cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Reduced BPTI is collapsed. A pulsed field gradient NMR study of unfolded and partially folded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor

Pulsed field gradient NMR was used to measure the hydrodynamic behavior of unfolded variants of bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor (BPTI). The unfolded BPTI species studied were [R]Abu, at pH 4.5 and pH 2.5, and unfolded [14-38]Abu, at pH 2.5. These were prepared by chemical synthesis. [R]Abu is a model for reduced BPTI; all cysteine residues are replaced by alpha-amino-n-butyric acid (Abu). [14-38]Abu retains cysteines 14 and 38, which form a disulfide bond, while the other cysteine residues are replaced by Abu. In the PFG experiments, the diffusion coefficient is measured as a function of protein concentration, and the value of D degree -the diffusion coefficient extrapolated to infinite dilution-is determined. From D degree, a value of the hydrodynamic radius. Rh, is computed from the Stokes-Einstein relationship. At pH 4.5, [R]Abu has an Rh value significantly less than the value calculated for a random coil, while at pH 2.5 the experimental Rh value is the same as for a random coil. In view of the changes in NMR detected structure of [R]Abu at pH 4.5 versus pH 2.5 (Pan H, Barbar E, Barany G, Woodward C. 1995. Extensive non-random structure in reduced and unfolded bovine pancreatic trypsin inhibitor. Biochemistry 34:13974-13981), the collapse of reduced BPTI at pH 4.5 may be associated with the formation of non-native hydrophobic clusters of pairs of side chains one to three amino acids apart in sequence. The diffusion constant of [14-38]Abu was also measured at pH 4.5, where the protein is partially folded. An increase in hydrodynamic radius of partially folded [14-38]Abu, relative to native BPTI, is similar to the increase in radius of gyration measured for other proteins under "molten globule" conditions.
Avoiding the Ethnicity Trap

In his rightly influential Citizenship and Nationhood in France and Germany (Harvard University Press, 1992), Rogers Brubaker treated identity as a class of cultural idioms that people deploy in thinking and talking about themselves and their relations to others. His vivid comparison of French and German approaches to the connection between citizenship and nationhood left little doubt that contrasting histories had institutionalized very different idioms, practices, and legal traditions in the two countries. The distinction between (German) jus sanguinis and (French) jus soli almost instantly became a standard way of illustrating the contrast between what earlier analysts had more loosely called "ethnic" and "civic" nationalism. Nationhood, in this context, was then "a manner of thinking and talking about cultural and political belonging at the level of the nation-state" (Citizenship and Nationhood, p. 162). Although that book said little about ethnicity as such, it argued forcefully that German ethnic consciousness had long preceded formation of the German state, while French rulers generally assumed that anyone who made the effort could become French. Very different laws of citizenship emerged from the two contrasting approaches to nationhood. States could choose the extent to which, and the ways in which, ethnicity became part of citizenship's very definition. Over the following decade, Brubaker began to see the risks of leaving the problem there. On one side, ethnic primordialists such as Anthony Smith were arguing that only long experiences of shared living and mutual understanding could form genuine ethnic groups, but once they existed,
Infrared and Raman spectra, conformational stability, barriers to internal rotation, vibrational assignment, and ab initio calculations for methyl vinyl sulfide☆

Abstract The infrared and Raman spectra (3500-40 cm−1) of gaseous and solid methyl-d3 vinyl sulfide, CH2CHSCD3, have been recorded. Additionally, the Raman spectrum (3500-80 cm−1) of the liquid has been recorded and qualitative depolarization values were obtained. A comparison of the spectra for the fluid phases to that for the solid clearly shows the presence of two conformers in the fluid phases at ambient temperature. From the temperature study of the Raman spectrum of gaseous CH2CHSCH3, the enthalpy difference between the low energy cis conformer and the high energy gauche conformer was determined to be 750 ± 68 cm−1 (2.14 ± 0.19 kcal/mol). The far infrared spectra of both gaseous CH2CHSCH3 and CH2CHSCD3 have been recorded at a resolution of 0.1 cm−1 and the fundamentals and several ‘hot bands’ of both the methyl and asymmetric torsions have been assigned. From these data the parameters for the potential function governing the asymmetric torsion were found (in cm−1) to be: V1 = 262 ± 9 (0.75 ± 0.03 kcal/mol), V2 = 866 ± 16 (2.47 ± 0.05 kcal/mol), V3 = 1028 ± 7 (2.94 ± 0.02 kcal/mol), and V6 = −39 ± 5 (0.11 ± 0.02 kcal/mol). The cis/gauche, gauche/gauche, and gauche/cis barriers (in cm−1) are 1803 (5.15 kcal/mol), 509 (1.45 kcal/mol), and 1022 (2.92 kcal/mol), respectively. The barrier to internal rotation of the methyl group for the -d3 compound in the gas phase for the cis conformation is 1361 ± 4 cm−1 (3.89 ± 0.01 kcal/mol) and for the solid phase it is 1489 cm−1 (4.26 kcal/mol). These results are compared to the corresponding quantities of some similar molecules.
Alteration in prehospital drug concentration after thermal exposure

Abstract Objective The aim of the study was to determine the remaining concentration of 23 commonly carried emergency medical services medications used in the United States after they have experienced thermal extremes that have been documented in the prehospital environment for a period of 1 month. Methods Pharmaceuticals were thermally cycled (−6°C and 54°C) every 12 hours and then assayed by high-performance liquid chromatography. Results Eight (35%) of 23 prehospital pharmaceuticals revealed ending concentrations of less than 90% with strong correlation to thermal exposure time. These included lidocaine, diltiazem, dopamine, nitroglycerin, ipratropium, succinylcholine, haloperidol, and naloxone. Conclusion A decrease in concentration was found to be statistically significant in 8 (35%) of 23 commonly carried emergency medical services pharmaceuticals. These results provide new information and perspective regarding stability of emergency drugs in the prehospital environment by evaluating a broad range of pharmaceuticals as well as by using thermal exposure points that have been documented in the United States.
By Their Tests We Will Know Them.

An examination of the tests clinicians use can expose the clinicians’ beliefs. Their definition of a construct should be evident in the description of the test they use to measure the construct. Fu...
The lens as an osmometer and the effects of medium osmolarity on water transport, 86Rb efflux and 86Rb transport by the lens

The transport of water into or out of the lens was regulated by the osmotic gradients between lens and incubation media. Rabbit lenses incubated in hyposmotic Tyrode's media gained water while water losses were found in lenses in incubated in hyperosmotic Tyrode's media. Concomitant decreases or increases of intralenticular osmolarities to equilibrate the osmolarity of the bathing fluid were found in lenses incubated in the anisotonic media. The water gains or losses from lenses, induced by osmolarity changes, were reversible. Within the 238–368-mosM range of media osmolarities, the lens behaved as a “perfect osmometer”. Minimals lens swelling resulted in hydropic changes in lens epithelium cells and in lens fibers. Additional overhydration led to fluid collection in the interfibrillar space. The rate of 86Rb efflux from the lens increased in swollen lenses proportionally to the degree of hydration. The net transport of 86Rb into the lens was increased (+8, +18%) in minimally swollen lenses and markedly decreased (−50%) in lenses incubated in media −260 mosM hypotonic to the lens. The water permeability coefficient (k) of lens was 0.4 μ·min−1·atm−1, a value smaller than the k of erythrocytes, of similar magnitude to the k of leukocytes and slightly higher than the k of marine invertebrate eggs.
Excisional biopsy of suspected benign soft tissue tumors of the upper extremity: correlation between preoperative diagnosis and actual pathology.

Background Tumors of the upper extremity are common and mostly benign. However, the prevalence of discordant diagnosis of a solid hand tumor is less studied. The objectives of this retrospective study were (1) to determine the proportion of patients with a different (discrepant or discordant) pathological diagnosis compared to the preoperative diagnosis, (2) to determine the prevalence of the types of pathologies encountered at excisional biopsy for suspected benign tumors, and (3) to determine the types of tumors diagnosed when the surgeon does not make a preoperative diagnosis.
Interpreting pulsed-gradient spin-echo diffusion experiments in polydisperse specimens

Abstract Pulsed-gradient spin-echo diffusion measurements show the effects of even small molecular weight distributions provided that the echo attenuation is measured over a large range. Computer methods to test models of such polydispersity behavior and to extract diffusion coefficients from the data are described.
The Neuropsychiatric Effects of Aspartame in Normal Volunteers

Ten healthy volunteers with no history of aspartame intolerance (6 men and 4 women, aged 21-36 years) received a single dose of aspartame (15 mg/kg body weight in capsules) or matching placebo in a randomized, double-blind crossover study. Eleven blood samples collected over 24 hours were analyzed for plasma glucose and amino acid concentrations. The following variables were evaluated at 1, 2, 4, 8, and 24 hours post-dosage: changes in mood measured on visual analog scales, cognitive function determined by digit-symbol substitution test (DSST) and arithmetic test scores, and reaction time measured with a brake-pedal reaction timer. Memory was tested at 2 and 24 hours after dosage based on recall of standardized 16-item word lists. No significant differences between aspartame and placebo were found in measures of sedation, hunger, headache, reaction-time, cognition, or memory at any time during the study. Plasma phenylalanine levels were significantly higher following aspartame (P less than .01) than with placebo between 1 and 6 hours postdosage, reaching a maximum difference of +3.36 mumols/dl at 2 hours. Plasma glucose concentrations were not significantly different between aspartame and placebo. The results of this study suggest that following a single 15 mg/kg dose of aspartame, no detectable effects are observed in a group of healthy volunteers with no history of aspartame intolerance, despite significant increases in plasma phenylalanine concentrations.
Role of regulatory T cell populations in controlling graft vs host disease.

Immune function is critical in health and disease. The control and regulation of immune reactions is an area of intense investigation that has important implications for allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Immune reactions are regulated in a number of important ways. Compartmentalization of immune responses and the production of both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines play a major role. More recently several populations of T cells that regulate immune responses termed regulatory T cells have been identified. This manuscript will focus on CD4 + CD25 + FoxP3 + natural regulatory T cells (T reg ) and αβTCR + CD4 + NK1.1 + natural killer T (NK-T) cells which both suppress graft vs host disease but appear to function by distinct mechanisms.
New Jersey Acts on Energy and Climate Change [Living with Technology]

An unusual aspect of this conference was its focus on state-level energy and climate policies. The lack of federal leadership on these issues within the U.S.A. has opened a window of opportunity at the state level for policy entrepreneurs. California acted in 2005 with an executive order establishing greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, ratified in 2006 by the state legislature. New Jersey acted in 2007, helped along by the fact-finding, target-setting effort leading to this conference. The thoughtful discussions and careful analysis that played out during 2006 and early 2007 played a role in giving policymakers and stake holders the confidence to act decisively. Thus, by February 2007, New Jersey's governor had penned an executive order setting two greenhouse gas targets: reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and reduce emissions to 80% below current levels by 2050.
Cascade Amplification Characteristics of Off-Axis Anode/SE Detector Configurations in Low Vacuum SEM

Reference EPFL-ARTICLE-218173 URL: http://journals.cambridge.org/abstract_S1431927607078427 Record created on 2016-04-22, modified on 2016-08-09
Gonadotropin stimulation of in vitro progesterone production in reptilian and amphibian ovaries.

Department of Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720 Accepted October 16, 1975 The gonadotropic stimulation of progesterone production in vitro by preovulatory ovarian tissues from a chelonian reptile (Chelydra serpenfino), crocodilian (Caiman sclerops), urodele amphibian. (Ambystoma rigrinum) and anuran amphibian (Rana caresbeiana) was examined with a variety of mammalian and nonmammalian hormones, with emphasis on the homologous FSH and LH. In the turtle ovary. ovine (NIH) FSH was the most potent hormone while NIH-LH was relatively inactive. However, both FSH and LH from a turtle (Chelonia mydas) and crocodilian (Alligaror mississipiensis) were effective; the two reptilian LHs appeared more potent than the FSHs. Similarly, both FSH and LH from the alligator and sheep effectively stimulated progesterone production by the Caiman ovary; in this case, ANigator-LH was the most potent steroidogenically. Results with postovulatory follicles and corpora lutea from the snapping turtle (Chelydra) were similar to those for preovulatory tissues. FSH from sheep and Chelydra were more potent than the respective LHs. Ovine LH was especially inactive in these tissues, but the homologous LH stimulated significant progesterone production. In contrast, only LH (ovine and amphibian were tested) stimulated progesterone release from the two amphibian ovaries. Rana-LH was more potent than ovine LH in Rana. In Ambystoma, both progesterone secretion and ovulation were observed over a wide range of doses of homologous LH, but FSH was inactive in both regards. Ovulation was inhibited while progesterone was maximal at the highest doses of LH. These comparative data suggest that the “primitive” tetrapod condition involved a relatively high specificity for LH for the control of ovarian progesterone production. This LH-specificity was apparently lost during early reptilian radiation, at least by the time that the captorhinids diverged into the extant orders. Since FSHs from diverse species are active in reptiles (and reptilian LHs but not FSHs are active in amphibians), the sensitivity to FSH in the reptilian ovary is viewed as being due to an alteration in gonadal receptors rather than to a structural change in the reptilian FSH molecule.
Virtual reality game-based therapy for treatment of postural and co-ordination abnormalities secondary to TBI: A pilot study

AbstractPrimary objective: The study objective was to test the efficacy of game-based virtual reality (VR) therapy as a mean of correcting postural and co-ordination abnormalities in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI). Therapy was done with interactive customized VR games and scenarios, utilizing an Xbox Kinect sensor.Research design: The study was a pilot project using the structure of a phase II clinical trial.Methods and procedures: Fifteen participants with mild-to-moderate chronic TBI-related balance and motor co-ordination impairments participated in 15 sessions, each lasting ∼50–55 minutes, scheduled 2–3 times a week over 5–6 consecutive weeks. Participants were evaluated at baseline, immediately after the final session and in a 1-month follow-up with a battery of clinical tests (measuring postural stability, gait and co-ordination) and movement performance parameters. Movement parameters included arm–leg co-ordination, dynamic stability and arm precision, calculated from kinematic data ...
Symmetry-Breaking in Bifurcations of Optimal Solutions for Coordinated Nonholonomic Robotic Control

This paper considers optimal control of a system of nonholonomic robots. Control effort and deviation from a desired formation are minimized for the system of robots traveling between specified initial and final configurations, with a bifurcation parameter which is the relative weighting assigned to the control effort versus the formation constraint. The main contribution of this paper is an extension of our previous work which considered the nature of multiple solutions to a holonomic optimal control problem for a distributed system. An important aspect of the previous work was that symmetries in the holonomic system guaranteed symmetries in the bifurcations of the solutions to the optimization problem. In the current work, a system of relatively simple nonholonomic robots break the symmetry in the system, which results in symmetry-breaking in the bifurcations.
Accurate wave-number measurements of uranium spectral lines

Wave-number measurements were made on 10 uranium and 2 thorium transitions using the optogalvanic effect in a hollow-cathode discharge to position a single-frequency, cw dye laser to the peak of a transition. The wave number of the dye laser was measured by comparing it with the wave number of an iodine-stabilized He–Ne laser. The accuracy of the wave-number measurements was ±0.0006 cm−1. The data agree within ±0.002 cm−1 with previously reported uranium and thorium measurements whose estimated accuracy was ±0.003 cm−1.
Synthesis and Characterization of Biphasic Liquid Crystalline Polysiloxanes Containing 4-Undecanyloxy-4'-Cyanobiphenyl Side-Groups.

The synthesis and characterization of liquid crystalline polysiloxanes and copolysiloxanes containing 4-undecanyloxy-4′-cyanobiphenyl side-groups is presented. The polysiloxane presents a single glass transition temperature followed by a Sc and a SA mesophase. Copolysiloxanes presenting around 50% weight fraction of side-groups exhibit two glass transition temperatures i.e., one due to the independent motion of the main chain and the other due to the cooperative but independent motion of the side groups, and in addition to the Sc and SA phases exhibited by the homopolymer, present also side-chain crystallization.
Social capital in QQ China: Impacts on virtual engagement of information seeking, interaction sharing, knowledge creating, and purchasing intention

Abstract Grounded in 485 million active user accounts of instant messaging (IM), QQ China features online channels which serve to generate social capital resources and accordingly encourage digital consumers’ engagement. Given the embedded economic potential from QQ's popularity, this study aims to (1) to identify the dimensionality of virtual engagements, and (2) to investigate the impacts of social capital identification on the virtual engagement dimensions (i.e. information seeking, interaction sharing and knowledge creating, and purchasing intention). Results from an analysis of data (n = 216) from China reveal significant impacts of social capital identification on all virtual engagements, while they do not indicate a relationship from knowledge creating to purchasing intention. However, social capital identification directly leads to purchasing intention, which implies the economic potential of QQ's businesses model. Understanding digital consumers’ use of QQ offers a perspective on how companies ca...
Urinary incontinence: its assessment and relationship to depression among community-dwelling multiethnic older women.

Urinary Incontinence (UI) affects many older adults. Some of its deleterious consequences include stress, major depression, diminished quality of life, sexual dysfunction, and familial discord. Of the various mental health problems identified in the literature as being comorbid with UI, the most notable one continues to be depression. Despite a wealth of research contributions on this topic, the available literature is underrepresentative of ethnic minority older women. Culture has been shown to have a significant impact on a woman’s perception of her own UI symptoms; this demonstrates the necessity for the recruitment of ethnically and culturally diverse samples when studying UI. In the present study, we determined the prevalence of UI among 140 community-dwelling, ethnically diverse older women (28.2%), discovered that our new UI screener is reliable, and did not find the UI-depression link to be significant. The clinical and research implications of our findings are discussed.
Nuclear localization of 68 kDa calmodulin‐binding protein is associated with the onset of DNA replication

In Chinese hamster embryo fibroblast cells, an increase in intracellular calmodulin levels coincided with the nuclear localization of a calmodulin-binding protein of about 68 kDa as the cells progressed from G1 to S phase. When cells were limited from entering into S phase, by omitting insulin a defined medium, intracellular CaM levels did not increase and the 68 kDa calmodulin-binding protein was completely absent from the nuclei. Corresponding to the nuclear localization of calmodulin and the 68 kDa calmodulin-binding protein in S phase cells, there was a dramatic increase in DNA polymerase and thymidine kinase activities in the nuclei of S phase cells as compared to G1 phase cells. In addition, the 68 kDa calmodulin-binding protein, along with calmodulin, is observed to be an integral component of replitase complex responsible for nuclear DNA replication in S phase cells. These observations point to the association of calmodulin and calmodulin-binding protein(s) with the replication machinery responsible for nuclear DNA replication during S phase. A possible regulatory role of these proteins in the onset of DNA replication and cell proliferation is discussed.
Variables Influencing the Presence of Subyearling Fall Chinook Salmon in Shoreline Habitats of the Hanford Reach, Columbia River

Abstract Little information currently exists on habitat use by subyearling fall Chinook salmon Oncorhynchus tshawytscha rearing in large, main-stem habitats. We collected habitat use information on subyearlings in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River during May 1994 and April–May 1995 using point abundance electrofishing. We analyzed measures of physical habitat using logistic regression to predict fish presence and absence in shoreline habitats. The difference between water temperature at the point of sampling and in the main river channel was the most important variable for predicting the presence and absence of subyearlings. Mean water velocities of 45 cm/s or less and habitats with low lateral bank slopes were also associated with a greater likelihood of subyearling presence. Intermediate-sized gravel and cobble substrates were significant predictors of fish presence, but small ( 256-mm) substrates were not. Our rearing model was accurate at predicting fish presence and a...
Nonischemic Myocardial Acidosis Adversely Affects Microvascular and Myocardial Function and Triggers Apoptosis During Cardioplegia

Objectives We investigated whether the degree of nonischemic myocardial acidosis during a period of cardioplegic arrest differentially affects the recovery of microvascular/left ventricular function, the profile of Bcl2-family protein expression, and the occurrence of apoptosis. Methods Isolated hearts from donor rabbits were perfused with oxygenated diluted blood on a modified Langendorff apparatus. The hearts were arrested for 60 minutes with cold (15 degrees C +/- 0.5 degrees C) diluted-blood cardioplegic solution (hematocrit: 18%-25%) administered continuously under nonischemic conditions (flow rate; 10 mL/min). The myocardial pH was adjusted and measured continuously with a glass electrode system. Myocardial pH was maintained at 7.2, 6.5, or 6.2, respectively (n = 6 per group) during 60 minutes of arrest. Hearts were then reperfused for 120 minutes with oxygenated diluted blood. Results Recovery of left ventricular and microvascular endothelial function was better with a myocardial pH of 7.2 than with a pH of 6.5 or 6.2 (P Conclusion Severe acidosis during cardioplegic arrest, independent of ischemia, adversely affects recovery of microvascular and left ventricular function and increases indices of apoptosis. This effect on apoptosis may influence long-term outcome after cardiac surgery.
E‐Government and the Transformation of Service Delivery and Citizen Attitudes

The impact of new technology on public-sector service delivery and citizens' attitudes about government has long been debated by political observers. This article assesses the consequences ofe-government for service delivery, democratic responsiveness, and public attitudes over the last three years. Research examines the content of e-government to investigate whether it is taking advantage of the interactive features of the World Wide Web to improve service delivery, democratic responsiveness, and public outreach. In addition, a national public opinion survey examines the ability of e-government to influence citizens' views about government and their confidence in the effectiveness of service delivery. Using both Web site content as well as public assessments, I argue that, in some respects, the e-government revolution has fallen short of its potential to transform service delivery and public trust in government. It does, however, have the possibility of enhancing democratic responsiveness and boosting beliefs that government is effective.
Force spectroscopy of hepatocytic extracellular matrix components

We present atomic force microscopy and force spectroscopy data of live hepatocytes (HEPG2/C3A liver cell line) grown in Eagle's Minimum Essential Medium, a complex solution of salts and amino acids commonly used for cell culture. Contact-mode imaging and force spectroscopy of this system allowed correlation of cell morphology and extracellular matrix (ECM) properties with substrate properties. Force spectroscopy analysis of cellular "footprints" indicated that the cells secrete large polymers (e.g., 3.5mum contour length and estimated MW 1000kDa) onto their substrate surface. Although definitive identification of the polymers has not yet been achieved, fluorescent-labeled antibody staining has specified the presence of ECM proteins such as collagen and laminin in the cellular footprints. The stretched polymers appear to be much larger than single molecules of known ECM components, such as collagen and heparan sulfate proteoglycan, thus suggesting that the cells create larger entangled, macromolecular structures from smaller components. There is strong evidence which suggests that the composition of the ECM is greatly influenced by the hydrophobicity of the substrate surface, with preferential production and/or adsorption of larger macromolecules on hydrophobic surfaces.
Racial differences in adenocarcinoma of the prostate in North American men

Black men represent a particularly high risk group for the development of prostate cancer. Current recommendations are that all men over age 50 be screened for prostate cancer annually with a digital rectal examination (DRE) and PSA. Moreover, it has been recommended that men in high risk groups, including blacks and men with a family history of prostate cancer, be screened at an earlier age. At the present time, no adequately performed prospective study has demonstrated a reduction in mortality rate attributable to annual prostate cancer screening. Preliminary reports have suggested that the proportion of men with organ confined tumors increases with PSA based screening, and that a reduction in prostate cancer mortality via screening is feasible. In light of these preliminary studies, increased efforts toward patient awareness and PSA screening are certainly warranted in the black community. Hopefully the result of such programs would be to increase the percentage of black men diagnosed with organ confined prostate cancer. However, the etiology of these striking racial differences remains to be defined. To date no consistent data have been presented which can explain these observations. It is likely that multiple factors will be involved including socioeconomic, environmental, dietary, and genetic. Lastly, little is known of the molecular genetic factors, tumor suppressor genes and/or oncogenes, that play a role in prostate cancer in black men. Increased research efforts are needed in order to understand this problem at the molecular level.
Aerobic Microflora of Commercially Harvested, Transported and Cryogenically Processed Col lards (Brassica oleracea)

Samples of spring and fall harvested collards were obtained at critical stages in a normal harvesting, transportation and cryogenic processing operation and microbiologically analyzed for total plate counts, En-terobacreriaceae counts, and yeasts and molds. Operations that involved extended holding times and mechanical handling tended to increase all counts significantly while blanching and blast freezing with liquid N2 reduced counts to acceptable levels. Differences were significant in all counts by sampling points and dates. Prominant genera of Enterobacteriaceae isolated from the frozen product were those normally associated with soil contamination and not normally considered pathogenic to humans.
The Laser Raman Spectrum of Polyethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate)

Abstract The laser Raman spectrum of poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) (PEGDMA) with depolarization data is presented. Qualitative vibrational assignments of the observed bands are proposed using the empirical method of characteristic group frequencies.
The isolation and identification of precursors and reaction products in the clandestine manufacture of methaqualone and mecloqualone.

Abuse of the hypnotic quinazolinone is well recognized and increasing. Clandestine laboratories producing methaqualone (2-methyl-3-othro-tolyl-4(3H) quinazolinone) and mecloqualone (2-methyl-3-othro-chlorophenyl-4(3H) quinazolinone) have been discovered throughout the United States. These laboratories utilize one of many synthesis routes to produce the illicit quinazolinone. Frequently, the clandestine chemist has little, if any, formal education in chemistry; does not keep notes; and does not label flasks and beakers containing solutions. The forensic chemist may be asked to analyze unmarked reaction mixtures that were seized in a clandestine laboratory raid. As a result, a rapid method of isolation and identification of the precursors and products of such a mixture is presented.
Improving Social Initiations in Young Children with Autism Using Reinforcers with Embedded Social Interactions

Children with autism often exhibit low levels of social engagement, decreased levels of eye contact, and low social affect. However, both the literature and our direct clinical observations suggest that some components of intervention procedures may result in improvement in child-initiated social areas. Using an ABAB research design with three children with autism, this study systematically assessed whether embedding social interactions into reinforcers, delivered during language intervention, would lead to increased levels of child-initiated social behaviors. We compared this condition with a language intervention condition that did not embed social interactions into the reinforcers. Results indicated that embedding social interactions into the reinforcers resulted in increases in child-initiated social engagement during communication, improved nonverbal dyadic orienting, and improvements in general child affect. Theoretical and applied implications are discussed.
Will lowering estuarine salinity increase Gulf of Mexico oyster landings

Previous studies provide conflicting opinions on whether lower than average salinities in Gulf of Mexico (GOM) estuaries are likely to increase or decrease oyster harvests (Crassostrea virginica), which represented 69% and 54% of the United States oyster landings by weight, and dockside value, respectively, in 2003. The present study examined a 54-yr record (1950–2003) of oyster harvests and river discharge in five major estuaries in GOM states (Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Texas). Oyster landings were inversely related to freshwater inflow. Peaks in landings, 21 of 23 in West Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas combined, were coincidental with lows in river discharge from the major rivers in the estuaries. Lows in landings in these states (17 of 19) coincided with peaks in discharge of the major rivers feeding their estuaries. Landings in Breton Sound, Louisiana, were also inversely related to river discharge. The only exception to this pattern was for landings in the Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana, part of the Breton Sound estuary, where there were higher landings following increased Mississippi River discharge. The Bonnet Carre spillway, completed in 1931, diverts flood waters from the Mississippi River to Lake Pontchartrain, and it has been opened to reduce flood heights in 1937, 1950, 1973, 1975, 1979, 1983, and 1997. Twenty-five of 28 times after the spillway was opened, oyster landings in Mississippi were lower than in the other four states. The inverse relationship between freshwater inflow and oyster landings suggests that the proposed Bonnet Carre Freshwater Project, designed to reduce estuarine salinity, cannot be justified on the basis of anticipated higher oyster yields in Mississippi or Louisiana. Manipulating estuarine salinity in the GOM should be done within the context of the whole estuary and not just part of the estuary.
Germanium. III. Germaniumtetrabromid und Germaniumtetrachlorid

In dieser Mitteilung werden beschrieben die Darstellung und Reinigung von Germaniumtetrabromid und Germaniumtetrachlorid die Analysen der beiden Stoffe, die Bestimmung des Siedepunktes, des Schmelzpunktes, des Brechungsindex, des spezifischen Gewichtes, sowie einige chemische Eigenschaften der beiden Verbindungen, schlieslich auch die Kristallform und das elektrische Leitvermogen von Germaniumtetrabromid.
Mapping the cellular and molecular heterogeneity of normal and malignant breast tissues and cultured cell lines

Introduction Normal and neoplastic breast tissues are comprised of heterogeneous populations of epithelial cells exhibiting various degrees of maturation and differentiation. While cultured cell lines have been derived from both normal and malignant tissues, it remains unclear to what extent they retain similar levels of differentiation and heterogeneity as that found within breast tissues.
Liability for automobile parking at hotels: the Tennessee case abstract.

Parking automobiles on hotel properties creates legal liabilities for hotels. Increasing costs of automobiles, repairs, and insurance continue to make this liability a paramount concern for the industry. Because such liability is a state issue, hotels must know the legal environment within each state. State courts generally apply the statutory parking law, bailment law, and common law in rendering relief to plaintiff guests. Research of case law on a state basis is essential to discover legal principles applied in each state. Researchers are encouraged to share results of such research issues to keep owners, managers, and hospitality law educators abreast of legal rights and responsibilities from state to state.The purpose of this research was to analyze all cases in Tennessee involving automobile parking on hotel properties. Cases from the horse and buggy days to the most recent recorded cases were reviewed. Results will be shared through presentations to local and state hotel and motel associations.
Fixation of Metacarpal Shaft Fractures: Biomechanical Comparison of Intramedullary Nail Crossed K-Wires and Plate-Screw Constructs.

Objectives Metacarpal (MC) fractures are very common, accounting for 18% of all fractures distal to the elbow. Many MC fractures can be treated non-operatively; however, some are treated most effectively with surgical stabilization, for which there are multiple methods. It was postulated that plates would have a significantly higher (P < 0.05) load to failure than crossed K(XK)-wires and that intramedullary metacarpal nails (IMNs) and XK-wires would have equivalent load to failure. Methods Mid-diaphyseal transverse fractures were created in 36 synthetic metacarpals and stabilized using nails, XK-wires or non-locking plates. Three-point bending was performed with continuous recording of load and displacement. Statistical analysis was performed using single factor ANOVA and Scheffe's test. Statistical significance was defined as P < 0.05. Results Biomechanical testing revealed significant differences between groups in load-to-failure. Average load to failure was significantly greater in the plate (1669 ± 322 N) than the XK-wire (146 ± 56 N) or IMN (110 ± 43 N) groups. The loads to failure of the K-wires and nails were equivalent. Plates were 11 and 15 times stronger in three-point bending than the K-wires and nails, respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between strengths of the K-wires and nails. Conclusions Although plates are the most stable means of fixation of midshaft metacarpal fractures, if minimally-invasive techniques are indicated, intramedullary nails may provide equivalent stability as commonly-used XK-wires. Although some studies have shown favorable clinical outcomes with IMNs, additional clinical correlation of these biomechanical results to fracture healing and outcomes is needed.
Immigrants, Welfare Reform, and the Economy

The welfare reform bill adopted in the United States in 1996 limited the eligibility of immigrants for several government assistance programs, and early projections estimated that nearly half of the savings associated with the reforms would come from these immigrant restrictions. Several studies have found that subsequent program participation declined more for immigrants relative to natives, seemingly verifying the early projections. However, many of these restrictions were either rescinded by the federal government or superceded by state and local policies. In this paper, we first reproduce earlier findings that show the relative declines in program use among immigrants. We then show that much, but not all, of the relative decline in program use among immigrants can be explained by changing macroeconomic conditions. © 2004 by the Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management.
Electrodiagnostic Findings Heralding Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy

The brachial plexus is one of the most complicated anatomic structures of the peripheral nervous system, and optimal electrodiagnostic assessment may require extensive testing with nonroutine and contralateral nerve conduction studies [1,2]. Because of the proximity of the brachial plexus to the lung apices, neoplastic brachial plexopathy is not uncommon in association with lung cancer as a result of contiguous or lymphatic spread [3]. Sensory nerve conduction studies are critical to help identify and localize milder axonal loss, particularly in proximal processes such as brachial plexopathy. We describe the electrodiagnostic findings in 3 cases of neoplastic lower brachial plexopathy to highlight the value of sensory nerve conduction study findings in the identification and localization of neoplastic brachial plexus involvement.
Separating the effects of interreinforcement time and number of interreinforcement responses

The relative importance of interreinforcement time and interreinforcement responses was evaluated by varying each independently. To do this, a blackout was presented after each nonreinforced response under both fixed-ratio and fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement. Manipulating the blackout duration under the fixed-ratio schedule caused interreinforcement time to vary without affecting the number of interreinforcement responses. Pigeons' post-reinforcement and post-blackout response latencies were found to increase linearly with interreinforcement time. Under the fixed-interval schedule, the same blackout manipulations changed the number of interreinforcement responses without affecting interreinforcement time. Post-reinforcement and post-blackout response latencies under this condition were approximately constant. These results suggest that responding is controlled by interreinforcement time and is not influenced by the number of responses emitted between reinforcements.
Large Multilocular Thymic Cyst: A Rare Finding in an HIV Positive Adult Female

Multilocular thymic cysts with follicular hyperplasia are uncommon masses that occur in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) positive individuals. These cysts mostly present in HIV positive children. Here we report a rare case of multilocular thymic cyst in an HIV positive adult female. In this case report, the radiologic findings of multilocular thymic cyst, management and prognosis are discussed.
Comparison of effectiveness of Current Ratio and Delta-I/sub DDQ/ tests

I/sub DDQ/ test is a valuable test method for semiconductor manufacturers. However, its effectiveness is reduced for deep sub-micron technology chips due to rising background leakage. Current two test methods that promise to extend the life of I/sub DDQ/ test are Current Ratio and Delta-I/sub DDQ/. Although several studies have been reported on these methods, their effectiveness in detecting defects has not been contrasted. In this work, we compare these two methods using industrial test data.
Current State of Stem Cell Therapy for Ischemic Heart Disease

Improvements in the care of patients with ischemic cardiovascular disease have led to improved survival but also a burgeoning population of patients with advanced ischemic heart disease. Cell therapies offer a novel approach toward cardiac "rejuvenation" via stimulation of new blood vessel growth, enhancing tissue perfusion, and via preservation or even regeneration of myocardial tissue, leading to improvements in cardiac performance after myocardial infarction and in patients with advanced heart failure. Here, we summarize and offer some thoughts on the state of the field of cell therapy for ischemic heart disease, targeting three separate conditions that have been the subject of significant clinical research: enhancing left ventricular recovery after MI, improving outcomes and symptoms in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), and treatment of patients with refractory angina, despite maximal medical therapy.
Treatment of patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) in a population-based cohort

A population-based cohort was utilized to evaluate medications and intra-articular injection utilization for patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to inform clinical practice and further research. In a geographically defined population, all incident cases of JIA cases were identified between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2013 based first on diagnosis code followed by medical chart confirmation. Medications and intra-articular glucocorticoid injections were abstracted. Predictors of the first disease-modifying antirheumatic drug (DMARD)/biologic and injections were reported as a hazard ratio (HR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age and sex. Kaplan-Meier methods evaluated therapy at 6 months and 1 year. Injections were reported per 100 person-years (py) with 95 % CI using the Poisson methods. Seventy-one incident cases were identified. Forty-two (59 %) were female with mean age (standard deviation) at diagnosis of 8.2 (5.3) years. Twenty-six (37 %) utilized at least one DMARD or biologic, in which 77 % of these were prescribed in the first 6 months. Subtype of JIA was significantly associated with DMARDs/biologics (p < 0.001). Intra-articular injections were performed in 48 %. The rate of intra-articular injections was 20.7 per 100 py (95 % CI 16.5, 25.6). The rate of joint injections was higher in the first year after diagnosis (p < 0.001) and more common in recent years (p < 0.001). The majority of patients with JIA in a modern population-based cohort do not require DMARDs or biologics. In those who do, the majority receives these within the first 6 months. Intra-articular injections were utilized in almost half of patients with JIA and were increasingly used.
Residual Stress Measurement with Optical Strain Rosettes

Optical strain gages were developed in 1960s and have many advantages over resistance strain gages. For instance, they are noncontacting, have extremely short gage lengths, and can be used to measure large strains. The interferometric strain rosettes are extended from the interferometric strain gages and have recently been developed to measure residual stresses. The technique is quantitative and is expected to be an accurate method of residual stress measurement. The method can potentially resolve many challenging problems which may not be tackled by any other means.
Leak pruning

Managed languages improve programmer productivity with type safety and garbage collection, which eliminate memory errors such as dangling pointers, double frees, and buffer overflows. However, because garbage collection uses reachability to over-approximate live objects, programs may still leak memory if programmers forget to eliminate the last reference to an object that will not be used again. Leaks slow programs by increasing collector workload and frequency. Growing leaks eventually crash programs.This paper introduces leak pruning, which keeps programs running by predicting and reclaiming leaked objects at run time. It predicts dead objects and reclaims them based on observing data structure usage patterns. Leak pruning preserves semantics because it waits for heap exhaustion before reclaiming objects and poisons references to objects it reclaims. If the program later tries to access a poisoned reference, the virtual machine (VM) throws an error. We show leak pruning has low overhead in a Java VM and evaluate it on 10 leaking programs. Leak pruning does not help two programs, executes five substantial programs 1.6-81X longer, and executes three programs, including a leak in Eclipse, for at least 24 hours. In the worst case, leak pruning defers fatal errors. In the best case, it keeps leaky programs running with preserved semantics and consistent throughput.
Thiocyanate-Capped Nanocrystal Colloids: Vibrational Reporter of Surface Chemistry and Solution-Based Route to Enhanced Coupling in Nanocrystal Solids

Ammonium thiocyanate (NH4SCN) is introduced to exchange the long, insulating ligands used in colloidal nanocrystal (NC) synthesis. The short, air-stable, environmentally benign thiocyanate ligand electrostatically stabilizes a variety of semiconductor and metallic NCs in polar solvents, allowing solution-based deposition of NCs into thin-film NC solids. NH4SCN is also effective in replacing ligands on NCs after their assembly into the solid state. The spectroscopic properties of this ligand provide unprecedented insight into the chemical and electronic nature of the surface of the NCs. Spectra indicate that the thiocyanate binds to metal sites on the NC surface and is sensitive to atom type and NC surface charge. The short, thiocyanate ligand gives rise to significantly enhanced electronic coupling between NCs as evidenced by large bathochromic shifts in the absorption spectra of CdSe and CdTe NC thin films and by conductivities as high as (2 ± 0.7) × 103 Ω–1 cm–1 for Au NC thin films deposited from solut...