cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cell Wall Composition and Serological Reactivity of Histoplasma capsulatum Serotypes and Related Species

The composition of the cell walls of strains of Histoplasma capsulatum that were reactive in the complement-fixation test and that reacted with fluorescein-tagged specific anti-H. capsulatum serum were compared with the cell walls of H. capsulatum and Histoplasma duboisii that did not react in these serological tests. The cell walls of the serologically reactive strains of H. capsulatum were much more susceptible to the action of proteinases and to chitinase than were the serologically nonreactive strains, but were less susceptible to hydrolysis by 3% NaOH or 2 n H2SO4. The walls of the serologically reactive strains had higher chitin, amino acid, and hexosamine contents, but they were lower in a “lactic acid” component that was released by alkaline hydrolysis of the nonreactive strains. The cell walls of strains of H. duboisii were similar to the walls of the serologically nonreactive strains of H. capsulatum. Chemical analyses of the cell walls of the various strains clearly support the serological typing of H. capsulatum and H. duboisii strains reported by Kaufman and Blumer.
CCD Scanning with a Small Telescope

We use a scanning CCD for acquisition and astrometry of new and recovered comets, asteroids and other objects. The CCD is an RCA SID 53612 thinned, buried channel array of 512 x 320 30-micron square pixels that are back-illuminated and refrigerated to -60 C in a vacuum housing. The readout noise is ± 200 electron-hole pairs (ehp) per pixel per readout, the thermal dark current is 50 ehp/pixel/sec, and the scale of our 12-bit analog-to-digital converter is 25 ehp/AD unit. The Newtonian focus of a 91-cm telescope has been modified from f/5 to f/3.85 with a relay lens to give a platescale of 1.73 arcsecs per pixel, a scale chosen for efficient coverage of sky. The CCD is operated in the scanning mode with the telescope drive off, and the rate of transfer of signal charges is tuned to correspond to the rate at which the star images drift across the focal plane. The exposure time (the time the images take to transit the “512” dimension of the CCD) is 60 seconds at the celestial equator, giving a “six sigma” limiting (visual) magnitude of 19.5. A typical scan covers 30 minutes of time in right ascension by 0.156 deg in declination and is stored as a digital array of 14848 × 320 CCD pixels. A set of three 30-minute scans near the opposition point along the ecliptic nets about 5 new main-belt asteroids.
Histopathological Features of Non-Neoplastic Breast Parenchyma Do Not Predict BRCA Mutation Status of Patients with Invasive Breast Cancer

Background: Several studies have evaluated histologic features of non-neoplastic breast parenchyma in patients with BRCA1/2 mutations, but the results are conflicting. The limited data suggest a much higher prevalence of high-risk precursor lesions in BRCA carriers. Therefore, we designed this study to compare the clinicopathological characteristics of peritumoral benign breast tissue in patients with and without deleterious BRCA mutations. Methods: Women with breast cancer (BC) who were referred for genetic counseling and underwent BRCA genetic testing in 2010 and 2011 were included in the study. Results: Of the six benign histological features analyzed in this study, only stromal fibrosis grade 2/3 was found to be statistically different, with more BRCA noncarriers having stromal fibrosis grade 2/3 than BRCA1/2 carriers (P = 0.04). Conclusion: There is no significant association between mutation risk and the presence of benign histologic features of peritumoral breast parenchyma.
Thermal and Residual Excited-State Population in a 3D Transmon Qubit.

United States. Dept. of Defense. Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (United States. Air Force Contract FA8721-05-C-0002)
Superconformal simple type and Witten's conjecture

Abstract Let X be a smooth, closed, connected, orientable four-manifold with b 1 ( X ) = 0 and b + ( X ) ≥ 3 and odd. We show that if X has Seiberg–Witten simple type, then the SO ( 3 ) -monopole cobordism formula of [14] implies Witten's Conjecture relating the Donaldson and Seiberg–Witten invariants.
The Preventing Relational Aggression in Schools Everyday program: a preliminary evaluation of acceptability and impact

Despite recent research suggesting that relationally aggressive behaviors occur frequently and may lead to physically aggressive actions within urban school settings, there has been little prior research to develop and evaluate relational aggression prevention efforts within the urban schools. The current article describes the development and preliminary evaluation of the Preventing Relational Aggression in Schools Everyday (PRAISE) Program. PRAISE is a 20-session classroom-based universal prevention program, designed to be appropriate and responsive to the needs of youth within the urban school context. Results suggest strong acceptability for the program and feasibility of implementation. Further, the program was especially beneficial for girls. For instance, girls in classrooms randomly assigned to the PRAISE Program demonstrated higher levels of knowledge for social information processing and anger management techniques and lower levels of relational aggression following treatment as compared to similar girls randomly assigned to a no-treatment control condition. Further, relationally aggressive girls exhibited similar benefits from the program (greater knowledge and lower levels of relational aggression) plus lower levels of overt aggression following treatment as compared to relationally aggressive girls within the control classrooms. In contrast, the program was not associated with improvements for boys across most measures. The significance and implications of the findings for research and practice are discussed.
Characterization of humoral responses of ovarian cancer patients: antibody subclasses and antigenic components.

Abstract Objectives Current antigen-based diagnostic assays for ovarian cancers rely on intravasation of specific aberrantly expressed proteins and their achieving detectable steady-state concentrations, resulting in their inability to truly detect small early lesions. In contrast, tumor antigen immunorecognition is observed following initial transformation events. Our objective was to characterize humoral antitumor responses in terms of IgG subclasses generated and tumor antigens recognized. Methods For patients with benign and malignant ovarian disease, tumor-reactive IgG subclasses were characterized by Western immunoblotting. Antigen recognition patterns were analyzed by 2-dimensional electrophoresis and proteins exhibiting shared or stage-specific recognition were defined by mass spectrometry (MS) sequencing. Results Sera from ovarian cancer patients exhibited significantly greater immunoreactivities than either controls or women with benign disease. While late-stage patients recognized more proteins at greater intensity, stage-specific differential recognition patterns were observed in the IgG subclasses, with the greatest recognition appearing in IgG2 subclasses. Immunoreactivity in IgG2 and IgG3 from stage I and II patients appears to be most intense with nuclear antigens >40 kDa, while, in stage III patients, additional immunoreactivity was present in the Conclusions Owing to the timing and stability of humoral responses, quantitation of IgG subclasses recognizing specific tumor antigens provides superior biomarkers for early cancer identification and allows for differentiation of benign versus malignant ovarian masses and early- and late-stage cancers.
Stochastic modeling of controlled release from poly-styrene-co-4-vinylpyridine microspheres

Abstract The aim of this study was to establish a stochastic approach for modeling controlled release of a dye as a function of the composition of a group of polymer microspheres in various pH environments. The microspheres were polymers based on styrene, 4-vinylpyridine and divinylbenzene. The composition of the polymers were characterized by the ratio of styrene to 4-vinylpyridine and the mole % of divinylbenzene. Based on the release profiles in a series of preliminary experiments, a compartmental model that conceptually divided the sources of release from microspheres into shell and core regions was used. Two separate exponential models, each with two unknown constants, were used. The modeling process consists of two steps. The first step was to determine the unknown parameters for both models. The second step was to fit the estimated parameters in a multiple linear model of the three factors: monomer ratio, mole % of crosslinking agent and pH of the medium for release. The results showed that the general model described the release well for most cases. The discrepancy between the release pattern predicted by the model and the experimental data could be caused by the transitional swelling points existing in pH-sensitive polymers and modification of crosslinking network by the swelling-de-swelling cycle of the dye-loading process.
Patterns of vertical distribution and migration of zooplankton at Ocean Station “P”

This project was made possible by National Science Foundation grant GA-28902 to Oregon State University.
Real-time cumulant approach for charge-transfer satellites in x-ray photoemission spectra

X-ray photoemission spectra generally exhibit satellite features beyond the main peak due to many-body excitations. However, the satellites associated with charge-transfer excitations in correlated materials have proved difficult to calculate from first principles and their interpretation has been controversial. Here we show that these satellites can be attributed to local density fluctuations in response to a suddenly created core hole. Our approach is based on a cumulant representation of the core-hole Green's function with a real-time, time-dependent density functional theory calculation of the cumulant. This approach includes effects that cannot be accounted for by cluster methods and yields a direct real-space, real-time interpretation. Illustrative results for ${\mathrm{TiO}}_{2}$ and NiO are in good agreement with XPS experiment.
HYDRODYNAMIC AND MORPHOLOGIC MODELING AT SEBASTIAN INLET, FL

Numerical model simulations of tidal inlet hydrodynamics, sand transport and topographic change were performed using the Coastal Modeling System (CMS) to investigate the morphological response to time varying forcing, sediment texture, and the influence of rock reef outcrops within the Sebastian Inlet system. The presence or absence of rock within the inlet throat and in the surf zone on the south side of the inlet resulted in distinctive differences in topographic changes to the ebb shoal over a year long simulation. Comparisons between three sand transport formulations over a shorter period (2 months) showed some variation among the formulations, but predicted net topographic changes were well within an order of magnitude. Comparisons between predicted and measured net topographic changes demonstrated agreement in terms of pattern. Agreement in absolute terms improved as the model spatial resolution was refined by decreasing cell sizes.
Susceptibility of Human Herpesvirus 6 to Antivirals In Vitro

Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) is a recently recognized human herpesvirus isolated from lymphoid cells and thought to be the causative agent for exanthem subitum. Using dot blot hybridization, the HHV-6 sensitivity pattern to several antivirals was compared with those of herpes simplex virus type 1 and human cytomegalovirus. HHV-6 most closely resembled cytomegalovirus in that it was relatively resistant to the antiviral effects of acyclovir and bromovinyl-deoxyuridine but sensitive to ganciclovir and phosphonoacetic acid. From these results, it appears more likely that HHV-6 infections would respond to ganciclovir and foscarnet than to acyclovir should treatment be deemed advisable, although the low toxicity of acyclovir may allow for its use at doses that might affect replication of HHV-6.
Improving the Effectiveness of Advisory Services through Performance Appraisal.

In an attempt to increase the quality and effectiveness of academic advising, a task force at Auburn University examined the duties and responsibilities of academic advisors. From this job analysis, the author suggests a behavioral/results-oriented appraisal system that can be used to assess the performance of advisors.
Activation of Gelatinase A (72-kDa Type IV Collagenase) Induced by Monensin in Normal Human Fibroblasts

In monolayer culture, fibroblasts secrete all matrix metalloproteinases, including gelatinase A (72-kDa type IV collagenase), as inactive zymogens. Whereas limited proteolysis by plasmin or other matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) can accomplish the extracellular activation of other proenzymes in this family, gelatinase A proenzyme is uniquely refractory to cleavage by such proteinases. Previously it has been shown that fibroblasts cultured in the presumably more physiologic culture milieu of a type I collagen lattice can be induced to secrete active gelatinase A. In monolayer culture, however, the plant lectin concanavalin A will induce gelatinase A activation. Here we show that in monolayer culture activation of gelatinase A by normal fibroblasts is also induced by the sodium ionophore monensin. The monensin response is dose-dependent, time-dependent, requires protein synthesis, and is specific to gelatinase A among the secreted matrix metalloproteinases. The activator appears to be associated with cell membranes and may be membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 1(MT-MMP1). Both mRNA and immunodetectable protein of MT-MMP1 are increased with monensin treatment while message for the protein inhibitor of gelatinase A, TIMP-2, is unchanged. The monensin-induced signal transduction pathway leading to gelatinase activation in monolayer culture appears to be different from the integrin-mediated pathway operative in the collagen lattice system. The tyrosine kinase inhibitor genistein blocks monensin activation of gelatinase A in monolayer culture. In contrast, genistein has no effect on proenzyme activation in the collagen lattice. Likewise, the cyclooxygenase inhibitor indomethacin abrogates the monensin effect in monolayer culture and can be reversed by addition of exogenous prostaglandin E2 (PGE2). Neither indomethacin nor PGE2 affects activation of gelatinase A in the collagen lattice.
Volume standards for high-risk surgical procedures: potential benefits of the Leapfrog initiative.

Background. As part of a broader effort aimed at improving hospital safety, a large coalition of employers, the Leapfrog Group, will soon require hospitals caring for their employees to meet volume standards for 5 high-risk surgical procedures. We estimated the potential benefits of full nationwide implementation of these volume standards. Methods. Using data from Nationwide Inpatient Sample and other sources, we first estimated the total number of each of the 5 procedures—coronary-artery bypass graft, abdominal aortic aneurysm repair, coronary angioplasty, esophagectomy, and carotid endarterectomy—performed each year in hospitals in US metropolitan areas. (Leapfrog exempts hospitals in rural areas to avoid access issues.) We then projected the effectiveness of volume standards (in terms of relative risks of mortality) for each procedure using data from a published structured literature review. Results. With full implementation nationwide, the Leapfrog volume standards would save 2581 lives. Of the procedures, volume standards would save the most lives with coronary-artery bypass graft (1486), followed by abdominal aortic-aneyrysm repair (464), coronary angioplasty (345), esophagectomy (168), and carotid endarterectomy (118). In our estimates of the number of lives saved, we considered assumptions about how many patients would be affected and the effectiveness of volume standards (ie, strength of underlying volume-outcome relationships with each procedure). Conclusions. If the Leapfrog volume standards are successfully implemented, employers and health-care purchasers could prevent many surgical deaths by requiring hospital volume standards for high-risk procedures. (Surgery 2001;130:415-22.)
Ligand field properties of the peptide nitrogen : the sharp-line electronic spectrum of mer-di(3-aminopropyl)amine(glycylglycinato-O,N,N')-chromium(III)

Abstract An Angular Overlap Model calculation was used to fit the electronic spectrum, particularly the sharp-line positions, of [Cr(dpt)(glygly)]ClO 4 ·0.5C 4 H 6 N 2 O 2 ·2.5H 2 O [dpt = di(3-aminopropyl)amine, H 2 glygly = glycylglycine] at 77 K. An e π value of 502 cm −1 for the peptide nitrogen indicates that it is a weak net π-donor to chromium(III), presumably because donation from the filled π-orbital and back-donation to the empty π-antibonding orbital are almost in balance.
Homochiral ketals in organic synthesis. Enantioselective preparation of (+)-modhephene

Abstract An efficient, enantioselective synthesis of the title compound 1 via diastereoselective cyclopropanation is described.
Social psychology, demographic variables, and linear regression: Breaking the iron triangle in voting research

A previous paper showed that a simple prospective model of voting and party identification subsumed much of the social-psychological and retrospective voting literatures, in the sense that it rigorously implied their key findings and added many new ones as well. This paper extends the argument by showing that the same prospective voting model has drastic implications for conventional statistical specifications in voting research. First, linear models should be discarded in favor of a particular nonlinear specification. Second, demographics should be dropped from the list of independent variables.
Infant Stimulation: Modification of an Intervention Based on Physiologic and Behavioral Cues

Research involving developmental intervention with premature infants in the hospital has traditionally taken two paths: application of a sensory stimulation protocol and individualized assessment and treatment. This article describes a new method that combines some of the philosophical strengths of these two approaches. A decision tree is presented to standardize the modifications of a developmental intervention based on physiologic and behavioral cues.
Effect of Artificial Photoperiod on Eating Behavior and Other Behavioral Observations of Dairy Cows

Twenty-eight cows were assigned randomly to a daily photoperiod of 18 h light and 6 h darkness or to continuous light and were observed 1 day each month from December 1981 to February 1982. Lighting regimen did not affect eating behavior or milk production. Overall means of total eating time, number of eating bouts, and average time eating per bout on the 3 observation days were 270 to 280 min, 10 to 12 times, and 24 to 27 min. Eating behavior and milk production were not significantly correlated. Eating patterns were similar in both groups and across observation days. Peaks of eating activity occurred before sunset, bracketing the evening milking and after the offering of fresh feed in the morning. Approximately 80% of total eating activity occurred between 0900 and 2100 h in both groups. Cows had a clear preference for entry into the right or left side of the milking parlor, and entry order was repeatable. Milking order and milk production were not correlated. In one group, location of free stalls did not influence utilization; but in the other group, centrally located stalls were utilized more than stalls at either end of the alley. About 40% of cows had individual free stall preferences.
Quantitative estimates of the cytoplasmic, PSD, and NMDAR-bound pools of CaMKII in dendritic spines.

Abstract CaMKII plays a critical role in long-term potentiation (LTP). The kinase is a major component of the postsynaptic density (PSD); however, it is also contained in the spine cytoplasm. CaMKII can now be monitored optically in living neurons, and it is therefore important to understand the contribution of the PSD and cytoplasmic pools to optical signals. Here, we estimate the size of these pools under basal conditions. From EM immunolabeling data, we calculate that the PSD/cytoplasmic ratio is ~ 5%. A second independent estimate is derived from measurements indicating that the average mushroom spine PSD contains 90 to 240 holoenzymes. A cytoplasmic concentration of 16 μM (~ 2590 holoenzymes) in the spine can be estimated from the total measured CaMKII content of hippocampal tissue, the relative volume of different compartments, and the spine–dendrite ratio of CaMKII (2:1). These numbers yield a second estimate (6%) of the PSD/spine ratio in good agreement with the first. The CaMKII bound to the NMDAR is important because preventing the formation of this complex blocks LTP induction. We estimate that the percentage of spine CaMKII held active by binding to the NMDAR is ~ 0.2%. Implications of the high spine concentration of CaMKII (> 100 μM alpha subunits) and the small fraction within the PSD are discussed. Of particular note, the finding that the CaMKII signal in spines shows only transient activation (open state) after LTP induction is subject to the qualification that it does not reflect the small but important pool bound to the NMDAR.
New Base Oil Used in Low-Toxicity Oil Muds

The use of a new and different low-toxicity, low-pollutant oil-mud base fluid is presented. This low-polynucleararomatic (LPNA) oil differs from most other white mineral oils in that it is composed of 99+% cyclic and branched paraffins with an average carbon number of C/sub 13/. It contains less than 0.1% aromatics and less than 1% n-paraffins. This base oil composition provides for some interesting oil mud properties, which are discussed. Toxicity studies by an independent laboratory show the LPNA oil and the oil-mud cuttings to be substantially less toxic than diesel oil and the diesel-mud cuttings, respectively. Oil retention on the cuttings was shown to be less than for a comparable diesel mud. Laboratory formulation data, toxicity testing, and field test results are presented and discussed. These studies show the LPNA-oil-mud system to be an acceptable substitute for diesel mud systems and especially applicable to environmentally sensitive drilling locations.
Frequency and Population Patterns of Uterovaginal Sperm-Host Glands in Turkeys

Abstract Spermatozoal—sperm-host gland relationships were quantified in turkeys. Highly significant differences among birds for the frequency of filled, partially filled, and empty sperm-host glands were found. No differences were found between segments nor were bird × segment interactions significant. Turkey hens resembled chickens in both respects.
Is the picrotoxinin binding site at the GABA synapse a site of action for barbiturates

Abstract The molecular mechanisms involved in barbiturate action have yet to be elucidated. Recent neurophysiological studies suggest a possible involvement of GABA synaptic events in barbiturate action. Our studies indicate that the racemic barbiturates inhibit the binding of GABA synaptic antagonist, ( 3 H) α-dihydropicrotoxinin (DHP), to rat brain membrane. Several lines of evidence suggest that DHP binding is associated with GABA receptor-ionophores, but is distinct from the GABA receptor sites. Thus, depressant barbiturates like secobarbital (IC 50 =5 μM), hexobarbital (IC 50 = 12 μM) and pentobarbital (IC 50 = 50 μM) inhibit DHP binding in the micromolar range. The interaction between pentobarbital and DHP appears to be competitive. DHP binding is also displaced by convulsant barbiturates and stereoisomers of the depressant barbiturates. The displacement curves obtained with convulsant barbiturates deviate from the Law of Mass Action, suggesting possible heterogenity of DHP binding sites. Stereoisomers of 1-methyl-5-phenyl-propylbarbituric acid (MPPB), which produce opposite pharmacological effects, inhibited DHP binding with a 10-fold difference. These findings are consistent with the neurophysiological evidence that depressant and convulsant action of barbiturates may be related to their modulation of GABA mediated inhibitory transmission. The possibility that depressant and convulsant barbiturates may modulate GABA receptor linked chloride ionophores is discussed.
A new superconducting neural cell

Abstract We propose a new artificial neural cell based on the dynamical properties of superconducting Wheatstone bridges loaded with a transmission line across their transverse junction. The current through the load line of the bridge switches (via magnetic coupling) to a non-zero voltage state an array of double-junction superconducting quantum interference devices (2J-SQUIDs) composing the synaptic circuit. It is shown that the current flowing to the postsynaptic neural cell can be controlled digitally by switching the bias current of the 2J-SQUIDs from zero (OFF state) to 90% of 2 I c (ON state), where I c is the critical supercurrent in each junction of the 2J-SQUIDs. Potential applications of the neural cell are briefly discussed.
Ion and radical rearrangements as a probe of the mechanism of a surface reaction: The desulfurization of cyclopropylmethanethiol and 3-butene-1-thiol on Mo(110)

Rearrangement reactions were used to probe the transient intermediates in thiol desulfurization induced by Mo(110) by studying cyclopropylmethanethiol and 3-butene-1-thiol. Thiolate intermediates were identified in both cases using vibrational spectroscopy, which indicates facile S-H bond scission on Mo(110). Heterolytic C-S bond scission, leading to a cationic intermediate, is excluded based on the lack of rearrangement products in the reactions of 3-butene-1-thiolate and the absence of cyclobutane or cyclobutene in the reaction of cyclopropylmethyl thiolate on Mo(110). Hydrogenolysis without rearrangement is the primary pathway for both thiols investigated. The lack of rearrangement in the 3-butene-1-thiolate indicates that C-S bond scission and C-H bond formation occur nearly simultaneously. Evidence for the radical pathway is obtained from the production of 1,3-butadiene formed via the rearrangement of cyclopropylmethyl group following C-S bond scission in the cyclopropylmethyl thiolate and by related studies of cyclopropylmethyl bromide. The investigation of the cyclopropylmethyl bromide also demonstrates that trapping of the cyclopropylmethyl radical is favored over selective {beta}-dehydrogenation. This is the first study in which radical rearrangements have been used to obtain detailed information about the nature of extremely short-lived reactions in a surface process. 39 refs., 5 figs., 3 tabs.
International health electives in orthopaedic surgery residency training.

Background: Residents in surgical training programs today demonstrate an increasingly strong interest in global health. Given the considerable need for specialists in underserved areas, some surgical residency programs offer international health electives in resource-poor settings to augment resident training. This study aims to quantify and to characterize international health elective opportunities among orthopaedic surgery residency programs across the United States. Methods: A web-based survey was distributed to program directors and program coordinators of the 154 U.S. orthopaedic surgery residency programs accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education. Questions assessed the availability and characteristics of international health electives, the barriers to offering opportunities, and the opinions of program directors regarding the value of international health electives in orthopaedic surgery training. Results: Seventy-three orthopaedic surgery residency programs (47.4% response rate) responded to the survey, with twenty-four responses from program directors and forty-nine responses from program coordinators. Nineteen programs (26.0%) offer international elective training opportunities. Fifty programs had notable barriers to offering international electives. These barriers included lack of training time (thirty-seven programs [74%]), lack of funding (thirty-five programs [70%]), and lack of an international partner to facilitate an international health elective (seventeen programs [34%]). Directors of programs that offer international health electives compared with directors of programs that do not offer these electives felt more strongly that international health electives are important in residency training (mean Likert scale score of 4.2 compared with 2.65; p = 0.00195), that international health electives are valuable for residents (mean Likert scale score of 4.6 compared with 3.53; p = 0.0265), and that exposure to international health care should be required during residency training (mean Likert scale score of 3.0 compared with 1.65; p = 0.0194). Conclusions: A minority of the orthopaedic surgery residency programs that participated in this study offers international health elective opportunities to trainees. Barriers such as time parameters and funding limit their availability. Our results characterize international health electives and highlight potential areas of intervention that could increase their availability to a greater number of residents.
Synthesis of oligomeric group IVA ferrocene polyesters

Oligomeric Group IVA ferrocene Polyesters were synthesized utilizing the interfacial condensation technique. Yield decreases with increasing complexity of the aliphatic substituent; it decreases in the order of I > Br > Cl, and it decreases in the order of Sn > Ge > Si. Thus, initial attack by the nucleophile, steric requirements, and metal—halide bond breakage appear important: Where M = Si, Ge, or Sn.
THE MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF METABOLIC MYOPATHIES

The metabolic myopathies are distinguished by extensive clinical and genetic heterogeneity within and between individual disorders. There are a number of explanations for the variability observed that go beyond single gene mutations or degrees of heteroplasmy in the case of mitochondrial DNA mutations. Some of the contributing factors include protein subunit interactions, tissue-specificity, modifying genetic factors, and environmental triggers. Advances in the molecular analysis of metabolic myopathies during the last decade have not only improved the diagnosis of individual disorders but also helped to characterize the contributing factors that make these disorders so complex.
Lassa Virus Infection of Rhesus Monkeys: Pathogenesis and Treatment with Ribavirin

Rhesus monkeys were experimentally infected with Lassa virus to establish their suitability as a nonhuman primate model for the human disease and to test the protective efficacy of ribavirin, an antiviral drug. Six of 10 untreated control monkeys died after subcutaneous inoculation of 10(6.1) plaque-forming units of Lassa virus (strain Josiah). Infectivity titrations of tissue homogenates from the six dead monkeys indicated significant replication in all tissues tested except the central nervous system. This distribution of virus was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence examination of cryostat-sectioned tissues. Ribavirin was beneficial in the treatment of two groups of infected monkeys. Four monkeys first treated on the day of viral inoculation experienced only mild clinical disease; four monkeys first treated five days later experienced a more severe illness. None of the eight monkeys treated with ribavirin died. Viremia titers and elevations of levels of serum transaminases in treated monkeys were significantly lower than in controls. Ribavirin may be beneficial in the treatment of humans exposed to this life-threatening virus.
"Optical" sum rule for form factors of heavy mesons.

A sum rule for the transitions due to the vector current of heavy quarks between the ground negativeparity states and the positive-parity excited states is derived, which is a direct analogue of the sum rule in the scattering of light on atoms, known as the Thomas-Reiche-Kuhn sum rule or the "oscillator strength" sum rule. This sum rule in conjunction with one suggested by Bjorken can be used to place an upper bound on the slope parameter of the Isgur-Wise function $\ensuremath{\xi}$. The numerical estimates suggest the possibility of a significant differnece of the slope parameter in the $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}D$ transitions from that in the $B\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{D}^{*}$ due to an insufficiently heavy mass of the charmed quark. Also the sum rule shows that the slope parameter should be a growing function of the mass of the spectator quark.
Trends and outcomes of concurrent carotid revascularization and coronary bypass

Background The management of concurrent carotid and coronary artery disease is controversial. Although single-center observational studies have revealed acceptable outcomes of combined carotid endarterectomy (CEA) and coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), community-based outcomes have been substantially inferior. Recently, carotid artery stenting (CAS) has been introduced for the management of high-risk patients with carotid stenosis, including those with severe coronary artery disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the nationwide trends and outcomes of CAS before CABG vs combined CEA and CABG and to assess the risk for adverse events. Methods The Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS) was used to identify patients discharged after concurrent carotid and coronary revascularization procedures. All patients that underwent CAS before CABG and combined CEA-CABG during the years 2000 to 2004 were included. The type of revascularization and major adverse events (ie, in-hospital stroke and death rates) were determined by cross-tabulating discharge diagnostic and procedural codes. Risk stratification was performed using the Charlson Comorbidity Index. Weighted exact Cochrane-Armitage trend test and multivariate logistic regression were used to assess the association between types of revascularization, comorbidities, complications, and risk-adjusted mortality. Results During the 5-year period, 27,084 concurrent carotid revascularizations and CABG were done. Of these, 96.7% underwent CEA-CABG, whereas only 3.3% (887 patients) had CAS-CABG. From 2000 to 2004, the proportion of patients undergoing CAS-CABG vs CEA-CABG did not significantly changed (P = .27). Patients undergoing CAS-CABG had fewer major adverse events than those undergoing CEA-CABG. CAS-CABG patients had a lower incidence of postoperative stroke (2.4% vs 3.9%), and combined stroke and death (6.9% v. 8.6%) than the combined CEA-CABG group (P Conclusion Although CAS may currently be performed for high-risk patients, it is still infrequently used in patients who require concurrent carotid and coronary interventions. In the United States, patients who undergo CAS-CABG have significantly decreased in-hospital stroke rates compared with patients undergoing CEA-CABG but similar in-hospital mortality. CAS may provide a safer carotid revascularization option for patients who require CABG.
Broadband and Low Frequency Vibration-Based Energy Harvesting Improvement Through Magnetically Induced Frequency Up-Conversion

In order to extract as much energy as possible from ambient vibrations, many vibration-based energy harvesters (VEHs) are designed to resonate at a specific base excitation frequency. Unfortunately, many vibration energy sources are low frequency (0.5 Hz–100 Hz), intermittent, and broadband. Thus, resonant VEHs would not be excited continuously and would require a large mass or size to tune to such a low frequency. This work presents the modeling, analysis, and experimental application of a nonlinear, magnetically excited energy harvester that exhibits efficient broadband, frequency-independent performance. This design utilizes a passive auxiliary structure that remains stationary relative to the base motion of the VEH. This device is especially effective for driving frequencies well below its fundamental frequency, thus enabling a more compact design compared to traditional resonant topologies. A mechanical model based on Euler-Bernoulli beam theory is coupled to a linear circuit and a model of the nonlinear, magnetic interaction to produce a distributed parameter magneto-electromechanical system. The results of both harmonic and broadband, stochastic simulations demonstrate multiple-order-of-magnitude power harvesting performance improvement at low driving frequencies and an insensitivity to time-varying base excitation frequency content. Furthermore, the proposed system is shown to enable more practical designs than a resonant energy harvester for the specific example of harvesting energy from walking motion.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
Psychosocial interventions for suicidal children and adolescents

This paper discusses the role of psychosocial intervention in the treatment of suicidal youth, summarizes the existing relevant literature, describes model programs for treating suicidal youth, and discusses efficacy-to-effectiveness issues in working with this population. Language: en
The Promise of Democracy's College: Town Hall Meeting as Teaching Method.

This article examines the role of the community college in American society. Numerous changes are mentioned with respect to the norms and values observed in two-year schools, particularly in the last 20 years as the "learning revolution" has shaped organizational beliefs and practices. The implications of the changing norms and values are discussed in terms of their impact on pedagogy in the two-year college, and a specific teaching method, the town hall meeting, is offered as an alternative to technologically mediated and individualized modes of instruction. Results of an evaluation survey are presented, and the article concludes with a call for future research on the social, cultural, and political roles served by the community college.
The impact of sexual and urinary dysfunction on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) following radical prostatectomy (RP).

The impact of sexual and urinary dysfunction on health-related quality-of-life (HRQOL) following radical prostatectomy (RP)
Estimating the dynamics of protofibril elongation involved in Aβ42 peptide aggregation in Alzheimer's disease

We present a molecular-level simulation model to understand the dynamics of the amyloid-β (Aβ) peptide aggregation process involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD). We propose a divide and conquer strategy by dissecting the aggregation pathway into three stages: 1) pre-nucleation 2) post-nucleation and 3) protofibril elongation. We next focus on estimating the rate constants involved in the protofibril elongation stage for Aβ42 supported by in vitro biophysical analyses data. These rate constants will allow us to build a complete simulation of the aggregation pathway.
Xeroderma pigmentosum variant: Complementary molecular approaches to detect a 13 base pair deletion in the DNA polymerase eta gene

Deficiencies of DNA polymerase eta-an enzyme mediating replication past UV-induced DNA damage-predispose individuals to xeroderma pigmentosum variant (XPV) and result in a high incidence of skin cancers. We designed, developed and assessed several complementary molecular approaches to detect a genetically inherited deletion within DNA polymerase eta. RNA was reverse transcribed from XPV fibroblasts and from normal human cells, and standard polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was conducted on the cDNA targeting a region with a 13 base pair deletion within the polymerase eta gene. PCR products were subjected to restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis and cycle DNA sequencing. The deletion was found to eliminate a BsrGI restriction site and affected the number of resultant fragments visualized after gel electrophoresis. Cycle sequencing of polymerase eta-specific amplicons from XPV and normal cells provided a second approach for detecting the mutation. Additionally, the use of a fluorescent nucleic acid dye-EvaGreen-in real-time PCR and melt curve analysis distinguished normal and XPV patient-derived amplicons as well as heteroduplexes that represent heterozygotic carriers without the need for high resolution melt analysis-compatible software. Our approaches are easily adaptable by diagnostic laboratories that screen for or verify genetically inherited disorders and identify carriers of a defective gene.
Simultaneous determination of antiarrhythmia drugs by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

Abstract A method is described for the determination of antiarrhythmia drugs in serum by high-performance thin-layer chromatography. Baseline separations are achieved for all the drugs and clozapine, an internal standard, in two developments with solvents of different polarity. Lidocaine and diphenylhydantoin are scanned at 220 nm after the first development. Procainamide, propranolol and quinidine are scanned at 290 nm after the second development. The relative standard deviation of the determination varies between 3 and 14% depending on the nature of the drugs and its concentration.
Resonances in radiative hyperon decays

The importance of resonances for the radiative hyperon decays is examined in the framework of chiral perturbation theory. Low lying baryon resonances are included into the effective theory and tree contributions to these decays are calculated. We find significant contributions to both the parity-conserving and parity-violating decay amplitudes and a large negative value for the asymmetry parameter in polarized ${\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}p\ensuremath{\gamma}$ is found, in agreement with the experimental result ${\ensuremath{\alpha}}_{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{p{\ensuremath{\Sigma}}^{+}}=\ensuremath{-}0.76\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.08.$
The Arabidopsis Heterochronic Gene ZIPPY Is an ARGONAUTE Family Member

Abstract Plants progress through a temporal sequence of juvenile, adult, and reproductive phases, each marked by the expression of phase-specific traits. Here we show that loss-of-function mutations in ZIPPY (ZIP) cause the premature expression of adult vegetative traits but do not accelerate the onset of reproductive competence or flowering time. ZIP encodes ARGONAUTE7 (AGO7) , one of ten members of the ARGONAUTE family in Arabidopsis [1]. In addition to playing developmental roles, some ARGONAUTE family members are required for RNAi-like phenomena, such as posttranscriptional gene silencing [2]. In contrast to Arabidopsis ARGONAUTE1 [1], ZIP has no significant role in transgene silencing; its primary function is in the regulation of developmental timing.
Isotope Effect on the Phase Transition Temperatures in Aromatic Hydrocarbon-Tetracyanobenzene Complexes

Abstract It is well established that electrical and magnetic properties of crystals are strongly influenced by structural phase transitions. The strong charge transfer complexes such as tetrathiofulvalene-tetracyanoquinodimethan (TTF-TCNQ) have been intensely studied(1) but much less is known concerning weak charge transfer complexes and the influence of solid-solid transitions on their properties. Typical examples of some weak charge transfer complexes are the 1:1 complexes formed between aromatic donors (e.g. naphthalene) and aromatic acceptors (e.g. 1,2,4,5 tetracyanobenzene, TCNB).
Effect of fiber length on carbon nanotube-induced fibrogenesis:

Given their extremely small size and light weight, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) can be readily inhaled by human lungs resulting in increased rates of pulmonary disorders, particularly fibrosis. Although the fibrogenic potential of CNTs is well established, there is a lack of consensus regarding the contribution of physicochemical attributes of CNTs on the underlying fibrotic outcome. We designed an experimentally validated in vitro fibroblast culture model aimed at investigating the effect of fiber length on single-walled CNT (SWCNT)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. The fibrogenic response to short and long SWCNTs was assessed via oxidative stress generation, collagen expression and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) production as potential fibrosis biomarkers. Long SWCNTs were significantly more potent than short SWCNTs in terms of reactive oxygen species (ROS) response, collagen production and TGF-β release. Furthermore, our finding on the length-dependent in vitro fibrogenic response was validated by the in vivo lung fibrosis outcome, thus supporting the predictive value of the in vitro model. Our results also demonstrated the key role of ROS in SWCNT-induced collagen expression and TGF-β activation, indicating the potential mechanisms of length-dependent SWCNT-induced fibrosis. Together, our study provides new evidence for the role of fiber length in SWCNT-induced lung fibrosis and offers a rapid cell-based assay for fibrogenicity testing of nanomaterials with the ability to predict pulmonary fibrogenic response in vivo.
Laboratory investigation of dune erosion using stereo video

Abstract Simple parameterizations of dune erosion are necessary for forecasting erosion potential prior to an oncoming storm. Dune erosion may be parameterized in terms of the elevation of the total water level (composed of surge, tide, and wave runup) above the dune base and period of exposure of the dune to waves. In this work, we test several versions of this model using observations from a large wave tank experiment designed to model a storm hydrograph, and we develop a new method for acquiring the appropriate data with confidence intervals using stereo video techniques. The stereo method results in observations of dune morphology at higher spatial and temporal resolutions than traditional survey methods allow. Resolution of the stereo technique was 0.1 m in the horizontal and 0.04 m in the vertical, and errors in stereo observations were on the order of 0.02 to 0.08 m (1 to 2 pixels) when compared with surveys. A new method was developed to estimate confidence intervals on stereo observations. When the unchanging dune top was repeatedly sampled, the new confidence intervals encompassed 2 standard deviations of scatter about the mean dune surface 98% of the time. Observations from the stereo method were used to quantify wave runup and dune erosion. We tested a variety of runup statistics based on a Gaussian distribution of swash properties, and found that the most predictive statistic for dune erosion was the 16% exceedance elevation above the dune base, lower than the often used 2% exceedance value. We found that the parameterization of runup was sensitive to the definition of beach slope and that the most accurate beach slope for predicting runup was through the region of the beach profile defined by the mean water level plus one standard deviation of swash. The dune base retreated along a relatively constant trajectory that was a half of the initial beach slope. Finally, a simple model for dune erosion was tested and found to reproduce 64% of the observed variance in dune erosion rate given known forcing at the dune and 49% of the observed variance in dune erosion rate given parameterized forcing. Integrating the simple model over time, 93% of the observed dune retreat distance was reproduced given offshore forcing.
The inward rectifier current (IK1) controls cardiac excitability and is involved in arrhythmogenesis

The cardiac inwardly rectifying potassium current (IK1) stabilizes the resting membrane potential and is responsible for shaping the initial depolarization and final repolarization of the action potential. The inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir2.x) subfamily members primarily mediate cardiac IK1, but other inward rectifiers, including the acetylcholine-sensitive (Kir3.x) and ATP-sensitive (Kir6.x) inward rectifiers, also may modulate cardiac excitability. Studies suggest IK1 plays a role in ventricular arrhythmias, highlighted by the recently described Andersen’s syndrome and studies in the guinea pig heart model of ventricular fibrillation. This article describes the salient properties of cardiac IK1 and discusses the role of this current in the cardiac action potential and in underlying regional differences in cardiac excitability. The mechanism of channel block, assembly, and structure are reviewed. The article discusses the role of IK1 in ventricular fibrillation and speculates on modulation of IK1 as a preventative antiarrhythmic mechanism.