cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
How does a small molecule bind at a cryptic binding site

Abstract Protein-protein interactions (PPIs) are ubiquitous biomolecular processes that are central to virtually all aspects of cellular function. Identifying small molecules that modulate specific disease-related PPIs is a strategy with enormous promise for drug discovery. The design of drugs to disrupt PPIs is challenging, however, because many potential drug-binding sites at PPI interfaces are “cryptic”: When unoccupied by a ligand, cryptic sites are often flat and featureless, and thus not readily recognizable in crystal structures, with the geometric and chemical characteristics of typical small-molecule binding sites only emerging upon ligand binding. The rational design of small molecules to inhibit specific PPIs would benefit from a better understanding of how such molecules bind at PPI interfaces. To this end, we have conducted unbiased, all-atom MD simulations of the binding of four small-molecule inhibitors (SP4206 and three SP4206 analogs) to interleukin 2 (IL2)—which performs its function by forming a PPI with its receptor—without incorporating any prior structural information about the ligands’ binding. In multiple binding events, a small molecule settled into a stable binding pose at the PPI interface of IL2, resulting in a protein–small-molecule binding site and pose virtually identical to that observed in an existing crystal structure of the IL2-SP4206 complex. Binding of the small molecule stabilized the IL2 binding groove, which when the small molecule was not bound emerged only transiently and incompletely. Moreover, free energy perturbation (FEP) calculations successfully distinguished between the native and non-native IL2–small-molecule binding poses found in the simulations, suggesting that binding simulations in combination with FEP may provide an effective tool for identifying cryptic binding sites and determining the binding poses of small molecules designed to disrupt PPI interfaces by binding to such sites.
Tandem elimination-oxidation of tertiary benzylic alcohols with an oxoammonium salt

Tertiary benzylic alcohols react with oxoammonium salts, undergoing a tandem elimination/allylic oxidation to provide an allylic ether product in a single step. This mode of reactivity provides a rapid entry into allylic ethers from certain benzylic tertiary alcohols. The allylic ether may be cleaved under reductive conditions to reveal the allylic alcohol.
Preliminary Outcomes of an Incentive-based Parent-training Intervention

Substantial evidence supports the effective reduction of child behavior problems and increase of positive parenting skills in behavioral parent-training (BPT) programs; however, many of these treatments suffer from high rates of family termination after the first few sessions and low family adherence to treatment protocol (e.g., homework completion). The current study presents preliminary results of a larger randomized controlled trial of families randomly assigned to one of two conditions: incentivized Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) (N = 34) and PCIT alone (N = 30). This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of incentives in increasing families session attendance, session homework completion, and use of positive parenting skills as well as decreasing negative parenting practices and children’s behavior problems in the first few treatment sessions. Data were analyzed using independent sample t-tests, analyses of variance, and Pearson correlations. Families in the incentive group received approximately five incentives (worth approximately $5–12 each) during treatment (M = 5.41, SD = 2.38) with the maximum of nine incentives possible for the duration of the study. Families receiving incentives were not significantly different from families in parent training alone on a number of adherence-related factors during the first five sessions. Although not significant (p > 0.05), the incentive group had proportionally fewer participants (14.7%) end services compared to the non-incentive group (26.7%). Paper homework completion and attendance were positively correlated with changes in positive parenting behaviors, suggesting that parental early engagement is an important factor in the therapeutic process of BPT programs. However, the use of small incentives may not be sufficient to enhance early treatment attendance when families are most likely to drop out of treatment.
The Relationship between Size and Return for Foreign Real Estate Investments

Executive Summary. In this study, we utilize a relatively new database to examine whether small foreign real estate firms have higher returns than large foreign real estate firms. We examine this i...
Peptide Separation by Two-dimensional Chromatography and Electrophoresis

The separation of peptides from controlled proteolytic digests by two-dimensional paper chromatography and electrophoresis is finding wide application to studies of protein structure. With this method it is possible to compare digestion mixtures from different proteins and to detect differences as slight as the replacement of a single amino acid. Such differences are of importance in the comparison of homologous proteins from different animal and plant species, and in the study of genetically determined changes in protein structure, such as those resulting from a single gene mutation.
Private Tragedies? Family Law as Social Insurance

Family law is full of private tragedy. Case after case pits one family member against another in a zero-sum struggle for resources. Spouses battle over limited assets; parents clash over child support; and children fight each other for resources when parental income is stretched across multiple families. But family law doesn’t simply pick up the pieces when individuals make bad choices or suffer bad luck. Instead, the law creates distributive rules that help determine which choices are bad ones - and whose bad luck carries ruinous consequences. Taking this view, it is not just the dysfunctional who live in law’s domain: successful families flourish amidst legal rules that protect some from life’s risks while leaving others vulnerable. In this essay, I suggest that family law constitutes a form of social insurance, supplementing public programs that address life risks including poverty, unemployment, and disability. Both family law and social insurance recognize some relationships (and not others) and protect against some risks (and not others). Further, both systems of law can be understood as distributing risks ex ante - rather than simply addressing failure ex post. To make the discussion concrete, I focus on two cases, one involving spousal support and disability, and the other involving child support for multiple families. The cases illustrate the interdependence of financial entitlements in family law and in social welfare and demonstrate that a range of changes in family law, social insurance rules, or other elements of law could alter the distribution of life’s risks - and thus the likelihood and consequences of apparently “private” tragedies. The essay also builds on these examples to outline a larger project. Today, large-scale social insurance programs shield individuals against disruptions in working life, including retirement, disability, and unemployment. And yet disruptions in affective life - a divorce, a breakup, a parent’s exit, even living without a family - can impose equally severe shocks on individual lives. While at first it may seem uncomfortable to consider personal relationships a matter for state concern, I suggest that the normative theories and analytical tools used in structuring conventional social insurance can also be brought to bear in considering the possibility of insurance for disruptions in affective life.
Finding dominators in practice

The computation of dominators in a flowgraph has applications in program optimization, circuit testing, and other areas. Lengauer and Tarjan [17] proposed two versions of a fast algorithm for finding dominators and compared them experimentally with an iterative bit vector algorithm. They concluded that both versions of their algorithm were much faster than the bit-vector algorithm even on graphs of moderate size. Recently Cooper et al. [9] have proposed a new, simple, tree-based iterative algorithm. Their experiments suggested that it was faster than the simple version of the Lengauer-Tarjan algorithm on graphs representing computer program control flow. Motivated by the work of Cooper et al., we present an experimental study comparing their algorithm (and some variants) with careful implementations of both versions of the Lengauer-Tarjan algorithm and with a new hybrid algorithm. Our results suggest that, although the performance of all the algorithms is similar, the most consistently fast are the simple Lengauer-Tarjan algorithm and the hybrid algorithm, and their advantage increases as the graph gets bigger or more complicated.
Worldwide Occurrences of Arsenic in Ground Water

Numerous aquifers worldwide carry soluble arsenic at concentrations greater than the World Health Organization--and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency--recommended drinking water standard of 10 mg per liter. Sources include both natural (black shales, young sediments with low flushing rates, gold mineralization, and geothermal environments) and anthropogenic (mining activities, livestock feed additives, pesticides, and arsenic trioxide wastes and stockpiles). Increased solubility and mobility of arsenic is promoted by high pH (>8.5), competing oxyanions, and reducing conditions. In this Policy Forum, Nordstrom argues that human health risks from arsenic in ground water can be minimized by incorporating hydrogeochemical knowledge into water management decisions and by more careful monitoring for arsenic in geologically high-risk areas.
Uses of Coban* Self-Adherent Wrap in Management of Postburn Hand Grafts: Case Reports

Coban wrap is a durable, elastic, self-adherent gauze that applies snugly without loosening. Coban does not stick to underlying tissue, making it excellent for early postoperative management of split- and full-thickness hand grafts. The wrap protects new grafts and decreases postoperative edema, permitting earlier mobility and facilitating accurate measurements for fitting of pressure garments. Wounds are judged suitable for Coban when the grafts are largely adherent and vascularized. Coban can be wrapped (1) directly over the graft, (2) over an ointment/adaptic dressing, or (3) over gauze padding for extra protection, or use as a "soft splint." Because of its inherent elasticity, Coban can be used to passively encourage desirable joint positions. The wrap is changed daily, and family members readily learn its use. Coban appears to encourage early, protected, active range of motion and early use of custom-fit pressure garments.
Some current problems in beam-foil spectroscopy

Abstract The use of tilted foils to produce alignment and orientation excitation asymmetries in fast ion beams is reviewed. These asymmetries, their observed dependence on various experimental parameters (ion energy, foil tilt angle, observation geometry, etc.) and their utilisation for the study of atomic and nuclear structure properties are discussed. In addition, measurements are described that utilise differential decay curve measurements to suppress cascade effects and to determine decay rates into forbidden or inhibited radiative and autoionising intercombination channels.
Quantitative analysis of lattice disorder and crystallite size in organic semiconductor thin films

The crystallite size and cumulative lattice disorder of three prototypical, high-performing organic semiconducting materials are investigated using a Fourier-transform peak shape analysis routine based on the method of Warren and Averbach (WA). A thorough incorporation of error propagation throughout the multistep analysis and a weighted fitting of Fourier-transformed data to the WA model allows for more accurate results than typically obtained and for determination of confidence bounds. We compare results obtained when assuming two types of column-length distributions, and discuss the benefits of each model in terms of simplicity and accuracy. For strongly disordered materials, the determination of a crystallite size is greatly hindered because disorder dominates the coherence length, not finite size. A simple analysis based on trends of peak widths and Lorentzian components of pseudo-Voigt line shapes as a function of diffraction order is also discussed as an approach to more easily and qualitatively assess the amount and type of disorder present in a sample. While applied directly to organic systems, this methodology is general for the accurate deconvolution of crystalline size and lattice disorder for any material investigated with diffraction techniques.
PLASMA ELECTROLYTE DISTURBANCE IN PATIENT WITH HYPERCORTICOADRENAL SYNDROME CONTRASTED WITH THAT FOUND IN ADDISON'S DISEASE1

During the past few years it has been demonstrated, chiefly by the work of Bauman (1), Loeb (2), Harrop (3) and their associates, that the suprarenal glands play an important role in the regulation of the base metabolism of the body. Bauman and Kurland in 1926 found the plasma sodium and chloride to be decreased and the potassium, magnesium and calcium to be increased in cats and rabbits as a result of suprarenalectomy. In 1932 Loeb discovered the sodium and chloride of the blood plasma to be significantly decreased and the potassium to be increased in untreated cases of Addison's disease. Furthermore, he found such patients to be benefited greatly by the ingestion of sodium chloride in relatively large amounts. He and his associates (4) later reported similar findings in experimental adrenal insufficiency in dogs. They showed the lowering of the plasma sodium and chloride to be due to increased excretion of these elements. At the same time potassium appeared to be released from the cells of the body into...
Semiannual variation in the heterosphere: A reappraisal

Past attempts to represent the semiannual density variation in the heterosphere as a consequence of temperature variation have run into difficulties in two height regions: below 200 and above 1000 km. The main argument in favor of the temperature variations was the dependence of their amplitude on the solar cycle; it can be shown, however, that this dependence is spurious, being caused by the variation of the density change dρ/dT with the temperature T. An analysis of the semiannual density variations at different height levels fails to show a dependence of the amplitude with the sunspot cycle. All difficulties are removed if we assume that the semiannual density variation is not a direct consequence of temperature variations.
An evidence based approach to diagnostic testing in emergency medicine.

Virtually all physicians involved in clinical practice are realizing that the delivery of highest caliber medical care requires a blend of appropriate training, adequate experience, the proper amount of "art," empathetic interpersonal skills, respect for patient preferences, and, now more than ever, an evidence-based approach firmly grounded in methodologically sound scientific studies. 6 Although traditions, anecdotes, opinions, and pragmatic clinical interventions continue to be passed from one era of physicians to the next, reliance solely on clinical experience or time-honored but unproven approaches to problem solving has given way to clinical decision making that emphasizes use of evidence from the medical literature. Similar to their colleagues in other medical disciplines, emergency physicians are realizing that this approach, termed evidence-based medicine , not only presents new advantages and challenges but also offers the promise that basing decisions on the best available evidence care will improve the quality of patient.
The Stanford-Binet: An Evaluation of the Technical Data Available Since the 1972 Restandardization.

Abstract A review of the technical data available on the 1972 norms edition of the Stanford-Binet is presented. Data on the standardization sample, reliability and validity are considered. This review demonstrates how inadequate these data are. It is contended that the Stanford-Binet should not continue to be used in important decision making processes unless this weakness is corrected.
The structure of lowland rainforest after selective logging in West Kalimantan, Indonesia

Abstract To quantify forest structure following mechanized selective logging in a dipterocarp forest in West Kalimantan, Indonesia, we compared unlogged forest and sites logged 6 months, 1 year and 8 years prior to sampling. Forty-one percent of the total area was in swamp forest, interdigitated with lowland forest. Small patches of lowland forest (15% of lowland area) and 85% of swamp forest escaped logging disturbance. The canopy of 76% of lowland forest was moderately to heavily disturbed by logging; 45% was in open gap or pioneer vegetation. There was only limited evidence of canopy development after 8 years. In lowland sites logged 6 months or 1 year before sampling, forest floor was disturbed in 16% of area by roads, tractor tracks and skid trails. Local canopy disturbance increased, but at a decreasing rate, with the amount of basal area extracted. Dipterocarp trees over 50 cm in diameter at breast height (DBH) comprised 70% of total basal area before logging. The harvest removed 62% of pre-cut dipterocarp basal area and 43% of pre-cut total basal area. Small dipterocarp trees (less than 50 cm DBH, below harvestable size) suffered high mortality due to logging, possibly limiting future wood production. Logging resulted in a complex spatial mosaic of forest types and disturbance levels, suggesting options for conservation and management. Swamp forest timber resources, unharvested by conventional mechanized logging, could potentially be hand-logged by local villagers, increasing both villagers' incomes and revenue to concessions. Patches of unlogged forest may sustain some vertebrate and tree species. The detailed analysis of forest structure in this study provides part of the essential information needed to assess sustainability of management options. For the modeling of stand development that is necessary to develop an ecologically sound management system for dipterocarp forests in Indonesia, additional data on regeneration, tree growth and survival rates are required.
Wavelength division scanning for two‐photon excitation fluorescence imaging

We investigate wavelength division scanning for two-photon excitation fluorescence imaging. Two-photon imaging using lateral wavelength division scanning is demonstrated. In addition, we theoretically analyse the spatial and temporal properties of a femtosecond laser beam focused by a Fresnel lens and investigate the feasibility of axial scanning using wavelength division.
Boundary issues in countertransference: A developmental perspective

In treatment, characterologically disturbed patients evoke affective and behavioral responses that are frequently antitherapeutic. Such responses reflect the therapist's involvement in a reciprocal relationship in which the patient attempts to communicate very early pathogenic experiences. In this process the therapist is induced to act in ways that replicate significant aspects of the patient's first reciprocal relationship. Problematic replications may be recognized and modified when therapists carefully monitor their own boundaries between thought, affect, and action. This developmental paradigm is particularly useful in resolving therapeutic impasses that result from the patient's need to use the therapist as a “real” rather than a symbolic object.
Bayesian Inference and Application of Robust Growth Curve Models Using Student's t Distribution

Despite the widespread popularity of growth curve analysis, few studies have investigated robust growth curve models. In this article, the t distribution is applied to model heavy-tailed data and contaminated normal data with outliers for growth curve analysis. The derived robust growth curve models are estimated through Bayesian methods utilizing data augmentation and Gibbs sampling algorithms. The analysis of mathematical development data shows that the robust latent basis growth curve model better describes the mathematical growth trajectory than the corresponding normal growth curve model and can reveal the individual differences in mathematical development. Simulation studies further confirm that the robust growth curve models significantly outperform the normal growth curve models for both heavy-tailed t data and normal data with outliers but lose only slight efficiency for normal data. It appears convincing to replace the normal distribution with the t distribution for growth curve analysis. Three ...
The Fatigue Behavior of Built-Up Welded Beams of Commercially Pure Titanium

In this article, the results of a recent study aimed at evaluating, understanding, and rationalizing the extrinsic influence of fatigue loading on the response characteristics of built-up welded beams made from commercially pure titanium (Grade 2) are presented and discussed. The beams were made from welding plates and sheets of titanium using the pulsed gas metal arc welding technique to form a structural beam having an I-shaped cross section. The welds made for the test beams of the chosen metal were fillet welds using a matching titanium filler metal wire. The maximum and minimum load values at which the built-up beams were cyclically deformed were chosen to be within the range of 22-45% of the maximum predicted flexural static load. The beams were deformed in fatigue at a stress ratio of 0.1 and constant frequency of 5 Hz. The influence of the ratio of maximum load with respect to the ultimate failure load on fatigue performance, quantified in terms of fatigue life, was examined. The percentage of maximum load to ultimate load that resulted in run-out of one million cycles was established. The overall fracture behavior of the failed beam sample was characterized by scanning electron microscopy observations to establish the conjoint influence of load severity, intrinsic microstructural effects, and intrinsic fracture surface features in governing failure by fracture.
Alumina and aluminate ultrafiltration membranes derived from alumina nanoparticles

Abstract The fabrication of alumina ultrafiltration membranes using acetic acid surface stabilized alumina nanoparticles (A-alumoxanes) has been investigated. The pore size, pore size distribution, and molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) parameters of the resulting membranes are highly dependant on the uniformity of the nanoparticle precursor, which is a function of the reaction time and reaction pH during their synthesis. By the control over the alumina nanoparticles, a significant improvement of the membrane performance is observed over our prior results. The new alumoxane-derived membranes have a molecular weight cut-off in the range of −1 , and show good selectivity to a range of synthetic dyes. Further control over selectivity and flux of these ceramic membranes may be obtained by the use of doped alumina nanoparticles (Fe, Mn, and La) that result in the formation of the appropriate aluminate membranes. Of these, LaAlO 3 shows the most promising results, with an increase in selectivity and increased flux as compared to the alumina analogue. Retention coefficients and flux values may also be altered by the chemical functionalization of the interior surface of the membranes by reacting the alumina surface with carboxylic acids.
Identification of hemes and related cyclic tetrapyrroles by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization and liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry.

Mass spectrometry has proven to be a powerful technique applicable on trace amounts for the identification of known hemes and cyclic tetrapyrroles, and for providing critical information for the structure of new and novel versions. This report describes investigations of the practical limits of detection for such bioinorganic prosthetic groups, primarily by liquid secondary ion mass spectrometry (LSIMS) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOFMS), including a survey of the utility of common matrices. The lower limit of detection under favorable conditions extends to low picomole amounts. Certain derivatization techniques, such as methyl esterification and chelation to zinc, both increase the sensitivity of analyses and provide spectroscopic signatures that enable heme/cyclic tetrapyrrole ions to be identified in the presence of contaminants. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A fluorimetric kinetic method for the determination of organophosphorus and organocarbonyl compounds

Abstract A direct reaction rate method is proposed for the rapid, sensitive determination of organophosphorus and organocarbonyl compounds, based on a fluorimetric SCHOENEMANN reaction. From 0.02 to 100 μg/ml of benzoyl chloride, benzoyl bromide, phthalic anhydride, diisopropyl phosphorofluoridate, parathion, methyl parathion, diethyl chlorophosphate and dimethyl chlorothiophosphate can be determined with an accuracy and precision of about 1.5%.
Clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors in 420 metastatic breast cancer patients with central nervous system metastasis.

BACKGROUND. Breast cancer is the second most common cause of central nervous system (CNS) metastases. Several risk factors for CNS metastases have been reported. The objective of the current study was to describe clinicopathologic characteristics and prognostic factors in breast cancer patients with CNS metastases. METHODS. The authors retrospectively evaluated clinical data from 420 patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer and CNS metastasis between 1994 and 2004 at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. RESULTS. The median age of the patients at the time of diagnosis of breast cancer was 45 years (range, 25–77 years). Premenopausal and postmenopausal patients were distributed equally. Most patients had invasive ductal histology (91.2%), grade 3 tumors (81.4%) (using the modified Black nuclear grading system), T2 tumor classification (40.1%), and N1 lymph node status (59.7%) diagnosis. Forty percent of patients had estrogen receptor (ER)-positive disease, and 34% had progesterone receptor-positive disease. HER-2/neu status was recorded for only 248 patients, and 39% of the patients in that group had HER-2/neu-positive disease. The most common sites of first metastasis were liver, bone, and lung. CNS metastasis was the site of first recurrence in 53 patients (12%). In total, 329 patients had received either neoadjuvant treatment (113 patients) or adjuvant chemotherapy (216 patients). The majority of those patients (74.4%) had received anthracycline-based regimens. Metastasis was solitary in 111 patients (26.4%), and 29 patients had only leptomeningeal metastases. The median time from breast cancer diagnosis to CNS metastasis was 30.9 months (range, from −5 months to 216.7 months). The median follow-up after a diagnosis of CNS metastasis was 6 months (range, 7–95.9 months). In all, 359 patients died, and the overall median survival was 6.8 months. Only age at diagnosis and ER status were associated significantly with overall survival in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS. The current results indicated that the prognosis remains patients with breast cancer metastatic to the CNS. More effective treatment approaches are needed for patients with CNS metastases, even for those with favorable prognostic factors, such as ER-positive tumors or younger age. Cancer 2007. © 2007 American Cancer Society.
Mutations in the Control of Virulence Sensor Gene from Streptococcus pyogenes after Infection in Mice Lead to Clonal Bacterial Variants with Altered Gene Regulatory Activity and Virulence

The cluster of virulence sensor (CovS)/responder (CovR) two-component operon (CovRS) regulates ∼15% of the genes of the Group A Streptococcal pyogenes (GAS) genome. Bacterial clones containing inactivating mutations in the covS gene have been isolated from patients with virulent invasive diseases. We report herein an assessment of the nature and types of covS mutations that can occur in both virulent and nonvirulent GAS strains, and assess whether a nonvirulent GAS can attain enhanced virulence through this mechanism. A group of mice were infected with a globally-disseminated clonal M1T1 GAS (isolate 5448), containing wild-type (WT) CovRS (5448/CovR+S+), or less virulent engineered GAS strains, AP53/CovR+S+ and Manfredo M5/CovR+S+. SpeB negative GAS clones from wound sites and/or from bacteria disseminated to the spleen were isolated and the covS gene was subjected to DNA sequence analysis. Numerous examples of inactivating mutations were found in CovS in all regions of the gene. The mutations found included frame-shift insertions and deletions, and in-frame small and large deletions in the gene. Many of the mutations found resulted in early translation termination of CovS. Thus, the covS gene is a genomic mutagenic target that gives GAS enhanced virulence. In cases wherein CovS− was discovered, these clonal variants exhibited high lethality, further suggesting that randomly mutated covS genes occur during the course of infection, and lead to the development of a more invasive infection.
Culture of Poverty: Lessons from Two Case Studies of Poverty in the Philippines; One Became Rich, the Other One Stayed Poor

This article describes the lives of poverty in the context of a specific culture, the Philippines. The goal of this article is to study what it means to be poor and to understand the cultural factors that contribute to this human experience. Two case studies will be presented; one of a Filipino who was born poor and has become materially successful, and another of a Filipino who was born poor and has stayed poor. Interestingly, the two persons are relatively similar in terms of beginning circumstances, education, gender, religion, and age. The discussion will deal with the processes of living in poverty and getting out of poverty. The results will then be discussed in a broader framework of culture and poverty, and intercultural differences between Philippine poverty and the culture of poverty (Lewis, 1959) will be highlighted. Creative Commons License This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License. This article is available in Online Readings in Psychology and Culture: http://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/orpc/vol8/iss1/3
Observations on the Ultrastructure of Luteal Cells from PMS and PMS-HCG Treated Immature Rats

Immature rats were made to ovulate by one of the following 2 procedures: 1) a single injection of PMS (4 IU) was given on day 26, or 2) the PMS-HCG procedure recommended by Parlow for the preparation of rats for the assay of LH was followed. Some of these animals were hypophysectomized on day 30. In other rats of each series the pituitary gland was removed and transplanted to the kidney capsule as an autograft, or pituitary glands from adult females were transplanted into intact animals as homografts. The deciduomata test was carried out on all animals but was positive only in those rats given the 4 IU dose of PMS. No deciduomata were formed in the hypophysectomized animals nor in any animals given the PMSHCG treatment. Luteal tissue was removed when the rats were 37 or 43 days old and was processed for electron microscopy. As compared to the inactive luteal cells of hypophysectomized rats, the active luteal cells of rats given the 4 IU dose of PMS showed a reduced amount of lipid and a higher order of de...
Efficacy of the β-Exotoxin of Bacillus thuringiensis to Lygus hesperus (Heteroptera: Miridae): Laboratory and Field Responses

Topical application of thuringiensin, the is-exotoxinof Bacillus thurtngiensis Berliner, was especially toxic to the first three nymphal in stars of Lygus Hesperus Knight. Adults were generally tolerant to proposed field rates of 49.4-148.2 g (AI)/ha. Diet bios says indicated that 96-h-old adults were 30 and 6 times more tolerant to thuringiensin than were young (first, second, and third in stars) and old (fourth and fifth in stars) nymphs, respectively. Oviposition was suppressed when adult females consumed diet containing, s-exotoxin concentrations >10 μg/ml. When applied to blooming alfalfa seed, field rates of thuringiensin provided 86-98% control of Iygus bug nymphs 14 d after the treatments were applied. If thuringiensin is registered for alfalfa seed, the experiments and results discussed will provide the rationale for coordinating the use of this selective compound in Washington’s alfalfa seed IPM program.
PDGF BB and bFGF stimulate DNA synthesis and upregulate CSF-1 and MCP-1 gene expression in dental follicle cells

CSF-1 and MCP-1, released by dental follicle cells, stimulate the influx of monocytes into the follicle sac and enhance the formation of osteoclasts that, in turn, resorb alveolar bone for the eruption pathway. PDGF and bFGF, released by cells adjacent to the follicle or by activated monocytes, are prime candidates that may regulate CSF-1 and MCP-1 gene expression. The present study demonstrates that PDGF and bFGF are mitogens for dental follicle cells and stimulate CSF-1 and MCP-1 mRNA, but with different time course kinetics. Peak induction of CSF-1 mRNA was observed at 6-8h, while maximal MCP-1 induction was observed at 2h. These findings suggest that MCP-1 is an early chemotactic signal for monocytes and that subsequent release of CSF-1 may act synergistically with MCP-1 to enhance monocyte influx. Further understanding of the molecular mechanisms by which cytokines regulate CSF-1 and MCP-1 may lead to more effective treatment regimens for disorders associated with abnormal tooth eruption.
The influence of age and relative weight on the presentation of familial combined hyperlipidemia in childhood

Background: Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) has been described as the leading cause of familial hyperlipidemia. FCHL is dominantly inherited, occurs in at least 1% of the population, and is responsible for about 10% of premature coronary artery disease (CAD). Objective: Because FCHL in childhood is not well characterized, we evaluated the interrelationships among age, percentage of ideal body weight (%IBW) and plasma lipoprotein levels in FCHL children (age 2–18 years), exploring the possibility that obesity and age may influence the presentation of FCHL in childhood. Methods: One hundred and eighty-nine children with FCHL were studied. Significant correlations within this group were further evaluated by examining a subset of 36 FCHL children, each of whom had an unaffected sibling who could serve as a control for comparison. Results: When the full group was divided into those with TG levels > 90% and those with TG levels < 90%, the correlation with %IBW was stronger in the former (r = 0.45, P < 0.005) as compared with the latter (r = 0.25, P = 0.05). Within the subset of 36 FCHL children and their 36 unaffected siblings (controls), age and sex distributions were similar. Percentage IBW (mean ± S.D.) (117.3 ± 29.1 for FCHL and 111.2 ± 19.4 for controls) was similar and in the overweight range. FCHL children had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol (TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), apolipoprotein B (apo B) and triglyceride (TG) levels compared with controls (P < 0.0005 for all comparisons). Of several significant correlations observed in the full group (n = 189), only the correlations of %IBW with plasma TG levels (r = 0.45, P = 0.006), and of age with plasma TG levels (r = 0.48, P = 0.003) persisted with a similar degree of magnitude in the subset of 36 FCHL children. No correlation was significant in the controls. By Fisher's Z-test, the correlation between %IBW and TG in the FCHL children was significantly different from controls. Conclusions: These results suggest that TG levels in FCHL children, but not in their unaffected siblings, are sensitive to the presence of obesity, implying an interaction between obesity and the underlying condition, in addition, the association between age and TG level in FCHL children suggests a gradual expression of the hyperlipidemia (i.e. TG) during childhood.
Effect of prior statin use on functional outcome and delayed vasospasm after acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage: a matched controlled cohort study.

OBJECTIVE Hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (statins), which exhibit beneficial cerebrovascular effects by modulating inflammation and nitric oxide production, have not been evaluated in acute aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. The effect of prior statin use on 14-day functional outcome and on prevention of vasospasm-induced delayed cerebral ischemia (DCI) or stroke during hospitalization was analyzed. METHODS We conducted a 1:2 matched (age, admission Hunt and Hess grade, vascular disease/risk history) cohort study of 20 SAH patients on statins and 40 SAH controls. The primary outcome was functional outcome at 14 days (Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale and Barthel Index scale scores). Secondary outcomes were 14-day mortality, Modified Rankin Scale score, DCI, DCI supported by angiography/transcranial Doppler [TCD], cerebral infarctions of any type, and TCD highest mean velocity elevation. RESULTS Statin users demonstrated a significant protective effect on 14-day Barthel Index scale and Modified Lawton Physical Self-Maintenance Scale scores (77 +/- 10 versus 39 +/- 8, P = 0.003; 12 +/- 7 versus 19 +/- 9, P = 0.03, respectively). Moreover, statin users demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of DCI and DCI supported by angiography/TCD (10% versus 43%, P = 0.02; 5% versus 35%, P = 0.01, respectively), cerebral infarctions of any type (25% versus 63%, P = 0.01), and baseline-to-final TCD highest mean velocity change of 50 cm/s or greater (18% versus 51%, P = 0.03). CONCLUSION SAH statin users demonstrated significant improvement in 14-day functional outcome, a significantly lower incidence of DCI and cerebral infarctions of any type, as well as prevention of TCD highest mean velocity elevation. However, we did not find a significant statin impact on mortality or global outcome (Modified Rankin Scale) in this small sample. This study provides clinical evidence for the potential therapeutic benefit of statins after acute SAH.
Albumin from heated human plasma. III. Denaturation kinetics: Influence of acetate ions

Abstract The influence of acetate ions on the denaturation of human plasma albumin has been studied by measuring the reaction rate as a function of pH and temperature. The process of denaturation follows first-order kinetics with respect to protein concentration and also appears to be first order with respect to acetate. At constant acetate-ion concentration, measurements of the change in the experimental rate of denaturation with pH show that the role of the hydrogen ion in the denaturation process is the same as has been previously determined in the absence of acetate. In the presence of acetate, there is an increase in the value of the dissociation constant for the five key prototropic ionizations which control the stability of the protein. However, the effect of temperature on the p K remains unchanged. At 54.9 °, when acetate is present, there is a marked elevation in the rate of the net denaturation reaction, which occurs when albumin becomes labile as a result of the suppression of three of the key dissociations. At 69.6 °, the rate is found to be greater in the absence of acetate. Thus, the heat of activation for the net denaturation reaction is considerably lower when acetate is present.
LATTICE DYNAMICS OF THE HEAVY FERMION COMPOUND UBe13

UBe/sub 3/ has unusual electronic and magnetic properties due to a narrow band of U 5f states near the Fermi energy. We have used EXAFS to compare the interatomic forces in UBe/sub 13/ with those in ThBe/sub 13/, which has the same structure but no 5f electrons. From measurements made over the range 10 to 308 K, we have determined the temperature dependences of the mean square relative displacements (MSRD's) for the first actinide-beryllium and actinide-actinide shells in each material. The MSRD's for the corresponding shells in the two compounds were found to be quite similar. The thermal motion of the nearest-neighbor actinide-actinide pairs is shown to be due entirely to a single Einstein mode, the square of whose frequency is proportional to the actinide-Be force constant. We conclude that the presence or absence of 5f electrons on the actinide has very little effect on the actinide-beryllium bonding. 9 refs., 5 figs.
A class of outer generalized inverses

Abstract In any * -semigroup or semigroup S , it is shown that the Moore–Penrose inverse y = a † , the author’s pseudo-inverse y = a ′ , Chipman’s weighted inverse and the Bott–Duffin inverse are all special cases of the more general class of “ ( b , c ) -inverses” y ∈ S satisfying y ∈ ( bSy ) ∩ ( ySc ) , yab = b and cay = c . These ( b , c ) -inverses always satisfy yay = y , are always unique when they exist, and exist if and only if b ∈ Scab and c ∈ cabS , in which case, under the partial order M of Mitsch, y is also the unique M -greatest element of the set X a = X a , b , c = { x : x ∈ S , xax = x and x ∈ ( bSx ) ∩ ( xSc ) } and the unique M -least element of Z a = Z a , b , c = { z : z ∈ S , zaz = z , zab = b and caz = c } . The above all holds in arbitrary semigroups S , hence in particular in any associative ring R . For any complex n × n matrices a , b , c , an efficient uniform procedure is given to compute the ( b , c ) -inverse of a whenever it exists. In the ring case, a ∈ R is called “weakly invertible” if there exist b , c ∈ R satisfying 1 - b ∈ ( 1 - a ) R , 1 - c ∈ R ( 1 - a ) such that a has a ( b , c ) -inverse y satisfying ay = ya , and it is shown that a is weakly invertible if and only if a is strongly clean in the sense of Nicholson, i.e. a = u + e for some unit u and idempotent e with eu = ue .
Facile and high-yield synthesis of N-(4-diethylamino)benzyl-4-[11C]methoxy-N-(p-tolyl)benzenesulfonamide as a new potential PET selective CB2 radioligand

Abstract The reference standard N-(4-diethylamino)benzyl-4-methoxy-N-(p-tolyl)benzenesulfonamide (3c) (CB2, Ki=0.5 nM; CB1, Ki=1297 nM; selectivity CB1/CB2=2594) and its corresponding precursor N-(4-diethylamino)benzyl-4-hydroxy-N-(p-tolyl)benzenesulfonamide (3d) were synthesized from 4-(diethylamino)benzaldehyde and p-toluidine in 3 steps with 75–84% overall chemical yield. The target tracer N-(4-diethylamino)benzyl-4-[11C]methoxy-N-(p-tolyl)benzenesulfonamide ([11C]3c) was synthesized from the phenol hydroxyl precursor by O-[11C]-methylation with [11C]CH3OTf, followed by HPLC combined with SPE purification in 40–50% decay corrected radiochemical yields with 370–740 GBq/μmol specific activity at the end of bombardment (EOB).
The effect of dismal swamp dissolved organic matter on the adsorption and surface-enhanced hydrolysis of monophenyl terephthalate in aluminum oxide suspensions

Abstract It has recently been reported that hydrolysis rates of monophenyl terephthalate (MPT−), an anionic carboxylic acid ester, are more than order of magnitude higher in 10 g/liter aluminum oxide suspensions than in particle-free solutions. The present study demonstrates that natural organic matter (NOM), ubiquitous in aquatic environments, lowers both the extent of MPT− adsorption to the aluminum oxide surface and Kh, the rate constant for MPT− hydrolysis. A competitive effect is observed, since inhibition by a particular NOM concentration can be compensated for by increasing the aluminum oxide loading. The presence of NOM and other specifically adsorbing species in natural aquatic environments is expected to have a significant effect on the adsorption and reaction of organic compounds on mineral surfaces.
Wave slam on a sphere penetrating a free surface

The problem of vertical motion of a sphere across an oscillating free surface is analysed by assuming the fluid to be inviscid and the free surface to be an equipotential surface. New analytical solutions for the added-mass coefficients of a double spherical bowl are derived. These are used in the derivation of the drag coefficient of a sphere during vertical entry and of the slamming coefficient of a fixed sphere which is exposed to wave action. An additional important parameter in hydroballistics is the wetting factor of a sphere penetrating a free surface for which a new analytic solution is also derived in this paper. A comparison between some experimental data and the analytic expressions for the slamming coefficient and the wetting factor, shows good agreement between theory and measurements.
Resistance to potato leafroll virus derived from Solanum chacoense: characterization and inheritance

Resistance to potato leafroll virus (PLRV) was detected in an accession of Solanum chacoense. Inoculations with viruliferous aphids and subsequent graft challenges using Datura tatula and potato as PLRV sources determined that resistance appears to be of an extreme type. Virus was not detectable using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in S. chacoense, and in resistant F1 and BC1 progenies after attempts to transmit the virus through grafting. The segregation ratios of BC1 progenies for positive and negative ELISA tests are consistent with simple dominant inheritance.
Indo‐Persian Travels in the Age of Discoveries, 1400–1800 – By Muzaffar Alam and Sanjay Subrahmanyam

This encyclopedic book is actually not a study of travelogues written by Indian writers of Persian, the premodern lingua franca of South Asia, as one would infer from the title, but rather a mappin...
Road project appraisal in Tanzania: A review of the working figures

Abstract This paper examines the project appraisal methodology and working figures of road studies in Tanzania. The latter are geared at establishing some broad “standard” guides in road project selection and evaluation. The commonly used appraisal tools such as rates of discount, the time horizon, the multipliers and shadow prices of foreign exchange and labour are examined, as well as the rationale of practitioner's rules of thumb in this regard. Cost-benefit analysis could, it is argued, be supplemented by people's participation and public accountability of road planners in setting road priorities. This could check parochialism in road provision and ensure the most “cost-effective” road provision and use.
Facile oxidation-based synthesis of sterically encumbered four-coordinate bis(2,9-di-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline)copper(I) and related three-coordinate copper(I) complexes.

A new oxidation-based synthetic route was developed for synthesis of Cu(I) complexes with weakly coordinating ligands, leading to the synthesis of the elusive [Cu(dtbp)2]+ (dtbp, 2,9-di-tert-butyl-1,10-phenanthroline) complex that may be useful as a sensor or as a dye for dye-sensitized solar cells. An acetone solution of either 1 or 2 equiv of dtbp was added to excess Cu(0) and 1 equiv of AgY (Y is O3SCF3-, BF4-, SbF6-, or B(C6F5)4-) in a nitrogen-filled glove box. Following filtration and evaporation under vacuum, crystallization from CH2Cl2 and hexanes results in X-ray quality crystals of Cu(dtbp)(O3SCF3) (1), Cu(dtbp)(BF4) (2), [Cu(dtbp)(acetone)][SbF6] (3), [Cu(dtbp)2][B(C6F5)4]•CH2Cl2 (4•CH2Cl2), [Cu(dtbp)2][BF4]•CH2Cl2 (5•CH2Cl2), and [Cu(dtbp)2][SbF6]•CH2Cl2 (6•CH2Cl2). Complexes 1−6 were characterized by X-ray crystallography and NMR. The Cu atom in complexes 1−3 exhibited distorted trigonal coordination geometries, reflecting the steric effect of the bulky tert-butyl substituents. The structures...