cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nonplanar cyclobutane—II

Abstract NMR spectra and basic equilibration of cis and trans methyl-3-isopropylcyclobutanecarboxylate are reported. Treatment of the nonplanar cyclobutane system by analogy with cyclohexane is potentially possible, but limited by (1) greater dependence of ring puckering on substituents; and (2) intervention of planar conformers.
Evidence for Breaches of the Retinal Vasculature in Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome Angiopathy: A Fluorescent Microsphere Study

Purpose: The author studied the retinal vasculature in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) by infusion of microspheres impregnated with fluorescent dye. Methods: Experimental study of the structural integrity of the retinal microvasculature in 14 autopsy patients with AIDS was compared with age- and gender-matched control retinas. Materials: Fourteen autopsy eyes from patients with AIDS, eight autopsy eyes from immunosuppressed control patients, and four autopsy eyes from nonimmunosuppressed control patients were studied. Experimental Method: The central retinal arteries of autopsy eyes were perfused with fluorescent microspheres of 10 and 200 nm in diameter. The retinas were dissected from the eyes and viewed by fluorescence microscopy. Results: Vascular breaches permeable to 200-nm microspheres were discovered in eyes from patients with AIDS. Ruptured microaneurysms were identified at the center of retinal hemorrhages in 7 of 14 eyes from patients with AIDS and 5 of 8 immunosuppressed control eyes. Leakage around microaneurysms occurred even in the absence of hemorrhage and were more frequent in eyes from patients with AIDS (11/14) than in control eyes (3/12). Cotton wool patches were surrounded by tortuous retinal vessels and microaneurysms. Conclusions: Ruptured microaneurysms are a frequent cause of retinal hemorrhage in immunosuppressed patients. Breaches in microaneurysms occur even in the absence of hemorrhage. These breaches are often at least 200 nm in diameter, a size that is permissive to capsids and virions of cytomegalovirus (CMV). Ruptured and/or leaky microaneurysms are potential sources of CMV permeation of the blood—retinal barrier. Breaches of the retinal microvasculature are not specific to patients with AIDS and occur frequently in other immunosuppressed patients.
Social media and new trends in publication and data metrics

The Scientific and Technical Information (STI) community had an excellent meeting of the minds when International Council for STI (ICSTI) and National Federation for Advanced Information Services (NFAIS) decided to hold their annual meetings back to back last February in Philadelphia. On February 22, 2014, ICSTI held a two part workshop covering: “Science and Social Media: the importance of an on-line Presence” and “New Trends in Publication and Data Metrics”. On February 23–25 the NFAIS Annual Conference explored “Giving Voice to Content: Re-envisioning the Business of Information”. The NFAIS Conference is covered in more detail elsewhere in this issue. What follows are summaries of six presented papers from the ICSTI Workshop. Together, they provide highlights of some of the many tools and techniques that are changing the way science is communicated. What is interesting and valuable about this set of papers is the picture it gives of the many developing areas where the impacts of social media and collaboration are being felt. The common theme of these presentations is the pervasive changes and potential for change brought on by social networking and the capturing and repurposing of many different kinds of data. The first paper by Tanya Lewis, a staff science writer for LiveScience, highlights how she uses social media as a writer of science news. For her it is not only an input to her stories, but also a way to increase interest and readership in her work. The paper by Newell and Newman on using tweeting to hook users into a scientific web site clearly shows the power of social media and how linking science to fun can increase the use of scientific information tools – and with very low cost and high return. In the final paper of the on-line presence sequence, Laurel Haak gets to the bottom of some basic issues about “presence” in the on-line world through her description of the evolving tool on persistent researcher identification. ORCID is a tool to assure you know exactly who you are sharing with through disambiguation of names and assuring proper attribution. Along the way, the researcher is rewarded for participation in the ORCID system through networked data related to people, institutions and publications. The three papers in the “Trends in Data Publication and Metrics” keep us involved in the network through tools for data discovery, scientific collaboration, and finally standards for measuring impacts. All three papers are driven by enabling more open data systems and the need to understand the impacts of their use. The paper by Megan Force and Daniel Auld describes the Data Citation Index, a Thomson Reuters product that begins to uncover the networked use of scientific data sets. It is through citation that traditional impact factors have been measured. Creating a tool that can do for data sets what citation
Successful retrieval of an entrapped guide wire between a deployed coronary stent and severely calcified vessel wall using excimer laser coronary atherectomy

We report the successful retrieval of an entrapped interventional guide wire between a newly deployed coronary stent and severely calcified vessel wall. Using a buddy wire technique, the stent was deployed at high pressure in a culprit lesion of the left anterior descending (LAD) artery. The buddy wire in the LAD artery was entrapped between the deployed stent and severely calcified vessel wall, as it was not removed before stent deployment, and could not be retrieved. Neither balloon catheters nor a microcatheter were able to be advanced behind the stent over the entrapped guide wire. Excimer laser coronary atherectomy (ELCA) was performed within the stent to modify and soften the calcification behind the deployed stent. Consequently, the entrapped guide wire was retrieved successfully and safely. This case illustrates that ELCA can be utilized to retrieve an entrapped guide wire between a deployed stent and calcified vessel wall.
Physical Methods Applied to Donaldson Theory

I would like to explain some applications of quantum field theory methods to Donaldson theory. But first, perhaps, I should explain what Donaldson theory is. We start with an oriented four-manifold M,and a compact gauge group, say G = SU (2) We pick a principal G bundle P over M, and let A denote a connection on P The space of such connections will be called A.
Prevention of bronchiolitis from the hospital to home: enviromental and pharmacological strategies

Bronchiolitis is one of the major cause of mortality and morbidity during infancy, with high hospitalization rate during epidemic season for high risk infants during the first year of life. There is no specific therapy with proven efficacy apart hydration and hypertonic saline. Mild forms can be treated in outpatient setting avoiding a useless hospitalization. Enviromental prevention is crucial in hospital setting, in outpatient ambulatory and at home: for this purpose hand hygiene, tobacco exposure, breastfeeding must be emphasized with families and caregivers. Pharmacological prophylaxis uses a humanized monoclonal antibody (palivizumab) shown effective in reducing hospitalization rate in preterm infants < 35 weeks gestational age, infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia and infants with congenital heart disease. During the last 2 years different recommandations and guidelines confirmed the importance of prophylaxis with palivizumab with some differences between Groups and Societies based on different healthcare systems. In any case it is important a good contact between hospital and all caregivers of these patients to reduce the viral exposure and increase the defense capability of high risk patients. Proceedings of the 11 th International Workshop on Neonatology and Satellite Meetings · Cagliari (Italy) · October 26 th -31 st , 2015 · From the womb to the adult Guest Editors: Vassilios Fanos (Cagliari, Italy), Michele Mussap (Genoa, Italy), Antonio Del Vecchio (Bari, Italy), Bo Sun (Shanghai, China), Dorret I. Boomsma (Amsterdam, the Netherlands), Gavino Faa (Cagliari, Italy), Antonio Giordano (Philadelphia, USA)
Regulation of single inositol 1,4,5‐trisphosphate receptor channel activity by protein kinase A phosphorylation

Phosphorylation of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (InsP3R) by PKA represents an important, common route for regulation of Ca2+ release. Following phosphorylation of the S2 splice variant of InsP3R-1 (S2– InsP-1), Ca2+ release is markedly potentiated. In this study we utilize the plasma membrane (PM) expression of InsP3R-1 and phosphorylation state mutant InsP3R-1 to study how this regulation occurs at the single InsP3R-1 channel level. DT40-3KO cells stably expressing rat S2– InsP3R-1 were generated and studied in the whole-cell mode of the patch clamp technique. At hyperpolarized holding potentials, small numbers of unitary currents (average ∼1.7 per cell) were observed which were dependent on InsP3 and the presence of functional InsP3R-1, and regulated by both cytoplasmic Ca2+ and ATP. Raising cAMP markedly enhanced the open probability (Po) of the InsP3R-1 and induced bursting activity, characterized by extended periods of rapid channel openings and subsequent prolonged refractory periods. The activity, as measured by the Po of the channel, of a non-phosphorylatable InsP3R-1 construct (Ser1589Ala/Ser1755Ala InsP3R-1) was markedly less than wild-type (WT) InsP3R-1 and right shifted some ∼15-fold when the concentration dependency was compared to a phosphomimetic construct (Ser1589Glu/Ser1755Glu InsP3R-1). No change in conductance of the channel was observed. This shift in apparent InsP3 sensitivity occurred without a change in InsP3 binding or Ca2+ dependency of activation or inactivation. Biophysical analysis indicated that channel activity can be described by three states: an open state, a long lived closed state which manifests itself as long interburst intervals, and a short-lived closed state. Bursting activity occurs as the channel shuttles rapidly between the open and short-lived closed state. The predominant effect of InsP3R-1 phosphorylation is to increase the likelihood of extended bursting activity and thus markedly augment Ca2+ release. These analyses provide insight into the mechanism responsible for augmenting InsP3R-1 channel activity following phosphorylation and moreover should be generally useful for further detailed investigation of the biophysical properties of InsP3R.
Zimmermann normal products and the Wilson expansion

Abstract The principal part and asymptotic form of the Wilson short distance expansion is derived in the framework of Bogoliubov-Parasiuk-Hepp-Zimmermann renormalized perturbation theory. Use is made of the Zimmermann normal product techniques with all work being performed in the scalar A 4 model. The expansion of the product of four field operators is given as an explicit example.
Interferometric synthetic aperture microscopy: tissue structure inferred by computed imaging techniques

Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Microscopy (ISAM)1 is an optical microscopy computed-imaging technique for measuring the optical properties of three-dimensional structures and biological tissues. In this work, the principle of ISAM is reviewed, and its application to imaging tissue properties in various scanning geometries and instrument configurations is explored. The practicality of ISAM is demonstrated by imaging a rat heart and muscle using a real-time implementation of ISAM in conjunction with a clinical cart Optical Coherence Tomography instrument.
Implications of fragile X expression in normal males for the nature of the mutation

The fragile site at Xq27, associated with a common form of X-linked mental retardation (XLMR), is expressed in a variable proportion of the peripheral lymphocytes of affected males when the cells are cultured under thymidylate stress (Td stress) produced by folate or thymidylate deprivation. Some clinically normal males--transmitting males--are known to carry and transmit the fragile X mutation and yet show no cytogenetic expression in lymphocytes. Normal males with no family history of X-linked mental retardation express the site only rarely. When the fragile X chromosome from affected males is isolated in a rodent genetic background by somatic cell hybridization, the level of expression is similar to that seen in lymphocytes under Td stress. Here we show that X chromosomes from two transmitting males and two normal control males, all of which were fragile X negative in lymphocytes or lymphoblasts, could be made to express the fragile site in hybrids, although at levels that were below those seen in hybrids from affected males. Furthermore, transmitting males could be differentiated from normal males by their significantly higher expression rates when hybrids were exposed to caffeine before cytogenetic harvest. One male chimpanzee also showed low level expression in hybrid cells. These data suggest that the hybrid system lowers the threshold for fragile X expression, a fragile site at Xq27 may be present on all human and chimpanzee X chromosomes and constitutes a previously unrecognized common fragile site and the hybrid system with caffeine post-treatment can distinguish between the common Xq27 fragile site of control males, the occult mutant fragile site of a transmitting male, and the fully expressed fragile site of an affected male with XLMR. Thus the mutation producing XLMR may represent a multi-step alteration of a naturally occurring DNA sequence producing a continuum of cytogenetic expression and a threshold for clinical manifestation.
A boundary-layer model of thermocapillary flow in a cold corner

This work develops a boundary-layer model for the thermocapillary feedback mechanism that can occur at the edge of weld pools and other materials processes, in the limit where convection dominates the heat transport but the Prandtl number is small. Previously, Canright [Phys. Fluids 6, 1415 (1994)] showed that in this regime the dynamics of this “cold corner” region is locally determined through the thermal gradient driving the convection that contains the gradient. The present work applies standard boundary-layer approximations to construct a model that captures this dominant feedback mechanism and agrees well with a purely numerical model.
Mitochondrial KATPChannel Opening During Index Ischemia and Following Myocardial Reperfusion in Ischemic Rat Hearts

It has been known for some time that opening of Although a trigger role for the mKATP was firmly established by those experiments, the identity of the ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the mitochondrial inner membrane (mKATP) is an essential end-effector was unclear. It is useful to characterize steps in the preconditioning paradigm as either step leading to ischemic preconditioning’s antiinfarct effect. Recently, however, data from Yao triggers or mediators. A trigger would be an event that, by itself, will put the heart into a preet al. indicated that free radicals were associated with mKATP channel opening in chick carconditioned state. Once triggered, preconditioning’s memory then keeps the heart in a preconditioned diomyocytes. Because free radicals are known triggers of ischemic preconditioning, Pain et al. state long after the trigger is removed. The mediators exert their protective effect during the index proposed that receptor activation opens mKATP channels causing the mitochondria to release free ischemia and perhaps even during the subsequent reperfusion period. PKC is an example of a mediator. radicals which in turn trigger kinase activity. In this paradigm the mKATP channels serve as upstream Blocking PKC during the index ischemia aborts protection. However, if the blocker is present only triggers rather than as end-effectors. The evidence was that transient mKATP opening with a pulse of during the preconditioning ischemia and then washed out prior to the index ischemia, protection diazoxide put the heart into a protected state that persisted long after the channels should have again is not blocked. That was a surprising finding since phosphorylation of substrate was thought to be closed. In addition, protection from diazoxide could be blocked with either a tyrosine kinase blocker in the likely mechanism of preconditioning’s memory. Mediators include both the signaling pathways that rabbit or a protein kinase C (PKC) blocker in rat. The kinase studies indicated that the mKATP was must be active during the ischemic process and the end-effector(s) upon which these signals terminate. upstream rather than downstream of the kinases. Finally, to test whether this trigger function ocOne distinct possibility is that mKATP may serve both trigger and mediator roles. In the latter case, curred physiologically, Pain et al. bracketed the ischemic preconditioning period with the reversible reopening of the channels during the index ischemia might act to protect the heart against infarction. mKATP inhibitor 5-hydroxydecanoate (5HD) and allowed the 5HD to wash out prior to the index There is a precedent for such a dual role. Adenosine can be shown to be both a trigger of protection ischemia. That blocked protection indicating that mKATP had to open during the preconditioning and a mediator. A transient exposure to adenosine puts the heart into a preconditioned state that ischemia.
Acute Angle-Closure Glaucoma Resulting From Spontaneous Hemorrhagic Retinal Detachment in Age-related Macular Degeneration: Case Reports and Literature Review

Abstract Purpose: Acute angle-closure glaucoma resulting from massive subretinal hemorrhage is a rare and catastrophic complication in age-related macular degeneration. Anticoagulant usage had been strongly correlated with this complication in previously reported cases. Methods: Four patients (4 eyes), 3 men and 1 woman, developed angle-closure glaucoma with diffuse subretinal hemorrhage and total hemorrhagic retinal detachment. Results: Serial funduscopic examinations and echographic studies in 2 eyes showed that the blood gradually accumulated in the subretinal space. It took more than 10 days for the bleeding to build up to bullous hemorrhagic retinal detachment and secondary glaucoma. Anti-glaucomatous agents were given and sclerotomy was performed in 3 of the 4 patients. Phthisical changes were observed subsequently in these 3 eyes. The eye that received early drainage of blood was an exception, and a small degree of residual acuity was retained. Three of the 4 patients had diabetes mellitus, and hypertension and vascular diseases were also present in the same 3 patients. Conclusions: Diabetes mellitus might be a predisposing factor for the impaired hemostasis. Anti-glaucomatous agents were of no effect in the management of intraocular pressure. Sclerotomy and drainage of blood help control intraocular pressure and relieve ocular pain. Poor final visual acuity is inevitable. However, phthisical changes might be prevented with early sclerotomy and drainage of blood.
An asset-based approach to policymaking: revisiting the history of urban planning and neighborhood change in Cincinnati’s West End

Abstract While planners and policymakers have recognized the role of the local assets, including physical capital (housing stock, roads, and the public space) and social capital (the informal networks of trust and reciprocity) in creating healthy communities, the nexus between such assets and policymaking remains vague. This article explores this linkage by chronicling the implementation of various urban policies, including triage, urban renewal, the Model Cities Program, and the Housing Opportunities for People Everywhere (HOPE VI Program) in the West End of Cincinnati. The critical examination of such programs helps us to differentiate between an asset-based as opposed to the conventional need-based approach to policymaking, and to explore the mutual impacts of government policies and the target groups that are affected by them; policies could result in the formation or destruction of the local assets (social capital). The study offers a conceptual framework consisting of policy networks defined in terms of policy type and target groups . Two additional concepts used to evaluate the mutual impacts of policies and target groups include interconnectedness (the strength of relationship between government and the target group) and cohesion (the distribution of objectives among the actors).
Parallel solid-phase synthesis and structural characterization of a library of highly substituted chiral 1,3-oxazolidines.

The rapid parallel synthesis and characterization of diverse chirally defined 1,3-oxazolidines is reported. Three diversity elements were incorporated in a 6 × 4 × 4 block approach to generate a 96-member 1,3-oxazolidine library. The synthetic route involved initial attachment of six nonracemic phenylglycidols, (2S,3S)-1A-C and (2R,3R)-2A-C, to 2% cross-linked polystyrene resin via a chlorodiethylsilane linker (PS-DES), followed by regio- and stereoselective oxirane ring opening with four primary amines (3a-d). The key condensation reaction between the resulting polymer-bound β-amino alcohols and four aldehydes (4a-d) was found to occur optimally in warm benzene (60 °C) in the presence of anhydrous magnesium sulfate. Cleavage of the oxazolidines from the resin support was achieved with TBAF to give the individual members (2R,4R,5R)-5Aaa-Cdd and (2S,4S,5S)-6Aaa-Cdd in good to excellent yields (51−99%) based on mass recovery. Purities of all these crude products was generally >85% (as measured by LCMS). 1H,...
The response of trace element redox couples to suboxic conditions in the water column

Depth profiles for a series of redox-sensitive elements were determined in the productive eastern boundary of the tropical North Pacific. Suboxic conditions (regions with dissolved oxygen concentrations < 5 pmol kg-' and evidence of nitrate reduction) was observed at depths between 140 and 600 m. The behavior of a suite of trace (51 pM) redox-sensitive species such as oxidized and reduced forms of iodine, manganese, chromium, selenium, and iron was examined, in order to better characterize redox conditions within such suboxic zones. Iodate was completely reduced to iodide, and leachable particulate manganese was completely reduced to dissolved manganese between the depths of 140 and 600 m. In contrast, no more than 30% of the chromate, selenate, and selenite were reduced, while there was no evidence of leachable particulate iron being reduced. The resulting distributions of trace redox elements in these suboxic waters are influenced both by the extent that they are reduced and by the particular biogeochemical characteristics of their oxidized and reduced species. 0 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved
Tax policy and macro-finance in a competitive global economy where government is considered as firms’ third financial stakeholder

Domestic tax policies must provide needed revenues for public infrastructure and social programs and must be structured to promote sustainable, growing, vibrant economies where individual rights and living standards are preserved or improved. We propose a macro-financial model be included with traditional financial macroeconomic theory postulating that, among other things, economic activity results from net international trade, inter-country capital flows, aggregate effects of all domestic private and public saving and investment and consumption decisions. We modify Modigliani and Miller’s capital structure propositions (Modigliani and Miller, 1958, 1963) by adding government as the third major financial stakeholder where government possesses a stake in the firm because of the potential, just as stockholders, to receive future cash flows. We posit a ‘conservation of value’ where capital structure and the domestic tax structure have no effect on total firm value; however, affect relative stakeholder values, discount rates, capital investment and flow of capital into and out of a country.
Rapid analysis for plutonium-239 in 1 ml of urine by magnetic sector inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with a desolvating introduction system

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a mission to protect and promote public health, which includes investigation of environmental exposures to toxic substances that could threaten health. Plutonium is an environmentally available substance that is chemically and radiologically toxic and represents a potential health threat from excessive exposure. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a sensitive method for assessing environmental or unintentional exposure to these and other actinides. We report here a magnetic sector instrument method in which a desolvating introduction system is used to provide rapid, sensitive emergency response analysis for 239Pu in only 1 mL of urine without digestion or coprecipitation. 239Pu was separated from U and interfering urine organic substances by solid phase extraction. The within run limit of detection (LOD) was 0.16 fg mL−1 for 1 mL of urine even though originally spiked to 1018 ng L−1 of depleted U. A more rigorous LOD of 1.4 fg mL−1239Pu was based on 3 “total” standard deviations in the presence of the same U concentration. At below 106 atoms of 239Pu detectable in 1 mL of urine, this method is sufficiently sensitive for elevated emergency exposure assessment with high throughput. The precision for 10 duplicate samples was within 3.7% relative “total” standard deviation (RSD, within and between run) for a 9.96 fg mL−1239Pu-spiked urine sample and within 2.2% for a 99.6 fg mL−1239Pu-spiked urine sample. The method was demonstrated to be accurate within 2.6% of the Los Alamos National Laboratories target value at 99.6 fg mL−1, to within 1.0% of target value at 9.96 fg mL−1 and within 1.2% at 0.996 fg mL−1, just below the method LOD.
Steric and electronic substituent effects in tertiary alkyl peroxide decompositions

Abstract Rate constants for the homolysis of aryl- substituted α-cumyl tert -butyl peroxides (X-PhCMe 2 OOCMe 3 ) produce a Hammett plot with a ρ value of −0.22±.04. Both steric and electronic parameters influence the decomposition rate constants of tertiary alkyl peroxides with bulky substituents: log k rel = (−0.40±08)Σσ* −(0.43±.02)ΣE c s .
Mutation frequencies in murine keratinocytes as a function of carcinogenic status.

A link between genetic abnormalities and carcinogenesis is well established. It follows that a correlation exists between mutation frequency and malignant progression. We have determined the spontaneous and DNA damage–induced mutation frequencies for a series of cell lines derived from SENCAR mouse keratinocytes at various stages of malignant progression. Nontumorigenic mouse keratinocytes (3PC), papillomas (MT1/2), squamous-cell carcinomas (CH72), and spindle-cell carcinomas (CH72T4) were transfected with damaged or undamaged shuttle vectors containing a supF mutation reporter gene. The plasmid mutation frequencies were determined by blue/white screening. The spontaneous plasmid mutation frequency of the squamous-cell carcinoma line was slightly higher than the mutation frequencies of the other cell lines tested. The DNA damage induced by triplex-directed psoralen crosslinks increased the mutation frequencies sixfold to eighteenfold in all cell lines tested, with no significant differences among the cell lines. Sequence analyses revealed that the spindle-cell carcinoma line had a different spontaneous mutation spectrum from the other cell lines. DNA damage–induced mutations were predominantly point mutations at the triplex-duplex junction in all of the cell lines tested, as expected. These data suggested that a strong mutator phenotype was not required for progression to an advanced malignant phenotype in our model system. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
P450c17 deficiency caused by compound heterozygosity for two novel mutations presenting as hypotension in early infancy

Background/Aims: P450c17 deficiency is an uncommon steroidogenic disorder that typically presents as a sexually infantile adolescent phenotypic female with hypertension and hypokale
Interleukin-1β enhances neuronal vulnerability to proNGF-mediated apoptosis by increasing surface expression of p75NTR and sortillin

Many types of injury such as seizure, ischemia, and oxidative stress cause upregulation of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in brain neurons, where it promotes apoptosis, however the mechanism by which p75NTR is regulated under these conditions is not well understood. Proinflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) are highly produced under these injury conditions and, in particular, are expressed rapidly in the rat hippocampus after seizure. IL-1β is known to increase neuronal vulnerability under many conditions, although it does not directly induce neuronal death. Recently, we have shown that these cytokines regulate p75NTR induction both in neurons and astrocytes in vitro. Here, we show that IL-1β infusion into the brain induces p75NTR in neurons of the CA1 area of the hippocampus. While IL-1β induction of p75NTR is not sufficient to induce cell death, we demonstrate that IL-1β primes the neurons by recruiting p75NTR and its coreceptor sortilin to the cell surface, making the neurons more vulnerable to subsequent challenge by proNGF. These results suggest a mechanism by which IL-1β exacerbates neuronal death following injury.
The role of direct visual fluorescent examination (VELscope) in routine screening for potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions

Objective Direct visual fluorescent examination (DVFE) is a proposed adjunct to conventional oral examination (COE). We evaluate the benefit of DVFE in screening for potentially malignant mucosal lesions in a general population of patients presenting for dental care. Study Design A total of 130 patients were evaluated by COE followed by DVFE. Areas clinically suspicious by COE or with positive DVFE (visual fluorescence loss [VFL]) underwent surgical biopsy. Association between COE and DVFE was assessed and compared with histopathology. Results A total of 42 subjects had one or more areas of VFL, yet histologic evidence of premalignancy/malignancy was only identified in a single individual. Further, one lesion negative by DVFE exhibited epithelial dysplasia. DVFE was statistically different from scalpel biopsy (P = .0001). No difference was found between COE and scalpel biopsy (P = 1.0). Conclusions Results suggest that COE is more valid than DVFE at discriminating benign mucosal alterations from premalignancy and do not support use of DVFE as an oral cancer screening adjunct.
Ab Initio Density Functional Computations of Conformations and Bond Dissociation Energies for Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine

Ab initio computations are described of the conformers and bond dissociation energies of hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) with the Becke3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) nonlocal density functional and the standard 6-31G* and 6-311G** Gaussian basis sets. Five conformational minima, closely spaced in energy, were located at the B3LYP/6-31G* level of theory. The experimental gas-phase and solid-phase geometries for RDX are compared with the B3LYP/6-31G* geometries. The rather short N−N bonds in the experimental crystal structure suggest that intermolecular interactions lead to enhanced donation of the amine lone pair into the nitro group in the solid state. The RDX nitrogen and carbon radicals have key roles in thermal decomposition of RDX. The B3LYP/6-311G** computed estimates for the N−NO2 and the C−H dissociation energies (Do) in RDX are respectively 42 and 85 kcal/mol. Compared with computed N−NO2 and C−H bond strengths in related molecules, the bonds in RDX are rather weak. This suggests that initi...
FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH USE OF NEWER ANTIPLATELET AGENTS IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING DRUG ELUTING STENT PLACEMENT: ANALYSIS FROM THE PINNACLE® REGISTRY

Prasugrel and ticagrelor are newer thienopyridines for use as part of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) in patients undergoing drug-eluting stent (DES) placement for CAD. To understand reasons for their use over clopidogrel, we evaluated the factors associated with prescription of these agents.
Association of the Kir6.2 E23K variant with reduced acute insulin response in African-Americans.

Context: ATP-sensitive potassium channels are composed of pore-forming (Kir6.x) and regulatory sulfonylurea receptor (SURx) subunits and have been implicated in the maintenance of glucose homeostasis. Kir6.2 and SUR1 are expressed in a broad range of tissues, and no contemporary studies have addressed the physiological impact of variants in Hispanic-Americans and African-Americans carefully phenotyped for components of glucose homeostasis. Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate two nonsynonymous variants in Kir6.2 (E23K) and SUR1 (A1369S) and determine their role in vivo. Design and Setting: The Insulin Resistance Atherosclerosis Family Study (IRAS-FS) is a community-based study of Hispanic-Americans (San Antonio, TX, and San Luis Valley, CO) and African-Americans (Los Angeles, CA). Participants: A total of 1040 Hispanic-Americans and 500 African-American individuals formed the basis of this study. Main Outcome Measure(s): The primary glucose homeostasis phenotypes of interest in this study were derived from the frequently sampled iv glucose tolerance test and included insulin sensitivity (SI), acute insulin response, and disposition index. Results: In African-Americans, both variants were associated with a significant reduction in insulin secretion in glucose-tolerant carriers of the minor alleles (additive P = 0.00053). SI, a measure of insulin sensitivity, was not associated. In Hispanic-Americans, there was no association with measures of glucose homeostasis. Conclusions: We conclude that variation marked by the Kir6.2 E23K and SUR1 A1369S mutations is associated with alterations in glucose-stimulated insulin secretion but not with other measures of glucose homeostasis in an African-American population.
Preparation of Ultrafine ZnO Powder by Precipitation Method

Ultrafine ZnO powder was synthesized by precipitation method, using zinc sulfate and aqueous ammonium carbonate as raw material and precipitant, respectively. The influence of the concentration of aqueous ammonium carbonate on the precipitation rate of Zn2+ was discussed and their relationship was also illustrated. The precipitation rate of Zn2+ increased gradually with the mol ratio of CO32-to Zn2+, which reached up to more than 96% when the mol ratio was 1.2. In addition, the crystal structure and morphology of the precursor and ZnO powder were also characterized using XRD and SEM. The results indicated that ZnO powder was hexagon wurtzite structure and spherical figure with high purity and regular crystal form.
Dehydrocyclization of 1-hexene to benzene on Cu3Pt(111)

Even though dehydrocyclization is widely practiced in heterogeneous catalysis for the conversion of straight chain hydrocarbons into aromatic compounds, knowledge of the mechanism of this process remains limited, largely because it has not previously been possible to carry out the reaction under conditions amenable to detailed mechanistic study. We report here ultra-high vacuum studies of the dehydrocyclization of submonolayer coverages of 1-hexene to benzene on a Cu3Pt(111) single crystal surface. In these studies reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) and temperature-programmed reaction/desorption spectroscopy (TPR/D) have been used to investigate the mechanism of the reaction. The results obtained demonstrate that the mechanism involves two steps: dehydrogenation (T = 270 K) and additional dehydrogenation + cyclization (T = 405 K). The RAIRS and TPR/D results suggest that a planar intermediate with C6H8 stoichiometry (probably 1,3,5-hexatriene) exists on the surface between 270 and 405 K. For surface coverages of up to 12.5% of monolayer saturation the selectivity to benzene formation is 70% with the remaining 30% of the adsorbed 1-hexene dehydrogenating irreversibly to surface carbon and H2. For higher coverages, molecular desorption commences.
Interstellar and Circumstellar Optical & Ultraviolet Lines Towards SN1998S

We have observed SN1998S which exploded in NGC3877, with the UES at the WHT and with the E230M echelle of STIS aboard HST. Both data sets were obtained at two seperate epochs. From our own Galaxy we detect interstellar absorption lines of CaII, FeII, MgI, and probably MnII from the edge of the HVC Complex M. We derive gas-phase abundances which are very similar to warm disk clouds in the local ISM, which we believe argues against the HVC material having an extragalactic origin. At the velocity of NGC3877 we detect interstellar MgI, MgII, MnII, CaII, & NaI. Surprisingly, one component is seen to increase by a factor of ~1 dex in N(NaI) and N(MgI) between the two epochs over which the data were taken. Unusually, our data also show narrow Balmer, HeI, and metastable FeII P-Cygni profiles, with a narrow absorption component superimposed on the bottom of the profile's absorption trough. Both the broad and narrow components of the optical lines are seen to increase substantially in strength between the two epochs. Most of the low-ionization absorption can be understood in terms of gas co-rotating with the disk of NGC 3877, providing the SN is at the back of an HI disk with a similar thickness to that of our own Galaxy. However, the variable absorption components, and the classic P-Cygni emission profiles, most likely arise in slow-moving circumstellar outflows originating from the red supergiant progenitor of SN1998S. [Abridged.]
A High-Resolution Beam Intensity Profile Monitor

This paper describes an intercepting beam intensity profile and position monitor which was developed at SLAC. It has excellent spacial resolution as well as signal efficiency. The instrument utilizes the electromagnetic cascade shower emission effect. Net charge leakage signals comparable in magnitude to the intercepted beam current are easily obtainable. The latest model of the instrument is described. It consists of an array of closely spaced 0.0025 cm thick tungsten ribbons which are 2 r.1. long in beam direction. Experimental results as well as application of the basic idea to four different instruments are discussed. The instruments are: (1) a spectrum analyzer, (2) a vertical beam position monitor, (3) a ring inflection monitor for the SLAC electron-positron storage ring project, and (4) an accelerator beam phase space measurer.
Experimental data analysis : an algorithm for determining rates and smoothing data.

Reaction rate determination from experimental data is generally an essential part of evaluating enzyme or microorganism growth kinetics and the effects on them. Commonly used methods include forward, centered, or backward finite difference equations using two or more data points. Another commonly applied method for determining rates is least-square regression techniques, and when the sought function is unknown, polynomials are often applied to represent the data. The cubic spline functions presented in this article represent a versatile method of evaluating rates. The advantage in using this method is that experimental error may be largely accounted for by the incorporation of a smoothing step of the experimental data without force-fitting of the data. It also works well when data are unevenly spaced (often the case for experiments running over long periods of time). The functions are easily manipulated, and the algorithm can be written concisely for computer programming. The development of spline functions to determine derivatives as well as integrals is presented.
A study of seventh grade children's reading of comic books as related to certain other variables.

(1958). A Study of Seventh Grade Children's Reading of Comic Books as Related to Certain other Variables. The Journal of Genetic Psychology: Vol. 93, No. 2, pp. 291-301.
Statistical analysis of the usage of a computer system

This paper is concerned with an empirical investigation of a common and important type of computer system and usage in business applications, viz., querying, updating and modifying a large database. Specifically, it describes the analysis of data collected from such an application and addresses two issues. Firstly, it assesses the applicability of statistical assumptions that underlie certain widely-used queueing theory models for computer systems usage. Secondly, it investigates measures of usage, as well as relationships among them, that may serve as appropriate bases for a pricing scheme for usage of computer systems of the type considered here.
A Novel Approach to Calibrating Wavemakers and Generating Wavemaker Transfer Functions

Abstract : Limitations in our current knowledge of a ship in extreme wave conditions have been illuminated by the work being done by the US Navy on advanced hull-forms. Stochastic approaches to these phenomena are insufficient, and deterministic testing of these events must be performed if the physics is to be understood. Although modern computer controlled wavemakers provide the ability to generate regular sine waves, long crested multi-spectral waves, mixed seas of almost any sea spectra, and even freak" waves, all of these systems require the wavemakers be tuned to the specific facility and that transfer functions between wavemaker settings and the generated wave be calculated. This tuning is performed to compensate for the facility's geometry, wave absorbers (beaches), etc, as well as to aid the researcher in using the wavemaker system.
Human sperm chromatin organization: isolation of homogeneous (25 K b.p.) DNA fragments from in situ chromatin degradation in human sperm cells.

Autodegradation of the chromatin contents of human sperm cells occurs in the presence of dithiothreotol at pH 8.0. The products of this degradation are chromosomal fragments containing DNA molecules ∼25 K b.p. in length and showing spheroidal subunit structure. From the length of these fragments the direction of one axis of a crystalline organization of human sperm chromatin is suggested.
Finite element analysis of steady and transiently moving/rolling nonlinear viscoelastic structure—III. Impact/contact simulations

In a three-part series of papers, a generalized finite element methodology is formulated to handle traveling load problems involving large deformation fields in structure composed of viscoelastic media. The main thrust of this paper is to develop an overall finite element methodology and associated solution algorithms to handle the transient aspects of moving problems involving contact impact type loading fields. Based on the methodology and algorithms formulated, several numerical experiments are considered. These include the rolling/sliding impact of tires with road obstructions.
A Framework for Understanding and Designing Telepresence

As a field, telepresence has grown to include a wide range of systems, from multi-view videoconferencing units to humanlike androids. However, the diversity of systems and research makes it difficult to form a holistic understanding of where the field stands. We propose a framework consisting of seven design dimensions for understanding telepresence, iteratively developed from previous literature, a series of three surveys, the construction of two design probes, and a field study. These design dimensions uniquely categorize 17 telepresence scenarios. In this work, we explain our development process, describe our design dimensions - initiation, physical environment, mobility, vision, social environment, communication, and independence - as well as our scenarios, and demonstrate the use of our framework as a tool to (1) highlight opportunities for future work, (2) identify generalizable findings from research, and (3) facilitate communication in the telepresence community.
Eluding the no-hair conjecture: Black holes in spontaneously broken gauge theories.

We study regular and black hole solutions to the coupled classical Einstein--Yang-Mills--Higgs system. It has long been thought that black hole solutions in the spontaneously broken phase of such a theory could have no nontrivial field structure outside of the horizon. We first show that the standard black hole no-hair theorem underlying this belief, although true in the Abelian setting, does not necessarily extend to the non-Abelian case. This indicates the possibility of solutions with nontrivial gauge and Higgs configurations decaying exponentially [ital outside] the horizon. We then find such solutions by numerical integration of the classical equations for the case of SU(2) coupled to a Higgs doublet (the standard model less hypercharge). As a prelude to this work we also study regular and black hole solutions to Einstein--non-Abelian--Proca theory and as a postscript we briefly discuss the important issue of stability.
Role of Aldolase in Photosynthesis. I. Enzyme Studies With Photosynthetic Organisms With Special Reference to Blue-Green Algae.

Hexose formation during photosynthesis has been presumed to occur by means of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle (3). An integral part of this cycle is the condensation of two molecules of triosephosphate to yield fructose-1,6-diphosphate (FDP) in a reaction catalyzed by aldolase. In support of aldolase participating in photosynthesis, Tewfik and Stumpf (35) showed that aldolase was present in photosynthetic tissues of all the higher plants which they examined. There is, however, evidence that this enzyme is absent or very low in some photosynthetic organisms. Jacobi (11) noted the absence of aldolase in four species of red algae. Szymona and Doudoroff (33) could find only traces of the enzyme in Rhodopseudomonas spheroides. Richter (24, 25) has reported that the enzyme canhot be detected in the bluegreen alga, Anacystis nidulans, or in a strain of Rhodopseudomonas spheroides. Peterkofsky and Racker (20) have recently determined the activities of several enzymes of the reductive pentose phosphate cycle in spinach, Euglena, and in a high temperature and a low temperature strain of Chlorella. Their data showed that in all four organisms transaldolase, sedoheptulose-1,7-diphosphatase and fructose-1,6-diphosphatase were present in insufficient amounts to support the rate of CO2 fixation by intact cells. Furthermore, aldolase was also low in both Euglena and the low temperature strain of Chlorella. The present study is an attempt to assess the role of aldolase in photosynthesis. In the first paper of this series, aldolase and enzymes associated with the reductive pentose phosphate cycle have been determined in various organisms, with special reference to the Cyanophyceae algae.
Comparative effects of feeding a protease inhibitor-enriched potato protein concentrate and soy flour to rats

Rats were fed casein diets to which had been added a potato protein concentrate (PPC) at a level which provided trypsin- and chymotrypsin-inhibitor activities comparable to that present at the same level (10%) of protein derived from raw soy flour. Control groups consisted of the same diets in which the unheated PPC and raw soy flour were replaced by their heated counterparts in which over 90% of the inhibitor activities had been destroyed. After 5 weeks the following measurements were made: (1) growth, (2) PER, (3) pancreas weight, (4) protein digestibility, (5) a peptide test that reflects pancreatic function, and (6) enzyme activities (trypsin, chymotrypsin, amylase, and lipase) in the pancreas and small intestine. PPC was found to produce the same general pattern of effects as raw soy flour, namely, an inhibition of growth, a decrease in PER and protein digestibility, an increase in the size of the pancreas, an increase in the recovery of p-aminobenzoic acid in the peptide test, and a depletion of enzyme in the pancreas with concomitant increases in the intestines (except for trypsin). PPC was somewhat more effective than raw soy flour in causing an increase in trypsin and chymotrypsin activities in the faces.