cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mass spectrometric study of antibody-drug conjugates.

920 The objective is to identify one or more highly potent antibody drug conjugates for future evaluation in clinical trials. As a preclinical model, we developed the antibody conjugates which complex trastuzumab, as Herceptin® (a commercial monoclonal antibody used to treat HER2 (+) breast cancer) and two novel benzyl styryl sulfone compounds, ON 01500 and ON 013100. Both compounds are patented, highly potent and selective inhibitors which induce apoptosis in tumor cells at low nanomolar concentrations. The advantages for using compounds ON 01500 and ON 013100 are: they are highly potent against a broad spectrum of cancer cell types, have a relatively high therapeutic index, are not substrates for the multi-drug resistance (MDR) pump, and are inexpensive to manufacture on a kilogram scale. Methods: The formation of antibody drug conjugate with commercial Herceptin® and ON 013100 was accomplished using ON 14013100 (an N-hydroxysuccinimide activated prodrug of ON 013100) and ON 16013100 (another N-hydroxysuccinimide activated prodrug of ON 013100) at pH 8.3 and 4:1 molar ratio (antibody:drug). 10 nL aliquots of conjugates were injected directly into the ion source of a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Positive nanospray mass spectra were obtained and molecular masses of the intact drug-antibody conjugates were obtained from multiple charged ion patterns. Results (a) Antibody-drug interactions yield mixtures simultaneously containing conjugates with a varying number of bound drug molecules, e.g., up to 8 molecules of ON 14013100 per antibody molecule; (b) The number of bound molecules for each drug was different, e.g., antibody attached 8 molecules of ON 14013100 vs. 6 molecules of ON 16013100; (c) Drug binding follows an apparently discontinuous digital progression, e.g., 2, 6, and 8 molecules of ON 14013100 bound to antibody but not 1, 3, or 7. (d) The conjugation of these molecules to monoclonal antibody could be used as stable, self-immolating linkers that by internalization could release an intracellular cytotoxic payload. (Supported by the T. J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research and by Onconova Therapeutics, Inc.)
The Job Demands-Resources Model as a Framework to Identify Factors Associated With Burnout in Surgical Residents

Abstract Background Surgical residents are a population at high risk for burnout. We hypothesized that surgical residents' burnout would be inversely related to emotional intelligence (EI) and job resources and directly related to experiences of disruptive behavior. Materials and methods All general surgery residents at a single institution were invited to complete a survey in 2018 that included the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Trait EI Questionnaire Short Form, focused questions assessing disruptive behaviors, job resources, and demographic characteristics. Burnout was defined as scoring high in depersonalization (≥10 points) or emotional exhaustion (≥27 points). Student's t-tests and Wilcoxon tests were used to compare continuous variables; chi-square and Fisher's exact tests were used to compare categorical variables. Results The survey response rate was 87%. The median respondent age was 30, 51.7% were female, and 48.3% were single. Thirty-five met criteria for burnout (58%). Residents with burnout had lower scores for job resources than residents without burnout (19 versus 26, P Conclusions Burnout is prevalent among surgery residents, including those at our institution. Experiencing disruptive behaviors and lower perceptions of job resources were associated with higher burnout scores, along with lower scores in EI, and may inform future efforts toward interventions.
Early failure of sequentially annealed polyethylene in total knee arthroplasty.

Abstract Improvements in the processing of polyethylene have led to a dramatic reduction in wear rates in total hip arthroplasty. This led to the adoption of modern highly cross-linked polyethylene in total knee arthroplasty (TKA). However, the differences in modes of wear and failure between total hip arthroplasty and TKA have tempered expectations regarding similar decreases in polyethylene-related complications in TKA. We present a case of early catastrophic failure of a modern sequentially irradiated and annealed highly cross-linked polyethylene insert only 5 years after contemporary cementless TKA.
Use of Regtech by Central Banks and Its Impact on Financial Inclusion

This study looks generally at how regtech is evolving globally and more specifically at how central banks in developing countries are contemplating the use of regtech, the potential use cases, and any impact on financial inclusion. Our research involved desktop research and interviews with central bank officials, providers, donors and consultants involved in global regtech initiatives. We provide examples of regtech use by regulators in India, Mexico, Nigeria, Nepal and Philippines as well as a compendium of the types of technologies that are being used and could be potentially used as regtech.
On Enhancing the Fixed Block-Length Coding Scheme for Joint source-channel communication

We enhance the fixed block-length coding scheme for joint source channel coding over MAC and IC. We prove that this enhancement yields strictly weaker sufficient conditions for both problems.
Electrical damping tuning for broad bandwidth and human comfortable in backpack energy harvesting (Conference Presentation)

In vibration energy harvesting systems, mechanical damping is reduced to minimum to get large electrical power output. However, small mechanical damping will result in a narrow bandwidth in the frequency domain. This will lead to non-ideal performance when the excitation frequency does not match with the natural frequency. In human body energy harvesting backpack, the human comfort will also have to take into consideration besides harvesting power. In this paper, we proposed an electrical damping tuning method for energy harvesting backpack. The electrical damping will change according to the excitation frequency to achieve high power output at lower frequency. In this way, the frequency bandwidth increases. At resonance and high frequency, the damping will be tuned to control the maximum stroke of the backpack. This will make the wearer feel comfortable while substantial power is harvested. The electrical damping tuning circuit senses the input frequency and tunes the electrical damping accordingly. The circuit design and the control strategy are described in detail. Experiment will be done to validate the design goals.
Chapter 10 – Statistic Extras

Like any field, statisticians employ specific terminology when communicating with one another and naturally expect research neurobiologists to understand what is meant by various statistical terms. This chapter provides a glossary of some of these important terms that a researcher may encounter especially during a consult with a biostatistician. There is also a list of important statistical symbols that might also be used during an interaction with a biostatistician or when reading another statistical text. Finally, there is a brief section on the fundamentals of how to actually read a statistical equation.
Karen D. Holl. Primer of Ecological Restoration

Significant areas of terrestrial, wetland, and aquatic ecosystems globally have been destroyed or greatly degraded, greatly impacting ecosystem services, most critical to human well-being. Ecological restoration can begin the process of recovering these ecosystems. The Primer of Ecological Restoration (Holl 2020) succinctly covers the ecological principles, project planning and management, sociology, and policies of ecological restoration. External links to the book’s website substantially complements the text, which is intended for an introductory college-level course on the topic and for practitioners.
The effect of cardiovascular disease on the association between immune-related adverse events and overall survival.

7059Background: Preliminary data suggests that immune-related adverse events (irAEs) are associated with lower all-cause mortality, presumably due to improved anti-tumor responses. Investigations o...
Arsenic release to the environment from hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation, use and waste management.

Abstract Arsenic (As) is a toxic trace element with many sources, including hydrocarbons such as oil, natural gas, oil sands, and oil- and gas-bearing shales. Arsenic from these hydrocarbon sources can be released to the environment through human activities of hydrocarbon production, storage, transportation and use. In addition, accidental release of hydrocarbons to aquifers with naturally occurring (geogenic) As can induce mobilization of As to groundwater through biogeochemical reactions triggered by hydrocarbon biodegradation. In this paper, we review the occurrence of As in different hydrocarbons and the release of As from these sources into the environment. We also examine the occurrence of As in wastes from hydrocarbon production, including produced water and sludge. Last, we discuss the potential for As release related to waste management, including accidental or intentional releases, and recycling and reuse of these wastes.
A theory of sexual revolution: explaining the collapse of the norm of premarital abstinence

The sexual revolution that took place in the late 1960s and early 1970s is one of the most profound social changes during the second half of the twentieth century in America. Before the revolution, there existed a norm proscribing premarital sex (PS norm); premarital sex was not accepted. After the sexual revolution, the PS norm no longer existed; premarital sex became accepted. In the literature on how premarital sex became accepted, little attention is given to the institutional change that transpired—the collapse of a sexual norm. This study specifies one micro-mechanism of this social change. Specifically, adopting methodological individualism and the prisoner's dilemma game, I develop a theory that explains how a technological innovation for contraception triggered a change in individuals' perception of premarital sex, which led to their behavioral change. As a result, premarital sex became accepted, and the norm proscribing premarital sex collapsed. I use General Social Survey data to test the hypothesized micro-mechanism of the institutional change. The empirical analysis supports the hypothesis derived from the theory. Based on the above analyses, I discuss two alternative explanations and the issue of teenage pregnancy.
Inferring thalamocortical monosynaptic connectivity in vivo.

Despite the fact that all brain function relies on the long-range transfer of information across different regions, the tools enabling us to measure connectivity across brain structures are lacking...
Site Selection for Coral Reef Restoration Using Airborne Imaging Spectroscopy

Over the past decade, coral restoration efforts have increased as reefs continue to decline at unprecedented rates. Identifying suitable coral outplanting locations to maximize coral survival continues to be one of the biggest challenges for restoration practitioners. Here, we demonstrate methods of using derivatives from airborne imaging spectroscopy to identify suitable coral outplant sites and report on the survival rates of restored coral at those sites. Outplant sites for a community-based, citizen science outplant event in Bavaro, Dominican Republic, were identified using expert-defined criteria applied to a suitability model from data layers derived from airborne imagery. Photo quadrat analysis of the benthic community confirmed the accuracy of airborne remote sensing maps with live coral cover averaging 3.5-4% and mean algal cover (macro algae and turf) ranging from 28-32%. Seven coral outplant sites were selected at 3-7m depth with maximized levels of habitat complexity (i.e. rugosity) and live coral cover and minimized levels of macroalgal cover, as predicted by the imaging spectrometer data. In November 2019, 1,722 Acropora cervicornis fragments (80-180mm in length) were outplanted to these sites. Surveys conducted in January 2020 in four of these sites confirmed that 92% of outplants survived after three months. By October 2020 (11 months after outplanting), survivorship remained above 76%. These results demonstrate higher than average success rates for coral outplant survival for this species. An online tool was developed to enable replication and facilitate future selection of coral restoration sites. We present a case study that demonstrates the efficacy of applying these methods anywhere airborne imaging spectroscopy data are collected.
Biomechanics of the optic nerve head and sclera in canine glaucoma: A brief review.

Glaucoma is a leading cause of irreversible blindness, a progressive optic neuropathy with retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death beginning in the optic nerve head (ONH). A primary risk factor for developing glaucoma is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Reducing IOP is the only treatment proven to be effective at delaying disease progression. Nevertheless, even when patients have their IOP reduced, the majority of them continue to lose vision. There are, in both humans and dogs, significant interindividual variabilities in susceptibilities to IOP-induced optic nerve damage. Vision loss progresses much more slowly in Beagles with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) caused by ADAMTS10 mutation. This can be attributed to the mutation-related altered ocular biomechanical properties. The principal site of optic nerve (ON) damage in glaucoma is the ONH. It is suggested that the biomechanical properties of the ONH and the surrounding peripapillary sclera (PPS) contribute to glaucoma development and progression. As far as the beneficial biomechanical properties of the ONH and PPS for a decreased susceptibility and slow progression of glaucoma, data are inconsistent and conflicting. Recent biomechanical studies on beagles with ADAMTS10 mutation demonstrated that the mutant dogs have mechanically weak posterior sclera. This weakness was associated with a reduced collagen density and a lower proportion of insoluble collagen. These changes, observed before glaucoma development, were considered intrinsic characteristics caused by the mutation rather than a secondary effect of IOP elevation. Further studies of ADAMTS10-OAG may elucidate the effects of altered biomechanical properties of ONH and PPS in determining the glaucoma progression.
Deposit and etchback approach for ultrathin Al2O3 films with low pinhole density using atomic layer deposition and atomic layer etching

­Ultrathin Al2O3 atomic layer deposition (ALD) films with low pinhole density were fabricated using a deposit and etchback approach. This strategy was able to avoid the pinholes that originated during nonuniform nucleation of Al2O3 ALD films. In this method, an Al2O3 ALD film was deposited to a thickness greater than the desired thickness to reduce the number of pinholes and form a more continuous Al2O3 ALD film. Subsequently, the Al2O3 ALD film was etched back to a smaller thickness using thermal Al2O3 atomic layer etching (ALE). The number of pinholes in the resulting Al2O3 ALD film was measured by the percentage yield of metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitors based on an Ag/Al2O3/Al structure that did not have an electrical short. The device yield was improved using the deposition and etchback approach. For example, using device areas of 0.01 mm2, Al2O3 ALD films that were grown to 5 nm in the MIM capacitor gave a yield of 30%–40%. In contrast, Al2O3 ALD films that were grown to 24 nm and then etched back to 5 nm to form the MIM capacitor provided a yield of 65%–75%. This increase in yield of approximately 100% indicates that the deposit and etchback approach can improve the yield of MIM devices based on ultrathin Al2O3 ALD films. Although this method has been previously suggested to improve the quality of ultrathin films, this report is believed to be the first demonstrated application of using the deposit and etchback approach for device fabrication. Additional experiments revealed that a portion of the yield improvement can be attributed to the fluorination of the Al2O3 ALD films that produced a volume expansion when forming AlF3. This expansion may produce a compressive stress that helps to close the pinholes. The dielectric constant was also measured for Al2O3 ALD films versus Al2O3 film thickness. The dielectric constant was the same for as-deposited Al2O3 ALD films and Al2O3 ALD films that were first grown to 24 nm and then etched back to smaller thicknesses. This agreement indicates that the dielectric constant can be understood in terms of a series capacitor model and that Al2O3 ALE does not affect the electrical properties of the Al2O3 films.
History of the Treatment of Anorectal Malformations

This is a comprehensive review of historical documents presented in chronological order, in an attempt to divide the history of the treatment of anorectal malformations into different stages: (a) the early stage, (b) the blind surgical treatment era, and (c) the modern conception, based on the knowledge of the true intrinsic anatomy of anorectal malformations.
A novel de-embedding method suitable for transmission-line measurement

A novel de-embedding method on transmission line device under testing (DUT) is introduced in this paper. The technique can be used as an alternative to classic calibration approaches, such as SOLT, TRL, LRM, or LRRM whenever the de-embedded structure is a transmission line. The method only requires two measurement patterns: a true through as test fixture and a total pattern with targeting DUT embedded in. With a quasi-symmetry requirement in test fixtures, it is also a good substitute for newly released two-pattern de-embedding methodologies which have rigid symmetric demanding in text fixtures design and manufactures.
Resource Adequacy and the Impacts of Capacity Subsidies in Competitive Electricity Markets

Motivated by recent interventions by the states of New Jersey and Maryland and the introduction of PJM’s Minimum Offer Price Rule (MOPR) for capacity markets, we analyze the impact of subsidized government investments in electrical generation on electricity markets. We extend the model of Joskow and Tirole (2007) to address the interconnected nature of the PJM grid by considering a market with two different locations connected by transmission lines. We assume that these lines are constrained during peak periods in a manner similar to Borenstein, Bushnell, and Stoft (2000). We find that government intervention has significant potential for adverse effects on grid resource adequacy and reliability. In our analysis, subsidized investment in baseload capacity is never optimal. Government provision of base capacity displaces competitive capacity in the short run and likely discourages the provision of peak capacity. In the long run, the threat of intervention imposes costs on suppliers in the form of an expected regulatory taking. As a result, resource adequacy decreases in both markets. If governments respond to this state of affairs by subsidizing further supply additions, expectations of intervention are reinforced and competitive capacity supply further diminishes. MOPR attempts to mitigate this vicious cycle by screening out non-economic capacity bids. To the extentMOPR succeeds in this goal and market participants view it as a credible policy, subsidized capacity additions do not perturb the efficiency of market outcomes as long as any charges to consumers to support the subsidy are lump sum in nature. In this case, subsidized resources simply succeed in capturing rents from taxpayers.
Substrate specificity of the Rad3 ATPase/DNA helicase of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and binding of Rad3 protein to nucleic acids.

Rad3 protein from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a single-stranded DNA-dependent ATPase which catalyzes the unwinding of DNA.DNA duplexes. In the present studies we have demonstrated that the purified enzyme additionally catalyzes the displacement of RNA fragments annealed to complementary DNA. Quantitative comparisons using otherwise identical partially duplex DNA.DNA and DNA.RNA substrates indicate a significant preference for the latter. Competition for ATPase or DNA helicase activity by various homopolymers suggests that Rad3 protein does not discriminate between ribonucleotide and deoxyribonucleotide homopolymers with respect to binding. However, neither single-stranded RNA nor various ribonucleotide homopolymers supported the hydrolysis of nucleoside 5'-triphosphates. Additionally, Rad3 protein was unable to catalyze the displacement of oligo(dA) annealed to poly(U), suggesting that the catalytic domain of the enzyme is exquisitely sensitive to chemical and/or or conformational differences between DNA and RNA. Hence, it appears that Rad3 protein is not an RNA helicase.
Elucidating the mechanisms linking early pubertal timing, sexual activity, and substance use for maltreated versus nonmaltreated adolescents

Abstract Purpose To test models linking pubertal timing, peer substance use, sexual behavior, and substance use for maltreated versus comparison adolescents. Three theoretical mechanisms were tested: (1) peer influence links early pubertal timing to later sexual behavior and substance use; (2) early maturers engage in substance use on their own and then select substance-using friends; or (3) early maturers initiate sexual behaviors which lead them to substance-using peers. Methods The data came from a longitudinal study of the effects of child maltreatment on adolescent development (303 maltreated and 151 comparison adolescents; age, 9–13 years at initial wave). Multiple-group structural equation models tested the hypotheses across three time points including variables of pubertal timing, perception of peer substance use, sexual behavior, and self-reported substance use. Results Early pubertal timing was associated with substance-using peers only for maltreated adolescents, indicating the mediation path from early pubertal timing through substance-using peers to subsequent adolescent substance use and sexual behavior only holds for maltreated adolescents. Mediation via sexual behavior was significant for both maltreated and comparison adolescents. This indicates that sexual behavior may be a more universal mechanism linking early maturation with risky friends regardless of adverse life experiences. Conclusions The findings are a step toward elucidating the developmental pathways from early puberty to risk behavior and identifying early experiences that may alter mediation effects.
Co-Counsel to the President: Assessing the Bush White House Legal Policymaking Process

George W. Bush's view of the presidency was always going to make his lawyers key players in his administration. Both the president and vice president came to power with the firmly held view that presidential power had been unconstitutionally undermined by congressional incursions over the previous three decades. One of their primary political objectives was to restore the presidency to what they viewed as its rightful place in the constitutional order, often remarking that they intended to leave the institution stronger and more powerful than they had found it. Over the previous forty years, the structure supporting presidential legal policymaking had become increasingly institutionalized and centralized in the White House counsel's office. By the end of the Clinton administration, the counsel's role in advising the president and the basic protocols for the process of legal policymaking were well established. In most formal respects, the broad responsibilities of the counsel and the organizational structure of the counsel's office in Bush's administration mirrored those of his immediate predecessors. However, the actual legal policy process in the White House marked a departure from the developmental pattern of the previous three decades. This paper will examine the unique attributes of the legal policymaking process in the Bush White House and assess their effects on the nature and quality of presidential legal advising.
EQUIPMENT FOR REMOTE INJECTION CASTING OF EBR-II FUEL

Precision injection casting is a method suitable to produce semifinished fuel pins. It is adapted to the remote refabrication of EBR-II fuel. Inert gas pressure is used to force molten fuel alloy into thoria-coated, precision-bore, high silica glass molds. During EBR-II, Core I production, 16,000 fuel castings are produced in batches of 120 using an experimental-injection casting furnace. The specified weight, diametral tolerance, surface finish, and internal soundness specifications are successfully met. Remotecontrol equipment is designed from experience gained during Core I production. (auth)
Universal input single-stage PFC AC/DC converter with reduced DC-bus voltage stress

High DC bus voltage stress and low conversion efficiency limit the practical application for single stage power factor correction (PFC) AC-DC converters. This paper presents a cost-effective approach to alleviate these issues based on a conventional BIFRED AC/DC converter. In the proposed topology, a flyback transformer and a small serial connected inductor are implemented to replace the traditional input PFC inductor, and a cost-efficient lossless snubber is also proposed to reduce the turn-off spike of the main switch. The experimental results of a 20 V@4.5 A prototype indicate that the proposed technique can suppress the DC voltage below 400 V through the entire universal input range, while keeping the efficiency and power factor above 81% and 0.95 respectively.
Application of a new method for detecting the phenotype of target binding cells

A new method was developed for detecting the phenotype of target binding cells (TBC) in a single-cell assay system. This methodology was evaluated during a clinical trial of recombinant interferon alfa-2a (rIFN alfa-2a) for the treatment of 10 metastatic renal cell carcinoma patients. Total TBC with K562 targets, HNK-1+ TBC, and HLA-DR+ TBC were quantitated during rIFN alfa-2a therapy. A significantly increased proportion of lymphocytes bound to target cells on day 9 of therapy bore the HNK-1 marker. This proportion subsequently declined to pretreatment levels. Total TBC paralleled the rise and fall in HNK-1+ TBC. HLA-DR+ TBC binding to targets remained constant and low throughout therapy. These findings suggest that rIFN alfa-2a early in therapy (day 9) caused the recruitment of additional HNK-1+ cells into binders. However, with continued therapy, this proportion reverts to pretreatment levels. The results of this clinical trial served to illustrate the ability of the modified single-cell assay system to detect TBC phenotype.
Gender differences in reported symptoms for acute myocardial infarction: Impact on prehospital delay time interval

A retrospective observational study using database registry of consecutive patients admitted to 16 King County hospital Coronary Care Units (CCU) was conducted to assess gender differences in symptom presentation for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and investigate how symptom presentation relates to prehospital delay time interval from acute symptom onset to emergency department (ED) presentation. Between January 1991 and February 1993, 4,497 patients were admitted to the CCUs with diagnosed AMI. Accredited record technicians abstracted age, gender, race, transport method, symptom presentation (chest pain, sweating, nausea, shortness of breath, epigastric pain, and fainting), delay time interval between acute symptom onset and presentation to hospital ED, and discharge diagnosis from the patients' medical records. After adjusting for age and history of diabetes, no gender differences remained for frequencies of chest pain, fainting, or epigastric pain. Women reported more nausea and shortness of breath but less sweating than men as symptoms of AMI. Chest pain, sweating, and fainting were associated with decreasing delay time intervals. Age, gender, histories of AMI and diabetes, and transport choice were also significantly related to delay time interval. These results show that gender differences occur in AMI symptom experience. However, how symptoms relate to the gender gap in delay time interval is not clear. These findings suggest that health care professionals need to tailor information about possible symptoms of AMI to the patient's gender, age, and medical history.
Evolution of Our Understanding of Myeloid Regulatory Cells: From MDSCs to Mregs

The term myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) was first suggested in 2007 in order to reflect the origin and function of myeloid cells during immunosuppression in cancer and other pathologic conditions. Emerging evidence suggests that MDSCs suppress CTL and Th1 responses in malignant diseases while they regulate effective immune responses in parasitic and helminth infections as well as Th17 inflammatory response during autoimmune diseases. Based on these data, the term myeloid regulatory cells (Mregs) more accurately reflects their function and interactions with different cells of the immune system during diseased conditions. Here, we provide evidence on the multifaceted function of Mregs during diseased states.
Impact of pattern density on copper interconnects barrier metal liner integrity

The dependency of Cu interconnects barrier metal liner integrity due to neighboring pattern density is presented in this paper. It was found that TaN/Ta bi-layer barrier metal liner on isolated Cu interconnects was oxidized through electrical test and failure analysis. An elaborate study on the neighboring interconnects pattern density as well as process solutions were explored to investigate the impacts on the metal liner. Hypotheses were discussed. Results showed that there is an obvious pattern density correlation with the integrity of the metal liner. A comprehensive methodology was devised to check the process window of the metal liner process. The deduction is care needs to be taken in the design of interconnects circuitry. While metal liner process can be optimized, a balance is needed to ensure a robust and reliable barrier metal with neighboring interconnects pattern density.
Kernel projector matrices for leu1?zervamicin

By performing ab initio calculations on fragments of leu1(SINGLEBOND)zervamicin, it is demonstrated that accurate wave functions can be obtained for this large structure by combining the results from the fragments. Input information consists of atomic coordinates as obtained, for example, from a crystal structure determination. The fragments are composed of a kernel of atoms surrounded by a chosen neighborhood of atoms. The entire molecule is divided into individual kernels and their neighborhoods are added for the individual fragment calculations on the basis of the distances of other atoms from the atoms in a kernel. The hydrated leu1(SINGLEBOND)zervamicin is composed of 295 atoms which could be handled in full by Gaussian 94. The results of the fragment calculations were combined to provide an electron density distribution for the molecule. This distribution was compared with one that represents the distribution obtained from a calculation on the entire molecule at once. The clear implication of this study is that it is feasible to perform ab initio calculations on structures by the use of fragments. The time involved increases essentially linearly with complexity. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Determination of antioxidant potential of volatile extracts isolated from various herbs and spices

Antioxidant activities of volatile extracts isolated from thyme, basil, rosemary, chamomile, lavender, and cinnamon were evaluated by two independent assays: the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and the conjugated diene assay. The volatile extracts were prepared from dried herbs and spices using liquid-liquid continuous extraction following steam distillation under reduced pressure (55 degrees C and 95 mmHg). The antioxidant activities of the extracts decreased in the following order in both of the lipophilic assay systems: thyme > basil > rosemary > chamomile > lavender and cinnamon. Thyme and basil extracts inhibited the oxidation of hexanal for 40 days at the levels of 10 microg/mL and 50 microg/mL, respectively. The extracts of thyme and basil were effective in retarding methyl linoleate deterioration at 40 degrees C, with activity increasing with concentration in the range 10-200 microg/mL. At a concentration of 50 microg/mL, thyme extract was similar in antioxidant activity to BHT and alpha-tocopherol in the conjugated diene assay. The antioxidant potentials of the volatile extracts used in this study were accurately measured by the lipophilic systems, such as the aldehyde/carboxylic acid assay and the conjugated diene assay.
Treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

Abstract Acute ischemic stroke remains difficult to treat despite the advent of new therapies. The only approved medication to reverse its effects is recombinant tissue plasminogen activator administered intravenously within 3 hours of onset of stroke symptoms—an opportunity that does not often present itself. The principal drawback to thrombolytic therapy for acute ischemic stroke is a 3% to 6% occurrence of symptomatic cerebral hemorrhage. Although intra-arterial recombinant prourokinase also appears to be effective, it has not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration. Aspirin administered within 48 hours of stroke onset can prevent a few recurrent strokes and deaths. The efficacy of heparin and heparinoids in acute ischemic stroke has not been shown. Despite their theoretical attractiveness and laboratory results, neuroprotective agents have not proven effective in clinical trials. In view of current limitations on the ability to treat and reverse the effects of acute ischemic stroke, improved preventive measures in patients at risk for stroke are urgently needed. Copyright © 2001 by National Stroke Association
Walk‐through audit provides focus for service improvements for Hong Kong law firm

This paper describes and illustrates the application of a relatively new approach to assessing the operations management aspects of providing customer service. It presents the results of a customer‐based assessment, the walk‐through audit (WTA), administered on new clients at a recently established law firm. Although the clients rated their services above satisfactory in general, relatively poor performance was noted in four areas. While using the same evaluation instrument, the firm’s senior partners identified a set of like deficiencies, yet consistently ranked the firm’s performance higher than did their clients. Next, the WTA was administered to small samples of new clients at four of Hong Kong’s most highly‐respected and well‐established law firms. Although the benchmarked firms’ received higher ratings for all audited areas, the ratings were statistically significantly higher (p < 0.01) in the four areas of concern. The benchmark results were successful in attracting the attention of the study firm’s partners who agreed that corrective action needed to be initiated relative to the four problem areas.
Fracture Probability Integral Applied to Reactor Vessel Life Estimate

The conventional method of fracture probability calculations such as that adopted by the NRC-sponsored PRAISE CODE and the FAVOR CODE developed in this laboratory are both based on Monte Carlo simulation. Heavy computations are required. A new method of fracture probability calculation is developed by direct probability integration. The preliminary version of the development was published in an earlier paper. More detailed development of the method is presented here. The present approach offers simple and expedient method to obtain numerical values of fracture probability. This method can be applied to problems as general as the method of Monte Carlo simulation. This approach also provides a clear physical picture on the meaning of the probability of fracture. Parametric studies are made in this paper to show the variation of the numerical values of the probabilities of fracture as a result of the change of the standard deviation of either fracture toughness or the radiation-induced temperature shift. Also, it is shown numerically that a limiting probability can be obtained if the standard deviation of the fracture toughness approaches zero that implies a deterministic fracture toughness. It confirms the theoretical proof shown in Eq. (11). The limiting probability is the simplistic probability of crack count used by this author where both toughness and temperature shift are assumed to be deterministic values. The general probability of fracture developed here is simply a generalization of the crack count, except the crack count is selected with the appropriate fracture toughness in the toughness distribution. The toughness for the problem considered here is then multiplied by the appropriate temperature shift in the distribution function of the temperature shift. Although the present development is based on linear fracture mechanics assumption and applied to the radiated reactor vessel steel, there is no difficulty in viewing the present development as a general formulation that is capable of handling as many random variables as required by the fracture model. The multiplicity of the integration corresponds to the number of random variables. The probability integral is applied in this paper to calculate the probability of fracture for the high flux isotope reactor (HFIR) vessel that has been weakened due to the radiation embrittlement. The random variables used here are the crack length, the fracture toughness, and the radiation-induced temperature shift that is needed in the parametric representation of the radiated vessel steel.
Representation of strongly harmonizable periodically correlated processes and their covariances

Abstract This paper addresses the representation of continuous-time strongly harmonizable periodically correlated processes and their covariance functions. We show that the support of the 2-dimensional spectral measure is constrained to a set of equally spaced lines parallel to the diagonal. Our main result is that any harmonizable periodically correlated process may be represented in quadratic mean as a Fourier series whose coefficients are a family of unique jointly wide sense stationary processes; the corresponding family of cross spectral distribution functions may be simply identified from the two-dimensional spectral measure resulting from the assumption of strong harmonizability.
Multiple intermediates in SNARE-induced membrane fusion

Membrane fusion in eukaryotic cells is thought to be mediated by a highly conserved family of proteins called SNAREs (soluble N-ethyl maleimide sensitive-factor attachment protein receptors). The vesicle-associated v-SNARE engages with its partner t-SNAREs on the target membrane to form a coiled coil that bridges two membranes and facilitates fusion. As demonstrated by recent findings on the hemifusion state, identifying intermediates of membrane fusion can help unveil the underlying fusion mechanism. Observation of SNARE-driven fusion at the single-liposome level has the potential to dissect and characterize fusion intermediates most directly. Here, we report on the real-time observation of lipid-mixing dynamics in a single fusion event between a pair of SNARE-reconstituted liposomes. The assay reveals multiple intermediate states characterized by discrete values of FRET between membrane-bound fluorophores. Hemifusion, flickering of fusion pores, and kinetic transitions between intermediates, which would be very difficult to detect in ensemble assays, are now identified. The ability to monitor the time course of fusion events between two proteoliposomes should be useful for addressing many important issues in SNARE-mediated membrane fusion.
Exclusive Analysis of the γ⃗↑ n → K+Σ− Reaction at Eγ = 0.8-2.3 GeV

Strangeness channels are important in the experimental search for missing resonances. A recent experiment performed at Jefferson Lab (CLAS gl3 run period) used a liquid deuterium target with linearly and circularly polarized tagged photon beams covering energies from threshold to 2.5 GeV. It provides high-quality data (about 52 billion triggers) with good kinematic coverage and several experimental observables available for each reaction channel. We have analyzed a few percent of these data to measure strangeness photoproduction on the neutron, in particular, the γn → K+ Σ− reaction. The exclusive analysis of this reaction along with a very preliminary measurement of the photon beam asymmetry is presented.
Police civil liability for failure to arrest intoxicated drivers

Abstract The article analyzes recent state court decisions in the United States on police liability for failure to restrain drunk drivers. It focuses on jurisdictions that either reject the public duty doctrine or have reinterpreted the special relationship/discretionary function doctrine to allow the filing of lawsuits and ultimately a finding of police liability. The legal theories used by the courts to establish a cause of action and the types of police conduct in drunk-driving situations that lead to police liability are also considered, focusing on cases in which innocent third parties have been injured by intoxicated drivers. The elements of negligence provide the framework for legal analysis. The public duty doctrine, with its exceptions, is studied and analyzed. Based on an analysis of decided cases, a model of judicial decisionmaking is developed. The article concludes with a restatement of contemporary legal principles on police liability for failure to arrest intoxicated drivers.
Covariability of V3 Loop Amino Acids

ABSTRACT We reanalyzed for covariability a set of 308 human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) V3 loop amino acid sequences from the B envelope sequence subtype previously analyzed by Korber et al.,1 as well as a new set of 440 sequences that also included substantial numbers of sequences from subtypes A, D, and E. We used the measure employed by Korber et al., essentially the likelihood ratio statistic for independence, plus two additional measures as well as clade information to examine the new set and both data sets simultaneously. We set forth the following conclusions and observations. The eight most highly connected sites identified through these statistical approaches included all of the six residues previously shown to have determining roles in structure, immunologic recognition, virus phenotype, and host range; each of the seven pairs of covariant sites found by Korber were signaled by our additional two measures in the set of 308 sequences, although 2 or 3 dropped out of the examination of th...
A study of the psychoanalytic concept of castration anxiety in symbolically castrated amputees

The purpose of this study was to investigate the concept of castration anxiety and syntactically related postulates of Freudian psychosexual theory. The importance of the study lies in the fact that castration anxiety is a central concept in Freudian theory, resulting in the subsidence of the Oedipal phase, the formation of the super-ego, ego development, and identification and preparation for the latency period. A group of symbolically castrated subjects (amputees) were compared with normal controls on certain castration anxiety indices of the Blacky Pictures. Within certain limitations involving the extrapolation of infantile phenomena to adulthood, presumptive evidence validating the castration anxiety concept was obtained. Presumptive validity was also demonstrated for the use of the Blacky Pictures in investigating psychoanalytic concepts.
Family Cohesion And Control: A Multitrait-Multimethod Study†

This study assessed the convergent and discriminant validity of widely used various measures of family cohension and control using a multitrait, multi-method approach. Forty-two families, who had at least one adolescent and who were currently receiving family therapy, completed self-report measures of cohesion and control and engaged in Reiss' Card Sort Procedure. Ratings of the families' cohesiveness were also obtained from the families and their therapists. We were only partially successful in demonstrating convergent validity and discriminant validity for the family trait of cohesiveness across measures and methods, and even less so for family control. There was a general lack of relationship between self-report measures and either the therapist rating of family cohesion or the family's performance on the Card Sort Procedure. Our results cast doubt on the construct validity of some of the best measures of family functioning currently available. Implications of this are discussed.
Nature and fate of the nutrient reserves of the periodical (17 year) cicada

Abstract The metabolic reserves of Magicicada cassini , a periodical cicada with a 17 year life cycle, were examined. Analysis of males and females which were collected shortly after emergence and just before death provided information about the nature and fate of the reserves which had been accumulated during the attenuated larval period. Results showed that young females had a mean weight of 565 mg compared with only 351 mg for equivalent males. Lipids and soluble proteins were the principal reserve materials. Glycogen was a relatively minor reserve of both sexes. While young females contained about twice as much soluble protein (110 mg) as the males (51 mg), they contained three times as much total lipid material (58–19 mg). Lipids were fractionated into neutral and phospholipids and the absolute amounts of each class were determined; triglycerides were the main component. Further analyses of old females provided information about the utilization of reserves for oogenesis. The data showed that even though the adults feed, lipids and soluble proteins stored during the larval stages are essential for egg maturation. The results are discussed in relation to the special requirements of an insect which has a protracted immature stage, yet a fleeting adult existence.
NMR structure of the full-length linear dimer of stem-loop-1 RNA in the HIV-1 dimer initiation site

The packaging signal of HIV-1 RNA contains a stem-loop structure, SL1, which serves as the dimerization initiation site for two identical copies of the genome and is important for packaging of the RNA genome into the budding virion and for overall infectivity. SL1 spontaneously dimerizes via a palindromic hexanucleotide sequence in its apical loop, forming a metastable kissing dimer form. Incubation with nucleocapsid protein causes this form to refold to a thermodynamically stable mature linear dimer. Here, we present an NMR structure of the latter form of the full-length SL1 sequence of the Lai HIV-1 isolate. The structure was refined using nuclear Overhauser effect and residual dipolar coupling data. The structure presents a symmetric homodimer of two RNA strands of 35 nucleotides each; it includes five stems separated by four internal loops. The central palindromic stem is surrounded by two symmetric adenine-rich 1-2 internal loops, A-bulges. All three adenines in each A-bulge are stacked inside the helix, consistent with the solution structures of shorter SL1 constructs determined previously. The outer 4-base pair stems and, proximal to them, purine-rich 1-3 internal loops, or G-bulges, are the least stable parts of the molecule. The G-bulges display high conformational variability in the refined ensemble of structures, despite the availability of many structural restraints for this region. Nevertheless, most conformations share a similar structural motif: a guanine and an adenine from opposite strands form a GA mismatch stacked on the top of the neighboring stem. The two remaining guanines are exposed, one in the minor groove and another in the major groove side of the helix, consistent with secondary structure probing data for SL1. These guanines may be recognized by the nucleocapsid protein, which binds tightly to the G-bulge in vitro.