cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Community-associated methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

Historically, infection with strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), which are usually multidrug-resistant, has been acquired by persons in hospitals, nursing homes, and other health care institutions. These infections are known as health care-associated MRSA infections. Community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA) infection, which bears significant similarities to and differences from health care-associated MRSA infection, appears to be on the rise and has been described in several well-defined populations, such as children, incarcerated persons, Alaskan Natives, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, sports participants, and military personnel. CA-MRSA infection has caused severe morbidity and death in otherwise healthy persons. Proven, reproducible strategies and programs for preventing the emergence and spread of CA-MRSA are lacking. Further surveillance and epidemiological and clinical studies on CA-MRSA infections are necessary for documenting the extent of the problem and for developing and evaluating effective prevention and control efforts.
Determining lot sizes and resource requirements: A review

We present a review of the main “global optimization" methods. The paper comprises one introduction and two parts. In the introduction, we recall some generalities about non linear constraint-less optimization and we list some classifications which have been proposed for the global optimization methods. We then describe, in the first part, various “classical" global optimization methods, most of which available long before the appearance of Simulated Annealing (a key event in this field). There exists plenty of papers and books dealing with these methods, and studying in particular their convergence properties. The second part of the paper is devoted to more recent or atypical methods, mostly issued from combinatorial optimization. The three main methods are “metaheuristics": Simulated Annealing (and derived techniques), Tabu Search and Genetic Algorithms; we also describe three other less known methods. For these methods, theoretical studies of convergence are less abundant in the literature, and the use of convergence results is by far more limited in practice. However, the fitting of some of these techniques to continuous variables problems gave very promising results; that question is not discussed in detail in the paper, but useful references allowing to deepen the subject are given.
Isolation of an Amoeba Naturally Harboring a Distinctive Legionella Species

There are numerous in vitro studies documenting the multiplication of Legionella species in free-living amoebae and other protozoa. It is believed that protozoa serve as host cells for the intracellular replication of certain Legionella species in a variety of environmental settings. This study describes the isolation and characterization of a bacterium initially observed within an amoeba taken from a soil sample. In the laboratory, the bacterium multiplied within and was highly pathogenic for Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Extracellular multiplication was observed on buffered charcoal yeast extract agar but not on a variety of conventional laboratory media. A 16S rRNA gene analysis placed the bacterium within the genus Legionella. Serological studies indicate that it is distinct from previously described species of the genus. This report also describes methods that should prove useful for the isolation and characterization of additional Legionella-like bacteria from free-living amoebae. In addition, the characterization of bacterial pathogens of amoebae has significant implications for understanding the ecology and identification of other unrecognized bacterial pathogens.
Diffusion of 18O in Bi2Sr2CuOx single crystals.

Tracer diffusion of $^{18}\mathrm{O}$ in the ab plane and in the c direction in single crystals of ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{\mathit{x}}$ has been investigated at one atmosphere oxygen pressure in the temperature ranges 250\char21{}350 and 450\char21{}700 \ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}C, respectively. The diffusion coefficients determined from penetration profiles measured with secondary-ion mass spectrometry are ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathit{a}\mathit{b}}$=8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}5}$ exp(-1.01 eV/kT) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/s and ${\mathit{D}}_{\mathit{c}}$=0.06 exp(-2.11 eV/kT) ${\mathrm{cm}}^{2}$/s. Comparison of the results for ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CuO}}_{\mathit{x}}$ with those recently published for ${\mathrm{Bi}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}$${\mathrm{CaCu}}_{2}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{y}}$ indicates that the differences in structure between these two superconductors do not have a strong effect on the oxygen tracer-diffusion rates.
Third International Workshop on Collaborative Interdisciplinary Studies of p53 and Other Predisposing Genes in Li-Fraumeni Syndrome

A workshop on LFS2 and inherited p53 mutations was held under the sponsorship of the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, MD, June 25-26, 1996. Clinical and laboratory investigators summarized the current state of knowledge, presented new data, and extended prior discussions of collaborative clinical and basic research on the syndrome (1 , 2). Joseph F. Fraumeni, Jr. (National Cancer Institute) highlighted unanswered questions regarding LFS. Germline p53 mutations have been found in approximately one-half of LFS families and in a smaller fraction of LFS-like families who have some features of the syndrome. The mutated gene(s) in other LFS and LFS-like kindreds remain unknown. Explanations are also needed for the wide range of neoplastic phenotypes among family members who have the same germline p53 mutation and for the seeming differences in penetrance among families. The risk of second primary tumors should be quantified, and the carcinogenic effects of radiotherapy and chemotherapy studied. The challenges of offering genetic counseling and testing and the development of effective interventions are daunting. Laboratory studies using LFS biospecimens should shed additional light on the role of p53 as “guardian of the genome” through regulation of cell proliferation, repair, and apoptosis. Progress will be speeded through international, multi-institutional collaborations that share patient resources and research findings for this rare disorder.
Measurement of Indocyanine Green Dye Is Improved by Use of Polyethylene Glycol to Reduce Plasma Turbidity

Indocyanine Green (ICG; CardioGreen®; Akorn Inc.) is a sterile, water-soluble dye that is used clinically as a dilution indicator for studies involving the heart, liver, lungs, and circulation. When ICG is infused intravenously into the bloodstream, it rapidly binds to plasma proteins and thereby is confined to the vascular space (1)(2). ICG is removed exclusively by the liver at the rate of 18–24% per minute (2), so the elimination of ICG follows an exponential curve with a half-life of ∼150–180 s (3). The concentration of ICG is determined spectrophotometrically with undiluted plasma samples at 805 nm. Substances that alter the absorbance of the plasma interfere with the accuracy of the measurements. Background opacity or turbidity of plasma is predominantly linked to the non-albumin fraction of the plasma proteins and is manifested by variation in the background absorbance reading. The manufacturer of ICG states that ICG binds primarily (95%) to albumin, with lesser binding to α2-globulins. Therefore, the accuracy of measuring ICG may be improved by first removing the non-albumin fraction of the plasma proteins. Zweens and Frankena (4) used polyethylene glycol (PEG) to precipitate the non-albumin fraction of the plasma proteins in a study involving another dilution indicator, Evan’s blue dye. Evan’s blue dye, like ICG, attaches primarily to albumin, but it is measured at a different wavelength. The authors showed that the variable background absorbance of plasma at 620 nm was virtually eliminated by mixing plasma samples with equal volumes of a 240 g/L solution of PEG (mean molecular …
Vitamin E-Enhanced IL-2 Production in Old Mice: Naive But Not Memory T Cells Show Increased Cell Division Cycling and IL-2-Producing Capacity

Aging is associated with reduced T cell function, as demonstrated by decreased T cell proliferation and IL-2 production. These changes respond to supplemental vitamin E both in animals and humans, in part by the reduction of T cell suppressive PGE(2), the production of which by macrophages is increased with age. To evaluate whether vitamin E has a direct PGE(2)-independent effect on T cell responses, T cells purified from the spleens of young and old mice were preincubated with vitamin E or vehicle control. Activation-induced cell division of T cells from old mice was lower than that by young, and the production of IL-2 following 48-h activation was less by T cells from old mice. There was an age-related decline in both the number of IL-2+ T cells and the amount of IL-2 produced per cell. Despite decreased IL-2 protein at 48 h, the expression of IL-2 mRNA at 6 h and IL-2 protein production at 6 and 16 h was greater by T cells from old mice compared with that of young. Age-related decline in cell division and IL-2 production at 48 h was only observed within the naive T cell subpopulation. Vitamin E increased both cell-dividing and IL-2-producing capacity of naive T cells from old mice, with no effect on memory T cells. These data indicate that naive T cells exhibit the greatest age-related defect and show for the first time that supplemental vitamin E has direct immunoenhancing effect on naive T cells from old mice.
Use of a Date-specific Method to Examine Variability in the Flushing Times of Georgia Estuaries

Abstract The fraction of freshwater method (Dyer, 1973) was used to examine the general characteristics of flushing time in five riverine estuaries in Georgia, U.S.A. Median flushing times over a 30-year period (1968–1997) were as follows: Savannah (5·6 days), Ogeechee (20·7 days), Altamaha (5·8 days), Satilla (66·8 days), and St. Marys (71·6 days), although there was considerable inter- and intra-annual variability in these estimates. For estimation of intra-annual flushing times, a date-specific method is used in which it is assumed that the appropriate time period over which to average discharge is equivalent to the flushing time. Although still technically a steady-state calculation, this approach improves flushing time estimates. When applied to a 9-year data set for four of these estuaries (all but the Savannah), the date-specific method yielded different flushing times than those calculated using a fixed discharge period, especially during periods of low or abruptly changing discharge. Flushing time is the freshwater volume divided by discharge; therefore, the relationship between flushing time and discharge is a power function: at fast discharge rates flushing time is relatively stable, but as discharge slows flushing time increases quickly. As a consequence of this relationship, (1) decreases in discharge have proportionately more impact on flushing times than do increases, and (2) flushing times in estuaries with slower discharge are more sensitive to changes in river flow.
Matching-to-sample by pigeons: The dissociation of comparison choice frequency from the probability of reinforcement

It has been proposed that comparison choice in matching-to-sample should depend on two factors, the relative probability of reinforcement associated with each of the comparison stimuli and the conditional probability of each comparison stimulus being correct given presentation of one of the samples. DiGian and Zentall [DiGian, K.A., Zentall, T.R., 2007. Matching-to-sample in pigeons: in the absence of sample memory, sample frequency is a better predictor of comparison choice than the probability of reinforcement for comparison choice. Learn Behav. 35, 242-261] have shown that sample frequency together with the probability of choosing each of the comparison stimuli in training can influence comparison choice when delays are introduced, when the number of reinforcements associated with each of the comparison stimuli is equated. Furthermore, Zentall and Clement [Zentall, T.R., Clement, T.S., 2002. Memory mechanisms in pigeons: Evidence of base-rate neglect. J. Exp. Psych.: Anim. Behav. Proc. 28, 111-115] have found that sample frequency can affect comparison choice when delays are introduced independently of the number of choices of each of the comparison stimuli in training and the number of reinforcements associated with each of the comparison stimuli is equated. In the present experiment we found that the probability of choosing each of the comparison stimuli in training can affect comparison choice when delays are introduced, independently of sample frequency and when the number of reinforcements associated with each of the comparison stimuli is equated. Together, these experiments suggest that when the sample is not available, there is a partial dissociation between comparison choice and the probability of reinforcement associated with each of the comparison stimuli.
Body dysmorphic disorder in outpatients with major depression.

Abstract Background: Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a distressing and impairing preoccupation with an imagined or slight defect in appearance, with depression as its most frequent comorbid condition. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate of BDD in a cohort of consecutive outpatients with typical and atypical major depressive disorder. Methods: Three hundred and fifty consecutive outpatient subjects with major depression who entered an antidepressant treatment study were evaluated drug-free with the SCID-P, SCID-II, a diagnostic module for BDD, and other measures. Depressed subjects with comorbid BDD were compared to those without BDD with regard to demographics, course of depression, comorbid conditions, and other relevant variables. Results: Twenty-eight (8.0%) subjects had a lifetime history of BDD and 23 (6.6%) had current BDD. Those with comorbid lifetime BDD had an earlier age of onset of depression and longer duration of the current episode, but not a greater number of depressive episodes or greater severity of depression. Subjects with and without BDD were similar with respect to age, gender, and marital status. There was a higher rate of lifetime and current BDD in subjects with atypical depression than in those with non-atypical depression (14.4% compared to 5.1%; χ2=6.63; P=0.01: 11.6% vs. 4.1%; χ2=7.02; P=0.02). Subjects with BDD also had higher rates of social phobia, any eating disorder, and any somatoform disorder but not obsessive compulsive disorder. They also had higher rates of avoidant, histrionic, and dependent personality disorders. Limitations: As we did not specifically examine bipolar spectrum conditions, the present study cannot address to what extent BDD is comorbid with Bipolar-II disorder. Conclusions: BDD is frequently comorbid with major depression, is associated with an earlier age of onset of depression and longer duration of depressive episodes, and is found more frequently with atypical than non-atypical depression.
Structure, Nature of Bonding, and Charge Distribution in Hydridoborane Dications BHn2+ (n = 1−8)1a

Structures and stabilities of hydridoborane dications BHn2+ (n = 1−8; 1−8a) were calculated at the ab initio MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ and DFT B3LYP/aug-cc-pVTZ levels of theory. The dications BH2+ (1a) and BH22+ (2a) were characterized as being unstable, both kinetically and thermodynamically. However, dications BHn2+ (n = 3−8; 3−8a) have a considerable kinetic barrier for deprotonation. Each of the structures 3−8a contains one or more two-electron, three-center (2e−3c) bonds. In the BHn2+ (n = 1−8) series, the calculated energies and kinetic barriers of protodissociation indicate an increasing stability of the dications toward protodissociation with the increase in the number of hydrogen substituents.
The effects of maternal indomethacin therapy on human fetal branch pulmonary arterial vascular impedance.

Objective To examine whether maternal indomethacin therapy affects human fetal pulmonary arterial vascular impedance without constriction of the ductus arteriosus and to determine the changes in the pulmonary arterial vascular impedance in the presence of ductal constriction. Study design In this cross-sectional study, 52 normal fetuses without maternal medication (control group), 33 fetuses without ductal constriction (Study group I) and 11 fetuses with ductal constriction (Study group II) during maternal indomethacin therapy between 24 and 34 weeks of gestation were examined by Doppler echocardiography. Blood velocity waveforms across the proximal right or left pulmonary artery were obtained and the pulsatility index (PI) of the proximal pulmonary arteries was calculated. Results In the control group, the proximal pulmonary artery PI was higher (p < 0.0001) at 24–25 weeks (n = 7) (3.73 ± 0.33; mean ± SD) than at 33–34 weeks of gestation (n = 11) (2.98 ± 0.27). The PI was constantly greater (p < 0.005) in Study group I than in the control group. However, in this group the mean average weekly decrease in the PI of the proximal pulmonary arteries was similar to that in the control group. After 26 weeks of gestation, the PI values in Study group II were significantly higher than in the control group (27 weeks: 4.12 vs. 3.34 (p < 0.005); 30 weeks: 4.48 vs. 3.14 (p < 0.0001); 34 weeks: 4.96 vs. 3.00 (p < 0.0001), respectively). Conclusions Human fetal pulmonary arterial vascular impedance is increased by maternal indomethacin therapy even without ductal constriction. In the presence of ductal constriction, the magnitude of the increase in the vascular impedance is related to the gestational age. Copyright © 1999 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
Accurate ab initio study of acetylene Vibrational and rotational corrections to electrical properties

Accurate ab initio SCF and MP2 quartic property (hyper)surfaces have been computed for the energy, quadrupole moment, Θ, polarizability, α, and polarizability anisotropy, Δα, of acetylene (HCCH) with the properties expanded in a Taylor series of the dimensionless normal coordinates, qi , about the potential energy minimum. Applying the contact transformation expressions for the expectation value of a property in an arbitrary rotational-vibrational state, we obtain both zero-point vibrational corrections (ZPVCs) to the properties and predictions of the properties in excited rotational-vibrational states. A numerical least-squares method was utilized for the calculation of the required derivatives. We have also computed accurate electrical properties at the experimental re geometry in order to provide definitive estimates of Θ, α and Δα for acetylene that incorporate both vibrational and rotational effects. A wide range of electron-correlation methods were utilized for this purpose including QCISD(T), BD an...
A Model of Customer Satisfaction and Retention for Hotels

ABSTRACT This study was designed to assess the antecedents and consequences of customer satisfaction and retention in the hotel industry. The relationship between customer satisfaction and customer retention has been researched for many years. This study extended that research to look at the antecedent effects of customer satisfaction as well as the effect of added value and gender on customer satisfaction and customer retention, and how they relate to the intent to switch. Customer retention was operationalized in terms of loyalty and intent to switch. Customer satisfaction was operationalized in terms of hotel ambience and hospitality. A survey among hotel customers in the San Francisco Bay Area was conducted. A LISREL structural equation model with confirmatory factor analysis was developed to analyze the data. Results indicated that the latent construct customer retention was dependent on the latent construct of customer satisfaction. Added value was found to have positive effects on customer satisfac...
The Role of Education and Experience in Developing Site Investigation Skills

A computer simulation program was developed to teach site investigation skills. It includes an open-ended assessment test to gauge an individual9s abilities and effectiveness at site investigation. The test consists of a series of educational and experience questions followed by 14 investigation strategy questions, which were designed to measure the ability to apply geological knowledge to characterize sites and improve investigation plans. The individual scores on the test were compared statistically with the educational and experience elements to assess the critical components of an engineering geologist9s background that improved his or her site investigation skills. The most important college courses contributing to site investigation skills include geomorphology, field camp, regional geology, and a strong introductory geology course. Secondary but helpful courses include case histories, stratigraphy, structural geology, engineering geology, sedimentation, rock mechanics, and hydrogeology. The total number of geology background courses is not statistically significant, nor is the terminal degree earned, although individuals with certain post-baccalaureate degrees showed higher scores than average. The number of years of experience is statistically significant, although after 20 years statistical improvements do not continue. Professional registration is correlated with improved scores, with the Certified Engineering Geologist and Geotechnical Engineer registration being the most important. Those who have only Engineer-in-Training or Geologist-in-Training registration showed significantly lower than average scores, reflecting their short record of experience. Finally, the number of geographic regions in which an individual had work experience was significant, although those who had worked in more than five regions did not follow the overall trend. Those with experience in the Rockies, California, the Piedmont, New England, and the Gulf Coast scored better than average. Those with experience in Florida, the Appalachians, or the Midwest scored worse than average, which may be a reflection of the relatively homogeneous geology and limited opportunities for breadth of experience in parts of those regions.
Imantonia rotunda gen. et sp. nov., a new member of the Haptophyceae

Imantonia rotunda, a new member of the Haptophyceae, is described and records of its distribution are given. It is characterised by a distinctive “bicycle-wheel” type of scale and does not bear a haptonema.
Synthesis and Oral Efficacy of a 4-(Butylethylamino)pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine: A Centrally Active Corticotropin-Releasing Factor1 Receptor Antagonist

The syntheses of a centrally active nonpeptide CRF1 receptor antagonist 2, butylethyl[2,5-dimethyl-7-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-7H-pyrrolo [2,3-d]pyrimidin-4-yl]amine (CP-154,526), and its analogs 11-14 and [3H]-2 are reported. The in vitro CRF1 receptor binding affinity in the series 2, the pharmacokinetic properties of 2 in rats, and the anxiolytic-like effects of orally administered 2 are presented.
The Origin of the Eight-Year Generating Cycle

The persistence of the eight-year generating cycle in England for one hundred and sixty years; the congruence of the eight-year crop cycles in England, France, and the United States; the persistence of the eight-year meteorological cycles, and their congruence in Europe and America; the congruence of the economic and meteorological cycles — these uniformities and agreements suggest that their cause must be sought in a cosmical cycle. The probable cause is the planet Venus in its eight-yearly periodic motion with respect to the Earth and the Sun. I. Economic cycles, 2. — II. Meteorological cycles, 8. — III. The cause of the eight-year generating cycle, 18.
Role of inorganic phosphate in total biliary phosphorus determination

Total phosphorus, inorganic phosphate, and phospholipids were measured in bile of rats and guinea pigs during choleresis and cholestasis produced by taurocholate and taurolithocholate, respectively. Under either experimental condition, total biliary phosphorus concentrations increased significantly in both species, due primarily to an increase in inorganic phosphate. These studies indicate that, if total phosphorus is taken as an estimate of biliary phospholipid concentration, correction for inorganic phosphate is essential under conditions associated with changes in bile secretory function.
Solute and mobile phase contributions to retention in hydrophobic interaction chromatography of proteins

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography utilizes high salt concentration mobile phases to induce an interaction between a weakly hydrophobic matrix and exposed hydrophobic amino acids of a native protein. Proteins with a hydrophilic exterior have shorter retention times on a hydrophobic interaction column than do proteins with more hydrophobic exteriors. To examine the effect of amino acid substitutions on protein retention, lysozyme isolated from related bird species was chromatographed on a hydrophobic interaction column at increasing ammonium sulfate concentrations. Chromatographic retention deviated only when amino acid substitutions occurred on the surface of lysozyme opposite the catalytic cleft. This area may constitute a contact surface area and extends from Residue 41 to 102 and from 75 to the α-helical region starting with Residue 89. Retention was analyzed by plotting log k′ versus the molal concentration of ammonium sulfate. The slope did not deviate significantly for each of the bird lysozymes, indicating a similar contact surface area. However, there was significant deviation in the intercept of each of the lysozyme lines, which probably reflects the strength of the hydrophobic interaction. The intercept increased as the lysozyme became more hydrophobic. Hydrophilic amino acid substitutions affected retention as much as hydrophobic ones. The ionization state of histidine residues within the contact area between lysozyme and the column surface also influenced retention. An uncharged histidine residue increased retention, while a decrease in retention was seen with a charged histidine residue. The amino acid substitutions did not appear to affect the size of the hydrophobic contact surface area, but rather the strength of the hydrophobic interaction. The effect of salt composition on protein retention indicated that factors other than surface tension could influence retention. These factors appear to include protein hydration and specific interactions between the protein and the salt ions. Of these, the latter may or may not result in an alteration in protein structure. The magnitude of the effect of salt composition was found to be dependent upon the protein.
Physicochemical characteristics of the terbium-adriamycin complex and its effects on the sinus node automaticity.

Abstract The physicochemical characteristics of the terbium-adriamycin complex (terbomycin) were studied. Perturbations in the visible absorption spectrum of adriamycin by terbium (Tb3+) was indicative of formation of the terbomycin complex. The absorption maximum of free adriamycin at 479 nm shifted towards the absorption maximum of terbomycin at 539 nm. The binding of Tb3+ to adriamycin was negligible at acidic pH. At alkaline pH, the affinity of Tb3+ for adriamycin increased. The stoichiometry of binding was estimated to be 0.5: one Tb3+ ion per two adriamycin molecules. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that the spontaneous formation of terbomycin was due to an increase in the entropy of the system. The effects of adriamycin, Tb3+ and terbomycin on sinus node automaticity were studied using sinus node from rats, superfused with modified mammalian Tris-Tyrode's solution (37°C). The sinus node rate was monitored with intracellular microelectrodes. 25 μM Tb3+ increased the sinus node rate. Adriamycin (50 μM) depressed sinus node automaticity. Terbomycin also reduced the sinus node rate. There was no difference between the effects of adriamycin and terbomycin. The chronotropic effect of terbomycin persisted in the presence of atropine.
Deformation twinning in superlattice structures

The role of twinning in deformation and fracture behavior of ordered intermetallic compounds has been investigated from a viewpoint based on the crystallography of twinning. The conjugate relationship between the order twinning and the active slip system at elevated temperatures is identified in all the ordered structures considered. Implications of this conjugate relationship on the strength and ductility of ordered alloys are discussed.
Liposomes incorporating a Plasmodium amino acid sequence target heparan sulfate binding sites in liver

Previous studies demonstrated that intravenously administered liposomes, incorporating a peptide from the Plasmodium circumsporozoite protein, accumulate rapidly and selectively in mouse liver. The present investigation was designed to determine the molecular components in liver responsible for liposome targeting. Studies of liver tissue slices demonstrated that immunoreactivity for heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), but not other tested proteoglycans, was distributed along sinusoidal borders of liver; this immunoreactivity appeared associated with nonparenchymal cells of the sinusoids and with the basolateral portion of hepatocytes. Peptide-containing liposomes bound to liver tissue in a pattern similar to the distribution of heparan sulfate immunoreactivity, either after intravenous injection of liposomes in vivo or after incubation of liposomes with liver slices in vitro. Control liposomes, without the peptide, displayed very light binding without a pattern. Pretreatment of liver slices with heparinase, but not chondroitinase or hyaluronidase, eliminated peptide-containing liposome binding, but did not affect binding of control liposomes. Coincubation of peptide-containing liposomes with heparin, but not with other glycosaminoglycans, markedly inhibited liposome binding to liver slices. N-desulfated and O-desulfated heparins individually were less effective inhibitors of liposome binding than was heparin. These results indicate that liposomes containing a peptide from Plasmodium target liver tissue by binding to HSPGs in the extracellular matrix. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 97: 3257–3273, 2008
PTEN and p53: who will get the upper hand?

Mutations of PTEN and p53 are very frequent, yet often mutually exclusive due to functional interdependence of the proteins and, according to a new study, the most intimate possible interaction: direct binding.
Survival of Parkinson's disease patients in a large prospective cohort of male health professionals.

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients have higher mortality than individuals without PD. However, most of the previous studies were based on prevalent cases and few examined the potential effects of duration and smoking on the survival of PD patients. We compared the survival experience of 288 men with incident PD diagnosed between 1986 and 2000 with that of 51,012 men free of PD in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. As of January 2002, 92 deaths occurred among PD cases and 8,485 among men without PD. After controlling for age, men with PD had 60% higher mortality than those without PD (95% CI: 1.3-2.0). PD mortality was strongly related to disease duration: compared with men without PD, the age-adjusted relative risk for PD patients was 1.1 during the first 5 years from diagnosis, 2.3 from 5 to 10 years, and 3.5 after 10 years (P 30 pack-years vs. never smokers, relative risk, 2.0; P < 0.0001 for trend), but this association was not observed among PD patients (RR: 1.0; P = 0.95 for trend). This study confirms that PD patients have a higher mortality than individuals without PD and that the excess mortality increases with disease duration. However, smoking seems to impose little additional risk among PD patients in this large cohort of health professionals.
Dynamic Response of Power Transformers Under Axial Short Circuit Forces Part I - Winding and Clamp as Individual Components

Three complementary approaches, analytical, numerical and experimental, presented here provide a better understanding of the dynamic behavior of power transformers under axial short circuit forces. The most general and rigorous theories for predicting the dynamic loads and displacements in the winding and in the clamping structure are developed. Both the winding and the clamp are discussed individually in Part I to develop a full understanding of their individual responses before discussing the combined system in Part II. Both parts take a major step forward in the art of the short circuit strength of power transformers.
Hydrosols from low-rank coals: 1. Preparation and properties☆

The nature of the sodium humates from low-rank coals and the factors that determine their yields are reported in this paper. The sodium humate from Beulah lignite was shown to consist of a colloidal dispersion with a particle distribution in the submicron range, with a Z-average size of 411 nm. Yields for conversion of Beulah lignite to the dispersed humate form (hydrosol) in a sodium hydroxide medium have been increased from 4%, using magnetic stirring to 89%, using a high-speed blender at temperatures less than 45 °C. When carried out in a nitrogen dry bag, the high shear, high mass flow blending gave a 45% conversion of Beulah (North Dakota) lignite to the hydrosol. Other low-rank coals also gave high conversions (Big Brown lignite, 73%; Wyodak, 69%) but bituminous coals gave no conversion to hydrosol. The mineral content of the humic acid resulting from acidification of the Beulah hydrosol was <1%, whereas the residue of material that did not disperse in the basic solution was more concentrated in mineral matter and liptinite macerals. The ash analysis data were consistent with photoacoustic FT-i.r. and 13C n.m.r. spectroscopic studies. These instrumental techniques also substantiated an increase in carboxylic groups in the humic acid products. Significantly lower conversions were observed when bases other than sodium hydroxide and nonaqueous media were used in the blending.
Single-item recognition following a verbal discrimination study trial

A verbal discrimination (VD) study phase was followed by a single-item (i.e., one item at a time) test phase. Prior right (R) items from the VD list were found to have higher old-new hit rates on the test phase than prior wrong (W) items. However, prior W items had higher hit rates than prior R items in terms of recognition of their intrapair function. These results were interpreted in terms of a high criterion model whereby an old test item must prossess a large number of frequency units before it is identified as being R. In addition, false recognition effects were demonstrated for new test items that were homophones of prior R items, but not for new test items that were homophones of prior W items. These results were interpreted in terms of a feature analytic extension of frequency theory.
Studies on the nucleoside arrangement in deoxyribonucleic acids I. The relationship between the production of pyrimidine nucleoside 3′5′-diphosphates and specific features of nucleotide sequence

Abstract Procedures are described for the isolation from an enzymic digest of calf thymus deoxyribonucleic acid of the series of dinucleotides all comprising cytidylic acid as one of the components. Some of the properties of these dinucleotides are reported. The content in sequential isomers has been determined in the case of adenylic-cytidylic and thymidylic-cytidylic. When the dinucleotides adenylic-cytidylic, cytidylic-cytidylic, and thymidylic-cytidylic are subjected to acid hydrolysis, they undergo decomposition at different rates, but all yield the corresponding pyrimidine nucleoside 3′,5′-diphosphate as a major product. These results, in conjunction with studies on the kinetics of acid hydrolysis of pyrimidine nucleosides and their phosphoric acid esters, permit the formulation of a mechanism of nucleoside diphosphate production from oligonucleotide precursors which is applied to the study of DNA polymers in the following paper.
Lattice representations in solids

A Bravais-lattice operator is defined in one band of a solid. Its eigenstates are covariantly defined Wannier functions and its eigenvalues are all the points of the Bravais lattice. This operator establishes a convenient phase convention for Bloch functions. The newly defined Bravais-lattice operator is conjugate to the quasimomentum and together they form a complete set of operators by means of which any one-band operator can be expressed. The Wannier functions for different bands and sites are shown to be eigenfunctions of a band index and the Bravais-lattice operators. It is shown that the one-band position operator has a discrete spectrum with the structure of a Stark ladder in solids. A $\mathrm{kq}$ representation is defined for one band which leads to symmetric coordinates for superlattices. The conjugate operators to these symmetric coordinates form the superlattice representation of McIrvine and Overhauser.
A comparison of the static and dynamic strengths of several phenolic- and epoxy-impregnated paper and cloth honeycombs in compression

Five organic crosslinked materials have been studied for compression properties at room temperature. Their static behavior (0.02 in./min.) and dynamic behavior (up to 1300 in./min.) have been measured as a function of the nature of the material or of its apparent density. The materials with- stand a higher stress, 30 to 40%, and show a higher modulus of elasticity, about 100%, when subjected to rapid loading. Resistance to fracture is a linear function of the apparent density at two speeds. Equipment as well as methods are described.
Petrology and geochemistry of the Cretaceous Independence volcanic suite, Absaroka Mountains, Montana: Clues to the composition of the Archean sub-Montanan mantle

Igneous activity at Independence volcano, a major center in the Eastern Absaroka Belt of Montana, occurred between 92 and 84 m.y. ago. Magma series from high-alumina tholeiitic basaltic andesite through shoshonite to high-K dacite and from high-magnesium andesite to banakite are recognized. Major-and trace-elememt compositions of these rocks are modeled by precipitation of observed phenocryst phases. Crystallizing assemblages are dominated by plagioclase and include two pyroxenes and magnetite. Parental rocks of each suite are LILE-enriched, with strong LREK-enrichment (LaN/YbN = 10–15) but do not have high alkali/alkaline-earth ratios (Rb/Sr = 0.020–0.028). Although superficially similar to those observed in many orogenic volcanics, trace-element patterns of Independence volcanics show certain distinctive characteristics, particularly in extreme enrichments in alkaline earths and LREE relative to actinides. Differences between trace-element patterns of Independence volcanics and orogenic andesites argue against significant involvement of a subducted slab in the genesis of the rocks considered here. Rather, trace-element characteristics are interpreted to reflect those of subcontinental mantle of the Beartooth region. Mantle-derived rocks have (87Sr/86Sr)i of 0.7046–0.7054, (143Nd/144Nd)i of 0.5114–0.5119, and (206Pb/204Pb)i of 16.0–17.4, values that are consistent with the trace-element enrichments and with ancient ages of enrichment events. Pb isotopic compositions display correlations of 207Pb/204Pb and 206Pb/204Pb interpreted to be secondary isochrons recording ages of mantle enrichment, 3.8 and 2.0 b.y. Pre–3.8-b.y. mantle had µ = 9.75.
A high-speed acoustic data acquisition system using mostly COTS components

A data acquisition system has been developed at the Marine Physical Laboratory for recording digitized and multiplexed data from a variety of acoustic arrays and sampling systems. This system is composed of an industrial Pentium III CPU, a GPS time/frequency processor, a gigabit Ethernet interface, a high-speed parallel interface and a custom telemetry interface in a Compact-PCI chassis. A reconfigured version of this system could potentially fit into an eight inch diameter pressure case for autonomous deployment at sea. Control and programmability are provided by LabVIEW running under Windows NT or XP. The combination of the custom telemetry interface and high speed parallel interface provides a flexible, bi-directional channel for multiplexed serial data through coax or fiber at telemetry rates up to 200 MBaud. The custom telemetry interface can be reconfigured for a variety of existing and future telemetry systems utilizing coax and single or multimode fiber. The design of this interface exploits recent transceiver technology that exists for high bandwidth communication applications such as Fibre-Channel and ATM. This commercial technology provides the serializing/deserializing, coding/decoding, bit synchronization and byte framing required for the high-speed fiber link and can be operated synchronously or asynchronously using on-chip FIFOs. Data is recorded by the acquisition system in a standard format that does not require the translation usually required with proprietary data recording systems. Tests have shown that continuous data recording rates as high as 20 Mbytes/sec would be possible using high performance disk arrays. During a recent acoustic experiment off the coast of San Diego, data was recorded from a 128 element transducer array at a rate of 6.5 Mbytes/sec. The data was simultaneously moved via FTP over gigabit Ethernet to a UNIX workstation for archiving to DLT tape, allowing the acquisition system to record continuously for several days. The configuration of this system and performance during the recent experiment is described, as well as other current and potential future applications.
Digital mammography: computer-assisted diagnosis method for mass detection with multiorientation and multiresolution wavelet transforms.

Rationale and Objectives. The authors evaluated a modular computer-assisted diagnosis (CAD) method for mass detection that uses computation of features in three domains (gray level, morphology, and directional texture). Their objectives were to improve the sensitivity of detection and reduce the false-positive (FP) detection rate. Materials and Methods. The directional wavelet transform (DWT) method, which uses both multiorientation and multiresolution wavelet transforms to improve image preprocessing and segmentation of suspicious areas and to extract both morphologic and directional texture features, was evaluated with a previously reported image database containing 50 normal and 45 abnormal digitized screen-film mammograms. The mammograms contained all mass types and included 16 minimal cancers. This method was compared with the Markov random field (MRF) method to avoid issues related to case selection criteria. Free-response receiver operating characteristic curves were compared for both DWT and MRF methods. Results. For the DWT method, the sensitivity was 98% and the FP detection rate was 1.8 FP findings per image. For the MRF method, the sensitivity was 90% and the FP detection rate was 2.0 FP findings per image. Conclusion. The CAD method applied to the full mammographic image is automatic and independent of mass type. The segmentation of masses as performed with this method may potentially allow visual interpretation according to American College of Radiology criteria.
The Role of Prolactin in Mammary Carcinoma

The contribution of prolactin (PRL) to the pathogenesis and progression of human breast cancer at the cellular, transgenic, and epidemiological levels is increasingly appreciated. Acting at the endocrine and autocrine/paracrine levels, PRL functions to stimulate the growth and motility of human breast cancer cells. The actions of this ligand are mediated by at least six recognized PRL receptor isoforms found on, or secreted by, human breast epithelium. The PRL/PRL receptor complex associates with and activates several signaling networks that are shared with other members of the cytokine receptor superfamily. Coupled with the recently identified intranuclear function of PRL, these networks are integrated into the in vitro and in vivo actions induced by ligand. These findings indicate that antagonists of PRL/PRL receptor interaction or PRL receptor-associated signal transduction may be of considerable utility in the treatment of human breast cancer.
Thursday, October 31, 2001 4:18–4:44 pm Focused Review: Disc Metabolism

Abstract Purpose of study: To determine whether levels of free glutamate previously measured from human herniated disc specimens could lead to physiological or behavioral symptoms consistent with a hyperesthetic state in glutamate-infused rats. Methods used: Sprague-Dawley rats were unilaterally infused with epidural glutamate at the L5–L6 levels for 72 hours by a subcutaneously implanted miniosmotic pump. Because herniated disc material shows an average concentration of 0.5 mM, we infused with concentrations of 0.002 to 2.0 mM. Animals were studied behaviorly by 49 C hot plate withdrawal tests, Von Frey fiber withdrawal tests for left-right hindpaw reactivities and 53 C tail flick assays. These were performed 24 hours before and 24, 72 and 144 hours after onset of glutamate infusion. Other animals were terminated 72 hours after onset of infusion and were evaluated immunohistochemically for NMDA, AMPA and kainate receptor expression in dorsal horn regions by quantitative means. of findings: Hot plate withdrawal showed significance at 72 hours and concentrations of 0.002, 0.02 and 0.2 mM. Tail flick tests showed similar differences in latencies compared with saline controls (p t test). Von Frey fiber tests showed decreased latencies on the ipsilateral side to the infusion in glutamate-infused animals compared with saline controls (p t test). Immunohistochemical evaluation showed increasing levels of glutamate expression over saline-infused controls ipsilateral to the side of glutamate infusion at 2.0 mM concentration. Results at lower infusion levels are pending (will be available at North American Spine Society meeting in October 2002). Relationship between findings and existing knowledge: These findings suggest that the concentrations of glutamate found in human disc material in the epidural space are large enough to have biologic effects on nociceptive responses. Overall significance of findings: Lumbar radiculopathy resulting from disc herniation may be amenable to treatment with glutamate antagonists. Cartilage may promote pain whenever degraded cartilage is in the vicinity of glutamate receptors in other joints as well. Disclosures: No disclosures. Conflict of interest: No conflict.
Further Calculations of the F+‐Center Wave Function for Lithium Niobate

This work is a continuous effort of the F+-center calculation for lithium niobate. The simplified semicontinuum model developed previously by this author is again used. The polarization effect is taken into account. Although the major procedures follow those developed before, there is one departure in the 2p-energy-eigenvalue calculation. It is assumed that the Franck-Condon principle applies, and that the ions do not move during the absorption process. The transition energies computed here are rather compatible with those values calculated by using the point-ion-lattice model. All results are found to be in good agreement with the experimentally observed value. Die Anstrengungen zur F+-Zentrenberechnung in Lithiumniobat werden kontinuierlich fortgefuhrt. Das kurzlich vom Autor entwickelte vereinfachte Semikontinuumsmodell wird erneut benutzt. Der Polarisationseffekt wird berucksichtigt. Obwohl das Vorgehen dem bereits entwickelten im wesentlichen folgt, existiert eine Abweichung in der Berechnung der 2p-Energieeigenwerte. In dieser Arbeit wird angenommen, das das Frank-Condon-Prinzip gultig ist und das die Ionen sich wahrend des Absorptionsprozesses nicht bewegen. Die hier berechneten Ubergangsenergien sind kompatibel in den Werten, die mit dem Punktionengittermodell berechnet werden. Es wird gefunden, das alle Ergebnisse in guter Ubereinstimmung mit dem experimentell beobachteten Wert sind.