cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of the Potential of Two Common Pacific Coast Macroalgae for Mitigating Methane Emissions from Ruminants

Abstract With increasing interest in feed based methane mitigation strategies, fueled by local legal directives aimed at methane production from the agricultural sector in California, identifying local sources of biological feed additives will be critical in keeping the implementation of these strategies affordable. In a recent study, the red alga Asparagopsis taxiformis stood out as the most effective species of seaweed to reduce methane production from enteric fermentation. Due to the potential differences in effectiveness based on the location from where A. taxiformis is collected and the financial burden of collection and transport, we tested the potential of A. taxiformis, as well as the brown seaweed Zonaria farlowii collected in the nearshore waters off Santa Catalina Island, CA, USA, for their ability to mitigate methane production during in-vitro rumen fermentation. At a dose rate of 5% dry matter (DM), A. taxiformis reduced methane production by 74% (p ≤ 0.01) and Z. farlowii reduced methane production by 11% (p ≤ 0.04) after 48 hours and 24 hours of in-vitro rumen fermentation respectively. The methane reducing effect of A. taxiformis and Z. farlowii described here make these local macroalgae promising candidates for biotic methane mitigation strategies in the largest milk producing state in the US. To determine their real potential as methane mitigating feed supplements in the dairy industry, their effect in-vivo requires investigation.
Introduction: Special Journal Issue “Cowboys and Pirates: Verging on the Horizons of Dangerous Shores of the Past and All-Too Present”:

Cowboys and pirates are sometimes romantic figures with contested genealogies that bridge and breach dangerous shores of their motivation and acceptability. These critical autoethnographic informed...
The racialization of American Muslim converts by the presence of religious markers

Recent scholarship has employed racialization theory to make sense of the Muslim experience in the West. Research shows that if Muslims don religious markers—such as a hijab—they are racialized as ...
Arctic Oil and Gas: Policy Perspectives

National policy is as arcane as laws and sausages. Policy is not always easy to identify and the process of its formulation is mysterious. Policy toward Arctic oil and gas flows from the national view of the role of the marketplace, as shaped by international commitments, administration thinking, views of industry and public interest groups, and a variety of laws passed by Congress and the State of Alaska. According to the 1983 Arctic Summary Report issued by the Department of the Interior (DOI), future events in Arctic oil and gas development will be determined by three major factors: (1) the location and size of undiscovered hydrocarbon resources, (2) future energy prices, and (3) the policies developed by the federal government, the State of Alaska, and the North Slope Borough.1 Governments cannot affect the location and size of resources, nor does the United States government have much capability to influence world oil prices. But government policies are critical to the rate and direction of development.
Comparison of aqueous outflow facility measurement by pneumatonography and digital schiøtz tonography

Purpose It is not known if outflow facilities measured by pneumatonography and Schiotz tonography are interchangeable. In this study we compared outflow facility measured by pneumatonography to outflow facility measured by digital Schiotz tonography. Methods Fifty-six eyes from 28 healthy participants, ages 41 to 68 years, were included. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured in the sitting and supine positions with a pneumatonometer. With the subject in the supine position, IOP was recorded for 2 minutes by using a pneumatonometer with a 10-g weight and for 4 minutes by using a custom digital Schiotz tonometer. Outflow facility was determined from the changes in pressure and intraocular volume and a standard assumed ocular rigidity coefficient for each instrument, respectively, and by using an ocular rigidity coefficient calculated by measuring pressure without and with a weight added to the pneumatonometer tip. Results The outflow facility was 0.29 ± 0.09 μL/min/mm Hg by Schiotz tonography and 0.24 ± 0.08 μL/min/mm Hg by pneumatonography (P < 0.001) when using the standard assumed constant ocular rigidity coefficient. Mean calculated ocular rigidity coefficient was 0.028 ± 0.01 μL-1, and outflow facility determined by using this coefficient was 0.23 ± 0.08 μL/min/mm Hg by Schiotz tonography and 0.21 ± 0.07 μL/min/mm Hg by pneumatonography (P = 0.003). Outflow facilities measured by the two devices were correlated when the ocular rigidity was assumed (r = 0.60, P < 0.001) or calculated (r = 0.70, P < 0.001). Conclusions Outflow facilities measured by pneumatonography were correlated with those measured by Schiotz tonography, but Schiotz tonography reported approximately 10% to 20% higher facilities when using the standard method. When ocular rigidity was determined for each eye, differences were smaller. Measurements from these devices cannot be compared directly.
Education of Key Groups

This paper is concerned with some of the people to whom anti-smoking education should be directed, since my studies have to a certain extent been concerned both with the factors involved in the initiation of smoking and with the continuation of smoking.
Impact of Shoulder Abduction Loading on Brain-Machine Interface in Predicting Hand Opening and Closing in Individuals With Chronic Stroke

Background. Many individuals with moderate and severe stroke are unable to use their paretic hand. Currently, the effect of conventional therapy on regaining meaningful hand function in this population is limited. Efforts have been made to use brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to control hand function. To date, almost all BMI classification algorithms are designed for detecting hand movements with a resting arm. However, many functional movements require simultaneous movements of the arm and hand. Arm movement will possibly affect the detection of intended hand movements, specifically for individuals with chronic stroke who have muscle synergies. The most prevalent upper-extremity synergy—flexor synergy—is expressed as an abnormal coupling between shoulder abductors and elbow/wrist/finger flexors. Objective. We hypothesized that because of flexor synergy, shoulder abductor activity would affect the detection of the hand-opening (a movement inhibited by flexion synergy) but not the hand-closing task (a movem...
A pilot study to investigate the effects of electrical stimulation on recovery of hand function and sensation in subacute stroke patients

Objectives. 1) To compare the effect of cyclic neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) of the forearm and elbow extensor muscles with passive stretching exercises on hand function and sensation following stroke. 2) To inform sample size for a larger randomized controlled trial (RCT). Materials and Methods. Twenty-two subjects with hemiplegia resulting from a stroke during the previous 12 months were randomly allocated into stimulation (treatment) and exercise (control) groups. Stimulation was applied to the elbow, and forearm extensor muscle groups of the hemiplegic arm for 12 weeks. Subjects in the control group were taught passive stretching exercises for the same period. The primary outcome measure was the Action Research Arm test (ARAT). Sensation was tested using two-point discrimination. Statistical analysis applied nonparametric analysis of covariance (ancova). Results. Statistically significant between-group differences in change in ARAT scores were shown between the two groups after 12 weeks of treatment (p = 0.003) and following 12 further weeks without intervention (p = 0.012). There were no significant differences in sensation. Conclusions. 1) A significant treatment effect of electrical stimulation over passive exercise has been demonstrated in a group of 22 subacute stroke patients, randomized into two equal groups and further work identified which may help to improve recovery of hand function and sensation following stroke. 2) A sample size of 24 subjects in each group has been estimated assuming a two-sided test significance level of 5% with 80% power, primary outcome variability SD = 6.75, a minimum difference of ten ARAT score units, and a 10% dropout rate.
Sensitivity of breeding birds to the “human footprint” in western Great Lakes forest landscapes

Breeding birds in forest ecosystems are generally diverse, habitat selective, and easily sampled. Because they must integrate environmental variables over space and time, local populations of forest birds (like other animal and plant taxa) may provide meaningful signals of local forest health or degradation. We evaluated 949 breeding bird surveys in areas ranging from degraded urban/suburban forest remnants to relatively pristine old growth forests in the western Laurentian Great Lakes region of North America. The “human footprint” across this landscape was represented by a one-dimensional numeric gradient derived from land cover variables, forest fragmentation metrics, and publicly available data on housing density and transportation corridors. We used an iterative, maximum likelihood approach to quantify species-specific responses to this human disturbance gradient. Many species showed significant directional responses, consistent with known life history attributes. Other species were most commonly detected at intermediate levels of anthropogenic disturbance, yielding unimodal responses. Relationships between the “human footprint” and occurrences of 38 bird species were illustrated by general Gaussian functions that represented both unidirectional and unimodal patterns. These biotic response (BR) functions were combined into a bird-based index of ecological condition (IEC) ranging from 0 (maximally degraded) to 10 (minimally degraded). We described a successful application of the IEC method at the Wild Rivers Legacy Forest (WRLF), a >260 km2 conservation landscape in northeastern Wisconsin, USA, managed primarily under a working forest conservation easement established in 2006. In general, areas within the WRLF yielded high IEC values (7.0–9.0), but nearby forest areas not under the conservation easement were characterized by significantly lower IEC values based on breeding bird assemblages.
Time course of molecular responses of human skeletal muscle to acute bouts of resistance exercise.

Resistance exercise (RE) training, designed to induce hypertrophy, strives for optimal activation of anabolic and myogenic mechanisms to increase myofiber size. Clearly, activation of these mechani...
Oscillations in retention performance after passive avoidance training

Abstract The retention performance of independent groups of rats was examined at various intervals following one-trial passive avoidance training. Performance was good in the 30-sec, 15-min, 12-hr, 24-hr, and 36-hr group, while retention was significantly poorer between these peaks. Control experiments appear to rule out strictly performance factors related to footshock. These results suggest that some rhythmic internal (physiological) state of the organism may be a relevant condition for optimal retrieval—a state-dependent hypothesis.
The synthesis of perfluoro(alkyletherphenyl) phosphines

Abstract The first perfluorophenyl substituted phosphine, C 6 F 5 ) 3 P was prepared by Wall et al. [1]. Since then numerous pentafluorophenylphosphorous compounds [2] have been prepared and their properties studied. Substituted perfluorophenylphosphines (R f C 6 F 4 ) 3 P however not been extensively studied. Those that have been reported are all solids: (C 6 F 5 ) 3 P, m.p. 116° [1]; (p-CF 3 C 6 F 4 ) 3 P, m.p. 103-105° [3]; (p-C 8 F 17 C 6 F 4 ) 3 P m.p. 117° [3]; and (p-C 6 F 5 OC 6 F 4 ) 3 P, m.p. 135-137° [4].
Modification of the Fontan procedure : superior vena cava to left pulmonary artery connection and inferior vena cava to right pulmonary artery connection with adjustable atrial septal defect

Background A modification of the Fontan procedure with unidirectional cavopulmonary connection is described in which the superior vena cava (SVC) is connected to the left pulmonary artery (PA) and the inferior vena cava (IVC) is connected to the right PA via a lateral tunnel with a snare-controlled, adjustable atrial septal defect (ASD). This allows matching of the SVC and IVC flows with the lung of appropriate size. The obligatory left Glenn shunt provides an adequate arterial oxygen saturation, and the elevation in SVC pressure is well tolerated. The adjustable ASD allows selective decompression of the IVC that maintains cardiac output and reduces fluid accumulation in the serous cavities. Methods and Results Since March 1992, we have performed this procedure in 18 patients. There were 17 children and 1 adult. Median age was 3 years and 9 months (range, 13 months to 36 years). Six patients had been staged with a previous bidirectional Glenn shunt. Preoperative cardiac catheterization revealed a PA pressure of 13±2 mm Hg and a transpulmonary gradient of 5±3 mm Hg. Ventricular function was satisfactory in all patients. At the completion of bypass, the pressures in the SVC and IVC were 16±4 mm Hg and 10±3 mm Hg, respectively ( P <.01). The left atrial pressure was 6.0±3.0 mm Hg and the arterial O2 saturation on 100% oxygen was 93±3%. There was one death as a result of intractable atrial arrhythmias. The remaining 17 patients had a mean hospital stay of 9.7 days (6 to 18 days). The length of pleural drainage was 7±3 days. The ASD was adjusted in 11 patients before discharge. Oxygen saturation at discharge was 85.4±4%. Nine patients had repeat catheterization. The ASD was completely closed in 6 patients, an average of 2.5 months after surgery (range, 3 weeks to 5 months). After ASD closure, the arterial oxygen saturation was 96±3%, and the SVC and IVC pressures were both 13±3 mm Hg. Conclusions The Fontan procedure with unidirectional cavopulmonary connection and adjustable ASD has several advantages that may reduce mortality and morbidity for the high-risk Fontan candidate.
Comparison of vascular nitric oxide production and systemic hemodynamics in cirrhosis versus prehepatic portal hypertension in rats

Abstract Nitric oxide (NO) is postulated to play a role in the pathogenesis of arterial vasodilation in chronic portal hypertension. This present study investigates the relationship between systemic hemodynamics and the vascular production of NO, as estimated by measuring cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) in aortic tissue in two models of chronic portal hypertension in the rat: the partial portal vein ligation (PVL) model and CCl4-induced cirrhosis. NOS was also examined by Western blotting in aortic and mesenteric vessels. Sham-operated rats and rats given phenobarbital were used as controls. PVL rats and rats with cirrhosis and ascites showed a typical pattern of a hyperdynamic circulatory state, when compared with their respective controls: mean arterial pressure; PVL: 113 +/- 2 versus 124 +/- 2, P
Inhibition of CRM1-mediated Nuclear Export of Transcription Factors by Leukemogenic NUP98 Fusion Proteins

NUP98 is a nucleoporin that plays complex roles in the nucleocytoplasmic trafficking of macromolecules. Rearrangements of the NUP98 gene in human leukemia result in the expression of numerous fusion oncoproteins whose effect on nucleocytoplasmic trafficking is poorly understood. The present study was undertaken to determine the effects of leukemogenic NUP98 fusion proteins on CRM1-mediated nuclear export. NUP98-HOXA9, a prototypic NUP98 fusion, inhibited the nuclear export of two known CRM1 substrates: mutated cytoplasmic nucleophosmin and HIV-1 Rev. In vitro binding assays revealed that NUP98-HOXA9 binds CRM1 through the FG repeat motif in a Ran-GTP-dependent manner similar to but stronger than the interaction between CRM1 and its export substrates. Two NUP98 fusions, NUP98-HOXA9 and NUP98-DDX10, whose fusion partners are structurally and functionally unrelated, interacted with endogenous CRM1 in myeloid cells as shown by co-immunoprecipitation. These leukemogenic NUP98 fusion proteins interacted with CRM1, Ran, and the nucleoporin NUP214 in a manner fundamentally different from that of wild-type NUP98. NUP98-HOXA9 and NUP98-DDX10 formed characteristic aggregates within the nuclei of a myeloid cell line and primary human CD34+ cells and caused aberrant localization of CRM1 to these aggregates. These NUP98 fusions caused nuclear accumulation of two transcription factors, NFAT and NFκB, that are regulated by CRM1-mediated export. The nuclear entrapment of NFAT and NFκB correlated with enhanced transcription from promoters responsive to these transcription factors. Taken together, the results suggest a new mechanism by which NUP98 fusions dysregulate transcription and cause leukemia, namely, inhibition of CRM1-mediated nuclear export with aberrant nuclear retention of transcriptional regulators.
Qualitative properties of solutions to H∞-optimization problems

Abstract Let H∞ denote the space of functions in L ∞ ( dθ 2π ) that have vanishing negative Fourier coefficients. Suppose Γ(ei0, z) is a nonnegative function of ei0 and z, where θ ϵ [0, 2π] and z ϵ C . This paper is concerned with solving ∥Γ(ei0, f(ei0))∥∞ = inf{∥(ei0, h(ei0))∥∞: h ϵ H∞} with a function f ϵ H∞. Conditions on Γ that will guarantee the existence, uniqueness, and continuity of solutions to the above equation are given.
Phenotypic integration of life history and morphology: an example from three‐spined stickleback, Gasterosteus aculeatus L.

Although typically life history and morphology are studied separately, they may evolve most often in concert. Therefore, a full understanding of the evolution of fish life-history patterns may require exploration of the evolutionary interplay between components of life history and other aspects of phenotype. One of the most promising approaches to understanding phenotypic integration is population comparison. This approach is particularly effective when ancestralderived relationships are understood and when multiple populations can be inferred to have evolved derived character states independently. Here we provide an example of this approach using five allopatric populations of freshwater three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculcatus L.) that have diverged in response to differences in selection regimes among the lakes they inhabit. We demonstrate a relationship between one aspect of reproductive life history, clutch volume and relative body shape. The differences are consistent with those predicted on the basis of differences in trophic habit and overall body form. Finally, we discuss the value of particular groups of fish for use in comparative studies and explore the kinds of evolutionary issues that can be addressed through population comparison.
Systems perspective: understanding care giving of the elderly in India.

In this article I propose a systems model of elder care giver burden among Indian care givers. The systems model specifies the effects of elder characteristics, family structure, and personal characteristics of the care giver on care giver burden. Sampling was conducted using a multistage probability method to generate a sample of 259 care givers. The care giver burden questionnaire was translated from English to Hindi and then back into English and pilot tested before implementation. The care givers were interviewed via face-to-face interviews. Regression analysis was used to estimate the effects of the hypothesized determinants on care giver burden. The r square explained 46% of the variance in care giver burden. The following variables were significant from three dimensions: personal characteristics, elder characteristics, and family level. Personal characteristics of the care giver included whether they adhered to Asian cultural norms, the age of the care giver, and gender. Elder characteristics inclu...
Comparison of micro- and nano-size particle depositions in a human upper airway model

Abstract Simulation results of microparticle and nanoparticle deposition patterns, local concentrations, and segmental averages are contrasted for a human upper airway model starting from the mouth to planar airway generation G3 under different inspiratory flow conditions. Specifically, using a commercial finite-volume software with user-supplied programs as a solver, the Euler–Euler (nanoparticles) or the Euler–Lagrange (microparticles) approach was employed with a low-Reynolds-number k – ω model for laminar-to-turbulent airflow and submodels for particle-phase randomization. The results show that depositions of both micro- and nano-size particles vary measurably in the human upper airways; however, the deposition distributions are much more uniform for nanoparticles. The maximum deposition enhancement factor, which is defined as the ratio of local to average deposition concentrations, ranges from about 40 to 2400 for microparticles and about 2 to 11 for nanoparticles with inspiratory flow rates in the range of 15 ⩽ Q in ⩽ 60 l/min. In addition, some airway bifurcations in generations G0 to G3 subjected to high inlet flow rates (say, Q in = 60 l / min ) may receive only very small amounts of large micro-size particles (say, with aerodynamic diameter d ae ⩾ 10 μ m ) due to largely preferred upstream deposition. It has been hypothesized that, uniformly deposited nanoparticles of similar concentrations may have greater toxicity effects when compared to microparticles of the same material.
Ultrasensitive NIR fluorescence detection and its application to the analysis of DNA

The ability to possess detection sensitivity at the single molecule level is a technically challenging task and will have important applications for the analysis of minute quantities of DNA in applications such as Sanger dideoxy sequencing, restriction maps and scanning confocal microscopy. The ability to detect single visible fluorescent dye molecules in solution has recently been demonstrated. We wish to discuss the first report concerning the detection of single near infrared (NIR) dye molecules in solution using photon burst detection and its application for the analysis of minute quantities of DNA. Near infrared excitation and detection was used to reduce the fluorescent impurity contribution to the background, which temporal and spectral filtering cannot overcome in most cases, allowing sensitive detection in complex biological matrices.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Differential expression of two related organ-specific genes in pea

We have screened a pea genomic library using a cDNA probe derived from pea shoot RNA. From this screen, we isolated two closely related genes, designated as S2 and P4. An intriguing property of these two genes is the presence in their coding region of a repeated sequence that is conserved between them in sequence but not in the number of the repeating units. The predicted amino acid sequence suggests that these proteins could be exported and glycosylated. 3′ S1 analysis reveals that one of the genes, S2, is expressed highly in stem, as expected from previous work. However, mRNA derived from the other gene, P4, is not detectable in stem tissue, but is present in tissue derived from pea pods. The 5′ upstream sequence of S2 and P4 are 94% identical up to position -121, suggesting that sequences upstream of -121 are responsible for organ-specific expression of the two genes.
Gene Cluster Profile Vectors: a method to infer functionally related gene sets by grouping proximity-based gene clusters

Proximity-based methods and co-evolution-based phylogenetic profiles methods have been successfully used for the identification of functionally related genes. Proximity-based methods are effective for physically clustered genes while the phylogenetic profiles method is effective for co-occurring gene sets. However, both methods predict many false positives and false negatives. In this paper, we propose the Gene Cluster Profile Vector (GCPV) method, which combines these two methods by using phylogenetic profiles of whole gene clusters. The GCPV method is, currently, the only genome comparison based method that allows for the characterization of relationships between gene clusters based profiles of individual genes in clusters. The GCPV method groups together reasonably related operons in E. coli about 60% of the time. The method is not sensitive to the choice of a reference genome set used and it outperforms the conventional phylogenetic profiles method. Finally, we show that the method works well for predicted gene clusters from C. crescentus and can serve as an important tool not only for understanding gene function, but also for elucidating mechanisms of general biological processes. The GCPV method has shown to be an effective and robust approach to the prediction of functionally related gene sets from proximity-based gene clusters or operons.
Formation of superheavy elements in cold fusion reactions

We calculate the formation cross sections of transactinides (superheavy elements), as well as heavy actinides (No and Lr), which have been or might be obtained in fusion reactions with the evaporation of only one neutron. We use both more realistic fusion barrier and survival probability of the compound nucleus in comparison with the original phenomenological model [Phys. Rev. C 59, 2634 (1999)] that prompted the Berkeley experiment on the synthesis of a new superheavy element 118 [Phys. Rev. Lett. 83, 1104 (1999)]. Calculations are performed for asymmetric and symmetric target-projectile combinations and for reactions with stable and radioactive-ion beams. The formation cross sections measured at GSI-Darmstadt for transactinides and heavy actinides, as well as that for superheavy element 118 reported by the LBNL-Berkeley group, are reproduced within a factor of 2.4, on average. Based on the obtained relatively large cross sections, we predict that optimal reactions with stable beams for the synthesis of so far unobserved superheavy elements 119, 120, and 121 are ${}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}{(}^{86}\mathrm{Kr}, {1n)}^{294}119,{ }^{208}\mathrm{Pb}{(}^{88}\mathrm{Sr}, {1n)}^{295}120,$ and ${}^{209}\mathrm{Bi}{(}^{88}\mathrm{Sr}, {1n)}^{296}121,$ respectively. This is because of the magic of both the target and the projectile that leads to larger Q value and, consequently, lower effective fusion barrier with larger transmission probability. The same effect is responsible for relatively large cross sections predicted for the symmetric reactions ${}^{136}\mathrm{Xe}{(}^{124}\mathrm{Sn}, {1n)}^{259}\mathrm{Rf},{ }^{136}\mathrm{Xe}{(}^{136}\mathrm{Xe}, {1n)}^{271}\mathrm{Hs}{,}^{138}\mathrm{Ba}{(}^{136}\mathrm{Xe}, {1n)}^{273}110,$ and ${}^{140}\mathrm{Ce}{(}^{136}\mathrm{Xe}, {1n)}^{275}112.$ Although shell effects in the magic nuclei ${}^{124}\mathrm{Sn},{ }^{136}\mathrm{Xe},{ }^{138}\mathrm{Ba},$ and ${}^{140}\mathrm{Ce}$ are not as strong as in ${}^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$ and ${}^{209}\mathrm{Bi},$ they act on both the target and the projectile and lead to the prediction of measurable cross sections.
Psychosocial Dimensions of Student Athletes: Implications for Developmental Studies

This article takes as its point of departure the enrollment in U.S. colleges of many highly skilled athletes who are severely lacking academically, and argues that remedial success could be maximized if practitioners in developmental studies programs better understand the unique psychosocial dimensions of the student athlete.
Redox regulation of cytochrome P450cam mixed function oxidation by putidaredoxin and camphor ligation

A methylene group of camphor is hydroxylated by a P450 monoxygenase system containing in addition to the cytochrome and flavoprotein dehydrogenase a two-iron, two-sulfur redox protein termed putidaredoxin. The regulatory control of electron transport equilibrium occurs via ligation of substrate and redoxin to the cytochrome. The component interactions and electron flow are represented clearly and concisely by a free energy state diagram of the coupled binding and redox transfer reactions.
Semiclassical theory for molecular auto- ionization

Diatomic molecular autoionization model, calculating limit of high vibrational and electronic principal quantum numbers
Electrolysis-mediated irreversible inactivation of lipoxygenase directed toward electroaffinity labelling.

Abstract Irreversible inhibition of soybean lipoxygenase-1 (SL-1) was accomplished via a controlled potential oxidative electrolysis of 1,5-dihydroxynaphthalene (1,5-DHN) at +0.8 V vs SCE. The inactivation of SL-1 with this known inhibitor was greatly enhanced under these electrolytic conditions to which the enzyme itself was stable. Electrolyses were run at 0°C in a 0.05 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.0, using graphite cloth electrodes. The rate of inactivation was observed to be limited by and dependent on the anodic oxidation of 1,5-DHN. The non-oxidizable (at this potential) inhibitor indomethacin was shown to protect the enzyme from irreversible inactivation, however, an external nucleophile (2-mercaptoethanol) had little effect. These initial studies support the capability of such electrochemical methods for the site-specific covalent modification (affinity labelling) of lipoxygenase, and perhaps other enzymes.
The Roman Settlement at Brampton, Norfolk: Interim Report

Excavations and fieldwork at Brampton, Norfolk (TG 223237), 1965–1975, have added to knowledge of the Romano-British settlement first recorded in 1667. The settlement lies at an important cross-roads and river-crossing and covers c. 75 acres (30 ha); of this an area of c. 15 acres was enclosed by a defensive ditch, probably in the second century. Industrial activity on the site included large-scale pottery manufacture, and metal-working. Fieldwork and small excavations have been carried out each year since 1965 by a small group of amateur archaeologists under the direction of the author. Excavations by Mr C. J. S. Green for the Norfolk Archaeological Unit in 1974 will be published in a forthcoming report in the series ‘East Anglian Archaeology’. No final report can be published until more large-scale excavations have been carried out, but it is hoped that the following brief account of the site will give an indication of its nature and importance.
Qy-Excitation Resonance Raman Spectra of Chlorophyll a and Related Complexes. Normal Mode Characteristics of the Low-Frequency Vibrations

Qy-excitation resonance Raman (RR) spectra are reported for film aggregates of chlorophyll (Chl) a and a series of related complexes. The latter include Mg(II) octaethylporphyrin (MgOEP), Mg(II) tr...
Telomere dysfunction in aging and cancer

Telomeres are unique DNA-protein structures that contain noncoding TTAGGG repeats and telomere-associated proteins. These specialized structures are essential for maintaining genomic integrity. Alterations that lead to the disruption of telomere maintenance result in chromosome end-to-end fusions and/or ends being recognized as double-strand breaks. A large body of evidence suggests that the cell responds to dysfunctional telomeres by undergoing senescence, apoptosis, or genomic instability. In conjunction with other predisposing mechanisms, the genomic instability encountered in preimmortal cells due to dysfunctional or uncapped telomeres might lead to cancer. Furthermore, telomere dysfunction has been proposed to play critical roles in aging as well as cancer progression. Conversely, recent evidence has shown that targeting telomere maintenance mechanisms and inducing telomere dysfunction in cancer cells by inhibiting telomerase can lead to catastrophic events including rapid cell death and increased sensitivity to other cancer therapeutics. Thus, given the major role telomeres play during development, it is important to continue our understanding telomere structure, function and maintenance. Herein, we provide an overview of the emerging knowledge of telomere dysfunction and how it relates to possible links between aging and cancer.
The peoples of the coast of Ecuador accommodate the Inca state

This paper evaluates ethnohistorical and archaeological evidence regarding the alleged Inca conquest of coastal Ecuador, discusses Inca state strategies, and explores the nature of the indigenous polities of the region in the period C.E. 1470–1532. Benzoni's interview with Cacique Colonchi around 1550 and the presence of an Inca-style aryballus in a tomb in the Colonchi Valley are suggestive of the ability of coastal peoples to resist and accommodate aggressors. To improve our understanding of this historical period, archaeologists must focus more research on the late prehistoric settlements of the western lowlands of Ecuador.
Low radiation dose C-arm cone-beam CT based on prior image constrained compressed sensing (PICCS): including compensation for image volume mismatch between multiple data acquisitions

C-arm based cone-beam CT (CBCT) has evolved into a routine clinical imaging modality to provide threedimensional tomographic image guidance before, during, and after an interventional procedure. It is often used to update the clinician to the state of the patient anatomy and interventional tool placement. Due to the repeatedly use of CBCT, the accumulated radiation dose in an interventional procedure has become a concern. There is a strong desire from both patients and health care providers to reduce the radiation exposure required for these exams. The overall objective of this work is to propose and validate a method to significantly reduce the total radiation dose used during a CBCT image guided intervention. The basic concept is that the first cone-beam CT scan acquired at the full dose will be used to constrain the reconstruction of the later CBCT scans acquired at a much lower radiation dose. A recently developed new image reconstruction algorithm, Prior Image Constrained Compressed Sensing (PICCS), was used to reconstruct subsequent CBCT images with lower dose. This application differs from other applications of the PICCS algorithm, such as time-resolved CT or fourdimensional CBCT (4DCBCT), because the patient position may be frequently changed from one CBCT scan to another during the procedure. Thus, an image registration step to account for the change in patient position is indispensable for use of the PICCS image reconstruction algorithm. In this paper, the image registration step is combined with the PICCS algorithm to enable radiation dose reduction in CBCT image guided interventions. Experimental results acquired from a clinical C-arm system using a human cadaver were used to validate the PICCS algorithm based radiation dose reduction scheme. Using the proposed method in this paper, it has been demonstrated that, instead of 300 view angles, this technique requires about 20 cone-beam view angles to reconstruct CBCT angiograms. This signals a radiation dose reduction by a factor of approximately fifteen for subsequent acquisitions.
The Treatment of Missing Values in Discriminant Analysis—I. The Sampling Experiment

Abstract Probabilities of correct classification under several commonly used methods of handling missing values are studied by Monte Carlo methods. The methods include use of only complete observation vectors; use of all observations with no replacement; substitution of means for missing observations; Buck's regression method; and, Dear's principal component method. Discriminant functions were formed using independent random samples from two multivariate normal distributions with equal covariance matrices. Missing values occur randomly in each variable and independently of missing values in other variables. The mean substitution method and principal component method are, in general, superior to the other methods for cases considered.
The structure of active serpin 1K from Manduca sexta

Abstract Background: The reactive center loops (RCL) of serpins undergo large conformational changes triggered by the interaction with their target protease. Available crystallographic data suggest that the serpin RCL is polymorphic, but the relevance of the observed conformations to the competent active structure and the conformational changes that occur on binding target protease has remained obscure. New high-resolution data on an active serpin, serpin 1K from the moth hornworm Manduca sexta , provide insights into how active serpins are stabilized and how conformational changes are induced by protease binding. Results: The 2.1 A structure shows that the RCL of serpin 1K, like that of active α 1 -antitrypsin, is canonical, complimentary and ready to bind to the target protease between P 3 and P 3 (where P refers to standard protease nomenclature),. In the hinge region (P 17 –P 13 ), however, the RCL of serpin 1K, like ovalbumin and α 1 -antichymotrypsin, forms tight interactions that stabilize the five-stranded closed form of β sheet A. These interactions are not present in, and are not compatible with, the observed structure of active α 1 -antitrypsin. Conclusions: Serpin 1K may represent the best resting conformation for serpins – canonical near P 1 , but stabilized in the closed conformation of β sheet A. By comparison with other active serpins, especially α 1 -antitrypsin, a model is proposed in which interaction with the target protease near P 1 leads to conformational changes in β sheet A of the serpin.
Cigarette smoking predicts differential benefit from naltrexone for alcohol dependence.

Background Identifying factors that modify responsiveness to pharmacotherapies for alcohol dependence is important for treatment planning. Cigarette smoking predicts more severe alcohol dependence and poorer treatment response in general. Nevertheless, there is limited research on cigarette smoking as a potential predictor of differential response to pharmacological treatment of alcoholism. Methods We examined the association between cigarette smoking and drinking outcomes in the COMBINE (Combined Pharmacotherapies and Behavioral Interventions for Alcohol Dependence) study, a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled 16-week trial comparing combinations of medications (i.e., acamprosate and naltrexone) and behavioral interventions (i.e., medical management, combined behavioral therapy) in 1383 alcohol-dependent individuals. Results Smokers (i.e., more than one half the sample) significantly differed from nonsmokers on several demographic and drinking-related variables at baseline and generally had poorer treatment outcomes than nonsmokers. However, smokers who received naltrexone had better drinking outcomes than smokers who received placebo, whereas alcohol use among nonsmokers did not vary by naltrexone assignment. This pattern of findings occurred independent of whether patients received combined behavioral intervention or medical management and remained after controlling for alcoholism typology and baseline demographic differences. Approximately 9% of smokers quit smoking, and an additional 10% reduced their cigarette intake during treatment. Reductions in smoking did not vary by treatment assignment. Conclusions These results suggest that naltrexone might be particularly beneficial for improving alcohol use outcomes in alcohol-dependent smokers.
Computerized AC-DC Design Equations for Class "B" Power Amplifiers

This paper presents the preliminary results of a program to increase circuit reliability while reducing engineering time and maintaining cost control. To implement this program, it was first necessary to derive equations for use in the design and analysis of different amplifier circuits, which included both AC and DC parameters. Although Class "B" amplifier theory has been covered in numerous textbooks, previous papers, and application notes, there is no reference of which we are aware that considers anything but the basic output circuit and power supply. For a complete analysis, it is necessary to consider the effects of Class "B" drivers, DC feedback and Class "B" bias means. The equations derived may be grouped into two categories; (1) generalized equations applicable to any output confi,guration, and relating power output to power supply voltage and current, and to transistor dissipation, and; (2) equations for DC and thermal analysis of specific circuit configurations. The classical loop equation method was used for the DC equations.
Reattaching Fractured Tooth Segments: An Esthetic Alternative

In “Reattaching Fractured Tooth Segments: An Esthetic Alternative,” Drs. Anthony DiAngelis and Monica Jungbluth explore this option to bonded composites and full crowns. Reattaching fractured tooth segments offers an esthetic transitional restorative alternative to bonded composite and full crowns. The authors review this technique and demonstrate its application.
Properties of stochastic permeability

When modeled at macroscopic length scales, the complex dendritic network in the solid-plus-liquid region of a solidifying alloy (the “mushy zone”) has been modeled as a continuum based on the theory of porous media. The most important property of a porous medium is its permeability, which relates the macroscopic pressure gradient to the throughput of fluid flow. Knowledge of the permeability of the mushy zone as a function of the local volume-fraction of liquid and other morphological parameters is thus essential to successfully modeling the flow of interdendritic liquid during alloy solidification. Permeability is usually treated as a deterministic function of parameters that can be calculated by the model (e.g., local solid fraction, dendrite arm spacing). However, recent results show that the length scales that must be resolved are too small for the assumption of deterministic behavior to be valid, and investigators must confront the stochastic behavior of the permeability field. We describe early work to investigate the spatial structure of the stochastic permeability at these small scales, with a view to develop a comprehensive treatment of stochastic permeability to enable improved modeling.
Reassociation of membrane glycoprotein with intact erythrocytes

Abstract Purified membrane glycoprotein was found to specifically bind to erythrocyte surfaces. (1) The glycoprotein showed over 80-fold greater binding to erythrocytes than did bovine serum albumin; (2) the binding of the glycoprotein was not significantly inhibited by the presence of other proteins even when added in 175-fold greater concentration; (3) the glycoprotein's binding showed both time and concentration dependence. Radiolabeled glycoprotein was re-isolated after binding to erythrocytes and, after sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, over 64% of the label was recovered from the glycoprotein bands. The glycoprotein preparation would bind to erythrocyte surfaces to the extent of 6–7% of that naturally occurring in the membranes.
Rehabilitation of the patient with chronic critical illness

Patients with CCI have continuing profound medical needs, poor prognosis for significant functional recovery, and a high mortality rate. Nonetheless, some survive for months or years, but unfortunately, often with functional skills and quality of life lower than need be. Careful evaluation of each patient's medical condition and potential for functional improvement, early involvement of the rehabilitation team, prevention and treatment of medical conditions associated with prolonged bed rest and immobility, reduction of the emotional and financial burden of family members, and establishment of reasonable goals can increase self-sufficiency and quality of life regardless of discharge destination.
A Phase II study of bevacizumab in combination with trastuzumab and docetaxel in HER2 positive metastatic breast cancer

Background Preclinical and early clinical data support the use of Vascular Epithelial Growth Factor (VEGF)-targeted therapy with trastuzumab in Human Epidermal Receptor 2 (HER2) positive breast cancer. Adding bevacizumab to a taxane (docetaxel or paclitaxel) improves progression free survival (PFS) of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients. Objectives We evaluated the efficacy and feasibility of combining bevacizumab with trastuzumab and docetaxel in patients with HER2- positive MBC who received 0–1 prior chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease. The primary end point was PFS. Materials and Methods Eligible patients received bevacizumab (15 mg/kg), trastuzumab (8 mg/kg loading dose followed by 6 mg/kg), and docetaxel (100 mg/m2 initially, later amended to 75 mg/m2) every three weeks for six cycles and then were allowed to receive bevacizumab and trastuzumab alone. Results Thirteen (50 %) of 26 patients enrolled completed all 6 cycles of bevacizumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel and went on to receive bevacizumab and trastuzumab alone (median: 11 cycles). The most common grade 3 or 4 toxicities include: neutropenia (8 %), septic death (4 %), infection not associated with neutropenia (15 %), fatigue (27 %), mylagia and/or arthraligia (20 %), and hand-foot syndrome (8 %). One patient (4 %) and six patients (23 %) developed grade 3 and grade 2 hypertension, respectively. Two (8 %) patients had transient grade 2 drop in Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction (LVEF) with full recovery later. The median progression free survival (PFS) was 14.3 months (95 % CI: 9.3–35 months), the objective response rate (ORR), defined as the best response of complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) was (12/26) 46 %. The clinical benefit rate (CBR), defined as the best response of CR or PR or stable disease (SD) for at least 24 weeks, was (18/26) 69 % (95 % CI: 48–86 %). Conclusion The combination of bevacizumab, trastuzumab and docetaxel is well tolerated and is clinically active in patients with HER2-positive MBC, with response rate and PFS comparable to previous reports utilizing higher dose of docetaxel (100 mg/m2). Recent randomized trials did not demonstrate additional overall survival (OS) benefit of adding bevacizumab to trastuzumab and docetaxel despite an improvement in PFS. Identification of predictive biomarkers and careful patient selection should be incorporated in further investigation of anti-VEGF in breast cancer.
Factors determining the primary particle size of flame-generated inorganic aerosols

Abstract The growth by coalescence of recently nucleated submicrometer ash primary particles was experimentally investigated by examining the products of combustion of both coals and synthetic chars in a laboratory study. Coalescence of submicrometer ash particles, which occurs by either solid state diffusion or viscous flow, was found to be a function of gas temperature and particle temperature, as indicated by the increase in ash particle size with increases in gas temperature and char combustion temperature. The chemical composition of the ash particles was also found to affect the final primary ash particle size, as demonstrated by the difference in primary particle sizes obtained from combustion of a variety of synthetic chars, each doped with a single mineral additive. The addition of sodium to a silicon system was seen to greatly increase the size of the submicrometer primary particles, by decreasing the viscosity and therefore permitting coalescence at lower temperatures. Trace impurities greatly affected the results for solid phase systems, as evidenced by the experimental results and theoretical predictions of particle coalescence behavior for calcium oxide particles that contained less than 1% impurity.