cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Project Impact: A pharmacotherapy pilot trial investigating the abstinence and treatment adherence of Latino light smokers

Light smoking is particularly prevalent among Latino smokers. Nicotine replacement (NRT) and varenicline are effective medications for smoking cessation for moderate-heavy smokers but have not been tested in light smokers, and thus, there are no treatment guidelines for use with light smokers. This pilot trial tested the efficacy of NRT and varenicline in increasing smoking abstinence among Latino light smokers. A 3-group (NRT, varenicline, and varenicline-placebo) randomized design was used, and Latino light smokers (≤10 cigarettes per day) received 12 weeks of treatment, which included a culturally informed behavioral health session and ongoing medication management visits. At follow-up, there were no abstinent participants in the placebo and NRT groups. However, 30% of participants in the varenicline group were abstinent at the 3-, 4-, and 6-month follow-up. This study represents the only investigation that specifically targets Latino light smokers using these treatments and characterizing their treatment adherence.
Abstract B37: The impact of modulating Mxi1 and Mxi0 expression on N-Myc-mediated neuroblastoma tumor pathogenesis and chemosensitivity

Background: Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial malignancy of childhood. Myc family proteins regulate cell growth and proliferation in response to mitogenic stimulation, and Myc proteins are implicated in the etiology of many cancers. MYCN amplified neuroblastoma carries a poor overall survival with limited therapeutic options. Investigating specific tumor pathways will further our understanding of neuroblastoma pathogenesis and lead to future therapeutic options for children with this disease. Mxi1 is a member of the MAD family of proteins that inhibit N-Myc function. Mxi0 is an alternatively-spliced variant of Mxi1 whose function has not been determined. We hypothesize that Mxi1 and Mxi0 expression levels affect N-Myc-dependent neuroblastoma cell growth. Objective: To determine the impact of modulating Mxi1 and Mxi0 expression on N-Myc-dependent neuroblastoma cell proliferation and survival. Design: We expressed Mxi1 and Mxi0 in SHEP neuroblastoma cells and SHEP cells stably transfected to express high levels of MYCN (SHEP/ MYCN ). We also utilized native neuroblastoma cell lines with inducible expression of Mxi1 and Mxi0. Cell proliferation and survival were quantified using BrdU and MTT assays, respectively. Apoptosis was measured by propidium iodide staining and caspase-3 immunohistochemistry. Cellular localization of Mxi1 and Mxi0 proteins was detected by immunofluorescence. Results: Overexpression of Mxi1 inhibits N-Myc mediated cell proliferation. Additionally, in the absence of N-Myc, Mxi1 overexpression independently inhibits cell proliferation and induces cell apoptosis. Conversely, overexpression of Mxi0 in neuroblastoma cell lines leads to enhanced proliferation, suggesting that Mxi0 has a counter-regulatory role to that of Mxi1. Expression of Mxi1 increased sensitivity of the neuroblastoma cells to doxorubicin, while higher levels of Mxi0 made the cells more chemoresistant. Finally, examination of Mxi1 and Mxi0 cellular location reveals that Mxi1 resides in the nucleus while Mxi0 is found primarily in the cytoplasm. Conclusions: Overexpression of Mxi1 in neuroblastoma cell lines leads to inhibition of N-Myc-mediated cell proliferation while Mxi0 appears to promote cell growth. Mxi1 expression enhanced chemosensitivity of neuroblastoma cells, while Mxi0 had the converse effect. A better understanding of the interaction between Mxi1 and Mxi0 and how the balance of these proteins affect neuroblastoma physiology may aid in developing more effective targeted therapies to improve outcomes in children with neuroblastoma. Citation Format: D. Christian Ellis, R. Scott Widemon, Daniel S. Wechsler, Michael B. Armstrong. The impact of modulating Mxi1 and Mxi0 expression on N-Myc-mediated neuroblastoma tumor pathogenesis and chemosensitivity. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pediatric Cancer at the Crossroads: Translating Discovery into Improved Outcomes; Nov 3-6, 2013; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;74(20 Suppl):Abstract nr B37.
Immunolocalization of lacrimal gland PKC isoforms. Effect of phorbol esters and cholinergic agonists on their cellular distribution

In previous studies, we showed that lacrimal gland acini express three isoforms of protein kinase C (PKC): PKCalpha,-delta, and -epsilon. In the present study, we report the identification of two other PKC isoforms, namely PKCmu and -iota/lambda. Using immunofluorescence techniques, we showed that these isoforms are differentially located. PKCalpha and -mu showed the most prominent membrane localization, whereas PKCdelta, -epsilon and -iota/lambda were mainly cytosolic. Using cell fractionation and western blotting techniques, we showed that the phorbol ester, phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate (PdBu, 10(-6) M), translocated all PKC isoforms, except PKCiota/lambda, from the soluble fraction into the particulate fraction. The effect was maximum at 5 min and persisted at 10 min. PKCepsilon was the most responsive to PdBu reaching almost maximal translocation at a PdBu concentration as low as 10(-9) M. The cholinergic agonist, carbachol (10(-5) and 10(-3) M), induced translocation which was transient for PKCdelta, and -mu, but persisted for 10 min for PKCepsilon. Carbachol did not translocate PKCalpha and, like PdBu, did not translocate PKCiota/lambda. We concluded that lacrimal gland PKC isoforms are differentially localized and that they translocate differentially in response to phorbol esters and cholinergic agonists.
Experiencing Authenticity: Organizational Production of Authenticity in Underground Supper Clubs

Authenticity is an intangible asset for many organizations. Specialist organizations that produce cultural goods, however, are especially susceptible to claims of authenticity in the marketplace. W...
Selective lateral ZnO nanowire growth by surface diffusion on nanometer scale-patterned alumina on silicon

Lateral ZnO nanowires (NWs) were selectively grown from the edge of a SiO2/Si–Al2O3–SiO2/Si multilayer structure for potential integration into devices using Si processing technology. Microstructural studies demonstrate a two-step growth process in which the tip region, with a diameter of ~10 nm, rapidly grew from the Al2O3 surface and, later, a base growth with a diameter of ~22 nm overgrew the existing narrow ZnO NW, halting further tip growth. Kinetics studies showed that surface diffusion on the alumina seed surface determined ZnO NW growth rate.
How soft is the budget constraint for Yugoslav firms

The purpose of this paper is to show that Yugoslav firms have also been subjected to massive, pervasive redistribution through a soft budget constraint. To quantify such redistribution, the authors focus particulary on the redistributive effects of holding financial assets and liabilities in an inflationary environment in which financial claims are generally not indexed. Analyzing firm-level data for Yugoslavia's manufacturing sector for 1986, they show that such flows, in contrast to those of other Eastern European economies, have been a far more important source of redistribution than taxes and subsidies. Although Yugoslavia's channels of redistribution differ significantly from those in other socialist economies, they share a common driving force: the pursuit of job and wage security. Producers of energy, food, and heavy manufactures, as well as less developed regions, have particulary benefited from the redistribution.
Ecology of coliphages in southern California coastal waters.

Aims: This study aims to investigate the ecology of coliphages, an important microbial pollution indicator. Specifically, our experiments address (i) the ability of environmental Escherichia coli (E. coli) to serve as hosts for coliphage replication, and (ii) the temporal and spatial distribution of coliphages in coastal waters. Methods and Results: Water samples from three locations in California’s Newport Bay watershed were tested for the presence of coliphages every 2 weeks for an entire year. A total of nine E. coli strains isolated from various sources served as hosts for coliphage detection. Coliphage occurrence was significantly different between freshwater, estuarine and coastal locations and correlated with water temperature, salinity and rainfall in the watershed. The coliphages isolated on the environmental hosts had a broad host-range relative to the coliphages isolated on an E. coli strain from sewage and a US EPA recommended strain for coliphage detection. Conclusions: Coliphage occurrence was related to the temperature, rainfall and salinity within the bay. The adaptation to a broad host-range may enable the proliferation of coliphages in the aquatic environment. Significance and Impact of the Study: Understanding the seasonal variation of phages is useful for establishing a background level of coliphage presence in coastal waters. The broad host-range of coliphages isolated on the environmental E. coli host calls for investigation of coliphage replication in the aquatic
Evaluation of hydrotreatment as a means of reducing biological activity of synfuel related materials

Abstract Raw and hydrotreated product liquids from process demonstration units of experimental “H-coal” and “solvent-refined coal” processes were examined for acute toxicity monitored as population growth impairment of Tetrahymena exposed to aqueous extracts and for mutagenic activity monitored as revertants of Salmonella exposed to metabolically activated chemical class fractions. With both systems, deleterious effects are generally reduced as the severity of hydrotreatment is increased. The major exception appears to be with the low severity hydrotreated H-coal distillate where mutagenicity in the polyaromatic fraction is slightly enhanced over that of the raw distillate. However, medium to high severity hydrotreatment appears to be an effective means of reducing biological activity monitored presumably by reducing aromaticity and heteroatom content.
ANAESTHESIA AND HUNTINGTON'S CHOREA A report of two cases

Two patients with Huntington's chorea were anaesthetized successfully with a technique including thiopentone, nitrous oxide and either a narcotic analgesic or halothane; pancuronium; was employed for myoneural blockade.
Design and fabrication of a freeform prism array for 3D microscopy.

Traditional microscopes have limitations in obtaining true 3D (three-dimensional) stereovision. Although some optical microscopes have been developed for 3D vision, many of them are complex, expensive, or limited to transparent samples. In this research, a freeform optical prism array was designed and fabricated to achieve 3D stereo imaging capability for microscope and machine vision applications. To form clear stereo images from multiple directions simultaneously, freeform optical surface design was applied to the prisms. In a ray tracing operation to determine the optical performance of the freeform prisms, Taylor series was used to calculate the surface shape. The virtual image spot diagrams were generated by using ray tracing methods for both the freeform prisms and the regular prisms. The results showed that all the light rays can be traced back to a single point for the freeform prism, and aberration was much smaller than that of the regular prism. The ray spots formed by the freeform prisms were adequate for image formation. Furthermore, the freeform prism array was fabricated by using a combined ultraprecision diamond turning and slow tool servo broaching process in a single, uninterrupted operation. The slow tool servo process ensured that the relative tolerance among prisms is guaranteed by the precision of the ultraprecision machine without the need for assembly. Finally 3D imaging tests were conducted to verify the freeform prism array’s optical performance. The principle of the freeform prism array investigated in this research can be applied to microscopy, machine vision, robotic sensing, and many other areas.
Is it time to standardize ethics guiding the peer review process

While most scientific journals have well defined ethics requirements for authors, very few journals explicitly specify the ethics standards that govern the actions of editors, editorial board members, and reviewers. We believe it is time to create a standardized policy for all medical and scientific journals that guides the ethical conduct of all stakeholders in the peer review process.
A three-stage framework for gene expression data analysis by L1-norm support vector regression

The identification of discriminative genes for categorical phenotypes in microarray gene expression data analysis has been extensively studied, especially for disease diagnosis. In recent biological experiments, continuous phenotypes have also been dealt with. For example, the extent of programmed cell death (apoptosis) can be measured by the level of caspase 3 enzyme. Thus, an effective gene selection method for continuous phenotypes is desirable. In this paper, we describe a three-stage framework for gene expression data analysis based on L1-norm support vector regression (L1-SVR). The first stage ranks genes by recursive multiple feature elimination based on L1-SVR. In the second stage, the minimal genes are determined by a kernel regression, which yields the lowest ten-fold cross-validation error. In the last stage, the final non-linear regression model is built with the minimal genes and optimal parameters found by leave-one-out cross-validation. The experimental results show a significant improvement over the current state-of-the-art approach, i.e., the two-stage process, which consists of the gene selection based on L1-SVR and the third stage of the proposed method.
Renal manifestations of plasma cell dyscrasias: An appraisal from the patients' bedside to the research laboratory

One of the most prominent features of plasma cell dyscrasias is the frequent occurrence of renal dysfunction. Renal insufficiency is a common finding with elevated serum creatinine in more than 50% of patients with multiple myeloma at the time of diagnosis. Renal failure is the second most common cause of death in myeloma surpassed only by infections. The reasons for renal failure are multifactorial and early accurate diagnosis of the renal alterations may significantly impact morbidity and survival. Renal failure may result from selective glomerular, tubular interstitial, or vascular pathology or from a combination of pathologic events. The disorders associated with plasma cell dyscrasias include those characterized by monoclonal light chain deposition, encompassing AL-amyloidosis, in addition to the less well-characterized entities, such as heavy chain deposition disease and heavy chain amyloidosis. Therefore, it is more accurate to refer to them as monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition diseases. Staining of renal biopsy specimens for kappa and lambda light chains using immunofluorescence techniques and more sophisticated advanced diagnostic techniques such as immunoelectron microscopy permit detailed characterization of the various renal pathologic manifestations. Renal biopsies can identify monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition, and nephrologists have an opportunity to detect an underlying plasma cell dyscrasia early in its clinical course before overt hematologic alterations become manifest and irreversible renal damage has occurred. The overall spectrum of clinical and pathologic manifestations of monoclonal immunoglobulin deposition renal diseases has expanded considerably in recent years. Recent developments in the research arena promise new therapeutic interventions aimed at avoiding or ameliorating renal damage and even promoting reversal of some of the pathologic alterations. Currently, the 5-year survival rate in myeloma is 29% in white patients and 30% in African-American patients, a rather modest improvement from 24% in the 1970s. Bone marrow ablation followed by transplantation is available as an alternative mode of therapy that may be extraordinarily helpful in a subset of patients with early myeloma.
Spectrographic analysis of high cobalt (vitallium) alloys.

A spectrochemical method of analysis used for control purposes in casting Vitallium is described in this paper. The immediate need for such a method was so urgent that only a small amount of development time was possible; control analyses were being made within three days of the time the problem was submitted. Improvements were made in the method in the course of the work. Reproducibility and accuracy data are given in the paper. This problem illustrates that a great deal of analytical work can be done with a spectrograph even though accurate comparison standards are not available.
Psychiatric status and HIV risk reduction among residential drug abuse treatment clients

We investigated the associations of psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses with HIV risk behaviors among 405 clients of two United States residential drug abuse treatment programs at admission and at follow-up. Measures of psychiatric status included the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), selected diagnoses assessed with the Diagnostic Interview Schedule (DIS-III-R) and the Addiction Severity Index psychiatric composite score (ASI-P). Measures of risk behaviors included: drug injection risk (including sharing and bleaching of needles and syringes), multiple sexual partners and condom use. In multivariate analyses, the BDI at baseline and change in the BDI to follow-up were strongly associated with drug use at follow-up (both injection and non-injection), but not with other risk behaviors. In contrast, psychiatric diagnoses were not statistically associated with risk behaviors at follow-up when baseline behavior was controlled.
The case for autoimmunity in glaucoma

Although the majority of patients with glaucoma have elevated intraocular pressure as the presumed etiology for their resultant neuropathy, it is well known that approximately 25% of patients with glaucoma have intraocular pressure within the normal range for their race. These patients may have conditions that facilitate non-pressure related stress to the retina and optic nerve that might directly contribute to their glaucomatous neuropathy and include chronic or intermittent ischemia (i.e atherosclerosis, heart disease, vasospasm, migraine, sleep apnea), altered scleral/optic nerve head morphology that predisposes to glaucomatous stress (i.e myopia); genetic mutations that predispose to glaucoma damage at normal IOP (OPA-1,optineurin, myocilin) and evidence of aberrant immunity that suggests that their glaucoma might be a form of an autoimmune neuropathy (i.e. presumed autoimmune glaucoma). This review provides a critical assessment of the potential role for autoimmunity as an initiating or exacerbating etiology in some patients with glaucoma.
Tinkering or Real Reform? The Choice Is Ours

Excerpt Internal medicine has been in a dynamic process of change throughout this century (1). Much of the ferment has resulted from new knowledge about disease causes and treatments, development o...
Divalent/monovalent cation uptake selectivity in a Nafion cation-exchange membrane: Experimental and modeling studies

Abstract The equilibrium uptake of monovalent/divalent cation salt mixtures by a Nafion perfluorosulfonic acid cation-exchange membrane has been investigated using experimental measurements and a theoretical model. Membrane concentrations were determined for Nafion equilibrated in 0.15 M solutions containing Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Ca 2+ , or Mg 2+ with a co-absorbed monovalent cation (Li + , K + , or Cs + ). An equilibrium ion absorption model that accounts for ion hydration effects, the dielectric saturation of water molecules in a membrane pore, and the neutralization of fixed-charges by ion pairing with divalent cations, was matched to the experimental data. When the extent of ion-pair formation was used as an adjustable parameter, the model predicted accurately both the monovalent and divalent cation concentrations (with an average error of 7.7%). Both theory and experiments showed that the monovalent cation selectivity was in the same order as observed previously during the uptake of monovalent/monovalent cation salt mixtures (i.e. the monovalent cation with the larger hard sphere radius was preferentially absorbed). The computed mobile divalent cation concentration in a Nafion pore was found to be dependent on the extent of monovalent cation absorption. The number of divalent cation/sulfonate fixed-charge-site ion pairs was found to be independent of the divalent cation type, but was controlled by the type and concentration of the co-absorbed monovalent cation. The fraction of ion-paired fixed charges was correlated with the membrane pore concentration of mobile divalent cations via a Frumkin adsorption isotherm.
Peer Management Interventions: A Meta-Analytic Review of Single-Case Research

Peer management intervention is a subtype of peer-mediated intervention that involves training individuals to implement standardized intervention protocols to modify the behavior of their peers. Th...
Public debates as failed social dramas: the recombinant DNA controversy.

This essay exemplifies the usefulness of Victor Turner's concept of social drama in an analysis of the public debate over recombinant DNA research. The analysis encourages a consideration of the various debates about science and technology as possible reenactments of ideological conflict, reenactments which, to society's detriment, continually fail of satisfactory resolution.
Electrosorption capacitance of nanostructured carbon aerogel obtained by cyclic voltammetry

Abstract Cyclic voltammetry experiments at various electrolyte solution concentrations (0.001–0.1 M) and scan rates (1 to 5 mV s −1 ) have been performed to study the electrical double layer (edl) formation in nanostructured carbon aerogel. The results show that carbon aerogel is a good edl capacitor and can be further divided into mesoporous and microporous capacitors. According to the experiments, the mesoporous capacitor shows a fast charging/discharging response and is only minimally affected by the electrolyte concentration and scan rate. Therefore, the specific capacitance of the mesoporous capacitor is found to be constant over a wide range of applied electrical potentials. On the other hand, the microporous capacitor shows a slow charging/discharging response and its capacitance strongly depends on the electrolyte concentration and potential. Unlike previous experiments, in which only a flat minimum was observed at the point of zero charge (pzc), in the current study, a deep minimum is observed near the pzc at low electrolyte concentration if a slow scan rate is used. This unique feature is a result of edl overlapping in the micropores and is consistent with the predictions by the Gouy–Chapman model employed in this study. Based on this behavior, a new approach is suggested for pzc measurements of solid porous materials for which a large portion of the surface area is in the micropore region.
Ability of S100B to predict severity and cranial CT results in children with TBI

Objectives: To evaluate the ability of S100B to predict severity of TBI and abnormal cranial CT results for children with TBI.Methods: This is a secondary analysis of a previously established cohort of consecutive patients presenting to the emergency department with TBI limited to children <19 years of age, who arrived within 6 hours of injury, received a cranial CT scan and consented to blood drawn for S100B.Results: A total of 109 children were included in this cohort. The mean S100B levels were higher in children with moderate/severe TBI as compared to children with mild TBI based GCS score (0.281 µg L−1, 95%CI = 0.101, 0.461 vs 0.053, 95%CI = 0.010, 0.095). S100B levels were significantly elevated in children following TBI with abnormal cranial CT as compared to children with a normal cranial CT (0.210 µg L−1, SD = 0.313 vs 0.036 µg L−1, SD = 0.046, p = 0.03). Area under the curve for S100B was also significant (0.72, 95%CI = 0.58, 0.86) for prediction of abnormal cranial CT for children with TBI. S10...
(η6-Anisole) (η2-benzene) dicarbonylchromium(0): an intermediate in the photochemical carbonyl substitution of (η6-anisole)tricarbonylchromium(0) in benzene

The photochemical carbonyl substitution of (η6-anisole)Cr(CO)3 has been investigated by laser flash photolysis. Both transient spectra and second-order rate constants for the reactions of transients with nucleophiles are found to be extremely variable depending upon solvents used. The coordination of benzene to the transient in cyclohexane forms the transient in benzene, indicating two discrete chemical species: (η6-anisole)Cr(CO)2 and (η6-anisole)Cr(CO)2(η2-benzene). The latter type of transient was observed also for fluorobenzene and mesitylene, leading to the assignment of a weak band in the visible region as η2-arene → Cr charge transfer. The existence of (η6-arene)Cr(CO)2(η2-arene′) may throw light on what have been described as solvent effects in organometallic reactions.
Species richness and niche space for temperate and tropical folivores

We measured structural and chemical traits of the leaves of native, broad-leaved trees in two temperate localities [southern Ontario, Canada (34 species), and Missouri (36 species)] and one tropical locality [central Panama (samples of 21 and 23 species)] to test the hypothesis that the greater diversity of tree species and herbivore species in the tropics is associated with greater resource niche space for herbivores. Variables were leaf toughness, water content, dry mass per unit area, several structural and nutritional carbohydrates, common mineral elements, including nitrogen and phosphorus, and several defensive compounds, including tannins and alkaloids. The four samples were almost fully separable by discriminant analysis on the basis of these leaf traits. Variance in log-transformed trait values among species was lowest in the most northern sample, but did not differ significantly between Missouri and Panama. Niche space, estimated as the square root of the total variance in the log-transformed variables within each locality, varied approximately as Panama = 1, Missouri = 0.8, Ontario = 0.5. Although niche space decreases towards higher latitudes, the change does not match the ca. sixfold decrease in tree species richness or the ca. fourfold decrease in Lepidopteran species richness over the latitude range of our samples. Accordingly, tropical folivore diversity is associated with greater resource niche overlap, greater niche specialization, and/or more completely filled niches, or with variation in niche dimensions not measured in this study.
An Epigenomic Road Map for Endoderm Development

While studies of organ development have traditionally relied on model organisms, recent advances in embryonic stem cell (ESC) culture allow investigation of organogenesis in human cells. Wang et al. (2015) employ this system to map the dynamic enhancer landscape during ESC differentiation to the endoderm derivatives pancreas and liver.
Transcriptional regulation of parathyroid hormone-related protein promoter P3 by ETS-1 in adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma

Parathyroid hormone-related protein (PTHrP) plays a primary role in the development of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy seen in the majority of adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) patients with human T-cell lymphotropic virus type-1 (HTLV-1) infection. HTLV-1 Tax has been shown to complex with ETS-1 and SP1 to transactivate the PTHrP P3 promoter. Previously, we established a SCID/bg mouse model of human ATL with RV-ATL cells and showed that PTHrP expression was independent of Tax. In this study, we report an inverse correlation of PTHrP with tax/rex mRNA in multiple HTLV-1-positive cell lines and RV-ATL cells. Stimulation of Jurkat T cells with PMA/ionomycin upregulated the PTHrP P3 promoter by a previously characterized Ets binding site and also induced protein/DNA complex formation identical to that observed in RV-ATL cells. Further, we provide evidence that cotransfection with Ets-1 and constitutively active Mek-1 in HTLV-1-negative transformed T cells with stimulation by PMA/ionomycin not only resulted in a robust induction of PTHrP P3 but also formed a complex with ETS-1/P3 EBS similar to that in ATLL cells. Our data demonstrate that transcriptional regulation of PTHrP in ATLL cells can be controlled by T-cell receptor signaling and the ETS and MAPK ERK pathway in a Tax-independent manner.
Diagnostic Reasoning and Treatment Planning: II. Treatment

The concepts of therapy-oriented and problem-oriented plans are discussed and their advantages and disadvantages considered. Goal-directed planning is proposed as an alternative to intuitive decision making. Goal-directed planning involves the abstraction of pivotal problems from a diagnostic formulation, the restatement of problems as goals, the selection of appropriate therapy, the designation of a target date, the stipulation of objectives, the selection of methods of evaluation and the monitoring of progress. Systematic goal-directed planning fosters teamwork, promotes accountability, obviates therapeutic drift and enhances outcome evaluation. Its chief disadvantage is its unfamiliarity.
Static and dynamic properties of calixarene monolayers at the air/water interface. 1. pH effects with p-dioctadecanoylcalix[4] arene

Newly synthesized p-dioctadecanoylcalix[4]arene is shown to form stable monolayers at the air/water interface over a wide pH range (1.8−12). Surface pressure−area isotherms obtained with the Wilhelmy plate technique are used to infer that the molecular packing at the onset of film collapse is consistent with a conelike conformer having all of the phenol oxygens of the calixarenes adsorbed to the interface. Increasing pH leads to a stepwise dissociation to phenoxides and attendant expansion of the monolayer attributable to enhanced electrostatic repulsions among the negatively charged phenoxide polar heads. Analysis of the area per molecule as a function of pH reveals two distinct steps and an intermediate plateau. Considering the presence of two types of chemically inequivalent phenol groups and the potential for intramolecular hydrogen bonding, this behavior was interpreted in terms of acid−base equilibria in which the first step corresponds to an apparent surface pKa,1 ≈ 6.4 while the second step is con...
Binding of the soluble, truncated form of an Fc receptor (mouse FcγRII) to membrane‐bound IgG as measured by total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy

Total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy has been used to investigate the binding of the soluble extracellular domain of mouse Fc gamma RII (sFc gamma RII) to an anti-trinitrophenyl monoclonal mouse IgG2b (GK14.1) specifically bound to substrate-supported planar membranes composed of dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and trinitrophenylaminocaproyldipalmitoylphosphatidylethanolamine (TNP-cap-DPPE). The equilibrium dissociation constants for sFc gamma RII at GK14.1-coated TNP-cap-DPPE/DPPC planar membranes containing 0.5-25 mol% TNP-cap-DPPE were approximately 1 microM. Total internal reflection with fluorescence photobleaching recovery was used to examine the dissociation kinetics. The fluorescence recovery curves were better described as a sum of two exponentials rather than by one exponential; the rates and fractional recoveries were approximately 1 s-1 (65%) and approximately 0.1 s-1 (35%). The similarity between the values of these equilibrium and kinetic parameters to those previously measured for the binding of IgG in solution to intact mouse Fc gamma RII reconstituted into planar membranes suggests that conformational changes which may occur when IgG is constrained to a membrane surface do not significantly affect the equilibrium or kinetics of IgG-mouse Fc gamma RII binding. The stoichiometry of sFc gamma RII-GK14.1 binding was 1:4, indicating that a significant fraction of the membrane-bound antibodies were not accessible for receptor binding. Possible mechanisms that might underlay the observed heterogeneity in sFc gamma RII-IgG binding kinetics are discussed.
Psychopathology in offspring from families of alcohol dependent female probands: A prospective study

Background Despite the importance of understanding the long-term outcome for children of alcohol dependent (AD) women, the available literature is largely based on offspring of AD fathers and few have utilized prospective designs that include child, adolescent and young adult assessments. Multiplex AD families in which multiple cases of AD are present provide an ideal setting for understanding developmental variants of the adult phenotype.
A critical review of approaches to human reliability analysis

This paper provides a critical analysis of four major approaches to human reliability assessment: THERP, the use of qualitative models of human performance, simulation methods, and methods based on classical reliability theory. Methodologically and conceptually, these approaches are more representative of a multidimensional than unified perspective to the problem of human reliability analysis and are considered to encompass many of the other methods that have been proposed. Recent developments in each of these areas and the growing concern for the consequences of human error in highly complex systems requires that these approaches be sufficiently understood in order to identify both their strengths and their shortcomings. Although no single approach is advocated, this review intends to provide insights that could suggest improvements to these methods as well as aid the analyst in selecting the approach most optimal for the situation in question. In addition, critical research needs are identified and summarized.
An aid in the determination of nuclear spins

Intensities of the alpha groups collected in the backward angle from the Al/sup 27/(d, alpha )Mg/sup 25/ reaction were analyzed after recording them on nuclear emulsions over an extended range of excitation. Given intensities are determined with an average deviation of approx equal 15%. Normalizing the intensities by 2I + 1 and barrier penetration factors produces intensities which are the same within an average deviation of 33%. Use of intensities as an aid in determining spin is suggested. (auth)
Measurements of the phase shift on reflection for low-order infrared Fabry–Perot interferometer dielectric stack mirrors

A simple technique based on a Fizeau interferometer to measure the absolute phase shift on reflection for a Fabry-Perot interferometer dielectric stack mirror is described. Excellent agreement between the measured and predicted phase shift on reflection was found. Also described are the salient features of low-order Fabry-Perot interferometers and the demonstration of a near ideal low-order (1-10) Fabry-Perot interferometer through minimizing the phase dispersion on reflection of the dielectric stack. This near ideal performance of a low-order Fabry-Perot interferometer should enable several applications such as compact spectral imagers for solid and gas detection. The large free spectral range of such systems combined with an active control system will also allow simple interactive tuning of wavelength agile laser sources such as CO(2) lasers, external cavity diode lasers, and optical parametric oscillators.
Effect of strain path on evolution of deformation bands during ECAP of pure aluminum

The influence of strain path during equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) has been evaluated in pure aluminum by orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The material was examined after four pressing operations by route BC in a 90 ◦ die, or eight pressing operations by route BC in a 135 ◦ die. The von Mises equivalent strains were essentially the same for these two ECAP procedures. The microtexture data indicate that the distortion during ECAP corresponds to a simple shear in a direction approximately parallel to die-channel exit and on a plane perpendicular to the flow plane. For both procedures, the OIM data reveal prominent meso-scale band-like features. Lattice orientations in each band correspond to a texture orientation but the particular combinations of orientations depend upon ECAP die angle. High-angle boundaries in the structure correspond to interfaces between the bands. © 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Temporal and spectral characteristics of the male Eleutherodactylus coqui two-note vocalization in Hawaii

Temporal and spectral characteristics of the two-note vocalization of the male Eleutherodactylus coqui in Hawaii were investigated and measured in order to establish an average source level of the male coqui. We compared various vocalization parameters obtained from previous research in Puerto Rico with similar parameters measured in Hawaii, including note duration, inter-note interval, call repetition period, centre frequency and bandwidth. Digitized sound records of coqui vocalization were used to calculate the root-mean-square of source level for the frog referenced to a 1 m distance for the Co and Qui notes individually and combined. Additional parameters calculated for the vocalizations were difference in the source levels between Co and Qui notes, duty cycle, ratio of Qui to Co note duration and ratio of the Qui to Co centre frequencies. Most of the frog vocalization parameters were sensitive to air temperature displaying significant regressions over a 4°C temperature range (18.6–22.6°C). Surprising...
Protein Kinase Cδ Regulates Apoptosis via Activation of STAT1

Protein kinase Cδ (PKCδ) is required for mitochondria-dependent apoptosis; however, little is known about downstream effectors of PKCδ in apoptotic cells. Here we show that activation of STAT1 is an early response to DNA damage and that STAT1 activation requires PKCδ. Treatment of HeLa cells with etoposide results in phosphorylation of STAT1 on Ser727 and the association of STAT1 with PKCδ. Etoposide increases transcription from STAT1-dependent reporter constructs. Increased transcription, as well as STAT1 Ser727 phosphorylation, can be blocked by inhibition or depletion of PKCδ. To ask if STAT1 is required for PKCδ-mediated apoptosis, we utilized U3A STAT1-deficient cells. Induction of apoptosis by PKCδ is suppressed in U3A cells but can be rescued by co-transfection with STAT1α but not STAT1 mutated at Ser727. Nuclear accumulation of STAT1, phospho-Ser727 STAT1, and PKCδ are detectable 30–60 min after treatment with etoposide. Nuclear localization is necessary for apoptosis, since a nuclear localization mutant of PKCδ does not induce apoptosis in U3A cells reconstituted with STAT1α, and a nuclear localization mutant of STAT1 does not support PKCδ-induced apoptosis in U3A cells. Our data identify STAT1 as a downstream target of PKCδ and suggest that PKCδ may regulate apoptosis by activation of STAT1 target genes.
A note on the complexity of a simple transportation problem

Consider the problem of using a vehicle to transport k objects one at a time between s stations on a circular track. Let the cost of the transportation be the total distance traveled by the vehicle on the track. An $O(k + M(s,q))$ time algorithm is presented to find a minimum cost transportation, where $M(m,n)$ is the time to solve a minimum spanning tree problem on a graph with m edges and n vertices, and $q \leqslant \min \{ {k,s} \}$ is the number of strongly connected components in an associated balanced problem. Also, the minimum spanning tree problem on a graph with m edges and n vertices is reduced to a transportation problem on a linear track with $O(m)$ stations, $O(m)$ objects, and $O(n)$ strongly connected components in $O(m)$ time.
GHDonline.org: an innovative technology to leverage the wisdom of the crowds and improve global health delivery

Abstract Background In 2008, the Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard University launched an online platform to generate and disseminate knowledge in health-care delivery. We borrowed a common instrument from business—professional virtual communities—used for knowledge management and exchange across multiple organisations, industries, and geographies. We adapted the concept for health care to leverage the wisdom of the crowds and create a rapid, practical means for diverse professionals to share insights and tactics. Methods A team of engineers, implementers, and providers built a lightweight platform, accounting for the reality of sporadic electricity service or restricted internet bandwidth in resource-limited settings and launched GHDonline in June, 2008. To foster reliability and engagement, the communities were led by expert moderators, discussions were open to all, and there was no anonymous posting. Findings Even with early successes—membership growth and daily postings to communities—user feedback and analytics encouraged the team to iterate on GHDonline. Nuanced and in-depth conversations in the communities were turned into discussion briefs—summaries of the conversations reviewed by experts. GHDonline launched new public communities based on the most pressing concerns in the specialty, and organised more than 40 virtual expert panels. As of February, 2014, GHDonline hosted more than 11 000 members across 180 countries, in 12 public and 86 private communities. GHDonline is now expanding its offering to launch GHDonline communities for US-based practitioners. Interpretation The increased use of GHDonline by health-care implementers suggests that professional virtual communities can be a valuable instrument to disseminate best practices, support collaboration between colleagues, and improve care delivery. Funding Abundance Foundation.
MINI-PROINSULIN AND MINI-IGF-I : HOMOLOGOUS PROTEIN SEQUENCES ENCODING NON-HOMOLOGOUS STRUCTURES

Abstract Protein minimization highlights essential determinants of structure and function. Minimal models of proinsulin and insulin-like growth factor I contain homologous A and B domains as single-chain analogues. Such models (designated mini-proinsulin and mini-IGF-I) have attracted wide interest due to their native foldability but complete absence of biological activity. The crystal structure of mini-proinsulin, determined as a T 3 R 3 hexamer, is similar to that of the native insulin hexamer. Here, we describe the solution structure of a monomeric mini-proinsulin under physiologic conditions and compare this structure to that of the corresponding two-chain analogue. The two proteins each contain substitutions in the B-chain (His B10 →Asp and Pro B28 →Asp) designed to destabilize self-association by electrostatic repulsion; the proteins differ by the presence or absence of a peptide bond between Lys B29 and Gly A1 . The structures are essentially identical, resembling in each case the T-state crystallographic protomer. Differences are observed near the site of cross-linking: the adjoining A1-A8 α-helix (variable among crystal structures) is less well-ordered in mini-proinsulin than in the two-chain variant. The single-chain analogue is not completely inactive: its affinity for the insulin receptor is 1500-fold lower than that of the two-chain analogue. Moreover, at saturating concentrations mini-proinsulin retains the ability to stimulate lipogenesis in adipocytes (native biological potency). These results suggest that a change in the conformation of insulin, as tethered by the B29–A1 peptide bond, optimizes affinity but is not integral to the mechanism of transmembrane signaling. Surprisingly, the tertiary structure of mini-proinsulin differs from that of mini-IGF-I (main-chain rms deviation 4.5 A) despite strict conservation of non-polar residues in their respective hydrophobic cores (side-chain rms deviation 4.9 A). Three-dimensional profile scores suggest that the two structures each provide acceptable templates for threading of insulin-like sequences. Mini-proinsulin and mini-IGF-I thus provide examples of homologous protein sequences encoding non-homologous structures.
Modification of sandblasted plate heaters using nanofluids to enhance pool boiling critical heat flux

Nanofluids are colloidal dispersions of nanoparticles in homogenous base fluids. Previous studies have shown that nanofluids can increase pool boiling critical heat flux (CHF) by forming a porous deposition on the heated surface. However, questions remain whether nanoparticles can further enhance the CHF on a passively engineered heat transfer surface, such as a sandblasted metal plate. In this study, three water-based nanofluids (diamond, zinc oxide and alumina) were used to modify sandblasted stainless steel 316 plate heaters via boiling induced deposition. The pool boiling CHF of these pre-coated heaters increased by up to 35% with respect to that of the bare, sandblasted heaters. The enhancements are highest for alumina and zinc oxide nanofluids. Detailed surface characterization of these pre-coated heaters showed different surface morphology depending on the type of nanofluids used. Additionally, the deposited nanoparticles layers were found to alter the wettability of the heaters. Contact angle measurement provided quantitative data to determine possible CHF enhancement based on existing correlations.
Characterization of the transport and cellular compartmentation of paraquat in roots of intact maize seedlings

Abstract Uptake and compartmentation of paraquat was investigated in intact roots of hydroponically grown maize (Zea mays L.) seedlings. Because this investigation focused on the transport of a potentially phytotoxic species, electrophysiological studies were conducted to determine the effect of paraquat exposure on root-cell membrane integrity. Exposure of roots to 1 mM paraquat for up to 40 min or 0.1 mM paraquat for up to 140 min had little effect on the root-cell membrane potential, which indicates that the relatively brief paraquat exposures used for this study (up to 2 hr) had little effect on membrane integrity. The time course for [14C]paraquat accumulation in roots was linear over a 75-min period. Concentration-dependent kinetics for paraquat influx were nonsaturating up to 1 mM and could be resolved into a linear and a saturable component. The linear component was determined to be radiolabeled paraquat remaining in the apoplasm of root epidermal and cortical cells following a 15-min desorption period that was employed to remove cell wall [14C]paraquat. The saturable component displayed Michaelis-Menten kinetics with Km = 90 μM and Vmax = 458 nmol g fresh wt−1 hr−1. Compartmental analysis of [14C]paraquat efflux from intact roots revealed the following estimated distribution of [14C]paraquat at the end of a 2-hr loading period: 76% in the cell wall free space, 16% in the cytoplasm, and about 8% in the vacuole. Estimated efflux half-times were 7.6 min, 29 min, and 4.7 hr from the cell wall, cytoplasm, and vacuole, respectively. These results suggest that paraquat enters the symplasm of plant roots via a carrier-mediated system similar to that proposed for animal tissues. In addition, efflux data indicate that while paraquat slowly accumulates in the vacuole, it can also move back out across the tonoplast and plasmalemma.