cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retention of aluminium in the tissues of rats after the discontinuation of oral exposure to aluminium

Abstract Two studies were conducted to determine whether the aluminium deposited in the bones, muscles and kidneys of young growing rats fed diets supplemented with A1(OH) 3 (989 or 1070 μg A1/g diet) for 16 days was retained after the A1(OH) 3 was removed from the diets. Al levels in the tissues of test rats decreased significantly ( P ⩽ 0.01) 3 days after withdrawal of the Al(OH) 3 from the diet, and 7 days after withdrawal the tissue concentrations of A1 were similar in the test and control animals. Ingestion of A1 had no effect on tissue levels of phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, zinc or iron.
Hide and seek in a subset of the real line

This paper is concerned with a zero-sum two-person game in which one player, the hider, hides a particle in a given subset, known to both players, of the real line. The seeker, starting at the origin and travelling with speed no larger than one, tries to arrive at the particle as soon as possible. The payoff is the time the seeker requires to arrive at the particle divided by the distance of the particle from the origin.
On permutation properties in groups and semigroups

A semigroupS satisfiesPPn, thepermutation property of degree n (n≥2) if every product ofn elements inS remains invariant under some nontrivial permutation of its factors. It is shown that a semigroup satisfiesPP3 if and only if it contains at most one nontrivial commutator. Further a regular semigroup is a semilattice ofPP3 right or left groups, and a subdirect product ofPP3 semigroups of a simple type. A negative answer to a question posed by Restivo and Reutenauer is provided by a suitablePP3 group.
Activity of a Phenolic Dibenzylsulfide against New World Arenavirus Infections

Background:Junin virus (JUNV) and several other clade B New World arenaviruses cause human disease ranging from mild febrile illness to severe viral haemorrhagic fever. These viruses pose a signifi...
A priori prediction of adsorption isotherm parameters and chromatographic behavior in ion-exchange systems

The a priori prediction of protein adsorption behavior has been a long-standing goal in several fields. In the present work, property-modeling techniques have been used for the prediction of protein adsorption thermodynamics in ion-exchange systems directly from crystal structure. Quantitative structure–property relationship models of protein isotherm parameters and Gibbs free energy changes in ion-exchange systems were generated by using a support vector machine regression technique. The predictive ability of the models was demonstrated for two test-set proteins not included in the model training set. Molecular descriptors selected during model generation were examined to gain insights into the important physicochemical factors influencing stoichiometry, equilibrium, steric effects, and binding affinity in protein ion-exchange systems. The a priori prediction of protein isotherm parameters can have direct implications for various ion-exchange processes. As proof of concept, a multiscale modeling approach was used for predicting the chromatographic separation of a test set of proteins using the isotherm parameters obtained from the quantitative structure–property relationship models. The simulated column separation showed good agreement with the experimental data. The ability to predict chromatographic behavior of proteins directly from their crystal structures may have significant implications for a range of biotechnology processes.
Changes of acetylcholinesterase activity in three major brain areas and related changes in behaviour following acute treatment with diisopropyl fluorophosphate.

Abstract In a series of experiments, the recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity in three brain regions following its depression by diisopropyl fluorophosphate was examined. Related changes in behaviour were also studied. The maximum depression in acetylcholinesterase activity in the anterior preoptic area occurred at 4hr, about the same time as the maximum depression of deep body temperature was recorded. A significant recovery of acetylcholinesterase activity was observed at 16hr, while temperature regulation returned to normal by 20 hr. Maximum depression of drinking behaviour and acetylcholinesterase activity in the lateral hypothalamus both occurred at approx. 1 hr following the acute diisopropyl fluorophosphate injections and both showed significant but not complete recovery by 24 hr. Single alternation performance had not completely recovered even at the final test session, i.e. 71 hr following the diisopropyi fluorophosphate injection, at which time acetylcholinesterase activity in the caudate nucleus had reached approximately 23% of normal. These findings generally support the hypothesis that recovery of certain behaviours may be dependent upon the renewed synthesis of acetylcholinesterase activity in brain regions which are important in mediating these behaviours.
Arterialized venous flow-through flaps in the reconstruction of digital defects: case series and review of the literature

Background Arterialized venous flow-through (AVFT) flaps are useful in reconstructing small soft tissue defects. Currently, no guidelines exist for the use of AVFT flaps for reconstructing soft tissue defects in the digits of the hand. We retrospectively reviewed our experience with AVFT flaps and developed a selection process for vascular anastomoses.
Motivating Teachers: Understanding the Factors that Shape Performance:

As students of the careers of educators, these authors present the results of a study that looked in depth into what teachers say about their role and responsibilities. What they learned will help principals work with teachers to improve schools.
Multidentate 1,2,3-Triazole-Containing Chelators from Tandem Deprotection/Click Reactions of (Trimethylsilyl)alkynes and Comparison of Their Ruthenium(II) Complexes

A variation of the copper-catalyzed Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition involving a one-pot two-step transformation of trimethylsilyl-protected alkyne reactants was used to prepare multidentate N-heterocyclic chelators containing 1,2,3-triazole rings in high yields. This includes the first reported examples of 1,1′-disubstituted 4,4′-bis(triazole) bidentate chelators derived from click preparations.
Sting autotomy, a defensive mechanism in certain social Hymenoptera

Sting autotomy occurs only in certain species of highly social Hymenoptera. When applied, the phenomenon of sting autonomy results in death for the individual demonstrating it but is added protection for the colony as a whole when the intruder is a vertebrate. Among species in which sting autotomy occurs, it is applied in colony defense and not as an offensive mechanism. As a defensive mechanism, sting autotomy is best employed against vertebrate intruders but would work disadvantageously in colony defense against raiding insects. The acquisition of lancet barbs represents a case of convergent evolution among bees, wasps and ants in the order Hymenoptera.
Methylene-insertion reactions with unsaturated sugars. Synthesis and reactivity of 4-C-cyclopropyl-d-xylo-tetrofuranose☆☆☆

Abstract Insertion of methylene into the double bond of 5,6-dideoxy-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- xylo -hex-5-enofuranose ( 1 ) by use of the Simmons-Smith reaction gives 4- C -cyclopropyl-1,2- O -isopropylidene-α- d - xylo -tetrofuranose ( 2 ), further characterized as the 3-acetate ( 5 ) and 3-(trimethylsilyl) ether ( 6 ). The cyclopropyl group in 2 is resistant to hydrogenolysis over palladium or platinum, but is cleaved exclusively between the methylene groups by hydrogenolysis over Raney nickel, to give the isopropyl derivative 7 . The cyclopropyl derivative 2 is stable to base and to sodium azide in N,N -dimethylformamide. Cleavage of the acetal group from 2 by mild acid gives 4- C -cyclopropyl-α,β- d - xylo -tetrofuranose ( 3 ); considerably more severe conditions are required for acid-catalyzed scission of the cyclopropyl ring. The structure of 3 and its derived alditol ( 4 ) were verified by periodate oxidation, and by acetylation of 3 to give crystalline 1,2,3-tri- O -acetyl-4- C -cyclopropyl-α- d - xylo -tetrafuranose ( 9 ) and its syrupy β- d anomer ( 10 ). The conformations of the products were studied by n.m.r. spectroscopy.
The solubility of hydrogen in glassy poly(vinyl acetate) at elevated pressures

Abstract The solubility of H 2 in glassy poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) has been determined by a gravimetric technique at 5.0 and −5.0°C in the pressure range from 1 to 20 atm. The solubility is a nonlinear function of the gas pressure and can be described by the “dual-mode” sorption model. The solubility decreases with increasing temperature. The values of the solubility coefficient ( S ) vary from a maximum of 6.5 x 10 −2 cm 3 (STP)/(cm 3 polym.-atm) at 1.5 atm and -5.0°C to a minimum of about 1.9 x 10 −2 (in the same units) at 19 atm and 5.0°C. The fact that the H 2 /PVAc system exhibits dual-mode sorption behavior was anticipated from the observation of Meares that a plot of log S versus 1/ T , the reciprocal absolute temperature, exhibits changes in slope in the glass-transition region of the polymer. The possible effect of the size of penetrant gas molecules on dualmode sorption is discussed.
Security Checkers: Detecting processor malicious inclusions at runtime

To counter the growing threat of malicious subversions to the design of a microprocessor, there is a great need for simple, automated methods for detecting such malevolent changes. Based on the adoption of the Property Specification Language (PSL) for behavioral verification, and the advent of tools for automatically generating synthesizable hardware design language (HDL) constructs for verifying a PSL assertion, we propose a new method called Security Checkers, which uses security-focused PSL assertions to create hardware design units for detecting malicious inclusions at runtime. We describe the process flow for creating Security Checkers and demonstrate by example how they can be used to detect malicious inclusions in a processor design. Because the checkers can be used in simulation, FPGA emulation, or as part of a fabricated design, we illustrate how this technique can be used to detect malicious inclusions over a much broader segment of the processor development lifecycle, compared to existing methods.
How reliable and accurate is indocyanine green video angiography in the evaluation of aneurysm obliteration

Abstract Introduction Indocyanine green video angiography (ICG-VA) has been recently introduced into neurovascular surgery and gained a role in assessing vessel patency and obliteration of intracranial aneurysms (IA) after clipping. Although its correlation with intra-postoperative angiography was demonstrated in previous studies, difficulties in evaluating aneurysm obliteration have not been reported. We report reliability and accuracy of ICG-VA in 109 clipped aneurysms with attention given to five cases in which ICG-VA evaluation resulted in false indication that aneurysms were secure in terms of complete obliteration. Materials and methods A retrospective chart review was performed of IAs surgically treated by a single surgeon from January 2009. In all cases, aneurysm obliteration was confirmed by a combination of microdoppler ultrasonography (MUSG), ICG-VA, and post-operative angiography. Results ICG-VA appropriately assessed vessel patency and aneurysm obliteration in 93.5% of aneurysms clipped. In four cases (3.6%), puncturing the dome of the aneurysm after satisfactory clipping revealed persistent flow within the aneurysm despite ICG-VA showing no flow after clipping. In one case (0.9%), ICG-VA showed persistent flow within the aneurysm and MUSG did not, and puncture of the dome confirmed no flow within the aneurysm. In one case (0.9%), ICG-VA failed to demonstrate residual neck. Conclusion ICG-VA is a simple and safe procedure and an important adjunct to microsurgical clipping of aneurysm. Although ICG-VA assesses vessel patency and obliteration of aneurysms in most cases, applying the principles of microsurgery in aneurysm clipping remains a main tool for obtaining the complete obliteration of aneurysm along with preservation of the normal vasculature.
Taming Big Data: Integrating diverse public data sources for economic competitiveness analytics

In an era where Big Data can greatly impact a broad population, many novel opportunities arise, chief among them the ability to integrate data from diverse sources and "wrangle" it to extract novel insights. Conceived as a tool that can help both expert and non-expert users better understand public data, MATTERS was collaboratively developed by the Massachusetts High Tech Council, WPI and other institutions as an analytic platform offering dynamic modeling capabilities. MATTERS is an integrative data source on high fidelity cost and talent competitiveness metrics. Its goal is to extract, integrate and model rich economic, financial, educational and technological information from renowned heterogeneous web data sources ranging from The US Census Bureau, The Bureau of Labor Statistics to the Institute of Education Sciences, all known to be critical factors influencing economic competitiveness of states. This demonstration of MATTERS illustrates how we tackle challenges of data acquisition, cleaning, integration and wrangling into appropriate representations, visualization and story-telling with data in the context of state competitiveness in the high-tech sector.
Predictors of Interest in Prostate-Specific Antigen Screening and the Impact of Informed Consent: What Should We Tell Our Patients?

Abstract PURPOSE: Screening for prostate cancer with the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) remains highly controversial. We sought to discern which patient factors predict interest in the PSA and how informed consent impacts these predictors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In a randomized trial that found that informed consent decreases patient interest in PSA screening, potential predictors of interest were analyzed separately in the uninformed (n = 102) and informed (n = 103) cohorts to examine the effects of the informational intervention. RESULTS: Univariate predictors of PSA screening interest ( P P P P P P P = 0.01), and younger age ( P = 0.01) together predicted interest in screening. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to uninformed patients, patients given information about PSA screening and prostate cancer are more likely to be interested in screening if they have a family history of prostate cancer, are younger, or otherwise consider themselves susceptible to developing prostate cancer. Uninformed patients are more likely to base their screening interest on the perceived seriousness of prostate cancer and on their willingness to accept treatment risks.
A Review on the Development of the Inverted Polymer Solar Cell Architecture

The increase in energy production costs for fossil fuels has led to a search for an economically viable alternative energy source. One alternative energy source of particular interest is solar energy. A promising alternative to inorganic materials is organic semiconductor polymer solar cells due to their advantages of being cheaper, light weight, flexible and made into large areas by roll-to-roll processing. However, the conventional architecture that is typically used for fabricating solar cells requires high vacuum to deposit the top metal electrode which is not suitable for roll-to-roll processing. Recently an inverted device architecture has been investigated as a suitable architecture for developing the ideal roll-to-roll type processing of polymer-based solar cells. This review will go over the recent advances and approaches in the development of this type of inverted device architecture. We will highlight some of the work that we have done to integrate materials, device, interface, and processing o...
Evaluation of suspected bile duct injuries

The proper diagnosis and appropriate treatment are paramount in ensuring a satisfactory outcome after a bile duct injury associated with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Immediate recognition of a bile duct injury during laparoscopic cholecystectomy can allow proper treatment at that time, averting difficult complications that could occur in the postoperative period should the injury be missed. Unfortunately, most bile duct injuries are not recognized at the time of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. An appropriate level of suspicion followed by prompt and complete evaluation should result in accurate delineation of the biliary anatomy, which is essential for directing appropriate surgical reconstruction.
Convoy Movement: Consideration of Turning Geometrics for Selected Vehicle Shapes

This research is aimed at facilitating the understanding of the restrictions of convoy movement with object shapes as they might apply to ground vehicles maneuvering in a theater-of-operations. Such a theater would include civilian or military disaster evacuation/relief and military security or logistics operations. The goal of the overarching study was first to identify routes for maximal throughput rate that will facilitate the maneuver of a convoy unit omnidirectionally (radially) to different localities at different elapsed times. The focus of this study was to characterize several models for physical boundary conditions. Having done so, they would be used to evaluate the passability of convoy vehicles through streets in an urban environment under different conditions of road geometry, especially at an intersection. Special cases are also evaluated to study the capability of the general models. Models for radius and length of curvature are also developed for different traffic geometrics such as intersections, curvature, and a circular island in an intersection. In all modeling approaches, detailed descriptions of the derivations are illustrated with numerical examples and figures. These road geometrics will help estimate the reduction of traffic speed for deployment of ground vehicles.
Resources for the care of arthritics in a nonmetropolitan community

All professional, institutional, and administrative resources available to persons with musculoskeletal disabilities, including arthritis, were surveyed in a large nonmetropolitan community. Access to such resources and their residual capacity to serve local arthritics was determined. The resources appeared adequate as was the access, but the referral pattern was poorly developed. Most of the physicians in the community did not perceive a need for a trained rheumatologist practicing in the community.
Operative outcomes of upper pole laparoscopic partial nephrectomy: comparison of lower pole laparoscopic and upper pole open partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVES The intraoperative complexity of laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (LPN) for upper pole renal tumors is recognized. We report on the technical feasibility and operative outcomes of LPN for upper pole tumors (UPLPN) and lower pole tumors (LPLPN), and open partial nephrectomy (UPOPN) for upper pole tumors. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed our database of LPNs performed by a single surgeon from October 2002 to February 2006. All solitary, upper and lower pole tumors in patients with a normal contralateral kidney were included. The perioperative outcomes were assessed. UPOPNs performed in the same institution by a separate surgeon were analyzed and compared separately with the UPLPN group. RESULTS Three groups, UPLPN (20 patients), LPLPN (33 patients), and UPOPN (24 patients), were analyzed. The UPLPN and LPLPN groups had similar perioperative outcomes. The intraoperative and postoperative major complications were also comparable between the UPLPN and LPLPN groups (17% versus 12%, P = 0.68 and 22% versus 6%, P = 0.07, respectively). The mean pathologic tumor size was larger (3.2 versus 2.3 cm, P = 0.05) and the mean operative time significantly shorter (187 versus 244 minutes, P = 0.02) in the UPOPN group than in the UPLPN group. The UPOPN group had a trend toward fewer intraoperative complications compared with the UPLPN group (4% versus 17%, P = 0.17). The final pathologic surgical margins were negative in all three groups. CONCLUSIONS LPN for upper pole renal tumors is technically feasible and may have comparable outcomes to LPN for lower pole tumors. However, performing open nephron-sparing surgery is still the standard of care because it may offer fewer complications and reduce the risk of ischemic damage to the kidney.
A review of polymer electrolyte membranes for direct methanol fuel cells

This review describes the polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM) that are both under development and commercialized for direct methanol fuel cells (DMFC). Unlike the membranes for hydrogen fuelled PEM fuel cells, among which perfluorosulfonic acid based membranes show complete domination, the membranes for DMFC have numerous variations, each has its advantages and disadvantages. No single membrane is emerging as absolutely superior to others. This review outlines the prospects of the currently known membranes for DMFC. The membranes are evaluated according to various properties, including: methanol crossover, proton conductivity, durability, thermal stability and maximum power density. Hydrocarbon and composite fluorinated membranes currently show the most potential for low cost membranes with low methanol permeability and high durability. Some of these membranes are already beginning to impact the portable fuel cell market.
Dental considerations for patients taking weight-loss medications

ABSTRACT Background In this article, the authors examine prescription weight-loss medications and related dental considerations for oral health care professionals (OHCPs). The authors focus on the most common prescription weight-loss drugs and their potential interactions with medications frequently used in dental practice, and they include recommendations for modification in patient care. Methods The authors reviewed the literature regarding interactions between weight-loss drugs and medications commonly used in dentistry, including patient-treatment considerations. They also address the interactions of greatest clinical concern that have a high-quality evidence-based foundation in either randomized controlled clinical trials or meta-analyses. Conclusions Dental treatment can be performed and medications commonly used in dentistry can be administered safely to patients taking orlistat, an inhibitor of fat absorption. The same may not be true, however, for other weight-loss medications that modify the central nervous system neurotransmission of norepinephrine, dopamine or serotonin. OHCPs should be aware of the potential theoretical and pharmacokinetic risks relative to the actual clinical and reported risks for hypertension and cardiotoxicity in particular. Practical Implications Recognition and avoidance of potential weight-loss drug interactions, especially those with medications commonly used in dentistry, can help clinicians optimize patient treatment while emphasizing patient safety.
George Williams in Thailand: An Ethical Decision-Making Exercise.

This article presents a classroom ethical decision-making exercise designed to help students make reasoned ethical decisions while gaining insight into their own and others' ethical decision-making strategies. During the exercise, students individually analyze an original mini-case, then meet in small groups to reach consensus on the advice and ethical decision-making strategy to offer the entrepreneur in the case. The exercise satisfies three learning objectives for students: understanding ethical decision-making strategies, increasing awareness of one's own ethical decision-making criteria, and understanding the bases for diverse group members' (often different) ethical decision-making strategies. Evidence of student learning shows that these three learning objectives are exceeded in that the exercise also spurs students to integrate their learning of ethical decision making with their learning of the organizational behavior concepts of group dynamics, conflict management, and personality.
Impact of NBTI on SRAM Read Stability and Design for Reliability

Negative Bias Temperature Instability (NBTI) has the potential to become one of the main show-stoppers of circuit reliability in nanometer scale devices due to its deleterious effects on transistor threshold voltage. The degradation of PMOS devices due to NBTI leads to reduced temporal performance in digital circuits. We have analyzed the impact of NBTI on the read stability of SRAM cells. The amount of degradation in Static Noise Margin (SNM), which is a measure of the read stability of the 6-T SRAM cell has been estimated using Reaction-Diffusion (R-D) model. We propose a simple solution to recover the SNM of the SRAM cell using a data flipping technique and present the results simulated on BPTM 70nm and 100nm technology. We also compare and evaluate different implementation methodologies for the proposed technique.
Zeta potential of microfluidic substrates: 1. Theory, experimental techniques, and effects on separations

This paper summarizes theory, experimental techniques, and the reported data pertaining to the zeta potential of silica and silicon with attention to use as microfluidic substrate materials, particularly for microchip chemical separations. Dependence on cation concentration, buffer and cation type, pH, cation valency, and temperature are discussed. The Debye-Huckel limit, which is often correctly treated as a good approximation for describing the ion concentration in the double layer, can lead to serious errors if it is extended to predict the dependence of zeta potential on the counterion concentration. For indifferent univalent electrolytes (e.g., sodium and potassium), two simple scalings for the dependence of zeta potential on counterion concentration can be derived in high- and low-z limits of the nonlinear Poisson-Boltzman equation solution in the double layer. It is shown that for most situations relevant to microchip separations, the high-z limit is most applicable, leading to the conclusion that the zeta potential on silica substrates is approximately proportional to the logarithm of the molar counterion concentration. The z vs. pH dependence measurements from several experiments are compared by normalizing the z based on concentration.
Cytotoxicity of graphene: recent advances and future perspective

Graphene, a unique two-dimensional single-atom-thin nanomaterial with exceptional structural, mechanical, and electronic properties, has spurred an enormous interest in many fields, including biomedical applications, which at the same time ignites a growing concern on its biosafety and potential cytotoxicity to human and animal cells. In this review, we present a summary of some very recent studies on this important subject with both experimental and theoretical approaches. The molecular interactions of graphene with proteins, DNAs, and cell membranes (both bacteria and mammalian cells) are discussed in detail. Severe distortions in structures and functions of these biomacromolecules by graphene are identified and characterized. For example, the graphene is shown to disrupt bacteria cell membranes by insertion/cutting as well as destructive extraction of lipid molecules directly. More interestingly, this cytotoxicity has been shown to have implications in de novo design of nanomedicine, such as graphene-based band-aid, a potential 'green' antibiotics due to its strong physical-based (instead of chemical-based) antibacterial capability. These studies have provided a better understanding of graphene nanotoxicity at both cellular and molecular levels, and also suggested therapeutic potential by using graphene's cytotoxicity against bacteria cells.
Crosslinked α-elastin biomaterials: towards a processable elastin mimetic scaffold

Abstract Elastin is a critical biochemical and biomechanical component of vascular tissue. However, elastin is also highly insoluble and therefore difficult to process into new biomaterials. We present a simple approach for synthesizing elastin-based materials from two commercially available and water-soluble components: α-elastin and a diepoxy crosslinker. Reaction pH was shown to modulate the degree of crosslinking, as demonstrated by materials characterized with a range of swelling ratios (∼10–25), enzymatic degradation rates (∼8–50% per h in 0.1 u/ml elastase), and elastic moduli (∼4–120 kPa). Crosslinking with a combination alkaline and neutral pH process results in materials with the highest degree of crosslinks, as indicated by a swelling ratio of 10, slow degradation rate, and high elastic moduli (∼120 kPa). Furthermore, the crosslinked α-elastin materials support vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) adhesion and a decreased proliferation rate compared to polystyrene controls. The functional outcomes of the crosslinking reaction, including the dependence of structure–function properties on reaction pH, are discussed. Our approach towards ‘processable’ elastin-based materials is versatile and could be integrated into existing tissue engineering methodologies to enhance biomaterial performance by providing a natural elastomeric and biofunctional component.
Mass spectrometric studies shed light on unusual oxidative transformations of 1,2-dehydro-N-acetyldopa

RATIONALE Lamellarins are a group of over 70 plus bioactive marine natural compounds possessing a 6,7-dihydroxycoumarin moiety. Although they appear to derive from 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa), practically nothing is known about the metabolic fate of these compounds. Biochemical considerations indicate that they could arise from a N-acetyl-1,2-dehydrodopa precursor through oxidative cyclization reaction. METHODS To assess the above hypothesis, we synthesized N-acetyl-1,2-dehydrodopa and conducted oxidation studies with commercially available mushroom tyrosinase and evaluated the course of the reaction with reversed-phase liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS). RESULTS Mushroom tyrosinase readily oxidized N-acetyl-1,2-dehydrodopa – not to the normally expected quinone – but to an unstable quinone methide isomer, which rapidly cyclized to produce the dihydroxycoumarin product, 3-aminoacetyl esculetin. Interestingly, 3-aminoacetyl esculetin was further oxidized to a second quinone methide derivative that exhibited an addition reaction with the parent dihydroxycoumarin generating dimeric and other oligomeric products in the reaction mixture. CONCLUSIONS LC/MS analysis of the N-acetyl-1,2-dehydrodopa oxidation reaction reveals not only a possible novel oxidative cyclization route for the biosynthesis of coumarin-type dehydrodopa compounds in marine organisms, but also unusual oxidative transformations of dehydro dopa derivatives. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Improving Vaccine Performance with Adjuvants

New vaccines are presently under development and in testing for the control of infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and tuberculosis. Several of these vaccines are composed of synthetic, recombinant, or highly purified subunit antigens. Subunit vaccines are designed to include only the antigens required for protective immunization and to be safer than whole-inactivated or live-attenuated vaccines. However, the purity of the subunit antigens and the absence of the self-adjuvanting immunomodulatory components associated with attenuated or killed vaccines often result in weaker immunogenicity. Immunologic adjuvants are agents that enhance specific immune responses to vaccines. Formulation of vaccines with potent adjuvants is an attractive approach for improving the performance of vaccines composed of subunit antigens. Adjuvants have diverse mechanisms of action and should be selected for use on the basis of the route of administration and the type of immune response (antibody, cell-mediated, or mucosal immunity) that is desired for a particular vaccine.
Quadrat method for assessing the population abundance of a commercially managed native soil-nesting bee, Nomia melanderi (Hymenoptera: Halictidae), in proximity to alfalfa seed production in the western United States

Alkali bees, Nomia melanderi Cockerell, are solitary, gregarious, soil-nesting bees native to the western United States that are commercially managed in the Walla Walla Valley of Washington State to provide pollination service on alfalfa, Medicago sativa L., produced as a seed crop. In 2010 and 2011, we compared two techniques for estimating N. melanderi abundance in commercially managed bee beds. The first technique involved quantifying the abundance of emergence holes in 24 0.5-m2 quadrats on the surface of 13 bee beds during the peak period of N. melanderi foraging activity in July of both years. When we counted emergence holes, we marked a subset of eight quadrats per bee bed with plastic tabs. Subsequently, in late October of the same year, 0.014-m3 soil cores were collected in close proximity to the plastic tabs. The soil cores were teased apart in the laboratory and the absolute abundance of overwintering prepupae was quantified per core. Simple regression was highly significant between the means of emergence holes within the 0.5-m2 soil surface quadrats and the means of the counts from the 0.014-m3 soil cores. Using mean emergence hole counts, mean prepupae counts from the soil cores, and the surface area of the bee beds, we were able to calculate the estimated abundance of N. melanderi in each bee bed. We conclude that the nondestructive quadrat method of sampling N. melanderi abundance in commercially managed beds is robust compared with the destructive, labor-intensive, absolute soil core method.
Influence of Cellulose and Ambient Temperature on Feed Intake and Growth of Chicks

Abstract The effects of dietary cellulose level at various ambient temperatures on the voluntary feed intake of four-week-old chicks were studied. Cellulose (as Solka Floc) was added to a basal diet at levels of 10, 20, and 30% in trial 1 and 15, 30 and 45% in trial 2. The addition of graded increments of cellulose elicited a linear increase (P
Evaluation of Oral Medication Delivery Devices Provided by Community Pharmacies

Oral liquids remain common medication dosage forms used for patients who have difficulty swallowing. However, liquids require a delivery device and thus have been linked to medication administration errors. This study identified medication delivery devices available at pharmacies. Delivery devices were obtained from area pharmacies and analyzed for units of measurement, abbreviations, and largest/smallest measurable volume. A total of 58 devices were collected from 22 pharmacies. All devices were marked with mL, and 79% were additionally marked in teaspoons. The 5-mL syringe was the only device dispensed at 14% of locations. Other devices included the dosing spoon, dropper, and cup. The largest measurable volume was 30 mL, whereas the smallest was 0.01 mL, with significant variability among devices. A more consistent approach in prescribing units of measurement is needed. Prescribing in milliliters is an optimal choice because of the accessibility of measuring devices containing this measurement.
Simulations of the the longitudinal instability in the new SLC damping rings

A longitudinal, single bunch instability has been observed in the SLC damping rings. Beyond a threshold current of 3/spl times/10/sup 10/ the energy spread of the beam increases and a "saw-tooth instability" appears. The latter term is meant to describe a rather complicated phenomenon, depending on both current and rf voltage. In one form it describes a cycle that includes a quick increase in bunch length, over a time on the order of a synchrotron period, and then a much slower return to the original length, over a time on the order of a radiation damping time. Although the total relative change in length is only about 10% the resulting unpredictability of the beam properties in the rest of the SLC accelerator makes it difficult, if not impossible, to operate the SLC above the threshold current. With the goal of trying to understand this instability the simulations that are the subject of this paper were begun. Bunch lengthening calculations have been performed before for the SLC damping rings, to obtain the average bunch shape as function of current. The wakefields of all the important vacuum chamber components were first obtained numerically. The dominant elements were found to be many small discontinuities-bellows, masks, transitions, etc.-elements that are inductive to the beam. Once the total wakefield had been obtained, and the threshold current was known (from measurements), the average bunch shapes were found by means of a potential well calculation. The bunch shapes obtained in this way were found to agree very well with measurement results. In this paper we investigate the single bunch behavior of the SLC damping rings using time domain tracking and also a Vlasov equation approach. Since the earlier bunch length calculations the damping ring vacuum chamber has been modified, by sleeving the bellows. Our results will, therefore, include the effects of this modification. >
Structural Ordering in Quasi-One-Dimensional Systems

This talk reviews what has been learned about nearly one-dimensional (1-D) systems, and in particular about the growth of long-range order in such systems, using thermal neutron probes. We discuss in turn i) structural transformations coupled to electronic charge density wave (CDW) instabilities, i.e. Peierls transformations; ii) transformations induced by coupling of 1-D ion (or mass) density waves.
Female dominance and female social relationships among yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus).

Adult females in a female-bonded, cercopithecine species such as baboons are characterized by hierarchically ranked matrilines, i.e., female offspring assume rankings just beneath those of their mothers. In this system of closely ranked matrilines, a female should engage in significantly more affiliative interactions with those individuals who are closely ranked to herself than with those individuals who are more distantly ranked. We examine the hypothesis that females in this troop of feral yellow baboons (Papio hamadryas cynocephalus) who are closely ranked will also show close social affiliation. We collected focal data on 23 feral, adult female subjects (253 possible dyads) over approximately 1 year at the Tana River National Primate Reserve, Kenya. Following Bramblett's [Behav Brain Sci 4: 435, 1981] method of dominance tabulation and utilizing a modified version of Smuts' [Sex and friendship in baboons, Hawthorne: Aldine Publishing Co., 1985] preferred partner index, we describe and compare the dominance matrix and hierarchy, preferred proximity partner and grooming partner sociograms, and the social networks of these 23 focal females. Over 1,400 interactions were utilized in the dominance tabulations, 41 statistically significant proximity partner preferences were documented, and 100 grooming dyads were recorded. We examine both partners' ranks and the presence of an infant as possible factors influencing proximity and grooming partner preferences. We find that in this population there is no direct correspondence between females' ranks and their affiliation partners. Neither proximity nor grooming preferences are consistently predictable from partners' ranks. While proximity preferences were not significantly influenced by the presence of an infant, grooming partner preferences were. Females with infants had more grooming partners and were more often involved in unidirectional grooming relationships as the recipients than were females without infants. We conclude that females' dominance rankings are not good predictors of either proximity partner or grooming partner preferences and that the presence of an infant does have a significant impact on grooming partner preferences in this population.
Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Stimulates Proliferation of Nb 2 Rat Lymphoma Cells

The effects of an onco-fetal hormone, hCG, were tested on replication of Nb 2 node rat lymphoma cells, which have previously been shown to be responsive to lactogenic hormone stimulation. Cells were maintained in suspension culture in Ham's F-10 medium containing horse serum (15%) and fetal calf serum (2.5%). Forty-eight hours before experiments, medium was replaced with horse serum (10%) only. In the absence of added hCG, cell doubling time was about 24 h. Purified hCG preparations (CR 119) and the Second International Standard for hCG (WHO) stimulated lymphoma cell replication after 72 h of exposure to the cells. The stimulation was dose dependent, beginning at 100 pg/ml and peaking at 10 ng/ml (140% vs. controls, P less than 0.001). Specific hCG antiserum (SB6) did not alter cell replication, but when added simultaneously with hCG, completely blocked the stimulation induced by hCG (10 ng/ml). No effect on cell proliferation was seen when the beta-subunit of hCG, the common glycoprotein alpha-subunit, human LH, FSH, or placental lactogen was added to the cells. These results indicate that hCG can stimulate proliferation of rat lymphoma cells in vitro. If hCG affects human tumors in a similar fashion, the ectopic production of the hormone by tumors may stimulate growth of the neoplasm.
Short H· · ·H distances in norbornene derivatives

A short H· · ·H intramolecular interaction was reported previously for an anhydride of syn-sesquinorbornene. The synthesis and structure of a such an anhydride with an additional five-membered dithiole ring has been investigated. While hydrogen atom positions are not accurately located, the 1.62 A separation indicates this molecule is a candidate for the shortest H· · ·H interaction. Two cycloadducts of norbornadiene, which literature suggests might exhibit additional short interactions, are reported also; however, the isomers with minimal intramolecular interactions are the isolated products. C22H20O3S2, 3, crystallizes in P $$\bar 1$$ with a = 10.881(4), b = 13.712(8), C = 6.548(8) A, α = 101.32(6), β = 107.49(5), γ = 90.49(4)°, D calc = 1.445 g cm−3, and Z = 2, C21H20O4Cl8, 5, in P21/n with a = 8.168(2), b = 13.488(4), c = 23.500(6) A, β = 94.72(2)°, D calc = 1.597 g cm−3, and Z = 4, C21H28O4, 6, in P> $$\bar 1$$ with a = 12.667(2), b = 12.792(2), c = 12.540(2) A, α = 113.51(1), β = 98.18(1), α = 74.39(1)°, D calc = 1.276 g cm−3, and Z = 4.
Efficient Access to Spatial Data

Manipulation of spatial data frequently involves spatial operators such as intersection, containment, and adjacency. These operators are computationally much more expensive than relational operators such as selection and join [Ooi et al., 1997]. Thus it is extremely important to design efficient access methods for spatial databases. In order to efficiently access spatial data, its spatial properties need to be used in designing the access methods. Efficient access is achieved through the use of indexes that provide a linkage between spatial properties and physical storage locations of the data. Unfortunately, conventional indexing methods such as B-tree and hashing are not well suited for accessing spatial data because such methods are designed for alphanumeric data that has no spatial properties. However, many of the conventional indexing methods have been used as the starting point for designing spatial indexes. For example, kD-trees [Bentley, 1975a, Bentley and Fridman, 1979] and its variations have been derived from binary trees, R-trees [Guttman, 1984] and its descendants have their roots in the B-trees, and Grid files [Hinrichs, 1985] and their extensions use hashing functions.
An external validation study reporting poor correlation between the claims-based index for rheumatoid arthritis severity and the disease activity score.

Introduction We conducted an external validation study to examine the correlation of a previously published claims-based index for rheumatoid arthritis severity (CIRAS) with disease activity score in 28 joints calculated by using C-reactive protein (DAS28-CRP) and the multi-dimensional health assessment questionnaire (MD-HAQ) physical function score.
Global trends in extreme precipitation: climate models versus observations

Abstract. Precipitation events are expected to become substantially more intense under global warming, but few global comparisons of observations and climate model simulations are available to constrain predictions of future changes in precipitation extremes. We present a systematic global-scale comparison of changes in historical (1901–2010) annual-maximum daily precipitation between station observations (compiled in HadEX2) and the suite of global climate models contributing to the fifth phase of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP5). We use both parametric and non-parametric methods to quantify the strength of trends in extreme precipitation in observations and models, taking care to sample them spatially and temporally in comparable ways. We find that both observations and models show generally increasing trends in extreme precipitation since 1901, with the largest changes in the deep tropics. Annual-maximum daily precipitation (Rx1day) has increased faster in the observations than in most of the CMIP5 models. On a global scale, the observational annual-maximum daily precipitation has increased by an average of 5.73 mm over the last 110 years, or 8.5% in relative terms. This corresponds to an increase of 10% K−1 in global warming since 1901, which is larger than the average of climate models, with 8.3% K−1. The average rate of increase in extreme precipitation per K of warming in both models and observations is higher than the rate of increase in atmospheric water vapor content per K of warming expected from the Clausius–Clapeyron equation. We expect our findings to help inform assessments of precipitation-related hazards such as flooding, droughts and storms.
Structural Phylogenetics of DNA Base Excision Repair

Maintaining the chemical and informational integrity of DNA is vital for all cells. DNA both codes for the proteins and RNA essential for cellular metabolism, and provides the blueprints through which these instructions are passed to successive generations. As a hedge against devolution, a means of protecting the essential information inherent in primordial DNA must have arisen very early, and perhaps was mediated by recombination. The repair of DNA damage is fundamental to living organisms and is implicated for reactive oxygen and pathogen defenses, for controlling degenerative diseases and aging (Halliwell and Aruoma 1993), and for the development of sex and meiosis (Bernstein and Bernstein 1991).