cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bivalent phenethylamines as novel dopamine transporter inhibitors: evidence for multiple substrate-binding sites in a single transporter

Bivalent ligands--compounds incorporating two receptor-interacting moieties linked by a flexible chain--often exhibit profoundly enhanced binding affinity compared with their monovalent components, implying concurrent binding to multiple sites on the target protein. It is generally assumed that neurotransmitter sodium symporter (NSS) proteins, such as the dopamine transporter (DAT), contain a single domain responsible for recognition of substrate molecules. In this report, we show that molecules possessing two substrate-like phenylalkylamine moieties linked by a progressively longer aliphatic spacer act as progressively more potent DAT inhibitors (rather than substrates). One compound bearing two dopamine (DA)-like pharmacophoric 'heads' separated by an 8-carbon linker achieved an 82-fold gain in inhibition of [(3)H] 2beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-fluorophenyl)-tropane (CFT) binding compared with DA itself; bivalent compounds with a 6-carbon linker and heterologous combinations of DA-, amphetamine- and beta-phenethylamine-like heads all resulted in considerable and comparable gains in DAT affinity. A series of short-chain bivalent-like compounds with a single N-linkage was also identified, the most potent of which displayed a 74-fold gain in binding affinity. Computational modelling of the DAT protein and docking of the two most potent bivalent (-like) ligands suggested simultaneous occupancy of two discrete substrate-binding domains. Assays with the DAT mutants W84L and D313N--previously employed by our laboratory to probe conformation-specific binding of different structural classes of DAT inhibitors--indicated a bias of the bivalent ligands for inward-facing transporters. Our results strongly indicate the existence of multiple DAT substrate-interaction sites, implying that it is possible to design novel types of DAT inhibitors based upon the 'multivalent ligand' strategy.
Five cases of calciphylaxis and a review of the literature

Calciphylaxis is a rare phenomenon of cutaneous necrosis that typically occurs in association with renal failure and has a poor prognosis. We report 5 new cases of calciphylaxis that illustrate the important clinical and histopathologic features of the disease. All patients had end-stage renal failure at the time that purpuric plaques and nodules were noted; these subsequently progressed to necrotic ulcers with eschars. All skin biopsy specimens showed varying degrees of calcification of the medial layer of blood vessel walls in the dermis and subcutaneous fat. Neither the product of serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations nor parathyroid hormone levels correlated temporally with the clinical observations in every case, emphasizing the importance of clinical-histopathologic correlation. Although certain features of calciphylaxis in humans resemble the animal model originally proposed, there are also some crucial differences. We review the pathogenesis, epidemiology, clinical and histopathologic features, and treatment of this disease. (J Am Acad Dermatol 1999;40: 979-87.)
Evaluation of and recommendations for growth references for very low birth weight (< or =1500 grams) infants in the United States.

Objective. To determine the best available growth reference for evaluating the growth status of very low birth weight (VLBW; ≤1500 g) infants in the United States. Methods. We evaluated currently available growth references for VLBW infants in studies by Casey (Infant Health and Development Program [IHDP]), Brandt, Gairdner and Pearson, and Babson and Benda. We selected the 1 that best met a priori criteria and compared it with the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) growth charts. We evaluated the performance of both the selected VLBW reference and the CDC growth charts for use with VLBW infants by plotting data from 2 external data sets of VLBW infants (from Child Health and Development Studies [CHDS]) and linked the CDC’s Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System/Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance System Data (PNSS/PedNSS) on both references. Age was adjusted for gestational age in all of the VLBW data set comparisons. Results. The IHDP reference met the greatest number of our evaluation criteria. The IHDP charts are the most recent, are based on a relatively large sample of VLBW infants in the United States, and are adjusted for gestational age at birth (using the standard of birth at 40 weeks) to account for prematurity. The IHDP VLBW infants, based on corrected postnatal age, compared with the non-VLBW infants included in the new CDC growth charts showed more rapid growth in length-for-age from birth (40 weeks) to 24 months, were nearly equivalent in weight-for-age at birth (40 weeks), yet demonstrated less rapid growth in weight-for-age from 40 weeks to 24 months. The performance evaluation of the IHDP and CDC growth reference based on the 2 external VLBW data sets (CHDS and PNSS/PedNSS) showed that the IHDP charts more closely matched the external data sets in relative position on the graphs and growth patterns for length-for-age, but the CDC growth charts more closely matched the external data sets in the growth pattern for weight-for-length. In weight-for-age, because of the lack of stability in the pattern, we could not determine which reference the external data growth pattern more closely matched. Conclusions. Our evaluation of growth references for VLBW infants yielded no clear, simple recommendation. The inconsistencies in the discrepancies across anthropometric indices between the 2 external combined VLBW data sets (CHDS and PNSS/PedNSS) and the IHDP reference and the CDC growth charts make it difficult to recommend 1 reference. Therefore, we recommend using either the IHDP reference or the CDC growth charts to evaluate the growth of VLBW infants. The choice of which to use depends on its purpose. The IHDP reference is the best available reference for comparisons of the growth of a VLBW infant with those of other VLBW infants. The CDC growth charts allow comparison of the growth of a VLBW infant with that of non-VLBW infants.
Forget Culture: Replacement, Transcendence, Relexification

In his article "How Many Revolutions Can a Linguist Live Through?" Hill (1980:74) thus reflected on one by-product of the generativist revolution in linguistics, the critique of the taxonomic phoneme. Hill's lament exhibits a certain topicality for anthropology during a period in which culture, the discipline's longstanding darling, is increasingly embattled. The utility, not to mention the integrity, of the construct of culture-as expounded by Tylor, relativized by Boas, and thereafter refracted through diverse functionalist, ecological, cognitive, transactionalist, structuralist, Marxian, and hermeneutic perspectives-is increasingly being challenged. These recent objections to culture receive both absolutist and historically relativist phrasings, the former holding that the culture concept has been flawed from its inception and the latter that culture-viable enough as a device in earlier historical moments-can no longer engage a world in which social identities, practices, and ideologies are increasingly incongruent and volatile. What I propose to do here, in brief compass, is to examine the defects of the culture construct as currently represented in anthropological writing, to discuss in somewhat more detail the characteristics of three critiques of the concept (by James Clifford, Lila Abu-Lughod, and Pierre Bourdieu), and finally to reflect on the essentialist ideology at play in the current disciplinary self-consciousness of paradigmatic transition or emancipation. The objective is neither to defend the received culture concept from its critics (indeed, most of the criticisms are well founded) nor to articulate a version of the fatigued message that no new critical perspectives exist in the profession today, that "it's all been said" earlier and better. Rather, my purpose is to indicate how
Liquid phase oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid at medium-high temperatures: multiple benefits of CO2-expanded liquids

The Co/Mn/Br catalyzed oxidation of p-xylene to terephthalic acid (TPA) is demonstrated in CO2-expanded solvents at temperatures lower than those of the traditional Mid-Century (MC) process. As compared with the traditional air (N2/O2) oxidation system, the reaction with CO2/O2 mixture at 160 °C and using an additional inert gas (N2 or CO2) pressure of 100 bar increases both the yield of TPA and the purity of solid TPA via a more efficient conversion of the intermediates, 4-carboxybenzaldehyde and p-toluic acid. At the same time, the amount of yellow colored by-products in the solid TPA product is also lessened, as determined by spectroscopic analysis. Equally important, the decomposition or burning of the solvent, acetic acid, monitored in terms of the yield of the gaseous products, CO and CO2, is reduced by ca. 20% based on labeled CO2 experiments. These findings broaden the versatility of this new class of reaction media in homogeneous catalytic oxidations by maximizing the utilization of feedstock carbon for desired products while simultaneously reducing carbon emissions.
Random Number Generation for serial, parallel, distributed, and Grid-based financial computations

Summary form only given. In this talk we summarize some of our work in creating computational infrastructure to enable Monte Carlo computations in serial, parallel, distributed, and grid-based environments. We begin with a brief overview of the scalable parallel random number generators (SPRNG) library. This provides high quality pseudorandom numbers in all the above environments. We then discuss specific grid services for Monte Carlo that we recently developed. These services reduce wall clock time and improve the trustworthiness and integrity of grid-based computations. We then discuss quasirandom numbers based on scrambling in this context. Finally, we present results that differ for quasi-Monte Carlo methods on the grid from those presented for pseudorandom numbers.
The Effect of Duration of Alcohol Administration on the Deposition of Trace Elements in the Fetal Rat

It is postulated that the effect of alcohol on trace element deposition during pregnancy is a long term one, requiring alcohol administration throughout the 21 days of gestation. Female Charles River rats (N=30) were given a semi-synthetic diet throughout pregnancy. Half the animals received alcohol (8 ml/kg) by esophageal tube, the other half were sham operated. Within each group, animals were treated for one, two or three weeks beginning with day 0. Dams and pups were sacrificed following a natural delivery. Iron (Fe), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and magnesium (Mg) were measured in maternal and fetal tissues by atomic absorption spectometry. The results indicated an increased fetal level of Zn, Mg and Fe in all groups treated with alcohol. Increased fetal levels of Cu were found in the group treated for three weeks with alcohol. No differences were found in maternal tissue levels. These changes in fetal levels correspond to the effect of alcohol on gestation. Alcohol-treated litters were anywhere from 2 to 6 days overdue, providing a longer time period in utero for nutrient uptake.
Temperature Behavior of the Thomas-Fermi Statistical Model for Atoms

Abstract : The usual theoretical calculations of equations of state and specific heats, particularly at high temperatures and pressures, are dependent on the Thomas-Fermi statistical model of the atom. The mathematical description of this model involves complicated nonlinear differential equations, for which there have been an inadequate number of solutions available in the past. A number of solutions sufficiently extensive to determine the thermodynamic properties of all elements over an exceedingly wide range of temperatures and densities were obtained with the aid of an IBM 701 Defense Calculator. The results are presented in graphical form. In addition, some of the analytic properties of the Thomas-Fermi equations were investigated and certain approximate analytic solutions have been derived for limiting cases. (Author)
Presence of Fas-Fas Ligand System and Bcl-2 Gene Products in Cells and Fluids from Gonadotropin-Stimulated Human Ovaries1

Apoptosis, or programmed cell death, is an important mechanism for the regulation of embryonic development and tissue homeostasis. It is coordinated by a number of molecules including the Fas-Fas ligand (FasL) system and bcl-2. The purpose of this study was to characterize the expression of these molecules in human oocytes and cumulus cells from gonadotropin-stimulated human ovaries and to determine whether the presence of soluble Fas (sFas), soluble FasL, or interferon-g in follicular fluid (FF) correlated with apoptosis in cumulus cells, oocyte maturation, and embryo quality. Levels of sFas were significantly higher in FF containing immature oocytes compared with those containing atretic oocytes (P , 0.05; FF containing mature oocytes had highly variable levels of sFas. Levels of sFas in FF did not correlate with either fertilization, embryo quality resulting from fertilized oocytes, or apoptosis rate in cumulus cells. Fas was expressed in both unfertilized oocytes and cumulus cells, whereas FasL expression was not usually detected in these cell types. Messenger RNA for bcl-2 was detectable in both freshly isolated oocytes and cumulus cells but was not demonstrable following 24 h of culture that coincided with a significant increase of apoptosis in cumulus cells. Our results indicate that soluble forms of the Fas-FasL system are present in FF from gonadotropin-stimulated human ovaries and suggest that this system may play a role in preventing oocyte atresia during folliculogenesis but is probably not important for apoptotic events in cumulus cells and oocytes after fertilizaton failure. Apoptosis in this case may be facilitated by the downregulation of bcl-2. Further studies on the expression of these molecules in follicles containing atretic oocytes and immature oocytes are needed to confirm this new hypothesis. cumulus cells, follicle, ovary, ovum
Combined multiparticle tracking and quasi-elastic light-scattering microscope

Fluorescence polarization anisotropy can be used to study collective dynamics over time scales limited by the fluorescence lifetime which is rarely larger than microseconds. Recently, single particle tracking techniques have been developed that follow the motion of a single probe particle with nanometer precision and times as short as milliseconds. By studying only a single particle, the rich heterogeneity of the cell become inaccessible. There is, therefore, a need for the combined study of both collective and individual nm to micron scale fluctuations over a wide range of time scales. Dynamic, or quasi-elastic light scattering is an excellent tool for tracking on time and length scales that are biologically relevant. Its weakness has been the difficulties of interpreting its data set when the scattering particles are confined to fluctuate less than a wavelength and the difficulty of scattering from known regions within single cells. Working on an optical microscope, the authors have solved the problems of knowing the scattering volume and geometry by simultaneously imaging and scattering from the same particles. Recent interpretation developments enable them to invert their scattering data to obtain particle displacements. Significantly, in this experimental geometry, the authors make video recordings of the real space images of the particles they scatter from. From these recordings, the authors simultaneously track many particles in the field of view. The inhomogeneities of the system-for example, are some particles fixed while others move-can be studied by following the tracks of many particle simultaneously. The relative simplicity of this technique is that it uses commercially available detectors, electronics, and video technology.
Rheumatoid arthritis lung disease. Determinants of radiographic and physiologic abnormalities.

Objective. To determine the prevalence and important clinical predictors of radiographic and physiologic abnormalities indicative of rheumatoid arthritis interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). Methods. An unselected cohort of patients with a confirmed diagnosis of RA and known lung disease were identified (n = 336) and evaluated for RA disease activity and severity. Outcomes included abnormalities determined by the pulmonary function tests of forced vital capacity (FVC) and diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco), and/or chest radiographic findings of interstitial infiltrates. We used multivariable statistical modeling to determine the independent significance of cigarette smoking and other RA-specific factors on the pulmonary abnormalities of interest. Results. At least 1 of the 3 abnormal findings was identified by pulmonary tests in 32.4% of all patients. These abnormal findings included an FVC <80% of predicted in 42 patients, a DLco <80% of predicted in 64 patients, and evidence of radiographic interstitial infiltrates in 40 patients. After statistical adjustment for confounding factors, pack-years of cigarette smoking remained a significant predictor of low DLco (β = −0.07, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] −0.09, −0.04), low FVC (β = −0.003, 95% CI −0.006, −0.0004), and interstitial abnormalities on chest radiograph (odds ratio for ⩾25 pack-years = 3.76, 95% CI 1.59, 8.88). The Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) Disability Index (DI) was also an important risk factor for the decline in both the DLco (β = −1.15, 95% CI −2.00, −0.30) and FVC (β = −0.23, 95% CI −0.32, −0.13). Conclusion. Although RA disease activity/severity (particularly as defined by the HAQ DI) was important, smoking was the most consistent independent predictor of radiographic and physiologic abnormalities suggestive of ILD in RA.
Psychiatric nursing phenomena and the construct of family boundaries

Abstract Nursing theorists and practitioners are working to define the roles and functions of nurses more precisely in order to provide a clearer understanding of the nursing contribution to the multidisciplinary team. One method of achieving this goal is to identify and classify phenomena of interest using a nursing perspective. In this article, the multidisciplinary construct of family boundaries is explored as a phenomena of interest to psychiatric nurses. Kim's (1987) theoretical framework and a classification system derived by Coler and Vincent (1987) are applied to the construct and illustrated through use of a case study. Interventions relevant to type of family system boundaries are described.
Longer-Term Effects of Selective Thinning on Microarthropod Communities in a Late-Successional Coniferous Forest

Microarthropod densities within late-successional coniferous forests thinned 16–41 yr before sampling were compared with adjacent unthinned stands to identify longer term effects of thinning on this community. Soil and forest floor layers were sampled separately on eight paired sites. Within the forest floor oribatid, mesostigmatid, and to a marginal extent, prostigmatid mites, were reduced in thinned stands compared with unthinned stands. No differences were found for Collembola in the forest floor or for any mite suborder within the soil. Family level examination of mesostigmatid and prostigmatid mites revealed significant differences between stand types for both horizons. At the species level, thinning influenced numerous oribatid mites and Collembola. For oribatid mites, significant or marginally significant differences were found for seven of 15 common species in the forest floor and five of 16 common species in soil. Collembola were affected less, with differences found for one of 11 common species in the forest floor and three of 13 common species in soil. Multivariate analysis of variance and ordination indicated that forest thinning had little influence on the composition of oribatid mite and collembolan communities within either the forest floor or soil. Differences in microclimate or in the accumulation of organic matter on the forest floor were likely most responsible for the observed patterns of abundance. Considering the role that microarthropods play in nutrient cycling, determining the functional response of a wide range of taxa to thinning may be important to effective ecosystem management.
Narrating Brunei: Travelling histories of Brunei Indians

Between the late 1950s and the 1960s, a significant community of Indians appeared in Seria, an oil town in Brunei. Most of these Indians were recruited from India by the British Malayan Petroleum Company to staff its company offices in the wake of the rehabilitation of the Seria oilfields after the end of the Japanese occupation of Borneo. However, in official hagiographies of the Sultanate and historical accounts of Brunei, the Indians of Seria are invisible. Juxtaposed against this silence in the historical record, I pose the narrative agency of these Indians in asserting their place in the emergence of the modern state of Brunei and in historicizing their presence in a frontier oil town in Borneo. This article is based on extensive fieldwork in India, where most of these Indians retired to after decades of expatriate life in Brunei. Recalling their work and youth in Seria, they collectively claim an ‘origin’ in Seria while improvising a Brunei-Indian diaspora in India through their shared memories. In the absence of an archival record for the Indians in Seria, this article seeks to affirm the historical value of story-telling and diasporic remembering in recording a partisan genealogy of migration and settlement.
Economic Interdependence, Colonial Legacies and the Likelihood of Monetary Cooperation

Political scientists studying regional monetary cooperation have focused much attention on the extraordinary Western European efforts leading up to the creation of the Euro, but there have been many other regional projects involving monetary cooperation in the postwar era. These range from full-fledged currency unions like the West African franc zone and the former Soviet ruble zone to payments arrangements like the Central American Clearing House. In fact, since 1960 almost every region of the world has attempted or discussed monetary cooperation in some form.I argue that the strongest explanation for observed regional monetary cooperation is in previous institutional legacies, especially colonial legacies. The establishment of regional currency institutions in colonial times has a powerful effect on post-independence cooperation. Earlier institutions create powerful reinforcing effects that make later, post-independence cooperation more likely. While many colonial monetary institutions did not lead to later cooperation, the persistence of so many of these institutions suggests the need for additional study of how regional monetary institutions change incrementally over time.I show that levels of regional economic interdependence are only weakly related to observed patterns of regional monetary cooperation. In fact, many of the most successful efforts at monetary cooperation occur in the least interdependent regions. Taken together, these results demonstrate that economic explanations for currency cooperation are most useful when combined with careful analysis of institutional legacies.
Remodeling the Competition for Capital: How Domestic Politics Erases the Race to the Bottom

This paper proposes and tests a new formal model of the competition for capital, using the analogy of a “tournament” as a substitute for the “race-to-the-bottom” model. Our key insight is that political costs that accompany legislating have both direct and indirect effects on the likelihood and scale of reforms. While countries with higher political costs are less likely themselves to enact reforms, the presence of these costs also reduces competing countries’ incentives to reform regardless of their own political costs. Domestic politics therefore mitigates the pressures for downward convergence of tax policy despite increased capital mobility. We examine the capital tax policies in OECD countries during the period from 1980 to 1997 and find that states are sensitive to tax reforms in competitor countries, although their responses to reforms are mediated by their own domestic costs to reform. We define two potential sources of political costs of reform: transaction costs, due to the presence of multiple veto players in the legislative process, and constituency costs, due to ideological opposition to policy changes that benefit capital. Our evidence reveals that a reduction in these costs either domestically or abroad increases the likelihood that a country enacts tax reforms. hat are the policy consequences of the elimination of various barriers to international capital and labor mobility? Robert Frost, in Mending Wall, instructed that “Good fences make good neighbors.” Scholars have increasingly expressed this sentiment’s converse, i.e., the pessimistic viewpoint that as the mobility of factors of production increases, international competition assumes a “beggar-thy-neighbor” character. When “fences” separate countries and make it difficult for factors of production to move from country to country, governments can operate essentially as monopolistic suppliers of services. Governments can extract a price from the owners of productive resources in the form of taxes or can place regulatory restrictions on production without fear that factors of production will emigrate. When the “fences” fall and governments must compete with each other for the same resources, a state’s or country’s ability to tax or regulate diminishes; in the extreme, countries lose sovereignty over domestic policymaking (e.g., Andrews 1994 and Lee and McKenzie 1989). The model that most scholars employ (implicitly or explicitly) to understand international or interstate competition is known commonly by its central prediction: the “race-to-the-bottom” (e.g., Oates 1972).
Gravity Wave Excitation by Geostrophic Adjustment of the Jet Stream. Part I: Two-Dimensional Forcing

Abstract A previous study of inertio–gravity wave motions radiating from a two-dimensional ageostrophic Gaussian jet is extended here to a three-dimensional jet source. Fourier integral solutions of the initial-value problem are obtained in analytic form to facilitate comparison with the previous two-dimensional results. For an initial disturbance elongated along the jet axis, the wave solutions near the midpoint are nearly indistinguishable from those obtained in two dimensions and approach those solutions as the jet increases in length. At locations not symmetric with respect to the longitudinal jet axis, inertio–gravity wave structure departs increasingly from the two-dimensional results. In such cases, the early response is determined by the nearby jet structure and exhibits propagation primarily normal to the jet axis. At later times, however, the response is due to the initial disturbance at other locations along the jet axis and reveals a tendency for propagation parallel to the jet. The mean motio...
New Treatments for Left Ventricular Assist Device-Associated Bleeding?

In 2004, our program in Hannover, Germany, was among the first centers in the world gaining clinical experience with a new ventricular assist device (VAD) called the HeartMate II (HMII) (Thoratec Corporation, Pleasanton, California). At that time, hopes were not high because the pilot trial was
Stabilisation of infected peri-articular nonunions with an antibiotic impregnated cement coated locking plate: Technique and indications

Management of fracture nonunion in the setting of subacute or chronic bacterial infection is a clinical challenge. Treatment must concurrently manage fracture instability and bacterial contamination. When acute infection occurs following fracture fixation, surgical debridement, antibiotic suppression and retention of stable fracture fixation hardware have been shown to be successful [1]. When fracture healing has not occurred alongside deep infection, alternative tactics must be explored. A general approach involves implant removal, thorough excisional debridement and irrigation, fracture stabilisation and focused systemic antibiotic therapy with or without additional local antibiosis. The use of antibiotic impregnated poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) as a nonbiodegradable drug delivery vehicle is well described in the orthopaedic literature [2,3]. Antibiotic impregnated PMMA can be placed in open fractures, areas of bone loss, soft tissue wounds, as well as in the setting of acute and chronic orthopaedic infections. Multiple authors have also reported the success of antibiotic impregnated PMMA intramedullary (IM) implants to stabilise and treat infected long bone nonunions [4–6]. The stabilisation and management of infected peri-articular nonunions remains a clinical challenge. In some clinical scenarios, limb stability is best achieved with a plate and screw device. We describe the creation and use of an antibiotic impregnated PMMA cement covered periarticular plate for this problem. This approach is highly effective in the provisional or definitive treatment of infected periarticular nonunions. It provides local delivery of antibiotics, immediate osseous stability, complete soft tissue closure and early range of motion.
Reactions of the Cobaltaborane 2,4-{(η5-C5Me5)Co}2B3H7 with Metal Fragments. Synthesis and Characterization of nido-1-{(η5-C5Me5)Co}-2-{(CO)3Fe}B3H7 and arachno-(η5-C5Me5)(CO)CoB3H7

The reactions of nido-2,4-(Cp*Co)2B3H7, 1, Cp* = (η5-C5Me5), with Fe2(CO)9 and Co2(CO)8 generate seven skeletal electron pair (sep) nido-1-{Cp*Co}-2-((CO)3Fe)B3H7, 2, by metal fragment substitution and seven sep arachno-Cp*(CO)CoB3H7, 3, by metal fragment degradation. Both compounds are characterized spectroscopically in solution and with single-crystal X-ray diffraction in the solid state. On the basis of the results and related chemistry, the suggested reaction pathway involves M(CO)4, M = Fe and Co, coordination to a Co−H−B edge of 1 followed by loss of Cp*Co(CO) which leads to 2. We postulate that the cobalt analogue of 2, which would be an odd-electron species, readily loses a cobalt carbonyl fragment to form 3.
Long-term use of corn coproducts as a source of protein in beef finishing diets and the effects on carcass characteristics and round muscle quality

A finishing trial was conducted during the late spring and summer of 2 consecutive years to evaluate long-term feeding of corn gluten feed and dried distillers' grains with solubles in finishing rations in the southeastern United States on feedlot performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality attributes. Each year, 36 steers (yr 1 BW = 396 ± 18 kg; yr 2 BW = 436 ± 23 kg) were assigned to 1 of 3 finishing diets that contained 1) 25% dried corn gluten feed (CGF), 2) 25% dried distillers' grains plus solubles (DDGS), or 3) 10% soybean meal and 15% ground corn (SBM) and evaluated over a 100-d feedlot period. All steers were previously fed their respective diets at 25% of DM in a corn silage-based stockering system for 84 d. During the 100-d feedlot trial, weights were recorded and carcass traits were estimated via ultrasound on d -0, 50, and 100. All steers were subsequently harvested under federal inspection and had carcass data collected for quality and yield traits. At 48 h postmortem, the rectus femoris (RF), vastus lateralis (VL), and semimembranosus (SM) were collected for proximate analysis and aged for 7, 14, and 21 d for Warner-Bratzler shear and sensory analysis. Diet did not affect ( ≥ 0.14) BW, DMI, or ultrasound composition traits; however, DDGS steers had greater ADG ( = 0.05) than SBM steers and had greater ( = 0.04) G:F than CGF or SBM steers. There were no differences in carcass characteristics due to diet except the CGF carcasses had greater LM area and marbling scores ( ≤ 0.05). Protein source did not affect proximate composition, but the RF had greater percent moisture and lower percent protein compared with the VL and SM and greater percent lipid than the SM ( ≤ 0.01). Shear force analysis revealed a diet × aging period interaction ( = 0.04) where DDGS steaks were similar across all aging periods; however, steaks from SBM and CGF carcasses became more tender after 14 and 21 d of aging, respectively. Sensory panel results indicate that DDGS steaks were more tender than CGF and SBM steaks ( = 0.02) and steak tenderness increased, as expected, with aging ( 0.05). These data show that long-term use of CGF or DDGS at 25% DM will have a minimal impact on animal performance, carcass characteristics, or sensory traits of selected round cuts.
Synthesis and Characterization of Supported Bioactive Lipid Membranes

Single and multicomponent membrane-mimetic surfaces of DPPC and synthetic lipid-peptide conjugates were formed on an alkylated glass surface by a process of vesicle fusion. Correlative atomic force microscopy and radiochemical titration techniques confirmed the generation of a single substrate supported monolayer and predictable deposition of defined concentrations of lipopeptide. Mixed systems were stable for periods exceeding 1 month if stored at room temperature in phosphate buffered saline.
The susceptibility of liquid 3 He near 1 K

The susceptibility of an interacting system of fermions is calculated by expanding the partition function in a way similar to the semiclassical expansion. The interactions enter through the radial distribution functiong(q) and an effective temperatureT eff in the momentum distribution function. By making simple approximations forg(q), it is shown that the present theory contains most other high-temperature theories as special limiting cases. When the available experimental data for the liquid structure function, which is related to the Fourier transform ofg(q), are used and a plausible choice forT eff is made, reasonable agreement is obtained with the experimental results for the susceptibility of liquid3He near 1 K.
Effects of Avian Pituitary Glands in Salamanders

SummaryAnterior lobes of pituitaries of adult fowl (as fresh implants or powdered and injected in salt solution), or of young chick pituitaries (if a sufficient number of glands is implanted daily), will cause ovulation out of season in Triturus viridescens females. The thyroids of these females are stimulated beyond thenormal condition. These results indicate that no specificity of hormone or hormones in ovulation-inducing and thyroid-stimulating capacities exists between birds and amphibians.
Ultrafast Coherent Raman Scattering at Plasmonic Nanojunctions

Surface-enhanced coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (SECARS) measurements carried out on individual nanosphere dimer nantennas are presented. The ν-domain and t-domain CARS measurements in the few-molecule limit are contrasted as vibrational autocorrelation and cross-correlation, respectively. We show that in coherent Raman spectroscopies carried out with ultrashort pulses, the effect of surface enhancement is to saturate stimulated steps at very low incident intensities (100 fJ in 100 fs pulses), and the principal consideration in sensitivity is the effective quadratic enhancement of spontaneous emission cross sections, σ* = (EL/Eo)2σ. Through multicolor femtosecond SECARS measurements we show that beside enhancement factors, an effective plasmon mode matching consideration controls the interplay between coherent electronic Raman scattering on the nantenna and vibrational Raman scattering on its molecular load. Through extensive measurements on individual nantennas, we establish the tolerable average ...
TU-AB-BRC-09: Fast Dose-Averaged LET and Biological Dose Calculations for Proton Therapy Using Graphics Cards

Purpose: To demonstrate fast and accurate Monte Carlo (MC) calculations of proton dose-averaged linear energy transfer (LETd) and biological dose (BD) on a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) card. Methods: A previously validated GPU-based MC simulation of proton transport was used to rapidly generate LETd distributions for proton treatment plans. Since this MC handles proton-nuclei interactions on an event-by-event using a Bertini intranuclear cascade-evaporation model, secondary protons were taken into account. The smaller contributions of secondary neutrons and recoil nuclei were ignored. Recent work has shown that LETd values are sensitive to the scoring method. The GPU-based LETd calculations were verified by comparing with a TOPAS custom scorer that uses tabulated stopping powers, following recommendations by other authors. Comparisons were made for prostate and head-and-neck patients. A python script is used to convert the MC-generated LETd distributions to BD using a variety of published linear quadratic models, and to export the BD in DICOM format for subsequent evaluation. Results: Very good agreement is obtained between TOPAS and our GPU MC. Given a complex head-and-neck plan with 1 mm voxel spacing, the physical dose, LETd and BD calculations for 108 proton histories can be completed in ∼5 minutes using a NVIDIA Titan X card. The rapid turnover means that MC feedback can be obtained on dosimetric plan accuracy as well as BD hotspot locations, particularly in regards to their proximity to critical structures. In our institution the GPU MC-generated dose, LETd and BD maps are used to assess plan quality for all patients undergoing treatment. Conclusion: Fast and accurate MC-based LETd calculations can be performed on the GPU. The resulting BD maps provide valuable feedback during treatment plan review. Partially funded by Varian Medical Systems.
Rates, Kinetics, and Mechanisms of Epoxidation: Homogeneous, Heterogeneous, and Biological Routes

Publisher Summary Great advances have been made in the field of catalytic epoxidation in the last 10 years, and continue to be made as new catalysts and reactions are discovered and new processes are developed. Of particular interest has been the subject of mechanism, which has played an important role not only in improving technology, but also in advancing fundamental knowledge in the area of chemistry. Notable are the high levels of understanding that have been achieved in the areas of heterogeneous epoxidation on Ag catalysts, homogeneous catalysts based on Ti, V, Mo, W, and Re, and biomimetic catalysts based on Fe and Mn. Much insight is provided by the advent of theoretical methods, notably density functional theory, which provide detailed pictures of the relationship between structure and reactivity, and which can be used to distinguish between competing views on reaction pathways. The goal of this chapter is to present a detailed overview of the epoxidation area and to organize the advances made in the area of mechanism, so as to give a perspective on similarities and differences between different catalysts. It is often said that mechanisms come and go, but rates remain firm. With this in mind, considerable attention is also placed on the reporting of rates. Because of the large difference in catalyst types, the conditions are not generally the same, but an attempt is made to utilize turnover frequencies so as to permit comparisons between different systems.
“I am Coach”: A Model for Developing Students as Their Own Best Coach

The purpose of this article is to describe a hybrid model designed to assist in developing students as their own best individual and peer coaches. As students interact with the content through a hands-on approach, they are able to develop higher-order thinking skills by analyzing and evaluating skill performance using a games-centered approach. Participation in the process of skill analysis and evaluation may lead to a deeper understanding of skill execution and the ability to make appropriate changes to personal performance and create more constructive practice sessions.
The Thermal Conductivity of Solid Neon

The thermal conductivity of solid neon samples at constant volume was measured from 0.5 K to 10 K. An isotopically purified 20Ne sample and a sample with the natural isotopic mixture were studied. Measurements were made at molar volumes of 13.4 cc/mole and 12.9 cc/mole. The conductivity of samples grown under pressure shows a very strong increase with decreasing molar volume. For the natural neon samples examined between 5 K and 10 K, κ∝V−11±3. In the same temperature range, the value of K is proportional to T−2.2. At low temperatures, from 1 K to 0.5 K, the conductivity data of all samples showed a dependence on temperature of approximately T2.7. Minimum phonon mean free paths of 0.013 cm, estimated from the conductivity at the lowest temperatures, are two to four times longer than those of earlier experimenters. However, they still indicate a substantial concentration of crystal defects which could not be reduced further by any of the variety of growth procedures used. The high temperature thermal conductivity of the isotopically purified solid neon is observed to have a much stronger temperature dependence than the natural neon samples. For purified samples at the highest temperatures, the thermal conductivity falls below that of natural neon of similar molar volume, in contradiction to the assumption that scattering processes are additive.
Carbon nanotube Schottky diodes for high frequency applications

We have developed Schottky diodes using semiconducting nanotubes with titanium Schottky and platinum Ohmic contacts. At low biases these diodes showed ideality factors in the range of 1.5 to 1.9. The performance prediction as room-temperature detectors at 2.5 THz resulted in NEP potentially comparable to that of the state-of-the-art gallium arsenide solid-state Schottky diodes in the range of 10/sup -13/ W//spl radic/Hz.
NPM1 directs PIDDosome-dependent caspase-2 activation in the nucleolus

The PIDDosome (PIDD-RAIDD-caspase-2 complex) is considered to be the primary signaling platform for caspase-2 activation in response to genotoxic stress. Yet studies of PIDD-deficient mice show that caspase-2 activation can proceed in the absence of PIDD. Here we show that DNA damage induces the assembly of at least two distinct activation platforms for caspase-2: a cytoplasmic platform that is RAIDD dependent but PIDD independent, and a nucleolar platform that requires both PIDD and RAIDD. Furthermore, the nucleolar phosphoprotein nucleophosmin (NPM1) acts as a scaffold for PIDD and is essential for PIDDosome assembly in the nucleolus after DNA damage. Inhibition of NPM1 impairs caspase-2 processing, apoptosis, and caspase-2-dependent inhibition of cell growth, demonstrating that the NPM1-dependent nucleolar PIDDosome is a key initiator of the caspase-2 activation cascade. Thus we have identified the nucleolus as a novel site for caspase-2 activation and function.
Recent advances in plasma modeling for space applications

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a brief overview of the application of advanced plasma modeling techniques to several space science and engineering problems currently of significant interest. Recent advances in both kinetic and fluid modeling provide the ability to study a wide variety of problems that may be important to space plasmas including spacecraft–environment interactions, plasma–material interactions for propulsion systems such as Hall thrusters, ionospheric plasma instabilities, plasma separation from magnetic nozzles, active space experiments, and a host of additional problems. Some of the key findings are summarized here.
Biofilms in Potable Water Distribution Systems

High bacterial populations in potable water distribution systems, sometimes referred to as events or blooms, have troubled utilities because of their possible implications for the hygienic safety and taste and odor of their product. Before considering the contribution of biofilm accumulation to these high bacterial populations in distribution systems, some terminology must be clarified with regard to drinking water bacteriology.
Low-mortality death in hospitals after vertical integration with Health Maintenance Organizations

Objective: Hospital mergers and acquisitions continue to rise due to government and market pressures to join Accountable Care Organizations in order to lower costs. Our study examines the changes in a quality of care measure when hospitals were acquired by Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs) to analyze the effect that vertical integration has on coordination of care. Methods: Using California patient discharge data from 2000-2011, our analysis used differences-in-differences and logistic models to test for a change in a quality of care measure before and after hospitals merged with an HMO. We utilized Patient Safety Indicator #2, death rate in low-mortality diagnosis related groups, to measure quality of care. Results: Hospitals experienced decreases in low-mortality death rates after being acquired by an HMO. This group of hospitals had increasing measures of the quality indicator prior to the merge as well, suggesting selection of well-performing hospitals by HMOs. Hospitals acquired by HMOs also faced increased Type-2 diabetes rates post-merge. Conclusions: Our results suggest that hospitals merging with a vertically integrated health care system may lead to increases in quality of care. It appears that this could be due to either HMOs providing more coordinated care, or that HMOs acquire hospitals already trending towards better care.
Nitric Oxide Fumigation for Control of Bulb Mites on Flower Bulbs.

In this article, the efficacy of nitric oxide (NO) fumigation to control bulb mites in the genus Rhizoglyphus and its effects on germination and growth of flower bulbs were studied. Bulb mites on infested peanuts were fumigated with NO at different concentrations under ultralow oxygen conditions in 1.9-liter jars for 4–48 h at various temperatures ranging from 2 to 20 °C. Bulb mites were susceptible to NO fumigation treatment. Efficacy of fumigation treatment increased with increased concentration, treatment time, and temperature within the ranges tested. Complete control of bulb mites was achieved in 24-h fumigation with 3.0% and 5.0% NO at 10 °C and with 2.0% NO at 20 °C. A fumigation treatment with 3.0% NO at 20 °C for 24 h, which was stronger than necessary for bulb mite control, was tested on bulbs of four flower varieties to determine its safety on germination and growth of the flower bulbs. The NO fumigation treatments did not significantly affect germination and growth of flower bulbs. This study showed that NO fumigation was effective against bulb mites on peanuts and did not affect germination and growth of flower bulbs. Therefore, NO fumigation has potential for postharvest control of bulb mites on flower bulbs.
EGFR Inhibitors and Cutaneous Complications: A Practical Approach to Management

Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors (EGFRIs) are increasingly being used for malignancies of epithelial origin. Though these therapies are better tolerated than conventional chemotherapy, they have unique side-effect profiles that are related to their mechanism of action. Given the function of the epidermal growth factor receptor in the skin, nails, and hair, dermatologic side effects are commonly seen with the use of EGFRIs. This review includes a practical approach to recognizing and treating the most common dermatologic side effects seen with EGFRIs, including papulopustular eruptions, nail changes, xerosis and pruritus, hair changes, mucositis, and radiation dermatitis exacerbations.