cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Side Chain Entropy and the Activation of Organocobalamins for Carbon-Cobalt Bond Homolysis: Synthesis, Characterization, and Thermolysis of the Neopentyl Derivative of a Unique Cobalamin Analog Lacking a c Side Chain.

Hydrodeamination of the c-amino derivative, 5, of cyanocobalamin (CNCbl) with hydroxylamine-O-sulfonic acid in aqueous base leads to an extensively rearranged product instead of the c side chain truncated derivative, 1, expected from simple deamination. The rearranged product (CNCbl-8-butanamide) crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, space group P212121 with unit cell dimensions a = 16.041(11), b = 21.94(2), and c = 25.43(2) A. It is devoid of substituents at corrin ring C(7) but quarternized at C(8) with an “upwardly” pseudoaxial methyl group and a d side chain expanded by one methylene group to a butanamide. The corrin ring of this rearranged derivative is significantly flatter (corrin ring fold angle 9.9°) than CNCbl itself (fold angle 18.0°). Conversion of CNCbl-8-butanamide to its neopentyl derivative (NpCbl-8-butanamide), a NpCbl analog which lacks a c acetamide side chain, permits a quantitative assessment of the influence of thermal motions of the c side chain on the entropy of activation for c...
A Computational Framework for Fluid-Solid-Growth Modeling in Cardiovascular Simulations

It is now well known that altered hemodynamics can alter the genes that are expressed by diverse vascular cells, which in turn plays a critical role in the ability of a blood vessel to adapt to new biomechanical conditions and governs the natural history of the progression of many types of disease. Fortunately, when taken together, recent advances in molecular and cell biology, in vivo medical imaging, biomechanics, computational mechanics, and computing power provide an unprecedented opportunity to begin to understand such hemodynamic effects on vascular biology, physiology, and pathophysiology. Moreover, with increased understanding will come the promise of improved designs for medical devices and clinical interventions. The goal of this paper, therefore, is to present a new computational framework that brings together recent advances in computational biosolid and biofluid mechanics that can exploit new information on the biology of vascular growth and remodeling as well as in vivo patient-specific medical imaging so as to enable realistic simulations of vascular adaptations, disease progression, and clinical intervention.
Emotion and sociable humanoid robots

This paper focuses on the role of emotion and expressive behavior in regulating social interaction between humans and expressive anthropomorphic robots, either in communicative or teaching scenarios. We present the scientific basis underlying our humanoid robot's emotion models and expressive behavior, and then show how these scientific viewpoints have been adapted to the current implementation. Our robot is also able to recognize affective intent through tone of voice, the implementation of which is inspired by the scientific findings of the developmental psycholinguistics community. We first evaluate the robot's expressive displays in isolation. Next, we evaluate the robot's overall emotive behavior (i.e. the coordination of the affective recognition system, the emotion and motivation systems, and the expression system) as it socially engages nave human subjects face-to-face.
Effect of electrolytes on the structure and evolution of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) in Li-ion batteries: A molecular dynamics study

Abstract We have studied the formation and growth of solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) for the case of ethylene carbonate (EC), dimethyl carbonate (DMC) and mixtures of these electrolytes using molecular dynamics simulations. We have considered SEI growth on both Li metal surfaces and using a simulation framework that allows us to vary the Li surface density on the anode surface. Using our simulations we have obtained the detailed structure and distribution of different constituents in the SEI as a function of the distance from the anode surfaces. We find that SEI films formed in the presence of EC are rich in Li2CO3 and Li2O, while LiOCH3 is the primary constituent of DMC films. We find that dilithium ethylene dicarbonate, LiEDC, is formed in the presence of EC at low Li surface densities, but it quickly decomposes to inorganic salts during subsequent growth in Li rich environments. The surface films formed in our simulations have a multilayer structure with regions rich in inorganic and organic salts located near the anode surface and the electrolyte interface, respectively, in agreement with depth profiling experiments. Our computed formation potentials 1.0 V vs. Li/Li+ is also in excellent accord with experimental measurements. We have also calculated the elastic stiffness of the SEI films; we find that they are significantly stiffer than Li metal, but are somewhat more compliant compared to the graphite anode.
The relationship between maternal attitudes and symptoms of depression and anxiety among pregnant and postpartum first-time mothers.

Two studies examined the relationship between maternal attitudes and symptoms of depression and anxiety during pregnancy and the early postpartum period. In the first study, a measure of maternal attitudes, the Attitudes Toward Motherhood Scale (AToM), was developed and validated in a sample of first-time mothers. The AToM was found to have good internal reliability and convergent validity with cognitive biases and an existing measure of maternal attitudes. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses determined that the measure comprises three correlated factors: beliefs about others’ judgments, beliefs about maternal responsibility, and maternal role idealization. In the second study, we used the AToM to assess the relationship between maternal attitudes and other psychological variables. The factor structure of the measure was confirmed. Maternal attitudes predicted symptoms of depression and anxiety, and these attitudes had incremental predictive validity over general cognitive biases and interpersonal risk factors. Overall, the results of these studies suggest that maternal attitudes are related to psychological distress among first-time mothers during the transition to parenthood and may provide a useful means of identifying women who may benefit from intervention during the perinatal period.
Interact with me on my terms: a four segment Facebook engagement framework for marketers

AbstractFacebook is used by over 1 billion highly heterogeneous users each month. However, there exists little guidance for marketers when it comes to actionable consumer engagement strategies for this social media platform. The purpose of this article is to profile key segments of Facebook users and build an implementable marketing strategy framework that can help marketers better target their Facebook consumers, and better craft their marketing mix and Facebook campaigns. Based on focus group interviews and a qualitative survey, four distinct types of Facebook users are identified and profiled: attention seekers, devotees, connection seekers and entertainment chasers. Correspondingly, a four-segment marketing strategy framework is proposed to guide content creation and engage consumers in thriving Facebook brand communities.
Effects of a Cereal Rich in Soluble Fiber on Body Composition and Dietary Compliance during Consumption of a Hypocaloric Diet

Objectives: To investigate the effects of oats, a cereal rich in soluble fiber, on body composition changes and dietary compliance during consumption of a weight loss diet.Methods: Subjects were 41 healthy men and women aged 18 to 78 years. Weight maintenance energy requirements were established over two weeks during consumption of a control diet with low soluble fiber content. Subjects then consumed a hypocaloric diet for six weeks, either consuming a low soluble fiber control diet or a diet containing 45 g/1000 kcal rolled oats, a whole grain cereal rich in soluble fiber (mean energy deficit −895 ± 18 kcal/day relative to weight maintenance energy requirements). Changes in body fat and fat-free mass were determined by underwater weighing, and dietary compliance was assessed using the urinary osmolar excretion rate technique. In a final phase of the study, subjects ate ad libitum for six months, and changes in body weight and composition were monitored.Results: There was no significant effect of the oat-...
Pulsed Laser Melting: The Effect of Implanted Solutes on the Resolidification Velocity

Transient electrical conductance has been used to measure the resolidification velocity in silicon containing implanted solutes. Nonequilibrium segregation of the solutes occurs during the rapid resolidification following pulsed laser melting. The velocity of the liquid-solid interface is observed to depend on the type and concentration of the solute. A 25% reduction in solidification velocity is observed for an implanted indium concentration of three atomic percent. Implanted oxygen is also shown to reduce the solidification velocity. The dependence of the velocity on solute concentration impacts a variety of segregation, trapping and supersaturated solution studies.
The global attenuation structure of the upper mantle

[1] A large data set of fundamental mode Rayleigh wave amplitudes is analyzed to derive a new global three-dimensional model of shear wave attenuation in the upper mantle. The amplitude observations span a range of periods between 50 and 250 s and are derived from earthquakes with MW > 6.0 that occurred between 1993 and 2005. Four separate factors may influence an amplitude anomaly: intrinsic attenuation along the raypath, elastic focusing effects along the raypath, uncertainties in the strength of excitation, and uncertainties in the response at the station. In an earlier paper (Dalton and Ekstrom, 2006a), dependence of the retrieved attenuation structure on these terms was shown to be significant and an approach was developed to invert the amplitudes simultaneously for each term. The new three-dimensional attenuation model QRFSI12, which is the subject of this paper, is derived using this method. The model contains large lateral variations in upper-mantle attenuation, ±60% to ±100%, and exhibits strong agreement with surface tectonic features at depths shallower than 200 km. At greater depth, QRFSI12 is dominated by high attenuation in the southeastern Pacific and eastern Africa and low attenuation along many subduction zones in the western Pacific. Resolution tests confirm that the change in pattern of attenuation above and below 200-km depth can be determined with confidence using the fundamental mode data set. The new model is highly correlated with global models of shear wave velocity, particularly in the uppermost mantle, suggesting that the same factors may control both seismic attenuation and velocity in this depth range. However, forcing the lateral perturbations in attenuation to match those found in global velocity models decreases the data variance reduction, which suggests that subtle differences between patterns of attenuation and velocity are robust.
Approximate analytic models of arbiters

Results at very light and very heavy loads are easy to obtain, but at intermediate loads performance modelling is necessary. Because of the considerable cost of simulation, we develope queueing network models which can be solved quickly by approximate analytic techniques. These models are validated by comparing with simulations at certain points, and then used to get a wide range of results quickly.
Randomized controlled trial of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon for chronic hepatitis C. Comparison of alanine aminotransferase normalization versus loss of HCV RNA and anti-HCV IgM.

We enrolled 32 patients with chronic hepatitis C into a randomized, controlled trial to evaluate the efficacy of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon treatment. Sixteen patients were randomized to receive 1.5 million units of recombinant alpha-2a-interferon subcutaneously, thrice weekly, for six months while the remaining 16 patients were randomized to a control group that received no treatment. The mean serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level during the six-month study period, expressed as a percentage of the prestudy baseline value, was 82% for the control group compared to 56% for the treatment group (P=0.014). One fourth of the treatment group normalized their serum ALT level compared to only 6% of the controls (P=0.05). During posttherapy follow-up, 86% of responders clinically relapsed. Loss of anti-HCV IgM and HCV RNA occurred exclusively in interferon-treated responders. Anti-interferon antibodies developed in 32% of all treated patients. Forty percent of nonresponders developed anti-interferon antibodies compared to only 14% of responders (P=NS). We conclude that recombinant alpha-2a-interferon is clinically effective in patients with chronic hepatitis C. However, most responders in this trial of low-dose interferon relapsed upon cessation of treatment.
Use of orthogonalized plane waves in the many-electron problem

Abstract Mathematical difficulties associated with nonuniqueness of expansion coefficients occur in the formulation of many-electron problems in terms of bound states and orthogonalized plane waves (OPW's), due to the lack of linear independence of the OPW's. These difficulties are exhibited and overcome through use of subsidiary conditions. The formalism takes its simplest form in terms of an appropriate second-quantization representation in an ideal state space. The representation of physical operators in this space is constructed, and it is shown how the problem of satisfying the subsidiary conditions can then be circumvented. A connection with previous work of S. Tani on scattering from a potential with bound states is exhibited. It is shown how approximations made in solution of many-electron problems can be constructed so as to be consistent with the many-electron OPW formalism.
The neurohypophyseal capillary bed II. Specializations within median eminence

Vascular casts of the pituitary gland, median eminence and hypothalamus from several mammalian species were examined by scanning electron microscopy. These observations were correlated with light microscopic studies of injected, cleared median eminence-pituitary specimens and with light microscopic examination of serial sections of injected hypothalamic, median eminence, and pituitary specimens employing reflected lighting or epiillumination. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to study long portal vessels on the ventral surface of the rat median eminence. In each of the species examined, the median eminence (infundibular) capillary bed is subdivided into an external and an internal plexus. The external plexus (the neurohemal contact zone) receives an arterial supply from the superior hypophyseal arteries and is continuous with the capillary bed of the infundibular stem and process. Egress from the external plexus is possible via three vascular routes: (a) by fenestrated portal vessels and capillaries to the adenohypophysis, (b) by capillary connections to the medial basilar hypothalamus and, (c) by internal plexus capillaries to the ependyma of the median eminence. Median eminence vasculature is structurally organized to deliver (1) hypothalamic and neurohypophyseal peptides to the glandular pituitary via portal vessels, (2) hypothalamic and pituitary secretions to the medial basilar hypothalamus via capillaries, and (3) hypothalamic and pituitary secretions to distant brain sites through cerebrospinal fluid via ventricular and subarachnoid routes.
Life drawing and 3D figure modeling with MAYA

This workshop, first given at SIGGRAPH 2001 [Garvey 2002] is now offered in two-parts. Part I introduces the process of transferring life drawings into 3D models using MAYA followed by a life drawing session. In Part II, workshop attendees working in the CAL import digitized life drawings into MAYA for setup as image planes to guide the modeling process. The goal of the workshop is to explore and develop skills of observational figure drawing and integrate them with the process of 3D modeling.
Sivers mechanism for gluons

We study T-odd gauge invariantly defined T-odd unintegrated gluon densities in QCD. The average $\perp$ momentum of the gluons in a $\perp$ polarized nucleon can be nonzero due to the Sivers mechanism. However, we find that the sum of the transverse momenta due to the Sivers mechanism from gluons and all quark flavors combined vanishes, i.e. $ + \sum_q =0$.
Considerations for a high-performance thermionic energy conversion device based on a negative electron affinity emitter

A theory is developed to model the effect a negative electron affinity (NEA) emitter electrode has on the negative space charge effect of a vacuum thermionic energy conversion device (TEC). The theory is derived by treating the electrons in the interelectrode space as a collisionless gas and self-consistently solving the Boltzmann transport equation and Poisson equation. The theory determines the point on the voltage-current characteristic such that the maximum motive due to space charge is at the same level as the conduction band minimum. It is shown that emitter electrodes with an NEA significantly mitigate the negative space charge effect; therefore a TEC employing such an electrode will outperfrom a similar TEC with conventional electrodes in terms of output power. Additionally, it is shown that a TEC with an NEA emitter electrode can have a greater interelectrode spacing than a TEC with conventional electrodes operating under similar conditions where the outputs of both TEC's are comparable.
HIV disclosure to surrogate decision makers: privacy versus presumption

In their recent commentary, Vernillo and coworkers [1] argue that disclosure of a critically ill patient's HIV status to a surrogate is appropriate when 'necessary for the surrogate to make decisions that reflect the patient's values and interests, or when failure to disclose poses direct and foreseeable risks to the surrogate.' Although few would disagree with the latter precept, the ethical and legal permissibility of the former is less obvious [2]. Dispensing with patient confidentiality under the rubric of 'beneficence' does not guarantee preferable end-of-life outcomes. Even if the emotional impact of this disclosure has minimal influence on surrogates' decision making abilities, they are, ceteris paribus, left no better informed of their loved one's wishes than before. HIV-infected patients may have various rational reasons for refusing to disclose their seropositivity or declining anti-retroviral treatment, which are unlikely to be easily divined by most critical care teams. What is known about many of these patients is that they have chosen to keep their HIV status confidential, often at great sacrifice. Surmising that they favor 'the timely withdrawal of painful or futile interventions' – precisely when these patients can no longer speak for themselves – both begs the question and stretches the bounds of human inference. The authors' proposed framework for disclosing privileged information risks positing knowledge of patients' attitudes and beliefs where there is none and threatens the privacy and health care interests of an already vulnerable population. Physicians must ultimately remain vigilant of unwarranted supposition when caring for the critically ill and interacting with their surrogates.
Comparison of the intravenous reinforcing effects of propofol and methohexital in baboons

Abstract Propofol is a widely used intravenous anesthetic that can directly activate and positively modulate the GABA A -receptor. Propofol is not currently regulated under the USA Controlled Substances Act. The present study evaluated the intravenous reinforcing effects of propofol compared to the intravenous barbiturate anesthetic methohexital in baboons using a procedure in which doses of the test drug were substituted for a standard cocaine dose. Drug or vehicle was available for self-injection during daily 5.5-h sessions under a fixed-ratio 120 or 160 schedule of reinforcement. A 40-min timeout after each injection limited the maximum of injections per session to eight. Food pellets were available continuously during the session under a fixed ratio 10 schedule of reinforcement. Self-injection of cocaine (0.001–0.32 mg/kg/injection) and vehicle was characterized first. Cocaine maintained self-injection in a dose-dependent manner, with peak injections maintained by 0.32 mg/kg. Vehicle and each dose of propofol (0.1–1.0 mg/kg/injection) and methohexital (0.01–1.0 mg/kg/injection) were substituted for 0.32 mg/kg cocaine for at least 10 sessions. Propofol and methohexital maintained self-injection greater than vehicle in all three baboons, and these effects were dose dependent. Methohexital maintained peak mean levels of self-injection that were >6 injections/day at doses of 0.56 and 1.0 mg/kg, and did not alter food intake systematically. Propofol maintained peak mean levels of self-injection at 1.0 mg/kg that ranged from 2.2 to >6 injections/day across the baboons. Food intake was increased slightly above vehicle levels by propofol self-injection in two baboons, and was decreased in the third baboon. These data indicate that propofol, like methohexital, can function as a positive reinforcer.
The diagnosis of depression in children.

Abstract Operational criteria for depression in children were derived from diagnostic criteria designed for adults. These criteria were applied to a series of outpatients and inpatients on a Child Psychiatry Service. Thirteen per cent of girls and 5% of boys admitted to the clinic met the criteria for depression. (For this calculation autistic, brain-damaged and seriously retarded were excluded from the clinic population). The frequencies of criterion symptoms and some related symptoms are reported. Generally the data suggest that significant depression does occur as an independent syndrome in children, it is relatively common in a clinic population and it does not differ obviously from depression in adults.
Nietzsche's Sophist: Rhêtôr, Musician, Stoic

Traditional readings of Nietzsche's essay “On Truth and Lying in a Non-Moral Sense” tend to emphasize the clash between philosophy and rhetoric in the form of two distinct personae—the intuitive, Sophistical artist who embraces the rhetorical power of language to create and destroy on the one hand, and the rational, Stoic philosopher who uses concepts to order the world into a block universe on the other. However, I argue that his essay presents us with not two characters but three—the Stoic philosopher, political rhetor, and the Dionysian artist. Furthermore, none of these three characters can be said to be representative of Nietzsche's attitude toward the Sophists. This article thus proposes a model of the Sophistical artist which combines aspects from each of these personae in a way that brings together the power of tragic suffering, persuasive word, and passionate music, respectively. This reading of Nietzsche's work discloses an ideal image of a “new” Sophist as an unfettered spirit for whom Dionysia...
The validation of articulation tests

Abstract Two studies using samples of spontaneous speech as validation criteria for an articulation test are reported. It was found that when the spontaneous speech was structured to elicit all the phonemes included in the word articulation test, statistically significant correlations could be demonstrated between the spontaneous speech samples and the word articulation test.
Brain natriuretic peptide--a reliable parameter for the effectiveness of cardiac resynchronization therapy after coronary artery bypass grafting.

OBJECTIVES Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a valuable marker in heart failure and its therapy, for example cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT). So far, one finding which is indicative for CRT is dyssynchrony of ventricular contraction obtained by echocardiography. The aim of this study was to show that BNP is also a helpful marker to help decide whether CRT is useful for patients after CABG. METHODS Forty-two patients with a poor ejection fraction (<35%) underwent elective CABG. Twenty-eight of them received permanent biventricular stimulation for seven days after surgery. Before and on the first, third, seventh and tenth day after surgical treatment, the following parameters were established: left ventricular function obtained by transthoracic echocardiography, myocardium-specific enzymes (such as CK and CKMB), ECG and BNP. RESULTS There was a very good correlation between the preoperative ejection fraction and BNP (r2=0.98, P<0.005). Patients who had received CRT after CABG had BNP levels similar to preoperative data on postoperative day 7. This decrease of the BNP values in the CRT-group is in accord with an increased left ventricular function as obtained by echocardiography. The control group, which had not received CRT, showed significantly higher BNP levels. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we conclude that BNP is a good marker to evaluate CRT in patients undergoing CABG. An extraordinary rise of the BNP level should lead to early therapeutic consequences like CRT. The significantly lower BNP level of the patients with heart failure who received CRT indicates a better prognosis.
Pilomatricoma-like Endometrioid Adenosquamous Carcinoma of the Ovary with Neuroendocrine Differentiation

A case of high-grade endometrioid adenosquamous carcinoma of the ovary showing pilomatricoma-like areas and neuroendocrine differentiation is presented. The pilomatricoma-like areas were strongly positive for cytokeratin and vimentin, whereas the poorly differentiated areas of the tumor were positive for cytokeratin, synaptophysin, and neuron-specific enolase. Review of the literature did not show any published report of adenosquamous carcinoma with pilomatricoma-like areas either in the ovary or in the uterus.
Employment cycles in search equilibrium

Abstract In this paper I present a stochastic dynamic model of the labor market in which workers search for job openings and firms for job candidates. I derive the existence of two stable steady states which give rise to stochastic cycles. The interaction of a productivity shock with the presence of two stable steady states generates equilibrium fluctuations in employment which are not optimal. A weak-convergence approximation technique is used in order to characterize the behavior of a nonlinear stochastic difference equation describing the equilibrium dynamics of the economy.
POT1‐independent single‐strand telomeric DNA binding activities in Brassicaceae

Telomeres define the ends of linear eukaryotic chromosomes and are required for genome maintenance and continued cell proliferation. The extreme ends of telomeres terminate in a single-strand protrusion, termed the G-overhang, which, in vertebrates and fission yeast, is bound by evolutionarily conserved members of the POT1 (protection of telomeres) protein family. Unlike most other model organisms, the flowering plant Arabidopsis thaliana encodes two divergent POT1-like proteins. Here we show that the single-strand telomeric DNA binding activity present in A. thaliana nuclear extracts is not dependent on POT1a or POT1b proteins. Furthermore, in contrast to POT1 proteins from yeast and vertebrates, recombinant POT1a and POT1b proteins from A. thaliana, and from two additional Brassicaceae species, Arabidopsis lyrata and Brassica oleracea (cauliflower), fail to bind single-strand telomeric DNA in vitro under the conditions tested. Finally, although we detected four single-strand telomeric DNA binding activities in nuclear extracts from B. oleracea, partial purification and DNA cross-linking analysis of these complexes identified proteins that are smaller than the predicted sizes of BoPOT1a or BoPOT1b. Taken together, these data suggest that POT1 proteins are not the major single-strand telomeric DNA binding activities in A. thaliana and its close relatives, underscoring the remarkable functional divergence of POT1 proteins from plants and other eukaryotes.
Thyroxine: Effects on Amino Acid Incorporation into Protein in vivo

Treatment of rats with L-thyroxine increases the incorporation in vivo of radioactive amino acids into protein of liver, kidney, and heart, but not of spleen, testis, or brain. The distribution of the effect among the organs is the same as that observed in thyroxine stimulation of oxidative metabolism. Thus, stimulation of protein synthesis seems to be a physiological action of the thyroid hormone.
Tumor Necrosis Factor-α and Interleukin-1β Inhibit Apolipoprotein B Secretion in CaCo-2 Cells via the Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Signaling Pathway

In inflammatory conditions of the gut, cytokines are released into the mucosa and submucosa propagating and sustaining the inflammatory response. In CaCo-2 cells, we have shown that various inflammatory cytokines interfere with the secretion of lipids, an effect that is likely caused by the release of a ligand to the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor. In the present study, the role of the EGF receptor signaling pathway and the effects of the cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) and and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) on triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein secretion were investigated. CaCo-2 cells were incubated with oleic acid to enhance triacylglycerol-rich lipoprotein secretion. TNF-alpha and IL-1beta significantly decreased the basolateral secretion of apolipoprotein B (apoB) mass, with IL-1beta being more potent. Tyrphostin, an inhibitor of the EGF receptor intrinsic tryosine kinase, prevented or markedly attenuated the decrease in apoB secretion by TNF-alpha or IL-1beta. Both cytokines increased the phosphorylation of the EGF receptor by 30 min. Moreover, phosphotyrosine immunoblots of the EGF receptor demonstrated an increase in tyrosine residues phosphorylated by 0.5 and 6.5 h. At both these time points, TNF-alpha and IL-1beta also decreased the binding of EGF to its cell surface receptor. At 6.5 h, activation of the EGF receptor was sustained. In contrast, the early activation of the receptor was only transient as receptor phosphorylation and binding of EGF to its receptor returned to basal levels by 2 h. Preventing ligand binding to the EGF receptor by a receptor-blocking antibody attenuated receptor activation observed after 6.5 h. This did not occur at 0.5 h, suggesting that early activation of the EGF receptor was non-ligand-mediated. Similarly, apoB secretion was inhibited by an early non-ligand-mediated process; whereas at the later time, inhibition of apoB secretion was ligand-mediated. Thus, the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-1beta interfere with the secretion of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins by both early and delayed signaling events mediated by the EGF receptor signaling pathway.
Two-drug combinations of memory enhancers: effect of dose ratio upon potency and therapeutic window, in mice.

Abstract Two-drug combinations have been reported to enhance retention more effectively than when either drug was administered alone at the same dose. Some combinations of cholinergic drugs enhance retention even though the total drug dosage is reduced by as much as 97% compared to the dose needed to improve retention when the same drugs are administered singly. The choice of dose ratio is usually arbitrary or based on empirical results. The study systematically varied the ratio of two drugs in a combination and at the same time varied the dosage of each drug. The drug combinations were administered to mice immediately after training on T-maze footshock avoidance task. Retention was tested one week later. Three two-drug combinations were selected for presentation because they differed considerably as to (a) the lowest effective total dose that improved memory-retention, (b) the optimal ratio that improved retention and (c) the width of the therapeutic window. The effect of a drug combination on retention was found to be dependent on the particular drugs in the combination, the ratio and the dose administered.
Extreme-ultraviolet thin-film interference in an Al-Mg-Al multiple-layer transmission filter

Thin-film interference has been observed in the transmittance of a filter consisting of 263.5-nm-thick magnesium with a 32.2-nm-thick aluminum layer on each side. The transmittance, measured by synchrotron radiation, has an oscillatory behavior in the 25-70-nm wavelength range. On the basis of the calculation of the transmittance, the oscillatory behavior results from interference associated with the relatively transmissive magnesium and aluminum layers and the reflection from the oxidized aluminum surface layers. The bandpass performance of magnesium and aluminum layers deposited on a silicon photodiode detector is presented.
A relational model for interracial interactions on television

This study offers a model of the communicated relationship among interracial communicators on television. Incorporating scholarship in interpersonal, intercultural, and media communication, the model discerns three attributes of relational messages: independent, dependent, and interdependent. Each attribute is typified by behaviors which indicate the quality and levels of involvement between interactants. The three attributes and their respective levels are presented in relation to each other on a triangular figure. An application of the IDI model indicates that the model can be usefully employed and suggests that television viewers are perhaps watching and learning communication practices and patterns which do not facilitate deep friendships, intimate relationships, and close cooperation between Blacks and Whites.
Blind-spot problem for motor vehicles

We consider the problem of designing a passenger side mirror for an automobile that does not have a blind spot and that does not distort the image. Our model consists of a coupled pair of partial differential equations that do not have a common solution. Using a best mean-square-error functional, we find approximate solutions using nonlinear optimization. In one case a local minimum provides a mirror that solves the problem, but it does not reverse the image.
Abstract 92: dbCPCO: The database of genetic predictive and prognostic factors in colorectal cancer

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Introduction: Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer in the North America with a 5-year survival rate of ∼65%. A portion of the inter-patient variability in disease outcome in colorectal cancer patients is attributed to inherited and somatic genetic factors. Identification of these genetic factors helps implementing personalized medicare to improve the chances of cure in patients. While numerous research articles have investigated the genetic basis of clinical outcome in colorectal cancer, there has not been a central resource, such as a public database, that compiles these findings in a systematic, comprehensive and concise way. Here we describe the dbCPCO, a database of genetic factors investigated in relation to clinicopathological characteristics and clinical outcome (i.e. treatment response and toxicity, prognosis and survival) in colorectal cancer. Methods: Literature reports were retrieved from PUBMED. The data that met the inclusion criteria were compiled in a relational database and posted in a dedicated website. Results: The genetic factors included the inherited genetic polymorphisms, somatic and germline mutations in both nuclear and mitochondrial DNA. As of November 2009, the dbCPCO website posts 610 scientific findings on >300 polymorphisms, somatic and germline mutations from 146 genes tested for correlation with clinicopathological and/or clinical outcome in colorectal cancer. Conclusion: The dbCPCO is a unique and comprehensive database that compiles literature findings on the genetic basis of disease phenotype and clinical outcome in colorectal cancer and will be instrumental in expediting personalized medicine and further research in this disease. The dbCPCO is updated periodically and is freely available for the scientific and medical community at http://www.med.mun.ca/cpco/Default.aspx. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 92.
Three-dimensional singular vortical flows in the presence of a boundary

Abstract A closed system of ordinary differential equations for three-dimensional singular vortical flows in the presence of a boundary is obtained. Analytical solutions of these equations, which describe the influence of shear flow and boundary on the behavior of concentrated vortices and vortex pairs, are presented.
A comparative study of nodal anatomy in peltastrobus reedae and sphenophyllum plurifoliatum

Abstract Some new and exceptionally well-preserved specimens of Peltastrobus reedae are described and compared to those of Leisman and Graves (1964) and also to specimens of Sphenophyllum plurifoliatum showing whorled branching (Baxter, 1948). Evidence is presented for the homology of the branch system of Sphenophyllum to the “sporangiophore-fertile bract” complex of Peltastrobus and of the homology of the leaves of Sphenophyllum to the “sterile bracts” of Peltastrobus. It is suggested that the Sphenophyllum leaf is derived by sterilization, planation and webbing of alternate fertile whorled branches and that the alternating leaves and branches of all Sphenophyta through the extant Equisetum may depend on this homology.
Tumor markers: Value and limitations in the management of cancer patients

Sixteen tumor markers are reviewed, and measured to the ideal: produced by the tumor cell alone absent in health and in benign disease present in all patients with a given malignancy level in the blood representative of tumor mass detectable in occult disease. The only marker that approaches the ideal is human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) in gestational trophoblastic tumors. In this malignancy, the HCG level suggests the diagnosis and stage, confirms response to therapy, and predicts relapse. The three most widely used and intensely studied tumor markers are carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), alphafetoprotein (AFP), and HCG. CEA cannot be used in screening for cancer, but in carcinoma of the colon its elevation preoperatively increases the likelihood of advanced disease and postoperative recurrence. Postoperatively, elevated titers are often but not invariably associated with recurrent disease. AFP and HCG are useful in the management of nonseminomatous germ cell testicular tumors. Like CEA, they cannot be used for screening. They are more likely to be increased with advancing stage, and after therapy rising levels almost always mean recurrent disease. Some markers are valuable in specific circumstances, such as calcitonin in screening for familial medullary carcinoma of the thyroid. In multiple myeloma, immunoglobulins are useful in determining the tumor mass and response to therapy. In neuroblastoma, catecholamine metabolites are useful primarily in making the diagnosis. In some malignancies, the absence of effective therapy lowers the value of the marker, as for AFP in hepatoma. The remaining markers are too unreliable or too little studied to be useful in the management of an individual patient with cancer. The purpose of this paper is to provide the clinician with an understanding of the limitations of the present tumor markers that will lead to wiser use of the tests, and to provide standards to which future tumor markers should be measured.
Contacts between influenza virus N9 neuraminidase and monoclonal antibody NC10

Abstract We are interested in studying how influenza virus escapes antibody inhibition. Based on the structure of the complex between N9 NA and monoclonal antibody NC10 Fab (R. L. Malby, W. R. Tulip, V. R. Harley, J. L. McKimm-Breschkin, W. G. Laver, R. G. Webster, and P. M. Colman, 1994, Structure 2, 733–746), we investigated the contribution made by individual amino acids to the stability of the complex. We made conservative changes in residues that are centrally located in the epitope and more drastic changes in peripheral contacts. The mutations made were N200L (removing an N-linked oligosaccharide), N329Q, N345Q, S370T, S372A, N400L, and K432M. Binding of each mutant to NC10 was quantitated by NA inhibition assays and ELISA. Except for N200L and N329Q, the mutants were inhibited by NC10 to the same extent as wild-type NA although with less affinity. The enzyme activity ( K cat ) of N200L is 80% reduced, indicating a defect in folding or assembly; therefore, the loss in binding activity due to the missing sugar residue cannot be assessed. The K d for N329Q is sixfold higher than for wild-type NA in the inhibition test, but the same as wild-type in ELISA, indicating a change in disposition of the antibody but no loss of affinity. The results show that the NC10 epitope can accommodate a change at any site and is not dominated by a few high-energy interactions as was found in the NC41 epitope. We propose that the difference lies in the contribution of buried water molecules to the NA-NC10 complex.
A new three-dimensional heat flux–temperature integral relationship for half-space transient diffusion

Abstract This paper derives a new integral relationship between heat flux and temperature in a transient, three-dimensional heat conducting Cartesian half space ( x > 0 , y ∈ ( − ∞ , ∞ ) , z ∈ ( − ∞ , ∞ ) ). A unified mathematical treatment has been developed based on operational and transform methods; and singular integral equation regularization. Regularization is accomplished based on a series of observations involving the diffusive nature of the operator. This newly developed relationship provides the local heat flux perpendicular to the front surface at any location within the half space. This expression suggests that an embedded plane of temperature sensors parallel to the surface can be used to acquire the local, in-depth heat flux in the x -direction. The relationship does not require a priori knowledge of the surface boundary condition which has analytically been removed in the process. The ill-posed nature of diffusion is highlighted owing to the appearance of the heating/cooling rate (°C/s) in the integrand of the new relationship. Integral relationships of this type are highly useful for experimental investigations since the in-depth heat flux can be extracted from well-established temperature transducers.
Reality recalled by preschool children

The usefulness of current approaches to the study of memory and its development is discussed, and data are presented from a study that attempted to extend the focus of memory research using more naturalistic research techniques.
The structure and corrosion chemistry of bromine on Pt(111)

The corrosive adsorption of Br atoms on Pt(111) was studied by variable temperature STM, TPD and AES. Photoinduced dissociative electron attachment to adsorbed CH3Br at 193 nm was used to dose hot Br anions onto the surface at 90 K. Br formed two ordered structures on Pt(111): (3×3) and (3×3)R30°. STM images showed that both structures can coexist at intermediate coverage. Photofragmentation of CH3Br produced Pt atom monovacancies on the Pt(111) surface which were attributed to abstractive attack by the hot Br anions. The initial monovacancy etching efficiency of the adsorbing Br anions was high, roughly 33%.
512 PRENATAL DIAGNOSIS OF LYSOSOMAL ENZYME DISORDERS USING MICROASSAYS

Efforts at prenatal diagnosis of biochemical disorders are often prolonged and may fail because of time and culture problems. We have used a microfluorimetric technique which assays only a few (100-300) cultured amniotic fluid cells or skin fibroblasts. Cell lines are matched for passage number and confluency and each line is assayed 5-10 times. Enzyme activity is expressed in nmoles of umbelliferone released/cell/hr. (± S.D.). Controls (5) 0.0020±0.0006, Heterozygotes (3) 0.0012±0.0002, Homozygotes (4) 0.0006±0.0002. These preliminary studies suggested that microassays of lysosomal enzymes for prenatal diagnosis are feasible.
Microwave metathetic approach for the synthesis and characterization of ZnCr2O4

Abstract A novel way to synthesize technologically important ZnCr 2 O 4 by microwave metathetic approach using simple precursors such as ZnCl 2 and Na 2 Cr 2 O 7 is described. A proof for the reaction proceeding via metathetic route has been clearly established by XRD diffraction studies. ZnCr 2 O 4 , belonging to the “spinel” class of materials, is characterized by multiple techniques to establish structure–property relationship. The band gap of ZnCr 2 O 4 is determined to be 3.4 eV, and the ceramic oxide shows anti-ferromagnetic transition ( T N ) at −261.5 °C. The substitution of Fe into ZnCr 2 O 4 (ZCR) results in Fe replacing Cr.
The Interaction of cobalt with glycerophosphoryl glycerol and phosphatidyl glycerol bilayer membranes

Abstract The frequency shift, Δω M , of the 31 P NMR signal from the inner-sphere complex between cobalt and the phosphodiester group of glycerophosphoryl glycerol is calculated to be 3980 ppm at 70°C. This value of Δω M is used to calculate the lifetime, τ M , of the inner-sphere complex between cobalt and the phosphodiester group of phosphatidyl glycerol, from an analysis of the temperature dependence of the effects of cobalt on the 31 P NMR signal from phosphatidyl glycerol membranes. The value of τ M (1.5 μsec at 20°C) is used in a companion study [A. Lau, A. C. McLaughlin, and S. McLaughlin, Biochim. Biophys. Acta 645 , 279 (1981)] to investigate the importance of outer-sphere complexes, i.e., weak ion pairs between the charged phosphodiester group and the completely hydrated divalent cation, in the interaction of cobalt with phosphatidyl glycerol membranes.
Kinematic response of human spermatozoa to nonoxynol-9.

This study was an examination of the dose response of the kinematics of human sperm motion to 1-minute and 30-minute incubations with the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 (N9). At concentrations resulting in only slight reductions in percentages of motile sperm (MOT) increasing N9 decreased the progressiveness of sperm motion (reflected in decreasing slightline velocity). This decline in progressiveness resulted from both decline in the vigor (reflected in decreasing curvilinear velocity; VCL) and disruption of the pattern (reflected in decreasing linearity; LIN) of such motion. Since after the 1-minute incubation VCL declined only slightly for seminal sperm over this range of N9 concentrations declines in sperm progressiveness were primarily due to decreases in LIN. For sperm collected from the pellet fraction from a Percoll gradient technique however VCL declined substantially even at low concentrations of spermicide. These Percoll-separated sperm were on the other hand less sensitive to N9 than seminal sperm in terms of the dose response of MOT. This added resistance may be attributed to selection or to environmental or physiological changes caused by Percoll separation. Responses in mean amplitude of lateral head displacement (ALH) to increasing N9 also differed for the two treatments increasing an average for seminal sperm while decreasing on average for Percoll-separated sperm. (authors)
Resting-State Oscillatory Activity in Autism Spectrum Disorders

Neural oscillatory anomalies in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) suggest an excitatory/inhibitory imbalance; however, the nature and clinical relevance of these anomalies are unclear. Whole-cortex magnetoencephalography data were collected while 50 children (27 with ASD, 23 controls) underwent an eyes-closed resting-state exam. A Fast Fourier Transform was applied and oscillatory activity examined from 1 to 120 Hz at 15 regional sources. Associations between oscillatory anomalies and symptom severity were probed. Children with ASD exhibited regionally specific elevations in delta (1–4 Hz), theta (4–8 Hz), alpha (8–12 Hz), and high frequency (20–120 Hz) power, supporting an imbalance of neural excitation/inhibition as a neurobiological feature of ASD. Increased temporal and parietal alpha power was associated with greater symptom severity and thus is of particular interest.