cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Low-Field CIDNP in Intramicellar Radical Disproportionation. Violation of Equivalency in J-Coupled Nuclear Spin Systems

Observations of chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization in low magnetic fields are often complicated by a transfer of samples from the laboratory field to the high magnetic field of the spectrometer. Effects of such transfer are analyzed, and theoretical predictions are compared to the results on low-field CIDNP in strongly coupled protons of styrene, a product of geminate disproportionation in the pair of sec-phenethyl and phenacyl radicals. Selective deuteration was used to decouple these protons and analyze redistribution of polarization formed in the course of disproportionation. A violation of magnetic equivalency in the protons constituting the methyl group in the precursor sec-phenethyl radical was observed. Possible origins of this phenomenon are discussed.
Acoustic Amplification in the Far Infrared Focal Plane Assembly of the Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) for the Cassini Mission to Saturn

The Composite Infrared Spectrometer (CIRS) of the Cassini mission to Saturn has two interferometers covering the far infrared FIR and mid infrared, MIR wavelength region. The FIR is a polarizing Michelson interferometer which presents a collimated output beam to the FIR focal plane. The focal plane consists of a parabolic focus mirror and an analyzer grid, which splits the output beams into transmitted and reflected components. The two polarizations are focussed onto two thermopile detectors; each consisting of a gold black foil welded to the top of two bismuth pyramids. The gold black is 30 microns thick, and the weld area is approximately 2 microns in diameter. The detectors are extremely fragile and the weld can be broken with a miniscule amount of airflow. The detectors consistently passed acoustic testing to qualification levels that simulated the launch environment of the Titan IV launch vehicle. However, they experienced a 50% failure rate when installed in the focal plane assembly during instrument level acoustic tests. A test focal plane was developed with small pressure transducers in the nominal detector locations. These tests indicated over 10 dB of acoustic amplification in the focal plane within the instrument during testing. New techniques were developed to allow testing of the focal plane without over testing the instrument, and modifications were made the focal plane assembly to successfully attenuate the amplification.
Restraints of Trade by Durable Good Producers

Whether they face competition or not, durable good producers may have an incentive to impose vertical restraints on their customers in order to protect quasi-rents in the aftermarkets for maintenance and repair. In this paper, we show that these vertical restraints have little to do with the usual antitrust concerns regarding tying arrangements. Nonetheless, imposing such restraints involves antitrust risks. We examine these risks and the associated antitrust policy questions in light of the Supreme Court's recent Kodak decision. We also offer some suggestions for the appropriate antitrust policy.
Regulating proliferation during retinal development

Recent studies have shown that components of the cell-cycle machinery can have diverse and unexpected roles in the retina. Cyclin-kinase inhibitors, for example, have been implicated as regulators of cell-fate decisions during histogenesis and reactive gliosis in the adult tissue after injury. Also, various mechanisms have been identified that can compensate for extra rounds of cell division when the normal timing of the cell-cycle exit is perturbed. Surprisingly, distinct components of the cell-cycle machinery seem to be used during different stages of development, and different organisms might rely on distinct pathways. Such detailed studies on the regulation of proliferation in complex multicellular tissues during development have not only advanced our knowledge of the ways in which proliferation is controlled, but might also help us to understand the degenerative disorders that are associated with gliosis and some types of tumorigenesis.
On Renner, Russell, and “The Trail Boss”—A Footnote for a Footnote

On Renner, Russell, and “The Trail Boss”—A Footnote for a Footnote DOI:10.2458/azu_rangelands_v33i2_mann
Demonstration of free radical generation in "stunned" myocardium of intact dogs with the use of the spin trap alpha-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone.

Abstract Recent studies suggest that oxygen free radicals may mediate postischemic myocardial dysfunction ("stunning"), but all the evidence for this hypothesis is indirect. Thus, we used electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the spin trap, alpha-phenyl N-tert-butyl nitrone (PBN), to directly investigate whether free radicals are produced after a 15-min coronary artery occlusion and subsequent reperfusion in 30 open-chest dogs. After intracoronary infusion of PBN, EPR signals characteristic of oxygen- and carbon-centered radical adducts were detected in the venous blood draining from the ischemic/reperfused vascular bed. The myocardial release of PBN adducts began during coronary occlusion but increased dramatically in the first few minutes after reperfusion. After this initial burst, the production of radicals abated but did not cease, persisting up to 3 h after reflow. The EPR spectra (aH beta = 2.67-2.79 G, aN = 14.75-15.00 G) were consistent with the trapping by PBN of secondary oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals, such as alkoxy and alkyl radicals, which could be formed by reactions of primary oxygen radicals with membrane lipids. There was a linear, direct relationship between the magnitude of PBN adduct production and the degree of ischemic flow reduction. Recovery of contractile function (measured as systolic wall thickening) after reperfusion was greater (P less than 0.05) in dogs given PBN than in controls. This study demonstrates that reversible regional myocardial ischemia in the intact animal is associated with prolonged free radical generation, and that the intensity of such generation is related to the severity of ischemia. The results provide direct evidence to support the hypothesis that reactive oxygen metabolites contribute to the persistent contractile dysfunction (myocardial stunning) observed after brief ischemia in vivo.
Limiting factors in the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process for conversion of cellulosic biomass to fuel ethanol

The cellulosic fraction of biomass feedstocks can be converted to ethanol, a promising alternative fuel, using the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) process. This process integrates the enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose to glucose with the fermentation of glucose to ethanol. Its performance depends on the characteristics of the biomass, the quality of the cellulase enzyme complex, and the behavior of the fermentative organism. This study of cellulose conversion progress in batch mode indicates that during the early stage of SSF, cell growth is the rate-determining step in ethanol production. At later times, however, and for most of the duration of the SSF process, enzymatic hydrolysis becomes the limiting factor. Further experimental probing has shown that cellulose accessibility to the enzyme is the key cause of the decreased rate of cellulose hydrolysis. It is therefore concluded that accessibility needs to be enhanced to improve the productivity of the SSF process.
Enforcement and Oversight Using Congressional Oversight to Shape OSHA Bureaucratic Behavior

This research is an extension of the body of work seeking to explain variation in levels of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforcement as a function of national and local vari...
{QCD} Based Effective Lagrangian Including Quark Mass Effects: Calculation of F ($K$)

Quark mass effects are included in the construction of an effective Lagrangian with bilocal pion and kaon fields. We discuss the appropriate Schwinger-Dyson equations and the choice of pseudo- scalar particle wave functions in the presence of explicit chiral-symmetry breaking. Identifying the pseudoscalar-mass terms in the effective Lagrangian, we reproduce the standard current-algebra mass formulas for charged pions and kaons. Approximate solutions to the u-, d-, and s-quark Schwinger-Dyson equations are constructed. The low-q/sup 2/ region is realistically modeled and the intermediate- and large-q/sup 2/ regions are represented by a superposition of the well-known ''spontaneous'' and ''explicit'' breaking asymptotic QCD solutions. We couple the W-boson gauge invariantly to the dynamical quarks and derive formulas for the pion and kaon decay constants f/sub ..pi../ and f/sub K/ in the one-quark-loop approximation. With f/sub ..pi../ = 93 MeV as input, we calculate the value f/sub K//f/sub ..pi../ = 1.13, compared to 1.16 experimentally, for a representative value ..lambda../sub QCD/ = 200 MeV. In addition, we comment on the calculation of the pion electromagnetic form factor.
Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 Is Necessary, but Not Sufficient, for Keratinocyte Differentiation

Regulation of epidermal proliferation and differentiation is critical for maintenance of cutaneous homeostasis. Interferon Regulatory Factor 6 (Irf6)-deficient mice die perinatally and exhibit ectopic proliferation and defective epidermal differentiation. We sought to determine whether these disruptions of epidermal function were cell autonomous, and used embryonic Irf6(-/-) keratinocytes to understand the specific role of Irf6 in keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation. In the absence of Irf6, keratinocytes exhibited a heterogeneous phenotype with the presence of large cells. Irf6(-/-) keratinocytes displayed increased colony-forming efficiency compared with wild-type cells, suggesting that Irf6 represses long-term proliferation. Irf6 was present at low levels in wild-type keratinocytes in culture, and upregulated after induction of differentiation in vitro, along with upregulation of markers of early differentiation. However, Irf6(-/-) keratinocytes did not express markers of terminal differentiation. Overexpression of Irf6 in wild-type keratinocytes was insufficient to induce expression of markers of differentiation under growing conditions. Together, these results indicated that Irf6 is necessary, but not sufficient, for keratinocyte differentiation. Finally, using a transgenic mouse expressing Lac-Z under the regulation of an enhancer element 9.7 kb upstream of the Irf6 start site, we demonstrated that this element contributes to the regulation of Irf6 in the epidermis and keratinocytes in culture.
A High-Throughput Plasmid DNA Preparation Method

Genome projects require a high-throughput method for DNA template preparation, which traditional protocols can rarely provide. We introduce here a new protocol for plasmid and cosmid DNA preparation based on alkaline denaturation in a 96-well format. The essential improvement made in this protocol on previous 96-well preparation includes the purification by Pro-Cipitate in 96-well microfilters. The yield and quality of DNA are sufficient for restriction digestion, radioactive sequencing, and automated fluorescent sequencing. It is also significantly more cost-effective than several of the commercial mini-prep kits.
Alternative Selection Criteria for Identifying Children with ADHD: Observed Behavior and Self-Reported Internalizing Symptoms.

This study investigated how children who identified themselves as having attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) via a DSM-based child interview would differ from children who were so identified by an adult only on a commonly used parent/teacher rating scale. Prevalence of ADHD, age, IQ, observed disruptive behavior, self-reported internalizing symptoms, and symptom severity of externalizing symptoms and comorbid internalizing and externalizing disorders were examined. Although no significant differences were found in observed disruptive behavior between groups, the Child Self-Identified group endorsed significantly more internalizing items on commonly used self-rating scales. Findings suggest that children who self-identify as having ADHD may also exhibit higher levels of internalizing symptoms.
Synthesis and pharmacologic activity of hydroxyacetophenone-substituted benzophenone/xanthone leukotriene B4 receptor antagonists

Abstract The preparation and pharmacologic activity of two new hybrid LTB4 receptor antagonists, 1 and 2 (LY282210), are reported. These compounds are among the most potent in vitro LTB4 receptor antagonists yet described, and add new insight into the critical pharmacophores of the LTB4 receptor.
Minimum-Latency Broadcast Schedule in Duty-Cycled Multihop Wireless Networks Subject to Physical Interference

Broadcast, one of the most essential operations in multihop wireless networks, is widely used for routing discovery, data collection, code updating and other network functions. The problem of computing a broadcasting schedule with minimum latency in multihop wireless networks is referred to as Minimum-Latency Broadcasting Schedule (MLBS). Under the assumption that all the nodes are always active, MLBS has been extensively studied. However, it is well-known that the networking nodes often switch between the active state and the sleep state to save energy. Unlike in conventional scenarios without sleep cycles, a node in duty-cycled scenarios with active/sleep cycles may require transmitting multiple times to send the broadcast message to all of its neighbors due to their different active time. The problem MLBS with Duty-Cycled scenarios (MLBSDC) has been well-studied in graph-based interference models such as the protocol interference model. To the best of our knowledge, no approximation algorithms have been proposed in the literature for the problem MLBSDC under the physical interference model with the duty-cycled scenarios taken into consideration. This is the first paper that develops efficient approximation algorithms for MLBSDC in multihop wireless networks with the duty-cycled scenarios under the physical interference model. Our algorithm, built upon a general technique which enables a unified graph-coloring treatment for communication scheduling, achieves approximation bound at most a constant time of the length of a scheduling period.
The Religion of Traditional Ashkenazic Women: Some Methodological Issues

What does it mean to study women's religion? How are we to define our subject matter? How are we to understand the relationship of the history of women's religious life and practice to the history of particular religious traditions? I shall explore these questions within the context of a very specific topic: the religious life of Ashkenazic (Central and Eastern European) Jewish women in the late seventeenth, eighteenth, and early nineteenth centuries, as seen through the popular religious literature of the period. This literature, which was addressed primarily to women, was in Yiddish, the vernacular of Ashkenazic Jews, rather than in Hebrew, the sacred language, understood almost exclusively by men. My thinking about the different approaches one could take to this material, and the different uses to which it could be put, was stimulated by a lecture given by Joan Scott on the study of women's history. Using a framework of analysis suggested in part by Scott's work, I will distinguish between three general approaches to the study of women's religion: (1) those that add an account of women's religious lives to an already existing history of Judaism; (2) those that consider women's Judaism within the framework of other groups usually omitted from the history of Judaism; and (3) those that seek to transform our understanding of Judaism through the incorporation of the perspective gained from the study of women's religion.
Dark matter detection using liquid xenon and scintillating fibers with VLPC readout

We propose a detector that combines two techniques to detect massive WIMPs through the possible identified Xe recoil in a liquid Xenon detector. The detector is based on ionization readout (like ICARUS) and a light collection using scintillating fibers and VLPCs.
C. elegans select

The technical toolkit for Caenorhabditis elegans expands to include experimental selection using antibiotic resistance genes.
Convergence of the moments of inertia in f-p-g shell nuclei.

A survey of the kinematic moments of inertia of A\ensuremath{\approxeq}80 nuclei shows a tendency to converge toward the rigid-body values of 20 to 25 ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Elzxh}}}^{2}$/MeV at rotational frequencies above 0.6 MeV/\ensuremath{\Elzxh}. The moments of the even-even isotopes approach the convergence zone from much lower values. The farther from the center of the shell, the lower the initial values are and the more rapid is the rise. By contrast, the moments of inertia of the odd-odd nuclei start from higher values and decrease into the convergence zone. The values for odd-A nuclei are generally intermediate, usually starting somewhat below the final value and increasing into the 20 to 25 ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\Elzxh}}}^{2}$/MeV region. The quadrupole deformations inferred from lifetimes in the even-even nuclei show no systematic change with spin, in contrast to the moments of inertia.
Femoral abnormalities and vitamin D metabolism in X‐linked hypophosphatemic (Hyp and Gy) mice

X-linked hypophosphatemia is a genetic bone disease in humans and mice. Two closely linked mutations in mice, Hyp and Gy, cause low plasma phosphate and a rachitic and osteomalacic bone disease. Because of the controversy as to whether Gy is a good model for X-linked hypophosphatemia, the phenotypic severity of these two mutations was compared in both sexes and on two genetic backgrounds. The depression in plasma levels of phosphate was similar in all 10-week-old mutant mice. Male Hyp mice and heterozygous female Hyp mice were affected with similar severity in terms of reduced tail growth, shortened femora, reduced femoral mineral content, and abnormal mineral composition of the femoral matrix. In contrast, male Gy mice did not survive on the C57BL/6J background and were more severely affected than female Gy mice on the B6C3H background. The hybrid B6C3H background ameliorated the bone disease compared with the inbred C57BL/6J background for both mutant strains. There was no evidence of change in the plasma levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D, duodenal level of vitamin D-dependent calcium-binding protein, or urinary level of calcium in these adult mutant mice. In summary, Gy mice have a sexual dimorphism not present in Hyp mice. These two genes may indicate the presence of multiple gene loci in the human disease, with multiple proteins involved in the pathophysiology of the bone disease.
Researching women's studies: A guide

Synopsis As a field of research and scholarship, Women's Studies involves a wide range of disciplines. Women, constituting half the world's population, are involved in and affected by all areas of human endeavor. This guide is intended to provide an introduction to research on the social, economic and political forces that influence women and are influenced by women in the United States. Some Canadian sources are represented as well. The guide begins with a few general sources that are useful for research on most subjects. Then the guide emphasizes research sources specifically concerning women. Clearly, it is not possible to trace and list all sources relevant to the study of women, and this guide is only indicative of the breadth of the rapidly growing body of knowledge and research in Women's Studies. No single library can be expected to have all of the titles listed, and new sources come into being as the demands of researchers increase.
Reduced complexity test generation algorithms for transition fault diagnosis

To distinguish between a pair of transition faults, we need to find a test vector pair (LOC or LOS type)that produces different output responses for the two faults. By adding a few logic gates and one modeling flip-flop to the circuit under test (CUT), we create a diagnostic ATPG model usable by a conventional single stuck-at fault test pattern generator. Given a transition fault pair, this ATPG model either finds a distinguishing test or proves the faults to be equivalent. An efficient diagnostic fault simulator is devised to find undistinguishable fault pairs from a fault list by a test vector set. The number of fault pairs that needs to be targeted by the ATPG is greatly reduced after diagnostic fault simulation. We use a previously proposed diagnostic coverage (DC) metric to determine the distinguishability (diagnosability) of a test vector set. Experimental results show improved DC for benchmark circuits after applying the proposed diagnostic ATPG algorithms.
Building creative thinking in the classroom: From research to practice

Classroom instruction often overlooks the importance of encouraging and explicitly teaching students to think creatively. Yet classroom learning offers an ideal opportunity for students to master content knowledge and to creatively apply that knowledge, a skill important for success in any environment. Here we review literatures on creativity, focusing on findings that clearly inform how it can be taught. We argue that some changes in the ability to think creatively arise due to factors that are directly manipulable in the classroom whereas other changes stem from increases in capacities of cognitive function. We propose simple guidelines, based on theories and research on creativity, for how teachers can build students’ ability to think creatively and apply content knowledge in creative ways.
Modularly assembled designer TAL effector nucleases for targeted gene knockout and gene replacement in eukaryotes

Recent studies indicate that the DNA recognition domain of transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors can be combined with the nuclease domain of FokI restriction enzyme to produce TAL effector nucleases (TALENs) that, in pairs, bind adjacent DNA target sites and produce double-strand breaks between the target sequences, stimulating non-homologous end-joining and homologous recombination. Here, we exploit the four prevalent TAL repeats and their DNA recognition cipher to develop a 'modular assembly' method for rapid production of designer TALENs (dTALENs) that recognize unique DNA sequence up to 23 bases in any gene. We have used this approach to engineer 10 dTALENs to target specific loci in native yeast chromosomal genes. All dTALENs produced high rates of site-specific gene disruptions and created strains with expected mutant phenotypes. Moreover, dTALENs stimulated high rates (up to 34%) of gene replacement by homologous recombination. Finally, dTALENs caused no detectable cytotoxicity and minimal levels of undesired genetic mutations in the treated yeast strains. These studies expand the realm of verified TALEN activity from cultured human cells to an intact eukaryotic organism and suggest that low-cost, highly dependable dTALENs can assume a significant role for gene modifications of value in human and animal health, agriculture and industry.
Effect of Tablet Lubricants on Axial and Radial Work of Failure

AbstractDuring diametral compression and axial tensile strength testing force-displacement curves were obtained for tablets of microcrystalline cellulose. The area under the curve, termed work of failure, was determined by planimetry. For each of the five lubricants studied as the concentration of the lubricant was increased in the tablet, the work of failure was considerably less. The effect was especially marked in the axial plane.
The role of the endogenous opiates as regulators of appetite

The popular view of the major function of the opiates is that they produce analgesia. Much evidence has been accumulated that the endogenous opiates play an integral role in the central regulation of appetite. We postulate that the major effect of the endogenous opiates is to induce the feeding drive with their analgesic properties representing an epiphenom- enon. Am J Cli,, Nuir 1982;35:757-76l.
Protecting the confidentiality of interim data: Addressing current challenges

There is compelling evidence supporting the importance of maintaining confidentiality of interim data in clinical trials designed to reliably address the benefit-to-risk profile of interventions. While this is widely recognized, creative approaches are needed to achieve this in challenging settings where interim data are released for regulatory review and action, even though the trial would be continued to address its primary hypothesis. An illustration is the recently emerging setting of cardiovascular safety trials in type 2 diabetes mellitus. At the first stage of such trials, if large relative increases in cardiovascular major morbidity/mortality can be ruled out, data can be released solely for the purpose of allowing regulatory decision making about marketing approval. The trial is then continued in the post-marketing setting to address the primary hypothesis regarding whether smaller relative increases can be ruled out. Active rather than passive approaches are needed to protect the integrity of ca...
Pushdown flow analysis of first-class control

Pushdown models are better than control-flow graphs for higher-order flow analysis. They faithfully model the call/return structure of a program, which results in fewer spurious flows and increased precision. However, pushdown models require that calls and returns in the analyzed program nest properly. As a result, they cannot be used to analyze language constructs that break call/return nesting such as generators, coroutines, call/cc, etc.In this paper, we extend the CFA2 flow analysis to create the first pushdown flow analysis for languages with first-class control. We modify the abstract semantics of CFA2 to allow continuations to escape to, and be restored from, the heap. We then present a summarization algorithm that handles escaping continuations via a new kind of summary edge. We prove that the algorithm is sound with respect to the abstract semantics.
Spaced initial stimulus familiarization enhances novelty preference in Long-Evans rats

Berlyne [Berlyne, D.E., 1950. Novelty and curiosity as determinants of exploratory behaviour. Brit. J. Psychol. 41, 68-80] first illustrated that rats prefer to explore novel objects over ones with which they have had previous experience. Recently, variants on this novel object recognition (NOR) task have become widely popular and have been employed in numerous neuroscience and behavioral pharmacological studies investigating memory processes. Given this popularity, a thorough understanding of the various behavioral processes involved in novelty reaction and preference is essential. The current study compared the effects of spaced and massed initial stimulus exposures upon later object exploration and novel stimulus preference in Long-Evans rats. Results illustrated that a distributed initial stimulus familiarization procedure promoted greater novel object preference than did a massed procedure, and suggest that the novel object recognition task is sensitive to spacing effects in a similar fashion to more traditional learning paradigms. The mechanisms underlying such spacing effects are briefly discussed.
Pressure–heart rate product changes from childhood to adulthood in a biracial population — a crossover phenomenon: the Bogalusa Heart Study

Abstract Cardiovascular (CV) hemodynamic characteristics are major risk factors for heart disease. Cross-sectional surveys of 5,976 individuals (47% males; 63% Whites), aged 4 to 44 years, and a subset of 1,365 individuals examined both in childhood and in adulthood were examined for blood pressure and heart rate along with cardiovascular risk factors. In early childhood, Whites showed significantly faster heart rate than Blacks; at adolescence, blood pressure levels became greater in Blacks. The systolic blood pressure times heart rate, the double product, in childhood (Whites > Blacks) is reversed in adulthood (Blacks > Whites). A “crossover” at the young adult age occurs. The crossover was observed at around 20 years in females and 25 years in males. Multivariate analyses indicated age, race, and homeostasis model of insulin resistance were independently related to the double product. Further, there was a significant interaction between age and race. These hemodynamic parameters change with increasing age with a crossover pattern of the pressure-rate product between the different races in young adults. Changes in the double product suggest a greater sympathetic nervous system activation occurring in Blacks reaching adulthood. Although not measured, central vs. peripheral sympathetic–parasympathetic balance, which determine hemodynamic characteristics, is influenced by increasing obesity and carbohydrate-insulin metabolic changes in adulthood. Further, hemodynamic parameters create a cardiovascular burden over time producing subtle, subclinical disease of the cardiovascular system. Control of obesity in the population remains critical.
THE MILITARY POLICY PUBLIC

Is the military policy public in the United States-those attentive to and interested in military issues of foreign policy-similar to or different from the foreign policy public generally? This paper identifies this military policy public, specifies some of its demographic characteristics, and compares it with the American foreign policy public and the attentive public policy public. It adds a significant refinement to the understanding of public opinion and public policy relationships. Bernard C. Cohen is a Professor of Political Science at the University of Wisconsin.
Race and gender are not independent risk factors of allograft loss after kidney transplantation

Abstract Background Little is known about the impact of gender on kidney allograft survival in black recipients. Methods A total of 805 kidney transplant recipients were reviewed retrospectively. Results All blacks compared with all whites had significantly reduced graft survival at 1, 2, and 3 years (89%, 84%, 82% vs 93%, 89%, 87%, respectively, log-rank P = .03). After stratification by race and gender, black females showed the worst graft survival. When black females were excluded, allograft survival between black males and all whites were similar. Black females carried more risk factors for graft loss. Compared with all others, the unadjusted hazard ratio of graft loss for black females was 1.67 ( P P = .07, 95% confidence interval, .98–2.23). Conclusions Race and gender in a multivariate analysis are not statistically significant independent risk factors for poor allograft outcomes.
CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 Polymorphisms and Their Association with Estradiol and Estrogen Metabolites in Women Who Are Premenopausal and Perimenopausal

The purpose of this study was to relate measured concentrations of estradiol (E2) and the urinary estrogen metabolites 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) and 16alpha-hydroxyestrone (16alpha-OHE1) to single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) from CYP1A1 and CYP1B1, the primary genes involved in estrogen catabolism. We investigated the association of 4 CYP1A1 SNPs (CYP1A1 rs4646903, CYP1A1 rs1531163, CYP1A1 rs2606345, and CYP1A1 rs1048943) and 2 CYP1B1 SNPs (CYP1B1 rs162555 and CYP1B1 rs1056836) to circulating serum E2 concentrations and the urinary estrogen metabolites 2-OHE1 and 16alpha-OHE1. The associations were evaluated in 1,340 participants of 4 racial/ethnic groups from the Study of Women's Health Across the Nation (SWAN) who were premenopausal and perimenopausal. There was substantial variation in the allele frequencies of the SNPs for African American and Caucasian women. There was, however, remarkable comparability between Chinese and Japanese women; their CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 allele frequencies differed by only < or =11%. There was significant variation in E2 concentrations by genotype within racial/ethnic group for CYP1A1 rs2606345. In particular, Japanese women with the CC genotype had lower E2 concentrations than did Japanese women with the AC genotype. Chinese women with the CC genotype had higher 2-OHE1 concentrations than did Chinese women with the AC genotype. Further, African American women with the CC genotype had higher 16alpha-OHE1 concentrations than did those with other genotypes. CYP1A1 rs2606345 may play an important role in estrogen metabolism in women who are premenopausal and perimenopausal.
Differentiation of naive cord-blood T cells into CD19-specific cytolytic effectors for posttransplantation adoptive immunotherapy.

Disease relapse is a barrier to achieving therapeutic success after unrelated umbilical cord-blood transplantation (UCBT) for B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). While adoptive transfer of donor-derived tumor-specific T cells is a conceptually attractive approach to eliminating residual disease after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, adoptive immunotherapy after UCBT is constrained by the difficulty of generating antigen-specific T cells from functionally naive umbilical cord-blood (UCB)–derived T cells. Therefore, to generate T cells that recognize B-ALL, we have developed a chimeric immunoreceptor to redirect the specificity of T cells for CD19, a B-lineage antigen, and expressed this transgene in UCB-derived T cells. An ex vivo process, which is compliant with current good manufacturing practice for T-cell trials, has been developed to genetically modify and numerically expand UCB-derived T cells into CD19-specific effector cells. These are capable of CD19-restricted cytokine production and cytolysis in vitro, as well as mediating regression of CD19+ tumor and being selectively eliminated in vivo. Moreover, time-lapse microscopy of the genetically modified T-cell clones revealed an ability to lyse CD19+ tumor cells specifically and repetitively. These data provide the rationale for infusing UCB-derived CD19-specific T cells after UCBT to reduce the incidence of CD19+ B-ALL relapse.
Characterization of the effect of MRI on Gafchromic film dosimetry

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging of Gafchromic film causes perturbation to absolute dosimetry measurements; the purpose of this work was to characterize the perturbation and develop a correction method for it. Three sets of Gafchromic EBT2 film were compared: radiation (control), radiation followed by MR imaging (RAD + B), and MR imaging followed by radiation (B + RAD). The T1-weighted and T2-weighted MR imaging was performed using a 1.5T scanner with the films wedged between two chicken legs. Doses from 0 to 800 cGy were delivered with a 6MV linac. The time interval between radiation and MR imaging was less than 10 min. Film calibration was generated from the red channel. Microscopic imaging was performed on two pieces of film. The effect of specific absorption rate (SAR) was determined by exposing another three sets of films to low, medium, and high levels of SAR through a series of pulse sequences. No discernible preferential alignment was detected on the microscopic images of the irradiated film exposed to MRI. No imaging artifacts were introduced by Gafchromic film on any MR images. On average, 4% dose difference was observed between B + RAD or RAD + B and the control, using the same calibration curve. The pixel values between the B + RAD or RAD + B and the control films were found to follow a linear relationship pixel(Control) = 1.02 × pixel(B + RAD or RAD + B). By applying this correction, the average dose error was reduced to approximately 2%. The SAR experiment revealed a dose overestimation with increasing SAR even when the correction was applied. It was concluded that MR imaging introduces perturbation on Gafchromic film dose measurements by 4% on average, compared to calibrating the film without the presence of MRI. This perturbation can be corrected by applying a linear correction to the pixel values. Additionally, Gafchromic film did not introduce any imaging artifacts in any of the MR images acquired.
Plus Ca Change, Plus C'Est La Meme Chose: The Representation of People of Color (and Women) in Boston Law Firms

In this short article the author analyzes the reasons why increased representation of people of color and women among law school graduates has not been matched by proportional increases in the representation of women and people of color in the ranks of large law firm partners in Boston and nationally. The article attributes this lack of progress to the factors identified in the recent report of the ABA Commission on Women on the situation of women of color in law firms and to other deeply imbedded structural and economic practices of firms, such as the highly leveraged structures and the ever rising demand for billable hours. Pipeline issues may further impede progress of lawyers of color. The article concludes by challenging law firms to realize the investment they have made in diversity programs and in recruiting and training associates by examining assumptions about law firm cultures and practices that erect barriers to the achievement of women and people of color.
Evidence for 30-40S RNA as precursor of the 60-70S RNA of Rous sarcoma virus.

Rous sarcoma virus (RSV) harvested from cells at intervals of 3 minutes has the same density, sedimentation coefficient, and DNA polymerase as virus harvested at hourly intervals. The RNA of such RSV consists of a minor class of 60-70S RNA, a major class 30-40S RNA and a 4-12S class of RNA present in variable concentration. Upon incubation of virus harvested at 3-minute intervals at 40 C. in cell growth medium or Tris–saline, most of the 30-40S RNA is converted to 60-70S RNA. The electrophoretic mobility of the 30-40S RNA of RSV harvested at 3-minute intervals is lower than that of the 30-40S subunits of completely dissociated 60-70S RNA; after heating their mobilities are identical. Heating also releases some small RNA’s from 30-40S RNA of RSV harvested at 3-minute intervals, but five times more 4S RNA is released if the 30-40S RNA is allowed to convert to 60-70S in the virus. It is suggested that association of 30-40S RNA’s with some RNA’s of the 4-12S class may take place simultaneously with their conversion to 60-70S RNA.
Solid-Phase Synthesis of Crystalline [Ser41] B-Chain Monellin, an Analogue of the Sweet Protein Monellin

The sweet protein monellin consists of two noncovalently associated polypeptide chains, the A chain of 44 amino acid residues and the B chain of 50 residues. Since blocking the free SH group of Cys41 in the B chain or treating the adjacent Met42 with CNBr removed its sweetness, this part of the molecule has been suggested to be essential for the sweetness. The [Ser41] B chain, an analogue of the B chain, was synthesized by the stepwise Fmoc solid-phase method in an overall yield of 1.9%. The synthetic B chain analogue was combined with the A chain, which was left over from a previous work, to give [Ser41] B-chain monellin in a yield of 31.0%. This synthetic monellin analogue was 2000 times as sweet as sucrose. Changing the Cys41 residue to the Ser residue significantly decreased the sweetness potency and stability of the molecule in solution. Crystallization was carried out by a vapor diffusion method.
Isolation of Acid Soluble Nucleotides from Rabbit Intestinal Mucosa.

SummaryA method is described which permits isolation of acid soluble nucleotides of the small intestinal mucosa. This procedure entails bathing intestine mucosa, in situ, with ice cold perchloric acid. In this manner, mucosa tissue is fixed while still in optimal nutritional state. The tissue so obtained gives a nucleotide pattern which both quantitatively and qualitatively resembles that of other normal well nurtured tissues.
Imperial Policy and Church Income: The Sixteenth Century Mexican Church

The long-traditional view of the Roman Catholic Church in Spanish America as a monolithic, wealthy, and all powerful institution has been gradually modified by successive studies over the last thirty years. From these examinations emerges the picture of a complex institution characterized by diversity, and internal conflict. New research continues to enlarge and clarify understanding of the Church's role as an institution of the Spanish empire. What follows will, in highlighting the colonial Church's relationship to the Spanish crown, add to this view of it as a complex and diverse institution. An examination of crown policy with regard to Church finance in the sixteenth century shows that the episcopal hierarchy of the Mexican colonial Church had a subordinate relationship to the crown in the era of the Counter Reformation. Rather than a strong Church influencing the crown, what emerges is the portrait of a relatively weak, dependent institution, supported by the king. The secular church hierarchy had only enough power to carry out its function and serve as a counterpoint to the religious orders, not enough to achieve financial independence on its own. The basis for this relationship lies in the patrimonial nature of Castilian government and its dominant position over the Church hierarchy because of the Patronato Real.
Catastrophic Head-Neck Dissociation of a Modular Cementless Femoral Component

Case: We report two cases of modular head-neck junction failure involving the Stryker Accolade TMZF stem leading to sudden dissociation of the femoral head from the stem. Both patients presented with mechanical symptoms in the hip followed by pain and hip dysfunction. Disassembly of the head and deformation of the male taper were seen on preoperative radiographs. Intraoperatively, both patients had substantial metallosis with a markedly damaged taper requiring stem revision. Conclusion: We recommend regular clinical and radiographic surveillance of patients with the Stryker Accolade TMZF stem, especially those patients with pain and/or mechanical symptoms.
Remote signaling function in electrical load control system

In recent years,power shortfalls occur in many regions.Unmanned electric power load control system with computer technology to monitor and control power load can mitigate the situation.LAP-Ⅱ-D electric power load control equipment is developed based on remote signaling and control technique,which realizes remote breaker switching and state monitoring.Its functional planning and programming method are introduced.Practices prove its good performance.
Improved Tracking Algorithm Based on Infrared/CCD Signals

This paper develops the simple MAD algorithm in the sky-to-ground target tracking of infrared/CCD two channels.The input image was preprocessed,using medium value filter and grads transform to depress noise,and present the algorithm of template changing and processing after correlation.The real-time target tracking of digital image processing and video image in the high complicated background was realized,and a stable,accurate tracking effect was gotten.
Four Strategies for Managing Opioid-Induced Side Effects in Older Adults.

Opioid medications are considered key therapeutic interventions in the management of both acute pain and cancer-related pain among patients of all ages; however, their role in treating patients with chronic noncancer pain remains controversial. While the debate about the appropriate role of opioids in the treatment of chronic pain continues, the fact remains that many clinicians prescribe opioids to patients in the outpatient setting or treat patients already taking an opioid. These patients include those with acute pain, those receiving palliative care (eg, patients with advanced heart or renal disease), as well as those with persistent noncancer pain disorders, such as postherpetic neuralgia, spinal stenosis, and osteoarthritis. While many factors must be considered when treating the primary care patient receiving an opioid in accordance with clinical practice guidelines,1,2 clinical decision-making must take into account the unique considerations for treating older adults, including age-related physiologic changes, multimorbidity, frailty, sensory and/or cognitive impairment, and polypharmacy—all of which can increase the risk for adverse treatment outcomes.3 This review describes four approaches to managing opioid-induced side effects that can be implemented both before and during opioid treatment: dose reduction, opioid rotation, altering the route of opioid administration, and symptomatic management of adverse effects. More than a decade ago, these four approaches were formulated and published by the Expert Working Group of the European Association of Palliative Care (EAPC) with specific attention paid to managing adverse effects of oral morphine; however, this set of guidelines continues to be a timely and valuable resource that can be used to manage the side effects of any opioid analgesic.4 Successful implementation of these approaches can lead to improvements in medication adherence, opioid tolerability, and analgesic effect. A summary of the evidence-based rationales for each approach and our recommendations for how to implement these strategies in the clinical care of geriatric patients are provided.
Differential Regulation of Synaptic Inputs to Dentate Hilar Border Interneurons by Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors

Doherty, James and Raymond Dingledine. Differential regulation of synaptic inputs to dentate hilar border interneurons by metabotropic glutamate receptors. J. Neurophysiol. 79: 2903–2910, 1998. Reg...
Factors that affect cost and clinical outcome of endovascular aortic repair for abdominal aortic aneurysm

Abstract Objective This study evaluated the effect of indication for use (IFU), additional graft components, and percutaneous closure of endovascular aortic repair (PEVAR) on clinical outcomes and cost of endovascular aortic repair (EVAR). Methods Clinical and financial data were obtained for all elective EVARs completed at a university-affiliated medical center between January 2012 and June 2013. Data were analyzed by χ 2 , Student t -test for independent samples, and Kaplan-Meier survival. Results There were 67 elective EVARs. Additional cuffs/extensions were used in 37%, increasing the baseline graft cost by 36% ( P P P = .02), failure of the index graft to seal the neck ( P = .02), and need for an additional cuff ( P = .008) were related to the need for reintervention for type Ia endoleak for graft B (Excluder; W. L. Gore and Associates, Flagstaff, Ariz), whereas limb IFU was related to the need for additional limb extension for graft A (Powerlink; Endologix, Irvine, Calif; P P = .06) and failure of the index graft to provide an adequate seal ( P P =.54), but different patterns in reintervention emerged: graft A required reoperation early ( P P = .005) and total hospital costs ( P = .003) than failed PEVAR. The contribution margin was higher for bilateral PEVAR than unilateral PEVAR/failed PEVAR ( P = .005). Patients with bilateral PEVAR and unilateral PEVAR were more often discharged on postoperative day 1 than those with failed PEVAR ( P = .002). Hospital length of stay ( P = .49), operating room duration ( P = .31), and total costs ( P = .72) were similar for unsuccessful PEVAR and EVAR completed with cutdown. Conclusions Higher rates of reintervention occurred when EVAR was performed outside of IFU guidelines or when additional components were needed. Additions raised graft costs significantly above baseline. Notable differences in graft performance in complex anatomy and varied patterns of reoperation could be useful in the graft selection process to improve outcome and contain costs. Bilateral PEVAR was associated with lower costs and postoperative day 1 discharge. Attempting PEVAR may be reasonable unless there is serious concern for failure.