cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The molecular docking-based design and biological evaluation of a novel series of bisintercalating DNA-binding bisanthrapyrazole compounds

4737 Anticancer drugs that bind to DNA and inhibit DNA-processing enzymes represent an important class of anticancer drugs. In order to find stronger DNA binding and more potent cytotoxic compounds, a series of ester coupled bisanthrapyrazole (BisAP) derivatives of 7-chloro-2-[2-[(2-hydroxyethyl)methylamino]ethylanthra[1,9-cd]pyrazol-6(2H)-one (AP9) were designed and evaluated by molecular docking techniques. Because the anthrapyrazoles are unable to be reductively activated like doxorubicin and other anthracyclines, they should not be cardiotoxic like the anthracyclines. Based on the docking scores of a series of BisAPs with different sizes of linkers that were docked into an x-ray structure of double stranded DNA, several BisAP compounds were selected for synthesis (n = 1 - 5) and physical and biological evaluation. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for DNA binding by measuring ΔTm, the DNA melting temperature increase, and for growth inhibitory effects on the human erythroleukemic K562 cell line. All the BisAPs potently inhibited the growth of K562 cells. Some of the BisAP compounds bound to DNA more strongly than doxorubicin, an intercalating anticancer drug used as a positive control. This result suggests that the BisAPs bisintercalate into DNA. In conclusion, a novel group of bisintercalating anthrapyrazole compounds have be designed, synthesized and biologically evaluated as possible novel potent anticancer agents. Support: CIHR, a Canada Research Chair in Drug Development, the Dishman Foundation at Southwestern University and the Robert A. Welsh Foundation.
Carbon flow in an agricultural stream ecosystem

There have been no detailed analyses of the concentration, transport and production of organic matter In an agricultural stream ecosystem. The purpose of the present study Is to describe the transport and production of DOM (dissolved organic matter) and POM (particulate organic matter) In the watershed and stream of Big Creek, Iowa. Dissolved organic matter (DOM = organic matter 0.45 u) makes up 9% of the annual transport and is correlated with discharge. Coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM = organic matter > 1 mm) composes 1 % of the total annual transported organic matter from Big Creek. Total organic -1 -1 matter transport is approximately 23 t km yr ; similar to that of grassland, marsh or tundra stream systems. Gross primary production in Big Creek is about 19 kg C day ^ equivalent to 1 % of the al1ochthonous organic carbon _ 1 inputs, while ecosystem respiration is 35 kg C day or almost 2 % of the al lochthonous carbon inputs. -1 Of the daily terrestial production of 48,528 kg C day , _ 1 just under 4 % or 1,851 kg C day ends up as allochthonous Inputs to Big Creek, 99 % of which ends up as transport out of the upper watershed.
Absence of force suppression in rabbit bladder correlates with low expression of heat shock protein 20.

Background Nitroglycerin can induce relaxation of swine carotid artery without sustained reductions in [Ca2+]i or myosin regulatory light chain (MRLC) phosphorylation. This has been termed force suppression and been found to correlate with ser16-phosphorylation of heat shock protein 20 (HSP20). We tested for the existence of this mechanism in a smooth muscle that is not responsive to nitric oxide.
Turning Off GPS Is Not Enough: Cellular Location Leaks over the Internet

Many third parties desire to discover and disclose your location with the help of your cell phone. Using an embedded GPS, phone software will commonly reveal coordinates to carriers, advertisers, and applications. Can a remote party determine locational information absent explicit GPS information? For example, given a known starting or ending point, can a streaming music server distinguish the path you’ve taken through the physical world? We show that the path a cell phone and its owner take from or to a known location can be determined from remote observations of changes in TCP throughput. Empirically, our method can correctly determine with greater than 78% accuracy the path taken by phone from one of four paths, and with 63% accuracy the path taken from among eight paths.
Strategies for Targeting Tumors and Tumor Vasculature for Cancer Therapy

Effective cancer therapy remains a challenge despite recent advances in the identification of novel targets. A major limitation of most chemotherapeutic drugs is their systemic toxicity and the efficacy of cancer treatments is, by and large, determined by the ability to balance their benefits against their toxicity. Targeted treatments for cancer, especially those that target the tumor vasculature, have provided promising antitumor results with minimal systemic toxicity. To date significant progress has been made in developing a variety of delivery systems to target cancer and its vasculature ranging from isolated limb and organ perfusion to tumor targeted biological and nonbiological vectors.
Two-dimensional spectral representation with applications

A linear technique for two-dimensional (2D), frequency domain, system modeling has been successfully developed by W.B. Mikhael and H. Yu (1993). Based on the same structure, which is the equation error model, a two-dimensional least-square spectral representation algorithm is presented in this paper. The proposed algorithm efficiently characterizes the 2D complex spectra by a 2D all-pole function with real coefficients. The location, magnitude and phase of the dominant transform components can be exactly retrieved in the 2D frequency domain. It is shown that the number of coefficients of the approximating function is (2M+1), where M is the number of dominant transform components. To illustrate the technique's accuracy and efficieny its application to image representation and reconstruction is given. >
Osteomyelitis, iatrogenic osteolysis, pathologic fracture, and bone graft

Abstract A patient with osteomyelitis and supposed osteolysis has been described. Unlike previous cases reported, the osteolysis was observed throughout its entire course and an etiologic factor was present. The surgical excision of the involved bone and immediate restoration with a bone graft was successful. A 3-year follow-up showed no evidence of recurrence.
State Anti-Terrorism Legislation in the United States: A Review of Statutory Utilization

The threat of terrorism in America has led many states to strengthen their deterrent efforts. Several of these states have chosen to enact legislation aimed specifically at terroristic acts not covered under traditional criminal law. Although it is difficult to imagine an act of terrorism which would not also be criminal under existing statutes, the fear that inchoate acts of terrorism might not qualify for criminal liability has caused considerable anxiety for law enforcement and judicial officials. Consequently, several jurisdictions in the United States have enacted special legislation to make criminal, or increase the sanction for, incomplete acts of terrorism. Typically, these laws have been referred to as "terroristic threat" statutes. This paper examines the ways in which these statutes have been construed and the impact they may have on domestic terrorism.
Are Conservatives Really More Simple-Minded than Liberals? The Domain Specificity of Complex Thinking

Prior research suggests that liberals are more complex than conservatives. However, it may be that liberals are not more complex in general, but rather only more complex on certain topic domains (while conservatives are more complex in other domains). Four studies (comprised of over 2,500 participants) evaluated this idea. Study 1 involves the domain specificity of a self-report questionnaire related to complexity (dogmatism). By making only small adjustments to a popularly used dogmatism scale, results show that liberals can be significantly more dogmatic if a liberal domain is made salient. Studies 2–4 involve the domain specificity of integrative complexity. A large number of open-ended responses from college students (Studies 2 and 3) and candidates in the 2004 Presidential election (Study 4) across an array of topic domains reveals little or no main effect of political ideology on integrative complexity, but rather topic domain by ideology interactions. Liberals are higher in complexity on some topics, but conservatives are higher on others. Overall, this large dataset calls into question the typical interpretation that conservatives are less complex than liberals in a domain-general way.
A self-refilling syringe for dispensing anaerobic media

A standard Luer-lock self-refilling syringe was modified to dispense anaerobic medium at pre-set volumes. It is suitable for transferring anaerobic medium for serial dilutions, where a consistent volume delivered is necessary. Sulfate reducing and methanogenic bacteria have been cultivated routinely on media dispensed with this apparatus.
Studies on substitution, insertion and decarbonylation reactions of some cyclopentadienyliron complexes with phosphorus donor ligands

Abstract The phosphite complexes C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(OR) 3 ]CH 3 (R=CH 3 , n-C4H9 or C 6 H 5 ) have been synthesized by the interaction of C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]CH 3 with P(OR) 3 in tetrahydrofuran at reflux. They react readily with liquid SO2 to afford the corresponding S-sulfinates, C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(OR) 3 ](SO2CH 3 ). The reaction between C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)2CH 3 and P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 in hydrocarbon solvents at reflux yields initially C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ](COCH 3 ), which then undergoes decarbonylation to C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]CH 3 . However, in refluxing dioxane, C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) [P(C 6 Hs) 3 ] (COCH 3 ) has been obtained as the only major carbonyl product. The corresponding dicarbonyl ethyl complex, C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)2C2H 5 , reacts with P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 in heptane at reflux to give C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 Hs) 3 ] (COC2H 5 ) and C 5 H 5 Fe(CO) [P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] Cl. The chloride has been shown to arise from the reaction of CHCI 3 with C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]H, which results from loss of ethylene by C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]C2H 5 . Photochemical reactions between C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)2C2H 5 and P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 in petroleum ether yield C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]C2H 5 directly, without the intermediacy of C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ] (COC2H 5 ). Contrary to a previous report, ultraviolet irradiation of C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 6 ) 3 ](COR) (R = CH 3 or C 5 H 5 ) in hydrocarbon solvents under several different conditions affords the corresponding C 5 H 5 Fe(CO)[P(C 6 H 5 ) 3 ]R in moderate to good yields.
The need for optometric investigation in suspected Meares–Irlen syndrome or visual stress

Meares-Irlen syndrome is characterised by symptoms of eye strain, headaches and visual perceptual distortions when viewing text. The symptoms are alleviated with individually prescribed coloured filters, such as precision tinted lenses. Meares-Irlen syndrome, and the related condition of visual stress, are likely to result from hyperexcitability of the visual cortex, which can also occur in migraine. The symptoms of Meares-Irlen syndrome and visual stress are non-specific and the condition needs to be differentially diagnosed from other optometric conditions, such as refractive error, binocular vision anomalies, and accommodative anomalies. Three case reports are described of patients who consulted the author with suspected Meares-Irlen syndrome but were found to have other causes for their symptoms: posterior sub-capsular cataract, high uncorrected astigmatism, and decompensated convergence weakness exophoria. These cases highlight the need for professional eye care for people with suspected Meares-Irlen syndrome. Although this advice is stressed in literature on the well-established MRC/Wilkins Intuitive Colorimeter system, it is not always stressed in literature about other systems. This may be a cause for concern.
Aggravation of experimental glomerulonephritis by superimposed clip hypertension.

Aggravation of experimental glomerulonephritis by superimposed clip hypertension. To evaluate the possible enhancing effect of hypertension on the clinical and morphologic features of glomerulonephritis, two-kidney clip hypertension (CH) was superimposed on a mild form of nephrotoxic serum nephritis (NSN) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. The following parameters were assessed regularly over a 6-month period: blood pressure (BP), heart weight, proteinuria (UpV), and renal morphology. Blood pressures and heart weights were increased equally in clip hypertension and in nephrotoxic serum nephritis combined with clip hypertension. While only moderate proteinuria occurred in nephrotoxic serum nephritis (49 ± 28 mg/24 hr) or clip hypertension (40 ± 22 mg/24 hr) alone, the superimposition of clip hypertension on nephrotoxic serum nephritis resulted in heavy proteinuria (161 ± 36 mg/24 hr) (P Aggravation d'une glomerulonephrite experimentale par hypertension par clip surajoutee. Afin d'evaluer un effet d'accentuation possible de l'hypertension sur les caracteristiques cliniques et morphologiques des glomerulonephrites, une hypertension par clip sur les deux reins (CH) a ete surajoutee a une forme moderee de nephrite serique nephrotoxique (NSN) chez des rats Sprague-Dawley. Les parametres suivants ont ete evalues regulierement pendant 6 mois: la pression arterielle (BP), le poids du coeur, la proteinurie (UpV), et la morphologie renale. Les pressions arterielles et les poids cardiaques se sont eleves de facon egale dans les nephrites seriques nephrotoxiques combinees a l'hypertension par clip. Alors qu'une proteinurie moderee etait apparue lors de la nephrite serique nephrotoxique (49 ± 28 mg/24 hr), ou de l'hypertension par clip seules (40 ± 22 mg/24 hr), la superposition de l'hypertension par clip a la nephrite serique nephrotoxique a entraine une proteinurie massive (161 ± 36 mg/24 hr) (P
A-Esterase Activities of Milk From Cows with Experimentally Induced Mastitis

Abstract Variations in CMT (California Mastitis Test), cell count, catalase, chloride, and A-esterase levels following the inoculation of normal lactating quarters of two cows with varying numbers of α β hemolytic staphylococci (previously isolated from a cow with mastitis) are described. Since the organism did not produce as strong a response as desired, the quarters were reinfected three times during the 17-day experimental period. Infusions of sterile broth into the two control quarters of Cows 506 and 583 did not affect A-esterase levels. Infusions of varying levels of α β hemolytic staphylococci into the three remaining quarters of each of the two cows generally resulted in a marked increase in A-esterase activity within a 12-hr period, followed by a gradual decline. Similar patterns of change were also observed for catalase and cell counts. Coefficients of correlation between A-esterase and the four other tests were: A-esterase×CMT = 0.69, n=192 individual samples tested; A-esterase×cell counts=0.78, n=188; A-esterase×catalase = 0.80, n=192; and A-esterase×chloride = 0.60, n=192.
Materials selection and residual solvent retention in biodegradable electrospun fibers

Electrospun tissue engineering scaffolds pro- vide mechanical support to seeded cells that populate the structure while depositing specific extracellular matrix com- ponents. The potent sterilizing agent 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro- 2-propanol (HFIP) is often used in electrospinning investi- gations involving biologically-derived polymers. Surpris- ingly, there has been no study of solvent retention versus composition even though materials selection should influ- ence organic solvent content. We developed a method quantifying HFIP retention following electrospinning of gel- atin, polycaprolactone (PCL), and PCL-gelatin blends using electro-spray mass spectroscopy. The acetone content of ace- tone-spun PCL was also established. Pure gelatin fiber con- tained as much as 1600 ppm of HFIP. In contrast, little ace- tone or HFIP was detected in 100% PCL. Gelatin clearly has a greater affinity for HFIP than PCL and materials selection has a strong influence on the amount of retained solvent. Vacuum 1 heat treatment at 37 and 458C reduced (HFIP) to 10 and 5.6 ppm, respectively, levels having no demon- strated effects on mammalian cell viability. 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 107: 1547-1554, 2008
Introduction to nutrition and oral health

Nutrition is vital to human growth, development, and life maintenance and, as such, is also important to oral health. Dietary nutrients include carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. This article reviews these nutrients, their functions and sources, and how they relate to oral health and disease. Concepts about which the oral health care provider must be aware in order to counsel patients regarding the impact of diet on oral health and toward healthy lifestyle choices are discussed.
Rare-earth trishexafluoroacetylacetonates and related compounds☆

Abstract Rare-earth trishexafluoroacetylacetonates, Ln(hfac)3·nH2O, have been prepared and characterized by chemical analyses, infra-red spectra, and X-ray powder diffraction patterns. Two series of hydrates exist: Ln(hfac)3·3H2O (Ln = LaNd) and Ln(hfac)3·2H2O (Ln = LaLu). No evidence for a lower hydrate was found. A mixed ligand chelate, Ln(hfac)2CF3CO2·2H2O, is a byproduct of the tris chelate preparations. Several series of salts were also prepared, including NH4Ln (hfac)4·nH2O (n = 0 and 1 for Ln = LaNd; n = 0 for Ln = SmLu), pyHLn(hfac)4·nH2O (n = 0 and 1 for Ln = LnNd; n = 0 for Ln = SmLu), and (pyH)2Ln(hfac)5 (Ln = LaNd). Ln(hfac)3·3H2O. NH4Ln(hfac)4·H2O, and pyHLn(hfac)4·H2O are reversibly converted with great ease to Ln(hfac)3·2H2O, NH4Ln(hfac)4, and pyHLn(hfac)4, respectively. Most of the chelates studied are probably eight-co-ordinate, including Ln(hfac)3·3H2O, NH4Ln(hfac)4·H2O, and pyHLn(hfac)4·H2O, but (pyH)2Ln(hfac)5 may be ten-co-ordinate.
A model for the silver–zinc battery during high rates of discharge

Abstract A transient one-dimensional mathematical model is developed and used to study the performance and thermal behavior of the silver–zinc cell during discharge. The model considers the negative (zinc) electrode, separator, and positive (silver) electrode and describes the simultaneous electrochemical reactions in the positive electrode, mass transfer limitations, and heat generation. Changes in porosity and electrolyte composition due to electrochemical reactions, local reaction rates, diffusion, and migration of electrolyte are reported. Emphasis is placed on understanding the movement of the reaction front in the negative electrode during discharge and its correlation to the useful capacity of the cell. The sensitivity of this capacity to changes in the values of initial electrolyte, exchange current densities, and tortuosity are presented. It is shown that under certain conditions, in a system employing 25% KOH as the electrolyte, the useful capacity of the cell could be limited to 55.6% of its rated capacity when the discharge rate is increased from 1C to 2C. The temperature rise in a single cell was predicted and observed to agree with the experimental values.
Compensation networks to improve performance of Non-Foster circuits

Non-Foster circuits (NFC) can be implemented with negative impedance converters (NIC) and/or Inverters (NII). This class of active circuits can violate Foster's Reactance Theorem, which is applicable to passive lossless circuits, and produce a reactance that has a negative slope with frequency. NFC are usually implemented with active transistor-based circuits. Non-Foster impedance circuit components can be very attractive for microwave and antenna applications since they are not restricted by the gain-bandwidth product. However, there are many issues involved in the design of these circuits, including stability, losses, linearity, and achieving higher operating frequencies into the gigahertz range.
PARTIAL CHARACTERIZATION OF THE AUXILIARY FACTORS INVOLVED IN APOLIPOPROTEIN B MRNA EDITING THROUGH APOBEC-1 AFFINITY CHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract APOBEC-1-catalyzed apolipoprotein B (apoB) mRNA editing requires auxiliary factors, but the number and functions of these factors are unknown. We have partially purified the editing activity from extracts of a McArdle cell line overexpressing His6-hemagglutinin-tagged, rat APOBEC-1 using metal-chelating affinity chromatography. The 1,200-fold purification achieved by this approach was partially dependent on exogenously added RNA containing a mooring sequence for editosome assembly. Affinity-purified editing activity could be separated by 300 mm NaCl extraction into two fractions, a salt-resistant fraction (editing fraction 1; EF1) and a salt-soluble fraction (EF2). Neither EF1 nor EF2 alone could edit apoB RNA, but when added together they reconstituted full editing activity. Previously identified candidate auxiliary factors including the p66/p44 apoB RNA binding proteins and the presumptive editosome assembly factor p240 were all present in the affinity-purified editing complex. Moreover, virtually all of p66, p240, and APOBEC-1 were present in EF1, whereas p44 was quantitatively recovered in EF2. This is the first demonstration that p66 and p44 can bind to apoB RNA independently of one another. In addition, 100- and 55-kDa apoB RNA cross-linking proteins have been identified in the APOBEC-1 affinity-purified material. RNA competition studies demonstrated that p100, p66, and p55 bound selectively to apoB RNA, whereas p44 had general RNA cross-linking characteristics. The data underscore the multiplicity of auxiliary factors potentially involved in apoB RNA editing and suggest an editosome far more complicated than may have been previously appreciated.
The effect of stimulus familiarization procedure on paired-associate verbal learning

Ss were familiarized with stimulus words under either of two conditions: aimed at differentiating stimuli or creating associations to them. When the stimuli were used in a paired-associate task, Ss who attended to differentiating stimulus properties performed better than Ss who formed associations to the stimuli or Ss who had no pretraining. Ss who formed associations did not differ in learning from Ss without pretraining.
Product Labeling and Economic Value of Milk Market Segmentation

Abstract This study explores the economic benefit from labeling milk and milk products and its impact on the supply and demand for fluid milk. The empirical estimate measures the economic value of milk market segmentation based on consumers' willingness to pay for hormonefree milk. The study uses survey data from Kansas households and applied a Probit model for willingness-to-pay and an ordinary least square model for demand analysis. The empirical results show that as long as consumers are willing to pay a higher price for bSTfree milk society would benefit from milk market segmentation.
Intrinsic neuromuscular defects in the neurogenic bladder. VII. Neurohistochemistry of the somatically denervated male feline rhabdosphincter

We have shown previously by electron microscopy that somatomotor denervation of the male feline rhabodsphincter by bilateral sacral ventral rhizotomy leads to early loss of cholinergic axons innervating its end-plates, and to its eventual purely autonomic reinnervation by cholinergic and adrenergic axons. The present study was conducted to find out if these ultrastructural changes can be demonstrated histochemically, and whether any histochemical changes can be observed in the denervated side of the rhabodsphincter following unilateral sacral ventral rhizotomy. The material used included four normal, ten bilaterally rhizotomized, and nine unilaterally rhizotomized male cats. Specimens of the rhabdosphincter were obtained at various intervals after operation, and processed-together with normal material-for acetylcholinesterase in cholinergic autonomic nerves and motor end-plates, and norepinephrine in adrenergic nerves. Two weeks after bilateral sacral rhizotomy, there were no detectable changes in either cholinergic or adrenergic elements. Eight to ten weeks postoperatively, however, there was considerable reduction or loss of staining of motor end-plates, plus an obvious increase in the adrenergic nerve population. No changes in either cholinergic or adrenergic elements were observed 4–10 weeks after unilateral sacral ventral rhizotomy. It is concluded that neurohistochemistry is of value in detecting long-term but not short-term changes in the somatically denervated rhabdosphincter, and is of no value in revealing any changes that may occur in the denervated side of a unilaterally rhizotomized rhabdosphincter.
Surface Charge of Variable Porosity Al2O3(s) and SiO2(s) Adsorbents

The surface charge properties of two SiO2 and three Al2O3 mineral adsorbents with varying degrees of framework porosity were investigated using discontinuous titration and ion adsorption methodologies. Points of zero net charge (p.z.n.c) for porous and non-porous SiO2 were 7. Variation of surface charge density with aqueous proton concentration was nearly identical within a mineral type (i.e., SiO2 or Al2O3) irrespective of the degree of framework porosity, indicating that the densities of dissociable surface sites are equivalent, when normalized to surface area. The results suggest that the use of titration methods alone may be insufficient for thorough surface charge characterization, particularly at low and high pH. Proton titrations should be coupled with concurrent ion adsorption measurements to confirm surface charge development. Discontinuous proton titration and ion adsorption data, which were in agreement in the slightly acidic through slightly basic pH range, both indicated that p.z.n.c. was equal to the point of zero net proton charge (p.z.n.p.c.) for the variable charge minerals investigated.
Palestinians in film: Representing and being represented in the cinematic struggle for national identity

The Israeli‐Palestinian conflict has frequently been the focus of Western‐produced documentary films, which seek to explain the core of the problem. Claims to a truthful representation of reality have traditionally been linked to a parallel assumption of ethnographic authority over Palestinians who, unlike Israelis, had until recently little access to filmic means of representation. Through a number of documentaries, produced by both Palestinians and non‐Palestinians, the paper analyzes the crucial impact of the Intifadah on the development of local media in the Occupied Territories. The paper argues that by taking up film and ethnographic techniques as they had been developed in the West, documentaries produced by Palestinians have successfully generated alternative views of the conflict.
Aneurysms in the Left Ventricular Outflow Tract: Clinical Presentation, Causes, and Echocardiographic Features

We present a descriptive compendium of anatomically interrelated aneurysms and aneurysmal-like structures arising in and around the left ventricular outflow tract. Images selected from the Mayo Clinic echocardiography database illustrate classic or typical examples of each entity. Essential morphologic features of each lesion are described. Clinical presentation, causes, and diagnostic echocardiographic features taken together can improve recognition and clinical management of this diverse group of anomalies.
Large-deformation tests and total-Lagrangian finite-element analyses of flexible beams

Presented here is a total-Lagrangian displacement-based finite-element formulation for general anisotropic beams undergoing large displacements and rotations. The theory fully accounts for geometric nonlinearities (large rotations), general initial curvatures, and extensionality by using Jaumann stress and strain measures, an exact coordinate transformation, and a new concept of orthogonal virtual rotations. Moreover, transverse shear deformations are accounted for by using a first-order shear-deformation theory. To verify the accuracy of the finite-element model, two test fixtures have been built for bending and twisting experiments. Large static deformation tests of beams with different loading conditions have been performed. The finite-element results agree closely with the experimental results and numerically exact solutions obtained by using a multiple shooting method to solve for post-buckling deformations of highly flexible beams undergoing large static rotations and displacements in three-dimensional space.
Competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae: organization of a regulatory locus with homology to two lactococcin A secretion genes

Abstract Regulation of competence for genetic transformation in Streptococcus pneumoniae involves the comAB locus and a small extracellular protein, the competence factor (CF). The comA or comB mutations block both spontaneous competence induction and elaboration of CF, yet permit induction of competence by added CF and subsequent transformation at normal levels. Sequence and genetic studies showed that the com locus comprised the comA and comB genes, encoding 77- and 50-kDa proteins, respectively, and demonstrated that they were closely flanked by genes and DNA not required for competence regulation. In-frame deletion of comA demonstrated that the translation product of this gene is required for normal competence regulation; deletion-replacement mutations showed that no com gene lay in the 0.2-kb gap between comB and purC or within 2.5 kb upstream from comA. Strong sequence similarities (51–59% identities) showed that ComA and the proteins, PdcD and LcnC, which act in the secretion of pediocin A-1 and lactococcin A, respectively, form a subfamily within the large ABC-transporter protein family. ComB was found to be homologous to a single known protein, LcnD, required for secretion of the peptide antibiotic lactococcin A. Thus, the comAB locus displays homology to two lactococcin A secretion genes, but is devoid of additional linked com genes. The results suggest that the mechanism for CF production is similar to that for the small peptide bacteriocins, lactococcin A and pediocin A-1, but that its genetic organization is unusual in being split into at least two separate operons.
High flux nanofiltration membranes based on interfacially polymerized polyamide barrier layer on polyacrylonitrile nanofibrous scaffolds

Abstract Electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous scaffold was used as a mid-layer support in a new kind of high flux thin film nanofibrous composite (TFNC) membranes for nanofiltration (NF) applications. The top barrier layer was produced by interfacial polymerization of polyamides containing different ratios of piperazine and bipiperidine. The filtration performance (i.e., permeate flux and rejection) of TFNC membranes based on electrospun PAN nanofibrous scaffold was compared with those of conventional thin film composite (TFC) membranes consisting of (1) a commercial PAN ultrafiltration (UF) support with the same barrier layer coating and (2) two kinds of commercial NF membranes (i.e., NF90 and NF270 from Dow Filmtec). The nanofiltration test was carried out by using a divalent salt solution (MgSO 4 , 2000 ppm) and a cross-flow filtration cell. The results indicated that TFNC membranes exhibited over 2.4 times more permeate flux than TFC membranes with the same chemical compositions, while maintaining the same rejection rate (ca. 98%). In addition, the permeate flux of hand-cast TFNC membranes was about 38% higher than commercial NF270 membrane with the similar rejection rate.
Correlating dynamic segregation of self-consolidating concrete to the slump-flow test

Abstract The three key characteristics of self-consolidating concrete are flowability, segregation resistance and passing ability. Quality control of flowability is typically predicted by the final diameter ( D F ) of the slump-flow test. In this study, the time required to reach the final diameter ( T F ) of the slump-flow test is correlated to dynamic segregation for mixes with a constant D F and aggregate-to-binder ratio. Segregation was determined by measuring the radial aggregate distribution from the slump-flow test. It was demonstrated that increasing the T F improved dynamic segregation resistance. It was also found that the T F was more indicative of viscosity than the time to reach a diameter of 50 cm ( T 50 ).
Internalized Sexual Minority Stressors and Same-Sex Intimate Partner Violence

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a serious problem in both same-sex and heterosexual relationships. Although there are numerous similarities in the dynamics of IPV, gay men and lesbians experience unique stressors related to their sexual minority status. This preliminary, descriptive study examined the relationship among internalized homophobia, stigma consciousness, and openness to self-reported IPV victimization and perpetration. Among 581 men and lesbians, approximately one-quarter reported IPV victimization and almost 10% reported IPV perpetration. When demographic variables of age, sex of participant, and relationship status were controlled, victims of IPV reported greater expectations of prejudice and discrimination, yet were more open about their sexual orientation. Similarly, expectations of prejudice and discrimination were related to IPV perpetration. As researchers and counselors focus on understanding, and ultimately reducing, same-sex IPV, it is imperative that sexual minority stressors are considered.
High dose cyclophosphamide preferentially targets naïve T (CD45/CD4/RA+) cells in CIDP and MS patients.

Abstract Introduction T cells occupy a central role in MS and CIDP pathogenesis. High dose cyclophosphamide's in-vivo cytotoxic-effect on circulating memory and naive T cells is unknown. Method Three MS and five CIDP patients received cyclophosphamide (200 mg/kg) for refractory disease. Before and after chemotherapy administration, peripheral blood T-cell subsets were determined. Patients underwent serial neurologic evaluations quarterly. Results Cyclophosphamide uniformly decreased clinical disease activity. Compared to memory T cells, naive T cells were preferentially eradicated. Discussion Cyclophosphamide effectiveness in autoimmune illness may result from Naive T-cell destruction, as this compartment may be the source of autoreactive lymphocytes.
The C. elegans Touch Response Facilitates Escape from Predacious Fungi

Summary Predator-prey interactions are vital determinants in the natural selection of behavioral traits. Gentle touch to the anterior half of the body of Caenorhabditis elegans elicits an escape response in which the animal quickly reverses and suppresses exploratory head movements [1, 2]. Here, we investigate the ecological significance of the touch response in predator-prey interactions between C. elegans and predacious fungi that catch nematodes using constricting hyphal rings. We show that the constricting rings of Drechslerella doedycoides catch early larval stages with a diameter similar to the trap opening. There is a delay between the ring entry and ring closure, which allows the animal to withdraw from the trap before being caught. Mutants that fail to suppress head movements in response to touch are caught more efficiently than the wild-type. This demonstrates that the coordination of motor programs allows C. elegans to smoothly retract from a fungal noose and evade capture. Our results suggest that selective pressures imposed by predacious fungi have shaped the evolution of C. elegans escape behavior. Video Abstract
On an invariance property of acoustic waveguides

The acoustic power transmitted by a variable-area duct section which carries a steady subsonic flow is investigated under the conditions of both upstream- and downstream-propagating incident plane waves. It is found that the ratio of the power transmitted by incident waves moving against the flow to the power transmitted by incident waves moving with the flow is equal to the ratio of the difference between the Mach number and unity to the square of the sum of the Mach number and unity.
Development of a Stratified Ceiling Layer in the Early Stages of a Closed-Room Fire

A simple analytical model has been developed to determine the time required for a room to fill with products of combustion from a small fire. The room is assumed to be closed except for small openings at either the floor or ceiling level and the assumption is made that the leak is large enough to allow the transient pressure term in the energy equation to be neglected. Products of combustion are assumed to occupy a layer next to the ceiling and the model predicts the growth of the thickness and the mean density of this layer as a function of time. The analysis shows that times required to fill a typical room are small. For example, a typical bedroom fills with products from a 20 kW fire in several minutes. The time required to fill a room and the mean density of ceiling layer are determined in terms of fire size, room geometry, leak position, fire elevation and geometry.
"Craziness" and "visions": experiences after a stroke.

For a stroke victim there may be at least three types of strange occurrences: incorrect saying, seeing, and thinking. To the patient only the third seems to be "crazy". After a stroke (left hemisphere), which mainly produced serious aphasia, I (the patient) felt crazy two or three times when someone said something I expected him to say. On the other hand, my initial aphasic "gibberish speech" and an occasional false vision did not seem crazy. In my case the vision is always a car or a child, seen on my extreme right, where I am otherwise blind from the stroke. I am always driving when it happens; in recent years this phenomenon occurs when I am tired or tense, or the light is poor. These rapid visions do not seem insane but merely physical problems in my eyes, much like ordinary people's dreams.
A Practical Approach to Pulmonary Risk Assessment in the Radiotherapy of Lung Cancer

The risk of lung injury is a significant limiting factor in the use of thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer. Given the high mortality and local failure rates in patients with unresectable lung cancer, a goal has been to increase the dose to the tumor as much as possible while trying to limit the damage to normal tissue. Efforts have been made to predict the risks for lung injury pretreatment, based on the planned dose and volume of lung treated, with mixed results. Complicating factors include performance status, underlying medical conditions, possible genetic predisposition to injury, and tumor location-associated changes in lung function. Much as a thoracic surgeon stratifies a patient’s risk for pulmonary morbidity before resection, radiation oncologists should perform an assessment of patient specific factors that will impact on the potential toxicity of a given course of treatment. We present a proposed approach to the evaluation, risk assessment, and follow-up of patients treated with thoracic radiotherapy for lung cancer.
On the role of diapirism in the, segregation, ascent and final emplacement of granitoid magmas

Only bodies of magma with a high crystal content and partially molten (crustal) country rocks can ascend as diapirs; once such an envelope is pierced, the diapiric ascent of the pluton is arrested by the high viscosity of a solid aureole. Deformation by shortening of the carapace of these bodies may lead to the expulsion of a magma with a relatively low crystal content, which may then continue ascent via fractures and dykes. The details of the mechanisms of granitoid magma segregation are still unknown, but it appears that many magmas hegin their ascent through the crust as mushes with at least 50% melt, and that such magmas are rheologically able to ascend through a thickness of crust. This ascent mechanism explains the dearth of structures attributable to the ascent of granitoids, in contrast to the abundance of structures that developed during their final emplacement. When a magma becomes too crystalline (melt < 25%) to continue its ascent via dykes, it is immobilised. At approximately this stage, a hydrous magma may become saturated with water and release fluids into the aureole, making it particularly susceptible to deformation. Magma that continues to arrive at this level is also immobilised, and the pluton grows as a ballooning diapir. These characteristically deform themselves and their aureoles by bulk shortening. Magmas that are able to ascend to shallow depths, largely by virtue of lower water contents and higher initial temperatures, tend to become finally accommodated by such brittle processes as stoping and cauldron subsidence. High level intrusions lend to be tabular, are also fed by dykes or conduits, and assemble in tabular batholiths.
Normal Parameters for an Analytic Description of the Cosmic Microwave Background Cosmological Parameter Likelihood

The normal parameters are a nonlinear transformation of the cosmological parameters whose likelihood function is very well approximated by a normal distribution. This transformation serves as an extreme form of data compression, allowing for practically instantaneous calculation of the likelihood of any given model, as long as the model is in the parameter space originally considered. The compression makes all the information about cosmological parameter constraints from a given set of experiments available in a usable manner. Here we explicitly define the normal parameters that work for the current cosmic microwave background (CMB) data and give their mean and covariance matrix, which best fit the likelihood function calculated by the Monte Carlo Markov chain method. Along with standard parameter estimation results, we propose that future CMB parameter analyses define normal parameters and quote their mean and covariance matrix.
Cabibbo angle and rotation projection

The hadron Hamiltonian for strong and nonleptonic weak interactions is regarded as a function of the Cabibbo angle, evolving from a primitive''initial condition'' (in which weak and strong hypercharge are identical) to its physical value by a rotation projection. Various existing determninations of the Cabibbe angle are reproduced and a new one is calculated, with good numerical results for an initial condition in which chiral SU(2) is broken only by an octet term in the electromagnetic direction. (auth)
A Critical Pedagogy Approach for Engaging Urban Youth in Mobile App Development in an After-School Program

To understand the digital divide as a matter of social justice, I identify access to computational fluency as a civil rights issue. “Access” refers to material as well as social resources, including meaningful learning opportunities that create the conditions for urban youth to engage in computational thinking. In this article, I explore how a critical pedagogical approach facilitates the engagement of urban youth in a mobile app development project within an after-school program. Drawing on field notes and video data over a semester-long project, I provide qualitative reflections on student engagement using the theoretical perspective of situated cognition. Findings reveal that the affordances of critical pedagogy for student engagement include the opportunity to situate computational activity within a sociopolitical context, as well as an allowance for multiple pathways into meaningful participation.
The effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training on neuromuscular fatigue and muscle function

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of beta-alanine supplementation and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on electromyographic fatigue threshold (EMGFT) and efficiency of electrical activity (EEA). A total of 46 men completed four, 2-min work bouts on a cycle ergometer. Using bipolar surface electrodes, the EMG amplitude was averaged and plotted over the 2-min. The resulting slopes were used to calculate EMGFT and EEA. Following initial testing, all participants were randomly assigned to either placebo (PL; n = 18), beta-alanine (BA; n = 18) or control groups (CON; n = 10). Following randomization, participants engaged in 6 weeks of HIIT training. Significant improvements in EMGFT and EEA resulted for both training groups. In conclusion, HIIT appeared to be the primary stimulus effecting EMGFT or EEA, suggesting adaptations from HIIT may be more influential than increasing skeletal muscle carnosine levels on delaying fatigue in recreationally active men.
Attitudes of radiology residents toward personal computing: Results of a survey

Rationale and Objectives. The authors' purpose was to evaluate radiology residents' assessment of their own computer skills for potential development of computer training in a residency curriculum. Methods. The authors conducted a survey to evaluate the attitudes of radiology residents concerning personal computing. Surveys were completed by 136 radiology residents from six academic institutions. Results. Sixty percent of residents surveyed considered themselves to be computer literate and 93% would like further computer training. Fifty-six percent had a computer at home and 9% had a laptop. Almost all residents had access to a computer at work. Word processing and medical literature searches were the most common computer tasks performed by residents. Image processing was the least common task performed. Although all hospitals surveyed were connected to the Internet, only 26% of residents used the Internet and 14% used Internet teaching files. Most residents expressed a preference for self-paced, on-line evening training sessions. Conclusion. Most radiology residents believed they possessed adequate computer skills. This proportion has markedly increased over that found in previous surveys. Radiology residents desire and could likely benefit from computer training included as part of the residency curriculum.
Design and performance of a parachute for supersonic and subsonic recovery of an 800-lb payload

The design and development of a parachute system to recover an 800-lb test payload flying at both supersonic and subsonic speeds are presented. Performance data from full-scale flight tests for several parachute configurations were used to define an acceptable parachute system and to gain insight into which design parameters are most critical for supersonic parachute design. The suspension line length, canopy configuration, and forebody wake have a major effect upon parachute performance and stability. A tractor rocket was used to deploy this parachute system successfully at all deployment speeds.
Heart rate in yoga asana practice: A comparison of styles

Summary Yoga is often recommended for stress relief, yet some of the more fitness-oriented styles of yoga can be vigorous forms of exercise. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in heart rate during the physical practice of yoga postures, breathing exercises, and relaxation. Sixteen participants were led through three different styles of yoga asana practice. Polar S610 heart rate monitors were used to measure one minute average heart rates throughout each session. Repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that there was a significant difference ( P 0.05 ) in heart rate between astanga yoga ( M = 95 , SD=12.84) and the other two styles, but not between the hatha ( M = 80 , SD=9.32) and gentle ( M = 74 , SD=7.41) yoga styles. These results indicate that there may be different fitness benefits for different styles of yoga practice.
BILIRUBIN ASSOCIATED ABNORMALITIES OF THE AUDITORY BRAINSTEM RESPONSE IN AN INFANT RHESUS MONKEY MODEL

Neonatal bilirubin toxicity (kernicterus) frequently results in deafness. The auditory brainstem response (ABR) has used as a hearing screening tool for newborns. We studied the potential usefulness of the ABR for detecting neonatal bilirubin toxicity using a rhesus monkey infant model.