cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Proton-Coupled Transition between Outward-Facing and Inward-Facing States in the Uracil Transporter

The bacterial nucleobase-ascorbate transporters are proton-driven membrane symporters. The solved structure of the bacterial uracil transporter, which demonstrates an inward-facing open state, is spatially organized into a core domain and a gate domain. Two glutamate residues (Glu241 and Glu290) anchor the substrate uracil in its binding site at the interface between the two domains. However, the outward-facing conformation and the conformational transition between the inward-facing and the outward-facing states are completely unknown. Furthermore, and mechanistically more important, how protons drive this transition remains also elusive. In the present study, we apply molecular dynamics simulations and free energy perturbation (FEP) to address some of these questions. The results of equilibrium simulations show that the empty transporter adopts an outward-facing open conformation through a rigid-body movement of TM5 and TM12. Uracil binding and protonation of Glu241 lead to an occluded state of the transporter. Deprotonation of Glu241 and protonation of His245 (as a result of proton transfer between these side chains) induce the displacement of TM12 from the core domain, exposing the bound uracil to the cytoplasm. Our FEP calculations show that the energy in the uracil bound state with protonated His245 is ∼25.9 kcal/mol lower than that with protonated Glu241, suggesting a favorable proton transfer from Glu241 to His245. Lastly, the release of the proton from protonated His245 in the uracil-bound state causes a large separation of TM12 from the core domain, thus allowing the substrate to move out of its binding site and into the cytoplasm. Based on our simulations, we propose that TM5 and TM12 play the role of extracellular and intracellular gates, respectively, and that proton transfer between Glu241 and His245 regulates the conformational transition between the inward-facing and outward-facing states.
Immunologic function and cell surface antigen expression of lymphocytes of dystrophic mice

Abstract Previous studies have reported abnormalities of thymic histology and cell numbers in 129/ ReJ-dy homozygous dystrophic mice, suggesting an association between murine muscular dystrophy and disorders of the immune system. The present study of C57BL/6J-dy 2J and 129/ReJ-dy homozygous dystrophic mice included a thorough analysis of thymic development and histology, of T-cell function demonstrated by mitogen stimulation, mixed-leukocyte culture, and graft-vs-host assays, and of surface antigen expression as measured by flow microfluorometry. Although sporadic differences can be seen in some dystrophic mice, we find no evidence of consistent abnormalities of the immune system in murine muscular dystrophy. It does not seem possible, therefore, to study either the dy or the dy 2 J defect through analysis of lymphocytes. The feasibility of elucidating metabolic or membrane defects by utilizing cell populations other than those most conspicuously affected by a mutation with multisystem effects is discussed and our coincidental finding of a subpopulation of T cells with unusual antigenic properties is described.
Current transport along grain boundaries in d-wave superconductors

Abstract The use of a classic phase retrieval algorithm has been previously used to determine the local critical current J c ( x ) along the length of grain boundary Josephson junctions that can be characterized using a standard s-wave model. The phase retrieval approach has been modified for use with d-wave dominated superconductors to allow for negative local currents along the boundary. In general solutions to the 1-D phase problem are not unique, however in the present work special constraints are employed experimentally to ensure uniqueness. The various current distribution solutions and their possible uniqueness are explored. The solutions are consistent with most existing d-wave Josephson junction boundary models and can be used to understand the basic current distribution along 45° YaBa 2 Cu 3 O 7− x grain boundary junctions as well as providing a means for mapping the location of self-generated flux cores.
A novel experimental approach to the control of postburn transeschar caloric loss

Abstract The eschar resulting from hyperthermic trauma is a protein-water semisolid membrane which contains lipid and which transmits water in amounts which depend upon its own water content. In the early postburn phase the eschar transmits water in amounts inversely proportional to its water content; in the later postburn phase the water transmission is directly proportional to the water content of the surface. The topical application of a desiccant, a hydrating agent, and a protein denaturant is accompanied by a predictable alteration in water transmission. This alteration is related to the time post-application of the material postburn and to the water content of the eschar at the time of application. The mechanism of action of these materials is discussed, as is the clinical importance of this means of controlling postburn eschar water loss.
miR-217 regulates ethanol-induced hepatic inflammation by disrupting sirtuin 1-lipin-1 signaling.

Ethanol-mediated injury, combined with gut-derived lipopolysaccharide (LPS), provokes generation of proinflammatory cytokines in Kupffer cells, causing hepatic inflammation. Among the mediators of these effects, miR-217 aggravates ethanol-induced steatosis in hepatocytes. However, the role of miR-217 in ethanol-induced liver inflammation process is unknown. Here, we examined the role of miR-217 in the responses to ethanol, LPS, or a combination of ethanol and LPS in RAW 264.7 macrophages and in primary Kupffer cells. In macrophages, ethanol substantially exacerbated LPS-mediated induction of miR-217 and production of proinflammatory cytokines compared with LPS or ethanol alone. Consistently, ethanol administration to mice led to increases in miR-217 abundance and increased production of inflammatory cytokines in isolated primary Kupffer cells exposed to the combination of ethanol and LPS. miR-217 promoted combined ethanol and LPS-mediated inhibition of sirtuin 1 expression and activity in macrophages. Moreover, miR-217–mediated sirtuin 1 inhibition was accompanied by increased activities of two vital inflammatory regulators, NF-κB and the nuclear factor of activated T cells c4. Finally, adenovirus-mediated overexpression of miR-217 led to steatosis and inflammation in mice. These findings suggest that miR-217 is a pivotal regulator involved in ethanol-induced hepatic inflammation. Strategies to inhibit hepatic miR-217 could be a viable approach in attenuating alcoholic hepatitis.
Contractile and EMG studies of murine myotonia (Mto) and muscular dystrophy (dy/dy)

This report focuses on the myotonic (mto) mouse, an autosomal recessive neuromuscular mutant first described in 1982. Studies in vivo confirmed the presence of hindlimb rigidity during walking and typical myotonic electromyographic (EMG) discharges that persisted after nerve transection and complete neuromuscular blockade. Studies of the contractility of mto muscles in vitro revealed reduced peak isometric tetanic tension and greatly prolonged relaxation times. Tubocurarine did not affect tension parameters, but did antagonize the delayed relaxation in vitro. On the basis of EMG studies alone this mutant can accurately be described as myotonic. Reduction of the contractile abnormalities by tubocurarine in vitro, however, poses further questions regarding the nature of the disorder. Although the more familiar dystrophic mouse (dy/dy) has been termed "myotonic" by some, the new mto mutant differs from it in all aspects examined.
Studies on the selective fungitoxicity of aliphatic amines

A comparison of the uptake of simple (C1–C4) aliphatic amines byPenicillium digitatum revealed that the fungitoxicity of (−)sec-butylamine [(−)SBA] was not due to its accumulation by hyphae since (+)SBA was accumulated to the same extent and methylamine, which showed negligible antifungal activity, accumulated to twice the level of SBA. Amines with a secondary alkyl structure were resistant to fungal metabolism, whereas primary amines were degraded to a significant extent byP. digitatum during a 4 h incubation period.
Health reform and the Affordable Care Act: the importance of mental health treatment to achieving the triple aim.

Health reform efforts in the United States, including development of the chronic care model [1], the primary care medical home [2], pay-for-performance initiatives [3], and federally-funded Medicare demonstration projects preceded the passage of the federal 2010 Accountable Care Act (ACA). In addition to expanding health care coverage to uninsured populations in many states, the ACA provides recommendations to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to test new payment and delivery models such as the Patient Centered Medical Home (PCMH) or Health Home models and Accountable Care Organizations in an to attempt to improve quality and outcomes of health care. Although Medicare (federally-funded insurance covering Americans ≥65 years of age and those with chronic disabilities) and Medicaid (largely state-funded, covering low income Americans and those with certain disabilities) are government-funded programs, many commercial insurers are following the CMS lead to incentivize these charges in health care. These ongoing health reform initiatives including the gradual implementation of the ACA are rapidly changing the health care system. The “true north” of health reform is to achieve the triple aim, including improving access to and satisfaction with care, improving quality and outcomes of care, and reducing total health care costs [4]. Given the high rate of mental health and substance abuse disorders in primary care and the high prevalence of psychiatric comorbidity among persons with chronic medical illness, these reform efforts will be enhanced by integration of behavioral health services into these initiatives. Indeed, given the high total health care costs of patients with mental illness, it will be difficult to “bend the cost curve” in the United States without improving the quality of behavioral health care in primary care, specialty medical care, and hospital populations. This article will describe the most important health reform changes and the importance of integrating mental health services into each of these efforts. We will specifically highlight the role of integrated mental health in the context of micro-level innovations, such as the Patient Centered Medical Home/Health Home model as well as macro-level innovations, such as Accountable Care.
Similarity between biotransformation rates and turnover rates of organic matter biodegradation in anaerobic environments

Abstract Methods have been developed to assess the rate of substrate transformation in anoxic environments based upon the rate of product formation. Transformation rate constants based on the production of gases, 14CH4 and 14CO2, (kg) averaged 96.7% (SD = 14%) of the turnover rate constant (k) based upon loss of [U-14C]glucose, [I-14C]lactate, [I-14C]-or [2-14C]acetate when examined in sewage sludge or lake sediments. Lower kg values, ≈ 1 2 of k , were obtained from [3-14C]lactate in all habitats because [3-C]lactate produced [2-C]acetate which was later consumed by methanogens. Inclusion of volatile organic acid production in the transformation rate constant determinations ( k gv = 14 CH 4 , [14C]volatile organic acids) resulted in a kgv = 0.89 of the value for k for [3-C]lactate as expected, transformation rate constants decreased as the food chain was ascended with acetate > lactate > glucose. Cellulose, a polymer whose turnover rate constant could not be determined, was transformed considerably slower than glucose and kg = kgv. Transformation rate constants are a rapid and accurate technique for assessing turnover of specific metabolites in anoxic habitats and may be suited for examining the decomposition of polymers and compounds whose loss from ecosystems are difficult to quantify.
Desolvation free energy field derived from boundary element continuum dielectric calculations

The free energy of partial dehydration during molecular association has been mapped on an uniform grid-probe basis. 3D-localized quantities are computed as the difference in the BEM-calculated reaction field energies plus non-electrostatic component of solvation between the bound and free states. The resulting desolvation field encodes useful molecular information and is readily incorporated into CoMFA.
The mechanism of carbonate killing of Escherichia coli.

Aims: To define the mechanism of carbonate killing in Escherichia coli. Methods and Results: Sodium carbonate (150 mM) and ethylenediaminetetracetic acid (EDTA, 60 mM) both killed E. coli K-12 when the pH was 8·5, but ammonium chloride (150 mM) was ineffective. EDTA was a 5-fold more potent agent than carbonate, but some of this difference could be explained by ionization. At pH 8·5, only 1·6% of the carbonate is CO−2, but nearly 100% of the EDTA is EDTA−2 Conclusions: As carbonate and EDTA had similar effects on viability, cellular morphology, protein release and enzymatic activities, the antibacterial activity of carbonate seems to be mediated by divalent metal binding. Significance and Impact of the Study: Cattle manure is often used as a fertilizer, and E. coli from manure can migrate through the soil into water supplies. Previous methods of eradicating E. coli were either expensive or environmentally unsound. However, cattle manure can be treated with carbonate to eliminate E. coli, and the cost of this treatment is less than $0.03 per cow per day.
Role of Intangible Assets in Foreign-Market Entry-Mode Decisions: A Longitudinal Study of American Lodging Firms

With the traditional research-based view approach to entry mode that examines the firm's strategies from its resource endowment and deployment (i.e., an inside-out view of the firm), which is different from the earlier paradigms (i.e., an outside-in view of the firm), this article investigates intangibles at the firm level and their impact on the choice of foreign-market entry mode to understand how to create value overseas. From the multinomial logistic regression analyses with data collected from the lodging industry between 1995 and 2005, the results of this study suggest that as marketing capital increases, entry mode seems to move from acquisition to joint venture to greenfield to contractual modes. In the case of employee efficiency, as human capital increases entry mode tends to move from joint venture to acquisition to greenfield to contractual modes, whereas in the case of top managers' efficiency, entry mode tends to move from joint venture to acquisition to contractual mode to greenfield, respe...
Patterning of small particles by a surfactant-enhanced Marangoni-Bénard instability

Evaporating drops provide a means of organizing particles suspended within them. Here, the manner in which surfactants alter these patterns is studied as a function of the surface state of an insoluble monolayer at the drop interface. The surface state is visualized throughout the drop evolution using fluorescence microscopy. A regime of surfactant coverage is identified that creates conditions that enhance the Marangoni-Benard instability. This result was not anticipated in prior studies, in which surfactants are predicted to prevent this instability. These data demonstrate that, by tuning the liquid-gas boundary condition, the patterns formed from an evaporating drop can be controlled.
Seasonal and interannual variability in surface energy partitioning and vegetation cover with grazing at shortgrass steppe

Abstract We evaluated shortgrass steppe energy budgets based on the Bowen Ratio Energy Balance method for three different grazing intensity treatments at the Central Plains Experimental Range Long-Term Ecological Research (CPER-LTER) site. We tested the correlations between aboveground biomass and surface energy fluxes for three different precipitation years based on continuously measured 20 min interval data. Grazing has a potential impact on energy partitioning under conditions of higher water availability, but not during dry conditions. Our study confirms that precipitation, not grazing treatment, explains the majority of variation in aboveground biomass at the CPER-LTER site. In addition, we are suggesting effective temperature, not air temperature, as a superior metric to evaluate surface heat change. Effective temperature takes into account humidity as well as air temperature.
Multiscale information for network characterization in epilepsy

We have developed a multiscale approach for the estimation of neuronal network coordination in the epileptic brain, from continuous (long-term) non-invasive electroencephalograms (EEG). The proposed approach specifically assesses the effect of large-scale network behavior on local network coordination, at individual dominant frequencies (modes) of the EEG spectrum. For this purpose a set of conditional information parameters is proposed to explicitly quantify the effect of global network correlation in the brain on pairwise (local) mutual information, via conditioning. These parameters are shown to be modulated in a frequency-specific manner at baseline, as well as during seizure evolution.
Digitally reconstructed fluoroscopy and other interactive volume visualizations in 3-D treatment planning

Abstract Purpose : Add radiographic context to the beam's-eye-view used in 3-dimensional treatment planning. Improve methods for interactive visualization of anatomy and dose distributions. Methods and Materials : Most 3-dimensional treatment planning systems feature a beam's-eye view that includes only graphical representations of patient anatomy. With input devices such as a mouse or trackball, the user interactively shapes the treatment field using the graphical models to provide geometric information. Radiographic context provides additional geometric information important for determining field shape. We have digitally reconstructed fluroscopy in the beam's-eye view by increasing the efficiency for computing digitally reconstructed radiographs. In addition we have improved algorithms for real-time surface and volume rendering for anatomy and doses usign a experimental graphics supercomputer. Results : Without radiographic context in the beam's-eye-view, field shapes were sometimes changed after simulation or portal images were obtained. Digitally reconstructed fluoroscopy has essentially eliminated these changes. Higher quality interactive three-dimensional displays improve the comprehension, confidence and efficiency of the user. Our improvements have already been implemented on one model of a new generation of commercial graphics workstations. Conclusion : Addition of radiographic context to the beam's-eye-view is recommended. Incorporation of higher quality interactive graphics is rapidly becoming practical and is encouraged.
Catalytic Properties of Oxygen Semipermeable Perovskite-Type Ceramic Membrane Materials for Oxidative Coupling of Methane

The catalytic properties for the oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) of La0.8Sr0.2CoO3(LSC) and SrCo0.8Fe0.2O3(SCF) in solid solution were studied and compared with those of 5 wt% Li/MgO, using a steady/unsteady state packed-bed reactor and a transient microbalance. The results of the steady-state cofeed experiments show that LSC possesses OCM catalytic properties similar to those of Li/MgO in terms of C2yield and selectivity at temperatures of around 800°C. The former gives a larger C2space time yield than the latter. SCF exhibits poor OCM catalytic properties at 700–850°C. To further examine the suitability of LSC as a membrane material for use in a dense membrane reactor for OCM, the instant OCM selectivity and activity and oxygen consumption rate for LSC and 5% Li/MgO on exposure to pure methane in cyclic feed mode were measured respectively at 850°C and 800°C. For both materials, the unsteady-state cyclic feed operation gives smaller initial OCM activity and larger initial C2selectivity than the cofeed steady state operation. Li/MgO quickly loses its OCM activity and selectivity in the unsteady state operation due to rapid consumption of the active sites. Up to 5 min of methane run time, LSC maintains appreciable OCM activity with poorer C2selectivity as compared to the steady state cofeed operation. The surface of LSC membrane at low oxygen partial pressure may become nonselective for OCM in membrane reactor applications.
Decolonization by default: Independence in soviet central Asia

(1994). Decolonization by default: Independence in soviet central Asia. Central Asian Survey: Vol. 13, No. 1, pp. 51-58.
Chemical energy usage during stimulation and stretch of mammalian smooth muscle.

High energy phosphate usage was measured in the rabbit taenia coli subjected to stimulation and stretch (0.12 L0/min) and was compared to that observed previously under isometric conditions. When the muscle was bathed in a medium containing 1.9 mM Ca2+, stretch during the period of initial force development substantially decreased the rate of chemical energy usage compared to that under isometric conditions. When crossbridge cycling rate under isometric conditions was increased by incubation of the muscle in a medium containing 4.5 mM Ca2+, there was a greater decrease in rate of high energy phosphate usage during stretch compared to isometric conditions. The low energy usage during stretch occurs even though average active force output was approximately 40% higher than that under isometric conditions. During the period of subsequent force maintenance when both energy usage and crossbridge cycling rate under isometric conditions were low, there was no significant effect of stretch on the average rate of energy usage at either Ca2+ level. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that during stimulation and stretch in smooth muscle, crossbridge attachment and force production can occur even though the actin-activated myosin ATPase activity normally associated with isometric force development is greatly suppressed.
The Effect of Increasing Habitat Complexity on Bay Scallop Survival in the Presence of Different Decapod Crustacean Predators

Predation is among the most important biotic factors affecting benthic populations. Habitat complexity, such as seagrass shoot density, can significantly reduce rates of predation by changing predator and prey behaviors, increasing searching and handling times, and reducing encounter rates; this relationship is assumed to be nonlinear. For bay scallops, and other commercially important seagrass-associated prey, understanding the relationship between survival and habitat can have important implications. In this study, we looked at the shape of the habitat survival function (HSF) for bay scallops across four different decapod predator species (Callinectes sapidus, Carcinus maenas, Dyspanopeus sayi, and Libinia sp.) using a series of mesocosm experiments at four different levels of habitat complexity (0, 200, 400, and 800 shoots m−2). As expected, scallop survival was higher in the complex seagrass habitat than when no seagrass was present. However, the shape of the HSF varied among predators: when green crabs were predators, the HSF was linear, whereas the HSF was hyperbolic in the presence of both mud and blue crabs. These data suggest that even small increases of seagrass shoot density from very low levels may rapidly increase prey survival, but that prey survival is unlikely to increase across broad changes in habitat complexity. Further, this experiment suggests that predator identity may be important in determining the relationship between prey survival and habitat complexity. For scallop restoration, efforts can be enhanced by selecting even relatively low levels of seagrass habitat, regardless of perceived “value” based on shoot density.
High uniformity large solenoid for magnetic isotope separation

The authors outline how the sequential quadratic programming algorithm, a superlinear, convergent, quasi-Newton method for solving highly constrained nonlinear programs, is used to optimize the design of large magnets requiring a high-uniformity field over a large volume. This method was used for determining the winding geometry and current distribution in designing a superconducting magnet system for a production isotope separation facility. The independent variables used for optimization are the inner and outer radii of the center coil and the two end coils, the length of the coil, the location and thicknesses of the flange, and the current density in the main and trim coils. The stored energy is not used as an optimization criterion since the conductor is self-supported and the required structure is not directly proportional. The optimization approach allows the selection of objective functions such as least volume, least energy, or least cost subject to the uniformity requirements constraints. >
A generalized smoothed particle hydrodynamics method for nonlinear dynamic problems

Abstract A generalized smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) method was developed for the numerical simulation of nonlinear dynamic problems. The performance of the proposed method was demonstrated by solving Burgers’ equations over a wide range of the viscosity parameters in one and two space dimensions. It was shown that the present results agree very well with other existing solutions. As compared to other meshless methods, this algorithm is quite straightforward and simple and can be coded easily.
Uptake and translocation of iron from ferrated rhodotorulic acid in tomato

Abstract Micro‐organisms may develop an iron‐deficiency stress when grown in an alkaline environment and secrete ferric‐specific chelators known as siderophores. Some of these siderophores may have stability constants which can exceed 30. This is comparable to the synethetic Fe chelate FeEDDHA. Our objective was to determine if the Fe‐efficient T3238 FER tomato and the Fe‐inefficient T3238 fer tomato could use iron supplied as the siderophore ferrated‐rhodotorulic acid. After these two tomato cultivars were grown with adequate nutrition to obtain plants large enough for experimental testing, they were grown without iron until Fe‐deficiency‐stress symptoms developed and then iron was supplied as ferrated‐rhodoturulic acid. Iron efficient T3238 FER tomato utilized iron supplied as the siderophore and greened whereas, the Fe‐inefficient T3238 fer tomato plants were chlorotic because they could not use the iron in the siderophore. This study demonstrated that some higher plants subjected to various degrees of...
Dyspnoea in the Cat—I Aetiology

— The aetiological factors involved in the production of dyspnoea in the cat are classified and discussed. Resume— L'article presente une classification et une discussion des facteurs etiologiques responsables de la production de la dyspnee chez le chat. Zusammenfassung— Die atiologischen Faktoren, die bei Katzen zu Atemnot fuhren, werden systematisch eingeordnet und besprochen.
Injuries and aging workers

The relationship between an aging workforce and injuries in the work-place was explored via attitudinal/background survey and accident/injury reports within a nuclear power plant. Hypotheses of the relationship between aging and safety orientations and the role of safety orientations in forecasting injuries were tested in a sample of 209 workers at the plant. Results indicated that age of worker is related to various reports of health status and safety orientations and that safety orientations are related to different measures of injuries. Implications of these results for dealing with aging workforces and accident prevention programs are presented along with perspectives on direction for future research.
Mapping surgical fields by moving a laser-scanning multimodal scope attached to a robot arm

Endoscopic visualization in brain tumor removal is challenging because tumor tissue is often visually indistinguishable from healthy tissue. Fluorescence imaging can improve tumor delineation, though this impairs reflectance-based visualization of gross anatomical features. To accurately navigate and resect tumors, we created an ultrathin/flexible, scanning fiber endoscope (SFE) that acquires reflectance and fluorescence wide-field images at high-resolution. Furthermore, our miniature imaging system is affixed to a robotic arm providing programmable motion of SFE, from which we generate multimodal surface maps of the surgical field. To test this system, synthetic phantoms of debulked tumor from brain are fabricated having spots of fluorescence representing residual tumor. Three-dimension (3D) surface maps of this surgical field are produced by moving the SFE over the phantom during concurrent reflectance and fluorescence imaging (30Hz video). SIFT-based feature matching between reflectance images is implemented to select a subset of key frames, which are reconstructed in 3D by bundle adjustment. The resultant reconstruction yields a multimodal 3D map of the tumor region that can improve visualization and robotic path planning. Efficiency of creating these maps is important as they are generated multiple times during tumor margin clean-up. By using pre-programmed vector motions of the robot arm holding the SFE, the computer vision algorithms are optimized for efficiency by reducing search times. Preliminary results indicate that the time for creating these 3D multimodal maps of the surgical field can be reduced to one third by using known trajectories of the surgical robot moving the image-guided tool.
Intravenous Versus Intramuscular Midazolam in Treatment of Chemically Induced Generalized Seizures in Swine

Midazolam is a water-soluble benzodiazepine proven to be efficacious in sedation, hypnosis, and induction and maintenance of anesthesia. Because of its water solubility, it is a desirable drug for the control of status epilepticus when intravenous (IV) access is not obtainable. This study compares intramuscular (IM) versus IV routes of administration of midazolam in the control of tonic-clonic activity produced by chemically induced generalized seizures in a swine model. When midazolam was administered by IV route, tonic-clonic activity lasted a mean of 34 +/- 5.4 seconds, and when administered by IM route, the tonic-clonic activity lasted a mean of 116 +/- 41 seconds. Both were considerably abbreviated when compared with the expected duration of pentylenetetrazol-induced seizures in the swine model. Serum levels of midazolam achieved by the IV route were considerably higher than those achieved by the IM route. It is concluded that midazolam is effective in the control of tonic-clonic manifestations of generalized seizures when administered by the IV or the IM route and that no correlation exists between serum levels achieved and the time to control the seizure.
Vitamin E: Cautionary Issues.

Compared with many medications used in the patient with cardiovascular disease, vitamin E is a relatively safe supplement. There are a few populations in which caution needs to be employed, however. Patients receiving warfarin therapy should be discouraged from using vitamin E supplements and should be closely monitored if they do. Smokers should avoid vitamin E due to potential negative effects on vitamin C, and vitamin E should never be administered in conjunction with beta-carotene in this population. The rare patient requiring vitamin A therapy or having retinitis pigmentosa should also avoid vitamin E supplementation. Because of the increased risk of bleeding, vitamin E should be discontinued in the perioperative period in any patient requiring surgery.
Analyzing Child Sexual Abuse Allegations: Further Considerations

We originally proposed a model for analyzing child sexual abuse allegations. Since we originally proposed our model, Dale and Gould and Kirkpatrick offered several critiques, and Kirkpatrick offered several recommendations for strengthening it. In this commentary, we respond to these critiques and recommendations.
Searching for hard X-ray directivity during the rise, peak, and decay phases of solar flares

We have identified 72 large solar flares (peak counting rates more than 1000 counts/s) observed by Hard X-ray Burst Spectroscopy (HXRBS) on-board the Solar Maximum Mission (SMM). Using a database of these flares, we have studied hard X-ray (50-850 keV) spectral center-to-limb variation and its evolution with time. The major results are the following: (1) During the rise phase, the center-to-limb spectral variation is small, with a hardness of delta delta = 0.02 +/- 0.25, and a statistical significance of 0.1 sigma. (2) During the peak phase, the center-to-limb variation is delta delta = 0.13 +/- 0.13, with a statistical significance of 1 sigma. (3) During the decay phase, the center-to-limb variation changes to softening. The softness is relatively large with delta delta = -0.25 +/- 0.21, and a statistical significance of 1.2 sigma. (4) The linear least-squares fits to the spectral center-to-limb variations do not have slopes significantly different from zero during all those three phases. (5) The center events and limb events spectral distributions are shown to be not different by using Kolmogorov-Smirnov two-samples test. (6) The fraction of events detected near the limb is marginally consistent with that expected from isotropically emitting flares. (7) On average, flares evolve as soft-hard-soft. These results suggest that there is no statistically significant evidence for hard X-ray directivity during the rise, peak, and decay phases of solar flares. The hard X-ray radiation pattern at those energies is almost isotropic during all those phases. This lack of directivity (or anisotropy) found in this study is not in agreement with the results discovered by Vestrand et al. (1987) in which they found energetic photon source is anisotropic, using SMM Gamma-Ray Spectrometer (GRS) data at a much higher energy band of 0.3-1 MeV. If we want to interpret the results of Vestrand et al. (1987) and our present results in a self-consistent way, we must conclude that at energies of greater than 50 keV, the Compton backscattering suppresses the hard X-ray anisotropy sufficiently so that no significant directivity can be measured during the rise, peak, and decay phases of solar flares. during the rise, peak, and decay phases of solar flares.
Structural Aspects of Aldehyde Dehydrogenase that Influence Dimer−Tetramer Formation†

Aldehyde dehydrogenases are isolated as dimers or tetramers but have essentially identical structures. The homotetramer (ALDH1 or ALDH2) is a dimer of dimers (A-B + C-D). In the tetrameric enzyme, Ser500 from subunit "D" interacts with Arg84, a conserved residue, from subunit "A". In the dimeric ALDH3 form, the interaction cannot exist. It has been proposed that the formation of the tetramer is prevented by the presence of a C-terminal tail in ALDH3 that is not present in ALDH1 or 2. To understand the forces that maintain the tetramer, deletion of the tail in ALDH3, addition of different tails in ALDH1, and mutations of different residues located in the dimer-dimer interface were made. Gel filtration of the recombinantly expressed enzymes demonstrated that no change in their oligomerization occurred. Urea denaturation showed a diminution to the stability of the ALDH1 mutants. The K(m) for propionaldehyde was similar to that of the wild-type enzyme, but the K(m) for NAD was altered. A double mutant of D80G and S82A produced an enzyme with the ability to form dimers and tetramers in a protein-concentration-dependent manner. Though stable, this dimeric form was inactive. The tetramer exhibited 10% activity compared with the wild type. Sequence alignment demonstrated that the hydrophobic surface area is increased in the tetrameric enzymes. The hydrophobic surface seems to be the main force that drives the formation of tetramers. The results indicated that residues 80 and 82 are involved in maintaining the tetramer after its assembly but the C-terminal extension contributes to the overall stability of the assembled protein.
Evaluating a drinking-water waste by-product as a novel sorbent for arsenic

Arsenic (As) carcinogenicity to humans and other living organisms has promulgated extensive research on As treatment technologies with varying levels of success; generally, the most efficient methods come with a significantly higher cost burden and they usually perform better in removing As(V) than As(III) from solution. In the reported study, a novel sorbent, a waste by-product of the drinking-water treatment process, namely, drinking-water treatment residuals (WTRs) were evaluated for their ability to adsorb both As(V) and As(III). Drinking-WTRs can be obtained free-of-charge from drinking-water treatment plants, and they have been successfully used to reduce soluble phosphorus (P) concentrations in poorly P-sorbing soils. Phosphate and arsenate molecules have the same tetrahedral geometry, and they chemically behave in a similar manner. We hypothesized that the WTRs would be effective sorbents for both As(V) and As(III) species. Two WTRs (one Fe- and one Al-based) were used in batch experiments to optimize the maximum As(V) and As(III) sorption capacities, utilizing the effects of solid:solution ratios and reaction kinetics. Results showed that both WTRs exhibited high affinities for soluble As(V) and As(III), exhibiting Freundlich type adsorption with no obvious plateau after 2-d of reaction (15 000 mg kg � 1 ). The AlWTR was highly effective in removing both As(V) and As(III), although As(III) removal was much slower. The Fe-WTR showed greater affinity for As(III) than for As(V) and reached As(III) sorption capacity levels similar to those obtained with the Al-WTR-As(V) system (15 000 mg kg � 1 ). Arsenic sorption kinetics were biphasic, similar to what has been observed with P sorption by the WTRs. Minimal (<3%) desorption of sorbed As(III) and As(V) was observed, using phosphate as the desorbing ligand. Dissolved Fe 2+ concentrations measured during As(III) sorption were significantly correlated (r 2 = 0.74, p < 0.005) with the amount of As(III) sorbed by the FeWTR. Lack of correlation between Fe 2+ in solution and sorbed As(V) (r 2 = 0.2) suggests reductive dissolution of the Fe-WTR mediating As(III) sorption. Results show promising potential for the WTRs in irreversibly retaining As(V) and As(III) that should be further tested in field settings. � 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Conservative Implications of the Irrelevance of Racism in Contemporary African American Cinema

Historically, African American cinema has been used to illuminate the scourge of racism in American society. From Oscar Micheaux to Spike Lee, the struggle against racism has been a prominent theme in movies by and about African Americans. It is ironic that since the 1990s, when more Black filmmakers than ever before have reached prominence in Hollywood, race and racism have virtually ceased to be major themes, and the few films that do address racism have faired badly at the box office, even among young Blacks. Why has this occurred? There are several factors at work. One is the cautious nature of the film industry itself when it comes to controversial, socially conscious movies. But perhaps more important is a growing conservatism among some young Blacks and a growing despair among others that lead them to discount the relevance of confronting racism in contemporary society.
Telescope beam-profile diagnostics and the solar limb

The basic method is described for determining the solar limb brightness profile properly corrected for spurious limb darkening caused by the far wings of the resolving beams encountered in large far-infrared and radio telescopes. When the far wings of the beam can be independently measured this problem is usually amenable to standard deconvolution procedures. Under a broad range of well-defined cases, solutions to the deconvolution problem are unique to within the discrimination provided by the core of the beam profile. The theory is applied to solar limb scans made recently on the James Clerk Maxwell Telscope to show solar limb brightening in 850 micron radiation.
Perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange improves oxygenation, lung mechanics, and survival in a model of adult respiratory distress syndrome.

Objective : To compare the effectiveness of perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange to volume controlled positive pressure breathing in supporting gas exchange, lung mechanics, and survival in an acute lung injury model. Design : A prospective, randomized study. Setting : A university medical school laboratory approved for animal research. Subjects : Neonatal piglets. Interventions : Eighteen piglets were randomized to receive perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange with perflubron (n = 10) or volume controlled continuous positive pressure breathing (n = 8) after acute lung injury was induced by oleic acid infusion (0.15 mUkg iv). Measurements and Main Results : Arterial and venous blood gases, hemodynamics, and lung mechanics were measured every 15 mins during a 3-hr study period. All animals developed a metabolic and a respiratory acidosis during the infusion of oleic acid. Following randomization, the volume controlled positive pressure breathing group developed a profound acidosis (p <.05), while pH did not change in the perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange group. Within 15 mins of initiating perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange, oxygenation increased from a Pao 2 of 52 ± 12 torr (6.92 ± 1.60 kPa) to 151 ± 93 torr (20.0 ± 12.4 kPa) and continued to improve throughout the study (p <.05). Animals that received volume controlled positive pressure breathing remained hypoxic with no appreciable change in Pao 2 . Although both groups developed hypercarbia during oleic acid infusion, Paco 2 steadily increased over time in the control group (p <.01). Static lung compliance significantly increased postrandomization (60 mins) in the animals supported by perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange (p <.05), whereas it remained unchanged over time in the volume controlled positive pressure breathing group. However, survival was significantly higher in the perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange group with eight (80%) of ten animals surviving the entire study period. Only two (25%) of the eight animals in the volume controlled positive pressure breathing group were alive at the end of the study period (log-rank statistic, p =.013). Conclusions : Perfluorocarbon-associated gas exchange enhanced gas exchange, pulmonary mechanics, and survival in this model of acute lung injury.
Multi-Site λ-dynamics for simulated Structure-Activity Relationship studies

Multi-Site λ-dynamics (MSλD) is a new free energy simulation method that is based on λ-dynamics. It has been developed to enable multiple substituents at multiple sites on a common ligand core to be modeled simultaneously and their free energies assessed. The efficacy of MSλD for estimating relative hydration free energies and relative binding affinties is demonstrated using three test systems. Model compounds representing multiple identical benzene, dihydroxybenzene and dimethoxybenzene molecules show total combined MSλD trajectory lengths of ~1.5 ns are sufficient to reliably achieve relative hydration free energy estimates within 0.2 kcal/mol and are less sensitive to the number of trajectories that are used to generate these estimates for hybrid ligands that contain up to ten substituents modeled at a single site or five substituents modeled at each of two sites. Relative hydration free energies among six benzene derivatives calculated from MSλD simulations are in very good agreement with those from alchemical free energy simulations (with average unsigned differences of 0.23 kcal/mol and R(2)=0.991) and experiment (with average unsigned errors of 1.8 kcal/mol and R(2)=0.959). Estimates of the relative binding affinities among 14 inhibitors of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase obtained from MSλD simulations are in reasonable agreement with those from traditional free energy simulations and experiment (average unsigned errors of 0.9 kcal/mol and R(2)=0.402). For the same level of accuracy and precision MSλD simulations are achieved ~20-50 times faster than traditional free energy simulations and thus with reliable force field parameters can be used effectively to screen tens to hundreds of compounds in structure-based drug design applications.
Object-oriented expert system architectures for manufacturing quality management

Abstract The use of expert systems in manufacturing is steadily increasing. The majority of these systems are designed to perform process control or to diagnose process malfunction. Though quality control is generally not an explicit development goal, a number of manufactures have realized quality improvements from the use of expert systems. The premise of this paper is that, instead of accepting quality improvements as a windfall from the development of intelligent systems, manufacturers could benefit from expert systems designed to support quality management activities. General object-based architectures for expert systems developed from the principles of two proven quality management methods—Quality Function Deployment and Quality Planning—are proposed.
Neurovascular preservation in female orthotopic radical cystectomy significantly improves sexual function

Radical cystectomy has emerged as a standard treatment option for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer. The impact of nerve-sparing cystectomy with urethra and vaginal sparing has not been quantified with validated questionnaires. We report our experience with nerve-sparing orthotopic radical cystectomy and the impact on postoperative sexual function.
Diphenhydramine hydrochloride intoxication

DIPHENHYDRAMINE HYDROCHLORIDE (Benadryl; Parke, Davis & Co) is widely prescribed and therapeutically important as an effective antihistamine and mild sedative. At Columbus Children's Hospital in 1975, there were 363 out-patient prescriptions for diphenhydramine hydrochloride. The toxicity of this compound is no longer appreciated. Twenty to fifty percent of individuals who take antihistamines experience some side effects including drowsiness, dryness of the mouth, urniary frequency, dizziness, anorexia, constipation, and nervousness. 1 Younger children may experience an excitation phase with hallucinations, incoordination, muscular twitchings, fever, convulsions, and even cardiorespiratory collapse and death. The following is a case of near fatal poisoning from an accidental ingestion of diphenhydramine hydrochloride. An ensuing complication was an unusual cardiac arrhythmia.
Progressive heart failure and death associated with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia.

A case of progressive CHF and death associated with serologically confirmed Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in a previously healthy man is described. The association between the organism and significant cardiac or pericardial dysfunction discussed, the literature reviewed, and speculations made as to the underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms.