cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The sequential appearance and metabolism of alkaloids in Heimia salicifolia

Abstract The seeds of Heimia salicifolia do not contain alkaloids. Two unidentified alkaloids were detected in 1-week-old seedlings; these alkaloids were absent from older plant samples. Lyfoline, cryogenine, and lythrine were first detected in 2-week-old plants. Sinicuichine was first observed in 3-week-old plants and nesodine in 2-month-old plants. The maximum rates of synthesis for most of these alkaloids occurred in 1- to 2-month-old plants. Following administration of 14 CO 2 to H. salicifolia plants, small quantities of alkaloids were purified to constant specific activity without alkaloid dilution; 95.6% of the administered 14 CO 2 was assimilated and up to 0.16% of this activity was incorporated into known alkaloids. Sinicuichine and lyfoline were shown to undergo catabolism, while cryogenine was degraded very slowly, if at all. Evidence is presented for the conversion of lyfoline to lythrine.
The ties that bind? Russia’s evolving relations with its neighbors

Abstract As the kick-off to his presidential campaign, newly elected Russian President Vladimir Putin published an article calling for a Eurasian Union among the states of the former Soviet Union. Using this as a jumping off point, this article evaluates the several overlapping organizations promoted by Moscow to bring the ex-Soviet republics closer together. It looks specifically at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Organization, the Eurasian Economic Community, and finally the hopes for a Eurasian Union. The article analyzes the multipronged approach, combining military cooperation through the CSTO and the hoped-for Customs Union and broader Eurasian Union. Using energy politics as a case study to explore the extent and limitations of Russia’s influence over the policies of the other states, the article illustrates how resources and domestic politics create either strengths or vulnerabilities for them. Finally, the author argues that despite Moscow’s wishes, each of the states is more or less able to defend its sovereignty and independence, thus limiting Russia’s sway over the territory of the “former Soviet space.”
Checking extended CTL properties using guarded quotient structures

We extend CTL logic to a logic called COUNT CTL (CCTL) for specifying properties of concurrent programs with large number of processes. We present a model checking algorithm for symmetric or partially symmetric systems when their correctness specification is given in CCTL. The model-checking algorithm employs Guarded Quotient Structures introduced by Sistla and Godefroid (Lecture Notes in Comput. Sci., vol. 2102, 2001). The GQS structures can be succinct representations for the reachability graphs of partially symmetric or even asymmetric systems. Our algorithm exploits state symmetries for fast evaluation. The algorithm is top down in nature, and automatically incorporates formula decomposition and sub-formula tracking.
Is laminin gamma-1 a candidate gene for advanced pelvic organ prolapse?

Objective We sought to determine allele frequencies of 3 LAMC1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in Caucasian and African American (AA) women with stage > II pelvic organ prolapse (POP) (cases) and in ethnicity-matched controls with stage LAMC1 is associated with POP within ethnic groups. Study Design Allelic discrimination was performed for LAMC1 SNPs rs10911193 (C/T), rs20563 (A/G), and rs20558 (T/C). SNP and haplotype-specific tests were used to examine associations among POP, ethnicity, and LAMC1 . Results In all, 411 women were enrolled. Significant differences in allele and haplotype frequencies existed among AAs and Caucasians: rs10911193 "T" ( P = .0014); rs20563 "G" ( P P P P LAMC1 SNPs or haplotypes were found within ethnicities. Conclusion While significant differences were identified between AA and Caucasian women, no associations were found between any LAMC1 gene variant and advanced POP.
Hybrid-based confidence intervals for the ratio of two treatment means in the over-dispersed Poisson data

In many clinical trials and epidemiological studies, comparing the mean count response of an exposed group to a control group is often of interest. This type of data is often over-dispersed with respect to Poisson variation, and previous studies usually compared groups using confidence intervals (CIs) of the difference between the two means. However, in some situations, especially when the means are small, interval estimation of the mean ratio (MR) is preferable. Moreover, Cox and Lewis [4] pointed out many other situations where the MR is more relevant than the difference of means. In this paper, we consider CI construction for the ratio of means between two treatments for over-dispersed Poisson data. We develop several CIs for the situation by hybridizing two separate CIs for two individual means. Extensive simulations show that all hybrid-based CIs perform reasonably well in terms of coverage. However, the CIs based on the delta method using the logarithmic transformation perform better than other inte...
Nutritive quality of foliar disease resistant and susceptible strains of intermediate wheatgrass

(…) Correlation coefficients between disease ratings and in vitro digestible organic matter, N, and NDF were r=−0.27, −0.71, and 0.76, respectively, in 1983. Correlation coefficients involving these entities were lower in 1985. Plant height did not not affect the plants' resistance or susceptibility to foliar diseases. Results from this study demonstrate over a representative germplasm base that nutritive quality of intermediate wheatgrass is diminished by leaf spot diseases, and that leaf spot resistant plants maintain a higher nutritive quality in the presence of disease
Oxidative DNA damage caused by persistent peroxisome proliferation: its role in hepatocarcinogenesis.

Abstract Peroxisome proliferations are considered as a novel class of hepatocarcinogenic agents because of their non-mutagenic nature and their ability to cause a significant increase in the levels of hydrogen peroxide generating peroxisomal fatty acid β-oxidation enzyme in the liver. Sustained increase in the number of peroxisomes in liver has been shown to induce oxidative stress in the liver. Increased levels of H 2 O 2 generation, hydroxyl free-radical formation, lipid peroxidation and accumulation of lipofuscin are found in the livers of rats following long-term treatment with peroxisome proliferators. Recent evidence indicates the presence of 8-hydroxydeoxyguanosine in the liver DNA of rats chronically treated with a peroxisome proliferator suggesting that this may be the basis for carcinogenesis by this class of non-mutagenic carcinogens.
Global carbon dioxide emissions scenarios: Sensitivity to social and technological factors in three regions

Carbon dioxide emissions from 1990 to 2100 AD are decomposed into the product of four factors: population size, affluence (measured here as GDP per capita), energy intensity (energy use per unit GDP) and carbon intensity (carbon dioxide emissions per unit energy). These emissions factors are further subdivided into three regions: more developed countries (MDCs), China, and the remaining less developed countries (LDCs). Departures from a baseline scenario (based on IPCC, 1992a — the so-called ‘business-as-usual’ scenario) are calculated for a variety of alternative assumptions concerning the four emissions factors in the three regions. Although the IPCC scenario is called a ‘non-intervention’ scenario, it is shown, for example, that large decreases in energy intensity in China or carbon intensity in MDCs are built into the ‘business as usual’ case — and such large changes vary considerably from region to region. We show what CO2 emissions would look like if each of these four emissions factors projected in the baseline case somehow remained constant at 1990 levels. Certain factors like energy intensity improvements and long-term population growth in LDCs. or GDP growth and carbon intensity improvements in MDCs, are shown to have a big contribution to cumulative global emissions to 2100 AD, and consequently, changes in these projected factors will lead to significant deviations from baseline emissions. None of the scenarios examined in this analysis seems to indicate that any one global factor is clearly dominant, but cultural, economic, and political costs or opportunities of altering each factor may differ greatly from country to country.
Detection of oxidative stress-induced carbonylation in live mammalian cells

Oxidative stress is often associated with etiology and/or progression of disease conditions, such as cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and diabetes. At the cellular level, oxidative stress induces carbonylation of biomolecules such as lipids, proteins, and DNA. The presence of carbonyl-containing biomolecules as a hallmark of these diseases provides a suitable target for diagnostic detection. Here, a simple, robust method for detecting cellular aldehydes and ketones in live cells using a fluorophore is presented. A hydrazine-functionalized synthetic fluorophore serves as an efficient nucleophile that rapidly reacts with reactive carbonyls in the cellular milieu. The product thus formed exhibits a wavelength shift in the emission maximum accompanied by an increase in emission intensity. The photochemical characteristics of the fluorophore enable the identification of the fluorophore-conjugated cellular biomolecules in the presence of unreacted dye, eliminating the need for removal of excess fluorophore. Moreover, this fluorophore is found to be nontoxic and is thus appropriate for live cell analysis. Utility of the probe is demonstrated in two cell lines, PC3 and A549. Carbonylation resulting from serum starvation and hydrogen peroxide-induced stress is detected in both cell lines using fluorescence microscopy and a fluorescence plate reader. The fluorescent signal originates from carbonylated proteins and lipids but not from oxidized DNA, and the majority of the fluorescence signal (>60%) is attributed to fluorophore-conjugated lipid oxidation products. This method should be useful for detecting cellular carbonylation in a high-content assay or high-throughput assay format.
Direct Conversation of Generalized Parameters of Multicomponent Two-Terminal Networks Using Capacitive Differentiator RC-Chains

We present a device for direct conversion of generalized parameters of passive multicomponent two-terminal networks (TTN) with excitation of measuring circuit (MC), comprising a model component and the two-terminal network being tested, on applying to the measuring circuit voltage pulses which vary as the n-th power of the time and n-fold signal differentiation at measuring circuit input and output with differentiators being executed on RC-chains.
Trends in uptake of recently approved antiretrovirals within a national healthcare system.

Objective The aim of the study was to describe Veterans Healthcare Administration (VHA) system-wide uptake of three HIV protease inhibitors: atazanavir, darunavir and tipranavir. Methods This retrospective cohort study evaluated VHA uptake of three target antiretrovirals and lopinavir/ritonavir in each complete 90-day quarter since approval to December 2007 using VHA HIV Clinical Case Registry data. We assessed uptake using number of new prescriptions, number of providers and facilities prescribing target agents, provider type, clinic type, facility size and location within four US regions. Results Overall, 6551 HIV-infected veterans received target antiretrovirals. Uptake was generally greatest within the first year after Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval, and then slightly declined and plateaued. Geographically, early adoption of new antiretroviral drugs tended to occur in the Western USA, as evidenced by comparison of uptake patterns of new antiretrovirals to use of all antiretroviral agents. A small percentage of prescribers of all antiretrovirals were responsible for new prescriptions for target medications, particularly for darunavir and tipranavir. Providers at almost 50% of VHA facilities were prescribing these agents within the first year. Conclusions Uptake of new antiretrovirals in the VHA generally reflected overall prescribing of all antiretrovirals, suggesting a lack of VHA impediments to new antiretrovirals in the healthcare system. Some regional variation in uptake among the targeted antiretrovirals occurred over time but tended to resolve after the first several months. Providers responsible for early prescribing of the target medications were limited to a fraction of providers who tended to be physicians who practised in infectious disease (ID) clinics at medium-sized facilities.
Compliance with the OSHA Benzene Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) at the Gasoline Vapor PEL

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate the new U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Permissible Exposure Limit (PEL) for gasoline vapor of 300 ppm for adequacy of concurrent compliance with the 1 ppm OSHA PEL for benzene. A PEL for gasoline vapor did not exist until January 1989 (effective September 1989) when OSHA adopted the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists' gasoline vapor Threshold Limit Value of 300 ppm. In this study, short-term, breathing zone air samples were collected during the winter and summer seasons on a gasoline refueling attendant. The winter gasoline vapor results varied from 0.79 to 734 ppm, while the associated benzene vapor concentrations varied from 0.01 to 2.88 ppm. The summer results for gasoline vapor varied from 1.08 to 266 ppm, and the associated benzene vapor results varied from 0.01 to 2.30 ppm. Benzene vapor concentrations associated with a 300-ppm gasoline vapor level were 1.3 and 2.7 ppm for winter and summer, respecti...
Improved fluorescence of indocyanine green in vitro and in vivo after simple cooling procedures.

Indocyanine green (ICG) is a contrast agent used for detecting angiogenesis with optical imaging (OI). The purpose of this study was to investigate whether cooling procedures increase the signal yield of ICG with OI. Test samples of 0.05 and 0.02 mM ICG in 40% DMSO and 60% DMEM underwent OI at four different temperatures (5, 37, 55 and 75°C). In addition, six athymic rats with an antigen-induced arthritis of the knee and ankle joints underwent OI before and after injection of ICG (10 mg/ml, dose 15 mg/kg) on two separate days with and without cooling of the joints. The fluorescent signals of the test samples and arthritic joints were measured and evaluated for significant differences before and after cooling with a t-test. In vitro studies showed a strong negative correlation between ICG temperature and fluorescent signal. The mean fluorescent signal of arthritic joints (measured in efficiency) was 0.345 before ICG-injection, 4.55 after ICG-injection and before cooling and 9.71 after ICG-injection and after cooling. The fluorescent signal enhancement of arthritic joints with ICG-enhanced OI images increased significantly after cooling (p = 0.02). The signal yield of ICG can be significantly increased by cooling the target pathology. The primary underlying cause of the temperature dependence of ICG is enhanced collisional quenching with increasing temperature. This simple cooling method may be immediately helpful to increase the fluorescence signal yield in current ICG-enhanced OI-studies in patients. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Overview of the DIII–D program and construction plans

Abstract The DIII–D tokamak is a mid size tokamak operating at reactor relevant parameters. Because of its size it is relatively easy to modify the machine as required to test new ideas or theories. During the last few years several new hardware items have been added to the DIII–D tokamak and improvements have been made to others. The main addition in the last 2 years is the installation of the I-coil system and upgrades to the electron cyclotron heating (ECH) system. In addition the Fast Wave system is being brought back into operation after having been idle for 2 years. The I-coil system, which consists of 12 coils installed inside the DIII–D vessel, is used to stabilize the resistive wall modes and to produce a stochastic edge, which has suppressed edge localized modes (ELMs). ELMs can be detrimental to ITER, since they can erode the plasma facing surfaces. The I-coils are powered by three switching power-amplifying units, which together with a flexible patch panel allow the I-coils to be operated in many different configurations. The ECH system has been upgraded to six gyrotrons, which have been used to heat the plasma, modify the current profile and stabilize the neoclassical tearing 3/2 and 2/1 modes. Three ECH launchers built by Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory are installed on the DIII–D tokamak and have the capability of changing the beam direction in both toroidal and poloidal direction. Three additional long pulse gyrotrons have been ordered for the DIII–D program. They are required for current profile control and stabilization of the NTMs. The gyrotrons are scheduled to be installed during a 10–12-month facility enhancement period, which spans 2005–2006. At the same time a modification is scheduled to be made to the lower divertor to make it pump double null high triangularity plasmas, which are important for studying advanced tokamak plasmas. One of the four neutral beam lines will be rotated for counter injection, which will allow study of the quiescent double barrier mode with central co-rotation of the plasma and of the resistive wall mode with low rotation.
AN ANALYSIS OF THE AUTOMATED METEOROLOGICAL PROFILING SYSTEM LOW RESOLUTION FLIGHT ELEMENT

A study was conducted to determine the quality of thermodynamic and wind data measured by or derived from the Low Resolution Flight Element (LRFE) of the Automated Meteorological Profiling System (AMPS). The AMPS LRFE replaced the Meteorological Sounding System (MSS), which was used to provide vertical profiles of thermodynamic and low-resolution wind data in support of spacecraft launch operations at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS) and NASA Kennedy Space Center (KSC), Florida. Air temperature, relative humidity, and height, which are directly measured by the LRFE, are used to derive air pressure and density. Test flights were conducted where an LRFE sonde and an MSS sonde were attached to the same balloon and the two profiles were compared. MSS data was used as the standard reference data. The objective of the thermodynamic testing was to determine a) if the LRFE met Space Shuttle Program (SSP) accuracy requirements outlined in the Space Shuttle Launch and Landing Program Requirements Document (PRD) and/or, b) if the LRFE met or exceeded MSS data quality. AMPS uses the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine wind speed and direction. In order to provide a basis for comparison, either an AMPS High Resolution Flight Element (HRFE) or a radar tracked Jimsphere was released simultaneously with each AMPS LRFE at CCAFS. The goal of these tests was to determine if the LRFE wind data met the requirement for low-resolution wind data defined in the Shuttle PRD. Based on the available data, the LRFE is shown to produce more consistent thermodynamic measurements than the MSS. The LRFE is also shown to meet the Shuttle PRD requirements for low resolution wind data.
Stimulatory effects of purified macrophage colony-stimulating factor on murine resident peritoneal macrophages.

Abstract A purified preparation of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) free of interferon and endotoxin activity was studied for its effects on resident murine peritoneal macrophages. M-CSF was found to induce profound morphologic alterations in resident macrophages. These changes included a marked increase in cell size, membrane ruffling, and cytoplasmic vacuolization. Further, after 72 hr of incubation with 1000 U/ml of M-CSF, there were significant increases in macrophage DNA synthesis as measured by autoradiography ( P P P 51 Cr-release assay. On the other hand, IFN caused significant decreases in both 5′NTD ( P P
Interlibrary Loan's Efficacy in Meeting Students’ Expectations to Acquire Textbooks: Results From a Study Conducted in a Large Research Library

Students look to interlibrary loan (ILL) as a mechanism for acquiring textbooks. What are the students’ expectations of ILL and can ILL meet those expectations, especially given that textbooks are perceived as difficult to borrow? This article reports the findings of a survey designed to determine the expectations of students who had placed ILL requests for textbooks. By analyzing the records for those students’ requests using data from ILLiad, the degree to which students’ expectations can be met was determined. Students’ flexibility with editions provides ILL staff methods to increase fill rates and improve service.
Differential gene expression in human cerebrovascular malformations.

Cerebrovascular malformations (CVMs) are lesions with an abnormal vessel phenotype that predisposes patients to hemorrhagic strokes, seizures, focal neurological deficits, and other clinical manifestations (4, 22). They include arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) and have distinct clinicopathological radiological profiles (14, 30). The AVMs are tangled complexes of tortuous vessels representing fistulous connections between arteries and veins, and they lack an intervening capillary bed. They reveal preserved features of mature vessel wall phenotype altered by high flow and hemodynamic stress, including arterial, nidal, and venous aneurysms (5, 6, 28). The CCMs are characterized by caverns filled with blood or thrombus and are lined with a single layer of endothelial cells. These low-flow lesions are associated with brittle vasculature and repetitive oozing (5, 6). The CCMs lack inter-endothelial cell tight junctions and mature vessel wall angio-architecture (8, 37). Little is known about the mechanisms of genesis or the progression of these lesions. Several proteins are abnormally expressed in AVMs and CCMs. Our group and others have demonstrated by performing immunohistochemical analysis that vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and the VEGF receptors VEGF-r1 (flt1) and VEGF-r2 (flk1) are overexpressed in both AVMs and CCMs compared with normal brain vessels (21, 35). Fibronectin is expressed to a greater extent in CCMs than in AVMs, consistent with the proliferative immature vessel phenotype (21). Laminin and smoothelin, both of which reflect mature vessel wall phenotype, are underexpressed in CCMs as compared with AVMs (21, 34). Distinct genes have been identified that predispose individuals to familial manifestations of these lesions, which is related to transforming growth factor-β receptor binding proteins (1, 13, 18, 19) and the Krev Interaction Trapped 1 (krit1) signaling pathway (9, 17, 23, 26, 32) for AVMs and CCMs, respectively. We hypothesize that different groups of genes are involved in the pathogenesis of AVMs and CCMs and that other genes are nonspecifically associated with both lesion types. In the experiments described in this article, we applied gene microarray analysis to correlate alterations in ribonucleic acid (RNA) transcription in AVMs and CCMs to the previously published abnormal protein expression in these lesions. In addition, we found numerous other genes differentially expressed in one or both lesion types, which has not been reported previously.
Toward a nonsegmental phonology

Abstract The segment in phonology is a convenient fiction long used by linguists for lack of a more adequate manner of representing continuous speech sounds. In the dynamic phonetic models of experimental phoneticians (particularly Mermelstein 1973), we find the capability of describing speech nonsegmentally by a system in which the vocalic pattern is constrained by obstruction elements and prosodies. By taking functional abstractions of oppositions directly from this dynamic base, we can construct a hierarchical phonology, more closely and reliably representing the patterns of speech. This system is presented, and it is used to describe synchronic and diachronic phenomena in the Welsh ‘mutation system’, especially in the development of Welsh affricates.
The Communicative Constitution of Collective Identity in Interorganizational Collaboration

This study reconceptualizes collective identity from a communication perspective using a constitutive model of communication as a theoretical framework. A longitudinal case study is used to explain...
Cell cycle regulation of astrocytes by extracellular nucleotides and fibroblast growth factor-2

Extracellular ATP enhances the mitogenic activity of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF2) in astrocytes, but the molecular mechanism underlying this synergistic interaction is not known. To determine whether the potentiating effect of extracellular ATP involves cell cycle control mechanisms, we have measured the expression of cyclins that are induced in different phases of the cell cycle in primary cultures of rat cortical astrocytes. We found that ATP potentiated the ability of FGF2 to stimulate expression of cyclin D1, a regulator of cell cycle entry, as well as cyclin A, a regulator of DNA replication. Because FGF2 and P2 purinergic receptors are coupled to extracellular signal regulated protein kinase (ERK), a key member of a signaling cascade that regulates proliferation, we also investigated the role of ERK in regulating cyclin expression induced by FGF2 and ATP. We found that the potentiating effect of ATP on cyclin expression was significantly reduced by U0126, an inhibitor of MEK, the upstream activator of ERK. P2 receptor agonist studies revealed that UTP enhanced FGF2-induced cyclin expression and mitogenesis whereas 2-methylthioADP was ineffective. By contrast, 2-3-O-(4-benzoyl)-benzoyl-ATP markedly inhibited FGF2-induced mitogenesis. Consistent with opposing effects of P2Y and P2X receptors on mitogenesis, UTP stimulated a transient activation of ERK whereas BzATP stimulated a more sustained ERK signal. These findings suggest that signaling by P2Y receptors, most likely of the purine/pyrimidine subtype, enhance the ability of FGF2 to stimulate entry into a new cell cycle, as well as DNA replication, by an ERK-dependent mechanism, whereas signaling by P2X receptors, possibly the P2X7 subtype, inhibits FGF2-induced mitogenesis in astrocytes. Interactions between P2Y, P2X and polypeptide growth factor signaling pathways may have important implications for CNS development as well as injury and repair.
HPLC Analysis of Phytic Acid in Selected Foods and Biological Samples

A rapid high-performance chromatographic (HPLC) method for phytic acid was developed and applied to wheat and rice bran, beans and feces. The method gives more reproducible results than those obtained by other methods tested and is more rapid than methods using ferric chloride precipitation. The phytic acid contents of bran, bean and feces samples were determined by three methods, including the new HPLC method. For most samples, the methods gave significantly different results.
Regulation of transcription factor phosphorylation by metabotropic glutamate receptor-associated signaling pathways in rat striatal neurons.

The group I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) are positively coupled to phospholipase C. Through phospholipase C, group I mGluR activation increases intracellular concentrations of diacylglycerol which is known as a strong activator of protein kinase C (PKC). This study investigated the putative role of PKC in the regulation of transcription factor phosphorylation induced by group I mGluR activation in the rat striatum in vivo. We found that the group I agonist 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) injected into the dorsal striatum (caudate-putamen) increased phosphorylation of the two transcription factors, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and Elk-1, and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) in the injected striatum. Inhibition of PKC with GF109203X significantly attenuated DHPG-stimulated CREB, Elk-1, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Activation of PKC with intracaudate injection of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) mimicked DHPG actions in facilitating the phosphorylation of CREB, Elk-1, and ERK1/2. Blockade of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors with the non-competitive antagonist MK801 or the competitive antagonist AP5 attenuated TPA-induced CREB, Elk-1, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Similarly, inhibition of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases (CaMK) with KN62 also resulted in a significant attenuation of TPA induction of the three phosphoproteins. The data obtained from this study indicate that selective activation of PKC is needed for the group I agonist-induced CREB, Elk-1, and ERK1/2 phosphorylation in striatal neurons. Activated PKC may, at least in part, facilitate the phosphorylation of transcription factors via an NMDA/CaMK-sensitive pathway.
The Role of Administrative Mentoring in the Pharmacy Deanship

Objectives. The role of administrative-related mentoring in the career advancement of pharmacy deans was described. This study also provided a longitudinal perspective on the pharmacy deanship. Methods. Using a self-administered questionnaire and 2 follow-up mailings in mid-2002, 75 out of 82 current deans in member institutions responded (one institution in the dean search process was excluded), yielding a 91.5% response rate. Results. Overall, 90.2% of current pharmacy deans reported receiving administrative mentoring, while 78% of current deans reported currently serving as an administrative mentor. The administrative mentoring received and provided had a moderate importance in career advancement. Conclusions. More research is necessary to determine what other factors contribute to the career advancement of pharmacy deans. Programming offered by the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy provides a potential platform for the recruitment and preparation of aspiring deans.
Increased Nephron Oxygen Consumption: Potential Role in Progression of Chronic Renal Disease

We have previously reported that remnant kidneys demonstrate marked increases in oxygen consumption (Q02) when normalized for sodium transport as compared with normal kidneys. This increase in oxygen consumption could be attenuated by dietary maneuvers such as protein restriction and phosphate restriction and also by calcium channel blockers. The basis of this enhanced metabolic activity, however, has not been fully defined. Furthermore, circumstances of increased oxygen consumption are associated with enhanced oxygen radical generation. These oxygen radicals could lead to renal tissue lipid peroxidation if the remnant kidney contains insufficient oxygen radical scavengers. This review summarizes available evidence for increased nephron oxygen consumption as a cause of tubulointerstitial injury and its relationship to progression of chronic renal disease.
Intracellular magnetophoresis of statoliths in Chara rhizoids and analysis of cytoplasm viscoelasticity

The statoliths in Chara rhizoids are denser and more diamagnetic than the cytoplasm, therefore they can be displaced inside a living cell by a sufficiently strong high gradient magnetic field (HGMF). An experimental setup for intracellular magnetophoresis of statoliths was developed. The movement of statoliths and rhizoid growth was measured by video microscopy either under the influence of gravity or a HGMF equivalent to about 2 g. The contribution of the cytoskeleton to statolith motility was assayed before and after depolymerizing microtubules with oryzalin and F-actin with latrunculin B. Application of latrunculin caused immediate cessation of growth, clumping of statoliths, and application of HGMF resulted in higher displacement of statoliths. Oryzalin had no effect on the behavior of statoliths. The data indicate that magnetophoresis is a useful tool to study the gravisensing system and rheology of the Chara rhizoid.
Do Domestic Firms Benefit from Direct Foreign Investment? Evidence from Venezuela

Governments often promote inward foreign investment to encourage technology 'spillovers' from foreign to domestic firms. Using panel data on Venezuelan plants, the authors find that foreign equity participation is positively correlated with plant productivity (the 'own-plant' effect), but this relationship is only robust for small enterprises. They then test for spillovers from joint ventures to plants with no foreign investment. Foreign investment negatively affects the productivity of domestically owned plants. The net impact of foreign investment, taking into account these two offsetting effects, is quite small. The gains from foreign investment appear to be entirely captured by joint ventures.
Dideoxy DNA sequencing with end-labeled oligonucleotide primers.

Abstract End-labeled oligonucleotide primers may be used effectively as the source of radiolabel in DNA sequencing by the dideoxy method. The approach is demonstrated with various end-labeled oligonucleotides, including a commercially prepared universal primer and a mixed-sequence probe. Single-stranded (M13) or denatured double-stranded template may be used. The end-labeled primers and their extension products may be stored for weeks. The method is useful for identification of clones isolated by oligonucleotide hybridization and it provides a convenient, economical alternative to the use of α-labeled deoxynucleoside triphosphate.
Analytical Method of Estimating Chemometric Prediction Error

We present an analytical formula that estimates the uncertainty in concentrations predicted by linear multivariate calibration, particularly partial least-squares (PLS). We emphasize the analysis of spectroscopic data. The derivation addresses the important limit in which calibration error is negligible in comparison to noise in the prediction spectra. The formula is expressed in terms of standard PLS calibration parameters and the amplitude of spectral noise; it is therefore straightforward to evaluate. To test the formula, we performed PLS analysis upon simulated spectra and upon experimental Raman spectra of dissolved biological analytes in water. In each instance, the root-mean-squared error of prediction was compared to the estimate from the formula. Accurate uncertainty estimates were obtained in cases where calibration noise was lower than prediction noise, and surprisingly good estimates were obtained even when the noise levels were equal. By comparing measured and estimated uncertainties, we assessed the robustness of each PLS calibration model. The scaling of prediction uncertainty with the spectral signal-to-noise ratio is also discussed.
Membrane-bound trehalase from cecropia silkmoth muscle.

Abstract Muscle from larvae, pupae, or adults of the cecropia silkmoth contains a trehalase distinct from the soluble trehalases previously isolated from insects. The enzyme from adult flight muscle has been characterized. It is concentrated in a cell fraction which sediments at 105,000 g and which probably consists chiefly of sarcoplasmic reticulum. The enzyme is specific for trehalose and is inhibited by sucrose and glucosamine. Its pH optimum is approximately 6.5 and its m is 3.6 × 10 −3 M trehalose. Activity is increased 3- to 6-fold by repeated freezing and thawing or by treatment with oleic acid. Larval midgut contains both a soluble trehalase with a pH of optimum of 5.7 and a K m of 4 × 10 −4 M and a particulate enzyme with kinetic characteristics similar to those of the enzyme from flight muscle but differing from the latter in not being activated by freezing. The role of muscle trehalase is considered in relation to insect muscle energy supply.
An extensive requirement for transcription factor IID-specific TAF-1 in Caenorhabditis elegans embryonic transcription.

The general transcription factor TFIID sets the mRNA start site and consists of TATA-binding protein and associated factors (TAFIIs), some of which are also present in SPT-ADA-GCN5 (SAGA)-related complexes. In yeast, results of multiple studies indicate that TFIID-specific TAFIIs are not required for the transcription of most genes, implying that intact TFIID may have a surprisingly specialized role in transcription. Relatively little is known about how TAFIIs contribute to metazoan transcription in vivo, especially at developmental and tissue-specific genes. Previously, we investigated functions of four shared TFIID/SAGA TAFIIs in Caenorhabditis elegans. Whereas TAF-4 was required for essentially all embryonic transcription, TAF-5, TAF-9, and TAF-10 were dispensable at multiple developmental and other metazoan-specific promoters. Here we show evidence that in C. elegans embryos transcription of most genes requires TFIID-specific TAF-1. TAF-1 is not as universally required as TAF-4, but it is essential for a greater proportion of transcription than TAF-5, -9, or -10 and is important for transcription of many developmental and other metazoan-specific genes. TAF-2, which binds core promoters with TAF-1, appears to be required for a similarly substantial proportion of transcription. C. elegans TAF-1 overlaps functionally with the coactivator p300/CBP (CBP-1), and at some genes it is required along with the TBP-like protein TLF(TRF2). We conclude that during C. elegans embryogenesis TAF-1 and TFIID have broad roles in transcription and development and that TFIID and TLF may act together at certain promoters. Our findings imply that in metazoans TFIID may be of widespread importance for transcription and for expression of tissue-specific genes.
New algorithms for computation acceleration for large-scale smart grids

Energy is becoming an increasingly important issue worldwide and forcing the world to develop more efficient ways to use energy. The emerging smart grids aim to create automated energy delivery systems with two-way flows of electricity and information that can improve energy efficiency. A key feature of smart grids is the automated control technology that allows system operators adjust and control millions of components in the system timely and efficiently. Optimal power flow (OPF) analysis has been widely used to accomplish the electrical and economic operational goals. This paper identifies the computational challenges in smart grid automated control process. Specifically, we discuss several new algorithms that speed up the computation of OPF in smart grid.
Harvest Recovery of Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis L

Goldenseal, Hydrastis canadensis L., is a herbaceous understory plant of the eastern deciduous forest that is harvested from natural populations due to its medicinal value. The objectives of this study were to determine if regrowth from harvest varies between patches and also to relate regrowth to pre-harvest leaf and patch size. We used data from three experimentally harvested natural patches and data on recovery of an illegally harvested patch harvested at the end of the growing season. We found variation in patch regrowth which suggests harvest technique and timing may be important. Experimental rhizome removal during mid-summer resulted in slower recovery of leaf size relative to the patch that was illegally harvested. We found a trend for reduced leaf area 2 y post-harvest relative to that pre-harvest. We also found variation in stem count between patches in response to harvest, which may be due to the pre-harvest size of ramets. The patch with larger pre-harvest ramets showed compensatory growth in the year immediately after harvest while the patches comprised of smaller ramets did not. Our results indicate that response to, and recovery from, harvest varies between patches and that individual ramet leaf size may be a better predictor of patch recovery than stem count. Because regrowth may be affected by harvest timing, an established harvest season may alleviate some harvest pressure on H. canadensis.
GIS methodology for quantifying channel change in Las Vegas, Nevada

: This study applies spatial analyses to examine the consequences of accelerated urban expansion on a hydrologic system over a period of 24 years. Three sets of historical aerial photos are used in a GIS analysis to document the geomorphic history of Las Vegas Wash, which drains the rapidly growing Las Vegas urban area in southern Nevada. New spatial techniques are introduced to make quantitative measurements of the erosion at three specific time intervals in the hydrologic evolution of the channel and floodplain. Unlike other erosion studies that use two different elevation surfaces to assess erosion, this study used a single elevation surface to remove systematic and nonsystemic elevation errors. The spatial analysis quantifies channel changes for discrete time periods, calculates erosion volumes, and provides a foundation to examine how the specific mechanisms related to urban expansion have affected Las Vegas Wash. The erosion calculated over 24 years is the largest documented sediment loss attributed to the effect of rapid urban growth.
Contrast Medium- and Mannitol-Induced Apoptosis in Heart and Kidney of SHR Rats:

The induction of apoptosis by contrast media (CM) and mannitol (M) was investigated in the hearts and kidneys of 12-mo-old male SHR rats. Ten groups of 3 SHR rats received a dose of 5 ml/kg of one ...
Chemistry of excited triplet organic carbonyl compounds.

e-Cleavage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 A. Aeyelic Al iphat ie Ketones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 B. Aldehydes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 C. Cyclic Ketones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 D. Phenyl Ketones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Microparticles in Hemostasis and Thrombosis

Blood contains microparticles (MPs) derived from a variety of cell types, including platelets, monocytes, and endothelial cells. In addition, tumors release MPs into the circulation. MPs are formed from membrane blebs that are released from the cell surface by proteolytic cleavage of the cytoskeleton. All MPs are procoagulant because they provide a membrane surface for the assembly of components of the coagulation protease cascade. Importantly, procoagulant activity is increased by the presence of anionic phospholipids, particularly phosphatidylserine (PS), and the procoagulant protein tissue factor (TF), which is the major cellular activator of the clotting cascade. High levels of platelet-derived PS + MPs are present in healthy individuals, whereas the number of TF + , PS + MPs is undetectable or very low. However, levels of PS + , TF + MPs are readily detected in a variety of diseases, and monocytes appear to be the primary cellular source. In cancer, PS + , TF + MPs are derived from tumors and may serve as a useful biomarker to identify patients at risk for venous thrombosis. This review will summarize our current knowledge of the role of procoagulant MPs in hemostasis and thrombosis.
Highly conserved and associated HIV-1 CTL and T-Helper epitopes in global HIV-1 population: potential candidates for multi-epitope HIV-1 vaccine

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV-1), one of the fastest evolving organisms, is a leading cause of death in the world today. But regardless of isolated stories about HIV cure in one patient and a modest success in a clinical vaccine trial, a perfect vaccine that can give total protection or a drug for a complete cure still remains intangible. Epitope vaccines have been suggested as a strategy to counteract viral escape and development of drug resistance. Multiple studies have shown that Cytotoxic T-Lymphocyte (CTL) and T-Helper (Th) epitopes can generate strong immune responses in HIV-1. However, not much is known about the relationship among different types of HIV-1 epitopes, particularly those epitopes that can be considered potential candidates for inclusion in the multi-epitope vaccines. In this study we used association rule mining to examine relationship between different types of epitopes (CTL, Th and Antibody epitopes) from nine protein-coding HIV-1 genes. Our results identified 137 association rules that were consistently present in the majority of reference and non-reference HIV-1 genomes from worldwide HIV-1 population and included epitopes of two different types (CTL and Th) from three different genes (Gag, Pol and Nef). These epitope association rules involved 14 non-overlapping epitope regions that frequently co-occurred despite high mutation and recombination rates of HIV-1, including genomes of circulating recombinant forms. These epitope regions were also highly conserved at both the amino acid and nucleotide levels indicating strong purifying selection driven by functional and/or structural constraints and hence, the diminished likelihood of successful escape mutations. Thus, these associated epitopes should be considered as potent candidates for inclusion in multi-epitope vaccines.
A kinematic method for footstrike pattern detection in barefoot and shod runners

Footstrike patterns during running can be classified discretely into a rearfoot strike, midfoot strike and forefoot strike by visual observation. However, the footstrike pattern can also be classified on a continuum, ranging from 0% to 100% (extreme rearfoot to extreme forefoot) using the strike index, a measure requiring force plate data. When force data are not available, an alternative method to quantify the strike pattern must be used. The purpose of this paper was to quantify the continuum of foot strike patterns using an easily attainable kinematic measure, and compare it to the strike index measure. Force and kinematic data from twenty subjects were collected as they ran across an embedded force plate. Strike index and the footstrike angle were identified for the four running conditions of rearfoot strike, midfoot strike and forefoot strike, as well as barefoot. The footstrike angle was calculated as the angle of the foot with respect to the ground in the sagittal plane. Results indicated that the footstrike angle was significantly correlated with strike index. The linear regression model suggested that strike index can be accurately estimated, in both barefoot and shod conditions, in the absence of force data.
Systematic Review of Educational Interventions to Improve Glaucoma Medication Adherence

Adherence to prescribed glaucoma medications is often poor, and proper adherence can be challenging for patients. We systematically reviewed the literature and identified eight studies using educational interventions to improve glaucoma medication adherence. Overall, five of the eight studies found that educational interventions lead to a significant improvement in medication adherence, and two additional studies found a trend towards improvement. Using information from this systematic review and Health Behavior Theory, we constructed a conceptual framework to illustrate how counseling and education can improve glaucoma medication adherence. More rigorous studies grounded in Health Behavior Theory with adequately powered samples and longer follow-up are needed.
1.5 Million Missing Numbers: Overcoming Employment Suppression in County Business Patterns Data

Missing data frustrate research and limit our understanding of regional economies. County Business Patterns annually provides employment data for all U.S. counties and states at the most detailed industrial level, but two out of every three employment statistics are missing. In rural areas, this percentage is higher still. To protect the rights of employers to confidentiality, the U.S. Census Bureau has not disclosed the number of employees in 1.5 million cases in the 2002 data. Instead, it offers a suppression flag that represents an employment range. This article presents a two-stage method for replacing all the flags with employment estimates. Taking advantage of the hierarchical nature of the data both by industry and geography, the first stage identifies the smallest possible range for each suppressed number. Ensuring that employment adds up correctly up and down the industrial and geographical hierarchies, the second stage iteratively adjusts all the estimates until millions of constraints are met. ...