cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Quantitative Analysis of PMLA Nanoconjugate Components after Backbone Cleavage

Multifunctional polymer nanoconjugates containing multiple components show great promise in cancer therapy, but in most cases complete analysis of each component is difficult. Polymalic acid (PMLA) based nanoconjugates have demonstrated successful brain and breast cancer treatment. They consist of multiple components including targeting antibodies, Morpholino antisense oligonucleotides (AONs), and endosome escape moieties. The component analysis of PMLA nanoconjugates is extremely difficult using conventional spectrometry and HPLC method. Taking advantage of the nature of polyester of PMLA, which can be cleaved by ammonium hydroxide, we describe a method to analyze the content of antibody and AON within nanoconjugates simultaneously using SEC-HPLC by selectively cleaving the PMLA backbone. The selected cleavage conditions only degrade PMLA without affecting the integrity and biological activity of the antibody. Although the amount of antibody could also be determined using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) method, our selective cleavage method gives more reliable results and is more powerful. Our approach provides a new direction for the component analysis of polymer nanoconjugates and nanoparticles.
Role of cell regularity and relative density on elasto-plastic compression response of random honeycombs generated using Voronoi diagrams

Abstract The Voronoi tessellation technique and solid modeling methods are used in this work to create virtual random structures and link cell morphology with the mechanical behavior. Their compression responses are analyzed using the finite element method. First, the effect of loading direction is analyzed for structures with different levels of randomness characterized by a regularity parameter to assess the degree of scatter in the results. Subsequently, morphological characteristics such as arrangement of cells and randomness are analyzed separately. The effect of relative density on structures with different levels of randomness is also studied. Simulations suggest that at low relative densities the arrangement of cells has a negligible effect on the compression response of random honeycombs. On the contrary, the cellular randomness has significant influence on the elastic and plastic characteristics especially when fully random structures are compared with the regular counterparts.
Intramolecular Single-Turnover Reaction in a Cytochrome c Oxidase Model Bearing a Tyr244 Mimic

A close structural analogue of the cytochrome c oxidase active site has been synthesized. Oxygenation at −60 °C leads to a stable Fe(III)-superoxide-Cu(I) intermediate oxy-1 which reacts intramolecularly at −40 °C and faithfully reproduces the single turnover reaction that occurs in the enzyme leading to the formation of an oxoferryl-cupric-phenoxyl radical species 2.
Yeast Proteins Related to the p40/Laminin Receptor Precursor Are Essential Components of the 40 S Ribosomal Subunit

We report here the isolation of two genes from the yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, that encode proteins closely related to mammalian p40/laminin receptor precursors (LRPs). The yeast genes, designated YST1 and YST2, encode proteins with over 95% amino acid sequence identity with one another and over 60% identity with the human p40/laminin receptor precursor. The Yst/p40/37-LRP proteins are also more distantly related to the S2 family of ribosomal proteins. Analysis of the distribution of Yst1 tagged with the c-myc epitope revealed that the Yst proteins are components of the 40 S ribosomal subunit. Disruption of either YST1 or YST2 causes a significant reduction in growth rate, while disruption of both genes is lethal. Compared to wild type, polysome profiles in strains lacking either YST1 or YST2 show a pronounced shift from larger to smaller polysomes. This shift is accompanied by a substantial increase in free 60 S subunits and reduced levels of 40 S subunits. We conclude that the Yst proteins are required for translation and contribute to the assembly and/or stability of the 40 S ribosomal subunit.
The relative influence of different domains of social connectedness on self-directed violence in adolescence.

Previous research has linked greater social connectedness with a lowered risk of self-directed violence among adolescents. However, few studies have analyzed the comparative strength of different domains of connectedness (e.g., family, peers and school) to determine where limited resources might best be focused. Data to address that gap were taken from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Student Health and Safety Survey, administered to 4,131 7th–12th graders (51.5% female; 43.8% Hispanic; 22.6% African American or Black). Logistic regressions (controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, family structure, academic performance, and depressive symptoms) suggest that family connectedness was a stronger predictor than connectedness to peers, school, or adults at school for non-suicidal self-harm, suicidal ideation, suicide plans, and non-fatal suicidal behavior. In some analyses, peer connectedness was unexpectedly a risk factor. Results have implications for prevention of suicide in adolescence, especially in the context of the current trend towards school-based prevention programs.
Integration of High Reliability Distribution System in Microgrid Operation

In this paper, the application of high reliability distribution system (HRDS) in the economic operation of a microgrid is studied. HRDS, which offers higher operation reliability and fewer outages in microgrids, is applied to looped networks in distribution systems. The microgrid model in this study is composed of distributed energy resources (DER) including distributed generation (DG), controllable loads, and storage. The microgrid would utilize the local DER as well as the main grid for supplying its hourly load economically which is subject to power quality and reliability requirements. The HRDS implemented at Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) is used as a case study along with the local DER to increase the load point reliability and decrease the operation cost of the IIT microgrid. The availability of distribution lines, main grid supply, and microgrid generation is considered using the Markov chain Monte Carlo simulation in the microgrid scenarios. The reliability indices based on frequency and duration of outages are measured at the microgrid level and the load point level, and the potential system enhancements are discussed for improving the economic operation of the IIT microgrid.
Improving treatment enrollment and re-enrollment rates of syringe exchangers: 12-month outcomes.

Background Developing bridges between community syringe exchange programs (SEPs) and substance abuse treatment could benefit syringe exchangers and the public health. Kidorf et al. (2009) showed that motivational approaches employed at an SEP site improved rates of treatment enrollment and reduced drug use over a 4-month observation window. The present study extends this report by evaluating rates of treatment enrollment and re-enrollment over a 12-month period.
Oral contraceptives induce CYP2A6 activity and accelerate nicotine metabolism

CYP2A6 is the primary enzyme catalyzing the metabolism of nicotine (NIC) and its proximate metabolite cotinine (COT). Pregnancy accelerates NIC and COT metabolism, suggesting that CYP2A6 activity is modulated by sex hormones. We hypothesize that sex hormones administered as oral contraceptives (OC) also induce CYP2A6 activity. Two hundred ninety healthy participants in a twin study of the genetics of NIC metabolism received IV infusions of deuterium-labeled NIC and COT, with blood sampling to determine disposition kinetics. Women taking OC had substantially faster clearance (CL) of NIC and COT, and CL or NIC via the COT pathway, the latter an indicator of CYP2A6 activity, compared to women not taking OC or compared to men. CL values were also significantly higher in women not taking OC compared to men. (See Table) These findings indicate that OC use accelerates the metabolism of NIC and COT and suggests induction of CYP2A6 activity. This is in contrast to most other reports of OCs inhibiting oxidative metabolism. Insofar as smokers smoke to obtain desired levels of nicotine in the body, OC use might influence cigarette consumption. Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics (2004) 75, P36–P36; doi: 10.1016/j.clpt.2003.11.135 Table 1. Women on OC Women no OC Men * Different than women not taking OC and men; † different than men; both p<0.05. N 46 158 86 CL-nic (ml/min/kg) 23.0 ± 6.3* 17.7 ± 16.2† 15.6 ± 4.3 CL-cot (ml/min/kg) 0.97 ± 0.37* 0.73 ± 0.4† 0.58 ± 0.2 CL-niccot (ml/min/kg 17.0 ± 6.5* 13.8 ± 6.1† 11.8 ± 4.3
Glycosaminoglycans that bind cold-insoluble globulin in cell-substratum adhesion sites of murine fibroblasts.

Abstract Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and glycoprotein-derived glycopeptide from mouse BALB/c3T3 and simian virus 40-transformed 3T3 whole cells or their adhesion sites, which are left bound to the serum-coated tissue culture substratum after detachment of cells mediated by [ethylenebis-(oxyethylenenitrilo]tetraacetic acid (EGTA), were analyzed for specific binding to Sepharose columns derivatized with cold-insoluble globulin (CIg). CIg is the serum-contained form of fibronectin and is required for the adhesion of these fibroblasts to the substratum. Of the various GAGs present in these fractions of either cell type, only the highly N-sulfated sequences of heparan sulfate and a small subset of dermatan sulfate bind to CIg-Sepharose. There was no detectable binding of glycopeptide, undersulfated heparan sulfate, the various chondroitin species, or hyaluronate. Adhesion sites from newly attaching cells were greatly enriched in CIg-binding heparan sulfate when compared to long-term-growth adhesion sites or EGTA-detached cells. Various properties of binding were determined. The reference standard standard GAGs heparin (or heparan sulfate) and dermatan sulfate were able to displace bound radiolabeled adhesion site GAG from the column, whereas the other GAGs had no effect. CIg has been shown to be the only adhesion-promoting activity in the serum layer of this culture system. Because these fibroblast adhesion sites do not contain collagen, which could potentially mediate adhesion to the substratum-bound CIg, these data support other evidence that multivalent heparan sulfate proteoglycans mediate substratum adhesion of these cells by coordinate binding to fibronectin on the cell surface and CIg on the substratum.
Predictors of survival after hepatic resection among patients with colorectal liver metastasis.

Studies suggest improved survival following resection of colorectal cancer liver metastases (CLMs). We investigated predictors of survival among patients with CLM who underwent hepatic resection using the SEER-Medicare database to identify patients ⩾65 years diagnosed with CLM, 1991–2003, who underwent hepatectomy. Cox proportional hazards models were used to identify factors associated with survival after hepatectomy. Of 923 patients with CLM who underwent hepatectomy, 514 were stages I–III and developed CLM>6 months after diagnosis (metachronous), and 409 were stage IV with CLM at diagnosis (synchronous). From the date of hepatectomy, 5 year survival was 22%; younger age, being married, female gender, surgery in an NCI-designated cancer centre, fewer comorbidities, fewer positive lymph nodes, and lower grade were associated with improved survival. Both 5-fluorouracil (5FU)-based chemotherapy and hepatic arterial infusion (HAI) of floxuridine-based chemotherapy following hepatectomy improved survival (HR=0.62, 95% CI: 0.50–0.78; HR=0.51, 95% CI: 0.28–0.97, respectively) in the synchronous, but not metachronous, group. The HR for overall mortality was higher in hospitals with a high vs low procedure volume (0.75, 95% CI: 0.58–0.94). A substantial subgroup of patients with CLM who undergo hepatectomy experiences long-term survival. High hospital procedure volume and use of 5FU-based or HAI-based chemotherapy after resection were associated with improved prognosis.
Improvement in the synthesis of Ni/Ti neutron mirrors

Improvement in the as-deposited structure of Ni/Ti multilayers is achieved through optimization of the sputter deposition process. In the as-deposited condition, these Ni/Ti multilayers are well suited for very high reflectivity (> 95%) neutron supermirror application. Smooth layering is produced with compositionally abrupt interfaces yielding an effective roughness less than 1 nm. The deposition parameters are controlled to produce a near thermalized condition for the sputtered neutrals. The Ni/Ti multilayer system is not structurally stable, however, when subject to moderate heating (> 300 degree(s)C) or irradiation. The in-use degradation of interface structure from neutron irradiation may be limitation for the Ni/Ti system.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Multicore processors as Array Processors: Research Opportunities

We first argue that the spectrum of processor architectures-from general-purpose processors (GPPs) to application-specific processors (ASPs) to FPGA coprocessors is narrowing (but not converging), due to some dominating physical and economic forces. We then suggest some research opportunities driven by these forces.
Pyridine nucleotide biosynthesis in Claviceps.

Abstract Claviceps purpurea grown on synthetic medium incorporated labeled [7- 14 ]nicotinic acid and [7- 14 C]nicotinamide into NaMN, des-NAD, NAD, and NADP. Label also appeared in NMN and N -methyl nicotinamide. The specific activities of NAD, NADP, and NMN are compatible with the operation of the Preiss-Handler pathway of NAD biosynthesis (nicotinic acid → NaMN → des-NAD → NAD → NADP). The relative amounts of NaMN:des-NAD:NAD and NADP were about 8:1:36:10 on incubation of Claviceps with nicotinic acid for 6 hr. The incorporation of nicotinamide into NAD proceeds mainly by conversion to nicotinic acid catalyzed by nicotinamide deamidase. Tryptophan ([U- 14 C]benzene ring) was incorporated into NAD demonstrating the presence of the tryptophan-nicotinic acid pathway. No qualitative difference in pyridine nucleotide intermediates was noted in C. purpurea CPM, which does not produce clavine alkaloids, and Claviceps 47A which does produce clavine alkaloids.
Magnitude of lead flux to the atmosphere from volcanoes

Pb/S, Tl/S and Bi/S ratios were measured in eruptive and fumarolic volcanic gases and indexed to the global flux of volcanic S to characterize approximate global volcanic emissions of these three metals to the atmosphere, which are about 1200 tons Pb/yr, 600 tons Tl/yr, and 4000 tons Bi/yr. This volcanic Pb input is similar to the magnitude of natural soil dust Pb input, which is about 1400 tons Pb/yr during the Holocene Interglacial. Both are negligible compared to annual industrial inputs of ~ 300,000 tons Pb/yr which maintain the present tropospheric reservoir of Pb. However, polar ice records indicate that thousands of years ago the atmospheric Pb reservoir was only ~ 1% of its present size, which means that volcanic Pb was the source of about half the Pb in the atmosphere during preindustrial Holocene times.
Early Care and Education Matters: A Conceptual Model for Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Integrating the Key Constructs of Knowledge, Reflection, and Practice

There has been a great deal of discourse in the field of early care and education concerning the experiences, skills, competencies, and education level needed by early childhood teachers to ensure that quality teaching and learning take place in the early years. The purpose of this article is to describe an early childhood teacher preparation program developed by a Child and Family Development Department at a large, urban, state-funded university in the hopes that we can further the discourse on how the field can ensure quality teaching and learning in both ECE and university classrooms. We propose a conceptual model that is built around three key constructs: knowledge, reflection, and practice and describe our approach to preparing early childhood educators. Using qualitative data from student reflections and course syllabi and quantitative data on the experiences and perceptions of graduating seniors, we hope to present promising practices in early childhood teacher education and provide support for our...
It’s not just what you know, it’s who you know: Testing a model of the relative importance of social networks to academic performance

Applying three mathematical modeling techniques, this study proposes and tests the fit of an academic performance model, and then estimates the relative importance of four performance predictors: academic ability, performance goal orientation, educational technology use, and social network density. Drawing on social network theory, findings from this study show that social network density is a statistically important and unique predictor of academic performance, suggesting that “who you know” matters in large classroom settings. However, this study also indicates that academic ability is the most dominant factor in the explanation of academic performance. Practical and theoretical implications for enhancing academic performance through social networks are discussed.
Physical Linkage of the Murine Hox-b Cluster and Nerve Growth Factor Receptor on Yeast Artificial Chromosomes

Evidence derived from sequence comparisons and the genomic organization of the murine Antennapedia-class homeobox gene clusters suggest that they arose from a primordial cluster through a process of gene duplication and divergence followed by cluster duplication. A large chromosomal domain surrounding the ancestral homeobox cluster also appears to have been duplicated and has remained relatively stable since the divergence of humans and rodents. To test the extent of the duplicated chromosomal domain, we have initiated physical mapping studies of the regions surrounding the four murine homeobox clusters using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and yeast artificial chromosome cloning. In this study, we present a long-range restriction map of mouse chromosome 11 spanning 1500 kb in the region surrounding the Hox-b cluster. We have determined that the gene for the nerve growth factor receptor is tightly linked to the Hox-b complex and is located within 50 kb of the Hox-b 1 gene at the 3' end of the cluster. Four yeast artificial chromosomes have been isolated and characterized by the polymerase chain reaction, long-range restriction mapping, and Southern blotting. Two clones of 150 and 300 kb contain the entire Hox-b cluster and the nerve growth factor receptor gene. A 440-kb clone contains the 3' end of the Hox-b cluster, the nerve growth factor receptor gene, and extends downstream. A 210-kb clone contains the 5' end of the Hox-b cluster and extends upstream. These clones confirm the pulsed-field restriction map of uncloned mouse DNA and represent a contig of approximately 600 kb of cloned material from mouse chromosomes 11.
Randomization and the Draft Lottery

Fifty "random permutations" were prepared for use by the Selective Service System as a basis for a two-stage randomization that preceded the lottery drawing on 1 July 1970. This report identifies the permutations used. It also gives the orders in which calendar dates and numbers were put into and drawn from two drums and the correlations between them.
Interpersonal rigidity and complementarity

Abstract The relations among behavioral complementarity, interpersonal rigidity, as indicated by the Interpersonal Adjective Checklist (IAS, Wiggins, 1995 ) vector score, and interpersonal distress, as indicated by the Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (IIP, Horowitz, Rosenberg, Baer, Ureno, & Villasenor, 1988 ), were examined in two studies. In Study 1, 214 undergraduates viewed videotapes depicting different interactions and then provided their responses. In Study 2, 122 undergraduates interacted in randomly paired dyads on a mutual task. These interactions were videotaped and the interchanges were rated using the Interpersonal Communication Ratings Scale (ICRS, Strong, Hills, & Nelson, 1988 ). The extent to which each participant demonstrated complementary behavior was determined. Results of the studies demonstrated support for interpersonal rigidity as related to complementarity and as a moderator of the adaptability of behavior. Further complementarity was a mediator in the behavioral rigidity–interpersonal distress relation.
Concurrent reconfigurable architecture for mapping and encrypting a message in Elliptic Curve Cryptography

Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) over a Galois Field GF(2m) offers a high security level relative to other protocols (i.e., RSA) but with smaller keys' sizes. In this paper, we consider the finite field multiplication and addition used in elliptic curve cryptography to design sequential, and then, concurrent reconfigurable ecrypto system to encrypt and decrypt a message. FPGA implementation via VHDL language has been completed to analyze the time and area required in both scenarios. Our approach, and for the first time, consider mapping a message on the elliptic curve concurrently.
Separation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from motile sperm by the double tube gradient method versus other methods

Abstract Objective To compare a new sperm-processing device, utilizing a double tube and gradient, with other commonly used sperm-processing methods for their abilities to exclude human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) from the motile sperm fraction while retaining maximum sperm yield. Design Laboratory experiments. Setting Academic research environment. Patient(s) Healthy HIV-1 seronegative men between the ages of 25 and 55. Intervention(s) Semen samples were spiked with HIV-1 (MN HIV-1 strain; range of concentrations: 10 -1 –10 6 TCID 50 ) and subjected to one of the following sperm-processing methods: double sperm tube with discontinuous gradient of sperm separation medium formed inside (double tube gradient), conventional single tube gradient, swim-up or single tube gradient followed by swim-up (gradient/swim-up), which is the method currently used to minimize HIV-1 in semen used for assisted reproductive technology (ART) procedures. For the gradient techniques, Percoll, ISolate, and PureSperm sperm separation media were compared for efficacy of HIV-1 removal. The amount of HIV-1 remaining in the motile sperm pellet after processing was measured by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), NucliSens assay, or quantitative HIV-1 culture. A hemacytometer was used to microscopically assess motile sperm count. Main outcome measure(s) HIV-1 RNA copy number, decrease in HIV-1 TCID 50 , motile sperm yield. Result(s) The double tube gradient technique was significantly better than all other methods in the removal of HIV-1 from the motile sperm fraction, and produced significantly higher sperm yields in comparison with the gradient/swim-up method. Conclusion(s) The double tube gradient technique is a relatively simple and effective method that reduces the risk of infection by HIV-1 while producing good sperm recovery.
The yeast lifecycle and DNA array technology

The genome variability and meiotic gene expression patterns in two unrelated laboratory yeast strains, SK1 and W303, have been characterized using high-density oligonucleotide arrays. The statistical analysis and comparison of the data has allowed identification of: (1) genes with functional importance to meiosis and sporulation in yeast and (2) genes expressed in a strain-specific manner. The genome-wide data also reveal potential reasons why these strains display significant differences in the ability to make fertile spores. Molecularly tagged yeast deletion strains have been used to determine the contribution of each gene to the execution of the sporulation/germination pathway. The application of genetics and the new genomic technologies have allowed a quantum jump in our understanding of yeast molecular biology. Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology (2002) 28, 186–191 DOI: 10.1038/sj/jim/7000200
Chlornaphazine and chlorambucil induce dominant lethal mutations in male mice.

Two antineoplastic agents, chlornaphazine (CN) and chlorambucil (CHL), were tested for the induction of dominant lethal mutations in male mice. Both compounds are nitrogen mustard derivatives and have been shown to be genotoxic in a variety of organisms. CN was administered intraperitoneally to DBA/2J male mice at a dosage of 0, 500, 1000, or 1500 mg/kg body weight (bw). Immediately following treatment, each male was mated at 4-day intervals to two virgin C57BL/6J females. CHL was administered intraperitoneally to C3H/HeJ and DBA/2J males at a dosage of 0, 2.5, or 5.0 mg/kg bw. These males were mated at weekly intervals to two virgin T-stock females. CN and CHL clearly induced dominant lethal mutations. CN induced dominant lethal effects in all post-meiotic germ-cell stages of treated DBA males, with a clear dose-response relationship. The results with CHL-treated DBA males indicated that all post-meiotic germ-cell stages, except late-spermatids, were affected by CHL treatment, while in C3H males, CHL induced dominant lethal effects in all post-meiotic germ-cell stages. A dose-response relationship was also observed with CHL in C3H male mice. In the present experiments, regardless of the agent or the mouse strain used, spermatids appeared to be the germ-cell stage most sensitive to dominant lethal induction.
A National Survey of Spanish Language Testing for Placement or Outcome Assessment at B.A.‐granting Institutions in the United States1

Currently, very little is known about foreign language testing for placement or outcome assessment at B.A.-granting institutions in the United States. This research project is part of a newly instituted unit at the University of Iowa called the Foreign Language Assessment Project (FLAP). FLAP has two principal goals for its test development: the first is to improve articulation of foreign language study between feeder high schools and The University of Iowa; the second is to create instruments to assess language competency outcomes necessary to meet the language requirement, completion of the major, and teacher certification. It was necessary to know what had been done in foreign language assessment in the United States in order not to duplicate other efforts. Information on procedures for placement or outcome assessment was difficult to find, and literature reviews and professional contacts did not locate tests that were both appropriate and affordable. A survey was undertaken on departments of Spanish language B.A.-granting institutions in the United States. Spanish language was chosen because most B.A.-granting institutions offer Spanish. Furthermore, Spanish language presents the biggest challenge in placement and assessment since large numbers of students study Spanish at both the secondary and college level. The results of the survey include information on special first-year courses, purposes for test use, tests used for freshmen placement, skills assessed, incentives and penalties for incoming freshmen, instructional activities, and class size.
Malaria: some considerations regarding parasite productivity

The complicated life cycle of Plasmodium is characterized by proliferative stages in each of its hosts – mosquito and vertebrate – that are interrupted by restrictive steps as it moves from one to the other. Productivity at each stage affects not only pathology but also the probability for successful transmission. This Opinion article briefly assesses what is known about productivity at each step and attempts, with limited success, to put each in the context of an entire cycle, sporozoite to sporozoite.
Should we tell the police to say “yes” to gratuities?

(1988). Should we tell the police to say “yes” to gratuities? Criminal Justice Ethics: Vol. 7, No. 2, pp. 37-49.
Erythema chronicum migrans and Lyme disease.

: Lyme disease is an inflammatory disorder with a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations that involve the skin, joints, heart, and nervous system (1–4). Initially described in 1977 and named after the rural town in Connecticut where the first cases were detected in 1975, Lyme disease has now been recognized in at least 24 states (5–7), Canada (8). Australia (9). France (10). Switzerland (11), and Germany (12), and in individuals who travel to or spend time in areas known to be endemic for this disorder (13).
BRAGG-REGIME ABSORPTION IN AXIALLY EXCITED SLABS OF DIELECTRIC THIN-FILM HELICOIDAL BIANISOTROPIC MEDIA

The absorption of normally incident light by axially excited slabs of dielectric thin-film helicoidal bianisotropic media (TFHBMs) is shown to be polarization dependent, and the circular Bragg phenomenon turns out to saturate as the slab thickness increases beyond a certain value. A specific feature of absorption in the Bragg regime is reflected in the transmittances, which may be monitored for the automated production of TFHBMs. ©1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Microwave Opt Technol Lett 22: 243–247, 1999.
Relaxin Induces Matrix-Metalloproteinases-9 and -13 via RXFP1: Induction of MMP-9 Involves the PI3K, ERK, Akt and PKC-ζ Pathways

Abstract We determined the precise role of relaxin family peptide (RXFP) receptors-1 and -2 in the regulation of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, and delineated the signaling cascade that contributes to relaxin’s modulation of MMP-9 in fibrocartilaginous cells. Relaxin treatment of cells in which RXFP1 was silenced resulted in diminished induction of MMP-9 and -13 by relaxin, whereas overexpression of RXFP1 potentiated the relaxin-induced expression of these proteinases. Suppression or overexpression of RXFP2 resulted in no changes in the relaxin-induced MMP-9 and -13. Studies using chemical inhibitors and siRNAs to signaling molecules showed that PI3K, Akt, ERK and PKC-ζ and the transcription factors Elk-1, c-fos and, to a lesser extent, NF-κB are involved in relaxin’s induction of MMP-9. Our findings provide the first characterization of signaling cascade involved in the regulation of any MMP by relaxin and offer mechanistic insights on how relaxin likely mediates extracellular matrix turnover.
Can a nonequivalent choice of dosing regimen bias the results of flexible dose double blind trials?: The CATIE schizophrenia trial

Abstract Background One of the major challenges in the design of double-blind flexible-dosing clinical trials comparing active drugs is the selection of dosing regimens that are equivalent across drugs. This study uses data from the CATIE schizophrenia trial to evaluate the hypothesis that drugs that were dosed somewhat higher in the trial than in typical practice would show greater efficacy and more side effects, especially at high capsule levels, than drugs that were dosed at lower relative strengths. Methods CATIE was a large ( N = 1460) randomized trial comparing 5 antipsychotics in patients with chronic schizophrenia. The blind was maintained in CATIE by prescribing identical-looking capsules of each medication. Dosing was flexible, such that PIs could prescribe from one to four capsules per day, and could modify the dose based on a patient's symptoms and side effects. Capsule strengths for olanzapine (7.5 mg) and quetiapine (200 mg) were relatively higher than for risperidone (1.5 mg), perphenazine (8 mg) or ziprasidone (40 mg). Proportional hazards models of time to all cause discontinuation and mixed regression models for continuous measures of symptoms, quality of life and side effects were used to test for interactions between randomly assigned drug and number of capsules prescribed per visit. We hypothesized that if a dosing bias was present, the flex-dosing design would result in a significant interaction such that drugs with higher relative dosing per capsule would be more effective and have more side effects than drugs with lower relative dosing and that this effect would be greatest at the largest prescribed dosing regimen (4 capsules). Results There were no significant interactions between drug assignment and number of capsules in the proportional hazards analyses of time to all cause discontinuation ( p = .77, excluding ziprasidone and .74 in the ziprasidone cohort) or in the mixed model analysis of PANSS symptoms ( p = .49), quality of life ( p = .45); or measures of tardive dyskinesia (AIMS, p = .47). However a significant interaction was observed on the Barnes akathisia scale ( p = .0005), on the Simpson Angus EPS scale ( p = .10) and on the analysis of weight ( p = 0.014). Paired comparisons did not show the hypothesized pattern of relationships for akathisia or EPS, but such a pattern was suggested for olanzapine in the analysis of weight although it emerged at 2, 3 and 4 capsules indicating a general drug effect rather than a relative dosing difference. Conclusion Dosing biases do not seem to have affected the results of the CATIE trial.
Accurate model predictive control of bidirectional DC-DC converters for DC distributed power systems

This paper presents accurate model predictive control (MPC) of bidirectional DC-DC converters for DC distribution power systems. The different four model predictive control synthesis frameworks are proposed to the bidirectional converter to achieve stability and desired performance for wide range operations. The converter consists of bidirectional modes; Buck mode for charging the battery or energy storage bank, and Boost mode for discharging to the distribution generation (DG) loads from the battery. The performances of model predictive control strategies which make use of different forms of linearized models are compared. These linear models are ranging from a simple fixed model, linearized about a reference steady state to a weighted sum of different local models called multi model predictive control. A more complicated choice is represented by the extended dynamic matrix control in which the control input is determined based on the local linear model approximation of the converter that is updated during each sampling interval by making use of a nonlinear model. Simulation results show an excellent transient response and a good tracking for a wide operating range and uncertainties in modeling.
Bilirubin and hemoglobin interference with BEI by the ceric oxidation method

Abstract Investigations of the influence of unconjugated bilirubin and free hemoglobin on the ceric oxidation BEI method of Posner have revealed the following: 1. (a) Addition of bilirubin or free hemoglobin to standard sera or to butanol extracts of standard sera significantly reduces serum hormonal iodine recoveries. 2. (b) This effect is not related to inhibition of the direct ceric oxidation of thyroxine iodine. 3. (c) Bilirubin added to the final ceric-arsenious mixture reacts with ceric ion so that the resultant product is colorless and nonreactive to benzaldehyde or diazo reagents. The colorless product also inhibits the ceric-arsenious reaction. The structure of the reaction product(s) is not known. 4. (d) Pre-extraction of serum with chloroform leads to inhibition by chloroform of the final reaction. Moreover, chloroform extraction, as conducted, was incomplete and results using pre-extraction of sera containing in excess of 3 mg 100 ml bilirubin were unreliable.
Enumeration of Fluorescent Pseudomonads on Poultry by using the Hydrophobic-Grid Membrane Filter Method

Accurate enumeration of fluorescent pseudomonads on poultry was possible by using hydrophobic-grid membrane filters and S-I agar. In methionine-cysteine broth, fluorescent isolates produced more volatile sulfides and yielded higher odor scores than nonfluorescent isolates. Fluorescent pigment had an inhibitory effect on the growth of nonfluorescent isolates. Resuscitation on Trypticase Soy Agar resulted in a significant increase in the recovery of fluorescent pseudomonads. Shelf life was negatively correlated (r = -0.86) with initial numbers of fluorescent pseudomonads.
Model for Antibiotic Optimization via Neoglycosylation: Synthesis of Liponeoglycopeptides Active against VRE

The neoglycosylation of a methoxyamine-appended vancomycin aglycon with all possible N‘-decanoylglucopyranose and N‘-biphenoylglucopyranose regioisomers led to the production of a focused set of liponeoglycopeptide variants in good yields and with excellent stereoselectivity. High-throughput antibacterial assays employing a unique set of vancomycin-resistant Enterococci faecalis and Enterococci faecium clinical isolates revealed that the nature and regiochemistry of glycosyl lipidation modulated vancomycin-resistent Enterococci potency. In contrast to prior work with lipoglycopeptides, this study reveals the glucose C3‘ or C4‘ as the optimal position for neoglycopeptide lipidation. This purely chemical method for the diversification of the glycolipid portion of lipoglycopeptide antibiotics is simple to perform on a large scale, requires minimal synthetic effort in sugar donor preparation, and provides access to highly active antibiotics that are not easily prepared by other state-of-the-art methods.
Correlation between changes in R wave amplitude and left ventricular volume induced by rapid atrial pacing

To examine the Brody effect in humans, we studied 15 patients by means of coronary sinus pacing. We measured left ventricular (LV) volumes from the cardiac output (measured by the thermodilution technique) and LV ejection fraction (measured by radionuclide ventriculography). Pulmonary blood volume was determined by means of cardiac output and mean pulmonary transit time. In six patients, pacing was performed at two different rates, resulting in 21 pacing measurements. The heart rate increased with pacing from 73 +/- 11 to 119 +/- 19 bpm (mean +/- standard deviation, p less than 0.001). The end-diastolic volume (EDV) and the end-systolic volume (ESV) decreased with pacing (p less than 0.001 each). The R wave amplitude decreased with pacing (1.44 +/- 0.63 mV control vs 1.32 +/- 0.58 mV with pacing; p less than 0.01). R wave amplitude decreased in 19 of the 21 pacing studies (90%); EDV and ESV decreased in all 21 pacing studies, and pulmonary blood volume decreased in 14 of the 15 pacing studies (93%) performed in 11 patients. There was a significant correlation between the percentage of change in R wave amplitude with the percentage of change in EDV (r = 0.54, p less than 0.01) and with the percentage of change in ESV (r = 0.54, p less than 0.01). These results, therefore, validate Brody's hypothesis and indicate that changes in LV volumes affect the R wave amplitude.
Development in protection for 25 kV AC electrified lines on British Railways

There is little doubt that the protection equipment installed in the late 1950s and 1960s has stood the test of time, despite the harsh railway environment. This is a result of sound basic design and the continuous preventative maintenance of the equipment. Thirty years on, the implications are being considered of a strategy to replace life expired protection equipment or continue with the current maintenance programme and accept the ever increasing risk of failure and its consequences. This paper briefly describes some of the current issues affecting the British Railway's protection system by discussing its history, its present state and what developments we can look forward to in the near future.
Influence of water ice clouds on nighttime tropical temperature structure as seen by the Mars Climate Sounder

An analysis of nighttime temperature and water ice cloud extinction profiles from the Mars Climate Sounder aboard the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter provides evidence for the close relationship between tropical temperature structure and water ice clouds. The tropical temperature structure that evolves over the spring and summer seasons is closely coupled to the waxing and waning of tropical cloud activity. The presence of strong elevated nighttime temperature inversions in the Tharsis region is a robust feature of the equatorial atmosphere during the Ls = 0–135° season, with little interannual variation seen in the three Mars years examined. Mars global circulation model simulations imply that cloud radiative forcing plays a dominant role in the seasonal modulation of the observed longitude distribution of warm and cold anomalies in surface and low-altitude air temperatures, respectively.
Lasers in the photo-mechanical treatment of stroke

A primary focus of the Medical Technology Program (MTP) is the development of interventional devices for the treatment of stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death (150,000/year) and the leading cause of disability in the United States.
What to do? Upgrade!

The contents of what we transmit in colleges and universities as philosophic traditions need upgrading. But so do the methods of transmission.
Base-specific arrest of in vitro DNA replication by carcinogenic chromium: relationship to DNA interstrand crosslinking

We have previously shown that trivalent chromium can bind to purified DNA and form lesions capable of obstructing DNA replication in vitro. Trivalent chromium is not, however, carcinogenic to humans. Rather, it is the end product of the intracellular reduction of hexavalent chromium, which is carcinogenic. The process of chromium reduction yields several reactive intermediates which may also interact with DNA, perhaps producing different lesions than those generated when trivalent chromium binds DNA. The present study was undertaken to determine whether the treatment of DNA with hexavalent chromium in the presence of ascorbate (the intracellular reductant responsible for most in vivo chromium reduction), would also generate DNA lesions capable of obstructing replication. Using increasing chromium concentrations and a constant ascorbate:chromium ratio of 0.5:1 to generate biologically relevant adduct levels, a DNA polymerase arrest assay revealed that polymerase arresting lesions were formed and were indistinguishable from those generated by trivalent chromium, in that the most prominent arrests sites were one base upstream of guanine residues on the template strand. Measurement of the amount of chromium bound to template DNA in relation to the number of arrests demonstrated that only a subset (18.5%) of the chromium adducts were capable of causing polymerase arrest. Arrest assays performed with increasing ratios of ascorbate to chromium showed that high ratios (> or = 5:1) resulted in decreased polymerase arrests. DNA interstrand crosslinks in the arrest assay template were detected by renaturing agarose gel electrophoresis, and were shown to decrease markedly with increasing ascorbate to chromium ratios, whereas chromium binding levels remained unchanged. These results strongly implicate DNA interstrand crosslinks as the polymerase arresting lesion. The present study confirms and extends our previous study with trivalent chromium, and suggests that while the initial chemical nature of the DNA lesions formed by either trivalent chromium or reductive intermediates of hexavalent chromium may differ, their effect on DNA replication is the same.
From Syntax to Genre: Writers' Use of Definite Constructions in Fifteen Editorials

Linguists and philosophers have traditionally argued that definite constructions presuppose familiarity on the part of the addressee. This article examines empirically the question of what kind of familiarity, in the context of newspaper editorials, this might be. A significant issue, articulated by literacy theorist Walter Ong, is the nature of the reader and whether a writer can know what a reader is familiar with. Taking a case study approach, the author examines definite constructions in 15 editorial articles from the Christian Science Monitor. These constructions are classified, following Brown and Yule (1983), as either re-evoking, new, or inferrable. It is argued that for purposes of studying the writer-reader relationship, the inferrables are most interesting since they indicate what the writer believes the reader is capable of inferring. Ultimately both the new and the inferrable show that writers use definite constructions in accord with genre conventions. The author concludes that such conventi...
Participate in Professional Activities by Serving on a Conference Planning Committee: Strategies for Beginning Interlibrary Loan Professionals

ABSTRACT The author provides guidance, based on her personal experience, to interlibrary loan staff at all levels to contribute to professional organizations outside of their own library. She encourages interlibrary loan professionals to volunteer for the planning committee of interlibrary loan specific conferences or events as one way to serve the profession on a wider scale. Furthermore, the author outlines numerous benefits and lists selected events that may accept volunteers.
Hornbooks, Mother Goose, and the University Library

Gaver makes the case for university libraries to collection juvenile or children's literature. She states "The development of a body of literature for children sufficient in quality and quantity to justify really critical attention and study at the university level is a phenomenon of the twentieth century and, curiously enough, it is also a phenomenon still limited primarily to the countries of northern Europe and the English-speaking world.
Prevalence of depressive symptoms and predictors of treatment among U.S. adults from 2005 to 2010

Abstract Objectives To determine nationally representative estimates of the prevalence of depressive symptoms and factors associated with treatment among those with moderate to severe symptoms. Methods A cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of adults age≥18 years in the 2005–2010 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data who responded to the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) was conducted ( n =13,320). Depressive symptoms and severity were defined by PHQ-9 scores. Depression treatment was defined as either receiving antidepressants or seeing a mental health professional. Multivariable logistic regression analyses using population weights identified factors associated with having depressive symptoms and receipt of any treatment. Results The prevalence of depressive symptoms increased from 20.92% to 25.66% over 6 years. Among patients with moderate to severe depression, 38.66% received treatment. Multivariable analyses found that being female, other Hispanic, younger age, having certain chronic comorbidities or previous hospitalization, no health insurance and in poverty status were associated with having depressive symptoms ( P P Conclusions The prevalence of depressive symptoms is high, and only a small portion of patients with moderate to severe depression received treatments. Treatment disparities exist and need improvement.
Great Expectations: Doctoral Student Mothers in Counselor Education

This article presents a phenomenological study of the experiences of 10 female counselor education doctoral students who are also mothers. The interviews produced the overarching theme of expectations, with 3 subthemes: self, counselor education, and society. Implications for future research and doctoral program policy are discussed.
Multivariable control design for a boiler furnace

The robust linear quadratic Gaussian regulator design technique is applied to a model for a process boiler. The regulator design is used to balance the singular values of the plant plus integral controllers. The estimator design is used to recover the robustness properties of one node at another. The balancing of singular values tends to produce a decoupled response in the closed-loop system. Simulation results are presented and discussed. >
Psychological Implications of the History of Realistic Depiction: Ancient Greece, Renaissance Italy and CGI

Art historian Ernst Gombrich argued that learning to create convincing realistic depictions is a difficult, incremental process requiring the invention of numerous specific techniques to solve its many problems. Gombrich's argument is elaborated here in a historical review of the evolution of realistic depiction in ancient Greek vase painting, Italian Renaissance painting and contemporary computer-generated imagery (CGI) in video games. The order in which many problems of realism were solved in the three trajectories is strikingly similar, suggesting a common psychological explanation.