cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of Cytochrome P450 Selectivity for Hydralazine as an Aldehyde Oxidase Inhibitor for Reaction Phenotyping.

Abstract Hydralazine has been reported as a selective mechanism-based inactivator of aldehyde oxidase (AO) and it is widely used in the pharmaceutical industry for reaction phenotyping to estimate fraction metabolized by AO and to identify AO substrates. In this study, however, hydralazine was found to inhibit CYP1A2, 2B6, 2D6, and 3A in human suspension hepatocytes under reaction phenotyping assay conditions, at concentrations that chemically knocked out most of the AO activities (≥50 μM). Furthermore, hydralazine is a time-dependent inhibitor of CYP1A2. Based on these findings, precautions need to be taken when using hydralazine as an AO inhibitor for in vitro studies because fraction metabolized by AO is likely to be overestimated and the likelihood of false positives in identifying AO substrates increases.
Reconfigurable Patch Antenna with Liquid Metal Tuning Slots and 3D Printed Microfiuidics

In this paper, we present the development of a novel class of reconfigurable microstrip antennas: patch antenna with liquid metal tuning slots. By manipulating liquid metal in 3D printed microfluidics bounded on top of a slotted patch antenna, various attractive reconfigurable characteristics can be achieved with simple patch topologies. Two representative designs are presented to demonstrate the capabilities of patch antenna with liquid metal tuning slots: a frequency reconfigurable patch antenna with frequency tuning bandwidth of 70% and instantaneous bandwidth of 2 %; and a polarization reconfigurable patch antenna with right-hand circular polarization (RHCP), left-hand circular polarization (LHCP), and linear polarization (LP) with arbitrary orientation in x-y plane. The process for prototyping patch antenna with liquid metal tuning slots is also presented, which successfully minimized the skin residues. Measurement has been performed with good agreement to the simulations. We believe that this design and prototype strategy can be applied to other potential topologies with various reconfigurable functionalities.
Source term estimation using multiple xenon isotopes in atmospheric samples

Abstract Algorithms that estimate the location and magnitude of an atmospheric release using remotely sampled air concentrations typically involve a single chemical or radioactive isotope. A new Bayesian algorithm is presented that makes discrimination between possible types of releases (e.g., nuclear explosion, nuclear power plant, or medical isotope production facility) an integral part of the analysis for samples that contain multiple isotopes. Algorithm performance is demonstrated using synthetic data and correctly discriminated between most release-type hypotheses, with higher accuracy when data are available on three or more isotopes.
Deep Learning Approach for U.S. Traffic Sign Recognition

Advanced Driver Assistant Systems (ADAS) have seen massive improvements in recent years; from detecting pedestrians, road lanes, traffic signs and signals, and vehicles to recognizing and tracking traffic signs. Traffic sign recognition systems are used to detect and classify the traffic signs. This research is focused on the classification aspect of the ADAS; i.e. identifying the class a traffic sign belongs to. Most of the current ADAS that use the U.S. traffic signs are limited to speed limit signs recognition only. This work seeks to expand the corridors of U.S. traffic signs recognition to cover all the publicly available classes. The research adopts the VGGNet architecture modified to classify U.S. traffic signs provided by the LISA TS benchmark. The original VGGNet was used to classify The German Traffic Sign Recognition Benchmark and reported an accuracy of 98.7%. This work recorded a validation accuracy of 99.04%.
Development and validation of a pancreatic cancer prediction model from electronic health records using machine learning.

679Background: Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is often diagnosed at an advanced stage. We sought to develop a model for early PDAC prediction in the general population, using electronic health re...
Ambiguity Resolution in Direction of Arrival Estimation using Mixed Integer Optimization and Deep Learning

In this paper we present two novel approaches to unambiguously estimate the direction of arrival (DOA) of an RF source by an array of receive antennas whose positions can take-on any arbitrary geometry. The first approach employs a simple constrained integer optimization, while the second approach employs deep learning. In both approaches the impact of imperfect array calibration on the performance of DOA estimation is quantified. We demonstrate in Monte Carlo simulations that both approaches are capable of achieving super-resolution performance under imperfect array calibration conditions. It was found that the constrained integer optimization outperforms deep learning when one has an accurate physics model of the receiver imperfections, however deep learning was more robust to significant calibration errors.
Peer Mentor Development Program: Lessons Learned in Mentoring Racial/Ethnic Minority Faculty.

Introduction: Mentorship is crucial for academic success. And yet, there are few mentoring programs that address the needs of underrepresented, racially/ethnically diverse junior faculty conducting health-related research in the United States. Methods: To expand mentoring capacity for these racially/ethnically diverse faculty, we developed a Peer Mentor Develop­ment Program (PMDP) to prepare near-peers, who have similar characteristics and personal experiences, to provide support to participants in an NIH-PRIDE funded Insti­tute. The PMDP program is designed based on the 8-year experience of the Mentor Development Program of the NYU-Health and Hospitals Clinical Translational Science Institute. Annually, up to six alumni are selected into the PMDP, participate in the 12-hour program over 4 days, are paired with 1 to 3 scholar participants to mentor and join monthly PMDP conference calls during the ensuing year. Results: We describe the program, partici­pant experience and lessons learned from our first 18 peer mentors in three PMDP cohorts. Additionally, all 18 peer mentors completed a post-evaluation survey to as­sess the program. Overall, peers agreed that participating in the PMDP enhanced most of the specific skills targeted. Participants rated 53%-86% of skills as “more than be­fore” participating in PMDP, demonstrating the appreciation and impact of the program. Conclusions: The PMDP may be a model for higher education and academic medi­cine programs committed to mentoring and retaining racially/ethnically diverse faculty and ultimately contributing to reducing entrenched health disparities between majority and minority populations. Ethn Dis. 2020;30(2):321-330; doi:10.18865/ ed.30.2.321
Leveraging Emergency Department Encounters to Improve Cancer Screening Adherence.

Abstract Objective We aimed to estimate the proportion of patients visiting the emergency department (ED) who were not up to date with cancer screening guidelines to assess the scope of need and potential impact of ED-based cancer screening interventions. Methods Adult participants from the 2015 National Health Interview Survey were included. Among patients nonadherent to national breast, colorectal, or lung cancer screening guidelines, the proportion of patients reporting an ED visit within the last year was estimated, accounting for complex survey sampling design features. Multiple variable logistic regression analyses were then conducted to evaluate the association between sociodemographic characteristics and screening adherence. Results Of screening eligible respondents, 17.2% of women nonadherent to mammography screening, 16.9% of patients nonadherent to colorectal cancer screening, and 25.0% of patients nonadherent to lung cancer screening reported at least one ED visit in the preceding year. Patients visiting the ED with postsecondary school education were more likely to be up to date with mammography screening than those without advanced education (odds ratio [OR] 1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.21-1.74; P = .01). Patients without insurance were less likely than those with insurance to report being up to date with both mammography screening (OR 0.31; 95% CI: 0.21-0.48; P = .01) and colorectal cancer screening (OR 0.56; 95% CI: 0.34-0.93; P = .03). Discussion Opportunities to improve cancer screening adherence exist through ED-based preventative care interventions, which leverage multidisciplinary partnerships, including radiologists, to reach large volumes of patients who are not engaged in cancer screening.
A Worst-Case Approximate Analysis of Peak Age-of-Information Via Robust Queueing Approach

A new timeliness metric, called Age-of-Information (AoI), has recently attracted a lot of research interests for real-time applications with information updates. It has been extensively studied for various queueing models based on the probabilistic approaches, where the analyses heavily depend on the properties of specific distributions (e.g., the memoryless property of the exponential distribution or the i.i.d. assumption). In this work, we take an alternative new approach, the robust queueing approach, to analyze the Peak Age-of-Information (PAoI). Specifically, we first model the uncertainty in the stochastic arrival and service processes using uncertainty sets. This enables us to approximate the expected PAoI performance for very general arrival and service processes, including those exhibiting heavy-tailed behaviors or correlations, where traditional probabilistic approaches cannot be applied. We then derive a new bound on the PAoI in the single-source single-server setting. Furthermore, we generalize our analysis to two-source single-server systems with symmetric arrivals, which involves new challenges (e.g., the service times of the updates from two sources are coupled in one single uncertainty set). Finally, through numerical experiments, we show that our new bounds provide a good approximation for the expected PAoI. Compared to some well-known bounds in the literature (e.g., one based on Kingman’s bound under the i.i.d. assumption) that tends to be inaccurate under light load, our new approximation is accurate under both light and high loads, both of which are critical scenarios for the AoI performance.
Design and Development of an Autonomous Feline Entertainment Robot (AFER) for Studying Animal-Robot Interactions

The aim of this paper is to present the design and development of a safe and reliable autonomous cat toy for the purposes of entertaining pet cats when human interaction is not feasible. The proposed Autonomous Feline Entertainment Robot (AFER), an autonomous cat toy, is comprised of a table-mounted base, and a robotic arm with two linkages. The AFER Version 1(vl) has a cat-toy affixed to the end of a linkage as the end effector, while the AFER Version 2 (v2) has a passive joint with a string to which a cat toy end effector is attached. The AFER v1 has 2 Degrees of Freedom (DOF), while the AFER v2 has 3DOF, and both are actuated by servomotors interfaced with an Arduino microcontroller. In order to enable maximum functionality, the AFER is designed with multiple movement patterns or modes for play, as well as the ability to change the specific end effector of the toy. Position control was used for the motion and trajectory planning when developing the movement patterns. The interaction between AFER and two kittens has been evaluated in an experimental scenario, and the results show satisfactory and safe interactions. The AFER can be used as a model for studying effective animal-robot interactions and pet entertainment.
Abstract 965: The role of LOX-mediated FAK phosphorylation in osteosarcoma metastasis

Despite the use of chemotherapy and surgery, the development of metastasis remains to be the leading cause of death in patients with osteosarcoma. LOX encodes for lysyl oxidase, which is an enigmatic molecule in cancer by acting as a tumor suppressor in certain tumors, but a metastatic promoter in other tumors. To investigate the function of LOX, we generated LOX overexpression mutants in two osteosarcoma cell lines and showed that higher LOX expression promoted tumor cell proliferation and invasiveness. Using an orthotopic xenograft mouse model, we further showed that osteosarcoma cells with higher LOX expression produced a higher number of mice with pulmonary metastases than the parental cell line (n=9). To characterize the mechanism of LOX-mediated metastasis, we examined the protein expression of a panel of potential downstream targets. The results demonstrated that phospho-FAK (focal adhesion kinase) expression was increased in the LOX-overexpression mutant relative to the parental cell line. Using a small molecule inhibitor of FAK, we showed that it significantly reduced the LOX-mediated metastasis in the orthotopic xenograft model. To demonstrate the clinical significance of our findings, we analyzed the expression profiling and RNAseq datasets recently generated from the TARGET osteosarcoma study. A Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that a higher level of LOX expression significantly correlated with a poor outcome (p Citation Format: Xiang Chen, John M. Hicks, Poonam Sarkar, Waleed M. Gaber, Tsz-Kwong MAN. The role of LOX-mediated FAK phosphorylation in osteosarcoma metastasis [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 965.
Evaluation of various sample sources for the cytologic diagnosis of Cytauxzoon felis.

BACKGROUND Cytauxzoon felis is a life-threatening protozoan disease of cats. Identification of schizont-laden macrophages is a point-of-care diagnostic test for acute cytauxzoonosis. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES The primary objective determined cytologic agreement between sample types to diagnose acute cytauxzoonosis. The secondary objective evaluated novices' ability to identify cytauxzoon organisms in blood films and tissue aspirates. ANIMALS Thirty-eight cats with suspected acute cytauxzoonosis and 5 controls examined postmortem. METHODS Cases were prospectively submitted and collected. Blood film, lymph node, and splenic aspirates were blindly reviewed for sample quality, presence of schizont-laden macrophages, and agreement between sample types. A subset of cases and controls were evaluated by 12 blinded novice observers to determine sensitivity and specificity for identifying organisms in various sample types. RESULTS Acute cytauxzoonosis diagnosis was made on at least 1 sample type in 28/38 cats. Schizont-laden macrophages were seen on 33% (10/30) of blood films, 56% (19/34) lymph node aspirates, 77% (26/34) splenic aspirates. Schizont-laden macrophages were more likely seen on splenic than lymph node aspirates (McNemar's, P = .03) or blood film (McNemar's, P = <.001). Novice observers were more likely to agree with experts when identifying schizont-laden macrophages in splenic aspirates (sensitivity = 77.1%, specificity = 94.4%) versus lymph node aspirates (sensitivity = 52.8%, specificity = 96.4%) or blood films (sensitivity = 41.7%, specificity = 96.9%). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Schizont-laden macrophages are most frequently identified in spleen, even by novice observers. If the diagnosis of acute cytauxzoonosis cannot be confirmed via blood film, then splenic, followed by peripheral lymph node aspirates can be considered.
Aspects of Suspension Shear Flows

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses different aspects of suspension shear flows. It follows a logical, evolutionary sequence of activities that is illustrative of the development of a field of considerable complexity. The chapter begins with a theoretical study of relatively simple laminar flow of a two-phase suspension. For this type of flow, a sufficient amount of the analytical formulation of the problem can be readily extended from the established counterpart for conventional single-phase flow, and the all-important linkage of dynamic interaction between the phases can be provided by the considerable pre-existent understanding of a particle's behavior in the flow of viscous fluid. The corresponding experimental efforts are presented to provide the necessary comparisons for the theories. Of particular importance, is the use of the nonintrusive laser-Doppler anemometry optical technique that has been developed for laminar two-phase flows. A natural outgrowth of this is the significant development of a new generation of laser-Doppler anemometry techniques, designed specifically for the complex turbulent flow of a two-phase suspension in which the particles are allowed to have a distribution in size. In the chapter, a presentation is made of a new theoretical understanding of the migratory behavior of particles in a two-phase suspension in turbulent shear flow by analyzing the dynamical-response characteristics of a particle's interaction with eddies in the surrounding fluid with prescribed turbulence structure.
Parkinson's disease: animal models.

Publisher Summary Animal models are an essential tool to study human diseases, not only to enable a thorough investigation into the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of a disease but also to help in the development of therapeutic strategies. This chapter describes genetic as well as pharmacological manipulations used to develop animal models that mimic Parkinson's disease (PD) and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of the various models. PD is a basal ganglia-related movement disorder characterized by tremor, rigidity or stiffness of movement, and bradykinesia or slowness of movement. It is a late-onset, progressive, neurodegenerative disease involving the degeneration of the nigrostriatal pathway and dopaminergic neurons of substantia nigra. Like reserpine, methamphetamine (METH) administration results in dopamine depletion at the level of dopaminergic nerve terminals with minimal effect in the nigral cell bodies. The METH model is an acute model of striatal dopamine depletion. The 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) model does not mimic all the clinical and pathological features characteristic of PD.
Effect of detergent alkyl chain length on crystallization of a detergent-solubilized membrane protein : correlation of protein-detergent particle size and particle-particle interaction with crystallization of the photosynthetic reaction center from Rhodobacter Sphaeroides.

Abstract The effect of detergent alkyl chain length on the crystallization of detergent-solubilized membrane proteins was characterized using the reaction center (RC) from Rhodobacter sphaeroides as a model. Crystallization was performed in the presence of both n-alkyl-β-D-glucopyranosides, C n G, where the alkyl chain length, n , was varied from 8 to 10, and dodecyl-dimethylamine-N-oxide (C 12 DAO). A pronounced effect of detergent chain length was found on the ability to crystallize the reaction center. Small-angle neutron scattering measurements (SANS) demonstrated that the variation in the ability to crystallize the reaction center is correlated with changes in the apparent radius of gyration, R g , of the reaction center–detergent particle, reflecting changes in the size of the reaction center and strength of the inter-particle interactions. Specifically, reaction center crystallization in the absence of additional amphiphiles was found to occur only with octylglucoside, C 8 G. Crystallization in the presence of longer chain detergents, C 9 G, C 10 G, C 12 DAO, required the use of an additional small amphiphile, heptanetriol (HT). SANS measurements showed that the apparent R g of the reaction center–detergent particle increased with increasing detergent chain length, and that the addition of HT reduces this parameter. The addition of HT was found to impede crystallization in the presence of C 8 G. This inhibition could be reversed by increasing C 8 G concentration with respect to HT, resulting in the formation of alternate crystal forms. Taken together, these results suggest that detergents and small molecule amphiphiles used in membrane protein crystallization must be chosen to optimize both the size and solubility of the protein–detergent particle. Data for the reaction center suggest that crystallization occurs within a restricted range of size of the protein–detergent complex.
SU-E-J-74: Dosimetric Advantages of Adaptive Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer Are Confirmed with Weekly CBCT Images

Purpose: Our previous study showed that weekly dose monitoring using cone-beam CT (CBCT) images can guide the timing and need for adaptive re-planning during the treatment of head and neck (HN) cancer. Here we aim to confirm the dosimetric improvement of adaptive radiotherapy (ART) using weekly CBCTs. Methods: We randomly selected seven HN patients treated with ART due to noticeable anatomic changes. Twenty weekly images acquired during the second treatment course were included. These CBCTs were aligned with both the initial and re-planning simulation CTs according to the clinical shifts. Daily doses were re-calculated for both the initial and adaptive plans. Contours of the tumor and organs-at-risk (OARs) were manually delineated by a physician on the re-planning CT and then were transferred to the CBCTs for plan evaluation. Contour modifications were made based on the daily anatomic changes observed on CBCTs. All patients were treated with 70Gy to the primary tumor and 56Gy to the elective lymph nodes. Results: Volumetric changes of the tumor (range — 43.9%∼+15.9%) were observed. The average D99 to the primary tumor was (70.1±2.0)Gy (range 62.2∼72.5Gy) for the adaptive plan and (66.0±5.5)Gy (range 50.9∼70.7Gy) for the initial plan(p<<0.01). The average D99 to the elective neck wasmore » (56.3±1.3)Gy (range 52.8∼59.2Gy) for the adaptive plan and (52.4±7.0)Gy (range 37.7∼58.6Gy) for the initial plan(p=0.01). The parotid decreased in volume during the treatment course (range 7.3%∼42.2%). The average D-mean to the spared parotid decreased by 15.3% (p=0.002) for the adaptive plan when compared to the original. With ART, 4 out of 7 patients experienced better sparing of the spinal cord (D-max reduced by 2.5%∼10.2%) and the oral cavity (D-mean reduced by 3.5%∼20.1%). Conclusion: Weekly CBCT dosimetry confirms that ART is an effective method to accommodate on-treatment anatomic changes. In select patients, tumor coverage and OAR sparing may be improved with ART. Research is funded by Siemens.« less
Pharmacological Characterization of CP-547,632, a Novel Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor for Cancer Therapy

Signaling through vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptors (VEGFRs) is a key pathway initiating endothelial cell proliferation and migration resulting in angiogenesis, a requirement for human tumor growth and metastasis. Abrogation of signaling through VEGFR by a variety of approaches has been demonstrated to inhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth. Small molecule inhibitors of VEGFR tyrosine kinase have been shown to inhibit angiogenesis, inhibit tumor growth, and prevent metastases. Our goal was to discover and characterize an p.o. active VEGFR-2 small molecule inhibitor. A novel isothiazole, CP-547,632, was identified as a potent inhibitor of the VEGFR-2 and basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF) kinases (IC50 = 11 and 9 nm, respectively). It is selective relative to epidermal growth factor receptor, platelet-derived growth factor β, and other related TKs. It also inhibits VEGF-stimulated autophosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in a whole cell assay with an IC50 value of 6 nm. After oral administration of CP-547,632 to mice bearing NIH3T3/H-ras tumors, VEGFR-2 phosphorylation in tumors was inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion (EC50 = 590 ng/ml). These plasma concentrations correlated well with the observed concentrations of the compound necessary to inhibit VEGF-induced corneal angiogenesis in BALB/c mice. A sponge angiogenesis assay was used to directly compare the inhibitory activities of CP-547,632 against FGF receptor 2 or VEGFR-2; this compound potently inhibits both basic FGF and VEGF-induced angiogenesis in vivo. The antitumor efficacy of this agent was evaluated after once daily p.o. administration to athymic mice bearing human xenografts and resulted in as much as 85% tumor growth inhibition. CP-547,632 is a well-tolerated, orally-bioavailable inhibitor presently under clinical investigation for the treatment of human malignancies.
Influence of oxygen tension on tetrazolium reduction by epiphyseal cartilage of rachitic rats in vitro.

Summary and Conclusions2.3.5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride when incubated with slices of epiphyseal cartilage obtained from rachitic rats is much more intensively reduced to its formazan in nitrogen than in oxygen. The reduced formazan is deposited within the cartilage cell. Based on the current interpretation of a similar phenomenon in other tissues, this observation provides additional evidence for the existence of oxidative enzyme systems in cartilage cells.
Potential Vorticity Diagnosis of a Tropopause Polar Cyclone

Long-lived coherent vortices located near the tropopause are often found over polar regions. Although these vortices are a commonly observed feature of the Arctic, and can have lifetimes longer than one month, little is known about the mechanisms that control their evolution. This paper examines mechanisms of intensity change for a cyclonic tropopause polar vortex (TPV) using an Ertel potential vorticity (EPV) diagnostic framework. Results from a climatology of intensifying cyclonic TPVs suggest that the essential dynamics are local to the vortex, rather than a consequence of larger-scale processes. This fact motivates a case study using a numerical model to investigate the role of diabatic mechanisms in the growth and decay of a particular cyclonic vortex. A component-wise breakdown of EPV reveals that cloud-top radiational cooling is the primary diabatic mechanism that intensifies the TPV during the growth phase. Increasing amounts of moisture become entrained into the vortex core at later times near Hudson Bay, allowing the destruction of potential vorticity near the tropopause due to latent heat release to become comparable to the radiational tendency to create potential vorticity.
Polarized effector programs for innate-like thymocytes.

Distinct lineages of natural killer T cells arise in the thymus and are characterized by the signature transcription factors T-bet, GATA-3 or RORγt.
On the role of sulfhydryl groups in the ATPase activity and pellet height response of Tetrahymena cilia

Abstract The effects of N -ethylmaleimide and p -hydroxymercuribenzoate on the ATPase activity of glycerinated Tetrahymena cilia , of 30 S dynein extracted from the cilia, and on the residual ATPase remaining after extraction were studied and correlated with the effects of these reagents on the pellet height response of these cilia. Simultaneous addition of N -ethylmaleimide and ATP to cilia caused a slight inhibition of ATPase activity. Preincubation of the cilia with low N -ethylmaleimide in the absence of ATP, however, enhanced the ATPase activity; the enhancement decreased with increasing time of preincubation. Preincubation of cilia with high N -ethylmaleimide caused increasing inhibition. p -Hydroxymercuribenzoate was more potent than N -ethylmaleimide, usually causing only an inhibition which increased if the cilia were preincubated with p -hydroxymercuribenzoate in the absence of ATP. The pellet height response of these cilia, which serves as a convenient assay of some events related to ciliary motility, was inhibited about 50% by high concentrations of N -ethylmaleimide in the presence of ATP. Preincubation of the cilia with low concentrations of N -ethylmaleimide led to complete loss of the pellet height response. p -Hydroxymercuribenzoate was a more potent inhibitor of the pellet height response than N -ethylmaleimide; complete inhibition was attained even in the presence of ATP, while preincubation with a low concentration of p -hydroxymercuri-benzoate caused a very rapid loss of pellet height response. The ATPase activity of the crude dynein obtained by extraction of cilia and removal of the axonemes was approximately doubled by preincubation with N -ethylmaleimide. 30 S Dynein, obtained from the crude dynein by sedimentation on a sucrose density gradient, was slightly inhibited by N -ethylmaleimide; p -hydroxy-mercuribenzoate was more potent. The residual ATPase activity remaining on the axonemes after two extractions was also only inhibited by N -ethylmaleimide and by p -hydroxymercuribenzoate. These results demonstrated that SH groups influence both the ATPase activity of dynein and the pellet height response of glycerinated cilia. The possible significance of the similarity in enhancing effect of N -ethylmaleimide on cilia ATPase and on myosin ATPase was discussed.
On the compatibility of Dyson's conditions

Abstract This short note adds to the existing knowledge on interpretation of the concept of kurtosis with regard to density crossing points. Local limit theorems are employed to show that, in the skew case, the conditions of a well-known theorem of Dyson cannot hold concurrently for standardized sums of independent and identically distributed random variables, for sufficiently large samples. A binomial example is considered.
Black Holes, q-Deformed 2d Yang-Mills, and Non-perturbative Topological Strings

We count the number of bound states of BPS black holes on local Calabi-Yau three-folds involving a Riemann surface of genus g. We show that the corresponding gauge theory on the brane reduces to a q-deformed Yang-Mills theory on the Riemann surface. Following the recent connection between the black hole entropy and the topological string partition function, we find that for a large black hole charge N, up to corrections of O(e^-N), Z_BH is given as a sum of a square of chiral blocks, each of which corresponds to a specific D-brane amplitude. The leading chiral block, the vacuum block, corresponds to the closed topological string amplitudes. The sub-leading chiral blocks involve topological string amplitudes with D-brane insertions at 2g-2 points on the Riemann surface analogous to the Omega points in the large N 2d Yang-Mills theory. The finite N amplitude provides a non-perturbative definition of topological strings in these backgrounds. This also leads to a novel non-perturbative formulation of c=1 non-critical string at the self-dual radius.
Nondestructive characterization of surface chemical wear films via X-rays

This work describes and demonstrates a suite of techniques for the non-destructive examination of surface films formed from oil additives. X-Ray diffraction, reflectivity and fluorescence have been used in grazing-incidence geometry to provide information on the thickness, roughness, density, structure and composition of the layers that compose reaction films. The lubricating oils were not rinsed off the surfaces of the samples before analysis. Films were formed from neat polyalphaolefin (PAO) oil and PAO with chloroform, dimethyl disulfide, or zinc or molybdenum dialkyl dithiophosphate additive. A thick layer of crystalline FeO formed during wear lubricated by neat PAO.
Conformation of N6-methyladenine, a base involved in DNA modification: restriction processes.

Crystal structures of N6,N9-dimethyladenine and N6-methyladenine hydrochloride were determined from three-dimensional x-ray diffraction data. The bases assume a conformation in which the N(6)-methyl group blocks one of the hydrogen-bonding sites normally used by adenine to form Watson-Crick pairs with thymine in double-helical DNA. When in this conformation, N6-methyladenine residues might alter the secondary structure of DNA. thereby preventing the scission of modified DNA9s by restriction enzymes.
Global Health Opportunities in Surgery: A Guide for Medical Students and Faculty

Introduction A four-week surgical rotation at the Clinica Universitaria Teleton in Chia, Colombia, was arranged for a U.S. student at the completion of the first year of medical school. The rotation resulted in a supervised intense early clinical exposure to surgery resulting in advancement in five of the six clinical competencies. Conclusion International medical experiences can provide great benefit to U. S. medical students.
Rethinking democratic transition: A culturalist critique and the Spanish case

In the last few years, we have seen unprecedented shifts in the democratic world. The Soviet Union has ceased to exist, Germany has been reunited, and so many Eastern and Central European countries are now in transition that to call attention to this reality almost sounds trivial.1 As these countries struggle with transition and as struggles in some cases turn into outright civil war it becomes increasingly clear that the transformation from authoritarianism to democracy is no easy task. Recent cases of stalled and failed transitions abound. In the Phil-
Delayed Primary Repair of Esophageal Atresia With Tracheoesophageal Fistula: Is It Worth the Wait?

Objective To characterize a successful approach to the management of infants with long-gap esophageal atresia (EA) with tracheoesophageal fistula (TEF), significant prematurity with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), or both, so as to preserve the native esophagus. Design A review of the medical records and office charts of a cohort of patients with EA and TEF. Setting A tertiary care children's hospital affiliated with a major university. Patients A total of 118 children with EA and TEF admitted from February 1986 through December 1996. All of the patients diagnosed as having EA and TEF during this period were included. Intervention Of the 118 infants, 88 received primary repair of EA and TEF within 48 hours of birth. An additional 23 children had the TEF divided and a gastrostomy placed secondary to (1) severe RDS and prematurity (n = 6), (2) long-gap EA (gap length >4 cm or the upper pouch above the thoracic inlet (n = 10), or (3) associated cardiac defects (n = 7). Delayed primary EA repair was done when the RDS resolved or the gap length was 2 cm or less. Main Outcome Measures Successful anastomosis of native esophagus. Comparison of incidence of gastroesophageal reflux, anastomotic complications, or survival between groups undergoing primary or delayed repair. Results Primary EA was accomplished in 88 patients. Delayed EA was successfully accomplished in 18 of the 19 surviving patients within 5 months, thereby preserving the native esophagus in all surviving infants. There was no difference in anastomotic complications, gastroesophageal reflux, or survival when the delayed group was compared with those who had a primary repair. Conclusions Using delayed EA repair, all children with EA and TEF, regardless of gap length, can have their esophagus preserved. The primary cause of mortality was the association of a severe cardiac anomaly with EA and TEF.
Converting to Transdermal Fentanyl: Avoidance of Underdosing

Abstract Background: Converting between the various opioid agents continues to be challenge for many practitioners. Specifically, variable recommendations for converting to the transdermal fentanyl patch may lead to confusion among clinicians and errors in dosing. Objective: Our aim was to describe the inconsistencies among available opioid conversions with regard to transdermal fentanyl and to provide recommendations for safe and effective utilization of this product in patients with chronic pain. Results: Available reports support the use of the morphine intravenous to oral ratio of 1:3 during the conversion to transdermal fentanyl product. Conclusions: Underdosing is an often overlooked complication of switching to transdermal fentanyl. Current recommendations for converting to transdermal fentanyl do not reflect contemporary clinical practice and should be reevaluated.
Zeolite membranes: microstructure characterization and permeation mechanisms.

Since their first synthesis in the 1940s, zeolites have found wide applications in catalysis, ion-exchange, and adsorption. Although the uniform, molecular-size pores of zeolites and their excellent thermal and chemical stability suggest that zeolites could be an ideal membrane material, continuous polycrystalline zeolite layers for separations were first prepared in the 1990s. Initial attempts to grow continuous zeolite layers on porous supports by in situ hydrothermal synthesis have resulted in membranes with the potential to separate molecules based on differences in molecular size and adsorption strength. Since then, further synthesis efforts have led to the preparation of many types of zeolite membranes and better quality membranes. However, the microstructure features of these membranes, such as defect size, number, and distribution as well as structure flexibility were poorly understood, and the fundamental mechanisms of permeation (adsorption and diffusion), especially for mixtures, were not clear...
Transport mechanisms of carnosine in SKPT cells: contribution of apical and basolateral membrane transporters.

Purpose The aim of this study was to investigate the transport properties of carnosine in kidney using SKPT cell cultures as a model of proximal tubular transport, and to isolate the functional activities of renal apical and basolateral transporters in this process.
Gene-centromere mapping by 4x-2x matings in potatoes.

Two of the four strands of a bivalent are recovered together in tetraploid progeny arising from 4x-2x matings. This provides a method for gene and centromere mapping. The cross pppp x Pp produced 62 nulliplex tetraploid individuals in a total of 951, i.e., 6.5%. The diploid clone was found to produce diplandrous gametes through first division restitution (FDR). The map distance P-centromere was estimated as 13.0 units, the limiting values at the 95% binomial confidence interval being 10.1 and 16.3. The mapping method is explained in detail and a formula is deduced to obtain genotypic series of 2n gametes under particular assumptions. The direction 4x×2x is advantageous, since high seed set diploid clones which give 99% tetraploid progeny, and whose method of diplandroid formation is known are already available. Diploid clones heterozygous for many markers and tetraploids nulliplex for the same markers are needed to fully exploit this method.
How much of sentence priming is word priming

Sentence primes were compared with two-word primes in three experiments that employed different conditions of context presentation. The two-word primes were created by deleting from the sentence primes function words assumed not to be semantically associated with the target words. Smaller priming effects were found in the two-word condition in all three experiments, and this trend was significant in two of the three experiments. Although a sizable proportion of the sentence priming effect seems to be due to word priming, factors specific to the sentence condition appear to be additional contributors to the effect.
2009 Report of the Executive Vice President and Chief Executive Officer: Finding success during tough times

ASHP members are being asked to do more with less as they face a number of work-force and budget challenges. ![Figure][1] Today, I’d like to talk about recent events as it relates to the economy, health-system pharmacy, and ASHP. We know that the general slowdown in the economy has
57Fe ENDOR Spectroscopy and ‘Electron Inventory’ Analysis of the Nitrogenase E4 Intermediate Suggest the Metal-Ion Core of FeMo-Cofactor Cycles Through Only One Redox Couple

N2 binds to the active-site metal cluster in the nitrogenase MoFe protein, the FeMo-cofactor ([7Fe-9S-Mo-homocitrate-X]; FeMo-co) only after the MoFe protein has accumulated three or four electrons/protons (E3 or E4 states), with the E4 state being optimally activated. Here we study the FeMo-co 57Fe atoms of E4 trapped with the α-70Val→Ile MoFe protein variant through use of advanced ENDOR methods: ‘random-hop’ Davies pulsed 35 GHz ENDOR; difference triple resonance; the recently developed Pulse-Endor-SaTuration and REcovery (PESTRE) protocol for determining hyperfine-coupling signs; and Raw-DATA (RD)-PESTRE, a PESTRE variant that gives a continuous sign readout over a selected radiofrequency range. These methods have allowed experimental determination of the signed isotropic 57Fe hyperfine couplings for five of the seven iron sites of the reductively activated E4 FeMo-co, and given the magnitude of the coupling for a sixth. When supplemented by the use of sum-rules developed to describe electron-spin cou...
Joint melanoma meetings in Tampa enhance communication and collaboration

The 2011 International Melanoma Congress, incorporating the annual meetings of the Society for Melanoma Research, the International Melanoma and Skin Cancer Centres, and the International Melanoma Pathology Working Group, was held in Tampa, Florida, USA on 9–13 November 2011. This meeting involved numerous topics of interest to those who treat and study melanoma. A summary of the meeting topics of greatest interest to the dermatologist is presented herein.
Laboratory Transmission of Sindbis Virus by Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)

The susceptibility of Aedes albopictus (Skuse) for Sindbis (SIN) virus was examined in the laboratory. Ae. albopictus, Ae. aegypti (L.), and Culex pipiens (L.) became infected with and subsequently transmitted SIN virus by bite to chicks after feeding on viremic 1-d-old chicks. After ingesting 10(5.3) plaque-forming units (PFU)/ml, Ae. albopictus had the highest transmission rate (30%) of the 3 species. Transmission by Ae. aegypti was less efficient (7%), whereas none of the Cx. pipiens transmitted virus. Transmission rates were higher for Ae. albopictus (53%) and Cx. pipiens (37%) when they fed on chicks with a viremia of 10(8.4) PFU/ml. Ae. aegypti was not tested at this dose. Based on these studies, the increased geographic distribution of Ae. albopictus, and its opportunistic feeding behavior, this species should be considered as a potential bridge vector of SIN virus.
Automation of Autoclave Cure of Graphite-Epoxy Composites

Techniques were developed for control and automation of autoclave cure of graphite-epoxy composites. Heat conduction dynamics of the system were determined on-line before the reaction exotherm began. System parameters were then used for tuning the controller and for developing bounded setpoint temperature profiles for control action. The advantage of this bounded control is the definition of an envelope for cure temperature trajectory that can provide improved process guidance and control compared to on-off automation techniques. Different strategies based on predictive action and early reheating were used to maintain the laminate's temperature so that cure could be carried out in mini mum time without a thermal runaway. Reheating strategies, such as employing a dual heat flux sensor combined with the dimensionless Damkohler number, were used to quickly drive the cure reaction to completion. The automation techniques achieve a balance in avoiding thermal runaway while reducing cure cycle time.
Water-based solutions are the best decontaminating fluids for dermal corrosive exposures: A mini review

AbstractAim. The intention is to assess whether the fundamental principle (“the solution to pollution is dilution”) should be the guide for the initial medical management of corrosive dermal exposures. Methods. The US National Library of Medicine Pubmed database was searched utilizing all combinations of the search terms “decontamination”, “corrosive”, and “dermal”. A separate search was done specifically related to hydrofluoric acid. These searches found 69 relevant papers. Results. Only four controlled clinical studies comparing early and intensive water decontamination with no or less dilution treatment have been published on human corrosive dermal exposures. Although the authors’ conclusion in the first study of 273 patients was that those that had more intensive water irrigation tended to have less time to skin grafting and shorter periods of hospitalization, the results were not statistically significant. In the second study of 51 patients, those who had “adequate” decontamination (immediate dilutio...
Unified concept on the role of acid mucopolysaccharides and connective tissue proteins in the accumulation of lipids, lipoproteins, and calcium in the atherosclerotic plaque.

Abstract The biochemical and morphological data reviewed supported the concept that the interaction of lipoproteins with acid mucopolysaccharides and calcium, together with the binding of these complexes to the connective tissue proteins, may play an important role in the formation of the fibrous plaque. The interactions between these macromolecules could provide an explanation for the accumulation of lipids, lipoproteins, and calcium in the plaque. The possibility also was considered that the interaction of the arterial lipoproteins, particularly very low density lipoproteins, with acid mucopolysaccharides might be an important mechanism involved in the formation of the fatty streak.
Motorization of the dupont‐sorvall mt‐1 ultramicrotome

A Dupont-Sorvall MT-1 ultramicrotome, normally a manually operated instrument, was equipped with a small motor. Ultrathin sections were successfully cut at rates from one to five sections per minute. This lowcost conversion to automatic operation offers an alternative to the purchase of a new ultramicrotome, as well as making a classic instrument more flexible.
Forces affecting community involvement of AHCs: perspectives of institutional and faculty leaders.

Purpose To understand the external and internal factors that either facilitated or were barriers to an academic health center's (AHC's) involvement in community-based education, research, and clinical care; community service; and community or economic development activities. Method Eight AHCs in the United States were selected by objective criteria for their significant community involvement. Chief executive officers, vice chancellors, deans, and the individuals responsible for community-based education, research, and community service responded to written surveys. Responses were subjected to quantitative and qualitative analyses. Results The overall response rate was 79% (n = 91). Public perception, an increased focus on a population health perspective, and an increased call for AHCs to be accountable to local and statewide constituents were cited as the most significant external factors contributing to an AHC's community involvement. Institutional leadership, familiarity with community-based organizations, institutional climate, faculty and student interest, and institutional structures were cited as the most significant internal facilitators of community involvement. Fiscal concerns, competition for community-based training sites, lack of collaboration across health professions schools, and inadequate faculty roles and rewards were viewed as the most significant barriers to community involvement. All respondents reported that their AHCs' orientations towards community service, and community-based teaching, research, and clinical care would increase in the next five years. Conclusion Development of a strategic plan may increase the effectiveness of an institution's community involvement. Central to this plan should be a restructuring of faculty roles and reward polices and an increase in faculty release time to promote community involvement. The importance of involving the community in the planning and implementation of community-campus partnerships should not be underestimated.