cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Neurotrophic regulation of rat muscle glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in vitro

Summary In organ culture of rat diaphragm, the presence of a 2–2.5 cm phrenic nerve stump delays the time of failure of miniature endplate potentials and eliminates the increase in glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity which otherwise occurs at 16.5 h in muscles cultured without nerve stumps. The nerve stump effect persists in the presence of blocking doses of d -tubocurarine but is eliminated by nerve crush. As shown by studies of amino acid incorporation into protein, the effect does not involve an overall change in protein synthesis. Effluents collected over 1–2 h from unstimulated or stimulated phrenic nerve-muscle preparations had no effect on G6PD activity when applied to muscles cultured without nerve stumps. However, medium conditioned by use in organ cultures with long nerve stumps partially countered the denervation-like effect in host cultures. Thus, the nerve maintains muscle G6PD by a humoral mechanism probably unrelated to impulse activity or nicotinic receptor activation.
Medulloblastoma—translating discoveries from the bench to the bedside

Medulloblastoma is a form of brain cancer that mainly arises during infancy and childhood. Our understanding of this disease has transitioned rapidly; what was once thought of as a single disease entity is now known to be a compendium comprising at least four distinct subtypes of tumour (Wnt, sonic hedgehog [SHH], group 3, and group 4 medulloblastomas) that have characteristic molecular signatures, distinctive clinical features, and are associated with different outcomes. Importantly, medulloblastomas occurring in infants (aged up to 3 years) and adults have unique characteristics, which distinguish the disease from that seen in children aged >3 years. Accordingly, modern treatment approaches in medulloblastoma integrate the molecular and clinical features of the disease to enable provision of the most-effective therapies for each patient, and to reduce long-term sequelae. This Review discusses our current knowledge of medulloblastoma. In particular, we present the genetic and histological features, patient demographics, prognosis, and therapeutic options for each the four molecular tumour subtypes that comprise this disease entity. In addition, the unique features of medulloblastoma in infants and in adults, as compared with childhood and/or adolescent forms, are described.
A Simple Procedure for Constructing 5′-Amino-Terminated Oligodeoxynucleotides in Aqueous Solution

A rapid method for the synthesis of oligodeoxynucleotides (ODNs) terminated by 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine is described. A 3'-phosphorylated ODN (the donor) is incubated in aqueous solution with 5'-amino- 5'-deoxythymidine in the presence of N-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-N'-ethylcarbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC), extending the donor by one residue via a phosphoramidate bond. Template- directed ligation of the extended donor and an acceptor ODN, followed by acid hydrolysis, yields the acceptor ODN extended by a single 5'-amino-5'-deoxythymidine residue at its 5'terminus.
NHLBI plans for the promise of cell-based therapies

This article presents the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) perspective on the status of cell-based therapies. A summary of current and future NHLBI/National Institutes of Health (NIH) programs is given along with a history of the development of NHLBI/NIH resources to aid the advancement of cell-based therapies. A brief discussion of clinical research programs to utilize cell-based therapies is also included.
Chemical properties of insoluble precipitation residue particles

Abstract Precipitation chemistry can provide unique insights into the composition of aerosol particles involved in precipitation processes. Until recently, precipitation chemistry studies focused predominantly on soluble components. Analyzing the single particle insoluble components in addition to soluble ions in precipitation can provide detailed information on the individual particles originally in the cloud or removed by precipitation as well as the source of the aerosols. Herein, we present an in-depth analysis of resuspended residues from precipitation samples collected at a remote site in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California during the 2009–2011 winter seasons. In addition, we present results from laboratory control experiments of dust, leaf litter, smoke, and sea salt samples that were conducted to better understand how insoluble and soluble residues are distributed during the atomization process and aid in the classification of the residue compositions in the precipitation samples. Further, immersion freezing ice nuclei (IN) measurements of insoluble residues from precipitation water enabled the determination of residue types that likely seeded clouds. Long-range transported dust mixed with biological material tended to be more IN active, while purely biological residues contained a variety of high and low temperature IN. Overall, results from this study can be used as a benchmark for classification of insoluble precipitation residues in future studies. Knowledge of the precipitation chemistry of insoluble residues coupled with meteorological and cloud microphysical measurements will ultimately improve our understanding of the link between aerosols, clouds, and precipitation.
Calcium signaling and mitochondrial destabilization in the triggering of the NLRP3 inflammasome

The NLRP3 inflammasome is a cytosolic complex that activates Caspase-1, leading to maturation of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 and induction of proinflammatory cell death in sentinel cells of the innate immune system. Diverse stimuli have been shown to activate the NLRP3 inflammasome during infection and metabolic diseases, implicating the pathway in triggering both adaptive and maladaptive inflammation in various clinically important settings. Here I discuss the emerging model that signals associated with mitochondrial destabilization may critically activate the NLRP3 inflammasome. Together with studies indicating an important role for Ca2+ signaling, these findings suggest that many stimuli engage Ca2+ signaling as an intermediate step to trigger mitochondrial destabilization, generating the mitochondrion-associated ligands that activate the NLRP3 inflammasome.
Expression of bluetongue virus serotype 17 NS1 protein from a cloned gene

A full-length copy of the coding region of segment 6 from bluetongue virus (BTV) serotype 17 was constructed from five overlapping cDNA clones. The gene coding for the NS1 protein was cloned into an expression plasmid under the control of a bacteriophage T7 promoter and expressed both in vitro and in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells which contain a T7 RNA polymerase gene in their chromosome. Expression in both systems resulted in the synthesis of a protein comigrating with NS1 and a minor polypeptide comigrating with another viral-induced protein, NS1a, sometimes seen in BTV-infected cells. The proteins induced in E. coli were synthesized to high levels as insoluble products.
Cross-linking studies of the protein topography of rat liver microsomes.

Abstract A cleavable cross-linking reagent, dithiobis(succinimidyl propionate), DSP, was used to study the topography of the proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum membrane of rat liver. Reaction of untreated (control), phenobarbital- or 3-methylcholanthrene-induced microsomes with 0.5 mM DSP for 30 min at 0°C resulted in the cross-linking of a protein with a molecular weight of about 52 000 to form an apparent dimer. In phenobarbital microsomes, a smaller amount of a 52 000-dalton protein also appeared in a dimer in the absence of DSP if N -ethylmaleimide was not included during homogenization. In phenobarbital and 3-methylcholanthrene microsomes, a 48 000-dalton protein was cross-linked by DSP to a protein of about 57 000. In all three types of microsomes, a protein with an M I of about 52 000 was also cross-linked to a protein of about 79 000. In phenobarbital and control microsomes, cross-linking resulted in an oligomeric protein of approximate molecular weight 180 000 which contained three proteins, two with M r of about 52 000 and one about 79 000. Under the cross-linking conditions, little or no denaturation of cytochrome P -450 and NADPH-cytochrome c reductase was observed. The aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity was significantly inhibited by the bifunctional cross-linking reagent, DSP, but not by the monofunctional reagent N -succinimidyl-3-(4-hydroxyphenyl) propionate. However, attempts to regenerate the aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase activity by cleavage of the disulfide linkage with 2-mercapto-ethanol or dithiothreitol were not successful.
Low-power high-performance approach for time-frequency/time-scale computations

This paper presents an application of formal mathematics to create a high performance, low power architecture for time-frequency and time-scale computations implemented in asynchronous circuit technology that achieves significant power reductions and performance enhancements over more traditional approaches. Utilizing a combination of concepts from multivariate signal processing and asynchronous circuit design, a case study is presented dealing with a new architecture for the fast Fourier transform, an algorithm that requires globally shared results. Then, the generalized distributive law is presented an important paradigm for advanced asynchronous hardware design.
Sepsis upregulates the gene expression of multiple ubiquitin ligases in skeletal muscle

Abstract Muscle wasting during sepsis reflects increased expression and activity of the ubiquitin–proteasome proteolytic pathway and is at least in part mediated by glucocorticoids. The ubiquitination of proteins destined to be degraded by the proteasome is regulated by multiple enzymes, including ubiquitin ligases. We tested the hypothesis that sepsis upregulates the gene expression of the newly described ubiquitin ligases, MuRF1 and atrogin-1/MAFbx. Sepsis was induced in rats by cecal ligation and puncture. Control rats were sham-operated. In some experiments, rats were treated with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist RU 38486 before induction of sepsis. At various time points after induction of sepsis, mRNA levels for MuRF1 and atrogin-1/MAFbx were determined in extensor digitorum longus muscles by real-time PCR. Sepsis resulted in a 10–16-fold increase in gene expression of the ubiquitin ligases studied here. These changes were much greater than those observed previously for another ubiquitin ligase, E3α, in muscle during sepsis. Treatment of rats with RU 38486 prevented the sepsis-induced increase in mRNA levels for MuRF1 and atrogin-1/MAFbx, suggesting that glucocorticoids participate in the upregulation of these genes in muscle during sepsis. The present results lend further support to the concept that the ubiquitin–proteasome pathway plays an important role in sepsis-induced muscle proteolysis and suggest that multiple ubiquitin ligases may participate in the development of muscle wasting during sepsis.
The azido acid approach to β-peptides: parallel synthesis of a tri-β-peptide library by fluorous tagging

A small tri-β-peptide library was prepared starting from three enantio- and diastereopure azido acids. Fluorous tagging followed by two cycles of azide reduction, fluorous solid phase extraction (f-SPE), peptide coupling with the original azido acids, and f-SPE provided 27 protected azido peptides. Reduction and HPLC purification provided 25 of the 27 targeted tri-β-peptides in acceptable yields and excellent purities.
A three-dimensional computational study of the effect of the inlet conditions on supersonic mixing and combustion

In recent years, a significant amount of high-speed combustion research has been directed toward optimization of scramjet combustors, and in particular on the efficiency of fuel–air mixing and reaction taking place in the engine. This article numerically investigates the flow characteristics of a dual-mode scramjet–combustor configuration. Results are presented for a three-dimensional combustor model with a single wall-mounted raised (compression) ramp as a fuel injector. Hydrogen is used as the fuel and is injected through the raised ramp (which has an aspect ratio of 0.5) parallel to the air stream. Vitiated air with different concentrations of H2O and CO2 are used at the inlet boundary. Three equivalence ratios were simulated, 0.25, 0.31, and 0.41. Numerical results are obtained using a finite volume computational fluid dynamics code. Initially, three forms of the two-equation k–e turbulent model were tested: the standard, the RNG, and the realizable with unstructured grids. Final results were obtained...
Cutting into Solids with Micropatterned Gels

Hydrogel stamps can microstructure solid surfaces, i.e., modify the surface topology of metals, glasses, and crystals. It is demonstrated that stamps soaked in an appropriate etchant can remove material with micrometer-scale precision. The Figure shows an array of concentric circles etched in glass using the immersion wet stamping process described (scale bar: 500 μm).
Asymptotically Good List-Colorings

Thelist-chromatic index,?l?(H), of a hypergraph H is the leasttsuch that for any assignment oft-setsS(A) to the edgesAof H, there is a proper coloring?of H with?(A)?S(A) for allA?H.Theorem.Let k be fixed and H a hypergraph having edges of size at most k and maximum degree D, and satisfyingformula]Thenformula]Thus if edge sizes are bounded and pairwise degrees are relatively small, we have asymptotic agreement of?l? with its trivial lower bound, the maximum degree. The corresponding result for ordinary chromatic index is a theorem of Pippenger and Spencer (J. Combin. Theory Ser. A51(1989), 24?42). On the other hand, even for simple graphs, earlier work falls far short of deciding the asymptotic behavior of?l?.The “guided-random” method used in the proof is in the spirit of some earlier work and is thought to be of particular interest. One simple ingredient is a martingale inequality which ought to prove useful beyond the present context.
Autonomic function following endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy for hyperhidrosis

Primary palmar–plantar hyperhidrosis is the condition of excessive sweating of the hands and feet. For severe and medically refractory cases, endoscopic thoracic sympathotomy (ETS) is a bilateral ganglion-sparing disconnection between the stellate and T2 ganglion in an effort to minimize compensatory hyperhidrosis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of ETS on cardiac autonomic function. Participants in this study were 22 otherwise healthy hyperhidrosis patients with 17 returning 1–12 months after surgery. Heart rate (HR) and blood pressure were collected at rest and during sequential nitroprusside/phenylephrine infusion (modified Oxford). To determine change in cardiac autonomic function, heart rate variability indices of RMSSD, LF and HF (log, nu) power were calculated. Sequential baroreflex sensitivity was also calculated. After surgery, resting HR on standardized ECG tended to be lower and reached significance during the modified Oxford baseline (p < 0.001). HRV changed significantly between assessments with an increase in HF (nu) and decrease in LF (nu) and LF (log) spectral ranges (p < 0.05), while the increase in RMSSD was marginally significant (p < 0.06). Compared with matched controls, HRV indices were significantly different before surgery, but similar after surgery. No change was detected in resting sequential baroreflex sensitivity, baroslope obtained by modified Oxford or QTc interval. We conclude that ETS changes cardiac autonomic modulation of HR to levels similar to controls. Despite the minimally destructive nature of ETS, effects on HRV are consistent with previously reported post-sympathectomy blunting of exaggerated sympathetic control associated with hyperhidrosis. No significant changes in the baroreflex indices suggest that ETS did not significantly affect blood pressure regulation.
Reactions of Substituted Oxazoles and Thiazoles with Acid Chlorides: Carbon—Carbon Bond Formation Through Cyclic Ketene Acetals.

The reaction of 2-alkylated thiazoles and oxazoles with aryl chlorides is investigated under different conditions.
Treatment of Green River oil shale by carbon dioxide and water: evidence for association of bitumen and carbonate materials☆

Abstract The use of CO 2 under pressure to disaggregate the mineral matrix of Green River oil shale has been studied. The degree of disaggregation was measured by changes in particle size distribution and the amount and constituency of the bitumen released after treatment. Although the effectiveness of this technique was minimal, it did afford greater insight into the physical and chemical characteristics of Green River oil shale, and provided further evidence for the strong association of bitumen, kerogen, and minerals through carboxylic acids, acting as coupling agents.
Pisterior hepatodiaphragmatic interposition of the colon complicated by appendicitis

Abstract Posterier hepatediaphragmatic interposition is a rare malposition of the cecum that persists over time but is usually of littie or no clinical importance. However, when inflammation occurs in the appendix, the symptoms and signs are those of subphrenic disease rather than abdominal disease and may be misleading to the attending physicians. Radiologists should report the presence of anterior and posterior hepatodiaphragmatic interposition and should differentiate between the two.
Substrate specificity of the hydroxylase reaction in which thymidine is converted to thymine ribonucleoside.

Abstract 1. 1.|A partially purified enzyme preparation from Neurospora crassa, which had previously been reported to convert thymidine to thymine ribonucleoside, catalyzes the conversion of deoxyuridine to uridine but not that of deoxycytidine, deoxyadenosine or deoxyguanosine to the corresponding ribonucleoside. 2. 2.|The conversion of deoxyuridine to uridine, like that of thymidine to thymine ribonucleoside, occurs without detachment of the deoxyribose moiety. 3. 3.|Since neither deoxyuridylic acid nor deoxyribose were hydroxylated, the enzymatic 2′-hydroxylation reaction appears to be specific for substrate at the nucleoside level. 4. 4.|A requirement for oxygen is suggested by the inhibition of the conversion of thymidine to thymine ribonucleoside by exclusion of air from the incubation mixture.
Brain mechanisms of selective learning: event-related potentials provide evidence for error-driven learning in humans

Selective learning has been observed in Pavlovian conditioning in animals and in judgements of event contingencies in humans. This analogy led to the suggestion that the formation of associations underlies both types of learning. An alternative theory proposes that both tasks involve the computation of event contingencies as prescribed by probability theory. Error-driven models of learning incorporate trial-by-trial error-correction mechanisms during training whereas probabilistic models view learning merely as the storage of frequency information for later use during judgement of event contingencies. Competitive interaction between cues was observed in a contingency judgement task. Event-related brain potentials (ERPs) provided evidence for brain events related to the discrepancy between actual and expected outcomes during training thus supporting error-driven accounts of selective learning.
Celecoxib and Bcl-2: emerging possibilities for anticancer drug design

Celecoxib is a multifaceted drug with promising anticancer properties. A number of studies have been conducted that implicate the compound in modulating the expression of Bcl-2 family members and mitochondria-mediated apoptosis. The growing data surrounding the role of celecoxib in the regulation of the mitochondrial death pathway provides a platform for ongoing debate. Studies that describe celecoxib’s properties as a BH3 mimic or as a direct inhibitor of Bcl-2 are not available. The motivations for this review are: to provide the basis for the development of novel compounds that modulate Bcl-2 expression using celecoxib as a structural starting point and to encourage additional biological studies (such as binding and enzymatic assays) that would provide information regarding celecoxib’s role as a Bcl-2 antagonist. The current review summarizes work that identifies the role of celecoxib in blocking the activity of Bcl-2.
Free energy simulations of uncatalyzed DNA replication fidelity: structure and stability of T.G and dTTP.G terminal DNA mismatches flanked by a single dangling nucleotide.

A reference system for DNA replication fidelity was studied by free energy perturbation (FEP) and linear interaction energy (LIE) methods. The studied system included a hydrated duplex DNA with the...
Expanded progenitor populations, vitreo-retinal abnormalities, and Müller glial reactivity in the zebrafish leprechaun/patched2 retina

Background The roles of the Hedgehog (Hh) pathway in controlling vertebrate retinal development have been studied extensively; however, species- and context-dependent findings have provided differing conclusions. Hh signaling has been shown to control both population size and cell cycle kinetics of proliferating retinal progenitors, and to modulate differentiation within the retina by regulating the timing of cell cycle exit. While cell cycle exit has in turn been shown to control cell fate decisions within the retina, a direct role for the Hh pathway in retinal cell fate decisions has yet to be established in vivo.
Response bias influences mental health symptom reporting in patients with obstructive sleep apnea.

The Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) inventory is widely used to assess quality of life in chronically ill patients. Although response bias was addressed during its initial validation, we are unaware ofsubsequent studies examining how personality characteristics influence responses on this instrument. We examined the impact of response bias on MOS data reported by 44 obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) outpatients who completed the MOS and Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (MC). Social desirability implies responding in a way that the participant believes will be viewed favorably; MC is often used to statistically controlfor this form of response bias on self-report measures. The MOS yielded 2 summary scales (Mental and Physical Health) and 8 dimensions (based on Short Form-36 [SF-36]). Data were analyzed using multiple regression analyses. Results show that there is a significant relation between MC and the Mental and Physical Health factors (R2 = .194, F = 5.069, p = .011) and the eight SF-36 dimensions (R2 = .359, F= 2.448, p = .032). Post hoc analyses did not reveal that any one independent variable was a superior predictor of the MC. Participants scoring high on the MC reported 31% greater health than participants scoring low on the MC. Findings suggest that response bias has a significant influence on MOS data from OSA patients, with the greatest impact on mental health indexes. Controlling for response bias on the MOS and other self-report measures is important in both research and clinical situations with OSA and potentially other chronically ill patients.
Whom do older adults trust most to provide information about prescription drugs

Abstract Background: Cost-related nonadherence to medieations is common among older adults, yet physician-patient communication about medication cost concerns is infrequent. One factor affecting communication and adherence may be older adults' confidence in the information about prescription drugs provided by physicians and other sources. Objectives: This study was conducted to identify which source older adults most trust to provide information on drugs and to examine the relationship between older patients' trust in physicians to provide price information and the occurrence of cost-related nonadherence. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional national telephone survey of individuals aged ≥50 years who were taking at least 1 prescription medication. Respondents were asked how much they would trust various sources (physician, pharmacist, nurse, insurance plan, the Internet, consumer groups, friends and family) to provide helpful information on “the price of the prescription medicine compared to others like it” and on “how well the prescription medicine will work for you compared to other medicines like it.” The response options were a lot, somewhat , and not at all . Other measures of interest were respondents' beliefs concerning physicians' ability to lower drug costs and patient activation. We also evaluated the potential association between trust in physicians to deliver drug price information and cost-related medication nonadherence. Results: Compared with the other sources of information studied, doctors and pharmacists were the sources that respondents were most likely to trust “a lot” to provide information on drug prices (55.6% and 61.7%, respectively) and to provide information on drug effectiveness (79.9% and 66.4%). Less than half (42.3%) of respondents who said that they trusted their doctor to provide drug price information “somewhat” or “not at all” agreed that there are ways doctors could lower drug costs ( P = 0.01 vs those who trusted their doctor “a lot”). Adults aged ≥65 years were more likely than those aged 50 to 64 years to trust their doctors “a lot” to provide information on drug prices (odds ratio [OR] = 1.44; 95% CI, 1.08–1.92); the same was true of members of minority groups compared with white respondents (OR = 1.72; 95%) CT, 1.1 3–2.61 ). Among individuals with high drug spending, those who placed “a lot” of trust in their doctors to provide price information were less likely than those who trusted their doctor “somewhat” or “not at all” to have cost-related nonadhcrence (OR = 0.40; 95% CI, 0.20–0.78). Conclusions: In this survey, older adults trusted physicians and pharmacists more than the other sources studied to provide information on prescription drugs. Trust in physicians to provide price information was an important moderator of the effect of high drug spending on cost-related nonadhcrence. Efforts to provide patients and their providers with comparative data on drug prices and effectiveness may reduce cost-related nonadhcrence.
The Effect of Dietary Tryptophan and Niacin Levels on Broiler Breeder Pullets

Abstract A total of 1500 pullets and 300 cockerels were obtained at one-day of age and reared to six weeks of age on a commercial-type diet. At six weeks of age, birds were fed one of the following: Diets 1, 2 and 3 contained 0.150 percent tryptophan and no added niacin, 28 mg. added niacin and 280 mg. added niacin per kg. of diet, respectively. Diets 4, 5 and 6 contained 0.112 percent tryptophan and no added niacin, 28 mg. added niacin and 280 mg. added niacin per kg. of diet, respectively. All diets contained 2800 kcal. of metabolizable energy per kg. of diet and were fed for 21 weeks. The 0.112 percent tryptophan diets reduced body weight and percent body protein but increased percent body fat. Niacin levels had no effect on any of the pullet production parameters measured. However, at 21 weeks of age 280 mg. of added niacin in the 0.150 percent tryptophan diets restricted body weights of the males.
Monetary Policy in an Inside-Money, Open Economy

Tobin's banking system model, 83. — Opening the Tobin model, 86. — Foreign sector, 86. — Stationary-state, portfolio balance, 87. — Banking sector, 89. — High-powered money, 89. — Aggregate demand and supply, 90. — Government sector, 91. — Monetary policy, 93. — Fixed exchange rate: increase in required reserve ratio, 94. — Floating exchange rate, 97. — Conclusions, 99. — Appendix I: notation, 100. — Appendix II, 100.
Aesthetic Style as a Postructural Business Ethic

The article begins with a brief history of aesthetic theory. Particular attention is given to the postructuralist ‘aesthetic return’: the resurgence of interest in aesthetics as an ontological foundation for human being-in-the-world. The disordered individual-as-emergent-artist-and-artifact, who is at the centre of this ‘aesthetic return’, is then translated into the ‘dis’-organization that is the firm. The firm is thus defined in terms of its primal sensory impact on the world. It invokes a myriad of aesthetic relations between its disorganized self and others: its essence resides within these relations; its power of being is determined by its ability to project a unified aesthetic ideal – a ‘mirror fantasy’. The firm thus emerges as a style: where style is defined as an organizing – a sculpting – of aesthetic chaos. In order to achieve a grand style, the firm projects itself through time as a unified aesthetic ideal; as an ongoing work of art. The article concludes with a discussion of how this aesthetic theory of the firm relates to other accepted theories of the nature and purpose of business organizations.
Isolation and characterization of atriplex hortensis and sweet chenopodium quinoa starches

ABSTRACT Starches from garden orach (Atriplex hortensis) and sweet quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd. ‘Surumi’) seeds were isolated, examined for compositional characteristics, and compared with bitter quinoa (Cheno-podium quinoa Willd.) starch. Garden orach and sweet quinoa seeds were similar in fat and ash contents, while garden orach seeds contained ≈10% more protein. Starches were isolated from seeds following a 12-hr soak in dilute alkaline solution using a series of grinding, screening, centrifugation, and washing steps. Isolated starches viewed by scanning electron microscopy yielded angular, polygonal granules ≈1–2 μm in diameter. Starches displayed typical A-type crystalline packing arrangements as determined by X-ray powder diffractometry. Apparent amylose contents for garden orach (21.2%), sweet quinoa (20.6%), and bitter quinoa (19.8%) were determined according to colorimetric procedure. Differential scanning calorimetry data indicated a higher and wider gelatinization temperature range for gar...
The positive rates problem for attractive nearest neighbor spin systems on ℤ

It is shown that a spin system on ℤ has only one invariant probability measure if it has attractive or repulsive nearest neighbor flip rates which are strictly positive and periodic under translation along ℤ.
Building Student Proficiency with Scientific Literature Using the Zotero Reference Manager Platform.

While mastery of the scientific literature is a strongly desirable trait for undergraduate students, the sheer volume of the current literature has complicated the challenge of teaching scientific literacy. Part of the response to this ever-increasing volume of resources includes formal instruction in the use of reference manager software while engaging students with the primary literature. This article describes the incorporation of the reference manager program Zotero into a chemical literature course to facilitate the use of digital resources and to better enable them to use proper citation skills in their technical writing. BIOCHEMISTRY AND MOLECULAR BIOLOGY EDUCATION Vol. 39, No. 6, pp. 412–415, 2011
OMVPE growth of metastable GaAsSb and GaInAsSb alloys using TBAs and TBDMSb

Abstract Epitaxial layers of the metastable alloys GaAsSb and GaInAsSb have been grown by organometallic vapor phase epitaxy (OMVPE) using tertiarybutylarsine (TBAs) and tertiarybutyldimethylantimony (TBDMSb) with conventional group III sources. Layers with compositions well inside the miscibility gap were successfully obtained. The key parameters for obtaining these metastable alloys are the use of low V/III ratios (≤ 1) and low growth temperatures. The Sb distribution coefficients for GaAsSb are close to unity on both GaSb and InAs substrates when V/III ratios of approximately unity are used. The distribution coefficients of Sb for GaInAsSb on GaSb and InAs substrates are slightly higher than unity for lower V/III ratios. The quality of the surface morphology is degraded as the composition moves further into the region of solid immiscibility. The hole concentrations of undoped GaInAsSb layers on GaAs substrates grown using conditions identical to those used for the InAs substrates are approximately 1 × 10 17 cm −3 at room temperature. The concentrations of In and Sb in the GaInAsSb layers were 0.05–0.23 and 0.75–0.95, respectively, on GaSb substrates and 0.23–0.39 and 0.82–0.89, respectively, on InAs substrates. These compositions correspond to band gap energies of 0.4–0.7 eV. Low-temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectra were observed for GaInAsSb layers grown on GaSb and InAs substrates at wavelengths of approximately 1.9 and 2.0 μm with half-widths of 20 and 25.3 meV, respectively.
Free-surface Flow Simulations Using Parallel Finite Element Method:

In this paper, we present recent results in numeri cal simulation of free-surface flows using the paral lel finite element method. In our approach, the gov erning equations are the Navier-Stokes equations written for two incompressible fluids. We solve these equations over a non-moving mesh. An inter face function with two distinct values serves as a marker identifying the location of the free-surface. This function is transported throughout the com putational domain with a time-dependent advec tion equation. The stabilized finite element method is used to discretize the governing equations. The finite element formulations are implemented in parallel using Message Passing Interface libraries. High performance computing tools and optimized techniques are utilized to solve applications on un structured meshes with more than one billion tetra hedral elements. Numerical examples include the simulation of sloshing in tanker trucks and ships hydrodynamics.
Medium Range Lagged Average Forecasts

In this work, the application of the lagged average forecasting (LAF) technique to operational forecasts of the ECMWF is reported. The ECMWF data consist of two 100-day samples of 10-day forecasts of 500-mb geopotential height for winter 1980/81 and summer 1981. the LAF ensemble includes the latest operational forecast, and also forecast for the same verification time started one or more days earlier than the latest one. The focus is on the following two issues: (1) does ensemble averaging improve forecast skill and (2) is the dispersion of the ensemble useful in predicting forecast skill. The LAF technique was used to produce 3, 5, 7, 8, and 9 day forecasts of the 500-mb height field. The results show that the statistically filtered LAF is a marked improvment upon the operational forecast after 5 days. It is found that on a global scale, forecast skill is weakly correlated with the dispersion of the ensemble, as measured by the rms difference between the operational forecast and the statistically filtered LAF.
Customizing treatment for chronic pain patients: who, what, and why.

Despite advances in the understanding of pain mechanisms and innovative strategies to assess pain patients, there continues to be a substantial proportion of patients who do not appear to benefit from treatment interventions available. One possible explanation for these results is the tendency to treat chronic pain patients as a homogeneous group with generic treatments--adherence to "patient and treatment uniformity myths." Following from the traditional medical model, several attempts have been made to identify specific subgroups of patients exclusively on the basis of physical factors. In addition, a number of studies have attempted to empirically identify subgroups of pain patients using standard psychiatric assessment instruments (e.g., MMPI, SCL-90) and, recently, cognitive measures and measures of pain behaviors. These different approaches and the assessment instruments used are reviewed, and the limitations are described. Alternative strategies to classify subgroups of pain patients based on combinations of physical, psychosocial, and behavioral measures (i.e., multiaxial strategies) are presented. The efforts to classify homogeneous subgroups of chronic pain patients are reviewed, and the potential utility of customizing therapeutic interventions to patient characteristics is discussed.
Gallbladder damage control: compromised procedure for compromised patients

The objective of this study was to analyze a population-based database for (1) recent 9-year trends in utilization of partial cholecystectomy (PC), laparoscopic PC, and trocar cholecystostomy (TC), (2) demographics, associated diagnoses, and hospital characteristics, and (3) relevant inpatient outcomes. Retrospective cohort analysis of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) files from 2000 to 2008 was performed. For the purposes of the study, gallbladder damage control was defined as PC, laparoscopic PC, and TC. A national estimate of 10,872 gallbladder damage control cases was obtained. Procedures performed included PC (47.8 %), laparoscopic PC (27.2 %), TC (25.3 %), and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) (19.7 %). A total of 1,479 (13.6 %) postoperative complications were identified, including pulmonary complications (4.3 %), hemorrhage/hematoma/seroma (3.4 %), and accidental puncture or laceration during procedure (3.3 %). Common bile duct injury occurred in 3.3 % overall. Hospital types included nonteaching (82.1 %) and urban (67.8 %), with regional variations of 42.1 % from the South and 45.2 % from the West. Inpatient outcomes included mean length of stay of 11.4 (0.16 SEM) days, mean total hospital charge of $71,296.69 ($1,106.03 SEM), 7.4 % mortality, and 16.8 % discharge to skilled nursing facility. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified independent risk variables for common bile duct injury: teaching hospitals (OR = 1.517, CI = 1.155–1.991, P = 0.003). IOC (OR = 2.030, CI = 1.590–2.591, P < 0.001) was a commonly associated procedure in the setting of common bile duct injury. Various circumstances may require gallbladder damage control with PC and TC. Postoperative complications and common bile duct injury remain significantly high despite limited resection, and the teaching status of the hospital is associated with CBD injury. High morbidity and mortality of gallbladder damage control may reflect both the compromised nature of the procedures and multiple comorbidities.
The immune response in chronic hepatitis B virus infection: The “Core” of the problem?

Individuals with chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection are generally divided into asymptomatic healthy carriers and patients with chronic liver disease. Several studies have suggested that the hepatitis B core antigen could be an immunological target of cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL). To investigate the possible pressure site from CTL, the entire core region of HBV DNA was sequenced in 30 subjects (10 asymptomatic healthy carriers and 20 patients with chronic liver disease). No significant changes in the nucleotide sequence and deduced amino acid residue were noted in the 10 healthy carriers. In contrast, a cluster of changes in a small segment of 18 amino acids (codons 84–101 from the start of the core gene) was found in 15 of the 20 chronic liver disease patients. All these 15 patients had advanced liver diseases (chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis), whereas only mild liver disease (chronic persistent hepatitis) was found in the five patients without mutations. These data suggest that the region with mutation clustering is the major target of CTL, and that the mutations evolve under the pressure of immune selection.
Posterior Vitreous Fluorophotometry: II. Comparison of Diabetic Patients and Controls With the Use of a New Analysis Procedure

• We used a new computerized procedure to analyze posterior vitreous fluorophometry scans, obtained with a commercial fluorophotometer (Fluorotron Master Coherent, Palo Alto, Calif), in insulin-dependent diabetic patients and controls. Diabetic patients with minimal retinopathy had significantly higher effective fluorescein vitreous diffusivity and 30-minute 3-mm vitreous fluorescence values than either controls or diabetic patients with no retinopathy. However, there was no significant difference between the groups for the apparent permeability of the blood-retinal barrier to fluorescein. These results suggest the possibility that the higher 3-mm fluorescence levels found in the diabetic patients with minimal retinopathy may result in part from enhanced movement of fluorescein through the vitreous.
The Association Between Body Mass Index in Adolescence and Obesity in Adulthood

Abstract Purpose This study used data from the National Longitudinal Study of Youth 1979 to examine the association between body mass index (BMI) in adolescence and obesity in adulthood. Methods Measurements of height and weight from 1981 and 2002 were used to calculate BMI for a cohort of 1309 adolescents at baseline and during adulthood. Associations between BMI at age 16/17 and obesity (BMI ≥30) at age 37/38 were analyzed using logistic regression analysis. Results When the predicted probability of adult obesity equaled 0.5, the point on the adolescent BMI distribution was close to the 85th percentile for both sexes (83rd percentile for females and 86th percentile for males). Among adolescents with a BMI in the 85th– Conclusion Adolescents with a BMI ≥85th percentile are at elevated risk for obesity in adulthood. To prevent the development of obesity and its associated health risks, population-based efforts combined with targeted interventions for these high-risk adolescents are needed.
The use of microvoids to toughen polymers

The concept of microvoid toughening of polymers has been proposed by several investigators. This investigation illustrates the similarities between the function of rubber particles in rubber-toughened plastics with that of microvoids. While previous researchers created microvoids within polymeric materials by means of non-adhering particles, our novel approach is based on using hollow plastic micro-spheres to generate holes. An epoxy polymer is used as a model polymer matrix. The results of this investigation show that hollow plastic particles toughen the epoxy resin in the same manner as rubber particles. Surprisingly, mechanical characterization of modified blends revealed that the use of hollow plastic micro-spheres provides greater yield strength than that of similar blends with equivalent rubber content.
A Decision Model to Analyze Costs and Benefits of RFID for Superior Supply Chain Performance

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is believed to change drastically how supply chains operate, giving more control and visibility into the materials and information flowing through the entire chain. While adoption of RFID technology is starting to ramp up, many supply chain players are still skeptical due to the high costs. The purpose of this paper is to analyze the cost versus the benefits of RFID. Given the uncertainties regarding the RFID technology and scarcity of related data, a simulation model is built to carry out a net present value (NPV) analysis for various possible business scenarios. The parameters considered in our simulation experiments include company size, margins, tag prices, fixed costs, increased sale and margin benefits. The resulting NPV distributions help us identify the risk and the volumes and margins that make RFID a viable option.
Thermodynamic asymmetric induction: a new approach to the development of rules for the determination of absolute configurations

Abstract The absolute configurations of chiral primary amines can be determined using the optical rotations of the corresponding N-p-toluenesulfonyl-N-2,4-dinitrobenzensulfenyl derivatives.
Effects of food deprivation and competition on mouse killing in the rat

An initial experiment assessed mouse killing in the rat following different periods of recovery from a food deprivation schedule. Testing which immediately followed food deprivation resulted in a high mouse killing rate relative to rates observed after a 2-week recovery period and control conditions. A second experiment investigated the effects of intraspecies competition, independent of food deprivation, on mouse-killing behavior in the rat. In contrast to previous reports, no significant competition effects on interspecies aggression were found.
The host range of Saprolegnia parasitica

Although various species of the Saprolegniaceae have been reported on many different fish, in no case has the host range of these species of fish mold been determined experimentally under controlled conditions on an extensive series of accurately identified hosts. A survey of the literature on the subject discloses that although a composite host range can be compiled from the several references, such a host range is based not upon controlled experiments and accurate determinations but merely upon random records of various hosts parasitized by species of the Saprolegniaceae. Because these reports are numerous and most of them are of little value unless compared with others, the essential facts of the pertinent observations they contain are presented in Table I. It is true that a few writers (Smith, 23; Stirling, 24; and Clinton, 7) have reported infections appearing on large numbers of fish but these reports lack definite certainty of the identity of the parasite, while in nearly every case the host is mentioned by its common name, a practice which is confusing since one species of fish is often known by different common names in different regions. It seemed desirable, therefore, by means of extensive inoculations under controlled conditions, to investigate the host range of