cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Extraction of HMX4 acids by solvents of high dielectric constant

Abstract Previous studies of the distribution of HMX4 acids between aqueous HX solutions and high dielectric-constant solvents are extended to include the systems HClAu(III)-nitrobenzene and HBrIn(III)-nitrobenzene. The ionization constants of HBr and HCl in the organic phase and the average number of ligands in the metal complex in the aqueous phase ( n ) are calculated. The extractive behaviour of the square planar gold complex does not differ significantly from that of the tetrahedral In(III) and Ga(III) complexes.
Large-order dimensional perturbation theory for diatomic molecules within the Born-Oppenheimer approximation

A renormalization of the $D$-dimensional Hamiltonian is developed to ensure that the large-$D$ limit corresponds to a single well at any value of the internuclear distance $R.$ This avoids convergence problems caused by a symmetry-breaking transition that is otherwise expected to occur when $R$ is approximately equal to the equilibrium bond distance ${R}_{\mathrm{eq}},$ with larger $R$ giving a double well. This symmetry breaking has restricted the applicability of large-order perturbation theory in $1/D$ to cases where $R$ is significantly less than ${R}_{\mathrm{eq}}.$ The renormalization greatly extends the range of $R$ for which the large-order expansion can be summed. A numerical demonstration is presented for H${}_{2}^{+}.$ The $1/D$ expansions are summed using Pad\'e-Borel approximants with modifications that explicitly model known singularity structure.
Local friction in polyolefin blends

Processes on different length scales affect the dynamics of chain molecules. The friction experienced by a short chain segment depends on both small-scale chain properties and on the local environment of the segment. As a consequence, the (monomeric) friction coefficients of the two components of a binary polymer blend will, in general, differ from each other and from the friction coefficients of the corresponding melts. In this work, we investigate local friction in polyolefin blends with the aid of a small-scale simulation approach. The polymer chains, in united atom representation, are assumed to occupy the sites of a partially filled simple cubic lattice. The simulation focuses on short chain sections with straight backbones and enumerates all possible binary contacts and relative movements of such sections. By evaluating the exact enumeration results in conjunction with equations of state for the blends, we are able to make predictions about the variation of the friction coefficients with local chain architecture and thermodynamic state (temperature, pressure, and composition). We calculate relative values of friction coefficients at temperatures well above the glass transition for blends of PEP, an alternating copolymer of polyethylene and polypropylene, with polyethylene and polyisobutylene and for blends of polyethylene and atactic polypropylene. We also investigate a blend of PEP with head-to-head polypropylene and compare our results with experimental data.
Setting the Stage: Surgery Patients' Expectations for Greetings during Routine Office Visits

Background The need for surgeons to exhibit adequate communication skills is paramount to providing exemplary patient care. The manner in which patients are greeted by their surgeon sets the stage for the remainder of the clinical encounter. This study examined patients' expectations for greetings upon meeting a surgeon for the first time. Materials and Methods A convenience sample of 152 English-speaking patients (≥21 y of age) attending a university-based vascular surgery clinic were recruited to participate in this study. Eligible patients were interviewed prior to their consultation using valid and reliable questionnaires to obtain data about sociodemographic characteristics and expectations for greetings upon meeting a surgeon for the first time. Results Patients' mean age was 61.4 ± 14.6 approximately half ( n = 81;54.3%) were male, and most were Caucasian ( n = 148; 97.4%). Most ( n = 132; 86.8%) patients wanted the surgeon to shake their hand, 113 (74.3%) wanted their first name to be used when a surgeon greets them, and 86 (56.6%) wanted a surgeon to introduce him/herself using his/her last name. Patients also desired for surgeons to be attentive/calm and make patient feel like a priority, adjust vocabulary and/or explain better, and be friendly, personable, polite, respectful, and/or courteous. Conclusions Surgeons should shake hands, use patients' first names, and introduce themselves using their last names when greeting patients for the first time. They should also be pleasant, personable, and make the patient feel like a priority. Additionally, surgeons should be cognizant of the way in which they present information to patients and verify understanding.
Comments on "A systolic array for computing BA/sup -1/

An algorithm and a systolic array for computing BA/sup -1/ was presented by P. Comon and Y. Robert (see ibid., vol.ASSP-35, p.717-23, June 1987). A and B are n by n and p by n matrices, respectively. Such an array computes BA/sup -1/ in (4n+p-2) time units using n(n+1) processing elements (PE's). The commenters apply a graph-based method for the design of systolic arrays to such an algorithm. They systematically derive the original array and another array that performs the computation in the same time but using (n(n+1)/2+pn) units. For p >
Videotaping Children and Staff in Natural Environments: Gathering Footage for Research and Teaching.

With increasing accessibility to quality video recording technology, researchers and trainers can create data sets that are rich in content and application. Practical and ethical aspects of videotaping children and staff for research and teaching purposes are critical to successful use of videotaping. Taping and equipment strategies for achieving high-quality footage of children and teachers are shared, and ethical practices are described. Videotape data of child behaviors and child-staff interactions provide comprehensive observations for researchers, and real-life vignettes for developing instructional materials for human services professionals. Collection of video data is successful when equipment, videographers, and the environment are well organized and prepared for data collection. Selecting quality equipment, ensuring that videographers understand the target, and partnering with staff in the videotaping setting, all work together to assure success.
Comparative analysis of vagotomy and drainage versus vagotomy and resection procedures for bleeding peptic ulcer disease: results of 907 patients from the Department of Veterans Affairs National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine postoperative outcomes and risk factors for morbidity and mortality in patients requiring surgery for bleeding peptic ulcer disease (PUD). Vagotomy and drainage procedures are technically simpler but are usually associated with higher ulcer recurrence rates. In contrast, vagotomy and resection approaches offer lower ulcer recurrences but represent much more challenging operations and are associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Study design Data collected through the Department of Veterans Affairs National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database from 1991 to 2001 were submitted for stepwise logistic regression analysis for prediction of 30-day postoperative morbidity and mortality, rebleeding, and postoperative length of stay. The study population included all patients operated on for bleeding PUD within an 11-year period. Results The 30-day morbidity, mortality, and rebleeding rates were comparable between surgical groups. Age, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, presence of ascites, coma, diabetes, functional status, hemiplegia, and history of steroid use were predictors of postoperative death. Risk factors for rebleeding included dependent functional status, history of congestive heart failure, smoking, steroid use, and preoperative transfusions. Having a resective procedure, American Society of Anesthesiologists class, hemiplegia, history of COPD, and requiring ventilator-assisted respirations before surgery were positively associated with increased length of hospital stay. Conclusions No differences were observed in 30-day mortality, morbidity, or rebleeding rates between surgical groups. Having a resective procedure was a predictor of prolonged postoperative stay. Dependent status and chronic use of steroids were predictors of both rebleeding and postoperative mortality.
Breast conservation: predictors and treatment of local recurrence.

Breast conservation therapy has become the preferred treatment for many Stage I and II breast cancers as the “Halstedian” theory of sequential spread has been replaced by the belief that breast cancer is a systemic disease and that local-regional therapy has little impact on overall survival. Local recurrence after conservation therapy is reportedly dependent upon a number of pathological, clinical, and treatment factors. This review examines the complex relationships among these factors, their ability to predict for residual disease within the breast, and its correlation with risk for local recurrence. A local recurrence does not appear to affect overall survival, and salvage therapy provides excellent local control in the majority of cases. The proper salvage therapy is evolving, with mastectomy the current standard. However, repeat wide-excision surgery may offer good local control in a select group of patients. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mechanism for the Coupling of ATP Hydrolysis to the Conversion of 5-Formyltetrahydrofolate to 5,10-Methenyltetrahydrofolate

5,10-Methenyltetrahydrofolate synthetase catalyzes the irreversible conversion of 5-formyl-tetrahydropteroylpolyglutamates (5-CHO-H4PteGlun) to 5,10-methenyltetrahydropteroylpolyglutamates (5, 10-CH+-H4PteGlun). The equilibrium of the nonenzymatic reaction, which equilibrates slowly in the absence of enzyme, greatly favors 5-CHO-H4PteGlun. The enzyme couples the reaction to the hydrolysis of ATP shifting the equilibrium to favor 5,10-CH+-H4PteGlun. Substrate-dependent non-equilibrium isotope exchange of ADP into ATP was observed, suggesting the formation of a phosphorylated intermediate of 5-CHO-H4PteGlunduring the enzyme-catalyzed reaction. The competitive inhibitor 5-formyltetrahydrohomofolate also supported the ADP to ATP exchange, suggesting that this molecule could also form a phosphorylated intermediate. The initial rates of the ADP-ATP exchange with saturating ADP were about 70 s− for both compounds, while the kcat values for product formation were 5 s− for 5-CHO-H4PteGlun and 0.005 s− for 5-formyltetrahydrohomofolate. Starting with 5-[18O]CHO-H4PteGlun, it was shown by 31P NMR that the formyl oxygen of the substrate was transferred to the product phosphate during the reaction. This further supports the existence of a phosphorylated intermediate. The formyl group of 5-CHO-H4PteGlun is known to be an equilibrium mixture of two rotamers. Stopped-flow analysis of the enzymatic reaction showed that only one of the rotamers serves as a substrate for the enzyme.
THE TIMING OF BREEDING AND MOULT OF THE YELLOWMANTLED WIDOWBIRD EUPLECTES MACROURUS IN WESTERN KENYA

Summary Savalli, U.M. 1993. The timing of breeding and moult of the Yellowmantled Widowbird Euplectes mac-rourus in western Kenya. Ostrich 64:49-56. This paper describes the breeding and moulting seasons of Yellowmantled Widowbirds Euplectes mac-rourus at the Kakamega National Reserve in western Kenya. Egg laying began in May, peaked in June, and continued into September. The presence of brood patches on females followed a similar pattern. Most moulting occurred prior to breeding, in March and April. Rainfall was greatest in April and May, with a second peak in August to September. The pattern of grass seed abundance closely matched rainfall, and breeding appears to start about one month after the start of the rains. An exceptionally dry spell in May and June 1990 may have resulted in few breeding attempts that year.
Degenerate Four-Wave Mixing In Collisional And Inhomogeneous Plasmas

Plasmas have recently received considerable attention as poten-tially efficient long wavelength (infrared to microwave) phase con-jugators using degenerate four-wave mixing (DFWM). However, the current theory assumes an idealized isotropic, homogeneous, quies-cent plasma. In order to ascertain the suitability of plasmas for phase conjugation applications, a more complete theory of DFWM in the presence of plasma density inhomogeneities, turbulence, etc. is necessary. This paper focuses on the effect of density inhomogeneities on the DFWM and phase conjugate properties of plasmas. In addition, a comparison is made between DFWM in collisionless and collisional plasmas.
The Religious Time Bind: U. S. Work Hours and Religion

This article assesses the degree to which couples' joint employment patterns affect their religious participation, examining in particular the social status and time scarcity hypotheses. The social status hypothesis views religious participation as linked with position in the community and as a form of "conspicuous consumption" (Veblen 1899) or status display (Demerath 1961; Hertel 1988). This social status hypothesis suggests that individuals with higher status have greater involvement in religious activities, thus higher income and higher education predict higher participation. In contrast, the time scarcity hypothesis suggests that as people allocate more of their time to market work, they may reduce the amount of time invested in nonmarket activities including religion (de Vaus 1984; Hertel 1995). For instance Iannaccone (1990) shows that higher income individuals engage in input substitution by giving more money to religious organizations but attending services less. This time scarcity hypothesis has been used to explain the gender difference in attendance (Azzi and Ehrenberg 1975; Becker and Hof meister 2001). In addition the time scarcity hypothesis is particularly useful in understanding couples* attendance and participation patterns (Hofmeister and Edgell 2003).
Synrhabdosome life cycles

Synrhabdosomes are monospecific colonies of colonies of graptolites. Their mode of formation is unknown. We draw attention to a type of colony formation found in two genera of colonial rotifers and suggest that these represent plausible models for the life cycle of graptolite synrhabdosomes.
Trunk Posture Affects Upper Extremity Function of Adults

This study examined the effects of various seated trunk postures on upper extremity function. 59 adults were tested using the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test while in three different trunk postures. Significant mean differences between the neutral versus the flexed and laterally flexed trunk postures were noted during selected tasks. Specifically, dominant hand performance during the tasks of feeding and lifting heavy cans was significantly slower while the trunk was flexed and laterally flexed than when performed in the neutral trunk position. Performance of the nondomi nant hand during the tasks of picking up small objects, page turning, as well as the total score was slower while the trunk was flexed compared to performance in the neutral trunk position. These findings support the assumption that neutral trunk posture improves upper extremity performance during daily activities although the effect is not consistent across tasks. Findings are discussed along with limitations and recommendations for research.
Harald Ulrik Sverdup (1888–1957): celebrating the return of the Maud 75 years ago

I came here to pay my respects to a man and to a scientist. Harald Ulrik Sverdrup left Norway aboard the R/V Maud in July 1918 for an estimated three years to conduct a broad range of geophysical measurements in the Arctic Ocean. It was to be more than seven years before the Maud came out, to Seattle on 5 October 1925, 75 years ago. The experience gained in these difficult seven years was the basis of Sverdrup’s entire subsequent career.
Effects of kanamycin on cochlear nuclear evoked responses and behavioral responses in C57BL/6J mice.

Abstract The effect of kanamycin on auditory function was investigated in C57BL 6J mice. Results showed that kanamycin treatments (400 mg/kg/day, injected between 10 to 13 days of age) caused severe cochlear damage, particularly to the outer hair cells, and elevation of cochlear nucleus evoked-response thresholds. The treatment also rendered the treated animals susceptible to audiogenic seizures, suggesting a change in the animals' reactivity to intense sounds. However, unlike the effect of noise, exposure to kanamycin did not cause the treated animals to show abnormal augmentation of cochlear nucleus evoked-response amplitude when stimulated at high intensities.
Effects of isoproterenol and isoproterenol-phenylephrine aerosols on hypertensive asthmatic patients.

Abstract In a double-blind crossover study of 18 hypertensive asthmatic patients, an isoproterenol aerosol caused a drop in diastolic pressure and an elevation of the pulse rate 2 and 5 minutes after its use. A combination isoproterenol-phenylephrine aerosol caused no significant changes in pulse or blood pressure. Pulmonary function studies showed substantial but statistically equal improvement 10 minutes after the use of the two aerosols. Placebos were ineffective. Twelve of the patients preferred the combination aerosol or could tell no differences between the two. Side effects were minimal. The isoproterenol-phenylephrine aerosol appears to be safe to use in the presence of uncomplicated hypertension.
Sensory gating in chronic posttraumatic stress disorder: reduced auditory P50 suppression in combat veterans.

Abstract Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be associated with a general impairment of cognitive function that extends beyond the processing of trauma-specific stimuli. Suppression of the auditory P50 response to repeated stimuli occurs in normal subjects and reflects the central nervous system's ability to screen out repetitive stimuli, a phenomenon referred to as sensory gating. This study examines P50 sensory gating to nonstartle auditory stimuli in PTSD subjects and normal controls. Methods: P50 generation and gating were studied using a conditioning/testing paradigm in 15 male subjects with PTSD and 12 male controls. P50 test/conditioning (T/C) ratios were estimated using the Singular Value Decomposition method. Results: The amplitude of the P50 response to the conditioning stimulus did not differ in subjects with PTSD compared to normal controls. The P50 T/C ratio is increased in PTSD subjects (mean = .408, SD=.275) as compared to the controls (mean = .213, SD=.126, two tailed t , p = .024). Conclusions: This study provides evidence that PTSD is associated with impaired gating to nonstartle trauma-neutral auditory stimuli. Biol Psychiatry 1999;46:1656–1664
Normal urodynamics in patients with bladder exstrophy: are they achievable?

AbstractPurpose: Urodynamic study was performed in patients with exstrophy to determine the effect of bladder neck reconstruction and the ability to achieve normal urodynamics following surgery.Materials and Methods: A total of 30 exstrophy cases at different stages of reconstruction were retrospectively reviewed in terms of bladder capacity, compliance, stability and presence of detrusor contractions following urodynamic study.Results: Bladder capacity increased from a third predicted volume for age to half after reconstruction. Approximately 80% of patients had compliant and stable bladders before bladder neck reconstruction. Following bladder neck reconstruction approximately half of the patients maintained normal compliance with a smaller number maintaining normal stability. A quarter of patients maintained normal filling dynamics following bladder neck reconstruction, and 19% maintained normal filling and voiding dynamics after reconstruction.Conclusions: The majority of closed exstrophy bladder have...
High-Speed Digital-to-Analog Converter Using Schottky Diode Samplers

A new digital-to-analog converter (DAC) structure employing Schottky diode samplers has been developed for very high-speed operation. Instead of switching used for conventional DACs, sampling of a digital bit stream is employed to retrieve the analog signals based on sampling theory. The sampled signals are added using an R-2R resistive ladder network. The samplers are designed to provide impedance matching for reflected signals. The DAC was fabricated as a hybrid circuit, and it achieved 1 Gs/s. Due to its transmission-line architecture, our design is scalable for use at much higher frequencies, as well as higher resolutions
Personal fables, narcissism, and adolescent adjustment

The relationship among three personal fables (omnipotence, invulnerability, personal uniqueness), narcissism, and mental health variables was assessed in a large, cross-sectional sample of adolescents drawn from Grades 6 (n = 94), 8 (n = 223), 10 (n = 142), and 12 (n = 102). Participants responded to the New Personal Fable Scale, the Narcissistic Personality Inventory, the Children's Depression Inventory, three indices of suicidal ideation, an inventory of delinquent risk behaviors, the Global Self-Worth scales from the Self-Perception Profiles for Children and for Adolescents, and two subscales from the Self-Image Questionnaire for Young Adolescents. The results showed that omnipotence and narcissism strongly counterindicated internalizing symptomatology, and were robust predictors of positive mental health and adjustment. Invulnerability was strongly associated with risk behaviors. Personal uniqueness was strongly associated with depression and suicidal ideation, a relationship that increased with age. Hence, personal fable ideation is a multidimensional construct with differential implications for adolescent mental health. Adolescent fables of invulnerability and personal uniqueness are risk factors for externalizing and internalizing symptoms, respectively, while “narcissistic omnipotence” is associated with competence. Implications for theory, practice, and future research are discussed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 481–491, 2006.
Sex bias in evaluating nontraditional job applicants: reactions to women and men's interrupted college attendance

Two studies indicated that being a nontraditional job applicant due to voluntary interruption of college attendance had detrimental consequences for employment evaluation. These negative reactions were more severe for women than for men. Women with interrupted attendance received the most negative responses (Studies 1 and 2). Choosing to interrupt college attendance increased perceived instability and also positively affected perceived flexibility, and these characterizations were related to evaluative outcomes (Study 2). Moreover, both instability and flexibility characterizations contributed to the gender-discrepant consequences of interrupted college attendance. Female applicants were rated more negatively on flexibility characterizations than were male applicants. Furthermore, although there were no gender differences in ratings of instability, instability ratings were found to negatively impact evaluations of female applicants, but not male applicants.
QoS aware adaptive resource allocation techniques for fair scheduling in OFDMA based broadband wireless access systems

A system based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) has been developed to deliver mobile broadband data service at data rates comparable to those of wired services, such as DSL and cable modems. We consider the resource allocation problem of assigning a set of subcarriers and determining the number of bits to be transmitted for each subcarrier in OFDMA systems. We compare simplicity, fairness and efficiency of our algorithm with the optimal and proposed suboptimal algorithms for varying values of delay spread, number of users and total power constraint. The results show that the performance of our approach is appealing and can be close to optimal. We also consider another resource allocation scheme in which there is no fixed QoS requirements per symbol but capacity is maximized.
A dialogue between naturopathy and critical medical anthropology.

In this commentary, I reflect on the two big ideas that struck me in Baer’s dialogue with his students: the economics of holistic health care practice, and the ideological framing of holistic care by naturopaths having to operate within systems of biomedical dominance. As any colleague of Baer knows, any course taught by him would no doubt assist students in experiencing a shift toward recognizing the benefits of exploring issues of race, ethnicity, gender, class, agency, power differentials, and the ways in which economic frameworks such as capitalism or socialism underpin the development of human illness and wellness. The three students—Cheryl, Rachel, and Greg— all trained naturopaths, acknowledged that the traditional practice of naturopathy places the primary focus on the inherent self-healing capacity of individuals, and historically gives inadequate attention to the cultural and economic forces that shape health, illness, and disease. During the course or in the ensuing dialogue, each student made statements that indicated they were favorably disposed toward CMA’s potential for informing naturopathy. As Greg stated, “CMA can provide naturopathy with a broader and intellectually rigorous framework for viewing the interface of health, society, and culture.” They all expressed regret one way or another that insurance did not reimburse
Investigation of the electronic structure of La1-x(M2+)xCrO3, Cr2O3 and La2O3 by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

The electronic structures of lanthanum chromites, pure and doped with magnesium and strontium, have been studied in comparison with Cr2O3 and La2O3 through the use of X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy. The main peaks and satellites of inner and outer electrons are properly assigned. The band structure of LaCrO3 is determined by using the XPS data and a calculation based on point charge model. The partially filled Cr(3d) band is localized. The conduction is mainly extrinsic. The measured Fermi-level is close to the valence band indicating a low activation energy in agreement with the results of conductivity measurements.
Diagnostic Exercise: Multiple Skin Nodules in a Cat

A 10-year-old, neutered, male, domestic short-haired cat had numerous, small, firm, round, red, nonpruritic, nonpainful, dermal nodules 5-16 mm in diameter that ruptured within 48 hours of their appearance and subsequently crusted over. The masses were located in all regions of the body. One mass was excised from the dorsal right carpus and examined histologically, and 2 masses from the interscapular region were cultured for bacteria. The excised dermal mass from the carpus effaced normal dermal architecture, pressed tightly against the epidermis, and was composed of tightly packed round to polyhedral cells that extended to the deep margins of the sections. The overlying epidermis was extensively ulcerated and vesiculated with intraepidermal nests of cells identical to those in the dermis. There was marked anisokaryosis in the deeper regions of the mass with numerous multinucleated cells and cells with giant bizarre nuclei. The histological appearance and CD18 immunocytochemical staining of this mass are consistent with a diagnosis of feline progressive epitheliotropic dendritic cell histiocytosis.
Anaplastic plasmacytomas: relationships to normal memory B cells and plasma cell neoplasms of immunodeficient and autoimmune mice

Anaplastic plasmacytomas (APCTs) from NFS.V(+) congenic mice and pristane-induced plasmacytic PCTs from BALB/c mice were previously shown to be histologically and molecularly distinct subsets of plasma cell neoplasms (PCNs). Here we extended these comparisons, contrasting primary APCTs and PCTs by gene expression profiling in relation to the expression profiles of normal naive, germinal centre, and memory B cells and plasma cells. We also sequenced immunoglobulin genes from APCT and APCT-derived cell lines and defined surface phenotypes and chromosomal features of the cell lines by flow cytometry and by spectral karyotyping and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The results indicate that APCTs share many features with normal memory cells and the plasma cell-related neoplasms (PLs) of FASL-deficient mice, suggesting that APCTs and PLs are related and that both derive from memory B cells. Published in 2010 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Learning from people, things, and signs

Starting from the observation that small children can count more objects than numbers—a phenomenon that I am calling the “lifeworld dependency of cognition”—and an analysis of finger calculation, the paper shows how learning can be explained as the development of cognitive systems. Parts of those systems are not only an individual’s different forms of knowledge and cognitive abilities, but also other people, things, and signs. The paper argues that cognitive systems are first of all semiotic systems since they are dependent on signs and representations as mediators. The two main questions discussed here are how the external world constrains and promotes the development of cognitive abilities, and how we can move from cognitive abilities that are necessarily connected with concrete situations to abstract knowledge.
Genetic determinants of homocysteine thiolactonase activity in humans: Implications for atherosclerosis

A metabolite of homocysteine (Hcy), the thioester Hcy thiolactone, damages proteins by modifying their lysine residues which may underlie Hcy-associated cardiovascular disease in humans. A protein component of high density lipoprotein, Hcy thiolactonase (HTase) hydrolyzes thiolactone to Hcy. Thiolactonase is a product of the polymorphic PON1 gene, also involved in detoxification of organophospates and implicated in cardiovascular disease. Polymorphism in PON1 affects the detoxifying activity of PON1 in a substrate-dependent manner. However, how PON1 polymorphism affects HTase activity is unknown. Here we report a strong association between the thiolactonase activity and PON1 genotype in human populations. High thiolactonase activity was associated with L55 and R192 alleles, more frequent in blacks than in whites. Low thiolactonase activity was associated with M55 and Q192 alleles, more frequent in whites than in blacks. High thiolactonase activity afforded better protection against protein homocysteinylation than low thiolactonase activity. These results suggest that variations in HTase may play a role in Hcy-associated cardiovascular disease.
A first tutorial on dataspaces

Dataspace systems offer services on data without requiring upfront semantic integration. In sharp contrast with existing information-integration systems, dataspaces systems offer best-effort answers even before semantic mappings are provided to the system. Dataspaces offer a pay-as-you-go approach to data management. Users (or administrators) of the system decide where and when it is worthwhile to invest more effort in identifying semantic relationships. As such, dataspaces offer services on the data in place, without losing the context surrounding the data.
Dehydroepiandrosterone Affects the Expression of Multiple Genes in Rat Liver Including 11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1: A cDNA Array Analysis

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is a C-19 adrenal steroid precursor to the gonadal steroids. In humans, circulating levels of DHEA, as its sulfated conjugate, are high at puberty and throughout early adulthood but decline with age. Dietary supplementation to maintain high levels of DHEA purportedly has beneficial effects on cognitive memory, the immune system, and fat and carbohydrate metabolism. In rodents, DHEA is a peroxisome proliferator that induces genes for the classical peroxisomal and microsomal enzymes associated with this response. These effects are mediated through activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPAR alpha). However, DHEA can affect the expression of genes independently of PPAR alpha, including the gene for the major inducible drug and xenobiotic metabolizing enzyme, cytochrome P450 3A23. To elucidate the biochemistry associated with DHEA treatment, we employed a cDNA gene expression array using liver RNA from rats treated with DHEA or the classic peroxisome proliferator nafenopin. Principal components analysis identified 30 to 35 genes whose expression was affected by DHEA and/or nafenopin. Some were genes previously identified as PPAR-responsive genes. Changes in expression of several affected genes were verified by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction. These included aquaporin 3, which was induced by DHEA and to a lesser extent nafenopin, nuclear tyrosine phosphatase, which was induced by both agents, and 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1, which was decreased by treatment with DHEA in a dose-dependent fashion. Regulation of 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 expression is important since the enzyme is believed to amplify local glucocorticoid signaling, and its repression may cause some of the metabolic effects associated with DHEA.
The relative contributions of HAART and alpha-interferon for therapy of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in AIDS

To explore the respective roles of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and alpha-interferon in improving survival of patients with AIDS-related PML, we retrospectively analyzed all patients with AIDS and PML who were referred to Johns Hopkins University HIV Neurology Program from 1985 to 2000. For 97 evaluable patients, we compared survival of those who were on HAART (three or more antiretroviral drugs) to those who were not on HAART. The effect of alpha-interferon was also studied. Multivariate analysis showed no difference in survival among patients on none, one, or two forms of antiretrovirals; however, survival was significantly greater for those on HAART. Whereas alpha-interferon use was shown to be associated with longer survival (P < 0.057), this effect was not independent of the effects of HAART. HAART significantly increases survival for patients with PML and AIDS; however, alpha-interferon does not appear to provide additional benefit.
Effects of halothane, caffeine, dantrolene and tetracaine on the calcium permeability of skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum of malignant hyperthermic pigs.

Abstract Preparing skeletal sarcoplasmic reticulum from both normal and malignant hyperthermia susceptible pigs, the effects of various drugs on the passive calcium permeability of these sarcoplasmic reticulum preparations were studied. It was found that, in the absence of halothane, the permeability of heavy sarcoplasmic reticulum prepared from malignant hyperthermia susceptible pigs was much higher than that of normal pigs. It was observed that halothane, at concentrations above 10 μM (well below anesthetic concentrations, which are on the order of 1 mM), increased the permeability of sarcoplasmic reticulum. The Hill coefficient of the effect of halothane ranged from 1.96 to 2.25, suggesting that some kind of cooperativity was involved in this reaction. The effects of caffeine were similar to those of halothane. Inhibitors, such as tetracaine and ruthenium red inhibited both the calcium permeability and the halothane-induced increment. The Hill coefficient of the effect of tetracaine was 1.75. The mode of inhibition suggests that tetracaine directly binds with the calcium channel to inhibit the calcium efflux. On the contrary, dantrolene did not affect the calcium permeability of the sarcoplasmic reticulum. However, it inhibited the halothane-induced and caffeine-induced increments of the permeability. The Hill coefficient of inhibition by dantrolene ranged from 2.3 to 3.9, suggesting that several molecules of dantrolene may interact cooperatively with one calcium release channel to inhibit the effect of halothane. These results suggest that dantrolene has a unique inhibitory action, which may be related to its efficacy in ameliorating the syndrome of malignant hyperthermia.
Insulin-induced myosin light-chain phosphorylation during receptor capping in IM-9 human B-lymphoblasts

We have examined further the interaction between insulin surface receptors and the cytoskeleton of IM-9 human lymphoblasts. Using immunocytochemical techniques, we determined that actin, myosin, calmodulin and myosin light-chain kinase (MLCK) are all accumulated directly underneath insulin-receptor caps. In addition, we have now established that the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ (as measured by fura-2 fluorescence) increases just before insulin-induced receptor capping. Most importantly, we found that the binding of insulin to its receptor induces phosphorylation of myosin light chain in vivo. Furthermore, a number of drugs known to abolish the activation properties of calmodulin, such as trifluoperazine (TFP) or W-7, strongly inhibit insulin-receptor capping and myosin light-chain phosphorylation. These data imply that an actomyosin cytoskeletal contraction, regulated by Ca2+/calmodulin and MLCK, is involved in insulin-receptor capping. Biochemical analysis in vitro has revealed that IM-9 insulin receptors are physically associated with actin and myosin; and most interestingly, the binding of insulin-receptor/cytoskeletal complex significantly enhances the phosphorylation of the 20 kDa myosin light chain. This insulin-induced phosphorylation is inhibited by calmodulin antagonists (e.g. TFP and W-7), suggesting that the phosphorylation is catalysed by MLCK. Together, these results strongly suggest that MLCK-mediated myosin light-chain phosphorylation plays an important role in regulating the membrane-associated actomyosin contraction required for the collection of insulin receptors into caps.
Water and Electrolyte Transport by Pig Chorioallantois

Developing pig embryos enter the uterus on Day 3 of pregnancy (day of onset of estrus and mating = Day 0) and undergo hatching from the zona pellucida on about Day 7. By about Day 10.5 to 11.5 the blastocysts achieve a diameter of 5–12 mm and appear as fluid-filled spheres. It is assumed that these expanded spherical pig blastocysts actively accumulate water as described for those of rabbits (Biggers and Borland, 1976; see Benos and Biggers, this volume) and mice (DiZio and Tasca, 1974); however, direct evidence for the mechanism(s) of fluid accumulation in pig blastocysts is not available.
Variational properties of the kinetic solutions of scalar conservation laws

We discuss properties of kinetic solutions of scalar conservation laws in the variational approach developed by Eu. Panov and Y. Brenier. Our main result shows that such solutions can be considered as curves in a suitable Hilbert space with tangents that are unique minimizers of an interaction functional.
SPECTROSCOPY OF SOME LOW-LYING STATES IN $sup 69$Zn.

The analog resonances of some low-lying states of $^{69}\mathrm{Zn}$ have been investigated using the triple-angular-correlation geometry of Goldfarb and Seyler for the reaction $^{68}\mathrm{Zn}(p,{p}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}\ensuremath{\gamma})\ensuremath{-}^{68}\mathrm{Zn}^{*}$ (1.08 MeV). Excitation functions for elastic and inelastic protons (${0}^{+}$, ground state; ${2}^{+}$, 1.08 MeV; ${0}^{+}$, 1.66 MeV; ${2}^{+}$, 1.88 MeV) have been measured at 90, 120, 130, and 160\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}. The following spin and parity assignments have been made for the states in $^{69}\mathrm{Zn}$: 0.835 MeV, ${\frac{3}{2}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$; 0.872 MeV, ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}$, 1.634 MeV, ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}$; 1.696 MeV, ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$; 2.262 MeV, ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$; 2.403 MeV, ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}$; 2.554 MeV, ${\frac{5}{2}}^{+}$; and 2.669 MeV, ${\mathrm{\textonehalf{}}}^{+}$.
Neurochemostat: A Neural Interface SoC With Integrated Chemometrics for Closed-Loop Regulation of Brain Dopamine

This paper presents a $3.3\times 3.2\ {\rm mm}^{2}$ system-on-chip (SoC) fabricated in AMS 0.35 $\mu{\rm m}$ 2P/4M CMOS for closed-loop regulation of brain dopamine. The SoC uniquely integrates neurochemical sensing, on-the-fly chemometrics, and feedback-controlled electrical stimulation to realize a “neurochemostat” by maintaining brain levels of electrically evoked dopamine between two user-set thresholds. The SoC incorporates a 90 $\mu{\rm W}$ , custom-designed, digital signal processing (DSP) unit for real-time processing of neurochemical data obtained by 400 V/s fast-scan cyclic voltammetry (FSCV) with a carbon-fiber microelectrode (CFM). Specifically, the DSP unit executes a chemometrics algorithm based upon principal component regression (PCR) to resolve in real time electrically evoked brain dopamine levels from pH change and CFM background-current drift, two common interferents encountered using FSCV with a CFM in vivo. Further, the DSP unit directly links the chemically resolved dopamine levels to the activation of the electrical microstimulator in on-off-keying (OOK) fashion. Measured results from benchtop testing, flow injection analysis (FIA), and biological experiments with an anesthetized rat are presented.
Bilateral choroidal tumors consistent with metastatic malignant paraganglioma.

PURPOSE To report a patient with bilateral choroidal metastasis from a malignant paraganglioma. METHODS Clinicopathologic case report and literature review. RESULTS A 68-year-old woman presented with bilateral amelanotic focal choroidal lesions. A thorough systemic work-up for a primary cancer revealed a paraganglioma (extraadrenal pheochromocytoma) and a pheochromocytoma of the left adrenal gland. Fine-needle aspiration biopsy of the choroidal lesion was consistent with metastatic paraganglioma. CONCLUSION Metastatic paraganglioma, although rare, has the ability to metastasize to the choroid.
Response: Commentary: Why sprint interval training is inappropriate for a largely sedentary population.

We have read Hardcastle et al. (2014) commentary questioning practicality of sprint interval training (SIT) in untrained populations. We have identified key areas which were previously overlooked (Del Vecchio et al., 2015; Jung et al., 2016) which may augment this discussion concerning feasibility of SIT.
Hodgkin's disease and tonsillectomy.

Although a number of reports emerged between 1971 and 1980 suggesting an association between Hodgkin’s disease and prior tonsillectomy, critical review of this literature clearly fails to demonstrate a cause-and-effect relationship. Tonsillectomy and Hodgkin’s disease may be coincidentally epidemiologically related because of a common association with the higher socioeconomic class. Similarly, to date experimental evidence fails to suggest a rationale for their association. An otolaryngologist’s indications for performing tonsillectomy should not be affected by a fear of increasing the chances of the subsequent development of malignancy.
Dubliners’ IOU: Joyce’s Aesthetics of Exchange

In a letter to the publisher William Heinemann in 1905, Joyce writes that the book of stories he’s working on “is not a collection of tourist impressions but an attempt to represent certain aspects of the life of one of the European capitals.”1 In his “intention to write a moral history of [his] country” in what became Dubliners, Joyce employed a style of “scrupulous meanness,” a nastily objective reflection of mostly lower-middle class Dubliners geared toward morally corrective satire. At the same time, though, the stories deploy an intense material and linguistic reserve: they reduce characters to the barest of material agency and withhold seemingly crucial details from readers according to the logic of the gnomon, a parallelogram with a part missing. That reserved narrative economy signals a modernism that had no truck with impressionism’s speculative epistemology.
Initiating events, functional remediation, and assessment of risk to ecological resources

Abstract The United States faces a massive task to clean up legacy nuclear, chemical, and structural wastes remaining from the Cold War, and industrial and hazardous wastes, as well as the decommissioning and spent nuclear fuel removal of numerous commercial nuclear facilities nearing the end of useful life. Many sites are on or adjacent to open spaces or waterbodies of varying ecologic quality and utility. Assessing the risks to ecological resources is thus a challenging task that usually involves consideration of the direct risk to these receptors from the ongoing exposure to the contamination before remediation. Here we address impacts during and after remediation. Different remediation types and activities (digging and removal, containment/capping, decommissioning/demolition, pump and treat, in situ treatment), as well as transportation and ultimate disposition can have direct ecological effects including disruption, displacement and death to plants and animals on the remediation site and on surrounding areas. For each type of remediation, two aspects require consideration: the functional aspects of remediation (how many and what types of people, cars, trucks, hoses, heavy equipment, drilling rigs are on the remediation site), and initiating events that can interact with remediation causing harm to ecologic receptors. In this paper we 1) describe initiating events and functional remediation, 2) provide a conceptualization of interactions between them, and 3) examine the types of effects that result from natural and anthropogenic stressors due to the interactions between functional remediation and initiating events. Initiating events are low probability, high consequence events, including “natural” disasters (e.g. earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, fires) and anthropogenic (building collapses, structural failures) events, that start or cause a response in species or ecosystems. Functional remediation includes the elements of remediation that occur in combination under different remediation types. Interactions between the two may be overlooked when determining the factors to consider in developing bioindicators, assessment tools, and monitoring plans to protect human and ecological health. Each can exacerbate the ecological impacts of the other. We use the Hanford Site in Washington State as a case study, but the principles are broadly applicable.
Suspicious breast calcifications undergoing stereotactic biopsy in women ages 70 and over: Breast cancer incidence by BI-RADS descriptors

To determine the malignancy rate overall and for specific BI-RADS descriptors in women ≥70 years who undergo stereotactic biopsy for calcifications. We retrospectively reviewed 14,577 consecutive mammogram reports in 6839 women ≥70 years to collect 231 stereotactic biopsies of calcifications in 215 women. Cases with missing images or histopathology and calcifications associated with masses, distortion, or asymmetries were excluded. Three breast radiologists determined BI-RADS descriptors by majority. Histology, hormone receptor status, and lymph node status were correlated with BI-RADS descriptors. There were 131 (57 %) benign, 22 (10 %) atypia/lobular carcinomas in situ, 55 (24 %) ductal carcinomas in situ (DCIS), and 23 (10 %) invasive diagnoses. Twenty-seven (51 %) DCIS cases were high-grade. Five (22 %) invasive cases were high-grade, two (9 %) were triple-negative, and three (12 %) were node-positive. Malignancy was found in 49 % (50/103) of fine pleomorphic, 50 % (14/28) of fine linear, 25 % (10/40) of amorphous, 20 % (3/15) of round, 3 % (1/36) of coarse heterogeneous, and 0 % (0/9) of dystrophic calcifications. Among women ≥70 years that underwent stereotactic biopsy for calcifications only, we observed a high rate of malignancy. Additionally, coarse heterogeneous calcifications may warrant a probable benign designation. • Cancer rates of biopsied calcifications in women ≥70 years are high • Radiologists should not dismiss suspicious calcifications in older women • Coarse heterogeneous calcifications may warrant a probable benign designation