cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of the Effects of ORG 30029, Dobutamine and High Perfusate Calcium on Function and Metabolism in Rat Heart

Abstract Cardiac contractility may be enhanced via multiple cellular mechanisms resulting in varied effects on cardiac energetics. The mechanisms that account for the varied energetic responses are not well understood. The purpose of this investigation was to compare the effects of the calcium sensitizing agent ORG 30029 (N-hydroxy-5,6-dimethoxy-benzo[b]thiophene-2-carboximidamide hydrochloride, a calcium sensitizing agent which increases contractility without increasing calcium transients significantly), dobutamine and high perfusate calcium on contractility and energetics. Langendorff-perfused rat hearts were stimulated with ORG 30029, dobutamine and high perfusate calcium in graduated concentrations while myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO2) and force-time integral were measured. ORG 30029, dobutamine and high perfusate calcium increased contractility in a dose-dependent manner. Despite an increase of 50% in systolic pressure and a 17% increase in force-time integral from control, ORG 30029 had no significant effect on MVO2at the lower concentrations (n=6). However, dobutamine (n=4) and high perfusate calcium (n=4) caused a 65% increase in systolic pressure and a 17% increase in force-time integral and a 50% and 41% increase in MVO2respectively (P
Frequency dependence of synchronization of cochlear nerve fibers in the alligator lizard: evidence for a cochlear origin of timing and non-timing neural pathways.

Abstract The dependence of synchronization of spike discharges on tone frequency was measured in cochlear nerve fibers of anesthetized alligator lizards at 21°C. Synchronization measures were based on the fundamental component of a Fourier analysis of the instantaneous discharge rate in response to tone bursts. Measurements were obtained from fibers innervating hair cells in both the region of the cochlea that contains a tectorial membrane (tectorial fibers) and the region where hair-cell stereocilia are free-standing in scala media (free-standing fibers). Both rate and synchronization tuning-curves were measured automatically as a function of tone frequency. For tectorial fibers, the shapes of synchronization tuning-curves are roughly similar to the shapes of rate tuning-curves: the characteristic frequencies (CF's) of both curves are approximately equal. For free-standing fibers, the shape of synchronization tuning-curves differ markedly from those of rate tuning-curves. The CF's of synchronization and rate tuning-curves differ — the ranges are 0.2–0.6 kHz and 1–4 kHz, respectively — and the two CF's are uncorrelated. Synchronization filter-functions, which are contours of synchronization index at constant average discharge rate, were measured as a function of tone frequency for both tectorial and free-standing fibers. These synchronization filter-functions have the shapes of lowpass filters. For the populations of tectorial fibers and of free-standing fibers taken separately, these functions are independent of CF. The corner frequency of these functions is 0.50±0.038 kHz for tectorial fibers and 0.37 ±0.037 kHz for free-standing fibers. We conclude that these populations are characterized by different synchronization filters. For free-standing fibers, synchronization filter-functions measured at average driven discharge rates of about 20 and 40 spikes/s do not differ appreciably, and the high-frequency slope is −80 to −115 dB/decade. The results show that tectorial fibers encode timing information for low-level stimuli, whereas free-standing fibers do not. It is proposed that in the alligator lizard, neural pathways that encode timing information originate in the tectorial region and those that encode non-timing information originate in the free-standing region.
STUDIES ON THE STRUCTURE OF MOUSE ANTIBODIES.

SummaryAnti-DNP, anti-pipsyl and anti-ovalbumin antibodies have been isolated from the peritoneal fluids of individual hy-perimmunized mice. On immunoelectrophoresis, the antibody preparations appeared to contain, regardless of specificity, at least 2 families of molecules with slightly different electrophoretic mobility, possessing similar as well as distinct antigenic determinants. After reduction and alkylation in 8M urea and starch gel electrophoresis in 8M urea, the anti-hapten antibodies yielded distinct bands corresponding to L chains, in contrast normal mouse 7S γ-globulin and purified anti-oval-bumin antibodies showed smears corresponding to the zone of L chain migration.
Predicting ground level impacts of solid rocket motor testing

Beginning in August of 1988 and continuing until the present, NASA at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi has conducted environmental monitoring of selected static test firings of the solid rocket motor used on the Space Shuttle. The purpose of the study was to assess the modeling protocol adapted for use in predicting plume behavior for the Advanced Solid Rocket Motor that is to be tested in Mississippi beginning in the mid-1990's. Both motors use an aluminum/ammonium perchlorate fuel that produces HCl and Al2O3 particulates as the major combustion products of concern. A combination of COMBUS.sr and PRISE.sr subroutines and the INPUFF model are used to predict the centerline stabilization height, the maximum concentration of HCl and Al2O3 at ground level, and distance to maximum concentration. Ground studies were conducted to evaluate the ability of the model to make these predictions. The modeling protocol was found to be conservative in the prediction of plume stabilization height and in the concentrations of the two emission products predicted.
Dichloroacetate and Trichloroacetate Promote Clonal Expansion of Anchorage-Independent Hepatocytesin Vivoandin Vitro

Dichloroacetate (DCA) and trichloroacetate (TCA) are hepatocarcinogenic by-products of water chlorination and metabolites of several industrial solvents. To determine whether DCA and TCA promote the clonal expansion of anchorage-independent liver cellsin vitro,a modification of the soft agar assay (over agar assay) was utilized to quantitate growth and analyze phenotype of anchorage-independent hepatocellular colonies. Hepatocytes from naive male B6C3F1 mice were isolated and cultured with 0–2.0 mM DCA or TCA over agar for 10 days, at which time colonies of eight cells or more were scored. Both DCA and TCA promoted the formation of anchorage-independent colonies in a dose-dependent manner. Immunocytochemical analysis using a c-Jun antibody demonstrated that colonies promoted by DCA were primarily c-Jun+, whereas TCA-promoted colonies were primarily c-Jun−. This corresponds to thedifferences in c-Jun immunoreactivity reported in tumors induced by DCA and TCA. Neither DCA nor TCA inducedc-Jun expression in hepatocyte monolayers, indicating that these haloacetates selectively affect subpopulations of anchor-age-independent hepatocytes. The latency of colony forma-tion was decreased by the concentration of DCA, althoughthe same number of colonies appeared after 25 days in culture at all DCA concentrations used. The plating density of hepa-tocytes also affected colony formation. At lower cell densi-ties, promotion of colony formation by DCA was significantly reduced. Pretreatment of male B6C3F1 mice with 0.5 g/literDCA in drinking water resulted in a fourfold increase ininvitrocolony formation above hepatocytes isolated from naivemice, suggesting that DCA is promoting the clonal expansionof anchorage-independent hepatocytesin vivo.Results from this study indicate that DCA and TCA promote the survival and growth of initiated cells. Furthermore, results from over agar assays reflect observations madein vivo,indicating thisassay provides a valid means to investigate the mechanismby which chemicals promote clonal expansion of initiated hepatocytes.
Evaluating system dynamics models of risky projects using decision trees: alternative energy projects as an illustrative example

Many important risky projects are characterized by stochastic processes embedded in nonlinear, feedback structures with delays. System dynamics models may be used to estimate the cash flow resulting from these projects for any given predetermined sequence of decisions. However, using system dynamics models to evaluate these cash flows when management has the flexibility to change its decisions in the face of future information often remains difficult in practice. To remedy this, we leverage the decision analysis literature to propose a methodology that transforms the system dynamics model into an approximate decision tree. The methodology then evaluates that tree to account for the value of managerial flexibility in executing a project. This approach has the virtue of combining system dynamics' capability to cope with dynamic complexity with that of decision analysis to model managerial flexibility. We illustrate this method with a model drawn from the wind power industry, which is characterized by numerous uncertainties and high managerial flexibility. We conclude with a discussion describing the limitations of this approach and the conditions under which its use would be most appropriate. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Barriers to and new approaches for gene therapy and gene delivery in cystic fibrosis.

Clinical trials of gene therapy for cystic fibrosis suggest that current levels of gene transfer efficiency are probably too low to result in clinical benefit, largely as a result of the barriers faced by gene transfer vectors within the airways. The respiratory epithelium has evolved a complex series of extracellular barriers (mucus, lack of receptors, immune surveillance, etc.) aimed at preventing penetration of lumenally delivered materials, including gene therapy vectors. In addition, once in the cell, further hurdles have to be overcome, including DNA degradation, nuclear import and the ability to maintain long-term transgene expression. Strategies to overcome these barriers will be addressed in this review and include the use of: (i) clinically relevant adjuncts to overcome the extra- and intracellular barriers; (ii) less-conventional delivery routes, such as intravenous or in utero administration; (iii) more efficient non-viral vectors and 'stealth' viruses which can be re-administered; and (iv) new approaches to prolong transgene expression by means of alternative promoters or integrating vectors. These advances have the potential to improve the efficiency of gene delivery to the airway epithelium, thus making gene therapy a more realistic option for cystic fibrosis.
In silico design of porous polymer networks: high-throughput screening for methane storage materials.

Porous polymer networks (PPNs) are a class of advanced porous materials that combine the advantages of cheap and stable polymers with the high surface areas and tunable chemistry of metal–organic frameworks. They are of particular interest for gas separation or storage applications, for instance, as methane adsorbents for a vehicular natural gas tank or other portable applications. PPNs are self-assembled from distinct building units; here, we utilize commercially available chemical fragments and two experimentally known synthetic routes to design in silico a large database of synthetically realistic PPN materials. All structures from our database of 18,000 materials have been relaxed with semiempirical electronic structure methods and characterized with Grand-canonical Monte Carlo simulations for methane uptake and deliverable (working) capacity. A number of novel structure–property relationships that govern methane storage performance were identified. The relationships are translated into experimental g...
Cholesterol screening in childhood: Sixteen-year Beaver Coynty Lipid Study experience

To determine the extent to which cholesterol measured in childhood is predictive of values in adulthood, the investigators conducting the second follow-up of the Beaver County Lipid Study tracked the cholesterol values of 295 adults who had initially participated as children (ages 11 to 14 years) in a countywide school screening program. The follow-up study was conducted 16 years after the initial study, when the participants had reached a mean age of 28 years. The overall correlation (r) between baseline (1972–1973) total cholesterol values and the values found at the present follow-up was 0.44 (p 175 mg/dl (4.6 mmol/L) for children and ≥200 mg/dl (5.2 mmol/L) for adults) as a “positive” test result. The sensitivity of screening at age 12 years for predicting elevated adult total cholesterol concentrations was 63%, specificity was 67%, and the predictive value of a positive test result was 47%. Comparison of faise-positive results (above the border-line cutoff point as a child but not as an adult) and false-negative results (below the borderline cutoff point as a child but above it as an adult) showed that male subjects with false-positive results smoked significantly less than those with false-negative results (p
Mantle eclogites: evidence of igneous fractionation in the mantle

Abstract Despite recent geochemical studies advocating an origin of eclogite xenoliths in kimberlite by subduction of altered sea-floor basalts and crustal cumulates, there are numerous examples showing abundant exsolution of garnet and kyanite from clinopyroxene that could only have occurred on cooling from near-solidus temperatures at pressures in excess of 3 GPa. Samples showing extensive exsolution tend to have more calcic garnets and sodic pyroxenes than the average eclogite, but do not form a group that is geochemically distinct in major, minor, or trace elements. Also, composite samples containing both kyanite and bimineralic eclogites demonstrate the co-genetic relation of extremes of composition of the eclogite suite. Accordingly, we present an igneous fractionation model to account for the major and trace element variations observed in these rocks: grospydites and kyanite eclogites are early pyroxene, or pyroxeneplus-corundum, cumulates that have undergone extensive subsolidus exsolution of kyanite and garnet. These were then followed by more Fe-rich eclogites which had pyroxene plus garnet as solidus phases and fractionated towards more magnesian bimineralic eclogites.
Percutaneous placement of a transcystic duct internal biliary drainage catheter.

A case is described in which a Ring biliary drainage catheter was positioned in the duodenum following percutaneous cholecystostomy. Percutaneous cholecystostomy allows biliary intervention in selected patients.
Newburgh-Kingston caries-fluorine study X III. Pediatric findings after ten years

Since the fall of 1944, when the plan of the New York State Department of Health for the control study on water fluoridation in the cities of Newburgh and Kingston was first presented before the New York Institute of Clinical Oral Pathology, the use of water fluoridation to prevent dental caries has changed from an alluring prospect to a widely ac­ cepted measure of public policy. Raising the concentration of fluoride-deficient water supplies to an optimal level of 1.0 to 1.2 ppm fluoride (F) is, on the basis of all available evidence, a measure with a wide margin of safety. At the time the Newburgh-Kingston study was first proposed, however, the body of evidence related Entirely to in­ formation obtained from regions in which the drinking water at its source al­ ready contained amounts of fluoride at optimal or excessive levels. Persons grow­ ing up in these regions and regularly drinking water containing even several times the optimal amount of fluoride ap­ peared to be no different in general health and showed no greater proportion of physical defects, other than possible dental mottling, than did persons in nearby regions who drank fluoridedeficient water. There was no reason to believe that fluoride, when added to the drinking water as a routine part of the water treatment process, would act dif­ ferently from fluoride present in the water at the source. Nevertheless, it was considered desirable to test this remote possibility by periodic medical examina­ tion of groups of children under carefully controlled conditions.
Mixed hematopoietic chimerism induces long-term tolerance to cardiac allografts in miniature swine

Abstract Background . Tolerance to cardiac allografts has not been achieved in large animals using methods that are readily applicable to human recipients. We investigated the effects of mixed hematopoietic chimerism on cardiac allograft survival and chronic rejection in miniature swine Methods . Recipients were T-cell depleted using a porcine CD3 immunotoxin, and each received either of two nonmyeloablative preparative regimens previously demonstrated to permit the establishment of stable mixed hematopoietic chimerism across MHC-matched, minor-antigen–mismatched histocompatibility barriers. Five to 12 months after the chimerism was induced, hearts from the original cell donors were heterotopically transplanted into the stable mixed chimeras. Results . Cardiac allografts transplanted into untreated recipients across similar minor antigen barriers were rejected within 44 days (within 21, 28, 35, 39, 44 days among individual study subjects). In contrast, hearts transplanted into the mixed chimeras were all accepted long term ( > 153, > 225, > 286, > 362 days) without immunosuppressive drugs and developed minimal vasculopathy. Conclusions . Mixed hematopoietic chimerism, established in miniature swine using clinically relevant, nonmyeloablative conditioning regimens, permits long-term cardiac allograft survival without chronic immunosuppressive therapy, significant vasculopathy, or graft-versus-host disease.
Teaching intersubjectivity: Paradox and possibility

Abstract Intersubjective theories and practice reflect current postmodern epistemological shifts that deconstruct the therapist's knowledge, power, and authority. These theories and clinical methods pose particular challenges and dilemmas, however, for beginning trainees who struggle with their own therapeutic legitimacy. The authors discuss some of the pedagogical dilemmas and paradoxes that they have encountered in teaching intersubjective practice to novice clinicians. The authors also make recommendations for a developmental progression to teaching theory and practice.
Distributed intelligent real-time technique for coordinated multi-agents autonomous path planning among moving complex obstacles

This paper is concerned with the difficult and interesting problem of real-time planning and efficient motion control of rigid multi-robot systems to dynamically avoid moving obstacles and/or robots as these move. Most techniques described so far in the literature deal with the simpler problem of generating (generally off-line) a path among stationary obstacles. For practical purposes, however, obstacles are not always static and most interesting environments are in general not known precisely and/or time varying. Motivated by the fact that robots capable of maneuvering among moving obstalces will be capable of accomplishing a much larger and more versatile class of tasks, and as a result of our current and past research investigations over the years, we present an innovative approach and tackle the problem from a different angle. The proposed method follows upon our previous work which employs a notion of complex potential fields representation, and involves the use of state variables which preserve the Newman Boundary condition of such complex potential fields while allowing mobile robots to autonomously and dynamically avoid each other as well as other moving obstacles. In the heart of the technique is the exploitation of the powerful and fundamental tool of conformal mapping to derive the path solution for obstacles of arbitrary shapes. The advantage this novel approach offers over traditional formulations is its handling of both static and arbitrary moving obstacles/multi-robots. To the author's best knowledge, the proposed technique is the only proposed approach in the literature for real-time mobile robots motion control and obstacles avoidance which not only guarantees the reaching of the robot's goal under some conditions but also focuses on the means by which both the obstacles positions and orientations can elegantly and efficiently be dealt with when these latter continuously change with time.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Impact of concurrent alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania at initial evaluation

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of current alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania. Methods: The impact of concurrent alcohol misuse on symptom presentation of acute mania was examined by comparing comorbid subjects with acute bipolar mania complicated by current alcohol misuse (n=60) with subjects with acute bipolar mania without current alcohol misuse (n=196). Results: Age- and gender-controlled analysis revealed that the comorbid group presented with more severe psychopathology, as indicated by higher number of total mood-related symptoms as well as of higher total number of manic symptoms. Specifically, they presented with significantly higher rates of mood lability and impulsivity, and also demonstrated higher rates of violent behavior, and other drug use. Conclusions: Acute mania complicated by current alcohol misuse is differentiated from acute mania without alcohol misuse by the presence of higher numbers of manic symptoms and increased high risk behavior such as mood lability, impulsivity, violence, and other drug abuse.
The Protective Role of Ethnic Identity for Urban Adolescent Males Facing Multiple Stressors

Having a connection to one’s ethnic heritage is considered a protective factor in the face of discrimination; however, it is unclear whether the protective effects are persistent across multiple stressors. Furthermore, the dimensions of ethnic identity that reflect group pride/connection (affirmation) and exploration of the meaning of group membership (achievement) may operate differently in the face of stress. The present study examined the moderating role of ethnic identity affirmation and achievement on concurrent and longitudinal relationships between exposure to stress (discrimination, family hardship, exposure to violence) and antisocial behavior in a sample of 256 Black and Latino male youth (70 % Black) living in low-income urban neighborhoods. Using regression analysis, concurrent associations were examined at age 18, and longitudinal associations were tested 18 months later. We found that, among youth experiencing discrimination, high levels of achievement and low levels of affirmation predicted greater aggressive behavior and delinquency. Low affirmation also predicted more criminal offending in the face of discrimination. The two dimensions operated similarly in the context of family stress, in which case high levels of affirmation and achievement predicted lower levels of antisocial behavior. The findings suggest a differential role of the two dimensions of ethnic identity with respect to discrimination; furthermore, the coping skills that may be promoted as youth make meaning of their ethnic group membership may serve as cultural assets in the face of family stress.
Child Abuse: A Crisis Intervention Approach

Abstract The growing number of reported child abuse cases continues to pressure the South African social services. The present scenario demands that creative ways of helping the child survivor and family be investigated. Substantiated by relevant statistics, this paper will advocate the crisis intervention approach as a means of dealing with child abuse cases in South Africa today. Various applications of the crisis intervention approach will be explained, which may be useful with the abused child. It is suggested that this approach, which has been implemented by the author at the Red Cross Children's Hospital in Cape Town, may facilitate both the healing and the prevention of mental illness in relation to child abuse.
Abstract 224: Targeting reprogramming the stemness in breast carcinogenesis by 2-Methoxyestradiol.

2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2), a natural metabolite of estradiol is a potent antitumor and antiangiogenic agent. 2ME2 inhibits the proliferation of a wide variety of cancer cell and primary cultures and blocks tumor growth in the tumor xenograft model. 2-ME 2 is currently undergoing Phase I and II clinical trial under the commercial name Panzem. Although various molecular targets have been proposed for this compound, the impact of 2ME2 on reprogramming of stemness is unknown. Thus, the purpose of this was to determine whether 2ME2 can modulate pathophysiological events like epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), cell migration and stemness in breast cancer cell. Our study indicated that 2ME2 inhibits EMT by down regulating mesenchymal markers like vimentin, Snail, Twist and upregulating epithelial markers like keratin-19, E-cadherin in both low metastatic (MCF-7) and high metastatic (MDA-MB-231) breast cancer cells. We found that 2ME2 significantly reduced in vitro breast cancer cell proliferation and migration. We also showed that 2ME2 not only decreased expression of stem cell markers CD44 and oct4 and increased CD24 expression in breast cancer cells it also inhibits stemness or self -renewal property of breast cancer stem cell as observed from mammosphere assay. Overall our results may help to understand the role of 2ME2 in EMT process followed by stemness, which may facilitate to develop new therapeutic targets in breast cancer management. Citation Format: Gargi Maity, Snigdha Banerjee, Archana De, Sandipto Sarkar, Amlan Das, Sushanta Banerjee. Targeting reprogramming the stemness in breast carcinogenesis by 2-Methoxyestradiol. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 224. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-224 Note: This abstract was not presented at the AACR Annual Meeting 2013 because the presenter was unable to attend.
Digital Ethnography: Anthropology, Narrative, and New Media (Underberg and Zorn)

This work is a book review considering the title Digital Ethnography: Anthropology, Narrative, and New Media by Natalie M. Underberg and Elayne Zorn.
Contracted state as an energy source for ca binding and ca + inorganic phosphate accumulation by corn mitochondria.

An investigation has been made of the possibility of utilizing the potential energy of the contracted state of corn mitochondria to drive Ca + inorganic phosphate accumulation. Contraction was obtained with succinate or NADH oxidation. In the succinate experiments the mitochondria were contracted in buffered KCl layered over sucrose in centrifuge tubes and centrifuged down through distinct wash, reactive and isotope exchange layers. In the NADH experiments, ion accumulation was initiated upon exhaustion of the substrate. The results show that mitochondria in the contracted state will actively bind some 45Ca, but no real accumulation occurs until inorganic phosphate is available. Substrate powered contraction in the presence of inorganic phosphate also provides a potential for accumulation upon subsequent reaction of the mitochondria with Ca. It is deducted that contraction is due to X∼I formation, to which Ca will bind. Subsequent reaction with inorganic phosphate produces CaX∼P, which is the transport moiety. When X∼P is formed first, Ca also reacts to produce CaX∼P. Hence it is immaterial which ion reacts first with the contracted state. Contraction is believed to result from the action of a mechanoenzyme, presumably I∼. The stability of CaX∼I must be low for the mitochondria swell very rapidly upon exhaustion of NADH or blocking of succinate oxidation by cyanide.
Issues in multiple use and network pricing for CDROMs

In order to achieve an appropriate level of revenue, CDROM publishers need to attempt to control access to their databases when they are used in a networked environment. This has led to the creation of interestingly complex pricing strategies for the networked use of CDROM. This article first identifies some of the key issues for pricing of CDROM and then focuses on the issue of network pricing, using as case studies the network pricing strategies for BIOSIS, SilverPlatter, Dialog OnDisc and Reedbase. It is not clear whether the issue of appropriate pricing strategies for CDROM will ultimately be viewed as so intractable that suppliers will seek alternative distribution options.
Water borne acrylic pressure sensitive adhesives with improved humidity resistance

A binary latex system is described which meets several target criteria as a pressure sensitive adhesive on untreated polyester: improved humidity resistance (approx. 50% peel retention after seven days in a high humidity environment), good film clarity before and after humidity aging, no transfer failure mode and good cohe sive strength. A comparison is made to commercial acrylic latex material either fully formulated or as a binary system employing a new latex component as well. Superior performance is found with the new binary system in most performance areas.
New metabolizable immunologic adjuvant for human use. 8. Chronic toxicity and teratogenic tests.

SummaryLong-term observations up to 24 months in guinea pigs and 39 months in monkeys given multiple doses of emulsified preparations of adjuvant 65 or their aqueous counterparts were carried out. Extensive gross and microscopic pathologic observations of the major organs and tissues were made. Aside from local reactions at the injection site, there was no evidence for immunopathologic lesions, disseminated granulomatous lesions, tumor formation, or other pathologic processes referable to the vaccine. The local reactions observed were those to be expected following the injection of nonirritating and metabolizable fatty materials, viz., lipoid granulomata with gradual disappearance of oil cysts, residual collection of phagocytic cells, and final disappearance of reactions after some months. There was no evidence that adjuvant 65 would be likely to cause abscess or nodule formation. A test for teratogenicity in rabbits given adjuvant 65 emulsified preparations, or their aqueous counterparts on the eighth da...
Recent progress in the electrochromatography of proteins

We have constructed a column for the application of an electrical field to a flowing packed bed of Chromatographic media (electrochromatography), and we have studied the effect the electrical field on the elution of bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin A and B, α-lactalbumin, and myoglobin from packed beds of Sephadex beads. The elution behavior of the model proteins on Sephadex with a high degree of crosslinking (Sephadex G-25) and with a lower amount of crosslinking (Sephadex G-75) was measured. We confirmed that proteins exhibited an unexplained electrically driven retention on the column packed with G-75. The electrically driven retention effect was greatly reduced or absent in columns packed with the more highly crosslinked G-25. The potential of electrochromatography for high-resolution separations was shown by the partial separation of β-lactoglobulin A and B by using short columns with the electric field polarity such that electrophoresis opposed convective flow in the column.
Interviewer's toolbox

Abstract Knowledge elicitation is the life blood of the expert system. Qualifications for a knowledge engineer (KE) to elicit knowledge are, “You must be good with people and possess good interview skills.” While this is true, there are some techniques the KE can develop to better meet these qualifications. Understanding the expert and the problem of expression gives insight into the person while standard interview techniques and cognitive interviewing techniques build interviewing skills.
Cross-Cultural Studies of Psychophysiological Responses During Stress and Emotion

Abstract Les AA. abordent l'etude du choc (stress) psychologique et de l'emotion dans les termes de l'analyse des systemes: analyse des divers types de variables d'entree (stimulus) et de sortie (reponses); relations de ces variables avec un proccssus mediateur d'evaluation cognitive (cognitive appraisal); celui-ci implique cles structures qui component un sous-systeme de traitement de l'information dont les operations dependent, en partic, de facteurs de personnalite et de culture. Ils decrivent une experience type pour l'etude de ce modele et discutent de la relation entre les mesures psychologiques et les estimations subjectives du choc emotionnel. La methocle utilisee pour etudier le proccssus d'evaluation cognitive qui intervient dans le choc psychologique et l'ernotion est illustree par plusieurs experiences qui ont ete conduites sur des Americains; les reactions a des films “choquants” sont manipulees par l'ecoute prealable de commentaires qui, evoquant certains mecanismes de defense du moi, ont po...
Analyzing the ingredients of a telephone counseling intervention for traumatic brain injury

AbstractPurpose: To develop reliable coding for five treatment ingredients hypothesized to be “active” in a scheduled telephone intervention (STI) for traumatic brain injury (TBI); to examine factors associated with delivery of ingredients over the first year post-injury. Method: Operational definitions of directive and non-directive action planning; TBI education; reinforcement; and reframing, were refined until kappa >0.80 across multiple coders. Codes were assigned for presence/absence of ingredients in 253 recorded calls delivered to 49 participants in a randomized controlled trial on effects of STI versus usual care. Using multivariate analyses, we tested hypotheses about effects of TBI severity, time and other factors on delivery of ingredients. Results: Longitudinal analyses revealed that TBI education decreased over time, as expected. Non-directive action planning increased over time, according to hypotheses; unexpectedly, directive action planning did not concurrently decline. Reinforcement and r...
Petrology of gabbroic xenoliths from Mauna Kea Volcano, Hawaii

Gabbroic xenoliths from the hawaiite summit cone of Mauna Kea volcano, Hawaii, are up to 15 cm in size and form two groups: olivine (+pl+cpx) gabbros and opaque-oxide (+pl+cpx) gabbros. Both types have members that are laminated and probably cumulate in origin, and each type has interstitial glass of hawaiitic-mugearitic composition. Olivine gabbros have MgO 12–25 wt.%, FeO* 4–12%, and TiO2 0.5–1%, whereas opaque-oxide gabbros have MgO about 6 wt.%, FeO* 12–18%, and TiO2 5–7% (due to 11–27 vol.% Fe-Ti oxides). Cli-nopyroxene and plagioclase compositions in both gabbro types (Fs7–14 Wo41–47; Al2O3 3–4%) (An52–89 Or0.5–3) indicate that these xenoliths are products of Hawaiian magmatism and not N-type mid-ocean ridge basalts. These phases plus olivine compositions (Fo71–84), paragenesis, and mixing models using representative Mauna Kea basaltic rocks indicate that the gabbros are crystalline products from mafic alkalic parent basalt (e.g., ∼8 wt.% MgO). Modeling shows that residual liquid after 25–30% crystallization of ol+pl+cpx (the xenoliths) may be basalt/hawaiite of the Hamakua Volcanics on Mauna Kea. Alternatively, 60% crystallization of ol+pl+ cpx+mt+il feasibly produced liquid represented by the hawaiite of Laupahoehoe Volcanics; interstitial glass may represent liquid after more than 60% crystallization. Crystallization depth was shallow if daughter magmas were Hamakua, but was at least at 8-kbar pressure if Laupahoehoe hawaiites were produced (due to absence of liquidus cpx in Laupahoehoe rocks). Laupahoehoe hawaiite transported the xenoliths to the surface.
WE-C-T-617-04: Absolute Calorimetric Calibration of I-125 and Pd-103 Brachytherapy Sources

Purpose: To develop an absolute method of low energy, photon‐emitting brachytherapy source strength specification that provides high precision and high accuracy measurements in terms of both the total contained and emitted power of the source. Method and Materials: A cryogeniccalorimeter has been developed utilizing high temperature superconducting transition edge sensors as thermometers. The instrument is capable of providing direct measurements of the total source power as well as only the fraction that is emitted by the source. The calorimeter makes use of the well‐established electrical substitution principle to provide a direct measurement of power. With this method, a temperature control feedback loop is used to maintain a thermometer resistance set point in the center of the thermometers'superconducting transition. The heater power required to maintain this set point is compared both with and without the source present. The difference between the two heater powers is the measurement of source power. Results: Preliminary contained power measurements made with the calorimeter demonstrate a precision of approximately 0.5%. The power measurements are compared to air kerma strength measurements by means of Monte Carlo calculations. Using this method, agreement between the measurements is within 1.5%. The calorimeter has a demonstrated noise floor of 2 nW. Current work is focused upon evaluating an improved detector design and performing contained power and emitted power measurements of several different source types and strengths. Conclusion: The initial measurements with the calorimeter indicate that it is possible to provide high precision, high resolution power calibrations of brachytherapy sources. Features of this method are that no conversion factors are used to arrive at the desired quantity and few correction factors are required. Current work is focused upon evaluating an improved detector design and performing contained power and emitted power measurements of several different source types and strengths.
The prescription drug abuse epidemic

In the United States, the nonmedical use of prescription drugs is the second most common illicit drug use, behind only marijuana. This article discusses the abuse issues with three of the most widely abused prescription drugs: opioids, central nervous system (CNS) depressants (eg, benzodiazepines), and stimulants (eg, amphetamine-dextroamphetamine and methylphenideate) in the United States. Efforts to deal with the problem are described as well.
Iterative design of MOVE: A situationally appropriate vehicle navigation system

Drivers need assistance when navigating an unfamiliar route. In-vehicle navigation systems have improved in recent years due to the technology advances, but are sometimes problematic because of information overload while driving. To address the attentional demands of reading a map while driving, we have developed the maps optimized for vehicular environments (MOVE) in-car navigation display, which provides situationally appropriate navigation information to the driver through optimization of map information. In this paper, we describe the iterative design and evaluation process that shaped the MOVE system. We describe early map reading and navigation studies that led to early designs for our system. We present a study on visual search tasks that refined the renditions used for the system. Finally, we present a study on the effectiveness of several variations of a contextually optimized route map visualization with a desktop steering system. The result of this study shows that MOVE's contextually optimized navigation information can reduce the driver's perceptual load significantly. Our laboratory experiment shows that the total map display fixation time was decreased six-fold, and the number of glances to interpret the map display were decreased about threefold, when comparing the contextually optimized display to a static display.
The photoelectron spectra of gaseous alkali perrhenates

Abstract The HeI photoelectron spectra of the gaseous alkali perrhenates have been obtained using a high-temperature cylindrical mirror electron spectrometer equipped with an internally located, resistance-heated sample oven. The ionization energies have been assigned molecular-orbital origins using MO calculations and comparisons with X-ray photoelectron data, UV-visible electronic spectra, and electron diffraction experiments.
DNA recombination and RNA cleavage activities of the Flp protein: roles of two histidine residues in the orientation and activation of the nucleophile for strand cleavage.

Using a combination of DNA and hybrid DNA-RNA substrates, we have analyzed the mechanism of phosphoryl transfer by the Flp site-specific recombinase in three different reactions: DNA strand breakage and joining, and two types of RNA cleavage activities. These reactions were then used to characterize Flp variants altered at His309 and His345, amino acid residues that are in close proximity to two key catalytic residues (Arg308 and Tyr343). These histidine residues are important for strand cutting by Tyr343, the active-site nucleophile of Flp, but neither residue contributes to the type II RNA cleavage activity or to the strand-joining reaction in a pre-cleaved substrate. Strand cleavage reactions using small, diffusible nucleophiles indicate that this histidine pair contributes to the correct positioning and activation of Tyr343 within the shared active site of Flp. The implications of these results are evaluated against the recently solved crystal structure of Flp in association with a Holliday junction.
Nuclear protein redistribution in heat-shocked cells.

An increase was observed in the total protein mass of nuclei isolated from Chinese hamster ovary cells heated at 45°C or 45.5°C. An increase in the fractional recovery of DNA polymerase α and β, and of DNA topoisomerase activity coincided with this increase in the protein mass of nuclei from heated cells. Nuclear protein mass which was soluble in 2.0 M NaCl decreased 0.5 fold, while DNA-associated and nuclear matrix-associated protein mass increased 2.2 and 3.4 fold, respectively. The results indicate that the increase in nuclear protein mass observed in nuclei from heated cells is due in part to an increased binding, or precipitation, of nuclear proteins onto the cell's DNA and nuclear matrix. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Tagging ribosomal protein S7 allows rapid identification of mutants defective in assembly and function of 30 s subunits

Ribosomal protein S7 nucleates folding of the 16 S rRNA 3' major domain, which ultimately forms the head of the 30 S ribosomal subunit. Recent crystal structures indicate that S7 lies on the interface side of the 30 S subunit, near the tRNA binding sites of the ribosome. To map the functional surface of S7, we have tagged the protein with a Protein Kinase A recognition site and engineered alanine substitutions that target each exposed, conserved residue. We have also deleted conserved features of S7, using its structure to guide our design. By radiolabeling the tag sequence using Protein Kinase A, we are able to track the partitioning of each mutant protein into 30 S, 70 S, and polyribosome fractions in vivo. Overexpression of S7 confers a growth defect, and we observe a striking correlation between this phenotype and proficiency in 30 S subunit assembly among our collection of mutants. We find that the side chain of K35 is required for efficient assembly of S7 into 30 S subunits in vivo, whereas those of at least 17 other conserved exposed residues are not required. In addition, an S7 derivative lacking the N-terminal 17 residues causes ribosomes to accumulate on mRNA to abnormally high levels, indicating that our approach can yield interesting mutant ribosomes.
Structural alterations of the FAS gene in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL).

FAS (TNF receptor superfamily member 6, also known as CD95) plays a major role in T-cell apoptosis and is often dysregulated in CTCL. We searched for structural alterations of the FAS gene with the potential to affect its function. Although several heterozygous FAS promoter single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were detected, the only homozygous one was the −671 GG SNP present in 24/80 CTCL cases (30%). This SNP maps to an interferon response element activated by STAT-1. EMSA and supershift EMSA showed decreased CTCL nuclear protein/STAT-1 binding to oligonucleotides bearing this SNP. Luciferase reporters showed significantly less interferon-alfa responsive expression by FAS promoter constructs containing this SNP in multiple CTCL lines. Finally, FAS was upregulated by interferon-alfa in wildtype CTCL cells but not those bearing the −671 GG SNP. These findings indicate that many CTCL patients harbor the homozygous FAS promoter −671 GG SNP capable of blunting its response to interferon. This may have implications for CTCL pathogenesis, racial incidence and the response of patients to interferon-alfa therapy. In contrast, functionally significant mutations in FAS coding sequences were detected uncommonly. Among CTCL lines with the potential to serve as models of FAS regulation, FAS-high MyLa had both FAS alleles, FAS-low HH was FAS-hemizygous and FAS-negative SeAx was FAS-null.
Low-fat diet and exercise preserve eNOS regulation and endothelial function in the penis of early atherosclerotic pigs: a molecular analysis.

Introduction Diet and exercise affect endothelial function in the penis, but the molecular mechanisms underlying their effects are not understood.
Thermodynamics of nematic liquid crystalline mixtures. A regular solution approximation

Abstract A regular solution approximation is proposed to describe the thermodynamic properties of nematic liquid crystalline mixtures coming from a single family. For the four binary alkoxyazoxybenzene systems investigated, the excess interaction energy w for a pair of unlike molecules (over that for a pair of like molecules) is shown to increase with increasing size difference of the molecule pair.
Molecular dynamics simulations of functional group effects on solvation thermodynamics of model solutes in decane and tricaprylin.

Triglycerides and related fatty acid esters constitute a large percentage of the lipid excipients employed in the development of lipid-based drug formulations. Computer simulations can provide useful information on the structural, dynamic, and thermodynamic properties of these systems and may ultimately be valuable in predicting relative drug solubilities in lipid vehicles. This study utilized all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to explore the solvation of several model solutes in lipid vehicles. First, a combined thermodynamic perturbation and integration approach was employed to calculate functional group contributions to the free energy of transfer from n-decane to tricaprylin for a set of polar substituents attached to the 9-position of anthracene. A scaling factor of 0.79 for all atomic charges in the dry lipid (where the unscaled charges were obtained at the level of the HF/6-31G* basis set) was necessary in order to match the calculated group contributions to the free energies of transfer with ...
Outburst flooding and the initiation of ice-stream surges in response to climatic cooling: A hypothesis

Abstract Outburst flooding from subglacial reservoirs and associated surging of ice-streams are caused by processes following climatic cooling that produce ice-shelf grounding on proglacial sills trapping subglacial water, according to an hypothesis presented here. Glaciers often advance into proglacial water bodies. Cooling may allow ice-shelf formation and advance causing grounding on a proglacial sill, trapping subglacial water. Ice-shelf freeze-on to the sill and development of a local reversal in ice–air surface slope over the sill then are likely, allowing ice thickening and water overpressurization. If basal thawing then occurs, as is likely, an outburst flood and a surge may be triggered. These processes may have been involved in Heinrich events, generation of Antarctic subglacial lakes, and meltwater scouring of some regions.