cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Utilizing drumming for American Indians/Alaska Natives with substance use disorders: a focus group study.

Background: Drumming has been utilized among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) tribes for centuries to promote healing and self-expression. Drum-Assisted Recovery Therapy for Native Americans (DARTNA), currently under development, is a substance abuse treatment utilizing drumming as a core component. Objectives: Focus groups were conducted to assist in the development of the DARTNA protocol. Feedback obtained from these focus groups will inform a subsequent pretest of DARTNA and an empirical study analyzing its effectiveness. Methods: Three focus groups were conducted among AIs/ANs with substance use disorders (n = 6), substance abuse treatment providers (n = 8), and a community advisory board (n = 4) to solicit feedback prior to a pretest of the DARTNA protocol. Results: Overall, participants indicated that DARTNA could be beneficial for AIs/ANs with substance use disorders. Four overarching conceptual themes emerged across the focus groups: (1) benefits of drumming, (2) importance of a culture-based...
Transduction of adenovirus-mediated wild-type p53 after radiotherapy in human cervical cancer cells.

Abstract Objective Radiotherapy is the mainstay of treatment for advanced cervical cancer and most cervical cancers have evidence of HPV (human papilloma virus) infection, which inactivates the p53 gene. The goal of this study was to determine the effect of combining radiotherapy and Adp53 infection on the growth of cervical carcinoma cells. Methods The silta cervical carcinoma cell line contains wild-type p53 and HPV 16 infection. The C33A cell line has a p53 mutation. The Adp53 recombinant adenovirus contains the cytomegalovirus promoter, wild-type p53 cDNA, and a polyadenylation signal in a minigene cassette inserted into the El-deleted region of a modified adenovirus 5. Transduction efficiency was assessed by using an adenovirus containing the Escherichia coli β-galactosidase gene and expression of wild-type p53 in infected cells was evaluated by Western blot analysis. One group of cells was irradiated prior to infection, the other group received no irradiation, but were either infected with virus or mock-infected. Cells were analyzed for viability 1 to 7 days after infection by using the sulforhodamine B assay. The percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis was determined by using a TUNEL assay. Results Fifty percent of C33A cells were transduced with 5 muthplicities of infection of virus whereas SiHa cells required 25 multiplicities of infection. Adp53 expression was found 48 h after infection. In the cells treated with both radiation and Adp53 infection growth inhibition was increased compared with inhibition resulting with either treatment alone. The combination treatment also increased the percentage of cells undergoing apoptosis. Conclusion Combining radiotherapy with Adp53 infection increases the inhibition of growth of cervical cancer cells in vitro. This combination treatment has the potential of increasing efficacy and of therapy.
CNS metastasis in primary breast cancer

The development of CNS metastasis in patients with solid malignancies represents a turning point in the disease process. The prevalence of CNS metastasis from breast cancer may be increasing due to improved systemic therapy for stage IV breast cancer. The standard treatment for multiple brain lesions remains whole-brain radiation for symptom control, with no improvement in survival. The therapy for a single brain metastasis remains either surgery or radiosurgery, with conflicting information as to the benefit of prior whole-brain radiation. The role of chemotherapy remains investigational in this setting. Leptomeningeal metastasis is conventionally treated with intrathecal chemotherapy, but may provide short-term symptom control. This review focuses on the treatment options available for both brain and leptomeningeal metastasis from breast cancer, including some investigational therapies that may be of importance in patient management in the near future.
Effects of 8-week exposure of the B6C3F1 mouse to dietary deoxynivalenol (vomitoxin) and zearalenone.

Abstract Weanling female B6C3F1 mice were fed semi-purified diets containing 0, 0.5, 2.0, 5.0, 10.0 or 25.0 ppm (mg/kg) deoxynivalenol (DON) over 8 wk and were assessed for effects on feed intake, body-weight gain, terminal organ weights, histopathology, haematology and serum immunoglobulin levels. To determine whether DON effects were potentiated by the oestrogen zearalenone (ZEA), a mycotoxin frequently found to occur with DON in cereals, two additional groups of mice were fed diets containing either 10 ppm ZEA or 10 ppm ZEA plus 5 ppm DON. The rate of body-weight gain was significantly reduced ( P P
Adsorption of molecules on a charged polarizable surface in an electrolyte

We present a method for the calculation of the binding and rotational energies of neutral (H2S) and charged (HS-) molecules impinging upon a charged and polarizable (Cu ) surface in the presence of an electrolyte. A molecular surface is constructed surrounding the H2S and HS- molecules forming boundary elements. A coupled Schrodinger-Poisson-Boltzmann iterative procedure treats the electronic structure of the molecules at the 6-31G**/MP2 level of theory and includes solvation effects through the single and double layers of charge induced by the electronic distribution. The molecule, together with its charged layers, forms a molecular single and double layer, an object which then interacts with a polarizable Gouy-Chapman plane within the electrolyte. The induced charge at the molecular surface resulting from this external electric field is obtained by solving a second set of boundary element equations. The induced polarization of the solid surface created by the impinging molecular ion is treated by a modified method of images. Repulsive interactions between the atoms of the molecule and those of the surface are obtained using a rigid-ion Hartree-Fock method. Binding energies of the molecule to the surface are determined as a function of the real surface charge imposed and also the ionic strength of the solution. It is found that surface charges can completely (180 degrees) reorient these molecules and that the counterions in the solution can completely screen binding effects of even large surface charges. Solid surface polarization can be significant in low dielectric constant solvents and is also reduced by counterions. Copyright 1998 Academic Press.
Relating Flight Experience and Pilots' Perceptions of Decision-Making Skill:

Relationships between flight experience and pilots' perceptions of their ability to perform various aspects of the decision-making process were examined in the present study. Pilots were asked to r...
Energetics of Electron Transfer at the Nanocrystalline Titanium Dioxide Semiconductor/Aqueous Solution Interface: pH Invariance of the Metal Based Formal Potential of a Representative Surface Attached Dye Couple.

Mediator-based spectroelectrochemical assessment of the metal-centered formal potential (EfRu) of a representative inorganic dye, Ru(4,4‘-(CH2PO3)-2,2‘-bipyridine)310-, bound to a nanocrystalline titanium dioxide film shows that the potential is insensitive to changes in solution pH, despite significant shifts in the conduction band edge energy (ECB) of the underlying semiconductor electrode in response to the same environmental perturbations. The observations are important in the context of recent work showing that back-electron reactivity for the same semiconductor/dye combination is pH independent over a 19 pH unit range, despite apparent changes in back-reaction driving force of greater than 1.2 eV over the same interval (Yan, S.; Hupp, J. T. J. Phys. Chem. 1996, 100, 6867). In particular, the spectroelectrochemical findings serve to rule out a suggested alternative interpretation of the unusual kinetic effects whereby the crucial energy difference quantity, ECB − EfRu, remains fixed because of compen...
Toward a Comparative Socioecology of the Genus Macaca: Different Dominance Styles in Rhesus and Stumptail Monkeys

Captive studies can make a unique contribution to primate socioecology by documenting species-typical social dispositions under controlled conditions. Recent theories seek to connect the dominance relationships, group cohesiveness, and feeding ecology of primates. The present study explores the first two aspects by comparing the social organization of rhesus (Macaca mulatta) and stumptail monkeys (M. arctoides). Data were collected over a period of eight years, with five different methods, on three well-established captive groups in identical environments. The groups were found to share one characteristic: a clear-cut, linear formal dominance hierarchy as expressed in teeth-baring displays. The two main study groups (one of each species) differed significantly, however, with respect to nine of eleven behavioral measures. In addition to a previously reported higher frequency of reconciliation in the stumptail group, this group showed (1) more frequent but less severe aggressive behavior, (2) greater symmetry of contests, (3) greater social tolerance, (4) more nonagonistic approaches, and (5) more allogrooming. The differences can be summarized as a contrast in dominance "style," with the stumptails having a more relaxed style and placing greater emphasis on social cohesion than the rhesus monkeys. An egalitarian attitude was also reflected in approach behavior: contacts in the rhesus group were mostly initiated by dominants, whereas contacts in the stumptail group were initiated independent of rank. Comparisons with a second rhesus group, and with published reports, suggest that while some of the observed differences are probably representative of the two species, considerable intraspecific variation does exist, and a more comprehensive program of comparative studies is needed.
Phylogenetic support for the monophyly of proetide trilobites

The monophyly of the order Proetida, the only trilobite group to survive the end-Devonian mass extinction, has been regularly questioned since its erection almost three decades ago. Through analysis of a novel phylogenetic data set comprising 114 characters coded for 55 taxa, including both traditional members of the Proetida along with a number of other trilobite groups, the monophyly of proetide trilobites is rigorously tested for the first time. Proetida is shown to be monophyletic, united by the initial compound eye formation in early protaspids occurring at the lateral margin rather than the anterior margin, and the form of the protaspid glabella being tapering with a pre-glabellar field. A number of adult characters, including the possession of a quadrate or shield-shaped hypostome with angular posterior margins, the hypostome median body being divided by a deep groove that entirely traverses the median body, the presence of an enlarged thoracic spine on the sixth tergite and a tergite count of between 7 and 10, also define the basal node. Hystricurid and dimeropygoid trilobites are shown to resolve at the base of the group, while the remaining proetide taxa are divided between large proetoid and aulacopleuroid clades. Some taxa previously allied with Aulacopleuroidea, such as rorringtoniids and scharyiids, are retrieved as basal members of the Proetoidea.
Increased Concern for Degradation of Upper Steam Drum Internals Leading to Monitoring and Modifications Considerations

Pressurized water reactor plant steam generator upper internals have been monitored in accordance with accepted industry practice and on schedules based on the history of good inspection results with isolated cases of failures in a small percentage of plants worldwide. The current practice is, in general, to perform a small sample qualitative visual inspection. The causal factors for the historical events are indicators but, in general, not directly applicable to the current rationale for increased quantitative surveillance. There is an emerging trend toward increased indications of degradation with identifiable causal factors similar to but distinct from the traditional failure mechanisms. Primary and secondary moisture separation components and feedwater ring degradation is increasing as calculated by traditional models and according to qualitative and quantitative inspection results. Two established objective criteria for the performance functions for the steam drum components under consideration are: moisture carryover < 0.25% and material loss of 62.5 mils from nominal component thickness of 0.25 inches. These traditional acceptance criteria can be re-established based on an engineering evaluation of failure modes and effects. Two changes that have increased the concern for unacceptable degradation of steam drum components in recent years are 1) the chemistry improvements to reduce flow assisted corrosion (FAC) in the feed train piping with the concomitant reduction in entrained iron transport into steam generators, and 2) the increase in water-steam flow velocities that result from power uprates. The reduction of entrained particulate into the steam generators is positive with respect to fewer corrodents introduced but may have an unintended and previously under-analyzed effect of the transport of entrained particulate into the upper regions of the tube bundle and into the moisture separation components. The first indications of degraded moisture separator components have begun to emerge and warrant consideration of an increased surveillance program for selected plants. This paper discusses how recent changes in the operating parameters and secondary water chemistry control have created conditions for concern for exceeding the traditional moisture carryover criteria and erosion-corrosion of upper steam drum components, especially in light of extended life operation. Examples of recent developments in inspection results and considerations for improved materials, increased and improved surveillance techniques, and replacement strategies will be presented.Copyright © 2008 by Westinghouse Electric Company
Prediction Intervals Via Consonance Intervals

The general form of prediction intervals is presented as the set of realized values of the response variable that would not lead to rejection of the hypothesis of equal population means, an approach that emphasizes consonance of the hypothesis with the data rather than confidence that the interval will cover the as yet unrealized response.
Effect of ambient pressure on liquid swirl injector flow dynamics

In this paper, a combined theoretical and numerical analysis is performed to study the internal and external flowfields of a liquid swirl injector. The effect of ambient pressure on the injector dynamics is explored systematically over a range of 1-50 atm. An increase in the ambient pressure increases the liquid film thickness, but decreases the spreading angle. This phenomenon can be attributed to the modification of the velocity profiles within the liquid film near the gas-liquid interface due to the alteration of the gas-phase shear stresses with pressure. The friction force at the interface plays a minor role. The generation and existence of stationary waves in the injector nozzle is also considered. At a higher ambient pressure, the pressure drop across the liquid sheet downstream of the injector exit increases, thereby suppressing the spreading of the liquid sheet. This in turn increases the thickness of the liquid sheet, and subsequently increases the breakup length at higher pressure. A semi-empirical model is developed to relate the velocity and pressure distributions near the surface of the liquid sheet. Good agreement is achieved between the measured and predicted shape and spreading angle of the liquid sheet.
What’s in View for Toddlers? Using a Head Camera to Study Visual Experience

This article reports 2 experiments using a new method to study 18- to 24-month-olds' visual experiences as they interact with objects. Experiment 1 presents evidence on the coupling of head and eye movements and thus the validity of the head camera view of the infant's visual field in the geometry of the task context. Experiment 2 demonstrates the use of this method in the naturalistic context of toy play with a parent. The results point to the embodied nature of toddlers' attentional strategies and to importance of hands and hand actions in their visual experience of objects. The head camera thus appears to be a promising method that, despite some limitations, will yield new insights about the ecology and content of young children's experiences.
In vivo effects of insulin-like growth factor-I on the development of sensory pathways: analysis of the primary somatic sensory cortex (S1) of transgenic mice.

In the rodent brain, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) messenger RNA is transiently expressed in sensory projection neurons during periods of synaptogenesis and neuronal growth. Transgenic (Tg) mice with brain IGF-I overexpression and ectopic brain expression of IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), an inhibitor of IGF-I actions, show changes in brain size and myelination. We used these mouse models to evaluate in vivo IGF-I effects on sensory pathway development by conducting anatomical studies in the S1 barrel field. Brain size, cortical area, and barrel field dimensions were increased in IGF-I and reduced in IGFBP-1 Tg mice compared with those in wild-type (wt) mice. The brain and cerebral cortex of Tg mice with the highest transgene expression were the most altered in size. Cortex and barrel field size changes were not precisely proportional, because in some Tg mice barrels were relatively more affected than the cortex, whereas in others the opposite was observed. Brain IGF-I overexpression increased th...
A mean-variance framework for analyzing reserve requirements and monetary control

Abstract This paper analyzes an ‘almost’ contemporaneous reserve accounting system (ACRA) in which reserve computation and maintenance periods only partially overlap. As a result, banks acquire knowledge of their required reserve obligations prior to the settling period when such reserve requirements become legally binding. Our analysis suggests that the money stock behaves similarly under both ACRA and purely contemporaneous reserve accounting systems as long as banks are risk averse. When banks no longer exhibit risk aversion, the ACRA money stock tends to mimic the behavior of the money stock under a lagged reserve accounting system.
Structural basis of eukaryotic gene transcription

An RNA polymerase II promoter has been isolated in transcriptionally activated and repressed states. Topological and nuclease digestion analyses have revealed a dynamic equilibrium between nucleosome removal and reassembly upon transcriptional activation, and have further shown that nucleosomes are removed by eviction of histone octamers rather than by sliding. The promoter, once exposed, assembles with RNA polymerase II, general transcription factors, and Mediator in a ∼3 MDa transcription initiation complex. X-ray crystallography has revealed the structure of RNA polymerase II, in the act of transcription, at atomic resolution. Extension of this analysis has shown how nucleotides undergo selection, polymerization, and eventual release from the transcribing complex. X-ray and electron crystallography have led to a picture of the entire transcription initiation complex, elucidating the mechanisms of promoter recognition, DNA unwinding, abortive initiation, and promoter escape.
Year‐Class Contribution of White Crappies Stocked into Lake Chicot, Arkansas

Abstract White crappies Pomoxis annularis were stocked into Lake Chicot, Arkansas, to evaluate year-class contribution. Between 1998 and 2001, approximately 271,747 white crappie fingerlings were marked by immersion in oxytetracycline and later stocked. Marking efficacy was 97%. Handling mortality of stocked fish ranged from 0% to 67% and averaged 23% after 24 h. Year-class contribution of stocked crappies ranged from 0% to 3.1%. Stocking of fingerling crappies in Lake Chicot is unlikely to markedly increase the number of harvestable crappies available to anglers. Other management options should be explored to increase crappie population abundance. Stocking is often used as a public relations tool by managers but should be reserved for situations where it is biologically warranted.
Futility interim monitoring with control of type I and II error probabilities using the interim Z-value or confidence limit:

Background It is highly desirable to terminate a clinical trial early if the emerging data suggests that the experimental treatment is ineffective, or substantially less effective than the level the study was designed to detect. Many studies have used a conditional power calculation as the basis for termination for futility. However, in order to compute conditional power one must posit an assumption about the distribution of the future data yet to be observed, such as that the original design assumptions will apply, or that the future data will have the same treatment effect as that estimated from the current ‘trend’ in the data. Each such assumption will yield a different conditional power value.Purpose The assessment of futility is described in terms of the observed quantities alone, specifically the interim Z-value or the interim confidence limit on the magnitude of the treatment effect, such that specified type I and II error probabilities are achieved. No assumption is required regarding the distribu...
Millennial-scale dynamics of valley fills over the past 12,000 14C yr in northeastern New Mexico, USA

We studied the alluvial histories of eight small ( 2 ) watersheds in the uplands of northeastern New Mexico. The data come from radiocarbon-dated sections exposed in the banks of arroyos and permanent-channel streams. Results show that nine periods of valley aggradation separated by incision episodes occurred over the past 12,000 14 C yr. These millennial-scale cycles occurred in rough synchrony within different drainages. Parts of some cycles coincided with well-known climatic fluctuations. For example, aggradation occurred during the Younger Dryas chronozone, 11,000–10,000 14 C yr B.P., and valley fills persisted in incised states during the early Holocene peak in Milanko-vitch summer insolation. Incision occurred early in the Medieval Warm Period (ca. A. D. 1000–1300), aggradation during the Little Ice Age (A.D. 1300–1880), and incision during the last century. Changes in precipitation tied to the strength of the North American Monsoon system probably drive these cycles of aggradation and incision: when the system is strong, more frequent summer thunderstorms cause increased flooding in these small watersheds. Wetter summers over periods of decades to centuries allow forest vegetation to spread, which reduces sediment input from hillslopes at the same time floods are eroding valley fills. Aggradation of valley fills probably occurs when summer thunderstorms are less frequent, and large floods are correspondingly rare. Prolonged summer drought reduces forest cover, which increases erosion from slopes and causes sediment to accumulate in valleys. In turn, the strength of the North American Monsoon system is probably controlled by fluctuating sea-surface temperatures. The geomorphic cycles we describe may reflect a previously unrecognized, millennial-scale climate oscillation that is important in shaping the landscapes of the southern Great Plains.
Suppression of resonant field line oscillations by a turbulent background

Abstract Stochastic fluctuations of the magnetospheric plasma and background magnetic field, especially intense during geomagnetically active periods, can provide an additional mechanism of damping of Alfven field line oscillations. To quantify this hypothesis, we consider a driven Alfven field line resonator with stochastic fluctuations of the Alfven resonant frequency. This problem is first considered analytically for a low level of fluctuations, then a more general numerical approach is introduced. The results of analytical calculations and numerical modeling both indicate the deterioration of resonant properties of the resonator owing to stochastic background fluctuations.
Model for Ocular Tear Film Function

Blepharitis patients have a number of disturbances in their tear film associated with meibomian gland dysfunction that affect evaporation and tear osmolarity. We tested a series of 156 consecutive patients, with a presumed diagnosis of blepharitis, dry eye, or allergic disease, and a series of 72 normals. We compared their tear film characteristics using tear osmolarity, tear volume, tear production (fluorophotometric and Schirmer test), tear turnover (decay constant), tear evaporation, and meibomian gland function evaluated by gland drop-out, expressed lipid viscosity, and volume. Of the 156 patients tested, we found 37 had dry eye, 10 had only allergic disease, 73 had meibomian gland dysfunction and dry eye, and 36 had only meibomian gland dysfunction. We created a model of the relative influence some of these factors had on each other using their correlation coefficients. The highest correlations for osmolarity were Schirmer test (-0.44), lipid volume low (-0.44), lipid viscosity high (0.39), gland drop-out (0.39), and tear evaporation (0.36). With regression analysis we accounted for 47% of the total variation in osmolarity, but only 17% of the variation in tear evaporation. We also present our classification system for blepharitis and dry eye patients based on our measurable physiologic parameters.
In memoriam: Howard Elliot (1952-1984)

A brief biography of Howard Elliot (1952-1984) is given highlighting his professional achievements.
89. Lipopolysaccharide reduces incentive motivation while boosting preference for high reward in mice

Inflammation has been implicated in the development of various disorders, including fatigue and depression. However, the neurobehavioral mechanism involved in this relationship remains elusive. This gap in knowledge may best be filled by evaluating elementary neurobehavioral processes affected by inflammation rather than just behavioral changes in conventional animal tests of depression. To this end the current study used a concurrent choice paradigm to evaluate inflammation-induced alterations in incentive motivation. Mice were food restricted to between 85% and 90% of their free feeding weight and were trained to perform a concurrent choice task where they nose poked for grain rewards on a fixed ratio 1 schedule (low effort/low reward) and chocolate-flavored rewards on a fixed ratio 10 schedule (high effort/high reward). A counterbalanced within subjects design was used. A single injection of 0.33 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide was used to induce peripheral inflammation. Twenty-four hours after lipopolysaccharide administration mice showed a reduction in the total number of nose pokes. A proportionally greater reduction in nose pokes was observed for grain, resulting in an increase in percent chocolate pellets earned. These behavioral changes are not due to reduced appetite as pre-feeding led to a similar increase in percent chocolate pellets earned but without any decrease in responding. These results indicate that inflammation modulates incentive motivation by affecting willingness to exert effort for reward and not by reducing sensitivity to reward.
Hydration Equilibrium Constants of Aldehydes, Ketones and Quinazolines

SPARC chemical reactivity and physical processes models were coupled and extended to calculate hydration equilibrium constants for aldehydes, ketones, quinazoline and substituted quinazolines compounds from molecular structure. The energy differences between the initial (anhydrible) and the final (hydrated) states in the gas phase for a molecule of interest were calculated using SPARC mechanistic perturbation models. These perturbations models quantify the interactions of the appended perturber (P) with the carbonyl reaction center of the aldehydes or ketones or with the imine reaction center of the quinazolines. The perturbations of the reaction center were factored into mechanistic components of electrostatic, resonance and steric effects in the gas phase. The solvation energy (Henry's constant) of the anhydrible and the hydrated states on going from the gas phase to the aqueous phase were calculated using SPARC physical processes models. These physical processes models quantify the intermolecular interactions between the solute and the solvent molecules upon placing a solute molecule in the aqueous phase. The intermolecular interactions are factored into dispersion, induction, dipole-dipole and H-bonding interaction mechanisms. The RMS deviation error was 0.36 pK h y d r a t i o n units for 36 aldehyde and ketone compounds and 0.43 pK h y d r a t i o n units for quinazoline and 31 substituted quinazoline compounds.
Robust generation of hemangioblastic progenitors from human embryonic stem cells.

Background: Human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) are a potentially inexhaustible source of cells for replacement therapy. However, successful preclinical and clinical progress requires efficient and controlled differentiation towards the specific differentiated cell fate. Methods: We previously developed a strategy to generate blast cells (BCs) from hESCs that were capable of differentiating into vascular structures as well as into all hematopoietic cell lineages. Although the BCs were shown to repair damaged vasculature in multiple animal models, the large-scale generation of cells under these conditions was challenging. Here we report a simpler and more efficient method for robust generation of hemangioblastic progenitors. Results: In addition to eliminating several expensive factors that are unnecessary, we demonstrate that bone morphogenetic protein (BMP)-4 and VEGF are necessary and sufficient to induce hemangioblastic commitment and development from hESCs during early stages of differentiation. BMP-4 ...
Asymmetric synthesis of enantiomerically pure 4-aminoglutamic acids via methylenedimerization of chiral glycine equivalents with dichloromethane under operationally convenient conditions

Abstract We found that simple stirring of a biphasic mixture of the Ni(II) complex of glycine Schiff base 2 solution in dichloromethane with 30% aqueous NaOH in the presence of PT catalyst nBu4N+Br− at room temperature for 24 h results in the formation of diastereo- and enantiomerically pure Ni(II) complex 3 , containing (2S,4S) 4-aminoglutamic acid, in high chemical yield. The procedure described in this communication represents a synthetically efficient method for the asymmetric synthesis of 4-aminoglutamic acid on large scale.
The Modeling of Lift and Dispersion Forces in Two-Fluid Model Simulations of a Bubbly Jet

Two-fluid model simulations of a bubbly vertical jet are presented. The purpose of these simulations is to assess the modeling of lift and turbulent dispersion forces in a free shear flow. The turbulent dispersion models used herein are based on the application of a kinetic transport equation, similar to Boltzmann's equation, to obtain the turbulent diffusion force for the dispersed phase. They have already been constituted and validated for the case of particles in homogeneous turbulence and jets and for microscopic bubbles in grid generated turbulence and mixing layers
Site-Directed Mutagenesis of HgcA and HgcB Reveals Amino Acid Residues Important for Mercury Methylation

Methylmercury is a potent neurotoxin that is produced by anaerobic microorganisms from inorganic mercury by a recently discovered pathway. A two-gene cluster, consisting of hgcA and hgcB, encodes two of the proteins essential for this activity. hgcA encodes a corrinoid protein with a strictly conserved cysteine proposed to be the ligand for cobalt in the corrinoid cofactor, whereas hgcB encodes a ferredoxin-like protein thought to be an electron donor to HgcA. Deletion of either gene eliminates mercury methylation by the methylator Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ND132. Here, site-directed mutants of HgcA and HgcB were constructed to determine amino acid residues essential for mercury methylation. Mutations of the strictly conserved residue Cys93 in HgcA, the proposed ligand for the corrinoid cobalt, to Ala or Thr completely abolished the methylation capacity, but a His substitution produced measurable methylmercury. Mutations of conserved amino acids near Cys93 had various impacts on the methylation capacity but showed that the structure of the putative “cap helix” region harboring Cys93 is crucial for methylation function. In the ferredoxin-like protein HgcB, only one of two conserved cysteines found at the C terminus was necessary for methylation, but either cysteine sufficed. An additional, strictly conserved cysteine, Cys73, was also determined to be essential for methylation. This study supports the previously predicted importance of Cys93 in HgcA for methylation of mercury and reveals additional residues in HgcA and HgcB that facilitate the production of this neurotoxin.
Evaluating patent ductus arteriosus during percutaneous closure: correlation between intravascular ultrasonography and computed tomographic angiography.

A 39-year-old man presented with dyspnea on exertion and was found on ausculation to have a continuous machinery-like murmur. A computed tomographic (CT) angiogram with 3-dimensional reconstruction showed a tubular patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) that measured 1.7 × 1.3 cm in diameter (Figs. 1 and ​and2).2). Given the large size of the defect, we entered the PDA with a peripheral intravascular ultrasound catheter (Volcano Corporation; San Diego, Calif ) to obtain ultrasonographic images (Fig. 3), which precisely confirmed the dimensions shown on the CT scan. Because of the defect's large size, we used an Amplatzer™ 20-mm vascular plug II (St. Jude Medical, Inc.; St. Paul, Minn) for closure (Fig. 4). Multiple aortograms verified cessation of left-to-right flow across the PDA, consistent with occlusion of the PDA (Fig. 5). Fig. 1 Coronal image of a contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan shows a large patent ductus arteriosus (1.7 × 1.3 cm). Fig. 2 Three-dimensional reconstruction of a contrast-enhanced computed tomographic scan shows a large patent ductus arteriosus. Fig. 3 Intravascular ultrasonographic image of a large patent ductus arteriosus (1.7 × 1.3 cm). Fig. 4 Aortogram shows placement of the Amplatzer™ 20-mm Vascular Plug II within the patent ductus arteriosus. Fig. 5 Aortogram shows closure of the patent ductus arteriosus with use of the Amplatzer Vascular Plug.
The Moderating Effects of Informal Social Control in the Sanctions-Compliance Nexus

Deterrence researchers have abandoned a one-size-fits-all approach and identified a wide range of individual characteristics (e.g., low self-control, emotional arousal) associated with the decision to offend. Comparatively less attention has been given to the moderating effects of purely situational factors on intentions to break the law. Drawing on social control and rational choice literatures, we utilized a vignette-based survey and asked a sample of young adults to report on their likelihood of driving drunk under conditions of high and low informal social control. We then explored the effects of certainty and severity of punishment on offending likelihood across both conditions. Among deterrable offenders, we found that the relationship between severity and compliance manifested only in the presence of high informal social control. Certainty was significantly and inversely associated with offending likelihood in both high and low informal social control conditions—among both deterrables and the full sample. Implications for deterrence theory are discussed.
Malathion carboxylesterase titer and its relationship to malathion toxicity.

Abstract The titer of malathion carboxylesterase in liver and sera of rats, three strains of mice, and five groups of pretreated mice was correlated with the malathion LD50 values measured in these groups. The equation of a regression line relating enzyme titer to toxicity was used to predict the median lethal dosage of purified malathion to humans. The mean value, 3655 mg/kg, was compared with dosages ingested in actual cases of human malathion poisonings. A discrepancy was noted between the LD50 value predicted in this study and the life-threatening doses of commercial malathion reported in the clinical literature. The unexpectedly high toxicity of commercial malathion may be related to its content of esterase-inactivating impurities.
A thoracoscopic peek: What did Jacobaeus see?

More than 80 years ago, Jacobaeus inserted a cystoscope into the pleural space of patients with pleural diseases to visually examine the pathology. Subsequently, he courageously inserted a galvanocautery instrument into the pleural space through a separate entry site to divide adhesions between the lung and chest wall under direct vision. This was done to establish therapeutic pneumothorax for patients with pulmonary tuberculosis. The discovery of effective antituberculosis chemotherapy eliminated the need for lung collapse therapy, and thoracoscopy was discarded as no longer useful. Today, the enthusiasm for thoracoscopic surgical intervention, both diagnostic and therapeutic, is a result of applied technologic innovations. Rediscovery of thoracoscopy is exciting and expands the vision for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications predicted by Jacobaeus.
The significance of preoperative leukocytosis in endometrial carcinoma

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impact of preoperative leukocytosis among patients with endometrial carcinoma. Methods The medical records of all patients that underwent surgical treatment for endometrial carcinoma between January 2005 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. Patients were separated into two groups based on the presence or absence of preoperative leukocytosis (WBC ≥10,000 cells per μl). The groups were then compared with respect to pathologic findings, progression-free survival and overall survival. Results 1144 patients were identified, 156 (13.6%) with preoperative leukocytosis and 988 (86.4%) without leukocytosis. The leukocytosis group had a greater percentage of patients with stage 3 (15.4% vs. 9.8%, crude p =0.02) and 4 (7.1% vs. 3.0%, crude p =0.007) disease. Leukocytosis was associated with a greater mean tumor size (4.4 vs. 3.4cm, p =0.0002) and a greater percentage of patients with cervical stromal involvement (14.8% vs. 8.7%, crude p =0.02), adnexal involvement (14.1% vs. 7.5%, crude p =0.007) and lymphvascular space invasion (24% vs. 16.3%, crude p =0.02). On multivariate analysis, mean tumor size (OR, 95% CI; 1.10, 1.02–1.18) remained significantly associated with preoperative leukocytosis. There was no difference between groups, with respect to time to recurrence. However, leukocytosis was independently associated with an increased risk of death (HR, 95% CI; 1.69, 1.07–2.68). Conclusions Preoperative leukocytosis, among endometrial cancer patients, was independently associated with increasing tumor size and independently imposed an increased risk of death.
The Importance of 3-dimensional CT Treatment Planning to Optimize Outcomes From Accelerated Partial Breast Irradiation (APBI) With Brachytherapy in Early Stage Breast Cancer

Objective/Purpose While we await outcomes from randomized studies, APBI has seen increasing use as an alternative to whole breast irradiation (WBI) after lumpectomy for early stage breast cancer. Recently, there has been concern generated about excess toxicity associated with brachytherapy APBI. Multi-catheter (MCT) brachytherapy, as the initial APBI method developed, has the longest follow-up and provides a means for looking at late outcomes.
Use of the Green Fluorescent Protein as a Quantitative Reporter of Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor-Mediated Gene Delivery

We have developed a novel epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor-mediated gene transfer system to deliver DNA encoding the green fluorescent protein (GFP) to B82 murine fibroblasts transfected with the human EGF receptor gene. Streptavidin was crosslinked to poly-L-lysine, and the product was purified by a combination of affinity and cation exchange chromatography. The crosslinking and purification were confirmed by SDS-PAGE, and the product was shown by agarose gel electrophoresis to bind DNA. EGF was biotinylated, and EGF-biotin, both in the absence and presence of streptavidin-polylysine and DNA, retained the ability to bind to the EGF receptor on B82 cells with high affinity, as demonstrated by radioactive competition binding. EGF linked to polylysine was mixed with a plasmid encoding GFP, and the resulting conjugates were incubated with B82 cells. Quantification by FACS demonstrated EGF receptor-mediated GFP expression efficiency comparable to standard transfection methods. The combination of EGF, a ...
Do Regional Associations Meet the Career Needs of Teacher-Scholars?

Faculty members in tenure-track positions must demonstrate proficiency in teaching and scholarship, although different types of higher education institutions carry different sets of expectations and requirements in these areas. Teacher-scholars, who integrate teaching and research through diverse means, largely work at teaching focused institutions. Even in such teaching-focused institutions, however, there has been a growing demand for faculty to have high levels of scholarly productivity, typically in the form of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations...At the same time, teacher-scholars, due to limited resources, do not have great access to national conferences, leading them to rely more heavily on regional conferences to display their scholarly work. This study examines the utility of regional associations in meeting the career needs of teacher-scholars. Examining conference programs from the Pacific Sociological Association for five recent years, and comparing them to the national conference (the American Sociological Association) we show that teacher-scholars rely heavily on regional conferences to highlight their successes, often extending beyond scholarship. Regional conferences also offer a more flexible program than the national conference for defining the work of teacher-scholars. While teacher-scholars and Ph.D. granting faculty alike engage at both the national and regional conferences, both conferences tend to perpetuate a hierarchy of academia that emphasizes more traditional standards of scholarly success.
Two-site sandwich enzyme immunoassay with monoclonal antibodies to human alpha-fetoprotein

Monoclonal antibodies reacting with different antigenic determinants on the alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) molecule were used to develop a simplified 'sandwich' ELISA (enzyme-linked immunospecific assay) in which one monoclonal antibody was immobilized and another labeled with an enzyme. Due to their different specificities the antibody attached to the solid phase and the one conjugated to the enzyme did not compete for binding to AFP making it possible to complete the two antigen-antibody reactions required in a single, short incubation. The rapidity, simplicity and excellent sensitivity of this assay combined with the exquisite specificity associated with the use of two monoclonal antibodies make us believe that assays based on this principle will be useful in the quantitation of substances of medical and biological importance.
Improvement of wind turbine blade aerodaynamics

Recently there has been an increase in the demand for the utilization of clean renewable energy sources. This is a direct result of a rise in oil prices and an increased awareness of human induced climate change. Wind energy has been shown to be one of the most promising sources of renewable energy. With current technology, the low cost of wind energy is competitive with more conventional sources of energy such as coal. This paper explores the possibility of increasing the number of profitable sites by optimizing wind turbine blade design for low wind speed areas
Hoxb-5 control of early airway formation during branching morphogenesis in the developing mouse lung.

Hox proteins control structural morphogenesis, pattern formation and cell fate in the developing embryo. To determine if Hoxb-5 participates in patterning of early airway branching during lung morphogenesis, gestational day 11.5 embryonic lung cultures were treated with retinoic acid (RA) to up-regulate and antisense oligonucleotides to down-regulate Hoxb-5 protein expression. RA (10−6 M) and Hoxb-5 antisense oligonucleotide (20 μM) treatment each significantly decreased branching morphogenesis (P<0.001), but the morphology of branching under these conditions was very different. RA-treated lungs had elongated primary branches but decreased further branching with increased Hoxb-5 immunostaining in subepithelial regions underlying these elongated airways. Western blots confirmed that Hoxb-5 protein was increased by 189±20% (mean±S.E.M., P<0.05) in RA-treated lungs compared to controls. In contrast, lungs treated with Hoxb-5 antisense oligos plus RA had foreshortened primary branches with rudimentary distal clefts resulting in decreased numbers of primary and subsequent branches. Immunohistochemistry confirmed that Hoxb-5 antisense oligos inhibited Hoxb-5 protein expression even in the presence of RA. We conclude that regional and quantitative changes in Hoxb-5 protein expression influence morphogenesis of the first airway divisions from the mainstem bronchi. RA-induced alterations in branching are mediated in part through regulated Hoxb-5 expression.
Least cost planning generally and DSM in particular

Abstract This paper assesses the increasing tendency of public utility regulators in the 1980s to require utility companies to practice ‘least cost planning’ and in particular to treat demand side conservation measures on a parity with expansion of supply. It discusses the magnitude and causes of the persistence of unexploited opportunities for efficient conservation. Its principal conclusions are that subsidies for conservation should be limited to the extent to which the marginal cost of electricity supply exceeds the price, and that conservation programs should minimize the cross-subsidization of participants by non-participants.
Performance evaluation of VoIP broadcasting over LTE for varying speeds and distances of mobile nodes

The exponential increase in smartphone use has caused a paradigm shift in the Internet access pattern from traditional applications to VoIP, video streaming, and social networking. These changes urge the demand for high-speed mobile network access technologies day-by-day. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of Long Term Evaluation (LTE) network for VoIP application, focusing primarily on downlink (broadcasting mode). We studied the implementation details of LTE from user perspective and used a network simulator, SimuLTE, to perform various simulations. We measure the VoIP QoS by varying speed, distance (from the eNodeB) and number of mobile nodes. Metrics used include packet delay, delay variation (jitter), packet loss, and Mean Opinion Score (MOS). We observed that LTE provides good VoIP quality in broadcasting mode and less affected by varying number of users, distance, and speed.