cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pretransplantation and Post-Transplantation Liver Disease Assessment in Adolescents Undergoing Isolated Heart Transplantation for Fontan Failure.

Objective To describe the assessment of Fontan-associated liver disease and determine the clinical and imaging measures that may identify hepatic morbidity risk in isolated heart transplantation candidates and trend those measures post-isolated heart transplantation. Study design Retrospective analysis of pre-isolated heart transplantation and post-isolated heart transplantation Fontan-associated liver disease (FALD) status using blood tests, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and liver biopsy analysis within 6 months before isolated heart transplantation and 12 months after isolated heart transplantation in 9 consecutive patients with Fontan. Pre- and post-isolated heart transplantation standard laboratory values; varices, ascites, splenomegaly, thrombocytopenia (VAST) score; Fontan liver MRI score; liver biopsy scores; Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD); MELD excluding the International Normalized Ratio (MELD-XI); AST to platelet ratio index, and cardiac catheterization data were compared. Results Pretransplantation maximum MELD and MELD-XI was 15 and 16, respectively. Central venous pressures and VAST scores decreased significantly post-transplantation. In 5 paired studies, Fontan liver MRI score maximum was 10 pretransplantation and decreased significantly post-transplantation. Arterially enhancing nodules on MRI persisted in 2 patients post-transplantation. Pretransplantation and post-transplantation liver biopsy scores did not differ in 4 paired biopsy specimens. Conclusions Patients with FALD and MELD
Controlling event timing precision for gene expression with external disturbances

Gene expression is inherently a stochastic process, leading to randomness in the timing of events. A problem of interest is to understand how cells achieve temporal precision. Previous work has shown that if a gene product (protein) is stable then a no feedback strategy provides minimum noise in timing. Here we investigate the form of optimal feedback strategy when the protein production rate is affected by an external dynamic disturbance (noise). We specifically consider a telegraph process (two state) for the external disturbance and show that the best strategy is still no feedback. Using this strategy, we provide an exact formula for the minimum achievable noise. Finally, we examine the effect of model parameters on the minimum noise.
Eruption of compositionally heterogeneous andesites from a complex storage region during the 2006 eruption of Augustine Volcano

Despite the common occurrence of heterogeneous andesitic eruptions, few studies have investigated the compositional effects on microlite crystallization and vesiculation in co-erupted natural samples. In 2006, Augustine Volcano erupted compositionally heterogeneous andesites that range from 56.4 to 63.3 wt% SiO2 and include two endmember lithologic groups: low-silica andesite (LSA) and high-silica andesite (HSA). Textural and compositional differences between LSA and HSA end members are explored for two discrete, sequential vulcanian explosions from January 17 (event 9) and 27 (event 10), 2006. Groundmass glass compositions of pyroclasts within LSA and HSA compositional suites are not colinear and do not correlate with plagioclase microlite crystallinities, indicating eruption from multiple isolated shallow magma reservoirs with various pressure-temperature pathways. HSA pyroclasts have lower crystallinities, 0.02–0.24, than most LSA pyroclasts, 0.16–0.39, demonstrating the influence of composition on crystallinity. Additionally, microlite textural and groundmass glass compositional differences exist between consecutive vulcanian explosions. The event 9 deposits have a typical bimodal density distribution and groundmass glass compositions range from 65 to 78 wt% SiO2. Plagioclase microlite number densities (MNV) are 104.6–6.4 mm−3 and crystallinities are 0.02 to 0.28, similar to products from other andesitic vulcanian eruptions. Deposits from the early phase of event 10 have a bimodal density distribution and contain a high proportion of LSA pyroclasts, similar to event 9. Groundmass glass compositions range from 72 to 79 wt% SiO2 and plagioclase MNV are 105.9–6.3 mm−3, forming narrower ranges compared to event 9. A transition occurred during the later phase of event 10 to a unimodal density distribution, a more homogeneous groundmass glass composition, 75–78 wt% SiO2, a higher proportion of HSA pyroclasts, and the highest MNV of 105.9–6.7 mm−3. We interpret this shift to reflect eruption from reservoir depths around 4–6 km and the cessation of pre-eruptive magma staging in the upper conduit, transitioning the eruption to continuous and effusive phases. Attention to heterogeneous andesitic erupted products reveals additional details about heterogeneous shallow magma storage, variable upper conduit magma staging, and a range of pressure-temperature paths prior to fragmentation.
Bioinformatic and mechanistic analysis of the palmerolide PKS-NRPS biosynthetic pathway from the microbiome of an Antarctic ascidian

Polyketides are a complex family of natural products that often serve competitive or pro-survival purposes but can also demonstrate bioactivity in human diseases as, for example cholesterol lowering agents, anti-infectives, or anti-tumor agents. Marine invertebrates and microbes are a rich source of polyketides. Palmerolide A, a polyketide isolated from the Antarctic ascidian Synoicum adareanum, is a vacuolar-ATPase inhibitor with potent bioactivity against melanoma cell lines. The biosynthetic gene clusters (BGC) responsible for production of secondary metabolites are encoded in the genomes of the producers as discrete genomic elements. A putative palmerolide BGC was identified from a S. adareanum metagenome based on a high degree of congruence with a chemical structure-based retrobiosynthetic prediction. Protein family homology analysis, conserved domain searches, and active site and motif identification were used to confirm the identity and propose the function of the 75 kb trans-acyltransferase (AT) polyketide synthase-non-ribosomal synthase (PKS-NRPS) domains responsible for the synthesis of palmerolide A. Though PKS systems often act in a predictable co-linear sequence, this BGC includes multiple trans-acting enzymatic domains, a non-canonical condensation termination domain, a bacterial luciferase-like monooxygenase (LLM), and multiple copies found within the metagenome-assembled genome (MAG) of Candidatus Synoicohabitans palmerolidicus. Detailed inspection of the five highly similar pal BGC copies suggests the potential for biosynthesis of other members of the palmerolide chemical family. This is the first delineation of a biosynthetic gene cluster from an Antarctic species. These findings have relevance for fundamental knowledge of PKS combinatorial biosynthesis and could enhance drug development efforts of palmerolide A through heterologous gene expression.
Integration of Palliative Care in the Hospital Setting

Palliative medicine has shown demonstrated benefit for patients with serious illness, their families, and hospital systems. As such, the demand for palliative care services is growing at a fast pace, and health care facilities frequently struggle to develop and implement effective and sustainable methods of providing this care. As with any new system, challenges and barriers naturally exist to instituting palliative care. Undertaking careful assessment, planning, and resource allocation can provide the greatest likelihood of success when developing these novel yet much needed models of care. This summary paper offers a qualitative overview of the potential benefits and the rationale to implement robust palliative care systems. We briefly review the history of palliative medicine in the broadest sense and address several seminal works from the US palliative care literature. Core practices to establish and advance palliative medicine are suggested. Commentary is provided on some of the particular barriers to palliative system development that may need to be addressed in the context of Korean medical culture. Collectively, we hope this overview can contribute to a framework within which such research and development can occur, leading to increasingly effective and sustainable palliative medicine in Korea.
Oxidation of d(−) Lactate by the Electron Transport Fraction of Azotobacter vinelandii

d(−) Lactate oxidation in Azobacter vinelandii strain O is readily carried out by the membrane bound enzyme that concentrates in the electron transport fraction (R3). This oxidation in the R3 fraction is not dependent on externally added nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, flavine adenine dinucleotide, or flavine mononucleotide. Phenazine methosulfate, O2, and menadione all served as good electron carriers, and the oxidation of lactate was limited to the d(−) stereoisomer. Of all the α-hydroxyacids examined, only d(−) lactate and d(−) α-hydroxybutyrate were oxidized by the R3 fraction. Paper chromatographic studies revealed that the 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine derivative formed from d(−) lactate oxidation was pyruvate. Pyruvate, in turn, could be further decarboxylated nonoxidatively by the R3 fraction. Spectral studies revealed that both the R3 flavoprotein and cytochrome (a2, a1, b1, c4, and c5) components were reduced by d(−) lactate. The d(−) lactic oxidase activity was sensitive to electron transport inhibitors, i.e., chlorpromazine, antimycin A, 2-n-heptyl-4-hydroxyquinoline-N-oxide, rotenone, dicumarol, and cyanide, and to a small extent to 4,4,4-trifluoro-1-(2-thienyl)-1,3-butane-dione (TFTB) and Amytal. The d(−) lactic phenazine methosulfate and menadione reductases were sensitive only to dicumarol and TFTB. Chlorpromazine was found to be a highly specific inhibitor of d(−) lactic oxidase activity, 50% inhibition occurring at 6.6 × 10−6m.
Pediatric postoperative abdominal wound dehiscence: transverse versus vertical incisions

Abstract Background: Fascial dehiscence is uncommon in children but can have serious consequences when it occurs. There are multiple risk factors for fascial dehiscence, including the type of incision used. Pediatric surgeons often use a supraumbilical transverse incision particularly in infants because of the access this incision provides to the entire abdomen. This article details the experience with fascial wound dehiscence at a large tertiary children's hospital and focuses on problems with the types of incision used. Study Design: This is a retrospective review of 2,785 intraabdominal operations performed over a 5-year period at Children's Hospital and Regional Medical Center in Seattle. Risk factors for dehiscence were reviewed for each case of fascial dehiscence. Statistical analysis using chi-square was used to examine for differences in complication rates between transverse and vertical incisions. Results: In this series, 2,442 children (88%) had transverse incisions and 343 (12%) had vertical incisions. Twelve children had abdominal fascial dehiscence postoperatively. Six cases involved transverse incisions and six involved vertical incisions. Five of the children suffered evisceration. One child died as a direct result of the dehiscence. There were multiple risk factors for dehiscence in 10 of the 12 children. Vertical incisions were found to be much more likely to dehisce than were transverse incisions, especially in children under 1 year of age (p Conclusions: Vertical incisions are more apt to dehisce than transverse incisions in children, particularly babies. We recommend the use of transverse incisions whenever possible in babies less than 1 year of age, especially when other risk factors for dehiscence are present.
Orbit-Spectrum Sharing between the Fixed-Satellite and Broadcasting-Satellite Services with Applications to 12 GHz Domestic Systems

A systematic, tutorial analysis of the general problem of orbit-spectrum sharing among inhomogeneous satellite system is presented. Emphasis is placed on extrapolating and applying the available data on rain attenuation and on reconciling differences in the results of various measurements of the subjective effects of interference on television picture quality. An analytic method is presented for determining the approximate values of the intersatellite spacings required to keep mutual interference levels within prescribed limits when many dissimilar satellites share the orbit. A computer model was developed for assessing the interference compatibility of arbitrary configurations of large numbers of geostationary satellite systems. It is concluded that the band from 11.7 c GHz can be shared effectively by broadcasting-satellite and fixed-satellite systems. Recommendations for future study are included.
Patients’ Barriers to Receipt of Cancer Care, and Factors Associated With Needing More Assistance From a Patient Navigator

Background : Racial minorities have poorer cancer survival in the United States compared to whites. The purpose of this study was to better understand patients’ barriers to cancer care and to determine which patients have a greater need for assistance from a patient navigator. Methods : Community health workers assisted newly-diagnosed breast and colorectal cancer patients during a randomized trial of patient navigation and collected information about patients’ barriers. Barriers to care were characterized and compared between non-Hispanic white and minority patients. A multivariate model was constructed of factors associated with increased log navigation time, a measure of patients’ need for assistance. Results : Patients’ (n = 103) most commonly identified barriers to care included a lack of social support, insurance/ financial concerns, and problems communicating with healthcare providers. Barriers differed between nonminority and minority patients, and minority patients faced a greater number of barriers ( p = .0001). In univariate analysis, log navigation time was associated with race/ethnicity, education, income, employment, insurance type, health literacy, marital status, language, and comorbidity. A multivari-ate model ( R 2 = 0.43) for log navigation time was created using stepwise selection, and included the following factors: minority race/ethnicity ( p = .032), non–full-time employment ( p = .0004), unmarried status ( p = .085), university center ( p = .0005), and months in study ( p Conclusions : Newly diagnosed cancer patients’ most common barriers to care include lack of social support, insurance/financial concerns, and problems with health care communications. In this sample of patients, a greater need for assistance was independently associated with minority race/ethnicity and unemployment. These data may help in the design and targeting of interventions to reduce cancer health disparities.
Labor's Triumphs and Frustrations New

Labor achieved considerable electoral success in 2000 as it helped deliver the Democratic presidential nomination to Al Gore and enabled Gore to carry vital battleground states in the general election. Unions were defeated on the China Trade Bill, and after the 2000 election a Republican Party hostile to organized labor controlled both Congress and the White House.
Microbial degradation of quinoline and methylquinolines.

Several bacterial cultures were isolated that are able to degrade quinoline and to transform or to degrade methylquinolines. The degradation of quinoline by strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa QP and P. putida QP produced hydroxyquinolines, a transient pink compound, and other undetermined products. The quinoline-degrading strains of P. aeruginosa QP and P. putida QP hydroxylated a limited number of methylquinolines but could not degrade them, nor could they transform 2-methylquinoline, isoquinoline, or pyridine. Another pseudomonad, Pseudomonas sp. strain MQP, was isolated that could degrade 2-methylquinoline. P. aeruginosa QP was able to degrade or to transform quinoline and a few methylquinolines in a complex heterocyclic nitrogen-containing fraction of a shale oil. All of the quinoline- and methylquinoline-degrading strains have multiple plasmids including a common 250-kilobase plasmid. The 225-, 250-, and 320-kilobase plasmids of the P. aeruginosa QP strain all contained genes involved in quinoline metabolism. Images
Reproductive ability of female beagles in relation to advancing age

Abstract The reproductive capability of female Beagles reached a peak at about three years (1000 days) of age. Thereafter, reproduction waned at the rate of about 5 per cent every 100 days. During full maturity, the net reproductive capacity was 1·2 pups/dam/100 day breeding period.
Extrapolating time series by discounted least squares

An approximating function is fitted to a time series, such as daily observation. The fitting is carried out over all past time by weighted least squares with an exponential weight factor• The approximating function is restricted to be a solution of a certain linear differential equation of the mth order having constant coefficients. The solution which minimizes the least square expression can be continued into the future. In particular tomorrows extrapolated value is defined by this continuation. To obtain an explicit solution of the problem a formula is constructed which gives the extrapolated value as a linear combination of the last m observed values and the last m extrapolated values. The coefficients of this extrapolation formula prove to be simply related to the coefficients of the differential equation. Another extrapolation formula is of vectorial nature. The components of a vector are m independent functionals of the past observations. Then tomorrow's vector is given as a linear function of todays vector and todays scalar observation.
The Intersection of Genes and Environment : Development of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension in a Patient With Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia and Stimulant Exposure

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare complication of hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT). The triggers that promote the development of PAH in HHT remain poorly understood. We present the case of a 45-year-old woman with decompensated right-sided heart failure secondary to newly diagnosed PAH. The clinical diagnosis of HHT was confirmed on the basis of recurrent spontaneous epistaxis, multiple typical mucocutaneous telangiectasia, and the presence of pulmonary arteriovenous malformation. There was also a suggestive family history. The patient was discovered to have active and extensive stimulant abuse in addition to HHT. We concluded that there may be a temporal relationship between exposure to stimulants and development of PAH in a host with underlying gene mutation. This case highlights the paradigm of PAH development after environmental exposure in a genetically susceptible host.
Evolution of Slip Through the Thickness of a Single-Crystal Nickel-Base Superalloy Notched Specimen

Deformation mechanisms and failure modes of FCC (face centered cubic) single crystal components subjected to triaxial states of static and fatigue stress are very complicated to predict, because plasticity precedes fracture in regions of stress concentration, and the evolution of plasticity on the surface and through the thickness is influenced by elastic and plastic anisotropy. The triaxial stress state at regions of stress concentration results in the activation of many slip systems that otherwise would not be activated during uniaxial testing. We recently presented [1] results from a numerical and experimental investigation of evolution of slip systems at the surface of notched FCC single crystal specimens, as a function of secondary crystallographic orientation. Results showed that the slip sector boundaries have complex curved shapes with several slip systems active simultaneously near the notch. We extend our work on slip at the surface to investigating the evolution of slip or plastic deformation through the thickness of the specimen. A single crystal double-edge-notched rectangular specimen of a Ni-base superalloy, under the tensile loading ([001] load orientation and [110] notch direction) is considered. A three dimensional (3-D) finite element model (FEM) including elastic anisotropy is used for the numerical investigation. Results indicate that the stress distribution and slip fields are a strong function of axial location through the thickness. Numerical results are verified by comparing them with experimentally observed slip fields. We demonstrate that inclusion of three dimensional analysis and elastic anisotropy is important for predicting evolution of slip at the surface and through the specimen thickness. The resolved shear stresses (RSS) on the dominant slip systems and the normal stress on the dominant planes are shown to vary significantly from the surface to the midplane of the specimen. Based on the consideration of RSS, normal stress and the number of activated slip systems at each thickness level, it is concluded that fatigue cracks most likely start in the midplane, for the orientation reported here.Copyright © 2006 by ASME
India Ink staining after sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and in conjunction with Western blots for peptide mapping by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry

We present an approach that allows matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometric (MALDI-TOFMS) peptide mapping of proteins separated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and electroblotted onto nitrocellulose (NC). After blocking the nitrocellulose membrane with polyvinylpyrrolidone-40 the immobilized proteins are visualized using India Ink staining which allows the detection of low nanogram amounts of protein. The utilization of a low concentration of Tween 20 (0.05%) in the India Ink staining solution does not negatively impair the quality of the mass spectra. Due to the virtual nondestructive nature of the stain proteolytic peptides could be recovered from the NC membrane. Taking into account minor precautions during the sample manipulation and concentration and by loading the sample onto a pre-crystallized matrix layer, high quality mass spectral data were obtained on <100 femtomoles of protein loaded onto the gel. Finally, the use of India Ink in conjunction with Western blot analysis is also demonstrated. A rat plasma protein, characterized by Western blot as a covalently modified protein-drug compound, was subjected to peptide mapping and post source decay (PSD) sequencing of peptides. The zomepirac-modified protein was identified as the alpha-subunit of fibrinogen.
A one-step synthesis of a deuterated paclitaxel analogue: 10-Deacetoxy-(10α-2H)paclitaxel

10-Deacetoxy-(10alpha-2H)paclitaxel was prepared in one step via the samarium diiodide mediated deoxygenation of paclitaxel in the presence of D2O.
Atomic data for opacity calculations. XI. The carbon isoelectronic sequence

Close-coupling calculations are carried out for radiative processes in neutral carbon and a number of carbon-like ions; energy levels, oscillator strengths, and photoionization cross sections have been computed for all bound states of the type 2 s(j)2p(k)nl with n not above 10 and 1 not above 3. The R-matrix method is employed to solve the coupled equations with a ten-state eigenfunction expansion for the parent ion C II and an eight-state expansion for the other boron-like target ions. A number of selected results for oscillator strengths are presented and compared with earlier data, as well as for photoionization cross sections with autoionizing resonance structures. Isoelectronic trends are discussed. The present results for the oscillator strengths of C I and N II are found to differ significantly from some earlier theoretical works for a number of transitions. However, the present C I f values are in excellent agreement with recent calculations and experimental results.
Clinical potential of novel therapeutic targets in breast cancer: CDK4/6, Src, JAK/STAT, PARP, HDAC, and PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathways.

Breast cancers expressing estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, or the human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) proto-oncogene account for approximately 90% of cases, and treatment with antiestrogens and HER2-targeted agents has resulted in drastically improved survival in many of these patients. However, de novo or acquired resistance to antiestrogen and HER2-targeted therapies is common, and many tumors will recur or progress despite these treatments. Additionally, the remaining 10% of breast tumors are negative for estrogen receptor α, progesterone receptor, and HER2 (“triple-negative”), and a clinically proven tumor-specific drug target for this group has not yet been identified. Therefore, the identification of new therapeutic targets in breast cancer is of vital clinical importance. Preclinical studies elucidating the mechanisms driving resistance to standard therapies have identified promising targets including cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6, phosphoinositide 3-kinase, poly adenosine diphosphate–ribose polymerase, Src, and histone deacetylase. Herein, we discuss the clinical potential and status of new therapeutic targets in breast cancer.
The effect of different temperatures on fatty-acid synthesis and polyunsaturation in cell suspension cultures

Cell suspension cultures of Catharanthus roseus G. Don, Glycine max (L.) Merr. and Nicotiana tabacum L. were incubated with [14C]acetate, [14C]oleic acid and [14C]linoleic acid at five different temperatures ranging from 15 to 35° C. When the incubation temperature was increased, [14C]acetate was incorporated preferentially into [14C]palmitate, with a concomitant drop in [14C]oleate formation. Between 15 and 20° C, [14C]oleic acid accumulated in C. roseus cells. In all cultures, optimum desaturation of [14C]oleic acid to [14C]linoleic acid occurred between 20 and 25° C, and in G. max this was also the optimal range for desaturation of [14C]linoleic acid to [14C]linolenic acid. Elongation of [14C]palmitic acid was inhibited when cultures grown at 15° C for 25 h were subsequently incubated with [14C]acetate at 25° C. [14C]oleic acid accumulated in G. max and C. roseus cultures grown at 35° C for 25 h and subsequently incubated at 25° C. Desaturation of [14C]oleic acid increased up to 25° C, but then decreased or leveled off depending on the cell line and on the temperature prior to incubation.
Patterns of intimate partner violence victimization from adolescence to young adulthood in a nationally representative sample.

Purpose To determine the prevalence of patterns of intimate partner violence (IPV) victimization from adolescence to young adulthood, and document associations with selected sociodemographic and experiential factors. Methods We used prospective data from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health to group 4134 respondents reporting only opposite-sex romantic or sexual relationships in adolescence and young adulthood into four victimization patterns: no IPV victimization, adolescent-limited IPV victimization, young adult onset IPV victimization, and adolescent-young adult persistent IPV victimization. Results Forty percent of respondents reported physical or sexual victimization by young adulthood. Eight percent experienced IPV only in adolescence, 25% only in young adulthood, and 7% showed persistent victimization. Female sex, Hispanic and non-Hispanic black race/ethnicity, an atypical family structure (something other than two biologic parents, step-family, single parent), more romantic partners, experiencing childhood abuse, and early sexual debut (before age 16) were each associated with one or more patterns of victimization versus none. Number of romantic partners and early sexual debut were the most consistent predictors of violence, its timing of onset, and whether victimization persisted across developmental periods. These associations did not vary by biological sex. Conclusions Substantial numbers of young adults have experienced physical or sexual IPV victimization. More research is needed to understand the developmental and experiential mechanisms underlying timing of onset of victimization, whether victimization persists across time and relationships, and whether etiology and temporal patterns vary by type of violence. These additional distinctions would inform the timing, content, and targeting of violence prevention efforts.
The (rip) tide of privatization: Lessons from Chile

Abstract Chile is one of the rare exceptions where the voluble enthusiasm for privatization has been put into effect. Of the 500 companies that were under state ownership in the early 1970s, only 19 remained under public control at the end of the decade. Moreover, a land reform which had affected 43% of the country's cultivable area was rolled back by almost 40%. Privatization indisputably increased the economic power of a number of conglomerates and fostered the concentration of assets. However, the complexity of the liberalization package that accompanied privatization makes it difficult to establish strict causality for the economic collapse that followed in the early 1980s. The Chilean experience with privatization reveals some interesting lessons that other countries may wish to consider.
Hallucinogen, opiate, sedative and stimulant use and abuse in a population-based sample of female twins

Objective: Rates of illicit psychoactive substance use and abuse in women have increased substantially over the last 50 years. However, we understand little about the aetiology of these behaviors in women, and almost nothing about the role of familial-environmental and genetic factors. Methods: We obtained, by means of blind telephone interviews with 1934 individual twins from female-female adult pairs ascertained through a population-based registry, including both members of 500 MZ and 326 DZ pairs, a history of lifetime illicit use, abuse and dependence, as defined by DSM-IV, of hallucinogens, opiates, sedatives and non-cocaine stimulants. Results: Lifetime prevalences for substance use ranged from 3.3% for opiates to 10.4%) for hallucinogens. Rates of abuse (ranging from 0.7% for opiates to 3.2% for stimulants) and dependence (ranging from 0.2% for hallucinogens to 1.4% for stimulants) were substantially lower. Significant twin resemblance was found for hallucinogen use, opiate use, sedative use and stimulant use, abuse and symptoms of dependence. The results of twin-model fitting suggested that twin resemblance for hallucinogen and stimulant use was due to both genetic and familial environmental factors, while twin resemblance for opiate and sedative use as well as stimulant abuse and symptoms of dependence was solely the result of genetic factors. Heritability of liability ranged from 21% to 72%. Twin resemblance for substance use, abuse and dependence could not be explained by the similarity of the twins' environment in childhood, adolescence or adulthood. Conclusion: Although limited by the rarity in women of these forms of substance use and misuse, our results none the less suggest that familial factors, which are at least in part genetic, strongly influence the vulnerability to hallucinogen, opiate, sedative and stimulant use and abuse in women.
Identification of Receptor Binding and Activation Sites in Endothelin-1 by Use of Site-Directed Mutagenesis

Abstract This study addresses the structural requirements for the intracellular processing and receptor binding properties of endothelin-1 (ET-1). Point mutants of preproendothelin-1 cDNA, with replacement of the codons for Lys9 of ET-1 by ones for Ala and Glu and of Ile20 and Trp21 by ones encoding Ala, were expressed in COS-7 cells. Competitive binding experiments on rat vascular smooth muscle cells (A-10), which were shown to be an ETA receptor–rich cell line, between [125I]ET-1 and synthetic ET-1, wild-type recombinant ET-1, and recombinant [Ala9]ET-1, [Glu9]ET-1, [Ala20]ET-1, and [Ala21]ET-1 yielded K i values of 0.2±0.02, 0.2±0.02, 0.04±0.01, 1.4±0.2, 1.6±0.2, and >50 nmol/L, respectively. In similar experiments with ETB receptor–rich human Girardi heart cells, the corresponding values were 0.2±0.03, 0.2±0.03, 0.2±0.04, 0.2±0.06, 1.4±0.4, and >50 nmol/L. The ETA receptor–mediated contractile responses to [Glu9]ET-1 and [Ala20]ET-1, measured by using canine coronary artery rings, were decreased approximately fourfold to fivefold compared with the response produced by synthetic or wild-type recombinant ET-1, whereas [Ala9]ET-1 was found to be more potent, and [Ala21]ET-1 did not produce any contraction. These results demonstrate that Ile20 and Trp21 are involved in binding to both receptor subtypes. Of considerable interest was the observation that [Glu9]ET-1 also blunts the ETA receptor subtype–mediated contractile response to ET-1 stimulus.
Structural characterization of the conformational change in calbindin-D28k upon calcium binding using differential surface modification analyzed by mass spectrometry.

Calbindin-D28k is a calcium binding protein with six EF hand domains. Calbindin-D28k is unique in that it functions as both a calcium buffer and a sensor protein. It is found in many tissues, inclu...
Estimate-and-Forward Relaying for the Gaussian Relay Channel with Coded Modulation

In this work we consider the Gaussian relay channel with coded modulation at the transmitter and an orthogonal relay- destination link. We investigate the application of the estimate-and- forward (EAF) scheme with different mappings at the relay to this scenario. We show that in certain situations a three-level quantization outperforms the Gaussian mapping, which is the common practice in this scenario. We conclude that for the coded modulation scenario Gaussian quantization is good at low source-relay SNR, decode-and- forward is superior at high source-relay SNR and at intermediate SNR, methods that combine elements of both schemes are superior to these individual assignments. Another observation is that as the source-relay SNR increases, the cardinality of the auxiliary random variable can be decreased.
Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser treatment of lentigo maligna☆☆☆

Abstract Lentigo maligna is a premalignant lesion of atypical melanocytes that typically arises on the head and neck of elderly patients. It is considered a melanoma in situ with a significant risk for transformation to invasive lentigo maligna melanoma. Surgery is the preferred method of treatment; however, because of the advanced age of the typical patient with lentigo maligna, the frequency of complicating medical problems, and the cosmetic or functional aspects of treatment, surgical excision is not always feasible. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser treatment of lentigo maligna. Eight patients were treated with 532 and/or 1064 nm wavelengths from the laser. All patients showed a response to laser therapy, and 2 patients treated with 1 treatment from each wavelength had complete eradication of the LM, with no evidence of recurrence in 42 months. Further study is warranted, but Q-switched neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser is a promising alternative treatment for lentigo maligna. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 1999;120:296-302.)
Vector and scalar correlations in the photodissociation of NCCN

Abstract The CN photofragments from the photodissociation of NCCN at 193 nm have been measured by high-resolution transient absorption spectroscopy. Doppler-broadened profiles of isolated rotational lines in the 2-0 and 3–1 vibrational bands of the CN AX transition were observed under collisionless conditions with a tunable, single-frequency Ti:sapphire ring laser. Analysis of the Dopple profiles reveals a vector correlation between the translation and rotation of CN photoproducts, with the angular momentum of the high rotational states increasingly perpendicular to the recoil velocity. After correction for vector correlations, the laboratory-frame scalar speed distribution of state-selected photoproducts can be determined. The mean squared laboratory velocity is directly related to the average internal energy of coincident CN fragments. The wings of the Doppler profiles indicate that the available energy for a pair of ground state CN photoproducts following 193 nm dissociation of NCCN at 295 K is 5300±150 cm −1 , which includes the average vibrational energy of the parent molecules selected by the photolysis laser. Phase space theory with an optimized available energy of 5300 cm −1 produces laboratory speed distributions that are in qualitatively reasonable agreement with the kinetic energy measurements, but overestimate the total internal energy of the photofragments. The measurements are good enough to warrant comparison with more sophisticated models of unimolecular decomposition.
Uptake and distribution of bisphenol A and nonylphenol in vegetable crops irrigated with reclaimed water

The potential uptake and distribution of bisphenol A (BPA) and nonylphenol (NP) (from reclaimed irrigation water) in edible crops was investigated. BPA and NP were spiked into simulated reclaimed water at environmentally relevant concentrations. Two crops (lettuce, Lactuca sativa and tomato, Lycopersicon esculentum) were grown hydroponically in a greenhouse using the spiked irrigation water under two irrigation exposure scenarios (overhead foliar exposure and subsurface root exposure). BPA concentrations in tomato fruit were 26.6 ± 5.8 (root exposure) and 18.3 ± 3.5 (foliar exposure) μg kg(-1), while concentrations in lettuce leaves were 80.6 ± 23.1 (root exposure) and 128.9 ± 17.4 (foliar exposure) μg kg(-1). NP concentrations in tomato fruit were 46.1 ± 6.6 (root exposure) and 24.6 ± 6.4 (foliar exposure) μg kg(-1), while concentrations in lettuce leaves were 144.1 ± 9.2 (root exposure) and 195.0 ± 16.9 (foliar exposure) μg kg(-1). BPA was relatively mobile in lettuce plants regardless of exposure route. Limited mobility was observed for NP in both crops and BPA in tomatoes. The estimated daily intake of BPA and NP through consumption of vegetables irrigated with reclaimed water ranged from 8.9-62.9 to 11.9-95.1 μg, respectively, depending on the exposure route.
Anode attachment modes and their formation in a high intensity argon arc

The anode region of a high intensity argon arc has been studied experimentally. As the cold ambient gas enters, the arc-anode attachment can appear in four different modes. Besides the well-known diffuse and constricted anode attachment modes, two transition modes have been observed, namely a lift-up mode and a multiple-attachment mode. The electron temperature and the electron density distributions for these modes have been obtained with a laser Thomson scattering system, which can probe the plasma 50 µm in front of the anode surface. The measurement results show good agreement with previous Langmuir probe results. The electric field distributions for these modes have been obtained for the first time by solving the charge continuity equation. The results indicate that the entrainment of the ambient cold gas first generates a ring in the fringes of the arc, which has low electron temperatures, low electron densities and an increased electric field strength accelerating electrons towards the anode. These characteristics encourage the electron overheating instability to develop, and lead to the formation of the multiple-attachment mode. One of the constricted multiple attachments grows and takes over most of the current as more ambient gas enters to form an anode jet and a constricted mode. Moreover, directly from the electric field distributions, the anode potential fall has been calculated. A negative anode fall exists in the centres of diffuse attachments, while a positive anode fall exists in the centres of constricted attachments.
Evaluation of 2 cement techniques for augmentation of stripped 1.5 mm screw sites in the distal metaphysis of feline radii.

Objective— To evaluate the effect of 2 cement augmentation techniques on pullout strength of 1.5 mm screws placed in stripped 1.5 mm screw sites in the distal metaphysis of feline radii. Study Design— Experimental study. Sample Population— Feline radii (21 pairs). Methods— Treatment groups (n=4) were allocated according to a Latin square design to 4 sites in each pair of radii. Positive and negative controls were a 1.5 mm screw and a screw of the same diameter in a previously stripped screw hole, respectively. Treatment groups were a 1.5 mm screw implanted in a previously stripped screw hole after injection of polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) or a bioresorbable calcium phosphate cement (CPC, Norian® skeletal repair system (SRS)). The ultimate pullout strength was compared between groups. Results— The mean (±SEM) pullout strength of screws augmented with either bone cement was less than that of the positive control group and greater than that of the negative control. Injection of CPC or PMMA before screw implantation increased the pullout strength of the negative control by 86.8±22.9% and 104.1±32.1%, respectively. Holding power of the positive control screws differed from these 2 groups, and was 274.8±39.17% higher than that of the negative control. Conclusion— Injection of CPC or PMMA increases but does not restore the holding power of stripped 1.5 mm diameter screws. Clinical Relevance— The use of CPC (Norian® SRS) augmentation of stripped 1.5 mm diameter screws warrants clinical investigation as it combines biomechanical results similar to PMMA with osteoconduction and resorbability.
A Method for Injecting Insect Tracheae Permanently

By the use of an alcohol insoluble dye (trypan blue), acetic acid, and a detergent (“Santomerse No. 3”), a resulting dye solution is obtained which will completely penetrate the tracheal system of an insect. The dye is injected by the use of a vacuum and by the pressure produced when the air is allowed to re-enter the dye vessel. The dye itself is permanently fixed in the tracheae by means of a fixing solution containing alcohol, acetic acid and barium chloride as its components. The material must be properly preserved after staining. It may be stored indefinitely in 70% alcohol, xylol, cedar oil or clove oil, depending on whether the material is to be used for sectioning or for whole mounts. Injected material may be sectioned in either celloidin or paraffin, or may be cleared and mounted in toto.
The risks and benefits of pre-event smallpox vaccination: where you stand depends on where you sit.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE/EDITORIAL Tomas J. Aragon, MD, DrPH Susan E. Fernyak, MD, MPH From the Center for Infectious Disease Preparedness, University of California–Berkeley (Aragon), Berkeley, CA; the Department of Medicine, University of California–San Francisco (Aragon, Fernyak), San Francisco, CA; and the San Francisco Department of Public Health (Aragon, Fernyak), City and County of San Francisco, CA. Editor’s note: This article was first published on Annals’ Web site (www.mosby.com/AnnEmergMed) on September 16, 2003. Articles of particular interest are published on the Web site in advance of their appearance in the print journal. In the future, an increasing percentage of our content will be published first on the Web, predat- ing the print publication as a service to our readers. Copyright © 2003 by the American College of Emergency Physicians. doi:10.1067/mem.2003.418 NOVEMBER 2003 ANNALS OF EMERGENCY MEDICINE The Risks and Benefits of Pre-event Smallpox Vaccination: Where You Stand Depends on Where You Sit See related article, p. 665, and editorial, p. 685. [Ann Emerg Med. 2003;42:681-684.] In this issue of Annals, Thorne et al 1 present a compre- hensive review of smallpox vaccination complications, as well as special issues related to smallpox vaccine programs and transmission of vaccinia. This topic is of importance to emergency physicians, who have a spe- cial role in the medical and public health response to microbial threats such as smallpox. In an outbreak, persons with smallpox are likely to seek care at emer- gency care settings even before an outbreak or release has been recognized. Like severe acute respiratory syn- drome, 2 health care workers may be infected with smallpox at higher rates unless they recognize this con- tagious threat and practice good infection control or are immune through prior successful smallpox vacci- nation. To prepare for such a scenario, the federal gov- ernment initiated the Smallpox Vaccination Program and recommended pre-event smallpox vaccination of up to 440,000 civilian public health and hospital-based personnel during the winter and spring of 2003 (Phase 1). 3 This was to be followed by Phase 2, where an addi- tional 10 million public safety and health care workers would be offered vaccine. 3 Despite federal support of this program, 37,802 civilians had been vaccinated as of June 20, 2003, 4 less than 10% of the anticipated number. Clearly, health care workers have voted with their arms on this initia-
Modeling the effect of source/drain junction depth on bulk-MOSFET scaling

Abstract Accurate threshold voltage (VT) modeling of bulk-MOSFETs is important for device optimization and circuit simulation. Existing VT models cannot model the impact of source/drain junction depth on VT rolloff. A new model is proposed that can accurately model bulk-MOSFET VT including the source/drain junction depth. The model also provides a scale-length that can be used to rapidly predict the minimum channel-length for a given set of technology parameters.
Increasing Prevalence of Diabetes Among the Three Affiliated Tribes

The findings from a 1988 audit of medical records of the Three Affiliated Tribes (the Mandan, Arickara, and Hidatsa) at the Fort Berthold, ND, Indian Reservation were compared with the findings from a 1975 audit. The total population served by the IHS clinic there has remained about the same. However, the number of people diagnosed as having diabetes has increased by >40%. This increase in known cases is caused largely by an increase in the number of women aged >40 yr who have diabetes. The actual prevalence of diabetes among people aged >40 yr has increased very little, presumably because the clinic population has aged somewhat over this period of time.
Interleukin-1β induces macrophage inflammatory protein-1β expression in human hepatocytes

The investigation of factors that regulate expression of CC-chemokines, the important mediators in immune responses and inflammation processes, has an important significance in understanding the immunopathogenesis of liver diseases. We examined the role of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta), a multifunctional cytokine, in regulating the expression of macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1beta in human hepatocytes (Huh7 and HepG2). IL-1beta significantly enhanced MIP-1beta expression in these cells at both the mRNA and protein levels. Cytokine-enriched supernatants from monocyte-derived macrophage (MDM) cultures also induced MIP-1beta expression. IL-1beta is responsible for MDM supernatant-mediated up-regulation of MIP-1beta since the antibody to IL-1beta abolished MDM supernatant action. Investigation of the mechanism involved in MIP-1beta induction by IL-1beta showed that IL-1beta activated the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) promoter in Huh7 cells. In addition, caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE), a specific inhibitor of the activation of NF-kappaB, not only abolished IL-1beta-mediated NF-kappaB promoter activation, but also blocked IL-1beta-induced MIP-1beta expression. These observations suggest that IL-1beta-mediated up-regulation of MIP-1beta production in the hepatic cells may contribute a critical mechanism for continuous recruitment of inflammatory cell to liver and maintenance of inflammation.
Menu pricing competition and a common agency with informed principals

We study a duopoly setting that consists of two capacity-constrained sellers and a single buyer. The capacity of each seller is her private information. The sellers simultaneously offer menus of quantity-price contracts to the buyer. Then the buyer chooses a set of contracts to maximize his own utility. We show that under certain natural conditions there exists a pure strategy equilibrium for the sellers which defines an efficient allocation. We study the effects of asymmetry of information, using the full information setting as a benchmark. We show that the revenue is higher when the capacities obtained by the sellers are private information.