument of the Republic, Socrates claims that the kind of action characteristic of the tyrant unjust action is in fact always harmful to the agent (cf. 460e6,481b5). Granted this claim it seems to follow that the tyrant doesn't desire to do the thing he typically does do; or, put another way, doesn't do what he desires to do. Hence he is powerless. For how can anyone who (typically) fails to do what he desires be considered powerful?' Now it seems to follow from the above considerations that unjust action is never what any agent desires to do, tyrant or no. Isn't that to say, then, that the unjust agent always acts against his desire, or against his will which is to say involuntarily? The view that no one is voluntarily unjust is, of course, a "Socratic Paradox."2 Does the foregoing argument constitute
Protein synthesis and fast axonal transport in regenerating goldfish retinal ganglion cells

To characterize the fast component of axonal transport in regenerating goldfish optic axons, the incorporation of l-2,3-[3H]proline into newly-synthetized proteins in the cell bodies of the retinal ganglion cells and the amount of transported labeled protein were determined at 2–36 days after cutting the optic tract. Both the incorporation and the amount of transported protein had doubled by 10 days after the lesion and continued to increase to about 5 times normal at 15 days, a time when a large proportion of the regenerating axon population had reached the optic tectum. Near-normal levels were recovered by 36 days. In contralateral control neurons, the incorporation of l-2,3-[3H]proline was unchanged from normal throughout, whereas the amount of labeled transported protein entering control axons was decreased by 55% at 2 and 10 days after the testing lesion, returning to normal by 15 days. An increase in fast transport velocity was seen in the regenerating axons beginning at 10 days after the lesion. However, a similar velocity increase was also seen in the contralateral control axons and in undamaged axons following removal of the cerebral hemispheres. Therefore, the velocity increase was not a specific consequence of axotomy.
Hypopharyngeal Airway Surgery

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is the result of upper airway obstruction during sleep. Hypopharyngeal airway obstruction can be caused by the prominence or relaxation of the base of the tongue, lateral pharyngeal wall, and occasionally, the aryepiglottic folds or epiglottis. Although nasal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) is considered as the first treatment for obstructive sleep apnea, surgery has been shown to be a viable option for patients who are intolerant of positive pressure therapy. This article presents the current state of hypopharyngeal surgery for sleep apnea. Preoperative airway evaluation with fiberoptic nasopharyngoscopy, the use of lateral cephalometric radiograph, and the formulation of a surgical plan with selection of procedures to address hypopharyngeal obstruction are discussed.
Enhanced salt sensitivity following shRNA silencing of neuronal TRPV1 in rat spinal cord

To investigate the effects of selective knockdown of TRPV1 channels in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments of spinal cord, dorsal root ganglia (DRG) and mesenteric arteries on rat blood pressure responses to high salt intake. TRPV1 short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) was delivered using intrathecal injection (6 μg·kg−1·d−1, for 3 d). Levels of TRPV1 and tyrosine hydroxylase expression were determined by Western blot analysis. Systolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure (MAP) were examined using tail-cuff and direct arterial measurement, respectively. In rats injected with control shRNA, high-salt diet (HS) caused higher systolic blood pressure compared with normal-salt diet (NS) (HS:149±4 mmHg; NS:126±2 mmHg, P<0.05). Intrathecal injection of TRPV1 shRNA significantly increased the systolic blood pressure in both HS rats and NS rats (HS:169±3 mmHg; NS:139±2 mmHg). The increases was greater in HS rats than in NS rats (HS: 13.9%±1.8%; NS: 9.8±0.7, P<0.05). After TRPV1 shRNA treatment, TRPV1 expression in the dorsal horn and DRG of T8-L3 segments and in mesenteric arteries was knocked down to a greater extent in HS rats compared with NS rats. Blockade of α1-adrenoceptors abolished the TRPV1 shRNA-induced pressor effects. In rats injected with TRPV1 shRNA, level of tyrosine hydroxylase in mesenteric arteries was increased to a greater extent in HS rats compared with NS rats. Selective knockdown of TRPV1 expression in the lower thoracic and upper lumbar segments of spinal cord, DRG, and mesenteric arteries enhanced the prohypertensive effects of high salt intake, suggesting that TRPV1 channels in these sites protect against increased salt sensitivity, possibly via suppression of sympatho-excitatory responses.
Identification of the Catalytic Site of Phospholipase D2 (PLD2) Newly Described Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factor Activity

We have demonstrated that phospholipase D2 (PLD2) is a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for Rac2 and determined the PLD2 domains and amino acid site(s) responsible for its GEF activity. Experiments using GST fusion proteins or GST-free counterparts, purified proteins revealed that the PX domain is sufficient to exert GEF activity similar to full-length PLD2. The PLD2-GEF catalytic site is formed by a hydrophobic pocket of residues Phe-107, Phe-129, Leu-166, and Leu-173, all of which are in the PX domain. A nearby Arg-172 is also important in the overall activity. PX mutants altering any of those five amino acids fail to have GEF activity but still bind to Rac2, while their lipase activity was mostly unaffected. In addition to the PX domain, a region in the pleckstrin homology domain (Ile-306–Ala-310) aids in the PX-mediated GEF activity by providing a docking site to hold Rac2 in place during catalysis. We conclude that PLD2 is a unique GEF, with the PX being the major catalytic domain for its GEF activity, whereas the pleckstrin homology domain assists in the PX-mediated activity. The physiological relevance of this novel GEF in cell biology is demonstrated here in chemotaxis and phagocytosis of leukocytes, as the specific PX and PH mutants abolished cell function. Thus, this study reveals for the first time the catalytic site that forms the basis for the mechanism behind the GEF activity of PLD2.