cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
On Potentiality And Respect For Embryos: A Reply To Mary Mahowald

In order to understand the nature of human embryos I first distinguish between active and passive potentiality, and then argue that the former is found in human gametes and embryos (even in embryos in vitro that may fail to be implanted) because they all have an indwelling power or capacity to initiate certain changes. Implantation provides necessary conditions for the actualization of that prior, active potentiality. This does not imply that embryos are potential persons that do not deserve the same respect as actual persons. To claim that embryos “become persons” is to understand the predicate “person” as a phase sortal, roughly equivalent to “adult person.” This entails that we would not be essentially persons. In order to explain the traditional understanding of “person” as a proper sortal rather than a phase sortal, the author distinguishes between proximate and remote potentiality, and shows that, unlike feline embryos, human embryos, by their genetic constitution, possess the remote potentiality to later exercise the typically human activities. It follows that they are already persons essentially.
Kidney malformations in fetuses of A × C line 9935 rats

Fifty A × C 9935 strain inbred rat litters were examined near term; 88/315 fetuses (27.9%) showed renal malformations (renal agenesis and hydronephrosis). Unilateral renal agenesis occurred more often on the right side (11.5%) than the left (3.6%), especially in males. Renal agenesis was always associated with absence or hypoplasia of a uterine horn or vas deferens and epididymis on the corresponding side. However, the ovaries or testes were present and intact. Hydronephrosis was seen more often on the left side (11.4%) than the right (3.5%). There was no significant sex difference in the frequency of renal agenesis and hydronephrosis. In hydronephrosis the ureteropelvic junction was patent, and hydroureter always accompanied moderate hydronephrosis. Atresia near the vesicoureteral junction was considered as a cause of hydronephrosis. There was a close morphogenetic relation between renal agenesis and hydronephrosis.
Expanding the Roles of Antimicrobial Peptides in Skin: Alarming and Arming Keratinocytes

Antimicrobial peptides are gene-encoded molecules first discovered for their microbicidal properties but recently shown to have pro- or anti-inflammatory functions. Their role as immune regulators is being expanded with evidence that some antimicrobial peptides stimulate keratinocyte migration, proliferation and cytokine or chemokine production. Poorly named, antimicrobial peptides are multifunctional pillars around which the innate and adaptive immune response has evolved.
Rearrangements on the C6H6 Potential Energy Surface and the Topomerization of Benzene

The benzene potential energy hyperface was examined employing hybrid Hartree−Fock/density functional theory (B3LYP), second-order perturbation theory (MP2), and the coupled-cluster method with single, double, and perturbative triple excitations [CCSD(T)] in conjunction with DZP and TZ2P basis sets. All stationary points were characterized by harmonic vibrational frequency analyses; intrinsic reaction coordinates were calculated for all transition structures at B3LYP/DZP. Final energies were evaluated at the CCSD(T)/DZP//B3LYP/DZP level and corrected for T = 1373 K. There are three competing mechanisms for the high-temperature intramolecular topomerization of [1,2-13C2]benzene to [1,3-13C2]- and [1,4-13C2]benzene: (a) benzene ring contraction to benzvalene (ΔG ⧧ = 93.5 kcal mol-1) followed by ring opening to benzene; (b) degenerate rearrangement of benzvalene via a 1A‘‘ prefulvene TS (ΔG ⧧ = 95.0 kcal mol-1 relative to benzene) generating [1,4-13C2]benzene as a primary reaction product of [1,2-13C2]benzen...
Aggregation and C-N rotation of the lithium salt of N,N-dimethyldiphenylacetamide.

Two methyl 1H NMR signals for the Li salt of N,N-dimethyldiphenylacetamide are observed at low temperature and assigned to the monomer and dimer. From line shape analysis, the dimerization constant (K1,2) is 40 ± 10 M-1 at 200 K (ΔG° = 1.5 kcal mol-1, ΔH° = 0.8 kcal mol-1, ΔS° = 12 eu) and the activation parameters are ΔH⧧ = 5.5 kcal mol-1 and ΔS⧧ = −18 eu. The C−N bond rotation is too fast to observe on the NMR time scale, indicating a rotation barrier of less than 10 kcal mol-1.
Morphological correlates of intraspecific grafting reactions in the marine demosponge Callyspongia diffusa

There are profound differences in the ways that the sponge Callyspongia diffusa reacts to self versus non-self tissue contact. Syngeneic or isogeneic contacts result in rapid tissue fusion and persistent maintenance of normal sponge structure. However, allogeneic contacts result in immune-type rejection reactions leading to tissue death at the interface. Using grafted sponge tissues, both types of response were subject to fine-structural analysis by scanning electron microscopy. Isografts showed no overt cellular reactions other than compatible fusion, whereas sponge tissues at allograft interfaces showed incompatibility reactions. The major steps in the histopathologic sequence of events in allograft reactions may be summarized as follows: (1) immediate allorecognition occurs accompanied by microscopic cellular rearrangements; (2) macroscopic tissue bridges form across the graft interface; (3) massive cellular infiltration towards graft sites, with cells often passing into a graft partner through the tissue bridges; (4) cellular hyperplasia and then cell death occurs at the interface; and (5) sloughing of dead tissue leaves areas of vacant skeleton between the two grafted individuals. Allograft rejection reactions in sponges have many of the hallmarks of histoincompatibility reactions in higher animals. Although there could be different alloimmune mechanisms operating in different animals, the salient events of allorecognition and antagonistic rejection appear strikingly similar among diverse multicellular animals.
The localization of octoiodofluorescein-I131 in human brain tumors

The efficiency of I/sup 131/-labeled, octoiodofluorescein (OIF-I/sup 131/ ) as an agent for localizing human brain tumors in situ was investigatod using a manually operated scanning device. The dye was found to produce no toxic symptoms in total doses up to 30 mg when given intravenously. Labeled OIF correctly localized the presence or indicated the absence of brain tumors in 34 of 47 (73%) patients in whom diagnoses were subsequently confirmed by surgical . methods. In 55 cases confirmed by clinical (nonsurgical) methods, 40, or 73%, were correctly detected. For the combined group of 102 patients, accuracy in localizing brain tumor with OIF-I/sup 131/ was 73%. In a comparative study between OIF-I/sup 131/i, Risa, and DIF-I/sup 131/, OIF-I/sup 131/ was found to have more favorable biological characteristics for external scanning purposes than the other 2 agents. Scanning with OIF-I/sup 131/ can be performed at any time from 2 to 48 hours after injection, the optimum time being between 5 and 24 hours. The amount of dye found in resected tumor tissue was as much as l0 times that in adjacent normal brain tissue. With the manual scanning technique employed, OIF-I/sup 131/ appears to be useful as a test for themore » external detection of brain tumors. With a more sensitive automatic scanning device there should be a higher percentage of correct results. (auth)« less
Evaluation of preterm delivery in a systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy clinic

Objective: To identify the primary etiology of preterm birth in women with systemic lupus erythematosus, analyzing prospective data collected on 66 pregnancies in 58 women followed-up at a lupus pregnancy center. Methods: Hospital records were reviewed and subjects were interviewed for pregnancies delivered after 23 completed weeks' gestation in women cared for at the Hopkins Lupus Pregnancy Center. A control group consisted of all women delivered at the same hospital during 2 years of the study period. Results: Preterm premature rupture of membranes (PROM) occurred in 13 of 33 (39%) pregnancies delivered at 24–36 weeks' gestation. In addition, term PROM also occurred with high incidence in ten of 33 (30.3%) pregnancies delivered after 36 weeks' gestation. The rate of PROM in study subjects differed from that in controls at 34–36 weeks' gestation and after 36 weeks. Conclusion: Premature rupture of membranes is more common in pregnancies occurring in women with systemic lupus erythematosus than in control pregnancies. Disease activity, prednisone use, and serologic studies are not predictive. Premature rupture of membranes is the major etiology of preterm birth in this cohort.
Power of family-based association designs to detect rare variants in large pedigrees using imputed genotypes.

Recently, the “Common Disease-Multiple Rare Variants” hypothesis has received much attention, especially with current availability of next generation sequencing. Family-based designs are well suited for discovery of rare variants, with large and carefully selected pedigrees enriching for multiple copies of such variants. However, sequencing a large number of samples is still prohibitive. Here, we evaluate a cost-effective strategy (pseudo-sequencing) to detect association with rare variants in large pedigrees. This strategy consists of sequencing a small subset of subjects, genotyping the remaining sampled subjects on a set of sparse markers, and imputing the untyped markers in the remaining subjects conditional on the sequenced subjects and pedigree information. We used a recent pedigree imputation method (GIGI), which is able to efficiently handle large pedigrees and to accurately impute rare variants. We used burden and kernel association tests, famWS and famSKAT, which both account for family relationships, and heterogeneity of allelic effect for famSKAT only. We simulated pedigree sequence data and compared the power of association tests for: pseudo-sequence data, a subset of sequence data used for imputation, and all subjects sequenced. We also compared, within the pseudo-sequence data, the power of association test using best-guess genotypes and allelic dosages. Our results show that the pseudo-sequencing strategy considerably improves the power to detect association with rare variants. They also show that the use of allelic dosages results in much higher power than use of best-guess genotypes in these family-based data. Moreover, famSKAT shows greater power than famWS in most of scenarios we considered.
Effects of Resident Involvement on Complication Rates after Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Background Although resident involvement has been shown to be safe for most procedures, the impact of residents on outcomes after complex laparoscopic procedures is not well understood. We sought to examine the impact of resident involvement on outcomes after bariatric surgery using a population-based clinical registry. Study Design We analyzed 17,057 patients who underwent a primary laparoscopic gastric bypass in the 35-hospital Michigan Bariatric Surgery Collaborative from July 2006 to August 2012. Resident involvement was characterized at the surgeon level. Using hierarchical logistic regression, we examined the influence of resident involvement on 30-day complications, accounting for patient characteristics as well as hospital and surgeon case volume. To evaluate potential mediating factors for specific complications, we also adjusted for operative duration. Results Risk-adjusted 30-day complication rates with and without residents were 13.0% and 8.5%, respectively (p Conclusions Resident involvement in laparoscopic gastric bypass is independently associated with wound infections and venous thromboembolism. The effect appears to be mediated in part by longer operative times. These findings highlight the importance of strategies to assess and improve resident technical proficiency outside the operating room.
Risk factors for primary hepatocellular carcinoma in black and white Americans in 2000.

Background & Aims: The incidence of primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is greater in black Americans compared with white Americans. The aim of this study was to better define racial disparity in HCC patients in the United States. Methods: We compared HCC risk factors in 158 black and 701 white HCC patients ≥11 years of age in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample for 2000. Results: Black HCC patients were younger than white patients (mean age, 54.1 ± 17.1 vs. 65.1 ± 13.7 y; P P P = .0003; OR, 1.3; 95% CI .9–1.9), concurrent HBV and HCV (8.2% vs 1.7%, P P = .002; OR, 14.1; 95% CI, 2.2–88.2), and HCV plus diabetes (8.9% vs 4.4%, P Conclusions: Higher rates of HBV, HCV, concurrent HBV and HCV, and viral hepatitis associated with diabetes might explain the greater burden of HCC in black Americans.
Electromagnetic Parameters Extraction of Electronic Current Transformer Based on Finite Element Modeling

Electronic current transformer is one of the key equipment of intelligent substation and has a direct impact to the correct operation of relay protection devices. In order to accurately establish the dynamic response model of electronic current transformer, it is needed to extract electromagnetic parameters of Rogowski coil, which is the electromagnetic coupling part of electronic current transformer. This paper builds the electromagnetic parameters model and extracts the electromagnetic distribution parameters of Rogowski coil based on the finite element method, then we use the equivalent method to calculate the lumped electromagnetic parameter. At last, comparing with the experimental results, a good accuracy of the simulation results based on finite element method is presented.
Design and evaluation of duty-cycling steering algorithms for robotically-driven steerable needles

Asymmetric-tip, robotically controlled steerable needles have the potential to improve clinical outcomes for many needle-based procedures by allowing the needle to curve and change direction within biological tissue. Algorithms have previously been developed to change the curvature of the needle trajectory via duty-cycled spinning. However, these algorithms require continuous rotation of the steerable needle, preventing the use of instrumentation such as force-torque sensors and electromagnetic trackers, due cable wind-up issues. In this paper, we present two novel control methods for duty-cycling a steerable needle without the need for continuous rotation: bidirectional duty-cycled spinning and duty-cycled flipping. These algorithms can be implemented on existing robotic needle steering systems without hardware changes. We evaluate our algorithms using a custom hollow steerable needle, with an embedded EM tracker and a force-torque sensor. We compare the path tracking error, needle insertion forces, and needle axial rotation torques of our algorithms and found no significant differences between the two algorithms in terms of tracking error. Duty-cycled flipping has significantly lower mean inser- tion forces and torques than bidirectional duty-cycled spinning, and differences in insertion force and rotation torque variability were also found. These results may have interesting implications for tissue health.
A Cooled Optically Servo-Controlled Infrared Fabry-Perot Spectrometer

A cooled optically servo-controlled infrared Fabry-Perot spectrometer has been constructed. The control system maintains both alignment and spacing of a tunable infrared etalon. An annular portion of the IR etalon is coated for control use at visible wavelengths. Correct spacing is determined by reference to an associated visible etalon of fixed and slightly different spacing. The spacing of the IR etalon then varies approximately linearly with the output wavelength of a visible control monochromator. The full range of the mono-chromator, typically 500 to 700 nm, corresponds to a change in etalon spacing which can be as little as a small fraction of an IR order or as much as several orders. The movable plate of the IR etalon is positioned by an electromagnetic drive system with a mechanical range of about a millimeter. The instrument is planned to accommodate up to three IR etalons which can be scanned synchronously by tuning the output of a single control mono-chromator. A single-etalon version of the spectrometer has been operated at the Cassegrain focus of the KPNO 1.3m telescope.© (1984) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Jade Ribbon Campaign: A Model Program for Community Outreach and Education to Prevent Liver Cancer in Asian Americans

The Jade Ribbon Campaign (JRC) is a culturally targeted, community-based outreach program to promote the prevention, early detection, and management of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and liver cancer among Asian Americans. In 2001, 476 Chinese American adults from the San Francisco Bay Area attended an HBV screening clinic and educational seminar. The prevalence of chronic HBV infection was 13%; only 8% of participants showed serologic evidence of protective antibody from prior vaccination. Participants reported low preventive action before the clinic, but after one year, 67% of those with chronic HBV infection had consulted a physician for liver cancer screening, and 78% of all participants had encouraged family members to be tested for HBV. The increase in HBV awareness, screening, and physician follow-up suggests that culturally aligned interventions similar to the JRC may help reduce the disproportionate burden of disease to chronic HBV infection among Asian Americans.
Effect of porcelain surface treatments on bond strengths of composite resin bonded to porcelain

A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the bond strength of composite resin bonded to porcelain surfaces by use of a variety of treatment regimens with the All-Bond 2 adhesive system. There were significant differences in the 24-hour bond strengths between several of the surface treatment methods. The mean shear bond strength after 24 hours of water storage ranged from 10.6 +/- 2.3 MPa to 25.0 +/- 4.4 MPa. Nine of the surface treatment methods showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in bond strengths after 3 months of water storage and thermocycling. After 3 months, the bond strengths ranged 0.1 +/- 0.1 MPa to 17.4 +/- 2.0 MPa. Porcelain surface treatment with aluminum oxide air abrasion followed by hydrofluoric acid, a silane coupling agent, and an unfilled resin produced a bond strength after 3 months' water storage and thermocycling that was significantly greater (p < 0.05) than the other nine porcelain surface-treatment techniques. Visual examination of the debonded specimens generally showed cohesive failures in porcelain for the treatment groups with a mean bond strength above 13 MPa.
Gold Nanoparticle−Cytochrome c Complexes: The Effect of Nanoparticle Ligand Charge on Protein Structure

We report the effect of nanoparticle ligand charge on the structure of a covalently, site-specifically linked protein. Au nanoparticles with positive, negative, and neutral ligands were appended to a specific cysteine, C102, of Saccharomyces cerevisiae cytochrome c. Conjugates were purified by HPLC or gel electrophoresis. Circular dichroism spectroscopy shows that changing the nanoparticle ligand dramatically influences the attached cytochrome c structure. The protein retains its structure with neutral ligands but denatures in the presence of charged species. This is rationalized by the electrostatic interaction of amino acids in the local vicinity of C102 with the endgroups of the ligand.
Influence of Pinewood Nematode (Nematoda: Aphelenchoididae) Infection on the Preformed Defensive Response of Shortleaf Pine

The effect of pinewood nematode, Bursaphelenehus xylophilus (Steiner & Buhrer) Nickle, infection on the preformed defensive response of shortleaf pines, Pinus echinata Miller, near Ashland, MO, was quantified during 1993 and 1994. Each year, trees were inoculated with pinewood nematodes at a height of ≈8m above the ground. An equal number of control trees were inoculated with sterile, distilled water. Oleoresin flow was monitored on each tree 1, 2, lmd 3 mo after inoculation. Oleoresin was collected from 2 wounds at each of 3 collection heights; ≈ 1.5, 4, and 7 m above the ground. Significant reductions in oleoresin flow were noted in the nematode-inoculated trees during both years and at each collection height.
Minimal structural rearrangement of the cytoplasmic pore during activation of the 5-HT3A receptor.

Abstract Ligand-gated ion channel receptors mediate the response of fast neurotransmitters by opening in less than a millisecond. Here, we investigated the activation mechanism of a serotonin-gated receptor (5-HT3A) by systematically introducing cysteine substitutions throughout the pore-lining M1-M2 loop and M2 transmembrane domain. We hypothesized that multiple cysteines in the narrowest region of the pore, which together can form a high affinity binding site for metal cations, would reveal changes in pore structure during gating. Using cadmium (Cd2+) as a probe, two cysteine substitutions in the cytoplasmic selectivity filter, S2′C and, to a lesser extent, G-2′C, showed high affinity inhibition with Cd2+ when applied extracellularly in the open state. Cd2+ inhibition in S2′C was attenuated if applied in the presence of an open-channel inhibitor and showed voltage-dependent recovery, indicating a direct effect of Cd2+ in the pore. When applied intracellularly, Cd2+ appeared to bind S2′C receptors in the closed state. The ability of cysteine side chains at the 2′ and –2′ positions to coordinate Cd2+ in both the native open and closed states of the channel suggests that the cytoplasmic selectivity filter of 5-HT3A receptors maintains a narrow pore during channel gating.
Private Reactions to Public Transgressions: Predictors of Evaluative Responses to Allegations of Political Misconduct

Effects of blameworthiness, account type, and politician power on respondents' evaluations of political offenders were examined. Political expertise and party affiliation served as additional categorical predictors of evaluations. Participants read two scenarios describing the misadventures of fictitious politicians and their accounts and evaluated the politicians. Results revealed that political novices were more generous than experts in their evaluations. Politicians who transgressed intentionally were evaluated more negatively than politicians who trans-gressed accidentally. Respondents who shared partisanship with the politicians evaluated them more positively than respondents who did not share partisanship. Finally, results revealed interactions among politician power, account type, party, and scenario. This study points to the utility of a sociolinguistic framework for the systematic investigation of respondents' private reactions to public political transgressions.
Inclusion bodies in brain cell cultures from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease.

Brain cell cultures were established from 20 patients with various forms of dementia and studied for evidence of virus induced alterations. Changes were detected in the cultured cells from 1 patient (L.C.) with the clinical and pathological diagnosis of Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. These changes were present in the early passages of the brain tissue and were not seen in the cultures from the other cases.
Abstract 4925: Targeted metabolic profiling of gliomas and glioma stem cells identifies methionine as a differentially regulated metabolite: Proof of principle supporting methionine-pet imaging

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Purpose: At present, 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose(FDG)-positron emission tomography (PET) is the most commonly used diagnostic imaging modality in clinical practice for predicting prognosis in malignant brain tumors. The diffusive nature of glioblastoma (GBM) often makes FDG-PET detection inaccurate and there is no diagnostic gold-standard for GBM. Thus, it is necessary to find new criteria independent of conventional FDG-PET diagnosis to delineate tumor versus normal tissues. Molecular imaging using 11C-Methionine-PET (Met-PET) is one of the most promising approaches to this challenge. Methods: We employed a targeted metabolomic approach to study the extracellular and intracellular levels of methionine in established (ATCC) and patient derived primary glioblastoma (GBM) cell lines, glioma stem cells (GSC) and normal human astrocytes (NHA) to gain a better understanding of methionine uptake. Methylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is an enzyme that plays a vital role in polyamine metabolism and methionine salvage. Therefore, we determined the expression profile of MTAP in these cells using RT-qPCR. We then extracted the intracellular and extracellular metabolites of GBM, GSC and NHA to estimate their methionine levels using LC-MS Quadropole Time of Flight (Q-TOF) and LC-MS Triple Quad (QQQ) instruments. Thus, by using metabolic fingerprints of methionine, we quantified methionine accumulation / uptake in GBM, GSC and NHA. Results and Conclusion: PET provides real-time information of metabolism through the behavior of single molecules. Despite clinical trials advocating Met-PET imaging as a superior imaging modality compared to FDG-PET for brain tumors, to date Met-PET has not been widely used in clinical diagnostics. Through this metabolic profiling of gliomas, we have shown for the first time that GBM and GSC accumulate methionine when compared to NHA. Uptake studies through exogenous addition of methionine in GBM, GSC and NHA show a significant uptake of methionine by GBM and GSC when compared to NHA. The results of our study establish the scientific basis for Met-PET imaging in GBM and provide a rationale for incorporating Met-PET imaging in future brain tumor clinical trials to evaluate its prognostic value. Citation Format: Kamalakannan Palanichamy, Thirumoorthy Krishnan, Nikhil Sebastian, Rajbir Singh, Suman Kanji, Arnab Chakravarti. Targeted metabolic profiling of gliomas and glioma stem cells identifies methionine as a differentially regulated metabolite: Proof of principle supporting methionine-pet imaging. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 4925. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-4925
Sublinear effect in light emission from cesium iodide bombarded by keV polyatomic projectiles

Abstract Our experiments examined light emission from a CsI target bombarded with polyatomic projectiles [Hn+, (NaF)nNa+, with n=1,2; Na+, Cs2I+, Cs+] at 5–30 keV impact energies. The light emission increases with primary ion velocity as (V − Vth)α, where Vth is a velocity threshold. The number of photons emitted under one cluster impact increases with the number of atoms in the projectile, displaying a sublinear effect, similar to that reported elsewhere for electron emission. The model of sweeping out electrons has been applied to explain and calculate the observed effect.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002: Has It Brought About Changes in the Boards of Large U. S. Corporations?

The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 is considered by many to have made the most sweeping changes affecting corporate governance since the Securities and Exchange Acts of 1933 and 1934. About 4 years after its passing, however, many governance experts question whether the time and expense of compliance engender any real reforms. This article examines whether corporations have restructured their boards in response to the enactment of Sarbanes-Oxley and finds evidence that companies are implementing changes that should strengthen the monitoring ability of their boards.
Saccharomyces cerevisiae GATA sequences function as TATA elements during nitrogen catabolite repression and when Gln3p is excluded from the nucleus by overproduction of Ure2p.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae selectively uses good nitrogen sources (glutamine) in preference to poor ones (proline) by repressing GATA factor-dependent transcription of the genes needed to transport and catabolize poor nitrogen sources, a physiological process designated nitrogen catabolite repression (NCR). We show that some NCR-sensitive genes (CAN1,DAL5, DUR1,2, and DUR3) produce two transcripts of slightly different sizes. Synthesis of the shorter transcript is NCR-sensitive and that of the longer transcript is not. The longer transcript also predominates in gln3Δ mutants irrespective of the nitrogen source provided. We demonstrate that the longer mRNA species arises through the use of an alternative transcription start site generated by Gln3p-binding sites (GATAAs) being able to act as surrogate TATA elements. The ability of GATAAs to serve as surrogate TATAs, i.e. when synthesis of the shorter, NCR-sensitive transcripts are inhibited, correlates with sequestration of enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP)-Gln3p in the cytoplasm in a way that is indistinguishable from that seen with EGFP-Ure2p. However, when the shorter, NCR-sensitive DAL5transcript predominates, EGFP-Gln3p is nuclear. These data suggest that the mechanism underlying NCR involves the cytoplasmic association of Ure2p with Gln3p, an interaction that prevents Gln3p from reaching it is binding sites upstream of NCR-sensitive genes.
24-W average power at 0.537 µm from an externally frequency-doubled Q-switched diode-pumped Nd:YOS laser oscillator.

A diode-pumped single Nd:YOS rod laser is operated at 110 Hz with 830-mJ free-lase pulses and 380-mJ, 13-ns (FWHM) Q-switched pulses. External doubling with an 8-mm-long KTP crystal results in 24 W at 0.537 μm after thermalization.
Electron paramagnetic resonance of 95Mo- and 97Mo-doped crystals of tetraphenylarsonium oxopentaisoth ocyanatoniobate(V): Determination of the 97Mo nuclear quadrupole tensor

Abstract Successful preparation and electron paramagnetic resonance of 95 Mo- and 97 Mo-doped single crystals of tetraphenylarsonium oxopentaisothiocyanatoniobate(V) are described. The following nuclear quadrupole coupling constants were determined for 97 Mo: QD = 3.0± 0.2 MHz and QE = 0.1 ± 0.05 MHz. The principal axes of A (Mo) are coincident within error with those of P (Mo), but not with those of g . The principal values of g and the noncoincidence between the principal axes of g and A (Mo) vary for the MoO(SCN) 5 2− anion when doped into different host materials and dissolved in solution. Random misalignment of the guest impurity in the host material accounts for the differences in linewidths of the six primary molybdenum hyperfine transitions in single-crystal spectra, while 14 N nuclear quadrupole interaction accounts for the anisotropic line broadening. Anomalous orientation-dependent “frozen-solution” spectra of TPA 2 NbO(SCN) 5 in CHCl 3 are explained in terms of alignment of suspended crystallites in solution by the external magnetic field.
Small Representative Benchmarks for Thermochemical Calculations

We propose a small set of atomization energies and a small set of barrier heights as benchmarks for comparing and developing theoretical methods. We chose the data sets to be subsets of the Database/3 collection of atomization energies and barrier heights. We show that these data sets, consisting of six barriers and six atomization energies, are very representative of all the atomization energies and barrier heights in Database/3, and we call them the AE6 and BH6 benchmarks, respectively. Benchmark values are tabulated for 80 standard methods, including Hartree−Fock, Moller−Plesset perturbation theory, quadratic configuration interaction, coupled cluster theory, hybrid density functional theory, and multicoefficient correlation methods.
Structural aspects of interfacial adsorption. A crystallographic and site-directed mutagenesis study of the phospholipase A2 from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus.

Abstract Recent genetic and structural studies have shed considerable light on the mechanism by which secretory phospholipases A2 interact with substrate aggregates. Electrostatic forces play an essential role in optimizing interfacial catalysis. Efficient and productive adsorption of the Class I bovine pancreatic phospholipase A2 to anionic interfaces is dependent upon the presence of two nonconserved lysine residues at sequence positions 56 and 116, implying that critical components of the adsorption surface differ among enzyme species (Dua, R., Wu, S.-K., and Cho, W. (1995) J. Biol. Chem. 270, 263-268). In an effort to further characterize the protein residues involved in interfacial catalysis, we have determined the high resolution (1.7 A) x-ray structure of the Class II Asp-49 phospholipase A2 from the venom of Agkistrodon piscivorus piscivorus Correlation of the three-dimensional coordinates with kinetic data derived from site-directed mutations near the amino terminus (E6R, K7E, K10E, K11E, and K16E) and the active site (K54E and K69Y) defines much of the interface topography. Lysine residues at sequence positions 7 and 10 mediate the adsorption of A. p. piscivorus phospholipase A2 to anionic interfaces but play little role in the enzyme's interaction with electrically neutral surfaces or in substrate binding. Compared to the native enzyme, the mutant proteins K7E and K10E demonstrate comparable (20-fold) decreases in affinity and catalysis on polymerized mixed liposomes of 1-hexadecanoyl-2-(1-pyrenedecanoyl)-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine and 1,2-bis[12-(lipoyloxy)dodecanoyl]-sn-glycero-3-phosphoglycerol, while the double mutant, K7E/K10E, shows a more dramatic 500-fold decrease in catalysis and interfacial adsorption. The calculated contributions of Lys-7 and Lys-10 to the free energy of binding of A. p. piscivorus phospholipase A2 to anionic liposomes (−1.8 kcal/mol at 25°C per lysine) are additive (i.e. −3.7 kcal/mol) and together represent nearly half of the total binding energy. Although both lysine side chains lie exposed at the edge of the proposed interfacial adsorption surface, they are geographically remote from the corresponding interfacial determinants for the bovine enzyme. Our results confirm that interfacial adsorption is largely driven by electrostatic forces and demonstrate that the arrangement of the critical charges (e.g. lysines) is species-specific. This variability in the topography of the adsorption surface suggests a corresponding flexibility in the orientation of the active enzyme at the substrate interface.
An improved logical effort model and framework applied to optimal sizing of circuits operating in multiple supply voltage regimes

Digital near-threshold logic circuits have recently been proposed for applications in the ultra-low power end of the design spectrum, where the performance is of secondary importance. However, the characteristics of MOS transistors operating in the near-threshold region are very different from those in the strong-inversion region. This paper first derives the logical effort and parasitic delay values for logic gates in multiple voltage (sub/near/super-threshold) regimes based on the transregional model. The transregional model shows higher accuracy for both sub- and near-threshold regions compared with the subthreshold model. Furthermore, the derived near-threshold logical effort method is subsequently used for delay optimization of circuits operating in both near- and super-threshold regimes. In order to achieve this goal, a joint optimization of transistor sizing and adaptive body biasing is proposed and optimally solved using geometric programming. Experimental results show that our improved logical effort-based optimization framework provides a performance improvement of up to 40.1% over the conventional logical effort method.
Germ Cell-Intrinsic and -Extrinsic Factors Govern Meiotic Initiation in Mouse Embryos

Retinoic acid (RA) is an essential extrinsic inducer of meiotic initiation in mammalian germ cells. However, RA acts too widely in mammalian development to account, by itself, for the cell-type and temporal specificity of meiotic initiation. We considered parallels to yeast, in which extrinsic and intrinsic factors combine to restrict meiotic initiation. We demonstrate that, in mouse embryos, extrinsic and intrinsic factors together regulate meiotic initiation. The mouse RNA-binding protein DAZL, which is expressed by postmigratory germ cells, is a key intrinsic factor, enabling those cells to initiate meiosis in response to RA. Within a brief developmental window, Dazl-expressing germ cells in both XX and XY embryos actively acquire the ability to interpret RA as a meiosis-inducing signal.
Mitochondrial DNA "clock" for the Amerinds and its implications for timing their entry into North America.

Abstract Students of the time of entry of the ancestors of the Amerinds into the New World are divided into two camps, one favoring an "early" entry [more than approximately 30,000 years before the present (YBP)], the other favoring a "late" entry (less than approximately 13,000 YBP). An "intermediate" date is unlikely for geological reasons. The correlation of the appropriate data on mtDNA variation in Amerinds with linguistic, archaeological, and genetic data offers the possibility of establishing a time frame for mtDNA evolution in Amerinds. In this paper, we estimate that the separation of the Chibcha-speaking tribes of Central America from other linguistic groups/nascent tribes began approximately 8000-10,000 YBP. Characterization of the mtDNA of 110 Chibcha speakers with 14 restriction enzymes leads on the basis of their time depth to an estimated mtDNA nucleotide substitution rate for Amerinds of 0.022-0.029% per 10,000 years. As a first application of this rate, we consider the mtDNA variation observed in 18 Amerind tribes widely dispersed throughout the Americas and studied by ourselves with the same techniques, and we estimate that if the Amerinds entered the New World as a single group, that entry occurred approximately 22,000-29,000 YBP. This estimate carries a large but indeterminate error. The mtDNA data are thus at present equivocal with respect to the most likely times of entry of the Amerind into the New World mentioned above but favor the "early" entry hypothesis.
The use of contingent reinforcement in the treatment of a conversion disorder: A multiple baseline study

Behavioral conceptualizations of conversion disorders emphasize the role of operant conditioning. However, this literature is methodologically weak, with few controlled studies. Thus, this study, by using multiple baseline and changing criterion designs, investigated the utility of operant procedures. It involves the treatment by contingent social reinforcement of a conversion disorder in a teenage girl. Treatment outcome and suggestions for future research are discussed.
Dehydroepiandrosterone enhances the hypnotic and hypothermic effects of ethanol and pentobarbital.

Recent reports have indicated that the neurosteroid dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) and its sulfate (DHEAS) interact with the GABAA receptor complex. Because many of the behavioral effects of ethanol and pentobarbital are due to activity at this complex, DHEA and DHEAS were tested for their ability to interact with the hypnotic and hypothermic effects of ethanol and pentobarbital. DHEA, but DHEA and DHEAS themselves cause a fall in body temperature. DHEA enhances the hypothermic effect of both ethanol and pentobarbital. DHEAS enhances the hypothermic effect of ethanol, but with pentobarbital it only delays the return of body temperature to baseline levels. Neither DHEA nor DHEAS affects the metabolism of ethanol.
Expression of BEN, a member of TFII-I family of transcription factors, during mouse pre- and postimplantation development

Abstract BEN is a member of the TFII-I family of transcription factors, characterized by the presence of multiple helix–loop–helix repeat domains. Our immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated broad and extensive expression of BEN during mouse pre- and postimplantation development, with highest levels occuring during early to midgestation. Maternally expressed BEN is present in both the cytoplasm and nuclei of the zygote; however, it retains a predominantly nuclear localization between the two-cell stage of development and early blastocyst stages. This nuclear expression is observed in most tissues throughout development. Although, it is interesting to note that at E4.5–6.5, during early gastrulation stage, BEN is localized in the cytoplasm. At later stages, BEN retains an extensive expression pattern in a variety of developing systems implicating its involvement in tissue development and organogenesis.
The Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. A disorder with a possible defect in antigen processing or recognition.

Abstract Immunological investigations were carried out in eleven patients with the Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome. Delayed hypersensitivity responses were absent when tested with five skin-test antigens and dinitrochlorobenzene sensitisation, despite the fact that the patients had mean circulating lymphocyte levels of 2300 per c.mm. and normal in-vitro lymphocyte transformation to phytohaemagglutinin. IgG levels were normal, IgA and IgD levels were elevated, and IgM levels were diminished. Turnover studies with 131 I-IgM demonstrated that the low IgM serum concentration was due to decreased synthesis. Natural antibodies to bloodgroup antigens and five serotypes of Escherichia coli were strikingly diminished. In addition, antibody responses to polysaccharide antigens were almost completely absent. It is, therefore, likely that the low IgM level is secondary to diminished responses to polysaccharide antigens which normally sustain the serum IgM concentration. Antibody responses were also significantly impaired to a variety of bacterial, protein, and viral antigens. However, when antibodies were produced, they were of both 19 S and 7 S types. We conclude that the Wiskott-Aldrich patients have a broad immunological defect involving both humoral and cellular immune responses. Such a broad defect associated with the presence of functional lymphocytes and adequate immunoglobulin levels suggests a disorder of antigen processing or recognition, that is, a disorder of the afferent limb of immunity.
Progress in target physics and design for heavy ion fusion

Two-dimensional, integrated calculations of a close-coupled version of the distributed radiator, heavy ion target predict gain 130 from 3.3 MJ of beam energy. To achieve these results, the case-to-capsule ratio was decreased by about 25% from the previous heavy ion targets [M. Tabak and D. Callahan-Miller, Phys. Plasmas 5, 1895 (1998)]. These targets are robust to changes in the ion stopping model because changes in the ion stopping model can be accommodated by changes to the target. The capsule is also insensitive to changes in the deuterium–tritium (DT) gas fill in the center of the capsule over the range that is of interest for target fabrication and target injection. Single-mode Rayleigh–Taylor growth rates for this capsule are smaller than those for at least one National Ignition Facility (NIF) [J. A. Paisner et al., Laser Focus World 30, 75 (1994)] design. As a result, stability issues for the heavy ion capsule can be settled on NIF. The close-coupled target also opens up the possibility of a high gain engineering test facility from a 1.5–2 MJ driver; calculations predict that gain 90 is achievable from 1.75 MJ of beam energy. Finally, the choice of hohlraum wall material, which must satisfy constraints from target physics, environment and safety, chamber design, and target fabrication, is discussed.
Practitioner Relationships and Quality of Care for Low-Income Persons With Serious Mental Illness

OBJECTIVE: Though central to experiences of mental health care for persons with serious mental illness, relationships with practitioners have been underemphasized in recent quality-of-care research. This qualitative study described concepts of good care in relationships with psychiatrists, therapists, and case managers from the perspectives of low-income persons with psychiatric disabilities. METHODS: In-person, semistructured interviews were conducted with 51 adult Medicaid enrollees with psychiatric disabilities and diagnoses of schizophrenia. Grounded theory techniques were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Eight categories representing service users' priorities for care in practitioner relationships resulted from the analysis: getting "extra things," looking for common ground, feeling known, the importance of talk, feeling like "somebody," practitioner availability, practitioner flexibility, and opportunities for input into treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Quantitative and illness-centered formulations may mi...
Donors, donors, and more donors

In this issue of Blood, Holig and colleagues report on their 12-year experience with healthy unrelated donors. Their data outline the challenges involved in safeguarding donor safety and the need for ongoing surveillance.
Single-duct constant volume system optimization

Abstract This paper demonstrates the implementation of new innovative technologies to improve building operations and reduce energy costs. The buildings are used as an office building with a total area of 45,429 m2. An energy audit was conducted to evaluate the building's energy performance and identify potential cost-effective energy saving opportunities. This paper presents procedures for supply fan speed control, implementations and detailed descriptions of control sequence, and operation comparisons. The results show electricity savings of 23% and gas savings of 19% over a six-month period.
Phenytoin as an Alternative Treatment for Preeclampsia

Magnesium sulfate is the preferred treatment for preeclampsia in the United States. Its use has been criticized because of the maternal, fetal, and neonatal side effects and its tocolytic action during labor. Phenytoin has been identified as an alternative for the treatment of preeclampsia and the prevention of eclampsia. The effects of magnesium sulfate with those of phenytoin on the mother, the fetus, and the neonate are compared. A nursing protocol summarizes nursing care for the obstetric patient receiving phenytoin. Phenytoin has certain demonstrable clinical advantages when used in the intrapartum period with patients with preeclampsia.
Low cost and highly reactive biobased polyols: a co-product of the emerging biorefinery economy.

Over several billion pounds of petroleum-derived polyols are consumed in the U.S. annually in many polyurethane applications, e. g., foams, coatings and adhesives. There is an increasing need and interest to develop alternate polyols based on renewable, resource-based raw materials that offer reduced price volatility with a more favorable environmental footprint compared to current petroleum-derived polyols. A novel process is developed for the economical production of high quality biobased polyols by the ozonolysis of mixtures of vegetable oils, e. g., soybean oil and primary polyols such as glycerin. High performance coatings and both rigid and flexible foams have been prepared from these polyols.