cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mass spectrometric quantification of the mu opioid receptor agonist Tyr-d-Arg-Phe-Lys-NH2 (DALDA) in high-performance liquid chromatography-purified ovine plasma

Abstract The mu opioid receptor agonist Tyr- d -Arg-Phe-Lys-Amide ( d - A rg 2 - L ys 4 - D ermorphin 1-4 a mide=DALDA) was infused continuously for 2 h into sheep. The presence of DALDA in ovine plasma was determined by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) and mass spectrometry (MS) in plasma samples that were obtained at different times during and following that infusion. A stable isotope-incorporated internal standard, deuterated DALDA (d 5 -DALDA), was used for the MS quantification of DALDA via the protonated molecule ion, (M+H) + , of DALDA and of d 5 -DALDA. Time-course data (μg DALDA ml −1 plasma vs. time) were obtained. Tandem MS (MS–MS) provided the product-ion spectrum of the (M+H) + ion of DALDA in one of the samples to confirm the amino acid sequence of DALDA.
Isotopic composition of passively collected nitrogen dioxide emissions: Vehicle, soil and livestock source signatures

Abstract Quantifying contributions of local and regional NOx emission sources is an important initial step towards accurately assessing improvements in NOx emission reduction efforts. Current global NOx inventories report large uncertainties in contributions of some NOx sources, especially diffuse sources (e.g. lightning and soil NOx). Examining the isotopic composition of NOx and its oxidation products (NOy) is one approach to further constrain contributions from these sources. While natural and anthropogenically-derived NOx emissions are reported to have relatively distinct δ15N values that could aid NOx source apportionment studies, existing δ15N–NOx source data is limited and variable collection approaches have been employed. To build on existing δ15N–NOx source data, inexpensive and easily deployable passive samplers were used to collect nitrogen dioxide (NO2) emissions and its oxidation product, nitric acid (HNO3), from multiple emission sources including livestock waste, fertilized soils, and vehicles. The resulting isotope data provides evidence that passive samplers can be used across a range of environmental conditions with widely varying NO2 concentrations and NO2 isotopic compositions. Using this approach, we report the first δ15N and δ18O–NO2 of livestock waste emissions, as well as the first measurements of δ18O–NO2 from biogenic soil and vehicle emissions. We observe the highest δ15N–NO2 values to date of vehicle emissions and investigate potential fractionations associated with oxidation and equilibrium processes. The large differences reported here between δ15N–NO2 values from fossil fuel-based sources and microbially-produced sources allows for identification and possible quantification of source contributions to ambient NOx concentrations.
Clinical performance of decellularized cryopreserved valved allografts compared with standard allografts in the right ventricular outflow tract.

Background Although decellularized cryopreserved valved allografts (DCAs) have reduced immunogenicity, proof of clinical superiority over standard cryopreserved allografts (SCAs) is lacking. To assess functional results and durability, we studied a group of patients with DCAs implanted between 2000 and 2005 and compared them with a similar group with SCAs. Methods From July 2000 until January 2005, 47 patients underwent insertion of a DCA between the right ventricle and pulmonary arteries. The DCA patients were compared with 47 age-matched and diagnosis-matched controls receiving SCAs. All patients received pulmonary allografts and were matched for valve position (orthotopic versus heterotopic). We analyzed each group for survival, reoperation, reintervention (surgical or catheter-based), stenosis, and regurgitation. Results There were no differences between groups with respect to weight, age, valve size, or survival. Actuarial freedom from reintervention at 8 years was 79% for DCAs as compared with 63% for SCAs (p = 0.31, log-rank). Echocardiogram in the DCA group (median 66 months) showed a slightly lower median peak gradient of 16 mm Hg (range, 0 to 82 mm Hg) as compared with 22 mm Hg (range, 0 to 63) in the SCA group (median 61 months, p = 0.051, Wilcoxon). However, when conduits 18 mm or less in diameter were compared, DCA patients had a median peak gradient of 10 mm Hg (range, 0 to 43) compared with 25 mm Hg in SCAs (range, 0 to 55 mm Hg, p = 0.03). There were no differences in the degree of allograft insufficiency in either group. Conclusions Decellularized cryopreserved valved allografts have a nonsignificant trend toward lower peak valve gradient and reintervention in comparison with SCAs. Small valve sizes (18 mm or less) show a slight but significant improvement in peak gradient, but no advantage in valve insufficiency. These findings and a significantly higher cost (>$3,000) make further direct comparisons necessary before widespread use of DCAs can be justified.
National and Regional Population Trends in Kyrgyzstan, 1989-1999: Results from the Recent Census of Kyrgyzstan and 2001 Update

A specialist on population change and urbanization in the countries of the former USSR examines nationwide and regional total, urban, and rural population change in Kyrgyzstan for 1989—1999—the period between the last census of the former USSR and the first census of independent Kyrgyzstan—with selected updates to 2001. Of particular interest is the availability of oblast-level nationality data making possible the detailed investigation of changes in the regional and rural-urban populations of major nationality groups in Kyrgyzstan. A focus is on the decreasing sizes of Russian, Ukrainian, and German populations and population growth among ethnic Kyrgyz and Uzbeks. Journal of Economic Literature, Classification Numbers: O18, R12, R23. 4 figures, 17 tables, 41 references.
Liver and kidney nuclear RNA synthesis and modifications in dimethylnitrosamine-treated rats.

Abstract RNA synthesis was measured in nuclei isolated from rat liver and kidney 22 h post injection of 30 mg dimethylnitrosamine/kg body weight. The nuclear preparations were shown by electron microscopy to consist of clean hepatocytes and the liver nuclei showed no apparent necrosis at that time. In vitro RNA synthesis and methylation were proportional to time and nuclear concentration, as well as dependent on exogenous nucleoside triphosphates and S- adenosylmethionine . 60–70% of the in vitro synthesis was inhibited by 1 μg/ml α-amanitin. Total liver nuclear RNA synthesis was increased after dimethylnitrosamine exposure, but, unlike RNA synthesis in nuclei after partial hepatectomy, both α-amanitin-sensitive and -resistant synthesis were increased. Differences were found between dimethylnitrosamine-treated liver and kidney nuclear RNA synthesis which was sensitive to inhibition by 1–10 μg/ml α-amanitin, presumably a product of RNA polymerase III. Nuclear RNA methylation with S- adenosylmethionine , which was dependent on new RNA synthesis, differed between dimethylnitrosamine-treated rat liver and kidney nuclei. The endogenous RNA methyl substituents labeled in vitro showed differences in levels of methylation of bases, the 2′-O position of ribose and caps in comparisons between control and dimethylnitrosamine-treated nuclei from both liver and kidney. Significant differences were obtained in both nuclear RNA transcription and methylation in vitro between the two tissues in response to pretreatment of the rat in vivo dimethylnitrosamine.
Sequential chromosome abnormalities in B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia: a study of 13 cases.

Abstract The chromosomal constitution of stimulated lymphocytes in 13 patients with B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (B-CLL) were sequentially examined using polyclonal B cell activators (PBA), i.e., Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), lipopolysaccharide W from E. coli (LPS), pokeweed mitogen (PWM), and protein A from Staphylococcus aureus (PA). Of the 11 patients (44 samplings) with abnormal clones, 2 patients had only trisomy 12, 6 patients had trisomy 12 + other clonal abnormalities, such as +8, +9, +16, +18, 6q−, 15q+, and t(4;15), and the remaining 3 cases had various clonal abnormalities other than trisomy 12, such as trisomy 3, 8, 20, 21, and insertion of #7 and #12. These findings suggest that even though trisomy 12 may be a common abnormality in B-CLL, various other abnormal clones may also be present in vivo for relatively long periods of time. It appears that stimulated lymphocytes in patients with previous therapy tend to show chromosome abnormalities more frequently than those in untreated patients.
Characterizing natural variation using next-generation sequencing technologies

Progress in evolutionary genomics is tightly coupled with the development of new technologies to collect high-throughput data. The availability of next-generation sequencing technologies has the potential to revolutionize genomic research and enable us to focus on a large number of outstanding questions that previously could not be addressed effectively. Indeed, we are now able to study genetic variation on a genome-wide scale, characterize gene regulatory processes at unprecedented resolution, and soon, we expect that individual laboratories might be able to rapidly sequence new genomes. However, at present, the analysis of next-generation sequencing data is challenging, in particular because most sequencing platforms provide short reads, which are difficult to align and assemble. In addition, only little is known about sources of variation that are associated with next-generation sequencing study designs. A better understanding of the sources of error and bias in sequencing data is essential, especially in the context of studies of variation at dynamic quantitative traits.
New Methods for Delivering Human Services

This article presents a review of the book “New Methods for Delivering Human Services,” by G. Brian Jones, Charles Dayton and H. B. Gelatt.
Effect of gas and liquid properties on gas phase dispersion in bubble columns

Abstract The effect of gas and liquid properties on the gas phase dispersion has been investigated in bubble column reactors. Data were obtained in two 3.0 m tall bubble columns (of diameters 0.15 m and 0.25 m) and by varying superficial phase velocities. A novel experimental technique, a quadrupole mass spectrometer, was used to measure the tracer gas concentration. Data analysis was accomplished via a simple axial dispersion model with the inclusion of mass transfer term. Results indicate that an increase in liquid viscosity and decrease in the liquid surface tension leads to a decrease in the gas phase dispersion. Further, the gas properties have no influence on the gas phase dispersion so long as the mass transfer effects are properly accounted for in the model. A hydrodynamic model has been proposed to predict the gas phase dispersion in bubble column reactors. The model distinguishes various bubble fractions present in the column based on the differences in their rise velocities. The model assumes a bimodal distribution of the gas phase, i.e. fast-rising bubbles following a plug-flow behavior and slow-rising bubbles which are being entrained and partially backmixed in the liquid phase. The model has been validated by predicting experimental as well as literature data on gas phase dispersion under various operating conditions. The proposed model is easy to use since it requires few easily obtainable parameters for the prediction of gas phase dispersion, which is essential parameter in the design and upscaling of bubble column reactors.
Science, Suspects, and Systems: Lessons from the Anthrax Investigation

The anthrax mailings of late 2001 triggered one of the costliest and most complex criminal investigations in the history of the United States Department of Justice. Parts of that investigation were carried out with impressive skill and creativity, but parts were not. The seven-year history of the anthrax investigation highlights certain longstanding problems at the Department of Justice: the Department's underdeveloped interface with organized science, its insufficient preparation for criminal investigations conducted at the intersection of public health, and its lack of formalized processes for institutional learning. This article reviews the course of the Department of Justice's anthrax investigation and then draws two sets of lessons, one having to do with thinking systematically about science, and the other having to do with thinking scientifically about systems. The ﬁrst set of lessons includes the need for better and clearer decision-making and communication protocols for crises arising at the intersection of law enforcement and public health, the benefits of preserving the values of transparency and neutrality in harnessing scientific expertise, and the desirability of institutional structures to bridge the culture gap between law enforcement and science. The second set of lessons centers on the advantages of developing formal procedures for institutional learning within the Department of Justice, modeled on the "after action" reviews conducted by other government agencies.
The preferred habit of a coherent thin-plate inclusion in an anisotropic elastic solid

Abstract The work reported here was undertaken to find algebraic equations for the preferred habits of coherent thin-plate inclusions in anisotropic media on the assumption that the inclusion and matrix can be treated as linear elastic continua. The preferred habit minimizes the elastic energy, which depends on the elastic constants of the inclusion and the transformation strain connecting the lattices of the inclusion and the matrix. The paper presents four principal results concerning the preferred thin-plate habit. First, the mathematical conditions that determine the preferred habit are derived in compact form. Second, it is shown that these conditions are always satisfied when the transformation strain is dyadic and the habit is perpendicular to a vector of the dyad, reproducing a result that is given by Khatchaturyan and included in the “crystallographic theory” of precipitate habits. Third, the extremal conditions are solved for orthorhombic symmetry, that is, when the elastic constants of the inclusion have orthorhombic symmetry with respect to the principal axes of the transformation stress. The results incorporate isotropic, cubic, hexagonal and tetragonal (type II) symmetries. They are specialized to determine the minimum-energy habit as a function of the transformation strain for three classes of inclusions: isotropic inclusions, cubic inclusions with tetragonal transformation strains, and hexagonal inclusions with hexagonal transformation strains. Finally, it is shown by counter-example that there is no general algebraic solution for systems of arbitrary symmetry.
A multiplicative correction factor for tissue heterogeneities

A new multiplicative correction factor for tissue heterogeneities based on an exact expression for homogeneous non-unit-density media is proposed. O'Connor's density scaling theorem (ibid., Vol.1, p.352, 1957) is invoked to evaluate the medium-specific tissue-maximum ratios used in the exact formulation. Monte Carlo calculations were performed at energies ranging from 60Co to 15 MV to test the technique for single- and multiple-slab geometries as well as for the clinical benchmark problem described recently by Orton et al. (Int. J. Radiat. Oncol. Biol. Phys., vol.10, p.2191, 1985) consisting of a six-field lung plan. Within the level of statistical uncertainty (less than 2%) in the Monte Carlo calculations, the new correction factor agrees with the calculated data for single slabs of non-unit-density material. For the multiply layered geometries, the correction factor accurately represents the data beyond the build-up region at any interface, but is less reliable close to a boundary. For high energies, however, it is more accurate in the build-up region than other commonly used correction techniques such as the ratio-of-TMR or Batho methods. For all energies considered, the new correction factor agrees with the data measured by Orton et al. to within 1.5%. It is more accurate than other correction factors considered by Orton et al. at high energies, and is competitive with the Batho and equivalent TAR methods at low energies.
Cubic spline approximation of rate and distortion functions for MPEG video

The rate control algorithm plays an important role for improving and stabilizing the playback quality for video coded with the MPEG standard. Several optimal control techniques have been proposed to aim at the best possible quality for a given channel rate and buffer size. Some of these approaches are complex in that they require the rate and distortion characteristics of the input data to be measured. This motivates us to pursue a method for approximating the rate and distortion functions to reduce the computations. Previous work has been based to a large extent on modeling the distortion as negative exponential functions of the rate. This type of model ignores many factors in a real MPEG encoding process and is not general enough for all video sources. In this paper, we use piece-wise polynomials to approximate the frame-level rate and distortion. The frame dependency between the predictive frame and its reference frames is also considered in our model. Compared to other models, our method is relatively more complex but gives more accurate results. We observe low average relative model errors, which indicates that the model is accurate for most of the quantization settings. We use the model within our gradient-based rate control algorithm and show how using the model one can closely approximate the solution obtained using the actual data. Finally, we apply a simplified version of the model to a new fast algorithm derived from the MPEG Test Model 5, and demonstrate that both the quality (in terms of PSNR) and stability of the quality can be improved.© (1996) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Acute liver failure at 26 weeks' gestation in a patient with sickle cell disease

Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for acute liver failure (ALF) during pregnancy is an uncommon occurrence with variable outcomes. In pregnancy-related liver failure, prompt diagnosis and immediate delivery are essential for a reversal of the underlying process and for maternal and fetal survival. In rare cases, the reason for ALF during pregnancy is either unknown or irreversible, and thus OLT may be necessary. This case demonstrates the development of cryptogenic ALF during the 26th week of pregnancy in a woman with sickle cell disease. She underwent successful cesarean delivery of a healthy male fetus at 27 weeks with concurrent OLT. This report provides a literature review of OLT in pregnancy and examines the common causes of ALF in the pregnant patient. On the basis of the management and outcome of our case and the literature review, we present an algorithm for the suggested management of ALF in pregnancy.
Abortion Policy and Super-optimum Solutions

Super-optimum solutions to public policy problems are ones that enable conservatives, liberals, and other major viewpoints all to come out ahead of their best initial expectations simultaneously. Thinking in terms of multiple goals and alternatives facilitates the development of mutually beneficial packages, possibly with the aid of spreadsheet-based software that enables one to better deal with the multiplicity of goals and alternatives. This article describes how super-optimum solutions might be applied to abortion policy and deals with auxiliary policies concerning birth control and adoptions. It also addresses related policies that focus on the Chinese population problem. Chinese abortion policy involves a battle between women who do want to stay pregnant and a society that would like to facilitate pregnancy termination. American abortion policy involves a battle between women who do not want to stay pregnant and a society that is reluctant to facilitate abortions.
Silica-alumina-supported Mo oxide catalysts: Genesis and demise of Bronsted-Lewis acidity

Abstract Diffuse reflectance FTIR spectroscopy of chemisorbed pyridine was used to investigate the influence of catalyst composition and treatment on the content of Bronsted and Lewis acidity. This investigation included oxidic and reduced Mo oxide catalysts containing 2, 4, 8, and 12 wt% MoO3. The supports were seven silica-aluminas of composition between 0 and 100 wt% SiO2. The IR spectra were collected at 200°C under helium flow, and the areas under the 1545 and 1450 cm−1 absorbance bands were related to the concentration of Bronsted and Lewis acid sites, respectively. The results indicate that the ratio of Bronsted to Lewis acid concentration (B/L) increases with SiO2 content in the support and reaches a maximum for SiO2:Al2O3 = 75:25 wt%. For Al2O3 and alumina-rich supports B/L increases continuously with MoO3 loading because of the generation of new Bronsted acid sites and decrease of Lewis acid sites. For silica-rich supports, the B/L has a maximum at 2 wt% MoO3 and then decreases slightly as MoO3 loading is increased. The SiO2 support with MoO3 loading up to 12 wt% does not contain any Bronsted acidity in water-free environment. Upon reduction of the supported catalysts at 500°C in hydrogen, the B/L ratio decreases irrespective of SiO2 content and MoO3 loading. A structural model that includes tetrahedral surface species of Mo oxide explains the results.
Twin screw extruders; development of technology and analysis of flow

A critical evaluation of the technological development and studies of mechanisms of flow in twin screw extruders is presented. We include (i) intermeshing counter-rotating twin screw machines, (ii) tangential counter-rotating twin screw extruders, and (iii) intermeshing corotating twin screw machines.
DPOS: a metalanguage and programming environment for parallel processing

This paper describes and illustrates a structured programming metalanguage (DPOS) and graphical programming environment for generating and debugging high-level distributed MIMD parallel programs. DPOS introduces an innovative message-passing model and also recursive graphical definition of parallel process networks. It also provides programming and debugging at the meta language level that is portable across implementation languages. The initial development focus of DPOS is to provide a parallel development system for Lisp-based, symbolic and artificial intelligence programs as part of the MAYFLY parallel processing project. The DPOS environment also generates source code and provides a simulation system for graphical debugging and animation of the programs in graph form.
The effect of brokenness on cloud-climate sensitivity

A study has been made of the effect of brokenness on the infrared and albedo feedback of clouds in climate models using a simplified treatment of broken cloudiness. It is shown that the individual feedback terms computed using the plane-parallel assumption differ markedly from the computations performed for a regular array of cuboidal clouds. If the cloudiness changes such that clear areas become cloudy but the nature of the broken cloud field remains unchanged, then both the feedbacks are magnified, the infrared more so than the albedo. However, if individual elements in the cloud field are increased horizontally in a constrained area, the feedbacks can be enhanced or diminished depending on the cloud fraction and aspect ratio of the elements. It is also shown that, in the global average, the ratio of the change in outgoing infrared flux to global albedo, as deduced from satellite measurements, will be larger than model simulations using planiform clouds.
Make room for dynein.

Abstract Three classes of cytoskeletal motor protein have been identified—myosins, kinesins and dyneins. Together, these proteins are now thought to be responsible for the remarkable variety of movements that occur in eukaryotic cells and that are essential for reproduction and survival. Crystallographic analysis of the myosin and kinesin motor domains at atomic resolution has provided insight into their mechanism of force production. However, because of its relative intractability to molecular manipulation, definition of the dynein motor domain, let alone progress in understanding how it works, has been slower. Evidence now indicates that the microtubule-binding domain of dynein is spatially isolated from the ATPase domain at the tip of a projecting coiled coil. As proposed here, this curious arrangement might serve to accommodate multiple copies of the outsized and functionally complex motor heads on the microtubule surface.
Temporal offset judgments for concurrent vowels by young, middle-aged, and older adults

Temporal processing declines with age may reduce the processing of concurrent vowels. For this study, listeners categorized vowel pairs varying in temporal asynchrony as one sound, two overlapping sounds, or two sounds separated by a gap. Two boundaries separating the three response categories, multiplicity and gap-identification, were measured. Compared to young and middle-aged listeners, older listeners required longer temporal offsets for multiplicity. Middle-aged and older listeners also required longer offsets for gap-identification. For older listeners, correlations with various temporal processing tasks indicated that vowel temporal-order thresholds were related to multiplicity, while age and non-speech gap-detection thresholds were related to gap-identification.
Substrate controls on nitrogen fixation and respiration in woody debris from the Pacific Northwest, USA

Abstract We estimated the effect of wood species, tissue, and degree of decay on nitrogen fixation and respiration in woody debris from three sites in the Pacific Northwest. We also examined differences among sites and between actual and potential rates of nitrogen fixation and respiration where samples for potential measurements were amended with water and incubated for a week. We determined nitrogen fixation and respiration using acetylene reduction and CO2 evolution, respectively. We also directly measured nitrogen fixation with 15 N 2 on a subset of samples to determine an average actylene reduced to 15 N 2 fixed (AR: 15 N 2 ) ratio of 4.4. Over the range of wood decay examined, actual and potential nitrogen fixation and respiration rates peaked in moderately decayed wood. Actual nitrogen fixation and respiration rates were significantly higher at a warmer, wetter coastal site when compared to two interior sites, but potential rates were not significantly different. There were no significant differences among Pseudotsuga menziesii (Mirb.) Franco, Tsuga heterophylla (Ref.) Sarg., or Picea sitchensis (Bong.) Carr. for nitrogen fixation or respiration. Nitrogen fixation and respiration rates were highest in bark, lower in sapwood, and lowest in heartwood. Patterns of microbial colonization and abundance, resource quality, and climate probably explain most of the patterns observed in our study.
Particle Size Distribution, Concentration, and Magnetic Attraction Affect Transport of Polymer-Modified Fe 0 Nanoparticles in Sand Columns

The effect of particle concentration, size distribution (polydispersity) and magnetic attractive forces (Fe(0) content) on agglomeration and transport of poly(styrene sulfonate) (PSS) modified NZVI was studied in water-saturated sand (d(p) = 300 microm) columns. Particle concentrations ranged from 0.03 to 6 g/L in 5 mM NaCl/5 mM NaHCO3 at a pore water velocity of 3.2 x 10(-4) m/s. Three NZVI dispersions with different intrinsic particle size distributions obtained from sequential sedimentation are compared. The influence of magnetic attraction (Fe(0) content) on NZVI agglomeration and deposition in porous media is assessed by comparing the deposition behavior of PSS-modified NZVI (magnetic) having different Fe(0) contents with PSS-modified hematite (nonmagnetic) with the same surface modifier. At low particle concentration (30 mg/L) all particles were mobile in sand columns regardless of size or magnetic attractive forces. At high concentration (1 to 6 g/L), deposition of the relatively monodisperse dispersion containing PSS-modified NZVI (hydrodynamic radius (R(H)) = 24 nm) with the lowest Fe(0) content (4 wt%) is low (attachment efficiency (alpha) = 2.5 x 10(-3)), insensitive to particle concentration, and similar to PSS-modified hematite. At 1 to 6 g/L, the attachment efficiency of polydisperse dispersions containing both primary particles and sintered aggregates (R(H) from 15 to 260 nm) of PSS-modified NZVI with a range of Fe(0) content (10-60%) is greater (alpha = 1.2 x 10(-2) to 7.2 x 10(-2) and is sensitive to particle size distribution. The greater attachment for larger, more polydisperse Fe(0) nanoparticles with higher Fe(0) content is a result of their agglomeration during transport in porous media because the magnetic attractive force between particles increases with the sixth power of particle/agglomerate radius. A filtration model that considers agglomeration in porous media and subsequent deposition explains the observed transport of polydisperse PSS-modified NZVI at high concentration.
Accuracy of ventriculostomy catheter placement using a head- and hand-tracked high-resolution virtual reality simulator with haptic feedback.

Object The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of ventriculostomy catheter placement on a head- and hand-tracked high-resolution and high-performance virtual reality and haptic technology workstation. Methods Seventy-eight fellows and residents performed simulated ventriculostomy catheter placement on an ImmersiveTouch system. The virtual catheter was placed into a virtual patient's head derived from a computed tomography data set. Participants were allowed one attempt each. The distance from the tip of the catheter to the Monro foramen was measured. Results The mean distance (± standard deviation) from the final position of the catheter tip to the Monro foramen was 16.09 mm (± 7.85 mm). Conclusions The accuracy of virtual ventriculostomy catheter placement achieved by participants using the simulator is comparable to the accuracy reported in a recent retrospective evaluation of free-hand ventriculostomy placements in which the mean distance from the catheter tip to the Monro foramen was 16...
The kinetics of glucose fermentation by Selenomonas ruminantium HD4 grown in continuous culture

The production of organic acids (acetate, lactate, and propionate) by the anaerobic, ruminal bacteriumSelenomonasruminantium HD4 was investigated in both glucose-limited and glucose-sufficient (phosphate-limited) continuous cultures. The fermentation pattern of products exhibited a shift upon release of glucose limitation from acetate and propionate to lactate at a dilution rate of 0.2 h−1. Glucose sufficiency brought about two-to fourfold increase in specific glucose utilization rate, lactate productivity, and lactate yield relative to glucose-limited growth conditions. The increased lactate production under glucose-sufficient growth conditions was attributed to the overutilization of excess glucose.
Abstract C235: An investigation of the p53 ubiquitin-proteasome system using a novel non-steady-state enzyme kinetic model.

Overzealous MDM2-mediated ubiquitination of p53 characterizes and sustains over 50% of all human cancers. Successful targeted cancer therapy hinges on a thorough understanding of the ubiquitination process. Unfortunately, current steady-state enzyme kinetic models fail to accurately describe the ubiquitin-proteasome system, due to the assumption that the enzyme (E3 ligase) is expressed at infinitesimally smaller concentrations than the substrates (ubiquitin-conjugated E2 and target protein). This limitation of the quasi-steady state assumption prohibits the use of steady-state models when analyzing the cancerous consequences of extreme ubiquitin-ligase overexpression. This paper derives a novel non-steady-state mathematical model of reversible ordered ternary complex enzyme kinetics, which can be used to simulate the behavioral response of the ubiquitin-proteasome system to specific variations in the cellular concentrations of p53, MDM2, and ubiquitin-conjugated E2D3. Computer simulations of the model were used to study the effects of E2D3-Ub and MDM2 concentrations on the rates of p53 ubiquitination at different temperatures. In each process, it was observed that the ubiquitin-ligase MDM2 accelerates the carcinogenic ubiquitination process, while ubiquitin-conjugated E2 inhibits it. It was also discovered that E2D3-Ub is more effective inhibitor of overzealous p53 ubiquitination when present at higher concentrations. However, it was also observed that high concentrations of p53 hinder the ability of E2D3-Ub to decelerate the reaction. The mathematical model successfully reproduced the experimentally observed p53-MDM2 interaction. The derived model therefore suggests MDM2 as a prospective target for cancer therapy. In addition, the findings of this project propose recombinant E2D3-Ub as a new promising protein-based anticancer drug for targeting overzealous p53 ubiquitination. The derived model can suggest new therapeutic solutions for decreasing the harmful effects of many human cancers, bacterial infections, and inflammatory diseases (such as rheumatoid arthritis) characterized by an overzealous ubiquitin-proteasome system. Finally, computational simulation of this novel model provides a safe, fast, and cost-effective preliminary alternative to expensive in vitro experimentation. Citation Information: Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):C235. Citation Format: Prem M. Talwai. An investigation of the p53 ubiquitin-proteasome system using a novel non-steady-state enzyme kinetic model. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR-NCI-EORTC International Conference: Molecular Targets and Cancer Therapeutics; 2013 Oct 19-23; Boston, MA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Mol Cancer Ther 2013;12(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C235.
Multiobjective transportation considerations in multiple facility location

Abstract Transportation costs and customer responsiveness are both important considerations in locating production, distribution, marketing and service facilities. This report investigates the relation between total shipping distance (a surrogate for transportation costs), customer coverage within a given distance (a surrogate for customer responsiveness) and the number and locations within the U.S. of multiple facilities producing the same product. Results show that when a single objective is optimized alone, the penalty incurred with respect to the other objective can be substantial. However, it is often possible to find good “trade-off” locations which are only slightly suboptimal with respect to each objective. Incremental strategies, for adding facilities to a set of already existing locations, are also discussed.
Role of Physical Properties of Clays in Soil Science

The physical properties of clay are of extreme importance in soil science. Plant growth, and hence crop production, within any environmental condition is largely controlled by soil structure which results from reactions involving clay. The active clay material in soil, particularly in combination with small amounts of organic matter, exerts a tremendous effect on soil properties. This effect may be on structure (the arrangement of soil particles), or on consistence (the response of the soil to mechanical manipulation).
Automating knowledge acquisition as extending, updating, and improving a knowledge base

A method for the automation of knowledge acquisition that is viewed as a process of incremental extension, updating, and improvement of an incomplete and possibly partially incorrect knowledge base of an expert system is presented. The knowledge base is an approximate representation of objects and inference processes in the expertise domain. Its gradual development is guided by the general goal of improving this representation to consistently integrate new input information received from the human expert. The knowledge acquisition method is presented as part of a methodology for the automation of the entire process of building expert systems, and is implemented in the system NeoDISCIPLE. The method promotes several general ideas for the automation of knowledge acquisition, such as understanding-based knowledge extension, knowledge acquisition through multistrategy learning, consistency-driven concept formation and refinement, closed-loop learning, and synergistic cooperation between a human expert and a learning system. >
Apparatus for the observation of optical molecular spectra

A summary is presented of the methods and apparatus used ill the spectroscopic laboratories of the National Research Council for the study of electronic spectra of diatomic and polyatomic molecules including especially the study of short-lived species (free radicals). Three methods, the flash photolysis technique, the flash discharge technique, and the fast pumping of the parent compound through a high frequency discharge have been particularly useful in producing new spectra of short-lived molecules and in improving our knowledge of known spectra.
Effects of dairy slurry on silage fermentation characteristics and nutritive value of alfalfa1

Dairy producers frequently ask questions about the risks associated with applying dairy slurry to growing alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). Our objectives were to determine the effects of applying dairy slurry on the subsequent nutritive value and fermentation characteristics of alfalfa balage. Dairy slurry was applied to 0.17-ha plots of alfalfa; applications were made to the second (HARV1) and third (HARV2) cuttings during June and July of 2012, respectively, at mean rates of 42,400 ± 5271 and 41,700 ± 2397 L/ha, respectively. Application strategies included (1) no slurry, (2) slurry applied directly to stubble immediately after the preceding harvest, (3) slurry applied after 1 wk of post-ensiled regrowth, or (4) slurry applied after 2 wk of regrowth. All harvested forage was packaged in large, rectangular bales that were ensiled as wrapped balage. Yields of DM harvested from HARV1 (2,477 kg/ha) and HARV2 (781 kg/ha) were not affected by slurry application treatment. By May 2013, all silages appeared to be well preserved, with no indication of undesirable odors characteristic of clostridial fermentations. Clostridium tyrobutyricum, which is known to negatively affect cheese production, was not detected in any forage on either a pre- or post-ensiled basis. On a pre-ensiled basis, counts for Clostridium cluster 1 were greater for slurry-applied plots than for those receiving no slurry, and this response was consistent for HARV1 (4.44 vs. 3.29 log10 genomic copies/g) and HARV2 (4.99 vs. 3.88 log10 genomic copies/g). Similar responses were observed on a post-ensiled basis; however, post-ensiled counts also were greater for HARV1 (5.51 vs. 5.17 log10 genomic copies/g) and HARV2 (5.84 vs. 5.28 log10 genomic copies/g) when slurry was applied to regrowth compared with stubble. For HARV2, counts also were greater following a 2-wk application delay compared with a 1-wk delay (6.23 vs. 5.45 log10 genomic copies/g). These results suggest that the risk of clostridial fermentations in alfalfa silages is greater following applications of slurry. Based on pre- and post-ensiled clostridial counts, applications of dairy slurry on stubble are preferred (and less risky) compared with delayed applications on growing alfalfa.
Creatine accelerates the circadian clock in a unicellular alga.

The circadian clock is considered to be a universal feature of eucaryotic organisms, controlling the occurrence and rates of many different aspects of life, ranging from single enzymatic reactions and metabolism to complex behaviours such as activity and rest1. Although the nature of the underlying cellular/biochemical oscillator is still unknown2, many substances are known to influence either phase or period of circadian rhythms in different organisms. These include D2O3,4, electrolytes5 and ion channel inhibitors5,6, small organic molecules such as alcohols7,8 and aldehydes9, inhibitors of protein synthesis10–12 and ammo-acid analogues13,14. Certain transmitter15 and neurochemical drugs16,17 also influence the circadian clock in higher animals. We report here that the period of free-running circadian rhythms in the unicellular marine alga Gonyaulax polyedra is shortened by extracts from mammalian cells. The effect is dose-dependent, accelerating the circadian clock by as much as 4 hours per day. The substance responsible for this effect has been isolated from bovine muscle and identified as creatine. Authentic creatine has identical biological effects at micromolar concentrations and is known in animal systems for its involvement in cellular energy metabolism. A period shortening substance with similar chemical properties is also present in extracts of Gonyaulax itself.
N-acetyltransferase activity and indole contents of the male syrian hamster harderian gland: Changes during the light:dark cycle

The activities of N-acetyltransferase (NAT) and hydroxyindole-O-methyltransferase (HIOMT) and the indole contents of the Harderian glands of male Syrian hamsters were studied throughout a 24-h period. NAT activity exhibited a sharp rise 1 h after lights on, decreasing to basal levels 1 h later. Neither a HIOMT activity nor a melatonin concentration rhythm was detected throughout the 24 h. The 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin) concentration was highest during the dark phase reaching a peak at 0300 h; with light onset serotonin levels exhibited a rapid short-term drop. The 5-hydroxytryptophol concentration was highest during the mid- to late photophase; the lowest values to this constituent were measured late in the dark phase and at 1 h after lights on. The 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid concentration of the Harderian glands was rather stable throughout the 24-h period but levels did show a short-lived drop 1 h after light onset. Only a few animals contained detectable amounts of N-acetyl-5-hydroxytryptamine (N-acetylserotonin) in their Harderian glands. In agreement with previous work on the Harderian glands of female Syrian hamsters, the present results in males suggest that light onset is associated with marked changes in Harderian indoleamine metabolism.
Interclass member mapping without retraining the network

This paper introduces a recurrent network for mapping of interclass members without performing a learning process. This allows a member of class A to be mapped to a member of class B. Given sample members of each class, a backpropagation network is trained to form the corresponding class boundaries. Upon completion of the training process, the weights obtained are used in a recurrent network which performs the interelass member mapping without any further training. This mapping is achieved as the recurrent network evolves in time. The initial state of the network is mapped to its equilibrium state. The interclass member mapping network (IMMN) has many applications in self-correcting systems. In this paper, the IMMN is developed to represent two classes, namely class B (for instance, a class for representing members with desirable and correct features) and class A (members with incorrect features). The self-correcting aspect of the network is demonstrated by mapping a member from class A to a member of class B. Two examples are given. One represents a case of linearly separable classes. The other explores an application example, where two categories are used, namely, poorly and well-designed manufacturing parts. Given a poorly designed part, the network will suggest corrections resulting in a well-designed part. This example has nonlinear decision regions and shows the generalization capability of the network.
Applicability of the k ⋅ p method to the electronic structure of quantum dots

The $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ method has become the ``standard model'' for describing the electronic structure of nanometer-size quantum dots. In this paper we perform parallel $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ $(6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6$ and $8\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}8)$ and direct-diagonalization pseudopotential studies on spherical quantum dots of an ionic material---CdSe, and a covalent material---InP. By using an equivalent input in both approaches, i.e., starting from a given atomic pseudopotential and deriving from it the Luttinger parameters in $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ calculation, we investigate the effect of the different underlying wave-function representations used in $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ and in the more exact pseudopotential direct diagonalization. We find that (i) the $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ envelope function has a distinct (odd or even) parity, while atomistic wave function is parity-mixed. The $6\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}6\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ approach produces an incorrect order of the highest valence states for both InP and CdSe dots: the $p$-like level is above the $s$-like level. (ii) It fails to reveal that the second conduction state in small InP dots is folded from the $L$ point in the Brillouin zone. Instead, all states in $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ are described as \ensuremath{\Gamma}-like. (iii) The $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ overestimates the confinement energies of both valence states and conduction states. A wave-function projection analysis shows that the principal reasons for these $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ errors in dots are (a) use of restricted basis set, and (b) incorrect bulk dispersion relation. Error (a) can be reduced only by increasing the number of basis functions. Error (b) can be reduced by altering the $\mathbf{k}\ensuremath{\cdot}\mathbf{p}$ implementation so as to bend upwards the second lowest bulk band, and to couple the conduction band into the $s$-like dot valence state. Our direct diagonalization approach provides an accurate and practical replacement to the standard model in that it is rather general, and can be performed simply on a standard workstation.
Psychosexual behavior in hypopituitary men : a controlled comparison of gonadotropin and testosterone replacement

Nine gonadotropin-deficient hypopituitary men were cycled through periods of treatment with testosterone (T), gonadotropin (Gn), and placebo (Pl) using a blind cross-over design. Self-reports of sexual behavior, recordings of nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT), and sex steroid levels were obtained during each treatment period. Subjects had significantly higher plasma T during the T and Gn treatments than during the control periods. Similarly, self-reported frequency of ejaculation and ratings of libido as well as duration measures of NPT were significantly higher on T and Gn. Two thirds of the sample had no sociosexual experience. Behavioral differences between the T and Gn periods were minimal. These data support the hypothesis that Gn and T are equally effective in stimulating specific aspects of male psychosexual behavior.
Structural studies on the 30 S ribosomal subunit from Escherichia coli.

Abstract Small-angle X-ray scattering curves computed for various 30 S subunit structures have been compared with the experimental scattering curve. The curve from the 30 S subunit is best approximated by that calculated for a 1:3.6:3.6 ellipsoidal structure. The rather prolate ellipsoidal model suggested by recent electron microscope studies gives a scattering curve considerably different from the 30 S curve, suggesting that the electron microscope model is not that found in solution. Analysis of the more extended portions of the experimental scattering curve suggests some internal structure. A model is proposed that contains RNA and protein in positions such that the calculated scattering curve shows more extensive, yet similar internal structure. Resultant constraints on the structure of the 30 S subunit in solution are given.