cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early photocycle kinetic behavior of the E46A and Y42F mutants of photoactive yellow protein: femtosecond spectroscopy.

Abstract In the photoactive yellow protein, PYP, both Glu46 and Tyr42 form hydrogen bonds to the phenolic OH group of the p -hydroxycinnamoyl chromophore. Previous work on replacement of the carboxyl group of Glu46 by an amide group (Glu46Gln) has shown that changing the nature of this hydrogen bond has a minimal effect on the rate constant for the formation of the first intermediate (I 0 ) and on the excited state lifetime, whereas the rate constants for the formation of the second (I 0 ≠ ) and third (I 1 ) intermediates were increased by factors of ∼30 and 5, respectively. In the present experiments, two additional mutants (Glu46Ala and Tyr42Phe) have been studied. These two mutants are shown to behave kinetically very similarly to one another. In both cases, the rate constant for I 0 formation is decreased by a factor of ∼2, with little or no effect on the photochemical yield as a consequence of a compensating increase in the excited state lifetime. Although we are unable to resolve the rate constant for the formation of the second intermediate from that of the first intermediate, the rate constant for the formation of the third intermediate is increased by a factor of ∼100. The structural implications of these results are discussed.
Trafficking of neurokinin receptors: regulation, mechanism and function

Cellular responses to agonists of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) depend in large part on the trafficking of receptors between the plasma membrane and intracellular locations. Receptor activation usually triggers rapid endocytosis of receptors, which either recycle to the cell surface or are targeted for degradation, depending on the receptor in question and the nature of the stimulation. Activation of neurokinin receptors (NKRs) induces membrane translocation of G-protein receptor kinases, which phosphorylate the receptors and β-arrestins, which interact with phosphorylated receptors. β-arrestins: 1) uncouple receptors from G-proteins to mediate desensitization; 2) are adaptors for clathrin and AP-2 and mediate clathrin and dynamin-dependent endocytosis of receptors; and 3) interact with components of the MAP kinase pathway such as src, and thereby determine the subcellular location and function of activated MAP kinases. The fate of endocytosed NKRs depends on the receptor and the nature of the stimulus. Transient stimulation with low concentrations of SP (1 nm, 10 min) induces rapid recycling of the NK1R from superficially located endosomes by a mechanism that is mediated by rab4a and rab11a. Higher concentrations of SP (10 nm) induce rab5a-dependent trafficking of the NK1R to perinuclear sorting endosomes and a gradual recycling to the plasma membrane. Continuous stimulation with high concentrations of SP (100 nm, 180 min) induces NK1R ubiquitination and trafficking for degradation. The fate of endocytosed receptors also depends on their interaction with β-arrestins. The NK1R forms stable high-affinity interactions with both β-arrestins 1 and 2 at the plasma membrane and in endosomes, whereas the NK3R interacts transiently only with β-arrestin 2 at the cell surface. The nature of these interactions is specified by domains in the intracellular loop 3 and the carboxyl terminus and determine the rate of recycling and resensitization of these receptors.
Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Tetraphenylmethane-Based Molecular Materials for Light-Emitting Devices

Tetraphenylmethane-based compounds, tetrakis(4-(5-(3,5-di-tert-butylphenyl)-2-oxadiazolyl)phenyl)methane (TBUOXD), tetrakis(4-(5-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-oxadiazolyl)phenyl)methane (OMEOXD), tetrakis(4-(5-(3-(α,α,α-trifluoromethylphenyl))-2-oxadiazolyl)phenyl)methane (CF3OXD), tetrakis(4-(5-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)-2-oxadiazolyl)phenyl)methane (p-TPAOXD), and tetrakis(3-(5-(4-diphenylaminophenyl)-2-oxadiazolyl)phenyl)methane (m-TPAOXD), were synthesized. These compounds were characterized by NMR, microanalysis, UV−visible spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, DSC, and TGA. TBUOXD, OMEOXD, and CF3OXD showed rather similar electrochemical and spectroscopic characteristics to those of the hole-blocking material 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD). However, TBUOXD, OMEOXD, and CF3OXD all crystallize well above 200 °C, much higher than the 70−90 °C observed for PBD. In addition, high onset glass transition temperatures of 97−175 °C were detected for the compounds...
The Strength of High-Temperature Ag–In Joints Produced Between Copper by Fluxless Low-Temperature Processes

Two copper (Cu) substrates were bonded using silver (Ag) and indium (In) and annealed at 200-250 °C to convert the joints into the solid solution (Ag) for enhanced strength and ductility. Cu-Cu pair was chosen so that the samples break in the joint during shear test. The upper Cu was electroplated with 15 μm Ag. The lower Cu was plated with 15 μm Ag, followed by In and 0.1 μm Ag to inhibit indium oxidation. Two designs were implemented, using 8 μm and 5 μm In, respectively. The Cu substrates were bonded at 180 °C in 100 mTorr vacuum without flux. Afterwards, samples were annealed at 200 °C for 1000 h (first design) and at 250 °C for 350 h (second design), respectively. Scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM and EDX) results indicate that the joint of the first design is an alloy of mostly (Ag) with micron-size Ag2In and (ζ) regions, and that of second design has converted to a single (Ag) phase. Shear test results show that the samples are very strong. The breaking forces far exceed requirements in MILSTD- 883H standards. Fracture incurs inside the joint and is a mix of brittle and ductile modes or only ductile mode. The joint solidus temperatures are 600 °C and 900 °C for the first and second designs, respectively. Copyright © 2014 by ASME.
Clustering of UPOINT Domains and Subdomains in Men with Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome and Contribution to Symptom Severity

Purpose: The UPOINT (Urinary, Psychosocial, Organ specific, Infection, Neurologic/systemic and Tenderness of skeletal muscle) system characterizes men with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome according to 6 domains. Some domains have multiple possible criteria but to our knowledge grouping these criteria have never been validated. Domain clustering may provide clues to the etiology or treatment of individual phenotypes. We examined domain clustering patterns and the contribution of individual domains and subdomains to symptom severity.Materials and Methods: We reviewed the records of 220 patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Of the patients 120 were characterized by UPOINT alone and 100 were characterized by subdomain, including urinary (voiding and storage), psychosocial (catastrophizing and depression), organ specific (bladder and prostate), infection (prostate and urethra) and neurologic/systemic. The NIH-CPSI (National Institutes of Health-Chronic Prostatitis Sym...
Hamiltonella defensa, genome evolution of protective bacterial endosymbiont from pathogenic ancestors

Eukaryotes engage in a multitude of beneficial and deleterious interactions with bacteria. Hamiltonella defensa, an endosymbiont of aphids and other sap-feeding insects, protects its aphid host from attack by parasitoid wasps. Thus H. defensa is only conditionally beneficial to hosts, unlike ancient nutritional symbionts, such as Buchnera, that are obligate. Similar to pathogenic bacteria, H. defensa is able to invade naive hosts and circumvent host immune responses. We have sequenced the genome of H. defensa to identify possible mechanisms that underlie its persistence in healthy aphids and protection from parasitoids. The 2.1-Mb genome has undergone significant reduction in size relative to its closest free-living relatives, which include Yersinia and Serratia species (4.6–5.4 Mb). Auxotrophic for 8 of the 10 essential amino acids, H. defensa is reliant upon the essential amino acids produced by Buchnera. Despite these losses, the H. defensa genome retains more genes and pathways for a variety of cell structures and processes than do obligate symbionts, such as Buchnera. Furthermore, putative pathogenicity loci, encoding type-3 secretion systems, and toxin homologs, which are absent in obligate symbionts, are abundant in the H. defensa genome, as are regulatory genes that likely control the timing of their expression. The genome is also littered with mobile DNA, including phage-derived genes, plasmids, and insertion-sequence elements, highlighting its dynamic nature and the continued role horizontal gene transfer plays in shaping it.
Efficient Syntheses of C8-Aryl Adducts of Adenine and Guanine Formed by Reaction of Radical Cation Metabolites of Carcinogenic Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons with DNA

The synthesis of the C8-aryl adducts of adenine and guanine formed by reaction of the radical cation metabolites of carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), such as benzo[a]pyrene (BP) and dibenzo[def,p]chrysene (DBC), with DNA is reported. The synthetic approach involves in the key step direct reaction of a PAH aldehyde with a di- or triamine precursor of a purine. The method is operationally simple, affords good yields of adducts, and is broad in its scope. The C8-aryl adducts of adenine and guanine derived from BP (6-BP-8-Ade and 6-BP-8-Gua) and DBC (10-DBC-8-Ade and 10-DBC-8-Gua) were synthesized in good yields by this method. Analogous C8-aryl adenine and guanine derivatives of other PAHs (anthracene, benz[a]anthracene, and chrysene) were also readily prepared via this approach. This method of synthesis is superior to the only method that is currently available. It entails direct reaction of short-lived PAH radical cations (generated electrochemically or chemically) with 2‘-deoxyribonucl...
The Sulfur-Isotopic Composition of Cenozoic Seawater Sulfate: Implications for Pyrite Burial and Atmospheric Oxygen

The availability of high-temporal-resolution C- and S-isotope curves for the Cenozoic permit for the first time modeling of the influence of the C and S cycles on the partial pressure of atmospheric O2 on comparable time scales. A simple isotope mass-balance model was used to calculate atmospheric O2 levels from the burial rates of organic C and pyrite S. Burial rates were derived from the C- and S-isotope records of seawater-dissolved inorganic C and sulfate. Results indicate that in the early Cenozoic atmospheric O2 levels were about 16% higher than current levels. Extension of the model to Phanerozoic time scales yields atmospheric O2 levels that are inconsistent with geological evidence that suggests that the mass of atmospheric O2 has not changed by more than a factor of two from the present atmospheric level since the Cambrian (Berkner and Marshall, 1974; Watson et al., 1978; Jones and Chaloner, 1991). These results indicate that either our knowledge of the parameters controlling atmospheric O2 is i...
Microfabricated electroporation chip for single cell membrane permeabilization

Silicon microfabrication technology was used to develop a chip that can incorporate a live biological cell in its electrical circuit and thereby induce controlled electroporation in the cell. Electroporation employs electrical pulses applied across a cell for cell membrane permeabilization. Commonly used in biotechnology for genetic engineering of cells in a batch, this chip is the first microfabricated device in which cells can be individually electroporated. This paper describes the design and fabrication of the chip in detail. To characterize the performance of the microelectroporation chip, an electrical model of the device is developed together with typical experimental results.
Nominations sought for National Geospatial Advisory Committee

The U.S. Department of the Interior is seeking nominations for a new National Geospatial Advisory Committee that will provide advice on the management of national geospatial programs and the development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure. The NSDI is intended to promote the sharing of geospatial data throughout the government and the private, academic, and non-profit sectors. The new advisory committee will consist of 20–25 members who will be selected to achieve a balanced representation of partners involved in national geospatial activities. Nominations are due 28 June. Additional information is available at http://www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=1666
Integrated protein quality-control pathways regulate free α-globin in murine β-thalassemia

Cells remove unstable polypeptides through protein quality-control (PQC) pathways such as ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis and autophagy. In the present study, we investigated how these pathways are used in β-thalassemia, a common hemoglobinopathy in which β-globin gene mutations cause the accumulation and precipitation of cytotoxic α-globin subunits. In β-thalassemic erythrocyte precursors, free α-globin was polyubiquitinated and degraded by the proteasome. These cells exhibited enhanced proteasome activity, and transcriptional profiling revealed coordinated induction of most proteasome subunits that was mediated by the stress-response transcription factor Nrf1. In isolated thalassemic cells, short-term proteasome inhibition blocked the degradation of free α-globin. In contrast, prolonged in vivo treatment of β-thalassemic mice with the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib did not enhance the accumulation of free α-globin. Rather, systemic proteasome inhibition activated compensatory proteotoxic stress-response mechanisms, including autophagy, which cooperated with ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis to degrade free α-globin in erythroid cells. Our findings show that multiple interregulated PQC responses degrade excess α-globin. Therefore, β-thalassemia fits into the broader framework of protein-aggregation disorders that use PQC pathways as cell-protective mechanisms.
Chemotherapy in advanced primary and recurrent cervical carcinoma.

Abstract Chemotherapy in carcinoma of the cervix continues to be a therapeutic challenge. The diversified treatment programs from one institution and the factors affecting response are analyzed. It is concluded that until more active regimens are available, chemotherapy in advanced and recurrent cervical carcinoma should be confined to patients with good prognostic factors.
Homogeneous path generation for automated laser burn debridement

The objective of this work is to generate a path plan for an automatic laser equipped burn debridement robot. A high powered, CO2 based, pulsed laser transmitted through a kinematic chain to the end effector of a robot is used to ablate burnt tissue on the skin of a burn victim. The generation of the path plan for the robot's end effector is critical for an effective treatment using this automated method. Path planning for this device involves generating the trajectory to be followed by the end effector so that the laser irradiation can be used to treat (ablate) the non-uniform burnt skin without an over- or under-cut. In this application, 3-D body surface points of the human body are measured and modeled using the non-uniform rational B-splines (NURBS) surface modeling technique. The depth of burn is measured along the normal direction to the cutting point on the surface. The homogeneous path is generated under the following constraints: the laser spots cover the burnt area with minimum overlap; the laser beam is incident along the direction normal to the skin; and the laser dosage is varied with the depth of burn. The path traced by the laser treatment head (on the end effector) has a constant offset from the point in the burnt skin being treated. The offset contours on the skin surface are equal in distance. The axis of the laser treatment head is along the normal direction to skin.© (1995) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A Solid-State Nitrogen-15 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic and Quantum Chemical Investigation of Nitrosoarene−Metal Interactions in Model Systems and in Heme Proteins

We have obtained the solid-state 15N nuclear magnetic resonance isotropic chemical shifts and/or shielding tensor elements for a range of nitrosoarene complexes: p-[15N]nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline, p-[15N]nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline hydrochloride monohydrate, PdCl2(p-[15N]nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline)2, ZnCl2(p-[15N]nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline)2, SnCl2(CH3)2(p-[15N]nitroso-N,N-dimethylaniline)2, PdCl2([15N]nitrosobenzene)2, [Fe(CO)3([15N]nitrosobenzene)]2, and the [15N]nitrosobenzene adducts of horse heart myoglobin and adult human hemoglobin. The isotropic chemical shifts range from 171 to 802 ppm downfield from NH3(ext,l). Using a density functional method, we have computed the isotropic shifts, the shielding tensor elements, and the absolute shieldings, for each of these compounds. There is excellent accord between theory and experiment. In addition, the orientations of the tensors have been calculated, and for the dimer of PhNO, cis-dioxyazodibenzene, there is good accord with an experimental determin...
Both Carboxy-Terminal Tails of α- and β-Tubulin Are Essential, but Either One Will Suffice

Abstract Microtubules (MTs) are organized into distinct systems essential for cell shape, movement, intracellular transport, and division [1]. Electron crystallographic analyses [2] provide little information about how MTs produce diverse structures and functions, perhaps because they failed to visualize the last 10 residues of the α- and the last 18 of the β-tubulin C-terminal tails (CTTs) [3], which likely play a role in MT diversity. CTTs define conserved, nonallelic isotypes in mammals [4], are major sites of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) [5–7], are binding sites for microtubule-associated proteins (MAPs) [3], and determine MT motor processivity [8]. Using mutagenesis and homologous gene replacement in Tetrahymena thermophila , we analyzed mutations, deletions, tail switches, and tail duplications of α- and β-tubulin CTTs. We demonstrate that a tail is required for the essential function of both α- and β-tubulin. However, the two tails are interchangeable, and cells grow normally with either an α or a β tail on both tubulins. In addition, an α gene containing a duplicated α C terminus rescues a lethal mutant lacking all known posttranslational modification sites on the β C terminus but cannot rescue deletion of the β tail. Thus, tubulin tails have a second essential function that is not associated with posttranslational modification.
Effect of cytochrome P450 and aldo-keto reductase inhibitors on progesterone inactivation in primary bovine hepatic cell cultures

Progesterone is required for maintenance of pregnancy, and peripheral concentrations of progesterone are affected by both production and inactivation. Hepatic cytochrome P450 (EC 1.14.14.1) and aldo-keto reductase (EC 1.1.1.145-151) enzymes play a pivotal role in the first step of steroid inactivation, which involves the addition of hydroxyl groups to various sites of the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene nucleus. The current objective was to discern the proportional involvement of hepatic progesterone inactivating enzymes on progesterone decay using specific enzyme inhibitors. Ticlopidine, diltiazem, curcumin, dicumarol, and naproxen were used because of their selective inhibition of cytochrome P450s, aldo-keto reductases, and glucuronosyltransferases. Liver biopsies were collected from 6 lactating Holstein dairy cows, and cells were dissociated using a nonperfusion technique. Confluent wells were preincubated for 4 h with enzyme inhibitor and then challenged with progesterone for 1 h. Cell viability was unaffected by inhibitor treatment and averaged 84±1%. In control wells, 50% of the progesterone had been inactivated after a 1-h challenge with 5 ng/mL of progesterone. Preincubation with curcumin, ticlopidine, or naproxen caused the greatest reduction in progesterone inactivation compared with controls and averaged 77, 39, or 37%, respectively. Hydroxylation of 4-nitrophenol to 4-nitrocatechol in intact cells was inhibited by approximately 65% after treatment with curcumin or ticlopidine. Glucuronidation of phenol red or 4-nitrocatechol in intact cells was inhibited by treatment with curcumin, dicumarol, or naproxen. In cytoplasmic preparations, aldo-keto reductase 1C activity was inhibited by curcumin, dicumarol, or naproxen treatment. Microsomal cytochrome P450 2C activity was inhibited by treatment with curcumin or ticlopidine, whereas cytochrome P450 3A activity was inhibited by treatment with curcumin or diltiazem. The contribution of cytochrome P450 2C and cytochrome P450 3A enzymes to progesterone inactivation in bovine hepatic cell cultures was 40 and 15%, respectively. Depending on the inhibitor used, it would appear that the aldo-keto reductase enzymes contribute approximately 40% to the observed progesterone inactivation, although a portion of this inactivation may be attributed to the loss of glucuronosyltransferase activity. Future work focusing on decreasing the activity of these enzymes in vivo could lead to an increase in the bioavailability of progesterone.
Stakeholders' perceptions about corporate social responsibility: Implications for poverty alleviation

There has been a growing interest in the management literature in investigating the perceptions of stakeholders toward corporate social responsibility (CSR). Studies have shown that an assessment of stakeholders' perceptions toward CSR may influence top management's decision to respond in an encouraging manner to CSR initiatives. Several studies have been conducted in CSR. However, these studies have been primarily conducted in the West. Very little research on CSR has been done in Nigeria. The purpose of this research is to examine stakeholders' perceptions on CSR in Nigeria. Results show that there is a universal understanding of the concept of CSR in Nigeria. Respondents were able to identify that CSR consists of a range of responsibilities covering economic, legal, ethical, and philanthropic characteristics. They were also able to recognize the different items listed in the questionnaire as factors that would make a corporation socially responsible. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Pushing Harder, Pushing Faster, Minimizing Interruptions… But Falling Short of 2010 Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Targets During In-hospital Pediatric and Adolescent Resuscitation

Aim The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of instituting the 2010 Basic Life Support Guidelines on in-hospital pediatric and adolescent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) quality. We hypothesized that quality would improve, but that targets for chest compression (CC) depth would be difficult to achieve.
Curing germ cell tumors after failure of high-dose chemotherapy: progress through clinical trials.

Curing germ cell tumors after failure of high-dose chemotherapy: progress through clinical trials
Evaluating photovoltaic performance indoors

A new approach to evaluating photovoltaic performance under artificial illumination is demonstrated. Several photovoltaic technologies are characterized under a standardized set of conditions in which radiant intensity and spectral composition of a light source are systematically varied. The results underscore the importance of establishing clear standards for photovoltaic characterization in emerging fields like energy harvesting.
Modeling and Simulation of Ship System-of-Systems With Wireless Network Inserted for On-Ship Communications

The objective of the research is to develop an agent based methodology for modeling a naval ship environment as a system-of-systems. A ship environment consists of complex interconnected systems such as the infrastructure, crew, and the work flow, which poses a challenge to capability and systems planning. By studying the real-time interactions between these systems, one can help make decisions about new technology to be inserted on a ship. A simulation model based on an agent-based modeling methodology is constructed in MATLAB along with a graphical user interface to simulate workflow scenarios for maintenance, troubleshooting, and watch duties described in predefined XML files in a zone of the ship. The environment consists of crew agents modeled with limited intelligence and behavioural traits, machinery with sensors, equipment consuming power, mobile and stationary network nodes and models for data transfer over the network, crew mobility, power distribution and trimming. Results demonstrate the robustness of powering network nodes over Ethernet. One key result of the simulation model demonstrates the relative effectiveness of network access point locations; a counter intuitive decrease in workflow efficiency occurs due to a new technology inserted to enable wireless access.© 2006 ASME
Druze linguistic landscape in Israel: indexicality of new ethnolinguistic identity boundaries

The Druze community in Israel is a distinct religious community currently undergoing important ethnolinguistic shifts. The government's implementation of an official policy has led to the deconstruction and reshaping of the Druze political and national identity to one that differs substantially from that of the Palestinian minority in Israel. In this study, I argue that the visibility, vitality and appreciation of Hebrew in the Druze linguistic landscape are indicative of new ethnolinguistic boundaries of the Druze identity in Israel. The fact that the Druze in Israel are dispersed throughout the Galilee and Mount Carmel area and experience varying levels of language contact as well as divergent economic relations with their Palestinian–Israeli and Jewish–Israeli neighbours, suggests that one cannot expect uniformity in the Druze linguistic markets or the processes of social, cultural and linguistic identification. This study will show that Hebrew has become a dominant component of the linguistic repertoi...
Information Dynamics of Whole Genome Adaptation

The human genome is a complex, dynamic information system that encodes principles of life and living systems. These principles are incorporated in the structure of human genome sequence variation and are foundational for the continuity of life and human survival. Using first principles of thermodynamics and statistical physics, we have developed analogous “genodynamic tools” for population genomic studies. Characterizing genomic information through the lens of physics has allowed us to develop energy measures for modeling genome-environment interactions. In developing biophysical parameters for genome-environment homeostasis, we found that stable genomic free energy trades off low genomic energy (genomic conservation and increased order) and high genomic entropy (genomic variation) with an environmental potential that drives the variation. In our approach, we assert that common variants are dynamic sites in the genome of a population and that the stability of whole genome adaptation is reflected in the frequencies of maintained diversity in common variants for the population in its environment. In this paper, we address the relativity of whole genome adaptation towards homeostasis. By this we mean that adaptive forces are directly reflected in the frequency distribution of alleles and/or haplotypes of the population relative to its environment, with adaptive forces driving the genome towards homeostasis. The use of genomic energy units as a biophysical metric in DNA sequence variation analyses provides new insights into the foundations of population biology and diversity. Using our biophysical tools, population differences directly reflect the adaptive influences of the environment on populations.
High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell support versus standard-dose chemotherapy: meta-analysis of individual patient data from 6 randomized metastatic breast cancer trials.

CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2008 Abstracts Abstract #6113 Background: The role of high-dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation for metastatic breast cancer has not been well defined. The statistical power of the available trials has limited precision for determining whether HDC has any benefit for this indication, or for any subset of patients. Methods: Individual patient data from the 6 known randomized trials were merged into a single database. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS): time from randomization to death. The secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Cox proportional hazards regression compared the effect of HDC vs standard-dose chemotherapy (SDC) on PFS and OS adjusted for age, trial and hormone receptor (HmR) status (positive if either estrogen (ER) or progesterone (PgR) receptor positive), and other variables. Among the subset analyses considered were by age, HmR status, number metastatic sites, and soft tissue metastases. Results: A total of 846 patients (433 HDC, 413 SDC) had median follow-up of 1.9 years. Median age was 47 years (range 23 to 65). Preliminary analyses show that after adjusting for age and trial, HDC significantly prolonged OS (hazard ratio (HR) 0.86; 95%CI 0.73-1.00; p=0.05) and PFS (HR 0.73; 95%CI 0.63-0.84; p<0.0001). Mean improvement (out to 8 yrs) was 4 months for both OS and PFS. Both age (p=0.023) and soft tissue disease (p=0.0025) had statistically significant interactions with treatment for OS, but neither remain significant after adjusting for multiple comparisons. Conclusions: HDC may have a modest benefit on OS that may be greater in patients younger than 50 years. However, we were not able to draw firm conclusions about age or other subset analyses. ![][1] Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(2 Suppl):Abstract nr 6113. [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Anger and Anger’s Expression Generally and in Romantic Relationships

This research explored whether anger and anger expression differed when experienced generally versus in the context of a romantic relationship. Undergraduates completed trait anger and anger expression measures as they applied to their experiences generally and again as they applied to their romantic, partnered relationships. Students reported more anger and anger suppression generally than in relationships, but women reported more anger in relationships than men. Women reported more anger-out forms of anger expression in relationships than in general, whereas men did not differ in their anger expression style as a function of context. Men reported more overall anger-control in both contexts than women. Effect sizes for context and gender × context interactions were small to moderate. Parallel measures generally and in relationships were highly correlated. Findings are consistent with research demonstrating that context, and specifically the context of an intimate partnered relationship, influences anger and anger expression, but also suggest a large person factor as well. Implications for future research and work with couples in therapy are given.
Cellular envelopes of keratinized cells of the human epidermis

Although the cellular envelope of the cornified human epidermal cells is known to become twice as thick (160 A) as that of the subjacent non-cornified cells (80 A), the trilaminar structure has never been demonstrated within this thickened “marginal band”. Evidence is presented that the marginal band (1) is a de novo product precipitated along the cytoplasmic side of the original plasma membrane, (2) has often outer and inner delimiting lines of high electron density, and (3) represents the true cellular envelope of the cornified human epidermal cells. The original trilaminar plasma membrane does not increase its thickness. It is seen as such in the lowermost layer of the stratum corneum, as a discontinuous line in the upper layers, and as a desquamated lamellar structure in the intercellular spaces. The membrane-coating granules are discharged outside of the original plasma membrane which prevents the direct contact of the discharged material with the newly developing marginal band.
Pelvic ring disruptions in emergency radiology

Pelvic ring disruptions are a result of high-energy trauma and are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in major trauma patients. The initial pelvic radiograph, in combination with computed tomographic imaging in selected patients, provides a quick and accurate method of diagnosing pelvic fractures. Pelvic fracture classification schemes have evolved over the past few decades, and include description of the mechanism of injury and assessment of pelvic stability. Understanding these classifications is important in developing an approach to interpretation of pelvic imaging and prediction of associated injuries. Armed with these tools, the emergency radiologist can detect pelvic fractures early and guide subsequent imaging and therapy.
The phase perturbation approximation for rough surface scattering from a Pierson-Moskowitz sea surface

The accuracy of the phase perturbation approximation for scattering from a multiscale Pierson-Moskowitz sea surface is examined for large angles of incidence and wind speeds of 10 and 20 m/s. Numerical results for the incoherent bistatic radar cross section and the coherent reflection loss are compared with exact integral equation results. The study is limited to scalar-wave scattering from one-dimensional surfaces with Gaussian surface statistics for the Dirichlet problem. It is found that, for the examples studied, the phase perturbation bistatic radar cross section is accurate away from low scattered grazing angles. In addition, it contains approximations to higher-order classical perturbation cross section terms that partially account for the incoherent intensity structure in the specular region. It is shown that the phase perturbation approximation accurately predicts the coherent reflection loss. >
Progress and Cumulation in the Sociology of Religion: A Symposium

Mark Chaves: Introduction to the Symposium N.J. Demerath III: Diagnosing the Reverend Dr. Dumpty “After the Fall” Mary Jo Neitz: Eve, Lilith, and the Sociology of Religion: Comments on Zald Robert Wuthnow: Practice and Progress in the Study of Religion Mayer N. Zald: Where Are We in the Sociological Study of Religion? Continuing the Conversation
Power Equalization in Schools Through Organization Development

The effects of a three-year organization development (OD) intervention on power equalization were examined in seven experimental and seven control schools. The principal and teachers from experimental schools participated in a multifaceted OD intervention that included organizational training, a project coordinating council for planning and policy, and school goal-setting activities. The power of the principals and teachers became more equalized in experimental schools than in control schools. Teacher participation in decision making was positively related to power equalization, and teacher satisfaction with the administration was partially related to power equalization. Principals in schools where power equalization occurred tended to lose power during the intervention. The results support differences in schools.
Virtual cities for water distribution and infrastructure system research

In a society concerned over the possibility of terrorism, secrecy , and security of infrastructure data is crucial. However, research on infrastructure security is difficult in this environment since experiments on real systems can not be publicized. “Virtual cities” are one potential answer to this problem, and a library of these virtual cities is now under development. “Micropolis” is a virtual city of 5000 resi dents fully described in both GIS and EPANet hydraulic model frameworks. To simulate realism of infrastructure, a developmental timeline spanning 130 years was included. This timeline is manifested in items such as pipe material, diameter, and topology. An example of using the virtual city for simulation of fire protection is presented. The data files describing Micropolis are avail able from the authors for other s’ use. A larger city, “Mesopolis,” is currently under development and will incorporate add itional critical infrastructure dependencies such as electrical power grids and communications. This will supplement the development of further models to account for risks and probability of electrical power failure due to hurricane events. It is hoped t hat Micropolis, Mesopolis , and additional virtual cities will serve as a “hub” for the development of further research models.
Working memory and DLPFC inefficiency in schizophrenia: The FBIRN study

Background: The Functional Imaging Biomedical Informatics Network is a consortium developing methods for multisite functional imaging studies. Both prefrontal hyper- or hypoactivity in chronic schizophrenia have been found in previous studies of working memory. Methods: In this functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study of working memory, 128 subjects with chronic schizophrenia and 128 age- and gender-matched controls were recruited from 10 universities around the United States. Subjects performed the Sternberg Item Recognition Paradigm1,2 with memory loads of 1, 3, or 5 items. A region of interest analysis examined the mean BOLD signal change in an atlas-based demarcation of the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC), in both groups, during both the encoding and retrieval phases of the experiment over the various memory loads. Results: Subjects with schizophrenia performed slightly but significantly worse than the healthy volunteers and showed a greater decrease in accuracy and increase in reaction time with increasing memory load. The mean BOLD signal in the DLPFC was significantly greater in the schizophrenic group than the healthy group, particularly in the intermediate load condition. A secondary analysis matched subjects for mean accuracy and found the same BOLD signal hyperresponse in schizophrenics. Conclusions: The increase in BOLD signal change from minimal to moderate memory loads was greater in the schizophrenic subjects than in controls. This effect remained when age, gender, run, hemisphere, and performance were considered, consistent with inefficient DLPFC function during working memory. These findings from a large multisite sample support the concept not of hyper- or hypofrontality in schizophrenia, but rather DLPFC inefficiency that may be manifested in either direction depending on task demands. This redirects the focus of research from direction of difference to neural mechanisms of inefficiency.
Inventory optimization techniques, system vs. item level inventory analysis

Inventory optimization attempts to find the best distribution of inventory that meets specified cost and availability goals. An abundance of commercial off the shelf spares models have recently implemented spares optimization techniques to determine least cost spares solutions. This paper examines two different spares analysis methods and optimization approaches to determine the best method to predict initial stock requirements and quantify the risk and/or benefits in using spares optimization techniques. Spares Analysis methods discussed in this paper include the traditional item level availability method and system level availability method. Spares optimization methods include applying marginal analysis and a technique known as genetic algorithms to perform optimization using the system level availability method. It is concluded that while inventory optimization methods may find low cost inventory distributions, it is important to quantify the risk of selecting these distributions if there is a reasonable amount of uncertainty in the inventory model input parameters.
Partnership Transitions and Antisocial Behavior in Young Adulthood: A Within-person, Multi-Cohort Analysis

Objectives:This study examines the effects of young adult transitions into marriage and cohabitation on criminal offending and substance use, and whether those effects changed since the 1970s, as marriage rates declined and cohabitation rates rose dramatically. It also examines whether any beneficial effects of cohabitation depend on marriage intentions.Methods:Using multi-cohort national panel data from the Monitoring the Future (N = 15,875) study, the authors estimated fixed effects models relating within-person changes in marriage and cohabitation to changes in criminal offending and substance use.Results:Marriage predicts lower levels of criminal offending and substance use, but the effects of cohabitation are limited to substance use outcomes and to engaged cohabiters. There are no cohort differences in the associations of marriage and cohabitation with criminal offending, and no consistent cohort differences in their associations with substance use. There is little evidence of differences in effects...
Mean Serum Creatine Kinase Activity in Patients With Functional Psychoses

• Increased serum creatine kinase (CPK) activity has been reported to be present during acute exacerbations of psychosis in the majority of patients with the major "functional" psychoses. It has also been demonstrated that mean serum CPK activity, ie, average daily serum CPK activity, is under genetic control. In this report, we present evidence for an association between the presence of a transient elevation of serum CPK activity beyond the upper limit of normal during psychotic episodes and relatively high mean serum CPK levels during the rest of hospitalization. The magnitude of the transient serum CPK elevation was correlated with mean serum CPK activity in psychotic patients. The mean serum CPK level was also correlated with the terminal innervation ratio, an indication of alpha motor neuron dysfunction. The incidence of serum CPK elevations in first-degree relatives of psychotic patients was significantly greater in patients with high mean serum CPK activity than in those with low mean serum CPK activity. High mean serum CPK activity may be an indication of an increase in permeability of the muscle cell membrane, which in turn may be due to some defect in the neurotrophic regulation of muscle physiology or an independent expression of muscle abnormalities.
Epigenetic gambling and epigenetic drift as an antagonistic pleiotropic mechanism of aging

Summary Generations of biogerontologists have been puzzled by the marked intraspecific variations in lifespan of their experimental model organisms despite all efforts to control both genotype and environment. The most cogent example comes from life table studies of wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans when grown in suspension cultures using axenic media. While nuclear and mitochondrial somatic mutations and ‘thermodynamic noise’ likely contribute to such lifespan variegations, I raise an additional hypothetical mechanism, one that may have evolved as a mechanism of phenotypic variation which could have preceded the evolution of meiotic recombination. I suggest that random changes in cellular gene expression (cellular epigenetic gambling or bet hedging) evolved as an adaptive mechanism to ensure survival of members of a group in the face of unpredictable environmental challenges. Once activated, it could lead to progressive epigenetic variegation (epigenetic drift) amongst all members of the group. Thus, while particular patterns of gene expression would be adaptive for a subset of reproductive individuals within a population early in life, once initiated, I predict that continued epigenetic drift will result in variable onsets and patterns of pathophysiology ‐ perhaps yet another example of antagonistic pleiotropic gene action in the genesis of senescent phenotypes. The weakness of this hypothesis is that we do not currently have a plausible molecular mechanism for the putative genetic ‘randomizer’ of epigenetic expression, particularly one whose ‘setting’ may be responsive to the ecology in which a given species evolves. I offer experimental approaches, however, to search for the elusive
Determination of Thioridazine Enantiomers in Human Serum by Sequential Achiral and Chiral High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

QuanUtatlon of thioridazine (TRZ) enantiomers, (+)-TRZ and (-)-TRZ, in patient serums was performed by a sequential achlral and chiral HPLC method. The lower limit of quantltation was 50 ng/mL for each enantiomer, and the method was linear up to 1000 ngJmL. The within-run and between-run precision at 125 and 500 ng/mL of each enatiomer yielded coefficients of variation (CV) of less than 10% and less than 12%, respectively. Absolute recovery of 250 ng/mL racemic TRZ added to serum (n = 9) yielded mean recoveries of 77.2% and 77.8% for (+)-TRZ and (-)-TRZ, respectively. Absolute recovery of 1000 ng/mL racemic TRZ added to serum (n = 9) yielded mean recoveries of 74.0% and 74.7% for (+)-TRZ and (-)-TRZ, respectively. Significantly different TRZ enantiomer concentrations were present in patient serums. The mean serum concentration was 110 ng/mL for (+)-TRZ (n = 18), and 317 ng/mL for (-)-TRZ (n = 21). The ratios of (-)-TRZ to (+)-TRZ ranged from 2.2 to 5.3, with a mean of 3.3. Variations in the concentration of TRZ enantiomers may contribute to the lack of correlation between serum TRZ values and therapeutic effect.
THE LECTINS AND LECTIN‐LIKE PROTEINS OF TEPARY BEANS (PHASEOLUS ACUTIFOLIUS) AND TEPARYCOMMON BEAN (PHASEOLUS VULGARIS) HYBRIDS

High levels of lectin activity were found in sixty cultivated and ten wild tepary (Phaseolus acutifolius) accessions. No lectin deficient varieties were observed and all examples studied contained both the phytohemagglutinin-E and L-like lectins previously described (Pusztai et al. 1987). There appeared to be no obvious differences between the wild and cultivated forms of the tepary lectins and all teparies studied contained lectin-like proteins in addition to the tepary lectins. One of the lectin related proteins (40 Kdalton subunit) was present in all teparies and may be comparable to arcelin, a lectin found in certain wild accessions of Phaselus vulgaris. All wild teparies contained a lectin related polypeptide of about 34 Kdaltons which appears to distinguish the wild teparies from the cultivated forms. Three tepary-common bean hybrids were examined and one hybrid was found to be expressing both tepary and common bean lectin genes.
An integrative approach to inferring biologically meaningful gene modules

The ability to construct biologically meaningful gene networks and modules is critical for contemporary systems biology. Though recent studies have demonstrated the power of using gene modules to shed light on the functioning of complex biological systems, most modules in these networks have shown little association with meaningful biological function. We have devised a method which directly incorporates gene ontology (GO) annotation in construction of gene modules in order to gain better functional association. We have devised a method, Semantic Similarity-Integrated approach for Modularization (SSIM) that integrates various gene-gene pairwise similarity values, including information obtained from gene expression, protein-protein interactions and GO annotations, in the construction of modules using affinity propagation clustering. We demonstrated the performance of the proposed method using data from two complex biological responses: 1. the osmotic shock response in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and 2. the prion-induced pathogenic mouse model. In comparison with two previously reported algorithms, modules identified by SSIM showed significantly stronger association with biological functions. The incorporation of semantic similarity based on GO annotation with gene expression and protein-protein interaction data can greatly enhance the functional relevance of inferred gene modules. In addition, the SSIM approach can also reveal the hierarchical structure of gene modules to gain a broader functional view of the biological system. Hence, the proposed method can facilitate comprehensive and in-depth analysis of high throughput experimental data at the gene network level.
A Preliminary Examination of Vocabulary and Word Learning in African American Toddlers From Middle and Low Socioeconomic Status Homes

Purpose This study examined the effect of socioeconomic status (SES) on the early lexical performance of African American children. Method Thirty African American toddlers (30 to 40 months old) fro...