cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bisphosphonate treatment of osteoporosis

Bisphosphonates are avid bone-seeking compounds with potent antiresorptive effects. The share a common chemical structure (Fig. 1) of two phosphonic acids joined to a carbon, with two side chains that can be modified to change the affinity for bone and the antiresorptive potency. They are useful for the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis and other conditions characterized by increased bone remodeling. In addition to their diagnostic use for nuclear bone scintigraphy, bisphosphonates have been applied to the treatment of many conditions of abnormal bone resorption and remodeling, including myositis ossificans progressiva (1,2), fibrous dysplasia (3), heterotopic ossification (4,5),otosclerosis (6), Paget’s disease of bone (7,8),hypercalcemia due to spinal cord injury (9), bed rest (10), malignancy (11), hyperparathyroidism (12), and other causes (13–15), bone loss due to thyroid hormone excess (16), corticosteroid excess (17–20), or paraplegia (9), prevention of severe hypocalcemia after surgery for hyperparathyroidism (21), destructive arthropathy (22, 23), and skeletal involvement with metastatic cancer (24, 25),or multiple myeloma (26). Although most of the clinical applications have been in adults, there is increasing experience on the use of bisphosphonates in children (27–29).
Programming Language for Automata

The techniques of automatic programming are useful for constructive proofs in automata theory. A formal definition of an elementary programming language for a stack automaton is given, and it is shown how this may be readily adapted to other classes of automata. The second part of this paper shows how this programming language can be applied to automata theory, as we prove there are non-context-sensitive languages accepted by a stack automaton.
A multislice approach to the RHEED and REM calculation

Abstract A computing method for the forward dynamical scattering calculations which has been successfully applied to the Bragg case of high energy electron diffraction is described. This method is based on the physical optics theory of dynamical diffraction of Cowley and Moodie and is used for calculations of reflection high energy electron diffraction (RHEED) diffraction amplitudes and the reflection electron microscopy (REM) image intensities for the extended surface of a perfect crystal and also for a crystal surface with a defect. The physical basis of the method and some practical computing considerations are described.
Factors Influencing the Layered to Spinel-like Phase Transition in Layered Oxide Cathodes

Li 0.5 MO 2 [M = Mn, Co, Ni. Ni 1-x Co x , Ni 1-x Mn x , and Mn 1-y (Cr,Al,Mg) y ] compositions obtained by chemically extracting lithium with Na 2 S 2 O 8 from LiMO 2 have been investigated by X-ray diffraction after heating at various temperatures. While Li 0.5 MnO 2 obtained from both the monoclinic (O3 stacked layer structure) and orthorhombic LiMnO 2 transforms to the spinel-like phases at ambient temperature during the lithium extraction process due to cation migration, Li 0.5 NiO 2 needs mild heat (∼150°C) to transform to the spinel-like phase Li 0.5 CoO 2 does not transform even after heating at 200°C. The decrease in the structural stability in the order Li 0.5 CoO 2 > Li 0.5 NiO 2 > Li 0.5 MnO 2 is explained on the basis of crystal field stabilization energies. Additionally, the incorporation of foreign cations into the transition metal planes via cationic substitutions is found to increase the structural stability by perturbing the cooperativity among the transition metal ions and thereby suppressing the cation migration.
Supercritical CO2 flow through a layered silica sand/calcite sand system: Experiment and modified maximal inscribed spheres analysis

Abstract A core-scale experiment in which supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO 2 ) was flowed through a brine-saturated sample consisting of a layer of silica sand, a layer of calcite sand, and another layer of silica sand from inlet to outlet was performed, and compared to a similar experiment in which nitrogen was flowed through the same sample at the same orientation, effective stress, and temperature. The core-scale experiments were monitored using X-ray computed tomography to examine the flow paths of the fluids. Both nitrogen and scCO 2 showed gravity override, however both flowed through a very narrow pathway through the calcite sand, and a broader pathway through the silica sand. Synchrotron computed microtomography volumes were acquired for sub-samples of each type of sand and reconstructions of the sand samples were analyzed using the maximal inscribed spheres method modified for mixed-wet conditions to estimate characteristic curves for a number of contact angles. These characteristic curves are used to explain and interpret the experimental results.
Laser Desorption Mass Spectrometry of Some Organic Acids

Abstract Positive and negative ion laser desorption (LD) mass spectra of organic acids are characterized by the emission of the quasimolecular ions (M+H)+ and (M-H)−. Generation of (M+H)+ ions is interpreted as evidence for the occurence of high pressure proton transfer reactions in LD. Fragment ions can be rationalized by loss of stable neutral molecules from quasimolecular ions although decomposition may also be occuring prior to ionization. Features unique to LD, including the detection of pyrolysis products along with ions characteristic of the sample, are discussed in terms of the internal energy distribution in the irradiated microvolume. Negative ion mass spectra of acids are dominated by (M-H)−, while positive ion spectra contain abundant fragment ions, underlining the utility of detecting negative ions for acidic compounds.
Enforcing high-level protocols in low-level software

The reliability of infrastructure software, such as operating systems and web servers, is often hampered by the mismanagement of resources, such as memory and network connections. The Vault programming language allows a programmer to describe resource management protocols that the compiler can statically enforce. Such a protocol can specify that operations must be performed in a certain order and that certain operations must be performed before accessing a given data object. Furthermore, Vault enforces statically that resources cannot be leaked. We validate the utility of our approach by enforcing protocols present in the interface between the Windows 2000 kernel and its device drivers.
ORDER DISTANCE IN AN INHOMOGENEOUS RANDOM POINT PATTERN

RESUME L'auteur a d'abord procede au mesurage de la distance entre des points voisins formant une courbe composee Poissongamma a deux dimensions. En d'autres termes, c'est un mode fortuit de repartition de points sur un plan euclydien qu'il a etudie. Si la densite moyenne des points par unite de surface correspond aΛ, on salt alors que la quantite exprimee par 2irΛr/, ou rj represente la distance entre un point d'origine arbitraire et le plus proche point jeme, est repartie selon la formule x2 avec 2j degres de marge de jeu. Dans cette derivation, la valeur de Λ n'est pas constante, mais varie fortuitement selon la loi de probabilite gamma. On considere que ce processus engendre un arrangement fortuit de points dit « nonhomogene », par contrasts avec l'arrangement fortuit « homogene » qui caracterise l'application de la variante x2. L'auteur calcule ensuite la distance entre un point d'origine arbitraire et le plus proche point jeme dans cet arrangement fortuit non-homogene et compare les caracteristiques des distances (order distances) pour les deux modes de repartition.
Electronic structure and elastic properties of the Ni 3 X ( X =Mn, Al, Ga, Si, Ge) intermetallics

First-principles total-energy electronic structure calculations based on the full-potential linear-muffin-tin-orbital method have been used to study the electronic and mechanical properties of the L${1}_{2}$-type ordered nickel-based intermetallics ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$X (X=Mn, Al, Ga, Si, Ge). The calculated values for the equilibrium volume and elastic properties are generally in good agreement with experiments. The large shear anisotropy factor across the series is attributed to the anisotropy of the bonding charge density, which can be described by the combination of charge transfer from X to Ni and strong X p--Ni d (Mn d--Ni d in ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Mn) hybridization effect. The more pronounced directional bonding between the Ni and Si atoms compared to that between the Ni and Al atoms, and the small (large) redistribution of bonding charge in ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Al (${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Si) when the systems are under shear strain result in a stronger resistance to a shear for ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Si. The bonding charge densities for ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Ga and ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Ge are found to be similar to those for ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Al and ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Si, respectively. These results suggest that the addition of the extra p electron on the X atom increases the directionality of the bonding. The change of bonding charge directionality in ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Mn is due to the Mn d--Ni d hybridization. The calculated ratio of bulk to shear modulus of polycrystalline systems, B/G, proposed by Pugh to provide a simple rule of measuring the ease of plastic deformation, is found to correlate well with the absolute difference in the s-orbital electronegativity between the atomic constituents, and the difference in energy, ${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{d}}$(Ni)-${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{p}}$(X) [${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{d}}$(Ni)-${\mathit{E}}_{\mathit{d}}$(Mn) for ${\mathrm{Ni}}_{3}$Mn], across the series. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
Two-dimensional dissolved ferrous iron distributions in marine sediments as revealed by a novel planar optical sensor

Abstract A new, single use planar optical sensor was developed for measuring high resolution, two-dimensional Fe2 + distributions in marine sediments. Ferrozine (3-(2-pyridyl)-5,6-diphenyl-1,2,4-triazine-p,p′-disulfonic acid monosodium salt hydrate) was used as the Fe2 + indicator, and was covalently immobilized onto a transparent poly(vinyl alcohol) membrane through a water soluble poly(N-isopropylacryl amide) polymer chain, backed by a polyester sheet. When the colorless and transparent sensor membranes are deployed in Fe2 + solutions or natural marine sediment samples, a violet-red color with maximum absorption wavelength at 562 nm develops due to the formation of ferrozine-Fe2 + complex in the sensor membrane. The absorbance of the sensor at 562 nm shows excellent linear relationships versus Fe2 + concentrations in the range of 0–200 μM, with a lower detection limit of 4.5 μM. The response time of the sensor film varies with Fe2 + concentration, following Langmuir kinetics, with a typical practical range of 10–30 min at room temperature (~ 22 °C). The absorbance attained is largely independent of temperature, oxygen exposure before or after development, salinity and pH changes. No interferences from other major components and trace metal ions in seawater have been observed. The sensor is simple, stable (irreversible after removal), and precise, and has been successfully used to measure virtually continuous two-dimensional Fe2 + distributions in intertidal flat and subtidal sediment samples. Images are readily obtained from the membrane by using a scanner or inexpensive LED excitation and commercial grade digital cameras, with a typical pixel resolution of ~ 50 × 50 μm over areas > 150 cm2. The complex heterogeneous distribution patterns of Fe2 + associated with both inhabited and abandoned biogenic structures and other natural diagenetic heterogeneity are readily revealed and can be related directly to the corresponding visible images of sedimentary features. These patterns demonstrate directly that the average concentrations typically measured in traditional vertical profiles can be a misleading indicator of the microenvironmental Fe2 + concentrations controlling sediment–water fluxes and authigenic mineral formation–dissolution.
Calbindin D28K Regulation in Precociously Matured Chick Egg Shell Gland in Vitro

Egg shell calcification in the hen uterus (egg shell gland, ESG) depends primarily on intestinal absorption of dietary Ca2+ as well as ESG Ca2+ transport into the shell. Intestinal Ca2+ absorption is linked to vitamin D-induced calbindin D28K (D28K) concentration. The ESG also contains D28K, and Ca2+ transport into the shell appears to be linked to D28K gene expression, but until this report, there was no direct proof that ESG D28K was or was not vitamin D-dependent. To address this issue, highly developed ESG from estradiol (E2)-injected, severely vitamin D-depleted chicks were cultured in serum-free medium with excellent viability. Addition of the vitamin D-hormone, 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (1,25), to the culture medium increased ESG D28K levels as much as 70%. E2 alone had no effect, but E2 plus 1,25 further increased ESG D28K levels up to 160%. By contrast, progesterone (P4) prevented the 1,25-stimulated increase in D28K, while having no effect on basal D28K level. Of considerable interest, thapsigargin (THAPS), which increases intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in many cell types, stimulated D28K synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner in the complete absence of 1,25 and independent of the [Ca2+] of the medium. These results are the first direct evidence that ESG D28K is under direct control of 1,25 and that both gonadal steroid hormones, E2 and P4, may be coregulators. Further, the effects of THAPS suggest that [Ca2+]i itself may also regulate D28K. This new in vitro model clearly represents a unique opportunity to study the regulation of the ESG calcium transport mechanism under stringently defined conditions.
Irradiation of NH3CH4 mixtures as a model of photochemical processes in the Jovian planets and Titan

The reactions occurring upon the ultraviolet irradiation of ammonia-methane mixtures are investigated in a simulation of the atmospheric chemistry of the Jovian planets and Titan. Gas mixtures were irradiated at 185 nm at temperatures from 156-298 K, and product and reactant concentrations were determined by means of gas chromatography. The ratio of the moles of CH4 lost per mole of NH3 decomposed is found to be 0.25, with the extent of CH4 decomposition independent of temperature. The absence of a temperature effect suggests that nonthermal atoms, probably hydrogen, initiate CH4 decomposition by the extraction of a hydrogen atom. A decrease in CH4 loss with increasing pressure or the addition of other gases to the photolysis mixture, and the lack of an increase in NH3 photolysis with CH4 pressure support this mechanism. Major reaction products obtained include C2H2, C3H8 or CH3NH2, and C4H10. Considerations of atmospheric concentrations of H2 and He indicate that NH3 photolysis does not contribute to CH4 decomposition on Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, although it may have had a role in the formation of the Titan atmosphere.
A 1000 A/20 kV/25 kHz-500 kHz Volt-Ampere-Wattmeter for loads with power factors from 0.001 to 1.00

Many industrial processes and scientific experiments utilize large amounts of ac power at frequencies from 3 kHz to 500 kHz. The phase angle and the impedances of these loads often vary over a wide range. This paper describes an instrument to provide an accurate measurement of currents (1 A to 1000 A), voltages (100 V to 20 kV), and powers (100 W to 20 MW) over the frequency range from 25 kHz to 500 kHz. It deals with loads having power factors down to nearly zero and with load impedances from 10 /spl Omega/ to 20 k/spl Omega/. The paper contains practical details of both the design and the calibration of the front-end voltage and current transducers. The characteristics of a nearly ideal broadband current transducer are presented. Overall instrument calibration, verification and traceability problems are considered in detail.
Wavefront correction in a shaped-pupil coronagraph using a Gerchberg-Saxton-based estimation scheme

The detection of extra-solar terrestrial planets requires the use of space-based high-contrast imaging. Stellar photon noise as well as light thrown about by system aberrations necessitate the use of a high quality light suppression system and a method for wavefront correction. We present here a wavefront estimation scheme to be used with estimate-based correction for the shaped pupil coronagraph. In order to properly estimate the field in a reimaged pupil plane, we employ the use of the iterative Gerchberg-Saxton estimation algorithm between it and a second-focus image plane. We utilize the correction algorithm to overcome an ambiguity inherent in Gerchberg-Saxton estimation.
Cobalt and nickel concentrations in the 'komatiite component' of Apollo 16 polymict samples

Some estimates for the concentrations of Co and Ni in the primitive mafic component of Apollo 16 breccias and soils are large, comparable to concentrations in terrestrial komatiites. These estimates may be erroneously high because the contribution from meteoritic contamination of the samples has been underestimated. However, even if the correction for meteoritic Co and Ni is valid and the calculated residual Ni is not of meteoritic origin, the Ni is presently carried by Fe-Ni metal while the Fe and Mg are carried by mafic silicates. If any large-scale separation of metal and silicate phases has occurred, the concentration ratio of Ni to Fe + Mg in the mafic silicates of the ancient crust in the vicinity of the Apollo 16 site has not been preserved by Apollo 16 rocks. Apollo 16 polymict breccias and soils contain much higher concentrations of siderophile elements and Fe-Ni metal than other nonmare samples from the Moon. Thus, it is likely that the Ni/(Mg + Fe) ratio estimated for the komatiite component from Apollo 16 samples is high compared to the actual ratio for the lunar crust.
DNA Substrate-Induced Activation of the Agrobacterium VirB/VirD4 Type IV Secretion System

The bitopic membrane protein VirB10 of the Agrobacterium VirB/VirD4 type IV secretion system (T4SS) undergoes a structural transition in response to sensing of ATP binding or hydrolysis by the channel ATPases VirD4 and VirB11. This transition, detectable as a change in protease susceptibility, is required for DNA substrate passage through the translocation channel. Here, we present evidence that DNA substrate engagement with VirD4 and VirB11 also is required for activation of VirB10. Several DNA substrates (oncogenic T-DNA and plasmids RSF1010 and pCloDF13) induced the VirB10 conformational change, each by mechanisms requiring relaxase processing at cognate oriT sequences. VirD2 relaxase deleted of its translocation signal or any of the characterized relaxases produced in the absence of cognate DNA substrates did not induce the structural transition. Translocated effector proteins, e.g., VirE2, VirE3, and VirF, also did not induce the transition. By mutational analyses, we supplied evidence that the N-terminal periplasmic loop of VirD4, in addition to its catalytic site, is essential for early-stage DNA substrate transfer and the VirB10 conformational change. Further studies of VirB11 mutants established that three T4SS-mediated processes, DNA transfer, protein transfer, and pilus production, can be uncoupled and that the latter two processes proceed independently of the VirB10 conformational change. Our findings support a general model whereby DNA ligand binding with VirD4 and VirB11 stimulates ATP binding/hydrolysis, which in turn activates VirB10 through a structural transition. This transition confers an open-channel configuration enabling passage of the DNA substrate to the cell surface.
MODEL OF THE OPTICAL MODEL.

Abstract An approximate parameterization of an exact expression for the reflection coefficient η l , that describes elastic scattering by a spin-independent complex potential, yields a parameterized-phase-shift model of elastic scattering. The parameterization is based on a detailed study of the role played by the nuclear surface region; the nuclear interior is regarded as a region of uniform complex potential. Surface and volume effects are represented by distinct parameters. In all, nine parameters are used. These include the depths of the real and imaginary potentials in the interior, the radius at which the interior and exterior regions join, and six “surface parameters” that modify the effects caused by the interior region. These nine parameters describe the same physics that is described by an optical potential that includes an arbitrary mixture of surface and volume interactions. This work is related to earlier work by Kikuchi, by Peaslee, and by Vogt ( 4 ). The usual results of the strong-absorption case are derived by suitable specialization of the model. A numerical example that illustrates the application of the full model is given.
Absolute barrier isolation and antibiotics in the treatment of experimental burn wound sepsis.

Abstract 1. 1. A model for studying the effect of absolute barrier isolation on mortality from burn wound sepsis is described. 2. 2. Systemic polymyxin alone did not increase survival in this model. 3. 3. Topical mafenide with or without systemic polymyxin markedly improved survival from experimental burn wound sepsis. 4. 4. The mortality of animals treated with systemic and oral polymyxin, topical mafenide, and absolute barrier (germfree) isolation was the same as the mortality of similarly treated animals without isolation. 5. 5. In this model, absolute barrier isolation was of no value in the treatment of experimentally contaminated burn wounds.
Acetic acid decomposition on a polycrystalline platinum surface

Abstract The decomposition of CH 13 3 COOH on a polycrystalline platinum surface has been examined at temperatures between 300 and 900 K during continuous exposure to CH 13 3 COOH at 7×10 -4 Torr. On an initially clean platinum surface 13 CO, CO, 13 CO 2 , H 2 and adsorbed carbon-12 are the major reaction products. The adsorbed carbon eventually poisons completely the reactions that produce these products. For temperatures above approximately 800 K, the carbon overlayer that is formed is graphitic and saturates at a carbon adatom concentration of (2.6-3.5)×10 15 cm -2 . The reaction quantities of 13 CO and 13 CO 2 that are produced depend both on the surface temperature and the carbon coverage. Lower temperatures and higher carbon coverages favor the production of 13 CO. On the graphitized platinum surface, the catalytic dehydration of acetic acid to ketene and water proceeds at steady-state.
Industrial Requirements For Real-Time Image Processing

Automatic optical inspection and guidance in industry requires high speed, low-cost image processing if it is to be practical. Recent developments in high speed signal processing are leading to improvements in the capabilities of machine vision systems. However, there are still a number of tasks that lie ahead if cost effective performance is to be achieved. These tasks are discussed in the context of an example. The example chosen is that of the inspection of a hypothetical industrial part. A number of the technical and economic aspects of this inspection are outlined including specification of the manufacturing requirements, development of the illumination, algorithms and hardware architecture, integration of the system components and installation of the system into the factory. The relevance of this particular example to the general problems of industrial machine vision is discussed.
Laminar nanofluid flow in microheat-sinks

Abstract In response to the ever increasing demand for smaller and lighter high-performance cooling devices, steady laminar liquid nanofluid flow in microchannels is simulated and analyzed. Considering two types of nanofluids, i.e., copper-oxide nanospheres at low volume concentrations in water or ethylene glycol, the conjugated heat transfer problem for microheat-sinks has been numerically solved. Employing new models for the effective thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity of nanofluids, the impact of nanoparticle concentrations in these two mixture flows on the microchannel pressure gradients, temperature profiles and Nusselt numbers are computed, in light of aspect ratio, viscous dissipation, and enhanced temperature effects. Based on these results, the following can be recommended for microheat-sink performance improvements: Use of large high-Prandtl number carrier fluids, nanoparticles at high volume concentrations of about 4% with elevated thermal conductivities and dielectric constants very close to that of the carrier fluid, microchannels with high aspect ratios, and treated channel walls to avoid nanoparticle accumulation.
Form factors for a proximity interaction between deformed nuclei.

A method is presented for the calculation of form factors for the interaction of two axially symmetric deformed nuclei via a proximity-plus-Coulomb potential. A distorted-wave Born approximation calculation for the inelastic scattering of 150 MeV /sup 24/Mg from /sup 154/Sm indicates that the proximity and centerline interactions produce significantly different M-substate populations in the final nuclear states.
Purine ribonucleotide reductase: end-product inhibition and stimulation of a mammalian enzyme.

SummaryThe purine ribonucleotide reductases from a mouse tumor were studied in vitro. Adenylate and guanylate reductions were subject to end-product inhibition. β-D-arabinosylcytosine produced paradoxical inhibitory effects on deoxyadenylate biosynthesis. The adenylate reductase was stimulated by dGTP and guanylate reductase was stimulated by β-D-deoxythioguanylate.
Heavy Meson Lifetimes

Two identical nuclear emulsion stacks were exposed at different distances to the 114-Mev Bevatron ${K}^{+}$-beam using the same geometry and Bevatron conditions. A comparison of the ${K}_{L}$ to $\ensuremath{\tau}$-meson ratios in the two stacks combined with the known lifetimes of the ${K}_{\ensuremath{\pi}2}$ and ${K}_{\ensuremath{\mu}2}$ gives ${(1.18}_{\ensuremath{-}0.28}^{+0.55}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec for the ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}$ lifetime. The ratio of the ${{K}_{\ensuremath{\pi}2}}^{+}$ to the ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}$ lifetime is then 1.03 with a root-mean-square error of \ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}29%. Thus the $\ensuremath{\tau}$ and the ${K}_{\ensuremath{\pi}2}$, which according to Dalitz-type analysis should be different particles, have the same lifetime within experimental errors. The $\ensuremath{\tau}$ and ${K}_{L}$ lifetimes can be obtained by a second method which does not rely on any previous lifetime information. In this method the ratios of the heavy meson fluxes to the proton and pion beam fluxes are compared. The results obtained by this method are ${(1.04}_{\ensuremath{-}0.23}^{+0.42}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec for the ${\ensuremath{\tau}}^{+}$ lifetime and ${(1.11}_{\ensuremath{-}0.11}^{+0.18}$)\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec for the ${{K}_{L}}^{+}$ lifetime. Alternate $\ensuremath{\tau}$ and ${K}_{\ensuremath{\mu}3}$ fluxes in the two stacks also indicate a lifetime of about ${10}^{\ensuremath{-}8}$ sec.
Mutations in Human Cardiac Troponin I That Are Associated with Restrictive Cardiomyopathy Affect Basal ATPase Activity and the Calcium Sensitivity of Force Development

Human cardiac Troponin I (cTnI) is the first sarcomeric protein for which mutations have been associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy. To determine whether five mutations in cTnI (L144Q, R145W, A171T, K178E, and R192H) associated with restrictive cardiomyopathy were distinguishable from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy-causing mutations in cTnI, actomyosin ATPase activity and skinned fiber studies were carried out. All five mutations investigated showed an increase in the Ca2+ sensitivity of force development compared with wild-type cTnI. The two mutations with the worst clinical phenotype (K178E and R192H) both showed large increases in Ca2+ sensitivity (deltapCa50 = 0.47 and 0.36, respectively). Although at least one of these mutations is not in the known inhibitory regions of cTnI, all of the mutations investigated caused a decrease in the ability of cTnI to inhibit actomyosin ATPase activity. Mixtures of wild-type and mutant cTnI showed that cTnI mutants could be classified into three different groups: dominant (L144Q, A171T and R192H), equivalent (K178E), or weaker (R145W) than wild-type cTnI in actomyosin ATPase assays in the absence of Ca2+. Although most of the mutants were able to activate actomyosin ATPase similarly to wild-type cTnI, L144Q had significantly lower maximal ATPase activities than any of the other mutants or wild-type cTnI. Three mutants (L144Q, R145W, and K178E) were unable to fully relax contraction in the absence of Ca2+. The inability of the five cTnI mutations investigated to fully inhibit ATPase activity/force development and the generally larger increases in Ca2+ sensitivity than observed for most hypertrophic cardiomyopathy mutations would likely lead to severe diastolic dysfunction and may be the major physiological factors responsible for causing the restrictive cardiomyopathy phenotype in some of the genetically affected individuals.
Surveillance and assessment of workplace assault injuries: Analysis of Rhode Island workers' compensation claims 1998-2002

Abstract Objective. To analyze workplace assault by rate, injury severity, and trends using Rhode Island workers' compensation claim data. Method. A total of 6402 workers' compensation assault claims from Rhode Island for the period of 1998 through 2002 was analyzed. Data from the U.S. Department of Labor was used to derive estimates of injury rates. Results. An average rate of 27.7 assaults per 10,000 workers was found and varied only marginally across years. Females filed 75% of all assault claims, though injuries to males resulted in longer periods of indemnification. The total cost of workplace assaults was $7,025,997, averaging $1097 per claim, and average indemnification duration was 16.8 days per claim. While the assault rate was relatively stable, a notable decline in both cost and indemnification periods over time was discovered. Conclusion. The assault rate found was among the highest reported to date, demonstrating that workplace violence remains a significant threat to employee safety. While a decline in incident severity was discovered over time, many outcomes were still serious. Preventive interventions to reduce incidents of workplace assaults among groups at the highest risk should be given highest priority.
Structure-activity relationship studies of naphthol AS-E and its derivatives as anticancer agents by inhibiting CREB-mediated gene transcription.

CREB (cyclic AMP-response element binding protein) is a downstream transcription factor of a multitude of signaling pathways emanating from receptor tyrosine kinases or G-protein coupled receptors. CREB is not activated until it is phosphorylated at Ser133 and its subsequent binding to CREB-binding protein (CBP) through kinase-inducible domain (KID) in CREB and KID-interacting (KIX) domain in CBP. Tumor tissues from various organs present higher level of expression and activation of CREB. Thus CREB has been proposed as a promising cancer drug target. We previously described naphthol AS-E (1a) as a small molecule inhibitor of CREB-mediated gene transcription in living cells. Here we report the structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of 1a by modifying the appendant phenyl ring. All the compounds were evaluated for in vitro inhibition of KIX–KID interaction, cellular inhibition of CREB-mediated gene transcription and inhibition of proliferation of four cancer cell lines (A549, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468). SAR indicated that a small and electron-withdrawing group was preferred at the para-position for KIX–KID interaction inhibition. Compound 1a was selected for further biological characterization and it was found that 1a down-regulated the expression of endogenous CREB target genes. Expression of a constitutively active CREB mutant, VP16-CREB in MCF-7 cells rendered the cells resistant to 1a, suggesting that CREB was critical in mediating its anticancer activity. Furthermore, 1a was not toxic to normal human cells. Collectively, these data support that 1a represents a structural template for further development into potential cancer therapeutics with a novel mechanism of action.
The Histidine Effect. Electron Transfer and Capture Cause Different Dissociations and Rearrangements of Histidine Peptide Cation-Radicals

Electron-transfer and -capture dissociations of doubly protonated peptides gave dramatically different product ions for a series of histidine-containing pentapeptides of both non-tryptic (AAHAL, AHAAL, AHADL, AHDAL) and tryptic (AAAHK, AAHAK, AHAAK, HAAAK, AAAHR, AAHAR, AHAAR, HAAAR) type. Electron transfer from gaseous Cs atoms and fluoranthene anions triggered backbone dissociations of all four N−Cα bonds in the peptide ions in addition to loss of H and NH3. Substantial fractions of charge-reduced cation-radicals did not dissociate on an experimental time scale ranging from 10−6 to 10−1 s. Multistage tandem mass spectrometric (MSn) experiments indicated that the non-dissociating cation-radicals had undergone rearrangements. These were explained as being due to proton migrations from N-terminal ammonium and COOH groups to the C-2′ position of the reduced His ring, resulting in substantial radical stabilization. Ab initio calculations revealed that the charge-reduced cation-radicals can exist as low-energ...
Mapping of fluorescence anisotropy in living cells by ratio imaging. Application to cytoplasmic viscosity.

Steady-state and time-resolved fluorescence properties of probes incorporated into living cells give information about the microenvironment near the probe. We have extended studies of spatially averaged fluorescence anisotropy (r) by using an epifluorescence microscope, equipped with excitation and emission polarizers and an image analysis system, to map r of nonoriented fluorophores incorporated into cultured cells. With this imaging system, r for reflected light or glycogen scattering solutions was greater than 0.98. Measurement of r over the range 0.01–0.35 for fluorophores in bulk solution and in thin capillary tubes placed side-by-side gave values equivalent to r measured by cuvette fluorometry. Cytoplasmic viscosity (eta) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells and Swiss 3T3 fibroblasts was examined from anisotropy images and time-resolved fluorescence decay of the cytoplasmic probes 2,7-bis-carboxyethyl-5 (and 6)-carboxy-fluorescein (BCECF) and indo-1. Nanosecond lifetimes and anisotropy decay were measured using a pulsed light source and gated detector interfaced to the epifluorescence microscope. Anisotropy images of BCECF in MDCK cells revealed two distinct regions of r: one from the cytoplasm (r = 0.144 +/- 0.008) and a second appearing at late times from the interstitial region (r = 0.08 +/- 0.03), representing BCECF trapped beneath the tight junctions. Anisotropy values, taken together with intracellular life-times and the calibration between r and eta/tau f for water/glycerol mixtures, gave eta values of 10–13 cP at 23 degrees C. These values assume little fluorophore binding to intracellular components and are therefore upper limits to cytoplasmic viscosity. These data establish a new methodology to map anisotropy in intact cells to examine the role of fluidity in cellular physiology.
Aluminum contact to nickel silicide using a thin tungsten barrier

Abstract An aluminum film in contact with NiSi is not stable in the temperature range around 450 °C usually applied for aluminum contact sintering. We used thin (about 2 kA) self-supported silicon substrates to investigate the interaction of aluminum films with NiSi by mega-electronvolt 4He+ backscattering spectrometry. The thin substrate enables us to distinguish between the aluminum and the silicon signals, to isolate them, and to analyze the reaction. It is found that the aluminum reacts with the silicide and forms an NiAl3 layer in direct contact with the silicon substrate. Simultaneously, a rise in the Schottky barrier height of the contact is observed. A thin layer (250 A) of tungsten placed as a barrier between the aluminum and the silicide is shown to inhibit the aluminum-silicide reaction. A process is described to prepare a reliable aluminum contact to NiSi on a silicon substrate in a single annealing step.
Declining foreclosure neighborhood effects over time

According to previous studies, residential foreclosures reduce the value of neighboring residential units and the initial negative effects decay over time and space. This study attempts to investigate the temporal path of the initial effects by following cohorts of single-family housing distressed sales (foreclosures and real estate owned sales) over time. A hedonic model estimation of single-family housing sales in Saint Louis County, Missouri, produced larger marginal impacts for new distressed sales in the year 2000 compared with the marginal impact of new distressed sales in 2007, that is, the marginal impact of new distressed sales is declining in at least one housing market. This result holds true for the distressed sale neighborhood impact, the effect of distress on the same unit's future sales price, and the discount on a distressed unit's current “liquidation sale” price.
Recent Observed Interdecadal Climate Changes in the Northern Hemisphere

The largest increases in surface temperatures over the Northern Hemisphere in the decade prior to 1988 were in Alaska, while substantial decreases occurred in the North Pacific Ocean. This illustrates the considerable geographic spatial structure to interdecadal temperature variations associated with changes in the atmospheric circulation. In particular, from 1977 to 1988, there was a deeper and eastward-shifted Aleutian low-pressure system in the winter half year, which advected warmer and moister air into Alaska and colder air over the North Pacific. Associated changes in surface-wind stress and wind-stress curl altered the North Pacific Ocean currents, as revealed by the Sverdrup transport. The North Pacific changes appear to be linked through teleconnections to tropical atmosphere–ocean interactions and the frequency of El Nino versus La Nina events. Consequently, the question of why it was so warm in Alaska becomes changed to one of why there were three tropical Pacific Warm Events, but no Cold Event...
Screening for falls and osteoporosis: prevention practice for the hand therapist

Fractures of the upper extremity are considered a hallmark of underlying osteopenia or osteoporosis and strong predictors of subsequent fractures. Falling is the strongest single risk factor for fractures in older adults. Studies have shown that interventions to prevent falls can significantly reduce this risk factor. Hand therapists working with patients with an upper extremity injury from a fall cannot assume that screening for osteoporosis or the likelihood of falls has been addressed by other health care professionals. The purposes of this article are to 1) summarize osteoporosis and falls risk screening, 2) describe how fall prevention strategies can be integrated into hand therapy practice, and 3) present evidence for federal and professional organizational support of prevention practice.
Application wikis to mashup makers to next generation mashups: keynote

In this session we'll discuss our experiences and lessons learned over the past couple years from developing and validating a technology called QEDWiki which is an application wiki (see video). We will also discuss our vision of the web beyond the technologies, uses and concepts attributed to Web 2.0. We'll discuss the importance of the ecosystem at the heart of the mashup/application wiki ecosystem,; specifically, opensource, commercial and community efforts. Looking forward, we'll explore ways to derive new value from web consumables such as text, video and audio using semantic analysis and the inspection and repurposing of huge amounts of data within "massive" mashups.
The influence of recovery status and education on addiction counselors' approach to treatment.

Abstract The goal of this study is to examine the influence of education and recovery status on substance abuse treatment counselors' approach to patients. Three hundred forty-four drug abuse and alcoholism treatment counselors were questioned about treatment goals. A subgroup of 197 were also questioned about treatment practices. The influences of education and recovery status on the choice of treatment goals and treatment practices were examined through structural modeling procedures. Level of education influenced neither treatment goals nor techniques. Being in recovery, however, was associated with more varied treatment techniques and a broader range of treatment goals. The other variable related to treatment goals and practices was treatment modality. Working in resi dential programs was linked to a wider range of treatment goals and treatment practices. Implications of these findings for counselor training and the movement to professionalize substance abuse treatment are discussed.
The use of laboratory catchments in the study of hydrologic systems

Abstract Three types of laboratory catchments are discussed: model catchments, hydromechanic prototypes, and prediction analysis prototypes. The first type, used for the simulation of natural watershed behavior, involves a number of questions related to the problems of incomplete similitude, which are yet to be resolved. A procedure for the systematic adjustment of these catchments in order to obtain experimental predictability is suggested. The second type is employed in watershed hydraulics for the investigation of individual flow mechanisms. Detailed reports on studies performed with these catchments have appeared in the literature and are not reproduced in the paper. The third type has been used for the test of methods of nonlinear analysis of hydrologic systems. A description of the results of recent experimentation with these devices is presented, together with a discussion of some of the underlying theories.
Autism spectrum disorders: a research review for school counselors

The number of students with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) has risen significantly in recent years (CDC, 2012), and students with ASD present unique challenges to schools and school counselors. This article presents a synthesis of recent research literature related to ASD for the purpose of providing school counselors with assistance in understanding and addressing the needs of students with ASD. Specific areas of focus include the prevalence, developmental course, and defining characteristics of ASD, and research on the effectiveness of interventions for students with ASD. Students with ASD are at increased risk for a range of problems, including social deficits and limitations, anxiety, aggression, peer victimization, and underachievement (Ashburner, Ziviani, & Rodger, 2010). Interventions to address the social deficits of students with ASD have shown promise but also have been found to lack results that are generalizable and that persist over time (Schreiber, 2011). This article provides specific recommendations for school counselors. Language: en
BLADDER CANCER IN PATIENTS WITH MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS TREATED WITH CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE

AbstractPurpose: We define the risk of bladder cancer in multiple sclerosis related to the use of indwelling catheters and cyclophosphamide administered as an immunomodulating agent.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of 2,351 patients with multiple sclerosis referred to the National Center for Multiple Sclerosis.Results: Of the 2,351 patients 2 women and 5 men (0.29%) had bladder cancer. Of the 850 chronically catheterized patients the incidence was 0.7%. One patient with cancer performed intermittent catheterization for a rate of 0.23% in this group. In a subgroup of 70 patients treated with cyclophosphamide 5 chronically catheterized patients (5.7%) had bladder cancer. Hematuria was the most common presenting symptom. These data were compared with those in the literature on bladder cancer in spinal cord injury.Conclusions: These data suggest a possible synergistic role of cyclophosphamide and chronic catheterization in the induction of secondary bladder cancer. Regular cystos...
From Truth or Dare to Show and Tell: Reflections on Childhood Ritual, Play, and the Evolution of Symbolic Life

Hide-and-Seek The game starts with all players in a central location. One player is given the designation of “it.” There are two portions to the game: the hiding—all the players, except “it,” locat...
Towards a Theory for Type III Solar Radio Bursts. II: The Radiation Source

The procedure developed in Smith (1974) to model the radiation source for type III bursts is modified to include scattering of radiation in the source itself. Since the inhomogeneities in the source must have the same statistical properties as the inhomogeneities used in tracing radiation from the source to the observer, these two parts of the type III problem are no longer uncoupled. Thus we use inhomogeneities consistent with the scattering inhomogeneities of Steinberg et al. (1971) and Riddle (1974) and apply the procedure to an archetype ‘fundamental-harmonic’ pair observed at Culgoora on 28 September, 1973 at 0319 UT. We find that it is impossible to model this burst with a source which is homogeneous in the sense that every part of the source has the same energy density in plasma waves. The density inhomogeneities in the source severely hamper amplification of the supposed fundamental. Possible ways out of this dilemma are discussed, including second harmonic pairs and a source with an inhomogeneous distribution of plasma waves. It is concluded that none of the possibilities are completely satisfactory to explain present observations and suggested that critical observations are missing.
An Asymptotic Expansion of the Distribution of the Limited Information Maximum Likelihood Estimate of a Coefficient in a Simultaneous Equation System

Abstract An asymptotic expansion is made of the distribution of the limited information maximum likelihood estimate of the coefficient of one endogenous variable in an equation with two endogenous variables when the coefficient of the other endogenous variable is prescribed to be unity. The equation is one of a system of simultaneous equations, and all the predetermined variables in the system are assumed to be exogenous. The expansion in terms of the noncentrality parameter, which increases with the sample size, is carried out to the order of the negative power of the noncentrality parameter (i.e., four terms). Comparison is made with the expansion of the distribution of the two-stage least squares estimate.
Dye-binding assays for evaluation of the effects of small molecule inhibitors on amyloid (aβ) self-assembly.

Dye-binding assays, such as those utilizing Congo red and thioflavin T, are among the most widely used tools to probe the aggregation of amyloidogenic biomolecules and for the evaluation of small molecule inhibitors of amyloid aggregation and fibrillization. A number of recent reports have indicated that these dye-binding assays could be prone to false positive effects when assessing inhibitors’ potential toward Aβ peptides, species involved in Alzheimer’s disease. Specifically, this review focuses on the application of thioflavin T for determining the efficiency of small molecule inhibitors of Aβ aggregation and addresses potential reasons that might be associated with the false positive effects in an effort to increase reliability of dye-binding assays.