cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Validation of the Osteoporosis-Specific Morisky Medication Adherence Scale in long-term users of bisphosphonates

To examine the psychometric properties and validity of the 8-item Osteoporosis-Specific Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (OS-MMAS-8) in postmenopausal women prescribed bisphosphonates (BPs) for at least 15 months. A random sample of women aged ≥55 years with osteoporosis prescribed daily or weekly BPs was identified. Pharmacy fill data were extracted to calculate the medication possession ratio (MPR). Eligible women were stratified by low (<0.50), medium (0.50–0.79), or high (≥0.80) MPR, with the a priori goal of recruiting 133 participants in each group. OS-MMAS-8 scores can range from 0 to 8 and were categorized as low (<6), medium (6 to <8), and high (8) adherence. Internal consistency reliability (Cronbach’s alpha), test–retest reliability [intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs)] and convergent validity (correlating OS-MMAS-8 with MPR and other self-reported measures) were assessed. A total of 400 women out of 449 respondents reported that they were still taking their BPs at the time of the survey and completed OS-MMAS-8. Overall, 38.5, 34.3, and 27.3 % of participants had low, medium, and high OS-MMAS-8 scores, respectively. The mean (SD) MPRs according to OS-MMAS-8 scores (<6, 6 to <8 and 8) were 56.9 (22.6), 69.0 (24.9), and 76.7 (26.4), respectively. The correlation between OS-MMAS-8 and MPR was 0.36; p < 0.0001. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.74, and the ICC was 0.83 (95 % CI 0.76–0.88). OS-MMAS-8 has acceptable psychometric properties for assessing medication adherence in postmenopausal women prescribed therapy for osteoporosis. Additional studies are needed to investigate the psychometric properties of OS-MMAS-8 in other settings and populations.
A systematic investigation of factors influencing the decarboxylation of imidazolium carboxylates.

A series of 1,3-disubstituted-2-imidazolium carboxylates, an adduct of CO2 and N-heterocyclic carbenes, were synthesized and characterized using single crystal X-ray, thermogravimetric, IR, and NMR analysis. The TGA analysis of the NHC-CO2’s shows that as steric bulk on the N-substituent increases, the ability of the NHC-CO2 to decarboxylate increases. The comparison of NHC-CO2’s with and without methyls at the 4,5-position indicate that extra electron density in the imidazolium ring enhances the stability of an NHC-CO2 thereby making it less prone to decarboxylation. Single crystal X-ray analysis shows that the torsional angle of the carboxylate group and the C−CO2 bond length with respect to the imidazolium ring is dependent on the steric bulk of the N-substituent. Rotamers in the unit cell of a single crystal of ItBuPrCO2 (2f) indicate that the C−CO2 bond length increases as the N-substituents rotate toward the carboxylate moiety, which suggests that rotation of the N-substituents through the plane of ...
The Diffraction Pattern Calculator (DPC) toolkit: a user-friendly approach to unit-cell lattice parameter identification of two-dimensional grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering data

The DPC toolkit is a simple-to-use computational tool that helps users identify the unit-cell lattice parameters of a crystal structure that are consistent with a set of two-dimensional grazing-incidence wide-angle X-ray scattering data. The input data requirements are minimal and easy to assemble from data sets collected with any position-sensitive detector, and the user is required to make as few initial assumptions about the crystal structure as possible. By selecting manual or automatic modes of operation, the user can either visually match the positions of the experimental and calculated reflections by individually tuning the unit-cell parameters or have the program perform this process for them. Examples that demonstrate the utility of this program include determining the lattice parameters of a polymorph of a fluorinated contorted hexabenzocoronene in a blind test and refining the lattice parameters of the thin-film phase of 5,11-bis(triethylsilylethynyl)anthradithiophene with the unit-cell dimensions of its bulk crystal structure being the initial inputs.
Assessing streamflow sensitivity to temperature increases in the Salmon River Basin, Idaho

Abstract Increased temperatures are occurring in the Salmon River Basin (SRB) of Idaho and are anticipated to continue increasing in the future, leading to complex changes in climate and water resources. To address these concerns, the objective of this study was to evaluate streamflow changes/sensitivity when temperatures increase. A hydrological model, the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model, was applied to simulate streamflow under thirty temperature increase scenarios (i.e., rising 0.1 °C per step to 3 °C). It was found that the annual mean streamflow decreased whenever temperatures increased in the SRB. Streamflow increases in winter and decreases in spring and summer but is barely affected by temperature in autumn. On a monthly basis, streamflow responses varied in response to rising temperatures. When temperature increased, the streamflow increase occurred from November to February, and it decreased from May to July. The analysis also discovered linear relationships between rising temperatures and streamflow changes throughout the year, with the exception of June and July, which revealed logarithmic correlations. Results obtained by daily streamflow analysis showed that center time occurred 10–30 d earlier when temperatures increased 2 °C and 15–45 d earlier when temperatures increased 3 °C. Finally, the Richards–Barker Index (R–B Index), a flashiness index, also increased with rising temperatures, and a higher R–B Index causes bank erosion problems. Changes in the streamflow due to the temperature increases have a significant implication both for the water management and ecological processes.
STUDIES OF THE PROLONGED BIOCHEMICAL EFFECTS OF 3-METHYLCHOLANTHRENE AND OF ITS PHYSIOLOGICAL DISPOSITION IN THE RAT.

Abstract The intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection of rats with 3-methylcholanthrene resulted in increased ascorbic acid excretion and enhanced activity of zoxazolamine hydroxylase for at least 7 weeks. The long-lasting biochemical effects of the hydrocarbon can be explained by its presence in the animal for a prolonged period of time. In contrast to barbital, both Chloretone and 3-methylcholanthrene caused only a slight increase in free d -glucuronic acid excretion; all three compounds markedly stimulate l -ascorbic acid excretion. It was found that in the initial 24 hr following administration, Chloretone produced a marked increase in ascorbic acid excretion and a moderate rise of zoxazolamine hydroxylase activity. Under similar conditions in the initial 24-hr period, 3-methylcholanthrene caused no appreciable effect on ascorbic acid excretion but led to a marked effect on the enzyme. Although both effects eventually paralleled each other, the fact that their onset was not simultaneous suggests that these two biochemical responses may not be interrelated.
Paramyosin and contraction of catch muscles.

The isotonic shortening of glycerol-extracted preparations of molluscan catch muscles is inhibited at pH9s and ionic strengths at which extracted paramyosin crystallizes. The isometric tension development is hardly altered under the same conditions. Consequently, the "catch mechanism" is explained on the basis of the crystallization of paramyosin.
Estrogen Levels Are Higher across the Menstrual Cycle in African-American Women Compared with Caucasian Women

Context: Previous studies have suggested that estrogen levels may be higher in African-American women (AAW) compared with Caucasian women (CW), but none have systematically examined estrogen secretion across the menstrual cycle or in relation to other reproductive hormones. Objective: The objective of the study was to compare estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), gonadotropins, androstenedione (a'dione), inhibins, and SHBG levels between AAW and CW across the menstrual cycle. Design, Setting, and Subjects: Daily blood samples were collected from regularly cycling AAW (n = 27) and CW (n = 27) for a full menstrual cycle, and serial ultrasounds were performed. Main Outcome Measures: Comparison of E2, P, LH, FSH, SHBG, inhibin A, inhibin B, and a'dione levels. Results: AAW and CW were of similar age (27.2 ± 0.6 yr, mean ± sem) and body mass index (22.7 ± 0.4 kg/m2). All subjects grew a single dominant follicle and had comparable cycle (25–35 d) and follicular phase (11–24 d) lengths. E2 levels were significantly ...
Acoustic micromixer for enhancement of DNA biochip systems

Microfluidics is emerging as one of the fastest growing segments of micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) technologies due to its potential applications in biotechnology, chemical microreactors, and drug discovery. Micromixing is one of the most challenging problems in microfluidic systems, since it is a diffusion-limited process and can be very inefficient. A micromixing device based on an acoustic microstreaming principle is developed to enhance micromixing. The micromixer uses air bubbles as actuators that can be set into vibration by a sound field. The vibration of the air bubbles generates steady circulatory flows, resulting in global convection flows and thus rapid mixing. The time to fully mix dyed solutions in a 50-μL shallow chamber using acoustic microstreaming is significantly reduced from hours (a pure diffusion-based mixing) to 6 s. We demonstrate the use of this micromixer to enhance the performance of conventional DNA microarray biochips that often suffer from lengthy hybridization and poor signal uniformity due to a diffusion-limited hybridization process. Experiments showed that the acoustic micromixer results in five-fold hybridization signal enhancement with significantly improved signal uniformity, as compared to conventional diffusion-based biochips. Acoustic microstreaming has many advantages over most existing micromixing techniques, including a simple apparatus, ease of implementation, low power consumption (∼ 2 mW), and low cost.
Optimal allocation for symmetric distributions in ranked set sampling

Ranked set sampling (RSS) is a cost efficient method of sampling that provides a more precise estimator of population mean than simple random sampling. The benefits due to ranked set sampling further increase when appropriate allocation of sampling units is made. For highly skew distributions, allocation based on the Neyman criterion achieves a substantial precision gain over equal allocation. But the same is not true for symmetric distributions; in fact, the gains due to using the Neyman allocation are typically very marginal for symmetric distributions. This paper, determines optimal RSS allocations for two classes of symmetric distributions. Depending upon the class, the optimal allocation assigns all measurements either to the extreme ranks or to the middle rank(s). This allocation outperforms both equal and Neyman allocations in terms of the precision of the estimator which remains unbiased. The two classes of distributions are distinguished by different growth patterns in the variance of their order statistics regarded as a function of the rank order. For one class, the variance peaks for middle rank orders and tapers off in the tails; for the other class, the variance peaks for the two extreme rank orders and tapers off toward the middle. Kurtosis appears to effectively discriminate between the two classes of symmetic distributions. The Neyman allocation is required to quantify all rank orders at least once (to ensure general unbiasedness) but then quantifies most frequently the more variable rank orders. Under symmetry, unbiasedness can be obtained without quantifying all rank orders and the optimal allocation quantifies the least variable rank order(s), resulting in a high precision estimator.
Isolation, identification and biological activity of a phyllanthoside metabolite produced in vitro by mouse plasma

The antitumor agent phyllanthoside is rapidly metabolized in vitro by mouse plasma [4]. This metabolite has now been isolated from mouse plasma and its structural properties and cytotoxicity characterized. The isolated metabolite was estimated to be >98% pure by HPLC analysis. Mass spectral analysis (fast atom bombardment and tandem mass spectrometry) indicated that the metabolite was the aglycone of phyllanthoside that resulted from the cleavage of the ester bond linking the aglycone and the disaccharide moieties of phyllanthoside. This identification was based on identical collision-induced dissociation spectra of both phyllanthoside and the metabolite. The aglycone was not formed by mouse plasma that had been boiled, filtered to remove proteins, or treated with 1.0 mM diisopropyl fluorophosphate. These results suggest that aglycone formation occurs as a result of plasma esterase activity. Michaelis-Menten constants, Vmax and Km, for conversion of phyllanthoside to the aglycone at 22°C were estimated to be 1.1 mmol/ml plasma/min and 2.0 mM, respectively. Concentrations of phyllanthoside and metabolite required to inhibit cell-colony formation by human A204 rhabdomyosarcoma in vitro were 0.47 nM and 24 μM, respectively. The toxicity of phyllanthoside, and perhaps its efficacy as an antitumor agent in mice, may depend on its rate of conversion to the aglycone.
Plant Receptor-Like Serine Threonine Kinases: Roles in Signaling and Plant Defense

Plants are hosts to a wide array of pathogens from all kingdoms of life. In the absence of an active immune system or combinatorial diversifications that lead to recombination-driven somatic gene flexibility, plants have evolved different strategies to combat both individual pathogen strains and changing pathogen populations. The receptor-like kinase (RLK) gene-family expansion in plants was hypothesized to have allowed accelerated evolution among domains implicated in signal reception, typically a leucine-rich repeat (LRR). Under that model, the gene-family expansion represents a plant-specific adaptation that leads to the production of numerous and variable cell surface and cytoplasmic receptors. More recently, it has emerged that the LRR domains of RLK interact with a diverse group of proteins leading to combinatorial variations in signal response specificity. Therefore, the RLK appear to play a central role in signaling during pathogen recognition, the subsequent activation of plant defense mechanisms, and developmental control. The future challenges will include determinations of RLK modes of action, the basis of recognition and specificity, which cellular responses each receptor mediates, and how both receptor and kinase domain interactions fit into the defense signaling cascades. These challenges will be complicated by the limited information that may be derived from the primary sequence of the LRR domain. The review focuses upon implications derived from recent studies of the secondary and tertiary structures of several plant RLK that change understanding of plant receptor function and signaling. In addition, the biological functions of plant and animal RLK-containing receptors were reviewed and commonalities among their signaling mechanisms identified. Further elucidated were the genomic and structural organizations of RLK gene families, with special emphasis on RLK implicated in resistance to disease and development.
Granule formation mechanisms and morphology from single drop impact on powder beds

Abstract Single drops impacting static powder beds were studied to explain the different resulting granule structures. Three chemically similar powders with different physical properties formed static beds with porosities of 0.66–0.69, 0.54, and 0.30–0.35 respectively. Three different binder fluids (distilled water and silicone oils with viscosities of 9.3 and 96 mPa s) were released onto these powder beds from two different heights (0.5 and 30 cm). The initial drop impact, as well as complete penetration of the droplet into the bed, was recorded with a high speed camera. The high speed camera videos were analyzed, and three different granule formation mechanisms were identified: Tunneling, Spreading , and Crater Formation . Tunneling occurred for loose, cohesive powder beds. Powder aggregates were sucked into the drop which then tunneled into the beds. For coarser powders, granules were formed by a Spreading mechanism at a low impact velocity. At a high impact velocity, the drop formed a crater in the bed surface and deformed elastically in the crater, coating the drop in a layer of powder before penetrating into the bed by capillary action. Using all three dimensions of the granule, a new shape factor, the vertical aspect ratio (the ratio of the granule's projected area diameter to its maximum vertical height), was proposed as a more accurate descriptor of granule shape than currently used descriptors such as the horizontal aspect ratio. The different granule shapes observed were explained by the granule formation mechanisms. The Tunneling mechanism always produced round granules, the Spreading mechanism always produced flat disks, and the Crater Formation mechanism produced granules of varying shapes that were dependant on liquid binder properties. The results of this study have important implications for being able to predict granule structure from granule formation mechanisms, and to be able to choose the desired granule properties by operating in the appropriate regime.
Coexpression of multiple immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chain classes on human leukemic B lymphocytes (B cells).

Abstract Ig determinants on leukemic B cells from 15 chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and 4 lymphosarcoma cell leukemia (LSL) patients were studied using goat antisera to individual heavy or light chains and a polyvalent goat anti-Ig. In 16 of 19 cases only one type of light chain was detected on the leukemic cells. Heavy chains on the cells varied from a single mu to combinations of up to four classes. Mu chain was the principal heavy chain on leukemic cells in 17 of 19 cases, followed, in the order of frequency, by delta ( 6 19 ), gamma ( 5 19 ), alpha ( 3 19 ), and epsilon ( 1 19 ) chains. To investigate the intrinsic or extrinsic origin of the surface Ig determinants, leukemic cells were cultured for 3 days after preexisting surface Ig had been labeled with the respective fluorescent antisera. The prelabeled Ig molecules were shed from cell surfaces by Day 3 of culture. Ig determinants reexpressed on the cell surface during the in vitro incubation were identified by restaining the antibody-prelabeled cells. With this technique, nearly all heavy chain determinants on leukemic B cells were proven to be generated from within the cell. Lack of a consistent association among antiserum reactivities and the absence of staining of cells by at least two of the seven goat antisera excluded the potential pitfalls of antiserum cross reactivities or nonspecific attachment of antisera as the cause of cell staining. The high proportion of cells carrying heavy-chain determinants indicated that the heavy chains were coexpressed on the same leukemic B cells. Serial studies in a single patient revealed appearance of endogenous alpha and delta chains on cells previously expressing gamma and mu chains. Our study demonstrates that a leukemic B cell can simultanously express multiple heavy-chain classes in different combinations, and that some of these heavy chains are generated during the course of the illness.
Elimination kinetics and protein binding of theophylline in the rabbit.

Abstract The detailed elimination kinetics of theophylline were studied in 27 rabbits. Each received a 10 mg/kg intravenous bolus of aminophylline. The theophylline half-life ( T 1 2 ) was 3.8 ± 0.63 hr. The apparent volume of distribution (VD) and total body clearance (TBC) for theophylline were 439 ± 60 ml/kg and 81.0 ± 17.3 ml/kg·hr respectively. Theophylline protein binding was determined in 10 animals. The mean bound fraction was 74.3 ± 3.9% (range, 68.3–78.0%); the fraction bound was concentration indifferent over a serum concentration range of 5–20 μgm/ml.
Rapid determination of sample purity and composition by nanopore stochastic sensing

A rapid highly sensitive method to determine sample composition is reported. By monitoring the interaction between the sample of interest and a properly engineered nanopore, information regarding the identities and concentrations of the sample components could be revealed via their characteristic signatures, e.g., blockage amplitudes and event residence times. The sample composition method should be applicable in various research areas, including analytical chemistry, organic synthesis, pharmaceutical industry, etc.
Acute care issues in internationally adopted children

Over the past decade there has been a dramatic increase in international adoptions in the United States. While most adopted children will have common illnesses, others may have unique medical issues as a result of the conditions in their birth country requiring a broadened differential diagnosis. Knowledge of these issues is essential in the management of these patients. This review will predominately focus on infectious disease issues commonly seen in international adoptees but will also discuss other medical conditions and some of the psychosocial issues which may be encountered by caregivers in the emergency department.
Linking place preferences with place meaning: An examination of the relationship between place motivation and place attachment

Using data collected from residents surrounding a large urban park setting, we examined the relationship between their motivation to visit the park and their attachment to the setting. Based on the literature suggesting that natural environments provide humans with a variety of desired psychological, social, and physiological outcomes, we hypothesized that these outcomes would motivate respondents to interact with the park environment and facilitate the development of their attachment to the setting. Our data were analysed using covariance structure analysis. The results of this analysis offered partial support for our hypothesized model. Using multidimensional conceptualizations of motivation and place attachment, we observed that not all dimensions of motivation had a significant effect on the dimensions of place attachment. The valence of the significant predictors, however, was consistent with our hypotheses and prior literature.
Simulations: a safe place to take risks in discussing cultural differences

Non-western cultures, such as Indonesia, provide different perspectives about psychological functions that are surprisingly relevant in western cultural settings. Specific examples developed in Indonesia and Malaysia of simulations and strategies for teaching about psychology are discussed. The uniquely positive function of simulations in teaching about psychology is presented and discussed.
Diversionary Despots? Comparing Autocracies' Propensities to Use and to Benefit from Military Force

This article adds to recent research that has begun to systematically analyze the varied conflict propensities of autocracies. Using political incentive theory, we develop hypotheses on the diversionary proclivities of three distinct types of autocratic regimes that contradict conventional wisdom and the findings of recent empirical studies. To provide a full rendering of autocracies' diversionary tendencies, we test our hypotheses with Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) models that capture reciprocal relationships among external military force and four of its potential domestic causes from 1950 to 2005. Although our results provide only partial support for political incentive theory, they demonstrate the utility of using properly identified reciprocal models and of analyzing refined conceptualizations of autocratic regimes. We find that certain types of autocracies are more prone to use diversionary force and to benefit from it than others.
The Non-Western Political Process

T HE PURPOSE OF THIS ARTICLE is to outline some of the dominant and distinctive characteristics of the non-Western political process. In recent years, both the student of comparative politics and the field worker in the newly emergent and economically underdeveloped countries have found it helpful to think in terms of a general category of non-Western politics.1 There are, of course, great differences among the non-Western societies. Indeed, in the past, comparative analysis was impeded by an appreciation of the rich diversity in the cultural traditions and the historical circumstances of the Western impact; students and researchers found it necessary to concentrate on particular cultures, and as a consequence attention was generally directed to the unique features of each society. Recently, however, attempts to set forth some of the characteristics-eommon to the political life of countries experiencing profound social change have stimulated fruitful discussions among specialists on the different non-Western regions as well as among general students of comparative politics. For this discussion to continue, it is necessary for specialists on the different areas to advance, in the form of rather bold and unqualified statements, generalized models of the political process common in non-Western societies.2 Then, by examining the ways in which particular non-Western countries differ from the generalized models, it becomes possible to engage in significant comparative analysis.
Email Flaming Behaviors and Organizational Conflict

This study explores whether the attributes listed in the literature on flaming in email are considered characteristic of flaming by actual email users. Through the creation of a semantic differential scale-called the Message Invectives Scale-the study took eight concepts found in more than 20 research articles on flaming and examined email users' responses to a set of 20 messages in relation to those eight characteristics. Findings indicate that in each of the 20 cases, six of the original eight concepts relate to each other to form a common set, which also correlates positively with perceptions of flaming. Some of the messages that scored high for flaming contained profanity, all capital letters, excessive exclamation points or question marks, indicating that these attributes also relate to flaming. Based on these findings, recommendations are advanced as to how email should be used to avoid negative attributes that can lead to organizational conflict.
Anomalous nonlinear properties of Hopfield net studied from discrete algebra and N-dimension geometry

For a one-layered-feedback neural network, e.g., a Hopfield net, containing discrete sign-function neurons, the nonlinear properties of this network can be studied very efficiently using simple discrete mathematics. This paper summarizes the discrete-formulation of the problem as a matrix difference equation, the simple iterative method of solving this difference equation and the derivation of the major anomalous properties of the system from the solutions. These anomalous properties include, eigen-state storage, associative storage, domain of attraction, content- addressable recall, fault-tolerant recall, capacity of storage, binary oscillating states, limit-cycles in the state space, and noise-sensitive input states. The physical origin and the systematic trend of the derivation of these properties are easily seen in the numerical examples given.
The role of mononuclear phagocytes in HTLV-III/LAV infection

Cells with properties characteristic of mononuclear phagocytes were evaluated for infectivity with five different isolates of the AIDS virus, HTLV-III/LAV. Mononuclear phagocytes cultured from brain and lung tissues of AIDS patients harbored the virus. In vitro-infected macrophages from the peripheral blood, bone marrow, or cord blood of healthy donors produced large quantities of virus. Virus production persisted for at least 40 days and was not dependent on host cell proliferation. Giant multinucleated cells were frequently observed in the macrophage cultures and numerous virus particles, often located within vacuole-like structures, were present in infected cells. The different virus isolates were compared for their ability to infect macrophages and T cells. Isolates from lung- and brain-derived macrophages had a significantly higher ability to infect macrophages than T cells. In contrast, the prototype HTLV-III beta showed a 10,000-fold lower ability to infect macrophages than T cells and virus production was one-tenth that in macrophage cultures infected with other isolates, indicating that a particular variant of HTLV-III/LAV may have a preferential tropism for macrophages or T cells. These results suggest that mononuclear phagocytes may serve as primary targets for infection and agents for virus dissemination and that these virus-infected cells may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Insights into Professional Development for Teachers of English Language Learners: A Focus on Using Students' Native Languages in the Classroom.

This study examines factors impacting teacher learning during and after an online professional development program focused on teaching English language learners in U.S. schools. Research focused on nonbilingual K–12 teachers' changing perspectives on the role of students' native languages in classroom teaching and learning during and after the professional development program. Case studies of two teachers suggest that teachers who do not consider themselves bilingual do not necessarily hold negative views about native languages but that they require institutional support to move beyond “honoring” native languages to incorporating them into daily instruction. Further, institutional support for native-language use can be influential in changing teachers' practices and perspectives.
Effect of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea on Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

SummaryThe pharmacological actions of 1,3-bis-(2-chloroethyl)-1-nitrosourea (BCNU) were investigated with a microbial test system. The antimicrobial spectrum of BCNU differed from that of the parent 1-methylnitrosourea (MNU) and that of nitrogen mustard (HN2). Computer analysis likewise showed certain differences in the dose-response relationships of S. cerevisiae to each of the 3 drugs; HN2 and BCNU yielded similar numerical slopes and LD50 values but the form of the curve at times differed between the 2 drugs. With MNU, much lower slopes and higher LD50 values were obtained. The inhibitory action of BCNU on yeast was antagonized by cysteine and by dithiothreitol (DTT); only cysteine annulled the action of HN2. Neither sulfhydryl compound antagonized the inhibitory action of MNU. BCNU was apparently more stable in solution than HN2. In the presence of viable yeast cells, there was a slow decrease in concentration of BCNU in the supernatant solution. This decrease was much less in the presence of nonviabl...
Hyperfine measurements of the 1D2-3H4 transition in Pr3+: Yttrium aluminum garnet using photon echo.

The hyperfine structure of the $^{1}\mathrm{D}_{2}$${\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}}^{3}$${\mathrm{H}}_{4}$ transition of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$: yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) is studied using a photon echo modulation technique. The Fourier transform of modulation data gives hyperfine frequencies of the $^{1}\mathrm{D}_{2}$ state as 3.42 and 5.96 MHz. The photon echo modulation is a very sensitive function of the atomic environment, and we find that the site symmetry of ${\mathrm{Pr}}^{3+}$ impurity ions in YAG is lowered to ${C}_{2}$ from the ${D}_{2}$ symmetry of ${\mathrm{Y}}^{3+}$ ions.
Requirements for designing chemical engines with reversible reactions

Entropy generation during chemical reactions can cause significant irreversibility in chemical engines. These irreversibilities reduce the exergy of the fuel resource preventing potential work production. Understanding the cause of these irreversibilities and developing strategies for reducing them is critical for increasing engine efficiency. All chemical engines can be separated into two categories depending on how they manage the chemical reaction: restrained and unrestrained. A fuel cell with an electric motor is an example of a restrained engine design. Restrained engines have the potential to operate near the reversible limit, with no entropy generation from the chemical reaction. Combustion engines are unrestrained engines, which means the engine design has a built-in irreversibility due to the way it conducts the chemical reaction. This paper defines the requirements necessary to build restrained chemical engines, which helps to identify fundamental strategies for increasing efficiency in both engine designs as well as trade-offs between the two options.
Viral probe into the events of cellular (in vitro) aging

Viral infection by vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) as well as cellular protection against it were studied in cultured human diploid fibroblast cells (WI38 strain) of varying senescence (passage) level. Full protection against viral infection can be achieved by pretreatment of cells with an interferon inducer (complex of polycytidylate and polyinosinate) or by pretreatment with concentrates of interferon itself. The late passages (over 45) require higher concentration of both agents than the medium passages (25–45); a complete failure of protective mechanisms occurs only close to cellular death. Furthermore, effects of confluency and of duration of induction impulse were studied. WI38 cells are sensitive to VSV infection through their entire life span; however, during the last passage before their death by senescence, VSV replication is significantly decreased. It is concluded that even in relatively senescent cells (a) protection mechanisms which were not used previously can be activated, (b) synthesizing machinery necessary for efficient support of viral replication is sustained, and (c) release of lysosomal enzymes ending the viral replication does not begin sooner than with cells of earlier passage level.
Global Optimization Using Diffusion Perturbations with Large Noise Intensity

This work develops an algorithm for global optimization. The algorithm is of gradient ascent type and uses random perturbations. In contrast to the annealing type procedures, the perturbation noise intensity is large. We demonstrate that by properly varying the noise intensity, approximations to the global maximum can be achieved. We also show that the expected time to reach the domain of attraction of the global maximum, which can be approximated by the solution of a boundary value problem, is finite. Discrete-time algorithms are proposed; recursive algorithms with occasional perturbations involving large noise intensity are developed. Numerical examples are provided for illustration.
Evidence for a differential innervation of the spinal motor columns by substance p and serotonin in the fetal monkey

In the late-term fetal monkey, serotonin (5HT) and substance P (SP) immunoreactivities were localized to two distinct neural networks in the ventral horn of the spinal cord. In contrast, the adult monkey has SP and 5HT colocalized to the same terminals.
Isolated electrocautery device eliminates electrical interference and surgical burns

In the 51 million invasive surgeries performed annually in the United States, electrocauterization devices are utilized to coagulate blood and reduce bleeding. Today the gold standard for these devices passes high radio frequency currents through the body, generating high heat energy to dehydrate and vaporize cells. This technique presents risks of electrocution and severe burns to the patient, as well as RF interference with personal care devices and critical care monitoring systems. A new device has been created as a safer and more efficacious electrocautery alternative that utilizes heat powered by direct current isolated from the body, ultimately eliminating noise complications and preventing electrocution while still minimizing blood loss.
A comparison of three methods of measuring the type and quantity of services provided during substance abuse treatment

Abstract This study examined three data collection methods of quantifying and categorizing treatment services provided in a publicly funded methadone program. All three approaches were research technician implemented: (1) bi-weekly patient interview with the Treatment Services Review (TSR); (2) weekly counselor interview by the Counselor Services Interview (CSI); and (3) data abstraction from clinical patient records (REC). Fifty patients were followed over 28 days using each method to assess the services received/provided within the program. Five service domains were assessed: medical, employment, alcohol/drug, family, and psychiatric. Correlations were calculated among the three methods of data collection across each of the five service domains. Overall, low to moderate correlations were found with the highest rates of agreement detected between the TSR and the REC in the employment domain (0.48) and the REC and CSI in the family domain (0.48). Post hoc focus groups with the counselors and patients found that: (1) counseling sessions rarely focused on specific problem domains; (2) counselors and patients disagreed about the quality of treatment services; and (3) counselors `rounded-up' time spent counseling. These findings suggest that measuring treatment service delivery varies markedly based on who provides the information (e.g. patient or treatment staff) and what procedures are used for data collection (e.g. chart abstraction or self-report).
DEPICTING FEDERAL FISCAL TRANSFERS

A method is described for cartographically illustrating interstate flows of federal monies within the contiguous United States, using as data the differences between government collections and expenditures by state. It is assumed that movements between surplus and deficit areas are governed by a potential field, for which the driving potential can be interpreted as political “strength.'’Resulting computer-drawn maps reveal Frostbelt-Sunbelt flows as well as flows toward New England and Washington state. The cumulated total movement, or flux, yields a 48-by-48 table of interstate transfers. These are likewise mapped by computer, the state centroids being connected by arrows whose width is proportional to the magnitude of flows.
Using Rules & Pathway Databases to Create Quantitative Mechanistic Models in Virtual Cell

Recent technological advances have resulted in an accumulation of experimental data and a growing interest in using this data to build quantitative models of biological processes. The traditional approach to build such models involves manual formulation of model hypothesis and data search. This is becoming inadequate due to the degree of complexity in the models and the great variety of data available. In particular, for understanding and modeling the dynamics of protein-protein interactions, the mechanisms of interactions have to be described at the level of protein sites, the parts of proteins that are responsible for protein-protein interactions, such as protein phosphorylation sites and interaction domains. The rule-based approach provides modelers with an opportunity to efficiently use such information. However, despite the high relevance of the site-specific details of protein-protein interactions for understanding system behavior, rule-based models incorporating these details are not very common, because of difficulties in mining and using this information for modeling. To address this need, we developed 2 new capabilities within the Virtual Cell modeling and simulation framework. The first one is BioNetGen@VCell, which enables the user to create rule-based models and combine rules and reactions in a single interface. The other, PathwayCommons@VCell, enables the user to easily extract information from external pathway databases and create computational models of pathways. We describe the technology underlying these tools and present an example model that makes use of them.
Use of web-based learning modules for a general medicine advanced pharmacy practice experience

Abstract Objective To implement and assess web-based learning modules on baseline pharmacy student knowledge prior to a general medicine advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE). Methods Three web-based learning modules were developed for use prior to a general medicine APPE. Students completed pre- and post-assessments specific to each learning module. Additionally, students completed perception surveys at the conclusion of the APPE to determine the utility of these modules and the impact on student learning experiences. Results Use of the web-based training (WBT) modules resulted in a statistically significant improvement in post-assessment scores for two of the three modules ( p Conclusions Utilization of a WBT module prior to a general medicine APPE improves baseline knowledge among pharmacy students.
Multifunctional porous aramids (aerogels) by efficient reaction of carboxylic acids and isocyanates

Polymerization of trifunctional polyaromatic carboxylic acids and isocyanates in dilute DMF solutions using the rather underutilized reaction of the carboxylic acid group (–COOH) with isocyanates (–NCO) towards amides (–NH(CO)–) induces early phase separation of surface-active aramid nanoparticles that form a solvent-filled 3D network stabilized against collapse by the chemical energy of the interparticle covalent bridges (crosslinks). Those wet-gels can be dried with liquid CO2 taken out at the end as a supercritical fluid into lightweight (bulk density ∼0.3 g cm−3) highly porous (77% v/v) multifunctional materials classified as aerogels with high specific energy absorption (37 J g−1), open-air speed of sound (338 m s−1) and Styrofoam-like thermal conductivity (0.028 W m−1 K−1).
Transcript Stabilization by the RNA-Binding Protein HuR Is Regulated by Cellular Retinoic Acid-Binding Protein 2

The RNA-binding protein HuR binds at 3' untranslated regions (UTRs) of target transcripts, thereby protecting them against degradation. We show that HuR directly interacts with cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2), a protein known to transport RA from the cytosol to the nuclear retinoic acid receptor (RAR). Association with CRABP2 dramatically increases the affinity of HuR toward target mRNAs and enhances the stability of such transcripts, including that of Apaf-1, the major protein in the apoptosome. We show further that its cooperation with HuR contributes to the ability of CRABP2 to suppress carcinoma cell proliferation. The data show that CRABP2 displays antioncogenic activities both by cooperating with RAR and by stabilizing antiproliferative HuR target transcripts. The observation that CRABP2 controls mRNA stabilization by HuR reveals that in parallel to participating in transcriptional regulation, the protein is closely involved in posttranscriptional regulation of gene expression.
Ternary complementary sets for multiple channel DS-UWB with reduced peak to average power ratio

We study a multiple channel direct sequence ultrawideband (DS-UWB) system which transmits the same information bit over a set of parallel channels corresponding to a set of orthogonal pulses. It is known that by employing a mutually orthogonal (MO) ternary complementary set of spreading sequences, one can efficiently suppress both multipath and multiuser interference. Similar to a multicarrier DS-CDMA system, the multichannel DS-UWB system can have a high peak to average power ratio (PAPR) which may limit its application. In this paper, we analyze the PAPR of the multichannel UWB system by studying its upper bound. The bound illustrates how column sequences of MO complementary set matrices with small out-off-phase aperiodic autocorrelation functions (ACF) allow for lowering the PAPR. Hence, we develop an algorithm to construct the spreading sequence sets which may result in data sequences with reduced PAPR, while at the same time, preserving the complementarity and orthogonality which alleviate the multipath and multiuser interference.
Implementation of a Novel “Brain Code” Medication Distribution System for Neurological Emergencies at a Tertiary Care Hospital (S11.004)

OBJECTIVE: We sought to improve hyperosmolar therapy administration times by introducing a novel “Brain Code” system at our institution. BACKGROUND: Acute intracranial hypertension is a critical care emergency that can result in brain herniation and death. The process can sometimes be reversed by rapid administration of appropriate therapy. Unfortunately, the rate-limiting step to administration is the ready availability of these medications. DESIGN/METHODS: Creation of the “Brain Code” system required approval from pharmacy, nursing, neurosurgery, neurocritical care, and hospital safety committees, as well as education of hospital staff. “Brain Codes” were activated in patients who had elevated intracranial pressure or exhibited signs and symptoms of cerebral herniation. Medication administration was at the clinical discretion of a neurointensivist. A “Brain Code” kit included sodium chloride 23.4[percnt], sodium chloride 3[percnt], mannitol 20[percnt], phenylephrine, filters, syringes, needles, gloves, alcohol swabs, labels, and record sheet. The primary outcome was time from “Brain Code” activation to administration of medications. RESULTS: Over 16 months during which the “Brain Code” system was functional, it was activated 25 times. Code times were documented in 15 of these cases. Average time from activation to medication administration was 12.2 minutes (median 8min). This is compared with >60min prior to the implementation of the “Brain Code”. Brain Codes were called in the emergency room (52[percnt]), neurocritical care ICU (20[percnt]), surgical ICU (9[percnt]), helipad (4[percnt]), and post-anesthesia unit (4[percnt]). Regarding the choice of hyperosmolar therapy, sodium chloride 3[percnt] was used first in 47.6[percnt] of cases; mannitol was administered first in 38.1[percnt] of cases; sodium chloride 23.4[percnt] was given first in 14.3[percnt] of cases. In 48[percnt] of cases, hyperosmolar therapy was repeated. CONCLUSIONS: Using a novel “Brain Code” system can improve administration times of potentially life-saving therapies. However, it remains unclear as to whether this rapid administration time affects patient outcomes. Disclosure: Dr. LaBuzetta has nothing to disclose. Dr. Chu has nothing to disclose. Dr. Minokadeh has nothing to disclose. Dr. Lemkuil has nothing to disclose. Dr. Box has nothing to disclose. Dr. Karanjia has nothing to disclose.
The α-calcium calmodulin kinase II and the plasticity of neurons, circuits and behavior

Techniques to derive mice with very specific mutations in any cloned gene are an exciting new addition to a series of impressive neuroscience tools that can be used to explore the connections between molecules, cells, circuits and behaving brains. The ease with which new mutant variants are generated, with overlapping but importantly different properties, provides the opportunity to generate and test models integrating molecular, physiological and behavioral observations. As an illustration of the versatility of this new approach, we will summarize studies of a mouse mutant for the α isoform of the Ca2+/calmodulin kinase II gene.