cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
STERIC AND SUBSTRATE MEDIATION OF POLYMERS FORMED WITHIN SINGLE MOLECULAR LAYERS

The fabrication of well-defined interfacial structures has been recently facilitated by incorporating diacetylenic structures within spontaneously formed monolayer assemblies. Photoinduced polymerization within these single molecular layers provides a robust system for interfacial design that can be controlled using phototemplating. In this paper, we examine the control of molecular structure within this single molecular layer by introducing internal and external perturbations to the monolayer fabrication process. Internal steric perturbations are assessed by incorporation of an ester moiety below the polymer backbone. Direct comparison of monolayer structures formed using analogous precursors with and without the ester functionality indicates significant disruption in the alkyl crystallinity in the region below the polymer backbone. Despite the considerable constraints on the structural order required for successful polymerization, this steric disruption does not appear to significantly limit the polymer...
Quiz: An Interactive Program to Generate Content-Referenced Objective Tests

QUIZ is an interactive computer program which allows the assembly of objective tests. Fully conversational, the program enables the user to construct tests composed of items disproportionately sampled from up to 20 subsections of a master item bank.
Laboratory culture and estimated life span of the Eastern Atlantic squid, Loligo forbesi Steenstrup, 1856 (Mollusca: Cephalopoda)

. First culture results are presented from four major experiments (lasting up to 478 days) on the commercially important squid species, Loligo forbesi Steenstrup, Details are provided on eggs, hatching, feeding, growth, survival, behaviour and sexual maturation. Best survival during the critical first 75 days was 15%. The hatchlings (up to 4.9mm mantle length, ML) are the largest among the genus Loligo, and the largest squid grown was a male 155mm ML and 124g. First schooling was observed only 40–50 days post-hatching. Spawning was not achieved although males reached maturity, females had maturing ova and mating was observed. The largest giant axon measured was 425μm in diameter (from a female 130mm ML), a size suitable for most biomedical applications. Laboratory data suggest a 2-year life cycle compared to fishery data which suggest a 1-year cycle.
Prospective comparison of cirrus and stratus optical coherence tomography for quantifying retinal thickness.

Purpose To compare Cirrus Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) with Stratus time-domain OCT for imaging retinal diseases and quantifying retinal thickness (RT) of all nine OCT zones, central macular thickness, and average macular thickness in eyes with and without macular edema. Design Prospective comparison between two OCT systems. Methods RT measurements were performed in 120 eyes of 60 patients suspected of having increased retina thickness using both Stratus and Cirrus OCT on the same day. Twenty-one eyes had both 512 × 128 and 200 × 200 Cirrus cube scans done. Results Data from 101 eyes (53 patients) were analyzed; 46 eyes (45.5%) had macular edema on clinical examination (Group 1), whereas 55 eyes (54.4%) had no clinical evidence of macular edema (Group 2). There was modest correlation between all thickness measurements in 909 zones and each group (range of Pearson correlation, 0.51 to 0.89) and average value was significantly greater when measured with Cirrus OCT for all eyes (mean difference, 43.2 μm; P Conclusions Cirrus OCT measures RT ∼43 μm greater than Stratus OCT, which is likely attributable to Cirrus OCT detection of the outer band of the retinal pigment epithelium vs Stratus OCT detection of the inner/outer segment photoreceptor junction. All zones showed a wide degree of variability in correlation. Both Cirrus cube scans provide similar data. Future studies comparing these systems might consider utilizing average macular thickness values, which reflect macular volume and may provide more consistent measurements.
Imaging Modalities to Assess Structural Birth Defects in Mutant Mouse Models

Assessment of structural birth defects (SBDs) in animal models usually entails conducting detailed necropsy for anatomical defects followed by histological analysis for tissue defects. Recent advances in new imaging technologies have provided the means for rapid phenotyping of SBDs, such as using ultra-high frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy, optical coherence tomography, micro-CT, and micro-MRI. These imaging modalities allow the detailed assessment of organ/tissue structure, and with ultrasound biomicroscopy, structure and function of the cardiovascular system also can be assessed noninvasively, allowing the longitudinal tracking of the fetus in utero. In this review, we briefly discuss the application of these state-of-the-art imaging technologies for phenotyping of SBDs in rodent embryos and fetuses, showing how these imaging modalities may be used for the detection of a wide variety of SBDs. Birth Defects Research (Part C) 90:176‐184, 2010. V C 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Critical heat flux in a long, rectangular channel subjected to one-sided heating—I. flow visualization

Abstract Flow boiling in a straight, rectangular channel was investigated to explore the conditions leading to critical heat flux (CHF) . The flow channel had a 5.0×2.5 mm cross-section 101.6 mm heated length; heat was applied to the shorter dimension along only one wall. Tests were performed with FC-72 liquid over a velocity range of 0.25 to 10 m s−1 and at outlet subcoolings of 3, 16 and 29°C. Video images captured at CHF at various flow conditions revealed that vapor coalesces into a series of patches resembling a wavy vapor layer which propagates along the heated wall allowing liquid to contact the wall only at discrete locations. Measurements indicate that vapor patch length, vapor patch height and liquid contact length increase along the flow direction but decrease with increasing subcooling and velocity. The measurements also reveal that the ratio of liquid-to-vapor length remains approximately constant along the heated wall for a particular subcooling. These observations and measurements represent key contributions to critical heat flux modeling efforts presented in Part II of this study.
A course in illumination engineering

Illumination engineering is the novel field of more general field of optical design and engineering. A seminar, project-based course has been started at the College of Optical Science, The Univ. of Arizona. Topics include lightpipes, sources, sampling, modeling methods, reflectors, and displays. Guest lecturers from industry provide a wealth of additional content. The goal is to education our next generation of optical designers about this intriguing, complex, yet understudied field. Other goals are to provide training in nonsequential optical design software, connections between experimental data and modeling, and the non-technical aspects of the illumination field.
Full-scale measurement of wind pressure on the surface of an oscillating circular cylinders

Abstract Under wind excitation, many slender structural members with circular cross sections have exhibited large-amplitude vibrations. The nature of some problematic vibrations remains to be fully understood. To investigate the excitation mechanisms that can cause the vibrations, an experimental campaign was conducted to measure simultaneously the wind pressure on the surface of a circular cylinder in the atmospheric boundary layer and the acceleration of this cylinder. The pressure and acceleration measurements were used to investigate the interaction between the cylinder and the turbulent wind in subcritical and critical Reynolds number ranges. The study revealed several effects of turbulence in wind in the atmospheric boundary layer on the critical transition, including the promotion of early critical transition, the attenuation of the single separation bubble, and the early cessation of the coherent vortex shedding. A coherent fluctuating axial flow component in the wake of circular cylinders yawed to the flow, which has been previously observed in wind tunnel tests in smooth flow and postulated to be critical for the onset of dry cylinder vibration at high reduced velocity, was not observed in the present experiment.
Modification of Egg White Proteins with Oleic Acid

Studies on the chemical modification of egg white with oleic acid (5-50 moles/50,000g of egg white protein) revealed that the reagent partitioned equally between supernatant and precipitate. The mole ratio of oleic acid to protein in solution at the 20 mole level of treatment was 14.6:1. Oleic acid did not selectively precipitate ovalbumin, conalbumin, or lysozyme. An increase in negative charge of proteins was observed in the chromatograms of treated egg white. No difference in molecular weights of treated egg white proteins was observed. The viscosity varied with the concentration of the reagent. In cooked, frozen, and thawed egg white water retaining index was 1.5-10X greater for treated than untreated material.
Political economy of the inequality in school spending

Abstract This paper employs data from 45 states between 1972 and 1992 to investigate the basic forces affecting school resource inequality within a state. We consider a wide range of determinants of inequality, including voter preferences, the tax and political structure within the state, and the legal standing of education within the state constitution. We find that state constitutional language regarding equity affects the degree of school spending equality in the state, as does the political environment in the state and factors associated with the benefits and costs of Tiebout sorting into school districts.
Dyslipidemia Patterns among Hispanics/Latinos of Diverse Background in the United States

Background The prevalence and determinants of dyslipidemia patterns among Hispanics/Latinos are not well known.
Anatomic variations in the stylohyoid chain and their possible clinical significance.

Abstract Dissections of the human stylohyoid chain were undertaken in order to correlate anatomic variations with clinical findings in reports concerning the etiology of the styloid syndrome, stylalgia, glossopharyngeal neuralgia, and other related conditions. Emphasis was placed upon the possible stressful relationships of neurovascular tissues in the space between the styloid process and the tip of the transverse process of the atlas. A narrowing of this gap, with pressure on intervening nerves and vessels, was seen as a possible cause of pain syndrome in the absence of an elongated styloid process or ossified stylohyoid ligament.
Process Analytical Technology: An Investment in Process Knowledge

Process analytical technology (PAT) is fast becoming an integral part of many active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) production facilities. The incorporation of early PAT devices, such as pH probes for example, was shown to increase process efficiency and safety by acting on data in real time and by eliminating sampling. PAT applications, such as online redox, NIR, and sophisticated particle size analysis, increase (in real time) detailed knowledge of processes, thus affording increased robustness and greater straight-through processing (right-first-time) opportunities. Modern developments in analytical technologies provide chemical and analytical insights for all types of chemical reactions and process monitoring such as drying, distillations, crystallizations, hydrogenations, and others. This article will discuss two applications; each is very different from the other. The first application, redox monitoring, is a traditional PAT application used to monitor differences in the oxidation state of two reac...
Modeling water-stressed cotton growth using within-season remote sensing data

Remotely sensed crop reflectance data can be used to simulate crop growth using within-season calibration. A model based on GRAMI,previouslymodifiedtosimulate cotton(Gossypiumhirsutum L.) growth, was revised and tested to simulate leaf area development and to estimate lint yield of water-stressed cotton. To verify the model, cotton field data, such as leaf area index (LAI), lint yield, and remotely sensed vegetation indices (VI), were obtained from an experimental field treated with various irrigation levels at the Plant Stress and Water Conservation Laboratory at Lubbock, Texas from 2002 to 2004. The model was validated using field data obtained separately from verification data at the same location in 2005. A hand-held multispectral radiometer with 16 spectral bands was used to measure reflectance. Five VI designs of interest were evaluated and used as input values for within-season calibration of the model. Simulated VI and LAI were in agreement with the measured VI and LAI, with r 2 values from 0.96 to 0.97 and RMSE values from 0.02 to 0.24 in validation. Simulated lint yields were in agreement with measured lint yields, with r 2 values from 0.63 to 0.67 and RMSE values from 28.3 to 100.0. The model was not very sensitive to the higher irrigation treatments in reproducing lint yield. We believe that validation with more data sets can deal with this matter. The VI worked equally well in reproducing measured cotton growth when they were used for within-season calibration. The results ofthiscalibrationschemesuggestthatremotesensingdatacouldbeused to adjust modeled cotton growth for various water-stressed conditions.
A comparative study of adrenal progesterone secretion during the estrous cycles of hamsters and rats

Abstract Adrenal secretory rates and peripheral plasma levels of progesterone (PROG) were determined during the estrous cycles of hamsters and 4-day cyclic rats. In both species, the PROG concentrations in peripheral plasma were never more than 6% of those observed in adrenal venous plasma. In hamsters, adrenal PROG secretory rates varied from 3.8 ± 0.8 ng/min at 0800 hr on proestrus (P) to 8.5 ± 1 ng/min at 2000 hr on estrus (E). The rates noted on P were among the lowest observed and were similar to those noted at 0800 hr the following morning. In rats, adrenal PROG secretory rates varied from 57 ± 9 ng/min at 0800 hr on E to 130 ± 18 ng/min at 2000 hr on P. A significant decline occurred between 2000 hr on P and 0800 hr the following morning. Rats secreted 3 to 8 times more PROG than did hamsters when the secretory rates are expressed as ng/min/100 mg adrenal. In hamsters, the data suggest a relative lack of influence of female reproductive hormones on adrenal PROG secretion and in turn the latter may not be involved in reproductive hormonal changes leading to ovulation. In rats, the increased adrenal PROG secretion noted on P may be due to the influence of reproductive hormones on adrenocortical function. This elevated rate may in turn influence the hypothalamo-hypophyseal-ovarian axis.
Expression of the alternatively spliced EIIIB segment of fibronectin.

Previous descriptions of the expression and distribution of the alternatively spliced EIIIB segment of fibronectin (FN) relied upon an antibody which, on subsequent testing, was shown not to recognize this segment directly. This raises concerns regarding the reliability of all such previous descriptions. In order to prepare reagents directly reactive with this segment, we raised polyclonal antibodies to two different bacterial fusion proteins containing intact EIIIB segments, and to a synthetic 36 amino acid peptide from the center of the EIIIB segment. Antibodies raised to each of these three immunogens recognized fusion proteins containing the EIIIB segment, but failed to recognize full length EIIIB+ FNs produced by mammalian cells, suggesting that oligosaccharide linked to Asn1359 within the EIIIB segment, or potentially to other residues in FN, might interfere with antibody recognition of this segment. Consistent with this hypothesis, N-deglycosylation of recombinant full and partial length EIIIB+ FNs...
Nonessential role for methionines in the productive association between calmodulin and the plasma membrane Ca-ATPase.

To investigate the role of hydrophobic interactions involving methionine side chains in facilitating the productive association between calmodulin (CaM) and the plasma membrane (PM) Ca-ATPase, we have substituted the polar amino acid Gln for Met at multiple positions in both the amino- and carboxyl-terminal domains of CaM. Conformationally sensitive fluorescence signals indicate that these mutations have little effect on the backbone fold of the carboxyl-terminal domain of CaM. The insertion of multiple Gln in either globular domain results in a decrease in the apparent affinity of CaM for the PM-Ca-ATPase. However, despite the multiple substitution of Gln for four methionines at positions 36, 51, 71, and 72 in the amino-terminal domain or for three methionines at positions 124, 144, and 145 in the carboxyl-terminal domain, these mutant CaMs are able to fully activate the PM-Ca-ATPase. Thus, although these CaM mutants have a decreased affinity for the CaM-binding site on the Ca-ATPase, they retain the abi...
A study of the elimination of water from lithium‐cationized tripeptide methyl esters by means of tandem mass spectrometry and isotope labeling

Extensive isotope labeling (2H, 13C and 15N), collision-induced dissociation (CID) and multiple-stage tandem mass spectrometry were used to investigate the elimination of H2O from a series of model, metal-cationized tripeptide methyl esters. The present results corroborate our earlier suggestion that loss of water from lithiated peptides is initiated by a nucleophilic attack from the N-terminal side upon an amide carbonyl carbon atom to form a five-membered ring as an intermediate followed by 1,2-elimination of water. We show that the nucleophilic atom is the oxygen atom of the N-terminal amide group in the fragmentation of [AcGGGOMe+Li]+ as well as [GGGOMe+Li]+. However, the subsequent fragmentation is markedly different in the two cases as a result of the absence and presence of a free amino group. In particular, extensive scrambling of protons in the α-positions of GGGOMe is observed, presumably as a consequence of intervention of the basic amino group. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Alchian and Allen Revisited: Law Enforcement and the Price of Weed

Alchian and Allen (1964) theorized that the imposition of a fixed fee or a unit cost in a market with multiple quality grades of the good would encourage consumption of the higher quality grades. Using newly available data on marijuana prices by state, we empirically test the hypothesis that the price of higher quality marijuana will be higher in states with more strict enforcement of marijuana possession laws. Consistent with the Alchian-Allen theorem, the relative price of both medium- and high-quality marijuana are found to be greater in states with stricter law enforcement, suggesting an increase in demand for such varieties.
Fixed mode elimination in decentralized control systems using eigenvalue sensitivities

The knowledge of fixed modes play an important role in the design of decentralized controllers for large scale systems. An approach based on a parametric sensitivity of eigenvalues is proposed to select the information to be exchanged between control stations in order to eliminate decentralized fixed modes. The procedure is illustrated with an example.
Benefits to satellite members in mixed-species foraging groups: an experimental analysis☆

Hypotheses proposed to explain the formation of mixed-species foraging groups have focused on both foraging and antipredation benefits. Mixed-species flocks of bark-foraging birds form during the winter in the eastern deciduous forests of North America. These flocks are composed of two parid nuclear species, tufted titmice, Baeolophus bicolor, and either Carolina or black-capped chickadees, Poecile carolinensis or P. atricapillus, and several satellite species including downy woodpeckers, Picoides pubescens, and white-breasted nuthatches, Sitta carolinensis. The parid nuclear species seem to act as flock leaders and are closely followed by the satellite species. To elucidate what advantages downy woodpeckers and white-breasted nuthatches gain by flocking with parids, we removed parids from eight Ohio woodlots isolated by surrounding agricultural fields and compared the woodpeckers and nuthatches in these woodlots to those in eight controls. We tested four predictions generated by group-foraging hypotheses: compared with controls, satellite birds in treatment woodlots should (1) forage more in microclimates that reduce metabolic costs, (2) increase their vigilance, (3) exhibit reduced nutritional condition and (4) exhibit higher mortality rates. As predicted, female downy woodpeckers in treatment woodlots tended to forage in locations that were more sheltered from wind, presumably thereby reducing metabolic costs. Treatment males and females of both species significantly increased their vigilance. Finally, in the absence of parids, male nuthatches showed significantly reduced nutritional condition according to ptilochronology analysis of feathers grown during the experimental manipulation, and tended to exhibit increased mortality Copyright 1998 The Association for the Study of Animal Behaviour
A Study of Postpartum Depression in a Fast Developing Country: Prevalence and Related Factors

Background:Depression is a common and disabling complication of post-partum women. There is a paucity of research on postpartum depressive disorders and their predictors in women from Arab countries.Aim:The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and identify risk factors of postpartum depression among Arab women in Qatar using Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale Score (EPDS).Design:This is a prospective cross-sectional study conducted during the period from January 2010 to May 2011.Setting:Primary healthcare centers of the Supreme Council of Health, State of Qatar.Subjects:A representative sample of 1669 mothers within 6 months after delivery were approached and 1379 (82.6%) mothers participated in this study.Methods:The study was based on a face-to-face interview with a designed diagnostic screening questionnaire. Occurrence of postpartum depressive symptoms was assessed by the EPDS. Also, socio-demographic characteristics, medical and family history, and obstetric variables of patients were ...
The effects of Cytomel on young children withDown's syndrome (mongolism): A double-blind longitudinal study

No demonstrable effects of sodium lyothyronine (Cytomel) on growth in height,developmental quotient, or general clinical condition were observed during a double-blind study on infants and children with Down's syndrome.
Synthesis of porphyrinyl-nucleosides

Several porphyrinyl-nucleosides were prepared in the reaction of the OH group of one, two or four meso-p-hydroxyphenyl substituents of porphyrin with 5′-O-tosylates of 2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-adenosine or -uridine, or 5′-O-tosylthymidine; the remaining porphyrin meso-substituents were p-tolyl, p-hydroxyphenyl or 4-pyridyl. The following porphyrinyl-nucleosides were obtained with 8–17% yield: meso-di(p-tolyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-O-isopropylidene-adenosine) (or -uridine)porphyrins 1,2, the respective meso-tetranucleosideporphyrins 3,4-meso-mono(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 5–7, meso-di(p-tolyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 8,9 and the meso-di(p-hydroxyphenyl)di(p-phenylene-5′-O-thymidine)porphyrins 10. Other compounds prepared belonged to the series: meso(4-pyridyl)4−n(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-O-isopropylideneuridine)nporphyrin, n = 1, 2 or 4, 11–13. N-Methylation gave the water soluble iodide salts: (N-methyl-4-pyridinium)44−n(p-phenylene-5′-O-2′,3′-isopropylideneuridine)nporphyrins, n = 1, 2 or 4, 14–16. The ms fab showed in most cases stepwise detachment of the CH2(5′)-nucleoside fragments. The porphyrins meso disubstituted by thymidine represent a convenient substrate for the build-up of both nucleoside units into the oligo/polynucleotide chains.
Response to disturbance in a highly managed alluvial river: Does it conform to Le Chatelier's general law?

Abstract A magnitude 6.8 earthquake triggered a channel-damming landslide causing the lower Cedar River, Washington, to occupy an existing floodplain side channel. The channel and floodplain ecosystem initially underwent rapid geomorphic changes until the system energy approached a new system state according to Le Chatelier's general law. Multiple lines of evidence support observations that channel expansion proceeded rapidly as energy was focused on the banks of the overfit side channel until the channel's geomorphology was consistent with total system energy available for work. Large trees recruited to the channel helped create lateral channel expansion as well as bed topographic variability. One year of pre-disturbance data was compared with three years of post-disturbance data in a spatially explicit analysis of the complexity of channel form and bed surface elevations. Estimates of changes in sediment storage and erosion and, channel conveyance capacity were calculated for all time periods and interannual comparisons were carried out. Statistical analyses of aggraded and eroded areas of the channel indicated a rapid increase in complexity of the channel during the first three years and then exhibited decreasing complexity in the final year of the study.
Minimal complete matchings and negative cycles

Conditions are developed which relate the existence of negative and nonpositive simple cycles in an undirected network to minimal complete matchings on a derived network. These conditions are then used to develop a test to determine whether or not an undirected network contains nonpositive simple cycles. Also, it is shown that, in certain cases, the solution to the matching problem gives information about the location of the nonpositive cycles.
Familial glucose-galactose malabsorption: Remission of glucose intolerance

A homozygous affected child with familial glucose-galactose malabsorption had symptomatic remission from glucose-induced diarrhea. During oral glucose tolerance tests conducted at 3 years of age, she had glucorrhea, decreased intestinal transit time, and no increase in blood sugar values. Normal intestinal transit time with low but discernible rises in blood glucose were present following identical glucose loads at the age of 5 years. The utilization of glucose and galactose by cultured skin fibroblasts and isolated peripheral erythrocytes was normal. However, in vitro sodium-dependent active transport of d-glucose by jejunal mucosa remained absent. No accumulation of glucose by a sucrase-dependent, sodium-independent jejunal transport system was present in the proband or in normal control subjects. Jejunal biopsy material was histological normal. Anaerobic and aerobic cultures of jejunal succus entericus were comparable to those in control subjects. These data substantiate previous suggestions that clinical remission occurs with increased age in severe glucose-galactose malabsorption even though active jejunal glucose transport remains absent.
The determination of galactose in urinary acidic glycosaminoglycans as a measure of keratan sulfate-like substances in urine.

Abstract A method which permits the determination of galactose in the acidic glycosaminoglycans from 50 ml of urine has been developed and evaluated as a measure of the excretion of keratan sulfate-like material. The variation of excretion with age has been determined in normal individuals. The excretion in patients with a variety of pathology has been compared with the data from normals. Excretions significantly higher than normal were found in 8 of 13 patients with Morquio's disease, but only four of these had striking increases. Both patients with GM 1 gangliosidosis had grossly elevated excretions. The excretion of all patients with Mucopolysaccharidosis I, II, or III was above normal. The excretion of 2 of 6 patients with achondroplasia, 13 of 30 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and 4 of 6 patients with dermatomyositis, was also elevated. Occasional values slightly above the normal range were associated with other pathology but in insufficient numbers to establish the significance.
The Federation Architecture for Interoperable Agent-based Concurrent Engineering Systems:

This paper presents an approach to the development of concurrent engineering software applications based on a knowledge sharing technology. In this approach, individual programmers write their programs in the form of separate modules called software agents, which interoperate with their peers using an expressive communication standard called Agent Communication Language. The runtime activities of the individual software agents are coordinated by task-independent programs called facilitators. Facilitators perform a wide variety of tasks, including the automated selection of agents to accomplish subtasks, the mediation of terminology, the buffering of partial knowledge in communication between agents, and the management of communication with other facilitators on other machines. Once set in operation, software agents interoperate to accomplish the overall task in a heterogeneous distributed architecture called federation. The paper discusses the major aspects of this approach and briefly describes three con...
Carcinoma in situ of the colon.

A case of multicentric neoplasia of the colon is described. At least two of the lesions fit all the criteria for nonpolypoid carcinomain situ, a lesion previously not described in that location. The lesions are believed to have been potentially malignant, but at the time of excision probably were benign. The incidental discovery of nonpolypoid carcinomain situ of the colon should be an indication for local resection and careful search for additional bowel tumors.
Abstract 493: NRF2 modulates sensitivity to thymidylate synthase inhibitors in colon cancer cells

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Thymidylate synthase (TYMS) catalyzes the reductive methylation of dUMP, and is the sole de novo source of thymidine for DNA replication and repair. As such, it is an important target of chemotherapeutic drugs, particularly the fluoropyrimidines 5-fluorouracil (FUra) and 5-fluoro-2’-deoxyuridine (FdUrd), as well as the folate analog raltitrexed (RTX). In cells, these drugs are metabolized to derivatives that bind to and inhibit TYMS, leading to depletion of thymidine levels, dysregulation of redox metabolism, generation of oxidative stress, and, eventually, apoptotic cell death. Gene expression profiles of FUra-treated HCT116 cells (a human colon cancer cell line) showed that a number of genes involved in redox metabolism are up-regulated following drug exposure. Several of these were recognized as known targets of nuclear factor-erythroid-2-related factor 2 (NRF2), a member of the cap ‘n’ collar family of bZIP transcription factors that confers protection against oxidative and electrophilic stress. Quantitative PCR assays verified that FUra, FdUrd, and RTX do indeed induce several NRF2-regulated genes, including AKR1B10, ALDH3A1, NQO1, and SERPINE1, among others. Overproduction of NRF2 via DNA transfection increased expression of some, but not all, of these genes, a phenomenon that was reversed by Kelch-like ECH-associated protein-1 (KEAP1), a known negative regulator of NRF2. The impact of TYMS inhibitors on expression of NRF2 target genes was maintained in the presence of exogenous thymidine and the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine, even though these agents completely ameliorated drug-induced apoptosis. This suggests that the response of NRF2 target genes to TYMS-directed drugs occurs independently of TYMS inhibition and subsequent oxidative stress. Utilizing siRNA technology, we examined the impact of NRF2 knockdown on drug-induced apoptosis, and found that increases in the apoptotic index following exposure to TYMS inhibitors were greater in NRF2-knockdown cells as compared to control cells. This was also observed in TYMS-overproducing cells that are profoundly drug resistant, and indicates that reduced NRF2 expression sensitizes cells to these TYMS inhibitors. Overall, we conclude that the induction of NRF2 target genes is a constraining factor in the cytotoxic response to TYMS inhibitors, and that inhibition of the transcription factor may be an effective strategy to enhance sensitivity to these agents. Citation Format: Sarah A. Clinton, Karen W. Barbour, Ufuk Ozer, Franklin G. Berger. NRF2 modulates sensitivity to thymidylate synthase inhibitors in colon cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 493. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-493
The effect of Mg2+ and Ca2+ on urea-catalyzed phosphorylation reactions.

The effect of Mg(2+) and Ca(2+) on phosphorylation reactions catalyzed by urea is investigated, showing that Mg(2+) improves markedly the yield of products containing pyrophosphate bonds. Yields of up to 25% of uridine diphosphate can be obtained with struvite at temperatures as low as 65 C.
Timing jitter in electrically gain-switched vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers

Short optical pulses of duration <10 ps can be generated by either gain switching or mode locking.1 It has been reported that active mode locking produces pulses that are considerably shorter and more stable than those produced by gain-switched lasers. Timing jitters of 0.65 ps in electrically gain-switched lasers and 65 fs in actively mode-locked lasers were reported previously.2,3 Here we report that, contrary to the common belief, comparably stable pulses can also be generated by electrical gain switching.
Platelet antithrombin activity

Abstract Platelets were studied for the presence of antithrombin (thrombin amidolytic inhibitory) activity. Platelet rich plasma contained more antithrombin activity than platelet poor plasma. This activity could be washed from a platelet pellet. Antithrombin activity increased on sonication of platelets but not following aggregation. Platelets contain antithrombin activity connected with the membrane and not involved with the release reaction.
Phytoestrogens and avian reproduction: Exploring the evolution and function of phytoestrogens and possible role of plant compounds in the breeding ecology of wild birds

Phytoestrogens are secondary plant compounds, which can act to mimic estrogen and cause the disruption of estrogenic responses in organisms. Although there is a substantial body of research studying phytoestrogens, including their mechanisms of estrogenic effects, evolution, and detection in biological systems, little is known about their ecological significance. There is evidence, however, that an ecological relationship involving phytoestrogens exists between plants and animals-plants may produce phytoestrogens to reduce fecundity of organisms that eat them. Birds and other vertebrates may also exploit phytoestrogens to regulate their own reproduction-there are well known examples of phytoestrogens inhibiting reproduction in higher vertebrates, including birds. Also, common plant stressors (e.g., high temperature) increase the production of secondary plant compounds, and, as evidence suggests, also induce phytoestrogen biosynthesis. These observations are consistent with the single study ever done on phytoestrogens and reproduction in wild birds [Leopold, A.S., Erwin, M., Oh, J., Browning, B., 1976. Phytoestrogens adverse effects on reproduction in California quail. Science 191, 98-100.], which found that drought stress correlated with increased levels of phytoestrogens in plants, and that increased phytoestrogen levels correlated with decreased young. This review discusses the hypothesis that plants may have an effect on the reproduction of avian species by producing phytoestrogens as a plant defense against herbivory, and that birds may "use" changing levels of phytoestrogens in the vegetation to ensure that food resources will support potential young produced. Evidence from our laboratory and others appear to support this hypothesis.
p-n junction formation in InSb and InAs(1-x)Sb(x) by metalorganic chemical vapor deposition

p-n junctions have been fabricated in InSb and InAs(1-x)Sb(x)(0.4 less than x less than 0.7) using metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. These junctions showed soft breakdown in addition to forward characteristics with a diode factor greater than 2. The ternary alloy has a cut-off wavelength in the 8-11-micron range, thus providing a potential material system for detectors covering the 8-12-micron range.
On the Volumorphism Group, the First Conjugate Point is Always the Hardest

We find a simple local criterion for the existence of conjugate points on the group of volume-preserving diffeomorphisms of a 3-manifold with the Riemannian metric of ideal fluid mechanics, in terms of an ordinary differential equation along each Lagrangian path. Using this criterion, we prove that the first conjugate point along a geodesic in this group is always pathological: the differential of the exponential map always fails to be Fredholm.
Lead time in automobile product development explaining the Japanese advantage

Abstract This paper examines the determinants of lead time performance in the world auto industry, a complex consumer durable industry which is facing intensifying global competition and volatile market demands. We focus on explaining the apparent lead time advantage of the Japanese firms compared to their American and European competitors. Drawing on an extensive base of data on development projects, the paper studies the effect of product and project characteristics and organizational capabilities on development lead time. The notion that product development is a system of problem solving cycles provides a conceptual framework for the analysis. A central theme in the paper is the distinction between planning and engineering. We model the differences in problem solving in these activities and examine the determinants of lead time in them. We examine the effects of product content, project scope, and organizational capability for quick development. The results suggest that different factors influence planning and engineering: product innovation and project scope affect planning lead time, while process innovation and organizational capability affect engineering lead time. Overall, we find that the real lead time advantage of the Japanese is on the order of 12 months. In a competitive market with changing customer demands and rapid technological advance, a lead time gap of that magnitude is competitively significant.
How far can we push Si CMOS and what are the alternatives for future ULSI

Si CMOS technology has dominated the microelectronics industry, with continued scaling. However, future Si CMOS scaling is reaching practical and fundamental limits. Diminishing improvement in the on current and increase in off current are beginning to limit the scaling of bulk Si CMOS. Currently, strained-Si channel with high-k dielectric and metal gate is the dominant technology for high performance MOSFETs. Increasing the strain provides a viable solution to improve on current and high-k dielectrics provide lower gate leakage. Si FinFETs have provided another innovation to improve electrostatic control of the channel and thus reduce leakage. However, performance enhancement due to strain is beginning to saturate with scaling of nanoscale MOSFETs.
Accuracy and Bias in Stereotypes about the Social and Political Attitudes of Women and Men

In three experiments examining the accuracy of gender stereotypes about attitudes, male and female participants estimated the attitudes of men or women on items that had been administered in the General Social Survey to assess attitudes on social and political issues. Demonstrating moderate stereotypic accuracy were correlations between (a) participants' estimates of these attitudes and (b) the criterion attitudes of male and female survey respondents and sex differences in the criterion attitudes. Nevertheless, analyses of discrepancies between the estimated and criterion attitudes revealed a systematic bias by which participants consistently underestimated men's support for female-stereotypic positions on issues. Further analyses of these data suggested that this error rose from perceptions that men would oppose policies that favored women's interests. In contrast, perceived female group interest functioned as a cue to accuracy in estimating women's attitudes.
Danger zones associated with fibular osteotomy

Anatomic dissections were performed on five cadaveric lower extremities. Measurements of important neurovascular structures in relation to the fibula were obtained at 1-cm intervals along the length of the fibula with the tip of the fibular head as the reference point. Neurovascular structures adjacent to the fibula in danger of injury with fibular osteotomy were identified. At the proximal one-third of the fibula, the peroneal nerves and their muscular branches are at primary risk. The anterior tibial artery is vulnerable where it penetrates the interosseous membrane and where it runs adjacent to the fibula with the deep peroneal nerve. In the middle one-third of the fibula, the peroneal artery and vein are the major structures at risk. In the distal one-third of the fibula the peroneal vessels are at less risk because they branch and enter the region of the syndesmosis curving anteriorly. The other neurovascular structures are not adjacent to the fibula. Based on these data, general recommendations for fibular osteotomy include (a) placement of the osteotomy as distally along the shaft as is feasible, commensurate with the surgical goal; (b) direction of the osteotomy blade along a line connecting the axis of the fibula with the midpoint of the subcutaneous tibial surface in the proximal and middle one-third of the fibula; and (c) direction of the osteotomy blade from the axis of fibula to the anterior subcutaneous border of the tibia in the distal one-third of the fibula.
UNDERSTANDING THE DETERMINANTS OF EMPLOYER USE OF SELECTION METHODS

This study uses national probability data from over 3,000 employers to examine why employers differ in their use of employee selection methods. Although the research on employee selection is voluminous, there have been only a handful of studies that look at the employers' selection decisions. In contrast to those other studies, we focus on characteristics of work as predictors of firms' decisions regarding selection practices. Beyond the relationship to the overall extent of selection methods used, we argue that specific work characteristics will affect the use of specific types of selection methods. We find, for example, that the greater the skill requirements of a position, the more likely that the establishment will use those types of selection methods that tap into the ability and skills of the applicants, namely, academic achievement and test performance. Discussion and suggestions for future research are offered.
Marinobufagenin regulates permeability and gene expression of brain endothelial cells

Marinobufagenin (MBG) is a cardiotonic steroid that increases in the circulation in preeclampsia. Preeclampsia and eclampsia are associated with cerebral edema. Therefore, we examined the effects of MBG on human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMEC) in vitro. MBG enhanced the permeability of HBMEC monolayers at 1-, 10-, and 100-nM doses, but had no effect at 0.1 nM. Agilent Human Gene Expression microarrays were utilized in these studies. MBG treatment (10 nM for 12 h) downregulated concentrations of the soluble VEGFR transcript sFLT by 59% but did not alter those of FLTv3 mRNA (determined by quantitative PCR). When treated and control HBMEC transcriptomes were interrogated on microarrays, 1,069 genes appeared to be regulated by MBG. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed that MBG treatment upregulated ENKUR mRNA concentrations by 57%. Its protein product interacts with calmodulin and calcium channel proteins. MBG treatment downregulated several genes whose protein products are involved in cell adhesion (ITGA2B, FERMT1, CLDN16, and TMEM207) and cell signaling (GRIN2C, SLC8A1, and ESR1). The level of downregulation ranged from 22 to 66%. Altogether, MBG actively enhanced the permeability of HBMEC monolayers while downregulating genes involved in adhesion. MBG treatment had variable effects on ENKUR, GRIN2C, and SLC8A1 genes, all associated with calcium transport. These studies provide the basis for future investigations of MBG actions in normal physiology and disease.
Distal end of 105–125 Loop - a Putative Reductase Binding Domain of Phthalate Dioxygenase

The phthalate dioxygenase system consists of the dioxygenase, PDO, which contains a Rieske [2Fe-2S] center and a Fe(II)-mononuclear center, and the reductase, PDR. Involvement of the distal end of the 105-125 loop of PDO in its interaction with PDR was tested by substituting charged residues in the loop with alanines and by replacing the conserved tryptophan-94. Compared to wild-type PDO, all variants had lower catalytic activity and the Rieske centers were reduced more slowly by reduced PDR. The rates of oxidation of the Rieske centers by oxygen, which represent electron transfer between the Rieske and mononuclear centers, were essentially unaffected. These results suggest that positively charged residues of the distal end of the 105-125 loop are collectively involved in PDR binding with the PDO. Contrary to expectations, Trp94 variants were not directly involved in electron transfer between PDR and PDO. The tryptophan appears to have mainly a structural role, apparently preserving the hydrophilic environment of the Rieske center.
Spirituality and Solidarity among De La Salle Schools in Region IV: Basis for Enhancing a Culture of Faith

Spirituality and Solidarity among De La Salle Schools in Region IV were evaluated and used as basis for development of a management program for enhancement of culture of faith in three schools. The study evaluated the extent of each indicators manifest among groups of respondents and how these can be nurtured in schools’ trilogy of functions and what management program may be developed. Descriptive method of research was used in the study, employing research triangulation as methods in gathering data. The study revealed that the three Lasalian Schools were governed by the Gospel’s values, the charism of its founder and the traditions of the Religio, Mores, et Cultura and Crescit Gratia Virtuteque . The respondents had high level of spirituality and with moderate level of solidarity. The study concludes that the spirituality and solidarity may be nurtured through the implementation of the trilogy of functions. This involves the pursuance of instructional goals and preparation of an extensive research and extension agenda integrated with the principles of the Founder and inspired with gospel values. Thus, the proposed management program is conceptualized as a guide to the enhancement of the culture of faith which will serve as hallmarks for spirituality and solidarity development. Keywords - spirituality, solidarity, culture of faith, Religio, Mores, Cultura and Crescit Gratia Virtuteque