cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Controlled Synthesis of MnP Nanorods: Effect of Shape Anisotropy on Magnetization

Manganese phosphide (MnP) nanorods have been prepared by high-temperature injection of Mn2(CO)10 dissolved in octadecene into a hot (350 °C) surfactant mixture of trioctylphosphine oxide (TOPO) and trioctylphosphine (TOP). Uniform short rods (20.3 ± 3.6 nm × 5.2 ± 0.89 nm), grown along the b axis of orthorhombic MnP, were produced after 1 h of heating. The rods were ferromagnetic, with a coercive field of 4200 Oe at 10 K and a blocking temperature of 250.4 K at 500 Oe, and exhibited only weak interparticle interactions. Samples with longer rods having an aspect ratio of over 30 can be prepared by using longer heating times or multiple injections. The evolution of cubes and thicker rods was also observed with extended heating regimens. Surprisingly, the introduction of shape anisotropy into nanoparticles of MnP has little or no influence on the magnetic properties, suggesting that the inherent magnetocrystalline anisotropy is the dominating influence.
AUUUA motifs in the 3′UTR of human glucocorticoid receptor α and β mRNA destabilize mRNA and decrease receptor protein expression

Abstract An association between a gene polymorphism of the human glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene and rheumatoid arthritis has recently been suggested. This polymorphism contains an A to G mutation in the 3′UTR of exon 9β, which encodes the 3′UTR of the mRNA of the hGRβ isoform. The hGRβ isoform can act as a dominant negative inhibitor of hGRα, and therefore may contribute to glucocorticoid resistance. The A to G mutation is located in an AUUUA motif, which is known to destabilize mRNA. In the present study, the importance of the mutation in this AUUUA motif was further characterized and mutations in other AUUUA motifs in the 3′UTR of hGRβ and hGRα mRNA were studied. hGRβ and hGRα expression vectors, carrying mutations in one AUUUA motif or all AUUUA motifs were transiently transfected into COS-1 cells. Each transfected vector was analyzed for the mRNA expression level, the mRNA turnover rate and the protein expression level. The naturally occurring mutation in the 3′UTR of hGRβ mRNA increased mRNA stability and protein expression. Mutation of two other AUUUA motifs in the 3′UTR of hGRβ, or mutation of all four AUUUA motifs resulted in a similar effect. Mutation of the most 5′ AUUUA motif did not alter hGRβ mRNA expression or mRNA stability. Mutation of all 10 AUUUA motifs in the 3′UTR of hGRα mRNA increased hGRα mRNA expression and mRNA stability as well as expression of the receptor protein level. Thus, the naturally occurring mutation in an AUUUA motif in the 3′UTR of hGRβ mRNA results not only in increased mRNA stability, but also in increased receptor protein expression, which may contribute to glucocorticoid resistance. A similar role is suggested for two other AUUUA motifs in the 3′UTR of hGRβ mRNA and for the 10 AUUUA motifs that are present in the 3′UTR of hGRα.
Penicillin-Resistant Pneumococcal Meningitis: Navigating a Therapeutic Minefield

Pneumococcal meningitis is a common infection in adults for which penicillin has long been the drug of choice. Optimal treatment has recently become controversial, however, owing to an alarming increase in the number of penicillin-resistant isolates. The authors report a representative case of meningitis caused by such an organism, and provide a discussion of the history, mechanisms of resistance, laboratory evaluation, and treatment of these infections. Guidelines for prevention are also reviewed, including a renewed call for utilization of the 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine.
Coordination of concanavalin-A-receptor distribution and surface differentiation in Tetrahymena

Abstract Conjugation in Tetrahymena is a cell interaction that involves the formation of pairs of cells of complementary mating types that are joined with opposite polarity at their anterior ends. Characteristically, it takes 1 h from the time cells are mixed until they begin to pair. We have previously shown that, during this time, the anterior tips of both mating types undergo morphogenetic transformation. The tips, which are normally pointed and ciliated, become truncated and cilia-free, and the cortical ridges disappear, leaving a smooth surface. We have also shown that the conjugation junction is formed during pairing by the apposition and alignment of two transformed surfaces. In the present study, we examined the binding of fluorescein-conjugated concanavalin A (F-Con A) in paraformalde-hyde-fixed cells at a stage when most cells have transformed tips but few are paired. We observed binding of Con A at anterior tips in a manner that was correlated with the extent of tip transformation. We further mapped the distribution of Con A receptors in conjugant pairs by orienting pairs with the plane of the junction perpendicular to the axis of illumination. It was observed that the distribution of Con A receptors formed a heart-shaped ring around the conjugation junction, in perfect accordance with the boundary line between the normal cortex and the transformed cortex. Additional experiments indicated that this binding pattern reflects the true distribution of receptors, suggesting that the receptors migrate from transformed tips to the junction ring in association with cell pairing. There is evidence that Con A receptors may have a function in cell adhesion in this system. Therefore, during this highly programmed cell interaction, the spatial redistribution of surface receptors and the morphological differentiation of the cell surface — both of wich may have a function in cell-cell attachment — are closely coordinated processes.
Locoregional immuno(bio)therapy for liver metastases.

Abstract Despite advances in locoregional chemotherapy, treatment of metastatic liver tumors remains a challenge. Since the liver is the largest organ of the reticuloendothelial system, locoregional immunotherapy would be a reasonable approach for the management of hepatic metastases. Indeed, various immunological approaches have been explored. Regional infusion of cytokines such as interleukin 2 (IL-2) or tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) through the hepatic artery or the portal vein has been combined with chemotherapy and demonstrated to be better than chemotherapy alone. Locoregional adaptive immunotherapy (AIT) using lymphokine-activated killer (LAK) cells or tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) has also been tried with rather disappointing responses. Addition of immunostimulants such as OK-432 to AIT increased clinical responses. Recently, several new approaches have emerged to improve the outcome of locoregional immunotherapy. Embolization of melanoma metastatic to the liver with a granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)/ethiodized oil emulsion resulted in control of liver metastases, as well as development of significant immune responses in remote extrahepatic metastases. A gene therapy designed to introduce foreign major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules in colorectal metastases has proven to be a safe and feasible approach. Larger scale clinical trials are mandatory to define the role of locoregional immunotherapy for metastatic tumors in the liver. Semin Oncol 29:160-167. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Dynamic mechanical studies of oriented p-oxybenzoate (POB)-poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) copolyester films

Abstract The effects of orientation on the dynamic mechanical properties of p- oxybenzoate poly(ethylene terephthalate) (POB/PET ( 60 40 )) copolyesters were studied using films prepared by extrusion drawing and by uniaxially drawing sections of compression moulded sheets. The extrusion drawn sample ED-1 showed a higher degree of orientation than uniaxially drawn samples U-2S and U-8S. The loss tangent curves for these oriented samples are characterized by a β-relaxation at 62°C and a high temperature (α′) relaxation. The position of the α′-relaxation peak is dependent on the degree of orientation. Samples U-8S (fH = 0.05), U-2S (H = 0.06) and ED-1 (H = 0.21), have their α′ relaxation peak at 135, 140 and 156°C, respectively. The dynamic storage modulus (E′) below 50°C increases with the degree of orientation. The highly oriented sample ED-1 maintains its high storage modulus (4 GPa) over a larger temperature range (25–125°C).
Extending an information systems curriculum to address information technology

This paper discusses the design of a BSIT degree program. In this particular case, the institution already has an ABET accredited BS in Information Systems with many courses relevant to a BSIT program. The program design seeks to benefit from this situation by (a) building on the existing set of courses, and (b) having a common first year for both degrees. At the same time, the design seeks to (a) make the programs easy to distinguish from each other, and (b) position the BSIT for ABET accreditation as an IT degree. This paper discusses the approach taken to meet these somewhat conflicting objectives.
Modulation of x-ray absorption cross-section by optical radiation

Abstract We consider the deep level absorption of X-rays in the presence of optical radiation. The optical field is considered to be small relative to atomic fields but strongly interacting with the outgoing electron. The parameters which justify this approach are derived and the general expression for the x-ray absorption cross-section as a function of the optical field is obtained.
Oxidation and mobilization of selenium by nitrate in irrigation drainage

Selenium (Se) can be oxidized by nitrate (NO 3 - ) from irrigation on Cretaceous marine shale in western Colorado. Dissolved Se concentrations are positively correlated with dissolved NO 3 - concentrations in surface water and ground water samples from irrigated areas. Redox conditions dominate in the mobilization of Se in marine shale hydrogeologic settings; dissolved Se concentrations increase with increasing platinum-electrode potentials. Theoretical calculations for the oxidation of Se by NO 3 - and oxygen show favorable Gibbs free energies for the oxidation of Se by NO 3 - , indicating NO 3 - can act as an electron acceptor for the oxidation of Se. Laboratory batch experiments were performed by adding Mancos Shale samples to zero-dissolved-oxygen water containing 0, 5, 50, and 100 mg/L NO 3 - as N (mg N/L). Samples were incubated in airtight bottles at 25°C for 188 d; samples collected from the batch experiment bottles show increased Se concentrations over time with increased NO 3 - concentrations. Pseudo first-order rate constants for NO 3 - oxidation of Se ranged from 0.0007 to 0.0048/d for 0 to 100 mg N/L NO 3 - concentrations, respectively. Management of N fertilizer applications in Cretaceous shale settings might help to control the oxidation and mobilization of Se and other trace constituents into the environment.
Dissolution of albite glass and crystal

Abstract When normalized by initial surface area, crystalline and amorphous albite release Si and Al at the same rate within error (±40%) as measured at pH 2, 5.6, and 8.4 at 25°C. Differences in density and tetrahedral ring structure between the glass and crystal structures, however, lead to more extensive Na and Al depletion from the glass surface, especially in acid. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) indicates that the chemistry of the altered layers on glass and crystal must be significantly different at a depth of ∼17A–87A. Nevertheless, angle-resolved XPS (ARXPS) indicates that the outermost 17A of the glass and crystal surface are compositionally similar. In neutral and weakly basic conditions, XPS indicates less extensive depletion of Na and Al from reacted glass and crystal surfaces than in acidic conditions. Al enrichment was not observed at any pH on either the crystal or glass surface. At steady state, Al release was stoichiometric for all phases and all pH values, but Na release was always faster than release of Si, especially for the glass. These results are consistent with a model where only the outer surface controls dissolution and the deeper layers of the altered surface do not significantly affect dissolution rate. The similarity in dissolution rate between glass and mineral, if consistent for other phases, may also indicate that some future studies of mineral dissolution could be completed more efficiently by investigation of glass because such studies could reveal the chemical effects in dissolution independent of the microstructure and defects that populate natural mineral samples.
Deriving quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) from constant proportional time tradeoff and risk posture conditions

Abstract With foundations in decision theory, Quality-Adjusted Life Years (QALYs) are the most important measure of health outcome in medical decision making. Constant proportional time tradeoff (CP-TTO) is a condition on riskless value with empirical support in the QALY literature. The primary use of CP-TTO in previous axiomatizations of QALYs has been to guarantee that the utility of health state and survival duration is a power function of duration. We show that CP-TTO has other useful applications in QALY research. Under mild conditions CP-TTO implies an additive value function. Furthermore, CP-TTO can be combined with assumptions of risky utility to yield several different parametric QALY representations, including one that is inconsistent with utility independence. We find that CP-TTO simplifies axiomatizations of QALY representations in the sense that if CP-TTO is among the assumptions of a QALY axiomatization, other standard preference assumptions, e.g., double cancellation or utility independence, become redundant and can be dropped from the axiom system. This can be desirable if it allows one to drop from the axiomatization an assumption that is practically difficult to test, e.g., double cancellation.
Altered immunoreactivity of thyroglobulin in thyroid disease.

We prepared 3 samples of 19S thyroglobulin (Tg), 1 from a patient with Graves’ disease, another from a patient with nontoxic goiter, and the third from a pool of Tg from normal subjects, and used each Tg preparation to produce a polyvalent antiserum in rabbits. The 3 antisera were similar to each other in their reactivity with thyroid Tg samples from 25 patients with various thyroid disorders and from 10 normal subjects. However, the immunoreactivity of the 35 individual Tg samples varied considerably. Decreased reactivity was associated with proteolysis during Tg preparation, iodination in vitro with 20 or more atoms of iodine/molecule Tg, the 27S species of Tg, Tg from 3 patients with thyroid cancer, and Tg from several patients with Graves’ disease. The antiserum to Graves’ Tg contained some antibodies that did not bind normal Tg on an affinity column, and these antibodies reacted more with Tg from patients with Graves’ disease than with Tg from normal subjects or patients with nontoxic goiters. Thus, ...
Delegate interactions at the 1984 national party conventions: The Tennessee delegations

This study compares the activities of the Democratic and Republican delegations from Tennessee to the 1984 national nominating conventions. Although the two delegations were quite similar in personal attributes, their activities varied contextually with the different circumstances surrounding the two conventions. While the Democratic convention was a genuinely decision-making assembly making for wide dispersion of delegation members' activities, the Republican convention turned the delegates into recipients of party appeals for unified support of the presidential as well as congressional and gubernatorial candidates. The decision of the Republicans to conduct their 1988 convention under the same rules as in 1984, in contrast to the Democrats' decision to have a commission create new rules for 1988, was inevitable given the different contexts of the two conventions.
Normal splenic function in children with the nephrotic syndrome

Children with the idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (NS) are known to be susceptible to bacterial infections. A recent report suggested that splenic hypofunction may be responsible for this immunological defect. We assessed splenic function by counting the circulating pocked red blood cells (PkRBCs) using interference phase contrast microscopy. PkRBCs are removed by the spleen, so that normal eusplenic individuals have less than 2% PkRBCs while asplenics have 15%–30%. Intermediate values are seen in hyposplenism. Thirty-three measurements of PkRBCs were made in 19 children with NS (mean age 7.5±0.8 years). PkRBCs were normal in all children tested (range 0–0.8%), including two patients with bacterial peritonitis associated with relapse. Thus we were unable to find evidence of hyposplenism in children with NS.
Prognostic determinants in lupus nephritis: a long-term clinicopathologic study:

Over the past 50 years, survival has improved in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus and associated nephritis. Yet, there are few long-term outcome studies in patients with well-defined nephropathy. We examined the outcome of 439 patients with lupus nephritis who were seen at the Mayo Clinic between 1964 and 1986 in whom renal biopsies were assessed using the World Health Organization (WHO) classification. There were 341 women and 98 men (mean +/- s.d., age 33.5 +/- 14 years); 200 (46%) patients were hypertensive and 249 (57%) had impaired renal function at renal biopsy. All WHO morphologic classes were represented and 339 (77%) patients had class III, IV and V (the more severe forms of nephritis). Follow-up averaged 10.2 years per patient. At last contact, 286 (65%) patients were alive and 153 (35%) were dead. Overall patient survival was 80%, 69% and 53% at 5, 10 and 20 years after biopsy that was significantly worse than expected survival (P < 0.001). Ten-year cumulative patient survival improved comparing earlier to more recent time spans: 64% in 231 patients seen during 1964-75; 76% in 2089 patients studied during 1976-86 (P = 0.03). Survival free of renal failure was 83%, 74% and 64% at 5, 10 and 20 years, and survival was unfavorably influenced by progressive WHO class, hypertension, impaired renal function, nephrotic range proteinuria, hypoalbuminemia and anemia. Multivariate analysis found impaired renal function, increased urine protein, anemia and younger age to be independent predictors of renal failure. WHO class was not a significant predictor when adjusted for these four factors. Cardiovascular events accounted for 48% of the known deaths and were equally distributed across all WHO classes, followed by infections, renal failure, malignancy, respiratory failure and gastrointestinal bleeding.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Chemical shift anisotropy of imino 15N nuclei in Watson-Crick base pairs from magic angle spinning liquid crystal NMR and nuclear spin relaxation.

Knowledge of 15N chemical shift anisotropy is prerequisite both for quantitative interpretation of nuclear spin relaxation rates in terms of local dynamics and for the use of residual chemical shif...
Quantitative Measurement of Urinary Excretion of 3-Hydroxyisovaleryl Carnitine by LC–MS/MS as an Indicator of Biotin Status in Humans

Abnormally increased urinary excretion of 3-hydroxyisovaleryl carnitine (3HIA-carnitine) results from impairment in leucine catabolism caused by reduced activity of the biotin-dependent enzyme 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA carboxylase. Accordingly, urinary 3HIA-carnitine might reflect biotin status. Here, we describe an LC−MS/MS method for accurately quantitating the urinary concentration of 3HIA-carnitine at concentrations that are typical for excretion rates that are normal or only modestly increased. This method allows for high sample throughput and does not require solid-phase extraction. We used this method to provide evidence validating urinary 3HIA-carnitine as a biomarker of biotin deficiency in humans. Four healthy adult subjects were successfully made marginally biotin deficient by feeding a 30% egg white diet for 28 days. From study day 0 to 28, the mean urinary excretion of 3HIA-carnitine increased 3.5-fold (p = 0.026). These preliminary results indicate that urinary excretion of 3HIA-carnitine increas...
Stimulus-evoked release of neuropeptides is enhanced in sensory neurons from mice with a heterozygous mutation of the Nf1 gene

Abstract Neurofibromatosis type I is a common autosomal dominant disease characterized by formation of multiple benign and malignant tumors. People with this disorder also experience chronic pain, which can be disabling. Neurofibrinomin, the protein product of the NF1 gene (neurofibromin gene (human)), is a guanosine triphosphate activating protein for p21 ras . Loss of NF1 results in an increase in activity of the p21 ras transduction cascade. Because of the growing evidence suggesting involvement of downstream components of the p21 ras transduction cascade in the sensitization of nociceptive sensory neurons, we examined the stimulus-evoked release of the neuropeptides, substance P and calcitonin gene-related peptide, from primary sensory neurons of mice with a mutation of the Nf1 gene (neurofibromin gene (mouse)) ( Nf1+/− ). Measuring immunoreactive substance P and immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide by radioimmunoassay, we demonstrated that capsaicin-stimulated release of neuropeptides is three to five-fold higher in spinal cord slices from Nf1+/− mice than from wildtype mouse tissue. In addition, the potassium and capsaicin-stimulated release of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide from cultures of sensory neurons isolated from Nf1+/− mice was more than double that from cultures of wildtype neurons. Treatment of wildtype sensory neurons with nerve growth factor for 5–7 days mimicked the enhanced stimulus-evoked release observed from the Nf1+/− neurons. When nerve growth factor was removed 48 h before conducting release experiments, nerve growth factor-induced augmentation of immunoreactive calcitonin gene-related peptide release from Nf1+/− neurons was more pronounced than in Nf1+/− sensory neurons that were treated with nerve growth factor continuously for 5–7 days. Thus, sensory neurons from mice with a heterozygous mutation of the Nf1 gene that is analogous to the human disease neurofibromatosis type I, exhibit increased sensitivity to chemical stimulation. This augmented responsiveness may explain the abnormal pain sensations experienced by people with neurofibromatosis type I and suggests an important role for guanosine triphosphate activating proteins, in the regulation of nociceptive sensory neuron sensitization.
Binding of Isoflurane to a Bacterial Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel: Structure and Accessibility of Distinct Interaction Sites

The most likely targets for volatile anesthetics (VA) are ion channels. The mechanism of volatile anesthetic action is not completely understood. Identifying the molecular pathway for drug binding is crucial to understand the effect of VA on voltage gated sodium channels. We use Molecular Dynamics simulations to identify the binding sites for a hydrophobic general anesthetic isoflurane, on voltage gated bacterial sodium channel NaChBac. Apart from the voltage sensing domain (S1-S4), linker and the pore domain (S5-S6), bacterial sodium channels also have fenestrations, which provide a hydrophobic tunnel through the lipid-embedded portion of the channel to the central cavity, where the known local anesthetic site is located. Unbiased “flooding” simulations were performed on the activated open confirmation of NaChBac. We performed a cluster analysis to identify all the possible binding sites of isoflurane. The three most important ones among them are: a region near the selectivity filter, called the extracellular site, a region near the S4-S5 linker, called the linker site, and a region within the cavity, called the cavity site. The most important observation is that isoflurane enters the central cavity through the fenestrations. Free energy perturbation method was employed to calculate the binding affinities of isoflurane for each of these sites. We also studied the interactions between isoflurane and the amino acids in these three binding sites.
Selection Dynamics and Limits under Additive × Additive Epistatic Gene Action

Theory predicts that response to selection under additive gene action with finite population size will decline over cycles of selection. In practice, this decline is not always observed. Selection under additive × additive epistatic gene action was examined to determine if it could condition greater and longer-term response to selection than additive gene action relative to the initial response in the base population. By use of transition matrix simulation, the ratio of the long-term to the initial selection response under epistatic gene action was found to be more than double that under additive gene action for effective population sizes of N = 2, 4, and 8. Furthermore, the selection half-lives under epistatic and additive models approximated 2N and 1.4N, respectively, indicating that selection response lasts longer under epistatic than additive gene action. Analysis showed that under the epistatic model, selection affected the mean in two distinct ways. First, selection generated a positive covariance in the allele content among selected individuals. This effect was strengthened by linkage between interacting loci. Second, selection shifted allele frequencies to increase covariance in allele frequencies among selection lines. This effect was weakened by linkage between interacting loci. At intermediate allele frequencies, initial selection response was due entirely to the first effect and was stronger for small than for large N. Consequently, by the third cycle of selection, response was 76% greater for N = 2 than for N = 8 under an infinitesimal epistatic model with unlinked loci and selection intensity of 50%. This differentiation in response between population sizes may lead to an experimental test of the importance of epistatic gene action affecting a trait.
Hierarchical Reduced Models for Catalytic Combustion: H2/Air Mixtures Near Platinum Surfaces

Abstract The catalytic ignition and gas-phase ignition of H2 in air over platinum are studied in a stagnation-point flow geometry using various gas-phase reaction mechanisms, surface reaction mechanisms, and transport models. Systematically reduced models are developed using a new methodology based on reaction path analysis at turning points along two-parameter bifurcation diagrams. The different reduced models, including algebraic ignition criteria, quantitatively reproduce the catalytic and gas-phase ignition temperatures of the full, spatially distributed model governed by a few thousand equations. Caution is needed in applying reduced mechanisms developed for homogeneous combustion to catalytic combustion. For example, it is found that a reduced gas-phase reaction mechanism, derived for homogeneous combustion alone, must be augmented by H2O2 chemistry for the homogeneous-heterogeneous problem. It is also shown that the rate-limiting surface-reaction step changes with conditions, and common assumptions...
Unilateral temporal lobectomy and changes in evoked responses during recognition of verbal and nonverbal material in the left and right visual fields.

Abstract Tachistoscopic recognition of verbal and nonverbal stimuli presented successively to the left or right visual fields produced dissimilar evoked potentials from the left and right hemispheres in normal subjects and patients with unilateral temporal lobe removals. Direct hemiretinal projection to each occipital lobe (left hemiretina-left occiput, right hemiretina-right occiput) produced more stable evoked response waveforms than activation via the secondary visual afferent system. The most striking differences in cortical potentials evoked by the two classes of stimuli were associated with transmission of information from the right visual field (left hemiretina) to the left, presumed dominant speech hemisphere. Patients with left temporal lobectomy displayed less stable evoked activity during presentation of verbal material while patients with right temporal lobectomy had less stable potentials during presentation of nonverbal stimuli. The right temporal group also exhibited poorer averaged EEG responses from both hemispheres during discrimination of verbal and nonverbal stimuli, suggesting a more pervasive perceptual impairment.
Homology theories and tolerance automata

We present three possible approaches to a homology theory of automata. Two of these require the state to possess a tolerance. This permits us to proceed by analogy with either the simplicial or the cubical theories of the topological category. The third approach describes a homology theory of automata as such. Fixed simplex theorems are stated. It is suggested that homology theory might be used to classify automata.
Intermolecular effects in the polymerization of hemoglobin S.

Myoglobin and isolated α and β subunits of hemoglobin A were found to have the same effect on the polymerization of hemoglobin S as intact hemoglobin A. This demonstrates that copolymerization of hemoglobins A and S need not be invoked to explain the gelling behavior of such mixtures, but that it can be adequately accounted for by the effect of the added hemoglobin on the activity coefficient of hemoglobin S. In addition, a hemoglobin tetramer in which an αAβA dimer is covalently linked to an αAβS dimer between the β chains was found to gel on deoxygenation. Therefore, only one β6 valine per tetramer is necessary for polymerization.
Light-weight communal digital libraries

We describe Kepler, a collection of light-weight utilities that allow for simple and quick digital library construction. Kepler bridges the gap between established, organization-backed digital libraries and groups of researchers that wish to publish their findings under their control, anytime, anywhere yet have the advantage of their personal libraries. The personal libraries, or "archivelets", are open archives initiative (OAI) compliant and thus available for harvesting from OAI service providers. A Kepler archivelet can be installed in the order of minutes by an author on a personal machine and a Kepler group server in the order of hours.
Phase encoding of shot records in prestack migration

Frequency‐domain shot‐record migration can produce higher quality images than Kirchhoff migration but typically at a greater cost. The computing cost of shot‐record migration is the product of the number of shots in the survey and the expense of each individual migration. Many attempts to reduce this cost have focused on the speed of the individual migrations, trying to achieve a better trade‐off between accuracy and speed. Another approach is to reduce the number of migrations. We investigate the simultaneous migration of shot records using frequency‐domain shot‐record migration algorithms. The difficulty with this approach is the production of so‐called crossterms between unrelated shot and receiver wavefields, which generate unwanted artifacts or noise in the final image. To reduce these artifacts and obtain an image comparable in quality to the single‐shot‐per‐migration result, we have introduced a process called phase encoding, which shifts or disperses these crossterms. The process of phase encoding...
Does nutrient enrichment decouple algal–bacterial production in periphyton?

AbstractCoupled production between algae and bacteria in stream epilithon was assessed along a nutrient-enrichment gradient in 8 Texas streams with open canopies. Photosynthesis (PS) and bacterial biomass production (BBP) were measured simultaneously using a dual-label radioassay (14C-HCO3– uptake and 3H-L-leucine incorporation into protein) on multiple samples within a stream reach. PS and BBP were measured after light (1200–1500 μmol m−2 s−1) and dark incubations. The degree of coupled production between algae and bacteria within a stream was estimated as the covariation (i.e., correlation or covariance) between PS and BBP derived from unshaded replicates in each stream. Streamwater nutrients ranged from 0.18 to 8.1 mg/L total N and 0.009 to 2.0 mg/L total P. Epilithon N and P content (as % dry mass) and C:N:P ratios varied widely among streams and were positively correlated with streamwater nutrient concentrations. Mean BBP measured in light incubations (BBPL) was greater than mean BBP measured in dark...
Multigigahertz voltage-controlled oscillators in advanced silicon bipolar technology

Relaxation-type monolithic silicon bipolar voltage-controlled oscillators (VCOs) with center frequencies ranging from 1.5 to 5 GHz are described. The maximum oscillating frequency achieved is 7.4 GHz. The VCOs dissipate about 70 mW from a 3.6-V supply, including the output buffer and voltage-to-current converter stages. Two types of on-chip timing capacitor structure and various configurations used in achieving these results are described. A wide tuning range sufficient for covering the normal process tolerances and supply variations expected in a practical environment was achieved. The circuits were fabricated in an advanced 0.8- mu m double-poly self-aligned bipolar technology. >
A POLICY EVALUATION OF SIMULTANEOUS AND SEQUENTIAL LINEUPS

Many states and communities are rewriting their eyewitness identification policies. Some of these jurisdictions are excluding simultaneous lineups altogether, and others are allowing them if double-blind administration of sequential lineups is not possible. The Innocence Project advocates the latter and puts forward blind sequential-lineup administration as the best form of lineup identification. Although sequential lineups are claimed to be superior, no explicit policy analysis has been done. In the present study, the author uses a policy-analysis model based on decision theory to examine the utility of simultaneous and sequential lineups, as well as to examine a range of values placed on identification outcomes and their probabilities. Simultaneous lineups are shown to be superior to sequential lineups under most conditions examined in this analysis.
Alpha agonist drug usage during CPR

As a result of many investigations, the role of adrenergic drugs in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) has been identified, but the choice of drug and drug dosage are yet to be defined. It has been suggested that the successful return of circulation following cardiac arrest is linked with the ability to achieve a diastolic arterial pressure of 30 to 40 mm Hg. Since the turn of this century, the addition of epinephrine to resuscitation procedures has been shown to increase greatly diastolic arterial pressures and resuscitation success. The key to epinephrine's action lies in its alpha agonist properties (which promote peripheral vasoconstriction, leading ultimately to increased coronary perfusion) rather than its direct beta effects (which increase the workload of the fibrillating myocardium). Indeed, pure alpha agonist drugs work as effectively as epinephrine in restoring the circulation, and beta agonists are totally ineffective when used during the arrest period. The hypothesis that pure alpha agonists may be superior to epinephrine during CPR is the subject of current investigations. To date, drug dosage has been largely empirical. During CPR other factors play a role in drug effectiveness, including the injection site, rate of blood flow, and current metabolic status. Because the early use of effective alpha agonists can improve survival, the search for the best drug, via the best route and at the best dosage deserves additional investigation.
Criminalized State: The International Criminal Court, The Responsibility to Protect, and Darfur, Republic of Sudan

The international community continues to struggle with the question of what to do when a nation fails to protect its own people from systemic neglect, mistreatment, or even genocide. For many years, this debate pitted proponents of humanitarian intervention by a third-party against those who believe that all others must defer to the sovereign right of the state to control its own affairs and the affairs of its people. In the midst of this debate, the international community has adopted a middle road: insisting that states must acknowledge their responsibility to protect their populations and if the state manifestly fails to protect its population, empowering the United Nations Security Council to act for the United Nations and intervene.This "Responsibility to Protect," recognized and adopted in the U.N. 2005 World Summit Outcome and reaffirmed by the Security Council in 2006, faces its most serious test when the Security Council has recognized that a state has failed to protect its population from crimes against humanity but has also resisted Security Council steps of intervention. Where the authorities have thus failed, individual government agents have opened themselves to criminal liability for a failure to protect over and above any direct liability for involvement in crimes against humanity. This Article argues that this additional liability creates a necessary incentive for cooperation with the international community to prevent further harms and has the potential to positively change the discourse on intervention, sovereignty, and protection of persons.
Chemoreduction for group E retinoblastoma: comparison of chemoreduction alone versus chemoreduction plus low-dose external radiotherapy in 76 eyes.

Purpose To evaluate chemoreduction (CRD) for group E retinoblastoma. Design Retrospective, comparative case series. Participants Seventy-six eyes of 56 patients with group E retinoblastoma were treated with CRD alone or CRD plus low-dose prophylactic external beam radiotherapy (CRD+P-EBR). The CRD included vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin (6 cycles). The P-EBR was given routinely 2 months after completion of CRD at a suggested dose of 2600 cGy. Therapeutic EBR (T-EBR) was only given at the time of extensive tumor recurrence at a suggested dose of 3800 cGy. Methods Retrospective chart review. Main Outcome Measures Globe salvage. Results Of the 76 eyes, 64 received CRD alone and 12 received CRD+P-EBR. At the 2-year follow-up, globe salvage was achieved in 29 (53%) of 55 eyes in the CRD group and in 10 (91%) of 11 eyes in the CRD+P-EBR group. At 5 years, globe salvage was achieved in 20 (48%) of 42 eyes in the CRD group and in 4 (80%) of 5 eyes in the CRD+P-EBR group ( P = 0.347). Of the 64 eyes in the CRD group, 16 (25%) were salvaged with CRD alone and 13 (20%) with CRD+T-EBR, whereas 22 (34%) were enucleated after CRD alone and 13 (20%) were enucleated after CRD+T-EBR. Of the 12 eyes in the CRD+P-EBR group, 10 (83%) were salvaged with CRD+P-EBR, whereas 2 (17%) were enucleated and none required T-EBR. The median dose for T-EBR was 3800 cGy, and that for P-EBR was 2600 cGy. Eyes treated with CRD+P-EBR showed significantly less recurrence, leading to less chance of enucleation or therapeutic radiotherapy than that for CRD alone ( P Conclusions Group E retinoblastoma managed with CRD+P-EBR showed significantly less need for enucleation or therapeutic radiotherapy than eyes treated with CRD alone. These findings merit further study and consideration. Financial Disclosure(s) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.
Destination New Orleans : Commodification, rationalization, and the rise of urban tourism

This article uses a case study of New Orleans to illustrate the nexus of commodification and rationalization in the development of urban tourism during the first half of the 20th century. Tourism is exemplary of the consumption of space and involves the circulation of people to particular locations to consume local culture, nature, history, or otherness. I examine the role of urban literary writers, visitor guidebooks, and the New Orleans Association of Commerce in constructing a `destination image'. As a collection of symbols and motifs representing a locale, a destination image is a visual cue that acts both as an attraction for potential tourists and as a cultural framework for authenticating the tourists' experience once they arrive in the city. I argue that creating and (re)producing a destination image and assorted urban symbols requires an institutional system or set of formal organizations. Institutions and organizations create the rules, routines, and structures that shape how tourism markets and...
Synthesis of (+)-(R)-6-Ethyl-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-4Hpyran-4-one -Sex-Pheromone Component of the Male Swift Moth Hepialus hecta L

Abstract The synthesis of the male swift moth sex pheromone component, (+)-(R)-6-ethyl-2,3-dihydro-2-methyl-4H-pyran-4-one (6), from ethyl aniline and (S)-2-methyloxirane is described.
Valproate reduces alcohol consumption in people with comorbid alcohol dependency and bipolar disorder.

Salloum IM, Cornelius JR, Daley DC, et al . Efficacy of valproate maintenance in patients with bipolar disorder and alcoholism—a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Arch Gen Psychiatry 2005;62:37–45. [OpenUrl][1][CrossRef][2][PubMed][3][Web of Science][4] Q Is valproate an effective adjuvant treatment for bipolar disorder with co-occurring alcohol dependence? ### ![Graphic][5] Design: Randomised controlled trial. ### ![Graphic][6] Allocation: Not reported. ### ![Graphic][7] Blinding: Double blind (assessors and participants blinded to treatment group). ### ![Graphic][8] Follow up period: Twenty four weeks. ### ![Graphic][9] Setting: University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, USA. ### ![Graphic][10] Patients: Fifty nine men and women aged 18–65 years with both an alcohol use disorder (meeting four of seven DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence) and an acute episode of bipolar I disorder. Exclusion criteria included: schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, non-bipolar psychotic disorder, opioid or cocaine dependence or current use of intravenous drugs, epilepsy or history of organic brain syndrome or brain injury, unstable medical conditions, and elevated liver enzymes. Women were excluded if they were pregnant or breast feeding. ### ![Graphic][11] Intervention: The intervention consisted of valproate (divalproex sodium) at a starting dose of 750 mg/day, increased until serum concentration reached 50 to 100 μg/ml. The placebo group received identical capsules twice daily. All … [1]: {openurl}?query=rft.jtitle%253DArchives%2Bof%2BGeneral%2BPsychiatry%26rft.stitle%253DArch%2BGen%2BPsychiatry%26rft.issn%253D0003-990X%26rft.aulast%253DSalloum%26rft.auinit1%253DI.%2BM.%26rft.volume%253D62%26rft.issue%253D1%26rft.spage%253D37%26rft.epage%253D45%26rft.atitle%253DEfficacy%2Bof%2BValproate%2BMaintenance%2Bin%2BPatients%2BWith%2BBipolar%2BDisorder%2Band%2BAlcoholism%253A%2BA%2BDouble-blind%2BPlacebo-Controlled%2BStudy%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Adoi%252F10.1001%252Farchpsyc.62.1.37%26rft_id%253Dinfo%253Apmid%252F15630071%26rft.genre%253Darticle%26rft_val_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Ajournal%26ctx_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ver%253DZ39.88-2004%26url_ctx_fmt%253Dinfo%253Aofi%252Ffmt%253Akev%253Amtx%253Actx [2]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=10.1001/archpsyc.62.1.37&link_type=DOI [3]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=15630071&link_type=MED&atom=%2Febmental%2F8%2F3%2F79.atom [4]: /lookup/external-ref?access_num=000226250300005&link_type=ISI [5]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [6]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [7]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif [8]: /embed/inline-graphic-4.gif [9]: /embed/inline-graphic-5.gif [10]: /embed/inline-graphic-6.gif [11]: /embed/inline-graphic-7.gif
Stance-phase force on the opposite limb dictates swing-phase afferent presynaptic inhibition during locomotion.

Presynaptic inhibition is a powerful mechanism for selectively and dynamically gating sensory inputs entering the spinal cord. We investigated how hindlimb mechanics influence presynaptic inhibition during locomotion using pioneering approaches in an in vitro spinal cord–hindlimb preparation. We recorded lumbar dorsal root potentials to measure primary afferent depolarization-mediated presynaptic inhibition and compared their dependence on hindlimb endpoint forces, motor output, and joint kinematics. We found that stance-phase force on the opposite limb, particularly at toe contact, strongly influenced the magnitude and timing of afferent presynaptic inhibition in the swinging limb. Presynaptic inhibition increased in proportion to opposite limb force, as well as locomotor frequency. This form of presynaptic inhibition binds the sensorimotor states of the two limbs, adjusting sensory inflow to the swing limb based on forces generated by the stance limb. Functionally, it may serve to adjust swing-phase sensory transmission based on locomotor task, speed, and step-to-step environmental perturbations.
Metastasis of Rous Sarcoma Tumors in Chickens is Influenced by the Major Histocompatibility (B) Complex and Sex

Abstract Six-week-old second generation progeny from the cross of inbred Lines 61 and 151, segregating into three major histocompatibility (B) complex groups (B2/B2, B2/B5, and B5/B5). were inoculated subcutaneously in the wingweb with one of three pseudotypes of Rous sarcoma virus. Chickens that died during a 10-week period after inoculation were necropsied and scrutinized for gross metastasis and histological sections of at least one lesion per affected organ examined for Rous sarcoma-transformed cells, By definition, a metastatic tumor was one located in an organ or tissue other than the primary inoculation site and having the histological appearance of a Rous sarcoma. Sarcomas developed in 1144 chickens, 390 of which died with tumor. For B2/B2, compared to B5/B5 hosts, mortality was 8 vs. 93%, median days to death were 45 vs. 31, and metastatic frequency was significantly lower, 32 vs. 58%. Disseminated lesions were significantly less frequent in females than males and grew preferentially in the heart and pericardial sac. Because the frequency of metastasis was significanlty lower in B2/B2 than in B5/B5 chickens, a gene(s) within, or closely linked to, the B complex sharply retards the spread of Rous sarcoma virus-induced tumors.
Photoperiodic Sensitivity and Diapause in the Predator Orius insidiosus (Heteroptera: Anthocoridae)

Ontogenetic timing of photoperiodic sensitivity is critical in the life history of insects that rely on photoperiod as a token stimulus. The life stages of Orius insidiosus (Say) sensitive to photoperiod for diapause induction were investigated by transferring predators between short (10:14 (L:D) h) and long (14:10(L:D) h) constant photoperiods (at 208C) at various life stages. Bugs were considered to be in diapause if their preoviposition period exceeded 14 d after adult eclosion. The first three instars exhibited no clear sensitivity to photoperiod relative to diapause induction or intensity (as measured by preoviposition period). The fourth instar was somewhat sensitive, ap- pearing to enhance the sensitivity of subsequent stages. In contrast, the fifth instar was highly sensitive to the short photoperiod. Exposure of bugs to short photoperiods during this instar induced diapause in at least 50% of the population. Likewise, the adult stage was sensitive to photoperiod during at least the first 14 d after eclosion. Exposure to short photoperiods during the early adult stage also appears to be necessary to induce diapause in '50% of the population. In addition, short photoperiod served to maintain diapause in adult females. Transferring diapausing adults from short to long photoperiods accelerated diapause termination relative to those remaining in short photo- period.
Falls in Older Adults With Cancer: Evaluation by Oncology Providers

The authors found that only 10% of older patients with cancer who self-reported a recent fall had appropriate medical record documentation.