cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prediction of CB[8] host–guest binding free energies in SAMPL6 using the double-decoupling method

This study reports the results of binding free energy calculations for CB[8] host–guest systems in the SAMPL6 blind challenge (receipt ID 3z83m). Force-field parameters were developed specific for each of host and guest molecules to improve configurational sampling. We used quantum mechanical (QM) implicit solvent calculations and QM force matching to determine non-bonded (partial atomic charges) and bonded terms, respectively. Free energy calculations were carried out using the double-decoupling method (DDM) combined with Hamiltonian replica exchange method (HREM) and Bennett acceptance ratio (BAR) method. The root mean square error (RMSE) of the predicted values using DDM with respect to the experimental results was 4.32 kcal/mol. The coefficient of determination (R2) and Kendall rank coefficient (τ) were 0.49 and 0.52, respectively, highest of all submissions. In addition, these were compared to the results obtained by umbrella sampling (US) and weighted histogram analysis method (WHAM). Overall, DDM achieved a higher prediction accuracy than the US method. Results are discussed in terms of parameterization and free energy simulations.
Challenges of Replacing Legacy Analog Instrumentation During TPS Rehost Projects

This paper starts with a brief overview of Test Program Set (TPS) life cycle and explains TPS maintenance (and/or re-host) issues that come with long-term support requirements. The focus of the paper is the compatibility issues found between the legacy and the replacement analog instrumentation during two recent TPS re-host projects. A detailed analysis is provided for the compatibility issues and the applied solutions from the perspective of both the TPS developer and the analog instrument vendor. The paper is concluded with a section on possible approaches to design a new analog instrument that needs to replace a legacy instrument without sacrificing from the features necessary for modern test requirements.
Hierarchical Control for Virtual Oscillator Based Grid-Connected and Islanded Microgrids

Virtual oscillator control (VOC) is a nonlinear time domain controller that achieves significantly faster primary control response in islanded microgrids, compared to droop or virtual synchronous machine (VSM) control. Despite its superior performance, adoption of VOC is limited due to the lack of compatible secondary regulation or grid synchronization techniques. This is attributed to the nonlinear nature of VOC that complicates secondary control design, and the third-harmonic component in VOC output voltage that severely restricts grid-tied operation. To leverage the faster primary control response characteristics of VOC, we propose a compatible hierarchical control structure that enables operation and seamless transition between islanded and grid-connected modes. In the islanded mode, the controller achieves voltage and frequency regulation and grid synchronization; in the grid-tied mode, notch filters are used to suppress harmonic currents and tertiary level power reference tracking is achieved. The proposed controllers are validated through a series of real-time hardware-in-the-loop tests and hardware experiments using laboratory inverter prototype and state-of-the-art controls and communications hardware.
Wall Shear Stress Measurement Using an SOI CMOS Multisensor MEMS Chip

Monitoring of aerodynamic parameters in real time has always been an area of interest for researchers. These parameters are critically required for designing and optimizing aerodynamic shapes as well as experimentally validating CFD results. Wall shear stress is an important aerodynamic parameter that defines skin friction drag on the body. However, its precise measurement has always remained a challenging task due to high spatial and temporal resolution. Introduction of MEMS technology has provided a solution to this problem. This paper presents use of a novel MEMS sensor fabricated through silicon-on-insulator (SOI) Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor (CMOS) technology for measurement of wall shear stress. Sensor is based on hot-wire transduction mechanism that works on heat transfer principle. Sensor sensitivity upto 1 pascal has been demonstrated through customized data acquisition system and characterization setup. Shear stress sensor exhibited a sensitivity of 940 m V /pa at 18mA current. Targeted application areas are real time flow monitoring, active flow control, micro fluidics and wind tunnel testing.
Endolumenal Anastomotic Devices: Magnets and Lumen-Apposing Stents

In recent years, the increased interest in minimally invasive procedures including natural orifice endoscopic surgery (NOTES) and endolumenal interventional endoscopy has led to the emergence and resurgence of tools that provide secure anastomoses. The ability to deploy magnets and lumen-apposing metal stents (LAMS) endoscopically and create a minimally invasive sutureless anastomoses is appealing especially if it proves to be safe and equivalent to anastomoses created by suturing or stapling techniques. This chapter discusses the role of magnets and LAMS as options capable of offering safe sutureless alternatives to the traditional surgical anastomoses.
Regulation and accreditation of pre-licensure education of registered nurses: a scoping review protocol.

OBJECTIVE The objective of the scoping review is to examine and map the literature that reports outcomes of the regulation and accreditation of pre-licensure education of registered nurses (RNs). INTRODUCTION Pre-licensure nursing education is the basic education that a person must complete before becoming an RN. Regulation and accreditation of nursing education vary by country and may vary within a country. The intended purpose of regulation and accreditation is to protect the public and ensure the quality of education programs; however, there is a gap in published evidence on the outcomes of such regulation and accreditation. INCLUSION CRITERIA Published and unpublished studies worldwide of any pre-licensure RN students or any pre-licensure graduates of RN programs will be considered. Concepts of interest for the proposed review are reported outcomes related to regulatory activities or accreditation requirements affecting any pre-licensure education programs preparing students to become RNs. The context is pre-licensure regulation or accreditation of RN education in any country or setting. This review will consider quantitative research designs, qualitative research designs, economic evidence evaluations, and textual evidence/gray literature. METHODS Databases to be searched include CINAHL Complete, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Directory of Open Access Journals, Education Source, Health Policy Reference Center, MEDLINE Complete, Epistemonikos, JBI Database of Systematic Reviews and Implementation Reports, and Ovid Nursing. Articles published in English will be included. No date limits will be set. Selected studies will be reviewed and data extracted by two independent reviewers. Extracted data will be placed in a table and synthesized in narrative format.
The logical format of a floppy disk

The logical layout of a floppy disk includes the boot sector, FAT (File Allocation Table), root Directory and Data region where the files and sub-directories are stored. All of these areas can be investigated with the program DEBUG.EXE which can be located using the Find command of Windows. This exercise can make the File System chapter from the Operating System's Course have so much more meaning. To illustrate the various regions of the disk, the Debug load(l), write(w), enter(e), display(d) in hexadecimal and quit(q) commands will be used.
Defining (and refining) the role of the Model for End Stage Liver Disease‐Lactate (MELD‐LA) score in cirrhosis

We appreciate the interest in our manuscript which details the derivation and external validation of the MELD-lactate (MELD-LA) score (bswh.md/meldla). Among patients with cirrhosis admitted to the hospital for liver-related indications, we found MELD-LA to significantly improve in-hospital mortality predictions versus MELD and MELD-Na. Singh and colleagues note that in the development cohort (n=14,733), only 38% of patients had admission lactate levels measured, which could indicate selection bias.
An ergonomic comparison of three different patient transport chairs in a simulated hospital environment

Abstract The purpose of this study was to compare caregiver muscle activation and joint angles between two ergonomic transport chairs designed to mitigate discomfort and safety risks associated with patient transport, the Stryker® Prime TC and the Staxi® Medical Chair, and a depot wheelchair. Twenty-three caregivers completed level walking and ramped tasks with each device and an 84 kg manikin. Surface electromyography for the upper extremities and back muscles and motion data were collected. The Staxi showed a statistical trend for higher wrist extensor and flexor carpi ulnaris activity compared to the Stryker chair (p ≤ 0.078) and greater wrist flexion than the Stryker and depot chairs (p ≤ 0.004). The depot chair showed greater peak trunk flexion than the Stryker chair (p = 0.004). Overall results suggest that ergonomic chair design may improve joint positioning of the trunk and elbows when operating patient transport chairs over level and ramped surfaces.
El abrazo de la serpiente, de Ciro Guerra: Un viaje hacia el pensamiento ecológico

Embrace of the Serpent (Colombia, 2015) a film by the Colombian filmmaker Ciro Guerra, narrates the story of an encounter: that of Karamakate, shaman and last survivor of the Cohiuanos, a fictional tribe from the Amazon, with two western ethnographers at two different moments of 20th Century and therefore of Karamakate’s own life. With both, he will travel the Amazon river looking for the Yarkruna, a mythical plant with healing powers. One could say Embrace of the Serpent is the narration of both a physical and symbolic journey: towards both the healing of the body and the restauration of the ecological thought. the latter being a journey towards the heart of the ecological thought.
Olfaction: Receptor Antagonistes

Odor receptors of the mammalian olfactory system have long been known to be activated in combinatorial fashion by odorants. A large-scale study now reveals that inhibition of receptors by odorants is comparably prevalent and combinatorial.
A 63-Pixel Plasmonic Photoconductive Terahertz Focal-Plane Array

We present a 63-pixel photoconductive terahertz focal-plane array based on arrays of plasmonic nano-antennas. The nano-antennas are designed to offer both broadband and high-sensitivity terahertz detection. A diffuser is used to efficiently focus the optical pump beam onto the active area of each pixel of the focal-plane array. The detected terahertz signal from each pixel is collected by a programmable FPGA-based readout circuit. We experimentally demonstrate more than a 60 dB signal-to-noise ratio and a 2 THz bandwidth for all of the pixels in the terahertz focal-plane array.
Employing immunohistochemical staining to labial minor salivary gland biopsies from patients with Sjogren's syndrome increases diagnostic certainty.

Background Sjogren's syndrome (SjS) is an autoimmune disease characterized clinically by dry eyes and dry mouth, and histopathologically by lymphocytic infiltrates in the salivary glands. Labial minor salivary gland biopsy (MSGB) is a major diagnostic test for SjS, deemed positive by a focus score of ≥1, meaning that ≥50 lymphocytes were found in 4 mm2 tissue on hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides. The diagnosis can be challenging, and the above diagnostic criteria has low and variable sensitivity. Methods We performed a retrospective study on MSGBs done for possible SjS. We compared the percent of MSGBs which met the histologic criteria by H&E stain alone and that with the addition of CD45, CD3, and CD20 immunohistochemical (IHC) staining for these patients. A total of 45 cases with complete data were analyzed. Results Thirty-five of the 45 patients had the diagnosis of Sjogren's syndrome (SjS+) based on ACR criteria. However, based on H&E staining alone, only 22/35 cases (63%) met the histologic criteria. After adding IHC staining with CD45, CD3, and CD20 to MSGBs of SjS + patients, 29/35 (83%) cases met the histological criteria for SjS. All MSGBs from patients without SjS had no significant lymphocyte infiltrate on either H&E or IHC stains. Conclusions Immunohistochemical better identifies lymphocytic infiltrates in MSGB and increases diagnostic certainty. Due to high cost, their use should be restricted to cases where there is high clinical suspicion of SjS and negative H&E evaluation alone, or if the diagnosis is uncertain.
Parental Perception of Care for Infants With Fever During Hospitalization.

OBJECTIVE To assess parental perceptions regarding reason for and length of their infant's hospitalization and to understand family preferences for time of discharge. METHODS Participants included parents of infants who were noncomplex, well-appearing infants, aged 7 to 60 days, and evaluated for fever without a source. A 5-question structured interview was administered over a 6-month period. RESULTS Parents understood that fever necessitated admission for further diagnostic evaluation and that admissions would be no more than 48 hours if bacterial cultures were negative. Over one-third of patients' families preferred overnight discharge. DISCUSSION Parents recognize reasons for admission and the rationale for length of stay. Preferences for time of discharge can serve as a starting point for shared decision-making between parents and providers.
Larger than Life’s Extremes: Rigorous Results for Simplified Rules and Speculation on the Phase Boundaries

Larger than Life (LtL), is a four-parameter family of two-dimensional cellular automata that generalizes John Conway’s Game of Life (Life) to large neighborhoods and general birth and survival thresholds. LtL was proposed by David Griffeath in the early 1990s to explore whether Life might be a clue to a critical phase point in the threshold-range scaling limit. The LtL family of rules includes Life as well as a rich set of two-dimensional rules, some of which exhibit dynamics vastly different from Life. In this chapter we present rigorous results and conjectures about the ergodic classifications of several sets of “simplified” LtL rules, each of which has a property that makes the rule easier to analyze. For example, these include symmetric rules such as the threshold voter automaton and the anti-voter automaton, monotone rules such as the threshold growth models, and others. We also provide qualitative results and speculation about LtL rules on various phase boundaries and summarize results and open questions about our favorite “Life-like” LtL rules.
Models for embryonic periodicity

Positional information mechanisms prepattern mechanisms determination wave mechanisms Darwinian mechanisms rearrangement mechanisms cell-lineage mechanisms the computer metaphor in developmental biology.
Neoglycoconjugates: Fundamentals and recent progresses

Studies of lectins have been greatly benefitted by the use of synthetic carbohydrate conjugates. Proteins modifies with carbohydrate derivatives can be used for precipitin reactions or binding studies. Solid matrices containing carbohydrates of definitive structure can be used for isolation of lectins or cell adhesion studies. We have coined a term “neoglycoproteins” to describe the proteins artificially modified with carbohydrates of known structure. The usage of prefix “neo” was later extended to lipids modified with carbohydrates (“neoglyco-lipids”), and currently “neoglycoconjugates” is used to describe artificially constructed carbohydrate conjugates, including derivatives of proteins, lipids, and many other types of compounds, such as solid matrices (“glyco-matrices”).
Effects of environmental factors on microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation

Aims: To gain an understanding of the environmental factors that affect the growth of the bacterium Sporosarcina pasteurii, the metabolism of the bacterium and the calcium carbonate precipitation induced by this bacterium to optimally implement the biological treatment process, microbial induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP), in situ. Methods and Results: Soil column and batch tests were used to assess the effect of likely subsurface environmental factors on the MICP treatment process. Microbial growth and mineral precipitation were evaluated in freshwater and seawater. Environmental conditions that may influence the ureolytic activity of the bacteria, such as ammonium concentration and oxygen availability, as well as the ureolytic activities of viable and lysed cells were assessed. Treatment formulation and injection rate, as well as soil particle characteristics are other factors that were evaluated for impact on uniform induction of cementation within the soils. Conclusions: The results of the study presented herein indicate that the biological treatment process is equally robust over a wide range of soil types, concentrations of ammonium chloride and salinities ranging from distilled water to full seawater; on the time scale of an hour, it is not diminished by the absence of oxygen or lysis of cells containing the urease enzyme. Significance and Impact of Study: This study advances the biological treatment process MICP towards field implementation by addressing key environmental hurdles faced with during the upscaling process.
Computational studies of the geometry and electronic structure of an all-inorganic and homogeneous tetra-Ru-polyoxotungstate catalyst for water oxidation and its four subsequent one-electron oxidized forms.

Geometry and electronic structure of five species ({Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2) 10- (1), ({Ru4O4(OH)2(H2- O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2) 9- (2), ({Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2) 8- (3), ({Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2) 7- (4), and ({Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4}(γ-SiW10O36)2) 6- (5) with different oxidation states of Ru centers were studied at the density functional and COSMO levels of theory. These species are expected to be among the possible intermediates of the recently reported 1-catalyzed water oxidation (Geletii, Y. V.; Botar, B.; Kogerler, P.; Hillesheim, D. A.; Musaev, D. G.; Hill, C. L. Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2008, 47, 3896-3899 and Sartorel, A.; Carraro, M.; Scorrano, G.; Zorzi, R. D.; Geremia, S.; McDaniel, N. D.; Bernhard, S.; Bonchio, M. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 2008, 130, 5006-5007). It was shown that RI-BP86 correctly describes the geometry and energy of the low-lying electronic states of compound 1, whereas the widely used B3LYP approach overestimates the energy of its high-spin states. Including the solvent and/or countercation effects into calculations improves the agreement between the calculated and experimental data. It was found that the several HOMOs and LUMOs of the studied complexes are bonding and antibonding orbitals of the (Ru4O4(OH)2(H2O)4) 6+ core, and four subsequent one-electron oxidations of 1, leading to formation of 2, 3, 4, and 5, respectively, involve only {Ru4} core orbitals. In other words, catalyst instability due to ligand oxidation in the widely studied Ru-blue dimer, ((bpy)2(O)Ru V -(µ-O)-Ru V (O)(bpy)2) 4+ , is not operable for 1: the latter all-inorganic catalyst is predicted to be stable under water oxidation turnover conditions. The calculated HOMOs and LUMOs of all the studied species are very close in energy and exhibit a "quasi-continuum" or "nanoparticle-type" electronic structure similar to that of nanosized transition metal clusters. This conclusion closely correlates with the experimentally reported oxidation and reduction features of 1 and explains the unusual linear dependence of oxidation potential versus charges for these compounds. The decrease in total negative charge of the system via 1 > 2 > 3 > 4 > 5, on average, decreases the {Ru4}-{SiW10} distance. It is predicted that at higher pH compound 1 will, initially, release protons from the µ-ORu oxygen centers.
Smart meter aggregation via secret-sharing

We design and prototype protocols for processing smart-meter readings while preserving user privacy. We provide support for computing non-linear functions on encrypted readings, implemented by adapting to our setting efficient secret-sharing-based secure multi-party computation techniques. Meter readings are jointly processed by a (public) storage service and a few independent authorities, each owning an additive share of the readings. For non-linear processing, these parties consume pre-shared materials, produced by an off-line trusted third party. This party never processes private readings; it may be implemented using trusted hardware or somewhat homomorphic encryption. The protocol involves minimal, off-line support from the meters---a few keyed hash computations and no communication overhead.
Crayfish Use of Trash Versus Natural Cover in Incised, Sand-Bed Streams

Historic land use changes and subsequent river channelization created deeply incised, unstable stream channels largely devoid of natural cover throughout the Yazoo River basin, Mississippi, USA. Large trash (e.g., televisions, toilets, car parts) dumped in streams provided shelter for some aquatic fauna. To determine whether trash served as a surrogate for natural cover, I examined crayfish use of both cover types. I sampled crayfishes by kick-seining 2 × 1-m plots in three cover classes: trash, natural cover, and no cover. I captured 415 crayfishes from 136 of the 294 plots. Most crayfishes were in natural cover (253), followed by trash (154), and no-cover (8) plots. Trash use varied by crayfish genus and size. Frequencies of all size classes of Procambarus and of the smallest Cambarus were higher in natural cover than trash. Many of the smallest individuals were found in live root mats. As Cambarus and Orconectes grew, they shifted more toward trash, and the largest Orconectes size class was significantly more abundant than expected in trash. Trash served as “artificial reefs,” providing cover for crayfishes and other fauna, but functioned differently than the remaining natural cover. The results confirmed that stream substrate did not provide adequate instream cover for crayfishes in the study area and suggested that high-quality natural cover for large crayfishes was in short supply, at least for some species. Land management that provides for abundant, ongoing input and retention of complex cover, such as trees and live roots, to stream channels should be beneficial for crayfish assemblages.
Regulation of Endothelin-1 in Human Non-Pigmented Ciliary Epithelial Cells by Tumor Necrosis Factor-α

Endothelins (ET) are potent vasoactive peptides present in many ocular structures and are formed from precursor Big endothelins (Big ET-1) by the action of an endothelin-converting enzyme (ECE). ET-1 is thought to decrease intraocular pressure by contracting the ciliary muscle thus enhancing the outflow of aqueous humor through the Canal of Schlemm and trabecular meshwork. However, the mechanisms involved in the regulation of endothelin-1 (ET-1) synthesis and release in ocular tissues have not been fully characterized. In this study we examined the effect of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-alpha; 10 nm), a proinflammatory cytokine, on the cellular mechanisms leading to ET-1 synthesis and release in SV-40 transformed human ciliary non-pigmented epithelial cells (HNPE). ET-1 and Big endothelin-1 (Big ET-1) immunoreactivity was time-dependently increased following TNF-alphatreatment. Phorbol esters (PMA), activators of PKC, also raised the immunoreactive levels of ET-1 and Big ET-1 while, staurosporine, a PKC inhibitor (20 nm), decreased ET-1 levels in TNF-alpha-stimulated cells. Pre-treatment with phosphoramidon (1 micron) an ECE-inhibitor, followed by TNF-alpha stimulation, decreased ir-ET-1 levels. Cycloheximide (9 micron), a protein synthesis inhibitor, decreased TNF-alpha-stimulated levels for ir-ET-1 and ir-Big ET-1, suggesting that TNF-alpha may be directly regulating ET-1 expression at the ET-1 gene. Our data indicates that TNF-alpha regulates ET-1 levels in HNPE cells possibly by activating PKC either to stimulate protein synthesis and/or to enhance ET-1 secretion. These results suggest that ET-1 released from the ciliary body may play an important role in aqueous humor dynamics following cytokine activation.
Vectorial TGFβ signaling in polarized intestinal epithelial cells

Polarized gastrointestinal epithelial cells form tight junctions that spatially separate apical and basolateral cell membrane domains. These domains harbor functionally distinct proteins that contribute to cellular homeostasis and morphogenesis. Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) is a critical regulator of gastrointestinal epithelial cell growth and differentiation. Functional assays of vectorial TGFbeta signaling and immunofluorescence techniques were used to determine the localization of TGFbeta receptors and ligand secretion in polarizing Caco-2 cells, a colon cancer cell line. Results were compared to the nontransformed MDCK cell line. In both Caco-2 and MDCK cells, addition of TGFbeta1 to the basolateral medium resulted in phosphorylation of Smad2. No phosphorylation was observed when TGFbeta1 was added to the apical chamber, indicating that receptor signaling is localized at the basolateral membrane. In support of this, immunofluorescence and biotinylation assays show receptor localization along the basolateral membrane. Secretion of TGFbeta1 from MDCK and Caco-2 cells into the apical or basolateral medium was measured by ELISA. Interestingly, secretion was exclusively apical in the nontransformed MDCK line and basolateral in transformed Caco-2 cells. Collectively, these results show basolateral domain specificity in localization of the TGFbeta receptor signaling apparatus. These observations have important implications for understanding the biology of TGFbeta in polarized epithelia, including elements of communication between epithelial and mesenchymal layers, and will prove useful in the design of therapeutics that target TGFbeta function.
Critical periods for the brain and prothoracic glands of 5th instars of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis hubner☆

1. 1. Classical ligation techniques were used to determine the critical periods for the head and the prothoracic glands in the larval-pupal molt of the European corn borer. 2. 2. Most larvae reared under LD 16:8 and 30°C released sufficient PTTH between lights on + 13 hr and lights on — 3 hr to stimulate the prothoracic glands to produce ecdysone. 3. 3. Ecdysone was first released just before lights on, with almost all larvae having produced sufficient ecdysone to elicit a molt by lights on + 6 hr. 4. 4. Critical periods for the brain and prothoracic glands of Ostrinia are compared with those of other lepidopterans.
Cognitive Engagement and Story Comprehension in Typically Developing Children and Children with ADHD from Preschool through Elementary School.

The present study examined children’s cognitive engagement with television as a function of the continuity of central or incidental content and whether this varied with age and clinical status. In Experiment 1, 9- to 11-year-old children’s response times on a secondary task were slower the later a probe occurred in a sequence of central events, and response times predicted recall. Experiment 2 extended these results to 6- to 8-year-old children. Experiment 3 revealed that children with attentiondeficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) failed to show the pattern consistently observed for comparison children. The results support the hypothesis that typically developing children build a representation during viewing that reflects the causal structure of the televised story but that this skill is deficient in 4to 9-year-old children with ADHD.
The Virtual Speculum in the New World Order

Beginning by reading a 1992 feminist appropriation of Michelangelo's Creation of Adam - in a cartoon in which the finger of a nude Adamic woman touches a computer keyboard, while the god-like VDT screen shows a disembodied fetus - ‘Virtual Speculum’ argues for a broader conception of ‘new reproductive technologies’ in order to foreground justice and freedom projects for differently situated women in the New World Order. Broadly conceptualized reproductive practices must be central to social theory in general, and to technoscience studies in particular. Tying together the politics of self help and women's health movements in the United States in the 1970s with positions on reproductive freedom articulated within the Legal Defense and Educational Fund of the NAACP in the 1990s, the paper examines recent work in feminist science studies in several disciplinary and activist locations. Statistical analysis and ethnography emerge as critical feminist technologies for producing convincing representations of the reproduction of inequality. Untangling the semiotic and political-economic dialectics of invisibility and hypervisibility, ‘Virtual Speculum’ concludes by linking the well-surveyed amniotic fluid of on-screen fetuses and the off-frame diarrhea of uncounted and underfed infants in regimes of flexible accumulation and structural adjustment.
The synthesis and evaluation of flexible analogues of the topoisomerase I inhibitor, camptothecin

Abstract A convenient synthesis of camptothecin derivatives has been developed in which the D, or D and C rings are incomplete. This approach includes a general route to quinolines such as 12, and a short synthesis of the key lactone 3. The two components are easily coupled to give camptothecin derivatives 17-22. The lack of activity of these compounds confirms the importance of the rigid camptothecin nucleus.
Vitamin D insufficiency among free-living healthy young adults.

Long-term vitamin D insufficiency can cause secondary hyperparathyroidism and osteomalacia (1). In addition, there is increasing evidence that vitamin D may protect against common cancers, such as cancer of the colon (2–4), prostate (5), and breast (6). Young adults aged 17 to 35 years drink inadequate amounts of milk (7) and are concerned about exposure to the sun because of the fear of developing skin cancer (8,9), which increases the risk of vitamin D insufficiency (10). We sought to examine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in a group of free-living healthy young adults, consisting of mostly health care professionals, in Boston, Massachusetts.
Neuropathologic correlates of late-onset major depression

Late life major depression (LLMD) is frequently associated with cognitive impairment, and increases the risk for subsequent dementia. Cerebrovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease (AD), and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) have all been hypothesized to contribute to this increased risk, though prospective studies have yet to examine these hypotheses with autopsy confirmation of the clinical diagnoses. The aim of this study is to examine the rates of cerebrovascular, AD, and DLB pathology among the first 10 participants in an LLMD brain tissue donation program. Subjects' psychiatric diagnoses and cognitive status were prospectively determined during their participation in clinical research protocols of the Intervention Research Center for Late Life Mood Disorders. After death, final clinical diagnoses were made using all clinical information, while blind to neuropathologic diagnoses. Neuropathologic assessments were conducted blind to final clinical diagnoses. Rates of neuropathology were compared with those in a cohort of subjects with dementia, without a history of LLMD, participating in an Alzheimer Disease Research Center. Seven (70%) subjects had evidence of onset of a dementia prior to death. LLMD with dementia was significantly associated with a neuropathologic diagnosis of AD. Cerebrovascular disease and DLB pathology were also frequent in the LLMD subjects with dementia, and were found in an LLMD subject without dementia. Rates of AD, DLB, and cerebrovascular disease were similar to those in the comparison subjects. These preliminary findings suggest that AD is the predominant neuropathologic condition in LLMD subjects with dementia. Further assessment of the role of comorbid cerebrovascular disease and comorbid DLB is needed.
An Instrument for the Accurate Measurement of MEFV Parameters

An instrument which measures maximally forced expiratory airflow directly, computes its integral (lung volume decrement ), and interrupts the storage oscilloscope display of this flow-volume trajectory at fixed but adjustable intervals of time is described. This new device is portable and does not involve bellows or a water-filled canister.
Atomic Oxygen Absorption into Pt-Based Alloy Subsurfaces

Density functional theory is used to study atomic oxygen absorption into subsurfaces of various platinum-based alloys to investigate the effects of alloyed metals on the thermodynamics and kinetics of this process. The results show that alloying Pt with Ir and Rh increases the absorption energy barrier compared with pure Pt, making the O migration to the subsurface more difficult, and that the addition of Co and Ru to Pt can decrease the reverse energy barrier of absorption making O unstable in the subsurface. By comparison of the atomic oxygen absorption in Pt3X alloys with that in PtX alloys, it is found that both the nature of the alloyed metal species and the alloy composition have effects on the atomic oxygen absorption kinetics. Analyses of the atomic oxygen absorption into the subsurface of ternary alloys such as Pt2IrRu show that compared with pure platinum the presence of the two added metals can increase the barriers for surface diffusion and that for O absorption while simultaneously decreasing...
Development of the Lenticular Truss Bridge in America

Lenticular-shaped iron truss bridges, built exclusively by the Berlin Bridge Company of East Berlin, Conn., dominated the New England and adjacent area’s modest span bridge market for over a decade at the end of the nineteenth century. This paper examines this phenomenon in the larger context of earlier European development of the lenticular form and, with the assistance of numerous patent drawings and photographs of American lenticular bridges that were either proposed or built prior to the 1883 formation of the Berlin Bridge Company.
Hydride precipitation in vapor deposited Ti thin films

Titanium hydrides having two different crystal structures were observed in [alpha]--Ti thin films grown epitaxially on sapphire substrates by [ital e]-beam physical vapor deposition. One of the hydrides ([gamma]-hydride) had a face-centered tetragonal structure ([ital c]/[ital a][ge]1) with an ordered arrangement of hydrogen atoms. The second hydride formed was the fcc [delta]-hydride. The [gamma]-hydride grew as platelets in the [alpha]--Ti lattice with [l brace]10[bar 1]0[r brace][sub Ti] habit planes, whereas the [delta]-hydrides formed directly on the sapphire substrate parallel to the (0001)[sub Ti]. These hydrides are one of the principal causes of film decohesion.
Effects of cladding on the tensile properties of titanium matrix composites

The effects of monolithic titanium cladding on the tensile properties of fiber-reinforced titanium matrix composites (TMCs) have been studied. The work is motivated by the realization that most TMC components currently under development will be clad with monolithic titanium alloys in order to prevent damage to the fibers during component manufacture and in service. The focus has been on the elastic modulus, the yield strength, and the failure stress and strain. Experiments have been conducted on panels with two different clad thicknesses as well as a panel without cladding. The experimental results have been compared with predictions of models based on an effective (average) fiber volume fraction. The correlations between the experiments and the model predictions indicate that these properties are insensitive to the spatial distribution of fibers.
Off axis loading of silicon carbide fibers in a titanium aluminide matrix

Silicon carbide SCS-6 fibers in a Ti24A1 + 11Nb matrix were subjected to off axis loading in a 'thin-slice' pushout test, resulting in various combinations of shear, radial compression, and tension along the fibers as a function of orientation angle. The load necessary for debonding decreased as the orientation angle increased, whereas the average frictional sliding stress after 60 s of sliding remained relatively constant for orientation angles less than 30 deg. Analyses of the specimen bending stresses and of the contact stresses by finite element modeling and thin plate theory are presented.
Chemical excitability of axons: Excitatory and inhibitory effects of putative neurotransmitters and modulators on frog sciatic nerves

The microiontophoretic administration of putative neuromodulators (acetylcholine, norepinephrine, dopamine, 2-phenylethylamine, tryptamine, histamine) triggered firing or inhibited on-going activity in isolated frog sciatic nerves.
Calmodulin Binding to the Fas-Mediated Death-Inducing Signaling Complex in Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

We have previously demonstrated that the antagonists of calmodulin (CaM) induce apoptosis of cholangiocarcinoma cells partially through Fas-mediated apoptosis pathways. Recently, CaM has been shown to bind to Fas, which is regulated during Fas or CaM antagonist-mediated apoptosis in Jurkat cells and osteoclasts. Accordingly, the present studies were designed to determine whether Fas interacts with CaM in cholangiocarcinoma cells and to elucidate its role in regulating Fas-mediated apoptosis. CaM bound to Fas in cholangiocarcinoma cells. CaM was identified in the Fas-mediated death inducing signaling complex (DISC). The amount of CaM recruited into the DISC was increased after Fas-stimulation, a finding confirmed by immunofluorescent analysis that demonstrated increased membrane co-localization of CaM and Fas upon Fas-stimulation. Consistently, increased Fas microaggregates in response to Fas-stimulation were found to bind to CaM. Fas-induced recruitment of CaM into the DISC was inhibited by the Ca2+ chelator, EGTA, and the CaM antagonist, trifluoperazine (TFP). TFP decreased DISC-induced cleavage of caspase-8. Further, inhibition of actin polymerization, which has been demonstrated to abolish DISC formation, inhibited the recruitment of CaM into the DISC. These results suggest an important role of CaM in mediating DISC formation, thus regulating Fas-mediated apoptosis in cholangiocarcinoma cells. Characterization of the role of CaM in Fas-mediated DISC formation and apoptosis signaling may provide important insights in the development of novel therapeutic targets for cholangiocarcinoma. J. Cell. Biochem. 103: 788–799, 2008. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An improved asymmetric synthetic route to a novel triple uptake inhibitor antidepressant (2S,4R,5R)-2-benzhydryl-5-((4-methoxybenzyl)amino)tetrahydro-2H-pyran-4-ol (D-142).

Abstract Triple monoamine reuptake inhibitors have been implicated in the development of a new generation of antidepressants with higher efficacy than the currently existing therapies. In this paper, we have developed an alternative efficient synthetic route for triple monoamine reuptake inhibitor D-142 in 18.5% overall yield in 11 steps starting from diphenylmethane. D-142 was developed by us recently. The key step of the present synthetic strategy is the preferential formation of a bromohydrin from olefin via a cis-bromonium intermediate, which introduced significant efficiency in the overall synthesis. Furthermore, we have developed an efficient way to recycle the optically active intermediate diol back to the desired chiral epoxide.
Low recovery in vivo of highly purified factor VIII in patients with hemophilia.

To assess whether the response and recovery of highly purified factor VIII products approach the levels predicted by use of manufacturers' suggestions, we studied response in vivo and percentage of recovery in boys and men with hemophilia after infusion of 50 IU of an immunoaffinity-purified factor VIII preparation (Hemofil M) per kilogram of body weight. We also studied dose response and percentage of recovery in the same boys after infusion of a factor VIII concentrate prepared by solvent detergent treatment and gel filtration (Koate-HP). For boys the difference between mean peak factor VIII response with Hemofil M (1.02%±0.07%) and the response with Koate-HP (1.21%±0.10%) was not significant ( p =0.10), but the response of both products was considerably less than the predicted response of 2.0%. The response to Hemofil M in men (1.38%±0.12%) was significantly better than the response in boys ( p =0.004) but, again, fell short of the anticipated response of 2.0%. In boys the percentage of recovery of Hemofil M was 38.4%±2.1%, compared with Koate-HP recovery, which was 47.0%±3.6% ( p =0.034). The percentage of recovery in men was 47.5%±2.8%. The better response observed in men appears to be, in part, a function of larger body size. We conclude that peak factor VIII response and recovery in boys and men who receive highly purified factor VIII concentrates are lower than those predicted by use of current prescribing recommendations.
Diet and Physical Activity Patterns of Lakota Indian Adults

Abstract Objectives This study assessed specific dietary practices and overall physical activity patterns of Lakota adults residing on Indian reservations in South Dakota. Perceived barriers to changing dietary and physical activity behaviors were also examined. Design A convenience sample of Lakota adults was surveyed. Data on consumption of higher-fat foods, fruit and vegetable intake, use of sugar-sweetened beverages, physical activity patterns, and barriers to change in diet and physical activity were collected via in-person interviews. Subjects/setting A total of 219 adults from 2 adjacent reservations in South Dakota participated. Results Higher-fat foods consumed most frequently included margarine and butter (32.0% ≥ 5 times per week); eggs (30.1% ≥ 5 times per week); whole milk (25.7% ≥ 5 times per week); potato chips, corn chips, and popcorn (15.1% ≥ 5 times per week); and bacon and sausage (13.3% ≥ 5 times per week). Few subjects reported consuming fruit on a daily basis. Vegetables were consumed somewhat more frequently. Most subjects reported engaging in mild or moderate physical activities 3 or more times per week, although women were found to engage in moderate and strenuous physical activities less frequently than men. Major barriers to fruit intake included expense (16.4%), quality (14.2%), and availability (13.2%). Barriers to vegetable intake mentioned most frequently included availability (11.4%), cost (10.4%), and quality (9.1%). Taste was the most frequently mentioned barrier to cutting intake of high-fat foods (27.9%). Lack of child care (15.8%), lack of time (14.7%), and safety concerns (14.6%) were the most salient barriers to regular exercise. Applications/conclusions Nutrition interventions are needed that address the major barriers to diet change reported by Lakota adults. Efforts to increase physical activity should focus on Lakota women and should address the identified barriers to regular exercise. J Am Diet Assoc. 1999;99:829–835 .
Longitudinal Health Surveillance in a Cohort of Gulf War Veterans 18 Years After First Exposure to Depleted Uranium

As part of a longitudinal surveillance program, 35 members of a larger dynamic cohort of 79 Gulf War I veterans exposed to depleted uranium (DU) during combat underwent clinical evaluation at the Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center. Health outcomes and biomonitoring results were obtained to assess effects of DU exposure and determine the need for additional medical intervention. Clinical evaluation included medical and exposure histories, physical examination, and laboratory studies including biomarkers of uranium (U) exposure. Urine collections were obtained for U analysis and to measure renal function parameters. Other laboratory measures included basic hematology and chemistry parameters, blood and plasma U concentrations, and markers of bone metabolism. Urine U (uU) excretion remained above normal in participants with embedded DU fragments, with urine U concentrations ranging from 0.006 to 1.88 μg U/g creatinine. Biomarkers of renal effects showed no apparent evidence of renal functional changes or cellular toxicity related to U body burden. No marked differences in markers of bone formation or bone resorption were observed; however, a statistically significant decrease in levels of serum intact parathyroid hormone and significant increases in urinary calcium and sodium excretion were seen in the high versus the low uU groups. Eighteen years after first exposure, members of this cohort with DU fragments continue to excrete elevated concentrations of uU. No significant evidence of clinically important changes was observed in kidney or bone, the two principal target organs of U. Continued surveillance is prudent, however, due to the ongoing mobilization of uranium from fragment depots.
Modelling of compressive stiffness of a multilayered graphite-reinforced magnesium-matrix composite

Short graphite fiber-reinforced magnesium-matrix composites are of considerable interest due to their superior specific strength, stiffness and low coefficient of thermal expansion. The problem of non-wetting of fibers with molten metal in these composites seems to have been considerably improved and such types of composites are now being commercially produced. However, an understanding of the mechanical properties of these composites is very limited and less amenable to rigorous analysis because of the discontinuous fiber arrangements. Also, a part of the difficulty is due to a large number of geometrical and material variables arising in the analysis. The situation is further complicated when the composites are made of layered structure, each layer having different fiber orientations. Moreover, inherent porosity and its distribution in the layered composites cause further complicacy for it to be amenable for the mathematical analysis. In this note the authors discuss a finite element approach to the analysis of compressive stiffness behavior in such a composite and compare model predictions with experimental data on the modulus of such composites.
Hydrocarbon Saturation Equation in Shaly Sands According to the S-B Conductivity Model

The Silva-Bassiouni (S-B) conductivity model is used to derive a water-saturation equation for hydrocarbon-bearing shaly sands. The performance of the equation is evaluated by comparing calculated and experimental S/sub W/ values obtained at 25/sup 0/C (77/sup 0/F). The comparison proved the equation to be valid and accurate. Several saturation-exponent determination procedures are presented and evaluated. These methods require laboratory core measurements. In the absence of such data, the use of a generalized value of two is supported by statistical analysis. In its present form, the S-B model can be used in the analysis of laboratory measurements, especially in the determination of the saturation exponent, eta, of shaly sands. It is believed that further extension of the S-B model will provide means of saturation determination from log data. This possibility is currently being explored.
the intentional democratic community in college residence halls

Residence halls have been one of those great unmined potentials in higher education. To a student personnel worker they have presented a captive community in which all the magic could be worked. But it rarely happened, mostly because we knew more about the process of in loco parentis than about the process of students in situ. Crookston has dangled the carrot once more in his conception of an “intentional democratic community.” Only this time we have an operational model based on Crookston's knowledge of social-psychological theory. In his model he tells us about 10 elements of the community that must be manipulated, 9 design considerations, and 7 stages of development. The complexity of designing and implementing such a community will—and should—frighten some, but the possible payoff will attract others to experiment and try. Heaven only knows, the events of the past decade have borne out too well his basic thesis that “unfortunately, the goal [effective democracy] continues to elude us.”