cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A rapid and highly sensitive UPLC-ESI-MS/MS method for the analysis of the fatty acid profile of edible vegetable oils.

Abstract The analysis of the fatty acid profile of triglycerides has long played a central role in the evaluation and classification of edible vegetable oils. However, the range of analytical procedures available to evaluate these profiles remains limited and are typically based on transesterification of the triglyceride fatty acid residues to methyl esters, followed by capillary gas–liquid chromatography (GC) coupled with flame ionization or mass spectrometry detection. Although robust and long-proven, these analytical methods tend to entail long chromatographic runs and are relatively insensitive. In order to expand the range of available techniques for the analysis of the fatty acid profile of triglycerides in vegetable oils, we report herein a novel method based upon a rapid and straightforward transesterification of the triglycerides with dimethylaminoethanol under alkaline conditions, followed by a “dilute-and-shoot” analysis by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray tandem mass spectrometry. The chromatographic analysis is accomplished in 1.5 min, affording a high throughput of samples compared to techniques based upon GC approaches. The method performance was assessed intra- and inter-day with 10 representative saturated and unsaturated fatty acids ranging from C8 to C18 and afforded fatty acid profile accuracies of 93–108% and imprecisions of only 0.3–2.0%. The limit of quantification of the method, estimated as the minimum amount of derivatized oil sample capable of affording less than 20% accuracy and precision error was determined to be approximately 0.5 pg on-column, making this new method potentially valuable for fields where high sensitivity, precision, and accuracy may be required, such as in toxicology studies, forensics, archeology, or art analysis.
Low Cost Portable UV-C Systems

From multi-photon to single molecule, the past several decades have witnessed a revolution in fluorescent microscopy. These techniques have revealed the inner working of cells and tissue and have relied on symbiotic advances in advanced molecular probes, light emitting molecules and particles, and novel instrumentation. More recently, researchers have begun to develop functional nanomaterials or materials that can response to their environment. In this talk, I will discuss some of our recent work in developing functional imaging agents for multi-wavelength and multi-photon live-cell imaging, focusing on recent molecular designs performed using density functional theory as well as in vitro studies.
Understudied, underrepresented, and unknown: Methodological biases that limit detection of early diverging fungi from environmental samples.

Metabarcoding is an important tool for understanding fungal communities. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) rDNA is the accepted fungal barcode but has known problems. The large subunit (LSU) rDNA has also been used to investigate fungal communities but available LSU metabarcoding primers were mostly designed to target Dikarya (Ascomycota + Basidiomycota) with little attention to early diverging fungi (EDF). However, evidence from multiple studies suggests that EDF comprise a large portion of unknown diversity in community sampling. Here, we investigate how DNA marker choice and methodological biases impact recovery of EDF from environmental samples. We focused on one EDF lineage, Zoopagomycota, as an example. We evaluated three primer sets (ITS1F/ITS2, LROR/LR3, and LR3 paired with new primer LR22F) to amplify and sequence a Zoopagomycota mock community and a set of 146 environmental samples with Illumina MiSeq. We compared two taxonomy assignment methods and created an LSU reference database compatible with AMPtk software. The two taxonomy assignment methods recovered strikingly different communities of fungi and EDF. Target fragment length variation exacerbated PCR amplification biases and influenced downstream taxonomic assignments, but this effect was greater for EDF than Dikarya. To improve identification of LSU amplicons we performed phylogenetic reconstruction and illustrate the advantages of this critical tool for investigating identified and unidentified sequences. Our results suggest much of the EDF community may be missed or misidentified with "standard" metabarcoding approaches and modified techniques are needed to understand the role of these taxa in a broader ecological context.
Measurement of Pharyngeal Air Pressure During Phonation Using High-Resolution Manometry

Purpose The study of air pressure in the vocal tract is essential to understanding vocal function. Changes in vocal tract shape during different phonatory gestures are hypothesized to produce nonun...
Understanding low treatment seeking rates for alcohol use disorder: A narrative review of the literature and opportunities for improvement

Despite a well-documented global burden of disease attributable to alcohol use disorder (AUD), treatment seeking rates remain low. In this qualitative literature review, we address treatment seekin...
Treatment dropout among veterans and their families: Quantitative and qualitative findings.

BACKGROUND Psychotherapy noncompletion rates for veterans and their families are high. This study sought to (a) measure noncompletion rates of such patients at a university-based treatment center, (b) compare veteran and family member attrition rates, (c) identify dropout predictors, and (d) explore clinicians' perspectives on treatment noncompletion. METHOD Using quantitative and qualitative approaches, we analyzed demographic and clinical characteristics of 141 patients (90 military veterans; 51 family members) in a university treatment center. We defined dropout as not completing the time-limited therapy contract. Reviewing semistructured interview data assessing clinicians' perspectives on their patients' dropout, three independent raters agreed on key themes, with interrater coefficient kappa range .74 to 1. RESULTS Patient attrition was 24%, not differing significantly between veterans and family members. Diagnosis of major depression (MDD) and exposure-based therapies predicted noncompletion, as did higher baseline Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) total scores, severe depression (HDRS > 20), lack of Beck Depression Inventory weekly improvement, and history of military sexual trauma. Clinicians mostly attributed noncompletion to patient difficulties coping with intense emotions, especially in exposure-based therapies. CONCLUSION Noncompletion rate at this study appeared relatively low compared to other veteran-based treatment centers, if still unfortunately substantial. Patients with comorbid MDD/PTSD and exposure-based therapies carried greater noncompletion risk due to the MDD component, and this should be considered in treatment planning. Ongoing discussion of dissatisfaction and patient discontinuation, in the context of a strong therapeutic alliance, might reduce noncompletion in this at-risk population. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved).
Continuous seizure emergency evoked in mice with pharmacological, electrographic, and pathological features distinct from status epilepticus

OBJECTIVES Benzodiazepines are the standard of care for the management of sustained seizure emergencies, including status epilepticus (SE) and seizure clusters. Seizure clusters are a variably defined seizure emergency wherein a patient has multiple seizures above a baseline rate, with intervening periods of recovery, distinguishing clusters from SE. Although these seizure emergencies are phenotypically distinct, the precise pathophysiological and mechanistic differences between SE and seizure clusters are understudied. Emergency-specific preclinical models may differentiate the behavioral and pathological mechanisms that are acutely associated with seizure emergencies and seizure termination to better manage these events. METHODS Herein we characterize a novel model of sustained seizure emergency induced in CF-1 mice through the combined administration of high-dose phenytoin (PHT; 50 mg/kg, i.p.) and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ; 100 mg/kg, s.c.). RESULTS We presently describe a mouse model of sustained seizure emergency that is pathologically, pharmacologically, and behaviorally distinct from SE. Acute administration of PHT 1 h prior to PTZ led to significantly more mice with unremitting continuous seizure activity (CSA; 73.4%) vs vehicle-pretreated mice (13.8%; p < .0001). CSA was sensitive to lorazepam and valproic acid when administered at seizure onset and 30 minutes later. Carbamazepine worsened seizure control and post-CSA survival. Mice in CSA exhibited electroencephalography (EEG) patterns distinct from kainic acid-induced SE and PTZ alone, clearly differentiating CSA from SE and PTZ-induced myoclonic seizures. Neuropathological assessment by Fluoro-Jade C staining of brains collected 24 h post-CSA revealed no neurodegeneration in any mouse that underwent CSA, whereas there was widespread neuronal death in brains from KA-SE mice. Finally, immunohistochemistry revealed acute seizure-induced astrogliosis (glial fibrillary acid protein; GFAP) in hippocampal structures, whereas hippocampal neuronal nuclei (NeuN) protein expression was only reduced in KA-SE mice. SIGNIFICANCE We present a novel mouse model on which to further elucidate the mechanistic differences between sustained seizure emergencies (ie, SE and seizure clusters) to improve clinical interventions and define mechanisms of seizure termination.
Business Model Innovation in Social Business: An Analysis of Benefit Corporations

Benefit corporations are a business entity essentially is a for-profit business with additional rules and regulations with little regulatory benefit. Benefit corporations do not receive tax breaks, offer no tax benefits for donors, do not have extra opportunities for funding, and receive no preferential treatment in the marketplace. The objective of this study is to analyze entrepreneurial motives for business model innovation of changing business incorporation into a benefit corporation.
Structurally conserved domains between flavivirus and alphavirus fusion glycoproteins contribute to replication and infectious virion production.

Alphaviruses and flaviviruses have class II fusion glycoproteins that are essential for virion assembly and infectivity. Importantly, the tip of domain II is structurally conserved between the alphavirus and flavivirus fusion proteins, yet whether these structural similarities between virus families translate to functional similarities is unclear. Using in vivo evolution of Zika virus (ZIKV), we identified several novel emerging variants including an envelope glycoprotein variant in β-strand c (V114M) of domain II. We have previously shown that the analogous β-strand c and the ij loop, located in the tip of domain II of the alphavirus E1 glycoprotein, are important for infectivity. This led us to hypothesize that flavivirus E β-strand c also contributes to flavivirus infection. We generated this ZIKV glycoprotein variant and found that while it had little impact on infection in mosquitoes, it reduced replication in human cells and mice, and increased virus sensitivity to ammonium chloride, as seen for alphaviruses. In light of these results and given our alphavirus ij loop studies, we mutated a conserved alanine at the tip of the flavivirus ij loop to valine to test its effect on ZIKV infectivity. Interestingly, this mutation inhibited infectious virion production of ZIKV and yellow fever virus, but not West Nile virus. Together, these studies show that shared domains of the alphavirus and flavivirus class II fusion glycoproteins harbor structurally analogous residues that are functionally important and contribute to virus infection in vivo. Importance Arboviruses are a significant global public health threat, yet there are no antivirals targeting these viruses. This problem is in part due to our lack of knowledge on the molecular mechanisms involved in the arbovirus life cycle. In particular, virus entry and assembly are essential processes in the virus life cycle and steps that can be targeted for the development of antiviral therapies. Therefore, understanding common, fundamental mechanisms used by different arboviruses for entry and assembly is essential. In this study, we show that flavivirus and alphavirus residues located in structurally conserved and analogous regions of the class II fusion proteins contribute to common mechanisms of entry, dissemination, and infectious virion production. These studies highlight how class II fusion proteins function and provide novel targets for development of antivirals.
Predicting consumer demand responses to carbon labels

Abstract Providing carbon footprint labels for all food products is a daunting and potentially infeasible project. Knowing how consumers substitute away from high carbon goods and what they choose as substitutes is essential for understanding which goods are likely to result in meaningful reductions in carbon emissions. This paper proposes a model to systematically estimate how consumers will respond to information from a carbon footprint label. Our model uses consumers' value of their individual carbon footprint with own- and cross-price elasticities of demand data on carbon emissions from life cycle analysis to simulate shifts in consumer demand for 42 food products and a non-food composite, and subsequent changes in carbon emissions from different labeling schemes. Our simulation results have several findings, including: (1) carbon labels can reduce emissions, but labeling only some items could lead to perverse impacts where consumers substitute away from labeled goods to unlabeled goods with a higher carbon footprint; (2) carbon labels can inform consumers such that their previous beliefs about carbon footprints matter; and (3) carbon labels on alcohol and meat would achieve the largest decreases in carbon emissions among the 42 food products studied.
Dynamic and geometric analyses of Nudaurelia capensis ω virus maturation reveal the energy landscape of particle transitions

Quasi-equivalent viruses that infect animals and bacteria require a maturation process in which particles transition from initially assembled procapsids to infectious virions. Nudaurelia capensis ω virus (NωV) is a T = 4, eukaryotic, single-stranded ribonucleic acid virus that has proved to be an excellent model system for studying the mechanisms of viral maturation. Structures of NωV procapsids (diameter = 480 A), a maturation intermediate (410 A), and the mature virion (410 A) were determined by electron cryo-microscopy and three-dimensional image reconstruction (cryoEM). The cryoEM density for each particle type was analyzed with a recently developed maximum likelihood variance (MLV) method for characterizing microstates occupied in the ensemble of particles used for the reconstructions. The procapsid and the mature capsid had overall low variance (i.e., uniform particle populations) while the maturation intermediate (that had not undergone post-assembly autocatalytic cleavage) had roughly two to four times the variance of the first two particles. Without maturation cleavage, the particles assume a variety of microstates, as the frustrated subunits cannot reach a minimum energy configuration. Geometric analyses of subunit coordinates provided a quantitative description of the particle reorganization during maturation. Superposition of the four quasi-equivalent subunits in the procapsid had an average root mean square deviation (RMSD) of 3 A while the mature particle had an RMSD of 11 A, showing that the subunits differentiate from near equivalent environments in the procapsid to strikingly non-equivalent environments during maturation. Autocatalytic cleavage is clearly required for the reorganized mature particle to reach the minimum energy state required for stability and infectivity.
Analysis/reduction of residual amplitude modulation in phase/frequency modulation by an EOM

Summary form only given. Frequency modulation (FM) is a powerful tool for sensitive spectroscopy and laser frequency stabilization. The high potential modulation frequency and FM format makes it easier to achieve shot-noise limit detection. Usually the laser frequency is modulated by an external frequency modulator such as an electrooptic modulator (EOM). However to obtain a pure FM signal is not easy because of residual amplitude modulation (RAM) arising by several effects: 1) etalon effects by light scattering within and at surfaces of the EOM crystal; 2) piezo-electric response of the EOM crystal, leading to beam steering and/or spatial position dither; 3) spatial inhomogeneity of modulation field in EOM crystal, leading to angular deviation of the beam and/or impure FM when part of the beam is selected; 4) and temperature dependence of the RAM associated with changes of the EOM crystal's optical path and birefringence. RAM can easily be in the percent domain, and degrades the sensitivity in the FM spectroscopy, and also gives undesirable frequency offsets from the frequency reference. To solve the RAM problem, we measured and analyzed the RAM experimentally. A new active RAM suppression system is suggested.
Error distribution and confidence bounds for recursive estimators in nonlinear state-space models

Consider a nonlinear dynamic system where one wishes to estimate a state vector using noisy measurements. Many algorithms have been proposed to address this problem, among them the extended Kalman filter (and its variants) and constant gain stochastic approximation. To quantify the efficacy of these algorithms, it is necessary to describe the distribution of the state estimation error. Typically, performance has been measured by the estimation error covariance alone, which does not provide enough information to probabilistically quantify the estimation accuracy. By casting the estimation error in an autoregressive form, this paper addresses the broader question of the distribution of the error for a general class of recursive algorithms.
Partial stability of discontinuous dynamical systems under arbitrary initial z-perturbations

In the present paper we establish results for partial stability of invariant sets under arbitrary initial z-perturbations of discontinuous dynamical systems (DDS). We demonstrate the applicability of our results in the analysis of a class of systems subjected to impulse effects.
The Impact of Technology Use in Special Education Field Experience on Preservice Teachers' Perceived Technology Expertise.

This article outlines the results of an exploratory study designed to measure changes in the awareness of preservice teachers concerning technology for students with disabilities. A pretest-posttest survey collected data on (a) awareness of the types of instructional technology available for students with disabilities, (b) ability to integrate technology into the classroom, (c) knowledge of the operation of computers and peripherals, (d) knowledge of technology available for assessment, and (e) extent of dissemination of new knowledge to colleagues. Results of this study indicated that participation in a technology-rich field experience increases the likelihood that preservice special educators will perceive an increase in (a) knowledge concerning the appropriate use of technology for students with disabilities, (b) the use of technology to facilitate student learning, and (c) the use of technology as a teacher tool.
A new modular interpolation algorithm for factoring multivariate polynominals

In this paper we present a technique that uses a new interpolation scheme to reconstruct a multivariate polynomial factorization from a number of univariate factorizations. Whereas other interpolation algorithms for polynomial factorization depend on various extensions of the Hilbert irreducibility theorem, our approach is the first to depend only upon the classical formulation. The key to our technique is the interpolation scheme for multivalued black boxes originally developed by Ar et. al. [1]. We feel that this combination of the classical Hilbert irreducibility theorem and multivalued black boxes provides a particularly simple and intuitive approach to polynomial factorization.
3‐Acetamido‐2‐butanone

3-Acetamido-2-butanone product: 3-acetamido-2-butanone product: 1-phenyl-1-propionamido-2-butanone product: acetamidoacetylacetone product: N-methylacetamidoacetone product: 1-phenyl-2-acetamido-3-butanone product: 1-phenyl-2-propionamido-3-pentanone product: 1-phenyl-2-butyramido-3-hexanone product: α-benzamidopropiophenone product: α-benzamido-β-phenylpropiophenone product: 1-phenyl-1-acetamidoacetone product: 1-phenyl-1-benzamidoacetone product: 1-phenyl-2-benzamido-3-butanone product: 3-benzamido-2-butanone product: 3-acetamido-5-methyl-2-hexanone Keywords: acylation; decarboxylation
Estimating taxonomic durations and preservation probability

Paleontological completeness and stratigraphic ranges depend on extinction rate, origination rate, preservation rate, and the length of the interval of time over which observations can be made. I derive expressions for completeness and the distribution of durations and ranges as functions of these parameters, considering both continuous- and discrete-time models. Previous work has shown that, if stratigraphic ranges can be followed indefinitely forward, and if extinction and preservation occur at stochastically constant rates, then extinction rate and preservability can be estimated from (1) discrete (binned) stratigraphic ranges even if data on occurrences within ranges are unknown, and (2) continuous ranges if the number of occurrences within each range is known. I show that, regardless of whether the window of observation is finite or infinite, extinction and preservation rates can also be estimated from (3) continuous ranges when the number of occurrences is not known, and (4) discrete ranges when the number of occurrences is not known. One previous estimation method for binned data involves a sample-size bias. This is circumvented by using maximum likelihood parameter estimation. It is worth exploiting data on occurrences within ranges when these are available, since they allow preservation rate to be estimated with less variance. The various methods yield comparable parameter estimates when applied to Cambro-Ordovician trilobite species and Cenozoic mammal species. Stratigraphic gaps and variable preservation affect stratigraphic ranges predictably. In many cases, accurate parameter estimation is possible even in the face of these complications. The distribution of stratigraphic ranges can be used to estimate the sizes of gaps if their existence is known.
Service Quality and Customer Satisfaction of the Beauty-Care Service Industry in Dhaka: A Study on High-End Women’s Parlors

The beauty-care service industry is one of the flourishing industries in Dhaka, the capital and largest city, in terms of population density, in Bangladesh. The growing number of beauty-conscious women and their demand for variety of services cater to the growth and importance of this industry. This study aims at measuring the service quality and customer satisfaction level of high-end women’s parlors in Dhaka. Other purposes of this study are to assess the importance of different attributes of customer’s preference, evaluate the service quality level and the extent of customer satisfaction and reveal the final factors that create customer satisfaction. This study includes in-depth interviews of beauticians and executives and question-naire survey of 260 customers of high-end beauty parlors of Dhaka city. The findings show that customers put utmost importance in issues such as the service provider’s behavior, knowledge, environment, counseling system and affordability of the parlors. The customers of the high-end parlors are highly satisfied with the environment, executive’s politeness, com-plaint handling system, trustworthiness and materials. The politeness of the service providers, knowledge level of the executives and safety and hygiene issues are also satisfactory. Factor analysis (Principal Component Analysis) has been carried out by taking sixteen variables and the result indicates that four service quality factors are creating customer satisfac-tion. These factors are Support & Facility Factor, Employee Performance Factor, Customer Relation Factor and Communication Factor.
Rosette formation between chronic T‐lymphocytic leukemia cells and macrophages: A facsimile of normal T‐lymphocyte—macrophage cooperation

Neoplastic T lymphocytes from a patient with chronic T-lymphocytic leukemia formed rosettes with macrophages. It is proposed that this phenomenon represents retention by these abnormal cells of the normal ability of T lymphocytes to associate physically with macrophages. Recognition of rosettes between benign macrophages and leukemia or lymphoma-derived lymphocytes may indicate T-cell lineage of the neoplastic lymphoproliferation.
Communicating results directly to patients: don't ignore the price tag of this added "value".

It is unclear to whom Wilde was alluding. It may have been economists, but certainly not present-day radiologists, who are constantly in search for the seemingly elusive value of their professional existence. Attend any societal meeting, any academic discussion, speak to any radiology resident, and the word value is thrown around effortlessly and frequently, with threat and extinction coming in distant second and third. One of the value-added paradigms is the direct communication of results to patients. This is not without intuitive foundations. In the era of health care reform, radiologists feel aggrieved that imaging is being singled out by Washington as the chief culprit for the exponential cost curve. Washington cares when patients care. Therefore, there can be no more potent advocate than the patient. Yet radiologists remain invisible to the eye. It is a truism that the only time a patient knows his or her interpreting radiologist is when that radiologist’s name appears on a bill for services generated. In the era of ever increasing copayments, this is more likely to engender resentment than goodwill, particularly if a patient cannot associate a face to a name. The study by Kuhlman et al (1) in the current issue of Academic Radiology reaffirms the indifference of patients toward radiologists. This indifference is only partially explained by the general ignorance of the central role radiologists play in the medical decision-making process, a role that seems even more implausible when referring physicians pronounce the results of computed tomographic scans with utmost authority. At the heart of this indifference is the lack of understanding of who radiologists actually are. Are they technicians or medical doctors? Do they perform computed tomographic studies or interpret the examinations? People are never confused as to the role of neurosurgeons or cardiologists.
Nickel-catalyzed regiodivergent approach to macrolide motifs

A strategy for regiochemical reversal of reductive macrocyclizations of aldehydes and terminal alkynes has been developed. Using an advanced synthetic intermediate directed towards the methymycin/neomethymycin class of macrolides, selective endocyclization provides the natural twelve-membered ring series, whereas ligand alteration enables selective exocyclization to provide access to the unnatural eleven-membered ring series. The twelve-membered ring adduct was converted to 10-deoxymethynolide, completing an efficient total synthesis of this natural product.
Highly anti-selective conjugate addition of arylcuprates to a γ-alkoxy-α,β-enoate. a new method to address stereochemical challenges presented by Amaryllidaceae alkaloids

Abstract Various substituted arylcuprates undergo stereocontrolled additions to a d -mannitol-derived γ-alkoxy-α,β-enoate with exclusive anti-selectivity. The method is well suited for the preparation of a broad range of biologically active Amaryllidaceae alkaloids and their aromatic analogues. A model accounting for the stereochemical outcome of this process is presented.
On local time–frequency features of speech and their employment in speaker verification

Abstract Commonly used robust speaker verification systems 1 are based on time-varying autoregressive spectral estimation (AR) combined with hidden Markov modeling (HMM) or dynamic time warping (DTW). An exhaustive optimization of these methods in the past has culminated in quite reliable verification schemes. It seems unlikely, though, that further significant improvements are readily obtained along the same path. While short-time AR-modeling focuses on the time-varying spectral envelope of an utterance, we are introducing a new method that focuses on high-resolution estimates of the time-varying spectral structure of individual pitch periods. The new method employs reduced interference time–frequency distributions (RIDs) in combination with a scale and translation invariant pattern recognition technique (STIR). The new method by itself does not deliver better results than commonly used techniques; however, it is shown that an acceptance/rejection decision derived from both AR-DTW and RID–STIR features greatly improves the performance of the verification system.
Modern Surgical Treatment of Complex Facial Fractures: A 6-Year Review

Abstract:Open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) with refined titanium plates and screws have revolutionized the surgical treatment of complex facial fractures, but its outcome remains relatively unknown. The purpose of this study is to review the results of modern surgical treatment of complex
Studies on messenger RNA from peanut plants: in vitro polyribosome formation and protein synthesis.

Abstract Preparations from cotyledons of unimbibed peanut seed show a low level of amino acid incorporation into protein. Similar preparations from imbibed seed exhibit increased activity. RNA extracted from germinating peanut cotyledons and then eluted after ribosomal RNA on the methylated albumin-kieselguhr (MAK) column had the highest template activity. This fraction stimulates amino acid incorporation into protein in an in vitro system. Isolated messenger RNA binds to monoribosomes obtained from dry seed and the polyribosomes thus produced are active in protein synthesis. It is suggested from these results that native mRNA from peanut cotyledons forms a stable complex with monoribosomes in the presence of Mg2+. The reaction does not require an ATP energy source or 105 000 ×g supernatant enzymes.
Solubility of polymers in supercritical fluids

The phase separation of solutions of monodisperse polystyrene samples of molecular weight 9000 in pure and also binary mixtures ofn-butane andn-pentane has been examined under both subcritical and supercritical conditions over the whole concentration range using a variable-volume view cell capable of operating at up to 100 MPa and 500 K. The phase behavior of these solutions is discussed in terms of the coexistence curves and the theoretical predictions based on the mean-field lattice-gas theory.
The development and pharmacological characterization of calcium channel currents in cultured embryonic rat septal cells.

Abstract We characterized the development and pharmacology of Ca 2+ channel currents in NGF-treated embryonic day 21 cultured rat septal cells. Using standard whole-cell voltage clamp techniques, cells were held at −80 mV and depolarized to construct current–voltage relations in conditions that eliminated Na + or K + currents. Barium (10 mM) was used as the charge carrier. Maximum current was produced when cells were depolarized to 0 or +10 mV. Recordings from 77 cells revealed that Ca 2+ channel current density increases over time in culture from nearly 0 pA/pF on day 2 in vitro (0.65±0.65 pA/pF) to (6.95±1.59 pA/pF) on days 6–8. This was followed by a period where currents became nearly 3 times more dense (21.05±7.16 pA/pF) at days 9–17. There was little or no evidence for low voltage activated currents. Bath application of 50–100 μM CdCl 2 abolished ∼95% of the current. Application of 10 μM nimodipine produced a 50.5±3.22% reduction in current, 2 μM ω-CTx-GVIA produced a 32.4±7.3% reduction, and application of 4 μM ω-Aga-IVA produced a 29.5±5.73% reduction in current. When all three inhibitors (10 μM nimodipine, 2 μM ω-CTx-GVIA, and 4 μM ω-Aga-IVA) were applied simultaneously, a residual current remained that was 18.0±4.9% of the total current and was completely abolished by application of CdCl 2 . This is the first report to characterize Ca 2+ channel currents in cultured embryonic septal cells. These data indicate that there is a steady increase in Ca 2+ channel expression over time in vitro, and show that like other cultured neuronal cells, septal cells express multiple Ca 2+ channel types including L, N, P/Q and R-type channels.
Long‐term occupational lead exposure, chronic nephropathy, and renal cancer: A case report

The case of a 61 -year-old male with repeated episodes of overt clinical lead poisoning and courses of chelation therapy during his 34 years of employment in a secondary lead smelter is presented. Renal function impairment with elevated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen and with markedly reduced glomerular filtration rate was detected several years before the discovery of a clear cell adenocarcinoma of the right kidney. After successful surgical removal of the tumor, the patient's renal function continued its previous trend of slow deterioration.
Factors affecting protoplast electrofusion efficiency.

The electrofusion efficiency of protoplasts isolated from a carrot (Daucus carota) suspension culture was increased by treatment with 0.1 mg/ml lysolecithin, 2.5% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), or 0.5 mM Ca2+. The lysolecithin and DMSO treatments substantially increased protoplast lysis, whereas calcium treatment did not. The enzymes used for protoplast isolation were also found to have a dramatic effect on the efficiency of fusion. A mixture of Cellulysin and Driselase led to a two-fold enhancement of fusion as compared with Driselase alone. The stimulation by Cellulysin appears to be due to enzymatic modification of the cell surface. However, comparison of the time course for wall digestion with the development of susceptibility to electrofusion suggests that the effect of Cellulysin is not simply due to removal of the cell wall. Brief treatment of the cells with pronase or proteinase K also doubled the efficiency of fusion. Taken together, these results indicate that electrofusion efficiency can be enhanced by the method used for protoplast isolation; they also suggest that modification of membrane/cell-surface proteins during protoplast isolation may be particularly important in determining electrofusion efficiencies.
Estimating Seismic Demands for Isolation Bearings with Building Overturning Effects

An earlier procedure that estimates the peak deformation in base-isolated buildings is extended to include overturning and thereby estimate the peak axial forces in individual isolators. Such tools can be used as part of a design procedure to predict and subsequently eliminate bearing tension by modifying the design. The procedure is based on nonlinear response history analysis of an isolated block using an advanced bearing model that incorporates the relation between axial load and bearing response, known as axial-load effects. Rocking of the structure and bearing axial-load effects are found to have little influence on the peak lateral bearing deformation; median response spectra are within 10% of those when rocking is neglected entirely. Furthermore, bearing axial-load effects can usually be neglected in determining the maximum and minimum bearing axial forces; cases are identified where the error in neglecting such effects exceed 10%. Because the structure has been modeled as rigid, the limitations of the procedure should be assessed for superstructure designs that allow significant structural deformation.
Kinematics of the stiff total knee arthroplasty.

The kinematics of 10 total knee replacements with poor flexion (b90°) were compared with 11 replacements with good flexion (N110°) at a mean of 3 years from surgery using optical calibration with implant shape-matching techniques from radiographs taken in standing, early-lunge, and late-lunge positions. There were no significant differences between groups in anteroposterior translation of the medial and lateral femoral condyles or tibial rotation during standing and early lunge. Groups differed in amount of posterior translation of the femoral condyles during late lunge because of the poor-flexion group's inability to achieve the same amount of flexion as the good-flexion group. Poor flexion after total knee arthroplasty, we conclude, is not associated with abnormal kinematics in the setting of well-aligned,
Towards a theory of data structures

A formal idealization of the data structures used in many ''list processing'' languages is defined. It is then shown that under a natural interpretation, these data structures define exactly the context-free languages of automata theory. Then a generalization in the direction of the ''patterns'' of SNOBOL is made. It is observed that this generalization models the ability of SNOBOL patterns to represent noncontext-free languages. Finally, it is shown that under certain restrictions, only context-sensitive languages are represented but that in general noncontext-sensitive languages can occur.
Spectral Gap for a Class of Random Billiards

A random billiard is a random dynamical system similar to an ordinary billiard system except that the standard specular reflection law is replaced with a more general stochastic operator specifying the post-collision distribution of velocities for any given pre-collision velocity. We consider such collision operators for certain random billiards that we call billiards with microstructure. Collisions modeled by these operators can still be thought of as elastic and time reversible. The operators are canonically determined by a second (deterministic) billiard system that models “microscopic roughness” on the billiard table boundary. Our main purpose here is to develop some general tools for the analysis of the collision operator of such random billiards. Among the main results, we give geometric conditions for these operators to be Hilbert-Schmidt and relate their spectrum and speed of convergence to stationary Markov chains with geometric features of the microscopic billiard structure. The relationship between spectral gap and the shape of the microstructure is illustrated with several simple examples.
Hepatic and Gut Clearance of Catecholamines in the Conscious Dog

Our aim was to assess hepatic and gut catecholamine clearance under normal and simulated stress conditions. Following a 90-minute saline infusion period, epinephrine ([EPI] 180 ng/kg x min) and norepinephrine ([NE] 500 ng/kg x min) were infused peripherally for 90 minutes into five 18-hour fasted, conscious dogs undergoing a pancreatic clamp (somatostatin plus basal insulin and glucagon). Arterial plasma levels of EPI and NE increased from 44 +/- 9 to 2,961 +/- 445 and 96 +/- 6 to 6,467 +/- 571 pg/mL, respectively (both P < .05). Portal vein plasma levels of EPI and NE increased from 23 +/- 8 to 1,311 +/- 173 and 79 +/- 10 to 3,477 +/- 380 pg/mL, respectively (both P < .05). Hepatic vein plasma levels of EPI and NE increased from 5 +/- 2 to 117 +/- 33 and 48 +/- 10 to 448 +/- 59 pg/mL, respectively (both P < .05). Net hepatic and gut EPI uptake increased from 0.5 +/- 0.1 to 30.0 +/- 3.0 and 0.4 +/- 0.1 to 26.3 +/- 4.0 ng/kg x min, respectively (both P < .05). Net hepatic and gut NE uptake increased from 1.5 +/- 0.4 to 74.7 +/- 8.4 and 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 57.9 +/- 7.6 ng/kg x min, respectively (both P < .05). Neither the net hepatic (0.86 +/- 0.05 to 0.93 +/- 0.02) nor gut (0.45 +/- 0.10 to 0.55 +/- 0.04) fractional extraction of EPI changed significantly during the simulated stress condition. Net hepatic and gut spillover of NE increased from 0.8 +/- 0.2 to 3.5 +/- 1.3 and 0.6 +/- 0.2 to 8.8 +/- 2.0 ng/kg x min, respectively, during catecholamine infusion (both P < .05). These results indicate that (1) approximately 30% of circulating catecholamines are cleared by the splanchnic bed (16% and 14% by the liver and gut, respectively); (2) the liver and gut remove a large proportion (approximately 86% to 93% and 45% to 55%, respectively) of the catecholamines delivered to them on first pass; and (3) high levels of plasma catecholamines increase NE spillover from both the liver and gut, suggesting that the percentage of NE released from the presynaptic neuron that escapes the synaptic cleft is increased in the presence of high circulating catecholamine levels.
The interaction of high mobility proteins HMG14 and 17 with nucleosomes

The interaction of the high mobility group proteins, HMG14 and HMG17, with nucleosome core particles has been studied. The results show that two molecules of HMG14/17 can be bound tightly but reversibly to each core particle and that their affinity for core particles is greater than their affinity for histone-free DNA of core size. Thermal denaturation and nuclease digestion studies suggest that major sites of interaction are located near the ends of the nucleosome core DNA. When nucleosome preparations from chicken erythrocyte nuclei stripped of HMG proteins are partially titrated with HMG14/17, the nucleosome-HMG complex fraction is enriched in beta-globin gene sequences.
SU‐GG‐J‐85: Evaluation of Electromagnetic Beacon Localization Correlation with KV‐KV Matching for Prostate Treatments

Purpose: To evaluate the correlation between an electromagnetictreatment positioning system and an orthogonal kV image localization system for the alignment of prostate patients for radiotherapy.Method and Materials: Two systems, taking advantage of the same three implanted fiducial markers, have been used to localize the target volume for radiotherapy of the prostate. These markers are radio‐opaque, unique frequency transponders placed in the patient's prostate designed and built by Calypso Medical Systems. The Calypso 4D Localization System employs an electromagnetic array that excites the transponders triangulates their position from their received signal. The second system, the Varian On Board Imager (OBI), acquires orthogonal kV radiographs visualizing the fiducials and performs a match with isocentric digital reconstructedradiographs. For each treatment session, external skin marks and room lasers were used to orient the patient on the treatment couch with the linac isocenter. The Calypso system was then set to localize and track, although no patient alignment motion was performed. OBI localization was carried out. Lateral, longitudinal and vertical offsets to align the transponders were recorded for the following: Calypso prior to OBI shift, OBI, and Calypso after OBI shift. Results:Analysis of the lateral, longitudinal, vertical axes and vector of patient positioning through 141 sessions showed that on average Calypso and OBI differed by a magnitude of 0.65, 1.1 and 1.5mm respectively with an average vector magnitude of 2.1mm. Conclusion: Our evaluation shows that the Calypso system can provide at least the same level of confidence in localization for prostate patients without the need for daily orthogonal x‐ray imaging. While the kV imaging system provides a subjective localization prior to treatment, the electromagnetic system presents an objective alignment prior, during and after treatment.
Formation of ohmic contacts to p-ZnTe

Formation and temperature stability of sputter deposited gold ohmic contacts to molecular beam epitaxially grown p-type ZnTe (doped with nitrogen to a free hole concentration of ≈3 × 1018 cm3) have been studied using current-voltage (I-V), Auger electron spectroscopy, secondary ion mass spectrometry, and optical and scanning electron microscopy. The I-V characteristics of ≈1500A Au/p-ZnTe contacts were measured as-deposited and after heat treatments at 150, 200, 250, and 350°C for 15 min intervals up to 90 min. As deposited, the contacts were poor Schottky contacts, but became ohmic after 15 min at all temperatures. There was an increased resistance at t>15 min for T≤250°C, and a very large resistance increase upon heat treatment for all times at 350°C. The interface between the metallization and ZnTe was initially very planar, and remained planar upon formation of the ohmic contact. Upon heating at T>250°C, Au diffused into ZnTe. The ohmic behavior of the Au/p-ZnTe contacts is attributed to this diffusion which created a highly doped near-surface region in the ZnTe. Microscopy showed that Au also migrated across the ZnTe surface forming an extended reaction zone (≈100 μm) around the dot contact at T≥250°C.
Simple Optimal Weighting of Cases and Controls in Case-Control Studies

Researchers of uncommon diseases are often interested in assessing potential risk factors. Given the low incidence of disease, these studies are frequently case-control in design. Such a design allows a sufficient number of cases to be obtained without extensive sampling and can increase efficiency; however, these case-control samples are then biased since the proportion of cases in the sample is not the same as the population of interest. Methods for analyzing case-control studies have focused on utilizing logistic regression models that provide conditional and not causal estimates of the odds ratio. This article will demonstrate the use of the prevalence probability and case-control weighted targeted maximum likelihood estimation (MLE), as described by van der Laan (2008), in order to obtain causal estimates of the parameters of interest (risk difference, relative risk, and odds ratio). It is meant to be used as a guide for researchers, with step-by-step directions to implement this methodology. We will also present simulation studies that show the improved efficiency of the case-control weighted targeted MLE compared to other techniques.
Comparison of comorbidity resolution and improvement between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding

This study aimed to compare the rates for resolution and improvement of common comorbidities between laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The comorbid conditions included were type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), hyperlipidemias (LPD), degenerative joint disease (DJD), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), and asthma. A retrospective chart review of the patients who underwent LSG or laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding at our institution from July 2004 to July 2007 was performed. The resolution of comorbidities was determined via patient-completed questionnaires and objective data. Of the 123 patients (29 men and 94 women) reviewed, 49 had undergone LSG, and 74 had undergone laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. The mean preoperative body mass index (BMI) was 52 kg/m2 for the LSG patients and 44 kg/m2 for the laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding patients. The overall percentages of excess weight loss (%EWL) were respectively 50.6 and 40.3% (P = 0.03) during mean follow-up periods of 15 and 17 months. There was a greater resolution or improvement of DM after LSG (100% vs 46%), HTN (78% vs 48%), and LPD (87% vs. 50%) than after laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding. Other comorbidities resolved or improved at a similar rate. Although both LSG and laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding resulted in postoperative improvement or resolution of comorbidities associated with obesity, LSG statistically showed a significantly higher rate of resolution or improvement of DM, HTN, and LPD. There was no significant difference between the groups for DJD, GERD, OSA, or asthma.