cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Multicenter Phase II Study of Capecitabine in Paclitaxel-Refractory Metastatic Breast Cancer

PURPOSE: Capecitabine is a novel, oral, selectively tumor-activated fluoropyrimidine carbamate. This large multicenter phase II trial tested the efficacy and safety of twice-daily oral capecitabine at 2,510 mg/m2/d given for 2 weeks followed by a 1-week rest period and repeated in 3-week cycles, in patients with paclitaxel-refractory metastatic breast cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were to have received at least two but not more than three prior chemotherapeutic regimens, one of which had to have contained paclitaxel given for metastatic disease. One hundred sixty-three patients were entered onto the study at 25 centers, and 162 patients received capecitabine. One hundred thirty-five patients had bidimensionally measurable disease, and 27 patients had assessable disease. RESULTS: The overall response rate was 20% (95% confidence interval, 14% to 28%). All responding patients were resistant to or had failed paclitaxel, and all had received an anthracycline. Three complete responses were seen, with ...
Accessibility: understanding attitudes of CS students

Accessibility and usability have become increasingly important in design and development of technology. This poster briefly reviews how accessibility concepts may be included in computer science courses as students are educated to become practitioners. In a usability engineering course, the authors included a group development project that included an accessibility component. They conducted a survey of student attitudes toward these issues at the start and end of the course. Results of the survey indicate that students' awareness of issues related to usability and accessibility are increased after taking the course and completing the project. In particular, students showed a significant increase in their rating of importance for the item "broadening the range of technology users". The authors also performed a factor analysis of the survey responses and determined that items fell into three factors, one of which was concerned with accessibility and usability.
Foetal uptake of radiocalcium in tetracycline-treated rats.

IN a recent communication we reported that the skeletal uptake of injected calcium-45 in young rats was not affected by dose levels of oxytetracycline appreciably exceeding those generally used in medical practice1. We have now extended this line of enquiry to a study of foetal radiocalcium uptake since others have reported that the tetracyclines can markedly interfere with the calcification of embryonic mineralized tissues in a number of animal species2,3. The details of this investigation are as follows:
A 13C tracer method for quantitating de novo pyrimidine biosynthesis in vitro and in vivo

Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric methods for the measurement of the flux through the de novo pyrimidine biosynthetic pathway by quantitating the incorporation of [13C]bicarbonate and 13CO2 into the uracil nucleotide pool in L1210 tumors are reported. Simultaneous measurements of the incorporation of [13C]bicarbonate and the more commonly used [14C]bicarbonate into uridine of L1210 cells in vitro showed that the two methods were comparable. A modification of the method was applied to in vivo studies where the incorporation of 13CO2 into the uracil nucleotide pool of L1210 tumors in mice was quantitated. The measurements were used to determine changes in the flux through the de novo pyrimidine pathway in animals pretreated with known inhibitors of the pathway. A comparison of control animals with those pretreated with 6-azauridine, acivicin, and pyrazofurin resulted in mean percentage inhibitions of 87, 95, and 94%, respectively. This technique should allow investigation of the respective contributions of salvage and de novo synthesis in the formation of pyrimidines in vivo and the effects of agents designed as enzyme inhibitors of the de novo pathway.
Liquid crystal alignment films produced by the R.F. Plasma beam technique

An rf plasma system is described suitable for deposition of anisotropic SiO(in2) films capable of aligning liquid crystal cells parallel to the substrate surface at approximately zero tilt and perpendicular to the plane of incidence. The electrooptical response of twisted cells made by this technique and their e(H) curves are discussed.
Inhibition of platelet factor XIIIa-catalyzed reactions by calmodulin.

Calmodulin was found to exhibit an inhibitory effect on platelet factor XIIIa-catalyzed incorporation of pseudodonor amines into dimethylcasein, platelet actin and myosin. The inhibitory action of calmodulin on the calcium-dependent enzyme reactions was analogous to the effects of EGTA and paryalbumin on these reactions. The extent of inhibition of factor XIIIa activity was a function of calmodulin concentration when factor XIII and Ca2+ concentrations were held constant. These results indicate that calmodulin inhibits platelet factor XIIIa-catalyzed reactions by sequestering calcium.
Protein synthesis of the fat body of adult Tenebrio molitor

Abstract To determine if cycles of protein synthesis exist in the fat body, radioautographic techniques were employed to study protein synthesis in the fat body of mated and unmated females of Tenebrio molitor. The 3 hr level of incorporation of tritiated leucine (10 μc l -leucine/insect) into the proteins of the fat body increased steadily for the first 6 days after emergence of the adult in both mated and unmated females, being significantly greater (p
Thermodynamics of hydrophobic polyacids.

Abstract The thermodynamics of deprotonating hydrolyzed 1-1 copolymers of maleic anhydride with pentyl, hexyl and octyl vinyl ether was investigated by calorimetric and potentiometric methods. These polyacids undergo a transitioil from a compact to a random coil conformation upon ionization in aqueous media. The results were compared with those obtained previously for similar copolymers with smaller alkyi side-chains. The contributions of the enthalpy and entropy to the free energy were analyzed. The major effects appeared to be related to the charging of the compact form of the polyacids, the electrostriction of water by the completely ionized dicarboxylate groups and the reorganization of water around newly exposed alkyl side-chains arising from the conformational transition.
Structural investigation of a viral ortholog of human NEIL2/3 DNA glycosylases.

Assault to DNA that leads to oxidative base damage is repaired by the base excision repair (BER) pathway with specialized enzymes called DNA glycosylases catalyzing the first step of this pathway. These glycosylases can be categorized into two families: the HhH superfamily, which includes endonuclease III (or Nth), and the Fpg/Nei family, which comprises formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (or Fpg) and endonuclease VIII (or Nei). In humans there are three Nei-like (NEIL) glycosylases: NEIL1, 2, and 3. Here we present the first crystal structure of a viral ortholog of the human NEIL2/NEIL3 proteins, Mimivirus Nei2 (MvNei2), determined at 2.04A resolution. The C-terminal region of the MvNei2 enzyme comprises two conserved DNA binding motifs: the helix-two-turns-helix (H2TH) motif and a C-H-C-C type zinc-finger similar to that of human NEIL2. The N-terminal region of MvNei2 is most closely related to NEIL3. Like NEIL3, MvNei2 bears a valine at position 2 instead of the usual proline and it lacks two of the three conserved void-filling residues present in other members of the Fpg/Nei family. Mutational analysis of the only conserved void-filling residue methionine 72 to alanine yields an MvNei2 variant with impaired glycosylase activity. Mutation of the adjacent His73 causes the enzyme to be more productive thereby suggesting a plausible role for this residue in the DNA lesion search process.
Where is the “grey zone” for birthweight (b.w.)/gestational age(g.a.) in neonatal resuscitation today? † 832

Physicians are morally required to provide effective therapy for children. Conversely, parents are theoretically empowered to refuse effective therapy for their children. However, in practice, parents are only able to exercise this power if they are offered the option; that is, if the physicians perceive of the care as at least falling within a “grey zone” of parental discretion. We analyzed 101 responses obtained in survey of physicians attending a postgraduate course regarding their preference of resuscitation at birth of infants 600 g full resuscitation was the major choice (>90%). For infants 500-600 gm, 70% preferred full resuscitation. Only 17% deferred to parents wishes. Surprisingly, concerns regarding resource utilization, litigation and religious beliefs in deciding no resuscitation for 500 gm played minimal role. Despite the potential complications in survivors of 600-1000 gm, only a minority of neonatologists would defer to parental wishes. In 1990's the “grey zone” of parental discretion appears to be between 500-600 gm.
Psychological impact of stillbirths on obstetricians.

AbstractObjective: To assess the psychological impact on US obstetricians when they care for women who have suffered a stillbirth and explore whether demographic (e.g. age, gender) and practice (e.g. number of patients, practice type) variables were related to the extent of psychological impact for obstetricians following stillbirth.Methods: Using a questionnaire that could be completed in about 20 min, we surveyed 1000 American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) members. Physicians were asked about how stillbirths have affected them personally.Results: Half of those surveyed responded (499) and of those 365 currently practiced obstetrics. Virtually all obstetricians have looked after women who have had a stillbirth. Grief was the most common reaction experienced with 53.7% reporting that they personally “very much” experienced grief. Other common and significant reactions were self-doubt (17.2%), depression (16.9%) and self-blame (16.4%). Significant psychological impact on the obstetricia...
Effect of Certain Physical Factors on Yolk Mottling and Albumen Quality of Eggs

Abstract MOTTLED yolks, often observed in stored eggs and less frequently in fresh eggs, were reported more than 30 years ago (Almquist, 1933). Yet, knowledge of determinants of yolk mottling are limited primarily to the effects of “Nicarbazine” as reported by many workers including Polin and Porter (1956), Weiss (1957) and Baker et al. (1957), and of free gossypol found in many cotton seed products (Heywang et al., 1955; and many others). More recently, piperazine compounds have been shown to influence yolk discoloration (Beane et al., 1965). In other work in this laboratory it was noted that eggs transported for long distances tended to have more mottling than those moved for short distances. It was hypothesized that physical movement, time and temperature during transport might be causative factors. This study was initiated to determine the effect of physical movement of two types, short time holding and temperature on mottling of egg …
Heavy quarks in a spherical bag

We use the vector meson $\ensuremath{\Upsilon}(9460)$ as input to the fixed-sphere MIT bag model. Among our results are a mass of 4700 MeV for the $b$ quark, a zero-point energy that is a function of the heaviest quark mass inside the ba\ifmmode \dot{g}\else \.{g}\fi{}, and predictions for masses of the ground-state $b$-flavored hadrons. Series expansions of the bag equations for heavy quarks are employed. Improvement of the spectrum of ground-state hadrons in the charm sector is achieved.
On-Line Item Banking in Health Sciences Education

A movement in Health Science Education to establish discipline-based consortia for test item banking is discussed along with perceived advantages of such sharing. The GRIPE, CATS, MBQB and MAERS/CMT consortia are described with an emphasis on the MAFRS/CMT computer evaluation system. Item banking issues of access v.s. control, quality v.s. size, cooperation v.s. independence, and costs v.s. convenience are explored.
From sociology to historical social science: prospects and obstacles

Analysis is provided of the roots of sociology and its links with historical optimism. Particular focus is placed by such a sociology upon the origins of modernity and problems of urban disorder. Sociology's golden age was in the immediate postwar period. But since the 1960s, ‘globalization’, the sciences of complexity and cultural studies have transformed the context for sociology (especially transforming the so-called ‘two cultures’). The article concludes with some wide-ranging recommendations as to how sociology should be developed into a re-unified, historical social science on a truly global scale.
Hughes Trainable Text Skimmer: MUC-3 test results and analysis

Figure 1 gives the official results for the Hughes Trainable Text Skimmer used for MUC3 (TTS-MUC3). TTS is a largely statistical system, using a K-Nearest Neighbor classifier with the output of a shallow parser as features. (See the System Summary section of this volume for a detailed description of TTS-MUC3). The performance, on a slot by slot basis is, therefore, what one might expect: the pure set fills such as "Incident Type" and "Category" have much better performance than the string fills such as "Human Target." In addition, we can see that "Incident Date" and "Incident Location," for which special code was written, have performance above that of the string fills.
A three-factor analytic model of the MADRS in geriatric depression

Objective Major depression is a heterogeneous disorder, perhaps comprising several clinical subtypes or subgroups of symptoms. This study examined whether items on the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) form distinct symptom subgroups among geriatric depressive patients that might form the basis of new outcome measures for tracking treatment effects. Method The study examined a sample of 225 adults age 59 and older diagnosed with major depression. Factor analysis with oblique rotation was used to analyze baseline MADRS item scores. Results Three distinct interpretable factors were obtained; all ten items loaded <0.60 on a domain. The first factor, dysphoric apathy/retardation, comprised five items: apparent sadness, reported sadness, lassitude, reduced concentration, and inability to feel. Psychic anxiety, the second factor, included three items: inner tension, pessimistic thoughts, and suicidal thoughts. The third factor, vegetative symptoms, resulted from items involving sleep and appetite. Conclusions The study produced three interpretable MADRS factors reflecting geriatric depression dimensions that may be useable to monitor focused treatment outcomes. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Band 3 in aging and neurological disease.

Senescent cell antigen appears on old cells and marks them for death by initiating the binding of IgG autoantibody and subsequent removal by phagocytes in mammals and other vertebrates. We have created a synthetic aging antigen that blocks binding of IgG to senescent cells in vitro. Synthetic senescent cell antigen might be effective in preventing cellular destruction in vivo in certain diseases, and can be used to manipulate cellular life span in situ. Senescent cell antigen is generated by the modification of an important structural and transport membrane molecule, protein band 3. Band 3 is present in cellular, nuclear, Golgi, and mitochondrial membranes as well as in cell membranes. Band 3 proteins in nucleated cells participate in cell surface patching and capping. Band 3 maintains acid-base balance by mediating the exchange of anions (e.g., chloride, bicarbonate), and is the binding site for glycolytic enzymes. It is responsible for CO2 exchange in all tissues and organs. Thus, it is the most heavily used anion transport system in the body. Band 3 is a major transmembrane structural protein which attaches the plasma membrane to the internal cell cytoskeleton by binding to band 2.1 (ankyrin). Oxidation generates senescent cell antigen in situ. Band 3 is present in the central nervous system, and differences have been described in band 3 between young and aging brain tissue. One autosomal recessive neurological disease, choreoacanthocytosis, is associated with band 3 abnormalities. The 150 residues of the carboxyl terminus segment of band 3 appear to be altered. In brains from Alzheimer's disease patients, antibodies to aged band 3 label the amyloid core of classical plaques and the microglial cells located in the middle of the plaque in tissue sections, and an abnormal band 3 in immunoblots. Band 3 protein(s) in mammalian brain performs the same functions as that of erythroid band 3. These functions is anion transport, ankyrin binding, and generation of senescent cell antigen, an aging antigen that terminates the life of cells. Structural similarity of brain and erythroid band 3 is suggested by the reaction of antibodies to synthetic peptides of erythroid band 3 with brain band 3, the inhibition of anion transport by the same inhibitors, and an equal degree of inhibition of brain and erythrocyte anion transport by synthetic peptides of erythroid band 3. One of these segments, pep-COOH, contains antigenic determinants of senescent cell antigen.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
A liver arylamidase extremely sensitive to organophosphorus compounds

Abstract Inhibitory effect of 7 organophosphorus compounds on the liver isocarboxazid amidase was studied in rats. This enzyme is more sensitive to the relatively less toxic compounds, i.e., Sumithion ® , malathion and TOTP than to the more toxic ones susch as parathion, paraoxon and EPN. As little as 0.5 mg/kg of Sumithion inhibited this arylamidase activity by approx. 28% in male and 37% in female rats. TOTP completely inhibited the arylamidase in a dose of 20 mg/kg, moreover, a significant sex difference in the TOTP-induced inhibition of the enzyme was observed.
ER Stress and Effects of DHA as an ER Stress Inhibitor

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) functions in the synthesis, folding, modification, and transport of newly synthesized transmembrane and secretory proteins. The ER also has important roles in the storage of intracellular Ca2+ and regulation of Ca2+ homeostasis. The integrity of the Ca2+ homeostasis in the ER lumen is vital for proper folding of proteins. Dysregulation of ER Ca2+ could result in an increase in unfolded or misfolded proteins and ER stress. ER stress triggers activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR), which is a fundamentally adaptive cell response and functions as a cytoprotective mechanism by over-expression of relevant chaperones and the global shutdown of protein synthesis. UPR activation occurs when three key ER membrane-sensor proteins detect an accumulation of aberrant proteins. The UPR acts to alleviate ER stress, but if the stress is too severe or prolonged, apoptosis will be triggered. In this review, we focused on ER stress and the effects of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) on ER stress. DHA and its bioactive compounds, such as protectins and resolvins, provide neuroprotection against oxidative stress and apoptosis and have the ability to resolve inflammation in neurological diseases. New studies reveal that DHA blocks inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R)-mediated ER Ca2+ depletion and ER stress. The administration of DHA post-traumatic brain injury (TBI) reduces ER stress, aberrant protein accumulation, and neurological deficits. Therefore, DHA presents therapeutic potentials for TBI via its pleiotropic effects including inhibition of ER stress.
1211 SHORT CORDS, LONG CORDS… WHO CARES?

Both short and long umbilical cords have been associated with obstetrical complications but the factors controlling longitudinal cord growth have remained unknown. Recent observations suggest that cord length is a reflection of fetal movements. If this were true, cord length should be a useful diagnostic tool and could suggest specific congenital anomalies. Using pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats in the last third of gestation, we induced the following experimental situations: A fetal restraint by oligohydramnios (n=17), B fetal paralysis with curare (polyhydramnios, n=18), C extrauterine pregnancy with fetus free in the abdominal cavity (n=18) and D, as in C but fetus fixed to the uterine horn, close to the placental implantation site (n=8). At term, the cords were measured with a fine caliper under standard conditions. When compared to littermate controls, A & B fetuses had shorter cords (p <.01), C fetuses had longer cords (p <.01) and in D fetuses the cords were either shorter or unaffected. These results support the contention that longitudinal cord growth is governed by tensile forces and depends both on fetal motion and available intrauterine space (Ped.Res. 14:586,1980). A short cord may be a useful marker of conditions associated with impaired fetal movement such as neuromuscular disease or oligohydramnios. Similarly, long cords may signal fetal hyperkinesia.
Polyploidy and fragmentation in the chromosomal evolution of various species of Thyanta (Hemiptera)

1. The tropical species of the genus Thyanta conform, in their chromosome formula (2n♂=12+XY, 2n♀=12+2X), to that which is typical for the Family of Pentatomidae (Hemiptera), while the more northern species examined by us have either added a pair of chromosomes (T. custator and T. pallidovirens) or have doubled the basic number (T. calceata). 2. Hybrids between T. custator and T. pallidovirens show only minor disturbances in their meiosis, and the hybrid spermatids carry the same number of chromosomes and amount of DNA as are present in the spermatids of either parent species. 3. The meiosis of the hybrid between T. calceata and T. pallidovirens is quite abnormal and there is no chromosome pairing. Nevertheless, chromosome segregation is not completely at random and some functional sperms are formed. 4. The nuclei of the six species of Thyanta tested show little difference in their DNA contents. On the other hand, the nuclei of another pentatomid, Arvelius, contain at least twice as much DNA. 5. In considering the evolutionary origin of such a high chromosome number as that of T. calceata, the evidence adduced in the present investigation more or less precludes the involvement of polyploidy. Instead, some type of fragmentation was probably responsible for the doubled number. 6. It is difficult to conceive of such fragmentation as occurring transversely through the chromosomes. We propose a consideration of “longitudinal fragmentation” or better, a separation of the chromatids of each chromosome and the establishment of “echromatid autonomy”. 7. Except where polyploidy is involved, great differences in the nuclear contents of DNA, as observed between some Classes and Orders, must in certain cases be due to different degrees of polyteny and not to the addition of new or different genes. Our evidence demonstrates that relatively large differences of DNA may also exist in systematic groups of a lower category, such as the Genera of the same Tribe, or perhaps even the Species of the same Genus. On this basis, the degree of polyteny may differ even in closely related forms.
An evolutionary algorithm to generate ellipsoid network intrusion detectors

This paper introduces the ellipsoid as a geometric structure for detecting network intrusions. Section 2 describes and analyzes the design of the ellipsoid generation algorithm. Experimental design is set forth in Section 3. In Section 4 we analyze experimental results. Section 5 summarizes the paper and provides direction for continued research.
Evolution and medicine: the long reach of "Dr. Darwin"

In this review we consider the new science of Darwinian medicine. While it has often been said that evolutionary theory is the glue that holds the disparate branches of biological inquiry together and gives them direction and purpose, the links to biomedical inquiry have only recently been articulated in a coherent manner. Our aim in this review is to make clear first of all, how evolutionary theory is relevant to medicine; and secondly, how the biomedical sciences have enriched our understanding of evolutionary processes. We will conclude our review with some observations of the philosophical significance of this interplay between evolutionary theory and the biomedical sciences.
The crystal structure of isobutyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-thio-β-d-xylopyranoside

Isobutyl 2,3,4-tri-O-acetyl-1-thio-beta-D-xylopyranoside is monoclinic, P21, with a = 10.134(4), b = 7.748(3), c = 11.726(4) A, beta = 96.63(3) degrees, V = 914.55 A3, Z = 2, Dm = 1.262, Dx = 1.264 g . cm-3, mu(MoK alpha) = 226 M-1. The X-ray intensities of 1724 reflections were measured with Nb-filtered MoK alpha radiation (lambda = 0.7107 A) at room temperature. The structure was solved by direct methods, and refined by full-matrix least squares, with anisotropic thermal parameters for the carbon and oxygen atoms and isotropic thermal parameters for the hydrogen atoms, to a final agreement factor of R = 0.08. The molecule has the 4C1(D) conformation, with puckering parameters Q = 0.582 A, theta = 5.6 degrees, phi = 334.7 degrees. The acetyl groups have the planar, (S)-cis configuration most commonly observed. They are oriented, as in many other per-O-acetylated aldopyranosides, with the acetyl planes within +/- 30 degrees of the C-H bond at the ring-carbon atom to which they are attached. Although this is primarily a van der Waals structure, there is some evidence for CH---O hydrogen-bonding.
Protein kinase C inhibitor enzastaurin induces in vitro and in vivo antitumor activity in Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is an incurable lymphoplasmacytic lymphoma with limited options of therapy. Protein kinase Cbeta (PKCbeta) regulates cell survival and growth in many B-cell malignancies. In this study, we demonstrate up-regulation of PKCbeta protein in WM using protein array techniques and immunohistochemistry. Enzastaurin, a PKCbeta inhibitor, blocked PKCbeta activity and induced a significant decrease of proliferation at 48 hours in WM cell lines (IC(50), 2.5-10 muM). Similar effects were demonstrated in primary CD19(+) WM cells, without cytotoxicity on peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In addition, enzastaurin overcame tumor cell growth induced by coculture of WM cells with bone marrow stromal cells. Enzastaurin induced dose-dependent apoptosis at 48 hours mediated via induction of caspase-3, caspase-8, caspase-9, and PARP cleavage. Enzastaurin inhibited Akt phosphorylation and Akt kinase activity, as well as downstream p-MARCKS and ribosomal p-S6. Furthermore, enzastaurin demonstrated additive cytotoxicity in combination with bortezomib, and synergistic cytotoxicity in combination with fludarabine. Finally, in an in vivo xenograft model of human WM, significant inhibition of tumor growth was observed in the enzastaurin-treated mice (P = .028). Our studies therefore show that enzastaurin has significant antitumor activity in WM both in vitro and in vivo, providing the framework for clinical trials to improve patient outcome in WM.
Effects of prescribed fires on first-year establishment of white oak (Quercus alba L.) seedlings in the Upper Piedmont of South Carolina, USA

Effects of prescribed fires on the 1-year establishment of white oak seedlings were investigated on the Clemson Experimental Forest, South Carolina, USA. Three stands, each consisting of a burn and a control treatment of about 1 ha in size, were examined in the study. On each burn and control treatment, six to eight dominant white oak trees were randomly selected along the slope and four 2-m radius quadrats were set up around each selected tree. Prescribed fire increased seedling biomass but it did not affect seedling mortality and root to shoot ratio. Effects of prescribed fire on seedling density, forest floor depth, and understory light intensity depended on stands, where burning increased seedling density in stands 1 and 3 but not in stand 2. Burning also reduced forest floor depth and increased understory light intensity in stands 1 and 3 but not in stand 2. Regression analyses indicated that forest floor depth and understory light intensity were significantly related to seedling density and biomass, with thinner forest floor and higher light intensity favoring the establishment of new oak seedlings. We conclude that burning can benefit the establishment of new white oak seedlings as long as it significantly reduces forest floor depth and increases understory light intensity.
Predictors of comorbid alcohol and substance abuse in depressed adolescents

ABSTRACT Objective To identify clinical profiles discriminating depressed adolescents on the basis of comorbid alcohol/substance use disorders and to determine whether or not profiles with high predictive power are gender-specific. Method One hundred three adolescent inpatients with major depression (65 girls, 38 boys) participated in a comprehensive diagnostic evaluation. Independent assessments of depression, suicidality, and psychosocial adjustment were conducted using well-validated instruments. Results Gender-specific clinical profiles were identified that predicted alcohol/substance abuse in depressed adolescents with high levels of sensitivity (90%). The significant discriminant function for depressed girls included the following predictors: longer depressive episodes, more conduct problems and psychosocial impairment, and more active involvement in relationships with boys. The significant discriminant function for depressed boys included conduct disorder, older age, and schoolwork problems. These profiles correctly identified most depressed adolescents with comorbid alcohol/substance abuse. Conclusions Given that alcohol abuse and depression are associated with highly impaired social functioning and increased risk of self-harm, sensitivity in case identification is critical. Clinicians should conduct comprehensive assessments of alcohol/substance abuse in depressed adolescents with the identified clinical profiles.
Demonstration of a novel atomic beam splitter.

We have demonstrated a novel beam splitter for atoms. The J=1 to J=0 system in metastable helium has two independent ``dark'' states which are radiatively stable. By preparing atoms in the two ``dark'' states of the ${2}^{3}$${\mathit{S}}_{1}$ level and passing them through a sequence of partially overlapping laser beams tuned to the ${2}^{3}$${\mathit{S}}_{1\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}$${2}^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ transition, we cause the atoms in one ``dark'' state to be deflected by integral multiples of 2\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k, while the atoms in the other ``dark'' state are undeflected. The excited ${2}^{3}$${\mathit{P}}_{0}$ state is not populated, so the process is unaffected by spontaneous emission. We have observed up to 90% coherent momentum transfer with 4\ensuremath{\Elzxh}k deflection. We conclude by describing how one might construct an atom interferometer based on these ``dark state'' beam splitters.
Guided Ion Beam Study of Potential Energy Surfaces for Platinum Interactions with Nitrogen Oxides

A guided ion beam tandem mass spectrometer is used to examine the kinetic energy dependence of reactions of Pt+ with NO, NO2 and N2O, and PtO+ with NO and NO2, as well as collision-induced decomposition (CID) of PtO+ with N2 and PtNO+ with Xe. Pt+ reacts with NO and NO2 most efficiently by charge transfer, although oxygen atom transfer is also prominent for NO2 and the dominant reaction with N2O. Charge transfer is also the most efficient process observed for PtO+ + NO, whereas this ion reacts with NO2 by inefficient oxygen atom transfer, and in the reaction of PtO+ with N2, only simple CID and ligand exchange are observed. Analysis of the kinetic energy dependences for endothermic reaction cross sections yields the 0 K bond dissociation energies (BDEs) in eV (kJ mol−1) of D0(Pt+–N) = 3.35 ± 0.08 (323 ± 8), D0(Pt–N) = 3.84 ± 0.10 (371 ± 10), D0(Pt+–NO) = 3.13 ± 0.07 (302 ± 7) and D0(Pt+–O) = 3.26 ± 0.07 (315 ± 7). The bond energy of D0(Pt+–O) is consistent with our previous results and confirmed by result...
Social Activity, School-related Activity, and Anti–substance Use: Media Messages on Adolescent Tobacco and Alcohol Use

In this article, we present the effects of three hypothesized protective factors: social activities, school-related activities, and anti-substance use media messages on adolescent tobacco and alcohol use. Data were drawn from the "Monitoring the Future" (MTF) research project, which was conducted by the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. The sample included 2,551 twelfth-grade students. The results of the structural equation model showed that exposure to media anti-drug messages had an indirect negative effect on tobacco and alcohol use through school-related activity and social activity. The results suggest that comprehensive ecological interventions encompassing media, family, and school can increase on the preventive effects of adolescent's substance use.
Small kinetic energy releases by predissociating metastable ions

Unusually small translational energies are released when α-halogenated acetophenone molecular ions (C6H5COCH2X, X = F, Cl, Br) decompose unimolecularly. The experimental data indicate that these reactions may involve predissociations at large internuclear distances which are sufficiently slow to give rise to metastable ions on the time scale of 1 – 10 μsec.
Extracellular proteolytic activation of bacteriolytic peptidoglycan hydrolases of Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus

Staphylococcus simulans biovar staphylolyticus secreted two bacteriolytic peptidoglycan hydrolases as proproteins that were activated as they were processed by an extracellular sulphydryl protease. This processing resulted in the production of multiple molecular-mass forms of each enzyme. Cells from early exponential phase cultures were susceptible to lysis by the mature forms of each of the peptidoglycan hydrolases whereas stationary phase cells were resistant. Thus secretion of these bacteriolytic enzymes during early exponential growth as precursors that are activated later by the protease would provide time for the cells to become resistant.
An unusual arylation of 4‐oxo‐3,4‐dihydropyrimido[4,5‐b]quinoline

Treatment of 4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimido[4,5-6 ]quinoline (II) with phosphorus oxychloride and a dialkylaniline resulted in the introduction of a p-dialkylaminophenyl group at position-5, and reduction of the central (pyridine) ring, as well as substitution of oxygen by chlorine at po-sition-4, forming compounds considered to be 4-chloro-5-(p-dialkylaminophenyl)-5, 10-dihydro-pyrimido[4,5-6 ]quinolines (XV). Several 4-oxo-3,4-dihydropyrimido[4,5-b ]quinolines having phenyl substituents at position-5 were synthesized unequivocally, and could be readily reduced to the corresponding 4-oxo-5-phenyl-3,4,5,10-tetrahydropyrimido[4,5-6]quinolines, and the 4-oxo group replaced by chlorine, in the usual manner, leading to compounds related structurally to XV. Comparison of the chemical and physical properties of these compounds established the structure of XV, and a mechanism which rationalizes the formation of XV from II is presented.
Stromal Effects on Mammary Gland Development and Breast Cancer

Breast cancer manifests itself in the mammary epithelium, yet there is a growing recognition that mammary stromal cells also play an important role in tumorigenesis. During its developmental cycle, the mammary gland displays many of the properties associated with breast cancer, and many of the stromal factors necessary for mammary development also promote or protect against breast cancer. Here we review our present knowledge of the specific factors and cell types that contribute to epithelial-stromal crosstalk during mammary development. To find cures for diseases like breast cancer that rely on epithelial-stromal crosstalk, we must understand how these different cell types communicate with each other.
Learning metrics for content-based medical image retrieval

Application of content-based image retrieval (CBIR) to medical image analysis has recently become an active research field. While many previous studies have focused on the feature design, the metric design, another key CBIR component, has not been well investigated in this application context. This paper presents a medical CBIR that adapts its similaritymetric from data by using information theoretic metric learning. Also we systematically compare our SIFT bag-of-words-based system with various plug-in similarity measures available in literature. The proposed systems are evaluated with the ImageCLEF-2011 benchmarking dataset. Our experimental results demonstrate the advantage of the proposed metric learning approach and L1 distance-based measures.
Hand and body position during locomotor behavior in the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis)

Aye-ayes (Daubentonia madagascariensis) have unique hands among primates, with extraordinarily long fingers in relation to body size. These long digits may be vulnerable to damage from forces during locomotion, particularly during head-first descent-a locomotor mode that the aye-aye utilizes frequently. Previous behavioral studies of aye-aye locomotion reported that Daubentonia must curl its fingers during horizontal quadrupedalism and/or descent to reduce potential stresses on its long fingers. To test this hypothesis, we examined hand and body position in three captive adult aye-ayes while they walked quadrupedally on horizontal and oblique branches. Substantial variation in hand position was observed among individuals for each substrate orientation. While hand postures with curled fingers were preferred by one individual during descent, they were not preferred by the other two individuals, contrary to our expectations. Differences in body position were more consistent among all three individuals. The angle of the body relative to the substrate was significantly reduced during descent (8.4 degrees ) compared to horizontal locomotion (16.9 degrees ). These results suggest that changes in body position, rather than hand position, may help reduce stresses on the digits. A biomechanical model is proposed that demonstrates how a reduction in the body angle in relation to substrate may act to move the center of mass more caudally. This mechanism of moderating loads by altering body position, rather than hand position, may represent an important functional aspect of arboreal locomotion in aye-ayes and other primates.
An updated theory of the polar wind

The 'classical' polar wind is an ambipolar outflow of thermal plasma from the terrestrial ionosphere at high latitudes. As the plasma escapes along diverging geomagnetic flux tubes, it undergoes four major transitions, including a transition from chemical to diffusion dominance, a transition from subsonic to supersonic flow, a transition from collision-dominated to collisionless regimes, and a transition from a heavy to a light ion. A further complication arises because of horizontal convection of the flux tubes owing to magnetospheric electric fields. Recent modelling predictions indicate that the polar wind has the following characteristics: (1) the ion and electron distributions are anisotropic and asymmetric in the collisionless regime; (2) elevated electron temperatures act to produce significant escape fluxes of suprathermal O(+) ions; (3) the interaction of the hot magnetospheric and cold ionospheric electron population leads to a localized (double layer) electric field which accelerates the polar wind ions; (4) a time-dependent expansion produces suprathermal ions; and (5) large perturbations lead to the formation of forward and reverse shocks. These and other results are reviewed.
Gender and Congressional Voting: A Legislative Analysis:

This analysis of six separate votes on family leave legislation spanning three congresses and 15 key votes in the first session of the 103rd Congress found that gender plays a role in voting patter...
The type of current frequency used in transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) affects the androgen receptor

Blended Bovie current No. 2 destroys androgen receptor in both cytosol and nuclear extracts of prostate tissue. No significant difference was noted in either nuclear or cytosol receptor concentrations between openly resected and electroresected specimens when Bovie current No. 1 was used with cutting loops No. 26 or larger, although total androgen receptor (cytosol plus nuclear) was significantly reduced in the electroresected specimens. The androgen receptor method used is highly reliable for prostate obtained by either open resection or electroresection using pure cutting currents, although receptor concentrations in samples obtained by the two methods probably should not be combined or compared.
The Unfolding Behavior of RNase H Under Force

We have used optical tweezers to revisit the energy landscape of E. coli RNase H under mechanical force. This protein's equilibrium energetics and folding pathway have been studied in bulk and in single-molecule mechanical denaturation experiments, which showed the presence of a collapsed folding intermediate that is on-pathway to the native state (1).Taking advantage of improvements in our optical tweezers instrumentation, we have now revealed the existence of a short-lived high-energy unfolding intermediate. Our data suggest that this intermediate is obligatory in the mechanical unfolding pathway for this protein. This unfolding intermediate appears to be a local, partial denaturation of the C-terminus of the protein's structure. We explore the energetics of this transient state, and characterize how it defines the unfolding kinetics of RNase H.1) Cecconi, Shank, Bustamante, Marqusee. Science 2005
Film blowing of layered silicate nanocomposites

ABSTRACT Bubble formation and stability in the film blowing processing of in situ polymerized and melt-compounded polyamide 6-based layered silicate nanocomposites (LSNs) are correlated to their underlying rheology, structure, and crystallization behavior. The layered silicates enhance melt elasticity, induce γ -form crystallinity, and increase crystallization rates without having any significant effect on the extent of crystallinity. A bubble stability quantification method employed to assess the level of instability during the film blowing process finds the in situ polymerized LSNs to be more stable than PA6, while melt-compounded LSNs do not display such an improved processability. All of the LSN films produced by film blowing possess superior mechanical properties compared to neat nylon 6, despite their relatively rougher film surfaces.
Ecotin: a serine protease inhibitor with two distinct and interacting binding sites.

The interaction between ecotin and target proteases with trypsin-like specificity has been systematically dissected to understand the structural basis of ecotin's broad inhibitory specificity and the role of the secondary binding site. Site-directed and region-specific mutagenesis were preformed at ecotin's primary site P1 residue (84), the C-terminal dimer interface (133 to 142), and two surface loops of the secondary binding site (67 to 70, 108 to 113). Substitutions at the P1 position resulted in less than fivefold difference in the potency of ecotin binding to rat trypsin, suggesting that the extended binding site is important in binding. A ten amino acid C-terminal truncation variant showed threefold weaker self-association but remained a dimer. The interactions of the secondary binding site of ecotin with bovine trypsin, rat trypsin and human urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) were investigated with alanine substitutions in ecotin at Trp67, Gly68, Tyr69, Asp70, Arg108, Asn110, Lys112 and Leu113, which formed contacts between the inhibitor and protease. By combining these mutations at the secondary binding site with mutations in the primary binding site the molecular recognition between ecotin and its target serine proteases was probed. The contrast in the Ki values of the various ecotin variants towards bovine trypsin, rat trypsin and human uPA established the role of ecotin's secondary binding site in recognizing these homologous serine proteases. Ecotin binds to proteases with a chymotrypsin fold through a combination of primary and secondary site surface loops and is amenable to redesign of its potency and specificity for this class of enzymes.
Proteomic characterization of specific minor proteins in the human milk casein fraction.

Human milk contains many bioactive proteins that are likely to support the early development of the newborn. The aim of this study was to identify whether there are specific minor proteins associat...
Framework of Construction Procedure Manuals for PMIS Implementation

Primarily project procedure manuals are intended to enforce company polices or procedures. These manuals are important pieces for successful project management in the construction industry,because construction projects are operated virtually. Even though subcontractors are responsible for field works,a general contractor is still responsible for providing quality project management services for project owners. The more subcontractors involved,the harder it is to monitor and control them, due to the different management processes and procedures they use. More than 36 procedure manuals in the building and industrial construction were reviewed to create process maps of various management services. According to surveys, larger contractors have a broader use of procedure manuals than smaller contractors. The full-scale manuals cover project administration, schedule, cost, contract administration, quality, or safety to home office operations. The small-scale manuals cover from site mobilization, to startup and closeout. Small-scale operation manuals are often used by medium to small contractors. This paper presents suggestions for integrated procedure manuals for construction management firms based on studies of multiple construction procedure manuals. A framework for integrating procedure manuals is presented. The proposed framework can be used to keep uniformity across management procedures and phases. In addition, it can be used to implement a project management system. It can be used to forecast or evaluate management activities through replicability of the management responses.
Determination of acid-base constants in amphiprotic nonaqueous solvents by direct potentiometry

Abstract A direct potentiometric method for the determination of acid-base constants of protolytes in nonaqueous solvent is proposed. The method is based on the treatment of the data of a single potentiometric titration of a base or an acid in nonaqueous solvent. The titration is performed in a galvanic cell consisting of a glass and a silver-silver chloride electrode with liquid junction. Two alternatives are proposed by which at first, only the acid or only the base constant is directly determined. By the second alternative the acid, the base as well as the autoprotolysis constant are determined simultaneously from a single experiment. The method is checked with the determination of some acid-base constants in water as well as in some mixed water-alcoholic mixtures. The constants obtained coincide relatively well with the data of other investigators.
Ultraviolet irradiation of plastics. IV. Further studies of environmental effects on films and fibers

Polyethylene, nylon, Mylar, Teflon, and Dacron all deteriorated more rapidly during ultraviolet irradiation when irradiated in oxygen than when irradiated in nitrogen. Deterioration during vacuum irradiation is less rapid than it is during oxygen or nitrogen irradiations for all of these polymers except Teflon, in which case it is more rapid. Environmental effects were not evident during the irradiation of HT-1. A scission-to-crosslinking ratio of 0.93 has been determined for ultraviolet-irradiated polyethylene.