cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Gender on the Response to Hepatitis C Treatment in an Inner-City Population.

Abstract Introduction Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is the leading cause of cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, and liver transplantation in the United States. Response to treatment has improved with the addition of direct acting protease inhibitors. However, there are limited real-world data on the role of gender in achieving a sustained virologic response (SVR). Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study in 70 patients treated for HCV, genotype 1 infection with pegylated alpha interferon, ribavirin, and either telaprevir or boceprevir at our inner-city liver clinic. Results The SVR was significantly lower in women than in men (24% vs. 59%; p p = .01). Relapse after completing treatment was more likely to occur in women ( p = .02). Thirty-four patients (48%) did not complete therapy. Discontinuation because of loss to follow-up was more likely in women, whereas discontinuation owing to therapy limiting adverse drug events were more common in men. Discontinuation rates owing to failure of therapy were similar in men and women. Conclusions There was a significant difference in SVR between men and women. Both biological and nonbiological factors, the latter including access to care, adherence to therapy, and attitudes of and toward health care providers all could play a role in contributing to the observed disparity between sexes in treatment response.
Correlation of Ki-67 and p53 with the new World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Pathology Classification System for Urothelial Neoplasia.

Abstract Objective.—The present study examines p53 and Ki-67 staining patterns of the diagnostic entities included within the new World Health Organization/International Society of Urological Patho...
A network modeling approach for effects of metallic packages on microstrip circuit performance

"Hot-spots" on a circuit layout are identified and modeled as multiport planar components, and a "package-network" characterized by an admittance-matrix is connected to additional ports on these "hot-spot" components. The approach has been verified by evaluating interactions among microstrip discontinuities in a rectangular package.
Heat Shock Suppresses the Permeability Transition in Rat Liver Mitochondria

Heat shock proteins inhibit apoptotic and necrotic cell death in various cell types. However, the specific mechanism underlying protection by heat shock proteins remains unclear. To test the hypothesis that heat shock proteins inhibit cell death by blocking opening of mitochondrial permeability transition (MPT) pores, mitochondria from heat-preconditioned rat livers were isolated by differential centrifugation. Heat shock inhibited MPT pore opening induced by 50 microm CaCl(2) plus 5 microm HgCl(2) or 1 microm mastoparan and by 200 microm CaCl(2) alone. Half-maximal swelling was delayed 15 min or more after heat shock compared with control. Heat shock also increased the threshold of unregulated (Ca(2+)-independent and cyclosporin A-insensitive) MPT pore opening induced by higher doses of HgCl(2) and mastoparan. Heat shock treatment decreased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species formation by 27% but did not change mitochondrial respiration, membrane potential, Ca(2+) uptake, or total glutathione in mitochondrial and cytosolic extracts of liver. Western blot analysis showed that mitochondrial Hsp25 increased, whereas Hsp10, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp75, cyclophilin D, and voltage-dependent anion channel did not change after heat shock. These results indicate that heat shock causes resistance to opening of MPT pores, which may contribute to heat shock protection against cellular injury.
Designing Energy Migration Barriers Into Transition-Metal Complexes

The photoluminescence of three complexes of the type Zn(s-benzenethio1)2(2,9- dimethy1-1,10-phenanthroline) [s = F5, H, 4-MeO) has been investigated in EtOH glasses from 4.3 to 75 K. The pentafluoro molecule exhibits only inn* emission characteristic of the heterocyclic ligand, the methoxy compound displays a unique charge-transfer emission, but the unsubstituted complex displays both types of luminescence bands. The results are interpreted in terms of a barrier to energy migration in individual molecules that is a consequence of the near-degeneracy of two electronic configurations of widely disparate characteristics.
Ibn Mucādh's treatise on twilight and the height of the atmosphere

It has long been known that until the middle of the seventeenth century the height of the atmosphere was derived from considerations of twilight.1 The method for this was first presented in an Arabic treatise composed by Ibn Mucadh extant only in Latin and Hebrew versions. The Latin version was first published in 1542,2 and was quite influential in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The height of the atmosphere was particularly important for determining atmospheric refraction, but the method introduced by Ibn Mucadh ultimately proved unsatisfactory, and his result (that the atmosphere is about 50 miles high) was then abandoned.
Dynamic contact forces on leukocyte microvilli and their penetration of the endothelial glycocalyx.

Abstract We develop a theoretical model to examine the combined effect of gravity and microvillus length heterogeneity on tip contact force ( F z m ) during free rolling in vitro, including the initiation of L-, P-, and E-selectin tethers and the threshold behavior at low shear. F z m grows nonlinearly with shear. At shear stress of 1dyn/cm 2 , F z m is one to two orders of magnitude greater than the 0.1pN force for gravitational settling without flow. At shear stresses >0.2dyn/cm 2 only the longest microvilli contact the substrate; hence at the shear threshold (0.4dyn/cm 2 for L-selectin), only 5% of microvilli can initiate tethering interaction. The characteristic time for tip contact is surprisingly short, typically 0.1–1ms. This model is then applied in vivo to explore the free-rolling interaction of leukocyte microvilli with endothelial glycocalyx and the necessary conditions for glycocalyx penetration to initiate cell rolling. The model predicts that for arteriolar capillaries even the longest microvilli cannot initiate rolling, except in regions of low shear or flow reversal. In postcapillary venules, where shear stress is ∼2dyn/cm 2 , tethering interactions are highly likely, provided that there are some relatively long microvilli. Once tethering is initiated, rolling tends to ensue because F z m and contact duration will both increase substantially to facilitate glycocalyx penetration by the shorter microvilli.
Are Both Stars in a Classic T Tauri Binary Classic T Tauri Stars

Large near-IR color excesses and emission-line spectra indicate the presence of optically thick circumstellar accretion disks and active boundary layers in young stars. We investigate whether this classic T Tauri (TT) behavior is found in one or both members of a binary system previously identified as a TT on the basis of the unresolved light. We consider the angularly resolved Brγ and, in one case, Na I, spectra of four close (13-26) TT systems. We also take into account the angularly resolved near-IR (K-L) colors of eight additional young binaries with separations between 03 and 25. We find that for all 12 systems, both components show, or have shown in the history of their observation, evidence for TT behavior. We demonstrate that this cannot be the result of random pairing of a population of single TT and weak-lined T Tauri (WT) stars. We speculate that the result that inner, AU-sized disks tend to survive for a similar length of time in both components of a close (03-26) binary suggests that a circumbinary envelope effectively regulates the common evolution of the inner disks.
The myosin filament. XII. Effect of MgATP on assembly.

The effect of MgATP on myosin filament assembly has been studied. Filaments were assembled by a standard dilution procedure involving two steps, dilution from 0.6 to 0.3m KCl and from 0.3 to 0.15m KC1 with a different rate of dilution in each step. This standard dilution procedure gives filaments which are structurally similar to native filaments in that they have a sharp length distribution around 1.5 μm, a diameter of 16 nm and they vary in length with KCl concentration in a similar manner to native filaments. The addition of 1mm MgATP leads to a sharpening of the length distribution around 1.5 μm without change in the 16 nm diameter. Filaments assembled by dialysis or by rapid dilution are not similarly affected by the presence of MgATP indicating that the standard dilution procedure produces filaments which are more closely similar to native filaments than those produced by these other methods. MgAMPPNP and magnesium pyrophosphate have the same effect as MgATP thus eliminating the possibility that phosphorylation of the myosin is involved in the effect. The effect of MgATP is not directly related to its binding to the active site of the myosin molecule since a 500∶1 mole ratio of MgATP to myosin is required for the effect. It is therefore likely that the effect of MgATP is related to other binding sites on the myosin molecule.
Effect of back-strengthening exercise on posture in healthy women 49 to 65 years of age.

Objective To evaluate the effect of back-strengthening exercise on posture in 60 healthy estrogen-deficient women. Design The 60 study subjects were randomly assigned to either an exercise or a control group, and various factors were assessed at time of enrollment in the study and at 2-year follow-up. Material and Methods The 32 women in the exercise group were instructed in progressive back-strengthening exercises, whereas the 28 women in the control group had no exercise prescription and were asked to continue their usual physical and dietary activities. At baseline and 2-year follow-up examinations, back extensor strength was measured with a strain-gauge dynamometer, and lateral roentgenograms of the thoracic and lumbar areas of the spine were obtained to measure the angles of thoracic kyphosis, lumbar lordosis, and sacral inclination. The changes in radiographic measurements and back extensor strength were analyzed statistically. Results Back extensor strength increased significantly in both the exercise and the control groups, but no radiographic measurements were significantly different between these groups. The significant increase in back extensor strength in both groups of healthy women suggested that the original grouping did not accurately reflect the amount of exercise. Thus, the 60 subjects were reclassified for comparison on the basis of increase in back extensor strength—27 with more than or equal to the mean increase of 21.1 kg and 33 with less than 21.1 kg. Furthermore, each of these groups of subjects was subdivided on the basis of degree of thoracic kyphosis. Among the subjects with substantial thoracic kyphosis, those with a significant increase in back extensor strength had a significant decrease in thoracic kyphosis (−2.8 ± 4.2°; P = 0.041), whereas those with a small increase in strength had a nonsignificant increase in thoracic kyphosis (1.8 ± 5.3°). The increase in back extensor strength did not seem to affect mild degrees of kyphosis. Conclusion Increasing the back extensor strength in healthy estrogen-deficient women helps decrease thoracic kyphosis.
Erythrocyte incorporation and absorption of 58Fe in premature infants treated with erythropoietin

We hypothesized that treatment of very low birth weight premature infants with r-HuEPO would increase erythrocyte incorporation and gastrointestinal absorption of iron. Infants with birth weights ≤1.25 kg and gestational ages <31 wk were randomized to receive 6 wk of 500 U of r-HuEPO/kg/wk (epo group, n = 7) or placebo (placebo group, n = 7). All infants received daily enteral supplementation with 6 mg of elemental iron per kg. An enteral test dose of a stable iron isotope, 58Fe, was administered after the 1st (“early dosing”) and 4th (“late dosing”) wk of treatment. Mean (±SD) erythrocyte incorporation of the dose of 58Fe administered determined 2 wk after early dosing was significantly greater in the epo group compared with the placebo group (4.4%± 1.6 versus 2.0 ± 1.4%, p = 0.013). In contrast, after late 58Fe dosing, there was no difference between groups in incorporation (3.8 ± 1.6% versus 5.5 ± 2.7%). Within the epo group, percentage erythrocyte incorporation of58 Fe did not differ between early and late dosing, whereas in the placebo group it increased 3-fold (p < 0.01). Percentage absorption of 58Fe was not different between the epo and placebo groups after both early dosing (30 ± 22% versus 34 ± 8%) and late dosing (32 ± 9% versus 31 ± 6%). Absorption of nonlabeled elemental iron and 58Fe were significantly correlated with one another. The percentage of the absorbed 58Fe dose incorporated into Hb was not different between groups. We conclude that, although erythropoietin treatment stimulates erythrocyte iron incorporation in premature infants, it has no effect on iron absorption at the r-HuEPO dose studied.
Update in serotonin and bone.

Context: Serotonin (5-HT) may be an important regulatory agent in bone, and agents that modify 5-HT signaling, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), are in widespread clinical use. Evidence Acquisition: Evidence was obtained by PubMed search and the author’s knowledge of the field. Evidence Synthesis: Recent data suggest that gut-derived 5-HT may mediate the skeletal effects of LDL receptor-related protein 5, stimulating intense interest in a novel mechanism for regulating bone mass. However, the specific biochemical nature of serotonergic pathways influencing bone and their direct and/or indirect effects on bone metabolism are still unclear. The weight of epidemiological evidence suggests that SSRIs are associated with reduced bone mass, increased bone loss, and increased risk of fractures. Interpretation of these studies is complicated by the confounding effects of depression, the usual indication for treatment with SSRIs. The mechanisms for putative SSRI-induced deleterious effects on the skeleton are unknown, and are likely multifactorial. Conclusions: 5-HT may have regulatory effects on bone. Initial preclinical data suggest that its effects may be deleterious and may be regulated by low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5. These studies need confirmation, as well as elucidation, of the biochemical pathways utilized and the feedback loops involved among bone, gut, and perhaps brain. Paradoxically, targeting of 5-HT synthesis and/or signaling in selective tissues may hold promise as an anabolic intervention for bone. Epidemiological data suggest that clinicians should be vigilant about detection of bone disease in patients who are using SSRIs.
Revisiting the Response Mechanism of Polymeric Membrane Based Heparin Electrodes.

Potentiometric membrane electrodes that respond to heparin and other polyanions were introduced in the early 1990s. Herein, the mechanism of polymer membrane electrode type heparin sensors is revisited. The extraction/diffusion of heparin is studied via both potentiometric and impedance spectroscopic techniques using a prefractionated heparin preparation that contains polyanionic species > 10 000 Daltons. The reversal in EMF response using this heparin preparation indicates diffusion of higher MW heparin fragments to the backside of the membrane. Diffusion coefficients are calculated using a novel formula derived from the phase boundary potential model and Fick’s second law of diffusion. Impedance spectroscopy is also employed to show that high MW heparin species are extracted and diffuse across the PVC membranes.
A Conflict in Common-Sense Moral Psychology

Ordinary thinking about morality and rationality is inconsistent. To arrive at a view of morality that is as faithful to common thought as consistency will allow we must admit that it is not always irrational to knowingly act against the weight of reasons.
Cloning and comparative analysis of carotenoid β-hydroxylase genes provides new insights into carotenoid metabolism in tetraploid ( Triticum turgidum ssp. durum ) and hexaploid ( Triticum aestivum ) wheat grains

Carotenoid β-hydroxylases attach hydroxyl groups to the β-ionone rings (β-rings) of carotenoid substrates, resulting in modified structures and functions of carotenoid molecules. We cloned and characterized two genes (each with three homeologs), HYD1 and HYD2, which encode β-hydroxylases in wheat. The results from bioinformatic and nested degenerate PCR analyses collectively suggest that HYD1 and HYD2 may represent the entire complement of non-heme di-iron β-hydroxylases in wheat. The homeologs of wheat HYDs exhibited major β-ring and minor e-ring hydroxylation activities in carotenoid-accumulating E. coli strains. Distinct expression patterns were observed for different HYD genes and homeologs in vegetative tissues and developing grains of tetraploid and hexaploid wheat, suggesting their functional divergence and differential regulatory control in tissue-, grain development-, and ploidy-specific manners. An intriguing observation was that the expression of HYD1, particularly HYD-B1, reached highest levels at the last stage of tetraploid and hexaploid grain development, suggesting that carotenoids (at least xanthophylls) were still actively synthesized in mature grains. This result challenges the common perception that carotenoids are simply being turned over during wheat grain development after their initial biosynthesis at the early grain development stages. Overall, this improved understanding of carotenoid biosynthetic gene expression and carotenoid metabolism in wheat grains will contribute to the improvement of the nutritional value of wheat grains for human consumption.
A KdV6 hierarchy: Integrable members with distinct dispersion relations

Abstract In this work we study a hierarchy of KdV6 equation. We derive the KdV6 hierarchy by using the Lenard operators pair. We show that these equations give multiple soliton solutions with distinct dispersion relations.
Intrasubject predictions of occupational preference: The effect of manipulating components of the valence model

Abstract The purposes of this study were (1) to test whether the occupational preferences of senior psychology majors could be predicted using a within-subjects analysis of Vroom's model; (2) to examine the predictive validity of valence and instrumentality measures that employed positive scale values versus positive and negative scale values; and (3) to compare the predictive validity of the weighted and unweighted valence models. Vroom's model was found to be highly effective in predicting occupational preferences, which supports previous research employing within-subjects analyses. The two scaling methods were found to have equal predictive validity, although the latter scale was deemed to be more theoretically desirable. The unweighted model was found to be as predictive of occupational preferences as the weighted model.
Exciton peak redshifting and broadening in polyaniline chains during ion-induced hydrophobic collapse and aggregation

Abstract The ion-induced reprecipitation of the emeraldine base form of polyaniline from an aqueous-organic binary solution is a facile method for obtaining polymer nanoparticles and microscale clusters. The hydrophobic collapse and aggregation that accompanies the addition of various cosolutes induces changes in the peak wavelength and linewidth of the main exciton absorption. In particular, we find that the addition of ionic cosoutes leads to a redshifting and broadening of this spectroscopic feature, with divalent coions exhibiting an additional hypsochromic reversal at high concentrations. The denaturant urea, in contrast, causes a blueshift and line-narrowing at all concentrations. Using a quantitative Lorentz fit, we show how the redshifting and broadening of this spectral feature can be attributed, at least in part, to the forced planarization of the polymer chains in the collapsed state.
Interactive effects of UV, benzo[α] pyrene, and cadmium on DNA damage and repair in embryos of the grass shrimp Paleomonetes pugio

We examined the link between DNA strand breaks and hatching rates in grass shrimp, (Paleomonetes pugio), embryos exposed to 0.2 μM benzo[α] pyrene (BP), 5 μM cadmium (Cd) and 330 kJ/m2 UV light, either alone or together. After exposure, embryos were transferred to clean seawater with or without 5 μM Cd. Hatching rates and DNA strand breaks (Comet Assay) were determined. DNA lesions caused by exposure to BP, UV light, or BP/cadmium were rapidly repaired and were not associated with any effects on hatching. Exposure to Cd after exposure to BP or UV did not affect embryological development or DNA repair. Exposure to BP/UV resulted in a high level of DNA lesions which were slowly repaired. Exposure to cadmium following BP/UV exposure inhibited hatching and DNA repair. Adducts formed during exposure to BP/UV exposure may be difficult to excise or may saturate the nucleotide excision repair system.
Identification of the Tryptophan Residue in the Thiamin Pyrophosphate Binding Site of Mammalian Pyruvate Dehydrogenase

The pyruvate dehydrogenase (E1) component of the mammalian pyruvate dehydrogenase complex catalyzes the oxidative decarboxylation of pyruvate with the formation of an acetyl residue and reducing equivalents, which are transferred sequentially to the dihydrolipoyl acetyltransferase and dihydrolipoamide dehydrogenase components. To examine the role of tryptophanyl residue(s) in the active site of E1, the enzyme was modified with the tryptophan-specific reagent N-bromosuccinimide. Modification of 2 tryptophan residues/mol of bovine E1 (out of 12 in a tetramer α2β2) resulted in complete inactivation of the enzyme. The inactivation was prevented by preincubation with thiamin pyrophosphate (TPP), indicating that the modified tryptophan residue(s) is a part of the active site of this enzyme. Fluorescence studies showed that thiamin pyrophosphate interacts with tryptophan residue(s) of E1. The magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectral intensity at ∼292 nm was decreased by ∼15% for E1 + TPP relative to the intensity for E1 alone. Because this MCD band is uniquely sensitive to and quantitative for tryptophan, the simplest interpretation is that 1 out of 6 tryptophan residues present in E1 (αβ dimer) interacts with TPP. The natural circular dichroism (CD) spectrum of E1 is dramatically altered upon binding TPP, with concomitant induction of optical activity at ∼263 nm for the nonchiral TPP macrocyle. From CD studies, it is also inferred that loss of activity following N-bromosuccinimide treatment occurred without significant changes in the overall secondary structure of the protein. A single peptide was isolated by differential peptide mapping in the presence and absence of thiamin pyrophosphate following modification with N-bromosuccinimide. This peptide generated from human E1 was found to correspond to amino acid residues 116-143 in the deduced sequence of human E1β, suggesting that the tryptophan residue 135 in the β subunit of human E1 functions in the active site of E1. The amino acid sequences surrounding this tryptophan residue are conserved in E1β from several species, suggesting that this region may constitute a structurally and/or functionally essential part of the enzyme.
Generation of tunable, narrow-band mid-infrared radiation through a 532-nm-pumped KTP optical parametric amplifier.

We report generation of broadly tunable (2.5–4 μm), narrow-band (0.04–0.35 cm−1) pulsed infrared radiation through a nanosecond optical parametric amplifier based on potassium titanyl phosphate (KTP) pumped by the second harmonic of a 10-Hz Nd:YAG laser. Input radiation at signal wavelengths of 615–662 nm was derived from a pulsed tunable dye laser system. Advantages of this device are simplicity, the broad range of infrared wavelengths to which a single dye in the dye laser provides access, and conversion efficiencies > 10% at modest levels (< 150 μJ) of input radiation.
Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Regulates Volume-Sensitive Chloride Current in Ventricular Myocytes by Means of ROS

We previously demonstrated that bacterial sphingomyelinase (SMase) activates a volume-sensitive current, ICl,swell, by a pathway that involves mitochondrial ROS production. SMase activity generates endogenous ceramides from sphingomyelin in the outer plasma membrane leaflet and, in turn, ceramides are metabolized to several sphingolipids, including sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P). We tested whether ceramide metabolites are responsible for eliciting ICl,swell. Under isosmotic conditions that isolate anion currents, SMase-induced ICl,swell was abrogated by blockade of ceramidase (converts ceramide to sphingosine) with D-erythro-MAPP (10 μM). SMase-induced ICl,swell also was suppressed by inhibition of sphingosine kinase with DL-threo-dihydrosphingosine (10 μM). These data suggested that the ceramide metabolite S1P is likely to stimulate ICl,swell. As expected, exogenous S1P (500 nM) elicited an outwardly rectifying Cl- current that was fully inhibited by the ICl,swell-specific blocker DCPIB (10 μM). As seen with SMase-induced ICl,swell, S1P-induced ICl,swell was fully inhibited by the mitochondrial Complex I blocker rotenone (10 μM), which suppresses extramitochondrial ROS release by Complex III. In contrast to results with SMase, S1P-induced current was partially inhibited by blockade of NADPH oxidase (NOX) with apocynin (500 μM). These data indicate that S1P is a necessary component of SMase-induced ICl,swell activation and that the action of exogenous S1P involves ROS from both mitochondria and NOX. Importantly, exogenous C2-ceramide (2 μM), a synthetic short-chain ceramide, also elicits ICl,swell even though C2-ceramide is not metabolized to S1P in native cells. Thus, it seems likely that ceramides can elicit ICl,swell via S1P and also by a distinct pathway and that both pathways converge at mitochondrial ROS.
HiRISE observations of gas sublimation-driven activity in Mars’ southern polar regions: I. Erosion of the surface

The High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) has imaged the sublimation of Mars’ seasonal CO2 polar cap with unprecedented detail for one complete martian southern spring. In some areas of the surface, beneath the conformal coating of seasonal ice, radiallyorganized channels are connected in spidery patterns. The process of formation of this terrain, erosion by gas from subliming seasonal ice, has no earthly analog. The new capabilities (high resolution, color, and stereo images) of HiRISE enable detailed study of this enigmatic terrain. Two sites are analyzed in detail, one within an area expected to have translucent seasonal CO2 ice, and the other site outside that region. Stereo anaglyphs show that some channels grow larger as they go uphill – implicating gas rather than liquid as the erosive agent. Dark fans of material from the substrate are observed draped over the seasonal ice, and this material collects in thin to thick layers in the channels, possibly choking off gas flow in subsequent years, resulting in inactive crisscrossing shallow channels. In some areas there are very dense networks of channels with similar width and depth, and fewer fans emerging later in the season are observed. Subtle variations in topography affect the channel morphology. A new terminology is proposed for the wide variety of erosional features observed.
Research and teaching strategies integration at post-secondary programs

In this paper, we describe the integration of research and teaching strategies into computer science and engineering departments at universities and colleges. A significant amount of current software engineering research is conducted within the context of computer science, computing and engineering departments or colleges. Similarly, computer and computing science, electrical and software engineering degree programs are being developed by such academic units as well as within engineering colleges. However, every computer or engineering department has its own experiences, successes or pitfalls in software engineering and software development teaching and student research integration, which would be useful to share and discuss with the education community. In this paper we discuss the experiences and results from five years of teaching Software Engineering (SE) and Projects in Computer Science (PCS) in Computer Information Systems (CIS) diploma and Bachelor of Computer Information Systems (BCIS) degree programs at Okanagan College (OC). Also we provide possible ways of integrating research and teaching strategies into computer science departments at universities and colleges as well as our preliminary results.
Sex, lies, and law: Moral turpitude as an enforcer of gender and sexuality norms

Misdemeanor crimes said to involve moral turpitude sometimes involve theft or misrepresentation, but another significant category involves sexual behavior. Severe collateral consequences, including witness impeachability, employment disqualification, denial of naturalization, and even disenfranchisement, are often attached not only to felony criminal convictions but also to misdemeanor turpitude offenses. We argue in this article that categorizing misdemeanor sexual conduct as turpitude is problematic because no rational relationship between most sexual conduct and general honesty exists. Linking sexual conduct and dishonesty in legal discourse, while backed by common-law tradition, serves primarily to reinforce norms of gender and sexuality, further marginalizing people without serving the purposes of turpitude law. We demonstrate and applaud a modern trend toward limiting turpitude consequences to exclude sexual conduct.
Contrast-Detail Curve Measurement And Analysis In Radiological Imaging

Contrast-detail analysis, widely exploited in medical image quality assessment, attempts to identify a limit to visual perceptual performance in the context of detectability of space-occupying lesions in homo-geneous background. This review of the technique includes i) a discussion of historical and contemporary luminance difference detection theories, ii) a critique of experimental methodologies, an examination of iii) inherent experimental precision and iv) analytical techniques, and v) a summation of merits and disadvantages of the approach.
Porphyrin-based polysilsesquioxane nanoparticles to improve photodynamic therapy for cancer treatment

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has emerged as an alternative approach to chemotherapy and radiotherapy for cancer treatment. The photosensitizer (PS) is perhaps the most critical component of PDT, and continues to be an area of intense scientific research. Traditionally, PS molecules (e.g. porphyrins) have dominated the field. Nevertheless, these PS agents have several disadvantages, with low water solubility, poor light absorption and reduced selectivity for targeted tissues being some of the main drawbacks. Polysilsesquioxane (PSilQ) nanoparticles are crosslinked homopolymers formed by the condensation of functionalized trialkoxysilanes or bis(trialkoxysilanes). We believe that PSilQ particles provide an interesting platform for developing PS nanocarriers. Several advantages can be foreseen by using this platform such as carrying a large payload of PS molecules; their surface and composition can be tailored to develop multifunctional systems (e.g. target-specific); and due to their small size, nanoparticles can penetrate deep into tissues and be readily internalized by cells. In this work, PSilQ nanoparticles with a high payload of photosensitizers were synthesized, characterized, and applied in vitro. The network of this nanomaterial is formed by protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) molecules chemically connected via a redox-responsive linker. Under reducing environment such as the one found in cancer cells the nanoparticles can be degraded to efficiently release single photosensitizers in the cytoplasm. The phototoxicity of this porphyrin-based PSilQ nanomaterial was successfully demonstrated in vitro using human cervical (HeLa) cancer cells. We envision that this platform can be further functionalized with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and targeting ligands to improve its biocompatibility and target specificity.
An Analytical Survey of Chat Reference Services.

There has been in recent years a surge of interest about new software products that make it possible for libraries to offer assistance to online users via chat. Such software offers far more interactivity than instant messaging programs and allow for a richer experience for both librarian and user. Surveys chat reference services around the globe and analyzes trends in the provision of this new mode of assistance. Also presents discussion of why chat reference service is gathering attention as well as its limitations and drawbacks.
Co-crystallization of an ETS Domain (PU.1) in Complex with DNA: ENGINEERING THE LENGTH OF BOTH PROTEIN AND OLIGONUCLEOTIDE (∗)

The PU.1 transcription factor is a member of the ets gene family of regulatory proteins. These molecules play a role in normal development and also have been implicated in malignant processes such as the development of erythroid leukemia. The Ets proteins share a conserved DNA-binding domain (the ETS domain) that recognizes a purine-rich sequence with the core sequence: 5′-C/AGGAA/T-3′. This domain binds to DNA as a monomer, unlike many other DNA-binding proteins. The ETS domain of the PU.1 transcription factor has been crystallized in complex with a 16-base pair oligonucleotide that contains the recognition sequence. The crystals formed in the space group C2 with a = 89.1, b = 101.9, c = 55.6 A, and β = 111.2° and diffract to at least 2.3 A. There are two complexes in the asymmetric unit. Production of large usable crystals was dependent on the length of both protein and DNA components, the use of oligonucleotides with unpaired A and T bases at the termini, and the presence of polyethylene glycol and zinc acetate in the crystallization solutions. This is the first ETS domain to be crystallized, and the strategy used to crystallize this complex may be useful for other members of the ets family.
A Repetition of Asch's “Effects of Group Pressure upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgment”

The present experiment constitutes a repetition of one of Asch's investigations of the role of social pressures in the modification and distortion of judgment. The original experiment involved bringing a group of 7 to 9 college students into a setting presented as a perceptual test. The task was to select from three lines the one equal in length to a standard line presented on a separate card. In giving his judgment each S called out, in accordance with the instructions, the number of the comparison line which he judged to be equal to the standard. There were 12 sets of standard and comparison lines in all. The crucial feature of the experimental situation was thac only one of the 7 to 9 individuals in each group was actually an S. The other persons were confederates of E and made judgments in accordance with instructions previously given, unknown to S. The purpose of the experiment was to determine the effect of a conflict with a unanimous majority upon an individual's judgments. The present experiment exactly repeated the quantitative aspects of Asch's study, the qualitative aspects being deleted. Thus, 31 "critical" Ss and 25 control Ss were used in both the present study and Asch's. Each S made a total of 12 judgments, of which 7 were contradicted by other individuals in the group. Asch found thac of the 217 responses made by critical Ss, 66.8% were correct, while the control group gave 92.6% correct responses out of 175 estimates. In the present study 60.8% of responses by critical Ss were correct, while 94.3% of responses by control Ss were correct. The mean number of errors per person reported by Asch was 2.3 for the experimental and .5 for the control group. In this replication, experirhental Ss made a mean of 2.8 errors per person, while the control group made .4 errors per person. W e observed considerable variability among individuals in the extent to which their judgments were distorted in the direction of the majority estimates. As in Asch's study, some Ss steadfastly maintained their composure and reported correctly throughout the session, while others acquiesced and went along with the majority on all trials. Sarn7nary.-The results obtained in this replication of Asch's work corresponded closely with those reported for the original study. While the preponderance of estimates by Ss were correct and independent, there occurred at the same time a movement toward the majority, with significant variability among individuals in the extent to which their judgments were distorted by "conflict" with the majority.
Frequencies and patterns of bone marrow involvement in non‐hodgkin lymphomas: Observations on the value of bilateral biopsies

Pretreatment bone marrow biopsies and aspirations from 85 consecutive patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma were reviewed. All patients had at least one adequate biopsy. Criteria for involvement with lymphoma were clearly defined. The frequencies and morphologic patterns of involvement correlated with the lymph node diagnoses assigned according to Rappaport's classification. Diffuse, well-differentiated lymphocytic and diffuse mixed lymphocytic-histiocytic lymphoma were most frequently involved (100%), followed by diffuse, poorly differentiated lymphocytic (56%), nodular, poorly differentiated lymphocytic (39%), diffuse undifferentiated (33%), diffuse histiocytic (25%), and nodular mixed lymphocytic-histiocytic lymphoma (23%). Each of the histologic subtypes tended to have an identifiable pattern of bone marrow involvement. Most striking was a predominance of paratrabecular localization of lymphoma in patients with nodular, poorly differentiated lymphocytic lymphoma. Biopsies were superior to both clot sections and aspirate smears in making the diagnosis of lymphoma in all subtypes, but discrepancies were more common in the nodular than in the diffuse lymphomas. A total of 52 pretreatment bilateral bone marrow biopsies from patients with non-Hodgkin lymphoma were reviewed for concordance of diagnoses. In five patients, one biopsy was positive for lymphoma while the other was negative. Four of the five patients had histiocytic lymphoma, and the other had nodular mixed lymphoma. In two of these patients the bone marrow examination obviated the need for more invasive procedures to establish stage IV disease. We concluded that bone marrow biopsies are necessary for staging non-Hodgkin lymphomas and that bilateral biopsies are most useful in the histiocytic subclass.
Substituent effects on the puckering mode of the cyclobutane ring and the glycosyl bond of cis-syn photodimers.

The cyclobutane ring (CB) puckering of a cis–syn DNA photodimer (cis–syn d-T[p]T) differs from that of a cis–syn RNA photodimer (cis–syn r-U [p] U) [J.-K. Kim and J. L. Alderfer (1992) Journal of Biomolecular Structure and Dynamics, Vol. 9, p. 1705]. In cis–syn d-T [p] T, interconversion of the CB ring between CB+ and CB− is observed, while in cis–syn r-U [p] U only CB− is observed. In the CB+ conformation, the two thymine rings of the dimer are twisted in a right-handed fashion, as are the bases in B-form DNA. In case of CB− they are twisted in a left-handed fashion. The C5 (base) and/or C2′ (sugar) substituents apparently affect the CB ring flexibility in cis–syn d-T [p] T and cis–syn r-U [p] U. To study the effects of the C5 substituent on CB ring flexibility, two-dimensional nuclear Overhauser effect (NOE) and 31P-nmr experiments were performed on cis–syn d-T [p] U, cis–syn d-U [p] T, and cis–syn d-U [p] U photodimers to investigate the CB puckering mode and overall molecular conformation and dynamics. The NOE results indicate the 5-methyl group in the photodimer induces conformational flexibility of the CB ring. In cis–syn d-T [p] U and cis–syn d-U [p] T, both CB+ and CB− puckering modes are observed. This indicates interconversion between two modes takes place as observed in cis–syn d-T [p] T. In the case of cis–syn d-U [p] U, only the puckering CB− mode is observed. All three DNA-type dimers—cis–syn d-T [p] U, cis–syn d-U [p] T, cis–syn d-U [p] U—show a characteristic flexibility of glycosidic bonds at the 5′ residue; cis–syn d-T [p] T demonstrates syn–anti interconversion for both the 3′ and 5′ sides, while the others are exclusively anti on the 3′ side. In contrast, the ribophotodimer, cis–syn r-U [p] U, lacking the C5 methyls and having a C2′-OH, demonstrates no conformational flexibility in the CB ring or in either of the glycosidic bonds. Differential flexibility of the three DNA-type dimers (cis–syn d-T [p] U, cis–syn d-U [p] T, cis–syn d-U [p] U) and the RNA dimer (cis–syn r-U [p] U) in the sugar-phosphate backbone region is also apparent from the temperature dependence of the 31P chemical shifts of these photodimers compared to their normal dimer analogues. Over the temperature range 18-63°C, the chemical shift change is reduced 22–42% in three DNA-type dimers, while it is reduced 71% in cis–syn r-U [p] U, suggesting the RNA-type dimer is more rigid. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Ocular findings among patients with late-diagnosed or poorly controlled homocystinuria compared with a screened, well-controlled population

Abstract Introduction: Untreated homocystinuria (HCU) leads to systemic and ocular complications preventable by early treatment. Methods: This study describes the ocular features in HCU patients who had late diagnosis or were noncompliant with treatment compared with a control group of early-diagnosed and well-controlled subjects. Results: Fourteen late-diagnosed HCU patients with a median age at diagnosis of 4 years (range, 1.25-28 years) were studied. Five patients were born outside of Ireland or before screening began. All 14 patients had lens subluxation or dislocation at diagnosis. Only 28.6% of eyes had 20/40 vision or better. Three patients were tested for HCU following the diagnosis in a sibling. Four patients attended ophthalmology departments for a median of 12.8 years (range, 4-23 years) prior to diagnosis of HCU; all had steadily progressive myopic astigmatism and lens subluxation. Six patients who became poorly controlled in their teens or early twenties showed significant progression of their myopia, and 3 had phacodonesis or lens subluxation develop. All eyes in this group had 20/40 vision or better. Fifteen patients who were detected in the newborn period and remained well controlled had no evidence of lens subluxation. All of the control group patients had 20/20 vision bilaterally. The difference in visual acuity between late-diagnosed patients and the control group was highly significant ( P = .0002). The differences in refractive errors between the groups were also highly significant ( P = .0001). Conclusions: Lens subluxation is a principal feature of untreated HCU, yet we found a median lag period of 5.5 years in 4 cases before diagnosis. Young persons with marked and progressive myopia or idiopathic lens subluxation should be screened for HCU. (J AAPOS 2001;5:311-5)
Investigation of PtCoCr/C catalysts for methanol electro-oxidation identified by a thin film combinatorial method

Abstract The ternary Pt–Co–Cr system was investigated for suitability as a methanol electro-oxidation reaction (MOR) catalyst by combinatorial synthesis and high-throughput screening method. A PtCoCr thin film library was prepared by a multi-target sputtering technique while parallel characterization was performed using a multichannel multielectrode analyzer. The highest MOR activity was observed in the Pt30Co30Cr40 composition after a conditioning process. The high MOR activity of the thin film Pt30Co30Cr40 composition was verified in a powder version of the alloy. In 20 h chronoamperometry tests, the MOR activity of the Pt30Co30Cr40 powder catalyst alloy was 10 .3 A g noble metal − 1 , which was 160% higher than the 4 .03 A g noble metal − 1 value of the PtRu/C catalyst, suggesting that PtCoCr alloys are promising candidates as Ru-free MOR catalysts. The effect of the conditioning process was also investigated, revealing that dissolution and oxidation of surface Co and Cr occurs during conditioning. After conditioning, the activity of 900 °C reduced Pt30Co30Cr40 catalyst dramatically increased by 26.8 times from 0 .0765 to 2.13 A g cat. − 1 at 600 s of the chronoamperometry tests.
Metabolism of an Antarctic solitary coral, Flabellum impensum

Few physiological or behavioral studies have been undertaken on the genus Flabellum, particularly on Antarctic species. The present study characterizes the metabolism of the endemic Antarctic coral F. impensum ,o ne of the world's largest solitary corals, with measurements of oxygen consumption rate and metabolic enzyme activity. F. impensum had a low rate of oxygen consumption at 0 °C, ranging from 0.06 to 0.64 μmol O2 g �1 h �1 and averaging 0.31 μmol O2 g �1 h �1 , calculated using tissue wet mass. Ammonium excretion averaged 4.21 nmol NH4 + gwm �1 h �1 (range: 0.54–13.99 nmol NH4 + gwm �1 h �1 ). The activity values of the metabolic enzymes citrate synthase (CS), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) fell within the normal range expected for a cnidarian, averaging 0.13 (range: 0.04–0.32), 1.01(range: 0–3.51), and 0.42 (range: 0.18–0.99) activity units (U) gwm �1 , respectively. Skeletal density averaged 22% more than the density of pure aragonite and a count of the growth bands on the calyx suggests that this species has a linear extension rate of approximately 1 mm per year. F. impensum is a long-lived, slow-growing coral, with a low metabolic rate.
Meeting Students Where They Are: Advancing a Theory and Practice of Archives in the Classroom

This article uses theories of technical communication and archives to advance a pedagogy that includes archival production in the technical communication classroom. By developing and maintaining local classroom archives, students directly engage in valuable processes of appraisal, selection, collaboration, and retention. The anticipated outcomes of this work are the critical practice of making connections, the decentering of the self, the ability to work through noise, and the ability to imagine future users of the archive. The authors conclude that local classroom archives are one new means of meaningful instruction in the technical communication classroom and the local archive concept has great potential for further development.
Investigation of the packed bed and the micro-channel bed for methanol catalytic combustion over Pt/A12O3 catalysts

Abstract On site hydrogen production from methanol steam reforming is an attractive topic for fuel cells. Methanol steam reforming is an endothermic reaction in which the heat can be supplied from methanol catalytic combustion. This study designed similar experimental conditions to compare the differences between the packed bed and the micro-channel bed for methanol catalytic combustion over Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalysts. The characteristics of different catalyst beds are examined. These results show that the efficiency of methanol catalytic combustion in the micro-channel bed was superior to that in the packed bed. In the micro-channel bed, the sealed pad creating free space detrimentally affected the efficiency of methanol catalytic combustion, although the space velocity was reduced. The temperature of the IR image on the micro-channel plate of the catalyst bed displayed the temperature of the real reaction status in time.