cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Social participation and health over the adult life course: Does the association strengthen with age?

Abstract Rationale Studies have consistently found positive associations between social participation and health, but it is unclear if they vary across the life course. Younger individuals are likely to initiate and benefit from social participation in different ways from older individuals, which may in turn alter its overall influence on health outcomes. Age-varying associations, if present, may then attenuate or amplify the health consequences stemming from changes in social participation over the adult life course. Objective To assess the strength of the association between social participation and health across the life course, and whether it increases with age. Methods I use five waves of panel data (N = 11202 person-year observations) from the Americans’ Changing Lives Survey, collected over 25 years (1986–2011), to examine the association of formal and informal social participation with (1) the number of chronic health conditions and (2) depressive symptoms, focusing on whether these associations become stronger with age. Growth curve models (stratified by gender) with an accelerated longitudinal design were used to construct age trajectories of the dependent variables. An interaction term was then included to test for age-varying effects for each health outcome. Results Results show that the association between formal social participation and depressive symptoms grew stronger with age, but only for men. For women, positive associations between social participation and health were found, but seemed to remain consistent over the life course. Conclusion Findings suggest that the social participation and health association over the life course is likely to be contingent on gender, the type of social participation, and the specific health outcome being considered.
Large Firm Strategies: Spatial Patterns of Production

Views of national economic development and firm evolution that predominated through the early 1970s emphasized stable sequences of developmental stages through which leading nations or firms had passed. Less industrialized nations, if successful, were expected to pass through these same stages. Because the technical and social infrastructure associated with each developmental stage were known in the case of the lead countries, “followers” might be able to decrease the length of each individual stage, thus climbing the development ladder more quickly. For firms, a similar evolutionary model of industrial organization dominated. In this case, however, the description of development focused primarily on leading firms that grew to dominate industrial branches or sectors. In the case of firms, conditions in the market were expected to operate such that the “best” firms developed through a sequence, culminating in a particular organizational form. Firms with inadequate resources, less able management, or poor competitive positions, on the other hand, were expected to remain at lower stages in the sequence unless conditions changed.
The Mathematical and Philosophical Interest in an Analytic Solution of the Lunar Problem

If an analytic or semi-analytic solution is sought for the motion of the Moon, the problem, mathematically considered, is typical of problems in which the series obtained are not known to be convergent, but yet appear to offer useful results. Not differently than the numerical lunar theory pursued by JPL, analytical lunar theory thus presents itself as an essentially pragmatic enterprise. A provocative question has been whether it is possible by analytical or semi-analytical integrations to achieve the same level of accuracy as JPL had achieved in its numerical integrations.
Biopsy of Minor Salivary Glands of the Lip

Discussion of common systemic conditions affecting minor salivary glands. Armamentarium and technique for biopsy procedure. Complications related to biopsy.
Progressive Feeding Intolerance Secondary to a Congenital Spinal Teratoma in a Four-week-old Female

A poorly feeding neonate presents the clinician with a diagnostic challenge. Feeding difficulties and irritability may be due to sepsis, congenital heart disease, inborn errors of metabolism, non-accidental head trauma, as well as a vast variety of other pathologies. Teratomas are rare pediatric tumors that can occasionally present in the immediate neonatal period and can manifest in the infant's central nervous system (CNS) with non-specific symptoms of poor feeding, lethargy, and somnolence. Operative resection remains the cornerstone of treatment; however, there is no well-defined role for adjuvant chemotherapy or radiation in these treatments. We report a case of a four-week-old female presenting with progressive feeding intolerance secondary to a near holocord thoracic spinal teratoma. Her tumor was surgically resected and she was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation for 13 months and is now in clinical remission. While rare, intramedullary spinal cord lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infants presenting with poor feeding and hypotonia.
Visual Function at the Atrophic Border in Choroideremia Assessed with Adaptive Optics Microperimetry.

Purpose Recent advances in retinal imaging allow visualization of structural abnormalities in retinal disease at the cellular level. This study used adaptive optics (AO) microperimetry to assess visual sensitivity with high spatial precision and to examine how function varies across 2 phenotypic features observed in choroideremia: atrophic lesion borders and outer retinal tubulations (ORTs). Design Cross-sectional study. Participants Twelve choroideremia patients. Methods A custom AO scanning light ophthalmoscope (AOSLO) equipped with both confocal and nonconfocal split-detection imaging methods was used to image the photoreceptor inner and outer segment mosaics. For AO microperimetry, circular 550-nm stimuli were presented through the AOSLO system; stimuli were either 9.6 or 38.3 arcmin2 (approximately 60 or 15 times smaller than a Goldman III stimulus). Test locations were identified in structural images and stimuli were targeted to these locations using real-time retinal tracking combined with measurements of transverse chromatic aberration. Psychophysical detection thresholds were measured at the atrophic border in 12 patients. Additionally, visual sensitivity was probed along ORTs in 4 patients. Main Outcome Measure Visual sensitivity thresholds measured with AO microperimetry at retinal locations corresponding to structural phenotypes observed on AOSLO retinal images. Results In choroideremia, sharp borders between intact central islands of the photoreceptor mosaic and complete atrophy of the outer retina and retinal pigment epithelium were observed in both split-detection and confocal structural images. Adaptive optics microperimetry at locations spanning these borders showed a commensurately sharp decrease in function, with readily measurable visual sensitivity on one side and dense scotoma on the other. These functional transitions often occurred over a distance smaller than the diameter of the Goldman III stimulus. Thresholds measured along ORTs showed dense scotoma over the tubule in all 4 participants, despite the visibility of remnant cone inner segments on the AO images. Conclusions Choroideremia patients exhibited sharp functional transitions that collocated with structural transitions from intact to severely degenerated retina. We found no evidence of visual sensitivity over ORTs. Measuring cone function with high resolution offered insight into disease mechanisms and may enable precise assessment of whether experimental therapies, such as gene therapy, provide a functional benefit.
Inference of genetic forces using a Poisson random field model with non-constant population size

Abstract Aligned DNA sequences have been widely used for quantitatively analyzing and interpreting evolutionary processes. By comparing the information between intraspecific polymorphism with interspecific divergence in two sibling species, Poisson random field (PRF) theory offers a statistical framework with which various genetic parameters such as natural selection intensity, mutation rate and speciation time can be effectively estimated. A recently developed time-inhomogeneous PRF model has reinforced the original method by removing the assumption of stationary site frequency, but it keeps the assumption that the two sibling species share same effective population size with their ancestral species. This paper explores a relaxation of this biologically unrealistic assumption by hypothesizing that each of the two descendant species experienced a sudden change in population size at the times of the divergence from their most recent common ancestor. The newly developed PRF model with non-constant population size is applied to a set of 91 genes in African population of Drosophila to make statistical inference of the various genetic parameters under a hierarchical Bayesian framework and carried out with a multi-layer Markov chain Monte Carlo sampling scheme. In order to meet the intensive computational demand, a R program is integrated with C++ code and a parallel executing technique is designed to run the program with multiple CPU cores.
Identification and Characterization of Preferred DNA-Binding Sites for the Thermus thermophilus HB8 Transcriptional Regulator TTHA0973.

Advances in genomic sequencing have allowed the identification of a multitude of genes encoding putative transcriptional regulatory proteins. Lacking, often, is a fuller understanding of the biological roles played by these proteins, the genes they regulate or regulon. Conventionally this is achieved through a genetic approach involving putative transcription factor gene manipulation and observations of changes in an organism’s transcriptome. However, such an approach is not always feasible or can yield misleading findings. Here, we describe a biochemistry-centric approach, involving identification of preferred DNA-binding sequences for the Thermus thermophilus HB8 transcriptional repressor TTHA0973 using the selection method Restriction Endonuclease Protection, Selection and Amplification (REPSA), massively parallel sequencing, and bioinformatic analyses. We identified a consensus TTHA0973 recognition sequence of 5′–AACnAACGTTnGTT–3′ that exhibited nanomolar binding affinity. This sequence was mapped to several sites within the T. thermophilus HB8 genome, a subset of which corresponded to promoter regions regulating genes involved in phenylacetic acid degradation. These studies further demonstrate the utility of a biochemistry-centric approach for the facile identification of potential biological functions for orphan transcription factors in a variety of organisms.
Response to: The Song Classification Is Reliable and Guides Prognosis and Treatment for Pediatric Lateral Condyle Fractures: An Independent Validation Study With Treatment Algorithm.

BACKGROUND Lateral condyle fractures account for 15% to 20% of pediatric elbow fractures. Among numerous proposed classification systems, the Song classification appears the most comprehensive. The utility of any classification system relies on its ability to be descriptive, reproducible, and to guide prognosis/treatment. We assessed the Song classification by applying it to 736 retrospectively treated patients. METHODS A total of 736 pediatric patients with lateral condyle fractures were identified between 2007 and 2014. In total, 60 patients were selected for a radiographic interclass and intraclass correlation study. Radiographs of the patients were reviewed by 6 observers, who independently measured radiographs for displacement on radiographs and assigned a Song classification. Treatment and outcomes were then reviewed on all 736 patients and evaluated as a successful outcome when achieving a healed fracture at discharge without significant complication or necessitating a change from initial treatment modality. RESULTS Weighted κ values for intrarater and interrater reliability to assign Song classification indicated excellent agreement. Intraclass correlation coefficients of 6 observers measuring displacement on radiographs in millimeters indicated good to excellent agreement. In total, 106 Song 1 fracture were primarily treated by casting alone and only 5.5% required conversion to operative intervention. Overall, 139 Song 2 fractures were treated by closed treatment (n=114, 82% successful nonoperatively, 16% converted to operative management) or surgical means (n=25, 100% success) without treatment superiority (P>0.999) and both modalities had high success rates. Song 3 fractures (n=17) demonstrated a failure rate of 80% with casting (n=10) and were better managed by closed reduction and percutaneous pinning (n=7, 100% success, P=0.002). Song 4 (n=325) fractures had low success rate (34%) with casting (n=35), but achieved higher success rates (P<0.001) when managed with either closed (n=57) or open reduction (n=233) and pin fixation (89.5% and 92.7% success, respectively, P=0.401). Song 5 fractures (n=149) generally required an open reduction in our series with good success rates (91.2%). CONCLUSION This study validates the Song classification with high interobserver and intraobserver reliability. The Song classification improves on existing classification systems by better distinguishing fractures at risk for failure of nonoperative treatment and guiding treatment outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE Level IV.
"La zurriaga de Perinola": edición crítica de un texto inédito contra Quevedo

This article offers a critical and annotated edition of La zurriaga, a hitherto unpublished text, part of the literary polemic triggered by Quevedo in 1632 with his attack against Perez de Montalban. This new text is an anonymous libel attacking Quevedo’s La perinola, while refuting some of the criticism levelled by Quevedo against Perez de Montalban’s Para todos. This critical edition is based on three manuscripts held in libraries in Madrid, one of which attributes the text to father Niseno.
Anterior Odontoid Screws: Tips and Tricks

The purpose of this chapter is to discuss the anatomy and epidemiology of odontoid fractures, to review indications and contraindications for anterior screw fixation, and to describe common procedural pitfalls of this surgery.
Association of prenatal maternal perceived stress with a sexually dimorphic measure of cognition in 4.5-month-old infants.

Abstract Maternal prenatal stress can adversely impact subsequent child neurodevelopment, but little is known about its effect on cognitive development in infancy. This analysis of 107 infants from a prospective birth cohort assessed whether prenatal stress disrupts sexually dimorphic performance typically observed on a physical reasoning task. Maternal stress was assessed at 8–14 and 33–37 gestational weeks using the Perceived Stress Scale. Stress was defined as: low (scores below the median at both times), medium (scores above the median at one of the two times), and high (scores above the median at both times). At 4.5 months infants saw videos of two events: one impossible and the other possible. In the impossible event a box was placed against a wall without support underneath. In the possible event the box was placed against the wall, supported by the floor. Looking time at each event was recorded via infrared eye-tracking. Previous literature has shown that, at 4.5 months of age, girls typically look significantly longer at the impossible than at the possible event, suggesting that they expect the unsupported box to fall and are surprised when it does not. Boys tend to look equally at the two events suggesting that they do not share this expectation. This sex difference was replicated in the current study. General linear models stratified by sex and adjusted for household income, maternal education, mother's age at birth, infant's age at exam, and order of event presentation revealed that girls whose mothers reported high perceived stress during pregnancy had shorter looking time differences between the impossible and possible events than girls whose mothers reported low perceived stress (β = −7.1; 95% CI: −12.0, −2.2 s; p = 0.006). Similar to boys, girls in the highest stress category spent about the same amount of time looking at each event. For boys, there were no significant looking time differences by maternal stress level. This finding suggests prenatal stress is associated with a delay in the development of physical reasoning in girls.
Longitudinal invariance and information of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales

OBJECTIVES The study investigates the psychometric properties of the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21). METHOD The DASS-21 was administered to a community sample twice over the course of 7 months ( NT1 = 235 and NT2 = 171; 51% female, Mage = 22 years). A partial credit Rasch model was used to determine the scales' longitudinal invariance and reliability. RESULTS The DASS-21 mostly demonstrated longitudinal invariance across administrations. The Depression and Anxiety subscales were sufficiently reliable to distinguish among the suggested severity categories, but the Stress scale was not. CONCLUSION Several revisions of the DASS are recommended. It is also suggested that the Stress scale should be used with caution, given its low reliability.
Patient with Renal Failure

Pain is commonly reported by patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), >58% CKD patients experience pain, and 49% have moderate to severe pain [1]. Pain is predominantly of musculoskeletal origin, although neuropathic and mixed nociceptive/neuropathic pain conditions are not uncommon. Pain assessment and treatment in CKD is suboptimal and there are no evidence based guidelines for treatment of pain in CKD. Despite the efficacy of acetaminophen, its use is extremely low, NSAID use is inappropriately high, opioid use and selection of opioid is inappropriate in CKD.
Transferrin, derived from an OKT8-positive subpopulation of T lymphocytes, suppresses the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony- stimulatory factors from mitogen-activated T lymphocytes

Purified human transferrin, when saturated with iron or zinc, decreased the production of granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factors (GM- CSF) by human T lymphocytes that had been stimulated by phytohemagglutin or concanavalin-A. The iron-saturated transferrin was more active than the zinc-saturated transferrin. This effect was not seen for copper-saturated transferrin or for apotransferrin, and the inhibitory effect was seen whether production of GM-CSF occurred in the absence or presence of serum. If the lymphocytes were pretreated with monoclonal antibody against transferrin receptors, no suppressive effect with transferrin was seen. Transferrin did not have a direct effect on the granulocyte-macrophage colony or cluster-forming cells (CFU-GM) or on preformed GM-CSF. Transferrin-inhibitory activity was produced and released only from a subpopulation of T lymphocytes that had the OKT8+ antigenic phenotype. Release of this activity from OKT8+ lymphocytes, into culture medium at 37 degrees C, was first detected after 6–17 hr, but the capacity of the GM-CSF-producing lymphocytes to respond to transferrin-inhibitory activity was apparent only within the first 3 hr of placing the lymphocytes at 37 degrees C. These studies demonstrate feedback interactions confined to cells of the T-lymphocyte lineage that may be of relevance to the regulation of myelopoiesis.
Estimates of the Association of Dementia With US Mortality Levels Using Linked Survey and Mortality Records.

Importance Vital statistics are the primary source of data used to understand the mortality burden of dementia in the US, despite evidence that dementia is underreported on death certificates. Alternative estimates, drawing on population-based samples, are needed. Objective To estimate the percentage of deaths attributable to dementia in the US. Design, Setting, and Participants A prospective cohort study of the Health and Retirement Study of noninstitutionalized US individuals with baseline exposure assessment in 2000 and follow-up through 2009 was conducted. Data were analyzed from November 2018 to May 2020. The sample was drawn from 7489 adults aged 70 to 99 years interviewed directly or by proxy. Ninety participants with missing covariates or sample weights and 57 participants lost to follow-up were excluded. The final analytic sample included 7342 adults. Exposure Dementia and cognitive impairment without dementia (CIND) were identified at baseline using Health and Retirement Study self- or proxy-reported cognitive measures and the validated Langa-Weir score cutoff. Main Outcomes and Measures Hazard ratios relating dementia and CIND status to all-cause mortality were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression models, accounting for covariates, and were used to calculate population-attributable fractions. Results were compared with information on cause of death from death certificates. Results Of the 7342 total sample, 4348 participants (60.3%) were women. At baseline, 4533 individuals (64.0%) were between ages 70 and 79 years, 2393 individuals (31.0%) were between 80 and 89 years, and 416 individuals (5.0%) were between 90 and 99 years; percentages were weighted. The percentage of deaths attributable to dementia was 13.6% (95% CI, 12.2%-15.0%) between 2000 and 2009. The mortality burden of dementia was significantly higher among non-Hispanic Black participants (24.7%; 95% CI, 17.3-31.4) than non-Hispanic White participants (12.2%; 95% CI, 10.7-13.6) and among adults with less than a high school education (16.2%; 95% CI, 13.2%-19.0%) compared with those with a college education (9.8%; 95% CI, 7.0%-12.5%). Underlying cause of death recorded on death certificates (5.0%; 95% CI, 4.3%-5.8%) underestimated the contribution of dementia to US mortality by a factor of 2.7. Incorporating deaths attributable to CIND revealed an even greater underestimation. Conclusions and Relevance The findings of this study suggest that the mortality burden associated with dementia is underestimated using vital statistics, especially when considering CIND in addition to dementia.
Anti-SAE1 Antibodies and Dermatomyositis: A Case Series of Three Patients

To date, few patients with anti-SAE1 dermatomyositis (DM) have been described, and usually in large descriptive cohort studies including all DM subtypes. Thus, it is increasingly important to further describe this rare subtype to solidify cutaneous findings, associated symptoms, and potential therapeutic options. Herein, this case series describes three patients with anti-SAE1 DM with respect to their clinical and laboratory findings, and also their response to treatment. All three patients eventually presented with classic cutaneous manifestations of dermatomyositis, however, Case 2 presented initially with cutaneous manifestations not described in the literature. Furthermore, two patients presented with dysphagia, with Case 2 experiencing a life-threatening dysphagia not typically described in the literature. Two of three patients also presented with early signs of interstitial lung disease. Lastly, cutaneous disease was only responsive to immunosuppressants in one patient. Unfortunately, this observational case-series consisted of only three patients, limiting the generalizability of our results. However, this study provides further support of the recalcitrant nature of this DM subtype, and commonly affected extracutaneous systems including the gastrointestinal and pulmonary systems. Larger studies of this patient population are needed to further confirm our associated findings.
Immediate Effects of Prophylactic Therapeutic Massage on Pain Tolerance and Threshold

Introduction: This study is meant to determine the immediate effects of therapeutic massage on pain tolerance and threshold. Methods: Fourteen subjects were recruited from a sample of convenience. Subjects were randomized to have either the massage or no-massage protocol on their initial visit with the remaining protocol on their following visit. All subjects completed two sessions with the pain-eliciting test, one with the massage protocol and one with the no-massage protocol. Results: All 14 subjects achieved a higher pain tolerance during the massage protocol compared to their own no-massage protocol. The pain tolerance difference between protocols was calculated by a paired T-Test (p value 0.0003) to be a significant difference. No significant difference was found for pain threshold between protocols. Discussion: It appears that therapeutic massage does have a likelihood of increasing pain tolerance when subjects are submitted to a painful stimulus immediately post-massage. This study validates the use of therapeutic massage as an adjunct treatment to improve pain tolerance before a potentially painful procedure. Conclusion: Prophylactic massage was shown to allow healthy participants to achieve a higher pain tolerance when subjected to a pain-eliciting test immediately after the massage was received.
Task-Specific Iconic Gesturing During Spoken Discourse in Aphasia.

Purpose In persons living with aphasia, we will explore the relationship between iconic gesture production during spontaneous speech and discourse task, spoken language, and demographic information...
Ectopic growth of the Chaetothyriales fungal symbiont on Ipomoea carnea

Swainsonine, an indolizidine alkaloid, is an α-mannosidase and mannosidase II inhibitor that alters glycoprotein processing and causes lysosomal storage disease. Swainsonine is the toxic principle ...
Regeneration and replacement of endothelial cells and renal vascular repair

Abstract Given the strong association between impaired renal microcirculation and disease states, significant attention has been directed toward understanding renal vascular repair. Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) have been studied in different cardiovascular models, including preclinical models of kidney disease. However, as this field of study has evolved over the last 20 years, it has been hampered by inconsistent definitions surrounding the term EPC. This chapter attempts to provide relevant background regarding vascular injury and impaired regenerative responses in the setting of either acute kidney injury (AKI) or chronic kidney disease (CKD). We provide an updated discussion on different types of cells previously classified broadly as EPCs and discuss potential interactions of these cells in vascular repair. Using this framework, we present a hypothesis by which the activity of intrinsic vascular progenitors represents a central element of disease progression. Finally, we summarize evidence that cells with vasculoreparative properties may represent potential therapies in disease states.
Minimum 2-Year Clinical Outcomes After Arthroscopic Treatment for Glenolabral Articular Disruption (GLAD) Lesions: A Matched Case-Control Study:

Objectives: The presence of glenolabral articular disruption (GLAD) lesions has been shown to be associated with higher rates of recurrent anterior shoulder instability and the need for repeat surgery; however, no series has yet reported clinical outcomes in a GLAD-specific cohort. Further investigation is warranted to characterize the prognosis of GLAD injuries and to identify risk factors associated with inferior outcomes.
The Progressivity Puzzle: The Key Role of Personal Attributes

The most prominent approach in analyzing tax progressivity is to choose a tax rate schedule that maximizes a social welfare function. At the heart of this approach is the recognition that income taxation is a second-best solution to the problem of redistribution of economic resources. If a social planner knew certain individual attributes such as ability, the planner could set up a much more effective tax. For technical reasons, the optimal income taxation literature has focused on models where ability is the only normatively relevant trait that varies among individuals. This paper considers the effect of adding two additional traits: the intensity of desire for material goods (materialism) and the degree to which each individual likes to work (work affinity). The impact on optimal tax rate schedules of adding these traits depends on how the traits are distributed across the population. If work affinity and materialism are distributed randomly, then optimal tax rates will tend to be much less progressive and much lower. Income becomes a weaker signal of underlying normatively relevant traits. Where work affinity and materialism are not distributed randomly but are systematically related to each other or to ability, the results are much less intuitive. For example, when materialism is positively correlated with ability and the social welfare function is utilitarian, one would expect optimal tax rates to be less progressive than in the case where ability alone is considered. High incomes will tend to indicate both a high level of ability and a high level of materialism. This "first-best" reasoning turns out to be incorrect. When materialism correlates positively with ability, high ability individuals will tend to distinguish themselves more clearly by earning even higher incomes. This fact makes it easier to redistribute using an income tax, leading to a second-best optimum with more progressive rates. The paper also analyzes the degree of error that occurs in the classic optimal tax model when relevant traits such as materialism and work affinity are ignored in favor of an exclusive focus on ability. For plausible amounts of variation in materialism and work affinity parameters, ignoring these traits results in giving up a big portion of the potential welfare gain from income taxation. In some cases, an optimal tax based on ability alone results in lower social welfare than no tax at all. NOTE: As previous readers will recognize, the downloadable draft available on this web site is the original 1991 version of this paper, except for the correction of a few typos and a change of university and title in the initial footnote. The sole purpose of this draft is to make the 1991 version available in electronic form. The author hopes to produce a revised version subsequently.
Physicochemical and kinetic properties of mushroom tyrosinase

Abstract Tyrosinase (o-diphenol:O2 oxidoreductase, EC 1.10.3.1) has been purified from a commercial lyophilized powder prepared from edible mushrooms. Specific activities toward dl-dihydroxyphenylalanine and catechol, homogeneity, molecular weight, absorption spectrum, amino acid composition, and copper content of the preparation are comparable to other purified samples of tyrosinase prepared from fresh mushrooms. Circular dichroism of the enzyme reveals an unusually shaped envelope of negative ellipticity bands in the deep ultraviolet (196 to 250 mµ), which is difficult to explain by a combination of the usual peptide conformational forms. Small positive ellipticity bands ([θ] per 32,000 mol wt ≅ 30,000) are associated with the near ultraviolet absorption of the aromatic amino acid side chains. Kinetic constants for the oxidation of a homologous series of catechol substrates substituted in position 4 by groups —H, —SCN, —COCH3, —CHO, —CN, and —NO2 have been determined. As the electron-withdrawing ability of the substituent increases, Km and kcat decrease in the order H g SCN g COCH3 g CHO g CN g NO2. Except for the kcat values for the two most slowly oxidized substrates, both Km and kcat conform to Hammett relationships when the substituent parameter σ- is used. The ρ values are -1.01 ± 0.09 for Km and -2.49 ± 0.11 for kcat. The oxidation of pyrocatechol, 4-COCH3, and 4-CHO-catechol give a satisfactory isokinetic relationship between ΔH‡ and ΔS‡. These findings suggest that these substrates are oxidized by the same basic mechanism. Studies of the dependence of catechol oxidation on the concentration of oxygen show that Km for oxygen varies with the nature of the catechol substrate. With the exception of the pyrocatechol complex, the enzyme-substrate complexes for this series of catechols are saturated in air (20.95% O2). The oxygen kinetics suggest a sequential mechanism for the binding of catechol and oxygen. Detailed studies of the pH dependence of Km and kcat show the presence of a group in the enzyme whose pKa changes upon the binding of a catechol molecule. Inhibition of tyrosinase by benzoic acid and cyanide show that the former is competitive with catechol and noncompetitive with oxygen, while the latter is competitive with oxygen and noncompetitive with catechol. These results are taken to indicate two distinct substrate binding sites on the enzyme, one with a high affinity for aromatic compounds including phenolic substrates, the other for metal-binding agents and oxygen. The latter site presumably involves enzyme copper. Binding studies with 14C-benzoic acid suggest that there are two binding sites for benzoic acid per mole of tetramer (mol wt = 128,000). The equilibrium constant for this binding is the same as the Ki measured for competitive inhibition of catechol oxidation by benzoic acid. Catechols are activators of the phenolase reaction of tyrosinase, and tyrosine is shown to be an inhibitor of this activation of its own oxidation in a manner suggesting that there is a third binding site on the enzyme for an "activator" catechol or phenol.
On the Size of Partial Parallel Classes in Steiner Systems

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the size of partial parallel classes in Steiner systems. An S (k, k + 1, u) Steiner system is a pair (S, T) where S is a finite set of size u (called the order of the Steiner system) and T is a collection of (k+l)-element subsets of S (called blocks) with the property that every k-element subset of S belongs to exactly one block of T. A partial S (k, k + 1, u) Steiner system is a pair (S, P) where P is a collection of (k + 1)-element subsets of S with the property that every k-element subset of S belongs to at most one block of T. A collection r of blocks in a S (k, k + 1, u) = (S, T) Steiner system is called a partial parallel class if the blocks in π are pairwise disjoint. If in addition the blocks of π partition S then π is called a parallel class. The chapter aims to improve substantially the results of Lindner and Phelps by showing that every S (k, k + 1, u) Steiner System with k ≥ 2 has a partial parallel class.
Automatically Generating Behavioral Models of Adaptive Systems to Address Uncertainty

Increasingly, high-assurance applications rely on dynamically adaptive systems (DASs) to respond to environmental changes, while satisfying functional requirements and non-functional preferences. Examples include critical infrastructure protection and transportation systems. A DAS comprises a collection of (non-adaptive) target systems (represented as UML models) and a set of adaptations that realize transitions among target systems. Two sources of uncertainty inherent to DASs are: (1) predicting the future execution environment, and (2) using functional and non-functional trade-offs to respond to the changing environment. To address this uncertainty, we are inspired by living organisms that are astonishingly adept at adapting to changing environmental conditions using evolution. In this paper, we describe a digital evolution-based approach to generating models that represent possible target systems suitable for different environmental conditions, enabling the developer to identify the functional and non-functional trade-offs between the models, and then assisting the developer in selecting target systems for the DAS.
Generation, maintenance, and function of memory T cells.

Publisher Summary Edward Jenner's recognition of immune memory represents one of the oldest and most significant of immunological observations. However, it has also proved to be one of the most difficult to understand on both cellular and molecular level. Recently, significant advances have been made in understanding where memory T cells, particularly CD8 + T cells, come from, what they can do, and what maintains them. While the factors that control this unique phenotype are unknown, they may be dependent to some extent on IL-7 and/or IL-15 for their expression, given these cytokines' critical role in the long-term maintenance of memory CD8 + T cells.
Isolation and characterization of a maize gene encoding chalcone flavonone isomerase

We report here the first cloning of a chalcone flavonone isomerase gene (CHI) from maize. Northern blot experiments indicate that the maize CHI gene (ZmCHI1) is regulated in the pericarp by the P gene, a myb homologue. The ZmCHI1 gene encodes a 24.3 kDa product 55% and 58% identical to CHI-A and CHI-B from Petunia, respectively. This maize CHI1 gene has four exons and an intron-exon structure identical to the CHI-B gene of Petunia hybrida. RFLP mapping data indicate that some inbred lines contain two additional CHI-homologous sequences, suggesting an organization more complex than that found in Petunia or bean. The possibility that the additional CHI-homologous sequences are responsible for the lack of CHI mutants in maize will be discussed.
Electric Microfield Distributions

Recent research on controlled fusion by inertial confinement has stimulated renewed consideration of atomic phenomena in hot, dense plasmas. In many cases the dominant coupling of the atom to its plasma environment is through the atomic dipole interaction with the local electric microfield. The electric microfield distribution (probability density for a given field value) is therefore an important property of the plasma for description of such atomic processes as emission and absorption of radiation. Prior to laser-produced plasmas, typical laboratory experiments involved only weakly coupled plasmas and quite accurate theories were available to calculate the microfield distributions under such conditions1,2. These theories fail for strongly-coupled plasmas and present research has focused on calculations for more extreme plasma conditions. Progress in this direction was initiated by Iglesias, et. al.3,4 who proposed a method for ion fields at charged points, which gives excellent agreement with computer simulations of strongly coupled classical one component plasmas (OCP) in two and three dimensions. Extension of this method to multi-component plasmas also proved fruitful5. Subsequently, others have addressed related aspects of microfields in dense plasmas such as ion fields at neutral points, electron fields7, effects of atomic structure8, and quantum degeneracy9,10. The objective here is to review these developments in a general context, to clarify some of the approximations used, and to identify some of the remaining problems.
Can Text Messages Increase Empathy and Prosocial Behavior? The Development and Initial Validation of Text to Connect

To what extent can simple mental exercises cause shifts in empathic habits? Can we use mobile technology to make people more empathic? It may depend on how empathy is measured. Scholars have identified a number of different facets and correlates of empathy. This study is among the first to take a comprehensive, multidimensional approach to empathy to determine how empathy training could affect these different facets and correlates. In doing so, we can learn more about empathy and its multifaceted nature. Participants (N = 90) were randomly assigned to receive either an empathy-building text message program (Text to Connect) or one of two control conditions (active versus passive). Respondents completed measures of dispositional empathy (i.e. self-perceptions of being an empathic person), affective empathy (i.e. motivations to help, immediate feelings of empathic concern), and prosocial behavior (i.e. self-reports and observer-reports) at baseline, and then again after the 14 day intervention period. We found that empathy-building messages increased affective indicators of empathy and prosocial behaviors, but actually decreased self-perceptions of empathy, relative to control messages. Although the brief text messaging intervention did not consistently impact empathy-related personality traits, it holds promise for the use of mobile technology for changing empathic motivations and behaviors.
Free-Electrophoretic Behavior of Urea-Insulin Reaction Products

Five reaction products, previously isolated from an aqueous mixture of insulin and concentrated urea that had been subjected to various conditions of time and temperature, were examined by moving-boundary electrophoresis. Insulin OU and insulin IU separated into major and minor peaks with mobilities identical to those observed by Timasheff et al. (and confirmed by us) for intact crystalline insulin. Insulin IIU showed a major peak (80%) with a mobility of -7.6 x 10-5 cm/s/V/cm. Insulin IIIU showed a major peak with a mobility of -9.2 x 10-5 cm/s/V/cm. On the basis of change in electron charge and the fact that guanidine does not produce the effects of urea, it is postulated that the delayed-acting urea insulin (IIU) is formed by native insulin reacting with the isocyanate ion in urea solution.
Fast polynomial transform methods for multidimensional DFTs

In this paper, we introduce a new fast computation algorithm for multidimensional DFTs. This method maps efficiently some multidimensional DFTs into one-dimensional DFTs by using a single polynomial transform and auxiliary calculations. The polynomial transform is computed without multiplications and all calculations are performed with a reduced number of additions by using FFT-type algorithms. The relationship with earlier polynomial transform approaches is explored and it is shown that the new method yields a simpler structure at the expense of a slight increase in number of arithmetic operations. Various techniques for reducing the auxiliary calculations are investigated and schemes which combine different polynomial transform techniques are presented.
Growth Kinetics and Yield Coefficients of the Extreme Thermophile Thermothrix thiopara in Continuous Culture

Thermothrix thiopara did not appear to be stressed at high temperature (72°C). Both the actual and theoretical yields were higher than those of analogous mesophilic sulfur bacteria, and the specific growth rate (μmax) was more rapid than that of most autotrophs. The specific growth rate (0.58 h−1), specific maintenance rate (0.11 h−1), actual molar growth yield at μmax (Ymax = 16 g mol−1), and theoretical molar growth yield (YG = 24 g mol−1) were all higher for T. thiopara (72°C) than for mesophilic (25 to 30°C) Thiobacillus spp. The growth efficiencies for T. thiopara at 70 and 75°C (0.84 and 0.78) were significantly higher than at 65°C (0.47). Corresponding specific maintenance rates were highest at 65°C (0.41 h−1) and lowest at 70 and 75°C (0.11 and 0.15 h−1, respectively). Growth efficiencies of metabolically similar mesophiles were generally higher than for T. thiopara. However, the actual yields at μmax were higher for T. thiopara because its theoretical yield was higher. Thus, at 70°C, T. thiopara was capable of deriving more metabolically useful energy from thiosulfate than were mesophilic sulfur bacteria at 25 and 30°C. The low growth efficiency of T. thiopara reflected higher maintenance expenditures. T. thiopara had higher maintenance rates than Thiobacillus ferroxidans or Thiobacillus denitrificans, but also attained higher molar growth yields. It is concluded that sulfur metabolism may be more efficient overall at extremely high temperatures due to increased theoretical yields despite increased maintenance requirements.
Vascular targeting of nanoshells for photothermal cancer therapy.

B83 Photothermal cancer therapy using targeted nanoshells may enable the preferential destruction of cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy tissue. Nanoshells possess an optical tunability that spans the near infrared (NIR) - a region where light penetrates tissues deeply. Conjugated with tumor-targeting molecules, NIR absorbing nanoshells could be systemically injected and preferentially bound to tumor sites. NIR light heats the tumor-bound nanoshells, thus destroying the tumor. In vitro and in vivo studies confirmed the ability to selectively induce cell death with the photothermal interaction of nanoshells and NIR light. Previous studies demonstrated the ability of PEG-coated nanoshells to passively accumulate at a tumor site. Complete regression of tumors was observed in animals receiving systemic injections of nanoshells prior to NIR laser treatment. Furthermore, the tissue damage from the NIR laser therapy was confined to the tissue region receiving both nanoshells and laser irradiation. Nanoshells can be targeted to cancer cells or tumor vasculature by the conjugation of tumor specific antibodies to the gold surface. These targeted nanoshells may increase the cellular specificity of nanoshell binding and improve the therapeutic results.Gold nanoshells were manufactured as previously described. Briefly, silica cores were fabricated by the reduction of tetraethoxysilane in ethanol. Following amine functionalization, gold colloid was adsorbed to silica surface. Reduction of additional gold completes the shell. The nanoshells used in the following study had a 110 nm core diameter with a 10 nm thick gold shell and a peak extinction at ~820 nm. Soluble vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was conjugated to the gold nanoshells through a bifunctional PEG linker, containing N-hydroxy succihimide for coupling and an orthopyridyl-disulfide for attachment to the gold surface. In vitro , targeted nanoshells were incubated with murine endothelial cells at 2.9x10 9 particles/mL. Unbound nanoshells were rinsed from the surface with PBS and replaced with fresh medium. Control cells were incubated with PEG-coated nanoshells without targeting molecules. After exposure to NIR light (820 nm, 1.55 W, 1.5 mm diameter spot, for 7 min), the cells were incubated overnight at 37 o C. Cell viability was assessed by staining with calcein AM. Nanoshells were visualized by silver staining.Cell death was confined within the laser spot for cells incubated with properly targeted nanoshells. Silver staining verified the presences of nanoshells. Control nanoshells did not bind to the cells, as indicated by silver staining, and control cells continued to be viable after irradiation. Nanoshells show promise as a minimally invasive cancer therapy. The nanoshells are biocompatible and display selective photothermal destruction of tissue by absorption of NIR light. Targeting may improve the cellular specificity of the nanoshell therapy.
Sensitive Magnetometry based on Nonlinear Magneto-Optical Rotation

Application of nonlinear magneto-optical (Faraday) rotation to magnetometry is investigated. Our experimental setup consists of a modulation polarimeter that measures rotation of the polarization plane of a laser beam resonant with transitions in Rb. Rb vapor is contained in an evacuated cell with antirelaxation coating that enables atomic ground-state polarization to survive many thousand wall collisions. This leads to ultranarrow features $(\ensuremath{\sim}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}6} \mathrm{G})$ in the magnetic-field dependence of optical rotation. The potential sensitivity of this scheme to sub-$\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{G}$ magnetic fields as a function of atomic density, light intensity, and light frequency is investigated near the $D1$ and $D2$ lines of ${}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}.$ It is shown that through an appropriate choice of parameters the shot-noise-limited sensitivity to small magnetic fields can reach $3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}{10}^{\ensuremath{-}12} \mathrm{G}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}.$