cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative measurement of protein mass and radioactivity in N,N′-diallyltartardiamide crosslinked polyacrylamide slab gels

Abstract A simple technique for quantitative measurement of protein mass and radioactivity in samples separated by polyacrylamide slab gel electrophoresis is presented. The method is based on the sobubility in periodic acid of polyacrylamide gels crosslinked with N,N′ -diallyltartardiamide (DATD). Proteins are first stained with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250, and the quantity of dye in solubilized gel sections is measured spectrophotometrically at 560 nm. Color stability is maximum at pH 3.0 and 25°C. Protein quantification is linear within most normal working conditions, and absorbance is not substantially affected by large variations in bandwidth. In addition, the radioactivity in gel slices from radioactive protein bands can be determined by liquid scintillation spectrometry following absorbance measurement. Neither periodic acid nor Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 cause substantial quenching in radioactive samples. Relative changes in synthesis and accumulation of myosin heavy chains in cultured skeletal muscle cells is presented to illustrate the technique.
Wear measurement of highly cross-linked UHMWPE using a 7Be tracer implantation technique

The very low wear rates achieved with the current highly cross-linked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylenes (UHMWPE) used in joint prostheses have proven to be difficult to measure accurately by gravimetry. Tracer methods are therefore being explored. The purpose of this study was to perform a proof-of-concept experiment on the use of the radioactive tracer beryllium-7 ((7)Be) for the determination of in vitro wear in a highly cross-linked orthopedic UHMWPE. Three cross-linked and four conventional UHMWPE pins made from compression-molded GUR 1050, were activated with 10(9) to 10(10) (7)Be nuclei using a new implantation setup that produced a homogenous distribution of implanted nuclei up to 8.5 μm below the surface. The pins were tested for wear in a six-station pin-on-flat apparatus for up to 7.1 million cycles (178 km). A Germanium gamma detector was employed to determine activity loss of the UHMWPE pins at preset intervals during the wear test. The wear of the cross-linked UHMWPE pins was readily detected and estimated to be 17 ± 3 μg per million cycles. The conventional-to-cross-linked ratio of the wear rates was 13.1 ± 0.8, in the expected range for these materials. Oxidative degradation damage from implantation was negligible; however, a weak dependence of wear on implantation dose was observed limiting the number of radioactive tracer atoms that can be introduced. Future applications of this tracer technology may include the analysis of location-specific wear, such as loss of material in the post or backside of a tibial insert.
Immunoassays for Testosterone in Women: Better than a Guess?

Recent developments in the field of mass spectrometry have provided the accuracy and sensitivity to evaluate very-low-abundance steroids such as testosterone in female and pediatric patients. In this issue of Clinical Chemistry , Taieb et al. (1) present the most comprehensive evaluation of automated testosterone immunoassays to date. They compared 10 commercially available immunoassays with isotope-dilution gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (ID-GC/MS) and reached the inescapable conclusion that testosterone immunoassay results for specimens from females are inaccurate. Similar data have been reported for individual testosterone immunoassays previously (2), but Taieb et al. (1) are the first to show that for every commercially available testosterone assay studied, the values are in error—by a factor of 2 on average and in some cases by a factor of almost 5. Are assays that miss target values by 200–500% meaningful? Guessing would be more accurate and additionally could provide cheaper and faster testosterone results for females—without even having to draw the patient’s blood. By limiting all guesses to a narrow range, e.g., 2.04–2.44 nmol/L, the results would rarely be off by more than a factor of 3. Using a random number generator, we generated values close to the average female concentration measured by Taieb et al. (they were kind …
Acoustic loads on upper-surface-blown powered-lift systems

Powered-lift concepts are utilized in aircraft currently under development for STOL application. One of the concepts, upper surface blowing, places the jet exit just above the upper surface of the wing to produce powered lift from the jet exhaust blowing over the deflected flap. New data are presented to show the effects of airspeed, angle of attack, and angle of jet impingement. Scaling relationships are investigated concerning their applicability for extrapolating data to a different model size. The effects of a number of test parameters are examined and full-scale spectra are predicted from model data. It is concluded that scale models are an effective means for obtaining fluctuating pressure spectra for use in aircraft design. The prediction of full-scale loads from model data will require geometrically accurate models and closely spaced measurement locations.
High Levels of Antibodies to the CD4 Binding Domain of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Glycoprotein 120 Are Associated with Faster Disease Progression

Human monoclonal antibodies (Abs) to the CD4 binding domain of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) type 1 glycoprotein (gp) 120 (gp120 CD4bd ) inhibit gp120 presentation to gp120-specific T helper (Th) cells. Since Th responses are critical to control HIV, anti-gp120 CD4bd Abs could be involved in HIV pathogenesis. Therefore, anti-gp120 CD4bd Ab levels were compared in serum samples from matched pairs of HIV-positive rapid progressors (RPs) and slow progressors (SPs). Many RPs had higher levels of anti-gp120 CD4bd Abs than their corresponding SPs. However, Ab levels to whole gp120 and to its C5 domain were similar. Hence, the higher levels of anti-gp120 CD4bd Abs detected in the serum of RPs do not reflect generalized increases in Ab levels to whole gp120. Moreover, anti-gp120 CD4bd Ab levels correlated with the amount of inhibition of gp120-specific Th proliferation in the presence of respective serum immunoglobulin G. These findings document a novel mechanism of HIV pathogenesis mediated by anti-gp120 CD4bd Abs exhibiting suppressive activity on gp120 presentation.
Cost-Effectiveness of Screening for Asymptomatic Carotid Atherosclerotic Disease

Background and Purpose The value of screening for asymptomatic carotid stenosis has become an important issue with the recently reported beneficial effect of endarterectomy. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of using Doppler ultrasound as a screening tool to select subjects for arteriography and subsequent surgery. Methods A computer model was developed to simulate the cost-effectiveness of screening a cohort of 1000 men during a 20-year period. The primary outcome measure was incremental present-value dollar expenditures for screening and treatment per incremental present-value quality-adjusted life-year (QALY) saved. Estimates of disease prevalence and arteriographic and surgical complication rates were obtained from the literature. Probabilities of stroke and death with surgical and medical treatment were obtained from published clinical trials. Doppler ultrasound sensitivity and specificity were obtained through review of local experience. Estimates of costs were obtained...
Color Vision for Microelectronics Inspection

The rapid and accurate inspection of microelectronic structures is necessary to increase the yield in semiconductor manufacturing. Machine inspection using black and white vision is increasingly being used to automate this function. Recently, color vision has become available as a tool for machine vision. In this paper we present the use of color vision for the measurement of oxide thickness on a silicon wafer. We have achieved a resolution of less than 30 Angstroms in thickness discrimination. The system can also be used to monitor uniformity of oxide thickness across the surface of a wafer. The sensitivity and stability of the method, along with the factors that affect the two, are examined in order to ensure long term stability and repeatability.
Discovering robust protein biomarkers for disease from relative expression reversals in 2-D DIGE data.

This study assesses the ability of a novel family of machine learning algorithms to identify changes in relative protein expression levels, measured using 2-D DIGE data, which support accurate class prediction. The analysis was done using a training set of 36 total cellular lysates comprised of six normal and three cancer biological replicates (the remaining are technical replicates) and a validation set of four normal and two cancer samples. Protein samples were separated by 2-D DIGE and expression was quantified using DeCyder-2D Differential Analysis Software. The relative expression reversal (RER) classifier correctly classified 9/9 training biological samples (p<0.022) as estimated using a modified version of leave one out cross validation and 6/6 validation samples. The classification rule involved comparison of expression levels for a single pair of protein spots, tropomyosin isoforms and α-enolase, both of which have prior association as potential biomarkers in cancer. The data was also analyzed using algorithms similar to those found in the extended data analysis package of DeCyder software. We propose that by accounting for sources of within- and between-gel variation, RER classifiers applied to 2-D DIGE data provide a useful approach for identifying biomarkers that discriminate among protein samples of interest.
Quantum-defect analysis of the effects of np 2 terms on the singlet terms of alkaline earths and of their isoelectronic sequences*

The effects of the np2 configurations on interacting Rydberg series are studied by a simple graphic method that exploits the variation of the quantum defect of energy levels along the ioselectronic sequences of alkaline earths. Regularities and relationships between different isoelectronic sequences can thus be observed and perturbations can be identified; extrapolations and interpolations can then be done to check and to locate energy levels and their assignments and to understand term inversions. Extensive data are available for this purpose for the sequences of Be i and Mg i; Ca, Sr, and Ba will be treated summarily. Interpolated energy values of 3p2 1S0 for Al ii, S v, and Ar vii were obtained.
Design and Lipase Catalyzed Synthesis of 4-Methylcoumarin-siloxane Hybrid Copolymers

Poly dimethylsiloxanes with amino end groups were copolymerized with diesters of 4-methylcoumarins enzymatically using a lipase (Candida antarctica lipase) as a biocatalyst. In a separate synthesis, 4-methylcoumarin was also incorporated into the poly siloxanes-isophthalate copolymers by functionalization of hydroxyl groups in the isophthalate moiety. The synthesis and characterization of two sets of novel copolymers are presented. The thermal and flammability properties of these polymers have also been studied using TGA and microcalorimetry, respectively.
Comparison of Two Deformable Registration Algorithms in the Presence of Radiologic Change Between Serial Lung CT Scans

We evaluated the image registration accuracy achieved using two deformable registration algorithms when radiation-induced normal tissue changes were present between serial computed tomography (CT) scans. Two thoracic CT scans were collected for each of 24 patients who underwent radiation therapy (RT) treatment for lung cancer, eight of whom experienced radiologically evident normal tissue damage between pre- and post-RT scan acquisition. For each patient, 100 landmark point pairs were manually placed in anatomically corresponding locations between each pre- and post-RT scan. Each post-RT scan was then registered to the pre-RT scan using (1) the Plastimatch demons algorithm and (2) the Fraunhofer MEVIS algorithm. The registration accuracy for each scan pair was evaluated by comparing the distance between landmark points that were manually placed in the post-RT scans and points that were automatically mapped from pre- to post-RT scans using the displacement vector fields output by the two registration algorithms. For both algorithms, the registration accuracy was significantly decreased when normal tissue damage was present in the post-RT scan. Using the Plastimatch algorithm, registration accuracy was 2.4 mm, on average, in the absence of radiation-induced damage and 4.6 mm, on average, in the presence of damage. When the Fraunhofer MEVIS algorithm was instead used, registration errors decreased to 1.3 mm, on average, in the absence of damage and 2.5 mm, on average, when damage was present. This work demonstrated that the presence of lung tissue changes introduced following RT treatment for lung cancer can significantly decrease the registration accuracy achieved using deformable registration.
Allosteric modulators of class B G-protein-coupled receptors.

Class B GPCR’s are activated by peptide ligands, typically 30-40 amino acid residues, that are involved in major physiological functions such as glucose homeostasis (glucagon and glucagon-like peptide 1), calcium homeostasis and bone turnover (parathyroid hormone and calcitonin), and control of the stress axis (corticotropin-releasing factor). Peptide therapeutics have been developed targeting these receptors but development of nonpeptide ligands, enabling oral administration, has proved challenging. Allosteric modulation of these receptors provides a potential route to developing nonpeptide ligands that inhibit, activate, or potentiate activation of these receptors. Here the known mechanisms of allosteric modulators targeting Class B GPCR’s are reviewed, particularly nonpeptide antagonists of the corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor and allosteric enhancers of the glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor. Also discussed is the potential for antagonist ligands to operate by competitive inhibition of one of the peptide binding sites, analogous to the Charniere mechanism. These mechanisms are then used to discuss potential strategies and management of pharmacological complexity in the future development of allosteric modulators for Class B GPCR’s.
Cardiometabolic features of polycystic ovary syndrome

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a complex disorder comprising both hormonal and metabolic abnormalities that include impaired glucose tolerance, type 2 diabetes, vascular disease, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea. Insulin resistance is a central pathogenetic factor in PCOS that seems to result from a post-receptor-binding defect in insulin action. Insulin resistance and the consequent development of hyperinsulinemia contribute to the constellation of cardiometabolic abnormalities noted above. Although there is a paucity of data in regard to cardiovascular event rates and mortality in PCOS, an increased prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors has been well documented. Attention to the metabolic risks associated with PCOS, starting as early as adolescence, is essential to the medical care of these patients.
GAINS: genetic algorithms for increasing net sales of a mobile reverse demand communication system

In this paper, I describe MRDCOM, a mobile reverse-demand communication system for the pizza industry. The web-based system will support student (buyer) sign-up and will be capable of sending buyers discount food offers through mobile phone text messaging technology. Pizza sellers will be able to easily purchase pizza sales offers that will then be sent only to a relevant sub-group of users. A component of MRDCOM, GAINS, is an offline genetic algorithm (GA) learning component designed to model the offers that are accepted. The rule set derived from the GA component will be used to raise user satisfaction by sending offers to users most likely to accept them. GAINS is expected to increase the accepted offer rate will provide economic benefits for students, pizza sellers, and the administrators of the MRDCOM system.
Mapping Mainstream and Fringe Medicine on the Internet.

This report describes a system that monitors Internet discussion groups and Web sites for evidence that public interest in herbal remedies is outpacing the available scientific evidence regarding herbal remedies. Using content analysis and bibliometric techniques, this system can identify emerging unorthodox practices and beliefs related to health and medicine. In addition, this system can map the diffusion of health-related claims across Internet communities.
Subretinal organization in stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity.

The subretinal organization (SRO) seen in patients who undergo vitrectomy for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity has not previously been characterized. We report our observations of SRO and correlate its development with previous laser and cryotreatment for neovascular disease. We surveyed data from 426 eyes in a retrospective chart review of 263 patients that underwent open-sky vitrectomy for stage 5 retinopathy of prematurity. Of 426 eyes evaluated, 130 eyes received laser, cryo, or a combination of both treatments. In 44 eyes (10.3%), SRO was observed and considered the cause of incomplete retinal attachment. Three forms of SRO were identified: subretinal bands (63.6%), subretinal plaques (15.9%), and diffuse SRO (18.2%). One patient had both a band and a plaque. SRO developed in 24 eyes after cryotreatment, 3 after laser, and 2 after combination cryo and laser treatment. Fewer untreated eyes than cryotreatment eyes developed SRO (15 of 296 eyes, 5.1%; (P=0.0001). Eyes without laser or cryotreatment had a 5.1% frequency of developing SRO. Subretinal organization, a previously uncharacterized entity in retinopathy of prematurity, was most frequently identified in the form of subretinal band formation. SRO was identified in 10.3% of all stage 5 eyes evaluated, and was associated with incomplete retinal reattachment in all cases.
What strategies are experienced estate planners recommending? Evidence from survey data

Abstract Responses from 124 experienced estate planning attorneys in 33 states reveal the frequency with which their 1991 clients undertook over forty estate planning techniques commonly promoted in practitioner literature. Nearly 83 percent of their clients had a net worth of at least $600,000, implying the need for careful consideration of these strategies. Among the most popular techniques implemented include the durable power of attorney for properly, durable power of attorney for health care. living will, credit shelter bypass plan, standard QTIP trust, revocable living trust, and nonsimple will. Among the least popular techniques include flower bonds, private annuity, grantor retained unitrust, large custodial gift, and grantor retained annuity trust.
Role of the CD40 and CD95 (APO‐1/Fas) antigens in the apoptosis of human B‐cell malignancies

Ligation of CD40 inhibits apoptosis and stimulates proliferation of normal B cells, whereas ligation of CD95 (APO-1/Fas) induces apoptosis of activated lymphocytes. Aberrant signalling through the CD40 and CD95 antigens could thus participate in the pathogenesis of lymphoid malignancies. The expression and function of CD40 and CD95 on neoplastic B cells from patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL) were examined. CD40 was expressed by all 30 B-cell tumours, whereas CD95 was detected on neoplastic B cells in only one of 10 cases of ALL, two of 10 cases of CLL, and three of 10 cases of NHL. Incubation with an agonistic CD95 monoclonal antibody (MoAb) did not augment apoptosis in any of the unstimulated B-cell neoplasms. CD40 triggering did not consistently inhibit spontaneous apoptosis, but ultimately stimulated the growth of neoplastic B cells in most cases. Furthermore, CD40 activation led to up-regulation of the CD95 antigen in all 30 B-cell neoplasms. Ligation of CD95 on CD40-activated tumour cells augmented apoptosis in five of 10 ALL, three of 10 CLL, and nine of 10 NHL cases. The degree of apoptosis induced by CD95 triggering was greater for NHL cells than for ALL cells or CLL cells. Bcl-2 expression by ALL and NHL cells was substantially decreased after in vitro culture, whereas Bcl-2 expression by CLL cells was not significantly changed. However, there was no correlation between the level of Bcl-2 expression and sensitivity to CD95-mediated apoptosis. Thus, factors other than levels of CD95 and Bcl-2 determine susceptibility of malignant B cells to apoptosis after CD95 triggering. CD40-activated lymphoma cells appear to be very sensitive to CD95-mediated apoptosis, suggesting potential strategies for treatment of NHL. Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying resistance of ALL and CLL cells to CD95 triggering may facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches to these diseases as well.
Living with the enemy: a physiological role for the β-amyloid peptide

The Aβ peptide, which is derived from the processing of the amyloid precursor protein APP, is the principal agent responsible for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. In a recent study by Kamenetz et al., Aβ is shown to mediate a physiological homeostatic mechanism that reduces excitatory transmission in response to neuronal activity. Failure of this autoregulatory feedback could lead to the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease.
A rheological and morphological model for blends of flexible and rigid macromolecules

A model is developed that describes the complicated rheology and morphology of thermoplastic polymers blended with relatively small amounts of liquid-crystalline polymers (LCPs). Such blends typically display properties superior to, but more complicated than, those of ordinary thermoplastic polymers. Viscosity predictions are obtained with this model that exhibit the wide range of behavior that is observed experimentally in these blended materials for both shear and elongational flows. For example, the viscosity-composition curve can display a minimum at low compositions of LCP, and the addition of an LCP to a thermoplastic polymer can result in a reduction in the shear viscosity but an increase in the elongational viscosity. Corresponding morphological descriptions are also obtained for the internal microstructure of the blends that provide information about the underlying causes of the complicated rheological behavior.
The relative impact of student affect on performance models in a spoken dialogue tutoring system

We hypothesize that student affect is a useful predictor of spoken dialogue system performance, relative to other parameters. We test this hypothesis in the context of our spoken dialogue tutoring system, where student learning is the primary performance metric. We first present our system and corpora, which have been annotated with several student affective states, student correctness and discourse structure. We then discuss unigram and bigram parameters derived from these annotations. The unigram parameters represent each annotation type individually, as well as system-generic features. The bigram parameters represent annotation combinations, including student state sequences and student states in the discourse structure context. We then use these parameters to build learning models. First, we build simple models based on correlations between each of our parameters and learning. Our results suggest that our affect parameters are among our most useful predictors of learning, particularly in specific discourse structure contexts. Next, we use the PARADISE framework (multiple linear regression) to build complex learning models containing only the most useful subset of parameters. Our approach is a value-added one; we perform a number of model-building experiments, both with and without including our affect parameters, and then compare the performance of the models on the training and the test sets. Our results show that when included as inputs, our affect parameters are selected as predictors in most models, and many of these models show high generalizability in testing. Our results also show that overall, the affect-included models significantly outperform the affect-excluded models.
Implications of Summertime Sea Level Pressure Anomalies in the Tropical Atlantic Region

This study explores the inverse relationship between sea level pressure and tropical cyclones in the tropical Atlantic (TA). Upper-air observations, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (formerly the National Meteorological Center)/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis, and regional SSTs provide clues as to the physics of this relationship using composite and regression methods. Stratification of upper-air data by sea level pressure anomalies in the TA yields several interesting results, including anomalously high (low) pressure association with relatively dry (moist) middle levels, cooler (warmer) midlevel temperatures, and stronger (weaker) 200‐850-mb vertical wind shears. The configuration of these composite wind differences suggests that higher summertime pressure in the TA is associated with an anomalously strong tropical upper tropospheric trough (TUTT) circulation. The observations show systematic association between the composite moisture, temperature, and wind differences. Studies of longwave sensitivity using a two stream model show that the moisture field dominates the longwave radiative cooling; hence, dry midlevels enhance cooling of the atmosphere. The effects of SST variations and tropical cyclones on TA pressure anomalies suggest that summertime pressure in this region is strongly influenced by additional (unresolved) climate forcings. These findings lead to a hypothesis that explains both the persistent nature of the summertime pressure (in the TA) as well as how variations of this pressure modulate the TUTT circulation strength. The hypothesis states that positive feedbacks operate between pressure/subsidence variations, midlevel moisture, and differential longwave radiative cooling that affects local baroclinicity (i.e., TUTT). When pressures are anomalously high, subsidence is greater and middle levels are dryer, resulting in increased atmospheric cooling to space and increased baroclinicity. Hence, pressure-related variations of both the midlevel moisture field and the TUTT circulation result in modulations of the upper-level winds and vertical wind shears in the TA. These, in turn, are found to be the primary cause of the observed pressure‐tropical cyclone relationship; higher tropical Atlantic pressure results in an environment that is dryer and more sheared and, thus, less favorable for tropical cyclone formation and development.
Congruence between Teaching and Learning Self-Care: A Pilot Study

The purpose of this pilot study was to test Orem's conceptualization of the relationship between nursing system and self-care behavior. The proposition that a supportive-educative nursing system influences self- care behavior was tested. Investigation of the relationship of congruence of teaching strategy and learning style to the accuracy and frequency of the performance of breast self-examination was the essence of this study. Congruence of teaching strategy and learning style was operationalized using instructional activities congruent with the learning styles of con- verger and accomodator. Kolb's learning style inventory scores were used to group the women into congruent and incongruent learners. Accuracy of performance of breast self-examination was measured using a four step criteria checklist. Frequency of performance of breast self- examination was measured by a 60-day postteaching questionnaire. Thirty-seven women volunteered to participate in this pilot study based on age, literacy, interest in...
The motion of wave energy and the behavior of plasma fireball in the atmosphere

Summary for only given, as follows. The interactions of wave and plasma in the atmosphere can produce some stable plasma entities. These entities with vortical structure in microscopic scale are called vortons or solitons. Many such entities, macroscopically, are plasma vortices, sometimes look like glowing fireballs, whose behavior are similar to those of so called UFOs (unidentified flying objects). As waves are one of the required conditions to form plasma fireballs, the motion and properties of wave energy in the atmosphere are closely related to the behavior of UFOs or, atmospheric plasma fireballs. The wave theory for atmospheric plasma fireballs can be used to explain many strange UFO phenomena in the atmosphere.
Reconsidering Worlds of Pain: Life in the Working Class(es)

This paper focuses on the early goals, past educational experiences, familial support, and current career goals of a sample of 80 White middle-class and working-class parents in a medium-sized northeastern city in the United States. The research will help determine whether members of the working class have lived in or still live in worlds of pain. Middle-class parents overwhelmingly report having had high goals and aspirations in high school, positive experiences in school, and supportive parents and role models in their families. Moreover, they report being satisfied in their current occupational positions. The working-class parents present a more complex pattern: For each of the areas studied—early goals, schooling, familial support, and job satisfaction and future goals—some of the working-class respondents report better experiences than the others. A more inclusive sampling strategy proved useful in this study in documenting the varied life experiences and attitudes found among members of the working class. These findings provide support for and modification of Rubin's (1976, 1994) portraits of the working class.
Asymptotic distribution of critical transmission radius for greedy forward routing

Consider a random multihop wireless network represented by a Poisson point process over a unit-area disk with mean n. Let o n denote its critical transmission radius for its greedy forward routing. Recently, asymptotic bounds on o n have been progressively improved. However, the precise asymptotic probability distribution of o n remains open. In this paper, we settle this open problem. Specifically, let σ = 2π over 3 − √3 over 2. Then for any constant c, the asymptotic probability of equation is proved to be exactly exp (equation).
Women, Human Rights, and Counseling: Crossing International Boundaries

As the world becomes more globalized, psychological and counseling issues have become more pronounced. As social justice issues become illuminated on a global scale, there is increased attention to women as identified victims of social injustices and human rights violations. This article examines the role of professional counselors working with women from an international perspective with the intention to heighten awareness and understanding of the interrelationship of global women's issues and effective counseling interventions.
Micromachined low dispersion interconnects for optoelectronic array packaging

A micromachined microstrip interconnect, partially shielded on the top surface, is designed, fabricated, and measured for use in optical array packaging applications. Field simulations show the interconnects to be highly isolated for an array pitch of 500 /spl mu/m. S-parameter, relative phase constant, and attenuation curves are shown up to 40 GHz for 1 cm long 50-ohm designs. The structure exhibits 1.4 dB/cm of attenuation at 40 GHz and a phase constant that has only /spl plusmn/ 0.5% variation across the band. The micromachined partially shielded microstrip offers high isolation, low dispersion, and low attenuation that is necessary for arrayed interconnects.
TRPC Channels and their Implications for Neurological Diseases

Calcium is an essential intracellular messenger and serves critical cellular functions in both excitable and non-excitable cells. Most of the physiological functions in these cells are uniquely regulated by changes in cytosolic Ca2+ levels ([Ca2+]i), which are achieved via various mechanisms. One of these mechanism(s) is activated by the release of Ca2+ from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), followed by Ca2+ influx across the plasma membrane (PM). Activation of PM Ca2+ channels is essential for not only refilling of the ER Ca2+ stores, but is also critical for maintaining [Ca2+]i that regulates biological functions, such as neurosecretion, sensation, long term potentiation, synaptic plasticity, gene regulation, as well as cellular growth and differentiation. Alterations in Ca2+ homeostasis have been suggested in the onset/progression of neurological diseases, such as Parkinsons, Alzheimers, bipolar disorder, and Huntingtons diseases. Available data on transient receptor potential conical (TRPC) protein indicate that these proteins initiate Ca2+ entry pathways and are essential in maintaining cytosolic, ER, and mitochondrial Ca2+ levels. A number of biological functions have been assigned to these TRPC proteins. Silencing of TRPC1 and TRPC3 has been shown to inhibit neuronal proliferation and loss of TRPC1 is implicated in neurodegeneration. Thus, TRPC channels not only contribute towards normal physiological processes, but are also implicated in several human pathological conditions. Overall, it is suggested that these channels could be used as potential therapeutic targets for many of these neurological diseases. Thus, in this review we have focused on the functional implication of TRPC channels in neuronal cells along with the elucidation of their role in neurodegeneration.
Pain Assessment Tool in the Critically Ill Post–Open Heart Surgery Patient Population

Critical-care patients are at higher risk for untreated pain, because they are often unable to communicate owing to altered mental status, mechanical ventilation, and sedation. Pain that is persistent and untreated affects most body systems and results in development of complications chronic pain, and increased length of stay. This descriptive repeated-measures study compared three pain assessment tools in nonverbal critically ill patients in a cardiac postanesthesia care unit (n=24). Tools included the Critical-Care Pain Observation Tool (CPOT), adult Nonverbal Pain Scale (NVPS), and the Faces, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability scale (FLACC). Two painful events, suctioning and repositioning, were studied. Data were collected immediately before the event, 1 minute after, and 20 minutes after. Both the CPOT and the NVPS demonstrated high reliability (Cronbach alpha coefficients 0.89). The NVPS and the CPOT were highly correlated for both raters (r>0.80, p=.00) (11 out of 12 times). Correlations between the two raters was generally moderate to high, but higher with the CPOT. There was more disagreement between raters in overall pain scores for the NVPS. When raters disagreed, it was most often in rating the face component on both scales. Disagreement was highest during the event. Both scales adequately capture pain in the nonverbal sedated critically ill patient based on assessment of patients' face, body movements, muscle tension, and respirations, with the NVPS also considering vital signs. Pictures depicting facial expressions for scoring purposes are helpful. Adequate education and understanding of use of the scales is critical for accurate assessment and subsequent interventions.
Quantitative measures of cluster quality for use in extracellular recordings

While the use of multi-channel electrodes (stereotrodes and tetrodes) has allowed for the simultaneous recording and identification of many neurons, quantitative measures of the quality of neurons in such recordings are lacking. In multi-channel recordings, each spike waveform is discriminated in a high-dimensional space, making traditional measures of unit quality inapplicable. We describe two measures of unit isolation quality, Lratio and Isolation Distance, and evaluate their performance using simulations and tetrode recordings. Both measures quantified how well separated the spikes of one cluster (putative neuron) were from other spikes recorded simultaneously on the same multi-channel electrode. In simulations and tetrode recordings, both Lratio and Isolation Distance discriminated well- and poorly-separated clusters. In data sets from the rodent hippocampus in which neurons were simultaneously recorded intracellularly and extracellularly, values of Isolation Distance and Lratio were related to the correct identification of spikes.
‘Tie, tied and tight’: The expansion of /ai/ monophthongization in African-American and European-American speech in Memphis, Tennessee

This paper explores the distribution of /ai/ monophthongization in African-American and European-American speakers in Memphis, Tennessee. While often considered a feature characteristic of White Southern speech, /ai/ monophthongization has also been recorded in Black speech, both within and outside the South. However, expansion of glide-weakening to the less common pre-voiceless contexts has been considered unique to European-American dialects. Evidence of extensive glide-weakening in the African-American community in Memphis will be presented and compared to the degree and contexts of glide-weakening in the European-American community. The results will show that not only is /ai/ monophthongization a feature of Memphis speech generally, regardless of ethnicity, but that African-Americans in fact lead in glide-weakening in all contexts. The role of Southern identity in the expansion of /ai/ monophthongization is discussed as a critical component in the selection of features in both Black and White speech in the Memphis area.
6 Gliding Motility of Myxococcus xanthus

Myxococcus xanthus is one of the diverse bacteria that display gliding motility, involving two mechanisms, called adventurous (A) and social (S) gliding motility. The genetic and phenotypic analysis of mutants defective in gliding motility has shown that gliding motility is more complex than flagellum-dependent motility. The first molecular insights about the mechanisms of gliding motility were gleaned from the results of genetic studies performed by Hodgkin and Kaiser, who used chemical mutagens to generate mutations that affected gliding. The phenotypes of gliding mutants can be measured in terms of the differences in their velocities of gliding. The more detailed molecular genetic analysis of the two mechanisms of gliding motility in M. xanthus has been facilitated by the use of transposon mutagenesis. M. xanthus cells that have a functional A gliding system are able to move as isolated cells on a solid surface. The majority of mutations that abolish S motility affect the production of type IV pili (TFP), the exopolysaccharide (EPS) component of fibrils, or the lipopolysaccharide (LPS) moiety of O-antigen. The function of EPS in social motility has been elucidated by phenotypic analysis of mutants of M. xanthus lacking EPS, a secreted polymer comprised primarily of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and glucosamine (GlcN). M. xanthus has a complex life cycle. In the presence of adequate nutrients, the cells undergo vegetative growth and divide, but when the cells are starved of nutrients, they aggregate and form fruiting bodies containing myxospores.
Laparoscopic nepherectomy and nephroureterectomy in the pediatric patient

The pediatric laparoscopic nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy literature is reviewed. The authors' method for pediatric nephrectomy/nephroureterectomy is presented, as well as the clinical experience from Washington University.
Gestational and lactational iron deficiency alters the developing striatal metabolome and associated behaviors in young rats

Gestational and early postnatal iron deficiency occurs commonly in humans and results in altered behaviors suggestive of striataldysfunction.Wehypothesizedthatearlyirondeficiencyaltersthemetabolomeofthedevelopingstriatumandaccounts for abnormalities instriatum-dependentbehavior inrats. Sixteenmetaboliteconcentrationsfroma9‐11 mLvolumewithinthe striatum were serially assessed in 10 iron-deficient and 10 iron-sufficient rats on postnatal days 8, 22 (peak anemia), and 37 (followingrecoveryfromanemia)using 1 HNMRspectroscopyat9.4tesla.Chin-elicitedbilateralforelimbplacingandvibrissaeelicited unilateral forelimb placing were also assessed on these days. Iron deficiency altered metabolites indexing energy metabolism,neurotransmission,glialintegrity,andmyelinationovertime(P ,0.05).Successfuldevelopmentofbehaviorswas delayed in the iron-deficient group (P # 0.01). Alterations in creatine, glucose, glutamine, glutamate, N-acetylaspartate, myoinositol, and glycerophosphorylcholine 1phosphorylcholineconcentrationsaccountedfor77‐83%ofthebehavioralvariability duringpeakanemiaonpostnatalday22intheiron-deficientgroup.Correctionofanemianormalizedthestriatalmetabolomebut not the behaviors on postnatal day 37. These novel data imply that alterations in the metabolite profile of the striatum likely
The F-center electron activation energy in sodalite

The coloration and erasure properties of the F-center in cathodochromic sodalite as a function of various chemical substitutions are studied. Several chemical compositions of halogen (Br, Cl, I)- and Ge-doped sodalite:Br are grown by the hydrothermal growth technique. The absorption energy and the thermal activation energy of the electron in the F-center are measured as a function of the material lattice parameter a/sub 0/. >
Pseudo‐ligand affinity chromatography and high‐voltage isoelectric focusing as a multiparameter method for separation and identification of plasma proteins

A system is described that utilizes physical-chemical characteristics of macromolecules, not restricted to charge-size variations, for the separation of the plasma proteins. The first step, using pseudo-ligand affinity chromatography, separates the plasma proteins into fractions which were characterized by fused rocket immuno-electrophoresis. Then electrophoresis in the form of high voltage gradient isoelectric focusing on ultrathin-layer polyacrylamide gels is employed to further separate each of the fractions by charge differences. The advantages of this technique are that the proteins are maintained without noticeable denaturation, allowing a variety of direct functional tests. One is not restricted to only charge-size variations for separation and the technique is a preparative-to-analytical procedure. Furthermore, the higher voltage gradients employed increase resolution of proteins significantly and require separation times of only 30–35 min. The limit of detectability is 50 μg/dl of protein, using silver diamine staining. The feasibility of this and related techniques as applied to the study of genetic polymorphisms and as an aid in the correlation and identification of spots obtained in dissociating-denaturing two-dimensional electrophoresis methods is emphasized.
Characterization of the excited states of a squaraine molecule with quadratic electroabsorption spectroscopy

We apply quadratic electroabsorption spectroscopy (QES) to thin-film solid solutions of squarylium dye molecules in poly(methyl methacrylate) polymer to study the dye’s electronic excited states and to investigate the importance of these states with regard to their contribution to the third-order nonlinear-optical susceptibility. We first show that the room-temperature tensor ratio a=χ3333(3)/χ1133(3)≈3 throughout most of the visible region to establish that the electronic mechanism dominates. Because QES is a third-order nonlinear-optical susceptibility measurement, it can be used to identify two photon states. By obtaining good agreement between the quadratic electroabsorption spectrum and a three level model, we conclude that there are two dominant states that contribute to the near-resonant third-order susceptibility: a one-photon state and a two-photon state that are separated by less than 0.2 eV in energy. QES is thus shown to be a versatile tool for measuring the nature of excited states in a molecule. Furthermore, by applying a Kramers–Kronig transformation to determine the real part of the response, we are able to assess the two-photon all-optical device figure of merit of these materials. Such an understanding is important for designing molecules for all-optical device applications.
Dose-Ranging Pharmacodynamic Study of Tipifarnib (R115777) in Patients With Relapsed and Refractory Hematologic Malignancies

Purpose Tipifarnib, an orally bioavailable inhibitor of farnesyl transferase, has activity in hematologic malignancies, but the dose required to achieve the proposed biologic end point, inhibition of farnesylation, is unknown. Patients and Methods The impact on post-translational farnesylation was assessed in 42 patients with refractory hematologic malignancies and bone marrow involvement. Tipifarnib was taken orally for 21 days of a 28-day cycle. For cycle 1, patients were randomly assigned to one of four dose levels: 100 mg bid, 200 mg bid, 300 mg bid, and 600 mg bid. In cycle 1, peripheral blood and bone marrow mononuclear cells were analyzed for inhibition of HDJ2 prenylation by Western blot analysis at baseline and on day 21. Results Twenty-three patients were assessable for analysis of HDJ2 prenylation before and after therapy. Inhibition of farnesylation was noted at all dose levels, although the highest level of inhibition was noted at the 300-mg-bid dose. The inhibition of farnesylation in the pe...
Female mate choice for multimodal courtship and the importance of the signaling background for selection on male ornamentation

Conspicuous visual ornaments are frequently incorporated into complex courtship displays that integrate signal com- ponents from multiple sensory modalities. Mature male Schizocosa crassipes (Walckenaer, 1837) wolf spiders wave, arch, and tap their ornamented forelegs in a visual courtship display that simultaneously incorporates seismic components. To determine the importance of modality-specific signal components in female mate choice, we used a signal ablation design and compared the mating frequency of female-male pairs across signaling environments with manipulated modality-specific transmission properties. We found that the successful transmission of isolated visual or seismic signaling was sufficient for mating success; neither sig- naling modality was necessary. Additionally, the environment enabling the successful transmission of composite, multimodal dis- plays yielded the highest mating frequencies. Our results indicate the presence of selection from S. crassipes females for multi- modal courtship and suggest that multimodal signaling may facilitate mating across variable signaling environments. We next ex- plored the influence of ornamentation per se on female choice by phenotypically manipulating males into two groups: (i) intact (brushes present) and (ii) shaved (brushes absent). We compared the mating frequencies of intact versus shaved males in the presence versus absence of seismic signaling. Males with brushes intact had higher mating frequencies than shaved males, but only under specific signaling conditions - in the presence of seismic signaling. Female choice for male brushes then appears de- pendent on the signaling background, making brushes themselves an unlikely target of direct selection. Our results emphasize the complex nature of female choice, highlighting the potential for both trait interactions and environment-dependent selection (Cur- rent Zoology 59 (2): 200-209, 2013). Keywords Enhancement, Environmental variability, Inter-signal interaction, Sexual selection