cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Electron Transfer Reactions of Fluorotyrosyl Radicals

The complex Re(bpy)(CO)3CN is an excited state oxidant of tyrosine upon deprotonation of the tyrosyl phenol. A series of Re(bpy-FnY)(CO)3CN complexes ([Re]-FnY: [Re]-Y, [Re]-3-FY, [Re]-3,5-F2Y, [Re]-2,3-F2Y, [Re]-2,3,5-F3Y, [Re]-2,3,6-F3Y, and [Re]-F4Y) have been prepared so as to vary the FnY•/FnY- reduction potential and thus the driving force for electron transfer in this system. Time-resolved emission and nanosecond absorption spectroscopies have been used to measure the rates for charge separation, CS, and charge recombination, CR, for each complex. A driving force analysis reveals that CS is well described by Marcus' theory for ET, is strongly driving force dependent (activated), and occurs in the normal region for ET. CR, on the other hand, is weakly driving force dependent (near activationless) and occurs in the inverted region for ET. These data demonstrate that fluorotyrosines will be powerful probes for unraveling charge transport mechanisms in enzymes that utilize tyrosyl radicals.
Metabolomic Response of Human Embryonic Stem Cell–Derived Germ-like Cells After Exposure to Steroid Hormones

To assess the potential risks of human exposure to endocrine active compounds (EACs), the mechanisms of toxicity must first be identified and characterized. Currently, there are no robust in vitro models for identifying the mechanisms of toxicity in germ cells resulting from EAC exposure. Human embryonic stem cells can differentiate into numerous functional cell types including germ-like cells (GLCs). These cells possess characteristics indicative of a germ cell state, suggesting they offer a novel system to investigate the consequences of chemical exposure on normal germ cell processes. To characterize these processes, a metabolomic-based approach was employed to determine the response of GLCs following exposure to 0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, or 100µM estradiol, testosterone, or progesterone for 48h. Following exposure, cellular extracts underwent gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry analysis. Models were then constructed using principal component analysis on acquired spectra to discriminate among steroid hormones as well as doses for each hormone. t-test comparisons generated a preliminary list of metabolites that were statistically significant in GLC's biochemical response to these steroid hormones. Steroid hormone exposures caused fluxes in intracellular pathways such as amino acid synthesis and metabolism, fatty acid synthesis, as well as cholesterol and lipoprotein metabolism. Further pathway analysis, based on these identified metabolites, will aid in modeling the response of GLCs to endogenous steroid hormones and allow for identification of biomarkers delineating germ cell-based developmental and reproductive pathways.
Virus satellite plaques.

“Satellite&” plaques of a lysozymeless T4 phage can develop around plaques of phage capable of producing T4 lysozyme, which then diffuses out from the plaques.
Effect of endurance training and heat acclimation on perceived exertion during exercise

We determined the perceived exertion and thermoregulatory indexes in 14 adult men during a submaximal exercise task in a hot environment both before (CT1) and after (CT2) an endurance training/heat acclimation (T/A) program. Following blood volume and peak VO2 measurements, subjects pedaled a cycle ergometer for 60 minutes at 50% of aerobic capacity (temperature [Ta], 30°C; relative humidity, 35%). Ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), rectal (Tre) and mean skin (Tsk) temperatures, and heart rates (HRs) were recorded. After CT1, subjects completed a four-week T/A program that resulted in significant (P
Nonblinding, penetrating orbital injury with pontine and cerebellar involvement secondary to antenna trauma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Traumatic pontine and cerebellar damage originating from ocular injury has been documented in the past; however, no report has been made about an orbital trauma causing injury to the pons and cerebellum with associated neurological symptoms while leaving the globe, visual pathway, and ocular controls intact. METHODS Chart review of a single case of a traumatic antenna injury. RESULTS A traumatic antenna injury that penetrated the orbit and injured the pons and cerebellum without involving the visual pathway and its controls. CONCLUSIONS Pontine and cerebellar injury can occur from trauma that originated in the orbit and traveled posteriorly through the cranium without causing any overt damage to ocular structures but still causing other associated neurological problems. J Neuroimaging 2012;22:201-203.
The integration of numerical modeling and physical measurements through inverse analysis in geotechnical engineering

In many geotechnical problems, boundary measurements of loads and displacements are known while the underlying soil behavior is unknown. Inverse analysis techniques are employed to quantify the underlying material behavior. The most widely used inverse analysis approaches are parameter optimization methods in which unknown properties of a material constitutive model are adjusted until the calculated displacements or forces match the measurements. The main limitation of the inverse analysis parameter optimization methods is the need for pre-defined constitutive models that do not benefit from fundamentally new information on material behavior. This paper describes the application of a new inverse analysis approach called SelfSim for extracting soil constitutive behavior via a neural network (NN) material model. This new type of inverse analysis procedure allows the user to focus on the underlying material behavior instead of a specific material constitutive model. The proposed approach is demonstrated for three geotechnical engineering problems: (1) laboratory triaxial tests with frictional loading plates, (2) deformations around a deep excavation and (3) seismic site response from a downhole array.
Robust Strategies for Application of Cluster Analyses

Strategies robustes pour l'application d'analyses classificatoires. Dans cet article. l'analyse classificatoire est employee pour identifier et decrire des regroupements sociaux et economiques homogenes bases sur des regions geographiques en Alaska comme exemple d'une societe en transition. Des types de contextes sociaux sous-jacents et institutionnels sont Identifies et compares en utilisant plusieurs methodes de classification. Les analyses sont faites sur une base de donnees de caracteristiques empiriques sur vingt-trois lieux de recensement en Alaska (equivalents aux comtes americains classiques) pour analyser leur structure de fond. L'auteur examine ensuite les classes resultantes pour leur validite propres et leur nettete empirique.
Estrogen Regulates the Transcription of the Rat Prolactin Gene in Vivo through at Least Two Independent Mechanisms

The short-acting estrogens 16α-estradiol and estriol induced transcription of the rat PRL gene in vivo in a biphasic manner. In these experiments, the level of PRL gene transcription was examined by measuring the amount of radiolabeled UTP incorporated into PRL-specific RNA sequences by nuclei isolated from the anterior pituitary gland at various times after hormone treatment. A single injection of 16α-estradiol stimulated PRL gene transcription within 30 min, and this initial phase of stimulated transcription was observed through 2 h after treatment. A second phase of stimulated PRL gene transcription was observed by 6 h after 16α-estradiol treatment and continued through 24 h. A biphasic stimulation of PRL gene transcription also was observed in response to a single injection of estriol. However, the initial phase extended into the second phase, and the phases were, therefore, distinguishable only by their differing levels of stimulation. The induction of the initial phase of increased PRL gene transcri...
Spot and forward exchange rates as predictors of future spot rates: trends in exchange market value and the contribution of new information

This study investigates whether or not new information affects the predictive capability of forward and spot foreign exchange rates symmetrically during periods of rising as opposed to falling currency values. Statistically significant different intercept and slope coefficients are found between the periods of U.S. dollar appreciation and U.S. dollar depreciation. Further, the predictive ability of the two models differs between opposite trends in foreign exchange values.
Computational linguistic techniques in an on-line system for textual analysis

For several years we have been involved in the development of an on-line text-processing system intended for use by information analysts in the establishment and manipulation of their own personal files. In the initial implementation of the system, a transformational syntactic analysis was applied to sentences formulated by the analyst as summaries of information content in the text he was scanning on a display scope. This analysis procedure begins with a morphological analysis and a lexical lookup that provides syntactic feature information; then, a context-free parsing takes place; finally, transformations are applied to reject inappropriate parsings, derive the base structure of the sentence, and convert the result into a canonical tree format. These canonical representations are stored and can be searched by analyzing questions in the same manner and then matching their structures against those in the data base for correspondences. On-line interaction allows the analyst to advise the program in case of ambiguity, to expand the lexicon, and to modify previous actions taken.Recently, we have added other, less sophisticated techniques to provide a range of on-line processing capabilities from simple to complex. The analyst can identify or annotate lines, paragraphs, or whole selections, creating files and subfiles for temporary or long-term storage. Text-searching procedures allow him to match on stems, words, or phrases and on combinations of any of these elements--with synonym substitutions. Sets of synonyms can be established on-line to provide a personalized thesaurus. The various components of the system can be used flexibly, and additional features can be added easily without disrupting the ones already established.The augmented system is being used now in studies which will provide information on the differential utility of these techniques in relation to the tasks that text-oriented information analysts undertake.
Prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase (cyclooxygenase) mRNA and protein production in mouse myoblasts and a differentiation-defective variant

Northern blot analysis revealed that a differentiation-defective variant (DD-1) of MM14 mouse myoblasts has seven times the prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase mRNA than the parental MM14 myoblasts. There was an even greater increase in the level of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase protein in the DD-1 cells as compared to that in the MM14 myoblasts. In fact, prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase was not detectable by Western blot analysis of extracts from MM14 myoblasts. Since prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase has been reported to be a gene whose expression is induced transiently, i.e., growth-regulated, upon mitogen stimulation of quiescent cells, the RNA abundance of other growth-regulated genes was examined including: KC, JE, c-myc, 1B6, and vimentin. Northern blot analysis revealed that the mRNA abundance of JE, KC, and c-myc is 12-, 17-, and 2-fold higher, respectively, in growing DD-1 cells than in growing MM14 myoblasts. In contrast, there was little difference in the mRNA abundance of 1B6 and vimentin. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that increases in the levels of expression of prostaglandin endoperoxide synthase and some growth-regulated genes are integral to the expression of the differentiation-defective phenotype and may in fact contribute to this phenotype.
Pontine haemorrhage causing disturbance of taste.

We report a man with acute disturbance of taste in whom MRI showed a small haemorrhage in the medial lemniscus of the pons.
Intraocular pressure measurement in mice: a comparison between Goldmann and rebound tonometry.

Intraocular pressure measurement in mice: a comparison between Goldmann and rebound tonometry
An exclusion theorem for tri-diagonal matrices

An n × n matrix A n = ( a ij ) is tri-diagonal if a ij = 0 for | i − j |≧2. The latent roots of such matrices may be conveniently studied by forming the sequence of polynomials Ψ k (λ)=|λ I − A k |, where A k is the principal submatrix of A k +1 obtained by deleting the last row and column of A k +1 , and then observing that these polynomials satisfy the following recurrence relation:
The assignment of an intense optical absorption band in the radiolysis of alkane/CCL4, to CCI−4

Abstract In 60 Co-irradiated alkane/CCl 4 glasses, the precursor to the positive ion band at 470 nm is a band at 366 nm. In pulse-irradiated 3-methylpentane/CCl 4 glasses at 75 K, this band is shifted to 370 nm. On the basis of electron scavenging experiments involving CCl 4 and N 2 O we assign this 370 nm band to CCl − 4 .
Chronic enteroviral meningoencephalitis in agammaglobulinemic patients

Patients with agammaglobulinemia are particularly susceptible to chronic enteroviral infections of the central nervous system. Data on 42 patients were obtained by literature review, communications with other physicians, and personal experiences. Thirty-eight patients had congenital immunodeficiencies, most frequently X-linked agammaglobulinemia. Most patients who could be assessed were receiving maintenance therapy with intramuscular gamma-globulin before their enteroviral infection. Seven patients had not been recognized as hypogammaglobulinemic before the onset of infection. The commonest pathogens were echoviruses (37 of 41 cases), especially type 11 (11 cases). Thus far, four patients have had sequential or simultaneous infections with a second enteroviral serotype. Other features of the disease have included weakness, lethargy or coma, headaches, hearing loss, seizures, ataxia, and paresthesias. Some patients have also had nonneurologic manifestations of chronic enteroviral infection, including fever, the dermatomyositis-like syndrome, edema, rashes, and hepatitis. Treatment has consisted primarily of antibody administration, either in intravenous immunoglobulin preparations or in immune plasma. Twelve patients have received intraventricular immunoglobulin through reservoir devices; six of these 12 have improved substantially, as judged by clinical criteria.
The Lense-Thirring effect exposed as anti-Machian

Abstract It is shown that the direction of the Lense-Thirring precession of a gyrocompass at rest in the equatorial plane of a rotating spherical mass is opposite so that predicted by Mach's principle. The validty of Mach's peinciple is thereby challenged.
Time, the grand illusion

The reconcilability of gravitational with electromagnetic clocks suggests that a rigorous analysis of time will provide understanding of the unity of gravity and electromagnetism. Time is found to be fundamentally a property of elementary particles, only derivatively a property of clocks. A declaration is made: that the flow of an elementary particle's timeis the change of its radius, that time is therefore illusory. The de Sitter expanding universe is derived from this principle by treating elementary particles as spheres in Euclidean space. The hyperspheres of de Sitter space call up a five-dimensional metric manifold whose geometry models gravity, electromagnetism, and other phenomena tied to the structure of matter; neutrinos are provided for. Distance in this manifold is related to a secondary time, not correlated to primary time, but just as illusory. A particle's inertial rest mass is the relative rate of its two proper times; mass and charge are jointly, not individually, conserved.
Efficient utilization of echocardiography for the assessment of left ventricular systolic function

Abstract Background We hypothesized that patients could be selected for echocardiographic evaluation of left ventricular (LV) systolic function on the basis of historic, clinical, radiographic, and electrocardiographic criteria. Methods and Results We prospectively evaluated 300 consecutive inpatients referred for the echocardiographic assessment of LV function, of whom 124 (41 %) had LV systolic dysfunction (LVSD) (LV ejection fraction Conclusions Historic, chest radiographic, and electrocardiographic variables can be used to predict low likelihood of LVSD on echocardiography. In particular, when the electrocardiogram is normal, it is extremely unlikely to have LVSD. It can be argued that such patients should not be referred for echocardiography.
A Nation of Immigrants: A Call for a Specialization in Immigrant Well-Being

SUMMARY Contemporary challenges serving immigrants and their communities require a reexamination of social services, social work practice, and social work curricula, as millions of people, particularly from non-European countries, have come to the United States in the last 40 years. Social work must develop a new field of specialization that addresses the unique features of the immigrant and refugee experiences and service needs that consider the following: differing world views, values, beliefs, lifestyles, and languages; theories of assimilation and acculturation; immigration and other laws that support or restrict individual and family development; the “hidden” lives of undocumented families; assessment and treatment of survivors of torture and trafficking as well as victims of domestic violence; and the development of community capacity-building partnerships with newcomers and informed advocacy for social protection.
Transferrin receptors on human B and T lymphosblastoid cell lines

Abstract Experiments demonstrating the existence of receptors for iron-saturated transferrin on both B and T lymphoblastoid cell lines of human origin are described. Binding of 125I-labeled transferrin is rapid, saturable and reversible. It can be specifically inhibited by unlabeled transferrin but not by other proteins. The number of receptors on T cell lines determined by Scatchard analysis is almost double the number on B cell lines but the binding affinities are equal. The putative transferrin receptor can be removed from the cell by the proteolytic enzymes papain and trypsin, and is re-expressed during overnight incubation at 37°C. Resynthesis is inhibited by puromycin. The receptor can be solubilized by deoxycholate, and retains transferrin binding capacity when non-covalently attached to an amphipathic matrix consisting of deoxycholate-coupled poly( L -lysyl) Agarose.
To Be or Not to Be a Feminist in India

The study reported here was situated in the context of a postcolonial understanding of feminism by women in social action work. It analyzed how urban middle- and upper-class women in Kolkata, India, constructed a feminist praxis in terms of their everyday lived experiences as volunteers and social activists and as urban Indian women working in the social work sector of Indian society. The critical issue was the women’s conception of feminism. Testimonies from 21 women form the crux of the data that were collected via semistructured bilingual interviews and participant observation, inspired by feminist standpoint analysis as a theoretical interest.
Longitudinal system-based analysis of transcriptional responses to type I interferons

Type I interferons (IFNs) are pleiotropic cytokines that modulate both innate and adaptive immune responses. They have been used to treat autoimmune disorders, cancers, and viral infection and have...
A local perspective on the initial management of children with cleft lip and palate by primary care physicians.

Abstract Objective: To evaluate the frequency and referral patterns, need for continuing education, and information given to parents of children with cleft lip and palate by local primary care physicians. Study Design: A survey was sent to primary care physicians from the pediatrics, family practice, and internal medicine/pediatrics specialties in six surrounding counties of a regional craniofacial center located within northeastern Ohio with a population base of 1.5 million people. Particular aspects of care evaluated included protocols of care, information for parents, referral patterns, conferences attended, and literature read. Results: Nearly 30% of physicians had standard protocols when children are born with clefts. Eighty-seven percent of physicians referred children within 2 weeks of diagnosis, yet only 48% gave referrals to a multidisciplinary team. Physicians providing team referrals were nearly three times as likely to attend related conferences and approximately four times as likely to have a...
Peripheral arterial disease and osteoporosis in older adults: the Rancho Bernardo Study

Summary We examined the association between peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and bone health in 1,332 adults. We found a weak association between PAD and osteoporosis and bone loss only in women, but the association was not independent of age. PAD was not associated with fractures in this community-based population. Introduction Increased rates of osteoporosis have been reported in patients with cardiovascular disease, suggesting a link between osteoporosis and atherosclerosis. Methods We examined the association between PAD and bone health in 1,332 adults who attended a research visit in 1992-1996, when the ankle-brachial index (ABI), bone mineral density (BMD), and spine X-rays were obtained. A total of 837 participants attended a follow-up visit in 1997- 2000. Results PAD defined by an ABI≤0.90 was present in 15.4% of the women and 13.3% of the men. Prevalence of osteoporosis was significantly higher in women with PAD compared to women without PAD (p<0.05). During an average 4-year follow-up, women with PAD had a significantly higher rate of bone loss than women without PAD (p=0.05). The associations were no longer significant after age adjustment. In men, PAD was not associated with osteoporosis, but men with PAD had lower BMD at the femoral neck than men without PAD (p=0.03). PAD was not associated with osteoporotic fractures in either sex. Conclusion We found a weak and age-dependent association between PAD and osteoporosis in women but not men. PAD was not associated with fractures in this community-based population.
Lattice test of 1 / N c baryon mass relations

1/N{sub c} baryon mass relations are compared with lattice simulations of baryon masses using different values of the light-quark masses, and hence different values of SU(3) flavor-symmetry breaking. The lattice data clearly display both the 1/N{sub c} and SU(3) flavor-symmetry breaking hierarchies. The validity of 1/N{sub c} baryon mass relations derived without assuming approximate SU(3) flavor symmetry also can be tested by lattice data at very large values of the strange quark mass. The 1/N{sub c} expansion constrains the form of discretization effects; these are suppressed by powers of 1/N{sub c} by taking suitable combinations of masses. This 1/N{sub c} scaling is explicitly demonstrated in the present work.
Different Growth Rates of Chlamydia trachomatis Biovars Reflect Pathotype

Background. Despite small genomic differences, Chlamydia trachomatis biovars exhibit diverse disease manifestations and different growth rates in vivo and in cell culture models. Methods. Chlamydial inclusion-forming units were enumerated over time in HeLa cells, to evaluate the length of the developmental cycle for C. trachomatis strains A, B, C, and E/Bour (ocular strains) as well as D, E/UW5/ Cx, F, and L2 (genital strains). Prototype strains A, D, and L2 were selected for detailed analysis of reticulate body growth, division, and genomic replication. The impact that changing host cells and that coinfection with different strains has on growth was also assessed. Results. The genital strains completed the developmental cycle in 36-44 h, whereas the ocular strains lagged behind considerably. Differences were the result of a longer lag phase (entry plus differentiation) and generation time for the ocular strains. A prototype ocular strain grew faster in conjunctival cells than in cervical cells. Coinfection with genital (D or L2) and ocular strains expedited recovery of the ocular strain. Conclusions. Precise temporal evaluation of the chlamydial developmental cycle for selected genital and ocular C. trachomatis biovars provides a means for investigating genomic differences that define chlamydial pathotype.
Organizational structure and productive efficiency of non-profit hospitals.

This paper investigates how hospital affiliation in a multi-hospital system (contract managed, owned, sponsored), the number of system hospitals, HMO and PPO contracts, and other factors, impacts hospital cost efficiency. Using a 1996-1999 panel of 248 hospitals, results show that for urban hospitals, increasing the number of hospitals in the system, system ownership and contract management/sponsorship of hospitals in period t-1 do not contribute to improvements in current period (period t) cost efficiency. For rural hospitals, increasing the number of hospitals in the system, system ownership and contract management/sponsorship of hospitals in period t-1 helped enhance current period cost efficiency.
INCREASED STRUCTURAL AND COMBINATORIAL DIVERSITY IN AN EXTENDED FAMILY OF GENES ENCODING VLP SURFACE PROTEINS OF MYCOPLASMA HYORHINIS

Variable lipoproteins (Vlp) constitute the major coat protein of Mycoplasma hyorhinis. They are products of multiple, divergent, single-copy genes organized in a chromosomal cluster. Three genes, vlpA, vlpB, and vlpC, have been previously identified in clonal isolates of M. hyorhinis SK76. Each is linked to a characteristic promoter region containing a homopolymeric tract of adenine residues [poly(A) tract], subject to hypermutation, that transcriptionally controls phase variation of vlp genes and leads to combinatorial surface mosaics of distinct Vlp products. The size of the natural vlp gene repertoire is unknown but may critically determine the degree of structural and combinatorial diversity available in this species. In this study, the vlp repertoire of M. hyorhinis GDL-1 was characterized and shown to contain three additional genes, vlpD, vlpE, and vlpF, clustered with other known vlp genes in the order 59-vlpD-vlpE-vlpF-IS-vlpA-IS-vlpB-vlpC+ ++-39, where IS represents copies of the IS1221 element of M. hyorhinis. The 59 boundary of this expanded family was identical to that of the more limited family 59-vlpA-IS-vlpB-vlpC-39 previously described in a clonal isolate of strain SK76. A recombinant construct containing vlpD, vlpE, and vlpF expressed antigenically distinguishable products corresponding to each gene. These genes encode characteristic C-terminal repetitive regions that are subject to size variation by insertion or deletion of intragenic repeats but maintain an extended, charged structure. Each vlp gene also contained characteristic alternative open reading frames, which provide a potential reservoir of coding sequence for Vlp diversity, possibly recruited through insertion and/or deletion mutations. These findings demonstrate a vastly expanded potential for structural diversity and combinatorial display of surface mosaics on this organism and suggest that modulation of the vlp repertoire, possibly in conjunction with mobile elements, may determine the capacity for surface variation in natural populations and laboratory strains of this mycoplasma species.
Selecting the “right” programming language

With the diversity of high-level programming languages available, selecting the “right” one for a computer science curriculum or course can be a befuddling process. For a multitude of reasons, such as the manner in which students approach problems to the utilization of scarce computing resources, the ramifications of a decision on the choice of a programming language are significant throughout a computer science curriculum. The purpose of this paper is to provide information relevant to the selection process. Particular attention is given to COBOL, FORTRAN, Pascal, PL-1, and Snobol; both qualitative and quantitative factors are considered. The quantitative results were obtained from processing a binary tree insertion and retrieval algorithm in each language. The machine resources used for this algorithm are given for both interpreter and compiler versions of translators for each language.
NTP and PCr responses to hypoxia by hypothermic and normothermic respiring, superfused, neonatal rat cerebrocortical slices: an NMR spectroscopy study at 14.1 Tesla

Although mechanisms of hypothermic neuroprotection during oxygen deprivation have long been investigated, further characterizations of various molecular mechanisms are appropriate. Anticipating future studies of hypothermia and hypoxia/ischemia, we investigated the extent to which our ex vivo, NMR-based, superfused brain slice model might be helpful. (Slices are ≈350 μm thick, with 18 slices per 8 mm NMR tube.) 31P NMR spectroscopic measurements were made of hypothermia-induced changes in high energy phosphates, while simultaneously monitoring and controlling tissue temperature, using 1H NMR, the high spectroscopic resolution available at 14.1 Tesla (600 MHz for protons), and a recently published protocol. NTP and PCr concentrations in healthy, well-oxygenated slices decreased to (55 ± 15)% and (66 ± 30)% of their respective values at 28.0°C when warmed to 38.0°C, in approximate agreement with earlier in vivo studies by others. Duri ng 30 min hypoxia NTP and PCr decreased to non-observable values, regardless of temperature. After reoxygenation, NTP and PCr recoveries as percentages of respective prehypoxia values were (63% ± 16%; 70% ± 5%) for hypothermic slices (28.0°C), and (46% ± 13%; 41% ± 21%) for normothermic slices (38.0°C), confirming hypothermic neuroprotection during oxygen deprivation in this model, which appea rs suitable for use in further studies.
Temperature-induced phase transformation in a shape memory alloy: Phase diagram based kinetics approach

Abstract In this article we develop a general framework to model the one dimensional thermomechanical behavior of shape memory alloys (SMAs) based on phase diagram kinetics and a phenomenological constitutive law with martensite fraction as an internal variable. As part of this framework, we construct a consistent mathematical description for martensite fraction evolution to be used in conjunction with an experimentally defined phase diagram; the kinetics formalism is illustrated with examples of isostress and isothermal cycling. As an application, we consider the thermo-induced martensite transformation of a 1D prestressed SMA polycrystalline body which proceeds by migration of the austenite-martensite two-phase zone from the cooled boundary, converting the SMA body from an austenite (A) to a detwinned martensite (M) state. The mathematical model for the two-phase zone migration is based on the nonstationary equation of energy balance and the quasistationary approximation for the linear momentum equation and utilizes a quasistatic kinetic law, a macroscale constitutive law and an incompressibility constraint. To close the formulated system of equations, the internal energy of an A/M mixture in the two-phase zone is heuristically derived. The mixed initial-boundary value problem is then solved numerically and compared to analytical results for a simplified model. The results stress the significance of the stress dependency in the kinetic law and the transformation heat to the progress of transformation.
Counterion Size Versus Structure in Metal-Chalcogenide Salts

Abstract The effect of counterion on the structure of several anionic metal-chalcogenide complexes is discussed. Examples of compounds which show these dramatic effects are presented and some conclusions are made regarding our ability to predict the dimensionality of a structure.
Heterogeneous Nucleation in Sickle Hemoglobin: Experimental Validation of a Structural Mechanism

Sickle hemoglobin polymerizes by two types of nucleation: homogeneous nucleation of aggregates in solution, and heterogeneous nucleation on preexisting polymers. It has been proposed that the same contact that is made in the interior of the polymer between the mutant site β6 and its receptor pocket on an adjacent molecule is the primary contact site for the heterogeneous nucleus. We have constructed cross-linked hybrid molecules in which one β-subunit is from HbA with Glu at β6, and the other is from HbS with a Val at β6. We measured solubility (using sedimentation) and polymerization kinetics (using laser photolysis) on cross-linked hybrids, and cross-linked HbS as controls. We find ∼4000 times less heterogeneous nucleation in the cross-linked AS molecules than in cross-linked HbS, in strong confirmation of the proposal. In addition, changes in stability of the nucleus support a further proposal that more than one β6 contact is involved in the homogeneous nucleus.
Limits on Medicare's Ability to Control Rising Spending on Cancer Drugs

During the past decade, the price of cancer drugs and the spending for cancer treatments by Medicare have increased dramatically. The author outlines the usual tools Medicare uses to control its spending on drugs and discusses the policies that make cancer drugs a special case and prohibit the regulation of their prices and utilization.
The ventriculophasic response: relationship to sinus arrhythmia and the duration of interposed QRS complexes.

Background The ventriculophasic response (VR) refers to shortening of sinus cycle length during heart block when a QRS complex is interposed between 2 P waves. Our purpose was to analyze its relationship to respiratory sinus arrhythmia (SA) and to compare VR in relation to paced versus intrinsic QRS complexes. Methods Patients with advanced heart block had their pacer devices temporarily programmed to ventricular inhibited mode at 30 ppm. In 35 subjects, we analyzed VR and SA before, during and after 3 cycles of deep breathing. In 16 other patients we compared VR in the presence of paced versus narrower intrinsic QRS complexes. Results The magnitude of P-P interval shortening surrounding QRS complexes during inspiration correlated with SA (r = 0.36, P = 0.03). The prevalence of VR increased from 37% at baseline to 77% of subjects during deep breathing (P = 0.02). The mean P–P interval shortening was greater surrounding intrinsic QRS complexes than paced QRS complexes (3.6 ± 3.6% vs. 1.4 ± 1.1%, P = 0.02). The prevalence of VR increased from 25% during paced rhythm to 56% when intrinsic complexes were present. Conclusion VR, like SA, increases with deep breathing and likely reflects intact parasympathetic nervous system function. Its increase in the presence of narrower beats suggests it may reflect ventricular synchrony.
Exploiting post-transcriptional regulation to probe RNA structures in vivo via fluorescence

While RNA structures have been extensively characterized in vitro, very few techniques exist to probe RNA structures inside cells. Here, we have exploited mechanisms of post-transcriptional regulation to synthesize fluorescence-based probes that assay RNA structures in vivo. Our probing system involves the co-expression of two constructs: (i) a target RNA and (ii) a reporter containing a probe complementary to a region in the target RNA attached to an RBS-sequestering hairpin and fused to a sequence encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP). When a region of the target RNA is accessible, the area can interact with its complementary probe, resulting in fluorescence. By using this system, we observed varied patterns of structural accessibility along the length of the Tetrahymena group I intron. We performed in vivo DMS footprinting which, along with previous footprinting studies, helped to explain our probing results. Additionally, this novel approach represents a valuable tool to differentiate between RNA variants and to detect structural changes caused by subtle mutations. Our results capture some differences from traditional footprinting assays that could suggest that probing in vivo via oligonucleotide hybridization facilitates the detection of folding intermediates. Importantly, our data indicate that intracellular oligonucleotide probing can be a powerful complement to existing RNA structural probing methods.
Binding of 1-methylimidazole to heme determined by factor analysis

We report the binding of 1-methylimidazole to ferric octaethylporphyrin chloride in methylene chloride. Factor analysis of a series of UV-vis titration spectra indicated there were three species in solution. These species are postulated as being the ferric porphyrin chloride species, the ferric porphyrin(1-MeIm)chloride species, and the ferric (1-MeIm)2chloride species. A coupled nonlinear least squares analysis of absorbance changes at two wavelengths yielded estimates of the binding constants. The binding constants for the first and second 1-MeIm are K1 = 278 ± 7 M-1 and K2 = 161 ± 25 M-1. It is suggested that displacing the chloride ion is the reason for having K2 < K1.
The Law and Social Science of Stop and Frisk

In 1968, almost 50 years ago, the Supreme Court validated, in a case called Terry v. Ohio (1968), a common police practice known as stop and frisk, so long as an officer could justify the action on the basis of a newly developed standard: reasonable suspicion. Today, policing agencies use stop and frisk prophylactically, stopping in some cities tens or even hundreds of thousands of people annually. These developments and the litigation around the strategy in New York City and elsewhere provide an opportunity to revisit Terry and to consider recent research in law and social science regarding stop and frisk. This review focuses on three issues: the evolution of legal doctrine pertaining to stop and frisk, arguments regarding the effectiveness of stop and frisk as a mechanism to control and reduce crime, and a delineation of the relevance of the theory of procedural justice to our understanding of the interleaving of the law and social science of stop and frisk.
Correspondence on the paper by Bridevaux et al

We read with interest the important prospective natural history study of respiratory virus infections (RVI) in lung transplant recipients by Bridevaux et al .1 Although the authors were unable to find an association between acute rejection and RVI, they acknowledge the possibility that RVI might predispose to chronic rejection, bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (BOS). The association between BOS and RVI has been highly discussed in the literature, but a recent meta-analysis by Vu et al …
Where is Strategic Culture to Be Found? The Case of China

Chinese Strategic Culture and Foreign Policy Decision-Making: Confucianism, Leadership and War. By Huiyun Feng. London and New York: Routledge, 2007. 185 pp., $150.00 hard (ISBN: 978-0415418157). The Minimum Means of Reprisal: China's Search for Security in the Nuclear Age. By Jeffrey Lewis. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2007. 200 pp., $24.00 paper (ISBN: 978-0262622028). Will the rise of China as a global power bring greater stability or greater conflict to the international system? A small cottage industry has appeared, which attempts to resolve this question through the concept of “strategic culture.” Ancient Legalist and Confucian texts, as well as dynastic histories, undergo exegesis of the most minute and detailed variety in order to shed some light on enduring themes and predispositions inherent in the Chinese approach to conflict and inter-state relations. Of course, this presents a very static and deterministic view of cultural analysis. Lucian Pye rightly opined that cultural “explanations of last resort,” along the lines of “The Chinese act that way because that is the Chinese way,” are not in the end explanations at all (Pye 1988:504, 1991:6). Within this context Feng Huiyun asks a very pertinent question: mustn't the putative strategic culture of a nation interact with the operational code of the actual leader? In addition to re-translating Hsun Tzu's The Art of War for the umpteenth time, shouldn't we also ask what kinds of dispositions towards conflict and cooperation are held by the actual human beings who lead China now? This is certainly a breath of fresh air blowing past stale conversations over, for example, the relative importance of wen and wu in Chinese international relations; or even interminable academic conversations over the appropriate English translation of those Chinese terms. Using the Verbs in Context System (VICS) of operational code analysis pioneered by Stephen Walker and Mark Schafer, implemented through the automated text coding system of Michael Young's ProfilerPlus software, and supplemented with historical process-tracing, Feng is able to characterize the operational codes of several Chinese leaders, including Mao Zedong, Deng Hsiao-ping, Jiang Zemin, and Hu Jintao. She finds that, with the exception of Mao, who might properly …
Quick response codes in E-learning

The current paper presents the basic principles and the current status of E-learning through the prism of globalization and information society. Additionally, a conceptual approach is being presented regarding the implementation of the quick response codes technology in E-learning. The case studies of QRpedia and DBpedia are the vessel for innovative use of QR codes in education.
Computationally derived points of fragility of a human cascade are consistent with current therapeutic strategies.

The role that mechanistic mathematical modeling and systems biology will play in molecular medicine and clinical development remains uncertain. In this study, mathematical modeling and sensitivity analysis were used to explore the working hypothesis that mechanistic models of human cascades, despite model uncertainty, can be computationally screened for points of fragility, and that these sensitive mechanisms could serve as therapeutic targets. We tested our working hypothesis by screening a model of the well-studied coagulation cascade, developed and validated from literature. The predicted sensitive mechanisms were then compared with the treatment literature. The model, composed of 92 proteins and 148 protein–protein interactions, was validated using 21 published datasets generated from two different quiescent in vitro coagulation models. Simulated platelet activation and thrombin generation profiles in the presence and absence of natural anticoagulants were consistent with measured values, with a mean correlation of 0.87 across all trials. Overall state sensitivity coefficients, which measure the robustness or fragility of a given mechanism, were calculated using a Monte Carlo strategy. In the absence of anticoagulants, fluid and surface phase factor X/activated factor X (fX/FXa) activity and thrombin-mediated platelet activation were found to be fragile, while fIX/FIXa and fVIII/FVIIIa activation and activity were robust. Both anti-fX/FXa and direct thrombin inhibitors are important classes of anticoagulants; for example, anti-fX/FXa inhibitors have FDA approval for the prevention of venous thromboembolism following surgical intervention and as an initial treatment for deep venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental evidence is reviewed supporting the prediction that fIX/FIXa activity is robust. When taken together, these results support our working hypothesis that computationally derived points of fragility of human relevant cascades could be used as a rational basis for target selection despite model uncertainty.
GATA-binding protein 3 enhances the utility of gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 and mammaglobin A in triple-negative breast cancer by immunohistochemistry.

Aims We have demonstrated previously that gross cystic disease fluid protein-15 (GCDFP-15) and mammaglobin A (MAM) are of limited utility in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA-3) is an emerging breast-associated immunohistochemical (IHC) marker with limited data in TNBC. Here, we examined GATA-3 expression in TNBC in comparison with GCDFP-15 and MAM. Methods and results We studied GATA-3, GCDFP-15 and MAM IHC expression in 62 primary and 68 metastatic TNBCs. In primary TNBCs, GATA-3 staining was observed in 25 cases (40%), including 16 cases that were negative for GCDFP-15 and MAM. In metastatic TNBCs, GATA-3 staining was observed in 30 cases (44%), including 16 cases that were negative for GCDFP-15 and MAM. The expression frequency of any of the markers was 56% in primary and 62% in metastatic TNBCs. However, when focal staining was excluded, the expression frequency of any marker dropped to 31% and 44%, respectively. Conclusion GATA-3 is expressed at a higher frequency by IHC in TNBC compared to GCDFP-15 and MAM, although the tissue specificity of the latter markers may be superior. When evaluating a triple-negative tumour, including GATA-3 in a panel of markers may increase the diagnostic accuracy for tissue origin in the appropriate clinical setting.
Sustainability metrics for vehicles

The public has growing concerns about the effects of human activity on the envi- ronment for both themselves and future generations. The concept being developed to address these environmental concerns, along with economic and social-equity considerations, is called "sustainable development". The business community has already started to address their contribution to environmental issues through collaborative efforts under organizations such as the World Business Council for Sustainable Development. That work has focused pri- marily on industrial and corporate environmental and economic performance through the development of eco-efficiency metrics, which are a measure of resources and materials con- sumed per unit output of product, sales, or value-added. While this development is important, it is not enough. Clearly, the environmental performance of the entire product system must also be elucidated. Otherwise, one might forget, for example, the power plant emissions of his or her so-called "zero-emission" vehicle. The metrics required to characterize sustainable practices and systems have yet to be developed. The set will include economic, environmen- tal, and social-equity metrics. Because of their system-oriented environmental performance representation, life-cycle assessment metrics are certainly going to be included in such a set. A discussion of some potential life-cycle metrics follows.
Neuropsychological Assessment and Treatment Following a Spinal Cord Injury and Alcohol Withdrawal

Mr. Wellington, a 61-year-old veteran, was referred for a neuropsychological assessment and mental health treatment by his attending physician and psychologist following a spinal cord injury (SCI) ...
Prior knowledge guided maximum expected likelihood based model selection and adaptation for nonnative speech recognition

In this paper, an improved method of model complexity selection for nonnative speech recognition is proposed by using maximum a posteriori (MAP) estimation of bias distributions. An algorithm is described for estimating hyper-parameters of the priors of the bias distributions, and an automatic accent classification algorithm is also proposed for integration with dynamic model selection and adaptation. Experiments were performed on the WSJ1 task with American English speech, British accented speech, and mandarin Chinese accented speech. Results show that the use of prior knowledge of accents enabled more reliable estimation of bias distributions with very small amounts of adaptation speech, or without adaptation speech. Recognition results show that the new approach is superior to the previous maximum expected likelihood (MEL) method, especially when adaptation data are very limited.