cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Psychological and sexual well‐being, philosophical/spiritual views, and health habits of long‐term cancer survivors

The results of a survey on various aspects of quality of life for 191 women who were long‐term cancer survivors are presented. We explored six areas—somatic concerns, health habits, psychological state, sexual satisfaction, social/emotional support giving, and philosophical/spiritual view—and whether differences existed in them among the women on the basis of age, educational level, income level, length of survival, location of residence (urban, suburban, or rural), cancer site, and whether a recurrence of the cancer had been experienced. Generally, the women reported good psychological states and relative satisfaction with their sexual lives. However, women who had experienced a recurrence of their cancer, were longer term survivors, or suffered from breast cancer all reported higher levels of somatic concerns. Women with higher levels of education or income and those who had had a recurrence of their cancer indicated a greater willingness to provide social and emotional support to other women newly diag...
Rat granulosa cells express transforming growth factor-β type 2 messenger ribonucleic acid which is regulatable by follicle-stimulating hormone in vitro

Freshly harvested granulosa cells (GC) from diethylstilbestrol (DES)-treated rats were examined for the presence of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and TGF-β2 mRNA by Northern analysis. TGF-β1 mRNA was not detectable, but hybridization of total RNA with a radiolabeled TGF-β2 cDNA probe revealed two mRNA species (5.1 and 3.6 kb) indicative of TGF-β2 mRNA. In response to FSH (50 ng/ml), relative TGF-β2 mRNA concentrations in cultured GC were 54% of control levels. Furthermore, the conditioned culture medium from FSH-treated GC contained significantly lower (p<0.01) TGF-β-like activity relative to controls. These results demonstrate that rat GC express TGF-β2 mRNA which is regulatable by FSH in vitro.
SPICE Level 3 and BSIM3v3.1 characterization of monolithic integrated CMOS-MEMS devices

Thy monolithic integration of MicroElectroMechanical Systems (MEMS) with the driving, controlling, and signal processing electronics promises to improve the performance of micromechanical devices as well as lower their manufacturing, packaging, and instrumentation costs. Key to this integration is the proper interleaving, combining, and customizing of the manufacturing processes to produce functional integrated micromechanical devices with electronics. We have developed a MEMS-first monolithic integrated process that first seals the micromechanical devices in a planarized trench and then builds the electronics in a conventional CMOS process. To date, most of the research published on this technology has focused on the performance characteristics of the mechanical portion of the devices, with little information on the attributes of the accompanying electronics. This work attempts to reduce this information void by presenting the results of SPICE Level 3 and BSIM3v3.1 model parameters extracted for the CMOS portion of the MEMS-first process. Transistor-level simulations of MOSFET current, capacitance, output resistance, and transconductance versus voltage using the extracted model parameters closely match the measured data. Moreover, in model validation efforts, circuit-level simulation values for the average gate propagation delay in a 101-stage ring oscillator are within 13 - 18% of the measured data. These results establish the following: (1) the MEMS-first approach produces functional CMOS devices integrated on a single chip with MEMS devices and (2) the devices manufactured in the approach have excellent transistor characteristics. Thus, the MEMS-first approach renders a solid technology foundation for customers designing in the technology.
Stress-Free Joints and Polycrystals

Suppose two or more stress-free homogeneous solid bodies are joined firmly together along various surfaces at a temperature θ0. As the temperature is changed, the joined body will deform in some way with null traction at its boundary. Generally, we expect the joined body to build up stress unless some special conditions are satisfied by the orientation and constitution of the bodies, and by the shapes of the dividing surfaces.
Life-stress, locus of control, and treatment-seeking.

In a study of the relationship between life-stress, Locus of Control and illness-related treatment-seeking behavior, 129 undergraduates were divided into Internals and Externals by Rotter's Locus o...
A Simple Relation Between Thermal Conductivity, Specific Heat and Absolute Temperature

A relation of the form $\frac{k}{\mathrm{aC}}=\frac{{K}_{1}}{T}+{K}_{2}$, between thermal conductivity $k$, atomic heat ($\mathrm{aC}$), and absolute temperature $T$, is shown to hold for zinc, sodium, lithium, copper, lead, aluminum and mercury. The possibility is indicated of an equation of this sort based on the assumption of a double mechanism of heat conduction---an atomic lattice along which energy is transmitted as elastic waves (Debye) and a structure of atoms (crystalline or amorphous), through which energy is transferred by impacts. The lattice and atomic contributions to the thermal conductivity may be obtained from the slopes and intercepts of the lines. The values at 0\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C are as follows (lattice part being given first): lithium 0.150, 0.006; sodium 0.092, 0.169; zinc 0.084, 0.192; copper 0.920, 0.171; lead 0.018, 0.068; aluminum 0.127, 0.358; mercury 0.031, 0.033. The line for mercury suggests that the atomic part is at least approximately the conductivity in the liquid state. The single and poly-crystal zinc lines have the same intercept but different slopes indicating that the increased thermal conductivity of the single crystal specimen is in the elastic wave contribution.
A Contemporary Psychodynamic Approach to Drug Abuse Treatment

In contrast to early psychodymamic formulations of addictions which stressed pleasure seeking or self-destruction, a modern psychodynamic perspective places greater emphasis on understanding addict...
Auditory priming in an implicit memory task that emphasizes surface processing.

Auditory priming was examined in an implicit memory task, phoneme monitoring, that emphasized surface processing. The contribution of voice to priming was investigated in single- and multiplespeaker environments by repeating studied words at test in either the same voice or different voices. Multiple-speaker environments, which preserved both acoustic and word repetition, eliminated priming when more than two voice changes between words were introduced. When voice familiarity attenuated acoustic variability, priming was reestablished in the condition in which three voices were heard. Voice changes between study and test, which eliminated acoustic repetition, also abolished priming. Word frequency affected reaction times but not priming. This demonstrated that priming entailed subword processing rather than word processing. This study demonstrates that the significance of voice in implicit memory is dependent on the level of processing required by the task and the acoustic environment. Supported in part by an OMRDD Fellowship in the CSI/IBR Center for Developmental Disabilities to M. P., portions of this study were conducted in partial fulfillment of her requirements for the Ph.D. in the Department of Psychology of The City University of New York Graduate School and University Center.
The Ultraviolet Spectrum of η Carinae: Investigation of the Ejecta Absorption

We have investigated the far- through mid-UV (1150-2360 A) spectrum of η Carinae during the late stages of its broad maximum using the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Space Telescope Imaging Spectrograph (STIS) moderate dispersion echelle modes. The η Car spectrum is a mixture of absorption and emission lines from the surrounding nebula superimposed on broad stellar wind features. This paper provides a description of the observed spectrum including the wind features, the interstellar absorption, and the emission spectrum from the surrounding nebula, but with the emphasis on the absorption spectrum formed in the foreground ejecta. The ejecta absorption spectrum has a complicated velocity structure in which two velocity structures, at -146 and -513 km s-1, are easily distinguished. These two velocity components, formed in different regions of the η Car nebula, have in an earlier analysis been identified and demonstrated to have very different spectral characteristics. The slower velocity component is time variable over the spectroscopic period and is characterized by spectral lines from mainly singly ionized iron-peak elements, while the faster one shows transitions from neutral and singly ionized elements in addition to molecular lines from the hydrogen Lyman bands. The high-velocity H2 lines dominate great parts of the spectrum with over 800 identified transitions from energy levels up to 30,000 cm-1. The STIS MAMA data provide the tool for spatial investigations of the central parts of η Car. H I Lyα pumped and semiforbidden emission lines are observed to be formed east of the central source toward Weigelt blobs B and C, located up to 02 from the central source. The complete spectrum, with nebular and interstellar line identifications, is available in the electronic edition of the paper.
Current Issues in Music Reference

Abstract The climate of change in music reference represents a challenge to librarians. The three issues in the library literature that probably have the greatest impact on music reference service and are the subject of this paper are changes in users, sources, and modes of access to sources. These three issues are certainly related, as users need to use sources, and they need to know how to access them in order to use them. Reference librarians are called upon to mediate this process. Music library collections have their own peculiarities, however. Because they contain a wider variety of materials than many other kinds of library collections, reference librarians for music collections must be aware of the format, content, and intended uses of these materials, as well as the research patterns of their patrons. In the recent past, as cultural norms have changed with the paradigm of Western culture, users have wanted to use music libraries in new ways, and librarians are challenged to accommodate them. The ...
Empirical and finite element approaches to forging die design: A state-of-the-art survey

A survey of research concerned with the use of computer-aided techniques to simulate the forging process and design forging dies is presented here. Attention is focused on finite element models and empirical guidelines that have been developed in this connection.
Further Studies of the Cerebral Chemoreceptor Buffers as Influenced by Vasoconstrictor and Vasodilator Drugs and Veratrum Viride

These experiments extend our studies on the newly described cerebral chemoreceptors to show that most pressor drugs cause peripheral hypotension when perfused through the brain of the animal isolated except for nervous connections with its body. Depressor drugs usually act oppositely and cause hypertension. The cerebral chemoreceptors thus seem to act as a buffer mechanism. The receptors may be inactivated to some drugs without blocking the neurogenic hypertension response elicited by cerebral ischemia. Veratrum viride is shown to be such a drug. Besides initiating the von Bezold reflex, veratrum lowers blood pressure by direct central action.
The Schrödinger equation via an operator functional equation

In this paper we derive the Schrodinger equation by comparing quantum statistics with classical statistical mechanics, identifying similarities and differences, and developing an operator functional equation which is solved in a completely algebraic fashion with no appeal to spatial invariances or symmetries.
Effect of night temperature on daytime stomatal conductance in early and late successional plants.

Sixteen annuals, biennials, and herbaceous and woody perennials characteristic of early and late successional old field ecosystems and upland and floodplain habitats were analyzed for their response of stomatal conductance to changes in night temperature. Early successional species that germinate in early spring when temperatures are low, but above freezing are insensitive to cool nights, i.e., their conductance in the following days is unaffected by low night temperature. Later spring and summer-emerging species' stomatal conductance is inhibited by low temperatures. Tree species show the same effects and in some an enhancement of stomatal conductance by low night temperatures was observed. However, adaptive differences in response to night temperatures appear related to both phenology of germination and growth and habitat types.
Stigma and the acceptability of depression treatments among african americans and whites.

BACKGROUND Stigma is associated with depression treatment, however, whether stigma differs between depression treatment modalities is not known, nor have racial differences in depression treatment stigma been fully explored.
How Precise Are Evaluations of Employment and Training Programs Evidence from a Field Experiment

its participants into training positions—to estimates from nonexperimental procedures. Both studies indicate that the nonexperimental methods may not accurately replicate the experimental estimates, and that recently developed methods for constructing comparison groups are no more likely to yield accurate estimates of the impact of training than the more conventional econometric procedures.
The thalamo-caudate versus thalamo-cortical projections as studied in the cat with fluorescent retrograde double labeling.

The distribution of thalamic cells projecting to the head of the caudate and their interrelations with thalamo-cortical cells were studied in the cat with different combinations of fluorescent tracers. Injections in the head of the caudate were combined with the injections in the pericruciate, proreal, suprasylvian, anterior cingulate, occipital and ectosylvian cortices. The following results were obtained: (i) Injections in the head of the caudate resulted in retrograde labeling of thalamic cells medially and laterally to the anteromedial (AM) nucleus, and in the medioventral part of the ventral anterior (VA) nucleus. Further, labeled cells were distributed throughout the anterior intralaminar central medial (CeM), paracentral (Pc) and central lateral (CL) nuclei, and the posterior intralaminar center median-parafascicular complex (CM-Pf). Labeled cells were mainly grouped in the mediodorsal parts of the anterior intralaminar nuclei; they were also found in the more dorsal part of the mediodorsal (MD) nucleus, ventral to the thalamic paraventricular (Pv) nucleus and to the habenular complex, (ii) Thalamo-cortical and thalamo-caudate cells overlapped in the medial part of the VA; in the anterior intralaminar nuclei they were either intermingled or were distributed in separate clusters or longitudinal bands. The two cell populations also overlapped in the posterior intralaminar complex. The greatest overlap occurred with the thalamic cell population projecting to the pericruciate cortex. (iii) Thalamic cells bifurcating to the head of the caudate and to the pericruciate cortex were found lateral to the AM, within the VA, and throughout the anterior intralaminar nuclei, especially in the CeM and in the posterior part of the CL; a few branched cells were also found in the CM. Thalamic cells bifurcating to caudate and anterior suprasylvian cortex were also found in the VA. Very few cells (scattered in the anterior thalamus lateral to the AM, as well as in the CeM, Pc and CL) were found to bifurcate to the head of the caudate and the other cortical fields here examined.
The relationship of antipsychotic drug use, behavior, and diagnoses among nursing home residents.

Nursing homes have been criticized for frequent use and possible misuse of psycho-active agents. These issues are of clinical concern and policy relevance, especially since the passage of the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA) of 1987. Using a sample of 419 residents, the authors examined the relationships among antipsychotic drug (AP) use, behavior, and mental health diagnoses. Only 23.2% of the residents were administered APs on a routine and/or "as-needed" basis. Based on the Multidimensional Observation Scale for Elderly Subjects (MOSES) ratings, AP users were more irritable, disoriented, and withdrawn than were nonusers. Also, AP users demonstrated agitated behaviors more frequently. Notably, AP users and nonusers differed significantly in terms of documented mental health diagnoses. Among AP users, 70.1% had documented dementia, 8.3% were psychotic or had other psychiatric disorders, and 21.6% had no mental health diagnoses. In contrast, the majority of nonusers had no mental health disorders....
Ultrasonic Cavitation-Based Nanomanufacturing of Bulk Aluminum Matrix Nanocomposites

Lightweight metal–matrix nanocomposites (MMNCs) (metal matrix with nanosized ceramic particles) can be of significance for automobile, aerospace, and numerous other applications. It would be advantageous to develop effective nanomanufacturing methods for fabrication of bulk components of aluminum based MMNCs through solidification processing. However, it is extremely difficult to disperse nanosized ceramic particles uniformly in molten aluminum. In this paper, a high power ultrasonic probe is used to disperse nanosized SiC particles into molten aluminum alloy A356. Experimental results show that the ultrasonic cavitation based dispersion of nanoparticles in molten aluminum alloy is effective. The uniform nanoparticle dispersion in the Al alloy matrix resulted in significantly improved mechanical properties. To enhance the nanomanufacturing efficiency, various nanoparticle feeding techniques were explored and experimental results are presented.
Analog computer simulation of Ekman's drift equations

This paper describes the formulation and testing of an analog computer model to predict the variation with time and depth of the Ekman drift velocity. The mathematical model used in the simulation is the one developed by Ekman. The model is tested on an analog computer to determine the response to a step-function wind assuming a uniform vertical eddy viscosity coefficient. This particular case treated provides a test for the analog model, as an analytical solution for this case already exists.
Intravenous nitroglycerin for uterine inversion

Uterine inversion following vaginal delivery or during Cesarean section is rare. Cardiovascular instability resulting from blood loss is possible. This article describes the use of intravenous nitroglycerin as an alternative to the induction of general anesthesia and administration of volatile anesthetics to provide uterine relaxation.
Correlation of Frequency of Positive Inoculations with Incubation Period and Concentration of Purified Papilloma Protein

of virus protein infectivity and, under standard conditions, in the assay of the protein in preparations of the purified material. The results obtained, though adequate in these respects, are not susceptible to expression in terms of convenient units nor are they useful in comparing the properties of the papilloma protein with those of other viruses. It has seemed desirable to devise a means
Simplified method for evaluating the seismic buckling capacity of unstiffened steel containment structures

Abstract A simplified method is presented for evaluating the seismic buckling capacity of unstiffened, free-standing steel containment structures. The method is consistent with current US Nuclear Regulatory Commission seismic design standards and with containment buckling interaction equations given in the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code which includes the influence of geometrical imperfections of the shell on buckling. Stresses to be considered in the interaction equations are determined from beam theory using standard response spectrum analysis. An empirical correction factor is developed to account for hoop stresses that are not explicitly represented in the beam theory. As the results of these analyses are very sensitive to the damping that is assumed, the extensive three-dimensional finite element analyses that were performed to develop the hoop stress reduction factor were also used to study the sensitivity of containment buckling to the assumed damping. Experiments on model containment structures were then performed to further investigate the damping properties exhibited by these structures. The study in concluded by showing that the simplified method reasonably predicts seismic buckling capacities when compared with independently determined predictions from detailed finite element analyses.
Episodes of high coarse particle concentrations are not associated with increased mortality.

Fine particle concentration (i.e., particles <2.5 microm in aerodynamic diameter; PM2.5), but not coarse particle concentration, was associated with increased mortality in six U.S. cities. Others criticized this result, arguing that it could result from differences in measurement error between the two size ranges. Fine particles are primarily from combustion of fossil fuel, whereras coarse particles (i.e., particles between 2.5 and 10 microm in aerodynamic diameter) are all crustal material, i.e., dust. One way to determine if coarse particles are a risk for mortality is to identify episodes of high concentrations of coarse, but not fine, particles. Spokane, Washington, is located in an arid area and is subject to occasional dust storms after crops have been harvested. Between 1989 and 1995, we identified 17 dust storms in Spokane. The 24-hr mean PM10 concentration during those storms was 263 microg/m3. Using control dates that were the same day of the year in other years (but with no dust storm on that day) and that had a mean PM10 concentration of 42 microg/m3, we compared the rate of nonaccidental deaths on the episode versus nonepisode days. There was little evidence of any risk [relative risk (RR) = 1.00; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.81-1.22] on the episode days. Defining episode deaths as those occurring on the same or following day as the dust storm produced similar results (RR = 1.01; CI, 0.87-1.17). Sensitivity analyses, which tested more extensive seasonal control, produced smaller estimates. We conclude that coarse particles from windblown dust are not associated with mortality risk.
Boundary conditions in photoacoustic tomography

Photoacoustic tomography has captured a significant amount of attention recently. Although several commercially available optical imaging modalities, including confocal microscopy, two-photon microscopy, and optical coherence tomography have been highly successful, none of these technologies can penetrate beyond ~1 mm into scattering biological tissues because all of them are based on ballistic and quasi-ballistic photons. Consequently, until now, there has been a void in high-resolution optical imaging beyond this depth limit. Photoacoustic tomography has filled this void by combining high ultrasonic resolution and high optical contrast in a single modality. Up until now, however, free-space ultrasound propagation has always been assumed in photoacoustic tomography. In this paper, boundary conditions that should be considered in certain imaging configurations are presented and their associated inverse solutions for image reconstruction are provided.
Optical coherence tomography-derived corneal thickness asymmetry indices: clinical reference study of normal eyes.

PURPOSE: To determine 3-dimensional corneal pachymetry distribution characteristics in a large pool of healthy normal patients. SETTING: Private practice, Athens, Greece. DESIGN: Prospective case series. METHODS: Spectral-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was used for measurements of central (CCT) and minimum corneal thickness, thickness asymmetry indices for superonasal–inferotemporal (SN–IT) and superior–inferior (S–I), and focal thinning indices (Min–Med focal thinning, Min–Max thickness range). RESULTS: The study enrolled 561 eyes. The mean values were CCT, 537.17 mm G 30.99 (SD) (range 447.0 to 654.0 mm); minimum corneal thickness, 529.01 G 30.02 mm (range 435.0 to 644.0 mm); SN–IT, 26.32 G 15.06 mm (range 23.0 to 97.0 mm); S–I, 25.34 G 15.06 mm (range 36.0 to 93.0 mm); Min–Med, 20.70 G 5.99 mm (range 7.0 to 50.0 mm); Min–Max, 59.79 G16.55mm (range156.0 to23.0mm).There were significantage-related differences;the mean SN–IT was 22.19G 12.40mm(range6.0 to63.0mm)inthe younger group and 30.44G 15.07mm (range 4.0 to 97.0 mm) in the older group (PZ.002). The mean S–I was 21.47 G 12.92 mm (range 5.0 to 70.0 mm) and 29.76 G 16.27 mm (range 8.0 to 93.0 mm), respectively (PZ.001). CONCLUSIONS: Corneal-thickness asymmetry distribution in a healthy eye population obtained by Fourier-domain AS-OCT showed increased asymmetry in the older group; the asymmetry was not sex dependent. These findings may provide a benchmark for future comparative studies.
Inefficiency and heterogeneity in Turkish banking: 1990–2000

Recent studies have stressed the importance of privatization and openness to foreign competition for bank efficiency and economic growth. We study bank efficiency in Turkey, an emerging economy with great heterogeneity in bank types and ownership structures. Earlier studies of Turkish banking had three limitations: (i) excessive reliance on cost-function frontier analyses, wherein volume of loans is a measure of banking output; (ii) pooling all banks or imposing ad hoc heterogeneity assumptions; and (iii) lack of a comprehensive panel data set for proper analysis of productivity and heterogeneity. We use an estimation–classification procedure to find likelihood-driven classification of bank technologies in an 11-year panel. In addition, we augment traditional cost-frontier analysis with a labour-efficiency analysis. We conclude that state banks are not particularly inefficient overall, but that they do utilize labour inefficiently. This partially supports recent calls for privatization. We also conclude that special finance houses (or Islamic banks) utilize the same technology as conventional domestic banks, and do so relatively efficiently. This suggests that they do not cause harm to the financial system. Finally, we conclude that foreign banks utilize a different technology from domestic ones. This suggests that one should not overstate their value to the financial sector. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
W50 – a stellar-wind bubble in a three-phase interstellar medium?

L'interaction entre les jets relativistes de SS 433 et la nebuleuse radio W 50 est analysee sur la base d'observations recentes. On trouve que SS 433 pourrait etre entouree d'un milieu interstellaire nuageux, du type de celui decrit par le modele a 3 phases de McKee et Ostriker. W 50 est probablement une bulle interstellaire en expansion, entrainee par un fort vent stellaire du compagnon de SS 433 plutot qu'un reste de supernova
Theoretical Predictions Concerning Oxygen Reduction on Nitrided Graphite Edges and a Cobalt Center Bonded to Them

Density functional theory and a linear Gibbs free energy relationship are employed in a theoretical investigation of catalytic properties of cobalt−graphite−nitride systems for O2 reduction to hydrogen peroxide and water. Nitrided graphite edges, with N atoms substituting one or two CH groups, are modeled to establish some of the effects of N on edges with and without Co added. The calculations show that a bare graphite edge with one N atom, which the calculations indicate is not hydrogenated at potentials greater than 0.3 V, is not active for O2 reduction because OOH bonds too weakly. At potentials lower than 0.3 V, for which N is hydrogenated, making it a radical center, the NH edge is not active for O2 reduction because OOH bonds too strongly, resulting in a high overpotential for its reduction to H2O2 on this site. Over a Co site bridging two N substituting for CH on an edge, the onset formation potential for OOH(ads) is about 0.4 V for Co0, 0.8 V for CoII in the form of Co(OH)2, 0.7 V for CoII in the...
Pestalosphaeria, a new genus in the Amphisphaeriaceae

the presence of light. Although this study has indicated that the production of basidia is not necessarily light dependent, normal cap expansion does require light as previously reported (Bobbitt and Crang, 1974). Further investigations into the environmental and biochemical aspects of niduli and of hymenial differentiation are needed in order to further elucidate the control mechanisms of sporulation. This study was supported in part by an equipment grant from the Kresge Foundation.
ELECTROPHORETIC MOBILITY AND AGGLUTINABILITY OF RED BLOOD CELLS: A "NEW" POLYMORPHISM IN MICE

A quantitative method has been developed to determine agglutinability of mouse red blood cells. Tests with different inbred strains of mice revealed only two phenotypes. The same inbred strains were tested with the cytopherometer to determine the electrophoretic mobility of the corresponding red cells. Again, two phenotypes were uncovered, and faster mobility was found in the red cells that had higher agglutinability. The genetic control of this character is autosomal and codominant, and segregates independently of H-2 and coat color.
Ultrathin Multilayered Films that Promote the Release of Two DNA Constructs with Separate and Distinct Release Profiles.

Materials that provide control over the release of multiple chemical or biological agents are of interest in a broad range of biomedical and biotechnological applications.[1–6] Temporal control over the release of multiple biological cues, for example, will likely prove critical in applications such as tissue engineering, for which precise control over the administration of multiple different growth factors and other signals is thought to be required to promote the development of functional tissues.[2–4,6] Such sophisticated levels of control could also contribute to the development of new tools for basic biomedical research and more effective gene- and protein-based therapies.
Spectroscopic studies of proton-transfer and metal-ion binding of a solution-phase model for silica-immobilized 8-hydroxyquinoline

Abstract The proton-transfer and stepwise metal-ion complex formation reactions of the water-soluble 8HQ ligand, 5-( p -sulfophenylazo)-8-hydroxyquinoline, are investigated in order to understand the interfacial reactivity of the analogous ligand immobilized to silica by a phenylazo linker on the 5-position on the quinoline ring. Raman spectra of the ligand are acquired to determine whether the same tautomerization equilibrium exists for the solution-phase model compound as for the silica-immobilized ligand. UV-Vis absorption spectra of aqueous solutions of the ligand are acquired as a function of pH and metal-ion concentration. The stepwise reactions are monitored, equilibrium constants are determined, and component spectra are resolved using multivariable least-squares (MVLS) methods. These methods were shown to be capable of resolving component spectra made up of broad bands that differ by only a 3 nm band shift. The acid dissociation constants of the ligand were determined to be: p K A1 of 3.78±0.3 and p K A2 of 7.94±0.4. The equilibrium constants for ligand binding to Cu 2+ were also measured and found to be K 1 0 =1.4 (±0.3)×10 10 and K 2 0 =2.0 (±0.5)×10 7 . The first ligand binding constant was compared to the complexation of the silica-immobilized 8HQ ligand. The formation constant for the 1:1 ligand:Cu 2+ solution complex was ∼30-times greater than that of the silica-immobilized 8HQ ligand. This is likely due to interactions of the immobilized ligand with the nearby silica surface that change its affinity for metal-ion binding.
Dynamic climbing of near-vertical smooth surfaces

A 10 cm hexapedal robot is adapted to dynamically climb near-vertical smooth surfaces. A gecko-inspired adhesive is mounted with an elastomer tendon and polymer loop to a remote-center-of-motion ankle that allows rapid engagement with the surface and minimizes peeling moments on the adhesive. The maximum velocity possible while climbing decreases as the incline gets closer to vertical, with the robot able to achieve speeds of 10 cm second−1 at a 70-degree incline. A model is implemented to describe the effect of incline angle on climbing speed and, together with high-speed video evidence, reveals that climbing velocity is limited by robot dynamics and adhesive properties and not by power.
Evaluating contract agency performance in achieving reunification

Abstract This paper analyzes the performance of contract agencies in achieving timely permanency for children in foster care. Using the Cox regression model on administrative data of children admitted in three years, we examine the hazard rate of family reunification for each agency both relative to its peers and compared with its own performance in previous years. This is achieved by introducing an interaction term between the agency dummy and the entry-year indicators. Doing this provides a dynamic and comprehensive view of an agency's performance both over time and in relation to other agencies in the same locale. We believe that our modeling technique can serve as an effective tool for child welfare administrators to evaluate the performance of foster care service providers.
Robust scheduling and congestion control for flexible queueing networks

We consider a general flexible queueing network in which each queue can be processed by several servers, which in turn can serve multiple queues. Important special cases of this model include open multiclass queueing networks [11] and flexible parallel server systems [16]. A scheduling policy decides how server capacities are allocated over time. It is robust if it does not depend on network parameters such as arrival and service rates. In this paper, we propose a robust and throughput-optimal scheduling policy for general flexible queueing networks when service rates depend only on the queues. The policy balances all the flows in the network, by minimizing an objective function using stochastic gradient projection over time. We also propose a joint robust scheduling and congestion control policy to maximize the utility of the network. Finally, we provide simulation results to show the performance of the algorithms.
Controlled failure mechanisms toughen the dentino-enamel junction zone.

Statement of problem The dentino-enamel junction (DEJ) durably unites dissimilar hard brittle enamel and tough flexible dentin. In contrast to artificial bonds between restorations and dentin, the DEJ rarely fails except when it is affected by inherited disorders. Knowledge of DEJ toughening mechanisms is important in understanding inherited disorders, in biomimetic engineering of junctions between artificial restorations and teeth, and in tissue-engineering a DEJ. Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify specific DEJ-zone failure mechanisms and to survey the fracture toughness of the human DEJ zone. Material and methods Fracture toughness indentations were made at 3 sites across the DEJ zone of 10 human incisor teeth. Failure modes identified using optical microscopy and fracture toughness (MPa·m 1/2 ) were calculated following Vickers microindentation. Site mean values were then calculated and compared using 1-way analysis of variance (α=.05). Results The DEJ did not undergo catastrophic interfacial delamination; instead, damage was distributed over a broad zone. The primary damage mode involved cracking and damage dispersion in the specialized first-formed enamel close to the DEJ. Multiple, somewhat convoluted and sometimes branching, cracks spread and diffused damage over a wide area of adjacent enamel rather than producing catastrophic interfacial failure. Other secondary mechanisms included short microcracks in the DEJ adjacent dentin with possible cracked bridging, as well as plastic deformation of the DEJ without delamination. A DEJ-zone fracture toughness of approximately 0.8 to 0.9 MPa·m 1/2 was calculated. Conclusion DEJ-zone damage occurred primarily within the adjacent layer of specialized first-formed enamel, and the optical DEJ interface resisted delamination.
Influence of Host Deprivation and Egg Expenditure on the Patch and Host-Finding Behavior of the Parasitoid Wasp Mastrus ridibundus

The influence of host deprivation and egg expenditure on the host location behavior ofMastrus ridibundus was evaluated under controlled conditions in a walk-in field cage in a greenhouse. The activity of females peaked at a temperature of 25–27°C generating two peaks of activity through the day. Increased host deprivation did not influence patch and host-finding success: females responded to host stimuli even after 9 days of host deprivation. In contrast, the longer M. ridibundus was exposed to excess hosts, the greater was the reduction in patch and host-finding success. Egg depletion expressed as the percentage of realized lifetime fecundity expended, rather than egg load, offered a good match for this decline. These results are discussed in the context of biological control introductions and the choice of pre-release treatment.
Circumstances and witness characteristics associated with overdose fatality.

Study objective Emergency physicians have an opportunity to provide overdose fatality prevention interventions to individuals at risk for experiencing or witnessing an overdose to reduce fatality. The present study uses data about the most recent overdose observed by a sample of inner-city drug users to determine the circumstances of overdose that are associated with overdose fatality. Methods Participants (n=690) aged 18 years or older were recruited with targeted street outreach. All participants had used heroin or cocaine in the previous 2 months and had witnessed at least 1 overdose. Survey data included the circumstances of the last overdose witnessed, including actions taken, drug use behavior, the location of the event, and whether or not the overdose was fatal (the outcome measure). Results One hundred fifty-two (21.7%) of the witnessed overdoses were fatal. Witness powdered cocaine use (adjusted odds ratio=1.6; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.0 to 2.6) and injection drug history (adjusted odds ratio=0.5; 95% CI 0.3 to 0.9) were associated with the last witnessed overdose being fatal. Witnessed overdoses that occurred in public or abandoned buildings compared with homes were more likely to be fatal (adjusted odds ratio=1.9; 95% CI 1.0 to 3.5), as were overdoses in which witnesses sought outside medical help (adjusted odds ratio=1.5; 95% CI 1.0 to 2.1). Conclusion Future prevention interventions may fruitfully target users of powdered cocaine, drug users without a history of injecting, and individuals who use drugs in public or abandoned buildings for brief interventions on responding when witnessing an overdose to reduce mortality.
Electron microscope study of the structures of λdv DNAs

The sequence arrangements of a number of independently isolated λdv plasmids have been mapped by the electron microscope heteroduplex method. Heteroduplexes were prepared between the λdv DNA and an appropriate λ DNA, or between a λ addition phage DNA (λdv inserted into λ) and an appropriate λ DNA. The sequences present always include parts of immλ, and genes O and P. λdv plasmids derived from phage that are not deleted in the nin5 region are found to be monomers or direct (head-to-tail) oligomers. A large fraction of the λdv mutants derived from phage that are deleted in the nin5 sequence (i.e. λnin5−) are found to contain inverted repeat sequences; that is, they carry a sequence and its complement in an inverted order on the same strand. Some of these mutants also have unique (non-repeated) sequences. The presence of inverted repeat sequences is recognized by the property that when a closed circular duplex is nicked, the strands caused to dissociate by the addition of NaOH, and the solution reneutralized, the complementary sequences on a single strand rapidly renature (“snap-back”) to form a duplex region. For inverted repeat λdv plasmids, we observe that: (1) the unique sequences of a λdv are always to the left and/or the right on the linear λ map relative to the inverted repeat sequences; (2) the junction of a sequence and its inverse is at the far left and/or the far right of that sequence, never in the middle. These observations lead to the hypothesis that inverted repeat λdv plasmids are formed by joining the two parental strands to each other and the two progeny strands to each other at each of the replication forks of a bidirectionally replicating λ molecule, by illegitimate recombination and/or by abnormal replication, as illustrated in Figure 9. We also propose that non-inverted λdv plasmids are formed by illegitimate recombination joining two points, one at each replicating fork, on one of the parental strands (Fig. 8).
Site-directed mutagenesis studies on a putative fifth iron ligand of mouse 8S-lipoxygenase: retention of catalytic activity on mutation of serine-558 to asparagine, histidine, or alanine.

Abstract The reported crystal structures of plant and animal lipoxygenases (LOX) show that the nonheme iron in the catalytic domain is ligated by three histidines, the C-terminal isoleucine, and in certain structures also by a fifth iron ligand, an asparagine or histidine residue. Mouse 8-LOX and its homologues (e.g., human 15-LOX-2) are unique in having a serine in place of the usual Asn or His in this fifth position. To investigate the importance of the residue in mouse 8-LOX structure–function, the serine-558 was replaced by asparagine, histidine, or alanine using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis. Wild-type mouse 8-LOX and the mutant cDNAs were expressed in HeLa cells infected with vaccinia virus encoding T7 RNA polymerase and their relative lipoxygenase activities assessed by incubation with [14C]arachidonic acid or [14C]linoleic acid followed by HPLC analysis of the products. The Ser558Asn and Ser558His mutants had equivalent or greater activity than wild-type 8-LOX. They also exhibited some 15-LOX activity, indicating that small structural perturbations (in this case to a residue identical in mouse 8-LOX and its 15-LOX-2 homologues) can interchange the positional specificity of these closely related enzymes. Remarkably, the Ser558Ala mutant exhibited significant 8-LOX activity, indicating that this position is not an essential iron ligand in the enzyme. We conclude that mouse 8-LOX is catalytically competent with only four amino acid iron ligands, and that Ser-558 of the wild-type enzyme does not play an essential role in catalysis.
Preparation, crystallization and X-ray diffraction analysis to 1.5 A resolution of rat cysteine dioxygenase, a mononuclear iron enzyme responsible for cysteine thiol oxidation.

Cysteine dioxygenase (CDO; EC 1.13.11.20) is an ∼23 kDa non-heme iron metalloenzyme that is responsible for the oxidation of cysteine by O2, yielding cysteinesulfinate. CDO catalyzes the first step in the conversion of cysteine to taurine, as well as the first step in the catabolism of cysteine to pyruvate plus sulfate. Recombinant rat CDO was heterologously expressed, purified and crystallized. The protein was expressed as a fusion protein bearing a polyhistidine tag to facilitate purification, a thioredoxin tag to improve solubility and a factor Xa cleavage site to permit removal of the entire N-terminus, leaving only the 200 amino acids inherent to the native protein. A multi-step purification scheme was used to achieve >95% purity of CDO. The optimal CDO crystals diffracted to 1.5 A resolution and belonged to space group P43212 or P41212, with unit-cell parameters a = b = 57.55, c = 123.06 A, α = β = γ = 90°. CDO shows little homology to any other proteins; therefore, the structure of the enzyme will be determined by ab initio phasing using a selenomethionyl derivative.
Landscape properties of pocosins and associated wetlands

Most pocosins occur on broad, relatively flat interfluves or near estuaries where rising sea level affects their hydrology. Traditionally accepted ecological functions are low when compared on a unit area basis with other wetland types. An understanding of the interaction of pocosins with the atmosphere is fundamental to revealing mechanisms for their formation and their importance in landscape-level biogeochemical processes such as producing and consuming greenhouse gases and receiving and processing acid deposition. At least four interactions between pocosins and estuaries are important at landscape scales: (1) maintaining landscape elevation in the context of rising sea level, (2) representing a platform upon which landward migrating brackish marshes can develop, (3) exporting high concentrations of organic carbon, and (4) influencing the quality of habitat in primary nursery areas for fish and shellfish. Since pocosins have lower rates of cycling for most elements, greater surface area of pocosin is required to provide the same function and life support as floodplain wetlands. Major habitat attributes are (1) the large contiguous blocks of land that they occupy in contrast to the narrow, linear configurations of riverine forests and (2) their location at the uppermost reaches of wetland continua. Because of these attributes, individual impacts to small areas are relatively inconsequential until their cumulative effects begin to encroach upon the landscape-level processes and functions that they display. Fragmentation by drainage ditches and roads and interspersion of agriculture and silviculture expose the organic soils to peat fires and biological oxidation. The historically slow rate of organic matter accretion is reversed to a more rapid process of degradation. Accelerated oxidation and subsidence create a net efflux of carbon to the atmosphere in contrast to the net influx that has been occurring for millennia.
Regioselectivity in intramolecular cycloaddition of double bonds to triplet acylbenzenes II. Effects of substituents meta to the tether

Abstract The photoinduced intramolecular [2 + 2] cycloaddition of several 2-substituted 4-(3-methyl-3-buten-1-oxy)acetophenones was studied. With 2-methyl, methoxy, and trifluoromethyl substitution, the reaction is 100% regioselective syn, addition of the remote double bond occurring only at the 3,4-positions of the benzene ring, not the 4,5. The 2-fluoro derivative alone provides both anti and syn regioisomers in a 15:85 ratio. The 2-cyano derivative did not react. The high regioselectivity appears to reflect a strong inductive effect on the first, biradicalforming step of the reaction, possibly influenced by the dipole moment of the 1-carbonyl group.
Impaired Fibrinolysis in Premenopausal Women and Age-matched Men with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study

Background The presence of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the strongest predictors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women. Although the specific mechanisms underlying this increased risk are unknown, one factor that may contribute to CVD in women with Type 2 DM is impaired fibrinolysis. Healthy premenopausal women have a low rate of CVD and excellent fibrinolytic potential. Impairment in fibrinolysis in people with DM has been demonstrated mainly in men, whereas the fibrinolytic potential of women with Type 2 DM has not been characterized well. This pilot study compared fibrinolytic measures in premenopausal women and men with DM with those of healthy age-matched control women and men to help determine whether fibrinolysis is abnormal in women with DM. Methods Fibrinolytic measurements included euglobulin clot lysis time (ELT), fibrinogen, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1, and tissue-type plasminogen activator. Results Poststasis ELT was significantly impaired in the women with DM as compared with the control women. The men with DM had a tendency toward slower poststasis ELT than did the control men, but the differences between the men9s groups were not significant. In the women9s groups only, we observed a trend toward increased plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 among the women with DM. Conclusions Women with DM have a more significant abnormality in poststasis ELT than do men with DM as compared with sex-specific counterparts without DM.