cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pore stoichiometry of a voltage-gated chloride channel

Ion channels allow ions to pass through cell membranes by forming aqueous permeation pathways (pores). In contrast to most known ion channels, which have single pores, a chloride channel belonging to the CIC family (Torpedo CIC-0) has functional features that suggest that it has a unique 'double-barrelled' architecture in which each of two subunits forms an independent pore. This model is based on single-channel recordings of CIC-0 that has two equally spaced and independently gated conductance states. Other CIC isoforms do not behave in this way, raising doubts about the applicability of the model to all CIC channels. Here we determine the pore stoichiometry of another CIC isoform, human CIC-1, by chemically modifying cysteines that have been substituted for other amino acids located within the CIC ion-selectivity filter. The CIC-1 channel can be rendered completely susceptible to block by methanethiosulphonate reagents when only one of the two subunits contains substituted cysteines. Thiol side chains placed at corresponding positions in both subunits can form intersubunit disulphide bridges and coordinate Cd2+, indicating that the pore-forming regions from each subunit line the same conduction pathway. We conclude that human CIC-1 has a single functional pore.
An Algorithm for Induction of Possibilistic Set-Valued Rules by Finding Prime Disjunctions

We present a new algorithm, called Optimist, which generates possibilistic set-valued rules from tables containing categorical attributes taking a finite number of values. An example of such a rule might be “IF HOUSEHOLDSIZE={Two OR Tree} AND OCCUPATION={Professional OR Clerical} THEN PAYMENT_METHOD={CashCheck (Max=249) OR DebitCard (Max=175)}. The algorithm is based on an original formal framework generalising the conventional boolean approach in two directions: (i) finite-valued variables and (ii) continuos-valued semantics. Using this formalism we approximate the multidimensional distribution induced from data by a number of possibilistic prime disjunctions (patterns) representing the widest intervals of impossible combinations of values. The Optimist algorithm described in the paper generates the most interesting prime disjunctions for one pass through the data set by means of transformation from the DNF representing data into the possibilistic CNF representing knowledge. It consists of generation, absorption and filtration parts. The set-valued rules built from the possibilistic patterns are optimal in the sense that they have the most general condition and the most specific conclusion. For the case of finite-valued attributes and two-valued semantics the algorithm is implemented in the Chelovek rule induction system for Windows 95.
Anatomical extent of fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy

Abstract The anatomical extent of fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy was determined by placing a clip on the colonic mucosa and subsequently locating the clip on barium enema. A 60 cm exam viewed the entire sigmoid coJon in 81% of patients. Exams of 50–55 cm, 40–45 cm, and 30–35 cm extent viewed the entire sigmoid colon in 68%, 27%, and 13%, respectively. The 50–55 cm and 60 cm exams collectively viewed 90% and 95% of the sigmoid colon surface, respectively. The 30–35 cm and 40–45 cm exams collectively viewed 53% and 70% of the sigmoid colon surface respectively. The anatomical extent of fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy clearly exceeds that of rigid sigmoidoscopy. These data help to define the diagnostic potential of fiberoptic sigmoidoscopy.
Determination of statistics for any rotation of axes of a bivariate normal elliptical distribution

Determination of mean, variance, covariance, and correlation estimates for axes rotation of bivariate normal elliptical distribution
Direct formation of epoxyalkylcopper reagents from activated copper and epoxyalkyl bromides and their intranolecular cyclizations

Abstract Epoxyalkylcopper compounds have readily been prepared by the direct oxidative addition of active copper to epoxyalkyl halides. The intramolecular cyclization of the epoxyalkylcopper reagents via an epoxide cleavage process is described. Significantly, many functional groups can be present in the bromoepoxides yielding highly functionalized carbocycles. The regioselectivity of this cyclization is affected by the connecting chain length, substitution pattern, reaction solvent, and the CuI-phosphine complex used to generate the copper.
Poly(amino acid) bioadhesives for tissue repair.

We report here on poly(amino acid)-based bioadhesives with potential to bond to soft tissues. The systems investigated included homopolymer poly(amino acids), mixtures of poly(amino acids) and amino acids, and blends of different poly(amino acids). Adhesive performance was tested in tension on glass surfaces, chondroitin sulfate surfaces, as well as bovine cartilage surfaces. The amino acid structural units contained acidic, basic, or polar side chains and were found to adhere reasonably well to the surfaces of glass and chondroitin sulfate. The formation of polymer-monomer complexes with the addition of a basic monomer such as L-lysine to negatively charged polymers such as poly(L-aspartic acid) and poly(L-glutamic acid) was found to result in greater adhesive strength relative to homopolymers. Further improvement in adhesion was observed in blends of poly(L-lysine) with polar poly(amino acids) such as poly(L-asparagine). Adhesion on wet cartilage surfaces was the weakest measured but a priming approach ...
A retrospective analysis of radical hysterectomies done for cervical cancer: Is there a role for the Pfannenstiel incision?

Abstract Objective. The goal of this work was to review patients with early-stage cervical cancer undergoing radical hysterectomy, comparing Pfannenstiel and vertical midline incisions for surgical feasibility, complications, and length of stay. Methods. Patients were identified by searching our institutional database. Data were collected from review of each patient's medical record, including demographics, cancer stage, histology, procedural information, length of stay, and complications. Associations between variables were studied using χ 2 and two-tailed t tests. Multivariate analysis was performed using logistic regression. Results. Between March 1996 and June 2000, 113 patients from the University and Presbyterian Hospitals, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, underwent radical hysterectomy and pelvic and paraortic lymph node dissection with records available for review. Group 1 consisted of 40 patients who had vertical incisions and group 2 consisted of 73 patients who had Pfannenstiel incisions. There was no difference in race, number of previous abdominal surgeries, distribution of stage, histology, percentage of type III hysterectomies, estimated blood loss, nodal counts, pathologic margin positivity, and postoperative complications among the two groups. Group 2 were younger (41.6 vs 46.5, P = 0.02) and had a lower average QI than group 1 (24.9 vs 28.9, P = 0.001). Group 2 also had a shorter average hospital stay (4.6 days vs 5.8 days, P = 0.04) and shorter operative time (215 min vs 273 min, P = 0.09). Multivariate analysis resulted in Pfannenstiel incisions ( P = 0.002), younger age ( P = 0.004), and smaller body mass index ( P = 0.01) being significant predictors of length of stay. Conclusions. Pfannenstiel incisions are feasible without increased morbidity and equal nodal retrieval as compared with vertical midline incisions in patients with early-stage cervical cancer. Pfannenstiel incisions may offer an advantage besides cosmesis in the form of shorter operating room time and earlier discharge from the hospital.
Couples group therapy conducted via computer-mediated communication: A preliminary case study

Abstract This report will describe an experiment in shifting a couples group from sessions held in my office (or ‘in-real-life’ as computer users might say) to sessions conducted from our homes using personal computers. I will place this experiment in context, describe some of the process (including what may be the first reported ‘Freudian slip’ in cyberspace), and then mention some limitations and potentialities of group therapy conducted via computer-mediated communication.
Lead in holmium iron garnet films grown from fluxed melts by liquid phase epitaxy

Abstract The incorporation of Pb, from the flux, into Ho 3 Fe 5 O 12 garnet films grown by LPE onto GGC substrates oriented (111) is studied by electron microprobe analysis (EMPA). Results support earlier findings that Pb increases significantly with decreasing growth temperature and that Pb increases, to a lesser degree, with increasing growth rate, induced by axial substrate rotation, at a fixed temperature. Also Pt, from the Pt crucibles which hold the growth melts, increases with Pb, but not in sufficient amounts to completely charge compensate Pb by a compensated ion pair such as Pb 2+ -Pt 4+ . Angle-lapped films examined by EMPA generally show an increase in Pb in the film region at the substrate interface and a decrease in Pb at the film surface compared to the bulk of the film interior. The increase of Pb at the substrate interface is at least in part a consequence of PbO vapor condensing on the substrate prior to growth. From the standpoint of crystallographic site occupancy, the Pb and Pt pair with Ho and Fe respectively such that comparing the number of Ho + Pb ions with the Fe + Pt ions per formula unit indicates a slight excess of the former over the latter, greater than the expected 3 : 5 stoichiometric ratio. Lattice mismatch results are also discussed and Pb is seen to have less effect upon mismatch than that expected from the radius ratio effect of Pb 2+ substituting for Ho 3+ .
A Nonlinear Equation Framework for Solving Network Equilibrium Problems

The author presents a general framework for formulating network equilibrium problems in which the equilibrium conditions are given by a system of nonlinear equations. Existence and uniqueness results are presented, and iterative solution techniques with well-defined convergence properties are suggested. For illustrative purposes, these techniques are applied to a specific two-mode equilibrium model; a discussion comparing some aspects of this approach with other existing approaches is included.
Limiting efficiency of silicon based nanostructure solar cells for multiple exciton generation

The materials for multiple exciton generation (MEG) solar cells have often focused on colloidal systems using low band gap materials such as PbSe. However, detailed balance calculations with non-ideal quantum yield (QYs) lead to higher band gaps, with silicon close to the optimum value. We calculate the conversion efficiency of MEG processes including non-idealities for nanostructured silicon. We also boost efficiency of MEG solar cells using multijunction solar cell configurations. Incorporating MEG into multijunction solar cells leads to increased calculated efficiencies due to QYs greater than unity in each junction. Here we have simulated the possible MEG enhanced QY of each junction and the corresponding conversion efficiencies for double junction hybrid solar cells. This hybrid structure extends the opportunities to maximize the MEG effect and also to select the appropriate effective bandgaps using silicon nanostructures.
A Fast, Partially Parallelizable Algorithm for Predicting Execution Time of EQL Rule-Based Programs

Real-time expert systems are embedded decision systems which must respond to changes in the environments within stringent timing constraints. A major problem impeding the use of rule-based expert systems in real-time environments is the difficulty in predicting the response time of these rule-based systems. In this paper, we tackle this problem with a fast, partially parallelizable response time analysis algorithm for a class of EQL rule-based programs with constant assignments in the action parts of the rules.
Myocardial ischemic reperfusion induces de novo Nrf2 protein translation

Nrf2 is a bZIP transcription factor regulating the expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes. We have found that Nrf2 knockout mice have an increased infarction size in response to regional ischemic reperfusion and have a reduced degree of cardiac protection by means of ischemic preconditioning. With cycles of brief ischemia and reperfusion (5′I/5′R) that induce cardiac protection in wild type mice, an elevated Nrf2 protein was observed without prior increases of Nrf2 mRNA. When an mRNA species is being translated into a protein, it is occupied by multiple ribosomes. The level of ribosome-associated Nrf2 mRNA increased following cycles of 5′I/5′R, supporting de novo Nrf2 protein translation. A dicistronic reporter assay indicated a role of the 5′ untranslated region (5′ UTR) of Nrf2 mRNA in oxidative stress induced Nrf2 protein translation in isolated cardiomyocytes. Western blot analyses after isolation of proteins binding to biotinylated Nrf2 5′ UTR from the myocardium or cultured cardiomyocytes demonstrated that cycles of 5′I/5′R or oxidants caused an increased association of La protein with Nrf2 5′ UTR. Ribonucleoprotein complex immunoprecipitation assays confirmed such association indeed occurring in vivo. Knocking down La using siRNA was able to prevent Nrf2 protein elevation by oxidants in cultured cardiomyocytes and by cycles of 5′I/5′R in the myocardium. Our data point out a novel mechanism of cardiac protection by de novo Nrf2 protein translation involving interaction of La protein with 5′ UTR of Nrf2 mRNA in cardiomyocytes.
Oceanic evidence for the mechanism of rapid northern hemisphere glaciation

The oxygen isotopic stage 5/4 boundary in deep-sea sediments marks a prominent interval of northern hemisphere ice-sheet growth that lasted about 10,000 yr. During much of this rapid ice growth, the North Atlantic Ocean from at least 40°N to 60°N maintained warm sea-surface temperatures, within 1° to 2°C of today's subpolar ocean. This oceanic warmth provided a local source of moisture for ice-sheet accretion on the adjacent continents. The unusually strong thermal gradient off the east coast of North America (an “interglacial” ocean alongside a “glacial” land mass) also should have directed low-pressure storms from warm southern latitudes north-ward toward the Laurentide Ice Sheet. In addition, minimal calving of ice into the North Atlantic occurred during most of the stage 5/4 transition, indicative of ice retention within the continents. Diminished summer and autumn insolation, a warm subpolar ocean, and minimal calving of ice are conducive to rapid and extensive episodes of northern hemisphere ice-sheet growth.
Tossing and Turning: Guests in the Flexible Frameworks of Metal(III) Dicarboxylates

Single crystals of Ga(OH)(C(8)H(4)O(4)).0.74C(8)H(6)O(4) (2) and Ga(OH,F)(C(8)H(4)O(4)).0.74C(8)H(6)O(4) (3) were obtained under hydrothermal conditions. The structures of 2 and 3 have the same topological framework as the previously reported aluminum 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate (BDC), Al(OH)(C(8)H(4)O(4)).0.7C(8)H(6)O(4) (1). The frameworks are built by interconnecting M-OH-M chains (M = Al, Ga) with BDC anions to form large diamond-shaped one-dimensional channels filled with additional H(2)BDC guest molecules occupying disordered positions in the channels. Upon removal of H(2)BDC, other guest molecules such as H(2)O and pyridine can be inserted. In this work, we present a study of the intercalation of aromatic guests (BDC and pyridine) into frameworks of 1-3 by liquid and vapor diffusion into the empty channels of 1 and by single-crystal-to-single-crystal solvothermal guest exchange for 2 and 3. In the case of Al(OH)BDC and Ga(OH,F)BDC, two interconvertible, guest-concentration-dependent phases with different orientations of the pyridine guests have been observed, while only one pyridine orientation is found in Ga(OH)BDC.
Emancipation & empire, from Cromwell to Karl Rove

Daedalus Spring 2005 Empire’ only became a dirty word in the twentieth century. Prior to this, educated Europeans and North Americans believed that while there were certainly bad empires (usually Eastern and despotic in character), there were also good empires–notably that of Rome, the cradle of Christian civilization and a model for enlightened later monarchies and republics. The Catholic Church always had an af1⁄2nity with empire and saw even the heathen variety as providential if there was any chance of converting the ruler, as had happened with such prodigious consequences with Constantine in fourth-century Rome. Charlemagne, Frederic II, Charles V, Philip II, Louis XIV, Napoleon–all dreamt of reestablishing the universal empire. Republicans, too, admired the emancipatory vigor of the Roman Republic, seeing its imperial reach as proof of the special virtue of this form of government, even as they worried about the danger that a republican empire could be undermined by its own successes and capsize (as Rome did) into militarism and monarchy. Under the circumstances, it is not so surprising that the idea that there might be something wrong with empire caught on very slowly–a process worth reviewing in more detail.
Zone Repartitioning: A Load‐Balancing Mechanism for Data‐Centric Storage Systems

Data‐centric storage is an efficient scheme to store and retrieve event data in sensor networks, but with the multi‐hop routing nature of sensor networks, the communication cost of the home nodes and their neighboring nodes tends to be much higher than the other nodes. These hot‐spots can adversely impact system lifetime by draining off their limited energy rapidly. In this paper, we present Zone‐Repartitioning, a load‐balancing mechanism that reduces the energy consumption of the hot‐spots by distributing their communication load while event frequency is high. The trade‐off between event storage cost and query cost makes Zone Repartitioning a competitive approach in different kinds of applications. We compare the performance of Zone Repartitioning against GHT and show that Zone Repartitioning provides better adaptability in various sensor network scenarios.
The impact of NMDA receptor hypofunction on GABAergic neurons in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia

While the dopamine hypothesis has dominated schizophrenia research for several decades, more recent studies have highlighted the role of fast synaptic transmitters and their receptors in schizophrenia etiology. Here we review evidence that schizophrenia is associated with a reduction in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function. By highlighting postmortem, neuroimaging and electrophysiological studies, we provide evidence for preferential disruption of GABAergic circuits in the context of NMDAR hypo-activity states. The functional relationship between NMDARs and GABAergic neurons is realized at the molecular, cellular, microcircuit and systems levels. A synthesis of findings across these levels explains how NMDA-mediated inhibitory dysfunction may lead to aberrant interactions among brain regions, accounting for key clinical features of schizophrenia. This synthesis of schizophrenia unifies observations from diverse fields and may help chart pathways for developing novel diagnostics and therapeutics.
A test of general strain theory

Tests of general strain theory (Agnew, 1992) have focused primarily on the relationship between strain and crime, ignoring the intervening role of negative emotions and legitimate coping strategies. This research provides a more comprehensive test of general strain theory, including measures of both anger and other expressions of negative affect, as well as a measure of legitimate coping. Results suggest that strain, negative emotions, and legitimate coping are all related, although not always in the expected direction. Moreover, results indicate that the nature of the link among these three variables and criminal outcomes are shaped by the types of strain and negative affect individuals experience, and by sex differences in the links among central variables.
Kernel-based extreme learning machine for remote-sensing image classification

This letter evaluates the effectiveness of a new kernel-based extreme learning machine (ELM) algorithm for a land cover classification using both multi- and hyperspectral remote-sensing data. The results are compared with the most widely used algorithms – support vector machines (SVMs). The results are compared in terms of the ease of use (in terms of the number of user-defined parameters), classification accuracy and computation cost. A radial basis kernel function was used with both the SVM and the kernel-based extreme-learning machine algorithms to ensure compatibility in the comparison of the two algorithms. The results suggest that the new algorithm is similar to, or more accurate than, SVM in terms of classification accuracy, has notable lower computational cost and does not require the implementation of a multiclass strategy.
Cerebral oxygenation and neuropsychological adaptation

abstract this paper describes current evidence that relates oxygen availability to neurobehavioral variables. Long-term effects on behavior of reduced oxygen supply to the brain are described in three clinical conditions. In addition, studies are presented in which controlled oxygen supply is enhanced to attempt amelioration of systemic oxygen deficit and correct behavioral impairment. Possibilities for the direct reversal of the primary causes of secondary neuropsychological deficit—as seen in these studies—may serve as an example for new research directions in clinical neuropsychology. Increasing emphasis should be placed on studies of neurobehavioral dysfunction with lowered cerebral oxygenation resulting from medically reversible conditions.
Community Leadership Development: Process and Practice

Research on leadership program impact typically focuses on quantitative measures of knowledgegained or attitude change at the end of the program. The nature of leadership as personal developmentand the likelihood of unanticipated outcomes resulting from development programs lead to the needto conduct studies to determine the extent of alumni application of new skills, knowledge andattitudes. To address this issue, research was conducted on community leadership programs inGeorgia using interviews, observation, and written surveys involving participants and programcoordinators. Analysis of the data showed that a broad range of community members have becomeinvolved in leadership activities because they "feel responsible for what goes on" after participatingin a program. Factors related to community context and program implementation affecting the natureand extent of alumni activity were also explored. These findings provide a foundation for developingsuccessful program practices and support for the continued...
The course of phage ∅e infection in sporulating cells of Bacillus subtilis strain 3610

Abstract Infection of Bacillus subtilis strain 3610 by the virulent phage ∅e at a critical stage during sporulation results in failure to produce phage and in incorporation of the phage genome within the developing spore. This phage “trapping” is maximal if infection occurs 5–6 hours after the end of logarithmic growth and is correlated with the failure of three phage-induced enzyme activities to appear at measurable levels. A nonsporulating mutant has been isolated which allows phage production in cells infected at a time when cells of the wild-type bacterium produce no phage. This mutant is blocked before the prespore stage but produces an antibiotic factor and a protease characteristically formed in the early steps of the sporulation process.
Major League Baseball Player Salaries: Bringing Realism into Introductory Statistics Courses

Abstract A dataset consisting of salaries of major league baseball players is published at the start of each season in USA Today, and is also made available on the Internet. It is argued that such an easily available dataset and those similar to it can be successfully used by students in a first statistics course for an interesting introduction to data analysis through summary measures and graphical displays. Such an approach is most natural for many students because of a strong interest in sports and economics. Other statistical ideas can be explored as a natural consequence of the discussions that ensue from such an analysis.
Borehole transmission tomography for velocity plus statics

The accuracy of velocity tomograms reconstructed from borehole transmission traveltime data is highly sensitive to traveltime statics. We present a least‐squares tomography algorithm that includes a traveltime static term. The algorithm solves for both the velocity field and the traveltime statics simultaneously. This enables us to separate traveltime signal from traveltime noise, reducing the tomographic velocity artifacts caused by the statics. The incorporation of a priori constraints on the poorly determined spectral components of the velocity field further improves accuracy by reducing velocity artifacts as a result of uneven ray coverage. Application of the algorithm to numerical crosswell data results in velocity and statics’ estimates that are accurate to within 1 percent. Application of the algorithm to Exxon’s Friendswood tomography data results in velocity and statics’ estimates that correlate with independent data.
Lumbar iatrogenic spinal instability

Stability of the spine is achieved through a dynamic interaction of several structural systems within the body. One definition of clinical instability was proposed by White and Panjabi as follows: “The loss of the ability of the spine under physiologic loads to maintain its pattern of displacement so that there is no initial or additional neurological deficit, no major deformity, and no incapacitating pain.” Iatrogenic instability may occur due to discectomy and laminectomy and due to adjacent segment degeneration. The following chapter discusses the possible causes of iatrogenic instability and potential treatments for these occurrences.
Live cell refractometry using microfluidic devices

Using quantitative phase imaging, we measured the average refractive index associated with live cells. We used microchannels to decouple the contributions to the phase signal of the cell refractive index and thickness.
Sonochemical formation of methyl hydroperoxide in polar aprotic solvents and its effect on single-walled carbon nanotube dispersion stability.

Ultrasonication is a common method for dispersing nanoparticles and colloids. We have found that, under certain conditions, unintended sonochemical reactions can be initiated by the incident ultrasonic energy, yielding unwanted byproducts. In this work, we determined that methyl hydroperoxide can be produced by an autoxidation chain reaction when ultrasonicating polar aprotic solvents containing methyl groups. Methyl radicals were detected during ultrasonication by their interaction with lucigenin, which emits sonochemiluminescence. A colorimetric triiodide test was used to confirm the presence of a hydroperoxide. The concentration of methyl hydroperoxide as a function of the ultrasonication time was measured by titration with NaOH. When above the critical coagulation concentration, this sonochemical byproduct collapses the electrical double layer, disrupting the dispersion stability and lowering the dispersion limits. This is significant when developing ultrasonication processes for dispersion of nanopar...
A MODELING-BASED COLLEGE ALGEBRA COURSE AND ITS EFFECT ON STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT

ABSTRACT In Fall 2004, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) piloted a modeling-based approach to college algebra. This paper describes the course and an assessment that was conducted to determine the effect of this approach on student achievement in comparison to a traditional approach to college algebra. The results show that compared with their counterparts in the traditional sections, students in the model-based approach had a higher success rate in the college algebra course; performed better on common final exam questions; performed less well in a subsequent precalculus course and slightly better in a subsequent business mathematics applications course. Overall, by the end of the following semester, the percentage of students who enrolled in the modeling course and successfully completed college algebra and a subsequent course required for their majors was significantly larger than the corresponding percentage of students in the traditional sections.
Stationary property of normal-incidence reflection from isotropic surfaces

The complex reflection coefficients for the parallel (p) and perpendicular (s) polarizations of light that are normally incident upon an isotropic surface are proved to be stationary with respect to small changes of the angle of incidence in the neighborhood of zero. This is true not only for a single interface between isotropic media but also for any one-dimensionally inhomogeneous or multilayer reflecting structure that is stratified in the direction of the surface normal. For incident light of certain intensity, phase, and polarization, the intensity, phase, and polarization of the reflected light all remain stationary with respect to small near-normal angle-of-incidence variations to first order. A second-order analysis is carried out to determine the parabolic (quadratic) variation of various reflection parameters of an interface with an angle near normal incidence.
Relevance of the crystal vs. solution structure of botulinum neurotoxin for understanding its mechanism of action and development of inhibitors

Botulinum neurotoxins are multifaceted molecules, which are truly unique not only in their mode of action, but also in their utility as a drug carrier either across the gut wall or to the nerve terminals. The molecule is divided into clear functional domains that can operate independently. This feature can be used to employ them as cargo carrier by linking other drugs or vaccines with the binding and translocation domains of BoNT. While the domain structures are largely independent of each other, the dynamic structure of these domains, especially that of the enzymatic domain (L chain), is quite different from the reported crystal structures for several BoNT serotypes and their enzymatic domain. This presentation will discuss the comparative structures of BoNT in crystal and solution for their relevance to the molecular mechanism of BoNT action. We have recently discovered that the enzymatically active structure of the BoNT exists as a molten-globule and that of the endopeptidase domain as a novel PRIME conformation, which may be relevant to the mechanistics of BoNT endopeptidase activity against SNAP-25 and to the development of inhibitors against it. This work was supported by DTRA under a DoD/Army Contract No. W911NF-06-1-0095.
Clinical-pathologic conference: Cutaneous paraneoplastic pemphigus associated with benign encapsulated thymoma

Case Presentation Dr Ortiz: The patient is a 62-year-old woman with a 90–pack-year smoking history who was seen with a chief complaint of intermittent skin lesions over her trunk and extremities for the past 3 years. The lesions had recently grown in size, and a large painful ulceration had appeared in her left groin. An extensive evaluation of the maculopapular skin lesions had been undertaken previously, and the working diagnosis of her dermatologist was Grover’s disease.1 During my evaluation a routine chest radiograph revealed an anterior mediastinal mass, which was verified by computed tomography to be a 7.5-cm circumscribed contrast-enhancing mass. On examination the patient appeared healthy, and her vital signs were within normal limits. Pertinent findings included distant breath sounds and a rash over her chest and extremities, which will be described in detail by Dr Boh. There was also an ulcerated lesion several centimeters in size in her left vulvar area, and this lesion will be addressed by Dr Lottinger. In anticipation of surgical removal of the patient’s anterior mediastinal mass, pulmonary function tests were performed. Spirometry revealed a forced vital capacity that was 79% of predicted and a forced expiratory volume in 1 second that was 59% of predicted. Residual volume was 115%. The patient’s electrocardiogram was abnormal, as were results of an exercise stress test. She therefore underwent cardiolyte stress testing with sestamibi, which demonstrated no ischemic changes; however, the mediastinal mass was evident, as will be discussed by Dr Campeau. The patient was then referred to Dr Hartz for surgical excision of the mass. Dr Campeau: Computed chest tomography revealed a 7.5-cm circumscribed, contrast-enhancing mass with a central area of nonenhancement consistent with necrosis or cystic change. These findings were more evident on the nuclear myocardial stress test, which showed a large mediastinal mass with intense sestamibi activity but no central area devoid of activity (Figure 1). From Tulane University Health Sciences Center, Department of Surgery, New Orleans, La.
A simple dynamical model of edge localized mode phenomena

A dynamical model of edge-localized mode (ELM) phenomena is presented. It combines the paradigms of the L - H transition mediated by electric field shear induced suppression and generation with a simplified description of MHD instability and with a transport analysis of the plasma edge. In the parameter regime characteristic of an H-mode plasma, the model exhibits a transition to stationary relaxation oscillations (i.e. stable limit cycle behaviour) corresponding to ELMs. The dependence of ELM frequency, amplitude etc on the heating power and other control parameters is studied.
Evaluating a national program of school-based HIV prevention

Abstract This article provides an overview of the evaluation strategy being used by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor and improve a broad, national program of HIV prevention among in-school youth. Selected findings from each of the evaluation components are presented. The evaluation strategy includes national, state, and local surveillance of risk behaviors, health outcomes, and school HIV-related policies and programs. Additionally CDC assists state and local departments of education in evaluating the quality and effectiveness of their HIV-related policies, educator training, and curricula. Finally, CDC conducts evaluation research on state-of-the-art, multi-component, school-based interventions to reduce the risk of HIV infection.
The Problem with Looking at Pieter Bruegel's Elck

This essay concerns optical wit in Pieter Bruegel's Elck (1558). While scholars have treated this print as an earnest essay in human frailty, I focus instead on its playful negations both of knowledge and of one who would possess it. Building on Peter Parshall's earlier delineation of this paradoxical theme, I suggest that Elck uses a parallelism based in looking to implicate the viewer as one who would obtain a measure of understanding from, or apply it to, the printed image: as the protagonist Elck (Everyone) pores over worldly goods, and as his counterpart Niemant (Nobody) gazes foolishly into a mirror, so does the viewer assess the print. All look, but few – if any – truly see. The implications of this parallelism are crucial. The successful (that is, knowledgeable) interpreter must necessarily cease to exist, as knowledge is, according to the print, the sole province of Nobody; the other option, interpretive failure, associates us with Everyone, who patently lacks any knowledge whatsoever. Bruegel thus cleverly indicts the interpretive skills of his audience by denying the potential for anything but nonsensical reading. I suggest that the print thus disrupts traditional responses to the image and, consequently, calls into question the relationship between artist, object, and observer.
Examining the Impact of Proposition 48 on Graduation Rates in Division 1A Football and Program Recruiting Behavior Testing a Policy Change Model

The intersection of athletics and academics is legitimized through eligibility rules, which provide standards that bind commercial athletics to the educational purposes of higher education. To compete in intercollegiate athletics, freshman student athletes must meet the initial academic eligibility criteria set by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) membership. Proposition 48 crystallized many of the calls for reform regarding inadequate academic standards in the public and postsecondary institutions that occurred during the early 1980s. In this article, the authors propose and test a time series structural equation model to investigate Proposition 48's impact on raising Division IA freshman student athletes' graduation rates in football and its impact in changing football programs' recruiting practices regarding freshman and junior college student athletes.
Postpartum care for mothers diagnosed with hepatitis B during pregnancy

Objective We sought to determine rates of maternal postpartum hepatitis B virus (HBV) follow-up with a HBV specialist and identify factors associated with poor follow-up, as prior research has focused on infant outcomes and not maternal care. Study Design We conducted a retrospective review of data from Partners HealthCare system, the largest health care system in Massachusetts, and identified women with chronic HBV who delivered from 2002 through 2012. Results We identified 291 women (mean age 31.5 years, 51% Asian) with incident HBV during pregnancy. In all, 47% had postpartum follow-up with a HBV specialist, but only 19% also had appropriate laboratory tests (hepatitis B e antigen [HBeAg], hepatitis B e antibody, HBV DNA, and ALT) within 1 year of their HBV diagnosis. Mothers with HBV follow-up were more likely to have a primary care physician (PCP) within the Partners HealthCare system (66% vs 38%, P P = .004), and elevated AST values (17% vs 8%, P = .02). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, a mother who had a PCP (odds ratio, 2.50; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–4.59) or positive HBeAg (odds ratio, 4.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.64–12.06) had a greater likelihood of having HBV follow-up. Conclusion Only 19% of HBV-infected mothers met care guidelines 1 year after being diagnosed with HBV. Inadequate postpartum HBV care affects women of all races/ethnicities. Women who had a PCP as well as those who were HBeAg positive were more likely to be referred for postpartum follow-up with a HBV specialist, suggesting that providers might be referring patients when they perceive HBV to be more serious or complex.
Religiosity as a Predictor of Adolescents' Substance Use Disorder Treatment Outcomes.

ABSTRACTBackground: A growing body of research on adults with substance use disorders (SUDs) suggests that higher levels of religiosity and/or spirituality are associated with better treatment outcomes. However, investigation into the role of religiosity and spirituality in adolescent SUD treatment response remains scarce. The present study examines religiosity as a predictor of treatment outcomes in an adolescent sample, with alcohol/other drug problem recognition as a hypothesized moderator of this relationship. Problem recognition was selected as a moderator in an attempt to identify a subset of adolescents who would be more likely to use religious resources when attempting to change their substance use. Methods: One hundred twenty-seven outpatient adolescents aged 14 to 19 (Mage = 16.7, SD = 1.2, 24% female) were followed for 1 year after treatment intake. Growth curve analyses were used to assess the impact of baseline religiosity and problem recognition on subsequent abstinence rates, drug-related c...
A Simple Preparation of Amides from Acids and Amines by Heating of Their Mixture

Abstract Heating a mixture of an amine and an acid is demonstrated as the method of choice for the preparation of many amides. The yields depend on the physical properties and thermal stability of the reactants and range from good to excellent. The ideal reactants should have melting points below 200 °C, should not be highly volatile and should be thermally stable at that temperature for 30 minutes. Some of those disadvantages can be overcome by using acid esters instead of an acid in the reaction. The method stands out among the others by its simplicity, low cost and short reaction time. Also it can be performed in very large scale, does not require solvent and special purification of the reactants.
A Microwave Study of the Ammonia−Nitric Acid Complex

Microwave spectra of H{sub 3}{sup 14}N-H{sup 14}NO{sub 3}, H{sub 3}{sup 15}N-H{sup 14}NO{sub 3}, H{sub 3}{sup 14}N-H{sup 15}NO{sub 3}, and H{sub 3}{sup 14}N-D{sup 14}NO{sub 3} have been obtained by Fourier transform spectroscopy in a supersonic jet. The spectra are consistent with a hydrogen-bonded structure having a planar arrangement of the heavy atom frame and a linear or near-linear hydrogen bond involving the HNO{sub 3} proton and the lone pair on the ammonia. The hydrogen bond length obtained from the rotational constants is 1.736(63) {angstrom} and the nitrogen-nitrogen separation is 3.344(12) {angstrom}. The NO single bond of the nitric acid and the C{sub 3} axis of the NH{sub 3} form angles of 54(4){degree} and 21(3){degree}, respectively, with the line joining the centers of mass of the monomers. The hydrogen bond length is significantly shorter than that observed in related complexes such as H{sub 3}N-HCl and H{sub 3}N-HBr, indicating a particularly strong interaction between ammonia and nitric acid.
Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium effects on pre‐ and post‐transplant growth of salvia and vinca seedlings

Abstract Pre‐ and post‐transplant growth of bedding plants is affected by seedling nutrition. However, there is little information available on how seedling nutrition affects the growth of ornamental bedding plants. In this study, we quantified the effects of nitrogen (N) (8 to 32 mM) and phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) concentration (0.25 to 1 mM) of the seedling fertilizer on pre‐ and post‐transplant growth and nutrient element content of salvia (Salvia splendens F. Sellow ex Roem. & Schult.) and vinca (Catharanthus roseus L.) seedlings. Shoot growth of salvia and vinca increased with increasing concentrations of N in the pre‐transplant fertilizer and these differences lasted until the end of the study at 15 days after transplanting. Pre‐transplant root dry mass of these species was not affected by the N concentration of the fertilizer, but root dry mass at 12 days after transplanting was positively correlated with the N concentration of the pre‐transplant fertilizer. Increasing N concentrations in the...
Effects of processing parameters on axial stiffness of self‐reinforced polyethylene composites

Self-reinforced polyethylene composites have proven to be promising candidate materials for a number of wear-resistance and bioimplant applications. In this study, we investigated the effects of processing parameters on the elastic modulus of self-reinforced high-density polyethylene (HDPE) composites. The processing parameters investigated were the cooling rate, processing pressure, temperature, and duration. Our results showed an optimum processing temperature, pressure, and duration that were matrix-dependent. In addition, for an HDPE matrix, the slower the composite cooling rate was, the higher the composite modulus was. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 81: 1136–1141, 2001
Depression of Ca2+ insensitive tension due to reduced pH in partially troponin-extracted skinned skeletal muscle fibers

Previous studies on skinned muscle fibers have demonstrated a direct effect of elevated levels of H+ ion to depress force production; however, the molecular basis for this effect is presently unknown. Here, whole troponin complexes were removed from skinned single fiber preparations of rat slow-twitch and fast-twitch muscles, and the effect of H+ ions on the resultant Ca2+-insensitive force was examined. The effect of H+ ions to depress force was found to be virtually identical in untreated control fibers activated in the presence of Ca2+ and in fibers activated in the absence of Ca2+ by troponin removal. Thus, the effect of H+ ions to depress force occurs at a step in activation beyond the disinhibition of the thin filament by Ca2+, probably involving reductions in the number of attached cross-bridges or in the force per attachment.
Learning a new world: Reflections on being a first-generation college student and the influence of TRIO programs

As an African-American woman growing up in a working-class neighborhood, the author initially did not have mentors who could guide her successfully to college. However, the TRIO programs professionally and personally prepared Graham for higher education and an academic career.
Eyewitness Memory and Metamemory in Product Identification: Evidence for Familiarity Biases

Research on the reliability of eyewitness memory for criminal events has been extensively studied, but eyewitness memory in civil cases has not. However, many of these civil cases revolve around eyewitness memory for events that transpired decades ago. We have developed a paradigm with which to study memory for specific product brand identification, a common question in civil cases involving product liability. Participants were asked to follow recipes and were then given surprise memory tests on the specific brands of products used. In addition, they were asked to report their subjective confidence for each response. Memory and performance was poor after even a brief delay, as was metamemory accuracy: Confidence regarding brand name recall was a poor indicator of accuracy. Participants also displayed a strong familiarity bias. They frequently reported using familiar, common brands, when no such products were actually used. This was especially true at longer delays, after which false identification of fami...
Introducing Engineering and Science Students to Entrepreneurship: Models and Influential Factors at Six American Universities

This paper reports on how traditional science and engineering students are being taught entrepreneurship at six American universities. Each participating institution follows one of three models, which differ with respect to location within the university, organizational structure and approach to attracting students. Teaching, new venture creation and, to a lesser degree, research are the most common goals driving the technological entrepreneurship initiatives at these universities. The most universal assets are internal champions and interest on the part of alumni and current students, while the lack of elective credits in the engineering curriculum is a common barrier.
Proton diffusion reaction in a protein polyelectrolyte membrane and the kinetics of electromechanical forces

Abstract A theoretical model is developed for proton transport in a charged, protein polyelectrolyte membrane. Protons bind to fixed charge groups of the membrane. This binding process also modulates electromechanical tensile forces in the membrane, due to the change in the electrostatic interactions between the charged membrane molecules. We used this force as an experimental measure of the space—time evolution of proton transport inside the membrane. A step change in the bath pH produced a measurable change in the isometric tensile force of the membrane. H + ion transport was modelled by a diffusion reaction theory. The kinetics of the measured force were compared to the H + diffusion reaction dynamics predicted by the theory. Experimental and theoretical time constants were in good agreement for reasonable values of the H + diffusivity, the equilibrium dissociation reaction constant and the number of available binding sites. This suggests that the diffusion reaction of H + into the membrane is rate-limiting in force generation. Other nonequilibrium processes, including molecular reconformation and osmotic swelling, must be proceeding at least as rapidly as H + transport. The combination of theory and experiment provides a useful, non-destructive technique for characterizing the kinetics of binding, and other transport processes, in charged polymers and in certain biological tissues.