cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Imidazolidene Carboxylate Bound MBPh4 Complexes (M = Li, Na) and Their Relevance in Transcarboxylation Reactions

Combination of 1,3-bis(2,6-diisopropylphenyl)imidazolum-2-carboxylate (IPrCO2) with the Lewis acids MBPh4, where M = Li or Na, provided two separate complexes. The crystal structures of these complexes revealed that coordination to NaBPh4 yielded a dimeric species, yet coordination of IPrCO2 with LiBPh4 yielded a monomeric species. Combination of 1,3-bis(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)imidazolum-2-carboxylate (IMesCO2) with LiBPh4 also afforded a dimeric species that was similar in global structure to that of the IPrCO2+NaBPh4 dimer. In all three cases, the cation of the organic salt was coordinated to the oxyanion of the zwitterionic carboxylate. Thermogravimetric analysis of the crystals demonstrated that decarboxylation occurred at lower temperatures than the decarboxylation temperature of the parent NHC·CO2 (NHC = N-heterocyclic carbene). Kinetic analysis of the transcarboxylation of IPrCO2 to acetophenone with NaBPh4 to yield sodium benzoylacetate was performed. First-order dependences were observed for IPrCO...
The identification of stem cells in human liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Liver stem cells are thought to preside in bile ducts and the canals of Hering. They extend into the liver parenchyma at a time when normal liver cell proliferation is suppressed and liver regeneration is stimulated. In the present study 69 liver biopsies and surgically excised liver tumors were studied for the presence of liver stem cells. It was found that human cirrhotic livers and hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) frequently exhibited isolated single scattered hepatocyte stem cells within the liver parenchyma rather than in the portal tract, bile duct or the canal of Hering. These cells expressed liver stem cell markers. HCCs also contained isolated tumor cell which expressed the same stem cell markers. The markers used were GST-P, OV-6, CK-19, Oct-3/4 and FAT10. They were identified by immunofluorescent antibody staining. HGF, EGF, CK19, AIR, H19, Nanog, Oct-3/4 and FAT10 were identified by RNA-FISH. H19 is a non-coding RNA, which is expressed in most HCCs. Results: Immunohistochemistry and RNA-FISH performed on human livers identified isolated stem cells in liver parenchyma as follows: Stem cells identified by immunohistochemical markers (OV-6 and GST-P) and RNA-FISH markers (HGF, EGF, CK19 and H19) were found scattered in the liver parenchyma of cirrhotic livers and within hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Precirrhotic ASH or NASH all stained negative for these stem cells. In HCCs, 13 out of 15 had stem cells located within the tumor (78%). In cirrhotic livers, 12 out of 28 (37%) had liver parenchymal stem cells present. In one case of stage 3 precirrhosis, stem cells were also found. Double staining for the markers showed colocalization of the markers in stem cells. Stem cells were found in 33% of HBV, 47% of HCV, 25% of alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) and 17% of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). The frequency of stem cells found in the different disease categories correlates with the frequency of HCC occurring in these different diseases.
Undergraduate Sociology: A Problem for the Profession

(1965). Undergraduate Sociology: A Problem for the Profession. The Sociological Quarterly: Vol. 6, No. 1, pp. 21-36.
Locally efficient estimation with current status data and time-dependent covariates

Abstract In biostatistical applications, interest often focuses on the estimation of the distribution of a failure time variable T. If one observes only whether or not T exceeds an observed monitoring time C, then the data structure is called current status data, also known as interval-censored data, case I. We extend the data structure by allowing the presence of a possibly time-dependent covariate process which is observed up till the monitoring time C. We follow the approach of Robins and Rotnitzky by modeling the hazard of C conditional on the failure time variable and the covariate-process (i.e., the missingness or censoring process) under the restriction that the missingness (monitoring) process satisfies coarsening at random. Because of the curse of dimensionality, no globally efficient nonparametric estimators with a good practical performance at moderate sample sizes exist. We introduce an inverse probability of censoring weighted estimator of the distribution and of smooth functionals of this di...
Effects of zuclomiphene in combination with triparanol and AY-9944 on developing rat CNS morphology and biochemistry

Developing rats were injected intraperitoneally twice weekly with a combination of three hypocholesterolemic agents: Zuclomiphene (formerly calledtrans-clomiphene; dosage, 30 mg/kg body weight), Triparanol (30 mg/kg body weight) and AY-9944 (3 mg/kg body weight). Treatment was initiated at 4 days of age. Biochemical and electron microscopic examination was conducted on animals sacrificed at 20 days of age. Cytoplasmic inclusion bodies were not seen in the CNS. Isolated edematous changes were seen in myelinated axons. Analysis of the sterol content of the brain and spinal cords of drugtreated animals indicated the presence of abnormal concentrations of five sterols, desmosterol, 5α-cholesta-7,24-dien-3β-ol, zymosterol (5α-cholesta-8,24-dien-3β-ol), 7-dehydrocholesterol (cholesta-5,7-dien-3β-ol) and 7-dehydrodesmosterol (cholesta-5,7,24-trien-3β-ol). Zymosterol and 5α-cholesta-7,24-dien-3β-ol were minor constituents (5–7% and 1–1.5% of total sterol, respectively). The 7-dehydrosterols represented approximately one-half (44–52%) of the total CNS sterol.
Analytical methods for firesafety design

The ability to predict aspects of fire and its impact on a building's structure, contents, and people is discussed in terms of its application to safety design. It is presented from the perspective of how research has addressed the prediction of fire phenomena. A review of the state of the art on the capability for predicting the fire, its impact and response, is given. Examples are cited to illustrate the scope and accuracy of predictive methods and how they are being incorporated into some codes and standards.
Do aggression and rule-breaking have different interpersonal correlates? A study of antisocial behavior subtypes, negative affect, and hostile perceptions of others

There is mounting evidence that physical aggression and nonaggressive, rule-breaking delinquency constitute two separable though correlated subtypes of antisocial behavior. Even so, it remains unclear whether these behavioral subtypes have meaningfully different interpersonal correlates, particularly as they are subsumed within the same broad domain of antisocial behavior. To evaluate this, we examined whether hostile perceptions of others (assessed via exposure to a series of neutral unknown faces) were linked to level and type of antisocial behavior aggression vs. rule-breaking, and moreover, whether this association persisted even when also considering the common association with negative affect (as manipulated via written recollection of one's best and worst life experiences). Analyses revealed that aggression, but not rule-breaking, was uniquely tied to hostile perceptions of others. Furthermore, this association persisted over and above the common association of both hostile perceptions and aggression with negative affect (at both trait and state levels). Such results provide additional support for clinically meaningful differences between the behavioral subtypes of aggression and nonaggressive rule-breaking and for the independent role of hostile perceptions in aggressive behavior.
Vp/Vs ratios in the Yellowstone National Park region, Wyoming

Abstract In this paper we study the variation of V p / V s and Poisson's ratio (δ) in the Yellowstone National Park region, using earthquakes which were well recorded by a local seismic network. We find that the average V p / V s value within the geothermally active Yellowstone caldera is about 7% lower than in the area outside the caldera. Within the caldera itself there may be a further 2–7% reduction of V p / V s in the hydrothermally active Norris Geyser Basin, the Upper and Lower Geyser Basins, and the Yellowstone Lake and Mud Volcano regions. After considering various possible causes for V p / V s changes, such as geologic and structural differences, thermal effects, partial melting, and hydrothermal activity, we conclude that the most plausible explanation for the observed V p / V s reduction is the presence of hot-water at temperatures and pore-pressures near the water steam transition in the caldera geothermal reservoirs.
Stereospecific sugar transport caused by uncouplers and SH-inhibitors in rat diaphragm.

Uncouplers such as 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) and SH-inhibitors such as p -hydroxymercuribenzoate (PHMB) acted with the same stereospecificities as insulin in promoting transport of certain sugar isomers into rat diaphragm muscle. The effect could be observed with diabetic as well as normal tissue. The magnitude of the transport induced by DNP appears smaller than that by insulin mainly because of a decrease in total available water space with the former. Adenosine triphosphate and phosphocreatine measurements indicated that the SH-inhibitors are acting by a mechanism different from uncoupling.
SURFACE PRESSURE VARIATIONS AT COASTAL STATIONS DURING THE PERIOD OF IRREGULAR MOTION OF HURRICANE CARLA OF 1961

Abstract Surface pressure observations at stations along the Texas coast during the approach of hurricane Carla of 1961 have been examined in an attempt to determine the extent to which the storm as a whole participated in the irregular motion indicated by the track of the storm center as followed by radar. The pressure variations at coastal stations were found, in general, to correlate rather poorly with changes in the direction and speed of motion of the storm center. The best agreement was shown by the Galveston observations which were made some 100–150 mi. to the right of the storm track.
Radiation protection guidelines for space activities

At the beginning of the space age the dangers of hurtling into space were considerable. Despite this fact, radiation risks were examined in the U.S.S.R. and the U.S.A. and recommendations were made to limit the exposure of the crews to radiation. To date the radiation exposures of crews on missions in low-Earth orbits have been low. Now that missions in low-Earth orbit are becoming longer in duration and new missions into deep space are being considered, radiation protection guidelines become more important. Recently the estimates of the risks of radiation-induced cancer have been increased and new guidelines on radiation exposure limits for crew members must be developed. For deep space missions the guidelines take into account the risks posed by heavy ions. Unfortunately, knowledge about these risks is insufficient. If the new risk estimates are applied, current career dose limits may have to be reduced by a factor of two.
ELECTROPHORESIS OF SERUM HAPTOGLOBINS AND ERYTHROCYTE CATALASE USING CAPILLARY BLOOD.

Abstract The described technique of thin-layer starch gel electrophoresis allows the direct use of whole blood as electrophoretic substrate for the determination of serum haptoglobin and red blood cell catalase types. Capillary blood absorbed into filter paper strips may be applied to the gel surface freshly, or it may be stored at −20° for later use. An exposure to room temperature for from one to several days of blood dried on filter paper strips does not interfere significantly with subsequent electrophoretic results.
Uneven bin width digitization and a timing calibration method using cascaded PLL

Digitizers with uneven bin widths become more practical as the calibration in digital domain becomes convenient. In order to specify and compare the measurement ability of digitizers with uneven bin widths, it is necessary to define a parameter that takes effects of the various bin widths into account. In this paper, a parameter called equivalent bin width is defined based on mechanism of digitization. A scheme for timing bin widths calibration using cascaded phase lock loop (PLL) circuits is also presented in this document.
On the contribution of deoxy-hemoglobin to MRI gray-white matter phase contrast at high field.

Abstract High field (≥ 7 T) MRI studies based on signal phase have been used to improve visualization of the fine structure of the brain, most notably the major white matter fiber bundles, the gray–white matter subdivision, and the laminar cortical architecture. The observed contrast has been attributed in part to local variations in magnetic susceptibility arising from iron in storage proteins and tissue lipid. Another contribution could come from the paramagnetic blood constituent deoxy-hemoglobin, the tissue concentration of which may vary through local variations in vascular density. To investigate this possibility, we examined phase contrast between gray and white matter in rats after intravenous administration of a superparamagnetic contrast agent at various dosages. At the maximum dosage (3 mg Fe/kg), which resulted in an estimated paramagnetic susceptibility shift 4–8 times larger than deoxy-hemoglobin, we observed a negligible increase in phase contrast between gray and white matter. This result suggests that endogenous deoxy-hemoglobin has no significant contribution to phase contrast between gray and white matter.
Genomics: re-evaluation of translation machinery evolution.

Abstract Experiments based on genome sequence analysis have revealed unexpected complexity in the evolution of the translation apparatus, including concerted evolution of Gln-tRNA synthetase and Glu–tRNA Gln amidotransferase, and a novel, class I Lys-tRNA synthetase shared by archaea and spirochaetes.
Alternative imaging to conventional lens

In designing optical systems in the EO/IR wavelength region for conventional lens are most common and efficient when low F# and large field of view is desired. Conventional lenses are efficient in meeting optical response but come at a cost in size and weight and often are complex in nature (aberrations). In this paper we discuss alternatives to conventional lenses. We examine diffractive optics (DO), and explore resonating and diffractive periodic metalo-dielectric structures as an alternative lensing. An oscillator model is employed to interpret these structures, wavefront bending and a design approach is provided.
Influence of maternal diabetes on lipid metabolism in neonatal rat lung.

Abstract The effect of maternal diabetes on tissue constituents, lipid metabolism and glucose utilization was examined in 1-day old rat lungs. Maternal diabetes was induced by intravenous injection of streptozotocin (50 mg/kg body weight) into pregnant Long-Evans hooded rats on the 10th day of gestation resulting in a maternal serum glucose concentration which was 3-fold higher than that of controls. Neonates from diabetic mothers showed a significant decrease in body weight (14%), lung weight (32%) and lung protein concentration (30%). Glycogen, DNA and lipid content of the lungs were significantly elevated in neonates from diabetic mothers. The percent of total phospholipid made up of phosphatidylcholine was not altered, but the percentage of disaturated phosphatidylcholine was decreased (25%). The activity of the CDPcholine pathway enzymes (choline kinase, cholinephosphate cytidylyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase) also showed a marked increase in lungs of neonates from diabetic mothers. Lung slices of neonates from diabetic mothers showed depressed in vitro incorporation of [U-14C]glucose into neutral lipids and decreased oxidation to CO2. The results of these investigations show that maternal diabetes interferes with the structural and metabolic processes by which the undifferentiated lung becomes functional at birth.
Estimation of volatile N-nitrosamines in rubber nipples for babies' bottles

A method is described for the estimation of volatile N-nitrosamines in the rubber nipples of babies' bottles. In a study of rubber nipples from one manufacturer, N-nitrosodimethylamine, N-nitrosodiethylamine and N-nitrosopiperidine were determined by gas chromatography, using a thermal energy analyser, and their presence was confirmed by mass spectrometry with average levels of individual nitrosamines ranging from 22 to 281 ppb. When the nipples were sterilized in a conventional sterilizer together with milk or infant formula the three nitrosamines migrated into the milk or formula. Storing a bottle of milk with a rubber nipple inverted in it for 2 hr at room temperature or overnight in a refrigerator after sterilization resulted in an 8-13% average increase in the nitrosamine levels migrating into the milk. On repeated sterilization of a single nipple, the quantities of nitrosamines migrating into milk from rubber nipples declined steadily, but after seven sterilizations, nitrosamines were still readily detectable in the milk. Nitrosamine levels were higher in rubber nipples after sterilization, indicating the presence of nitrosamine precursors in the nipples. No nitrosamines were found in raw, uncured rubber. Chemical accelerators and stabilizers added during the vulcanization process are the source of the amine precursors in rubber nipples.
Assessing Stakeholder Satisfaction: Toward a Supplemental Measure of Corporate Social Performance As Reputation

In this paper we seek to improve the measurement of corporate social performance (CSP) by advancing a new supplemental technique for assessing a firm's reputation for social legitimacy. Specifically, we propose using generalizability theory to measure the extent to which corporate conduct is perceived as acceptable to various stakeholder groups. We argue that this suggested approach to measurement can render CSP more meaningful to scholarship and useful in practice. We also note some limitations of this approach and directions for future research.
Results of signal-averaged electrocardiography and electrophysiologic study in patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia after healing of acute myocardial infarction.

Abstract Programmed stimulation and signal-averaged electrocardiography were performed in 43 consecutive patients with nonsustained ventricular tachycardia (VT) after healing of inferior (29 patients) or anterior wall (14 patients) acute myocardial infarction. Twenty-two patients had inducible sustained VT. Patients with inferior infarction and inducible sustained VT had significantly longer filtered QRS durations (125 ± 19 vs 112 ± 15 ms, p
Trajectories of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Oppositional Defiant Disorder Symptoms as Precursors of Borderline Personality Disorder Symptoms in Adolescent Girls

Little empirical evidence exists regarding the developmental links between childhood psychopathology and borderline personality disorder (BPD) in adolescence. The current study addresses this gap by examining symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and oppositional defiant disorder (ODD) as potential precursors. ADHD and BPD share clinical features of impulsivity, poor self-regulation, and executive dysfunction, while ODD and BPD share features of anger and interpersonal turmoil. The study is based on annual, longitudinal data from the two oldest cohorts in the Pittsburgh Girls Study (N = 1,233). We used piecewise latent growth curve models of ADHD and ODD scores from age 8 to 10 and 10 to 13 years to examine the prospective associations between dual trajectories of ADHD and ODD symptom severity and later BPD symptoms at age 14 in girls. To examine the specificity of these associations, we also included conduct disorder and depression symptom severity at age 14 as additional outcomes. We found that higher levels of ADHD and ODD scores at age 8 uniquely predicted BPD symptoms at age 14. Additionally, the rate of growth in ADHD scores from age 10 to 13 and the rate of growth in ODD scores from 8 to 10 uniquely predicted higher BPD symptoms at age 14. This study adds to the literature on the early development of BPD by providing the first longitudinal study to examine ADHD and ODD symptom trajectories as specific childhood precursors of BPD symptoms in adolescent girls.
Evidence on the relationship between uncertainty and irreversible investment

Abstract Recent theoretical literature on irreversible investment has suggested that increased uncertainty about (i.e., volatility of) exogenous factors depresses investment. However, empirical confirmation of the theory has been minimal. This paper considers five major uncertainty variables, namely, the growth rates of real interest rate, personal consumption, composite index of leading indicators, index of stock prices and GDP deflator. Their conditional variance is estimated using ARCH methodology and is related to growth in fixed private investment. The latter type of investment is assumed to be largely irreversible. The results show a significant negative relationship between uncertainty and investment, thereby confirming the received theory.
Manipulation of the Elastic Modulus of Polymers at the Nanoscale: Influence of UV−Ozone Cross-Linking and Plasticizer

The mechanical stability of polymeric nanostructures is critical to the processing, assembly, and performance of numerous existing and emerging technologies. A key predictor of mechanical stability is the elastic modulus. However, a significant reduction in modulus has been reported for thin films and nanostructures when the thickness or size of the polymer material decreases below a critical length scale. Routes to mitigate or even eliminate this reduction in modulus, and thus enhancing the mechanically stability of polymeric nanostructures, would be extremely valuable. Here, two routes to modulate the mechanical properties of polymers at the nanoscale are described. Exposure to ultraviolet light and ozone (UVO) cross-links the near surface region of high molecular mass PS films, rendering the elastic modulus independent of thickness. However, UVO cannot eliminate the decrease in modulus of low molecular mass PS or PMMA due to limited reaction depth and photodegradation, respectively. Alternatively, the thickness dependence of the elastic modulus of both PS and PMMA can be eliminated by addition of dioctyl phthalate (DOP) at 5% by mass. Furthermore, an increase in modulus is observed for films with thicknesses less than 30 nm with 5% DOP by mass in comparison to neat PS. Although DOP acts as a plasticizer for both PS and PMMA in the bulk, evidence indicates that DOP acts as an antiplasticizer at the nanoscale. By maintaining or even increasing the elastic modulus of polymers at the nanoscale, these methods could lead to improved stability of polymeric nanostructures and devices.
Physical initialization in the NMC Global Data Assimilation System

The impact of assimilating Goes Precipitation Index (GPI) rain rates in the National Meteorological Center Global Data Assimilation System (NMC GDAS) via physical initialization is explored. Reverse algorithms of the simplified Arakawa-Schubert cumulus parameterization and the parameterized surface fluxes are developed in order to assimilate the GPI data over the tropics during the six hour forecasts linking successive GDAS analyses. Results from two experiments show improvements to both analyses and forecasts when GPI rain rates are assimilated.
Practice-Related Factors, Practice Satisfaction, and the Health Care System Physician Assistants' Views

An examination of Physician Assistants' (PAs) views relating to various aspects of theirprofession was accomplished through a mailed attitudinal questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 72.1%. Items examined were practice satisfaction, views toward the effects of a physician surplus, view toward third-party reimbursement, view of legal restraints, practice attributes, demographics, and feeling of patient acceptance. Respondents on average felt satisfied with their practice and reported high patient acceptance. The most dissatisfied PAs were younger, spent more time in practice-related travel, were involved more in telephone patient care, felt there were too many PAs, andfelt less acceptance by their patients. Significant correlation was found between practice dissatisfaction and lack of opportunity to function independently, a feeling that skills and training did not match current practice needs, a negative feeling toward a possible physician surplus, and afeeling of underutilization.
Identification and quantification of the source terms for uranium in surface waters collected at the Rocky Flats facility

Abstract The intent of this study was to determine the fraction of soluble uranium attributable to the Rocky Flats Plant (RFP) operations which is recoverable from waters and suspended sediments drawn from ponds on site at RFP. Samples were collected from late 1992 through 1993. Thermal ionization mass spectrometry (TIMS) measurement techniques indicate that the water samples contain both naturally occurring uranium and depleted uranium. The uranium concentrations in the waters collected from the terminal ponds contained 0.5% or less of the interim standard calculated derived concentration guide for uranium in waters available to the public.
Forbidden Knowledge and Science as Professional Activity

Soulevant la question de l'autonomie de la science, l'A. aborde le theme de la connaissance interdite comme metaphore de la connaissance scientifique. Examinant les raisons transformatives et consequentialistes qui justifient la connaissance cachee, l'A. montre que la science definie comme activite sociale, morale et politique, d'une part, et comme profession, d'autre part, doit s'inscrire dans la limite des choix responsables
Structural characterization and expression analysis of prothoracicotropic hormone in the corn earworm, Helicoverpa zea.

The cDNA encoding prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH), the brain neuropeptide that stimulates the prothoracic glands to synthesize ecdysone, was cloned from the corn earworm Helicoverpa zea (Hez). The amino acid sequence deduced from the cDNA indicates a molecular structure that is distinct from the PTTH’s reported in other Lepidoptera, but all contain an identical proteolytic cleavage site and the seven cysteine residues that are essential for activity. Northern hybridization shows a single mRNA present in the brain–subesophageal ganglion complex. Using RT–PCR, we observed constant amounts of PTTH mRNA during larval development but large fluctuations at pupation and prior to adult eclosion.
Study of viral pathogenesis in humanized mice.

Many of the viral pathogens that cause infectious diseases in humans have a highly restricted species tropism, making the study of their pathogenesis and the development of clinical therapies difficult. The improvement of humanized mouse models over the past 30 years has greatly facilitated researchers’ abilities to study host responses to viral infections in a cost effective and ethical manner. From HIV to hepatotropic viruses to Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus, humanized mice have led to the identification of factors crucial to the viral life cycle, served as an outlet for testing candidate therapies, and improved our abilities to analyze human immune responses to infection. In tackling both new and old viruses as they emerge, humanized mice will continue to be an indispensable tool.
Candida Sepsis and Association With Retinopathy of Prematurity

OBJECTIVE To assess the association of Candida sepsis with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in extremely low birth weight infants. METHODS We prospectively identified 253 infants admitted to the Critical Care Nursery at Georgetown University Hospital with birth weights </=1000 g born between January 1, 1994, and June 30, 1996. Of these 253 infants, 62 died and 55 were transferred to other institutions before ophthalmologic screening for ROP. Clinical data on 98% (133/136) infants were reviewed. Candida sepsis was defined as a positive blood culture for Candida species. Severity of ROP was staged by the International Classification for ROP. Data were analyzed using the chi2 test for nominal data, unpaired t test for continuous data, Mann-Whitney U test for ordinal data, and logistic regression. RESULTS The mean birth weight (+/-SD) of the population studied was 777 g (+/-136 g), and the mean gestational age at birth was 26.0 weeks (+/-1.8 weeks). The overall incidence of ROP was 74%, and it correlated significantly with birth weight, gestational age, days on supplemental oxygen, and 5-minute Apgar scores. The incidence of ROP was significantly higher in the infants who had Candida sepsis (21/22 [95%]) compared with those who did not (77/111 [69%]). Using logistic regression to control for the influence of birth weight, gestational age, days on supplemental oxygen, and 5-minute Apgar scores, Candida sepsis was an independent predictor of stage 3 or worse ROP. In addition, 9 (41%) of 22 infants with Candida sepsis required laser surgery compared with 10 (9%) of 111 infants without Candida sepsis. This difference was significant independent of birth weight, gestational age, days on supplemental oxygen, and 5-minute Apgar scores. CONCLUSIONS Candida sepsis is independently associated with increased severity of ROP and the need for laser surgery in extremely low birth weight infants.
Semiarid Precipitation Frequency Project Contrasted with Previously Published Rainfall Atlases

Design of hydraulic structures and management of water resources requires rainfall frequency analyses and depth-area-duration curves to determine design storms and stormwater runoff. For the western United States, two atlases provide rainfall information for return frequencies from 2 to 100 years: NOAA Atlas 2 and Technical Paper 49. The Semiarid Precipitation Frequency Study (Semiarid Study) was begun several years ago to revise these atlases for Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Southeast California. The Semiarid Study will supersede the previous atlases for these regions. Precipitation frequencies will be provided for events as frequent as six times a year up to 1,000-year return periods and for durations from 5 min to 60 days. New depth-area-duration curves will be provided. The Semiarid Study differs from the earlier studies in (a) 30 percent more daily stations and 230 supplemental stations; (b) new statistical methods permitting more objective quality control, regionalization of data, and obje...
The Association of a performance measure for alcohol and other drug treatment engagement with subsequent criminal justice outcomes

Drug treatment courts are an increasingly important tool in reducing the census of those incarcerated for non-violent drug offenses; medication assisted treatment (MAT) is proven to be an effective treatment for opioid addiction. However, little is known about the availability of and barriers to MAT provision for opioid-addicted people under drug court jurisdiction. Using an online survey, we assessed availability, barriers, and need for MAT (especially agonist medication) for opioid addiction in drug courts. Ninety-nine percent reported opioid-addicted participants, 49% offered agonist medication (54% for all MAT including naltrexone). Barriers included cost and court policy. Responses revealed significant uncertainty, especially among non-MAT providing courts. Political, judicial and administrative opposition appear to affect MAT's inconsistent use and availability in drug court settings. These data suggest that a substantial, targeted educational initiative is needed to increase awareness of the treatment and criminal justice benefits of MAT in the drug courts.
The effects of temperature upon calcium exchange in intact cultured cardiac myocytes.

Abstract Cardiac myocyte Ca transport systems, such as sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase and sarcolemmal Na/Ca exchange (Na/Ca), are critically dependent on temperature. The purpose of this work was to study the effect of temperature on cellular Ca compartmentation and its exchange characteristics in intact functional neonatal cultured myocytes. The Na/Ca mediated Ca exchange (CaNa/Ca) — including its sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and sarcolemmal (SL) contributions, a slow exchange component related to mitochondrial Ca and the La displaceable Ca pool were studied combining isotopic and gas-dissection techniques for membrane isolation. The major findings of this study are: (i) The amount of Ca exchanged through CaNa/Ca is clearly dependent on temperature (Q10 ∼1.6) in the range studied (17–37°C); (ii) the addition of 1 μM nifedipine does not modify the temperature dependence of CaNa/Ca; (iii) the sarcolemmal bound fraction contributing to CaNa/Ca is not changed by temperature; (iv) the increase in CaNa/Ca with temperature is explained by an increment in the contribution of SRCa to CaNa/Ca; (v) a fraction of SR which does not exchange via CaNa/Ca at low temperatures can be released and mobilized by caffeine - this caffeine sensitive fraction is reduced as temperature is increased and is no longer measurable as a separate entity at 37°C; (vi) if we consider (iv) and (v) together, SR content would be temperature dependent with a Q10 of ∼1.5; (vii) a La displaceable pool, which represents over 66% of the total exchangeable Ca, increases in the range of 22–33°C with a Q10 of 1.25 which is consistent with a pool distribution of 70% SL-bound and 30% SR-derived [Post J.A., Langer G.A. Cellular origin of the rapidly exchangeable calcium pool in the cultured neonatal rat heart cell. Cell Calcium 1992; 13: 627–634]; and (viii) the rate constant for the mitochondrial Ca component increases by 60% from 22°C to 37°C, but Ca content in this organelle is not modified over this temperature range.
Preclinical and Clinical Studies with Indium-111 anti-CEA Antibodies and Fragments

It is customary to begin discussions of radioimmunodetection by giving proper credit to those who pioneered the field. That being the case, I too will mention the works of the great Paul Ehrlich (1) and David Pressman (2) who are our intellectual fathers. In doing so however, I must tell you that we would have done them greater honor had we carried the field further than we have to date. With the possible exception of the invention of monoclonal antibody technology (3) and a few new labeling methods, we remain far from making the “magic bullet” concept a reality. Yet we have not been without effort. Since the time of Pressman’s early communications (1953), many reports have indicated that iodine-labeled anti-tumor antibodies could be acquired by tumors in various animal species (4–15). This work has been meritorious and confusing. For example, nonspecific globulins as well as specific antibodies localize in tumors (16). Further, non-globulin proteins such as fibrin (17–19) and fibrinogen (20–22), similarly localize in tumors, and have been used for imaging. Thus, there is a portion of the radiopharmaceutical uptake by the tumor which has a basis other than antigen:antibody interaction.
Variable recruitment fluidic artificial muscles: modeling and experiments

We investigate taking advantage of the lightweight, compliant nature of fluidic artificial muscles to create variable recruitment actuators in the form of artificial muscle bundles. Several actuator elements at different diameter scales are packaged to act as a single actuator device. The actuator elements of the bundle can be connected to the fluidic control circuit so that different groups of actuator elements, much like individual muscle fibers, can be activated independently depending on the required force output and motion. This novel actuation concept allows us to save energy by effectively impedance matching the active size of the actuators on the fly based on the instantaneous required load. This design also allows a single bundled actuator to operate in substantially different force regimes, which could be valuable for robots that need to perform a wide variety of tasks and interact safely with humans. This paper proposes, models and analyzes the actuation efficiency of this actuator concept. The analysis shows that variable recruitment operation can create an actuator that reduces throttling valve losses to operate more efficiently over a broader range of its force–strain operating space. We also present preliminary results of the design, fabrication and experimental characterization of three such bioinspired variable recruitment actuator prototypes.
Children’s Economic Well-Being in Married and Cohabiting Parent Families

Increasingly, children are living with cohabiting parents. Prior work on the material well-being of children living in cohabiting families is extended by including the biological relationship of children to adults, examining the racial and ethnic variations, and investigating the multiple indicators of material well-being. We draw on the 1999 National Survey of America's Families (N = 34,509). Our findings suggest that children can potentially benefit from living with a cohabiting partner whose resources are shared with family members. Although children living with married rather than cohabiting parents fare better in terms of material well-being, this advantage is accounted for by race and ethnic group and parents' education. Marriage appears to provide more material advantages to White children than to Black or Latino children.
Racial and ethnic disparities in the evaluation and treatment of pain : Psychological perspectives

Pain is the medical symptom that most often propels people to seek medical care. Because psychosocial problems often complicate treatment, patients in pain frequently require psychological care as well. Recent evidence demonstrates that the standard of care for racial-ethnic minorities is inferior to that for Caucasians. This article reviews the literature regarding disparities in pain treatment from patient, provider, and public health perspectives. Psychologists, both academic and clinical, are uniquely positioned to clarify factors that underlie disparities and to offset inequities in clinical settings. If racial-ethnic disparities in pain treatment are to be eliminated, psychologists must take an active role.
Prediction and Evaluation of miRNA -- Target Gene Pairs Using K-means Clustering and Bipartite Graphs with Statistical Scoring

Identifying micro RNAs (miRNAs) and their target genes plays an increasingly important role in better understanding the regulatory activities in the cell. Most computational methods focus on the sequence complementarity between miRNAs and target genes without using actual expression data, which, even when used, has been primarily just for validation of the predicted relationship between specific miRNAs and genes. Recent findings have shown that many targets are missed by sequence-based approaches. In this work, we present a robust method to predict and evaluatemi RNA-gene pairs based on their positional (time-course)expression data from next-generation sequencing and DNA microarray. The method first uses K-means clustering to group miRNAs and genes respectively, and then assigns miRNA-gene pairs to a bipartite graph with statistical scoring. The method is tested by ten-fold cross validation on two datasets in Arabidopsis, achieving a performance of about 0.70 ROCscore.
Prevalence and Correlates of Physician Recommendations To Exercise Among Older Adults

BACKGROUND This study explored the prevalence of and factors associated with physician suggestions to exercise in a sample of older adults. METHODS We conducted telephone interviews of a random sample of members of two Medicare health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in Northern California. Participants were 893 community-dwelling older adults of whom 63% were women, 52% were married, and 12% were in a minority group. Mean years of education was 14.8 +/- (2.6) and mean years of age was 74.9 +/- (6.5). The associations between patient self-reports of ever receiving physician recommendations to exercise and the following categories of variables were assessed: demographics, health-related quality of life, medical conditions, health/risk behaviors, and health knowledge/interest/satisfaction. RESULTS The prevalence of older adults in this study ever receiving a physician suggestion to exercise was 48.2%. In a multivariate logistic regression model, being younger, sedentary, and having a higher body mass index were independently (p < or = .05) and positively associated with increased reports of having ever received a physician's advice to exercise. Those who were precontemplators (not thinking about changing physical activity behavior), and those who reported greater frequency of endurance exercise were less likely to report receiving a physician recommendation to exercise (p < or = .05). CONCLUSIONS Although physician advice appeared to be targeted to subgroups that could benefit, physician advice on exercise could be particularly increased for patients over 75 years of age, those currently not thinking about an increase in physical activity, and those currently active patients who may benefit from ongoing physician advice to promote maintenance.
Centrin Is Synthesized and Assembled Into Basal Bodies During Naegleria Differentiation

During differentiation of Naegleria from vegetative amoebae to temporary flagellates, the microtubular cytoskeleton, including two basal bodies and flagella, is assembled de novo. Centrin is an integral component of these basal bodies [Levy et al., 1996, Cell Motil. Cytoskeleton 33: 298-323]. In many organisms, centrin appears to be a constitutive protein, but in Naegleria centrin gene expression occurs only during differentiation. Centrin mRNA, which has not been detected in amoebae, appears and disappears earlier in differentiation than a coordinately regulated set of differentiation-specific mRNAs encoding flagellar tubulin and calmodulin. Centrin antigen accumulates during differentiation, and then decreases in abundance as the flagellates mature and revert to amoebae. No localization of centrin has been detected in amoebae. During differentiation, centrin becomes localized to the basal bodies as soon as these structures are detected with anti-tubulin antibodies, first as a single dot and finally as two basal bodies. During reversion of flagellates to amoebae, centrin remains localized to the basal bodies for as long as they are present. When assembly of tubulin-containing structures during differentiation is prevented using oryzalin, centrin localization is prevented as well, yet inhibition of assembly does not affect accumulation of centrin antigen. Apparently in Naegleria, the role of centrin is primarily for a differentiation- or flagellate-specific function. The temporary presence of centrin is concurrent with the presence of centriolar basal bodies, which supports the conjecture that in Naegleria centrin may be needed only when these organelles are present.
The ever-emerging complexity of α-toxin’s interaction with host cells

For more than a century, Staphylococcus aureus α-toxin, also known as α-hemolysin or Hla, has been recognized as an important virulence factor (1). α-Toxin exhibits many roles in the virulence of this formidable pathogen. In the past few years, our understanding of these roles has increased immensely. This wave of discovery began with the identification of α-toxin as a critical determinant of community-associated methicillin-resistant S. aureus pneumonia (2, 3). These studies were then followed by the identification of the metalloprotease a disintegrin and metalloprotease 10 (ADAM10) as the receptor for α-toxin (4), and the discovery that α-toxin targeting of ADAM10 has a critical role in the pathogenesis of S. aureus pneumonia and skin infection (5, 6), through the disruption of epithelial barriers. These studies demonstrated that α-toxin disrupts barriers not only by lysing cells but also by the more subtle mechanism of activating ADAM10 to cleave the ectodomains of E-cadherin molecules, breaking adherens junctions and causing dramatic changes of the actin cytoskeleton (4–6). The pathogenic functions of α-toxin have been further extended to include several roles in sepsis, including disruption of endothelial barriers and interactions with platelets and leukocytes (7, 8). Further, α-toxin interacts with the development of adaptive immunity and has a role in recurrent skin and soft tissue infections (9). In PNAS, Popov et al. (10) deepen our understanding of the interaction between α-toxin and cellular junctions, finding that several components of the adherens junctions, including pleckstrin-homology domain containing protein 7 (PLEKHA7), are necessary for cell death upon intoxication with this toxin.
Teaching Corporate Culture–An Engineer’s Survival Guide

The transition from new engineering graduate to successful member of corporate America is a difficult journey. Often the skills required are not part of a student’s traditional undergraduate education. At Cal Poly, we have integrated a new course into our existing Senior Project curriculum which enables students to develop the professional skills necessary to become an effective member of any corporation. Key skills such as communication, problem solving and project management are practiced through active learning techniques. These as well as other topics studied are required for ABET certification. The new course investigates the mission and values that are at the foundation of any corporation’s culture. It challenges students to evaluate their own personal leadership potential. Organization structures along with the roles and responsibilities of Engineering, Marketing, Sales, Operations, Finance and Executive management are studied along with the interdisciplinary nature of engineering and technology. The rigors and metrics of a typical product development methodology are explored along with the concepts of program management and the protection of intellectual property. Business models are studied which enable students to evaluate the impact engineering can have on a company’s financial success. Moreover, the students learn that they are members of a global community with environmental and social responsibilities. The impact of technology on society can be profound and students are challenged to consider difficult ethical issues as well as exciting career opportunities. ARE ENGINEERING UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS EQUIPPED FOR SUCCESS
Phase I Clinical Trial of Alitretinoin and Tamoxifen in Breast Cancer Patients: Toxicity, Pharmacokinetic, and Biomarker Evaluations

PURPOSE: To determine the overall and dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) of alitretinoin (9-cis-retinoic acid) in combination with tamoxifen and the pharmacokinetics of alitretinoin alone and when combined with tamoxifen in patients with metastatic breast cancer. The effect of tamoxifen and alitretinoin on MIB-1, a marker of proliferation, in unaffected breast tissue was explored. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eligible patients had metastatic breast cancer. Previous tamoxifen therapy was allowed. Planned dose levels for alitretinoin ranged from 50 to 140 mg/m2/d with 20 mg/d tamoxifen in all patients after 4 weeks of alitretinoin as a single agent. Plasma concentrations of alitretinoin and retinol were measured at baseline and after 1, 2, and 3 months. Breast core biopsies were obtained at baseline and after 2 months of therapy. RESULTS: Twelve patients with metastatic breast cancer received a total of 86 cycles of therapy. At 90 mg/m2/d, three of five patients experienced a DLT: grade 3 headache, grade 3 hypercalce...