cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Plastocyanin conformation. The effect of nitrotyrosine modification and pH

Abstract Plastocyanin isolated from several species including spinach, poplar, and lettuce showed conformational changes both upon reduction and upon lowering the pH as determined by near-ultraviolet absorption and fluorescence measurements. The fluorescence excitation maximum was at 278 nm for all species of plastocyanin measured. In the case of spinach, the emission maximum was at 310–312 nm, similar to a tyrosine residue in solution. The fluorescence intensity increased 22% upon reduction of plastocyanin at pH 7.0. In poplar plastocyanin, the emission maximum was shifted to 335 nm and increased only 10% upon reduction. The 335 nm emission peak observed in poplar plastocyanin is attributed to Tyr 80 which is hydrogen bonded to a carbonyl group on the protein backbone. Tyr 83 was also shown to undergo fluorescence changes upon reduction since the redox state-dependent fluorescence changes decreased for a nitrotyrosine (nitrotyrosine-plastocyanin) derivative of this residue. These results show that the east face of the molecule, which contains both Tyr 80 and 83 as well as a possible binding site [1,2], undergoes conformational changes upon reduction. These conformational changes may be involved in promoting smooth electron transport between plastocyanin and its reaction partners. Both the absorption and fluorescence were found to be pH dependent. The quantum yield for fluorescence increased sharply below pH 6 for both oxidized and reduced spinach plastocyanin. This may be related to the appearance of a redox-inactive form of reduced plastocyanin [3]. The conformational changes observed at low pH may provide a mechanism for control of electron transport by the proton gradient. Low concentrations of CaCl2 (10 mM) had no effect on plastocyanin fluorescence. However, addition of 2.7 M (NH4)2SO4 eliminated the redox-dependent fluorescence changes.
PETN ignition experiments and models.

Ignition experiments from various sources, including our own laboratory, have been used to develop a simple ignition model for pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN). The experiments consist of differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, beaker tests, one-dimensional time to explosion tests, Sandia’s instrumented thermal ignition tests (SITI), and thermal ignition of nonelectrical detonators. The model developed using this data consists of a one-step, first-order, pressure-independent mechanism used to predict pressure, temperature, and time to ignition for various configurations. The model was used to assess the state of the degraded PETN at the onset of ignition. We propose that cookoff violence for PETN can be correlated with the extent of reaction at the onset of ignition. This hypothesis was tested by evaluating metal deformation produced from detonators encased in copper as well as comparing postignition photos of the SITI experiments.
A profound disparity revisited: Perception and judgment of abstract identity relations by chimpanzees, human infants, and monkeys

We review the evidence for three important disparities involving the perception and judgment of identity relations by human and nonhuman primates. First, only humans beyond infancy and adult chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with a history of language or token training can explicitly judge relations (same or different) between relations (identity and nonidentity) in a matching-to-sample (MTS) task. Second, both human and chimpanzee infants perceive relational similarity as measured in preference-for-novelty tasks. The human and chimpanzee infants, however, do not express this tacit knowledge in judgmental tasks like relational MTS. Third, unlike the human and chimpanzee infants, adult rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta) tested with the same preference-for-novelty tasks do not perceive abstract relational similarities and differences despite their sensitivity to physical identity.
Annual cycle of heavy metals in a tropical lake‐lake Chapala, Mexico

Abstract Dissolved concentrations of seven metals (As, Pb, Cd, Zn, Ni, Cu, Cr) were determined monthly at six sampling stations in Lake Chapala, Mexico, between November 1990 and December, 1991. Lake Chapala is the largest lake in Mexico, and serves as a source of drinking water and an economically important fishery and center for tourism. Historically, Lake Chapala has received poorly characterized domestic, industrial, and agricultural wastes. As, Cd, Pb, Cr, and Zn displayed peaks in concentration during the period before the rainy season due, presumably, to evaporation. Comparison of inflow and outflow concentrations also indicated a direct source of As to the lake. During this period, the concentrations of both Cd and Pb were above the freshwater chronic criteria values recommended by the United States Environmental Protection Agency for protection of aquatic ecosystem health. The metals As, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cu also showed concentration peaks following the rainy season in August and September, perhaps...
Community environments shaping transactional sex among sexually active men in Malawi, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

Transactional sex, or the exchange of sex for material goods or money, is a risky sexual behavior that has been linked to HIV/AIDS and gender-based violence. Throughout sub-Saharan Africa, transactional sex remains a common practice, putting men and women at risk of HIV. However, little is known of how community environments shape men's participation in risky transactional sex. This analysis examines community-level influences on participation in risky transactional sex among sexually active men in three African countries (Malawi, Tanzania, and Nigeria). The analysis uses Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) data to examine the association between men's report of risky transactional sex and community characteristics including economic, gender norms, HIV behavior and knowledge, and demographic factors. The results show that men residing in communities with more female education and later age of first birth are less likely to report risky transactional sex, while men who live in communities where men report ...
My Place in My World: Literature for Place-Based Environmental Education

This article explores how children can learn about environmental sciences through place-based education and children’s literature. Recent studies suggest that there is a lack of environmental science knowledge among citizens of all ages. Scholars and educators recommend introducing young children to the places in which they live to create an impact on how they will view and respect the natural world as adults. Selection and use of developmentally appropriate and scientifically accurate literature can be an effective tool to help children understand their place in and connections to the natural world. Guidelines for selecting place-based literature are presented using the Midwest United States as an example. Twelve children’s books are recommended and reviewed.
Electronic Spectroscopy and Computational Studies of Glutathionylco(III)balamin

We have studied glutathionylcobalamin (GS-Cbl) by optical spectroscopy and with density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent DFT (TD-DFT) electronic structure methods of truncated geometric models. We examined the geometric structure of the models by comparison of DFT calculations with recent high-resolution experimental X-ray structure data ( Hannibal, L. et al.Inorg. Chem. 2010, 49, 9921) for GS-Cbl, and we examined the TD-DFT excitation simulations by comparison of the models with measured optical spectra. The calculations employed the B3LYP hybrid functional and the nonhybrid BP86 functional in both vacuum and water (conductor polarized continuum model (cpcm)) with the 6-311G(d,p) basis set. The optimized geometric structure calculations for six truncated models were made by varying the chemical structure, solvent model, and the two DFT functionals. All showed similar geometry. Charge decomposition analysis (CDA) and extended charge decomposition analysis (ECDA), especially with BP86 shows the s...
Effects of hydrostatic pressure on TMJ disc cells.

The effects of mechanical stimuli on TMJ disc cells have yet to be investigated. This study examined for the first time the effect of constant and intermittent hydrostatic pressure (HP) on TMJ disc cells. Guided by studies on articular chondrocytes, the chosen amplitude was 10 MPa, the frequency was 1 Hz for intermittent HP, and the duration was 4 h. A one-time application of the HP stimulus was applied in 2-D and 3-D for gene expression studies. A duty cycle of 2 days on, 1 day off for 1 week of HP stimulus was used for biochemical content studies. In monolayer, the intermittent HP regimen increased collagen II expression, while constant HP increased collagen I expression when compared to the non-loaded control. However, the overall expression of collagen I was much higher than collagen II in both constant and intermittent HP. The expression results correlated well with gross morphology, histology, and biochemical content. At Week 1, the intermittent HP group had a lower content of collagen, 7.5 ± 0.2 µg...
Large parallel electric fields in the upward current region of the aurora: Evidence for ambipolar effects

[1] Electric fields parallel to the magnetic field play a major role in the transport of mass, momentum, and energy in the auroral zone. In this paper we explore which terms of the steady state electron momentum equation are consistent with the large-amplitude, macroscopic parallel electric fields (∼25 mV/m to 300 mV/m) measured by the electric field instrument on Polar in the upward current part of the auroral acceleration region. From a detailed analysis of eight events we found evidence suggesting that the large-amplitude, macroscopic parallel electric fields are ambipolar in character; namely, they are supported by electron pressure gradients present at the interface separating the relatively cold, dense ionospheric plasma from the hot, tenuous magnetospheric plasma in the auroral density cavity. These structures do not appear to be explained by purely propagating Alfven waves. These large-amplitude, macroscopic parallel electric fields are likely to be a sheath field that forms at the boundary separating a high and low density plasma, similar to that encountered in laboratory experimental devices.
Evaluation of Rice Tissue Culture Lines for Resistance to the Rice Water Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Preliminary field evaluation of 66 rice tissue culture lines in 1990 for resistance to the rice water weevil, Lissorhoptrus oryzophilus Kuschel, identified several lines with potential for tolerance, antixenosis , and antibiosis. These lines were divided in two groups for further evaluation. One group, consisting of five lines (67, 93, 112, 120, 4754), was evaluated in 1991 and 1992 specifically for tolerance. The other group, consisting of four lines (185, 244, 2051, 2232), was tested in the greenhouse in 1991 and in the field in 1992 for antibiosis and antixenosis. Significant differences were found among the lines tested for tolerance with respect to rice water weevil larval populations, root damage ratings, plant height, and grain yield. Comparison of untreated and treated plots indicated that lines 112 and 4754 showed tolerance to the rice water weevil. Tolerance was primarily expressed as the ability of the lines to recover from root damage and produce high yield while supporting a high rice water weevil larval population. Lines 244 and 2232 showed antixenosis to the rice water weevil. The antixenotic lines had significantly lower larval populations than the susceptible standard ‘Mars’.
The uncertain role of thrombolytic angioplasty within the treatment strategy for myocardial infarction.

Abstract The logical hypothesis that early angioplasty after lytic therapy would be of considerable clinical value flows from the recognized shortcomings of pharcologic reperfusion efforts. These shortcomings are: (1) failure to lyse some thrombotic occlusions; (2) limited quantifiable salvage relative to risk area, possibly related to low magnitude or reperfusion coronary flow through a tight residual stenosis; (3) frequent early postlytic reocclusion and reinfarction; and (4) common postinfarction angina after lysis and some degree of salvage. Recently however, important controlled clinical trials of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) after lytic therapy (most notably Thrombolysis and Angioplasty in Myocardial Infarction study group, Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction trial and the European Cooperative trial) have not confirmed this hypothesis. Very early PTCA after intravenous lytic therapy has not produced a favorable short-term outcome compared with delayed PTCA or a more conservative approach. Where is the flaw? Is it the hypothesis, the patient selection criteria or the specifics of therapeutic algorithms? While these issues are further investigated, current prudent clinical recommendations are best modified downward from enthusiastic rapid postlytic dilatation.
Rationality as weighted averaging

Weighted averaging is a method for aggregating the totality of information, both regimented and unregimented, possessed by an individual or group of individuals. The application of such a method may be warranted by a theorem of the calculus of probability, simple conditionalization, or Jeffrey's formula for probability kinematics, all of which average in terms of the prior probability of evidence statements. Weighted averaging may, however, be applied as a method of rational aggregation of the probabilities of diverse perspectives or persons in cases in which the weights cannot be articulated as the prior probabilities of statements of evidence. The method is justified by Wagner's Theorem exhibiting that any method satisfying the conditions of the Irrelevance of Alternatives and Zero Unanimity must, when applied to three or more alternatives, be weighted averaging.
Government expenditure and economic growth in the developed countries: 1952-76

In the past decade or more the pace of economic growth has slowed considerably and the share of government expenditure in national product has increased considerably.' The average annual growth rate of per capita GDP for the 16 most important developed market economies was 6.3% from 1955-73 and 2.0% from 1973-79. The average share of government in GDP went from 27% in 1955 to 34% in 1970 to 43% in 1979.2 The simple correlation proves nothing, but it suggests the growth of government might be one of the causes of the slowdown. Many economists have theorized that government production is staticly less efficient than private sector production with competitive markets. (see
All-optical true-time-delay photonics network for high-bandwidth, free-space laser communication applications

A multi-fiber network is shown to provide programmable time delays so that an ensemble of pulselets can be temporally synchronized over a large field-of-view, leading to high-bandwidth, multi-aperture beam-steering systems, including MEMS and liquid crystal arrays.
Targeted glycoproteomic identification of biomarkers for human breast carcinoma.

Glycosylation is a dynamic post-translational modification that changes during the development and progression of various malignancies. During the oncogenesis of breast carcinoma, the glycosyltransferase known as N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase Va (GnT-Va) transcript levels and activity are increased due to activated oncogenic signaling pathways. Elevated GnT-V levels leads to increased β(1,6)-branched N-linked glycan structures on glycoproteins that can be measured using a specific carbohydrate binding protein or lectin known as L-PHA. L-PHA does not bind to nondiseased breast epithelial cells, but during the progression to invasive carcinoma, cells show a progressive increase in L-PHA binding. We have developed a procedure for intact protein L-PHA-affinity enrichment, followed by nanospray ionization mass spectrometry (NSI-MS/MS), to identify potential biomarkers for breast carcinoma. We identified L-PHA reactive glycoproteins from matched normal (nondiseased) and malignant tissue isolated from patients...
Prognostic implications of hyperglycaemia in paediatric head injury.

Fifty children with head injury were evaluated in an attempt to estabilish a correlation between post-traumatic hyperglycaemia and long-term outcome. In all the patients, the blood glucose level was measured on admission and on the days following the trauma (threshold of normal value set at 150 mg/dl). Hyperglycaemia was seen more frequently in children with severe head injury than in those with mild and moderate head injury. It was present in 87.5% of the patients with a Glasgow Coma Score (GCS) ≤8 (the average blood glucose level on admission was 237.8±92 mg/dl), in 60% of the patients with a GCS of 9–12 (178±78.7 mg/dl) and only in 25% of those with a GCS of 13–15 (131.5±39 mg/dl). A close correlation was also seen between the outcome and the blood glucose level. In fact, the blood glucose on admission was higher in the patients with a poor outcome, i.e. in those having a Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS) of 2 or 3 and in those who died (GOS 1), than in the patients with a good outcome (GOS of 4 or 5). Finally, hyperglycaemia persisted beyond the first 24 h after trauma in all the children who died or who survived with a poor outcome. Hyperglycaemia, and especially its persistence over time, appears to be an important negative prognostic factor in children with head injury.
Effects of COMT inhibitors on striatal dopamine metabolism: A microdialysis study

In vivo microdialysis was used to examine the effect of two new catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) inhibitors, Ro 40-7592 and OR-611, on extracellular levels of dopamine, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), homovanillic acid (HVA), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in rat striatum. The interactions of the COMT inhibitors with nomifensine, clorgyline, and deprenyl were also studied. Ro 40-7592 (3-30 mg/kg. i.p.) decreased dose-dependently the efflux of HVA, increased that of DOPAC, and tended to increase that of dopamine. Higher doses of OR-611 (30-100 mg/kg, i.p.) also decreased the dialysate level of HVA, increased that of DOPAC, and tended to increase that of dopamine. Ro 40-7592 was about ten-fold as potent as OR-611. Neither of the COMT inhibitors changed dialysate levels of 6-HIAA. An OR-611 dose of 10 mg/kg i.p. had no significant effect, in contrast to Ro 40-7592, on any of the parameters studied; this dose was thus used to differentiate between the effects of central and peripheral COMT inhibition. Both nomifensine (15 mg/kg, i.p.) and clorgyline (4 mg/kg, i.p.) alone elevated extracellular dopamine levels, and lowered those of DOPAC and HVA, though there were quantitative and temporal differences between the drugs. L-deprenyl (1 mg/kg, i.p.) alone had no significant effect on any of the compounds measured. Ro 40-7592 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) potentiated the effect of nomifensine on dopamine efflux, and it tended to increase clorgyline-induced dopamine efflux. DOPAC levels in dialysates were significantly increased by combinations of Ro 40-7592 and nomifensine or clorgyline, whereas HVA remained about as low as they were after Ro 40-7592 alone. Ro 40-7592 had no significant interactions with L-deprenyl. OR-611 (10 mg/kg, i.p.) did not modify the effects on dopamine metabolism of nomifensine, clorgyline, or L-deprenyl. These data show that Ro 40-7592 is a potent centrally active COMT inhibitor, whereas OR-611 is principally a peripherally active inhibitor. Use of drugs which inhibit brain COMT can considerably modify dopamine metabolism. COMT inhibitors may be of clinical significance in treating Parkinson's disease.
Organization of the Mitochondrial Apoptotic BAK Pore OLIGOMERIZATION OF THE BAK HOMODIMERS

The multidomain pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 family proteins BAK and BAX are believed to form large oligomeric pores in the mitochondrial outer membrane during apoptosis. Formation of these pores results in the release of apoptotic factors including cytochrome c from the intermembrane space into the cytoplasm, where they initiate the cascade of events that lead to cell death. Using the site-directed spin labeling method of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, we have determined the conformational changes that occur in BAK when the protein targets to the membrane and forms pores. The data showed that helices α1 and α6 disengage from the rest of the domain, leaving helices α2-α5 as a folded unit. Helices α2-α5 were shown to form a dimeric structure, which is structurally homologous to the recently reported BAX "BH3-in-groove homodimer." Furthermore, the EPR data and a chemical cross-linking study demonstrated the existence of a hitherto unknown interface between BAK BH3-in-groove homodimers in the oligomeric BAK. This novel interface involves the C termini of α3 and α5 helices. The results provide further insights into the organization of the BAK oligomeric pores by the BAK homodimers during mitochondrial apoptosis, enabling the proposal of a BAK-induced lipidic pore with the topography of a "worm hole."
Partisan Bias and the Bayesian Ideal in the Study of Public Opinion

Bayes’ Theorem is increasingly used as a benchmark against which to judge the quality of citizens’ thinking, but some of its implications are not well understood. A common claim is that Bayesians must agree more as they learn and that the failure of partisans to do the same is evidence of bias in their responses to new information. Formal inspection of Bayesian learning models shows that this is a misunderstanding. Learning need not create agreement among Bayesians. Disagreement among partisans is never clear evidence of bias. And although most partisans are not Bayesians, their reactions to new information are surprisingly consistent with the ideal of Bayesian rationality.
Use of Uncoupling Acridine Dyes as Stoichiometric Energy Probes in Chloroplasts

In a suspension of spinach chloroplasts the fluorescence of atebrin and other uncoupling acridine dyes is quenched upon energization which is associated with a proportional binding of the dyes to the organelles. There is a stoichiometric relation between the amount of dye bound and the actual steady state level of energy. When the concentration of atebrin is increased in energized chloroplasts the fluorescence is completely quenched until a certain concentration is attained above which the response sharply declines. Such titrations with atebrin were carried out under conditions of partial electron transport governed by photosystems I and II, in the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1, 1-dimethylurea and cyanide, respectively, and of complete electron transport governed by the two photo-systems. The sum of the saturating amounts of atebrin obtained in these partial electron flow systems equals that obtained in the complete system. This lends strong support to the view that two sites of energy conservation are coupled to the linear photosynthetic electron transport. When ATP was the energy donor the saturating amounts of atebrin were the same in both control and cyanide-treated chloroplasts, indicating that the energy-conserving mechanism was unimpaired in the latter. Removal of the chloroplast-coupling factor by ethylenedia-minetetraacetate treatment leads to inhibition of the probe responses, which can be restored again in recoupled chloroplasts.
Attachment to “Place” and Coping with Losses in Changed Communities: A Paradox for Aging Adults

This article explores the meaning of place and connection to location among aging adults in America's Heartland. Focus groups were conducted in a rural and urban county with participants age 65 to 84 years, and age 85 years and older. A keen sense of place among participants was revealed, poignantly portrayed as “loss” among rural participants who described changes to the landscape, economic restructuring, and the loss of farming as a way of life. Changes in urban settings were depicted as a shrinking of space over which participants' exerted control (e.g., steering clear of freeway driving, limiting driving at night, traversing well-known surface streets). These losses in community are balanced against a strong desire to age in place in familiar settings in which there are known social and resource connections. The investigation illustrates the power of place for aging adults, and the need to recognize its importance in public policy, practice, advocacy, and research.
A prospective controlled study of the risk of bacteremia in banding versus sclerotherapy of esophageal varices

A prospective controlled study of the risk of bacteremia in banding versus sclerotherapy of esophageal varices
Estimation of parameters of the extreme value distribution using ranked set sampling

The estimates of the location and scale parameters of the extreme value distribution are obtained by using ranked set sampling procedure. These linear unbiased estimators with minimum variance are compared with the ordered least squares estimates given by Lieblein and Zelen (1956). It is shown that the relative precisions of our estimators are higher than those of the ordered least squares estimators. Furthermore, the relative precision of our estimator for the population mean is higher than the usual estimator based on ranked set sampling procedure. The ranked set sampling procedure is modified to estimate a given parameter assuming that the value of the other parameter is known.
A parsing algorithm that extends phrases

It is desirable for a parser to be able to extend a phrase even after it has been combined into a larger syntactic unit. This paper presents an algorithm that does this in two ways, one dealing with "right extension" and the other with "left recursion". A brief comparison with other parsing algorithms shows it to be related to the left-corner parsing algorithm, but it is more flexible in the order that it permits phrases to be combined. It has many of the properties of the sentence analyzers of Marcus and Riesbeck, but is independent of the language theories on which those programs are based.
Berkeley at war, the 1960s

Berkeley, California stood at the center of the political, social, and cultural upheaval that made the 1960s a unique period in American history. In Berkeley at War, W.J. Rorabaugh, who attended the graduate school of the University of California at Berkeley in the 1970s, presents a lively, informative account of the events that changed forever what had once been a quiet, conservative white suburb. Rorabaugh's meticulously researched, authoritative narrative covers the entire period, from the rise of the Free Speech Movement to the growth and increasing militance of a black community struggling to end segregation; from the emergence of radicalism and the anti-war movement to the blossoming "hippie" culture; and from the explosive conflict over People's Park to the beginnings of modern-day feminism and environmentalism. An invaluable account of its time and place, Berkeley at War anchors the sixties in American history, both before and since that colorful decade.
Robust Affinity Standards for Cu(I) Biochemistry

The measurement of reliable Cu(I) protein binding affinities requires competing reference ligands with similar binding strengths; however, the literature on such reference ligands is not only sparse but often conflicting. To address this deficiency, we have created and characterized a series of water-soluble monovalent copper ligands, MCL-1, MCL-2, and MCL-3, that form well-defined, air-stable, and colorless complexes with Cu(I) in aqueous solution. X-ray structural data, electrochemical measurements, and an extensive network of equilibrium titrations showed that all three ligands form discrete Cu(I) complexes with 1:1 stoichiometry and are capable of buffering Cu(I) concentrations between 10–10 and 10–17 M. As most Cu(I) protein affinities have been obtained from competition experiments with bathocuproine disulfonate or 2,2′-bicinchoninic acid, we further calibrated their Cu(I) stability constants against the MCL series. To demonstrate the application of these reagents, we determined the Cu(I) binding af...
Infective endocarditis in the U.S., 1998-2009: a nationwide study.

Background Previous studies based on local case series estimated the annual incidence of endocarditis in the U.S. at about 4 per 100,000 population. Small-scale studies elsewhere have reported similar incidence rates. However, no nationally-representative population-based studies have verified these estimates. Methods and Findings Using the 1998–2009 Nationwide Inpatient Sample, which provides diagnoses from about 8 million U.S. hospitalizations annually, we examined endocarditis hospitalizations, bacteriology, co-morbidities, outcomes and costs. Hospital admissions for endocarditis rose from 25,511 in 1998 to 38, 976 in 2009 (12.7 per 100,000 population in 2009). The age-adjusted endocarditis admission rate increased 2.4% annually. The proportion of patients with intra-cardiac devices rose from 13.3% to 18.9%, while the share with drug use and/or HIV fell. Mortality remained stable at about 14.5%, as did cardiac valve replacement (9.6%). Other serious complications increased; 13.3% of patients in 2009 suffered a stroke or CNS infection, and 5.5% suffered myocardial infarction. Amongst cases with identified pathogens, Staphylococcus aureus was the most common, increasing from 37.6% in 1998 to 49.3% in 2009, 53.3% of which were MRSA. Streptococci were mentioned in 24.7% of cases, gram-negatives in 5.6% and Candida species in 1.0%. We detected no inflection in hospitalization rates after changes in prophylaxis recommendations in 2007. Mean age rose from 58.6 to 60.8 years; elderly patients suffered higher rates of myocardial infarction and death, but slightly lower rates of Staphylococcus aureus infections and neurologic complications. Our study relied on clinically diagnosed cases of endocarditis that may not meet strict criteria. Moreover, since some patients are discharged and readmitted during a single episode of endocarditis, our hospitalization figures probably slightly overstate the true incidence of this illness. Conclusions Endocarditis is more common in the U.S. than previously believed, and is steadily increasing. Preventive efforts should focus on device-associated and health-care-associated infections.
Structure-function studies on positions 17, 18, and 21 replacement analogues of glucagon: the importance of charged residues and salt bridges in glucagon biological activity.

We have designed and synthesized eight compounds 2−9 which incorporate various amino acid residues in positions 17, 18, and 21 of the glucagon molecule: 2, [Lys17]glucagon amide; 3, [Lys18]glucago...
OXYGEN CAUSES ACTIVATION OF A Ca2+-DEPENDENT POTASSIUM CHANNEL IN FETAL PULMONARY ARTERY SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS. † 2068

OXYGEN CAUSES ACTIVATION OF A Ca2+-DEPENDENT POTASSIUM CHANNEL IN FETAL PULMONARY ARTERY SMOOTH MUSCLE CELLS. † 2068
Improvement of the age-related impairment in left ventricular diastolic filling with verapamil in the normal human heart.

BACKGROUNDLeft ventricular (LV) diastolic function declines with the normal aging process. Because these changes are related to impaired active LV relaxation as well as to structural alterations, we hypothesized that verapamil might improve LV filling in elderly normal subjects compared with young normal subjects.METHODS AND RESULTSWe studied 27 normal volunteers (between 20 and 71 years old), with normal exercise tests and echocardiograms, by radionuclide angiography before and after 3 to 4 days of oral verapamil therapy. Indexes of global LV function were derived from analysis of background-corrected time-activity curves. Subjects were recruited from three age groups: young (26 +/- 4 years, n = 10), middle-aged (46 +/- 5 years, n = 9), and elderly (66 +/- 3 years, n = 8). Baseline resting heart rate, blood pressure, peak systolic wall stress, and LV ejection fraction did not differ among groups. Baseline peak LV filling rate (expressed in fractional stroke volume per second) was reduced in the middle-ag...
CLASSIFICATION OF PREPUCE IN HYPOSPADIAS ACCORDING TO MORPHOLOGICAL ABNORMALITIES AND THEIR IMPACT ON HYPOSPADIAS REPAIR

ABSTRACTPurpose:: We investigated the morphology of the hypospadiac prepuce to develop a classification of different prepuce types in hypospadias. We also assessed the correlation between morphology and vascularization of the prepuce and their impact on results of hypospadias repair.Materials and Methods:: From September 1997 to December 2001, 174 patients 18 months to 24 years old (mean age 49 months) underwent hypospadias surgery. The prepuce morphology was analyzed by evaluation of the prepuce skin distribution, development and deformities. The development and course of blood vessels were analyzed using preputial illumination. According to morphology and blood supply, different types were compared. Of 174 analyzed cases 163 prepuces were used for urethroplasty.Results:: Based on the predominant morphology characteristics and abnormalities, we classified the analyzed prepuces into 6 groups of A—“monk’s hood” or “1 humped” (43 cases, 24.7%), B—“cobra eyes” (80, 45.9%), C—“normal” (intact) (4, 2.3%), D—“f...
Block recursive algorithm to generate Jacobi-sets

Abstract The pairs in the set {( i , j )∥ 1 ⩽ i j ⩽ n } can be distributed into ( n − 1) sets, such that each set contains exactly n /2 disjoint pairs. We refer to these ( n −1) sets as complete Jacobi-sets. Gao and Thomas have [4] developed a recursive algorithm for exchanges of elements on a hypercube configuration to generate complete Jacobi sets. Inspired by the algorithm we present a block recursive algorithm to generate these sets continuously and return to its initial state after the last Jacobi set has been generated. In the process of the derivation of the BR algorithm, we developed some interesting combinatorial properties on the hypercube topology related to the Jacobi-sets. We include those results in this paper. An important application of the Jacobi-sets lies in the parallel implementation for Jacobi-type methods. The order in which the pairs ( i , j ) are chosen is important in defining these algorithms. We present in this paper a study on the effect of different orderings on the convergence of Jacobi-type methods. Our tests indicate that the ordering defined by our block recursive algorithm is as good as the odd-even ordering.
The inherent metastasis of leukaemia and its exploitation by sonodynamic therapy

Nearly all cancers are linked by the inexorable phenotype of metastasis as malignant growths have the capability to spread from their place of origin to distant sites throughout the body. While different cancers may have various propensities to migrate towards specific locations, they are all linked by this unifying principal. Unlike most neoplasms, leukaemia has inherent cell motility as leukocytes are required to move throughout the vascular system, suggesting that no mutations are required for anchorage independent growth. As such, it seems likely that leukaemias are inherently metastatic, endowed with the deadliest phenotype of cancer simply due to cell of origin. This article presents the biology of metastasis development and how leukaemia cells are inherently provided these phenotypic characteristics. It is then proposed how clinicians may be able to exploit the motility of leukaemia and metastatic emboli of other cancer types through an approach known as sonodynamic therapy (SDT), a treatment modality that combines chemotherapeutic agents with ultrasound to preferentially damage malignant cells. As experimental evidence has indicated, SDT is a promising therapeutic approach in need of clinical testing for further validation.
The Role of Neighborhood Safety in Recovery From Mobility Limitations Findings From a National Sample of Older Americans (1996–2008)

Prior research has documented a link between perceived neighborhood safety and functional limitations including incident mobility limitation; yet, no research has explored the association between perceived neighborhood safety and recovery from functional limitations. This study investigates whether perceived neighborhood safety independently predicts recovery. Using longitudinal data from the Health and Retirement Study (HRS; 1996-2008), discrete-time event history models with multiple competing events were estimated using multinomial logistic regression. Robust standard errors were used to adjust for clustering. In the unadjusted model, the odds ratio for recovery from mobility limitations was 1.22 (Confidence interval [CI]: [1.17, 1.27]) for respondents reporting greater neighborhood safety, while, in the fully adjusted model, the odds ratio was 1.11 (CI: [1.05, 1.17]). Even after controlling for sociodemographic characteristics and numerous health risk factors, perceived neighborhood safety was a robust predictor of mobility limitation recovery. This research provides further evidence that environmental factors shape functional health outcomes including recovery. Language: en
Identifying Student Leaders: A core self-evaluation approach

Developing future leaders is a vital aspect of an educator's job. One way to prepare our students is to help develop those with leadership capabilities, however identifying these leaders can be a difficult task. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to use a trait-based approach to identify student leaders. The specific trait used in this study was core self-evaluation. The findings of this study support core self-evaluation as a strong indicator of student leadership.
Demonstrating Library Value at Network Scale: Leveraging the Semantic Web With New Knowledge Work

Demonstrating Library Value at Network Scale: Leveraging the Semantic Web With New Knowledge Work Kenning Arlitsch, Patrick Obrien, Jason A. Clark, Scott W. H. Young & Doralyn Rossmann a Dean of the Library, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA b Semantic Web Research Director, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA c Head of Library Informatics and Computing, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA d Digital Initiatives Librarian, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA e Head of Collection Development, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT, USA Published online: 30 Aug 2014.
Adenovirus E1A, simian virus 40 tumor antigen, and human papillomavirus E7 protein share the capacity to disrupt the interaction between transcription factor E2F and the retinoblastoma gene product.

Abstract The adenovirus E1A gene product, the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen, and the human papillomavirus E7 protein share a short amino acid sequence that constitutes a domain required for the transforming activity of these proteins. These sequences are also required for these proteins to bind to the retinoblastoma gene product (pRb). Recent experiments have shown that E1A can dissociate complexes containing the transcription factor E2F bound to pRb, dependent on this conserved sequence element. We now show that the E7 protein and the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen can dissociate the E2F-pRb complex, dependent on this conserved sequence element. We also find that the E2F-pRb complex is absent in various human cervical carcinoma cell lines that either express the E7 protein or harbor an RB1 mutation, suggesting that the loss of the E2F-pRb interaction may be an important aspect in human cervical carcinogenesis. We suggest that the ability of E1A, the simian virus 40 large tumor antigen, and E7 to dissociate the E2F-pRb complex may be a common activity of these viral proteins that has evolved to stimulate quiescent cells into a proliferating state so that viral replication can proceed efficiently. In circumstances in which a lytic infection does not proceed, the consequence of this action may be to initiate the oncogenic process in a manner analogous to the mutation of the RB1 gene.
Getting it all together': some group issues in communes.

Many distinctive social and cultural features of communes are the outcome of processes addressing the issue of creating a family-like group out of a gathering of individuals. Today's communes are viewed in the light of the practices of successful communes of the past, and solutions to several major group development problems are discussed.
Perspectives and Controversies in Atrial Fibrillation

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common sustained arrhythmia in humans. The 3 basic tenets of therapy are (1) restoration and maintenance of sinus rhythm; (2) ventricular rate control; and (3) prevention of thromboembolism. Maintenance of sinus rhythm appears preferable to rate control alone in patients with significant symptoms caused by AF. Complete suppression of AF with drug therapy for >6 months is unusual, but it is not the sole criterion of success. As with other chronic cardiac disorders such as angina and heart failure, a marked reduction in frequency and duration of episodes of AF will likely translate into an excellent clinical outcome. The major risk of antiarrhythmic drug therapy is ventricular proarrhythmia, which is seen most frequently in patients with substantial left ventricular dysfunction. Torsade de pointes is the most frequent proarrhythmia that occurs with antiarrhythmic agents that prolong ventricular repolarization and the QT interval. To minimize the risk of proarrhythmia, antiarrhythmic drugs are started in-hospital in patients with significant heart disease, and agents are selected based on certain patient characteristics. For example, the drugs initially selected for patients with heart failure and coronary artery disease are amiodarone and sotalol, respectively. Two approaches may be used to decrease the thromboembolic risk associated with cardioversion of AF to sinus rhythm. In the conventional method, warfarin is given (INR 2.0-3.0) for 3 weeks before and at least 4 weeks after cardioversion. An alternative approach employs transesophageal echocardiography to rule out left atrial thrombi before cardioversion. Both methods appear reasonable and safe, and I prefer the conventional and transesophageal echocardiography-guided approaches for outpatients and in-hospital patients, respectively.
Enhancement of interleukin-1 and interleukin-2 production by soluble glucan.

Abstract Soluble glucan, a beta-1,3-linked polyglucose, is a biologic response modifer effective in the therapy of experimental neoplasia, infectious diseases and immunosuppression. Interleukin-1 (IL-1) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) are endogenous immunomodulators which are essential for effective immune responsiveness. In view of its broad spectrum of immunobiological activity, the ability of glucan to enhance the production of IL-1 and IL-2 was evaluated. Splenic IL-1 and IL-2 secretion as well as plasma IL-1 and IL-2 levels were determined in Sprague - Dawley rats receiving glucan (100 mg/kg, i.p.) at intervals ranging from 12 days to 1 h prior to collection of splenocytes and plasma. Glucan (100 mg/kg) was also injected either s.c., i.p. or i.v. days -4,-3 and -2 prior to harvesting splenocytes on day 0. Splenic macrophage IL-1 production was initially elevated 12 h following glucan injection and was maintained for a 5 day period. IL-2 secretion by splenic lymphocytes was enhanced 6 h post-glucan and remained elevated for an additional 9 days. Plasma IL-1 activity was elevated 12 h post-injection, while IL-2 activity in plasma was enhanced at 1 h post-glucan. Peak IL-1 and IL-2 activity in plasma occured 9 and 12 days, respectively, following glucan administration. With regard to route of administration, IV glucan was most effective in inducing lymphokine production. This study demonstrates that: (1) glucan will enhance IL-1 and IL-2 production and (2) elevations in lymphokine production can be maintained up to 12 days post-glucan.
Surface area of aqueous sodium hydroxide hydrolyzed high-speed spun poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers

The specific surface area (SSA) of delustered undrawn and drawn high-speed spun PET fibers hydrolyzed in aqueous NaOH was measured using three methods: (1) geometric, based on fiber diameter; (2) gas adsorption using N2 and the BET equation; and (3) adsorption of a nonionic surfactant. Increasing the spinning speed had little effect on the SSA of the untreated fibers, while drawing resulted in considerably larger SSA. For the hydrolyzed fibers, both adsorption methods resulted in larger SSAs than that predicted geometrically due to surface pitting. After hydrolysis, the higher spinning speed resulted in a greater increase in SSA over the untreated sample, whereas the increase in SSA was less for the drawn fibers compared to the undrawn. The kinetics of hydrolysis are also discussed. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
The ownership of presidential campaign biographies by libraries: an empirical study

Purpose – This research aims to examine the inclusion of biographies of presidential candidates in library collections.Design/methodology/approach – OCLC's WorldCat database was used to search for biographies of presidential candidates that were held by libraries. Only biographies from the two years preceeding and the actual year of a presidential election were included in the analyses.Findings – The results show that although candidate biographies are plentiful, most are owned by only a few libraries. Recent elections have seen the greatest number of these biographies, many of which have been produced by special interest groups. Analyses show that libraries collect these biographies without regard to party affiliation of the candidate or whether the candidate was victorious.Research limitations/implications – Only major party candidates were included in the analyses.Originality/value – Although such campaign materials may seem ephemeral, the paper shows that this material provides the raw material for fu...
On the strong information singularity of certain stationary processes (Corresp.)

In an exploratory paper, T. Berger studied discrete random processes which generate information slower than linearly with time. One of his objectives was to provide a physically meaningful definition of a deterministic process, and to this end he introduced the notion of strong information singularity. His work is supplemented by demonstrating that a large class of convariance stationary processes are strongly information singular with respect to a class of stationary Gaussian processes. One important consequence is that for a large class of covariance stationary processes the information rate equals that of the process associated with the Brownian motion component of the spectral representation. In an exploratory paper, T. Berger studied discrete random processes which generate information slower than linearly with time. One of his objectives was to provide a physically meaningful definition of a deterministic process, and to this end he introduced the notion of strong information singularity. His work is supplemented by demonstrating that a large class of convariance stationary processes are strongly information singular with respect to a class of stationary Gaussian processes. One important consequence is that for a large class of covariance stationary processes the information rate equals that of the process associated with the Brownian motion component of the spectral representation. In an exploratory paper, T. Berger studied discrete random In an exploratory paper, T. Berger studied discrete random processes which generate information slower than linearly with time. One of his objectives was to provide a physically meaningful definition of a deterministic process, and to this end he introduced the notion of strong information singularity. His work is supplemented by demonstrating that a large class of convariance stationary processes are strongly information singular with respect to a class of stationary Gaussian processes. One important consequence is that for a large class of covariance stationary processes the information rate equals that of the process associated with the Brownian motion component of the spectral representation.