cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of dihydroquinidine on in vitro and in vivo quinidine disposition

Abstract The effects of dihydroquinidine on the metabolism of quinidine by 10,000 g supernatant fractions of rabbit and rat liver homogenates and on the disposition of quinidine in the rabbit were investigated. From Lineweaver-Burk plots, the following mean ± S.E.M. values for Vmax and Km for quinidine and Ki for dihydroquinidine for the rabbit liver preparations were obtained: 240 ± 50 nmoles/min/g liver,0.55 ± 0.14 mM, and 0.56 ± 0.09 mM respectively. The corresponding values for the rat liver homogenates were 74 ± 6 nmoles/min/g liver, 0.12 ± 0.02 mM and 0.14 ± 0.06 mM. From Dixon plots, the following values for Ki for dihydroquinidine were obtained:0.54 ± 0.09 mM for the rabbit liver preparations and 0.14 ± 0.04 mM for the rat liver homogenates. In rabbits pretreated with dihydroquinidine for an average of 26 days, no changes in the distribution and elimination half-life values for quinidine, total body clearance, or apparent volume of drug distribution were observed when compared to the control quinidine disposition constants obtained in the same animals. As their structures suggested, the data showed that the interactions of dihydroquinidine and quinidine during drug metabolism by rabbit and rat liver 10,000 g supernatant fractions were competitive. Additionally, the affinities of dihydroquinidine and quinidine for the drug-metabolizing enzymes in these preparations were the same. The data also suggested that the small amounts of dihydroquinidine normally found in quinidine preparations probably have no significant effect on the disposition of quinidine in the body when therapeutic doses of the drug are used.
Citizens, groups, communities, and information and communication technologies [Guest Editors' Introduction]

Communities, the fundamental building blocks of societies, are sometimes over-looked in larger discussions of technology and society. Communities can be hard to define and their boundaries difficult to delineate, but they motivate, inspire, shape, and help create many of the positive technological developments we enjoy. This paper features articles based on papers from the 2008 IEEE International Symposium on Technology and Society (ISTAS '08), held in June 2008 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. ISTAS '08 successfully explored both research and practice within the theme of Citizens, Groups, Communities, and Information and Communication Technologies.
Composite structure of the nucleon

The nonlinear σ-model with vector mesons introduced as gauge bosons and an interacting chiral quark sector depicts the nucleon as a topological soliton embedded in a chiral condensate. High-energy elastic pp and ¯pp scattering data from CERN ISR and SPS Collider appear to provide strong evidence in favor of this nucleon structure.
The United States population by race and urban-rural residence 1790–1860: Reference tables

The U.S. population by race and urban-rural residence from 1790 to 1860 is presented. The definition of the urban population used is that population residing in incorporated places of 2,500 population or more. The rural population is the residual of the total population minus the urban population, as defined above. The tables provide previously unavailable data on the urban-rural distribution of the black and white populations 1790–1860 and are compatible with data for the total population published by the Census Bureau.
Ruthenium(II) anilido complexes TpRuL2(NHPh): Oxidative 4,4'-aryl coupling reactions (Tp = hydridotris(pyrazolylborate); L = PMe3, P(OMe)3, or CO)

Reactions of the Ru(II) amido complexes TpRuL2(NHPh) (L = CO, PMe3, or P(OMe)3) with AgOTf (OTf = trifluoromethanesulfonate) yield the binuclear complexes [TpRuL2NH(C6H4−)]2[OTf]2 along with the Ru...
Nonparametric tests for the gap time distributions of serial events based on censored data.

Summary. This article deals with the problem of comparing two populations with respect to the distribution of the gap time between two successive events when each subject can experience a series of events and when the event times are potentially right censored. Several families of nonparametric tests are developed, all of which allow arbitrary distributions and dependence structures for the serial events. The asymptotic and small-sample properties of the proposed tests are investigated. An illustration with data taken from a colon cancer study is provided. The related problem of testing the independence of two successive gap times is also studied.
Fiber laser gyros based on stimulated Brillouin scattering (Invited Paper)

Stimulated Brillouin scattering (SBS), a nonlinear process in which an intense beam of pumping light propagates in a single mode fiber in such a way as to generate gain for a counterpropagating, frequency-downshifted beam, is presently used in the design of a fiber ring laser gyroscope. In this gyro configuration, two independent, counterpropagating SBS lasers are generated that share the same cavity and frequency, as well as almost the same spectral width. The readout of such a gyro is inherently digital.
Tumor growth stimulation in vitro by interferons.

Interferons (IFNs) are a family of polypeptides originally identified as antiviral substances. Subsequently, other properties of interferons were recognized, including inhibition of cell proliferation, and effects on the immune response and on expression of surface antigens. In this paper we present evidence that interferons, even the highly purified cloned IFNs, can stimulate clonogenic tumor growth in vitro. Of 225 human tumor (HT) samples tested with IFN in a clonogenic assay (HTCA), 30 (13.3%) showed growth stimulation (greater than 2 S.E. above control). The phenomenon was observed most frequently with acute myeloid leukemia (6/22 samples, 27.3%), and renal (2/10, 20%) and breast cancer (4/21, 19%), but significantly less frequent in melanomas (2/34, 5.9%). As an independent assessment of proliferation, tritiated thymidine uptake by tumor cells was measured autoradiographically in 21 patients with multiple myeloma. A significant increase of the thymidine labeling index was seen in 4 (19%) of the samples. Since this growth stimulatory effect was also observed with cell lines which lack any contaminating immunoreactive cells, there is strong evidence that interferons can directly stimulate the proliferation of clonogenic tumor cells in vitro. Growth stimulation by interferons occurred preferentially with lower dosages. It is important to be cognizant of potential clinical implications of tumor growth stimulation by interferons.
Swirl-affected turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer in a circular tube

Etude experimentale de l'ecoulement et des caracteristiques du transfert de chaleur pour un ecoulement turbulent d'air dans un tube avec un tourbillon axisymetrique decroissant
Correlation of an immunogenetically defined lipoprotein type with aortic intimal lipidosis in swine.

Abstract Aortic lipidosis in response to the consumption of high-fat rations was studied in swine. The evaluation of 57 aortas suggests that intimal lipidosis in excess of 2% of the surface area is not due to chance but to the immunogenetic polymorphism of the low density lipoprotein (LDL) moiety. Statistical analysis of the data shows an effect of diet-genotype interaction ( P Lpp 5 allele at the main LDL locus have a greater tendency to develop more fatty streaking than swine with Lpp 8 when they are fed a high-fat ration composed of fatty acids low in cis unsaturation.
Studies of carrier relaxation in low dimensional structures

Abstract We have made theoretical and experimental studies of the carrier relaxation process in quantum wells and quantum wires. Monte Carlo studies of the relaxation process in wells and wires indicate that the relaxation times can be very large in narrow structures. Femtosecond differential transmission spectra measurements on similar structures grown by molecular beam epitaxy give relaxation times in good agreement with the theoretically calculated values.
Spatial and Temporal Characteristics of Neonatal Seizures

Thirty-two neonates (26 term and 6 premature) having seizures were prospectively recruited and studied. Using prolonged video/EEG monitoring, we quantified seizure variables (electrographic and clinical seizure durations, interictal periods and electrographic seizure spread) for all 1,420 seizures recorded. The effects of time and antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy were analyzed statistically. Seizures were generally frequent, with limited electrographic spread. However, some neonates had consistently longer interictal periods and 13% had mean interictal periods > 60 min. Seizure variables were relatively stable over time, but they changed with AED therapy. There was a trend to decreased seizure duration, increased length of interictal periods, and decreased electrographic spread. Furthermore, there was evidence of reduced clinical features after sequential AED infusions. Seizures ceased during the monitoring period in 22 neonates. Eighty-five percent of all seizures had no clinical manifestations. Among neonates with clear clinical correlates, clinical observations underestimated electrographic seizures in individual neonates by a mean of 54% (range 0-95%). Seizures generally had limited electrographic spread. Use of only four recording electrodes, characteristic of some portable EEG systems, underestimated seizures in 19 neonates, and missed all seizures in 2.
Numerical methods for approximating functional gains in LQR boundary control problems

This paper focuses on a comparison of numerical schemes for linear quadratic regulator (LQR) problems defined by partial differential equations. Numerical results are presented for control of a one-dimensional heat equation using Dirichlet boundary controls.
Improving Leadership in a Technical Environment: A Case Example of the ConITS Leadership Institute

Abstract:This article provides a description of the steps taken by the program manager of a newly formed organization to significantly improve the leadership skills in the organization. The manager and a senior associate designed, developed, and deployed a Leadership Institute to provide managers on the contract with the skills, knowledge, and insight required to become effective leaders. The Leadership Institute has completed four semesters and the results have been exceptional. This model could serve as an approach for improving technical leadership, an emerging requirement in successful engineering organizations.
Low energy photoelectron resonance capture ionization aerosol mass spectrometry of small peptides with cysteine residues: Cys-Gly, γ-Glu-Cys, and glutathione (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly)

Abstract The photoelectron resonance capture ionization (PERCI) of cysteine (Cys) and small gas-phase neutral peptides that contain the Cys residue (Cys-Gly, γ-Glu-Cys, and glutathione (γ-Glu-Cys-Gly)) is reported. At an ionization energy less than 1 eV two types of dissociative electron attachment ionization were observed for Cys: hydrogen atom loss, resulting in formation of the ion [Cys–H] − , and dissociation of the CH 2 –SH bond, resulting in formation of the ion [SH] − . The presence of these ions suggests that both the π*(–CO 2 H) and σ*(C–S) orbitals can act as low energy electrophores on Cys. This ionization trend was observed for the dipeptides Cys-Gly and γ-Glu-Cys as well as glutathione, with evidence that dissociation of the CH 2 –SH bond in these peptides can also result in ions of the form [M–SH] − . Also measured were ions resulting from bond dissociation of the amide linkage as well as for the amide N–C α bond. In both of these cases the charge is retained on the fragment containing the nitrogen of the amide bond, indicating that ion formation by the PERCI process is directed by the electron affinity (EA) of the fragments. The backbone fragmentation of the PERCI process appears distinct from other low energy processes, including electron detachment dissociation and electron capture dissociation, as evidenced by the lack of amide C α –C cleavage; the dependence of ion formation on the EA of the fragments, not their H affinity; and the observation that PERCI is not a directionally restricted mechanism.
Sterically Stabilized Phospholipid Micelles Reduce Activity of a Candidate Antimicrobial Wound Healing Adjunct

KSLW is an antimicrobial decapeptide, presumed to associate with micelles. Linear polymeric chains of hydrophobic phospholipids tend to form micelles, spontaneously, and function as efficient drug-stabilizing delivery systems. Our goal was to examine whether association of a cationic decapeptide with sterically stabilized nanomicelles (SSMs), improves stability and antimicrobial effect in vivo, using an impaired healing model. KSLW solutions were prepared in either saline or 12 mM SSM. Bilateral circular excisional wounds were created on the backs of SKH-1 mice followed by intradermal delivery of peptide solutions. Bacterial assays were conducted to assess bioactivity of KSLW in different formulations. Fluorescence analyses demonstrated an optimum lipid:peptide ratio for loading KSLW in PEGylated phospholipid micelles to be 15:1. Stressed animals treated with KSLW–SSM preparations demonstrated no differences in microbial load at post-operative time points. In vitro assays against Staphylococcus epidermidis confirmed diminished activity of KSLW in SSM solution. The loss of KSLW antimicrobial activity may be based on electrostatic interactions with the anionic surface of SSM, which interfere with the peptide’s interaction with bacterial membranes. This study emphasizes the importance of antimicrobial peptide charge, size, and bioactivity, when designing delivery systems for wound healing agents.
Infrared wavelength modulation spectroscopy of some optical materials.

Infrared wavelength modulation techniques were developed and used to investigate the low-level absorption of some optical materials such as alkali halides and alkaline earth fluorides. The results reveal rich absorption structures which enable an identification of some of the surface and bulk impurities of these materials. Those impurities are principal sources of optical absorption which limit the expected transparency of these materials in the spectral region studied (2.5–12 μm).
Preferential use of EPTFE for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass grafts.

We have used polytetrafluoroethylene preferentially for bypasses to the above-knee popliteal artery since 1979. Since this approach has recently been challenged, we reviewed our experience with 138 grafts in 128 patients. The majority (74%) of patients were male with a mean age of 63.2 years. Risk factors included: smoking (85%), hypertension (55%), diabetes mellitus (45%), and coronary artery disease (41%). The indications for operation were disabling claudication (18%), rest pain (42%), gangrene/tissue loss (33%), and miscellaneous (7%). Perioperative (30 day) mortality was 3% and morbidity (excluding amputation or graft failure) was 5%. Patients were followed for up to eight years with a mean follow-up of 22.1 months. Grafts which remained patent, but did not prevent major amputation, were classified as “failed”. Primary patency was 75% at one year and 54% at five years. Limb salvage was 88% at one year and 70% at five years. Risk factors, indication for operation and arteriographic runoff had no statistically significant impact on short- or long-term patency. However, bypass grafts to isolated popliteal segments had a significantly (p = 0.025) increased perioperative failure rate compared to all other grafts. Our data support the continued use of polytetrafluoroethylene for above-knee femoropopliteal bypass except perhaps in patients who require grafting to an isolated popliteal segment where higher early failure rates were seen.
Radiation hazards to the patient from oral roentgenography.

In spite of the necessity for the use of roentgen rays in dentistry, as yet little has been done to protect the patient and the dentist from unnecessary overex­ posure. This paper is limited to the dis­ cussion of radiation hazards with respect to the patient. During the preliminary examination, the patient, in most instances, is sub­ jected to a full mouth roentgen-ray ex­ amination, which entails the taking of 15 to 35 roentgenograms, depending on the technic used. In view of the fact that little work has been done in this particu­ lar field, it was decided that an effort should be made to ascertain the danger of overexposure to the patient.
Microfabrication of Single-Cell Scale Sample Holder for Scanning Thermal Analysis

Successful cryopreservation protocols have been developed for a limited number of cell types through an extensive amount of experimentation. To optimize current protocols and to develop more effective protocols for a larger range of cells and tissues it is imperative that accurate transport models be developed for the cooling process. Such models are dependent on the thermodynamic properties of intracellular and extracellular solutions, including heat capacity, latent heat, and the physical phase change temperatures. Scanning techniques, such as differential-scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA), are effective tools for measuring those thermodynamic properties.Conventional thermal scanning tools require sample sizes that are multi-celled in nature. An issue with tools that require multiple cells is that the measurements effectively average the behavior of the cell sample, masking individual cell behavior. Further, extracellular solution further dismisses the desired measurement signal. It is hypothesized that evaluating thermodynamic properties of individual cells will allow more fundamental understanding of cell-level transport, and lead to more effective cryopreservation protocols.To detect a phase change within a prototypical mouse oocyte cell (∼100 μm diameter) sample holders for the scanning tools must be on the same order of size as the cell to reduce the relative thermal mass of the sample holder and to ultimately improve the measurement sensitivity. A proof-of-concept DTA sample holder with a ‘bowl’ to cradle the cell has been designed and fabricated using micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) manufacturing techniques. Control software has been developed which is capable of providing any desired heating or cooling profile within a humidity controlled environment. Repeatable scans using water samples have been demonstrated.Copyright © 2012 by ASME
Prognostic value of Chinese race in nasopharyngeal cancer.

Abstract Purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is rare in the United States and common in southern China. Evaluating American patients treated using a uniform technique and staged with CT scanning, we determined whether Chinese and non-Chinese patients differ in presentation and outcome. Methods and Materials: Between 1979 and 1996, 172 patients treated at Massachusetts General Hospital received primary radiotherapy with curative intent for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Forty-one patients (24%) were of Chinese descent, and 41% of cancers were classified as having lymphoepithelioma histologic features. Most patients received twice-daily radiotherapy and a brachytherapy boost, receiving a median dose of 72 Gy to the nasopharynx. Results: At the initial presentation, the Chinese patients were significantly younger, less likely to smoke, more likely to have Stage IV disease, and more likely to have cancer with lymphoepithelioma histologic features. After controlling for stage, age, histologic type, and treatment variables, Chinese patients were significantly more likely to develop distant metastases ( p Conclusion: In a large retrospective analysis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Chinese and non-Chinese patients differed significantly in presentation—age, stage, and histologic features—and outcome. We suggest as an explanation differences in intrinsic tumor biology rather than differences in treatment techniques or staging systems. Additional trials in endemic countries are needed to confirm the optimal treatment of Chinese and Chinese-American patients.
X-ray diffraction from micrograms of quartz on filters using a rotating anode.

X-ray diffraction data from samples of 20, 60 and 100 µg quartz on poly-vinyl chloride membrane filters have been collected using a rotating anode x-ray source. These data suggest that 17 µg of quartz or possibly less could be measured directly on 35 mm diameter filters without any type of pretreatment.
Mechanisms and regulation of surface interactions and biofilm formation in Agrobacterium

For many pathogenic bacteria surface attachment is a required first step during host interactions. Attachment can proceed to invasion of host tissue or cells or to establishment of a multicellular bacterial community known as a biofilm. The transition from a unicellular, often motile, state to a sessile, multicellular, biofilm-associated state is one of the most important developmental decisions for bacteria. Agrobacterium tumefaciens genetically transforms plant cells by transfer and integration of a segment of plasmid-encoded transferred DNA (T-DNA) into the host genome, and has also been a valuable tool for plant geneticists. A. tumefaciens attaches to and forms a complex biofilm on a variety of biotic and abiotic substrates in vitro. Although rarely studied in situ, it is hypothesized that the biofilm state plays an important functional role in the ecology of this organism. Surface attachment, motility, and cell division are coordinated through a complex regulatory network that imparts an unexpected asymmetry to the A. tumefaciens life cycle. In this review, we describe the mechanisms by which A. tumefaciens associates with surfaces, and regulation of this process. We focus on the transition between flagellar-based motility and surface attachment, and on the composition, production, and secretion of multiple extracellular components that contribute to the biofilm matrix. Biofilm formation by A. tumefaciens is linked with virulence both mechanistically and through shared regulatory molecules. We detail our current understanding of these and other regulatory schemes, as well as the internal and external (environmental) cues mediating development of the biofilm state, including the second messenger cyclic-di-GMP, nutrient levels, and the role of the plant host in influencing attachment and biofilm formation. A. tumefaciens is an important model system contributing to our understanding of developmental transitions, bacterial cell biology, and biofilm formation.
Quantitative analysis of trace OH in garnet and pyroxenes

To calibrate infrared (IR) spectroscopy for quantitative analysis of trace structural OH in specific minerals, we have determined concentrations of H in pure separates of mantle derived pyrope garnet (56 ± 6 ppm H_2O by weight), augite (268 ± 8, ppm H_2O, and enstatite (217 ± 11 ppm H_2O) by manometry after heating the samples and extracting H_2 gas under vacuum. IR spectroscopy confirmed the presence of intrinsic OH in these samples prior to extraction and indicated between 86 and 100% removal of H during the extraction procedure. The integral specific absorption coefficients of 1.39 ± 0.14(lσ),7.09 ± 0.32, and 15.6 ± 0.94 /(ppm H_2O.cm^2) for pyrope, augite, and enstatite, respectively, allow precise spectroscopic determination of the OH content of upper mantle garnets and pyroxenes to concentration levels of a few parts per million. Uncertainties in accuracy depend on mineral composition and characteristics of the OH absorption spectrum and are estimated to range between ± 10 and ± 50%.
Transfer Student Characteristics Matter

The purpose of this study was to identify and define profiles of transfer students and assess if there are different levels of student success (as measured by first semester GPA, retention, and graduation) associated with of those profiles. Using cluster analysis, four transfer student types were identified and labeled as follows: Old Hand at Transfer, Taking Care of Basics, Quick Return to 4–Year College (i.e., no community college experience), and Community or Technical College. The findings of this study suggest that different types of transfer students experience the first year at the “new” institution differently. Understanding different types of transfer students at a single institution can inform intervention strategies to enhance student success.
A Transistorized Chopper-Inverter Controller for Electric Vehicle Propulsion

An ac electric-vehicle propulsion system employing ultra-high power Darlington transistors is described. The power conditioner consists of a two-quadrant chopper and a six-transistor inverter bridge that feeds a 15-hp 120-V 4-pole 7600-rpm permanent-magnet motor. A functional model of the power conditioner and motor has been built and tested.
Prevalence of type B and non-A, non-B hepatitis in hemophilia: relationship to chronic liver disease.

Abstract To assess the relationship of liver dysfunction and hepatitis markers in hemophilic patients treated with factor VIII or IX concentrates, we studied 103 patients with hemophilia A and B for 6–36 mo. Elevated serum alanine aminotransferase was noted in 79% of the patients, with 51% of the patients showing persistent elevation for longer than 6 mo. Thirteen patients (12%) were HB s Ag-positive, with 8 patients showing persistence of HB s Ag and abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase for more than 6 mo. Overall, anti-HB s was detected in 77% of patients. Twelve episodes of acute hepatitis were documented in 10 patients during 36 mo. Six episodes were due to hepatitis B virus. The remaining 6 episodes were due to non-A, non-B hepatitis with negative HB s Ag and absence of seroconversion to hepatitis B virus, hepatitis A virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus. In the six episodes of non-A, non-B hepatitis, the incubation period was less than 10 days in 3 patients and 30 days in 2 patients. In all cases with non-A, non-B hepatitis, the illness was symptomatic, but mild. Serum alanine aminotransferase returned to normal within 4 mo in 2 patients, but in 3 patients serum alanine aminotransferase persisted longer than 6 mo. One patient developed an acute B hepatitis 40 wk after non-A, non-B hepatitis. Thus, infection with the hepatitis B virus still remains prevalent as a cause of acute hepatitis in hemophiliacs receiving commercial factor concentrates, and accounts for chronic liver dysfunction in patients with persistent HB s antigenemia. In addition, acute non-A, non-B hepatitis appears to be relatively common in hemophiliacs, and non-A, non-B virus may account for many cases of persistent liver dysfunction in these patients.
Effects of ethanol dose and ethanol withdrawal on rat liver mitochondrial glutathione: implication of potentiated acetaminophen toxicity in alcoholics.

Chronic ethanol consumption potentiates acetaminophen (APAP) hepatotoxicity through enhanced NAPQI formation via CYP2E1 induction and selective depletion of mitochondrial glutathione. Because the prevalence of the interaction is extremely low given the use of APAP and the incidence of alcohol abuse, we studied the effects of ethanol dose and ethanol withdrawal on selective mitochondrial glutathione (GSH) depletion and APAP toxicity in liver slices. Rats were fed the Lieber-DeCarli diet containing ethanol (0, 7, 18, 27, and 36% total energy) for 6 weeks. The highest ethanol-containing diet (36% energy as ethanol) was replaced by control diet for 2, 5, 12, and 17 h. Maximal CYP2E1 induction was caused by 36% energy as ethanol diet (2.2-fold, p
Influenza Virus H5 DNA Vaccination Is Immunogenic by Intramuscular and Intradermal Routes in Humans

Avian influenza virus causes outbreaks in domestic and wild birds around the world, and sporadic human infections have been reported. A DNA vaccine encoding hemagglutinin (HA) protein from the A/Indonesia/5/05 (H5N1) strain was initially tested in two randomized phase I clinical studies. Vaccine Research Center study 304 (VRC 304) was a double-blinded study with 45 subjects randomized to placebo, 1 mg of vaccine, or 4 mg of vaccine treatment groups (n = 15/group) by intramuscular (i.m.) Biojector injection. VRC 305 was an open-label study to evaluate route, with 44 subjects randomized to intradermal (i.d.) injections of 0.5 mg by needle/syringe or by Biojector or 1 mg delivered as two 0.5-mg Biojector injections in the same deltoid or as 0.5 mg in each deltoid (n = 11/group). Injections were administered at weeks 0, 4, and 8 in both studies. Antibody responses to H5 were assessed by hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and neutralization assay, and the H5 T cell responses were assessed by enzyme-linked immunospot and intracellular cytokine staining assays. There were no vaccine-related serious adverse events, and the vaccine was well tolerated in all groups. At 1 mg, i.d. vaccination compared to i.m. vaccination induced a greater frequency and magnitude of response by ELISA, but there were no significant differences in the frequency or magnitude of response between the i.d. and i.m. routes in the HAI or neutralization assays. T cell responses were more common in subjects who received the 1- or 4-mg dose i.m. These studies demonstrated that the DNA vaccine encoding H5 is safe and immunogenic and served to define the proper dose and route for further studies. The i.d. injection route did not offer a significant advantage over the i.m. route, and no difference was detected by delivery to one site versus splitting the dose between two sites for i.d. vaccine administration. The 4-mg dose (i.m) was further investigated in prime-boost regimens.
Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach of the horse

Six cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the stomach in horses seen at the New York State College of Veterinary Medicine are compared with 15 similar cases reported previously. Clinical signs included anorexia in all cases, emaciation, fever, anaemia and/or palpable abdominal masses in 3, colic in 2 and dysphagia in one case. Haematological studies revealed normochromic, normocytic anaemia in 3 and absolute neutrophilia in 5 cases. Peritoneal fluid analysis was performed in 4 cases and revealed slightly to moderately elevated total protein concentrations in 3 and a markedly elevated number of white blood cells in 2 cases. Exploratory laparotomy, performed in 3 cases, was essential for a definitive diagnosis. The data presented here suggest that squamous cell carcinoma of the equine stomach may be increasing in frequency and demonstrate the need for prospective epidemiological studies.
Evaluation of the Linear-Elution-Strength Model for the Prediction of Retention and Selectivity in Isothermal Gas Chromatography

Linear-elution strength theory and temperature-programmed gas chromatography is evaluated as a rapid method for predicting isothermal retention factors and column selectivity. Retention times for a wide range of compounds are determined at the program rates of 3 and 12 °C/min for the temperature range 60 to 160 °C on three open-tubular columns (DB-1701, DB-210 and EC-Wax) and used to predict isothermal retention factors for each column over the temperature range 60 to 140 °C. The temperature-program predicted isothermal retention factors are compared with experimental values using linear regression and the solvation parameter model. It is shown that isothermal retention factors predicted by the linear-elution-strength model only approximately represents the experimental data. The model fails to predict the slight curvature that exists in most plots of the experimental retention factor (log k) as a function of temperature. In addition, regression of the temperature-program predicted isothermal retention factors against the experimental values indicates that the slopes and intercepts deviate significantly from their target values of one and zero, respectively, in a manner which is temperature dependent. The temperature-program predicted isothermal retention factors result in system constants for the solvation parameter model that are different to those obtained from the experimental retention factors. These results are interpreted as indicating that linear-elution-strength theory predicts retention factors that fail to accurately model stationary phase interactions over a wide temperature range. It is concluded that temperature-program methods using linear-elution-strength theory are unsuitable for constructing system maps for isothermal separations.
Financial implications of the continuity of primary care.

The objective of this study was to assess the financial implications of continuity of care, for high-care-needs patients, by examining the cost of government-funded health care services in British Columbia (BC), Canada. Continuity of Care There is a consensus that continuity of care can improve the quality of patient care1–3 and a concomitant belief that continuity of care and care coordination can be cost-effective.4 Starfield and colleagues5 have pointed out that a discontinuity of primary care leads to patients seeking more specialist care, thereby increasing overall costs. However, empirical studies on the potential cost avoidance directly related to the continuity of primary care are few. The cost-effectiveness of continuity of care has typically been inferred from its impacts on cost-related variables (eg, number of hospital admissions) but not directly on costs. For example, continuity of care has been associated with decreased hospital visits in the US6 and reduced ambulatory care-related hospitalizations in Canada.7 Conversely, lacking a primary care physician has been associated with an increased rate of hospital admissions,8 and in Ontario, Canada, patients without a regular family physician were 1.22 times more likely to visit an Emergency Department and 1.32 times more likely to have had a medical, nonelective hospital admission than were patients who reported having a regular family physician or general practitioner (GP).9 In the conceptual framework of continuity of care described by Haggerty et al,1 three types of continuity of care were identified. Management continuity relates to the delivery of services by different care providers in a timely and complementary manner such that care is connected and coherent. Informational continuity refers to the extent to which information about past care is used to make current care appropriate to the patient. Finally, relational continuity refers to the therapeutic relationship between a patient and one or more providers that spans various health care events and results in an accumulated knowledge of the patient and care consistent with the individual’s needs. In our study, we used the concept of relational continuity between the patient and the primary care practice where the individual obtained most of his/her care, and operationalized it as the patient’s attachment to the main practice (see the section Attachment to Practice and Costs for a full definition).
Full Dentition Periodontal Surgery Utilizing Intravenous Conscious-Sedation: A Report of 5200 Cases

A brief survey of the techniques of intravenous conscious-sedation for full dentition, all inclusive periodontal surgery is presented as used for 5200 patients. Diazepam, meperidine, and methohexital were employed in 3700 cases while diazepam plus methohexital was used in the remaining 1500 cases. Local infiltration and nerve block anesthesia were employed in all of the cases. Patients of wide age range having a physical status of I, II or III underwent total periodontal surgery in one appointment. No major complications were noted. Patient and surgeon acceptance was excellent.
Smoothed Periodogram of Oxyhemoglobin Saturation by Pulse Oximetry in Sleep Apnea Syndrome : An Automated Analysis

Abstract Background: Variability of oxyhemoglobin saturation (Sp o 2 ) during sleep has been utilized as a diagnostic index for sleep apnea. Spectral analysis with its graphical presentation, the periodogram, is an approach for measuring such variability. This work examined the parameters on a smoothed periodogram created from series data for Sp o 2 obtained by pulse oximetry during a sleep study. Design and results: Sp o 2 was recorded during polysomnography study of 273 subjects. Clinical data of subjects were collected retrospectively. A novel automated algorithm was created to measure the low-frequency ( 0.1–0.5 ). Two successive modified Daniell smoothers with span lengths of 3 to 121 in odd numbers were applied to determine the effect of smoothing on these parameters. slope 0.1–0.5 was least affected by smoothing and had a sensitivity of 78% and a specificity of 80% in diagnosing sleep apnea defined by a value of apnea-hypopnea index ≥ 5. Combining slope 0.1–0.5 with parameters of the low-frequency peak enlarged the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve. A composite indicator comprised of slope 0.1–0.5 and ratio of the area under the curve of the low-frequency peak to that of whole periodogram (AUCratio) had a positive likelihood ratio of 15.25 in identifying patients with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. The algorithm was validated in another 206 patients undergoing polysomnographic studies. Conclusions: These analytical results demonstrate that the smoothed periodogram of Sp o 2 is a useful tool for screening subjects with sleep apnea.
Airspace in a Green Economy

The recent surge of interest in renewable energy and sustainable land use has made the airspace above land more valuable than ever before.However, a growing number of policies aimed at promoting sustainability disregard landowners' airspace rights in ways that can cause airspace to be underutilized. This article analyzes several land use conflicts emerging in the context of renewable energy development by framing them as disputes over airspace. The article suggests that incorporating options or liability rules into laws regulating airspace is a useful way to promote wind and solar energy while still respecting landowners' existing airspace rights. If properly tailored, such policies can facilitate renewable energy development without compromising landowners’ incentives and capacity to make optimal use of the space above their land. The article also introduces a new abstract model to argue that policymakers should weigh the likely impacts on both rival and non-rival airspace uses when deciding whether to modify airspace restrictions to encourage sustainability.
Quantum mechanical investigation of cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate, the second hormonal messenger

Full geometry optimizations using the PM3, AMl, 3-21G*/HF and 6-31G*/HF levels of theory were conducted on the syn and anti conformations of cyclic 3’,5’-adenosine monophosphate (CAMP). Comparison of the anti crystal structures with the semiempirical and ab initio results revealed that the ab initio results agree well with the experimental results. The results of semiempirical calculations are in qualitative agreement with experimental and ab initio values, with the exception of the glycosyl torsion angle for the anti conformer. Sugar puckering, which is not handled properly by semiempirical methods for unconstrained sugars, nucleosides, nucleotides and nucleotide base pairs, is modeled reasonably well by the semiempirical methods for CAMP. This improvement results from the constraints introduced by the cyclization of AMP to form the phosphodiester.
Cutaneous lesions of disseminated histoplasmosis in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Disseminated histoplasmosis is being diagnosed more frequently in persons infected with the human immunodeficiency virus and is often the initial manifestation of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Disease-related cutaneous features of HIV-associated disseminated histoplasmosis are defined as mucocutaneous lesions from which fungal organisms were either cultured or demonstrated histopathologically. We report four HIV-seropositive patients with disseminated histoplasmosis who had culture-positive skin or oral lesions of histoplasmosis and review the specific cutaneous manifestations of HIV-associated disseminated histoplasmosis. Including our patients, disease-related skin and/or mucosal lesions were present in 11% of patients (26% of 239) with HIV-associated disseminated histoplasmosis. The possibility of disseminated histoplasmosis should be considered in all HIV-infected persons and in persons with AIDS risk factors who have fever, weight loss, hepatosplenomegaly, and new cutaneous lesions. An early skin or mucosal biopsy specimen for crushed tissue preparation, histologic evaluation, and fungal culture is a simple, rapid diagnostic procedure.
PNC-27 and PNC-28 anticancer peptides selectively kill cancer cells by pore formation dependent on the binding of these peptides to hdm2 in cancer cell membranes.

LB-195 We have previously shown that two novel peptides, PNC-27 and PNC-28, that contain p53 hdm2 binding domain sequences 12-26 and 17-26, respectively, and are attached to penetratin, a leader sequence from the antennapedia protein, effectively kill a wide variety of cancer cells in vitro (Kanovsky, M et al, PNAS 98, 2001; Do, T et al, Oncogene 22, 2002) and in vivo (Michl, J et al, IJC 119, 2006). Remarkably, neither peptide affects growth of normal untransformed cells nor hematopoiesis. We further demonstrated that these peptides induce plasma membrane lysis resulting in cancer cell necrosis, not apoptosis. We now show that immunoblotting of cell lysates from treated cancer cells suggests a specific binding-dependent mechanism that is not present in normal cells. Moreover, a double fluorescent-labeled peptide (amino terminal FITC and carboxyl terminal TRITC) was found exclusively on cell membranes of PNC-27- and PNC-28-treated cancer but not normal cells. Furthermore, we identified the presence of mdm2/hdm2 in cancer cell plasma membranes otherwise not detected in normal cell plasma membranes. Confocal microscopy of peptide-treated and -untreated cancer cells demonstrated strong staining with a TRITC-labeled mAb to mdm2/hdm2. Cancer cells that had been treated (5-15min) with PNC-27 also showed strong membrane staining with FITC-anti-PNC-27 Ab which co-localized with the TRITC-mAb to mdm2/hdm2 and further suggested PNC-27 membrane interaction with mdm2/hdm2. In contrast, staining for PNC-27 was absent in normal and cancer cells treated with a control peptide, PNC-29. Ultrastructural studies confirmed these results: Immunostaining with gold-conjugated Ab demonstrated the co-localization of PNC-27 and mdm2/hdm2 on the plasma membranes of cancer cells whereas in untreated cancer cells only mdm2/hdm2 was observed. With longer PNC-27 treatment (30min) the disruption of the cells9 plasma membranes and mitochondria was noted whereas the nuclear membranes remained intact, an indication of necrosis. In contrast, none of these morphological changes was observed in untreated cancer and cancer cells treated with control peptide. We further found in cancer cell plasma membranes oligomeric PNC-27 and hdm2 in ring-shaped structures similar to those seen in studies with Streptolysin-O (SLO), a well-known pore-forming toxin. The similarity of PNC-27-hdm2 "pores" to SLO pores suggests an important cause of rapid cancer cell death. The pore formation of PNC-27 in cancer cells is likely to be achieved by the direct interaction of PNC-27 via its hdm2/mdm2-specific binding site with the hdm2/mdm2 molecules that are expressed only in cancer cell plasma membrane. We propose PNC-27/-28 binds to the hdm2/mdm2 protein in cancer cell membrane enabling several PNC-molecules to associate to form membrane-penetrating pores leading to cell death.
Practical and Efficient Searching in Proteomics: A Cross Engine Comparison.

BACKGROUND Analysis of large datasets produced by mass spectrometry-based proteomics relies on database search algorithms to sequence peptides and identify proteins. Several such scoring methods are available, each based on different statistical foundations and thereby not producing identical results. Here, the aim is to compare peptide and protein identifications using multiple search engines and examine the additional proteins gained by increasing the number of technical replicate analyses. METHODS A HeLa whole cell lysate was analyzed on an Orbitrap mass spectrometer for 10 technical replicates. The data were combined and searched using Mascot, SEQUEST, and Andromeda. Comparisons were made of peptide and protein identifications among the search engines. In addition, searches using each engine were performed with incrementing number of technical replicates. RESULTS The number and identity of peptides and proteins differed across search engines. For all three search engines, the differences in proteins identifications were greater than the differences in peptide identifications indicating that the major source of the disparity may be at the protein inference grouping level. The data also revealed that analysis of 2 technical replicates can increase protein identifications by up to 10-15%, while a third replicate results in an additional 4-5%. CONCLUSIONS The data emphasize two practical methods of increasing the robustness of mass spectrometry data analysis. The data show that 1) using multiple search engines can expand the number of identified proteins (union) and validate protein identifications (intersection), and 2) analysis of 2 or 3 technical replicates can substantially expand protein identifications. Moreover, information can be extracted from a dataset by performing database searching with different engines and performing technical repeats, which requires no additional sample preparation and effectively utilizes research time and effort.
A supply-insensitive self-regulating CMOS ring oscillator

This paper presents a resistor-free self-regulating CMOS ring oscillator (RO) whose oscillation frequency is insensitive to supply noise variations. The proposed RO design achieves self-regulation by adopting a cross-coupled dual latch-based scheme; Proper custom device sizing of the cross-coupled latches can improve supply noise immunity and frequency stability compared to a simple inverter design. A Five-stage RO is designed and implemented as a test vehicle which shows > 40% improvement in reducing supply noise sensitivity with a maximum frequency of 1GHz and 0.7mW power consumption. The simulation results are obtained using the Spectre simulator based on digital CMOS 0.09μm process Technology.
Improved short-term outcomes with off-pump reoperative coronary artery bypass grafting.

ObjectiveReoperative coronary surgery patients are usually sicker and older, and the procedure is more technically demanding. Comparisons between coronary surgery with (coronary artery bypass [CAB]...
Paternalistic Leadership and Follower Performance: The Role of LMX and Identification with Leader

The present study tries to bring social exchange and social identity theories together in studying the effects of the highly relational and personalized paternalistic leadership approach. Using dat...
Bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition in obese adult women: the effect of ethnicity.

Bioelectrical impedance analysis to assess body composition in obese adult women: The effect of ethnicity
A Record of Sorex arcticus for New Brunswick

Although there are two published records of the saddle-backed shrew, Sorex arcticus , in New Brunswick, neither seems to be supported by extant specimens, and it therefore seems desirable to place on record the recent acquisition, by the Canadian Museum of Natural History, of a specimen collected near Sackville in 1949. Cox in 1896 (Bull. Nat. Hist. Soc, …