cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Peroxidase Isoenzymes from Horseradish Roots: III. Circular Dichroism of Isoenzymes and Apoisoenzymes

Abstract The conformations of two peroxidase isoenzymes (A1 and C) and their apoenzymes were investigated by means of circular dichroism. In the visible region the circular dichroism of the two isoenzymes is essentially identical in five of the seven optically active heme absorption bands. These results suggest that the active sites are similar in both isoenzymes, but that small differences do exist. In the ultraviolet region both isoenzymes have the same circular dichroism (CD) with a positive band at 191 mµ and with negative bands at 208 and 221 mµ, suggesting that the isoenzymes have an appreciable helical content. When the heme is removed from either isoenzyme, the intensities of these bands are reduced by 14 to 28%. In the 250 to 290 mµ range, both isoenzymes have a negative CD band at 286 mµ and fine structure CD bands at 262 and 268 mµ. In addition, C peroxidase has a band at 280 mµ, and A1 peroxidase has a shoulder at 291 mµ. After removal of the heme from the isoenzymes, the 286 mµ CD band is lost, and the differences between the CD spectra of the two apoperoxidases are clearly evident. The C apoperoxidase has a negative CD band at 278 mµ. The A1 peroxidase has its main band at 283 mµ and a shoulder at 291 mµ. Both apoperoxidases retain the fine structure bands at 262 and 268 mµ. From a comparison of the peroxidase absorption spectra and the positions of CD bands in model compounds, the chromophores of the peroxidase CD bands are tentatively identified as: 286 mµ, heme; 278 mµ, tyrosyl; 283 and 291 mµ, tryptophanyl; 262 and 268 mµ, phenylalanyl.
Matrix elements of xN and pN for the quantum oscillator

General formulas for the linear oscillator matrix elements of positive integer powers of the position coordinate and the momentum coordinate are derived.
Method for polygonal approximation through dominant points deletion

A method for polygonal approximation of digital planar curves is proposed. This method is relied on the supression of dominant points. Initially, the method uses the set of all breakpoints as dominant points. The method eliminates dominant points until a final condition is satisfied. The residuary dominant points are the polygonal approximation. This aproximation is compared with other classical algorithms. The experimental results show that this method works well for digital planar curves with features of several sizes.
Anscombe and “Hume and Julius Caesar”

This article analyzes Elizabeth Anscombe's short piece “Hume and Julius Caesar” from the standpoint of traditional foundationalist epistemic criteria, and concludes that while Anscombe may be right about finding a mistake in Hume, she has also failed to fill in her own arguments in the way that her overall aim requires. Special allusion is made to the work of J. L. Austin, especially insofar as that work has to do with reformulating sentences so that they appear to meet foundationalist criteria.
Alcohol and marijuana use in the context of tobacco dependence treatment: impact on outcome and mediation of effect.

Introduction: Alcohol and marijuana are among the most commonly used substances together with tobacco worldwide, but their relationship to smoking cessation is unclear. Although alcohol use decreases the likelihood of abstinence from tobacco, mechanisms of this effect have not been identified. Moreover, a small literature has yielded inconsistent findings regarding the effect of marijuana use on tobacco dependence treatment outcome. The aims of this study were to test increased positive-reinforcement smoking urge as a mediator of the relationship between alcohol and cigarette use and evaluate the impact of marijuana use on abstinence from tobacco.
The development of the continental margin of eastern North America—conjugate continental margin to West Africa

Abstract The continental margin of eastern North America was initiated when West Africa and North America were rifted apart in Triassic-Early Jurassic time. Cooling of the crust and its thinning by rifting and extension caused subsidence. Variation in amounts of subsidence led to formation of five basins. These are listed from south to north. (1) The Blake Plateau Basin, the southernmost, is the widest basin and the one in which the rift-stage basement took longest to form. Carbonate platform deposition was active and persisted until the end of Early Cretaceous. In Late Cretaceous, deposition slowed while subsidence persisted, so a deep water platform was formed. Since the Paleocene the region has undergone erosion. (2) The Carolina Trough is narrow and has relatively thin basement, on the basis of gravity modeling. The two basins with thin basement, the Carolina Trough and Scotian Basin, also show many salt diapirs indicating considerable deposition of salt during their early evolution. In the Carolina Trough, subsidence of a large block of strata above the flowing salt has resulted in a major, active normal fault on the landward side of the basin. (3) The Baltimore Canyon Trough has an extremely thick sedimentary section; synrift and postrift sediments exceed 18 km in thickness. A Jurassic reef is well developed on the basin's seaward side, but post-Jurassic deposition was mainly non-carbonate. In general the conversion from carbonate to terrigenous deposition, characteristics of North American Basins, occurred progressively earlier toward the north. (4) The Georges Bank Basin has a complicated deep structure of sub-basins filled with thick synrift deposits. This may have resulted from some shearing that occurred at this offset of the continental margin. Postrift sediments apparently are thin compared to other basins—only about 8 km. (5) The Scotian Basin, off Canada, contains Jurassic carbonate rocks, sandstone, shale and coal covered by deltaic deposits and Upper Cretaceous deeper water chalk and shale.
Direct observation of neighborhood stressors and environmental justice in the South Bronx, New York City

Neighborhood environments are believed to contribute to negative health outcomes; however, accurately measuring area attributes remains challenging. The objective of this research is to quantify the presence of (or lack of) environmental injustices characterized by the geographic distribution of neighborhood stressors related to the built and social environment in the South Bronx that may contribute to poor health outcomes. Objective environmental audits were collected and coded for over 2,000 block faces. Physical and social indices were calculated. Bivariate correlations and spatial regressions revealed potential environmental injustices related to the distribution of social and physical environmental stressors at the local level. This novel dataset has many future applications in the effort to understand the connection between health, environmental justice, and location.
On (+1,-1)-matrices with vanishing permanent

In this paper we show that if A is an nxn (+1,-1)-matrix and if n = 2^m-1 for some positive integer m, then per (A) 0. This answers partially a question raised by E.T.H. Wang in [3].
Simulations and symbolic explanations

The following paper defines the problem of writing symbolic explanation facilities for computer simulations. Our approach towards this problem draws from an existing body of research on a related problem, that of writing an explanation facility for an expert system. We discuss the notion of an explanation facility for a computer simulation with reference to a specific inventory control simulation (Gaither, 1982). We believe, however, that the structure of our explanation facility for Gaither's simulation reflects the structure of human explanatory activities, and thus may be usefully applied in a variety of problem domains.
Profile of a dictionary compiled from scanning over one million words of surgical pathology narrative text.

Abstract An anatomic pathology natural language dictionary (LEXICON) has evolved over a nine-year period, a result of scanning over one million words of narrative text from tissue examination request forms and surgical pathology reports. The text is parsed into individual words which are looked up in LEXICON and flagged by action codes which determine usage in constructing a KWIC index file and an on-line database retrievable by keywords. The LEXICON now resides on an IBM 370 168 system and has survived several transfers between computer systems. An update program is used after each batch of narrative text is scanned to modify LEXICON. LEXICON now contains 24,228 medical and nonmedical terms, 24.8% are errors (misspellings), 45.9% are keywords retrievable on and off line, 52.2% of the words are cross-referenced to a supplementary word. A preliminary study shows that many of the “nonmedical” terms in LEXICON carry significant medical information, and that there is considerable overlap of medical words among LEXICON, SNOMED, and ICDA-8. Our LEXICON appears to be an intermediate step in the process of evolving an algorithm capable of “understanding” medical narrative text.
Combined spectroscopic/computational study of binuclear Fe(I)-Fe(I) complexes: implications for the fully-reduced active-site cluster of Fe-only hydrogenases.

The Fe(I)−Fe(I) dimer complex [Fe2(pdt)(CO)4(CN)2][Et4N]2 (2), where pdt = 1,3-propane dithiolate, serves as a model of the fully reduced [2Fe]H component of the H cluster, which is the active site for catalysis in Fe-only hydrogenases (FeHases). Electronic absorption, magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), and resonance Raman (rR) spectroscopies have been employed to characterize both the ground and excited states of 2 as well as those of the related complex Fe2(pdt)(CO)6 (1). These results have been combined with density functional theory (DFT) computations to produce experimentally validated bonding descriptions of 1 and 2. It is shown that Fe(I)−S covalency is significantly reduced upon dicyano substitution (i.e., conversion of 1 → 2), while the corresponding Fe(I)−CO/CN π-backbonding interactions are strengthened, results that are corroborated by normal-coordinate analyses of the vibrational data. Detailed assignments of the features observed in the electronic absorption spectra of 1 and 2 have been deve...
Computer-aided diagnosis of cardiovascular disorders.

Abstract Some of the current and possible future applications of computers in medicine have been discussed with respect to diagnosis, ECG analysis, and early detection of disease. In diagnosis, the computer is seen as playing a role analogous to a special consultant analyzing patient data in terms of a broad base of recorded past experience, providing the physician probabilistic estimates of diagnosis and of prognosis. It seems likely that the physician will remain the primary source of data for the computer, although in special areas such as electrocardiography the physician may well be displaced by the computer. Two different approaches to computer analysis of electrocardiograms are discussed, and the possibility of a ‘merger’ is suggested. Finally the computer can help in early detection of disease in screening surveys by allowing more sensitive analysis of exercise cardiograms, by actually screening some data which can be obtained prior to physician evaluation, and lastly by optimizing data interpretation and strength of prediction for early disease patterns.
Has the Basel Capital Requirement Caused Credit Crunch in the Mena Region

The 1988 Basel I Accord set the common requirements of bank capital to promote the soundness and stability of the international banking system. The agreement required banks to hold capital in proportion to their perceived credit risks, and this requirement may have caused a “credit crunch,” a significant reduction in the supply of credit. We investigate the direct link between the implementation of the Basel I Accord and lending activities, using a data set spanning annual observations covering 1989–2004 for banks in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, and Tunisia. The results provide clear support for a significant increase in credit growth following the implementation of capital regulations, in general. Despite higher capital adequacy ratios, banks expanded credit and asset growth. Credit growth appears to be driven by demand fluctuations attributed to real growth, cost of borrowing, and exchange rate risk. Overall, the effects of macroeconomic variables, in contrast to capital adequacy, appear to be more dominant in determining credit growth, regardless of the capital adequacy ratio, and regardless of variation across banks by nationality, ownership, and listing.
Flicker noise in MOSFETs made by the DMOS process

Abstract Signetics SD 200 MOSFETs show a 1/fα spectrum with α ⋍ 1.0 at low frequencies and α ⋍ 0.6 at high frequencies, with a turnover at about 50 kHz. The noise resistances in these two branches seem to be related but show a different current dependence. These features may be associated with the “diffused” MOS (DMOS) process by which they are manufactured.
Frequent complications and severe bone loss associated with the repiphysis expandable distal femoral prosthesis.

Background The treatment of choice for distal femur malignancies in skeletally immature patients remains controversial. An expandable endoprosthesis device (Repiphysis Limb Salvage System; Wright Medical Technology, Arlington, TN, USA) allows for limb preservation and noninvasive lengthening but has been associated with significant complications; however, the extent and implications of bone loss associated with this implant have not been reported.
Characterization of 10p Deletions Suggests Two Nonoverlapping Regions Contribute to the DiGeorge Syndrome Phenotype

We thank Giuseppe Monaco and Tony Lipson for providing cell lines from patients CH92-304 and CH95-199, respectively. We thank Kathy Call and Jen-i Mao (Genome Therapeutics) for providing physical-map data in the early stages of these experiments. These studies were supported in part by NIH grants HL51533 (to M.L.B. and B.S.E.) and DC02027 (to M.L.B., D.A.D., and B.S.E.).
Neuroendocrine differentiation is an independent prognostic factor in chemotherapy-treated nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND Neuroendocrine differentiation can be identified in 10–30% of patients with nonsmall cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) by immunohistochemical or electron microscopic techniques. However, its clinical significance is not well established. METHODS Tumors from 107 patients with Stage IIIA, IIIB, and IV NSCLC treated with cisplatin/etoposide with or without hydrazine in the North Central Cancer Treatment Group and Mayo Clinic protocols were analyzed immunohistochemically with antibodies to chromogranin A (CGA), Leu 7 (CD 57), and synaptophysin (SY). These results were compared with clinical outcomes. RESULTS Keratin AE1/AE3, used as a control, was positive in 99.1% of cases; 34.6% had positive staining for at least 1 neuroendocrine marker, and 11.3% had positive staining for 2 or more markers. CGA was positive in 4.7%, Leu 7 in 18.7%, and SY in 24.3% of cases. A significant increase in survival was seen in patients with tumors expressing any one neuroendocrine marker or any combination of neuroendocrine markers (P; cc 0.01). There was no correlation between the presence of neuroendocrine differentiation and either response to chemotherapy or time to disease progression (P > 0.3), nor was there any correlation between chemotherapy response, time to progression, or survival with staining intensity or percent of cells positive per case. CONCLUSIONS Neuroendocrine differentiation may be of prognostic significance in patients with advanced stage NSCLC treated with chemotherapy. Cancer 1996;77:1284-91.
Zero Cross-Over Timing with Coaxial Ge(Li) Detectors

The performance of zero cross-over timing systems of the constant fraction or amplitude rise time compensated type using coaxial Ge(Li) detectors is analyzed with special attention to conditions that compromise their energy-independence advantage. The outcome is verified against existing experimental results, and the parameters that lead to minimum dispersion, as well as the value of the dispersion to be expected, are given by a series of charts.
Comparative values of school physical examinations and mass screening tests

In this study mass screenings identified more problems than did physical examinations, but more problems per 100 contacts were identified by physical examinations (51.6) than by screenings (4.7). When time necessary to accomplish the evaluation is considered, screenings are a more efficient way of identifying problems in the general diagnostic categories for which screenings can be provided, but most (85.8%) of the problems identified by physical examination were in categories for which screenings are not provided. Overall, 99.1% of the problems were identified without overlap between physical examinations and screenings. Eighty-three percent of the problems identified by physical examinations were previously unknown. By the end of the school year, 86.3% of the problems identified by physical examinations and 94.5% of those identified by screenings had been or were in the process of being resolved. The integration of physical examinations and screenings in a school setting, staffed by nurse practitioners supported by physicians, can maximize the identification and resolution of health problems.
RNA/DNA ratio and expression of 18S ribosomal RNA, actin and myosin heavy chain messenger RNAs in starved and fed larval atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)

Levels of total RNA, total DNA, 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA), poly(A) messenger RNA (mRNA), and two mRNAs coding for abundant myofibrillar proteins were estimated in laboratory-reared Atlantic cod larvae (Gadusmorhua Linnaeus) under conditions of feeding and starvation. DNA probes specific for cod 18S rRNA, β-actin mRNA and myosin heavy chain mRNA were developed. In two experiments on newly hatched larvae in fed and starved treatments, changes in 18S rRNA and mRNA were similar to changes in total RNA during the first weeks after hatching. RNA levels in fed and starved larvae in both experiments were stable, or increased, over the first 3 d after hatching, and then decreased to minima at 9 d. RNA levels increased after 9 d, with the degree and timing of the increase varying among the individual classes of RNA. Complete mortality of starved larvae in both experiments was observed shortly after 11 d, corresponding to exhaustion of endogenous yolk reserves. Total RNA content, RNA/DNA ratio, 18S rRNA levels, total mRNA pool, and actin and myosin heavy chain mRNA levels showed significant differences in fed and starved first-feeding larvae after yolk exhaustion. In another experiment with 3- to 4-week-old cod larvae, 18S rRNA levels were significantly lower in starved versus fed larvae after 3 d. Total RNA responded to feeding and starvation within a similar time as 18S rRNA and the mRNAs examined. Analysis of bulk nucleic acids using fluorometric dyes was simpler and faster than analysis of individual RNAs using hybridization probes, and provides valuable information on recent growth and condition of individual larvae. However, analysis of specific RNAs can provide information on expression of the corresponding genes and reveal the changes underlying trends seen in bulk RNA.
Efficient Algorithms For Optimizing Policy-Constrained Routing

Routing policies play an essential role in how traffic is forwarded across the Internet. The network would not be commercially viable without these routing policies, but policies also introduce inefficiencies and fail to fully exploit the underlying network topology. Our work assumes routes are selected according to some policy such as a valley-free routing policy. However, we apply policy at an aggregate traffic level and don't require individual packets to follow paths that match the policy. Our approach never reduces, and usually increases, the connectivity and capacity of the network, and does not infringe on the underlying motivations that led to the routing policy. By adopting this approach, we also provide polynomial algorithms for otherwise NP-hard problems, including finding maximum policy-observing routing capacity between two sets of ASes, minimizing cuts separating all policy-observing paths between two sets of ASes, and maximizing sets of edge-or vertex-disjoint policy-observing paths.
Secreted Heat Shock Protein-90 (Hsp90) in Wound Healing and Cancer

Extracellular Hsp90 proteins, including "membrane-bound", "released" and "secreted", were first reported more than two decades ago. Only studies of the past 7years have begun to reveal a picture for when, how and why Hsp90 gets exported by both normal and tumor cells. Normal cells secrete Hsp90 in response to tissue injury. Tumor cells have managed to constitutively secrete Hsp90 for tissue invasion. In either case, sufficient supply of the extracellular Hsp90 can be guaranteed by its unusually abundant storage inside the cells. A well-characterized function of secreted Hsp90α is to promote cell motility, a crucial event for both wound healing and cancer. The reported targets for extracellular Hsp90α include MMP2, LRP-1, tyrosine kinase receptors and possibly more. The pro-motility activity of secreted Hsp90α resides within a fragment, called 'F-5', at the boundary between linker region and middle domain. Inhibition of its secretion, neutralization of its extracellular action or interruption of its signaling through LRP-1 block wound healing and tumor invasion in vitro and in vivo. In normal tissue, topical application of F-5 promotes acute and diabetic wound healing far more effectively than US FDA-approved conventional growth factor therapy in mice. In cancer, drugs that selectively target the F-5 region of secreted Hsp90 by cancer cells may be more effective and less toxic than those that target the ATPase of the intracellular Hsp90. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Heat Shock Protein 90 (HSP90).
The effect of potassium on the imparired glucose tolerance in chronic uremia

Abstract The glucose intolerance of 4 patients with chronic uremia was studied. All patients were shown to have low values for total exchangeable body potassium (K E ), and abnormal oral glucose tolerance tests. Although plasma urea nitrogen values fell during the period of potassium replacement there was no apparent improvement in renal function as plasma creatinine concentrations did not significantly change. When K E was raised by oral potassium supplementation, the glucose tolerance tests returned toward normal. Following potassium the response of endogenous insulin was more prompt and reached higher values than during the control period. Delayed insulin release apparently contributes to the abnormal oral glucose tolerance found in the uremic state.
Note on contrast measures and polynomial classifiers

The application of a contrast measure for segmenting images and the relationship of this method to polynomial-based classification are considered. The relevance of the segmentation method is shown by applying the contrast measure to a semiconductor manufacturing inspection problem. The contrast measure is shown to be a particular case of a pixel classification technique based on polynomial decision functions and local texture features. This relationship integrates an important heuristic method with the rigorous theory of decision-theoretic classification. >
Influence of adrenalectomy and dexamethasone on matrix-induced endochondral bone differentiation

Effects of adrenalectomy and corticosteroid treatment on the temporal aspects of matrix-induced endochondral bone differentiation were examined using various biochemical parameters at discrete stages of development. In our previous study, we demonstrated a peak of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) on day 3 concomitant with extensive proliferation of mesenchymal cells. Administration of corticosteroids, particularly dexamethasone, on days 0 and 1 or their implantation with bone matrix inhibited the increase in ODC activity, in contrast to other steroid hormones tested. Conversely, adrenalectomy increased the ODC activity over normal levels. Dexamethasone diminished the incorporation of 35SO4 into proteoglycans of the plaques during chondrogenesis on day 7, whereas adrenalectomy had no marked influence on this process. Dexamethasone treatment from days 7–10 impaired osteogenesis and mineralization, whereas treatment on days 10 and 11 did not affect osteogenesis and mineralization, as indicated by the levels of ...
Stimulation of proliferation of 19S antibody-forming cells in the spleens of immunized guinea pigs after exchange transfusion.

THERE is abundant evidence that the immune response, both primary (19S) and secondary (7S), is regulated by a feed-back mechanism involving serum antibody, particularly 7S antibody1–4, but the exact mechanism remains unclear.
Towards a Reference Polyurethane Foam and Bench Scale Test for Assessing Smoldering in Upholstered Furniture

Abstract Smoldering poses a severe fire hazard due to the potentially lethal amount of toxic carbon monoxide released, and the possible transition from smoldering to flaming (eventually leading to rapid fire growth and flash-over) with ignition sources otherwise too weak to directly induce flaming. Smoldering in residential-furniture upholstery materials can be assessed at a bench-scale by using reference materials with consistent smoldering behavior. However, the preparation of a reference foam has proven to be a challenging task, and the bench-scale tests currently in use may underestimate smoldering in actual furniture. The aim of this work is to provide guidance for the selection/development of: (i) a reference flexible polyurethane foam with reproducible and well-characterized smoldering behavior, and; (ii) the development of a bench-scale smoldering test capable of identifying the upholstery materials (e.g., fabric, filling/padding, barrier, welt cord) that most likely prevent smoldering ignition in actual furniture. In the first part of this paper, the impact of foam morphology on smoldering is discussed. It is shown how reticulated flexible polyurethane foams, possibly filled with carbon black, can be exploited as reference foam materials. Their fully open cell structure ensures consistent air permeability with an adjustable smoldering intensity as a function of their average cell size. In the second part of this paper, a bench-scale smoldering test (currently employed in a number of test procedures and standards) is redesigned in such a way that the buoyant airflow within the foam is enhanced. Up to a three-fold increase in the rate of smoldering propagation and 400 °C increase in smoldering temperature is observed in the modified test as compared to the current tests. Transition to flaming was observed, only in the modified test, when an external enclosure was used. The modified test may offer a near-worst-case scenario, useful to identify the upholstery materials that prevent most smoldering ignitions independent of the construction and geometry of the actual furniture.
Lensless joint transform correlator

The lensless joint transform correlator optically determines the relative x -y position of two pinholes. The pinholes are placed in parallel arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer. The Fraunhaufer diffraction patterns combine to form a joint transform plane. Because of the interference of the two signals, a Fresnel zone is formed in the joint Fraunhaufer diffraction pattern. This is captured and used in a second stage, just as the joint power spectrum is in a joint transform correlator. The joint transform is illuminated with a plane wave, and the output taken in the focal plane of the Fresnel zone. As with the single-lens joint transform correlator, the lensless joint transform correlator exhibits magnification between the input displacement and the output peak displacement. By using the third or fifth order focus of the Fresnel zone, the output resolution can be improved by a factor of three or five in both the x and y dimensions. The output has very good peak-to-noise ratio and position resolution. A peak-to-noise ratio of 106 dB with a resolution of 1.4 µm are observed when using the fifth order focus of the Fresnel zone.
A High Resolution Cross-Section Transmission Electron Microscopy Study of Epitaxial rare Earth Fluoride / GaAs(111) Interfaces Prepared by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

We report the first HRXTEM study of epitaxial rare earth fluoride/GaAs({fx⩈erline{111}}) interfaces. Such interfaces are of interest because they are the starting point for growth of buried epitaxial rare earth / rare earth fluoride sandwich structures which exhibit interesting and non bulk-like magnetic properties. Also, the optical transitions in ultrathin epitaxial NdF3 films may be influenced by strain and defects in the NdF3 film and the nature of the interface to GaAs. We find that the rare earth fluoride / GaAs interfaces are semi- coherent but chemically abrupt with the transition taking place within 3A. However, the interface is physically rough and multiple monolayer steps in the GaAs surface tend to lead to tilt boundaries in the fluoride. The origin of these steps is believed to be thermal etching of the GaAs during the heat-cleaning stage prior to epitaxy. The surface of the fluoride film is much smoother than the initial GaAs surface indicating planarization during epitaxy.
An enhanced cluster analysis program with bootstrap significance testing for ecological community analysis

Abstract The biosphere is filled with complex living patterns and important questions about biodiversity and community and ecosystem ecology are concerned with structure and function of multispecies systems that are responsible for those patterns. Cluster analysis identifies discrete groups within multivariate data and is an effective method of coping with these complexities, but often suffers from subjective identification of groups. The bootstrap testing method greatly improves objective significance determination for cluster analysis. The BOOTCLUS program makes cluster analysis that reliably identifies real patterns within a data set more accessible and easier to use than previously available programs. A variety of analysis options and rapid re-analysis provide a means to quickly evaluate several aspects of a data set. Interpretation is influenced by sampling design and a priori designation of samples into replicate groups, and ultimately relies on the researcher’s knowledge of the organisms and their environment. However, the BOOTCLUS program provides reliable, objectively determined groupings of multivariate data.
Development and evaluation of the US Healthy Food Diversity index.

Varied diets are diverse with respect to diet quality, and existing dietary variety indices do not capture this heterogeneity. We developed and evaluated the multidimensional US Healthy Food Diversity (HFD) index, which measures dietary variety, dietary quality and proportionality according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). In the present study, two 24 h dietary recalls from the 2003–6 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were used to estimate the intake of twenty-six food groups and health weights for each food group were informed by the 2010 DGA. The US HFD index can range between 0 (poor) and 1 − 1/n, where n is the number of foods; the score is maximised by consuming a variety of foods in proportions recommended by the 2010 DGA. Energy-adjusted Pearson's correlations were computed between the US HFD index and each food group and the probability of adequacy for fifteen nutrients. Linear regression was run to test whether the index differentiated between subpopulations with differences in dietary quality commonly reported in the literature. The observed mean index score was 0·36, indicating that participants did not consume a variety of healthful foods. The index positively correlated with nutrient-dense foods including whole grains, fruits, orange vegetables and low-fat dairy (r 0·12 to 0·64) and negatively correlated with added sugars and lean meats (r − 0·14 to − 0·23). The index also positively correlated with the mean probability of nutrient adequacy (r 0·41; P< 0·0001) and identified non-smokers, women and older adults as subpopulations with better dietary qualities. The US HFD index may be used to inform national dietary guidance and investigate whether healthful dietary variety promotes weight control.
Inequitable Access to Gifted Education Variance in Funding and Staffing Based on Locale and Contextual School Variables

This study examined discrepancies in educational opportunity for gifted students at the program services level. School districts in the study (N = 1,029) varied in expenditures for gifted education...
Cytogenetic analysis of 11 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

We report clonal chromosomal abnormalities in short-term cultures of 11 squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Recurrent deletions were seen at 1p13 (four cases), 6q15q26 (three cases), 6q21q25 (two cases), 12p11.2 (three cases), and 3p13-p23 (three cases). Structural aberrations affecting chromosome 11 with different breakpoints were seen in 7 of 11 tumors. Cytogenetic evidence for gene amplification in the form of homogeneously staining region (hsr) was seen in three tumors (two at 11q13). The results of this study shows that the 1p13, 3p13-p23, 6q15-q26, 6q21-q25, and 12p11.2 were frequently deleted in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck.
Comparing a selenium accumulator plant (Brassica juncea) to a nonaccumulator plant (Helianthus annuus) to investigate selenium-containing proteins.

Selenoproteins have been identified in a diverse range of organisms, including bacteria and animals. Their occurrence and role in the plant kingdom are, however, less well-understood. This work investigated the water-soluble selenium-containing proteins extracted from a selenium-accumulating plant species (Brassica juncea) and a nonaccumulator species (Helianthus annuus) exposed to varying forms and concentrations of selenium. Firstly, protein extracts were analyzed by size exclusion chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; specific detection was achieved by monitoring characteristic isotopes. Then, proteolytic digests of the plant extracts were analyzed by reversed phase chromatography coupled to ICP–MS in order to investigate selenoamino acid and selenopeptide content. Selenomethionine was observed to be the primary constituent of the proteins of the nonaccumulator plant, while selenocystine and selenomethionine were found in the same proportion in the accumulator extract. One main selenium-containing species was present at higher levels in the root digests than in the leaf digests; levels were greater in the nonaccumulator than in the accumulator plant.
Phosphine complexes of trivalent early transition metals. X-ray crystal structure of the d1-d1 (1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane)trichlorotitanium dimer and synthesis of the alkyl (1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane)dichloro(methyl)(THF)chromium

Treatment of TiCl 3 (thf) 3 (thf=tetrahydrofuran) with the chelating phosphine 1,2-bis(diisopropylphosphino)ethane (dippe) gives two products: the purple dimer [TiCl 3 (dippe)] 2 and the green monomer TiCl 3 (dippe)(thf). The dimer is coupled antiferromagnetically, and its X-ray crystal structure reveals an octahedral geometry about each titanium(III) center. The dipe ligands each chelate a titanium atom and are trans to the bridging chlorides; the dimer thus possesses approximate D 2h symmetry. Addition of dippe to CrMeCl 2 (thf) 3 gives the chromium(III) alkyl CrMeCl 2 (dippe)(thf) which has been shown to be a slow ethylene polymerization catalyst at room temperature
Comparison of the rbcL Gene Sequence of Two Potato Cultivars with Differential Sensitivity to Ozone.

Rubisco (EC 1.1.1.39) is a key enzyme in photosynthetic carbon assimilation and catalyzes the first committed step of CO2 fixation in the Calvin cycle. It has been estimated that nearly 70% of soluble leaf protein is in the form of Rubisco (4). Higher plant Rubisco is an oligomer composed of eight large subunits (Mr 52,000-55,000) and eight small subunits (Mr 12,000-15,000). The large subunit contains the active site for carboxylation and oxygenation reactions, and the small subunit protein is hypothesized to maintain the apoenzyme in a stable conformation capable of activation to a catalytically active holoenzyme (5). The small subunit protein of Rubisco is nuclear encoded by the rbcS gene which exists as a multigene family (2). In contrast, the Rubisco large subunit protein is encoded by the rbcL gene situated on the chloroplastic DNA (5). The rbcL gene exists as a single copy and contains no introns. Currently, no information exists concerning the rbcL nucleotide sequence of potato (Solanum tuberosum). The objective of this study was to investigate rbcL to identify differences in the nucleotide sequence for Rubisco from cultivars of potato previously determined to be sensitive (cv Cherokee) and tolerant (cv Superior) to ozone (1, 6). The mechanism for differential genotypic responses to ozone is unknown. One explanation may be the vulnerability of SH side groups of Rubisco to oxidation (9). The oxidation of SH groups is known to render Rubisco catalytically inactive and more susceptible to proteolysis (7). Chloroplast DNA was isolated from both potato cultivars and screened with the rbcL gene from maize (Table I). The nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequences for rbcL from potato cultivars Cherokee and Superior were found to be identical (Fig. 1). Consequently, the differential sensitivity to ozone between cultivars could not be explained by the absolute number of Cys residues because each nucleotide sequence predicts the occurrence of nine SH groups per large subunit protein (Fig. 1). For comparison purposes, the deduced amino acid sequence of tobacco (8) and spinach (10) rbcL genes are shown (Fig. 1). It is still possible that the difference in the Rubisco response can be explained by characteristics of the rbcS gene(s) and/or expression of these genes. Table I. Characteristics of Gene rbcL from Solanum tuberosum Chloroplast
Linear discrimination for three known normal populations

Abstract A random vector is assumed to have one of three known multivariate normal distributions with equal covariance matrices. It is desired to separate the three distributions by means of a single linear discriminant function. Such a function can lead to a classification rule. The function whose classification rule minimizes the average of the three probabilities of misclassification is found. Also the function is found whose rule minimizes the maximum of the three probabilities of misclassification.
Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation Results in Improved Outcomes in High-Risk Endometrial Cancer Patients

Table 1. Patient Characteristics (N=40) Median Follow-up (range in months) 35 (7-120) Median Age (range) 62 (38-79) Surgical Staging (# of pts) 39 Histology (# of pts) Endometrioid Adenocarcinoma 13 (32.5%) Papillary Serous 15 (37.5%) Clear Cell 11 (27.5%) Undifferentiated 1 (2.5%) Adjuvant Treatment (# of pts) Combined Chemotherapy and Radiation 23 EBRT+ VC 11 (3 extended field) EBRT only 8 (4 extended field) VC only 3 Chemotherapy or Radiation Alone (# of pts) 17 Chemotherapy alone (# of pts) 9 Radiation alone (# of pts) 8 EBRT+ VC 3 EBRT only 4 (2 extended field) VC only 1 Materials/Methods The optimal management of high-risk endometrial cancer has yet to be determined. A retrospective review was undertaken to determine whether adjuvant therapy with combined chemotherapy and radiation (CRT) versus either chemotherapy or radiation therapy alone (C/RT) impacts clinical outcomes. Figure 1 Local Failure (LF)
Performance Assessment and Equity: a view from the USA

(1994). Performance Assessment and Equity: a view from the USA. Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 11-26.
Lung Neutrophil Retention and Injury After Intestinal Ischemia/Reperfusion

Objective: To define the mechanisms responsible for the lung leukosequestration and injury elicited by intestinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R).Methods: The effect of 120 minutes of superior mesenteric artery occlusion and 90 minutes of reperfusion on neutrophil deformability, lung neutrophil retention, and pulmonary microvascular permeability was determined.Results: Compared with control surgery, intestinal I/R resulted in a significant increase in neutrophil stiffness (mean yield pressure [Pyieid], 1–533 ± 0.075 and 2.302 ± 0.288 cm H2O, respectively) and lung neutrophil content (6.3 ± 1.4 and 31.5 ± 6.4 U/g wet weight, respectively). These changes were not affected by inhibition of neutrophil adherence before gut reperfusion. However, the increased lung microvascular permeability elicited by gut I/R (0.111 ± 0.020 [control surgery] and 0.255 ± 0.041 [I/R] mL/min/cm H2O/100 g lung tissue) was significantly attenuated by administration of antibodies directed against neutrophil or endothelial determinants of...
Small angle x-ray scattering metrology for sidewall angle and cross section of nanometer scale line gratings

High-volume fabrication of nanostructures requires nondestructive metrologies capable of measuring not only the pattern size but also the pattern shape profile. Measurement tool requirements will become more stringent as the feature size approaches 50nm and tolerances of pattern shape will reach a few nanometers. A small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) based technique has been demonstrated to have the capability of characterizing the average pitch size and pattern width to subnanometer precision. In this study, we report a simple, modeling-free protocol to extract cross-section information such as the average sidewall angle and the pattern height of line grating patterns from the SAXS data. Diffraction peak intensities and reciprocal space positions are measured while the sample is rotated around the axis perpendicular to the grating direction. Linear extrapolations of peak positions in reciprocal space allow a precise determination of both the sidewall angle and the pattern height.
Structural aspects of bonding in silicon carbide polytypes: ab initio MO calculations

Abstract The series of polytype structures of silicon carbide was modelled using Si(CH 3 ) 4 (SiH 3 ) 4 molecules with C 3 v symmetry. The Si-C bond lengths and angles were calculated using ab initio molecular orbital methods where the external dimensions of the molecules were constrained to values equivalent to the lattice parameters of the polytypes. Second order coordinations of hexagonal and cubic stacking sequences in the crystal structures were simulated by the relative positions of hydrogen atoms. The 6–31G basis level bond lengths and angles are shown to conform to linear relationships with respect to the lattice parameters but differ between the two second order coordinations. Except for the perfect tetrahedral structure of 3C-SiC all vertical bonds in the [001] direction are longer than the lateral bonds inclined to the basal plane. It is shown that the charge on the central atom is independent of the c a ratio of lattice parameters but is slightly different between hexagonal and cubic configurations.
Ambiguity aversion in multi-armed bandit problems

In multi-armed bandit problems, information acquired from experimentation is valuable because it tells the agent whether to select a particular option again in the future. This article tests whether people undervalue this information because they are ambiguity averse, or have a distaste for uncertainty about the average quality of each alternative. It is shown that ambiguity averse agents have lower than optimal Gittins indexes, appearing to undervalue information from experimentation, but are willing to pay more than ambiguity neutral agents to learn the true mean of the payoff distribution, appearing to overvalue objectively given information. This prediction is tested with a laboratory experiment that elicits a Gittins index and a willingness to pay on six two-armed bandits. Consistent with the predictions of ambiguity aversion, the Gittins indexes are significantly lower than optimal and willingnesses to pay are significantly higher than optimal.
A Decade Of Health Care Cost Growth Has Wiped Out Real Income Gains For An Average US Family

Although a median-income US family of four with employer-based health insurance saw its gross annual income increase from $76,000 in 1999 to $99,000 in 2009 (in current dollars), this gain was largely offset by increased spending to pay for health care. Monthly spending increases occurred in the family’s health insurance premiums (from $490 to $1,115), out-of-pocket health spending (from $135 to $235), and taxes devoted to health care (from $345 to $440). After accounting for price increases in other goods and services, the family had $95 more in monthly income to devote to nonhealth spending in 2009 than in 1999. By contrast, had the rate of health care cost growth not exceeded general inflation, the family would have had $545 more per month instead of $95—a difference of nearly $5,400 per year. Even the $95 gain was artificial, because tax collections in 2009 were insufficient to cover actual increases in federal health spending. As a result, we argue, the burdens imposed on all payers by steadily risin...
Clinical challenges associated with bortezomib therapy in multiple myeloma and Waldenströms Macroglobulinemia.

Rapid development of the small molecule proteasome inhibitor bortezomib has yielded important clinical benefit for patients with multiple myeloma. Early phase clinical trials suggest the agent has similar efficacy in Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia. Optimization of bortezomib-based therapy, though, requires an understanding of the various challenges associated with use of the drug. This review highlights the rationale for bortezomib therapy in patients with multiple myeloma and Waldenstroms Macroglobulinemia, mechanisms of bortezomib resistance, important therapy-related side effects, and new directions for the use of proteasome inhibitors in these disorders.
Maternal smoking during pregnancy and psychopathology in offspring followed to adulthood

ABSTRACT Objective To extend findings from several independent reports of an association between maternal smoking during pregnancy and attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, conduct disorder, and substance abuse in the offspring. Methods This is a 10-year longitudinal study of offspring assessed at 3 points in time into adulthood. Fifty offspring of mothers who reported smoking at least 10 cigarettes almost daily during pregnancy and 97 offspring of mothers who reported never smoking during pregnancy were studied. Psychiatric diagnosis in offspring was assessed blind to parental diagnosis. Results There was a greater than 4-fold increased risk of prepubertal-onset conduct disorder in boys and a greater than 5-fold increased risk of adolescent-onset drug dependence in girls whose mothers smoked 10 or more cigarettes almost daily during pregnancy. These findings could not be explained by maternal substance abuse during pregnancy, parental psychiatric diagnosis, family risk factors, prenatal and early developmental history of offspring, postnatal maternal smoking, or smoking in the offspring. Conclusions Maternal smoking during pregnancy may have a long-term effect on specific psychopathology in offspring. The underlying pathophysiology of nicotine on the fetus requires study. The findings suggest the importance of programs aimed at smoking prevention and cessation in women during pregnancy.