cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Individual quality and age affect responses to an energetic constraint in a cavity-nesting bird

Individual variation in life-history trade-offs can be caused by differences in quality and age. We tested for individual variation in parental investment in incubating tree swallows (Tacyhcineta bicolor) subjected to a feather-clipping manipulation. Individual quality influenced how females were affected by feather clipping; lower quality clipped females showed a greater reduction in incubation and a greater loss of body condition than higher quality clipped females compared with controls. Most importantly, responses during incubation influenced nestling traits; lower quality clipped females, particularly those losing the most body mass, raised nestlings in the poorest condition. There was no difference in incubation patterns of control females, but older clipped females suffered self-maintenance costs and raised offspring in better condition. In contrast, younger clipped females passed costs on to offspring through lower egg temperatures and reduced nestling condition while maintaining their own condition. Overall, we found a strong individual quality effect: at the population level, there was a trade-off between investing in incubation and maintaining parental condition, but among individuals, there was a positive correlation between change in parental condition and offspring quality. Individual differences in parental strategy can be important causes of life-history variation, especially through subtle, but important, aspects of reproduction such as maintaining egg temperature during incubation. Key words: age differences, energetic constraint, incubation, individual quality, life-history trade-offs, tree swallow. [Behav Ecol]
Current Practices in Intraspinal Therapy— A Survey of Clinical Trends and Decision Making

Practice patterns were assessed via an internet-based survey distributed to physicians who manage implantable infusion pumps for pain management. Respondents consisted of 413 physicians who represented management of 13,342 patients, predominantly in the U.S. The survey used a standard questionnaire format plus two clinical vignettes to assess decision-making practices. The responding physicians chose morphine most often, but many other drugs were selected without clear indications. There was evidence of wide variations in clinical practice among physicians who use this modality. These findings highlight the need for practice guidelines based on research outcomes and expert experience to establish pathways for optimal management.
Formation of the dorsal marginal zone in Xenopus laevis analyzed by time-lapse microscopic magnetic resonance imaging.

The dorsal marginal zone (DMZ) of the amphibian embryo is a key embryonic region involved in body axis organization and neural induction. Using time-lapse microscopic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), we follow the pregastrula movements that lead to the formation of the DMZ of the stage 10 Xenopus embryo. 2D and 3D MRI time-lapse series reveal that pregastrular movements change the tissue architecture of the DMZ at earlier stages and in a different fashion than previously appreciated. Beginning at stage 9, epiboly of the animal cap moves tissue into the dorsal but not into the ventral marginal zone, resulting in an asymmetry between the dorsal and the ventral sides. Time-lapse imaging of labeled blastomeres shows that the animal cap tissue moves into the superficial DMZ overlying the deeper mesendoderm of the DMZ. The shearing of superficial tissue over the deeper mesendoderm creates the radial/vertical arrangement of ectoderm outside of mesendoderm within the DMZ, which is independent of involution and prior to the formation of the dorsal blastoporal lip. This tilting of the DMZ is distinct from, but occurs synchronously with, the vegetal rotation of the vegetal cell mass [R., Winklbauer, M., Schurfeld (1999). “Vegetal rotation, a new gastrulation movement involved in the internalization of the mesoderm and endoderm in Xenopus.” Development. 126, 3703–3713.]. We present a revised model of gastrulation movements in Xenopus laevis.
Effect of emotional state on alcohol consumption.

The present study explored effects of emotional states on alcohol use. The three orthogonal dimensions of pleasure-displeasure, level of arousal, and dominance-submissiveness, which are necessary and sufficient to describe and measure any emotional state, were used as independent factors. Reports of amounts of beer, liquor, and wine consumption were the dependent measures. Confirming earlier findings, wine consumption was not a consistent part of the over-all pattern of drinking habits; wine drinking seems to have a distinctive psychological function in contrast to beer and liquor consumption which historically have been a more stable part of alcohol use in the U.S. Almost identical complex patterns of findings were obtained for beer and liquor use. For pleasant emotional states, reported alcohol consumption was greater when subjects felt dominant and aroused (elated, excited) than when they felt dominant and unaroused (relaxed) or submissive and aroused (impressed). For unpleasant emotional states, alcoh...
Delayed diagnosis of pediatric Langerhans' cell histiocytosis: case report and retrospective review of pediatric cases seen at Mayo Clinic.

Langerhans' cell histiocytosis is a disease of the dendritic histiocytes with a wide variety of clinical manifestations. This report describes a boy with Langerhans' cell histiocytosis who presented with primarily neurologic and endocrinologic findings, without pain. The diagnosis of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis was not made until 10 years after symptom onset. The pathology database at Mayo Clinic was searched for cases of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis between 1985 and 1999 under 19 years of age (65 children), and information regarding clinical presentation was abstracted. Database review found a range of 1 day to 156 weeks (mean 13.8 weeks) from symptom onset to diagnosis. No other patients with primarily neurologic symptoms were found. The diagnosis of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis was made significantly sooner after onset if pain was present (chi-square = 19.1, P < . .001, two-tailed, phi coefficient 0.54). Our findings indicate that neurologic manifestations of Langerhans' cell histiocytosis are r...
Wet air regeneration of PAC: comparison of carbons with different surface oxygen characteristics

Abstract Surface oxygen has an important effect on the wet air regeneration (WAR) of powdered activated carbons (PAC) and on the adsorption properties of the regenerated PAC. Virgin and phenanthrene-loaded PACs were regenerated in a bench-scale reactor, and then analyzed to determine surface oxygen content, adsorption capacity, and extent of phenanthrene oxidation. Even though the virgin wood-base (WB) and lignite-base (LB) PACs had about the same oxygen content, the oxygen content of the WB PAC increased more than twice as much as the LB PAC during regeneration. The difference was caused by the larger amount of CO 2 -evolving oxides that formed on the WB PAC. WAR reduces the capacity of PAC for p -nitrophenol (PNP). Removing the surface oxides had varying effects on the carbon's capacity for PNP. Also, adsorbed phenanthrene was more easily oxidized on the WB PAC than on the LB PAC during regeneration.
Kubelka-munk analysis of absorptance in the presence of scattering, including surface-reflection correction to transmittance

The absorption of optical radiation by an (incidentally) fluorescent absorbing material was studied in the presence of substantial amounts of scattering. If surface-reflection corrections are neglected, the apparent absorptance of the system is “enhanced” in the presence of scattering. However, in this case attempts to use the Kubelka-Munk turbid-medium theory to compute the results do not lead to an accurate and adequate explanation. If surface-reflection corrections are applied, all observed phenomena can be explained, but a negative enhancement is predicted. A new Saunderson-type correction equation for surface reflection of the diffuse internal transmittance is derived and applied. Fluorescence does not contribute to the phenomena studied since measurements were limited to wavelengths outside the fluorescent emission spectral region.
Pharyngocutaneous fistula after total laryngectomy: a single-institution experience, 2001-2012.

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of and risk factors for pharyngocutaneous fistula in patients undergoing total laryngectomy at a single institution. Materials and methods The records of 59 patients undergoing primary or salvage total laryngectomy at our institution from 2001 to 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Data collected included patient, tumor and treatment characteristics, and surgical technique. Risk factors were analyzed for association with pharyngocutaneous fistula formation. Results Twenty patients (34%) developed fistulas. Preoperative tracheostomy (OR 4.1; 95% CI 1.3–13 [ p = 0.02]) and low postoperative hemoglobin (OR 9.1; 95% CI 1.1–78 [ p = 0.04]) were associated with fistula development. Regarding surgical technique, primary sutured closure of the total laryngectomy defect had the lowest fistula rate (11%). In comparison, primary stapled closure and pectoralis onlay flap over primary closure had nonsignificantly increased fistula rates (43%, OR 6.0; 95% CI 1.0–37.3 [ p = 0.06] and 25%, OR 2.7; 95% CI 0.4–23.9 [ p = 0.38], respectively). Pectoralis flap incorporated into the suture line had a significantly increased fistula rate (50%, OR 7.1; 95% CI 1.4–46 [ p = 0.02]). After stratification for salvage status, patient comorbidities were associated with fistula in non-salvage cases whereas disease-related characteristics were associated with fistula in salvage cases. Fistula development was associated with increased length of hospital stay ( p p Conclusions Pharyngocutaneous fistula is a common complication of total laryngectomy. Preoperative tracheostomy, postoperative hemoglobin, and surgical technique are important in determining the risk of fistula.
In Silico Evaluation of Predicted Regulatory Interactions in Arabidopsis thaliana

Prediction of transcriptional regulatory mechanisms in Arabidopsis has become increasingly critical with the explosion of genomic data now available for both gene expression and gene sequence composition. We have shown in previous work [1], that a combination of correlation measurements and cis-regulatory element (CRE) detection methods are effective in predicting targets for candidate transcription factors for specific case studies which were validated. However, to date there has been no quantitative assessment as to which correlation measures or CRE detection methods used alone or in combination are most effective in predicting TF→target relationships on a genome-wide scale. We tested several widely used methods, based on correlation (Pearson and Spearman Rank correlation) and cis- regulatory element (CRE) detection (≥1 CRE or CRE over-representation), to determine which of these methods individually or in combination is the most effective by various measures for making regulatory predictions. To predict the regulatory targets of a transcription factor (TF) of interest, we applied these methods to microarray expression data for genes that were regulated over treatment and control conditions in wild type (WT) plants. Because the chosen data sets included identical experimental conditions used on TF over-expressor or T-DNA knockout plants, we were able to test the TF→target predictions made using microarray data from WT plants, with microarray data from mutant/transgenic plants. For each method, or combination of methods, we computed sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive value and the F-measure of balance between sensitivity and positive predictive value (precision). This analysis revealed that the ≥1 CRE and Spearman correlation (used alone or in combination) were the most balanced CRE detection and correlation methods, respectively with regard to their power to accurately predict regulatory-target interactions. These findings provide an approach and guidance for researchers interested in predicting transcriptional regulatory mechanisms using microarray data that they generate (or microarray data that is publically available) combined with CRE detection in promoter sequence data.
Organizing the digital world to empower people to do more, know more, and be more

The web is rapidly evolving into the web of the world where people, places, things and their relationships are all digitally represented. This evolution opens up unparalleled opportunities to organize this vast digital universe for even greater human purpose. In this talk, Dr. Lu will share an outline of Microsoft's quest and aspiration to organize the digital universe with a pervasive computational fabric of digital information, digital services, and digital experiences that empower every human being on the planet to accomplish more and enrich their life. Dr. Lu will discuss high level computational structures and present specific examples across Bing, Windows and other products and services to illustrate Microsoft's approach to delivering end user value and accelerating the pace of innovation for the industry as a whole.
Kinetics and Mechanisms of Monolayer Interactions I: Cetyl Sulfate and Cetrimonium Ions Interacting with Dipalmitoyl Lecithin and Dipalmitoyl Glycerol

Abstract The interaction of cetyl sulfate and cetrimonium (cetyltrimethylammonium) ions with dipalmitoyl lecithin and dipalmitoyl glycerol monolayers spread at the air/water interface was followed by the variation of the surface pressure and surface potential. The kinetics and the final equilibrium varied with the nature of the injected surfactant. An approximative method was devised to calculate the energies of activation, which are comparable with others obtained on a classical thermodynamic basis for cetyl alcohol monolayers interacting with sodium lauryl sulfate. The presence of the phosphoryltrimethylethanolamine group in the dipalmitoyl lecithin molecule decreases to some extent the interaction with cetyl sulfate and cetrimonium ions. The values of the energies of activation obtained indicate that the ionic groups of the polar moiety of dipalmitoyl lecithin are not equivalent in the perturbation that an attached hydrocarbon chain produces in the surface pressure of the monolayer. This difference may be explained by the different mobilities that a hydrocarbon chain would have when attached to one or the other ionic attraction centers because of the unrestricted movement of the positively charged trimethylammonium group around the phosphate linkage of the dipalmitoyl lecithin. Some implications of this observation to microstates of biomembranes are suggested.
Testing Services in College and University Counseling Centers.

Counseling centers were surveyed to gather information about the non-counseling-related testing services being offered. Differences between centers at large and small institutions are discussed.
Case of sisters with complete androgen insensitivity syndrome and discordant Müllerian remnants

Objective Presentation of complete androgen insensitivity in two members of the same family with differing residual Mullerian tissue. Design Case report. Setting Rural hospital setting. Patient(s) Two siblings with 46,XY karyotype and female phenotype presented at different points in time with primary amenorrhea. Laparoscopy of sister 1 revealed bilateral elongated gonads and remnants of uterine tissue. Laparoscopy of sister 2 demonstrated both gonads, but no uterus was identified. Intervention(s) Sister 1: bilateral gonadectomy and hysterectomy. Sister 2: bilateral gonadectomy. Main Outcome Measure(s) Gonadectomy for cancer prophylaxis, counseling in affected/unaffected family members. Result(s) Sister 1: pathology revealed portions of immature testicles and fragments of smooth muscle. Sister 2: pathology reported two testicular and epididymal-like structures with benign Sertoli cell adenomas entirely in testicular parenchyma. Conclusion(s) This case demonstrates the presentation and laparoscopic photos of complete androgen insensitivity syndrome discovered in two siblings. Both girls are genotypically male, but differ in the presence of vestigial Mullerian tissue. This case demonstrates that siblings with androgen resistance may express varying amounts of Mullerian tissue.
Thoracoscopic Lung Lobectomy for Treatment of Lung Tumors in Dogs

Objective To report use of thoracoscopic lung lobectomy (TLL) for treatment of lung tumors (LT) in dogs. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Nine dogs. Methods Dogs that had TLL for tumor removal were included. Using general anesthesia and 1-lung ventilation, TLL was performed using a 30-60 mm endoscopic gastrointestinal anastomosis stapler. If the visual field was obscured, lobe resection was completed via thoracotomy. Results Metastatic and primary LT were resected by thoracoscopic lobectomy in 9 dogs (6 male, 3 female; mean (+/-SD) weight, 29+/-7 kg; mean age, 10.7+/-1.9 years). Six dogs had a solitary mass and 3 dogs had 2 masses within a single lobe. The left caudal lobe was removed in 3 dogs. In 5 dogs, TLL was used alone whereas conversion to thoracotomy was required in 4 dogs because of poor visibility. There were 7 metastatic LT and 2 primary LT. Mean duration of thoracoscopic surgery was 108.8+/-30.3 minutes compared with 150.75+/-55.4 minutes in dogs requiring conversion to thoracotomy. Mean hospitalization was 3.1+/-1.3 days. Conclusion Provided the visual field is not obscured, TLL can be performed effectively in dogs. Clinical relevance Dogs with metastatic or primary LTs should be considered for TLL, particularly for small masses positioned away from the hilus in the left caudal lung lobe.
Cognitive Therapy for Suicidality: An Integrative, Comprehensive, and Practical Approach to Conceptualization

A model of suicidality based in cognitive therapy is offered. The conceptual framework, referred to as the suicidal mode, incorporates the various systems of personality into an integrative theory with direct application for clinical care. Application of the suicidal mode to treatment of patients struggling with suicidality is discussed and broader issues of theoretical integration addressed.
Regulation of cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) in mouse embryo fibroblast (C3H10T1/2) cells by protein kinase C (PKC).

Abstract The effects of co-treatment of C3H10T1/2 (10T1/2) cells with 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo -p- dioxin (TCDD) and 12- O -tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) on the expression of the novel cytochrome P4501B1 (CYP1B1) were investigated. As monitored by CYP1B1-catalyzed 7,12-dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA) metabolism, TPA suppressed basal and TCDD-induced DMBA metabolism in a concentration-dependent manner, with a maximum inhibitory concentration of 100 nM. The suppression of CYP1B1 catalytic activity occurred at two time points during which protein kinase C (PKC) was activated and down-regulated in these cells as judged by analyses of cellular PKC content and PKC-inhibitor (chelerythrine chloride)-influenced suppression of CYP1B1 catalytic activity. Experiments in which TCDD and benzanthracene (BA)-induced DMBA metabolism were monitored in PKCβ1-overexpressing 10T1/2 cells revealed that the suppression of CYP1B1 activity is a consequence of cellular PKC elevation. This suppression phenomenon could be accounted for by PKC-mediated suppression of TCDD-induced CYP1B1 mRNA and apoprotein and of nuclear translocation of the Ah-receptor. In contrast, the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) proteins ERKs 1 and 2 were stimulated by TCDD under conditions in which PKC was activated. Collectively, our results suggest that PKC participates in the regulation of CYP1B1 in 10T1/2 cells, positively by directly suppressing the Ah-receptor signaling pathway, followed by an indirect or negative activation of the MAPK signaling pathway.
Target Cells for Interferon Induction by BL-20803

The role of certain cells of the reticuloendothelial system in the interferon response of mice to the low-molecular-weight compound 1,3-dimethyl-4-(3-dimethylaminopropylamino)-1H-pyrazolo-3,4-b-quinoline dihydrochloride (BL-20803) was studied. Mouse spleen adherent cells cultured in vitro with subtoxic concentrations of BL-20803 produced interferon. Adherent cells isolated from peritoneal washes were unresponsive to the compound. Treatment of mice with rabbit antiserum to mouse adherent cells suppressed interferon production by at least 65%, whereas antisera to thymocytes or to nonadherent spleen cells failed to suppress the interferon response. Pretreatment of mice with zymosan resulted in the appearance of circulating interferon in mice given 100 mg of the inducer/kg (a dosage to which they are normally unresponsive). No potentiation of the interferon response to the drug occurred in immunized mice actively making a humoral or delayedtype hypersensitivity immune response. It is concluded that a specific type of cell in the mouse, the so-called "fixed macrophage," may be a major target for interferon induction by BL-20803. The low-molecular-weight compound 1,3-dimethyl-4- (3-dimethylaminopropylamino) -1H-pyrazolo-3,4-b-quinoline dihydrochloride (BL20803) is a potent inducer of the delayed type of
Chemical Defense Mechanisms on the Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Seventy-three percent of all exposed common coral reef invertebrates, from four phyla (42 species) tested, are toxic to fish. This represents the first evidence of the high incidence to toxicity in the marine tropics among several phyletic groups comprising dominant species. Most of the remaining exposed species have structural defense mechanisms against predation by fish. Of cryptic invertebrates, 25 percent are toxic to fish. The relation between toxicity, fish feeding behavior, community structure, and evolutionary theory is discussed.
Spatial distribution of coronary artery thromboses in patients with chronic kidney disease: implications for diagnosis and treatment

The study by Charytan et al. provides us with a better understanding of the pathophysiology of acute myocardial infarction in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). One important observation is that more proximal plaque rupture results in poorer outcome in patients with CKD; clinicians should target these patients for aggressive revascularization to try to improve outcomes. This study will hopefully lead to additional research and help us develop more effective local and systemic therapies for patients with CKD.
Influence of insurance and marital status on outcomes of adolescents and young adults with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Abstract Background Although outcomes for adolescents and young adults (AYA) with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are worse when treated according to adult rather than pediatric protocols, one criticism is that this may be due to the emancipation of young adults. Methods Using case listing session of Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) 18 (1973-2010), we examined outcomes for AYA with ALL defined similar to Cancer and Leukemia Group B (CALGB) 10,403 criteria (age 18-30) predicated on marital and insurance status as surrogates for emancipation (limiting analysis to 2007-2010). Analyses were conducted with SEER*Stat 8.1.2, Microsoft Excel 2007, and GraphPad Prism 6. Comparisons were made by the Fisher exact test and log rank test (Mantel-Cox); all P values were 2-sided. Results Although age (24 and younger vs. 25 and older) was predictive of median overall survival (OS) (not reached vs. 33; P = .0029) (3-year OS 66% vs. 49%), social factors were not. Three-year OS for insured versus uninsured patients was 61% versus 50%, and median OS was not reached versus 30 months ( P = .2334). Three-year OS for single versus married patients was 62% versus 55%, with median OS not reached for both groups ( P = .1084). Conclusion Insurance status and marriage did not influence outcomes for AYA with ALL, suggesting that intrinsic differences in disease and disease-specific therapies are more important than social issues.
The Effect of Body Mass Index on Postoperative Morbidity After Orthopaedic Surgery in Children With Cerebral Palsy.

Background: Although a plethora of literature exists on the impact of body mass index (BMI) in orthopaedic surgery, few have examined its implications in the pediatric cerebral palsy (CP) population. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of BMI class on 30-day complications after orthopaedic surgery on children with CP. Methods: A retrospective analysis of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) Pediatric participant use files from 2012 to 2013 was conducted. Patients with a diagnosis of CP undergoing any orthopaedic procedure were included and subclassified according to BMI classes: underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese. Multivariate logistic regressions were performed to evaluate the independent effect of BMI class on total, surgical site, and medical complications as well as unplanned reoperations. Results: A total of 1746 patients were included in our study. These included 345 (19.8%) underweight, 952 (54.5%) normal weight, 209 (12.8%) overweight, and 240 (13.7%) obese children and adolescents. In hip and lower extremity osteotomies, underweight class was an independent risk factor for total complications (P = 0.037) and medical complications (P = 0.031). Similarly, underweight class was a risk factor for total complications (P = 0.022) and medical complications (P = 0.019) in spine procedures. Weight class was not independently associated with complications in tendon procedures. Overweight and obesity classes were not associated with any independent increased risk for complications. Conclusions: With respect to the pediatric CP population, underweight status was deemed an independent predictor of increased complications in osteotomies and spine surgery with no independent increased risk in the overweight or obese cohorts. This information can greatly aid providers with risk stratification, preoperative counseling, and postoperative monitoring as it relates to orthopaedic surgery. Level of Evidence: Prognostic level III.
A study of the absorption and fluorescence spectra of rivanol.

Abstract The electronic absorption and fluorescence spectra of the antibacterial 2-ethoxy-6,9-diaminoacridine lactate (rivanol) were studied as a function of pH and Hammett acidity. The dissociation of the doubly charged cation results in an unusual shifting pattern in the absorption and fluorescence bands. This is shown, by polarized excitation spectroscopy and low-temperature conventional emission spectroscopy, to be due to configurational reorganization in the excited state involving the amino groups. The doubly charged cation can be detected by its native fluorescence in concentrations as low as 20 pg ml−1.
Analysis of national and single-center incidence and survival after liver transplantation for hepatoblastoma: New trends and future opportunities

Background Liver transplantation (LTx) for hepatoblatoma appears to be increasing. Favorable tumor histology is increasingly linked to survival after surgical resection and could also determine posttransplantation outcomes. Methods To evaluate national trends in tumor and LTx incidence as the basis for observations at some LTx centers, and determinants of survival after LTx for hepatoblastoma, we queried the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) registry representing 9.451% of the U.S. population (1975–2007), the United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS, 1988–2010, n = 332), and Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh database (CHP, 1987–2011, n = 35). Results In the United States, hepatoblastoma cases increased 4-fold, LTx for hepatoblastoma increased 20-fold, and hepatoblastoma surpassed other unresectable liver malignancies requiring LTx by nearly 3-fold. Actuarial 5-year patient survival exceeded 75%. Recurrences in 16% were greater after segmental LTx in the total U.S. experience (P = .049). At CHP, 5 children died from recurrences (n = 4) and sepsis (n = 1). Tumors were epithelial (57%) or mixed epithelial-stromal (42%), Children's Oncology Group stage III (77%) or IV (23%). Recurrences were related to previous pulmonary metastases (P = .016), and tumor necrosis <50% (P = .013), but not to small cell undifferentiated tumor histology (P = NS). Hepatic artery thrombosis was more common after LTx for hepatoblastoma compared with nonmalignant indications (P = .0089). Thirty-three children received pre-LTx chemotherapy, 88.6% with cisplatin, and 85.7% received post-LTx chemotherapy. Conclusion Outcomes after LTx for hepatoblastoma may benefit from improved detection and treatment of pretransplantation metastases, adequate tumor lysis after chemotherapy, and perioperative antithrombotic agents but are unaffected by undifferentiated tumor histology.
Orientation-Averaged Pair Potentials between Dipolar Proteins or Colloids

Potentials of mean force between nonuniformly charged colloids or globular proteins are often estimated as a pairwise sum of distinct orientation averages for charge−dipole and dipole−dipole interactions. In systems with dipole-related interactions comparable to or exceeding the thermal energy, however, correlations between charge−dipole and dipole−dipole terms can render the additivity assumption highly inaccurate. On the basis of the third-order cumulant expansion of intercolloidal interactions, we derive an asymptotically exact relation for the potential of mean force that includes the correlation between distinct contributions. Using a simple discrete-orientation model, we obtain an approximate expression for the nonadditivity correction that reproduces correct behavior in weak and strong coupling limits and is sufficiently accurate for practical calculations over a wide range of interaction strengths including those characteristic of aqueous protein solutions.
Active Foot Pressure Control for Diabetic Patients

Foot Ulcer in diabetic patients is a serious medical problem. A major contributor for the development of diabetic foot ulcers is a high, localized plantar foot pressure. It is believed that in diabetes the nerves in the extreme parts of the human body are damaged and cause deregulated blood flow, which may cause an insufficient blood supply. This can lead to a loss of feeling, change in shape of the feet, necrosis and ulcerations, and ultimately to partial or total amputation of the body part. The loss of feeling in the feet results in a loss of feedback to control the foot pressure distribution. It is proposed that high foot pressure concentration can be avoided by using an active, intelligent shoe insert, which is based on the mechanics of smart materials. This paper investigates the controls schemes necessary to accomplish an external foot pressure distribution scheme for preventing ulcerations or the progression of existing ulcers. A simple mathematical model of the shoe insert is developed. Foot pressure distributions for healthy subjects are used as a basis to control elevated foot pressures by changing the shape of the shoe insert. The optimal shape of the shoe insert with regard to the existing pressure distribution is computed. The optimal shape is implemented using different control schemes. The performance and the efficiency of the proposed control schemes are compared and analyzed. The main advantage of the proposed active shoe insert is its capability to sense the pressure peaks, change the pressure distribution, and provide stimuli for increased blood flow in the diabetic feet. [1,2,3]© 2004 ASME
Adolescent decision-making: giving weight to age-specific values.

Adults who give proxy consent for medical treatment for adolescents must decide how much weight to give to adolescents' own preferences. There is evidence that some adolescents choose treatments different from what adults see as most reasonable. It is argued that adolescents choose according to age-specific values, i.e. values they hold, as adolescents, and which fulfil important developmental needs. Because not fulfilling these needs may do serious psychological damage, it is urged that proxies give weight to these values, up to the limit where it would endanger or profoundly limit future life.
Ground state of a spinless charged particle in a periodic magnetic field

The ground-state energy of a two-dimensional, spinless, charged particle in a periodic magnetic field is studied by an exact quantum-mechanical wave-packet propagation method. The periodic magnetic-field modulation removes the degeneracy of the lowest Landau level, and a cluster of states appears both above and below \ensuremath{\hbar}${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\omega}}}_{\mathrm{c}}$, the homogeneous field lowest Landau level. With two magnetic flux units threading through each magnetic unit cell, the lowest Landau level splits into two separate subbands, with three magnetic flux units the lowest Landau level splits into three separate subbands, and so forth. When a spin energy term is added to the Hamiltonian of the charged particle in the periodic magnetic field, the lowest Landau level becomes unaffected by the periodic magnetic field modulation, in agreement with Dubrovin and Novikov.
Commentary: Recent forays into the thicket of child protection and foster care

Child Abuse Intervention Child Protection Child Placement Foster Care Placement Domestic Violence Intervention Professional Commentary 10-03
Incoming Solar Radiation over the Tropical Pacific

THERE seems to be a much larger amount of total incoming solar radiation (direct and diffuse radiation on a horizontal surface as recorded by the Eppley pyranometer) at the ocean surface over the equatorial Pacific—and probably over much of the tropical Pacific as a whole—than has usually been thought. It also seems that the incoming solar radiation over the central and western parts of the equatorial Pacific dry zone would closely approach the extremely large amounts received over the tropical and subtropical desert areas of the continents. These statements are based on a study of recorded incoming solar radiation data for Wake and Canton Islands in relation to associated cloud distributions and also on comparisons of the long-term Canton Island cloud distribution with that of several other small islands in the central and western equatorial Pacific. (Both Wake and Canton seem to be reasonably representative marine sites by virtue of their small land areas, lack of relief and complete isolation from continental influence.)
Polymeric conditioner gels for desert soils

Abstract Our prospect on direct application of polyacrylamide gel “PAMG”; without pre nor post treatments of soils for conditioning is realized. Seeds gemination, seedlings growth and cuttings propagation were investigated. The versatility of the gel is greatly increased by radiation‐induced preparation of the reclaimer ameliorator polymeric gel “RAPG”;. This is an amphoteric telomer grafted upon cellulosic worthless agricultural discard. The chemical properties of RAPG is governed by fractional intensities of the functional groups. The hydroproperty is controlled by the spatial architecture of the macromolecules. So, RAPG is tailored to suit all soils at various climates. A method for plantation without direct irrigation is contrived. The preliminary results show that it is feasible.
Cytochrome c/Cytochrome c Peroxidase Complex: Effect of Binding-Site Mutations on the Thermodynamics of Complex Formation†

The cytochrome c/cytochrome c peroxidase system has been extensively investigated as a model for long-range electron transfer in biology. Two models for the structure of the one-to-one cytochrome c/cytochrome c peroxidase complex in solution exist: one is based upon computer docking of the two proteins and the second is based upon the structure of the complex in the crystalline state. Titration calorimetry is used to investigate the interaction of horse ferricytochrome c with baker's yeast cytochrome c peroxidase and with six cytochrome c peroxidase mutants. Five of the six peroxidase mutants eliminate a negative charge in the cytochrome c binding site by replacing a side-chain carboxylate with an amide. The sixth mutation replaces a surface alanine residue with phenylalanine. The binding affinity between cytochrome c and the cytochrome c peroxidase mutants varies from no significant change in comparison to the wild-type enzyme to a 4-fold decrease in the equilibrium association constant. The pattern of decreasing cytochrome c binding affinity for the cytochrome c peroxidase mutants is consistent with the cytochrome c binding domain defined by X-ray crystallography [Pelletier, H., & Kraut, J. (1992) Science 258, 1748-1755]. For those mutants which have lower affinity for cytochrome c, the lower affinity is due to a decrease in the entropy change upon complex formation, consistent with the difference in hydration of carboxylate and amide groups.
Quantum measurements, sequential and latent

The results of a hypothetical experiment requiring a sequence of quantum measurements are obtained retrospectively, after the experiment has been completed, from a single reading of an “apparatus register.” The experiment is carried out reversibly and Schrodinger's equation is satisfied until the terminal reading of the register. The technique is illustrated using a feasible method of measuring photon spin as the quantum “object” observable and using the photon energy as the “apparatus register.” The technique is used to discuss the “watchdog” effect, the effect of repeated measurements inhibiting quantum jumps.
Correlation between in vivo and in vitro toxicity of some chlorinated aliphatics.

Abstract The release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) from rat and mouse hepatocytes was used to rank the in vitro cytotoxic potential of eight chlorinated aliphatic compounds. The rankings were compared with toxicity rankings based on the maximum tolerated doses for each species. Significant correlations between the rankings were obtained when air: water partition coefficients were factored into the in vitro data (EC 50 s) in order to adjust for differences in volatility and the retention of the compounds in vivo . For both rats and mice, as an indicator of cytotoxic potency, LDH release correlated better with hydrocarbon toxicity than AST release did. These data support the use of isolated hepatocytes for screening of chemicals for relative toxicity.
Constant-isomer benzenoid series and their polyradical subsets

Constant-isomer benzenoids are partitioned into their nonradical or monoradical and diradical, triradical, tetraradical, et cetera subsets. It is shown that the isomer numbers for the monoradical, diradical, triradical, and tetraradical, et cetera subsets are exactly the same and that a one-to-one correspondence in symmetry, number of bay regions, and selective lineations exist between the benzenoid sets having the same isomer numbers.
Early intervention in the family system: A framework and review

A framework for understanding the effect of early intervention on family structure and functioning is presented. The framework uses five sets of variables to characterize families: Their ecology; and the values, roles, personalities, and interactions of family members. Twenty research studies that met criteria of having comparison/control groups, beginning intervention either prenatally or during the first 3 months of infancy, and directing intervention to family functioning are abstracted and examined in detail. Successful and unsuccessful studies are compared as to population and nature of intervention. Two criteria of success are used: (1) The commonly used criterion of any positive change; (2) a more rigorous criterion of change in at least three areas of family functioning, based on the assumption that more pervasive change will have more lasting influence on child development. Application of the first criterion found that 75% of early family focused intervention studies showed a successful outcome. Application of the latter criterion found that 50% showed a successful outcome. Further, there were no significant differences between successful and unsuccessful studies as to target group or type of intervention. The review suggests that early intervention targeted at family functioning is effective and that a more pervasive and sustained effect is likely if the intervention includes at least 11 or more contacts over at least a 3-month period.
Defining the relationship of oxygen delivery and consumption: use of biologic system models.

Abstract To determine the most appropriate mathematical description of the relationship between oxygen consumption and oxygen delivery, we compared the statistical validity of a piecewise linear model to two different biologic system models—-Michaelis-Menten (MM) kinetics (used for enzyme systems) and the exponential dose-response relationship (used to describe drug administration and induced response). Nine rabbits underwent five incremental steps of normovolemic hemodilution to progressively decrease D o 2 . V o 2 was measured concurrently by a metabolic gas monitor. All three models (piecewise linear, Michaelis-Menten, and exponential) provided a very close population curve fit to the data points ( r 2 = 0.88, 0.91, and 0.92). However, there were significant differences in maximum predicted V o 2 ( V o 2max )—6.8, 9.9, 7.2 ml O 2 ·kg -1 ·min-1( P D o 2 6.5-11.8 ml O 2 ·kg -1 ·min -1 , K m 4.2-11.4 ml O 2 ·kg -1 ·min -1 , and k 0.12-0.23 ml O -1 2 ·kg*middot;min). In the curvilinear models, average and population parameters were not significantly different. However, in the piecewise linear model, population critical D o 2 (10.9 ml O 2 ·kg -1 ·min -1 ) was 30% more than the average critical D o 2 (8.4 ml O 2 ·kg -1 ·min -1 ) for the nine rabbits ( P V o 2max values predicted by the piecewise linear and exponential dose-response model were more consistent with those in previous publications than was the higher V o 2max predicted by the MM model. The difference in the average versus population critical D o 2 in the piecewise linear model meant that population modeling was inaccurate because it yielded a critical D o 2 higher than that demonstrated by eight of nine individual rabbits. Despite the high r 2 values for all three models and the historical use of the piecewise linear model, we consider the exponential dose-response model the most appropriate description of the D o 2 / V o 2 relationship given its advantages with regard to V o 2max prediction and population modeling.
Nucleotide sequence comparison of the Adh gene in three drosophilids.

The alcohol dehydrogenase (Adh) gene has been isolated fromDrosophila simulans andD. mauritiana by screening λ clone libraries of each with a previously cloned Adh gene fromD. melanogaster. The isolated λ clones were subcloned and partially sequenced to determine the relatedness of these species and to examine details of evolutionary change in the structure of the Adh gene. We report the sequence of the first 704 nucleotides of each gene as well as 127 bases in the 5′ untranslated region. When these sequences are compared,D. melanogaster differs fromD. simulans andD. mauritiana by 2.8% and 3.1%, respectively.D. simulans andD. mauritiana differ by only 1.8%, implying that they are more closely related to each other than either is toD. melanogaster. This is consistent with phylogenetic relationships established by a variety of genetic, biochemical, and morphological means and illustrates that DNA sequencing of a single gene may be used to assess the evolutionary relationships of species.
Subunit ε of the Escherichia coli ATP Synthase: Novel Insights into Structure and Function by Analysis of Thirteen Mutant Forms†

Structural models of subunit e of the ATP synthase from Escherichia coli have been determined recently by NMR [Wilkens et al. (1995) Nat. Struct. Biol. 2, 961−967] and by X-ray crystallography [Uhl...
Surgical Management of Thirty-Nine Children With Lymphedema

Thirty-nine children underwent staged excisional surgery for lymphedema. The procedures are described in detail. All the children operated on have improved and have a more normal appearance. The decrease in attacks of cellulitis and lymphangitis is striking. The morbidity of this simple procedure is negligible. The operation is tedious, fatiguing, anatomically unexciting, and has a vague end-point. At this time, staged subcutaneous excision appears to be the procedure of choice in moderate to severe lymphedema in children regardless of etiology or classification. The procedure is not a cure.
Printed microwave filter using monopole resonators

High frequency communication schemes perform analog signal processing using RF filters. Micro-strip filters are the most economical way of RF front end signal filtering, by straining out interference and by passing on the desired signal. This paper describes a filter designed on material used in practical circuit boards in devices using RF communication. Mobile communication systems front end is receiving parallel signals at a same time like that of GSM900, GSM1800, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, signal further encounter filters that pass on the desired ones, and distribute the signals accordingly. The filter designed and discussed allows GSM 1800/1900 to pass and stop all other bands to avoid intrusion. Interference caused due to the other signals received by front ends, as well as interferences due to harmonics are kept under consideration while designing. Filter has been designed using material FR4-epoxy, having relative permittivity of 4.7 with thickness 1.6mm using HFSS (High Frequency Structure Simulator). Designed filter has a pass-band from 1.1GHz to 2.2GHz rejecting lower and higher frequencies, which is further verified by fabricating and examination using network analyzer.
The Coupling of Angular Momenta in Nuclear Reactions

Seven nuclear reactions have been examined where the angular distribution of reaction products depends on the type of coupling of angular momentum vectors in the nucleus. In six of the seven, the experimental angular distribution is consistent with the assumption of Russell-Saunders coupling in the nucleus. In three of the seven, the experiments are consistent with the assumption that the bombarding particle brings a definite j in the reaction. Neither assumption is sufficient to explain the result in one reaction (B11+P).
Halftoning method for the generation of motion stimuli

This paper describes a novel computer-graphic technique for the generation of a broad class of motion stimuli for vision research, which uses color table animation in conjunction with a single base image. Using this technique, contrast and temporal frequency can be varied with a negligible amount of computation, once a single-base image is produced. Since only two-bit planes are needed to display a single drifting grating, an eight-bit/pixel display can be used to generate four-component plaids, in which each component of the plaid has independently programmable contrast and temporal frequency. Because the contrast and temporal frequencies of the various components are mutually independent, a large number of two-dimensional stimulus motions can be produced from a single image file.